{"id": "pubmed23n0026_0", "title": "Lyme arthritis in Wisconsin.", "content": "Rash, severe constitutional symptoms, and arthritis developed in three persons who were bitten by ticks in Wisconsin. On comparison with other reports of arthritis related to tick bites, we found that the illness of our patients had clinical features consistent with Lyme arthritis. Lyme arthritis appears not to be restricted to New England as has been previously reported.", "contents": "Lyme arthritis in Wisconsin. Rash, severe constitutional symptoms, and arthritis developed in three persons who were bitten by ticks in Wisconsin. On comparison with other reports of arthritis related to tick bites, we found that the illness of our patients had clinical features consistent with Lyme arthritis. Lyme arthritis appears not to be restricted to New England as has been previously reported.", "PMID": 759666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1", "title": "[Improved interpretation of renal-vein-renin-ratio by simultaneous determination of renal 131I-hippuric-acid-clearance-ratio in patients with renovascular hypertension (author's transl)].", "content": "In patients with unilateral vascular kidney disease and hypertension, ratio of renal-vein-renin was compared with 131I-Hippuric-acid clearance and change in blood pressure during Saralasininfusion. The ratio of renal-vein-renin was positively correlated with the ratio in renal plasma flow between the kidneys in all patients studied. The ratio of renins therefore is a result of two factors: The difference in renin secretion and the difference in blood flow in the two kidneys. In patients with angiotensin independent hypertension renin-ratios up to 2.0 were found without relevance to elevated blood pressure. When the difference in renal blood flow between both kidneys was small, even a slight difference in renal vein renin indicated hypertension related to increased renin secretion. Renin-ratios in the critical range between 1.5 and 2.5 should only be interpreted in respect to a similar ratio in renal blood flow.", "contents": "[Improved interpretation of renal-vein-renin-ratio by simultaneous determination of renal 131I-hippuric-acid-clearance-ratio in patients with renovascular hypertension (author's transl)]. In patients with unilateral vascular kidney disease and hypertension, ratio of renal-vein-renin was compared with 131I-Hippuric-acid clearance and change in blood pressure during Saralasininfusion. The ratio of renal-vein-renin was positively correlated with the ratio in renal plasma flow between the kidneys in all patients studied. The ratio of renins therefore is a result of two factors: The difference in renin secretion and the difference in blood flow in the two kidneys. In patients with angiotensin independent hypertension renin-ratios up to 2.0 were found without relevance to elevated blood pressure. When the difference in renal blood flow between both kidneys was small, even a slight difference in renal vein renin indicated hypertension related to increased renin secretion. Renin-ratios in the critical range between 1.5 and 2.5 should only be interpreted in respect to a similar ratio in renal blood flow.", "PMID": 759713} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2", "title": "[A prospective study on course and prognostic criteria in \"preleukemia\" (author's transl)].", "content": "The natural course of disease was followed in 33 patients with so-called preleukemia by a prospective multicentric protocol. Patients with the following criteria were included: Anaemia with granulocytopenia and/or thrombocytopenia, normal or increased cellularity of the bone marrow and exclusion of a known diagnosis of underlying disease. Follow up after assumption of \"preleukemia\" was 3 years or more. Median survival was 26 months after diagnosis of preleukemia and 36 months after the first unequivocal symptoms of the blood dyscrasia. 40% of the patients changed to the picture of leukemia within 2 years. The most important parameters suggesting subsequent transition to overt leukemia where chromosomal abberations and an increased blast count of the bone marrow.", "contents": "[A prospective study on course and prognostic criteria in \"preleukemia\" (author's transl)]. The natural course of disease was followed in 33 patients with so-called preleukemia by a prospective multicentric protocol. Patients with the following criteria were included: Anaemia with granulocytopenia and/or thrombocytopenia, normal or increased cellularity of the bone marrow and exclusion of a known diagnosis of underlying disease. Follow up after assumption of \"preleukemia\" was 3 years or more. Median survival was 26 months after diagnosis of preleukemia and 36 months after the first unequivocal symptoms of the blood dyscrasia. 40% of the patients changed to the picture of leukemia within 2 years. The most important parameters suggesting subsequent transition to overt leukemia where chromosomal abberations and an increased blast count of the bone marrow.", "PMID": 759714} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3", "title": "The vulnerability of the right atrium. III. Electrophysiologic correlates of atrial vulnerability.", "content": "70 patients were investigated by means of the atrial extrastimulus method at three different driving rates: 80, 100 and 120/min. At each rate the effective, the relative, the total and the functional refractory periods were measured. 30 patients who showed signs of atrial vulnerability at least one of the tested rates were included in the so called vulnerability group. The remaining 40 patients, who did not fulfill the criteria for atrial vulnerability, were included in the nonvulnerability group. When the two groups were compared to each other there were significant larger P waves (p less than 0.005), shorter effective refractory periods (p less than 0.001) and longer relative refractory periods (p less than 0.001) in the vulnerability group. With increasing driving rate there was an increased tendency to repletitive firing in the vulnerability group. The phenomenon of vulnerability correlated well with the rate-induced shortening of the effective and the lengthening of the relative refractory period. The above described phenomena are compatible with the concept of re-entry as the electrophysiologic mechanism of atrial vulnerability in man.", "contents": "The vulnerability of the right atrium. III. Electrophysiologic correlates of atrial vulnerability. 70 patients were investigated by means of the atrial extrastimulus method at three different driving rates: 80, 100 and 120/min. At each rate the effective, the relative, the total and the functional refractory periods were measured. 30 patients who showed signs of atrial vulnerability at least one of the tested rates were included in the so called vulnerability group. The remaining 40 patients, who did not fulfill the criteria for atrial vulnerability, were included in the nonvulnerability group. When the two groups were compared to each other there were significant larger P waves (p less than 0.005), shorter effective refractory periods (p less than 0.001) and longer relative refractory periods (p less than 0.001) in the vulnerability group. With increasing driving rate there was an increased tendency to repletitive firing in the vulnerability group. The phenomenon of vulnerability correlated well with the rate-induced shortening of the effective and the lengthening of the relative refractory period. The above described phenomena are compatible with the concept of re-entry as the electrophysiologic mechanism of atrial vulnerability in man.", "PMID": 759715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4", "title": "Prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia.", "content": "Prenatal diagnosis was attempted in 14 fetuses at risk for homozygous beta-thalassemia, gestational age 18-22 weeks. In 4 cases the placenta was entirely anterior, placental aspiration under ultrasonic control only had to be used for fetal blood sampling. In 10 fetuses fetoscopy was used for puncture of a chorionic blood vessel. Diagnoses were based on the rate of in vitro synthesis of beta-globin related to total non-alphaglobin synthesis. With the aid of fetoscopy, nearly pure fetal blood was obtained in general. Placental aspiration resulted in samples which contained a low percentage of fetal and a high percentage of maternal cells. The attempt of fetal blood sampling resulted in fetal loss in two cases. In 2 aspiration cases no diagnosis could be made because the samples were inadequate. In 2 cases the diagnosis was established in spite of low fetal cell content through determination of the specific radioactivity in the placental and pure maternal blood. Until now 6 children have been born in whom prenatal diagnosis had been attempted, none of them has homozygous thalassemia. Present efforts are directed toward improving the safety of fetal blood sampling and the biochemical methods for the diagnosis in placental samples with low fetal cell content. Although the prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia is possible, the procedure has still to be considered experimental.", "contents": "Prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia. Prenatal diagnosis was attempted in 14 fetuses at risk for homozygous beta-thalassemia, gestational age 18-22 weeks. In 4 cases the placenta was entirely anterior, placental aspiration under ultrasonic control only had to be used for fetal blood sampling. In 10 fetuses fetoscopy was used for puncture of a chorionic blood vessel. Diagnoses were based on the rate of in vitro synthesis of beta-globin related to total non-alphaglobin synthesis. With the aid of fetoscopy, nearly pure fetal blood was obtained in general. Placental aspiration resulted in samples which contained a low percentage of fetal and a high percentage of maternal cells. The attempt of fetal blood sampling resulted in fetal loss in two cases. In 2 aspiration cases no diagnosis could be made because the samples were inadequate. In 2 cases the diagnosis was established in spite of low fetal cell content through determination of the specific radioactivity in the placental and pure maternal blood. Until now 6 children have been born in whom prenatal diagnosis had been attempted, none of them has homozygous thalassemia. Present efforts are directed toward improving the safety of fetal blood sampling and the biochemical methods for the diagnosis in placental samples with low fetal cell content. Although the prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia is possible, the procedure has still to be considered experimental.", "PMID": 759716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5", "title": "Alterations of peripheral testosterone matabolism after induced hypoprolactinemia in patients with prostatic carcinoma.", "content": "In 12 patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma the effect of bromocriptine-induced hypoprolactinemia on the peripheral androgen metabolism was investigated after 3H-testosterone injection under conditions that each individual served as his own control. After a 5-day significant prolactin suppression, the elimination of 3H-label 1 h after testosterone injection was about 45% and equal to pre-bromocriptine values. The recovery of dihydrotestosterone separated by silica gel T.L.C., however, was significantly augmented, resulting in a marked decrease of the testosterone/dihydrotestosterone ratio from 12.2 to 6.3. This induced 5alpha-reductase activity after prolactin suppression is in accordance with our earlier findings on prostatic carcinoma tissue, matches well with observations of Magrini et al. on induced hyperprolactinemia and may be a new approach to the understanding of androgen dependent disorders.", "contents": "Alterations of peripheral testosterone matabolism after induced hypoprolactinemia in patients with prostatic carcinoma. In 12 patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma the effect of bromocriptine-induced hypoprolactinemia on the peripheral androgen metabolism was investigated after 3H-testosterone injection under conditions that each individual served as his own control. After a 5-day significant prolactin suppression, the elimination of 3H-label 1 h after testosterone injection was about 45% and equal to pre-bromocriptine values. The recovery of dihydrotestosterone separated by silica gel T.L.C., however, was significantly augmented, resulting in a marked decrease of the testosterone/dihydrotestosterone ratio from 12.2 to 6.3. This induced 5alpha-reductase activity after prolactin suppression is in accordance with our earlier findings on prostatic carcinoma tissue, matches well with observations of Magrini et al. on induced hyperprolactinemia and may be a new approach to the understanding of androgen dependent disorders.", "PMID": 759717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6", "title": "Clinicopathologic studies of primary cerebral amyloid angiopathy.", "content": "Primary cerebrovascular amyloidosis resulting in significant cerebral parenchymal damage was encountered in 23 autopsied cases at the Mayo Clinic over the past 10 years. Patients were 60 to 97 years old and both sexes were equally represented. Large- and medium-sized leptomeningeal and cortical arteries showed the characteristic pattern of medial and intimal involvement, with luminal stenosis. The walls of smaller arteries were often diffusely infiltrated, with fibrinoid degeneration and miliary aneurysm formation. The amyloid nature of the infiltrate was confirmed by electron microscopic examination in all cases. All cases showed varying numbers of perivascular or independent senile plaques in the cerebral cortex. Alzheimer's neurofibrillary tangles were absent or were limited to the hippocampal region in all but two cases. Multiple, small cortical infarcts and hemorrhages were regularly present. Larger hemorrhage was present in nine cases. Of nine patients with terminal massive cerebral hemorrhage, only two were hypertensive. Six patients had had progressive dementia; four had had single episodes of vascular events and seven, multiple episodes; and four had had both dementia and vascular episodes. Primary cerebral amyloid angiopathy should be regarded as an important cause of mental deterioration and fatal cerebrovascular accidents in the elderly.", "contents": "Clinicopathologic studies of primary cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Primary cerebrovascular amyloidosis resulting in significant cerebral parenchymal damage was encountered in 23 autopsied cases at the Mayo Clinic over the past 10 years. Patients were 60 to 97 years old and both sexes were equally represented. Large- and medium-sized leptomeningeal and cortical arteries showed the characteristic pattern of medial and intimal involvement, with luminal stenosis. The walls of smaller arteries were often diffusely infiltrated, with fibrinoid degeneration and miliary aneurysm formation. The amyloid nature of the infiltrate was confirmed by electron microscopic examination in all cases. All cases showed varying numbers of perivascular or independent senile plaques in the cerebral cortex. Alzheimer's neurofibrillary tangles were absent or were limited to the hippocampal region in all but two cases. Multiple, small cortical infarcts and hemorrhages were regularly present. Larger hemorrhage was present in nine cases. Of nine patients with terminal massive cerebral hemorrhage, only two were hypertensive. Six patients had had progressive dementia; four had had single episodes of vascular events and seven, multiple episodes; and four had had both dementia and vascular episodes. Primary cerebral amyloid angiopathy should be regarded as an important cause of mental deterioration and fatal cerebrovascular accidents in the elderly.", "PMID": 759733} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7", "title": "The ocular aspects of bypass surgery of the carotid artery.", "content": "A new neurosurgical procedure, anastomosis of the superficial temporal artery to the middle cerebral artery, is being performed with increasing frequency. Over a 7-year period (1971 through 1977), 121 patients have undergone this operation in our institution. Ophthalmodynamometry may be of great help in identifying occlusion of an internal carotid artery. Progressing venous stasis retinopathy and ischemic orbital pain are believed to be indications for bypass surgery of the carotid artery.", "contents": "The ocular aspects of bypass surgery of the carotid artery. A new neurosurgical procedure, anastomosis of the superficial temporal artery to the middle cerebral artery, is being performed with increasing frequency. Over a 7-year period (1971 through 1977), 121 patients have undergone this operation in our institution. Ophthalmodynamometry may be of great help in identifying occlusion of an internal carotid artery. Progressing venous stasis retinopathy and ischemic orbital pain are believed to be indications for bypass surgery of the carotid artery.", "PMID": 759734} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8", "title": "Colonoscopic polypectomies.", "content": "One hundred ninety-three consecutive colonoscopic procedures were carried out over a recent 1-year period. An overall success rate of 92.7% was achieved for 178 attempted polypectomies. Bleeding was a complication in two patients. No colonic perforations resulted from the procedures. The results represent experience gained with 1,450 colonoscopic polypectomies.", "contents": "Colonoscopic polypectomies. One hundred ninety-three consecutive colonoscopic procedures were carried out over a recent 1-year period. An overall success rate of 92.7% was achieved for 178 attempted polypectomies. Bleeding was a complication in two patients. No colonic perforations resulted from the procedures. The results represent experience gained with 1,450 colonoscopic polypectomies.", "PMID": 759735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9", "title": "Clinical spectrum of Wilson's disease (hepatolenticular degeneration).", "content": "Fifty-eight patients with Wilson's disease are reviewed, of whom 25 symptomatic patients experienced liver disease first and 28, brain disease. Ten of these patients presented with liver disease alone, 19 with brain disease alone, and 24 with evidence of both liver and brain disease. The remaining five were discovered as asymptomatic siblings of known patients. Three of the patients with hepatic presentation and one with neurologic presentation later experienced the other type of symptomatology, bringing the total number of patients with mixed disease to 28. Of the 44 patients with brain disease, 12 presented primarily with extrapyramidal findings, 6 with cerebellar findings, and 17 with both; pseudobulbar findings were noted in 9 patients, all of whom had other symptoms of severe nervous system disease. In addition to these presentations, in an appreciable number of patients the first symptoms were of a mental or emotional disorder. Disease of other organ systems, such as the joints and kidneys, also occurred but infrequently. Where adequate family information was available, 13 of 65 siblings (20%) were known to have had or were suspected of having had Wilson's disease. This is consistent with the autosomal-recessive pattern of inheritance.", "contents": "Clinical spectrum of Wilson's disease (hepatolenticular degeneration). Fifty-eight patients with Wilson's disease are reviewed, of whom 25 symptomatic patients experienced liver disease first and 28, brain disease. Ten of these patients presented with liver disease alone, 19 with brain disease alone, and 24 with evidence of both liver and brain disease. The remaining five were discovered as asymptomatic siblings of known patients. Three of the patients with hepatic presentation and one with neurologic presentation later experienced the other type of symptomatology, bringing the total number of patients with mixed disease to 28. Of the 44 patients with brain disease, 12 presented primarily with extrapyramidal findings, 6 with cerebellar findings, and 17 with both; pseudobulbar findings were noted in 9 patients, all of whom had other symptoms of severe nervous system disease. In addition to these presentations, in an appreciable number of patients the first symptoms were of a mental or emotional disorder. Disease of other organ systems, such as the joints and kidneys, also occurred but infrequently. Where adequate family information was available, 13 of 65 siblings (20%) were known to have had or were suspected of having had Wilson's disease. This is consistent with the autosomal-recessive pattern of inheritance.", "PMID": 759736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10", "title": "Roentgenographic findings in thoracic aortic dissection.", "content": "Review of 91 confirmed cases of thoracic aortic dissection revealed that the findings on the plain films of the chest often were suggestive of the diagnosis, with abnormalities in the aortic countour, especially when comparison was made with previous roentgenograms. The diagnosis was definitively made in 52 cases by retrograde transfemoral or transaxillary catheterization accomplished without complication. The most common angiographic findings were opacification of the false lumen, visualization of an intimal flap, and deformity of the true lumen. Early diagnosis and institution of appropriate therapy can improve survival in this disease.", "contents": "Roentgenographic findings in thoracic aortic dissection. Review of 91 confirmed cases of thoracic aortic dissection revealed that the findings on the plain films of the chest often were suggestive of the diagnosis, with abnormalities in the aortic countour, especially when comparison was made with previous roentgenograms. The diagnosis was definitively made in 52 cases by retrograde transfemoral or transaxillary catheterization accomplished without complication. The most common angiographic findings were opacification of the false lumen, visualization of an intimal flap, and deformity of the true lumen. Early diagnosis and institution of appropriate therapy can improve survival in this disease.", "PMID": 759737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11", "title": "Systemic mastocytosis with review of gastrointestinal manifestations.", "content": "A 63-year-old man presented with fever, splenomegaly, steatorrhea, diarrhea, and weight loss. A tissue diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis was made. This case is unusual in that diarrhea and steatorrhea were present in the absence of skin lesions and because fever was a prominent symptom. Thus, systemic mastocytosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of intestinal malabsorption even when the skin shows no abnormalities. The gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic mastocytosis are reviewed.", "contents": "Systemic mastocytosis with review of gastrointestinal manifestations. A 63-year-old man presented with fever, splenomegaly, steatorrhea, diarrhea, and weight loss. A tissue diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis was made. This case is unusual in that diarrhea and steatorrhea were present in the absence of skin lesions and because fever was a prominent symptom. Thus, systemic mastocytosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of intestinal malabsorption even when the skin shows no abnormalities. The gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic mastocytosis are reviewed.", "PMID": 759738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_12", "title": "Rates of surgical care in prepaid group practices and the independent setting: what are the reasons for the differences?", "content": "The Seattle Prepaid Health Care Evaluation Project is a comparative study designed to assess the care received by persons enrolled in either a large prepaid group practice (PGP) or in a prepaid, independent practice setting in which physicians are reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis (IPP). As part of the study we assessed the patterns of surgical care for hysterectomy, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. Overall, there were 215 such procedures with an exposure adjusted rate being five times higher in the IPP than in the PGP. After eliminating 43 per cent of procedures in the IPP and 22 per cent in the PGP which did not meet specified criteria for either necessary, appropriate or justifiable surgery, the exposure-adjusted rate differential was 3.9 times higher in the IPP with the difference in the rates being mainly attributable to hysterectomy and tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. We conclude there were more unnecessary procedures in the IPP, but the fact that a significant difference in the incidence of surgery persisted even after elimination of such cases suggests that the differences in rates of surgery between the IPP and PGP cannot be solely attributed to a higher rate of inappropriate surgery in the IPP.", "contents": "Rates of surgical care in prepaid group practices and the independent setting: what are the reasons for the differences? The Seattle Prepaid Health Care Evaluation Project is a comparative study designed to assess the care received by persons enrolled in either a large prepaid group practice (PGP) or in a prepaid, independent practice setting in which physicians are reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis (IPP). As part of the study we assessed the patterns of surgical care for hysterectomy, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. Overall, there were 215 such procedures with an exposure adjusted rate being five times higher in the IPP than in the PGP. After eliminating 43 per cent of procedures in the IPP and 22 per cent in the PGP which did not meet specified criteria for either necessary, appropriate or justifiable surgery, the exposure-adjusted rate differential was 3.9 times higher in the IPP with the difference in the rates being mainly attributable to hysterectomy and tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. We conclude there were more unnecessary procedures in the IPP, but the fact that a significant difference in the incidence of surgery persisted even after elimination of such cases suggests that the differences in rates of surgery between the IPP and PGP cannot be solely attributed to a higher rate of inappropriate surgery in the IPP.", "PMID": 759740} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_13", "title": "Determinants of three stages of delay in seeking care at a medical clinic.", "content": "Factors affecting delay were studied in patients seeking treatment for the first time for a particular symptom at clinics in a major, innercity hospital. On the basis of the patients' retrospective report, the total time from first noticing a symptom to the seeking of treatment was divided into three sequential stages: 1) appraisal delay--the time the patient takes to appraise a symptom as a sign of illness; 2) illness delay--the time taken from deciding one is ill until deciding to seek professional medical care; and 3) utilization delay--the time from the decision to seek care until the patient goes to the clinic and uses its services. The variables used to predict the length of delay for each of the three stages and for total delay included reports on concrete, sensory perceptions and abstract, conceptual beliefs about one's symptoms, behavioral factors such as strategies for self-appraisal and techniques for coping with illness, emotional reactions, negative imagery elicited by the illness threat, situational barriers, and socio-demographic factors. Patients experiencing a very painful symptom and patients who did not read about their symptom had a short appraisal delay. Patients with old symptoms and those who imagined possible, severe consequences of their illness had long illness delays. Utilization delay was shortest for persons who were not concerned about the cost of treatment, who had a painful symptom, and who were certain that their symptom could be cured. Patients who had short total delays were persons who did not have a competing personal problem and who had a painful symptom. All of these predictors were significantly correlated with the measure of delay at or beyond the p = .01 level. It was concluded that different factors mediate delay in each of the three stages and that studies which use only a single measure of total delay are likely to be of limited value in understanding delay.", "contents": "Determinants of three stages of delay in seeking care at a medical clinic. Factors affecting delay were studied in patients seeking treatment for the first time for a particular symptom at clinics in a major, innercity hospital. On the basis of the patients' retrospective report, the total time from first noticing a symptom to the seeking of treatment was divided into three sequential stages: 1) appraisal delay--the time the patient takes to appraise a symptom as a sign of illness; 2) illness delay--the time taken from deciding one is ill until deciding to seek professional medical care; and 3) utilization delay--the time from the decision to seek care until the patient goes to the clinic and uses its services. The variables used to predict the length of delay for each of the three stages and for total delay included reports on concrete, sensory perceptions and abstract, conceptual beliefs about one's symptoms, behavioral factors such as strategies for self-appraisal and techniques for coping with illness, emotional reactions, negative imagery elicited by the illness threat, situational barriers, and socio-demographic factors. Patients experiencing a very painful symptom and patients who did not read about their symptom had a short appraisal delay. Patients with old symptoms and those who imagined possible, severe consequences of their illness had long illness delays. Utilization delay was shortest for persons who were not concerned about the cost of treatment, who had a painful symptom, and who were certain that their symptom could be cured. Patients who had short total delays were persons who did not have a competing personal problem and who had a painful symptom. All of these predictors were significantly correlated with the measure of delay at or beyond the p = .01 level. It was concluded that different factors mediate delay in each of the three stages and that studies which use only a single measure of total delay are likely to be of limited value in understanding delay.", "PMID": 759741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_14", "title": "Measures and methods in evaluating patient education programs for chronic illness.", "content": "Patient education provides a vehicle for increasing the self-management of chronic illness and promoting modifications of life styles, which are considered important strategies for prevention. Evaluating the impact of such programs is complex and poses a number of methodologic and technical problems. Outcome measures of patient education programs are defined and reviewed in terms of the existing evaluation literature and our own studies utilizing diabetes as a prototype condition. Important dimensions of adaptation are outlined and indices to measure it discussed in an effort to examine aspects of educational programs directed at facilitating coping and maintaining quality of life. Factors which influence outcome variables are identified and include: patient factors (e.g., age, ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural, personality, and emotional), disease factors (e.g., severity of illness, age of onset, length of illness, mode of therapy), system factors (e.g., patient's location in the health care system, relation of teaching program to other health care providers). The effects of these factors are described including their implications for research design.", "contents": "Measures and methods in evaluating patient education programs for chronic illness. Patient education provides a vehicle for increasing the self-management of chronic illness and promoting modifications of life styles, which are considered important strategies for prevention. Evaluating the impact of such programs is complex and poses a number of methodologic and technical problems. Outcome measures of patient education programs are defined and reviewed in terms of the existing evaluation literature and our own studies utilizing diabetes as a prototype condition. Important dimensions of adaptation are outlined and indices to measure it discussed in an effort to examine aspects of educational programs directed at facilitating coping and maintaining quality of life. Factors which influence outcome variables are identified and include: patient factors (e.g., age, ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural, personality, and emotional), disease factors (e.g., severity of illness, age of onset, length of illness, mode of therapy), system factors (e.g., patient's location in the health care system, relation of teaching program to other health care providers). The effects of these factors are described including their implications for research design.", "PMID": 759742} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_15", "title": "Provider attitudes toward STARPAHC: a telemedicine project on the Papago reservation.", "content": "Space Technology Applied to Rural Papago Advanced Health Care (STARPAHC), is a large-scale telemedicine project, sponsored jointly by the Indian Health Service (IHS), NASA, and the Papago tribe, and in operation on the Papago Indian Reservation outside Tucson Arizona, for the past two years. STARPAHC uses a mobile health unit (MHU), staffed by non-M.D. providers and linked by two-way television, radio, and remote telemetry to an IHS hospital up to 100 miles away, to make medical care available in remote areas of the reservation. Over a two-year-period beginning in January, 1975, 47 individual providers, including 21 physicians, were interviewed, at five intervals, to determine their receptivity to and acceptance of telemedicine; because of staff turnover, not all providers were interviewed at each different interval. Data suggests that television equipment was considered costly and in some cases inconvenient to M.D. providers; it was not considered always essential for providers to be able to diagnose and treat patients. The major problems providers cited were the unreliability of equipment and the time required for television consultations. The major benefit cited was improved access to health care for a population not previously receiving such care near their homes. Non-M.D. providers considered the link they were provided to physicians via television and voice communications from remote areas to be a major benefit.", "contents": "Provider attitudes toward STARPAHC: a telemedicine project on the Papago reservation. Space Technology Applied to Rural Papago Advanced Health Care (STARPAHC), is a large-scale telemedicine project, sponsored jointly by the Indian Health Service (IHS), NASA, and the Papago tribe, and in operation on the Papago Indian Reservation outside Tucson Arizona, for the past two years. STARPAHC uses a mobile health unit (MHU), staffed by non-M.D. providers and linked by two-way television, radio, and remote telemetry to an IHS hospital up to 100 miles away, to make medical care available in remote areas of the reservation. Over a two-year-period beginning in January, 1975, 47 individual providers, including 21 physicians, were interviewed, at five intervals, to determine their receptivity to and acceptance of telemedicine; because of staff turnover, not all providers were interviewed at each different interval. Data suggests that television equipment was considered costly and in some cases inconvenient to M.D. providers; it was not considered always essential for providers to be able to diagnose and treat patients. The major problems providers cited were the unreliability of equipment and the time required for television consultations. The major benefit cited was improved access to health care for a population not previously receiving such care near their homes. Non-M.D. providers considered the link they were provided to physicians via television and voice communications from remote areas to be a major benefit.", "PMID": 759743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_16", "title": "Primary care in Durham County: who gives care to whom?", "content": "The purpose of this study is to describe quantitatively the primary health care system of a defined population. The ambulatory care services of private practices and institutions in Durham County, North Carolina were sampled four times during 1975-1976 to determine the relative contributions to primary care made by specified types of practice and sources of care. All the institutions and 96 per cent of practicing physicians participated. Utilization of primary care services was analyzed by race, sex, age and health insurance status. One striking finding is the predominant role in the delivery of primary care played by the private specialists practicing in the community in contrast to the relatively small role of the university teaching hospital. Another important finding is the low proportion of blacks and Medicaid patients served by these community physicians. Thirdly, removal of legal and financial barriers has made little impact as yet on the patterns of health care delivery established before the institution of mandatory integration of health services. Since these findings have broad implications for health care delivery, this study warrants replication in other settings.", "contents": "Primary care in Durham County: who gives care to whom? The purpose of this study is to describe quantitatively the primary health care system of a defined population. The ambulatory care services of private practices and institutions in Durham County, North Carolina were sampled four times during 1975-1976 to determine the relative contributions to primary care made by specified types of practice and sources of care. All the institutions and 96 per cent of practicing physicians participated. Utilization of primary care services was analyzed by race, sex, age and health insurance status. One striking finding is the predominant role in the delivery of primary care played by the private specialists practicing in the community in contrast to the relatively small role of the university teaching hospital. Another important finding is the low proportion of blacks and Medicaid patients served by these community physicians. Thirdly, removal of legal and financial barriers has made little impact as yet on the patterns of health care delivery established before the institution of mandatory integration of health services. Since these findings have broad implications for health care delivery, this study warrants replication in other settings.", "PMID": 759744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_17", "title": "Physicians' changing attitudes about striking.", "content": "Both interns and residents and practicing physicians express substantial support for physicians' organizing for collective bargaining and striking. These findings, from 1146 respondents to a 1976 survey of the alumni of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, indicate that profound changes have occurred in physicians' views on these issues. Although the greatest support for striking came from interns and residents, with 67 per cent of them indicating they think physicians should be allowed to strike, the survey found an increasing pattern of militancy commencing with 1964 graduates. Physicians in private practice and those who spent two-thirds or more of their time in direct patient care were the most likely to support strikes by physicians (60 per cent), while the least support came from those fulltime on medical school faculties (39 per cent). No differences in support for striking were found in relation to sex, religion or size of community in which physicians practice. A longitudinal examination of the medical school Class of 1975 at matriculation, at graduation and during internship training reveals that a major growth of support for striking occurred between matriculation and graduation.", "contents": "Physicians' changing attitudes about striking. Both interns and residents and practicing physicians express substantial support for physicians' organizing for collective bargaining and striking. These findings, from 1146 respondents to a 1976 survey of the alumni of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, indicate that profound changes have occurred in physicians' views on these issues. Although the greatest support for striking came from interns and residents, with 67 per cent of them indicating they think physicians should be allowed to strike, the survey found an increasing pattern of militancy commencing with 1964 graduates. Physicians in private practice and those who spent two-thirds or more of their time in direct patient care were the most likely to support strikes by physicians (60 per cent), while the least support came from those fulltime on medical school faculties (39 per cent). No differences in support for striking were found in relation to sex, religion or size of community in which physicians practice. A longitudinal examination of the medical school Class of 1975 at matriculation, at graduation and during internship training reveals that a major growth of support for striking occurred between matriculation and graduation.", "PMID": 759745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_18", "title": "Patient satisfaction questionnaire.", "content": "A Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire was developed using factor analytic techniques. The 19-item questionnaire uses a five-point Likert scale, has a coefficient alpha of .972, and consists of three factors. Validity was assessed using correlations with specific criterion items.", "contents": "Patient satisfaction questionnaire. A Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire was developed using factor analytic techniques. The 19-item questionnaire uses a five-point Likert scale, has a coefficient alpha of .972, and consists of three factors. Validity was assessed using correlations with specific criterion items.", "PMID": 759746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_19", "title": "Delivering ambulatory health care: the successful experience of an urban neighborhood health center.", "content": "During the past few years, the effectiveness of neighborhood health centers (NHCs) has been questioned, and curtailment of funding has indicated a lack of confidence in this organizational model. This article, however, reports on an urban NHC which has achieved considerable success in delivering health care to its target population at a moderate cost. Fifty-two per cent of all community residents and three-quarters of the children and adolescents were active users of the center. The majority of the patients were from low-income families and had established long-term relationships with center providers. Average visits per patient varied with age, sex, diagnosis and insurance coverage. Center physicians, trained as specialists, functioned primarily as general practitioners delivering preventive services, treating minor injuries and self-limiting diseases, and palliating chronic illness. Preventive care was planned as a focal point of the center's program, but third-party reimbursement policies and the lower priority that many patients placed on nonillness care were two major obstacles to the achievement of this goal. The average cost of health care other than mental health services was approximately $20 per visit and $74 per patient per year. Mental health treatment was more expensive. The findings suggest that reconsideration of the NHC as a viable model for delivering health care to the poor might be worthwhile.", "contents": "Delivering ambulatory health care: the successful experience of an urban neighborhood health center. During the past few years, the effectiveness of neighborhood health centers (NHCs) has been questioned, and curtailment of funding has indicated a lack of confidence in this organizational model. This article, however, reports on an urban NHC which has achieved considerable success in delivering health care to its target population at a moderate cost. Fifty-two per cent of all community residents and three-quarters of the children and adolescents were active users of the center. The majority of the patients were from low-income families and had established long-term relationships with center providers. Average visits per patient varied with age, sex, diagnosis and insurance coverage. Center physicians, trained as specialists, functioned primarily as general practitioners delivering preventive services, treating minor injuries and self-limiting diseases, and palliating chronic illness. Preventive care was planned as a focal point of the center's program, but third-party reimbursement policies and the lower priority that many patients placed on nonillness care were two major obstacles to the achievement of this goal. The average cost of health care other than mental health services was approximately $20 per visit and $74 per patient per year. Mental health treatment was more expensive. The findings suggest that reconsideration of the NHC as a viable model for delivering health care to the poor might be worthwhile.", "PMID": 759747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_20", "title": "Threats to the validity of emergency medical services evaluation: a case study of mobile intensive care units.", "content": "Much of the literature concerning emergency medical services evaluation has been criticized as unconvincing. Several sources of invalidity have comprised the interpretability of these studies. When true randomized experiments cannot be accomplished, quasi-experimental research designs offer greater interpretability than the more often used pre-experimental designs. In using quasi-experimental research designs, special attention must be given to threats to internal validity. A case study describes an evaluation of mobile intensive care units. The paper describes eighteen threats to the validity of the evaluation, as well as the methods used for their control. Whether or not evaluators can control all of the threats to the validity of their studies, these threats should be identified and their potential effects assessed wherever possible.", "contents": "Threats to the validity of emergency medical services evaluation: a case study of mobile intensive care units. Much of the literature concerning emergency medical services evaluation has been criticized as unconvincing. Several sources of invalidity have comprised the interpretability of these studies. When true randomized experiments cannot be accomplished, quasi-experimental research designs offer greater interpretability than the more often used pre-experimental designs. In using quasi-experimental research designs, special attention must be given to threats to internal validity. A case study describes an evaluation of mobile intensive care units. The paper describes eighteen threats to the validity of the evaluation, as well as the methods used for their control. Whether or not evaluators can control all of the threats to the validity of their studies, these threats should be identified and their potential effects assessed wherever possible.", "PMID": 759748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_21", "title": "Mental health services: utilization by low income enrollees in a prepaid group practice plan and in an independent practice plan.", "content": "Mental health services were included in a comprehensive package of benefits available to low income enrollees in a prepaid group practice plan (PGP) and in an independent practice plan (IPP) under the Seattle Prepaid Health Care Project. There were no out-of-pocket costs for enrollees. Utilization of services was studied for four years under conditions that might simulate universal entitlement. The analyses indicated that females used substantially more mental health services than males and that enrollees aged 20-44 used more services than those in other age groups. The prepaid group practice generally experienced higher utilization than the prepaid independent plan. Significant racial differences were evident with whites using more services than blacks and black males using strikingly few services. The prepaid independent plan was oriented toward physician providers and emphasized individual psychotherapy while the prepaid group practice employed a diversity of practitioners and therapeutic modalities. The data indicated that the per cent of enrollees using any mental health services was twice as great in the PGP as in the IPP. However, once access to the provider system was achieved, the number of services utilized was greater in the PGP. Inpatient services were also examined. A significantly higher proportion of IPP enrollees were admitted for inpatient care as compared to PGP enrollees. Finally, the cost of mental health services was less than ten per cent of total health service costs in both plans.", "contents": "Mental health services: utilization by low income enrollees in a prepaid group practice plan and in an independent practice plan. Mental health services were included in a comprehensive package of benefits available to low income enrollees in a prepaid group practice plan (PGP) and in an independent practice plan (IPP) under the Seattle Prepaid Health Care Project. There were no out-of-pocket costs for enrollees. Utilization of services was studied for four years under conditions that might simulate universal entitlement. The analyses indicated that females used substantially more mental health services than males and that enrollees aged 20-44 used more services than those in other age groups. The prepaid group practice generally experienced higher utilization than the prepaid independent plan. Significant racial differences were evident with whites using more services than blacks and black males using strikingly few services. The prepaid independent plan was oriented toward physician providers and emphasized individual psychotherapy while the prepaid group practice employed a diversity of practitioners and therapeutic modalities. The data indicated that the per cent of enrollees using any mental health services was twice as great in the PGP as in the IPP. However, once access to the provider system was achieved, the number of services utilized was greater in the PGP. Inpatient services were also examined. A significantly higher proportion of IPP enrollees were admitted for inpatient care as compared to PGP enrollees. Finally, the cost of mental health services was less than ten per cent of total health service costs in both plans.", "PMID": 759749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_22", "title": "Some considerations in selecting interactive and analytical decision approaches for EMS councils.", "content": "The application of analytical and interactive decision models to decisions, in EMS councils, with various levels of uncertainty is described. Uncertainty is defined as having temporal, procedural, quantifiability, and environmental attributes. Highly uncertain decisions are unique, with unknown decision procedures. Decision premises, like available funds or demands for services, are constantly shifting in uncertain environments. Low uncertainty occurs when decisions are repeatable and follow known procedures. Past practice can be used as templates when uncertainty is \"low\" because funding levels and use rates are predictable. The results (e.g., validity, risk of omission, etc.) of applying interactive and analytical decision models under varying levels of uncertainty are discussed.", "contents": "Some considerations in selecting interactive and analytical decision approaches for EMS councils. The application of analytical and interactive decision models to decisions, in EMS councils, with various levels of uncertainty is described. Uncertainty is defined as having temporal, procedural, quantifiability, and environmental attributes. Highly uncertain decisions are unique, with unknown decision procedures. Decision premises, like available funds or demands for services, are constantly shifting in uncertain environments. Low uncertainty occurs when decisions are repeatable and follow known procedures. Past practice can be used as templates when uncertainty is \"low\" because funding levels and use rates are predictable. The results (e.g., validity, risk of omission, etc.) of applying interactive and analytical decision models under varying levels of uncertainty are discussed.", "PMID": 759750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_23", "title": "Evaluation and conflict in measures of performance for blood banking.", "content": "The policy statements regarding national blood banking goals as established by the American Blood Commission do not identify precise measures of performance. A survey was conducted to identify the most important measures of performance used in blood banking. Three groups: physicians, blood bank administrators and nurses were used. Results indicate that about twenty measures are currently being used in the industry. With respect to the relative importance of the measures of performance, there is strong agreement between physicians and nurses but little agreement between nurses/physicians and administrators. The survey also established that the value of outdating various types of blood is negatively correlated with the relative frequency distribution of blood in the general population.", "contents": "Evaluation and conflict in measures of performance for blood banking. The policy statements regarding national blood banking goals as established by the American Blood Commission do not identify precise measures of performance. A survey was conducted to identify the most important measures of performance used in blood banking. Three groups: physicians, blood bank administrators and nurses were used. Results indicate that about twenty measures are currently being used in the industry. With respect to the relative importance of the measures of performance, there is strong agreement between physicians and nurses but little agreement between nurses/physicians and administrators. The survey also established that the value of outdating various types of blood is negatively correlated with the relative frequency distribution of blood in the general population.", "PMID": 759751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_24", "title": "Development of rural health services: problems illustrated by a nonprofit, privately-based approach.", "content": "The historic development of a nonprofit organization designed to improve rural health services in Colorado is described and some of the major problems of rural health are discussed. This corporation, originally derived from four different kinds of provider organizations, has developed a comprehensive approach to improving the utilization of existing rural health resources and to the recruitment and deployment of new resources. Emphasis has been placed on community involvement, decreasing the isolation of rural physicians by linking rural practices with urban resources, centralizing supportive services and development of quality control methods. The peculiarities of the target area and the evolution of the goals and methods of the organization are described in order to facilitate the adaptation of these concepts to other areas.", "contents": "Development of rural health services: problems illustrated by a nonprofit, privately-based approach. The historic development of a nonprofit organization designed to improve rural health services in Colorado is described and some of the major problems of rural health are discussed. This corporation, originally derived from four different kinds of provider organizations, has developed a comprehensive approach to improving the utilization of existing rural health resources and to the recruitment and deployment of new resources. Emphasis has been placed on community involvement, decreasing the isolation of rural physicians by linking rural practices with urban resources, centralizing supportive services and development of quality control methods. The peculiarities of the target area and the evolution of the goals and methods of the organization are described in order to facilitate the adaptation of these concepts to other areas.", "PMID": 759752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_25", "title": "Attitudes toward self-care among practicing physicians.", "content": "Self-care, although growing as a concept and a movement among providers and consumers, has not been studied systematically in any dimension. Because of the potential role of physicians in establishing the credibility and acceptability of self-care interventions and practices, an exploratory investigation was launched to develop an attitude instrument, to describe the degree to which practicing physicians in a community favor self-care, and to explore some of the correlates of the attitudes expressed. A 13-item attitude scale was developed. Physicians with the most favorable attitudes were most likely to have come from a Jewish religious background, to be under 46 years old, to have health beliefs which reflect an internal locus of control, and to be in a group practice or clinic. Physicians with the least favorable attitudes came from Protestant backgrounds, were 46 to 63 years old, had externally controlled health beliefs, and practiced medicine alone.", "contents": "Attitudes toward self-care among practicing physicians. Self-care, although growing as a concept and a movement among providers and consumers, has not been studied systematically in any dimension. Because of the potential role of physicians in establishing the credibility and acceptability of self-care interventions and practices, an exploratory investigation was launched to develop an attitude instrument, to describe the degree to which practicing physicians in a community favor self-care, and to explore some of the correlates of the attitudes expressed. A 13-item attitude scale was developed. Physicians with the most favorable attitudes were most likely to have come from a Jewish religious background, to be under 46 years old, to have health beliefs which reflect an internal locus of control, and to be in a group practice or clinic. Physicians with the least favorable attitudes came from Protestant backgrounds, were 46 to 63 years old, had externally controlled health beliefs, and practiced medicine alone.", "PMID": 759753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_26", "title": "Measuring need for health services: a proposed model.", "content": "Despite the emphasis of the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974 on need assessment as the basis of health planning, no valid measures of need for health services are currently available. In this paper a need measurement model is presented for the use of health services planners and researchers following a brief critique of two existing models. Data requirements for the model and in hypothesis-testing situations are described.", "contents": "Measuring need for health services: a proposed model. Despite the emphasis of the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974 on need assessment as the basis of health planning, no valid measures of need for health services are currently available. In this paper a need measurement model is presented for the use of health services planners and researchers following a brief critique of two existing models. Data requirements for the model and in hypothesis-testing situations are described.", "PMID": 759754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_27", "title": "Brain deviations in adult obese-hyperglycemic mice (ob/ob).", "content": "In the brain of adult obese-hyperglycemic mice (ob/ob) deviations, such as reduced brain weight, diminished myelination, and reduced amount of DNA were found. These findings cannot be explained by hypothyroidism in adults since above mentioned deviations could only have been caused by a reduced thyroidal activity in the first weeks of postnatal life. Therefore, our data are in support of the earlier hypothesis of congenital hypothyroidism.", "contents": "Brain deviations in adult obese-hyperglycemic mice (ob/ob). In the brain of adult obese-hyperglycemic mice (ob/ob) deviations, such as reduced brain weight, diminished myelination, and reduced amount of DNA were found. These findings cannot be explained by hypothyroidism in adults since above mentioned deviations could only have been caused by a reduced thyroidal activity in the first weeks of postnatal life. Therefore, our data are in support of the earlier hypothesis of congenital hypothyroidism.", "PMID": 759821} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_28", "title": "The effect of alcohol ingestion on hepatic aromatase activity and plasma steroid hormones in the rat.", "content": "Chronic alcohol ingestion in the rat resulted in increased hepatic aromatase activity, elevation of plasma estradiol, and a decrease in plasma testosterone levels. Testicular incubation studies indicated that the source of the estrogen was not of gonadal origin but was, most likely, due to increased peripheral conversion. The failure of HCG in vitro to restore testicular secretion of testosterone to normal levels suggested a direct action of alcohol, or a metabolic product, on gonadal secretory processes, as distinct from trophic hormone effects. This study demonstrates that many of the hormonal alterations seen in cirrhosis of the liver in man may be produced directly by alcohol feeding without cirrhotic changes in the rat.", "contents": "The effect of alcohol ingestion on hepatic aromatase activity and plasma steroid hormones in the rat. Chronic alcohol ingestion in the rat resulted in increased hepatic aromatase activity, elevation of plasma estradiol, and a decrease in plasma testosterone levels. Testicular incubation studies indicated that the source of the estrogen was not of gonadal origin but was, most likely, due to increased peripheral conversion. The failure of HCG in vitro to restore testicular secretion of testosterone to normal levels suggested a direct action of alcohol, or a metabolic product, on gonadal secretory processes, as distinct from trophic hormone effects. This study demonstrates that many of the hormonal alterations seen in cirrhosis of the liver in man may be produced directly by alcohol feeding without cirrhotic changes in the rat.", "PMID": 759822} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_29", "title": "Metabolic interactions of xylitol and ethanol in healthy males.", "content": "The effects of oral administration of xylitol on the rate of ethanol elimination and on the ethanol-induced changes in blood concentrations of lactate and pyruvate were studied in seven healthy male subjects. Xylitol (1.0 g/kg body weight) was administered orally and ethanol (0.8 g/kg body weight) intravenously. In the control experiments glucose was given instead of xylitol. Xylitol had no significant effect on the rate of ethanol elimination or on the ethanol-induced increase in the blood lactate concentration. The ethanol-induced changes in the lactate/pyruvate ratio were not affected by xylitol. It is suggested that the ineffectiveness of xylitol is due to its low concentration in the liver after oral administration. Ethanol induced a 5--10 fold increase in the blood concentration of xylitol. This is most probably due to inhibition of xylitol oxidation in the liver by the ethanol-induced reduction in the hepatic redox state. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.", "contents": "Metabolic interactions of xylitol and ethanol in healthy males. The effects of oral administration of xylitol on the rate of ethanol elimination and on the ethanol-induced changes in blood concentrations of lactate and pyruvate were studied in seven healthy male subjects. Xylitol (1.0 g/kg body weight) was administered orally and ethanol (0.8 g/kg body weight) intravenously. In the control experiments glucose was given instead of xylitol. Xylitol had no significant effect on the rate of ethanol elimination or on the ethanol-induced increase in the blood lactate concentration. The ethanol-induced changes in the lactate/pyruvate ratio were not affected by xylitol. It is suggested that the ineffectiveness of xylitol is due to its low concentration in the liver after oral administration. Ethanol induced a 5--10 fold increase in the blood concentration of xylitol. This is most probably due to inhibition of xylitol oxidation in the liver by the ethanol-induced reduction in the hepatic redox state. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.", "PMID": 759823} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_30", "title": "The effects of streptozotocin diabetes on hepatic triglyceride lipase activity in the rat.", "content": "The function of the hepatic triglyceride lipase (H-TGL) is not yet clear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible hormonal regulation of H-TGL. Postheparin plasma was obtained 3 min after the intravenous injection of 50 U/250 g body weight of heparin into male Wistar rats. The lipase activities were measured using substrate containing [14C] triolein emulsified with gum arabic and were expressed in mumoles of free fatty acid released/ml/hour (mean +/- SD). H-TGL was the lipase activity remaining after inhibition of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) by 1.0 M NaCl. Diabetic rats were prepared by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ), 65 mg/kg body weight. The contributions of H-TGL and LPL to the total plasma triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH) activity depend on the amount of heparin injected and the time of blood withdrawal after heparin injection. H-TGL was maximally released at higher heparin (50 U/250 g body weight) concentrations, compared to LPL which was maximally released at lower heparin (5 U/250 g body weight) concentrations. H-TGL was significantly higher at 3 min after the injection of 50 U of heparin/250 g body weight than at 20 min. Twenty-four-hour fasting produced a significant fall in H-TGL compared to H-TGL in fed rats. Total TGH was significantly lower in diabetic rats 3 days after STZ injection. In diabetic rats 3, 5, and 7 days after STZ injection, H-TGL were significantly lower than those in control rats. H-TGL and H-TGL/total TGH were 9.49 +/- 0.99 and 0.551 +/- 0.071, respectively, in rats 3 days after STZ injection, compared to H-TGL (13.46 +/- 0.69) and H-TGL/total TGH (0.739 +/- 0.052) in control nondiabetic rats. When diabetic rats were treated with insulin, total TGH (14.37 +/- 3.01) and H-TGL (6.77 +/- 4.12) rose to 25.16 +/- 1.02 (total TGH) and 16.49 +/- 1.13 (H-TGL), that were comparable to activities in control nondiabetic rats. Separation of H-TGL and LPL was performed using heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography of postheparin plasma. The enzyme activity of peak I from STZ rats, which is eluted by 0.72 M NaCl-Veronal buffer, pH 7.4 and corresponds to H-TGL, was approximately half the activity from control rats. TGH released by heparin from isolated rat liver parenchymal cells was investigated. The enzyme activites released from isolated liver parenchymal cells prepared from STZ rats was approximately half that from control rats. The role of insulin in the regulation of LPL has been well documented. Our findings suggest that H-TGL also is under hormonal regulation by insulin in rats.", "contents": "The effects of streptozotocin diabetes on hepatic triglyceride lipase activity in the rat. The function of the hepatic triglyceride lipase (H-TGL) is not yet clear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible hormonal regulation of H-TGL. Postheparin plasma was obtained 3 min after the intravenous injection of 50 U/250 g body weight of heparin into male Wistar rats. The lipase activities were measured using substrate containing [14C] triolein emulsified with gum arabic and were expressed in mumoles of free fatty acid released/ml/hour (mean +/- SD). H-TGL was the lipase activity remaining after inhibition of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) by 1.0 M NaCl. Diabetic rats were prepared by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ), 65 mg/kg body weight. The contributions of H-TGL and LPL to the total plasma triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH) activity depend on the amount of heparin injected and the time of blood withdrawal after heparin injection. H-TGL was maximally released at higher heparin (50 U/250 g body weight) concentrations, compared to LPL which was maximally released at lower heparin (5 U/250 g body weight) concentrations. H-TGL was significantly higher at 3 min after the injection of 50 U of heparin/250 g body weight than at 20 min. Twenty-four-hour fasting produced a significant fall in H-TGL compared to H-TGL in fed rats. Total TGH was significantly lower in diabetic rats 3 days after STZ injection. In diabetic rats 3, 5, and 7 days after STZ injection, H-TGL were significantly lower than those in control rats. H-TGL and H-TGL/total TGH were 9.49 +/- 0.99 and 0.551 +/- 0.071, respectively, in rats 3 days after STZ injection, compared to H-TGL (13.46 +/- 0.69) and H-TGL/total TGH (0.739 +/- 0.052) in control nondiabetic rats. When diabetic rats were treated with insulin, total TGH (14.37 +/- 3.01) and H-TGL (6.77 +/- 4.12) rose to 25.16 +/- 1.02 (total TGH) and 16.49 +/- 1.13 (H-TGL), that were comparable to activities in control nondiabetic rats. Separation of H-TGL and LPL was performed using heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography of postheparin plasma. The enzyme activity of peak I from STZ rats, which is eluted by 0.72 M NaCl-Veronal buffer, pH 7.4 and corresponds to H-TGL, was approximately half the activity from control rats. TGH released by heparin from isolated rat liver parenchymal cells was investigated. The enzyme activites released from isolated liver parenchymal cells prepared from STZ rats was approximately half that from control rats. The role of insulin in the regulation of LPL has been well documented. Our findings suggest that H-TGL also is under hormonal regulation by insulin in rats.", "PMID": 759824} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_31", "title": "Kinetics of ketone body metabolism in fasting humans.", "content": "The rates of production of total ketone bodies (acetoacetate + beta-hydroxybutyrate) were determined using an isotope tracer technique in 23 obese subjects submitted to a fast of variable duration (15 hr--23 days). Constant infusions of 14C-acetoacetate were used in most studies, but similar results were obtained with pulse injections of this tracer or with constant infusions of 14C-D(-)-beta-hydroxybutyrate. Blood concentration, production rate, and urinary elimination of total ketones rose during approximately the first 3 days of fast and plateaued thereafter at values amounting, respectively, to 7.09 +/- 0.32 mumole/ml, 1908 +/- 80 mumole/min and 167 +/- 14 mumole/min. The rates of ketogenesis are significantly higher than those usually reported in the literature. Ketonemia was an exponential function of production rate suggesting that tissue uptake becomes progressively saturated as inflow rate rises. The same type of relationship between concentration and inflow rate was observed in nine control overnight fasted obese subjects rendered hyperketonemic with infusions of variable amounts of unlabeled acetoacetate. The comparison between the fasted and the control subjects at ketone concentrations of 3--10 mumole/ml showed that on an average, starvation is associated with a 35% decrease in the metabolic clearance rate of ketones. These data suggest that fasting is associated with an impairment of mechanisms for utilizing ketones, this defect contributing to the hyperketonemia of food deprivation.", "contents": "Kinetics of ketone body metabolism in fasting humans. The rates of production of total ketone bodies (acetoacetate + beta-hydroxybutyrate) were determined using an isotope tracer technique in 23 obese subjects submitted to a fast of variable duration (15 hr--23 days). Constant infusions of 14C-acetoacetate were used in most studies, but similar results were obtained with pulse injections of this tracer or with constant infusions of 14C-D(-)-beta-hydroxybutyrate. Blood concentration, production rate, and urinary elimination of total ketones rose during approximately the first 3 days of fast and plateaued thereafter at values amounting, respectively, to 7.09 +/- 0.32 mumole/ml, 1908 +/- 80 mumole/min and 167 +/- 14 mumole/min. The rates of ketogenesis are significantly higher than those usually reported in the literature. Ketonemia was an exponential function of production rate suggesting that tissue uptake becomes progressively saturated as inflow rate rises. The same type of relationship between concentration and inflow rate was observed in nine control overnight fasted obese subjects rendered hyperketonemic with infusions of variable amounts of unlabeled acetoacetate. The comparison between the fasted and the control subjects at ketone concentrations of 3--10 mumole/ml showed that on an average, starvation is associated with a 35% decrease in the metabolic clearance rate of ketones. These data suggest that fasting is associated with an impairment of mechanisms for utilizing ketones, this defect contributing to the hyperketonemia of food deprivation.", "PMID": 759825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_32", "title": "Homocysteic acid: an examination of its possible growth hormone-like activity.", "content": "Hypophysectomized rats were injected intraperitoneally for 4 days with various doses of homocysteic acid or growth hormone. The effects of these compounds on epiphyseal cartilage thickness and circulating somatomedin activity levels were evaluated in an attempt to repeat the results of Clopath, Smith, and McCully, who reported that this compound had growth hormone-like activity. DNA polymerase activity in livers of animals treated with growth hormone or with 10 mg/day of homocysteic acid was also measured. Using larger number of animals and including higher doses of homocysteic acid than those previously employed, we did not observe an increase of epiphyseal cartilage thickness in homocysteic acid treated hypophysectomized rats. Growth hormone significantly increased cartilage thickness. DNA polymerase levels in homocysteic acid treated hypophysectomized rats were not substantially increased although a larger, dose-dependent increase was observed with pGH and hGH. Neither homocysteic acid nor GH increased circulating somatomedin activity under the conditions used in this investigation. These observations demonstrate that homocysteic acid was not a substance with growth hormone-like activity in our hands and cast doubt on its possible future usefullness as a substitute for GH in clinical situations.", "contents": "Homocysteic acid: an examination of its possible growth hormone-like activity. Hypophysectomized rats were injected intraperitoneally for 4 days with various doses of homocysteic acid or growth hormone. The effects of these compounds on epiphyseal cartilage thickness and circulating somatomedin activity levels were evaluated in an attempt to repeat the results of Clopath, Smith, and McCully, who reported that this compound had growth hormone-like activity. DNA polymerase activity in livers of animals treated with growth hormone or with 10 mg/day of homocysteic acid was also measured. Using larger number of animals and including higher doses of homocysteic acid than those previously employed, we did not observe an increase of epiphyseal cartilage thickness in homocysteic acid treated hypophysectomized rats. Growth hormone significantly increased cartilage thickness. DNA polymerase levels in homocysteic acid treated hypophysectomized rats were not substantially increased although a larger, dose-dependent increase was observed with pGH and hGH. Neither homocysteic acid nor GH increased circulating somatomedin activity under the conditions used in this investigation. These observations demonstrate that homocysteic acid was not a substance with growth hormone-like activity in our hands and cast doubt on its possible future usefullness as a substitute for GH in clinical situations.", "PMID": 759827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_33", "title": "[Mezlocillin: tissue concentration and efficacy (author's transl)].", "content": "Studies on serum and tissue (cutis, muscle and liver) concentrations were carried out with mezlocillin (Baypen), a semi-synthetic new acyl ureidopenicillin, in 51 patients. Serum half life was 59 minutes. The highest concentrations were measured in the cutis, the lowest in the muscles. Concentrations in the liver were found to be relatively constant and persistent.--The efficacy and tolerance of mezlocillin were examined in 48 patients affected by 56 mostly severe infections, which were treated with a dose of 5 g twice or three times daily. The indications for antibiotic treatment were bronchopulmonary infections, peritonitis, soft tissue infections, biliary and urinary tract infections and postoperative febrile conditions of unknown origin. Clinical cure was achieved in 78.5% and an improvement of symptoms in 5.4% of infections. 76% of the causative microorganisms were eliminated. Mezlocillin was locally and systemically well tolerated.", "contents": "[Mezlocillin: tissue concentration and efficacy (author's transl)]. Studies on serum and tissue (cutis, muscle and liver) concentrations were carried out with mezlocillin (Baypen), a semi-synthetic new acyl ureidopenicillin, in 51 patients. Serum half life was 59 minutes. The highest concentrations were measured in the cutis, the lowest in the muscles. Concentrations in the liver were found to be relatively constant and persistent.--The efficacy and tolerance of mezlocillin were examined in 48 patients affected by 56 mostly severe infections, which were treated with a dose of 5 g twice or three times daily. The indications for antibiotic treatment were bronchopulmonary infections, peritonitis, soft tissue infections, biliary and urinary tract infections and postoperative febrile conditions of unknown origin. Clinical cure was achieved in 78.5% and an improvement of symptoms in 5.4% of infections. 76% of the causative microorganisms were eliminated. Mezlocillin was locally and systemically well tolerated.", "PMID": 759834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_34", "title": "[Intensive care for newborns. Evaluation of questionaires (author's transl)].", "content": "This report contains three sections: A general definition of aims and tasks of neonatal intensive care is followed by the description of four regions and four neonatal units of different structure with some relevant statistics. According to this inquiry about 1.5 cots for maximum neonatal care and 4 cots for intermediate care per 1000 live births are needed. Considering efficiency and effectivity the smallest independent intensive care unit should \"cover an area\" of 4000 deliveries per year; it should be closely connected to a least one obstetrical unit. Where and how this neonatal unit may be integrated into a childrens hospital can be derived from the four examples given. It should be recognized that 1) high quality intensive care depends on the availability of additional pediatric services, 2) comprehensive care of newborn infants necessitates regional organization including a newborn ambulance system. Thus, close contacts with obstetrical, but also with pediatric units offering better facilities should be established. In yearly intervals results are to be self-controlled by statistical means. The following incidences of normal survival of infants referred to childrens hospitals can be gained currently [2]: Birth weights below 1000 g: above 20%; 1000--1499 g: above 85%; above 1500 g: better than 95%. Less favorable figures call for analyses of reasons and measures to abolish them.", "contents": "[Intensive care for newborns. Evaluation of questionaires (author's transl)]. This report contains three sections: A general definition of aims and tasks of neonatal intensive care is followed by the description of four regions and four neonatal units of different structure with some relevant statistics. According to this inquiry about 1.5 cots for maximum neonatal care and 4 cots for intermediate care per 1000 live births are needed. Considering efficiency and effectivity the smallest independent intensive care unit should \"cover an area\" of 4000 deliveries per year; it should be closely connected to a least one obstetrical unit. Where and how this neonatal unit may be integrated into a childrens hospital can be derived from the four examples given. It should be recognized that 1) high quality intensive care depends on the availability of additional pediatric services, 2) comprehensive care of newborn infants necessitates regional organization including a newborn ambulance system. Thus, close contacts with obstetrical, but also with pediatric units offering better facilities should be established. In yearly intervals results are to be self-controlled by statistical means. The following incidences of normal survival of infants referred to childrens hospitals can be gained currently [2]: Birth weights below 1000 g: above 20%; 1000--1499 g: above 85%; above 1500 g: better than 95%. Less favorable figures call for analyses of reasons and measures to abolish them.", "PMID": 759837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_35", "title": "[Neurological complications following measles virus vaccination. Evaluation of the cases seen between 1971--1977 (author's transl)].", "content": "Within 11 days following vaccination with live virus vaccine in Hamburg 18 cases of neurological complications have been observed between 1971--1977, including 2 cases of abortive encephalitis. A causal connection was assumed only when the onset of symptoms was later than on the 7th day after the vaccination. The following parameters were evaluated; clinical symptoms, laboratory data, seasonal distribution of the neurological complications and their relationship to the total number of vaccinations, and the different results of studies from various countries using the same vaccine strain (Schwarz). The age disposition to convulsions following measles vaccination is comparable to convulsive reactions after smallpox vaccination.", "contents": "[Neurological complications following measles virus vaccination. Evaluation of the cases seen between 1971--1977 (author's transl)]. Within 11 days following vaccination with live virus vaccine in Hamburg 18 cases of neurological complications have been observed between 1971--1977, including 2 cases of abortive encephalitis. A causal connection was assumed only when the onset of symptoms was later than on the 7th day after the vaccination. The following parameters were evaluated; clinical symptoms, laboratory data, seasonal distribution of the neurological complications and their relationship to the total number of vaccinations, and the different results of studies from various countries using the same vaccine strain (Schwarz). The age disposition to convulsions following measles vaccination is comparable to convulsive reactions after smallpox vaccination.", "PMID": 759838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_36", "title": "[Bile acids in duodenal juice of infants and children. Normal values, lognormal distribution, and age-dependence of the total quantity and the distribution of bile acids (author's transl)].", "content": "43 gastroenterologically healthy infants and children were investigated during the basic secretion period and after the injection of secretin/pankreozymin in order to establish the total quantity and also the distribution of the secreted bile acids. The total concentration and quantity were enzymatically determined while column and thin-layer chromatography were utilized to separate the bile into 34 different bile acids. Quantified results for bile salts were read directly from the thin-layer sheet with the help of a Chromatogram-Spectrophotometer Zeiss KM 3. While the total quantity of bile acids was found to be independent of age, the composition of bile changed during the first years of life. The percentage of cholic acids decreased from 50% in infants to 35% in older children. At the same time, deoxycholic acids went up from 3% to 13%, and chenodeoxycholic acids increased by 5%. The percentage of glycine and taurine conjugated bile salts, however, remained constant after to the second month of life, the former at 58% and the latter at 35%. In comparison, rather small amounts of unconjugated acids and sulfates were secreted, 0,5% and 6% respectively. The latter were distributed in the same sequence as the nonsulfated bile acids. Lithocholic acids (2,6%) and ursodeoxycholic acids (4,3%) were regularly present in the intestinal secretion.", "contents": "[Bile acids in duodenal juice of infants and children. Normal values, lognormal distribution, and age-dependence of the total quantity and the distribution of bile acids (author's transl)]. 43 gastroenterologically healthy infants and children were investigated during the basic secretion period and after the injection of secretin/pankreozymin in order to establish the total quantity and also the distribution of the secreted bile acids. The total concentration and quantity were enzymatically determined while column and thin-layer chromatography were utilized to separate the bile into 34 different bile acids. Quantified results for bile salts were read directly from the thin-layer sheet with the help of a Chromatogram-Spectrophotometer Zeiss KM 3. While the total quantity of bile acids was found to be independent of age, the composition of bile changed during the first years of life. The percentage of cholic acids decreased from 50% in infants to 35% in older children. At the same time, deoxycholic acids went up from 3% to 13%, and chenodeoxycholic acids increased by 5%. The percentage of glycine and taurine conjugated bile salts, however, remained constant after to the second month of life, the former at 58% and the latter at 35%. In comparison, rather small amounts of unconjugated acids and sulfates were secreted, 0,5% and 6% respectively. The latter were distributed in the same sequence as the nonsulfated bile acids. Lithocholic acids (2,6%) and ursodeoxycholic acids (4,3%) were regularly present in the intestinal secretion.", "PMID": 759839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_37", "title": "[Primary hypomagnesemia. Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic studies in three children (author's transl)].", "content": "Three children with primary hypomagnesemia are described. First symptoms of the disease were observed, when the children were 35, 19, and 20 days old, resp. The hypomagnesemia was accompanied by a severe hypocalcemia. Therapeutic trials with high doses of calcium given intravenously and vitamin D were without effect on the symptoms. The whole body retention and intestinal resorption of orally administered 28-Mg was greatly reduced in all three patients compared to healthy adults. Symptoms of tetany and seizures ceased immediately after intravenous application of magnesium. An oral Mg substitution with 42--85 mmol per day was necessary to maintain subnormal to normal serum magnesium levels. The patients are now 5, 4 3/12 and 1 5/12 years old, resp. Psychomotor development in all three children is normal. Height and weight are in the lower normal range around the 3rd percentile, while the oral Mg substitution sometimes caused frequent fluid stools. By family studies from these patients and from the literature an autosomal-recessive inheritance for primary hypomagnesemia is proposed.", "contents": "[Primary hypomagnesemia. Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic studies in three children (author's transl)]. Three children with primary hypomagnesemia are described. First symptoms of the disease were observed, when the children were 35, 19, and 20 days old, resp. The hypomagnesemia was accompanied by a severe hypocalcemia. Therapeutic trials with high doses of calcium given intravenously and vitamin D were without effect on the symptoms. The whole body retention and intestinal resorption of orally administered 28-Mg was greatly reduced in all three patients compared to healthy adults. Symptoms of tetany and seizures ceased immediately after intravenous application of magnesium. An oral Mg substitution with 42--85 mmol per day was necessary to maintain subnormal to normal serum magnesium levels. The patients are now 5, 4 3/12 and 1 5/12 years old, resp. Psychomotor development in all three children is normal. Height and weight are in the lower normal range around the 3rd percentile, while the oral Mg substitution sometimes caused frequent fluid stools. By family studies from these patients and from the literature an autosomal-recessive inheritance for primary hypomagnesemia is proposed.", "PMID": 759840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_38", "title": "[Congenital toxoplasmosis mimicking a cerebral tumor. Special aspects in serodiagnostics of connatal toxoplasmosis (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors present the first case of congenital toxoplasmosis mimicking a cerebral tumor. Serological reactions and special features of congenital toxoplasmosis relevant to diagnosing in this disease are discussed. Trials to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis as quoted from the literature are reviewed.", "contents": "[Congenital toxoplasmosis mimicking a cerebral tumor. Special aspects in serodiagnostics of connatal toxoplasmosis (author's transl)]. The authors present the first case of congenital toxoplasmosis mimicking a cerebral tumor. Serological reactions and special features of congenital toxoplasmosis relevant to diagnosing in this disease are discussed. Trials to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis as quoted from the literature are reviewed.", "PMID": 759841} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_39", "title": "Mortality in middle-aged smokers and nonsmokers.", "content": "We assessed the relation of cigarette smoking to mortality in an 11-year follow-up study of 4004 men and women, 35 to 54 years of age, who responded to urging to have multiphasic health checkups. Accounting for 48 other characteristics, both individually and in combination, failed to eliminate the association of smoking with mortality from all causes or with mortality from coronary heart disease. The smoker-to-nonsmoker mortality ratios, crude and adjusted respectively, were 2.6 and 2.1 for all causes and 4.7 and 3.6 for coronary heart disease. This analysis did not support the counterhypothesis that the association of cigarette smoking with mortality is secondary to some underlying characteristic.", "contents": "Mortality in middle-aged smokers and nonsmokers. We assessed the relation of cigarette smoking to mortality in an 11-year follow-up study of 4004 men and women, 35 to 54 years of age, who responded to urging to have multiphasic health checkups. Accounting for 48 other characteristics, both individually and in combination, failed to eliminate the association of smoking with mortality from all causes or with mortality from coronary heart disease. The smoker-to-nonsmoker mortality ratios, crude and adjusted respectively, were 2.6 and 2.1 for all causes and 4.7 and 3.6 for coronary heart disease. This analysis did not support the counterhypothesis that the association of cigarette smoking with mortality is secondary to some underlying characteristic.", "PMID": 759867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_40", "title": "Replacement estrogens and endometrial cancer.", "content": "We examined the incidence of endometrial cancer in a large prepaid group practice in the Seattle area. From July, 1975, to July, 1977, there was a sharp downward trend in the incidence of endometrial cancer that paralleled a substantial reduction in prescriptions for replacement estrogens. Incidence rates were estimated for estrogen users and nonusers among women 50 to 64 years of age with intact uteri; current long-term users had an annual risk for endometrial cancer between 1 and 3 per cent, whereas nonusers had a risk less than 1/10th as great. These incidence rates remained fairly constant over time among users and nonusers; the drop in overall incidence soon after estrogen use declined suggests that the increased risk associated with estrogens falls quickly after discontinuation. The reduction in incidence of endometrial cancer in this group practice was part of a general decline in the United States after 1975.", "contents": "Replacement estrogens and endometrial cancer. We examined the incidence of endometrial cancer in a large prepaid group practice in the Seattle area. From July, 1975, to July, 1977, there was a sharp downward trend in the incidence of endometrial cancer that paralleled a substantial reduction in prescriptions for replacement estrogens. Incidence rates were estimated for estrogen users and nonusers among women 50 to 64 years of age with intact uteri; current long-term users had an annual risk for endometrial cancer between 1 and 3 per cent, whereas nonusers had a risk less than 1/10th as great. These incidence rates remained fairly constant over time among users and nonusers; the drop in overall incidence soon after estrogen use declined suggests that the increased risk associated with estrogens falls quickly after discontinuation. The reduction in incidence of endometrial cancer in this group practice was part of a general decline in the United States after 1975.", "PMID": 759868} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_41", "title": "Androgen insensitivity as a cause of infertility in otherwise normal men.", "content": "To ascertain if androgen insensitivity causes severe oligospermia or azoospermia we studied three unrelated, phenotypically normal men with long histories of infertility. The mean plasma concentrations and production rates of testosterone were 14.3 ng per milliliter and 10.1 mg per day, respectively, values approximately twice the average found in normal men. Serum luteinizing hormone concentrations were elevated in two of the three subjects. The specific high-affinity dihydrotestosterone binding capacity of cultured genital-skin fibroblasts was 8, 0 and 10 fmol per milligram of cellular protein, values half (or less) of those from normal men and women but similar to values in subjects with partial androgen insensitivity manifested by incomplete testicular feminization or Reifenstein syndrome. The low amount of androgen receptor and the combination of high serum gonadotropins and plasma testosterone production rates suggest that the defective spermatogenesis in these infertile men was the consequence of androgen insensitivity.", "contents": "Androgen insensitivity as a cause of infertility in otherwise normal men. To ascertain if androgen insensitivity causes severe oligospermia or azoospermia we studied three unrelated, phenotypically normal men with long histories of infertility. The mean plasma concentrations and production rates of testosterone were 14.3 ng per milliliter and 10.1 mg per day, respectively, values approximately twice the average found in normal men. Serum luteinizing hormone concentrations were elevated in two of the three subjects. The specific high-affinity dihydrotestosterone binding capacity of cultured genital-skin fibroblasts was 8, 0 and 10 fmol per milligram of cellular protein, values half (or less) of those from normal men and women but similar to values in subjects with partial androgen insensitivity manifested by incomplete testicular feminization or Reifenstein syndrome. The low amount of androgen receptor and the combination of high serum gonadotropins and plasma testosterone production rates suggest that the defective spermatogenesis in these infertile men was the consequence of androgen insensitivity.", "PMID": 759869} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_42", "title": "Gerontology and geriatrics in medical education.", "content": "The elderly are receiving more attention because of their increasing numbers and because of the substantial public funding for their health and welfare. This article summarizes the findings of an Institute of Medicine committee, whose recently completed report concludes that gerontology (study of aging) and geriatrics (care of the aged) are not covered adequately in medical education. Suggested remedies include increased attention to these subjects in existing medical-school courses, establishment of a complementary required course integrating information from diverse disciplines and emphasis in house-staff training programs on continuous care of the aged in settings other than acute-care facilities. Although an academic discipline of geriatrics is necessary to enhance teaching, research, and specialized patient care, development of a practice specialty would be unwise. More funds for training and research in gerontology and geriatrics are essential to increase the science base and to encourage the development of knowledgeable faculty.", "contents": "Gerontology and geriatrics in medical education. The elderly are receiving more attention because of their increasing numbers and because of the substantial public funding for their health and welfare. This article summarizes the findings of an Institute of Medicine committee, whose recently completed report concludes that gerontology (study of aging) and geriatrics (care of the aged) are not covered adequately in medical education. Suggested remedies include increased attention to these subjects in existing medical-school courses, establishment of a complementary required course integrating information from diverse disciplines and emphasis in house-staff training programs on continuous care of the aged in settings other than acute-care facilities. Although an academic discipline of geriatrics is necessary to enhance teaching, research, and specialized patient care, development of a practice specialty would be unwise. More funds for training and research in gerontology and geriatrics are essential to increase the science base and to encourage the development of knowledgeable faculty.", "PMID": 759870} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_43", "title": "Reduction of immune complexes and immunoglobulins induced by D-penicillamine in primary biliary cirrhosis.", "content": "Penicillamine has an effect on immune complexes and immunoglobulins both in vivo and in vitro. We therefore studied the effect of penicillamine on immune complexes and immunoglobulins in primary biliary cirrhosis. Twenty-eight patients were randomly allocated into a treatment group receiving 600 to 900 mg of penicillamine, or a control group, and followed for a maximum of 24 months. After 12 and 24 months, serum immune complexes had fallen significantly in treated patients as compared to controls (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.01). Treatment reduced IgA, IgG and IgM concentrations, with IgM being significantly different from controls at six, 12 and 24 months (P less than 0.01). Over 24 months, serum aspartate transaminase levels fell in treated patients but rose in controls (P less than 0.01). Bilirubin concentrations increased at a slower rate in treated patients. Penicillamine may favorably influence the course of primary biliary cirrhosis by its immunologic action in addition to its copper-chelating action.", "contents": "Reduction of immune complexes and immunoglobulins induced by D-penicillamine in primary biliary cirrhosis. Penicillamine has an effect on immune complexes and immunoglobulins both in vivo and in vitro. We therefore studied the effect of penicillamine on immune complexes and immunoglobulins in primary biliary cirrhosis. Twenty-eight patients were randomly allocated into a treatment group receiving 600 to 900 mg of penicillamine, or a control group, and followed for a maximum of 24 months. After 12 and 24 months, serum immune complexes had fallen significantly in treated patients as compared to controls (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.01). Treatment reduced IgA, IgG and IgM concentrations, with IgM being significantly different from controls at six, 12 and 24 months (P less than 0.01). Over 24 months, serum aspartate transaminase levels fell in treated patients but rose in controls (P less than 0.01). Bilirubin concentrations increased at a slower rate in treated patients. Penicillamine may favorably influence the course of primary biliary cirrhosis by its immunologic action in addition to its copper-chelating action.", "PMID": 759879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_44", "title": "Serial assessment of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity with quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography.", "content": "We measured cardiac performance sequentially, using quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography to estimate left ventricular ejection fraction in 55 patients receiving doxorubicin for treatment of cancer. With final doxorubicin dosages greater than 350 mg per square meter, the lowest ejection fraction measured was significantly less than the initial determination. Five patients had severe cardiotoxicity (congestive heart failure). All had an ejection fraction of less than 30 per cent at the time of heart failure, and demonstrated moderate cardiotoxicity (a decline in ejection fraction by at least 15 per cent to a final value of less than 45 per cent) before clinical manifestations. Six patients with moderate toxicity in whom doxorubicin was discontinued did not have heart failure or a further decline in ejection fraction during the follow-up period. Moderate toxicity was continued, but mild toxicity (decline of ejection fraction by greater than 10 per cent, noted in 11 patients) was not well predicted. The assessment of radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction during doxorubicin therapy may make it possible to avoid congestive heart failure.", "contents": "Serial assessment of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity with quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography. We measured cardiac performance sequentially, using quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography to estimate left ventricular ejection fraction in 55 patients receiving doxorubicin for treatment of cancer. With final doxorubicin dosages greater than 350 mg per square meter, the lowest ejection fraction measured was significantly less than the initial determination. Five patients had severe cardiotoxicity (congestive heart failure). All had an ejection fraction of less than 30 per cent at the time of heart failure, and demonstrated moderate cardiotoxicity (a decline in ejection fraction by at least 15 per cent to a final value of less than 45 per cent) before clinical manifestations. Six patients with moderate toxicity in whom doxorubicin was discontinued did not have heart failure or a further decline in ejection fraction during the follow-up period. Moderate toxicity was continued, but mild toxicity (decline of ejection fraction by greater than 10 per cent, noted in 11 patients) was not well predicted. The assessment of radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction during doxorubicin therapy may make it possible to avoid congestive heart failure.", "PMID": 759880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_45", "title": "Familial idiopathic hypercalciuria.", "content": "The frequency of hypercalciuria was determined in the families of nine hypercalciuric patients with idiopathic hypercaliuria who formed recurrent calcium oxalate renal stones. Idiopathic hypercalciuria occurred in 26 of 73 relatives, in three consecutive generations of two families and in two successive generations of four other families. Multiple siblings or children of the probands were affected in three families. Nineteen of 44 first-degree relatives (43 per cent) had idiopathic hypercalciuria, as compared to seven of 29 (29 per cent) other relatives; there was no relation to age or sex. Renal stones were formed by 19 of the 44 first-degree relatives but by none of the others; nine of the 19 were women. We conclude that there is a familial form of hypercalciuria, which appears to be transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. Stone disease is frequent in first-degree relatives, and affects both sexes equally.", "contents": "Familial idiopathic hypercalciuria. The frequency of hypercalciuria was determined in the families of nine hypercalciuric patients with idiopathic hypercaliuria who formed recurrent calcium oxalate renal stones. Idiopathic hypercalciuria occurred in 26 of 73 relatives, in three consecutive generations of two families and in two successive generations of four other families. Multiple siblings or children of the probands were affected in three families. Nineteen of 44 first-degree relatives (43 per cent) had idiopathic hypercalciuria, as compared to seven of 29 (29 per cent) other relatives; there was no relation to age or sex. Renal stones were formed by 19 of the 44 first-degree relatives but by none of the others; nine of the 19 were women. We conclude that there is a familial form of hypercalciuria, which appears to be transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. Stone disease is frequent in first-degree relatives, and affects both sexes equally.", "PMID": 759893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_46", "title": "Renal-stone dissolution via percutaneous nephrostomy.", "content": "Recurrent renal stones associated with urinary infection were treated in eight kidneys in six patients by percutaneous nephrostomy and irrigation with hemiacidrin, a commercially available solution of organic acids and magnesium. The stones, presumably composed of triple phosphates (magnesium, ammonium and calcium phosphate), were completely dissolved in six kidneys; in two they were partially dissolved and subsequently recovered by other methods. No serious complications were encountered. The technic requires special precautions against perinephric and intravascular dissemination of infection, but it offers potentially effective therapy for certain kidney stones without the use of general anesthesia or operation.", "contents": "Renal-stone dissolution via percutaneous nephrostomy. Recurrent renal stones associated with urinary infection were treated in eight kidneys in six patients by percutaneous nephrostomy and irrigation with hemiacidrin, a commercially available solution of organic acids and magnesium. The stones, presumably composed of triple phosphates (magnesium, ammonium and calcium phosphate), were completely dissolved in six kidneys; in two they were partially dissolved and subsequently recovered by other methods. No serious complications were encountered. The technic requires special precautions against perinephric and intravascular dissemination of infection, but it offers potentially effective therapy for certain kidney stones without the use of general anesthesia or operation.", "PMID": 759894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_47", "title": "Changes in bronchial epithelium in relation to cigarette smoking, 1955-1960 vs. 1970-1977.", "content": "To test the hypothesis that the reduction in tar and nicotine content of cigarette smoke that began in the 1950s should be reflected by the histologic changes in the bronchial epithelium of cigarette smokers, 20, 424 sections taken at autopsy from the bronchial tubes of 445 men (non-lung-cancer deaths) were examined microscopically in random order. There were 211 men who died in 1955-1960, of whom 154 smoked regularly, and 234 men who died in 1970-1977, of whom 181 were regular smokers. Changes studied included basal-cell hyperplasia, loss of cilia and occurrence of cells with atypical nuclei. In both periods studied these histologic changes occurred far less frequently in nonsmokers than in cigarette smokers and increased in frequency with amount of smoking, adjusted for age. Sections with advanced histologic changes in those dying in 1955-1960 occurred in 0 per cent of nonsmokers, in 2.6 per cent of those smoking one to 19 cigarettes a day, in 13.2 per cent of those smoking 20 to 39 and in 22.5 per cent of those smoking 40+ cigarettes a day. In those who died in 1970-1977 the percentages were 0, 0.1, 0.8, and 2.2, respectively.", "contents": "Changes in bronchial epithelium in relation to cigarette smoking, 1955-1960 vs. 1970-1977. To test the hypothesis that the reduction in tar and nicotine content of cigarette smoke that began in the 1950s should be reflected by the histologic changes in the bronchial epithelium of cigarette smokers, 20, 424 sections taken at autopsy from the bronchial tubes of 445 men (non-lung-cancer deaths) were examined microscopically in random order. There were 211 men who died in 1955-1960, of whom 154 smoked regularly, and 234 men who died in 1970-1977, of whom 181 were regular smokers. Changes studied included basal-cell hyperplasia, loss of cilia and occurrence of cells with atypical nuclei. In both periods studied these histologic changes occurred far less frequently in nonsmokers than in cigarette smokers and increased in frequency with amount of smoking, adjusted for age. Sections with advanced histologic changes in those dying in 1955-1960 occurred in 0 per cent of nonsmokers, in 2.6 per cent of those smoking one to 19 cigarettes a day, in 13.2 per cent of those smoking 20 to 39 and in 22.5 per cent of those smoking 40+ cigarettes a day. In those who died in 1970-1977 the percentages were 0, 0.1, 0.8, and 2.2, respectively.", "PMID": 759914} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_48", "title": "Neonatal respiratory syncytial virus infection.", "content": "Respiratory syncytial virus infections are thought to be uncommon in the first month of life. During a community outbreak, we prospectively studied such infection in our neonatal units. Of 82 neonates studied, 66 were hospitalized for six days or longer, and 23 (35 per cent) acquired this virus. Four infants died, two unexpectedly. Infected infants had a significantly shorter gestation and birth weight. Illness was often atypical, with nonspecific signs, especially in infants under three weeks of age, who had significantly less lower-respiratory-tract involvement and lower quantities of virus in their nasal washes. The titer of virus shed correlated with the infants' postnatal, but not gestational, age. Infection was also acquired by 34 per cent of the staff, who appeared to be important in the spread of the virus. These findings suggest that respiratory syncytial virus may readily infect neonates, but the disease may be atypical and may be overlooked.", "contents": "Neonatal respiratory syncytial virus infection. Respiratory syncytial virus infections are thought to be uncommon in the first month of life. During a community outbreak, we prospectively studied such infection in our neonatal units. Of 82 neonates studied, 66 were hospitalized for six days or longer, and 23 (35 per cent) acquired this virus. Four infants died, two unexpectedly. Infected infants had a significantly shorter gestation and birth weight. Illness was often atypical, with nonspecific signs, especially in infants under three weeks of age, who had significantly less lower-respiratory-tract involvement and lower quantities of virus in their nasal washes. The titer of virus shed correlated with the infants' postnatal, but not gestational, age. Infection was also acquired by 34 per cent of the staff, who appeared to be important in the spread of the virus. These findings suggest that respiratory syncytial virus may readily infect neonates, but the disease may be atypical and may be overlooked.", "PMID": 759915} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_49", "title": "Childhood leukemias associated with fallout from nuclear testing.", "content": "Continuing concern over the possible carcinogenic effects of low-level radiation prompted us to study the population of Utah because of its exposure to fallout from 26 nuclear tests between 1951 and 1958. Certain rural counties (high-fallout counties) received most of the fallout during that period. We reviewed all deaths from childhood (under 15 years of age) cancers occurring in the entire state between 1944 and 1975 and assigned them to a cohort of either high or low exposure, depending on whether 15 between 1951 and 1958. For reasons unknown, leukemia mortality among the low-exposure cohort in the high-fallout counties was about half that of the United States and the remainder of the state. Mortality increased by 2.44 times (95 per cent confidence, 1.18 to 5.02) to just slightly above that of the United States in the high-exposure cohort residing in the high-fallout counties, and was greatest in 10- to 14-year-old children. For other childhood cancers, no consistent pattern was found in relation to fallout exposure. The increase in leukemia deaths could be due to fallout or to some other unexplained factor.", "contents": "Childhood leukemias associated with fallout from nuclear testing. Continuing concern over the possible carcinogenic effects of low-level radiation prompted us to study the population of Utah because of its exposure to fallout from 26 nuclear tests between 1951 and 1958. Certain rural counties (high-fallout counties) received most of the fallout during that period. We reviewed all deaths from childhood (under 15 years of age) cancers occurring in the entire state between 1944 and 1975 and assigned them to a cohort of either high or low exposure, depending on whether 15 between 1951 and 1958. For reasons unknown, leukemia mortality among the low-exposure cohort in the high-fallout counties was about half that of the United States and the remainder of the state. Mortality increased by 2.44 times (95 per cent confidence, 1.18 to 5.02) to just slightly above that of the United States in the high-exposure cohort residing in the high-fallout counties, and was greatest in 10- to 14-year-old children. For other childhood cancers, no consistent pattern was found in relation to fallout exposure. The increase in leukemia deaths could be due to fallout or to some other unexplained factor.", "PMID": 759916} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_50", "title": "The declining incidence of stroke.", "content": "A major decline in the incidence of stroke occurred in the population of Rochester, Minnesota, during the period 1945 to 1974. For every 100 first episodes of stroke that occurred per unit of population during the period 1945--49, only 55 occurred in the period 1970--74. Although the decline was present in both sexes and in all age groups, the reduction in rates was more pronounced in the elderly. There was no major change in age at onset. Analysis of cohorts born during successive five-year periods from 1865 to 1915 confirmed the decreasing incidence rate in all age groups.", "contents": "The declining incidence of stroke. A major decline in the incidence of stroke occurred in the population of Rochester, Minnesota, during the period 1945 to 1974. For every 100 first episodes of stroke that occurred per unit of population during the period 1945--49, only 55 occurred in the period 1970--74. Although the decline was present in both sexes and in all age groups, the reduction in rates was more pronounced in the elderly. There was no major change in age at onset. Analysis of cohorts born during successive five-year periods from 1865 to 1915 confirmed the decreasing incidence rate in all age groups.", "PMID": 759935} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_51", "title": "[Carcinomas and malignant papillomas of choroid plexus (author's transl)].", "content": "Carcinomas and malignant papillomas of choroid plexus occur more frequently in children and are mostly localized in lateral ventricles. Their clinical picture corresponds to that of plexus papillomas. The histological diagnosis is based upon unmistakeable criteria of malignancy in a tumour deriving from choroid plexus. Five such cases have been studied; in three of them the increase of malignancy was proved by the investigation of recurrences. One case was investigated electronmicroscopically.", "contents": "[Carcinomas and malignant papillomas of choroid plexus (author's transl)]. Carcinomas and malignant papillomas of choroid plexus occur more frequently in children and are mostly localized in lateral ventricles. Their clinical picture corresponds to that of plexus papillomas. The histological diagnosis is based upon unmistakeable criteria of malignancy in a tumour deriving from choroid plexus. Five such cases have been studied; in three of them the increase of malignancy was proved by the investigation of recurrences. One case was investigated electronmicroscopically.", "PMID": 759977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_52", "title": "[A rare orbito-cerebral penetrating knife-wound (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors describe a case of open brain injury caused by a 30 cm long knife, which penetrated the right orbit, the point of which reached as far as the right posterior fossa. The patient survived with minor neurologic deficit in relation to the extensive lesion.", "contents": "[A rare orbito-cerebral penetrating knife-wound (author's transl)]. The authors describe a case of open brain injury caused by a 30 cm long knife, which penetrated the right orbit, the point of which reached as far as the right posterior fossa. The patient survived with minor neurologic deficit in relation to the extensive lesion.", "PMID": 759979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_53", "title": "Chronic and acute transtentorial herniation with tumours of the posterior cranial fossa.", "content": "In patients with expanding lesions of the posterior fossa general hyper-reflexia (and bilateral latency shifts of auditory evoked brain stem potentials) have been noted as possible symptoms of chronic ascending transtentorial herniation. After ventricular tap, this chronic herniation may evolve into acute herniation with progressive reduction of consciousness which in our experience can only be survived by decompression of the compressed brain stem. The chronic transtentorial herniation is related morphologically to demyelination of the pyramidal tracts and the auditory pathways, whereas the acute transtentorial herniation is related to microcirculatory disturbances in the reticular formation of the mesencephalo-pontine junction.", "contents": "Chronic and acute transtentorial herniation with tumours of the posterior cranial fossa. In patients with expanding lesions of the posterior fossa general hyper-reflexia (and bilateral latency shifts of auditory evoked brain stem potentials) have been noted as possible symptoms of chronic ascending transtentorial herniation. After ventricular tap, this chronic herniation may evolve into acute herniation with progressive reduction of consciousness which in our experience can only be survived by decompression of the compressed brain stem. The chronic transtentorial herniation is related morphologically to demyelination of the pyramidal tracts and the auditory pathways, whereas the acute transtentorial herniation is related to microcirculatory disturbances in the reticular formation of the mesencephalo-pontine junction.", "PMID": 759980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_54", "title": "Nutritional evaluation of low-glucosinolate rapeseed meals obtained by various processes.", "content": "Defatted meals were prepared from two new varieties of rapeseed, the 'high-glucosinolate' variety, Brassica napus, Lesira, and the 'low-glucosinolate' variety, Brassica napus, Erglu, by each of the following processes: (1) defatting of the ground seed with hexane; (2) extraction of the myrosinase-deactivated ground seed with 70% aqueous acetone for the removal of glucosinolates followed by defatting with pure acetone, and (3) autolysis of the ground seed for the decomposition of glucosinolates followed by defatting and simultaneous removal of the decomposition products with hexane. The defatted meals obtained after extraction with aqueous acetone of autolysis contain very little glucosinolates and their degradation products as compared to those obtained by defatting with hexane only. The contents of available lysine and of phytates in the meals are, to some extent, affected by the treatment for the removal of glucosinolates. The rapeseed meals were fed at different levels to protein-depleted chicks and weanling rats. The animals fed low-glucosinolate meals prepared both from high-glucosinolate and low-glucosinolate varieties of rapeseed gave superior performance with regard to the feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio as compared to the animals fed the corresponding meals which were obtained simply by defatting the seeds with hexane. The levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in the serum of rats fed low-glucosinolate meals indicated normal function of the thyroid, whereas those in rats fed high-glucosinolate meals revealed hypothyroidism of the animals.", "contents": "Nutritional evaluation of low-glucosinolate rapeseed meals obtained by various processes. Defatted meals were prepared from two new varieties of rapeseed, the 'high-glucosinolate' variety, Brassica napus, Lesira, and the 'low-glucosinolate' variety, Brassica napus, Erglu, by each of the following processes: (1) defatting of the ground seed with hexane; (2) extraction of the myrosinase-deactivated ground seed with 70% aqueous acetone for the removal of glucosinolates followed by defatting with pure acetone, and (3) autolysis of the ground seed for the decomposition of glucosinolates followed by defatting and simultaneous removal of the decomposition products with hexane. The defatted meals obtained after extraction with aqueous acetone of autolysis contain very little glucosinolates and their degradation products as compared to those obtained by defatting with hexane only. The contents of available lysine and of phytates in the meals are, to some extent, affected by the treatment for the removal of glucosinolates. The rapeseed meals were fed at different levels to protein-depleted chicks and weanling rats. The animals fed low-glucosinolate meals prepared both from high-glucosinolate and low-glucosinolate varieties of rapeseed gave superior performance with regard to the feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio as compared to the animals fed the corresponding meals which were obtained simply by defatting the seeds with hexane. The levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in the serum of rats fed low-glucosinolate meals indicated normal function of the thyroid, whereas those in rats fed high-glucosinolate meals revealed hypothyroidism of the animals.", "PMID": 759989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_55", "title": "Short-term effect of zinc sulphate on plasma and hepatic concentrations of vitamins A and E in normal weanling rats.", "content": "In normal weanling male rats, the intraperitoneal administration of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) resulted in a decreased hepatic and an increased plasa concentration of vitamin A after 2 h. In an in vitro study, the vitamin A concentrations of liver homogenates were markedly increased when homogenized livers were treated with ZnSO4, ZnSO4, however, did not show any effect on plasma and liver concentrations of vitamin E. These results indicate that zinc may be specifically involved in mobilizing vitamin A from liver to the circulation of normal animals within a short period. The trace element, therefore, could be used only to treat cases of depressed vitamin A in plasma but also to treat hepatic toxicity from hypervitaminosis A.", "contents": "Short-term effect of zinc sulphate on plasma and hepatic concentrations of vitamins A and E in normal weanling rats. In normal weanling male rats, the intraperitoneal administration of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) resulted in a decreased hepatic and an increased plasa concentration of vitamin A after 2 h. In an in vitro study, the vitamin A concentrations of liver homogenates were markedly increased when homogenized livers were treated with ZnSO4, ZnSO4, however, did not show any effect on plasma and liver concentrations of vitamin E. These results indicate that zinc may be specifically involved in mobilizing vitamin A from liver to the circulation of normal animals within a short period. The trace element, therefore, could be used only to treat cases of depressed vitamin A in plasma but also to treat hepatic toxicity from hypervitaminosis A.", "PMID": 759990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_56", "title": "Iron absorption from hemiglobin (stable oxidation product of hemoglobin) in relation to the dose in subjects with normal and depleted iron stores.", "content": "The dose relationship of hemiglobin iron absorption has been investigated in subjects with normal and depleted iron stores and was found to fit a linear regression in a bilogarithmic presentation of hemiglobin iron dose and iron absorption. Identical regression coefficients but different intercepts of regression were estimated for subjects with normal and depleted iron stores indicating a constant proportional increase of hemiglobin iron absorption in subjects with depleted iron stores in the full dose range of 0.10-50 mg hemiglobin iron.", "contents": "Iron absorption from hemiglobin (stable oxidation product of hemoglobin) in relation to the dose in subjects with normal and depleted iron stores. The dose relationship of hemiglobin iron absorption has been investigated in subjects with normal and depleted iron stores and was found to fit a linear regression in a bilogarithmic presentation of hemiglobin iron dose and iron absorption. Identical regression coefficients but different intercepts of regression were estimated for subjects with normal and depleted iron stores indicating a constant proportional increase of hemiglobin iron absorption in subjects with depleted iron stores in the full dose range of 0.10-50 mg hemiglobin iron.", "PMID": 759991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_57", "title": "An improved method for the determination of endogenous thiamine and its phosphate esters in biological material.", "content": "Nonphosphorylated thiamine was extracted from tissue homogenates in saline or sucrose into ethylbutylketone-acetonitrile using counter-ion extraction and reextracted into hydrochloric acid. The dried samples were then analyzed by the fluorimetric thiochrome method. Phosphorylated thiamine was treated with Takadiastase to split off the phosphate groups and was thereafter extracted and measured. No column chromatography was needed for the separation of thiamine before the thiochrome assay. A higher accuracy and sensitivity for the thiamine assay was thus achieved.", "contents": "An improved method for the determination of endogenous thiamine and its phosphate esters in biological material. Nonphosphorylated thiamine was extracted from tissue homogenates in saline or sucrose into ethylbutylketone-acetonitrile using counter-ion extraction and reextracted into hydrochloric acid. The dried samples were then analyzed by the fluorimetric thiochrome method. Phosphorylated thiamine was treated with Takadiastase to split off the phosphate groups and was thereafter extracted and measured. No column chromatography was needed for the separation of thiamine before the thiochrome assay. A higher accuracy and sensitivity for the thiamine assay was thus achieved.", "PMID": 759992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_58", "title": "Plasma cholesterol esterifying activity in guinea pigs.", "content": "Plasma cholesterol esterifying activity has been measured in guinea pigs fed either a control diet or the same diet supplemented with 1% cholesterol. The extent of esterification was found to be similar in the cholesterol-fed and control guinea pigs and somewhat lower than in rats. The initial rate of esterification was also of the same magnitude as that found in rats and humans, and unaffected by dietary cholesterol if autologous plasma was used as substrate. However, LCAT activity from cholesterol-fed guinea pigs was significantly higher than that of control plasma when acting on either control or cholesterol-fed substrate. This suggests that dietary cholesterol increases the amount (or activity) of LCAT but that the substrate is unsuitable or that a necessary cofactor is present in limiting amounts. Heat treatment of guinea pig plasma seems to alter substrate availability to varying degrees. The implications of these findings in relation to substrate specificity and cofactor requirements of guinea pig LCAT are discussed.", "contents": "Plasma cholesterol esterifying activity in guinea pigs. Plasma cholesterol esterifying activity has been measured in guinea pigs fed either a control diet or the same diet supplemented with 1% cholesterol. The extent of esterification was found to be similar in the cholesterol-fed and control guinea pigs and somewhat lower than in rats. The initial rate of esterification was also of the same magnitude as that found in rats and humans, and unaffected by dietary cholesterol if autologous plasma was used as substrate. However, LCAT activity from cholesterol-fed guinea pigs was significantly higher than that of control plasma when acting on either control or cholesterol-fed substrate. This suggests that dietary cholesterol increases the amount (or activity) of LCAT but that the substrate is unsuitable or that a necessary cofactor is present in limiting amounts. Heat treatment of guinea pig plasma seems to alter substrate availability to varying degrees. The implications of these findings in relation to substrate specificity and cofactor requirements of guinea pig LCAT are discussed.", "PMID": 759993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_59", "title": "Uptake and distribution of orally applied N-acetyl-(14C)neuraminosyl-lactose and N-acetyl-(14C)neuraminic acid in the organs of newborn rats.", "content": "N-acetyl-(14C)neuraminosyl-(alpha,2 leads to 3)lactose enzymatically prepared of CMP-NeuNAc and lactose by a particulate enzyme fraction from lactating rat mammary gland was applied orally to newborn rats and examined for uptake and distribution in relation to those of free N-acetyl-(14C)neuraminic acid. The neonates were allowed to stay with their mother before and during the incubation time up to 6 h. Within this time 70% of the given dose was excreted while 30% was retained in the body. (14C)NeuNAc-lactose activity appeared 1.5 h after application in blood, urine, and tissues and attained maximum values after 3 and 6 h, respectively. The highest uptake occurred in liver, spleen, and brain. The absorption of the trisaccharide was delayed by 30 min compared with free (14C)NeuNAc. The time courses of the curves show a slower but higher accumulation in the tissues suggesting a better utilization of the (14C)NeuNAc from (14C)NeuNAc-lactose or pecularities in the absorption of the trisaccharide by the organs.", "contents": "Uptake and distribution of orally applied N-acetyl-(14C)neuraminosyl-lactose and N-acetyl-(14C)neuraminic acid in the organs of newborn rats. N-acetyl-(14C)neuraminosyl-(alpha,2 leads to 3)lactose enzymatically prepared of CMP-NeuNAc and lactose by a particulate enzyme fraction from lactating rat mammary gland was applied orally to newborn rats and examined for uptake and distribution in relation to those of free N-acetyl-(14C)neuraminic acid. The neonates were allowed to stay with their mother before and during the incubation time up to 6 h. Within this time 70% of the given dose was excreted while 30% was retained in the body. (14C)NeuNAc-lactose activity appeared 1.5 h after application in blood, urine, and tissues and attained maximum values after 3 and 6 h, respectively. The highest uptake occurred in liver, spleen, and brain. The absorption of the trisaccharide was delayed by 30 min compared with free (14C)NeuNAc. The time courses of the curves show a slower but higher accumulation in the tissues suggesting a better utilization of the (14C)NeuNAc from (14C)NeuNAc-lactose or pecularities in the absorption of the trisaccharide by the organs.", "PMID": 759994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_60", "title": "[Plasma glucose, insulin and increased serum levels during continuous infusion of glucose in low dosages].", "content": "Metabolic reactions during long-time intravenous infusion of glucose in dosages according to basal energy requirements of man were investigated. Infusion of 0.2-0.4 g glucose/kg body weight/h led to the typical behaviour of blood glucose with an initial peak and a subsequent steady state. The steady state was dose-dependent and always higher than the starting value. Insulin always rose significantly with increasing scattering of the individual values with higher glucose loads. With 0.1 g glucose/kg/h, the steady state of blood glucose, after a minimal initial peak, was lower than the starting value, and no change of insulin in the peripheral venous blood could be observed. Free fatty acid levels initially always decreased, but rose again under low glucose loads (0.1 and 0.2g/kg/h). In all experiments, with an increase of insulin, a decrease of serum potassium was found. Sodium, calcium, bilirubin, creatinine and urea-N did not show any typical changes.", "contents": "[Plasma glucose, insulin and increased serum levels during continuous infusion of glucose in low dosages]. Metabolic reactions during long-time intravenous infusion of glucose in dosages according to basal energy requirements of man were investigated. Infusion of 0.2-0.4 g glucose/kg body weight/h led to the typical behaviour of blood glucose with an initial peak and a subsequent steady state. The steady state was dose-dependent and always higher than the starting value. Insulin always rose significantly with increasing scattering of the individual values with higher glucose loads. With 0.1 g glucose/kg/h, the steady state of blood glucose, after a minimal initial peak, was lower than the starting value, and no change of insulin in the peripheral venous blood could be observed. Free fatty acid levels initially always decreased, but rose again under low glucose loads (0.1 and 0.2g/kg/h). In all experiments, with an increase of insulin, a decrease of serum potassium was found. Sodium, calcium, bilirubin, creatinine and urea-N did not show any typical changes.", "PMID": 759995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_61", "title": "Diagnostic scope and certainty: an analysis of FNP practice.", "content": "The health problems of 2,136 patients randomly selected from 8,905 patients seen by 356 family nurse practitioners around the U.S.A. were analyzed. Primary diagnoses were reported on all patients using an adapted H-ICDA/ICHPPC classification. This system allowed for 18 diagnostic categories and 115 diagnoses relevant to primary care. The ten most frequent diagnostic categories were reported and analyzed as to certainty and status (old or new diagnosis). Analysis of diagnostic certainty revealed areas where FNPs felt most accurate. Reporting both diagnoses and diagnostic categories allowed greater understanding of the health problems presented to family nurse practitioners in primary care. This comprehensive data bank of patient care problems adds another dimension to the study of primary care and is a useful tool in further family nurse practitioner research and in curriculum development.", "contents": "Diagnostic scope and certainty: an analysis of FNP practice. The health problems of 2,136 patients randomly selected from 8,905 patients seen by 356 family nurse practitioners around the U.S.A. were analyzed. Primary diagnoses were reported on all patients using an adapted H-ICDA/ICHPPC classification. This system allowed for 18 diagnostic categories and 115 diagnoses relevant to primary care. The ten most frequent diagnostic categories were reported and analyzed as to certainty and status (old or new diagnosis). Analysis of diagnostic certainty revealed areas where FNPs felt most accurate. Reporting both diagnoses and diagnostic categories allowed greater understanding of the health problems presented to family nurse practitioners in primary care. This comprehensive data bank of patient care problems adds another dimension to the study of primary care and is a useful tool in further family nurse practitioner research and in curriculum development.", "PMID": 759998} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_62", "title": "A clinical approach to urinary incontinence in the female.", "content": "Five hundred and twenty-eight female patients with urinary incontinence were studied and treated over a 10-year period. Details of management are given, including a description of a vaginal method of reconstruction of the anatomically incompetent bladder neck. The results of treatment of each group are discussed, and the importance of initial clinical recognition of the urinary outflow obstruction syndrome is stressed in order to institute correct treatment.", "contents": "A clinical approach to urinary incontinence in the female. Five hundred and twenty-eight female patients with urinary incontinence were studied and treated over a 10-year period. Details of management are given, including a description of a vaginal method of reconstruction of the anatomically incompetent bladder neck. The results of treatment of each group are discussed, and the importance of initial clinical recognition of the urinary outflow obstruction syndrome is stressed in order to institute correct treatment.", "PMID": 760005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_63", "title": "Transrectal ultrasonography in the evaluation of cervical carcinoma.", "content": "Transrectal ultrasonography has proved useful in the evaluation of genitourinary disease. Experience with prostate scans has shown that such conditions as prostate carcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia can be diagnosed and assessed with a high degree of accuracy. In patients with carcinoma of the bladder this method is useful in determining the degree of tumor invasion within the bladder wall. Our experience with scans of the uterus is in its early stages. We have studied 30 patients with documented cervical carcinoma and are studying 1) the presence and extent of parametrial involvement, 2) the ability to distinguish benign from malignant lesions, and 3) the identification of bladder invasion.", "contents": "Transrectal ultrasonography in the evaluation of cervical carcinoma. Transrectal ultrasonography has proved useful in the evaluation of genitourinary disease. Experience with prostate scans has shown that such conditions as prostate carcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia can be diagnosed and assessed with a high degree of accuracy. In patients with carcinoma of the bladder this method is useful in determining the degree of tumor invasion within the bladder wall. Our experience with scans of the uterus is in its early stages. We have studied 30 patients with documented cervical carcinoma and are studying 1) the presence and extent of parametrial involvement, 2) the ability to distinguish benign from malignant lesions, and 3) the identification of bladder invasion.", "PMID": 760006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_64", "title": "Capillary and venous blood estrogen in pregnancy.", "content": "Total estrogens in the third trimester of pregnancy were measured in matched samples of venous and capillary blood serum. A close correlation was observed between capillary blood estrogens (CBE) and venous blood estrogens (VBE). After establishing norms for CBE during the third trimester of normal pregnancy, the parameter was assessed for its use in high-risk pregnancy in comparison with VBE. In 96.6% of the 59 high-risk pregnancy cases studied, the conclusions drawn about the fetoplacental unit on the basis of CBE and VBE were similar.", "contents": "Capillary and venous blood estrogen in pregnancy. Total estrogens in the third trimester of pregnancy were measured in matched samples of venous and capillary blood serum. A close correlation was observed between capillary blood estrogens (CBE) and venous blood estrogens (VBE). After establishing norms for CBE during the third trimester of normal pregnancy, the parameter was assessed for its use in high-risk pregnancy in comparison with VBE. In 96.6% of the 59 high-risk pregnancy cases studied, the conclusions drawn about the fetoplacental unit on the basis of CBE and VBE were similar.", "PMID": 760007} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_65", "title": "Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium.", "content": "A case meeting Fluhmann's criteria of epidermoid carcinoma of the endometrium is presented. The patient has been free of tumor for 14 months.", "contents": "Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium. A case meeting Fluhmann's criteria of epidermoid carcinoma of the endometrium is presented. The patient has been free of tumor for 14 months.", "PMID": 760008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_66", "title": "Severe polycystic kidney disease in pregnancy. Report of fetal survival.", "content": "Advanced polycystic renal disease associated with pregnancy is very rare. A severely uremic pregnant patient with Landesman's Group C disease was delivered by cesarean section at 33 weeks' gestation, after dexamethasone treatment for fetal lung maturation. This is the first surviving infant in a case of Group C polycystic kidney disease.", "contents": "Severe polycystic kidney disease in pregnancy. Report of fetal survival. Advanced polycystic renal disease associated with pregnancy is very rare. A severely uremic pregnant patient with Landesman's Group C disease was delivered by cesarean section at 33 weeks' gestation, after dexamethasone treatment for fetal lung maturation. This is the first surviving infant in a case of Group C polycystic kidney disease.", "PMID": 760009} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_67", "title": "Listeria monocytogenes. Macroabscesses of placenta.", "content": "Macroabscesses of placenta caused by Listeria monocytogenes were observed in a 37-year-old febrile primigravida. She was prematurely delivered of a depressed 2310-g infant, who was resuscitated and promptly treated with antibiotics. Mother and child are well at 10-year followup. Although perinatal listeriosis with placentitis is not rare, its presentation as macroabscesses of the placenta has until now gone unreported in the English language literature.", "contents": "Listeria monocytogenes. Macroabscesses of placenta. Macroabscesses of placenta caused by Listeria monocytogenes were observed in a 37-year-old febrile primigravida. She was prematurely delivered of a depressed 2310-g infant, who was resuscitated and promptly treated with antibiotics. Mother and child are well at 10-year followup. Although perinatal listeriosis with placentitis is not rare, its presentation as macroabscesses of the placenta has until now gone unreported in the English language literature.", "PMID": 760011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_68", "title": "Intravascular spill of hyperosmolar urea during induced midtrimester abortion.", "content": "Intravascular spill of hypertonic sodium chloride and the resultant serious and occasionally fatal consquences have been reported in association with induced midtrimester abortion. This report details 3 cases of intravascular spill of hyperosmolar urea. Although urea may pose less concern, because of its ability to readily cross cell membranes and its action as an osmotic diuretic, inadvertent intravascular spill can produce symptoms that include nausea, headache, sensations of warmth, and intense uterine cramping. In addition, abnormal blood pigments may occasionally be noted in the urine. Treatment includes intravenous hydration, careful monitoring of fluid/electrolyte balance and renal function, and avoiding the use of oxytocic agents.", "contents": "Intravascular spill of hyperosmolar urea during induced midtrimester abortion. Intravascular spill of hypertonic sodium chloride and the resultant serious and occasionally fatal consquences have been reported in association with induced midtrimester abortion. This report details 3 cases of intravascular spill of hyperosmolar urea. Although urea may pose less concern, because of its ability to readily cross cell membranes and its action as an osmotic diuretic, inadvertent intravascular spill can produce symptoms that include nausea, headache, sensations of warmth, and intense uterine cramping. In addition, abnormal blood pigments may occasionally be noted in the urine. Treatment includes intravenous hydration, careful monitoring of fluid/electrolyte balance and renal function, and avoiding the use of oxytocic agents.", "PMID": 760012} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_69", "title": "Nephrotic syndrome due to preeclamptic nephropathy in a hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus.", "content": "A case study and review of the literature of 2 uncommon obstetric events associated with each other is presented. The diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of a case of nephrotic syndrome due to preeclamptic nephropathy in a hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus is presented. Cytogenic studies and appropriate follow-up therapy are discussed. The complete remission of renal and hypertensive complications with evacuation of the pregnancy and lack of malignant transformation is stressed and is found to be characteristic of \"partial\" mole.", "contents": "Nephrotic syndrome due to preeclamptic nephropathy in a hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus. A case study and review of the literature of 2 uncommon obstetric events associated with each other is presented. The diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of a case of nephrotic syndrome due to preeclamptic nephropathy in a hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus is presented. Cytogenic studies and appropriate follow-up therapy are discussed. The complete remission of renal and hypertensive complications with evacuation of the pregnancy and lack of malignant transformation is stressed and is found to be characteristic of \"partial\" mole.", "PMID": 760013} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_70", "title": "Dysmenorrhea in unicornis with rudimentary uterine cavity.", "content": "Two adolescents with a rare m\u00fcllerian anomaly, uterus unicornis with a noncommunicating rudimentary uterine cavity, are presented because of clinical manifestations characterized by dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain requiring multiple hospitalizations and surgical procedures prior to the correct diagnosis. A high index of suspicion and proper diagnostic evaluation are essential for all adolescent patients presenting with dysmenorrhea associated with menarche and subsequent menstruation. The details of 2 cases and their diagnostic and therapeutic emphasis are presented.", "contents": "Dysmenorrhea in unicornis with rudimentary uterine cavity. Two adolescents with a rare m\u00fcllerian anomaly, uterus unicornis with a noncommunicating rudimentary uterine cavity, are presented because of clinical manifestations characterized by dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain requiring multiple hospitalizations and surgical procedures prior to the correct diagnosis. A high index of suspicion and proper diagnostic evaluation are essential for all adolescent patients presenting with dysmenorrhea associated with menarche and subsequent menstruation. The details of 2 cases and their diagnostic and therapeutic emphasis are presented.", "PMID": 760014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_71", "title": "Carbamazepine levels in pregnancy and lactation.", "content": "An epileptic patient whose seizures were controlled with carbamazepine and primidone was followed throughout pregnancy and lactation. Blood levels of primidone decreased during pregnancy and rose postpartum requiring dosage adjustments. Pharmacologically insignificant amounts of the drug were detected in breast milk. A review of the literature revealed 94 infants exposed to carbamazepine in utero and no evidence to date that this drug carries a teratogenic risk.", "contents": "Carbamazepine levels in pregnancy and lactation. An epileptic patient whose seizures were controlled with carbamazepine and primidone was followed throughout pregnancy and lactation. Blood levels of primidone decreased during pregnancy and rose postpartum requiring dosage adjustments. Pharmacologically insignificant amounts of the drug were detected in breast milk. A review of the literature revealed 94 infants exposed to carbamazepine in utero and no evidence to date that this drug carries a teratogenic risk.", "PMID": 760015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_72", "title": "Chlamydiae, cervicitis, and abnormal Papanicolaou smears.", "content": "Cervical abnormalities accompanied by Papanicolaou Class II or Class III cytologic results are commonly encountered in gynecologic office practice. Chlamydiae are a common cause of genital tract infection, with or without manifest symptoms or signs. An immunofluorescence method was used to determine the presence of antichlamydial antibodies in cervical secretions. Eleven of 15 patients in whom such antibodies were found (73.3%) had Papanicolaou Class II or Class III smears, in contrast to only 3 of 18 patients (16.7%) without antichlamydial antibodies. The determination of antichlamydial antibodies in cervical mucus was highly reproducible, and specimens were readily collected in the office, without the need of prompt laboratory procedures. In selected patients, tetracycline treatment of early chlamydial infection resulted both in the disappearance of the antibody from cervical secretions and in the reversion of the Papanicolaou smear from Class II or Class III to Class I.", "contents": "Chlamydiae, cervicitis, and abnormal Papanicolaou smears. Cervical abnormalities accompanied by Papanicolaou Class II or Class III cytologic results are commonly encountered in gynecologic office practice. Chlamydiae are a common cause of genital tract infection, with or without manifest symptoms or signs. An immunofluorescence method was used to determine the presence of antichlamydial antibodies in cervical secretions. Eleven of 15 patients in whom such antibodies were found (73.3%) had Papanicolaou Class II or Class III smears, in contrast to only 3 of 18 patients (16.7%) without antichlamydial antibodies. The determination of antichlamydial antibodies in cervical mucus was highly reproducible, and specimens were readily collected in the office, without the need of prompt laboratory procedures. In selected patients, tetracycline treatment of early chlamydial infection resulted both in the disappearance of the antibody from cervical secretions and in the reversion of the Papanicolaou smear from Class II or Class III to Class I.", "PMID": 760016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_73", "title": "Effect of single and multidose cephradine prophylaxis on infectious morbidity of vaginal hysterectomy.", "content": "The administration of cephradine prophylactically to patients who were undergoing vaginal hysterectomies resulted in a marked and significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative infections when compared to a placebo group. Cephradine was the cephalosporin studied because of its unique pharmacodynamic properties, which result in high uterine tissue levels. The protective effect was similar whether 1 g was given preoperatively followed by 500 mg IV q. 6 hours for 4 doses, or a single dose of 2 g IV given approximately 1 hour before surgery. Uterine tissue and serum levels of antibiotic were high and correlated with the degree of protection noted.", "contents": "Effect of single and multidose cephradine prophylaxis on infectious morbidity of vaginal hysterectomy. The administration of cephradine prophylactically to patients who were undergoing vaginal hysterectomies resulted in a marked and significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative infections when compared to a placebo group. Cephradine was the cephalosporin studied because of its unique pharmacodynamic properties, which result in high uterine tissue levels. The protective effect was similar whether 1 g was given preoperatively followed by 500 mg IV q. 6 hours for 4 doses, or a single dose of 2 g IV given approximately 1 hour before surgery. Uterine tissue and serum levels of antibiotic were high and correlated with the degree of protection noted.", "PMID": 760017} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_74", "title": "Estrogen and progestin binding in cytosols of ovarian adenocarcinomas.", "content": "Because a few ovarian adenocarcinomas respond favorably to endocrine therapy, we tested the hypothesis that some ovarian adenocarcinomas have functional similarity with sex-hormone-sensitive endometrial and breast tumors. Cytosols from 23 ovarian adenocarcinomas and 27 control tissues were examined for receptorlike estrogen and/or progestin binding. Eight of 16 primary ovarian adenocarcinomas had estrogen and/or progestin receptorlike components; among the metastases tested, one third retained estrogen binding. No correlations were found between binding characteristics and histopathologic grade. The presence of estrogen binding in a lung lesion helped confirm recurrent ovarian disease. Estrogen binding occurred in specimens from women with no histories of exposure to exogenous estrogen. Because tamoxifen and nafoxidine could inhibit estradiol binding, it is likely that antiestrogens will prove beneficial against some ovarian cancers.", "contents": "Estrogen and progestin binding in cytosols of ovarian adenocarcinomas. Because a few ovarian adenocarcinomas respond favorably to endocrine therapy, we tested the hypothesis that some ovarian adenocarcinomas have functional similarity with sex-hormone-sensitive endometrial and breast tumors. Cytosols from 23 ovarian adenocarcinomas and 27 control tissues were examined for receptorlike estrogen and/or progestin binding. Eight of 16 primary ovarian adenocarcinomas had estrogen and/or progestin receptorlike components; among the metastases tested, one third retained estrogen binding. No correlations were found between binding characteristics and histopathologic grade. The presence of estrogen binding in a lung lesion helped confirm recurrent ovarian disease. Estrogen binding occurred in specimens from women with no histories of exposure to exogenous estrogen. Because tamoxifen and nafoxidine could inhibit estradiol binding, it is likely that antiestrogens will prove beneficial against some ovarian cancers.", "PMID": 760018} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_75", "title": "Trophoblastic proteins in ovarian carcinoma.", "content": "Trophoblast-\"specific\" proteins in the plasma of 37 patients with primary epithelial carcinoma of the ovary were measured. Circulating pregnancy-specific beta1-glycoprotein (SP1) was detected in 5 subjects, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) was found in 2 subjects, and human placental lactogen (hPL) was detected in 8 subjects.", "contents": "Trophoblastic proteins in ovarian carcinoma. Trophoblast-\"specific\" proteins in the plasma of 37 patients with primary epithelial carcinoma of the ovary were measured. Circulating pregnancy-specific beta1-glycoprotein (SP1) was detected in 5 subjects, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) was found in 2 subjects, and human placental lactogen (hPL) was detected in 8 subjects.", "PMID": 760019} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_76", "title": "Relaxin secretion in early pregnancy.", "content": "Relaxin is a peptide hormone produced solely by the corpus luteum of pregnant women. Extracts of human pregnancy corpora lutea have relaxin activity in bioassay systems. This activity can be measured in a heterologous porcine radioimmunoassay (RIA). Immunoreactive relaxin was undetectable in the RIA in 51 nonpregnant women. In conception cycles, relaxin immunoactivity is detectable in peripheral blood by the time of the missed menses. Relaxin detection may be used as a pregnancy test. Relaxin may be an important luteal factor, together with progesterone, in early pregnancy maintenance.", "contents": "Relaxin secretion in early pregnancy. Relaxin is a peptide hormone produced solely by the corpus luteum of pregnant women. Extracts of human pregnancy corpora lutea have relaxin activity in bioassay systems. This activity can be measured in a heterologous porcine radioimmunoassay (RIA). Immunoreactive relaxin was undetectable in the RIA in 51 nonpregnant women. In conception cycles, relaxin immunoactivity is detectable in peripheral blood by the time of the missed menses. Relaxin detection may be used as a pregnancy test. Relaxin may be an important luteal factor, together with progesterone, in early pregnancy maintenance.", "PMID": 760020} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_77", "title": "Subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to ruptured cerebral aneurysm in pregnancy.", "content": "Eight patients suffering ruptured cerebral aneurysms during pregnancy were managed at the University of Western Ontario hospitals between 1967 and 1977. Seven aneurysms were managed surgically. All of these patients survived, 1 with permanent neurologic deficit. Seven living infants were delivered, 6 by vaginal delivery and 1 by cesarean section. One pregnancy was terminated surgically. One maternal death occurred in a patient whose aneurysm was inoperable. Fetal heart rates (FHR) were monitored by Doptone monitor during the aneurysm surgery. Clipping of the aneurysms was performed under induced hypotension. The prognosis for ruptured cerebral aneurysms during pregnancy is good for both mother and fetus. A short course of conservative therapy followed by surgical management of the aneurysm is advocated. Delivery may be managed according to obstetrical indications following surgical correction of the aneurysm.", "contents": "Subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to ruptured cerebral aneurysm in pregnancy. Eight patients suffering ruptured cerebral aneurysms during pregnancy were managed at the University of Western Ontario hospitals between 1967 and 1977. Seven aneurysms were managed surgically. All of these patients survived, 1 with permanent neurologic deficit. Seven living infants were delivered, 6 by vaginal delivery and 1 by cesarean section. One pregnancy was terminated surgically. One maternal death occurred in a patient whose aneurysm was inoperable. Fetal heart rates (FHR) were monitored by Doptone monitor during the aneurysm surgery. Clipping of the aneurysms was performed under induced hypotension. The prognosis for ruptured cerebral aneurysms during pregnancy is good for both mother and fetus. A short course of conservative therapy followed by surgical management of the aneurysm is advocated. Delivery may be managed according to obstetrical indications following surgical correction of the aneurysm.", "PMID": 760021} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_78", "title": "The significance of eradication of bacteriuria during pregnancy.", "content": "Over a 20-year period at WHMC the annual incidence of acute antepartum pyelonephritis decreased from 4.0% to 0.8%. This decrease is correlated with the eradication of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Since urinary tract infections frequently recur, these antepartum patients must be monitored after therapy.", "contents": "The significance of eradication of bacteriuria during pregnancy. Over a 20-year period at WHMC the annual incidence of acute antepartum pyelonephritis decreased from 4.0% to 0.8%. This decrease is correlated with the eradication of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Since urinary tract infections frequently recur, these antepartum patients must be monitored after therapy.", "PMID": 760022} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_79", "title": "Maternal-perinatal calcium relationships.", "content": "Serum concentrations of total and ionic calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and albumin were measureed in maternal and cord blood of 115 near-term deliveries. The same measurements (except for ionic calcium) were made in blood obtained from corresponding newborns at 24 hours of age. Cord levels of all components exceeded maternal values, and maternal and cord levels correlated significantly with each other. In the case of calcium, the cord-maternal difference involved both ionic and protein-bound forms. Significant umbilical arterio-venous differences were found only in the case of total calcium, and this difference reflected variation in the protein-bound form only. During the first 24 hours postpartum, total calcium concentration fell (by an average of 0.75 mEq/liter), phosphorus levels rose (by an average of 0.63 mg/dl), and magnesium and albumin did not change significantly. Cord levels of all agents correlated significantly with corresponding neonatal values. In view of the significant positive relationships demonstrated between maternal and cord levels and between cord and neonatal levels, these results substantiate the importance of the maternal serum ionic calcium concentration in normal perinatal calcium homeostasis.", "contents": "Maternal-perinatal calcium relationships. Serum concentrations of total and ionic calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and albumin were measureed in maternal and cord blood of 115 near-term deliveries. The same measurements (except for ionic calcium) were made in blood obtained from corresponding newborns at 24 hours of age. Cord levels of all components exceeded maternal values, and maternal and cord levels correlated significantly with each other. In the case of calcium, the cord-maternal difference involved both ionic and protein-bound forms. Significant umbilical arterio-venous differences were found only in the case of total calcium, and this difference reflected variation in the protein-bound form only. During the first 24 hours postpartum, total calcium concentration fell (by an average of 0.75 mEq/liter), phosphorus levels rose (by an average of 0.63 mg/dl), and magnesium and albumin did not change significantly. Cord levels of all agents correlated significantly with corresponding neonatal values. In view of the significant positive relationships demonstrated between maternal and cord levels and between cord and neonatal levels, these results substantiate the importance of the maternal serum ionic calcium concentration in normal perinatal calcium homeostasis.", "PMID": 760023} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_80", "title": "Fetal injury with midtrimester diagnostic amniocentesis.", "content": "One hundred seven infants born after midtrimester amniocentesis were examined. The frequency of fetal injury was 9%, and was directly related to the number of attempts at amniocentesis. All were minor cutaneous injuries except for 1 case of disruption of a patellar tendon. Suggestions are made regarding ways to reduce the incidence of fetal puncture.", "contents": "Fetal injury with midtrimester diagnostic amniocentesis. One hundred seven infants born after midtrimester amniocentesis were examined. The frequency of fetal injury was 9%, and was directly related to the number of attempts at amniocentesis. All were minor cutaneous injuries except for 1 case of disruption of a patellar tendon. Suggestions are made regarding ways to reduce the incidence of fetal puncture.", "PMID": 760024} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_81", "title": "The premature breech: trial of labor or cesarean section?", "content": "Sixty-six premature breech deliveries were studied retrospectively. Forty-eight patients were permitted a trial of labor, 47 of whom ultimately delivered vaginally. Eighteen patients underwent cesarean section as soon as possible after their arrival at the delivery suite. When Apgar scores, perinatal mortality rates, cord prolapse, and entrapment of the aftercoming head are considered, cesarean section is probably the safer course of management for the patient with a footling breech infant, especially when the infant weighs 1500 g or less. However, the data indicate that a trial of labor can be safely undertaken in the presence of a premature frank or complete breech presentation.", "contents": "The premature breech: trial of labor or cesarean section? Sixty-six premature breech deliveries were studied retrospectively. Forty-eight patients were permitted a trial of labor, 47 of whom ultimately delivered vaginally. Eighteen patients underwent cesarean section as soon as possible after their arrival at the delivery suite. When Apgar scores, perinatal mortality rates, cord prolapse, and entrapment of the aftercoming head are considered, cesarean section is probably the safer course of management for the patient with a footling breech infant, especially when the infant weighs 1500 g or less. However, the data indicate that a trial of labor can be safely undertaken in the presence of a premature frank or complete breech presentation.", "PMID": 760025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_82", "title": "Antithrombotic therapy. Rationale and application.", "content": "Arterial thrombosis and venous thrombosis differ in pathogenesis, morphology, and response to antithrombotic therapy. Antiplatelet therapy usually is aimed at arterial thrombi, in whose formation platelet-mediated reactions predominate, while anticoagulant therapy is effective against venous thrombi, in whose formation coagulation predominates.", "contents": "Antithrombotic therapy. Rationale and application. Arterial thrombosis and venous thrombosis differ in pathogenesis, morphology, and response to antithrombotic therapy. Antiplatelet therapy usually is aimed at arterial thrombi, in whose formation platelet-mediated reactions predominate, while anticoagulant therapy is effective against venous thrombi, in whose formation coagulation predominates.", "PMID": 760083} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_83", "title": "Adenocarcinoma of unknown origin. A rational approach to a diagnostic puzzle.", "content": "Determination of the tissue of origin of disseminated adenocarcinoma is often difficult. Careful clinical evaluation of the patient in light of known characteristics of certain primary tumors, followed by appropriate screening tests, may yield decisive information. If not, a decision for or against more specific tests must be made.", "contents": "Adenocarcinoma of unknown origin. A rational approach to a diagnostic puzzle. Determination of the tissue of origin of disseminated adenocarcinoma is often difficult. Careful clinical evaluation of the patient in light of known characteristics of certain primary tumors, followed by appropriate screening tests, may yield decisive information. If not, a decision for or against more specific tests must be made.", "PMID": 760084} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_84", "title": "Differential diagnosis of chest pain. Use of isoenzyme LDH1 level as a criterion.", "content": "Changes in level of isoenzyme LDH1 seem to be a valuable criterion in differentiating acute myocardial infarction from active coronary insufficiency without infarction. LDH1 level increases noticeably within 48 hours after onset of pain from acute myocardial infarction but tends to decrease if the pain is due to active coronary insufficiency.", "contents": "Differential diagnosis of chest pain. Use of isoenzyme LDH1 level as a criterion. Changes in level of isoenzyme LDH1 seem to be a valuable criterion in differentiating acute myocardial infarction from active coronary insufficiency without infarction. LDH1 level increases noticeably within 48 hours after onset of pain from acute myocardial infarction but tends to decrease if the pain is due to active coronary insufficiency.", "PMID": 760085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_85", "title": "A death of one's own.", "content": "Recent interest in the subject of dying arises from fear of medical technology that can now prolong physiologic processes long after cognitive life has fled. The setting and type of terminal care influence the quality of death and the attitudes of those left behind. There are several alternatives to hospital care for the dying, and patients should be able to decide the terms and conditions of their death. Consideration of a \"living will\" may precipitate a valuable spontaneous dialogue among patient, family, and physician.", "contents": "A death of one's own. Recent interest in the subject of dying arises from fear of medical technology that can now prolong physiologic processes long after cognitive life has fled. The setting and type of terminal care influence the quality of death and the attitudes of those left behind. There are several alternatives to hospital care for the dying, and patients should be able to decide the terms and conditions of their death. Consideration of a \"living will\" may precipitate a valuable spontaneous dialogue among patient, family, and physician.", "PMID": 760087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_86", "title": "Syndrome delineation. 1. Malformations and dysplasias.", "content": "A practical classification of genetic disorders and birth defects divides them into five categories: malformations, dysplasias, inborn errors of metabolism, deformities, and variant familial developmental patterns. The first two categories are discussed here. The last three will be discussed next month in part 2.", "contents": "Syndrome delineation. 1. Malformations and dysplasias. A practical classification of genetic disorders and birth defects divides them into five categories: malformations, dysplasias, inborn errors of metabolism, deformities, and variant familial developmental patterns. The first two categories are discussed here. The last three will be discussed next month in part 2.", "PMID": 760088} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_87", "title": "Diarrhea after gastrectomy and vagotomy.", "content": "Development of diarrhea in a patient following gastric surgery can be a confusing problem. The clinician is forced to consider and exclude causes that may be independent of the surgery as well as those that are unique to the postgastrectomy state. An orderly approach is mandatory for appropriate workup and management.", "contents": "Diarrhea after gastrectomy and vagotomy. Development of diarrhea in a patient following gastric surgery can be a confusing problem. The clinician is forced to consider and exclude causes that may be independent of the surgery as well as those that are unique to the postgastrectomy state. An orderly approach is mandatory for appropriate workup and management.", "PMID": 760089} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_88", "title": "Investigation of microcytic anemia.", "content": "This article on microcytic anemia is the first of several on laboratory investigation of anemia. Microcytic anemia, characterized by a mean corpuscular volume of less than 80 cu mu, is usually due to iron deficiency or chronic disease but may signify thalassemia minor. Exact identification of the cause is important, since inappropriate iron therapy may be useless or even dangerous.", "contents": "Investigation of microcytic anemia. This article on microcytic anemia is the first of several on laboratory investigation of anemia. Microcytic anemia, characterized by a mean corpuscular volume of less than 80 cu mu, is usually due to iron deficiency or chronic disease but may signify thalassemia minor. Exact identification of the cause is important, since inappropriate iron therapy may be useless or even dangerous.", "PMID": 760090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_89", "title": "Anaerobic pleuro-pulmonary infections.", "content": "Anaerobic pleuropulmonary infections usually arise from aspiration of oral bacteria. The degree of virulence depends on host factors, especially state of tissue oxygenation, and on size of inoculum. Fetid sputum, if present, frequently is diagnostic. Use of penicillin G is preferred therapy for all forms of anaerobic pleuropulmonary infection.", "contents": "Anaerobic pleuro-pulmonary infections. Anaerobic pleuropulmonary infections usually arise from aspiration of oral bacteria. The degree of virulence depends on host factors, especially state of tissue oxygenation, and on size of inoculum. Fetid sputum, if present, frequently is diagnostic. Use of penicillin G is preferred therapy for all forms of anaerobic pleuropulmonary infection.", "PMID": 760095} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_90", "title": "[Pulmonary scar cancer and tumourlet (author's transl)].", "content": "Many investigations stress the importance of dysplastic changes of bronchial epithelium, chronic bronchitis, and chronic scar producing inflammatory processes of the lung in the development of bronchopulmonary carcinoma.--At the Institute for Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis Golnik in the period from 1964--1973 we found among 185 surgically resected lungs 20 cases (10,8%) of pulmonary scar cancer. In six patients (30,0%) we proved the tuberculous origin of the scar. Scar cancer was established in 18 patients (90,0%) in the upper parts of the lung. In half of all cases adenocarcinoma was found, squamous cell carcinoma was present in two cases and small cell anaplastic carcinoma in one case. --In the same period we found in surgically resected material two cases of tumourlets. In the first case in a 49-year old woman, the tumourlet was located in the scar surrounding an aspergillus mycetoma in the right upper pulmonary lobe. In the second case a tumourlet was found in a 42-year old woman in the region of focal fibrosis of the right upper pulmonary lobe. An 8 respectively 12 years postoperative follow-up shows no recurrence in both patients. This corresponds to the data from literature describing the tumourlet as benign process, recently reported as a minute peripheral carcinoid tumour.", "contents": "[Pulmonary scar cancer and tumourlet (author's transl)]. Many investigations stress the importance of dysplastic changes of bronchial epithelium, chronic bronchitis, and chronic scar producing inflammatory processes of the lung in the development of bronchopulmonary carcinoma.--At the Institute for Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis Golnik in the period from 1964--1973 we found among 185 surgically resected lungs 20 cases (10,8%) of pulmonary scar cancer. In six patients (30,0%) we proved the tuberculous origin of the scar. Scar cancer was established in 18 patients (90,0%) in the upper parts of the lung. In half of all cases adenocarcinoma was found, squamous cell carcinoma was present in two cases and small cell anaplastic carcinoma in one case. --In the same period we found in surgically resected material two cases of tumourlets. In the first case in a 49-year old woman, the tumourlet was located in the scar surrounding an aspergillus mycetoma in the right upper pulmonary lobe. In the second case a tumourlet was found in a 42-year old woman in the region of focal fibrosis of the right upper pulmonary lobe. An 8 respectively 12 years postoperative follow-up shows no recurrence in both patients. This corresponds to the data from literature describing the tumourlet as benign process, recently reported as a minute peripheral carcinoid tumour.", "PMID": 760097} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_91", "title": "[Chemotherapy of inoperable endothoracic tumours (results of the Karrer and aco polycytostatic therapy) (author's transl)].", "content": "The success of chemotherapy of inoperable endothoracic cancer largely depends on interdisciplinary cooperation. 30 years of research have succeeded in developing some promising combinations of cytostatic agents. Administered sequentially they are better tolerated and this has made outpatient treatment possible. 87 persons had polycytostatic therapy according to the Karrer/Sighart formula. It was followed by a difinite improvement in the general condition of the patients, but without any substantial lengthening of the average survival time. The ACO scheme (Seeber/Schmidt) has been used since April 1977 in 42 persons. Preliminary results indicate a definite prologation of survival time, especially in cases of small-cell bronchogenic carcinoma.", "contents": "[Chemotherapy of inoperable endothoracic tumours (results of the Karrer and aco polycytostatic therapy) (author's transl)]. The success of chemotherapy of inoperable endothoracic cancer largely depends on interdisciplinary cooperation. 30 years of research have succeeded in developing some promising combinations of cytostatic agents. Administered sequentially they are better tolerated and this has made outpatient treatment possible. 87 persons had polycytostatic therapy according to the Karrer/Sighart formula. It was followed by a difinite improvement in the general condition of the patients, but without any substantial lengthening of the average survival time. The ACO scheme (Seeber/Schmidt) has been used since April 1977 in 42 persons. Preliminary results indicate a definite prologation of survival time, especially in cases of small-cell bronchogenic carcinoma.", "PMID": 760098} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_92", "title": "[Normal values of respiratory resistance in childhood (oscillation method) (author's transl)].", "content": "Normal values for respiratory resistance were determined by means of the oscillation method in 257 children and adolescents of both sexes aged 3--17 years. Respiratory resistance, measured by both the oscillatory and plethysmographic method, increased in inverse proportion to body height, body weight, body surface and age. Normal values can be estimated by means of the equation: y = 14.51--0.064X (X = hight in centimetres).", "contents": "[Normal values of respiratory resistance in childhood (oscillation method) (author's transl)]. Normal values for respiratory resistance were determined by means of the oscillation method in 257 children and adolescents of both sexes aged 3--17 years. Respiratory resistance, measured by both the oscillatory and plethysmographic method, increased in inverse proportion to body height, body weight, body surface and age. Normal values can be estimated by means of the equation: y = 14.51--0.064X (X = hight in centimetres).", "PMID": 760099} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_93", "title": "[Absorption of anti-tuberculous drugs after gastric surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "Although partial gastrectomy does not, as a rule, greatly impair the absorption of ethambutol by tuberculous patients, subtotal or total gastrectomy may reduce it by 40--60 per cent. Rifampicin and isoniazid are almost completely absorbed; but postprandial administration of rifampicin may be preferable in these cases. In the presence of anacidity absorption of isoniazid is slowed down but not reduced quantitatively. To estimate the degree to which absorption is impaired the drug levels in the blood after oral and intravenous administration should be determined over two consecutive days.", "contents": "[Absorption of anti-tuberculous drugs after gastric surgery (author's transl)]. Although partial gastrectomy does not, as a rule, greatly impair the absorption of ethambutol by tuberculous patients, subtotal or total gastrectomy may reduce it by 40--60 per cent. Rifampicin and isoniazid are almost completely absorbed; but postprandial administration of rifampicin may be preferable in these cases. In the presence of anacidity absorption of isoniazid is slowed down but not reduced quantitatively. To estimate the degree to which absorption is impaired the drug levels in the blood after oral and intravenous administration should be determined over two consecutive days.", "PMID": 760100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_94", "title": "[Isoprodiane therapy for previously untreated cavitating pulmonary tuberculosis (author's transl)].", "content": "Isoprodiane (a combination of isoniazid, prothionamide and dapsone) was given to 22 persons with open cavitating pulmonary tuberculosis. None of them had been treated before. Microscopic and cultural sputum conversion occurred within an average of 5 and 11 weeks respectively. Treatment was discontinued in five patients: as a safety measure, despite sputum conversion, on account of the extent of the process and the general condition of the patient (one case); because of side-effects (two cases, one of whom was hypersensitive to isoniazid); because the patients failed to continue with the treatment (two cases). The early results were very promising; the long-term results cannot yet be assessed. The therapy did not materially affect the haemoglobin levels.", "contents": "[Isoprodiane therapy for previously untreated cavitating pulmonary tuberculosis (author's transl)]. Isoprodiane (a combination of isoniazid, prothionamide and dapsone) was given to 22 persons with open cavitating pulmonary tuberculosis. None of them had been treated before. Microscopic and cultural sputum conversion occurred within an average of 5 and 11 weeks respectively. Treatment was discontinued in five patients: as a safety measure, despite sputum conversion, on account of the extent of the process and the general condition of the patient (one case); because of side-effects (two cases, one of whom was hypersensitive to isoniazid); because the patients failed to continue with the treatment (two cases). The early results were very promising; the long-term results cannot yet be assessed. The therapy did not materially affect the haemoglobin levels.", "PMID": 760101} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_95", "title": "Orthopedic manual therapy--an overview. Part I: the extremities.", "content": "Part 1 of an introductory overview of orthopedic manual therapy is presented, covering evaluation and treatment of the extremities. The first section defines introductory concepts about passive movement, including types of movement, limitations of movement, and types of treatment movements. The remaining four sections cover general concepts, evaluation schemes, and treatment procedures of four practitioners belonging to different schools of thought in orthopedic manual therapy: James Cyriax, MD, MRCP; Freddy Kaltenborn, DO, RPT; Geoffrey Maitland, MAPA, FCSP; and John McM Mennell, MD. The conclusion stresses the importance of developing skills in evaluation, as well as treatment, prior to practicing orthopedic manual therapy.", "contents": "Orthopedic manual therapy--an overview. Part I: the extremities. Part 1 of an introductory overview of orthopedic manual therapy is presented, covering evaluation and treatment of the extremities. The first section defines introductory concepts about passive movement, including types of movement, limitations of movement, and types of treatment movements. The remaining four sections cover general concepts, evaluation schemes, and treatment procedures of four practitioners belonging to different schools of thought in orthopedic manual therapy: James Cyriax, MD, MRCP; Freddy Kaltenborn, DO, RPT; Geoffrey Maitland, MAPA, FCSP; and John McM Mennell, MD. The conclusion stresses the importance of developing skills in evaluation, as well as treatment, prior to practicing orthopedic manual therapy.", "PMID": 760122} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_96", "title": "Learning style preferences: physical therapy students in the United States.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to describe the learning style preferences of students enrolled in their first year of basic professional programs in physical therapy in the United States in the academic year 1975 to 1976. The testing instrument used was the Learning Styles inventory developed by Canfield and Lafferty. A sample of 1,099 (40.8% of the total population) was collected. The results have been tabulated using descriptive statistics of means and standard deviations for: 1) total sample, 2) men, and 3) women. The \"typical\" or \"average\" physical therapy student is described. These results have important implications for physical therapy educators in terms of arranging their instructional activities to optimize learning.", "contents": "Learning style preferences: physical therapy students in the United States. The purpose of this study was to describe the learning style preferences of students enrolled in their first year of basic professional programs in physical therapy in the United States in the academic year 1975 to 1976. The testing instrument used was the Learning Styles inventory developed by Canfield and Lafferty. A sample of 1,099 (40.8% of the total population) was collected. The results have been tabulated using descriptive statistics of means and standard deviations for: 1) total sample, 2) men, and 3) women. The \"typical\" or \"average\" physical therapy student is described. These results have important implications for physical therapy educators in terms of arranging their instructional activities to optimize learning.", "PMID": 760123} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_97", "title": "Intrinsic shoulder pain syndrome: rationale for heating and cooling in treatment.", "content": "This article reviews the literature on pathology and symptoms of the major intrinsic shoulder pain syndromes. Treatment rationale for heating and cooling agents is suggested, based on the pathology of the syndromes and the physiological effects of the agents.", "contents": "Intrinsic shoulder pain syndrome: rationale for heating and cooling in treatment. This article reviews the literature on pathology and symptoms of the major intrinsic shoulder pain syndromes. Treatment rationale for heating and cooling agents is suggested, based on the pathology of the syndromes and the physiological effects of the agents.", "PMID": 760124} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_98", "title": "Regression in organizational leadership.", "content": "The choice of good leaders is a major task for all organizations. Inforamtion regarding the prospective administrator's personality should complement questions regarding his previous experience, his general conceptual skills, his technical knowledge, and the specific skills in the area for which he is being selected. The growing psychoanalytic knowledge about the crucial importance of internal, in contrast to external, object relations, and about the mutual relationships of regression in individuals and in groups, constitutes an important practical tool for the selection of leaders.", "contents": "Regression in organizational leadership. The choice of good leaders is a major task for all organizations. Inforamtion regarding the prospective administrator's personality should complement questions regarding his previous experience, his general conceptual skills, his technical knowledge, and the specific skills in the area for which he is being selected. The growing psychoanalytic knowledge about the crucial importance of internal, in contrast to external, object relations, and about the mutual relationships of regression in individuals and in groups, constitutes an important practical tool for the selection of leaders.", "PMID": 760132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_99", "title": "Explorations in the uses of language in psychotherapy: complex empathic statements.", "content": "I have suggested (1978) that the language occurring to us in personal and psychotherapeutic speech reflects our distance from one another, and that the empathic position in particular evokes emotional reverberations and spontaneous verbal accompaniments which serve to identify that position. I have also suggested some prototypic forms of this spontaneous empathic speech. A clinical anecdote and two observations will illustrate these points and prepare for the discussion of more complex empathic forms.", "contents": "Explorations in the uses of language in psychotherapy: complex empathic statements. I have suggested (1978) that the language occurring to us in personal and psychotherapeutic speech reflects our distance from one another, and that the empathic position in particular evokes emotional reverberations and spontaneous verbal accompaniments which serve to identify that position. I have also suggested some prototypic forms of this spontaneous empathic speech. A clinical anecdote and two observations will illustrate these points and prepare for the discussion of more complex empathic forms.", "PMID": 760133} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_100", "title": "Verbal response modes and psychotherapeutic technique.", "content": "This paper presents a taxonomy of verbal response modes and applies that taxonomy to the verbal behavior of psychotherapists of three contrasting schools: client-centered, gestalt, and psychoanalytic. The taxonomy consists of a theoretically based set of classificatory principles that define a mutually exclusive and exhaustive set of modes. Its purpose is to describe dyadic verbal interaction comprehensively and quantitatively. Such description is a necessary first step in investigating the therapeutic effectiveness of different interaction styles.", "contents": "Verbal response modes and psychotherapeutic technique. This paper presents a taxonomy of verbal response modes and applies that taxonomy to the verbal behavior of psychotherapists of three contrasting schools: client-centered, gestalt, and psychoanalytic. The taxonomy consists of a theoretically based set of classificatory principles that define a mutually exclusive and exhaustive set of modes. Its purpose is to describe dyadic verbal interaction comprehensively and quantitatively. Such description is a necessary first step in investigating the therapeutic effectiveness of different interaction styles.", "PMID": 760134} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_101", "title": "The natural history of a psychotherapy group for battered women.", "content": "This paper presents the authors' experience with evaluation and treatment of battered women and assesses the implications of the work. Assuming that battered women have special problems requiring modifications of psychiatric treatment methods currently available, we chose to work with them in a consciousness-raising, problem-oriented group designed to address those special problems. Assessment includes a description of changes in the women and modifications in the treatment during the course of therapy, an indication of persistent problems in the treatment of battered women, particularly the high drop-out rate, and suggestions for further treatment modifications that might help therapists to avoid the common pitfalls of work with these patients.", "contents": "The natural history of a psychotherapy group for battered women. This paper presents the authors' experience with evaluation and treatment of battered women and assesses the implications of the work. Assuming that battered women have special problems requiring modifications of psychiatric treatment methods currently available, we chose to work with them in a consciousness-raising, problem-oriented group designed to address those special problems. Assessment includes a description of changes in the women and modifications in the treatment during the course of therapy, an indication of persistent problems in the treatment of battered women, particularly the high drop-out rate, and suggestions for further treatment modifications that might help therapists to avoid the common pitfalls of work with these patients.", "PMID": 760135} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_102", "title": "The compulsive gambler's spiral of options and involvement.", "content": "The material presented in this report is not intended as an explanation of compulsive gambling. I do not pretend to be refuting the psychoanalytic or the personality theorists. Rather, I describe the changes that take place in the career of the person turned compulsive gambler. Some of what is described here adds to the already existing knowledge of the compulsion.", "contents": "The compulsive gambler's spiral of options and involvement. The material presented in this report is not intended as an explanation of compulsive gambling. I do not pretend to be refuting the psychoanalytic or the personality theorists. Rather, I describe the changes that take place in the career of the person turned compulsive gambler. Some of what is described here adds to the already existing knowledge of the compulsion.", "PMID": 760136} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_103", "title": "Angiography of angiomatous lymphoid hamartoma (Castleman tumor) and a suggested pathogenesis.", "content": "The histological nature and angiographic characteristics of two cases of Castleman tumor support the concept that these tumors are hamartomatous. On angiography, both tumors exhibited a dense and homogeneous blush in the later phase. In one, in the mediastinum, hypertrophied branches of the bronchial artery gave rise to multiple irregular vascular spaces within the tumor; in the other, in the retroperitoneum, hypertrophied branches of the lumbar artery gave rise to irregular vascular channels spaced throughout the tumor. Histologically, both lesions contained numerous lymphoid follicles which, in the central portion, contained capillary vessels with thick hyalinized walls and prominent endothelial cells. A pathogenesis of hamartoma formation is suggested based on a disturbance of the normal orderly replacement of somatic cells and tissues.", "contents": "Angiography of angiomatous lymphoid hamartoma (Castleman tumor) and a suggested pathogenesis. The histological nature and angiographic characteristics of two cases of Castleman tumor support the concept that these tumors are hamartomatous. On angiography, both tumors exhibited a dense and homogeneous blush in the later phase. In one, in the mediastinum, hypertrophied branches of the bronchial artery gave rise to multiple irregular vascular spaces within the tumor; in the other, in the retroperitoneum, hypertrophied branches of the lumbar artery gave rise to irregular vascular channels spaced throughout the tumor. Histologically, both lesions contained numerous lymphoid follicles which, in the central portion, contained capillary vessels with thick hyalinized walls and prominent endothelial cells. A pathogenesis of hamartoma formation is suggested based on a disturbance of the normal orderly replacement of somatic cells and tissues.", "PMID": 760140} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_104", "title": "Gas formation after renal tumor embolization without abscess: a benign occurrence.", "content": "Gas formation was observed in the infarcted tissues of 2 patients after renal tumor embolization. There was no clinical evidence of abscess, which would have required special treatment, at the site of infarction. This is postulated to be part of the post-infarction syndrome, analogous to the appearance of gas in the fetal tissues after intra-uterine death.", "contents": "Gas formation after renal tumor embolization without abscess: a benign occurrence. Gas formation was observed in the infarcted tissues of 2 patients after renal tumor embolization. There was no clinical evidence of abscess, which would have required special treatment, at the site of infarction. This is postulated to be part of the post-infarction syndrome, analogous to the appearance of gas in the fetal tissues after intra-uterine death.", "PMID": 760141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_105", "title": "Early medullary cystic disease: a urographic diagnosis?", "content": "Excretory urography of a patient with an early stage of medullary cystic disease demonstrated an inhomogeneous, streaky nephrogram confined to the medulla, presumably due to accumulation of contrast material in dilated tubules. This was seen best one to two hours after contrast injection and may represent a specific urographic finding which does not appear to have been described previously in this condition.", "contents": "Early medullary cystic disease: a urographic diagnosis? Excretory urography of a patient with an early stage of medullary cystic disease demonstrated an inhomogeneous, streaky nephrogram confined to the medulla, presumably due to accumulation of contrast material in dilated tubules. This was seen best one to two hours after contrast injection and may represent a specific urographic finding which does not appear to have been described previously in this condition.", "PMID": 760142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_106", "title": "Angiography in giant-cell bone tumors.", "content": "Angiography was performed on 48 patients with giant-cell bone tumors. Sixty-four per cent were hypervascular; 25% were hypo- or moderately vascular; and 10% were avascular. Findings were similar in the 45 benign and 3 malignant tumors. There was no correlation between the findings and degree of histological aggressiveness. There was a high (60%) incidence of aneurysmal bone cyst component in the hypovascular group. Hyperemic synovium, occasionally simulating tumor, was seen in 80% of surgically proved lesions. Angiography was useful in assessing tumor extent, particularly when an extraosseous component was present.", "contents": "Angiography in giant-cell bone tumors. Angiography was performed on 48 patients with giant-cell bone tumors. Sixty-four per cent were hypervascular; 25% were hypo- or moderately vascular; and 10% were avascular. Findings were similar in the 45 benign and 3 malignant tumors. There was no correlation between the findings and degree of histological aggressiveness. There was a high (60%) incidence of aneurysmal bone cyst component in the hypovascular group. Hyperemic synovium, occasionally simulating tumor, was seen in 80% of surgically proved lesions. Angiography was useful in assessing tumor extent, particularly when an extraosseous component was present.", "PMID": 760143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_107", "title": "Dorsal defect of the patella (DDP): a characteristic radiographic lesion.", "content": "The dorsal defect of the patella (DDP) is a benign lesion with specific radiographic features. Seven cases of DDP are reviewed; all 7 lesions were identical in location and radiographic appearance. The characteristic lesion is round and lytic, with well-defined margins; it is located in the superolateral aspect of the patella adjacent to the subchondral bone. Arthrography reveals intact cartilage. DDP may occur in both sexes and may be bilateral. It is often found incidentally on radiographs ordered for acute trauma. Its etiology is not known. Differential diagnosis is also discussed.", "contents": "Dorsal defect of the patella (DDP): a characteristic radiographic lesion. The dorsal defect of the patella (DDP) is a benign lesion with specific radiographic features. Seven cases of DDP are reviewed; all 7 lesions were identical in location and radiographic appearance. The characteristic lesion is round and lytic, with well-defined margins; it is located in the superolateral aspect of the patella adjacent to the subchondral bone. Arthrography reveals intact cartilage. DDP may occur in both sexes and may be bilateral. It is often found incidentally on radiographs ordered for acute trauma. Its etiology is not known. Differential diagnosis is also discussed.", "PMID": 760144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_108", "title": "Calcification in augmentation mammoplasty.", "content": "Twenty-five cases of augmentation mammoplasty from among 1,600 routine mammograms were divided into paraffin and silicon compound groups. Calcification occurred in 11 cases and was seen in 75% of the paraffin group and 29% of the silicone group. The calcifications in the paraffin group were small, annular, and too numerous to be counted. They were diffusely distributed and tended to involve the lymph nodes. The calcifications in the silicone group were large, egg-shaped, localized, and fewer in number. Lymphadenopathy was rare. The two groups also differed in time elapsed between mammoplasty and mammography.", "contents": "Calcification in augmentation mammoplasty. Twenty-five cases of augmentation mammoplasty from among 1,600 routine mammograms were divided into paraffin and silicon compound groups. Calcification occurred in 11 cases and was seen in 75% of the paraffin group and 29% of the silicone group. The calcifications in the paraffin group were small, annular, and too numerous to be counted. They were diffusely distributed and tended to involve the lymph nodes. The calcifications in the silicone group were large, egg-shaped, localized, and fewer in number. Lymphadenopathy was rare. The two groups also differed in time elapsed between mammoplasty and mammography.", "PMID": 760145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_109", "title": "Malignant seeding of the tract after thin-needle aspiration biopsy.", "content": "Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is an established technique for cytodiagnosis of malignant neoplasms, yielding a high rate of positive tissue with negligible local sequelae. The authors report the first instance known to them of needle tract seeding following this biopsy technique in a patient with an unresectable pancreatic carcinoma. Because of the rarity of this occurrence, the procedural indications remain unaltered.", "contents": "Malignant seeding of the tract after thin-needle aspiration biopsy. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is an established technique for cytodiagnosis of malignant neoplasms, yielding a high rate of positive tissue with negligible local sequelae. The authors report the first instance known to them of needle tract seeding following this biopsy technique in a patient with an unresectable pancreatic carcinoma. Because of the rarity of this occurrence, the procedural indications remain unaltered.", "PMID": 760147} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_110", "title": "Controlled single-blind clinical evaluation of low-dose mammographic screen--film systems.", "content": "The ability of five low-dose mammographic screen--film systems to portray normal and abnormal breast structures was evaluated in parallel with a study of physical image properties. Single-blind evaluations of the visibility of normal breast architecture, mass lesions, and calcifications were made on the mammograms of 100 patients radiographed with each of the systems. There was increased noise and slightly poorer resolution for the faster recording systems, but there was no difference in final diagnostic impressions among the five systems. These results suggest that the faster systems will result in substantial dose reduction without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy.", "contents": "Controlled single-blind clinical evaluation of low-dose mammographic screen--film systems. The ability of five low-dose mammographic screen--film systems to portray normal and abnormal breast structures was evaluated in parallel with a study of physical image properties. Single-blind evaluations of the visibility of normal breast architecture, mass lesions, and calcifications were made on the mammograms of 100 patients radiographed with each of the systems. There was increased noise and slightly poorer resolution for the faster recording systems, but there was no difference in final diagnostic impressions among the five systems. These results suggest that the faster systems will result in substantial dose reduction without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy.", "PMID": 760148} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_111", "title": "Tracheal bronchus.", "content": "Congenital tracheal bronchus is an uncommon condition that may occur together with other, sometimes clinically significant anomalies of the tracheobronchial tree. Two such patients are reported. Both presented with respiratory distress, and one was initially diagnosed as having a pulmonary cyst. Radiographic demonstration of an upper-lobe cyst, particularly on the right, should suggest a tracheal bronchus.", "contents": "Tracheal bronchus. Congenital tracheal bronchus is an uncommon condition that may occur together with other, sometimes clinically significant anomalies of the tracheobronchial tree. Two such patients are reported. Both presented with respiratory distress, and one was initially diagnosed as having a pulmonary cyst. Radiographic demonstration of an upper-lobe cyst, particularly on the right, should suggest a tracheal bronchus.", "PMID": 760149} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_112", "title": "Radiologic features of inferior pulmonary ligament air collections in neonates with respiratory distress.", "content": "Radiologically characteristic extra-alveolar air collections in one or both inferior pulmonary ligaments developed in 14 neonates with respiratory distress on assisted ventilation. Eleven infants had radiographically visible pulmonary interstitial emphysema prior to or concurrent with the air collections. All infants subsequently exhibited pneumothorax. This variant of extra-alveolar air must be recognized because it has essentially the same pathogenesis and significance as the more commonly seen anterior pneumomediastinum.", "contents": "Radiologic features of inferior pulmonary ligament air collections in neonates with respiratory distress. Radiologically characteristic extra-alveolar air collections in one or both inferior pulmonary ligaments developed in 14 neonates with respiratory distress on assisted ventilation. Eleven infants had radiographically visible pulmonary interstitial emphysema prior to or concurrent with the air collections. All infants subsequently exhibited pneumothorax. This variant of extra-alveolar air must be recognized because it has essentially the same pathogenesis and significance as the more commonly seen anterior pneumomediastinum.", "PMID": 760150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_113", "title": "Necrotizing enterocolitis of infancy. Early roentgen patterns as a guide to prompt diagnosis.", "content": "Necrotizing enterocolitis of infancy most commonly affects premature infants during the first several weeks of life. In most cases it is a devastating condition that often progresses to severe complications of death. The classic abnormalities, such as gas in the bowel wall and/or portal vein, are generally late manifestations. The author has consistently observed several distinct radiographic findings in early stages of the disease: (a) ileus and elongation of bowel loops; (b) loss of bowel wall definition; and (c) a disorganized, atonic pattern of intestinal gas. These findings are helpful in early diagnosis, particularly when the clinical features are nondiagnostic.", "contents": "Necrotizing enterocolitis of infancy. Early roentgen patterns as a guide to prompt diagnosis. Necrotizing enterocolitis of infancy most commonly affects premature infants during the first several weeks of life. In most cases it is a devastating condition that often progresses to severe complications of death. The classic abnormalities, such as gas in the bowel wall and/or portal vein, are generally late manifestations. The author has consistently observed several distinct radiographic findings in early stages of the disease: (a) ileus and elongation of bowel loops; (b) loss of bowel wall definition; and (c) a disorganized, atonic pattern of intestinal gas. These findings are helpful in early diagnosis, particularly when the clinical features are nondiagnostic.", "PMID": 760151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_114", "title": "Computed tomography in white-matter disease.", "content": "CT scans of 11 patients with proved white-matter disease were reviewed and divided into three categories. The demyelinating (secondary) and diffuse sclerosis groups frequently exhibited abnormal intravenous enhancement and mass shift. This made differentiation from inflammatory and neoplastic processes difficult. In the dysmyelinating disorders, pathologically noted diffuse loss of white matter and absence of inflammatory response appeared on the scans as areas of diffuse and decreased density in the centrum semiovale. There was no evidence of abnormal contrast enhancement.", "contents": "Computed tomography in white-matter disease. CT scans of 11 patients with proved white-matter disease were reviewed and divided into three categories. The demyelinating (secondary) and diffuse sclerosis groups frequently exhibited abnormal intravenous enhancement and mass shift. This made differentiation from inflammatory and neoplastic processes difficult. In the dysmyelinating disorders, pathologically noted diffuse loss of white matter and absence of inflammatory response appeared on the scans as areas of diffuse and decreased density in the centrum semiovale. There was no evidence of abnormal contrast enhancement.", "PMID": 760152} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_115", "title": "Computed tomography in cerebellar atrophic processes.", "content": "Forty-six patients with cerebellar atrophy were identified by review of CT scans of 7,500 patients. Independent examination of a separate file of the same group disclosed 49 patients whose history indicated cerebellar degeneration. Forty-three patients were in both groups indicating excellent correlation between CT abnormality and clinical cerebellar signs. Three patients with CT cerebellar atrophy failed to show clinical cerebellar signs, and 6 had clinical signs without evidence of changes on CT. Specific anatomic correlation was suggested in 10 of 13 patients with predominantly midline cerebellar CT abnormalities, and in 3 with olivopontocerebellar degeneration clinically who showed brainstem and cerebellar atrophy.", "contents": "Computed tomography in cerebellar atrophic processes. Forty-six patients with cerebellar atrophy were identified by review of CT scans of 7,500 patients. Independent examination of a separate file of the same group disclosed 49 patients whose history indicated cerebellar degeneration. Forty-three patients were in both groups indicating excellent correlation between CT abnormality and clinical cerebellar signs. Three patients with CT cerebellar atrophy failed to show clinical cerebellar signs, and 6 had clinical signs without evidence of changes on CT. Specific anatomic correlation was suggested in 10 of 13 patients with predominantly midline cerebellar CT abnormalities, and in 3 with olivopontocerebellar degeneration clinically who showed brainstem and cerebellar atrophy.", "PMID": 760153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_116", "title": "Gray-scale ultrasound in 204 proved gynecologic masses: accuracy and specific diagnostic criteria.", "content": "Gray-scale ultrasound results are evaluated in 182 women with 204 histologically proved gynecologic masses. Ultrasound provided information leading to the correct diagnosis in 56% of cases, contributory data in 23%, and nonspecific information in 14%. Errors occurred in 6%. A specific histologic diagnosis was possible in selected patients with simple ovarian cysts, cystadenomas, cystadenocarcinomas, dermoids, uterine fibroids, ectopic and molar pregnancies, missed abortions, and endometriosis. A characteristic but nondiagnostic ultrasound pattern was associated with carcinoma of the uterus, recurrent carcinoma of the ovary, and pelvic abscesses. A nonspecific pattern was common in tubo-ovarian abscesses.", "contents": "Gray-scale ultrasound in 204 proved gynecologic masses: accuracy and specific diagnostic criteria. Gray-scale ultrasound results are evaluated in 182 women with 204 histologically proved gynecologic masses. Ultrasound provided information leading to the correct diagnosis in 56% of cases, contributory data in 23%, and nonspecific information in 14%. Errors occurred in 6%. A specific histologic diagnosis was possible in selected patients with simple ovarian cysts, cystadenomas, cystadenocarcinomas, dermoids, uterine fibroids, ectopic and molar pregnancies, missed abortions, and endometriosis. A characteristic but nondiagnostic ultrasound pattern was associated with carcinoma of the uterus, recurrent carcinoma of the ovary, and pelvic abscesses. A nonspecific pattern was common in tubo-ovarian abscesses.", "PMID": 760155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_117", "title": "Malapposition of the mitral valve: a two-dimensional echocardiographic sign of left ventricular dysfunction.", "content": "A pattern of mitral valve closure (malapposition) was observed in 75 of 1,267 patients examined with two-dimensional echocardiography. Criteria defining malapposition are: (a) the mitral valve leaflets exhibit a reduced area of coaptation during systole, (b) the angle at the point of coaptation of the anterior and posterior mitral valve leaflets becomes progressively more obtuse, approaching 180 degrees, and (c) the atrioventricular groove, the coaptation point, and the basal portion of the aortic root lie along the same vertical line. Malapposition appears to be the common denominator of previously described M-mode abnormalities seen in altered left ventricular hemodynamics and dysfunction.", "contents": "Malapposition of the mitral valve: a two-dimensional echocardiographic sign of left ventricular dysfunction. A pattern of mitral valve closure (malapposition) was observed in 75 of 1,267 patients examined with two-dimensional echocardiography. Criteria defining malapposition are: (a) the mitral valve leaflets exhibit a reduced area of coaptation during systole, (b) the angle at the point of coaptation of the anterior and posterior mitral valve leaflets becomes progressively more obtuse, approaching 180 degrees, and (c) the atrioventricular groove, the coaptation point, and the basal portion of the aortic root lie along the same vertical line. Malapposition appears to be the common denominator of previously described M-mode abnormalities seen in altered left ventricular hemodynamics and dysfunction.", "PMID": 760156} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_118", "title": "Gray-scale ultrasound diagnosis of peripheral arterial aneurysms.", "content": "Diagnostic ultrasound is a feasible technique for demonstrating the presence of an aneurysm in the popliteal, femoral, iliac, and brachial arteries. All aneurysms were correctly identified and confirmed by arteriography, surgery, or examination of the amputated specimen. The popliteal artery in healthy volunteers had a mean size of 0.8 +/- 0.2 cm. Neither the age nor the sex of the patient influenced artery size. In patients with known abdominal aortic aneurysms of significant atherosclerosis, the popliteal size was within two standard deviations from the mean of normal popliteal arteries.", "contents": "Gray-scale ultrasound diagnosis of peripheral arterial aneurysms. Diagnostic ultrasound is a feasible technique for demonstrating the presence of an aneurysm in the popliteal, femoral, iliac, and brachial arteries. All aneurysms were correctly identified and confirmed by arteriography, surgery, or examination of the amputated specimen. The popliteal artery in healthy volunteers had a mean size of 0.8 +/- 0.2 cm. Neither the age nor the sex of the patient influenced artery size. In patients with known abdominal aortic aneurysms of significant atherosclerosis, the popliteal size was within two standard deviations from the mean of normal popliteal arteries.", "PMID": 760159} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_119", "title": "Critical evaluation of 99mTc glucoheptonate as a brain imaging agent.", "content": "99mTc glucoheptonate was used as a brain imaging agent in a consecutive series of 859 patients. Sensitivity was 94% in patients with proved CNS tumors. Static imaging of patients with infarction showed a sensitivity of 62%. When the perfusion study was included, this valve increased to 90%. Overall sensitivity was 83%, specificity 99%, and accuracy 95% without inclusion of perfusion results. When these results were included, overall sensitivity was 93%, specificity 99%, and accuracy 98%.", "contents": "Critical evaluation of 99mTc glucoheptonate as a brain imaging agent. 99mTc glucoheptonate was used as a brain imaging agent in a consecutive series of 859 patients. Sensitivity was 94% in patients with proved CNS tumors. Static imaging of patients with infarction showed a sensitivity of 62%. When the perfusion study was included, this valve increased to 90%. Overall sensitivity was 83%, specificity 99%, and accuracy 95% without inclusion of perfusion results. When these results were included, overall sensitivity was 93%, specificity 99%, and accuracy 98%.", "PMID": 760161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_120", "title": "Radionuclide evaluation of pulmonary function following hemithorax irradiation of normal dogs with 60Co or fast neutrons.", "content": "To assess the effects of therapeutic doses of radiation on regional pulmonary function, 28 dogs had serial chest radiographs and quantitative ventilation, perfusion, and aerosol studies at three-, six-, nine-, and twelve-month intervals after hemithorax irradiation with 60-Co-gamma photons or 15-MeV fast neutrons. Findings showed marked reductions in perfusion and aerosol deposition in the irradiated lungs of dogs in the high-dose photon and neutron groups and in the medium-dose neutron group. The effects of large photon and small neutron doses were similar (neutron RBE = 4.5). Radionuclide studies were found to be useful for detecting these alterations.", "contents": "Radionuclide evaluation of pulmonary function following hemithorax irradiation of normal dogs with 60Co or fast neutrons. To assess the effects of therapeutic doses of radiation on regional pulmonary function, 28 dogs had serial chest radiographs and quantitative ventilation, perfusion, and aerosol studies at three-, six-, nine-, and twelve-month intervals after hemithorax irradiation with 60-Co-gamma photons or 15-MeV fast neutrons. Findings showed marked reductions in perfusion and aerosol deposition in the irradiated lungs of dogs in the high-dose photon and neutron groups and in the medium-dose neutron group. The effects of large photon and small neutron doses were similar (neutron RBE = 4.5). Radionuclide studies were found to be useful for detecting these alterations.", "PMID": 760162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_121", "title": "Skeletal scintigraphy following incidental trauma.", "content": "The significance of antecedent trauma in skeletal scintigraphy was assessed in 503 patients, of whom 241 (46%) had prior fracture or tooth extraction. In patients with sufficiently accurate histories for site-by-site analysis, 33 of 131 fracture sites and 16 of 83 dental-procedure sites were positive scintigraphically. In general, the frequency of scan positivity diminished as the interval between trauma and scanning increased, but a significant number of patients showed prolonged uptake at fracture sites. Several patterns of uptake suggested trauma rather than metastatic disease. Knowledge of a history of trauma is often critical in bone scan interpretation.", "contents": "Skeletal scintigraphy following incidental trauma. The significance of antecedent trauma in skeletal scintigraphy was assessed in 503 patients, of whom 241 (46%) had prior fracture or tooth extraction. In patients with sufficiently accurate histories for site-by-site analysis, 33 of 131 fracture sites and 16 of 83 dental-procedure sites were positive scintigraphically. In general, the frequency of scan positivity diminished as the interval between trauma and scanning increased, but a significant number of patients showed prolonged uptake at fracture sites. Several patterns of uptake suggested trauma rather than metastatic disease. Knowledge of a history of trauma is often critical in bone scan interpretation.", "PMID": 760163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_122", "title": "Radiation and microwave therapy in the treatment of advanced cancer.", "content": "Seventy-two patients with advanced cancer were treated with combinations of heat and radiation in two groups: (a) heat + radiation, and (b) radiation + heat. Of those treated with heat prior to radiation therapy, 32/60 (53%) experienced complete remission of symptoms. In the group exposed to heat after radiotherapy, 11/12 patients (92%) achieved complete remission. The authors present two cases and a review of the literature.", "contents": "Radiation and microwave therapy in the treatment of advanced cancer. Seventy-two patients with advanced cancer were treated with combinations of heat and radiation in two groups: (a) heat + radiation, and (b) radiation + heat. Of those treated with heat prior to radiation therapy, 32/60 (53%) experienced complete remission of symptoms. In the group exposed to heat after radiotherapy, 11/12 patients (92%) achieved complete remission. The authors present two cases and a review of the literature.", "PMID": 760164} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_123", "title": "Low-dose preoperative radiation therapy in carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx.", "content": "Seventy patients treated for all stages of carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx were analyzed retrospectively. A preoperative dose of 3,000--3,600 rads was given in 15 to 18 treatments over three to four weeks and surgery carried out four weeks later. The 5-year disease-free survival rates were approximately 75% in patients with early disease and 50% in those with more advanced disease. Survival with early disease was similar to that achieved by radical radiotherapy alone, while survival with advanced disease was similar to that achieved by surgery alone. These results suggest that low-dose preoperative irradiation is of limited value.", "contents": "Low-dose preoperative radiation therapy in carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx. Seventy patients treated for all stages of carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx were analyzed retrospectively. A preoperative dose of 3,000--3,600 rads was given in 15 to 18 treatments over three to four weeks and surgery carried out four weeks later. The 5-year disease-free survival rates were approximately 75% in patients with early disease and 50% in those with more advanced disease. Survival with early disease was similar to that achieved by radical radiotherapy alone, while survival with advanced disease was similar to that achieved by surgery alone. These results suggest that low-dose preoperative irradiation is of limited value.", "PMID": 760165} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_124", "title": "Rapid computation of diagnostic X-ray bremsstrahlung spectra.", "content": "A method is described for rapid and accurate computation of diagnostic x-ray spectra. Accuracy limitations of Kramers' equation are overcome by providing intensity correction factors derived from published measured data. Use of a parameter based on the energy of the Kramers spectrum intensity peak permits deriving master factor curves which are remarkably independent of kVp, waveform and filtration. Computed and measured spectra generally agree to better than +/- 1 keV for beams generated at 100 kVp and below. Possible application of the method to higher energy diagnostic beams is discussed.", "contents": "Rapid computation of diagnostic X-ray bremsstrahlung spectra. A method is described for rapid and accurate computation of diagnostic x-ray spectra. Accuracy limitations of Kramers' equation are overcome by providing intensity correction factors derived from published measured data. Use of a parameter based on the energy of the Kramers spectrum intensity peak permits deriving master factor curves which are remarkably independent of kVp, waveform and filtration. Computed and measured spectra generally agree to better than +/- 1 keV for beams generated at 100 kVp and below. Possible application of the method to higher energy diagnostic beams is discussed.", "PMID": 760166} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_125", "title": "Absorbed radiation dose in mammography.", "content": "Radiation dose from mammographic techniques was determined as a function of surface exposure, beam quality, and depth. Relative exposure vs. depth was measured in tissue-substitute materials by thermoluminescent dosimetry. The f-factors were calculated from elemental compositions of mastectomy specimens. Dose at depth depends on beam quality as well as exposure and tissue composition. Analysis of data from the ACS/NCI Screening Centers shows current average midbreast doses to be 25 times lower (film/screen) and 3 times lower (Xerox) than the 2 rads previously estimated. Quantitative risk indicators other than midbreast dose are also discussed.", "contents": "Absorbed radiation dose in mammography. Radiation dose from mammographic techniques was determined as a function of surface exposure, beam quality, and depth. Relative exposure vs. depth was measured in tissue-substitute materials by thermoluminescent dosimetry. The f-factors were calculated from elemental compositions of mastectomy specimens. Dose at depth depends on beam quality as well as exposure and tissue composition. Analysis of data from the ACS/NCI Screening Centers shows current average midbreast doses to be 25 times lower (film/screen) and 3 times lower (Xerox) than the 2 rads previously estimated. Quantitative risk indicators other than midbreast dose are also discussed.", "PMID": 760167} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_126", "title": "The effect of lucanthone on the radiation response of intestinal stem cells in Chinese hamsters.", "content": "Crypt microcolony assay was used to determine the effect of lucanthone on the radiation response of intestinal stem cells in Chinese hamsters . The Dq of the crypt microcolony radiation--survival curve was maximally reduced by 205 rads when lucanthone injection preceded irradiation by 10 hours and was reduced by 140 rads when injection followed irradiation by 5 hours. On simultaneous injection and irradiation, Dq was reduced by only 20 rads; when injection and irradiation were separated by approximately 30 hours, Dq returned to the control value. Lucanthone never affected Do. Thus at non-toxic concentrations, lucanthone reversibly modifies cellular ability to accumulate and repair sublethal radiation damage without affecting radiation sensitivity.", "contents": "The effect of lucanthone on the radiation response of intestinal stem cells in Chinese hamsters. Crypt microcolony assay was used to determine the effect of lucanthone on the radiation response of intestinal stem cells in Chinese hamsters . The Dq of the crypt microcolony radiation--survival curve was maximally reduced by 205 rads when lucanthone injection preceded irradiation by 10 hours and was reduced by 140 rads when injection followed irradiation by 5 hours. On simultaneous injection and irradiation, Dq was reduced by only 20 rads; when injection and irradiation were separated by approximately 30 hours, Dq returned to the control value. Lucanthone never affected Do. Thus at non-toxic concentrations, lucanthone reversibly modifies cellular ability to accumulate and repair sublethal radiation damage without affecting radiation sensitivity.", "PMID": 760168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_127", "title": "Computed tomographic diagnosis of osteomyelitis.", "content": "Computed tomography (CT) was performed in conjunction with conventional radiography and radionuclide imaging in 22 children with known or suspected osteomyelitis. Preliminary findings suggest that when radionuclide scans are positive, CT can exclude or establish medullary involvement, differentiate between overlying soft-tissue and underlying bony abnormality, and clearly delineate the anatomy of the soft tissues.", "contents": "Computed tomographic diagnosis of osteomyelitis. Computed tomography (CT) was performed in conjunction with conventional radiography and radionuclide imaging in 22 children with known or suspected osteomyelitis. Preliminary findings suggest that when radionuclide scans are positive, CT can exclude or establish medullary involvement, differentiate between overlying soft-tissue and underlying bony abnormality, and clearly delineate the anatomy of the soft tissues.", "PMID": 760169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_128", "title": "The relation of liver fat to computed tomography numbers: a preliminary experimental study in rabbits.", "content": "The relation of liver fat content to CT number was studied in 20 rabbits (17 experimental, 3 control), where fatty degeneration was produced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) ingestion. Liver scanning was performed before and 2--5 days after CCl4 administration.. Changes (decrease) in CT number were compared with triglyceride (TG), water, and protein content of resected livers. A decrease of 12--20 CT numbers (24--40 H) reflected a TG concentration of 20--40 mg/g.", "contents": "The relation of liver fat to computed tomography numbers: a preliminary experimental study in rabbits. The relation of liver fat content to CT number was studied in 20 rabbits (17 experimental, 3 control), where fatty degeneration was produced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) ingestion. Liver scanning was performed before and 2--5 days after CCl4 administration.. Changes (decrease) in CT number were compared with triglyceride (TG), water, and protein content of resected livers. A decrease of 12--20 CT numbers (24--40 H) reflected a TG concentration of 20--40 mg/g.", "PMID": 760170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_129", "title": "Ultrasonic mammographic parenchymal patterns: a preliminary report.", "content": "Ultrasound has been suggested as a lower risk alternative to mammography for detecting breast abnormalities. Mammograms and ultrasonograms of 32 women patients were compared, revealing three distinct ultrasonic parenchymal patterns which corresponded to previously reported mammographic patterns: fatty (N1), ductal (P1 or P2), and dysplastic (DY). These constitute a new system of parenchymal classification, to our knowledge.", "contents": "Ultrasonic mammographic parenchymal patterns: a preliminary report. Ultrasound has been suggested as a lower risk alternative to mammography for detecting breast abnormalities. Mammograms and ultrasonograms of 32 women patients were compared, revealing three distinct ultrasonic parenchymal patterns which corresponded to previously reported mammographic patterns: fatty (N1), ductal (P1 or P2), and dysplastic (DY). These constitute a new system of parenchymal classification, to our knowledge.", "PMID": 760171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_130", "title": "Scintillation camera imaging with I-123.", "content": "Iodine-123 produced from three different nuclear targets (Te-122, Te-124, and I-127) was evaluated for spatial resolution and sensitivity with an Anger scintillation camera. Te-122 targets generated a substantial amount of I-130, which necessitated use of a medium-energy collimator. Te-124 targets produced solutions with significant amounts of I-124. Shortly after the end of bombardment, a 4,000-hole (4KH) collimator was satisfactory; at 30 hours, a medium-energy collimator was required. High-purity I-123 from an I-127 target gave excellent spatial resolution when the 4KH collimator was used, but low-energy \"foil\" collimators were not adequate.", "contents": "Scintillation camera imaging with I-123. Iodine-123 produced from three different nuclear targets (Te-122, Te-124, and I-127) was evaluated for spatial resolution and sensitivity with an Anger scintillation camera. Te-122 targets generated a substantial amount of I-130, which necessitated use of a medium-energy collimator. Te-124 targets produced solutions with significant amounts of I-124. Shortly after the end of bombardment, a 4,000-hole (4KH) collimator was satisfactory; at 30 hours, a medium-energy collimator was required. High-purity I-123 from an I-127 target gave excellent spatial resolution when the 4KH collimator was used, but low-energy \"foil\" collimators were not adequate.", "PMID": 760172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_131", "title": "99mTc-IDA imaging in the differential diagnosis of acute cholecystitis and acute pancreatitis.", "content": "99mTc-IDA (99mTc-dimethyl-acetanilide-iminodiacetic acid) hepato-biliary imaging was evaluated for its efficacy in distinguishing acute cholecystitis from acute pancreatitis. In a retrospective review, gallbladders were demonstrated by 99mTc-IDA in 13 of 15 patients (87%) with acute pancreatitis. This is significantly higher than reports on the frequency of gallbladder filling with oral and intravenous cholangiography in the presence of acute cholecystitis.", "contents": "99mTc-IDA imaging in the differential diagnosis of acute cholecystitis and acute pancreatitis. 99mTc-IDA (99mTc-dimethyl-acetanilide-iminodiacetic acid) hepato-biliary imaging was evaluated for its efficacy in distinguishing acute cholecystitis from acute pancreatitis. In a retrospective review, gallbladders were demonstrated by 99mTc-IDA in 13 of 15 patients (87%) with acute pancreatitis. This is significantly higher than reports on the frequency of gallbladder filling with oral and intravenous cholangiography in the presence of acute cholecystitis.", "PMID": 760173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_132", "title": "A head holder for operative serial angiography.", "content": "An apparatus was developed to combine two functions--a versatile neurosurgical head clamp and a compact film changer for operative serial angiography. The construction costs were +15,000, and provided a programmer, six cassettes, and attachments to position the film changer over much of the skull surface. Exposures are obtained by a mobile x-ray machine.", "contents": "A head holder for operative serial angiography. An apparatus was developed to combine two functions--a versatile neurosurgical head clamp and a compact film changer for operative serial angiography. The construction costs were +15,000, and provided a programmer, six cassettes, and attachments to position the film changer over much of the skull surface. Exposures are obtained by a mobile x-ray machine.", "PMID": 760174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_133", "title": "[Value and limitations of the combined cyto-histological study of hematopoietic bone marrow. 200 cases].", "content": "Bone marrow was simultaneously obtained by aspiration and by biopsy in a series of 200 patients in order to evaluate the potential usefulness of pathological-anatomical examination (paraffin-embedding technique). Conditions studied included search for lymphomas (26.5%), multiple myelomas (24.5%) and metastases (7.5%) and the evaluation of myeloproliferative syndromes (17.5%) and other hematological disorders such as cytopenias, anemias and leukemias (24%). In 76% of the cases the two methods of evaluation were equivalent. Nevertheless, comparison of the cytological and histological methods provided a greater measure of diagnostic confidence. In 24 cases (12%) the bone biopsy was the only diagnostic procedure; these comprised partly dry aspirations and partly bone marrow smears in which the specific lesion was not represented. Bone marrow aspiration proved superior in 24 cases (12%) in view of the better detection of small and discrete malignant infiltrates and more detailed analysis of blasts and cytological changes in cell maturation. On the basis of the techniques employed in this series of 200 patients, a combination of the two investigations appears to be indispensable for the evaluation of lymphoand myeloproliferative syndromes, of cytopenias with or without fever of unknown origin, and in the search for metastatic disease.", "contents": "[Value and limitations of the combined cyto-histological study of hematopoietic bone marrow. 200 cases]. Bone marrow was simultaneously obtained by aspiration and by biopsy in a series of 200 patients in order to evaluate the potential usefulness of pathological-anatomical examination (paraffin-embedding technique). Conditions studied included search for lymphomas (26.5%), multiple myelomas (24.5%) and metastases (7.5%) and the evaluation of myeloproliferative syndromes (17.5%) and other hematological disorders such as cytopenias, anemias and leukemias (24%). In 76% of the cases the two methods of evaluation were equivalent. Nevertheless, comparison of the cytological and histological methods provided a greater measure of diagnostic confidence. In 24 cases (12%) the bone biopsy was the only diagnostic procedure; these comprised partly dry aspirations and partly bone marrow smears in which the specific lesion was not represented. Bone marrow aspiration proved superior in 24 cases (12%) in view of the better detection of small and discrete malignant infiltrates and more detailed analysis of blasts and cytological changes in cell maturation. On the basis of the techniques employed in this series of 200 patients, a combination of the two investigations appears to be indispensable for the evaluation of lymphoand myeloproliferative syndromes, of cytopenias with or without fever of unknown origin, and in the search for metastatic disease.", "PMID": 760184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_134", "title": "[Goldenhar syndrome].", "content": "The basic features of Goldenhar syndrome are preauricular appendices, epibulbar dermoids, vertebral and cardiac anomalies, and hypoplasia of the lungs. The syndrome appears to be caused by early damage during the first or second month of embryonic development. Prognosis is most often determined by the underlying heart disease. In the present study a 24-year-old female student is reported who exhibited a preauricular appendix on the right side, severe thoracic scoliosis, aplasia of the middle and lower lobes of the right lung, dextropositio cordis and an atrial septal defect with severe pulmonary hypertension. Cineangiocardiography revealed a mitral valve prolapse with slight mitral regurgitation and a dilated right ventricle with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Left and right ventricular function was slightly to moderately reduced. Selective coronary arteriography revealed a coronary fistula from an atrial branch of the left coronary artery to the right atrium. Symptomatic therapy with digitalis, anticoagulation and repeated venesection was initiated because of the severe hemodynamic findings. However, the patient developed syncope at increasingly frequent intervals and died 3 months after the initial examination.", "contents": "[Goldenhar syndrome]. The basic features of Goldenhar syndrome are preauricular appendices, epibulbar dermoids, vertebral and cardiac anomalies, and hypoplasia of the lungs. The syndrome appears to be caused by early damage during the first or second month of embryonic development. Prognosis is most often determined by the underlying heart disease. In the present study a 24-year-old female student is reported who exhibited a preauricular appendix on the right side, severe thoracic scoliosis, aplasia of the middle and lower lobes of the right lung, dextropositio cordis and an atrial septal defect with severe pulmonary hypertension. Cineangiocardiography revealed a mitral valve prolapse with slight mitral regurgitation and a dilated right ventricle with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Left and right ventricular function was slightly to moderately reduced. Selective coronary arteriography revealed a coronary fistula from an atrial branch of the left coronary artery to the right atrium. Symptomatic therapy with digitalis, anticoagulation and repeated venesection was initiated because of the severe hemodynamic findings. However, the patient developed syncope at increasingly frequent intervals and died 3 months after the initial examination.", "PMID": 760185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_135", "title": "[The rate of isometric inspiratory pressure change as a measure for the CO2 sensitivity of the respiratory center in patients with obstructive lung disease].", "content": "In healthy persons with and without loaded breathing, in asthmatics, and in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) the rate of isometric inspiratory pressure development ([dp/dt]max) has been measured in order to assess the clinical significance of (dp/dt)max as an index of the motor output of the respiratory center in response to increased levels of carbon dioxide. During unloaded breathing normal subjects showed an excellent correlation between the ventilatory and the (dp/dt)max responses to CO2. Normal persons breathing through an external expiratory flow resistance, the asthmatics, and the patients with COLD had not only a blunted ventilatory response, but also a reduced (dp/dt)max response. The parallel changes observed in both variables indicate that under conditions of mechanical loading the (dp/dt)max does not exclusively reflect the motor output of the respiratory center, but is influenced by other factors such as the work of breathing and the mechanical efficiency of the respiratory pump. Accordingly, measurements of (dp/dt)max are of little help in deciding whether the development of CO2 retention in patients with obstructive airway disease is primarily due to increased mechanical load or to decreased sensitivity of the respiratory center.", "contents": "[The rate of isometric inspiratory pressure change as a measure for the CO2 sensitivity of the respiratory center in patients with obstructive lung disease]. In healthy persons with and without loaded breathing, in asthmatics, and in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) the rate of isometric inspiratory pressure development ([dp/dt]max) has been measured in order to assess the clinical significance of (dp/dt)max as an index of the motor output of the respiratory center in response to increased levels of carbon dioxide. During unloaded breathing normal subjects showed an excellent correlation between the ventilatory and the (dp/dt)max responses to CO2. Normal persons breathing through an external expiratory flow resistance, the asthmatics, and the patients with COLD had not only a blunted ventilatory response, but also a reduced (dp/dt)max response. The parallel changes observed in both variables indicate that under conditions of mechanical loading the (dp/dt)max does not exclusively reflect the motor output of the respiratory center, but is influenced by other factors such as the work of breathing and the mechanical efficiency of the respiratory pump. Accordingly, measurements of (dp/dt)max are of little help in deciding whether the development of CO2 retention in patients with obstructive airway disease is primarily due to increased mechanical load or to decreased sensitivity of the respiratory center.", "PMID": 760186} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_136", "title": "[Fiber endoscopy and radiology in stomach ulcer, stomach neoplasms and hiatal hernia: questions, timing and value].", "content": "In 306 patients, fiberpanendoscopy and radiology were performed within a time interval of 7 days or less. In 196 cases, radiology was performed before endoscopy and in 110 cases after endoscopy. In cases with histologically unproven divergent findings, follow-up studies were performed. In the diagnosis of gastric ulcer and gastric cancer, endoscopy with biopsy was more accurate than radiology. In the diagnosis of hiatal hernia, radiology was more accurate. Important additional findings difficult or impossible to observe with endoscopy were present in 36% of the radiological examinations. Thus, the first examination should be endoscopy when ulcer or carcinoma is suspected. In patients with uncharacteristic epigastric symptoms, radiology should be performed first.", "contents": "[Fiber endoscopy and radiology in stomach ulcer, stomach neoplasms and hiatal hernia: questions, timing and value]. In 306 patients, fiberpanendoscopy and radiology were performed within a time interval of 7 days or less. In 196 cases, radiology was performed before endoscopy and in 110 cases after endoscopy. In cases with histologically unproven divergent findings, follow-up studies were performed. In the diagnosis of gastric ulcer and gastric cancer, endoscopy with biopsy was more accurate than radiology. In the diagnosis of hiatal hernia, radiology was more accurate. Important additional findings difficult or impossible to observe with endoscopy were present in 36% of the radiological examinations. Thus, the first examination should be endoscopy when ulcer or carcinoma is suspected. In patients with uncharacteristic epigastric symptoms, radiology should be performed first.", "PMID": 760187} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_137", "title": "[Allergic aspects of juvenile asthma].", "content": "In children, wheezing is not necessarily related to allergy. Without being asthmatic, a child may suffer from asthmatiform dyspnea, especially in cases of respiratory infection. It may be difficult to decide whether the patient has benign \"wheezy bronchitis\" or is exhibiting the first symptoms of asthma. It appears that viral infections may play a significant role in the development of respiratory allergy in atopic subjects.", "contents": "[Allergic aspects of juvenile asthma]. In children, wheezing is not necessarily related to allergy. Without being asthmatic, a child may suffer from asthmatiform dyspnea, especially in cases of respiratory infection. It may be difficult to decide whether the patient has benign \"wheezy bronchitis\" or is exhibiting the first symptoms of asthma. It appears that viral infections may play a significant role in the development of respiratory allergy in atopic subjects.", "PMID": 760189} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_138", "title": "[Evaluation in hospital practice of Fecatest, a new laboratory method for the detection of occult blood in feces].", "content": "The clinical significance of the laboratory information provided by Fecatest, a new test based on a guaiac reaction for detecting occult blood in the feces, has been determined. In 93.8% of 243 patients with a lesion of the gastrointestinal tract diagnosed by endoscopy and/or radiology the test was positive; 88.5% of 148 patients in whom no lesion had been found by the same methods had a negative test. In vivo and in vitro comparison of the degree of sensitivity of Fecatest with Hematest and Haemoccult showed the following ratios: Hematest 5, Fecatest 3, Haemoccult 1. In point of sensitivity Fecatest thus comes between the other two tests investigated. It is concluded that Fecatest is a valuable tool in detecting lesions of the gastrointestinal tract associated with occult bleeding. The results show a better degree of clinical correlation between the test and the lesions in the gastrointestinal tract than with the other two. This view is further strengthened by the important practical advantages offered by Fecatest.", "contents": "[Evaluation in hospital practice of Fecatest, a new laboratory method for the detection of occult blood in feces]. The clinical significance of the laboratory information provided by Fecatest, a new test based on a guaiac reaction for detecting occult blood in the feces, has been determined. In 93.8% of 243 patients with a lesion of the gastrointestinal tract diagnosed by endoscopy and/or radiology the test was positive; 88.5% of 148 patients in whom no lesion had been found by the same methods had a negative test. In vivo and in vitro comparison of the degree of sensitivity of Fecatest with Hematest and Haemoccult showed the following ratios: Hematest 5, Fecatest 3, Haemoccult 1. In point of sensitivity Fecatest thus comes between the other two tests investigated. It is concluded that Fecatest is a valuable tool in detecting lesions of the gastrointestinal tract associated with occult bleeding. The results show a better degree of clinical correlation between the test and the lesions in the gastrointestinal tract than with the other two. This view is further strengthened by the important practical advantages offered by Fecatest.", "PMID": 760190} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_139", "title": "[Follicular carcinoma with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation or thyroid gland carcinosarcoma?].", "content": "Thyroid carcinoma may at times display unusual clinical and anatomo-pathologic behaviour. The case of a female patient associating goiter of long standing with a fulminating terminal course is presented. Since the patient was never treated, the evolution of her condition is thought to reflect the natural biologic behaviour of the disease process. Pathologic examination revealed the co-existence of both follicular and anaplastic carcinoma within the primary lesion. Moreover, metastases were either entirely follicular or poorly differentiated in structure, and occasionally even of striking sarcomatoid appearance. The possibility of carcinosarcoma was entertained but dismissed in view of the recent literature. Rather, the hypothesis of tumour dedifferentiation offers a more satisfactory explanation for the clinical course and pathologic findings.", "contents": "[Follicular carcinoma with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation or thyroid gland carcinosarcoma?]. Thyroid carcinoma may at times display unusual clinical and anatomo-pathologic behaviour. The case of a female patient associating goiter of long standing with a fulminating terminal course is presented. Since the patient was never treated, the evolution of her condition is thought to reflect the natural biologic behaviour of the disease process. Pathologic examination revealed the co-existence of both follicular and anaplastic carcinoma within the primary lesion. Moreover, metastases were either entirely follicular or poorly differentiated in structure, and occasionally even of striking sarcomatoid appearance. The possibility of carcinosarcoma was entertained but dismissed in view of the recent literature. Rather, the hypothesis of tumour dedifferentiation offers a more satisfactory explanation for the clinical course and pathologic findings.", "PMID": 760191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_140", "title": "[Comparison of the oscillatory measurement of airway resistance with plethysmography and spirometry in juvenile patients].", "content": "In 78 children (age 4 to 17 years, height 102 to 179 cm) with and without clinical signs of airway obstruction, spirometric and plethysmographic measurements were compared with the forced oscillation method for determination of resistance to breathing (Ros). Ros was measured with a recently developed apparatus (Siregnost FD5. Siemens) and showed a close correlation with resistance (r = 0.84; n = 78). The spirometric values did not, however, exhibit a definite relationship to Ros. This study demonstrates that airway obstruction in children can be equally well estimated by oscillatory and plethysmographic techniques. Compared with plethysmography, determination of Ros has the particular advantage of being better tolerated by young subjects.", "contents": "[Comparison of the oscillatory measurement of airway resistance with plethysmography and spirometry in juvenile patients]. In 78 children (age 4 to 17 years, height 102 to 179 cm) with and without clinical signs of airway obstruction, spirometric and plethysmographic measurements were compared with the forced oscillation method for determination of resistance to breathing (Ros). Ros was measured with a recently developed apparatus (Siregnost FD5. Siemens) and showed a close correlation with resistance (r = 0.84; n = 78). The spirometric values did not, however, exhibit a definite relationship to Ros. This study demonstrates that airway obstruction in children can be equally well estimated by oscillatory and plethysmographic techniques. Compared with plethysmography, determination of Ros has the particular advantage of being better tolerated by young subjects.", "PMID": 760192} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_141", "title": "Harmonic-sensitive neurons in the auditory cortex of the mustache bat.", "content": "Human speech and animal sounds contain phonemes with prominent and meaningful harmonics. The biosonar signals of the mustache bat also contain up to four harmonics, and each consists of a long constant-frequency component followed by a short frequency-modulated component. Neurons have been found in a large cluster within auditory cortex of this bat whose responses are facilitated by combinations of two or more harmonically related tones. Moreover, the best frequencies for excitation of these neurons are closely associated with the constant-frequency components of the biosonar signals. The properties of these neurons make them well suited for identifying the signals produced by other echolocating mustache bats. They also show how meaningful components of sound are assembled by neural circuits in the central nervous system and suggest a method by which sounds with important harmonics (or formants) may be detected and recognized by the brain in other species, including humans.", "contents": "Harmonic-sensitive neurons in the auditory cortex of the mustache bat. Human speech and animal sounds contain phonemes with prominent and meaningful harmonics. The biosonar signals of the mustache bat also contain up to four harmonics, and each consists of a long constant-frequency component followed by a short frequency-modulated component. Neurons have been found in a large cluster within auditory cortex of this bat whose responses are facilitated by combinations of two or more harmonically related tones. Moreover, the best frequencies for excitation of these neurons are closely associated with the constant-frequency components of the biosonar signals. The properties of these neurons make them well suited for identifying the signals produced by other echolocating mustache bats. They also show how meaningful components of sound are assembled by neural circuits in the central nervous system and suggest a method by which sounds with important harmonics (or formants) may be detected and recognized by the brain in other species, including humans.", "PMID": 760193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_142", "title": "Psychophysical evidence for a monocular visual cortex in stereoblind humans.", "content": "Human observers who lack stereopsis reliably make eye-of-origin discriminations for grating patterns under conditions that render the performance of normal observers unreliable. This lends support to the view that stereoblind individuals possess proportions of monocular and binocular cortical cells similar to those of cats and monkeys deprived of early binocular visual experience.", "contents": "Psychophysical evidence for a monocular visual cortex in stereoblind humans. Human observers who lack stereopsis reliably make eye-of-origin discriminations for grating patterns under conditions that render the performance of normal observers unreliable. This lends support to the view that stereoblind individuals possess proportions of monocular and binocular cortical cells similar to those of cats and monkeys deprived of early binocular visual experience.", "PMID": 760194} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_143", "title": "Mammary cancer: selective action of the estrogen receptor complex.", "content": "Progesterone receptors in the autonomous rat mammary tumor MTW-9B are reduced 80 to 90 percent after ovariectomy, but are not reduced if ovariectomized animals are given estrogen. Tumor growth, however, is independent of estrogen status and insensitive to pharmacological doses of estradiol. This represents an unusual system characterized by a selective action of an inducing agent on the genome.", "contents": "Mammary cancer: selective action of the estrogen receptor complex. Progesterone receptors in the autonomous rat mammary tumor MTW-9B are reduced 80 to 90 percent after ovariectomy, but are not reduced if ovariectomized animals are given estrogen. Tumor growth, however, is independent of estrogen status and insensitive to pharmacological doses of estradiol. This represents an unusual system characterized by a selective action of an inducing agent on the genome.", "PMID": 760195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_144", "title": "Vomeronasal and olfactory system modulation of maternal behavior in the rat.", "content": "The onset of maternal responsiveness by virgin female rats to foster pups was observed after (i) complete vomeronasal nerve cuts, (ii) partial olfactory bulb cuts, or (iii) the combined procedures. Although both vomeronasal nerve cuts and olfactory bulb cuts resulted in a more rapid onset of maternal care, relative to control animals with sham operations, animals sustaining the loss of both sources of olfactory input exhibited the shortest response latency. These findings are discussed in terms of the probable distinct functions of the two olfactory systems in the control of maternal behavior in the rat.", "contents": "Vomeronasal and olfactory system modulation of maternal behavior in the rat. The onset of maternal responsiveness by virgin female rats to foster pups was observed after (i) complete vomeronasal nerve cuts, (ii) partial olfactory bulb cuts, or (iii) the combined procedures. Although both vomeronasal nerve cuts and olfactory bulb cuts resulted in a more rapid onset of maternal care, relative to control animals with sham operations, animals sustaining the loss of both sources of olfactory input exhibited the shortest response latency. These findings are discussed in terms of the probable distinct functions of the two olfactory systems in the control of maternal behavior in the rat.", "PMID": 760196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_145", "title": "Fever and reduced iron: their interaction as a host defense response to bacterial infection.", "content": "When rabbits are infected with Pasteurella multocida, the concentration of iron in their plasma decreases and their rectal temperature rises. To determine whether the rise in body temperature (fever) and the fall in plasma iron may be a coordinated host defense response, Pasteurella multocida were grown in vitro at various temperatures and iron concentrations. At afebrile temperatures the bacteria grew equally well at low or high concentrations of iron. However, when the temperature of the bath was raised to a febrile temperature the growth of the bacteria was inhibited by the low, but not the high, iron concentrations. These data support the hypothesis that one of the mechanisms behind the adaptive (or beneficial) role of fever is the reduced ability of pathogenic bacteria to grow well at elevated temperatures in an iron-poor medium.", "contents": "Fever and reduced iron: their interaction as a host defense response to bacterial infection. When rabbits are infected with Pasteurella multocida, the concentration of iron in their plasma decreases and their rectal temperature rises. To determine whether the rise in body temperature (fever) and the fall in plasma iron may be a coordinated host defense response, Pasteurella multocida were grown in vitro at various temperatures and iron concentrations. At afebrile temperatures the bacteria grew equally well at low or high concentrations of iron. However, when the temperature of the bath was raised to a febrile temperature the growth of the bacteria was inhibited by the low, but not the high, iron concentrations. These data support the hypothesis that one of the mechanisms behind the adaptive (or beneficial) role of fever is the reduced ability of pathogenic bacteria to grow well at elevated temperatures in an iron-poor medium.", "PMID": 760197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_146", "title": "Common origin of pigment cells.", "content": "The fundamentally diverse vertebrate pigment cells, melanophores, xanthophores, and iridophores, contain pigmentary organelles known, respectively, as melanosomes, pterinosomes, and reflecting platelets. Their pigments are mealanins pteridines, and purines. Mosaic pigment cells containing more than one type of organelle have been observed and mosaic organelles containing more than one type of pigment have been discovered. It is proposed that the various pigment cells are derived from a stem cell that contains a primordial organelle of endoplasmic reticular origin. This primordial organelle can differentiate into any of the known pigmentary organelles.", "contents": "Common origin of pigment cells. The fundamentally diverse vertebrate pigment cells, melanophores, xanthophores, and iridophores, contain pigmentary organelles known, respectively, as melanosomes, pterinosomes, and reflecting platelets. Their pigments are mealanins pteridines, and purines. Mosaic pigment cells containing more than one type of organelle have been observed and mosaic organelles containing more than one type of pigment have been discovered. It is proposed that the various pigment cells are derived from a stem cell that contains a primordial organelle of endoplasmic reticular origin. This primordial organelle can differentiate into any of the known pigmentary organelles.", "PMID": 760198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_147", "title": "Chemotactic factor-induced release of membrane calcium in rabbit neutrophils.", "content": "The interaction of chemotactic factors (fMet-Leu-Phe and C5a) with rabbit neutrophils leads to rapid and specific release of membrane calcium, as evidenced by changes in the fluorescence of cell-associated chlorotetracycline. These two structurally different stimuli appear to interact with the same pool of membrane calcium.", "contents": "Chemotactic factor-induced release of membrane calcium in rabbit neutrophils. The interaction of chemotactic factors (fMet-Leu-Phe and C5a) with rabbit neutrophils leads to rapid and specific release of membrane calcium, as evidenced by changes in the fluorescence of cell-associated chlorotetracycline. These two structurally different stimuli appear to interact with the same pool of membrane calcium.", "PMID": 760200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_148", "title": "Local foveal inhibitory effects of global peripheral excitation.", "content": "Global excitation produced by oscillating a peripheral square-wave grating back and forth through one-half cycle inhibits the visibility of an incremental test flash only when the flash is presented in the foveal region of the visual field. This finding is discussed in the context of the neurophysiological periphery effect and shift-effect and their possible role in saccadic suppression.", "contents": "Local foveal inhibitory effects of global peripheral excitation. Global excitation produced by oscillating a peripheral square-wave grating back and forth through one-half cycle inhibits the visibility of an incremental test flash only when the flash is presented in the foveal region of the visual field. This finding is discussed in the context of the neurophysiological periphery effect and shift-effect and their possible role in saccadic suppression.", "PMID": 760201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_149", "title": "To know with the nose: keys to odor identification.", "content": "Successful odor identification depends on (i) commonly encountered substances, (ii) a long-standing connection between an odor and its name, and (iii) aid in recalling the name. The absence of any one ingredient impairs performance dramatically, but the presence of all three permits ready identification of scores of substances, with performance seemingly limited only by the inherent confusability of the stimuli.", "contents": "To know with the nose: keys to odor identification. Successful odor identification depends on (i) commonly encountered substances, (ii) a long-standing connection between an odor and its name, and (iii) aid in recalling the name. The absence of any one ingredient impairs performance dramatically, but the presence of all three permits ready identification of scores of substances, with performance seemingly limited only by the inherent confusability of the stimuli.", "PMID": 760202} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_150", "title": "A regulatory locus for mouse beta-glucuronidase induction, Gur, controls messenger RNA activity.", "content": "A regulatory locus in a higher organism has been shown to control a specific messenger RNA activity. The Gur locus in mice regulates the production of kidney beta-glucuronidase messenger RNA activity after induction of the beta-glucuronidase structural gene, Gus, by testosterone. beta-Glucuronidase messenger RNA was assayed by its ability to direct the synthesis of catalytically active murine beta-glucuronidase in Xenopus oocytes.", "contents": "A regulatory locus for mouse beta-glucuronidase induction, Gur, controls messenger RNA activity. A regulatory locus in a higher organism has been shown to control a specific messenger RNA activity. The Gur locus in mice regulates the production of kidney beta-glucuronidase messenger RNA activity after induction of the beta-glucuronidase structural gene, Gus, by testosterone. beta-Glucuronidase messenger RNA was assayed by its ability to direct the synthesis of catalytically active murine beta-glucuronidase in Xenopus oocytes.", "PMID": 760204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_151", "title": "Thalamic projections to layer I of striate cortex shown by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase.", "content": "The diffusion of horseradish peroxidase was restricted to layers I and II of the striate cortex in Tupaia glis and Galago senegalensis. In the lateral geniculate body of Tupaia labeled cells were found only in layer 3; some labeled cells were also found in the lateral nucleus. In Galago labeled cells were found only in layers 4 and 5 of the lateral geniculate body; a band of cells was also found in the pulvinar nucleus. These results support the distinction between two overlapping thalamic systems, a layer I and a layer IV system.", "contents": "Thalamic projections to layer I of striate cortex shown by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. The diffusion of horseradish peroxidase was restricted to layers I and II of the striate cortex in Tupaia glis and Galago senegalensis. In the lateral geniculate body of Tupaia labeled cells were found only in layer 3; some labeled cells were also found in the lateral nucleus. In Galago labeled cells were found only in layers 4 and 5 of the lateral geniculate body; a band of cells was also found in the pulvinar nucleus. These results support the distinction between two overlapping thalamic systems, a layer I and a layer IV system.", "PMID": 760205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_152", "title": "Osmotic shock prevents nuclear exchange and produces whole-genome homozygotes in conjugating Tetrahymena.", "content": "Exposure of conjugating Tetrahymena to a hyperosmotic shock blocks the exchange of gametic nuclei and produces self-fertilized exconjugants that are homozygous for their whole genome. Cells are sensitive to this induction during a brief period after meiosis. The high efficiency of the treatment and the fertility of the progeny make this a useful method for the isolation of induced recessive mutations and enhances the value of Tetrahymena as an animal-cell model system in which genetic dissection is practical. The sharp peak of sensitivity is useful in the study of those cellular mechanisms responsible for the independent handling of several functionally distinct nuclei during conjugation.", "contents": "Osmotic shock prevents nuclear exchange and produces whole-genome homozygotes in conjugating Tetrahymena. Exposure of conjugating Tetrahymena to a hyperosmotic shock blocks the exchange of gametic nuclei and produces self-fertilized exconjugants that are homozygous for their whole genome. Cells are sensitive to this induction during a brief period after meiosis. The high efficiency of the treatment and the fertility of the progeny make this a useful method for the isolation of induced recessive mutations and enhances the value of Tetrahymena as an animal-cell model system in which genetic dissection is practical. The sharp peak of sensitivity is useful in the study of those cellular mechanisms responsible for the independent handling of several functionally distinct nuclei during conjugation.", "PMID": 760210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_153", "title": "Obesity genes: beneficial effects in heterozygous mice.", "content": "The mouse mutant genes obese (ob) and diabetes (db) cause similar obesity-diabetes states in homozygotes. These obesity syndromes are characterized by a more efficient conversion of food to lipid and, once stored, a slower rate of catabolism on fasting. Heterozygous mice, either ob/+ or db/+, survived a prolonged fast significantly longer than normal homozygotes (+/+); this suggests that the heterozygotes exhibited increased metabolic efficiency, a feature normally associated with both homozygous mutants. The existence of this thriftiness trait, if manifested by heterozygous carriers in wild populations, would lend credence to the thrifty gene concept of diabetes. Beneficial effects of normally deleterious genes may have played a role in the development of diabetes-susceptible human populations, as well as having provided the survival advantage that has allowed both the development and successful establishment of species in desert and other less affluent regions.", "contents": "Obesity genes: beneficial effects in heterozygous mice. The mouse mutant genes obese (ob) and diabetes (db) cause similar obesity-diabetes states in homozygotes. These obesity syndromes are characterized by a more efficient conversion of food to lipid and, once stored, a slower rate of catabolism on fasting. Heterozygous mice, either ob/+ or db/+, survived a prolonged fast significantly longer than normal homozygotes (+/+); this suggests that the heterozygotes exhibited increased metabolic efficiency, a feature normally associated with both homozygous mutants. The existence of this thriftiness trait, if manifested by heterozygous carriers in wild populations, would lend credence to the thrifty gene concept of diabetes. Beneficial effects of normally deleterious genes may have played a role in the development of diabetes-susceptible human populations, as well as having provided the survival advantage that has allowed both the development and successful establishment of species in desert and other less affluent regions.", "PMID": 760211} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_154", "title": "Electroencephalogram correlates of higher cortical functions.", "content": "By means of two-stage, nonlinear multivariate pattern recognition, electroencephalograms (EEG's) were analyzed during performance of verbal and spatial tasks. Complex scalp distributions of theta-, beta-, and, to a lesser extent, alpha-band spectral intensities discriminated between the two members of a pair of tasks, such as writing sentences and Koh's block design. Small EEG asymmetries were probably attributable to limb movements and other uncontrolled noncognitive aspects of tasks. Significant EEG differences beteeen cognitive tasks were eliminated when controls for inter-task differences in efferent activity, stimulus characteristics, and performance-related factors were introduced. Each controlled task was associated with an approximately 10 percent reduction, as compared with visual fixation, in the magnitude of alpha- and beta-band spectral intensity. This effect occurred bilaterally and was approximately the same over occipital, parietal, and central regions, with some minor difference over the frontal region in the beta band. With these controls, no evidence for lateralization of different cognitive functions was found in the EEG.", "contents": "Electroencephalogram correlates of higher cortical functions. By means of two-stage, nonlinear multivariate pattern recognition, electroencephalograms (EEG's) were analyzed during performance of verbal and spatial tasks. Complex scalp distributions of theta-, beta-, and, to a lesser extent, alpha-band spectral intensities discriminated between the two members of a pair of tasks, such as writing sentences and Koh's block design. Small EEG asymmetries were probably attributable to limb movements and other uncontrolled noncognitive aspects of tasks. Significant EEG differences beteeen cognitive tasks were eliminated when controls for inter-task differences in efferent activity, stimulus characteristics, and performance-related factors were introduced. Each controlled task was associated with an approximately 10 percent reduction, as compared with visual fixation, in the magnitude of alpha- and beta-band spectral intensity. This effect occurred bilaterally and was approximately the same over occipital, parietal, and central regions, with some minor difference over the frontal region in the beta band. With these controls, no evidence for lateralization of different cognitive functions was found in the EEG.", "PMID": 760212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_155", "title": "Human muscular dystrophy: elevation of urinary dimethylarginines.", "content": "The amounts of the dimethylarginines NG,NG-dimethylarginine (DMA) and NG,N'G-dimethylarginine (DM'A) excreted in the urine of muscular dystrophic patients were examined and compared with the amounts excreted by normal controls, patients with other types of neuromuscular diseases, and patients with disuse muscle atrophy resulting from traumatic paralysis. The patients with muscular dystrophy excreted high concentrations of DMA and this urine showed high ratios of DMA to DM'A. This finding indicates a relation between protein methylation processes and muscular dystrophy.", "contents": "Human muscular dystrophy: elevation of urinary dimethylarginines. The amounts of the dimethylarginines NG,NG-dimethylarginine (DMA) and NG,N'G-dimethylarginine (DM'A) excreted in the urine of muscular dystrophic patients were examined and compared with the amounts excreted by normal controls, patients with other types of neuromuscular diseases, and patients with disuse muscle atrophy resulting from traumatic paralysis. The patients with muscular dystrophy excreted high concentrations of DMA and this urine showed high ratios of DMA to DM'A. This finding indicates a relation between protein methylation processes and muscular dystrophy.", "PMID": 760213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_156", "title": "Renal cell carcinoma.", "content": "We reviewed the total experience with renal cell carcinoma at West Virginia University Hospital since its opening 15 years ago. While the conclusions are not new, our series of 89 cases reemphasizes the capriciously ubiquitous nature of the disease. Varied presenting signs and symptoms are commented upon, and an attempt to relate stage, grade, and survival rates is made.", "contents": "Renal cell carcinoma. We reviewed the total experience with renal cell carcinoma at West Virginia University Hospital since its opening 15 years ago. While the conclusions are not new, our series of 89 cases reemphasizes the capriciously ubiquitous nature of the disease. Varied presenting signs and symptoms are commented upon, and an attempt to relate stage, grade, and survival rates is made.", "PMID": 760216} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_157", "title": "Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the genital tract.", "content": "Four cases of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the genital tract in young women are presented. All patients were treated with radiation therapy. Two of the patients subsequently developed chest metastases. Three patients have died of the disease, and the other is without evidence of disease. Two patients were treated with chemotherapy, and a positive response to the chemotherapy was observed. Because this is an aggressive disease, one should consider the use of chemotherapeutic agents as a part of the primary therapy.", "contents": "Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the genital tract. Four cases of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the genital tract in young women are presented. All patients were treated with radiation therapy. Two of the patients subsequently developed chest metastases. Three patients have died of the disease, and the other is without evidence of disease. Two patients were treated with chemotherapy, and a positive response to the chemotherapy was observed. Because this is an aggressive disease, one should consider the use of chemotherapeutic agents as a part of the primary therapy.", "PMID": 760217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_158", "title": "Cancer in married couples.", "content": "A review of 2,512 charts of cancer admissions in a small community hospital during a ten-year period revealed 19 married couples with cancer. Compared with other studies this number appears small. However, only 2% of our cases mentioned the spouse in the family histories, apparently because emphasis seems to be on genetics, not on environment. It was further noted that two out of 19 couples had the same type of cancer originating from the same organ, and ten pairs had tumors of the same histopathologic type. Cancer manifested itself in the wives a few years before the husbands, though the wives were younger.", "contents": "Cancer in married couples. A review of 2,512 charts of cancer admissions in a small community hospital during a ten-year period revealed 19 married couples with cancer. Compared with other studies this number appears small. However, only 2% of our cases mentioned the spouse in the family histories, apparently because emphasis seems to be on genetics, not on environment. It was further noted that two out of 19 couples had the same type of cancer originating from the same organ, and ten pairs had tumors of the same histopathologic type. Cancer manifested itself in the wives a few years before the husbands, though the wives were younger.", "PMID": 760218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_159", "title": "Urologic manifestations of sickle hemoglobinopathies.", "content": "We analyzed the renal radiographic changes in the sickle hemoglobinopathies in 92 patients, in 70 of whom the specific hemoglobin type was documented by electrophoresis. The following conclusions have been drawn: (1) Approximately 50% of patients with SS hemoglobin have renal enlargement (both on roentgenograms and at autopsy), while only a small proportion of patients with the other hemoglobinopathies show renal enlargement; (2) slightly more than one half of patients with each type of hemoglobinopathy have calyceal changes; and (3) these calyceal changes do not fall into a specific pattern with respect to hemoglobin type.", "contents": "Urologic manifestations of sickle hemoglobinopathies. We analyzed the renal radiographic changes in the sickle hemoglobinopathies in 92 patients, in 70 of whom the specific hemoglobin type was documented by electrophoresis. The following conclusions have been drawn: (1) Approximately 50% of patients with SS hemoglobin have renal enlargement (both on roentgenograms and at autopsy), while only a small proportion of patients with the other hemoglobinopathies show renal enlargement; (2) slightly more than one half of patients with each type of hemoglobinopathy have calyceal changes; and (3) these calyceal changes do not fall into a specific pattern with respect to hemoglobin type.", "PMID": 760219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_160", "title": "Menetrier's disease in children.", "content": "Two new cases of Menetrier's disease in children are reported. The ten cases of this protein-losing gastropathy previously reported in the literature are reviewed. Clinical presentations, laboratory findings, possible causes, and comparison with the adult form of Menetrier's disease are discussed. Menetrier's disease in children may be more common than reported, as its symptoms are usually transient. The prognosis in children is excellent; therefore the distinction between Menetrier's disease in children and other protein-losing enteropathies is vital.", "contents": "Menetrier's disease in children. Two new cases of Menetrier's disease in children are reported. The ten cases of this protein-losing gastropathy previously reported in the literature are reviewed. Clinical presentations, laboratory findings, possible causes, and comparison with the adult form of Menetrier's disease are discussed. Menetrier's disease in children may be more common than reported, as its symptoms are usually transient. The prognosis in children is excellent; therefore the distinction between Menetrier's disease in children and other protein-losing enteropathies is vital.", "PMID": 760220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_161", "title": "Hypochondriasis: difficulties in diagnosis and management.", "content": "The hypochondriacal patient presents numerous frustrations for the physician. The typical hypochondriac is a middle-aged person dominated by a preoccupation with bodily symptoms. Bereavement, serious life failures, and severe blows to self-esteem put patients at high risk for somatization. Hypochondrisis has been cited as a symptom of masked depression, early paranoid schizophrenia, and dementia and/or delirium. A careful diagnostic work-up with attention to any correctable psychiatric illness sets the stage for regularly scheduled, long-term supportive therapy.", "contents": "Hypochondriasis: difficulties in diagnosis and management. The hypochondriacal patient presents numerous frustrations for the physician. The typical hypochondriac is a middle-aged person dominated by a preoccupation with bodily symptoms. Bereavement, serious life failures, and severe blows to self-esteem put patients at high risk for somatization. Hypochondrisis has been cited as a symptom of masked depression, early paranoid schizophrenia, and dementia and/or delirium. A careful diagnostic work-up with attention to any correctable psychiatric illness sets the stage for regularly scheduled, long-term supportive therapy.", "PMID": 760221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_162", "title": "Intrauterine transfusion with continuous ultransonic assistance.", "content": "This paper describes a technic of intrauterine transfusion using continuous real time ultransonic assistance and discusses complications of intrauterine transfusion. The advantage of ultrasound-assisted intrauterine transfusion in reducing fetal injury and radiation exposure is emphasized.", "contents": "Intrauterine transfusion with continuous ultransonic assistance. This paper describes a technic of intrauterine transfusion using continuous real time ultransonic assistance and discusses complications of intrauterine transfusion. The advantage of ultrasound-assisted intrauterine transfusion in reducing fetal injury and radiation exposure is emphasized.", "PMID": 760222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_163", "title": "Dynamic hormonal tests in a case of premature ovarian failure.", "content": "The case of a patient with premature ovarian failure and a history of polycystic ovarian disease was described. Dynamic gonadal and pituitary tests were done. Ovarian, adrenal, and peripheral veins were catheterized to determine the steroid secretion under HCG stimulation. In vitro studies of the capacity of ovarian steroidogenesis confirmed the refractory nature of the gonad. Lack of gonadal response, both in vivo and in vitro, to stimulation suggests a possible alteration in ovarian sensitivity to gonadotropins as a possible cause of premature menopause.", "contents": "Dynamic hormonal tests in a case of premature ovarian failure. The case of a patient with premature ovarian failure and a history of polycystic ovarian disease was described. Dynamic gonadal and pituitary tests were done. Ovarian, adrenal, and peripheral veins were catheterized to determine the steroid secretion under HCG stimulation. In vitro studies of the capacity of ovarian steroidogenesis confirmed the refractory nature of the gonad. Lack of gonadal response, both in vivo and in vitro, to stimulation suggests a possible alteration in ovarian sensitivity to gonadotropins as a possible cause of premature menopause.", "PMID": 760227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_164", "title": "Asymptomatic esophageal carcinoma with esophagopulmonary fistula masquerading as a primary lung abscess.", "content": "A 58-year-old man presented with the clinical signs and symptoms of a large right upper lobe lung abscess. His course was complicated by diffuse bilateral necrotizing pneumonitis, and death occurred as a result of massive aspiration of lung abscess contents into uninvolved lung. At postmortem examination, an esophageal carcinoma with a direct fistulous communication with the abscess cavity was present. Although rare, asymptomatic malignant esophageal disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a lung abscess which does not follow a typical course.", "contents": "Asymptomatic esophageal carcinoma with esophagopulmonary fistula masquerading as a primary lung abscess. A 58-year-old man presented with the clinical signs and symptoms of a large right upper lobe lung abscess. His course was complicated by diffuse bilateral necrotizing pneumonitis, and death occurred as a result of massive aspiration of lung abscess contents into uninvolved lung. At postmortem examination, an esophageal carcinoma with a direct fistulous communication with the abscess cavity was present. Although rare, asymptomatic malignant esophageal disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a lung abscess which does not follow a typical course.", "PMID": 760228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_165", "title": "Coagulation defects associated with jejunoileal bypass and term pregnancy.", "content": "A case is presented in which pregnancy occurred after jejunoileal bypass for treatment of obesity. The pregnancy was complicated by coagulation defects apparently on the basis of liver damage secondary to the bypass. Pertinent literature is reviewed, and the conclusion is reached that although the majority of patients becoming pregnant after jejunoileal bypass tolerated pregnancy well, hepatic disease may occur as it does in nonpregnant individuals.", "contents": "Coagulation defects associated with jejunoileal bypass and term pregnancy. A case is presented in which pregnancy occurred after jejunoileal bypass for treatment of obesity. The pregnancy was complicated by coagulation defects apparently on the basis of liver damage secondary to the bypass. Pertinent literature is reviewed, and the conclusion is reached that although the majority of patients becoming pregnant after jejunoileal bypass tolerated pregnancy well, hepatic disease may occur as it does in nonpregnant individuals.", "PMID": 760229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_166", "title": "Radiation therapy for early stage carcinoma of the glottic larynx.", "content": "The results of radiation therapy of 79 patients with early carcinoma of the vocal cord are reported. Nine (13%) of the 69 patients with stage I disease had local recurrence, and two (20%) of the ten patients with stage II disease had local recurrence without local node metastasis. Subsequent control of radiation failure by surgical salvage was 100%. Close follow-up of the patients after radiation therapy and biopsy of suggestive areas are emphasized for early detection of residual or recurrent tumor.", "contents": "Radiation therapy for early stage carcinoma of the glottic larynx. The results of radiation therapy of 79 patients with early carcinoma of the vocal cord are reported. Nine (13%) of the 69 patients with stage I disease had local recurrence, and two (20%) of the ten patients with stage II disease had local recurrence without local node metastasis. Subsequent control of radiation failure by surgical salvage was 100%. Close follow-up of the patients after radiation therapy and biopsy of suggestive areas are emphasized for early detection of residual or recurrent tumor.", "PMID": 760230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_167", "title": "Severe leukopenia secondary to carbamazepine administration.", "content": "We have reported the first case of severe leukopenia, complicated by infection, associated with the use of carbamazepine. In the literature, most cases of leukopenia secondary to carbamazepine are transient and benign, but any increase in dosage of the drug warrants a close follow-up of blood counts even if previous blood counts were normal.", "contents": "Severe leukopenia secondary to carbamazepine administration. We have reported the first case of severe leukopenia, complicated by infection, associated with the use of carbamazepine. In the literature, most cases of leukopenia secondary to carbamazepine are transient and benign, but any increase in dosage of the drug warrants a close follow-up of blood counts even if previous blood counts were normal.", "PMID": 760231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_168", "title": "Mucous gland adenoma of the bronchus.", "content": "Mucous gland adenoma of the bronchus is a truly benign bronchoid neoplasm which responds to simple surgical excision, sparing as much functional lung tissue as possible. The patient here reported is well one year after such treatment.", "contents": "Mucous gland adenoma of the bronchus. Mucous gland adenoma of the bronchus is a truly benign bronchoid neoplasm which responds to simple surgical excision, sparing as much functional lung tissue as possible. The patient here reported is well one year after such treatment.", "PMID": 760232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_169", "title": "Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis.", "content": "A case of Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis involving a prosthetic heart valve is reported, and 12 previously reported cases are reviewed. This gram-negative rod grows slowly in blood cultures and is readily suppressed for long periods of time by token antibiotic administration. It should be considered as a causative agent in culture-negative cases of endocarditis and also when a gram-negative rod is isolated which is sensitive to all antibiotics. The treatment of choice is penicillin.", "contents": "Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis. A case of Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis involving a prosthetic heart valve is reported, and 12 previously reported cases are reviewed. This gram-negative rod grows slowly in blood cultures and is readily suppressed for long periods of time by token antibiotic administration. It should be considered as a causative agent in culture-negative cases of endocarditis and also when a gram-negative rod is isolated which is sensitive to all antibiotics. The treatment of choice is penicillin.", "PMID": 760233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_170", "title": "Adynamic ileus complicating colonoscopy.", "content": "A case of adynamic ileus of the colon and small bowel complicating colonoscopy is reported. The patient recovered with conservative management. Possible pathogenesis of this rare complication is discussed.", "contents": "Adynamic ileus complicating colonoscopy. A case of adynamic ileus of the colon and small bowel complicating colonoscopy is reported. The patient recovered with conservative management. Possible pathogenesis of this rare complication is discussed.", "PMID": 760234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_171", "title": "The safe time limit of temporary clamping of cerebral arteries in the direct surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysm under moderate hypothermia.", "content": "Of 274 operated cases of cerebral aneurysm, temporary occlusion of the cerebral arteries was used in 215 cases (79%). Of the 215 cases, 177 (82%) showed no sequelae. The maximum safe time limit for temporary occlusion at the bilateral A1 portion of the anterior cerebral arteries was 48.5 min at 26 degrees C, 47 min at 27 degrees C, and 42 min at 28 degrees C; at the M1 portion of the middle cerebral arteries, it was 30 min at 26 degrees C, 35 min at 27 degrees C, 36 min at 27.5 degrees C, 40 min at 30 degrees C and 19 min at normothermia; and at the dominant A1 portion, in cases of hypoplasia at the contralateral A1 portion, it was 82 min at 26 degrees C, 86 min at 27.5 degrees C, and 63 min at 28 degrees C. Consequently, when performing direct surgery on aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery, unilateral clamping of the A1 portion prevents rupture during surgery and has the advantage of prolonging the occlusion time. Neurological sequelae may have been caused by the temporary occlusion of the cerebral artery in one case, and by the temporary occlusion or the surgical operation in six cases. Of the 22 fatal cases, only one was thought to be due to the temporary occlusion of the cerebral artery. Intermittent release of the clamping for 5 to 10 min is considered to be effective in prolonging the safe time limit of temporary clamping of the cerebral arteries in surgery of cerebral aneurysm under moderate hypothermia.", "contents": "The safe time limit of temporary clamping of cerebral arteries in the direct surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysm under moderate hypothermia. Of 274 operated cases of cerebral aneurysm, temporary occlusion of the cerebral arteries was used in 215 cases (79%). Of the 215 cases, 177 (82%) showed no sequelae. The maximum safe time limit for temporary occlusion at the bilateral A1 portion of the anterior cerebral arteries was 48.5 min at 26 degrees C, 47 min at 27 degrees C, and 42 min at 28 degrees C; at the M1 portion of the middle cerebral arteries, it was 30 min at 26 degrees C, 35 min at 27 degrees C, 36 min at 27.5 degrees C, 40 min at 30 degrees C and 19 min at normothermia; and at the dominant A1 portion, in cases of hypoplasia at the contralateral A1 portion, it was 82 min at 26 degrees C, 86 min at 27.5 degrees C, and 63 min at 28 degrees C. Consequently, when performing direct surgery on aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery, unilateral clamping of the A1 portion prevents rupture during surgery and has the advantage of prolonging the occlusion time. Neurological sequelae may have been caused by the temporary occlusion of the cerebral artery in one case, and by the temporary occlusion or the surgical operation in six cases. Of the 22 fatal cases, only one was thought to be due to the temporary occlusion of the cerebral artery. Intermittent release of the clamping for 5 to 10 min is considered to be effective in prolonging the safe time limit of temporary clamping of the cerebral arteries in surgery of cerebral aneurysm under moderate hypothermia.", "PMID": 760246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_172", "title": "Glucose-containing oligosaccharides in normal human urine.", "content": "Normal human urine was treated with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), and the CPC-supernatant was passed through columns of Dowex 50 X 2 (H+ form) and Dowex 1 X 2(Cl-form) in succession. The concentrated effluent containing neutral saccharides was then gel-filtered through a column of Sephadex G-10. The resulting effluent was divided into 5 subfractions (SFs. 1-5). Comparison of hexose contents of the subfractions indicated that healthy individuals regularly excreted neutral oligosaccharides in urine with a similar pattern regardless of age or sex. Component A isolated from SF2 was characterized as glucosylgalactose by paper chromatography before and after acid hydrolysis of the intact one and its reduction product.", "contents": "Glucose-containing oligosaccharides in normal human urine. Normal human urine was treated with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), and the CPC-supernatant was passed through columns of Dowex 50 X 2 (H+ form) and Dowex 1 X 2(Cl-form) in succession. The concentrated effluent containing neutral saccharides was then gel-filtered through a column of Sephadex G-10. The resulting effluent was divided into 5 subfractions (SFs. 1-5). Comparison of hexose contents of the subfractions indicated that healthy individuals regularly excreted neutral oligosaccharides in urine with a similar pattern regardless of age or sex. Component A isolated from SF2 was characterized as glucosylgalactose by paper chromatography before and after acid hydrolysis of the intact one and its reduction product.", "PMID": 760247} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_173", "title": "Peripheral nerve structures of experimental diabetes rats and the effect of insulin treatment.", "content": "The peripheral nerves of alloxan and streptozotocin diabetes rats six months after the induction of diabetes were morphologically investigated. The effect of insulin treatment was also examined. Prominent segmental demyelination and remyelination were observed in both alloxan and streptozotocin diabetes rats by isolated nerve fiber studies. Axonal degeneration and globular swelling were also recognized in some nerve fibers. Transmission electron microscopic findings were characterized by the figures of destructed myelin sheaths and axons. Reduplication and thickening of basal lamina of vasa nervorum were noted in the diabetes rats. Scanning electron microscopy revealed three dimensional architectures of degenerated nerve fibers and rough surface of Schwann cells in the diabetes rats. Insulin treated diabetes rats showed less structural changes of nerve fibers. It was indicated that the peripheral nerve lesions of experimental diabetes rats were caused by metabolic impairment of both axons and Schwann cells. Insulin treatment seemed to be effective on the experimental diabetic neuropathy.", "contents": "Peripheral nerve structures of experimental diabetes rats and the effect of insulin treatment. The peripheral nerves of alloxan and streptozotocin diabetes rats six months after the induction of diabetes were morphologically investigated. The effect of insulin treatment was also examined. Prominent segmental demyelination and remyelination were observed in both alloxan and streptozotocin diabetes rats by isolated nerve fiber studies. Axonal degeneration and globular swelling were also recognized in some nerve fibers. Transmission electron microscopic findings were characterized by the figures of destructed myelin sheaths and axons. Reduplication and thickening of basal lamina of vasa nervorum were noted in the diabetes rats. Scanning electron microscopy revealed three dimensional architectures of degenerated nerve fibers and rough surface of Schwann cells in the diabetes rats. Insulin treated diabetes rats showed less structural changes of nerve fibers. It was indicated that the peripheral nerve lesions of experimental diabetes rats were caused by metabolic impairment of both axons and Schwann cells. Insulin treatment seemed to be effective on the experimental diabetic neuropathy.", "PMID": 760249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_174", "title": "Influence of red light and pattern on photic driving.", "content": "The photic drivings (PDs) in response to the following visual stimuli were studied in 108 cases, of which 84 (78%) were epileptics; ages ranged from 5 to 57 years old. An intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) of 5 cycles/sec by a stroboscopic light was given to the subjects with eyes closed and open. Following these stimuli, red-flicker and flickering-pattern of 5 cycles/sec and 20 cd/m2 were given successively to the subjects with eyes open using a \"visual stimulator\". The PDs evoked by IPS to the eyes closed and those by red-flicker were similar in the wave form and amplitude. In most of the cases, however, both stimuli failed to evoke apparent PDs (over 25 muV in amplitude), i.e., in 81% and 72%, respectively. IPS to the eyes open and flickering-pattern showed comparable effects in evoking PDs; they evoked high amplitude PDs (over 50 muV in amplitude) with a frequency of 19% by the former and 28% by the latter. In 95 out of 108 cases, both IPS to the eyes closed and red-flicker failed to evoke apparent PDs. In rare cases, IPS to eyes closed evoked high amplitude PDs; in 7 out of these 8 cases, red-flicker also evoked high amplitude PDs. In 18 out of 20 cases in which high amplitude PDs were evoked by IPS to the eyes open, flickering-pattern was also effective in evoking high amplitude PDs. Based on these findings, similarities between IPS to the eyes closed and red-flicker, and similarities between IPS to the eyes open and flickering-pattern in evoking PDs are discussed. It is concluded that flickering-pattern and red-flicker are superior to IPS to the eyes open and closed, respectively, for examining the low frequency PDs.", "contents": "Influence of red light and pattern on photic driving. The photic drivings (PDs) in response to the following visual stimuli were studied in 108 cases, of which 84 (78%) were epileptics; ages ranged from 5 to 57 years old. An intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) of 5 cycles/sec by a stroboscopic light was given to the subjects with eyes closed and open. Following these stimuli, red-flicker and flickering-pattern of 5 cycles/sec and 20 cd/m2 were given successively to the subjects with eyes open using a \"visual stimulator\". The PDs evoked by IPS to the eyes closed and those by red-flicker were similar in the wave form and amplitude. In most of the cases, however, both stimuli failed to evoke apparent PDs (over 25 muV in amplitude), i.e., in 81% and 72%, respectively. IPS to the eyes open and flickering-pattern showed comparable effects in evoking PDs; they evoked high amplitude PDs (over 50 muV in amplitude) with a frequency of 19% by the former and 28% by the latter. In 95 out of 108 cases, both IPS to the eyes closed and red-flicker failed to evoke apparent PDs. In rare cases, IPS to eyes closed evoked high amplitude PDs; in 7 out of these 8 cases, red-flicker also evoked high amplitude PDs. In 18 out of 20 cases in which high amplitude PDs were evoked by IPS to the eyes open, flickering-pattern was also effective in evoking high amplitude PDs. Based on these findings, similarities between IPS to the eyes closed and red-flicker, and similarities between IPS to the eyes open and flickering-pattern in evoking PDs are discussed. It is concluded that flickering-pattern and red-flicker are superior to IPS to the eyes open and closed, respectively, for examining the low frequency PDs.", "PMID": 760250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_175", "title": "Falsely high urinary catecholamines induced by labetalol.", "content": "A preoperative patient with pheochromocytoma was satisfactorily treated with oral labetalol, while a conspicuous increase in urinary output of catecholamines (CA) and of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) was observed after labetalol therapy. Exaggerated increases in urinary CA and in VMA were also confirmed in normal volunteers immediately after oral labetalol. These effects of labetalol on urinary CA and VMA, however, were proved to be largely due to the interference with the usual photometries rather than due to its stimulation of CA release. Therefore, it should be emphasized that clinical evaluations of CA and its metabolites must be performed before labetalol therapy to avoid an erroneous diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.", "contents": "Falsely high urinary catecholamines induced by labetalol. A preoperative patient with pheochromocytoma was satisfactorily treated with oral labetalol, while a conspicuous increase in urinary output of catecholamines (CA) and of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) was observed after labetalol therapy. Exaggerated increases in urinary CA and in VMA were also confirmed in normal volunteers immediately after oral labetalol. These effects of labetalol on urinary CA and VMA, however, were proved to be largely due to the interference with the usual photometries rather than due to its stimulation of CA release. Therefore, it should be emphasized that clinical evaluations of CA and its metabolites must be performed before labetalol therapy to avoid an erroneous diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.", "PMID": 760251} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_176", "title": "Effects of unilateral and bilateral invasion of thalamic pulvinar for pain relief.", "content": "Thalamic pulvinotomy has been performed on 32 patients in severe chronic pain and a follow-up study was made. Among 10 patients with whom unilateral invasion was made, 4 were \"excellent\" in relieving pain, 2 \"good\", 2 \"fair\" and 2 \"poor\". Among 22 cases of bilateral invasion 17 were \"excellent\", 2 were \"good\", and 3 were \"poor\". Thus, in the cases of bilateral invasion effects of the operation were more prominent than in the cases of unilateral invasion. Further, transient psychic symptoms following the operation has been analysed in relation to position of pulvinar destruction and to underlying diseases.", "contents": "Effects of unilateral and bilateral invasion of thalamic pulvinar for pain relief. Thalamic pulvinotomy has been performed on 32 patients in severe chronic pain and a follow-up study was made. Among 10 patients with whom unilateral invasion was made, 4 were \"excellent\" in relieving pain, 2 \"good\", 2 \"fair\" and 2 \"poor\". Among 22 cases of bilateral invasion 17 were \"excellent\", 2 were \"good\", and 3 were \"poor\". Thus, in the cases of bilateral invasion effects of the operation were more prominent than in the cases of unilateral invasion. Further, transient psychic symptoms following the operation has been analysed in relation to position of pulvinar destruction and to underlying diseases.", "PMID": 760252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_177", "title": "Changes in thyroid hormones by treatment with aspirin and prednisolone in subacute thyroiditis with hyperthyroidism.", "content": "Thyroid functions were studied in 11 patients with subacute thyroiditis accompanied by signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and were compared with 13 patients with untreated thyrotoxicosis in which serum T4 was elevated to the identical level. Serum T3 was also elevated in subacute thyroiditis but to a significantly lower extent than in thyrotoxicosis. Therefore the ratio of T4/T3 was significantly higher in subacute thyroiditis than in thyrotoxicosis. Although duration of thyroid swelling was shorter in the group treated by prednisolone than by aspirin, the accelerated ESR, thyroid tenderness and fever subsided almost similarly in the two groups. Serum T4 and T3 levels declined more rapidly in treatment with prednisolone compared with aspirin. In patients treated by aspirin initial increase in T3 level occurred transiently with simultaneous decrease in the T4/T3 ratio. These changes suggest the increase in peripheral conversion of T4 to T3. Even in severe cases of subacute thyroiditis associated with hyperthyroidism, aspirin treatment is an effective therapy and there is no recurrence following withdrawal of the medication.", "contents": "Changes in thyroid hormones by treatment with aspirin and prednisolone in subacute thyroiditis with hyperthyroidism. Thyroid functions were studied in 11 patients with subacute thyroiditis accompanied by signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and were compared with 13 patients with untreated thyrotoxicosis in which serum T4 was elevated to the identical level. Serum T3 was also elevated in subacute thyroiditis but to a significantly lower extent than in thyrotoxicosis. Therefore the ratio of T4/T3 was significantly higher in subacute thyroiditis than in thyrotoxicosis. Although duration of thyroid swelling was shorter in the group treated by prednisolone than by aspirin, the accelerated ESR, thyroid tenderness and fever subsided almost similarly in the two groups. Serum T4 and T3 levels declined more rapidly in treatment with prednisolone compared with aspirin. In patients treated by aspirin initial increase in T3 level occurred transiently with simultaneous decrease in the T4/T3 ratio. These changes suggest the increase in peripheral conversion of T4 to T3. Even in severe cases of subacute thyroiditis associated with hyperthyroidism, aspirin treatment is an effective therapy and there is no recurrence following withdrawal of the medication.", "PMID": 760253} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_178", "title": "Dynamics of upper urinary tract during pacemaker blockade induced by pentobarbital.", "content": "The transport efficiency of the dog's pelviureteral system was examined during pacemaker blockade induced by pentobarbital. For an analog representation of transport efficiency, changes in balance level between the input and the output were registered and recorded on a polygraph together with perfusion rate, renal pelvic pressure, ureteral electromyogram and bolus volume. Pentobarbital dramatically blocked the pacemaker activity of the renal pelvis, and the ureter simultaneously became aperistaltic. During the period of pacemaker rest, the balance level was maintained at a high level in all dogs studied, indicating that a part of the perfusion fluid was accumulated in the pelviureteral system. Furthermore, the accumulated fluid overflowed through the aperistaltic ureter as a free flow. These results are discussed in relation to the transport efficiency of normal peristaltic transport.", "contents": "Dynamics of upper urinary tract during pacemaker blockade induced by pentobarbital. The transport efficiency of the dog's pelviureteral system was examined during pacemaker blockade induced by pentobarbital. For an analog representation of transport efficiency, changes in balance level between the input and the output were registered and recorded on a polygraph together with perfusion rate, renal pelvic pressure, ureteral electromyogram and bolus volume. Pentobarbital dramatically blocked the pacemaker activity of the renal pelvis, and the ureter simultaneously became aperistaltic. During the period of pacemaker rest, the balance level was maintained at a high level in all dogs studied, indicating that a part of the perfusion fluid was accumulated in the pelviureteral system. Furthermore, the accumulated fluid overflowed through the aperistaltic ureter as a free flow. These results are discussed in relation to the transport efficiency of normal peristaltic transport.", "PMID": 760254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_179", "title": "Effect of tolbutamide on plasma catecholamine in insulin dependent diabetics.", "content": "In 4 cases of insulin dependent diabetics, blood levels of glucose, C-peptide reactivity (CPR), free fatty acid, and catecholamines were followed after the intravenous tolbutamide response test. Plasma CPR was low and did not respond to tolbutamide injection, and blood levels of glucose and free fatty acid did not change during the test. Fifteen min after the tolbutamide injection, plasma epinephrine plus norepinephrine and norepinephrine levels fell to 87.5% and 67.4% of the initial values, respectively. These results suggest that decrease in the blood glucose and free fatty acid levels usually observed after tolbutamide injection is not the direct action of drug, but is secondary to insulin secretion, and tolbutamide-induced decrease in catecholamines may contribute to the secretion of insulin from the pancreatic beta-cells.", "contents": "Effect of tolbutamide on plasma catecholamine in insulin dependent diabetics. In 4 cases of insulin dependent diabetics, blood levels of glucose, C-peptide reactivity (CPR), free fatty acid, and catecholamines were followed after the intravenous tolbutamide response test. Plasma CPR was low and did not respond to tolbutamide injection, and blood levels of glucose and free fatty acid did not change during the test. Fifteen min after the tolbutamide injection, plasma epinephrine plus norepinephrine and norepinephrine levels fell to 87.5% and 67.4% of the initial values, respectively. These results suggest that decrease in the blood glucose and free fatty acid levels usually observed after tolbutamide injection is not the direct action of drug, but is secondary to insulin secretion, and tolbutamide-induced decrease in catecholamines may contribute to the secretion of insulin from the pancreatic beta-cells.", "PMID": 760255} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_180", "title": "Ex vivo intra-arterial infusion of microencapsulated mitomycin C into dog kidney.", "content": "Microencapsulated Mitomycin C with ethylcellulose was infused into isolated dog kidneys through the renal artery. The capsules were lodged mainly at cortico-medullary junction, where the drug was released from the capsules. Vascularity of kidney was reduced moderately.", "contents": "Ex vivo intra-arterial infusion of microencapsulated mitomycin C into dog kidney. Microencapsulated Mitomycin C with ethylcellulose was infused into isolated dog kidneys through the renal artery. The capsules were lodged mainly at cortico-medullary junction, where the drug was released from the capsules. Vascularity of kidney was reduced moderately.", "PMID": 760256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_181", "title": "Hypothalamic hypernatremia due to volume--dependent ADH release, and its treatment with carbamazepine and clofibrate.", "content": "A 23-year-old man, diagnosed as having a pituitary adenoma at the age of 17 and received an operation 1 month ago showed a fluctuating hypernatremia and hypodipsia. The water deprivation, water load and hypertonic saline infusion tests were carried out. After a 14-hr water deprivation test, plasma osmolality was 310 mOsm/kg, plasma ADH was 1.5 microunits/ml, and urine osmolality was 591 mOsm/kg. On the water load test subsequently performed, the plasma osmolality decreased to 297 mOsm/kg, but the urine was still hypertonic. Infusion of 2.5% saline solution elicited paradoxically a marked diuresis and dilution of urine despite the elev\u00e0tion of plasma osmolality. On the treatment with carbamazepine and clofibrate, the urinary osmolality increased, the hypernatremia was normalized, and a marked natriuresis was elicited with a gain in body weight. These results suggested that the secretion of ADH is regulated by changes in blood volume rather than by the plasma osmolality in this patient. The hypernatremia may be explained as a disturbance or lack of osmoreceptor function for ADH release and the loss of thirst sensation, though the volume receptor still remains functioning for ADH secretion. Depletion of the extracellular fluid volume may be another contributing factor to the elevation of serum sodium level by enhancing the reabsorption of sodium from renal tubules.", "contents": "Hypothalamic hypernatremia due to volume--dependent ADH release, and its treatment with carbamazepine and clofibrate. A 23-year-old man, diagnosed as having a pituitary adenoma at the age of 17 and received an operation 1 month ago showed a fluctuating hypernatremia and hypodipsia. The water deprivation, water load and hypertonic saline infusion tests were carried out. After a 14-hr water deprivation test, plasma osmolality was 310 mOsm/kg, plasma ADH was 1.5 microunits/ml, and urine osmolality was 591 mOsm/kg. On the water load test subsequently performed, the plasma osmolality decreased to 297 mOsm/kg, but the urine was still hypertonic. Infusion of 2.5% saline solution elicited paradoxically a marked diuresis and dilution of urine despite the elev\u00e0tion of plasma osmolality. On the treatment with carbamazepine and clofibrate, the urinary osmolality increased, the hypernatremia was normalized, and a marked natriuresis was elicited with a gain in body weight. These results suggested that the secretion of ADH is regulated by changes in blood volume rather than by the plasma osmolality in this patient. The hypernatremia may be explained as a disturbance or lack of osmoreceptor function for ADH release and the loss of thirst sensation, though the volume receptor still remains functioning for ADH secretion. Depletion of the extracellular fluid volume may be another contributing factor to the elevation of serum sodium level by enhancing the reabsorption of sodium from renal tubules.", "PMID": 760257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_182", "title": "Sympatho--adrenergic neural control of the sphincter of Oddi of the cat and the dog.", "content": "The presence of adrenergic axons within the sphincter of Oddi of the cat and dog was demonstrated using the glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence histochemical method. After vagotomy (in cats), no reduction was observed in the number of the adrenergic axons or in the fluorescence intensity. It is concluded that the sphincter of Oddi receives direct adrenergic neural control derived from the sympathetic plexuses and ganglia, whereas the vagal contribution of adrenergic axons is negligible, if it exists at all.", "contents": "Sympatho--adrenergic neural control of the sphincter of Oddi of the cat and the dog. The presence of adrenergic axons within the sphincter of Oddi of the cat and dog was demonstrated using the glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence histochemical method. After vagotomy (in cats), no reduction was observed in the number of the adrenergic axons or in the fluorescence intensity. It is concluded that the sphincter of Oddi receives direct adrenergic neural control derived from the sympathetic plexuses and ganglia, whereas the vagal contribution of adrenergic axons is negligible, if it exists at all.", "PMID": 760258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_183", "title": "Effect of sex steroid hormones on the serum prolactin concentration.", "content": "Changes in serum prolactin concentration were investigated in women taking an oral contraceptive pill and patients treated with combined estrogen-gestagen regimens for uterine endometriosis. The serum prolactin value increased more than twice the initial level one week after the beginning of medication and continued to increase over succeeding three weeks, and it returned to the normal value at one week after discontinuation of the medication. The results obtained demonstrate that an inverse correlation of prolactin and gonadotropin secretions occurred during administration of the steroid sex hormones as seen in post partum period or patients with galactorrhea-amenorrhea. Side effects which may be associated with such combined steroid hormone has also been discussed.", "contents": "Effect of sex steroid hormones on the serum prolactin concentration. Changes in serum prolactin concentration were investigated in women taking an oral contraceptive pill and patients treated with combined estrogen-gestagen regimens for uterine endometriosis. The serum prolactin value increased more than twice the initial level one week after the beginning of medication and continued to increase over succeeding three weeks, and it returned to the normal value at one week after discontinuation of the medication. The results obtained demonstrate that an inverse correlation of prolactin and gonadotropin secretions occurred during administration of the steroid sex hormones as seen in post partum period or patients with galactorrhea-amenorrhea. Side effects which may be associated with such combined steroid hormone has also been discussed.", "PMID": 760259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_184", "title": "Regional lymphadenectomy and tumor curability in C3H/He mice transplanted with MH 134.", "content": "In order to elucidate the effect of surgical removal of the regional nodes on the immunological defence of the host against the tumor, as well as on the cure rate of C3H/He mice transplanted with MH 134, three separate experiments were carried out, and the following results were obtained: 1) The cure rates of mice treated by removal of the primary tumor with regional lymph nodes were significantly lower than that of mice treated by simple amputation without regional lymphadenectomy. 2) It was demonstrated by a bioassay of the regional node that viable tumor cells presented in the nodes prior to the operation disappeared after removal of the primary tumor, whereas in 60-Co irradiated mice prior to the tumor inoculation, such phenomena were not observed. 3) Observation utilizing in vivo neutralization revealed that regional lymph node cells were capable of interfering with growth of tumor cells. These findings suggest that removal of the regional nodes impairs the restraint to the growth of residual tumor after the removal of the primary tumor, and this is probably due to a derangment of the immunologic response of the host.", "contents": "Regional lymphadenectomy and tumor curability in C3H/He mice transplanted with MH 134. In order to elucidate the effect of surgical removal of the regional nodes on the immunological defence of the host against the tumor, as well as on the cure rate of C3H/He mice transplanted with MH 134, three separate experiments were carried out, and the following results were obtained: 1) The cure rates of mice treated by removal of the primary tumor with regional lymph nodes were significantly lower than that of mice treated by simple amputation without regional lymphadenectomy. 2) It was demonstrated by a bioassay of the regional node that viable tumor cells presented in the nodes prior to the operation disappeared after removal of the primary tumor, whereas in 60-Co irradiated mice prior to the tumor inoculation, such phenomena were not observed. 3) Observation utilizing in vivo neutralization revealed that regional lymph node cells were capable of interfering with growth of tumor cells. These findings suggest that removal of the regional nodes impairs the restraint to the growth of residual tumor after the removal of the primary tumor, and this is probably due to a derangment of the immunologic response of the host.", "PMID": 760260} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_185", "title": "Suppressive effect of catecholamines on 19-S antibody formation in mouse spleen fragments in vitro.", "content": "Spleen fragments of Balb/C mice were immunized with sheep red blood cells in vitro and hemolytic plaque forming cells (PFC) were assayed on the 5th day of immunization. Epinephrine in culture medium diminished the number of PFC dose-dependently over the range from 10(-6) M to 2.7 X 10(-4) M. Incubation with 9 X 10(-5) M epinephrine diminished PFC response only when the epinephrine was present on the first day of the culture. No suppression was found for treatment during any other 24-hr periods. Three beta-adrenergic stimulating catecholamines, epinephrine, isoproterenol, and norepinephrine, suppressed PFC response in similar degree. It is concluded that beta-adrenergic stimulation suppressed 19-S antibody formation mainly by inhibiting induction of immune response.", "contents": "Suppressive effect of catecholamines on 19-S antibody formation in mouse spleen fragments in vitro. Spleen fragments of Balb/C mice were immunized with sheep red blood cells in vitro and hemolytic plaque forming cells (PFC) were assayed on the 5th day of immunization. Epinephrine in culture medium diminished the number of PFC dose-dependently over the range from 10(-6) M to 2.7 X 10(-4) M. Incubation with 9 X 10(-5) M epinephrine diminished PFC response only when the epinephrine was present on the first day of the culture. No suppression was found for treatment during any other 24-hr periods. Three beta-adrenergic stimulating catecholamines, epinephrine, isoproterenol, and norepinephrine, suppressed PFC response in similar degree. It is concluded that beta-adrenergic stimulation suppressed 19-S antibody formation mainly by inhibiting induction of immune response.", "PMID": 760261} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_186", "title": "Cross reactivity of schistosome antigens between Schistosoma mansoni and japonicum.", "content": "Fifty six patients with chronic Schistosomiasis japonica were given skin tests with preparations made of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum. There was a high, significant positive correlation between the results of both antigens. Among 47 serum samples tested with indirect hemagglutination (IHA) 27 had the antibody titer 1:16 or higher, which was diagnostically significant in combination with positive skin test results. The results indicate a definite cross reactivity of japonicum and mansoni anitgens in patients with Schistosomiasis japonica.", "contents": "Cross reactivity of schistosome antigens between Schistosoma mansoni and japonicum. Fifty six patients with chronic Schistosomiasis japonica were given skin tests with preparations made of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum. There was a high, significant positive correlation between the results of both antigens. Among 47 serum samples tested with indirect hemagglutination (IHA) 27 had the antibody titer 1:16 or higher, which was diagnostically significant in combination with positive skin test results. The results indicate a definite cross reactivity of japonicum and mansoni anitgens in patients with Schistosomiasis japonica.", "PMID": 760262} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_187", "title": "Radioimmunoassay of main urinary metabolite of prostaglandin F2alpha in patients with diffuse interstitial fibrosing pneumonitis (DIFP) and other respiratory diseases.", "content": "Radioimmunoassay of 5alpha, 7alpha-dihydroxy-11-keto-tetra-norprosta-1,16-dioic acid, main urinary metabolite of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha-MUM), was performed in patients with various respiratory diseases including diffuse interstitial fibrosing pneumonitis (DIFP, fibrosing alveolitis). Twenty-four hr excretion of PGF2alpha-MUM in patients with primary lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis secondary to collagen diseases and stationary DIFP was normal. On the other hand, 24 hr excretion of PGF2alpha-MUM in patients with carcinomatous pleuritis was high and that in patients with aggravating DIFP was markedly high. There was no correlation between serum LDH levels and 24 hr excretion of PGF2alpha-MUM.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay of main urinary metabolite of prostaglandin F2alpha in patients with diffuse interstitial fibrosing pneumonitis (DIFP) and other respiratory diseases. Radioimmunoassay of 5alpha, 7alpha-dihydroxy-11-keto-tetra-norprosta-1,16-dioic acid, main urinary metabolite of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha-MUM), was performed in patients with various respiratory diseases including diffuse interstitial fibrosing pneumonitis (DIFP, fibrosing alveolitis). Twenty-four hr excretion of PGF2alpha-MUM in patients with primary lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis secondary to collagen diseases and stationary DIFP was normal. On the other hand, 24 hr excretion of PGF2alpha-MUM in patients with carcinomatous pleuritis was high and that in patients with aggravating DIFP was markedly high. There was no correlation between serum LDH levels and 24 hr excretion of PGF2alpha-MUM.", "PMID": 760264} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_188", "title": "An experimental study of the spread of tumor cells through the lymph node.", "content": "Intralymphatic inoculation of rat ascites hepatoma AH 130 was carried out to elucidate the function of the regional lymph node as a barrier against tumor spread. Tumor cells reaching regional lymph nodes decreased in number 48 to 72 hr after inoculation. Ten percent of tumor cells injected into lymphatic vessels appeared in the thoracic duct within 3 hr after injection. Bioassay tests revealed that transnodal tumor cells were viable in the thoracic duct.", "contents": "An experimental study of the spread of tumor cells through the lymph node. Intralymphatic inoculation of rat ascites hepatoma AH 130 was carried out to elucidate the function of the regional lymph node as a barrier against tumor spread. Tumor cells reaching regional lymph nodes decreased in number 48 to 72 hr after inoculation. Ten percent of tumor cells injected into lymphatic vessels appeared in the thoracic duct within 3 hr after injection. Bioassay tests revealed that transnodal tumor cells were viable in the thoracic duct.", "PMID": 760265} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_189", "title": "Recent experiences with the Mustard procedure for the complete transposition of the great arteries by means of \"bypass hypothermia\".", "content": "This paper presents our recent results of the Mustard procedure (intra-artrial baffle operation) for the complete transposition of the great arteries performed in 24 infants and children during the past 6 years at the Tohoku University Hospital. All intracardiac repairs were performed using \"bypass hypothermia\" (surface-induced deep hypothermia, circulatory arrest, and limited cardiopulmonary bypass). The hospital mortality rate was 8% in patients with simple transposition without pulmonary hypertension (Group I, one death in 12 patients), 50% in patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and pulmonary hypertension (Group II, 3 deaths in 6 patients), and 20% in patients with VSD and pulmonary stenosis (Group III, one death in 5 patients). Various types of longstanding dysrhythmia were found in 6 out of 18 long-term survivors, and subsequent pace-maker implantation was necessary in one infant. Postoperative pulmonary venous obstruction occurred in 3 infants, and surgical relief of the obstruction was successfully undertaken in 2 of them. Prevention of postoperative dysrhythmia, pulmonary venous obstruction, and possible brain damage are also discussed.", "contents": "Recent experiences with the Mustard procedure for the complete transposition of the great arteries by means of \"bypass hypothermia\". This paper presents our recent results of the Mustard procedure (intra-artrial baffle operation) for the complete transposition of the great arteries performed in 24 infants and children during the past 6 years at the Tohoku University Hospital. All intracardiac repairs were performed using \"bypass hypothermia\" (surface-induced deep hypothermia, circulatory arrest, and limited cardiopulmonary bypass). The hospital mortality rate was 8% in patients with simple transposition without pulmonary hypertension (Group I, one death in 12 patients), 50% in patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and pulmonary hypertension (Group II, 3 deaths in 6 patients), and 20% in patients with VSD and pulmonary stenosis (Group III, one death in 5 patients). Various types of longstanding dysrhythmia were found in 6 out of 18 long-term survivors, and subsequent pace-maker implantation was necessary in one infant. Postoperative pulmonary venous obstruction occurred in 3 infants, and surgical relief of the obstruction was successfully undertaken in 2 of them. Prevention of postoperative dysrhythmia, pulmonary venous obstruction, and possible brain damage are also discussed.", "PMID": 760266} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_190", "title": "Echocardiographic evaluation of pulmonary hypertension by oxygen inhalation method.", "content": "The ratio of the right ventricular preejection period to the right ventricular ejection time was calculated from the echocardiogram of the pulmonic valve before and after inhalation of a high concentration of oxygen in pulmonary hypertensive patients. The results showed that this non-invasive method could differentiate pulmonary vascular disease from non-pulmonary vascular disease and hence useful for evaluating the change of the pulmonary vascular bed in the pulmonary hypertensive patients.", "contents": "Echocardiographic evaluation of pulmonary hypertension by oxygen inhalation method. The ratio of the right ventricular preejection period to the right ventricular ejection time was calculated from the echocardiogram of the pulmonic valve before and after inhalation of a high concentration of oxygen in pulmonary hypertensive patients. The results showed that this non-invasive method could differentiate pulmonary vascular disease from non-pulmonary vascular disease and hence useful for evaluating the change of the pulmonary vascular bed in the pulmonary hypertensive patients.", "PMID": 760267} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_191", "title": "[Treatment of thyrotoxicosis with 125-iodine: results in 93 patients 3 to 5 years after treatment, and comparison with 131-iodine therapy (author's transl)].", "content": "93 patients were treated with 125-iodine for thyrotoxicosis with a small thyroid (less than or equal to 60 gr) and without palpable nodules in the years 1972--1974. The patients were assayed by: clinical examination, radioiodine-three-phase-study and assay of hormones in the serum: thyroxine, triiodothyronine, triiodothyronine-resin-uptake and thyrotropine. The dosage was individually calculated according to the radioiodine uptake, the thyroid weight and the effective half life time of the radioiodine in the thyroid. In 60 patients the thyrotoxicosis was controlled by a single application, and in further four patients two applications eliminated the thyrotoxicosis. Two out of fifty patients with a follow up between 4 and 5 years are hypothyroid. Compared to 131-iodine therapy in a similar group, the incidence of hypothyroidism is lower after 125-iodine treatment. Only long term follow up will show, whether this advantage of 125-iodine in a very selected group of thyrotoxic patients remains. These results have encouraged us to proceed with this trial.", "contents": "[Treatment of thyrotoxicosis with 125-iodine: results in 93 patients 3 to 5 years after treatment, and comparison with 131-iodine therapy (author's transl)]. 93 patients were treated with 125-iodine for thyrotoxicosis with a small thyroid (less than or equal to 60 gr) and without palpable nodules in the years 1972--1974. The patients were assayed by: clinical examination, radioiodine-three-phase-study and assay of hormones in the serum: thyroxine, triiodothyronine, triiodothyronine-resin-uptake and thyrotropine. The dosage was individually calculated according to the radioiodine uptake, the thyroid weight and the effective half life time of the radioiodine in the thyroid. In 60 patients the thyrotoxicosis was controlled by a single application, and in further four patients two applications eliminated the thyrotoxicosis. Two out of fifty patients with a follow up between 4 and 5 years are hypothyroid. Compared to 131-iodine therapy in a similar group, the incidence of hypothyroidism is lower after 125-iodine treatment. Only long term follow up will show, whether this advantage of 125-iodine in a very selected group of thyrotoxic patients remains. These results have encouraged us to proceed with this trial.", "PMID": 760268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_192", "title": "[Application of the NSD-concept for the ascertainment of tolerance doses in the region of the lung (author's transl)].", "content": "A clinical application of the NSD-concept using iso-ret plans for the recording of radiation pneumonitis is reported. The conditions of an ascertainment of tolerance values for single organs by help of the Ellis formula are discussed. Of the examined patients with Hodgkin's disease who had been exposed to irradiation of the unaffected mediastinum, 42% suffered from radiogenic lung complications. The calculated iso-ret plans reveal a limitation of the pneumonitic shadow zone identical to the 1200-ret isoline. The data in literature are in accordance with these results.", "contents": "[Application of the NSD-concept for the ascertainment of tolerance doses in the region of the lung (author's transl)]. A clinical application of the NSD-concept using iso-ret plans for the recording of radiation pneumonitis is reported. The conditions of an ascertainment of tolerance values for single organs by help of the Ellis formula are discussed. Of the examined patients with Hodgkin's disease who had been exposed to irradiation of the unaffected mediastinum, 42% suffered from radiogenic lung complications. The calculated iso-ret plans reveal a limitation of the pneumonitic shadow zone identical to the 1200-ret isoline. The data in literature are in accordance with these results.", "PMID": 760269} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_193", "title": "[Measurement on a 42-meV betatron with regard to the radiological protection of patients (author's transl)].", "content": "In order to examine the side radiation field of X-rays from the 42-meV Siemens betatron, transverse and depth dose distributions were measured in the phantom with LiF dosemeters. The influence on the dose distribution exerted by the kind of radiation and its energy, the rotation angle of the patient's table, and the field dimensions was determined. The quality of the side radiation and the effect of additional lead shieldings were examined. The dose distributions can be calculated approximately by means of an exponent which can be used in order to estimate the surface dose for all desired irradiation conditions and to determine any distances from the field edges.", "contents": "[Measurement on a 42-meV betatron with regard to the radiological protection of patients (author's transl)]. In order to examine the side radiation field of X-rays from the 42-meV Siemens betatron, transverse and depth dose distributions were measured in the phantom with LiF dosemeters. The influence on the dose distribution exerted by the kind of radiation and its energy, the rotation angle of the patient's table, and the field dimensions was determined. The quality of the side radiation and the effect of additional lead shieldings were examined. The dose distributions can be calculated approximately by means of an exponent which can be used in order to estimate the surface dose for all desired irradiation conditions and to determine any distances from the field edges.", "PMID": 760270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_194", "title": "[Influence of a titanium plate on the depth dose distribution in 60Co-treatment (author's transl)].", "content": "The influence of a titanium plate on the dose distribution in 60Co-treatment has been calculated and compared with measurements. The maximum dose enhancement in front of the titanium plate can be 16%.", "contents": "[Influence of a titanium plate on the depth dose distribution in 60Co-treatment (author's transl)]. The influence of a titanium plate on the dose distribution in 60Co-treatment has been calculated and compared with measurements. The maximum dose enhancement in front of the titanium plate can be 16%.", "PMID": 760271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_195", "title": "Determination of continuous neutron energy spectra for dosimetric purposes.", "content": "The energy distribution of 3H(d, n)4He neutrons from a neutron therapy facility has been studied in different depths in a lucite phantom with two methods. Thin foils of 8 different target materials with well-known excitation functions and reaction thresholds between 1.8 and 12.6 MeV for the reactions to be observed have been activated. Secondly, recoil proton spectra have been measured with a small stilbene crystal. In both cases neutron energy spectra have been determined with unfolding methods. The two techniques are compared with respect to the application in neutron dosimetry and for monitoring purposes in neutron therapy.", "contents": "Determination of continuous neutron energy spectra for dosimetric purposes. The energy distribution of 3H(d, n)4He neutrons from a neutron therapy facility has been studied in different depths in a lucite phantom with two methods. Thin foils of 8 different target materials with well-known excitation functions and reaction thresholds between 1.8 and 12.6 MeV for the reactions to be observed have been activated. Secondly, recoil proton spectra have been measured with a small stilbene crystal. In both cases neutron energy spectra have been determined with unfolding methods. The two techniques are compared with respect to the application in neutron dosimetry and for monitoring purposes in neutron therapy.", "PMID": 760272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_196", "title": "[First results of mammography with a screen film (author's transl)].", "content": "In order to find a convenient, \"dose sparing\" mammography method, 152 breasts were examined comparatively with a conventional film without intensifying screens (Definix Medical of Kodak) and with a screen film (screen: MR 50, film: Mammoray RP 3 PE FW of Agfa Gevaert). The quality of the low-dose pictures was generally satisfactory. With regard to the exposure to radiation of the breast which is considerably lower if a screen film is used, it seems necessary to develop an automatic exposure control for this method, to further ameliorate films and screens, and to optimize the technical conditions for mammography. The authors underline the possibility to use simultaneously the oblique exposure methods, which would be a further step towards a reduction of the dose.", "contents": "[First results of mammography with a screen film (author's transl)]. In order to find a convenient, \"dose sparing\" mammography method, 152 breasts were examined comparatively with a conventional film without intensifying screens (Definix Medical of Kodak) and with a screen film (screen: MR 50, film: Mammoray RP 3 PE FW of Agfa Gevaert). The quality of the low-dose pictures was generally satisfactory. With regard to the exposure to radiation of the breast which is considerably lower if a screen film is used, it seems necessary to develop an automatic exposure control for this method, to further ameliorate films and screens, and to optimize the technical conditions for mammography. The authors underline the possibility to use simultaneously the oblique exposure methods, which would be a further step towards a reduction of the dose.", "PMID": 760273} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_197", "title": "[Recovery and cycle progression in multicell spheroids after fractionated gamma-irradiation and combined hyperthermic treatment (author's transl)].", "content": "Spheroids of V79 cells were subjected to fractionated irradiation with two doses of gamma-radiation. In addition, a two hours hyperthermic treatment at 42 degrees C immediately following the first dose was applied. Cycling and resting cells of this in-vitro tumour model were then assayed for survival as function of the fractionation interval. In parallel, changes in cycle progression between the doses were measured by means of cytofluorometry. As main proliferative effects induced by this combined radiation and heat treatment transient S-phase blocking of cycling and recruitment of resting cells were observed. The split-dose survival curve displayed considerable synergistic action of heat and radiation and a six hours delay of Elkind-recovery in both cycling and resting cells.", "contents": "[Recovery and cycle progression in multicell spheroids after fractionated gamma-irradiation and combined hyperthermic treatment (author's transl)]. Spheroids of V79 cells were subjected to fractionated irradiation with two doses of gamma-radiation. In addition, a two hours hyperthermic treatment at 42 degrees C immediately following the first dose was applied. Cycling and resting cells of this in-vitro tumour model were then assayed for survival as function of the fractionation interval. In parallel, changes in cycle progression between the doses were measured by means of cytofluorometry. As main proliferative effects induced by this combined radiation and heat treatment transient S-phase blocking of cycling and recruitment of resting cells were observed. The split-dose survival curve displayed considerable synergistic action of heat and radiation and a six hours delay of Elkind-recovery in both cycling and resting cells.", "PMID": 760275} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_198", "title": "[Influence of local hyperthermia induced by micro-waves and X-rays on the Walker carcinoma of the rat (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors studied the influence on the solid Walker carcinoma in the rat exerted by a slight local hyperthermia induced by micro-waves, which was applied alone and combined with X-ray irradiations. It could be demonstrated that the tumor has the same temperature as the sub-peritoneal region. Thus the final temperature reached by the treatment with micro-waves can be exactly controlled. Heating up to 41 degrees C for 30 minutes produces an increase of the survival rate of animals with tumors of 2 to 6 grams from 17% to 27%, whereas the healing rate is 57% after an X-ray irradiation with 1130 rad and 75% after the combined treatment. Each of the three therapy methods produces a significant prolongation of the survival time of the dying animals. The disadvantages of an anisologic tumor-host system are discussed on the basis of the results achieved.", "contents": "[Influence of local hyperthermia induced by micro-waves and X-rays on the Walker carcinoma of the rat (author's transl)]. The authors studied the influence on the solid Walker carcinoma in the rat exerted by a slight local hyperthermia induced by micro-waves, which was applied alone and combined with X-ray irradiations. It could be demonstrated that the tumor has the same temperature as the sub-peritoneal region. Thus the final temperature reached by the treatment with micro-waves can be exactly controlled. Heating up to 41 degrees C for 30 minutes produces an increase of the survival rate of animals with tumors of 2 to 6 grams from 17% to 27%, whereas the healing rate is 57% after an X-ray irradiation with 1130 rad and 75% after the combined treatment. Each of the three therapy methods produces a significant prolongation of the survival time of the dying animals. The disadvantages of an anisologic tumor-host system are discussed on the basis of the results achieved.", "PMID": 760276} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_199", "title": "Post-irradiation kinetics of the C3H/He mouse mammary carcinoma as regards tumor volume regrowth time and cell loss.", "content": "The reoxygenation kinetics of the third generation C3H/He mouse mammary carcinoma has been studied and related to the time for 50% of irradiated tumors to regrow to the initial volume at irradiation (TRT-50) and to changes in tumor cell numbers. The experimental results suggest the following conclusions: (1) Fluctuations in TRT-50 values after two-dose irradiation under aerobic conditions are due to reoxygenation. (2) Since the TRT-50 after a second irradiation under hypoxic conditions remains independent of intervals between two doses for at least 3 days, repopulation and synchronization of surviving cells between irradiations is minimal. (3) A decreased cell number and/or cell loss from irradiated tumors is an important factor in tumor reoxygenation.", "contents": "Post-irradiation kinetics of the C3H/He mouse mammary carcinoma as regards tumor volume regrowth time and cell loss. The reoxygenation kinetics of the third generation C3H/He mouse mammary carcinoma has been studied and related to the time for 50% of irradiated tumors to regrow to the initial volume at irradiation (TRT-50) and to changes in tumor cell numbers. The experimental results suggest the following conclusions: (1) Fluctuations in TRT-50 values after two-dose irradiation under aerobic conditions are due to reoxygenation. (2) Since the TRT-50 after a second irradiation under hypoxic conditions remains independent of intervals between two doses for at least 3 days, repopulation and synchronization of surviving cells between irradiations is minimal. (3) A decreased cell number and/or cell loss from irradiated tumors is an important factor in tumor reoxygenation.", "PMID": 760278} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_200", "title": "Studies of the activity of cytosol on the mixed disulfide bond formed by proteins and radio-protector mercaptoethylguanidine.", "content": "The cytoplasm of normal and tumorous rat liver cells contains a heat-resistant active compound with reducing ability to break the mixed disulfide bond of albumin-14C-mercaptoethylguanidine. The reducing activity of cytosol is destroyed by 1000 krd 60Co-gamma-ray doses in diluted solution. In vivo supralethal irradiation of rats does not affect the activity of cytosol prepared from liver cells.", "contents": "Studies of the activity of cytosol on the mixed disulfide bond formed by proteins and radio-protector mercaptoethylguanidine. The cytoplasm of normal and tumorous rat liver cells contains a heat-resistant active compound with reducing ability to break the mixed disulfide bond of albumin-14C-mercaptoethylguanidine. The reducing activity of cytosol is destroyed by 1000 krd 60Co-gamma-ray doses in diluted solution. In vivo supralethal irradiation of rats does not affect the activity of cytosol prepared from liver cells.", "PMID": 760279} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_201", "title": "The effect of postirradiation application of aspartic acid salts on hemopoietic recovery in sublethally X-irradiated mice.", "content": "The effect of aspartic acid salts, especially of K and Mg aspartates, on certain hematological changes in the peripheral blood and hemopoietic organs of sublethally X-irradiated male mice of the strain C57Bl/10 was investigated. Salts of aspartic acid were administered in tap water after irradiation. A favorable effect of aspartic acid salts on erythropoietic recovery and on regeneration of thymus weight was found during the first two weeks after irradiation.", "contents": "The effect of postirradiation application of aspartic acid salts on hemopoietic recovery in sublethally X-irradiated mice. The effect of aspartic acid salts, especially of K and Mg aspartates, on certain hematological changes in the peripheral blood and hemopoietic organs of sublethally X-irradiated male mice of the strain C57Bl/10 was investigated. Salts of aspartic acid were administered in tap water after irradiation. A favorable effect of aspartic acid salts on erythropoietic recovery and on regeneration of thymus weight was found during the first two weeks after irradiation.", "PMID": 760280} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_202", "title": "Metabolism of some kava pyrones in the rat.", "content": "1. The metabolism in rats of several kava pyrones from Piper methysticum Forst. was studied. The compounds were the 5,6-dihydro-alpha-pyrones, dihydrokawain, kawain and methysticin, and the alpha-pyrones, 7,8-dihyroyangonin and yangonin. 2. Approx. half the dose (400 mg/kg, p.o.) of dihydrokawain was found in the urine in 48 h. About two-thirds of this was hydroxylated metabolites (three mono- and three di-hydroxylated derivatives), of which p-hydroxydihydrokawain was the most abundant. The remaining third consisted of metabolites formed by scission of the 5,6-dihydro-alpha-pyrone ring and included hippuric acid (9--13% dose). 3. Lower amounts of urinary metabolites were excreted when kawain was given, but both hydroxylated and ring-opened products were formed. 4. Methysticin gave rise to only small amounts of two urinary metabolites formed by demethylenation of the methylenedioxyphenyl moiety. 5. Urinary metabolites of the alpha-pyrones, 7,8-dihydroxyangonin and yangonin, were formed via omicron-demethylation. No ring-opened products were detected. 6. These lipophilic kava pyrones have extremely low solubility in water, which would be expected to reduce their absorption rates and appears to be responsible for the variable and low extent of metabolism observed.", "contents": "Metabolism of some kava pyrones in the rat. 1. The metabolism in rats of several kava pyrones from Piper methysticum Forst. was studied. The compounds were the 5,6-dihydro-alpha-pyrones, dihydrokawain, kawain and methysticin, and the alpha-pyrones, 7,8-dihyroyangonin and yangonin. 2. Approx. half the dose (400 mg/kg, p.o.) of dihydrokawain was found in the urine in 48 h. About two-thirds of this was hydroxylated metabolites (three mono- and three di-hydroxylated derivatives), of which p-hydroxydihydrokawain was the most abundant. The remaining third consisted of metabolites formed by scission of the 5,6-dihydro-alpha-pyrone ring and included hippuric acid (9--13% dose). 3. Lower amounts of urinary metabolites were excreted when kawain was given, but both hydroxylated and ring-opened products were formed. 4. Methysticin gave rise to only small amounts of two urinary metabolites formed by demethylenation of the methylenedioxyphenyl moiety. 5. Urinary metabolites of the alpha-pyrones, 7,8-dihydroxyangonin and yangonin, were formed via omicron-demethylation. No ring-opened products were detected. 6. These lipophilic kava pyrones have extremely low solubility in water, which would be expected to reduce their absorption rates and appears to be responsible for the variable and low extent of metabolism observed.", "PMID": 760318} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_203", "title": "The N- and alpha- C-oxidation of N,N-dialkylanilines by rabbit liver microsomes in vitro.", "content": "1. A method for the determination of N,N-dialkylanilines and their metabolites by g.l.c. is described. 2. N-Demethylation and N-oxidation are important routes of metabolism of N-alkyl-N-methylanilines. 3. N-dealkylation, except the removal of a N-t-butyl group, occurs during the metabolism of N,N-dialkylanilines. 4. N-oxidation was found with N,N-dimethyl and N,N-diethylaniline and all N-methyl-N-alkylanilines examined except N-methyl-N-t-butylaniline. 5. A good correlation was found between the hydrophobic bonding constant (pi) and the extent of demethylation of a series of N-alkyl-N-methylanilines.", "contents": "The N- and alpha- C-oxidation of N,N-dialkylanilines by rabbit liver microsomes in vitro. 1. A method for the determination of N,N-dialkylanilines and their metabolites by g.l.c. is described. 2. N-Demethylation and N-oxidation are important routes of metabolism of N-alkyl-N-methylanilines. 3. N-dealkylation, except the removal of a N-t-butyl group, occurs during the metabolism of N,N-dialkylanilines. 4. N-oxidation was found with N,N-dimethyl and N,N-diethylaniline and all N-methyl-N-alkylanilines examined except N-methyl-N-t-butylaniline. 5. A good correlation was found between the hydrophobic bonding constant (pi) and the extent of demethylation of a series of N-alkyl-N-methylanilines.", "PMID": 760319} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_204", "title": "Head-space gas-chromatographic analysis of vinyl chloride monomer in rat blood and tissues.", "content": "1. A method for measuring vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) concn. in rat blood and tissues is described, using a head-space g.l.c. technique with flame ionization detector. The method is sensitive to 5 ng/ml VCM in blood and 30 ng/g in tissues. 2. VCM disposition was determined in rat blood, liver, kidney, brain and lung at different intervals after administration of 1--10 mg VCM/kg i.v. and 10 mg/kg orally. 3. VCM distributed rapidly in the organism after i.v. administration; it was eliminated rapidly and was no longer detectable at 15 min for the highest dose and at 4 min for the lowest. VCM was absorbed rapidly when given orally and tissue concn. were measurable for longer than after i.v. treatment. For both routes, VCM concn. in liver and lung decrease faster than in other organs, suggesting that these organs play a role in VCM elimination.", "contents": "Head-space gas-chromatographic analysis of vinyl chloride monomer in rat blood and tissues. 1. A method for measuring vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) concn. in rat blood and tissues is described, using a head-space g.l.c. technique with flame ionization detector. The method is sensitive to 5 ng/ml VCM in blood and 30 ng/g in tissues. 2. VCM disposition was determined in rat blood, liver, kidney, brain and lung at different intervals after administration of 1--10 mg VCM/kg i.v. and 10 mg/kg orally. 3. VCM distributed rapidly in the organism after i.v. administration; it was eliminated rapidly and was no longer detectable at 15 min for the highest dose and at 4 min for the lowest. VCM was absorbed rapidly when given orally and tissue concn. were measurable for longer than after i.v. treatment. For both routes, VCM concn. in liver and lung decrease faster than in other organs, suggesting that these organs play a role in VCM elimination.", "PMID": 760320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_205", "title": "A population and familial study of the defective alicyclic hydroxylation of debrisoquine among Egyptians.", "content": "1. Debrisoquine hydroxylation exhibited profound variation in 72 Egyptian volunteers. 2. The frequency distribution histogram of the metabolic ratio (ratio unchanged drug: 4-hydroxy metabolite in 0-8 h urine) was polymodal. 3. From family data it was possible to define more clearly than before the heterozygous characteristics. 4. Egyptians appear in general to be more extensive oxidizers of debrisoquine than do English subjects. 5. Ramadan fasting was found to lower the absorption of debrisoquine.", "contents": "A population and familial study of the defective alicyclic hydroxylation of debrisoquine among Egyptians. 1. Debrisoquine hydroxylation exhibited profound variation in 72 Egyptian volunteers. 2. The frequency distribution histogram of the metabolic ratio (ratio unchanged drug: 4-hydroxy metabolite in 0-8 h urine) was polymodal. 3. From family data it was possible to define more clearly than before the heterozygous characteristics. 4. Egyptians appear in general to be more extensive oxidizers of debrisoquine than do English subjects. 5. Ramadan fasting was found to lower the absorption of debrisoquine.", "PMID": 760321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_206", "title": "[Predisposing factors in candidiasis].", "content": "The Candida mycosis is an infection by Candida albicans and other Candida species. This disease is not initiated by contact of Candida with the normal skin and mucous membranes or by invasion into the healthy host. On the contrary the presence of predisposing factors is important to Candida mycosis. These predisposing factors are considered as an impairment of local and/or general immunity and transform the opportunistically pathogenic character of the fungus into a parasitic one. Thus the host's defence mechanisms alone favour the development of Candida mycosis.", "contents": "[Predisposing factors in candidiasis]. The Candida mycosis is an infection by Candida albicans and other Candida species. This disease is not initiated by contact of Candida with the normal skin and mucous membranes or by invasion into the healthy host. On the contrary the presence of predisposing factors is important to Candida mycosis. These predisposing factors are considered as an impairment of local and/or general immunity and transform the opportunistically pathogenic character of the fungus into a parasitic one. Thus the host's defence mechanisms alone favour the development of Candida mycosis.", "PMID": 760324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_207", "title": "[Disseminated granuloma annulare].", "content": "Disseminated granuloma anulare is a very rare form of this disease. Usually, the skin is involved on light-exposed areas. Most of the lesions are papules. The granulomas lie subepidermal in the upper part of the dermis. The reason for the publication of a typical case of a 57-year-old woman lies in the difficulties of the clinical and histologic diagnosis. Most of the patients are women in the 4th and 7th decade. Often there is an association with diabetes.", "contents": "[Disseminated granuloma annulare]. Disseminated granuloma anulare is a very rare form of this disease. Usually, the skin is involved on light-exposed areas. Most of the lesions are papules. The granulomas lie subepidermal in the upper part of the dermis. The reason for the publication of a typical case of a 57-year-old woman lies in the difficulties of the clinical and histologic diagnosis. Most of the patients are women in the 4th and 7th decade. Often there is an association with diabetes.", "PMID": 760325} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_208", "title": "[Value of the de Kleyn symptom in diagnosing vertebro-basilar insufficiency].", "content": "A total of 540 cases with cerebral vascular disorders examined otoneurologically were analyzed. The observed patients were treated in the Research Institute of Neurology. In 62 patients (11,5%) the De Klein symptom was detected. A comparison of the otoneurological rheoencephalographic and neurological symptomatology gives grounds to evaluate the De Klein symptom, encountered in different degrees of circulatory insufficiency in the vertebro-basillar system, as one of the early signs of vascular decompensation in initial forms of cerebro-vascular insufficiency, marking its diagnostic significance.", "contents": "[Value of the de Kleyn symptom in diagnosing vertebro-basilar insufficiency]. A total of 540 cases with cerebral vascular disorders examined otoneurologically were analyzed. The observed patients were treated in the Research Institute of Neurology. In 62 patients (11,5%) the De Klein symptom was detected. A comparison of the otoneurological rheoencephalographic and neurological symptomatology gives grounds to evaluate the De Klein symptom, encountered in different degrees of circulatory insufficiency in the vertebro-basillar system, as one of the early signs of vascular decompensation in initial forms of cerebro-vascular insufficiency, marking its diagnostic significance.", "PMID": 760338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_209", "title": "[Memory disorders in vascular lesions of the brain].", "content": "The authors studied clinical and psychological features in disorders of memory due to vascular brain lesions. With the aid of pyktograms the character of activities of the examinees during the process of perception and differences in disorders of moderation in patients with lesions of the frontal and occipital parts of the brain were demonstrated. It is established that in the initial stages of the mnestic process the leading role is played by frontal lobes, while in latent reproductivity the significance of occipital brain areas increases.", "contents": "[Memory disorders in vascular lesions of the brain]. The authors studied clinical and psychological features in disorders of memory due to vascular brain lesions. With the aid of pyktograms the character of activities of the examinees during the process of perception and differences in disorders of moderation in patients with lesions of the frontal and occipital parts of the brain were demonstrated. It is established that in the initial stages of the mnestic process the leading role is played by frontal lobes, while in latent reproductivity the significance of occipital brain areas increases.", "PMID": 760339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_210", "title": "[Secondary, reactive hypertensive states (\"pseudohypertensive crises\") in ischemic stroke].", "content": "There are frequent cases in clinical practice of ischemic strokes with a development of secondary, reactive increase of arterial pressure. In order to correctly interpret such cases and differentiate them from genuine hypertensive crises of certain importance is a detailed case history and observation of the dynamics of arterial pressure during the first hours and days of the stroke. An explanation of the pathogenesis of such reactive hypertensions can be given having in view the results of experiments in forming a socalled cerebro-ischemic hypertension in animals, as well as observations concerning the influence of irritations in the different brain areas on the arterial pressure.", "contents": "[Secondary, reactive hypertensive states (\"pseudohypertensive crises\") in ischemic stroke]. There are frequent cases in clinical practice of ischemic strokes with a development of secondary, reactive increase of arterial pressure. In order to correctly interpret such cases and differentiate them from genuine hypertensive crises of certain importance is a detailed case history and observation of the dynamics of arterial pressure during the first hours and days of the stroke. An explanation of the pathogenesis of such reactive hypertensions can be given having in view the results of experiments in forming a socalled cerebro-ischemic hypertension in animals, as well as observations concerning the influence of irritations in the different brain areas on the arterial pressure.", "PMID": 760341} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_211", "title": "[Serotonin and ATP metabolism in the thrombocytes of patients with different stages of cerebrovascular disorders of the ischemic type].", "content": "The patients with ischemic lesions of brain circulation showed marked biochemic changes of blood platelets. Obviously it plays an important role in the development of the given pathology. In the acute stage of the stroke there was a decrease of serotonin and ATP content in platelet which gradually increased along with the development of the disease. In the period of the residual phenomena the level of the studied indices appeared significantly increased in comparison with the normal one. In the patients with transferred lesions of the brain circulation at the acute stage serotonin and ATP content was not below the normal level. Later on the increase of these parameters took place and in the period of the residual phenomena theirlevel in platelet did not differ from serotonin and ATP content in blood platelets of the patients with the ischemic stroke.", "contents": "[Serotonin and ATP metabolism in the thrombocytes of patients with different stages of cerebrovascular disorders of the ischemic type]. The patients with ischemic lesions of brain circulation showed marked biochemic changes of blood platelets. Obviously it plays an important role in the development of the given pathology. In the acute stage of the stroke there was a decrease of serotonin and ATP content in platelet which gradually increased along with the development of the disease. In the period of the residual phenomena the level of the studied indices appeared significantly increased in comparison with the normal one. In the patients with transferred lesions of the brain circulation at the acute stage serotonin and ATP content was not below the normal level. Later on the increase of these parameters took place and in the period of the residual phenomena theirlevel in platelet did not differ from serotonin and ATP content in blood platelets of the patients with the ischemic stroke.", "PMID": 760342} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_212", "title": "[Free serum amino acids in the acute period of cerebral stroke].", "content": "A comparative study of free aminoacid content in the blood of 27 patients will brain hemorrhages and 32 patients with brain infarctions was conducted during the first 12 hours of brain stroke. A comparison of the data obtained with the results of a study of 16 normals and 24 patients with atherosclerosis and hypertensive disease demonstrated changes in the aminoacids spectrum which is characteristic for a hemorrhagical and ischemic stroke. The differences in the content of 10 aminoacids are shown. The achieved results are discussed in the light of their differential diagnostic significance.", "contents": "[Free serum amino acids in the acute period of cerebral stroke]. A comparative study of free aminoacid content in the blood of 27 patients will brain hemorrhages and 32 patients with brain infarctions was conducted during the first 12 hours of brain stroke. A comparison of the data obtained with the results of a study of 16 normals and 24 patients with atherosclerosis and hypertensive disease demonstrated changes in the aminoacids spectrum which is characteristic for a hemorrhagical and ischemic stroke. The differences in the content of 10 aminoacids are shown. The achieved results are discussed in the light of their differential diagnostic significance.", "PMID": 760343} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_213", "title": "[Vegetative disorders in the clinical picture of temporal lobe tumors].", "content": "Permanent and paroxysmal vegetative disorders were detected in 68,8% of the cases with temporal brain tumors. The intensity of the vegetative disorders was determined by intralobal localizations of the tumor, by the phase of the tumorous process and the histological structure of the neoplasm. Electrophysiological (rheographical) studies of cardiovascular changes detected in most cases marked to a varied extent regional cerebral and systemic disturbances of hemodynamics. Analysis of the cardiac activity demonstrated an increase in the physiological asynchronism of the systolic phases in the right and left ventricles, due to a pronounced disturbance of the right ventricle contractility.", "contents": "[Vegetative disorders in the clinical picture of temporal lobe tumors]. Permanent and paroxysmal vegetative disorders were detected in 68,8% of the cases with temporal brain tumors. The intensity of the vegetative disorders was determined by intralobal localizations of the tumor, by the phase of the tumorous process and the histological structure of the neoplasm. Electrophysiological (rheographical) studies of cardiovascular changes detected in most cases marked to a varied extent regional cerebral and systemic disturbances of hemodynamics. Analysis of the cardiac activity demonstrated an increase in the physiological asynchronism of the systolic phases in the right and left ventricles, due to a pronounced disturbance of the right ventricle contractility.", "PMID": 760344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_214", "title": "[Syndromologic independence of amentia].", "content": "On the basis of long-term clinical observations of patients with amentive states within the framework of somatogenic, infectious, intoxicational, vascular exogenous-organic, reactive and schizophrenic psychoses the author attempts to claim the nosological independence of the amentive syndrome. The paper contains data on the nosological specificity of the modified syndrome in various disorders. The independence of the amentive syndrome is also grounded by clinico-pathological data (EEG and biochemical).", "contents": "[Syndromologic independence of amentia]. On the basis of long-term clinical observations of patients with amentive states within the framework of somatogenic, infectious, intoxicational, vascular exogenous-organic, reactive and schizophrenic psychoses the author attempts to claim the nosological independence of the amentive syndrome. The paper contains data on the nosological specificity of the modified syndrome in various disorders. The independence of the amentive syndrome is also grounded by clinico-pathological data (EEG and biochemical).", "PMID": 760346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_215", "title": "[Initial disorders and premorbid personality characteristics in delusional psychoses].", "content": "In compliance with a special list of standartized signs, the nozological and typical differences in initial and premorbid personality traits were studied. These symptoms were correlated in 407 patients with delusional psychoses in the framework of schizophrenia, symptomatic disorders and epilepsy. The signs were assessed in accordance to the degree of their probability. The report contains a description of the most probable traits having a prognostical and differential diagnostical significance.", "contents": "[Initial disorders and premorbid personality characteristics in delusional psychoses]. In compliance with a special list of standartized signs, the nozological and typical differences in initial and premorbid personality traits were studied. These symptoms were correlated in 407 patients with delusional psychoses in the framework of schizophrenia, symptomatic disorders and epilepsy. The signs were assessed in accordance to the degree of their probability. The report contains a description of the most probable traits having a prognostical and differential diagnostical significance.", "PMID": 760347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_216", "title": "[Clinical limits of schizoid psychopathy].", "content": "The paper deals with a study of 130 patients with psychopathy (among them 50 with schizoid psychopathy and 80 with other forms of psychopathy). The examined contingent demonstrated a similarity in the clinical picture with schizophrenic patients. The purpose of the study was to differentiate schizoid psychopathy from the sluggishly developing variants of schizophrenic and from schizophrenoform symptoms in the clinical picture of other forms of psychopathy. The main stages of schizoid psychopathy formation as well as the clinical symptoms, which may be assessed as differential criteria, are described.", "contents": "[Clinical limits of schizoid psychopathy]. The paper deals with a study of 130 patients with psychopathy (among them 50 with schizoid psychopathy and 80 with other forms of psychopathy). The examined contingent demonstrated a similarity in the clinical picture with schizophrenic patients. The purpose of the study was to differentiate schizoid psychopathy from the sluggishly developing variants of schizophrenic and from schizophrenoform symptoms in the clinical picture of other forms of psychopathy. The main stages of schizoid psychopathy formation as well as the clinical symptoms, which may be assessed as differential criteria, are described.", "PMID": 760348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_217", "title": "[Interepisode periods in schizoaffective psychoses].", "content": "A total of 107 patients with 2--10 attacks of schizoaffective psychosis were studied by a clinico-catamnestical method. The following 3 main variants of the disease are distinguished: cyclothymolike, typical schizoaffective and drawing near shift-like schizophrenia. Clinical types of remissions, typical for schizoaffective psychosis are described: hyperthymasthenic, asthenic, thymopathical and psychopathlike. In the late stages of the disease the duration of lucid periods in most of the cases is shortened while the quality of the remission is lower. At the same time of process-symptoms, which are mainly determined by affective pathology, and not personality abnormality, lead to a disadaptation of the patients.", "contents": "[Interepisode periods in schizoaffective psychoses]. A total of 107 patients with 2--10 attacks of schizoaffective psychosis were studied by a clinico-catamnestical method. The following 3 main variants of the disease are distinguished: cyclothymolike, typical schizoaffective and drawing near shift-like schizophrenia. Clinical types of remissions, typical for schizoaffective psychosis are described: hyperthymasthenic, asthenic, thymopathical and psychopathlike. In the late stages of the disease the duration of lucid periods in most of the cases is shortened while the quality of the remission is lower. At the same time of process-symptoms, which are mainly determined by affective pathology, and not personality abnormality, lead to a disadaptation of the patients.", "PMID": 760349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_218", "title": "[Variations in the course of adolescent attack-like schizophrenia in the light of long-term follow-up].", "content": "By means of clinico-catamnestical examination, all schizophrenic patients who were admitted for the first time to the clinics of the Institute of Psychiatry from 1962--1965 were eventually studied. The disease in adolescnecy manifested with an acute florid attack. The studies detected a significant percentage (42,0%) of cases with a favorable outcome, following the adolescent period and a markedly reduced clinical picture of the successive attacks. The quality of the remissions was better and there was a good sociolabor adaptation of these patients. The paper contains a description of the typology of the different development of adolescent attacklike schizophrenia, based on the differences in the degree of the process progression. The traits of the initial stages, the picture of the manifest attacks and eventual remissions in each of the variants of schizophrenia were reconstructed. The question of grounded decisions concerning the prognostication on the basis of such studies is set forth.", "contents": "[Variations in the course of adolescent attack-like schizophrenia in the light of long-term follow-up]. By means of clinico-catamnestical examination, all schizophrenic patients who were admitted for the first time to the clinics of the Institute of Psychiatry from 1962--1965 were eventually studied. The disease in adolescnecy manifested with an acute florid attack. The studies detected a significant percentage (42,0%) of cases with a favorable outcome, following the adolescent period and a markedly reduced clinical picture of the successive attacks. The quality of the remissions was better and there was a good sociolabor adaptation of these patients. The paper contains a description of the typology of the different development of adolescent attacklike schizophrenia, based on the differences in the degree of the process progression. The traits of the initial stages, the picture of the manifest attacks and eventual remissions in each of the variants of schizophrenia were reconstructed. The question of grounded decisions concerning the prognostication on the basis of such studies is set forth.", "PMID": 760350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_219", "title": "[Endocrine syndromes in schizophrenia in the light of pathologoanatomic studies].", "content": "A study of the endocrine profile (all glands of endocrine secretion) in 33 cases of schizophrenia, where the autopsy was performed not later than 6 hours after death, permitted the author to distinguish 4 syndromes: normal functional activity (24%), hypofunction (30%), the stress-syndrome (33%) and dysfunction (12%). It is stressed that their formation is effected by several factors: the age of the patient, duration of illness, medication, cause of death, etc. The found changes in the glands are less severe in comparison to the previously described changes seen in senile dementia. These changes are considered in the aspect of pathomorphosis of schizophrenia.", "contents": "[Endocrine syndromes in schizophrenia in the light of pathologoanatomic studies]. A study of the endocrine profile (all glands of endocrine secretion) in 33 cases of schizophrenia, where the autopsy was performed not later than 6 hours after death, permitted the author to distinguish 4 syndromes: normal functional activity (24%), hypofunction (30%), the stress-syndrome (33%) and dysfunction (12%). It is stressed that their formation is effected by several factors: the age of the patient, duration of illness, medication, cause of death, etc. The found changes in the glands are less severe in comparison to the previously described changes seen in senile dementia. These changes are considered in the aspect of pathomorphosis of schizophrenia.", "PMID": 760351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_220", "title": "Normalization of the insulin sensitivity and the cellular insulin binding during treatment of obese diabetics for one year.", "content": "The relative importance of the insulin resistance, the decreased cellular insulin binding and the relative insulin deficiency in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus in obese subjects has been studied. Ten obese diabetics were studied before and during treatment for 1 year with a 1200-1500 kcal's diet. No change was found in the insulin response to iv injection of glucose during treatment (P greater than 0.1), whereas the insulin sensitivity was normalized after 1 year (P less than 0.01). In parallel to the clinical normalization and the improvement of the insulin sensitivity the insulin binding to monocytes was normalized (P less than 0.01). We conclude that both the insulin resistance and the relative insulin deficiency are of decisive importance in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus of the obese. The insulin receptor defect seems to be one of the major factors responsible for the insulin resistance.", "contents": "Normalization of the insulin sensitivity and the cellular insulin binding during treatment of obese diabetics for one year. The relative importance of the insulin resistance, the decreased cellular insulin binding and the relative insulin deficiency in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus in obese subjects has been studied. Ten obese diabetics were studied before and during treatment for 1 year with a 1200-1500 kcal's diet. No change was found in the insulin response to iv injection of glucose during treatment (P greater than 0.1), whereas the insulin sensitivity was normalized after 1 year (P less than 0.01). In parallel to the clinical normalization and the improvement of the insulin sensitivity the insulin binding to monocytes was normalized (P less than 0.01). We conclude that both the insulin resistance and the relative insulin deficiency are of decisive importance in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus of the obese. The insulin receptor defect seems to be one of the major factors responsible for the insulin resistance.", "PMID": 760352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_221", "title": "Steroid excretion in anorexia nervosa patients.", "content": "Seven anorexia nervosa (A.N.) patients had reduced urinary excretion values of tetrahydrocortisone (THE), androsterone (A) and 5alpha-tetrahydrocortisol (5alpha-THF). THE to tetrahydrocortisol (THF), A to aetiocholanolone (Ae) and 5alpha-THF to THF ratios were all significantly reduced. Six A.N. patients had oral metyrapone tests with quantitatively normal but delayed urinary 3alpha,17alpha,21-trihydroxy-5beta-pregnan-20-one (THS) response. The steroid determinations were done by capillary gaschromatography, which proves to be of value in the study of the above mentioned metabolic abnormalities.", "contents": "Steroid excretion in anorexia nervosa patients. Seven anorexia nervosa (A.N.) patients had reduced urinary excretion values of tetrahydrocortisone (THE), androsterone (A) and 5alpha-tetrahydrocortisol (5alpha-THF). THE to tetrahydrocortisol (THF), A to aetiocholanolone (Ae) and 5alpha-THF to THF ratios were all significantly reduced. Six A.N. patients had oral metyrapone tests with quantitatively normal but delayed urinary 3alpha,17alpha,21-trihydroxy-5beta-pregnan-20-one (THS) response. The steroid determinations were done by capillary gaschromatography, which proves to be of value in the study of the above mentioned metabolic abnormalities.", "PMID": 760353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_222", "title": "The specificity of the human uterine receptor.", "content": "The aim of the present study was to assess the contribution of different parts of natural and synthetic steroid molecules in their binding to high affinity oestradiol receptor preparations obtained from whole human uteri. Fifty-five compounds were used in the study of which 38 contained the steroid nucleus. The affinity (in terms of association constants) of the compounds for the receptor was determined from competitive studies with radioactive oestradiol. As a consequence the compounds could be grouped according to their association constants for the receptor. The contribution of the individual functional groups of the steroid molecule to the binding process was analysed. The preliminary quantitative evaluation of the contribution was derived from the equation: log K=logdeltaKs + sigmalogdeltaKF where K8 is the contribution of the basic 1,3,5-(10)-oestratriene skeleton, KF the associated functional groups and K the affinity constant for the entire molecule. The main positive contribution in the binding is provided by skeleton and the 3-hydroxyl group. It is concluded that functional groups present at either the 3 or 17 position act independently of each other in the binding process. The possible synergism between the functional groups and the steroid skeleton is discussed.", "contents": "The specificity of the human uterine receptor. The aim of the present study was to assess the contribution of different parts of natural and synthetic steroid molecules in their binding to high affinity oestradiol receptor preparations obtained from whole human uteri. Fifty-five compounds were used in the study of which 38 contained the steroid nucleus. The affinity (in terms of association constants) of the compounds for the receptor was determined from competitive studies with radioactive oestradiol. As a consequence the compounds could be grouped according to their association constants for the receptor. The contribution of the individual functional groups of the steroid molecule to the binding process was analysed. The preliminary quantitative evaluation of the contribution was derived from the equation: log K=logdeltaKs + sigmalogdeltaKF where K8 is the contribution of the basic 1,3,5-(10)-oestratriene skeleton, KF the associated functional groups and K the affinity constant for the entire molecule. The main positive contribution in the binding is provided by skeleton and the 3-hydroxyl group. It is concluded that functional groups present at either the 3 or 17 position act independently of each other in the binding process. The possible synergism between the functional groups and the steroid skeleton is discussed.", "PMID": 760355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_223", "title": "Progesterone and 20alpha-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase regulation in the corpus luteum of the pregnant rat.", "content": "Female Wistar rats were mated and passively immunized against bovine luteinizing hormone (bLH) between days 7-12 of gestation. In a first series of experiments the effect of simultaneous progesterone treatment on the histochemically detectable activity of 20alpha-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase (20alpha-OHSD) in the corpora lutea of pregnancy was evaluated. In other experiments the exact time course was established between the first histologically demonstrable signs of termination of pregnancy and the appearance of 20alpha-OHSD activity in corpora lutea of pregnancy. It was found that progesterone substitution not only prevented the deleterious effects of the anti-bLH-serum on gestation but also the re-appearance of 20alpha-OHSD activity in the corpora lutea of pregnancy up to day 12 of pregnancy. Moreover in animals injected with anti-bLH-serum from day 7 on and sacrificed on days 8-12, signs of foetal destruction clearly preceded the pathological re-appearance of 20alpha-OHSD activity by 2-3 days. These results support previous findings on a direct or indirct role of progesterone in the complex regulation of 20alpha-OHSD activity. Possible mechanisms of action are discussed.", "contents": "Progesterone and 20alpha-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase regulation in the corpus luteum of the pregnant rat. Female Wistar rats were mated and passively immunized against bovine luteinizing hormone (bLH) between days 7-12 of gestation. In a first series of experiments the effect of simultaneous progesterone treatment on the histochemically detectable activity of 20alpha-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase (20alpha-OHSD) in the corpora lutea of pregnancy was evaluated. In other experiments the exact time course was established between the first histologically demonstrable signs of termination of pregnancy and the appearance of 20alpha-OHSD activity in corpora lutea of pregnancy. It was found that progesterone substitution not only prevented the deleterious effects of the anti-bLH-serum on gestation but also the re-appearance of 20alpha-OHSD activity in the corpora lutea of pregnancy up to day 12 of pregnancy. Moreover in animals injected with anti-bLH-serum from day 7 on and sacrificed on days 8-12, signs of foetal destruction clearly preceded the pathological re-appearance of 20alpha-OHSD activity by 2-3 days. These results support previous findings on a direct or indirct role of progesterone in the complex regulation of 20alpha-OHSD activity. Possible mechanisms of action are discussed.", "PMID": 760356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_224", "title": "In vitro C-20, 22 desmolase regulation of pregnenolone supply in first trimester human placenta.", "content": "Homogenates of first trimester human placentae were incubated with [26-14C]chloresterol. Using reverse-isotope dilution analysis [14C]isocaproic acid was isolated and characterized. A progressive increase in [14C]isocaproic acid formation with increasing gestation suggestive of a regulatory mechanism at the C-20, 22 desmolase site in the supply of placental pregnenolone was noted.", "contents": "In vitro C-20, 22 desmolase regulation of pregnenolone supply in first trimester human placenta. Homogenates of first trimester human placentae were incubated with [26-14C]chloresterol. Using reverse-isotope dilution analysis [14C]isocaproic acid was isolated and characterized. A progressive increase in [14C]isocaproic acid formation with increasing gestation suggestive of a regulatory mechanism at the C-20, 22 desmolase site in the supply of placental pregnenolone was noted.", "PMID": 760357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_225", "title": "Renal handling of homologous radioiodinated thyrotrophin in the rat.", "content": "Previously, TSH metabolism and tissue distribution in the rat were studied using heterologous hormone and/or unphysiological doses. We injected iv [131I]rTSH (S.A. 100 micronCi/microgram) in physiological doses (10 ng) to KI blocked male rats. Two to 180 min after which TCA precipitable 131I was measured in the kidney, liver, muscle, fat and testis. The highest TCA precipitable radioactivity concentration, peak value 12% at 30 min; organ/blood ratio, 16, was found in the kidney. With the kidney validated as the major site of localization of TSH, the renal localization and handling of [125I]rTSH was studied by autoradiography. Radioactivity was confined to the cortex. Two to 30 min samples showed 125I in Bowman's space and luminal parts of the proximal tubular cells while samples from 60 to 180 min revealed activity in contraluminal areas, suggesting glomerular filtration and tubular re-absorption. Gel-filtration of supernatants of kidney homogenates revealed progressive diminution of the TSH peak and the appearance of a smaller MW peak. We conclude that (1) the kidney is the major site of localization and metabolism of homologous TSH, (2) the renal handling of TSH involves both glomerular filtration and tubular re-absorption.", "contents": "Renal handling of homologous radioiodinated thyrotrophin in the rat. Previously, TSH metabolism and tissue distribution in the rat were studied using heterologous hormone and/or unphysiological doses. We injected iv [131I]rTSH (S.A. 100 micronCi/microgram) in physiological doses (10 ng) to KI blocked male rats. Two to 180 min after which TCA precipitable 131I was measured in the kidney, liver, muscle, fat and testis. The highest TCA precipitable radioactivity concentration, peak value 12% at 30 min; organ/blood ratio, 16, was found in the kidney. With the kidney validated as the major site of localization of TSH, the renal localization and handling of [125I]rTSH was studied by autoradiography. Radioactivity was confined to the cortex. Two to 30 min samples showed 125I in Bowman's space and luminal parts of the proximal tubular cells while samples from 60 to 180 min revealed activity in contraluminal areas, suggesting glomerular filtration and tubular re-absorption. Gel-filtration of supernatants of kidney homogenates revealed progressive diminution of the TSH peak and the appearance of a smaller MW peak. We conclude that (1) the kidney is the major site of localization and metabolism of homologous TSH, (2) the renal handling of TSH involves both glomerular filtration and tubular re-absorption.", "PMID": 760359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_226", "title": "A methodological study in measuring T3 and T4 concentration in red and white skeletal muscle and plasma of euthyroid rats.", "content": "T3 and T4 concentrations were determined in plasma and red and white skeletal muscle of the rat. Because of the small tissue samples (+/- 300 mg), the ultra-sensitive Wick radioimmunoassay (RIA) for serum was adapted for determination in ethanol extracts. The dilution curves of the plasma and tissue extracts showed excellent parallelism with the standard curves for both T3 and T4. The mean T4 level found in female rats (n = 6) was 22.6 +/- 5.2 ng/ml in plasma and did not differ significantly between red (1.85 +/- 0.28 ng/g) and white (1.90 +/- 0.25 ng/g) skeletal muscle. The mean T3 level in 11 normal female rats was 0.629 +/- 0.0098 ng/ml in the plasma and was significantly higher in the red muscle (2.07 +/- 0.26 ng/g) than in the white muscle (1.65 +/- 0.20 ng/g). The higher T3 levels found in the red muscle as compared with the white muscle may help to elucidate the different responsiveness of these muscle types observed in altered thyroid states.", "contents": "A methodological study in measuring T3 and T4 concentration in red and white skeletal muscle and plasma of euthyroid rats. T3 and T4 concentrations were determined in plasma and red and white skeletal muscle of the rat. Because of the small tissue samples (+/- 300 mg), the ultra-sensitive Wick radioimmunoassay (RIA) for serum was adapted for determination in ethanol extracts. The dilution curves of the plasma and tissue extracts showed excellent parallelism with the standard curves for both T3 and T4. The mean T4 level found in female rats (n = 6) was 22.6 +/- 5.2 ng/ml in plasma and did not differ significantly between red (1.85 +/- 0.28 ng/g) and white (1.90 +/- 0.25 ng/g) skeletal muscle. The mean T3 level in 11 normal female rats was 0.629 +/- 0.0098 ng/ml in the plasma and was significantly higher in the red muscle (2.07 +/- 0.26 ng/g) than in the white muscle (1.65 +/- 0.20 ng/g). The higher T3 levels found in the red muscle as compared with the white muscle may help to elucidate the different responsiveness of these muscle types observed in altered thyroid states.", "PMID": 760360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_227", "title": "Production and characterization of antisera to synthetic 1-34 human parathyroid hormone fragments: possible implications for the correctness of proposed structures.", "content": "Antisera were raised to 1-34 hPTH-B and to 1-34 hPTH-N. In the assays utilizing antisera to 1-34 hPTH-B the relative affinity of 1-84 hPTH was correlated with the activity displayed by 1-34 hPTH-N. The activity of 13-34 hPTH-B was always higher than that of 1-12 hPTH, but both peptides displaced most of the radioiodinated 1-34 hPTH-B from the antiserum. This may be due to the fact that the 1-12 and 13-34 fragments contain a homologous sequence: 6--10 (-GlN-Leu-Met-His-AsN-) and 29--33 (-GlN-Leu-Val-His-AsN-). It was possible to develop a heterologous radioimmunoassay using anti-(1-34 hPTH-B) antiserum and [125I]1-34 hPTH-N with favourable properties: complete cross-reactivity of 1-84 hPTH and high sensitivity (less than 10-14 mol/tube). All antisera to 1-34 hPTH-N were characterized by a high reactivity towards 1-34 bPTH and a higher avidity for 1-84 hPTH than for 1-34 hPTH-B. In all assays using either antisera to 1-34 hPTH-B or antisera to 1-34 hPTH-N 19-24 hPTH-B was completely inactive. In accordance with our previous observation that position 30 in native hPTH is probably occupied by an aspartic acid residue, the present study seems to indicate that position 28 or 30 is indeed represented incorrectly by the structure of 1-34 hPTH-B.", "contents": "Production and characterization of antisera to synthetic 1-34 human parathyroid hormone fragments: possible implications for the correctness of proposed structures. Antisera were raised to 1-34 hPTH-B and to 1-34 hPTH-N. In the assays utilizing antisera to 1-34 hPTH-B the relative affinity of 1-84 hPTH was correlated with the activity displayed by 1-34 hPTH-N. The activity of 13-34 hPTH-B was always higher than that of 1-12 hPTH, but both peptides displaced most of the radioiodinated 1-34 hPTH-B from the antiserum. This may be due to the fact that the 1-12 and 13-34 fragments contain a homologous sequence: 6--10 (-GlN-Leu-Met-His-AsN-) and 29--33 (-GlN-Leu-Val-His-AsN-). It was possible to develop a heterologous radioimmunoassay using anti-(1-34 hPTH-B) antiserum and [125I]1-34 hPTH-N with favourable properties: complete cross-reactivity of 1-84 hPTH and high sensitivity (less than 10-14 mol/tube). All antisera to 1-34 hPTH-N were characterized by a high reactivity towards 1-34 bPTH and a higher avidity for 1-84 hPTH than for 1-34 hPTH-B. In all assays using either antisera to 1-34 hPTH-B or antisera to 1-34 hPTH-N 19-24 hPTH-B was completely inactive. In accordance with our previous observation that position 30 in native hPTH is probably occupied by an aspartic acid residue, the present study seems to indicate that position 28 or 30 is indeed represented incorrectly by the structure of 1-34 hPTH-B.", "PMID": 760361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_228", "title": "Neuronal degeneration in the brain of the brindled mouse. An ultrastructural study of the cerebral cortical neurons.", "content": "The brindled mouse (Mobr) is a neurological mutant mouse with clinical and biochemical features closely similar to Kinky hair syndrome (KHS) in humans. Neuronal degeneration in the cerebral cortex and thalamic nuclei was the constant neuropathological lesions in the CNS of the male hemizygotes of this mutant (Yajima and Suzuki, 1978). Ultrastructurally, many cortical neurons contained enlarged mitochondria with prominent tubular or vesicular cristae, which were similar to those described in the Purkinje cells in the human KHS (Ghatak et al., 1972) and in the rat brain with copper deficiency (Prohaska and Wells, 1975). Such mitochondria were observed not only in the degenerating neurons but even in the otherwise normal-appearing cortical neurons, suggesting that the mitochondrial damage possibly related to the deficient activities of the copper containing enzymes (cytochrome oxidase, etc.) preceded the neuronal degeneration. Many mitochondria in the severely degenerated neurons contained numerous electron dense spicules of possible calcium. Although rare, similar morphological alteration of neuronal mitochondria was also noted in the female heterozygotes, indicating the presence of possible subclinical defect in copper transport in the heterozygotes as well.", "contents": "Neuronal degeneration in the brain of the brindled mouse. An ultrastructural study of the cerebral cortical neurons. The brindled mouse (Mobr) is a neurological mutant mouse with clinical and biochemical features closely similar to Kinky hair syndrome (KHS) in humans. Neuronal degeneration in the cerebral cortex and thalamic nuclei was the constant neuropathological lesions in the CNS of the male hemizygotes of this mutant (Yajima and Suzuki, 1978). Ultrastructurally, many cortical neurons contained enlarged mitochondria with prominent tubular or vesicular cristae, which were similar to those described in the Purkinje cells in the human KHS (Ghatak et al., 1972) and in the rat brain with copper deficiency (Prohaska and Wells, 1975). Such mitochondria were observed not only in the degenerating neurons but even in the otherwise normal-appearing cortical neurons, suggesting that the mitochondrial damage possibly related to the deficient activities of the copper containing enzymes (cytochrome oxidase, etc.) preceded the neuronal degeneration. Many mitochondria in the severely degenerated neurons contained numerous electron dense spicules of possible calcium. Although rare, similar morphological alteration of neuronal mitochondria was also noted in the female heterozygotes, indicating the presence of possible subclinical defect in copper transport in the heterozygotes as well.", "PMID": 760362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_229", "title": "De- and remyelination and onion bulb in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis.", "content": "In a case of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), confirmed biochemically and histologically quantitative histological studies of the biopsies sural nerve revealed significantly higher incidence of de- and remyelination and onion bulb than in controls. The density of total myelinated fibers fell within the range of controls, although the density of large myelinated fibers seemed to be slightly decreased. It was suggested that the preferential involvement of the myelin sheath and Schwann cell may exist in CTX.", "contents": "De- and remyelination and onion bulb in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. In a case of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), confirmed biochemically and histologically quantitative histological studies of the biopsies sural nerve revealed significantly higher incidence of de- and remyelination and onion bulb than in controls. The density of total myelinated fibers fell within the range of controls, although the density of large myelinated fibers seemed to be slightly decreased. It was suggested that the preferential involvement of the myelin sheath and Schwann cell may exist in CTX.", "PMID": 760364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_230", "title": "Lymphatic efflux of intracerebrally injected cells.", "content": "Following intracerebral injection of labeled erythrocytes, lymphocytes and/or peritoneal macrophages, cervical and inguinal lymph nodes were subjected to histologic examination. Labeled cells of all cell types were found in the cervical lymph nodes, but they were not observed in the inguinal lymph nodes. No labeled cells were demonstrated in the lymph nodes following intravenous injection of cell suspensions. It is assumed that an efflux of cells occurs in the perineural spaces of the exiting nerve fibers. The anatomic relationships were discussed.", "contents": "Lymphatic efflux of intracerebrally injected cells. Following intracerebral injection of labeled erythrocytes, lymphocytes and/or peritoneal macrophages, cervical and inguinal lymph nodes were subjected to histologic examination. Labeled cells of all cell types were found in the cervical lymph nodes, but they were not observed in the inguinal lymph nodes. No labeled cells were demonstrated in the lymph nodes following intravenous injection of cell suspensions. It is assumed that an efflux of cells occurs in the perineural spaces of the exiting nerve fibers. The anatomic relationships were discussed.", "PMID": 760365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_231", "title": "Adult ceroid-lipofuscinosis (Kufs' disease) in two brothers. Retinal and visceral storage in one; diagnostic muscle biopsy in the other.", "content": "Two brothers developed a neurological condition characterized by homochrony and homotypy: the first symptoms in both were generalized epileptic seizures, occurring at about the same age (30 years in the elder, 32 years in the younger), followed by a cerebellar syndrome with myoclonic jerks and some extrapyramidal symptoms. The elder of the two boys died at the age of 33 years. Histology showed extensive storage of ceroid-lipofuscin in the central nervous system (curvilinear bodies), in hepatocytes, in heart muscle and in the retina. In the younger boy, still living, a muscle biopsy (peroneal muscle) revealed accumulation of membrane-bound osmiophilic inclusions with curvilinear profiles. Retinal storage in Kufs' disease has never been documented. Muscle biopsy as a diagnostic tool for Kufs' disease has not been reported.", "contents": "Adult ceroid-lipofuscinosis (Kufs' disease) in two brothers. Retinal and visceral storage in one; diagnostic muscle biopsy in the other. Two brothers developed a neurological condition characterized by homochrony and homotypy: the first symptoms in both were generalized epileptic seizures, occurring at about the same age (30 years in the elder, 32 years in the younger), followed by a cerebellar syndrome with myoclonic jerks and some extrapyramidal symptoms. The elder of the two boys died at the age of 33 years. Histology showed extensive storage of ceroid-lipofuscin in the central nervous system (curvilinear bodies), in hepatocytes, in heart muscle and in the retina. In the younger boy, still living, a muscle biopsy (peroneal muscle) revealed accumulation of membrane-bound osmiophilic inclusions with curvilinear profiles. Retinal storage in Kufs' disease has never been documented. Muscle biopsy as a diagnostic tool for Kufs' disease has not been reported.", "PMID": 760366} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_232", "title": "Experimental hypokalemia: ultrastructural changes in rat gastrocnemius muscle.", "content": "Early ultrastructural changes are studied in rat gastrocnemius muscle during experimental hypokalemia. Vacuolization of muscle fibers is shown to originate in the terminal cisterns of the triads. Important degenerative changes are present in peripheral axons and neuromuscular junctions.", "contents": "Experimental hypokalemia: ultrastructural changes in rat gastrocnemius muscle. Early ultrastructural changes are studied in rat gastrocnemius muscle during experimental hypokalemia. Vacuolization of muscle fibers is shown to originate in the terminal cisterns of the triads. Important degenerative changes are present in peripheral axons and neuromuscular junctions.", "PMID": 760367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_233", "title": "The immunocytochemical localization of GFA protein in experimental murine CNS tumors.", "content": "Immunocytochemical localization of GFA protein in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method of Sternberger was used to study experimental murine CNS tumors. Transplacental tumor induction in rats by ethylnitrosourea produced oligodendrogliomas and mixed gliomas in the cerebrum and spinal cord, and malignant Schwannomas of the trigeminal nerve. A methylcholanthrene-induced mouse \"ependymoblastoma\" inoculated intracerebrally in normal and in toxoplasma-infected mice was also studied. A positive reaction of GFA protein antibody was seen in the astrocytic portion of the mixed gliomas; the oligodendrogliomas, the malignant Schwannomas and the mouse \"ependymoblastoma\" were negative. Staining for GFA protein delineated the astrocytic reaction of neural tissue adjacent to the tumors. The reaction was markedly intensified in the brains of mice infected with toxoplasma. Additionally, ependymal cells near the tumors stained positively for GFA protein; normal ependyma at a distance from tumor remained negative. The technique, which combines a high degree of specificity with great sensitivity and is readily adaptable to routinely processed tissue, should prove a valuable tool in experimental oncology of the central nervous system.", "contents": "The immunocytochemical localization of GFA protein in experimental murine CNS tumors. Immunocytochemical localization of GFA protein in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method of Sternberger was used to study experimental murine CNS tumors. Transplacental tumor induction in rats by ethylnitrosourea produced oligodendrogliomas and mixed gliomas in the cerebrum and spinal cord, and malignant Schwannomas of the trigeminal nerve. A methylcholanthrene-induced mouse \"ependymoblastoma\" inoculated intracerebrally in normal and in toxoplasma-infected mice was also studied. A positive reaction of GFA protein antibody was seen in the astrocytic portion of the mixed gliomas; the oligodendrogliomas, the malignant Schwannomas and the mouse \"ependymoblastoma\" were negative. Staining for GFA protein delineated the astrocytic reaction of neural tissue adjacent to the tumors. The reaction was markedly intensified in the brains of mice infected with toxoplasma. Additionally, ependymal cells near the tumors stained positively for GFA protein; normal ependyma at a distance from tumor remained negative. The technique, which combines a high degree of specificity with great sensitivity and is readily adaptable to routinely processed tissue, should prove a valuable tool in experimental oncology of the central nervous system.", "PMID": 760368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_234", "title": "An automated hearing screening technique for newborns.", "content": "11 182 newborn infants have had their hearing thresholds screened by automatically recording crib motion before and after a test sound. An inexpensive motion transducer translates the baby(s) movements onto a multichannel strip-chart recorder (batch testing) or a single channel recorder (individual testing). Records are read off-line and scored positive if there is a change in movement within 2.5 sec after the test sound. \"Passing or failing\" a baby requires about one minute's clerical scoring time, and is therefore both economical and simple. We have detected 33 neonates with serious hearing losses and perhaps missed one on long-term follow-up. This amounts to a deafness incidence of 1:329 live births. In the Intensive Care/Premature nurseries the incidence is 1:62.", "contents": "An automated hearing screening technique for newborns. 11 182 newborn infants have had their hearing thresholds screened by automatically recording crib motion before and after a test sound. An inexpensive motion transducer translates the baby(s) movements onto a multichannel strip-chart recorder (batch testing) or a single channel recorder (individual testing). Records are read off-line and scored positive if there is a change in movement within 2.5 sec after the test sound. \"Passing or failing\" a baby requires about one minute's clerical scoring time, and is therefore both economical and simple. We have detected 33 neonates with serious hearing losses and perhaps missed one on long-term follow-up. This amounts to a deafness incidence of 1:329 live births. In the Intensive Care/Premature nurseries the incidence is 1:62.", "PMID": 760369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_235", "title": "Limb input to the cat vestibular nuclei.", "content": "The input from fore- and hindlimbs to the vestibular nuclear complex (VNC) was investigated in awake cats. Electrical stimulus was given to the sciatic, radial and vestibular nerves bilaterally and single unit responses were recorded in the VNC with extracellular technique. The position of the microelectrode was histologically confirmed. All four major vestibular nuclei received fore- as well as hindlimb input. Forty per cent of the neurons with limb input also received vestibular afferents. No major distinguishing features appeared between the different nuclei with regard to response characteristics. Certain differences in laterality of response, quantitative fore-hindlimb ratio and somatosensory-labyrinthine convergence were observed however. Response latencies to sciatic and radial nerve stimuli always exceeded a 3 msec and were grouped around 8 and 16 msec. A third population of vestibular neurons had latencies over 20 msec. Both excitatory and inhibitory responses were recorded, with the latter not always following an activation. The findings illustrate the complex nature of the ascending pathway to the VNC and the integrative properties of this complex.", "contents": "Limb input to the cat vestibular nuclei. The input from fore- and hindlimbs to the vestibular nuclear complex (VNC) was investigated in awake cats. Electrical stimulus was given to the sciatic, radial and vestibular nerves bilaterally and single unit responses were recorded in the VNC with extracellular technique. The position of the microelectrode was histologically confirmed. All four major vestibular nuclei received fore- as well as hindlimb input. Forty per cent of the neurons with limb input also received vestibular afferents. No major distinguishing features appeared between the different nuclei with regard to response characteristics. Certain differences in laterality of response, quantitative fore-hindlimb ratio and somatosensory-labyrinthine convergence were observed however. Response latencies to sciatic and radial nerve stimuli always exceeded a 3 msec and were grouped around 8 and 16 msec. A third population of vestibular neurons had latencies over 20 msec. Both excitatory and inhibitory responses were recorded, with the latter not always following an activation. The findings illustrate the complex nature of the ascending pathway to the VNC and the integrative properties of this complex.", "PMID": 760370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_236", "title": "The tracheal mucosa microvasculature and microcirculation. Intravital microscopic observations in rabbits and a histologic study in man.", "content": "A method for the intravital microscopic study of the tracheal mucosal microcirculation in the rabbit is described. A low tracheostomy is performed for ventilation, while a hole cut in the ventral portion of the trachea cranial to the tracheostomy is used for observations. The trachea is immobilized by a fixation device. Microscopic observations are made with a Leitz stereo microscope. The microvasculature of the rabbit tracheal mucosa is characterized by centripetally arranged arterioles which subdivide into a fairly sparse capillary network at the mucosal surface. The capillaries drain into venular networks at different levels of the mucosa and collect finally into circumferentially arranged veins which run mainly between the cartilages. For comparative purposes the microvasculature of the human tracheal mucosa has been analysed in clarified (Spalteholz) preparations. This investigation shows that the microvascular architecture is principally the same in the human and rabbit tracheal mucosa. There is, however, a much denser capillary network in the human tracheal mucosa.", "contents": "The tracheal mucosa microvasculature and microcirculation. Intravital microscopic observations in rabbits and a histologic study in man. A method for the intravital microscopic study of the tracheal mucosal microcirculation in the rabbit is described. A low tracheostomy is performed for ventilation, while a hole cut in the ventral portion of the trachea cranial to the tracheostomy is used for observations. The trachea is immobilized by a fixation device. Microscopic observations are made with a Leitz stereo microscope. The microvasculature of the rabbit tracheal mucosa is characterized by centripetally arranged arterioles which subdivide into a fairly sparse capillary network at the mucosal surface. The capillaries drain into venular networks at different levels of the mucosa and collect finally into circumferentially arranged veins which run mainly between the cartilages. For comparative purposes the microvasculature of the human tracheal mucosa has been analysed in clarified (Spalteholz) preparations. This investigation shows that the microvascular architecture is principally the same in the human and rabbit tracheal mucosa. There is, however, a much denser capillary network in the human tracheal mucosa.", "PMID": 760371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_237", "title": "Surgery of the mixed laryngocele.", "content": "The authors first of all consider the classification of laryngoceles, their pathways of spreading, their statistical incidence, etiopathogenesis and their main clinical aspects. Next, they report on the most important surgical techniques proposed to date by the various experts for the three anatomical variants of laryngocele. As regards more particularly the mixed type, which seems to be the most frequent, the authors raise some objections to the classical methods. In fact, the latter do not always allow a satisfactory result to be achieved, and in this connection reference is also made to negative experiences reported by some authors. They go on to suggest, for mixed laryngocele, a new technique of combined exheresis by way of the external lateral approach and laryngofissure. The authors illustrate in detail the method proposed and report the case of a patient suffering from a voluminous bilateral laryngocele of mixed type, on whom they operated by applying the new technique, with very satisfactory results.", "contents": "Surgery of the mixed laryngocele. The authors first of all consider the classification of laryngoceles, their pathways of spreading, their statistical incidence, etiopathogenesis and their main clinical aspects. Next, they report on the most important surgical techniques proposed to date by the various experts for the three anatomical variants of laryngocele. As regards more particularly the mixed type, which seems to be the most frequent, the authors raise some objections to the classical methods. In fact, the latter do not always allow a satisfactory result to be achieved, and in this connection reference is also made to negative experiences reported by some authors. They go on to suggest, for mixed laryngocele, a new technique of combined exheresis by way of the external lateral approach and laryngofissure. The authors illustrate in detail the method proposed and report the case of a patient suffering from a voluminous bilateral laryngocele of mixed type, on whom they operated by applying the new technique, with very satisfactory results.", "PMID": 760372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_238", "title": "Function of submaxillary gland following iatrogenic damage to chorda tympani nerve.", "content": "Flow rate, protein and amylase content of submaxillary saliva were determined before and after iatrogenic damage to the chorda tympani nerve during otosurgery. Parallel to these investigations, gustatory function was checked. Chronic otopathy itself did not lead to a disturbance of either the sense of taste or the function of the submaxillary gland in any of the 14 patients. On the other hand, the flow rate of the affected gland dropped after chorda division (8 patients) and after chorda stretching (6 patients), and the protein concentration of the saliva was increased while the concentration of amylase remained unchanged. Dysgeusia was always observed after chorda division but only once among 6 cases of chorda stretching.", "contents": "Function of submaxillary gland following iatrogenic damage to chorda tympani nerve. Flow rate, protein and amylase content of submaxillary saliva were determined before and after iatrogenic damage to the chorda tympani nerve during otosurgery. Parallel to these investigations, gustatory function was checked. Chronic otopathy itself did not lead to a disturbance of either the sense of taste or the function of the submaxillary gland in any of the 14 patients. On the other hand, the flow rate of the affected gland dropped after chorda division (8 patients) and after chorda stretching (6 patients), and the protein concentration of the saliva was increased while the concentration of amylase remained unchanged. Dysgeusia was always observed after chorda division but only once among 6 cases of chorda stretching.", "PMID": 760373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_239", "title": "Development of hearing in hereditarily deaf white mink (Hedlund) and normal mink (standard) and the subsequent deterioration of the auditory response in Hedlund mink.", "content": "Behavioural responses have been elicited to acoustic stimuli in hereditarily deaf white mink (Hedlund). This revealed onset of auditory function at an average age of 31 days. The period of hearing lasted on the average only 7 days. Similar observations have been reported in other hereditarily deaf animals (cat, mouse, guinea pig). It is suggested that the onset of auditory function follows a progressive pattern which corresponds to the circulation of blood in the cochlea. Moreover, it is suggested that the subsequent deterioration of hearing follows a regression of this vascular pattern and thus a vascular pathogenesis may be responsible for this type of genetic deafness.", "contents": "Development of hearing in hereditarily deaf white mink (Hedlund) and normal mink (standard) and the subsequent deterioration of the auditory response in Hedlund mink. Behavioural responses have been elicited to acoustic stimuli in hereditarily deaf white mink (Hedlund). This revealed onset of auditory function at an average age of 31 days. The period of hearing lasted on the average only 7 days. Similar observations have been reported in other hereditarily deaf animals (cat, mouse, guinea pig). It is suggested that the onset of auditory function follows a progressive pattern which corresponds to the circulation of blood in the cochlea. Moreover, it is suggested that the subsequent deterioration of hearing follows a regression of this vascular pattern and thus a vascular pathogenesis may be responsible for this type of genetic deafness.", "PMID": 760374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_240", "title": "Correlations between cochlear hair cell loss and shifts of masked and absolute behavioral auditory thresholds in the house mouse.", "content": "Masked and absolute behavioral auditory thresholds were measured in kanamycin-treated C3H mice with a significant damage or loss of outer hair cells (OHCs) near the cochlear base, and in 17--24-month-old NMRI mice with a significant loss of OHCs and inner hair cells (IHCs) in the basal region and of OHCs near the apex. A loss of IHCs is correlated with an increase in absolute thresholds. A moderate damage or loss of OHCs in a cochlear region had no effect on absolute thresholds but correlated with a decrease and other changes of characteristics of masked thresholds in the respective frequency regions. OH C-damage makes masking by continuous white broad-band noise less efficient. It is concluded that masking and critical bands depend on the function of OHCs, which must be assumed to influence intracochlearly the activity of IHCs in processing the information to the brain.", "contents": "Correlations between cochlear hair cell loss and shifts of masked and absolute behavioral auditory thresholds in the house mouse. Masked and absolute behavioral auditory thresholds were measured in kanamycin-treated C3H mice with a significant damage or loss of outer hair cells (OHCs) near the cochlear base, and in 17--24-month-old NMRI mice with a significant loss of OHCs and inner hair cells (IHCs) in the basal region and of OHCs near the apex. A loss of IHCs is correlated with an increase in absolute thresholds. A moderate damage or loss of OHCs in a cochlear region had no effect on absolute thresholds but correlated with a decrease and other changes of characteristics of masked thresholds in the respective frequency regions. OH C-damage makes masking by continuous white broad-band noise less efficient. It is concluded that masking and critical bands depend on the function of OHCs, which must be assumed to influence intracochlearly the activity of IHCs in processing the information to the brain.", "PMID": 760375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_241", "title": "Cochlear electrical activity in the C57BL/6 laboratory mouse: volume-conducted vertex and round window responses.", "content": "Remote (vertex-positive, volume-conducted) and local (round window, or RW) responses were simultaneously recorded from the C57BL/6 mouse. Volume-conducted responses were obtained which corresponded to the cochlear microphonic (CM), summating potential (SP), and action potential (AP), as measured at the RW. The vertex PI, corresponding to the AP, had a shorter latency to rarefaction than to condensation clicks. At higher SPL's bimodal PI peaks (a and b) were observed. PIb amplitudes were greater at lower, and PIa amplitudes were greater at higher SPL'S. Responses subsequent to the RW N1 and the volume-conducted P1 were eliminated after the ear was isolated from the brainstem.", "contents": "Cochlear electrical activity in the C57BL/6 laboratory mouse: volume-conducted vertex and round window responses. Remote (vertex-positive, volume-conducted) and local (round window, or RW) responses were simultaneously recorded from the C57BL/6 mouse. Volume-conducted responses were obtained which corresponded to the cochlear microphonic (CM), summating potential (SP), and action potential (AP), as measured at the RW. The vertex PI, corresponding to the AP, had a shorter latency to rarefaction than to condensation clicks. At higher SPL's bimodal PI peaks (a and b) were observed. PIb amplitudes were greater at lower, and PIa amplitudes were greater at higher SPL'S. Responses subsequent to the RW N1 and the volume-conducted P1 were eliminated after the ear was isolated from the brainstem.", "PMID": 760378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_242", "title": "The effect of potassium on the activity of auditory nerve fibres of the guinea pig cochlea.", "content": "Scala tympani of the guinea pig cochlea was perfused with solutions having an increased potassium concentration. The response characteristics of single auditory nerve fibres in both normal and kanamycin-damaged cochleas were studied using computer controlled routines. The results indicate that these perfusions caused a marked increase in the spontaneous firing rate of auditory nerve fibres, without loss of threshold sensitivity. Current theories of cochlear transduction support the view that the potassium concentration difference across the reticular plate is fundamental to the sensitivity of the cochlea. The results presented here do not support this view.", "contents": "The effect of potassium on the activity of auditory nerve fibres of the guinea pig cochlea. Scala tympani of the guinea pig cochlea was perfused with solutions having an increased potassium concentration. The response characteristics of single auditory nerve fibres in both normal and kanamycin-damaged cochleas were studied using computer controlled routines. The results indicate that these perfusions caused a marked increase in the spontaneous firing rate of auditory nerve fibres, without loss of threshold sensitivity. Current theories of cochlear transduction support the view that the potassium concentration difference across the reticular plate is fundamental to the sensitivity of the cochlea. The results presented here do not support this view.", "PMID": 760376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_243", "title": "The relationship between the cytotoxicity of kanamycin and ethacrynic acid for mammalian cells in vitro and their ototoxicity in vivo.", "content": "Dose-effect curves for inhibition of growth of P388/P mouse lymphoma cells by ethacrynic acid and kanamycin used alone and in combination were determined in vitro. Ethacrynic acid was 600 times more potent than kanamycin and combinations of the drugs resulted in overall additive effects. These results were compared with known dose-effect data on the ototoxicity of these drugs in vivo. Kanamycin was highly selective in its toxicity for cochlear hair cells compared to cultured cells. The dose-effect data for ethacrynic acid was coincident with that reported for functional and biochemical effects on the cochlea following perilymphatic perfusion with the drug. The potentiation observed following the ototoxic interaction the two drugs in vivo was not observed following combinations of the drugs in vitro.", "contents": "The relationship between the cytotoxicity of kanamycin and ethacrynic acid for mammalian cells in vitro and their ototoxicity in vivo. Dose-effect curves for inhibition of growth of P388/P mouse lymphoma cells by ethacrynic acid and kanamycin used alone and in combination were determined in vitro. Ethacrynic acid was 600 times more potent than kanamycin and combinations of the drugs resulted in overall additive effects. These results were compared with known dose-effect data on the ototoxicity of these drugs in vivo. Kanamycin was highly selective in its toxicity for cochlear hair cells compared to cultured cells. The dose-effect data for ethacrynic acid was coincident with that reported for functional and biochemical effects on the cochlea following perilymphatic perfusion with the drug. The potentiation observed following the ototoxic interaction the two drugs in vivo was not observed following combinations of the drugs in vitro.", "PMID": 760380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_244", "title": "90Sr placentas, embryos and foetuses of mice, evaluated by whole-body autoradiography.", "content": "90Sr is a hazardous fission product from nuclear reactions. Its transplacental passage is of particular interest because of the high sensitivity of embryos/foetuses to ionizing radiation. We have used whole-body autoradiography to study the foetal uptake and retention of 90Sr and the embryonic/foetal transfer of this isotope as a function of gestational age. Fifteen minutes after an intraperitoneal injection of 50 muci 90Sr-nitrate into a 14-day-pregnant mouse, radioactivity was present in the placenta, but not in the foetus. During a 72-hour observation period, 90Sr gradually accumulated in the hard foetal tissues. In the soft foetal tissues, accumulation occurred up to 12--24 hours. After 72 hours, no 90Sr could be detected in the soft tissues. 90Sr crossed the visceral yolk sac placenta during early gestation, the visceral yolk sac and the chorioallantoic placentas during late gestation. Transfer increased considerably at the end of the latter period. There was a marked uptake of 90Sr in all structures of early embryos, whereas the isotope concentrated in the preskeletal and skeletal parts of the foetuses. Intake of 90Sr during early gestation may therefore be more injurious to the offspring than intake during late gestation.", "contents": "90Sr placentas, embryos and foetuses of mice, evaluated by whole-body autoradiography. 90Sr is a hazardous fission product from nuclear reactions. Its transplacental passage is of particular interest because of the high sensitivity of embryos/foetuses to ionizing radiation. We have used whole-body autoradiography to study the foetal uptake and retention of 90Sr and the embryonic/foetal transfer of this isotope as a function of gestational age. Fifteen minutes after an intraperitoneal injection of 50 muci 90Sr-nitrate into a 14-day-pregnant mouse, radioactivity was present in the placenta, but not in the foetus. During a 72-hour observation period, 90Sr gradually accumulated in the hard foetal tissues. In the soft foetal tissues, accumulation occurred up to 12--24 hours. After 72 hours, no 90Sr could be detected in the soft tissues. 90Sr crossed the visceral yolk sac placenta during early gestation, the visceral yolk sac and the chorioallantoic placentas during late gestation. Transfer increased considerably at the end of the latter period. There was a marked uptake of 90Sr in all structures of early embryos, whereas the isotope concentrated in the preskeletal and skeletal parts of the foetuses. Intake of 90Sr during early gestation may therefore be more injurious to the offspring than intake during late gestation.", "PMID": 760384} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_245", "title": "Differentiation of nerve endings in the cochlear nucleus on morphological and experimental basis.", "content": "The axo-somatic terminals which synapse with the large spherical cells in the antero-ventral cochlear nucleus of the guinea pig are subdivided into three groups by means of different stereological form of their synaptic vesicles. Unilateral stimulation as well as long-term degeneration of the cochlear nerve produce significant changes of the cross sectional area of the terminals and the number of their mitochondria, when compared to the contralateral control. Both parameters are increased after stimulation and decreased following degeneration. These changes occur in different extent in the three groups of terminals. The discussion of these findings has led to the following conclusions: (1) The volume of synaptic terminals and the number of the enclosed mitochondria display the most pronounced plastic changes. Therefore these parameters seem to be very indicative for the study of function-related changes. (2) The volume of terminals, the quantity of their mitochondria, and the total sum of membranes may be increased under stimulation by actual acceleration of the axoplasmatic flow rate and by incorporation of the preterminal portion of the axon. (3) The presence of at least three types of terminals is evident from the different form of their synaptic vesicles and in addition, from their different response to our experimental conditions. It is not decided from the present findings, whether the bouton-like terminals and bulbs of the afferent cochlear nerve axons contain the same type of synaptic vesicles or whether these axons produce heterotypic terminals.", "contents": "Differentiation of nerve endings in the cochlear nucleus on morphological and experimental basis. The axo-somatic terminals which synapse with the large spherical cells in the antero-ventral cochlear nucleus of the guinea pig are subdivided into three groups by means of different stereological form of their synaptic vesicles. Unilateral stimulation as well as long-term degeneration of the cochlear nerve produce significant changes of the cross sectional area of the terminals and the number of their mitochondria, when compared to the contralateral control. Both parameters are increased after stimulation and decreased following degeneration. These changes occur in different extent in the three groups of terminals. The discussion of these findings has led to the following conclusions: (1) The volume of synaptic terminals and the number of the enclosed mitochondria display the most pronounced plastic changes. Therefore these parameters seem to be very indicative for the study of function-related changes. (2) The volume of terminals, the quantity of their mitochondria, and the total sum of membranes may be increased under stimulation by actual acceleration of the axoplasmatic flow rate and by incorporation of the preterminal portion of the axon. (3) The presence of at least three types of terminals is evident from the different form of their synaptic vesicles and in addition, from their different response to our experimental conditions. It is not decided from the present findings, whether the bouton-like terminals and bulbs of the afferent cochlear nerve axons contain the same type of synaptic vesicles or whether these axons produce heterotypic terminals.", "PMID": 760377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_246", "title": "Kinetic studies of dose-dependent metabolism of alprenolol: in vitro and in vivo studies in different species.", "content": "Kinetic studies of the metabolism of alprenolol were performed with isolated microsomes from the rat, guinea-pig, dog and man at an initial substrate concentration of 0.17--150 micrometer. In all species the rate of aromatic hydroxylation reached a plateu above 50 micrometer of alprenolol in contrast to the rate of desisopropylation, where consistent saturation level was not obtained. The Km-values for the aromatic hydroxylation in the guinea-pig and man, 2,7 micrometer and 1.3 micrometer respectively, showed no concentration dependency in contrast to the rat (Km1 = 0.20 micrometer, Km2 = 26 micrometer) and the dog (Km1 = 0.78 micrometer, Km2 = 66 micrometer). The apparent Km-value of 0.20 micrometer for aromatic hydroxylation in the rat seemed to be of the same order of magnitude as reported spectral dissociation constant (Ks = 0.34 micrometer). In vivo experiments in the rat by oral administration of 7--700 mu mol/kg demonstrated a dose-dependent presystemic elimination of alprenolol. The urinary excretion of hydroxy-alprenolol was significantly lower after the highest dose. It is proposed, that the saturation of the aromatic hydroxylation, catalyzed by a high affinity site or subspecies of cytochrome P-450 with a low capacity, contributes to the dose-dependent kinetics in vivo.", "contents": "Kinetic studies of dose-dependent metabolism of alprenolol: in vitro and in vivo studies in different species. Kinetic studies of the metabolism of alprenolol were performed with isolated microsomes from the rat, guinea-pig, dog and man at an initial substrate concentration of 0.17--150 micrometer. In all species the rate of aromatic hydroxylation reached a plateu above 50 micrometer of alprenolol in contrast to the rate of desisopropylation, where consistent saturation level was not obtained. The Km-values for the aromatic hydroxylation in the guinea-pig and man, 2,7 micrometer and 1.3 micrometer respectively, showed no concentration dependency in contrast to the rat (Km1 = 0.20 micrometer, Km2 = 26 micrometer) and the dog (Km1 = 0.78 micrometer, Km2 = 66 micrometer). The apparent Km-value of 0.20 micrometer for aromatic hydroxylation in the rat seemed to be of the same order of magnitude as reported spectral dissociation constant (Ks = 0.34 micrometer). In vivo experiments in the rat by oral administration of 7--700 mu mol/kg demonstrated a dose-dependent presystemic elimination of alprenolol. The urinary excretion of hydroxy-alprenolol was significantly lower after the highest dose. It is proposed, that the saturation of the aromatic hydroxylation, catalyzed by a high affinity site or subspecies of cytochrome P-450 with a low capacity, contributes to the dose-dependent kinetics in vivo.", "PMID": 760385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_247", "title": "An investigation of sympathetic effects on hearing.", "content": "Absolute and masked thresholds were measured behaviourally in the cat before and after lesion of the superior cervical ganglion and sympathetic trunk. No changes were found, even though testing was continued for up to 2 1/2 years afterwards. However in acute experiments in the anaesthetised animal small increases in the neural N1 potential of the cochlea, without any effect on the microphonic, were found after stimulation of the sympathetic trunk.", "contents": "An investigation of sympathetic effects on hearing. Absolute and masked thresholds were measured behaviourally in the cat before and after lesion of the superior cervical ganglion and sympathetic trunk. No changes were found, even though testing was continued for up to 2 1/2 years afterwards. However in acute experiments in the anaesthetised animal small increases in the neural N1 potential of the cochlea, without any effect on the microphonic, were found after stimulation of the sympathetic trunk.", "PMID": 760379} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_248", "title": "Experimental study of the Eustachian tube function with regard to its related muscles.", "content": "Utilizing electromyography and electrical muscle stimulation, the muscle responsible for opening the Eustachian tube was examined im 12 dogs. Different time values for tubal opening and levator activity indicate little contribution of the levator in the functioning of the tube. By relatively low stimulation of the tensor, the tube opened consistently, while the levator failed to produce any dilation of the tube, regardless of the amount of stimulation, in 6 dogs. Thus, it is concluded that the sole muscle responsible for tubal opening is the tensor, while the levator does not participate in the functioning of the tube.", "contents": "Experimental study of the Eustachian tube function with regard to its related muscles. Utilizing electromyography and electrical muscle stimulation, the muscle responsible for opening the Eustachian tube was examined im 12 dogs. Different time values for tubal opening and levator activity indicate little contribution of the levator in the functioning of the tube. By relatively low stimulation of the tensor, the tube opened consistently, while the levator failed to produce any dilation of the tube, regardless of the amount of stimulation, in 6 dogs. Thus, it is concluded that the sole muscle responsible for tubal opening is the tensor, while the levator does not participate in the functioning of the tube.", "PMID": 760382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_249", "title": "The binding of CTAB, a cationic surfactant, to the rat erythrocyte membrane.", "content": "The adsorption of CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) to the rat erythrocyte membrane was studied by determining the electrophoretic mobility of erythrocytes treated with CTAB and by SDS polyacrylamide electrophoresis of membrane proteins from erythrocytes treated with 14C-CTAB. At low concentrations of CTAB there was only a small reduction in the electrophoretic mobility of the erythrocytes. At lytic concentrations the electrophoretic mobility of the erythrocytes was markedly reduced. Alterations at the cell surface were found to be a more likely reason for the reduction in the electrophoretic mobility than interactions between the surfactant and charged groups at the cell surface. Very small amounts of radioactivity were found to be associated with the protein and sialoglycoprotein bands of the polyacrylamide gels. It is suggested that the adsorption of CTAB to the rat erythrocyte membrane does not involve electrostatic interactions between the surfactant and negatively charged groups of the sialoglycoproteins and that membrane proteins do not play a major role in the lytic events.", "contents": "The binding of CTAB, a cationic surfactant, to the rat erythrocyte membrane. The adsorption of CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) to the rat erythrocyte membrane was studied by determining the electrophoretic mobility of erythrocytes treated with CTAB and by SDS polyacrylamide electrophoresis of membrane proteins from erythrocytes treated with 14C-CTAB. At low concentrations of CTAB there was only a small reduction in the electrophoretic mobility of the erythrocytes. At lytic concentrations the electrophoretic mobility of the erythrocytes was markedly reduced. Alterations at the cell surface were found to be a more likely reason for the reduction in the electrophoretic mobility than interactions between the surfactant and charged groups at the cell surface. Very small amounts of radioactivity were found to be associated with the protein and sialoglycoprotein bands of the polyacrylamide gels. It is suggested that the adsorption of CTAB to the rat erythrocyte membrane does not involve electrostatic interactions between the surfactant and negatively charged groups of the sialoglycoproteins and that membrane proteins do not play a major role in the lytic events.", "PMID": 760386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_250", "title": "Behavioral auditory function after transection of crossed olivo-cochlear bundle in the cat. IV. Study on pure-tone frequency discrimination.", "content": "The present report describes the frequency discrimination capability of the cat based on behavioral auditory measurements in conjunction with transection of the crossed olivo-cochlear bundle at the floor of the fourth ventricle. Using the repetitive method, cats were trained to respond to frequency differences from 8000 Hz. For the measurement of the frequency discrimination threshold, instead of using the descending method, the cats were trained to detect the absolute change in the frequency. With the given experimental paradigm, the average pre- and post-operative frequency discrimination thresholds were 114.3 Hz and 133.6 Hz in experimentals, and 128.3 Hz and 140.0 Hz in shams. Differences between the two groups were minimal and may simply represent functional biological variance.", "contents": "Behavioral auditory function after transection of crossed olivo-cochlear bundle in the cat. IV. Study on pure-tone frequency discrimination. The present report describes the frequency discrimination capability of the cat based on behavioral auditory measurements in conjunction with transection of the crossed olivo-cochlear bundle at the floor of the fourth ventricle. Using the repetitive method, cats were trained to respond to frequency differences from 8000 Hz. For the measurement of the frequency discrimination threshold, instead of using the descending method, the cats were trained to detect the absolute change in the frequency. With the given experimental paradigm, the average pre- and post-operative frequency discrimination thresholds were 114.3 Hz and 133.6 Hz in experimentals, and 128.3 Hz and 140.0 Hz in shams. Differences between the two groups were minimal and may simply represent functional biological variance.", "PMID": 760381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_251", "title": "Effect of trichloroethylene on cilia activity in rabbit trachea.", "content": "The ciliotoxicity of trichloroethylene was studied in terms of the time required for ciliostasis in specimens of trachea from 35 male rabbits following exposure of the specimens to different vapour concentrations. The highest vapour concentration was linked with the most rapid ciliostasis but even in the lowest concentration tested, 5.000 p.p.m. (26 g/m3), hastened ciliostasis. Specimens from the upper region of the trachea underwent ciliostasis more slowly than did those from the lower region. The absolute uptake of trichloroethylene was lower in the former than in the latter specimen. The difference in uptake could not be explained by a difference in weight or in lipid content. That ciliostasis occurred at different times depending upon the region of the trachea, favours the theory of a critical tissue concentration for trichloroethylene.", "contents": "Effect of trichloroethylene on cilia activity in rabbit trachea. The ciliotoxicity of trichloroethylene was studied in terms of the time required for ciliostasis in specimens of trachea from 35 male rabbits following exposure of the specimens to different vapour concentrations. The highest vapour concentration was linked with the most rapid ciliostasis but even in the lowest concentration tested, 5.000 p.p.m. (26 g/m3), hastened ciliostasis. Specimens from the upper region of the trachea underwent ciliostasis more slowly than did those from the lower region. The absolute uptake of trichloroethylene was lower in the former than in the latter specimen. The difference in uptake could not be explained by a difference in weight or in lipid content. That ciliostasis occurred at different times depending upon the region of the trachea, favours the theory of a critical tissue concentration for trichloroethylene.", "PMID": 760388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_252", "title": "Calcium, nifedipine and arrhythmias in isolated rat atria.", "content": "Arrhythmias were induced in isolated rat atrial muscle preparations by increasing the calcium concentration of the Ringer solution, while the potassium concentration was kept low. A rise in the resting tension occurred simultaneously. The release of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) from the fibrillating atria was not higher than the release from non-fibrillating atria pretreated with a calcium-antagonistic drug, nifedipine 100 microgram/l. It is suggested that calcium-induced rat atrial arrhythmias in the present experiments are caused by a direct effect on calcium influx through the excitable membrane and not as a result of myocardial lesion caused by calcium overload.", "contents": "Calcium, nifedipine and arrhythmias in isolated rat atria. Arrhythmias were induced in isolated rat atrial muscle preparations by increasing the calcium concentration of the Ringer solution, while the potassium concentration was kept low. A rise in the resting tension occurred simultaneously. The release of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) from the fibrillating atria was not higher than the release from non-fibrillating atria pretreated with a calcium-antagonistic drug, nifedipine 100 microgram/l. It is suggested that calcium-induced rat atrial arrhythmias in the present experiments are caused by a direct effect on calcium influx through the excitable membrane and not as a result of myocardial lesion caused by calcium overload.", "PMID": 760389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_253", "title": "Verapamil and nifedipine inhibition of contractions induced by potassium and noradrenaline in human mesenteric arteries and veins.", "content": "Ring preparations of human mesenteric arteries and veins were contracted by noradrenaline (1.8 x 10(-5)M) or potassium (127mM). Isometric tension was recorded. In the arterial preparations, the maximum response to noradrenaline was 97 +/- 8% (mean +/- S.E.M.) of that to potassium. In the veins, the corresponding figure was 38 +/- 4%. The calcium antagonists verapamil (2.2 x 10(-7)-2.2 x 10(-5)M) and nifedipine (2.9 x 10(-8)-2.9 x 10(-6)M) relaxed both arteries and veins contracted by noradrenaline or potassium, and reduced the responses to these agents when added 15 min. before stimulation. The time course of relaxation of potassium contracted preparations, induced by verapamil and nifedipine, was more rapid and complete than that produced by a calcium-free, high potassium solution. In contrast to verapamil, nifedipine caused a more pronounced inhibition of the potassium than of the noradrenaline evoked contractions in both arteries and veins. After exposure to a calcium-free medium for 30 min., the arterial response to noradrenaline was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater than that to potassium. However, the reverse was found in the veins. In both types of vessel, verapamil (2.2 x 10(-6)M) and nifedipine (2.9--10(-7)M) were equi-effective in reducing the noradrenaline reactivity, not only between mesenteric arteries and veins, but also between, e.g. peripheral and mesenteric vessels. The calcium antagonists nifedipine and verapamil do not have an identical mode of action. However, both agents seem to inhibit influx of extracellular calcium, and might also have an inhibitory effect on the release of intracellular calcium.", "contents": "Verapamil and nifedipine inhibition of contractions induced by potassium and noradrenaline in human mesenteric arteries and veins. Ring preparations of human mesenteric arteries and veins were contracted by noradrenaline (1.8 x 10(-5)M) or potassium (127mM). Isometric tension was recorded. In the arterial preparations, the maximum response to noradrenaline was 97 +/- 8% (mean +/- S.E.M.) of that to potassium. In the veins, the corresponding figure was 38 +/- 4%. The calcium antagonists verapamil (2.2 x 10(-7)-2.2 x 10(-5)M) and nifedipine (2.9 x 10(-8)-2.9 x 10(-6)M) relaxed both arteries and veins contracted by noradrenaline or potassium, and reduced the responses to these agents when added 15 min. before stimulation. The time course of relaxation of potassium contracted preparations, induced by verapamil and nifedipine, was more rapid and complete than that produced by a calcium-free, high potassium solution. In contrast to verapamil, nifedipine caused a more pronounced inhibition of the potassium than of the noradrenaline evoked contractions in both arteries and veins. After exposure to a calcium-free medium for 30 min., the arterial response to noradrenaline was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater than that to potassium. However, the reverse was found in the veins. In both types of vessel, verapamil (2.2 x 10(-6)M) and nifedipine (2.9--10(-7)M) were equi-effective in reducing the noradrenaline reactivity, not only between mesenteric arteries and veins, but also between, e.g. peripheral and mesenteric vessels. The calcium antagonists nifedipine and verapamil do not have an identical mode of action. However, both agents seem to inhibit influx of extracellular calcium, and might also have an inhibitory effect on the release of intracellular calcium.", "PMID": 760390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_254", "title": "Effect of cadmium acetate, copper sulphate and nickel chloride on organ cultures of mouse trachea.", "content": "Tracheas from albino mice were excised and cut into rings approximately 1 mm thick. After preincubation overnight in Medium 199 with 5% calf serum, they were placed into fresh medium. Cadmium acetate, copper sulphate or nickel chloride was added separately or in combination, to a final concentration of 10--200 micron. Each metal was also added (10 micron) to serum-free Medium 199. The percentage (0--100) of the inner intact epithelium and the rate (0--4) of the ciliary beat in each ring were assessed before and during a 4-hour incubation period and multiplied to yield a relative activity index (0--400). Cadmium acetate at 10--100 micron depressed the ciliary activity significantly more than 10--100 micron copper sulphate (each level P less than 0.05). With 200 micron a 50% reduction of the activity index was observed after approximately 35 min. with cadmium acetate and 85 min. with copper sulphate. At 10--200 micron, cadmium acetate was significantly more suppressive than nickel chloride (each level P less than 0.05). When comparing the inhibitory effects of copper sulphate and nickel chloride a significant difference appeared at 10--100 micron (each level P less than 0.01), but not at 200 microm (P less than 0.05). With 200 micron nickel chloride a 50% reduction in the activity index was observed after 90 min. There was a tendency towards reduced toxicity of cadmium acetate when combined with copper sulphate and of copper sulphate when combined with nickel chloride. In serum-free medium metal toxicity was increased.", "contents": "Effect of cadmium acetate, copper sulphate and nickel chloride on organ cultures of mouse trachea. Tracheas from albino mice were excised and cut into rings approximately 1 mm thick. After preincubation overnight in Medium 199 with 5% calf serum, they were placed into fresh medium. Cadmium acetate, copper sulphate or nickel chloride was added separately or in combination, to a final concentration of 10--200 micron. Each metal was also added (10 micron) to serum-free Medium 199. The percentage (0--100) of the inner intact epithelium and the rate (0--4) of the ciliary beat in each ring were assessed before and during a 4-hour incubation period and multiplied to yield a relative activity index (0--400). Cadmium acetate at 10--100 micron depressed the ciliary activity significantly more than 10--100 micron copper sulphate (each level P less than 0.05). With 200 micron a 50% reduction of the activity index was observed after approximately 35 min. with cadmium acetate and 85 min. with copper sulphate. At 10--200 micron, cadmium acetate was significantly more suppressive than nickel chloride (each level P less than 0.05). When comparing the inhibitory effects of copper sulphate and nickel chloride a significant difference appeared at 10--100 micron (each level P less than 0.01), but not at 200 microm (P less than 0.05). With 200 micron nickel chloride a 50% reduction in the activity index was observed after 90 min. There was a tendency towards reduced toxicity of cadmium acetate when combined with copper sulphate and of copper sulphate when combined with nickel chloride. In serum-free medium metal toxicity was increased.", "PMID": 760391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_255", "title": "Effect of oral administration of calcium carbonate, Camalox and Novalucol on plasma gastrin concentration in duodenal ulcer patients.", "content": "In 6 patients having duodenal ulcer disease plasma gastrin concentrations were determined before and after the oral administration of 0.5--2 g of calcium carbonate, 2--4 tablets of Camalox and 2 tablets of Novalucol. No significant influence on basal plasma gastrin levels was noted indicating that antacids, whether they contain calcium carbonate or not, do not influence the basal plasma concentration of gastrin at occasional administration.", "contents": "Effect of oral administration of calcium carbonate, Camalox and Novalucol on plasma gastrin concentration in duodenal ulcer patients. In 6 patients having duodenal ulcer disease plasma gastrin concentrations were determined before and after the oral administration of 0.5--2 g of calcium carbonate, 2--4 tablets of Camalox and 2 tablets of Novalucol. No significant influence on basal plasma gastrin levels was noted indicating that antacids, whether they contain calcium carbonate or not, do not influence the basal plasma concentration of gastrin at occasional administration.", "PMID": 760393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_256", "title": "Haemodynamic effects of the quaternary ammonium compound QX 572 in anaesthetized cats. I. Cardiac chronotropic effects.", "content": "The haemodynamic effects of the antiarrhythmic compound, QX 572, have been studied in anaesthetized cats. It was found that QX 572 increased the heart rate and decreased the blood pressure of the cats during the infusion of the drug. A slight increase in blood pressure was seen after the infusion was terminated. The same results have been obtained in patients. Experiments on cats pretreated with propranolol or reserpine showed that infusions of QX 572 caused an increase in heart rate by increasing the sympathetic activity in the cats. It is also shown that changes in vagal tone may contribute to the effects of QX 572 on the heart rate.", "contents": "Haemodynamic effects of the quaternary ammonium compound QX 572 in anaesthetized cats. I. Cardiac chronotropic effects. The haemodynamic effects of the antiarrhythmic compound, QX 572, have been studied in anaesthetized cats. It was found that QX 572 increased the heart rate and decreased the blood pressure of the cats during the infusion of the drug. A slight increase in blood pressure was seen after the infusion was terminated. The same results have been obtained in patients. Experiments on cats pretreated with propranolol or reserpine showed that infusions of QX 572 caused an increase in heart rate by increasing the sympathetic activity in the cats. It is also shown that changes in vagal tone may contribute to the effects of QX 572 on the heart rate.", "PMID": 760394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_257", "title": "Haemodynamic effects of the quaternary ammonium compound QX 572 in anaesthetized cats. II. Studies on the mechanism for the cardiac chronotropic effects.", "content": "The antiarrhythmic compound, QX 572, has been shown to increase heart rate both in patients and experimental animals. In anaesthetized cats the positive cardiac chronotropic effects were mainly due to increased sympathetic activity. The present experiments were designed to localize the active sites within the sympathetic nerve system. It was found that QX 572 caused an increased heart rate in response to electrical stimulation of the cardiac sympathetic nerves, but this was not due to effects on the CNS, the sympathetic ganglia or the cardiac adrenergic beta-receptors. It is concluded that QX 572 by some action increased the amount of noradrenaline released from the cardiac sympathetic nerve endings. The mechanism for this effect has not been clarified.", "contents": "Haemodynamic effects of the quaternary ammonium compound QX 572 in anaesthetized cats. II. Studies on the mechanism for the cardiac chronotropic effects. The antiarrhythmic compound, QX 572, has been shown to increase heart rate both in patients and experimental animals. In anaesthetized cats the positive cardiac chronotropic effects were mainly due to increased sympathetic activity. The present experiments were designed to localize the active sites within the sympathetic nerve system. It was found that QX 572 caused an increased heart rate in response to electrical stimulation of the cardiac sympathetic nerves, but this was not due to effects on the CNS, the sympathetic ganglia or the cardiac adrenergic beta-receptors. It is concluded that QX 572 by some action increased the amount of noradrenaline released from the cardiac sympathetic nerve endings. The mechanism for this effect has not been clarified.", "PMID": 760395} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_258", "title": "Iodine-induced hypothyroidism and its effect on the severity of asthma.", "content": "Among 1107 patients with asthma or chronic asthmatic bronchitis and 96 with hypothyroidism we found 12 patients with both diseases. Seven of these patients had hypothyroidism induced by iodine-containing expectorants. Five of 209 patients with hyperthyroidism had coexistent asthmatic lung disease, but none of these five had been taking iodine. The severity of asthma is considered in relation to changes in thyroid function following withdrawal of iodine. Three patients had an exacerbation of their asthma, while another three had no change in their asthma when the iodine treatment was discontinued and the euthyroid state subsequently restored. All six patients had a marked improvement of their general wellbeing when the euthyroid state was re-established. It is concluded that treatment with iodine-containing expectorants causing hypothyroidism is unwise and should be withdrawn even when the patients praise the beneficial effect of iodine on the asthma per se.", "contents": "Iodine-induced hypothyroidism and its effect on the severity of asthma. Among 1107 patients with asthma or chronic asthmatic bronchitis and 96 with hypothyroidism we found 12 patients with both diseases. Seven of these patients had hypothyroidism induced by iodine-containing expectorants. Five of 209 patients with hyperthyroidism had coexistent asthmatic lung disease, but none of these five had been taking iodine. The severity of asthma is considered in relation to changes in thyroid function following withdrawal of iodine. Three patients had an exacerbation of their asthma, while another three had no change in their asthma when the iodine treatment was discontinued and the euthyroid state subsequently restored. All six patients had a marked improvement of their general wellbeing when the euthyroid state was re-established. It is concluded that treatment with iodine-containing expectorants causing hypothyroidism is unwise and should be withdrawn even when the patients praise the beneficial effect of iodine on the asthma per se.", "PMID": 760398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_259", "title": "Poisoning with brown fly agaric, Amanita regalis.", "content": "Three patients ate different amounts of a common northern mushroom, brown fly agaric, Amanita regalis. All of them believed they had eaten delicious parasol mushrooms, Macrolepiota procera. The symptoms of poisoning began 1--2 hours after ingestion of the mushrooms. All the patients had marked gastrointestinal symptoms: nausea and heavy vomiting. Two had central nervous system manifestations and cholinergic symptoms: hallucinations, confusion, or loss of consciousness as well as copious salivation, or sweating. All patients recovered within 4--24 hours without any damage to liver, kidneys or central nervous system. It seems that cooking the mushrooms does not completely neutralize the toxic agents of Amanita regalis. The analysis of fried mushrooms shows that it may be possible to identify mushrooms reliably from the remains of a meal.", "contents": "Poisoning with brown fly agaric, Amanita regalis. Three patients ate different amounts of a common northern mushroom, brown fly agaric, Amanita regalis. All of them believed they had eaten delicious parasol mushrooms, Macrolepiota procera. The symptoms of poisoning began 1--2 hours after ingestion of the mushrooms. All the patients had marked gastrointestinal symptoms: nausea and heavy vomiting. Two had central nervous system manifestations and cholinergic symptoms: hallucinations, confusion, or loss of consciousness as well as copious salivation, or sweating. All patients recovered within 4--24 hours without any damage to liver, kidneys or central nervous system. It seems that cooking the mushrooms does not completely neutralize the toxic agents of Amanita regalis. The analysis of fried mushrooms shows that it may be possible to identify mushrooms reliably from the remains of a meal.", "PMID": 760400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_260", "title": "Fatal renal vasculitis and minimal change glomerulonephritis complicating treatment with penicillamine. Report on two cases.", "content": "Two cases with different and not previously described fatal renal complications during treatment with penicillamine are reported. A man with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis with features of systemic lupus erythematosus was treated with penicillamine for six months and developed a mild membranous glomerulonephritis and a severe renal vasculitis leading to uremia and death. A woman with primary biliary cirrhosis was treated with penicillamine for nine months and developed a nephrotic syndrome, the renal biopsy showing minimal change glomerulonephritis. The nephrotic syndrome responded to prednisone but the patient died, probably from septicemia. Penicillamine may thus cause glomerular damage without deposition of immune complexes. A restricted use of the drug is recommended.", "contents": "Fatal renal vasculitis and minimal change glomerulonephritis complicating treatment with penicillamine. Report on two cases. Two cases with different and not previously described fatal renal complications during treatment with penicillamine are reported. A man with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis with features of systemic lupus erythematosus was treated with penicillamine for six months and developed a mild membranous glomerulonephritis and a severe renal vasculitis leading to uremia and death. A woman with primary biliary cirrhosis was treated with penicillamine for nine months and developed a nephrotic syndrome, the renal biopsy showing minimal change glomerulonephritis. The nephrotic syndrome responded to prednisone but the patient died, probably from septicemia. Penicillamine may thus cause glomerular damage without deposition of immune complexes. A restricted use of the drug is recommended.", "PMID": 760401} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_261", "title": "Primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with fibrosis of the submandibular glands and the pancreas.", "content": "A new syndrome of primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with fibrosis of the submandibular glands and the pancreas is described in a 43-year-old male. The sclerosing cholangitis was diagnosed at laparotomy because of cholestasis and the fibrosis of the submandibular glands and pancreas confirmed at microscopical investigation of biopsy specimens. The cholangitis responded well to treatment with a low dose of prednisolone (7.5--10 mg) and an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticographic examination 10 months after the operation revealed normal bile ducts.", "contents": "Primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with fibrosis of the submandibular glands and the pancreas. A new syndrome of primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with fibrosis of the submandibular glands and the pancreas is described in a 43-year-old male. The sclerosing cholangitis was diagnosed at laparotomy because of cholestasis and the fibrosis of the submandibular glands and pancreas confirmed at microscopical investigation of biopsy specimens. The cholangitis responded well to treatment with a low dose of prednisolone (7.5--10 mg) and an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticographic examination 10 months after the operation revealed normal bile ducts.", "PMID": 760402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_262", "title": "Phasic voltage alternation in spontaneous left-sided pneumothorax.", "content": "Marked phasic voltage alternation is described in a man with spontaneous left-sided pneumothorax. This ECG change in association with pneumothorax has been described in only one patient previously.", "contents": "Phasic voltage alternation in spontaneous left-sided pneumothorax. Marked phasic voltage alternation is described in a man with spontaneous left-sided pneumothorax. This ECG change in association with pneumothorax has been described in only one patient previously.", "PMID": 760403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_263", "title": "Early and sudden deaths after myocardial infarction. A report from the Swedish CCU study.", "content": "1329 patients were discharged alive after acute myocardial infarction initially treated in a CCU. In a five-year follow-up, 537 (40%) of the patients died. Routine data registered uniformly during the CCU period showed that, apart from age, the most important factors regarding long-term prognosis in general were previous ischaemic heart disease and direct or indirect signs of heart failure registered in the CCU. The possibilities to predict sudden death (130 patients died within 2 hours of onset of final symptoms during the follow-up period) were small, although a definite dominance of this mode of death was noted in patients below 60 years of age. The clinical profile of the majority of the 134 patients who died during the first half-year was distinguished by a history of prior myocardial infarction and signs of left heart failure during the CCU stay. However, in a significant number of patients dying early after discharge, none of the ordinary unfavourable prognostic signs had been registered.", "contents": "Early and sudden deaths after myocardial infarction. A report from the Swedish CCU study. 1329 patients were discharged alive after acute myocardial infarction initially treated in a CCU. In a five-year follow-up, 537 (40%) of the patients died. Routine data registered uniformly during the CCU period showed that, apart from age, the most important factors regarding long-term prognosis in general were previous ischaemic heart disease and direct or indirect signs of heart failure registered in the CCU. The possibilities to predict sudden death (130 patients died within 2 hours of onset of final symptoms during the follow-up period) were small, although a definite dominance of this mode of death was noted in patients below 60 years of age. The clinical profile of the majority of the 134 patients who died during the first half-year was distinguished by a history of prior myocardial infarction and signs of left heart failure during the CCU stay. However, in a significant number of patients dying early after discharge, none of the ordinary unfavourable prognostic signs had been registered.", "PMID": 760405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_264", "title": "Non-invasive assessment of cardiac function in meningitis.", "content": "Non-invasive registration of systolic time intervals (STI) and ECG were used in evaluating cardiac function in 12 patients with bacterial and 16 with viral meningitis. On admission, 14 (50%) of the patients had abnormal STI. The preejection period (PEP) was prolonged in 11 patients, while left ventricular ejection time (LVET) was prolonged in two and shortened in four. The PEP/LVET index was increased in eight patients. At discharge PEP was still prolonged in eight patients; seven of these were from the viral meningitis group. LVET increased significantly (p less than 0.02) from the first to the last registration. In the patients with abnormal PEP and PEP/LVET on admission, there was a significant fall (p less than 0.05 and p = 0.02, respectively) to discharge. There was no difference in STI between the patients with viral or bacterial meningitis. Eighteen (64%) of the patients had abnormal STI on one or more registration. ST-T changes in ECG and prolongation of the Q-T interval were found in three patients. Cardiac affection in meningitis seems to occur more often than can be shown by ECG.", "contents": "Non-invasive assessment of cardiac function in meningitis. Non-invasive registration of systolic time intervals (STI) and ECG were used in evaluating cardiac function in 12 patients with bacterial and 16 with viral meningitis. On admission, 14 (50%) of the patients had abnormal STI. The preejection period (PEP) was prolonged in 11 patients, while left ventricular ejection time (LVET) was prolonged in two and shortened in four. The PEP/LVET index was increased in eight patients. At discharge PEP was still prolonged in eight patients; seven of these were from the viral meningitis group. LVET increased significantly (p less than 0.02) from the first to the last registration. In the patients with abnormal PEP and PEP/LVET on admission, there was a significant fall (p less than 0.05 and p = 0.02, respectively) to discharge. There was no difference in STI between the patients with viral or bacterial meningitis. Eighteen (64%) of the patients had abnormal STI on one or more registration. ST-T changes in ECG and prolongation of the Q-T interval were found in three patients. Cardiac affection in meningitis seems to occur more often than can be shown by ECG.", "PMID": 760406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_265", "title": "Menopausal age in relation to smoking.", "content": "A population study of women revealed more smokers among 50-year-old postmenopausal women than among women of the same age who still menstruated. The difference was statistically significant. The postmenopausal smokers had on average smoked as long as or longer than the smokers who still menstruated. The higher number of smokers among postmenopausal women could thus not be explained by these women starting to smoke in connection with the menopause. Non-smoking women were on average heavier than smoking women. Previous studies indicate that an increased amount of adipose tissue might delay the menopausal age. It is therefore possible that the difference in menopausal age between smoking and non-smoking women might be explained either by a delayed menopause in non-smoking women due to an increased amount of adipose tissue in these women, or by a precocious menopause in smokers due to toxic effects from smoking. Probably both factors are of importance, but our results indicate that smoking per se is the main factor. The increased number of smokers among women with precocious menopause can probably explain part of the overrepresentation of women with precocious menopause among those who have myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Menopausal age in relation to smoking. A population study of women revealed more smokers among 50-year-old postmenopausal women than among women of the same age who still menstruated. The difference was statistically significant. The postmenopausal smokers had on average smoked as long as or longer than the smokers who still menstruated. The higher number of smokers among postmenopausal women could thus not be explained by these women starting to smoke in connection with the menopause. Non-smoking women were on average heavier than smoking women. Previous studies indicate that an increased amount of adipose tissue might delay the menopausal age. It is therefore possible that the difference in menopausal age between smoking and non-smoking women might be explained either by a delayed menopause in non-smoking women due to an increased amount of adipose tissue in these women, or by a precocious menopause in smokers due to toxic effects from smoking. Probably both factors are of importance, but our results indicate that smoking per se is the main factor. The increased number of smokers among women with precocious menopause can probably explain part of the overrepresentation of women with precocious menopause among those who have myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 760407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_266", "title": "Decreased renal plasma flow during propranolol treatment in essential hypertension.", "content": "The pharmacodynamic effect of propranolol (80 mg b.i.d.) on the renal and systemic circulation was studied after 1 and 8 months of treatment in 13 patients with essential hypertension, using non-invasive radioisotope techniques. Effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) fell from (mean +/- S.E.M.) 244 +/- 18 to 208 +/- 14 after 1 month and to 187 +/- 13 ml/min.m2 after 8 months of treatment. Concomitantly cardiac index (CI) fell from 3.24 +/- 0.15 to 2.62 +/- 0.11 and 2.75 +/- 0.10 l/min.m2, respectively. The coefficient of correlation between the decreases in ERPF and CI was 0.49. Mean arterial blood pressure decreased from 138 +/- 5 to 118 +/- 5 and 116 +/- 4 mmHg, respectively. Left ventricular work was reduced by 30.2 and 27%, while peripheral resistance was unchanged. Total plasma volume was increased from 19.3 +/- 0.5 to 20.3 +/- 0.6 ml/cm after 1 month, but was within the same range as the control values after 8 months of treatment. Pulmonary plasma volume was unchanged, indicating that there was no pooling of plasma in the pulmonary circulation. The interventricular circulation time was increased from 6.9 +/- 0.4 s to 8.4 +/- 0.3 s and varied with the change in heart rate. It is concluded that the fall in ERPF might be explained by reduced cardiac output in addition to interference with the hemodynamic autoregulation in the kidney.", "contents": "Decreased renal plasma flow during propranolol treatment in essential hypertension. The pharmacodynamic effect of propranolol (80 mg b.i.d.) on the renal and systemic circulation was studied after 1 and 8 months of treatment in 13 patients with essential hypertension, using non-invasive radioisotope techniques. Effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) fell from (mean +/- S.E.M.) 244 +/- 18 to 208 +/- 14 after 1 month and to 187 +/- 13 ml/min.m2 after 8 months of treatment. Concomitantly cardiac index (CI) fell from 3.24 +/- 0.15 to 2.62 +/- 0.11 and 2.75 +/- 0.10 l/min.m2, respectively. The coefficient of correlation between the decreases in ERPF and CI was 0.49. Mean arterial blood pressure decreased from 138 +/- 5 to 118 +/- 5 and 116 +/- 4 mmHg, respectively. Left ventricular work was reduced by 30.2 and 27%, while peripheral resistance was unchanged. Total plasma volume was increased from 19.3 +/- 0.5 to 20.3 +/- 0.6 ml/cm after 1 month, but was within the same range as the control values after 8 months of treatment. Pulmonary plasma volume was unchanged, indicating that there was no pooling of plasma in the pulmonary circulation. The interventricular circulation time was increased from 6.9 +/- 0.4 s to 8.4 +/- 0.3 s and varied with the change in heart rate. It is concluded that the fall in ERPF might be explained by reduced cardiac output in addition to interference with the hemodynamic autoregulation in the kidney.", "PMID": 760408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_267", "title": "Febrile seizures.", "content": "Thirty to 40 percent of children who have a febrile seizure between the ages of six months and six years are at risk for further and more serious febrile seizures and possibly for afebrile seizures. The risk is heightened if the child is less than one year of age and if the seizure lasts more than 20 minutes or is focal rather than generalized. A history of epilepsy in a first-degree relative also increases the risk. The use of long-term phenobarbital therapy is advocated when the seizure is \"atypical\".", "contents": "Febrile seizures. Thirty to 40 percent of children who have a febrile seizure between the ages of six months and six years are at risk for further and more serious febrile seizures and possibly for afebrile seizures. The risk is heightened if the child is less than one year of age and if the seizure lasts more than 20 minutes or is focal rather than generalized. A history of epilepsy in a first-degree relative also increases the risk. The use of long-term phenobarbital therapy is advocated when the seizure is \"atypical\".", "PMID": 760419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_268", "title": "Psychotropic drugs: a biopsychosocial approach.", "content": "A biopsychosocial theory and approach to drug-seeking behavior suggests new questions for the family physician to ask his patient when psychotropic drugs are being considered. The theory and rational guidelines for prescribing allow the physician to make more appropriate decisions when faced with difficult situations. Pharmacotherapy can then be directed toward alleviating anxiety that inhibits the patient's existing coping skills or toward activating the depressed/apathetic patient to use his existing skills. With this approach, social, psychologic and biologic coping devices can be simultaneously mobilized.", "contents": "Psychotropic drugs: a biopsychosocial approach. A biopsychosocial theory and approach to drug-seeking behavior suggests new questions for the family physician to ask his patient when psychotropic drugs are being considered. The theory and rational guidelines for prescribing allow the physician to make more appropriate decisions when faced with difficult situations. Pharmacotherapy can then be directed toward alleviating anxiety that inhibits the patient's existing coping skills or toward activating the depressed/apathetic patient to use his existing skills. With this approach, social, psychologic and biologic coping devices can be simultaneously mobilized.", "PMID": 760420} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_269", "title": "Effects of oral contraceptives on nutritional status.", "content": "Major effects of oral contraceptives on nutritional status are elevation of triglycerides, decline in glucose tolerance, an apparent increase in the need for folate and vitamins C, B2 and B6, and a decrease in iron loss. Women at greater risk of nutritional deficits due to oral contraceptives include those who have just had a baby, are planning to have a baby later, already show nutritional deficiencies, have had recent illness or surgery, have poor dietary habits, are still growing or have a family history of diabetes or heart disease.", "contents": "Effects of oral contraceptives on nutritional status. Major effects of oral contraceptives on nutritional status are elevation of triglycerides, decline in glucose tolerance, an apparent increase in the need for folate and vitamins C, B2 and B6, and a decrease in iron loss. Women at greater risk of nutritional deficits due to oral contraceptives include those who have just had a baby, are planning to have a baby later, already show nutritional deficiencies, have had recent illness or surgery, have poor dietary habits, are still growing or have a family history of diabetes or heart disease.", "PMID": 760421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_270", "title": "Amantadine and influenza A.", "content": "Amantadine hydrochloride is currently licensed for the prophylaxis and symptomatic treatment of influenza A infections. Although its efficacy is based on considerable clinical experience, amantadine has had relatively little use for that purpose in the U.S. It is well tolerated and generally nontoxic. It may be particularly useful in the prophylaxis of unvaccinated high-risk individuals and critical personnel. Effective use of amantadine depends on rapid detection of influenza A activity in the community.", "contents": "Amantadine and influenza A. Amantadine hydrochloride is currently licensed for the prophylaxis and symptomatic treatment of influenza A infections. Although its efficacy is based on considerable clinical experience, amantadine has had relatively little use for that purpose in the U.S. It is well tolerated and generally nontoxic. It may be particularly useful in the prophylaxis of unvaccinated high-risk individuals and critical personnel. Effective use of amantadine depends on rapid detection of influenza A activity in the community.", "PMID": 760422} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_271", "title": "Current concepts in the management of hearing loss.", "content": "The family physician is the logical first step for the hard-of-hearing patient who is seeking aural rehabilitation. Permanent, irreversible, sensorineural hypoacusis is becoming more prevalent. Recent FDA regulations mandate a physician's clearance before the patient can be fitted for a hearing aid. The family physician must be able to advise the patient about modern otologic and audiologic rehabilitative procedures for a sensorineural hearing loss.", "contents": "Current concepts in the management of hearing loss. The family physician is the logical first step for the hard-of-hearing patient who is seeking aural rehabilitation. Permanent, irreversible, sensorineural hypoacusis is becoming more prevalent. Recent FDA regulations mandate a physician's clearance before the patient can be fitted for a hearing aid. The family physician must be able to advise the patient about modern otologic and audiologic rehabilitative procedures for a sensorineural hearing loss.", "PMID": 760423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_272", "title": "Staphylococcal bacteremia: distinguishing endocarditis.", "content": "Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of endocarditis as well as bacteremia arising from noncardiac sites. Differentiation of endocardial from nonendocardial S. aureus bacteremia is often difficult, especially in febrile patients with S. aureus sepsis and no indentifiable focus. A number of clinical and laboratory features help distinguish these two bacteremias.", "contents": "Staphylococcal bacteremia: distinguishing endocarditis. Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of endocarditis as well as bacteremia arising from noncardiac sites. Differentiation of endocardial from nonendocardial S. aureus bacteremia is often difficult, especially in febrile patients with S. aureus sepsis and no indentifiable focus. A number of clinical and laboratory features help distinguish these two bacteremias.", "PMID": 760424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_273", "title": "Management of gout.", "content": "Although the traditional oral colchicine regimen is often used for the acute attack, the intravenous route has advantages. Indomethacin, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone and the newer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, such as ibuprofen, naproxen and fenoprofen, are quite successful. For chronic management of hyperuricemia, it is helpful to distinguish between overproducers of uric acid, for whom allopurinol is the rational therapy, and underexcreters of uric acid, for whom probenecid or sulfinpyrazone is indicated.", "contents": "Management of gout. Although the traditional oral colchicine regimen is often used for the acute attack, the intravenous route has advantages. Indomethacin, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone and the newer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, such as ibuprofen, naproxen and fenoprofen, are quite successful. For chronic management of hyperuricemia, it is helpful to distinguish between overproducers of uric acid, for whom allopurinol is the rational therapy, and underexcreters of uric acid, for whom probenecid or sulfinpyrazone is indicated.", "PMID": 760433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_274", "title": "Neurogenic bladder dysfunction.", "content": "The combined use of cystometry and perineal electromyography permits the physician to detect abnormalities in the synchronization of bladder contraction and urinary sphincter relaxation. With each pattern of neurogenic bladder disease, the coordination between bladder and sphincter determines whether urinary tract problems will develop. Treatment is tailored to specific bladder and sphincter defects.", "contents": "Neurogenic bladder dysfunction. The combined use of cystometry and perineal electromyography permits the physician to detect abnormalities in the synchronization of bladder contraction and urinary sphincter relaxation. With each pattern of neurogenic bladder disease, the coordination between bladder and sphincter determines whether urinary tract problems will develop. Treatment is tailored to specific bladder and sphincter defects.", "PMID": 760434} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_275", "title": "Common otolaryngologic problems of flying.", "content": "Pressure-volume changes associated with changing atmospheric pressure precipitate acute inflammation of the sinus and middle ear cavities, known collectively as barotrauma. Barotitis occurs during descent from high altitudes. A partial vacuum develops, manifested by a retracted tympanic membrane. Hemorrhage may occur as a consequence of the vacuum. Similar pathophysiology causes barosinusitis. While the cause of aerodontalgia is not known, pain in the teeth does occur during ascent rather than descent.", "contents": "Common otolaryngologic problems of flying. Pressure-volume changes associated with changing atmospheric pressure precipitate acute inflammation of the sinus and middle ear cavities, known collectively as barotrauma. Barotitis occurs during descent from high altitudes. A partial vacuum develops, manifested by a retracted tympanic membrane. Hemorrhage may occur as a consequence of the vacuum. Similar pathophysiology causes barosinusitis. While the cause of aerodontalgia is not known, pain in the teeth does occur during ascent rather than descent.", "PMID": 760435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_276", "title": "Acute epiglottitis in a community hospital.", "content": "Acute epiglottitis is a fulminating pediatric emergency which should be managed with antibiotics and the establishment of an airway. Either tracheostomy or nasotracheal intubation is employed for airway intervention. Because of the morbidity associated with tracheostomy, recent reports have stressed the use of nasotracheal intubation. Experience in 21 cases of acute epiglottitis emphasizes nasotracheal intubation as the treatment of choice in a community hospital.", "contents": "Acute epiglottitis in a community hospital. Acute epiglottitis is a fulminating pediatric emergency which should be managed with antibiotics and the establishment of an airway. Either tracheostomy or nasotracheal intubation is employed for airway intervention. Because of the morbidity associated with tracheostomy, recent reports have stressed the use of nasotracheal intubation. Experience in 21 cases of acute epiglottitis emphasizes nasotracheal intubation as the treatment of choice in a community hospital.", "PMID": 760436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_277", "title": "Arthritis of the temporomandibular joints.", "content": "The most common disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis may also involve this joint. Other diseases that may occasionally affect the TMJ include familial Mediterranean fever, systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and infectious arthritis. Many cases of TMJ syndrome are labeled as idiopathic facial pain syndrome, a category that probably represents a number of different entities. The role of dental malocclusion has been greatly overemphasized in the past.", "contents": "Arthritis of the temporomandibular joints. The most common disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis may also involve this joint. Other diseases that may occasionally affect the TMJ include familial Mediterranean fever, systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and infectious arthritis. Many cases of TMJ syndrome are labeled as idiopathic facial pain syndrome, a category that probably represents a number of different entities. The role of dental malocclusion has been greatly overemphasized in the past.", "PMID": 760437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_278", "title": "Drug therapy in the elderly.", "content": "Special considerations must be invoked when prescribing medications for the elderly. Although basic absorption is unchanged, many elderly patients are prone to chronic diarrhea or constipation, either of which may alter intestinal contact time and, thus, absorption. Concurrent use of such drugs as antacids or iron preparations may affect the availability of some compounds for absorption. The problem of drug interactions after absorption is also important, since studies have shown that elderly patients commonly receive several drugs concurrently.", "contents": "Drug therapy in the elderly. Special considerations must be invoked when prescribing medications for the elderly. Although basic absorption is unchanged, many elderly patients are prone to chronic diarrhea or constipation, either of which may alter intestinal contact time and, thus, absorption. Concurrent use of such drugs as antacids or iron preparations may affect the availability of some compounds for absorption. The problem of drug interactions after absorption is also important, since studies have shown that elderly patients commonly receive several drugs concurrently.", "PMID": 760438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_279", "title": "Qualitative radionuclide angiocardiography in the diagnosis of corrected transposition.", "content": "Seven patients with corrected transposition were studied by qualitative radionuclide angiocardiography. In four patients with situs solitus with apex on the left, the pulmonary artery was in a medial and posterior position, to the right of the aorta, with its root attached to the morphological left ventricle positioned on the right. The aorta arose from the ventricle placed on the left and had an anterior position. The ventricle located on the right has a triangular shape. In the case of situs solitus with dextroversion, the pulmonary artery was to the right of the aorta and had a right-to-left direction. The ventricle placed on the right was ovoid. In one single case of situs inversus with levoversion, the pulmonary artery was on the left, emerging from the morphological left ventricle placed on the left, and was ovoid in shape, while the aorta was on the right arising from the morphological right ventricle. In one case of situs inversus with dextrocardia, atrioventricular relationships were the same as in levoversion but the apex was on the right and the morphological left ventricle was triangular. Qualitative radionuclide angiocardiography is a simple and non-invasive method for obtaining morphological data for the precise diagnosis of corrected transposition.", "contents": "Qualitative radionuclide angiocardiography in the diagnosis of corrected transposition. Seven patients with corrected transposition were studied by qualitative radionuclide angiocardiography. In four patients with situs solitus with apex on the left, the pulmonary artery was in a medial and posterior position, to the right of the aorta, with its root attached to the morphological left ventricle positioned on the right. The aorta arose from the ventricle placed on the left and had an anterior position. The ventricle located on the right has a triangular shape. In the case of situs solitus with dextroversion, the pulmonary artery was to the right of the aorta and had a right-to-left direction. The ventricle placed on the right was ovoid. In one single case of situs inversus with levoversion, the pulmonary artery was on the left, emerging from the morphological left ventricle placed on the left, and was ovoid in shape, while the aorta was on the right arising from the morphological right ventricle. In one case of situs inversus with dextrocardia, atrioventricular relationships were the same as in levoversion but the apex was on the right and the morphological left ventricle was triangular. Qualitative radionuclide angiocardiography is a simple and non-invasive method for obtaining morphological data for the precise diagnosis of corrected transposition.", "PMID": 760444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_280", "title": "Abnormal septal motion in patients with postoperative right bundle branch block pattern.", "content": "Echocardiograms were performed on 25 patients with postoperative right bundle branch block pattern 3 to 93 months after surgery to assess the possible effects of abnormal cardiac excitation on septal motion. Each of the 25 patients demonstrated a unique pattern of septal motion characterized by the presence of an early systolic anterior septal notch, brief in duration and unrelated to subsequent systolic septal motion, right ventricular size, or surgical procedure. Beginning approximately 70 to 80 msec. after the initial QRS deflection, the septum abruptly moved anteriorly 2 to 7 mm. and then returned to a baseline position. The total duration of this abnormal septal motion lasted 78 to 155 msec. This echocardiographic pattern was not seen in any of 30 patients in two control groups. Twenty had a normal QRS pattern and ten demonstrated right ventricular hypertrophy. In addition, patients who underwent open heart surgery and had normal right ventricular conduction postoperatively did not show this echocardiographic pattern with either normal or paradoxical septal motion. This previously undescribed echocardiographic pattern demonstrates that septal motion is uniquely affected in patients with postoperative right bundle branch block pattern.", "contents": "Abnormal septal motion in patients with postoperative right bundle branch block pattern. Echocardiograms were performed on 25 patients with postoperative right bundle branch block pattern 3 to 93 months after surgery to assess the possible effects of abnormal cardiac excitation on septal motion. Each of the 25 patients demonstrated a unique pattern of septal motion characterized by the presence of an early systolic anterior septal notch, brief in duration and unrelated to subsequent systolic septal motion, right ventricular size, or surgical procedure. Beginning approximately 70 to 80 msec. after the initial QRS deflection, the septum abruptly moved anteriorly 2 to 7 mm. and then returned to a baseline position. The total duration of this abnormal septal motion lasted 78 to 155 msec. This echocardiographic pattern was not seen in any of 30 patients in two control groups. Twenty had a normal QRS pattern and ten demonstrated right ventricular hypertrophy. In addition, patients who underwent open heart surgery and had normal right ventricular conduction postoperatively did not show this echocardiographic pattern with either normal or paradoxical septal motion. This previously undescribed echocardiographic pattern demonstrates that septal motion is uniquely affected in patients with postoperative right bundle branch block pattern.", "PMID": 760445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_281", "title": "Heparin therapy: a randomized prospective study.", "content": "Eighty patients were assigned randomly either to continuous or to intermittent heparin therapy, with control by the Lee-White Clotting Time (LWCT). Major bleeding complications occurred in 7.5 per cent and minor complications in 18 per cent of the entire group. The incidence of major bleeding complications in the continuous group (5 per cent) did not differ significantly from the incidence in the intermittent group (10 per cent). In contrast, bleeding complications were significantly more frequent in patients with soft-tissue trauma due to such procedures as thoracenteses and cut-downs, vascular damage due to other causes, and LWCTs over 35 minutes for 2 consecutive days. The incidence of bleeding complications appear to be the same in patients receiving intermittent as in those receiving continuous heparin therapy. Thoracenteses, cut-downs, and other forms of soft-tissue injury predispose to bleeding complications while laboratory monitoring with the LWCT may help to reduce bleeding complications.", "contents": "Heparin therapy: a randomized prospective study. Eighty patients were assigned randomly either to continuous or to intermittent heparin therapy, with control by the Lee-White Clotting Time (LWCT). Major bleeding complications occurred in 7.5 per cent and minor complications in 18 per cent of the entire group. The incidence of major bleeding complications in the continuous group (5 per cent) did not differ significantly from the incidence in the intermittent group (10 per cent). In contrast, bleeding complications were significantly more frequent in patients with soft-tissue trauma due to such procedures as thoracenteses and cut-downs, vascular damage due to other causes, and LWCTs over 35 minutes for 2 consecutive days. The incidence of bleeding complications appear to be the same in patients receiving intermittent as in those receiving continuous heparin therapy. Thoracenteses, cut-downs, and other forms of soft-tissue injury predispose to bleeding complications while laboratory monitoring with the LWCT may help to reduce bleeding complications.", "PMID": 760446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_282", "title": "Hazards in treatment of systolic hypertension.", "content": "Eight patients with arteriosclerotic systolic hypertension whose blood pressure had been nonresponsive to conventional antihypertensive therapy, were given minoxidil in daily doses of 4 to 15 mg. Within 2 to 5 days the blood pressure of seven patients was brought to more \"normal\" levels. After 10 to 20 days of treatment, a significant weight increase was observed with a concomitant rise of blood pressure, which could be overcome by more vigorous diuretic therapy. However, six of the seven blood pressure responders and the one nonresponder complained of severe adverse effects curtailing further use of the drug. It is concluded that despite the effectiveness of arteriolar vasodilation in the reduction of elevated systolic blood pressure, such lowering may be deleterious in patients with atherosclerotic involvement of vital organs.", "contents": "Hazards in treatment of systolic hypertension. Eight patients with arteriosclerotic systolic hypertension whose blood pressure had been nonresponsive to conventional antihypertensive therapy, were given minoxidil in daily doses of 4 to 15 mg. Within 2 to 5 days the blood pressure of seven patients was brought to more \"normal\" levels. After 10 to 20 days of treatment, a significant weight increase was observed with a concomitant rise of blood pressure, which could be overcome by more vigorous diuretic therapy. However, six of the seven blood pressure responders and the one nonresponder complained of severe adverse effects curtailing further use of the drug. It is concluded that despite the effectiveness of arteriolar vasodilation in the reduction of elevated systolic blood pressure, such lowering may be deleterious in patients with atherosclerotic involvement of vital organs.", "PMID": 760448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_283", "title": "The incidence and pattern of angina prior to acute myocardial infarction: a study of 577 cases.", "content": "In order to determine the incidence and pattern of angina as a premonitory symptom of acute myocardial infarction, 577 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction were questioned shortly after hospital admission about the presence and pattern of chest pain prior to onset of infarction, with particular emphasis on the month prior to infarction. Two hundred and seventy-six patients (48 per cent) had no angina before infarction (Group I), whereas 301 (52 per cent) did. One hundred and seventy-nine patients (31 per cent) had a history of chronic angina, and of these, 75 had no change in the pattern of angina prior to infarction (Group II) while 104 noticed worsening of their symptoms in the month prior to infarction (Group III). One hundred and twenty-two patients (21 per cent) had new onset angina in the month prior to infarction (Group IV). The number of patients with unstable angina prior to infarction (Groups III and IV) was therefore 226 or 39 per cent of the total series. In patients with unstable angina, the increase in severity of symptoms or the development of new onset angina occurred within a period of 1 week or less in 69 per cent. Patients with a history of previous infarction or chronic angina had a higher incidence of unstable angina prior to infarction than patients without such a history (p less than 0.05). Patients with prior angina (Groups II, III, and IV) had a higher incidence of subendocardial infarction than patients without angina (p less than 0.05). The hospital mortality rate in the four groups did not differ significantly.", "contents": "The incidence and pattern of angina prior to acute myocardial infarction: a study of 577 cases. In order to determine the incidence and pattern of angina as a premonitory symptom of acute myocardial infarction, 577 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction were questioned shortly after hospital admission about the presence and pattern of chest pain prior to onset of infarction, with particular emphasis on the month prior to infarction. Two hundred and seventy-six patients (48 per cent) had no angina before infarction (Group I), whereas 301 (52 per cent) did. One hundred and seventy-nine patients (31 per cent) had a history of chronic angina, and of these, 75 had no change in the pattern of angina prior to infarction (Group II) while 104 noticed worsening of their symptoms in the month prior to infarction (Group III). One hundred and twenty-two patients (21 per cent) had new onset angina in the month prior to infarction (Group IV). The number of patients with unstable angina prior to infarction (Groups III and IV) was therefore 226 or 39 per cent of the total series. In patients with unstable angina, the increase in severity of symptoms or the development of new onset angina occurred within a period of 1 week or less in 69 per cent. Patients with a history of previous infarction or chronic angina had a higher incidence of unstable angina prior to infarction than patients without such a history (p less than 0.05). Patients with prior angina (Groups II, III, and IV) had a higher incidence of subendocardial infarction than patients without angina (p less than 0.05). The hospital mortality rate in the four groups did not differ significantly.", "PMID": 760449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_284", "title": "Phasic changes in human right coronary blood flow before and after repair of aortic insufficiency.", "content": "We have shown previously that acute aortic insufficiency in chronically instrumented dogs reverses the normally high ratio of diastolic to systolic coronary blood flow. Phasic blood flow in the dominant right coronary artery was measured directly with an electromagnetic flow meter during surgery in eight patients with severe aortic insufficiency before and after relacement of the aortic valve. Before the insufficiency was eliminated, right coronary flow average 116 +/- 37 ml./minute and the diastolic to systolic flow ratio was 0.88 +/- 17. Mean arterial blood pressure averaged 106 +/- 17 mm. Hg, heart rate 84 +/- 19 beats/minute, and mean diastolic pressure averaged 67 +/- 10 mm. Hg. After the aortic valve was replaced with an average heart rate of 90 +/- 15 and mean blood pressure of 103 +/- 13 mm. Hg, the average right coronary blood flow increased to 180 +/- 40 ml./minute with a D/S ratio of 2.18 +/- 0.8. In all cases the right coronary blood flow increased after the aortic insufficiency was eliminated surgically. Right coronary flow probably increased because of the improved diastolic perfusion pressure and the change from predominantly systolic to diastolic coronary flow.", "contents": "Phasic changes in human right coronary blood flow before and after repair of aortic insufficiency. We have shown previously that acute aortic insufficiency in chronically instrumented dogs reverses the normally high ratio of diastolic to systolic coronary blood flow. Phasic blood flow in the dominant right coronary artery was measured directly with an electromagnetic flow meter during surgery in eight patients with severe aortic insufficiency before and after relacement of the aortic valve. Before the insufficiency was eliminated, right coronary flow average 116 +/- 37 ml./minute and the diastolic to systolic flow ratio was 0.88 +/- 17. Mean arterial blood pressure averaged 106 +/- 17 mm. Hg, heart rate 84 +/- 19 beats/minute, and mean diastolic pressure averaged 67 +/- 10 mm. Hg. After the aortic valve was replaced with an average heart rate of 90 +/- 15 and mean blood pressure of 103 +/- 13 mm. Hg, the average right coronary blood flow increased to 180 +/- 40 ml./minute with a D/S ratio of 2.18 +/- 0.8. In all cases the right coronary blood flow increased after the aortic insufficiency was eliminated surgically. Right coronary flow probably increased because of the improved diastolic perfusion pressure and the change from predominantly systolic to diastolic coronary flow.", "PMID": 760451} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_285", "title": "Gap phenomenon in \"the right and left bundle branch systems\" during retrograde conduction in man.", "content": "Gap phenomenon in right and left bundle branch systems during retrograde conduction is described in two patients with manifest reentry within the His-Purkinje System (V3 phenomenon). In this form of gap the premature impulse (S2) initially blocked in the right bundle branch system and conducted retrogradely via the left bundle branch system as manifested by sudden prolongation of S2H2 interval and appearance of V3. At close coupling intervals S2 impulse encountered retrograde block in the left bundle branch system and resumed retrograde conduction via the right bundle branch system with S2H2 intervals shorter than critical value and was not followed by V3. However, on further shortening the S1S2 intervals S2 impulse blocked again in right bundle branch system and resumed conduction via the left bundle branch system with S2H2 intervals longer than critical values and V3 reappeared. The mechanism of these gaps is not clear but we believe is similar to the one proposed in Types I and II gaps in antegrade bundle branch conduction and involves proximal delay allowing distal recovery. The similarities and differences between the gap phenomenon in bundle branches during antegrade and retrograde conduction are discussed.", "contents": "Gap phenomenon in \"the right and left bundle branch systems\" during retrograde conduction in man. Gap phenomenon in right and left bundle branch systems during retrograde conduction is described in two patients with manifest reentry within the His-Purkinje System (V3 phenomenon). In this form of gap the premature impulse (S2) initially blocked in the right bundle branch system and conducted retrogradely via the left bundle branch system as manifested by sudden prolongation of S2H2 interval and appearance of V3. At close coupling intervals S2 impulse encountered retrograde block in the left bundle branch system and resumed retrograde conduction via the right bundle branch system with S2H2 intervals shorter than critical value and was not followed by V3. However, on further shortening the S1S2 intervals S2 impulse blocked again in right bundle branch system and resumed conduction via the left bundle branch system with S2H2 intervals longer than critical values and V3 reappeared. The mechanism of these gaps is not clear but we believe is similar to the one proposed in Types I and II gaps in antegrade bundle branch conduction and involves proximal delay allowing distal recovery. The similarities and differences between the gap phenomenon in bundle branches during antegrade and retrograde conduction are discussed.", "PMID": 760452} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_286", "title": "Atropine-induced ventricular fibrillation: case report and review of the literature.", "content": "A bradycardic and mildly hypotensive acute myocardial infarction patient developed sinus tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, flutter, and fibrillation following intravenous atropine. Previous case reports are reviewed and the literature regarding the advisability of this mode of therapy is discussed. In the light of conflicting opinion as to the necessity of atropine in the mildly hypotensive and bradycardic acute myocardial infarction patient, and in view of its potentially deliterious effects on ischemic myocardium, a cautious and selective application of this drug is advised.", "contents": "Atropine-induced ventricular fibrillation: case report and review of the literature. A bradycardic and mildly hypotensive acute myocardial infarction patient developed sinus tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, flutter, and fibrillation following intravenous atropine. Previous case reports are reviewed and the literature regarding the advisability of this mode of therapy is discussed. In the light of conflicting opinion as to the necessity of atropine in the mildly hypotensive and bradycardic acute myocardial infarction patient, and in view of its potentially deliterious effects on ischemic myocardium, a cautious and selective application of this drug is advised.", "PMID": 760453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_287", "title": "Significance of reduced regional myocardial blood flow in asynergic areas evaluated with intervention ventriculography. Results of studies combining washout of xenon-133 and postextrasystolic potentiation.", "content": "Nineteen patients with coronary artery disease were studied to determine the significance of reduced regional myocardial blood flow (50 ml/min per 100 g or less) in areas of abnormal wall motion. Regional myocardial blood flow was measured in four regions of the left ventricle with an Anger camera after the injection xenon-133 into the left main coronary artery. Abnormal wall motion was evaluated with biplane left ventriculography at rest and during postextrasystolic potentiation, a potent inotropic stimulus. Abnormal wall motion was defined as hemiaxis shortening of less than 20 percent. Four hemiaxes were designated as corresponding to the four regions of myocardial blood flow. Of 76 hemiaxes evaluated in the 19 patients, 54 manifested normal wall motion and 22 abnormal wall motion; 8 of the 22 hemiaxes had reduced regional myocardial bood flow. In these 8, hemiaxis shortening increased 6 +/- 2 percent (mean +/- standard error of the mean) above values at rest during postextrasystolic potentiation (with normalization of hemiaxis shortening in only 1 of the 8), compared with an increase of 19 +/- 4 percent (P less than 0.001) in the 12 hemiaxes with borderline regional myocardial blood flow (with normalization of hemiaxis shortening in 9 of the 12, P less than 0.05). These results indicate that the presence of reduced regional myocardial blood flow in areas of abnormal wall motion usually predicts a poor response to post-extrasystolic potentiation, whereas abnormal wall motion without reduced regional myocardial blood flow usually predicts a good response. The combination of reduced regional myocardial blood flow and abnormal wall motion suggests scarred and nonviable myocardium.", "contents": "Significance of reduced regional myocardial blood flow in asynergic areas evaluated with intervention ventriculography. Results of studies combining washout of xenon-133 and postextrasystolic potentiation. Nineteen patients with coronary artery disease were studied to determine the significance of reduced regional myocardial blood flow (50 ml/min per 100 g or less) in areas of abnormal wall motion. Regional myocardial blood flow was measured in four regions of the left ventricle with an Anger camera after the injection xenon-133 into the left main coronary artery. Abnormal wall motion was evaluated with biplane left ventriculography at rest and during postextrasystolic potentiation, a potent inotropic stimulus. Abnormal wall motion was defined as hemiaxis shortening of less than 20 percent. Four hemiaxes were designated as corresponding to the four regions of myocardial blood flow. Of 76 hemiaxes evaluated in the 19 patients, 54 manifested normal wall motion and 22 abnormal wall motion; 8 of the 22 hemiaxes had reduced regional myocardial bood flow. In these 8, hemiaxis shortening increased 6 +/- 2 percent (mean +/- standard error of the mean) above values at rest during postextrasystolic potentiation (with normalization of hemiaxis shortening in only 1 of the 8), compared with an increase of 19 +/- 4 percent (P less than 0.001) in the 12 hemiaxes with borderline regional myocardial blood flow (with normalization of hemiaxis shortening in 9 of the 12, P less than 0.05). These results indicate that the presence of reduced regional myocardial blood flow in areas of abnormal wall motion usually predicts a poor response to post-extrasystolic potentiation, whereas abnormal wall motion without reduced regional myocardial blood flow usually predicts a good response. The combination of reduced regional myocardial blood flow and abnormal wall motion suggests scarred and nonviable myocardium.", "PMID": 760472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_288", "title": "Effect of dilation of the distal coronary bed on flow and resistance in severely stenotic coronary arteries in the dog.", "content": "Studies were performed to evaluate the hemodynamic response of severely stenotic coronary arteries to dilation of the distal coronary bed. A critical stenosis was produced with an adjustable wire snare on the left anterior descending or circumflex arteries of open chest dogs. Coronary flow, distal coronary pressure and aortic pressure were measured. In one group of experiments, coronary arteriolar dilatation was induced by transient occlusion of the artery distal to the stenosis. After the release of a transient occlusion in vessels without a critical stenosis, flow increased (from 33 +/- 4 to 85 +/- 8 ml/min, P less than 0.01), distal pressure decreased slightly (from 86 +/- 4 to 80 +/- 4 mm Hg, P less than 0.01), and large vessel resistance did not change significantly (from 0.06 +/- 0.02 to 0.08 +/- 0.03 units). After the release of a transient occlusion in vessels with a critical stenosis, flow decreased (from 23 +/- 3 to 12 +/- 2 ml/min, P less than 0.01), distal pressure decreased to persistently low levels (from 63 +/- 2 to 29 +/- 2 mm Hg, P less than 0.01), and large vessel resistance increased (from 1.4 +/- 0.3 to 6.7 +/- 1.8 units, P less than 0.01). In a separate group of experiments, radio-opaque contrast medium was used to dilate the distal coronary bed. In these studies dilation of the distal coronary of arteries with a critical stenosis again resulted in a decrease in coronary blood flow (from 35 +/- 4 to 19 +/- 3 ml/min, P less than 0.01), a decrease in distal coronary pressure (from 84 +/- 6 to 35 +/- 6 mm Hg, P less than 0.01) and an increase in large arterial resistance (from 1.0 +/- 0.2 to 5.5 +/- 1.2 units, P less than 0.02). Therefore, in coronary vessels with severe stenosis, dilation of the distal coronary bed may result in a paradoxical decrease in coronary blood flow.", "contents": "Effect of dilation of the distal coronary bed on flow and resistance in severely stenotic coronary arteries in the dog. Studies were performed to evaluate the hemodynamic response of severely stenotic coronary arteries to dilation of the distal coronary bed. A critical stenosis was produced with an adjustable wire snare on the left anterior descending or circumflex arteries of open chest dogs. Coronary flow, distal coronary pressure and aortic pressure were measured. In one group of experiments, coronary arteriolar dilatation was induced by transient occlusion of the artery distal to the stenosis. After the release of a transient occlusion in vessels without a critical stenosis, flow increased (from 33 +/- 4 to 85 +/- 8 ml/min, P less than 0.01), distal pressure decreased slightly (from 86 +/- 4 to 80 +/- 4 mm Hg, P less than 0.01), and large vessel resistance did not change significantly (from 0.06 +/- 0.02 to 0.08 +/- 0.03 units). After the release of a transient occlusion in vessels with a critical stenosis, flow decreased (from 23 +/- 3 to 12 +/- 2 ml/min, P less than 0.01), distal pressure decreased to persistently low levels (from 63 +/- 2 to 29 +/- 2 mm Hg, P less than 0.01), and large vessel resistance increased (from 1.4 +/- 0.3 to 6.7 +/- 1.8 units, P less than 0.01). In a separate group of experiments, radio-opaque contrast medium was used to dilate the distal coronary bed. In these studies dilation of the distal coronary of arteries with a critical stenosis again resulted in a decrease in coronary blood flow (from 35 +/- 4 to 19 +/- 3 ml/min, P less than 0.01), a decrease in distal coronary pressure (from 84 +/- 6 to 35 +/- 6 mm Hg, P less than 0.01) and an increase in large arterial resistance (from 1.0 +/- 0.2 to 5.5 +/- 1.2 units, P less than 0.02). Therefore, in coronary vessels with severe stenosis, dilation of the distal coronary bed may result in a paradoxical decrease in coronary blood flow.", "PMID": 760476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_289", "title": "Cardiac damage produced by direct current countershock applied to the heart.", "content": "This study examined the pathophysiology of the myocaridal damage produced by direct current shock over a dose range of 10 to 90 watt-seconds, applied directly to the heart in 26 dosgs. The extent of injury produced was assessed with creatine kinase depletion and light and electron microscopy, and was correlated with in vivo imaging and tissue distributions of the isotopes technetium-99m pyrophosphate and thallium-201. Changes in intramyocardial temperature and regional myocardial blood flow were also measured. Uptake of technetium-99m pyrophosphate occurred exponentially with graded increases in shocks, and this agent was more sensitive than thallium-201 in detecting injury both on imaging and at tissue level. The threshold for significant injury was approximately 30 watt-seconds, and on electron microscopy a characteristic feature was marked dehiscence of the intercalated disks between the damaged myocytes. The use of different-size paddles did not appear to affect the total number of cells damaged. However, with large paddles the injury was more superficial and spread over a wider area. With short time intervals between successive shocks, a greater amount of injury occurred, in part because of a compounding of the thermal component of the damage. Hypothermia can reduce the degree of injury.", "contents": "Cardiac damage produced by direct current countershock applied to the heart. This study examined the pathophysiology of the myocaridal damage produced by direct current shock over a dose range of 10 to 90 watt-seconds, applied directly to the heart in 26 dosgs. The extent of injury produced was assessed with creatine kinase depletion and light and electron microscopy, and was correlated with in vivo imaging and tissue distributions of the isotopes technetium-99m pyrophosphate and thallium-201. Changes in intramyocardial temperature and regional myocardial blood flow were also measured. Uptake of technetium-99m pyrophosphate occurred exponentially with graded increases in shocks, and this agent was more sensitive than thallium-201 in detecting injury both on imaging and at tissue level. The threshold for significant injury was approximately 30 watt-seconds, and on electron microscopy a characteristic feature was marked dehiscence of the intercalated disks between the damaged myocytes. The use of different-size paddles did not appear to affect the total number of cells damaged. However, with large paddles the injury was more superficial and spread over a wider area. With short time intervals between successive shocks, a greater amount of injury occurred, in part because of a compounding of the thermal component of the damage. Hypothermia can reduce the degree of injury.", "PMID": 760477} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_290", "title": "Ejection phase indexes by invasive and noninvasive methods: an apexcardiographic, echocardiographic and ventriculographic correlative study.", "content": "A new noninvasive method of measuring ejection fraction and the mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening from the apexcardiogram and carotid pulse tracing is described and compared with the echocardiographic and angiographic measurement of these values in 35 patients with coronary artery disease. The correlations of the apexcardiographic derived values with the angiographic measurements were excellent (r = 0.89 and 0.96, respectively, P less than 0.001) even though asynergy was present in 14 of the 35 patients. Only 6 percent of the derived ejection fractions and none of the mean velocity measurements were discordant with the angiographic data. In contrast, correlations of the echocardiographic measurements of the ejection phase indexes with the same angiographic data were poorer (r = 0.75 and 0.66, respectively, for ejection fraction and mean velocity, P less than 0.01). Twenty-eight percent of echocardiographic ejection fraction measurements and 20 percent of the echocardiographic mean velocity measurements were discordant with the angiographic data. It is concluded that the apexcardiogram is a dependable bedside test for estimating left ventricular function and is superior to the echocardiogram for measuring ejection phase indexes.", "contents": "Ejection phase indexes by invasive and noninvasive methods: an apexcardiographic, echocardiographic and ventriculographic correlative study. A new noninvasive method of measuring ejection fraction and the mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening from the apexcardiogram and carotid pulse tracing is described and compared with the echocardiographic and angiographic measurement of these values in 35 patients with coronary artery disease. The correlations of the apexcardiographic derived values with the angiographic measurements were excellent (r = 0.89 and 0.96, respectively, P less than 0.001) even though asynergy was present in 14 of the 35 patients. Only 6 percent of the derived ejection fractions and none of the mean velocity measurements were discordant with the angiographic data. In contrast, correlations of the echocardiographic measurements of the ejection phase indexes with the same angiographic data were poorer (r = 0.75 and 0.66, respectively, for ejection fraction and mean velocity, P less than 0.01). Twenty-eight percent of echocardiographic ejection fraction measurements and 20 percent of the echocardiographic mean velocity measurements were discordant with the angiographic data. It is concluded that the apexcardiogram is a dependable bedside test for estimating left ventricular function and is superior to the echocardiogram for measuring ejection phase indexes.", "PMID": 760478} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_291", "title": "Use of contrast echocardiography in the diagnosis of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection.", "content": "Contrast echocardiography is useful in diagnosing the presence of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection, particularly when it occurs in association with an atrial septal defect. Injections of saline solution, Cardiogreen or the patient's own blood were made in the inferior vena cava, left atrium and pulmonary veins of 27 patients. In all patients, the inferior vena caval injections showed only right heart clouding with no evidence of a right to left shunt. In 21 patients, the left atrial and pulmonary venous injections showed clouding of both the right and left heart structures, indicating a left to right atrial shunt and normal pulmonary venous connection. In six patients, the left artrial injections showed right and left heart clouding, but the right pulmonary venous injections showed only right heart structures, indicating a left to right atrial shunt with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Contrast echocardiography proved to be a sensitive method of diagnosing the anomalous venous connection without the use of dye curves. The method is not useful when a right to left atrial shunt is present and may show false positive results for partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection it left atrial visualization is not adequate during injection into the pulmonary vein.", "contents": "Use of contrast echocardiography in the diagnosis of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Contrast echocardiography is useful in diagnosing the presence of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection, particularly when it occurs in association with an atrial septal defect. Injections of saline solution, Cardiogreen or the patient's own blood were made in the inferior vena cava, left atrium and pulmonary veins of 27 patients. In all patients, the inferior vena caval injections showed only right heart clouding with no evidence of a right to left shunt. In 21 patients, the left atrial and pulmonary venous injections showed clouding of both the right and left heart structures, indicating a left to right atrial shunt and normal pulmonary venous connection. In six patients, the left artrial injections showed right and left heart clouding, but the right pulmonary venous injections showed only right heart structures, indicating a left to right atrial shunt with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Contrast echocardiography proved to be a sensitive method of diagnosing the anomalous venous connection without the use of dye curves. The method is not useful when a right to left atrial shunt is present and may show false positive results for partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection it left atrial visualization is not adequate during injection into the pulmonary vein.", "PMID": 760479} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_292", "title": "Muscular ventricular septal defects: a reappraisal of the anatomy.", "content": "Among 79 autopsy specimens of heart with an isolated ventricular septal defect, there were 29 cases of muscular defect. Among 60 hearts with complete transposition of the great arteries and a ventricular septal defect, there were 13 cases with a muscular defect. All muscular defects could be classified in three different types, based on the specific pathologic anatomy of the ventricular septum. The central and posterior defects were usually large and single, the marginal defects were frequently small and multiple. In hearts with transposition, central muscular defects were extremely rare, whereas these defects were by far the most frequent muscular defects in isolated ventricular septal defect. Alternatively, the posterior type was more common in cases of transposition. Marginal muscular defects were rare in both groups of malformations.", "contents": "Muscular ventricular septal defects: a reappraisal of the anatomy. Among 79 autopsy specimens of heart with an isolated ventricular septal defect, there were 29 cases of muscular defect. Among 60 hearts with complete transposition of the great arteries and a ventricular septal defect, there were 13 cases with a muscular defect. All muscular defects could be classified in three different types, based on the specific pathologic anatomy of the ventricular septum. The central and posterior defects were usually large and single, the marginal defects were frequently small and multiple. In hearts with transposition, central muscular defects were extremely rare, whereas these defects were by far the most frequent muscular defects in isolated ventricular septal defect. Alternatively, the posterior type was more common in cases of transposition. Marginal muscular defects were rare in both groups of malformations.", "PMID": 760481} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_293", "title": "Efficacy of a new oral agent (tocainide) in the acute treatment of refractory ventricular arrhythmias.", "content": "To assess the efficacy of tocainide, a new oral analog of lidocaine, 30 patients with ventricular arrhythmias refractory to quinidine, procainamide and propranolol were treated with this agent. The dose of tocainide ranged from 400 to 800 mg every 8 hours. Peak tocainide blood levels 1 to 4 hours after administration ranged from 5.0 to 15.0 microgram/ml (mean 10.3). The suppression of ventricular premature beats by 75 percent or more was arbitrarily used as a measure of drug efficacy. In 13 patients who met this criterion, ventricular premature complexes, assessed with 24 hour ambulatory tape monitoring, decreased by an average of 88 percent. In 8 of 11 patients, repeated symptomatic bouts of ventricular tachycardia were completely suppressed. Considering both the response of ventricular premature complexes and the abolition of ventricular tachycardia, 18 patients (60 percent) responded to tocainide. Twenty-one patients (70 percent) had initial gastrointestinal and central nervous system side effects; most of these were transient or responded to a reduction in dose. In two patients disorientation and a skin rash required withdrawal of tocainide. These adverse effects did not appear to be due to the interaction of tocainide with other antiarrhythmic agents. It is concluded that tocainide is an effective oral agent for the therapy of potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias refractory to other medication.", "contents": "Efficacy of a new oral agent (tocainide) in the acute treatment of refractory ventricular arrhythmias. To assess the efficacy of tocainide, a new oral analog of lidocaine, 30 patients with ventricular arrhythmias refractory to quinidine, procainamide and propranolol were treated with this agent. The dose of tocainide ranged from 400 to 800 mg every 8 hours. Peak tocainide blood levels 1 to 4 hours after administration ranged from 5.0 to 15.0 microgram/ml (mean 10.3). The suppression of ventricular premature beats by 75 percent or more was arbitrarily used as a measure of drug efficacy. In 13 patients who met this criterion, ventricular premature complexes, assessed with 24 hour ambulatory tape monitoring, decreased by an average of 88 percent. In 8 of 11 patients, repeated symptomatic bouts of ventricular tachycardia were completely suppressed. Considering both the response of ventricular premature complexes and the abolition of ventricular tachycardia, 18 patients (60 percent) responded to tocainide. Twenty-one patients (70 percent) had initial gastrointestinal and central nervous system side effects; most of these were transient or responded to a reduction in dose. In two patients disorientation and a skin rash required withdrawal of tocainide. These adverse effects did not appear to be due to the interaction of tocainide with other antiarrhythmic agents. It is concluded that tocainide is an effective oral agent for the therapy of potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias refractory to other medication.", "PMID": 760482} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_294", "title": "Evaluation of therapeutic methods in high altitude pulmonary edema.", "content": "The effect of treatment with bed rest alone was evaluated in 16 patients with high altitude pulmonary edema of mild to moderate severity at an altitude of 3,750 meters in the central Peruvian Andes. The results were compared with those in 20 patients who received conventional therapy including the continuous administration of oxygen and bed rest. A system of grading the severity of high altitude pulmonary edema based on clinical symptoms and signs, radiologic findings and heart rate and respiratory rate was developed. The severity of pulmonary edema as evaluated with the grading system was similar in the two groups of patients. Treatment with bed rest alone resulted in complete recovery in all patients over a mean period of 60 hours. No treatment failure occurred. Similar results were obtained with oxygen therapy combined with bed rest, except that the relief of symptoms was more rapid, the decrease in heart rate and respiratory rate was greater and the recovery period was slightly shorter. High altitude pulmonary edema of mild to moderate severity can be treated successfully with bed rest alone without the administration of oxygen and without moving the patient to a lower altitude. Oxygen therapy is more effective and when available should be used in all cases of high altitude pulmonary edema.", "contents": "Evaluation of therapeutic methods in high altitude pulmonary edema. The effect of treatment with bed rest alone was evaluated in 16 patients with high altitude pulmonary edema of mild to moderate severity at an altitude of 3,750 meters in the central Peruvian Andes. The results were compared with those in 20 patients who received conventional therapy including the continuous administration of oxygen and bed rest. A system of grading the severity of high altitude pulmonary edema based on clinical symptoms and signs, radiologic findings and heart rate and respiratory rate was developed. The severity of pulmonary edema as evaluated with the grading system was similar in the two groups of patients. Treatment with bed rest alone resulted in complete recovery in all patients over a mean period of 60 hours. No treatment failure occurred. Similar results were obtained with oxygen therapy combined with bed rest, except that the relief of symptoms was more rapid, the decrease in heart rate and respiratory rate was greater and the recovery period was slightly shorter. High altitude pulmonary edema of mild to moderate severity can be treated successfully with bed rest alone without the administration of oxygen and without moving the patient to a lower altitude. Oxygen therapy is more effective and when available should be used in all cases of high altitude pulmonary edema.", "PMID": 760484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_295", "title": "Noninvasive documentation of Prinzmetal's angina.", "content": "A 57 year old women with substernal nonexertional chest pain and angiographically patent coronary arteries was evaluated with two dimensional echocardiography and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy after provocation of pain with methacholine. Simultaneous with the development of angina pectoris, the electrocardiogram demonstrated S-T segment elevation in leads II, III and aVF, followed by atrioventricular block. The echocardiogram revealed akinesia of the previously normally contracting left ventricular posterior wall during pain followed by hyperkinesia after the administration of nitroglycerin. Perfusion imaging suggested reversible inferior wall hypoperfusion. Thus, these studies provided noninvasive documentation of segmental left ventricular dysfunction and hypoperfusion during variant angina.", "contents": "Noninvasive documentation of Prinzmetal's angina. A 57 year old women with substernal nonexertional chest pain and angiographically patent coronary arteries was evaluated with two dimensional echocardiography and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy after provocation of pain with methacholine. Simultaneous with the development of angina pectoris, the electrocardiogram demonstrated S-T segment elevation in leads II, III and aVF, followed by atrioventricular block. The echocardiogram revealed akinesia of the previously normally contracting left ventricular posterior wall during pain followed by hyperkinesia after the administration of nitroglycerin. Perfusion imaging suggested reversible inferior wall hypoperfusion. Thus, these studies provided noninvasive documentation of segmental left ventricular dysfunction and hypoperfusion during variant angina.", "PMID": 760485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_296", "title": "Ultrastructure of the tubular nephron of the garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis.", "content": "Ultrastructural features of the tubular nephron of the garter snake, with special reference to modifications for conservation of water, were studied using transmission electron microscopy, freeze-fracture and tracer experiments. Although a nephric loop (loop of Henle) is lacking, the tubules appear to be structurally well adapted for efficient ion and water reabsorption. The most prominent features are well developed microvilli in the proximal tubule and elaborate latteral folds, particularly in the distal tubule and collecting ducts. The latter structures are highly interdigitated, creating complex intercellular channels, perhaps facilitating transepithelial fluid transport. Only the proximal tubule actively absorbs and degrades protein tracers from the lumen. The cells of the collecting duct secrete mucus which may precipitate and bind urate salts in the lumen. This may be significant in the excretion of these salts, a process which combines maximal removal of salts and nitrogenous wastes with minimal loss of water.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of the tubular nephron of the garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis. Ultrastructural features of the tubular nephron of the garter snake, with special reference to modifications for conservation of water, were studied using transmission electron microscopy, freeze-fracture and tracer experiments. Although a nephric loop (loop of Henle) is lacking, the tubules appear to be structurally well adapted for efficient ion and water reabsorption. The most prominent features are well developed microvilli in the proximal tubule and elaborate latteral folds, particularly in the distal tubule and collecting ducts. The latter structures are highly interdigitated, creating complex intercellular channels, perhaps facilitating transepithelial fluid transport. Only the proximal tubule actively absorbs and degrades protein tracers from the lumen. The cells of the collecting duct secrete mucus which may precipitate and bind urate salts in the lumen. This may be significant in the excretion of these salts, a process which combines maximal removal of salts and nitrogenous wastes with minimal loss of water.", "PMID": 760486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_297", "title": "The effect of lanthanum on the nexus of the anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilus edulis L.", "content": "The nexus of the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of Mytilus has been observed with freeze-fracture techniques. Pits appear in the EF face and particles in the PF face, designating it as an A-type nexus. Under control conditions (lanthanum-free) the center-to-center spacing of pits and particles ranged from 14.0 nm to 15.5 nm. When lanthanum chloride (5 mM) was used in incubation media before fixation and glycerination, marked changes in the nexal membrane were observed. These changes involved close packing and long-range ordering of pits in the EF face, as shown by optical diffraction. In the presence of lanthanum the center-to-center spacing of the pits was 11.7 nm, while the particles remained at a spacing of 15.0 nm. From this we conclude that specific agents can alter the array of pits and particles in a nexus (gap junction).", "contents": "The effect of lanthanum on the nexus of the anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilus edulis L. The nexus of the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of Mytilus has been observed with freeze-fracture techniques. Pits appear in the EF face and particles in the PF face, designating it as an A-type nexus. Under control conditions (lanthanum-free) the center-to-center spacing of pits and particles ranged from 14.0 nm to 15.5 nm. When lanthanum chloride (5 mM) was used in incubation media before fixation and glycerination, marked changes in the nexal membrane were observed. These changes involved close packing and long-range ordering of pits in the EF face, as shown by optical diffraction. In the presence of lanthanum the center-to-center spacing of the pits was 11.7 nm, while the particles remained at a spacing of 15.0 nm. From this we conclude that specific agents can alter the array of pits and particles in a nexus (gap junction).", "PMID": 760487} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_298", "title": "Development of cell types and of regional differences in the postnatal rat epididymis.", "content": "The development of cell types and regional differences in the rat epididymis was studied in specimens of the initial, middle and terminal segments prepared at intervals between birth and postnatal day 94. The development of the epididymis was divided into three phases: (1) an undifferentiated period; (2) a period of differentiation, and (3) a phase of expansion. During the undifferentiated period, from birth to day 15, the epithelial cells had a uniform appearance. Halo cells, which are believed to be migratory leukocytes, appeared on day 14. The period of differentiation extended from day 16 to day 44. Slender, densely staining cells, termed narrow cells, appeared in the epithelium of all three segments on day 16, constituting the first evidence of differentiation of cell types in the epididymal epithelium per se. In addition to their shape and apical nuclei, the narrow cells were distinguished from other epithelial cells by the presence of cup-shaped apical vacuoles and mitochondria with tubular cristae. Principal cells and basal cells were identified on day 28, which also marked the firsh distinction of differences in epithelial height among the different segments. Narrow cells persisted into the adult in the initial segment. In the middle and terminal segments, however, narrow cells disappeared by day 35, when light cells made their appearance. The major event of the period of expansion, from day 45 to 3 months, was the appearance of sperm in the lumen between days 45 and 52. A model for differentation of cell types in the epididymis is proposed and it is suggested that narrow cells are precursors to light cells in the middle and terminal segments. The development of ultrastructural features of adult cell types preceded the appearance of sperm in the lumen.", "contents": "Development of cell types and of regional differences in the postnatal rat epididymis. The development of cell types and regional differences in the rat epididymis was studied in specimens of the initial, middle and terminal segments prepared at intervals between birth and postnatal day 94. The development of the epididymis was divided into three phases: (1) an undifferentiated period; (2) a period of differentiation, and (3) a phase of expansion. During the undifferentiated period, from birth to day 15, the epithelial cells had a uniform appearance. Halo cells, which are believed to be migratory leukocytes, appeared on day 14. The period of differentiation extended from day 16 to day 44. Slender, densely staining cells, termed narrow cells, appeared in the epithelium of all three segments on day 16, constituting the first evidence of differentiation of cell types in the epididymal epithelium per se. In addition to their shape and apical nuclei, the narrow cells were distinguished from other epithelial cells by the presence of cup-shaped apical vacuoles and mitochondria with tubular cristae. Principal cells and basal cells were identified on day 28, which also marked the firsh distinction of differences in epithelial height among the different segments. Narrow cells persisted into the adult in the initial segment. In the middle and terminal segments, however, narrow cells disappeared by day 35, when light cells made their appearance. The major event of the period of expansion, from day 45 to 3 months, was the appearance of sperm in the lumen between days 45 and 52. A model for differentation of cell types in the epididymis is proposed and it is suggested that narrow cells are precursors to light cells in the middle and terminal segments. The development of ultrastructural features of adult cell types preceded the appearance of sperm in the lumen.", "PMID": 760488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_299", "title": "A transmission and scanning electron microscopic study of the saccule in five species of catfishes.", "content": "The sacculi of five species of catfishes were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. In four species, the sagitta exhibited a multifluted anterior part and a tapered posterior part; in Corydoras aeneus, however, the fluted part was absent, and a vertical component extended dorsally to terminate near the opening of the transverse canal. In all species, the otoliths had a laminar structure. An otolithic membrane was present, and hair cell bundles projected into cavities on the macular surface of the membrane. Attachments of the otolithic membrane to the neuroepithelium included short extensions of the membrane to the tallest components of the hair cell bundles of the peripheral cells and more delicate connections to the kinocilium and taller stereocilia of central cells; in addition, attachments to the microvilli of supporting cells were present. In both hair cells and supporting cells single microtubules and bundles of microtubules were present; the bundles had an orderly arrangement and were associated with cytoplasmic densities surrounding the desmosomes. The hair cells were innervated by both afferent and efferent nerve endings. Studies of the polarization of the hair cells in all species (except C. aeneus) showed that there was a single longitudinal axis that divided dorsally polarized cells from those oriented ventrally. In Doras spinosissimus and Bunocephalus bicolor, an additional line of polarization was evident in a small area in the anterior part of the macula; therefore, in these forms there was a double bipolar orientation.", "contents": "A transmission and scanning electron microscopic study of the saccule in five species of catfishes. The sacculi of five species of catfishes were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. In four species, the sagitta exhibited a multifluted anterior part and a tapered posterior part; in Corydoras aeneus, however, the fluted part was absent, and a vertical component extended dorsally to terminate near the opening of the transverse canal. In all species, the otoliths had a laminar structure. An otolithic membrane was present, and hair cell bundles projected into cavities on the macular surface of the membrane. Attachments of the otolithic membrane to the neuroepithelium included short extensions of the membrane to the tallest components of the hair cell bundles of the peripheral cells and more delicate connections to the kinocilium and taller stereocilia of central cells; in addition, attachments to the microvilli of supporting cells were present. In both hair cells and supporting cells single microtubules and bundles of microtubules were present; the bundles had an orderly arrangement and were associated with cytoplasmic densities surrounding the desmosomes. The hair cells were innervated by both afferent and efferent nerve endings. Studies of the polarization of the hair cells in all species (except C. aeneus) showed that there was a single longitudinal axis that divided dorsally polarized cells from those oriented ventrally. In Doras spinosissimus and Bunocephalus bicolor, an additional line of polarization was evident in a small area in the anterior part of the macula; therefore, in these forms there was a double bipolar orientation.", "PMID": 760489} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_300", "title": "Postnatal development of the canine kidney: quantitative and qualitative morphology.", "content": "The normal postnatal development of the canine kidney was investigated utilizing qualitative and quantitative histologic methods. Kidneys were examined at 2, 4, 8, 14, 22, 70, and 200 days of age. A subcapsular nephrogenic zone was present in the kidneys until approximately eight days of age. This zone contained tissues which interacted to produce new nephrons and interstitial tissues. Several developmental stages of forming nephrons were identified in this zone. Beneath the nephrogenic zone, renal corpuscles of increasing maturity were located at successively deeper cortical levels. The total number of nephrons was estimated to be 445,000 per kidney. This number did not vary significantly during growth. The corpuscular volume per nephron increased 249% from 14 to 200 days of age. During the same period there was a 303% increase in the tubular volume per nephron. Although the developing kidney differed anatomically from the adult kidney, the individual nephrons maintained volumetric corpuscular-tubular balance during growth.", "contents": "Postnatal development of the canine kidney: quantitative and qualitative morphology. The normal postnatal development of the canine kidney was investigated utilizing qualitative and quantitative histologic methods. Kidneys were examined at 2, 4, 8, 14, 22, 70, and 200 days of age. A subcapsular nephrogenic zone was present in the kidneys until approximately eight days of age. This zone contained tissues which interacted to produce new nephrons and interstitial tissues. Several developmental stages of forming nephrons were identified in this zone. Beneath the nephrogenic zone, renal corpuscles of increasing maturity were located at successively deeper cortical levels. The total number of nephrons was estimated to be 445,000 per kidney. This number did not vary significantly during growth. The corpuscular volume per nephron increased 249% from 14 to 200 days of age. During the same period there was a 303% increase in the tubular volume per nephron. Although the developing kidney differed anatomically from the adult kidney, the individual nephrons maintained volumetric corpuscular-tubular balance during growth.", "PMID": 760491} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_301", "title": "A light microscopic study of the developing human neural retina.", "content": "Human embryonic and fetal eyes from 4 mm to 200 mm crown-rump length (26 days to 21 weeks of gestation) were studied in 0.75-micron sections impregnated with silver and toned with gold. The layer of Chievitz was formed by an inward migration of ganglion-cell and M\u00fcller-cell nuclei from the outer neuroepithelium and then, after further changes in nuclear location, the layer of Chievitz was cleared of ganglion-cell nuclei to become the definitive inner plexiform layer. M\u00fcller-cell nuclei later populated all retinal layers in the fetus. The argyrophilic M\u00fcller-cell cytoplasm associated with neuronal development is discussed in relation to glia-neuron interactions, with emphasis on the particular needs of retinal tissue.", "contents": "A light microscopic study of the developing human neural retina. Human embryonic and fetal eyes from 4 mm to 200 mm crown-rump length (26 days to 21 weeks of gestation) were studied in 0.75-micron sections impregnated with silver and toned with gold. The layer of Chievitz was formed by an inward migration of ganglion-cell and M\u00fcller-cell nuclei from the outer neuroepithelium and then, after further changes in nuclear location, the layer of Chievitz was cleared of ganglion-cell nuclei to become the definitive inner plexiform layer. M\u00fcller-cell nuclei later populated all retinal layers in the fetus. The argyrophilic M\u00fcller-cell cytoplasm associated with neuronal development is discussed in relation to glia-neuron interactions, with emphasis on the particular needs of retinal tissue.", "PMID": 760492} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_302", "title": "Innervation of the ventral prostate of the rat.", "content": "The autonomic innervation of the rat ventral prostate was studied in an attempt to evaluate the role of innervation in the normal function of the gland. Specific histochemical methods for both catecholamines (the formaldehyde-induced fluorescence method, FIF) and acetylcholinesterases (the Gomori-Koelle thiocholine method) were used. The neuro-effector contacts were studied by electron microscopy using both 3% glutaraldehyde and 3% potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as fixatives. It was found that the rat ventral prostate receives dual autonomic innervation. Adrenergic fibers, which formed the majority of the nerves, were often seen in close contact with the smooth muscle cells around both the prostatic alveoli and secretory ducts. The non-adrenergic nerve fibers, which were fewer in number, did not form such intimate contacts with the muscle cells. No direct synapses with epithelial cells were detected.", "contents": "Innervation of the ventral prostate of the rat. The autonomic innervation of the rat ventral prostate was studied in an attempt to evaluate the role of innervation in the normal function of the gland. Specific histochemical methods for both catecholamines (the formaldehyde-induced fluorescence method, FIF) and acetylcholinesterases (the Gomori-Koelle thiocholine method) were used. The neuro-effector contacts were studied by electron microscopy using both 3% glutaraldehyde and 3% potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as fixatives. It was found that the rat ventral prostate receives dual autonomic innervation. Adrenergic fibers, which formed the majority of the nerves, were often seen in close contact with the smooth muscle cells around both the prostatic alveoli and secretory ducts. The non-adrenergic nerve fibers, which were fewer in number, did not form such intimate contacts with the muscle cells. No direct synapses with epithelial cells were detected.", "PMID": 760494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_303", "title": "Cobalt iontophoresis of sensory nerves in the rat lung.", "content": "By iontophoretically introducing, first, cobalt and, subsequently, sulfide ions into the vagus nerve, it is possible to trace sensory nerves to their endings in the rat lung. Nerve fibers and terminals are found predominantly in the adventitia of the airways and blood vessels. Some nerves are found in the submucosa of the bronchi and bronchioles. Some are found in the cardiac muscle on the periphery of pulmonary veins, and a few nerves are seen to end among smooth muslces of the blood vessels and the airways. At least three types of nerve endings can be identified at the light microscopic level: (1) free nerve endings; (2) brush-like endings; (3) knob-like terminals.", "contents": "Cobalt iontophoresis of sensory nerves in the rat lung. By iontophoretically introducing, first, cobalt and, subsequently, sulfide ions into the vagus nerve, it is possible to trace sensory nerves to their endings in the rat lung. Nerve fibers and terminals are found predominantly in the adventitia of the airways and blood vessels. Some nerves are found in the submucosa of the bronchi and bronchioles. Some are found in the cardiac muscle on the periphery of pulmonary veins, and a few nerves are seen to end among smooth muslces of the blood vessels and the airways. At least three types of nerve endings can be identified at the light microscopic level: (1) free nerve endings; (2) brush-like endings; (3) knob-like terminals.", "PMID": 760496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_304", "title": "Effect of chemotaxis on the interaction of cholera vibrios with intestinal mucosa.", "content": "Earlier reports from this laboratory have shown that chemotaxis is an important mechanism that expedites the in vitro association of cholera vibrios with intestinal slices and that affects the in vivo colonization and virulence of these bacteria to a significant degree. The data reported in the present communication indicate that there appears to be a chemotatic gradient attracting cholera vibrios not only to the surface of the mucus gel, but that this gradient continues for at least a considerable distance toward the base of the villi. It is shown further that a strain of Vibrio cholerae was attracted by all 20 amino acids tested, in contrast to Escherichia coli AW405 which is repelled by several of these. Finally, experiments are described that show that superior in vivo colonization of chemotatic vibrios (compared to nonchemotactic mutants) was correlated with a significantly higher degree of mucosal association. Such increased mucosal association of chemotatic vibrios has previously been shown only with mucosal slices in vitro.", "contents": "Effect of chemotaxis on the interaction of cholera vibrios with intestinal mucosa. Earlier reports from this laboratory have shown that chemotaxis is an important mechanism that expedites the in vitro association of cholera vibrios with intestinal slices and that affects the in vivo colonization and virulence of these bacteria to a significant degree. The data reported in the present communication indicate that there appears to be a chemotatic gradient attracting cholera vibrios not only to the surface of the mucus gel, but that this gradient continues for at least a considerable distance toward the base of the villi. It is shown further that a strain of Vibrio cholerae was attracted by all 20 amino acids tested, in contrast to Escherichia coli AW405 which is repelled by several of these. Finally, experiments are described that show that superior in vivo colonization of chemotatic vibrios (compared to nonchemotactic mutants) was correlated with a significantly higher degree of mucosal association. Such increased mucosal association of chemotatic vibrios has previously been shown only with mucosal slices in vitro.", "PMID": 760498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_305", "title": "Fermentations by saccharolytic intestinal bacteria.", "content": "Most nonsporing anaerobes of the intestinal tract use the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas scheme to ferment carbohydrates. Almost all of them oxidize pyruvate, the key fermentation intermediate, to acetyl coenzyme A and CO2 with reduction of a low-potential electron acceptor. H2 is formed from the low potential acceptor or from NADH. Pyruvate is a precursor of lactate, and phosphoenolpyruvate is a precursor of succinate and propionate. Ethanol, acetate, and butyrate are formed from acetyl coenzyme A. Formate is produced by reduction of CO2 by Ruminococcus albus. Heme is required by human Bacteroides for the formation of succinate and, in the presence of vitamin B12, propionate. A fermentation equation derived from the concentration of volatile acids found in human feces suggests that the fermentation in the large intestine is similar to the rumen fermentation.", "contents": "Fermentations by saccharolytic intestinal bacteria. Most nonsporing anaerobes of the intestinal tract use the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas scheme to ferment carbohydrates. Almost all of them oxidize pyruvate, the key fermentation intermediate, to acetyl coenzyme A and CO2 with reduction of a low-potential electron acceptor. H2 is formed from the low potential acceptor or from NADH. Pyruvate is a precursor of lactate, and phosphoenolpyruvate is a precursor of succinate and propionate. Ethanol, acetate, and butyrate are formed from acetyl coenzyme A. Formate is produced by reduction of CO2 by Ruminococcus albus. Heme is required by human Bacteroides for the formation of succinate and, in the presence of vitamin B12, propionate. A fermentation equation derived from the concentration of volatile acids found in human feces suggests that the fermentation in the large intestine is similar to the rumen fermentation.", "PMID": 760499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_306", "title": "Clindamycin-induced colitis.", "content": "The hamster model of enterocolitis after the administration of clindamycin was used to study various drugs used in treatment of the disease in humans. Current evidence strongly suggests toxigenic, clindamycin-resistant Clostridium difficile is a cause of the disease in hamster and man. This organism is susceptible to vancomycin and metronidazole, and the disease could be prevented in the hamster so long as the antibiotics were given orally. A fatal colitis almost invariably ensued once they were discontinued. Administration of cholestyramine significantly prolonged survival of hamsters, but did not pervent death or colitis. Corticosteroids or atropine-diphenoxylate (Lomotil) did not alter the disease. The hamster model may be useful in studying other kinds of treatment of this disease.", "contents": "Clindamycin-induced colitis. The hamster model of enterocolitis after the administration of clindamycin was used to study various drugs used in treatment of the disease in humans. Current evidence strongly suggests toxigenic, clindamycin-resistant Clostridium difficile is a cause of the disease in hamster and man. This organism is susceptible to vancomycin and metronidazole, and the disease could be prevented in the hamster so long as the antibiotics were given orally. A fatal colitis almost invariably ensued once they were discontinued. Administration of cholestyramine significantly prolonged survival of hamsters, but did not pervent death or colitis. Corticosteroids or atropine-diphenoxylate (Lomotil) did not alter the disease. The hamster model may be useful in studying other kinds of treatment of this disease.", "PMID": 760500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_307", "title": "Effect of dietary composition on insulin receptors in normal subjects.", "content": "Six normal subjects were placed on a high carbohydrate diet (80%) and a high fat diet (60%) for 2 weeks each. Glucose tolerance testing with plasma immunoreactive insulin levels was performed along with insulin receptor quantitation after a control period and after each of the dietary manipulations. Despite improved carbohydrate tolerance and decreased plasma immuno-reactive insulin after the high carbohydrate diet (evidence for increased insulin sensitivity) insulin receptor number and affinity were unchanged. These studies suggest that the increased insulin sensitivity induced by a high carbohydrate diet is due to some adaptive change in postreceptor activity. Manipulations of dietary composition fail to alter insulin binding to peripheral mononuclear cells.", "contents": "Effect of dietary composition on insulin receptors in normal subjects. Six normal subjects were placed on a high carbohydrate diet (80%) and a high fat diet (60%) for 2 weeks each. Glucose tolerance testing with plasma immunoreactive insulin levels was performed along with insulin receptor quantitation after a control period and after each of the dietary manipulations. Despite improved carbohydrate tolerance and decreased plasma immuno-reactive insulin after the high carbohydrate diet (evidence for increased insulin sensitivity) insulin receptor number and affinity were unchanged. These studies suggest that the increased insulin sensitivity induced by a high carbohydrate diet is due to some adaptive change in postreceptor activity. Manipulations of dietary composition fail to alter insulin binding to peripheral mononuclear cells.", "PMID": 760504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_308", "title": "Folate conjugase activity in fresh vegetables and its effect on the determination of free folate content.", "content": "The levels of naturally-occurring folate conjugates in fresh asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower lettuce, and spinach were determined together with the effect on the hydrolysis of pteroylpolyglutamates during the extraction phase of the Lactobacillus casei assay. The levels of conjugate activity vary widely among the vegetables tested, from a low of 0.30 +/- 0.21 in lettuce to a high of 106.2 +/- 6.6 mumoles/hr per 100 mg of fresh weight in spinach. The free folate values (L. casei activity before chicken pancreas conjugase treatment) in the fresh vegetables boiled 1 hr after homogenization were significantly higher than those in vegetables boiled before homogenization, while there were no significant differences in total folate (L. casei activity after treatment with conjugase from chicken pancreas). The increase in free folate values must have been due to the action of endogenous conjugases on the pteroylpolyglutamates from the time the vegetables were homogenized until the conjugase was inactivated by heat. It is concluded that reliable free folate values in fresh vegetables can be obtained only if the naturally present conjugases are inactivated before homogenization of sample in order to prevent the hydrolysis of the pteroylpolyglutamates in the vegetables.", "contents": "Folate conjugase activity in fresh vegetables and its effect on the determination of free folate content. The levels of naturally-occurring folate conjugates in fresh asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower lettuce, and spinach were determined together with the effect on the hydrolysis of pteroylpolyglutamates during the extraction phase of the Lactobacillus casei assay. The levels of conjugate activity vary widely among the vegetables tested, from a low of 0.30 +/- 0.21 in lettuce to a high of 106.2 +/- 6.6 mumoles/hr per 100 mg of fresh weight in spinach. The free folate values (L. casei activity before chicken pancreas conjugase treatment) in the fresh vegetables boiled 1 hr after homogenization were significantly higher than those in vegetables boiled before homogenization, while there were no significant differences in total folate (L. casei activity after treatment with conjugase from chicken pancreas). The increase in free folate values must have been due to the action of endogenous conjugases on the pteroylpolyglutamates from the time the vegetables were homogenized until the conjugase was inactivated by heat. It is concluded that reliable free folate values in fresh vegetables can be obtained only if the naturally present conjugases are inactivated before homogenization of sample in order to prevent the hydrolysis of the pteroylpolyglutamates in the vegetables.", "PMID": 760505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_309", "title": "WBC count and differential. Value in predicting bacterial diseases in children.", "content": "To assess published criteria for distinguishing between bacterial and non-bacterial infections by examination of the WBC count and differential, we reviewed 328 consecutive inpatient admissions to a pediatric communicable diseases service. In our experience, the WBC count and differential could not differentiate between bacterial and nonbacterial disease.", "contents": "WBC count and differential. Value in predicting bacterial diseases in children. To assess published criteria for distinguishing between bacterial and non-bacterial infections by examination of the WBC count and differential, we reviewed 328 consecutive inpatient admissions to a pediatric communicable diseases service. In our experience, the WBC count and differential could not differentiate between bacterial and nonbacterial disease.", "PMID": 760507} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_310", "title": "Dermatitis after exposure to a garden plant (Euphorbia myrsinites).", "content": "Six pediatric cases of erythematous papulovescicular skin eruptions were due to exposure to Euphorbia myrsinites. These rashes may be confused with allergies, infections, or other dermatoses. Symptoms followed two to eight hours after exposure to the irritant sap, they increased in severity for an additional 12 hours, and they resolved within three to four days. No sequelae were noticed. Treatment indicated was pain relief, prevention of infection, and reduction of swelling.", "contents": "Dermatitis after exposure to a garden plant (Euphorbia myrsinites). Six pediatric cases of erythematous papulovescicular skin eruptions were due to exposure to Euphorbia myrsinites. These rashes may be confused with allergies, infections, or other dermatoses. Symptoms followed two to eight hours after exposure to the irritant sap, they increased in severity for an additional 12 hours, and they resolved within three to four days. No sequelae were noticed. Treatment indicated was pain relief, prevention of infection, and reduction of swelling.", "PMID": 760508} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_311", "title": "Infantile atlantooccipital instability. The potential danger of extreme extension.", "content": "During early infancy, adventitious sliding and slipping movements between the vertebral column and skull are possible in the cadaver. In ten of 17 infants, the posterior arch of the atlas inverted through the foramen magnum during extension of the head on the atlas, resulting in the anatomic potential of bilateral vertebral artery compression. These anatomic conditions may be the basis for a chain of events that contributes to death in some neonates and infants with conventioanl diseases and may be one source of unanticipated death.", "contents": "Infantile atlantooccipital instability. The potential danger of extreme extension. During early infancy, adventitious sliding and slipping movements between the vertebral column and skull are possible in the cadaver. In ten of 17 infants, the posterior arch of the atlas inverted through the foramen magnum during extension of the head on the atlas, resulting in the anatomic potential of bilateral vertebral artery compression. These anatomic conditions may be the basis for a chain of events that contributes to death in some neonates and infants with conventioanl diseases and may be one source of unanticipated death.", "PMID": 760509} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_312", "title": "Retropharyngeal masses in infants and young children.", "content": "Six patients are described who illustrate different causes of retropharyngeal mass lesions in infants and young children. Differential diagnosis, clinical history, physical examination, and adequate roentgenographic evaluation of the neck are important.", "contents": "Retropharyngeal masses in infants and young children. Six patients are described who illustrate different causes of retropharyngeal mass lesions in infants and young children. Differential diagnosis, clinical history, physical examination, and adequate roentgenographic evaluation of the neck are important.", "PMID": 760510} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_313", "title": "Disseminated intravascular coagulation in the newborn.", "content": "We have reviewed 53 cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in the newborn, including 29 cases that were confirmed at autopsy. Factors predisposing to DIC included maternal complications (60%), low Apgar scores (30%), hyaline membrane disease (62%), and sepsis (26%). Diagnostic criteria common to autopsy-proved cases included presence of fibrin degradation products, low factor V activity, a prolonged prothrombin time, and a prolonged partial thromboplastin time and/or thrombocytopenia. There appeared to be no difference in coagulation response or in mortality among patients treated with different therapeutic regimens. Survivors were older gestationally, had higher birth weights, and higher Apgar scores.", "contents": "Disseminated intravascular coagulation in the newborn. We have reviewed 53 cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in the newborn, including 29 cases that were confirmed at autopsy. Factors predisposing to DIC included maternal complications (60%), low Apgar scores (30%), hyaline membrane disease (62%), and sepsis (26%). Diagnostic criteria common to autopsy-proved cases included presence of fibrin degradation products, low factor V activity, a prolonged prothrombin time, and a prolonged partial thromboplastin time and/or thrombocytopenia. There appeared to be no difference in coagulation response or in mortality among patients treated with different therapeutic regimens. Survivors were older gestationally, had higher birth weights, and higher Apgar scores.", "PMID": 760511} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_314", "title": "Mediastinal and cervical histoplasmosis simulating malignancy.", "content": "A 12-year-old boy had a purulent mass in the anterior cervical region in association with an anterior mediastinal mass caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. The cervical mass probably represented spread of the disease, perhaps along the same pathways followed in Hodgkin's disease and other conditions that are known to involve the anterior mediastinum and the anterior cervical nodes simultaneously. An infectious disease (histoplasmosis) can cause a constellation of symptoms suggestive of a lymphoma or other malignancy.", "contents": "Mediastinal and cervical histoplasmosis simulating malignancy. A 12-year-old boy had a purulent mass in the anterior cervical region in association with an anterior mediastinal mass caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. The cervical mass probably represented spread of the disease, perhaps along the same pathways followed in Hodgkin's disease and other conditions that are known to involve the anterior mediastinum and the anterior cervical nodes simultaneously. An infectious disease (histoplasmosis) can cause a constellation of symptoms suggestive of a lymphoma or other malignancy.", "PMID": 760512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_315", "title": "Will mothers use free household safety devices?", "content": "This study was intended to determine if mothers of small children would use free safety devices to help safety-proof their homes. The study population consisted of an experimental group of 101 families receiving general health education on home safety proofing and a control group of 104 families. Each of the 205 families received two types of safety devices: Kindergards (which are plastic locking devices for cabinets and so forth) and covers for electric outlets. The families were given identical instructions on their use. There was significant increase in the use of the outlet covers in both subgroups, with experimental group using them more (P less than .05) than the control group. There was no significantly increased use of the Kindergards.", "contents": "Will mothers use free household safety devices? This study was intended to determine if mothers of small children would use free safety devices to help safety-proof their homes. The study population consisted of an experimental group of 101 families receiving general health education on home safety proofing and a control group of 104 families. Each of the 205 families received two types of safety devices: Kindergards (which are plastic locking devices for cabinets and so forth) and covers for electric outlets. The families were given identical instructions on their use. There was significant increase in the use of the outlet covers in both subgroups, with experimental group using them more (P less than .05) than the control group. There was no significantly increased use of the Kindergards.", "PMID": 760513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_316", "title": "Transient neonatal diabetes mellitus. Treatment with chlorpropamide.", "content": "Nonketotic diabetes mellitus developed in a \"small-for-dates\" baby at the age of 6 days. The disease was controlled initially with insulin but beginning at the age of 40 days, chlorpropamide was substituted gradually for insulin over a 24-day period. Treatment was stopped at the age of 13 weeks and the baby remained well thereafter. It is suggested that chlorpropamide might be useful in the treatment of transient neonatal diabetes.", "contents": "Transient neonatal diabetes mellitus. Treatment with chlorpropamide. Nonketotic diabetes mellitus developed in a \"small-for-dates\" baby at the age of 6 days. The disease was controlled initially with insulin but beginning at the age of 40 days, chlorpropamide was substituted gradually for insulin over a 24-day period. Treatment was stopped at the age of 13 weeks and the baby remained well thereafter. It is suggested that chlorpropamide might be useful in the treatment of transient neonatal diabetes.", "PMID": 760514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_317", "title": "Intrauterine hyperparathyroidism. Postmortem findings in two cases.", "content": "Intrauterine hyperparathyroidism is a self-limited condition seen in the neonate born of a mother with poorly controlled hypoparathyroidism. In this report, we describe the histologic findings in bone and parathyroids in twin infants with this condition who died from other causes. The skeleton showed osteopenia with evidence of increased bone turnover and defective mineralization, and there was parathyroid gland hyperplasia of the water-clear cell type. One twin died at birth, and the histologic findings were indistinguishable from those of infantile primary hyperparathyroidism; but the second twin, dying at 3 months of age, demonstrated noticeable improvement in the bone and parathyroid abnormalities.", "contents": "Intrauterine hyperparathyroidism. Postmortem findings in two cases. Intrauterine hyperparathyroidism is a self-limited condition seen in the neonate born of a mother with poorly controlled hypoparathyroidism. In this report, we describe the histologic findings in bone and parathyroids in twin infants with this condition who died from other causes. The skeleton showed osteopenia with evidence of increased bone turnover and defective mineralization, and there was parathyroid gland hyperplasia of the water-clear cell type. One twin died at birth, and the histologic findings were indistinguishable from those of infantile primary hyperparathyroidism; but the second twin, dying at 3 months of age, demonstrated noticeable improvement in the bone and parathyroid abnormalities.", "PMID": 760515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_318", "title": "Hypertriiodothyroninemia in hypothyroidism treated with thyroglobulin.", "content": "Hypertriiodothyroninemia during therapy with thyroglobulin was noted in six hypothyroid patients aged 9 to 25 years. Causes of hypothyroidism were thyroiditis, congenital athyreosis, cryptothyroidism, or goitrous hypothyroidism. Serum thyroxine level, measured at the same time, was below normal in three patients. Findings attributable to excess of thyroid hormones were none other than slight nervousness or transitory heat intolerance. Substitution of levothyroxine for thyroglobulin was done in all patients and was associated with return to normal of serum triiodothyronine (T3) values in those tested. A high content of T3 in thyroglobulin used for medication seems the most probable cause of the observed hypertriiodothyroninemia. Since similar findings have been reported previously for hypothyroid patients treated with desiccated thyroid preparations, it seems clear that therapy with levothyroxine offers a significant advantage over the use of desiccated thyroid or thyroglobulin.", "contents": "Hypertriiodothyroninemia in hypothyroidism treated with thyroglobulin. Hypertriiodothyroninemia during therapy with thyroglobulin was noted in six hypothyroid patients aged 9 to 25 years. Causes of hypothyroidism were thyroiditis, congenital athyreosis, cryptothyroidism, or goitrous hypothyroidism. Serum thyroxine level, measured at the same time, was below normal in three patients. Findings attributable to excess of thyroid hormones were none other than slight nervousness or transitory heat intolerance. Substitution of levothyroxine for thyroglobulin was done in all patients and was associated with return to normal of serum triiodothyronine (T3) values in those tested. A high content of T3 in thyroglobulin used for medication seems the most probable cause of the observed hypertriiodothyroninemia. Since similar findings have been reported previously for hypothyroid patients treated with desiccated thyroid preparations, it seems clear that therapy with levothyroxine offers a significant advantage over the use of desiccated thyroid or thyroglobulin.", "PMID": 760516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_319", "title": "Congenital intraspinal neuroblastoma.", "content": "Congenital neuroblastoma is a well-recognized entity with a very favorable prognosis for tumor cure. However, a newborn with neurologic deficit owing to intraspinal extension of this tumor is very unusual. Eleven such cases in the world literature are reviewed, and an additional case of a new born with paralysis and a neurogenic bladder at birth is presented in detail. The prognosis for tumor cure is excellent regardless of the mode of therapy used. Because of this fact, treatment should include safe surgical decompression and chemotherapy only. The outlook for the return of normal neurologic function is poor.", "contents": "Congenital intraspinal neuroblastoma. Congenital neuroblastoma is a well-recognized entity with a very favorable prognosis for tumor cure. However, a newborn with neurologic deficit owing to intraspinal extension of this tumor is very unusual. Eleven such cases in the world literature are reviewed, and an additional case of a new born with paralysis and a neurogenic bladder at birth is presented in detail. The prognosis for tumor cure is excellent regardless of the mode of therapy used. Because of this fact, treatment should include safe surgical decompression and chemotherapy only. The outlook for the return of normal neurologic function is poor.", "PMID": 760517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_320", "title": "Congenital unilateral ichthyosis in a newborn.", "content": "Ichthyosiform erythroderma is a rare phenomenon occurring in about 1/300,000 live births. Congenital unilateral ichthyosis, described in this case report, is a clinical variant of ichthyosis. Only five previous cases have been reported. In the patient described in this report, superimposed infection of the affected skin developed. Her immunologic system was intact. She manifested failure to thrive, in spite of an adequate caloric intake, and markedly delayed psychomotor development. This patient also demonstrated absorption from the affected dermis of topically applied urea hydrophilic base ointment. She died before her first birthday.", "contents": "Congenital unilateral ichthyosis in a newborn. Ichthyosiform erythroderma is a rare phenomenon occurring in about 1/300,000 live births. Congenital unilateral ichthyosis, described in this case report, is a clinical variant of ichthyosis. Only five previous cases have been reported. In the patient described in this report, superimposed infection of the affected skin developed. Her immunologic system was intact. She manifested failure to thrive, in spite of an adequate caloric intake, and markedly delayed psychomotor development. This patient also demonstrated absorption from the affected dermis of topically applied urea hydrophilic base ointment. She died before her first birthday.", "PMID": 760518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_321", "title": "Teratoma of the tonsil in a premature infant. Case report and review of the literature.", "content": "Among the causes of respiratory distress in the neonatal period, a tumor involving the oropharyngeal area is rare. The present case report describes a premature infant with a teratoma of the tonsil and reviews the clinical presentation and management of this tumor in the neonatal period.", "contents": "Teratoma of the tonsil in a premature infant. Case report and review of the literature. Among the causes of respiratory distress in the neonatal period, a tumor involving the oropharyngeal area is rare. The present case report describes a premature infant with a teratoma of the tonsil and reviews the clinical presentation and management of this tumor in the neonatal period.", "PMID": 760519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_322", "title": "The stretch modulus of human cervical tissue in spontaneous, oxytocin-induced, and prostaglandin E2-induced labor.", "content": "A total of 62 strips of cervical tissue from 28 patients at term were tested for stiffness (stretch modulus) by elongation and measuring the tension produced by a given stretch. The stretch modulus was taken as the slope of the linear regression curve derived from the linear portion of the stress-strain relationship. The data were obtained from three patient categories: (1) 17 strips from seven patients undergoing spontaneous labor, (2) 18 strips form 10 patients with labor induced by PGE2, and (3) 27 strips from 11 patients with labor induced by oxytocin. The stretch moduli of cervical tissue obtained from spontaneous and oxytocin-induced labor patients were similar. The stretch moduli of cervical tissue obtained from PGE2-induced labor patients were significantly lower than those from either the spontaneous or the oxytocin-induced labor groups. These results show that PGE2, when used for induction of labor at term, has the ability to lower the stiffness of cervical tissue. This property of prostaglandin may be useful therapeutically for the indicated induction of labor in patients with an unfavorable cervix.", "contents": "The stretch modulus of human cervical tissue in spontaneous, oxytocin-induced, and prostaglandin E2-induced labor. A total of 62 strips of cervical tissue from 28 patients at term were tested for stiffness (stretch modulus) by elongation and measuring the tension produced by a given stretch. The stretch modulus was taken as the slope of the linear regression curve derived from the linear portion of the stress-strain relationship. The data were obtained from three patient categories: (1) 17 strips from seven patients undergoing spontaneous labor, (2) 18 strips form 10 patients with labor induced by PGE2, and (3) 27 strips from 11 patients with labor induced by oxytocin. The stretch moduli of cervical tissue obtained from spontaneous and oxytocin-induced labor patients were similar. The stretch moduli of cervical tissue obtained from PGE2-induced labor patients were significantly lower than those from either the spontaneous or the oxytocin-induced labor groups. These results show that PGE2, when used for induction of labor at term, has the ability to lower the stiffness of cervical tissue. This property of prostaglandin may be useful therapeutically for the indicated induction of labor in patients with an unfavorable cervix.", "PMID": 760529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_323", "title": "Antepartum fetal heart rate testing. I. Evolution of the nonstress test.", "content": "On May 1, 1975, at Women's Hospital, Los Angeles County--University of Southern California Medical Center, a new antepartum fetal heart rate (AFHRT) protocol was put into clinical use. This included the widely used contraction stress test (CST) and a new concept of nonstress testing (NST). The NST was based on FHR response associated with fetal movements and was categorized as reactive (normal) or nonreactive (abnormal). The nonreactive fetus was then evaluated with a CST if not contraindicated. During the 24 months, May 1, 1975 to April 30, 1977, a total of 2,422 NST's were done in 1,169 patients with 1,547 (64 per cent) reactive and 829 (35 per cent) nonreactive. CST was done 939 times, with 851 (90.6 per cent) negative, 29 (3 per cent) positive, 13 (1.4 per cent) equivocal, and 46 (5.0 per cent) unsatisfactory. There were ten (3.3 per cent) perinatal deaths within one week of a negative CST, five (1.0 per cent) within one week of a reactive NST, and two (8.7 per cent) with a positive CST. A reactive NST was as predictive of good outcome as was a negative CST. Analysis of the nonreactive NST showed that two or more accelerations were not associated with abnormal CST's. Also, some nonreactive fetuses became reactive with oxytocin and had good outcome. These observations were utilized in the development of a newer, shorter NST which allows for fetal stimulation in an attempt to further define fetal well-being.", "contents": "Antepartum fetal heart rate testing. I. Evolution of the nonstress test. On May 1, 1975, at Women's Hospital, Los Angeles County--University of Southern California Medical Center, a new antepartum fetal heart rate (AFHRT) protocol was put into clinical use. This included the widely used contraction stress test (CST) and a new concept of nonstress testing (NST). The NST was based on FHR response associated with fetal movements and was categorized as reactive (normal) or nonreactive (abnormal). The nonreactive fetus was then evaluated with a CST if not contraindicated. During the 24 months, May 1, 1975 to April 30, 1977, a total of 2,422 NST's were done in 1,169 patients with 1,547 (64 per cent) reactive and 829 (35 per cent) nonreactive. CST was done 939 times, with 851 (90.6 per cent) negative, 29 (3 per cent) positive, 13 (1.4 per cent) equivocal, and 46 (5.0 per cent) unsatisfactory. There were ten (3.3 per cent) perinatal deaths within one week of a negative CST, five (1.0 per cent) within one week of a reactive NST, and two (8.7 per cent) with a positive CST. A reactive NST was as predictive of good outcome as was a negative CST. Analysis of the nonreactive NST showed that two or more accelerations were not associated with abnormal CST's. Also, some nonreactive fetuses became reactive with oxytocin and had good outcome. These observations were utilized in the development of a newer, shorter NST which allows for fetal stimulation in an attempt to further define fetal well-being.", "PMID": 760532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_324", "title": "Antepartum fetal heart rate testing. II. Intrapartum fetal heart rate observation and newborn outcome following a positive contraction stress test.", "content": "The positive contraction stress test (CST) has been looked upon as a predictor of fetal compromise. On this basis, some reports advise routine cesarean delivery on the assumption that the compromised fetus should not tolerate labor. Other authors advocate selective cesarean delivery, based on obstetrical factors such as the inducibility of the cervix and the practicality of fetal monitoring. Finally, an attempted trial of labor may be allowed on the basis of occurrence of fetal heart rate acceleration with fetal movement, or \"reactivity.\" The occurrence of \"false positive\" tests is not infrequent (20 to 45 per cent). The definition of such is unclear and little quantitative information regarding intrapartum performance is available. In this series of 27 patients, a trial of labor was undertaken in 20. Vaginal delivery occurred in 11 (55 per cent) and cesarean section in nine (45 per cent). Fetal heart rate abnormalities thought to indicate \"distress\" occurred in five patients (25 per cent). The \"positive\" window or repetitive late deceleration as equivalent to the positive CST was seen in only three patients during labor. A trial of labor should be attempted in the face of a positive CST whenever obstetric factors are favorable and careful intrapartum monitoring can be performed.", "contents": "Antepartum fetal heart rate testing. II. Intrapartum fetal heart rate observation and newborn outcome following a positive contraction stress test. The positive contraction stress test (CST) has been looked upon as a predictor of fetal compromise. On this basis, some reports advise routine cesarean delivery on the assumption that the compromised fetus should not tolerate labor. Other authors advocate selective cesarean delivery, based on obstetrical factors such as the inducibility of the cervix and the practicality of fetal monitoring. Finally, an attempted trial of labor may be allowed on the basis of occurrence of fetal heart rate acceleration with fetal movement, or \"reactivity.\" The occurrence of \"false positive\" tests is not infrequent (20 to 45 per cent). The definition of such is unclear and little quantitative information regarding intrapartum performance is available. In this series of 27 patients, a trial of labor was undertaken in 20. Vaginal delivery occurred in 11 (55 per cent) and cesarean section in nine (45 per cent). Fetal heart rate abnormalities thought to indicate \"distress\" occurred in five patients (25 per cent). The \"positive\" window or repetitive late deceleration as equivalent to the positive CST was seen in only three patients during labor. A trial of labor should be attempted in the face of a positive CST whenever obstetric factors are favorable and careful intrapartum monitoring can be performed.", "PMID": 760533} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_325", "title": "Intrauterine growth retardation in renal insufficiency: an experimental model in the rat.", "content": "Experiments described here with partially nephrectomized pregnant rats with pair-fed controls and controls fed at will indicate that decreased maternal food intake is a major factor in the intrauterine growth retardation associated with moderate renal insufficiency during the last trimester of gestation. Although renal disease in human pregnancy is often associated with vascular insufficiency, the possibility that maternal undernutrition may also play a contributory role in the fetal growth failure associated with certain cases of human renal compromise merits further study.", "contents": "Intrauterine growth retardation in renal insufficiency: an experimental model in the rat. Experiments described here with partially nephrectomized pregnant rats with pair-fed controls and controls fed at will indicate that decreased maternal food intake is a major factor in the intrauterine growth retardation associated with moderate renal insufficiency during the last trimester of gestation. Although renal disease in human pregnancy is often associated with vascular insufficiency, the possibility that maternal undernutrition may also play a contributory role in the fetal growth failure associated with certain cases of human renal compromise merits further study.", "PMID": 760534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_326", "title": "Blunting of spontaneous and alanine-stimulated glucagon secretion in newborn infants of diabetic mothers.", "content": "Spontaneous and alanine-stimulated glucagon secretion, and its relation to plasma glucose concentration was investigated in two groups of infants during the initial two hours of life. At birth, plasma glucagon and glucose concentrations were not significantly different in healthy term newborn infants (control subjects) and infants born to insulin-dependent diabetic mothers(IDM-l). In control infants during the first hour of life, glucose fell by 43 +/- 16 mg per deciliter (mean +/- S.E.M.) while plasma glucagon rose by 44 +/- 16 pg. per milliliter (p less than 0.05 for both). However, in IDM-I despite a fall in glucose greater than in control infants, plasma glucagon failed to significantly increase. Intravenous alanine, 150 mg. per kilogram, given at one hour of life, elicited significant increments in glucose and glucagon which were positively correlated in control infants. No significant change in glucose or glucagon occurred in the diabetic group. None of the control infants developed symptomatic or biochemical hypoglycemia (plasma glucose less than 20 mg. per deciliter) whereas five of ten IDM-I developed hypoglycemia. These results suggest that spontaneous and alanine-stimulated glucagon secretion is obtunded in IDM and that this may contribute to hypoglycemia in these infants.", "contents": "Blunting of spontaneous and alanine-stimulated glucagon secretion in newborn infants of diabetic mothers. Spontaneous and alanine-stimulated glucagon secretion, and its relation to plasma glucose concentration was investigated in two groups of infants during the initial two hours of life. At birth, plasma glucagon and glucose concentrations were not significantly different in healthy term newborn infants (control subjects) and infants born to insulin-dependent diabetic mothers(IDM-l). In control infants during the first hour of life, glucose fell by 43 +/- 16 mg per deciliter (mean +/- S.E.M.) while plasma glucagon rose by 44 +/- 16 pg. per milliliter (p less than 0.05 for both). However, in IDM-I despite a fall in glucose greater than in control infants, plasma glucagon failed to significantly increase. Intravenous alanine, 150 mg. per kilogram, given at one hour of life, elicited significant increments in glucose and glucagon which were positively correlated in control infants. No significant change in glucose or glucagon occurred in the diabetic group. None of the control infants developed symptomatic or biochemical hypoglycemia (plasma glucose less than 20 mg. per deciliter) whereas five of ten IDM-I developed hypoglycemia. These results suggest that spontaneous and alanine-stimulated glucagon secretion is obtunded in IDM and that this may contribute to hypoglycemia in these infants.", "PMID": 760535} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_327", "title": "Pelvic actinomycosis in women using intrauterine contraceptive devices.", "content": "Several recent reports have indicated the possible association between pelvic infection caused by Actinomyces and the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices. Seven cases of infection or colonization of the female genital tract have been detected among women using intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUD's) at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, from March, 1975, until May, 1977. No single IUD type has been incriminated. The shortest duration of consecutive IUD use before the diagnosis was two and a half years. Six of these cases were detected incidentally at the time of endometrial or endocervical biopsy. The diagnosis in each case was made histologically. One patient presented with severe pelvic inflammatory disease and had Actinomyces identified. This is the first reported death associated with pelvic actinomycosis in a woman using an IUD. This organism must be considered as a possible pathogen whenever a patient with an IUD develops pelvic inflammatory disease.", "contents": "Pelvic actinomycosis in women using intrauterine contraceptive devices. Several recent reports have indicated the possible association between pelvic infection caused by Actinomyces and the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices. Seven cases of infection or colonization of the female genital tract have been detected among women using intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUD's) at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, from March, 1975, until May, 1977. No single IUD type has been incriminated. The shortest duration of consecutive IUD use before the diagnosis was two and a half years. Six of these cases were detected incidentally at the time of endometrial or endocervical biopsy. The diagnosis in each case was made histologically. One patient presented with severe pelvic inflammatory disease and had Actinomyces identified. This is the first reported death associated with pelvic actinomycosis in a woman using an IUD. This organism must be considered as a possible pathogen whenever a patient with an IUD develops pelvic inflammatory disease.", "PMID": 760536} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_328", "title": "An electron microscopic investigation of human familial bone dysplasia. Inhibition of osteocytic osteolysis and induction of osteocytic formation of elastic fibers following calcitonin treatment.", "content": "Familial bone dysplasia with hyperphosphatasemia is characterized by excessive bone resorption early in life with resulting severe skeletal deformity. The disease can be ameliorated by treatment with human calcitonin. We have the studied the ultrastructure of bone from diseased patients before treatment and at intervals during 1 year of treatment with calcitonin. Pretreatment osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes exhibited mitochondria which contained vast amounts of dense microcrystal deposits. Osteocytes were also distinguished by minimal organellar development. Osteoclasts were rare. Calcitonin treatment included a progressive development of a more normal bone structure. Intramitochondrial crystal deposits were absent in mitochondria of osteocytes and osteoclasts but were still present in mitochondria of osteoblasts. Surprisingly, the developing bony matrix during calcitonin treatment exhibited large numbers of elastic fibers. These appeared to develop normally in alignment with the surface membrane of osteocytes. Calcitonin treatment caused a proliferation of osteocyte organellar development. It is concluded that familial bone dysplasia is primarily a disease of osteocytes and that osteocytic activity is influenced by calcitonin.", "contents": "An electron microscopic investigation of human familial bone dysplasia. Inhibition of osteocytic osteolysis and induction of osteocytic formation of elastic fibers following calcitonin treatment. Familial bone dysplasia with hyperphosphatasemia is characterized by excessive bone resorption early in life with resulting severe skeletal deformity. The disease can be ameliorated by treatment with human calcitonin. We have the studied the ultrastructure of bone from diseased patients before treatment and at intervals during 1 year of treatment with calcitonin. Pretreatment osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes exhibited mitochondria which contained vast amounts of dense microcrystal deposits. Osteocytes were also distinguished by minimal organellar development. Osteoclasts were rare. Calcitonin treatment included a progressive development of a more normal bone structure. Intramitochondrial crystal deposits were absent in mitochondria of osteocytes and osteoclasts but were still present in mitochondria of osteoblasts. Surprisingly, the developing bony matrix during calcitonin treatment exhibited large numbers of elastic fibers. These appeared to develop normally in alignment with the surface membrane of osteocytes. Calcitonin treatment caused a proliferation of osteocyte organellar development. It is concluded that familial bone dysplasia is primarily a disease of osteocytes and that osteocytic activity is influenced by calcitonin.", "PMID": 760539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_329", "title": "The resistance of spontaneous mouse hepatocellular neoplasms to iron accumulation during rapid iron loading by parenteral administration and their transplantability.", "content": "Spontaneous mouse liver nodules were found to be resistant to iron accumulation induced either by dietary overload or by a rapid protocol of subcutaneous injection of iron dextran. Transplants of 11 liver nodules into the mammary fat pad gave rise to neoplastic growth. Transplants of the less differentiated nodules grew more frequently and rapidly than better differentiated nodules and produced pulmonary metastases. Therefore, these mouse liver nodules are considered to be neoplasms, and their resistance to iron accumulation suggests that this marker will be useful in studying their histogenesis.", "contents": "The resistance of spontaneous mouse hepatocellular neoplasms to iron accumulation during rapid iron loading by parenteral administration and their transplantability. Spontaneous mouse liver nodules were found to be resistant to iron accumulation induced either by dietary overload or by a rapid protocol of subcutaneous injection of iron dextran. Transplants of 11 liver nodules into the mammary fat pad gave rise to neoplastic growth. Transplants of the less differentiated nodules grew more frequently and rapidly than better differentiated nodules and produced pulmonary metastases. Therefore, these mouse liver nodules are considered to be neoplasms, and their resistance to iron accumulation suggests that this marker will be useful in studying their histogenesis.", "PMID": 760541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_330", "title": "Phenomenology associated with depressed moods in adolescents.", "content": "The authors studied phenomenology associated with depressed moods in 30 adolescents within a semi-structured interview format using defined symptom items. The results suggest that while there is some symptomatic similarity between adolescent depression and depression in adults, there are many differences that warrant more cautious comparison and further study.", "contents": "Phenomenology associated with depressed moods in adolescents. The authors studied phenomenology associated with depressed moods in 30 adolescents within a semi-structured interview format using defined symptom items. The results suggest that while there is some symptomatic similarity between adolescent depression and depression in adults, there are many differences that warrant more cautious comparison and further study.", "PMID": 760543} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_331", "title": "Freeze-fracture analysis of intramembrane particles of erythrocytes from normal, dystrophic, and carrier mice. A possible diagnostic tool for detection of carriers of human muscular dystrophy.", "content": "Careful examination of plasma membrane protein particles on fractures faces of erythrocyte plasma membranes from mice with muscular dystrophy, carriers of the sex-linked recessive gene for this disease, and from nondystrophic control animals revealed a 42% decrease in the number of intramembrane particles in erythrocytes of carriers (and a 33% decrease in dystrophic erythrocytes) compared with samples from control animals. These results support the notion that quantitative analysis of intramembrane particles in freeze-fractured erythrocyte plasma membranes may represent a new, rapid, simple, and highly accurate diagnostic tool for detection of carriers of human muscular dystrophy.", "contents": "Freeze-fracture analysis of intramembrane particles of erythrocytes from normal, dystrophic, and carrier mice. A possible diagnostic tool for detection of carriers of human muscular dystrophy. Careful examination of plasma membrane protein particles on fractures faces of erythrocyte plasma membranes from mice with muscular dystrophy, carriers of the sex-linked recessive gene for this disease, and from nondystrophic control animals revealed a 42% decrease in the number of intramembrane particles in erythrocytes of carriers (and a 33% decrease in dystrophic erythrocytes) compared with samples from control animals. These results support the notion that quantitative analysis of intramembrane particles in freeze-fractured erythrocyte plasma membranes may represent a new, rapid, simple, and highly accurate diagnostic tool for detection of carriers of human muscular dystrophy.", "PMID": 760542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_332", "title": "The \"Moonies\": a psychological study of conversion and membership in a contemporary religious sect.", "content": "The authors undertook this study to enhance psychiatric understanding of contemporary charismatic religious sects. After a pilot study, a representative sample of members of the Unification Church (N = 237) completed a 216-item structured questionnaire. Respondents were below the mean for an age- and sex-matched group on a psychological general well-being scale, and they reported significantly greater neurotic distress before conversion. The authors discuss correlates of an improved emotional state following conversion and employ attribution theory, drawn from social psychology, to put the conversion process into a psychiatric perspective.", "contents": "The \"Moonies\": a psychological study of conversion and membership in a contemporary religious sect. The authors undertook this study to enhance psychiatric understanding of contemporary charismatic religious sects. After a pilot study, a representative sample of members of the Unification Church (N = 237) completed a 216-item structured questionnaire. Respondents were below the mean for an age- and sex-matched group on a psychological general well-being scale, and they reported significantly greater neurotic distress before conversion. The authors discuss correlates of an improved emotional state following conversion and employ attribution theory, drawn from social psychology, to put the conversion process into a psychiatric perspective.", "PMID": 760544} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_333", "title": "Effects of interpreters on the evaluation of psychopathology in non-English-speaking patients.", "content": "Non-English-speaking patients in need of psychiatric services are usually evaluated with the help of an interpreter. Discussions with psychiatrists and lay hospital interpreters who had experience in these interviews and content analysis of eight audiotaped interpreter-mediated psychiatric interviews suggested that clinically relevant interpreter-related distortions could lead to misevaluation of the patient's mental status. The author notes that pre- and post-interview meetings of clinicians and interpreters have been found useful in minimizing these distortions.", "contents": "Effects of interpreters on the evaluation of psychopathology in non-English-speaking patients. Non-English-speaking patients in need of psychiatric services are usually evaluated with the help of an interpreter. Discussions with psychiatrists and lay hospital interpreters who had experience in these interviews and content analysis of eight audiotaped interpreter-mediated psychiatric interviews suggested that clinically relevant interpreter-related distortions could lead to misevaluation of the patient's mental status. The author notes that pre- and post-interview meetings of clinicians and interpreters have been found useful in minimizing these distortions.", "PMID": 760545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_334", "title": "Personality, sexual adjustment, and brain lesions in patients with conversion symptoms.", "content": "To clarify the interrelationships of conversion symptoms, hysterical personality, sexual adjustment, and cerebral organic disorders the authors studied 89 patients with classic motor conversion symptoms (group L) and compared a subgroup of 24 of these patients (group H) with 24 matched control patients (group C). They found hysterical personality in 19% of group L, 21% of group H, and none of group C and passive-immature-dependent personality in 19% of group L, 21% of group H, and none of group C. Forty-eight percent of group L, 50% of group H, and 58% of group C had some cerebral disorder. Patients with conversion symptoms who also had hysterical and passive-immature-dependent personalities were especially likely to have sexual abnormalities.", "contents": "Personality, sexual adjustment, and brain lesions in patients with conversion symptoms. To clarify the interrelationships of conversion symptoms, hysterical personality, sexual adjustment, and cerebral organic disorders the authors studied 89 patients with classic motor conversion symptoms (group L) and compared a subgroup of 24 of these patients (group H) with 24 matched control patients (group C). They found hysterical personality in 19% of group L, 21% of group H, and none of group C and passive-immature-dependent personality in 19% of group L, 21% of group H, and none of group C. Forty-eight percent of group L, 50% of group H, and 58% of group C had some cerebral disorder. Patients with conversion symptoms who also had hysterical and passive-immature-dependent personalities were especially likely to have sexual abnormalities.", "PMID": 760546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_335", "title": "Childbirth-related psychosis and familial symbiotic conflict.", "content": "The authors present 3 cases of childbirth-related psychosis in young women to illustrate an interpersonal psychodynamic pattern that may contribute to such reactions. In each instance, the woman is the submissive partner in a symbiotic relationship with her husband and/or mother. The baby's presence threatens the symbiotic equilibrium of these relationships and leads to the dominant partner's overt or covert aggression against the woman, which precipitates the psychosis. A personal or family history of psychosis may increase the woman's vulnerability to becoming psychotic in this situation.", "contents": "Childbirth-related psychosis and familial symbiotic conflict. The authors present 3 cases of childbirth-related psychosis in young women to illustrate an interpersonal psychodynamic pattern that may contribute to such reactions. In each instance, the woman is the submissive partner in a symbiotic relationship with her husband and/or mother. The baby's presence threatens the symbiotic equilibrium of these relationships and leads to the dominant partner's overt or covert aggression against the woman, which precipitates the psychosis. A personal or family history of psychosis may increase the woman's vulnerability to becoming psychotic in this situation.", "PMID": 760547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_336", "title": "Required educational objectives in community psychiatry.", "content": "Community psychiatry is an essential requirement of approved residency training. The authors present a format of required educational objectives for this experience. They feel that recent attempts to limit psychiatric consultation to the consultation-liaison model are restrictive and incomplete. In their view of the psychiatrist's role, community consultation techniques are essential skills for the psychiatric practitioner.", "contents": "Required educational objectives in community psychiatry. Community psychiatry is an essential requirement of approved residency training. The authors present a format of required educational objectives for this experience. They feel that recent attempts to limit psychiatric consultation to the consultation-liaison model are restrictive and incomplete. In their view of the psychiatrist's role, community consultation techniques are essential skills for the psychiatric practitioner.", "PMID": 760548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_337", "title": "Cosmetic surgery as an antecedent of life change.", "content": "Of 42 patients who underwent cosmetic surgery, 4 patients, who gave no indication of an impending life change before surgery, obtained a legal separation or divorce 3-6 months later. These 4 patients had had strong parental domination and hostile relationships with younger siblings; they had a need for success on their own terms and for the rapid closure of potential conflict. The authors suggest that such patients are undergoing significant identity changes that become conscious only after cosmetic surgery, which tests out their shift from passivity and withdrawal to activity and participation.", "contents": "Cosmetic surgery as an antecedent of life change. Of 42 patients who underwent cosmetic surgery, 4 patients, who gave no indication of an impending life change before surgery, obtained a legal separation or divorce 3-6 months later. These 4 patients had had strong parental domination and hostile relationships with younger siblings; they had a need for success on their own terms and for the rapid closure of potential conflict. The authors suggest that such patients are undergoing significant identity changes that become conscious only after cosmetic surgery, which tests out their shift from passivity and withdrawal to activity and participation.", "PMID": 760549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_338", "title": "Air pollutants and the admission rate of psychiatric patients.", "content": "The authors studied the correlation between mean daily levels of several air pollutants and the number of emergency room visits and inpatient admissions to a psychiatric hospital in St. Louis during one summer and fall. Nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide showed a positive correlation with emergency room visits by all patients, and nitrogen dioxide also had a positive correlation with inpatient admissions of subjects with diagnoses that were unknown or could not be specified as psychotic. Nitrogen monoxide showed a negative correlation with inpatient admissions during working days (but not during weekends and holidays) for all patients, as well as for those with diagnoses that were unknown or could not be specified as psychotic.", "contents": "Air pollutants and the admission rate of psychiatric patients. The authors studied the correlation between mean daily levels of several air pollutants and the number of emergency room visits and inpatient admissions to a psychiatric hospital in St. Louis during one summer and fall. Nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide showed a positive correlation with emergency room visits by all patients, and nitrogen dioxide also had a positive correlation with inpatient admissions of subjects with diagnoses that were unknown or could not be specified as psychotic. Nitrogen monoxide showed a negative correlation with inpatient admissions during working days (but not during weekends and holidays) for all patients, as well as for those with diagnoses that were unknown or could not be specified as psychotic.", "PMID": 760550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_339", "title": "The role of a cinema seminar in psychiatric education.", "content": "As the goals of psychiatric education are evaluated and innovative teaching methods are sought, the current cinema represents an untapped resource. Thoughtful viewing of contemporary films with serious discussion of them in a film discussion group as part of the residency training program is a useful and enjoyable teaching format that helps bridge the gap between the art and science of psychiatry.", "contents": "The role of a cinema seminar in psychiatric education. As the goals of psychiatric education are evaluated and innovative teaching methods are sought, the current cinema represents an untapped resource. Thoughtful viewing of contemporary films with serious discussion of them in a film discussion group as part of the residency training program is a useful and enjoyable teaching format that helps bridge the gap between the art and science of psychiatry.", "PMID": 760551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_340", "title": "Pseudoepilepsy: a study in adolescent hysteria.", "content": "Of 19 adolescents with diagnosed psychogenic seizures, 13 had hysterical convulsions and 4 had amnesiac fugues. Sixteen of the patients were given a diagnosis of hysterical neurosis; 2, process schizophrenia; and 1, borderline psychosis. Thirteen of the patients were initially diagnosed incorrectly as having epilepsy and were treated for an average of 15 months with anticonvulsant medication. The therapist should always consider the possibility of psychogenic factors in children and adolescents who suffer from seizures.", "contents": "Pseudoepilepsy: a study in adolescent hysteria. Of 19 adolescents with diagnosed psychogenic seizures, 13 had hysterical convulsions and 4 had amnesiac fugues. Sixteen of the patients were given a diagnosis of hysterical neurosis; 2, process schizophrenia; and 1, borderline psychosis. Thirteen of the patients were initially diagnosed incorrectly as having epilepsy and were treated for an average of 15 months with anticonvulsant medication. The therapist should always consider the possibility of psychogenic factors in children and adolescents who suffer from seizures.", "PMID": 760552} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_341", "title": "Child psychiatry education for general residents.", "content": "There is continuing debate about what child psychiatry experiences should be included in a general residency. The author describes the program at the University of Michigan in an effort to provide some insights into the interface between child psychiatry and general residency training. This program is unique in several respects: a 12-month rotation in child psychiatry is offered, and the faculty size and budget of the youth services are comparable to those of the adult services. A survey of all residents and faculty pointed up numerous disagreements as to the length of the rotation and priorities in curriculum. The author discusses the influence of the various competitive processes on the educational program.", "contents": "Child psychiatry education for general residents. There is continuing debate about what child psychiatry experiences should be included in a general residency. The author describes the program at the University of Michigan in an effort to provide some insights into the interface between child psychiatry and general residency training. This program is unique in several respects: a 12-month rotation in child psychiatry is offered, and the faculty size and budget of the youth services are comparable to those of the adult services. A survey of all residents and faculty pointed up numerous disagreements as to the length of the rotation and priorities in curriculum. The author discusses the influence of the various competitive processes on the educational program.", "PMID": 760553} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_342", "title": "Trends in university environmental health research and training.", "content": "A survey of 157 college and university programs in the United States indicates that, during the ten-year period from 1967 through 1976, the number of people completing graduate programs in environmental health specialties at the master's, doctoral, and post-doctoral levels doubled. In 1974-75, 75 per cent of those completing master's degree programs were in the specialty areas of water pollution, air pollution, and occupational health; 76 per cent of those completing doctoral programs were in water pollution, toxicology, radiation protection, air pollution, and cancer research; and 61 per cent of those completing post-doctoral programs were in cancer research and toxicology. Including those whose current positions could not be ascertained, less than 10 per cent of all graduates accepted employment outside the field of environmental health. Funding for university environmental health research continued to increase throughout this ten-year period. The sources of this funding, however, changed dramatically, with the relative contributions from the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare decreasing significantly, while those from industry and other federal agencies increased. In contrast, funding for university environmental health training increased significantly between 1966 and 1971, but showed no increase from 1971 to 1975. During this latter period, training support provided by HEW remained essentially constant, that by the Environmental Protection Agency decreased to less than half, while that from the universities approximately tripled. (Am. J. Public Health 69:125-129,1979.)", "contents": "Trends in university environmental health research and training. A survey of 157 college and university programs in the United States indicates that, during the ten-year period from 1967 through 1976, the number of people completing graduate programs in environmental health specialties at the master's, doctoral, and post-doctoral levels doubled. In 1974-75, 75 per cent of those completing master's degree programs were in the specialty areas of water pollution, air pollution, and occupational health; 76 per cent of those completing doctoral programs were in water pollution, toxicology, radiation protection, air pollution, and cancer research; and 61 per cent of those completing post-doctoral programs were in cancer research and toxicology. Including those whose current positions could not be ascertained, less than 10 per cent of all graduates accepted employment outside the field of environmental health. Funding for university environmental health research continued to increase throughout this ten-year period. The sources of this funding, however, changed dramatically, with the relative contributions from the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare decreasing significantly, while those from industry and other federal agencies increased. In contrast, funding for university environmental health training increased significantly between 1966 and 1971, but showed no increase from 1971 to 1975. During this latter period, training support provided by HEW remained essentially constant, that by the Environmental Protection Agency decreased to less than half, while that from the universities approximately tripled. (Am. J. Public Health 69:125-129,1979.)", "PMID": 760569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_343", "title": "A dosage response curve for the one rad range: adult risks from diagnostic radiation.", "content": "Most exposure to low-level ionizing radiation, both diagnostic x-rays and nuclear radiation, occur in the range between 100 milirads and 10 rads--the \"one rad range\". In the past, the estimates of hazards in this range have been obtained by linear extrapolation from data on persons who were exposed to much higher dosages, generally in the centirad range used in radiotherapy of non-malignant disease. This article presents the first dosage response curve for the one rad range ever to be developed directly from data on men exposed to ordinary diagnostic radiation. The findings are based on approximately 220 men with non-lymphatic leukemia and more than 270 random-sample controls from the Tri-State Survey. The new findings suggest that the estimates previously obtained by extrapolation from high dosage levels to low dose levels underestimate the actual hazards by an order of magnitude. The new dosage response curves indicate that linear extrapolation fails because it disregards the subgroups in the general population that are particularly vulnerable to x-ray. There are immediate implications concerning the use of medical x-rays in screening or for routine purposes. The past risk-benefit calculations are based on extrapolative estimates and require drastic revision. Uses of x-ray which were previously marginal are now clearly counterindicated.", "contents": "A dosage response curve for the one rad range: adult risks from diagnostic radiation. Most exposure to low-level ionizing radiation, both diagnostic x-rays and nuclear radiation, occur in the range between 100 milirads and 10 rads--the \"one rad range\". In the past, the estimates of hazards in this range have been obtained by linear extrapolation from data on persons who were exposed to much higher dosages, generally in the centirad range used in radiotherapy of non-malignant disease. This article presents the first dosage response curve for the one rad range ever to be developed directly from data on men exposed to ordinary diagnostic radiation. The findings are based on approximately 220 men with non-lymphatic leukemia and more than 270 random-sample controls from the Tri-State Survey. The new findings suggest that the estimates previously obtained by extrapolation from high dosage levels to low dose levels underestimate the actual hazards by an order of magnitude. The new dosage response curves indicate that linear extrapolation fails because it disregards the subgroups in the general population that are particularly vulnerable to x-ray. There are immediate implications concerning the use of medical x-rays in screening or for routine purposes. The past risk-benefit calculations are based on extrapolative estimates and require drastic revision. Uses of x-ray which were previously marginal are now clearly counterindicated.", "PMID": 760570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_344", "title": "Farm tractor fatalities: the failure of voluntary safety standards.", "content": "There are no governmental standards for operator protection which require compliance by farm tractor manufacturers. To see how the Wisconsin farming population fares under voluntary safety standards, death certificate data were used to determine rates of tractor-associated fatal injuries. The injury deathrate associated with tractors on farms increased from 10.9 per 100,000 male farm residents during 1961-1965 to 13.6/100,000 during 1971-1975 (p less than .05). Deaths associated with overturning tractors were most common; with death rates of 6/100,000 male farm residents for 1961-1975. The rise in tractor-associated death rates shows that voluntary safety standards are not protecting the farm population. Rollover protective structures (ROPS) are designed to protect operators when tractors overturn but under voluntary safety standards these ROPS are sold only as optional accessory devices. Current Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations which require ROPS for employees operating tractors do not protect self-employed farmers and their families. It is recommended that the government require all tractors sold to be equipped with ROPS as is currently the case in England and Sweden.", "contents": "Farm tractor fatalities: the failure of voluntary safety standards. There are no governmental standards for operator protection which require compliance by farm tractor manufacturers. To see how the Wisconsin farming population fares under voluntary safety standards, death certificate data were used to determine rates of tractor-associated fatal injuries. The injury deathrate associated with tractors on farms increased from 10.9 per 100,000 male farm residents during 1961-1965 to 13.6/100,000 during 1971-1975 (p less than .05). Deaths associated with overturning tractors were most common; with death rates of 6/100,000 male farm residents for 1961-1975. The rise in tractor-associated death rates shows that voluntary safety standards are not protecting the farm population. Rollover protective structures (ROPS) are designed to protect operators when tractors overturn but under voluntary safety standards these ROPS are sold only as optional accessory devices. Current Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations which require ROPS for employees operating tractors do not protect self-employed farmers and their families. It is recommended that the government require all tractors sold to be equipped with ROPS as is currently the case in England and Sweden.", "PMID": 760571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_345", "title": "Body contact swimming rescues--what are the risks?", "content": "A survey of 482 lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors revealed that at least one-half had performed body contact swimming rescues (BCRs). Over two-thirds of these BCRs occurred when the lifesaver was relatively inexperienced in actual water rescues of any kind although virtually all rescuers had received formal lifesaving training. The victim tried to grasp the rescuer in 26 per cent of the BCRs which took place in swimming pools and 39 per cent of those occurring in lakes. Most of these attempts were made during the approach and were predominantly from the front, around the rescuer's head and neck or wrists and arms. Since the majority of victims were younger and smaller than their rescuers and got into difficulty less than 3 m from safety, only a small proportion of the grasps were perceived as endangering the lifesaver. Consequently, the victim was often permitted to retain the hold while being rescued. Grasps which were reported to be threatening tended to be applied by individuals of equal or larger physical size than the rescuer and usually occurred at distances exceeding 3 m from safety.", "contents": "Body contact swimming rescues--what are the risks? A survey of 482 lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors revealed that at least one-half had performed body contact swimming rescues (BCRs). Over two-thirds of these BCRs occurred when the lifesaver was relatively inexperienced in actual water rescues of any kind although virtually all rescuers had received formal lifesaving training. The victim tried to grasp the rescuer in 26 per cent of the BCRs which took place in swimming pools and 39 per cent of those occurring in lakes. Most of these attempts were made during the approach and were predominantly from the front, around the rescuer's head and neck or wrists and arms. Since the majority of victims were younger and smaller than their rescuers and got into difficulty less than 3 m from safety, only a small proportion of the grasps were perceived as endangering the lifesaver. Consequently, the victim was often permitted to retain the hold while being rescued. Grasps which were reported to be threatening tended to be applied by individuals of equal or larger physical size than the rescuer and usually occurred at distances exceeding 3 m from safety.", "PMID": 760572} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_346", "title": "[The dose-effect-ratio of isobaric bupivacaine in spinal analgesia (author's transl)].", "content": "Isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% with adrenaline 1:200,000 was used for spinal anaesthesia. The influence of dose (mg) and volume (ml) on segmental spread and duration of spinal block was investigated. Bupivacaine 10 or 15 mg was injected in 2 or 3 ml of solution. The segmental spread and duration of analgesic block was tested at certain time intervals. The results showed that: 1. an increase in dose is not followed by a larger segmental spread or longer duration of analgesic block, 2. the increase of the volume injected is followed by an increase in segmental spread of analgesic block. This is independent of the concentration of the local anaesthetic, 3. the segmental regression of analgesic block starts in the cephalad segments. Therefore, higher spread of analgesic block provides prolonged analgesia in the lower segments. The results of this investigation are controversal in relation to the reports in the literature of the last two decades. The increase in dosage of the local anaesthetic did not increase the segmental spread and duration of analgesia. Only the volume injected is responsible for an increase in segmental spread of analgesia. Of course the concentration of the local anaesthetic injected has to be at least the minimal concentration necessary to result in a sensory nerve block.", "contents": "[The dose-effect-ratio of isobaric bupivacaine in spinal analgesia (author's transl)]. Isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% with adrenaline 1:200,000 was used for spinal anaesthesia. The influence of dose (mg) and volume (ml) on segmental spread and duration of spinal block was investigated. Bupivacaine 10 or 15 mg was injected in 2 or 3 ml of solution. The segmental spread and duration of analgesic block was tested at certain time intervals. The results showed that: 1. an increase in dose is not followed by a larger segmental spread or longer duration of analgesic block, 2. the increase of the volume injected is followed by an increase in segmental spread of analgesic block. This is independent of the concentration of the local anaesthetic, 3. the segmental regression of analgesic block starts in the cephalad segments. Therefore, higher spread of analgesic block provides prolonged analgesia in the lower segments. The results of this investigation are controversal in relation to the reports in the literature of the last two decades. The increase in dosage of the local anaesthetic did not increase the segmental spread and duration of analgesia. Only the volume injected is responsible for an increase in segmental spread of analgesia. Of course the concentration of the local anaesthetic injected has to be at least the minimal concentration necessary to result in a sensory nerve block.", "PMID": 760584} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_347", "title": "[Loss of resistance in axillary plexus blockade].", "content": "The results of the \"loss of resistance\" method for identification of the perivascular space are demonstrated. The axillary plexus with its accompanying structures is embeded in the perivascular space. 20 pressure readings were performed with a special transducer. A statistically significant pressure loss was demonstrated after passing the vascular and nerve sheath. The distinct pressure differences during the tissue penetration are recognized with the finger guiding the syringe, similar to the technique used for peridural anaesthesia. We thus believe that we can offer an exact method for blocking the axillary plexus with maximum safety which does not rely on the cooperation of the patient.", "contents": "[Loss of resistance in axillary plexus blockade]. The results of the \"loss of resistance\" method for identification of the perivascular space are demonstrated. The axillary plexus with its accompanying structures is embeded in the perivascular space. 20 pressure readings were performed with a special transducer. A statistically significant pressure loss was demonstrated after passing the vascular and nerve sheath. The distinct pressure differences during the tissue penetration are recognized with the finger guiding the syringe, similar to the technique used for peridural anaesthesia. We thus believe that we can offer an exact method for blocking the axillary plexus with maximum safety which does not rely on the cooperation of the patient.", "PMID": 760585} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_348", "title": "[The effect of local anaesthetics on uterine blood flow and O2-consumption in non-pregnant sheep (author's transl)].", "content": "11 non-pregnant sheep were prepared for chronic studies with an electromagnetic flow transducer placed around one uterine artery and with catheters in both uterine veins, aorta and inferior vena cava. The 4 local anaesthetics bupivacaine, etidocaine, lignocaine and chloroprocaine were infused intravenously on consecutive days in a randomized manner. During the infusions of all 4 local anaesthetics, uterine blood flow decreased due to an increase of uterine vascular resistance. The uterine arteriovenous O2-difference increased, while the uterine O2-consumption decreased without development of an acidosis of the uterus. The same changes were observed in 8 animals, to which oestrone had been administered intravenously prior to the infusions of local anaesthetics. Local anaesthetics had the same effects in the non-pregnant and pregnant uterus. A direct vasoconstrictive mechanism on the uterine vessels as well as a depressing effect on metabolism is discussed for the local anaesthetics.", "contents": "[The effect of local anaesthetics on uterine blood flow and O2-consumption in non-pregnant sheep (author's transl)]. 11 non-pregnant sheep were prepared for chronic studies with an electromagnetic flow transducer placed around one uterine artery and with catheters in both uterine veins, aorta and inferior vena cava. The 4 local anaesthetics bupivacaine, etidocaine, lignocaine and chloroprocaine were infused intravenously on consecutive days in a randomized manner. During the infusions of all 4 local anaesthetics, uterine blood flow decreased due to an increase of uterine vascular resistance. The uterine arteriovenous O2-difference increased, while the uterine O2-consumption decreased without development of an acidosis of the uterus. The same changes were observed in 8 animals, to which oestrone had been administered intravenously prior to the infusions of local anaesthetics. Local anaesthetics had the same effects in the non-pregnant and pregnant uterus. A direct vasoconstrictive mechanism on the uterine vessels as well as a depressing effect on metabolism is discussed for the local anaesthetics.", "PMID": 760586} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_349", "title": "Effect of diazepam on emergence from ketamine anaesthesia. A double-blind study.", "content": "The series comprises 109 healthy females aged 14-49 years (mean age 28 years) hospitalized for legal abortion or diagnostic curettage. The patients were premedicated with morphine-scopolamine 0.4-0.7 ml i.m. (morphine 20 mg/ml, scopolamine 0.6 mg/ml) and atropine 0.01 mg/kg i.v. Ketamine 1.5 mg/kg was administered i.v. and immediately thereafter 2 ml of a coded solution i.v. consisting either of diazepam 10 mg or its solvent only. Supplementary doses of ketamine 0.2-0.4 mg/kg were administered when needed. Diazepam reduced the incidence of unpleasant dreams and experiences to a significant degree (p less than 0.01) according to the postanaesthetic interviews of the patients. Nausea occurred in the diazepam group in 2 per cent and in the placebo group in 17 per cent (p less than 0.01). In respect to the differences in opinion presented in literature the authors consider the time of administration of diazepam at induction to be of decisive importance and find prophylactic prevention of dreams justified as it cannot be predicted which of the patients will have unpleasant or even terrifying dreams. Dreams and/or experiences or their memories must be prevented at the stage at which the effect of ketamine commences. The authors do not, however, recommend ketamine anaesthesia for young adults, even when supplemented with diazepam. On the other hand, the authors consider the positive observations made during the study to be applicable to all other ketamine anaesthesias.", "contents": "Effect of diazepam on emergence from ketamine anaesthesia. A double-blind study. The series comprises 109 healthy females aged 14-49 years (mean age 28 years) hospitalized for legal abortion or diagnostic curettage. The patients were premedicated with morphine-scopolamine 0.4-0.7 ml i.m. (morphine 20 mg/ml, scopolamine 0.6 mg/ml) and atropine 0.01 mg/kg i.v. Ketamine 1.5 mg/kg was administered i.v. and immediately thereafter 2 ml of a coded solution i.v. consisting either of diazepam 10 mg or its solvent only. Supplementary doses of ketamine 0.2-0.4 mg/kg were administered when needed. Diazepam reduced the incidence of unpleasant dreams and experiences to a significant degree (p less than 0.01) according to the postanaesthetic interviews of the patients. Nausea occurred in the diazepam group in 2 per cent and in the placebo group in 17 per cent (p less than 0.01). In respect to the differences in opinion presented in literature the authors consider the time of administration of diazepam at induction to be of decisive importance and find prophylactic prevention of dreams justified as it cannot be predicted which of the patients will have unpleasant or even terrifying dreams. Dreams and/or experiences or their memories must be prevented at the stage at which the effect of ketamine commences. The authors do not, however, recommend ketamine anaesthesia for young adults, even when supplemented with diazepam. On the other hand, the authors consider the positive observations made during the study to be applicable to all other ketamine anaesthesias.", "PMID": 760587} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_350", "title": "[Interactions between nitrous oxide and central depressants].", "content": "The combined effects on mice of N2O and various central depressants were investigated. A loss of the righting reflex was taken as the criterion for the drug effects. Essential differences could be demonstrated in the type of interaction: diazepam, flunitrazepam, and medazepam have a supra-additive effect in combination with N2O; the solvent of diazepam and an experimental product, Ro 21-3981 (8-Chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-imidazo [1,5-a] [1,4]-benzodiazepine maleate) a simply additive one. However, the interactions between N2O and barbiturates (pentobarbitone and phenobarbitone), and N2O and ethanol were found to be infra-additive. The results of this and previous investigations indicate that additive or supra-additive interactions can only be expected in those cases in which at most one of the two active ingredients in addition to its depressive effect also exhibits an excitatory component.", "contents": "[Interactions between nitrous oxide and central depressants]. The combined effects on mice of N2O and various central depressants were investigated. A loss of the righting reflex was taken as the criterion for the drug effects. Essential differences could be demonstrated in the type of interaction: diazepam, flunitrazepam, and medazepam have a supra-additive effect in combination with N2O; the solvent of diazepam and an experimental product, Ro 21-3981 (8-Chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-imidazo [1,5-a] [1,4]-benzodiazepine maleate) a simply additive one. However, the interactions between N2O and barbiturates (pentobarbitone and phenobarbitone), and N2O and ethanol were found to be infra-additive. The results of this and previous investigations indicate that additive or supra-additive interactions can only be expected in those cases in which at most one of the two active ingredients in addition to its depressive effect also exhibits an excitatory component.", "PMID": 760588} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_351", "title": "Oral oxazepam as a premedicant in minor surgery.", "content": "The clinical effects of oral oxazepam and placebo as premedicants were tested in a double-blind study in 40 gynaecological patients. The gas chromatographically measured concentrations of the active, unconjugated forms of oxazepam in the plasma were correlated with the clinical effects of oxazepam, assessed both subjectively and objectively. The insertion of an intravenous cannula was significantly more difficult (p less than 0.001) in the placebo premedicated group. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the cutaneous temperature of the left forefinger. Of the eleven parameters tested there was a significant difference between the oxazepam and placebo group in the quality of sleep on the night before operation (p less than 0.05) and in the degree of preoperative sedation (p less than 0.01). The combined results of the eleven parameters of the oxazepam group also differed positively significantly from the placebo group (p less than 0.01). There was no obvious relationship between the plasma concentration and clinical effect of oxazepam.", "contents": "Oral oxazepam as a premedicant in minor surgery. The clinical effects of oral oxazepam and placebo as premedicants were tested in a double-blind study in 40 gynaecological patients. The gas chromatographically measured concentrations of the active, unconjugated forms of oxazepam in the plasma were correlated with the clinical effects of oxazepam, assessed both subjectively and objectively. The insertion of an intravenous cannula was significantly more difficult (p less than 0.001) in the placebo premedicated group. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the cutaneous temperature of the left forefinger. Of the eleven parameters tested there was a significant difference between the oxazepam and placebo group in the quality of sleep on the night before operation (p less than 0.05) and in the degree of preoperative sedation (p less than 0.01). The combined results of the eleven parameters of the oxazepam group also differed positively significantly from the placebo group (p less than 0.01). There was no obvious relationship between the plasma concentration and clinical effect of oxazepam.", "PMID": 760589} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_352", "title": "[Determination of intrapulmonary shunt in acute lung failure and during therapy by means of extracorporeal oxygenation (author's transl)].", "content": "The reasons for the especial importance of acute lung failure within the framework of intensive medicine are elaborated. In most cases acute lung failure can be successfully treated by timely ventilation and support for the heart-function. If conventional therapy fails, extracorporeal long-term oxygenation by means of a membrane oxygenator can be a successful technique, provided that a very critical indication is available. The magnitude of the intrapulmonary right-left shunt S is an important parameter for the assessment of the extent of acute lung failure and its prognosis, and also in the establishment of the indication for the use of extracorporeal oxygenation and the therapeutic process. The derivation of simple extended shunt equations for any form of extracorporeal oxygenation is possible on the basis of measurements of blood-flow and oxygen transport. This represents an important contribution to the mathematical description of a therapeutic technique.", "contents": "[Determination of intrapulmonary shunt in acute lung failure and during therapy by means of extracorporeal oxygenation (author's transl)]. The reasons for the especial importance of acute lung failure within the framework of intensive medicine are elaborated. In most cases acute lung failure can be successfully treated by timely ventilation and support for the heart-function. If conventional therapy fails, extracorporeal long-term oxygenation by means of a membrane oxygenator can be a successful technique, provided that a very critical indication is available. The magnitude of the intrapulmonary right-left shunt S is an important parameter for the assessment of the extent of acute lung failure and its prognosis, and also in the establishment of the indication for the use of extracorporeal oxygenation and the therapeutic process. The derivation of simple extended shunt equations for any form of extracorporeal oxygenation is possible on the basis of measurements of blood-flow and oxygen transport. This represents an important contribution to the mathematical description of a therapeutic technique.", "PMID": 760590} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_353", "title": "Testosterone and UVL-B stimulation of epidermal melanocytes in rat scrotal skin.", "content": "The effects of UVL-B and/or testosterone replacemnt therapy are compared in normal and castrated rats in order to determine whether testosterone is required for UVL-B (290-315 nm) stimulation of melanogenesis in the testosterone-dependent epidermal melanocyte system of the scrotal skin of black Long Evans rats. Testosterone is not a prerequisite for UVL-B stimulation of melanocytes as in both castrates and normal animals the melanocytes respond to UVL-B by increases in size, length and number of dendrites (dendriticness), and tyrosinase activity (intensity of Dopa reaction). Addition of testosterone to castrates does enhance the effects of UVL-B. However, UVL-B with or without testosterone cannot maintain normal melanogenesis in rats irradiated immediately after castration nor can it restore normal melanogenesis following long term castration. Bth the amount of UVL nergy/exposure and the number of exposures are important variables in stimulation of the epidermal melanocytes. Administration of a dose of UVL-B to castrates in a single exposure is ineffective, while the same overall dose spread over several exposures increases the size and dendriticness of melanocytes. Testosterone and UVL-B act synergistically in affecting melanogenesis although neither singly nor in combination are they able to fully restore normal melanogenesis.", "contents": "Testosterone and UVL-B stimulation of epidermal melanocytes in rat scrotal skin. The effects of UVL-B and/or testosterone replacemnt therapy are compared in normal and castrated rats in order to determine whether testosterone is required for UVL-B (290-315 nm) stimulation of melanogenesis in the testosterone-dependent epidermal melanocyte system of the scrotal skin of black Long Evans rats. Testosterone is not a prerequisite for UVL-B stimulation of melanocytes as in both castrates and normal animals the melanocytes respond to UVL-B by increases in size, length and number of dendrites (dendriticness), and tyrosinase activity (intensity of Dopa reaction). Addition of testosterone to castrates does enhance the effects of UVL-B. However, UVL-B with or without testosterone cannot maintain normal melanogenesis in rats irradiated immediately after castration nor can it restore normal melanogenesis following long term castration. Bth the amount of UVL nergy/exposure and the number of exposures are important variables in stimulation of the epidermal melanocytes. Administration of a dose of UVL-B to castrates in a single exposure is ineffective, while the same overall dose spread over several exposures increases the size and dendriticness of melanocytes. Testosterone and UVL-B act synergistically in affecting melanogenesis although neither singly nor in combination are they able to fully restore normal melanogenesis.", "PMID": 760595} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_354", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of 3H-fentanyl in the dog anesthetized with enflurane.", "content": "Fentanyl is often used as an anesthetic supplement for short procedures because it has a rapid onset and brief duration of action. However, persistence of ventilatory depression several hours following the last dose has been seen. The authors studied the pharmacokinetics of fentanyl in the dog to find an explanation for the occasionally prolonged duration of action. 3H-fentanyl citrate, 10 or 100 microgram/kg, was injected intravenously in dogs anesthetized with enflurane-O2. Arterial plasma and urine were analyzed for unchanged 3H-fentanyl and for total 3H radioactivity. Kinetic indices were derived by nonlinear least-squares analysis of log concentration (ng/ml) vs. time relationships. Initially, the elimination of fentanyl from plasma was very rapid, and 98 per cent of the amount administered was removed from plasma in the first 5 min after an intravenous injection. However, the terminal elimination phase was prolonged (t1/2 = 199 +/- 17 min). The apparent volume of distribution was large (9.81/kg) and independent of dose. Repetitive doses produced an accumulation of fentanyl. 3H-labelled metabolites of fentanyl were present in the earliest samples of plasma, and accounted for the major portion of the total 3H radioactivity in both plasma and urine. Urine collected for six hours contained 36 per cent of the total 3H radioactivity administered, but only 4 per cent of fentanyl administered was excreted as unchanged fentanyl. The authors conclude that most of a single dose of fentanyl is rapidly eliminated from the body by biotransformation and leads to accumulation of the drug when administered in very large or repeated doses. Under these circumstances the slow release of drug from tissues results in persistent plasma levels of fentanyl and a prolonged duration of action.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of 3H-fentanyl in the dog anesthetized with enflurane. Fentanyl is often used as an anesthetic supplement for short procedures because it has a rapid onset and brief duration of action. However, persistence of ventilatory depression several hours following the last dose has been seen. The authors studied the pharmacokinetics of fentanyl in the dog to find an explanation for the occasionally prolonged duration of action. 3H-fentanyl citrate, 10 or 100 microgram/kg, was injected intravenously in dogs anesthetized with enflurane-O2. Arterial plasma and urine were analyzed for unchanged 3H-fentanyl and for total 3H radioactivity. Kinetic indices were derived by nonlinear least-squares analysis of log concentration (ng/ml) vs. time relationships. Initially, the elimination of fentanyl from plasma was very rapid, and 98 per cent of the amount administered was removed from plasma in the first 5 min after an intravenous injection. However, the terminal elimination phase was prolonged (t1/2 = 199 +/- 17 min). The apparent volume of distribution was large (9.81/kg) and independent of dose. Repetitive doses produced an accumulation of fentanyl. 3H-labelled metabolites of fentanyl were present in the earliest samples of plasma, and accounted for the major portion of the total 3H radioactivity in both plasma and urine. Urine collected for six hours contained 36 per cent of the total 3H radioactivity administered, but only 4 per cent of fentanyl administered was excreted as unchanged fentanyl. The authors conclude that most of a single dose of fentanyl is rapidly eliminated from the body by biotransformation and leads to accumulation of the drug when administered in very large or repeated doses. Under these circumstances the slow release of drug from tissues results in persistent plasma levels of fentanyl and a prolonged duration of action.", "PMID": 760597} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_355", "title": "Volatile metabolites and decomposition products of halothane in man.", "content": "The presence of two volatile halothane metabolites, 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (CF3CH2Cl) and 2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethylene (CF2CHCl), and a metabolite-decomposition product, 2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethylene (CF2CBrCl), were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in exhaled gases of 16 patients anesthetized with halothane in nonrebreathing, semiclosed and totally closed anesthesia circuits. No significant differences in concentrations of CF3CH2Cl and CF2CHCl were found relative to the anesthesia circuits used. CF2CBrCl could not be identified in the expired gases of patients anesthetized with a nonrebreathing circuit (Bain), but was present in gases recovered from both semiclosed and totally closed circuits. Under totally closed-circuit rebreathing conditions, the concentration of CF2CBrCl increased to 4-5 ppm, indicating significant breakdown of halothane by the soda lime. Possible pathways for formation of the two metabolites and the metabolite-decomposition product are presented, as well as clinical implications of these findings.", "contents": "Volatile metabolites and decomposition products of halothane in man. The presence of two volatile halothane metabolites, 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (CF3CH2Cl) and 2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethylene (CF2CHCl), and a metabolite-decomposition product, 2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethylene (CF2CBrCl), were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in exhaled gases of 16 patients anesthetized with halothane in nonrebreathing, semiclosed and totally closed anesthesia circuits. No significant differences in concentrations of CF3CH2Cl and CF2CHCl were found relative to the anesthesia circuits used. CF2CBrCl could not be identified in the expired gases of patients anesthetized with a nonrebreathing circuit (Bain), but was present in gases recovered from both semiclosed and totally closed circuits. Under totally closed-circuit rebreathing conditions, the concentration of CF2CBrCl increased to 4-5 ppm, indicating significant breakdown of halothane by the soda lime. Possible pathways for formation of the two metabolites and the metabolite-decomposition product are presented, as well as clinical implications of these findings.", "PMID": 760598} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_356", "title": "Towards an understanding of chronic pain mechanisms: the use of psychologic tests and a refined differential spinal block.", "content": "Forty patients with chronic pain below the waist level were evaluated in a multidisciplinary pain clinic using a refined differential spinal block (DSB) technique. The refinements consisted of verbal instructions to prevent biasing the patients, coupled with a thorough evaluation of verbal and physiologic responses to the block. When demographic and psychologic data were assessed according to pain mechanisms, a pattern of patient groups emerged along a chronic pain continuum. Stress, anxiety, depression, and hysteria, as well as the neurophysiologic and demographic factors, modified the responses to the block. Long-term follow-up of these patients, including repeat DSB procedures and confirmatory anatomic blocks of sympathetic and somatic nerves, validated these impressions. The findings indicate a link between pain mechanisms and psychosocial factors that may directly influence responses to DSB.", "contents": "Towards an understanding of chronic pain mechanisms: the use of psychologic tests and a refined differential spinal block. Forty patients with chronic pain below the waist level were evaluated in a multidisciplinary pain clinic using a refined differential spinal block (DSB) technique. The refinements consisted of verbal instructions to prevent biasing the patients, coupled with a thorough evaluation of verbal and physiologic responses to the block. When demographic and psychologic data were assessed according to pain mechanisms, a pattern of patient groups emerged along a chronic pain continuum. Stress, anxiety, depression, and hysteria, as well as the neurophysiologic and demographic factors, modified the responses to the block. Long-term follow-up of these patients, including repeat DSB procedures and confirmatory anatomic blocks of sympathetic and somatic nerves, validated these impressions. The findings indicate a link between pain mechanisms and psychosocial factors that may directly influence responses to DSB.", "PMID": 760599} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_357", "title": "Mucociliary clearance in the canine lung during and after general anesthesia.", "content": "Central and peripheral pulmonary mucociliary clearance was assessed by tantalum bronchography and serial chest roentgenograms in dogs. Thiopental, 25 mg/kg, did not change clearance from awake values. Halothane 1.2 MAC, for six hours, delayed both central and peripheral clearance by at least three hours. After halothane or diethyl ether, 1.2 MAC, for two hours, recovery of mucociliary clearance was delayed for approximately three and a half hours", "contents": "Mucociliary clearance in the canine lung during and after general anesthesia. Central and peripheral pulmonary mucociliary clearance was assessed by tantalum bronchography and serial chest roentgenograms in dogs. Thiopental, 25 mg/kg, did not change clearance from awake values. Halothane 1.2 MAC, for six hours, delayed both central and peripheral clearance by at least three hours. After halothane or diethyl ether, 1.2 MAC, for two hours, recovery of mucociliary clearance was delayed for approximately three and a half hours", "PMID": 760600} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_358", "title": "Cerebral energy levels during trimethaphan-induced hypotension in the rat: effects of light versus deep halothane anesthesia.", "content": "Hypotension may be expected to produce less perturbation of metabolism in the brain when cerebral metabolic rate is lowered by deep anesthesia. Male Wistar rats having unilateral carotidartery ligation were exposed to mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 40 torr for 22 min by an intravenous infusion of trimethaphan during anesthesia with halothane, 0.6 or 2 per cent, in oxygen. Cortical tissue metabolite levels on the side of the ligated carotid artery were more abnormal in rats receiving halothane, 0.6 per cent, than in those receiving halothane, 2 per cent. Values at halothane, 0.6 per cent, were adenosine triphosphate (ATP), 1.71 +/- 0.05 (+/-SEM) mumol/g, phosphocreatine (PCr) 1.97 +/- 0.07 mumol/g. and lactate 16.5 +/- 5.1 mumol/g; corresponding values at halothane, 2 per cent, were ATP 2.27 +/- 0.02, PCr 4.02 +/- 0.23, and lactate 4.75 +/- 0.9 mumol/g. ATP and PCr values were significiantly lower (P less than 0.05) and the lactate value was significantly higher with halothane, 0.6 per cent, than with halothane 2 per cent. Cerebral oxygen consumption decreased 47 per cent in rats anesthetized with halothane, 2 per cent. Preservation of cortical metabolite levels in deeply anesthetized animals suggests a protective effect of cerebral metabolic depression.", "contents": "Cerebral energy levels during trimethaphan-induced hypotension in the rat: effects of light versus deep halothane anesthesia. Hypotension may be expected to produce less perturbation of metabolism in the brain when cerebral metabolic rate is lowered by deep anesthesia. Male Wistar rats having unilateral carotidartery ligation were exposed to mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 40 torr for 22 min by an intravenous infusion of trimethaphan during anesthesia with halothane, 0.6 or 2 per cent, in oxygen. Cortical tissue metabolite levels on the side of the ligated carotid artery were more abnormal in rats receiving halothane, 0.6 per cent, than in those receiving halothane, 2 per cent. Values at halothane, 0.6 per cent, were adenosine triphosphate (ATP), 1.71 +/- 0.05 (+/-SEM) mumol/g, phosphocreatine (PCr) 1.97 +/- 0.07 mumol/g. and lactate 16.5 +/- 5.1 mumol/g; corresponding values at halothane, 2 per cent, were ATP 2.27 +/- 0.02, PCr 4.02 +/- 0.23, and lactate 4.75 +/- 0.9 mumol/g. ATP and PCr values were significiantly lower (P less than 0.05) and the lactate value was significantly higher with halothane, 0.6 per cent, than with halothane 2 per cent. Cerebral oxygen consumption decreased 47 per cent in rats anesthetized with halothane, 2 per cent. Preservation of cortical metabolite levels in deeply anesthetized animals suggests a protective effect of cerebral metabolic depression.", "PMID": 760601} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_359", "title": "Halothane mimics oxygen in oxygen microelectrodes.", "content": "The effects of halothane and enflurane on the polarographic measurement of oxygen with five platinum and three gold microelectrodes were examined. Oxygen microelectrodes were calibrated in saline solution equilibrated with either nitrogen (N2) or air, then either halothane, 1.0 per cent, or enflurane, 2.0 per cent, was added to the gas mixture. For each electrode, polarographic curves were determined during exposure to five equilibrating gas mixtures: N2, air, N2 plus halothane, air plus halothane, and N2 plus enflurane. Halothane variably increased the current produced (and therefore the estimated oxygen tension) at all polarizing voltages in saline solution equilibrated with either N2 or air. The effect was present in both conical platinum electrodes and recessed-tip gold electrodes and was not prevented by membrane coatings of polystyrol, Rhoplex or collodion. Enflurane did not alter the polarographic measurement of oxygen. It is concluded that tissue oxygen tension measurements, made with these microelectrodes and membranes, may be unreliable in the presence of halothane.", "contents": "Halothane mimics oxygen in oxygen microelectrodes. The effects of halothane and enflurane on the polarographic measurement of oxygen with five platinum and three gold microelectrodes were examined. Oxygen microelectrodes were calibrated in saline solution equilibrated with either nitrogen (N2) or air, then either halothane, 1.0 per cent, or enflurane, 2.0 per cent, was added to the gas mixture. For each electrode, polarographic curves were determined during exposure to five equilibrating gas mixtures: N2, air, N2 plus halothane, air plus halothane, and N2 plus enflurane. Halothane variably increased the current produced (and therefore the estimated oxygen tension) at all polarizing voltages in saline solution equilibrated with either N2 or air. The effect was present in both conical platinum electrodes and recessed-tip gold electrodes and was not prevented by membrane coatings of polystyrol, Rhoplex or collodion. Enflurane did not alter the polarographic measurement of oxygen. It is concluded that tissue oxygen tension measurements, made with these microelectrodes and membranes, may be unreliable in the presence of halothane.", "PMID": 760602} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_360", "title": "Chrysosporium species as fungal air pollutants.", "content": "Air filters utilized in monitoring industrial air pollutants were analyzed for the presence of airborne fungi. The genera of fungi isolated were essentially those isolated in other areas of the United States; however, Chrysosporium species, unreported in previous airborne surveys, were found in significant numbers. Thirty-six genera of fungi were recovered over a one-year period. Aspergillus and Chrysosporium were isolated most frequently from the filter samples examined.", "contents": "Chrysosporium species as fungal air pollutants. Air filters utilized in monitoring industrial air pollutants were analyzed for the presence of airborne fungi. The genera of fungi isolated were essentially those isolated in other areas of the United States; however, Chrysosporium species, unreported in previous airborne surveys, were found in significant numbers. Thirty-six genera of fungi were recovered over a one-year period. Aspergillus and Chrysosporium were isolated most frequently from the filter samples examined.", "PMID": 760619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_361", "title": "Arterial oxygen saturation by non-invasive oximetry technique: an office test for determining jeopardy of status asthmaticus.", "content": "A newly developed technique in ear oximetry which can be performed in a doctor's office may obviate the need of sending an asthmatic patient to the hospital for arterial gas blood studies and may be a means of ear marking impending status asthmaticus and respiratory failure.", "contents": "Arterial oxygen saturation by non-invasive oximetry technique: an office test for determining jeopardy of status asthmaticus. A newly developed technique in ear oximetry which can be performed in a doctor's office may obviate the need of sending an asthmatic patient to the hospital for arterial gas blood studies and may be a means of ear marking impending status asthmaticus and respiratory failure.", "PMID": 760620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_362", "title": "Food allergy in children with hyperactivity, learning disabilities and/or minimal brain dysfunction.", "content": "Ninety hyperactive children, 22 children with learning disability and eight emotional-inattentive children were tested for allergy to 43 food extracts using the in vitro radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Fifty-two percent of all children exhibited allergy to one or more of the foods tested. Within the hyperactive group a statistically significant association was found between the number of allergies and teachers' (Conners) scores of hyperactivity. This association was statistically significant only in those hyperactive children who also had learning disability and minimal brain dysfunction. A statistically weak association was also found between a small number of children clinically diagnosable as hyperactive and the number of allergies or total allergy scores. A causal relationship between food allergy and a small subgroup of children with a primary diagnosis of hyperactivity is suspected.", "contents": "Food allergy in children with hyperactivity, learning disabilities and/or minimal brain dysfunction. Ninety hyperactive children, 22 children with learning disability and eight emotional-inattentive children were tested for allergy to 43 food extracts using the in vitro radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Fifty-two percent of all children exhibited allergy to one or more of the foods tested. Within the hyperactive group a statistically significant association was found between the number of allergies and teachers' (Conners) scores of hyperactivity. This association was statistically significant only in those hyperactive children who also had learning disability and minimal brain dysfunction. A statistically weak association was also found between a small number of children clinically diagnosable as hyperactive and the number of allergies or total allergy scores. A causal relationship between food allergy and a small subgroup of children with a primary diagnosis of hyperactivity is suspected.", "PMID": 760622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_363", "title": "Peripheral airways obstruction in patients with rhinitis.", "content": "Nine young lifetime nonsmoking patients with symptoms of rhinitis but without any history of asthma or wheezing and nine age-matched healthy lifetime nonsmoking control subjects were studied with respect to subdivisions of lung volume, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume (1.0 sec), and flow-volume curves breathing air, and also breathing a mixture of 80% helium--20% oxygen (He-O2) from which were obtained airflows at 50% VC (Vmax50), the percentage increase in Vmax50 breathing He-O2 as compared to air (deltaVmax50) and the point where He-O2 and airflow-volume curves became identical (Visov). No significant differences between the two groups in age, subdivisions of lung volume or forced expiratory airflow rates were recorded. However, deltaVmax50 was significantly lower in the patients (16.4 +/- 12.0) compared to the controls (47.7 +/- 16.4) (p less than .001) and Visov was higher in the patients (28.4 +/- 14.9) as compared to the controls (14.4 +/- 7.6) (p less than .01). After bronchodilator therapy Vmax50 increased in the control subjects (p less than .005) but not in the patients and deltaVmax 50 decreased in the control group but was unchanged in the rhinitis patients. These results suggest that patients with rhinitis who have normal airflow rates may have peripheral airways obstruction not readily reversible with bronchodilators.", "contents": "Peripheral airways obstruction in patients with rhinitis. Nine young lifetime nonsmoking patients with symptoms of rhinitis but without any history of asthma or wheezing and nine age-matched healthy lifetime nonsmoking control subjects were studied with respect to subdivisions of lung volume, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume (1.0 sec), and flow-volume curves breathing air, and also breathing a mixture of 80% helium--20% oxygen (He-O2) from which were obtained airflows at 50% VC (Vmax50), the percentage increase in Vmax50 breathing He-O2 as compared to air (deltaVmax50) and the point where He-O2 and airflow-volume curves became identical (Visov). No significant differences between the two groups in age, subdivisions of lung volume or forced expiratory airflow rates were recorded. However, deltaVmax50 was significantly lower in the patients (16.4 +/- 12.0) compared to the controls (47.7 +/- 16.4) (p less than .001) and Visov was higher in the patients (28.4 +/- 14.9) as compared to the controls (14.4 +/- 7.6) (p less than .01). After bronchodilator therapy Vmax50 increased in the control subjects (p less than .005) but not in the patients and deltaVmax 50 decreased in the control group but was unchanged in the rhinitis patients. These results suggest that patients with rhinitis who have normal airflow rates may have peripheral airways obstruction not readily reversible with bronchodilators.", "PMID": 760623} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_364", "title": "Bronchial asthma and pathological processes in the nasopharynx. I. Clinical analysis during remission and attack.", "content": "In 54 patients with bronchial asthma and a control group of 15 subjects laryngological, bacteriological and cytological examinations of the nasopharynx were performed. This region was found to be inflamed in 38% of the patients with asthma; in a group of asthmatic patients hypersensitive to aspirin, the percentage rose to 87%. In the asthmatic patients, as compared with the control group, there was a diminished neutrophilic exudate, a marked epithelial desquamation reaction and an abundant lymphocyticosinophilic exudate in a considerable percentage of cases.", "contents": "Bronchial asthma and pathological processes in the nasopharynx. I. Clinical analysis during remission and attack. In 54 patients with bronchial asthma and a control group of 15 subjects laryngological, bacteriological and cytological examinations of the nasopharynx were performed. This region was found to be inflamed in 38% of the patients with asthma; in a group of asthmatic patients hypersensitive to aspirin, the percentage rose to 87%. In the asthmatic patients, as compared with the control group, there was a diminished neutrophilic exudate, a marked epithelial desquamation reaction and an abundant lymphocyticosinophilic exudate in a considerable percentage of cases.", "PMID": 760624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_365", "title": "New allergenic pollens of Delhi State, India, and their clinical significance.", "content": "Antigenic extracts of 26 new pollen types were assessed on 175 patients with respiratory allergy for their allergenicity, using the intradermal test. A total of 4,550 intradermal tests were performed in addition to 1,040 skin tests performed on 40 non-allergic healthy individuals as a control. Fisher's Extract Probability Test was used to determine the statistical significance of the allergenicity, expressed in percentages of markedly positive skin reactions (2+ and above). Only 13 of the 26 pollen types investigated proved to be statistically significant as possessing allergenicity. The relative sensitivity of different diagnostic tests was also assessed. Markedly positive reactions evaluated by Passive Transfer (P-K), conjunctival and bronchial challenge tests were found to be equally significant. The P-K and bronchial challenge tests gave significant correlation with markedly positive intradermal tests.", "contents": "New allergenic pollens of Delhi State, India, and their clinical significance. Antigenic extracts of 26 new pollen types were assessed on 175 patients with respiratory allergy for their allergenicity, using the intradermal test. A total of 4,550 intradermal tests were performed in addition to 1,040 skin tests performed on 40 non-allergic healthy individuals as a control. Fisher's Extract Probability Test was used to determine the statistical significance of the allergenicity, expressed in percentages of markedly positive skin reactions (2+ and above). Only 13 of the 26 pollen types investigated proved to be statistically significant as possessing allergenicity. The relative sensitivity of different diagnostic tests was also assessed. Markedly positive reactions evaluated by Passive Transfer (P-K), conjunctival and bronchial challenge tests were found to be equally significant. The P-K and bronchial challenge tests gave significant correlation with markedly positive intradermal tests.", "PMID": 760625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_366", "title": "Two pediatric allergists' sojourn in the People's Republic of China.", "content": "One cannot visit modern day mainland China without being impressed with the apparent vastness of the population which seems ever on the move. While manifestations of allergic disease among Chinese children resemble those seen in western countries, some factors peculiar to China, such as life style, diet, housing and absence of household pets, influence age of onset and geographic distribution of some allergic syndromes in Chinese children.", "contents": "Two pediatric allergists' sojourn in the People's Republic of China. One cannot visit modern day mainland China without being impressed with the apparent vastness of the population which seems ever on the move. While manifestations of allergic disease among Chinese children resemble those seen in western countries, some factors peculiar to China, such as life style, diet, housing and absence of household pets, influence age of onset and geographic distribution of some allergic syndromes in Chinese children.", "PMID": 760626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_367", "title": "Production of antibody against T-2 toxin.", "content": "Antibody against T-2 toxin was obtained after immunization of rabbits with bovine serum albumin-T-2 hemisuccinate conjugate. The antibody had greatest binding efficiency for T-2 toxin, less efficiency for HT-2, and least for T-2 triol. Cross-reaction of antibody with neosolaniol, T-2 tetraol, and 8-acetyl-neosolaniol was very weak. Diacetoxyscirpenol, trichodermin, vomitoxin, and verrucarin A essentially gave no cross-reaction with the antibody. The sensitivity of the binding assay for T-2 toxin detection was in the range of 1 to 20 ng per assay. Detailed methods for the preparation of the conjugate and the production of immune serum and methods for antibody determination are described.", "contents": "Production of antibody against T-2 toxin. Antibody against T-2 toxin was obtained after immunization of rabbits with bovine serum albumin-T-2 hemisuccinate conjugate. The antibody had greatest binding efficiency for T-2 toxin, less efficiency for HT-2, and least for T-2 triol. Cross-reaction of antibody with neosolaniol, T-2 tetraol, and 8-acetyl-neosolaniol was very weak. Diacetoxyscirpenol, trichodermin, vomitoxin, and verrucarin A essentially gave no cross-reaction with the antibody. The sensitivity of the binding assay for T-2 toxin detection was in the range of 1 to 20 ng per assay. Detailed methods for the preparation of the conjugate and the production of immune serum and methods for antibody determination are described.", "PMID": 760628} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_368", "title": "Moniliformin, a metabolite of Fusarium moniliforme NRRL 6322: purification and toxicity.", "content": "Fusarium moniliforme NRRL 6322 produced about 600 mg of recoverable moniliformin, a mycotoxic metabolite, per kg of corn grit medium. The moniliformin was extracted from the grits with methanol, purified by preparative thin-layer chromatography, and crystallized from ether. The 50% lethal dose for chicken embryos was 2.8 microgram per egg. For 1-day-old chicks dosed with moniliformin by crop intubation and for female and male mice injected intraperitoneally, the 50% lethal doses were 5.4, 20.9, and 29.1 mg per kg of body weight, respectively. The toxin did not cause a reaction on mouse skin.", "contents": "Moniliformin, a metabolite of Fusarium moniliforme NRRL 6322: purification and toxicity. Fusarium moniliforme NRRL 6322 produced about 600 mg of recoverable moniliformin, a mycotoxic metabolite, per kg of corn grit medium. The moniliformin was extracted from the grits with methanol, purified by preparative thin-layer chromatography, and crystallized from ether. The 50% lethal dose for chicken embryos was 2.8 microgram per egg. For 1-day-old chicks dosed with moniliformin by crop intubation and for female and male mice injected intraperitoneally, the 50% lethal doses were 5.4, 20.9, and 29.1 mg per kg of body weight, respectively. The toxin did not cause a reaction on mouse skin.", "PMID": 760629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_369", "title": "Decreased glycogen mobilization during ochratoxicosis in broiler chickens.", "content": "Graded doses of pure ochratoxin A (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 microgram of toxin per g of feed) were incorporated into a commercial diet which was fed to chickens from hatching to 3 weeks of age, at which time the experiments were terminated. Liver glycogen levels were elevated significantly (P less than 0.05) by 4.0 and 8.0 microgram/g but not lower doses. Glucagon stimulation of glycogen mobilization was inhibited at the same concentrations. Histopathological examination revealed cytoplasmic but not nuclear deposits of glycogen in cells at the periphery of liver lobes. These data demonstrated that ochratoxin inhibited glycogenolysis. Impaired ability to generate glucose from glycogen could account for the increased susceptibility to cold stress previously reported to occur in ochratoxicosis. Based on present and prior observations, it seems possible that ochratoxin induces a syndrome which mimics the glycogen storage disease of type X which is caused by a deficiency in the cyclic AMP-dependent enzyme of the glycogenolytic enzymatic cascade.", "contents": "Decreased glycogen mobilization during ochratoxicosis in broiler chickens. Graded doses of pure ochratoxin A (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 microgram of toxin per g of feed) were incorporated into a commercial diet which was fed to chickens from hatching to 3 weeks of age, at which time the experiments were terminated. Liver glycogen levels were elevated significantly (P less than 0.05) by 4.0 and 8.0 microgram/g but not lower doses. Glucagon stimulation of glycogen mobilization was inhibited at the same concentrations. Histopathological examination revealed cytoplasmic but not nuclear deposits of glycogen in cells at the periphery of liver lobes. These data demonstrated that ochratoxin inhibited glycogenolysis. Impaired ability to generate glucose from glycogen could account for the increased susceptibility to cold stress previously reported to occur in ochratoxicosis. Based on present and prior observations, it seems possible that ochratoxin induces a syndrome which mimics the glycogen storage disease of type X which is caused by a deficiency in the cyclic AMP-dependent enzyme of the glycogenolytic enzymatic cascade.", "PMID": 760630} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_370", "title": "Low-intensity microwave radiation and the virulence of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain B6.", "content": "When virulent cells of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain B6 were exposed to low-level microwave radiation at a frequency of 10,000 MHz and an intensity of 0.58 mW/cm2 for 30 to 120 min, a 30 to 60% decrease in their ability to produce tumors on potato and turnip disks was observed. This microwave exposure did not affect the viability of these bacteria or their ability to attach to a tumor-binding site nor did it induce thermal shock. This loss of virulence was reversible within 12 h.", "contents": "Low-intensity microwave radiation and the virulence of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain B6. When virulent cells of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain B6 were exposed to low-level microwave radiation at a frequency of 10,000 MHz and an intensity of 0.58 mW/cm2 for 30 to 120 min, a 30 to 60% decrease in their ability to produce tumors on potato and turnip disks was observed. This microwave exposure did not affect the viability of these bacteria or their ability to attach to a tumor-binding site nor did it induce thermal shock. This loss of virulence was reversible within 12 h.", "PMID": 760631} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_371", "title": "Isolation and characterization of large treponemes from the bovine rumen.", "content": "Ten strains of strictly anaerobic spiral organisms were isolated in pure culture from a 10(-7) dilution of bovine rumen contents. Three strains were studied in detail. These strains morphologically resembled previously isolated and described rumen treponemes except the new isolates were larger, 0.7 micrometer wide and 12 to 25 micrometer long. They rapidly fermented pectin and, less readily, L-arabinose, inulin, and sucrose. Acetic and formic acid were the main fermentation products from pectin; small amounts of succinic acid were also formed.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of large treponemes from the bovine rumen. Ten strains of strictly anaerobic spiral organisms were isolated in pure culture from a 10(-7) dilution of bovine rumen contents. Three strains were studied in detail. These strains morphologically resembled previously isolated and described rumen treponemes except the new isolates were larger, 0.7 micrometer wide and 12 to 25 micrometer long. They rapidly fermented pectin and, less readily, L-arabinose, inulin, and sucrose. Acetic and formic acid were the main fermentation products from pectin; small amounts of succinic acid were also formed.", "PMID": 760632} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_372", "title": "Patterns of cell division, DNA base compositions, and fine structures of some radiation-resistant vegetative bacteria found in food.", "content": "Representative highly radiation-resistant Moraxella-Acinetobacter (M-A), Pseudomonas radiora, Micrococcus radiodurans, and Micrococcus radiophilus exhibited a wide variety of division systems and cell wall characteristics. However, the most resistant M-A possessed unusually thick cell walls, indicating a possible role of the cell wall in radiation resistance in the M-A. Thick septation was present in most of the bacteria studied, but was absent in P. radiora, thus excluding this as a necessity for high resistance. Reliable determination of the number of division planes of the M-A for use as a taxonomic criterion was achieved by the direct observation of dividing cells. The highly resistant M-A were found to divide in multiple planes and had base compositions of 54.0 to 57.5%, unlike typical Moraxella and/or Acinetobacter species. The taxonomic position of most highly resistant bacteria remains unclear.", "contents": "Patterns of cell division, DNA base compositions, and fine structures of some radiation-resistant vegetative bacteria found in food. Representative highly radiation-resistant Moraxella-Acinetobacter (M-A), Pseudomonas radiora, Micrococcus radiodurans, and Micrococcus radiophilus exhibited a wide variety of division systems and cell wall characteristics. However, the most resistant M-A possessed unusually thick cell walls, indicating a possible role of the cell wall in radiation resistance in the M-A. Thick septation was present in most of the bacteria studied, but was absent in P. radiora, thus excluding this as a necessity for high resistance. Reliable determination of the number of division planes of the M-A for use as a taxonomic criterion was achieved by the direct observation of dividing cells. The highly resistant M-A were found to divide in multiple planes and had base compositions of 54.0 to 57.5%, unlike typical Moraxella and/or Acinetobacter species. The taxonomic position of most highly resistant bacteria remains unclear.", "PMID": 760633} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_373", "title": "Effect of two organophosphorus insecticides on the phosphate-dissolving soil bacteria.", "content": "Dimethoate and malathion added to soil at 10 and 100 microgram/g caused an initial stimulation of CO2 production. Total counts of bacterial propagules were increased. All insecticide applications increased bacteria producing phospholipases from week 1 until week 4 after the application; bacteria then returned to the original levels.", "contents": "Effect of two organophosphorus insecticides on the phosphate-dissolving soil bacteria. Dimethoate and malathion added to soil at 10 and 100 microgram/g caused an initial stimulation of CO2 production. Total counts of bacterial propagules were increased. All insecticide applications increased bacteria producing phospholipases from week 1 until week 4 after the application; bacteria then returned to the original levels.", "PMID": 760634} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_374", "title": "Tremorgenic toxins produced by soil fungi.", "content": "Penitrem A or an unknown tremorgenic toxin, \"X,\" was produced by 10 of 60 fungal isolates obtained from a pasture involved in an outbreak in cattle and sheep resembling migram and ryegrass staggers. Tremorgenic properties of extracts containing penitrem A or toxin X were confirmed by bioassay.", "contents": "Tremorgenic toxins produced by soil fungi. Penitrem A or an unknown tremorgenic toxin, \"X,\" was produced by 10 of 60 fungal isolates obtained from a pasture involved in an outbreak in cattle and sheep resembling migram and ryegrass staggers. Tremorgenic properties of extracts containing penitrem A or toxin X were confirmed by bioassay.", "PMID": 760635} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_375", "title": "Selective antibacterial action of 2-mercaptoethanol on propionibacteria in skin cultures.", "content": "2-Mercaptoethanol applied to the surface of agar medium had a selective antibacterial effect on Propionibacterium acnes and Propionibacterium granulosum without interfering with the growth of Peptococcus saccharolyticus or staphylococci in anaerobic cultures of skin or in pure cultures. In aerobic broth culture, 2-mercaptoethanol inhibited aerobes and stimulated anaerobes, consistent with its action as a reducing agent.", "contents": "Selective antibacterial action of 2-mercaptoethanol on propionibacteria in skin cultures. 2-Mercaptoethanol applied to the surface of agar medium had a selective antibacterial effect on Propionibacterium acnes and Propionibacterium granulosum without interfering with the growth of Peptococcus saccharolyticus or staphylococci in anaerobic cultures of skin or in pure cultures. In aerobic broth culture, 2-mercaptoethanol inhibited aerobes and stimulated anaerobes, consistent with its action as a reducing agent.", "PMID": 760636} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_376", "title": "Membrane filtration of food suspensions.", "content": "Factors affecting the membrane filtration of food suspensions were studied for 58 foods and 13 membrane filters. Lot number within a brand, pore size (0.45 or 0.8 micrometer), and time elapsed before filtration had little effect on filterability. Brand of membrane filter, flow direction, pressure differential, age (microbiological quality) of the food, duration of the blending process, temperature, and concentration of food in the suspension had significant and often predictable effects. Preparation of suspensions by Stomacher (relative to rotary blender) addition of surfactant (particularly at elevated temperature) and prior incubation with proteases sometimes had dramatic effects of filterability. In contrast to popular opinion, foods can be membrane filtered in quantities pertinent to the maximums used in conventional plating procedures. Removal of growth inhibitors and food debris is possible by using membrane filters. Lowering of the limits of detection of microorganisms by concentration on membrane filters can be considered feasible for many foods. The data are particularly relevant to the use of hydrophobic grid-membrane filters (which are capable of enumerating up to 9 X 10(4) organisms per filter) in instrumented methods of food microbiological analysis.", "contents": "Membrane filtration of food suspensions. Factors affecting the membrane filtration of food suspensions were studied for 58 foods and 13 membrane filters. Lot number within a brand, pore size (0.45 or 0.8 micrometer), and time elapsed before filtration had little effect on filterability. Brand of membrane filter, flow direction, pressure differential, age (microbiological quality) of the food, duration of the blending process, temperature, and concentration of food in the suspension had significant and often predictable effects. Preparation of suspensions by Stomacher (relative to rotary blender) addition of surfactant (particularly at elevated temperature) and prior incubation with proteases sometimes had dramatic effects of filterability. In contrast to popular opinion, foods can be membrane filtered in quantities pertinent to the maximums used in conventional plating procedures. Removal of growth inhibitors and food debris is possible by using membrane filters. Lowering of the limits of detection of microorganisms by concentration on membrane filters can be considered feasible for many foods. The data are particularly relevant to the use of hydrophobic grid-membrane filters (which are capable of enumerating up to 9 X 10(4) organisms per filter) in instrumented methods of food microbiological analysis.", "PMID": 760637} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_377", "title": "Accelerated mineralization of two organophosphate insecticides in the rhizosphere.", "content": "Numerous xenobiotic compounds, including the organophosphate insecticides O, O-diethyl-O-(2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinyl) phosphorothioate (diazinon) and O, O-diethyl-O-p-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate (parathion), appear to be degraded in the soil environment by an initial cometabolic attack. Comparing the mineralization rates of radiolabeled diazinon and parathion in root-free and in rhizosphere soil, we tested our hypothesis that, because of the presence of root exudates, the rhizosphere is an especially favorable environment for such co-metabolic transformations. The insecticides were added individually at 5 mug/g to sealed flasks containing either soil permeated by the root system of a bush bean plant or identical soil without roots. Periodically, the flask atmospheres were flushed through traps and the evolved (14)CO(2) was quantitated. Bush bean plant roots without associated rhizosphere microorganisms failed to produce a significant amount of (14)CO(2). During 1 month of incubation, rhizosphere flasks mineralized 12.9 and 17.9% of the added diazinon and parathion radiocarbon, respectively, compared to 5.0 and 7.8% by the soil without roots. The mineralization of parathion but not of diazinon was stimulated in a similar manner when soil without roots was repeatedly irrigated with a root exudate produced in aseptic solution culture. Viable counts of microorganisms on soil extract agar were not significantly altered by root permeation or by root exudate treatment of the soil, leaving population selection and/or enhanced cometabolic activity as the most plausible interpretations for the observed stimulatory effects. Rhizosphere interactions may substantially shorten the predicted half-lives of some xenobiotic compounds in soil.", "contents": "Accelerated mineralization of two organophosphate insecticides in the rhizosphere. Numerous xenobiotic compounds, including the organophosphate insecticides O, O-diethyl-O-(2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinyl) phosphorothioate (diazinon) and O, O-diethyl-O-p-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate (parathion), appear to be degraded in the soil environment by an initial cometabolic attack. Comparing the mineralization rates of radiolabeled diazinon and parathion in root-free and in rhizosphere soil, we tested our hypothesis that, because of the presence of root exudates, the rhizosphere is an especially favorable environment for such co-metabolic transformations. The insecticides were added individually at 5 mug/g to sealed flasks containing either soil permeated by the root system of a bush bean plant or identical soil without roots. Periodically, the flask atmospheres were flushed through traps and the evolved (14)CO(2) was quantitated. Bush bean plant roots without associated rhizosphere microorganisms failed to produce a significant amount of (14)CO(2). During 1 month of incubation, rhizosphere flasks mineralized 12.9 and 17.9% of the added diazinon and parathion radiocarbon, respectively, compared to 5.0 and 7.8% by the soil without roots. The mineralization of parathion but not of diazinon was stimulated in a similar manner when soil without roots was repeatedly irrigated with a root exudate produced in aseptic solution culture. Viable counts of microorganisms on soil extract agar were not significantly altered by root permeation or by root exudate treatment of the soil, leaving population selection and/or enhanced cometabolic activity as the most plausible interpretations for the observed stimulatory effects. Rhizosphere interactions may substantially shorten the predicted half-lives of some xenobiotic compounds in soil.", "PMID": 760638} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_378", "title": "Production of surface-active lipids by Corynebacterium lepus.", "content": "Corynebacterium lepus was grown in 20-liter batch fermentations with kerosene as the sole carbon source. Critical micelle concentration measurements indicated the production of appreciable quantities of biosurfactants. This surface activity of the culture medium was due to lipids, which were extracted and identified. Samples of C. lepus whole broth were taken during a fermentation and monitored for surface tension, amount of surfactant present, and lipid content. The changes in the surfactant measured correlated with concentration changes of several surface-active lipids. An early dramatic increase in surfactant concentration was attributed to the production of a mixture of corynomycolic acids (beta-hydroxy alpha-branched fatty acids). Surface activity at the end of the fermentation was due to a lipopeptide containing corynomycolic acids plus small amounts of several phospholipids and neutral lipids which were identified by thin-layer chromatography.", "contents": "Production of surface-active lipids by Corynebacterium lepus. Corynebacterium lepus was grown in 20-liter batch fermentations with kerosene as the sole carbon source. Critical micelle concentration measurements indicated the production of appreciable quantities of biosurfactants. This surface activity of the culture medium was due to lipids, which were extracted and identified. Samples of C. lepus whole broth were taken during a fermentation and monitored for surface tension, amount of surfactant present, and lipid content. The changes in the surfactant measured correlated with concentration changes of several surface-active lipids. An early dramatic increase in surfactant concentration was attributed to the production of a mixture of corynomycolic acids (beta-hydroxy alpha-branched fatty acids). Surface activity at the end of the fermentation was due to a lipopeptide containing corynomycolic acids plus small amounts of several phospholipids and neutral lipids which were identified by thin-layer chromatography.", "PMID": 760639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_379", "title": "Preferential binding of radiolabeled zearalenone to a protein fraction of Fusarium roseum graminearum.", "content": "Zearalenone [6-(10-hydroxy-6-oxo-trans-1-undecenyl)beta-resorcyclic acid lactone] is a hormone produced by Fusarium spp. which regulates the sexual stage in F. roseum. 3H- and 14C-labeled zearalenone were found to bind preferentially to one of two peaks containing uncharacterized proteins obtained from the cytosol of young mycelium and resolved by gel column chromatography. The proteins were partially purified by successive resolution on Sephadex G-100, Sephadex G-200, and BioGel P-300. Free zearalenone (37%) was reisolated from the purified proteins after resolution by thin-layer chromatography or partitioning with ethyl acetate.", "contents": "Preferential binding of radiolabeled zearalenone to a protein fraction of Fusarium roseum graminearum. Zearalenone [6-(10-hydroxy-6-oxo-trans-1-undecenyl)beta-resorcyclic acid lactone] is a hormone produced by Fusarium spp. which regulates the sexual stage in F. roseum. 3H- and 14C-labeled zearalenone were found to bind preferentially to one of two peaks containing uncharacterized proteins obtained from the cytosol of young mycelium and resolved by gel column chromatography. The proteins were partially purified by successive resolution on Sephadex G-100, Sephadex G-200, and BioGel P-300. Free zearalenone (37%) was reisolated from the purified proteins after resolution by thin-layer chromatography or partitioning with ethyl acetate.", "PMID": 760640} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_380", "title": "Cutaneous histologic features in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: study of 21 patients.", "content": "Skin biopsy specimens from 21 patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) were compared with controls. With two exceptions, the appearance of the dermal collagen and elastic tissue as seen in the two groups was indistinguishable. One example of type 4 EDS contained a dermis composed of fibers that resembled actinically damaged elastic tissue. The single example of type 6 EDS contained particularly thin collagen fibers. The dermal thickness of specimens of EDS was similar to that of controls, although the abnormal-appearing specimen of type 4 EDS was also abnormally thin. Since the other two biopsy specimens of type 4 appeared to be within the range of normal, there may be heterogeneity in this form of EDS.", "contents": "Cutaneous histologic features in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: study of 21 patients. Skin biopsy specimens from 21 patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) were compared with controls. With two exceptions, the appearance of the dermal collagen and elastic tissue as seen in the two groups was indistinguishable. One example of type 4 EDS contained a dermis composed of fibers that resembled actinically damaged elastic tissue. The single example of type 6 EDS contained particularly thin collagen fibers. The dermal thickness of specimens of EDS was similar to that of controls, although the abnormal-appearing specimen of type 4 EDS was also abnormally thin. Since the other two biopsy specimens of type 4 appeared to be within the range of normal, there may be heterogeneity in this form of EDS.", "PMID": 760655} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_381", "title": "Relapsing polychondritis: unusual neurological findings and therapeutic efficacy of dapsone.", "content": "Relapsing polychondritis is a rare disease of undetermined cause. The most frequently seen symptom is redness and swelling of the cartilaginous ear, followed by cartilage inflammation elsewhere in the body. Our five cases had neurologic symptoms that posed diagnostic difficulties. Because vasculitis is not uncommon in relapsing polychondritis, it was difficult to determine whether these neurologic symptoms were attributable to relapsing polychondritis or to other unrelated causes. In our cases, specific neurologic complaints were caused by a concomitant but unrelated disease, rather than by relapsing polychondritis. We add five additional documented cases to the medical literature and confirm the therapeutic efficacy of dapsone in the treatment of this unusual disease.", "contents": "Relapsing polychondritis: unusual neurological findings and therapeutic efficacy of dapsone. Relapsing polychondritis is a rare disease of undetermined cause. The most frequently seen symptom is redness and swelling of the cartilaginous ear, followed by cartilage inflammation elsewhere in the body. Our five cases had neurologic symptoms that posed diagnostic difficulties. Because vasculitis is not uncommon in relapsing polychondritis, it was difficult to determine whether these neurologic symptoms were attributable to relapsing polychondritis or to other unrelated causes. In our cases, specific neurologic complaints were caused by a concomitant but unrelated disease, rather than by relapsing polychondritis. We add five additional documented cases to the medical literature and confirm the therapeutic efficacy of dapsone in the treatment of this unusual disease.", "PMID": 760656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_382", "title": "Photochemotherapy for mycosis fungoides: a clinical and histological study.", "content": "Nine patients with stages 2 or 3 mycosis fungoides (MF) and one with S\u00e9zary's syndrome were treated with oral methoxsalen and long-wave ultraviolet light. Previous therapy had either failed or achieved only partial control. Satisfactory clinical control was achieved in all but one case. Histological improvement was seen in all cases, but complete clearance of lymphoid infiltrate was noted mainly in epidermal and papillary dermal infiltrates. Lower dermal infiltrate remained largely unchanged. The case of S\u00e9zary's syndrome was inadequately controlled with systemic prednisone and cyclophosphamide, but addition of photochemotherapy improved the erythema and pruritus. This shows that photochemotherapy may have a place in MF treatment both alone and perhaps in conjunction with other treatments. An early relapse occurred on stopping photochemotherapy in four cases, but one patient has had three months' full remission.", "contents": "Photochemotherapy for mycosis fungoides: a clinical and histological study. Nine patients with stages 2 or 3 mycosis fungoides (MF) and one with S\u00e9zary's syndrome were treated with oral methoxsalen and long-wave ultraviolet light. Previous therapy had either failed or achieved only partial control. Satisfactory clinical control was achieved in all but one case. Histological improvement was seen in all cases, but complete clearance of lymphoid infiltrate was noted mainly in epidermal and papillary dermal infiltrates. Lower dermal infiltrate remained largely unchanged. The case of S\u00e9zary's syndrome was inadequately controlled with systemic prednisone and cyclophosphamide, but addition of photochemotherapy improved the erythema and pruritus. This shows that photochemotherapy may have a place in MF treatment both alone and perhaps in conjunction with other treatments. An early relapse occurred on stopping photochemotherapy in four cases, but one patient has had three months' full remission.", "PMID": 760657} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_383", "title": "Systemic lupus erythematosus: association with psoralen--ultraviolet-A treatment of psoriasis.", "content": "Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developed in as 23-year-old woman with psoriasis during treatment with psoralen-ultraviolet-A (PUVA). The connective tissue disease was characterized by an erythematous rash, hair loss, nephritis, splenomegaly, seizures, and coma. Serum antinuclear antibodies were present in high titer, and hypocomplementemia developed. Antibodies to native or ultraviolet-irradiated DNA were not demonstrated. While the association of psoriasis and lupus may have been fortuitous, the temporal relationships suggest that PUVA treatment in this case may have been of pathogenetic importance in the development of the connective tissue disease.", "contents": "Systemic lupus erythematosus: association with psoralen--ultraviolet-A treatment of psoriasis. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developed in as 23-year-old woman with psoriasis during treatment with psoralen-ultraviolet-A (PUVA). The connective tissue disease was characterized by an erythematous rash, hair loss, nephritis, splenomegaly, seizures, and coma. Serum antinuclear antibodies were present in high titer, and hypocomplementemia developed. Antibodies to native or ultraviolet-irradiated DNA were not demonstrated. While the association of psoriasis and lupus may have been fortuitous, the temporal relationships suggest that PUVA treatment in this case may have been of pathogenetic importance in the development of the connective tissue disease.", "PMID": 760658} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_384", "title": "Hereditary C2 deficiency associated with cutaneous lupus erythematosus: clinical, laboratory, and genetic studies.", "content": "Selective congenital deficiency in the second component of complement has been described in association with lupus erythematosus (LE) and other connective tissue disorders. We identified a 59-year-old woman with a 13-year history of cutaneous LE and no detectable serum C2. The patient's photosensitivity, large polycyclic erosive cutaneous lesions, lack of renal disease, paucity of serological findings, and high incidence of bacterial infection is consistent with previously described patients with this association. Uniquely, the patient demonstrated secondary infection with Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton rubrum in the skin lesions themselves. Immunologic studies disclosed depression in both humoral and cellular immunity. Moderation in her clinical disease and immunologic measurements has been observed after treatment with levamisole hydrochloride. Immunogenetic studies of the patient's four-generation kindred was consistent with an autosomal recessive inheritance of C2 deficiency genetically linked to HLA, segregating with the B18 allele. Mixed lymphocyte culture determinations reinforce evidence for linkage between the HLA-D locus and the trait for C2 deficiency.", "contents": "Hereditary C2 deficiency associated with cutaneous lupus erythematosus: clinical, laboratory, and genetic studies. Selective congenital deficiency in the second component of complement has been described in association with lupus erythematosus (LE) and other connective tissue disorders. We identified a 59-year-old woman with a 13-year history of cutaneous LE and no detectable serum C2. The patient's photosensitivity, large polycyclic erosive cutaneous lesions, lack of renal disease, paucity of serological findings, and high incidence of bacterial infection is consistent with previously described patients with this association. Uniquely, the patient demonstrated secondary infection with Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton rubrum in the skin lesions themselves. Immunologic studies disclosed depression in both humoral and cellular immunity. Moderation in her clinical disease and immunologic measurements has been observed after treatment with levamisole hydrochloride. Immunogenetic studies of the patient's four-generation kindred was consistent with an autosomal recessive inheritance of C2 deficiency genetically linked to HLA, segregating with the B18 allele. Mixed lymphocyte culture determinations reinforce evidence for linkage between the HLA-D locus and the trait for C2 deficiency.", "PMID": 760659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_385", "title": "Prolidase deficiency: its dermatological manifestations and some additional biochemical studies.", "content": "Prolidase deficiency occurred in a 13-year-old girl. Determinations were made of prolidase and prolinase activities in cultured fibroblasts, and thin layer chromatographic studies of skin prolidase were performed. The patient had chronic, recurrent ulcers on the legs and feet, diffuse telangiectasia, shallow scar-like atrophic lesions on the face and arms, soft and thin abdominal skin, and premature gray hairs. Prolidase in the patient's skin fibroblasts was absent. Greatly reduced prolidase activity was demonstrated in the patient's skin. A review of hitherto reported cases of this disease showed such skin manifestations as (1) skin ulceration or skin fragility with scar formation, (2) purpuric lesions, (3) telangiectasia and/or photosensitivity, and (4) thickening of the skin with lymphedema.", "contents": "Prolidase deficiency: its dermatological manifestations and some additional biochemical studies. Prolidase deficiency occurred in a 13-year-old girl. Determinations were made of prolidase and prolinase activities in cultured fibroblasts, and thin layer chromatographic studies of skin prolidase were performed. The patient had chronic, recurrent ulcers on the legs and feet, diffuse telangiectasia, shallow scar-like atrophic lesions on the face and arms, soft and thin abdominal skin, and premature gray hairs. Prolidase in the patient's skin fibroblasts was absent. Greatly reduced prolidase activity was demonstrated in the patient's skin. A review of hitherto reported cases of this disease showed such skin manifestations as (1) skin ulceration or skin fragility with scar formation, (2) purpuric lesions, (3) telangiectasia and/or photosensitivity, and (4) thickening of the skin with lymphedema.", "PMID": 760660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_386", "title": "Systemic lupus erythematosus and dermatitis herpetiformis: concurrence with Marfan's syndrome.", "content": "There is increasing evidence that, as in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), deposition of immune complexes plays a role in the pathogenesis of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). Dermatitis herpetiformis and SLE were diagnosed in a 15-year-old girl with Marfan's syndrome who died of cardiac tamponade secondary to cystic medial necrosis of the ascending aorta. The concurrence of these diseases suggests that predisposition to immune-mediated disorders may be associated with the expression of multiple clinical entities.", "contents": "Systemic lupus erythematosus and dermatitis herpetiformis: concurrence with Marfan's syndrome. There is increasing evidence that, as in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), deposition of immune complexes plays a role in the pathogenesis of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). Dermatitis herpetiformis and SLE were diagnosed in a 15-year-old girl with Marfan's syndrome who died of cardiac tamponade secondary to cystic medial necrosis of the ascending aorta. The concurrence of these diseases suggests that predisposition to immune-mediated disorders may be associated with the expression of multiple clinical entities.", "PMID": 760661} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_387", "title": "Kawasaki's disease appearing as erythema multiforme.", "content": "In 1967, Kawasaki reported an acute, febrile, mucocutaneous condition accompanied by swelling of cervical lymph nodes that affected infants and young children in Japan. He called it mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. We report here a case of Kawasaki's disease with characteristic findings that demonstrated a typical erythema multiforme rash. With the increased number of reported cases of Kawasaki's disease in the United States, it becomes increasingly important to differentiate the exanthem of Kawasaki's disease from early erythema multiforme.", "contents": "Kawasaki's disease appearing as erythema multiforme. In 1967, Kawasaki reported an acute, febrile, mucocutaneous condition accompanied by swelling of cervical lymph nodes that affected infants and young children in Japan. He called it mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. We report here a case of Kawasaki's disease with characteristic findings that demonstrated a typical erythema multiforme rash. With the increased number of reported cases of Kawasaki's disease in the United States, it becomes increasingly important to differentiate the exanthem of Kawasaki's disease from early erythema multiforme.", "PMID": 760662} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_388", "title": "Laser surgery for blue rubber bleb nevus.", "content": "A 21-year-old man has had extensive cutaneous and visceral manifestations of the blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome since birth. Surgical therapy with the carbon dioxide laser was successful in removing 225 skin hemangiomas without recurrences or complications such as hemorrhage and infection. The cosmetic and follow-up results have been excellent.", "contents": "Laser surgery for blue rubber bleb nevus. A 21-year-old man has had extensive cutaneous and visceral manifestations of the blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome since birth. Surgical therapy with the carbon dioxide laser was successful in removing 225 skin hemangiomas without recurrences or complications such as hemorrhage and infection. The cosmetic and follow-up results have been excellent.", "PMID": 760663} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_389", "title": "Cutaneous metastatic carcinoma and elephantiasis symptomatica.", "content": "An elderly man had elephantiasis of a lower extremity that was partially covered with verrucose papules, but also had sharply delineated islands of normal-appearing skin. Biopsy showed cutaneous metastases to be responsible, at least in part, for the clinical appearance. Patients with elephantiasis with \"skipped areas\" should be suspected of having cutaneous metastatic malignant neoplasms.", "contents": "Cutaneous metastatic carcinoma and elephantiasis symptomatica. An elderly man had elephantiasis of a lower extremity that was partially covered with verrucose papules, but also had sharply delineated islands of normal-appearing skin. Biopsy showed cutaneous metastases to be responsible, at least in part, for the clinical appearance. Patients with elephantiasis with \"skipped areas\" should be suspected of having cutaneous metastatic malignant neoplasms.", "PMID": 760664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_390", "title": "Localized eosinophilic fasciitis.", "content": "Two patients developed an erythematous, rock-hard induration of their forearms after strenuous physical activity. Peripheral eosinophilia was noted in one patient, but hypergammaglobulinemia was absent. Systemic corticosteroid treatment resulted in remarkable involution of the process in one patient, while the other experienced spontaneous involution. The histologic changes were those of eosinophilic fasciitis.", "contents": "Localized eosinophilic fasciitis. Two patients developed an erythematous, rock-hard induration of their forearms after strenuous physical activity. Peripheral eosinophilia was noted in one patient, but hypergammaglobulinemia was absent. Systemic corticosteroid treatment resulted in remarkable involution of the process in one patient, while the other experienced spontaneous involution. The histologic changes were those of eosinophilic fasciitis.", "PMID": 760665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_391", "title": "Intractable hypoglycemia in a patient with renal failure.", "content": "A patient with chronic renal failure developed intractable hypoglycemia after 2 1/2 years of dialysis. Metabolic studies did not suggest that malnutrition, substrate limitation, hormone deficiency, or insulin excess were responsible for the low blood glucose level. Impaired gluconeogenesis may have been an important factor, but studies in this patient suggest that enhanced glucose utilization may also play a role in the pathogenesis of hypoglycemia in renal failure.", "contents": "Intractable hypoglycemia in a patient with renal failure. A patient with chronic renal failure developed intractable hypoglycemia after 2 1/2 years of dialysis. Metabolic studies did not suggest that malnutrition, substrate limitation, hormone deficiency, or insulin excess were responsible for the low blood glucose level. Impaired gluconeogenesis may have been an important factor, but studies in this patient suggest that enhanced glucose utilization may also play a role in the pathogenesis of hypoglycemia in renal failure.", "PMID": 760671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_392", "title": "Hypothermia, a grave prognostic sign in hepatic coma.", "content": "Hypothermia is a grave prognostic finding in hepatic coma. Occasionally, it is found in patients whose conditions are stabilized clinically or are improving. When hypothermia occurs, the patients usually die within 24 to 48 hours. All of the patients described herein who eventually improved sufficiently to be discharged from the hospital achieved normal temperatures.", "contents": "Hypothermia, a grave prognostic sign in hepatic coma. Hypothermia is a grave prognostic finding in hepatic coma. Occasionally, it is found in patients whose conditions are stabilized clinically or are improving. When hypothermia occurs, the patients usually die within 24 to 48 hours. All of the patients described herein who eventually improved sufficiently to be discharged from the hospital achieved normal temperatures.", "PMID": 760672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_393", "title": "Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome in a young adult.", "content": "Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MLNS) is an acute febrile illness of unknown cause first described in Japan but more recently reported in the United States. The mean age in confirmed cases was 3.8 years (range, 3 months to 13 years), and the mortality is 1% to 2% when associated with coronary artery thrombosis and aneurysm. We describe the first case of MLNS in a young adult, with the additional clinical finding of associated arthritis.", "contents": "Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome in a young adult. Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MLNS) is an acute febrile illness of unknown cause first described in Japan but more recently reported in the United States. The mean age in confirmed cases was 3.8 years (range, 3 months to 13 years), and the mortality is 1% to 2% when associated with coronary artery thrombosis and aneurysm. We describe the first case of MLNS in a young adult, with the additional clinical finding of associated arthritis.", "PMID": 760673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_394", "title": "Dissecting aortic aneurysm manifesting as acute pericarditis.", "content": "Two patients with coarctation of the aorta initially had acute idiopathic pericarditis with anterior pleuritic chest pain as the chief complaint. A pericardial friction rub was present in both patients. Both patients died suddenly. At autopsy, they were found to have a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta with extension into the pericardial space; acute pericardial tamponade was the cause of death. We recommend that when a patient with coarctation of the aorta is admitted with pericarditis, aortic dissection should be considered and appropriate diagnostic procedures undertaken. In all young patients with acute pericarditis there should be careful palpation of the femoral pulses and review of the chest x-ray film for rib notching.", "contents": "Dissecting aortic aneurysm manifesting as acute pericarditis. Two patients with coarctation of the aorta initially had acute idiopathic pericarditis with anterior pleuritic chest pain as the chief complaint. A pericardial friction rub was present in both patients. Both patients died suddenly. At autopsy, they were found to have a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta with extension into the pericardial space; acute pericardial tamponade was the cause of death. We recommend that when a patient with coarctation of the aorta is admitted with pericarditis, aortic dissection should be considered and appropriate diagnostic procedures undertaken. In all young patients with acute pericarditis there should be careful palpation of the femoral pulses and review of the chest x-ray film for rib notching.", "PMID": 760674} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_395", "title": "Cysticercotic cyst involving the pleura. An unusual case of an abnormal chest roentgenogram.", "content": "We describe a case of human cysticercosis appearing as an abnormal chest roentgenogram. The patient had a long history of ingestion of undercooked pork. The diagnosis was entertained only after surgical resection, but the history obtained from this patient gave an important clue toward a parasitic infestation.", "contents": "Cysticercotic cyst involving the pleura. An unusual case of an abnormal chest roentgenogram. We describe a case of human cysticercosis appearing as an abnormal chest roentgenogram. The patient had a long history of ingestion of undercooked pork. The diagnosis was entertained only after surgical resection, but the history obtained from this patient gave an important clue toward a parasitic infestation.", "PMID": 760675} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_396", "title": "Atrial myxoma with multiple myeloma.", "content": "A male patient was observed for seven years, from the onset of neurologic symptoms to removal of a left atrial myxoma. Mild broad-based elevation of the serum gamma-globulin level with a normal bone marrow aspirate was seen early in the course of disease. The broad-based gamma-globulin level increased, and at the time of surgical removal of the tumor, the patient was found to have a monoclonal increase of K light chain IgG with 60% infiltration of the bone with immature plasma cells. The findings are consistent with the view that continuous immunologic stimulation by products of the atrial tumor resulted in malignant transformation of immunocytes with resulting IgG multiple myeloma.", "contents": "Atrial myxoma with multiple myeloma. A male patient was observed for seven years, from the onset of neurologic symptoms to removal of a left atrial myxoma. Mild broad-based elevation of the serum gamma-globulin level with a normal bone marrow aspirate was seen early in the course of disease. The broad-based gamma-globulin level increased, and at the time of surgical removal of the tumor, the patient was found to have a monoclonal increase of K light chain IgG with 60% infiltration of the bone with immature plasma cells. The findings are consistent with the view that continuous immunologic stimulation by products of the atrial tumor resulted in malignant transformation of immunocytes with resulting IgG multiple myeloma.", "PMID": 760676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_397", "title": "Isolated high serum triiodothyronine levels. Clinical relevance after sodium iodide I 131 therapy.", "content": "Ten of 25 thyrotoxic patients treated with sodium iodine I 131 had thyroid function test results that indicated a high triiodothyronine (T3) level, with normal thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, within 15 months of treatment. This pattern was usually transitional and lasted a variable time, eventually leading to euthyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism. It is concluded that an isolated elevation of T3 levels after radioactive iodine therapy can be associated with any clinical pattern of thyroid function and has no clear prognostic value. No specific treatment is needed for this abnormality.", "contents": "Isolated high serum triiodothyronine levels. Clinical relevance after sodium iodide I 131 therapy. Ten of 25 thyrotoxic patients treated with sodium iodine I 131 had thyroid function test results that indicated a high triiodothyronine (T3) level, with normal thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, within 15 months of treatment. This pattern was usually transitional and lasted a variable time, eventually leading to euthyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism. It is concluded that an isolated elevation of T3 levels after radioactive iodine therapy can be associated with any clinical pattern of thyroid function and has no clear prognostic value. No specific treatment is needed for this abnormality.", "PMID": 760681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_398", "title": "Baker's cysts and true thrombophlebitis. Report of two cases and review of the literature.", "content": "We describe two patients who had knee pain and were found to have the unusual combination of a Baker's cyst and true thrombophlebitis. Since Baker's cysts can dissect along the gastrocnemius, they can cause leg pain and simulate thrombophlebitis, but they do not require anticoagulation therapy. Most of the literature implies that the two syndromes are mutually exclusive; however, our cases lend support to the fact that a dissecting popliteal cyst does not rule out the possibility of thrombophlebitis. Venography should be performed if there is any doubt as to the diagnosis.", "contents": "Baker's cysts and true thrombophlebitis. Report of two cases and review of the literature. We describe two patients who had knee pain and were found to have the unusual combination of a Baker's cyst and true thrombophlebitis. Since Baker's cysts can dissect along the gastrocnemius, they can cause leg pain and simulate thrombophlebitis, but they do not require anticoagulation therapy. Most of the literature implies that the two syndromes are mutually exclusive; however, our cases lend support to the fact that a dissecting popliteal cyst does not rule out the possibility of thrombophlebitis. Venography should be performed if there is any doubt as to the diagnosis.", "PMID": 760682} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_399", "title": "Macrocytosis, mild anemia, and delay in the diagnosis of pernicious anemia.", "content": "Various factors led to delays of several months to several years in the diagnosis of pernicious anemia in 11 patients, occasionally with serious consequences. These cases illustrate that earlier diagnosis is possible with closer attention to abnormal results of common tests. Macrocytosis, detected by high mean corpuscular volume, often preceded anemia but was not investigated, especially when anemia was only slight. Several cases demonstrated that vitamin B12 deficiency may initially produce only a mild macrocytic anemia, which is maintained for a long period before a rapid worsening supervenes; the reason for the latter acceleration of anemia is unknown. Most serious was the evidence that mild anemias are often ignored. Stricter attention to the established limits of normal hemoglobin values is required. These aspects of physician performance have implication for the recognition of all anemias.", "contents": "Macrocytosis, mild anemia, and delay in the diagnosis of pernicious anemia. Various factors led to delays of several months to several years in the diagnosis of pernicious anemia in 11 patients, occasionally with serious consequences. These cases illustrate that earlier diagnosis is possible with closer attention to abnormal results of common tests. Macrocytosis, detected by high mean corpuscular volume, often preceded anemia but was not investigated, especially when anemia was only slight. Several cases demonstrated that vitamin B12 deficiency may initially produce only a mild macrocytic anemia, which is maintained for a long period before a rapid worsening supervenes; the reason for the latter acceleration of anemia is unknown. Most serious was the evidence that mild anemias are often ignored. Stricter attention to the established limits of normal hemoglobin values is required. These aspects of physician performance have implication for the recognition of all anemias.", "PMID": 760683} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_400", "title": "Detection and treatment of occupational lead nephropathy.", "content": "Reduced glomerular filtration rates (GFR less than 90 ml/min/1.73 sq m) were found in 21 of 57 lead workers in whom excessive body lead burdens had been shown by the urinary excretion of more than 1,000 microgram of lead per day during an edetate disodium calcium lead-mobilization test. In 12 patients, renal biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of occupational lead nephropathy and further excluded other possible causes of kidney disease. Glomerular and tubular immunoglobulin deposition in seven of eight biopsy specimens examined by immunofluorescent microscopy raises the possibility that an autoimmune response may contribute to the interstitial nephritis of occupational lead nephropathy. The GFR increased 20% or more in four of eight patients treated with 1 g of edetate disodium calcium three times weekly for from six to 50 months, further confirming the diagnosis of lead nephropathy and indicating a favorable response to prolonged chelation therapy.", "contents": "Detection and treatment of occupational lead nephropathy. Reduced glomerular filtration rates (GFR less than 90 ml/min/1.73 sq m) were found in 21 of 57 lead workers in whom excessive body lead burdens had been shown by the urinary excretion of more than 1,000 microgram of lead per day during an edetate disodium calcium lead-mobilization test. In 12 patients, renal biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of occupational lead nephropathy and further excluded other possible causes of kidney disease. Glomerular and tubular immunoglobulin deposition in seven of eight biopsy specimens examined by immunofluorescent microscopy raises the possibility that an autoimmune response may contribute to the interstitial nephritis of occupational lead nephropathy. The GFR increased 20% or more in four of eight patients treated with 1 g of edetate disodium calcium three times weekly for from six to 50 months, further confirming the diagnosis of lead nephropathy and indicating a favorable response to prolonged chelation therapy.", "PMID": 760684} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_401", "title": "Diagnostic accuracy of gray scale ultrasongraphy for the jaundiced patient. A report of 275 cases.", "content": "This study of cholestatic jaundice suggests that gray scale ultrasonography should precede invasive techniques or surgery. The failure of ultrasound to demonstrate dilated ducts suggests intrahepatic cholestasis. Display of liver parenchyma by ultrasound provided the correct diagnosis of diffuse liver disease in 61% of the cases. Observation of a dilated biliary tree allowed differentiation between intrahepatic and extrahepatic obstruction, with an accuracy of 96.4%. One false positive (0.7%) occurred, and most false negatives were due to gallstones producing intermittent obstruction owing to a ball-valve effect. Observations of normal biliary canaliculi suggest that physiological distention of intrahepatic biliary vessels does not occur. Long-standing obstruction of biliary tree may result in permanent distention despite surgical relief, predisposing the patient to recurrent ascending cholangitis. This stresses the need for early diagnosis and prompt relief of extrahepatic biliary obstruction.", "contents": "Diagnostic accuracy of gray scale ultrasongraphy for the jaundiced patient. A report of 275 cases. This study of cholestatic jaundice suggests that gray scale ultrasonography should precede invasive techniques or surgery. The failure of ultrasound to demonstrate dilated ducts suggests intrahepatic cholestasis. Display of liver parenchyma by ultrasound provided the correct diagnosis of diffuse liver disease in 61% of the cases. Observation of a dilated biliary tree allowed differentiation between intrahepatic and extrahepatic obstruction, with an accuracy of 96.4%. One false positive (0.7%) occurred, and most false negatives were due to gallstones producing intermittent obstruction owing to a ball-valve effect. Observations of normal biliary canaliculi suggest that physiological distention of intrahepatic biliary vessels does not occur. Long-standing obstruction of biliary tree may result in permanent distention despite surgical relief, predisposing the patient to recurrent ascending cholangitis. This stresses the need for early diagnosis and prompt relief of extrahepatic biliary obstruction.", "PMID": 760685} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_402", "title": "Pleural fluid lysozyme in human disease.", "content": "Lysozyme content was measured in the plasma and pleural fluid of 110 patients with pleural effusions of various causes. The concentration of pleural fluid lysozyme was significantly higher (P less than .001) in patients with tuberculous pleurisy than in those with primary pulmonary carcinoma, metastatic carcinoma of the lung, connective tissue disease, nonspecific pleurisy, or congestive heart failure. Tuberculous patients also had a significantly higher (P less than .001) pleural fluid-to-plasma lysozyme ratio than did the other patients. Plasma lysozyme activity did not differ significantly among the various patient groups. Lysozyme was identified immunohistochemically in epithelioid cell granulomas in tuberculosis, in activated macrophages in lymph nodes adjacent to tuberculous lesions, and in granulocytes in pleural empyema. No lysozyme was detected in neoplastic cells in pulmonary carcinoma. The results show that the determination of pleural fluid lysozyme is a simple, fast method for obtaining corroborative information in the differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.", "contents": "Pleural fluid lysozyme in human disease. Lysozyme content was measured in the plasma and pleural fluid of 110 patients with pleural effusions of various causes. The concentration of pleural fluid lysozyme was significantly higher (P less than .001) in patients with tuberculous pleurisy than in those with primary pulmonary carcinoma, metastatic carcinoma of the lung, connective tissue disease, nonspecific pleurisy, or congestive heart failure. Tuberculous patients also had a significantly higher (P less than .001) pleural fluid-to-plasma lysozyme ratio than did the other patients. Plasma lysozyme activity did not differ significantly among the various patient groups. Lysozyme was identified immunohistochemically in epithelioid cell granulomas in tuberculosis, in activated macrophages in lymph nodes adjacent to tuberculous lesions, and in granulocytes in pleural empyema. No lysozyme was detected in neoplastic cells in pulmonary carcinoma. The results show that the determination of pleural fluid lysozyme is a simple, fast method for obtaining corroborative information in the differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.", "PMID": 760686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_403", "title": "Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria.", "content": "One hundred twenty-seven episodes of Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria were reviewed retrospectively in two hospitals to establish the rate of occurrence, clinical importance, and associated predisposing factors. Staphylococcus aureus was an infrequent urinary isolate, and accounted for only about 1% of all positive urine cultures. Although almost all cases in a Veterans Hospital occurred in elderly men, episodes in a community hospital were observed in women and children as well. Patients usually had pyuria (71%) but only 39% had urinary symptoms of fever. Among predisposing factors, serious underlying diseases were uncommon, but urinary tract manipulations or abnormalities were present in nearly two thirds of patients. Fifty-five percent of cases were nosocomial, and 73% of these were associated with urinary catheterization or other invasive urinary tract procedures. Most patients (61%) were not treated for their bacteriuria, and there was a secondary bacteremia rate of 5.5% in the Veterans Hospital. Although infrequently encountered, the presence of S aureus in urine should be treated with at least as much concern as more frequently encountered bacteria.", "contents": "Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria. One hundred twenty-seven episodes of Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria were reviewed retrospectively in two hospitals to establish the rate of occurrence, clinical importance, and associated predisposing factors. Staphylococcus aureus was an infrequent urinary isolate, and accounted for only about 1% of all positive urine cultures. Although almost all cases in a Veterans Hospital occurred in elderly men, episodes in a community hospital were observed in women and children as well. Patients usually had pyuria (71%) but only 39% had urinary symptoms of fever. Among predisposing factors, serious underlying diseases were uncommon, but urinary tract manipulations or abnormalities were present in nearly two thirds of patients. Fifty-five percent of cases were nosocomial, and 73% of these were associated with urinary catheterization or other invasive urinary tract procedures. Most patients (61%) were not treated for their bacteriuria, and there was a secondary bacteremia rate of 5.5% in the Veterans Hospital. Although infrequently encountered, the presence of S aureus in urine should be treated with at least as much concern as more frequently encountered bacteria.", "PMID": 760687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_404", "title": "Plasma norepinephrine response to standing in patients with pheochromocytoma or medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.", "content": "We determined the effect of a lying/standing test on 22 patients with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT), seven patients with pheochromocytoma (six of whom also had MCT), six healthy first-degree family members of patients with MCT, and nine normal subjects who did not have a family history of MCT. The purpose of the study was to determine if the patients with MCT had an altered noradrenergic response to standing and to determine if this test would be useful in screening MCT patients for the presence of pheochromocytoma. All of the patients with MCT, as well as all of the healthy family members, had normal urinary excretion of catecholamines and their metabolites. Plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentrations, plasma cortisol levels, and blood pressure (BP) were determined during the lying/standing test. The plasma NE concentration showed the expected increase with a change in posture; the plasma cortisol concentration did not change. There was no significant difference in the plasma NE, plasma cortisol, and BP response in the four study groups. Only one of the seven patients with pheochromocytoma had a hypertensive episode in response to standing. We conclude that there is probably a normal noradrenergic response to standing in patients with MCT, and the standing/lying test, as performed in this study, is of limited value in screening for the presence of pheochromocytoma.", "contents": "Plasma norepinephrine response to standing in patients with pheochromocytoma or medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. We determined the effect of a lying/standing test on 22 patients with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT), seven patients with pheochromocytoma (six of whom also had MCT), six healthy first-degree family members of patients with MCT, and nine normal subjects who did not have a family history of MCT. The purpose of the study was to determine if the patients with MCT had an altered noradrenergic response to standing and to determine if this test would be useful in screening MCT patients for the presence of pheochromocytoma. All of the patients with MCT, as well as all of the healthy family members, had normal urinary excretion of catecholamines and their metabolites. Plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentrations, plasma cortisol levels, and blood pressure (BP) were determined during the lying/standing test. The plasma NE concentration showed the expected increase with a change in posture; the plasma cortisol concentration did not change. There was no significant difference in the plasma NE, plasma cortisol, and BP response in the four study groups. Only one of the seven patients with pheochromocytoma had a hypertensive episode in response to standing. We conclude that there is probably a normal noradrenergic response to standing in patients with MCT, and the standing/lying test, as performed in this study, is of limited value in screening for the presence of pheochromocytoma.", "PMID": 760688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_405", "title": "Vasopressin-resistant nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. A result of amphotericin B therapy.", "content": "Polyuria and polydipsia developed in two cases during amphotericin B therapy for deep mycoses. Neither patient could concentrate his urine in response to water deprivation or exogenous vasopressin. Other causes of vasopressin-resistant nephrogenic diabetes insipidus were not present. Three months after amphotericin B therapy had been discontinued, concentrating ability improved toward normal. A third patient was further observed and demonstrated normal diluting capacity but impaired free-water reabsorption, suggesting a distal tubular defect consistent with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Four months after discontinuing therapy, renal concentrating ability was normal. Amphotericin B can induce a reversible form of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.", "contents": "Vasopressin-resistant nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. A result of amphotericin B therapy. Polyuria and polydipsia developed in two cases during amphotericin B therapy for deep mycoses. Neither patient could concentrate his urine in response to water deprivation or exogenous vasopressin. Other causes of vasopressin-resistant nephrogenic diabetes insipidus were not present. Three months after amphotericin B therapy had been discontinued, concentrating ability improved toward normal. A third patient was further observed and demonstrated normal diluting capacity but impaired free-water reabsorption, suggesting a distal tubular defect consistent with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Four months after discontinuing therapy, renal concentrating ability was normal. Amphotericin B can induce a reversible form of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.", "PMID": 760689} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_406", "title": "Pitfalls in the laboratory diagnosis of atypical hyperthyroidism.", "content": "When hyperthyroidism results from active thyroidal secretion, both serum hormonal levels and the radioactive iodine uptake (RAI) are elevated. Discordant results (increased serum hormone levels and a low RAI) are found either in the usual forms of hyperthyroidism when large quantities of iodide are ingested, or in atypical forms of hyperthyroidism, including spontaneously resolving hyperthyroidism of subacute thyroiditis, thyrotoxicosis factitia, toxic struma ovarii, and functioning metastatic thyroid cancer. Two patients are described who exemplify pitfalls in the interpretation of thyroid function test results in atypical hyperthyroidism. The following guidelines are helpful in avoiding these pitfalls: (1) An RAI should be performed in all thyrotoxic patients to confirm the presence of thyroidal hypersecretion, rather than atypical hyperthyroidism. (2) A positive response to thyroid-stimulating hormone stimulation is an important finding differentiating the other atypical forms of hyperthyroidism listed from subacute thyroiditis.", "contents": "Pitfalls in the laboratory diagnosis of atypical hyperthyroidism. When hyperthyroidism results from active thyroidal secretion, both serum hormonal levels and the radioactive iodine uptake (RAI) are elevated. Discordant results (increased serum hormone levels and a low RAI) are found either in the usual forms of hyperthyroidism when large quantities of iodide are ingested, or in atypical forms of hyperthyroidism, including spontaneously resolving hyperthyroidism of subacute thyroiditis, thyrotoxicosis factitia, toxic struma ovarii, and functioning metastatic thyroid cancer. Two patients are described who exemplify pitfalls in the interpretation of thyroid function test results in atypical hyperthyroidism. The following guidelines are helpful in avoiding these pitfalls: (1) An RAI should be performed in all thyrotoxic patients to confirm the presence of thyroidal hypersecretion, rather than atypical hyperthyroidism. (2) A positive response to thyroid-stimulating hormone stimulation is an important finding differentiating the other atypical forms of hyperthyroidism listed from subacute thyroiditis.", "PMID": 760692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_407", "title": "Short and long sleep and sleeping pills. Is increased mortality associated?", "content": "Prospective epidemiologic data of the American Cancer Society disclosed that reported usual sleep durations among groups who complained of insomnia and sleeping pill use \"often\" overlapped with those of groups who had no complaints. Reports of insomnia were not consistently associated with increased mortality when several factors were controlled; however, men who reported usually sleeping less than four hours were 2.80 times as likely to have died within six years as men who reported 7.0 to 7.9 hours of sleep. The ratio for women was 1.48. Men and women who reported sleeping ten hours or more had about 1.8 times the mortality of those who reported 7.0 to 7.9 hours of sleep. Those who reported using sleeping pills \"often\" had 1.5 times the mortality of those who \"never\" used sleeping pills. These results do not prove that mortality could be reduced by altering sleep durations or by reducing hypnotic prescribing. Rather, studies are needed to determine the causes of these mortality risk factors.", "contents": "Short and long sleep and sleeping pills. Is increased mortality associated? Prospective epidemiologic data of the American Cancer Society disclosed that reported usual sleep durations among groups who complained of insomnia and sleeping pill use \"often\" overlapped with those of groups who had no complaints. Reports of insomnia were not consistently associated with increased mortality when several factors were controlled; however, men who reported usually sleeping less than four hours were 2.80 times as likely to have died within six years as men who reported 7.0 to 7.9 hours of sleep. The ratio for women was 1.48. Men and women who reported sleeping ten hours or more had about 1.8 times the mortality of those who reported 7.0 to 7.9 hours of sleep. Those who reported using sleeping pills \"often\" had 1.5 times the mortality of those who \"never\" used sleeping pills. These results do not prove that mortality could be reduced by altering sleep durations or by reducing hypnotic prescribing. Rather, studies are needed to determine the causes of these mortality risk factors.", "PMID": 760693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_408", "title": "Crossing the border into borderline personality and borderline schizophrenia. The development of criteria.", "content": "Although there is a large psychiatric literature on various \"borderline\" conditions, there has been no agreement as to the definition of the concept. A review of the literature reviewed two major uses of the term: Borderline Schizophrenia and Borderline Personality. Two item sets were developed to provide diagnostic criteria for the two concepts. High sensitivity and specificity were demonstrated for both item sets using data describing 808 borderline and 808 control patients. These criteria will be used in the forthcoming DSM-III classification for the categories of Borderline Personality Disorder and Schizotypal Personality Disorder.", "contents": "Crossing the border into borderline personality and borderline schizophrenia. The development of criteria. Although there is a large psychiatric literature on various \"borderline\" conditions, there has been no agreement as to the definition of the concept. A review of the literature reviewed two major uses of the term: Borderline Schizophrenia and Borderline Personality. Two item sets were developed to provide diagnostic criteria for the two concepts. High sensitivity and specificity were demonstrated for both item sets using data describing 808 borderline and 808 control patients. These criteria will be used in the forthcoming DSM-III classification for the categories of Borderline Personality Disorder and Schizotypal Personality Disorder.", "PMID": 760694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_409", "title": "Prognostic implications of six alternative definitions of schizophrenia.", "content": "The ability of six different operational definitions of schizophrenia to identify prospectively patients whose eventual prognosis would be poor was studied using data from a six-year follow-up of a series of 134 patients with functional psychoses. All six definitions were more successful at predicting a poor symptomatic outcome than a poor social outcome. Spitzer's Research Diagnostic Criteria, Carpenter's flexible criteria, and Langfeldt's criteria predicted a poor outcome as well as the original clinical diagnoses and were considerably better than the New Haven criteria, Schneider's first rank symptoms, or the computer program Catego.", "contents": "Prognostic implications of six alternative definitions of schizophrenia. The ability of six different operational definitions of schizophrenia to identify prospectively patients whose eventual prognosis would be poor was studied using data from a six-year follow-up of a series of 134 patients with functional psychoses. All six definitions were more successful at predicting a poor symptomatic outcome than a poor social outcome. Spitzer's Research Diagnostic Criteria, Carpenter's flexible criteria, and Langfeldt's criteria predicted a poor outcome as well as the original clinical diagnoses and were considerably better than the New Haven criteria, Schneider's first rank symptoms, or the computer program Catego.", "PMID": 760695} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_410", "title": "Unipolar depression: is it divisible into autonomous subtypes?", "content": "Depression spectrum disease has been defined as an illness in which a first-degree family member has alcoholism and/or antisocial personality. Pure depressive disease may be considered as the remainder of the depressive illnesses or more rigorously as depression in a person who has a family history of depression but no alcoholism. Evidence is presented that the course of the illness is different in the two groups. Depression spectrum disease is more variable, with more personality problems and interpersonal conflict. Preliminary data indicate that depression spectrum disease may be linked to such genetic markers as C3 or alpha-haptoglobin.", "contents": "Unipolar depression: is it divisible into autonomous subtypes? Depression spectrum disease has been defined as an illness in which a first-degree family member has alcoholism and/or antisocial personality. Pure depressive disease may be considered as the remainder of the depressive illnesses or more rigorously as depression in a person who has a family history of depression but no alcoholism. Evidence is presented that the course of the illness is different in the two groups. Depression spectrum disease is more variable, with more personality problems and interpersonal conflict. Preliminary data indicate that depression spectrum disease may be linked to such genetic markers as C3 or alpha-haptoglobin.", "PMID": 760696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_411", "title": "Suicide and alcoholism. Interpersonal loss confirmed as a predictor.", "content": "We earlier reported that nearly one third of a consecutive series of 31 alcoholics who committed suicide had experienced loss of a close interpersonal relationship within six weeks or less of their death. In a replication study of 50 additional unselected alcoholic suicides, we found that 26% had experienced such loss within six weeks. As before, the distribution of such events was strikingly and significantly skewed toward the final weeks of the subject's life. This powerful confirmation gives added significance to such loss as a predictor of suicide among alcoholics.", "contents": "Suicide and alcoholism. Interpersonal loss confirmed as a predictor. We earlier reported that nearly one third of a consecutive series of 31 alcoholics who committed suicide had experienced loss of a close interpersonal relationship within six weeks or less of their death. In a replication study of 50 additional unselected alcoholic suicides, we found that 26% had experienced such loss within six weeks. As before, the distribution of such events was strikingly and significantly skewed toward the final weeks of the subject's life. This powerful confirmation gives added significance to such loss as a predictor of suicide among alcoholics.", "PMID": 760697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_412", "title": "Electroencephalographic similarities between chronic alcoholics and chronic, nonparanoid schizophrenics.", "content": "We compared the EEG power spectral density patterns for chronic, nonparanoid schizophrenics and age-matched chronic alcoholic and control subjects. Bilateral precentral (F-T) and postcentral (C-O) derivations were used in the analysis. The nonparanoid schizophrenics and alcoholics showed increased low-frequency activity (0 to 6 Hz) in all derivations in comparison to the control subjects. Chronic alcoholics were found to have increased high-frequency activity primarily in the precentral derivations. Nonparanoid schizophrenics showed increased power in the high-frequency bands predominantly in the left precentral derivation. We discuss the implications of patterns of differences concerning the issue of nonspecificity of the EEG in psychiatry.", "contents": "Electroencephalographic similarities between chronic alcoholics and chronic, nonparanoid schizophrenics. We compared the EEG power spectral density patterns for chronic, nonparanoid schizophrenics and age-matched chronic alcoholic and control subjects. Bilateral precentral (F-T) and postcentral (C-O) derivations were used in the analysis. The nonparanoid schizophrenics and alcoholics showed increased low-frequency activity (0 to 6 Hz) in all derivations in comparison to the control subjects. Chronic alcoholics were found to have increased high-frequency activity primarily in the precentral derivations. Nonparanoid schizophrenics showed increased power in the high-frequency bands predominantly in the left precentral derivation. We discuss the implications of patterns of differences concerning the issue of nonspecificity of the EEG in psychiatry.", "PMID": 760699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_413", "title": "Use of calcitonin in psychotic agitation or mania.", "content": "Synthetic salmon calcitonin was administered subcutaneously to 12 inpatients with several primary psychotic diagnoses. Increases in serum total calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels and decreases in CSF calcium level had earlier been observed during periodic psychotic agitation or mania. By contrast, calcitonin, which decreased serum calcium and phosphorus levels and increased CSF calcium level, appeared to produce transient (24-hour) increases in depression and decreases in arousal in this double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Quantitative activity monitoring confirmed the rater's impression that this agent had tranquilizing or depressant effects in such patients. When given in the evening, this polypeptide also appeared to delay sleep onset, as demonstrated both by nurses' 30-minute sleep checks and by the same longitudinal activity record. A decreased hypocalcemic response to calcitonin was noted in the agitated patients, which might explain the increases in serum calcium level described at the \"switch\".", "contents": "Use of calcitonin in psychotic agitation or mania. Synthetic salmon calcitonin was administered subcutaneously to 12 inpatients with several primary psychotic diagnoses. Increases in serum total calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels and decreases in CSF calcium level had earlier been observed during periodic psychotic agitation or mania. By contrast, calcitonin, which decreased serum calcium and phosphorus levels and increased CSF calcium level, appeared to produce transient (24-hour) increases in depression and decreases in arousal in this double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Quantitative activity monitoring confirmed the rater's impression that this agent had tranquilizing or depressant effects in such patients. When given in the evening, this polypeptide also appeared to delay sleep onset, as demonstrated both by nurses' 30-minute sleep checks and by the same longitudinal activity record. A decreased hypocalcemic response to calcitonin was noted in the agitated patients, which might explain the increases in serum calcium level described at the \"switch\".", "PMID": 760698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_414", "title": "Trigeminal neurotization of paralyzed facial musculature. Modification of the Lexer-Rosenthal surgical procedure.", "content": "We introduce a modification of the Lexer-Rosenthal surgical technique for reinnervation of the facial muscles by trigeminal neurolization in patients with facial paralysis. Four patients with such paralysis were seen in the Cranial Nerve Research Clinic, Oakland, Calif. Three of the four patients had their paralysis surgically treated, and recovery of facial motion was compared with that in one patient, in whom spontaneous trigeminal neurotization occurred. Those patients whose facial paralysis was surgically treated had fair to excellent results, and the technique is considered superior to alternative hypoglossal or spinal accessory anastomosis.", "contents": "Trigeminal neurotization of paralyzed facial musculature. Modification of the Lexer-Rosenthal surgical procedure. We introduce a modification of the Lexer-Rosenthal surgical technique for reinnervation of the facial muscles by trigeminal neurolization in patients with facial paralysis. Four patients with such paralysis were seen in the Cranial Nerve Research Clinic, Oakland, Calif. Three of the four patients had their paralysis surgically treated, and recovery of facial motion was compared with that in one patient, in whom spontaneous trigeminal neurotization occurred. Those patients whose facial paralysis was surgically treated had fair to excellent results, and the technique is considered superior to alternative hypoglossal or spinal accessory anastomosis.", "PMID": 760700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_415", "title": "Brain stem evoked potential findings in children with otitis media.", "content": "Sixty-three children from 2 to 12 years of age were studied by means of brain stem evoked potentials (BEP) and otoscopic evaluation in a preliminary assessment of the sensitivity of BEP latency measures to middle ear abnormality. Wave I proved to be the most sensitive component; 81.25% of subjects with acute suppurative otitis media and 62.50% of subjects with secretory otitis media demonstrated latencies prolonged by more than 1 SD beyond the values observed in normal control subjects. Of the same subject groups, 86.21% and 93.31% demonstrated wave I latencies within normal limits upon retesting after the otitis had resolved. The BEP technique permitted identification of several subjects with abnormal audiometric findings despite normal otoscopy. There are implications for use of the BEP as a clinical adjunct to traditional methods of auditory assessment.", "contents": "Brain stem evoked potential findings in children with otitis media. Sixty-three children from 2 to 12 years of age were studied by means of brain stem evoked potentials (BEP) and otoscopic evaluation in a preliminary assessment of the sensitivity of BEP latency measures to middle ear abnormality. Wave I proved to be the most sensitive component; 81.25% of subjects with acute suppurative otitis media and 62.50% of subjects with secretory otitis media demonstrated latencies prolonged by more than 1 SD beyond the values observed in normal control subjects. Of the same subject groups, 86.21% and 93.31% demonstrated wave I latencies within normal limits upon retesting after the otitis had resolved. The BEP technique permitted identification of several subjects with abnormal audiometric findings despite normal otoscopy. There are implications for use of the BEP as a clinical adjunct to traditional methods of auditory assessment.", "PMID": 760701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_416", "title": "The abnormally patent eustachian tube. Alterations in psychological status resulting from polytef paste injections.", "content": "Several authors have noted that patients with an abnormally patent Eustachian tube (APET) seem to be psychologically disturbed. We investigated the psychological status of these patients before and after treatment with polytef paste (Teflon) injections. Twelve women were evaluated by a series of tests designed to catalog the nature and intensity of the symptoms, the degree to which symptoms affected the patient, psychopathological trends, and an assessment by the patients of improvement. Results prior to treatment indicated that the patients' symptoms were quite disturbing and were moderately disabling; such symptoms affected concentration, and a marked decrease in the enjoyment of life was noted. After treatment, a notable decrease in APET symptoms was reported, with a parallel decline in emotional disturbances. Patients felt less depressed, anxious, and angry, and they reported that the quality of life was much improved. These findings indicate that physical symptoms can have profound effects on emotional status. In such cases, the most effective psychological treatment is control of physical symptoms rather than psychiatric referral.", "contents": "The abnormally patent eustachian tube. Alterations in psychological status resulting from polytef paste injections. Several authors have noted that patients with an abnormally patent Eustachian tube (APET) seem to be psychologically disturbed. We investigated the psychological status of these patients before and after treatment with polytef paste (Teflon) injections. Twelve women were evaluated by a series of tests designed to catalog the nature and intensity of the symptoms, the degree to which symptoms affected the patient, psychopathological trends, and an assessment by the patients of improvement. Results prior to treatment indicated that the patients' symptoms were quite disturbing and were moderately disabling; such symptoms affected concentration, and a marked decrease in the enjoyment of life was noted. After treatment, a notable decrease in APET symptoms was reported, with a parallel decline in emotional disturbances. Patients felt less depressed, anxious, and angry, and they reported that the quality of life was much improved. These findings indicate that physical symptoms can have profound effects on emotional status. In such cases, the most effective psychological treatment is control of physical symptoms rather than psychiatric referral.", "PMID": 760702} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_417", "title": "A new acoustic reflex pattern.", "content": "A new crossed-vs-uncrossed acoustic reflex pattern has been observed in four patients with retrocochlear disorder. The new reflex pattern is characterized by a unique \"uni-box\" configuration. Reflexes are abnormal with sound to the affected ear on crossed stimulation only. In one additional patient, a variation of the uni-box pattern was found on suprathreshold reflex amplitude measures. WE observed a large ear difference between reflex amplitude functions in the crossed condition, but not in the uncrossed condition. This observation suggests that reflex amplitude measures may be a valuable addition to threshold measures in some patients.", "contents": "A new acoustic reflex pattern. A new crossed-vs-uncrossed acoustic reflex pattern has been observed in four patients with retrocochlear disorder. The new reflex pattern is characterized by a unique \"uni-box\" configuration. Reflexes are abnormal with sound to the affected ear on crossed stimulation only. In one additional patient, a variation of the uni-box pattern was found on suprathreshold reflex amplitude measures. WE observed a large ear difference between reflex amplitude functions in the crossed condition, but not in the uncrossed condition. This observation suggests that reflex amplitude measures may be a valuable addition to threshold measures in some patients.", "PMID": 760703} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_418", "title": "Pathophysiological effects of M\u00f6bius syndrome on speech and hearing.", "content": "The effects of M\u00f6bius syndrome (MoS) on the functioning of the peripheral speech and hearing mechanisms has not hithertofore been described, to my knowledge. Speech and hearing function of an 8-year-old MoS speaker was studied. Data were obtained from several sources. These included: electromyography of the facial muscles, physical examination of the peripheral speech mechanism, speech and language test batteries, audiological evaluation, and acoustic analyses of the speech signal. A pathologic condition was found to exist in a number of cranial nerves and in structures in the oral cavity. This resulted in consonant and vowel misarticulations, which notably affected speech intelligibility. Middle ear dysfunction was also present. Neurological mechanisms are discussed to account for these pathologies in human communication. Strategies for speech therapy and future research in MoS are presented.", "contents": "Pathophysiological effects of M\u00f6bius syndrome on speech and hearing. The effects of M\u00f6bius syndrome (MoS) on the functioning of the peripheral speech and hearing mechanisms has not hithertofore been described, to my knowledge. Speech and hearing function of an 8-year-old MoS speaker was studied. Data were obtained from several sources. These included: electromyography of the facial muscles, physical examination of the peripheral speech mechanism, speech and language test batteries, audiological evaluation, and acoustic analyses of the speech signal. A pathologic condition was found to exist in a number of cranial nerves and in structures in the oral cavity. This resulted in consonant and vowel misarticulations, which notably affected speech intelligibility. Middle ear dysfunction was also present. Neurological mechanisms are discussed to account for these pathologies in human communication. Strategies for speech therapy and future research in MoS are presented.", "PMID": 760704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_419", "title": "Meningitis and hearing loss in children.", "content": "The hospital records for 100 cases of meningitis in which acute audiometric data has been obtained were reviewed. The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss was found to be 6%. The severity of hearing impairment varied from mild to profound and was frequently bilateral and irreversible. Two-cases showed asymmetrical involvement, and in one case, there was subsequent improvement in threshold sensitivity. Factors that influenced the incidence of neurologic sequela included severity of the initial disease process, age of the patient, and duration of symptoms before diagnosis and treatment. We discuss the pathophysiologic mechanisms that may account for such hearing loss, and we emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and intensive antimicrobial therapy. Careful neurologic evaluation is required after recovery and must include periodic sequential audiometric testing.", "contents": "Meningitis and hearing loss in children. The hospital records for 100 cases of meningitis in which acute audiometric data has been obtained were reviewed. The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss was found to be 6%. The severity of hearing impairment varied from mild to profound and was frequently bilateral and irreversible. Two-cases showed asymmetrical involvement, and in one case, there was subsequent improvement in threshold sensitivity. Factors that influenced the incidence of neurologic sequela included severity of the initial disease process, age of the patient, and duration of symptoms before diagnosis and treatment. We discuss the pathophysiologic mechanisms that may account for such hearing loss, and we emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and intensive antimicrobial therapy. Careful neurologic evaluation is required after recovery and must include periodic sequential audiometric testing.", "PMID": 760705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_420", "title": "Thorium dioxide granuloma of the neck with resultant fatal hemorrhage.", "content": "A 46-year-old man had a granuloma in the neck that was caused by extravasation of thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) by an angiographic procedure performed about 30 years previously. His chief complaints were dysphagia and dyspnea with mild hoarseness. Parital resection of the tumor was performed, but his symptoms were not ameliorated. The immediate postoperative course was unfavorable. The patient died four months after the operation from massive hemorrhages from the right common carotid artery.", "contents": "Thorium dioxide granuloma of the neck with resultant fatal hemorrhage. A 46-year-old man had a granuloma in the neck that was caused by extravasation of thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) by an angiographic procedure performed about 30 years previously. His chief complaints were dysphagia and dyspnea with mild hoarseness. Parital resection of the tumor was performed, but his symptoms were not ameliorated. The immediate postoperative course was unfavorable. The patient died four months after the operation from massive hemorrhages from the right common carotid artery.", "PMID": 760706} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_421", "title": "Mucosal melanoma. Immunological findings in a rare case treated with BCG vaccine, autologous tumor cells, and cytarabine.", "content": "A case of mucosal melanoma involved the bronchus, maxillary sinus, and small intestine. Treatment with a combination of autologous tumor cells, BCG vaccine, and cytarabine was given, and the immunological system was investigated regularly. After each treatment episode, there was a transient improvement of the cell-mediated immunity to melanoma antigens. The cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reaction to PPD was converted to a permanently positive one. In the final stage of the disease, the number of T cells was decreased. Difficulty occurred in interpreting the immunological findings according to the clinical condition.", "contents": "Mucosal melanoma. Immunological findings in a rare case treated with BCG vaccine, autologous tumor cells, and cytarabine. A case of mucosal melanoma involved the bronchus, maxillary sinus, and small intestine. Treatment with a combination of autologous tumor cells, BCG vaccine, and cytarabine was given, and the immunological system was investigated regularly. After each treatment episode, there was a transient improvement of the cell-mediated immunity to melanoma antigens. The cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reaction to PPD was converted to a permanently positive one. In the final stage of the disease, the number of T cells was decreased. Difficulty occurred in interpreting the immunological findings according to the clinical condition.", "PMID": 760707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_422", "title": "Peripheral facial paralysis secondary to metastatic malignant melanoma. A clinicopathologic report.", "content": "We report a case of disseminated malignant melanoma in which the initial sign was an isolated peripheral facial palsy on the left side. The cause of the palsy was established five months later, with the appearance of metastatic axillary nodes. The temporal bones demonstrated tumor infiltration within the marrow spaces of the petrous apices bilaterally. The left facial nerve was also extensively involved with melanoma to the level of the geniculate ganglion.", "contents": "Peripheral facial paralysis secondary to metastatic malignant melanoma. A clinicopathologic report. We report a case of disseminated malignant melanoma in which the initial sign was an isolated peripheral facial palsy on the left side. The cause of the palsy was established five months later, with the appearance of metastatic axillary nodes. The temporal bones demonstrated tumor infiltration within the marrow spaces of the petrous apices bilaterally. The left facial nerve was also extensively involved with melanoma to the level of the geniculate ganglion.", "PMID": 760708} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_423", "title": "Nonsurgical closure of nasal septal perforations.", "content": "Seventy-three patients had medical-grade Silastic buttons inserted transnasally (between June 1972 and June 1976) into a perforation of the nasal septum. This nonsurgical technique was done as an office procedure on 67 of the patients with the use of topically applied 5% cocaine solution. The Silastic button has remained in place in 72.6% of the entire study group; follow-up times for this group range from six months to four years. This mechanical covering of the perforation substantially reduced crusting and epistaxis, and it improved nasal respiration in many cases.", "contents": "Nonsurgical closure of nasal septal perforations. Seventy-three patients had medical-grade Silastic buttons inserted transnasally (between June 1972 and June 1976) into a perforation of the nasal septum. This nonsurgical technique was done as an office procedure on 67 of the patients with the use of topically applied 5% cocaine solution. The Silastic button has remained in place in 72.6% of the entire study group; follow-up times for this group range from six months to four years. This mechanical covering of the perforation substantially reduced crusting and epistaxis, and it improved nasal respiration in many cases.", "PMID": 760710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_424", "title": "Low-frequency hearing loss in presbycusis. A central interpretation.", "content": "Elderly subjects with a central phonemically balanced (PB) and synthetic sentence identification (SSI) pattern show greater low-frequency (LF) sensitivity loss than elderly subjects with a peripheral PB-SSI pattern. This LF hearing loss is not the simple consequence of age, nor does the LF hearing loss account for depressed SSI performance. We conclude that LF sensitivity loss and a central PB-SSI pattern are both components of central aging. We discuss the implications for auditory rehabilitation of elderly subjects.", "contents": "Low-frequency hearing loss in presbycusis. A central interpretation. Elderly subjects with a central phonemically balanced (PB) and synthetic sentence identification (SSI) pattern show greater low-frequency (LF) sensitivity loss than elderly subjects with a peripheral PB-SSI pattern. This LF hearing loss is not the simple consequence of age, nor does the LF hearing loss account for depressed SSI performance. We conclude that LF sensitivity loss and a central PB-SSI pattern are both components of central aging. We discuss the implications for auditory rehabilitation of elderly subjects.", "PMID": 760711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_425", "title": "Hyperbaric oxygen. A new adjunct in the management of radiation necrosis.", "content": "Radiation necrosis is a significant complication of surgery for previously irradiated head and neck malignant neoplasms. We used hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) as adjunctive therapy in 52 cases of radiation necrosis. Thirty-nine cases involved the head and neck. Nineteen of 23 cases of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible remain arrested after as much as two years of follow-up. Fifteen of the 16 cases of soft-tissue radionecrosis of the head and neck were successfully managed with HBO therapy as an adjunct to surgery and antibiotics. Fibroblastic proliferation, collagen formation, and capillary budding require at least 20 to 30 mm Hg of wound Po2. This effect can be achieved in wounds that are rendered hypoxic by radiation endarteritis and ischemia with high-dose or hyperbaric oxygenation.", "contents": "Hyperbaric oxygen. A new adjunct in the management of radiation necrosis. Radiation necrosis is a significant complication of surgery for previously irradiated head and neck malignant neoplasms. We used hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) as adjunctive therapy in 52 cases of radiation necrosis. Thirty-nine cases involved the head and neck. Nineteen of 23 cases of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible remain arrested after as much as two years of follow-up. Fifteen of the 16 cases of soft-tissue radionecrosis of the head and neck were successfully managed with HBO therapy as an adjunct to surgery and antibiotics. Fibroblastic proliferation, collagen formation, and capillary budding require at least 20 to 30 mm Hg of wound Po2. This effect can be achieved in wounds that are rendered hypoxic by radiation endarteritis and ischemia with high-dose or hyperbaric oxygenation.", "PMID": 760715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_426", "title": "Hearing aids. A study of the performance capabilities of new instruments.", "content": "Evidence in the literature states that minimally 50% of the hearing aids that are worn by children are malfunctioning. The result is that these hearing aids are rejected by children who probably could benefit from amplification. This study shows that a large percentage of new hearing aids malfunction according to a number of specified parameters and points out the reasons for the malfunctioning. A cross-sectional sample of 14 manufacturers' hearing aid submissions (a total of 166 new aids) were comprehensively studied by the British Columbia Research and Development Laboratory, Victoria. Sixty-five percent of the hearing aids failed the primary and secondary criteria during the initial evaluation period. Results of this study provided valuable information to manufacturers of hearing aids and also to those who fit hearing aids with regard to improvements necessary to meet reasonable standards.", "contents": "Hearing aids. A study of the performance capabilities of new instruments. Evidence in the literature states that minimally 50% of the hearing aids that are worn by children are malfunctioning. The result is that these hearing aids are rejected by children who probably could benefit from amplification. This study shows that a large percentage of new hearing aids malfunction according to a number of specified parameters and points out the reasons for the malfunctioning. A cross-sectional sample of 14 manufacturers' hearing aid submissions (a total of 166 new aids) were comprehensively studied by the British Columbia Research and Development Laboratory, Victoria. Sixty-five percent of the hearing aids failed the primary and secondary criteria during the initial evaluation period. Results of this study provided valuable information to manufacturers of hearing aids and also to those who fit hearing aids with regard to improvements necessary to meet reasonable standards.", "PMID": 760716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_427", "title": "Posttraumatic pseudohypertelorism. (Telecanthus).", "content": "Telecanthus was evaluated in a large series of patients with midfacial trauma. Nine patients were selected for detailed analysis of cause, degree of injury, and results of surgical treatment. The evaluation suggests that fractures causing the medial canthal injury are extensive, often resulting in ocular and CNS damage. Late repairs are plagued with difficulty in identification of the ligament and mobilization of soft tissues in the medial canthal area. Satisfactory function and appearance can usually be obtained by early exploration of the injury, reduction of bone fragments, and restoration of the medial canthal ligament to its normal position.", "contents": "Posttraumatic pseudohypertelorism. (Telecanthus). Telecanthus was evaluated in a large series of patients with midfacial trauma. Nine patients were selected for detailed analysis of cause, degree of injury, and results of surgical treatment. The evaluation suggests that fractures causing the medial canthal injury are extensive, often resulting in ocular and CNS damage. Late repairs are plagued with difficulty in identification of the ligament and mobilization of soft tissues in the medial canthal area. Satisfactory function and appearance can usually be obtained by early exploration of the injury, reduction of bone fragments, and restoration of the medial canthal ligament to its normal position.", "PMID": 760717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_428", "title": "Brain stem evoked response audiometry in newborn hearing screening.", "content": "Brain stem evoked response audiometry (BERA) has been used as an auditory screening procedure in three groups of newborn infants. Group 1 consisted of 220 normal-term infants who were tested within 72 hours of birth; no hearing abnormalities were uncovered (386 ears), and their threshold responses (for clicks) lay between a 10- and 20-dB hearing level (re: adult). Group 2 consisted of 75 newborns who were treated in an intensive care unit for one to 14 weeks; four were found to have severe sensorineural hearing loss (seven ears) at the time of discharge. Group 3 consisted of a group of 325 infants, 1 year or older, who had previously been discharged from the same intensive care unit; of these infants, an additional four showed severe sensorineural hearing loss. All abnormalities that were identified by BERA were subsequently confirmed by conventional audiometric measures. The estimate of an incidence of severe hearing loss in one of 50 infants who required intensive care in the neonatal period calls for careful testing of this population.", "contents": "Brain stem evoked response audiometry in newborn hearing screening. Brain stem evoked response audiometry (BERA) has been used as an auditory screening procedure in three groups of newborn infants. Group 1 consisted of 220 normal-term infants who were tested within 72 hours of birth; no hearing abnormalities were uncovered (386 ears), and their threshold responses (for clicks) lay between a 10- and 20-dB hearing level (re: adult). Group 2 consisted of 75 newborns who were treated in an intensive care unit for one to 14 weeks; four were found to have severe sensorineural hearing loss (seven ears) at the time of discharge. Group 3 consisted of a group of 325 infants, 1 year or older, who had previously been discharged from the same intensive care unit; of these infants, an additional four showed severe sensorineural hearing loss. All abnormalities that were identified by BERA were subsequently confirmed by conventional audiometric measures. The estimate of an incidence of severe hearing loss in one of 50 infants who required intensive care in the neonatal period calls for careful testing of this population.", "PMID": 760718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_429", "title": "Infratemporal fossa approach to lesions in the temporal bone and base of the skull.", "content": "An infratemporal fossa approach for extensive tumors of the temporal bone, clivus, and parasellar and parasphenoid regions features permanent anterior transposition of the facial nerve, resection of the mandibular condyle, and mobilization of the zygoma and lateral orbital rim. Obliteration of the pneumatic spaces of the temporal bone with permanent occlusion of the Eustachian tube and blindsack closure of the external auditory canal avoids the danger of postoperative infection and leads to primary wound healing in the shortest time. Three cases demonstrate selective utilization of the infratemporal fossa approach. Short-term results and complications were observed in 51 patients.", "contents": "Infratemporal fossa approach to lesions in the temporal bone and base of the skull. An infratemporal fossa approach for extensive tumors of the temporal bone, clivus, and parasellar and parasphenoid regions features permanent anterior transposition of the facial nerve, resection of the mandibular condyle, and mobilization of the zygoma and lateral orbital rim. Obliteration of the pneumatic spaces of the temporal bone with permanent occlusion of the Eustachian tube and blindsack closure of the external auditory canal avoids the danger of postoperative infection and leads to primary wound healing in the shortest time. Three cases demonstrate selective utilization of the infratemporal fossa approach. Short-term results and complications were observed in 51 patients.", "PMID": 760719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_430", "title": "Pattern analysis of auditory-evoked EEG potentials.", "content": "A pattern analysis approach to the detection of auditory evoked potentials in the EEG is reported. Pattern aspects of individual post-stimulus responses have been examined first through their correlation coefficients using the suprathreshold average evoked potential as a reference pattern, and second by the ensemble distribution of phase values of Fourier spectral components, employed to characterise signal pattern. The correlation study indicated that suprathreshold stimuli act to increase the reference pattern similarity of individual records. Individual harmonic phase values are distributed approximately uniformly for unstimulated EEG, but were demonstrated to be increasingly aggregated for increasingly suprathreshold stimuli. It is proposed that a fully objective audiometric technique can be based on a phase-spectral technique.", "contents": "Pattern analysis of auditory-evoked EEG potentials. A pattern analysis approach to the detection of auditory evoked potentials in the EEG is reported. Pattern aspects of individual post-stimulus responses have been examined first through their correlation coefficients using the suprathreshold average evoked potential as a reference pattern, and second by the ensemble distribution of phase values of Fourier spectral components, employed to characterise signal pattern. The correlation study indicated that suprathreshold stimuli act to increase the reference pattern similarity of individual records. Individual harmonic phase values are distributed approximately uniformly for unstimulated EEG, but were demonstrated to be increasingly aggregated for increasingly suprathreshold stimuli. It is proposed that a fully objective audiometric technique can be based on a phase-spectral technique.", "PMID": 760720} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_431", "title": "The middle ear inertial component of bone-conduction hearing in man.", "content": "The middle ear inertial component of bone-conduction hearing was studied in 8 normal-hearing young adults. The inertial component was eliminated to varying degrees by introducing various positive and negative air pressures into the ear canal. Sweep-frequency B\u00e9k\u00e9sy tracings were obtained from 100 through 5 000 Hz for bone-conducted pure tone stimuli while the air pressure of the test ear was varied and the nontest ear was masked. Air pressures of +/- 100, +/- 300, and +/- 500 mm H2O were utilized. Results revealed maximal shift in the mid frequencies (750 Hz) and an increase in effect with increase in pressure. A second prominent region of threshold shift emerged at 2 000 Hz for the +/- 500 mm H2O air pressure conditions. Considerable variability in the magnitude of threshold shift and in the frequency region of maximum shift was observed.", "contents": "The middle ear inertial component of bone-conduction hearing in man. The middle ear inertial component of bone-conduction hearing was studied in 8 normal-hearing young adults. The inertial component was eliminated to varying degrees by introducing various positive and negative air pressures into the ear canal. Sweep-frequency B\u00e9k\u00e9sy tracings were obtained from 100 through 5 000 Hz for bone-conducted pure tone stimuli while the air pressure of the test ear was varied and the nontest ear was masked. Air pressures of +/- 100, +/- 300, and +/- 500 mm H2O were utilized. Results revealed maximal shift in the mid frequencies (750 Hz) and an increase in effect with increase in pressure. A second prominent region of threshold shift emerged at 2 000 Hz for the +/- 500 mm H2O air pressure conditions. Considerable variability in the magnitude of threshold shift and in the frequency region of maximum shift was observed.", "PMID": 760722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_432", "title": "Thresholds of filtered transients.", "content": "Absolute and masked thresholds were obtained for sinusoids, one-third-octave filtered noise, one-third-octave filtered clicks, and for broadband noise and clicks as a function of repetition rate of the filtered clicks. The results indicate that if signal energy is computed for each stimulus, then similar absolute and masked thresholds can be obtained. Thresholds for repetition rate and number of clicks were similar to published results on temporal integration of tones. These results provide a direct and objective means for measuring the level of brief narrow-band stimuli and support the use of these signals as a means of probing auditory sensitivity.", "contents": "Thresholds of filtered transients. Absolute and masked thresholds were obtained for sinusoids, one-third-octave filtered noise, one-third-octave filtered clicks, and for broadband noise and clicks as a function of repetition rate of the filtered clicks. The results indicate that if signal energy is computed for each stimulus, then similar absolute and masked thresholds can be obtained. Thresholds for repetition rate and number of clicks were similar to published results on temporal integration of tones. These results provide a direct and objective means for measuring the level of brief narrow-band stimuli and support the use of these signals as a means of probing auditory sensitivity.", "PMID": 760721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_433", "title": "Improving the reliability of testing the speech reception threshold for sentences.", "content": "An accurate test for measuring the speech reception threshold (SRT) for sentences in quiet or in noise has been developed. It is shown that with ten carefully selected lists of only 13 sentences each, a high test-retest reliability can be obtained. The standard deviation of SRT measured with the different lists is approximately 1 dB.", "contents": "Improving the reliability of testing the speech reception threshold for sentences. An accurate test for measuring the speech reception threshold (SRT) for sentences in quiet or in noise has been developed. It is shown that with ten carefully selected lists of only 13 sentences each, a high test-retest reliability can be obtained. The standard deviation of SRT measured with the different lists is approximately 1 dB.", "PMID": 760724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_434", "title": "Clinical implications in calibration requirements in bone conduction standardisation.", "content": "Although international agreement has long been reached on a standard threshold for air conduction audiometry, no similar standard exists for bone conduction autiometry. It is argued that the techniques applied to the determination of the air conduction thresholds are not applicable to those for bone conduction which should instead be brought into line with ISO 1964 and not established independently. A pilot study has been carried out which shows that by adopting the new approach now advocated international agreement could be attained with the expenditure of minimal time and effort.", "contents": "Clinical implications in calibration requirements in bone conduction standardisation. Although international agreement has long been reached on a standard threshold for air conduction audiometry, no similar standard exists for bone conduction autiometry. It is argued that the techniques applied to the determination of the air conduction thresholds are not applicable to those for bone conduction which should instead be brought into line with ISO 1964 and not established independently. A pilot study has been carried out which shows that by adopting the new approach now advocated international agreement could be attained with the expenditure of minimal time and effort.", "PMID": 760723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_435", "title": "Hearing-aid-processed signals: a new approach.", "content": "A new protocol for obtaining and utilizing hearing-aid-processed signals in hearing aid research or hearing aid selection is described. Data are presented which illustrate the extent to which this procedure may be expected to result in a signal spectrum at the subject's eardrum which is the same as the spectrum the subject would have received if the hearing aid itself had been placed on his ear (a directly-aided situation). An earlier investigation by the authors indicated that the traditional protocol for the production and utilization of hearing-aid-processed signals results in substantial discrepancies between these two spectra. The data presented were obtained using the KEMAR as the subject with a Zwislocki coupler as the KEMAR's ear canal/eardrum. The discrepancy between directly-aided and hearing-aid-processed spectra was typically +/- 2 dB for ear-level hearing aids fitted using standard, vented, or open earmolds (in open earmold fittings only the amplified component of the directly-aided spectrum is reproduced).", "contents": "Hearing-aid-processed signals: a new approach. A new protocol for obtaining and utilizing hearing-aid-processed signals in hearing aid research or hearing aid selection is described. Data are presented which illustrate the extent to which this procedure may be expected to result in a signal spectrum at the subject's eardrum which is the same as the spectrum the subject would have received if the hearing aid itself had been placed on his ear (a directly-aided situation). An earlier investigation by the authors indicated that the traditional protocol for the production and utilization of hearing-aid-processed signals results in substantial discrepancies between these two spectra. The data presented were obtained using the KEMAR as the subject with a Zwislocki coupler as the KEMAR's ear canal/eardrum. The discrepancy between directly-aided and hearing-aid-processed spectra was typically +/- 2 dB for ear-level hearing aids fitted using standard, vented, or open earmolds (in open earmold fittings only the amplified component of the directly-aided spectrum is reproduced).", "PMID": 760725} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_436", "title": "Effects of whitening and peak-clipping on speech intelligibility in the presence of a competing message.", "content": "The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of peak clipping on speech intelligibility when both a target speech and a competing message were simultaneously peak-clipped. A competing message composed of 5 talkers was electrically mixed with CNC discrimination words. This composite signal was presented to normally hearing subjects in three ways: unmodified, whitened, and whitened and peak-clipped. Discrimination functions were obtained for the CNC material by varying the signal-to-competition ratio. Under these conditions, essentially identical discrimination functions were yielded by the unmodified and whitened speech, whereas substantially reduced discrimination scores were obtained with the whitened/clipped speech. These results would suggest that speech intelligibility is reduced by whitening and peak clipping when more than one talker is present. This is true even though earlier studies have shown that whitening and peak clipping do not reduce speech intelligibility when only a single talker is present. Such a finding has implications for wearable amplification.", "contents": "Effects of whitening and peak-clipping on speech intelligibility in the presence of a competing message. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of peak clipping on speech intelligibility when both a target speech and a competing message were simultaneously peak-clipped. A competing message composed of 5 talkers was electrically mixed with CNC discrimination words. This composite signal was presented to normally hearing subjects in three ways: unmodified, whitened, and whitened and peak-clipped. Discrimination functions were obtained for the CNC material by varying the signal-to-competition ratio. Under these conditions, essentially identical discrimination functions were yielded by the unmodified and whitened speech, whereas substantially reduced discrimination scores were obtained with the whitened/clipped speech. These results would suggest that speech intelligibility is reduced by whitening and peak clipping when more than one talker is present. This is true even though earlier studies have shown that whitening and peak clipping do not reduce speech intelligibility when only a single talker is present. Such a finding has implications for wearable amplification.", "PMID": 760726} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_437", "title": "Time-compressed speech discrimination, reading readiness and the effect of clinical method.", "content": "Time-compressed speech discrimination was examined on kindergarten-age children grouped according to scores on the Lindamood Auditory Comprehension Test (LAC). In experiment 1, 34 children were equally divided into two groups based upon the LAC, and administered the Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification Test (WIPI) at 0, 30 and 60% time compression. In experiment 2, 32 children were similary grouped and administered the WIPI at 0 and 60% time compression with 60% always administered first. Significant main effects for time compression and test group were found. The effects of clinical method and clinical implications are discussed.", "contents": "Time-compressed speech discrimination, reading readiness and the effect of clinical method. Time-compressed speech discrimination was examined on kindergarten-age children grouped according to scores on the Lindamood Auditory Comprehension Test (LAC). In experiment 1, 34 children were equally divided into two groups based upon the LAC, and administered the Word Intelligibility by Picture Identification Test (WIPI) at 0, 30 and 60% time compression. In experiment 2, 32 children were similary grouped and administered the WIPI at 0 and 60% time compression with 60% always administered first. Significant main effects for time compression and test group were found. The effects of clinical method and clinical implications are discussed.", "PMID": 760727} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_438", "title": "Bioavailability of chlorpropamide.", "content": "1. The serum profiles of chlorpropamide obtained following single doses of two tablet preparations and from a suspension formulation have been compared in healthy volunteers. The amounts of chlorpropamide absorbed from the three formulations were similar but the drug was absorbed more rapidly from the suspension than from either tablet formulation. There was a small but therapeutically insignificant difference in the rate of absorption of the drug from the two tablets. 2. Changes in blood glucose concentrations were found to be related to the drug serum profile characteristics of the formulations.", "contents": "Bioavailability of chlorpropamide. 1. The serum profiles of chlorpropamide obtained following single doses of two tablet preparations and from a suspension formulation have been compared in healthy volunteers. The amounts of chlorpropamide absorbed from the three formulations were similar but the drug was absorbed more rapidly from the suspension than from either tablet formulation. There was a small but therapeutically insignificant difference in the rate of absorption of the drug from the two tablets. 2. Changes in blood glucose concentrations were found to be related to the drug serum profile characteristics of the formulations.", "PMID": 760732} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_439", "title": "Mesterolone: thrombosis during treatment, and a study of its prothrombotic effects.", "content": "1. We describe a patient who developed deep vein thrombosis after commencing treatment with the synthetic androgen, mesterolone (Pro-Viron). 2. To investigate the potential thrombogenic action of this drug, a 21 day course of mesterolone (100 mg/day) was given to nine healthy male volunteers. 3. No significant change after treatment occurred in any of the blood tests performed (clotting times, Factor VIII coagulant activity, Factor VIII related antigen, antithrombin III activity, fibrinogen, fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products, plasminogen, euglobulin lysis time, urokinase sensitivity, platelet count, haematocrit, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity). 4. We conclude that in a conventional dose taken for 3 weeks mesterolone does not produce a consistent measurable prothrombotic state, nor does it enhance fibrinolysis.", "contents": "Mesterolone: thrombosis during treatment, and a study of its prothrombotic effects. 1. We describe a patient who developed deep vein thrombosis after commencing treatment with the synthetic androgen, mesterolone (Pro-Viron). 2. To investigate the potential thrombogenic action of this drug, a 21 day course of mesterolone (100 mg/day) was given to nine healthy male volunteers. 3. No significant change after treatment occurred in any of the blood tests performed (clotting times, Factor VIII coagulant activity, Factor VIII related antigen, antithrombin III activity, fibrinogen, fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products, plasminogen, euglobulin lysis time, urokinase sensitivity, platelet count, haematocrit, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity). 4. We conclude that in a conventional dose taken for 3 weeks mesterolone does not produce a consistent measurable prothrombotic state, nor does it enhance fibrinolysis.", "PMID": 760733} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_440", "title": "Prolactin responses to cimetidine.", "content": "1 An intravenous injection of cimetidine 400 mg to four healthy male subjects resulted in high blood concentrations of cimetidine and a rapid three-fold increase in serum prolactin. 2 This effect was prevented by pretreatment with bromocriptine. 3 No increase in prolactin followed a single oral dose of cimetidine 800 mg administered to a different group of healthy male subjects. The mean peak blood concentration of cimetidine was less than 20% of that achieved with 400 mg i.v. 4 Only isolated reports have been received of gynaecomastia or galactorrhoea occurring during cimetidine treatment. In three of seven cases studied there was associated hyperprolactinaemia. This may be an idiosyncratic response at the lower blood concentration of cimetidine associated with oral therapeutic dose regimens.", "contents": "Prolactin responses to cimetidine. 1 An intravenous injection of cimetidine 400 mg to four healthy male subjects resulted in high blood concentrations of cimetidine and a rapid three-fold increase in serum prolactin. 2 This effect was prevented by pretreatment with bromocriptine. 3 No increase in prolactin followed a single oral dose of cimetidine 800 mg administered to a different group of healthy male subjects. The mean peak blood concentration of cimetidine was less than 20% of that achieved with 400 mg i.v. 4 Only isolated reports have been received of gynaecomastia or galactorrhoea occurring during cimetidine treatment. In three of seven cases studied there was associated hyperprolactinaemia. This may be an idiosyncratic response at the lower blood concentration of cimetidine associated with oral therapeutic dose regimens.", "PMID": 760738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_441", "title": "The absorption of cimetidine before and during maintenance treatment with cimetidine and the influence of a meal on the absorption of cimetidine--studies in patients with peptic ulcer disease.", "content": "1 The absorption of a single oral dose of cimetidine taken on a fasting stomach or together with a meal was studied in 28 patients before and during 12 weeks treatment with cimetidine. 2 No significant changes in bioavailability were seen during treatment measured as the area under the blood concentration curve (AUC). 3 AUC after a single dose of 400 mg cimetidine was 2.05 times the area after a 200 mg dose. 4 There was a good correlation between AUC and the dose of cimetidine given corrected for body weight (r=0.89). 5 There was no difference in bioavailability if 200 mg cimetidine was taken on a fasting stomach or together with a beef steak meal. 6. During fasting conditions there was a peak in blood concentration at about one hour followed by a second unexplained peak during the third to fifth hour after dose administration. 7 With food the initial rise in blood concentrations was slower and there was only one peak occurring about 2 h after dose administration.", "contents": "The absorption of cimetidine before and during maintenance treatment with cimetidine and the influence of a meal on the absorption of cimetidine--studies in patients with peptic ulcer disease. 1 The absorption of a single oral dose of cimetidine taken on a fasting stomach or together with a meal was studied in 28 patients before and during 12 weeks treatment with cimetidine. 2 No significant changes in bioavailability were seen during treatment measured as the area under the blood concentration curve (AUC). 3 AUC after a single dose of 400 mg cimetidine was 2.05 times the area after a 200 mg dose. 4 There was a good correlation between AUC and the dose of cimetidine given corrected for body weight (r=0.89). 5 There was no difference in bioavailability if 200 mg cimetidine was taken on a fasting stomach or together with a beef steak meal. 6. During fasting conditions there was a peak in blood concentration at about one hour followed by a second unexplained peak during the third to fifth hour after dose administration. 7 With food the initial rise in blood concentrations was slower and there was only one peak occurring about 2 h after dose administration.", "PMID": 760739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_442", "title": "Impaired theophylline clearance in patients with cor pulmonale.", "content": "1 The relationship between serum theophylline concentration and daily dose was studied in 45 patients receiving aminophylline orally and in 36 patients receiving it by constant intravenous infusion. 2 Patients were categorized as uncomplicated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or COPD with cor pulmonale (CP). 3 Serum theophylline concentration relative to daily theophylline dose was significantly higher in patients with COPD plus CP than in patients with COPD alone. 4 Total body clearance of theophylline estimated from data obtained during constant intravenous infusion was significantly lower in COPD plus CP than in patients with COPD alone. 5 We conclude that reduced maintenance doses of theophylline are indicated in patients with COPD when complicated with CP.", "contents": "Impaired theophylline clearance in patients with cor pulmonale. 1 The relationship between serum theophylline concentration and daily dose was studied in 45 patients receiving aminophylline orally and in 36 patients receiving it by constant intravenous infusion. 2 Patients were categorized as uncomplicated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or COPD with cor pulmonale (CP). 3 Serum theophylline concentration relative to daily theophylline dose was significantly higher in patients with COPD plus CP than in patients with COPD alone. 4 Total body clearance of theophylline estimated from data obtained during constant intravenous infusion was significantly lower in COPD plus CP than in patients with COPD alone. 5 We conclude that reduced maintenance doses of theophylline are indicated in patients with COPD when complicated with CP.", "PMID": 760740} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_443", "title": "Impairment of hepatic drug metabolism in alcoholics.", "content": "1 The effects of chronic ethanol intake on the elimination kinetics of antipyrine were determined in nineteen male alcoholic subjects with comparison made to fourteen male volunteers. 2 Half-lives were longer and clearance values less in the alcoholic group. 3 Significant rank correlations were found between half-life and clearance when compared with various biochemical parameters of liver function measured in the plasma of the alcoholics. 4 These results show that a significant proportion of the alcoholics studied had impaired hepatic drug metabolizing capacity and that the activity of hepatic microsomal enzymes may be related to the extent of ethanol induced liver damage in these subjects.", "contents": "Impairment of hepatic drug metabolism in alcoholics. 1 The effects of chronic ethanol intake on the elimination kinetics of antipyrine were determined in nineteen male alcoholic subjects with comparison made to fourteen male volunteers. 2 Half-lives were longer and clearance values less in the alcoholic group. 3 Significant rank correlations were found between half-life and clearance when compared with various biochemical parameters of liver function measured in the plasma of the alcoholics. 4 These results show that a significant proportion of the alcoholics studied had impaired hepatic drug metabolizing capacity and that the activity of hepatic microsomal enzymes may be related to the extent of ethanol induced liver damage in these subjects.", "PMID": 760741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_444", "title": "The effect of ageing on the hepatic clearance of propranolol.", "content": "1. Plasma propranolol concentrations were measured in healthy old and young subjects following single oral doses of 40 mg, single i.v. infusions of 0.15 mg kg-1 and after nine 40 mg oral doses given four times daily. 2. In each of the three studies, the elderly had higher plasma propranolol concentrations than the young despite having similar apparent volumes of distribution. 3. The terminal half-life of propranolol was similar in the two groups after oral propranolol but significantly shorter in the young after intravenous dosing (P less than 0.05). 4. The bioavailability assessed from the concentration-time curves after i.v. and oral dosing was greater in the elderly (P less than 0.05). 5. The differences between peak concentrations observed in old and young subjects after single oral doses were maintained during chronic therapy and there was a correlation between the individual values obtained on multiple therapy with that after a single dose (P less than 0.05). 6. Ageing appears to affect the pharmacokinetics of propranolol in two ways. Firstly, distribution to the tissues appears to be slowed. Secondly, the increased bioavailability following oral administration suggests diminished intrinsic clearance by metabolism.", "contents": "The effect of ageing on the hepatic clearance of propranolol. 1. Plasma propranolol concentrations were measured in healthy old and young subjects following single oral doses of 40 mg, single i.v. infusions of 0.15 mg kg-1 and after nine 40 mg oral doses given four times daily. 2. In each of the three studies, the elderly had higher plasma propranolol concentrations than the young despite having similar apparent volumes of distribution. 3. The terminal half-life of propranolol was similar in the two groups after oral propranolol but significantly shorter in the young after intravenous dosing (P less than 0.05). 4. The bioavailability assessed from the concentration-time curves after i.v. and oral dosing was greater in the elderly (P less than 0.05). 5. The differences between peak concentrations observed in old and young subjects after single oral doses were maintained during chronic therapy and there was a correlation between the individual values obtained on multiple therapy with that after a single dose (P less than 0.05). 6. Ageing appears to affect the pharmacokinetics of propranolol in two ways. Firstly, distribution to the tissues appears to be slowed. Secondly, the increased bioavailability following oral administration suggests diminished intrinsic clearance by metabolism.", "PMID": 760742} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_445", "title": "Clonidine withdrawal. Mechanism and frequency of rebound hypertension.", "content": "1. The frequency and pathophysiology of the clonidine withdrawal syndrome was studied in fourteen hypertensive patients on chronic clonidine therapy. 2. After sudden cessation of clonidine (900 microgram daily) almost all of the patients showed an excessive increase of the heart rate and blood pressure. Seven of the fourteen patients had subjective symptoms, in three severe enough to require interruption of observation by therapeutic intervention 12 to 60 h after the last dose of clonidine. After clonidine withdrawal, NAE increased to abnormally high values in correlation with the blood pressure (P less than 0.01) and heart rate (P less than 0.001), whereas PRA even decreased initially, probably secondary to the rise of the blood pressure, and only rose, although not significantly, 48 h after withdrawal. PRA was not correlated with NAE, heart rate, or blood pressure. 3. It is concluded that the clonidine withdrawal phenomenon is a frequently occurring and potentially dangerous syndrome. Overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system is mainly responsible, without the mediation of the renin angiotensin system. This also explains our experience that adrenergic beta-receptor blocking drugs do not prevent the rise in BP, although they alleviate some of the symptoms.", "contents": "Clonidine withdrawal. Mechanism and frequency of rebound hypertension. 1. The frequency and pathophysiology of the clonidine withdrawal syndrome was studied in fourteen hypertensive patients on chronic clonidine therapy. 2. After sudden cessation of clonidine (900 microgram daily) almost all of the patients showed an excessive increase of the heart rate and blood pressure. Seven of the fourteen patients had subjective symptoms, in three severe enough to require interruption of observation by therapeutic intervention 12 to 60 h after the last dose of clonidine. After clonidine withdrawal, NAE increased to abnormally high values in correlation with the blood pressure (P less than 0.01) and heart rate (P less than 0.001), whereas PRA even decreased initially, probably secondary to the rise of the blood pressure, and only rose, although not significantly, 48 h after withdrawal. PRA was not correlated with NAE, heart rate, or blood pressure. 3. It is concluded that the clonidine withdrawal phenomenon is a frequently occurring and potentially dangerous syndrome. Overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system is mainly responsible, without the mediation of the renin angiotensin system. This also explains our experience that adrenergic beta-receptor blocking drugs do not prevent the rise in BP, although they alleviate some of the symptoms.", "PMID": 760743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_446", "title": "Metabolism of sulphadiazine in malnutrition.", "content": "1. The kinetics of sulphadiazine were studied in well-nourished and under-nourished subjects. 2. The metabolic clearance rate of a single dose of sulphadiazine given either orally or intravenously was faster in under-nourished subjects. 3. The plasma protein binding of the drug was found to be reduced in under-nourished subjects. 4. Blood concentrations (48 h and 72 h) of sulphadiazine tended to be low in the under-nourished as compared with well-nourished subjects after administration of multiple doses of the drug. 5. It is concluded that a revision in the dosage schedule may not be necessary in the treatment of under-nourished subjects with sulphadiazine, since the blood concentrations were higher than the reporte d minimum to combat infection.", "contents": "Metabolism of sulphadiazine in malnutrition. 1. The kinetics of sulphadiazine were studied in well-nourished and under-nourished subjects. 2. The metabolic clearance rate of a single dose of sulphadiazine given either orally or intravenously was faster in under-nourished subjects. 3. The plasma protein binding of the drug was found to be reduced in under-nourished subjects. 4. Blood concentrations (48 h and 72 h) of sulphadiazine tended to be low in the under-nourished as compared with well-nourished subjects after administration of multiple doses of the drug. 5. It is concluded that a revision in the dosage schedule may not be necessary in the treatment of under-nourished subjects with sulphadiazine, since the blood concentrations were higher than the reporte d minimum to combat infection.", "PMID": 760744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_447", "title": "Plasma levels of perphenazine and its major metabolites during simultaneous treatment with anticholinergic drugs.", "content": "1. A gas chromatographic method was applied to study plasma levels of perphenazine (PPZ) and its major metabolites in man before and during simultaneous antiparkinson treatment. Twenty-six psychotic patients received various forms of PPZ administration as well as antiparkinson drugs. 2. Biperidine (5 mg) was administered intravenously to each of five patients, who 5 days earlier had had a single dose of PPZ-enanthate i.m. No significant alterations in plasma concentrations of PPZ were observed. 3. In fourteen patients receiving oral PPZ treatment the plasma levels of PPZ and its metabolites did not deviate significantly from controls after addition of biperidine or orphenadine given for 3 weeks in fixed oral doses. 4. The ratio between PPZ plasma concentration measured 4 and 7 h after the morning dose was not affected by concomitant antiparkinson therapy. 5. It is concluded that no clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interaction takes place between PPZ and two generally used antiparkinson drugs during steady-state conditions in psychotic patients.", "contents": "Plasma levels of perphenazine and its major metabolites during simultaneous treatment with anticholinergic drugs. 1. A gas chromatographic method was applied to study plasma levels of perphenazine (PPZ) and its major metabolites in man before and during simultaneous antiparkinson treatment. Twenty-six psychotic patients received various forms of PPZ administration as well as antiparkinson drugs. 2. Biperidine (5 mg) was administered intravenously to each of five patients, who 5 days earlier had had a single dose of PPZ-enanthate i.m. No significant alterations in plasma concentrations of PPZ were observed. 3. In fourteen patients receiving oral PPZ treatment the plasma levels of PPZ and its metabolites did not deviate significantly from controls after addition of biperidine or orphenadine given for 3 weeks in fixed oral doses. 4. The ratio between PPZ plasma concentration measured 4 and 7 h after the morning dose was not affected by concomitant antiparkinson therapy. 5. It is concluded that no clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interaction takes place between PPZ and two generally used antiparkinson drugs during steady-state conditions in psychotic patients.", "PMID": 760745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_448", "title": "Effect of acute alcohol intoxication on the metabolism and plasma kinetics of chlordiazepoxide.", "content": "1. The metabolism and plasma kinetics of chlordiazepoxide have been determined in a group of volunteers and in a group of patients with acute alcohol intoxication. 2. Using the SAAM 26 non-linear least squares fitting programme, all chlordiazepoxide plasma concentration v time data following oral administration could be analysed in terms of a one-compartment open model with metabolic conversion of chlordiazepoxide to desmethylchlordiazepoxide. 3. Acutely intoxicated patients showed a prolonged elimination of chlordiazepoxide and a reduced clearance when compared with alcohol-free volunteers. The elimination of desmethylchlordiazepoxide, on the other hand, appeared to be faster in the alcoholics. 4. Alcohol exerts significant effects on the metabolism of chlordiazepoxide in acutely intoxicated patients.", "contents": "Effect of acute alcohol intoxication on the metabolism and plasma kinetics of chlordiazepoxide. 1. The metabolism and plasma kinetics of chlordiazepoxide have been determined in a group of volunteers and in a group of patients with acute alcohol intoxication. 2. Using the SAAM 26 non-linear least squares fitting programme, all chlordiazepoxide plasma concentration v time data following oral administration could be analysed in terms of a one-compartment open model with metabolic conversion of chlordiazepoxide to desmethylchlordiazepoxide. 3. Acutely intoxicated patients showed a prolonged elimination of chlordiazepoxide and a reduced clearance when compared with alcohol-free volunteers. The elimination of desmethylchlordiazepoxide, on the other hand, appeared to be faster in the alcoholics. 4. Alcohol exerts significant effects on the metabolism of chlordiazepoxide in acutely intoxicated patients.", "PMID": 760747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_449", "title": "Rate of onset of hypotensive effect of oral labetalol.", "content": "1 Labetalol caused a fall in blood pressure within 2 h or oral doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg in six hypertensive patients. 2 This fall which was dose-related was maximal by 3 h and was sustained when the drug was given in doses of 100 mg 8 hourly, 200 mg 8 hourly and 400 mg 8 hourly. 3 This rapid fall in pressure when labetalol is given by mouth which contrasts to that seen on administration of pure beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents is a valuable therapeutic property.", "contents": "Rate of onset of hypotensive effect of oral labetalol. 1 Labetalol caused a fall in blood pressure within 2 h or oral doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg in six hypertensive patients. 2 This fall which was dose-related was maximal by 3 h and was sustained when the drug was given in doses of 100 mg 8 hourly, 200 mg 8 hourly and 400 mg 8 hourly. 3 This rapid fall in pressure when labetalol is given by mouth which contrasts to that seen on administration of pure beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents is a valuable therapeutic property.", "PMID": 760748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_450", "title": "The effects of beta-adrenoceptor blockade on renin, angiotensin, aldosterone and catecholamines at rest and during exercise.", "content": "1 beta-adrenoceptor blockade with metoprolol provoked, both at rest and during exercise, a decrease of 'active' renin and angiotensin II together with an increase of 'inactive' renin and unchanged 'total' renin. The significant exercise-provoked increases in angiotensin II, plasma renin activity and 'active', 'inactive' and 'total' renin when on placebo, were reduced by metoprolol. 2 No significant change in serum sodium and potassium and in plasma aldosterone was found during beta-adrenoceptor blockade at rest. During exercise plasma aldosterone dropped significantly without any change in serum sodium or potassium. 3 Plasma noradrenaline increased significantly at rest on metoprolol. The increase in plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline during exercise was similar on placebo and on metoprolol.", "contents": "The effects of beta-adrenoceptor blockade on renin, angiotensin, aldosterone and catecholamines at rest and during exercise. 1 beta-adrenoceptor blockade with metoprolol provoked, both at rest and during exercise, a decrease of 'active' renin and angiotensin II together with an increase of 'inactive' renin and unchanged 'total' renin. The significant exercise-provoked increases in angiotensin II, plasma renin activity and 'active', 'inactive' and 'total' renin when on placebo, were reduced by metoprolol. 2 No significant change in serum sodium and potassium and in plasma aldosterone was found during beta-adrenoceptor blockade at rest. During exercise plasma aldosterone dropped significantly without any change in serum sodium or potassium. 3 Plasma noradrenaline increased significantly at rest on metoprolol. The increase in plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline during exercise was similar on placebo and on metoprolol.", "PMID": 760750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_451", "title": "Haemodynamic and electrocardiographic effects of intravenous disopyramide (rythmodan) following acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "1 The haemodynamic and electrocardiographic effects of intravenous disopyramide were studied in fifteen patients with acute myocardial infarction. 2 Five minutes after drug injection a rise in heart rate, aortic mean and diastolic pressures and systemic vascular resistence was noted which persisted for at least 30 min. A small increase in pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure (mean = 1.5 mm Hg) occurred at 5 min only and no significant change of cardiac output was found throughout the period of the study (1 h). 3 Surface electrocardiograms revealed transient prolongation of the P-R interval and a sustained increase in the QTc interval. 4 The haemodynamic changes suggest an anticholinergic effect of the drug. There was no definite evidence of a negative inotropic effect in this study, however, these peripheral haemodynamic measurements might not have revealed a modest negative inotropic effect. 5 The electrocardiographic changes are similar to those previously reported in normals and in patients without acute myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Haemodynamic and electrocardiographic effects of intravenous disopyramide (rythmodan) following acute myocardial infarction. 1 The haemodynamic and electrocardiographic effects of intravenous disopyramide were studied in fifteen patients with acute myocardial infarction. 2 Five minutes after drug injection a rise in heart rate, aortic mean and diastolic pressures and systemic vascular resistence was noted which persisted for at least 30 min. A small increase in pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure (mean = 1.5 mm Hg) occurred at 5 min only and no significant change of cardiac output was found throughout the period of the study (1 h). 3 Surface electrocardiograms revealed transient prolongation of the P-R interval and a sustained increase in the QTc interval. 4 The haemodynamic changes suggest an anticholinergic effect of the drug. There was no definite evidence of a negative inotropic effect in this study, however, these peripheral haemodynamic measurements might not have revealed a modest negative inotropic effect. 5 The electrocardiographic changes are similar to those previously reported in normals and in patients without acute myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 760751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_452", "title": "Measurement of activity of 5-HT antagonists following oral administration in man: a comparison of methysergide and BW501.", "content": "1 Oral doses of BW501 and methysergide administered to healthy volunteers inhibited the ex vivo platelet aggregation response to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). 2 Two volunteers received 100 mg BW501 and two received 10 mg BW501 and aggregation response was measured immediately pre drug and at 1,3 and 24 h post drug. After 100 mg BW501 the response to 5-HT was completely inhibited at all times studied, after 10 BW501 a response too small to measure was apparent at 24 h only. 3 In two randomised crossover studies subjects received either 2 mg BW501 (nine subjects), 2 mg methysergide (six subjects) or no drug (nine subjects) and aggregation response to 5-HT was measured immediately pre drug and at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 24 h post drug. 4 Methysergide (2 mg) produced complete inhibition of aggregation for 24 h after dosing; following 2 mg BW501 the aggregation response was significantly lower than on the control occasion at 1 (P less than 0.01), 2 (P less than 0.01) and 3 (P less than 0.05) h post drug. The response was inhibited by rr%, 31% and 16% at these times respectively. 5 It is suggested that this technique provides a suitable method for demonstration of activity of 5-HT antagonists after oral dosing in man.", "contents": "Measurement of activity of 5-HT antagonists following oral administration in man: a comparison of methysergide and BW501. 1 Oral doses of BW501 and methysergide administered to healthy volunteers inhibited the ex vivo platelet aggregation response to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). 2 Two volunteers received 100 mg BW501 and two received 10 mg BW501 and aggregation response was measured immediately pre drug and at 1,3 and 24 h post drug. After 100 mg BW501 the response to 5-HT was completely inhibited at all times studied, after 10 BW501 a response too small to measure was apparent at 24 h only. 3 In two randomised crossover studies subjects received either 2 mg BW501 (nine subjects), 2 mg methysergide (six subjects) or no drug (nine subjects) and aggregation response to 5-HT was measured immediately pre drug and at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 24 h post drug. 4 Methysergide (2 mg) produced complete inhibition of aggregation for 24 h after dosing; following 2 mg BW501 the aggregation response was significantly lower than on the control occasion at 1 (P less than 0.01), 2 (P less than 0.01) and 3 (P less than 0.05) h post drug. The response was inhibited by rr%, 31% and 16% at these times respectively. 5 It is suggested that this technique provides a suitable method for demonstration of activity of 5-HT antagonists after oral dosing in man.", "PMID": 760752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_453", "title": "Paracetamol disposition in normal subjects and in patients treated with antiepileptic drugs.", "content": "1 The serum concentration profile of paracetamol has been determined after administration of single 1000 mg intravenous and oral doses in six normal subjects and six epileptic patients on chronic antiepileptic drug therapy. The urinary excretion of free and conjugated paracetamol has also been determined. 2 Following intravenous administration, serum paracetamol concentration declined with first-order kinetics. Both elimination rate and total body clearance were higher in the epileptic patients, although in neither case was the difference statistically significant. 3 The oral bioavailability (mean +/- s.e. mean) was significantly lower in the epileptic patients than in the normal subjects (0.77 +/- 0.03 and 0.89 +/- 0.02 respectively, P less than 0.01), whereas the urinary excretion total (free+conjugated) paracetamol was almost identical in the two groups. 4 It is suggested that the lower bioavailability of paracetamol in the epileptic patients results from enhancement of first-pass metabolism, secondary to enzyme induction.", "contents": "Paracetamol disposition in normal subjects and in patients treated with antiepileptic drugs. 1 The serum concentration profile of paracetamol has been determined after administration of single 1000 mg intravenous and oral doses in six normal subjects and six epileptic patients on chronic antiepileptic drug therapy. The urinary excretion of free and conjugated paracetamol has also been determined. 2 Following intravenous administration, serum paracetamol concentration declined with first-order kinetics. Both elimination rate and total body clearance were higher in the epileptic patients, although in neither case was the difference statistically significant. 3 The oral bioavailability (mean +/- s.e. mean) was significantly lower in the epileptic patients than in the normal subjects (0.77 +/- 0.03 and 0.89 +/- 0.02 respectively, P less than 0.01), whereas the urinary excretion total (free+conjugated) paracetamol was almost identical in the two groups. 4 It is suggested that the lower bioavailability of paracetamol in the epileptic patients results from enhancement of first-pass metabolism, secondary to enzyme induction.", "PMID": 760753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_454", "title": "Serum, tear and salivary concentrations of methotrexate in man.", "content": "1. Methotrexate handling has been studied in four patients with psoriasis and eleven patients with neoplastic disease. 2. Methotrexate levels in serum, tears and saliva were measured by radioimmunoassay while protein binding studies were performed by continuous ultrafiltration. 3. There was a close correlation between methotrexate concentrations in tears and serum (P less than 0.001, r = 0.714). Parotid salivary and serum methotrexate levels were similarly correlated (P less than 0.001, r = 0.557) but not mixed salivary and serum levels (P greater than 0.1, r = 0.232). 4. The mean protein binding was 95.11% +/- 2.26 (s.d.) while the ratio of methotrexate levels in tears to the free serum methotrexate level was 1:1.04. The corresponding parotid salivary level: free serum level ratio was 1:18.11. 5. No relationship could be determined between the methotrexate levels in tears and conjunctivitis observed in some of the patients under study.", "contents": "Serum, tear and salivary concentrations of methotrexate in man. 1. Methotrexate handling has been studied in four patients with psoriasis and eleven patients with neoplastic disease. 2. Methotrexate levels in serum, tears and saliva were measured by radioimmunoassay while protein binding studies were performed by continuous ultrafiltration. 3. There was a close correlation between methotrexate concentrations in tears and serum (P less than 0.001, r = 0.714). Parotid salivary and serum methotrexate levels were similarly correlated (P less than 0.001, r = 0.557) but not mixed salivary and serum levels (P greater than 0.1, r = 0.232). 4. The mean protein binding was 95.11% +/- 2.26 (s.d.) while the ratio of methotrexate levels in tears to the free serum methotrexate level was 1:1.04. The corresponding parotid salivary level: free serum level ratio was 1:18.11. 5. No relationship could be determined between the methotrexate levels in tears and conjunctivitis observed in some of the patients under study.", "PMID": 760754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_455", "title": "Pupil responses to intravenous heroin (diamorphine) in dependent and non-dependent humans.", "content": "1. Intravenous heroin was administered to volunteers, in doses of 2.5 and 5 mg to non-dependent subjects and does of 1/6, 1/3 and 1/2 of their prescribed daily does of opiates to dependent subjects, and pupillary responses measured before and three times during the 2 h after injection. 2. Tolerance to the miotic effects of heroin in the dependent subjects was demonstrated--larger doses of heroin were needed to produce the same pupil response in dependent subjects than in non-dependent subjects and the duration of action was shorter in the former group. 3. The effect of concurrent oral methadone medication on pupil response to heroin was demonstrated. Subjects prescribed both methadone and heroin showed smaller control pupil diameters and a reduced dose effect to heroin than did subjects prescribed heroin alone.", "contents": "Pupil responses to intravenous heroin (diamorphine) in dependent and non-dependent humans. 1. Intravenous heroin was administered to volunteers, in doses of 2.5 and 5 mg to non-dependent subjects and does of 1/6, 1/3 and 1/2 of their prescribed daily does of opiates to dependent subjects, and pupillary responses measured before and three times during the 2 h after injection. 2. Tolerance to the miotic effects of heroin in the dependent subjects was demonstrated--larger doses of heroin were needed to produce the same pupil response in dependent subjects than in non-dependent subjects and the duration of action was shorter in the former group. 3. The effect of concurrent oral methadone medication on pupil response to heroin was demonstrated. Subjects prescribed both methadone and heroin showed smaller control pupil diameters and a reduced dose effect to heroin than did subjects prescribed heroin alone.", "PMID": 760755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_456", "title": "Amniocentesis with and without ultrasound guidance.", "content": "The increasing use of amniocentesis requires that the technique be made as safe as possible. The results of 284 amniocenteses done under ultrasound control are presented and compared with the results of 140 amniocenteses performed without ultrasound control. The use of ultrasound guidance increased the success rate from 80 to 99.6 per cent and decreased the incidence of feto-maternal haemorrhage from 8.5 to 2.8 per cent. The incidence of blood-stained amniotic fluid was reduced from 43.5 to 17.6 per cent. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed and the results interpreted as indicating that amniocentesis done with ultrasound guidance is a safer and less traumatic procedure.", "contents": "Amniocentesis with and without ultrasound guidance. The increasing use of amniocentesis requires that the technique be made as safe as possible. The results of 284 amniocenteses done under ultrasound control are presented and compared with the results of 140 amniocenteses performed without ultrasound control. The use of ultrasound guidance increased the success rate from 80 to 99.6 per cent and decreased the incidence of feto-maternal haemorrhage from 8.5 to 2.8 per cent. The incidence of blood-stained amniotic fluid was reduced from 43.5 to 17.6 per cent. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed and the results interpreted as indicating that amniocentesis done with ultrasound guidance is a safer and less traumatic procedure.", "PMID": 760758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_457", "title": "The incidence of different types of fetal movements during pregnancy.", "content": "In high risk pregnancies with severe fetal distress, a reduction of fetal movements may take place before fetal death occurs. This decrease is accompanied by a weakening of the fetal movements. One hundred and twenty pregnant women (310 recordings) between 20 and 41 weeks gestation recorded fetal movements and classified them into weak, strong, and rolling. The movements noted by the woman were correlated to those recorded by a fetal movements recorder. The rate of weak movements gradually decreased until the 36 to 37th week, while the strong and rolling movements increased. From the 36 to 37th week till term weak movements increased again with a decline in strong and rolling movements. Before fetal death, or in severe fetal distress with decreased total movements, the relative rate of weak movements increased. Reduction in daily total movements without a change in the distribution of the type of movement may not indicate fetal distress.", "contents": "The incidence of different types of fetal movements during pregnancy. In high risk pregnancies with severe fetal distress, a reduction of fetal movements may take place before fetal death occurs. This decrease is accompanied by a weakening of the fetal movements. One hundred and twenty pregnant women (310 recordings) between 20 and 41 weeks gestation recorded fetal movements and classified them into weak, strong, and rolling. The movements noted by the woman were correlated to those recorded by a fetal movements recorder. The rate of weak movements gradually decreased until the 36 to 37th week, while the strong and rolling movements increased. From the 36 to 37th week till term weak movements increased again with a decline in strong and rolling movements. Before fetal death, or in severe fetal distress with decreased total movements, the relative rate of weak movements increased. Reduction in daily total movements without a change in the distribution of the type of movement may not indicate fetal distress.", "PMID": 760759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_458", "title": "The recurrence rate and significance of low oestriol excretion in successive pregnancies.", "content": "A total of 440 women who had low oestriol excretion in a previous pregnancy was investigated by urinary oestriol assays in one or more subsequent pregnancies. The incidence of low oestriol excretion in the subsequent pregnancy was 29.1 per cent, or more than double that in the total obstetric population (13.4 per cent; p less than 0.001). Patients with persistently low oestriol excretion had a 40.8 per cent recurrence rate in subsequent pregnancies. When oestriol excretion was low in successive pregnancies it retained a significant association with increased incidences of stillbirths, neonatal deaths and fetal growth retardation. It was concluded that low oestriol excretion in a previous pregnancy is a definite indication to test fetoplacental function in subsequent pregnancies even when the clinical findings are normal.", "contents": "The recurrence rate and significance of low oestriol excretion in successive pregnancies. A total of 440 women who had low oestriol excretion in a previous pregnancy was investigated by urinary oestriol assays in one or more subsequent pregnancies. The incidence of low oestriol excretion in the subsequent pregnancy was 29.1 per cent, or more than double that in the total obstetric population (13.4 per cent; p less than 0.001). Patients with persistently low oestriol excretion had a 40.8 per cent recurrence rate in subsequent pregnancies. When oestriol excretion was low in successive pregnancies it retained a significant association with increased incidences of stillbirths, neonatal deaths and fetal growth retardation. It was concluded that low oestriol excretion in a previous pregnancy is a definite indication to test fetoplacental function in subsequent pregnancies even when the clinical findings are normal.", "PMID": 760760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_459", "title": "A survey of 59 triplet pregnancies.", "content": "The outcome of 59 triplet pregnancies from four hospitals was analyzed. The combined stillbirth and neonatal mortality rate was 232/1000. Preterm labour and birth order were the most important identifiable factors in relation to neonatal death. Birth weight within a triplet set and malpresentation were not related to neonatal death. Elective cervical suture appeared to be of no value in prolonging gestation.", "contents": "A survey of 59 triplet pregnancies. The outcome of 59 triplet pregnancies from four hospitals was analyzed. The combined stillbirth and neonatal mortality rate was 232/1000. Preterm labour and birth order were the most important identifiable factors in relation to neonatal death. Birth weight within a triplet set and malpresentation were not related to neonatal death. Elective cervical suture appeared to be of no value in prolonging gestation.", "PMID": 760761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_460", "title": "Melatonin in the maternal and umbilical circulations during human parturition.", "content": "The concentration of melatonin in maternal peripheral plasma was measured during late pregnancy, term and pre-term labour. There was a small increase in the mean concentration of melatonin during labour which was significant in term labour. Umbilical arterial and venous plasma, whether obtained at term, after spontaneous vaginal delivery or at Caesarean section, contained significantly greater concentrations of melatonin than maternal plasma. A significant arterio-venous difference was demonstrated for both groups of umbilical samples with raised venous levels after spontaneous vaginal delivery but higher arterial levels at Caesarean section.", "contents": "Melatonin in the maternal and umbilical circulations during human parturition. The concentration of melatonin in maternal peripheral plasma was measured during late pregnancy, term and pre-term labour. There was a small increase in the mean concentration of melatonin during labour which was significant in term labour. Umbilical arterial and venous plasma, whether obtained at term, after spontaneous vaginal delivery or at Caesarean section, contained significantly greater concentrations of melatonin than maternal plasma. A significant arterio-venous difference was demonstrated for both groups of umbilical samples with raised venous levels after spontaneous vaginal delivery but higher arterial levels at Caesarean section.", "PMID": 760762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_461", "title": "Prostaglandin E2 tablets used intravaginally for the induction of labour.", "content": "Prostaglandin E2 tablets were administered intravaginally 505 patients for the induction of labour, without amniotomy, using doses ranging from 1 to 5 mg as a single insertion. The advantages and limitations of this method of induction of labour are discussed.", "contents": "Prostaglandin E2 tablets used intravaginally for the induction of labour. Prostaglandin E2 tablets were administered intravaginally 505 patients for the induction of labour, without amniotomy, using doses ranging from 1 to 5 mg as a single insertion. The advantages and limitations of this method of induction of labour are discussed.", "PMID": 760763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_462", "title": "Normal patterns of fetal activity in the third trimester.", "content": "The incidence and frequency of fetal respiratory movements (FRM) and fetal trunk movements (FTM) were measured in 21 normal pregnancies between 28 and 39 weeks gestation. Fetal activity was assessed with a real-time ultrasound scanner and all observed movements were punched directly onto computer tape. Recordings were made for one hour in three over a 24 hour period, providing a total of 168 hours for analysis. The overall mean percentage incidence of FRM was 31 per cent at a mean breathing rate of 43 breaths/minute. The mean percentage incidence of FRM during the day (0800-1759 hours) was 37 per cent. The overall mean percentage incidence of FTM was 18 per cent with a mean of 29 moves per 30 minute observation period. The mean percentage incidence of FTM during the day (0800-1759 hours) was 16 per cent. There was a well-defined circadian variation in fetal activity with FRM peaking between 1900 and 2200 hours, and FTM between 2200 and 0100 hours. There was considerable variation in the amount of FRM and FTM recorded from hour to hour. Total fetal activity rarely fell below 10 per cent in any one recording period and this measurement may be a more useful clinical test of fetal well-being than FRM or FTM alone.", "contents": "Normal patterns of fetal activity in the third trimester. The incidence and frequency of fetal respiratory movements (FRM) and fetal trunk movements (FTM) were measured in 21 normal pregnancies between 28 and 39 weeks gestation. Fetal activity was assessed with a real-time ultrasound scanner and all observed movements were punched directly onto computer tape. Recordings were made for one hour in three over a 24 hour period, providing a total of 168 hours for analysis. The overall mean percentage incidence of FRM was 31 per cent at a mean breathing rate of 43 breaths/minute. The mean percentage incidence of FRM during the day (0800-1759 hours) was 37 per cent. The overall mean percentage incidence of FTM was 18 per cent with a mean of 29 moves per 30 minute observation period. The mean percentage incidence of FTM during the day (0800-1759 hours) was 16 per cent. There was a well-defined circadian variation in fetal activity with FRM peaking between 1900 and 2200 hours, and FTM between 2200 and 0100 hours. There was considerable variation in the amount of FRM and FTM recorded from hour to hour. Total fetal activity rarely fell below 10 per cent in any one recording period and this measurement may be a more useful clinical test of fetal well-being than FRM or FTM alone.", "PMID": 760764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_463", "title": "Studies on the maternal immune response to placental antigens: absence of a blocking factor from the blood of abortion-prone women.", "content": "The leucocyte migration-inhibition assay was employed to assess the reactivity of cells from postpartum women to placental antigen preparations. Leucocytes from normal primigravidae responded to their own placental antigens and displayed a limited degree of cross-reactivity with allogeneic preparations. Autologous plasma suppressed this antigen recognition and the factor responsible was shown to be an IgG antibody. Leucocytes from five women with spontaneous abortions also responded to autologous placental preparations but no immunosuppressive factor could be detected in their blood. It is suggested that target antigens for maternal lymphocytes are present on the placenta, a structure critical to the continuance of pregnancy, and that the presence of the blocking antibody is necessary for fetal well-being.", "contents": "Studies on the maternal immune response to placental antigens: absence of a blocking factor from the blood of abortion-prone women. The leucocyte migration-inhibition assay was employed to assess the reactivity of cells from postpartum women to placental antigen preparations. Leucocytes from normal primigravidae responded to their own placental antigens and displayed a limited degree of cross-reactivity with allogeneic preparations. Autologous plasma suppressed this antigen recognition and the factor responsible was shown to be an IgG antibody. Leucocytes from five women with spontaneous abortions also responded to autologous placental preparations but no immunosuppressive factor could be detected in their blood. It is suggested that target antigens for maternal lymphocytes are present on the placenta, a structure critical to the continuance of pregnancy, and that the presence of the blocking antibody is necessary for fetal well-being.", "PMID": 760765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_464", "title": "The effect of danazol on menorrhagia, coagulation mechanisms, haematological indices and body weight.", "content": "Eighteen patients with objective evidence of menorrhagia (more than 80 ml menstrual blood loss) were treated with danazol for twelve weeks. Danazol significantly reduced the menstrual blood loss from 231 +/- 39 ml (mean +/- SEM) to 135 +/- 33 ml in the first treatment month and the mean loss thereafter was only 21 ml and 3 ml for the second and third months respectively. A rapid increase in haemoglobin level and a reduction in the number of days of bleeding were also observed on danazol treatment. No important effect on the coagulation profile was observed during the period of study. Three months after stopping danazol, menstrual blood loss (103 +/- 27 ml) was still significantly less than the pre-treatment loss.", "contents": "The effect of danazol on menorrhagia, coagulation mechanisms, haematological indices and body weight. Eighteen patients with objective evidence of menorrhagia (more than 80 ml menstrual blood loss) were treated with danazol for twelve weeks. Danazol significantly reduced the menstrual blood loss from 231 +/- 39 ml (mean +/- SEM) to 135 +/- 33 ml in the first treatment month and the mean loss thereafter was only 21 ml and 3 ml for the second and third months respectively. A rapid increase in haemoglobin level and a reduction in the number of days of bleeding were also observed on danazol treatment. No important effect on the coagulation profile was observed during the period of study. Three months after stopping danazol, menstrual blood loss (103 +/- 27 ml) was still significantly less than the pre-treatment loss.", "PMID": 760766} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_465", "title": "Plasma ferritin levels as an index of iron deficiency in women using intrauterine devices.", "content": "Forty-seven women were studied before and for one year after insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD). The menstrual blood loss increased in 44 subjects (94 per cent), and this was related to the surface area of the IUCD. Plasma ferritin levels in the iron deficient range (below 16 microgram/l) were present in 9 subjects (19 per cent) before insertion of the IUCD, whereas by the end of one year, 21 subjects (45 per cent) had reached these levels. The incidence of depressed ferritin levels was highest in subjects with a monthly blood loss exceeding 80 ml. The haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume measurements declined progressively, but were less sensitive predictors of iron deficiency. These findings indicate the need to monitor iron status and administer oral iron replacement therapy in subjects with an IUCD.", "contents": "Plasma ferritin levels as an index of iron deficiency in women using intrauterine devices. Forty-seven women were studied before and for one year after insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD). The menstrual blood loss increased in 44 subjects (94 per cent), and this was related to the surface area of the IUCD. Plasma ferritin levels in the iron deficient range (below 16 microgram/l) were present in 9 subjects (19 per cent) before insertion of the IUCD, whereas by the end of one year, 21 subjects (45 per cent) had reached these levels. The incidence of depressed ferritin levels was highest in subjects with a monthly blood loss exceeding 80 ml. The haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume measurements declined progressively, but were less sensitive predictors of iron deficiency. These findings indicate the need to monitor iron status and administer oral iron replacement therapy in subjects with an IUCD.", "PMID": 760767} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_466", "title": "Plasma levels of oestrone and oestradiol-17beta in postmenopausal women.", "content": "The plasma oestrone and oestradiol levels of 34 postmenopausal women were studied and related to various of their other characteristics. The plasma oestrone and oestradiol-17beta levels (Mean +/- SE) were, respectively, 32.09 +/- 4.6 pg/ml and 13.9 +/- 3.1 pg/ml. There was a highly significant negative linear association between the years elapsed since the menopause and oestrone levels (P less than 0.001) and oestradiol levels (P less than 0.02). Both plasma oestrone and oestradiol levels were directly related to weight, but the relation was only significant for oestradiol. A significant positive correlation was found between vaginal bleeding and excess weight. The degree of oestrogenicity of the vaginal smear was directly related to the levels of oestrone (P less than 0.08) and oestradiol (P less than 0.005) and to the degree of endometrial hyperplasia (P less than 0.02).", "contents": "Plasma levels of oestrone and oestradiol-17beta in postmenopausal women. The plasma oestrone and oestradiol levels of 34 postmenopausal women were studied and related to various of their other characteristics. The plasma oestrone and oestradiol-17beta levels (Mean +/- SE) were, respectively, 32.09 +/- 4.6 pg/ml and 13.9 +/- 3.1 pg/ml. There was a highly significant negative linear association between the years elapsed since the menopause and oestrone levels (P less than 0.001) and oestradiol levels (P less than 0.02). Both plasma oestrone and oestradiol levels were directly related to weight, but the relation was only significant for oestradiol. A significant positive correlation was found between vaginal bleeding and excess weight. The degree of oestrogenicity of the vaginal smear was directly related to the levels of oestrone (P less than 0.08) and oestradiol (P less than 0.005) and to the degree of endometrial hyperplasia (P less than 0.02).", "PMID": 760768} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_467", "title": "Oestrogen-gonadotrophin feedback abnormalities in hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea demonstrated by the response to clomiphene administration.", "content": "Clomiphene was administered to 16 patients with elevated serum prolactin levels in doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/day for five days in succeeding months and total urinary oestrogens estimated on days 0, 5, 8, 12 and 15 following commencement of treatment. The responses were compared with six patients who were amenorrhoeic but had normal serum prolactin levels and absent positive feedback to oestrogen. The increased outputs of oestrogens were similar in the two groups. In the hyperprolactinaemic group 5 out of 16 subjects showed evidence of ovulation whilst the remainder showed a secondary failure of response. Six subjects who failed to ovulate were treated with clomiphene and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and ovulations were induced in 31 out of 34 treatment cycles but no pregnancies were achieved. The responses to clomiphene therapy in the hyperprolactinaemic subjects were compared to the assessment of positive feedback mechanisms by means of oestrogen provocation and oestrogen amplification tests and good correlation was obtained. Only those with evidence of positive feedback to these tests were likely to ovulate on clomiphene.", "contents": "Oestrogen-gonadotrophin feedback abnormalities in hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea demonstrated by the response to clomiphene administration. Clomiphene was administered to 16 patients with elevated serum prolactin levels in doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/day for five days in succeeding months and total urinary oestrogens estimated on days 0, 5, 8, 12 and 15 following commencement of treatment. The responses were compared with six patients who were amenorrhoeic but had normal serum prolactin levels and absent positive feedback to oestrogen. The increased outputs of oestrogens were similar in the two groups. In the hyperprolactinaemic group 5 out of 16 subjects showed evidence of ovulation whilst the remainder showed a secondary failure of response. Six subjects who failed to ovulate were treated with clomiphene and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and ovulations were induced in 31 out of 34 treatment cycles but no pregnancies were achieved. The responses to clomiphene therapy in the hyperprolactinaemic subjects were compared to the assessment of positive feedback mechanisms by means of oestrogen provocation and oestrogen amplification tests and good correlation was obtained. Only those with evidence of positive feedback to these tests were likely to ovulate on clomiphene.", "PMID": 760769} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_468", "title": "Management of acute primary angle-closure glaucoma: a long-term follow-up of the results of peripheral iridectomy used as an initial procedure.", "content": "For the past 12 years peripheral iridectomy has been used as the initial surgical procedure after an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma. The operation has been performed 2 to 5 days after the pressure has been controlled medically and has been followed routinely by prophylactic peripheral iridectomy in the fellow eye. Peripheral iridectomy for primary acute angle-closure glaucoma controlled the condition without any need for further medical or surgical therapy in 72% of cases. Careful and frequent follow-up within the first 4 postoperative months is essential to prevent further field loss, which can occur very rapidly if the pressure is not adequately controlled. If the pressure remains uncontrolled, further surgery should not be delayed. It was impossible to decide which patients would eventually need trabeculectomy when they first attended in the acute attack. Peripheral iridectomy as a prophylactic procedure was entirely effective in preventing an acute angle-closure attack in the fellow eye.", "contents": "Management of acute primary angle-closure glaucoma: a long-term follow-up of the results of peripheral iridectomy used as an initial procedure. For the past 12 years peripheral iridectomy has been used as the initial surgical procedure after an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma. The operation has been performed 2 to 5 days after the pressure has been controlled medically and has been followed routinely by prophylactic peripheral iridectomy in the fellow eye. Peripheral iridectomy for primary acute angle-closure glaucoma controlled the condition without any need for further medical or surgical therapy in 72% of cases. Careful and frequent follow-up within the first 4 postoperative months is essential to prevent further field loss, which can occur very rapidly if the pressure is not adequately controlled. If the pressure remains uncontrolled, further surgery should not be delayed. It was impossible to decide which patients would eventually need trabeculectomy when they first attended in the acute attack. Peripheral iridectomy as a prophylactic procedure was entirely effective in preventing an acute angle-closure attack in the fellow eye.", "PMID": 760771} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_469", "title": "Management of chronic or intermittent primary angle-closure glaucoma: a long-term follow-up of the results of peripheral iridectomy used as an initial procedure.", "content": "Patients presenting with either intermittent closed-angle glaucoma which gave to subacute congestive attacks or with chronic angle-closure glaucoma were followed up over 12 years. Peripheral iridectomy was performed as a primary procedure on these patients during this period. It was found to be a highly effective procedure in those patients without field loss at the time of presentation, but because of the figures presented here we would recommend that any patient presenting with angle closure and disc and field changes should have a trabeculectomy performed as a primary procedure. We found no way of predicting which patients would require further surgery from the history, initial intraocular pressure, or the gonioscopic findings. No patient in this series developed malignant glaucoma after trabeculectomy although it occurred in 2 eyes after peripheral iridectomy.", "contents": "Management of chronic or intermittent primary angle-closure glaucoma: a long-term follow-up of the results of peripheral iridectomy used as an initial procedure. Patients presenting with either intermittent closed-angle glaucoma which gave to subacute congestive attacks or with chronic angle-closure glaucoma were followed up over 12 years. Peripheral iridectomy was performed as a primary procedure on these patients during this period. It was found to be a highly effective procedure in those patients without field loss at the time of presentation, but because of the figures presented here we would recommend that any patient presenting with angle closure and disc and field changes should have a trabeculectomy performed as a primary procedure. We found no way of predicting which patients would require further surgery from the history, initial intraocular pressure, or the gonioscopic findings. No patient in this series developed malignant glaucoma after trabeculectomy although it occurred in 2 eyes after peripheral iridectomy.", "PMID": 760772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_470", "title": "Acute aphakic pupil block glaucoma: an alternative surgical approach.", "content": "In a series of 7 cases of acute aphakic pupil block glaucoma a surgical approach designed to break adhesions between the iris and the anterior hyaloid face was uniformly successful. Reasons for the success of the method are discussed and comparisons made with other surgical approaches.", "contents": "Acute aphakic pupil block glaucoma: an alternative surgical approach. In a series of 7 cases of acute aphakic pupil block glaucoma a surgical approach designed to break adhesions between the iris and the anterior hyaloid face was uniformly successful. Reasons for the success of the method are discussed and comparisons made with other surgical approaches.", "PMID": 760773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_471", "title": "Trabeculotomy in late onset congenital glaucoma.", "content": "All eyes of children above the age of 1 year referred because of glaucoma were treated with trabeculotomy as the primary procedure. The surgery was modified by the excision of a rectangle of tissue in the deep scleral bed under the scleral flap instead of the classical radial incision. This serves to exteriorise Schlemm's canal while thinning the scleral tissue, without, however, entering the anterior chamber. A total of 7 eyes in 5 children between the ages of 1 and 9 years were operated upon. In 6 of the 7 eyes intraocular pressure has remained under 20 mmHg without treatment after follow-up of between 18 months and 4 years. In the seventh eye intraocular pressure was controlled for 2 years but has since required epinephrine drops twice daily for the maintenance of pressure below 20 mmHg. In 4 of the 7 eyes flat, diffuse conjunctival filtering blebs are present, but no complications have been encountered. We consider that trabeculotomy may be recommended for children with late-onset congenital glaucoma.", "contents": "Trabeculotomy in late onset congenital glaucoma. All eyes of children above the age of 1 year referred because of glaucoma were treated with trabeculotomy as the primary procedure. The surgery was modified by the excision of a rectangle of tissue in the deep scleral bed under the scleral flap instead of the classical radial incision. This serves to exteriorise Schlemm's canal while thinning the scleral tissue, without, however, entering the anterior chamber. A total of 7 eyes in 5 children between the ages of 1 and 9 years were operated upon. In 6 of the 7 eyes intraocular pressure has remained under 20 mmHg without treatment after follow-up of between 18 months and 4 years. In the seventh eye intraocular pressure was controlled for 2 years but has since required epinephrine drops twice daily for the maintenance of pressure below 20 mmHg. In 4 of the 7 eyes flat, diffuse conjunctival filtering blebs are present, but no complications have been encountered. We consider that trabeculotomy may be recommended for children with late-onset congenital glaucoma.", "PMID": 760774} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_472", "title": "Rieger's syndrome with pericentric inversion of chromosome 6.", "content": "Pericentric inversion of chromosome 6 (6p+q-) was found in a girl with Rieger's syndrome and in her father. The only ocular signs in the father were prominent iris mounds and Schwalbe's line. The association of chromosomal anomalies with Rieger's syndrome indicates the need for a chromosome banding test in familial or sporadic patients with the syndrome and in patients with mild anomalies of the anterior chamber angle.", "contents": "Rieger's syndrome with pericentric inversion of chromosome 6. Pericentric inversion of chromosome 6 (6p+q-) was found in a girl with Rieger's syndrome and in her father. The only ocular signs in the father were prominent iris mounds and Schwalbe's line. The association of chromosomal anomalies with Rieger's syndrome indicates the need for a chromosome banding test in familial or sporadic patients with the syndrome and in patients with mild anomalies of the anterior chamber angle.", "PMID": 760775} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_473", "title": "The trabecular wall of Schlemm's canal: a study of the effects of pilocarpine by scanning electron microscopy.", "content": "The scanning electron microscope was used to study the endothelium lining the trabecular wall of Schelemm's canal in 10 human eyes enucleated in treatment of choroidal melanomas. The eyes of 5 patients had been treated before enucleated with pilocarpine drops, and the remaining 5 were untreated and served as controls. In the pilocarpine-treated tissue there was an increased prominence of cellular bulges in the endothelial monolayer, and the endothelial pores were both larger and more frequent than in the untreated eyes. By the use of Poiseuille's formula it was calculated that the resistance offered by the pore system to the drainage of aqueous in the pilocarpine-treated group was approximately one-ninth of that in the control series.", "contents": "The trabecular wall of Schlemm's canal: a study of the effects of pilocarpine by scanning electron microscopy. The scanning electron microscope was used to study the endothelium lining the trabecular wall of Schelemm's canal in 10 human eyes enucleated in treatment of choroidal melanomas. The eyes of 5 patients had been treated before enucleated with pilocarpine drops, and the remaining 5 were untreated and served as controls. In the pilocarpine-treated tissue there was an increased prominence of cellular bulges in the endothelial monolayer, and the endothelial pores were both larger and more frequent than in the untreated eyes. By the use of Poiseuille's formula it was calculated that the resistance offered by the pore system to the drainage of aqueous in the pilocarpine-treated group was approximately one-ninth of that in the control series.", "PMID": 760777} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_474", "title": "The relationship between the lifetime and yield of the 735 nm fluorescence of chloroplasts at low temperatures.", "content": "The lifetime and relative yield of the 735 nm fluorescence of chloroplasts, over a range of low temperatures (-60 to -196 degrees C) where the yield of fluorescence changes markedly, were found to be directly proportional. It is concluded that the species of chlorophyll responsible for the 735 nm fluorescence, C-705, is present over the entire temperature range but is less fluorescent at the higher temperatures because of greater energy transfer to P-700. It is also concluded from attempts to measure the rise-time of the 735 nm fluorescence at -196 degrees C that the rise-time is less than 50 ps.", "contents": "The relationship between the lifetime and yield of the 735 nm fluorescence of chloroplasts at low temperatures. The lifetime and relative yield of the 735 nm fluorescence of chloroplasts, over a range of low temperatures (-60 to -196 degrees C) where the yield of fluorescence changes markedly, were found to be directly proportional. It is concluded that the species of chlorophyll responsible for the 735 nm fluorescence, C-705, is present over the entire temperature range but is less fluorescent at the higher temperatures because of greater energy transfer to P-700. It is also concluded from attempts to measure the rise-time of the 735 nm fluorescence at -196 degrees C that the rise-time is less than 50 ps.", "PMID": 760782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_475", "title": "Dichlorophenylurea-resistant oxygen evolution in Chlorella after cerulenin treatment.", "content": "Fluorescence spectra at 77 K, oxygen evolution at 30 degrees C and delayed fluorescence at 25 degrees C were measured in Chlorella pyrenoidosa cultures with and without cerulenin and subsequent 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl-urea (DCMU) treatment, respectively. In pure algal cultures the oxygen evolution was inhibited by DCMU and the long-time component of fluorescence was highly influenced by DCMU, as expected. In contrast, both oxygen evolution and delayed fluorescence became DCMU-resistant in cerulenin-treated cultures. The DCMU-resistance is correlated with a change in the fatty acid distribution of the thylakoid membrane, which also leads to changes in the prompt fluorescence. Cerulenin appears to be a promising new tool of diagnostics for the hitherto unsatisfactorily understood processes of oxygen evolution in photosynthesizing organisms.", "contents": "Dichlorophenylurea-resistant oxygen evolution in Chlorella after cerulenin treatment. Fluorescence spectra at 77 K, oxygen evolution at 30 degrees C and delayed fluorescence at 25 degrees C were measured in Chlorella pyrenoidosa cultures with and without cerulenin and subsequent 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl-urea (DCMU) treatment, respectively. In pure algal cultures the oxygen evolution was inhibited by DCMU and the long-time component of fluorescence was highly influenced by DCMU, as expected. In contrast, both oxygen evolution and delayed fluorescence became DCMU-resistant in cerulenin-treated cultures. The DCMU-resistance is correlated with a change in the fatty acid distribution of the thylakoid membrane, which also leads to changes in the prompt fluorescence. Cerulenin appears to be a promising new tool of diagnostics for the hitherto unsatisfactorily understood processes of oxygen evolution in photosynthesizing organisms.", "PMID": 760783} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_476", "title": "Fractionation of membranes from Acholeplasma laidlawii A on the basis of their surface properties by partition in two-polymer aqueous phase systems.", "content": "Acholeplasma laidlawii A consists of pleomorphic cell clusters surrounded by a single membrane. When lysed, a cell gives rise to several membrane fragments which cannot be separated from each other by isopycnic sucrose gradient centrifugation. A heterogeneous lateral organization of the cell membranes was detected by countercurrent distribution of membrane fragments in a two-polymer aqueous phase system. It revealed that the membranes consist of at least two subpopulations with respect to surface properties. Changes in the fatty acid and cholesterol content of the membranes revealed that the resolution of different subpopulations was predominantly due to a critical ratio of monoglucosyldiglyceride to diglucosyldiglyceride. The heterogeneity of the membrane probably depends on lipid-lipid and lipid-protein steric interactions. Charged lipids, an apolar monoglucolipid and the ratio between lipids and proteins also affect membrane partition. The differences in the subpopulations were further reflected by different specific activities of NADH dehydrogenase, NADH oxidase and ATPase. These activities varied independently. Minor quantitative differences in the protein patterns of different subpopulations were apparent. The origin and the preservation of the membrane subpopulations are discussed in terms of lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions, their age and energy metabolism.", "contents": "Fractionation of membranes from Acholeplasma laidlawii A on the basis of their surface properties by partition in two-polymer aqueous phase systems. Acholeplasma laidlawii A consists of pleomorphic cell clusters surrounded by a single membrane. When lysed, a cell gives rise to several membrane fragments which cannot be separated from each other by isopycnic sucrose gradient centrifugation. A heterogeneous lateral organization of the cell membranes was detected by countercurrent distribution of membrane fragments in a two-polymer aqueous phase system. It revealed that the membranes consist of at least two subpopulations with respect to surface properties. Changes in the fatty acid and cholesterol content of the membranes revealed that the resolution of different subpopulations was predominantly due to a critical ratio of monoglucosyldiglyceride to diglucosyldiglyceride. The heterogeneity of the membrane probably depends on lipid-lipid and lipid-protein steric interactions. Charged lipids, an apolar monoglucolipid and the ratio between lipids and proteins also affect membrane partition. The differences in the subpopulations were further reflected by different specific activities of NADH dehydrogenase, NADH oxidase and ATPase. These activities varied independently. Minor quantitative differences in the protein patterns of different subpopulations were apparent. The origin and the preservation of the membrane subpopulations are discussed in terms of lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions, their age and energy metabolism.", "PMID": 760784} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_477", "title": "Two-dimensional electrophoresis of surface glycoproteins of normal BHK cells and ricin resistant mutants.", "content": "The surface glycoproteins of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells were iodinated by lactoperoxidase and submitted to a two-dimensional electrophoresis procedure involving isoelectric focusing in the first dimension and SDS gel electrophoresis in the second dimension. After autoradiography a complex but reproducible pattern was obtained. The technique was then applied to the study of three ricin-resistant mutant clones with reduced rates of cell-cell and/or cell-substratum adhesion. Abnormal patterns were observed in all three mutant clones indicating different mechanisms of ricin resistance and identifying glycoproteins which may be involved in cellular interactions.", "contents": "Two-dimensional electrophoresis of surface glycoproteins of normal BHK cells and ricin resistant mutants. The surface glycoproteins of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells were iodinated by lactoperoxidase and submitted to a two-dimensional electrophoresis procedure involving isoelectric focusing in the first dimension and SDS gel electrophoresis in the second dimension. After autoradiography a complex but reproducible pattern was obtained. The technique was then applied to the study of three ricin-resistant mutant clones with reduced rates of cell-cell and/or cell-substratum adhesion. Abnormal patterns were observed in all three mutant clones indicating different mechanisms of ricin resistance and identifying glycoproteins which may be involved in cellular interactions.", "PMID": 760785} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_478", "title": "Role of unstirred layer in intestinal absorption of phenylalanine in vivo.", "content": "The appearance rate of L- and D-phenylalanine in the venous blood of rat jejunal loops in vivo is increased up to 60% if the intraluminal solution is mixed more efficiently by the simultaneous perfusion of air. The effect decreases as the luminal concentration is increased to 100 mmol/l. Thus, the apparent Michaelis constants are by 50% lower in the case of the reduced unstirred layer (26 to 17 for L- and 9 to 6 mmol/l for D-phenylalanine). The enhancement of the absorption and the reduction of the Michaelis constants can be attributed to the reduction of the effective unstirred layer thickness by about 400--500 micrometer.", "contents": "Role of unstirred layer in intestinal absorption of phenylalanine in vivo. The appearance rate of L- and D-phenylalanine in the venous blood of rat jejunal loops in vivo is increased up to 60% if the intraluminal solution is mixed more efficiently by the simultaneous perfusion of air. The effect decreases as the luminal concentration is increased to 100 mmol/l. Thus, the apparent Michaelis constants are by 50% lower in the case of the reduced unstirred layer (26 to 17 for L- and 9 to 6 mmol/l for D-phenylalanine). The enhancement of the absorption and the reduction of the Michaelis constants can be attributed to the reduction of the effective unstirred layer thickness by about 400--500 micrometer.", "PMID": 760786} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_479", "title": "Effect of membrane cholesterol enrichment or depletion on the partition behavior of human erythrocytes in dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous phases.", "content": "It has previously been shown that by appropriate manipulation of polymer concentrations and ionic composition and concentration one can select whether charge-associated or lipid-related membrane surface properties are reflected by cell partition in dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous two-phase systems (Walter, H. (1977) in Methods of Cell Separation ((Catsimpoolas, N., ed.), Vol. 1, pp. 307-354, Plenum Press, New York). In the current experiments we have studied that partition behavior of human erythrocytes and found that not only lipid-related but also charge-associated membrane properties are altered as a consequence of cholesterol-enrichment or -depletion. Results further indicate that, just as cell partition in charged phase systems reflects membrane charge-associated properties not readily measured by means other than partition (Brooks, D.E., Seaman, G.V.F. and Walter, H. (1971) Nat. New Biol. 234, 61--62; Walter, H., Tung, R., Jackson, L.J. and Seaman, G.V.F. (1972) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 48, 565--571), cell partition in uncharged phases reflects membrane lipid-related properties also not readily measured by other means.", "contents": "Effect of membrane cholesterol enrichment or depletion on the partition behavior of human erythrocytes in dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous phases. It has previously been shown that by appropriate manipulation of polymer concentrations and ionic composition and concentration one can select whether charge-associated or lipid-related membrane surface properties are reflected by cell partition in dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous two-phase systems (Walter, H. (1977) in Methods of Cell Separation ((Catsimpoolas, N., ed.), Vol. 1, pp. 307-354, Plenum Press, New York). In the current experiments we have studied that partition behavior of human erythrocytes and found that not only lipid-related but also charge-associated membrane properties are altered as a consequence of cholesterol-enrichment or -depletion. Results further indicate that, just as cell partition in charged phase systems reflects membrane charge-associated properties not readily measured by means other than partition (Brooks, D.E., Seaman, G.V.F. and Walter, H. (1971) Nat. New Biol. 234, 61--62; Walter, H., Tung, R., Jackson, L.J. and Seaman, G.V.F. (1972) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 48, 565--571), cell partition in uncharged phases reflects membrane lipid-related properties also not readily measured by other means.", "PMID": 760787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_480", "title": "Lipid reorganization in biological membranes: a study by Fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy.", "content": "The first application of infrared difference spectroscopy to the study of a natural biological membrane is described. Perdeuterated palmitic acid was incorporated biosynthetically into the lipids of the plasma membrane of Acholeplasma laidlawii and the temperature-induced structural rearrangement of the endogenous lipids monitored via their C--2H vibrational modes. Changes in infrared parameters were studied between 0 and 50 degrees C and contrasted with those occurring in the model membrane system of 1,2-diperdeuteropalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The phase transition of the biomembrane occurs over a 20 degrees C range with the temperature of the maximum rate of change of absorbance coinciding with that of the sharp phase transition of the model membrane.", "contents": "Lipid reorganization in biological membranes: a study by Fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy. The first application of infrared difference spectroscopy to the study of a natural biological membrane is described. Perdeuterated palmitic acid was incorporated biosynthetically into the lipids of the plasma membrane of Acholeplasma laidlawii and the temperature-induced structural rearrangement of the endogenous lipids monitored via their C--2H vibrational modes. Changes in infrared parameters were studied between 0 and 50 degrees C and contrasted with those occurring in the model membrane system of 1,2-diperdeuteropalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The phase transition of the biomembrane occurs over a 20 degrees C range with the temperature of the maximum rate of change of absorbance coinciding with that of the sharp phase transition of the model membrane.", "PMID": 760788} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_481", "title": "Characterization of the membrane fraction isolated by the fluorescein mercuric acetate technique of Barland and Schroeder.", "content": "Using scanning electron microscopy we have demonstrated that tha membrane fraction isolated by the fluorescein mercuric acetate technique of Barland and Schroeder (Barland, P. and Schroeder, E.A. (1975) J. Cell Biol. 45, 662-668) represents a topologically distinct membrane which circumscribes the cell nucleus. Our data suggest that not all the cells within a non-synchronized cell population release a membrane fraction after treatment according to the technique of Barland and Schroeder, but rather that the efficiency of membrane release achieved using this preparative technique is dependent on the morphology of individual cells. Our work has also demonstrated that the peptide composition of the membrane fraction isolated by the technique of Barland and Schroeder differs from the peptide composition of the plasma membrane-enriched fraction isolated by the technique of Brunette and Till (Brunette, D.M. and Till, J.E. (1971) J. Membrane Biol. 5, 215-224). This difference in peptide composition is particularly noticeable among the higher molecular weight proteins, glycoproteins and iodineateable membrane components. The data which we have accumulated suggest that the compositional differences noted between the two membrane isolates do not result from differential extraction of membrane components during the ZnCl2-fluorescein mercuric acetate treatments required in the isolation technique originally described by Barland and Schroeder. However, our data do clearly demonstrate that the membrane isolation technique of Barland and Schroeder cannot be used to study the general composition of the plasma membrane.", "contents": "Characterization of the membrane fraction isolated by the fluorescein mercuric acetate technique of Barland and Schroeder. Using scanning electron microscopy we have demonstrated that tha membrane fraction isolated by the fluorescein mercuric acetate technique of Barland and Schroeder (Barland, P. and Schroeder, E.A. (1975) J. Cell Biol. 45, 662-668) represents a topologically distinct membrane which circumscribes the cell nucleus. Our data suggest that not all the cells within a non-synchronized cell population release a membrane fraction after treatment according to the technique of Barland and Schroeder, but rather that the efficiency of membrane release achieved using this preparative technique is dependent on the morphology of individual cells. Our work has also demonstrated that the peptide composition of the membrane fraction isolated by the technique of Barland and Schroeder differs from the peptide composition of the plasma membrane-enriched fraction isolated by the technique of Brunette and Till (Brunette, D.M. and Till, J.E. (1971) J. Membrane Biol. 5, 215-224). This difference in peptide composition is particularly noticeable among the higher molecular weight proteins, glycoproteins and iodineateable membrane components. The data which we have accumulated suggest that the compositional differences noted between the two membrane isolates do not result from differential extraction of membrane components during the ZnCl2-fluorescein mercuric acetate treatments required in the isolation technique originally described by Barland and Schroeder. However, our data do clearly demonstrate that the membrane isolation technique of Barland and Schroeder cannot be used to study the general composition of the plasma membrane.", "PMID": 760789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_482", "title": "Can regular solution theory be applied to lipid bilayer membranes?", "content": "Direct measurement of the partition coefficient of n-hexane into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol bilayers showed that (a) isotropic liquids are not good models for lipid bilayers and (b), Regular Solution Theory cannot, in general, be applied to lipid bilayer membranes at temperatures above their phase transition. Theoretical and experimental evidence given.", "contents": "Can regular solution theory be applied to lipid bilayer membranes? Direct measurement of the partition coefficient of n-hexane into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol bilayers showed that (a) isotropic liquids are not good models for lipid bilayers and (b), Regular Solution Theory cannot, in general, be applied to lipid bilayer membranes at temperatures above their phase transition. Theoretical and experimental evidence given.", "PMID": 760790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_483", "title": "Phase properties of senescing plant membranes: role of the neutral lipids.", "content": "Wide-angle X-ray diffraction studies have indicated that rough and smooth microsomal membranes from bean cotyledons acquire increasing proportions of gel phase lipid at physiological temperature as the tissue senesces. In addition, for both types of membrane the lipid phase transition temperature, defined as the highest temperature at which gel phase lipid can be detected, progressively rises with advancing senescence. Liposomes prepared from total lipid extracts of the membranes show a similar increase in transition temperature with age, indicating that separation of the polar lipids into distinct gel and liquid-crystalline domains is not attributable to peculiar protein-lipid interactions. Liposomes prepared from purified phospholipid fractions of the membranes show little change in transition temperature with age, indicating that the altered phase properties of the lipid do not reflect an increase in fatty acid saturation. However, the formation of gel phase lipid that occurs naturally during senescence can be stimulated by preparing liposomes from a mixture of the phospholipid fraction from young membrane and the neutral lipid fraction from old membrane. By adding the separated components of the neutral lipid fraction to purified phospholipid it was found that sterol esters and several unidentified lipids are able to raise the transition temperature of the polar lipids. Sterols have no effect on the phospholipid transition temperature. The data have been interpreted as indicating that several neutral lipids, which presumably increase in abundance with advancing senescence, induce a lateral phase separation of the polar lipids resulting in distinct gel and liquid-crystalline domains of lipid in the senescent membranes.", "contents": "Phase properties of senescing plant membranes: role of the neutral lipids. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction studies have indicated that rough and smooth microsomal membranes from bean cotyledons acquire increasing proportions of gel phase lipid at physiological temperature as the tissue senesces. In addition, for both types of membrane the lipid phase transition temperature, defined as the highest temperature at which gel phase lipid can be detected, progressively rises with advancing senescence. Liposomes prepared from total lipid extracts of the membranes show a similar increase in transition temperature with age, indicating that separation of the polar lipids into distinct gel and liquid-crystalline domains is not attributable to peculiar protein-lipid interactions. Liposomes prepared from purified phospholipid fractions of the membranes show little change in transition temperature with age, indicating that the altered phase properties of the lipid do not reflect an increase in fatty acid saturation. However, the formation of gel phase lipid that occurs naturally during senescence can be stimulated by preparing liposomes from a mixture of the phospholipid fraction from young membrane and the neutral lipid fraction from old membrane. By adding the separated components of the neutral lipid fraction to purified phospholipid it was found that sterol esters and several unidentified lipids are able to raise the transition temperature of the polar lipids. Sterols have no effect on the phospholipid transition temperature. The data have been interpreted as indicating that several neutral lipids, which presumably increase in abundance with advancing senescence, induce a lateral phase separation of the polar lipids resulting in distinct gel and liquid-crystalline domains of lipid in the senescent membranes.", "PMID": 760791} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_484", "title": "The membrane valve: a consequence of asymmetrical inhibition of membrane carriers. I. Equilibrating transport systems.", "content": "Facilitated membrane transport systems act as valves, or rectifiers, when the substrate affinities on the two sides of the membrane differ substantially, i.e. when the system is strongly asymmetric. The asymmetry may be intrinsic or imposed by a reversible competitive inhibitor acting on only one side of the membrane. Under non-equilibrium conditions such systems allow net movements of substrate to proceed faster, sometimes much faster, in one direction than the other, though the final equilibrium is unaffected. Obligatory exchange systems may also function as valves when inhibited unsymmetrically, permitting exchange to occur more rapidly with one distribution of substrates than with the reversed distribution. Here, unequal flux rates do not depend on unequal concentrations of the substrate on either side of the membrane, but may also occur with equal concentrations, provided the affinities of the two substrates differ. The kinetic theory leading to these conclusions is given here, and it is shown how individual parameters of a carrier system affect the efficiency, or tightness, of the valve. In addition, simple kinetic tests for the operation of a valve are outlined. Examples are cited of transport systems having inhibitor-binding sites on only one surface of the cell membrane, which could function normally as valves. Systems implicated are glucose transport in various cells, the ADP-ATP exchanger of mitochondria, the anion transporter of erythrocytes, and the Na+-K+ pump.", "contents": "The membrane valve: a consequence of asymmetrical inhibition of membrane carriers. I. Equilibrating transport systems. Facilitated membrane transport systems act as valves, or rectifiers, when the substrate affinities on the two sides of the membrane differ substantially, i.e. when the system is strongly asymmetric. The asymmetry may be intrinsic or imposed by a reversible competitive inhibitor acting on only one side of the membrane. Under non-equilibrium conditions such systems allow net movements of substrate to proceed faster, sometimes much faster, in one direction than the other, though the final equilibrium is unaffected. Obligatory exchange systems may also function as valves when inhibited unsymmetrically, permitting exchange to occur more rapidly with one distribution of substrates than with the reversed distribution. Here, unequal flux rates do not depend on unequal concentrations of the substrate on either side of the membrane, but may also occur with equal concentrations, provided the affinities of the two substrates differ. The kinetic theory leading to these conclusions is given here, and it is shown how individual parameters of a carrier system affect the efficiency, or tightness, of the valve. In addition, simple kinetic tests for the operation of a valve are outlined. Examples are cited of transport systems having inhibitor-binding sites on only one surface of the cell membrane, which could function normally as valves. Systems implicated are glucose transport in various cells, the ADP-ATP exchanger of mitochondria, the anion transporter of erythrocytes, and the Na+-K+ pump.", "PMID": 760792} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_485", "title": "Cell adhesion and spreading factor: chemical modification studies.", "content": "The purified fetal calf serum factor that promotes cell adhesion and spreading of baby hamster kidney cells on tissue culture substrata has been subjected to a variety of chemical modifications and then tested for activity. These studies have shown that modification of the carbohydrate portions of the factor by glycosidic enzymes or by periodate oxidation did not alter its ability to promote cell spreading. On the other hand, modification of some protein portions of the factor by proteolytic enzymes or by specific modification of -COOH groups, tyrosine residues, or tryptophan residues resulted in a marked inhibition of factor activity. Modification of protein -SH groups, -NH2 groups, or methionine residues did not affect factor activity. Control experiments indicate that the various modifications were directed at the activity of the factor and not its adsorption onto the substrata.", "contents": "Cell adhesion and spreading factor: chemical modification studies. The purified fetal calf serum factor that promotes cell adhesion and spreading of baby hamster kidney cells on tissue culture substrata has been subjected to a variety of chemical modifications and then tested for activity. These studies have shown that modification of the carbohydrate portions of the factor by glycosidic enzymes or by periodate oxidation did not alter its ability to promote cell spreading. On the other hand, modification of some protein portions of the factor by proteolytic enzymes or by specific modification of -COOH groups, tyrosine residues, or tryptophan residues resulted in a marked inhibition of factor activity. Modification of protein -SH groups, -NH2 groups, or methionine residues did not affect factor activity. Control experiments indicate that the various modifications were directed at the activity of the factor and not its adsorption onto the substrata.", "PMID": 760793} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_486", "title": "Direct hydroxylation in the biosynthesis of hydroxy fatty acid in lipid a of Pseudomonas ovalis.", "content": "It was found that Pseudomonas ovalis IAM 1177 had an abundance of hydroxy fatty acids such as 3-hydroxy-decanoic acid, 3-hydroxy-dodecanoic acid and 2-hydroxy-dodecanoic acid in the lipophilic part of the lipopolysaccharide fraction, which comprise 80% of total fatty acids. By using 18O2, it was shown that one oxygen atom from molecular oxygen was incorporated into 2-hydroxy-dodecanoic acid, but not into 3-hydroxy-decanoic acid. The incorporated oxygen atom was specifically located at the hydroxyl group of 2-hydroxy-dodecanoic acid. The biosynthetic pathways of these hydroxy fatty acids are discussed.", "contents": "Direct hydroxylation in the biosynthesis of hydroxy fatty acid in lipid a of Pseudomonas ovalis. It was found that Pseudomonas ovalis IAM 1177 had an abundance of hydroxy fatty acids such as 3-hydroxy-decanoic acid, 3-hydroxy-dodecanoic acid and 2-hydroxy-dodecanoic acid in the lipophilic part of the lipopolysaccharide fraction, which comprise 80% of total fatty acids. By using 18O2, it was shown that one oxygen atom from molecular oxygen was incorporated into 2-hydroxy-dodecanoic acid, but not into 3-hydroxy-decanoic acid. The incorporated oxygen atom was specifically located at the hydroxyl group of 2-hydroxy-dodecanoic acid. The biosynthetic pathways of these hydroxy fatty acids are discussed.", "PMID": 760794} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_487", "title": "The effect of ethanol on glycerolipid biosynthesis by primary monolayer cultures of adult rat hepatocytes.", "content": "This study evaluates the effects of ethanol exposure on glycerolipid production and release by hepatocyte monolayers. Glycerolipid formation from [1,3-14C]glycerol was increased in monolayers exposed to ethanol (1--50 mM) for 6 h. Monolayers exposed to 1 mM ethanol for 24 h also exhibited a rise in glycerolipid formation from either [1,3-14C]glycerol or [1-14C]palmitate; however, higher ethanol concentrations produced a dose dependent decrease in glycerolipid formation. Glycerolipids released into the medium by monolayers declined after all periods of ethanol exposure. The effects of ethanol on the enzymatic reactions involved in glycerolipid biosynthesis were determined in homogenates prepared from monolayers exposed to ethanol. Two enzymes, phosphatidate phosphohydrolase and glycerol kinase, exhibited ethanol-induced alterations in enzyme activity; however, only glycerol kinase activity correlated well with monolayer glycerolipid formation. These ethanol-induced alterations in enzyme activities and glycerolipid biosynthesis were reduced by simultaneously exposing monolayers to pyrazole or cycloheximide.", "contents": "The effect of ethanol on glycerolipid biosynthesis by primary monolayer cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. This study evaluates the effects of ethanol exposure on glycerolipid production and release by hepatocyte monolayers. Glycerolipid formation from [1,3-14C]glycerol was increased in monolayers exposed to ethanol (1--50 mM) for 6 h. Monolayers exposed to 1 mM ethanol for 24 h also exhibited a rise in glycerolipid formation from either [1,3-14C]glycerol or [1-14C]palmitate; however, higher ethanol concentrations produced a dose dependent decrease in glycerolipid formation. Glycerolipids released into the medium by monolayers declined after all periods of ethanol exposure. The effects of ethanol on the enzymatic reactions involved in glycerolipid biosynthesis were determined in homogenates prepared from monolayers exposed to ethanol. Two enzymes, phosphatidate phosphohydrolase and glycerol kinase, exhibited ethanol-induced alterations in enzyme activity; however, only glycerol kinase activity correlated well with monolayer glycerolipid formation. These ethanol-induced alterations in enzyme activities and glycerolipid biosynthesis were reduced by simultaneously exposing monolayers to pyrazole or cycloheximide.", "PMID": 760795} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_488", "title": "Alterations in lipid metabolism of developing muscle cells in culture.", "content": "Embryonic chick muscle cells in the infused (myoblast) and fused (myotube) states differentially incorporate [3H]palmitic acid into their cellular lipids. Myoblasts incorporated [3H]palmitic acid 6--7-fold greater than myotubes in the triglyceride fraction. The endogenous triglyceride levels, however, were similar for the two developmental stages indicating increased triglyceride turnover in the myoblast compared to that of the myotube. Myotubes showed an increased incorporation of [3H]palmitic acid into sphingomyelin compared to myoblasts. Myoblasts and myotubes had a similar phospholipid composition. The data indicate that fusion is characterized by a decrease in triglyceride turnover possibly reflecting a shift from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism to coincide with the fusion process.", "contents": "Alterations in lipid metabolism of developing muscle cells in culture. Embryonic chick muscle cells in the infused (myoblast) and fused (myotube) states differentially incorporate [3H]palmitic acid into their cellular lipids. Myoblasts incorporated [3H]palmitic acid 6--7-fold greater than myotubes in the triglyceride fraction. The endogenous triglyceride levels, however, were similar for the two developmental stages indicating increased triglyceride turnover in the myoblast compared to that of the myotube. Myotubes showed an increased incorporation of [3H]palmitic acid into sphingomyelin compared to myoblasts. Myoblasts and myotubes had a similar phospholipid composition. The data indicate that fusion is characterized by a decrease in triglyceride turnover possibly reflecting a shift from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism to coincide with the fusion process.", "PMID": 760796} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_489", "title": "Influence of reduced cholesterol synthesis on the activity of cerebroside sulfotransferase in cultured glioblastoma cells treated with estradiol.", "content": "Cultured glioblastoma cells were inoculated with estradiol in concentrations of 0.5--10 microliter/ml medium in order to check the effect of this hormone on the activity of cerebroside sulfotransferase, an enzyme whose activity is strongly related to myelination. Thereby we could show that the cerebroside-sulfotransferase activity increases to a value of 200% of normal. Concomitant to this effect, the cholesterol content of the membrane bearing cerebroside sulfotransferase activity decreases to 60% of normal. The effect is fully reversible: after 48 h, cholesterol synthesis as well as cerebroside sulfotransferase activity reach normal values again. We suggest that cerebroside sulfotransferase activity is modulated by the changing cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in the cells during the inoculation period.", "contents": "Influence of reduced cholesterol synthesis on the activity of cerebroside sulfotransferase in cultured glioblastoma cells treated with estradiol. Cultured glioblastoma cells were inoculated with estradiol in concentrations of 0.5--10 microliter/ml medium in order to check the effect of this hormone on the activity of cerebroside sulfotransferase, an enzyme whose activity is strongly related to myelination. Thereby we could show that the cerebroside-sulfotransferase activity increases to a value of 200% of normal. Concomitant to this effect, the cholesterol content of the membrane bearing cerebroside sulfotransferase activity decreases to 60% of normal. The effect is fully reversible: after 48 h, cholesterol synthesis as well as cerebroside sulfotransferase activity reach normal values again. We suggest that cerebroside sulfotransferase activity is modulated by the changing cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in the cells during the inoculation period.", "PMID": 760797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_490", "title": "Alteration of the lipase activities of muscle, adipose tissue and liver by rapeseed oil feeding of rats.", "content": "Feeding rapeseed oil, rich in erucic acid, for 4 days results in a significant increase of the lipoprotein lipase activities of heart and adipose tissue. The lipase activity of liver, which in earlier studies has been shown to be releasable by heparin perfusion, also increases by the dietary regimen. The increased lipoprotein lipase activity of heart may contribute to lipid accumulation in this organ. The higher intracellular lipid store probably results in higher (hormone-sensitive) tissue lipase activity. The increase of lipoprotein lipase of adipose tissue, however, is not accompanied by an increase of hormone-stimulated tissue lipase activity in fat cells. This activity may even become lower, and might contribute to the decrease of the lipid store in heart after an initial rapid phase of fat accumulation during erucic acid feeding.", "contents": "Alteration of the lipase activities of muscle, adipose tissue and liver by rapeseed oil feeding of rats. Feeding rapeseed oil, rich in erucic acid, for 4 days results in a significant increase of the lipoprotein lipase activities of heart and adipose tissue. The lipase activity of liver, which in earlier studies has been shown to be releasable by heparin perfusion, also increases by the dietary regimen. The increased lipoprotein lipase activity of heart may contribute to lipid accumulation in this organ. The higher intracellular lipid store probably results in higher (hormone-sensitive) tissue lipase activity. The increase of lipoprotein lipase of adipose tissue, however, is not accompanied by an increase of hormone-stimulated tissue lipase activity in fat cells. This activity may even become lower, and might contribute to the decrease of the lipid store in heart after an initial rapid phase of fat accumulation during erucic acid feeding.", "PMID": 760798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_491", "title": "Cholesterol biosynthesis in a variety of cultured cells. Lack of correlation between synthesis and activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase caused by dexamethasone.", "content": "In a variety of cell lines grown in the presence of 10(-6) M dexamethasone, the incorporation of acetate into cellular cholesterol was partially suppressed. However, the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (mevalonate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (CoA-acylating), EC 1.1.1.34) was either significantly elevated or remained unchanged providing evidence that under certain conditions 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity is not a valid measure of cholesterogenesis.", "contents": "Cholesterol biosynthesis in a variety of cultured cells. Lack of correlation between synthesis and activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase caused by dexamethasone. In a variety of cell lines grown in the presence of 10(-6) M dexamethasone, the incorporation of acetate into cellular cholesterol was partially suppressed. However, the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (mevalonate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (CoA-acylating), EC 1.1.1.34) was either significantly elevated or remained unchanged providing evidence that under certain conditions 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity is not a valid measure of cholesterogenesis.", "PMID": 760799} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_492", "title": "The effects of fatty acids and antioxidants in the culture medium on membrane composition and properties of the microsomal enzymes aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and cytochrome c reductase of cultured liver cells.", "content": "Rat liver epithelial cells grown in medium without serum show characteristic changes in fatty acid composition and decreased levels of activity of the microsomal enzyme function aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase. Manipulation of cell fatty acid composition was performed using albumin-fatty acid complexes. Both GLC analysis of fatty acid methyl esters and Arrhenius plots of enzyme activity indicate changes in membrane lipid composition without major changes in aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase enzyme activity or inducibility by benzanthracene in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene. When essential fatty acids were added without antioxidant, increased aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was found. These changes in microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity were independent of changes in cytochrome c reductase. It is concluded that expression and induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase is not dependent upon cell fatty acid composition but may be enhanced under conditions of limited lipid peroxidation.", "contents": "The effects of fatty acids and antioxidants in the culture medium on membrane composition and properties of the microsomal enzymes aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and cytochrome c reductase of cultured liver cells. Rat liver epithelial cells grown in medium without serum show characteristic changes in fatty acid composition and decreased levels of activity of the microsomal enzyme function aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase. Manipulation of cell fatty acid composition was performed using albumin-fatty acid complexes. Both GLC analysis of fatty acid methyl esters and Arrhenius plots of enzyme activity indicate changes in membrane lipid composition without major changes in aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase enzyme activity or inducibility by benzanthracene in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene. When essential fatty acids were added without antioxidant, increased aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was found. These changes in microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity were independent of changes in cytochrome c reductase. It is concluded that expression and induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase is not dependent upon cell fatty acid composition but may be enhanced under conditions of limited lipid peroxidation.", "PMID": 760800} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_493", "title": "Purification and characterization of an agglutinin in the red alga Agardhiella tenera.", "content": "The red alga, Agardhiella tenera was found to contain a glycoprotein which agglutinates mouse leukemia cells, L5178Y but not L1210. It also agglutinates guinea pig and rabbit erythrocytes, and has weak activity against human A, B and O, mouse, horse and sheep erythrocytes and hamster and mouse lymphocytes. The agglutination was not inhibited by simple sugars. The major active component was purified and determined to be a beta-structure protein containing 2.7% glucose as sugar moiety. The molecular weight was estimated to be 12,000 by gel filtration and 13,000 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate. Its isoelectric point was 6.1, and it contained high amounts of glycine, serine and threonine, but no half cystine or histidine. It had no subunit structure, and the C- and N-terminal amino acids were threonine and arginine, respectively.", "contents": "Purification and characterization of an agglutinin in the red alga Agardhiella tenera. The red alga, Agardhiella tenera was found to contain a glycoprotein which agglutinates mouse leukemia cells, L5178Y but not L1210. It also agglutinates guinea pig and rabbit erythrocytes, and has weak activity against human A, B and O, mouse, horse and sheep erythrocytes and hamster and mouse lymphocytes. The agglutination was not inhibited by simple sugars. The major active component was purified and determined to be a beta-structure protein containing 2.7% glucose as sugar moiety. The molecular weight was estimated to be 12,000 by gel filtration and 13,000 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate. Its isoelectric point was 6.1, and it contained high amounts of glycine, serine and threonine, but no half cystine or histidine. It had no subunit structure, and the C- and N-terminal amino acids were threonine and arginine, respectively.", "PMID": 760801} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_494", "title": "Interaction of C1-inhibitor with the C1r and C1s subcomponents in human C1.", "content": "1. Insoluble IgG-ovalbumin aggregates were used to bind and activate C1 from human serum. The bound C1 provided a useful reagent for studying the interaction of C1 subcomponents with C1-inhibitor. 2. C1-inhibitor bound to both subcomponents (C1r and C1s in C1 and formed stable complexes of respective apparent molecular weights 197,000 and 185,000, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The binding reaction proceeded more readily with C1s than with C1r and was correlated with the inhibition of C1s esterase activity. 3. At physiological ionic strength, binding of C1-inhibitor to subcomponents C1r and C1s caused release of these subcomponents from the C1-immune aggregates complex, indicating that C1-inhibitor binding decreased the inter-subcomponent binding forces in C1. At low ionic strength, however, this release did not occur.", "contents": "Interaction of C1-inhibitor with the C1r and C1s subcomponents in human C1. 1. Insoluble IgG-ovalbumin aggregates were used to bind and activate C1 from human serum. The bound C1 provided a useful reagent for studying the interaction of C1 subcomponents with C1-inhibitor. 2. C1-inhibitor bound to both subcomponents (C1r and C1s in C1 and formed stable complexes of respective apparent molecular weights 197,000 and 185,000, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The binding reaction proceeded more readily with C1s than with C1r and was correlated with the inhibition of C1s esterase activity. 3. At physiological ionic strength, binding of C1-inhibitor to subcomponents C1r and C1s caused release of these subcomponents from the C1-immune aggregates complex, indicating that C1-inhibitor binding decreased the inter-subcomponent binding forces in C1. At low ionic strength, however, this release did not occur.", "PMID": 760802} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_495", "title": "Hemoprotein quantitation in isolated hepatocytes.", "content": "Methods for quantitation of catalase, cytochromes P-450 and b5 and mitochondrial cytochromes a + a3, b561 + b566, and c + c1 in isolated hepatocytes were developed in analogy to methods established for subcellular systems and were used to measure changes in specific hemoprotein concentrations due to pretreatment and to change in incubation conditions. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene resulted in increased concentrations of cytochromes P-450 and b5 on a cellular basis, but had no effect on the other hemoproteins. Chronic ethanol pretreatment resulted in increased cytochrome P-450 and decreased cytochromes a + a3 concentrations. Hemoprotein concentrations in hepatocytes decreased following 4-10-h incubations in rotating round-bottom flasks. Rates of decrease were dependent upon both incubation conditions and prior in vivo treatments with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene.", "contents": "Hemoprotein quantitation in isolated hepatocytes. Methods for quantitation of catalase, cytochromes P-450 and b5 and mitochondrial cytochromes a + a3, b561 + b566, and c + c1 in isolated hepatocytes were developed in analogy to methods established for subcellular systems and were used to measure changes in specific hemoprotein concentrations due to pretreatment and to change in incubation conditions. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene resulted in increased concentrations of cytochromes P-450 and b5 on a cellular basis, but had no effect on the other hemoproteins. Chronic ethanol pretreatment resulted in increased cytochrome P-450 and decreased cytochromes a + a3 concentrations. Hemoprotein concentrations in hepatocytes decreased following 4-10-h incubations in rotating round-bottom flasks. Rates of decrease were dependent upon both incubation conditions and prior in vivo treatments with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene.", "PMID": 760803} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_496", "title": "Mechanisms of spectral shifts in lobster carotenoproteins. The resonance Raman spectra of ovoverdin and the crustacyanins.", "content": "Resonance Raman data have been used to elucidate the mechanisms of the absorption spectral shifts occurring for astaxanthin upon binding to the carotenoproteins, ovoverdin and alpha-,beta- and gamma-crustacyanins, from the lobster Homarus americanus. Although distinguishable on the basis of small differences in their resonance Raman spectra the binding sites of the crustacyanins, giving rise to lambdamax at 605 +/- 25 nm, are essentially the same. The large red shift in lambdamax for the crustacyanins compared to free astaxanthin (lambdamax 480 nm), is accounted for by a charge-polarisation mechanism in which charged groups and possibly hydrogen bonds in the binding site set up pi electron polarisation in the ligand. Several alternate mechanisms can be eliminated. Ovoverdin is found to consist of three polypeptide chains of molecular weight 105,000, 95,000 and 78,000 which are not linked by disulfide bridges. The visible absorption peaks of ovoverdin at 460 and 640 nm are shown to arise from two astaxanthin molecules each bound at a different site. The spectral characteristics of the 460 nm site suggest a rigid hydrophobic environment for astaxanthin, in which no charge-ligand interactions occur. The mechanism of the spectral shift in the 640 nm site is the same as in the crustacyanins, i.e. a charge-polarisation effect. Resonance Raman spectra of ovoverdin and the crustacyanins could be obtained in situ; they were identical to the spectra of the purified proteins showing that the carotenoid sites were unperturbed by protein isolation.", "contents": "Mechanisms of spectral shifts in lobster carotenoproteins. The resonance Raman spectra of ovoverdin and the crustacyanins. Resonance Raman data have been used to elucidate the mechanisms of the absorption spectral shifts occurring for astaxanthin upon binding to the carotenoproteins, ovoverdin and alpha-,beta- and gamma-crustacyanins, from the lobster Homarus americanus. Although distinguishable on the basis of small differences in their resonance Raman spectra the binding sites of the crustacyanins, giving rise to lambdamax at 605 +/- 25 nm, are essentially the same. The large red shift in lambdamax for the crustacyanins compared to free astaxanthin (lambdamax 480 nm), is accounted for by a charge-polarisation mechanism in which charged groups and possibly hydrogen bonds in the binding site set up pi electron polarisation in the ligand. Several alternate mechanisms can be eliminated. Ovoverdin is found to consist of three polypeptide chains of molecular weight 105,000, 95,000 and 78,000 which are not linked by disulfide bridges. The visible absorption peaks of ovoverdin at 460 and 640 nm are shown to arise from two astaxanthin molecules each bound at a different site. The spectral characteristics of the 460 nm site suggest a rigid hydrophobic environment for astaxanthin, in which no charge-ligand interactions occur. The mechanism of the spectral shift in the 640 nm site is the same as in the crustacyanins, i.e. a charge-polarisation effect. Resonance Raman spectra of ovoverdin and the crustacyanins could be obtained in situ; they were identical to the spectra of the purified proteins showing that the carotenoid sites were unperturbed by protein isolation.", "PMID": 760804} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_497", "title": "Nitrogenase XI: M\u00f6ssbauer studies on the cofactor centers of the MoFe protein from Azotobacter vinelandii OP.", "content": "We have studied the MoFe protein from Azotobacter vinelandii OP with M\u00f6ssbauer spectroscopy in applied magnetic fields up to 50 kG. The results are as follows. (1) The M\u00f6ssbauer spectra of the S = 3/2 centers, which reside on the cofactor of nitrogenase, have been decomposed into six subcomponents. This suggests that each center contains 5-7, most probably 6, Fe atoms, thus confirming our earlier conclusions which were based on the quantitation of EPR data and on the assumption that the MoFe protein contains (30 +/- 2) Fe atoms. (2) Analysis of the high-field data shows that three subsites are characterized by a positive magnetic hyperfine coupling constant, A0, while A0 is negative for the other three sites. This observation demonstrates that the S = 3/2 centers are spin-coupled structures. (3) The zero-field splitting parameter D = +(6 +/- 1.5) cm-1 obtained from the M\u00f6ssbauer data is in good agreement with our earlier EPR results, D approximately +5.5 cm-1. (4) The resolution of the M\u00f6ssbauer spectra of the MoFe protein can be dramatically increased by employing Fourier transform deconvolution techniques. This allows a clear demonstration of spectral component S.", "contents": "Nitrogenase XI: M\u00f6ssbauer studies on the cofactor centers of the MoFe protein from Azotobacter vinelandii OP. We have studied the MoFe protein from Azotobacter vinelandii OP with M\u00f6ssbauer spectroscopy in applied magnetic fields up to 50 kG. The results are as follows. (1) The M\u00f6ssbauer spectra of the S = 3/2 centers, which reside on the cofactor of nitrogenase, have been decomposed into six subcomponents. This suggests that each center contains 5-7, most probably 6, Fe atoms, thus confirming our earlier conclusions which were based on the quantitation of EPR data and on the assumption that the MoFe protein contains (30 +/- 2) Fe atoms. (2) Analysis of the high-field data shows that three subsites are characterized by a positive magnetic hyperfine coupling constant, A0, while A0 is negative for the other three sites. This observation demonstrates that the S = 3/2 centers are spin-coupled structures. (3) The zero-field splitting parameter D = +(6 +/- 1.5) cm-1 obtained from the M\u00f6ssbauer data is in good agreement with our earlier EPR results, D approximately +5.5 cm-1. (4) The resolution of the M\u00f6ssbauer spectra of the MoFe protein can be dramatically increased by employing Fourier transform deconvolution techniques. This allows a clear demonstration of spectral component S.", "PMID": 760805} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_498", "title": "Local interactions as a structure determinant for protein molecules: II.", "content": "Van der Waals interactions between sidechains are indicated to be important in determining the native state of the proteins of known structure by the following observations: 1. the average radial distribution of polarity increases continuously from the center of the molecule to its periphery. 2. nonpolar sidechains tend to occur in clusters. 3. the frequencies of long-range nearest-neighbor pairs are markedly non-random; each type of sidechain seeks nearest-neighbors of similar polarity. To investigate how these interactions affect the overall structure of the protein molecule, three simplified models are treated: a sheath-core model composed of independent residues, a modification accounting approximately for the connected nature of the chain, and a model consisting of three concentric spherical phases.", "contents": "Local interactions as a structure determinant for protein molecules: II. Van der Waals interactions between sidechains are indicated to be important in determining the native state of the proteins of known structure by the following observations: 1. the average radial distribution of polarity increases continuously from the center of the molecule to its periphery. 2. nonpolar sidechains tend to occur in clusters. 3. the frequencies of long-range nearest-neighbor pairs are markedly non-random; each type of sidechain seeks nearest-neighbors of similar polarity. To investigate how these interactions affect the overall structure of the protein molecule, three simplified models are treated: a sheath-core model composed of independent residues, a modification accounting approximately for the connected nature of the chain, and a model consisting of three concentric spherical phases.", "PMID": 760806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_499", "title": "Local interactions as a structure determinant for protein molecules: III.", "content": "Investigation of the known protein structures has led to the generalization that the native folding permits each sidechain to select those nearest-neighbors which maximize stabilization from van der Waals interactions. With regard to secondary structure: 1. Helical and beta regions exhibit characteristic patterns of short-range contacts (residue numbers k and k + t with [t] less than or equal to 4) due to the geometries of these secondary structures. However, these are not strictly obligatory, and preferred short-range contacts which would result in unfavorable van der Waals interactions are replaced by favorable long-range contacts. 2. The generalization mentioned at the outset holds for individual proteins, both for short-range and long-range contacts, and without regard for the type or amount of secondary structure present. 3. These observations imply that van der Waals interactions arising from short-range contacts partially determine secondary structure, and this is demonstrated by tests based upon assignment of regions of secondary structure in the known proteins. The principle of optimizing van der Waals stabilization from long-range contacts is applied to predict the structure of the complex formed by the S-peptide and S-protein of ribonuclease-S. The formation of favorable pairs is found to be more important than the total number of intermolecular contacts, and 40 to 50% of this stabilization is contributed by two residues of the S-peptide, Phe-8 and Met-13.", "contents": "Local interactions as a structure determinant for protein molecules: III. Investigation of the known protein structures has led to the generalization that the native folding permits each sidechain to select those nearest-neighbors which maximize stabilization from van der Waals interactions. With regard to secondary structure: 1. Helical and beta regions exhibit characteristic patterns of short-range contacts (residue numbers k and k + t with [t] less than or equal to 4) due to the geometries of these secondary structures. However, these are not strictly obligatory, and preferred short-range contacts which would result in unfavorable van der Waals interactions are replaced by favorable long-range contacts. 2. The generalization mentioned at the outset holds for individual proteins, both for short-range and long-range contacts, and without regard for the type or amount of secondary structure present. 3. These observations imply that van der Waals interactions arising from short-range contacts partially determine secondary structure, and this is demonstrated by tests based upon assignment of regions of secondary structure in the known proteins. The principle of optimizing van der Waals stabilization from long-range contacts is applied to predict the structure of the complex formed by the S-peptide and S-protein of ribonuclease-S. The formation of favorable pairs is found to be more important than the total number of intermolecular contacts, and 40 to 50% of this stabilization is contributed by two residues of the S-peptide, Phe-8 and Met-13.", "PMID": 760807} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_500", "title": "Enzymic synthesis of opioid peptides.", "content": "Protected opioid pentapeptides were synthesized by the papain-catalyzed condensation of small synthetic fragments. These peptides, free as well as protected, were identical with those prepared by the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-1-hydroxybenzotriazole method.", "contents": "Enzymic synthesis of opioid peptides. Protected opioid pentapeptides were synthesized by the papain-catalyzed condensation of small synthetic fragments. These peptides, free as well as protected, were identical with those prepared by the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-1-hydroxybenzotriazole method.", "PMID": 760808} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_501", "title": "Molecular weights and Stokes radii of soluble elastins.", "content": "Soluble elastin was isolated from lathyritic chick aorta using neutral salt solutions in the presence of beta-amino propionitrile. The effect of a carboxy-methylation step in conjunction with proteolytic inhibitors was investigated. Hydrodynamic (Stokes) radii of soluble elastins were measured by gel filtration and the molecular size and weight distribution in purified fractions are reported.", "contents": "Molecular weights and Stokes radii of soluble elastins. Soluble elastin was isolated from lathyritic chick aorta using neutral salt solutions in the presence of beta-amino propionitrile. The effect of a carboxy-methylation step in conjunction with proteolytic inhibitors was investigated. Hydrodynamic (Stokes) radii of soluble elastins were measured by gel filtration and the molecular size and weight distribution in purified fractions are reported.", "PMID": 760810} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_502", "title": "The limiting collagen microfibril. The minimum structure demonstrating native axial periodicity.", "content": "Collagen fibers were grown from solutions of acid-soluble or neutral salt-soluble collagen in 0.5 M acetic acid by rapid dialysis. The collagen was obtained under conditions where protease inhibitors were present at every stage of extraction and purification. Under the conditions used, length-wise but not lateral filament growth proceeded rapidly and gel-like networks were formed, Water readily exuded from the networks. The networks were stretched to fibrous form during drying. Small-angle X-ray diffraction showed the stretched fibrils to be highly ordered, showing up to 20 orders of the 670 A meridional periodicity. Intermediate- and wide-angle photographs show equatorial reflections at a spacing corresponding to approximately 12.5 A which is related to the intermolecular distance but none related to a microfibrillar packing at the 35-40 A level. Electron microscopy of the gel networks before stretching shows the presence of thin filaments with diameters predominantly in the 35-40 A range. No cross-striated fibrils are seen in electron micrographs of either stretched fibers or unstretched fibers. Thus, intermolecular packing in accord with the 670 A axial periodicity can take place within approximately 40 A diameter thin filaments. These correspond to the structures previously postulated to be collagen 'microfibrils'.", "contents": "The limiting collagen microfibril. The minimum structure demonstrating native axial periodicity. Collagen fibers were grown from solutions of acid-soluble or neutral salt-soluble collagen in 0.5 M acetic acid by rapid dialysis. The collagen was obtained under conditions where protease inhibitors were present at every stage of extraction and purification. Under the conditions used, length-wise but not lateral filament growth proceeded rapidly and gel-like networks were formed, Water readily exuded from the networks. The networks were stretched to fibrous form during drying. Small-angle X-ray diffraction showed the stretched fibrils to be highly ordered, showing up to 20 orders of the 670 A meridional periodicity. Intermediate- and wide-angle photographs show equatorial reflections at a spacing corresponding to approximately 12.5 A which is related to the intermolecular distance but none related to a microfibrillar packing at the 35-40 A level. Electron microscopy of the gel networks before stretching shows the presence of thin filaments with diameters predominantly in the 35-40 A range. No cross-striated fibrils are seen in electron micrographs of either stretched fibers or unstretched fibers. Thus, intermolecular packing in accord with the 670 A axial periodicity can take place within approximately 40 A diameter thin filaments. These correspond to the structures previously postulated to be collagen 'microfibrils'.", "PMID": 760811} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_503", "title": "Cell surface charge correlation of partition with electrophoresis.", "content": "Critical mixtures of aqueous solutions of polymers separate into two or more immiscible phases. Particulate materials distribute in such phase systems generally between one bulk phase and the interface between bulk phases. The distribution is described by a simple partition law, and is quantitatively determined by, inter alia, the nature of the particle surface, particularly net electrical charge. The partition behaviour of various cells, native or modified by treatment with trypsin, neuraminidase or maleic anhydride, correlate strongly with electrophoretic mobility. Partition behaviour and electrophoretic mobility are both dependent upon cell surface charge. Thus, in appropriate conditions, changes in surface charge may be registered as changes in partition.", "contents": "Cell surface charge correlation of partition with electrophoresis. Critical mixtures of aqueous solutions of polymers separate into two or more immiscible phases. Particulate materials distribute in such phase systems generally between one bulk phase and the interface between bulk phases. The distribution is described by a simple partition law, and is quantitatively determined by, inter alia, the nature of the particle surface, particularly net electrical charge. The partition behaviour of various cells, native or modified by treatment with trypsin, neuraminidase or maleic anhydride, correlate strongly with electrophoretic mobility. Partition behaviour and electrophoretic mobility are both dependent upon cell surface charge. Thus, in appropriate conditions, changes in surface charge may be registered as changes in partition.", "PMID": 760812} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_504", "title": "Evidence for the utilization of extracellular [gamma-32P]ATP for the phosphorylation of intracellular proteins in the squid giant axon.", "content": "Proteins in the squid giant axon were labeled with 32P by in vitro incubation of isolated axoplasm with radioactive [gamma-32P]adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and separated by polyacrylamide sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. The two major phosphorylated regions on the gel had molecular weights of 400,000 and 200,000. These two peaks appear to be neurofilament proteins of squid axoplasm. The same set of proteins was phosphorylated in the axoplasm regardless of whether the [gamma-32P]ATP was applied in situ intracellularly or extracellarly. These results suggest that ATP in the extracellular space is, by some ATP-translocation mechanism, utilized in the process of intracellular phosphorylation. Measurements of the apparent influx of ATP across the squid axon membrane yielded results consistent with the view that ATP in the extracellular fluid could be transported into the axoplasm.", "contents": "Evidence for the utilization of extracellular [gamma-32P]ATP for the phosphorylation of intracellular proteins in the squid giant axon. Proteins in the squid giant axon were labeled with 32P by in vitro incubation of isolated axoplasm with radioactive [gamma-32P]adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and separated by polyacrylamide sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. The two major phosphorylated regions on the gel had molecular weights of 400,000 and 200,000. These two peaks appear to be neurofilament proteins of squid axoplasm. The same set of proteins was phosphorylated in the axoplasm regardless of whether the [gamma-32P]ATP was applied in situ intracellularly or extracellarly. These results suggest that ATP in the extracellular space is, by some ATP-translocation mechanism, utilized in the process of intracellular phosphorylation. Measurements of the apparent influx of ATP across the squid axon membrane yielded results consistent with the view that ATP in the extracellular fluid could be transported into the axoplasm.", "PMID": 760813} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_505", "title": "Isolation and new biological properties of Arion empiricorum lectin.", "content": "The lectin present in the mucus of the snail Arion empiricorum was isolated by ion exchange chromatography. Purity was demonstrated by immunelectrophoretic analysis, immunization studies, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With the latter we found a molecular weight of 43,000. Hemagglutination inhibition studies revealed that carbohydrates play a minor role in the agglutination reaction of A. empiricorum lectin. Stronger inhibition could be achieved with human serum and the serum of several animal species. These findings were clarified by the demonstration that some serum proteins were precipitated by A. empiricorum lectin. Besides its agglutinating and precipitating properties the purified A. empiricorum lectin possesses proteinase-inhibiting properties, as demonstrated by the inhibition of casein-digestion by trypsin and plasmin.", "contents": "Isolation and new biological properties of Arion empiricorum lectin. The lectin present in the mucus of the snail Arion empiricorum was isolated by ion exchange chromatography. Purity was demonstrated by immunelectrophoretic analysis, immunization studies, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With the latter we found a molecular weight of 43,000. Hemagglutination inhibition studies revealed that carbohydrates play a minor role in the agglutination reaction of A. empiricorum lectin. Stronger inhibition could be achieved with human serum and the serum of several animal species. These findings were clarified by the demonstration that some serum proteins were precipitated by A. empiricorum lectin. Besides its agglutinating and precipitating properties the purified A. empiricorum lectin possesses proteinase-inhibiting properties, as demonstrated by the inhibition of casein-digestion by trypsin and plasmin.", "PMID": 760814} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_506", "title": "I-cell disease: intracellular desialylation of lysosomal enzymes using an influenza virus vector.", "content": "It has been proposed that I-cell disease results from a primary deficiency of acid neuraminidase activity. Infection by influenza virus of fibroblasts from a patient with I-cell disease resulted in the production of abundant intracellular alpha2-3 neuraminidase activity. Despite electrophoretic evidence of desialylation of intracellular and fibroblast-secreted arylsulfatase (EC 3.1.6.1) and beta-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) from the infected cells, there was no consequent alteration of the abnormal distribution of beta-hexosaminidase activity between the intracellular spaces characteristic of I-cell disease. This suggests that deficiency of alpha2,3 neuraminidase activity is not the primary biochemical defect in I-cell disease.", "contents": "I-cell disease: intracellular desialylation of lysosomal enzymes using an influenza virus vector. It has been proposed that I-cell disease results from a primary deficiency of acid neuraminidase activity. Infection by influenza virus of fibroblasts from a patient with I-cell disease resulted in the production of abundant intracellular alpha2-3 neuraminidase activity. Despite electrophoretic evidence of desialylation of intracellular and fibroblast-secreted arylsulfatase (EC 3.1.6.1) and beta-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) from the infected cells, there was no consequent alteration of the abnormal distribution of beta-hexosaminidase activity between the intracellular spaces characteristic of I-cell disease. This suggests that deficiency of alpha2,3 neuraminidase activity is not the primary biochemical defect in I-cell disease.", "PMID": 760815} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_507", "title": "Tissue specific regulation of prostaglandin production: stimulation of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha biosynthesis by rat kidney cytosol.", "content": "Boiled cytosol of various rat tissues each affected prostaglandin biosynthesis by bovine seminal vesicle microsomes in a specific way. Kidney cytosol enhanced 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha production in a dose-dependent manner. This stimulatory effect was lost after dialysis. Liver, spleen and carrageenin granuloma cytosol inhibited 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha production but enhanced prostaglandin E2 production.", "contents": "Tissue specific regulation of prostaglandin production: stimulation of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha biosynthesis by rat kidney cytosol. Boiled cytosol of various rat tissues each affected prostaglandin biosynthesis by bovine seminal vesicle microsomes in a specific way. Kidney cytosol enhanced 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha production in a dose-dependent manner. This stimulatory effect was lost after dialysis. Liver, spleen and carrageenin granuloma cytosol inhibited 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha production but enhanced prostaglandin E2 production.", "PMID": 760816} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_508", "title": "The spherule wall of Physarum polycephalum: chemical analysis and electron microscopy.", "content": "1. The composition of purified wall fragments from the spherule wall of Physarum polycephalum has been studied. 2. Spherule wall fragments consist of two major components. More than one-half of the wall material is glycoproteins. The remaining wall material after fractionation has a high carbohydrate to protein ratio and is suggested to be composed of proteoglycan(s). 3. The predominant monosaccharide constituent of the proteoglycan is galactosamine. The protein component is unique. It is composed almost entirely of phenylalanine (87--92 mol%). 4. Approx. 50% of these proteoglycans are resistant to alkali extraction and in negative stained preparation for the electron microscope consist of short spindle-shaped fibrils which measure 100 nm in length and 8 nm in diameter. These fibrils show a weak but distinct X-ray diffraction pattern.", "contents": "The spherule wall of Physarum polycephalum: chemical analysis and electron microscopy. 1. The composition of purified wall fragments from the spherule wall of Physarum polycephalum has been studied. 2. Spherule wall fragments consist of two major components. More than one-half of the wall material is glycoproteins. The remaining wall material after fractionation has a high carbohydrate to protein ratio and is suggested to be composed of proteoglycan(s). 3. The predominant monosaccharide constituent of the proteoglycan is galactosamine. The protein component is unique. It is composed almost entirely of phenylalanine (87--92 mol%). 4. Approx. 50% of these proteoglycans are resistant to alkali extraction and in negative stained preparation for the electron microscope consist of short spindle-shaped fibrils which measure 100 nm in length and 8 nm in diameter. These fibrils show a weak but distinct X-ray diffraction pattern.", "PMID": 760817} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_509", "title": "Effects of prostaglandin E1 on the metabolism in rat parathyroid gland in vitro.", "content": "We investigated some effects of prostaglandin E1 on the metabolism of rat parathyroid glands using a culture system containing basal Eagle's medium supplemented with 5--10% heat-inactivated rat serum. Rat parathyroid glands incorporate [3H]fucose and 14C-labeled amino acids into cellular glycoproteins and secrete some of these into the culture medium. Gel filtration chromatography separates these glycoproteins into three classes, the smallest of which (peak 3) is secreted with immunoreactive parathyroid hormone. In cultures of 48 h, prostaglandin E1 (1 microgram/ml) specifically inhibits the secretion of peak 3 and of parathyroid hormone but has no effect on the incorporation of [3H]fucose, 14C-labeled amino acids, or [3H]uridine into parathyroid glands. Cytochalasin B inhibits the secretion of parathyroid hormone and the incorporation of isotopic fucose and amino acids. Cortisol stimulates incorporation of [3H]fucose and the secretion of parathyroid hormone even in the presence of inhibitory doses of prostaglandin E1. It is concluded that, in organ culture, prostaglandin E1 inhibits the secretion of parathyroid hormone and of a specific glycoprotein the function of which may be related to the secretion of the hormone.", "contents": "Effects of prostaglandin E1 on the metabolism in rat parathyroid gland in vitro. We investigated some effects of prostaglandin E1 on the metabolism of rat parathyroid glands using a culture system containing basal Eagle's medium supplemented with 5--10% heat-inactivated rat serum. Rat parathyroid glands incorporate [3H]fucose and 14C-labeled amino acids into cellular glycoproteins and secrete some of these into the culture medium. Gel filtration chromatography separates these glycoproteins into three classes, the smallest of which (peak 3) is secreted with immunoreactive parathyroid hormone. In cultures of 48 h, prostaglandin E1 (1 microgram/ml) specifically inhibits the secretion of peak 3 and of parathyroid hormone but has no effect on the incorporation of [3H]fucose, 14C-labeled amino acids, or [3H]uridine into parathyroid glands. Cytochalasin B inhibits the secretion of parathyroid hormone and the incorporation of isotopic fucose and amino acids. Cortisol stimulates incorporation of [3H]fucose and the secretion of parathyroid hormone even in the presence of inhibitory doses of prostaglandin E1. It is concluded that, in organ culture, prostaglandin E1 inhibits the secretion of parathyroid hormone and of a specific glycoprotein the function of which may be related to the secretion of the hormone.", "PMID": 760818} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_510", "title": "Levels of glutathione, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities in rat lung and liver.", "content": "Levels of glutathione, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities in rat lung and liver have been investigated. After perfusing the lung to remove contaminating blood, this organ was found to have an apparent concentration of glutathione (2mM) which is approx. 20% of that found in the liver. Both organs contain very low levels of glutathione disulfide. Neither phenobarbital nor methylcholanthrene had a significant effect on the levels of reduced glutathione in lung and liver. In addition, the activities of some glutathione-metabolizing enzymes--glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activity assayed with four different substrates--were observed to be 5-to 60-fold lower in lung tissue than in the liver.", "contents": "Levels of glutathione, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities in rat lung and liver. Levels of glutathione, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities in rat lung and liver have been investigated. After perfusing the lung to remove contaminating blood, this organ was found to have an apparent concentration of glutathione (2mM) which is approx. 20% of that found in the liver. Both organs contain very low levels of glutathione disulfide. Neither phenobarbital nor methylcholanthrene had a significant effect on the levels of reduced glutathione in lung and liver. In addition, the activities of some glutathione-metabolizing enzymes--glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activity assayed with four different substrates--were observed to be 5-to 60-fold lower in lung tissue than in the liver.", "PMID": 760819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_511", "title": "Cell partition: a study of parameters affecting the partition phenomenon.", "content": "Critical mixtures of aqueous solutions of polymers can be separated into two or more immiscible phases. Particulate materials are distributed in such phase systems generally between one bulk phase and the interface between bulk phases. The distribution is described by a simple partition law and is quantitatively determined by temperature, interfacial tensions, the electromotic potential difference between phases and the nature of the particle surface. The effects on transfacial potential differences of varying polymer, NaCl and sodium phosphate concentrations in dextran/polyethylene glycol systems were studied: increase of polyethylene glycol concentration increased the potential; addition of up to 40 mM NaCl progressively reduced the potential to zero: very small (less than 10 mM) concentrations of sodium phosphate buffer increased the potential, but further increase caused a fall in potential, which was less marked than that caused by equivalent concentrations of NaCl. The partition properties of a variety of cells, native or modified by treatment with trypsin, neuraminidase or maleic anhydride, were studied. In systems containing greater than 40 mM NaCl no difference in partition patterns for modifications of each cell type was observed. In systems containing no NaCl the partition pattern was highly dependent on the nature of the modification. From the behaviour of such models, polymer-electrolyte phase systems suitable for study of cell surface modification involving change, or no change, in net surface have been identified.", "contents": "Cell partition: a study of parameters affecting the partition phenomenon. Critical mixtures of aqueous solutions of polymers can be separated into two or more immiscible phases. Particulate materials are distributed in such phase systems generally between one bulk phase and the interface between bulk phases. The distribution is described by a simple partition law and is quantitatively determined by temperature, interfacial tensions, the electromotic potential difference between phases and the nature of the particle surface. The effects on transfacial potential differences of varying polymer, NaCl and sodium phosphate concentrations in dextran/polyethylene glycol systems were studied: increase of polyethylene glycol concentration increased the potential; addition of up to 40 mM NaCl progressively reduced the potential to zero: very small (less than 10 mM) concentrations of sodium phosphate buffer increased the potential, but further increase caused a fall in potential, which was less marked than that caused by equivalent concentrations of NaCl. The partition properties of a variety of cells, native or modified by treatment with trypsin, neuraminidase or maleic anhydride, were studied. In systems containing greater than 40 mM NaCl no difference in partition patterns for modifications of each cell type was observed. In systems containing no NaCl the partition pattern was highly dependent on the nature of the modification. From the behaviour of such models, polymer-electrolyte phase systems suitable for study of cell surface modification involving change, or no change, in net surface have been identified.", "PMID": 760820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_512", "title": "Induction of a microsomal butyrylesterase in rat liver by phenobarbital treatment.", "content": "A carboxylesterase (carboxylic-ester hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.1) was induced in the liver of rats after repeated administration of phenobarbital. This enzyme migrated most rapidly towards the anode among Triton X-100-solubilized liver esterases by electrophoresis on the cellulose acetate membrane and it was tentatively designated as L-I. L-I increased in the microsomal fraction and was mainly concentrated in the fraction of smooth endoplasmic reticulum that proliferated after phenobarbital treatment. L-I- was separated from other liver esterases and purified about 800-fold. The purified L-I was homogeneous as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and exhibited a molecular weight of about 55 000 as determined by gel filtration. L-I split the 1-naphthyl ester of butyric acid faster than esters of acetic, propionic or valeric acids; it therefore seemed to be a butyrylesterase.", "contents": "Induction of a microsomal butyrylesterase in rat liver by phenobarbital treatment. A carboxylesterase (carboxylic-ester hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.1) was induced in the liver of rats after repeated administration of phenobarbital. This enzyme migrated most rapidly towards the anode among Triton X-100-solubilized liver esterases by electrophoresis on the cellulose acetate membrane and it was tentatively designated as L-I. L-I increased in the microsomal fraction and was mainly concentrated in the fraction of smooth endoplasmic reticulum that proliferated after phenobarbital treatment. L-I- was separated from other liver esterases and purified about 800-fold. The purified L-I was homogeneous as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and exhibited a molecular weight of about 55 000 as determined by gel filtration. L-I split the 1-naphthyl ester of butyric acid faster than esters of acetic, propionic or valeric acids; it therefore seemed to be a butyrylesterase.", "PMID": 760821} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_513", "title": "Synthesis and removal of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in illuminated discs of potato tuber parenchyme.", "content": "(1) The synthesis and removal of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) in illuminated discs of potato (Solanum tuberosum cv King Edward) tuber tissue has been investigated by density labelling with deuterium (2H) from deuterium oxide (2H2O) followed by centrifugation to equilibrium in a CsC1 density gradient. (2) Temporal changes in enzyme level have been described in terms of the equation (dE/dt) = ks-kdE where (dE/dt) is the rate of change of enzyme level per unit of tissue (E) with respect to time (t), ks is the rate constant for synthesis of the enzyme and kd is the rate constant for the removal of active enzyme. (3) The optimal concentration of 2H2O was determined by analysis of the relationship between 2H2O concentration, development of enzyme activity and the magnitude of the increase in buoyant density of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. A concentration of 2H2O of about 40% (v/v) was found to be optimal, allowing achievement of maximal or near maximal increases in the buoyant density of the enzyme without inhibition of the development of enzyme activity, thereby circumventing the major drawback of 2H2O as a source of density label. (4) The overlapping distribution profiles of enzyme activity after density gradient centrifugation were resolved by an iterative method of best fit which allows estimation of the proportions of pre-existing, unlabelled enzyme and newly synthesised, labelled enzyme at the end of the labelling period. This technique has been developed to obtain the rate constants for enzyme synthesis and for removal of active enzyme throughout the period of rapid change in enzyme level. (5) It is demonstrated that the initial rapid increase in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in illuminated discs reflects an increase in the rate constant for enzyme synthesis in the absence of activation of pre-existing enzyme and in the absence of removal of active enzyme. The abrupt transition to a phase of decline in enzyme activity is caused by (a) a reduction in the rate constant for enzyme synthesis and (b) a dramatic increase in the rate constant for removal of active enzyme. The subsequent stabilisation of the enzyme is caused by decay of both rate constants to relatively low levels. (6) The results are consistent with hypothesis that rapid modulation of enzyme levels during tissue differentiation is achieved by simultaneous changesin the rate constants for both enzyme synthesis and for removal of active enzyme.", "contents": "Synthesis and removal of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in illuminated discs of potato tuber parenchyme. (1) The synthesis and removal of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) in illuminated discs of potato (Solanum tuberosum cv King Edward) tuber tissue has been investigated by density labelling with deuterium (2H) from deuterium oxide (2H2O) followed by centrifugation to equilibrium in a CsC1 density gradient. (2) Temporal changes in enzyme level have been described in terms of the equation (dE/dt) = ks-kdE where (dE/dt) is the rate of change of enzyme level per unit of tissue (E) with respect to time (t), ks is the rate constant for synthesis of the enzyme and kd is the rate constant for the removal of active enzyme. (3) The optimal concentration of 2H2O was determined by analysis of the relationship between 2H2O concentration, development of enzyme activity and the magnitude of the increase in buoyant density of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. A concentration of 2H2O of about 40% (v/v) was found to be optimal, allowing achievement of maximal or near maximal increases in the buoyant density of the enzyme without inhibition of the development of enzyme activity, thereby circumventing the major drawback of 2H2O as a source of density label. (4) The overlapping distribution profiles of enzyme activity after density gradient centrifugation were resolved by an iterative method of best fit which allows estimation of the proportions of pre-existing, unlabelled enzyme and newly synthesised, labelled enzyme at the end of the labelling period. This technique has been developed to obtain the rate constants for enzyme synthesis and for removal of active enzyme throughout the period of rapid change in enzyme level. (5) It is demonstrated that the initial rapid increase in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in illuminated discs reflects an increase in the rate constant for enzyme synthesis in the absence of activation of pre-existing enzyme and in the absence of removal of active enzyme. The abrupt transition to a phase of decline in enzyme activity is caused by (a) a reduction in the rate constant for enzyme synthesis and (b) a dramatic increase in the rate constant for removal of active enzyme. The subsequent stabilisation of the enzyme is caused by decay of both rate constants to relatively low levels. (6) The results are consistent with hypothesis that rapid modulation of enzyme levels during tissue differentiation is achieved by simultaneous changesin the rate constants for both enzyme synthesis and for removal of active enzyme.", "PMID": 760822} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_514", "title": "Partial purificationand characterizationof a factor which stimulates an increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity in the liver from tumor cell-free ascites fluid.", "content": "A factor responsible for stimulating an increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity in the liver of mice was found in tumor cell-free ascites fluid of mice 3 days after inoculation of tumor cells. The factor was purified about 70-fold in 25% yield from tumor cell-free ascites fluid. As little as 1 microgram of protein of purified fraction, injected intraperitoneally into normal mice, significantly increased the activity of ornithine decarboxylase in the liver. The most active preparation of the factor formed two major protein bands on analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and both these bands stained with periodic acid-Schiff's reagent. The factor was a heat-labile, alkaline-stable, acidic protein with a molecular weight of more than 300 000. It was inactivated by treatment with 10 mM dithiothreitol, 5 M urea, pronase or mixed glycosidase, but was stable on treatment with DNAase, RNAase or neuraminidase.", "contents": "Partial purificationand characterizationof a factor which stimulates an increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity in the liver from tumor cell-free ascites fluid. A factor responsible for stimulating an increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity in the liver of mice was found in tumor cell-free ascites fluid of mice 3 days after inoculation of tumor cells. The factor was purified about 70-fold in 25% yield from tumor cell-free ascites fluid. As little as 1 microgram of protein of purified fraction, injected intraperitoneally into normal mice, significantly increased the activity of ornithine decarboxylase in the liver. The most active preparation of the factor formed two major protein bands on analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and both these bands stained with periodic acid-Schiff's reagent. The factor was a heat-labile, alkaline-stable, acidic protein with a molecular weight of more than 300 000. It was inactivated by treatment with 10 mM dithiothreitol, 5 M urea, pronase or mixed glycosidase, but was stable on treatment with DNAase, RNAase or neuraminidase.", "PMID": 760823} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_515", "title": "Extracellular matrix metabolism by chondrocytes. 5. The proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans synthesized by chondrocytes in high density cultures.", "content": "Proteoglycans were extracted from the extracellular matrix of cultures of embryonic chick chondrocytes grown at high density and were purified by CsC1 density gradient centrifugation. The chemical, physical and hyaluronate binding properties of the proteoglycans were similar to those observed in proteoglycans from other hyaline cartilages. Proteoglycans in the media were also purified and on analysis showed three populations of proteoglycans to be present. One population had the physical characteristics of a typical proteoglycan subunit and bound hyaluronate, the other two populations were unable to complex with hyaluronate but one had the physical characteristics of the proteoglycan subunit and the other was of smaller molecular weight. The small molecular weight appears to be a product of the enzymatic degradation of the larger molecular weight species.", "contents": "Extracellular matrix metabolism by chondrocytes. 5. The proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans synthesized by chondrocytes in high density cultures. Proteoglycans were extracted from the extracellular matrix of cultures of embryonic chick chondrocytes grown at high density and were purified by CsC1 density gradient centrifugation. The chemical, physical and hyaluronate binding properties of the proteoglycans were similar to those observed in proteoglycans from other hyaline cartilages. Proteoglycans in the media were also purified and on analysis showed three populations of proteoglycans to be present. One population had the physical characteristics of a typical proteoglycan subunit and bound hyaluronate, the other two populations were unable to complex with hyaluronate but one had the physical characteristics of the proteoglycan subunit and the other was of smaller molecular weight. The small molecular weight appears to be a product of the enzymatic degradation of the larger molecular weight species.", "PMID": 760824} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_516", "title": "Possibility of mitochondrial-cytosolic cooperation in gluconeogenesis from serine via hydroxypyruvate.", "content": "Intracellular localization of D-glycerate dehydrogenase (D-glycerate: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.29), one of the enzymes of the pathway for gluconeogenesis from serine via hydroxypyruvate, was studied by differential centrifugation. Almost all enzyme activity was found in cytosol. Since the major activities of two other enzymes, serine: pyruvate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.51) and glycerate kinase (ATP: D-glycerate 2-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.31), of the pathway via hydroxypyruvate are localized in mitochondrial inner membrane and/or matrix, the possible localization of D-glycerate dehydrogenase in mitochondria was examined. Detailed analysis of mitochondrial fraction prepared by differential centrifugation indicated that rat liver mitochondria do not contain any D-glycerate dehydrogenase activity. Based on these results, a cooperative connection between mitochondria and cytosol in gluconeogenesis from serine via hydroxypyruvate is proposed. Possible mechanisms for transport of intermediates of the pathway via hydroxypyruvate across the mitochondrial membranes are also discussed.", "contents": "Possibility of mitochondrial-cytosolic cooperation in gluconeogenesis from serine via hydroxypyruvate. Intracellular localization of D-glycerate dehydrogenase (D-glycerate: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.29), one of the enzymes of the pathway for gluconeogenesis from serine via hydroxypyruvate, was studied by differential centrifugation. Almost all enzyme activity was found in cytosol. Since the major activities of two other enzymes, serine: pyruvate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.51) and glycerate kinase (ATP: D-glycerate 2-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.31), of the pathway via hydroxypyruvate are localized in mitochondrial inner membrane and/or matrix, the possible localization of D-glycerate dehydrogenase in mitochondria was examined. Detailed analysis of mitochondrial fraction prepared by differential centrifugation indicated that rat liver mitochondria do not contain any D-glycerate dehydrogenase activity. Based on these results, a cooperative connection between mitochondria and cytosol in gluconeogenesis from serine via hydroxypyruvate is proposed. Possible mechanisms for transport of intermediates of the pathway via hydroxypyruvate across the mitochondrial membranes are also discussed.", "PMID": 760825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_517", "title": "Preparation and characterization of antibody to galactosyl(alpha 1 leads to 4)galactosyl(beta 1 leads to 4)glucosylceramide.", "content": "Antiserum against galactosyl(alpha 1 leads to 4)galactosyl(beta 1 leads to 4)glucosylceramide (globotriaosylceramide, Gb3) was raised in rabbits by the administration of four weekly intramuscular injections of 1.5 mg of the purified glycoplipid along with bovine serum albumin and Freund's complete adjuvant. AntiGb3 activity was quantitated initially by immunoprescipitation employing Gb3 mixed with 100-fold excess of lecithin and cholesterol (1 : 1 or 1 : 2, by wt.) as antigen. Subsequently, complement fixation tests done with antigen preparations containing Gb3/lecithin/cholesterol (1 :6 :20, by wt.) showed antiGb3 titres of up to 1 : 8192. Fractionation of the antiserum by BioGel A5m chromatography indicated the antibody was an IgM immunoglobulin. The partially purified antibody stimulated complement-dependent release of glucose from glucose-containing liposomes prepared with shingomyelin/cholesterol/dicetylphosphate/Gb3 (molar ratio, 100 : 75 :11 :1). The antibody crossreacted with the trisaccharide, Gal(alpha1 leads to 4)Gal(beta1 leads to 4)Glc, but not with galactosylerceramide, lactosylceramide, GM1 ganglioside, globotetraosylceramide, digalactosyldiglyceride or a number of low molecular weight saccharides.", "contents": "Preparation and characterization of antibody to galactosyl(alpha 1 leads to 4)galactosyl(beta 1 leads to 4)glucosylceramide. Antiserum against galactosyl(alpha 1 leads to 4)galactosyl(beta 1 leads to 4)glucosylceramide (globotriaosylceramide, Gb3) was raised in rabbits by the administration of four weekly intramuscular injections of 1.5 mg of the purified glycoplipid along with bovine serum albumin and Freund's complete adjuvant. AntiGb3 activity was quantitated initially by immunoprescipitation employing Gb3 mixed with 100-fold excess of lecithin and cholesterol (1 : 1 or 1 : 2, by wt.) as antigen. Subsequently, complement fixation tests done with antigen preparations containing Gb3/lecithin/cholesterol (1 :6 :20, by wt.) showed antiGb3 titres of up to 1 : 8192. Fractionation of the antiserum by BioGel A5m chromatography indicated the antibody was an IgM immunoglobulin. The partially purified antibody stimulated complement-dependent release of glucose from glucose-containing liposomes prepared with shingomyelin/cholesterol/dicetylphosphate/Gb3 (molar ratio, 100 : 75 :11 :1). The antibody crossreacted with the trisaccharide, Gal(alpha1 leads to 4)Gal(beta1 leads to 4)Glc, but not with galactosylerceramide, lactosylceramide, GM1 ganglioside, globotetraosylceramide, digalactosyldiglyceride or a number of low molecular weight saccharides.", "PMID": 760826} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_518", "title": "The molecular size of glycans liberated by hydrazinolysis from Semliki Forest virus proteins.", "content": "The glycans of well characterized, [6-3H]galactose-labelled glycopeptides, GC-4 from bovine IgG1 as well as GP-V-2 and GP-V-5 from alpha1-acid glycoprotein, were liberated by hydrazinolysis. Molecular weights close to the expected values were observed by gel filtration. Desialated glycans of Semliki Forest virus proteins were likewise liberated by hydrazinolysis and subjected to gel filtration. Metabolically labelled [1-3H]galactose-oligosaccharides of the mixed viral proteins revealed an apparent molecular weight of 1800. The bi-antennary glycan liberated from the reference glycopiptide GC-4 was of 1750 daltons. A mixture of [2-3H]mannose-labelled E1- and E2-proteins of the virus contained L-type glycans of 1800 daltons (formerly called A-type), and M-type glycans of 1200 daltons (formerly called B-type). A fraction of the E3-glycans isolated by affinity chromatography on Concanavlin A-Sepharose showed an average molecular weight of 2150, a value intermediate between the three- and four-antennary glycans liberated from the reference glycopeptides GP-V-5 and GP-V-2. The rest of the E3-glycans were of 1850 daltons, a value close to the bi-antennary GC-4 glycan. We suggest that the comparatively large size of the E3-glycans and the exposed position of E3-proteins on the viral surface may be interrelated.", "contents": "The molecular size of glycans liberated by hydrazinolysis from Semliki Forest virus proteins. The glycans of well characterized, [6-3H]galactose-labelled glycopeptides, GC-4 from bovine IgG1 as well as GP-V-2 and GP-V-5 from alpha1-acid glycoprotein, were liberated by hydrazinolysis. Molecular weights close to the expected values were observed by gel filtration. Desialated glycans of Semliki Forest virus proteins were likewise liberated by hydrazinolysis and subjected to gel filtration. Metabolically labelled [1-3H]galactose-oligosaccharides of the mixed viral proteins revealed an apparent molecular weight of 1800. The bi-antennary glycan liberated from the reference glycopiptide GC-4 was of 1750 daltons. A mixture of [2-3H]mannose-labelled E1- and E2-proteins of the virus contained L-type glycans of 1800 daltons (formerly called A-type), and M-type glycans of 1200 daltons (formerly called B-type). A fraction of the E3-glycans isolated by affinity chromatography on Concanavlin A-Sepharose showed an average molecular weight of 2150, a value intermediate between the three- and four-antennary glycans liberated from the reference glycopeptides GP-V-5 and GP-V-2. The rest of the E3-glycans were of 1850 daltons, a value close to the bi-antennary GC-4 glycan. We suggest that the comparatively large size of the E3-glycans and the exposed position of E3-proteins on the viral surface may be interrelated.", "PMID": 760827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_519", "title": "Starvation-induced changes in secretin-like immunoreactivity of human plasma.", "content": "Levels of secretin-like immunoreactivity in the plasma of 50 starved subjects were measured by radioimmunoassay and rose from 18 +/- 3 (S.E.) pg/ml after 12 h, to 103 +/- 12 pg/ml (P less than 0.005) after 36 h. The assay antibodies were found to be specific for a region of secretin located towards the C-terminal residue. Lactoperoxidase was used to label the secretin with 125I and ionexchange chromatography on SP-Sephadex C-25 was used to purify the labelled product. The plasma immunoreactivity was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography on antibody-Sepharose conjugates and characterised by gel-filtration on Sephadex G-50 calibrated with molecular weight markers. After a 12-h fast, 10-20% of the immunoreactivity had a molecular weight of about 12 000, possibly due to precursors of secretin. Most of the remainder was smaller than secretin with molecular weight of less than 3000. This material comprised over 90% of the plasma immunoreactivity after a 36-h fast and may be due to degradation products.", "contents": "Starvation-induced changes in secretin-like immunoreactivity of human plasma. Levels of secretin-like immunoreactivity in the plasma of 50 starved subjects were measured by radioimmunoassay and rose from 18 +/- 3 (S.E.) pg/ml after 12 h, to 103 +/- 12 pg/ml (P less than 0.005) after 36 h. The assay antibodies were found to be specific for a region of secretin located towards the C-terminal residue. Lactoperoxidase was used to label the secretin with 125I and ionexchange chromatography on SP-Sephadex C-25 was used to purify the labelled product. The plasma immunoreactivity was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography on antibody-Sepharose conjugates and characterised by gel-filtration on Sephadex G-50 calibrated with molecular weight markers. After a 12-h fast, 10-20% of the immunoreactivity had a molecular weight of about 12 000, possibly due to precursors of secretin. Most of the remainder was smaller than secretin with molecular weight of less than 3000. This material comprised over 90% of the plasma immunoreactivity after a 36-h fast and may be due to degradation products.", "PMID": 760828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_520", "title": "A comparison of the glucocorticoid receptor in cytosol from rat liver and hippocampus.", "content": "The [3H]corticosterone- and [3H]dexamethasone-binding proteins in cytosol from liver and hippocampus of the rat were compared by isoelectric focusing analysis in slabs of polyacrylamide gel. A single peak of radioactivity with a pI of 6.1--6.2 was obtained during analysis of cytosol from both liver and hippocampus using either corticosterone or dexamethasone as radiolabelled ligand, provided the tissue was carefully perfused with buffer prior to preparation of cytosol. Rat serum or insufficiently perfused tissue contained a corticosterone-binding component with pI of 5.2--5.5 representing corticosteroid-binding globulin. Limited trypsin digestion resulted in fragmentation of the dexamethasone- and corticosterone-binding protein in cytosol from liver and hippocampus. Incubation of radiolabelled cytosol with 0.5 microgram of trypsin/A280--310nm of cytosol gave a sharp radioactive peak with a pI of 5.9--6.1 when analyzed by isoelectric focusing; when 5.0 microgram of trypsin/A280--310nm of cytosol was used, a double peak with pI values of 5.9--6.1 and 6.3--6.5, respectively, was seen. The same trypsin-induced peaks were seen with both [3H]dexamethasone and [3H]corticosterone as ligands. The substrate specificity and the sensitivity of this glucocorticoid binder for limited trypsin digestion is in good agreement with what was previously found for the glucocorticoid receptor in rat liver cytosol. It is concluded that cytosol from liver and hippocampus contains an identical or very similar receptor for glucocorticoid hormones.", "contents": "A comparison of the glucocorticoid receptor in cytosol from rat liver and hippocampus. The [3H]corticosterone- and [3H]dexamethasone-binding proteins in cytosol from liver and hippocampus of the rat were compared by isoelectric focusing analysis in slabs of polyacrylamide gel. A single peak of radioactivity with a pI of 6.1--6.2 was obtained during analysis of cytosol from both liver and hippocampus using either corticosterone or dexamethasone as radiolabelled ligand, provided the tissue was carefully perfused with buffer prior to preparation of cytosol. Rat serum or insufficiently perfused tissue contained a corticosterone-binding component with pI of 5.2--5.5 representing corticosteroid-binding globulin. Limited trypsin digestion resulted in fragmentation of the dexamethasone- and corticosterone-binding protein in cytosol from liver and hippocampus. Incubation of radiolabelled cytosol with 0.5 microgram of trypsin/A280--310nm of cytosol gave a sharp radioactive peak with a pI of 5.9--6.1 when analyzed by isoelectric focusing; when 5.0 microgram of trypsin/A280--310nm of cytosol was used, a double peak with pI values of 5.9--6.1 and 6.3--6.5, respectively, was seen. The same trypsin-induced peaks were seen with both [3H]dexamethasone and [3H]corticosterone as ligands. The substrate specificity and the sensitivity of this glucocorticoid binder for limited trypsin digestion is in good agreement with what was previously found for the glucocorticoid receptor in rat liver cytosol. It is concluded that cytosol from liver and hippocampus contains an identical or very similar receptor for glucocorticoid hormones.", "PMID": 760829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_521", "title": "Partial characterization of [3H]methyltrienolone binding in rat prostate cytosol.", "content": "3H-labelled R 1881 (methyltrienolone) was bound with high affinity (Kd, 2 . 10(-9) M) and low capacity (11--15 fmol/mg protein)in prostate cytosol from rats castrated 18 h earlier. The binding was inhibited by 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, cyproterone acetate and LEO 1727, but not by estradiol-17beta, R 5020 or corticosterone. The 3H-labelled R 1881-receptor complex was excluded from a Sephadex G=200 column, had a sedimentation coefficient of 3.5 S, was eluted from a DEAE-cellulose column at 0.2 M KCl concentration and precipitated between 20--40% of saturation of ammonium sulfate. 20% of specifically bound 3H-labelled R 1881 was retained by DNA-cellulose at low ionic strength. The fraction which was not bound to DNA-cellulose did not bind either, after rechromatography, not even following heating at 20 degrees C for 20 min or following fractionation with ammonium sulphate. In summary, the results indicate that the 3H-labelled R 1881-receptor complex in rat prostate cytosol has characteristics similar to those of the 5alpha-[3H]dihydrotestosterone-receptor complex.", "contents": "Partial characterization of [3H]methyltrienolone binding in rat prostate cytosol. 3H-labelled R 1881 (methyltrienolone) was bound with high affinity (Kd, 2 . 10(-9) M) and low capacity (11--15 fmol/mg protein)in prostate cytosol from rats castrated 18 h earlier. The binding was inhibited by 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, cyproterone acetate and LEO 1727, but not by estradiol-17beta, R 5020 or corticosterone. The 3H-labelled R 1881-receptor complex was excluded from a Sephadex G=200 column, had a sedimentation coefficient of 3.5 S, was eluted from a DEAE-cellulose column at 0.2 M KCl concentration and precipitated between 20--40% of saturation of ammonium sulfate. 20% of specifically bound 3H-labelled R 1881 was retained by DNA-cellulose at low ionic strength. The fraction which was not bound to DNA-cellulose did not bind either, after rechromatography, not even following heating at 20 degrees C for 20 min or following fractionation with ammonium sulphate. In summary, the results indicate that the 3H-labelled R 1881-receptor complex in rat prostate cytosol has characteristics similar to those of the 5alpha-[3H]dihydrotestosterone-receptor complex.", "PMID": 760830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_522", "title": "A neural network model for the development of direction selectivity in the visual cortex.", "content": "A neural network model is proposed to explain the development of direction selectivity of cortical cells. The model is constructed under the following three hypotheses that are very plausible from recent neurophysiological findings. (1) Direction selectivity is developed by modifiable inhibitory synapses. (2) It results not from the direct convergence of many excitatory inputs from LGN cells but from cortical neural networks. (3) Direction-selective mechanism is independent of orientation-selective mechanism.--The model was simulated on a computer for a few kinds of inhibitory connections and initial conditions. The results were consistent with neurophysiological facts not only for normal cats but for cats reared in an abnormal visual environment.", "contents": "A neural network model for the development of direction selectivity in the visual cortex. A neural network model is proposed to explain the development of direction selectivity of cortical cells. The model is constructed under the following three hypotheses that are very plausible from recent neurophysiological findings. (1) Direction selectivity is developed by modifiable inhibitory synapses. (2) It results not from the direct convergence of many excitatory inputs from LGN cells but from cortical neural networks. (3) Direction-selective mechanism is independent of orientation-selective mechanism.--The model was simulated on a computer for a few kinds of inhibitory connections and initial conditions. The results were consistent with neurophysiological facts not only for normal cats but for cats reared in an abnormal visual environment.", "PMID": 760831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_523", "title": "Mathematical analysis of optimal multichannel filtering for nerve signals.", "content": "This paper extends recent analyses (Roberts and Hartline, 1975; O\u011fuzt\u00f6reli and Stein, 1977) of optimal linear filters for separating neural signals from more than one electrode site. Roberts and Hartline's result, using a matched filter criterion, represents one of a class of optimal filters with different, but symmetrical, output waveforms derived by O\u011fuzt\u00f6reli and Stein (1977). Another narrow bandwidth filter of this class will give the optimal results according to an energy criterion, but may be less useful in practical situations.", "contents": "Mathematical analysis of optimal multichannel filtering for nerve signals. This paper extends recent analyses (Roberts and Hartline, 1975; O\u011fuzt\u00f6reli and Stein, 1977) of optimal linear filters for separating neural signals from more than one electrode site. Roberts and Hartline's result, using a matched filter criterion, represents one of a class of optimal filters with different, but symmetrical, output waveforms derived by O\u011fuzt\u00f6reli and Stein (1977). Another narrow bandwidth filter of this class will give the optimal results according to an energy criterion, but may be less useful in practical situations.", "PMID": 760832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_524", "title": "Analysis of recall and recognition in a certain class of adaptive networks.", "content": "A general model of adaptive networks which perform recall is analyzed in view of qualitative psychological findings. The assumptions underlying the basic model are few and general in the sense that no specifications of structure or mechanisms of adaptation are imposed. The analysis of the model is towards the addition of various features drawn from the global input-output relations expected from the networks. The memorizing process of recognition is found to be intrinsic to the model, and four of the most prominent relations between the performance of recall and recognition are shown to either exist in model or to be realizable by means of few additional plausible features.", "contents": "Analysis of recall and recognition in a certain class of adaptive networks. A general model of adaptive networks which perform recall is analyzed in view of qualitative psychological findings. The assumptions underlying the basic model are few and general in the sense that no specifications of structure or mechanisms of adaptation are imposed. The analysis of the model is towards the addition of various features drawn from the global input-output relations expected from the networks. The memorizing process of recognition is found to be intrinsic to the model, and four of the most prominent relations between the performance of recall and recognition are shown to either exist in model or to be realizable by means of few additional plausible features.", "PMID": 760833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_525", "title": "Additional comments on the use of Wiener filtering for the estimation of evoked potentials.", "content": "The problem of average potentials filtration in the case of periodic stimulation is discussed in the paper. Some considerations proving the correctness of Wiener filtering processes suggested by Doyle are presented here. The basic assumption of the proof is an approximation of the noise power density by means of a step function.", "contents": "Additional comments on the use of Wiener filtering for the estimation of evoked potentials. The problem of average potentials filtration in the case of periodic stimulation is discussed in the paper. Some considerations proving the correctness of Wiener filtering processes suggested by Doyle are presented here. The basic assumption of the proof is an approximation of the noise power density by means of a step function.", "PMID": 760834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_526", "title": "Human psychophysics: functional interpretation for contrast sensitivity versus spatial frequency curve.", "content": "The hypothesis that neural processing in the human visual pathways compensates for both optical degradation as well as noise contamination at the photoreceptor level is introduced and shown to be consistent with the high frequency portion of the contrast sensitivity function for threshold detection of sinusoidal gratings in addition to the suprathreshold phenomenon of matching sinusoidal gratings of different spatial frequencies. This offers a unifying interpretation for why, at threshold conditions, the high spatial frequency portion of the image is blurred as severely by the nervous system as it is by the optics (e.g. Campbell and Green, 1965) while in extreme suprathreshold conditions the nervous system effectively deblurs the image (e.g. Georgeson and Sullivan, 1975; Kulikowski, 1976). These conclusions do not necessitate a highly specific form of visual processing such as Fourier channeling.", "contents": "Human psychophysics: functional interpretation for contrast sensitivity versus spatial frequency curve. The hypothesis that neural processing in the human visual pathways compensates for both optical degradation as well as noise contamination at the photoreceptor level is introduced and shown to be consistent with the high frequency portion of the contrast sensitivity function for threshold detection of sinusoidal gratings in addition to the suprathreshold phenomenon of matching sinusoidal gratings of different spatial frequencies. This offers a unifying interpretation for why, at threshold conditions, the high spatial frequency portion of the image is blurred as severely by the nervous system as it is by the optics (e.g. Campbell and Green, 1965) while in extreme suprathreshold conditions the nervous system effectively deblurs the image (e.g. Georgeson and Sullivan, 1975; Kulikowski, 1976). These conclusions do not necessitate a highly specific form of visual processing such as Fourier channeling.", "PMID": 760835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_527", "title": "[Hematopoietic organs in mice following a single administration of hydrocortisone].", "content": "Kinetics of the number and direction of CFU differentiating in mice after a single infusion of hydrocortisone in a dose of 5 mg per mouse was studied using the method of an exogenous cloning of the stem cells in the spleen and the bone marrow of the irradiated recipients. Against the background of the long-term involution of the thymicolymphoid apparatus a change of the number and direction of the CFU differentiating occurred. Along with this, CFU concentration in the spleen and bone marrow of mice remained constant. Under the hormone action CFU differentiating capacity in the spleen and bone marrow in the direction of erythro- and myelopoiesis sharply changes; CFU of the bone marrow behaves as CFU of the spleen, and CFU of the spleen behaves as CFU of the bone marrow of normal mice. It is suggested that the described effects of the CFU of the spleen and bone marrow of mice given hydrocortisone were due to the redistribution of T-lymphocytes and not to direct cytotoxic effect of hydrocortisone on the CFU population.", "contents": "[Hematopoietic organs in mice following a single administration of hydrocortisone]. Kinetics of the number and direction of CFU differentiating in mice after a single infusion of hydrocortisone in a dose of 5 mg per mouse was studied using the method of an exogenous cloning of the stem cells in the spleen and the bone marrow of the irradiated recipients. Against the background of the long-term involution of the thymicolymphoid apparatus a change of the number and direction of the CFU differentiating occurred. Along with this, CFU concentration in the spleen and bone marrow of mice remained constant. Under the hormone action CFU differentiating capacity in the spleen and bone marrow in the direction of erythro- and myelopoiesis sharply changes; CFU of the bone marrow behaves as CFU of the spleen, and CFU of the spleen behaves as CFU of the bone marrow of normal mice. It is suggested that the described effects of the CFU of the spleen and bone marrow of mice given hydrocortisone were due to the redistribution of T-lymphocytes and not to direct cytotoxic effect of hydrocortisone on the CFU population.", "PMID": 760836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_528", "title": "[Course of ether anesthesia and the post-anesthesia period against a background of prior vibration].", "content": "The experiment on albino rats showed that three-hour vibration (46.6 Hz, 1mm amplitude) decreases the functional activity of the central nervous system as well as that of the respiratory and circulatory apparatus. Ether anesthesia against this background aggravates the animals condition and they die during the post-anesthesia period (60% of cases). Survival of the animals under conditions of extreme actions (vibration, anesthesia) is estimated by the cerebral cortex resistance level.", "contents": "[Course of ether anesthesia and the post-anesthesia period against a background of prior vibration]. The experiment on albino rats showed that three-hour vibration (46.6 Hz, 1mm amplitude) decreases the functional activity of the central nervous system as well as that of the respiratory and circulatory apparatus. Ether anesthesia against this background aggravates the animals condition and they die during the post-anesthesia period (60% of cases). Survival of the animals under conditions of extreme actions (vibration, anesthesia) is estimated by the cerebral cortex resistance level.", "PMID": 760837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_529", "title": "[Effect of corazole in intensifying changes in the electrical activity of the brain in a constant magnetic field].", "content": "Corazol effects on the background and evoked biopotentials of the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, and the cerebellar cortex were studied in rats exposed to a constant magnetic field (500, 1000, 4000 Oe). After the corazol pretreatement with subconvulsive doses there were sharp changes in the background rhythms; evoked potentials of the amplitude rose markedly, and there was also an increase of additional phases in its structure. Intensification of the constant magnetic field effect against the background of analeptic corazol action pointed to the importance of the central nervous system activation level in the response to the magnetic field action.", "contents": "[Effect of corazole in intensifying changes in the electrical activity of the brain in a constant magnetic field]. Corazol effects on the background and evoked biopotentials of the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, and the cerebellar cortex were studied in rats exposed to a constant magnetic field (500, 1000, 4000 Oe). After the corazol pretreatement with subconvulsive doses there were sharp changes in the background rhythms; evoked potentials of the amplitude rose markedly, and there was also an increase of additional phases in its structure. Intensification of the constant magnetic field effect against the background of analeptic corazol action pointed to the importance of the central nervous system activation level in the response to the magnetic field action.", "PMID": 760838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_530", "title": "[Mechanism of action of eserine on DNA synthesis in rat liver].", "content": "Eserine (1-2 mg/kg) decreased incorporation of the radioactive precursors into total DNA of the rat liver by 40-50%. Only high eserine cincentrations (10-5 M) effected directly the DNA synthesis in the hepatocyte nuclei. It was shown in vitro that the DNA synthesis in the nuclei of hepatocytes, isolated from the liver of rats after eserine administration (1 mg/kg), decreased significantly. A conclusion is drawn that the eserine action on the incorporation of radioactive precursors into DNA of the rat liver in vivo is localized at the level of the DNA synthesis in the nuclei. The study of the acetylcholine action on the DNA synthesis in the isolated nuclei of hepatocytes suggests that the inhibitory effect of eserine on the DNA synthesis is mediated through acetylcholine.", "contents": "[Mechanism of action of eserine on DNA synthesis in rat liver]. Eserine (1-2 mg/kg) decreased incorporation of the radioactive precursors into total DNA of the rat liver by 40-50%. Only high eserine cincentrations (10-5 M) effected directly the DNA synthesis in the hepatocyte nuclei. It was shown in vitro that the DNA synthesis in the nuclei of hepatocytes, isolated from the liver of rats after eserine administration (1 mg/kg), decreased significantly. A conclusion is drawn that the eserine action on the incorporation of radioactive precursors into DNA of the rat liver in vivo is localized at the level of the DNA synthesis in the nuclei. The study of the acetylcholine action on the DNA synthesis in the isolated nuclei of hepatocytes suggests that the inhibitory effect of eserine on the DNA synthesis is mediated through acetylcholine.", "PMID": 760839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_531", "title": "[Changes in hemodynamic and endocrine-metabolic parameters in the early post-resuscitation period].", "content": "Changes in the system hemodynamics, renal and hind limb blood flow, as well as some endocrine-metabolic parameters were studied in 24 dogs which survived 17-minute circulatory arrest. As revealed, relative compensation and normalization of several functions and metabolic parameters in the course of 1 hour after reanimation were followed by a new wave of disturbances developing unsimultaneously, irregularly and gradually in the whole organism and some peripheral tissues. Thus, disturbances of the peripheral circulation and of the central hemodynamics served as one of the basic pathological symptoms of postreanimation disease.", "contents": "[Changes in hemodynamic and endocrine-metabolic parameters in the early post-resuscitation period]. Changes in the system hemodynamics, renal and hind limb blood flow, as well as some endocrine-metabolic parameters were studied in 24 dogs which survived 17-minute circulatory arrest. As revealed, relative compensation and normalization of several functions and metabolic parameters in the course of 1 hour after reanimation were followed by a new wave of disturbances developing unsimultaneously, irregularly and gradually in the whole organism and some peripheral tissues. Thus, disturbances of the peripheral circulation and of the central hemodynamics served as one of the basic pathological symptoms of postreanimation disease.", "PMID": 760840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_532", "title": "[Detection of antigen-antibody reactions using optical beat spectroscopy].", "content": "The light beating spectroscopy technique was used for recording the results of serological reactions without visual phenomena. The investigated systems consisted of the antigens of influenza virus or Mycoplasma pneumoniae and the corresponding sera. A principal possibility of detecting the antigen-antibody complexes in serological reactions without visual phenomena by the light beating spectroscopy technique was demonstrated.", "contents": "[Detection of antigen-antibody reactions using optical beat spectroscopy]. The light beating spectroscopy technique was used for recording the results of serological reactions without visual phenomena. The investigated systems consisted of the antigens of influenza virus or Mycoplasma pneumoniae and the corresponding sera. A principal possibility of detecting the antigen-antibody complexes in serological reactions without visual phenomena by the light beating spectroscopy technique was demonstrated.", "PMID": 760841} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_533", "title": "[Cytotoxic effect of BCG-activated macrophages on tumor target cells in vitro].", "content": "The macrophage-activating effect of fluid and lyophilized BCG vaccines and killed BCG was studied. Activation of murine peritoneal macrophages was determined by their cytotoxic action in vitro on the syngeneic tumour 51Cr-labeled target cells. Murine macrophages obtained 2 to 3 weeks after a single injection of the fluid BCG vaccine exerted a cytotoxic action on the tumour cells. A single injection of the lyophilized BCG vaccine or killed BCG caused no macrophage activation. Two injections of fluid or lyophilized BCG vaccines caused macrophage activation earlier--3 to 5 days after the second injection. Intraperitoneal BCG injection induced more macrophage activation than subcutaneous.", "contents": "[Cytotoxic effect of BCG-activated macrophages on tumor target cells in vitro]. The macrophage-activating effect of fluid and lyophilized BCG vaccines and killed BCG was studied. Activation of murine peritoneal macrophages was determined by their cytotoxic action in vitro on the syngeneic tumour 51Cr-labeled target cells. Murine macrophages obtained 2 to 3 weeks after a single injection of the fluid BCG vaccine exerted a cytotoxic action on the tumour cells. A single injection of the lyophilized BCG vaccine or killed BCG caused no macrophage activation. Two injections of fluid or lyophilized BCG vaccines caused macrophage activation earlier--3 to 5 days after the second injection. Intraperitoneal BCG injection induced more macrophage activation than subcutaneous.", "PMID": 760842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_534", "title": "[Transplacental blastomogenic effect of p-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid].", "content": "Transplacental administration of tyrosine metabolite p-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid having blastomogenic activity induced development of malignant and benign neoplasms (leukemias and lymphosarcomas, adenomas and pulmonary carcinoma, hepatomas, papillomas, and cancer of the urinary bladder and other tumours) in progeny of CC57BR and C57BL mouse strains, in 88 and 78% of cases, respectively. The number of neoplasms was significantly higher, than in the control, they appeared earlier and were of more malignant character. The role of endogenous blastomogenic substances in the development of leukemias in the newborn and yound children is discussed.", "contents": "[Transplacental blastomogenic effect of p-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid]. Transplacental administration of tyrosine metabolite p-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid having blastomogenic activity induced development of malignant and benign neoplasms (leukemias and lymphosarcomas, adenomas and pulmonary carcinoma, hepatomas, papillomas, and cancer of the urinary bladder and other tumours) in progeny of CC57BR and C57BL mouse strains, in 88 and 78% of cases, respectively. The number of neoplasms was significantly higher, than in the control, they appeared earlier and were of more malignant character. The role of endogenous blastomogenic substances in the development of leukemias in the newborn and yound children is discussed.", "PMID": 760843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_535", "title": "[Autoimmune nature of spermatogenesis disorders in varicocele models in rats].", "content": "Partial decrease of venous drainage from the left testis in male rats induced development of destructive changes in the seminiferous epithelium at the site of operation and in the contralateral organ. Spermatogenesis disturbances in the rat testes (focal desquamation of seminiferous epithelium, disorganization and degeneration of germ cells, devastation of seminiferous tubules) resembles the lesion in men with varicocele. These data permit to consider the results of present experiment as varicocele modelling. Disturbance of permeability and of the fine blood-testis barrier structure in both testes was observed in experimental rats; the picture of morphological changes was similar to that of autoimmune orchitis; lymphocytes sensitized to spermatozoa antigens were revealed in the lymphoid organs of experimental rats. The results obtained permit to suggest the involvement of immunological mechanisms in the development of pathological changes in the testes affected with varicocele.", "contents": "[Autoimmune nature of spermatogenesis disorders in varicocele models in rats]. Partial decrease of venous drainage from the left testis in male rats induced development of destructive changes in the seminiferous epithelium at the site of operation and in the contralateral organ. Spermatogenesis disturbances in the rat testes (focal desquamation of seminiferous epithelium, disorganization and degeneration of germ cells, devastation of seminiferous tubules) resembles the lesion in men with varicocele. These data permit to consider the results of present experiment as varicocele modelling. Disturbance of permeability and of the fine blood-testis barrier structure in both testes was observed in experimental rats; the picture of morphological changes was similar to that of autoimmune orchitis; lymphocytes sensitized to spermatozoa antigens were revealed in the lymphoid organs of experimental rats. The results obtained permit to suggest the involvement of immunological mechanisms in the development of pathological changes in the testes affected with varicocele.", "PMID": 760844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_536", "title": "[Adrenergic innervation of the capillaries].", "content": "Adrenergic nerve fibers of the capillaries devoid of the smooth muscle coat were revealed by Falk's method in the mesentery and the kidney fibrous capsule of dogs after 6 daily noradrenaline infusions and with cardiogenic shock developing against this background.", "contents": "[Adrenergic innervation of the capillaries]. Adrenergic nerve fibers of the capillaries devoid of the smooth muscle coat were revealed by Falk's method in the mesentery and the kidney fibrous capsule of dogs after 6 daily noradrenaline infusions and with cardiogenic shock developing against this background.", "PMID": 760845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_537", "title": "[Determination of the alveolar dead space].", "content": "The author suggests a method of finding the alveolar dead space (AIDS), i.e. the part of the functional dead space (FDS) which presents the greatest difficulties for determination. A1DS determination is based on the difference in the CO2 concentration in the venous blood flowing to the lungs for oxygenation under conditions of respiration at rest, and of CO2 concentration in the alveolar portions of expriation following 10-sex breath withholding at the level of the usual inspiration. The mean A1DS volume (VDA1) in % to the alveolar part of the tidal volume for 20 healthy persons in sitting position and in 12 of them in lying position was found: VDA1 (in sitting position)= = 8.0 +/- 1.5% (P = 0.95), sigma = 3%; VDA1 (in lying position) = = 5.0 +/- 0.7% (P = 0.95), sigma = 2.6%. It is suggested that FDS determined by this method be used to judge the efficacy of using the inspired air in the lung ventilation, to determine AIDS in the diagnosis of lung embolism, to judge the pulmonary circulation shunt by the difference between the value found according to Bohr's formula for FDS and the FDS value established according to the suggested formula.", "contents": "[Determination of the alveolar dead space]. The author suggests a method of finding the alveolar dead space (AIDS), i.e. the part of the functional dead space (FDS) which presents the greatest difficulties for determination. A1DS determination is based on the difference in the CO2 concentration in the venous blood flowing to the lungs for oxygenation under conditions of respiration at rest, and of CO2 concentration in the alveolar portions of expriation following 10-sex breath withholding at the level of the usual inspiration. The mean A1DS volume (VDA1) in % to the alveolar part of the tidal volume for 20 healthy persons in sitting position and in 12 of them in lying position was found: VDA1 (in sitting position)= = 8.0 +/- 1.5% (P = 0.95), sigma = 3%; VDA1 (in lying position) = = 5.0 +/- 0.7% (P = 0.95), sigma = 2.6%. It is suggested that FDS determined by this method be used to judge the efficacy of using the inspired air in the lung ventilation, to determine AIDS in the diagnosis of lung embolism, to judge the pulmonary circulation shunt by the difference between the value found according to Bohr's formula for FDS and the FDS value established according to the suggested formula.", "PMID": 760846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_538", "title": "Changes in the contractile activity of the rabbit myocardium during burn shock.", "content": "As revealed on the papillary muscles of the rabbit heart in vitro, contractile function of the myocardium proved to be disturbed in 50% of cases an hour after the infliction of burn to these animals. This could serve as one of the causes of a sharp cardiac output derangement found in these experiments.", "contents": "Changes in the contractile activity of the rabbit myocardium during burn shock. As revealed on the papillary muscles of the rabbit heart in vitro, contractile function of the myocardium proved to be disturbed in 50% of cases an hour after the infliction of burn to these animals. This could serve as one of the causes of a sharp cardiac output derangement found in these experiments.", "PMID": 760847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_539", "title": "[Pathogenetic factors in experimental photogenic epilepsy].", "content": "Male albino rats were used in chronic experiments. The photogenic epilepsy syndrome was induced by local tetanus toxin injection into the lateral geniculate blody (LGB) which caused the formation of a pathologically enhanced excitation. The primary symptoms of photogenic epilepsy resulted from the pathologically enhanced specific sensory excitation in the LGB, and correlated with a significant increase of the evoked potential amplitude in the corresponding visual cortex field. The following progress of the neuropathological syndrome was connected with generalized disturbances of the rhythmic electrical activity of the brain, characterizing the state of increased epileptic sensibility. The experimental results demonstrate an important role of specific and nonspecific factors in the pathogenesis of experimental photogenic epilepsy.", "contents": "[Pathogenetic factors in experimental photogenic epilepsy]. Male albino rats were used in chronic experiments. The photogenic epilepsy syndrome was induced by local tetanus toxin injection into the lateral geniculate blody (LGB) which caused the formation of a pathologically enhanced excitation. The primary symptoms of photogenic epilepsy resulted from the pathologically enhanced specific sensory excitation in the LGB, and correlated with a significant increase of the evoked potential amplitude in the corresponding visual cortex field. The following progress of the neuropathological syndrome was connected with generalized disturbances of the rhythmic electrical activity of the brain, characterizing the state of increased epileptic sensibility. The experimental results demonstrate an important role of specific and nonspecific factors in the pathogenesis of experimental photogenic epilepsy.", "PMID": 760848} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_540", "title": "Normal iron absorption and decreased red cell iron uptake in the aged.", "content": "Absorption of iron was studied with a double-isotope technique that allowed differentiation between \"mucosal uptake,\" \"mucosal transfer,\" and ultimate \"retention\" of iron. A physiologic dose of ferrous sulfate was administered to 25 healthy young adults, 40 active aged persons, and 20 patients with uncomplicated iron deficiency. Radioactivity was measured with a whole-body scanner. Iron absorption values were not decreased in aged subjects compared to young adults. Mucosal uptake, mucosal transfer, and retention of iron were equally increased in both young and old patients with iron deficiency. In 12 young adults and 33 aged persons red cell iron uptake was studied in addition to iron absorption. Young adults utilized 91% of the retained, orally administered iron and the aged only 66%. An increase in ineffective erythropoiesis in old age is suggested.", "contents": "Normal iron absorption and decreased red cell iron uptake in the aged. Absorption of iron was studied with a double-isotope technique that allowed differentiation between \"mucosal uptake,\" \"mucosal transfer,\" and ultimate \"retention\" of iron. A physiologic dose of ferrous sulfate was administered to 25 healthy young adults, 40 active aged persons, and 20 patients with uncomplicated iron deficiency. Radioactivity was measured with a whole-body scanner. Iron absorption values were not decreased in aged subjects compared to young adults. Mucosal uptake, mucosal transfer, and retention of iron were equally increased in both young and old patients with iron deficiency. In 12 young adults and 33 aged persons red cell iron uptake was studied in addition to iron absorption. Young adults utilized 91% of the retained, orally administered iron and the aged only 66%. An increase in ineffective erythropoiesis in old age is suggested.", "PMID": 760850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_541", "title": "Quantitative anisocytosis as a discriminant between iron deficiency and thalassemia minor.", "content": "The coefficient of variation (CV) of red cell size, as measured by electronic red cell sizing (erythrography), was less than 14.0% in 20 normal subjects. In 22 of 25 patients with beta-thalassemia minor and microcytosis (mean corpuscular volume [MCV] less than 70 fl), CV was less than 14.0%; in the other 3, CV was 14.0%--14.9%. In 53 patients with iron deficiency anemia and MCV less than 70 fl, CV always was greater than 14.0%. In 7 patients with alpha-thalassemia minor and MCV less than 70 fl, CV was less than 14.0% in all 7. Among patients with microcytosis, erythrography appears to be an excellent technique for rapidly distinguishing between iron deficiency and alpha or beta thalassemia minor.", "contents": "Quantitative anisocytosis as a discriminant between iron deficiency and thalassemia minor. The coefficient of variation (CV) of red cell size, as measured by electronic red cell sizing (erythrography), was less than 14.0% in 20 normal subjects. In 22 of 25 patients with beta-thalassemia minor and microcytosis (mean corpuscular volume [MCV] less than 70 fl), CV was less than 14.0%; in the other 3, CV was 14.0%--14.9%. In 53 patients with iron deficiency anemia and MCV less than 70 fl, CV always was greater than 14.0%. In 7 patients with alpha-thalassemia minor and MCV less than 70 fl, CV was less than 14.0% in all 7. Among patients with microcytosis, erythrography appears to be an excellent technique for rapidly distinguishing between iron deficiency and alpha or beta thalassemia minor.", "PMID": 760854} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_542", "title": "Inhibition of granulocyte erythrophagocytosis by HLA antisera.", "content": "The ability of HLA antisera to inhibit granulocyte erythrophagocytosis (EP) of opsonized red blood cells (RBC) was evaluated. Human granulocytes (PMN) were separated from heparinized whole blood by the Ficoll-Isopaque technique and suspended in McCoy's medium. EP occurred when the PMN were incubated with opsonized RBC. For six HLA antibody specificities evaluated, prior incubation of PMN with HLA antisera resulted in significant inhibition of EP without cytolysis when the PMN donor was positive for the specific HLA antigen, but not when the donor was negative for the antigen. The inhibition was time- and dose-dependent. Prior absorption of HLA antisera with HLA-specific platelets reduced or abolished the inhibition. An example of anti-NB1 also inhibited EP in 4 individuals. These data suggest that HLA antibody may adversely affect granulocyte phagocytic function. Inhibition of EP might be useful in evaluating compatibility prior to granulocyte transfusion.", "contents": "Inhibition of granulocyte erythrophagocytosis by HLA antisera. The ability of HLA antisera to inhibit granulocyte erythrophagocytosis (EP) of opsonized red blood cells (RBC) was evaluated. Human granulocytes (PMN) were separated from heparinized whole blood by the Ficoll-Isopaque technique and suspended in McCoy's medium. EP occurred when the PMN were incubated with opsonized RBC. For six HLA antibody specificities evaluated, prior incubation of PMN with HLA antisera resulted in significant inhibition of EP without cytolysis when the PMN donor was positive for the specific HLA antigen, but not when the donor was negative for the antigen. The inhibition was time- and dose-dependent. Prior absorption of HLA antisera with HLA-specific platelets reduced or abolished the inhibition. An example of anti-NB1 also inhibited EP in 4 individuals. These data suggest that HLA antibody may adversely affect granulocyte phagocytic function. Inhibition of EP might be useful in evaluating compatibility prior to granulocyte transfusion.", "PMID": 760857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_543", "title": "Reduction of salivary tissue factor (thromboplastin) activity by warfarin therapy.", "content": "The coagulant of normal human saliva has been identified as tissue factor (thromboplastin, TF) by virtue of its ability to cause rapid coagulation in plasmas deficient in first-stage coagulation factors and to activate factor x in the presence of factor VII and by virtue of the fact that its activity is expressed only in the presence of factor VII and is inhibited by an antibody to TF. The TF is related to cells and cell fragments in saliva. Salivary TF activity has been found to be significantly reduced in patients taking warfarin. The decline in TF activity during induction of warfarin anticoagulation occurs during the warfarin-induced decline in vitamin-K-dependent clotting factor activity, as judged by the prothrombin time. The decrease in TF activity is not related to a reduction in salivary cell count or total protein content or to a direct effect of warfarin on the assay. It is hypothesized that the mechanism by which warfarin inhibits TF activity may be related to the mechanism by which it inhibits expression of the activity of the vitamin-K-dependent clotting factors. Inhibition of the TF activity may be involved in the antithrombotic effect of warfarin.", "contents": "Reduction of salivary tissue factor (thromboplastin) activity by warfarin therapy. The coagulant of normal human saliva has been identified as tissue factor (thromboplastin, TF) by virtue of its ability to cause rapid coagulation in plasmas deficient in first-stage coagulation factors and to activate factor x in the presence of factor VII and by virtue of the fact that its activity is expressed only in the presence of factor VII and is inhibited by an antibody to TF. The TF is related to cells and cell fragments in saliva. Salivary TF activity has been found to be significantly reduced in patients taking warfarin. The decline in TF activity during induction of warfarin anticoagulation occurs during the warfarin-induced decline in vitamin-K-dependent clotting factor activity, as judged by the prothrombin time. The decrease in TF activity is not related to a reduction in salivary cell count or total protein content or to a direct effect of warfarin on the assay. It is hypothesized that the mechanism by which warfarin inhibits TF activity may be related to the mechanism by which it inhibits expression of the activity of the vitamin-K-dependent clotting factors. Inhibition of the TF activity may be involved in the antithrombotic effect of warfarin.", "PMID": 760859} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_544", "title": "Treatment of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia: use of anthracycline-cytosine arabinoside induction therapy and comparison of two maintenance regimens.", "content": "Patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia were given remission induction therapy consisting of cytosine arabinoside and an anthracycline. Those patients who experienced complete remission received two courses of consolidation therapy and were randomized to receive maintenance therapy consisting of either daily chemotherapy with reinforcements every 3 mo or reinforcement therapy only every 6 wk. The overall complete remission rate was 66%, with 80% complete remission for previously untreated patients less than 60 yr of age who did not have a prior history of malignancy. Remission durations were the same for patients treated with both maintenance regimens. The major determinant for successful remission induction therapy was patient age, with older patients frequently succumbing to intercurrent infection. Documented leukemic cell resistance to the therapy employed was only rarely encountered. Once remission was achieved, age was no longer a determinant of patient survival, since duration of remission was independent of age. Remission durations were directly related to leukemic cell retention of cytosine arabinoside triphosphate. Hence therapy for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia can be divided into two separate areas: remission induction and remission maintenance.", "contents": "Treatment of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia: use of anthracycline-cytosine arabinoside induction therapy and comparison of two maintenance regimens. Patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia were given remission induction therapy consisting of cytosine arabinoside and an anthracycline. Those patients who experienced complete remission received two courses of consolidation therapy and were randomized to receive maintenance therapy consisting of either daily chemotherapy with reinforcements every 3 mo or reinforcement therapy only every 6 wk. The overall complete remission rate was 66%, with 80% complete remission for previously untreated patients less than 60 yr of age who did not have a prior history of malignancy. Remission durations were the same for patients treated with both maintenance regimens. The major determinant for successful remission induction therapy was patient age, with older patients frequently succumbing to intercurrent infection. Documented leukemic cell resistance to the therapy employed was only rarely encountered. Once remission was achieved, age was no longer a determinant of patient survival, since duration of remission was independent of age. Remission durations were directly related to leukemic cell retention of cytosine arabinoside triphosphate. Hence therapy for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia can be divided into two separate areas: remission induction and remission maintenance.", "PMID": 760861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_545", "title": "Erythrocyte cellular and membrane deformability in hereditary spherocytosis.", "content": "In order to determine whether the relative rigidity of the hereditary spherocytosis (HS) red cell is due to membrane rididity or merely to an altered surface/volume ratio, we investigated the deformability of resealed red cell membranes from patients with HS. Whereas the osmotic fragility of intact red cells of HS patients showed the expected increase, the osmotic fragility of resealed HS membranes was normal, thus indicating that their surface/volume ratio was normal. Measurements with an ektacytometer showed that deformability of intact HS cells was markedly diminished, whereas deformability of resealed HS membranes was normal. These findings indicate that the HS red cell membrane is not intrinsically abnormally rigid, as has been suggested, but that the lack of deformability of the erythrocyte is primarily a function of the altered surface/volume ratio.", "contents": "Erythrocyte cellular and membrane deformability in hereditary spherocytosis. In order to determine whether the relative rigidity of the hereditary spherocytosis (HS) red cell is due to membrane rididity or merely to an altered surface/volume ratio, we investigated the deformability of resealed red cell membranes from patients with HS. Whereas the osmotic fragility of intact red cells of HS patients showed the expected increase, the osmotic fragility of resealed HS membranes was normal, thus indicating that their surface/volume ratio was normal. Measurements with an ektacytometer showed that deformability of intact HS cells was markedly diminished, whereas deformability of resealed HS membranes was normal. These findings indicate that the HS red cell membrane is not intrinsically abnormally rigid, as has been suggested, but that the lack of deformability of the erythrocyte is primarily a function of the altered surface/volume ratio.", "PMID": 760862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_546", "title": "Oxidative metabolic responses of rabbit pulmonary alveolar macrophages.", "content": "During phagocytosis of opsonized lipopolysaccharide-coated paraffin oil droplets, rabbit alveolar macrophages reduced nitroblue tetrazolium, which effect was in part inhibitable with the use of superoxide dismutase. Exposure of cytochalasin-B-treated rabbit alveolar macrophages to opsonized zymosan led to the generation of superoxide, as quantitated by ferricytochrome C reduction. It was found that nitroblue tetrazolium in the presence of ferricytochrome C could in turn serve as scavenger of superoxide during stimulation of cytochalasin-B-treated rabbit alveolar macrophages. Following challenge with either opsonized zymosan or the membrane perturbant digitonin, rabbit alveolar macrophages released hydrogen peroxide into the extracellular medium. Employment of the surface membrane stimulant phorbol myristrate acetate led to activation of the hexose monophosphate shunt, which activity could be further enhanced in the presence of superoxide dismutase or attenuated in the presence of catalase. These studies demonstrate that rabbit alveolar macrophages release superoxide and hydrogen peroxide during surface membrane perturbation. In turn, hydrogen peroxide generation can stimulate the hexose monophosphate shunt.", "contents": "Oxidative metabolic responses of rabbit pulmonary alveolar macrophages. During phagocytosis of opsonized lipopolysaccharide-coated paraffin oil droplets, rabbit alveolar macrophages reduced nitroblue tetrazolium, which effect was in part inhibitable with the use of superoxide dismutase. Exposure of cytochalasin-B-treated rabbit alveolar macrophages to opsonized zymosan led to the generation of superoxide, as quantitated by ferricytochrome C reduction. It was found that nitroblue tetrazolium in the presence of ferricytochrome C could in turn serve as scavenger of superoxide during stimulation of cytochalasin-B-treated rabbit alveolar macrophages. Following challenge with either opsonized zymosan or the membrane perturbant digitonin, rabbit alveolar macrophages released hydrogen peroxide into the extracellular medium. Employment of the surface membrane stimulant phorbol myristrate acetate led to activation of the hexose monophosphate shunt, which activity could be further enhanced in the presence of superoxide dismutase or attenuated in the presence of catalase. These studies demonstrate that rabbit alveolar macrophages release superoxide and hydrogen peroxide during surface membrane perturbation. In turn, hydrogen peroxide generation can stimulate the hexose monophosphate shunt.", "PMID": 760863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_547", "title": "Protective effect of prophylactic penicillin on splenectomized mice exposed to an aerosolized suspension of type III Streptococcus pneumoniae.", "content": "Prophylactic penicillin has been recommended for use in asplenic patients and postsplenectomy patients. A laboratory model using aerosolized pneumococci has been devised to test the effectiveness of prophylactic penicillin in a manner analogous to human experience. There is increased mortality, over time, in asplenic mice exposed to aerosolized type III Streptococcus pneumoniae. One hundred twenty-one male Swiss mice (mean weight 26 g) were divided into four groups: splenectomized, sham-operated, splenectomized + penicillin, and sham-operated + penicillin. After 2 wk the four groups were exposed for 30 min to an aerosolized atmosphere of 2.4 x 10(9) colony-forming units of type III S. pneumoniae using a Tri-R model A-42 airborne infection apparatus. Penicillin was given at a daily intramuscular dosage of 40,000 units procaine penicillin G beginning 2 days prior to exposure and continuing through the third day after exposure. The splenectomized and sham-operated mice given penicillin showed significantly lower mortality (p less than 0.001) than mice not given penicillin.", "contents": "Protective effect of prophylactic penicillin on splenectomized mice exposed to an aerosolized suspension of type III Streptococcus pneumoniae. Prophylactic penicillin has been recommended for use in asplenic patients and postsplenectomy patients. A laboratory model using aerosolized pneumococci has been devised to test the effectiveness of prophylactic penicillin in a manner analogous to human experience. There is increased mortality, over time, in asplenic mice exposed to aerosolized type III Streptococcus pneumoniae. One hundred twenty-one male Swiss mice (mean weight 26 g) were divided into four groups: splenectomized, sham-operated, splenectomized + penicillin, and sham-operated + penicillin. After 2 wk the four groups were exposed for 30 min to an aerosolized atmosphere of 2.4 x 10(9) colony-forming units of type III S. pneumoniae using a Tri-R model A-42 airborne infection apparatus. Penicillin was given at a daily intramuscular dosage of 40,000 units procaine penicillin G beginning 2 days prior to exposure and continuing through the third day after exposure. The splenectomized and sham-operated mice given penicillin showed significantly lower mortality (p less than 0.001) than mice not given penicillin.", "PMID": 760864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_548", "title": "Splenectomy in myeloid metaplasia.", "content": "Between 1960 and 1977, 50 patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia were splenectomized. Twenty-five of 26 patients with painful splenomegaly, 4 of 9 patients with refractory hemolytic anemia, 4 of 10 patients with refractory thrombocytopenia, and 4 of 4 patients with portal hypertension showed significant benefit from the procedure. There were five immediate postoperative deaths. Four of these deaths occurred early in our series of splectomies for myeloid metaplasia before 1970. Only one death has occurred in the last 21 patients operated on. Survival following splenectomy averaged 25.5 mo.", "contents": "Splenectomy in myeloid metaplasia. Between 1960 and 1977, 50 patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia were splenectomized. Twenty-five of 26 patients with painful splenomegaly, 4 of 9 patients with refractory hemolytic anemia, 4 of 10 patients with refractory thrombocytopenia, and 4 of 4 patients with portal hypertension showed significant benefit from the procedure. There were five immediate postoperative deaths. Four of these deaths occurred early in our series of splectomies for myeloid metaplasia before 1970. Only one death has occurred in the last 21 patients operated on. Survival following splenectomy averaged 25.5 mo.", "PMID": 760865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_549", "title": "Hemoglobin biosynthesis in individual bursts in culture: studies of human umbilical cord blood.", "content": "We cultured human umbilical cord blood erythropoietic precursors in methyl cellulose clonal assay and analyzed the synthetic rates of Hb A and Hb F in individual erythropoietic bursts. Hemoglobin was labeled with 14C-amino acids in culture, separated by slab gel isoelectric focusing techniques, and quantitated by fluorographic methods. Almost all bursts exhibited both Hb A and Hb F in varying ratios. Frequencies of the individual bursts differing in percentage Hb F biosynthesis had normal distributions. Natal erythropoietic precursors appeared to be randomly committed to Hb F synthesis.", "contents": "Hemoglobin biosynthesis in individual bursts in culture: studies of human umbilical cord blood. We cultured human umbilical cord blood erythropoietic precursors in methyl cellulose clonal assay and analyzed the synthetic rates of Hb A and Hb F in individual erythropoietic bursts. Hemoglobin was labeled with 14C-amino acids in culture, separated by slab gel isoelectric focusing techniques, and quantitated by fluorographic methods. Almost all bursts exhibited both Hb A and Hb F in varying ratios. Frequencies of the individual bursts differing in percentage Hb F biosynthesis had normal distributions. Natal erythropoietic precursors appeared to be randomly committed to Hb F synthesis.", "PMID": 760866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_550", "title": "Sodium in blood vessels. A brief review.", "content": "Extracellular Na can be accurately partitioned into free and bound components; the latter component is directly related to the hydration and stiffness of the vascular wall. Cell Na can be similarly partitioned: [Na+]i is about 10mM and the transmembrane gradient about 15:1 in a physiological medium. The transmembrane gradient remains constant over a wide range of change in [Na+]0. Although active Na transport is largely responsible for developing the transmembrane ion distribution pattern, the membrane potential depends mainly on movements of K+ and C1-. No certain direct role can be assigned to Na+ in short-term vasoconstriction, but an indirect role through the regulation of catecholamine release and uptake is now established. There is evidence that the entry of Na+ into cells plays a fundamental role in the protein-synthesizing activity of the vascular smooth muscle cell and is thereby involved in the longer term determination of peripheral vascular resistance.", "contents": "Sodium in blood vessels. A brief review. Extracellular Na can be accurately partitioned into free and bound components; the latter component is directly related to the hydration and stiffness of the vascular wall. Cell Na can be similarly partitioned: [Na+]i is about 10mM and the transmembrane gradient about 15:1 in a physiological medium. The transmembrane gradient remains constant over a wide range of change in [Na+]0. Although active Na transport is largely responsible for developing the transmembrane ion distribution pattern, the membrane potential depends mainly on movements of K+ and C1-. No certain direct role can be assigned to Na+ in short-term vasoconstriction, but an indirect role through the regulation of catecholamine release and uptake is now established. There is evidence that the entry of Na+ into cells plays a fundamental role in the protein-synthesizing activity of the vascular smooth muscle cell and is thereby involved in the longer term determination of peripheral vascular resistance.", "PMID": 760868} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_551", "title": "Analytical study of ionized or ionizable groups of platelet membrane.", "content": "The knowledge of the molecular surface groups of the human blood platelets present a particular interest especially in some thrombotic processes or thrombocytopathies. The aim of this study was to approach quantitatively ionized or ionizable groups of the platelet membrane using liquid phase electrophoresis or physicochemical and analytical methods with specific reagents. A mean repartition of the principal groups (carboxyl, SH, amino and phosphate) on the membrane is obtained by cell electrophoresis.", "contents": "Analytical study of ionized or ionizable groups of platelet membrane. The knowledge of the molecular surface groups of the human blood platelets present a particular interest especially in some thrombotic processes or thrombocytopathies. The aim of this study was to approach quantitatively ionized or ionizable groups of the platelet membrane using liquid phase electrophoresis or physicochemical and analytical methods with specific reagents. A mean repartition of the principal groups (carboxyl, SH, amino and phosphate) on the membrane is obtained by cell electrophoresis.", "PMID": 760870} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_552", "title": "Congenital factor VII deficiency. A report of four new cases.", "content": "Four new cases with congenital homozygous factor VII deficiency are described. Factor VII levels were reduced to less than 1%, 3%, 8% and 10%, respectively. The incidence and severity of bleeding symptoms were well correlated with the measured factor VII activity. In the severe case of factor VII deficiency (less than 1%) a home treatment program was started because of severe recurrent hemarthroses. This entailed transfusions of 20 U/kg body weight prothrombin complex or factor VII concentrate in case of acute bleeding approximately every three weeks. These transfusions have been carried out successfully without any problems. In contradiction, two brothers with hypoproconvertinemia (factor VII 8% and 10% respectively) reached an age of more than 70 years. Despite replacement therapy postoperative bleeding followed one appendectomy, whereas no postoperative bleeding followed patients requiring Achilles tendon lengthening and an above knee amputation and only slight bleeding followed a tonsillectomy. Based on our experience we suggest that in patients with factor VII deficiency of less than 10%, when undergoing surgery, should be maintained a minimal factor VII activity of 10--15% during the first three postoperative days.", "contents": "Congenital factor VII deficiency. A report of four new cases. Four new cases with congenital homozygous factor VII deficiency are described. Factor VII levels were reduced to less than 1%, 3%, 8% and 10%, respectively. The incidence and severity of bleeding symptoms were well correlated with the measured factor VII activity. In the severe case of factor VII deficiency (less than 1%) a home treatment program was started because of severe recurrent hemarthroses. This entailed transfusions of 20 U/kg body weight prothrombin complex or factor VII concentrate in case of acute bleeding approximately every three weeks. These transfusions have been carried out successfully without any problems. In contradiction, two brothers with hypoproconvertinemia (factor VII 8% and 10% respectively) reached an age of more than 70 years. Despite replacement therapy postoperative bleeding followed one appendectomy, whereas no postoperative bleeding followed patients requiring Achilles tendon lengthening and an above knee amputation and only slight bleeding followed a tonsillectomy. Based on our experience we suggest that in patients with factor VII deficiency of less than 10%, when undergoing surgery, should be maintained a minimal factor VII activity of 10--15% during the first three postoperative days.", "PMID": 760871} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_553", "title": "Capacity of the mucosal transfer system and absorption of iron after oral administration in rats.", "content": "1. The dose dependence of the iron absorption shows a saturation characteristic if iron (0.25--5 mumoles Fe/kg body weight) is administered in tied-off intestinal segments of normal and iron-deficient rats. 2. If the iron doses (2.1--570 mumoles Fe/kg body weight) are administered by stomach tube only in normal rats a similar dose dependence curve has been obtained as after administration in tied-off intestinal segments. In iron-deficient rats the shape of the dose dependence curve is changed and shows no clear-cut saturation characteristic. 3. The differences of these dose dependence curves are discussed with respect to the differences of the methodological conditions. A saturation type kinetic for absorption cannot be expected under all experimental conditions despite of the existence of a transfer system with limited capacity for the transport of iron.", "contents": "Capacity of the mucosal transfer system and absorption of iron after oral administration in rats. 1. The dose dependence of the iron absorption shows a saturation characteristic if iron (0.25--5 mumoles Fe/kg body weight) is administered in tied-off intestinal segments of normal and iron-deficient rats. 2. If the iron doses (2.1--570 mumoles Fe/kg body weight) are administered by stomach tube only in normal rats a similar dose dependence curve has been obtained as after administration in tied-off intestinal segments. In iron-deficient rats the shape of the dose dependence curve is changed and shows no clear-cut saturation characteristic. 3. The differences of these dose dependence curves are discussed with respect to the differences of the methodological conditions. A saturation type kinetic for absorption cannot be expected under all experimental conditions despite of the existence of a transfer system with limited capacity for the transport of iron.", "PMID": 760872} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_554", "title": "Depression of drug metabolism in the mouse by a combination of Mycobacterium butyricum and anaesthetics.", "content": "1 Subcutaneous injection of Mycobacterium butyricum suspended in mineral oil into the mouse hind paw caused an oedematous local inflammation. Hind paw swelling was maximum 5 days after injection and was still apparent at day 30. 2 Drug metabolism in vivo (as monitored by ketamine- or pentobarbitone-induced sleeping times) was not affected by the inflammatory disease. However, administration of ketamine or pentobarbitone at day 1 led to significantly elevated sleeping times when the mice showing local inflammation were retested at day 5 with the anaesthetics. 3 Indomethacin inhibited hind paw oedema in the mouse but did not affect ketamine-Mycobacterium butyricum-induced depression of drug metabolism. 4 Prolongation of ketamine-induced anaesthesia by combination with Mycobacterium butyricum at day 5 correlated with the degree of hind paw inflammation at this time. 5 The data suggest that anaesthetics (i.e., ketamine and pentobarbitone) may sensitize hepatic membranes to the effect of Mycobacterium butyricum or some toxic compound elaborated during the active phase of inflammation.", "contents": "Depression of drug metabolism in the mouse by a combination of Mycobacterium butyricum and anaesthetics. 1 Subcutaneous injection of Mycobacterium butyricum suspended in mineral oil into the mouse hind paw caused an oedematous local inflammation. Hind paw swelling was maximum 5 days after injection and was still apparent at day 30. 2 Drug metabolism in vivo (as monitored by ketamine- or pentobarbitone-induced sleeping times) was not affected by the inflammatory disease. However, administration of ketamine or pentobarbitone at day 1 led to significantly elevated sleeping times when the mice showing local inflammation were retested at day 5 with the anaesthetics. 3 Indomethacin inhibited hind paw oedema in the mouse but did not affect ketamine-Mycobacterium butyricum-induced depression of drug metabolism. 4 Prolongation of ketamine-induced anaesthesia by combination with Mycobacterium butyricum at day 5 correlated with the degree of hind paw inflammation at this time. 5 The data suggest that anaesthetics (i.e., ketamine and pentobarbitone) may sensitize hepatic membranes to the effect of Mycobacterium butyricum or some toxic compound elaborated during the active phase of inflammation.", "PMID": 760885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_555", "title": "Exocytotic release of catecholamines and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase from the perfused adrenal gland of the rabbit and cat.", "content": "1 Secretion of catecholamines (CA) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity from the perfused rabbit and cat adrenal gland was studied following stimulation by a number of substances, including the physiological transmitter, acetylcholine (ACh), added to the perfusion fluid. 2 Stimulation caused a proportional secretion of DBH and CA from the untreated rabbit adrenal. The ratio of DBH/CA was 11.2 +/- 0.9 (mean +/- s.e.) which was close to that found in the crude granule fraction of the contralateral gland (11.4 +/- 0.7). 3 After treatment with insulin (40 u/kg) for 3 h or with reserpine (0.25 mg/kg) for 24 h, CA and DBH contents decreased in a parallel fashion in the granule fraction, thus resulting in a similar ratio of DBH/CA in the gland. The ratio in the effluents after stimulation was similar to that found in the untreated gland. 4 Higher doses of reserpine (0.7 to 2.5 mg/kg) increased the ratio of DBH/CA in the granule fraction and was dependent on the doses employed. The ratio in the effluents from these glands after stimulation paralleled these increased values. 5 Concomitant secretion of CA and DBH in response to stimulation was also observed in the perfused cat adrenal. However, the ratio of DBH/CA in the effluents tended to be lower than that found in the granule fraction. 6 These results support the concept of exocytotic secretion of CA in the adrenal medulla.", "contents": "Exocytotic release of catecholamines and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase from the perfused adrenal gland of the rabbit and cat. 1 Secretion of catecholamines (CA) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity from the perfused rabbit and cat adrenal gland was studied following stimulation by a number of substances, including the physiological transmitter, acetylcholine (ACh), added to the perfusion fluid. 2 Stimulation caused a proportional secretion of DBH and CA from the untreated rabbit adrenal. The ratio of DBH/CA was 11.2 +/- 0.9 (mean +/- s.e.) which was close to that found in the crude granule fraction of the contralateral gland (11.4 +/- 0.7). 3 After treatment with insulin (40 u/kg) for 3 h or with reserpine (0.25 mg/kg) for 24 h, CA and DBH contents decreased in a parallel fashion in the granule fraction, thus resulting in a similar ratio of DBH/CA in the gland. The ratio in the effluents after stimulation was similar to that found in the untreated gland. 4 Higher doses of reserpine (0.7 to 2.5 mg/kg) increased the ratio of DBH/CA in the granule fraction and was dependent on the doses employed. The ratio in the effluents from these glands after stimulation paralleled these increased values. 5 Concomitant secretion of CA and DBH in response to stimulation was also observed in the perfused cat adrenal. However, the ratio of DBH/CA in the effluents tended to be lower than that found in the granule fraction. 6 These results support the concept of exocytotic secretion of CA in the adrenal medulla.", "PMID": 760886} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_556", "title": "A centrally mediated prolonged hypotension produced by oxotremorine or pilocarpine.", "content": "1 Oxotremorine, methyloxotremorine, pilocarpine or arecoline were given intravenously to anaesthetized cats, dogs or rats, and intraperitoneally to conscious normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats, pretreated with doses of methylatropine that completely blocked peripheral muscarinic receptors, to ascertain their effects on blood pressure and heart rate.2 Oxotremorine but not methyloxotremorine produced a prolonged hypotension in cats and dogs but not in rats. Heart rate was not changed. Pilocarpine, although less potent, produced an identical effect, whereas the effect of arecoline was short by comparison. The hypotensive effect of these drugs was reversed by atropine.3 In dogs, oxotremorine produced a prolonged hypotension with no change in heart rate or cardiac output.4 A decrease in spontaneous sympathetic nerve activity accompanied the hypotension in cats. Both effects were reversed by atropine but could be reinvoked by large doses of oxotremorine.5 The oxotremorine-induced hypotension in cats was not altered by decerebration but was abolished by high cervical spinal section.6 The results indicate that the prolonged hypotension elicited by oxotremorine is mediated by an action at muscarinic receptors in the brain stem resulting in a decrease in sympathetic nerve activity and peripheral resistance but not heart rate or cardiac output.", "contents": "A centrally mediated prolonged hypotension produced by oxotremorine or pilocarpine. 1 Oxotremorine, methyloxotremorine, pilocarpine or arecoline were given intravenously to anaesthetized cats, dogs or rats, and intraperitoneally to conscious normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats, pretreated with doses of methylatropine that completely blocked peripheral muscarinic receptors, to ascertain their effects on blood pressure and heart rate.2 Oxotremorine but not methyloxotremorine produced a prolonged hypotension in cats and dogs but not in rats. Heart rate was not changed. Pilocarpine, although less potent, produced an identical effect, whereas the effect of arecoline was short by comparison. The hypotensive effect of these drugs was reversed by atropine.3 In dogs, oxotremorine produced a prolonged hypotension with no change in heart rate or cardiac output.4 A decrease in spontaneous sympathetic nerve activity accompanied the hypotension in cats. Both effects were reversed by atropine but could be reinvoked by large doses of oxotremorine.5 The oxotremorine-induced hypotension in cats was not altered by decerebration but was abolished by high cervical spinal section.6 The results indicate that the prolonged hypotension elicited by oxotremorine is mediated by an action at muscarinic receptors in the brain stem resulting in a decrease in sympathetic nerve activity and peripheral resistance but not heart rate or cardiac output.", "PMID": 760887} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_557", "title": "Pharmacological properties of kryptopyrrole and its oxidation products on isolated sciatic nerve of rat and on guinea-pig ileum.", "content": "1 Kryptopyrrole (2, 4-dimethyl, 3-ethylpyrrole) inhibited conduction in rat sciatic nerve by a local anaesthetic action. 2 Tone and both spontaneous and electrically-induced contractions of guinea-pig ileum were also inhibited by kryptopyrrole. The concentration of kryptopyrrole required for 50% inhibition of a maximum twitch tension (ID50) was 0.085 mM. 3 Oxidation products of kryptopyrrole with chromatographic properties similar to those of urinary constituents reported in schizophrenia and hepatic porphyrias had little or no effect at similar concentrations. 4 Dose-response curves to exogenous acetylcholine in guinea-pig ileum were shifted to the right by kryptopyrrole, with loss of parallelism and reduction in the maximum contraction. 5 Acetylcholine overflow from ileal segments at rest and during electrical stimulation was reduced by kryptopyrrole. 6 These results on ileal segments are consistent with kryptopyrrole having both a post-junctional site of action, presumably directly on the muscle, and a pre-junctional site reducing the output of acetylcholine from the myenteric plexus. 7 The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to a possible clinical pathological role for these compounds.", "contents": "Pharmacological properties of kryptopyrrole and its oxidation products on isolated sciatic nerve of rat and on guinea-pig ileum. 1 Kryptopyrrole (2, 4-dimethyl, 3-ethylpyrrole) inhibited conduction in rat sciatic nerve by a local anaesthetic action. 2 Tone and both spontaneous and electrically-induced contractions of guinea-pig ileum were also inhibited by kryptopyrrole. The concentration of kryptopyrrole required for 50% inhibition of a maximum twitch tension (ID50) was 0.085 mM. 3 Oxidation products of kryptopyrrole with chromatographic properties similar to those of urinary constituents reported in schizophrenia and hepatic porphyrias had little or no effect at similar concentrations. 4 Dose-response curves to exogenous acetylcholine in guinea-pig ileum were shifted to the right by kryptopyrrole, with loss of parallelism and reduction in the maximum contraction. 5 Acetylcholine overflow from ileal segments at rest and during electrical stimulation was reduced by kryptopyrrole. 6 These results on ileal segments are consistent with kryptopyrrole having both a post-junctional site of action, presumably directly on the muscle, and a pre-junctional site reducing the output of acetylcholine from the myenteric plexus. 7 The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to a possible clinical pathological role for these compounds.", "PMID": 760888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_558", "title": "The effects of deprivation of prostaglandin precursors on vascular sensitivity to angiotensin II and on the kidney in the pregnant rabbit.", "content": "1 Pregnant rabbits were deprived of essential fatty acids from day ten of pregnancy, and results compared with a control group on a normal diet. 2 At term, cannulation of jugular and carotid vessels was performed under anaesthesia, to study the vascular sensitivity to angiotensin II and basal blood pressure. 3 Plasma renin levels, urinary electrolytes and protein were measured. 4 Placental and renal tissue was examined histologically. 5 Though no changes were found in tissues, blood or urine, a markedly significant increase in response to angiotensin II was found in the group deprived of essential fatty acids. This parallels the findings in vascular response in human pre-eclampsia.", "contents": "The effects of deprivation of prostaglandin precursors on vascular sensitivity to angiotensin II and on the kidney in the pregnant rabbit. 1 Pregnant rabbits were deprived of essential fatty acids from day ten of pregnancy, and results compared with a control group on a normal diet. 2 At term, cannulation of jugular and carotid vessels was performed under anaesthesia, to study the vascular sensitivity to angiotensin II and basal blood pressure. 3 Plasma renin levels, urinary electrolytes and protein were measured. 4 Placental and renal tissue was examined histologically. 5 Though no changes were found in tissues, blood or urine, a markedly significant increase in response to angiotensin II was found in the group deprived of essential fatty acids. This parallels the findings in vascular response in human pre-eclampsia.", "PMID": 760889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_559", "title": "Effects of noradrenaline and carbachol on temperature regulation of rats.", "content": "1 Noradrenaline (0.2 to 20 micrograms) and carbachol (0.1 to 1 microgram) injected into the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area, evoked dose-dependent falls in core temperature at all sites tested, followed in most experiments by delayed increases that were not dose-related. Muscarine (0.1 to 10 microgram) produced effects similar to those evoked by carbachol. 2 These falls in core temperature were associated with increases in tail temperature, locomotor activity and CO2 elimination (a measure of metabolic rate). 3 The temperature responses to noradrenaline (10 microgram) and to carbachol (1 microgram) were antagonized by intrahypothalamic injections of phentolamine (10 microgram) and atropine (1 microgram), respectively. 4 Analysis of the temperature responses and their respective latencies indicates that carbachol-induced hypothermia was mediated by cholinoceptors in the anterior hypothalamus, whereas hypothermia after noradrenaline was mediated by adrenoceptors throughout the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area. 5 Vasodilatation of the tail blood vessels contributed significantly to the hypothermia evoked by carbachol, and to that evoked by injections of noradrenaline into the anterior hypothalamus. 6 Hypothermia induced by noradrenaline injection into the preoptic area, was mediated by effector mechanisms additional to non-evaporative heat loss.", "contents": "Effects of noradrenaline and carbachol on temperature regulation of rats. 1 Noradrenaline (0.2 to 20 micrograms) and carbachol (0.1 to 1 microgram) injected into the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area, evoked dose-dependent falls in core temperature at all sites tested, followed in most experiments by delayed increases that were not dose-related. Muscarine (0.1 to 10 microgram) produced effects similar to those evoked by carbachol. 2 These falls in core temperature were associated with increases in tail temperature, locomotor activity and CO2 elimination (a measure of metabolic rate). 3 The temperature responses to noradrenaline (10 microgram) and to carbachol (1 microgram) were antagonized by intrahypothalamic injections of phentolamine (10 microgram) and atropine (1 microgram), respectively. 4 Analysis of the temperature responses and their respective latencies indicates that carbachol-induced hypothermia was mediated by cholinoceptors in the anterior hypothalamus, whereas hypothermia after noradrenaline was mediated by adrenoceptors throughout the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area. 5 Vasodilatation of the tail blood vessels contributed significantly to the hypothermia evoked by carbachol, and to that evoked by injections of noradrenaline into the anterior hypothalamus. 6 Hypothermia induced by noradrenaline injection into the preoptic area, was mediated by effector mechanisms additional to non-evaporative heat loss.", "PMID": 760890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_560", "title": "Effects of 2,4-dinitrophenol amylobarbitone and certain other drugs on the rate of oxygen consumption and force of contraction of isolated curarized diaphragm muscle of the rat.", "content": "1 A technique has been developed for studying over periods of 10 min or longer the effects of drugs on both the force of electrically-induced contractions and the oxygen consumption of an isolated, curarized, mammalian, skeletal muscle preparation.2 The resting oxygen consumption of the muscle was increased substantially by 2,4-dinitrophenol in concentrations (0.02 mM and higher) that eventually produced contracture. Two other uncoupling agents, 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol and carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, behaved similarly.3 The oxygen consumption over 10 min of the stimulated muscle was also increased by 2,4-dinitrophenol (0.05 mM), although the strength of the ;maximal' contractions was lessened.4 Amylobarbitone increased the strength of contraction at a concentration (0.2 mM) that did not affect oxygen consumption significantly. Amylobarbitone and pentobarbitone also increased it at a concentration (1 mM) that depressed oxygen consumption. They decreased both strength of contraction and oxygen consumption at a concentration of 5 mM. Phenobarbitone had a weaker action.5 S-n-decyl-thiouronium increased oxygen consumption when given at a concentration (1 mM) that diminished strength of contraction and eventually produced contracture of the muscle.6 Both S-methyl-thiouronium (1 mM) and 4-aminopyridine (0.1 mM and 0.5 mM) increased strength of contraction without increasing oxygen consumption. Neither strength of contraction nor oxygen uptake was affected by ouabain (up to 0.01 mM) or by phenformin (0.1 mM).7 It is concluded that the response to 2,4-dinitrophenol is due mainly, if not wholly, to its known ability to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation; that the response to the barbiturates is due to a combination of a known metabolic action (viz., blocking of the respiratory chain) and a stimulant action on muscle; and the response to S-n-decyl-thiouronium to a disruptive action on cell membranes. The disproportionate actions of 4-aminopyridine and S-methyl-thiouronium on strength of contraction relative to oxygen consumption are also attributed to a non-metabolic action.", "contents": "Effects of 2,4-dinitrophenol amylobarbitone and certain other drugs on the rate of oxygen consumption and force of contraction of isolated curarized diaphragm muscle of the rat. 1 A technique has been developed for studying over periods of 10 min or longer the effects of drugs on both the force of electrically-induced contractions and the oxygen consumption of an isolated, curarized, mammalian, skeletal muscle preparation.2 The resting oxygen consumption of the muscle was increased substantially by 2,4-dinitrophenol in concentrations (0.02 mM and higher) that eventually produced contracture. Two other uncoupling agents, 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol and carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, behaved similarly.3 The oxygen consumption over 10 min of the stimulated muscle was also increased by 2,4-dinitrophenol (0.05 mM), although the strength of the ;maximal' contractions was lessened.4 Amylobarbitone increased the strength of contraction at a concentration (0.2 mM) that did not affect oxygen consumption significantly. Amylobarbitone and pentobarbitone also increased it at a concentration (1 mM) that depressed oxygen consumption. They decreased both strength of contraction and oxygen consumption at a concentration of 5 mM. Phenobarbitone had a weaker action.5 S-n-decyl-thiouronium increased oxygen consumption when given at a concentration (1 mM) that diminished strength of contraction and eventually produced contracture of the muscle.6 Both S-methyl-thiouronium (1 mM) and 4-aminopyridine (0.1 mM and 0.5 mM) increased strength of contraction without increasing oxygen consumption. Neither strength of contraction nor oxygen uptake was affected by ouabain (up to 0.01 mM) or by phenformin (0.1 mM).7 It is concluded that the response to 2,4-dinitrophenol is due mainly, if not wholly, to its known ability to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation; that the response to the barbiturates is due to a combination of a known metabolic action (viz., blocking of the respiratory chain) and a stimulant action on muscle; and the response to S-n-decyl-thiouronium to a disruptive action on cell membranes. The disproportionate actions of 4-aminopyridine and S-methyl-thiouronium on strength of contraction relative to oxygen consumption are also attributed to a non-metabolic action.", "PMID": 760891} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_561", "title": "Morphine depression and tolerance of nerve-induced parotid secretion.", "content": "1 The nerve-induced secretion produced by the rat parotid gland is proportional to the frequency of stimulation. Morphine decreased the flow rate during stimulation at 2.5 and 5 Hz, but not at 20 Hz. This frequency-dependent action of morphine and was partially reversed by naloxone. 2 The secretion produced by the rat parotid gland during an intravenous infusion of acetylcholine was not diminished by morphine. Therefore, the action of morphine on nerve-induced secretion is most probably on the motor nerve terminals, which release acetylcholine. 3 Animals that had been implanted with morphine base pellets tolerated 4 times as much morphine as controls; after 6 days the minute ventilation was less depressed by graded doses of morphine than non-implanted controls. 4 Nerve-induced secretion in morphine-implanted animals was less depressed by morphine than control animals 6 and 24 h after the pellets were removed. The flow rates in the 6 h group treated with morphine were greater after naloxone than control (precipitated withdrawal) but at 24 h when withdrawal symptoms were no longer evident, naloxone produced only a slight reversal.", "contents": "Morphine depression and tolerance of nerve-induced parotid secretion. 1 The nerve-induced secretion produced by the rat parotid gland is proportional to the frequency of stimulation. Morphine decreased the flow rate during stimulation at 2.5 and 5 Hz, but not at 20 Hz. This frequency-dependent action of morphine and was partially reversed by naloxone. 2 The secretion produced by the rat parotid gland during an intravenous infusion of acetylcholine was not diminished by morphine. Therefore, the action of morphine on nerve-induced secretion is most probably on the motor nerve terminals, which release acetylcholine. 3 Animals that had been implanted with morphine base pellets tolerated 4 times as much morphine as controls; after 6 days the minute ventilation was less depressed by graded doses of morphine than non-implanted controls. 4 Nerve-induced secretion in morphine-implanted animals was less depressed by morphine than control animals 6 and 24 h after the pellets were removed. The flow rates in the 6 h group treated with morphine were greater after naloxone than control (precipitated withdrawal) but at 24 h when withdrawal symptoms were no longer evident, naloxone produced only a slight reversal.", "PMID": 760892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_562", "title": "Myocardial synthesis of prostaglandin-like substances and coronary reactions to cardiostimulation and to hypoxia.", "content": "1 Continuous recording of cardiac contractions and coronary flow from isolated perfused hearts of rats permitted the study of coronary reactions to: (a) cardiostimulation induced by single doses or slow infusions of noradrenaline, CaCl2, glucagon or electrically induced tachycardia; (b) short interruptions of coronary inflow (hypoxia). 2 Except during tachycardia the heart rate was kept constant at 210 beats/min by electrical pacing. 3 Metabolic coronary vasodilatation (MCD) resulting from cardiac hyperactivity induced by noradrenaline, Ca2+, tachycardia or glucagon was inhibited by administration of prostaglandin E2. Reactive hyperaemia response to hypoxia was unaffected by prostaglandin administration. 4 Inhibition of MCD could also be obtained by prolonged infusion with arachidonic acid (1.6 X 10(-7) M), presumably by its conversion into prostaglandin-like substance since arachidonic acid failed to block MCD in hearts from rats pretreated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, naproxen, phenylbutazone). 5 Reactive hyperaemia was unaffected either by arachidonic acid or by blockade of the synthesis of prostaglandin-like substances by anti-inflammatory drugs. 6 Since prostaglandin synthetase inhibition does not prevent but may enhance MCD, we do not advocate prostaglandin-like substances as agents directly responsible for the coronary vasodilatation that follows cardiac hyperactivity. 7 We postulate that cardiac overproduction of prostaglandins may lead to a failure in the adaptive coronary flow response to cardiac hyperactivity (coronary insufficiency?).", "contents": "Myocardial synthesis of prostaglandin-like substances and coronary reactions to cardiostimulation and to hypoxia. 1 Continuous recording of cardiac contractions and coronary flow from isolated perfused hearts of rats permitted the study of coronary reactions to: (a) cardiostimulation induced by single doses or slow infusions of noradrenaline, CaCl2, glucagon or electrically induced tachycardia; (b) short interruptions of coronary inflow (hypoxia). 2 Except during tachycardia the heart rate was kept constant at 210 beats/min by electrical pacing. 3 Metabolic coronary vasodilatation (MCD) resulting from cardiac hyperactivity induced by noradrenaline, Ca2+, tachycardia or glucagon was inhibited by administration of prostaglandin E2. Reactive hyperaemia response to hypoxia was unaffected by prostaglandin administration. 4 Inhibition of MCD could also be obtained by prolonged infusion with arachidonic acid (1.6 X 10(-7) M), presumably by its conversion into prostaglandin-like substance since arachidonic acid failed to block MCD in hearts from rats pretreated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, naproxen, phenylbutazone). 5 Reactive hyperaemia was unaffected either by arachidonic acid or by blockade of the synthesis of prostaglandin-like substances by anti-inflammatory drugs. 6 Since prostaglandin synthetase inhibition does not prevent but may enhance MCD, we do not advocate prostaglandin-like substances as agents directly responsible for the coronary vasodilatation that follows cardiac hyperactivity. 7 We postulate that cardiac overproduction of prostaglandins may lead to a failure in the adaptive coronary flow response to cardiac hyperactivity (coronary insufficiency?).", "PMID": 760893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_563", "title": "Effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and beta-gamma-methylene ATP on the rat urinary bladder.", "content": "1 High concentrations of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP, 100 to 1000 micrometer) were required to cause contraction of the rat urinary bladder, while adenosine and adenosine 5'monophosphate (AMP, 1 to 50 micrometer) produced relaxation. 2 One hundred fold lower concentrations of beta-gamma-methylene ATP, which is resistant to degradation to AMP and adenosine, caused dose-dependent, phasic contractions which mimicked atropine-resistant responses to nerve stimulation. 3 Adenosine and AMP caused dose-dependent inhibition of carbachol-induced contractions; theophylline competitively antagonized this inhibition but not the contractile responses to beta-gamma-methylene ATP, ATP or atropine-resistant nerve stimulation. 4 These results suggest that the insensitivity of the rat bladder to ATP is due to its rapid degradation to AMP and adenosine and support the hypothesis that the bladder receives a purinergic excitatory innervation.", "contents": "Effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and beta-gamma-methylene ATP on the rat urinary bladder. 1 High concentrations of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP, 100 to 1000 micrometer) were required to cause contraction of the rat urinary bladder, while adenosine and adenosine 5'monophosphate (AMP, 1 to 50 micrometer) produced relaxation. 2 One hundred fold lower concentrations of beta-gamma-methylene ATP, which is resistant to degradation to AMP and adenosine, caused dose-dependent, phasic contractions which mimicked atropine-resistant responses to nerve stimulation. 3 Adenosine and AMP caused dose-dependent inhibition of carbachol-induced contractions; theophylline competitively antagonized this inhibition but not the contractile responses to beta-gamma-methylene ATP, ATP or atropine-resistant nerve stimulation. 4 These results suggest that the insensitivity of the rat bladder to ATP is due to its rapid degradation to AMP and adenosine and support the hypothesis that the bladder receives a purinergic excitatory innervation.", "PMID": 760894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_564", "title": "The binding of [3H]-oestradiol-17 beta in the immature rat uterus during the sequential administration of non-steroidal anti-oestrogens.", "content": "1 The binding of [(3)H]-oestradiol-17beta (0.08 mug) in the uterus, vagina, liver and heart of immature female rats has been studied in vivo and the effect of daily administrations of the non-steroidal anti-oestrogens, tamoxifen and monohydroxytamoxifen, on the 2 h accumulation of [(3)H]-oestradiol-17beta in the uterus has been determined.2 Doses of tamoxifen (8 mug daily) or monohydroxytamoxifen (1.28 mug daily), which have previously been found to antagonize completely the uterotrophic activity of oestradiol-17beta (0.08 mug daily), did not significantly reduce the total uterine binding of 0.08 mug [(3)H]-oestradiol-17beta administered on day 4 of a 3-day uterine weight test.3 The simultaneous administration of tamoxifen (8 mug) or monohydroxytamoxifen (1.28 mug) with [(3)H]-oestradiol-17beta (0.08 mug) on day 3 of a uterine weight test did not significantly reduce the total uterine binding of oestradiol-17beta. The binding of [(3)H]-oestradiol-17beta was reduced if monohydroxytamoxifen or tamoxifen was administered 4 h before the oestradiol.4 Tamoxifen (8 mug daily) or monohydroxytamoxifen (1.28 mug daily) did not prevent the translocation of [(3)H]-oestradiol (0.08 mug) to the uterine cell nucleus on day 3 of a 3-day uterine weight test.5 The measurement of total nuclear oestrogen receptors by an exchange assay technique demonstrated a higher concentration of oestrogen receptors in anti-oestrogen-treated animals compared with controls.6 Since the administration of anti-oestrogenic doses of non-steroidal anti-oestrogens during a 3-day uterine weight test did not inhibit the total binding of oestradiol in the uterus, or affect the translocation of the steroid to the nucleus, the mechanism of action of non-steroidal anti-oestrogens over the range of the partial agonist dose-response curve must involve an interaction, or competition of oestradiol-17beta- and anti-oestrogen-oestrogen receptor complexes for sites within the nucleus.", "contents": "The binding of [3H]-oestradiol-17 beta in the immature rat uterus during the sequential administration of non-steroidal anti-oestrogens. 1 The binding of [(3)H]-oestradiol-17beta (0.08 mug) in the uterus, vagina, liver and heart of immature female rats has been studied in vivo and the effect of daily administrations of the non-steroidal anti-oestrogens, tamoxifen and monohydroxytamoxifen, on the 2 h accumulation of [(3)H]-oestradiol-17beta in the uterus has been determined.2 Doses of tamoxifen (8 mug daily) or monohydroxytamoxifen (1.28 mug daily), which have previously been found to antagonize completely the uterotrophic activity of oestradiol-17beta (0.08 mug daily), did not significantly reduce the total uterine binding of 0.08 mug [(3)H]-oestradiol-17beta administered on day 4 of a 3-day uterine weight test.3 The simultaneous administration of tamoxifen (8 mug) or monohydroxytamoxifen (1.28 mug) with [(3)H]-oestradiol-17beta (0.08 mug) on day 3 of a uterine weight test did not significantly reduce the total uterine binding of oestradiol-17beta. The binding of [(3)H]-oestradiol-17beta was reduced if monohydroxytamoxifen or tamoxifen was administered 4 h before the oestradiol.4 Tamoxifen (8 mug daily) or monohydroxytamoxifen (1.28 mug daily) did not prevent the translocation of [(3)H]-oestradiol (0.08 mug) to the uterine cell nucleus on day 3 of a 3-day uterine weight test.5 The measurement of total nuclear oestrogen receptors by an exchange assay technique demonstrated a higher concentration of oestrogen receptors in anti-oestrogen-treated animals compared with controls.6 Since the administration of anti-oestrogenic doses of non-steroidal anti-oestrogens during a 3-day uterine weight test did not inhibit the total binding of oestradiol in the uterus, or affect the translocation of the steroid to the nucleus, the mechanism of action of non-steroidal anti-oestrogens over the range of the partial agonist dose-response curve must involve an interaction, or competition of oestradiol-17beta- and anti-oestrogen-oestrogen receptor complexes for sites within the nucleus.", "PMID": 760895} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_565", "title": "Barbitone-induced tolerance to the effects of sedative-hypnotics and related compounds on operant behaviour in the rat.", "content": "1 Pretreatment doses of barbitone, pentobarbitone, ethanol, and phenytoin (diphenylhydantoin) in non-tolerant rats produced increases in operant responding at low doses and at higher doses resulted in decreases in responding.2 Daily barbitone injections (100 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in the development of functional tolerance to both the stimulant and depressant effects of barbitone on responding.3 Barbitone tolerance development did not result in any change in the brain or plasma pharmacokinetics of barbitone.4 Barbitone-tolerant rats were cross-tolerant to the behavioural effects of pentobarbitone, ethanol, and phenytoin. The dose-effect curves for all of these drugs were shifted to the right in tolerant rats, compared to non-tolerant rats.5 Comparison of the brain and plasma levels of these drugs in non-tolerant and tolerant rats provided a means of separating functional cross-tolerance from dispositional cross-tolerance. Barbitone-tolerant rats appeared to be functionally cross-tolerant to ethanol in that there was no change in the brain and blood ethanol levels at times when the degree of behavioural impairment was substantially reduced. In contrast to ethanol, cross-tolerance to phenytoin appeared to be due to a decrease in the brain and plasma levels (dispositional tolerance). Cross-tolerance to pentobarbitone appeared to be comprised of both functional and dispositional cross-tolerance.6 The usefulness of a multidisciplinary approach in the analysis of sedative hypnotic tolerance and cross-tolerance is discussed. It is concluded that without the concurrent determination of both brain and plasma drug levels it would not be possible to distinguish between functional and dispositional tolerance.", "contents": "Barbitone-induced tolerance to the effects of sedative-hypnotics and related compounds on operant behaviour in the rat. 1 Pretreatment doses of barbitone, pentobarbitone, ethanol, and phenytoin (diphenylhydantoin) in non-tolerant rats produced increases in operant responding at low doses and at higher doses resulted in decreases in responding.2 Daily barbitone injections (100 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in the development of functional tolerance to both the stimulant and depressant effects of barbitone on responding.3 Barbitone tolerance development did not result in any change in the brain or plasma pharmacokinetics of barbitone.4 Barbitone-tolerant rats were cross-tolerant to the behavioural effects of pentobarbitone, ethanol, and phenytoin. The dose-effect curves for all of these drugs were shifted to the right in tolerant rats, compared to non-tolerant rats.5 Comparison of the brain and plasma levels of these drugs in non-tolerant and tolerant rats provided a means of separating functional cross-tolerance from dispositional cross-tolerance. Barbitone-tolerant rats appeared to be functionally cross-tolerant to ethanol in that there was no change in the brain and blood ethanol levels at times when the degree of behavioural impairment was substantially reduced. In contrast to ethanol, cross-tolerance to phenytoin appeared to be due to a decrease in the brain and plasma levels (dispositional tolerance). Cross-tolerance to pentobarbitone appeared to be comprised of both functional and dispositional cross-tolerance.6 The usefulness of a multidisciplinary approach in the analysis of sedative hypnotic tolerance and cross-tolerance is discussed. It is concluded that without the concurrent determination of both brain and plasma drug levels it would not be possible to distinguish between functional and dispositional tolerance.", "PMID": 760896} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_566", "title": "A comparative study of the action of frusemide and methyclothiazide on renin release by rat kidney slices and the interaction with indomethacin.", "content": "1 The effects of frusemide (a diuretic acting on the loop of Henle) and methyclothiazide (a thiazide diuretic) on renin release were studied on rat kidney slices. 2 Frusemide at concentrations of 1.5 and 7.5 mmol/l produced significant increases in renin release but had no effect at 0.15 mmol/l. 3 Methyclothiazide in a similar concentration range did not increase renin release; instead, at the highest concentration used, methyclothiazide (3.5 mmol/l) inhibited renin release. 4 Indomethacin (25 mumol/l) did not inhibit the increase of renin induced by frusemide. 5 Our limited study in vitro is consistent with the findings of other workers who have shown in vivo, in the absence of systemic electrolyte depletion, that only \"loop diuretics\" increase renin secretion. Under our experimental conditions, it is suggested that frusemide exerts a direct action either upon the epithelioid cells or upon the macula densa since the renal prostaglandin system does not intervene.", "contents": "A comparative study of the action of frusemide and methyclothiazide on renin release by rat kidney slices and the interaction with indomethacin. 1 The effects of frusemide (a diuretic acting on the loop of Henle) and methyclothiazide (a thiazide diuretic) on renin release were studied on rat kidney slices. 2 Frusemide at concentrations of 1.5 and 7.5 mmol/l produced significant increases in renin release but had no effect at 0.15 mmol/l. 3 Methyclothiazide in a similar concentration range did not increase renin release; instead, at the highest concentration used, methyclothiazide (3.5 mmol/l) inhibited renin release. 4 Indomethacin (25 mumol/l) did not inhibit the increase of renin induced by frusemide. 5 Our limited study in vitro is consistent with the findings of other workers who have shown in vivo, in the absence of systemic electrolyte depletion, that only \"loop diuretics\" increase renin secretion. Under our experimental conditions, it is suggested that frusemide exerts a direct action either upon the epithelioid cells or upon the macula densa since the renal prostaglandin system does not intervene.", "PMID": 760897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_567", "title": "Presynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid responses in the olfactory cortex.", "content": "1. Potential changes were recorded from the lateral olfactory tract in slices of rat olfactory cortex in vitro at room temperature. 2. Superfused gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) usually produced dose-related depolarization of the lateral olfactory tract. Muscimol and 3-aminopropanesulphonic acid appeared more potent depolarizing agents than GABA, and glycine and taurine appeared less potent. Carbachol and glutamate were virtually ineffective. 3. The GABA responses were at least partially Cl- dependent. 4. (+)-Bicuculline and higher concentrations of strychnine antagonized the GABA but not the glycine-induced depolarizations. Paradoxically, responses to high doses of GABA were sometimes potentiated by both bicuculline and strychnine. 5. It is suggested that GABA receptors could occur as widely on nerve terminals as they do postsynaptically in the CNS, where GABA could be involved in the modulation of transmitter output.", "contents": "Presynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid responses in the olfactory cortex. 1. Potential changes were recorded from the lateral olfactory tract in slices of rat olfactory cortex in vitro at room temperature. 2. Superfused gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) usually produced dose-related depolarization of the lateral olfactory tract. Muscimol and 3-aminopropanesulphonic acid appeared more potent depolarizing agents than GABA, and glycine and taurine appeared less potent. Carbachol and glutamate were virtually ineffective. 3. The GABA responses were at least partially Cl- dependent. 4. (+)-Bicuculline and higher concentrations of strychnine antagonized the GABA but not the glycine-induced depolarizations. Paradoxically, responses to high doses of GABA were sometimes potentiated by both bicuculline and strychnine. 5. It is suggested that GABA receptors could occur as widely on nerve terminals as they do postsynaptically in the CNS, where GABA could be involved in the modulation of transmitter output.", "PMID": 760898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_568", "title": "The appearance of noradrenaline and adrenaline and the developmental changes in the their concentrations in the gut of the chick.", "content": "1. The times of appearance and the concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline were determined fluorimetrically in the gut of the embryonic and developing chick. 2. In the duodenum and jejunum, noradrenaline was detected in embryos on the 12th day of incubation. The concentration continued to increase throughout the embryonic stage and attained a maximum within 3 days of hatching. Afterwards, it decreased to about one-third of the peak level. No adrenaline was detectable in most stages of development. 3. In the rectum, noradrenaline was detected in embryos on the 12th day of incubation; both noradrenaline and adrenaline were invariably found on the 15th day of incubation. The concentrations of both amines fluctuated after hatching, but the amount of adrenaline was always approximately 40% of the amount of noradrenaline, except in the adult.", "contents": "The appearance of noradrenaline and adrenaline and the developmental changes in the their concentrations in the gut of the chick. 1. The times of appearance and the concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline were determined fluorimetrically in the gut of the embryonic and developing chick. 2. In the duodenum and jejunum, noradrenaline was detected in embryos on the 12th day of incubation. The concentration continued to increase throughout the embryonic stage and attained a maximum within 3 days of hatching. Afterwards, it decreased to about one-third of the peak level. No adrenaline was detectable in most stages of development. 3. In the rectum, noradrenaline was detected in embryos on the 12th day of incubation; both noradrenaline and adrenaline were invariably found on the 15th day of incubation. The concentrations of both amines fluctuated after hatching, but the amount of adrenaline was always approximately 40% of the amount of noradrenaline, except in the adult.", "PMID": 760899} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_569", "title": "Evidence that adrenaline is released from adrenergic neurones in the rectum of the fowl.", "content": "1 The rectum isolated from the fowl was perfused with Tyrode solution via the caudal mesenteric artery. Noradrenaline and adrenaline were biologically or fluorimetrically assayed in perfusates collected before and during stimulation of Remak's nerve or of the periarterial nerves.2 Perfusates collected during nerve stimulation relaxed the chick rectum and rat stomach strips which served as assay tissues. This effect was attributed to the action of noradrenaline or adrenaline released from adrenergic nerve endings which appeared in the perfusates.3 Perfusates obtained during stimulation (30 Hz for 60 s) of Remak's nerve contained both noradrenaline and adrenaline when measured fluorimetrically. The mean output per stimulus train was 0.8 +/- 0.2 ng/g wet wt. tissue for noradrenaline and 1.7 +/- 0.2 ng/g wet wt. tissue for adrenaline (n = 7). Perfusates obtained during stimulation (30 Hz for 60 s) of the periarterial nerves contained noradrenaline in a concentration of 1.6 +/- 0.3 ng/g wet wt. tissue per stimulus train, but almost no adrenaline (n = 7).4 Neither stimulation of Remak's nerve nor the periarterial nerves liberated catecholamines when the rectum was perfused with Tyrode solution containing low Ca(2+) (0.1 mM) and high Mg(2+) (10 mM).5 Infusion of high potassium solution (50 mM) increased markedly the output of noradrenaline and adrenaline.6 Adrenaline as well as noradrenaline may function as the adrenergic neurotransmitter in the rectum of the fowl.", "contents": "Evidence that adrenaline is released from adrenergic neurones in the rectum of the fowl. 1 The rectum isolated from the fowl was perfused with Tyrode solution via the caudal mesenteric artery. Noradrenaline and adrenaline were biologically or fluorimetrically assayed in perfusates collected before and during stimulation of Remak's nerve or of the periarterial nerves.2 Perfusates collected during nerve stimulation relaxed the chick rectum and rat stomach strips which served as assay tissues. This effect was attributed to the action of noradrenaline or adrenaline released from adrenergic nerve endings which appeared in the perfusates.3 Perfusates obtained during stimulation (30 Hz for 60 s) of Remak's nerve contained both noradrenaline and adrenaline when measured fluorimetrically. The mean output per stimulus train was 0.8 +/- 0.2 ng/g wet wt. tissue for noradrenaline and 1.7 +/- 0.2 ng/g wet wt. tissue for adrenaline (n = 7). Perfusates obtained during stimulation (30 Hz for 60 s) of the periarterial nerves contained noradrenaline in a concentration of 1.6 +/- 0.3 ng/g wet wt. tissue per stimulus train, but almost no adrenaline (n = 7).4 Neither stimulation of Remak's nerve nor the periarterial nerves liberated catecholamines when the rectum was perfused with Tyrode solution containing low Ca(2+) (0.1 mM) and high Mg(2+) (10 mM).5 Infusion of high potassium solution (50 mM) increased markedly the output of noradrenaline and adrenaline.6 Adrenaline as well as noradrenaline may function as the adrenergic neurotransmitter in the rectum of the fowl.", "PMID": 760900} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_570", "title": "Release of [3H]-acetylcholine from the isolated retina of the rat by potassium depolarization: dependence on high affinity choline uptake.", "content": "1. The effect of potassium depolarization on the release of [3H]-acetylcholine ([3H]-ACh) from the isolated retina of the rat was studied. 2. Exposure of retinae to medium containing KCl (50 mM) evoked a large increase in the efflux of [3H]-ACh with only a small concurrent increase in the efflux of [3H]-choline. The KCl-evoked release of [3H]-ACh was almost abolished in calcium-free medium. 3. Incubation of retinae with [3H]-choline in sodium-free medium, or medium containing hemicholinum-3 (HC-3), procedures that are believed to inhibit selectively the high affinity choline transport system, reduced the retinal uptake of [3H]-choline by approximately 50% and the synthesis of [3H]-ACh by about 97%. 4. The potassium-evoked release of [3H]-ACh was almost abolished in retinae that had been loaded with [3H]-choline in sodium-free medium or medium containing HC-3, and subsequently superfused in normal medium. 5. It is suggested that as in other areas of the nervous system, a sodium-dependent, high affinity uptake system for choline is important in retinal cholinergic nerve terminals.", "contents": "Release of [3H]-acetylcholine from the isolated retina of the rat by potassium depolarization: dependence on high affinity choline uptake. 1. The effect of potassium depolarization on the release of [3H]-acetylcholine ([3H]-ACh) from the isolated retina of the rat was studied. 2. Exposure of retinae to medium containing KCl (50 mM) evoked a large increase in the efflux of [3H]-ACh with only a small concurrent increase in the efflux of [3H]-choline. The KCl-evoked release of [3H]-ACh was almost abolished in calcium-free medium. 3. Incubation of retinae with [3H]-choline in sodium-free medium, or medium containing hemicholinum-3 (HC-3), procedures that are believed to inhibit selectively the high affinity choline transport system, reduced the retinal uptake of [3H]-choline by approximately 50% and the synthesis of [3H]-ACh by about 97%. 4. The potassium-evoked release of [3H]-ACh was almost abolished in retinae that had been loaded with [3H]-choline in sodium-free medium or medium containing HC-3, and subsequently superfused in normal medium. 5. It is suggested that as in other areas of the nervous system, a sodium-dependent, high affinity uptake system for choline is important in retinal cholinergic nerve terminals.", "PMID": 760901} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_571", "title": "Augmentation by chlordiazepoxide of the inhibitory effects of taurine, beta-alanine and gamma-aminobutyric acid on spike discharges in guinea-pig cerebellar slices.", "content": "1. Chlordiazepoxide (Cdp, 1 to 100 micrometer) enhanced the inhibitory action of externally applied gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) upon spontaneous spike discharges in guinea-pig cerebellar slices; the actions of externally applied beta-alanine and taurine, but not externally applied glycine, were also enhanced by Cdp. 2. It was suggested the Cdp might exert its action by enhancing the increase of membrane permeability to K+ induced by the amino acid, but not to Cl-. 3. Cdp (5 to 100 micrometer) reversed the antagonism of picrotoxin to the inhibitory action of externally applied GABA and also the antagonism of strychnine to the actions of externally applied beta-alanine and taurine. 4. The inhibition of the spontaneous spike discharges of Purkinje cells, evoked by electrical stimulation of the slice, was also enhanced by Cdp (10 to 100 micrometer). 5. The blocking action of picrotoxin (10 to 20 micrometer) on the stimulus-evoked inhibition of spike discharges was reversed by Cdp (10 micrometer). 6. In a similar manner, strychnine (10 or 20 micrometer) was also found to block the stimulus-evoked inhibition of spike discharges. It is suggested that in the cerebellum strychnine-sensitive amino acid(s) may be involved in synaptic transmission. Strychnine blockade was also reversed by Cdp (10 micrometer).", "contents": "Augmentation by chlordiazepoxide of the inhibitory effects of taurine, beta-alanine and gamma-aminobutyric acid on spike discharges in guinea-pig cerebellar slices. 1. Chlordiazepoxide (Cdp, 1 to 100 micrometer) enhanced the inhibitory action of externally applied gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) upon spontaneous spike discharges in guinea-pig cerebellar slices; the actions of externally applied beta-alanine and taurine, but not externally applied glycine, were also enhanced by Cdp. 2. It was suggested the Cdp might exert its action by enhancing the increase of membrane permeability to K+ induced by the amino acid, but not to Cl-. 3. Cdp (5 to 100 micrometer) reversed the antagonism of picrotoxin to the inhibitory action of externally applied GABA and also the antagonism of strychnine to the actions of externally applied beta-alanine and taurine. 4. The inhibition of the spontaneous spike discharges of Purkinje cells, evoked by electrical stimulation of the slice, was also enhanced by Cdp (10 to 100 micrometer). 5. The blocking action of picrotoxin (10 to 20 micrometer) on the stimulus-evoked inhibition of spike discharges was reversed by Cdp (10 micrometer). 6. In a similar manner, strychnine (10 or 20 micrometer) was also found to block the stimulus-evoked inhibition of spike discharges. It is suggested that in the cerebellum strychnine-sensitive amino acid(s) may be involved in synaptic transmission. Strychnine blockade was also reversed by Cdp (10 micrometer).", "PMID": 760902} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_572", "title": "Further observations on the interaction between glutamate and aspartate on lobster muscle.", "content": "1 The ability of bath-applied L-glutamate to enhance subsequent depolarizations produced by bath-applied L-aspartate on lobster muscle was further investigated by means of intracellular recording techniques. 2. Increasing the conditioning glutamate concentration or exposure time produced a greater enhancement of aspartate responses. Enhancement was also dependent on the time interval between glutamate and aspartate doses and was not prevented by overnight storage of preparations in vitro. 3. The dose-depolarization curve for enhanced aspartate responses (measured at a fixed time following a given dose of glutamate) was displaced to the left along the abscissa scale relative to control, with no detectable change in limiting log-log slope. 4. Conditioning doses of kainate or domoate (but not quisqualate, aspartate, or KCl) also enhanced aspartate responses; however, their conditioning effect was little affected by increasing the concentration, exposure time, or time interval before applying aspartate. The rate of onset and decline of the enhanced aspartate response always resembled that of the previous conditioning agonist. 5. D and L-Aspartate were approximately equieffective depolarizing agents whereas D-glutamate was approximately 1/40 as potent as L-glutamate. After a conditioning dose of D or L-glutamate, responses to D or L-aspartate were enhanced. 6. In a Na+-free (Li+) medium, both the glutamate depolarization and the conditioning effect towards aspartate were largely abolished. With kainate however, Na+ was not apparently important either for evoking the kainate response or for producing the conditioning effect. 7. Bath-applied glutamate greatly enhanced and prolonged the time course of the iontophoretic aspartate potential with only a small effect on the glutamate potential; however, these effects were not maintained after washout of glutamate. In contrast, bath-application of aspartate depressed the aspartate potential while enhancing the glutamate potential. Some sites that were insensitive to iontophoretically-applied aspartate became clearly responsive to this agent during a bath-application of glutamate. 8. It is proposed that during conditioning with bath-applied glutamate, kainate or domoate, some agonist is trapped by extrajunctional sites and is subsequently displaced by bath-applied aspartate to produce the long-term enhancement effect.", "contents": "Further observations on the interaction between glutamate and aspartate on lobster muscle. 1 The ability of bath-applied L-glutamate to enhance subsequent depolarizations produced by bath-applied L-aspartate on lobster muscle was further investigated by means of intracellular recording techniques. 2. Increasing the conditioning glutamate concentration or exposure time produced a greater enhancement of aspartate responses. Enhancement was also dependent on the time interval between glutamate and aspartate doses and was not prevented by overnight storage of preparations in vitro. 3. The dose-depolarization curve for enhanced aspartate responses (measured at a fixed time following a given dose of glutamate) was displaced to the left along the abscissa scale relative to control, with no detectable change in limiting log-log slope. 4. Conditioning doses of kainate or domoate (but not quisqualate, aspartate, or KCl) also enhanced aspartate responses; however, their conditioning effect was little affected by increasing the concentration, exposure time, or time interval before applying aspartate. The rate of onset and decline of the enhanced aspartate response always resembled that of the previous conditioning agonist. 5. D and L-Aspartate were approximately equieffective depolarizing agents whereas D-glutamate was approximately 1/40 as potent as L-glutamate. After a conditioning dose of D or L-glutamate, responses to D or L-aspartate were enhanced. 6. In a Na+-free (Li+) medium, both the glutamate depolarization and the conditioning effect towards aspartate were largely abolished. With kainate however, Na+ was not apparently important either for evoking the kainate response or for producing the conditioning effect. 7. Bath-applied glutamate greatly enhanced and prolonged the time course of the iontophoretic aspartate potential with only a small effect on the glutamate potential; however, these effects were not maintained after washout of glutamate. In contrast, bath-application of aspartate depressed the aspartate potential while enhancing the glutamate potential. Some sites that were insensitive to iontophoretically-applied aspartate became clearly responsive to this agent during a bath-application of glutamate. 8. It is proposed that during conditioning with bath-applied glutamate, kainate or domoate, some agonist is trapped by extrajunctional sites and is subsequently displaced by bath-applied aspartate to produce the long-term enhancement effect.", "PMID": 760903} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_573", "title": "Reversal of DOPA-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits and mice by histidine.", "content": "1 The behavioural effects induced by histidine were studied in two species. In rabbits, sedation was assessed by the presence of blepharospasm, loss of righting reflex, and loss of response to painful stimuli. In mice, sedation and arousal were assessed by changes in the locomotor activity, exploratory activity, and minimal electroshock seizure threshold.2 The administration of histidine to normal rabbits or mice, in doses of 800 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively, had no apparent effect on behaviour. Moreover, it did not affect the behavioural excitation induced by L-DOPA (100 mg/kg i.v. in rabbits and 750 mg/kg i.p. in mice) in these animals.3 The administration of histidine with or after L-DOPA in reserpine-treated rabbits (2.5 mg/kg i.v.) or mice (5 mg/kg, i.p.) produced sedation. This sedative effect was dose-dependent.4 The sedative effects induced by histidine after DOPA-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits and mice were prevented by prior injection of the histamine H(1)-receptor blockers, chlorpheniramine (2.5 mg/kg) or diphenhydramine (5 mg/kg).5 Imipramine (7 to 10 mg/kg, i.v.)-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits was also reversed by histidine infusion.6 The infusion of 5-hydroxytryptophan (100 mg/kg, i.v.) with L-DOPA, or of arginine (450 mg/kg, i.v.) with or after L-DOPA, or of histamine (100 mug/kg), i.v.) after L-DOPA, did not affect the DOPA-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits.7 These findings indicate that histamine, formed centrally from exogenous histidine, and released in increased amounts at the synapses in reserpine-treated animals, possesses a central sedative effect. This effect may be sufficient to antagonize the behavioural excitation induced by high levels of catecholamines in the brain of these animals when aroused by L-DOPA administration.8 It is concluded that in addition to the other monoamines, histamine may also be implicated in the regulation of brain excitability.", "contents": "Reversal of DOPA-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits and mice by histidine. 1 The behavioural effects induced by histidine were studied in two species. In rabbits, sedation was assessed by the presence of blepharospasm, loss of righting reflex, and loss of response to painful stimuli. In mice, sedation and arousal were assessed by changes in the locomotor activity, exploratory activity, and minimal electroshock seizure threshold.2 The administration of histidine to normal rabbits or mice, in doses of 800 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively, had no apparent effect on behaviour. Moreover, it did not affect the behavioural excitation induced by L-DOPA (100 mg/kg i.v. in rabbits and 750 mg/kg i.p. in mice) in these animals.3 The administration of histidine with or after L-DOPA in reserpine-treated rabbits (2.5 mg/kg i.v.) or mice (5 mg/kg, i.p.) produced sedation. This sedative effect was dose-dependent.4 The sedative effects induced by histidine after DOPA-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits and mice were prevented by prior injection of the histamine H(1)-receptor blockers, chlorpheniramine (2.5 mg/kg) or diphenhydramine (5 mg/kg).5 Imipramine (7 to 10 mg/kg, i.v.)-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits was also reversed by histidine infusion.6 The infusion of 5-hydroxytryptophan (100 mg/kg, i.v.) with L-DOPA, or of arginine (450 mg/kg, i.v.) with or after L-DOPA, or of histamine (100 mug/kg), i.v.) after L-DOPA, did not affect the DOPA-induced arousal in reserpine-treated rabbits.7 These findings indicate that histamine, formed centrally from exogenous histidine, and released in increased amounts at the synapses in reserpine-treated animals, possesses a central sedative effect. This effect may be sufficient to antagonize the behavioural excitation induced by high levels of catecholamines in the brain of these animals when aroused by L-DOPA administration.8 It is concluded that in addition to the other monoamines, histamine may also be implicated in the regulation of brain excitability.", "PMID": 760904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_574", "title": "The effect of veratridine on the release of catecholamines from the perfused adrenal gland.", "content": "1. Experiments on perfused adrenal glands of guinea-pigs were carried out to study the catecholamine output induced by veratridine in the presence of hexamethonium and atropine. 2. Veratridine (10 micrometer to 200 micrometer) caused a dose-dependent increase in catecholamine output. 3. The addition of veratridine to the perfusion medium for a period of 3 min caused an increase in catecholamine output which reached a maximum 5 min to 10 min after withdrawal of the drug. The catecholamine output then gradually declined and reached near resting values within 30 minutes. It was never sustained for a longer period, even when veratridine was infused for 1 hour. 4. Veratridine failed to increase the catecholamine output in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. However, the addition of Ca2+ after an infusion of veratridine (100 micrometer) in the absence of Ca2+ caused an increase in the catecholamine output which was proportional to the concentration of Ca2+ (0.55 mM to 8.8 mM) used. 5. Veratridine did not increase the catecholamine output in the absence of extracellular Na+ ions, NaCl being replaced by equimolar choline chloride or LiCl. Veratridine also failed to evoke catecholamine output in a Na+-free solution in which Na+ was replaced by sucrose; this was the case even in the presence of a high concentration of Ca2+ (8.8 mM). 6. Tetrodotoxin (0.1 micrometer) and excess Mg2+ (20 mM) reversibly inhibited the catecholamine output induced by veratridine. 7. Ouabain (10 micrometer) significantly potentiated the veratridine-induced catecholamine output. 8. It is suggested that Na+-dependent Ca2+ influx as well as voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx mechanisms may be involved in the catecholamine output induced by veratridine.", "contents": "The effect of veratridine on the release of catecholamines from the perfused adrenal gland. 1. Experiments on perfused adrenal glands of guinea-pigs were carried out to study the catecholamine output induced by veratridine in the presence of hexamethonium and atropine. 2. Veratridine (10 micrometer to 200 micrometer) caused a dose-dependent increase in catecholamine output. 3. The addition of veratridine to the perfusion medium for a period of 3 min caused an increase in catecholamine output which reached a maximum 5 min to 10 min after withdrawal of the drug. The catecholamine output then gradually declined and reached near resting values within 30 minutes. It was never sustained for a longer period, even when veratridine was infused for 1 hour. 4. Veratridine failed to increase the catecholamine output in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. However, the addition of Ca2+ after an infusion of veratridine (100 micrometer) in the absence of Ca2+ caused an increase in the catecholamine output which was proportional to the concentration of Ca2+ (0.55 mM to 8.8 mM) used. 5. Veratridine did not increase the catecholamine output in the absence of extracellular Na+ ions, NaCl being replaced by equimolar choline chloride or LiCl. Veratridine also failed to evoke catecholamine output in a Na+-free solution in which Na+ was replaced by sucrose; this was the case even in the presence of a high concentration of Ca2+ (8.8 mM). 6. Tetrodotoxin (0.1 micrometer) and excess Mg2+ (20 mM) reversibly inhibited the catecholamine output induced by veratridine. 7. Ouabain (10 micrometer) significantly potentiated the veratridine-induced catecholamine output. 8. It is suggested that Na+-dependent Ca2+ influx as well as voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx mechanisms may be involved in the catecholamine output induced by veratridine.", "PMID": 760905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_575", "title": "The relative toxicity of amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline and mianserin in rabbits in vivo.", "content": "1. Conscious or barbiturate-anaesthetized rabbits were slowly infused intravenously with solutions of amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline or mianserin, usually until death occurred. 2. Amitriptyline produced death at the lowest dose, imipramine and maprotiline were intermediate while much higher doses of mianserin were required. 3. Convulsions were induced by the antidepressants in all conscious rabbits and the order of potency of the drugs in producing this effect was amitriptyline greater than or equal to imipramine greater than maprotiline greater than mianserin. 4. All four drugs produced a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure in the anaesthetized rabbits and the order of potency in this respect was amitriptyline greater than imipramine greater than maprotiline greater than mianserin. 5. All four drugs produced significant changes in the ECG compared with control rabbits. The P-R interval was lengthened (potency order amitriptyline greater than imipramine greater than or equal to maprotiline greater than mianserin) and the QRS complex was widened (potency order amitriptyline greater than imipramine greater than or equal to maprotiline greater than mianserin). 7. It is concluded that all four drugs show the toxic effects classically associated with tricyclic antidepressants but the relative toxicity amongst these agents varies considerably and is in the order amitriptyline greater than imipramine greater than maprotiline greater than mianserin.", "contents": "The relative toxicity of amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline and mianserin in rabbits in vivo. 1. Conscious or barbiturate-anaesthetized rabbits were slowly infused intravenously with solutions of amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline or mianserin, usually until death occurred. 2. Amitriptyline produced death at the lowest dose, imipramine and maprotiline were intermediate while much higher doses of mianserin were required. 3. Convulsions were induced by the antidepressants in all conscious rabbits and the order of potency of the drugs in producing this effect was amitriptyline greater than or equal to imipramine greater than maprotiline greater than mianserin. 4. All four drugs produced a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure in the anaesthetized rabbits and the order of potency in this respect was amitriptyline greater than imipramine greater than maprotiline greater than mianserin. 5. All four drugs produced significant changes in the ECG compared with control rabbits. The P-R interval was lengthened (potency order amitriptyline greater than imipramine greater than or equal to maprotiline greater than mianserin) and the QRS complex was widened (potency order amitriptyline greater than imipramine greater than or equal to maprotiline greater than mianserin). 7. It is concluded that all four drugs show the toxic effects classically associated with tricyclic antidepressants but the relative toxicity amongst these agents varies considerably and is in the order amitriptyline greater than imipramine greater than maprotiline greater than mianserin.", "PMID": 760906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_576", "title": "Responses of the guinea-pig isolated olfactory cortex slice to gamma-aminobutyric acid recorded with extracellular electrodes.", "content": "1. Potential changes between the pial and cut surfaces of slices of guinea-pig olfactory cortex in vitro produced by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were recorded with extracellular electrodes. 2. GABA, superfused over the pial surface (0.1 to 10 mM), produced a pial-negative potential deflection, accompanied by inhibition of the postsynaptic response to lateral olfactory tract (LOT) stimulation. 3. This effect was replicated by the following compounds (potency relative to GABA = 1, in brackets): 3-aminopropanesulphonic acid (5.3), epsilon-aminovaleric acid (0.07), beta-alanine (0.07), beta-amino-nibutyric acid 0.05), epsilon-aminocaproic acid, alpha-amino-isobutyric acid, L-leucine (less than 0.02). 4. L-Glutamate (1 to 10 mM) produced a very large surface negative shift, with relatively less synaptic inhibition. Glycine (1 to 10 mM) produced less surface negatively, accompanied by synaptic inhibition. 5. Responses to GABA were antagonized more effectively than those to glycine by bicuculline (3 to 30 micrometer) and picrotoxin (1 to 30 micrometer). Strychnine (1 to 10 micrometer) incompletely inhibited responses to glycine. 6. It is concluded that, while the locus within the slice of these effects is uncertain, the preparation may be useful for testing the interaction of drugs with cerebral GABA receptors.", "contents": "Responses of the guinea-pig isolated olfactory cortex slice to gamma-aminobutyric acid recorded with extracellular electrodes. 1. Potential changes between the pial and cut surfaces of slices of guinea-pig olfactory cortex in vitro produced by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were recorded with extracellular electrodes. 2. GABA, superfused over the pial surface (0.1 to 10 mM), produced a pial-negative potential deflection, accompanied by inhibition of the postsynaptic response to lateral olfactory tract (LOT) stimulation. 3. This effect was replicated by the following compounds (potency relative to GABA = 1, in brackets): 3-aminopropanesulphonic acid (5.3), epsilon-aminovaleric acid (0.07), beta-alanine (0.07), beta-amino-nibutyric acid 0.05), epsilon-aminocaproic acid, alpha-amino-isobutyric acid, L-leucine (less than 0.02). 4. L-Glutamate (1 to 10 mM) produced a very large surface negative shift, with relatively less synaptic inhibition. Glycine (1 to 10 mM) produced less surface negatively, accompanied by synaptic inhibition. 5. Responses to GABA were antagonized more effectively than those to glycine by bicuculline (3 to 30 micrometer) and picrotoxin (1 to 30 micrometer). Strychnine (1 to 10 micrometer) incompletely inhibited responses to glycine. 6. It is concluded that, while the locus within the slice of these effects is uncertain, the preparation may be useful for testing the interaction of drugs with cerebral GABA receptors.", "PMID": 760907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_577", "title": "Changes in self-rating of symptoms: a comparison of questionnaire graphic scales with test cards.", "content": "Forty-five in-patients, with primary diagnoses of neurosis or personality disorder, completed the test cards and booklet versions of the Symptom Rating Test--Day (SRT). In order to facilitate retroactive interference the Manifest Anxiety Scale (MAS) and the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) were administered between the two forms of the SRT. On the next day the patients were given the SRT (Week). The initial SRT, MAS and MPI testing was repeated one week later. On the assumption that positional set is an important consideration predictions were made as to the expected differences between the test cards and booklet modes of SRT administration. The results add support to the practical use of the SRT in its more recent standardized format.", "contents": "Changes in self-rating of symptoms: a comparison of questionnaire graphic scales with test cards. Forty-five in-patients, with primary diagnoses of neurosis or personality disorder, completed the test cards and booklet versions of the Symptom Rating Test--Day (SRT). In order to facilitate retroactive interference the Manifest Anxiety Scale (MAS) and the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) were administered between the two forms of the SRT. On the next day the patients were given the SRT (Week). The initial SRT, MAS and MPI testing was repeated one week later. On the assumption that positional set is an important consideration predictions were made as to the expected differences between the test cards and booklet modes of SRT administration. The results add support to the practical use of the SRT in its more recent standardized format.", "PMID": 760909} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_578", "title": "Treatment of methadone withdrawal with cerebral electrotherapy (electrosleep).", "content": "The use of cerebral electrotherapy (CET) in methadone detoxification was studied in 28 patients. Fourteen patients received active CET; the other 14 acted as controls and received either stimulated CET or only methadone detoxification therapy. One patient dropped out of the study. The Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale were administered before and after the study period. Nine of the patients receiving active CET were drug-free by the end of 8 to 10 days, and all experienced a marked reduction of their symptoms; the control group did not show significant changes. CET was clearly beneficial in the treatment of patients undergoing methadone withdrawal.", "contents": "Treatment of methadone withdrawal with cerebral electrotherapy (electrosleep). The use of cerebral electrotherapy (CET) in methadone detoxification was studied in 28 patients. Fourteen patients received active CET; the other 14 acted as controls and received either stimulated CET or only methadone detoxification therapy. One patient dropped out of the study. The Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale were administered before and after the study period. Nine of the patients receiving active CET were drug-free by the end of 8 to 10 days, and all experienced a marked reduction of their symptoms; the control group did not show significant changes. CET was clearly beneficial in the treatment of patients undergoing methadone withdrawal.", "PMID": 760910} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_579", "title": "Delinquency by opiate addicts treated at two London clinics.", "content": "455 male and 120 female opiate addicts were treated at two London drug dependence clinics between 1968 and 1975. The delinquency pattern of 117 female addicts and of a systematic sample of 119 male addicts was analysed in relation to stages of their addiction career and outcome. Treatment had no effect on overall crime rate but there was a significant increase in the proportion of drug offences during the treatment stage. Comparisons between the sexes showed that the outcome of treatment was worse in women. In male addicts a history of delinquency had no prognostic significance, but in females convictions for non-drug offences before entering treatment might predict poor response to treatment of drug dependence.", "contents": "Delinquency by opiate addicts treated at two London clinics. 455 male and 120 female opiate addicts were treated at two London drug dependence clinics between 1968 and 1975. The delinquency pattern of 117 female addicts and of a systematic sample of 119 male addicts was analysed in relation to stages of their addiction career and outcome. Treatment had no effect on overall crime rate but there was a significant increase in the proportion of drug offences during the treatment stage. Comparisons between the sexes showed that the outcome of treatment was worse in women. In male addicts a history of delinquency had no prognostic significance, but in females convictions for non-drug offences before entering treatment might predict poor response to treatment of drug dependence.", "PMID": 760918} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_580", "title": "Suicide in prison.", "content": "Records of 186 suicides among male prisoners in England between 1958 and 1971 emphasize the differences between the prison population and the population at large. The suicide rate may well be three times greater. The records show that sentence of more than 18 months' duration, whether anticipated or actually received, is associated with a greater risk of suicide than shorter sentence, and that suicide is most likely to be committed during the first few weeks in custody.", "contents": "Suicide in prison. Records of 186 suicides among male prisoners in England between 1958 and 1971 emphasize the differences between the prison population and the population at large. The suicide rate may well be three times greater. The records show that sentence of more than 18 months' duration, whether anticipated or actually received, is associated with a greater risk of suicide than shorter sentence, and that suicide is most likely to be committed during the first few weeks in custody.", "PMID": 760919} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_581", "title": "The outcome of severe acute schizophrenic illnesses after one year.", "content": "Forty-five patients with acute schizophrenic illnesses (defined by PSE criteria) were assessed in clinical, cognitive and social terms before being entered in a four week study of the isomers of flupenthixol and placebo. At the end of one year they were re-assessed in the same terms. The clinical and psychological features of the acute illness and the drug treatment given did not predict outcome. Poor outcome in social terms was significantly related to severe social isolation in the initial assessment and to the presence of nuclear symptoms and negative schizophrenic features at follow-up.", "contents": "The outcome of severe acute schizophrenic illnesses after one year. Forty-five patients with acute schizophrenic illnesses (defined by PSE criteria) were assessed in clinical, cognitive and social terms before being entered in a four week study of the isomers of flupenthixol and placebo. At the end of one year they were re-assessed in the same terms. The clinical and psychological features of the acute illness and the drug treatment given did not predict outcome. Poor outcome in social terms was significantly related to severe social isolation in the initial assessment and to the presence of nuclear symptoms and negative schizophrenic features at follow-up.", "PMID": 760920} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_582", "title": "Schizophrenia: diagnostic criteria and outcome.", "content": "The files of a cohort of schizophrenic patients who were admitted to hospital for the first time in their lives in 1963, and who were representative of cases in a large unselected population, were examined , first by exclusion criteria, and then by the diagnostic criteria of Schneider's first-rank symptoms, Feighner et al's criteria, and the New Haven Schizophrenia Index (NHSI). Forty-three such cases were found who were schizophrenic on at least two sets of criteria, and who were followed up in 1977. Examination of the outcome showed no relationship with FRS presence or absence or number of first-rank symptoms, nor with the NHSI score, but did show a relationship to the Feighner et al criteria and an even stronger relationship to a simple score derived from these criteria.", "contents": "Schizophrenia: diagnostic criteria and outcome. The files of a cohort of schizophrenic patients who were admitted to hospital for the first time in their lives in 1963, and who were representative of cases in a large unselected population, were examined , first by exclusion criteria, and then by the diagnostic criteria of Schneider's first-rank symptoms, Feighner et al's criteria, and the New Haven Schizophrenia Index (NHSI). Forty-three such cases were found who were schizophrenic on at least two sets of criteria, and who were followed up in 1977. Examination of the outcome showed no relationship with FRS presence or absence or number of first-rank symptoms, nor with the NHSI score, but did show a relationship to the Feighner et al criteria and an even stronger relationship to a simple score derived from these criteria.", "PMID": 760921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_583", "title": "The sensory filter in schizophrenia: a study of habituation, arousal, and the dopamine hypothesis.", "content": "The possible failure of a notional sensory filter in schizophrenia was studied by means of habituation of the orienting response. Non-paranoid schizophrenics failed to habituate, but paranoids habituated normally. Paranoids, however, showed a different impairment: they responded to a dishabituating tone as if the novel stimulus were somewhat familiar. The failure of habituation in non-paranoids could not be explained in terms of arousal when the index was the rate of skin conductance fluctuation. Neurotic controls showed considerably higher levels than either group of schizophrenics. Non-paranoid schizophrenics had lost the normal inverse relationship between habituation and level of arousal as manifested in the rate of spontaneous skin conductance fluctuation.", "contents": "The sensory filter in schizophrenia: a study of habituation, arousal, and the dopamine hypothesis. The possible failure of a notional sensory filter in schizophrenia was studied by means of habituation of the orienting response. Non-paranoid schizophrenics failed to habituate, but paranoids habituated normally. Paranoids, however, showed a different impairment: they responded to a dishabituating tone as if the novel stimulus were somewhat familiar. The failure of habituation in non-paranoids could not be explained in terms of arousal when the index was the rate of skin conductance fluctuation. Neurotic controls showed considerably higher levels than either group of schizophrenics. Non-paranoid schizophrenics had lost the normal inverse relationship between habituation and level of arousal as manifested in the rate of spontaneous skin conductance fluctuation.", "PMID": 760922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_584", "title": "The focus in brief interpretive psychotherapy: dilemmas, traps and snags as target problems.", "content": "The need for a focus for brief interpretive psychotherapy is considered and a new approach is suggested. In this method, the ways in which the patient's construction of himself and his relationships are related to his problems are identified and expressed in the form of dilemmas, traps and snags. It is suggested that these formulations represent an appropriate level of abstraction, allowing patient and therapist to share provisional hypotheses about the goals of therapy and offering the basis for a method of measuring how far these goals are achieved.", "contents": "The focus in brief interpretive psychotherapy: dilemmas, traps and snags as target problems. The need for a focus for brief interpretive psychotherapy is considered and a new approach is suggested. In this method, the ways in which the patient's construction of himself and his relationships are related to his problems are identified and expressed in the form of dilemmas, traps and snags. It is suggested that these formulations represent an appropriate level of abstraction, allowing patient and therapist to share provisional hypotheses about the goals of therapy and offering the basis for a method of measuring how far these goals are achieved.", "PMID": 760923} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_585", "title": "Behaviour therapy in anorexia nervosa.", "content": "In three collaborating hospitals, 81 anorexia nervosa patients were randomly assigned to behaviour modification or its absence and followed over 35 days. There was no overall significant difference in weight gain in the two groups except in a subset of patients: those with no prior out-patient treatments.", "contents": "Behaviour therapy in anorexia nervosa. In three collaborating hospitals, 81 anorexia nervosa patients were randomly assigned to behaviour modification or its absence and followed over 35 days. There was no overall significant difference in weight gain in the two groups except in a subset of patients: those with no prior out-patient treatments.", "PMID": 760924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_586", "title": "Pretreatment predictors of outcome in anorexia nervosa.", "content": "The relationship of selected pretreatment characteristics to weight gain during treatment was examined in 81 anorexia nervosa patients. Good prognostic indicators correlating positively with weight gain were: no previous hospitalizations for anorexia nervosa, a great amount of overactivity before treatment, less denial of illness, less psychosexual immaturity and the admission to feeling hunger. A perinatal history of delivery complications was associated with the poor outcome predictor of prior hospitalizations.", "contents": "Pretreatment predictors of outcome in anorexia nervosa. The relationship of selected pretreatment characteristics to weight gain during treatment was examined in 81 anorexia nervosa patients. Good prognostic indicators correlating positively with weight gain were: no previous hospitalizations for anorexia nervosa, a great amount of overactivity before treatment, less denial of illness, less psychosexual immaturity and the admission to feeling hunger. A perinatal history of delivery complications was associated with the poor outcome predictor of prior hospitalizations.", "PMID": 760925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_587", "title": "Comparisons of weight concepts in groups of neurotic, normal and anorexic females.", "content": "A group of normal women and a group of women in hospital for treatment of a neurosis but without a disorder of eating were compared with a group of anorexic patients in terms of their attitudes to weight. All subjects completed a rank order form of repertory grid. Differences in construct patterning between the anorexic patients and the other female groups could not be accounted for by social class, age or neurotic disorder. The most psychologically significant finding was a positive correlation between the constructs self at normal weight and ideal weight instead of a negative correlation which clinical experience would lead one to expect. Four explanations are proposed to account for this finding.", "contents": "Comparisons of weight concepts in groups of neurotic, normal and anorexic females. A group of normal women and a group of women in hospital for treatment of a neurosis but without a disorder of eating were compared with a group of anorexic patients in terms of their attitudes to weight. All subjects completed a rank order form of repertory grid. Differences in construct patterning between the anorexic patients and the other female groups could not be accounted for by social class, age or neurotic disorder. The most psychologically significant finding was a positive correlation between the constructs self at normal weight and ideal weight instead of a negative correlation which clinical experience would lead one to expect. Four explanations are proposed to account for this finding.", "PMID": 760926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_588", "title": "Psychotic and neurotic depression: I. Some points of method.", "content": "Testing hypotheses on classification could be made more precise by using only clinical symptoms and signs as its basis. Analyses based on a mixture of clinical, aetiological and background variables give ambiguous results since they incorporate the assumption that aetiological and symptomatological patterns are related in a one-to-one manner. A set of simplified models of possible relationships between aetiology and symptomatology is used to discuss these problems of interpretation. The clinical variables to be used for discriminant analyses may be chosen by testing for the existence of lower-order and higher-order differences between groups.", "contents": "Psychotic and neurotic depression: I. Some points of method. Testing hypotheses on classification could be made more precise by using only clinical symptoms and signs as its basis. Analyses based on a mixture of clinical, aetiological and background variables give ambiguous results since they incorporate the assumption that aetiological and symptomatological patterns are related in a one-to-one manner. A set of simplified models of possible relationships between aetiology and symptomatology is used to discuss these problems of interpretation. The clinical variables to be used for discriminant analyses may be chosen by testing for the existence of lower-order and higher-order differences between groups.", "PMID": 760927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_589", "title": "Psychotic and neurotic depression: 2. Clinical characteristics.", "content": "A series of discriminant function analyses based only on clinical symptomatology suggests that psychotic and neurotic depressives do not differ globally but at a fairly specific level and that the principal, if not only, clinical difference between the groups is one of severity. This interpretation is reinforced by the fact that there are few symptoms more common in the neurotic group. There is suggestive evidence that symptoms generally thought to characterize neurotic depression may conduce to referral to psychiatric services. The neurotic depressive syndrome as classically conceived may therefore be an artificial one, created by selective factors bringing patients with particular symptoms into hospital populations.", "contents": "Psychotic and neurotic depression: 2. Clinical characteristics. A series of discriminant function analyses based only on clinical symptomatology suggests that psychotic and neurotic depressives do not differ globally but at a fairly specific level and that the principal, if not only, clinical difference between the groups is one of severity. This interpretation is reinforced by the fact that there are few symptoms more common in the neurotic group. There is suggestive evidence that symptoms generally thought to characterize neurotic depression may conduce to referral to psychiatric services. The neurotic depressive syndrome as classically conceived may therefore be an artificial one, created by selective factors bringing patients with particular symptoms into hospital populations.", "PMID": 760928} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_590", "title": "Kielland's forceps: role of antenatal factors in prediction of use.", "content": "The association between certain antenatal factors and the use of Kielland's forceps was analysed retrospectively in liveborn singleton births that occurred at this hospital between January and December 1976. Factors significantly associated with the use of Kielland's forceps were primiparity, short maternal stature, induction of labour, late engagement of the fetal head, low ratio of maternal height to fetal occipitofrontal head circumference, slow dilatation of the cervix in labour, and the use of epidural analgesia in labour. The findings support a contribution of cephalopelvic disproportion in the genesis of malposition, and when associated with slow dilatation of the cervix delivery should be expedited. Long-term follow-up studies are needed, however, before the role of caesarean section in reducing morbidity associated with malposition can be properly assessed.", "contents": "Kielland's forceps: role of antenatal factors in prediction of use. The association between certain antenatal factors and the use of Kielland's forceps was analysed retrospectively in liveborn singleton births that occurred at this hospital between January and December 1976. Factors significantly associated with the use of Kielland's forceps were primiparity, short maternal stature, induction of labour, late engagement of the fetal head, low ratio of maternal height to fetal occipitofrontal head circumference, slow dilatation of the cervix in labour, and the use of epidural analgesia in labour. The findings support a contribution of cephalopelvic disproportion in the genesis of malposition, and when associated with slow dilatation of the cervix delivery should be expedited. Long-term follow-up studies are needed, however, before the role of caesarean section in reducing morbidity associated with malposition can be properly assessed.", "PMID": 760932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_591", "title": "Role of catecholamines in hypotensive response to dieting.", "content": "The effect of dieting on blood pressure and catecholamine metabolism was assessed in 11 normotensive obese women by providing first a weight-maintenance regimen high in carbohydrate and then a low-energy diet. All dietary constituents other than carbohydrate were maintained constant throughout the 18-day study. The low-carbohydrate diet led within 48 hours to a 41% fall in the urinary output of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy mandelate and a significant fall in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations also fell and the hypotensive effect of the diet continued despite a maintained total body sodium. Thus the fall in blood pressure appeared to be mediated by changes in catecholamine metabolism independent of sodium intake. This may explain both the usefulness of weight reduction in hypertensive patients and the fainting that occurs in some normotensive obese subjects taking slimming regimens low in carbohydrate.", "contents": "Role of catecholamines in hypotensive response to dieting. The effect of dieting on blood pressure and catecholamine metabolism was assessed in 11 normotensive obese women by providing first a weight-maintenance regimen high in carbohydrate and then a low-energy diet. All dietary constituents other than carbohydrate were maintained constant throughout the 18-day study. The low-carbohydrate diet led within 48 hours to a 41% fall in the urinary output of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy mandelate and a significant fall in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations also fell and the hypotensive effect of the diet continued despite a maintained total body sodium. Thus the fall in blood pressure appeared to be mediated by changes in catecholamine metabolism independent of sodium intake. This may explain both the usefulness of weight reduction in hypertensive patients and the fainting that occurs in some normotensive obese subjects taking slimming regimens low in carbohydrate.", "PMID": 760933} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_592", "title": "Isolation of mumps virus from the inner ear after sudden deafness.", "content": "A 26-year-old woman with bilateral otosclerosis underwent right stapedectomy with an excellent result. One year later, however, she developed symptoms of mumps and within two days was completely deaf in the right ear. Prompt surgical exploration excluded a complication of the otosclerosis and a perilymph fistula, but culture of a sample of perilymph grew mumps virus. The case provides direct evidence of a relation between mumps virus infection and inner-ear damage.", "contents": "Isolation of mumps virus from the inner ear after sudden deafness. A 26-year-old woman with bilateral otosclerosis underwent right stapedectomy with an excellent result. One year later, however, she developed symptoms of mumps and within two days was completely deaf in the right ear. Prompt surgical exploration excluded a complication of the otosclerosis and a perilymph fistula, but culture of a sample of perilymph grew mumps virus. The case provides direct evidence of a relation between mumps virus infection and inner-ear damage.", "PMID": 760934} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_593", "title": "Oligoclonal immunoglobulins and plasma cells in spinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis.", "content": "A new modification of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was applied to cerebrospinal fluid proteins from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The same spinal fluids were also examined by a cytological technique. Over 90% of patients with clinically definite or early probable or latent MS showed abnormal PAGE patterns in the form of oligoclonal gammaglobulin bands. Reactive (atypical, large) lymphocytes or typical plasma cells were found in some patients. In all such cases an oligoclonal pattern was present. The findings of oligoclonal bands provides valuable supporting evidence for the diagnosis of MS in the less definite clinical categories.", "contents": "Oligoclonal immunoglobulins and plasma cells in spinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis. A new modification of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was applied to cerebrospinal fluid proteins from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The same spinal fluids were also examined by a cytological technique. Over 90% of patients with clinically definite or early probable or latent MS showed abnormal PAGE patterns in the form of oligoclonal gammaglobulin bands. Reactive (atypical, large) lymphocytes or typical plasma cells were found in some patients. In all such cases an oligoclonal pattern was present. The findings of oligoclonal bands provides valuable supporting evidence for the diagnosis of MS in the less definite clinical categories.", "PMID": 760935} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_594", "title": "Early growth retardation in diabetic pregnancy.", "content": "Thirty-five insulin-dependent diabetic women with reliable menstrual histories were examined by ultrasonic scanning in the 7th-14th weeks of pregnancy. Judged from crown-to-rump length the fetuses were on average 5.4 days smaller than those in a local normal series. Ten of the fetuses were nine days or more smaller than normal and had a lower mean birth weight than the others, though the mean gestational age was similar. Maternal diabetes was not more severe in this group, but only two of the mothers had attended a special hospital for control of their disease as compared with 19 of the remainder. Although babies of diabetic mothers are often overweight, there appears to be a subgroup of cases in which fetal growth is retarded early in pregnancy, leading to low birth weight and possibly a higher incidence of congenital malformations.", "contents": "Early growth retardation in diabetic pregnancy. Thirty-five insulin-dependent diabetic women with reliable menstrual histories were examined by ultrasonic scanning in the 7th-14th weeks of pregnancy. Judged from crown-to-rump length the fetuses were on average 5.4 days smaller than those in a local normal series. Ten of the fetuses were nine days or more smaller than normal and had a lower mean birth weight than the others, though the mean gestational age was similar. Maternal diabetes was not more severe in this group, but only two of the mothers had attended a special hospital for control of their disease as compared with 19 of the remainder. Although babies of diabetic mothers are often overweight, there appears to be a subgroup of cases in which fetal growth is retarded early in pregnancy, leading to low birth weight and possibly a higher incidence of congenital malformations.", "PMID": 760936} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_595", "title": "Management and outcome of winter upper respiratory tract infections in children aged 0-9 years.", "content": "Age-specific incidences for upper respiratory tract infections in children from a new-town population during 1975-7 were studied, and 965 consecutive upper respiratory tract infections in children aged under 10 during two winters were analysed in detail. Significantly different management plans made by seven doctors did not correlate with the clinical outcome as judged by complications, recall rates, and demand for treatment for similar episodes in the future. Two hundred and thirty-two children (24%) returned for another consultation for the same episode of upper respiratory tract infection. The main reason for these repeat consultations seemed to be that parental expectations about the natural history of the illness were not fulfilled. More realistic parental expectations might be set and safer clinical standards maintained if doctors warned parents about symptoms such as cough and occasional diarrhoea or vomiting that are commonly associated with upper respiratory tract infections in children.", "contents": "Management and outcome of winter upper respiratory tract infections in children aged 0-9 years. Age-specific incidences for upper respiratory tract infections in children from a new-town population during 1975-7 were studied, and 965 consecutive upper respiratory tract infections in children aged under 10 during two winters were analysed in detail. Significantly different management plans made by seven doctors did not correlate with the clinical outcome as judged by complications, recall rates, and demand for treatment for similar episodes in the future. Two hundred and thirty-two children (24%) returned for another consultation for the same episode of upper respiratory tract infection. The main reason for these repeat consultations seemed to be that parental expectations about the natural history of the illness were not fulfilled. More realistic parental expectations might be set and safer clinical standards maintained if doctors warned parents about symptoms such as cough and occasional diarrhoea or vomiting that are commonly associated with upper respiratory tract infections in children.", "PMID": 760944} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_596", "title": "10-year survey of 485 sterilisations. Part I--Sterilisation or hysterectomy?", "content": "A survey was made of all sterilisations performed in an obstetric and gynaecological unit in Dunfermline in 1965-74 to determine the outcome and complications. Altogether 547 women were sterilised by the modified Pomeroy method, and 485 (88.7%) were interviewed and examined. No sterilisation was followed by serious complications, and the incidence of even minor complications was low (4.12%). There were no subsequent pregnancies. Altogether 57 women had to be referred for gynaecological operations in the years after sterilisation but only 18 of these had to have hysterectomies. At interview 59 women were found to have gynaecological symptoms (menstrual disorders in 46), and examination showed that 83 women had a gynaecological condition, which was in most cases unsuspected by the patient. Most of these conditions were minor but three women had carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix. Although 46 women suffered menstrual disorders after sterilisation 104 had done so at some time before the operation. These results therefore offer little support for the wider use of hysterectomy as a form of sterilisation.", "contents": "10-year survey of 485 sterilisations. Part I--Sterilisation or hysterectomy? A survey was made of all sterilisations performed in an obstetric and gynaecological unit in Dunfermline in 1965-74 to determine the outcome and complications. Altogether 547 women were sterilised by the modified Pomeroy method, and 485 (88.7%) were interviewed and examined. No sterilisation was followed by serious complications, and the incidence of even minor complications was low (4.12%). There were no subsequent pregnancies. Altogether 57 women had to be referred for gynaecological operations in the years after sterilisation but only 18 of these had to have hysterectomies. At interview 59 women were found to have gynaecological symptoms (menstrual disorders in 46), and examination showed that 83 women had a gynaecological condition, which was in most cases unsuspected by the patient. Most of these conditions were minor but three women had carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix. Although 46 women suffered menstrual disorders after sterilisation 104 had done so at some time before the operation. These results therefore offer little support for the wider use of hysterectomy as a form of sterilisation.", "PMID": 760946} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_597", "title": "10-year survey of 485 sterilizations. Part II: patients' views on their sterilization.", "content": "As part of a study of the complications after sterilisation 485 of the 547 women who had been sterilised by a modified Pomeroy procedure in one unit over 10 years were interviewed. They were asked whether they regretted being sterilised and about the quality of their sex lives, mental health, social relationships, and marriages. Most women were pleased to have been sterilised, only 24 regretting it. Regret was more pronounced among women who had been sterilised in association with a third caesarean section, those sterilised for medical reasons, and those whose marriages had ended in divorce. In each case where a woman regretted a sterilisation that had been performed on the recommendation of a psychiatrist, the psychiatrists were still prepared to defent their opinions. On their sex lives, mental health, social relationships, and marriages, more women reported improvement than deterioration, and in most cases the deterioration could not be attributed to the sterilisation. The overall benefits from sterilisation to the women in this series therefore seemed to outweigh substantially the adverse consequences experienced by a few.", "contents": "10-year survey of 485 sterilizations. Part II: patients' views on their sterilization. As part of a study of the complications after sterilisation 485 of the 547 women who had been sterilised by a modified Pomeroy procedure in one unit over 10 years were interviewed. They were asked whether they regretted being sterilised and about the quality of their sex lives, mental health, social relationships, and marriages. Most women were pleased to have been sterilised, only 24 regretting it. Regret was more pronounced among women who had been sterilised in association with a third caesarean section, those sterilised for medical reasons, and those whose marriages had ended in divorce. In each case where a woman regretted a sterilisation that had been performed on the recommendation of a psychiatrist, the psychiatrists were still prepared to defent their opinions. On their sex lives, mental health, social relationships, and marriages, more women reported improvement than deterioration, and in most cases the deterioration could not be attributed to the sterilisation. The overall benefits from sterilisation to the women in this series therefore seemed to outweigh substantially the adverse consequences experienced by a few.", "PMID": 760947} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_598", "title": "Kielland's forceps: association with neonatal morbidity and mortality.", "content": "The incidence of certain neonatal complications associated with the use of Kielland's forceps was analyzed retrospectively in liveborn singleton babies delivered at this hospital between January and December 1976. The neonatal mortality rate attributable to use of the forceps was 34.9 per 1000. The incidences of delayed onset of respiration (17.4%), birth trauma (15.1%), and abnormal neurological behaviour--namely, apathy or irritability or both--(23.3%) significantly exceeded those in a matched group of babies born spontaneously. Fetal asphyxia played a major part in the aetiology of neonatal complications. Babies on whom Kielland's forceps were used, however, had a significantly greater incidence of abnormal neurological behaviour even in the absence of fetal asphyxia (14.3%), and in all of these babies the abnormal behaviour was transient and did not necessitate admission to the special-care baby unit. Neither maternal height nor the infant's birth weight or occipitofrontal head circumference influenced the occurrence of neonatal complications. The results also suggest that neither the speed of cervical dilatation nor the timing of engagement of the fetal head is of help in predicting the occurrence of neonatal complications after the use of Kielland's forceps.", "contents": "Kielland's forceps: association with neonatal morbidity and mortality. The incidence of certain neonatal complications associated with the use of Kielland's forceps was analyzed retrospectively in liveborn singleton babies delivered at this hospital between January and December 1976. The neonatal mortality rate attributable to use of the forceps was 34.9 per 1000. The incidences of delayed onset of respiration (17.4%), birth trauma (15.1%), and abnormal neurological behaviour--namely, apathy or irritability or both--(23.3%) significantly exceeded those in a matched group of babies born spontaneously. Fetal asphyxia played a major part in the aetiology of neonatal complications. Babies on whom Kielland's forceps were used, however, had a significantly greater incidence of abnormal neurological behaviour even in the absence of fetal asphyxia (14.3%), and in all of these babies the abnormal behaviour was transient and did not necessitate admission to the special-care baby unit. Neither maternal height nor the infant's birth weight or occipitofrontal head circumference influenced the occurrence of neonatal complications. The results also suggest that neither the speed of cervical dilatation nor the timing of engagement of the fetal head is of help in predicting the occurrence of neonatal complications after the use of Kielland's forceps.", "PMID": 760969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_599", "title": "Metabolic consequences of atenolol and propranolol in treatment of essential hypertension.", "content": "A six-month study of triglyceride, cholesterol, free fatty acid (FFA), glucose, insulin, growth hormone, and glucagon concentrations was carried out in asymptomatic hypertensive normal-weight men randomly allocated to treatment with atenolol or propranolol. A highly significant increase in the basal plasma triglyceride concentration was observed in propranolol-treated patients after three and six months' treatment, with a smaller but significant increase in atenolol-treated subjects after six months' treatment. The changes in triglyceride concentration could not be ascribed to variations in plasma insulin, growth hormone, or glucagon concentrations. Basal FFA concentrations were reduced during the first three months of treatment in both groups but returned to pretreatment levels after six months. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were unchanged by either agent.", "contents": "Metabolic consequences of atenolol and propranolol in treatment of essential hypertension. A six-month study of triglyceride, cholesterol, free fatty acid (FFA), glucose, insulin, growth hormone, and glucagon concentrations was carried out in asymptomatic hypertensive normal-weight men randomly allocated to treatment with atenolol or propranolol. A highly significant increase in the basal plasma triglyceride concentration was observed in propranolol-treated patients after three and six months' treatment, with a smaller but significant increase in atenolol-treated subjects after six months' treatment. The changes in triglyceride concentration could not be ascribed to variations in plasma insulin, growth hormone, or glucagon concentrations. Basal FFA concentrations were reduced during the first three months of treatment in both groups but returned to pretreatment levels after six months. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were unchanged by either agent.", "PMID": 761001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_600", "title": "Detection of deep venous thrombosis by scanning of 99mtechnetium-labelled red-cell venous pool.", "content": "A comparative study of 32 patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis was carried out using blood-pool radionuclide scanning and conventional x-ray phlebography. Results of the two methods showed close agreement, the sensitivity (positive correlation) of the scan being 100% and its specificity 89%. We conclude that a patient's red cells labelled with 99mtechnetium (99mTc) provide an excellent medium for this type of scanning. The technique has particular advantages in visualising the whole venous system, giving a persisting image, and obviating the need to inject into a vein of the affected limb. In view of the inherent disadvantages of contrast phlebography, 99mTc-red-cell scanning is clearly an acceptable alternative.", "contents": "Detection of deep venous thrombosis by scanning of 99mtechnetium-labelled red-cell venous pool. A comparative study of 32 patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis was carried out using blood-pool radionuclide scanning and conventional x-ray phlebography. Results of the two methods showed close agreement, the sensitivity (positive correlation) of the scan being 100% and its specificity 89%. We conclude that a patient's red cells labelled with 99mtechnetium (99mTc) provide an excellent medium for this type of scanning. The technique has particular advantages in visualising the whole venous system, giving a persisting image, and obviating the need to inject into a vein of the affected limb. In view of the inherent disadvantages of contrast phlebography, 99mTc-red-cell scanning is clearly an acceptable alternative.", "PMID": 761002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_601", "title": "Value of positive myocardial infarction imaging in coronary care units.", "content": "Positive myocardial imaging was undertaken on 120 unselected patients admitted to a coronary care unit with clinical suspicion of acute myocardial infarction. Multipurpose mobile gamma-cameras were used for serial imaging after administration of 99mtechnetium-labelled imidodiphosphonate, a low-cost radiopharmaceutical that is 97% specific for myocardial necrosis, with myocardial uptake and blood clearance most suitable for myocardial imaging. The sensitivty of detection was 94% for patients whose infarction was unequivocal on the ECG; when the presence of raised enzyme concentrations was also used as a criterion for myocardial necrosis, the overall sensitivity for all 120 patients remained 94%. In 73 patients (61%), whose ECGs were unhelpful or difficult to interpret, scintigraphy allowed infarction to be diagnosed in 11 (15%) and to be excluded in five (7%). In 32 (44%) of this group whose ECGs were totally uninterpretable due to previous myocardial damage or disorders of electrical activation, scintigraphy provided confirmation of a diagnosis that otherwise rested only on whether enzyme concentrations were raised. Myocardial imaging is thus a useful technique that permits more definite diagnosis in patients for whom ECG and enzyme data are uncertain.", "contents": "Value of positive myocardial infarction imaging in coronary care units. Positive myocardial imaging was undertaken on 120 unselected patients admitted to a coronary care unit with clinical suspicion of acute myocardial infarction. Multipurpose mobile gamma-cameras were used for serial imaging after administration of 99mtechnetium-labelled imidodiphosphonate, a low-cost radiopharmaceutical that is 97% specific for myocardial necrosis, with myocardial uptake and blood clearance most suitable for myocardial imaging. The sensitivty of detection was 94% for patients whose infarction was unequivocal on the ECG; when the presence of raised enzyme concentrations was also used as a criterion for myocardial necrosis, the overall sensitivity for all 120 patients remained 94%. In 73 patients (61%), whose ECGs were unhelpful or difficult to interpret, scintigraphy allowed infarction to be diagnosed in 11 (15%) and to be excluded in five (7%). In 32 (44%) of this group whose ECGs were totally uninterpretable due to previous myocardial damage or disorders of electrical activation, scintigraphy provided confirmation of a diagnosis that otherwise rested only on whether enzyme concentrations were raised. Myocardial imaging is thus a useful technique that permits more definite diagnosis in patients for whom ECG and enzyme data are uncertain.", "PMID": 761017} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_602", "title": "Mianserin and agranulocytosis.", "content": "An alcoholic woman who was admitted to hospital for detoxification was prescribed thyroxine because of hypothyroidism and mianserin to alleviate severe depression. After several weeks' treatment she became unwell and was readmitted to hospital. Haematological examination indicated agranulocytosis. Further extensive investigations elicited no cause for this other than the mianserin, since no such disturbance has been reported for thyroxine after years of use. Thus mianserin is probably implicated in this case of agranulocytosis. Although the response may have been idiosyncratic, it highlights the need to monitor new drugs during the early phases of widespread use.", "contents": "Mianserin and agranulocytosis. An alcoholic woman who was admitted to hospital for detoxification was prescribed thyroxine because of hypothyroidism and mianserin to alleviate severe depression. After several weeks' treatment she became unwell and was readmitted to hospital. Haematological examination indicated agranulocytosis. Further extensive investigations elicited no cause for this other than the mianserin, since no such disturbance has been reported for thyroxine after years of use. Thus mianserin is probably implicated in this case of agranulocytosis. Although the response may have been idiosyncratic, it highlights the need to monitor new drugs during the early phases of widespread use.", "PMID": 761018} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_603", "title": "Modulatory role for biogenic amines in the cerebral cortex. Microiontophoretic studies.", "content": "In order to investigate the mode of action of biogenic amines in rat cerebral cortex, the unitary activity of spontaneously firing neurons and their excitatory response to acetylcholine (ACh) were examined using microiontophoretic administration of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT). The predominant effect of these biogenic amines on the spontaneous activity was a profound and prolonged inhibition of firing (2-4 min), which attained its maximum within 15-120 sec. This response was generally more abrupt in onset and of greater magnitude with NA and 5-HT than with DA. Most units inhibited by DA, NA and 5-HT also showed marked depression of their excitatory response to ACh when pretreated with these biogenic amines. With repetitive administration of ACh, it could be shown that the total duration of inhibition of ACh responses by DA and NA was not as prolonged as the inhibition of the spontaneous firing of the same cells. With 5-HT, the initial ACh responses of many neurons could be completely blocked, and this inhibitory effect lasted as long as the inhibition of spontaneous firing. In view of the anatomical data demonstrating a relative sparsity of monoamine nerve terminals in cerebral cortex, the strong inhibition induced by DA, NA or 5-HT may have reflected slow inactivation of the biogenic amines. However, it could also be indicative of underlying mechanisms of action dependent on metabolic changes. Indeed, the interaction between biogenic amines and ACh might imply a balance between the intracellular pools of cAMP and cGMP is directly or indirectly influenced by the biogenic amines and ACh, respectively. This hypothesis would not exclude other modes of local interaction between DA, NA, 5-HT and ACh, and appears compatible with the modulatory role of biogenic amines in cerebral cortex.", "contents": "Modulatory role for biogenic amines in the cerebral cortex. Microiontophoretic studies. In order to investigate the mode of action of biogenic amines in rat cerebral cortex, the unitary activity of spontaneously firing neurons and their excitatory response to acetylcholine (ACh) were examined using microiontophoretic administration of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT). The predominant effect of these biogenic amines on the spontaneous activity was a profound and prolonged inhibition of firing (2-4 min), which attained its maximum within 15-120 sec. This response was generally more abrupt in onset and of greater magnitude with NA and 5-HT than with DA. Most units inhibited by DA, NA and 5-HT also showed marked depression of their excitatory response to ACh when pretreated with these biogenic amines. With repetitive administration of ACh, it could be shown that the total duration of inhibition of ACh responses by DA and NA was not as prolonged as the inhibition of the spontaneous firing of the same cells. With 5-HT, the initial ACh responses of many neurons could be completely blocked, and this inhibitory effect lasted as long as the inhibition of spontaneous firing. In view of the anatomical data demonstrating a relative sparsity of monoamine nerve terminals in cerebral cortex, the strong inhibition induced by DA, NA or 5-HT may have reflected slow inactivation of the biogenic amines. However, it could also be indicative of underlying mechanisms of action dependent on metabolic changes. Indeed, the interaction between biogenic amines and ACh might imply a balance between the intracellular pools of cAMP and cGMP is directly or indirectly influenced by the biogenic amines and ACh, respectively. This hypothesis would not exclude other modes of local interaction between DA, NA, 5-HT and ACh, and appears compatible with the modulatory role of biogenic amines in cerebral cortex.", "PMID": 761065} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_604", "title": "Adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine levels in specific brain stem areas of acutely immobilized rats.", "content": "Catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine) have been measured in specific areas of the rat brain stem after acute immobilization stress. Adrenaline levels were significantly decreased after 240 min of immobilization in all areas studied: A1 area, nucleus commissuralis (NCO), A2 area, anterior part of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), and the locus coeruleus. Noradrenaline concentrations in stressed rats were significantly reduced only in the NTS area. In contrast, during stress there were no significant changes in dopamine concentrations with respect to control values in any of the areas studied. These results implicate the participation of central adrenaline neurons, localized in specific brain stem areas, and noradrenaline neurons innervating the rostral part of the nucleus tractus solitarii, in the mechanism of central response to acute stress.", "contents": "Adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine levels in specific brain stem areas of acutely immobilized rats. Catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine) have been measured in specific areas of the rat brain stem after acute immobilization stress. Adrenaline levels were significantly decreased after 240 min of immobilization in all areas studied: A1 area, nucleus commissuralis (NCO), A2 area, anterior part of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), and the locus coeruleus. Noradrenaline concentrations in stressed rats were significantly reduced only in the NTS area. In contrast, during stress there were no significant changes in dopamine concentrations with respect to control values in any of the areas studied. These results implicate the participation of central adrenaline neurons, localized in specific brain stem areas, and noradrenaline neurons innervating the rostral part of the nucleus tractus solitarii, in the mechanism of central response to acute stress.", "PMID": 761066} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_605", "title": "5-HT concentration in cat's brain.", "content": "Endogenous concentrations of TRP, 5-HT and 5-HIAA were determined in the different cortical and subcortical areas of adult cat's brain, using ion-exchange chromatography and spectrofluorimetric methods. Tryptophan is homogeneously distributed in all structures of the brain. 5-HT is mainly accumulated in the brain stem, hypothalamus and caudate nucleus, but also in cortical areas as olfactory and piriform gyrus. The ratio 5-HIAA/5-HT shows that 5-HT utilization is higher in the structures containing small amounts of 5-HT. Using the radioenzymatic assay described by Saavedra et al. (1973), the rostrocaudal distribution of 5-HT content was determined in olfactory and piriform cortex. Important concentrations of 5-HT were detected in the prepiriformis and anterior amygdaloidea areas. Using the same assay and microdissection on frozen frontal slices of the brain, the distribution of 5-HT concentration throughout the different layers of cortical areas was studied. Piriform, olfactory and sigmoid cortex present high concentrations in the superficial layers, including the molecular one. These results were confirmed by uptake studies, made on crude homogenates from frozen tissue, suggesting that 5-HT is mainly contained in the most external cortical terminals.", "contents": "5-HT concentration in cat's brain. Endogenous concentrations of TRP, 5-HT and 5-HIAA were determined in the different cortical and subcortical areas of adult cat's brain, using ion-exchange chromatography and spectrofluorimetric methods. Tryptophan is homogeneously distributed in all structures of the brain. 5-HT is mainly accumulated in the brain stem, hypothalamus and caudate nucleus, but also in cortical areas as olfactory and piriform gyrus. The ratio 5-HIAA/5-HT shows that 5-HT utilization is higher in the structures containing small amounts of 5-HT. Using the radioenzymatic assay described by Saavedra et al. (1973), the rostrocaudal distribution of 5-HT content was determined in olfactory and piriform cortex. Important concentrations of 5-HT were detected in the prepiriformis and anterior amygdaloidea areas. Using the same assay and microdissection on frozen frontal slices of the brain, the distribution of 5-HT concentration throughout the different layers of cortical areas was studied. Piriform, olfactory and sigmoid cortex present high concentrations in the superficial layers, including the molecular one. These results were confirmed by uptake studies, made on crude homogenates from frozen tissue, suggesting that 5-HT is mainly contained in the most external cortical terminals.", "PMID": 761067} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_606", "title": "Further observations on transganglionic degeneration in trigeminal primary sensory neurons.", "content": "Transganglionic degeneration has been studied with the Fink-Heimer method in the trigeminal sensory nuclei of adult cats and rats following peripheral nerve transections. Degeneration was observed ipsilaterally as well as contralaterally in all cats, surviving 11-30 days after transection of the infraorbital nerve. In the rats the infraorbital or the auriculotemporal nerve was transected. After transection of the former nerve the first signs of transganglionic degeneration were observed after 7 days postoperative survival and even after 130 days there were still a lot of degenerating structures present. Between 7 and 14 days survival there was a small amount of degeneration in substantia gelatinosa. After transection of the auriculotemporal nerve, degeneration was observed only in the most caudal parts of the trigeminal sensory nuclear complex. Opposite to the situation in the cat, there was no contralateral degeneration in the rat. All degeneration areas were somatotopically organized, both in the cat and in the rat. The results are discussed in relation to a previous study of transganglionic degeneration in the trigeminal sensory nuclear complex by the authors and to anatomical and physiological studies of somatotopic organization in the trigeminal sensory nuclei. They clearly show the value of transganglionic degeneration used as a tool for analysis of central projections of primary sensory neurons.", "contents": "Further observations on transganglionic degeneration in trigeminal primary sensory neurons. Transganglionic degeneration has been studied with the Fink-Heimer method in the trigeminal sensory nuclei of adult cats and rats following peripheral nerve transections. Degeneration was observed ipsilaterally as well as contralaterally in all cats, surviving 11-30 days after transection of the infraorbital nerve. In the rats the infraorbital or the auriculotemporal nerve was transected. After transection of the former nerve the first signs of transganglionic degeneration were observed after 7 days postoperative survival and even after 130 days there were still a lot of degenerating structures present. Between 7 and 14 days survival there was a small amount of degeneration in substantia gelatinosa. After transection of the auriculotemporal nerve, degeneration was observed only in the most caudal parts of the trigeminal sensory nuclear complex. Opposite to the situation in the cat, there was no contralateral degeneration in the rat. All degeneration areas were somatotopically organized, both in the cat and in the rat. The results are discussed in relation to a previous study of transganglionic degeneration in the trigeminal sensory nuclear complex by the authors and to anatomical and physiological studies of somatotopic organization in the trigeminal sensory nuclei. They clearly show the value of transganglionic degeneration used as a tool for analysis of central projections of primary sensory neurons.", "PMID": 761074} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_607", "title": "Relative synthesis of myelin in different brain regions of postnatally undernourished rats.", "content": "We used a double isotope procedure and starved and normal littermate rats to compare relative protein synthesis in the cerebellar nuclear, myelin, synaptosomal, mitochondrial, and microsomal subfractions of postnatally starved animals. The remaining brain tissue was dissected into 6 additional regions (cerebral cortex, medulla oblongata, midbrain, hippocampus, striatum, and hypothalamus) and these were frozen for similar subcellular fractionation and analysis at a later date. The microsomal fraction derived from frozen tissues was discarded. The results show that early postnatal starvation specifically depresses myelin synthesis to about the same extent in all major brain regions at 18 and 21 days of age.", "contents": "Relative synthesis of myelin in different brain regions of postnatally undernourished rats. We used a double isotope procedure and starved and normal littermate rats to compare relative protein synthesis in the cerebellar nuclear, myelin, synaptosomal, mitochondrial, and microsomal subfractions of postnatally starved animals. The remaining brain tissue was dissected into 6 additional regions (cerebral cortex, medulla oblongata, midbrain, hippocampus, striatum, and hypothalamus) and these were frozen for similar subcellular fractionation and analysis at a later date. The microsomal fraction derived from frozen tissues was discarded. The results show that early postnatal starvation specifically depresses myelin synthesis to about the same extent in all major brain regions at 18 and 21 days of age.", "PMID": 761075} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_608", "title": "Oxidative metabolism, extracellular potassium and sustained potential shifts in cat spinal cord in situ.", "content": "Changes in the ratio of reduced/oxidized cytochrome a,a3 were measured by reflection spectrophotometry in decerebrate cat spinal cord during microelectrode monitoring of extracellular K+ and extracellular potential. In 'resting' cord, cytochrome a,a3 was approximately 60% reduced, compared to 30% in cerebral cortex and 1% in isolated mitochondria. Stimulation of a dorsal root or afferent nerve caused linearly correlated responses, consisting of oxidation of cytochrome a,a3, elevation of K+0 and a negative shift of potential. In spinal cord, unlike cerebral cortex, the local volume of blood increased upon stimulation. The rate of recovery of the oxidation response of cytochrome a,a3 was consistently faster in cord than in cortex. Pentobarbital (i.v.) in anesthetic dosage reduced the amplitude and slowed the rate of recovery of all 4 parameters, indicating that the optical signals originate from gray matter. It is speculated that the spinal cord, even more than cortex, may depend for its viability on the maintenance of PO2 above a certain level, and that much of the metabolic activity following stimulation is associated with the restoration of ionic gradients.", "contents": "Oxidative metabolism, extracellular potassium and sustained potential shifts in cat spinal cord in situ. Changes in the ratio of reduced/oxidized cytochrome a,a3 were measured by reflection spectrophotometry in decerebrate cat spinal cord during microelectrode monitoring of extracellular K+ and extracellular potential. In 'resting' cord, cytochrome a,a3 was approximately 60% reduced, compared to 30% in cerebral cortex and 1% in isolated mitochondria. Stimulation of a dorsal root or afferent nerve caused linearly correlated responses, consisting of oxidation of cytochrome a,a3, elevation of K+0 and a negative shift of potential. In spinal cord, unlike cerebral cortex, the local volume of blood increased upon stimulation. The rate of recovery of the oxidation response of cytochrome a,a3 was consistently faster in cord than in cortex. Pentobarbital (i.v.) in anesthetic dosage reduced the amplitude and slowed the rate of recovery of all 4 parameters, indicating that the optical signals originate from gray matter. It is speculated that the spinal cord, even more than cortex, may depend for its viability on the maintenance of PO2 above a certain level, and that much of the metabolic activity following stimulation is associated with the restoration of ionic gradients.", "PMID": 761076} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_609", "title": "Maintained contraction of the crayfish claw opener muscle in the absence of motor neuron activity.", "content": "In the whole crayfish (Astacus sp.), contraction of the dactyl opener muscle may persist for many minutes in the complete absence of action potentials in the excitor nerve or muscle. Such maintained contraction has not been observed in isolated claw preparations. Generally, maintained contraction resembles catch in that the muscle holds its previous position and does not recontract if stretched. In one animal, however, the muscle continued to slowly open in the absence of nerve activity. Maintained contraction occurred in 5 of 6 whole animal preparations; in those 5 animals it occurred on 49% of trials. We could find no difference in nerve activity or muscle potentials on trials when such contraction occurred and on those when it did not. It is proposed that in the whole animal maintained contraction may be controlled by a factor which is released into the blood supply when the animal is aroused.", "contents": "Maintained contraction of the crayfish claw opener muscle in the absence of motor neuron activity. In the whole crayfish (Astacus sp.), contraction of the dactyl opener muscle may persist for many minutes in the complete absence of action potentials in the excitor nerve or muscle. Such maintained contraction has not been observed in isolated claw preparations. Generally, maintained contraction resembles catch in that the muscle holds its previous position and does not recontract if stretched. In one animal, however, the muscle continued to slowly open in the absence of nerve activity. Maintained contraction occurred in 5 of 6 whole animal preparations; in those 5 animals it occurred on 49% of trials. We could find no difference in nerve activity or muscle potentials on trials when such contraction occurred and on those when it did not. It is proposed that in the whole animal maintained contraction may be controlled by a factor which is released into the blood supply when the animal is aroused.", "PMID": 761077} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_610", "title": "An intraspinal sympathetic preganglionic pathway: physiologic evidence in the cat.", "content": "Electrical stimulation of the zona intermedia of the lower thoracic/upper lumbar cat spinal cord resulted in increases of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and cardiac contractility (dp/dt). Sites of maximal cardiovascular response (SMCR) were localized histologically to the intermediolateral nucleus (ILN). The inotropic and chronotropic responses were abolished by spinal cord transection or hemisection two to three segments rostral to the site of stimulation. Discrete electrolytic lesions in the white matter adjacent to the ILN were also shown to markedly decrease or abolish the chronotropic and inotropic responses elicited by stimulation of a more caudal SMCR. Longitudinal spinal section resulted in decreased cardiovascular responses from an SMCR; these changes were larger on the left side and greatest for BP as compared to HR and dp/dt. These findings indicate the existence of an ascending intraspinal cardiovascular pathway located in the deep white matter adjacent to the ILN. They further suggest that this is the intraspinal sympathetic preganglionic pathway recently described anatomically.", "contents": "An intraspinal sympathetic preganglionic pathway: physiologic evidence in the cat. Electrical stimulation of the zona intermedia of the lower thoracic/upper lumbar cat spinal cord resulted in increases of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and cardiac contractility (dp/dt). Sites of maximal cardiovascular response (SMCR) were localized histologically to the intermediolateral nucleus (ILN). The inotropic and chronotropic responses were abolished by spinal cord transection or hemisection two to three segments rostral to the site of stimulation. Discrete electrolytic lesions in the white matter adjacent to the ILN were also shown to markedly decrease or abolish the chronotropic and inotropic responses elicited by stimulation of a more caudal SMCR. Longitudinal spinal section resulted in decreased cardiovascular responses from an SMCR; these changes were larger on the left side and greatest for BP as compared to HR and dp/dt. These findings indicate the existence of an ascending intraspinal cardiovascular pathway located in the deep white matter adjacent to the ILN. They further suggest that this is the intraspinal sympathetic preganglionic pathway recently described anatomically.", "PMID": 761078} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_611", "title": "Differential serotonergic innervation of individual hypothalamic nuclei and other forebrain regions by the dorsal and median midbrain raphe nuclei.", "content": "Lesions in the midbrain median but not in the dorsal raphe nucleus significantly decreased the serotonin (5-HT) content of the hippocampus (61%), medial preoptic area (49%), suprachiasmatic nucleus (70%) and anterior hypothalamic area (60%). Electrolytic lesions restricted to either the median or dorsal raphe nucleus produced significant reductions in the 5-HT concentration of the caudate-putamen, anterolateral hypothalamic area (45%) and arcuate nucleus (48--58%). The fall in caudate-putamen 5-HT level was significantly greater after the dorsal (66%) than after the median (24%) raphe lesion. Neither lesion significantly affected the 5-HT content of the posterolateral hypothalamic area, the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus or the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus. Thus, like their differential projections to the caudate-putamen and hippocampus, the mesencephalic dorsal and median raphe nuclei appear to innervate different preoptico-hypothalamic nuclei and areas. Whereas the median raphe nucleus seems to be the primary source of 5-HT fibers to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, anterior hypothalamic area and medial preoptic area, the 5-HT inputs to the anterolateral hypothalamic area and arcuate nucleus appear to derive from both the dorsal and median raphe nuclei.", "contents": "Differential serotonergic innervation of individual hypothalamic nuclei and other forebrain regions by the dorsal and median midbrain raphe nuclei. Lesions in the midbrain median but not in the dorsal raphe nucleus significantly decreased the serotonin (5-HT) content of the hippocampus (61%), medial preoptic area (49%), suprachiasmatic nucleus (70%) and anterior hypothalamic area (60%). Electrolytic lesions restricted to either the median or dorsal raphe nucleus produced significant reductions in the 5-HT concentration of the caudate-putamen, anterolateral hypothalamic area (45%) and arcuate nucleus (48--58%). The fall in caudate-putamen 5-HT level was significantly greater after the dorsal (66%) than after the median (24%) raphe lesion. Neither lesion significantly affected the 5-HT content of the posterolateral hypothalamic area, the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus or the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus. Thus, like their differential projections to the caudate-putamen and hippocampus, the mesencephalic dorsal and median raphe nuclei appear to innervate different preoptico-hypothalamic nuclei and areas. Whereas the median raphe nucleus seems to be the primary source of 5-HT fibers to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, anterior hypothalamic area and medial preoptic area, the 5-HT inputs to the anterolateral hypothalamic area and arcuate nucleus appear to derive from both the dorsal and median raphe nuclei.", "PMID": 761086} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_612", "title": "Development of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in inbred strains of mice: identification of receptor heterogeneity and relation to audiogenic seizure susceptibility.", "content": "The concentrations and biochemical properties of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the brains of two highly inbred strains of mice, DBA/2J and C57BL/6J, have been studied using [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), a potent and specific receptor antagonist. As is the case with rat brain, murine muscarinic receptors exist in at least two forms, which differ in their affinities for receptor agonists but which have the same high affinity for receptor antagonists. Carbamylcholine binding to mouse neural membranes can be resolved into two components with KDs of 5.2 times 10(-7) and 7.9 times 10(-5) M. There is a regional heterogeneity of brain receptors with respect to their distribution between these high and low agonist affinity forms. Brain stem and hypothalamus receptors display binding properties that would be expected if over 60% of their receptors were in the high affinity state, while only 30-40% of cortex, striatum and thalamus receptors appear to be in the high affinity form. Hippocampal receptors display the least amount of high agonist affinity character. Saturation curves and Scatchard plots of QNB binding at 2, 14, 21 and 42 days postnatal age in both strains indicate no differences or changes in the affinity or nature of the binding with age. Significant increases in QNB binding per mg membrane protein were observed between 14 and 42 days in the cortex, hippocampus, striatum, thalamus and hypothalamus, but not in the midbrain-pons-medulla region. In the hippocampus the DBA mice had significantly more QNB binding. In the hypothalamus decreases with age in total binding were noted in DBA, while slight increases were noted in C57. Compared to C57, hippocampal receptors in DBA displayed lower agonist affinity at 14 and 21 days, a trait which was not apparent when DBA had outgrown their audiogenic seizure sensitivity at 42 days. The differences in receptor density and agonist state distribution between the two strains may be related to audiogenic seizure sensitivity.", "contents": "Development of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in inbred strains of mice: identification of receptor heterogeneity and relation to audiogenic seizure susceptibility. The concentrations and biochemical properties of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the brains of two highly inbred strains of mice, DBA/2J and C57BL/6J, have been studied using [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), a potent and specific receptor antagonist. As is the case with rat brain, murine muscarinic receptors exist in at least two forms, which differ in their affinities for receptor agonists but which have the same high affinity for receptor antagonists. Carbamylcholine binding to mouse neural membranes can be resolved into two components with KDs of 5.2 times 10(-7) and 7.9 times 10(-5) M. There is a regional heterogeneity of brain receptors with respect to their distribution between these high and low agonist affinity forms. Brain stem and hypothalamus receptors display binding properties that would be expected if over 60% of their receptors were in the high affinity state, while only 30-40% of cortex, striatum and thalamus receptors appear to be in the high affinity form. Hippocampal receptors display the least amount of high agonist affinity character. Saturation curves and Scatchard plots of QNB binding at 2, 14, 21 and 42 days postnatal age in both strains indicate no differences or changes in the affinity or nature of the binding with age. Significant increases in QNB binding per mg membrane protein were observed between 14 and 42 days in the cortex, hippocampus, striatum, thalamus and hypothalamus, but not in the midbrain-pons-medulla region. In the hippocampus the DBA mice had significantly more QNB binding. In the hypothalamus decreases with age in total binding were noted in DBA, while slight increases were noted in C57. Compared to C57, hippocampal receptors in DBA displayed lower agonist affinity at 14 and 21 days, a trait which was not apparent when DBA had outgrown their audiogenic seizure sensitivity at 42 days. The differences in receptor density and agonist state distribution between the two strains may be related to audiogenic seizure sensitivity.", "PMID": 761088} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_613", "title": "Development of the noradrenergic innervation of neocortex.", "content": "The development of the noradrenaline (NA)-neuron innervation of rat neocortex was studied by fluorescence histochemistry, high affinity uptake of [3H-]NA, and biochemical assay of regional NA content. Fluorescence histochemistry indicates that NA axons enter areas of developing neocortex prenatally and the innervation matures rapidly during early postnatal life. Frontal and lateral neocortical areas are the first to be innervated followed by occipital and parietal areas. All cortical layers receive innervation. The distribution and density of neocortical NA innervation achieves the adult pattern by the end of the first postnatal week. High affinity uptake studies confirm the observations from fluorescence histochemistry and show a very rapid maturation of the NA axon innervation with adult levels of uptake occurring by postnatal day 9. Following birth, there is a brief rise in NA content from PO to P2 in all neocortical areas. NA content then drops to low levels in all areas by P4. This is followed by a gradual increase in NA content in all areas occuring over several months. This pattern of development of NA axon innervation of neocortex demonstrates that the density and distribution of NA axons in developing neocortex matures much earlier than shown in previous studies whereas the NA content of the developing axonal plexus achieves adult levels later in postnatal life.", "contents": "Development of the noradrenergic innervation of neocortex. The development of the noradrenaline (NA)-neuron innervation of rat neocortex was studied by fluorescence histochemistry, high affinity uptake of [3H-]NA, and biochemical assay of regional NA content. Fluorescence histochemistry indicates that NA axons enter areas of developing neocortex prenatally and the innervation matures rapidly during early postnatal life. Frontal and lateral neocortical areas are the first to be innervated followed by occipital and parietal areas. All cortical layers receive innervation. The distribution and density of neocortical NA innervation achieves the adult pattern by the end of the first postnatal week. High affinity uptake studies confirm the observations from fluorescence histochemistry and show a very rapid maturation of the NA axon innervation with adult levels of uptake occurring by postnatal day 9. Following birth, there is a brief rise in NA content from PO to P2 in all neocortical areas. NA content then drops to low levels in all areas by P4. This is followed by a gradual increase in NA content in all areas occuring over several months. This pattern of development of NA axon innervation of neocortex demonstrates that the density and distribution of NA axons in developing neocortex matures much earlier than shown in previous studies whereas the NA content of the developing axonal plexus achieves adult levels later in postnatal life.", "PMID": 761089} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_614", "title": "Studies on the control of myelinogenesis. 3. Signalling of oligodendrocyte myelination by regenerating peripheral axons.", "content": "Continuing from earlier work which demonstrated the peripheral axonal regulation of Schwann cell myelination, this study has investigated the possibility that a peripheral axon can stimulate oligodendrocyte myelination. To test this hypothesis, regenerating PNS axons were allowed to interact with uncommitted oligodendrocytes by transecting a rat peroneal nerve and inserting a segment of the autologous optic nerve between the cut ends. Grafts were maintained for 4-28 weeks and then examined by light and electron microscopy. A few regenerating peripheral myelinated nerve fibers penetrated the optic nerve graft. Some axons penetrated the outer margin of the graft, were myelinated by Schwann cells, and surrounded by astrocyte processes bordered by basal lamina. More centrally in the optic nerve graft, regenerating peripheral axons displayed myelin of CNS type. The outer myelin lamella abutted directly on the plasmalemma surface of surrounding astrocytic processes and was expanded focally to form a glial tongue. These observations demonstrate the experimental induction of central myelination by regenerating peripheral axons and suggest the existence of a common neuronal mechanism to stimulate myelin formation by both the Schwann cell and the oligodendrocyte.", "contents": "Studies on the control of myelinogenesis. 3. Signalling of oligodendrocyte myelination by regenerating peripheral axons. Continuing from earlier work which demonstrated the peripheral axonal regulation of Schwann cell myelination, this study has investigated the possibility that a peripheral axon can stimulate oligodendrocyte myelination. To test this hypothesis, regenerating PNS axons were allowed to interact with uncommitted oligodendrocytes by transecting a rat peroneal nerve and inserting a segment of the autologous optic nerve between the cut ends. Grafts were maintained for 4-28 weeks and then examined by light and electron microscopy. A few regenerating peripheral myelinated nerve fibers penetrated the optic nerve graft. Some axons penetrated the outer margin of the graft, were myelinated by Schwann cells, and surrounded by astrocyte processes bordered by basal lamina. More centrally in the optic nerve graft, regenerating peripheral axons displayed myelin of CNS type. The outer myelin lamella abutted directly on the plasmalemma surface of surrounding astrocytic processes and was expanded focally to form a glial tongue. These observations demonstrate the experimental induction of central myelination by regenerating peripheral axons and suggest the existence of a common neuronal mechanism to stimulate myelin formation by both the Schwann cell and the oligodendrocyte.", "PMID": 761090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_615", "title": "Severe hypothyroidism and the maturation of the rat cerebral cortex.", "content": "In order to study the influence of hypothyroidism on the maturation of the visual cortex, rats were thyroidectomized (T) surgically at 10 days of age and injected with 131I within 2 days after the operation. These T rats, and age-paired controls (C), were killed at 20, 25, 30, 40 and 80 days of life. The groups of T rats were subdivided into 'severely' hypothyroid and hypothyroid animals, on the basis, respectively, of complete or incomplete stasis of body growth and depletion of pituitary growth hormone stores. The pyramidal cells of the visual coretx of 'severely' hypothyroid rats were studied separately from those of hypothyroid animals. It was found that the number of spines along the apical shaft of such cells was markedly and equally reduced in all of the T rats, as compared to C rats, irrespective of the degrees of hypothyroidism attained, and stopped increasing in number by 30 days of age. From this age onwards, the distribution of the spines could no longer be fitted by a mathematical model31 which, however, adequately described for normal rats the developmental changes which take place with increasing age in the distribution of spines along the shaft of pyramidal cells from the visual cortex. This lack of fit was only found for the 'severely' hypothyroid animals; data from the other hypothyroid animals could still be fitted by the model. Such data show that the above-mentioned model31 may be a useful tool for the study of the intensity of the effects of hypothyroidism on the maturation of cortical neurons.", "contents": "Severe hypothyroidism and the maturation of the rat cerebral cortex. In order to study the influence of hypothyroidism on the maturation of the visual cortex, rats were thyroidectomized (T) surgically at 10 days of age and injected with 131I within 2 days after the operation. These T rats, and age-paired controls (C), were killed at 20, 25, 30, 40 and 80 days of life. The groups of T rats were subdivided into 'severely' hypothyroid and hypothyroid animals, on the basis, respectively, of complete or incomplete stasis of body growth and depletion of pituitary growth hormone stores. The pyramidal cells of the visual coretx of 'severely' hypothyroid rats were studied separately from those of hypothyroid animals. It was found that the number of spines along the apical shaft of such cells was markedly and equally reduced in all of the T rats, as compared to C rats, irrespective of the degrees of hypothyroidism attained, and stopped increasing in number by 30 days of age. From this age onwards, the distribution of the spines could no longer be fitted by a mathematical model31 which, however, adequately described for normal rats the developmental changes which take place with increasing age in the distribution of spines along the shaft of pyramidal cells from the visual cortex. This lack of fit was only found for the 'severely' hypothyroid animals; data from the other hypothyroid animals could still be fitted by the model. Such data show that the above-mentioned model31 may be a useful tool for the study of the intensity of the effects of hypothyroidism on the maturation of cortical neurons.", "PMID": 761091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_616", "title": "Pulmonary atelectasis and other respiratory complications after cardiopulmonary bypass and investigation of aetiological factors.", "content": "Radiological evidence of pulmonary complications and possible aetiological factors were investigated in 50 consecutive patients after heart operations with cardiopulmonary bypass. Atelectasis was the most frequent pulmonary complication except for small pleural effusions, with an incidence of 64 per cent. Several types of atelectasis frequently co-existed, with a predominance of the less extensive plate and subsegmental forms. The incidence of atelectasis was the same on each side and the site of atelectasis was basal in three quarters of the patients. Preoperative clinical and catheter data were unrelated to the incidence of atelectasis. There was a significant positive correlation between a short cardiopulmonary bypass time and plate atelectasis, between a large fluid load after bypass and segmental atelectasis, between re-operation for bleeding and subsegmental atelectasis and between post-operative gastric dilation and atelectasis. The type of operation, the use of the intra-aortic balloon and the length of postoperative respiratory ventilation were unrelated to the incidence of atelectasis. The mechanism of development of atelectasis is discussed.", "contents": "Pulmonary atelectasis and other respiratory complications after cardiopulmonary bypass and investigation of aetiological factors. Radiological evidence of pulmonary complications and possible aetiological factors were investigated in 50 consecutive patients after heart operations with cardiopulmonary bypass. Atelectasis was the most frequent pulmonary complication except for small pleural effusions, with an incidence of 64 per cent. Several types of atelectasis frequently co-existed, with a predominance of the less extensive plate and subsegmental forms. The incidence of atelectasis was the same on each side and the site of atelectasis was basal in three quarters of the patients. Preoperative clinical and catheter data were unrelated to the incidence of atelectasis. There was a significant positive correlation between a short cardiopulmonary bypass time and plate atelectasis, between a large fluid load after bypass and segmental atelectasis, between re-operation for bleeding and subsegmental atelectasis and between post-operative gastric dilation and atelectasis. The type of operation, the use of the intra-aortic balloon and the length of postoperative respiratory ventilation were unrelated to the incidence of atelectasis. The mechanism of development of atelectasis is discussed.", "PMID": 761108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_617", "title": "Glycopyrrolate and cardiac dysrhythmias in geriatric patients after reversal of neuromuscular blockade.", "content": "The increase in cardiac muscarinic activity following injection of anticholinesterases can be minimized by the long-acting anticholinergic drug glycopyrrolate. In a series of 50 patients 65 years of age or older who had received glycopyrrolate (0.88 +/- 0.15 mg) mixed with neostigmine (4.40 +/- 0.66 mg) or pyridostigmine (17.46 +/- 2.92 mg) to antagonize neuromuscular blockade, the incidence of new postoperative cardiac dysrhythmias was 16 per cent. All dysrhythmias occurred in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. There was no statistically significant relationship between the incidence of cardiac dysrhythmias and the choice of anaesthetic technique or anticholinesterase drug.", "contents": "Glycopyrrolate and cardiac dysrhythmias in geriatric patients after reversal of neuromuscular blockade. The increase in cardiac muscarinic activity following injection of anticholinesterases can be minimized by the long-acting anticholinergic drug glycopyrrolate. In a series of 50 patients 65 years of age or older who had received glycopyrrolate (0.88 +/- 0.15 mg) mixed with neostigmine (4.40 +/- 0.66 mg) or pyridostigmine (17.46 +/- 2.92 mg) to antagonize neuromuscular blockade, the incidence of new postoperative cardiac dysrhythmias was 16 per cent. All dysrhythmias occurred in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. There was no statistically significant relationship between the incidence of cardiac dysrhythmias and the choice of anaesthetic technique or anticholinesterase drug.", "PMID": 761109} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_618", "title": "Anaesthesia for tracheal resection: a new way to manage the airway.", "content": "A case of lower tracheal resection is reported. A number 28 Foley catheter was modified and successfully used to ventilate the lungs through the short distal tracheal stump.", "contents": "Anaesthesia for tracheal resection: a new way to manage the airway. A case of lower tracheal resection is reported. A number 28 Foley catheter was modified and successfully used to ventilate the lungs through the short distal tracheal stump.", "PMID": 761110} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_619", "title": "Noninvasive evaluation of cardiovascular effects of preoperative sedation in children.", "content": "The cardiovascular effects of two premedication regimes used in paediatric anaesthesia were studied. Eleven patients received rectal methohexitone (22 mg - kg) and 11 patients received intramuscular Innovar (0.03 ml - kg). The effect of these drugs on ventricular function was evaluated by measuring the shortening of the left ventricular minor dimension by echocardiography. No significant changes in this dimension, blood pressure, heart rate or respiratory rate were demonstrated with either drug. Both rectal methohexitone and intramuscular Innovar were shown to have minimal cardiovascular effects when used as preoperative sedation in paediatric patients. Echocardiography proved to be a valuable technique for the noninvasive evaluation of drug effects on myocardial contractility in children.", "contents": "Noninvasive evaluation of cardiovascular effects of preoperative sedation in children. The cardiovascular effects of two premedication regimes used in paediatric anaesthesia were studied. Eleven patients received rectal methohexitone (22 mg - kg) and 11 patients received intramuscular Innovar (0.03 ml - kg). The effect of these drugs on ventricular function was evaluated by measuring the shortening of the left ventricular minor dimension by echocardiography. No significant changes in this dimension, blood pressure, heart rate or respiratory rate were demonstrated with either drug. Both rectal methohexitone and intramuscular Innovar were shown to have minimal cardiovascular effects when used as preoperative sedation in paediatric patients. Echocardiography proved to be a valuable technique for the noninvasive evaluation of drug effects on myocardial contractility in children.", "PMID": 761111} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_620", "title": "Chronic pain syndromes and their treatment. I. Cluster headache.", "content": "Cluster headache is a form of unilateral headache which, in the past, has been very resistant to treatment. Lithium carbonate has been shown to be the only reliably effective treatment in this condition and, although only a few cases have so far been reported in the literature they have, with very few exceptions, been successful. Therefore we selected five patients who at one time or another had presented with cluster headache and who had no relief from conventional treatment, and treated them with lithium carbonate. This has been highly successful. Some patients who had suffered from the disease for many years have been completely or almost completely relieved of their affliction, while others have been markedly improved to the point where they can now function normally, both socially and professionally. The possible modes of action of lithium in this condition are discussed.", "contents": "Chronic pain syndromes and their treatment. I. Cluster headache. Cluster headache is a form of unilateral headache which, in the past, has been very resistant to treatment. Lithium carbonate has been shown to be the only reliably effective treatment in this condition and, although only a few cases have so far been reported in the literature they have, with very few exceptions, been successful. Therefore we selected five patients who at one time or another had presented with cluster headache and who had no relief from conventional treatment, and treated them with lithium carbonate. This has been highly successful. Some patients who had suffered from the disease for many years have been completely or almost completely relieved of their affliction, while others have been markedly improved to the point where they can now function normally, both socially and professionally. The possible modes of action of lithium in this condition are discussed.", "PMID": 761112} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_621", "title": "Anaesthetic considerations in the prolonged Q-T interval (LQTS): a case report.", "content": "A case of prolonged Q-T interval syndrome (LQTS) with ventricular dysrhythmias is presented. The patient was unresponsive to medical treatment. Left stellate ganglion block, followed by surgical excision of the ganglion, resulted in reversion to normal sinus rhythm. The causes of LQTS, its treatment and the effects of anaesthetic agents are discussed.", "contents": "Anaesthetic considerations in the prolonged Q-T interval (LQTS): a case report. A case of prolonged Q-T interval syndrome (LQTS) with ventricular dysrhythmias is presented. The patient was unresponsive to medical treatment. Left stellate ganglion block, followed by surgical excision of the ganglion, resulted in reversion to normal sinus rhythm. The causes of LQTS, its treatment and the effects of anaesthetic agents are discussed.", "PMID": 761113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_622", "title": "[A case of malignant hyperthermia occuring in a dental clinic].", "content": "Malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening complication of anaesthesia, occurred in a 5 1/2-year-old girl undergoing dental surgery in a dental clinic. During induction, after 20 mg of succinylcholine, the anaesthetist noted a moderate rigidity of the mandible that did not interfere with the tracheal intubation. However, after 45 minutes, the temperature rose to 38.8 degrees C, pulse was rapid at 160 per minute and the child was slightly cyanosed. The diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia was made (the temperature eventually reached 40.8 degrees C). The child was immediately treated with refrigeration, procainamide and sodium bicarbonate. She was then moved to a hospital centre where the treatment was continued and she recovered completely. After extensive investigation, we found that the paternal grandfather of the child died at age 58, several hours after a bilateral lumbar sympathectomy under general anaesthesia. The cause of the death, as confirmed by hospital records, was malignant hyperthermia. No genetic counselling was given at that time; this omission has since been corrected. Early diagnosis and the availability on the premises of the necessary drugs and equipment to treat such a complication probably saved this child's life. In 1975, \"La Corporation Professionnelle des M\u00e9decins du Qu\u00e9bec\" published standards for practice of anaesthesia outside a hospital setting. The compliance of the dental clinic with such standards has contributed to the avoidance of a catastrophe.", "contents": "[A case of malignant hyperthermia occuring in a dental clinic]. Malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening complication of anaesthesia, occurred in a 5 1/2-year-old girl undergoing dental surgery in a dental clinic. During induction, after 20 mg of succinylcholine, the anaesthetist noted a moderate rigidity of the mandible that did not interfere with the tracheal intubation. However, after 45 minutes, the temperature rose to 38.8 degrees C, pulse was rapid at 160 per minute and the child was slightly cyanosed. The diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia was made (the temperature eventually reached 40.8 degrees C). The child was immediately treated with refrigeration, procainamide and sodium bicarbonate. She was then moved to a hospital centre where the treatment was continued and she recovered completely. After extensive investigation, we found that the paternal grandfather of the child died at age 58, several hours after a bilateral lumbar sympathectomy under general anaesthesia. The cause of the death, as confirmed by hospital records, was malignant hyperthermia. No genetic counselling was given at that time; this omission has since been corrected. Early diagnosis and the availability on the premises of the necessary drugs and equipment to treat such a complication probably saved this child's life. In 1975, \"La Corporation Professionnelle des M\u00e9decins du Qu\u00e9bec\" published standards for practice of anaesthesia outside a hospital setting. The compliance of the dental clinic with such standards has contributed to the avoidance of a catastrophe.", "PMID": 761114} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_623", "title": "A simple method of percutaneous cannulation of the pulmonary artery in small mammals.", "content": "A simple technique for catheterization of the pulmonary artery in small mammals is described. An angled polypropylene introducer is used to allow easy placement of Swan--Ganz and triple lumen thermistor tipped catheters for haemodynamic evaluation. Hitherto such information has been unavailable because of difficulties in placement of catheters as well as an unacceptably high mortality rate. In an extensive experience with this new technique no instances of cardiac arrhythmia or of death have so far been encountered.", "contents": "A simple method of percutaneous cannulation of the pulmonary artery in small mammals. A simple technique for catheterization of the pulmonary artery in small mammals is described. An angled polypropylene introducer is used to allow easy placement of Swan--Ganz and triple lumen thermistor tipped catheters for haemodynamic evaluation. Hitherto such information has been unavailable because of difficulties in placement of catheters as well as an unacceptably high mortality rate. In an extensive experience with this new technique no instances of cardiac arrhythmia or of death have so far been encountered.", "PMID": 761115} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_624", "title": "A technique for reducing the beam width of the Doppler ultrasound probe with potential application for accurate location of small superficial arteries.", "content": "A simple technique for reducing the beam width of the Doppler ultrasound probe is described. This is accomplished by attaching a plexiglas prism to the transducer surface of the conventional probe. It reduces the beam width by a ratio of 2.8:1. This improves the precision with which the probe is able to locate small superficial arteries.", "contents": "A technique for reducing the beam width of the Doppler ultrasound probe with potential application for accurate location of small superficial arteries. A simple technique for reducing the beam width of the Doppler ultrasound probe is described. This is accomplished by attaching a plexiglas prism to the transducer surface of the conventional probe. It reduces the beam width by a ratio of 2.8:1. This improves the precision with which the probe is able to locate small superficial arteries.", "PMID": 761117} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_625", "title": "Effect of halothane on the pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia in dogs.", "content": "The pulmonary vascular response to alveolar hypoxia with and without halothane exposure was measured in dogs. Hypoxia increased pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) so that in each case inverse linear relationships were found with arterial oxygen saturation. These responses were highly significant and reproduceable but varied greatly between individuals. Halothane administration resulted in an increased slope of PVR against oxygen saturation due to the fact that reduction in cardiac output exceeded the reduction in Ppa. An analysis of variance showed that it was possible to predict accurately the hypoxic PVR and Ppa responses under halothane anaesthesia from the control hypoxic responses. Animals with low PVR responses showed the greatest arterial oxygen desaturation with hypoxia, whereas high responders showed least oxygen desaturation. Thus it was possible to predict those individuals at risk from severe arterial oxygen desaturation under halothane anaesthesia.", "contents": "Effect of halothane on the pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia in dogs. The pulmonary vascular response to alveolar hypoxia with and without halothane exposure was measured in dogs. Hypoxia increased pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) so that in each case inverse linear relationships were found with arterial oxygen saturation. These responses were highly significant and reproduceable but varied greatly between individuals. Halothane administration resulted in an increased slope of PVR against oxygen saturation due to the fact that reduction in cardiac output exceeded the reduction in Ppa. An analysis of variance showed that it was possible to predict accurately the hypoxic PVR and Ppa responses under halothane anaesthesia from the control hypoxic responses. Animals with low PVR responses showed the greatest arterial oxygen desaturation with hypoxia, whereas high responders showed least oxygen desaturation. Thus it was possible to predict those individuals at risk from severe arterial oxygen desaturation under halothane anaesthesia.", "PMID": 761116} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_626", "title": "Management of obstetric complications at a small rural hospital.", "content": "To determine if there is a way of identifying obstetric patients in whom complications will develop, the experience of one small hospital was reviewed. It was found that there is no satisfactory method presently available that allows a hospital to select such patients so that they can be referred to a large centre. While the scoring system designed by Goodwin, Dunne and Thomas for assessing antepartum fetal risk is fairly effective in selecting fetuses at risk, its results do not correlate well with the frequency of obstetric complications. Since in a significant proportion of obstetric patients complications develop that require emergency intervention, it is important that hospital staff maintain their ability to do safe cesarean sections and to obtain blood for transfusion quickly. Hospitals in which there are fewer than 100 deliveries per year probably do not have a sufficient caseload to maintain the ability to do safe cesarean sections; it is therefore suggested that they discontinue obstetric practice. At hospitals with a larger caseload elective cesarean sections should be done so that the ability to do emergency procedures can be maintained.", "contents": "Management of obstetric complications at a small rural hospital. To determine if there is a way of identifying obstetric patients in whom complications will develop, the experience of one small hospital was reviewed. It was found that there is no satisfactory method presently available that allows a hospital to select such patients so that they can be referred to a large centre. While the scoring system designed by Goodwin, Dunne and Thomas for assessing antepartum fetal risk is fairly effective in selecting fetuses at risk, its results do not correlate well with the frequency of obstetric complications. Since in a significant proportion of obstetric patients complications develop that require emergency intervention, it is important that hospital staff maintain their ability to do safe cesarean sections and to obtain blood for transfusion quickly. Hospitals in which there are fewer than 100 deliveries per year probably do not have a sufficient caseload to maintain the ability to do safe cesarean sections; it is therefore suggested that they discontinue obstetric practice. At hospitals with a larger caseload elective cesarean sections should be done so that the ability to do emergency procedures can be maintained.", "PMID": 761129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_627", "title": "Grey-scale ultrasonography for assessment of gynecologic pelvic masses.", "content": "In a retrospective study the grey-scale ultrasonographic appearance of pelvic masses was correlated with the surgical findings in 93 patients. Of the masses found at the time of laparotomy 95% had been detected preoperatively. In most instances useful information about size, consistency and location of the mass was provided by ultrasonography. Certain pathologic entities produce a characteristic sonographic appearance, but there is a wide overlap for others. Data obtained by history-taking and physical examination must be integrated with the sonographic findings for a correct diagnosis.", "contents": "Grey-scale ultrasonography for assessment of gynecologic pelvic masses. In a retrospective study the grey-scale ultrasonographic appearance of pelvic masses was correlated with the surgical findings in 93 patients. Of the masses found at the time of laparotomy 95% had been detected preoperatively. In most instances useful information about size, consistency and location of the mass was provided by ultrasonography. Certain pathologic entities produce a characteristic sonographic appearance, but there is a wide overlap for others. Data obtained by history-taking and physical examination must be integrated with the sonographic findings for a correct diagnosis.", "PMID": 761130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_628", "title": "Microvascular closure in malignant histiocytosis.", "content": "Two patients with malignant histiocytosis were found to have capillary occlusion by aggregates of neoplastic histiocytes, in skeletal muscle in one, and in renal glomeruli in the other. One patient had clinical evidence of similar occlusions in the arterioles and capillaries of the ocular fundi. Occlusion of small vessels by tumour cells may explain the confusion of both patients.", "contents": "Microvascular closure in malignant histiocytosis. Two patients with malignant histiocytosis were found to have capillary occlusion by aggregates of neoplastic histiocytes, in skeletal muscle in one, and in renal glomeruli in the other. One patient had clinical evidence of similar occlusions in the arterioles and capillaries of the ocular fundi. Occlusion of small vessels by tumour cells may explain the confusion of both patients.", "PMID": 761131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_629", "title": "Patient-initiated transtelephone transmission of electrocardiographic signals in the diagnosis of arrhythmias.", "content": "Thirty-one patients who had complained of recurrent palpitations were given transtelephone transmitters of electrocardiographic signals and instructed to use the transmitters while they were having symptoms. From the transcribed electrocardiograms sinus tachycardia was documented in 12 patients, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia in 7, atrial fibrillation in 4, atrial flutter in 3, frequent ventricular premature beats in 4 and ventricular tachycardia in 1. Patient-initiated transtelephone transmission of electrocardiographic signals was found to be an effective means of documenting the nature of symptomatic paroxysmal tachycardia.", "contents": "Patient-initiated transtelephone transmission of electrocardiographic signals in the diagnosis of arrhythmias. Thirty-one patients who had complained of recurrent palpitations were given transtelephone transmitters of electrocardiographic signals and instructed to use the transmitters while they were having symptoms. From the transcribed electrocardiograms sinus tachycardia was documented in 12 patients, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia in 7, atrial fibrillation in 4, atrial flutter in 3, frequent ventricular premature beats in 4 and ventricular tachycardia in 1. Patient-initiated transtelephone transmission of electrocardiographic signals was found to be an effective means of documenting the nature of symptomatic paroxysmal tachycardia.", "PMID": 761132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_630", "title": "Bone and joint tuberculosis: a continuing problem.", "content": "Although tuberculous disease of bones and joints is becoming uncommon, it still occurs and may cause devastating sequelae. It is frequently not diagnosed prior to the onset of permanent damage to the joints or spine; the most important reason for this delay may be the fact that it is not considered in the differential diagnosis of monoarthritis or back pain. Most persons with the disease have other evidence of tuberculosis. Not infrequently an aggressive approach (including synovial biopsy or surgical exploration of the back) is needed to confirm the diagnosis when there are no other clues.", "contents": "Bone and joint tuberculosis: a continuing problem. Although tuberculous disease of bones and joints is becoming uncommon, it still occurs and may cause devastating sequelae. It is frequently not diagnosed prior to the onset of permanent damage to the joints or spine; the most important reason for this delay may be the fact that it is not considered in the differential diagnosis of monoarthritis or back pain. Most persons with the disease have other evidence of tuberculosis. Not infrequently an aggressive approach (including synovial biopsy or surgical exploration of the back) is needed to confirm the diagnosis when there are no other clues.", "PMID": 761142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_631", "title": "Meningococcal meningitis in children.", "content": "Forty-four cases of meningococcal meningitis in children at one hospital between 1971 and 1975 inclusive were studied to document the course and complications of this disease in children in the current therapeutic era. The mortality was 5%. Of the 41 survivors 76% were healthy 1 to 5 years after the episode of meningitis. Permanent severe sequelae (facial palsy, optic atrophy and ptosis) were seen in three (7%) of the survivors, and mild hearing loss, hyperactivity and nervousness were noted in seven (17%). Electroencephalography was not useful in determining management or prognosis. Both the mortality and the frequency of early and late complications among the survivors were lower than those reported from earlier studies.", "contents": "Meningococcal meningitis in children. Forty-four cases of meningococcal meningitis in children at one hospital between 1971 and 1975 inclusive were studied to document the course and complications of this disease in children in the current therapeutic era. The mortality was 5%. Of the 41 survivors 76% were healthy 1 to 5 years after the episode of meningitis. Permanent severe sequelae (facial palsy, optic atrophy and ptosis) were seen in three (7%) of the survivors, and mild hearing loss, hyperactivity and nervousness were noted in seven (17%). Electroencephalography was not useful in determining management or prognosis. Both the mortality and the frequency of early and late complications among the survivors were lower than those reported from earlier studies.", "PMID": 761143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_632", "title": "Clinical efficacy and toxicity of netilmicin in the treatment of gram-negative infections.", "content": "Netilmicin, a new semisynthetic aminoglycoside antibiotic, was used to treat 41 infections in 38 patients. The outcome of four infections could not be evaluated: two patients received inadequate therapy and two did not have gram-negative infections. Clinical improvement occurred in 36 (97%) of the 37 gram-negative infections, and bacteriologic cure occurred in 30 (86%) of the 35 evaluable infections. Therapeutic serum concentrations of netilmicin were readily achieved by both intramuscular and intravenous routes. Reversible ototoxic effects occurred in 1 (3%) of 35 courses of therapy evaluated, reversible nephrotoxic effects occurred in 5 (14%) of 36 courses and mild reversible alterations in liver function occurred in 3 (19%) of 34 courses. Netilmicin appears to be effective and safe in the treatment of aerobic gram-negative infections.", "contents": "Clinical efficacy and toxicity of netilmicin in the treatment of gram-negative infections. Netilmicin, a new semisynthetic aminoglycoside antibiotic, was used to treat 41 infections in 38 patients. The outcome of four infections could not be evaluated: two patients received inadequate therapy and two did not have gram-negative infections. Clinical improvement occurred in 36 (97%) of the 37 gram-negative infections, and bacteriologic cure occurred in 30 (86%) of the 35 evaluable infections. Therapeutic serum concentrations of netilmicin were readily achieved by both intramuscular and intravenous routes. Reversible ototoxic effects occurred in 1 (3%) of 35 courses of therapy evaluated, reversible nephrotoxic effects occurred in 5 (14%) of 36 courses and mild reversible alterations in liver function occurred in 3 (19%) of 34 courses. Netilmicin appears to be effective and safe in the treatment of aerobic gram-negative infections.", "PMID": 761144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_633", "title": "Clinical approach to the diagnosis of acid-base disorders.", "content": "An ability to rapidly and effectively diagnose and treat acid-base disorders is essential to the management of seriously ill patients. In this paper an approach to the diagnosis of pure and mixed acid-base disorders is presented that is based upon an understanding of the bicarbonate buffer system and a knowledge of the well defined and predictable compensatory responses that occur in association with each of the primary acid-base disorders. With this approach a number of acid-base problems are presented and solved.", "contents": "Clinical approach to the diagnosis of acid-base disorders. An ability to rapidly and effectively diagnose and treat acid-base disorders is essential to the management of seriously ill patients. In this paper an approach to the diagnosis of pure and mixed acid-base disorders is presented that is based upon an understanding of the bicarbonate buffer system and a knowledge of the well defined and predictable compensatory responses that occur in association with each of the primary acid-base disorders. With this approach a number of acid-base problems are presented and solved.", "PMID": 761145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_634", "title": "A Malaysian experience with animal disease.", "content": "The report summarizes a one year period of investigation of death losses in West Malaysian livestock. Lesions and etiological agents are mentioned for cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry and companion animals as well as some miscellaneous species. Special observations related to a common paramphistome induced hepatic biliary infestation in cattle, a serious malignant head catarrh outbreak in which possible cattle to cow aerosol transmission occurred. Trismus observed in some cattle with malignant head catarrh was associated with arteriolitis and ganglioneuritis of the V cranial nerve. Parasitic, bacterial, viral toxic and neoplastic diseases are recorded in the various species. The occurrence of fatal chronic fluorosis in laboratory guinea pigs and cerebral nematodiasis in a Thoroughbred racehorse are documented.", "contents": "A Malaysian experience with animal disease. The report summarizes a one year period of investigation of death losses in West Malaysian livestock. Lesions and etiological agents are mentioned for cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry and companion animals as well as some miscellaneous species. Special observations related to a common paramphistome induced hepatic biliary infestation in cattle, a serious malignant head catarrh outbreak in which possible cattle to cow aerosol transmission occurred. Trismus observed in some cattle with malignant head catarrh was associated with arteriolitis and ganglioneuritis of the V cranial nerve. Parasitic, bacterial, viral toxic and neoplastic diseases are recorded in the various species. The occurrence of fatal chronic fluorosis in laboratory guinea pigs and cerebral nematodiasis in a Thoroughbred racehorse are documented.", "PMID": 761153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_635", "title": "A survey of disease conditions in adult and feeder sheep in Saskatchewan.", "content": "A survey was carried out to identify disease conditions occurring in adult and feeder sheep in Saskatchewan. Necropsies were performed on 50 adult sheep submitted to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine during the period July 1976 to June 1977 and data were assembled from necropsy records of sheep submitted between January 1975 to December 1976. The diseases encountered were briefly described. Conditions of the respiratory and digestive systems were the most significant as causes of mortality. Burdens of helminth endoparasites were generally low. In the flocks included in the necropsy survey, annual mortality among adult and feeder sheep was estimated to be three percent.", "contents": "A survey of disease conditions in adult and feeder sheep in Saskatchewan. A survey was carried out to identify disease conditions occurring in adult and feeder sheep in Saskatchewan. Necropsies were performed on 50 adult sheep submitted to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine during the period July 1976 to June 1977 and data were assembled from necropsy records of sheep submitted between January 1975 to December 1976. The diseases encountered were briefly described. Conditions of the respiratory and digestive systems were the most significant as causes of mortality. Burdens of helminth endoparasites were generally low. In the flocks included in the necropsy survey, annual mortality among adult and feeder sheep was estimated to be three percent.", "PMID": 761154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_636", "title": "Case report: Abomasal involvement in bovine diaphragmatic hernia and surgical management.", "content": "Two rare cases of internal herenia in bovines (Bubalus bubalis), in which reticulum and abomasum had herniated into the thoracic cavity, were successfully treated. Involvement of abomasum did not exhibit any additional symptoms other than those commonly observed in cases where only reticulum is herniated. The term diaphragmatic hernia has been considered appropriate for this condition by the present authors.", "contents": "Case report: Abomasal involvement in bovine diaphragmatic hernia and surgical management. Two rare cases of internal herenia in bovines (Bubalus bubalis), in which reticulum and abomasum had herniated into the thoracic cavity, were successfully treated. Involvement of abomasum did not exhibit any additional symptoms other than those commonly observed in cases where only reticulum is herniated. The term diaphragmatic hernia has been considered appropriate for this condition by the present authors.", "PMID": 761155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_637", "title": "Protocols in medicolegal veterinary medicine. I. Identification of cases and preparation for court.", "content": "Guidelines for the identification of potential legal cases and the correct procedures for recording and handling of information and exhibits are described. Preparation for court appearance as an expert witness is discussed.", "contents": "Protocols in medicolegal veterinary medicine. I. Identification of cases and preparation for court. Guidelines for the identification of potential legal cases and the correct procedures for recording and handling of information and exhibits are described. Preparation for court appearance as an expert witness is discussed.", "PMID": 761156} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_638", "title": "The effects of radiotherapy on immunity in patients with localized carcinoma of the cervix uteri.", "content": "To assess the effects of radiotherapy on immune status, a wide range of assessments have been performed on patients with localized carcinoma of the cervix uteri undergoing and initially responding clinically to radical pelvic radiotherapy. Neutrophil function was essentially unchanged by treatment. Absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts fell after treatment and remained depressed 3 and 12 months following treatment. The proportions of T and B cells dropped with treatment but recovered to near-presentation levels during the follow-up period even though absolute counts remained depressed. In vitro tests of cellular immunity were depressed by treatment and remained so 3 and 12 months following treatment whereas skin test responses remained normal throughout the assessments. Inhibitory plasma effects were observed in phytohaemagglutinin lymphocyte transformation studies on 4 untreated patients; at follow-up these effects were not evident. A variable response in immune indices has therefore been observed in patients in remission after treatment of localized carcinoma cervix stressing the importance of assessing several aspects of immune function and implying that persistent depression of certain indices does not adversely affect the host tumor response. In two patients relapsing after apparently good initial response all aspects of immunological assessment (except serum immunoglobulin levels and neutrophil function) deteriorated.", "contents": "The effects of radiotherapy on immunity in patients with localized carcinoma of the cervix uteri. To assess the effects of radiotherapy on immune status, a wide range of assessments have been performed on patients with localized carcinoma of the cervix uteri undergoing and initially responding clinically to radical pelvic radiotherapy. Neutrophil function was essentially unchanged by treatment. Absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts fell after treatment and remained depressed 3 and 12 months following treatment. The proportions of T and B cells dropped with treatment but recovered to near-presentation levels during the follow-up period even though absolute counts remained depressed. In vitro tests of cellular immunity were depressed by treatment and remained so 3 and 12 months following treatment whereas skin test responses remained normal throughout the assessments. Inhibitory plasma effects were observed in phytohaemagglutinin lymphocyte transformation studies on 4 untreated patients; at follow-up these effects were not evident. A variable response in immune indices has therefore been observed in patients in remission after treatment of localized carcinoma cervix stressing the importance of assessing several aspects of immune function and implying that persistent depression of certain indices does not adversely affect the host tumor response. In two patients relapsing after apparently good initial response all aspects of immunological assessment (except serum immunoglobulin levels and neutrophil function) deteriorated.", "PMID": 761157} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_639", "title": "Secondary malignant neoplasms following radiotherapy of a mouse mammary carcinoma.", "content": "Long-term observations were made for the development of secondary neoplasms following radiotherapy of animal tumors. Experimental tumors were 3rd generation isotransplants of a mammary carcinoma which arose spontaneously in a C3Hf/He mouse. A single dose of TCD20-TCD98 was followed by weekly observations. Most recurrences were observed in the first 150 days, while only a few were seen in the subsequent 150 days. Secondary neoplasms developed frequently following this period, i.e., 41 out of 67 animals surviving more than 300 days developed secondary neoplasms. They were osteogenic and soft tissue sarcomas, and half the new tumors were found within 490 days after radiotherapy. The results obtained were compared with literature reports of secondary neoplasms following postoperative radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast and treatment of retinoblastomas. Most of these secondary human neoplasms were nonepithelial sarcomas as in the present study. Secondary carcinomas have been reported following radiotherapy of carcinoma in other locations, i.e., the cervix or head and neck; however, only a limited number of studies have been reported.", "contents": "Secondary malignant neoplasms following radiotherapy of a mouse mammary carcinoma. Long-term observations were made for the development of secondary neoplasms following radiotherapy of animal tumors. Experimental tumors were 3rd generation isotransplants of a mammary carcinoma which arose spontaneously in a C3Hf/He mouse. A single dose of TCD20-TCD98 was followed by weekly observations. Most recurrences were observed in the first 150 days, while only a few were seen in the subsequent 150 days. Secondary neoplasms developed frequently following this period, i.e., 41 out of 67 animals surviving more than 300 days developed secondary neoplasms. They were osteogenic and soft tissue sarcomas, and half the new tumors were found within 490 days after radiotherapy. The results obtained were compared with literature reports of secondary neoplasms following postoperative radiotherapy for carcinoma of the breast and treatment of retinoblastomas. Most of these secondary human neoplasms were nonepithelial sarcomas as in the present study. Secondary carcinomas have been reported following radiotherapy of carcinoma in other locations, i.e., the cervix or head and neck; however, only a limited number of studies have been reported.", "PMID": 761158} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_640", "title": "On the prognostic importance of white depressed areas in the primary lesion of superficial spreading melanoma.", "content": "The lesions of 163 patients with superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) were examined for the presence of white, depressed areas; and lesions with and without these areas of \"regression\" were compared. There was no statistically significant correlation with the histological level of invasion (Clark-Mihm), sex or age of the patient, location of the melanoma, or presence of local, intransit or regional lymph node metastases. It is apparent from examining the recurrence rate and patient survival, that white depressed areas in an SSM are not of prognostic importance. There was a striking correlation of the presence of white depressed areas with the size of the area covered by the malignant melanoma (p less than or equal to 0.001).", "contents": "On the prognostic importance of white depressed areas in the primary lesion of superficial spreading melanoma. The lesions of 163 patients with superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) were examined for the presence of white, depressed areas; and lesions with and without these areas of \"regression\" were compared. There was no statistically significant correlation with the histological level of invasion (Clark-Mihm), sex or age of the patient, location of the melanoma, or presence of local, intransit or regional lymph node metastases. It is apparent from examining the recurrence rate and patient survival, that white depressed areas in an SSM are not of prognostic importance. There was a striking correlation of the presence of white depressed areas with the size of the area covered by the malignant melanoma (p less than or equal to 0.001).", "PMID": 761159} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_641", "title": "A reliable method for evaluating drug compliance in children with cancer.", "content": "Poor drug compliance may cause a decreased survival of children with malignancies. Children who fail to take their medications are not receiving optimum amounts of chemotherapy and suboptimal therapy causes a shortened survival in children with cancer. This is a study of prednisone compliance in 52 children with cancer during three distinct phases of therapy. The patients were either known to be taking prednisone (on-therapy group), off prednisone (off-therapy group), or their compliance was unknown (unknown group). Evaluation of prednisone compliance was attempted by measuring hemoglobin level changes, weight changes, and random urinary 17-ketogenic steroids. The results obtained show that while hemoglobin and weight changes are not helpful, a random urine 17-ketogenic steroid assay is able to differentiate clearly those patients who are taking their prednisone. By the use of this assay it was found that 33% of patients who by protocol and instruction were supposed to be receiving prednisone were not complying. Separate analysis of adolescents revealed an even more alarming 59% noncompliance rate. This striking level of noncompliance strongly suggests that the survival of patients may be threatened by noncompliance.", "contents": "A reliable method for evaluating drug compliance in children with cancer. Poor drug compliance may cause a decreased survival of children with malignancies. Children who fail to take their medications are not receiving optimum amounts of chemotherapy and suboptimal therapy causes a shortened survival in children with cancer. This is a study of prednisone compliance in 52 children with cancer during three distinct phases of therapy. The patients were either known to be taking prednisone (on-therapy group), off prednisone (off-therapy group), or their compliance was unknown (unknown group). Evaluation of prednisone compliance was attempted by measuring hemoglobin level changes, weight changes, and random urinary 17-ketogenic steroids. The results obtained show that while hemoglobin and weight changes are not helpful, a random urine 17-ketogenic steroid assay is able to differentiate clearly those patients who are taking their prednisone. By the use of this assay it was found that 33% of patients who by protocol and instruction were supposed to be receiving prednisone were not complying. Separate analysis of adolescents revealed an even more alarming 59% noncompliance rate. This striking level of noncompliance strongly suggests that the survival of patients may be threatened by noncompliance.", "PMID": 761160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_642", "title": "A cancer registry for the community radiation center.", "content": "A common problem for cancer treatment centers is maintenance and utilization of the cancer registry. Computerization of the large amount of patient information involved is desirable. Organization and implementation of a patient registry using a PC-12 treatment planning computer is described. This application is reasonable and effective for community radiation centers, and retains the interactive features that make these dedicated mini-computers so useful. Details of organizing and running this type of registry are included. Examples of the patient data from a radiation therapy department are given and the possibilities for analysis of the information discussed. An important part of the registry is the one-line summary of individual cases, termed the \"patient status graph,\" that condenses patient follow-up history for quick review. The importance of a pertinent and practical registry for all cancer centers is discussed.", "contents": "A cancer registry for the community radiation center. A common problem for cancer treatment centers is maintenance and utilization of the cancer registry. Computerization of the large amount of patient information involved is desirable. Organization and implementation of a patient registry using a PC-12 treatment planning computer is described. This application is reasonable and effective for community radiation centers, and retains the interactive features that make these dedicated mini-computers so useful. Details of organizing and running this type of registry are included. Examples of the patient data from a radiation therapy department are given and the possibilities for analysis of the information discussed. An important part of the registry is the one-line summary of individual cases, termed the \"patient status graph,\" that condenses patient follow-up history for quick review. The importance of a pertinent and practical registry for all cancer centers is discussed.", "PMID": 761162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_643", "title": "Stromal sarcoma of breast: a light and electron microscopic study.", "content": "A case of stromal sarcoma of the breast was studied by light and electron microscopy. The tumor comprised of uniform, plump spindle cells with neither epithelial nor \"metaplastic\" mesenchymal elements. Ultrastructurally most of the tumor cells appeared immature containing abundant free ribosomes, variable amounts of microfilaments and profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum, with scant intercellular collagen and elastic fibers. The cells often showed prominent nesting as well as a variety of cell junctions, including desmosomes. We believe this tumor is a poorly differentiated, precursor mesenchymal sarcoma which belongs in the category of \"stromal sarcoma of breast,\" a term coined by Berg et al. in 1962. To our knowledge, this represents the first published electron microscopic study on this tumor. Despite a high mitotic figure count in the tumor, the patient has survived a simple mastectomy with no evidence of metastasis 30 months later.", "contents": "Stromal sarcoma of breast: a light and electron microscopic study. A case of stromal sarcoma of the breast was studied by light and electron microscopy. The tumor comprised of uniform, plump spindle cells with neither epithelial nor \"metaplastic\" mesenchymal elements. Ultrastructurally most of the tumor cells appeared immature containing abundant free ribosomes, variable amounts of microfilaments and profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum, with scant intercellular collagen and elastic fibers. The cells often showed prominent nesting as well as a variety of cell junctions, including desmosomes. We believe this tumor is a poorly differentiated, precursor mesenchymal sarcoma which belongs in the category of \"stromal sarcoma of breast,\" a term coined by Berg et al. in 1962. To our knowledge, this represents the first published electron microscopic study on this tumor. Despite a high mitotic figure count in the tumor, the patient has survived a simple mastectomy with no evidence of metastasis 30 months later.", "PMID": 761163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_644", "title": "Growth characteristics of human skin fibroblasts in vitro: a simple experimental approach for the identification of hereditary adenomatosis of the colon and rectum.", "content": "Kinetic parameters of cell growth have been studied in cultured skin fibroblasts derived from individuals with hereditary adenomatosis of the colon and rectum. The growth parameters consisted of saturation density, plating density, cloning efficiency and colony-forming ability. The results suggest deployment of these selective assays to distinguish skin fibroblasts of presumptive ACR positive individuals from those of normal subjects in vitro.", "contents": "Growth characteristics of human skin fibroblasts in vitro: a simple experimental approach for the identification of hereditary adenomatosis of the colon and rectum. Kinetic parameters of cell growth have been studied in cultured skin fibroblasts derived from individuals with hereditary adenomatosis of the colon and rectum. The growth parameters consisted of saturation density, plating density, cloning efficiency and colony-forming ability. The results suggest deployment of these selective assays to distinguish skin fibroblasts of presumptive ACR positive individuals from those of normal subjects in vitro.", "PMID": 761164} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_645", "title": "The influence of chemotherapy on response of patients with hematologic malignancies to influenza vaccine.", "content": "Bivalent influenza vaccine (containing antigens A/Victoria and A/New Jersey) was administered to 52 patients with hematologic malignancies, and pre- and postvaccination antibody titers to both antigens were determined by hemagglutination-inhibition. In comparison to healthy controls, mean antibody titer elevations were lower for both antigens in all disease groups, being significant (p less than 0.05) for A/Victoria in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute leukemia and lymphoproliferative diseases, and for A/New Jersey in patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. In comparison to controls, significant depression of antibody response to both antigens was seen in patients on combination chemotherapy (p less than 0.0005), to a lesser extent in patients on daily single alkylating agent chemotherapy (p less than 0.05), while untreated patients did not differ significantly. Lymphopenia and depressed immunoglobulin levels were associated with a higher failure rate in eliciting \"protective\" greater than or equal to fourfold antibody titer increases. The findings suggest that patients with hematologic malignancies who are receiving chemotherapy at the time of vaccination are unlikely to attain seroconversion to protective antibody levels with influenza vaccine.", "contents": "The influence of chemotherapy on response of patients with hematologic malignancies to influenza vaccine. Bivalent influenza vaccine (containing antigens A/Victoria and A/New Jersey) was administered to 52 patients with hematologic malignancies, and pre- and postvaccination antibody titers to both antigens were determined by hemagglutination-inhibition. In comparison to healthy controls, mean antibody titer elevations were lower for both antigens in all disease groups, being significant (p less than 0.05) for A/Victoria in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute leukemia and lymphoproliferative diseases, and for A/New Jersey in patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. In comparison to controls, significant depression of antibody response to both antigens was seen in patients on combination chemotherapy (p less than 0.0005), to a lesser extent in patients on daily single alkylating agent chemotherapy (p less than 0.05), while untreated patients did not differ significantly. Lymphopenia and depressed immunoglobulin levels were associated with a higher failure rate in eliciting \"protective\" greater than or equal to fourfold antibody titer increases. The findings suggest that patients with hematologic malignancies who are receiving chemotherapy at the time of vaccination are unlikely to attain seroconversion to protective antibody levels with influenza vaccine.", "PMID": 761165} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_646", "title": "Meningiomas with conspicuous plasma cell-lymphocytic components: a report of five cases.", "content": "Five meningeal neoplasms grossly resembling meningiomas but histologically containing meningothelial cells together with abundant plasma cells and lymphocytes are reported. These masses are regarded as meningiomas with extensive plasma cell--lymphocytic infiltrates.", "contents": "Meningiomas with conspicuous plasma cell-lymphocytic components: a report of five cases. Five meningeal neoplasms grossly resembling meningiomas but histologically containing meningothelial cells together with abundant plasma cells and lymphocytes are reported. These masses are regarded as meningiomas with extensive plasma cell--lymphocytic infiltrates.", "PMID": 761166} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_647", "title": "Malignant melanoma producing serotonin.", "content": "A case of malignant melanoma, the tumor of which seems to produce serotonin, is presented. Neither hyperserotoninemia nor carcinoid syndrome was observed in the clinical course. An autopsied sample of the metastatic lung tumor contained a significantly higher concentration (1.35 microgram/g wet weight tissue) of serotonin than that of normal lung (below 0.5 microgram wet wt.). Tryptophan hydroxylase activity, the key enzyme of the biosynthesis of serotonin, was substantial in the same tumor sample when assayed by a sensitive radioisotopic method, supporting the productivity of the amine of the tumor. The ability of melanoma to produce serotonin could be attributed to its neural crest origin.", "contents": "Malignant melanoma producing serotonin. A case of malignant melanoma, the tumor of which seems to produce serotonin, is presented. Neither hyperserotoninemia nor carcinoid syndrome was observed in the clinical course. An autopsied sample of the metastatic lung tumor contained a significantly higher concentration (1.35 microgram/g wet weight tissue) of serotonin than that of normal lung (below 0.5 microgram wet wt.). Tryptophan hydroxylase activity, the key enzyme of the biosynthesis of serotonin, was substantial in the same tumor sample when assayed by a sensitive radioisotopic method, supporting the productivity of the amine of the tumor. The ability of melanoma to produce serotonin could be attributed to its neural crest origin.", "PMID": 761167} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_648", "title": "The candida precipitin test in an immunosuppressed population.", "content": "Ninety-one immunosuppressed, high-risk patients suspected of having invasive candidiasis were tested during their septic episode for the presence of candida precipitin (CP) antibody using the counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) method. In 12 patients, systemic candidiasis was confirmed but only 6 of these (50%) had candida precipitins. In 14 \"questionable\" cases who died without a definitive diagnosis, 8 (57%) had precipitin antibody. Of the 65 patients who did not have serious candida infection, 20 (31%) had candida precipitins. In this population we found the presence of candida precipitins to be neither sensitive (50%) nor specific (69%) for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.", "contents": "The candida precipitin test in an immunosuppressed population. Ninety-one immunosuppressed, high-risk patients suspected of having invasive candidiasis were tested during their septic episode for the presence of candida precipitin (CP) antibody using the counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) method. In 12 patients, systemic candidiasis was confirmed but only 6 of these (50%) had candida precipitins. In 14 \"questionable\" cases who died without a definitive diagnosis, 8 (57%) had precipitin antibody. Of the 65 patients who did not have serious candida infection, 20 (31%) had candida precipitins. In this population we found the presence of candida precipitins to be neither sensitive (50%) nor specific (69%) for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.", "PMID": 761168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_649", "title": "Stromomyoma of the uterus.", "content": "We present a solitary uterine tumor that occurred in a 28-year-old woman who complained of vaginal bleeding. Grossly, the tumor was well circumscribed and composed of lobulated tissue that varied from yellow, tan and soft, to white and rubbery. At the light microscopic level, areas identical to those described and interpreted as sex-cord differentiation in a group of closely similar uterine tumors were found and obtained for electron microscopic study. Ultrastructurally, there were two basic types of cells, neither of which can be interpreted as sex-cord derivatives. Cells that closely resembled the predominant components of Clement and Scully's group I tumors were similar to the normal endometrial stromal cells. Cells that formed plexiform cords demonstrated features diagnostic of smooth muscle cells. Cellular contents in cells comprising the tubular structures resembling that interpreted as indistinguishable from that of a Sertoli-cell tumor (tubular androblastoma) were probably smooth muscle cells. We propose the term \"Stromomyoma\" to designate this peculiar uterine tumor. The similarity between our tumor and those reported in the literature raises the possibility that \"uterine tumor resembling\" ovarian sex-cord tumors\" are actually stromomyomas.", "contents": "Stromomyoma of the uterus. We present a solitary uterine tumor that occurred in a 28-year-old woman who complained of vaginal bleeding. Grossly, the tumor was well circumscribed and composed of lobulated tissue that varied from yellow, tan and soft, to white and rubbery. At the light microscopic level, areas identical to those described and interpreted as sex-cord differentiation in a group of closely similar uterine tumors were found and obtained for electron microscopic study. Ultrastructurally, there were two basic types of cells, neither of which can be interpreted as sex-cord derivatives. Cells that closely resembled the predominant components of Clement and Scully's group I tumors were similar to the normal endometrial stromal cells. Cells that formed plexiform cords demonstrated features diagnostic of smooth muscle cells. Cellular contents in cells comprising the tubular structures resembling that interpreted as indistinguishable from that of a Sertoli-cell tumor (tubular androblastoma) were probably smooth muscle cells. We propose the term \"Stromomyoma\" to designate this peculiar uterine tumor. The similarity between our tumor and those reported in the literature raises the possibility that \"uterine tumor resembling\" ovarian sex-cord tumors\" are actually stromomyomas.", "PMID": 761169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_650", "title": "Gross and histological types of early gastric carcinomas in relation to the acid-secreting area.", "content": "The relation of gastric acid-secreting function to the gross and histological types and locations of carcinomas was examined in 53 patients with early gastric carcinomas. Studies were made by the endoscopic Congo red test developed in this clinic. Results indicated a close correlation between the gross and histological types of early gastric carcinoma and the extent of the acid-secreting area. In general, when the acid-secreting area was large, the carcinomas were ulcerated and histologically undifferentiated and they were chiefly located in nonacid-secreting areas adjacent to acid-secreting areas, or sometimes they were surrounded by acid-secreting areas. On the contrary, when there was little or no acid-secreting area the carcinomas were polyploid and histologically differentiated, and they were located in nonacid-secreting areas far from acid-secreting areas.", "contents": "Gross and histological types of early gastric carcinomas in relation to the acid-secreting area. The relation of gastric acid-secreting function to the gross and histological types and locations of carcinomas was examined in 53 patients with early gastric carcinomas. Studies were made by the endoscopic Congo red test developed in this clinic. Results indicated a close correlation between the gross and histological types of early gastric carcinoma and the extent of the acid-secreting area. In general, when the acid-secreting area was large, the carcinomas were ulcerated and histologically undifferentiated and they were chiefly located in nonacid-secreting areas adjacent to acid-secreting areas, or sometimes they were surrounded by acid-secreting areas. On the contrary, when there was little or no acid-secreting area the carcinomas were polyploid and histologically differentiated, and they were located in nonacid-secreting areas far from acid-secreting areas.", "PMID": 761170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_651", "title": "Lymphomatoid granulomatosis: a clinicopathologic study of 152 cases.", "content": "A retrospective study of 152 cases of lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) was undertaken to expand current knowledge about clinical manifestations and therapy, and to identify prognostic indicators in this disease. The major clinical and radiographic features and extra-pulmonary sites of involvement noted in previous studies were essentially confirmed in our study. Adverse prognostic factors included neurologic manifestations, and large numbers of atypical lymphoreticular cells within the pulmonary infiltrate. Unilateral chest lesions and large numbers of small lymphocytes and histiocytes within the infiltrate were associated with a better prognosis. Malignant lymphoma involving lymph nodes developed in 12% of patients. Almost two-thirds of patients have died and the median survival was only 14 months. No particular mode of therapy was found to be satisfactory for LYG, although there was some suggestion that corticosteroids may be useful. Randomized prospective studies are necessary for definitive recommendations regarding therapy.", "contents": "Lymphomatoid granulomatosis: a clinicopathologic study of 152 cases. A retrospective study of 152 cases of lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) was undertaken to expand current knowledge about clinical manifestations and therapy, and to identify prognostic indicators in this disease. The major clinical and radiographic features and extra-pulmonary sites of involvement noted in previous studies were essentially confirmed in our study. Adverse prognostic factors included neurologic manifestations, and large numbers of atypical lymphoreticular cells within the pulmonary infiltrate. Unilateral chest lesions and large numbers of small lymphocytes and histiocytes within the infiltrate were associated with a better prognosis. Malignant lymphoma involving lymph nodes developed in 12% of patients. Almost two-thirds of patients have died and the median survival was only 14 months. No particular mode of therapy was found to be satisfactory for LYG, although there was some suggestion that corticosteroids may be useful. Randomized prospective studies are necessary for definitive recommendations regarding therapy.", "PMID": 761171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_652", "title": "Endodermal variant of mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: report of a case.", "content": "The clinical and pathological features of a case of mature monodermal cystic teratoma of the ovary in a five-year-old girl are reported. The tumor was composed purely of respiratory epithelium. This appears to be the first report of such a case.", "contents": "Endodermal variant of mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: report of a case. The clinical and pathological features of a case of mature monodermal cystic teratoma of the ovary in a five-year-old girl are reported. The tumor was composed purely of respiratory epithelium. This appears to be the first report of such a case.", "PMID": 761172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_653", "title": "Childhood cancer: nonmedical costs of the illness.", "content": "The financial burden of cancer treatment is a major source of anxiety for the families of pediatric cancer patients. Parents of these patients report that nonmedical, out-of-pocket expenditures are the most troublesome because, unlike medical bills, nonmedical costs must be paid immediately and are rarely reimbursed. Data on nonmedical expenditures (transportation, food, lodging, clothing, family care, and miscellaneous) were collected from 70 patients' families for one-week periods at three-month intervals. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to ascertain the factors influencing costs. Factors contributing to nonmedical costs included level of care, the patient's Performance Status, distance from the treatment center, and family size. Thirty-two families reported loss of pay when one or both parents accompanied the child to the hospital. When this loss was combined with the nonmedical costs, the results indicated a serious strain on the family budget. For half the families surveyed, the total expenses plus loss of pay amounted to more than 25% of the weekly family income.", "contents": "Childhood cancer: nonmedical costs of the illness. The financial burden of cancer treatment is a major source of anxiety for the families of pediatric cancer patients. Parents of these patients report that nonmedical, out-of-pocket expenditures are the most troublesome because, unlike medical bills, nonmedical costs must be paid immediately and are rarely reimbursed. Data on nonmedical expenditures (transportation, food, lodging, clothing, family care, and miscellaneous) were collected from 70 patients' families for one-week periods at three-month intervals. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to ascertain the factors influencing costs. Factors contributing to nonmedical costs included level of care, the patient's Performance Status, distance from the treatment center, and family size. Thirty-two families reported loss of pay when one or both parents accompanied the child to the hospital. When this loss was combined with the nonmedical costs, the results indicated a serious strain on the family budget. For half the families surveyed, the total expenses plus loss of pay amounted to more than 25% of the weekly family income.", "PMID": 761174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_654", "title": "Combination chemotherapy in recurrent medulloblastoma.", "content": "Five children with recurrent medulloblastomas were treated with Vincristine, BCNU, Methotrexate and Dexamethasone. All five patients responded to therapy. Two of the patients are alive and well 30 and 48 months later; one died of disease 19 months after first recurrence; one developed a further recurrence at 18 months but responded to additional chemotherapy and is alive; and the fifth patient developed a second recurrence after 28 months but has responded to repeat chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is now asymptomatic. These results support the concept that medulloblastomas are sensitive to chemotherapy and suggest that chemotherapy should be considered in cases of recurrent medulloblastomas. In addition, the importance of trials now in progress which employ both adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in newly diagnosed medulloblastomas is apparent.", "contents": "Combination chemotherapy in recurrent medulloblastoma. Five children with recurrent medulloblastomas were treated with Vincristine, BCNU, Methotrexate and Dexamethasone. All five patients responded to therapy. Two of the patients are alive and well 30 and 48 months later; one died of disease 19 months after first recurrence; one developed a further recurrence at 18 months but responded to additional chemotherapy and is alive; and the fifth patient developed a second recurrence after 28 months but has responded to repeat chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is now asymptomatic. These results support the concept that medulloblastomas are sensitive to chemotherapy and suggest that chemotherapy should be considered in cases of recurrent medulloblastomas. In addition, the importance of trials now in progress which employ both adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in newly diagnosed medulloblastomas is apparent.", "PMID": 761175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_655", "title": "Combination chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer utilizing vincristine, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC).", "content": "Thirty-two patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with a combination of vincristine (1 mg/m2, not exceeding 2 mg, administered intravenously on day 1), adriamycin (40 mg/m2 administered intravenously on day 1), and cyclophosphamide (200 mg/m2 administered orally for 4 days on days 3-6). Courses were repeated at 21-28-day intervals. The mean age of the patients was 57 years (range, 30-79 years) and 18 patients were postmenopausal. None of the patients had received prior chemotherapy although 15 had prior endocrine treatment. Objective response was observed in 23 (72%) of the 32 patients and 9 responses (28%) were complete. The median remission duration was estimated to be 22 months. Median survival has not been reached but exceeds 24 months with a median time of follow-up of 17 months. Toxicity was acceptable and included mild nausea, vomiting, alopecia, and paresthesias. Only one instance of serious infection and no instances of bleeding were observed. The addition of vincristine to combination chemotherapy with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide appears to prolong the remission duration and survival in patients with advanced breast cancer to a greater extent than is achieved with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide alone.", "contents": "Combination chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer utilizing vincristine, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC). Thirty-two patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with a combination of vincristine (1 mg/m2, not exceeding 2 mg, administered intravenously on day 1), adriamycin (40 mg/m2 administered intravenously on day 1), and cyclophosphamide (200 mg/m2 administered orally for 4 days on days 3-6). Courses were repeated at 21-28-day intervals. The mean age of the patients was 57 years (range, 30-79 years) and 18 patients were postmenopausal. None of the patients had received prior chemotherapy although 15 had prior endocrine treatment. Objective response was observed in 23 (72%) of the 32 patients and 9 responses (28%) were complete. The median remission duration was estimated to be 22 months. Median survival has not been reached but exceeds 24 months with a median time of follow-up of 17 months. Toxicity was acceptable and included mild nausea, vomiting, alopecia, and paresthesias. Only one instance of serious infection and no instances of bleeding were observed. The addition of vincristine to combination chemotherapy with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide appears to prolong the remission duration and survival in patients with advanced breast cancer to a greater extent than is achieved with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide alone.", "PMID": 761176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_656", "title": "VP 16-213 (VP 16) and cyclophosphamide in the treatment of primitive lung cancer in phase M 1.", "content": "Sixty patients suffering from primitive lung cancer in Phase M 1 were included in two successive chemotherapy Protocols, 30 patients to a group. The first of these (an attempt at cellular synchronization by combining VCR-Cyclophosphamide-Prednisone) is used as a historical group as compared to the second. In the second protocol the combination of VP 16.213 (100 mg/m2, po, day X 5 days) and cyclophosphamide (100 mg/m2, ev, day X 5 days) was attempted. The positive results obtained (more than 60% of the responses were above 50%) together with low toxicity was not accompanied by improvement of survival with respect to that observed in international medical literature. On the other hand, the number of cases studied--30 patients--was too low to permit a better evaluation of our results. Despite this fact, it seems appropriate to continue clinical investigation of the VP 16.213-Cyclophosphamide combination in lung cancer.", "contents": "VP 16-213 (VP 16) and cyclophosphamide in the treatment of primitive lung cancer in phase M 1. Sixty patients suffering from primitive lung cancer in Phase M 1 were included in two successive chemotherapy Protocols, 30 patients to a group. The first of these (an attempt at cellular synchronization by combining VCR-Cyclophosphamide-Prednisone) is used as a historical group as compared to the second. In the second protocol the combination of VP 16.213 (100 mg/m2, po, day X 5 days) and cyclophosphamide (100 mg/m2, ev, day X 5 days) was attempted. The positive results obtained (more than 60% of the responses were above 50%) together with low toxicity was not accompanied by improvement of survival with respect to that observed in international medical literature. On the other hand, the number of cases studied--30 patients--was too low to permit a better evaluation of our results. Despite this fact, it seems appropriate to continue clinical investigation of the VP 16.213-Cyclophosphamide combination in lung cancer.", "PMID": 761177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_657", "title": "Restoration by levamisole of E-rosette formation and its abrogation by autochthonous serum from patients with bladder cancer.", "content": "Incubation in vitro of lymphocytes from bladder cancer patients with levamisole (40 microgram/ml) resulted in a rise of the number of E-rosette forming cells from 39.2 +/- 11.8% to 57.5 +/- 11.3% (p less than 0.005). The same effect was observed when levamisole was administrated 150 mg/day for 3 days to the patients. The stimulatory effect of levamisole was abrogated when the lymphocytes were first incubated with levamisole and afterwards with 50% autochthonous serum from the patient. With more diluted serum concentrations (from 0.5% to 1%), the response decreased, and the response was not observed with allogeneic serum. When lymphocytes from healthy donors were incubated with 50% serum from bladder cancer patients, there were no significant changes in numbers of E-rosette forming cells. It was presumed that the suppression of E-rosette forming cells from the patients with bladder cancer was caused by blocking the receptor sites for sheep red blood cells by autochthonous serum components and that levamisole eliminated such substances from the cryptic sites on the surface of the lymphocytes.", "contents": "Restoration by levamisole of E-rosette formation and its abrogation by autochthonous serum from patients with bladder cancer. Incubation in vitro of lymphocytes from bladder cancer patients with levamisole (40 microgram/ml) resulted in a rise of the number of E-rosette forming cells from 39.2 +/- 11.8% to 57.5 +/- 11.3% (p less than 0.005). The same effect was observed when levamisole was administrated 150 mg/day for 3 days to the patients. The stimulatory effect of levamisole was abrogated when the lymphocytes were first incubated with levamisole and afterwards with 50% autochthonous serum from the patient. With more diluted serum concentrations (from 0.5% to 1%), the response decreased, and the response was not observed with allogeneic serum. When lymphocytes from healthy donors were incubated with 50% serum from bladder cancer patients, there were no significant changes in numbers of E-rosette forming cells. It was presumed that the suppression of E-rosette forming cells from the patients with bladder cancer was caused by blocking the receptor sites for sheep red blood cells by autochthonous serum components and that levamisole eliminated such substances from the cryptic sites on the surface of the lymphocytes.", "PMID": 761178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_658", "title": "Effects of dose and schedule of immune stimulant on efficacy of combination Corynebacterium parvum-cyclophosphamide treatment for a murine mammary adenocarcinoma.", "content": "Certain variables which might influence the outcome of combining cytotoxic drug and immune stimulant therapy were studied to optimize the effectiveness of Corynebacterium parvum combined with cyclophosphamide (CY) as treatment for a murine mammary adenocarcinoma (CaD2). Optimal effects of combined C. parvum-CY treatment in the CaD2 system were obtained when 443 to 1400 microgram of this immune stimulant per mouse were injected 2 to 3 days after CY chemotherapy and when combination treatment was continued on a weekly basis. The most critical factors contributing to the effectiveness of combination treatment in this system were the dose of C. parvum and the treatment frequency. The interval between chemotherapy and immune stimulant therapy was less critical to the outcome of combination treatment. Combination treatment given once or weekly significantly decreased tumor size in comparison to single or weekly CY treatment. A single treatment with CY and C. parvum significantly improved the survival over mice given a single CY treatment, but weekly CY and C. parvum treatment did not increase the survival over mice, given weekly chemotherapy.", "contents": "Effects of dose and schedule of immune stimulant on efficacy of combination Corynebacterium parvum-cyclophosphamide treatment for a murine mammary adenocarcinoma. Certain variables which might influence the outcome of combining cytotoxic drug and immune stimulant therapy were studied to optimize the effectiveness of Corynebacterium parvum combined with cyclophosphamide (CY) as treatment for a murine mammary adenocarcinoma (CaD2). Optimal effects of combined C. parvum-CY treatment in the CaD2 system were obtained when 443 to 1400 microgram of this immune stimulant per mouse were injected 2 to 3 days after CY chemotherapy and when combination treatment was continued on a weekly basis. The most critical factors contributing to the effectiveness of combination treatment in this system were the dose of C. parvum and the treatment frequency. The interval between chemotherapy and immune stimulant therapy was less critical to the outcome of combination treatment. Combination treatment given once or weekly significantly decreased tumor size in comparison to single or weekly CY treatment. A single treatment with CY and C. parvum significantly improved the survival over mice given a single CY treatment, but weekly CY and C. parvum treatment did not increase the survival over mice, given weekly chemotherapy.", "PMID": 761179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_659", "title": "Transformation of mouse C3H/10T1/2 cells by single and fractionated doses of X-rays and fission-spectrum neutrons.", "content": "A mouse embryo-derived cell line, C3H/10T1/2, was used to measure the frequency of in vitro neoplastic transformation induced by 50-kVp X-rays and by fission-spectrum neutrons from the JANUS reactor at the Argonne National Laboratory. The transformation frequency after single X-ray doses rises exponentially, reaching a plateau at about 3 X 10(-3) transformant/survivor. The induction curve following single neutron doses, while qualitatively similar, initially rises more steeply and levels off at a maximum of about 6 X 10(-3) transformant/survivor. For both radiations, transformation frequency varies with changes in the number of viable cells per dish, showing about a 10-fold decrease in transformation frequency when the number of viable cells per 90-mm dish was increased from about 300 to about 1000. Fractionation of a total X-ray dose of 700 rads results in an approximately 6-fold increase in survival and reduction in transformation frequency over a 16-hr interval. Fractionation of the total neutron dose of 378 rads has no effect upon cell survival, and transformation frequency declines by a factor of only about 1.7 at most over a 24-hr period. Cells derived from transformed foci formed fibrosarcomas when injected into appropriately treated mice.", "contents": "Transformation of mouse C3H/10T1/2 cells by single and fractionated doses of X-rays and fission-spectrum neutrons. A mouse embryo-derived cell line, C3H/10T1/2, was used to measure the frequency of in vitro neoplastic transformation induced by 50-kVp X-rays and by fission-spectrum neutrons from the JANUS reactor at the Argonne National Laboratory. The transformation frequency after single X-ray doses rises exponentially, reaching a plateau at about 3 X 10(-3) transformant/survivor. The induction curve following single neutron doses, while qualitatively similar, initially rises more steeply and levels off at a maximum of about 6 X 10(-3) transformant/survivor. For both radiations, transformation frequency varies with changes in the number of viable cells per dish, showing about a 10-fold decrease in transformation frequency when the number of viable cells per 90-mm dish was increased from about 300 to about 1000. Fractionation of a total X-ray dose of 700 rads results in an approximately 6-fold increase in survival and reduction in transformation frequency over a 16-hr interval. Fractionation of the total neutron dose of 378 rads has no effect upon cell survival, and transformation frequency declines by a factor of only about 1.7 at most over a 24-hr period. Cells derived from transformed foci formed fibrosarcomas when injected into appropriately treated mice.", "PMID": 761182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_660", "title": "Cytotoxic activity of 1-(o-chlorophenyl)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane (mitotane) and its analogs on feminizing adrenal neoplastic cells in culture.", "content": "Mitotane [1-(o-chlorophenyl)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane], an antineoplastic agent for inoperable adrenal carcinoma, was studied for its cytotoxic activity on a clonal line of feminizing human adrenal neoplastic cells (Fang-8 cells) in culture. At concentrations higher than 1.68 X 10(-4) M, mitotane produced a dose-related toxic effect on the cells. The effect of the drug was specific to Fang-8 cells because the same treatment produced little or no toxicity on lines of rat pituitary GH3 cells and human skin fibrocytes. The effect of mitotane to Fang-8 cells was a reversible one. Electron microscopic pictures revealed that the drug was causing mitochondrial degeneration. In this testing system, several isomers and analogs of mitotane were found equally or more toxic than was mitotane itself. The dichloro- or trichloroethylene structure was essential for the cytotoxic activity while the chloro substituents on phenyl rings appeared to be unimportant. This system appears to be useful in elucidating the biochemical mechanism of mitotane action on adrenal cancer.", "contents": "Cytotoxic activity of 1-(o-chlorophenyl)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane (mitotane) and its analogs on feminizing adrenal neoplastic cells in culture. Mitotane [1-(o-chlorophenyl)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane], an antineoplastic agent for inoperable adrenal carcinoma, was studied for its cytotoxic activity on a clonal line of feminizing human adrenal neoplastic cells (Fang-8 cells) in culture. At concentrations higher than 1.68 X 10(-4) M, mitotane produced a dose-related toxic effect on the cells. The effect of the drug was specific to Fang-8 cells because the same treatment produced little or no toxicity on lines of rat pituitary GH3 cells and human skin fibrocytes. The effect of mitotane to Fang-8 cells was a reversible one. Electron microscopic pictures revealed that the drug was causing mitochondrial degeneration. In this testing system, several isomers and analogs of mitotane were found equally or more toxic than was mitotane itself. The dichloro- or trichloroethylene structure was essential for the cytotoxic activity while the chloro substituents on phenyl rings appeared to be unimportant. This system appears to be useful in elucidating the biochemical mechanism of mitotane action on adrenal cancer.", "PMID": 761184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_661", "title": "Determination of [3H]- and [14C]hematoporphyrin derivative distribution in malignant and normal tissue.", "content": "The synthesis and tissue-localizing ability of [14C]- and [3H]hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) in mice have been described. Tissue levels and distributions were the same for both radioactive compounds, indicating that in vivo tritium exchange did not occur with [3H]HPD. The amount of [14C]HPD or [3H]HPD which localized in the transplanted tumor tissue of mice at various times following i.p. injection (10 mg/kg) was higher than in skin or muscle tissue but was less than in liver, kidney, or spleen tissue. These results tend to disprove the generalization that HPD accumulates in malignant tissue to a higher degree than in all normal tissue. It is also reported that gross visualization of porphyrin fluorescence cannot be correlated with actual tissue concentrations of the dye.", "contents": "Determination of [3H]- and [14C]hematoporphyrin derivative distribution in malignant and normal tissue. The synthesis and tissue-localizing ability of [14C]- and [3H]hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) in mice have been described. Tissue levels and distributions were the same for both radioactive compounds, indicating that in vivo tritium exchange did not occur with [3H]HPD. The amount of [14C]HPD or [3H]HPD which localized in the transplanted tumor tissue of mice at various times following i.p. injection (10 mg/kg) was higher than in skin or muscle tissue but was less than in liver, kidney, or spleen tissue. These results tend to disprove the generalization that HPD accumulates in malignant tissue to a higher degree than in all normal tissue. It is also reported that gross visualization of porphyrin fluorescence cannot be correlated with actual tissue concentrations of the dye.", "PMID": 761185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_662", "title": "Opposite effects of dextrans substituted with sulfhydryls or mercury on tumor growth.", "content": "Macromolecular dextrans carrying substituents terminated by sulfhydryl groups or terminated by aromatic amines effectively inhibit the growth of a fibrosarcoma and of a mammary adenocarcinoma in a syngeneic mouse model. These compounds have no or very low toxicity to animals and are nontoxic to fibrosarcoma cells in vitro. Small-molecular-weight compounds carrying the same substituents as the above dextrans are without any effect on the growth of these tumors. A dextran substituted with mercury-containing side chains is growth promoting for the same fibrosarcoma in mice at doses which are nontoxic for these animals. However, the mercury-containing compound is toxic to fibrosarcoma cells in vitro. It is hypothesized that these nonpermeating macromolecules do not directly influence the tumor cells in animals but modulate the natural system of defense against tumors; cells of that system are stimulated or poisoned by the substituted dextrans.", "contents": "Opposite effects of dextrans substituted with sulfhydryls or mercury on tumor growth. Macromolecular dextrans carrying substituents terminated by sulfhydryl groups or terminated by aromatic amines effectively inhibit the growth of a fibrosarcoma and of a mammary adenocarcinoma in a syngeneic mouse model. These compounds have no or very low toxicity to animals and are nontoxic to fibrosarcoma cells in vitro. Small-molecular-weight compounds carrying the same substituents as the above dextrans are without any effect on the growth of these tumors. A dextran substituted with mercury-containing side chains is growth promoting for the same fibrosarcoma in mice at doses which are nontoxic for these animals. However, the mercury-containing compound is toxic to fibrosarcoma cells in vitro. It is hypothesized that these nonpermeating macromolecules do not directly influence the tumor cells in animals but modulate the natural system of defense against tumors; cells of that system are stimulated or poisoned by the substituted dextrans.", "PMID": 761188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_663", "title": "Splenic granulopoiesis in mice following administration of cyclophosphamide.", "content": "The adult mouse spleen retains granulocytic progenitor cells that are capable of proliferation and maturation. In mice given cyclophosphamide, spleen weight and cell content increased. In vitro granulocyte progenitor cells increased more than 300-fold in the spleen and remained elevated 14 days following cyclophosphamide. Proliferative and nonproliferative granulocytes were increased above controls until Days 21 and 28, respectively. In splenectomized mice, blood neutrophil recovery was delayed when compared to nonsplenectomized mice following cyclophosphamide. Although marrow cell number was similar in both groups, maximum marrow granulocyte progenitor cells were 2-fold greater in nonsplenectomized animals. These studies demonstrate that the murine spleen becomes a markedly granulopoietic organ and is a major contributor to recovery of granulocytes following cyclophosphamide. Splenic granulopoiesis should be taken into account in studies which measure toxicity of various agents in murine hematopoiesis.", "contents": "Splenic granulopoiesis in mice following administration of cyclophosphamide. The adult mouse spleen retains granulocytic progenitor cells that are capable of proliferation and maturation. In mice given cyclophosphamide, spleen weight and cell content increased. In vitro granulocyte progenitor cells increased more than 300-fold in the spleen and remained elevated 14 days following cyclophosphamide. Proliferative and nonproliferative granulocytes were increased above controls until Days 21 and 28, respectively. In splenectomized mice, blood neutrophil recovery was delayed when compared to nonsplenectomized mice following cyclophosphamide. Although marrow cell number was similar in both groups, maximum marrow granulocyte progenitor cells were 2-fold greater in nonsplenectomized animals. These studies demonstrate that the murine spleen becomes a markedly granulopoietic organ and is a major contributor to recovery of granulocytes following cyclophosphamide. Splenic granulopoiesis should be taken into account in studies which measure toxicity of various agents in murine hematopoiesis.", "PMID": 761191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_664", "title": "Autoradiographic cytokinetics of colonic mucosal hyperplasia in mice.", "content": "The cytokinetics of a naturally occurring hyperplastic disease of the colon in mice were determined by autoradiography and compared to kinetic changes seen by others in nonneoplastic and neoplastic colonic disease. Cell cycle parameters were determined using the fraction-labeled mitosis method. Labeling index, labeling pattern, and migration rates were also evaluated. During colonic hyperplasia, there was an increase in variation of DNA synthesis times, resulting in prolongation of the S phase. There also was prolongation of the total cell cycle time and G1 phase. In addition, labeling index was increased 2-fold, the proliferative zone was extended to include the entire crypt column and surface mucosa, and the migration rate was accelerated. These findings parallel the \"atypical\" cytokinetics found in human and murine neoplastic and preneoplastic disorders of the colon and may be a typical proliferative response of mucosa to a variety of stimuli.", "contents": "Autoradiographic cytokinetics of colonic mucosal hyperplasia in mice. The cytokinetics of a naturally occurring hyperplastic disease of the colon in mice were determined by autoradiography and compared to kinetic changes seen by others in nonneoplastic and neoplastic colonic disease. Cell cycle parameters were determined using the fraction-labeled mitosis method. Labeling index, labeling pattern, and migration rates were also evaluated. During colonic hyperplasia, there was an increase in variation of DNA synthesis times, resulting in prolongation of the S phase. There also was prolongation of the total cell cycle time and G1 phase. In addition, labeling index was increased 2-fold, the proliferative zone was extended to include the entire crypt column and surface mucosa, and the migration rate was accelerated. These findings parallel the \"atypical\" cytokinetics found in human and murine neoplastic and preneoplastic disorders of the colon and may be a typical proliferative response of mucosa to a variety of stimuli.", "PMID": 761193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_665", "title": "Purification and partial characterization of nucleolar antigen-1 of the Novikoff hepatoma.", "content": "A nucleolar chromatin antigen (NoAg-1) found in Novikoff hepatoma but not in normal liver has been purified to homogeneity as shown by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Initial purification of NoAg-1 was partially achieved by isolation of nucleolar chromatin and fractionation of its proteins by successive extraction with solutions of increasing salt concentration. Further purification of this antigen was achieved by affinity and hydroxylapatite chromatography. Although approximately 50% of the NoAg-1 antigen was in the 0.6 M NaCl extract of Novikoff nucleoli, it was less pure than in the 2 M NaCl:5 M urea extract which contained 25% of the NoAg-1 at a purity of 40%. The highly purified NoAg-1 had an approximate molecular weight of 60,000 and pl of 5.1; the yield of NoAg-1 was 0.22% of the total nucleolar proteins.", "contents": "Purification and partial characterization of nucleolar antigen-1 of the Novikoff hepatoma. A nucleolar chromatin antigen (NoAg-1) found in Novikoff hepatoma but not in normal liver has been purified to homogeneity as shown by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Initial purification of NoAg-1 was partially achieved by isolation of nucleolar chromatin and fractionation of its proteins by successive extraction with solutions of increasing salt concentration. Further purification of this antigen was achieved by affinity and hydroxylapatite chromatography. Although approximately 50% of the NoAg-1 antigen was in the 0.6 M NaCl extract of Novikoff nucleoli, it was less pure than in the 2 M NaCl:5 M urea extract which contained 25% of the NoAg-1 at a purity of 40%. The highly purified NoAg-1 had an approximate molecular weight of 60,000 and pl of 5.1; the yield of NoAg-1 was 0.22% of the total nucleolar proteins.", "PMID": 761199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_666", "title": "In vivo autoradiography and nitrosoheptamethyleneimine carcinogenesis in hamsters.", "content": "Quantitative autoradiograms were made, in vivo, in European hamsters with the use of [14C]nitrosoheptamethyleneimine (260 muCi/animal; time between administration of nitrosamine and killing of animals, 6 hr). In this species, the lung is the principal target, and radioactivity was found in the Clara cells of the bronchial epithelium and in the nitrosoheptamethyleneimine-induced tumors which derive from these cells. Tumors are not induced in the liver, which can metabolize this compound, and labeling is found principally in the cytoplasm, whereas in the target cells there is a high degree of labeling in both the cytoplasm and the nuclei.", "contents": "In vivo autoradiography and nitrosoheptamethyleneimine carcinogenesis in hamsters. Quantitative autoradiograms were made, in vivo, in European hamsters with the use of [14C]nitrosoheptamethyleneimine (260 muCi/animal; time between administration of nitrosamine and killing of animals, 6 hr). In this species, the lung is the principal target, and radioactivity was found in the Clara cells of the bronchial epithelium and in the nitrosoheptamethyleneimine-induced tumors which derive from these cells. Tumors are not induced in the liver, which can metabolize this compound, and labeling is found principally in the cytoplasm, whereas in the target cells there is a high degree of labeling in both the cytoplasm and the nuclei.", "PMID": 761201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_667", "title": "Photodynamic killing of retinoblastoma cells with hematoporphyrin and light.", "content": "Hematoporphyrin and white light exerted a lethal effect on two cell lines of retinoblastoma cells. The lowest values of dye concentration and light exposure capable of killing an entire cell population were, respectively, 2 X 10(-5) M and 6 min exposure to an irradiance of 6.0 microwatts/sq mm. Cells exposed to light in the presence of the dye did not require lengthy incubation periods but were rapidly killed with increasing periods of light exposure. Cells washed free of the dye, however, required a minimum sensitizing period of 3.5 hr to achieve a value close to 100% cell death. An inhibitor of this photodynamic process was demonstrated in normal serum. When the concentration of either fetal calf serum, rabbit serum, or rabbit plasma was increased to 25% from a standard 10%, there was as much as a 100-fold greater requirement of hematoporphyrin concentration to produce the same lethal response. The suggested explanation for this phenomenon is a porphyrin-binding plasma factor, hemopexin, which is a natural beta-glycoprotein believed to be responsible for the transport of circulating porphyrins to the liver for their elimination. Retinoblastoma cells grow in suspension and thereby provide an excellent tool for study of photosensitive dyes, especially in the case of the rapidly growing Y79 cell line.", "contents": "Photodynamic killing of retinoblastoma cells with hematoporphyrin and light. Hematoporphyrin and white light exerted a lethal effect on two cell lines of retinoblastoma cells. The lowest values of dye concentration and light exposure capable of killing an entire cell population were, respectively, 2 X 10(-5) M and 6 min exposure to an irradiance of 6.0 microwatts/sq mm. Cells exposed to light in the presence of the dye did not require lengthy incubation periods but were rapidly killed with increasing periods of light exposure. Cells washed free of the dye, however, required a minimum sensitizing period of 3.5 hr to achieve a value close to 100% cell death. An inhibitor of this photodynamic process was demonstrated in normal serum. When the concentration of either fetal calf serum, rabbit serum, or rabbit plasma was increased to 25% from a standard 10%, there was as much as a 100-fold greater requirement of hematoporphyrin concentration to produce the same lethal response. The suggested explanation for this phenomenon is a porphyrin-binding plasma factor, hemopexin, which is a natural beta-glycoprotein believed to be responsible for the transport of circulating porphyrins to the liver for their elimination. Retinoblastoma cells grow in suspension and thereby provide an excellent tool for study of photosensitive dyes, especially in the case of the rapidly growing Y79 cell line.", "PMID": 761202} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_668", "title": "Fecal bile acids in two Japanese populations with different colon cancer risks.", "content": "Some workers have associated fecal bile acids with colon cancer frequency. They suggest that the risk for colon cancer increases with a rise in the level of total and degraded fecal bile acids. The Japanese in Hawaii, who are at high risk for this cancer, had higher concentrations of deoxycholic acid (a degraded bile acid) in their fecal specimens than did the people in Akita, Japan, who are at low risk. However, the findings for the other bile acids were unremarkable or inconsistent. These data were suggestive, but not strongly supportive, of a relationship between fecal bile acid patterns and colon cancer risk.", "contents": "Fecal bile acids in two Japanese populations with different colon cancer risks. Some workers have associated fecal bile acids with colon cancer frequency. They suggest that the risk for colon cancer increases with a rise in the level of total and degraded fecal bile acids. The Japanese in Hawaii, who are at high risk for this cancer, had higher concentrations of deoxycholic acid (a degraded bile acid) in their fecal specimens than did the people in Akita, Japan, who are at low risk. However, the findings for the other bile acids were unremarkable or inconsistent. These data were suggestive, but not strongly supportive, of a relationship between fecal bile acid patterns and colon cancer risk.", "PMID": 761204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_669", "title": "Nuclear ultrastructure of epithelial cell lines derived from human carcinomas and nonmalignant tissues.", "content": "The nuclear ultrastructure of sixteen human epithelial cell lines has been characterized in detail by transmission electron microscopy. The cell lines were derived from normal tissues, nonmalignant tissues of cancerous organs, primary carcinomas, and metastatic carcinomas. Every cell section on a grid containing a clearly defined nucleus and nucleolus was scored blindly utilizing a checklist of markers. The goal of these studies was to determine whether any ultrastructural markers consistently distinguished the different stages of malignant progression represented among the lines. Nuclear bodies and perichromatin granules were found in all lines derived from cancer and were not observed in any nonmalignant lines. Nuclear envelope dilation was seen in all lines derived from cancerours organs as well as from malignant tissues but not in any lines derived from normal tissue. Margination of chromatin, irregularity of nuclear outline, redistribution of nucleolar components, and margination were expressed slightly by the normal lines, to variable degrees by the lines derived from cancerous organs, and to a much greater extent by all lines derived from malignant tissues. No differences were found between lines derived from primary carcinomas and those derived from metastatic specimens. There were no ultrastructural differences comparing subconfluent and confluent cells or cells at different passage levels. In addition, the nuclear ultrastructure of a malignant line in culture was similar to that of a tumor induced by those cells in an immunosuppressed mouse.", "contents": "Nuclear ultrastructure of epithelial cell lines derived from human carcinomas and nonmalignant tissues. The nuclear ultrastructure of sixteen human epithelial cell lines has been characterized in detail by transmission electron microscopy. The cell lines were derived from normal tissues, nonmalignant tissues of cancerous organs, primary carcinomas, and metastatic carcinomas. Every cell section on a grid containing a clearly defined nucleus and nucleolus was scored blindly utilizing a checklist of markers. The goal of these studies was to determine whether any ultrastructural markers consistently distinguished the different stages of malignant progression represented among the lines. Nuclear bodies and perichromatin granules were found in all lines derived from cancer and were not observed in any nonmalignant lines. Nuclear envelope dilation was seen in all lines derived from cancerours organs as well as from malignant tissues but not in any lines derived from normal tissue. Margination of chromatin, irregularity of nuclear outline, redistribution of nucleolar components, and margination were expressed slightly by the normal lines, to variable degrees by the lines derived from cancerous organs, and to a much greater extent by all lines derived from malignant tissues. No differences were found between lines derived from primary carcinomas and those derived from metastatic specimens. There were no ultrastructural differences comparing subconfluent and confluent cells or cells at different passage levels. In addition, the nuclear ultrastructure of a malignant line in culture was similar to that of a tumor induced by those cells in an immunosuppressed mouse.", "PMID": 761205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_670", "title": "Pharmacokinetics and disposition of 3-deazauridine in humans.", "content": "3-Deazauridine (3-DAU) pharmacology was studied in 20 patients who received the drug by rapid or continuous infusion. In 8 studies, the plasma clearance of 3-DAU after rapid administration was biphasic, with an average terminal t1/2 of 4.4 hr and an extrapolated volume of distribution of 0.57 liter/kg. After 5-day continuous infusion of 3-DAU, the plasma clearance was also biphasic, with an average terminal t1/2 of 21.3 hr and an extrapolated volume of distribution of 18.8 liter/kg. 2,4-Dihydroxypyridine, the aglycone of 3-DAU, was observed in plasma but not in urine of patients receiving the drug by rapid infusion. The urinary excretion of 3-DAU was low, only 7.8% 24 hr after rapid infusion and 7.2% up to 4 days after continuous infusion. Tissue distribution of 3-DAU was determined from autopsy samples of 2 patients. Not only were high levels of 3-DAU detected in the tissues studied, but 3-DAU triphosphate, the active metabolite of 3-DAU, was present in brain, lung, and liver.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics and disposition of 3-deazauridine in humans. 3-Deazauridine (3-DAU) pharmacology was studied in 20 patients who received the drug by rapid or continuous infusion. In 8 studies, the plasma clearance of 3-DAU after rapid administration was biphasic, with an average terminal t1/2 of 4.4 hr and an extrapolated volume of distribution of 0.57 liter/kg. After 5-day continuous infusion of 3-DAU, the plasma clearance was also biphasic, with an average terminal t1/2 of 21.3 hr and an extrapolated volume of distribution of 18.8 liter/kg. 2,4-Dihydroxypyridine, the aglycone of 3-DAU, was observed in plasma but not in urine of patients receiving the drug by rapid infusion. The urinary excretion of 3-DAU was low, only 7.8% 24 hr after rapid infusion and 7.2% up to 4 days after continuous infusion. Tissue distribution of 3-DAU was determined from autopsy samples of 2 patients. Not only were high levels of 3-DAU detected in the tissues studied, but 3-DAU triphosphate, the active metabolite of 3-DAU, was present in brain, lung, and liver.", "PMID": 761206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_671", "title": "Comparison of the sensitivities of human, canine, and murine hematopoietic precursor cells to adriamycin and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate.", "content": "The sensitivities of leukocyte-committed stem cells of human, dog, and mouse bone marrow to an 18-hr exposure to Adriamycin (ADR) and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD32) were compared using the agar diffusion chamber assay. The survival of in situ mouse marrow stem cells following the drugs was also measured. The in vivo doses required to produce 37% survival of hematopoietic precursor cells for human, dog, mouse, and in situ mouse marrow stem cells for ADR were 9.5, 3.5, 8, and 8 mg/kg, respectively, while those for AD32 were 22, 17, 37, and 40 mg/kg. Mouse bone marrow cellularity was reduced to 50% by drug doses producing 3 and 7% stem cell survival. AD32 given i.p. to mice was less effective than i.v. drug in producing marrow stem cell death, reduction of marrow cellularity, or acute lethality. Although more AD32 than ADR was required to kill marrow stem cells from each species and canine marrow stem cells were the most sensitive to either drug, human stem cells were relatively more sensitive to AD32 than were mouse stem cells. The reverse was true for ADR. Granulocytopenia may be an important limiting toxicity in the clinical use of AD32.", "contents": "Comparison of the sensitivities of human, canine, and murine hematopoietic precursor cells to adriamycin and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate. The sensitivities of leukocyte-committed stem cells of human, dog, and mouse bone marrow to an 18-hr exposure to Adriamycin (ADR) and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD32) were compared using the agar diffusion chamber assay. The survival of in situ mouse marrow stem cells following the drugs was also measured. The in vivo doses required to produce 37% survival of hematopoietic precursor cells for human, dog, mouse, and in situ mouse marrow stem cells for ADR were 9.5, 3.5, 8, and 8 mg/kg, respectively, while those for AD32 were 22, 17, 37, and 40 mg/kg. Mouse bone marrow cellularity was reduced to 50% by drug doses producing 3 and 7% stem cell survival. AD32 given i.p. to mice was less effective than i.v. drug in producing marrow stem cell death, reduction of marrow cellularity, or acute lethality. Although more AD32 than ADR was required to kill marrow stem cells from each species and canine marrow stem cells were the most sensitive to either drug, human stem cells were relatively more sensitive to AD32 than were mouse stem cells. The reverse was true for ADR. Granulocytopenia may be an important limiting toxicity in the clinical use of AD32.", "PMID": 761207} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_672", "title": "Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on the cytotoxicity of adriamycin and nitrogen mustard in cultured Burkitt's lymphoma cells.", "content": "The effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HPO) exposure on the cytotoxicity of Adriamycin (ADM) and nitrogen mustard have been examined in Burkitt's lymphoma cells (P3J) in vitro. Exposure of cells to 3 atmospheres of pressure HPO for 2 hr produces inhibition of DNA synthesis and mitosis. Simultaneous exposure to HPO and ADM results in decreased cytotoxicity compared to drug treatment alone. However, exposure to ADM (0.15 microgram/ml) 2 to 8 hr before or after HPO produces an increase in drug effect. There is no potentiation of lower ADM concentrations. Cytotoxicity is increased when cells are exposed to HPO during, before, or after exposure to nitrogen mustard (NSC 762) (0.15 and 0.25 microgram/ml). Lower nitrogen mustard (NSC 762) concentrations are not potentiated. HPO potentiation of antineoplastic agents appears to depend upon the agent studied, the concentration of the agent, and the scheduling of the drug and HPO exposure.", "contents": "Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on the cytotoxicity of adriamycin and nitrogen mustard in cultured Burkitt's lymphoma cells. The effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HPO) exposure on the cytotoxicity of Adriamycin (ADM) and nitrogen mustard have been examined in Burkitt's lymphoma cells (P3J) in vitro. Exposure of cells to 3 atmospheres of pressure HPO for 2 hr produces inhibition of DNA synthesis and mitosis. Simultaneous exposure to HPO and ADM results in decreased cytotoxicity compared to drug treatment alone. However, exposure to ADM (0.15 microgram/ml) 2 to 8 hr before or after HPO produces an increase in drug effect. There is no potentiation of lower ADM concentrations. Cytotoxicity is increased when cells are exposed to HPO during, before, or after exposure to nitrogen mustard (NSC 762) (0.15 and 0.25 microgram/ml). Lower nitrogen mustard (NSC 762) concentrations are not potentiated. HPO potentiation of antineoplastic agents appears to depend upon the agent studied, the concentration of the agent, and the scheduling of the drug and HPO exposure.", "PMID": 761208} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_673", "title": "A methodological approach to the prediction of anticancer drug effect in humans.", "content": "Tumor cells from animals and humans were treated with drugs under tissue culture conditions. Tumor cells from the sensitive L1210 model were studied first. A dose-response curve was derived between drug exposure and subsequent cytotoxicity in L1210. The concentration of drug and duration of exposure were factors critical to the subsequent development of in vitro cytotoxicity. The in vitro dosage which effected 50% leukemic cell death in L1210 cells correlated with reported in vivo drug levels. Other tumor models and human neoplastic cells were studied at this dosage level. A good correlation was noted in these studies between the in vivo responsiveness and the in vitro chemotherapy results in both animals and humans. It was suggested by these results that it may be possible to predict cancericidal drug activity for individual neoplasms by assaying the tumor cells in vitro for drug sensitivity.", "contents": "A methodological approach to the prediction of anticancer drug effect in humans. Tumor cells from animals and humans were treated with drugs under tissue culture conditions. Tumor cells from the sensitive L1210 model were studied first. A dose-response curve was derived between drug exposure and subsequent cytotoxicity in L1210. The concentration of drug and duration of exposure were factors critical to the subsequent development of in vitro cytotoxicity. The in vitro dosage which effected 50% leukemic cell death in L1210 cells correlated with reported in vivo drug levels. Other tumor models and human neoplastic cells were studied at this dosage level. A good correlation was noted in these studies between the in vivo responsiveness and the in vitro chemotherapy results in both animals and humans. It was suggested by these results that it may be possible to predict cancericidal drug activity for individual neoplasms by assaying the tumor cells in vitro for drug sensitivity.", "PMID": 761212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_674", "title": "Stimulation of ultraviolet-induced carcinogenesis by 1,3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea.", "content": "The influence of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) on ultraviolet-induced carcinogenesis was examined in hairless mouse skin in vivo. Noncarcinogenic amounts of topically applied BCNU and carcinogenic levels of UVB energy were utilized in the study. The applications of BCNU significantly accelerated the appearance and growth of the cutaneous tumors in this study. Thus, the BCNU acted as either a promoting or a cocarcinogenic agent for ultraviolet-induced cancer formation. Although the mechanism of this effect has not been established, avoidance of extensive sun exposure would probably be prudent when topical BCNU is being utilized therapeutically.", "contents": "Stimulation of ultraviolet-induced carcinogenesis by 1,3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea. The influence of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) on ultraviolet-induced carcinogenesis was examined in hairless mouse skin in vivo. Noncarcinogenic amounts of topically applied BCNU and carcinogenic levels of UVB energy were utilized in the study. The applications of BCNU significantly accelerated the appearance and growth of the cutaneous tumors in this study. Thus, the BCNU acted as either a promoting or a cocarcinogenic agent for ultraviolet-induced cancer formation. Although the mechanism of this effect has not been established, avoidance of extensive sun exposure would probably be prudent when topical BCNU is being utilized therapeutically.", "PMID": 761213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_675", "title": "Inhibitory effect of growth hormone on Gross passage A virus-induced thymus leukemia in C3Hf mice.", "content": "Administration of ovine growth hormone to young C3Hf mice inhibited Gross passage A virus-induced leukemogenesis as manifested by a delayed onset and a lower incidence of thymus leukemia. These results can be interpreted that growth hormone inhibited thymus-dependent leukemogenesis perhaps through thymotrophic influences which prevented or delayed the thymus involution believed to be essential for leukemia change. In female but not in male Gross passage A virus-infected mice, development of a thymus-independent leukemia appeared to be promoted by growth hormone.", "contents": "Inhibitory effect of growth hormone on Gross passage A virus-induced thymus leukemia in C3Hf mice. Administration of ovine growth hormone to young C3Hf mice inhibited Gross passage A virus-induced leukemogenesis as manifested by a delayed onset and a lower incidence of thymus leukemia. These results can be interpreted that growth hormone inhibited thymus-dependent leukemogenesis perhaps through thymotrophic influences which prevented or delayed the thymus involution believed to be essential for leukemia change. In female but not in male Gross passage A virus-infected mice, development of a thymus-independent leukemia appeared to be promoted by growth hormone.", "PMID": 761214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_676", "title": "Effects of N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate and related agents on DNA strand damage and thymidine incorporation in CCRF-CEM cells.", "content": "N-Trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD32) and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin (AD41) have been compared with Adriamycin and daunorubicin in CCRF-CEM human lymphoblastic cells. All four agents produce DNA damage, as measured by alkaline unwinding methods. Thymidine incorporation, a measure of DNA synthesis, is inhibited by AD32 and AD41 and completely blocked by the other drugs. AD32 and AD41 inhibit growth of the cells after exposure for 2 hr but are considerably less potent than is either Adriamycin or daunorubicin. In drug uptake studies, cellular levels after 2-hr incubations are lower for AD32 than for Adriamycin, and both are severalfold lower than are those of daunorubicin. The results indicate that AD32 and AD41 (or their metabolites) have DNA-related effects similar to those of Adriamycin and daunorubicin. These common actions may be the proximal cytotoxic events for the four agents.", "contents": "Effects of N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate and related agents on DNA strand damage and thymidine incorporation in CCRF-CEM cells. N-Trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD32) and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin (AD41) have been compared with Adriamycin and daunorubicin in CCRF-CEM human lymphoblastic cells. All four agents produce DNA damage, as measured by alkaline unwinding methods. Thymidine incorporation, a measure of DNA synthesis, is inhibited by AD32 and AD41 and completely blocked by the other drugs. AD32 and AD41 inhibit growth of the cells after exposure for 2 hr but are considerably less potent than is either Adriamycin or daunorubicin. In drug uptake studies, cellular levels after 2-hr incubations are lower for AD32 than for Adriamycin, and both are severalfold lower than are those of daunorubicin. The results indicate that AD32 and AD41 (or their metabolites) have DNA-related effects similar to those of Adriamycin and daunorubicin. These common actions may be the proximal cytotoxic events for the four agents.", "PMID": 761217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_677", "title": "1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-induced methylation of DNA bases in various rat organs and the effect of pretreatment with disulfiram.", "content": "The extent and persistence of methylated purines were determined in DNA of various rat organs following a single s.c. injection of 1,2-di[14C]methylhydrazine. Maximum alkylation of purine bases occurred within 12 hr, with highest concentrations in liver, followed by colon, ileum, and kidney. Over a period of 3 days, O6-methylguanine was removed much more slowly from colon, the principal target organ for carcinogenesis, than from ileum or liver DNA. Dietary pretreatment of rats with disulfiram is known to prevent 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis and was found to reduce DNA alkylation to less than 1% of that detected in animals treated with 1,2- di[14C]methylhydrazine alone.", "contents": "1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-induced methylation of DNA bases in various rat organs and the effect of pretreatment with disulfiram. The extent and persistence of methylated purines were determined in DNA of various rat organs following a single s.c. injection of 1,2-di[14C]methylhydrazine. Maximum alkylation of purine bases occurred within 12 hr, with highest concentrations in liver, followed by colon, ileum, and kidney. Over a period of 3 days, O6-methylguanine was removed much more slowly from colon, the principal target organ for carcinogenesis, than from ileum or liver DNA. Dietary pretreatment of rats with disulfiram is known to prevent 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis and was found to reduce DNA alkylation to less than 1% of that detected in animals treated with 1,2- di[14C]methylhydrazine alone.", "PMID": 761218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_678", "title": "In vivo tumor discrimination in a rat by proton nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.", "content": "Transverse cross-sectional images which represent the spatial distribution of the proton nuclear magnetic resonance signal in a live Wistar rat have been produced by the multiple-sensitive-point method. The images form a chronological series demonstrating the detection and development of a D23 hepatoma in the abdomen. Discrimination of the tumor is by contrast with the surrounding tissue and is attributed to the elevated water content and relaxation times of the former.", "contents": "In vivo tumor discrimination in a rat by proton nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. Transverse cross-sectional images which represent the spatial distribution of the proton nuclear magnetic resonance signal in a live Wistar rat have been produced by the multiple-sensitive-point method. The images form a chronological series demonstrating the detection and development of a D23 hepatoma in the abdomen. Discrimination of the tumor is by contrast with the surrounding tissue and is attributed to the elevated water content and relaxation times of the former.", "PMID": 761219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_679", "title": "DNA repair in xeroderma pigmentosum cells treated with combinations of ultraviolet radiation and N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene.", "content": "We used three techniques to examine excision repair in human cells treated with ultraviolet radiation, N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene, and a combination of the two. The three techniques gave similar results. Two types of human cells were used: (a) excision repair proficient (normal human fibroblasts and xeroderma pigmentosum variants); and (b) excision repair deficient (xeroderma pigmentosum C, D, and E). Saturation doses were determined and used for combined treatments with both agents. We observed two patterns of repair: (a) in repair-proficient cells total repair was additive; and (b) in repair-deficient cells total repair was much less than additive (usually less than that repair was much less than additive (usually less than that observed for separate treatments) and N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene inhibited excision of pyrimidine dimers. We conclude that, in the first group of cells, pathways for repair of ultraviolet radiation- and N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene-induced lesions are not identical and, in the second group of cells, there is an inhibitory effect exerted by major or minor products of each agent on the repair enzyme(s) of the other.", "contents": "DNA repair in xeroderma pigmentosum cells treated with combinations of ultraviolet radiation and N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene. We used three techniques to examine excision repair in human cells treated with ultraviolet radiation, N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene, and a combination of the two. The three techniques gave similar results. Two types of human cells were used: (a) excision repair proficient (normal human fibroblasts and xeroderma pigmentosum variants); and (b) excision repair deficient (xeroderma pigmentosum C, D, and E). Saturation doses were determined and used for combined treatments with both agents. We observed two patterns of repair: (a) in repair-proficient cells total repair was additive; and (b) in repair-deficient cells total repair was much less than additive (usually less than that repair was much less than additive (usually less than that observed for separate treatments) and N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene inhibited excision of pyrimidine dimers. We conclude that, in the first group of cells, pathways for repair of ultraviolet radiation- and N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene-induced lesions are not identical and, in the second group of cells, there is an inhibitory effect exerted by major or minor products of each agent on the repair enzyme(s) of the other.", "PMID": 761220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_680", "title": "Dihydrofolate reductase in primary brain tumors, cell cultures of central nervous system origin, and normal brain during fetal and neonatal growth.", "content": "Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) was measured during the development in rats of brain tumors induced following inoculation with avian sarcoma virus. Increasing activity of this enzyme in brain was correlated with the course of primary brain tumor growth. The specific activities of DHFR in primary human brain tumor tissues were comparable to those found in avian sarcoma virus-induced brain tumors in rats. Specific activities of DHFR in cell cultures derived from human and rat primary intracranial gliomas and sarcomas were up to 6 times those found in adult rat liver. The presence of DHFR in neoplasms of central nervous system origin is relevant to the development of folate antagonists which, unlike methotrexate, can readily cross the blood-brain barrier. In normal developing rat brain, DHFR specific activity was high in embryos at 19 days of gestation and declined thereafter, until at 20 days after birth the activity was very low. The methotrexate titration assay was used to measure enzyme levels in the brains of fetal and newborn rats, and good correlation with the spectrophotometric assay was observed. The pattern was different in liver, showing maximum activity 11 days after birth and retaining high activity in adult liver. Both the cofactor requirement and the sensitivity to methotrexate indicate that the enzyme in the brain is DHFR.", "contents": "Dihydrofolate reductase in primary brain tumors, cell cultures of central nervous system origin, and normal brain during fetal and neonatal growth. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) was measured during the development in rats of brain tumors induced following inoculation with avian sarcoma virus. Increasing activity of this enzyme in brain was correlated with the course of primary brain tumor growth. The specific activities of DHFR in primary human brain tumor tissues were comparable to those found in avian sarcoma virus-induced brain tumors in rats. Specific activities of DHFR in cell cultures derived from human and rat primary intracranial gliomas and sarcomas were up to 6 times those found in adult rat liver. The presence of DHFR in neoplasms of central nervous system origin is relevant to the development of folate antagonists which, unlike methotrexate, can readily cross the blood-brain barrier. In normal developing rat brain, DHFR specific activity was high in embryos at 19 days of gestation and declined thereafter, until at 20 days after birth the activity was very low. The methotrexate titration assay was used to measure enzyme levels in the brains of fetal and newborn rats, and good correlation with the spectrophotometric assay was observed. The pattern was different in liver, showing maximum activity 11 days after birth and retaining high activity in adult liver. Both the cofactor requirement and the sensitivity to methotrexate indicate that the enzyme in the brain is DHFR.", "PMID": 761221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_681", "title": "Characterization of messenger RNA for fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase A isozyme of rat ascites hepatoma AH 7974 cells.", "content": "The messenger activity for fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (EC4.1.2.13) (aldolase) A isozyme has been characterized in the polysome- or the messenger RNA-directed, protein-synthesizing system using the pH 5 fraction of rat liver or wheat germ extracts, respectively. The subunit of aldolase A synthesized in vitro was detected by immunoprecipitation with anti-aldolase A antibody raised in chickens followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The synthesis of the enzyme depended on the addition of polysomes or polyadenylate-containing RNA of rat ascites hepatoma AH 7974 cells which show a complete shift of aldolase isozyme to type A, whereas polysomes of adult rat liver were inactive. The messenger activity for aldolase A was present exclusively on free polysomes but absent on membrane-bound polysomes and in the soluble supernatant fraction of AH 7974 cells. The size of aldolase A messenger RNA determined by formamide-containing sucrose density gradient centrifugation was approximately 5.8 X 10(5) daltons corresponding to 1650 nucleotides. Taking into account the number of amino acid residues in the aldolase A subunit, approximately 400 nucleotides correspond to the noncoding region of aldolase A messenger RNA.", "contents": "Characterization of messenger RNA for fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase A isozyme of rat ascites hepatoma AH 7974 cells. The messenger activity for fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (EC4.1.2.13) (aldolase) A isozyme has been characterized in the polysome- or the messenger RNA-directed, protein-synthesizing system using the pH 5 fraction of rat liver or wheat germ extracts, respectively. The subunit of aldolase A synthesized in vitro was detected by immunoprecipitation with anti-aldolase A antibody raised in chickens followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The synthesis of the enzyme depended on the addition of polysomes or polyadenylate-containing RNA of rat ascites hepatoma AH 7974 cells which show a complete shift of aldolase isozyme to type A, whereas polysomes of adult rat liver were inactive. The messenger activity for aldolase A was present exclusively on free polysomes but absent on membrane-bound polysomes and in the soluble supernatant fraction of AH 7974 cells. The size of aldolase A messenger RNA determined by formamide-containing sucrose density gradient centrifugation was approximately 5.8 X 10(5) daltons corresponding to 1650 nucleotides. Taking into account the number of amino acid residues in the aldolase A subunit, approximately 400 nucleotides correspond to the noncoding region of aldolase A messenger RNA.", "PMID": 761223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_682", "title": "Sensitivity of human granulopoiesis in vitro to adriamycin before and after exposure in vivo.", "content": "The present studies were performed to determine whether the sensitivity of a normal human granulopoiesis to Adriamycin changes after repeated exposure to the drug in vivo. A single-layer agar culture for the in vitro growth of granulocytic colonies from committed stem cells was used as the assay system. The in vitro sensitivity of the human granulopoiesis to different doses of Adriamycin was determined from the reduction in colony incidence (a) following exposure of marrow cells to Adriamycin for 30 min before initiation of cultures and (b) in the presence of Adriamycin during the total culture period. Using both test systems, the sensitivity of granulopoiesis in vitro remained unchanged after patients had received six courses of chemotherapy incorporating Adriamycin. Sensitivity to Adriamycin appeared to increase by Day 4 after chemotherapy, probably as a result of the increased proliferative activity of granulopoietic precursor cells at this time. The data thus fail to provide evidence that a granulopoietic subpopulation with increased resistance to the cytotoxic effects of Adriamycin emerges after repeated in vivo exposure to the drug.", "contents": "Sensitivity of human granulopoiesis in vitro to adriamycin before and after exposure in vivo. The present studies were performed to determine whether the sensitivity of a normal human granulopoiesis to Adriamycin changes after repeated exposure to the drug in vivo. A single-layer agar culture for the in vitro growth of granulocytic colonies from committed stem cells was used as the assay system. The in vitro sensitivity of the human granulopoiesis to different doses of Adriamycin was determined from the reduction in colony incidence (a) following exposure of marrow cells to Adriamycin for 30 min before initiation of cultures and (b) in the presence of Adriamycin during the total culture period. Using both test systems, the sensitivity of granulopoiesis in vitro remained unchanged after patients had received six courses of chemotherapy incorporating Adriamycin. Sensitivity to Adriamycin appeared to increase by Day 4 after chemotherapy, probably as a result of the increased proliferative activity of granulopoietic precursor cells at this time. The data thus fail to provide evidence that a granulopoietic subpopulation with increased resistance to the cytotoxic effects of Adriamycin emerges after repeated in vivo exposure to the drug.", "PMID": 761226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_683", "title": "Presence and cell growth-related variations of glycogen in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines in culture.", "content": "The presence and kinetics of intracellular glycogen levels were studied, in relationship to cell growth, in asynchronous and in synchronized cultures of four human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines (HT-29, HRT-18, SW-480, and Caco-2). The results show that a specific pattern of glycogen accumulation occurs during the process of cell growth of the studied cell lines. The kinetics of glycogen accumulation in asynchronous cultures were similar from one cell line to another and were characterized by a low amount in the exponential phase of growth, followed by a 3- to 4-fold increase in the stationary phase. The quantities found in either phase were specific for each cell line. The maximum values found in Caco-2, HRT-18, HT-29, and SW-480 cells were, respectively, 258.5 +/- 6.9 (S.D.), 88.9 +/- 2.6, 87.5 +/- 3, and 17.5 +/- 1.8 microgram of glycogen per mg of proteins. The kinetics of glycogen accumulation during the cell cycle was also studied in synchronized cultures of HT-29 and HRT-18 cell lines. Both cell lines exhibited a common pattern of low glycogen quantities during S, G2, and M followed by an increase beginning with G1 and peaking (2.5 to 3 times the initial values) in the middle of this phase. This was followed by a symmetrical decrease in the second half of G1.", "contents": "Presence and cell growth-related variations of glycogen in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines in culture. The presence and kinetics of intracellular glycogen levels were studied, in relationship to cell growth, in asynchronous and in synchronized cultures of four human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines (HT-29, HRT-18, SW-480, and Caco-2). The results show that a specific pattern of glycogen accumulation occurs during the process of cell growth of the studied cell lines. The kinetics of glycogen accumulation in asynchronous cultures were similar from one cell line to another and were characterized by a low amount in the exponential phase of growth, followed by a 3- to 4-fold increase in the stationary phase. The quantities found in either phase were specific for each cell line. The maximum values found in Caco-2, HRT-18, HT-29, and SW-480 cells were, respectively, 258.5 +/- 6.9 (S.D.), 88.9 +/- 2.6, 87.5 +/- 3, and 17.5 +/- 1.8 microgram of glycogen per mg of proteins. The kinetics of glycogen accumulation during the cell cycle was also studied in synchronized cultures of HT-29 and HRT-18 cell lines. Both cell lines exhibited a common pattern of low glycogen quantities during S, G2, and M followed by an increase beginning with G1 and peaking (2.5 to 3 times the initial values) in the middle of this phase. This was followed by a symmetrical decrease in the second half of G1.", "PMID": 761227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_684", "title": "Influence of oil concentration on the efficacy of tumor regression by emulsified components of mycobacteria.", "content": "The influence of mineral oil content on the antitumor activity of emulsified Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin cell walls (CW) was studied in mice each with an established transplant of a syngeneic fibrosarcoma. Animals received intratumoral injections of CW (0.02 to 0.6 mg/mouse) emulsified in 1 to 9% oil. The number of animals in which tumor regressed completely depended on the concentration of oil in the emulsion. The methanol extraction residue (MER) of Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin administered intratumorally in oil in water emulsion was also immunotherapeutically active. Neither CW nor MER was active when given as aqueous suspensions without oil. Guinea pigs with transplanted hepatomas growing in their skin and with tumor cells in the draining lymph node could be cured of malignant disease by a single intralesional injection of CW or MER (1 mg per guinea pig) if these agents were emulsified in oil (3.3%) and water. Aqueous suspensions of CW and MER were not therapeutically active in the guinea pig.", "contents": "Influence of oil concentration on the efficacy of tumor regression by emulsified components of mycobacteria. The influence of mineral oil content on the antitumor activity of emulsified Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin cell walls (CW) was studied in mice each with an established transplant of a syngeneic fibrosarcoma. Animals received intratumoral injections of CW (0.02 to 0.6 mg/mouse) emulsified in 1 to 9% oil. The number of animals in which tumor regressed completely depended on the concentration of oil in the emulsion. The methanol extraction residue (MER) of Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin administered intratumorally in oil in water emulsion was also immunotherapeutically active. Neither CW nor MER was active when given as aqueous suspensions without oil. Guinea pigs with transplanted hepatomas growing in their skin and with tumor cells in the draining lymph node could be cured of malignant disease by a single intralesional injection of CW or MER (1 mg per guinea pig) if these agents were emulsified in oil (3.3%) and water. Aqueous suspensions of CW and MER were not therapeutically active in the guinea pig.", "PMID": 761228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_685", "title": "Effect of thymidine on the sensitivity of cultured mouse tumor cells to 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine.", "content": "Assays of thirteen cell lines, derived from mouse lymphomas, myelomas, myeloid tumors, and a mastocytoma, for sensitivity to growth inhibition by 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) revealed a spectrum between the most and least sensitive which differed 100-fold from each other. An inverse correlation between sensitivity and cellular deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate (dCTP) content was found, and this suggested that sensitivity of cells might be increased if the dCTP content was lowered during cell exposure to ara-C. Previous work has shown that thymidine treatment of cells lowers their dCTP content, and the effect of thymidine on the sensitivity of six of the cell lines to ara-C was therefore measured. Concentrations of thymidine below those inhibitory to cell growth by themselves caused an increase in ara-C sensitivity by up to 3-fold in 4 cell lines in which thymidine causes a depression in dCTP content but not in 2 myeloid lines in which the dCTP content was found not to be depressed by the same thymidine treatment. The results confirm an important role for dCTP in determining cellular sensitivity to ara-C. The finding that the sensitivity of 2 lymphoma cell lines to ara-C could be increased by concentrations of thymidine in the region of 10 micrometer, which are attainable clinically in humans, suggests that a combination of ara-C with thymidine might be useful in the treatment of some human tumors.", "contents": "Effect of thymidine on the sensitivity of cultured mouse tumor cells to 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine. Assays of thirteen cell lines, derived from mouse lymphomas, myelomas, myeloid tumors, and a mastocytoma, for sensitivity to growth inhibition by 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) revealed a spectrum between the most and least sensitive which differed 100-fold from each other. An inverse correlation between sensitivity and cellular deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate (dCTP) content was found, and this suggested that sensitivity of cells might be increased if the dCTP content was lowered during cell exposure to ara-C. Previous work has shown that thymidine treatment of cells lowers their dCTP content, and the effect of thymidine on the sensitivity of six of the cell lines to ara-C was therefore measured. Concentrations of thymidine below those inhibitory to cell growth by themselves caused an increase in ara-C sensitivity by up to 3-fold in 4 cell lines in which thymidine causes a depression in dCTP content but not in 2 myeloid lines in which the dCTP content was found not to be depressed by the same thymidine treatment. The results confirm an important role for dCTP in determining cellular sensitivity to ara-C. The finding that the sensitivity of 2 lymphoma cell lines to ara-C could be increased by concentrations of thymidine in the region of 10 micrometer, which are attainable clinically in humans, suggests that a combination of ara-C with thymidine might be useful in the treatment of some human tumors.", "PMID": 761229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_686", "title": "Monitoring of antitumor immunity in patients with larynx cancer by tube leukocyte adherence inhibition assay.", "content": "The presence of specific antitumor immunity was examined by the tube leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) assay in patients with carcinomas of the larynx. Peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from patients with larynx cancer gave positive reactions in the LAI assay with the antigen prepared from the carcinoma of the larynx but not with antigen from normal larynx tissue. Adherence of PBL from normal donors did not differ significantly irrespective of whether antigens from tumor or normal larynx tissue were used. With a panel of tumor extracts tested, PBL of some patients reacted to only one antigen, wheras PBL of other patients reacted to several antigens. LAI reactivity disappeared after surgery, reappeared at 4 weeks after surgery, and then declined when patients were tumor free. These results show that the tube LAI assay may be of value in diagnosing larynx cancer and in following up its treatment.", "contents": "Monitoring of antitumor immunity in patients with larynx cancer by tube leukocyte adherence inhibition assay. The presence of specific antitumor immunity was examined by the tube leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) assay in patients with carcinomas of the larynx. Peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from patients with larynx cancer gave positive reactions in the LAI assay with the antigen prepared from the carcinoma of the larynx but not with antigen from normal larynx tissue. Adherence of PBL from normal donors did not differ significantly irrespective of whether antigens from tumor or normal larynx tissue were used. With a panel of tumor extracts tested, PBL of some patients reacted to only one antigen, wheras PBL of other patients reacted to several antigens. LAI reactivity disappeared after surgery, reappeared at 4 weeks after surgery, and then declined when patients were tumor free. These results show that the tube LAI assay may be of value in diagnosing larynx cancer and in following up its treatment.", "PMID": 761230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_687", "title": "Cellular antitumor immune response in women with risk factors for breast cancer.", "content": "The leukocyte adherence inhibition technique was used to study cell-mediated immunoactivity to breast adenocarcinoma. In a group of 74 patients with untreated breast cancer in Stages I and II, 69% showed a positive response, while 48% of the 25 patients in Stages III and IV had reactive leukocytes. Among 43 control persons, only 2 women showed positive responses. In a group of 161 women with benign breast diseases, 24% showed a positive reaction against breast carcinoma extract. The percentage of positive responses was higher than the average of women with benign disease among those who had a mother or a sister with breast cancer, who had previously had benign breast lumps removed, who had microcalcifications in their breasts, or for whom an increased intraductal epithelial proliferation was found in their biopsies. Twenty-eight women with benign breast diseases and two or more of the above factors were assigned to the high-risk group, in which 43% had reactive leukocytes. Of the 50 women with one risk factor, 34% showed a positive response, while of the 83 women in the low-risk group, with none of the above factors, only 11% had a positive reaction. The results suggest that the leukocyte adherence inhibition test may be used to identify groups of women who have a high risk for breast cancer.", "contents": "Cellular antitumor immune response in women with risk factors for breast cancer. The leukocyte adherence inhibition technique was used to study cell-mediated immunoactivity to breast adenocarcinoma. In a group of 74 patients with untreated breast cancer in Stages I and II, 69% showed a positive response, while 48% of the 25 patients in Stages III and IV had reactive leukocytes. Among 43 control persons, only 2 women showed positive responses. In a group of 161 women with benign breast diseases, 24% showed a positive reaction against breast carcinoma extract. The percentage of positive responses was higher than the average of women with benign disease among those who had a mother or a sister with breast cancer, who had previously had benign breast lumps removed, who had microcalcifications in their breasts, or for whom an increased intraductal epithelial proliferation was found in their biopsies. Twenty-eight women with benign breast diseases and two or more of the above factors were assigned to the high-risk group, in which 43% had reactive leukocytes. Of the 50 women with one risk factor, 34% showed a positive response, while of the 83 women in the low-risk group, with none of the above factors, only 11% had a positive reaction. The results suggest that the leukocyte adherence inhibition test may be used to identify groups of women who have a high risk for breast cancer.", "PMID": 761231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_688", "title": "Influence of aging on left ventricular hemodynamics and stiffness in beagles.", "content": "We studied the influence of aging on the contractile performance, stiffness, and contraction time of the canine left ventricle. Eight young (27 +/- 2.5 months, mean +/- SE) and seven old (128 +/- 20.5 months) beagles were placed on complete cardiopulmonary bypass, the arterial pressure was adjusted to 80 mm Hg, and the heart contracted isovolumically at a paced rate of 120 beats/min. Diastolic pressure-volume curves were established for each unpaced left ventricle at the beginning of each experiment, and the volume at the knee of the curve was used during the subsequent data collection when the heart was paced. Stiffness was measured with a sinusoidal forcing function, which imposed a sinusoidal displacement of 1 ml at 20 Hz into a balloon placed in the left ventricle. In each ventricle, stiffness was related linearly to pressure during the cardiac cycle, and was greater for any given pressure in the older beagles. Contraction duration was prolonged in the older dogs. In an additional seven old beagles during right heart bypass time, and duration of contraction were longer than in seven young beagles. Aging of the beagle heart is associated with an increase in left ventricular systolic and diastolic stiffness and prolonged duration of contraction.", "contents": "Influence of aging on left ventricular hemodynamics and stiffness in beagles. We studied the influence of aging on the contractile performance, stiffness, and contraction time of the canine left ventricle. Eight young (27 +/- 2.5 months, mean +/- SE) and seven old (128 +/- 20.5 months) beagles were placed on complete cardiopulmonary bypass, the arterial pressure was adjusted to 80 mm Hg, and the heart contracted isovolumically at a paced rate of 120 beats/min. Diastolic pressure-volume curves were established for each unpaced left ventricle at the beginning of each experiment, and the volume at the knee of the curve was used during the subsequent data collection when the heart was paced. Stiffness was measured with a sinusoidal forcing function, which imposed a sinusoidal displacement of 1 ml at 20 Hz into a balloon placed in the left ventricle. In each ventricle, stiffness was related linearly to pressure during the cardiac cycle, and was greater for any given pressure in the older beagles. Contraction duration was prolonged in the older dogs. In an additional seven old beagles during right heart bypass time, and duration of contraction were longer than in seven young beagles. Aging of the beagle heart is associated with an increase in left ventricular systolic and diastolic stiffness and prolonged duration of contraction.", "PMID": 761302} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_689", "title": "Cellular mechanisms of normal growth in the mammalian heart. I. Qualitative and quantitative features of ventricular architecture in the dog from birth to five months of age.", "content": "This paper describes the qualitative and quantitative composition of dog myocardium over the first 5 months of life. The quantitative composition of dog right and left ventricle over this period does not vary. A stereological analysis of electron micrographs representing 32,000 micron2 of tissue surface revealed that 79% of the heart is made up of myofibers, whereas 21% is extracellular space. Twenty-eight percent of the extracellular compartment by volume is vasculature (tissue was preserved by immersion rather than vascular perfusion); 72% is occupied by nonvascular elements and \"empty\" space. In contrast to the remarkable constancy of quantitative composition of the whole myocardium, myocyte shape and dimensions and the arrangement of intercellular connections vary dramatically over the age period studied. In early postnatal life, the morphology of blood vessels, many of which have completely partitioned lumina, also changes significantly.", "contents": "Cellular mechanisms of normal growth in the mammalian heart. I. Qualitative and quantitative features of ventricular architecture in the dog from birth to five months of age. This paper describes the qualitative and quantitative composition of dog myocardium over the first 5 months of life. The quantitative composition of dog right and left ventricle over this period does not vary. A stereological analysis of electron micrographs representing 32,000 micron2 of tissue surface revealed that 79% of the heart is made up of myofibers, whereas 21% is extracellular space. Twenty-eight percent of the extracellular compartment by volume is vasculature (tissue was preserved by immersion rather than vascular perfusion); 72% is occupied by nonvascular elements and \"empty\" space. In contrast to the remarkable constancy of quantitative composition of the whole myocardium, myocyte shape and dimensions and the arrangement of intercellular connections vary dramatically over the age period studied. In early postnatal life, the morphology of blood vessels, many of which have completely partitioned lumina, also changes significantly.", "PMID": 761307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_690", "title": "Cellular mechanisms of normal growth in the mammalian heart. II. A quantitative and qualitative comparison between the right and left ventricular myocytes in the dog from birth to five months of age.", "content": "This paper describes and contrasts the changes in myocytes taken from the right and left ventricules of dog heart over the first 5 months of life. The development of the two populations of cells differs in important respects: sarcomeric volume, the proportion of the myocyte occupied by the contractile apparatus, and the volume and surface area of the transverse tubular system all were greater on the average in the left than in the right ventricle (P less than 0.001). Other intracellular structures also changed significantly as development progressed, but did so in both chambers; the surface area and surface-to-volume (s/v) ratio of both right and left ventricular myocytes increased with age (P less than 0.001) as did mitochondrial and mitochondrial-myocyte volume (P less than 0.001). The surface area (P less than 0.01) and the s/v ratio of the mitochondria (P less than 0.001) also increased with development. Nuclear and nuclear myocyte volume grew smaller with age in both chambers (P less than 0.002), as did the surface area (P less than 0.001) and the s/v ratio of the nucleus (P less than 0.01). Not only does myocyte composition change quantitatively, striking changes in intracellular architecture and the appearance and arrangement of intracellular organelles occur during postnatal life.", "contents": "Cellular mechanisms of normal growth in the mammalian heart. II. A quantitative and qualitative comparison between the right and left ventricular myocytes in the dog from birth to five months of age. This paper describes and contrasts the changes in myocytes taken from the right and left ventricules of dog heart over the first 5 months of life. The development of the two populations of cells differs in important respects: sarcomeric volume, the proportion of the myocyte occupied by the contractile apparatus, and the volume and surface area of the transverse tubular system all were greater on the average in the left than in the right ventricle (P less than 0.001). Other intracellular structures also changed significantly as development progressed, but did so in both chambers; the surface area and surface-to-volume (s/v) ratio of both right and left ventricular myocytes increased with age (P less than 0.001) as did mitochondrial and mitochondrial-myocyte volume (P less than 0.001). The surface area (P less than 0.01) and the s/v ratio of the mitochondria (P less than 0.001) also increased with development. Nuclear and nuclear myocyte volume grew smaller with age in both chambers (P less than 0.002), as did the surface area (P less than 0.001) and the s/v ratio of the nucleus (P less than 0.01). Not only does myocyte composition change quantitatively, striking changes in intracellular architecture and the appearance and arrangement of intracellular organelles occur during postnatal life.", "PMID": 761308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_691", "title": "Supraventricular pacemaker underdrive in the absence of sinus nodal influences in the conscious dog.", "content": "The ability to reduce and maintain heart rate by electrical stimulation (underdrive) was tested in three groups of chronically instrumented dogs: sinoatrial node intact, ectopic atrial pacemaker produced by injection of rapidly hardening latex into the sinoatrial nodal artery, and idioventricular pacemaker produced by injection of formalin into the atrioventricular node. In the conscious unsedated state, underdrive of sinoatrial or idioventricular pacemakers resulted in competition between driven and intrinsic foci. However, the cycle length of ectopic atrial pacemakers could be increased by 148.4 +/- 30.7 msec (P less than 0.001) and maintained at that value. Cessation of underdrive resulted in a period of pacemaker suppression similar to that produced following overdrive. Single premature stimuli produced marked cycle length prolongations in dogs with ectopic atrial foci. Total autonomic blockade had no significant effect on the production of underdrive. Thus, the results of the present experiments provide evidence for maintained capture of cardiac pacemakers at rates significantly below intrinsic control and indicate that underdrive varies as a function of pacemaker site. Underdrive may explain the failure of junctional escape in the presence of slower atrial rhythms.", "contents": "Supraventricular pacemaker underdrive in the absence of sinus nodal influences in the conscious dog. The ability to reduce and maintain heart rate by electrical stimulation (underdrive) was tested in three groups of chronically instrumented dogs: sinoatrial node intact, ectopic atrial pacemaker produced by injection of rapidly hardening latex into the sinoatrial nodal artery, and idioventricular pacemaker produced by injection of formalin into the atrioventricular node. In the conscious unsedated state, underdrive of sinoatrial or idioventricular pacemakers resulted in competition between driven and intrinsic foci. However, the cycle length of ectopic atrial pacemakers could be increased by 148.4 +/- 30.7 msec (P less than 0.001) and maintained at that value. Cessation of underdrive resulted in a period of pacemaker suppression similar to that produced following overdrive. Single premature stimuli produced marked cycle length prolongations in dogs with ectopic atrial foci. Total autonomic blockade had no significant effect on the production of underdrive. Thus, the results of the present experiments provide evidence for maintained capture of cardiac pacemakers at rates significantly below intrinsic control and indicate that underdrive varies as a function of pacemaker site. Underdrive may explain the failure of junctional escape in the presence of slower atrial rhythms.", "PMID": 761314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_692", "title": "Ontogenetic increase of the maximal rate of rise of the chick embryonic heart action potential. Relationship to voltage, time, and tetrodotoxin.", "content": "The maximal rate of rise (Vmax) of the embryonic chick ventricular action potential increased about 2-fold from 112 +/- 6 V/sec and 113 +/- 5 V/sec on the 4th and 6th incubation days, respectively, to 217 +/- 7 V/sec on the 12th incubation day. Neither the steady state inactivation (hinfinity) of Vmax, the temperature-dependent shift of hinfinity, nor the time constant for recovery (tauRec) of Vmax changed significantly when Vmax had doubled. Inhibition of Vmax by tetrodotoxin (TTX) was the same in hearts from the 4th, 6th, and 18th incubation days. The relation between Vmax and TTX concentration could be described by a one-to-one binding curve with an apparent dissociation constant of 2 X 10(-8) M. The increase of Vmax, a valid measure of the early inward Na+ current (iNa) during the rising phase of the cardiac action potential, can be attributed to an elevated maximal Na+ conductance (-gNa) during ontogenesis. These results indicate that the physicochemical properties of the gNa unit responsible for the rapid rising phase of the action potential and of the TTX binding site associated with it may remain constant during a period of embryonic development when -gNa increased significantly.", "contents": "Ontogenetic increase of the maximal rate of rise of the chick embryonic heart action potential. Relationship to voltage, time, and tetrodotoxin. The maximal rate of rise (Vmax) of the embryonic chick ventricular action potential increased about 2-fold from 112 +/- 6 V/sec and 113 +/- 5 V/sec on the 4th and 6th incubation days, respectively, to 217 +/- 7 V/sec on the 12th incubation day. Neither the steady state inactivation (hinfinity) of Vmax, the temperature-dependent shift of hinfinity, nor the time constant for recovery (tauRec) of Vmax changed significantly when Vmax had doubled. Inhibition of Vmax by tetrodotoxin (TTX) was the same in hearts from the 4th, 6th, and 18th incubation days. The relation between Vmax and TTX concentration could be described by a one-to-one binding curve with an apparent dissociation constant of 2 X 10(-8) M. The increase of Vmax, a valid measure of the early inward Na+ current (iNa) during the rising phase of the cardiac action potential, can be attributed to an elevated maximal Na+ conductance (-gNa) during ontogenesis. These results indicate that the physicochemical properties of the gNa unit responsible for the rapid rising phase of the action potential and of the TTX binding site associated with it may remain constant during a period of embryonic development when -gNa increased significantly.", "PMID": 761318} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_693", "title": "Acetylcholine antagonism of the electrophysiological effects of isoproterenol on canine cardiac Purkinje fibers.", "content": "The purpose of these experiments was to determine whether or not acetylcholine modulated the electrophysiological effects of isoproterenol on canine cardiac Purkinje fibers. Conventional microelectrode techniques were used. Predictably, isoproterenol produced shortening of action potential duration; acetylcholine significantly blunted this effect of isoproterenol. Isoproterenol restored excitability to fibers exposed to 22 mM potassium solutions, and acetylcholine abolished this isoproterenol-restored excitability. Both of these antagonistic effects of acetylcholine were blocked by atropine. Acetylcholine alone did not affect action potential duration in polarized fibers or excitability in potassium-depolarized fibers. Furthermore, acetylcholine had no effect on the decrease in action potential duration induced by premature electrical stimulation or by acetylstrophanthidin administration, or on excitability of fibers exposed to a zero sodium, high calcium superfusant. These data demonstrate a direct cellular basis for cholinergic antagonism of the electrophysiological effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation of canine cardiac specialized intraventricular conducting tissue.", "contents": "Acetylcholine antagonism of the electrophysiological effects of isoproterenol on canine cardiac Purkinje fibers. The purpose of these experiments was to determine whether or not acetylcholine modulated the electrophysiological effects of isoproterenol on canine cardiac Purkinje fibers. Conventional microelectrode techniques were used. Predictably, isoproterenol produced shortening of action potential duration; acetylcholine significantly blunted this effect of isoproterenol. Isoproterenol restored excitability to fibers exposed to 22 mM potassium solutions, and acetylcholine abolished this isoproterenol-restored excitability. Both of these antagonistic effects of acetylcholine were blocked by atropine. Acetylcholine alone did not affect action potential duration in polarized fibers or excitability in potassium-depolarized fibers. Furthermore, acetylcholine had no effect on the decrease in action potential duration induced by premature electrical stimulation or by acetylstrophanthidin administration, or on excitability of fibers exposed to a zero sodium, high calcium superfusant. These data demonstrate a direct cellular basis for cholinergic antagonism of the electrophysiological effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation of canine cardiac specialized intraventricular conducting tissue.", "PMID": 761320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_694", "title": "Variables predictive of survival in patients with coronary disease. Selection by univariate and multivariate analyses from the clinical, electrocardiographic, exercise, arteriographic, and quantitative angiographic evaluations.", "content": "A progression of univariate followed by multivariate analyses was applied to 46 variables selected from the clinical examination, exercise test, coronary arteriography, and quantitative angiographic assessment of left ventricular function in patients with coronary disease to determine those variables most predictive of survival. For the 733 medically treated patients, the final Cox's regression analysis showed that the left ventricular ejection fraction was most predictive of survival, followed by age, number of vessels with stenosis(es) greater than or equal to 70%, and ventricular arrhythmia on the resting electrocardiogram. For the 1870 surgically treated patients, ventricular arrhythmia on the resting electrocardiogram was most predictive of survival followed by ejection fraction, heart murmur, left main coronary artery stenosis greater than or equal to 50%, and use of diuretic agents.", "contents": "Variables predictive of survival in patients with coronary disease. Selection by univariate and multivariate analyses from the clinical, electrocardiographic, exercise, arteriographic, and quantitative angiographic evaluations. A progression of univariate followed by multivariate analyses was applied to 46 variables selected from the clinical examination, exercise test, coronary arteriography, and quantitative angiographic assessment of left ventricular function in patients with coronary disease to determine those variables most predictive of survival. For the 733 medically treated patients, the final Cox's regression analysis showed that the left ventricular ejection fraction was most predictive of survival, followed by age, number of vessels with stenosis(es) greater than or equal to 70%, and ventricular arrhythmia on the resting electrocardiogram. For the 1870 surgically treated patients, ventricular arrhythmia on the resting electrocardiogram was most predictive of survival followed by ejection fraction, heart murmur, left main coronary artery stenosis greater than or equal to 50%, and use of diuretic agents.", "PMID": 761323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_695", "title": "Evidence from a nonrandomized study that coronary surgery prolongs survival in patients with two-vessel coronary disease.", "content": "Within the larger Seattle Heart Watch arteriography registry, surgically treated patients non randomly selected for direct myocardial revascularization were matched to medically treated patients such that each of the 287 pairs was identical in seven variables (ejection fraction, ventricular arrhythmia on resting electrocardiogram, age, heart murmur, stenosis of left main coronary artery greater than or equal to 50%, number of vessels with stenosis greater than or equal to 70%, and use of diuretics) previously demonstrated to be independently predictive of survival. Actuarial survival analyses based on cardiovascular deaths (average follow-up 3.5 years) indicate improved survival for the entire surgical matched pair cohort (p = 0.008) and for the surgically treated subgroup with two-vessel disease (p = 0.0002) when compared to the medical cohort. These results were confirmed by examination of the entire arteriography registry (n = 1524) in which these seven variables were known, using Cox's model for survival analysis. This multivariate, statistical technique indicated that the surgical mode of therapy was significantly predictive of improved survival in surgically treated patients for the entire registry (p = 0.008) and for the subgroup with two-vessel disease (p = 0.0005).", "contents": "Evidence from a nonrandomized study that coronary surgery prolongs survival in patients with two-vessel coronary disease. Within the larger Seattle Heart Watch arteriography registry, surgically treated patients non randomly selected for direct myocardial revascularization were matched to medically treated patients such that each of the 287 pairs was identical in seven variables (ejection fraction, ventricular arrhythmia on resting electrocardiogram, age, heart murmur, stenosis of left main coronary artery greater than or equal to 50%, number of vessels with stenosis greater than or equal to 70%, and use of diuretics) previously demonstrated to be independently predictive of survival. Actuarial survival analyses based on cardiovascular deaths (average follow-up 3.5 years) indicate improved survival for the entire surgical matched pair cohort (p = 0.008) and for the surgically treated subgroup with two-vessel disease (p = 0.0002) when compared to the medical cohort. These results were confirmed by examination of the entire arteriography registry (n = 1524) in which these seven variables were known, using Cox's model for survival analysis. This multivariate, statistical technique indicated that the surgical mode of therapy was significantly predictive of improved survival in surgically treated patients for the entire registry (p = 0.008) and for the subgroup with two-vessel disease (p = 0.0005).", "PMID": 761324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_696", "title": "An ultrasound Doppler technique for the noninvasive determination of the pressure gradient in the Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley mitral valve.", "content": "The accuracy in determining the pressure gradient in the Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley mitral implant from noninvasive ultrasound Doppler data was explored in nine adult patients. Manometric and ultrasound data were collectd simultaneously, and identical diastolic periods were used to compare the manometric gradient (delta Pm) with the gradient obtained from ultrasound data (delta Pu). In the nine patients the mean diastolic value of delta Pm ranged from 2-12.5 mm Hg and the difference between the mean diastolic values of delta Pm and delta Pu was 0.3 +/- 1.0 mm Hg(SD). The results of the investigation indicated that the method is accurate and reliable in the nonivasive determination of the mean diastolic gradient in the Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley mitral implant.", "contents": "An ultrasound Doppler technique for the noninvasive determination of the pressure gradient in the Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley mitral valve. The accuracy in determining the pressure gradient in the Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley mitral implant from noninvasive ultrasound Doppler data was explored in nine adult patients. Manometric and ultrasound data were collectd simultaneously, and identical diastolic periods were used to compare the manometric gradient (delta Pm) with the gradient obtained from ultrasound data (delta Pu). In the nine patients the mean diastolic value of delta Pm ranged from 2-12.5 mm Hg and the difference between the mean diastolic values of delta Pm and delta Pu was 0.3 +/- 1.0 mm Hg(SD). The results of the investigation indicated that the method is accurate and reliable in the nonivasive determination of the mean diastolic gradient in the Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley mitral implant.", "PMID": 761325} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_697", "title": "Recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia. 4. Pleomorphism.", "content": "Two or more morphologically distinct ventricular tachycardias were observed during electrophysiologic study in 14 patients with chronic sustained ventricular tachycardia. Nine of these patients had clinical ventricular tachycardia with multiple morphologies. During the study 13 patients manifested both right bundle branch block (RBBB) and left bundle branch block (LBBB) morphologies. The remaining patient had RBBB with both right and left axis deviation. Changing morphologies were observed spontaneously in four patients and could be produced in all 14 by ventricular stimulation. In 12 patients both RBBB and LBBB originated in the left ventricle, and in 11 of these patients, from within a left ventricular aneurysm. Diastolic fragmented activity representing reentry was unchanged during both morphologies in four patients and during one morphology in five patients. Epicardial mapping confirmed the aneurysm as the site of origin of multiform ventricular tachycardias in two patients. Our data suggest that 1) ventricular tachycardia is frequently pleomorphic; 2) multiple morphologies usually represent variable exit sites and/or ventricular activation during the same tachycardia; and 3) there is a frequent association of pleomorphic ventricular tachycardia with left ventricle aneurysm.", "contents": "Recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia. 4. Pleomorphism. Two or more morphologically distinct ventricular tachycardias were observed during electrophysiologic study in 14 patients with chronic sustained ventricular tachycardia. Nine of these patients had clinical ventricular tachycardia with multiple morphologies. During the study 13 patients manifested both right bundle branch block (RBBB) and left bundle branch block (LBBB) morphologies. The remaining patient had RBBB with both right and left axis deviation. Changing morphologies were observed spontaneously in four patients and could be produced in all 14 by ventricular stimulation. In 12 patients both RBBB and LBBB originated in the left ventricle, and in 11 of these patients, from within a left ventricular aneurysm. Diastolic fragmented activity representing reentry was unchanged during both morphologies in four patients and during one morphology in five patients. Epicardial mapping confirmed the aneurysm as the site of origin of multiform ventricular tachycardias in two patients. Our data suggest that 1) ventricular tachycardia is frequently pleomorphic; 2) multiple morphologies usually represent variable exit sites and/or ventricular activation during the same tachycardia; and 3) there is a frequent association of pleomorphic ventricular tachycardia with left ventricle aneurysm.", "PMID": 761327} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_698", "title": "Subxiphoid cross-sectional echocardiography in infants and children with congenital heart disease.", "content": "We developed anatomically related cross-sectional echocardiographic views to image the heart from the subxiphoid area in 100 children and infants with various forms of congenital heart disease studied prospectively before cardiac catheterization. Wide-angle cross-sectional views were achieved using a mechanical sector scanner in a scan plane oriented parallel to a line between the patient's shoulders (a coronal plane) showing the equivalent anatomy of an anteroposterior angiogram. The subxiphoid technique appeared to be better than chest wall-based imaging in demonstrating obstructive lesions in the proximal portion of the right ventricular outflow tract (19 patients), i.e., the subpulmonic area, which is often at the narrow edge of the sector and behind the transducer artifact in chest wall studies. The subxiphoid technique was also useful for imaging the interatrial and interventricular septae; in subxiphoid views, as opposed to four-chamber apical views, there was significantly less false septal dropout and atrial septal defects (19 patients) as well as ventricular septal aneurysms (seven patients) were easily imaged. Finally, the subxiphoid orientation provided more adequate imaging in patients with discrete diaphragmatic subaortic stenosis (four patients), even when the diaphragm was just beneath the aortic valve. Subxiphoid cross-sectional echocardiography is an easily understood anatomical format for imaging cross-sectional anatomy in congenital heart disease and is a valuable adjunct to cross-sectional echocardiography from the chest wall.", "contents": "Subxiphoid cross-sectional echocardiography in infants and children with congenital heart disease. We developed anatomically related cross-sectional echocardiographic views to image the heart from the subxiphoid area in 100 children and infants with various forms of congenital heart disease studied prospectively before cardiac catheterization. Wide-angle cross-sectional views were achieved using a mechanical sector scanner in a scan plane oriented parallel to a line between the patient's shoulders (a coronal plane) showing the equivalent anatomy of an anteroposterior angiogram. The subxiphoid technique appeared to be better than chest wall-based imaging in demonstrating obstructive lesions in the proximal portion of the right ventricular outflow tract (19 patients), i.e., the subpulmonic area, which is often at the narrow edge of the sector and behind the transducer artifact in chest wall studies. The subxiphoid technique was also useful for imaging the interatrial and interventricular septae; in subxiphoid views, as opposed to four-chamber apical views, there was significantly less false septal dropout and atrial septal defects (19 patients) as well as ventricular septal aneurysms (seven patients) were easily imaged. Finally, the subxiphoid orientation provided more adequate imaging in patients with discrete diaphragmatic subaortic stenosis (four patients), even when the diaphragm was just beneath the aortic valve. Subxiphoid cross-sectional echocardiography is an easily understood anatomical format for imaging cross-sectional anatomy in congenital heart disease and is a valuable adjunct to cross-sectional echocardiography from the chest wall.", "PMID": 761331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_699", "title": "Pulmonary vascular disease in transposition of the great vessels and intact ventricular septum.", "content": "Eight of 135 (6%) children with d-transposition of the great vessels and with intact ventricular septum and no patent ductus arteriosus had evidence of progressive pulmonary vascular disease. Seven of 101 (7%) patients for whom histologic data was available, had Heath-Edwards grades IV or V pulmonary vascular disease, six had grade II, and 88 had either normal or grade I findings. One of 34 patients for whom histologic data was not available had hemodynamic evidence of pulmonary vascular disease at cardiac catheterization after the Mustard operation. When infants younger than 3 months old were excluded, eight of 85 (9%) had advanced pulmonary vascular disease. Twenty-three patients had microthrombi in their pulmonary arteries and arterioles, and in one patient thrombi were observed before the development of pulmonary vascular disease. Clinically unrecognized pulmonary microthrombi are suggested as a possible etiologic agent in the development of pulmonary vascular disease in patients with transposition of the great vessels. Progressive pulmonary vascular disease can first be discovered after the Mustard operation, even in patients without preoperative evidence of pulmonary hypertension or elevated pulmonary vascular resistance.", "contents": "Pulmonary vascular disease in transposition of the great vessels and intact ventricular septum. Eight of 135 (6%) children with d-transposition of the great vessels and with intact ventricular septum and no patent ductus arteriosus had evidence of progressive pulmonary vascular disease. Seven of 101 (7%) patients for whom histologic data was available, had Heath-Edwards grades IV or V pulmonary vascular disease, six had grade II, and 88 had either normal or grade I findings. One of 34 patients for whom histologic data was not available had hemodynamic evidence of pulmonary vascular disease at cardiac catheterization after the Mustard operation. When infants younger than 3 months old were excluded, eight of 85 (9%) had advanced pulmonary vascular disease. Twenty-three patients had microthrombi in their pulmonary arteries and arterioles, and in one patient thrombi were observed before the development of pulmonary vascular disease. Clinically unrecognized pulmonary microthrombi are suggested as a possible etiologic agent in the development of pulmonary vascular disease in patients with transposition of the great vessels. Progressive pulmonary vascular disease can first be discovered after the Mustard operation, even in patients without preoperative evidence of pulmonary hypertension or elevated pulmonary vascular resistance.", "PMID": 761332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_700", "title": "Improving compliance with therapeutic regimens in hypertensive patients in a community health center.", "content": "A 1-year, randomized study was conducted to test the possibility of improving compliance with therapeutic regimens in hypertensives by means of certain simple arrangements. Patients were given written treatment instructions concerning hypertension, a personal blood-pressure follow-up card, and, for those who failed to attend their blood-pressure check-up, an invitation for a new check-up. Using matched pairs, 202 Finnish hypertensives were randomly allocated either to an ordinary or a reorganized treatment group. By means of the latter system, patient compliance could be significantly (p less than 0.01) improved: Only 4% of the patients in this group dropped out of treatment, compared with 19% in the ordinary treatment group. By the end of the year, blood pressure had been lowered by at least 10% in 95% of the patients in the reorganized group and in 78% of those in the ordinary group (p less than 0.01). This was achieved in approximately 60% of cases using chlorthalidone alone.", "contents": "Improving compliance with therapeutic regimens in hypertensive patients in a community health center. A 1-year, randomized study was conducted to test the possibility of improving compliance with therapeutic regimens in hypertensives by means of certain simple arrangements. Patients were given written treatment instructions concerning hypertension, a personal blood-pressure follow-up card, and, for those who failed to attend their blood-pressure check-up, an invitation for a new check-up. Using matched pairs, 202 Finnish hypertensives were randomly allocated either to an ordinary or a reorganized treatment group. By means of the latter system, patient compliance could be significantly (p less than 0.01) improved: Only 4% of the patients in this group dropped out of treatment, compared with 19% in the ordinary treatment group. By the end of the year, blood pressure had been lowered by at least 10% in 95% of the patients in the reorganized group and in 78% of those in the ordinary group (p less than 0.01). This was achieved in approximately 60% of cases using chlorthalidone alone.", "PMID": 761334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_701", "title": "Alterations in lung volume and pulmonary function in relation to hemodynamic changes in acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "To characterize the changes in lung volumes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and the relationship of these changes to other alterations in lung function which correlate with the severity of pulmonary vascular congestion, we made measurements of pulmonary hemodynamics, lung volume, closing volume, frequency dependence of total pulmonary resistance to forced oscillation, and arterial PO2 in 18 subjects with AMI. The most consistent finding was reduced lung volume which correlated with the severity of pulmonary diastolic hypertension. Frequency dependence of resistance showed a small but significant correlation with pulmonary hemodynamics. Closing volume measurements by the resident gas method in nine subjects was not related to hemodynamics. Follow-up studies at the time of hospital discharge revealed a significant return toward normal for arterial PO2, all lung volumes, and total pulmonary resistance at 9 Hz. Based on measurements in healthy subjects, the reduced lung volume after AMI may explain the changes in resistance. In acute and follow-up studies the degree of lung volume reduction and the severity of hypoxemia were strongly correlated.", "contents": "Alterations in lung volume and pulmonary function in relation to hemodynamic changes in acute myocardial infarction. To characterize the changes in lung volumes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and the relationship of these changes to other alterations in lung function which correlate with the severity of pulmonary vascular congestion, we made measurements of pulmonary hemodynamics, lung volume, closing volume, frequency dependence of total pulmonary resistance to forced oscillation, and arterial PO2 in 18 subjects with AMI. The most consistent finding was reduced lung volume which correlated with the severity of pulmonary diastolic hypertension. Frequency dependence of resistance showed a small but significant correlation with pulmonary hemodynamics. Closing volume measurements by the resident gas method in nine subjects was not related to hemodynamics. Follow-up studies at the time of hospital discharge revealed a significant return toward normal for arterial PO2, all lung volumes, and total pulmonary resistance at 9 Hz. Based on measurements in healthy subjects, the reduced lung volume after AMI may explain the changes in resistance. In acute and follow-up studies the degree of lung volume reduction and the severity of hypoxemia were strongly correlated.", "PMID": 761336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_702", "title": "Coronary artery spasm during exercise in patients with variant angina.", "content": "Seven patients with typical variant angina without coronary stenoses greater than 50% developed angina and ST-segment elevation during treadmill exercise testing. In all cases the ST-segment elevation occurred in the same leads during exercise testing as during spontaneous attacks at rest. Five of the patients had developed spontaneous coronary spasm during coronary arteriography, in each case in the artery corresponding to the site of ST-segment elevation. In five patients, thallium was injected during the exercise test during which angina and ST-segment elevation occurred. In each case, a large perfusion defect not present at rest was found in the zone corresponding to the site of ST-segment elevation. These findings suggest that coronary artery spasm may occur during exercise in patients with variant angina.", "contents": "Coronary artery spasm during exercise in patients with variant angina. Seven patients with typical variant angina without coronary stenoses greater than 50% developed angina and ST-segment elevation during treadmill exercise testing. In all cases the ST-segment elevation occurred in the same leads during exercise testing as during spontaneous attacks at rest. Five of the patients had developed spontaneous coronary spasm during coronary arteriography, in each case in the artery corresponding to the site of ST-segment elevation. In five patients, thallium was injected during the exercise test during which angina and ST-segment elevation occurred. In each case, a large perfusion defect not present at rest was found in the zone corresponding to the site of ST-segment elevation. These findings suggest that coronary artery spasm may occur during exercise in patients with variant angina.", "PMID": 761339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_703", "title": "Congenital abnormalities of the conduction system in two patients with tachyarrhythmias.", "content": "Serial sections of the conduction system (CS) were performed in two patients with recurrent tachyarrhythmias. Case 1, a 34-year-old female who had dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal pathways with recurrent paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, committed suicide. Autopsy revealed an abnormally formed atrial septum with insertion of eustachian valve on the AV part of the pars membranacea. The intercuspid portion of the pars membranacea was muscular. The AV node was located adjacent to the membranous part of the ventricular septum rather than the central fibrous body. In addition, there was an accessory anterior AV node on the parietal wall of the right atrium. Case 2, a 13-year-old boy with history of recurrent ventricular tachycardia, died suddenly. CS revealed a right-sided, markedly septated bundle. The first part of right bundle branch was divided into three parts, which later joined together. Both cases showed fatty infiltration of the atrial septum, more than normal for the age of the patients. The relationship of the recurrent tachyarrhythmias to the congenital abnormalities in the CS in the two cases and the fatty infiltration is reviewed.", "contents": "Congenital abnormalities of the conduction system in two patients with tachyarrhythmias. Serial sections of the conduction system (CS) were performed in two patients with recurrent tachyarrhythmias. Case 1, a 34-year-old female who had dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal pathways with recurrent paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, committed suicide. Autopsy revealed an abnormally formed atrial septum with insertion of eustachian valve on the AV part of the pars membranacea. The intercuspid portion of the pars membranacea was muscular. The AV node was located adjacent to the membranous part of the ventricular septum rather than the central fibrous body. In addition, there was an accessory anterior AV node on the parietal wall of the right atrium. Case 2, a 13-year-old boy with history of recurrent ventricular tachycardia, died suddenly. CS revealed a right-sided, markedly septated bundle. The first part of right bundle branch was divided into three parts, which later joined together. Both cases showed fatty infiltration of the atrial septum, more than normal for the age of the patients. The relationship of the recurrent tachyarrhythmias to the congenital abnormalities in the CS in the two cases and the fatty infiltration is reviewed.", "PMID": 761340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_704", "title": "Enzymic assay for lecithin in amniotic fluid.", "content": "We describe an enzymic method for determining lecithin in amniotic fluid. Phospholipase D from savoy cabbage is used to liberate choline from lecithin, and the liberated choline is oxidized to betaine and hydrogen peroxide by choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis. The hydrogen peroxide forms a colored complex with phenol and 4-aminoantipyrene in the presence of horseradish peroxidase, and this color is measured spectrophotometrically. The method is relatively easy, precise, and accurate, requires less time and sample than other methods, and offers a reliable alternative to the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio techniques for assessing fetal lung maturity.", "contents": "Enzymic assay for lecithin in amniotic fluid. We describe an enzymic method for determining lecithin in amniotic fluid. Phospholipase D from savoy cabbage is used to liberate choline from lecithin, and the liberated choline is oxidized to betaine and hydrogen peroxide by choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis. The hydrogen peroxide forms a colored complex with phenol and 4-aminoantipyrene in the presence of horseradish peroxidase, and this color is measured spectrophotometrically. The method is relatively easy, precise, and accurate, requires less time and sample than other methods, and offers a reliable alternative to the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio techniques for assessing fetal lung maturity.", "PMID": 761344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_705", "title": "Radioimmunoassay for pantothenic acid in blood and other tissues.", "content": "We describe a radioimmunoassay for pantothenic acid in biological tissues. D-Pantothenic acid was conjugated with bovine serum albumin by use of a bromoacetyl derivative of pantothenic acid, and antibody to this antigen was raised by injecting it into the foot pads of rabbits. For the radioimmunoassay, a 100-fold dilution of the resulting antiserum was incubated with radiolabeled pantothentic acid. The antibodies were precipitated and dissolved, and the radioactivity of the solution was measured in a liquid scintillation counter. Between 5 and 125 ng of pantothenic acid can be detected in 75 muL of tissue extract. Validation included recovery and precision studies, parallelism with tissue extracts, and competitive binding studies. Results of the radioimmunoassay and those of microbiological assay with use of Lactobacillus plantarum correlated well (r = 0.80).", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay for pantothenic acid in blood and other tissues. We describe a radioimmunoassay for pantothenic acid in biological tissues. D-Pantothenic acid was conjugated with bovine serum albumin by use of a bromoacetyl derivative of pantothenic acid, and antibody to this antigen was raised by injecting it into the foot pads of rabbits. For the radioimmunoassay, a 100-fold dilution of the resulting antiserum was incubated with radiolabeled pantothentic acid. The antibodies were precipitated and dissolved, and the radioactivity of the solution was measured in a liquid scintillation counter. Between 5 and 125 ng of pantothenic acid can be detected in 75 muL of tissue extract. Validation included recovery and precision studies, parallelism with tissue extracts, and competitive binding studies. Results of the radioimmunoassay and those of microbiological assay with use of Lactobacillus plantarum correlated well (r = 0.80).", "PMID": 761345} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_706", "title": "Interaction between human IgG and human creatine kinase isoenzyme-1 in serum: a route for the intravascular catabolism of creatine kinase-1?", "content": "In vitro incubation, at 37 degrees C, of human creatine kinase isoenzyme-1 (isoenzyme BB) and human immunoglobulin G in a buffer results in the formation of a complex of high relative molecular mass (Mr approximately 825,000), which contains both proteins. This complex also forms in vitro if creatine kinase isoenzyme-1 is incubated with fresh human serum. The creatine kinase activity of the complex obtained from either incubation is extremely labile, even in the presence of a chelating agent and a thioglycerol. We present evidence for the existence of this complex in the sera of patients who have detectable serum creatine kinase isoenzyme-1 activity. Sera with high activities of creatine kinase isoenzyme-2 do not appear to have this complex. We therefore speculate that complexing of creatine kinase isoenzyme-1 with serum immunoglobulin G may be a pathway of enzyme degradation.", "contents": "Interaction between human IgG and human creatine kinase isoenzyme-1 in serum: a route for the intravascular catabolism of creatine kinase-1? In vitro incubation, at 37 degrees C, of human creatine kinase isoenzyme-1 (isoenzyme BB) and human immunoglobulin G in a buffer results in the formation of a complex of high relative molecular mass (Mr approximately 825,000), which contains both proteins. This complex also forms in vitro if creatine kinase isoenzyme-1 is incubated with fresh human serum. The creatine kinase activity of the complex obtained from either incubation is extremely labile, even in the presence of a chelating agent and a thioglycerol. We present evidence for the existence of this complex in the sera of patients who have detectable serum creatine kinase isoenzyme-1 activity. Sera with high activities of creatine kinase isoenzyme-2 do not appear to have this complex. We therefore speculate that complexing of creatine kinase isoenzyme-1 with serum immunoglobulin G may be a pathway of enzyme degradation.", "PMID": 761346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_707", "title": "Absorbance measurement in cuvettes lying longitudinal to the light beam.", "content": "Measurement in cuvettes with their longitudinal dimension parallel to the light beam, while under the influence of a centrifugal force, has many advantages that are not immediately apparent. This survey summarizes the advantages in comparison to cuvettes standing with their long axis perpendicular to the light beam: in the latter the pathlength is fixed by the geometry, but if the cuvette is lying longitudinal to the light beam the pathlength is given by the filling volume. Because of the dependence of the pathlength on the filling (reaction) volume when cuvettes are lying longitudinal to the light beam, the calculation formulas show that the calculation factors, both for enzyme and substrate determination, become independent of the reagent volume form. This is demonstrated by simple equations and confirmed in practice by use of the (Cobas) Bio centrifugal analyzer in assays for glucose and aspartate aminotransferase.", "contents": "Absorbance measurement in cuvettes lying longitudinal to the light beam. Measurement in cuvettes with their longitudinal dimension parallel to the light beam, while under the influence of a centrifugal force, has many advantages that are not immediately apparent. This survey summarizes the advantages in comparison to cuvettes standing with their long axis perpendicular to the light beam: in the latter the pathlength is fixed by the geometry, but if the cuvette is lying longitudinal to the light beam the pathlength is given by the filling volume. Because of the dependence of the pathlength on the filling (reaction) volume when cuvettes are lying longitudinal to the light beam, the calculation formulas show that the calculation factors, both for enzyme and substrate determination, become independent of the reagent volume form. This is demonstrated by simple equations and confirmed in practice by use of the (Cobas) Bio centrifugal analyzer in assays for glucose and aspartate aminotransferase.", "PMID": 761347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_708", "title": "Detergent-containing glucose oxidase reagent for use with the Beckman glucose analyzer.", "content": "We describe a modified glucose oxidase reagent for use in the polarographic determination of glucose with the Beckman \"Glucose Analyzer.\" The reagent contains 1 mL/L of a surfactant (Brij-35 250 g/L solution) as the wetting agent instead of glycerol. Precipitation of components associated with the formulation recommended by Fischl et al. [Clin. Chem. 21, 760 (1975)] does not occur with this reagent. It can be used immediately after preparation. When compared to analytical performance of the commercially prepared reagent, the precision was unchanged by the modified reagent, but the upper limit of accurate response was diminished (7.5 g/L vs. 6.7 g/L). The modified reagent is less expensive than are commercially prepared reagents.", "contents": "Detergent-containing glucose oxidase reagent for use with the Beckman glucose analyzer. We describe a modified glucose oxidase reagent for use in the polarographic determination of glucose with the Beckman \"Glucose Analyzer.\" The reagent contains 1 mL/L of a surfactant (Brij-35 250 g/L solution) as the wetting agent instead of glycerol. Precipitation of components associated with the formulation recommended by Fischl et al. [Clin. Chem. 21, 760 (1975)] does not occur with this reagent. It can be used immediately after preparation. When compared to analytical performance of the commercially prepared reagent, the precision was unchanged by the modified reagent, but the upper limit of accurate response was diminished (7.5 g/L vs. 6.7 g/L). The modified reagent is less expensive than are commercially prepared reagents.", "PMID": 761349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_709", "title": "Discrete modular system for automation of radioimmunoassay of serum choriomammotropin.", "content": "We describe a discrete automated radioimmunoassay system for determining choriomammotropin (placental lactogen) in human serum. With the present system it can be measured in as many as 37 unknown sera (50 muL) and three quality-control sera, in duplicate, within 1.5 h. The time required for sample preparation, incubation (15 min), and separation of free and bound radioactivities (a 150 mL/L polyethylene glycol solution is superior to a twofold volume of absolute ethanol) is less than 45 min. The remaining time required is for counting and data processing. Intra-assay precision is 4.6% (CV). The modular approach endows the instrumentation with much flexibility, and consequently is suitable for automation of a wide range of assay protocols.", "contents": "Discrete modular system for automation of radioimmunoassay of serum choriomammotropin. We describe a discrete automated radioimmunoassay system for determining choriomammotropin (placental lactogen) in human serum. With the present system it can be measured in as many as 37 unknown sera (50 muL) and three quality-control sera, in duplicate, within 1.5 h. The time required for sample preparation, incubation (15 min), and separation of free and bound radioactivities (a 150 mL/L polyethylene glycol solution is superior to a twofold volume of absolute ethanol) is less than 45 min. The remaining time required is for counting and data processing. Intra-assay precision is 4.6% (CV). The modular approach endows the instrumentation with much flexibility, and consequently is suitable for automation of a wide range of assay protocols.", "PMID": 761350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_710", "title": "Aqueous primary standard for use in measuring cholesterol by the cholesterol oxidase method.", "content": "An aqueous primary standard is needed for measuring cholesterol by enzymatic procedures. Sodium deoxycholate solubilizes cholesterol in water. Crystalline cholesterol (1.00, 3.00, 4.00, and 5.00 g/L), added to a solution containing 150 g of this compound per liter of a 9 g/L saline solution, was measured by a cholesterol oxidase procedure, with a centrifugal analyzer. The solubilizer did not interfere. When compared to an isopropanol-based commercial cholesterol standard, the cholesterol standard in solubilizer showed excellent correlation (r = 0.986; m = 0.989). Day-to-day variation for the mixture during nine days was small (CV, 2.9% at 100 g/L, 3.7% at 3.00 g/L, and 1.8% at 4.00 g/L). Linearity was maintained up to 5.00 g/L. The cholesterol concentration in four reference sera so analyzed maintained CV's of less than 4%. The viscosity of the mixture was similar to that of serum. The standard mixtures, stored at room temperature for 360 days, remained stable. The solubilized cholesterol standard is shown to be suitable for use in the enzymatic procedure.", "contents": "Aqueous primary standard for use in measuring cholesterol by the cholesterol oxidase method. An aqueous primary standard is needed for measuring cholesterol by enzymatic procedures. Sodium deoxycholate solubilizes cholesterol in water. Crystalline cholesterol (1.00, 3.00, 4.00, and 5.00 g/L), added to a solution containing 150 g of this compound per liter of a 9 g/L saline solution, was measured by a cholesterol oxidase procedure, with a centrifugal analyzer. The solubilizer did not interfere. When compared to an isopropanol-based commercial cholesterol standard, the cholesterol standard in solubilizer showed excellent correlation (r = 0.986; m = 0.989). Day-to-day variation for the mixture during nine days was small (CV, 2.9% at 100 g/L, 3.7% at 3.00 g/L, and 1.8% at 4.00 g/L). Linearity was maintained up to 5.00 g/L. The cholesterol concentration in four reference sera so analyzed maintained CV's of less than 4%. The viscosity of the mixture was similar to that of serum. The standard mixtures, stored at room temperature for 360 days, remained stable. The solubilized cholesterol standard is shown to be suitable for use in the enzymatic procedure.", "PMID": 761351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_711", "title": "A further comparison of radioassay results for serum and plasma.", "content": "We evaluated results for serum vs. plasma for 12 selected radioassay procedures. Blood samples were collected with heparin, oxalate-fluoride, or ethylenediaminetetraacetate as anticoagulant and compared with the corresponding serum samples. In combination with a previous report [Kubasik, N.P., and Sine, H.E., Clin. Chem. 24 137 (1978)] we have now tested a total of 25 different analytes, using 31 manufacturers' kits. Differences were again demonstrated between serum and plasma that may be of sufficient magnitude to alter clinical interpretation of the results. Assays also demonstrated differences based on the procedure used.", "contents": "A further comparison of radioassay results for serum and plasma. We evaluated results for serum vs. plasma for 12 selected radioassay procedures. Blood samples were collected with heparin, oxalate-fluoride, or ethylenediaminetetraacetate as anticoagulant and compared with the corresponding serum samples. In combination with a previous report [Kubasik, N.P., and Sine, H.E., Clin. Chem. 24 137 (1978)] we have now tested a total of 25 different analytes, using 31 manufacturers' kits. Differences were again demonstrated between serum and plasma that may be of sufficient magnitude to alter clinical interpretation of the results. Assays also demonstrated differences based on the procedure used.", "PMID": 761352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_712", "title": "Removal of contaminating substances before gas-liquid-chromatographic determination of aldosterone in urine.", "content": "This paper deals with removal of contaminants before gas-chromatographic determination of aldosterone in urine. Urine is incubated with beta-glucuronidase, which hydrolyzes all beta-glucuronides except aldosterone-18-glucuronide. The contaminants (the aglycones released and other methylene chloride-soluble substances) are extracted with methylene chloride. Solvolysis of the aqueous phase liberates aldosterone from aldosterone-18-glucuronide, which then is extracted with methylene chloride and oxidized by use of periodic acid. The resulting lactone can be easily separated by one-dimensional thin-layer chromatography and determined by gas-liquid chromatography.", "contents": "Removal of contaminating substances before gas-liquid-chromatographic determination of aldosterone in urine. This paper deals with removal of contaminants before gas-chromatographic determination of aldosterone in urine. Urine is incubated with beta-glucuronidase, which hydrolyzes all beta-glucuronides except aldosterone-18-glucuronide. The contaminants (the aglycones released and other methylene chloride-soluble substances) are extracted with methylene chloride. Solvolysis of the aqueous phase liberates aldosterone from aldosterone-18-glucuronide, which then is extracted with methylene chloride and oxidized by use of periodic acid. The resulting lactone can be easily separated by one-dimensional thin-layer chromatography and determined by gas-liquid chromatography.", "PMID": 761353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_713", "title": "Suggested isosbestic wavelength calibration in clinical analyses.", "content": "I recommend the use of isosbestic points for conveniently checking the wavelength scale of spectrophotometers in the ultraviolet and visible regions. Colorimetric pH indicators, hemoglobin derivatives, and other radiation-absorbing substances that are convertible into stable isomers of different absorption spectra provide a means for calibrating many different wavelengths by comparing the absorptivities of these isomers in equimolar solutions. The method requires no special precautions and results are independent of substance concentration and temperature between 4 and 45 degrees C. Isosbestic calibration may be important for (e.g.) coenzyme-dependent dehydrogenase activity determinations and in quality assurance programs.", "contents": "Suggested isosbestic wavelength calibration in clinical analyses. I recommend the use of isosbestic points for conveniently checking the wavelength scale of spectrophotometers in the ultraviolet and visible regions. Colorimetric pH indicators, hemoglobin derivatives, and other radiation-absorbing substances that are convertible into stable isomers of different absorption spectra provide a means for calibrating many different wavelengths by comparing the absorptivities of these isomers in equimolar solutions. The method requires no special precautions and results are independent of substance concentration and temperature between 4 and 45 degrees C. Isosbestic calibration may be important for (e.g.) coenzyme-dependent dehydrogenase activity determinations and in quality assurance programs.", "PMID": 761354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_714", "title": "Improved determination of serum theophylline by gas chromatography with use of a nitrogen-phosphorus detector.", "content": "We describe a method for the 7-min determination of theophylline in less than 100 muL of serum. The procedure requires no centrifugation or solvent evaporation after extraction. Butylation is done on the gas-chromatographic column by injecting the serum extract followed by a butylating mixture which contains 1-iodobutane as the alkylating agent. The method is precise, accurate, and free of interference. Results correlate well with those by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.", "contents": "Improved determination of serum theophylline by gas chromatography with use of a nitrogen-phosphorus detector. We describe a method for the 7-min determination of theophylline in less than 100 muL of serum. The procedure requires no centrifugation or solvent evaporation after extraction. Butylation is done on the gas-chromatographic column by injecting the serum extract followed by a butylating mixture which contains 1-iodobutane as the alkylating agent. The method is precise, accurate, and free of interference. Results correlate well with those by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.", "PMID": 761355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_715", "title": "Quality of sweat test performance in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.", "content": "The sweat test, correctly performed, appears to be reliable, but results were found to be unreliable about half the time in 84 small community hospitals assessed. The reasons are inexperienced and untrained technicians, the infrequency of test performance, the use of unstandardized equipment, and the lack of appropriate standards. It behooves all clinical laboratory directors to re-examine and standardize their procedures and use the recommendations of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Physicians should be made aware of the current situation and send their patients only to laboratories that perform the test reliably.", "contents": "Quality of sweat test performance in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. The sweat test, correctly performed, appears to be reliable, but results were found to be unreliable about half the time in 84 small community hospitals assessed. The reasons are inexperienced and untrained technicians, the infrequency of test performance, the use of unstandardized equipment, and the lack of appropriate standards. It behooves all clinical laboratory directors to re-examine and standardize their procedures and use the recommendations of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Physicians should be made aware of the current situation and send their patients only to laboratories that perform the test reliably.", "PMID": 761356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_716", "title": "Comparison of three iodination methods for human somatotropin.", "content": "Human somatotropin (growth hormone) iodinated by use of lactoperoxidase or Chloramine T added stoichiometrically has been compared with hormone iodinated by conventional Chloramine T method. The three preparations were indistinguishable, both in their stability to storage and in their suitability for use in radioimmunoassay. Degradation of tracer, as measured by decreasing precipitability with trichloroacetic acid, was found to be an unsatisfactory measure of immunoreactivity, because aggregates of high relative molecular mass formed during storage at--15 or--80 degrees C are less immunoreactive.", "contents": "Comparison of three iodination methods for human somatotropin. Human somatotropin (growth hormone) iodinated by use of lactoperoxidase or Chloramine T added stoichiometrically has been compared with hormone iodinated by conventional Chloramine T method. The three preparations were indistinguishable, both in their stability to storage and in their suitability for use in radioimmunoassay. Degradation of tracer, as measured by decreasing precipitability with trichloroacetic acid, was found to be an unsatisfactory measure of immunoreactivity, because aggregates of high relative molecular mass formed during storage at--15 or--80 degrees C are less immunoreactive.", "PMID": 761357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_717", "title": "Improved method of purifying some radiolabeled glycopeptide hormones.", "content": "We describe a simplified method for purifying radiolabeled glycopeptide hormones (thyrotropin, lutropin, follitropin, and human choriogonadotropin), which results in preparations of over 95% immunoreactivity. This method is based on competitive elution from columns of the plant lectin, concanavalin A, and is applicable to glycopeptide hormones derived from several species.", "contents": "Improved method of purifying some radiolabeled glycopeptide hormones. We describe a simplified method for purifying radiolabeled glycopeptide hormones (thyrotropin, lutropin, follitropin, and human choriogonadotropin), which results in preparations of over 95% immunoreactivity. This method is based on competitive elution from columns of the plant lectin, concanavalin A, and is applicable to glycopeptide hormones derived from several species.", "PMID": 761358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_718", "title": "Radioimmunoassay for chlorpromazine in plasma.", "content": "A radioimmunoassay for chlorpromazine in plasma is described. The antiserum was obtained by immunizing rabbits with a conjugate of bovine serum albumin and N-(2-carboxyethyl)desmethylchlorpromazine. It is specific for chlorpromazine and its minor active metabolite, N-desmethylchlorpromazine. Other known active or inactive chlorpromazine metabolites and other psychotropic drugs tested do not cross react with the antiserum. Less than 34 pg of the drug can be detected in 200 muL of plasma. As many as 100 samples can be processed in a day by one technician. Concentrations of chlorpromazine can be measured in 200-muL samples of plasma collected as late as 48 h after a single oral 25-mg dose.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay for chlorpromazine in plasma. A radioimmunoassay for chlorpromazine in plasma is described. The antiserum was obtained by immunizing rabbits with a conjugate of bovine serum albumin and N-(2-carboxyethyl)desmethylchlorpromazine. It is specific for chlorpromazine and its minor active metabolite, N-desmethylchlorpromazine. Other known active or inactive chlorpromazine metabolites and other psychotropic drugs tested do not cross react with the antiserum. Less than 34 pg of the drug can be detected in 200 muL of plasma. As many as 100 samples can be processed in a day by one technician. Concentrations of chlorpromazine can be measured in 200-muL samples of plasma collected as late as 48 h after a single oral 25-mg dose.", "PMID": 761359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_719", "title": "Gas-chromatographic determination of mephenytoin and desmethylmephenytoin, after off-column alkylation.", "content": "We describe a gas-liquid chromatographic method for determining mephenytoin and its active metabolite, desmethylmephenytoin, in human serum. 5-Methyl-5-phenylhydantoin is used as the internal standard. The method involves extraction of the drugs by adsorption onto charcoal and off-column derivatization to their pentyl derivatives. Peak height and concentration are linearly related and the day-to-day CV for therapeutic concentration is about 2 to 6%. No interferences by endogenous compounds or drugs commonly used for seizure control have been encountered.", "contents": "Gas-chromatographic determination of mephenytoin and desmethylmephenytoin, after off-column alkylation. We describe a gas-liquid chromatographic method for determining mephenytoin and its active metabolite, desmethylmephenytoin, in human serum. 5-Methyl-5-phenylhydantoin is used as the internal standard. The method involves extraction of the drugs by adsorption onto charcoal and off-column derivatization to their pentyl derivatives. Peak height and concentration are linearly related and the day-to-day CV for therapeutic concentration is about 2 to 6%. No interferences by endogenous compounds or drugs commonly used for seizure control have been encountered.", "PMID": 761360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_720", "title": "Performance of the Du Pont aca ammonia method.", "content": "We evaluated the performance of the Du Pont aca ammonia procedure with regard to (a) linearity, (b) precision, (c) interferences, and (d) effect of anticoagulants. Linearity extends to 2,000 mumol/L. The SD of the method was essentially constant (2 to 3 mumol/L) and independent of the NH3 concentration. Hemoglobin, bilirubin, and lipemia do not interfere. Either EDTA or heparin is suitable as anticoagulant. Recovery of NH3 added to plasma samples averaged 102% (range: 97--107%). We established normal values by measuring NH3 in 188 plasma samples from apparently healthy individuals. The 95% confidence range is from 10 to 35 mumol/L. The aca ammonia method compares very well with that of Kingsley and Tager but correlates less strongly with that of Reinhold and Chung. We describe a protein-based solution with stable NH3 concentration that is suitable as a control material.", "contents": "Performance of the Du Pont aca ammonia method. We evaluated the performance of the Du Pont aca ammonia procedure with regard to (a) linearity, (b) precision, (c) interferences, and (d) effect of anticoagulants. Linearity extends to 2,000 mumol/L. The SD of the method was essentially constant (2 to 3 mumol/L) and independent of the NH3 concentration. Hemoglobin, bilirubin, and lipemia do not interfere. Either EDTA or heparin is suitable as anticoagulant. Recovery of NH3 added to plasma samples averaged 102% (range: 97--107%). We established normal values by measuring NH3 in 188 plasma samples from apparently healthy individuals. The 95% confidence range is from 10 to 35 mumol/L. The aca ammonia method compares very well with that of Kingsley and Tager but correlates less strongly with that of Reinhold and Chung. We describe a protein-based solution with stable NH3 concentration that is suitable as a control material.", "PMID": 761361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_721", "title": "New technique for solid-phase immunoassay: application to hepatitis B surface antigen.", "content": "I describe a new technique for improving the sensitivity of the solid-phase \"sandwich\" assay, by using the through-passage receptacle in a novel flow-communication device. The technique allows a large volume of serum to flow through the antibody-coated receptacle repeatedly during the incubation and is thus termed the \"flow-through large-volume incubation\" method. Binding of 125I-labeled hepatitis B surface antigen to its corresponding antibody on a solid-phase by this method was more rapid and persistent than binding by the conventional method. When the method was applied to the first incubation of the sandwich assay, the test for the antigen was rendered four-, eight-, and 32-fold as sensitive as an accepted third-generation test for the antigen, by incubating 5-mL volumes of serum at (a) room temperature for 18 h, (b) 45 degrees C for 8 h, or (c) room temperature for seven days, respectively.", "contents": "New technique for solid-phase immunoassay: application to hepatitis B surface antigen. I describe a new technique for improving the sensitivity of the solid-phase \"sandwich\" assay, by using the through-passage receptacle in a novel flow-communication device. The technique allows a large volume of serum to flow through the antibody-coated receptacle repeatedly during the incubation and is thus termed the \"flow-through large-volume incubation\" method. Binding of 125I-labeled hepatitis B surface antigen to its corresponding antibody on a solid-phase by this method was more rapid and persistent than binding by the conventional method. When the method was applied to the first incubation of the sandwich assay, the test for the antigen was rendered four-, eight-, and 32-fold as sensitive as an accepted third-generation test for the antigen, by incubating 5-mL volumes of serum at (a) room temperature for 18 h, (b) 45 degrees C for 8 h, or (c) room temperature for seven days, respectively.", "PMID": 761362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_722", "title": "Immobilized enzymes in continuous-flow analysis.", "content": "Glucose oxidase, uricase, and urease were immobilized on the interior surface of activated polyamide tubing. The shelf-life of such enzyme bearing tubes was at least six months. The tubes were used for continuous-flow analysis of glucose, uric acid, and urea with conventional systems and with hybrid micro-scale systems in which modules of different manufacture were combined. The length of enzyme-bearing tube required for each system was ascertained empirically. Each tube could be used for several thousand assays, but glucose oxidase-bearing tubes were more stable than urease- or uricase-bearing tubes. Results for patients' samples correlated well with results obtained by accepted methods.", "contents": "Immobilized enzymes in continuous-flow analysis. Glucose oxidase, uricase, and urease were immobilized on the interior surface of activated polyamide tubing. The shelf-life of such enzyme bearing tubes was at least six months. The tubes were used for continuous-flow analysis of glucose, uric acid, and urea with conventional systems and with hybrid micro-scale systems in which modules of different manufacture were combined. The length of enzyme-bearing tube required for each system was ascertained empirically. Each tube could be used for several thousand assays, but glucose oxidase-bearing tubes were more stable than urease- or uricase-bearing tubes. Results for patients' samples correlated well with results obtained by accepted methods.", "PMID": 761373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_723", "title": "Stability of dried blood spots on paper, as used in screening neonates for hypothyroidism.", "content": "Thyroxine values for dried blood spots on paper may be low if the paper has been long exposed to high ambient temperature and (or) humidity and (or) to sunlight. Low values are associated with poor extractability of the red color from the spots. We recommend appropriate precautions for such samples.", "contents": "Stability of dried blood spots on paper, as used in screening neonates for hypothyroidism. Thyroxine values for dried blood spots on paper may be low if the paper has been long exposed to high ambient temperature and (or) humidity and (or) to sunlight. Low values are associated with poor extractability of the red color from the spots. We recommend appropriate precautions for such samples.", "PMID": 761374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_724", "title": "Determination of amniotic fluid phospholipids by thin-layer chromatography, with use of a hydrogen flame ionization detector.", "content": "We describe a new specific method for measuring lecithin, sphingomyelin, and phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid by thin-layer chromatography, with use of a hydrogen flame ionization detector. After extraction and acetone precipitation to isolate surface-active lecithin, the phospholipids are separated on a thin rod of refractory and chemically stable material, having an outer coating of a bonded, sintered partition medium. Two solvent systems are used to develop the chromatograms, chloroform/methanol/water to separate lecithin and sphingomyelin, tetrahydrofuran/methylal/methanol for phosphatidylglycerol. Then the rod is passed through an hydrogen flame; the resulting ions produced generate a current, which is amplified and fed to a potentiometric recorder. The height of integral curves was proportional to the area under each peak. For quantitation we used an internal standard (lysolecithin in the first system. phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine in the second). The method requires less than 5 mL of amniotic fluid; results are available within 6 h.", "contents": "Determination of amniotic fluid phospholipids by thin-layer chromatography, with use of a hydrogen flame ionization detector. We describe a new specific method for measuring lecithin, sphingomyelin, and phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid by thin-layer chromatography, with use of a hydrogen flame ionization detector. After extraction and acetone precipitation to isolate surface-active lecithin, the phospholipids are separated on a thin rod of refractory and chemically stable material, having an outer coating of a bonded, sintered partition medium. Two solvent systems are used to develop the chromatograms, chloroform/methanol/water to separate lecithin and sphingomyelin, tetrahydrofuran/methylal/methanol for phosphatidylglycerol. Then the rod is passed through an hydrogen flame; the resulting ions produced generate a current, which is amplified and fed to a potentiometric recorder. The height of integral curves was proportional to the area under each peak. For quantitation we used an internal standard (lysolecithin in the first system. phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine in the second). The method requires less than 5 mL of amniotic fluid; results are available within 6 h.", "PMID": 761375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_725", "title": "On-line continuous potentiometric measurement of potassium concentration in whole blood during open-heart surgery.", "content": "We describe a flow-through system with an ion-selective electrode for measurement of blood potassium ion concentration, continuously and on-line off the extracorporeal blood circulation in an operating theater during human open-heart surgery. Comparison measurements were made with the SMA flame photometer (blood plasma) and an Orion SS 30 sodium/potassium analyzer (whole blood). The potassium concentration values obtained with the flow-through system agree well with the ones determined with the flame photometer. The time delay of the measurement with the flow-through system was relatively long (2 min) but delays of only 10--20 s seem feasible. Short time delays can deepen insight and simplify rational treatment under surgery conditions.", "contents": "On-line continuous potentiometric measurement of potassium concentration in whole blood during open-heart surgery. We describe a flow-through system with an ion-selective electrode for measurement of blood potassium ion concentration, continuously and on-line off the extracorporeal blood circulation in an operating theater during human open-heart surgery. Comparison measurements were made with the SMA flame photometer (blood plasma) and an Orion SS 30 sodium/potassium analyzer (whole blood). The potassium concentration values obtained with the flow-through system agree well with the ones determined with the flame photometer. The time delay of the measurement with the flow-through system was relatively long (2 min) but delays of only 10--20 s seem feasible. Short time delays can deepen insight and simplify rational treatment under surgery conditions.", "PMID": 761376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_726", "title": "Iodinated digoxin derivatives with improved reactivity and stability, for use in radioimmunoassay.", "content": "We report the synthesis and properties of a new digoxin derivative, prepared by reacting cyanogen bromide-activated digoxin with tyramine. The derivative is extremely stable, and its monoiodinated form can be isolated in 85--90% purity by a single thin-layer chromatographic step. [125I]Tyramine-digoxin is immunologically stable for at least four months (immunoreactivities, 90% or greater throughout), with a shelf life of about six months. Nonspecific binding of less than 10% was observed for several batches during this time.", "contents": "Iodinated digoxin derivatives with improved reactivity and stability, for use in radioimmunoassay. We report the synthesis and properties of a new digoxin derivative, prepared by reacting cyanogen bromide-activated digoxin with tyramine. The derivative is extremely stable, and its monoiodinated form can be isolated in 85--90% purity by a single thin-layer chromatographic step. [125I]Tyramine-digoxin is immunologically stable for at least four months (immunoreactivities, 90% or greater throughout), with a shelf life of about six months. Nonspecific binding of less than 10% was observed for several batches during this time.", "PMID": 761377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_727", "title": "Spironolactone-associated digoxin radioimmunoassay interference.", "content": "Apparent digoxin was measured in the serum of 21 patients receiving spironolactone and in 21 controls, by use of a sequential-saturation 3H-radioimmunoassay (RIA) and an equilibrium 125I-RIA. No patient had been given digoxin for at least four weeks. \"Digoxin\" values in the former group were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than in the control group, and often were in or near the \"therapeutic\" range by the equilibrium 125I-RIA, but not by the sequential-saturation 3H-RIA. Canrenone (a major active metabolite of spironolactone) in the serum of the former group was measured by a newly developed liquid-chromatographic technique and correlated (r = 0.73) with \"digoxin\" concentrations by the 125I-RIA. However, external addition of canrenone to control serum in comparable concentrations did not cause appreciable \"digoxin\" values by the 125I-RIA. These findings suggest that other metabolites of spironolactone are responsible for the assay interference, the degree of which appears to depend on antibody specificity. Therefore, assay specificity should be established in clinical laboratories by using digoxin-free serum from patients ingesting spironolactone, and not by using spironolactone- or canrenone-fortified digoxin-free serum.", "contents": "Spironolactone-associated digoxin radioimmunoassay interference. Apparent digoxin was measured in the serum of 21 patients receiving spironolactone and in 21 controls, by use of a sequential-saturation 3H-radioimmunoassay (RIA) and an equilibrium 125I-RIA. No patient had been given digoxin for at least four weeks. \"Digoxin\" values in the former group were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than in the control group, and often were in or near the \"therapeutic\" range by the equilibrium 125I-RIA, but not by the sequential-saturation 3H-RIA. Canrenone (a major active metabolite of spironolactone) in the serum of the former group was measured by a newly developed liquid-chromatographic technique and correlated (r = 0.73) with \"digoxin\" concentrations by the 125I-RIA. However, external addition of canrenone to control serum in comparable concentrations did not cause appreciable \"digoxin\" values by the 125I-RIA. These findings suggest that other metabolites of spironolactone are responsible for the assay interference, the degree of which appears to depend on antibody specificity. Therefore, assay specificity should be established in clinical laboratories by using digoxin-free serum from patients ingesting spironolactone, and not by using spironolactone- or canrenone-fortified digoxin-free serum.", "PMID": 761378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_728", "title": "A liquid-chromatographic analysis for ritalinic acid [alpha-phenyl-alpha-(2-piperidyl) acetic acid] in serum.", "content": "We describe a \"high-performance\" liquid-chromatographic assay for measuring ritalinic acid in 300 muL of serum. The procedure includes adsorption of ritalinic acid and internal standard (alpha,alpha-dimethyl-beta-emthylsuccinimide) from serum onto charcoal, from which both compounds are eluted with methanol. The methanol extract is evaporated, the residue dissolved in a 93/7 (by volume) mixture of potassium phosphate buffer (20 mmol/L, pH 3.8) and acetonitrile, and an aliquot of this solution is chromatographed. We used a mu-Bondapak C-18 column with the above-mentioned buffer system as mobile phase, a flow rate of 2.0 mL/min, and a column temperature of 40 degrees C. Ritalinic acid and internal standard are detected by their absorbance at 192 nm and quantitated by measuring peak heights. The procedure allows for the reliable analysis for ritalinic acid in serum at concentrations greater than 50 microgram/L. Analytical recoveries were greater than 73% and the method affords good day-to-day precision (CV, less than 12%).", "contents": "A liquid-chromatographic analysis for ritalinic acid [alpha-phenyl-alpha-(2-piperidyl) acetic acid] in serum. We describe a \"high-performance\" liquid-chromatographic assay for measuring ritalinic acid in 300 muL of serum. The procedure includes adsorption of ritalinic acid and internal standard (alpha,alpha-dimethyl-beta-emthylsuccinimide) from serum onto charcoal, from which both compounds are eluted with methanol. The methanol extract is evaporated, the residue dissolved in a 93/7 (by volume) mixture of potassium phosphate buffer (20 mmol/L, pH 3.8) and acetonitrile, and an aliquot of this solution is chromatographed. We used a mu-Bondapak C-18 column with the above-mentioned buffer system as mobile phase, a flow rate of 2.0 mL/min, and a column temperature of 40 degrees C. Ritalinic acid and internal standard are detected by their absorbance at 192 nm and quantitated by measuring peak heights. The procedure allows for the reliable analysis for ritalinic acid in serum at concentrations greater than 50 microgram/L. Analytical recoveries were greater than 73% and the method affords good day-to-day precision (CV, less than 12%).", "PMID": 761380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_729", "title": "Determination of serum aminotransferases: activation by pyridoxal-5'-phosphate in relation to substrate concentration.", "content": "To investigate the activation of aspartate- and alanine aminotransferases by pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, we determined the enzymatic activity in serum in two different ways: (a) Preincubation of the serum alone or the serum with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and starting the reaction by the addition of the serum sample or the serum sample + coenzyme, respectively. (b) Preincubation of the serum or the serum with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate in the reaction medium and starting the reaction by adding 2-oxoglutarate. There are only small differences in activities of both aminotransferases determined according to these two different methods. The stimulation by pyridoxal-5'-phosphate is also of the same order, when both methods are compared. Further, these enzymatic activities were measured with use of various concentrations of substrates. From our experiments we conclude that the degree of stimulation of the apoenzyme of the two enzymes is independent of which way the enzymatic reaction is carried out or the substrate concentration, except that aspartate aminotransferase activity is more stimulated by the coenzyme at higher 2-oxoglutarate concentrations.", "contents": "Determination of serum aminotransferases: activation by pyridoxal-5'-phosphate in relation to substrate concentration. To investigate the activation of aspartate- and alanine aminotransferases by pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, we determined the enzymatic activity in serum in two different ways: (a) Preincubation of the serum alone or the serum with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and starting the reaction by the addition of the serum sample or the serum sample + coenzyme, respectively. (b) Preincubation of the serum or the serum with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate in the reaction medium and starting the reaction by adding 2-oxoglutarate. There are only small differences in activities of both aminotransferases determined according to these two different methods. The stimulation by pyridoxal-5'-phosphate is also of the same order, when both methods are compared. Further, these enzymatic activities were measured with use of various concentrations of substrates. From our experiments we conclude that the degree of stimulation of the apoenzyme of the two enzymes is independent of which way the enzymatic reaction is carried out or the substrate concentration, except that aspartate aminotransferase activity is more stimulated by the coenzyme at higher 2-oxoglutarate concentrations.", "PMID": 761381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_730", "title": "Blood cyanide and thiocyanate concentrations after administration of sodium nitroprusside as hypotensive agent in neurosurgery.", "content": "In a group of 50 neurosurgical patients receiving sodium nitroprusside as a hypotensive agent, in doses of 50--2131 microgram/kg body weight, whole blood cyanide was estimated before infusion of drug, during infusion, immediately after infusion, and 1 and 3 h later. Cyanide values increased significantly, reaching the maximum in a sample taken immediately after infusion (mean value, 333; highest value, 1800 microgram/liter). Values correlated closely with both dose and rate of infusion. Blood thiocyanate, estimated before, immediately after, and 3 h after the infusion, showed no significant changes in thiocyanate concentration. In any case, no signs or symptoms of cyanide or thiocyanate poisoning were observed. We conclude that sodium nitroprusside, in the proper dose and given at the proper rate, does not precipitate cyanide poisoning.", "contents": "Blood cyanide and thiocyanate concentrations after administration of sodium nitroprusside as hypotensive agent in neurosurgery. In a group of 50 neurosurgical patients receiving sodium nitroprusside as a hypotensive agent, in doses of 50--2131 microgram/kg body weight, whole blood cyanide was estimated before infusion of drug, during infusion, immediately after infusion, and 1 and 3 h later. Cyanide values increased significantly, reaching the maximum in a sample taken immediately after infusion (mean value, 333; highest value, 1800 microgram/liter). Values correlated closely with both dose and rate of infusion. Blood thiocyanate, estimated before, immediately after, and 3 h after the infusion, showed no significant changes in thiocyanate concentration. In any case, no signs or symptoms of cyanide or thiocyanate poisoning were observed. We conclude that sodium nitroprusside, in the proper dose and given at the proper rate, does not precipitate cyanide poisoning.", "PMID": 761382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_731", "title": "Microviscosity of amniotic fluid phospholipids, and its importance in determining fetal lung maturity.", "content": "Fluorescence polarization measurements of microviscosity (apparent viscosity within the hydrophobic center of lipid bilayers) of amniotic fluid correlate well with lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios determined by thin-layer chromatography. In addition to lecithin, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol are important for determining fetal lung maturity, but the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio gives no information concerning these other phospholipids. The microviscosity of sphingomyelin significantly exceeded that of lecithin over the temperature range 25--37 degrees C; values for phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine were lower. Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine, added individually, significantly decreased the microviscosity of dispersions with lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios corresponding either to fetal lung immaturity or maturity. Phosphatidylglycerol caused the greatest decrease in both. Mixtures of the three phospholipids in the proportions found in term amniotic fluid decreased the microviscosity of fluids with either mature or immature lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios by 23--27%. When each was present in the proportion found in tracheal aspirate (twice that of term amniotic fluid), the decreases uere 46--50%. This technique quickly and precisely indicates not only fetal lung maturity but also the presence of important phospholipids other than lecithin and sphingomyelin.", "contents": "Microviscosity of amniotic fluid phospholipids, and its importance in determining fetal lung maturity. Fluorescence polarization measurements of microviscosity (apparent viscosity within the hydrophobic center of lipid bilayers) of amniotic fluid correlate well with lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios determined by thin-layer chromatography. In addition to lecithin, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol are important for determining fetal lung maturity, but the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio gives no information concerning these other phospholipids. The microviscosity of sphingomyelin significantly exceeded that of lecithin over the temperature range 25--37 degrees C; values for phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine were lower. Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine, added individually, significantly decreased the microviscosity of dispersions with lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios corresponding either to fetal lung immaturity or maturity. Phosphatidylglycerol caused the greatest decrease in both. Mixtures of the three phospholipids in the proportions found in term amniotic fluid decreased the microviscosity of fluids with either mature or immature lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios by 23--27%. When each was present in the proportion found in tracheal aspirate (twice that of term amniotic fluid), the decreases uere 46--50%. This technique quickly and precisely indicates not only fetal lung maturity but also the presence of important phospholipids other than lecithin and sphingomyelin.", "PMID": 761383} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_732", "title": "Quantitation of urinary porphyrins by use of second-derivative spectroscopy.", "content": "We describe a simple, rapid procedure for measuring porphyrins in urine. After acidification of a urine specimen with hydrochloric acid, the second derivative of the absorption spectrum is recorded in the region of the Soret band maximum. The amplitude of the deflection is linearly related to porphyrin concentration, and the point at which the second derivative minimum occurs provides an estimate of the ratio of uroporphyrin to coproporphyrin in the sample. Nonspecific interference is not significant and reproducibility is excellent. Porphyrin excretion was studied in 24-h urine collections from men and non-pregnant as well as pregnant women. Median daily porphyrin excretion (nmol) was: men, 65.0; non-pregnant women, 60.1; and third-trimester pregnant women, 175.0. Distribution of these data was significantly skewed; upper and lower 2.5 percentile limits are given.", "contents": "Quantitation of urinary porphyrins by use of second-derivative spectroscopy. We describe a simple, rapid procedure for measuring porphyrins in urine. After acidification of a urine specimen with hydrochloric acid, the second derivative of the absorption spectrum is recorded in the region of the Soret band maximum. The amplitude of the deflection is linearly related to porphyrin concentration, and the point at which the second derivative minimum occurs provides an estimate of the ratio of uroporphyrin to coproporphyrin in the sample. Nonspecific interference is not significant and reproducibility is excellent. Porphyrin excretion was studied in 24-h urine collections from men and non-pregnant as well as pregnant women. Median daily porphyrin excretion (nmol) was: men, 65.0; non-pregnant women, 60.1; and third-trimester pregnant women, 175.0. Distribution of these data was significantly skewed; upper and lower 2.5 percentile limits are given.", "PMID": 761384} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_733", "title": "Comparison of liquid- and gas-liquid chromatographic assays of 5-fluorouracil in plasma.", "content": "A liquid-chromatographic assay of 5-fluorouracil in plasma is described. Advantages of this procedure over gas chromatography are the simpler extraction procedure, elimination of the need for a derivitization step with silylating agents, and a 20-fold greater sensitivity. The minimum detectable concentration of 5-fluorouracil in plasma is 25 microgram/L. The enhanced sensitivity enabled measurement of the concentrations of 5-fluorouracil found in plasms of patients receiving continuous intravenous infusions of the drug; such concentrations are generally unmeasurable by gas-chromatographic methods. We compared liquid-chromatographic and gas-chromatographic measurements on 36 plasma samples obtained from patients after rapid intravenous injection of 5-fluorouracil. The resulting correlation coefficient was 0.97, with a regression slope of 0.94. The liquid-chromatographic method is free of interference from other cytotoxic agents, anti-emetics, and folate derivatives that are frequently combined with 5-fluorouracil therapy.", "contents": "Comparison of liquid- and gas-liquid chromatographic assays of 5-fluorouracil in plasma. A liquid-chromatographic assay of 5-fluorouracil in plasma is described. Advantages of this procedure over gas chromatography are the simpler extraction procedure, elimination of the need for a derivitization step with silylating agents, and a 20-fold greater sensitivity. The minimum detectable concentration of 5-fluorouracil in plasma is 25 microgram/L. The enhanced sensitivity enabled measurement of the concentrations of 5-fluorouracil found in plasms of patients receiving continuous intravenous infusions of the drug; such concentrations are generally unmeasurable by gas-chromatographic methods. We compared liquid-chromatographic and gas-chromatographic measurements on 36 plasma samples obtained from patients after rapid intravenous injection of 5-fluorouracil. The resulting correlation coefficient was 0.97, with a regression slope of 0.94. The liquid-chromatographic method is free of interference from other cytotoxic agents, anti-emetics, and folate derivatives that are frequently combined with 5-fluorouracil therapy.", "PMID": 761385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_734", "title": "Erythrocyte protoporphyrin/heme ratio in the assessment of iron status.", "content": "The protoporphyrinemia of iron deficiency is well recognized. Clinically, information on the protoporphyrin/heme molar ratio in whole blood offers certain advantages over protoporphyrin measurement alone. A procedure for determining this ratio is reported. Protoporphyrin is extracted, solubilized, and measured fluorometrically. Heme (as hemin chloride) is precipitated with the blood proteins, the precipitate is dissolved in an alkaline/pyridine solvent, and the resulting bispyridine ferriprotoporphyrin is measured spectrophotometrically. The molar ratio of these two metabolites correlates well with values for plasma ferritin, plasma iron, transferrin saturation, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. In some cases the ratio increases detectably while the other variables, especially hematocrit and hemoglobin, remain normal. Evidently it is a more sensitive index to iron status. For healthy men and women, the mean ratio is 16.0 (SD, 5.3). The mean + 3 SD, or a ratio of 32, is distinctly abnormal, as shown by a confirmatory test. We validated the test by surveying routine blood specimens obtained from several population groups.", "contents": "Erythrocyte protoporphyrin/heme ratio in the assessment of iron status. The protoporphyrinemia of iron deficiency is well recognized. Clinically, information on the protoporphyrin/heme molar ratio in whole blood offers certain advantages over protoporphyrin measurement alone. A procedure for determining this ratio is reported. Protoporphyrin is extracted, solubilized, and measured fluorometrically. Heme (as hemin chloride) is precipitated with the blood proteins, the precipitate is dissolved in an alkaline/pyridine solvent, and the resulting bispyridine ferriprotoporphyrin is measured spectrophotometrically. The molar ratio of these two metabolites correlates well with values for plasma ferritin, plasma iron, transferrin saturation, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. In some cases the ratio increases detectably while the other variables, especially hematocrit and hemoglobin, remain normal. Evidently it is a more sensitive index to iron status. For healthy men and women, the mean ratio is 16.0 (SD, 5.3). The mean + 3 SD, or a ratio of 32, is distinctly abnormal, as shown by a confirmatory test. We validated the test by surveying routine blood specimens obtained from several population groups.", "PMID": 761386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_735", "title": "Improved radioimmunoassay of urinary estriol.", "content": "We report a rapid double-antibody radioimmunoassay for urinary estriol. Advantages over other current methods include: (a) 30-min hydrolysis; (b) total incubation time, 55 min; (c) assay unaffected by urinary glucose; (d) no degradation of estriol evident during hydrolysis; (e) superior (85%) analytical recovery of estriol conjugates; (f) linear standard curve by logit-log extrapolation; (g) good correlation (r = 0.83) with total estrogen determination by a generally accepted colorimetric method; (h) only 20 muL of urine required; and (i) the detection range is 1.9 to 100.5 mg/24-h urine.", "contents": "Improved radioimmunoassay of urinary estriol. We report a rapid double-antibody radioimmunoassay for urinary estriol. Advantages over other current methods include: (a) 30-min hydrolysis; (b) total incubation time, 55 min; (c) assay unaffected by urinary glucose; (d) no degradation of estriol evident during hydrolysis; (e) superior (85%) analytical recovery of estriol conjugates; (f) linear standard curve by logit-log extrapolation; (g) good correlation (r = 0.83) with total estrogen determination by a generally accepted colorimetric method; (h) only 20 muL of urine required; and (i) the detection range is 1.9 to 100.5 mg/24-h urine.", "PMID": 761387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_736", "title": "Dual-isotope separation technique for radioassay. Precision of calculated results affected by degree of separation.", "content": "The dual-isotope separation technique for radioassay is reviewed. An expression is derived describing the effect of counting errors on the precision of the calculated bound count rate in the dual-isotope technique. This mathematic model is tested in experiments using sodium iothalamate (I-125) as a marker in the Phadebas radiosorbent assay of cobalamin (Co-57). The coefficient of variation of results calculated on the basis of the dual-isotope technique is shown to be dependent on the amount of supernatant removed. The conclusion is that relatively large amounts of the supernatant must be removed before counting if the dual-isotope technique is to give acceptable results. The experimental model is proposed as a simple test of the suitability of a projected dual-isotope system.", "contents": "Dual-isotope separation technique for radioassay. Precision of calculated results affected by degree of separation. The dual-isotope separation technique for radioassay is reviewed. An expression is derived describing the effect of counting errors on the precision of the calculated bound count rate in the dual-isotope technique. This mathematic model is tested in experiments using sodium iothalamate (I-125) as a marker in the Phadebas radiosorbent assay of cobalamin (Co-57). The coefficient of variation of results calculated on the basis of the dual-isotope technique is shown to be dependent on the amount of supernatant removed. The conclusion is that relatively large amounts of the supernatant must be removed before counting if the dual-isotope technique is to give acceptable results. The experimental model is proposed as a simple test of the suitability of a projected dual-isotope system.", "PMID": 761388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_737", "title": "Dual-isotope separation technique for radioassay of cobalamin.", "content": "Cobalamin is assayed by a dual-isotope separation method using sodium [125I]iothalamate as a marker. Two systems are used: one in which the incompletely-separated bound fraction is counted and compared with the single-isotope method in which the bound fraction is separated by washing (Phadebas radiosorbent assay); and one in which an aliquot of the free fraction is counted. In the dual-isotope method counting bound fractions, about 97% of the supernatant is removed by pouring from silicone fluid separators. The results for serum samples obtained using dual- and single-isotope methods were similar (between run coefficients of variation 5--7%). Experimental errors were smaller in the dual-isotope method. A factor in the kit standards, presumably the absence of proteins, was found to affect the separation technique, resulting in relatively large experimental errors for standards in the single-isotope method. Washing the solid phase in the single-isotope method apparently resulted in a loss of bound isotope. In the dual-isotope method counting free fractions reasonable precision was obtained (coefficient of variation of serum samples 6.6%) even though only about 56% of the supernatant (free fraction) was counted.", "contents": "Dual-isotope separation technique for radioassay of cobalamin. Cobalamin is assayed by a dual-isotope separation method using sodium [125I]iothalamate as a marker. Two systems are used: one in which the incompletely-separated bound fraction is counted and compared with the single-isotope method in which the bound fraction is separated by washing (Phadebas radiosorbent assay); and one in which an aliquot of the free fraction is counted. In the dual-isotope method counting bound fractions, about 97% of the supernatant is removed by pouring from silicone fluid separators. The results for serum samples obtained using dual- and single-isotope methods were similar (between run coefficients of variation 5--7%). Experimental errors were smaller in the dual-isotope method. A factor in the kit standards, presumably the absence of proteins, was found to affect the separation technique, resulting in relatively large experimental errors for standards in the single-isotope method. Washing the solid phase in the single-isotope method apparently resulted in a loss of bound isotope. In the dual-isotope method counting free fractions reasonable precision was obtained (coefficient of variation of serum samples 6.6%) even though only about 56% of the supernatant (free fraction) was counted.", "PMID": 761389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_738", "title": "[Microdetermination of lead and cadmium in blood and urine by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (author's transl)].", "content": "A microtechnique is described for determination of lead and cadmium in blood (0.1 ml) and in urine (0.2 ml) using extraction into methyl isobutyl-ketone after chelation by ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. Mineralization, precipitation of proteins or addition of hemolysing reagents are not necessary. Blood is hemolysed by addition of deionised water. pH of urine is fixed by a pH 5 buffer. This microtechnique is simple, rapid, reproducible and suitable for routine analysis. In healthy subjects it gives values comparable to data of other workers: blood 158 microgram/l lead (s = 40, n = 18); 0.7 microgram/l cadmium (s = 0.3, n = 10); urine 16 microgram/l lead (s = 9.4, n = 10); 0.5 microgram/l cadmium (s = 0.3, n = 10).", "contents": "[Microdetermination of lead and cadmium in blood and urine by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (author's transl)]. A microtechnique is described for determination of lead and cadmium in blood (0.1 ml) and in urine (0.2 ml) using extraction into methyl isobutyl-ketone after chelation by ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. Mineralization, precipitation of proteins or addition of hemolysing reagents are not necessary. Blood is hemolysed by addition of deionised water. pH of urine is fixed by a pH 5 buffer. This microtechnique is simple, rapid, reproducible and suitable for routine analysis. In healthy subjects it gives values comparable to data of other workers: blood 158 microgram/l lead (s = 40, n = 18); 0.7 microgram/l cadmium (s = 0.3, n = 10); urine 16 microgram/l lead (s = 9.4, n = 10); 0.5 microgram/l cadmium (s = 0.3, n = 10).", "PMID": 761390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_739", "title": "Release of hypoxanthine from and enzyme depletion in rat heart cell cultures deprived of oxygen and metabolic substrates.", "content": "In a monolayer cultures of neonatal rat heart cells deprived of oxygen and metabolic substrates we measured (1) the release of hypoxanthine, a product of ATP catabolism, and (2) enzyme depletion with creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (alpha-HBDH). Taking samples each hour up to 7 h of anoxia we were able to demonstrate that hypoxanthine release precedes cellular enzyme depletion. The release rate of hypoxanthine is maximal in the second hour of anoxia and the depletion rate of CPK and alpha-HBDH is maximal in the fourth hour. These results suggest that for early diagnosis of damage to heart cells due to deprivation of oxygen and metabolic substrates the measurement of hypoxanthine release is preferred to that of enzyme release.", "contents": "Release of hypoxanthine from and enzyme depletion in rat heart cell cultures deprived of oxygen and metabolic substrates. In a monolayer cultures of neonatal rat heart cells deprived of oxygen and metabolic substrates we measured (1) the release of hypoxanthine, a product of ATP catabolism, and (2) enzyme depletion with creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (alpha-HBDH). Taking samples each hour up to 7 h of anoxia we were able to demonstrate that hypoxanthine release precedes cellular enzyme depletion. The release rate of hypoxanthine is maximal in the second hour of anoxia and the depletion rate of CPK and alpha-HBDH is maximal in the fourth hour. These results suggest that for early diagnosis of damage to heart cells due to deprivation of oxygen and metabolic substrates the measurement of hypoxanthine release is preferred to that of enzyme release.", "PMID": 761391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_740", "title": "Competitive nephelometric immunoassay of theophylline in plasma.", "content": "We have developed an accurate, simple, and rapid method for the determination of theophylline in plasma. The principle of the method is based on inhibition of immunoprecipitation by hapten. A nephelometer is used to measure the scattered light from the immunoprecipitate. The macromolecule, which possesses numerous theophylline moieties and forms immunoprecipitate with anti-theophylline antibodies, can be easily prepared and used as the reagent for the assay. Theophylline in the assay mixture competitively inhibits the immunoprecipitation of the macromolecule. Therefore, theophylline can be determined by the measurement of the decrease of the scattered light. The assay is rapid (incubation time within 15 min), requires as little as 10 microliter of plasma, and requires neither troublesome pretreatment nor separation of antibody-bound from free antigen. Estimations of theophylline levels in patient plasma specimens correlate well to those obtained by the high performance liquid chromatography (correlation coefficient 0.971).", "contents": "Competitive nephelometric immunoassay of theophylline in plasma. We have developed an accurate, simple, and rapid method for the determination of theophylline in plasma. The principle of the method is based on inhibition of immunoprecipitation by hapten. A nephelometer is used to measure the scattered light from the immunoprecipitate. The macromolecule, which possesses numerous theophylline moieties and forms immunoprecipitate with anti-theophylline antibodies, can be easily prepared and used as the reagent for the assay. Theophylline in the assay mixture competitively inhibits the immunoprecipitation of the macromolecule. Therefore, theophylline can be determined by the measurement of the decrease of the scattered light. The assay is rapid (incubation time within 15 min), requires as little as 10 microliter of plasma, and requires neither troublesome pretreatment nor separation of antibody-bound from free antigen. Estimations of theophylline levels in patient plasma specimens correlate well to those obtained by the high performance liquid chromatography (correlation coefficient 0.971).", "PMID": 761392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_741", "title": "A modified sandwich technique for the measurement of IgE.", "content": "The paper radioimmunosorbent test (PRIST) has been described as the method of choice for determining low serum IgE levels; the radioimmunosorbent test (RIST) as the method of choice for determining normal and elevated serum IgE levels. By replacing the 125I-labelled anti-IgE antibody used in the paper radioimmunosorbent test by the 125I-labelled anti-IgE reagent used in radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and by changing the serum dilution and the incubation time, this modified sandwich technique (MST) became comparable to the RIST in the normal and elevated IgE-region and showed results similar to the PRIST in the very low IgE-region. The affinity of the 125I-labelled anti-IgE of the RAST proved to be about 2.6 times higher than the antibody used in the PRIST, which explains the improved results in the normal and the good results in the very low IgE-region. The lowest serum IgE level measurable by this method was as low as 0.05 I.U./ml, as determined in 20 cord sera. The mean IgE level in cord sera was 0.45 I.U./ml (range 0.05--2.63 I.U./ml). The results of this study suggest replacement of the antiserum used in PRIST by the one available for RAST.", "contents": "A modified sandwich technique for the measurement of IgE. The paper radioimmunosorbent test (PRIST) has been described as the method of choice for determining low serum IgE levels; the radioimmunosorbent test (RIST) as the method of choice for determining normal and elevated serum IgE levels. By replacing the 125I-labelled anti-IgE antibody used in the paper radioimmunosorbent test by the 125I-labelled anti-IgE reagent used in radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and by changing the serum dilution and the incubation time, this modified sandwich technique (MST) became comparable to the RIST in the normal and elevated IgE-region and showed results similar to the PRIST in the very low IgE-region. The affinity of the 125I-labelled anti-IgE of the RAST proved to be about 2.6 times higher than the antibody used in the PRIST, which explains the improved results in the normal and the good results in the very low IgE-region. The lowest serum IgE level measurable by this method was as low as 0.05 I.U./ml, as determined in 20 cord sera. The mean IgE level in cord sera was 0.45 I.U./ml (range 0.05--2.63 I.U./ml). The results of this study suggest replacement of the antiserum used in PRIST by the one available for RAST.", "PMID": 761393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_742", "title": "A high-pressure liquid chromatography method for serum quinidine and (3S)-3-hydroxyquinidine.", "content": "A bonded reversed phase, high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for serum quinidine and its major metabolite in serum, (3S)-3-hydroxyquinidine, is presented. The method employs toluene, rather than benzene for extraction of 100 microliter of serum, can utilize either absorbance or fluorescence detectors, and utilizes a column and equipment which is also suitable for theophylline analyses. Quinidine values in sera by the present method correlated well with fluorometric non-chromatographic methods using ethylene chloride (r = 0.932) or benzene-sulfuric acid (r = 0.950) for extraction of the quinidine. The comparison data suggest a therapeutic range for quinidine of 1.3--5.0 mg/liter when measured by HPLC. In over one year of routine use in a clinical chemistry laboratory, the method has proven to be rapid and precise with interassay coefficients of variation of 2.5--5.5%. No interferences with the HPLC method have yet been identified.", "contents": "A high-pressure liquid chromatography method for serum quinidine and (3S)-3-hydroxyquinidine. A bonded reversed phase, high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for serum quinidine and its major metabolite in serum, (3S)-3-hydroxyquinidine, is presented. The method employs toluene, rather than benzene for extraction of 100 microliter of serum, can utilize either absorbance or fluorescence detectors, and utilizes a column and equipment which is also suitable for theophylline analyses. Quinidine values in sera by the present method correlated well with fluorometric non-chromatographic methods using ethylene chloride (r = 0.932) or benzene-sulfuric acid (r = 0.950) for extraction of the quinidine. The comparison data suggest a therapeutic range for quinidine of 1.3--5.0 mg/liter when measured by HPLC. In over one year of routine use in a clinical chemistry laboratory, the method has proven to be rapid and precise with interassay coefficients of variation of 2.5--5.5%. No interferences with the HPLC method have yet been identified.", "PMID": 761394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_743", "title": "Identification of 4-N-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-L-asparagine in biological materials by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.", "content": "A specific and sensitive method for the identification of 4-N-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-L-asparagine (GlcNAc-Asn) in urine in aspartylglycosaminuria and in hydrolysates of glycoproteins is described. The method involves permethylation of GlcNAc-Asn followed by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the methylated derivative. It can be used to confirm the diagnosis of aspartylglycosaminuria and to assess the excretion of GlcNAc-Asn in urine during various phases of the disease. The presence of an N-acetylglucosaminyl-asparagine type of carbohydrate-peptide linkage in a glycoprotein can be determined by applying the method to the partial acid hydrolysate of a proteolytically digested glycoprotein.", "contents": "Identification of 4-N-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-L-asparagine in biological materials by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A specific and sensitive method for the identification of 4-N-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-L-asparagine (GlcNAc-Asn) in urine in aspartylglycosaminuria and in hydrolysates of glycoproteins is described. The method involves permethylation of GlcNAc-Asn followed by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the methylated derivative. It can be used to confirm the diagnosis of aspartylglycosaminuria and to assess the excretion of GlcNAc-Asn in urine during various phases of the disease. The presence of an N-acetylglucosaminyl-asparagine type of carbohydrate-peptide linkage in a glycoprotein can be determined by applying the method to the partial acid hydrolysate of a proteolytically digested glycoprotein.", "PMID": 761395} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_744", "title": "Secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase isoenzymes by cultured cystic fibrosis fibroblasts.", "content": "Secretion of the lysosomal enzyme beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) by normal and cystic fibrosis fibroblasts has been compared. In contrast to an earlier report, no differences were found in either the rate of secretion, or in the molecular forms of the enzyme secreted by normal fibroblast cultures and cultures initiated from patients with cystic fibrosis. The B isoenzyme of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from cystic fibrosis fibroblasts was converted to a more negatively charged form during preincubation for 3 h at pH 5.0 and 37 degrees C. The enzyme from normal fibroblasts was unaffected by this treatment.", "contents": "Secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase isoenzymes by cultured cystic fibrosis fibroblasts. Secretion of the lysosomal enzyme beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) by normal and cystic fibrosis fibroblasts has been compared. In contrast to an earlier report, no differences were found in either the rate of secretion, or in the molecular forms of the enzyme secreted by normal fibroblast cultures and cultures initiated from patients with cystic fibrosis. The B isoenzyme of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from cystic fibrosis fibroblasts was converted to a more negatively charged form during preincubation for 3 h at pH 5.0 and 37 degrees C. The enzyme from normal fibroblasts was unaffected by this treatment.", "PMID": 761396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_745", "title": "A comprehensive laboratory computer system working round the clock.", "content": "The special features of a laboratory computer system operated by laboratory staff around the clock are presented. The system provides registration of work, production of worksheets, on-line data acquisition and reporting results. The reasons for the special design features are discussed.", "contents": "A comprehensive laboratory computer system working round the clock. The special features of a laboratory computer system operated by laboratory staff around the clock are presented. The system provides registration of work, production of worksheets, on-line data acquisition and reporting results. The reasons for the special design features are discussed.", "PMID": 761397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_746", "title": "Polyamine conjugates and total polyamine concentrations in human amniotic fluid.", "content": "A study of the quantitative profile of polyamines in amniotic fluid from the 13th through the 40th week of gestation was undertaken. These experimental observations indicate the absence of free putrescine, spermidine and spermine throughout gestation. Quantities of acid-liberated putrescine, spermidine and spermine are highest in late first and late third trimester. Putrescine is associated with peptide or peptides of molecular weight 1000 to 10 000 throughout gestation. Spermidine is found in amniotic fluid covalently conjugated to peptide or peptides with molecular weight 10 000 to 30 000. Spermine appears to exist in amniotic fluid, both in the higher molecular weight fraction (1000 to 10 000) and as acetylated derivatives. The existance of polyamine conjugates is compatible with an in vivo function in the regulation of embryonic growth and development. Abnormalities in polymines conjugated to peptides or their concentration may be useful in the diagnosis of fetal maldevelopment.", "contents": "Polyamine conjugates and total polyamine concentrations in human amniotic fluid. A study of the quantitative profile of polyamines in amniotic fluid from the 13th through the 40th week of gestation was undertaken. These experimental observations indicate the absence of free putrescine, spermidine and spermine throughout gestation. Quantities of acid-liberated putrescine, spermidine and spermine are highest in late first and late third trimester. Putrescine is associated with peptide or peptides of molecular weight 1000 to 10 000 throughout gestation. Spermidine is found in amniotic fluid covalently conjugated to peptide or peptides with molecular weight 10 000 to 30 000. Spermine appears to exist in amniotic fluid, both in the higher molecular weight fraction (1000 to 10 000) and as acetylated derivatives. The existance of polyamine conjugates is compatible with an in vivo function in the regulation of embryonic growth and development. Abnormalities in polymines conjugated to peptides or their concentration may be useful in the diagnosis of fetal maldevelopment.", "PMID": 761399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_747", "title": "Chemical and biochemical studies in human fetuses affected with Niemann-Pick disease type A.", "content": "Chemical and biochemical studies were performed on two unrelated fetuses affected with Niemann-Pick disease type A, following abortion at about the 19th week of gestation. Abortion was performed as a consequence of previous findings, in amniotic fluid cell cultures, that sphingomyelinase activity was completely absent. Phospholipid analyses of various organs of the fetuses revealed an excess of sphingomyelin in all viscera as compared to control nonaffected fetuses. Spleen and liver were the organs mostly affected. Interestingly enough considerable accumulation of sphingomyelin was found in the placenta. The brain was the only organ in which sphingomyelin storage could not be proved. In addition to sphingomyelin a slight accumulation of cholesterol was noticed. Deficiency of sphingomyelinase activity measured at pH 5.0 was the general characteristics of the affected tissues. It could be concluded that the accumulation of sphingomyelin in various organs throughout the body of fetuses affected with Niemann-Pick disease, was suggestive of the essential role of the enzyme sphingomyelinase and its biochemical maturation, even during the early stages of gestation.", "contents": "Chemical and biochemical studies in human fetuses affected with Niemann-Pick disease type A. Chemical and biochemical studies were performed on two unrelated fetuses affected with Niemann-Pick disease type A, following abortion at about the 19th week of gestation. Abortion was performed as a consequence of previous findings, in amniotic fluid cell cultures, that sphingomyelinase activity was completely absent. Phospholipid analyses of various organs of the fetuses revealed an excess of sphingomyelin in all viscera as compared to control nonaffected fetuses. Spleen and liver were the organs mostly affected. Interestingly enough considerable accumulation of sphingomyelin was found in the placenta. The brain was the only organ in which sphingomyelin storage could not be proved. In addition to sphingomyelin a slight accumulation of cholesterol was noticed. Deficiency of sphingomyelinase activity measured at pH 5.0 was the general characteristics of the affected tissues. It could be concluded that the accumulation of sphingomyelin in various organs throughout the body of fetuses affected with Niemann-Pick disease, was suggestive of the essential role of the enzyme sphingomyelinase and its biochemical maturation, even during the early stages of gestation.", "PMID": 761400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_748", "title": "Ammonium sulphate enhancement of the antigen-antibody reaction. Manual and automated nephelometric studies.", "content": "The enhancing effect of ammonium sulphate on the antigen-antibody reaction is demonstrated. The effect is compared with that of polyethylene glycol by means of manual and automated nephelometry. The enhancement of both ammonium sulphate and polyethylene glycol is shown to be of the same magnitude in the region of large antibody excess. If however, the antigen-antibody ratio is shifted towards the region of equivalence, the enhancement of polyethylene glycol is more pronounced. The applicability of ammonium sulphate in a continuous flow analyzer for the specific quantitative nephelometric determination of serum proteins is discussed.", "contents": "Ammonium sulphate enhancement of the antigen-antibody reaction. Manual and automated nephelometric studies. The enhancing effect of ammonium sulphate on the antigen-antibody reaction is demonstrated. The effect is compared with that of polyethylene glycol by means of manual and automated nephelometry. The enhancement of both ammonium sulphate and polyethylene glycol is shown to be of the same magnitude in the region of large antibody excess. If however, the antigen-antibody ratio is shifted towards the region of equivalence, the enhancement of polyethylene glycol is more pronounced. The applicability of ammonium sulphate in a continuous flow analyzer for the specific quantitative nephelometric determination of serum proteins is discussed.", "PMID": 761401} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_749", "title": "Measurement of amylase isoenzymes in human sera and urine using a DEAE-cellulose mini-column method.", "content": "A DEAE-cellulose mini-column method has been developed which allows for the separation and quantitation in human sera and urine of pancreatic and salivary type isoamylases. Determination of the isoamylases was found to be of value in differentiation of hyperamylasemias due to disorders of the pancreas and parotid gland.", "contents": "Measurement of amylase isoenzymes in human sera and urine using a DEAE-cellulose mini-column method. A DEAE-cellulose mini-column method has been developed which allows for the separation and quantitation in human sera and urine of pancreatic and salivary type isoamylases. Determination of the isoamylases was found to be of value in differentiation of hyperamylasemias due to disorders of the pancreas and parotid gland.", "PMID": 761402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_750", "title": "The analysis of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme using 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate as substrate on a cellulose acetate membrane.", "content": "A new procedure is established for the analysis of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes. The electrophoretic separation on cellulose acetate membrane coupled with the detection of alkaline phosphatase activity with 4-methyl-umbelliferyl phosphate as a substrate is described. The proposed method would be useful for the analysis of sample of micro-scale quantities and low activities.", "contents": "The analysis of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme using 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate as substrate on a cellulose acetate membrane. A new procedure is established for the analysis of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes. The electrophoretic separation on cellulose acetate membrane coupled with the detection of alkaline phosphatase activity with 4-methyl-umbelliferyl phosphate as a substrate is described. The proposed method would be useful for the analysis of sample of micro-scale quantities and low activities.", "PMID": 761403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_751", "title": "Determination of quinidine and metabolites in urine by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography.", "content": "A new reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography assay allowing simultaneous but separate quantitation of urinary levels of quinidine and its major metabolites, 2'-quinidinone, 3-OH-quinidine and a newly detected N-oxide, is described. The compounds were separated on a alkyl phenyl column using 0.05 M phosphate buffer pH 4.5/acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran (80 : 15 : 5, v/v) as mobile phase and were detected by UV at lambda = 230 nm. The assay procedure includes extraction of the compounds from urine samples into a mixture of dichloromethane/isopropanol (4 : 1, v/v), evaporation of the organic extracts to dryness and reconstitution of the residue in acetonitrile. The new assay was compared to a modification of the Cramer and Isaksson fluorescence assay which has recently been recommended for analysis of quinidine in urine. The consistently higher quinidine levels observed in the fluorescence assay could be accounted for by the quinidine levels and metabolite carry-over as determined by HPLC.", "contents": "Determination of quinidine and metabolites in urine by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. A new reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography assay allowing simultaneous but separate quantitation of urinary levels of quinidine and its major metabolites, 2'-quinidinone, 3-OH-quinidine and a newly detected N-oxide, is described. The compounds were separated on a alkyl phenyl column using 0.05 M phosphate buffer pH 4.5/acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran (80 : 15 : 5, v/v) as mobile phase and were detected by UV at lambda = 230 nm. The assay procedure includes extraction of the compounds from urine samples into a mixture of dichloromethane/isopropanol (4 : 1, v/v), evaporation of the organic extracts to dryness and reconstitution of the residue in acetonitrile. The new assay was compared to a modification of the Cramer and Isaksson fluorescence assay which has recently been recommended for analysis of quinidine in urine. The consistently higher quinidine levels observed in the fluorescence assay could be accounted for by the quinidine levels and metabolite carry-over as determined by HPLC.", "PMID": 761404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_752", "title": "Serum creatine kinase isoenzyme MB activity: evaluation of a kit employing agarose-gel electrophoresis with overlay paper fluorescence scanning.", "content": "A commercial kit for determining serum creatine kinase isoenzyme MB activity was evaluated. The kit employed agarose-gel electrophoresis followed by incubation of overlay paper on the agarose and then fluorescnece scanning of the paper. Within-day coefficients of variation ranged from 24.9% for a specimen with no elevation of MB activity of 6.6% for a specimen with moderately elevated MB activity. The kit appeared to demonstrate MB in all sera and showed higher than expected values in recovery studies. The kit performed in a relatively linear fashion from 50 to 500 I.U./l total creatine kinase activity. Hemolysis appeared to lower measured MB. For comparison with another method, specimens were also analyzed by microcolumn chromatography, which was found to incompletely separate isoenzymes. The kit produced lower values than microchromatography for specimens with low MB activities and higher values for specimens with elevated MB activities. Patients without corroborative evidence of myocardial injury showed a somewhat hyperbolic relationship between per cent MB and total creatine kinase activity, but MB activity was generally 4 I.U./l or less. Although the kit had serious laboratory shortcomings, it may be as clinically useful as other methodologies.", "contents": "Serum creatine kinase isoenzyme MB activity: evaluation of a kit employing agarose-gel electrophoresis with overlay paper fluorescence scanning. A commercial kit for determining serum creatine kinase isoenzyme MB activity was evaluated. The kit employed agarose-gel electrophoresis followed by incubation of overlay paper on the agarose and then fluorescnece scanning of the paper. Within-day coefficients of variation ranged from 24.9% for a specimen with no elevation of MB activity of 6.6% for a specimen with moderately elevated MB activity. The kit appeared to demonstrate MB in all sera and showed higher than expected values in recovery studies. The kit performed in a relatively linear fashion from 50 to 500 I.U./l total creatine kinase activity. Hemolysis appeared to lower measured MB. For comparison with another method, specimens were also analyzed by microcolumn chromatography, which was found to incompletely separate isoenzymes. The kit produced lower values than microchromatography for specimens with low MB activities and higher values for specimens with elevated MB activities. Patients without corroborative evidence of myocardial injury showed a somewhat hyperbolic relationship between per cent MB and total creatine kinase activity, but MB activity was generally 4 I.U./l or less. Although the kit had serious laboratory shortcomings, it may be as clinically useful as other methodologies.", "PMID": 761405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_753", "title": "A method for studying plasma transport of vitamin D applicable to hypervitaminosis D.", "content": "In man, vitamin D is normally transported on a specific binding globulin (DBP) and on lipoproteins. In addition, binding to albumin occurs in the presence of vitamin D excess. Agarose gel electrohoresis was used to study the binding of radioactive vitamin D to plasma proteins in lipoprotein-free plasma (d greater than 1.21 g/ml). This method completely separates DBP from albumin and thus enables the quantification of vitamin D bound to these proteins in various clinical and experimental conditions. The same method can be used to study the transport of other vitamin D metabolites.", "contents": "A method for studying plasma transport of vitamin D applicable to hypervitaminosis D. In man, vitamin D is normally transported on a specific binding globulin (DBP) and on lipoproteins. In addition, binding to albumin occurs in the presence of vitamin D excess. Agarose gel electrohoresis was used to study the binding of radioactive vitamin D to plasma proteins in lipoprotein-free plasma (d greater than 1.21 g/ml). This method completely separates DBP from albumin and thus enables the quantification of vitamin D bound to these proteins in various clinical and experimental conditions. The same method can be used to study the transport of other vitamin D metabolites.", "PMID": 761406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_754", "title": "Correction for the presence of cross-reactants in saturation assays: application to thyroxine cross-reactivity in 3,3',5'-(reverse)-triiodothyronine radioimmunoassay.", "content": "Cross-reaction of anti-3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) antisera with thyroxine has proved problematical in the development of radioimmunoassays for rT3. Results of experimental work with two antisera with differing specificities are presented which illustrate certain aspects of cross-reacting assay systems. The mathematical theory of a single binding-site, two ligand assay is discussed and extended by use of a multiple binding-site computer model to a two binding-site, two ligand system. It is suggested that for the practical evaluation of the nature and extent of cross-reaction, a family of response curves for the hormone should be drawn, each curve representing the addition of a fixed mass of the cross-reactant to a set of standard incubation mixtures. Such curves will reveal whether the antiserum is (a) specific, implying that assay results require no correction, (b) behaves as a single binding site system, in which case measurement of the relative potency of the two ligands at the point on the response curve generated by the serum sample will enable an algebraic correction to be made, given that the T4 concentration is known or (c) behaves as a multiple binding-site system where correction necessitates the use of a nomogram.", "contents": "Correction for the presence of cross-reactants in saturation assays: application to thyroxine cross-reactivity in 3,3',5'-(reverse)-triiodothyronine radioimmunoassay. Cross-reaction of anti-3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) antisera with thyroxine has proved problematical in the development of radioimmunoassays for rT3. Results of experimental work with two antisera with differing specificities are presented which illustrate certain aspects of cross-reacting assay systems. The mathematical theory of a single binding-site, two ligand assay is discussed and extended by use of a multiple binding-site computer model to a two binding-site, two ligand system. It is suggested that for the practical evaluation of the nature and extent of cross-reaction, a family of response curves for the hormone should be drawn, each curve representing the addition of a fixed mass of the cross-reactant to a set of standard incubation mixtures. Such curves will reveal whether the antiserum is (a) specific, implying that assay results require no correction, (b) behaves as a single binding site system, in which case measurement of the relative potency of the two ligands at the point on the response curve generated by the serum sample will enable an algebraic correction to be made, given that the T4 concentration is known or (c) behaves as a multiple binding-site system where correction necessitates the use of a nomogram.", "PMID": 761407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_755", "title": "Validity of \"corrected\" calcium values.", "content": "Individual values for the regression of plasma total calcium on albumin vary by more than can be accounted for by analytical imprecision alone; the range (-x +/- 2 S.D.) being 0.004--0.031 mmol/g. Individual regression coefficients (R) are constant with time. Furthermore, a large proportion of individual R values differ from a general population regression by more than can be accounted for by analytical error. Three adjusted calcium reference ranges were derived from the data. Two employed constant correction factors, the general population R value (0.013 mmol/g) and the mean of the individual R values (0.018 mmol/g). The reference range which utilised each individuals' own R value was smaller and therefore potential more useful than the ranges using constant factors.", "contents": "Validity of \"corrected\" calcium values. Individual values for the regression of plasma total calcium on albumin vary by more than can be accounted for by analytical imprecision alone; the range (-x +/- 2 S.D.) being 0.004--0.031 mmol/g. Individual regression coefficients (R) are constant with time. Furthermore, a large proportion of individual R values differ from a general population regression by more than can be accounted for by analytical error. Three adjusted calcium reference ranges were derived from the data. Two employed constant correction factors, the general population R value (0.013 mmol/g) and the mean of the individual R values (0.018 mmol/g). The reference range which utilised each individuals' own R value was smaller and therefore potential more useful than the ranges using constant factors.", "PMID": 761408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_756", "title": "Decomposition on freezing of reagents used in the ICSH-recommended method for the determination of total haemoglobin in blood; its nature, cause and prevention.", "content": "The decomposition on freezing of reagents used for the determination of total haemoglobin in blood was reinvestigated. When these reagents containing hexacyanoferrate(III) (ferricyanide) and cyanide are frozen and then thawed, hexacyanoferrate(III) is reduced to hexacyanoferrate(II) (ferrocyanide), cyanide being oxidized to (CN)2. At higher concentrations of the reactants than those present in the ICSH-recommended reagents, this reaction proceeds also at room temperature. During the process of freezing the reaction proceeds at low overall concentration of the reactants because the reactants become highly concentrated at the moving phase boundary. There is no evidence that the reaction that takes place on freezing can be prevented by the addition of ethanol, methanol, ethylene glycol or glycerol. Addition of these compounds does not affect the suitability of the reagent for use in haemoglobinometry.", "contents": "Decomposition on freezing of reagents used in the ICSH-recommended method for the determination of total haemoglobin in blood; its nature, cause and prevention. The decomposition on freezing of reagents used for the determination of total haemoglobin in blood was reinvestigated. When these reagents containing hexacyanoferrate(III) (ferricyanide) and cyanide are frozen and then thawed, hexacyanoferrate(III) is reduced to hexacyanoferrate(II) (ferrocyanide), cyanide being oxidized to (CN)2. At higher concentrations of the reactants than those present in the ICSH-recommended reagents, this reaction proceeds also at room temperature. During the process of freezing the reaction proceeds at low overall concentration of the reactants because the reactants become highly concentrated at the moving phase boundary. There is no evidence that the reaction that takes place on freezing can be prevented by the addition of ethanol, methanol, ethylene glycol or glycerol. Addition of these compounds does not affect the suitability of the reagent for use in haemoglobinometry.", "PMID": 761409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_757", "title": "Thin-layer chromatography of non-volatile organic acids in clinical chemistry.", "content": "The separation of biologically occurring non-volatile organic acids has been examined by thin-layer chromatography using a variety of solvent systems and thin-layer materials. The advantages of the two-dimensional method devised include the simultaneous demonstration of some keto acids as their oximes, sharp definition of the acidic spots, improved resolution over other published methods and rapid development. The method is very suitable for the biochemical diagnosis of known inborn errors of organic acid metabolism.", "contents": "Thin-layer chromatography of non-volatile organic acids in clinical chemistry. The separation of biologically occurring non-volatile organic acids has been examined by thin-layer chromatography using a variety of solvent systems and thin-layer materials. The advantages of the two-dimensional method devised include the simultaneous demonstration of some keto acids as their oximes, sharp definition of the acidic spots, improved resolution over other published methods and rapid development. The method is very suitable for the biochemical diagnosis of known inborn errors of organic acid metabolism.", "PMID": 761410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_758", "title": "Ultrastructure of skin biopsy specimens in lysosomal storage diseases: common sources of error in diagnosis.", "content": "Common sources of error in the diagnosis of lysosomal storage diseases by ultrastructural examination of skin specimens have been identified in a series of biopsies from 72 patients. Four principal factors have emerged as leading pitfalls and sources of error in diagnosis. First, the skin biopsy technique itself may lead to alterations of normal skin ultrastructure. Second, artifacts may be produced during fixation and preparation of tissue for electron microscopy. Third, cellular organelles and structures normally present in human skin may be mistakenly interpreted as pathological. Fourth, the use of cultured skin fibroblasts for ultrastructural identification of storage material is often accompanied by artifacts induced in tissue culture and is not recommended. Recognition of these common problems may aid interpretation of the fine structure of skin abnormalities. Furthermore, when skin biopsy specimens are used as the primary source of diagnostic material, correlation of both skin ultrastructure and assay for specific lysosomal enzymes in cultured dermal fibroblasts will facilitate diagnostic accuracy.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of skin biopsy specimens in lysosomal storage diseases: common sources of error in diagnosis. Common sources of error in the diagnosis of lysosomal storage diseases by ultrastructural examination of skin specimens have been identified in a series of biopsies from 72 patients. Four principal factors have emerged as leading pitfalls and sources of error in diagnosis. First, the skin biopsy technique itself may lead to alterations of normal skin ultrastructure. Second, artifacts may be produced during fixation and preparation of tissue for electron microscopy. Third, cellular organelles and structures normally present in human skin may be mistakenly interpreted as pathological. Fourth, the use of cultured skin fibroblasts for ultrastructural identification of storage material is often accompanied by artifacts induced in tissue culture and is not recommended. Recognition of these common problems may aid interpretation of the fine structure of skin abnormalities. Furthermore, when skin biopsy specimens are used as the primary source of diagnostic material, correlation of both skin ultrastructure and assay for specific lysosomal enzymes in cultured dermal fibroblasts will facilitate diagnostic accuracy.", "PMID": 761412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_759", "title": "Electronic data processing in the Danish cytogenetic central register and EDP problems of registers in general.", "content": "A brief introduction to the Danish Cytogenetic Central Register (DCCR) is given, and possibilities, principles and problems concerning the establishment and maintenance of a national cytogenetic register are presented. Various data carrier media for registers in general are discussed, of which the magnetic disc is considered most appropriate. General principles for programs capable of performing insertions, deletions and other modifications in the data base are outlined as well as the principles for the programs in the DCCR. The individual records should preferably be identified by aid of a central person registration number (CPR) rather than by name. The data should be stored and sorted by this identification in order to facilitate retrieval of a desired record. The structure of the records is discussed with regard to prevention of the occurrence of certain errors as well as the optimization of processing. Flexibility and economy of space are achieved by using programs able to handle records of unequal length, and problems occurring in connection with this are discussed. The question of how to protect sensitive data is dealt with, and two different methods used in the DCCR are outlined. Programs capable of analyzing karyotypes with the purpose of recognizing various cytogenetic syndromes have been developed for use in the DCCR. Various examples of computing times of typical program runs are presented.", "contents": "Electronic data processing in the Danish cytogenetic central register and EDP problems of registers in general. A brief introduction to the Danish Cytogenetic Central Register (DCCR) is given, and possibilities, principles and problems concerning the establishment and maintenance of a national cytogenetic register are presented. Various data carrier media for registers in general are discussed, of which the magnetic disc is considered most appropriate. General principles for programs capable of performing insertions, deletions and other modifications in the data base are outlined as well as the principles for the programs in the DCCR. The individual records should preferably be identified by aid of a central person registration number (CPR) rather than by name. The data should be stored and sorted by this identification in order to facilitate retrieval of a desired record. The structure of the records is discussed with regard to prevention of the occurrence of certain errors as well as the optimization of processing. Flexibility and economy of space are achieved by using programs able to handle records of unequal length, and problems occurring in connection with this are discussed. The question of how to protect sensitive data is dealt with, and two different methods used in the DCCR are outlined. Programs capable of analyzing karyotypes with the purpose of recognizing various cytogenetic syndromes have been developed for use in the DCCR. Various examples of computing times of typical program runs are presented.", "PMID": 761413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_760", "title": "Autosomal recessive onychotrichodysplasia, chronic neutropenia and mild mental retardation. Delineation of the syndrome.", "content": "This report describes and discusses the occurrence in two sisters of a syndrome consisting of onychotrichodysplasia, chronic neutropenia and mild mental retardation. Family studies revealed parental consanguinity and another possibly affected sister, who died in childhood. Analysis of these cases together with one previously reported case permits the delineation of a distinct syndrome probably caused by an autosomal recessive mutation.", "contents": "Autosomal recessive onychotrichodysplasia, chronic neutropenia and mild mental retardation. Delineation of the syndrome. This report describes and discusses the occurrence in two sisters of a syndrome consisting of onychotrichodysplasia, chronic neutropenia and mild mental retardation. Family studies revealed parental consanguinity and another possibly affected sister, who died in childhood. Analysis of these cases together with one previously reported case permits the delineation of a distinct syndrome probably caused by an autosomal recessive mutation.", "PMID": 761414} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_761", "title": "Monoamine oxidase and catechol-o-methyltransferase activity in cultured fibroblasts from patients with maple syrup urine disease, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and healthy controls.", "content": "Monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) activities have been measured in fibroblasts from nine healthy controls, three patients with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) and six patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Both A and B types of MAO activity are found in these cell lines. In comparison to controls, the MAO activity is significantly reduced in cells from patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. A different situation has been observed in the cell lines from MSUD patients: one showed a high MAO activity, another a significantly reduced activity, and the third was in the range of the normal controls. COMT activity is also present in these cells, but with a wide variation. No specific differences have been noted among the controls and the mutant cells.", "contents": "Monoamine oxidase and catechol-o-methyltransferase activity in cultured fibroblasts from patients with maple syrup urine disease, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and healthy controls. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) activities have been measured in fibroblasts from nine healthy controls, three patients with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) and six patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Both A and B types of MAO activity are found in these cell lines. In comparison to controls, the MAO activity is significantly reduced in cells from patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. A different situation has been observed in the cell lines from MSUD patients: one showed a high MAO activity, another a significantly reduced activity, and the third was in the range of the normal controls. COMT activity is also present in these cells, but with a wide variation. No specific differences have been noted among the controls and the mutant cells.", "PMID": 761415} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_762", "title": "Counseling for dominant traits: a correction for the ascertainment bias due to referral for analysis.", "content": "Genetic heterogeneity complicates genetic counseling because the correct mode of inheritance must be determined independently for each pedigree. When autosomal and X-linked dominants inheritance mechanisms are known, as for example with retinitis pigmentosa, then only families where male-to-male transmission is observed may be readily counseled. The other pedigrees may be autosomal but lack male-to-male transmission due to chance segregation. Since only the pedigrees without male-to-male transmission are analyzed for their mode of inheritance, there is an ascertainment bias which must be corrected when evaluating the likelihood of the two inheritance patterns. A method to correct for this bias using conditional likelihoods is given, along with examples to demonstrate its use.", "contents": "Counseling for dominant traits: a correction for the ascertainment bias due to referral for analysis. Genetic heterogeneity complicates genetic counseling because the correct mode of inheritance must be determined independently for each pedigree. When autosomal and X-linked dominants inheritance mechanisms are known, as for example with retinitis pigmentosa, then only families where male-to-male transmission is observed may be readily counseled. The other pedigrees may be autosomal but lack male-to-male transmission due to chance segregation. Since only the pedigrees without male-to-male transmission are analyzed for their mode of inheritance, there is an ascertainment bias which must be corrected when evaluating the likelihood of the two inheritance patterns. A method to correct for this bias using conditional likelihoods is given, along with examples to demonstrate its use.", "PMID": 761417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_763", "title": "Partial trisomy 13 plus partial trisomy 4q due to unusual segregation of translocation chromosomes.", "content": "The cytogenetic analysis of a 7-month-old retarded girl with clinical signs compatible with partial trisomy 13 revealed a translocation t(4;13)(q33;q14) and an additional derivative chromosome 13. This karyotype probably resulted from 3:1 segregation during meiosis of the patient's mother.", "contents": "Partial trisomy 13 plus partial trisomy 4q due to unusual segregation of translocation chromosomes. The cytogenetic analysis of a 7-month-old retarded girl with clinical signs compatible with partial trisomy 13 revealed a translocation t(4;13)(q33;q14) and an additional derivative chromosome 13. This karyotype probably resulted from 3:1 segregation during meiosis of the patient's mother.", "PMID": 761418} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_764", "title": "Melkersson-Rosenthal's syndrome in four generations.", "content": "Melkersson-Rosenthal's syndrome is a rare condition, the hereditary nature of which is still in dispute. A family with seven affected members in four generations is described, which provides further evidence for the genetic basis of the syndrome.", "contents": "Melkersson-Rosenthal's syndrome in four generations. Melkersson-Rosenthal's syndrome is a rare condition, the hereditary nature of which is still in dispute. A family with seven affected members in four generations is described, which provides further evidence for the genetic basis of the syndrome.", "PMID": 761419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_765", "title": "C-band polymorphism in human chromosome no. 6.", "content": "Chromosome analysis of G-banded cells from 92 individuals consecutively referred to the Cytogenetics Laboratory show that the paracentromeric band in the short arm (6p11), which stains negatively with G-banding and darkly with C-banding, shows a marked increase in size in about 9% of chromosome no. 6. The results of this study and those from a family in which two variants of chromosome no. 6 are segregating are compatible with a Mendelian pattern of inheritance.", "contents": "C-band polymorphism in human chromosome no. 6. Chromosome analysis of G-banded cells from 92 individuals consecutively referred to the Cytogenetics Laboratory show that the paracentromeric band in the short arm (6p11), which stains negatively with G-banding and darkly with C-banding, shows a marked increase in size in about 9% of chromosome no. 6. The results of this study and those from a family in which two variants of chromosome no. 6 are segregating are compatible with a Mendelian pattern of inheritance.", "PMID": 761420} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_766", "title": "Orientation of major histocompatibility (MHC) genes relative to the centromere of human chromosome 6.", "content": "Linkage analysis of the data obtained from a three-generation Dutch family segregating for genetic variants of centromeric heterochromatic region in the band p11 on chromosome 6 (6ph), major histocompatibility (MHC) genes HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C, glyoxalase I (GLO) and phosphoglucomutase-3 (PGM3) showed that the genetic distance between the HLA gene cluster and 6ph is about 6 cM (at an estimated peak lod score of 3.466), that GLO is closer than HLA to the centromere and that PGM3 is probably not situated on the same chromosomal arm as HLA.", "contents": "Orientation of major histocompatibility (MHC) genes relative to the centromere of human chromosome 6. Linkage analysis of the data obtained from a three-generation Dutch family segregating for genetic variants of centromeric heterochromatic region in the band p11 on chromosome 6 (6ph), major histocompatibility (MHC) genes HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C, glyoxalase I (GLO) and phosphoglucomutase-3 (PGM3) showed that the genetic distance between the HLA gene cluster and 6ph is about 6 cM (at an estimated peak lod score of 3.466), that GLO is closer than HLA to the centromere and that PGM3 is probably not situated on the same chromosomal arm as HLA.", "PMID": 761421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_767", "title": "The hepatic transport of sodium [14C]taurocholate in foetal sheep.", "content": "1. The biliary excretion of a tracer pulse of sodium [14C]taurocholate injected into the portal vein was compared in adult and near-term foetal sheep. 2. Biliary excretion was virtually complete in both adult and foetus, although appreciably faster in the adult. 3. These results indicate that at birth the mechanisms for bile salt uptake and excretion in the sheep liver are well established.", "contents": "The hepatic transport of sodium [14C]taurocholate in foetal sheep. 1. The biliary excretion of a tracer pulse of sodium [14C]taurocholate injected into the portal vein was compared in adult and near-term foetal sheep. 2. Biliary excretion was virtually complete in both adult and foetus, although appreciably faster in the adult. 3. These results indicate that at birth the mechanisms for bile salt uptake and excretion in the sheep liver are well established.", "PMID": 761425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_768", "title": "The comparative bioavailability of carbamazepine in 100 mg and 200 mg tablets.", "content": "1. The bioavailabilities of carbamazepine in 100 mg and 200 mg tablets have been compared in a cross-over study of six subjects after two 600 mg doses of the drug, the different preparations being taken at 3 week intervals. 2. Areas under the plasma level curves, absorption rate constants and times to achieve peak plasma levels showed little difference between the two preparations. These findings suggest similar rates and extents of bioavailability of carbamazepine in the two preparations. 3. Calculated mean absorption and elimination parameters for carbamazepine were as follows: kabs = 0.1081 h-1, (s.d. = 0.0289); Tmax = 23.39 h, (s.d. = 8.66); k = 0.0191 h-1, (s.d. = 0.0033); VD = 0.989 1/kg, (s.d. = 0.159); and clearance = 0.0185 1/kg h, (s.d. = 0.0015).", "contents": "The comparative bioavailability of carbamazepine in 100 mg and 200 mg tablets. 1. The bioavailabilities of carbamazepine in 100 mg and 200 mg tablets have been compared in a cross-over study of six subjects after two 600 mg doses of the drug, the different preparations being taken at 3 week intervals. 2. Areas under the plasma level curves, absorption rate constants and times to achieve peak plasma levels showed little difference between the two preparations. These findings suggest similar rates and extents of bioavailability of carbamazepine in the two preparations. 3. Calculated mean absorption and elimination parameters for carbamazepine were as follows: kabs = 0.1081 h-1, (s.d. = 0.0289); Tmax = 23.39 h, (s.d. = 8.66); k = 0.0191 h-1, (s.d. = 0.0033); VD = 0.989 1/kg, (s.d. = 0.159); and clearance = 0.0185 1/kg h, (s.d. = 0.0015).", "PMID": 761426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_769", "title": "Distribution of ethanol between saliva and blood in man.", "content": "1. Forty-eight male subjects drank ethanol (0.72 g/kg) as neat whisky on a fasting stomach within 20 min and the ethanol concentrations in saliva and capillary blood were determined at 30--60 min intervals for the next 7 h. 2. The concentration of ethanol in saliva was generally slightly higher than in capillary blood, as expected from their relative water contents. The mean saliva/blood ethanol ratio between 60 and 360 min from the start of drinking was 1.082 (s.e.m. = 0.0059), (n = 336). Moreover, the saliva/blood ethanol ratio was remarkably constant throughout the absorption, distribution and elimination phases of ethanol metabolism. 3. The saliva (y) and blood ethanol (x) concentrations (mmol/l) were highly correlated (r = 0.976, standard error = 0.011, P less than 0.001). The regression equation was y = 0.109 + 1.071x. The saliva and blood ethanol concentrations reached zero nearly simultaneously, there being no appreciable time lag in the saliva. 4. The results indicate that saliva is a practical medium for ethanol determinations and that blood ethanol can be reliably estimated from analysis of a saliva specimen. Saliva ethanol analysis could well serve as supporting evidence in clinical and medico-legal diagnosis of ethanol intoxication.", "contents": "Distribution of ethanol between saliva and blood in man. 1. Forty-eight male subjects drank ethanol (0.72 g/kg) as neat whisky on a fasting stomach within 20 min and the ethanol concentrations in saliva and capillary blood were determined at 30--60 min intervals for the next 7 h. 2. The concentration of ethanol in saliva was generally slightly higher than in capillary blood, as expected from their relative water contents. The mean saliva/blood ethanol ratio between 60 and 360 min from the start of drinking was 1.082 (s.e.m. = 0.0059), (n = 336). Moreover, the saliva/blood ethanol ratio was remarkably constant throughout the absorption, distribution and elimination phases of ethanol metabolism. 3. The saliva (y) and blood ethanol (x) concentrations (mmol/l) were highly correlated (r = 0.976, standard error = 0.011, P less than 0.001). The regression equation was y = 0.109 + 1.071x. The saliva and blood ethanol concentrations reached zero nearly simultaneously, there being no appreciable time lag in the saliva. 4. The results indicate that saliva is a practical medium for ethanol determinations and that blood ethanol can be reliably estimated from analysis of a saliva specimen. Saliva ethanol analysis could well serve as supporting evidence in clinical and medico-legal diagnosis of ethanol intoxication.", "PMID": 761427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_770", "title": "Suppression of tuberculin reactivity during natural rubella. Observations with 54 patients.", "content": "Fifty-four patients with previously positive tuberculin reactions were followed for tuberculin sensitivity, between the incubation period of natural rubella and the 40th day after the onset of rash. In many instances, tuberculin sensitivity was partially or completely depressed beginning in the incubation period and extending for up to 4 weeks after rash onset. Two of 3 cases of subclinical rubella infection also showed this phenomenon. The highest incidence of negative reactions was 83% in the first 3 days after rash onset. A few subjects had a larger skin reaction to tuberculin than the baseline reading during the 2 to 5 weeks after rash onset.", "contents": "Suppression of tuberculin reactivity during natural rubella. Observations with 54 patients. Fifty-four patients with previously positive tuberculin reactions were followed for tuberculin sensitivity, between the incubation period of natural rubella and the 40th day after the onset of rash. In many instances, tuberculin sensitivity was partially or completely depressed beginning in the incubation period and extending for up to 4 weeks after rash onset. Two of 3 cases of subclinical rubella infection also showed this phenomenon. The highest incidence of negative reactions was 83% in the first 3 days after rash onset. A few subjects had a larger skin reaction to tuberculin than the baseline reading during the 2 to 5 weeks after rash onset.", "PMID": 761432} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_771", "title": "Physiology of heat loss from an extremity: the tail of the rat.", "content": "1. Hooded, conscious, male, laboratory rats were subjected to an ambient dry bulb temperature cycle between 12 degrees C and 35 degrees C over a period of approximately 5.5 h. The same procedure was followed using rats in which the temperature surrounding the tail was held constant, and using dead rats. 2. Temperature of the ambient air, and the rectum, flank skin, tail base and tail tip were measured during each ambient temperature cycle. 3. In both living and dead rats, a hysteresis loop was demonstrated for the relationship between all body temperatures measured and ambient temperature. 4. The hysteresis loops for tail temperature differed between living and dead rats in such a way as to indicate that tail temperature began to increase, as a result of an active process, at approximately 30 degrees C, but this response ceased at a lower temperature. 5. The results on rats in which tail ambient temperature was held constant agreed with the preceeding observations. 6. Clear evidence of a counter-current heat exchange system in the vasculature of the rat's tail was not obtained. 7. It is concluded that the tail of the rat resembles an on/off controller in its mode of operation.", "contents": "Physiology of heat loss from an extremity: the tail of the rat. 1. Hooded, conscious, male, laboratory rats were subjected to an ambient dry bulb temperature cycle between 12 degrees C and 35 degrees C over a period of approximately 5.5 h. The same procedure was followed using rats in which the temperature surrounding the tail was held constant, and using dead rats. 2. Temperature of the ambient air, and the rectum, flank skin, tail base and tail tip were measured during each ambient temperature cycle. 3. In both living and dead rats, a hysteresis loop was demonstrated for the relationship between all body temperatures measured and ambient temperature. 4. The hysteresis loops for tail temperature differed between living and dead rats in such a way as to indicate that tail temperature began to increase, as a result of an active process, at approximately 30 degrees C, but this response ceased at a lower temperature. 5. The results on rats in which tail ambient temperature was held constant agreed with the preceeding observations. 6. Clear evidence of a counter-current heat exchange system in the vasculature of the rat's tail was not obtained. 7. It is concluded that the tail of the rat resembles an on/off controller in its mode of operation.", "PMID": 761428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_772", "title": "Anorectic and motor activity effects of some 1-benzylcycloalkylamines in the rat.", "content": "1. A series of 1-benzylcycloalkylamines with cycloalkyl rings of five, six or seven carbons and with various benzyl ring substituents (3-Cl, 4-Cl, 4-F, 3-CF3) was prepared and tested for anorectic and motor activity effects in rats. 2. Two potent, non-stimulant, anorectics were found: 1-(3-chlorobenzyl)-cycloheptylamine, and its N-methyl analogue. The activity of these compounds resembled that of chlorphentermine.", "contents": "Anorectic and motor activity effects of some 1-benzylcycloalkylamines in the rat. 1. A series of 1-benzylcycloalkylamines with cycloalkyl rings of five, six or seven carbons and with various benzyl ring substituents (3-Cl, 4-Cl, 4-F, 3-CF3) was prepared and tested for anorectic and motor activity effects in rats. 2. Two potent, non-stimulant, anorectics were found: 1-(3-chlorobenzyl)-cycloheptylamine, and its N-methyl analogue. The activity of these compounds resembled that of chlorphentermine.", "PMID": 761429} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_773", "title": "Enhancement by L-dopa of the renal action of aldosterone in the rat.", "content": "1. The administration of aldosterone to adrenalectomized rats produces an increase in K+ and decrease in Na+ excretion in the urine. The relationship of the post-aldosterone to the pre-aldosterone urinary sodium and potassium excretion is termed the renal response to aldosterone. 2. The administration of L-dopa enhances the renal response to aldosterone. This enhanced renal response does not appear to be due to the enhanced urinary creatinine and sodium excretion also seen with L-dopa. 3. The enhanced response to aldosterone seen in the L-dopa loaded rat is inhibited by spironolactone (an aldosterone antagonist), carbidopa (an inhibitor of the enzyme producing dopamine from L-dopa in the periphery), and haloperidol (a putative dopamine receptor blocker). The action of L-dopa in enhancing the renal response to aldosterone would thus appear to be mediated by dopamine within the kidney. 4. Modification of the renal response to aldosterone may be one role of the high levels of dopamine produced within the kidney.", "contents": "Enhancement by L-dopa of the renal action of aldosterone in the rat. 1. The administration of aldosterone to adrenalectomized rats produces an increase in K+ and decrease in Na+ excretion in the urine. The relationship of the post-aldosterone to the pre-aldosterone urinary sodium and potassium excretion is termed the renal response to aldosterone. 2. The administration of L-dopa enhances the renal response to aldosterone. This enhanced renal response does not appear to be due to the enhanced urinary creatinine and sodium excretion also seen with L-dopa. 3. The enhanced response to aldosterone seen in the L-dopa loaded rat is inhibited by spironolactone (an aldosterone antagonist), carbidopa (an inhibitor of the enzyme producing dopamine from L-dopa in the periphery), and haloperidol (a putative dopamine receptor blocker). The action of L-dopa in enhancing the renal response to aldosterone would thus appear to be mediated by dopamine within the kidney. 4. Modification of the renal response to aldosterone may be one role of the high levels of dopamine produced within the kidney.", "PMID": 761430} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_774", "title": "Medication packaging: simple solutions to nonadherence problems?", "content": "Medication nonadherence represents a well-documented, highly prevalent obstacle to successful long-term management of chronic illnesses. Recent research has focused on predictors of nonadherence, interventions for improving adherence, and measurement of medication adherence. Better medication packaging has received little attention as a partial solution to nonadherence complexities. Packaging has the obvious advantages of being continuous, inexpensive, and patient-oriented, while demanding little physician extra involvement. The ideal packaging solution should include six component functions: storage, education, cueing, monitoring, dispensing, and reinforcement. Practically, all six functions are highly interrelated necessitating tradeoffs. Combining several functions usually results in increased cost and decreased portability. A number of proposed devices for specific adherence-improving function are described, ranging from complex to simple. The need for more and better research to define and validate interventions is more critical, now that we recognize the consequences of nonadherence.", "contents": "Medication packaging: simple solutions to nonadherence problems? Medication nonadherence represents a well-documented, highly prevalent obstacle to successful long-term management of chronic illnesses. Recent research has focused on predictors of nonadherence, interventions for improving adherence, and measurement of medication adherence. Better medication packaging has received little attention as a partial solution to nonadherence complexities. Packaging has the obvious advantages of being continuous, inexpensive, and patient-oriented, while demanding little physician extra involvement. The ideal packaging solution should include six component functions: storage, education, cueing, monitoring, dispensing, and reinforcement. Practically, all six functions are highly interrelated necessitating tradeoffs. Combining several functions usually results in increased cost and decreased portability. A number of proposed devices for specific adherence-improving function are described, ranging from complex to simple. The need for more and better research to define and validate interventions is more critical, now that we recognize the consequences of nonadherence.", "PMID": 761438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_775", "title": "Effect of alpha-methyldopa on cardiac output in hypertension.", "content": "Hemodynamic and blood volume changes, systolic time intervals, and baroreflex mechanisms were studied in 20 patients with hypertension after methyldopa (12 +/- 0.9 mg/kg/day). The drug was administered orally during 7 days' hospitalization on a normal sodium diet (110 mEq/day). There was a fall in blood pressure and in total peripheral resistance, without significant change in cardiac index, heart rate, and stroke index. There were increases in plasma and blood volume (p less than 0.05) but no change in cardiopulmonary blood volume or systolic time intervals. The unchanged heart rate was associated with an increased sensitivity ( less than 0.05) of the baroreflex mechanisms. The study supports the view that the unchanged cardiac output after methyldopa is related to important changes in control of cardiac output, including redistribution of blood volume and modifications in baroreflex mechanisms.", "contents": "Effect of alpha-methyldopa on cardiac output in hypertension. Hemodynamic and blood volume changes, systolic time intervals, and baroreflex mechanisms were studied in 20 patients with hypertension after methyldopa (12 +/- 0.9 mg/kg/day). The drug was administered orally during 7 days' hospitalization on a normal sodium diet (110 mEq/day). There was a fall in blood pressure and in total peripheral resistance, without significant change in cardiac index, heart rate, and stroke index. There were increases in plasma and blood volume (p less than 0.05) but no change in cardiopulmonary blood volume or systolic time intervals. The unchanged heart rate was associated with an increased sensitivity ( less than 0.05) of the baroreflex mechanisms. The study supports the view that the unchanged cardiac output after methyldopa is related to important changes in control of cardiac output, including redistribution of blood volume and modifications in baroreflex mechanisms.", "PMID": 761439} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_776", "title": "Guanfacine kinetics in patients with hypertension.", "content": "Guanfacine kinetics were studied in 19 patients with hypertension after single and repeated oral doses. The single-dose study was performed in two homogeneous groups who received 2 mg (n = 9) and 4 mg (n = 10). The plasma concentrations were fitted in a two-compartment open model with first-order absorption. After a lag time of 0.8 hr, the absorption occurred rapidly (t 1/2 congruent to 0.53 hr). The fast and slow elimination phases occurred with t 1/2s of 2 and 19 hr. At therapeutic levels the percent of drug in red blood cells (55%) was independent of total drug concentration. Peak plasma levels had small interindividual variations. Comparison of kinetic parameters and AUC at the two doses studied demonstrated that their bioavailability was equal and the kinetics were linear. In a multiple-dosing study, performed in the same subjects, the plasma levels at steady state were in good agreement with the predicted values (p less than 0.001) and proportional to daily dosage. A single method based on four blood samples collected after 24, 28, 32, and 36 hr allows a reasonable prediction of the effective steady-state plasma levels during chronic dosing with guanfacine.", "contents": "Guanfacine kinetics in patients with hypertension. Guanfacine kinetics were studied in 19 patients with hypertension after single and repeated oral doses. The single-dose study was performed in two homogeneous groups who received 2 mg (n = 9) and 4 mg (n = 10). The plasma concentrations were fitted in a two-compartment open model with first-order absorption. After a lag time of 0.8 hr, the absorption occurred rapidly (t 1/2 congruent to 0.53 hr). The fast and slow elimination phases occurred with t 1/2s of 2 and 19 hr. At therapeutic levels the percent of drug in red blood cells (55%) was independent of total drug concentration. Peak plasma levels had small interindividual variations. Comparison of kinetic parameters and AUC at the two doses studied demonstrated that their bioavailability was equal and the kinetics were linear. In a multiple-dosing study, performed in the same subjects, the plasma levels at steady state were in good agreement with the predicted values (p less than 0.001) and proportional to daily dosage. A single method based on four blood samples collected after 24, 28, 32, and 36 hr allows a reasonable prediction of the effective steady-state plasma levels during chronic dosing with guanfacine.", "PMID": 761440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_777", "title": "Effect of d- and dl-propranolol on glucose-stimulated insulin release.", "content": "The effect of intravenous d- and dl-propranolol on serum insulin levels has been examined before and after the administration of glucose orally to 10 normal subjects. The increase in serum insulin 45 to 90 min after glucose ingestion was reduced during the infusion of either d- or dl-propranolol. The insulin suppression was not accompanied by any alteration in the glucose curves. The insulin/glucose ratios were reduced by both d- and dl-propranolol during the time of maximum glucose and insulin responses. Neither d- nor dl-propranolol induced any significant change in basal glucose or insulin levels before glucose administration. Since d-propranolol has no appreciable beta adrenoceptor blocking activity, it appears that the suppression of glucose-stimulated insulin release by propranolol may be due primarily to local anesthetic properties which are exerted equally by both isomers.", "contents": "Effect of d- and dl-propranolol on glucose-stimulated insulin release. The effect of intravenous d- and dl-propranolol on serum insulin levels has been examined before and after the administration of glucose orally to 10 normal subjects. The increase in serum insulin 45 to 90 min after glucose ingestion was reduced during the infusion of either d- or dl-propranolol. The insulin suppression was not accompanied by any alteration in the glucose curves. The insulin/glucose ratios were reduced by both d- and dl-propranolol during the time of maximum glucose and insulin responses. Neither d- nor dl-propranolol induced any significant change in basal glucose or insulin levels before glucose administration. Since d-propranolol has no appreciable beta adrenoceptor blocking activity, it appears that the suppression of glucose-stimulated insulin release by propranolol may be due primarily to local anesthetic properties which are exerted equally by both isomers.", "PMID": 761441} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_778", "title": "Smoking and warfarin disposition.", "content": "Nine cigarette smokers ingested an average daily 0.032 mg/kg dose of sodium warfarin for 2 wk while continuing to smoke and for an additional 2 wk after having abstained from cigarette smoking for a month washout phase. Steady-state plasma levels of warfarin, clearances, t 1/2, apparent volumes of distribution, steady-state prothrombin times, and plasma thiocyanate levels were measured during both the smoking and nonsmoking phases. During the nonsmoking phase there was a 13% increase in average steady-state warfarin level and a 13% decrease in warfarin clearance rate. There also was a 23% increase in warfarin t 1/2 and an 11% increase in the apparent volume of distribution. Prothrombin time did not change. Thiocyanate levels were 3 to 4 times as high during the smoking than the nonsmoking phase. It appears that cigarette smoking does affect warfarin clearance, t 1/2, and apparent volume of distribution, though the net effect on warfarin's pharmacodynamic activity is negligible, at least at doses which are ineffective therapeutically.", "contents": "Smoking and warfarin disposition. Nine cigarette smokers ingested an average daily 0.032 mg/kg dose of sodium warfarin for 2 wk while continuing to smoke and for an additional 2 wk after having abstained from cigarette smoking for a month washout phase. Steady-state plasma levels of warfarin, clearances, t 1/2, apparent volumes of distribution, steady-state prothrombin times, and plasma thiocyanate levels were measured during both the smoking and nonsmoking phases. During the nonsmoking phase there was a 13% increase in average steady-state warfarin level and a 13% decrease in warfarin clearance rate. There also was a 23% increase in warfarin t 1/2 and an 11% increase in the apparent volume of distribution. Prothrombin time did not change. Thiocyanate levels were 3 to 4 times as high during the smoking than the nonsmoking phase. It appears that cigarette smoking does affect warfarin clearance, t 1/2, and apparent volume of distribution, though the net effect on warfarin's pharmacodynamic activity is negligible, at least at doses which are ineffective therapeutically.", "PMID": 761442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_779", "title": "Binding of imipramine to plasma proteins: effect of hyperlipoproteinemia.", "content": "The binding of imipramine to plasma proteins was studied by equilibrium gel filtration. Imipramine was highly bound to lipoproteins as well as to other plasma proteins. The binding to the lipoproteins was higher in hyperlipoproteinemic patients than in normal subjects and correlated well with both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The overall percent binding of imipramine was also higher in hyperlipoproteinemic patients than in normal subjects. It is concluded that the varying degree of binding of imipramine to plasma proteins as a result of varying lipoprotein concentrations, as well as the special nature of the binding to lipoproteins, may be of kinetic and possibly clinical significance in hyperlipoproteinemic individuals.", "contents": "Binding of imipramine to plasma proteins: effect of hyperlipoproteinemia. The binding of imipramine to plasma proteins was studied by equilibrium gel filtration. Imipramine was highly bound to lipoproteins as well as to other plasma proteins. The binding to the lipoproteins was higher in hyperlipoproteinemic patients than in normal subjects and correlated well with both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The overall percent binding of imipramine was also higher in hyperlipoproteinemic patients than in normal subjects. It is concluded that the varying degree of binding of imipramine to plasma proteins as a result of varying lipoprotein concentrations, as well as the special nature of the binding to lipoproteins, may be of kinetic and possibly clinical significance in hyperlipoproteinemic individuals.", "PMID": 761443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_780", "title": "Urinary excretion of D-glucaric acid by severely burned patients.", "content": "The 24-hr excretion of urinary D-glucaric acid (UGA) has been measured in 5 seriously burned adults and compared with 6 healthy adults. In the burn patients mean UGA was 14.4 +/- 5.4 (+/- SD) mumoles/day and 28.7 +/- 6.5 mumoles/day in controls (p less than 0.002). In a 6-year-old female, UGA was also found to be very low. In a seventh burn patient, an adult male taking 20 mg of fluphenazine until his injury, his UGA was still in the normal range (29 mumoles/day) on the day of admission but descended to 21 mumoles/day at 2 days, to 16 at 4 days, and to 13 at 6 days. Treatment with fluphenazine was then reinstituted and on the tenth day UGA was 28 mumoles/day, indicating that after thermal injury UGA can respond to drugs. Although the inference has not been proved that decreased UGA corresponds to a decreased activity of drug metabolism, there is evidence of a strong correlation between increased UGA and increased drug metabolism. A decrease of UGA in disorders that generally lower metabolic activity supports a possible correlation in severe burns. If drug metabolism activity is lowered in the seriously burned patient, drug overdose may well result from the usual clinical doses.", "contents": "Urinary excretion of D-glucaric acid by severely burned patients. The 24-hr excretion of urinary D-glucaric acid (UGA) has been measured in 5 seriously burned adults and compared with 6 healthy adults. In the burn patients mean UGA was 14.4 +/- 5.4 (+/- SD) mumoles/day and 28.7 +/- 6.5 mumoles/day in controls (p less than 0.002). In a 6-year-old female, UGA was also found to be very low. In a seventh burn patient, an adult male taking 20 mg of fluphenazine until his injury, his UGA was still in the normal range (29 mumoles/day) on the day of admission but descended to 21 mumoles/day at 2 days, to 16 at 4 days, and to 13 at 6 days. Treatment with fluphenazine was then reinstituted and on the tenth day UGA was 28 mumoles/day, indicating that after thermal injury UGA can respond to drugs. Although the inference has not been proved that decreased UGA corresponds to a decreased activity of drug metabolism, there is evidence of a strong correlation between increased UGA and increased drug metabolism. A decrease of UGA in disorders that generally lower metabolic activity supports a possible correlation in severe burns. If drug metabolism activity is lowered in the seriously burned patient, drug overdose may well result from the usual clinical doses.", "PMID": 761444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_781", "title": "Kinetics of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum.", "content": "The cancer chemotherapeutic cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (cis-DDP) was administered to 8 patients (1-hr intravenous infusion) at a dose of 70 mg/m2. Plasma and urine concentrations of platinum were determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. Measured plasma platinum concentrations revealed a biphasic clearance of platinum with half-life values of 23 min and 67 hr. Platinum values obtained 3 wk after the infusion indicated that a third excretory phase might be present. Urinary measurements showed 17 +/- 2.7% of the administered dose excreted in the first 4 hr and 23 +/- 3.9% excreted in the first 24 hr. Renal excretion appears to be predominantly by glomerular filtration. Non-protein-bound plasma platinum values were calculated and the non-protein-bound platinum was found to be rapidly and biphasically cleared from the plasma with half-life values of 8 to 10 min and 40 to 45 min.", "contents": "Kinetics of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum. The cancer chemotherapeutic cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (cis-DDP) was administered to 8 patients (1-hr intravenous infusion) at a dose of 70 mg/m2. Plasma and urine concentrations of platinum were determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. Measured plasma platinum concentrations revealed a biphasic clearance of platinum with half-life values of 23 min and 67 hr. Platinum values obtained 3 wk after the infusion indicated that a third excretory phase might be present. Urinary measurements showed 17 +/- 2.7% of the administered dose excreted in the first 4 hr and 23 +/- 3.9% excreted in the first 24 hr. Renal excretion appears to be predominantly by glomerular filtration. Non-protein-bound plasma platinum values were calculated and the non-protein-bound platinum was found to be rapidly and biphasically cleared from the plasma with half-life values of 8 to 10 min and 40 to 45 min.", "PMID": 761445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_782", "title": "Simultaneous modeling of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: application to d-tubocurarine.", "content": "We propose a model of drug pharmacodynamic response that when integrated with a pharmacokinetic model allows characterization of the temporal aspects of pharmacodynamics as well as the time-independent sensitivity component. The total model can accommodate extremes of effect. It allows fitting of simultaneous plasma concentration (Cp) and effect data from the initial distribution phase of drug administration, or from any non-equilibrium phase. The model postulates a hypothetical effect compartment, the dynamics of which are adjusted to reflect the temporal dynamics of drug effect. The effect compartment is modeled as an additional compartment linked to the plasma compartment by a first-order process, but whose exponential does not enter into the pharmacokinetic solution for the mass of drug in the body. The hypothetical amount of drug in the effect compartment is then related to the observed effect by the Hill equation, a nonlinear sigmoid form. Nonlinear least-squares data fitting is used for parameter estimation. The model is demonstrated on two different sets of Cp and effect data for the drug d-tubocurarine (dTC). In 7 normal subjects, the (mean +/- SD) rate constant for equilibration of dTC effect (paralysis) and Cp is 0.13 +/- 0.04 min-1 and the (mean +/- SD) steady-state Cp required to produce 50% paralysis is 0.37 +/- 0.05 microgram/ml.", "contents": "Simultaneous modeling of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: application to d-tubocurarine. We propose a model of drug pharmacodynamic response that when integrated with a pharmacokinetic model allows characterization of the temporal aspects of pharmacodynamics as well as the time-independent sensitivity component. The total model can accommodate extremes of effect. It allows fitting of simultaneous plasma concentration (Cp) and effect data from the initial distribution phase of drug administration, or from any non-equilibrium phase. The model postulates a hypothetical effect compartment, the dynamics of which are adjusted to reflect the temporal dynamics of drug effect. The effect compartment is modeled as an additional compartment linked to the plasma compartment by a first-order process, but whose exponential does not enter into the pharmacokinetic solution for the mass of drug in the body. The hypothetical amount of drug in the effect compartment is then related to the observed effect by the Hill equation, a nonlinear sigmoid form. Nonlinear least-squares data fitting is used for parameter estimation. The model is demonstrated on two different sets of Cp and effect data for the drug d-tubocurarine (dTC). In 7 normal subjects, the (mean +/- SD) rate constant for equilibration of dTC effect (paralysis) and Cp is 0.13 +/- 0.04 min-1 and the (mean +/- SD) steady-state Cp required to produce 50% paralysis is 0.37 +/- 0.05 microgram/ml.", "PMID": 761446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_783", "title": "The biologic half-life of heparin.", "content": "Half-lives (t1/2s) varying from 23 min to 2.48 hr have been reported for heparin. It is shown that much of the discrepancy between authors can be attributed to methods used to analyze data. It is suggested that three terms should be carefully used, the t1/2 of bioassayed heparin concentration, the t1/2 of the extension of the clotting time, and the t 1/2 of the clotting time to differentiate among the various methods of analyzing the raw data.", "contents": "The biologic half-life of heparin. Half-lives (t1/2s) varying from 23 min to 2.48 hr have been reported for heparin. It is shown that much of the discrepancy between authors can be attributed to methods used to analyze data. It is suggested that three terms should be carefully used, the t1/2 of bioassayed heparin concentration, the t1/2 of the extension of the clotting time, and the t 1/2 of the clotting time to differentiate among the various methods of analyzing the raw data.", "PMID": 761447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_784", "title": "SR-52 program for the solution of two first order differential equations.", "content": "This paper presents a program written for the Texas Instruments SR-52 programmable calculator to numerically solve a pair of first order ordinary differential equations. The program uses a fourth order Runga-Kutta method and a typical sample run is presented.", "contents": "SR-52 program for the solution of two first order differential equations. This paper presents a program written for the Texas Instruments SR-52 programmable calculator to numerically solve a pair of first order ordinary differential equations. The program uses a fourth order Runga-Kutta method and a typical sample run is presented.", "PMID": 761454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_785", "title": "A computer program for life table regression analysis with time dependent covariates.", "content": "This paper presents a computer program for analyzing time-dependent covariables in survival studies by the life table regression model described by Holford [3]. Basically, life table regression incorporates the elements of regression and the life table into a single model. Regression parameters are estimated by the method of maximum likelihood using the Newton-Raphson iterative procedure. The program provides two methods for testing hypotheses concerning regression coefficients, namely the standard normal deviate test and a Wald statistic based on the first and second derivatives of the log likelihood. Residual plots are provided to assess the fit of the model to the data.", "contents": "A computer program for life table regression analysis with time dependent covariates. This paper presents a computer program for analyzing time-dependent covariables in survival studies by the life table regression model described by Holford [3]. Basically, life table regression incorporates the elements of regression and the life table into a single model. Regression parameters are estimated by the method of maximum likelihood using the Newton-Raphson iterative procedure. The program provides two methods for testing hypotheses concerning regression coefficients, namely the standard normal deviate test and a Wald statistic based on the first and second derivatives of the log likelihood. Residual plots are provided to assess the fit of the model to the data.", "PMID": 761455} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_786", "title": "A program package for simulation and parameter estimation in pharmacokinetic systems.", "content": "A set of programs is presented which has been developed for parameter estimation and simulation of models arising from pharmacokinetic applications. The programs can accommodate linear and nonlinear models with multiple inputs and multiple outputs. When the model is defined by differential equations, non-uniform repetitive dosage regimens can be handled. The model may also be entered in integrated form when single dose studies or uniform multiple dose studies are being considered. The programs employ a variable-step, variable-order integration routine to solve the model differential equations, and the Nelder-Mead simplex procedure to determine the parameter values which minimize a weighted least squares criterion. The programs have been written for an interactive time-sharing environment with the experimental data and model equations stored in files for future use.", "contents": "A program package for simulation and parameter estimation in pharmacokinetic systems. A set of programs is presented which has been developed for parameter estimation and simulation of models arising from pharmacokinetic applications. The programs can accommodate linear and nonlinear models with multiple inputs and multiple outputs. When the model is defined by differential equations, non-uniform repetitive dosage regimens can be handled. The model may also be entered in integrated form when single dose studies or uniform multiple dose studies are being considered. The programs employ a variable-step, variable-order integration routine to solve the model differential equations, and the Nelder-Mead simplex procedure to determine the parameter values which minimize a weighted least squares criterion. The programs have been written for an interactive time-sharing environment with the experimental data and model equations stored in files for future use.", "PMID": 761456} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_787", "title": "Evaluation of Cartesian coordinates and radiation doses in points determined with stereo x-ray techniques.", "content": "A Fortran computer program STEV (stereo evaluation) is described. The principles of the stereo techniques together with the calculation method of the stereo coordinates are given briefly. The determination of the rectangular coordinates from mean stereo coordinates is described. Radiation doses in anatomical points, during intracavitary and interstitial radiation therapy, are calculated, taking into account a statistical evaluation of the measurement errors.", "contents": "Evaluation of Cartesian coordinates and radiation doses in points determined with stereo x-ray techniques. A Fortran computer program STEV (stereo evaluation) is described. The principles of the stereo techniques together with the calculation method of the stereo coordinates are given briefly. The determination of the rectangular coordinates from mean stereo coordinates is described. Radiation doses in anatomical points, during intracavitary and interstitial radiation therapy, are calculated, taking into account a statistical evaluation of the measurement errors.", "PMID": 761457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_788", "title": "A computer model for hydrodynamic shearing of DNA.", "content": "A computer simulation model for the hydrodynamic shearing of DNA is presented. In this model the event space consists of a number of positions at which the DNA strand may break. The results of the model compared with the real world result are reported in this paper. Future endeavors to generalize the model would add significantly to the model's value.", "contents": "A computer model for hydrodynamic shearing of DNA. A computer simulation model for the hydrodynamic shearing of DNA is presented. In this model the event space consists of a number of positions at which the DNA strand may break. The results of the model compared with the real world result are reported in this paper. Future endeavors to generalize the model would add significantly to the model's value.", "PMID": 761458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_789", "title": "Computer design synthesis of a below knee-Syme prosthesis.", "content": "A detailed design synthesis analysis of the BK Syme prosthesis is provided, to determine the socket's cutout orientation size and shape, cutout fillet shape, socket wall thickness distribution and the reinforced fiber distribution in the socket wall, for a minimally stressed structurally safe lightweight prosthesis. For analysis purpose, the most adverse socket loading is obtained at the push-off stage of gait; this loading is idealised as an axial in-plane loading on the bottom edge of the circular cylindrical socket shell whose top edge is considered fixed. Finite element stress analysis of the socket shell (with uniform and graded wall thickness) are performed for various orientations of the cutout and for various types of corner fillets. A lateral cutout with a streamline fillet is recommended. The wall material (i.e., thickness) distribution is determined so as to minimise the stresses, while ensuring that the wall material's stress limits are not exceeded. For such a maximally-stressed lightweight socket shell, the panels in the neighbourhood of the cutout are checked to ensure that they do not buckle under their acquired stresses. A fiber-reinforced laminated composite socket shell is also analysed, to recommend optimum variables in orientations and densities of reinforcing fibers.", "contents": "Computer design synthesis of a below knee-Syme prosthesis. A detailed design synthesis analysis of the BK Syme prosthesis is provided, to determine the socket's cutout orientation size and shape, cutout fillet shape, socket wall thickness distribution and the reinforced fiber distribution in the socket wall, for a minimally stressed structurally safe lightweight prosthesis. For analysis purpose, the most adverse socket loading is obtained at the push-off stage of gait; this loading is idealised as an axial in-plane loading on the bottom edge of the circular cylindrical socket shell whose top edge is considered fixed. Finite element stress analysis of the socket shell (with uniform and graded wall thickness) are performed for various orientations of the cutout and for various types of corner fillets. A lateral cutout with a streamline fillet is recommended. The wall material (i.e., thickness) distribution is determined so as to minimise the stresses, while ensuring that the wall material's stress limits are not exceeded. For such a maximally-stressed lightweight socket shell, the panels in the neighbourhood of the cutout are checked to ensure that they do not buckle under their acquired stresses. A fiber-reinforced laminated composite socket shell is also analysed, to recommend optimum variables in orientations and densities of reinforcing fibers.", "PMID": 761459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_790", "title": "Nephrotoxic antibiotics in patients with renal failures: guidelines for debilitated patients.", "content": "Fifty-seven cancer patients, who had had an 8--15% loss of body weight in the previous 6 months, were studied to establish the reliabity in wasted individuals of presently available nomograms correlating serum creatinine with creatinine clearance. Other predictors of renal function, such as osmolar clearance, free water clearance, and excreted fraction of filtered sodium, were also considered. In all patients, and especially in those with a measured creatinine clearance 10--50 ml/min, the use of standard nomograms based on serum creatinine resulted in gross overestimation of renal function. None of the other tests of renal function proved reliable for clinical purposes. It is concluded that in wasted patients administration of nephrotoxic drugs that are renally excreted should be adjusted to measured creatine clearance. Using other common predictors of renal function may result in overdosage.", "contents": "Nephrotoxic antibiotics in patients with renal failures: guidelines for debilitated patients. Fifty-seven cancer patients, who had had an 8--15% loss of body weight in the previous 6 months, were studied to establish the reliabity in wasted individuals of presently available nomograms correlating serum creatinine with creatinine clearance. Other predictors of renal function, such as osmolar clearance, free water clearance, and excreted fraction of filtered sodium, were also considered. In all patients, and especially in those with a measured creatinine clearance 10--50 ml/min, the use of standard nomograms based on serum creatinine resulted in gross overestimation of renal function. None of the other tests of renal function proved reliable for clinical purposes. It is concluded that in wasted patients administration of nephrotoxic drugs that are renally excreted should be adjusted to measured creatine clearance. Using other common predictors of renal function may result in overdosage.", "PMID": 761471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_791", "title": "Hydromediastinum after aberrant central venous catheter placement.", "content": "After central venous catheter placement via the right subclavian route, a hydromediastinum was produced. Aberrant placement of the catheter was undiscovered for 13-1/2 hours despite clinical and radiographic signs. Careful interview of the patient and analysis of postcatheterization chest radiographs are imperative in order to avoid catastrophic consequences of aberrant catheter placement.", "contents": "Hydromediastinum after aberrant central venous catheter placement. After central venous catheter placement via the right subclavian route, a hydromediastinum was produced. Aberrant placement of the catheter was undiscovered for 13-1/2 hours despite clinical and radiographic signs. Careful interview of the patient and analysis of postcatheterization chest radiographs are imperative in order to avoid catastrophic consequences of aberrant catheter placement.", "PMID": 761472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_792", "title": "Multipurpose central venous access using the cordis sheath introducer system.", "content": "A nonpyrogenic polyethylene sheath system with a hemostatic valve assembly and side port extension developed by the Cordis Corporation is now routinely used for central venous access in critically ill patients. It is inserted percutaneously via the subclavian or internal jugular vein and allows rapid and efficient catheterization for hemodynamic monitoring, infusion of multiple solutions simultaneously, and uniflow hemodialysis. This system represents a significant advance in catheter technology.", "contents": "Multipurpose central venous access using the cordis sheath introducer system. A nonpyrogenic polyethylene sheath system with a hemostatic valve assembly and side port extension developed by the Cordis Corporation is now routinely used for central venous access in critically ill patients. It is inserted percutaneously via the subclavian or internal jugular vein and allows rapid and efficient catheterization for hemodynamic monitoring, infusion of multiple solutions simultaneously, and uniflow hemodialysis. This system represents a significant advance in catheter technology.", "PMID": 761473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_793", "title": "Multiple determination of cardiac output using a two-bottle technique.", "content": "A technique is described to perform multiple determinations of cardiac output; two 150 ml bottles of 5% dextrose in water, stored in identical conditions, are immersed in an ice slush, contained in a styrofoam cooler. Comparison of cardiac output determinations obtained with this technique and with multiple syringes indicates very close duplication of results. The technique is very inexpensive and allows one to follow patients for up to four hours with as many as 30 consecutive determinations of cardiac output.", "contents": "Multiple determination of cardiac output using a two-bottle technique. A technique is described to perform multiple determinations of cardiac output; two 150 ml bottles of 5% dextrose in water, stored in identical conditions, are immersed in an ice slush, contained in a styrofoam cooler. Comparison of cardiac output determinations obtained with this technique and with multiple syringes indicates very close duplication of results. The technique is very inexpensive and allows one to follow patients for up to four hours with as many as 30 consecutive determinations of cardiac output.", "PMID": 761474} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_794", "title": "Do homologous chromosomes differ? A preliminary investigation based on DNA measurements.", "content": "This paper is concerned with the problem of deciding whether measurements from homologous chromosomes differ. First, a general mathematical model is proposed for studying the distribution of chromosome measurements. Next, log-likelihood ratios are used to test for correlation between homolog pairs and for differences between homolog means and variances. The tests are applied to measurments on 1946 pairs of chromosomes from 10 normal individuals. Test results are interpreted taking into account the large number (2025 total tests) required by the study. Our results demonstrate that, at the current level of resolution, most homologs do not show differences in DNA content. However, there is some evidence that several homologs pairs differ by small amounts of DNA (less than 0.2% of the autosomal genome). Power studies indicate that sample sizes of 20 to 30 measurements are required to detect differences of this size.", "contents": "Do homologous chromosomes differ? A preliminary investigation based on DNA measurements. This paper is concerned with the problem of deciding whether measurements from homologous chromosomes differ. First, a general mathematical model is proposed for studying the distribution of chromosome measurements. Next, log-likelihood ratios are used to test for correlation between homolog pairs and for differences between homolog means and variances. The tests are applied to measurments on 1946 pairs of chromosomes from 10 normal individuals. Test results are interpreted taking into account the large number (2025 total tests) required by the study. Our results demonstrate that, at the current level of resolution, most homologs do not show differences in DNA content. However, there is some evidence that several homologs pairs differ by small amounts of DNA (less than 0.2% of the autosomal genome). Power studies indicate that sample sizes of 20 to 30 measurements are required to detect differences of this size.", "PMID": 761475} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_795", "title": "Ellobius lutescens Th. (Rhodentia, Microtinae): Q-, R-, and replication banding patterns. Chromosome 1 polymorphism in the male and presumptive heterogamety in the female.", "content": "Five specimens of Ellobius lutescens, four males and one female, were studied by several banding methods. Structural polymorphism occurred in the longest chromosome pair of the karyotype of two males: a pericentric inversion in one animal and a paracentric inversion in the other. In the female studied, one chromosome 1 differs from those of the males by a marked elongation of a proximal euchromatic band in the long arm. Thus, the female seems to represent the heterogametic sex. Chromosome 9 showed the same banding pattern in both sexes. The possible meaning of this chromosome constitution for the sex-determining mechanism of E. lutescens is discussed.", "contents": "Ellobius lutescens Th. (Rhodentia, Microtinae): Q-, R-, and replication banding patterns. Chromosome 1 polymorphism in the male and presumptive heterogamety in the female. Five specimens of Ellobius lutescens, four males and one female, were studied by several banding methods. Structural polymorphism occurred in the longest chromosome pair of the karyotype of two males: a pericentric inversion in one animal and a paracentric inversion in the other. In the female studied, one chromosome 1 differs from those of the males by a marked elongation of a proximal euchromatic band in the long arm. Thus, the female seems to represent the heterogametic sex. Chromosome 9 showed the same banding pattern in both sexes. The possible meaning of this chromosome constitution for the sex-determining mechanism of E. lutescens is discussed.", "PMID": 761476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_796", "title": "Gametic products transmitted by chickens heterozygous for chromosomal rearrangements.", "content": "Chromosomal analysis was made from 3744 chick embryos derived from reciprocal matings between parents, one of which was heterozygous for a pericentric inversion, a centric fission, or one of three translocations. The objectives were to determine the types and frequencies of genetically balanced and unbalanced gametes transmitted to early embryos by rearrangement heterozygotes and to ascertain if some gametic types were preferentially produced or utilized. The array of embryos obtained from the heterozygous sires did not deviate significantly from the expected, except in the case of the centric fission group. Among embryos derived from heterozygous dams, however, significant deviations from the expected 1:1 ratio for complementary gametic products, resulting from specific balanced and unbalanced segregation types, were found consistently in all three translocation groups and the centric fission group (P less than 0.025). It was concluded that differences exist between heterozygous sires and dams in the frequencies at which some gametic types are produced. The deviations from the expected ratios among progeny of heterozygous dams may be the result of anaphase lagging during the meiotic division of oogenesis.", "contents": "Gametic products transmitted by chickens heterozygous for chromosomal rearrangements. Chromosomal analysis was made from 3744 chick embryos derived from reciprocal matings between parents, one of which was heterozygous for a pericentric inversion, a centric fission, or one of three translocations. The objectives were to determine the types and frequencies of genetically balanced and unbalanced gametes transmitted to early embryos by rearrangement heterozygotes and to ascertain if some gametic types were preferentially produced or utilized. The array of embryos obtained from the heterozygous sires did not deviate significantly from the expected, except in the case of the centric fission group. Among embryos derived from heterozygous dams, however, significant deviations from the expected 1:1 ratio for complementary gametic products, resulting from specific balanced and unbalanced segregation types, were found consistently in all three translocation groups and the centric fission group (P less than 0.025). It was concluded that differences exist between heterozygous sires and dams in the frequencies at which some gametic types are produced. The deviations from the expected ratios among progeny of heterozygous dams may be the result of anaphase lagging during the meiotic division of oogenesis.", "PMID": 761477} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_797", "title": "Nonhomologous associations of C-heterochromatin at human male meitoic prophase.", "content": "In human male meiotic prophase, nonhomologous pairings and connections between C-heterochromatic regions were demonstrated by C-banding and G-11 staining. Approximately 40% of the pachytene stages exhibited bivalent associations at regions of C-heterochromatin. Nonhomologous associations were seen between all possible morphological types of bivalents. Evidence is submitted suggesting that nonhomologous associations between regions of C-heterochromatin are a fairly common event in many organisms, including man, and the possible roles of this phenomenon in meiosis are discussed.", "contents": "Nonhomologous associations of C-heterochromatin at human male meitoic prophase. In human male meiotic prophase, nonhomologous pairings and connections between C-heterochromatic regions were demonstrated by C-banding and G-11 staining. Approximately 40% of the pachytene stages exhibited bivalent associations at regions of C-heterochromatin. Nonhomologous associations were seen between all possible morphological types of bivalents. Evidence is submitted suggesting that nonhomologous associations between regions of C-heterochromatin are a fairly common event in many organisms, including man, and the possible roles of this phenomenon in meiosis are discussed.", "PMID": 761482} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_798", "title": "Karyological confirmation of conspicuous ZW sex chromosomes in two species of Pacific anguilloid fishes (Anguilliformes: Teleostomi).", "content": "Leukocyte and kidney cell cultures were used to examine the sex chromosomes of Japanese freshwater eels (Anguilla japonica) and conger eels (Astroconger myriaster). The conspicuous presence of ZW sex chromosomes, due to a drastic reduction in size of the W, was confirmed in both species, where the Z was the largest metacentric and the W was the smallest metacentric in a diploid karyotype of 38 chromosomes in both species. These species are the first examples of the ZW type of heteromorphism in eels.", "contents": "Karyological confirmation of conspicuous ZW sex chromosomes in two species of Pacific anguilloid fishes (Anguilliformes: Teleostomi). Leukocyte and kidney cell cultures were used to examine the sex chromosomes of Japanese freshwater eels (Anguilla japonica) and conger eels (Astroconger myriaster). The conspicuous presence of ZW sex chromosomes, due to a drastic reduction in size of the W, was confirmed in both species, where the Z was the largest metacentric and the W was the smallest metacentric in a diploid karyotype of 38 chromosomes in both species. These species are the first examples of the ZW type of heteromorphism in eels.", "PMID": 761483} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_799", "title": "Ataxia telangiectasia: chromosomal stability in continuous lymphoblastoid cell lines.", "content": "Chromosomal breakage in peripheral lymphocytes, cultured fibroblasts and long-term lymphoblastoid cell lines was investigated in five hitherto undescribed patients with ataxia telangiectasia (AT). Increased chromosomal instability was observed in lymphocytes and fibroblasts, and clones possessing a Dq+ marker were observed. Breakage rates were significantly higher in the fibroblasts than in the lymphocytes of AT patients or in similar tissues from patients with Bloom syndrome or Fanconi anemia. However, chromosome breakage in lymphoblastoid lines established from these five AT patients and six others did not differ from controls. These observations suggests that selection pressures, in vivo or in vitro, or both, act differently on the expression of chromosomal instability in these various cell types.", "contents": "Ataxia telangiectasia: chromosomal stability in continuous lymphoblastoid cell lines. Chromosomal breakage in peripheral lymphocytes, cultured fibroblasts and long-term lymphoblastoid cell lines was investigated in five hitherto undescribed patients with ataxia telangiectasia (AT). Increased chromosomal instability was observed in lymphocytes and fibroblasts, and clones possessing a Dq+ marker were observed. Breakage rates were significantly higher in the fibroblasts than in the lymphocytes of AT patients or in similar tissues from patients with Bloom syndrome or Fanconi anemia. However, chromosome breakage in lymphoblastoid lines established from these five AT patients and six others did not differ from controls. These observations suggests that selection pressures, in vivo or in vitro, or both, act differently on the expression of chromosomal instability in these various cell types.", "PMID": 761484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_800", "title": "Analyses of diplotene chiasma frequencies in mouse oocytes and spermatocytes in relation to ageing and sexual dimorphism.", "content": "Diplotene chiasma frequencies from \"early\" (day 16) fetal oocytes are significantly greater than the average from \"late\" (day 18) oocytes. A decrease in chiasma frequencies from both ages was found at diakinesis/MI in oocytes of young or old adults females, indicating a loss of chiasmata and/or terminalization. A greater number of type I univalents was found in \"late\" oocytes than \"early\" oocytes entering diplotene. No difference were found in chiasma frequencies of male diplotene spermatocytes studied at 23 days, 2 months, or 24 months of age. A greater chiasma frequency was generally found in the female than the male at all ages studied.", "contents": "Analyses of diplotene chiasma frequencies in mouse oocytes and spermatocytes in relation to ageing and sexual dimorphism. Diplotene chiasma frequencies from \"early\" (day 16) fetal oocytes are significantly greater than the average from \"late\" (day 18) oocytes. A decrease in chiasma frequencies from both ages was found at diakinesis/MI in oocytes of young or old adults females, indicating a loss of chiasmata and/or terminalization. A greater number of type I univalents was found in \"late\" oocytes than \"early\" oocytes entering diplotene. No difference were found in chiasma frequencies of male diplotene spermatocytes studied at 23 days, 2 months, or 24 months of age. A greater chiasma frequency was generally found in the female than the male at all ages studied.", "PMID": 761485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_801", "title": "A selective medium (GAMA) for the isolation of somatic cell hybrids from HPRT- and APRT- mutant cells.", "content": "A medium is described which can be used for the selection of somatic cell hybrids between HPRT- and APRT- mutant cells. This medium, called GAMA, contains as its relevant constituents the following: the purines guanine and adenine and the purine biosynthetic pathway inhibitors mycophenolic adic, which blocks conversion of adenine ribonucleotides to guanine ribonucleotides, and azaserine, which blocks de novo purine synthesis.", "contents": "A selective medium (GAMA) for the isolation of somatic cell hybrids from HPRT- and APRT- mutant cells. A medium is described which can be used for the selection of somatic cell hybrids between HPRT- and APRT- mutant cells. This medium, called GAMA, contains as its relevant constituents the following: the purines guanine and adenine and the purine biosynthetic pathway inhibitors mycophenolic adic, which blocks conversion of adenine ribonucleotides to guanine ribonucleotides, and azaserine, which blocks de novo purine synthesis.", "PMID": 761486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_802", "title": "Chromosomal imbalance in ovulated oocytes from Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus).", "content": "Chromosomes were studied in ovulated oocytes from Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) to assess the degree of chromosomal imbalance after first meiotic division of oogenesis. Only one hyperploid oocyte among 307 studied was detected in the former, and none in oocytes from the latter species. Structural chromosome alterations, single chromatids due to presegregation, and diploid chromosome sets resulting from meiotic blockage were not observed. The hormones which were used to stimulate ovulation apparently did not enhance first meiotic cleavage errors in these hamster oocytes. The low figures of chromosomal anomalies in hamster oocytes are compared to those from a large sample of mouse oocytes obtained from three different strains and prepared under identical conditions. The relevance of these findings to the obviously higher impact of chromosomal aneuploidy in man is discussed.", "contents": "Chromosomal imbalance in ovulated oocytes from Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus). Chromosomes were studied in ovulated oocytes from Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) to assess the degree of chromosomal imbalance after first meiotic division of oogenesis. Only one hyperploid oocyte among 307 studied was detected in the former, and none in oocytes from the latter species. Structural chromosome alterations, single chromatids due to presegregation, and diploid chromosome sets resulting from meiotic blockage were not observed. The hormones which were used to stimulate ovulation apparently did not enhance first meiotic cleavage errors in these hamster oocytes. The low figures of chromosomal anomalies in hamster oocytes are compared to those from a large sample of mouse oocytes obtained from three different strains and prepared under identical conditions. The relevance of these findings to the obviously higher impact of chromosomal aneuploidy in man is discussed.", "PMID": 761487} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_803", "title": "Evidence for an association between univalent Y chromosomes and spermatoycte loss in XYY mice and men.", "content": "It has been observed previously that there is an association between sex chromosome pairing failure during meiosis and spermatocyte death. An hypothesis is advanced suggesting a similar association between a disruption of sex chromosome pairing (specifically, a failure of Y chromosome pairing) and spermatocyte loss in XYY mice and men.", "contents": "Evidence for an association between univalent Y chromosomes and spermatoycte loss in XYY mice and men. It has been observed previously that there is an association between sex chromosome pairing failure during meiosis and spermatocyte death. An hypothesis is advanced suggesting a similar association between a disruption of sex chromosome pairing (specifically, a failure of Y chromosome pairing) and spermatocyte loss in XYY mice and men.", "PMID": 761488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_804", "title": "Distribution of spontaneous chromosome breaks in man.", "content": "The distribution of break points in human chromosomes was analyzed in 15,754 metaphases from 1084 patients. A total of 1099 breaks were specifically localized to a chromosome band or region depicted in the PARIS CONFERENCE (1971) report. The sites of the breaks were very different from the expected random distribution and showed distinct clustering of breaks in some regions. These observations underline the heterogeneity of chromosomal material and furnish comparative data for the study of cytotoxic agents and constitutional chromosomal fragility.", "contents": "Distribution of spontaneous chromosome breaks in man. The distribution of break points in human chromosomes was analyzed in 15,754 metaphases from 1084 patients. A total of 1099 breaks were specifically localized to a chromosome band or region depicted in the PARIS CONFERENCE (1971) report. The sites of the breaks were very different from the expected random distribution and showed distinct clustering of breaks in some regions. These observations underline the heterogeneity of chromosomal material and furnish comparative data for the study of cytotoxic agents and constitutional chromosomal fragility.", "PMID": 761489} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_805", "title": "[The small-intestine-stasis syndrome following side-to-side anastomosis].", "content": "This review describes the small intestine stasis syndrome after side-to-side anastomosis. Symptoms of intermittent abdominal pains with steatorrhea and loss of weight are caused by disturbance of passage with a rise in bacterial concentrations. Of 27 patients observed 15 had no disorders, while 12 had gastrointestinal symptoms which had been misinterpreted and given conservative treatment for a long time (3--22 years). Treatment is either by antibiotics or by excision of the lateral anastomosis followed by end-to-end anastomosis of the normal intestine. Special attention must be paid to the consequences of side-to-side anastomosis in childhood.", "contents": "[The small-intestine-stasis syndrome following side-to-side anastomosis]. This review describes the small intestine stasis syndrome after side-to-side anastomosis. Symptoms of intermittent abdominal pains with steatorrhea and loss of weight are caused by disturbance of passage with a rise in bacterial concentrations. Of 27 patients observed 15 had no disorders, while 12 had gastrointestinal symptoms which had been misinterpreted and given conservative treatment for a long time (3--22 years). Treatment is either by antibiotics or by excision of the lateral anastomosis followed by end-to-end anastomosis of the normal intestine. Special attention must be paid to the consequences of side-to-side anastomosis in childhood.", "PMID": 761494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_806", "title": "[Surgery of endotheracic struma].", "content": "Most cases of endothoracic struma should be considered as systemic illnesses that require thoracic surgery. Concerning cervicoendothoracic borderline cases, the same point of view is advocated, e.g., struma endothoracica falsa and vera alliata. With reference to 38 cases of true and 34 cases of false endothoracic struma, the authors summarize and discuss: 1) their experiences in diagnosis, 2) various routes of access, 3) special thoracic closure techniques, and 4) specific surgical methods on the tumor itself.", "contents": "[Surgery of endotheracic struma]. Most cases of endothoracic struma should be considered as systemic illnesses that require thoracic surgery. Concerning cervicoendothoracic borderline cases, the same point of view is advocated, e.g., struma endothoracica falsa and vera alliata. With reference to 38 cases of true and 34 cases of false endothoracic struma, the authors summarize and discuss: 1) their experiences in diagnosis, 2) various routes of access, 3) special thoracic closure techniques, and 4) specific surgical methods on the tumor itself.", "PMID": 761495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_807", "title": "[What is certain in the pathogenesis and incidence of primary carcinoma involving the operated stomach?].", "content": "It has been postulated that resection therapy for peptic ulcer disease will result in an increased frequency of gastric stump cancer depending on the ulcer type and type of operation (Billroth I, Billroth II, gastroenterostomy). However, an extensive review of the literature shows that after Billroth II resection for gastric ulcer without enteroanastomosis the frequency of primary gastric stump cancer is not greater than in the case of medically treated benign gastric ulcers. The frequency of cancer of the gastric stump seems lower after resection for duodenal ulcer disease. It is possible that the combination of the Billroth II resection with an enteroanastomosis decreases the frequency of cancer of the gastric remnant. Clinical and experimental studies do not allow final statements on cancer frequency after Billroth I resection or simple gastroenterostomy.", "contents": "[What is certain in the pathogenesis and incidence of primary carcinoma involving the operated stomach?]. It has been postulated that resection therapy for peptic ulcer disease will result in an increased frequency of gastric stump cancer depending on the ulcer type and type of operation (Billroth I, Billroth II, gastroenterostomy). However, an extensive review of the literature shows that after Billroth II resection for gastric ulcer without enteroanastomosis the frequency of primary gastric stump cancer is not greater than in the case of medically treated benign gastric ulcers. The frequency of cancer of the gastric stump seems lower after resection for duodenal ulcer disease. It is possible that the combination of the Billroth II resection with an enteroanastomosis decreases the frequency of cancer of the gastric remnant. Clinical and experimental studies do not allow final statements on cancer frequency after Billroth I resection or simple gastroenterostomy.", "PMID": 761496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_808", "title": "[Computed axial tomography (cat) in the diagnosis of diseases of the heart and aorta (author's transl)].", "content": "Computed axial tomography (CAT) was used in 70 patients with diagnostic problems centering on the heart (47 patients) or the aorta (23). The method proved suitable for the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and serial control of pericardial effusions and also well demonstrated intracardiac tumours. Aortic aneurysms are also easily demonstrated and their extent can be exactly defined. But aortic wall dissection and stenosis of arteries arising from the aorta are not visualized and therefore require angiography.", "contents": "[Computed axial tomography (cat) in the diagnosis of diseases of the heart and aorta (author's transl)]. Computed axial tomography (CAT) was used in 70 patients with diagnostic problems centering on the heart (47 patients) or the aorta (23). The method proved suitable for the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and serial control of pericardial effusions and also well demonstrated intracardiac tumours. Aortic aneurysms are also easily demonstrated and their extent can be exactly defined. But aortic wall dissection and stenosis of arteries arising from the aorta are not visualized and therefore require angiography.", "PMID": 761517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_809", "title": "[Comparison of bicycle ergometry and step-ladder exercise (author's transl)].", "content": "Repeat exercises (three hours apart) on a bicycle ergometer and a vertical step-ladder were performed in a randomised series on 79 subjects: 13 doctors, 44 patients and 22 sportsmen. Duration of exercise was on average 250% longer in the three groups on the step-ladder than the bicycle. Correspondingly, exercise-pulse sums, recovery-pulse sums and exercise indices were two-and-a-half to three times higher than on bicycle ergometry. As a sign of comparability of the exercise by the two methods there was, on average, no significant difference with regard to the final heart rate, although duration of exercise was longer on the step-ladder. 67% of subjects discontinued the exercise because of peripheral muscle fatigue on the bicycle ergometer, compared with only 8% on the step-ladder. During bicycle ergometry lactate concentration rose by 6.7 mmol/l compared with only 0.78 mmol/l during step-ladder exercise. These results indicate that the value of bicycle ergometry exercise is limited by muscle fatigue in the legs: step-ladder exercise can be extended much longer. The practical significance is that patients with coronary heart disease especially have symptoms and/or ECG changes of ischaemia only at higher levels of physical exercise.", "contents": "[Comparison of bicycle ergometry and step-ladder exercise (author's transl)]. Repeat exercises (three hours apart) on a bicycle ergometer and a vertical step-ladder were performed in a randomised series on 79 subjects: 13 doctors, 44 patients and 22 sportsmen. Duration of exercise was on average 250% longer in the three groups on the step-ladder than the bicycle. Correspondingly, exercise-pulse sums, recovery-pulse sums and exercise indices were two-and-a-half to three times higher than on bicycle ergometry. As a sign of comparability of the exercise by the two methods there was, on average, no significant difference with regard to the final heart rate, although duration of exercise was longer on the step-ladder. 67% of subjects discontinued the exercise because of peripheral muscle fatigue on the bicycle ergometer, compared with only 8% on the step-ladder. During bicycle ergometry lactate concentration rose by 6.7 mmol/l compared with only 0.78 mmol/l during step-ladder exercise. These results indicate that the value of bicycle ergometry exercise is limited by muscle fatigue in the legs: step-ladder exercise can be extended much longer. The practical significance is that patients with coronary heart disease especially have symptoms and/or ECG changes of ischaemia only at higher levels of physical exercise.", "PMID": 761518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_810", "title": "[Sensitivity of the haemoccult test in colorectal tumours (author's transl)].", "content": "157 patients with histologically investigated colorectal tumours from 5 hospitals of the University of Munich were tested with the Haemoccult test. In 30 (35.7%) of 84 patients with malignancy of the colon and in 31 (58.5%) of 53 patients with adenomas or polyps the correctly performed test was negative. The test result showed no dependency on age or sex of the patient, nor on size, stage or localisation of the tumour. A problem-orientated history lowered the rate of false negative tests to 2.4%. The high rate of false negative results was not attributable to organisational or technical errors.", "contents": "[Sensitivity of the haemoccult test in colorectal tumours (author's transl)]. 157 patients with histologically investigated colorectal tumours from 5 hospitals of the University of Munich were tested with the Haemoccult test. In 30 (35.7%) of 84 patients with malignancy of the colon and in 31 (58.5%) of 53 patients with adenomas or polyps the correctly performed test was negative. The test result showed no dependency on age or sex of the patient, nor on size, stage or localisation of the tumour. A problem-orientated history lowered the rate of false negative tests to 2.4%. The high rate of false negative results was not attributable to organisational or technical errors.", "PMID": 761519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_811", "title": "[Creatine kinase: reference values and clinical aspects of the revised standard method (author's transl)].", "content": "Reference values for the revised standard method for determining N-acetylcysteine (NAC) activated creatine kinase (CK) activity in serum are presented, based on samples from 432 out-patients and 423 in-patients of either sex. CK activity was not age-related. The suggested range of normal values for serum CK activity, measured by the revised standard method at + 25 degree C, is 10--70U/l for females and 10--80U/l for males. Where an elevation of serum CK activity is of uncertain cause, the CK/GOT ratio had been recommended, additional to the CK-MB isoenzyme, for distinguishing between damage to heart and skeletal muscle. The significance of this ratio was checked with the revised standard CK method and the optimized GOT determination. The point of separation between myocardial and skeletal muscle damage is 10 by this methods. In order to use this ratio, total CK activity must be over 150 U/l and liver disease or secondary liver involvement must have been excluded. The CK/GOT ratio gains in importance through findings which limit the specificity of CK-MB as a purely myocardial (infarct)-specific isoenzyme.", "contents": "[Creatine kinase: reference values and clinical aspects of the revised standard method (author's transl)]. Reference values for the revised standard method for determining N-acetylcysteine (NAC) activated creatine kinase (CK) activity in serum are presented, based on samples from 432 out-patients and 423 in-patients of either sex. CK activity was not age-related. The suggested range of normal values for serum CK activity, measured by the revised standard method at + 25 degree C, is 10--70U/l for females and 10--80U/l for males. Where an elevation of serum CK activity is of uncertain cause, the CK/GOT ratio had been recommended, additional to the CK-MB isoenzyme, for distinguishing between damage to heart and skeletal muscle. The significance of this ratio was checked with the revised standard CK method and the optimized GOT determination. The point of separation between myocardial and skeletal muscle damage is 10 by this methods. In order to use this ratio, total CK activity must be over 150 U/l and liver disease or secondary liver involvement must have been excluded. The CK/GOT ratio gains in importance through findings which limit the specificity of CK-MB as a purely myocardial (infarct)-specific isoenzyme.", "PMID": 761520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_812", "title": "[Infections caused by Yersinia enterocolitica: bacteriological, serological, epidemiological and immunological findings in 51 cases (author's transl)].", "content": "Within two years 51 infections caused by Yersinia enterocolitica were diagnosed by bacteriological and (or) serological tests (Yersinia enterocolitica Serovar 03 in 48, Serovar 09 in two and Serovar 04 in one). The latter was isolated from the discharge of a badly healing superinfected wound. In the other 50 there was feverish enteritis, in 12 with arthritic complaints. Of the latter 12 nine had the antigen HLA-B27. This investigation demonstrated a slight increase in cases during the cold months. Men were more frequently affected than women and 38 were older than 16 years. In-vitro sensitivity of the isolated Yersinia strains against various chemotherapeutic agents was also tested.", "contents": "[Infections caused by Yersinia enterocolitica: bacteriological, serological, epidemiological and immunological findings in 51 cases (author's transl)]. Within two years 51 infections caused by Yersinia enterocolitica were diagnosed by bacteriological and (or) serological tests (Yersinia enterocolitica Serovar 03 in 48, Serovar 09 in two and Serovar 04 in one). The latter was isolated from the discharge of a badly healing superinfected wound. In the other 50 there was feverish enteritis, in 12 with arthritic complaints. Of the latter 12 nine had the antigen HLA-B27. This investigation demonstrated a slight increase in cases during the cold months. Men were more frequently affected than women and 38 were older than 16 years. In-vitro sensitivity of the isolated Yersinia strains against various chemotherapeutic agents was also tested.", "PMID": 761529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_813", "title": "[Hyperparathyroidism and metabolic acidosis (author's transl)].", "content": "Severe secondary hyperparathyroidism and marked metabolic acidosis occurred in five patients in advanced renal failure due to chronic interstitial nephritis. In all instances there was an immediate and lasting rise in plasma standard bicarbonate concentration after subtotal parathyroidectomy. These observations suggest that the metabolic acidosis in some patients with advanced renal failure is, at least in part, due to hyperparathyroidism and, therefore, responsive to its appropriate treatment.", "contents": "[Hyperparathyroidism and metabolic acidosis (author's transl)]. Severe secondary hyperparathyroidism and marked metabolic acidosis occurred in five patients in advanced renal failure due to chronic interstitial nephritis. In all instances there was an immediate and lasting rise in plasma standard bicarbonate concentration after subtotal parathyroidectomy. These observations suggest that the metabolic acidosis in some patients with advanced renal failure is, at least in part, due to hyperparathyroidism and, therefore, responsive to its appropriate treatment.", "PMID": 761530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_814", "title": "[Effective out-patient treatment of gastric ulcer with proglumide: preliminary results (author's transl)].", "content": "In a double-blind trial 16 persons with gastric ulcer and 35 with duodenal ulcer were treated as out-patients with 1200 mg proglumide daily or 1320 mg magnesium tricilicate daily (as an \"active placebo\") for four weeks. The ulcers were assessed by endoscopy before and after treatment. The gastric ulcers disappeared in 75% of patients receiving proglumide (six of eight subjects) but in only 25% of those on the placebo (two of eight). There was no significant effect of proglumide on duodenal ulcers (17 in the proglumide and 18 in the placebo groups). Proglumide failed to affect either basal or maximally stimulated acid secretion, nor was there any change in the serum gastrin level. There were no side effects during proglumide administration. This underlines its therapeutic value in the treatment of gastric ulcer, in comparison with cimetidine or carbenoxolone.", "contents": "[Effective out-patient treatment of gastric ulcer with proglumide: preliminary results (author's transl)]. In a double-blind trial 16 persons with gastric ulcer and 35 with duodenal ulcer were treated as out-patients with 1200 mg proglumide daily or 1320 mg magnesium tricilicate daily (as an \"active placebo\") for four weeks. The ulcers were assessed by endoscopy before and after treatment. The gastric ulcers disappeared in 75% of patients receiving proglumide (six of eight subjects) but in only 25% of those on the placebo (two of eight). There was no significant effect of proglumide on duodenal ulcers (17 in the proglumide and 18 in the placebo groups). Proglumide failed to affect either basal or maximally stimulated acid secretion, nor was there any change in the serum gastrin level. There were no side effects during proglumide administration. This underlines its therapeutic value in the treatment of gastric ulcer, in comparison with cimetidine or carbenoxolone.", "PMID": 761539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_815", "title": "[Necrosis of the pancreas (author's transl)].", "content": "In a retrospective study, based on 35 392 necropsies, 270 cases of severe acute pancreatitis (stage II or III) were compared with respect to diagnosis, survival time and cause of death. The proportion of correct clinical diagnoses made during life was 29.5% in cases of acute pancreatitis stage II, and 64.1% in severe acute pancreatitis stage III. The average survival time was 13 days. The most common cause of death was shock and intoxication. Most of the deaths in the first phase of the disease were due to pancreatogenic shock and enzyme intoxication. The considerable absorption of toxins from the necrotic tissue becomes a threat to life only after the first week of illness. There was a significant reduction in death rate on the sixth and seventh day of illness: the period from the fifth to seventh day of illness is, therefore, suggested as a most favourable time for any resection of necrotic pancreas tissue.", "contents": "[Necrosis of the pancreas (author's transl)]. In a retrospective study, based on 35 392 necropsies, 270 cases of severe acute pancreatitis (stage II or III) were compared with respect to diagnosis, survival time and cause of death. The proportion of correct clinical diagnoses made during life was 29.5% in cases of acute pancreatitis stage II, and 64.1% in severe acute pancreatitis stage III. The average survival time was 13 days. The most common cause of death was shock and intoxication. Most of the deaths in the first phase of the disease were due to pancreatogenic shock and enzyme intoxication. The considerable absorption of toxins from the necrotic tissue becomes a threat to life only after the first week of illness. There was a significant reduction in death rate on the sixth and seventh day of illness: the period from the fifth to seventh day of illness is, therefore, suggested as a most favourable time for any resection of necrotic pancreas tissue.", "PMID": 761540} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_816", "title": "[Adrenal and extra-adrenal phaeochromocytoma: diagnostic features and localisation by determining plasma catecholamines (author's transl)].", "content": "Urinary catecholamines and urinary excretion of vanillylmandelic acid confirmed the diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma in ten patients. In two of seven a modified glucagon test significantly aided confirmation of the diagnosis. In all patients the tumour was localised both by catecholamine determination in blood from the vein draining into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and by adrenal phlebography. Site of the adrenal tumour was definitively determined by the high catecholamine level in the adrenal veins and by phlebography. Three extra-adrenal tumours, a thoracic and two abdominal ones, were localised by high catecholamine levels in blood from other veins draining into the IVC. Vanillylmandelic acid determinaion was unreliable in the diagnosis of small phaeochromocytomas.", "contents": "[Adrenal and extra-adrenal phaeochromocytoma: diagnostic features and localisation by determining plasma catecholamines (author's transl)]. Urinary catecholamines and urinary excretion of vanillylmandelic acid confirmed the diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma in ten patients. In two of seven a modified glucagon test significantly aided confirmation of the diagnosis. In all patients the tumour was localised both by catecholamine determination in blood from the vein draining into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and by adrenal phlebography. Site of the adrenal tumour was definitively determined by the high catecholamine level in the adrenal veins and by phlebography. Three extra-adrenal tumours, a thoracic and two abdominal ones, were localised by high catecholamine levels in blood from other veins draining into the IVC. Vanillylmandelic acid determinaion was unreliable in the diagnosis of small phaeochromocytomas.", "PMID": 761541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_817", "title": "[Uric-acid reduction with high allopurinol dosages (author's transl)].", "content": "At the high dosage of 600 mg daily, the uric-acid reducing effect of allopurinol depends on the initial level of uric-acid concentration in the same manner as at the usual dosage of 300 mg daily, but is more marked at the entire hyperuricaemic concentration range of 65--71 mumol/l (11--12 mg/l). After eight days at the same dosage of 600 mg daily allopurinol there is a highly significant correlation between the two variables, corresponding to the equation of uric acid effect of allopurinol = 0.893 x serum uric-acid concentration--29.27. At an uric-acid concentration of 476 mumol/l (80 mg/l); at a uric-acid level of about 595 mumol/l (100 mg/l) the average concentration reduction will be around 357 mumol/l (60 mg/l).", "contents": "[Uric-acid reduction with high allopurinol dosages (author's transl)]. At the high dosage of 600 mg daily, the uric-acid reducing effect of allopurinol depends on the initial level of uric-acid concentration in the same manner as at the usual dosage of 300 mg daily, but is more marked at the entire hyperuricaemic concentration range of 65--71 mumol/l (11--12 mg/l). After eight days at the same dosage of 600 mg daily allopurinol there is a highly significant correlation between the two variables, corresponding to the equation of uric acid effect of allopurinol = 0.893 x serum uric-acid concentration--29.27. At an uric-acid concentration of 476 mumol/l (80 mg/l); at a uric-acid level of about 595 mumol/l (100 mg/l) the average concentration reduction will be around 357 mumol/l (60 mg/l).", "PMID": 761542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_818", "title": "Cell shape as an indicator of volume reabsorption in proximal nephron.", "content": "If the complex shape of cells and intercellular channels in the renal proximal tubule is determined in part by the forces of large transepithelial water flow, the cell and channel shapes might serve as indicators of the type and magnitude of the forces required for water flow and the routes of that flow. We review here the known morphologic and functional data from the convoluted and straight portions of the rabbit proximal tubule and test the hypothesis of structure-function correlation in that tissue by means of a mass balance equation. If the lateral cell walls are sufficiently deformable to communicate small transmembrane differences in hydrostatic pressure, the resulting phenomenological model suggests an important new role for peritubular serum proteins and can be used to compute reasonable values for cell wall hydraulic conductivity, intercellular protein diffusion constant, and a channel fluid osmolality not more than 1% greater than that of luminal fluid. We conclude that quantitative morphologic studies may serve as a powerful means for evaluating and understanding transport phenomenons in the nephron.", "contents": "Cell shape as an indicator of volume reabsorption in proximal nephron. If the complex shape of cells and intercellular channels in the renal proximal tubule is determined in part by the forces of large transepithelial water flow, the cell and channel shapes might serve as indicators of the type and magnitude of the forces required for water flow and the routes of that flow. We review here the known morphologic and functional data from the convoluted and straight portions of the rabbit proximal tubule and test the hypothesis of structure-function correlation in that tissue by means of a mass balance equation. If the lateral cell walls are sufficiently deformable to communicate small transmembrane differences in hydrostatic pressure, the resulting phenomenological model suggests an important new role for peritubular serum proteins and can be used to compute reasonable values for cell wall hydraulic conductivity, intercellular protein diffusion constant, and a channel fluid osmolality not more than 1% greater than that of luminal fluid. We conclude that quantitative morphologic studies may serve as a powerful means for evaluating and understanding transport phenomenons in the nephron.", "PMID": 761645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_819", "title": "Dimensions of cells and lateral intercellular spaces in living Necturus gallbladder.", "content": "The size and shape of the cells and lateral intercellular spaces were measured in living Necturus gallbladder epithelium. Interspace volume was determined as a function of the transepithelial hydrostatic pressure difference. The compliance of the lateral membranes of the gallbladder cells was calculated from the interspace pressure-volume curves in both the presence and absence of fluid transport. Cell and interspace volume were studied when the NaCl in the mucosal bath was substituted by equiosmolar quantities of sucrose. The cells decreased in volume after the removal of mucosal NaCl and increased to control volume when the mucosal perfusate was 100 NaCl Ringer. The interspaces collapsed when fluid transport was inhibited by the removal of mucosal NaCl and reopened when NaCl was reintroduced to the mucosal bath. The rate of change of cell volume was used to calculate the active transport rate and the flux of NaCl across the apical membrane. The magnitude of the cell volume change during NaCl replacement indicated that all intracellular NaCl was readily accessible to be transported out of the cell.", "contents": "Dimensions of cells and lateral intercellular spaces in living Necturus gallbladder. The size and shape of the cells and lateral intercellular spaces were measured in living Necturus gallbladder epithelium. Interspace volume was determined as a function of the transepithelial hydrostatic pressure difference. The compliance of the lateral membranes of the gallbladder cells was calculated from the interspace pressure-volume curves in both the presence and absence of fluid transport. Cell and interspace volume were studied when the NaCl in the mucosal bath was substituted by equiosmolar quantities of sucrose. The cells decreased in volume after the removal of mucosal NaCl and increased to control volume when the mucosal perfusate was 100 NaCl Ringer. The interspaces collapsed when fluid transport was inhibited by the removal of mucosal NaCl and reopened when NaCl was reintroduced to the mucosal bath. The rate of change of cell volume was used to calculate the active transport rate and the flux of NaCl across the apical membrane. The magnitude of the cell volume change during NaCl replacement indicated that all intracellular NaCl was readily accessible to be transported out of the cell.", "PMID": 761646} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_820", "title": "Quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis of electrolyte elements within epithelial tissue compartments.", "content": "The electron probe X-ray microanalysis of 1-micron thick frozen-hydrated sections provides a method to measure local concentrations of electrolyte elements (and H2O) in and around the cells in situ with an analytical spatial resolution of better than 0.2 micron and a sensitivity limit better than 10 mM with a standard error of less than 10%. Our microprobe studies on several epithelia transporting isotonic fluids have provided strong evidence that the electrolyte concentration in the interspaces suspected to be the sites of solute-solvent coupling may, on average, be as much as 35% more than in the bathing fluid. There also appear to be distinct concentration gradients in interspaces, the profiles of which differ according to the tissue geometry but particularly according to the location of the leaky cell junctions, suggesting that the osmotic equilibration of the transported fluid may require substantial mass flow through the junctions. In addition, there is evidence a) that the major electrolytes in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells are not uniformly distributed but may have distinct axial and radial concentration gradients that depend on active solute transport (e.g., that abolished by ouabain); b) that in some epithelia (e.g., rabbit ileum) there is a peripheral cytoplasmic zone that may support fast convective flow for transcellular fluxes; c) that the extracellular structures like the glycocalyx and basement membrane preferentially sequester potassium (and calcium) and could have a non-zero reflection coefficient; and d) that in normal cells, nuclei have ionic composition similar to that of the circumnuclear cytoplasm.", "contents": "Quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis of electrolyte elements within epithelial tissue compartments. The electron probe X-ray microanalysis of 1-micron thick frozen-hydrated sections provides a method to measure local concentrations of electrolyte elements (and H2O) in and around the cells in situ with an analytical spatial resolution of better than 0.2 micron and a sensitivity limit better than 10 mM with a standard error of less than 10%. Our microprobe studies on several epithelia transporting isotonic fluids have provided strong evidence that the electrolyte concentration in the interspaces suspected to be the sites of solute-solvent coupling may, on average, be as much as 35% more than in the bathing fluid. There also appear to be distinct concentration gradients in interspaces, the profiles of which differ according to the tissue geometry but particularly according to the location of the leaky cell junctions, suggesting that the osmotic equilibration of the transported fluid may require substantial mass flow through the junctions. In addition, there is evidence a) that the major electrolytes in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells are not uniformly distributed but may have distinct axial and radial concentration gradients that depend on active solute transport (e.g., that abolished by ouabain); b) that in some epithelia (e.g., rabbit ileum) there is a peripheral cytoplasmic zone that may support fast convective flow for transcellular fluxes; c) that the extracellular structures like the glycocalyx and basement membrane preferentially sequester potassium (and calcium) and could have a non-zero reflection coefficient; and d) that in normal cells, nuclei have ionic composition similar to that of the circumnuclear cytoplasm.", "PMID": 761647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_821", "title": "External solution driving forces for isotonic fluid absorption in proximal tubules.", "content": "We have explored evidence that suggests that lateral intercellular spaces is the mammalian proximal nephron do not serve as a hypertonic \"central compartment\" driving volume absorption. A primary consideration is the very low transepithelial resistance of this tissue as demonstrated by several laboratories. By making the reasonable assumption that passive ion permeation occurs via a paracellular route, we have concluded that the diffusion resistance of the spaces in insufficient to allow the development of a significant compositional difference between the spaces and the peritubular medium. This conclusion led us to look for potential osmotic gradients existing between the luminal and peritubular solutions. From the perfusion rate dependence of osmotic volume flow in the absence of active transport in isolated convoluted and straight proximal tubules, we calculated that both segments have very high hydraulic conductances, on the order of 3,000-5,000 micron/sec. Consequently, slight differences in the effective osmolality of the external solutions are sufficient to explain net volume absorption both in vivo and in vitro. We have provided evidence for two such driving forces. First, the development of asymmetrical anion concentration differences along the length of the proximal nephron due to preferential reabsorption of HCO-3 provides a driving force if the reflection coefficient for HCO-3 exceeds that for Cl-. Second, slight luminal hypotonicity may develop as a consequence of active solute absorption. Although both mechanisms probably occur simultaneously in vivo, we consider the former to be quantitatively the most important.", "contents": "External solution driving forces for isotonic fluid absorption in proximal tubules. We have explored evidence that suggests that lateral intercellular spaces is the mammalian proximal nephron do not serve as a hypertonic \"central compartment\" driving volume absorption. A primary consideration is the very low transepithelial resistance of this tissue as demonstrated by several laboratories. By making the reasonable assumption that passive ion permeation occurs via a paracellular route, we have concluded that the diffusion resistance of the spaces in insufficient to allow the development of a significant compositional difference between the spaces and the peritubular medium. This conclusion led us to look for potential osmotic gradients existing between the luminal and peritubular solutions. From the perfusion rate dependence of osmotic volume flow in the absence of active transport in isolated convoluted and straight proximal tubules, we calculated that both segments have very high hydraulic conductances, on the order of 3,000-5,000 micron/sec. Consequently, slight differences in the effective osmolality of the external solutions are sufficient to explain net volume absorption both in vivo and in vitro. We have provided evidence for two such driving forces. First, the development of asymmetrical anion concentration differences along the length of the proximal nephron due to preferential reabsorption of HCO-3 provides a driving force if the reflection coefficient for HCO-3 exceeds that for Cl-. Second, slight luminal hypotonicity may develop as a consequence of active solute absorption. Although both mechanisms probably occur simultaneously in vivo, we consider the former to be quantitatively the most important.", "PMID": 761648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_822", "title": "Effect of age on pulmonary structure and function of immature and adult animals and man.", "content": "Literature on the comparative effects of aging on lungs of immature and adult animals and man was reviewed and additional data for dogs were presented. The dog is the only animal for which comprehensive data have been reported. Human lungs grow primarily by addition of alveoli to 8 yr, then by increasing the size of respiratory airspaces. Alveolar sizes of most mammals are similar at birth but vary in proportion to body size in adults. Lung volumes of dogs and man increase in proportion to body growth until young adulthood, and then total lung volume remains constant. Maximal functional efficiencies are reached at approximately 20 yr in man and 1 yr in dogs. Lungs of dogs and man also undergo similar progressive age-related changes during adulthood. Alveoli enlarge and coalesce, resulting in losses of elasticity and surface area and an increase in the fixed lung volume at the expense of mobile volume. Gas mixing and alveolar--capillary gas exchange become less efficient. Static pressure--volume relationships of all adult mammals are shifted toward reduced elastic recoil with age. In contrast to findings in man and dogs, both excised and intact lung volumes of rodents continue to increase after young adulthood. The gas exchange capacity of rats increases in parallel to the volume increase. These species differences demonstrate the need for careful selection of animal models for the study of aging of the human lung.", "contents": "Effect of age on pulmonary structure and function of immature and adult animals and man. Literature on the comparative effects of aging on lungs of immature and adult animals and man was reviewed and additional data for dogs were presented. The dog is the only animal for which comprehensive data have been reported. Human lungs grow primarily by addition of alveoli to 8 yr, then by increasing the size of respiratory airspaces. Alveolar sizes of most mammals are similar at birth but vary in proportion to body size in adults. Lung volumes of dogs and man increase in proportion to body growth until young adulthood, and then total lung volume remains constant. Maximal functional efficiencies are reached at approximately 20 yr in man and 1 yr in dogs. Lungs of dogs and man also undergo similar progressive age-related changes during adulthood. Alveoli enlarge and coalesce, resulting in losses of elasticity and surface area and an increase in the fixed lung volume at the expense of mobile volume. Gas mixing and alveolar--capillary gas exchange become less efficient. Static pressure--volume relationships of all adult mammals are shifted toward reduced elastic recoil with age. In contrast to findings in man and dogs, both excised and intact lung volumes of rodents continue to increase after young adulthood. The gas exchange capacity of rats increases in parallel to the volume increase. These species differences demonstrate the need for careful selection of animal models for the study of aging of the human lung.", "PMID": 761650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_823", "title": "Genetic relation of life span to metabolic rate for inbred mouse strains and their hybrids.", "content": "Average life spans were estimated for the male progeny from 21 of the 25 possible matings of 5 inbred mouse strains. Oxygen consumption was measured in an open system over a 48-hour interval. Resting metabolism, Mre, and average metabolism, Mav, were determined at 6-8 months of age, and at 24-34 months. Body weight, W, was determined at the time metabolism was measured. Life span, L, is negatively correlated with Mre and Mav, and positively correlated with W at both ages of measurement. This is in accord with the metabolic wear factor that had previously been established among 85 different species of mammals. A new metabolism variable, the energy partition coefficient, defined as the ratio of average to resting metabolic rate, Mav/Mre, has a parabolic relation to body weight, i.e., is maximal at an intermediate body size. The squared body weight deviation in turn has a negative correlation with life span. The correlation of L with Mav/Mre is positive, as expected, but not significant. These data suggest the existence of a longevity factor dependent on the partition of energy between the phasic metabolism of activity and the continuous maintenance metabolism.", "contents": "Genetic relation of life span to metabolic rate for inbred mouse strains and their hybrids. Average life spans were estimated for the male progeny from 21 of the 25 possible matings of 5 inbred mouse strains. Oxygen consumption was measured in an open system over a 48-hour interval. Resting metabolism, Mre, and average metabolism, Mav, were determined at 6-8 months of age, and at 24-34 months. Body weight, W, was determined at the time metabolism was measured. Life span, L, is negatively correlated with Mre and Mav, and positively correlated with W at both ages of measurement. This is in accord with the metabolic wear factor that had previously been established among 85 different species of mammals. A new metabolism variable, the energy partition coefficient, defined as the ratio of average to resting metabolic rate, Mav/Mre, has a parabolic relation to body weight, i.e., is maximal at an intermediate body size. The squared body weight deviation in turn has a negative correlation with life span. The correlation of L with Mav/Mre is positive, as expected, but not significant. These data suggest the existence of a longevity factor dependent on the partition of energy between the phasic metabolism of activity and the continuous maintenance metabolism.", "PMID": 761651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_824", "title": "Bronchial mucosal cells.", "content": "The eight epithelial cell types and their features are described--the basal, Kultschitzsky, intermediate, brush, ciliated, serous, Clara, and mucous cell. In the irritated airway the separate secretory cell types are able to change, through transitional cell types, from the Clara and the serous to the mucous cell. Each type of epithelial cell may be associated with intraepithelial nerves, including sensory and motor, some adrenergic, some cholinergic. The epithelial surface is covered with a periciliary fluid layer in which the cilia beat. Turnover time of the epithelial cell population is faster in the young animal than old, in male than female, and in extrapulmonary than intrapulmonary airways. The epithelium responds differently to the first single exposure to tobacco smoke--in extrapulmonary airways a 'discharge' effect causes a fall in the apparent number of secretory cells while in intrapulmonary airways secretory cell number increases. Further exposures increase the secretory cell number to its maximum more rapidly in extrapulmonary than intrapulmonary airways. Differences between the response of the secretory cell population to isoproterenol and salbutamol indicate differences in the beta-adrenergic receptors in different airway regions.", "contents": "Bronchial mucosal cells. The eight epithelial cell types and their features are described--the basal, Kultschitzsky, intermediate, brush, ciliated, serous, Clara, and mucous cell. In the irritated airway the separate secretory cell types are able to change, through transitional cell types, from the Clara and the serous to the mucous cell. Each type of epithelial cell may be associated with intraepithelial nerves, including sensory and motor, some adrenergic, some cholinergic. The epithelial surface is covered with a periciliary fluid layer in which the cilia beat. Turnover time of the epithelial cell population is faster in the young animal than old, in male than female, and in extrapulmonary than intrapulmonary airways. The epithelium responds differently to the first single exposure to tobacco smoke--in extrapulmonary airways a 'discharge' effect causes a fall in the apparent number of secretory cells while in intrapulmonary airways secretory cell number increases. Further exposures increase the secretory cell number to its maximum more rapidly in extrapulmonary than intrapulmonary airways. Differences between the response of the secretory cell population to isoproterenol and salbutamol indicate differences in the beta-adrenergic receptors in different airway regions.", "PMID": 761653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_825", "title": "Neuromuscular structure and function in the airways.", "content": "The smooth muscle and the neural pathways of the airways have many similarities to the muscle and innervation of the gastrointestinal tract, as expected from their common embryological origin. The smooth muscle and its innervation vary in structure and function from species to species and extrapolation from one species to another may not be valid. In the human trachea and main stem bronchi the smooth muscle has numerous cell-to-cell connections of the nexus or gap junction type. The principal nervous pathways in the human airways are excitatory, which is cholinergic, and inhibitory, which is nonadrenergic or purinergic. Adrenergic nerves have not been demonstrated in the smooth muscle, but may be present in the ganglions that are found around the trachea and bronchi. Possible defects in the innervation may lead to alterations in the intrinsic activity, of the smooth muscle and be responsible for certain reactive states of the smooth muscle.", "contents": "Neuromuscular structure and function in the airways. The smooth muscle and the neural pathways of the airways have many similarities to the muscle and innervation of the gastrointestinal tract, as expected from their common embryological origin. The smooth muscle and its innervation vary in structure and function from species to species and extrapolation from one species to another may not be valid. In the human trachea and main stem bronchi the smooth muscle has numerous cell-to-cell connections of the nexus or gap junction type. The principal nervous pathways in the human airways are excitatory, which is cholinergic, and inhibitory, which is nonadrenergic or purinergic. Adrenergic nerves have not been demonstrated in the smooth muscle, but may be present in the ganglions that are found around the trachea and bronchi. Possible defects in the innervation may lead to alterations in the intrinsic activity, of the smooth muscle and be responsible for certain reactive states of the smooth muscle.", "PMID": 761654} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_826", "title": "Postnatal formation of alveoli: interstitial events and physiologic consequences.", "content": "This paper details some of the interstitial events associated with the formation of alveoli during early postnatal life and the physiological consequences of alterations in this process. Formation of alveoli coincides with differentiation of dormant interstitial fibroblasts into myofibroblasts within new alveolar buds and lipid-filled fibroblasts at the base of these buds. The myofibroblasts appear to be involved in synthesis and secretion of elastin and perhaps other connective tissue elements. Glycosaminoglycans identified with ruthenium red or tannic acid appear in the extracellular matrix of the buds. The role of the lipid-filled fibroblast is uncertain. Since lung size increases at a greater rate than airway size during the early postnatal period, conditions that stimulate or depress postnatal lung alveolarization influence relative airflow rates. Highland natives have larger than normal lungs and low relative maximal expiratory airflow. Hamsters whose growth has been blunted by protein malnutrition have small lungs but large relative maximal expiratory airflow. These results illustrate the physiological importance of dysanaptic lung growth.", "contents": "Postnatal formation of alveoli: interstitial events and physiologic consequences. This paper details some of the interstitial events associated with the formation of alveoli during early postnatal life and the physiological consequences of alterations in this process. Formation of alveoli coincides with differentiation of dormant interstitial fibroblasts into myofibroblasts within new alveolar buds and lipid-filled fibroblasts at the base of these buds. The myofibroblasts appear to be involved in synthesis and secretion of elastin and perhaps other connective tissue elements. Glycosaminoglycans identified with ruthenium red or tannic acid appear in the extracellular matrix of the buds. The role of the lipid-filled fibroblast is uncertain. Since lung size increases at a greater rate than airway size during the early postnatal period, conditions that stimulate or depress postnatal lung alveolarization influence relative airflow rates. Highland natives have larger than normal lungs and low relative maximal expiratory airflow. Hamsters whose growth has been blunted by protein malnutrition have small lungs but large relative maximal expiratory airflow. These results illustrate the physiological importance of dysanaptic lung growth.", "PMID": 761655} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_827", "title": "Conservative surgery for endometriosis in the infertile female: a study of 206 patients with implications for both medical and surgical therapy.", "content": "Two hundred and six women with endometriosis classified as mild (88), moderate (50), or severe (68) were evaluated after conservtive surgery. The duration of infertility was not related to the severity of the condition. In 137 patients, endometriosis was the only known cause of the infertility. Pregnancy rates in this group were 73.2%, 55.9%, and 40.4%, respectively, for patients with mild, moderate, and severe endometriosis. Of 56 patients with mild endometriosis (peritoneal involvement only), 78.0% had been infertile for 2 or more years; 73.2% became pregnant. These facts suggest that endometriosis, even in its mild form, does interfere with the conception process and that, in some way, surgery is efficacious. The surgery was most beneficial in the early postoperative period. Of patients who conceived, 30.5% did so within 3 months, 48.8% within 6 months, and 86.0% within 15 months after surgery. The data suggest that if medical suppressive therapy is to be used in conjunction with conservative surgery to enhance fertility, it should be used preoperatively rather than postoperatively.", "contents": "Conservative surgery for endometriosis in the infertile female: a study of 206 patients with implications for both medical and surgical therapy. Two hundred and six women with endometriosis classified as mild (88), moderate (50), or severe (68) were evaluated after conservtive surgery. The duration of infertility was not related to the severity of the condition. In 137 patients, endometriosis was the only known cause of the infertility. Pregnancy rates in this group were 73.2%, 55.9%, and 40.4%, respectively, for patients with mild, moderate, and severe endometriosis. Of 56 patients with mild endometriosis (peritoneal involvement only), 78.0% had been infertile for 2 or more years; 73.2% became pregnant. These facts suggest that endometriosis, even in its mild form, does interfere with the conception process and that, in some way, surgery is efficacious. The surgery was most beneficial in the early postoperative period. Of patients who conceived, 30.5% did so within 3 months, 48.8% within 6 months, and 86.0% within 15 months after surgery. The data suggest that if medical suppressive therapy is to be used in conjunction with conservative surgery to enhance fertility, it should be used preoperatively rather than postoperatively.", "PMID": 761672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_828", "title": "The relationship between long-distance running, plasma progesterone, and luteal phase length.", "content": "The chronic effects of long-distance running upon the menstrual cycle were studied in a healthy, ovulatory 30-year-old woman. Luteal phase plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, 17beta-estradiol, and progesterone were compared during a control and a training cycle. The luteal phase was shorter in cycles of greater mileage. Mid-luteal phase plasma progesterone concentrations were significantly lower during training.", "contents": "The relationship between long-distance running, plasma progesterone, and luteal phase length. The chronic effects of long-distance running upon the menstrual cycle were studied in a healthy, ovulatory 30-year-old woman. Luteal phase plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, 17beta-estradiol, and progesterone were compared during a control and a training cycle. The luteal phase was shorter in cycles of greater mileage. Mid-luteal phase plasma progesterone concentrations were significantly lower during training.", "PMID": 761673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_829", "title": "Measurement of plasma human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and beta-hCG activities in the late luteal phase: evidence of the occurrence of spontaneous menstrual abortions in infertile women.", "content": "Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and beta-hCG activities were measured during the late luteal phase in 321 cycles of 147 infertile women. In 71 cycles the hCG measurement permitted the diagnosis of pregnancy between the 10th and 14th days after the thermal nadir. The slope of the regression line derived from hCG levels during the first 22 days of pregnancy was significantly lower in pregnancies which aborted before the 60th day than in normal pregnancies (P less than 0.01). Among 72 cycles ended by apparently normal menses which exhibited an LH-hCG activity at least equal to 7 mIU of hCG/ml during the late luteal phase, the beta-hCG activity was measured in 49 cycles during which hCG had not been given. Significant beta-hCG activity (greater than or equal to 4 mIU of hCG/ml) was detected in 19 cases. This finding supports the assumption that secretory trophoblastic tissue had been present and that spontaneous menstrual abortions had occurred in these women.", "contents": "Measurement of plasma human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and beta-hCG activities in the late luteal phase: evidence of the occurrence of spontaneous menstrual abortions in infertile women. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and beta-hCG activities were measured during the late luteal phase in 321 cycles of 147 infertile women. In 71 cycles the hCG measurement permitted the diagnosis of pregnancy between the 10th and 14th days after the thermal nadir. The slope of the regression line derived from hCG levels during the first 22 days of pregnancy was significantly lower in pregnancies which aborted before the 60th day than in normal pregnancies (P less than 0.01). Among 72 cycles ended by apparently normal menses which exhibited an LH-hCG activity at least equal to 7 mIU of hCG/ml during the late luteal phase, the beta-hCG activity was measured in 49 cycles during which hCG had not been given. Significant beta-hCG activity (greater than or equal to 4 mIU of hCG/ml) was detected in 19 cases. This finding supports the assumption that secretory trophoblastic tissue had been present and that spontaneous menstrual abortions had occurred in these women.", "PMID": 761674} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_830", "title": "Experience with two different medicated intrauterine devices: a comparative study of the Progestasert and Nova-T.", "content": "A comparative study of the Progestasert (UPS) and the Nova-T in 326 randomly selected women was carried out. The observation period was 1 year. The over-all continuation rates for the two types of intrauterine devices (IUDs) were similar. The expulsion rate for the Nova-T (9.2%) was considerably higher (P = 0.001) than that for the UPS (1.2%). Medical removals for bleeding/pain were more frequent (P = 0.028) for the UPS (15.4%) as compared with the Nova-T (6.1%). The pregnancy rate for the UPS (Pearl index = 4.8) was insignificantly higher than that for the Nova-T (Pearl index = 2.8). Two of the pregnancies in the UPS group were ectopic. No significant changes in the reactive immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, or IgM) were observed in either of the groups. Our results indicate that neither of these two IUDs is preferable to the already existing medicated IUDs, such as the Copper T or the Copper 7.", "contents": "Experience with two different medicated intrauterine devices: a comparative study of the Progestasert and Nova-T. A comparative study of the Progestasert (UPS) and the Nova-T in 326 randomly selected women was carried out. The observation period was 1 year. The over-all continuation rates for the two types of intrauterine devices (IUDs) were similar. The expulsion rate for the Nova-T (9.2%) was considerably higher (P = 0.001) than that for the UPS (1.2%). Medical removals for bleeding/pain were more frequent (P = 0.028) for the UPS (15.4%) as compared with the Nova-T (6.1%). The pregnancy rate for the UPS (Pearl index = 4.8) was insignificantly higher than that for the Nova-T (Pearl index = 2.8). Two of the pregnancies in the UPS group were ectopic. No significant changes in the reactive immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, or IgM) were observed in either of the groups. Our results indicate that neither of these two IUDs is preferable to the already existing medicated IUDs, such as the Copper T or the Copper 7.", "PMID": 761675} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_831", "title": "Diethylstilbestrol-induced upper genital tract abnormalities.", "content": "In utero diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure has recently been associated with apparently unique abnormalities of the upper genital tract. Utilizing a standardized technique of hysterosalpingography (HSG) and a linear planimeter, the following measurements were made in a group of 13 DES-exposed women and compared with a control group of 22 women undergoing HSG during infertility investigations (mean +/- standard error: endometrial cavity area, 323.23 +/- 32.13 sq mm versus 626.56 +/- 52.75 sq mm; endometrial cavity circumference, 128.65 +/- 5.08 mm versus 140.52 +/- 5.56 mm; upper uterine segment length, 28.80 +/- 1.11 mm versus 38.03 +/- 1.81 mm; lower uterine sugment length, 36.03 +/- 4.77 mm versus 42.24 +/- 2.39 mm; intercornual distance, 36.40 +/- 2.56 mm versus 38.25 +/- 1.58 mm; internal os diameter, 3.90 +/- 0.44 mm versus 4.43 +/- 0.23 mm; widest diameter of the endocervical canal, 3.78 +/- 0.40 mm versus 9.39 +/- 0.60 mm; isthmic tubal diameter, 1.25 +/- 0.08 mm versus 1.20 +/- 0.01 mm; ampullary tubal diameter, 4.79 +/- 0.43 mm versus 4.65 +/- 0.22 mm. The endometrial cavity area, upper uterine segment, and endocervical canal measurements were significantly smaller in the DES-exposed group (P less than 0.01). The upper genital tract abnormalities observed appeared to be unlike spontaneously occurring M\u00fcllerian malformations and correlated with DES-induced cervicovaginal changes. Primary dysmenorrhea and menstrual irregularity occurred in 40% and 47%, respectively, of the DES-exposed patients.", "contents": "Diethylstilbestrol-induced upper genital tract abnormalities. In utero diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure has recently been associated with apparently unique abnormalities of the upper genital tract. Utilizing a standardized technique of hysterosalpingography (HSG) and a linear planimeter, the following measurements were made in a group of 13 DES-exposed women and compared with a control group of 22 women undergoing HSG during infertility investigations (mean +/- standard error: endometrial cavity area, 323.23 +/- 32.13 sq mm versus 626.56 +/- 52.75 sq mm; endometrial cavity circumference, 128.65 +/- 5.08 mm versus 140.52 +/- 5.56 mm; upper uterine segment length, 28.80 +/- 1.11 mm versus 38.03 +/- 1.81 mm; lower uterine sugment length, 36.03 +/- 4.77 mm versus 42.24 +/- 2.39 mm; intercornual distance, 36.40 +/- 2.56 mm versus 38.25 +/- 1.58 mm; internal os diameter, 3.90 +/- 0.44 mm versus 4.43 +/- 0.23 mm; widest diameter of the endocervical canal, 3.78 +/- 0.40 mm versus 9.39 +/- 0.60 mm; isthmic tubal diameter, 1.25 +/- 0.08 mm versus 1.20 +/- 0.01 mm; ampullary tubal diameter, 4.79 +/- 0.43 mm versus 4.65 +/- 0.22 mm. The endometrial cavity area, upper uterine segment, and endocervical canal measurements were significantly smaller in the DES-exposed group (P less than 0.01). The upper genital tract abnormalities observed appeared to be unlike spontaneously occurring M\u00fcllerian malformations and correlated with DES-induced cervicovaginal changes. Primary dysmenorrhea and menstrual irregularity occurred in 40% and 47%, respectively, of the DES-exposed patients.", "PMID": 761676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_832", "title": "Factors affecting sperm motility. I. In vitro change in motility with time after ejaculation.", "content": "Semen specimens from 33 donors were analyzed intermittently between 1 and 24 hours after ejaculation. Motility was determined objectively by analyzing still-camera photomicrographs taken with the aid of the new multiple exposure photography (MEP) technique, from which the following information was obtained: the percentage of motile spermatozoa, the average velocity and frequency distribution of spermatozoal velocities, and index of motility as well as sperm concentration. From curves drawn for each of the 33 analyzed specimens, these conclusions were drawn: 1. The percentage of motile spermatozoa decreases progressively, beginning 1 hour after ejaculation, at a rate of about 5% to 10%/hour. 2. In the majority of cases, sperm velocity increases for the first 4 hours and then decreases gradually. 3. There is no unique pattern of sperm motility and velocity with time for all specimens, especially during the first 4 hours. However, three typical curves of motility change were found during the first 4 hours: increase in motility, moderate decline in motility, and rapid loss of motility. 4. The frequency distribution of velocities of motile spermatozoa revealed typical normal curves at all times, but these curves became flatter as time elapsed. An explanation for these divergent patterns and the possible role of these findings in some physiologic and clinical problems are discussed.", "contents": "Factors affecting sperm motility. I. In vitro change in motility with time after ejaculation. Semen specimens from 33 donors were analyzed intermittently between 1 and 24 hours after ejaculation. Motility was determined objectively by analyzing still-camera photomicrographs taken with the aid of the new multiple exposure photography (MEP) technique, from which the following information was obtained: the percentage of motile spermatozoa, the average velocity and frequency distribution of spermatozoal velocities, and index of motility as well as sperm concentration. From curves drawn for each of the 33 analyzed specimens, these conclusions were drawn: 1. The percentage of motile spermatozoa decreases progressively, beginning 1 hour after ejaculation, at a rate of about 5% to 10%/hour. 2. In the majority of cases, sperm velocity increases for the first 4 hours and then decreases gradually. 3. There is no unique pattern of sperm motility and velocity with time for all specimens, especially during the first 4 hours. However, three typical curves of motility change were found during the first 4 hours: increase in motility, moderate decline in motility, and rapid loss of motility. 4. The frequency distribution of velocities of motile spermatozoa revealed typical normal curves at all times, but these curves became flatter as time elapsed. An explanation for these divergent patterns and the possible role of these findings in some physiologic and clinical problems are discussed.", "PMID": 761677} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_833", "title": "Gonadal function in males treated with cyclophosphamide for nephrotic syndrome.", "content": "Analysis of semen from 16 patients treated with cyclophosphamide for nephrotic syndrome showed azoospermia in three and oligospermia in seven. Analysis was normal in the other six. Prolonged treatment, particularly with larger total dosage, was associated with a higher incidence of gonadal dysfunction. Recovery was not evident at follow-up, 2 years and 9 months to 9 years and 1 month after cessation of the therapy. Limitation of treatment with cyclophosphamide to 8 weeks/course (2.5 mg/kg/day) minimizes this side effect without greatly increasing the rate of relapse of the nephrotic syndrome in the first 2 years after therapy.", "contents": "Gonadal function in males treated with cyclophosphamide for nephrotic syndrome. Analysis of semen from 16 patients treated with cyclophosphamide for nephrotic syndrome showed azoospermia in three and oligospermia in seven. Analysis was normal in the other six. Prolonged treatment, particularly with larger total dosage, was associated with a higher incidence of gonadal dysfunction. Recovery was not evident at follow-up, 2 years and 9 months to 9 years and 1 month after cessation of the therapy. Limitation of treatment with cyclophosphamide to 8 weeks/course (2.5 mg/kg/day) minimizes this side effect without greatly increasing the rate of relapse of the nephrotic syndrome in the first 2 years after therapy.", "PMID": 761678} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_834", "title": "Spermatic grauloma: an often painful lesion.", "content": "Spermatic granulomas are specialized abscesses which frequently occur at the site of vasectomy. Although some are often silent, others can be agonizingly painful. A series of 154 granulomas is presented. Of these, 83 were symptomatic and 63 required surgery for relief of pain.", "contents": "Spermatic grauloma: an often painful lesion. Spermatic granulomas are specialized abscesses which frequently occur at the site of vasectomy. Although some are often silent, others can be agonizingly painful. A series of 154 granulomas is presented. Of these, 83 were symptomatic and 63 required surgery for relief of pain.", "PMID": 761679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_835", "title": "Danazol binding to rat androgen, glucocorticoid, progesterone, and estrogen receptors: correlation with biologic activity.", "content": "Danazol was found to possess androgenic and glucocorticoid activity in rat bioassays. In contrast, danazol displayed no significant estrogenic activity. In support of these findings, danazol bound to the 8 S androgen receptor of rat prostate cytosol and to the glucocorticoid receptor of rat liver cytosol, but danazol did not bind well to the estrogen receptor of the rat uterus. Finally, danazol bound to the progesterone receptor of the rat uterus, but controversy continues as the whether danazol possesses progestational, antiprogestational, or no progestational effects.", "contents": "Danazol binding to rat androgen, glucocorticoid, progesterone, and estrogen receptors: correlation with biologic activity. Danazol was found to possess androgenic and glucocorticoid activity in rat bioassays. In contrast, danazol displayed no significant estrogenic activity. In support of these findings, danazol bound to the 8 S androgen receptor of rat prostate cytosol and to the glucocorticoid receptor of rat liver cytosol, but danazol did not bind well to the estrogen receptor of the rat uterus. Finally, danazol bound to the progesterone receptor of the rat uterus, but controversy continues as the whether danazol possesses progestational, antiprogestational, or no progestational effects.", "PMID": 761680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_836", "title": "Early ultrastructural changes in the rat testis after ductuli efferentes ligation.", "content": "The early effects of ligation of the ductuli efferentes on testicular ultrastructure were studied in adult rats. As soon as 24 hours after the operation a large number of vacuoles appeared in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells; vacuolization persisted for as long as 9 days, but localized in the apical part of the cells. Giant multinucleated cells containing annular clumps of chromatin were observed 1 day after ligation. The number of giant cells increased steadily as well as the alterations shown by their chromatin and cytoplasm. Isolated young spermatids also suffered morphologic changes that varied from almost normality to absolute necrosis. The thickness of the limiting membrane increased, as well as the number of cell layers. Deep infoldings, apparently caused by shrinkage of the tubules, were also noticed. Spermatogonias, spermatocytes I, mature spermatids, and spermatozoa did not present abnormalities. The interstitial tissue and the Leydig cells also appeared normal. It is concluded that ductuli efferentes ligation affects primarily the Sertoli cells; the formation of giant cells and the alterations shown by early spermatids and basement membrane are probably not specific but consequences of the injury to the Sertoli cells.", "contents": "Early ultrastructural changes in the rat testis after ductuli efferentes ligation. The early effects of ligation of the ductuli efferentes on testicular ultrastructure were studied in adult rats. As soon as 24 hours after the operation a large number of vacuoles appeared in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells; vacuolization persisted for as long as 9 days, but localized in the apical part of the cells. Giant multinucleated cells containing annular clumps of chromatin were observed 1 day after ligation. The number of giant cells increased steadily as well as the alterations shown by their chromatin and cytoplasm. Isolated young spermatids also suffered morphologic changes that varied from almost normality to absolute necrosis. The thickness of the limiting membrane increased, as well as the number of cell layers. Deep infoldings, apparently caused by shrinkage of the tubules, were also noticed. Spermatogonias, spermatocytes I, mature spermatids, and spermatozoa did not present abnormalities. The interstitial tissue and the Leydig cells also appeared normal. It is concluded that ductuli efferentes ligation affects primarily the Sertoli cells; the formation of giant cells and the alterations shown by early spermatids and basement membrane are probably not specific but consequences of the injury to the Sertoli cells.", "PMID": 761681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_837", "title": "Intrafollicular pressure within preovulatory follicles of the pig.", "content": "Antral pressure was measured within the follicles of unstimulated ovaries in prepubertal pigs and following an ovulatory stimulus with exogenous gonadotropins. No increase in intrafollicular pressure (IFP) was observed as the time of ovulation approached. A wide range of IFP was noted within follicles of the unstimulated ovary. In many follicles IFP was greater than 30 cm H2O, suggesting that the antral fluid was not in hydrostatic equilibrium with the surrounding thecal capillaries. IFP of unstimulated follicles could be increased to more than 400 cm H2O by antral injection of mineral oil without follicular rupture--a demonstration of the need for stigma formation in the release of the ovum from the follicle. Stimulated follicles were found to be more distensible than unstimulated follicles. The follicles also fell into two groups--those in which sustained versus transient elevation in IFP occurred following oil injection. It is postulated that the follicle wall develops the ability to undergo stress relaxation during follicular maturation and that this process plays a role in regulating IFP.", "contents": "Intrafollicular pressure within preovulatory follicles of the pig. Antral pressure was measured within the follicles of unstimulated ovaries in prepubertal pigs and following an ovulatory stimulus with exogenous gonadotropins. No increase in intrafollicular pressure (IFP) was observed as the time of ovulation approached. A wide range of IFP was noted within follicles of the unstimulated ovary. In many follicles IFP was greater than 30 cm H2O, suggesting that the antral fluid was not in hydrostatic equilibrium with the surrounding thecal capillaries. IFP of unstimulated follicles could be increased to more than 400 cm H2O by antral injection of mineral oil without follicular rupture--a demonstration of the need for stigma formation in the release of the ovum from the follicle. Stimulated follicles were found to be more distensible than unstimulated follicles. The follicles also fell into two groups--those in which sustained versus transient elevation in IFP occurred following oil injection. It is postulated that the follicle wall develops the ability to undergo stress relaxation during follicular maturation and that this process plays a role in regulating IFP.", "PMID": 761682} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_838", "title": "Connective fibers involved in the dermoepidermal anchorage. An electron microscopical study.", "content": "The human dermoepidermal anchoring fibrils, the oxytalan fibers and the elaunin fibers have been related with dermoepidermal adherence. In the present work their ultrastructure and origin are studied. The similarity between the segment longspacing tropocollagen molecular aggregates and the anchoring fibrils band patterns is evidenced. This fact supports the concept that the anchoring fibrils may be formed by a mechanism of side by side tropocollagen molecular aggregation after its polar binding to the basement lamina. The oxytalan fibers were studied in the superficial dermis, and their direct continuity with the elaunin fibers was demonstrated. The role of these fibers in the dermoepidermal mechanical adhesion is discussed.", "contents": "Connective fibers involved in the dermoepidermal anchorage. An electron microscopical study. The human dermoepidermal anchoring fibrils, the oxytalan fibers and the elaunin fibers have been related with dermoepidermal adherence. In the present work their ultrastructure and origin are studied. The similarity between the segment longspacing tropocollagen molecular aggregates and the anchoring fibrils band patterns is evidenced. This fact supports the concept that the anchoring fibrils may be formed by a mechanism of side by side tropocollagen molecular aggregation after its polar binding to the basement lamina. The oxytalan fibers were studied in the superficial dermis, and their direct continuity with the elaunin fibers was demonstrated. The role of these fibers in the dermoepidermal mechanical adhesion is discussed.", "PMID": 761689} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_839", "title": "Leprosy in the Netherlands. A review of leprosy patients registered at the Department of Dermatology, University of Amsterdam in the years 1972-1976.", "content": "Recently, there has been a sharp increase in the number of leprosy patients in The Netherlands, due to an increased immigration from Surinam where leprosy is hyperendemic. The patients registered at the Dermatological Department of the University of Amsterdam during the years 1972-1976 were reviewed. It was found that 28% of the untreated patients had recently suffered a relapse. A substantial percentage took the medication irregularly or discontinued treatment prematurely and quite a few patients required other types of treatment besides chemotherapy, such as surgical treatment and physiotherapy.", "contents": "Leprosy in the Netherlands. A review of leprosy patients registered at the Department of Dermatology, University of Amsterdam in the years 1972-1976. Recently, there has been a sharp increase in the number of leprosy patients in The Netherlands, due to an increased immigration from Surinam where leprosy is hyperendemic. The patients registered at the Dermatological Department of the University of Amsterdam during the years 1972-1976 were reviewed. It was found that 28% of the untreated patients had recently suffered a relapse. A substantial percentage took the medication irregularly or discontinued treatment prematurely and quite a few patients required other types of treatment besides chemotherapy, such as surgical treatment and physiotherapy.", "PMID": 761690} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_840", "title": "Dermatotillomania.", "content": "A clinical and histopathological description is given of a number of lesions in 4 patients, mainly caused by picking at the skin. The name dermatotillomania is proposed for this group of lesions.", "contents": "Dermatotillomania. A clinical and histopathological description is given of a number of lesions in 4 patients, mainly caused by picking at the skin. The name dermatotillomania is proposed for this group of lesions.", "PMID": 761691} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_841", "title": "Antimicrobial spectrum of triclosan, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent for topical application. II. Comparison with some other antimicrobial agents.", "content": "The antimicrobial activity of 5-chloro-2(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol (triclosan, one of the active ingredients of Logamel, Ciba-Geigy) was compared in vitro with that of other antimicrobials exclusively or occasionally used as topical agents in dermatology: hexachlorophene, clioquinol, chlorquinaldol. gentamicin, neomycin, nystatin, econazole, clotrimazole and salicylic acid. Upon determination of the MICs for 53 strains of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeasts and fungi, triclosan was found to display a high degree of activity against most of the test organisms and to have the broadest spectrum of chemotherapeutically significant antimicrobial activity of the substances tested.", "contents": "Antimicrobial spectrum of triclosan, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent for topical application. II. Comparison with some other antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial activity of 5-chloro-2(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol (triclosan, one of the active ingredients of Logamel, Ciba-Geigy) was compared in vitro with that of other antimicrobials exclusively or occasionally used as topical agents in dermatology: hexachlorophene, clioquinol, chlorquinaldol. gentamicin, neomycin, nystatin, econazole, clotrimazole and salicylic acid. Upon determination of the MICs for 53 strains of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeasts and fungi, triclosan was found to display a high degree of activity against most of the test organisms and to have the broadest spectrum of chemotherapeutically significant antimicrobial activity of the substances tested.", "PMID": 761692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_842", "title": "Vitiligo associated with BCG-methanol extraction residue in malignant melanoma. Report of a case.", "content": "A pronounced vitiliginous reaction developed at the sites of MER/BCG injections given as an adjuvant immunotherapy to a patient with malignant melanoma. To our knowledge, this is the third report on patients exhibiting vitiligo apparently induced by immunotherapy and the first in association with MER. This association may be a sign for an antimelanocytic effect and may offer a further confirmation for the autoimmune nature of vitiligo.", "contents": "Vitiligo associated with BCG-methanol extraction residue in malignant melanoma. Report of a case. A pronounced vitiliginous reaction developed at the sites of MER/BCG injections given as an adjuvant immunotherapy to a patient with malignant melanoma. To our knowledge, this is the third report on patients exhibiting vitiligo apparently induced by immunotherapy and the first in association with MER. This association may be a sign for an antimelanocytic effect and may offer a further confirmation for the autoimmune nature of vitiligo.", "PMID": 761693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_843", "title": "Treatment of mycosis fungoides with heat-killed BCG and cord factor.", "content": "6 patients with mycosis fungoides in different stages of the disease were successfully treated with intralesional injections of 1% mineral oil emulsions of killed BCG and cord factor, and/or topical application of an ointment containing killed BCG and cord factor.", "contents": "Treatment of mycosis fungoides with heat-killed BCG and cord factor. 6 patients with mycosis fungoides in different stages of the disease were successfully treated with intralesional injections of 1% mineral oil emulsions of killed BCG and cord factor, and/or topical application of an ointment containing killed BCG and cord factor.", "PMID": 761694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_844", "title": "High-grade malignant lymphoma arising from S\u00e9zary's syndrome. A case report.", "content": "Skin infiltrates and tumors characteristic of mycosis fungoides, together with other clinical features typical of S\u00e9zary's syndrome (such as erythroderma, itching and S\u00e9zary cells in the peripheral blood), were found in a 76-year-old female. Histologically, there was a shift from a well-differentiated to a poorly-differentiated lymphoblastic infiltration indicating the transformation from a low-grade to a high-grade malignant (T-cell) lymphoma.", "contents": "High-grade malignant lymphoma arising from S\u00e9zary's syndrome. A case report. Skin infiltrates and tumors characteristic of mycosis fungoides, together with other clinical features typical of S\u00e9zary's syndrome (such as erythroderma, itching and S\u00e9zary cells in the peripheral blood), were found in a 76-year-old female. Histologically, there was a shift from a well-differentiated to a poorly-differentiated lymphoblastic infiltration indicating the transformation from a low-grade to a high-grade malignant (T-cell) lymphoma.", "PMID": 761696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_845", "title": "Immunologic response in onchocerciasis: relations to microfilaria density in the skin biopsy and to some frequent symptoms.", "content": "During physical and immunologic investigations on onchocerciasis in 1,298 persons in the Republic of Liberia, the following results were obtained. There is a significant correlation between immune response and Onchocerca volvulus infection detected by a microfilaria-positive skin biopsy. On the other hand, the immune response is not influenced by the number of parasites in the skin, and there is no correlation of the immune response with Onchocerca nodules and with pruritus. There is a high proportion of serologically false-positive and false-negative results, and thus a diagnosis cannot be made simply by establishing evidence for antibodies in one person.", "contents": "Immunologic response in onchocerciasis: relations to microfilaria density in the skin biopsy and to some frequent symptoms. During physical and immunologic investigations on onchocerciasis in 1,298 persons in the Republic of Liberia, the following results were obtained. There is a significant correlation between immune response and Onchocerca volvulus infection detected by a microfilaria-positive skin biopsy. On the other hand, the immune response is not influenced by the number of parasites in the skin, and there is no correlation of the immune response with Onchocerca nodules and with pruritus. There is a high proportion of serologically false-positive and false-negative results, and thus a diagnosis cannot be made simply by establishing evidence for antibodies in one person.", "PMID": 761697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_846", "title": "An approach of ultrasound diagnostic techniques of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.", "content": "The authors have examined ultrasound echograms and photographs of the skin and subcutaneous tissue changes in some skin diseases, reporting their findings. In spite of the preliminary clinical casuistry, this quick, simple and painless technique without irradiation hazard to the patient shows the advantage relating to the other techniques, routine roentenography especially. In conclusion, it is the authors' opinion that the improved scanning technique and greater experience should offer such valuable results, used as an additional method in dermatological diagnostics.", "contents": "An approach of ultrasound diagnostic techniques of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The authors have examined ultrasound echograms and photographs of the skin and subcutaneous tissue changes in some skin diseases, reporting their findings. In spite of the preliminary clinical casuistry, this quick, simple and painless technique without irradiation hazard to the patient shows the advantage relating to the other techniques, routine roentenography especially. In conclusion, it is the authors' opinion that the improved scanning technique and greater experience should offer such valuable results, used as an additional method in dermatological diagnostics.", "PMID": 761698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_847", "title": "Association of pemphigus chronicus with pregnancy.", "content": "The evolution of pemphigus chronicus has been studied in 3 pregnant women. In the first patient, pemphigus vulgaris appeared 2 years prior to pregnancy. In the other 2 patients the disease began during pregnancy. Both women were treated with corticosteroids during their pregnancy which was normal as was delivery. A complete remission was seen in the first case 7 years following cortocosteroid therapy, and 8 months after therapy in the second case. Prolonged corticosteroid administration had no adverse effects on the fetus. The occurrence of pemphigus chronicus in the Republic of Macedonia during the past 15 years was only 0.14% of all patients referred to the Department of Dermatology. Female patients with this disease slightly outnumbered males. All forms of pemphigus seen in this period were diagnosed both clinically and histologically. The total number of cases was 53, of which pemphigus vulgaris was 74.4%, pemphigus vegetans 7%, pemphigus foliaceus 9.3% and pemphigus seborrhoicus 9.3%. We present our cases of pemphigus in pregnant women with regard to the fact that only few such cases have been published.", "contents": "Association of pemphigus chronicus with pregnancy. The evolution of pemphigus chronicus has been studied in 3 pregnant women. In the first patient, pemphigus vulgaris appeared 2 years prior to pregnancy. In the other 2 patients the disease began during pregnancy. Both women were treated with corticosteroids during their pregnancy which was normal as was delivery. A complete remission was seen in the first case 7 years following cortocosteroid therapy, and 8 months after therapy in the second case. Prolonged corticosteroid administration had no adverse effects on the fetus. The occurrence of pemphigus chronicus in the Republic of Macedonia during the past 15 years was only 0.14% of all patients referred to the Department of Dermatology. Female patients with this disease slightly outnumbered males. All forms of pemphigus seen in this period were diagnosed both clinically and histologically. The total number of cases was 53, of which pemphigus vulgaris was 74.4%, pemphigus vegetans 7%, pemphigus foliaceus 9.3% and pemphigus seborrhoicus 9.3%. We present our cases of pemphigus in pregnant women with regard to the fact that only few such cases have been published.", "PMID": 761699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_848", "title": "Influence of insulin and contractile activity on muscle size and protein balance.", "content": "Although the biochemical mechanism by which insulin and contractile activity affect protein turnover in muscle are still unclear, certain physiologic conclusions can be made; (a) Increased work can induce muscle hypertrophy even in the diabetic or starving animal. Thus, work-induced growth differs from normal growth of muscle in not requiring insulin. (b) Like insulin, repeated contractions stimulate the transport of amino acids into muscle. Contractile activity or passive tension can also reduce the rate of protein degradation in this tissue. These effects can be shown with isolated muscles in vitro, but the mechanisms coupling contractile activity to these anabolic processes are unknown. (c) Insulin also reduces overall protein breakdown in skeletal muscle, heart, and liver, apparently by regulating lysosomal function. (d) Insulin reduces selectively the breakdown of cell proteins with relatively long half-lives. This hormone does not affect the rapid breakdown of abnormal proteins which probably does not occur within the lysosome. (c) Normally, liver and muscle degrade large, acidic cell proteins quite rapidly, but this selectivity is lost in the tissues of diabetic or starved organisms, in which proteolysis is accelerated.", "contents": "Influence of insulin and contractile activity on muscle size and protein balance. Although the biochemical mechanism by which insulin and contractile activity affect protein turnover in muscle are still unclear, certain physiologic conclusions can be made; (a) Increased work can induce muscle hypertrophy even in the diabetic or starving animal. Thus, work-induced growth differs from normal growth of muscle in not requiring insulin. (b) Like insulin, repeated contractions stimulate the transport of amino acids into muscle. Contractile activity or passive tension can also reduce the rate of protein degradation in this tissue. These effects can be shown with isolated muscles in vitro, but the mechanisms coupling contractile activity to these anabolic processes are unknown. (c) Insulin also reduces overall protein breakdown in skeletal muscle, heart, and liver, apparently by regulating lysosomal function. (d) Insulin reduces selectively the breakdown of cell proteins with relatively long half-lives. This hormone does not affect the rapid breakdown of abnormal proteins which probably does not occur within the lysosome. (c) Normally, liver and muscle degrade large, acidic cell proteins quite rapidly, but this selectivity is lost in the tissues of diabetic or starved organisms, in which proteolysis is accelerated.", "PMID": 761710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_849", "title": "Delayed progression of diabetic retinopathy by divided insulin administration: a further follow-up.", "content": "We have previously reported a slower rate of progression in the number of microaneurysms in insulin dependent diabetic patients treated by divided insulin injections when compared to patients receiving a single daily insulin injection [Diabetes 25, 463--469 (1976)]. This observation is strengthened by the present analysis which uses complementary data obtained after a further year follow up: the mean yearly increase in the number of microaneurysms was 9 +/- 1 in the single injection group and 3 +/- 1 in the multiple one (p less than 0.001).", "contents": "Delayed progression of diabetic retinopathy by divided insulin administration: a further follow-up. We have previously reported a slower rate of progression in the number of microaneurysms in insulin dependent diabetic patients treated by divided insulin injections when compared to patients receiving a single daily insulin injection [Diabetes 25, 463--469 (1976)]. This observation is strengthened by the present analysis which uses complementary data obtained after a further year follow up: the mean yearly increase in the number of microaneurysms was 9 +/- 1 in the single injection group and 3 +/- 1 in the multiple one (p less than 0.001).", "PMID": 761732} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_850", "title": "Worsening to diabetes in men with impaired glucose tolerance (\"borderline diabetes\").", "content": "Two hundred and four men with impaired glucose tolerance (borderline diabetes) discovered in a screening examination have been observed for five years and repeated tests of glucose tolerance performed. By pre-determined criteria 27 men 'worsened to diabetes' and this metabolic deterioration was not significantly influenced by treatment with carbohydrate restriction with or without a daily dose of 50 mg phenformin. Of the baseline variables measured prior to treatment allocation only the blood glucose values were significantly predictive of ultimate worsening to diabetes.", "contents": "Worsening to diabetes in men with impaired glucose tolerance (\"borderline diabetes\"). Two hundred and four men with impaired glucose tolerance (borderline diabetes) discovered in a screening examination have been observed for five years and repeated tests of glucose tolerance performed. By pre-determined criteria 27 men 'worsened to diabetes' and this metabolic deterioration was not significantly influenced by treatment with carbohydrate restriction with or without a daily dose of 50 mg phenformin. Of the baseline variables measured prior to treatment allocation only the blood glucose values were significantly predictive of ultimate worsening to diabetes.", "PMID": 761734} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_851", "title": "Increased glucose disposal after jejuno-ileostomy.", "content": "Nine patients were studied 1.5--3 years after jejuno-ileostomy for obesity by an intravenous glucose infusion technique designed to imitate blood glucose concentrations after glucose ingestion. Whereas serum insulin and gastrin concentrations were normal, blood glucose concentrations were significantly depressed compared to preoperative levels as well as to levels in matched normal subjects. Thus, in the fasting state mean concentrations (+/- S.E.M.) of blood glucose, serum insulin and gastrin in the patients were, respectively, 3.3 +/- 0.2 mmol/l, 95 +/- 22 pmol/l and 38 +/- 4 pmol/l. The corresponding concentrations in the matched normals were 4.3 +/- 0.2 mmol/l, 70 +/- 18 pmol/l and 39 +/- 6 pmol/l. The glucose concentrations in the patients were low in all situations, i.e. in the fasting state, after oral glucose ingestion and during the intravenous glucose infusion. The results indicate that jejuno-ileostomy in obesity greatly facilitates peripheral glucose disposal. The mechanism behind this phenomenon is not yet known.", "contents": "Increased glucose disposal after jejuno-ileostomy. Nine patients were studied 1.5--3 years after jejuno-ileostomy for obesity by an intravenous glucose infusion technique designed to imitate blood glucose concentrations after glucose ingestion. Whereas serum insulin and gastrin concentrations were normal, blood glucose concentrations were significantly depressed compared to preoperative levels as well as to levels in matched normal subjects. Thus, in the fasting state mean concentrations (+/- S.E.M.) of blood glucose, serum insulin and gastrin in the patients were, respectively, 3.3 +/- 0.2 mmol/l, 95 +/- 22 pmol/l and 38 +/- 4 pmol/l. The corresponding concentrations in the matched normals were 4.3 +/- 0.2 mmol/l, 70 +/- 18 pmol/l and 39 +/- 6 pmol/l. The glucose concentrations in the patients were low in all situations, i.e. in the fasting state, after oral glucose ingestion and during the intravenous glucose infusion. The results indicate that jejuno-ileostomy in obesity greatly facilitates peripheral glucose disposal. The mechanism behind this phenomenon is not yet known.", "PMID": 761735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_852", "title": "Circulating lymphocyte subpopulations in juvenile insulin-dependent diabetes. Correction of abnormalities by adequate blood glucose control.", "content": "Circulating lymphocytes from 39 juvenile insulin dependent diabetics of recent onset were studied by six membrane marker techniques and mitogen stimulation. Well controlled (n = 14) were grouped separately from poorly controlled (n = 25) patients. The total lymphocyte counts were not different from 50 control subjects. The percentage of T-cells detected by erythrocyte rosettes and B-cells detected by erythrocytes--antibody--complement rosettes was significantly decreased only in poorly-controlled diabetics (64.1 +/- 1.3 and 9.7 +/- 1.8, vs 71.0 +/- 1.0 and 15.3 +/- 0.6 in controls). Cells bearing receptors for the Fc fragment of IgG immunoglobulins were decreased in both groups. Mitogen stimulation was not different from controls but was significantly lower in poorly controlled than in well controlled diabetics. Optimal blood glucose control for 5 +/- 2 days using an external artificial pancreas led to a rapid normalisation of membrane marker values and mitogen responsiveness of lymphocytes from previously poorly controlled diabetics. Separate in vitro experiments showed that glucose had an inhibitory effect on mitogen stimulation at concentrations greater than or equal to 8.3 mmol/l and on T- and B-lymphocyte numbers at concentrations greater than or equal to 55.6 mmol/l. DL 3-hydroxybutyrate tested at 17.1 and 34.2 mmol/l only depressed mitogen responsiveness. Such results suggest a rapidly reversible T-cell defect closely linked to the existing metabolic disturbances.", "contents": "Circulating lymphocyte subpopulations in juvenile insulin-dependent diabetes. Correction of abnormalities by adequate blood glucose control. Circulating lymphocytes from 39 juvenile insulin dependent diabetics of recent onset were studied by six membrane marker techniques and mitogen stimulation. Well controlled (n = 14) were grouped separately from poorly controlled (n = 25) patients. The total lymphocyte counts were not different from 50 control subjects. The percentage of T-cells detected by erythrocyte rosettes and B-cells detected by erythrocytes--antibody--complement rosettes was significantly decreased only in poorly-controlled diabetics (64.1 +/- 1.3 and 9.7 +/- 1.8, vs 71.0 +/- 1.0 and 15.3 +/- 0.6 in controls). Cells bearing receptors for the Fc fragment of IgG immunoglobulins were decreased in both groups. Mitogen stimulation was not different from controls but was significantly lower in poorly controlled than in well controlled diabetics. Optimal blood glucose control for 5 +/- 2 days using an external artificial pancreas led to a rapid normalisation of membrane marker values and mitogen responsiveness of lymphocytes from previously poorly controlled diabetics. Separate in vitro experiments showed that glucose had an inhibitory effect on mitogen stimulation at concentrations greater than or equal to 8.3 mmol/l and on T- and B-lymphocyte numbers at concentrations greater than or equal to 55.6 mmol/l. DL 3-hydroxybutyrate tested at 17.1 and 34.2 mmol/l only depressed mitogen responsiveness. Such results suggest a rapidly reversible T-cell defect closely linked to the existing metabolic disturbances.", "PMID": 761736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_853", "title": "Receptor binding and effects of insulin and NSILA-S on glucose transport and metabolism in adipocytes from hypophysectomized rats.", "content": "Isolated fat cells from normal and hypophysectomized rats have been compared with respect to: 1) binding of insulin and NSILA-S, and 2) effects of these two hormones on glucose transport and metabolism. Although both insulin and NSILA levels were decreased in the serum of hypophysectomized rats, insulin binding was decreased to about 63% of normal, whereas NSILA-S binding remained unchanged. Basal lipogenesis was similar in adipocytes of normal and hypophysectomized rats, but was not stimulated by either insulin or NSILA-S. Similarly, neither of the two hormones stimulated the net gas exchange of \"intact\" fat pads from hypophysectomized rats. In striking contrast to these findings, 3-O-methylglucose transport in unstimulated fat cells of hypophysectomized rats proceeded at a maximal rate which was not further enhanced by insulin or NSILA-S. These results suggest that the lack of one or several hormones of the pituitary causes one or several enzyme deficiencies responsible for the limited rate of lipogenesis, which otherwise would proceed at a very rapid rate because of unrestrained glucose transport.", "contents": "Receptor binding and effects of insulin and NSILA-S on glucose transport and metabolism in adipocytes from hypophysectomized rats. Isolated fat cells from normal and hypophysectomized rats have been compared with respect to: 1) binding of insulin and NSILA-S, and 2) effects of these two hormones on glucose transport and metabolism. Although both insulin and NSILA levels were decreased in the serum of hypophysectomized rats, insulin binding was decreased to about 63% of normal, whereas NSILA-S binding remained unchanged. Basal lipogenesis was similar in adipocytes of normal and hypophysectomized rats, but was not stimulated by either insulin or NSILA-S. Similarly, neither of the two hormones stimulated the net gas exchange of \"intact\" fat pads from hypophysectomized rats. In striking contrast to these findings, 3-O-methylglucose transport in unstimulated fat cells of hypophysectomized rats proceeded at a maximal rate which was not further enhanced by insulin or NSILA-S. These results suggest that the lack of one or several hormones of the pituitary causes one or several enzyme deficiencies responsible for the limited rate of lipogenesis, which otherwise would proceed at a very rapid rate because of unrestrained glucose transport.", "PMID": 761737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_854", "title": "The influence of insulin on the lipids in the pulmonary artery and the lungs of severely diabetic rats. A histochemical and chemical study.", "content": "The effect of insulin on the triglyceride deposits found in the pulmonary artery branches of streptozotocin-diabetic rats was investigated by treating the animals for two, five, nine or 14 days with insulin (3--8 units/day). Histochemical analysis showed that the triglyceride deposits in the pulmonary artery developed within three to four days after the induction of diabetes, but were not present in any animals five days from the initiation of insulin therapy. Plasma triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, phospholipid and total cholesterol concentrations were within the normal range within two days of the inception of insulin therapy and random plasma glucose levels were normal within five days. Analysis of lung lipids showed that after 14 days of insulin treatment the decreased content of phospholipids and the increased content of non-esterified fatty acids found in diabetic rats were also normalized. These findings suggest that insulin has an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism in the pulmonary artery and lung tissue in the diabetic state.", "contents": "The influence of insulin on the lipids in the pulmonary artery and the lungs of severely diabetic rats. A histochemical and chemical study. The effect of insulin on the triglyceride deposits found in the pulmonary artery branches of streptozotocin-diabetic rats was investigated by treating the animals for two, five, nine or 14 days with insulin (3--8 units/day). Histochemical analysis showed that the triglyceride deposits in the pulmonary artery developed within three to four days after the induction of diabetes, but were not present in any animals five days from the initiation of insulin therapy. Plasma triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, phospholipid and total cholesterol concentrations were within the normal range within two days of the inception of insulin therapy and random plasma glucose levels were normal within five days. Analysis of lung lipids showed that after 14 days of insulin treatment the decreased content of phospholipids and the increased content of non-esterified fatty acids found in diabetic rats were also normalized. These findings suggest that insulin has an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism in the pulmonary artery and lung tissue in the diabetic state.", "PMID": 761738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_855", "title": "The postoperative stomach: a comparative study of double-contrast barium examinations and endoscopy.", "content": "The results of double-contrast examinations of Billroth I and Billroth II anastomoses were compared to endoscopic results in 37 patients. Radiographic and endoscopic correlation was present in 32 of the 37 patients (86%). All 22 cases with enlarged perianastomotic folds on the double-contrast examination had endoscopic confirmation. The double-contrast examination provides excellent visualization of the Billroth I and Billroth II anastomosis and adjacent mucosal detail. We advocate its use as the routine examination of the postoperative stomach.", "contents": "The postoperative stomach: a comparative study of double-contrast barium examinations and endoscopy. The results of double-contrast examinations of Billroth I and Billroth II anastomoses were compared to endoscopic results in 37 patients. Radiographic and endoscopic correlation was present in 32 of the 37 patients (86%). All 22 cases with enlarged perianastomotic folds on the double-contrast examination had endoscopic confirmation. The double-contrast examination provides excellent visualization of the Billroth I and Billroth II anastomosis and adjacent mucosal detail. We advocate its use as the routine examination of the postoperative stomach.", "PMID": 761739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_856", "title": "Radiographic examination of the stomach following surgery for pancreatic pseudocyst. A source of diagnostic error.", "content": "The radiographic changes in the stomach following drainage procedures for pancreatic pseudocysts are described and illustrated. Principles of modern surgical techniques are reviewed and the occurrence and significance of barium reflux into the cyst are discussed. Contrary to previous statements, it is pointed out that reflux into the cyst may occur following Roux-en-Y cystojejunostomies. Radiographic presentations mimicking peptic ulcers, rigid gastric segments, and pseudodiverticula formation, related to the healing postoperative process, are emphasized.", "contents": "Radiographic examination of the stomach following surgery for pancreatic pseudocyst. A source of diagnostic error. The radiographic changes in the stomach following drainage procedures for pancreatic pseudocysts are described and illustrated. Principles of modern surgical techniques are reviewed and the occurrence and significance of barium reflux into the cyst are discussed. Contrary to previous statements, it is pointed out that reflux into the cyst may occur following Roux-en-Y cystojejunostomies. Radiographic presentations mimicking peptic ulcers, rigid gastric segments, and pseudodiverticula formation, related to the healing postoperative process, are emphasized.", "PMID": 761740} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_857", "title": "Jejunal monilial bezoar following total gastrectomy.", "content": "A case is reported of monilial bezoar involving the jejunum following total gastrectomy in a patient who was neither severely debilitated nor immunosuppressed. This condition should be differentiated from the more commonly occurring postgastrectomy phytobezoar.", "contents": "Jejunal monilial bezoar following total gastrectomy. A case is reported of monilial bezoar involving the jejunum following total gastrectomy in a patient who was neither severely debilitated nor immunosuppressed. This condition should be differentiated from the more commonly occurring postgastrectomy phytobezoar.", "PMID": 761741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_858", "title": "Radiology of cholecystectomy complications.", "content": "Postoperative problems following simple removal of the gallbladder are infrequent. Radiographic studies may be valuable in suggesting or confirming the diagnosis when not clinically evident. Plain films, contrast studies, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) all can be useful modalities in this area. Several examples of complications related specifically to the operative field in cholecystectomy are reviewed.", "contents": "Radiology of cholecystectomy complications. Postoperative problems following simple removal of the gallbladder are infrequent. Radiographic studies may be valuable in suggesting or confirming the diagnosis when not clinically evident. Plain films, contrast studies, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) all can be useful modalities in this area. Several examples of complications related specifically to the operative field in cholecystectomy are reviewed.", "PMID": 761742} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_859", "title": "Spiral filling defect in the common bile duct.", "content": "A spiral filling defect in the common bile duct was found in an elderly woman with intermittent obstructive jaundice. A large, smooth papilla was shown on hypotonic duodenogram. At laparotomy, mucus strans were found in the DUCT, and ampullary carcinoma in the duodenum. The significance of the mucus strand and large duodenal papilla is discussed.", "contents": "Spiral filling defect in the common bile duct. A spiral filling defect in the common bile duct was found in an elderly woman with intermittent obstructive jaundice. A large, smooth papilla was shown on hypotonic duodenogram. At laparotomy, mucus strans were found in the DUCT, and ampullary carcinoma in the duodenum. The significance of the mucus strand and large duodenal papilla is discussed.", "PMID": 761743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_860", "title": "Aberrant hepatic artery: a potential cause for error in the angiographic diagnosis of traumatic liver hematoma.", "content": "In a patient undergoing selective hepatic arteriography for suspected liver trauma, a nonopacified area of the liver, initially thought to represent a hepatic hematoma, was later discovered to be due to the presence of an accessory right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery. This case illustrates the need for a search for aberrant vasculature whenever a liver hematoma is suspected on the basis of a selective hepatic arteriogram.", "contents": "Aberrant hepatic artery: a potential cause for error in the angiographic diagnosis of traumatic liver hematoma. In a patient undergoing selective hepatic arteriography for suspected liver trauma, a nonopacified area of the liver, initially thought to represent a hepatic hematoma, was later discovered to be due to the presence of an accessory right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery. This case illustrates the need for a search for aberrant vasculature whenever a liver hematoma is suspected on the basis of a selective hepatic arteriogram.", "PMID": 761744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_861", "title": "Inverted diverticula of the gastrointestinal tract.", "content": "Inverted diverticula of the gastrointestinal tract are rare. This paper briefly presents the roentgen findings of an inverted Meckel's diverticulum and is the first reported case of the roentgen appearance of an inverted colonic diverticulum.", "contents": "Inverted diverticula of the gastrointestinal tract. Inverted diverticula of the gastrointestinal tract are rare. This paper briefly presents the roentgen findings of an inverted Meckel's diverticulum and is the first reported case of the roentgen appearance of an inverted colonic diverticulum.", "PMID": 761745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_862", "title": "Glucagon-induced small intestinal hypotonia demonstrating bleeding lymphoma.", "content": "While a patient was being evaluated for melena, a glucagon-induced hypotonic examination of the small intestine demonstrated a small ulcerated mass in the jejunum. The tubeless hypotonic examination was performed after multiple gastrointestinal series, small intestinal series, barium enemas, and visceral arteriography--including celiac and superior mesenteric arteriograms--failed to identify a bleeding site. Surgical exploration revealed three ulcerated lymphomatous lesions in the jejunum. The lack of side effects, rapidity of onset, and shortness of duration of intravenous glucagon suggest that this type of hypotonic examination of the small intestine may prove useful as an adjunct to the small intestinal series.", "contents": "Glucagon-induced small intestinal hypotonia demonstrating bleeding lymphoma. While a patient was being evaluated for melena, a glucagon-induced hypotonic examination of the small intestine demonstrated a small ulcerated mass in the jejunum. The tubeless hypotonic examination was performed after multiple gastrointestinal series, small intestinal series, barium enemas, and visceral arteriography--including celiac and superior mesenteric arteriograms--failed to identify a bleeding site. Surgical exploration revealed three ulcerated lymphomatous lesions in the jejunum. The lack of side effects, rapidity of onset, and shortness of duration of intravenous glucagon suggest that this type of hypotonic examination of the small intestine may prove useful as an adjunct to the small intestinal series.", "PMID": 761746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_863", "title": "The continent ileostomy (Kock pouch): roentgenologic features.", "content": "The principles of construction of a continent ileostomy by means of a reservoir as originally described by Kock are reviewed. Roentgenologic studies in 5 patients with such reservoirs are described. There may be a correlation of incontinence with peristaltic activity as well as nipple valve extrusion. The radiologic features are explained in terms of the anatomy of the reservoirs. One patient with postoperative ileitis is described. Roentgenologic studies may be of particular value to the surgeon in follow-up of these patients by demonstration of postoperative nipple valve extrusion and inflammatory changes in the pouch or remaining small intestine.", "contents": "The continent ileostomy (Kock pouch): roentgenologic features. The principles of construction of a continent ileostomy by means of a reservoir as originally described by Kock are reviewed. Roentgenologic studies in 5 patients with such reservoirs are described. There may be a correlation of incontinence with peristaltic activity as well as nipple valve extrusion. The radiologic features are explained in terms of the anatomy of the reservoirs. One patient with postoperative ileitis is described. Roentgenologic studies may be of particular value to the surgeon in follow-up of these patients by demonstration of postoperative nipple valve extrusion and inflammatory changes in the pouch or remaining small intestine.", "PMID": 761747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_864", "title": "The extent of successful colonscopy: its implication for the radiologist.", "content": "Records of 230 colonoscopies were reviewed to determine the success in viewing the entire colon and the extent of the colon viewed when colonoscopy was incomplete. It was found that colonoscopy was complete to the cecum or ileum in 57% of studies, and that an average 63.8% of the colon was viewed during incomplete studies. Overall, 84.4% of the combined length of all colons examined was successfully viewed. The significant numbers of incomplete colonoscopies suggest that colonoscopy and the barium enema examination must remain complementary for maximum detection of colon lesions.", "contents": "The extent of successful colonscopy: its implication for the radiologist. Records of 230 colonoscopies were reviewed to determine the success in viewing the entire colon and the extent of the colon viewed when colonoscopy was incomplete. It was found that colonoscopy was complete to the cecum or ileum in 57% of studies, and that an average 63.8% of the colon was viewed during incomplete studies. Overall, 84.4% of the combined length of all colons examined was successfully viewed. The significant numbers of incomplete colonoscopies suggest that colonoscopy and the barium enema examination must remain complementary for maximum detection of colon lesions.", "PMID": 761748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_865", "title": "The collar button ulcer. A radiologic-pathologic correlation.", "content": "The collar button-shaped ulcer is a distinctive radiographic manifestation of inflammatory disease of the GI tract. Its hallmark is mucosal ulceration with undermining submucosal extension limited by the relatively resistant underlying muscle wall. Such a process is commonly associated with ulcerative colitis where it may be seen diffusely in advanced stages of the acute disease. Occasionally, however, it may be seen in any ulcerating inflammatory disease. In the more aggressive transmural diseases, it is likely to be a localized and transient phenomenon. The same pathophysiological mechanism gives rise to the common appearance of benign ulceration anywhere in the GI tract and, particularly, in the undermined gastric ulcer.", "contents": "The collar button ulcer. A radiologic-pathologic correlation. The collar button-shaped ulcer is a distinctive radiographic manifestation of inflammatory disease of the GI tract. Its hallmark is mucosal ulceration with undermining submucosal extension limited by the relatively resistant underlying muscle wall. Such a process is commonly associated with ulcerative colitis where it may be seen diffusely in advanced stages of the acute disease. Occasionally, however, it may be seen in any ulcerating inflammatory disease. In the more aggressive transmural diseases, it is likely to be a localized and transient phenomenon. The same pathophysiological mechanism gives rise to the common appearance of benign ulceration anywhere in the GI tract and, particularly, in the undermined gastric ulcer.", "PMID": 761749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_866", "title": "Obliteration of thumbprinting with double-contrast enemas in acute ischemic colitis.", "content": "Three cases of transient ischemic colitis are described in which the typical thumbprinting sign was obliterated by air insufflation during double-contrast barium enema examination. The causes of this sign, the possible mechanism of its loss during double-contrast enema, and implications of this are discussed.", "contents": "Obliteration of thumbprinting with double-contrast enemas in acute ischemic colitis. Three cases of transient ischemic colitis are described in which the typical thumbprinting sign was obliterated by air insufflation during double-contrast barium enema examination. The causes of this sign, the possible mechanism of its loss during double-contrast enema, and implications of this are discussed.", "PMID": 761750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_867", "title": "Complete duplication of the colon in assoication with urethral duplication.", "content": "A case is presented in which complete colonic duplication is associated with genitourinary and bone abnormalities including a complete duplication of the urethra. The etiology, appearance, clinical course, and classification of various large bowel duplications are discussed.", "contents": "Complete duplication of the colon in assoication with urethral duplication. A case is presented in which complete colonic duplication is associated with genitourinary and bone abnormalities including a complete duplication of the urethra. The etiology, appearance, clinical course, and classification of various large bowel duplications are discussed.", "PMID": 761751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_868", "title": "[Prediction of anemia or polycytosis from the hematocrit determination in the umbilical artery of the newborn (author's transl)].", "content": "Among 430 deliveries a random group of 100 newborns were used to determine the value of the umbilical arterial hematocrit for the prediction of neonatal anemia or polycytosis. Normal values were Hct, 48 vol.% to 72%. Even considering the PH of umbilical arterial blood, the Hct. in the umbilical attery permits an excellent prediction on the neonatal Hct. at 15 to 60 minutes post-partum. When the umbilical arterial Hct. is normal a capillary Hct. determination is not necessary for routine diagnosis. If the umbilical arterial Hct. is below 46% or above 61% a capillary Hct. is necessary since below 46% or above 61% neonatal anemia or polycytosis could be found.", "contents": "[Prediction of anemia or polycytosis from the hematocrit determination in the umbilical artery of the newborn (author's transl)]. Among 430 deliveries a random group of 100 newborns were used to determine the value of the umbilical arterial hematocrit for the prediction of neonatal anemia or polycytosis. Normal values were Hct, 48 vol.% to 72%. Even considering the PH of umbilical arterial blood, the Hct. in the umbilical attery permits an excellent prediction on the neonatal Hct. at 15 to 60 minutes post-partum. When the umbilical arterial Hct. is normal a capillary Hct. determination is not necessary for routine diagnosis. If the umbilical arterial Hct. is below 46% or above 61% a capillary Hct. is necessary since below 46% or above 61% neonatal anemia or polycytosis could be found.", "PMID": 761752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_869", "title": "[The forensic value of the length and weight of newborns, the placental weight and the correlation between placental and newborn weight in the evaluation of paternity (author's transl)].", "content": "The length of the infant, the weight of the infant, the weight of the placenta, and the correlation between the weight of the placenta and the weight of the infant are coarse parameters for the estimation of the maturity of an infant. We plotted these parameters of 20,000 deliveries in relationship to the stated length of gestation from 23--46 weeks. Our results correspond to those quoted in the literature. The values of the parameters show a marked variation which is accentuated by the small number of cases with very short or very prolonged gestation. These parameters are only of limited value in the determination of the paternity. The mean values including the first standard deviations are of some importance.", "contents": "[The forensic value of the length and weight of newborns, the placental weight and the correlation between placental and newborn weight in the evaluation of paternity (author's transl)]. The length of the infant, the weight of the infant, the weight of the placenta, and the correlation between the weight of the placenta and the weight of the infant are coarse parameters for the estimation of the maturity of an infant. We plotted these parameters of 20,000 deliveries in relationship to the stated length of gestation from 23--46 weeks. Our results correspond to those quoted in the literature. The values of the parameters show a marked variation which is accentuated by the small number of cases with very short or very prolonged gestation. These parameters are only of limited value in the determination of the paternity. The mean values including the first standard deviations are of some importance.", "PMID": 761753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_870", "title": "[Results of the follow-up of the position of intra-uterine device by ultra-sonography (author's transl)].", "content": "The position of the intra-uterine device copper-T in 1372 women was followed up by ultrasound for four years. During this time 2565 ultrasound studies for the position of the intra-uterine device were carried out. The intra-uterine device was found in the cervix in 81 ultrasound investigations and removed or exchanged. In 12 cases the device was pushed back into the uterine cavity. 12 women became pregnant. This corresponds to a Pearl index 0.72 with a mean insertion time of 14.6 months and 20.000 patient-months of wearing of an intra-uterine device. In 9 of the 12 pregnant cases the device was found in the cervix. 6 of these patients reported only once instead of the projected four times for ultra-sound follow-up and the last normal ultrasound follow-up was usually nine months or longer ago. Our findings suggest that the contraceptive effectiveness of an intra-uterine device can be improved by regular ultra-sonic control of the position and can by approximated to the effectiveness of hormonal contraception.", "contents": "[Results of the follow-up of the position of intra-uterine device by ultra-sonography (author's transl)]. The position of the intra-uterine device copper-T in 1372 women was followed up by ultrasound for four years. During this time 2565 ultrasound studies for the position of the intra-uterine device were carried out. The intra-uterine device was found in the cervix in 81 ultrasound investigations and removed or exchanged. In 12 cases the device was pushed back into the uterine cavity. 12 women became pregnant. This corresponds to a Pearl index 0.72 with a mean insertion time of 14.6 months and 20.000 patient-months of wearing of an intra-uterine device. In 9 of the 12 pregnant cases the device was found in the cervix. 6 of these patients reported only once instead of the projected four times for ultra-sound follow-up and the last normal ultrasound follow-up was usually nine months or longer ago. Our findings suggest that the contraceptive effectiveness of an intra-uterine device can be improved by regular ultra-sonic control of the position and can by approximated to the effectiveness of hormonal contraception.", "PMID": 761755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_871", "title": "[Pregnancy with an intra-uterine device in place (author's transl)].", "content": "Report on a 33 year old gravida 3 para 2 which was referred at 24 weeks gestation by ultra-sound with an intra-uterine device in place. The patient was referred for therapeutic abortion ab 10 weeks gestation by dates. Since the pregnancy was in fact 24 weeks the risks were explained to the mother and continuation of the pregnancy recommended. At approximately 36 weeks gestation a healthy make infant 2600 grams was delivered by double footling breech spontaneous delivery. A cavernous hemangioma of the right knee was probably not due to the intra-uterine device but an incidental occurance. The Copper-T intra-uterine device was removed under general anesthesia fourteen weeks following delivery.", "contents": "[Pregnancy with an intra-uterine device in place (author's transl)]. Report on a 33 year old gravida 3 para 2 which was referred at 24 weeks gestation by ultra-sound with an intra-uterine device in place. The patient was referred for therapeutic abortion ab 10 weeks gestation by dates. Since the pregnancy was in fact 24 weeks the risks were explained to the mother and continuation of the pregnancy recommended. At approximately 36 weeks gestation a healthy make infant 2600 grams was delivered by double footling breech spontaneous delivery. A cavernous hemangioma of the right knee was probably not due to the intra-uterine device but an incidental occurance. The Copper-T intra-uterine device was removed under general anesthesia fourteen weeks following delivery.", "PMID": 761756} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_872", "title": "[A rare increase in the incidence of Siamese twin deliveries (author's transl)].", "content": "Between 1964--1978 4 pairs of siamese twin were born among 28,039 deliveries. The incidence was 1 : 7009. Three pairs of siamese twins were delivered vaginally and died during delivery. The fourth patient was delivered by Caesarean section and the infants died a few hours following delivery. Autopsies showed that none of the cases were viable. The problems of the diagnosis and obstetric management of siamese twins are discussed. The antenatal diagnosis is difficult out should ideally be obtained. Vaginal deliveries are difficult and dangerous for the mothers. Caesarean section is the perferred method of delivery. The four personal cases are reviewed.", "contents": "[A rare increase in the incidence of Siamese twin deliveries (author's transl)]. Between 1964--1978 4 pairs of siamese twin were born among 28,039 deliveries. The incidence was 1 : 7009. Three pairs of siamese twins were delivered vaginally and died during delivery. The fourth patient was delivered by Caesarean section and the infants died a few hours following delivery. Autopsies showed that none of the cases were viable. The problems of the diagnosis and obstetric management of siamese twins are discussed. The antenatal diagnosis is difficult out should ideally be obtained. Vaginal deliveries are difficult and dangerous for the mothers. Caesarean section is the perferred method of delivery. The four personal cases are reviewed.", "PMID": 761757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_873", "title": "[A case of a papillary fibroepithelial proliferation with focal atypias within an epoopheron cyst (author's transl)].", "content": "This case report deals with a fibroepithelial proliferation with focal atypias within an epoopheron cyst in a 47 years old woman. The woman does now, 5 years postoperatively very well. No X-ray therapy had been done upon the patient.", "contents": "[A case of a papillary fibroepithelial proliferation with focal atypias within an epoopheron cyst (author's transl)]. This case report deals with a fibroepithelial proliferation with focal atypias within an epoopheron cyst in a 47 years old woman. The woman does now, 5 years postoperatively very well. No X-ray therapy had been done upon the patient.", "PMID": 761758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_874", "title": "[Secondary amenorrhoea in a case adrenocortical tumour (author's transl)].", "content": "The paper reports on a rare case of a secondary amenorrhea caused by a tumour of the adrenal cortex. The exact preoperative diagnosis, the therapy and the further postoperative control are discussed.", "contents": "[Secondary amenorrhoea in a case adrenocortical tumour (author's transl)]. The paper reports on a rare case of a secondary amenorrhea caused by a tumour of the adrenal cortex. The exact preoperative diagnosis, the therapy and the further postoperative control are discussed.", "PMID": 761759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_875", "title": "[Retroperitoneal lipoma-aspects on differential diagnosis (author's transl)].", "content": "A laparotomy has been performed in a 49 years old woman. Preoperatively a large ovarian cystoma has been diagnosed. Factitiously a retroperitoneal lipoma was extirpated with a weight of 12,5 kg.", "contents": "[Retroperitoneal lipoma-aspects on differential diagnosis (author's transl)]. A laparotomy has been performed in a 49 years old woman. Preoperatively a large ovarian cystoma has been diagnosed. Factitiously a retroperitoneal lipoma was extirpated with a weight of 12,5 kg.", "PMID": 761760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_876", "title": "[Early diagnosis of cancer in operative gynaecology. II. On the general effects of preventive cancer examinations on operative gynaecology (author's transl].", "content": "Beyond early diagnosis of cancer and treatment of cancer the increase of gynaecological operation is primarily due to a liberalization of the indications. That more women have gynaecologic disease in the framework of the classical indications than before cannot be substantiated. The causes of the changes in indications are outlined. Demands of patients as consumers on a new expansive medical care system are among the changes. Self interests of the Obstetricians and Gynaecologists who constitute a larger percentage of medical specialists at present are part of the reason. The principle of preventive examinations has a psychological impact and the practice of the preventive examinations has an administrative impact on the increasing number of gynaecological operations. This trend is discussed with the example of hysterectomy. The experience of other countries is mentioned in which the advantages and disadvantages of an increasing number of gynaecological operations is analyzed and in which a regulation is attempted to prevented escalating costs. It can be assumed that a similar analysis and regulation will become necessary in Germany.", "contents": "[Early diagnosis of cancer in operative gynaecology. II. On the general effects of preventive cancer examinations on operative gynaecology (author's transl]. Beyond early diagnosis of cancer and treatment of cancer the increase of gynaecological operation is primarily due to a liberalization of the indications. That more women have gynaecologic disease in the framework of the classical indications than before cannot be substantiated. The causes of the changes in indications are outlined. Demands of patients as consumers on a new expansive medical care system are among the changes. Self interests of the Obstetricians and Gynaecologists who constitute a larger percentage of medical specialists at present are part of the reason. The principle of preventive examinations has a psychological impact and the practice of the preventive examinations has an administrative impact on the increasing number of gynaecological operations. This trend is discussed with the example of hysterectomy. The experience of other countries is mentioned in which the advantages and disadvantages of an increasing number of gynaecological operations is analyzed and in which a regulation is attempted to prevented escalating costs. It can be assumed that a similar analysis and regulation will become necessary in Germany.", "PMID": 761761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_877", "title": "[Vaginal exstirpation of uterus following gynaecological or obstetrical laparotomies (author's transl)].", "content": "Of a total of 3,213 vaginal exstirpations of the uterus, this operation was performed in 132 women following gynaecological laparotomies. In spite of this, the incidence of complications was not increased. It is concluded that the advantage of the vaginal route of operation in hysterectomies need not be refused to patients in whom laparotomies have been performed if certain conditions are observed.", "contents": "[Vaginal exstirpation of uterus following gynaecological or obstetrical laparotomies (author's transl)]. Of a total of 3,213 vaginal exstirpations of the uterus, this operation was performed in 132 women following gynaecological laparotomies. In spite of this, the incidence of complications was not increased. It is concluded that the advantage of the vaginal route of operation in hysterectomies need not be refused to patients in whom laparotomies have been performed if certain conditions are observed.", "PMID": 761762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_878", "title": "Chronic immune colitis in rabbits.", "content": "A chronic colitis has been induced in rabbits having many of the histological features of human ulcerative colitis. Animals were first immunised with the common enterobacterial antigen of Kunin and haemagglutinating antibodies demonstrated in high titre. An immune complex colitis was then established by the injection of soluble immune complexes following mild irritation of the rectum with dilute formalin as previously described. The rabbits developed an acute colitis within the first week but, in contrast with unsensitised rabbits, the inflammation persisted and was still present at six months as assessed by proctoscopy and rectal biopsy. Kunin-sensitised rabbits receiving intravenous saline, antigen, or antibody alone did not develop a chronic colitis. It is suggested that hypersensitivity to colonic bacterial antigens may be one mechanism whereby an acute colitis becomes chronic.", "contents": "Chronic immune colitis in rabbits. A chronic colitis has been induced in rabbits having many of the histological features of human ulcerative colitis. Animals were first immunised with the common enterobacterial antigen of Kunin and haemagglutinating antibodies demonstrated in high titre. An immune complex colitis was then established by the injection of soluble immune complexes following mild irritation of the rectum with dilute formalin as previously described. The rabbits developed an acute colitis within the first week but, in contrast with unsensitised rabbits, the inflammation persisted and was still present at six months as assessed by proctoscopy and rectal biopsy. Kunin-sensitised rabbits receiving intravenous saline, antigen, or antibody alone did not develop a chronic colitis. It is suggested that hypersensitivity to colonic bacterial antigens may be one mechanism whereby an acute colitis becomes chronic.", "PMID": 761830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_879", "title": "Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in Iran.", "content": "Nineteen cases of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis all affecting adults and all involving the small intestine have been collected in two centres of Iran (Shiraz and Tehran) over a 20 year period, the pathological findings being divided into three groups: pure submucosal, combined submucosal and subserosal, and pure subserosal cysts. Experimental PCI was produced in cadavers using high pressure oxygen insuflation of the lungs, thus lending support to the theory that it has a mechanical origin. Other theories of aetiology include tumour, nutritional deficiencies, gas-forming organisms, alveolar rupture, and acid-base disturbance. In most of the cases presented high intraluminal pressure produced by obstruction appeared to force intraluminal gas through a breach in the mucosa into either the lymphatics or perivascular tissue to produce PCI. It is concluded that the aetiology in the vast majority of adult cases is mechanical in nature and that bacteria seem to play very little part, unlike their role in the PCI of infants.", "contents": "Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in Iran. Nineteen cases of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis all affecting adults and all involving the small intestine have been collected in two centres of Iran (Shiraz and Tehran) over a 20 year period, the pathological findings being divided into three groups: pure submucosal, combined submucosal and subserosal, and pure subserosal cysts. Experimental PCI was produced in cadavers using high pressure oxygen insuflation of the lungs, thus lending support to the theory that it has a mechanical origin. Other theories of aetiology include tumour, nutritional deficiencies, gas-forming organisms, alveolar rupture, and acid-base disturbance. In most of the cases presented high intraluminal pressure produced by obstruction appeared to force intraluminal gas through a breach in the mucosa into either the lymphatics or perivascular tissue to produce PCI. It is concluded that the aetiology in the vast majority of adult cases is mechanical in nature and that bacteria seem to play very little part, unlike their role in the PCI of infants.", "PMID": 761831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_880", "title": "Measurement of serum proteins during attacks of ulcerative colitis as a guide to patient management.", "content": "Serial measurements of 11 serum proteins have been made throughout 39 admissions of 36 patients to hospital for the treatment of acute attacks of ulcerative colitis. There was a striking correlation between rapid changes in C-reactive protein and pre-albumin concentrations and the clinical response to medical treatment. Measurements of the alpha1-acid glycoprotein, albumin, and total serum protein concentrations at the time of admission were found to correlate with the outcome of the attack. Measurement of these proteins provides a useful guide to the management of patients with attacks of ulcerative colitis.", "contents": "Measurement of serum proteins during attacks of ulcerative colitis as a guide to patient management. Serial measurements of 11 serum proteins have been made throughout 39 admissions of 36 patients to hospital for the treatment of acute attacks of ulcerative colitis. There was a striking correlation between rapid changes in C-reactive protein and pre-albumin concentrations and the clinical response to medical treatment. Measurements of the alpha1-acid glycoprotein, albumin, and total serum protein concentrations at the time of admission were found to correlate with the outcome of the attack. Measurement of these proteins provides a useful guide to the management of patients with attacks of ulcerative colitis.", "PMID": 761832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_881", "title": "Reversal of ammonia coma in rats by L-dopa: a peripheral effect.", "content": "Ammonia coma was produced in rats within 10 to 15 minutes of an intraperitonealinjection of 1.7 mmol NH4CL. This coma was prevented with 1.68 mmol L-dopa given by gastric intubation 15 minutes before the ammonium salt injection. The effect of L-dopa was correlated with a decrease in blood and brain ammonia, an increase in brain dopamine, and an increase in renal excretion of ammonia and urea. Intraventricular infusion of dopamine sufficient to raise the brain dopamine to the same extent did not prevent the ammonia coma nor affect the blood and brain ammonia concentrations. Bilateral nephrectomy eliminated the beneficial effect of L-dopa on blood and brain ammonia and the ammonia coma was not prevented. Thus, the reduction in blood and brain ammonia and the prevention of ammonia coma after L-dopa, can be accounted for by the peripheral effect of dopamine on renal function rather than its central action. These results provide a reasonable explanation for the beneficial effects observed in some encephalopathic patients receiving L-dopa.", "contents": "Reversal of ammonia coma in rats by L-dopa: a peripheral effect. Ammonia coma was produced in rats within 10 to 15 minutes of an intraperitonealinjection of 1.7 mmol NH4CL. This coma was prevented with 1.68 mmol L-dopa given by gastric intubation 15 minutes before the ammonium salt injection. The effect of L-dopa was correlated with a decrease in blood and brain ammonia, an increase in brain dopamine, and an increase in renal excretion of ammonia and urea. Intraventricular infusion of dopamine sufficient to raise the brain dopamine to the same extent did not prevent the ammonia coma nor affect the blood and brain ammonia concentrations. Bilateral nephrectomy eliminated the beneficial effect of L-dopa on blood and brain ammonia and the ammonia coma was not prevented. Thus, the reduction in blood and brain ammonia and the prevention of ammonia coma after L-dopa, can be accounted for by the peripheral effect of dopamine on renal function rather than its central action. These results provide a reasonable explanation for the beneficial effects observed in some encephalopathic patients receiving L-dopa.", "PMID": 761833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_882", "title": "Hepatitis from dantrolene sodium.", "content": "The clinical course and histological changes in the liver during a presumed adverse reaction to the drug dantrolene sodium are described in four patients. After a typical prodrome one developed a moderately severe hepatitis-like illness. Another also had a prodrome but never became jaundiced. In the other two, abnormal liver function tests were detected on routine screening. In each case liver biopsy showed changes typical of an acute hepatitis, but the severity was unrelated to the clinical presentation. In addition, there were also changes in the portal tracts resembling ascending cholangitis. In each case liver function tests returned to normal after withdrawing treatment with dantrolene.", "contents": "Hepatitis from dantrolene sodium. The clinical course and histological changes in the liver during a presumed adverse reaction to the drug dantrolene sodium are described in four patients. After a typical prodrome one developed a moderately severe hepatitis-like illness. Another also had a prodrome but never became jaundiced. In the other two, abnormal liver function tests were detected on routine screening. In each case liver biopsy showed changes typical of an acute hepatitis, but the severity was unrelated to the clinical presentation. In addition, there were also changes in the portal tracts resembling ascending cholangitis. In each case liver function tests returned to normal after withdrawing treatment with dantrolene.", "PMID": 761834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_883", "title": "Inhibition of secretin stimulated pancreatic secretion by pancreatic polypeptide.", "content": "The effect of PP on secretin-stimulated pancreatic secretion was assessed in five healthy subjects. During an intravenous infusion of BPP at a dose which produced plasma levels similar to those seen after meals in healthy young adults the volume and bicarbonate content of duodenal juice was reduced by 25% (p less than 0.05) and 24% (p less than 0.05) respectively, while protein and bilirubin concentrations were more markedly reduced by 68% (p less than 0.0005) and 67% (p less than 0.0005) respectively. PP, thus, may be an important inhibitory factor in the control of bilirubin and pancreatic enzyme secretion in man.", "contents": "Inhibition of secretin stimulated pancreatic secretion by pancreatic polypeptide. The effect of PP on secretin-stimulated pancreatic secretion was assessed in five healthy subjects. During an intravenous infusion of BPP at a dose which produced plasma levels similar to those seen after meals in healthy young adults the volume and bicarbonate content of duodenal juice was reduced by 25% (p less than 0.05) and 24% (p less than 0.05) respectively, while protein and bilirubin concentrations were more markedly reduced by 68% (p less than 0.0005) and 67% (p less than 0.0005) respectively. PP, thus, may be an important inhibitory factor in the control of bilirubin and pancreatic enzyme secretion in man.", "PMID": 761835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_884", "title": "Gastrin and the ultrastructure of G cells in the fasting rat.", "content": "The effect of fasting on serum and antral gastrin concentrations and G cell ultrastructure in the rat has been examined using a radioimmunoassay and quantitative electron microscopy. Serum gastrin levels in fasting animals were markedly reduced and there was also a significant decrease in antral gastrin concentrations after 48 hours and 72 hours of fasting. This was associated with a significant fall in the granule content and cytloplasmic volume of individual G cells, at its greatest by 48 hours. A relative absence of electron dense granules in the Golgi zones of cells from animals fasted for 72 hours suggested a paucity of newly formed granules, but fasting produced no detectable change in the electron density of the granule population taken as a whole. The results indicate that, during fasting, release and then synthesis of gastrin is inhibited, so that granule stores and cell size diminish. The correlation between the granule content of G cells and the antral content of gastrin suggests that hormone release occurs by exocytosis, rather than by any change in the content of individual granules.", "contents": "Gastrin and the ultrastructure of G cells in the fasting rat. The effect of fasting on serum and antral gastrin concentrations and G cell ultrastructure in the rat has been examined using a radioimmunoassay and quantitative electron microscopy. Serum gastrin levels in fasting animals were markedly reduced and there was also a significant decrease in antral gastrin concentrations after 48 hours and 72 hours of fasting. This was associated with a significant fall in the granule content and cytloplasmic volume of individual G cells, at its greatest by 48 hours. A relative absence of electron dense granules in the Golgi zones of cells from animals fasted for 72 hours suggested a paucity of newly formed granules, but fasting produced no detectable change in the electron density of the granule population taken as a whole. The results indicate that, during fasting, release and then synthesis of gastrin is inhibited, so that granule stores and cell size diminish. The correlation between the granule content of G cells and the antral content of gastrin suggests that hormone release occurs by exocytosis, rather than by any change in the content of individual granules.", "PMID": 761836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_885", "title": "Grey-scale ultrasonography in cholestatic jaundice.", "content": "Grey-scale ultrasonography was performed without access to detailed clinical information in a prospective study of 55 jaundiced patients. Forty-one were eventually proved to have an extrahepatic obstructive cause, and 14 had intrahepatic \"medical\" disease. Satisfactory ultrasound images were obtained in 54 patients, and the bile duct calibre was correctly reported in 53 (96%). All 14 medical cases were correctly identified. Two patients with gallstones (one with a normal sized duct) were incorrectly classified as medical. A specific and correct disease diagnosis was given in five of the 14 medical cases (one metastases, four cirrhosis), and in 23 of the 41 obstructive cases (12/14 pancreatic cancer, 5/15 gallstones), 5/5 bile duct compression, 1/3 bile duct cancer. Ultrasonography is safe, cheap, and acceptable to patients. It should be the first imaging investigation in jaundiced patients, providing remarkable diagnostic accuracy and important guidance for further management.", "contents": "Grey-scale ultrasonography in cholestatic jaundice. Grey-scale ultrasonography was performed without access to detailed clinical information in a prospective study of 55 jaundiced patients. Forty-one were eventually proved to have an extrahepatic obstructive cause, and 14 had intrahepatic \"medical\" disease. Satisfactory ultrasound images were obtained in 54 patients, and the bile duct calibre was correctly reported in 53 (96%). All 14 medical cases were correctly identified. Two patients with gallstones (one with a normal sized duct) were incorrectly classified as medical. A specific and correct disease diagnosis was given in five of the 14 medical cases (one metastases, four cirrhosis), and in 23 of the 41 obstructive cases (12/14 pancreatic cancer, 5/15 gallstones), 5/5 bile duct compression, 1/3 bile duct cancer. Ultrasonography is safe, cheap, and acceptable to patients. It should be the first imaging investigation in jaundiced patients, providing remarkable diagnostic accuracy and important guidance for further management.", "PMID": 761837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_886", "title": "Jejunal lysozyme activity and the Paneth cell in coeliac disease.", "content": "The jejunal mucosa of patients with coeliac disease contains significantly fewer Paneth cells (PCC) per crypt (p less than 0.001) and tissue lysozyme activity (JLA) P less than 0.001) when compared with a group of subjects with normal jejunal mucosa. Neither PCC nor JLA return to normal with complete clinical recovery and otherwise complete histological recovery on a gluten free diet. There is a significant linear correlation between JLA and PCC suggesting that the Paneth cell is the principal source of jejunal lysozyme.", "contents": "Jejunal lysozyme activity and the Paneth cell in coeliac disease. The jejunal mucosa of patients with coeliac disease contains significantly fewer Paneth cells (PCC) per crypt (p less than 0.001) and tissue lysozyme activity (JLA) P less than 0.001) when compared with a group of subjects with normal jejunal mucosa. Neither PCC nor JLA return to normal with complete clinical recovery and otherwise complete histological recovery on a gluten free diet. There is a significant linear correlation between JLA and PCC suggesting that the Paneth cell is the principal source of jejunal lysozyme.", "PMID": 761838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_887", "title": "Light and electron microscopic studies of antibiotic associated colitis in the hamster.", "content": "Lincomycin and its analogue, clindamycin, are capable of producing mild to severe colonic mucosal injury in humans (antibiotic associated colitis). Patients with the disorder may have severe diarrhoea, pseudomembranous plaques, confluent pseudomembranes, and/or a frank, diffuse haemorrhagic colitis. The present study was designed to assess the Golden Syrian hamster as an animal model for antibiotic associated colitis and to describe lesions seen in the animal model by light, transmission electron, and scanning electron microscopy. A colitis was produced in Golden Syrian hamsters by oral or parenteral administration of lincomycin, clindamycin, or N-demethyl clindamycin. Animals were killed at intervals and microscopic studies made of sequential morphological changes in the ileum, caecum, and colon. The microscopic lesions in the early stages of the disorder were abnormalities within the brush border, cellular oedema, and hyperaemia. Changes in the intracellular organelles were observed in more severely damaged epithelial cells. Epithelial hyperplasia resulted in the piling up of cells on the mucosal surfaces. In specimens with the most severe damage, complete loss of epithelium from the mucosal surface was observed. Pseudomembranous plaques were occasionally seen. Comparison of the clinical, gross, and histological features of the animal disease with the human disorder suggest that, although minor differences are present, the hamster model is suitable for experimental studies of antibiotic associated colitis.", "contents": "Light and electron microscopic studies of antibiotic associated colitis in the hamster. Lincomycin and its analogue, clindamycin, are capable of producing mild to severe colonic mucosal injury in humans (antibiotic associated colitis). Patients with the disorder may have severe diarrhoea, pseudomembranous plaques, confluent pseudomembranes, and/or a frank, diffuse haemorrhagic colitis. The present study was designed to assess the Golden Syrian hamster as an animal model for antibiotic associated colitis and to describe lesions seen in the animal model by light, transmission electron, and scanning electron microscopy. A colitis was produced in Golden Syrian hamsters by oral or parenteral administration of lincomycin, clindamycin, or N-demethyl clindamycin. Animals were killed at intervals and microscopic studies made of sequential morphological changes in the ileum, caecum, and colon. The microscopic lesions in the early stages of the disorder were abnormalities within the brush border, cellular oedema, and hyperaemia. Changes in the intracellular organelles were observed in more severely damaged epithelial cells. Epithelial hyperplasia resulted in the piling up of cells on the mucosal surfaces. In specimens with the most severe damage, complete loss of epithelium from the mucosal surface was observed. Pseudomembranous plaques were occasionally seen. Comparison of the clinical, gross, and histological features of the animal disease with the human disorder suggest that, although minor differences are present, the hamster model is suitable for experimental studies of antibiotic associated colitis.", "PMID": 761839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_888", "title": "[Studies on the Nin-formyl group as possible protecting group against tryptophan indole side chain tert-butylation (author's transl)].", "content": "Investigations on the Nin-formyl group as a protecting group of the tryptophan indole side chain under the conditions of conventional peptide synthesis using model compounds are described. The protecting group prevents the tert-butylation of tryptophan residues during acidolytic removal of tert-butyloxycarbonyl groups and allows the preparation of tryptophan tert-butylester in good yields. However, because of the observed side reactions, as hydrogenation of the indole to a 2,3-dihydroindole side chain, instability of the protecting group under various experimental conditions, the Nin-formyl group is only of limited use in peptide synthesis.", "contents": "[Studies on the Nin-formyl group as possible protecting group against tryptophan indole side chain tert-butylation (author's transl)]. Investigations on the Nin-formyl group as a protecting group of the tryptophan indole side chain under the conditions of conventional peptide synthesis using model compounds are described. The protecting group prevents the tert-butylation of tryptophan residues during acidolytic removal of tert-butyloxycarbonyl groups and allows the preparation of tryptophan tert-butylester in good yields. However, because of the observed side reactions, as hydrogenation of the indole to a 2,3-dihydroindole side chain, instability of the protecting group under various experimental conditions, the Nin-formyl group is only of limited use in peptide synthesis.", "PMID": 761841} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_889", "title": "[Toxicity of ammonium acetate in rats with acute and subacute galactosamine-induced hepatitis (author's transl)].", "content": "Ammonia toxicity and the protective effect of arginine thereon were investigated in rats after single and repeated doses of galactosamine. Urea cycle enzymes and ornithine-oxo-acid transaminase activities were measured in rat liver homogenates. Ammonium acetate proved to be less toxic in rats treated with single or repeated doses of galactosamine than in untreated animals. Urea cycle enzyme activities of galactosamine-treated rats were clearly lowered. The protective effect of arginine against lethal ammonia intoxication was found in animals that had been treated with galactosamine as well as in untreated rats. Since the toxicity of ammonium acetate is lower in rats with galactosamine hepatitis, in which the activities of the liver urea cycle enzymes are reduced, it seems likely that ammonia detoxication in galactosamine-poisoned rat liver partly bypasses the urea cycle.", "contents": "[Toxicity of ammonium acetate in rats with acute and subacute galactosamine-induced hepatitis (author's transl)]. Ammonia toxicity and the protective effect of arginine thereon were investigated in rats after single and repeated doses of galactosamine. Urea cycle enzymes and ornithine-oxo-acid transaminase activities were measured in rat liver homogenates. Ammonium acetate proved to be less toxic in rats treated with single or repeated doses of galactosamine than in untreated animals. Urea cycle enzyme activities of galactosamine-treated rats were clearly lowered. The protective effect of arginine against lethal ammonia intoxication was found in animals that had been treated with galactosamine as well as in untreated rats. Since the toxicity of ammonium acetate is lower in rats with galactosamine hepatitis, in which the activities of the liver urea cycle enzymes are reduced, it seems likely that ammonia detoxication in galactosamine-poisoned rat liver partly bypasses the urea cycle.", "PMID": 761843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_890", "title": "[2alpha-Hydroxylation of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone in the lung of guinea pigs (author's transl)].", "content": "The hydroxylation of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone at C-2 in guinea pigs was measured with [1alpha,2alpha-T]5alpha-dihydrotestosterone as substrate by isolation of the liberated HTO (\"Stoffwechsel-labile Markierung\"). The hydroxylation measured in vivo by radiospirometry (condensation of body water with HTO from the expired air) was much higher in males than in females, due to the high hydroxylation capacity of the lung in males. In addition to lung, adrenal and liver showed a high, sexual organ low hydroxylation capacity for 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone.", "contents": "[2alpha-Hydroxylation of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone in the lung of guinea pigs (author's transl)]. The hydroxylation of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone at C-2 in guinea pigs was measured with [1alpha,2alpha-T]5alpha-dihydrotestosterone as substrate by isolation of the liberated HTO (\"Stoffwechsel-labile Markierung\"). The hydroxylation measured in vivo by radiospirometry (condensation of body water with HTO from the expired air) was much higher in males than in females, due to the high hydroxylation capacity of the lung in males. In addition to lung, adrenal and liver showed a high, sexual organ low hydroxylation capacity for 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone.", "PMID": 761844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_891", "title": "[Protein-bound mono (adenosine-diphosphate-ribose) levels during the cell cycle of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum].", "content": "In Physarum polycephalum two fractions of ADPR-protein conjugates could be differentiated on the basis of their susceptibility towards hydroxylamine. Quantitation during the cell cycle revealed independent synthesis of the two species, the NH2OH-resistant fraction being formed during S phase, while the NH2OH-sensitive conjugate increased sharply at the S/G2 boundary. These findings indicated that nuclear ADP-ribosylation reactions are more than one function.", "contents": "[Protein-bound mono (adenosine-diphosphate-ribose) levels during the cell cycle of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum]. In Physarum polycephalum two fractions of ADPR-protein conjugates could be differentiated on the basis of their susceptibility towards hydroxylamine. Quantitation during the cell cycle revealed independent synthesis of the two species, the NH2OH-resistant fraction being formed during S phase, while the NH2OH-sensitive conjugate increased sharply at the S/G2 boundary. These findings indicated that nuclear ADP-ribosylation reactions are more than one function.", "PMID": 761845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_892", "title": "Pyruvate dehydrogenase and ATP citrate (pro-3S)-lyase activities in adipose tissue and liver of the young lean and the older obese rat.", "content": "Pyruvate dehydrogenase and ATP citrate lyase, two lipogenic enzymes, were measured in young, lean and older, obese rats. While no significant differences were observed between the livers of the two groups, both enzymes were greatly reduced in epididymal adipose tissue of older rats. A similar decrease was found in adipose tissue from the perirenal, but not from the interscapular region. Prolonged meal-feeding over a one-year period did not prevent the loss of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in epididymal fat pads. In short term experiments of two weeks' duration this feeding regimen elevated the activities of both enzymes in adipose tissue of young but not of older rats. It is concluded that the state of activity of adipose tissue pyruvate dehydrogenase and ATP citrate lyase is at least in part responsible for the augmented lipogenesis observed in meal-fed rats and for the reduced lopogenic capacity and insulin sensitivity seen in old obese rats.", "contents": "Pyruvate dehydrogenase and ATP citrate (pro-3S)-lyase activities in adipose tissue and liver of the young lean and the older obese rat. Pyruvate dehydrogenase and ATP citrate lyase, two lipogenic enzymes, were measured in young, lean and older, obese rats. While no significant differences were observed between the livers of the two groups, both enzymes were greatly reduced in epididymal adipose tissue of older rats. A similar decrease was found in adipose tissue from the perirenal, but not from the interscapular region. Prolonged meal-feeding over a one-year period did not prevent the loss of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in epididymal fat pads. In short term experiments of two weeks' duration this feeding regimen elevated the activities of both enzymes in adipose tissue of young but not of older rats. It is concluded that the state of activity of adipose tissue pyruvate dehydrogenase and ATP citrate lyase is at least in part responsible for the augmented lipogenesis observed in meal-fed rats and for the reduced lopogenic capacity and insulin sensitivity seen in old obese rats.", "PMID": 761846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_893", "title": "Inhibition of porcine glandular kallikreins by structurally homologous proteinase inhibitors of the Kunitz (Trasylol) type. Significance of the basic nature of amino acid residues in subside positions for kallikrein inhibition.", "content": "The newly synthesized chromogenic substrate D ValLeuArgNHNp was employed to study the inhibition strength of Trasylol-like inhibitors from bovine lung (TKI), sea anemone (SAI), snake venoms (NNV and HHV), snails (HPI) and cow colostrum (CTI) against porcine pancreatic, submandibular and urinary kallikreins. The dissociation constants of the corresponding kallikrein-inhibitor complexes were found close to Ki = 1.5 x 10(-9)M (TKI, SAI, NNV) or to Ki = 10--210 x 10(-9)M (HHV, HPI). CTI does not inhibit the three porcine glandular kallikreins. Comparison of the inhibitory active areas of the inhibitors with their affinities to the three kallikreins shows that kallikrein inhibition is observed only if basic amino acid residues are present in distinct positions of the inhibitory active sites.", "contents": "Inhibition of porcine glandular kallikreins by structurally homologous proteinase inhibitors of the Kunitz (Trasylol) type. Significance of the basic nature of amino acid residues in subside positions for kallikrein inhibition. The newly synthesized chromogenic substrate D ValLeuArgNHNp was employed to study the inhibition strength of Trasylol-like inhibitors from bovine lung (TKI), sea anemone (SAI), snake venoms (NNV and HHV), snails (HPI) and cow colostrum (CTI) against porcine pancreatic, submandibular and urinary kallikreins. The dissociation constants of the corresponding kallikrein-inhibitor complexes were found close to Ki = 1.5 x 10(-9)M (TKI, SAI, NNV) or to Ki = 10--210 x 10(-9)M (HHV, HPI). CTI does not inhibit the three porcine glandular kallikreins. Comparison of the inhibitory active areas of the inhibitors with their affinities to the three kallikreins shows that kallikrein inhibition is observed only if basic amino acid residues are present in distinct positions of the inhibitory active sites.", "PMID": 761847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_894", "title": "Minigastrin; corrected structure and synthesis.", "content": "Evidence is presented that minigastrin is the C-terminal tetradecapeptide amide of gastrin and not the tridecapeptide amide as previously reported. Synthesis of the tetradecapeptide amide sequence, Trp-Leu-[Glu]5-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-Nh2, was achieved by a series of fragment couplings which were mediated by the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide procedure in presence of either N-hydroxysuccinimide or 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. Purification of all intermediate fragments, and of the final protected tetradecapeptide amide, was by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. Removal of the protecting groups was effected by treatment with 90% trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of a large excess of scavengers. Purification by ion-exchange chromatography afforded the pure tetradecapeptide amide. This material had full physiological activity.", "contents": "Minigastrin; corrected structure and synthesis. Evidence is presented that minigastrin is the C-terminal tetradecapeptide amide of gastrin and not the tridecapeptide amide as previously reported. Synthesis of the tetradecapeptide amide sequence, Trp-Leu-[Glu]5-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-Nh2, was achieved by a series of fragment couplings which were mediated by the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide procedure in presence of either N-hydroxysuccinimide or 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. Purification of all intermediate fragments, and of the final protected tetradecapeptide amide, was by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. Removal of the protecting groups was effected by treatment with 90% trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of a large excess of scavengers. Purification by ion-exchange chromatography afforded the pure tetradecapeptide amide. This material had full physiological activity.", "PMID": 761848} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_895", "title": "[Hemoglobins, XXV. Hemoglobin (erythrocruorin) CTT III from Chironomus thummi thummi (Diptera). Primary structure and relationship to other heme proteins (author's transl)].", "content": "The amino acid sequence analysis of hemoglobin (erythrocruorin) CTT III from Chironomus thummi th. (Diptera) has been checked with automatic methods and completed. The protein chain consists of 136 amino acids and contains a neutral exchange isoleucine/threonine in position 57. The molecular weight of the heme protein (Thr) is 15400. The primary structure gives the chemical basis for the refinement of the X-ray structure and the understanding of the mechanism of the Bohr effect in this monomeric hemoglobin. A homologous alignment to vertebrate globins is reported. The resulting data for the phylogeny of proto-and deuterostomian animals and the function of this hemoglobin are discussed.", "contents": "[Hemoglobins, XXV. Hemoglobin (erythrocruorin) CTT III from Chironomus thummi thummi (Diptera). Primary structure and relationship to other heme proteins (author's transl)]. The amino acid sequence analysis of hemoglobin (erythrocruorin) CTT III from Chironomus thummi th. (Diptera) has been checked with automatic methods and completed. The protein chain consists of 136 amino acids and contains a neutral exchange isoleucine/threonine in position 57. The molecular weight of the heme protein (Thr) is 15400. The primary structure gives the chemical basis for the refinement of the X-ray structure and the understanding of the mechanism of the Bohr effect in this monomeric hemoglobin. A homologous alignment to vertebrate globins is reported. The resulting data for the phylogeny of proto-and deuterostomian animals and the function of this hemoglobin are discussed.", "PMID": 761849} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_896", "title": "Reflections on psychiatry in the general-hospital setting.", "content": "For psychiatry to be successfully integrated into the general hospital, the psychiatrist must function within the medical model, and his mode of practice must be consistent with general-hospital caretaking. The author discusses the positive effects of consultative and liaison psychiatry linkages in the general-hospital setting as well as the problems of financing; there are inequities of reimbursement for consultation and a lack of payment for liaison services. He makes several suggestions about the education of the psychiatrist; it should not be geared exclusively toward the psychiatrist's role as a primary caretaker. Medical schools should introduce students to the discipline of psychiatry and its interrelationships with other disciplines. Teaching hospitals should train the psychiatrist in the medical model. The author feels that the future of general psychiatry does not lie in primary care per se but in its being an identified specialty closely allied to super-specialists and to primary caretakers alike.", "contents": "Reflections on psychiatry in the general-hospital setting. For psychiatry to be successfully integrated into the general hospital, the psychiatrist must function within the medical model, and his mode of practice must be consistent with general-hospital caretaking. The author discusses the positive effects of consultative and liaison psychiatry linkages in the general-hospital setting as well as the problems of financing; there are inequities of reimbursement for consultation and a lack of payment for liaison services. He makes several suggestions about the education of the psychiatrist; it should not be geared exclusively toward the psychiatrist's role as a primary caretaker. Medical schools should introduce students to the discipline of psychiatry and its interrelationships with other disciplines. Teaching hospitals should train the psychiatrist in the medical model. The author feels that the future of general psychiatry does not lie in primary care per se but in its being an identified specialty closely allied to super-specialists and to primary caretakers alike.", "PMID": 761856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_897", "title": "The expanding roles of general-hospital psychiatry.", "content": "The number and the roles of psychiatric units in general hospitals have been growing rapidly in recent years, and general-hospital psychiatry presents broad opportunities for service delivery, education, and research. Most or all the basic components of a community mental health center can be found within a general hospital, and as psychiatrists move back into the mainstream of medicine, the general hospital takes on added value. Training advantages include the exposure of medical students and primary care residents and physicians to mental illness and its impact on families as well as the interaction between psychiatric and nonpsychiatric trainees at various levels. The author discusses differences that hinder the optimal use of general-hospital psychiatric units, such as funding, regulatory controls, and regional variations in length of stay.", "contents": "The expanding roles of general-hospital psychiatry. The number and the roles of psychiatric units in general hospitals have been growing rapidly in recent years, and general-hospital psychiatry presents broad opportunities for service delivery, education, and research. Most or all the basic components of a community mental health center can be found within a general hospital, and as psychiatrists move back into the mainstream of medicine, the general hospital takes on added value. Training advantages include the exposure of medical students and primary care residents and physicians to mental illness and its impact on families as well as the interaction between psychiatric and nonpsychiatric trainees at various levels. The author discusses differences that hinder the optimal use of general-hospital psychiatric units, such as funding, regulatory controls, and regional variations in length of stay.", "PMID": 761857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_898", "title": "Issues facing American hospitals.", "content": "Major issues facing general hospitals today include the spiraling cost of health care and attempts by both the hospital industry and government to stem it. Although psychiatric care has not contributed substantially to the inflation in health care costs, the author predicts that psychiatric services would not escape public regulation of hospital costs. He urges psychiatrists to pay closer attention to the influential role of health systems agencies in determining health care needs.", "contents": "Issues facing American hospitals. Major issues facing general hospitals today include the spiraling cost of health care and attempts by both the hospital industry and government to stem it. Although psychiatric care has not contributed substantially to the inflation in health care costs, the author predicts that psychiatric services would not escape public regulation of hospital costs. He urges psychiatrists to pay closer attention to the influential role of health systems agencies in determining health care needs.", "PMID": 761858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_899", "title": "Focal therapy in the day hospital.", "content": "The authors describe their adaptation of focal therapy to the day hospital setting. Its goal is circumscribed characterological change through the interpretive uncovering of only one area of conflict. It has previously been used mainly with patients seen in individual outpatient treatment who are more likely to meet the regorous selection criteria; however, the day hospital's more intense setting permits it to be used with patients who would be disqualified in outpatient treatment. The authors present a case report of a severely disturbed woman who benefited significantly from the treatment technique.", "contents": "Focal therapy in the day hospital. The authors describe their adaptation of focal therapy to the day hospital setting. Its goal is circumscribed characterological change through the interpretive uncovering of only one area of conflict. It has previously been used mainly with patients seen in individual outpatient treatment who are more likely to meet the regorous selection criteria; however, the day hospital's more intense setting permits it to be used with patients who would be disqualified in outpatient treatment. The authors present a case report of a severely disturbed woman who benefited significantly from the treatment technique.", "PMID": 761859} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_900", "title": "Six-year program shows benefits of shared laboratory services.", "content": "The VA Hospital in Columbia, MO, and the University of Missouri Medical Center conduct the largest shared laboratory service in the VA hospital system. Sharing has enabled these institutions to eliminate unnecessary duplication of resources, develop new laboratory capabilities in subspecialties, handle additional routine procedures, better use the expertise of senior staff pathologists, develop uniform standards, enhance quality assessment, and expand training programs.", "contents": "Six-year program shows benefits of shared laboratory services. The VA Hospital in Columbia, MO, and the University of Missouri Medical Center conduct the largest shared laboratory service in the VA hospital system. Sharing has enabled these institutions to eliminate unnecessary duplication of resources, develop new laboratory capabilities in subspecialties, handle additional routine procedures, better use the expertise of senior staff pathologists, develop uniform standards, enhance quality assessment, and expand training programs.", "PMID": 761862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_901", "title": "Who makes decisions about new technology in hospitals?", "content": "Three top managers from different kinds of hospitals explain how decisions to buy expensive new technology are made in their institutions. Financial feasibility, competition with other hospitals, and the advantages of new equipment to patients and members of the medical staff are all considerations administrators must keep in mind when buying new equipment.", "contents": "Who makes decisions about new technology in hospitals? Three top managers from different kinds of hospitals explain how decisions to buy expensive new technology are made in their institutions. Financial feasibility, competition with other hospitals, and the advantages of new equipment to patients and members of the medical staff are all considerations administrators must keep in mind when buying new equipment.", "PMID": 761863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_902", "title": "Innovative program keeps them 'down on the farm'.", "content": "A shortage of nurses continues to be felt in rural areas of the country. In an experimental program conducted by a college department of nursing in a small rural hospital, nurses received training and were retained by the rural hospital. All training was conducted at the hospital, and all graduates received high marks on the RN examination.", "contents": "Innovative program keeps them 'down on the farm'. A shortage of nurses continues to be felt in rural areas of the country. In an experimental program conducted by a college department of nursing in a small rural hospital, nurses received training and were retained by the rural hospital. All training was conducted at the hospital, and all graduates received high marks on the RN examination.", "PMID": 761864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_903", "title": "Joint nursing-pharmacy program helps reduce medication errors.", "content": "A hospital's nursing and pharmacy staffs have substantially reduced errors in medication administration, especially errors of omission. They have achieved the reductions partly through primary nursing, which demands greater accountability for total patient care, including medication, from each nurse. Other methods and aids include corrective action, special reports and audits, \"remainder\" cards, and a computer system.", "contents": "Joint nursing-pharmacy program helps reduce medication errors. A hospital's nursing and pharmacy staffs have substantially reduced errors in medication administration, especially errors of omission. They have achieved the reductions partly through primary nursing, which demands greater accountability for total patient care, including medication, from each nurse. Other methods and aids include corrective action, special reports and audits, \"remainder\" cards, and a computer system.", "PMID": 761866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_904", "title": "Tests measure ethylene oxide risk to hospital's central supply staff.", "content": "A hospital used a specially devised but relatively simple method to monitor the levels of ethylene oxide (EO) to which employees were exposed at various locations in its central supply department. Based on the results of the tests, the hospital has taken follow-up actions to reduce EO concentrations and to initiate a multihospital testing program in its area.", "contents": "Tests measure ethylene oxide risk to hospital's central supply staff. A hospital used a specially devised but relatively simple method to monitor the levels of ethylene oxide (EO) to which employees were exposed at various locations in its central supply department. Based on the results of the tests, the hospital has taken follow-up actions to reduce EO concentrations and to initiate a multihospital testing program in its area.", "PMID": 761867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_905", "title": "Careful study and management can cut low-occupancy costs.", "content": "Several assumptions that are often made about low occupancy and the excess costs that such a situation involves are qualified and clarified by this author. The complexity of low-occupancy situations is made clear, and the many factors involved in such situations are explained. Before administrators take action to alleviate a low-occupancy situation, a thorough analysis should be done. Several alternative responses to low occupancy are suggested here.", "contents": "Careful study and management can cut low-occupancy costs. Several assumptions that are often made about low occupancy and the excess costs that such a situation involves are qualified and clarified by this author. The complexity of low-occupancy situations is made clear, and the many factors involved in such situations are explained. Before administrators take action to alleviate a low-occupancy situation, a thorough analysis should be done. Several alternative responses to low occupancy are suggested here.", "PMID": 761874} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_906", "title": "A systems approach can ensure high-quality care and low costs.", "content": "Risk management programs in hospitals are necessary not only because of some state laws that require them, but also because they can help to cut malpractice costs. In a systems approach to risk management, an effective incident reporting system should be developed, a medical incident review committee should be established, and attempts to involve attending physicians should be made. This approach can encourage a higher level of patient care and can cut costs.", "contents": "A systems approach can ensure high-quality care and low costs. Risk management programs in hospitals are necessary not only because of some state laws that require them, but also because they can help to cut malpractice costs. In a systems approach to risk management, an effective incident reporting system should be developed, a medical incident review committee should be established, and attempts to involve attending physicians should be made. This approach can encourage a higher level of patient care and can cut costs.", "PMID": 761875} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_907", "title": "Beauty in a hospital aids the cure.", "content": "Color photography, coupled with nature, acts as a healing medium on a conscious level as well as on subliminal levels. Reproductions of scenes in nature give off a healing energy, and colors have the ability to calm or excite. Therefore, the use of nature photography in a hospital is a powerful therapeutic agent.", "contents": "Beauty in a hospital aids the cure. Color photography, coupled with nature, acts as a healing medium on a conscious level as well as on subliminal levels. Reproductions of scenes in nature give off a healing energy, and colors have the ability to calm or excite. Therefore, the use of nature photography in a hospital is a powerful therapeutic agent.", "PMID": 761878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_908", "title": "Choosing art for your hospital: some basic do's and don'ts.", "content": "Artwork can serve many functions in the hospital beyond that of decoration. How to go about selecting the best type of art for your hospital and some of the considerations that should be taken into account when doing so are explained herein.", "contents": "Choosing art for your hospital: some basic do's and don'ts. Artwork can serve many functions in the hospital beyond that of decoration. How to go about selecting the best type of art for your hospital and some of the considerations that should be taken into account when doing so are explained herein.", "PMID": 761879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_909", "title": "Implementing a multiphased hospice program.", "content": "By implementing a hospice program in three phases, each of which can be integrated with existing services in general acute care and long-term care facilities, a health care institution can provide the community with an important new service. And the parent organization incurs only the cost or providing additional inservice and medical education.", "contents": "Implementing a multiphased hospice program. By implementing a hospice program in three phases, each of which can be integrated with existing services in general acute care and long-term care facilities, a health care institution can provide the community with an important new service. And the parent organization incurs only the cost or providing additional inservice and medical education.", "PMID": 761892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_910", "title": "An analysis of Catholic-sponsored hospices.", "content": "The patient-centered emphasis of the hospice concept of care for the dying impacts forcefully on hospice staff and boards of trustees. The Catholic Hospital Association has recognized the important differences between such care and more usual hospital services, and cautions that these distinctions be maintained.", "contents": "An analysis of Catholic-sponsored hospices. The patient-centered emphasis of the hospice concept of care for the dying impacts forcefully on hospice staff and boards of trustees. The Catholic Hospital Association has recognized the important differences between such care and more usual hospital services, and cautions that these distinctions be maintained.", "PMID": 761893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_911", "title": "Reimbursing hospice care: a Blue Cross and Blue Shield perspective.", "content": "The Associations' \"Initial Statement on Hospice Care and Payment for Hospice Services\" comprises three criteria and many recommendations. The statement can guide local Plans and other third party payers, wary of repeating past mistakes that increased costs without improving care.", "contents": "Reimbursing hospice care: a Blue Cross and Blue Shield perspective. The Associations' \"Initial Statement on Hospice Care and Payment for Hospice Services\" comprises three criteria and many recommendations. The statement can guide local Plans and other third party payers, wary of repeating past mistakes that increased costs without improving care.", "PMID": 761894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_912", "title": "Telling the story: ethics and dying.", "content": "What does the telling of stories have to do with theology or religion or ethics? Transcending utilitarian, principlist, or situationist approaches to ethics, one may look at life as story and the way a life is lived as character. \"Death is the final chapter in each life story. . . . At death individuals make the ultimate decision, the final choice. . . .\" Will they be able to affirm their years of living? Character will determine an individual's responses.", "contents": "Telling the story: ethics and dying. What does the telling of stories have to do with theology or religion or ethics? Transcending utilitarian, principlist, or situationist approaches to ethics, one may look at life as story and the way a life is lived as character. \"Death is the final chapter in each life story. . . . At death individuals make the ultimate decision, the final choice. . . .\" Will they be able to affirm their years of living? Character will determine an individual's responses.", "PMID": 761895} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_913", "title": "Mercy Hospice: a hospital-based program.", "content": "Coordinating the features of the hospice concept within the standard practices and policies of a general hosptial challenged those who developed the Mercy Hospice program at St. John's Hospital, Oxnard, CA. After two years' experience, they report on a program that has evolved to serve many different needs of terminally ill patients and their families both within the health care facility and in patients' homes.", "contents": "Mercy Hospice: a hospital-based program. Coordinating the features of the hospice concept within the standard practices and policies of a general hosptial challenged those who developed the Mercy Hospice program at St. John's Hospital, Oxnard, CA. After two years' experience, they report on a program that has evolved to serve many different needs of terminally ill patients and their families both within the health care facility and in patients' homes.", "PMID": 761897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_914", "title": "Pastoral care and the hospice.", "content": "Appropriate pastoral care for the terminally ill must help dying persons face their past, present, and future. The care given must help patients toward reconciliation and resignation, and toward faith in the new life promised by Jesus.", "contents": "Pastoral care and the hospice. Appropriate pastoral care for the terminally ill must help dying persons face their past, present, and future. The care given must help patients toward reconciliation and resignation, and toward faith in the new life promised by Jesus.", "PMID": 761898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_915", "title": "How incentives for bus use solved parking problems.", "content": "St. Marys Hospital Medical Center, Madison, WI, solved its problem of limited parking space by subsidizing city bus passes and establishing a shuttle service between a peripheral parking lot and the hospital.", "contents": "How incentives for bus use solved parking problems. St. Marys Hospital Medical Center, Madison, WI, solved its problem of limited parking space by subsidizing city bus passes and establishing a shuttle service between a peripheral parking lot and the hospital.", "PMID": 761899} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_916", "title": "Serum alkaline phosphatase phenotypes and secretor status in several Jewish populations in Israel.", "content": "The frequency of serum alkaline phospatase phenotypes and secretor trait is determined for Israeli Jews originating from three distinct geographical regions: Eastern and Central Europe (group I), North Africa (group II) and the Middle East (group III). The frequency of the Pp 2 serum alkaline phosphatase phenotype in each of the three groups were 33.56% (group I), 29.79% (group II) and 24.07% (group III). The average frequency for the three groups combined was 30.58%. The corresponding frequencies of the se gene in the three groups were 0.4765, 0.5149 and 0.5468, respectively, and the average frequency for the total number examined was 0.4978.", "contents": "Serum alkaline phosphatase phenotypes and secretor status in several Jewish populations in Israel. The frequency of serum alkaline phospatase phenotypes and secretor trait is determined for Israeli Jews originating from three distinct geographical regions: Eastern and Central Europe (group I), North Africa (group II) and the Middle East (group III). The frequency of the Pp 2 serum alkaline phosphatase phenotype in each of the three groups were 33.56% (group I), 29.79% (group II) and 24.07% (group III). The average frequency for the three groups combined was 30.58%. The corresponding frequencies of the se gene in the three groups were 0.4765, 0.5149 and 0.5468, respectively, and the average frequency for the total number examined was 0.4978.", "PMID": 761918} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_917", "title": "Plasma protein and red cell enzyme groups among the Nepalese.", "content": "Nepalese blood samples were tested for two plasma proteins and seven red cell enzyme systems. Polymorphic variation was present for the haptoglobin protein system and for the acid phosphatase, phosphoglucomutase locus 1, adenylate kinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase loci controlling red cell enzyme systems. Gene frequencies are compared between the eastern and western Nepalese tribes, and with the distribution pattern known in other South and South-East Asian population groups. The possible interpretations of these observations are discussed.", "contents": "Plasma protein and red cell enzyme groups among the Nepalese. Nepalese blood samples were tested for two plasma proteins and seven red cell enzyme systems. Polymorphic variation was present for the haptoglobin protein system and for the acid phosphatase, phosphoglucomutase locus 1, adenylate kinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase loci controlling red cell enzyme systems. Gene frequencies are compared between the eastern and western Nepalese tribes, and with the distribution pattern known in other South and South-East Asian population groups. The possible interpretations of these observations are discussed.", "PMID": 761919} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_918", "title": "Schizophrenia: a study of genetic models.", "content": "The likelihoods of observing 25 four-generational families of schizophrenics comprising 1,333 individuals have been calculated on the basis of 12 different genetic models and one control 'sporadic' model. The control model gave a log10 likelihood (L), of -240.92. Five of the genetic models were definitely excluded as incompatible with certain pedigrees. The three models with the highest likelihoods were: one locus, the heterozygote having a 10% probability of being classified schizophrenic (L: -220.05); two interacting loci (L:-219.46); and four polygenes (L:-216.87).", "contents": "Schizophrenia: a study of genetic models. The likelihoods of observing 25 four-generational families of schizophrenics comprising 1,333 individuals have been calculated on the basis of 12 different genetic models and one control 'sporadic' model. The control model gave a log10 likelihood (L), of -240.92. Five of the genetic models were definitely excluded as incompatible with certain pedigrees. The three models with the highest likelihoods were: one locus, the heterozygote having a 10% probability of being classified schizophrenic (L: -220.05); two interacting loci (L:-219.46); and four polygenes (L:-216.87).", "PMID": 761920} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_919", "title": "Variability in sib pair genetic identity.", "content": "Using a realistic model of meiotic crossing over the variability in full sib genetic identity is estimated by simulating 200 independent pairs of sibs. The standard deviation of the percentage of the autosomal genome identical by descent (IBD) was found to be about 0.056. Simulations of sibships larger than size two revealed that the average within sibship standard deviation is between 0.054 and 0.056, thus indicating that sib pair variability is insensitive to the nonindependence structure present when considering all possible sib pairs contained in a large sibship.", "contents": "Variability in sib pair genetic identity. Using a realistic model of meiotic crossing over the variability in full sib genetic identity is estimated by simulating 200 independent pairs of sibs. The standard deviation of the percentage of the autosomal genome identical by descent (IBD) was found to be about 0.056. Simulations of sibships larger than size two revealed that the average within sibship standard deviation is between 0.054 and 0.056, thus indicating that sib pair variability is insensitive to the nonindependence structure present when considering all possible sib pairs contained in a large sibship.", "PMID": 761921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_920", "title": "Some enzyme polymorphisms in Malaysian mothers and their newborn.", "content": "Four red cell enzyme systems were studied in Malaysian mothers and their newborn belonging to three racial groups, the Malays, Indians and Chinese. No significant heterogeneity was observed in the distribution of phosphoglucomutase (PGM1), adenosine deaminase (ADA), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and acid phosphatase (AP) phenotypes between mothers and their newborn of the three groups. Pooled mother and child acid phosphatase data show a significant heterogeneity between the Malays and Chinese, and between the Malays and Indians. This is comparable to previous studies conducted. For the placental phosphoglucomutase (PGM3) system, a significant heterogeneity was observed between the Chinese and Malays only. No significant heterogeneity was detected in the distribution of PGM1, ADA and 6PGD phenotypes among Malays, Chinese and Indians.", "contents": "Some enzyme polymorphisms in Malaysian mothers and their newborn. Four red cell enzyme systems were studied in Malaysian mothers and their newborn belonging to three racial groups, the Malays, Indians and Chinese. No significant heterogeneity was observed in the distribution of phosphoglucomutase (PGM1), adenosine deaminase (ADA), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and acid phosphatase (AP) phenotypes between mothers and their newborn of the three groups. Pooled mother and child acid phosphatase data show a significant heterogeneity between the Malays and Chinese, and between the Malays and Indians. This is comparable to previous studies conducted. For the placental phosphoglucomutase (PGM3) system, a significant heterogeneity was observed between the Chinese and Malays only. No significant heterogeneity was detected in the distribution of PGM1, ADA and 6PGD phenotypes among Malays, Chinese and Indians.", "PMID": 761922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_921", "title": "Genetic variants of human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in a Saharian and Pygmy family.", "content": "In two African communities, inhabitants of a Western Sahara oasis and Bi-Aka Pygmies (Central Africa), a genetic study of the distribution of G6PD phenotypes has been undertaken. Obtained data show the existence in both groups of slow electrophoretic variants with no enzyme deficiency or moderately reduced activity. Biochemical characterization of G6PD types was performed. In the Saharian family in which inheritance pattern of mutant G6PD was investigated, two alleles were found, the Negroid marker GdA- and Gd+Madrona, segregating among the different members. In the Pygmy family the Gd+Ibadan-Austin gene was detected. The incidence of these mutations in the groups studied, a comparison with similar G6PD variants observed in other African populations and the geographic distribution of these slow molecules are discussed in this paper.", "contents": "Genetic variants of human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in a Saharian and Pygmy family. In two African communities, inhabitants of a Western Sahara oasis and Bi-Aka Pygmies (Central Africa), a genetic study of the distribution of G6PD phenotypes has been undertaken. Obtained data show the existence in both groups of slow electrophoretic variants with no enzyme deficiency or moderately reduced activity. Biochemical characterization of G6PD types was performed. In the Saharian family in which inheritance pattern of mutant G6PD was investigated, two alleles were found, the Negroid marker GdA- and Gd+Madrona, segregating among the different members. In the Pygmy family the Gd+Ibadan-Austin gene was detected. The incidence of these mutations in the groups studied, a comparison with similar G6PD variants observed in other African populations and the geographic distribution of these slow molecules are discussed in this paper.", "PMID": 761923} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_922", "title": "Erythrocyte glyoxalase I polymorphism in several population groups in Israel.", "content": "The genetic polymorphism of red blood cell glyoxalase I (GLO) has been investigated in 9 population groups in Israel: Ashkenazi Jews, non-Ashkenazi Jews from Iran, Iraq, Balkan, North Africa, Yemen, Turkey and Egypt as well as Arabs living in Israel. The distribution of GL01 and GLO2 genes in the 9 communities was not homogeneous (x2 = 14.48; d.f. = 8; p less than 0.0005). Jews from Iran were found to have the lowest GLO1 frequency (0.2294), while those from Egypt had the highest gene frequency (0.3968). The other investigated communities were shown to have intermediate values for this gene frequency. No significant difference has been found between Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi Jews (with the exception of those from Egypt) or Arabs living in Israel.", "contents": "Erythrocyte glyoxalase I polymorphism in several population groups in Israel. The genetic polymorphism of red blood cell glyoxalase I (GLO) has been investigated in 9 population groups in Israel: Ashkenazi Jews, non-Ashkenazi Jews from Iran, Iraq, Balkan, North Africa, Yemen, Turkey and Egypt as well as Arabs living in Israel. The distribution of GL01 and GLO2 genes in the 9 communities was not homogeneous (x2 = 14.48; d.f. = 8; p less than 0.0005). Jews from Iran were found to have the lowest GLO1 frequency (0.2294), while those from Egypt had the highest gene frequency (0.3968). The other investigated communities were shown to have intermediate values for this gene frequency. No significant difference has been found between Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi Jews (with the exception of those from Egypt) or Arabs living in Israel.", "PMID": 761924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_923", "title": "Saliva acid phosphatases in Malaysians: report of a new variant.", "content": "A total of 640 Malaysians, 355 of Malay, 155 of Chinese, and 130 of Indian ancestries have been examined for saliva acid phosphatases. The three ethnic groups were polymorphic for saliva acid phosphatase A (Sap-A) and saliva acid phosphatase (B (Sap-B). The gene frequencies were: Sap-A, Malays: A = 0.469, A' = 0.001, A degrees = 0.530; Chinese: A = 0.436, A' = 0.010, A degrees = 0.555; Indians: A = 0.533, A' = 0.012, A degrees = 0.456. For Sap-B, Malays: B = 0.925, B degrees = 0.075; Chinese: B = 0.797, B1 = 0.016, B degrees = 0.187; Indians: B 0.752, B degrees = 0.248. Phenotype ABB1 is described.", "contents": "Saliva acid phosphatases in Malaysians: report of a new variant. A total of 640 Malaysians, 355 of Malay, 155 of Chinese, and 130 of Indian ancestries have been examined for saliva acid phosphatases. The three ethnic groups were polymorphic for saliva acid phosphatase A (Sap-A) and saliva acid phosphatase (B (Sap-B). The gene frequencies were: Sap-A, Malays: A = 0.469, A' = 0.001, A degrees = 0.530; Chinese: A = 0.436, A' = 0.010, A degrees = 0.555; Indians: A = 0.533, A' = 0.012, A degrees = 0.456. For Sap-B, Malays: B = 0.925, B degrees = 0.075; Chinese: B = 0.797, B1 = 0.016, B degrees = 0.187; Indians: B 0.752, B degrees = 0.248. Phenotype ABB1 is described.", "PMID": 761925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_924", "title": "Increased de novo purine synthesis in cultured skin fibroblasts from heterozygotes for the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. A sensitive marker for carrier detection.", "content": "The metabolic consequence of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency, the accelerated rate of purine synthesis de novo, was utilized as a marker for the detection in cultured fibroblasts of heterozygosity for the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. This marker was found to be very sensitive allowing the detection of mutant cells in nonselected mixed mutant: normal cell cultures even at low proportion of 1 to 10. Exposure of the mixed cultures to selection for the mutant cell with azaguanine increased the sensitivity of the test. Cultures from different biopsies, obtained from heterozygote females, were found to contain different proportions of the mutant cell, ranging from 10 to 84%.", "contents": "Increased de novo purine synthesis in cultured skin fibroblasts from heterozygotes for the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. A sensitive marker for carrier detection. The metabolic consequence of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency, the accelerated rate of purine synthesis de novo, was utilized as a marker for the detection in cultured fibroblasts of heterozygosity for the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. This marker was found to be very sensitive allowing the detection of mutant cells in nonselected mixed mutant: normal cell cultures even at low proportion of 1 to 10. Exposure of the mixed cultures to selection for the mutant cell with azaguanine increased the sensitivity of the test. Cultures from different biopsies, obtained from heterozygote females, were found to contain different proportions of the mutant cell, ranging from 10 to 84%.", "PMID": 761926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_925", "title": "Effects on in vitro tumor growth of macrophages isolated from human ascitic ovarian tumors.", "content": "Macrophages were isolated from 22 human ascitic ovarian epithelial tumors and their growth-inhibitory capacity was tested using as targets the following in vitro tumor cell lines: murine TLX9 lymphoma and FS6 sarcoma; human myeloid K562 leukemia and human E cell line derived from an ovarian carcinoma. Macrophage preparations were heterogeneous in their interaction with tumor target cells, and assay conditions, such as the type of target cell, incubation time, and attacker to target cell (A:T) ratio critically affected the evaluation of the cytotoxic potential of tumor-associated macrophages. At an A:T ratio of 7:1 no cytostatic activity on TLX9 and K562 cells was ever observed, but in the presence of specific antibody 8 out of 12 macrophage preparations tested showed significant antibody-dependent cytotoxicity on TLX9 lymphoma cells. Macrophage preparations from two patients significantly inhibited growth of the FS6 sarcoma and a cytostatic activity on E cells was observed in five additional patients. Significant stimulation of the proliferative capacity of at least one of the target cell lines was observed in 11 subjects at an A:T ratio of 7:1. In 12 patients, macrophage cytostatic activity on E cells was also tested at an A:T ratio of 35:1; eight out of 12 preparations showed significant cytotoxicity under these conditions. When the same subject was repeatedly tested at short intervals the same pattern of inhibition or stimulation of tumor growth was observed.", "contents": "Effects on in vitro tumor growth of macrophages isolated from human ascitic ovarian tumors. Macrophages were isolated from 22 human ascitic ovarian epithelial tumors and their growth-inhibitory capacity was tested using as targets the following in vitro tumor cell lines: murine TLX9 lymphoma and FS6 sarcoma; human myeloid K562 leukemia and human E cell line derived from an ovarian carcinoma. Macrophage preparations were heterogeneous in their interaction with tumor target cells, and assay conditions, such as the type of target cell, incubation time, and attacker to target cell (A:T) ratio critically affected the evaluation of the cytotoxic potential of tumor-associated macrophages. At an A:T ratio of 7:1 no cytostatic activity on TLX9 and K562 cells was ever observed, but in the presence of specific antibody 8 out of 12 macrophage preparations tested showed significant antibody-dependent cytotoxicity on TLX9 lymphoma cells. Macrophage preparations from two patients significantly inhibited growth of the FS6 sarcoma and a cytostatic activity on E cells was observed in five additional patients. Significant stimulation of the proliferative capacity of at least one of the target cell lines was observed in 11 subjects at an A:T ratio of 7:1. In 12 patients, macrophage cytostatic activity on E cells was also tested at an A:T ratio of 35:1; eight out of 12 preparations showed significant cytotoxicity under these conditions. When the same subject was repeatedly tested at short intervals the same pattern of inhibition or stimulation of tumor growth was observed.", "PMID": 761940} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_926", "title": "Neoplasms in rats and mice fed butylurea and sodium nitrite separately and in combination.", "content": "In projected 485-day studies, Fischer 344 rats and C57BL/6 mice were fed 0.58% butylurea and 0.50% sodium nitrite mixed in the diet separately or in combination. The number and type of neoplasms were not significantly increased in either species receiving butylurea or sodium nitrite only. Feeding the two chemicals simultaneously induced neoplasms of the lung, Zymbal's gland, forestomach, intestine and hemopoietic tissues in rats, and malignant lymphomas in mice. The increased incidence of neoplasms in rats and mice fed butylurea and sodium nitrite in combination may result from in vivo formation of the carcinogen, N-butyl-N-nitrosourea.", "contents": "Neoplasms in rats and mice fed butylurea and sodium nitrite separately and in combination. In projected 485-day studies, Fischer 344 rats and C57BL/6 mice were fed 0.58% butylurea and 0.50% sodium nitrite mixed in the diet separately or in combination. The number and type of neoplasms were not significantly increased in either species receiving butylurea or sodium nitrite only. Feeding the two chemicals simultaneously induced neoplasms of the lung, Zymbal's gland, forestomach, intestine and hemopoietic tissues in rats, and malignant lymphomas in mice. The increased incidence of neoplasms in rats and mice fed butylurea and sodium nitrite in combination may result from in vivo formation of the carcinogen, N-butyl-N-nitrosourea.", "PMID": 761944} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_927", "title": "Animal model and pharmacokinetic interpretation of nicotine poisoning in man.", "content": "The purpose of the study was to find an animal model and possible pharmacolokinetic interpretation of the fact that a patient survived an accidental sc poisoning with a nicotine-containing animal tranquilizing dart. The same dose size of 3.58 mg/kg causing poisoning in man was administered to rabbits iv and sc. Blood samples were obtained for nicotine analysis by cardiac punctures; and blood pressure, respiration rate, and saliva flow were measured. Analysis of the original solution used in the dart excluded the possibility of sub-potency. The extent of unchanged drug reaching systemic circulation (extent of bioavailability) upon sc administration was 83%. Hence, the possibility of survival in man due to rapid tissue metabolism was ruled out. The pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a significant reduction in sc plasma levels during the first half hour which is reported as the most critical period for patients experiencing nicotine intoxication. The disposition of nicotine in the rabbit, i.e. distribution and elimination, are identical upon iv and sc administration. The reduced toxicity, i.e. blood pressure and saliva flow rate, upon sc dosing may be explained by the difference in plasma level peaks between sc and iv administration.", "contents": "Animal model and pharmacokinetic interpretation of nicotine poisoning in man. The purpose of the study was to find an animal model and possible pharmacolokinetic interpretation of the fact that a patient survived an accidental sc poisoning with a nicotine-containing animal tranquilizing dart. The same dose size of 3.58 mg/kg causing poisoning in man was administered to rabbits iv and sc. Blood samples were obtained for nicotine analysis by cardiac punctures; and blood pressure, respiration rate, and saliva flow were measured. Analysis of the original solution used in the dart excluded the possibility of sub-potency. The extent of unchanged drug reaching systemic circulation (extent of bioavailability) upon sc administration was 83%. Hence, the possibility of survival in man due to rapid tissue metabolism was ruled out. The pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a significant reduction in sc plasma levels during the first half hour which is reported as the most critical period for patients experiencing nicotine intoxication. The disposition of nicotine in the rabbit, i.e. distribution and elimination, are identical upon iv and sc administration. The reduced toxicity, i.e. blood pressure and saliva flow rate, upon sc dosing may be explained by the difference in plasma level peaks between sc and iv administration.", "PMID": 761952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_928", "title": "Pharmacodynamic comparison of the acute effects of nomifensine, amphetamine and placebo in healthy volunteers.", "content": "In a double blind cross over trial the effects of single doses of 100 mg nomifensine, 15 mg racemic amphetamine and placebo were compared in 9 healthy volunteers. Assessments of choice reaction behavior, simple reaction time, critical flicker fusion and attention on continuous calculations were performed together with a series of self rating scales, a side-effect list and vital signs before and 90 min., 180 min. and 360 min. after each administration. While the only significant nomifensine effect was an increase of correct solutions in the continuous calculation task, amphetamine differed from nomifensine and placebor in a number of subjective variables which describe emotional changes typical for drug stimulation. Subjects also expressed the will to have amphetamine prescribed for fatigue and loss of drive, whereas preferences for nomifensine were virtually the same as for placebo. Under amphetamine heart rate and blood pressure were increased and side-effects were frequent. It is concluded that nomifensine showed none of those subjectively pleasant amphetamine effects which are responsible for the reinforcement function leading to amphetamine dependence.", "contents": "Pharmacodynamic comparison of the acute effects of nomifensine, amphetamine and placebo in healthy volunteers. In a double blind cross over trial the effects of single doses of 100 mg nomifensine, 15 mg racemic amphetamine and placebo were compared in 9 healthy volunteers. Assessments of choice reaction behavior, simple reaction time, critical flicker fusion and attention on continuous calculations were performed together with a series of self rating scales, a side-effect list and vital signs before and 90 min., 180 min. and 360 min. after each administration. While the only significant nomifensine effect was an increase of correct solutions in the continuous calculation task, amphetamine differed from nomifensine and placebor in a number of subjective variables which describe emotional changes typical for drug stimulation. Subjects also expressed the will to have amphetamine prescribed for fatigue and loss of drive, whereas preferences for nomifensine were virtually the same as for placebo. Under amphetamine heart rate and blood pressure were increased and side-effects were frequent. It is concluded that nomifensine showed none of those subjectively pleasant amphetamine effects which are responsible for the reinforcement function leading to amphetamine dependence.", "PMID": 761953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_929", "title": "Bioavailability of trithiozine (TR) in man and its relation to gastric secretion and gastrin plasma level.", "content": "Pharmacokinetics and gastric secretion suppressing properties of a new drug, trithiozine (TR), were studied in man. Its availability, if taken orally, is prompt and very good; its blood plasma level lasts for over 5 hr. In basal conditions volume of gastric juice is suppressed by TR as it is by propantheline bromide (PPB). In contradistinction to PPB, TR reduces basal acid output. After histamine stimulation TR is not as effective as PPB in reducing both volume and acid output. TR did not appear to affect the plasma gastrin level. Lack of typical anticholinergic side-effects such as dryness in mouth, vision blurring, etc., on the one hand, and antisecretory activity limited to basal conditions on the other, seem to offer a new modification of the old approach to therapy of gastroduodenal ulcer. Clinical trials seem justified.", "contents": "Bioavailability of trithiozine (TR) in man and its relation to gastric secretion and gastrin plasma level. Pharmacokinetics and gastric secretion suppressing properties of a new drug, trithiozine (TR), were studied in man. Its availability, if taken orally, is prompt and very good; its blood plasma level lasts for over 5 hr. In basal conditions volume of gastric juice is suppressed by TR as it is by propantheline bromide (PPB). In contradistinction to PPB, TR reduces basal acid output. After histamine stimulation TR is not as effective as PPB in reducing both volume and acid output. TR did not appear to affect the plasma gastrin level. Lack of typical anticholinergic side-effects such as dryness in mouth, vision blurring, etc., on the one hand, and antisecretory activity limited to basal conditions on the other, seem to offer a new modification of the old approach to therapy of gastroduodenal ulcer. Clinical trials seem justified.", "PMID": 761954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_930", "title": "Dermal neuroma simulating leprosy.", "content": "A 45-year-old Pakistani woman reported to a clinic in Karachi with a one-year history of hypopigmented lesions on the left side of the face and neck. On first presentation the lesions were rough-surfaced and hypoaesthetic; the clinical findings in this highly endemic area of the world suggested macular tuberculoid leprosy. The patient was treated with dapsone for a period of 5 years, but with no change in the appearance or size of the lesions. Subsequent biopsies revealed an unusual neuromatoid pathology in the dermis, in which axons were absent on light and electron microscopy, with neurilemmoma being considered as a possible diagnosis.", "contents": "Dermal neuroma simulating leprosy. A 45-year-old Pakistani woman reported to a clinic in Karachi with a one-year history of hypopigmented lesions on the left side of the face and neck. On first presentation the lesions were rough-surfaced and hypoaesthetic; the clinical findings in this highly endemic area of the world suggested macular tuberculoid leprosy. The patient was treated with dapsone for a period of 5 years, but with no change in the appearance or size of the lesions. Subsequent biopsies revealed an unusual neuromatoid pathology in the dermis, in which axons were absent on light and electron microscopy, with neurilemmoma being considered as a possible diagnosis.", "PMID": 761958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_931", "title": "The role of lysosomes in the healing process of cutaneous leishmaniasis.", "content": "Biopsy material in early and late stages of cutaneous leishmaniasis was obtained. The ultrastructural study using acid phosphatase reaction as a marker for lysosomes showed that in early stages parasites proliferate undisturbed within macrophage cytoplasm. At later stages numerous degenerating parasites were seen and macrophage lysosomes were observed adhering to and pouring their contents into the parasite. It is assumed that activated macrophages control intracellular parasitism by lysosomal activity.", "contents": "The role of lysosomes in the healing process of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Biopsy material in early and late stages of cutaneous leishmaniasis was obtained. The ultrastructural study using acid phosphatase reaction as a marker for lysosomes showed that in early stages parasites proliferate undisturbed within macrophage cytoplasm. At later stages numerous degenerating parasites were seen and macrophage lysosomes were observed adhering to and pouring their contents into the parasite. It is assumed that activated macrophages control intracellular parasitism by lysosomal activity.", "PMID": 761959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_932", "title": "Anetoderma.", "content": "Anetoderma is a rare cutaneous condition with characteristic clinical features and histopathology. The condition is classified into idiopathic (Jadassohn or Pellizzari type) and atrophic (Schweinger-Buzzi type) concomitant with other diseases, and secondary to infection or drugs.", "contents": "Anetoderma. Anetoderma is a rare cutaneous condition with characteristic clinical features and histopathology. The condition is classified into idiopathic (Jadassohn or Pellizzari type) and atrophic (Schweinger-Buzzi type) concomitant with other diseases, and secondary to infection or drugs.", "PMID": 761957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_933", "title": "A trial with fluocinonide in recalcitrant dermatoses.", "content": "The effectiveness and safety of fluocinonide 0.05% in a cream base (FAPG cream: fatty acid propylene glycol) were evaluated in 105 patients with recalcitrant corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses that had failed to respond adequately to at least two weeks' previous treatment with one of 21 other topical corticosteroid preparations. At the end of the three weeks, 66 (71.0%) of the 93 patients who qualified for analysis showed excellent to moderate improvement with fluocinonide. Side effects were rare and of a minor nature. The general effectiveness of fluocinonide is indicated in this single-blind trail in which excellent or moderate results predominated in 8 of the 12 different diagnosis.", "contents": "A trial with fluocinonide in recalcitrant dermatoses. The effectiveness and safety of fluocinonide 0.05% in a cream base (FAPG cream: fatty acid propylene glycol) were evaluated in 105 patients with recalcitrant corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses that had failed to respond adequately to at least two weeks' previous treatment with one of 21 other topical corticosteroid preparations. At the end of the three weeks, 66 (71.0%) of the 93 patients who qualified for analysis showed excellent to moderate improvement with fluocinonide. Side effects were rare and of a minor nature. The general effectiveness of fluocinonide is indicated in this single-blind trail in which excellent or moderate results predominated in 8 of the 12 different diagnosis.", "PMID": 761964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_934", "title": "Metabolic fate of aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic organisms: analysis of metabolites by thin-layer chromatography and high-pressure liquid chromatography.", "content": "Aquatic organisms convert aromatic hydrocarbons into a variety of conjugated and nonconjugated derivatives. Analytical techniques based on thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) were employed to separate, identify and quantitate individual metabolites from fish exposed to radiolabeled naphthalene and 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene. Significant differences in profiles of individual metabolites were found in relation to the type of biological sample analyzed. Liver of naphthalene-exposed salmonids contained eight polar derivatives, as shown by HPLC. Two nonconjugates (1-naphthol and 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene) and three conjugates (1-naphthyl glucuronic acid, 1-naphthyl sulfate and 1-naphthyl glucoside) were identified. HPLC revealed that brain of 3H-naphthalene-exposed trout contained essentially the nonconjugated derivatives, 1-naphthol and 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene. TLC showed that the metabolites from trout urine were 1-naphthol, 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynapthalene, and 1-naphthyl glucuronic acid (99% of the total metabolites detected). Major components of the metabolite fractions of tissues and biological fluids were 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxy and glucuronic acid derivatives. Dihydrodiol derivatives arise from the corresponding arene oxides, some of which have been shown to be cytotoxic to certain mammalian systems.", "contents": "Metabolic fate of aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic organisms: analysis of metabolites by thin-layer chromatography and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Aquatic organisms convert aromatic hydrocarbons into a variety of conjugated and nonconjugated derivatives. Analytical techniques based on thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) were employed to separate, identify and quantitate individual metabolites from fish exposed to radiolabeled naphthalene and 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene. Significant differences in profiles of individual metabolites were found in relation to the type of biological sample analyzed. Liver of naphthalene-exposed salmonids contained eight polar derivatives, as shown by HPLC. Two nonconjugates (1-naphthol and 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene) and three conjugates (1-naphthyl glucuronic acid, 1-naphthyl sulfate and 1-naphthyl glucoside) were identified. HPLC revealed that brain of 3H-naphthalene-exposed trout contained essentially the nonconjugated derivatives, 1-naphthol and 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene. TLC showed that the metabolites from trout urine were 1-naphthol, 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynapthalene, and 1-naphthyl glucuronic acid (99% of the total metabolites detected). Major components of the metabolite fractions of tissues and biological fluids were 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxy and glucuronic acid derivatives. Dihydrodiol derivatives arise from the corresponding arene oxides, some of which have been shown to be cytotoxic to certain mammalian systems.", "PMID": 761967} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_935", "title": "Photoreceptor outer segment development: light and dark regulate the rate of membrane addition and loss.", "content": "The rate of membrane addition during outer segment development and the onset of membrane loss through shedding was evaluated for Xenopus laevis embryos reared at 23 degrees C in constant light (LL), constant darkness (DD), and cyclic light (12 hr L/12 hr D; LD). Embryos were placed under these lighting conditions 1 day following fertilization at open neural plate stages and were sampled each day for 9 days. Rod and cone outer segments were present in each treatment group on day 3 of development. At the end of 10 days of development, rod outer segment volumes were 708 +/- 195, 380 +/- 40, and 297 +/- 33 micrometer3 (mean +/- S.D.) for LL, LD, and DD treatment groups, respectively, whereas mean cone outer segment volumes were 57 +/- 8, 48 +/- 8, and 35 +/- 9 micrometer3 for these same treatment groups. The loss of outer segment material through shedding was assessed by monitoring the phagosome content of the pigment epithelium. Phagosomes were present in the pigment epithelium in DD embryos as early as 6 days of development, were present at day 5 only after the onset of the light cycle in LD embryos, and were rarely observed in LL embryos. The rate of outer segment membrane elaboration in rods (determined with 3H-leucine autoradiography) was virtually identical in LL and LD (100 and 98 micrometer3/day) but was greatly reduced in DD (70 micrometer3/day). These findings indicate that the relatively rapid rate of rod outer segment volume accumulation in LL embryos is due to a reduction in membrane loss through shedding and not to a higher rate of membrane addition as compared to animals reared in LD. In contrast, the reduced rate of rod outer segment development in DD embryos is the result of both a slower rate of membrane elaboration accompanied by the early onset and enhanced rate of membrane loss through shedding in darkness.", "contents": "Photoreceptor outer segment development: light and dark regulate the rate of membrane addition and loss. The rate of membrane addition during outer segment development and the onset of membrane loss through shedding was evaluated for Xenopus laevis embryos reared at 23 degrees C in constant light (LL), constant darkness (DD), and cyclic light (12 hr L/12 hr D; LD). Embryos were placed under these lighting conditions 1 day following fertilization at open neural plate stages and were sampled each day for 9 days. Rod and cone outer segments were present in each treatment group on day 3 of development. At the end of 10 days of development, rod outer segment volumes were 708 +/- 195, 380 +/- 40, and 297 +/- 33 micrometer3 (mean +/- S.D.) for LL, LD, and DD treatment groups, respectively, whereas mean cone outer segment volumes were 57 +/- 8, 48 +/- 8, and 35 +/- 9 micrometer3 for these same treatment groups. The loss of outer segment material through shedding was assessed by monitoring the phagosome content of the pigment epithelium. Phagosomes were present in the pigment epithelium in DD embryos as early as 6 days of development, were present at day 5 only after the onset of the light cycle in LD embryos, and were rarely observed in LL embryos. The rate of outer segment membrane elaboration in rods (determined with 3H-leucine autoradiography) was virtually identical in LL and LD (100 and 98 micrometer3/day) but was greatly reduced in DD (70 micrometer3/day). These findings indicate that the relatively rapid rate of rod outer segment volume accumulation in LL embryos is due to a reduction in membrane loss through shedding and not to a higher rate of membrane addition as compared to animals reared in LD. In contrast, the reduced rate of rod outer segment development in DD embryos is the result of both a slower rate of membrane elaboration accompanied by the early onset and enhanced rate of membrane loss through shedding in darkness.", "PMID": 761968} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_936", "title": "Sex-linked retinitis pigmentosa: ultrastructure of photoreceptors and pigment epithelium.", "content": "An ultrastructural study of a postmortem donor eye from a 24-year-old male patient with sex-linked retinitis pigmentosa showed abnormalities in all remaining cones and rods. Central foveal cones were reduced in number by about 50% and had shortened and severely distorted outer segments. Cones from the parafovea through the midperiphery gradually decreased in density and had no organized outer segments. In the far periphery, cones and rods had only slightly shortened outer segments. Photoreceptors equidistant from the fovea in all quadrants showed similar changes. The virtual absence of organized cone outer segments from the parafovea through the midperiphery was conspicuous in that this patient had full visual fields with large test lights 3 weeks prior to death. The pigment epithelium contained abnormally large numbers of melanolysosomes and few free melanin granules from the fovea through the midperiphery and few melanolysosomes and many free melanin granules in the far periphery. Whether or not these observations in the pigment epithelial cells represent a primary defect in this disease or reflect changes secondary to a defect in the photoreceptor cells remains to be defined.", "contents": "Sex-linked retinitis pigmentosa: ultrastructure of photoreceptors and pigment epithelium. An ultrastructural study of a postmortem donor eye from a 24-year-old male patient with sex-linked retinitis pigmentosa showed abnormalities in all remaining cones and rods. Central foveal cones were reduced in number by about 50% and had shortened and severely distorted outer segments. Cones from the parafovea through the midperiphery gradually decreased in density and had no organized outer segments. In the far periphery, cones and rods had only slightly shortened outer segments. Photoreceptors equidistant from the fovea in all quadrants showed similar changes. The virtual absence of organized cone outer segments from the parafovea through the midperiphery was conspicuous in that this patient had full visual fields with large test lights 3 weeks prior to death. The pigment epithelium contained abnormally large numbers of melanolysosomes and few free melanin granules from the fovea through the midperiphery and few melanolysosomes and many free melanin granules in the far periphery. Whether or not these observations in the pigment epithelial cells represent a primary defect in this disease or reflect changes secondary to a defect in the photoreceptor cells remains to be defined.", "PMID": 761969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_937", "title": "An interophthalmic communicating artery as explanation for the consensual irritative response of the rabbit eye.", "content": "An arterial connection between the two internal ophthalmic arteries in the rabbit was confirmed. The consensual response to ocular injury and its relationship to this interconnecting artery was examined by transecting the interconnecting vessel and creating a monocular injury by anterior chamber paracentesis. In the rabbits of two control groups (those undergoing sham operation without vessel ligation and those undergoing no operation) there was a rise in protein in the aqueous of the uninjured eye. In the rabbits with the communicating artery transected, no such rise in contralateral aqueous protein occurred. It is concluded that in the rabbit this vascular connection can explain the contralateral hyperemia and aqueous protein increase seen after monocular trauma.", "contents": "An interophthalmic communicating artery as explanation for the consensual irritative response of the rabbit eye. An arterial connection between the two internal ophthalmic arteries in the rabbit was confirmed. The consensual response to ocular injury and its relationship to this interconnecting artery was examined by transecting the interconnecting vessel and creating a monocular injury by anterior chamber paracentesis. In the rabbits of two control groups (those undergoing sham operation without vessel ligation and those undergoing no operation) there was a rise in protein in the aqueous of the uninjured eye. In the rabbits with the communicating artery transected, no such rise in contralateral aqueous protein occurred. It is concluded that in the rabbit this vascular connection can explain the contralateral hyperemia and aqueous protein increase seen after monocular trauma.", "PMID": 761970} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_938", "title": "Prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis by microsomes of rabbit ocular tissues.", "content": "Microsomes of albino rabbit ocular tissues were incubated with (1-14C)-arachidonic acid for 15 min at 37 degrees C. Thin-layer chromatography revealed that ciliary body-iris microsomes were capable of synthesizing prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), PGE2, PGD2, thromboxane B2(TXB2), and 6-keto-PGF1alpha. Indomethacin 14 micrometer in the incubation medium essentially abolished all prostaglandin synthesis detectable by this method. Imidazole 10 mM in the incubation medium inhibited only TXB2 synthesis. Ciliary body-iris microsomes were incubated for 2 min at 0 degrees C with PGH2. The products of this reaction were superfused over spiral strips of rabbit aorta and produced the strong contractions typical of TXA2. Addition to imidazole to the incubation medium blocked the formation of the contracting substance. Incubation of ciliary body-iris microsomes with (1-14C)--8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid produced PGF1alpha, PGD1, and PGE1 but no evidence of any thromboxane product or 6-keto-PGF1alpha. Conjunctival and corneal microsomes synthesized prostaglandins, although less effectively than ciliary body-iris microsomes, when incubated with (1-14C)-arachidonic acid. Microsomes of sclera, retina-choroid, and lens synthesized little, if any, prostaglandins.", "contents": "Prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis by microsomes of rabbit ocular tissues. Microsomes of albino rabbit ocular tissues were incubated with (1-14C)-arachidonic acid for 15 min at 37 degrees C. Thin-layer chromatography revealed that ciliary body-iris microsomes were capable of synthesizing prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), PGE2, PGD2, thromboxane B2(TXB2), and 6-keto-PGF1alpha. Indomethacin 14 micrometer in the incubation medium essentially abolished all prostaglandin synthesis detectable by this method. Imidazole 10 mM in the incubation medium inhibited only TXB2 synthesis. Ciliary body-iris microsomes were incubated for 2 min at 0 degrees C with PGH2. The products of this reaction were superfused over spiral strips of rabbit aorta and produced the strong contractions typical of TXA2. Addition to imidazole to the incubation medium blocked the formation of the contracting substance. Incubation of ciliary body-iris microsomes with (1-14C)--8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid produced PGF1alpha, PGD1, and PGE1 but no evidence of any thromboxane product or 6-keto-PGF1alpha. Conjunctival and corneal microsomes synthesized prostaglandins, although less effectively than ciliary body-iris microsomes, when incubated with (1-14C)-arachidonic acid. Microsomes of sclera, retina-choroid, and lens synthesized little, if any, prostaglandins.", "PMID": 761971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_939", "title": "Oxygen tension under a contact lens.", "content": "Corneal thickness changes were measured on human subjects who wore gel lenses that varied in center thickness. Using these measurements and the results of an earlier study in which changes in corneal thickness were monitored on human corneas exposed to oxygen tensions below that in air, we showed that the oxygen tension under most contact lenses varies from 0 to 25 mm Hg which produces a corresponding oxygen flux into the cornea of 0 to 6 microliter cm2 hr. A critical oxygen tension and flux under the lens was found to be 10 mm Hg and 2 microliter cm2 hr, respectively, below which corneal swelling occurs. To maintain these critical levels of tension and flux, the minimum oxygen transmissibility of a stationary lens on the cornea was determined to be 5 X 10(-9) and 15 X 10(-9) (cm X ml O2)/(sec X ml X mm Hg) for the open and closed eye conditions, respectively.", "contents": "Oxygen tension under a contact lens. Corneal thickness changes were measured on human subjects who wore gel lenses that varied in center thickness. Using these measurements and the results of an earlier study in which changes in corneal thickness were monitored on human corneas exposed to oxygen tensions below that in air, we showed that the oxygen tension under most contact lenses varies from 0 to 25 mm Hg which produces a corresponding oxygen flux into the cornea of 0 to 6 microliter cm2 hr. A critical oxygen tension and flux under the lens was found to be 10 mm Hg and 2 microliter cm2 hr, respectively, below which corneal swelling occurs. To maintain these critical levels of tension and flux, the minimum oxygen transmissibility of a stationary lens on the cornea was determined to be 5 X 10(-9) and 15 X 10(-9) (cm X ml O2)/(sec X ml X mm Hg) for the open and closed eye conditions, respectively.", "PMID": 761972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_940", "title": "Do rod signals control stimulus field prevalence in binocular rivalry?", "content": "We tested the hypothesis that rod signals mediate the effect of luminance on field prevalence in binocular rivalry. Results show that (1) field prevalence saturates at a luminance that is less than 0.001 that of the value reported for rod saturation, (2) the spectral sensitivity inferred from the prevalence-luminance relationship is not scotopic, and (3) the prevalence-luminance relationship does not behave univariantly under all chromatic conditions. We conclude that rod signals alone do not control field prevalence.", "contents": "Do rod signals control stimulus field prevalence in binocular rivalry? We tested the hypothesis that rod signals mediate the effect of luminance on field prevalence in binocular rivalry. Results show that (1) field prevalence saturates at a luminance that is less than 0.001 that of the value reported for rod saturation, (2) the spectral sensitivity inferred from the prevalence-luminance relationship is not scotopic, and (3) the prevalence-luminance relationship does not behave univariantly under all chromatic conditions. We conclude that rod signals alone do not control field prevalence.", "PMID": 761973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_941", "title": "Contrast sensitivity of the human neonate measured by the visual evoked potential.", "content": "Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded from a total of 97 1- to 10-day-old infants, with phase-reversing sinusoidal grating stimuli. The grating contrast or spatial frequency for which 50% of infants gave a statistically significant VEP was taken as a measure of threshold. This procedure yielded an estimate of neonatal acuity of 0.85 cycles/degree and an optimal contrast threshold of 50%. VEPs from an older infant showed good agreement with behavioral measures of sensitivity on the same individual. Comparison of the neonatal VEP results with behavioral data from 5-week-old infants, suggests little change in visual performance over the first month of life.", "contents": "Contrast sensitivity of the human neonate measured by the visual evoked potential. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded from a total of 97 1- to 10-day-old infants, with phase-reversing sinusoidal grating stimuli. The grating contrast or spatial frequency for which 50% of infants gave a statistically significant VEP was taken as a measure of threshold. This procedure yielded an estimate of neonatal acuity of 0.85 cycles/degree and an optimal contrast threshold of 50%. VEPs from an older infant showed good agreement with behavioral measures of sensitivity on the same individual. Comparison of the neonatal VEP results with behavioral data from 5-week-old infants, suggests little change in visual performance over the first month of life.", "PMID": 761974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_942", "title": "Different rates of functional recovery of eye movements during orthoptics treatment in an adult amblyope.", "content": "Although it is common clinical knowledge that oculomotor control appears to normalize during the course of successful orthoptics therapy for amblyopia, reports providing a quantitative analysis of eye movements during extended periods of treatment are lacking. We provide for the first time such a report in an adult amblyope. Aspects of eye movement control that tended to normalize with therapy include drift amplitude and velocity, duration and frequency of steady fixation, and pursuit gain. These results suggest that smooth pursuit control can be modified, even in an adult amblyope. Aspects of eye movement control that remained abnormal throughout therapy, in spite of normalization of visual acuity and centralization of fixation, include increased saccadic latencies, use of large saccades during small-amplitude pursuit tracking, and static overshooting. These results suggest that certain aspects of saccadic and pursuit control could either no longer be modified or would require longer periods for this to occur.", "contents": "Different rates of functional recovery of eye movements during orthoptics treatment in an adult amblyope. Although it is common clinical knowledge that oculomotor control appears to normalize during the course of successful orthoptics therapy for amblyopia, reports providing a quantitative analysis of eye movements during extended periods of treatment are lacking. We provide for the first time such a report in an adult amblyope. Aspects of eye movement control that tended to normalize with therapy include drift amplitude and velocity, duration and frequency of steady fixation, and pursuit gain. These results suggest that smooth pursuit control can be modified, even in an adult amblyope. Aspects of eye movement control that remained abnormal throughout therapy, in spite of normalization of visual acuity and centralization of fixation, include increased saccadic latencies, use of large saccades during small-amplitude pursuit tracking, and static overshooting. These results suggest that certain aspects of saccadic and pursuit control could either no longer be modified or would require longer periods for this to occur.", "PMID": 761975} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_943", "title": "Psychodiagnosis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy.", "content": "Patients with conditions in the intermediate range of severity often show adequate capacity to test reality but poor ego integration. To many, a modified psychoanalytic method is often applied. These patients are not easily classified within the standard nomenclature. The term \"borderline\" has been applied, in an illdefined manner at first; more recently, Kernberg has outlined, in more precise terms, the characteristics of this group from a psychostructural viewpoint. Genetic factors are important in this group also: a family history positive for mental illness is frequently noted. Amenability to analytic therapy is also related to the characterologic subtype, which carries prognostic implications as well. A multidimensional diagnostic approach is therefore crucial in this range of patients. A triaxial model is proposed and described, stressing (a) traditional diagnosis from the standpoint of genetic predisposition, (b) psychostructural diagnosis, and (c) characterological subtype. This method may help resolve confusion about diagnosis in the borderline realm and may lead to more accurate selection of treatment strategy.", "contents": "Psychodiagnosis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Patients with conditions in the intermediate range of severity often show adequate capacity to test reality but poor ego integration. To many, a modified psychoanalytic method is often applied. These patients are not easily classified within the standard nomenclature. The term \"borderline\" has been applied, in an illdefined manner at first; more recently, Kernberg has outlined, in more precise terms, the characteristics of this group from a psychostructural viewpoint. Genetic factors are important in this group also: a family history positive for mental illness is frequently noted. Amenability to analytic therapy is also related to the characterologic subtype, which carries prognostic implications as well. A multidimensional diagnostic approach is therefore crucial in this range of patients. A triaxial model is proposed and described, stressing (a) traditional diagnosis from the standpoint of genetic predisposition, (b) psychostructural diagnosis, and (c) characterological subtype. This method may help resolve confusion about diagnosis in the borderline realm and may lead to more accurate selection of treatment strategy.", "PMID": 761988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_944", "title": "Thienamycin, a new beta-lactam antibiotic. I. Discovery, taxonomy, isolation and physical properties.", "content": "A new beta-lactam antibiotic, named thienamycin, was discovered in culture broths of Streptomyces MA4297. The producing organism, subsequently determined to be a hitherto unrecognized species, is designated Streptomyces cattleya (NRRL 8057). The antibiotic was isolated by adsorption on Dowex 50, passage through Dowex 1, further chromatography on Dowex 50 and Bio-Gel P2, and final purification and desalting on XAD-2. Thienamycin is zwitterionic, has the elemental composition C11H16N2O4S (M.W. = 272.18) and possesses a distinctive UV absorption (lambda max = 297 nm, epsilon = 7,900). Its beta-lactam is unusually sensitive to hydrolysis above pH8 and to reaction with nucleophiles such as hydroxylamine, cysteine and, to a lesser degree, the primary amine of the antibiotic itself. The latter reaction results in accelerated inactivation at high antibiotic concentrations.", "contents": "Thienamycin, a new beta-lactam antibiotic. I. Discovery, taxonomy, isolation and physical properties. A new beta-lactam antibiotic, named thienamycin, was discovered in culture broths of Streptomyces MA4297. The producing organism, subsequently determined to be a hitherto unrecognized species, is designated Streptomyces cattleya (NRRL 8057). The antibiotic was isolated by adsorption on Dowex 50, passage through Dowex 1, further chromatography on Dowex 50 and Bio-Gel P2, and final purification and desalting on XAD-2. Thienamycin is zwitterionic, has the elemental composition C11H16N2O4S (M.W. = 272.18) and possesses a distinctive UV absorption (lambda max = 297 nm, epsilon = 7,900). Its beta-lactam is unusually sensitive to hydrolysis above pH8 and to reaction with nucleophiles such as hydroxylamine, cysteine and, to a lesser degree, the primary amine of the antibiotic itself. The latter reaction results in accelerated inactivation at high antibiotic concentrations.", "PMID": 761989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_945", "title": "Neo-enactin, a new antifungal antibiotic potentiating polyene antifungal antibiotics. I. Fermentation, extraction, purification and physico-chemical and biological properties.", "content": "A new antifungal antibiotic, named neo-enactin, was isolated from the cultured mycelia of Strain H 829-MY 10, identified as a new subspecies of Streptoverticillium and named Streptoverticillium olivoreticuli subsp. neoenacticus. The antibiotic was produced with a tetraene antifungal antibiotic, found mainly in the cultured mycelia of Strain H 829-MY 10 and it was extracted with methanol. The antibiotic is of a basic nature and it can be extracted with ethyl acetate at alkaline pH. Purification of neo-enactin was carried out by partition chromatography on cellulose and elution with ethyl acetate bufferized with phosphate buffer (pH 8.0). Neo-enactin shows strong antifungal activity and potentiates the antifungal activity of polyene antifungal antibiotics.", "contents": "Neo-enactin, a new antifungal antibiotic potentiating polyene antifungal antibiotics. I. Fermentation, extraction, purification and physico-chemical and biological properties. A new antifungal antibiotic, named neo-enactin, was isolated from the cultured mycelia of Strain H 829-MY 10, identified as a new subspecies of Streptoverticillium and named Streptoverticillium olivoreticuli subsp. neoenacticus. The antibiotic was produced with a tetraene antifungal antibiotic, found mainly in the cultured mycelia of Strain H 829-MY 10 and it was extracted with methanol. The antibiotic is of a basic nature and it can be extracted with ethyl acetate at alkaline pH. Purification of neo-enactin was carried out by partition chromatography on cellulose and elution with ethyl acetate bufferized with phosphate buffer (pH 8.0). Neo-enactin shows strong antifungal activity and potentiates the antifungal activity of polyene antifungal antibiotics.", "PMID": 761990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_946", "title": "Piperacillin (T-1220), a new semisynthetic penicillin. II. In vitro antimicrobial activity and synergy comparison with carbenicillin and gentamicin.", "content": "Piperacillin, a new semisynthetic penicillin, was found to have potent antimicrobial activity against nearly all (405) tested bacterial species. Piperacillin was consistently 4 approximately 16-fold more active than carbenicillin against the Enterobacteriaceae, 16 approximately 32-fold against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas species, and 16-fold against Streptococcus faecalis. Carbenicillin and piperacillin were equally effective against Staphylococcus aureus, but inactivated by beta-lactamase. A 38% overall synergy rate for the piperacillin-gentamicin combination was identified, a finding similar to that for carbenicillin-gentamicin. Highest incidences of synergy were found for both antibiotic pairs tested on gentamicin-resistant isolates (Ps. aeruginosa and Providencia). In vitro findings suggest that piperacillin alone or in combination with aminoglycosides may be highly efficacious in the treatment of most serious bacterial infections.", "contents": "Piperacillin (T-1220), a new semisynthetic penicillin. II. In vitro antimicrobial activity and synergy comparison with carbenicillin and gentamicin. Piperacillin, a new semisynthetic penicillin, was found to have potent antimicrobial activity against nearly all (405) tested bacterial species. Piperacillin was consistently 4 approximately 16-fold more active than carbenicillin against the Enterobacteriaceae, 16 approximately 32-fold against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas species, and 16-fold against Streptococcus faecalis. Carbenicillin and piperacillin were equally effective against Staphylococcus aureus, but inactivated by beta-lactamase. A 38% overall synergy rate for the piperacillin-gentamicin combination was identified, a finding similar to that for carbenicillin-gentamicin. Highest incidences of synergy were found for both antibiotic pairs tested on gentamicin-resistant isolates (Ps. aeruginosa and Providencia). In vitro findings suggest that piperacillin alone or in combination with aminoglycosides may be highly efficacious in the treatment of most serious bacterial infections.", "PMID": 761991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_947", "title": "Mechanism of action of aclacinomycin A II. The interaction with DNA and with tubulin.", "content": "Aclacinomycin A was observed to effect the thermal denaturation of DNA and to increase Tm. The visible absorption spectrum of the antibiotic showed bathochromic and hypochromic shifts upon reaction with native and heat-denatured DNA. [14C]Aclacinomycin A was demonstrated by equilibrium dialysis to bind to DNA. Native calf thymus DNA appeared to possess one binding site per ca. 6 nucleotides for the antibiotic with an apparent association constant of ca. 1.2 x 10(6) M-1. Heat-denatured DNA showed much less affinity for the antibiotic: one binding site per ca. 6 nucleotides with an apparent binding constant of ca. 3.5 x 10(4) M-1. The difference of association constants between double- and single-stranded DNAs suggested that the antibiotic may be intercalated between base pairs of the DNA double helix. [14C]Aclacinomycin A exhibited higher affinity for poly(dAdT) than for poly(dIdC). The antibiotic showed a significant difference spectrum with porcine tubulin, indicating an interaction with tubulin. The binding to tubulin was also demontstrated by equilibrium dialysis of [14C]aclacinomycin A and tubulin.", "contents": "Mechanism of action of aclacinomycin A II. The interaction with DNA and with tubulin. Aclacinomycin A was observed to effect the thermal denaturation of DNA and to increase Tm. The visible absorption spectrum of the antibiotic showed bathochromic and hypochromic shifts upon reaction with native and heat-denatured DNA. [14C]Aclacinomycin A was demonstrated by equilibrium dialysis to bind to DNA. Native calf thymus DNA appeared to possess one binding site per ca. 6 nucleotides for the antibiotic with an apparent association constant of ca. 1.2 x 10(6) M-1. Heat-denatured DNA showed much less affinity for the antibiotic: one binding site per ca. 6 nucleotides with an apparent binding constant of ca. 3.5 x 10(4) M-1. The difference of association constants between double- and single-stranded DNAs suggested that the antibiotic may be intercalated between base pairs of the DNA double helix. [14C]Aclacinomycin A exhibited higher affinity for poly(dAdT) than for poly(dIdC). The antibiotic showed a significant difference spectrum with porcine tubulin, indicating an interaction with tubulin. The binding to tubulin was also demontstrated by equilibrium dialysis of [14C]aclacinomycin A and tubulin.", "PMID": 761992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_948", "title": "Prevention of penicillin-induced lysis of Staphylococcus aureus by cellular lipoteichoic acid.", "content": "The lysis of Staphylococcus aureus FDA 209P induced by benzylpenicillin was completely inhibited by cellular lipoteichoic acid isolated from an homologous organism. The cells prevented from penicillin-induced lysis were in static state and did not lose viability. The lipoteichoic acid inhibited either extracellular autolysin activity in culture supernatant or autolysis of whole cells in exponential phase of S. aureus. These results indicate that the prevention of penicillin-induced lysis of S. aureus by the lipoteichoic acid was brought about by the inhibition of autolytic activity of the organism.", "contents": "Prevention of penicillin-induced lysis of Staphylococcus aureus by cellular lipoteichoic acid. The lysis of Staphylococcus aureus FDA 209P induced by benzylpenicillin was completely inhibited by cellular lipoteichoic acid isolated from an homologous organism. The cells prevented from penicillin-induced lysis were in static state and did not lose viability. The lipoteichoic acid inhibited either extracellular autolysin activity in culture supernatant or autolysis of whole cells in exponential phase of S. aureus. These results indicate that the prevention of penicillin-induced lysis of S. aureus by the lipoteichoic acid was brought about by the inhibition of autolytic activity of the organism.", "PMID": 761993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_949", "title": "Hydrogen-dependent nitrogenase activity and ATP formation in Rhizobium japonicum bacteroids.", "content": "Rhizobium japonicum 122 DES bacteroids from soybean nodules possess an active H(2)-oxidizing system that recycles all of the H(2) lost through nitrogenase-dependent H(2) evolution. The addition of 72 muM H(2) to suspensions of bacteroids increased O(2) uptake 300% and the rate of C(2)H(2) reduction 300 to 500%. The optimal partial pressure of O(2) was increased, and the partial pressure of O(2) range for C(2)H(2) reduction was extended by adding H(2). A supply of succinate to bacteroids resulted in effects similar to those obtained by adding H(2). Both H(2) and succinate provided respiratory protection for the N(2)-fixing system in bacteroids. The oxidation of H(2) by bacteroids increased the steady-state pool of ATP by 20 to 40%. In the presence of 50 mM iodoacetate, which caused much greater inhibition of endogenous respiration than of H(2) oxidation, the addition of H(2) increased the steady-state pool of ATP in bacteroids by 500%. Inhibitor evidence and an absolute requirement for O(2) indicated that the H(2)-stimulated ATP synthesis occurred through oxidative phosphorylation. In the presence of 50 mM iodoacetate, H(2)-dependent ATP synthesis occurred at a rate sufficient to support nitrogenase activity. The addition of H(2) to H(2) uptake-negative strains of R. japonicum had no effect on ATP formation or C(2)H(2) reduction. It is concluded that the H(2)-oxidizing system in H(2) uptake-positive bacteroids benefits the N(2)-fixing process by providing respiratory protection of the O(2)-labile nitrogenase proteins and generating ATP to support maximal rates of C(2)H(2) reduction by oxidation of the H(2) produced from the nitrogenase system.", "contents": "Hydrogen-dependent nitrogenase activity and ATP formation in Rhizobium japonicum bacteroids. Rhizobium japonicum 122 DES bacteroids from soybean nodules possess an active H(2)-oxidizing system that recycles all of the H(2) lost through nitrogenase-dependent H(2) evolution. The addition of 72 muM H(2) to suspensions of bacteroids increased O(2) uptake 300% and the rate of C(2)H(2) reduction 300 to 500%. The optimal partial pressure of O(2) was increased, and the partial pressure of O(2) range for C(2)H(2) reduction was extended by adding H(2). A supply of succinate to bacteroids resulted in effects similar to those obtained by adding H(2). Both H(2) and succinate provided respiratory protection for the N(2)-fixing system in bacteroids. The oxidation of H(2) by bacteroids increased the steady-state pool of ATP by 20 to 40%. In the presence of 50 mM iodoacetate, which caused much greater inhibition of endogenous respiration than of H(2) oxidation, the addition of H(2) increased the steady-state pool of ATP in bacteroids by 500%. Inhibitor evidence and an absolute requirement for O(2) indicated that the H(2)-stimulated ATP synthesis occurred through oxidative phosphorylation. In the presence of 50 mM iodoacetate, H(2)-dependent ATP synthesis occurred at a rate sufficient to support nitrogenase activity. The addition of H(2) to H(2) uptake-negative strains of R. japonicum had no effect on ATP formation or C(2)H(2) reduction. It is concluded that the H(2)-oxidizing system in H(2) uptake-positive bacteroids benefits the N(2)-fixing process by providing respiratory protection of the O(2)-labile nitrogenase proteins and generating ATP to support maximal rates of C(2)H(2) reduction by oxidation of the H(2) produced from the nitrogenase system.", "PMID": 762010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_950", "title": "Existence of carotenoids in Acholeplasma axanthum.", "content": "The neutral lipids of Acholeplasma axanthum contain carotenoid pigments, as evidenced by spectral characteristics, visual color, color reactions, and labeling with [2-14C-A1mevalonic acid. Approximately 80% of the label from [2-14C]mevalonic acid appeared in esterified fatty acids of the glycolipids and polar lipids. These carboxylic acids behaved as hydroxy acids of varying chain length.", "contents": "Existence of carotenoids in Acholeplasma axanthum. The neutral lipids of Acholeplasma axanthum contain carotenoid pigments, as evidenced by spectral characteristics, visual color, color reactions, and labeling with [2-14C-A1mevalonic acid. Approximately 80% of the label from [2-14C]mevalonic acid appeared in esterified fatty acids of the glycolipids and polar lipids. These carboxylic acids behaved as hydroxy acids of varying chain length.", "PMID": 762011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_951", "title": "Meso-alpha,epsilon-diaminopimelate D-dehydrogenase: distribution and the reaction product.", "content": "A high activity of meso-alpha-epsilon-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase was found in extracts of Bacillus sphaericus, Brevibacterium sp., Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Proteus vulgaris among bacteria tested. B. sphaericus IFO 3525, in which the enzyme is most abundant, was chosen to study the enzyme reaction. The enzyme was not induced by the addition of meso-alpha-epsilon-diaminopimelate to the growth medium. The reaction product was isolated and identified as alpha-amino-epsilon-ketopimelate by a comparison of the properties of its 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone with those of an authentic sample in silica gel thin-layer chromatography, absorption, infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, and elemental analyses. The alpha-amino-epsilon-ketopimelate formed enzymatically was decarboxylated by H2O2 to yield L-alpha-aminoadipate. This suggests that the amino group with D-configuration in the substrate is oxidatively deaminated; the enzyme is a D-amino acid dehydrogenase. L-alpha-Amino-epsilon-ketopimelate undergoes spontaneous dehydration to the cyclic delta1-piperideine-2,6-dicarboxylate. The enzyme reaction is reversible, and meso-alpha-epsilon-diaminopimelate was formed in the reductive amination of L-alpha-epsilon-ketopimelate.", "contents": "Meso-alpha,epsilon-diaminopimelate D-dehydrogenase: distribution and the reaction product. A high activity of meso-alpha-epsilon-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase was found in extracts of Bacillus sphaericus, Brevibacterium sp., Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Proteus vulgaris among bacteria tested. B. sphaericus IFO 3525, in which the enzyme is most abundant, was chosen to study the enzyme reaction. The enzyme was not induced by the addition of meso-alpha-epsilon-diaminopimelate to the growth medium. The reaction product was isolated and identified as alpha-amino-epsilon-ketopimelate by a comparison of the properties of its 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone with those of an authentic sample in silica gel thin-layer chromatography, absorption, infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, and elemental analyses. The alpha-amino-epsilon-ketopimelate formed enzymatically was decarboxylated by H2O2 to yield L-alpha-aminoadipate. This suggests that the amino group with D-configuration in the substrate is oxidatively deaminated; the enzyme is a D-amino acid dehydrogenase. L-alpha-Amino-epsilon-ketopimelate undergoes spontaneous dehydration to the cyclic delta1-piperideine-2,6-dicarboxylate. The enzyme reaction is reversible, and meso-alpha-epsilon-diaminopimelate was formed in the reductive amination of L-alpha-epsilon-ketopimelate.", "PMID": 762012} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_952", "title": "Tripeptide hydroxamate from Corynebacterium kutscheri.", "content": "A tripeptide hydroxamate was isolated from cultures of Corynebacterium kutscheri grown on an iron-limiting medium. The metabolite was characterized by spectral measurements and by chemical degradation as L-alpha-aspartyl-L-alpha-N-hydroxy-aspartyl-D-cycloserine.", "contents": "Tripeptide hydroxamate from Corynebacterium kutscheri. A tripeptide hydroxamate was isolated from cultures of Corynebacterium kutscheri grown on an iron-limiting medium. The metabolite was characterized by spectral measurements and by chemical degradation as L-alpha-aspartyl-L-alpha-N-hydroxy-aspartyl-D-cycloserine.", "PMID": 762013} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_953", "title": "Fertility factors in Pseudomonas putida: selection and properties of high-frequency transfer and chromosome donors.", "content": "The octane plasmid (OCT) in Pseudomonas putida strains has been shown to be transferred at low frequency. However, bacteria which had newly received this plasmid showed a transient increase in donor ability. Using Octane+ P. putida as the donor, the transfer of most chromosomal markers was shown to be independent of OCT transfer, whereas the mobilization of the octanoate catabolism genes (octanoic and acetate) was dependent on OCT plasmid transfer. The presence of a fertility factor termed FPo has been postulated to explain these results. Strains carrying only this fertility factor have been obtained from strains carrying both OCT and FPo plasmids. Strains in which the OCT plasmid was transferred at high frequencies have also been isolated, and chromosome mobilization by OCT and FPo has been compared. A different gradient of transmission by OCT and FPo has been observed. It has also been shown that chromosome transfer by OCT was dependent on the bacterial recombination system, whereas the chromosome transfer by FPo was unaffected by the presence of a rec mutation in the donor strain.", "contents": "Fertility factors in Pseudomonas putida: selection and properties of high-frequency transfer and chromosome donors. The octane plasmid (OCT) in Pseudomonas putida strains has been shown to be transferred at low frequency. However, bacteria which had newly received this plasmid showed a transient increase in donor ability. Using Octane+ P. putida as the donor, the transfer of most chromosomal markers was shown to be independent of OCT transfer, whereas the mobilization of the octanoate catabolism genes (octanoic and acetate) was dependent on OCT plasmid transfer. The presence of a fertility factor termed FPo has been postulated to explain these results. Strains carrying only this fertility factor have been obtained from strains carrying both OCT and FPo plasmids. Strains in which the OCT plasmid was transferred at high frequencies have also been isolated, and chromosome mobilization by OCT and FPo has been compared. A different gradient of transmission by OCT and FPo has been observed. It has also been shown that chromosome transfer by OCT was dependent on the bacterial recombination system, whereas the chromosome transfer by FPo was unaffected by the presence of a rec mutation in the donor strain.", "PMID": 762014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_954", "title": "Biosynthesis and cellular distribution of the two superoxide dismutases of Dactylium dendroides.", "content": "The synthesis and subcellular localization of the two superoxide dismutases of Dactylium dendroides were studied in relation to changes in copper and manganese availability. Cultures grew normally at all medium copper concentrations used (10 nM to 1 mM). In the presence of high (10 muM) copper, manganese was poorly absorbed in comparison to the other metals in the medium. However, cells grown at 10 nM copper exhibited a 3.5-fold increase in manganese content, while the concentration of the other metals remained constant. Cultures grown at 10 nM copper or more had 80% Cu/Zn enzyme and 20% mangani enzyme; the former was entirely in the cytosol, and the latter was mitochondrial. Removal of copper from the medium resulted in decreased Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase synthesis with a concomitant increase in the mangani enzyme such that total cellular superoxide dismutase activity remained constant. The mangani enzyme in excess of the 20% was present in the non-mitochondrial fraction. The mitochondria, therefore, show no variability with respect to superoxide dismutase content, whereas the soluble fraction varies from 100 to 13% Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Copper-starved cells that were synthesizing predominantly mangani superoxide dismutase could be switched over to mostly Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase synthesis by supplementing the medium with copper during growth. Immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that the decrease in Cu/Zn activity at low copper concentration is a result of decreased synthesis of that protein rather than the production of an inactive apoprotein.", "contents": "Biosynthesis and cellular distribution of the two superoxide dismutases of Dactylium dendroides. The synthesis and subcellular localization of the two superoxide dismutases of Dactylium dendroides were studied in relation to changes in copper and manganese availability. Cultures grew normally at all medium copper concentrations used (10 nM to 1 mM). In the presence of high (10 muM) copper, manganese was poorly absorbed in comparison to the other metals in the medium. However, cells grown at 10 nM copper exhibited a 3.5-fold increase in manganese content, while the concentration of the other metals remained constant. Cultures grown at 10 nM copper or more had 80% Cu/Zn enzyme and 20% mangani enzyme; the former was entirely in the cytosol, and the latter was mitochondrial. Removal of copper from the medium resulted in decreased Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase synthesis with a concomitant increase in the mangani enzyme such that total cellular superoxide dismutase activity remained constant. The mangani enzyme in excess of the 20% was present in the non-mitochondrial fraction. The mitochondria, therefore, show no variability with respect to superoxide dismutase content, whereas the soluble fraction varies from 100 to 13% Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Copper-starved cells that were synthesizing predominantly mangani superoxide dismutase could be switched over to mostly Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase synthesis by supplementing the medium with copper during growth. Immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that the decrease in Cu/Zn activity at low copper concentration is a result of decreased synthesis of that protein rather than the production of an inactive apoprotein.", "PMID": 762015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_955", "title": "Acetate assimilation pathway of Methanosarcina barkeri.", "content": "The pathway of acetate assimilation in Methanosarcina barkeri was determined from analysis of the position of label in alanine, aspartate, and glutamate formed in cells grown in the presence of [14C]acetate and by measurement of enzyme activities in cell extracts. The specific radioactivity of glutamate from cells grown on [1-14C]- or [2-14C]acetate was approximately twice that of aspartate. The methyl and carboxyl carbons of acetate were incorporated into aspartate and glutamate to similar extents. Degradation studies revealed that acetate was not significantly incorporated into the C1 of alanine, C1 or C4 of aspartate, or C1 of glutamate. The C5 of glutamate, however, was partially derived from the carboxyl carbon of acetate. Cell extracts were found to contain the following enzyme activities, in nanomoles per minute per milligram of protein at 37 degrees C: F420-linked pyruvate synthase, 170; citrate synthase, 0.7; aconitase, 55; oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase, 75; and oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-linked malate dehydrogenase, 76. The results indicate that M. barkeri assimilates acetate into alanine and aspartate via pyruvate and oxaloacetate and into glutamate via citrate, isocitrate, and alpha-ketoglutarate. The data reveal differences in the metabolism of M. barkeri and Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum and similarities in the assimilation of acetate between M. barkeri and other anaerobic bacteria, such as Clostridium kluyveri.", "contents": "Acetate assimilation pathway of Methanosarcina barkeri. The pathway of acetate assimilation in Methanosarcina barkeri was determined from analysis of the position of label in alanine, aspartate, and glutamate formed in cells grown in the presence of [14C]acetate and by measurement of enzyme activities in cell extracts. The specific radioactivity of glutamate from cells grown on [1-14C]- or [2-14C]acetate was approximately twice that of aspartate. The methyl and carboxyl carbons of acetate were incorporated into aspartate and glutamate to similar extents. Degradation studies revealed that acetate was not significantly incorporated into the C1 of alanine, C1 or C4 of aspartate, or C1 of glutamate. The C5 of glutamate, however, was partially derived from the carboxyl carbon of acetate. Cell extracts were found to contain the following enzyme activities, in nanomoles per minute per milligram of protein at 37 degrees C: F420-linked pyruvate synthase, 170; citrate synthase, 0.7; aconitase, 55; oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase, 75; and oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-linked malate dehydrogenase, 76. The results indicate that M. barkeri assimilates acetate into alanine and aspartate via pyruvate and oxaloacetate and into glutamate via citrate, isocitrate, and alpha-ketoglutarate. The data reveal differences in the metabolism of M. barkeri and Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum and similarities in the assimilation of acetate between M. barkeri and other anaerobic bacteria, such as Clostridium kluyveri.", "PMID": 762016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_956", "title": "Phosphoglucose isomerase mutant of Rhizobium meliloti.", "content": "A mutant strain of complex phenotype was selected in Rhizobium meliloti after nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis. It failed to grow on mannitol, sorbitol, fructose, mannose, ribose, arabitol, or xylose, but grew on glucose, maltose, gluconate, L-arabinose, and many other carbohydrates. Assay showed the enzyme lesion to be in phosphoglucose isomerase (pgi), and revertants, which were of normal growth phenotype, contained the enzyme again. Nonpermissive substrates such as fructose and xylose prevented growth on permissive ones such as L-arabinose, and in such situations there was high accumulation of fructose 6-phosphate. The mutant strain had about 20% as much exopolysaccharide as the parent. Nitrogen fixation by whole plants was low and delayed when the mutant strain was the inoculant.", "contents": "Phosphoglucose isomerase mutant of Rhizobium meliloti. A mutant strain of complex phenotype was selected in Rhizobium meliloti after nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis. It failed to grow on mannitol, sorbitol, fructose, mannose, ribose, arabitol, or xylose, but grew on glucose, maltose, gluconate, L-arabinose, and many other carbohydrates. Assay showed the enzyme lesion to be in phosphoglucose isomerase (pgi), and revertants, which were of normal growth phenotype, contained the enzyme again. Nonpermissive substrates such as fructose and xylose prevented growth on permissive ones such as L-arabinose, and in such situations there was high accumulation of fructose 6-phosphate. The mutant strain had about 20% as much exopolysaccharide as the parent. Nitrogen fixation by whole plants was low and delayed when the mutant strain was the inoculant.", "PMID": 762017} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_957", "title": "alpha-Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase mutant of Rhizobium meliloti.", "content": "A mutant of Rhizobium meliloti selected as unable to grow on L-arabinose also failed to grow on acetate or pyruvate. It grew, but slower than the parental strain, on many other carbon sources. Assay showed it to lack alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (kgd) activity, and revertants of normal growth phenotype contained the activity again. Other enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and of the glyoxylate cycle were present in both mutant and parent strains. Enzymes of pyruvate metabolism were also assayed. L-Arabinose degradation in R. meliloti was found to differ from the known pathway in R. japonicum, since the former strain lacked 2-keto-o-deoxy-L-arabonate aldolase but contained alpha-ketoglutarate semialdehyde dehydrogenase; thus, it is likely that R. meliloti has the L-arabinose pathway leading to alpha-ketoglutarate rather than the one to glycolaldehyde and pyruvate. This finding accounts for the L-arabinose negativity of the mutant. Resting cells of the mutant were able to metabolize the three substrates which did not allow growth.", "contents": "alpha-Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase mutant of Rhizobium meliloti. A mutant of Rhizobium meliloti selected as unable to grow on L-arabinose also failed to grow on acetate or pyruvate. It grew, but slower than the parental strain, on many other carbon sources. Assay showed it to lack alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (kgd) activity, and revertants of normal growth phenotype contained the activity again. Other enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and of the glyoxylate cycle were present in both mutant and parent strains. Enzymes of pyruvate metabolism were also assayed. L-Arabinose degradation in R. meliloti was found to differ from the known pathway in R. japonicum, since the former strain lacked 2-keto-o-deoxy-L-arabonate aldolase but contained alpha-ketoglutarate semialdehyde dehydrogenase; thus, it is likely that R. meliloti has the L-arabinose pathway leading to alpha-ketoglutarate rather than the one to glycolaldehyde and pyruvate. This finding accounts for the L-arabinose negativity of the mutant. Resting cells of the mutant were able to metabolize the three substrates which did not allow growth.", "PMID": 762018} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_958", "title": "Methane formation and methane oxidation by methanogenic bacteria.", "content": "Methanogenic bacteria were found to form and oxidize methane at the same time. As compared to the quantity of methane formed, the amount of methane simultaneously oxidized varied between 0.3 and 0.001%, depending on the strain used. All the nine tested strains of methane producers (Methanobacterium ruminantium, Methanobacterium strain M.o.H., M. formicicum, M. thermoautotrophicum, M. arbophilicum, Methanobacterium strain AZ, Methanosarcina barkeri, Methanospirillum hungatii, and the \"acetate organism\") reoxidized methane to carbon dioxide. In addition, they assimilated a small part of the methane supplied into cell material. Methanol and acetate also occurred as oxidation products in M. barkeri cultures. Acetate was also formed by the \"acetate organism,\" a methane bacterium unable to use methanogenic substrates other than acetate. Methane was the precursor of the methyl group of the acetate synthesized in the course of methane oxidation. Methane formation and its oxidation were inhibited equally by 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid. Short-term labeling experiments with M. thermoautotrophicum and M. hungatii clearly suggest that the pathway of methane oxidation is not identical with a simple back reaction of the methane formation process.", "contents": "Methane formation and methane oxidation by methanogenic bacteria. Methanogenic bacteria were found to form and oxidize methane at the same time. As compared to the quantity of methane formed, the amount of methane simultaneously oxidized varied between 0.3 and 0.001%, depending on the strain used. All the nine tested strains of methane producers (Methanobacterium ruminantium, Methanobacterium strain M.o.H., M. formicicum, M. thermoautotrophicum, M. arbophilicum, Methanobacterium strain AZ, Methanosarcina barkeri, Methanospirillum hungatii, and the \"acetate organism\") reoxidized methane to carbon dioxide. In addition, they assimilated a small part of the methane supplied into cell material. Methanol and acetate also occurred as oxidation products in M. barkeri cultures. Acetate was also formed by the \"acetate organism,\" a methane bacterium unable to use methanogenic substrates other than acetate. Methane was the precursor of the methyl group of the acetate synthesized in the course of methane oxidation. Methane formation and its oxidation were inhibited equally by 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid. Short-term labeling experiments with M. thermoautotrophicum and M. hungatii clearly suggest that the pathway of methane oxidation is not identical with a simple back reaction of the methane formation process.", "PMID": 762019} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_959", "title": "Uncontrolled septation in a cell division cycle mutant of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.", "content": "A temperature-sensitive Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutant, cdc16-116, has been isolated which undergoes uncontrolled septation during its cell division cycle. The mutant accumulates two types of cells after 3 h of growth at the restrictive temperature: (i) type I cells (85% of the population), which complete nuclear division and then form up to five septa between the divided nuclei; and (ii) type II cells (15% of the population), which form an asymmetrically situated septum in the absence of any nuclear division. cdc16-116 is a monogenic recessive mutation unlinked to any previously known cdc gene of S. pombe. It is not affected in a previously reported control by which septation is dependent upon completion of nuclear division. We propose the cdc16-116 is unable to complete septum formation and proceed to cell separation and is also defective in a control which prevents the manufacture of more than one septum in each cell cycle.", "contents": "Uncontrolled septation in a cell division cycle mutant of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. A temperature-sensitive Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutant, cdc16-116, has been isolated which undergoes uncontrolled septation during its cell division cycle. The mutant accumulates two types of cells after 3 h of growth at the restrictive temperature: (i) type I cells (85% of the population), which complete nuclear division and then form up to five septa between the divided nuclei; and (ii) type II cells (15% of the population), which form an asymmetrically situated septum in the absence of any nuclear division. cdc16-116 is a monogenic recessive mutation unlinked to any previously known cdc gene of S. pombe. It is not affected in a previously reported control by which septation is dependent upon completion of nuclear division. We propose the cdc16-116 is unable to complete septum formation and proceed to cell separation and is also defective in a control which prevents the manufacture of more than one septum in each cell cycle.", "PMID": 762020} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_960", "title": "Flagellation and swimming motility of Thermoplasma acidophilum.", "content": "Electron microscopy of thin sections of Thermoplasma acidophilum confirmed previous observations of the absence of a typical cell wall in this organism. Negatively stained specimens revealed the almost consistent occurrence in both strains examined of monotrichously arranged flagella, about 9 micrometer long, which describe a sinuous curve with a wavelength of 1.5 to 2.0 micrometer and an amplitude of 0.33 to 0.59 micrometer. Motility of T. acidophilum could be demonstrated microscopically by microcinematography and macroscopically. The theoretical implications of the demonstration of functioning flagella in a wall-defective organism are discussed in the light of current theories of the mechanism of flagellar motility and from a taxonomic point of view.", "contents": "Flagellation and swimming motility of Thermoplasma acidophilum. Electron microscopy of thin sections of Thermoplasma acidophilum confirmed previous observations of the absence of a typical cell wall in this organism. Negatively stained specimens revealed the almost consistent occurrence in both strains examined of monotrichously arranged flagella, about 9 micrometer long, which describe a sinuous curve with a wavelength of 1.5 to 2.0 micrometer and an amplitude of 0.33 to 0.59 micrometer. Motility of T. acidophilum could be demonstrated microscopically by microcinematography and macroscopically. The theoretical implications of the demonstration of functioning flagella in a wall-defective organism are discussed in the light of current theories of the mechanism of flagellar motility and from a taxonomic point of view.", "PMID": 762021} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_961", "title": "Flagellar-phase variation: isolation of the rh1 gene.", "content": "In Salmonella, expression of flagellar antigen alternates between two serotypes (phases) encoded by two genes, H1 and H2. The mechanism which controls the alternative expression of the H1 and H2 genes was examined by cloning these genes and the genetic elements which control their activity on hybrid vehicles in Escherichia coli. H2 gene activity was shown to be controlled by a recombinational switch located adjacent to the H2 gene. Activity of the H1 gene is thought to be repressed, when the H2 gene is expressed, by the product of another gene, rh1 (repressor of H1), which is controlled coordinately with the H2 gene. In this report, we describe the construction of hybrid lambda vehicles which contain, in addition to the H2 gene, a genetic activity corresponding to rh1. Variation of flagellar antigens analogous to that observed in Salmonella was observed when E. Coli strains were transduced with the hybrid lambda. By using the lambdaH2rh1 hybrid to program protein synthesis in UV-irradiated cells, the synthesis of a polypeptide was correlated with rh1 gene product activity. We conclude that the H2 region consists of two cotranscribed genes, H2 and rh1. The expression of both gene products is regulated by the same recombinational event.", "contents": "Flagellar-phase variation: isolation of the rh1 gene. In Salmonella, expression of flagellar antigen alternates between two serotypes (phases) encoded by two genes, H1 and H2. The mechanism which controls the alternative expression of the H1 and H2 genes was examined by cloning these genes and the genetic elements which control their activity on hybrid vehicles in Escherichia coli. H2 gene activity was shown to be controlled by a recombinational switch located adjacent to the H2 gene. Activity of the H1 gene is thought to be repressed, when the H2 gene is expressed, by the product of another gene, rh1 (repressor of H1), which is controlled coordinately with the H2 gene. In this report, we describe the construction of hybrid lambda vehicles which contain, in addition to the H2 gene, a genetic activity corresponding to rh1. Variation of flagellar antigens analogous to that observed in Salmonella was observed when E. Coli strains were transduced with the hybrid lambda. By using the lambdaH2rh1 hybrid to program protein synthesis in UV-irradiated cells, the synthesis of a polypeptide was correlated with rh1 gene product activity. We conclude that the H2 region consists of two cotranscribed genes, H2 and rh1. The expression of both gene products is regulated by the same recombinational event.", "PMID": 762022} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_962", "title": "Derepression of beta-1,3-glucanases in Penicillium italicum: localization of the various enzymes and correlation with cell wall glucan mobilization and autolysis.", "content": "The localization of the derepressible beta-1,3-glucanases of Penicillium italicum and the cell wall autolysis under conditions of beta-1,3-glucanase derepression (24 h in a low-glucose medium) were studied. About 15% of the total activity was secreted into the culture medium during the 24-h period and consisted of similar amounts of each of the three beta-1,3-glucanases (I, II, III) produced by this species. Treatment of derepressed mycelia with periplasmic enzyme-inactivating agents resulted in a loss of 45% of the mycelium-bound beta-1,3-glucanase. Analysis of periplasmic enzymes solubilized by 2 M NaCl or by autolysis of isolated cell walls revealed that only beta-1,3-glucanases II and III were bound to the cell wall. These two enzymes were capable of releasing in vitro reducing sugars from cell walls, whereas beta-1,3-glucanase I was not. In addition, the autolytic activity of cell walls isolated from derepressed mycelium was greater than that of cell walls isolated from repressed mycelium. The incubation of the fungus in the low-glucose medium also resulted in the in vivo mobilization of 34% of the cell wall beta-1,3-glucan, and this mobilization was fully prevented by cycloheximide, which also blocked derepression of beta-1,3-glucanases. Derepression of beta-1,3-glucanase seems to be coupled to the mobilization of cell wall glucan.", "contents": "Derepression of beta-1,3-glucanases in Penicillium italicum: localization of the various enzymes and correlation with cell wall glucan mobilization and autolysis. The localization of the derepressible beta-1,3-glucanases of Penicillium italicum and the cell wall autolysis under conditions of beta-1,3-glucanase derepression (24 h in a low-glucose medium) were studied. About 15% of the total activity was secreted into the culture medium during the 24-h period and consisted of similar amounts of each of the three beta-1,3-glucanases (I, II, III) produced by this species. Treatment of derepressed mycelia with periplasmic enzyme-inactivating agents resulted in a loss of 45% of the mycelium-bound beta-1,3-glucanase. Analysis of periplasmic enzymes solubilized by 2 M NaCl or by autolysis of isolated cell walls revealed that only beta-1,3-glucanases II and III were bound to the cell wall. These two enzymes were capable of releasing in vitro reducing sugars from cell walls, whereas beta-1,3-glucanase I was not. In addition, the autolytic activity of cell walls isolated from derepressed mycelium was greater than that of cell walls isolated from repressed mycelium. The incubation of the fungus in the low-glucose medium also resulted in the in vivo mobilization of 34% of the cell wall beta-1,3-glucan, and this mobilization was fully prevented by cycloheximide, which also blocked derepression of beta-1,3-glucanases. Derepression of beta-1,3-glucanase seems to be coupled to the mobilization of cell wall glucan.", "PMID": 762023} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_963", "title": "Analysis of nonmotile mutants of the dimorphic bacterium Caulobacter crescentus.", "content": "A total of 69 spontaneous nonmotile mutants were isolated from the dimorphic bacterium Caulobacter crescentus. The majority of the mutants were unable to assemble a flagellar filament (Fla-), although eight were able to synthesize a short stub of a flagellum. A third mutant class assembled flagella of normal morphology but were nonmotile (Mot-). Genetic analysis by phiCr30-mediated transduction revealed 27 linkage groups for the fla and stub-forming mutations, and three linkage groups for the mot mutations. Intracellular flagellin detected by immunodiffusion was at the limit of detectability in most of the Fla- and stub-forming mutants but normal in the Mot- mutants. The Fla- and stub-forming mutants also showed decreased sensitivity to the swarmer-specific phages phiCbK and phiCb5 and phiCr40. One additional strain was totally resistant to phiCbK, and the mutation in this strain has been designated pleA. Each of the mutants containing mot mutations showed wild-type sensitivity to all of the phages tested.", "contents": "Analysis of nonmotile mutants of the dimorphic bacterium Caulobacter crescentus. A total of 69 spontaneous nonmotile mutants were isolated from the dimorphic bacterium Caulobacter crescentus. The majority of the mutants were unable to assemble a flagellar filament (Fla-), although eight were able to synthesize a short stub of a flagellum. A third mutant class assembled flagella of normal morphology but were nonmotile (Mot-). Genetic analysis by phiCr30-mediated transduction revealed 27 linkage groups for the fla and stub-forming mutations, and three linkage groups for the mot mutations. Intracellular flagellin detected by immunodiffusion was at the limit of detectability in most of the Fla- and stub-forming mutants but normal in the Mot- mutants. The Fla- and stub-forming mutants also showed decreased sensitivity to the swarmer-specific phages phiCbK and phiCb5 and phiCr40. One additional strain was totally resistant to phiCbK, and the mutation in this strain has been designated pleA. Each of the mutants containing mot mutations showed wild-type sensitivity to all of the phages tested.", "PMID": 762024} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_964", "title": "Restriction enzyme cleavage map of Tn10, a transposon which encodes tetracycline resistance.", "content": "A cleavage map of a recombinant plasmid carrying Tn10 was constructed for 13 different restriction enzymes. The Tn10 region of this plasmid contains cleavage sites for BamHI, AvaI, BglI, BglII, EcoRI, XbaI, HincII, HindIII, and HpaI. Restriction enzymes PstI, SmaI, KpnI, XhoI, SalI, and PvuI do not cleave within the Tn10 element. This map confirms the previously reported structure of this transposon; it is composed of a unique sequence (approximately6,400 base pairs long), which in part codes for the tetracycline resistance functions and is bounded by inverted repeats (approximately 1,450 base pairs long).", "contents": "Restriction enzyme cleavage map of Tn10, a transposon which encodes tetracycline resistance. A cleavage map of a recombinant plasmid carrying Tn10 was constructed for 13 different restriction enzymes. The Tn10 region of this plasmid contains cleavage sites for BamHI, AvaI, BglI, BglII, EcoRI, XbaI, HincII, HindIII, and HpaI. Restriction enzymes PstI, SmaI, KpnI, XhoI, SalI, and PvuI do not cleave within the Tn10 element. This map confirms the previously reported structure of this transposon; it is composed of a unique sequence (approximately6,400 base pairs long), which in part codes for the tetracycline resistance functions and is bounded by inverted repeats (approximately 1,450 base pairs long).", "PMID": 762025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_965", "title": "Genetic mapping of a bacteriophage resistance mutation, pha-1, and the thi-1 mutation in Bacillus licheniformis.", "content": "A mutation, designated pha-1, resulting in resistance to bacteriophage LP-52, mapped between gly-3 and pepA1 in Bacillus licheniformis by transduction with phage SP-15. The thi-1 mutation was also found to be linked to gly-3. The map order was thi-1--gly-3--pha-1--pepA1--his-9.", "contents": "Genetic mapping of a bacteriophage resistance mutation, pha-1, and the thi-1 mutation in Bacillus licheniformis. A mutation, designated pha-1, resulting in resistance to bacteriophage LP-52, mapped between gly-3 and pepA1 in Bacillus licheniformis by transduction with phage SP-15. The thi-1 mutation was also found to be linked to gly-3. The map order was thi-1--gly-3--pha-1--pepA1--his-9.", "PMID": 762026} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_966", "title": "Phosphate transport in arsenate-resistant mutants of Micrococcus lysodeikticus.", "content": "Two types of arsenate-resistant mutants of Micrococcus lysodeikticus were found: (i) mutants that grow in the presence of 10 mM but not 1 mM phosphate (Pi) with low uptake rate for Pi and arsenate, and (ii) mutants able to grow in the presence of 10 mM and 1 mM Pi, with a near-normal uptake rate for Pi but a low one for arsenate. The Km values for Pi transport and the Ki values for its competitive inhibition by arsenate were similar for the mutants and the wild type. Similar to the wild type, the mutants also accumulated Pi to high concentrations. In all strains, the transport of Pi was subject to repression by Pi. Mutant types showed lower Vmax but unaltered Km values for arsenate as compared to the wild type, and they accumulated arsenate to markedly lower levels. The results suggest a two-component transport system common to Pi and arsenate.", "contents": "Phosphate transport in arsenate-resistant mutants of Micrococcus lysodeikticus. Two types of arsenate-resistant mutants of Micrococcus lysodeikticus were found: (i) mutants that grow in the presence of 10 mM but not 1 mM phosphate (Pi) with low uptake rate for Pi and arsenate, and (ii) mutants able to grow in the presence of 10 mM and 1 mM Pi, with a near-normal uptake rate for Pi but a low one for arsenate. The Km values for Pi transport and the Ki values for its competitive inhibition by arsenate were similar for the mutants and the wild type. Similar to the wild type, the mutants also accumulated Pi to high concentrations. In all strains, the transport of Pi was subject to repression by Pi. Mutant types showed lower Vmax but unaltered Km values for arsenate as compared to the wild type, and they accumulated arsenate to markedly lower levels. The results suggest a two-component transport system common to Pi and arsenate.", "PMID": 762027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_967", "title": "Dissociation of the NIC plasmid aggregate in Pseudomonas putida.", "content": "The NIC plasmid on conjugal transfer from Pseudomonas convexa Pc 1 to Pseudomonas putida PpG 1 dissociates into an independent fertility factor T and a nontransmissible NIC structural gene plasmid.", "contents": "Dissociation of the NIC plasmid aggregate in Pseudomonas putida. The NIC plasmid on conjugal transfer from Pseudomonas convexa Pc 1 to Pseudomonas putida PpG 1 dissociates into an independent fertility factor T and a nontransmissible NIC structural gene plasmid.", "PMID": 762028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_968", "title": "Haloperidol-induced comatose state with hyperthermia and rigidity in adolescence: two case reports with a literature review.", "content": "Two adolescents who developed severe extrapyramidal and hypothalamic reactions due to haloperidol therapy are describe. This is a rarely reported result of utilizing this medication in children and youth, and caution is urged in its use. Prolonged reactions have occurred.", "contents": "Haloperidol-induced comatose state with hyperthermia and rigidity in adolescence: two case reports with a literature review. Two adolescents who developed severe extrapyramidal and hypothalamic reactions due to haloperidol therapy are describe. This is a rarely reported result of utilizing this medication in children and youth, and caution is urged in its use. Prolonged reactions have occurred.", "PMID": 762029} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_969", "title": "Benzodiazepines in the treatment of aggressive patients.", "content": "A double-blind, controlled clinical trial of chlordiazepoxide, oxazepam and placebo was conducted in 65 outpatients with past histories of temper outbursts, assaultive behaviour and impulsiveness associated with anxiety, irritability and hostility. Of those tests showing statistically significant results, there was a tendency for oxazepam to be somewhat more effective in the reduction of anxiety than chlordiazepoxide. Oxazepam was also superior to the latter on 1 subscale of tests used to measure hostility. No paradoxical rage responses were noted.", "contents": "Benzodiazepines in the treatment of aggressive patients. A double-blind, controlled clinical trial of chlordiazepoxide, oxazepam and placebo was conducted in 65 outpatients with past histories of temper outbursts, assaultive behaviour and impulsiveness associated with anxiety, irritability and hostility. Of those tests showing statistically significant results, there was a tendency for oxazepam to be somewhat more effective in the reduction of anxiety than chlordiazepoxide. Oxazepam was also superior to the latter on 1 subscale of tests used to measure hostility. No paradoxical rage responses were noted.", "PMID": 762032} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_970", "title": "Neuropsychiatric aspects of renal failure.", "content": "This report describes and discusses neuropsychiatric manifestations due primarily to interference with central nervous system functioning. Though most of the phenomena are associated with the uremic syndrome, other changes are secondary to treatment efforts and associated effects of the chronic condition.", "contents": "Neuropsychiatric aspects of renal failure. This report describes and discusses neuropsychiatric manifestations due primarily to interference with central nervous system functioning. Though most of the phenomena are associated with the uremic syndrome, other changes are secondary to treatment efforts and associated effects of the chronic condition.", "PMID": 762033} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_971", "title": "Decay and interference processes in short-term retention of normal and brain-damaged patients.", "content": "The present study examined decay and interference mechanisms in short-term verbal retention in brain damaged patients with and without clinical memory impairment. Petersons' distractor technique was modified for this purpose. Results indicated that decay and impaired consolidation of memory traces was greater in organic amnesics, accounting for a greater degree of forgetting than proactive interference. Absence of an interference function is discussed in terms of the modified technique utilizing repeated trials to recall and more rigorously eliminating covert rehearsal, in addition to employing a more representative sample of organic amnesics than in provious studies.", "contents": "Decay and interference processes in short-term retention of normal and brain-damaged patients. The present study examined decay and interference mechanisms in short-term verbal retention in brain damaged patients with and without clinical memory impairment. Petersons' distractor technique was modified for this purpose. Results indicated that decay and impaired consolidation of memory traces was greater in organic amnesics, accounting for a greater degree of forgetting than proactive interference. Absence of an interference function is discussed in terms of the modified technique utilizing repeated trials to recall and more rigorously eliminating covert rehearsal, in addition to employing a more representative sample of organic amnesics than in provious studies.", "PMID": 762034} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_972", "title": "Symptoms in veterans considering compensation claims.", "content": "The symptomatology of 56 male veterans considering compensation claims was compared to the symptomatology seen in 163 veterans not considering such claims. Antisocial behaviors, somatic/neurotic complaints, and persecutory ideas were all positively correlated with consideration of a claim. Although the symptom profile is consistent with diagnosis of antisocial personality, a correlation with this diagnosis was not established. Nonetheless, the clinical profile does suggest a link between noncompensable disorders and consideration of a claim. The implications of this finding for military and Veterans Administration psychiatry are discussed.", "contents": "Symptoms in veterans considering compensation claims. The symptomatology of 56 male veterans considering compensation claims was compared to the symptomatology seen in 163 veterans not considering such claims. Antisocial behaviors, somatic/neurotic complaints, and persecutory ideas were all positively correlated with consideration of a claim. Although the symptom profile is consistent with diagnosis of antisocial personality, a correlation with this diagnosis was not established. Nonetheless, the clinical profile does suggest a link between noncompensable disorders and consideration of a claim. The implications of this finding for military and Veterans Administration psychiatry are discussed.", "PMID": 762035} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_973", "title": "Tuberous sclerosis and autistic behavior.", "content": "A patient with evidence of both infantile autism and tuberous sclerosis syndrome is presented. A possible relationship between the 2 syndromes is discussed. Examination of the skin of young, very disturbed children is recommended.", "contents": "Tuberous sclerosis and autistic behavior. A patient with evidence of both infantile autism and tuberous sclerosis syndrome is presented. A possible relationship between the 2 syndromes is discussed. Examination of the skin of young, very disturbed children is recommended.", "PMID": 762036} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_974", "title": "Neuroleptic malignant syndrome due to depot fluphenazine.", "content": "The parenteral long-acting phenothiazines are drugs frequently used in the treatment of hospitalized and ambulatory psychiatric patients. The usual side effects of these drugs are familiar to psychiatrists. However, the \"Neuroleptic malignant syndrome\" reported in this paper can give rise to considerable diagnostic difficulty. The clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis of this syndrome are described with a care report. The need for prompt initiation of adequate therapy is stressed.", "contents": "Neuroleptic malignant syndrome due to depot fluphenazine. The parenteral long-acting phenothiazines are drugs frequently used in the treatment of hospitalized and ambulatory psychiatric patients. The usual side effects of these drugs are familiar to psychiatrists. However, the \"Neuroleptic malignant syndrome\" reported in this paper can give rise to considerable diagnostic difficulty. The clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis of this syndrome are described with a care report. The need for prompt initiation of adequate therapy is stressed.", "PMID": 762037} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_975", "title": "Hydrolysis and synthesis of wax esters by different systems of carp hepatopancreas preparation.", "content": "It was found that the supernatant of hepatopancreas homogenate of the carp, Cyprinus carpio, contained enzymes involved in the hydrolysis and esterification of wax esters. The enzymes were salted out by 30% saturation with ammonium sulfate. This fraction also contained the highest activities of lipase and esterase. The enzyme for the hydrolysis of wax esters, together with lipase and esterase, was eluted in tube numbers 20 to 22 (void volume) from a Sephadex G-200 column. On the other hand, the enzyme for the synthesis of wax esters was eluted in tube numbers 33 to 35. It thus appears that the two activities belong to different enzyme proteins. The synthetic enzyme was activated by the addition of ATP, CoA, and NADH.", "contents": "Hydrolysis and synthesis of wax esters by different systems of carp hepatopancreas preparation. It was found that the supernatant of hepatopancreas homogenate of the carp, Cyprinus carpio, contained enzymes involved in the hydrolysis and esterification of wax esters. The enzymes were salted out by 30% saturation with ammonium sulfate. This fraction also contained the highest activities of lipase and esterase. The enzyme for the hydrolysis of wax esters, together with lipase and esterase, was eluted in tube numbers 20 to 22 (void volume) from a Sephadex G-200 column. On the other hand, the enzyme for the synthesis of wax esters was eluted in tube numbers 33 to 35. It thus appears that the two activities belong to different enzyme proteins. The synthetic enzyme was activated by the addition of ATP, CoA, and NADH.", "PMID": 762038} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_976", "title": "The action of trypsin on synthetic chromogenic arginine substrates.", "content": "A new arginine derivative, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-valyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride (ZPVAPA.HCl) was synthesized by the condensation of N-benzyloxy-carbonyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-valine and L-arginine-p-nitroanilide dihydrochloride using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as a coupling reagent and 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole as an additive. L-ZPVAPA.HCl was split by trypsin more readily than Na-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride (L-ZAPA, HCl), Na-benzoyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride (L-BAPA.HCl), Na-tosyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide hdyrochloride (L-TAPA.HCl) and Na-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride (DL-BAPA.HCl) by factors of 100, 400, 600, and 1,200, respectively. Low concentrations of dimethyl formamide (DMF) enhanced the trypsin-catalyzed hydrolyses of L-ZAPA.HCl and L-TAPA.HCl, contrary to the findings of other authors that DMF has no effect on the tryptic hydrolysis.", "contents": "The action of trypsin on synthetic chromogenic arginine substrates. A new arginine derivative, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-valyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride (ZPVAPA.HCl) was synthesized by the condensation of N-benzyloxy-carbonyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-valine and L-arginine-p-nitroanilide dihydrochloride using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as a coupling reagent and 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole as an additive. L-ZPVAPA.HCl was split by trypsin more readily than Na-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride (L-ZAPA, HCl), Na-benzoyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride (L-BAPA.HCl), Na-tosyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide hdyrochloride (L-TAPA.HCl) and Na-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride (DL-BAPA.HCl) by factors of 100, 400, 600, and 1,200, respectively. Low concentrations of dimethyl formamide (DMF) enhanced the trypsin-catalyzed hydrolyses of L-ZAPA.HCl and L-TAPA.HCl, contrary to the findings of other authors that DMF has no effect on the tryptic hydrolysis.", "PMID": 762040} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_977", "title": "Proteins exposed on the outer surface of the plasma membranes of AH-66 hepatoma ascites cells.", "content": "The cell surface proteins of AH-66 hepatoma ascites cells were examined both by fluorescent labeling with cycloheptaamylose-fluorescamine complex and by radioiodination with lactoperoxidase. The labeled proteins were analyzed by measuring the distribution of fluorescence or radioactivity in polyacrylamide gels after electrophoresis. Although the degree of fluorescent labeling with cycloheptaamylose-fluorescamine complex was substantially different from that obtained by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination, proteins with molecular weights of 130,000, 90,000, 86,000, 50,000--60,000, and 37,000 were strongly labeled in common by both reagents. It is suggested that at least these proteins are exposed on the surface of the plasma membranes of AH-66 cells. One of these proteins labeled strongly by both reagents is the major glycoprotein, with an apparent molecular weight of 130,000 in 10% polyacrylamide gels.", "contents": "Proteins exposed on the outer surface of the plasma membranes of AH-66 hepatoma ascites cells. The cell surface proteins of AH-66 hepatoma ascites cells were examined both by fluorescent labeling with cycloheptaamylose-fluorescamine complex and by radioiodination with lactoperoxidase. The labeled proteins were analyzed by measuring the distribution of fluorescence or radioactivity in polyacrylamide gels after electrophoresis. Although the degree of fluorescent labeling with cycloheptaamylose-fluorescamine complex was substantially different from that obtained by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination, proteins with molecular weights of 130,000, 90,000, 86,000, 50,000--60,000, and 37,000 were strongly labeled in common by both reagents. It is suggested that at least these proteins are exposed on the surface of the plasma membranes of AH-66 cells. One of these proteins labeled strongly by both reagents is the major glycoprotein, with an apparent molecular weight of 130,000 in 10% polyacrylamide gels.", "PMID": 762041} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_978", "title": "Studies on histone oligomers. I. Reconstitution and fractionation of homotypic histone oligomers.", "content": "Histone oligomers were reconstituted from calf thymus whole histones by annealing from 2 M NaCl-5 M urea-0.05 M Tris buffer (pH 8.0)-1% beta-mercaptoethanol, and were fractionated in terms of solubility in ammonium sulfate solution. Fractionation occurred according to the histone compositions of oligomers. The oligomers thus obtained were (1) pentamer and trimer of H1, (2) tetramer of H2A and H2B, and (3) tetramer and higher aggregates of H3 and H4, under the following ionic conditions: 0.5 M NaCl-0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The aggregates of H3 and H4 could easily be converted to the tetramer by lowering of pH.", "contents": "Studies on histone oligomers. I. Reconstitution and fractionation of homotypic histone oligomers. Histone oligomers were reconstituted from calf thymus whole histones by annealing from 2 M NaCl-5 M urea-0.05 M Tris buffer (pH 8.0)-1% beta-mercaptoethanol, and were fractionated in terms of solubility in ammonium sulfate solution. Fractionation occurred according to the histone compositions of oligomers. The oligomers thus obtained were (1) pentamer and trimer of H1, (2) tetramer of H2A and H2B, and (3) tetramer and higher aggregates of H3 and H4, under the following ionic conditions: 0.5 M NaCl-0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The aggregates of H3 and H4 could easily be converted to the tetramer by lowering of pH.", "PMID": 762043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_979", "title": "Tagging of sugars with a fluorescent compound, 2-aminopyridine.", "content": "Potential aldehyde groups of several monosaccharides and oligosaccharides were coupled with 2-aminopyridine by reductive amination with sodium cyanoborohydride. The product was isolated by adsorption on a Dowex 50 (H+) column, followed by washing, elution with aqueous ammonia and evaporation. The specimen was analyzed by paper electrophoresis at pH 5.0. Each sugar derivative gave a single spot in addition to one corresponding to excess 2-amino-pyridine when the paper was scanned under a UV lamp. The migration rates of these fluorescent sugars were related to their molecular weights and were independent of their linkage points and anomeric configurations. The reducing end sugar units of oligosaccharide derivatives could be identified by gas-liquid chromatography after hydrolysis of the 2-aminopyridine derivatives of the oligosaccharides.", "contents": "Tagging of sugars with a fluorescent compound, 2-aminopyridine. Potential aldehyde groups of several monosaccharides and oligosaccharides were coupled with 2-aminopyridine by reductive amination with sodium cyanoborohydride. The product was isolated by adsorption on a Dowex 50 (H+) column, followed by washing, elution with aqueous ammonia and evaporation. The specimen was analyzed by paper electrophoresis at pH 5.0. Each sugar derivative gave a single spot in addition to one corresponding to excess 2-amino-pyridine when the paper was scanned under a UV lamp. The migration rates of these fluorescent sugars were related to their molecular weights and were independent of their linkage points and anomeric configurations. The reducing end sugar units of oligosaccharide derivatives could be identified by gas-liquid chromatography after hydrolysis of the 2-aminopyridine derivatives of the oligosaccharides.", "PMID": 762044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_980", "title": "Amino acid sequences of the alpha and beta chains of adult hemoglobin of the European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus.", "content": "Globin prepared from hemoglobin of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) was separated into alpha and beta polypeptide chains by chromatography on a CM 52 column. The S-aminoethylated alpha and beta chains were each digested with trypsin and the resulting peptides were isolated. The sequences of all the tryptic peptides were established. The ordering of these peptides in the alpha and beta chains was deduced from their homology with the primary structures of alpha and beta chains of human adult hemoglobin. Comparing the primary structures of the alpha and beta chains of adult hemoglobin of the European hedgehog thus obtained with those of adult hemoglobin of the tupai (Tupaia glis), 35 amino acids substitutions in the alpha chains and 30 in the beta chains were recognized.", "contents": "Amino acid sequences of the alpha and beta chains of adult hemoglobin of the European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus. Globin prepared from hemoglobin of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) was separated into alpha and beta polypeptide chains by chromatography on a CM 52 column. The S-aminoethylated alpha and beta chains were each digested with trypsin and the resulting peptides were isolated. The sequences of all the tryptic peptides were established. The ordering of these peptides in the alpha and beta chains was deduced from their homology with the primary structures of alpha and beta chains of human adult hemoglobin. Comparing the primary structures of the alpha and beta chains of adult hemoglobin of the European hedgehog thus obtained with those of adult hemoglobin of the tupai (Tupaia glis), 35 amino acids substitutions in the alpha chains and 30 in the beta chains were recognized.", "PMID": 762046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_981", "title": "Studies on the protein components of 110S and total ribonucleoprotein particles of rat liver nucleoli.", "content": "Proteins of rat liver nucleolar RNP, especially 110S RNP containing 45S RNA, were investigated and the following results were obtained. 1. Nucleolar extract was prepared from thioacetamide-treated rat liver nucleoli in the presence of 1 mg PVS per ml. Sucrose-density gradient centrifugation of the nucleolar extract showed RNP distributed between 60S and 110S. The 110S particles (110S RNP) contain 45S RNA as judged from the radioactivity profiles of nucleolar extract labelled in vivo with [3H]orotic acid for 10 min and 2 h. The protein components of 110S RNP and total RNP heavier than 60S (total RNP) were analyzed and compared. 2. Since the effects of PVS treatment on the extraction and the electrophoretic pattern of ribosomal proteins were removed by increasing the Mg2+ concentration during acetic acid extraction, as described in our preceding paper (1), proteins of 110S RNP as well as total RNP from PVS-pretreated nucleoli were extracted with 67% acetic acid containing 334 mM Mg2+ and analyzed by two-dimensional acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Ribosomal proteins masked by contaminating histone spots on the gel were identified by SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. 3. 110S RNP contained a large portion of ribosomal proteins from large subunits; 24 protein spots were distinct, 6 protein spots were faint and 5 proteins (L3, L8, L30, L35, and L36) were missing completely. On the other hand, 110S RNP contained a small number of small subunit proteins; only 6 proteins showed distinct spots, 7 proteins showed faint spots and 12 protein spots were missing. 110S particles contained 11 non-ribosomal proteins, although it is difficult to rule out the possibility that some of them were contaminating chromatin proteins. 4. Total RNP showed electrophoretic patterns of 60S ribosomal proteins similar to those of 110S RNP, although L3 protein was present as a faint spot and 26 proteins showed distinct spots. Total RNP contained more small subunit proteins than 110S RNP; 7 proteins spots were distinct, 10 protein spots were faint and 8 protein spots were missing. The results suggest that some kinds of 40S proteins and L3 protein are attached to 110S RNP during the processing of 110S RNP.", "contents": "Studies on the protein components of 110S and total ribonucleoprotein particles of rat liver nucleoli. Proteins of rat liver nucleolar RNP, especially 110S RNP containing 45S RNA, were investigated and the following results were obtained. 1. Nucleolar extract was prepared from thioacetamide-treated rat liver nucleoli in the presence of 1 mg PVS per ml. Sucrose-density gradient centrifugation of the nucleolar extract showed RNP distributed between 60S and 110S. The 110S particles (110S RNP) contain 45S RNA as judged from the radioactivity profiles of nucleolar extract labelled in vivo with [3H]orotic acid for 10 min and 2 h. The protein components of 110S RNP and total RNP heavier than 60S (total RNP) were analyzed and compared. 2. Since the effects of PVS treatment on the extraction and the electrophoretic pattern of ribosomal proteins were removed by increasing the Mg2+ concentration during acetic acid extraction, as described in our preceding paper (1), proteins of 110S RNP as well as total RNP from PVS-pretreated nucleoli were extracted with 67% acetic acid containing 334 mM Mg2+ and analyzed by two-dimensional acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Ribosomal proteins masked by contaminating histone spots on the gel were identified by SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. 3. 110S RNP contained a large portion of ribosomal proteins from large subunits; 24 protein spots were distinct, 6 protein spots were faint and 5 proteins (L3, L8, L30, L35, and L36) were missing completely. On the other hand, 110S RNP contained a small number of small subunit proteins; only 6 proteins showed distinct spots, 7 proteins showed faint spots and 12 protein spots were missing. 110S particles contained 11 non-ribosomal proteins, although it is difficult to rule out the possibility that some of them were contaminating chromatin proteins. 4. Total RNP showed electrophoretic patterns of 60S ribosomal proteins similar to those of 110S RNP, although L3 protein was present as a faint spot and 26 proteins showed distinct spots. Total RNP contained more small subunit proteins than 110S RNP; 7 proteins spots were distinct, 10 protein spots were faint and 8 protein spots were missing. The results suggest that some kinds of 40S proteins and L3 protein are attached to 110S RNP during the processing of 110S RNP.", "PMID": 762048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_982", "title": "Induction by parathyroid hormone of ornithine decarboxylase in rabbit costal chondrocytes in culture.", "content": "The activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in rabbit costal chondrocytes in culture markedly increased after addition of parathyroid hormone (PTH), reaching a maximum 4 to 5 h after PTH addition. The effect of PTH was dose-dependent both in the presence and absence of fetal calf serum. Addition of cycloheximide or actinomycin D prevented the induction of ODC by PTH. Calcitonin, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and vitamin A had no stimulatory effect on the activity of ODC, and did not inhibit the induction of ODC by PTH, when added with PTH.", "contents": "Induction by parathyroid hormone of ornithine decarboxylase in rabbit costal chondrocytes in culture. The activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in rabbit costal chondrocytes in culture markedly increased after addition of parathyroid hormone (PTH), reaching a maximum 4 to 5 h after PTH addition. The effect of PTH was dose-dependent both in the presence and absence of fetal calf serum. Addition of cycloheximide or actinomycin D prevented the induction of ODC by PTH. Calcitonin, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and vitamin A had no stimulatory effect on the activity of ODC, and did not inhibit the induction of ODC by PTH, when added with PTH.", "PMID": 762050} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_983", "title": "Studies on the post-mortem fragmentation of myofibrils.", "content": "1. There was a close relationship between the fragmentation of myofibrils and the tension developed during post-mortem contraction of muscle. The extent of fragmentation was at its maximum when the sarcomeres attained a length of 2.0 to 2.2 micron. 2. The rate of fragmentation of myofibrils depended upon the calcium ion concentration within a range of 10(-5) to 2 x 10(-2) M, with a minimum at pH 6.5. The fragmentation of myofibrils free from muscle fibers was not affected by 10 mM iodoacetate, an irreversible inhibitor of calcium-activated factor (CAF). 3. Incubation of myofibrils with 10 mM CaCl2 caused the release of about 12% of the total myofibrillar proteins after homogenization. The protein solution contained little alpha-actinin, and considerable amounts of 54,000- and 76,000-dalton components which seem to originate from the Z-line. SDS-polyacrylamide gels of troponin prepared from the incubated myofibrils did not change with time of incubation. These findings are in contrast with the proteolytic degradation of Z-lines by CAF treatment, in which alpha-actinin and 87,000 dalton component are released. 4. These data directly demonstrate that the in vitro fragmentation of post-mortem muscle (i.e. duirng its conversion into myofibrils upon mechanical homogenization) is different from that induced by CAF. The possible role of calcium ions during in vitro fragmentation of myofibrils is discussed.", "contents": "Studies on the post-mortem fragmentation of myofibrils. 1. There was a close relationship between the fragmentation of myofibrils and the tension developed during post-mortem contraction of muscle. The extent of fragmentation was at its maximum when the sarcomeres attained a length of 2.0 to 2.2 micron. 2. The rate of fragmentation of myofibrils depended upon the calcium ion concentration within a range of 10(-5) to 2 x 10(-2) M, with a minimum at pH 6.5. The fragmentation of myofibrils free from muscle fibers was not affected by 10 mM iodoacetate, an irreversible inhibitor of calcium-activated factor (CAF). 3. Incubation of myofibrils with 10 mM CaCl2 caused the release of about 12% of the total myofibrillar proteins after homogenization. The protein solution contained little alpha-actinin, and considerable amounts of 54,000- and 76,000-dalton components which seem to originate from the Z-line. SDS-polyacrylamide gels of troponin prepared from the incubated myofibrils did not change with time of incubation. These findings are in contrast with the proteolytic degradation of Z-lines by CAF treatment, in which alpha-actinin and 87,000 dalton component are released. 4. These data directly demonstrate that the in vitro fragmentation of post-mortem muscle (i.e. duirng its conversion into myofibrils upon mechanical homogenization) is different from that induced by CAF. The possible role of calcium ions during in vitro fragmentation of myofibrils is discussed.", "PMID": 762051} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_984", "title": "Ca2+-induced activation of succinate dehydrogenase and the regulation of mitochondrial oxidative reactions.", "content": "1. In rat liver mitochondria in vitro, an activation of succinate dehydrogenase [succinate: (2,6-dichloroindophenol)oxido-reductase], an inner membrane enzyme, was induced by Ca2+ at extramitochondrial concentrations (about 1.3 micron) close to those estimated in the cytosol. 2. The activation required both substrate (succinate) and ATP, and occurred whether mitochondria were coupled (Ca2+ could be accumulated) or uncoupled (Ca2+ could not be accumulated) by classical uncouplers. 3. The activation by Ca2+ of the uncoupled mitochondria was accompanied by a modest but significant change in the mitochondrial morphology as judged from light scattering measurements and electron microscopy. 4. In the uncoupled mitochondria, oxaloacetate added externally diminished the activation by Ca2+. In addition, the amount of oxaloacetate produced endogenously from succinate via malate fell after Ca2+ and ATP addition. However, the extent of the fall in mitochondrial oxaloacetate did not correlate with the degree of activation of succinate dehydrogenase. 5. The activation by Ca2+ of the uncoupled mitochondria was accompanied by a reductive shift of pyridine nucleotide and coenzyme Q, and an oxidative shift of flavoproteins and cytochromes b, c, and a-a3. 6. In the situation where the Ca2+-induced activation of succinate dehydrogenase (and consequently succinate oxidation) took place in the uncoupled mitochondria, oxidations of 3-hydroxybutyrate and pyruvate were markedly suppressed. 7. From the above findings, it is concluded that Ca2+ action on the mitochondrial inner membrane activates mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase, and this action produces an inhibition of electron transport between NAD and flavoprotein. In view of the location of these reactions in the inner membrane, a conformation change of the membrane is suggested as a common cause.", "contents": "Ca2+-induced activation of succinate dehydrogenase and the regulation of mitochondrial oxidative reactions. 1. In rat liver mitochondria in vitro, an activation of succinate dehydrogenase [succinate: (2,6-dichloroindophenol)oxido-reductase], an inner membrane enzyme, was induced by Ca2+ at extramitochondrial concentrations (about 1.3 micron) close to those estimated in the cytosol. 2. The activation required both substrate (succinate) and ATP, and occurred whether mitochondria were coupled (Ca2+ could be accumulated) or uncoupled (Ca2+ could not be accumulated) by classical uncouplers. 3. The activation by Ca2+ of the uncoupled mitochondria was accompanied by a modest but significant change in the mitochondrial morphology as judged from light scattering measurements and electron microscopy. 4. In the uncoupled mitochondria, oxaloacetate added externally diminished the activation by Ca2+. In addition, the amount of oxaloacetate produced endogenously from succinate via malate fell after Ca2+ and ATP addition. However, the extent of the fall in mitochondrial oxaloacetate did not correlate with the degree of activation of succinate dehydrogenase. 5. The activation by Ca2+ of the uncoupled mitochondria was accompanied by a reductive shift of pyridine nucleotide and coenzyme Q, and an oxidative shift of flavoproteins and cytochromes b, c, and a-a3. 6. In the situation where the Ca2+-induced activation of succinate dehydrogenase (and consequently succinate oxidation) took place in the uncoupled mitochondria, oxidations of 3-hydroxybutyrate and pyruvate were markedly suppressed. 7. From the above findings, it is concluded that Ca2+ action on the mitochondrial inner membrane activates mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase, and this action produces an inhibition of electron transport between NAD and flavoprotein. In view of the location of these reactions in the inner membrane, a conformation change of the membrane is suggested as a common cause.", "PMID": 762052} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_985", "title": "Purification of Streptomyces chromofuscus phospholipase D by hydrophobic affinity chromatography on palmitoyl cellulose.", "content": "Phospholipase D [phosphatidylcholine cholinehydrolase, EC 3.1.4.4] excreted from Streptomyces chromofuscus was purified from the culture supernatant by precipitation with acetone and column chromatographies on palmitoylated gauze (Pal-G), DEAE-cellulose, and Sephadex G-150 with an overall recovery of 46% and 1000-fold increase in specific activity. The purified enzyme preparation showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. The enzyme had a molecular weight of about 50,000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150 or about 57,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis and an isoelectric point (pI) of pH 5.1 on isoelectric focusing. The enzyme hydrolyses lecithin, lysolecithin, sphingomyelin, and cephalin; the relative reaction velocities and Km's for choline-phospholipids were 87% and 1.43 mM for lecithin, 100% and 1.67 mM for lysolecithin, and 22% and 0.56 mM for sphingomyelin. The enzymatic reaction was optimal at pH 8, and its velocity was appreciably increased by either detergent (Triton X-100, deoxycholate), Ca2+ or both detergent and Ca2+. Diethyl ether stimulated the enzymatic activity by 30%; SDS and EDTA inhibited the activity. Bovine serum albumin, Triton X-100, and lipids (lecithin, lysolecithin, phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid) inhibited adsorption of the purified enzyme onto palmitoyl cellulose (Pal-C) and affected both the enzyme activity and stability: albumin and Triton X-100 increased the activity and enhanced the heat-stability; lysophospholipids decreased the activity but other lipids increased the activity; all the lipids lowered the heat-stability. The enzyme adsorbed on Pal-C was active, although its activity was about one-ninth of that of free enzyme, and was protected from heat-inactivation. Thus this enzyme appears to possess a hydrophobic site distinct from its catalytic site and to be adsorbed onto Pal-C through the hydrophobic site. Albumin, Triton X-100, and lipids seem to bind to the hydrophobic site and to have an appreciable effect on the enzyme activity and stability.", "contents": "Purification of Streptomyces chromofuscus phospholipase D by hydrophobic affinity chromatography on palmitoyl cellulose. Phospholipase D [phosphatidylcholine cholinehydrolase, EC 3.1.4.4] excreted from Streptomyces chromofuscus was purified from the culture supernatant by precipitation with acetone and column chromatographies on palmitoylated gauze (Pal-G), DEAE-cellulose, and Sephadex G-150 with an overall recovery of 46% and 1000-fold increase in specific activity. The purified enzyme preparation showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. The enzyme had a molecular weight of about 50,000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150 or about 57,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis and an isoelectric point (pI) of pH 5.1 on isoelectric focusing. The enzyme hydrolyses lecithin, lysolecithin, sphingomyelin, and cephalin; the relative reaction velocities and Km's for choline-phospholipids were 87% and 1.43 mM for lecithin, 100% and 1.67 mM for lysolecithin, and 22% and 0.56 mM for sphingomyelin. The enzymatic reaction was optimal at pH 8, and its velocity was appreciably increased by either detergent (Triton X-100, deoxycholate), Ca2+ or both detergent and Ca2+. Diethyl ether stimulated the enzymatic activity by 30%; SDS and EDTA inhibited the activity. Bovine serum albumin, Triton X-100, and lipids (lecithin, lysolecithin, phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid) inhibited adsorption of the purified enzyme onto palmitoyl cellulose (Pal-C) and affected both the enzyme activity and stability: albumin and Triton X-100 increased the activity and enhanced the heat-stability; lysophospholipids decreased the activity but other lipids increased the activity; all the lipids lowered the heat-stability. The enzyme adsorbed on Pal-C was active, although its activity was about one-ninth of that of free enzyme, and was protected from heat-inactivation. Thus this enzyme appears to possess a hydrophobic site distinct from its catalytic site and to be adsorbed onto Pal-C through the hydrophobic site. Albumin, Triton X-100, and lipids seem to bind to the hydrophobic site and to have an appreciable effect on the enzyme activity and stability.", "PMID": 762053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_986", "title": "Kinetics of the conformational change of troponin-C induced by magnesium-binding or removal.", "content": "The kinetics of the conformation change of troponin-C (TN-C) induced by magnesium-binding or removal were studied in the absence of calcium ion by measuring the fluorescence intensity change of BIPM bound to TN-C by stopped-flow spectrofluorometry. The kinetic process of the conformational change was biphasic. The rate constants of the two phases were determined as a function of free magnesium ion concentration ([Mg]) of the solution. The [Mg]-dependence of the rate constants was explained by a simple molecular kinetic mechanism: (formula: see text) The dissociation constant of magnesium bound to TN-C was also determined to be 1 x 10(-3) M in the kinetic study.", "contents": "Kinetics of the conformational change of troponin-C induced by magnesium-binding or removal. The kinetics of the conformation change of troponin-C (TN-C) induced by magnesium-binding or removal were studied in the absence of calcium ion by measuring the fluorescence intensity change of BIPM bound to TN-C by stopped-flow spectrofluorometry. The kinetic process of the conformational change was biphasic. The rate constants of the two phases were determined as a function of free magnesium ion concentration ([Mg]) of the solution. The [Mg]-dependence of the rate constants was explained by a simple molecular kinetic mechanism: (formula: see text) The dissociation constant of magnesium bound to TN-C was also determined to be 1 x 10(-3) M in the kinetic study.", "PMID": 762054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_987", "title": "Solubilization and reconstitution of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase from bovine caudate nucleus.", "content": "Dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase was reconstituted from the cholate-soluble components of caudate nucleus homogenate. Biological function was restored by precipitating the components from cholate and phospholipid with ammonium sulfate, dialyzing the resuspended precipitate, and activating the particulate complex with phospholipid in the assay. The reconstituted adenylate cyclase was stimulated 3- to 4-fold by dopamine and 8- to 12-fold by guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate. The catecholamine stimulation was specific for dopamine and required the addition of GTP. The cholate-soluble component(s) of the basal adenylate cyclase were separated from the component(s) that conferred dopamine sensitivity by gel filtration chromatography. Dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase was also reconstituted from digitonin-soluble components. These were resolved into two fractions by DEAE-cellulose chromatography: one fraction contained adenylate cyclase, but both fractions were required for reconstitution of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase.", "contents": "Solubilization and reconstitution of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase from bovine caudate nucleus. Dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase was reconstituted from the cholate-soluble components of caudate nucleus homogenate. Biological function was restored by precipitating the components from cholate and phospholipid with ammonium sulfate, dialyzing the resuspended precipitate, and activating the particulate complex with phospholipid in the assay. The reconstituted adenylate cyclase was stimulated 3- to 4-fold by dopamine and 8- to 12-fold by guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate. The catecholamine stimulation was specific for dopamine and required the addition of GTP. The cholate-soluble component(s) of the basal adenylate cyclase were separated from the component(s) that conferred dopamine sensitivity by gel filtration chromatography. Dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase was also reconstituted from digitonin-soluble components. These were resolved into two fractions by DEAE-cellulose chromatography: one fraction contained adenylate cyclase, but both fractions were required for reconstitution of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase.", "PMID": 762055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_988", "title": "Hydrogen bonding in solution between the uracil ring and the peptide backbone demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.", "content": "Proton and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance measurements indicate that uracil derivatives dissolved in chloroform bind to glycine and phenylalanine tripeptide derivatives through pairs of hydrogen bonds. The N(3)--H and C(4)=0 groups of the uracil ring appear to interact with the C=0 and N--H groups, respectively, of individual amino acid residues, suggesting a fundamental complementarity between uracil and the peptide backbone. The binding occurs in the same concentration range as the hydrogen bonding between derivatives of adenine and uracil under comparable conditions.", "contents": "Hydrogen bonding in solution between the uracil ring and the peptide backbone demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Proton and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance measurements indicate that uracil derivatives dissolved in chloroform bind to glycine and phenylalanine tripeptide derivatives through pairs of hydrogen bonds. The N(3)--H and C(4)=0 groups of the uracil ring appear to interact with the C=0 and N--H groups, respectively, of individual amino acid residues, suggesting a fundamental complementarity between uracil and the peptide backbone. The binding occurs in the same concentration range as the hydrogen bonding between derivatives of adenine and uracil under comparable conditions.", "PMID": 762057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_989", "title": "Ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase. Evidence in support of the existence of distinct CO2 activator and CO2 substrate sites.", "content": "Ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase forms a complex with Mn2+ and CO2 that exhibits a considerably enhanced water proton relaxation rate. This effect is diminished upon interaction of the complex with the substrate, ribulose biphosphate, or with the competitive inhibitor, ribitol 1,5-biphosphate (Ki=0.55 mM). Included among the several mechanisms which can explain these observations is the possibility that a slow exchange of metal ligands occurs. Attempts at testing the feasibility of a slow exchange mechanism led to demonstration of a stable complex of enzyme with CO2 in the presence of metal and carboxyribitol biphosphate (CRBP), an analog of the hypothetical transition state intermediate. The complex formed upon mixing these components is stable to Sephadex G-75 chromatography and contains a nonexchangeable [14C]O2 bound stoichiometrically with respect to enzyme active sites. Mg2+ or Mn2+ can be used to form the E.M.[14C]O2.CRBP complex, which is stable with respect to CO2 exchange until the enzyme is denatured with sodium dodecyl sulfate. If the tight, functionally irreversible binding of the transition state analog is due to its occupancy of ribulose biphosphate and substrate CO2 sites, then simultaneous stoichiometric binding of [14C]O2 to enzyme indicates that 2 CO2 molecules participate in photosynthetic carbon fixation.", "contents": "Ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase. Evidence in support of the existence of distinct CO2 activator and CO2 substrate sites. Ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase forms a complex with Mn2+ and CO2 that exhibits a considerably enhanced water proton relaxation rate. This effect is diminished upon interaction of the complex with the substrate, ribulose biphosphate, or with the competitive inhibitor, ribitol 1,5-biphosphate (Ki=0.55 mM). Included among the several mechanisms which can explain these observations is the possibility that a slow exchange of metal ligands occurs. Attempts at testing the feasibility of a slow exchange mechanism led to demonstration of a stable complex of enzyme with CO2 in the presence of metal and carboxyribitol biphosphate (CRBP), an analog of the hypothetical transition state intermediate. The complex formed upon mixing these components is stable to Sephadex G-75 chromatography and contains a nonexchangeable [14C]O2 bound stoichiometrically with respect to enzyme active sites. Mg2+ or Mn2+ can be used to form the E.M.[14C]O2.CRBP complex, which is stable with respect to CO2 exchange until the enzyme is denatured with sodium dodecyl sulfate. If the tight, functionally irreversible binding of the transition state analog is due to its occupancy of ribulose biphosphate and substrate CO2 sites, then simultaneous stoichiometric binding of [14C]O2 to enzyme indicates that 2 CO2 molecules participate in photosynthetic carbon fixation.", "PMID": 762058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_990", "title": "Participation of one isozyme of cytosolic glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in the adipose conversion of 3T3 cells.", "content": "Growing surface cultures of 3T3 cells possess a low level of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, an important enzyme in triglyceride synthesis. When 3T3-C2, a subline that does not undergo appreciable adipose conversion, reaches confluence, the level of the enzyme does not increase. In 3T3-F442A, a subline that undergoes the conversion with high frequency, the specific activity of the enzyme increases about 600-fold. The enzyme of the adipose 3T3 cells is different from that of non-adipose 3T3 cells in its thermal stability and its affinity for dihydroxyacetone phosphate. The enzyme of the adipose cells probably corresponds to the stable \"adult\" form of the enzyme, as described previously, and the enzyme of non-adipose 3T3 cells is probably the unstable \"embryonic\" form. For this reason, the change in the enzyme that takes place during the adipose conversion is greater than would be indicated simply by the total increase in specific activity. If, as seems likely, the two forms of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase are the products of independent genes, the adipose conversion may activate a hitherto silent gene for the stable enzyme.", "contents": "Participation of one isozyme of cytosolic glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in the adipose conversion of 3T3 cells. Growing surface cultures of 3T3 cells possess a low level of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, an important enzyme in triglyceride synthesis. When 3T3-C2, a subline that does not undergo appreciable adipose conversion, reaches confluence, the level of the enzyme does not increase. In 3T3-F442A, a subline that undergoes the conversion with high frequency, the specific activity of the enzyme increases about 600-fold. The enzyme of the adipose 3T3 cells is different from that of non-adipose 3T3 cells in its thermal stability and its affinity for dihydroxyacetone phosphate. The enzyme of the adipose cells probably corresponds to the stable \"adult\" form of the enzyme, as described previously, and the enzyme of non-adipose 3T3 cells is probably the unstable \"embryonic\" form. For this reason, the change in the enzyme that takes place during the adipose conversion is greater than would be indicated simply by the total increase in specific activity. If, as seems likely, the two forms of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase are the products of independent genes, the adipose conversion may activate a hitherto silent gene for the stable enzyme.", "PMID": 762059} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_991", "title": "Effect of hypophysectomy and growth hormone treatment on albumin mRNA levels in the rat liver.", "content": "A complementary DNA copy of purified rat albumin mRNA was employed in RNA-excess hybridization reactions to examine albumin mRNA levels in the liver of the hypophysectomized rat. In normal rat liver, albumin mRNA sequences were found to be about 10% of the total poly(A)-containing RNA population. Hypophysectomy reduced albumin mRNA levels by approximately 50%. Growth hormone treatment of hypophysectomized animals returned albumin mRNA to nearly normal levels. These effects on albumin mRNA sequences agreed closely with the changes in the synthesis of albumin that are assoicated with these conditions. The results suggest that hypophysectomy and growth hormone influence albumin synthesis by affecting the level of albumin mRNA.", "contents": "Effect of hypophysectomy and growth hormone treatment on albumin mRNA levels in the rat liver. A complementary DNA copy of purified rat albumin mRNA was employed in RNA-excess hybridization reactions to examine albumin mRNA levels in the liver of the hypophysectomized rat. In normal rat liver, albumin mRNA sequences were found to be about 10% of the total poly(A)-containing RNA population. Hypophysectomy reduced albumin mRNA levels by approximately 50%. Growth hormone treatment of hypophysectomized animals returned albumin mRNA to nearly normal levels. These effects on albumin mRNA sequences agreed closely with the changes in the synthesis of albumin that are assoicated with these conditions. The results suggest that hypophysectomy and growth hormone influence albumin synthesis by affecting the level of albumin mRNA.", "PMID": 762060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_992", "title": "Multiple molecular forms of catechol-O-methyltransferase. Evidence for two distinct forms, and their purification and physical characterization.", "content": "Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT: EC 2.1.1.6) has been shown to exist in the soluble fraction of rat liver as two distinct molecular forms, designated COMT I and COMT II, which are separable by gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and sedimentation. The predominant form, COMT I, has a smaller Mr of about 24,000, as determined by gel filtration and sedimentation, and less negative charge, whereas the minor form, COMT II, has a larger Mr of about 47,500 and more negative charge. The COMT I and COMT II have been purified 450- and 205-fold, respectively, from rat liver by a newly developed procedure which gives homogeneous enzyme preparations with respect to catechol-methylating activities. The molecular properties of the predominant form, COMT I, were: s20,w, 2.7; D20,W, 10.5; Stokes radius, 20.1 A; f/fo, 1.08; and pI, 4.9. For the minor form, COMT II, the values were s20,w, 3.8; D20,w, 7.3; Stokes radius, 28.7 A; f/fo, 1.23; and pI, 4.8. Catechol-O-methyltransferase was found to exhibit tissue-specific isozymic patterns in the distribution of its two variant forms. In the rat tissues, the liver and kidney exhibited the presence of the two physically separable forms. Catechol-O-methyltransferase was also found as two distinct molecular forms in human tissues, including liver, brain, and placenta. The two forms of human catechol-O-methyltransferase were not distinguishable by the criteria of gel filtration from their counterparts in rat liver, indicating that the two molecular forms of human and rat liver catechol-O-methyltransferase are homologous. No interconversion of one molecular form of catechol-O-methyltransferase into the other was observed under experimental conditions employed. Available evidence indicates that the two molecular forms of catechol-O-methyltransferase are genetically dissimilar proteins.", "contents": "Multiple molecular forms of catechol-O-methyltransferase. Evidence for two distinct forms, and their purification and physical characterization. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT: EC 2.1.1.6) has been shown to exist in the soluble fraction of rat liver as two distinct molecular forms, designated COMT I and COMT II, which are separable by gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and sedimentation. The predominant form, COMT I, has a smaller Mr of about 24,000, as determined by gel filtration and sedimentation, and less negative charge, whereas the minor form, COMT II, has a larger Mr of about 47,500 and more negative charge. The COMT I and COMT II have been purified 450- and 205-fold, respectively, from rat liver by a newly developed procedure which gives homogeneous enzyme preparations with respect to catechol-methylating activities. The molecular properties of the predominant form, COMT I, were: s20,w, 2.7; D20,W, 10.5; Stokes radius, 20.1 A; f/fo, 1.08; and pI, 4.9. For the minor form, COMT II, the values were s20,w, 3.8; D20,w, 7.3; Stokes radius, 28.7 A; f/fo, 1.23; and pI, 4.8. Catechol-O-methyltransferase was found to exhibit tissue-specific isozymic patterns in the distribution of its two variant forms. In the rat tissues, the liver and kidney exhibited the presence of the two physically separable forms. Catechol-O-methyltransferase was also found as two distinct molecular forms in human tissues, including liver, brain, and placenta. The two forms of human catechol-O-methyltransferase were not distinguishable by the criteria of gel filtration from their counterparts in rat liver, indicating that the two molecular forms of human and rat liver catechol-O-methyltransferase are homologous. No interconversion of one molecular form of catechol-O-methyltransferase into the other was observed under experimental conditions employed. Available evidence indicates that the two molecular forms of catechol-O-methyltransferase are genetically dissimilar proteins.", "PMID": 762061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_993", "title": "Human amidophosphoribosyltransferase. An oxygen-sensitive iron-sulfur protein.", "content": "Glutamine 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate amidotransferase (EC 2.4.2.14), amidophosphoribosyltransferase, was partially purified from human placenta. Upon exposure to oxygen, both the glutamine and ammonia activities were lost in parallel. Inactivation by oxygen increased as the temperature of incubation rose and the partial pressure of oxygen increased. Molecular oxygen rather than a radical derivative was responsible for inactivation since scavengers of oxygen radicals did not protect against inactivation. AMP,GMP,PP-ribose-P, and inorganic phosphate partially protected both the glutamine and ammonia activities from inactivation by oxygen. Incubation with 1,10-orthophenanthroline, but not 1,7-metaphenanthroline or tiron, led to inactivation of amidophosphoribosyltransferase. Both the 1,10-orthophenanthroline- and oxygen-inactivated enzymes could be reconstituted by incubation with ferrous iron and inorganic sulfide in the presence of dithiothreitol under anaerobic conditions. The iron requirement could not be replaced by zinc, copper, cobalt, nickel, magnesium, or calcium. The sulfide requirement could not be replaced by higher concentrations of dithiothreitol. It is concluded from these studies that human amidophosphoribosyltransferase is an iron-sulfur protein and oxidation of this structure may be responsible for the marked lability of this enzyme in vitro.", "contents": "Human amidophosphoribosyltransferase. An oxygen-sensitive iron-sulfur protein. Glutamine 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate amidotransferase (EC 2.4.2.14), amidophosphoribosyltransferase, was partially purified from human placenta. Upon exposure to oxygen, both the glutamine and ammonia activities were lost in parallel. Inactivation by oxygen increased as the temperature of incubation rose and the partial pressure of oxygen increased. Molecular oxygen rather than a radical derivative was responsible for inactivation since scavengers of oxygen radicals did not protect against inactivation. AMP,GMP,PP-ribose-P, and inorganic phosphate partially protected both the glutamine and ammonia activities from inactivation by oxygen. Incubation with 1,10-orthophenanthroline, but not 1,7-metaphenanthroline or tiron, led to inactivation of amidophosphoribosyltransferase. Both the 1,10-orthophenanthroline- and oxygen-inactivated enzymes could be reconstituted by incubation with ferrous iron and inorganic sulfide in the presence of dithiothreitol under anaerobic conditions. The iron requirement could not be replaced by zinc, copper, cobalt, nickel, magnesium, or calcium. The sulfide requirement could not be replaced by higher concentrations of dithiothreitol. It is concluded from these studies that human amidophosphoribosyltransferase is an iron-sulfur protein and oxidation of this structure may be responsible for the marked lability of this enzyme in vitro.", "PMID": 762062} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_994", "title": "Interaction of troponin subunits. The interaction between the inhibitory and tropomyosin-binding subunits.", "content": "The interaction of troponin-I and troponin-T was demonstrated by circular dichroism and gel filtration. Troponin-I gives a negative circular dichroism band between 300 and 260 nm while troponin-T gives two weak positive bands, one at 290 nm and the other at 263 nm. When troponin-I and troponin-T were mixed, the complex produced a strong negative circular dichroism band with a maximum around 280 nm. This band was most intense with a molar ratio of troponin-T to troponin-I of 1:1. The intensity of the band was 2.4 times that expected from the separate components. The interaction was independent of salt concentration from 0.15 to 0.5 M KCl. Gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 showed that a stable 1:1 complex was formed between troponin-T and troponin-I. When troponin-C was added to the complex of troponin-T.troponin-I; the reconstituted troponin had a circular dichroism spectrum identical to that of native troponin. The oxidation state of troponin-I was important in reconstituting troponin. Oxidized troponin-I produced less change in the near ultraviolet circular dichroism when added to troponin-T and the troponin-C than did reduced troponin-I. This showed the subunits were not assembled correctly with oxidized troponin-I. When the reconstituted complex was reduced, the circular dichroism was restored to that of native troponin. Troponin reconstituted with oxidized troponin-I did not confer calcium sensitivity on actomyosin ATPase; activity was restored by reducing the complex.", "contents": "Interaction of troponin subunits. The interaction between the inhibitory and tropomyosin-binding subunits. The interaction of troponin-I and troponin-T was demonstrated by circular dichroism and gel filtration. Troponin-I gives a negative circular dichroism band between 300 and 260 nm while troponin-T gives two weak positive bands, one at 290 nm and the other at 263 nm. When troponin-I and troponin-T were mixed, the complex produced a strong negative circular dichroism band with a maximum around 280 nm. This band was most intense with a molar ratio of troponin-T to troponin-I of 1:1. The intensity of the band was 2.4 times that expected from the separate components. The interaction was independent of salt concentration from 0.15 to 0.5 M KCl. Gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 showed that a stable 1:1 complex was formed between troponin-T and troponin-I. When troponin-C was added to the complex of troponin-T.troponin-I; the reconstituted troponin had a circular dichroism spectrum identical to that of native troponin. The oxidation state of troponin-I was important in reconstituting troponin. Oxidized troponin-I produced less change in the near ultraviolet circular dichroism when added to troponin-T and the troponin-C than did reduced troponin-I. This showed the subunits were not assembled correctly with oxidized troponin-I. When the reconstituted complex was reduced, the circular dichroism was restored to that of native troponin. Troponin reconstituted with oxidized troponin-I did not confer calcium sensitivity on actomyosin ATPase; activity was restored by reducing the complex.", "PMID": 762063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_995", "title": "Determination of the apparent thermodynamic activities of saturated protein solutions.", "content": "Although the solubility of a protein is a particularly informative solution parameter, little is known about the thermodynamics of protein solubilization. In these experiments, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used to decrease the solubility of a number of proteins in a quantifiable manner. Simple thermodynamic considerations show that if the chemical potential of the PEG-induced solid phase is constant and plots of log protein solubility versus PEG concentration are linear, a valid extrapolation of the apparent solubility to zero PEG content can be made. Given the validity of these assumptions, extrapolated values should represent the activity of the protein in saturated solution. Evidence for the validity of this extrapolation includes (a) the experimentally observed linearity of log solubility versus PEG concentration plots, (b) the extrapolation of such plots to correct activities in the situation where protein activities can be experimentally determined, and (c) the independence of the extrapolated activities on protein concentration over a wide range. The utility of the PEG-determined activities, when applied in a comparative manner, is illustrated by application to various hemoglobin solutions. It is found that saturated solutions of the various hemoglobin forms, with the exception of deoxyhemoglobin S, manifest similar activities. In addition, all of the solutions demonstrate an apparent, surprising thermodynamic ideality.", "contents": "Determination of the apparent thermodynamic activities of saturated protein solutions. Although the solubility of a protein is a particularly informative solution parameter, little is known about the thermodynamics of protein solubilization. In these experiments, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used to decrease the solubility of a number of proteins in a quantifiable manner. Simple thermodynamic considerations show that if the chemical potential of the PEG-induced solid phase is constant and plots of log protein solubility versus PEG concentration are linear, a valid extrapolation of the apparent solubility to zero PEG content can be made. Given the validity of these assumptions, extrapolated values should represent the activity of the protein in saturated solution. Evidence for the validity of this extrapolation includes (a) the experimentally observed linearity of log solubility versus PEG concentration plots, (b) the extrapolation of such plots to correct activities in the situation where protein activities can be experimentally determined, and (c) the independence of the extrapolated activities on protein concentration over a wide range. The utility of the PEG-determined activities, when applied in a comparative manner, is illustrated by application to various hemoglobin solutions. It is found that saturated solutions of the various hemoglobin forms, with the exception of deoxyhemoglobin S, manifest similar activities. In addition, all of the solutions demonstrate an apparent, surprising thermodynamic ideality.", "PMID": 762064} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_996", "title": "Interaction of human apohemoglobin with inositol hexaphosphate.", "content": "Experiments of sedimentation velocity and equilibrium indicate that in the presence of inositol hexaphosphate the degree of polymerization of apohemoglobin is shifted in favor of the formation of tetramers, with a maximum effect when the concentration of the polyphosphate is 1 mM. Above this concentration, a redissociation of the system into dimers is promoted. This phenomenon is probably due to the binding of inositol hexaphosphate to apohemoglobin with a stoichiometry higher than 1 mol of polyphosphate/4 subunits. The optical rotatory dispersion spectrum of apohemoglobin is also modified by its interaction with inositol hexaphosphate suggesting a small increase in the helical content of the protein. Measurements of circular dichroism in the near-UV region of the spectrum indicate that the environment of the aromatic chromophores of the protein such as tyrosine, phenyalanine, and tryptophan is not affected by the interaction. The presence of inositol hexaphosphate decreases the rate of reaction of the beta-93 cysteinyl residues of apohemoglobin with both p-mercuribenzoate and N-ethylmaleimide, suggesting a conformational change of the protein also at the level of its tertiary structure.", "contents": "Interaction of human apohemoglobin with inositol hexaphosphate. Experiments of sedimentation velocity and equilibrium indicate that in the presence of inositol hexaphosphate the degree of polymerization of apohemoglobin is shifted in favor of the formation of tetramers, with a maximum effect when the concentration of the polyphosphate is 1 mM. Above this concentration, a redissociation of the system into dimers is promoted. This phenomenon is probably due to the binding of inositol hexaphosphate to apohemoglobin with a stoichiometry higher than 1 mol of polyphosphate/4 subunits. The optical rotatory dispersion spectrum of apohemoglobin is also modified by its interaction with inositol hexaphosphate suggesting a small increase in the helical content of the protein. Measurements of circular dichroism in the near-UV region of the spectrum indicate that the environment of the aromatic chromophores of the protein such as tyrosine, phenyalanine, and tryptophan is not affected by the interaction. The presence of inositol hexaphosphate decreases the rate of reaction of the beta-93 cysteinyl residues of apohemoglobin with both p-mercuribenzoate and N-ethylmaleimide, suggesting a conformational change of the protein also at the level of its tertiary structure.", "PMID": 762065} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_997", "title": "Purification and characterization of an inhibitor protein of brain adenylate cyclase and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase.", "content": "A heat-labile inhibitor protein of adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) and phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17) has been purified to apparent homogeneity from bovine brain cerebrum by a simple two-column procedure. The inhibitor exerts its effect on adenylate cyclase or phosphodiesterase by forming a complex with the Ca2+-dependent activator protein, thereby competing with the apoenzyme for the activator. The protein was estimated to have a molecular weight of 80,000 and a Stokes radius of 39 A by gel filtration. The inhibitor was resolved in a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel into two equal molar subunits, with molecular weights of 60,000 and 18,500. In the presence of the activator and Ca2+, the thermal stability of the inhibitor was increased, indicative of a new conformation. The effectiveness of the inhibitor varied considerably, depending on its sequence of addition to the reaction mixture relative to phosphodiesterase and the activator protein, presumably because the activator appeared to have a greater affinity for the inhibitor than for phosphodiesterase.", "contents": "Purification and characterization of an inhibitor protein of brain adenylate cyclase and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. A heat-labile inhibitor protein of adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) and phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17) has been purified to apparent homogeneity from bovine brain cerebrum by a simple two-column procedure. The inhibitor exerts its effect on adenylate cyclase or phosphodiesterase by forming a complex with the Ca2+-dependent activator protein, thereby competing with the apoenzyme for the activator. The protein was estimated to have a molecular weight of 80,000 and a Stokes radius of 39 A by gel filtration. The inhibitor was resolved in a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel into two equal molar subunits, with molecular weights of 60,000 and 18,500. In the presence of the activator and Ca2+, the thermal stability of the inhibitor was increased, indicative of a new conformation. The effectiveness of the inhibitor varied considerably, depending on its sequence of addition to the reaction mixture relative to phosphodiesterase and the activator protein, presumably because the activator appeared to have a greater affinity for the inhibitor than for phosphodiesterase.", "PMID": 762066} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_998", "title": "Carboxylation and decarboxylation reactions. Anaplerotic flux and removal of citrate cycle intermediates in skeletal muscle.", "content": "A system for in situ perfusion of rat hindquarters using a fluorocarbon for oxygen and CO2 exchange, and a polyol to provide oncotic pressure is described. Perfusion with glucose plus insulin resulted in no significant change in the tissue level of citrate cycle intermediates, phosphocreatine, ATP, ADP, AMP, and glycogen. Glucose was consumed at a linear rate, and lactate, pyruvate, alanine, glutamine, glutamate, and citrate were released into the perfusing medium. Inclusion of pyruvate resulted in elevation of citrate cycle intermediates and alanine, whereas acetate elevated the level of cycle intermediates without significant effect on tissue alanine or its release. Radioactivity from NaH[14C]O3 was incorporated into citrate cycle intermediates, glutamate, aspartate, and lactate by glucose-perfused hindquarters, the extent of which was markedly elevated as the tissue pyruvate was increased. When pyruvate was in the physiological range, acetate caused elevation in incorporation of CO2 into these metabolites, increased the concentration of citrate, and doubled the concentration of acetyl-CoA. Thirty-five to forty-four per cent of 14C incorporated into citrate was retained after enzymic degradation to 2-oxoglutarate. Perfusion with [2-14C-]propionate led to elevation in the level of citrate cycle intermediates, and radioactivity was incorporated into the latter, as well as glutamate, aspartate, lactate, pyruvate, alanine, and CO2. Two independent calculations estimated the rate of flux of 4-carbon cycle intermediates to 3-carbon metabolites of about 68 mumol/h (approximately 38 nmol/min/g of tissue), a rate in excess of those reported for alanine release from human or rat muscle during starvation. Arsenite blocked carbohydrate flux through the citrate cycle and effected accumulation of lactate, pyruvate, alanine, and 2-oxoglutarate. Flux from 4- to 3-carbon acids was diminished by arsenite, apparently as a result of lowered substrate concentration for decarboxylation. 3-Mercaptopicolinic acid, an inhibitor of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, was without effect on the parameters studied, suggesting that this enzyme is not involved in the decarboxylation reaction. It is concluded that (a) a constant level of citrate cycle intermediates is maintained in part by continuous flux of carbon into and out of the cycle by carboxylation and decarboxylation reactions; (b) the carbon skeleton of alanine released from skeletal muscle is derived in part from other amino acids which are catabolized to cycle intermediates; and (c) the subsequent removal of these intermediates is probably mediated by malic enzyme(s) (EC 1.1.1.40, or 1.1.1.36, or both.", "contents": "Carboxylation and decarboxylation reactions. Anaplerotic flux and removal of citrate cycle intermediates in skeletal muscle. A system for in situ perfusion of rat hindquarters using a fluorocarbon for oxygen and CO2 exchange, and a polyol to provide oncotic pressure is described. Perfusion with glucose plus insulin resulted in no significant change in the tissue level of citrate cycle intermediates, phosphocreatine, ATP, ADP, AMP, and glycogen. Glucose was consumed at a linear rate, and lactate, pyruvate, alanine, glutamine, glutamate, and citrate were released into the perfusing medium. Inclusion of pyruvate resulted in elevation of citrate cycle intermediates and alanine, whereas acetate elevated the level of cycle intermediates without significant effect on tissue alanine or its release. Radioactivity from NaH[14C]O3 was incorporated into citrate cycle intermediates, glutamate, aspartate, and lactate by glucose-perfused hindquarters, the extent of which was markedly elevated as the tissue pyruvate was increased. When pyruvate was in the physiological range, acetate caused elevation in incorporation of CO2 into these metabolites, increased the concentration of citrate, and doubled the concentration of acetyl-CoA. Thirty-five to forty-four per cent of 14C incorporated into citrate was retained after enzymic degradation to 2-oxoglutarate. Perfusion with [2-14C-]propionate led to elevation in the level of citrate cycle intermediates, and radioactivity was incorporated into the latter, as well as glutamate, aspartate, lactate, pyruvate, alanine, and CO2. Two independent calculations estimated the rate of flux of 4-carbon cycle intermediates to 3-carbon metabolites of about 68 mumol/h (approximately 38 nmol/min/g of tissue), a rate in excess of those reported for alanine release from human or rat muscle during starvation. Arsenite blocked carbohydrate flux through the citrate cycle and effected accumulation of lactate, pyruvate, alanine, and 2-oxoglutarate. Flux from 4- to 3-carbon acids was diminished by arsenite, apparently as a result of lowered substrate concentration for decarboxylation. 3-Mercaptopicolinic acid, an inhibitor of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, was without effect on the parameters studied, suggesting that this enzyme is not involved in the decarboxylation reaction. It is concluded that (a) a constant level of citrate cycle intermediates is maintained in part by continuous flux of carbon into and out of the cycle by carboxylation and decarboxylation reactions; (b) the carbon skeleton of alanine released from skeletal muscle is derived in part from other amino acids which are catabolized to cycle intermediates; and (c) the subsequent removal of these intermediates is probably mediated by malic enzyme(s) (EC 1.1.1.40, or 1.1.1.36, or both.", "PMID": 762069} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_999", "title": "Biological effects of cesalin, an anti-tumor protein, on cultured mammalian cells.", "content": "The effects of the protein cesalin were studied to determine the site of its toxic action in KB cells for which the ID50 is 0.9 pg/ml. Several effects have been noted: (i) respiration in KB cells was reduced by greater than 50% within 1 h after cesalin addition, which could not be explained on the basis of mitochondrial damage or from elevated intracellular ATP levels, since these did not rise significantly until about 3 h after cesalin addition; (ii) both DNA and RNA synthesis were inhibited, starting about 3 h after addition of cesalin to KB cells, but the transport of nucleosides and amino acids does not appear to be affected; (iii) no decrease is observed in protein synthesis for at least 5 to 6 h; (iv) cesalin can inhibit DNA synthesis and mitotic division independently of one another. The interaction of cesalin with the cell surface is rapid and after 5 min at 37 degrees C less than 10% of treated cells can be rescued by addition of excess antiserum to cesalin. The cell surface receptors are exposed throughout the cell cycle and the toxicity of cesalin is not restricted to a particular phase of this cycle.", "contents": "Biological effects of cesalin, an anti-tumor protein, on cultured mammalian cells. The effects of the protein cesalin were studied to determine the site of its toxic action in KB cells for which the ID50 is 0.9 pg/ml. Several effects have been noted: (i) respiration in KB cells was reduced by greater than 50% within 1 h after cesalin addition, which could not be explained on the basis of mitochondrial damage or from elevated intracellular ATP levels, since these did not rise significantly until about 3 h after cesalin addition; (ii) both DNA and RNA synthesis were inhibited, starting about 3 h after addition of cesalin to KB cells, but the transport of nucleosides and amino acids does not appear to be affected; (iii) no decrease is observed in protein synthesis for at least 5 to 6 h; (iv) cesalin can inhibit DNA synthesis and mitotic division independently of one another. The interaction of cesalin with the cell surface is rapid and after 5 min at 37 degrees C less than 10% of treated cells can be rescued by addition of excess antiserum to cesalin. The cell surface receptors are exposed throughout the cell cycle and the toxicity of cesalin is not restricted to a particular phase of this cycle.", "PMID": 762073} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1000", "title": "The amino acid sequence of dihydrofolate reductase from the mouse lymphoma L1210.", "content": "The determination of the amino acid sequence of the dihydrofolate reductase (EC 1.5.1.3) from cells of the mouse lymphoma L1210 is described. The protein was cleaved by cyanogen bromide to produce the six fragments CB1 (residues 1 to 14), CB2 (residues 15 to 52), CB3 (residues 53 to 111), CB4 (residues 115 to 125), CB5 (residues 126 to 139), and CB6 (residues 140 to 186). One of the fragments, CB2, contained an internal homoserine derived from a methionine which was not cleaved by cyanogen bromide. The amino acid sequences and order of the cyanogen bromide fragments were determined by a combination of automatic and manual sequence analyses of the fragments and small peptides from tryptic, thermolytic, and Staphylococcus aureus protease digestions. The complete sequence comprises 186 residues in a single polypeptide chain of molecular weight 21,458. Comparison of the sequence of the L1210 dihydrofolate reductase with the sequences of the enzymes from Streptococcus faecium, escherichia coli RT500, and Lactobacillus casei indicates that all enzymes show some homology, which is strongest in the regions forming the substrate binding cleft.", "contents": "The amino acid sequence of dihydrofolate reductase from the mouse lymphoma L1210. The determination of the amino acid sequence of the dihydrofolate reductase (EC 1.5.1.3) from cells of the mouse lymphoma L1210 is described. The protein was cleaved by cyanogen bromide to produce the six fragments CB1 (residues 1 to 14), CB2 (residues 15 to 52), CB3 (residues 53 to 111), CB4 (residues 115 to 125), CB5 (residues 126 to 139), and CB6 (residues 140 to 186). One of the fragments, CB2, contained an internal homoserine derived from a methionine which was not cleaved by cyanogen bromide. The amino acid sequences and order of the cyanogen bromide fragments were determined by a combination of automatic and manual sequence analyses of the fragments and small peptides from tryptic, thermolytic, and Staphylococcus aureus protease digestions. The complete sequence comprises 186 residues in a single polypeptide chain of molecular weight 21,458. Comparison of the sequence of the L1210 dihydrofolate reductase with the sequences of the enzymes from Streptococcus faecium, escherichia coli RT500, and Lactobacillus casei indicates that all enzymes show some homology, which is strongest in the regions forming the substrate binding cleft.", "PMID": 762074} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1001", "title": "Primary structure of human C-reactive protein.", "content": "The complete amino acid sequence has been derived for human C-reactive protein (CRP). The protein yielded a unique sequence containing 187 amino acids in a single polypeptide chain. The NH2-terminal residue of CRP is pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid and the COOH terminus is proline. The 2 half-cystine residues at positions 36 and 78 are involved in a disulfide bond. Based on the amino acid composition derived from the sequence data, a minimal molecular weight of 20,946 has been calculated for human CRP. This value agrees well with the molecular weight of 21,500 established by gel filtration of CRP in 5.0 M guanidine Cl (Gotschlich, E.C., and Edelman, G.M. (1965) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 54, 558--566). The primary structure of human CRP has been examined for internal homology and compared to all known proteins whose structures were published before April, 1978 by two computer programs; program SEARCH and program RELATE (Dayhoff, M. O., ed (1976) in Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure, Vol. 5, Suppl. 2, pp. 3--8, National Biomedical Research Foundation, Silver Spring, MD). The computer analyses showed no significant repeating sequences within the C-reactive protein molecule. This observation seems to rule out the possibility of gene duplication in the evolution of this protein. Distant homologies, which were statistically insignificant, have been noted to the CH2 domain of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and to C3a anaphylotoxin. The homologie noted are insufficient to support a common evolutionary origin of these proteins. No homology region in other heavy chains was observed. It is therefore preferable, at this point in time, to assign CRP and the protein known as 9.5 S alpha-glycoprotein, P component, and Clt to a new super family unrelated to any other proteins investigated. The homology between these proteins was demonstrated previously (Osmand, A.P., Friedenson, B., Gewurz, H., Painter, R.H., Hofmann, T., and Shelton, E. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 739--743) on the basis of sequence data on approximately 20 NH2-terminal residues of rabbit C-reactive protein, of Clt, and a cyanogen bromide fragment of human CRP.", "contents": "Primary structure of human C-reactive protein. The complete amino acid sequence has been derived for human C-reactive protein (CRP). The protein yielded a unique sequence containing 187 amino acids in a single polypeptide chain. The NH2-terminal residue of CRP is pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid and the COOH terminus is proline. The 2 half-cystine residues at positions 36 and 78 are involved in a disulfide bond. Based on the amino acid composition derived from the sequence data, a minimal molecular weight of 20,946 has been calculated for human CRP. This value agrees well with the molecular weight of 21,500 established by gel filtration of CRP in 5.0 M guanidine Cl (Gotschlich, E.C., and Edelman, G.M. (1965) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 54, 558--566). The primary structure of human CRP has been examined for internal homology and compared to all known proteins whose structures were published before April, 1978 by two computer programs; program SEARCH and program RELATE (Dayhoff, M. O., ed (1976) in Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure, Vol. 5, Suppl. 2, pp. 3--8, National Biomedical Research Foundation, Silver Spring, MD). The computer analyses showed no significant repeating sequences within the C-reactive protein molecule. This observation seems to rule out the possibility of gene duplication in the evolution of this protein. Distant homologies, which were statistically insignificant, have been noted to the CH2 domain of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and to C3a anaphylotoxin. The homologie noted are insufficient to support a common evolutionary origin of these proteins. No homology region in other heavy chains was observed. It is therefore preferable, at this point in time, to assign CRP and the protein known as 9.5 S alpha-glycoprotein, P component, and Clt to a new super family unrelated to any other proteins investigated. The homology between these proteins was demonstrated previously (Osmand, A.P., Friedenson, B., Gewurz, H., Painter, R.H., Hofmann, T., and Shelton, E. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 739--743) on the basis of sequence data on approximately 20 NH2-terminal residues of rabbit C-reactive protein, of Clt, and a cyanogen bromide fragment of human CRP.", "PMID": 762075} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1002", "title": "Isolation and characterization of single chain bovine factor V.", "content": "A procedure for the isolation of bovine Factor V has been developed. The Factor V is isolated from bovine plasma by a series of steps including barium citrate adsorption, polyethylene glycol precipitation, QAE-cellulose adsorption, hydrophobic chromatography on octyl Sepharose, ammonium sulfate fractionation, preparative electrophoresis on acrylamide gels, and finally, phenyl Sepharose chromatography. During isolation, judicious use of inhibitors including benzamidine hydrochloride, soybean trypsin inhibitor, and diisopropylphosphorofluoridate has been applied to prevent activation of the Factor V TO Factor Va. The activity of the isolated protein increases by a factor of 80 when stimulated by catalytic amounts of thrombin. The specific activity of the material after thrombin activation is 1250 units/mg of protein when evaluated versus a bovine Factor V standard in human factor V-deficient plasma. The isolated protein is a single component when analyzed by a variety of electrophoretic techniques and has been characterized in terms of its gross physical and chemical properties. Bovine Factor V is a single chain glycoprotein which has a molecular weight of 330,000. The single chain nature of the molecule has been established by sedimentation equilibrium studies of the native molecule and on the molecule in 6 M guanidinium chloride with and without disulfide bond reduction. In addition to these mass measurements, the single chain nature of the molecule has been established by hydrodynamic estimation of the random coil volume by sedimentation velocity studies of the reduced carboxyamidomethylated protein in 6 M guanidinium chloride. Native Factor V has a sedimentation coefficient so20,w of 9.19 S, which indicates the molecule is highly asymmetric. The frictional ratio f/fmin for the molecule is estimated to be 2.01, and the axial ratio of the equivalent prolate ellipsoid is 25:1. Thus, present data suggest that Factor V is a rod-like molecule composed of a single chain.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of single chain bovine factor V. A procedure for the isolation of bovine Factor V has been developed. The Factor V is isolated from bovine plasma by a series of steps including barium citrate adsorption, polyethylene glycol precipitation, QAE-cellulose adsorption, hydrophobic chromatography on octyl Sepharose, ammonium sulfate fractionation, preparative electrophoresis on acrylamide gels, and finally, phenyl Sepharose chromatography. During isolation, judicious use of inhibitors including benzamidine hydrochloride, soybean trypsin inhibitor, and diisopropylphosphorofluoridate has been applied to prevent activation of the Factor V TO Factor Va. The activity of the isolated protein increases by a factor of 80 when stimulated by catalytic amounts of thrombin. The specific activity of the material after thrombin activation is 1250 units/mg of protein when evaluated versus a bovine Factor V standard in human factor V-deficient plasma. The isolated protein is a single component when analyzed by a variety of electrophoretic techniques and has been characterized in terms of its gross physical and chemical properties. Bovine Factor V is a single chain glycoprotein which has a molecular weight of 330,000. The single chain nature of the molecule has been established by sedimentation equilibrium studies of the native molecule and on the molecule in 6 M guanidinium chloride with and without disulfide bond reduction. In addition to these mass measurements, the single chain nature of the molecule has been established by hydrodynamic estimation of the random coil volume by sedimentation velocity studies of the reduced carboxyamidomethylated protein in 6 M guanidinium chloride. Native Factor V has a sedimentation coefficient so20,w of 9.19 S, which indicates the molecule is highly asymmetric. The frictional ratio f/fmin for the molecule is estimated to be 2.01, and the axial ratio of the equivalent prolate ellipsoid is 25:1. Thus, present data suggest that Factor V is a rod-like molecule composed of a single chain.", "PMID": 762076} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1003", "title": "Adrenocortical cytochrome P-450 side chain cleavage. Preparation of membrane-bound side chain cleavage system from purified components.", "content": "Soluble cytochrome P-450 from bovine adrenocortical mitochrondria, capable of side chain cleavage, can be incorporated into membranes prepared by dispersion of phospholipids in aqueous buffer when cholate is added to the membrane suspension. In addition, the complete protein side chain cleavae system (i.e. including the ancillary proteins adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase and the substrate cholesterol) can be incorporated into such membranes so that on addition of TPNH, pregnenolone is formed. These components remain in the membrane through gel filtration (which removes almost all the cholate) and sedimentation through sucrose density gradients which separate vesicles without protein and soluble enzyme from the membrane-bound P-450 remains associated with the membrane during and following lysis of vesicles. The vesicles which do not leak [14C]glucose were seen on electron microscopy to show a mean diameter of 350 to 450 A. A number of phospholipids are capable of accomodating P-450 in this manner: mitochondrial lipid extracts, synthetic dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, synthetic dipalmitoyl phosphatidylserine, and egg lecithin, separately or in various combinations. Cholesterol is not necessary for incorporation of the side chain cleavage system. Membrane-bound P-450 shows a Vmax of 28.1 nmol of pregnenolone/min/mg of protein, more than 10 times that of soluble P-450. The spectral properties of the soluble P-450 are altered to become predominantly low spin in the membrane and the enzyme is more stable at 4 degrees C than is soluble p-450.", "contents": "Adrenocortical cytochrome P-450 side chain cleavage. Preparation of membrane-bound side chain cleavage system from purified components. Soluble cytochrome P-450 from bovine adrenocortical mitochrondria, capable of side chain cleavage, can be incorporated into membranes prepared by dispersion of phospholipids in aqueous buffer when cholate is added to the membrane suspension. In addition, the complete protein side chain cleavae system (i.e. including the ancillary proteins adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase and the substrate cholesterol) can be incorporated into such membranes so that on addition of TPNH, pregnenolone is formed. These components remain in the membrane through gel filtration (which removes almost all the cholate) and sedimentation through sucrose density gradients which separate vesicles without protein and soluble enzyme from the membrane-bound P-450 remains associated with the membrane during and following lysis of vesicles. The vesicles which do not leak [14C]glucose were seen on electron microscopy to show a mean diameter of 350 to 450 A. A number of phospholipids are capable of accomodating P-450 in this manner: mitochondrial lipid extracts, synthetic dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, synthetic dipalmitoyl phosphatidylserine, and egg lecithin, separately or in various combinations. Cholesterol is not necessary for incorporation of the side chain cleavage system. Membrane-bound P-450 shows a Vmax of 28.1 nmol of pregnenolone/min/mg of protein, more than 10 times that of soluble P-450. The spectral properties of the soluble P-450 are altered to become predominantly low spin in the membrane and the enzyme is more stable at 4 degrees C than is soluble p-450.", "PMID": 762078} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1004", "title": "Self-association of synexin in the presence of calcium. Correlation with synexin-induced membrane fusion and examination of the structure of synexin aggregates.", "content": "It has been proposed (Creutz, C. E., Pazoles, C. J., and Pollard, H. B. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 2858-2866) that synexin, an adrenal medullary protein that causes Ca2+-dependent aggregation of isolated chromaffin granules, might be the intracellular receptor for Ca2+ in the process of exocytosis. We now report that Ca2+ interacts directly with isolated synexin, inducing rapid self-association. Mg2+ or Sr2+ cannot substitute for Ca2+, and Ba2+ is only weakly effective at stimulating self-association. We have analyzed 90 degree light scattering data to determine a titration curve for the activation of synexin by Ca2+ in the self-association reaction. The curve has a Hill coefficient of 2.3 and is half-maximal at 200 micron Ca2+, which correlates exactly with the Ca2+ titration curve for the aggregation of chromaffin granules by synexin. Electron microscopy of negatively stained samples reveals that synexin monomers associate to form 50 A by 150 A rods which in turn associate side to side and end to end to form bundles of parallel rods. We suggest that synexin exists as a soluble monomer in the cytoplasm of the resting chromaffin cell and that when the cell is stimulated to secrete, the increase in the intracellular concentrations of Ca2+ causes synexin to form rods, similar to those formed in vitro, which bind to chromaffin granule and plasma membranes, joining them together to form the \"pentalaminar\" fusion complexes characteristic of the first step in exocytosis.", "contents": "Self-association of synexin in the presence of calcium. Correlation with synexin-induced membrane fusion and examination of the structure of synexin aggregates. It has been proposed (Creutz, C. E., Pazoles, C. J., and Pollard, H. B. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 2858-2866) that synexin, an adrenal medullary protein that causes Ca2+-dependent aggregation of isolated chromaffin granules, might be the intracellular receptor for Ca2+ in the process of exocytosis. We now report that Ca2+ interacts directly with isolated synexin, inducing rapid self-association. Mg2+ or Sr2+ cannot substitute for Ca2+, and Ba2+ is only weakly effective at stimulating self-association. We have analyzed 90 degree light scattering data to determine a titration curve for the activation of synexin by Ca2+ in the self-association reaction. The curve has a Hill coefficient of 2.3 and is half-maximal at 200 micron Ca2+, which correlates exactly with the Ca2+ titration curve for the aggregation of chromaffin granules by synexin. Electron microscopy of negatively stained samples reveals that synexin monomers associate to form 50 A by 150 A rods which in turn associate side to side and end to end to form bundles of parallel rods. We suggest that synexin exists as a soluble monomer in the cytoplasm of the resting chromaffin cell and that when the cell is stimulated to secrete, the increase in the intracellular concentrations of Ca2+ causes synexin to form rods, similar to those formed in vitro, which bind to chromaffin granule and plasma membranes, joining them together to form the \"pentalaminar\" fusion complexes characteristic of the first step in exocytosis.", "PMID": 762079} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1005", "title": "Immunological characterization of multiple weight forms of human cell plasminogen activators.", "content": "Several molecular weight forms of plasminogen activator (PA) activity have been observed in serum-free conditioned media from human cells in culture. An antibody inhibition technique is described which combines inhibition of enzyme activity by anti-urokinase IgG with sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis to determine whether different molecular weight forms of human cell PA's are immunologically related to urokinase. Plasminogen activator forms with molecular weights of 85,000 to 95,000, 50,000 to 60,000, and 36,000 were inhibited by anti-urokinase IgG. In contrast, PA forms with molecular weights in the 73,000 range from three different types of human cells were not inhibited by comparable concentrations of the antibody. Human embryonic kidney cultures contain only anti-urokinase IgG-inhibitable PA forms, while melanoma-derived Malme-3M cultures contain only anti-urokinase IgG-resistant forms. Cultures of tumorigenic Detroit 562 cells and nontumorigenic IMR-90 cells contain a mixture of \"antibody-sensitive\" and \"antibody-resistant\" PA forms. The antibody-resistant 73,000-dalton PA form may be a precursor of the smaller antibody-sensitive, urokinase-related forms, or it may be the product of a second plasminogen activator gene which codes for a protein immunologically and structurally different from urokinase.", "contents": "Immunological characterization of multiple weight forms of human cell plasminogen activators. Several molecular weight forms of plasminogen activator (PA) activity have been observed in serum-free conditioned media from human cells in culture. An antibody inhibition technique is described which combines inhibition of enzyme activity by anti-urokinase IgG with sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis to determine whether different molecular weight forms of human cell PA's are immunologically related to urokinase. Plasminogen activator forms with molecular weights of 85,000 to 95,000, 50,000 to 60,000, and 36,000 were inhibited by anti-urokinase IgG. In contrast, PA forms with molecular weights in the 73,000 range from three different types of human cells were not inhibited by comparable concentrations of the antibody. Human embryonic kidney cultures contain only anti-urokinase IgG-inhibitable PA forms, while melanoma-derived Malme-3M cultures contain only anti-urokinase IgG-resistant forms. Cultures of tumorigenic Detroit 562 cells and nontumorigenic IMR-90 cells contain a mixture of \"antibody-sensitive\" and \"antibody-resistant\" PA forms. The antibody-resistant 73,000-dalton PA form may be a precursor of the smaller antibody-sensitive, urokinase-related forms, or it may be the product of a second plasminogen activator gene which codes for a protein immunologically and structurally different from urokinase.", "PMID": 762081} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1006", "title": "Nucleotide sequence at the 5' terminus of adenovirus 2 late messenger RNA.", "content": "One major late promoter is transcriptionally active for the majority of adenovirus 2 late RNA synthesis. Nucleotide sequences proximal to this promoter are spliced onto the 5' termini of all messenger RNAs generated from it. We report here the complete nucleotide sequence of the capped 5-'terminal undecanucleotide common to these late mRNAs. The sequence m7G5'ppp5'm6AmCUCUCUUCCGp shows striking similarities to the 5'-terminal sequences of the eukaryotic alpha- and beta-globin mRNAs and contains the sequence 5'CUUCCG3' complementary to a six-base sequence near the 3' terminus of most eukaryotic 18 S ribosomal RNAs. On the basis of this sequence and the finding that this same sequence is present at the 5' end of adenovirus 2 late nuclear RNA precursor, it should now be possible to locate the major late promotor within the adenoviral genomic DNA sequence.", "contents": "Nucleotide sequence at the 5' terminus of adenovirus 2 late messenger RNA. One major late promoter is transcriptionally active for the majority of adenovirus 2 late RNA synthesis. Nucleotide sequences proximal to this promoter are spliced onto the 5' termini of all messenger RNAs generated from it. We report here the complete nucleotide sequence of the capped 5-'terminal undecanucleotide common to these late mRNAs. The sequence m7G5'ppp5'm6AmCUCUCUUCCGp shows striking similarities to the 5'-terminal sequences of the eukaryotic alpha- and beta-globin mRNAs and contains the sequence 5'CUUCCG3' complementary to a six-base sequence near the 3' terminus of most eukaryotic 18 S ribosomal RNAs. On the basis of this sequence and the finding that this same sequence is present at the 5' end of adenovirus 2 late nuclear RNA precursor, it should now be possible to locate the major late promotor within the adenoviral genomic DNA sequence.", "PMID": 762082} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1007", "title": "Nonenzymatically glucosylated albumin. In vitro preparation and isolation from normal human serum.", "content": "Incubation of human serum with D-[6-3H]glucose resulted in the gradual accumulation of radioactivity in acid-precipitable material. Upon chromatography on Sephadex G-200, radioactivity was found associated with each of the major molecular weight classes of serum protein. Purified human serum albumin was also glucosylated in vitro upon exposure to D-[6-3H]glucose in phosphate-buffered saline. The glucosylated and unmodified albumins were separated by ion exchange chromatography. The physiological significance of these observations in vitro was confirmed by the isolation and quantitation of glucosylated albumin from normal human serum. Glucosylated albumin represents approximately 6 to 15% of total serum albumin in normal adults. The post-translational modification appears to occur by a nonenzymatic process analogous to that responsible for glucosylation of hemoglobin A to hemoglobin AIc, i.e. through Schiff base formation and Amadori rearrangement to a ketoamine derivative.", "contents": "Nonenzymatically glucosylated albumin. In vitro preparation and isolation from normal human serum. Incubation of human serum with D-[6-3H]glucose resulted in the gradual accumulation of radioactivity in acid-precipitable material. Upon chromatography on Sephadex G-200, radioactivity was found associated with each of the major molecular weight classes of serum protein. Purified human serum albumin was also glucosylated in vitro upon exposure to D-[6-3H]glucose in phosphate-buffered saline. The glucosylated and unmodified albumins were separated by ion exchange chromatography. The physiological significance of these observations in vitro was confirmed by the isolation and quantitation of glucosylated albumin from normal human serum. Glucosylated albumin represents approximately 6 to 15% of total serum albumin in normal adults. The post-translational modification appears to occur by a nonenzymatic process analogous to that responsible for glucosylation of hemoglobin A to hemoglobin AIc, i.e. through Schiff base formation and Amadori rearrangement to a ketoamine derivative.", "PMID": 762083} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1008", "title": "DNA binding, induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis, and excision of anthramycin from DNA in normal and repair-deficient human fibroblasts.", "content": "The reaction of the antitumor antibiotic anthramycin with cellular DNA and the ability of normal human fibroblasts cells and xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) cells to respond to this injury has been evaluated. The binding of [15-3H]anthramycin to cellular DNA in human skin fibroblasts occurred in a linear manner up to 6 h. Treatment with unlabeled antibiotic resulted in unscheduled (repair) DNA synthesis in human skin fibroblasts maintained in hydroxyurea, whereas negligible unscheduled DNA synthesis was observed in cells of an excision-defective strain of XP. Confluent nondividing normal skin fibroblast cells were able to remove 86% of the bound anthramycin within 72 h, however XP cells were only able to remove 49% during the same incubation period. These results are discussed in terms of the types of DNA damage produced by anthramycin in vitro and the likely repair pathways involved in removing lesions produced on DNA by anthramycin.", "contents": "DNA binding, induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis, and excision of anthramycin from DNA in normal and repair-deficient human fibroblasts. The reaction of the antitumor antibiotic anthramycin with cellular DNA and the ability of normal human fibroblasts cells and xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) cells to respond to this injury has been evaluated. The binding of [15-3H]anthramycin to cellular DNA in human skin fibroblasts occurred in a linear manner up to 6 h. Treatment with unlabeled antibiotic resulted in unscheduled (repair) DNA synthesis in human skin fibroblasts maintained in hydroxyurea, whereas negligible unscheduled DNA synthesis was observed in cells of an excision-defective strain of XP. Confluent nondividing normal skin fibroblast cells were able to remove 86% of the bound anthramycin within 72 h, however XP cells were only able to remove 49% during the same incubation period. These results are discussed in terms of the types of DNA damage produced by anthramycin in vitro and the likely repair pathways involved in removing lesions produced on DNA by anthramycin.", "PMID": 762084} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1009", "title": "A subset of trout testis nucleosomes enriched in transcribed DNA sequences contains high mobility group proteins as major structural components.", "content": "Mononucleosomes greatly enriched in non-histone proteins were prepared by limited digestion of testis nuclei with micrococcal nuclease. Five to fifteen per cent of the chromatin was solubilized and could be separated by adjustment to 0.1 M NaCl, into a soluble fraction MN1, consisting of mononucleosomes containing the four inner histones and the small basic non-histone, H6, associated with a 140-base-pair DNA fragment. H1 was notably absent in MN1. The fraction insoluble in 0.1 M NaCl (MN2) comprised a mixture of mono-, di-, tri-, and oligosomes. MN2 monosome fraction contained the four inner histones plus H1 and lacked H6 and the length of its DNA was 170 base-pairs. Previous work had shown that limited micrococcal nuclease digestion of trout testis nuclei released a great proportion of the non-histone protein, high mobility group protein T (HMG-T). It seems likely that HMG-T is the major non-histone protein located in the linker regions of a subset of nucleosomes containing the non-histone protein H6 as a major structural component. Moreover, the presence of HMG-T renders this subset of nucleosomes very sensitive to micrococcal nuclease. Hybridization experiments were performed to demonstrate that the DNA from MN1 monosomes corresponds to a subset of the trout testis genome. This DNA subset is greatly enriched in sequences that are present in cytoplasmic RNA. Chromatin subunits enriched in their content of H6 and HMG-T could also be obtained by limited digestion of trout testis chromatin with DNase II followed by precipitation with MgCl2.", "contents": "A subset of trout testis nucleosomes enriched in transcribed DNA sequences contains high mobility group proteins as major structural components. Mononucleosomes greatly enriched in non-histone proteins were prepared by limited digestion of testis nuclei with micrococcal nuclease. Five to fifteen per cent of the chromatin was solubilized and could be separated by adjustment to 0.1 M NaCl, into a soluble fraction MN1, consisting of mononucleosomes containing the four inner histones and the small basic non-histone, H6, associated with a 140-base-pair DNA fragment. H1 was notably absent in MN1. The fraction insoluble in 0.1 M NaCl (MN2) comprised a mixture of mono-, di-, tri-, and oligosomes. MN2 monosome fraction contained the four inner histones plus H1 and lacked H6 and the length of its DNA was 170 base-pairs. Previous work had shown that limited micrococcal nuclease digestion of trout testis nuclei released a great proportion of the non-histone protein, high mobility group protein T (HMG-T). It seems likely that HMG-T is the major non-histone protein located in the linker regions of a subset of nucleosomes containing the non-histone protein H6 as a major structural component. Moreover, the presence of HMG-T renders this subset of nucleosomes very sensitive to micrococcal nuclease. Hybridization experiments were performed to demonstrate that the DNA from MN1 monosomes corresponds to a subset of the trout testis genome. This DNA subset is greatly enriched in sequences that are present in cytoplasmic RNA. Chromatin subunits enriched in their content of H6 and HMG-T could also be obtained by limited digestion of trout testis chromatin with DNase II followed by precipitation with MgCl2.", "PMID": 762085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1010", "title": "The biosynthetic route from ornithine to proline.", "content": "It is shown by tracer experiments with DL-[2-3H,5-14C]- and DL-[(RS)-5-3H,5-14C]rnithine, that the metabolic conversion of ornithine into proline, in three plant species (Nicotiana tabacum, Datura stramonium, and Lupinus angustifolius), takes place with maintenance of the delta-hydrogen atoms but with loss of the alpha-hydrogen atom. This indicates a route via alpha-keto-delta-aminovaleric acid (5-amino-2-oxopentanoic acid) and disproves the accepted route via glutamic gamma-semialdehyde (2-amino-5-oxopentanoic acid).", "contents": "The biosynthetic route from ornithine to proline. It is shown by tracer experiments with DL-[2-3H,5-14C]- and DL-[(RS)-5-3H,5-14C]rnithine, that the metabolic conversion of ornithine into proline, in three plant species (Nicotiana tabacum, Datura stramonium, and Lupinus angustifolius), takes place with maintenance of the delta-hydrogen atoms but with loss of the alpha-hydrogen atom. This indicates a route via alpha-keto-delta-aminovaleric acid (5-amino-2-oxopentanoic acid) and disproves the accepted route via glutamic gamma-semialdehyde (2-amino-5-oxopentanoic acid).", "PMID": 762087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1011", "title": "Isolation and characterization of a double chain intermolecular cross-linked peptide from insoluble calf bone collagen.", "content": "A double chain peptide containing the sodium borohydride-reduced intermolecular cross-link, hydroxylysinohydroxynorleucine, was isolated following sequential cyanogen bromide digestion and limited alkaline hydrolysis of insoluble calf bone collagen. Amino acid composition and NH2-terminal sequence analysis indicated that the peptide was highly acidic and consisted of 19 amino acid residues including the cross-link. Amino acid composition and automated sequence analysis of this peptide before and after cleavage of the cross-link, using periodic acid, provided the data from which the following structure was deduced. (formula: see text). The sequence of the larger peptide is identical with that of residues 8c to 19c in the COOH-terminal nonhelical region of the homologous skin collagen alpha1 chain. The hydroxylysine residue located at position 17c in the alpha chain of type I collagen appears to be a predominant site for intermolecular cross-link formation. Assignment of the smaller peptide component within the known primary structure of the collagen molecule currently cannot be made.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of a double chain intermolecular cross-linked peptide from insoluble calf bone collagen. A double chain peptide containing the sodium borohydride-reduced intermolecular cross-link, hydroxylysinohydroxynorleucine, was isolated following sequential cyanogen bromide digestion and limited alkaline hydrolysis of insoluble calf bone collagen. Amino acid composition and NH2-terminal sequence analysis indicated that the peptide was highly acidic and consisted of 19 amino acid residues including the cross-link. Amino acid composition and automated sequence analysis of this peptide before and after cleavage of the cross-link, using periodic acid, provided the data from which the following structure was deduced. (formula: see text). The sequence of the larger peptide is identical with that of residues 8c to 19c in the COOH-terminal nonhelical region of the homologous skin collagen alpha1 chain. The hydroxylysine residue located at position 17c in the alpha chain of type I collagen appears to be a predominant site for intermolecular cross-link formation. Assignment of the smaller peptide component within the known primary structure of the collagen molecule currently cannot be made.", "PMID": 762089} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1012", "title": "Sterol synthesis in variant Chinese hamster lung cells selected for resistance to 25-hydroxycholesterol. Cross-resistance to 7-ketocholesterol, 20alpha-hydroxycholesterol, and serum.", "content": "Two lines of Chinese hamster lung (Dede) cells which are resistant to the killing effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol, and which grow to confluence in its presence, have been isolated. One of the resistant lines exhibited a high to normal growth rate and normal levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (mevalonate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (CoA-acylating), EC 1.1.1.34) activity and sterol synthesis in the presence of concentrations of 25-hydroxycholesterol that caused nearly complete suppression of these functions in wild type cells. The other variant line showed partial resistance to the inhibitory effects of the diol upon cell growth, sterol synthesis, and HMG-CoA reductase activity. The resistant phenotypes remained stable when the cells were maintained in the absence of the selecting agent. The Km (HMG-CoA), thermal stability, and susceptibility to inhibition by Mg2+ and ATP of HMG-CoA reductase were unaltered in both of the resistant lines. The two lines selected for growth in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol were also resistant to the inhibitory effects of 7-ketocholesterol, 20alpha-hydroxycholesterol, and serum upon HMG-CoA reductase and sterol synthesis, suggesting that suppression of cholesterol synthesis by these inhibitors involves a common step.", "contents": "Sterol synthesis in variant Chinese hamster lung cells selected for resistance to 25-hydroxycholesterol. Cross-resistance to 7-ketocholesterol, 20alpha-hydroxycholesterol, and serum. Two lines of Chinese hamster lung (Dede) cells which are resistant to the killing effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol, and which grow to confluence in its presence, have been isolated. One of the resistant lines exhibited a high to normal growth rate and normal levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (mevalonate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (CoA-acylating), EC 1.1.1.34) activity and sterol synthesis in the presence of concentrations of 25-hydroxycholesterol that caused nearly complete suppression of these functions in wild type cells. The other variant line showed partial resistance to the inhibitory effects of the diol upon cell growth, sterol synthesis, and HMG-CoA reductase activity. The resistant phenotypes remained stable when the cells were maintained in the absence of the selecting agent. The Km (HMG-CoA), thermal stability, and susceptibility to inhibition by Mg2+ and ATP of HMG-CoA reductase were unaltered in both of the resistant lines. The two lines selected for growth in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol were also resistant to the inhibitory effects of 7-ketocholesterol, 20alpha-hydroxycholesterol, and serum upon HMG-CoA reductase and sterol synthesis, suggesting that suppression of cholesterol synthesis by these inhibitors involves a common step.", "PMID": 762093} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1013", "title": "Structure of the high mannose oligosaccharides of a human IgM myeloma protein. II. The minor oligosaccharides of high mannose glycopeptide.", "content": "The high mannose glycopeptide I from IgM (Patient Wa) contains, in addition to the two major oligosaccharides described earlier (Chapman, A., and Kornfeld, R. (1979) J. Biol Chem. 254, 816-823), four minor oligosaccharides. After release from glycopeptide I by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase Cu and reduction with NaBH4, all four oligosaccharides have been shown to have the basic structure: (see article of journal). Oligosaccharide IA-1 (Man9GlcitolNAc) has additional alpha1,2-linked mannose residues attached to positions a and b, and the sequence Man alpha1,2 yields to Man alpha1,2 yields to attached at position c. Oligosaccharide IA-2 (Man8GlcitolNAc) has additional alpha1,2-linked mannose residues attached to positions a, b, and c. Oligosaccharide IA-3 (Man7GlcitolNAc) has additional alpha1,2-linked mannose residues at positions b and c. In contrast, oligosaccharide IA-4 has a single N-acetyglucosamine residue beta1,2-linked to the mannose at position c. Oligosaccharides IA-1, -2 and -3 are thought to represent \"processing\" intermediates that are precursors of the major Man6 and Man5 oligosaccharides of glycopeptide I. IA-4 may arise from the Man5 oligosaccharide by the action of UDP-GlcNAc:glycoprotein N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferase, which catalyzes the first reaction leading to complex oligosaccharide synthesis.", "contents": "Structure of the high mannose oligosaccharides of a human IgM myeloma protein. II. The minor oligosaccharides of high mannose glycopeptide. The high mannose glycopeptide I from IgM (Patient Wa) contains, in addition to the two major oligosaccharides described earlier (Chapman, A., and Kornfeld, R. (1979) J. Biol Chem. 254, 816-823), four minor oligosaccharides. After release from glycopeptide I by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase Cu and reduction with NaBH4, all four oligosaccharides have been shown to have the basic structure: (see article of journal). Oligosaccharide IA-1 (Man9GlcitolNAc) has additional alpha1,2-linked mannose residues attached to positions a and b, and the sequence Man alpha1,2 yields to Man alpha1,2 yields to attached at position c. Oligosaccharide IA-2 (Man8GlcitolNAc) has additional alpha1,2-linked mannose residues attached to positions a, b, and c. Oligosaccharide IA-3 (Man7GlcitolNAc) has additional alpha1,2-linked mannose residues at positions b and c. In contrast, oligosaccharide IA-4 has a single N-acetyglucosamine residue beta1,2-linked to the mannose at position c. Oligosaccharides IA-1, -2 and -3 are thought to represent \"processing\" intermediates that are precursors of the major Man6 and Man5 oligosaccharides of glycopeptide I. IA-4 may arise from the Man5 oligosaccharide by the action of UDP-GlcNAc:glycoprotein N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferase, which catalyzes the first reaction leading to complex oligosaccharide synthesis.", "PMID": 762096} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1014", "title": "The mechanism of indole-3-acetic acid oxidation by horseradish peroxidases.", "content": "The oxygen-consuming oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) occurred much faster in the presence of horseradish peroxidase C (neutral isoenzyme) than in the presence of horseradish peroxidase A (acidic isoenzyme). An intermediate oxidation product of IAA was found to be a hydroperoxide species that reacted with the ferric enzymes to form Compound I at second order rate constants of 6.8 X 10(3) M-1--S-1 for peroxidase A and 2.0 X 10(6) M-1--S-1 for peroxidase C at pH 4.4 The hydroperoxide concentration reached about one-half of the initial IAA concentration at the end of the oxygen-consuming reaction and then decreased slowly. The main intermediate of the enzyme observed during the oxygen-consuming reaction was Compound II, which oxidized IAA to its free radical at rate constants of 1.5 X 10(3) M-1--S1 for peroxidase A and 1.2 times 10(4) M-1--S-1 for peroxidase C at pH 4.4 The results supported the mechanism that the oxygen consumption occurs mainly through the reaction of oxygen with the IAA free radical formed from the peroxidatic oxidation of IAA. The ferric enzymes were not reduced by IAA under strict anaerobic conditions in the presence of carbon monoxide but were reduced upon addition to a small amount of oxygen or hydrogen peroxide to the systems. The results suggested that the ferric enzyme is reduced by the IAA free radical but not by IAA itself. From a comparison of reactivities of oxyperoxidase and Compound II we concluded that the catalytic cycle of ferrous and oxyperoxidases is not involved in the IAA oxidase reaction.", "contents": "The mechanism of indole-3-acetic acid oxidation by horseradish peroxidases. The oxygen-consuming oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) occurred much faster in the presence of horseradish peroxidase C (neutral isoenzyme) than in the presence of horseradish peroxidase A (acidic isoenzyme). An intermediate oxidation product of IAA was found to be a hydroperoxide species that reacted with the ferric enzymes to form Compound I at second order rate constants of 6.8 X 10(3) M-1--S-1 for peroxidase A and 2.0 X 10(6) M-1--S-1 for peroxidase C at pH 4.4 The hydroperoxide concentration reached about one-half of the initial IAA concentration at the end of the oxygen-consuming reaction and then decreased slowly. The main intermediate of the enzyme observed during the oxygen-consuming reaction was Compound II, which oxidized IAA to its free radical at rate constants of 1.5 X 10(3) M-1--S1 for peroxidase A and 1.2 times 10(4) M-1--S-1 for peroxidase C at pH 4.4 The results supported the mechanism that the oxygen consumption occurs mainly through the reaction of oxygen with the IAA free radical formed from the peroxidatic oxidation of IAA. The ferric enzymes were not reduced by IAA under strict anaerobic conditions in the presence of carbon monoxide but were reduced upon addition to a small amount of oxygen or hydrogen peroxide to the systems. The results suggested that the ferric enzyme is reduced by the IAA free radical but not by IAA itself. From a comparison of reactivities of oxyperoxidase and Compound II we concluded that the catalytic cycle of ferrous and oxyperoxidases is not involved in the IAA oxidase reaction.", "PMID": 762098} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1015", "title": "Isolation and characterization of proteoglycans from porcine ovarian follicular fluid.", "content": "Monomer proteoglycan was isolated from porcine ovarian follicular fluid by isopycnic CsCl centrifugation in the presence of 4 M guanidine HCl and protease inhibitors. The elution profile of the D1 preparation on Sepharose 2B was similar to that of monomer proteoglycan from bovine nasal cartilage, indicating a similar molecular size. Follicular fluid proteoglycans consist of about 20% protein, 50% dermatan sulfate, and 20% oligosaccharides rich in sialic acid, galactose, mannose, glucosamine, and galactosamine. The amino acid composition of this proteoglycan is significantly different from that of cartilage proteoglycans, with a higher proportion of aspartic acid, threonine, and lysine, and lower amounts of proline and glycine. Alkali-released dermatan sulfate chains are larger on Sepharose 6B (average Mr = 56,000) than chondroitin sulfate chains from cartilage proteoglycans (average Mr = 25,000), and iduronic acid accounts for 9% of total hexuronic acid. Disaccharide units released by chondroitinase ABC consists of 67% 4-sulfated, 22% 6-sulfated, 5% non-sulfated, and 5% disulfated disaccharides. After treatment with 0.05 M NaOH, 1 M NaBH4 at 45 degrees C for 24 h, two major sialic acid-containing oligosaccharides were observed on Sephadex G-25, corresponding to penta- and hexasaccharides. The pentasaccharide contained sialic acid, galactose, glucosamine, and galactosamine in the proportions 1:2:1:1. The galactosamine is O-glycosidically linked to the protein core. This oligosaccharide accounts for approximately 77% of all the sialic acid in the follicular fluid proteoglycans. The hexasaccharide fraction contained sialic acid, galactose, mannose, and glucosamine in the proportions 1:2:1:2. It also contained a small amount of fucose and galactosamine. The linkage of these oligosaccharides to the protein core remains to be determined. The follicular fluid proteoglycans, unlike those from cartilage, do not interact with hyaluronic acid. Digestion with trypsin, chymotrypsin, or plasmin released dermatan sulfate-peptides nearly as small as those released by papain or alkali; in contrast, cartilage proteoglycans were resistant to plasmin and released peptides containing an average of more than four chondroitin sulfate chains after trypsin or chymotrypsin digestion.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of proteoglycans from porcine ovarian follicular fluid. Monomer proteoglycan was isolated from porcine ovarian follicular fluid by isopycnic CsCl centrifugation in the presence of 4 M guanidine HCl and protease inhibitors. The elution profile of the D1 preparation on Sepharose 2B was similar to that of monomer proteoglycan from bovine nasal cartilage, indicating a similar molecular size. Follicular fluid proteoglycans consist of about 20% protein, 50% dermatan sulfate, and 20% oligosaccharides rich in sialic acid, galactose, mannose, glucosamine, and galactosamine. The amino acid composition of this proteoglycan is significantly different from that of cartilage proteoglycans, with a higher proportion of aspartic acid, threonine, and lysine, and lower amounts of proline and glycine. Alkali-released dermatan sulfate chains are larger on Sepharose 6B (average Mr = 56,000) than chondroitin sulfate chains from cartilage proteoglycans (average Mr = 25,000), and iduronic acid accounts for 9% of total hexuronic acid. Disaccharide units released by chondroitinase ABC consists of 67% 4-sulfated, 22% 6-sulfated, 5% non-sulfated, and 5% disulfated disaccharides. After treatment with 0.05 M NaOH, 1 M NaBH4 at 45 degrees C for 24 h, two major sialic acid-containing oligosaccharides were observed on Sephadex G-25, corresponding to penta- and hexasaccharides. The pentasaccharide contained sialic acid, galactose, glucosamine, and galactosamine in the proportions 1:2:1:1. The galactosamine is O-glycosidically linked to the protein core. This oligosaccharide accounts for approximately 77% of all the sialic acid in the follicular fluid proteoglycans. The hexasaccharide fraction contained sialic acid, galactose, mannose, and glucosamine in the proportions 1:2:1:2. It also contained a small amount of fucose and galactosamine. The linkage of these oligosaccharides to the protein core remains to be determined. The follicular fluid proteoglycans, unlike those from cartilage, do not interact with hyaluronic acid. Digestion with trypsin, chymotrypsin, or plasmin released dermatan sulfate-peptides nearly as small as those released by papain or alkali; in contrast, cartilage proteoglycans were resistant to plasmin and released peptides containing an average of more than four chondroitin sulfate chains after trypsin or chymotrypsin digestion.", "PMID": 762100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1016", "title": "Location of the single gene for the large subunit of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase on the maize chloroplast chromosome.", "content": "The structural gene for the large subunit of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase (E.C. 4.1.1.39) in Zea mays is shown to be contained within a 2500 base pair sequence of chloroplast DNA. One copy of this DNA sequence is present in each circular maize chloroplast DNA molecule. It maps approximately 30,000 base pairs from the 5' end of the closest of two sets of rRNA genes and approximately 71,000 base pairs from the other set of rRNA genes.", "contents": "Location of the single gene for the large subunit of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase on the maize chloroplast chromosome. The structural gene for the large subunit of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase (E.C. 4.1.1.39) in Zea mays is shown to be contained within a 2500 base pair sequence of chloroplast DNA. One copy of this DNA sequence is present in each circular maize chloroplast DNA molecule. It maps approximately 30,000 base pairs from the 5' end of the closest of two sets of rRNA genes and approximately 71,000 base pairs from the other set of rRNA genes.", "PMID": 762099} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1017", "title": "Characterization of alkaline phosphatases from human first trimester placentas.", "content": "Alkaline phosphatase from human first trimester placentas was purified, characterized, and compared with alkaline phosphatases from term placenta and liver. Three forms of first trimester placental alkaline phosphatase (I, IIa, and IIb) were isolated; their relative amounts were 35%, 39%, and 26%, respectively. Phosphatases I and IIa were found to be dimers, whereas phosphatase IIb appeared to be a tetramer consisting of two dimers of phosphatase I or IIa. Phosphatase I was indistinguishable from liver phosphatase by several criteria including apparent molecular weight (Mr = 165,000), size of the monomeric subunit (Mr = 77,000), heat liability, insensitivity to inactivation by antiserum against term placental alkaline phosphatase, and sensitivity to inactivation by antiserum against liver alkaline phosphatase. In addition, phosphatase I and liver phosphatase were equally sensitive to inhibition by amino acids, levamisole, l-p-bromotetramisole, and EDTA. Phosphatase IIa, in contrast, was indistinguishable from term placental alkaline phosphatase by the same criteria: apparent molecular weight (Mr = 115,000), size of the monomeric subunit (Mr = 63,000), heat stability, inactivation by antiserum against term placental alkaline phosphatase, and sensitivity to inhibition by various compounds. These findings clearly demonstrate the existence of two distinct placental alkaline phosphatases, one (phosphatase I) specific for the first trimester placenta and the other (phosphatase IIa) occurring in both first trimester and term placentas.", "contents": "Characterization of alkaline phosphatases from human first trimester placentas. Alkaline phosphatase from human first trimester placentas was purified, characterized, and compared with alkaline phosphatases from term placenta and liver. Three forms of first trimester placental alkaline phosphatase (I, IIa, and IIb) were isolated; their relative amounts were 35%, 39%, and 26%, respectively. Phosphatases I and IIa were found to be dimers, whereas phosphatase IIb appeared to be a tetramer consisting of two dimers of phosphatase I or IIa. Phosphatase I was indistinguishable from liver phosphatase by several criteria including apparent molecular weight (Mr = 165,000), size of the monomeric subunit (Mr = 77,000), heat liability, insensitivity to inactivation by antiserum against term placental alkaline phosphatase, and sensitivity to inactivation by antiserum against liver alkaline phosphatase. In addition, phosphatase I and liver phosphatase were equally sensitive to inhibition by amino acids, levamisole, l-p-bromotetramisole, and EDTA. Phosphatase IIa, in contrast, was indistinguishable from term placental alkaline phosphatase by the same criteria: apparent molecular weight (Mr = 115,000), size of the monomeric subunit (Mr = 63,000), heat stability, inactivation by antiserum against term placental alkaline phosphatase, and sensitivity to inhibition by various compounds. These findings clearly demonstrate the existence of two distinct placental alkaline phosphatases, one (phosphatase I) specific for the first trimester placenta and the other (phosphatase IIa) occurring in both first trimester and term placentas.", "PMID": 762103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1018", "title": "Structural studies on human spectrin. Comparison of subunits and fragmentation of native spectrin.", "content": "Native spectrin has trypsin-susceptible sites spaced at a constant molecular weight interval. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of spectrin treated with trypsin at low salt concentrations shows a ladder of fragments spaced at approximately 8,000-dalton intervals, from the intact Band 1 (240,000 daltons) and Band 2 (220,000 daltons) down to about 150,000 daltons. The five largest fragments were identified as products of Band 2 using tryptic 125I-peptide mapping of protein from gel slices. Endogenously incorporated [32P]phosphate is absent from the largest fragment, indicating that all phosphorylation sites on spectrin are within 8,000 daltons of a terminal of Band 2. Mapping of both [14C]carboxyamidomethylated cysteine-containing tryptic peptides and 125I-peptides reveals extensive sequence homology between the spectrin subunits. Further, only somewhat over half of the distinct spots expected from the cysteine content are found in both Band 1 and Band 2 peptides. These and the tryptic susceptibility results are interpretable as evidence for a repeating structure in spectrin.", "contents": "Structural studies on human spectrin. Comparison of subunits and fragmentation of native spectrin. Native spectrin has trypsin-susceptible sites spaced at a constant molecular weight interval. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of spectrin treated with trypsin at low salt concentrations shows a ladder of fragments spaced at approximately 8,000-dalton intervals, from the intact Band 1 (240,000 daltons) and Band 2 (220,000 daltons) down to about 150,000 daltons. The five largest fragments were identified as products of Band 2 using tryptic 125I-peptide mapping of protein from gel slices. Endogenously incorporated [32P]phosphate is absent from the largest fragment, indicating that all phosphorylation sites on spectrin are within 8,000 daltons of a terminal of Band 2. Mapping of both [14C]carboxyamidomethylated cysteine-containing tryptic peptides and 125I-peptides reveals extensive sequence homology between the spectrin subunits. Further, only somewhat over half of the distinct spots expected from the cysteine content are found in both Band 1 and Band 2 peptides. These and the tryptic susceptibility results are interpretable as evidence for a repeating structure in spectrin.", "PMID": 762104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1019", "title": "The subunit structure of thrombin-activated factor V. Isolation of activated factor V, separation of subunits, and reconstitution of biological activity.", "content": "Activated Factor V (Va) was prepared by treating a high molecular weight form of Factor V with thrombin. The activated Factor V was isolated by ion exchange chromatography and was composed of two polypeptide chains (Mr = 115,000 and 73,000). These chains were separated by ion exchange chromatography in the presence of EDTA. Biologically active Factor Va was restored from the inactive chains by incubation of the two chains in buffers containing MnCl2. Restoration of biological activity was correlated with formation of a complex between the chains as monitored by either disc gel electrophoresis or gel filtration chromatography. The apparent molecular weight of the activated Factor V was 290,000. Factor V was not dissociated in EDTA. However, this protein was split by thrombin to yield an activation intermediate composed of two chains (Mr = 210,000 and 115,000). Like activated Factor V, the two chains of the intermediate can be dissociated in EDTA and separated by gel filtration chromatography. The Factor V activity was restored by incubation of the two inactive chains in buffers containing MnCl2. Like Factor Va, restoration of the biological activity corresponds to formation of a complex between the chains with a higher molcular weight than either of the isolated chains. Incubation of the activation intermediate with thrombin increased the specific activity 3- to 4-fold. This increase in specific activity resulted from cleavage of the heavy chain of the Factor V intermediate by thrombin.", "contents": "The subunit structure of thrombin-activated factor V. Isolation of activated factor V, separation of subunits, and reconstitution of biological activity. Activated Factor V (Va) was prepared by treating a high molecular weight form of Factor V with thrombin. The activated Factor V was isolated by ion exchange chromatography and was composed of two polypeptide chains (Mr = 115,000 and 73,000). These chains were separated by ion exchange chromatography in the presence of EDTA. Biologically active Factor Va was restored from the inactive chains by incubation of the two chains in buffers containing MnCl2. Restoration of biological activity was correlated with formation of a complex between the chains as monitored by either disc gel electrophoresis or gel filtration chromatography. The apparent molecular weight of the activated Factor V was 290,000. Factor V was not dissociated in EDTA. However, this protein was split by thrombin to yield an activation intermediate composed of two chains (Mr = 210,000 and 115,000). Like activated Factor V, the two chains of the intermediate can be dissociated in EDTA and separated by gel filtration chromatography. The Factor V activity was restored by incubation of the two inactive chains in buffers containing MnCl2. Like Factor Va, restoration of the biological activity corresponds to formation of a complex between the chains with a higher molcular weight than either of the isolated chains. Incubation of the activation intermediate with thrombin increased the specific activity 3- to 4-fold. This increase in specific activity resulted from cleavage of the heavy chain of the Factor V intermediate by thrombin.", "PMID": 762106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1020", "title": "N-(Phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate-resistant hamster cells overaccumulate a single mRNA coding for the multifunctional protein that catalyzes the first steps of UMP synthesis.", "content": "We have investigated the mechanism of overproduction of the multifunctional protein catalyzing the first three steps of UMP biosynthesis in stable mutants of Syrian hamster cells in culture. The rate of degradation of this protein is unaltered in one mutant cell line which overproduces it by 118-fold. In all mutants tested, the increase in the rate of synthesis of this protein is equal to the increase in its steady state concentration. There is a similar correlation between steady state levels of this protein in vivo and the capacity of polysomal RNA isolated from these cells to direct the synthesis of the protein in vitro. The one mutant cell line studied contains large amounts of a polysomal poly(A)-containing RNA (Mr = 2.7 +/- 0.2 times 10(6)) that is not detected in wild type cells. This large RNA co-sediments in sucrose gradients with the capacity to direct the synthesis of the multifunctional protein in vitro.", "contents": "N-(Phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate-resistant hamster cells overaccumulate a single mRNA coding for the multifunctional protein that catalyzes the first steps of UMP synthesis. We have investigated the mechanism of overproduction of the multifunctional protein catalyzing the first three steps of UMP biosynthesis in stable mutants of Syrian hamster cells in culture. The rate of degradation of this protein is unaltered in one mutant cell line which overproduces it by 118-fold. In all mutants tested, the increase in the rate of synthesis of this protein is equal to the increase in its steady state concentration. There is a similar correlation between steady state levels of this protein in vivo and the capacity of polysomal RNA isolated from these cells to direct the synthesis of the protein in vitro. The one mutant cell line studied contains large amounts of a polysomal poly(A)-containing RNA (Mr = 2.7 +/- 0.2 times 10(6)) that is not detected in wild type cells. This large RNA co-sediments in sucrose gradients with the capacity to direct the synthesis of the multifunctional protein in vitro.", "PMID": 762107} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1021", "title": "The chemistry and biology of thymosin. II. Amino acid sequence analysis of thymosin alpha1 and polypeptide beta1.", "content": "The amino acid sequences of two polypeptide components of thymosin Fraction 5 termed thymosin alpha1 and polypeptide beta1 have been established. The sequences were determined by automatic Edman degradation of the intact molecules as well as by manual sequence analysis of the enzymatic cleavage products. Thymosin alpha1, an immunologically active polypeptide, is highly acidic with an isoelectric point of 4.2. This molecule is composed of 28 amino acid residues with acetylserine as the NH2 terminus. A chemically synthesized molecule of thymosin alpha1 has been found to be as active as the natural molecule in our bioassay systems. Polypeptide beta1 is a molecule consisting of 74 amino acid residues and has an isoelectric point of 6.7. This peptide is not biologically active in our assay systems, suggesting that it is not involved in thymic hormone action. The sequence of beta1 was found to be identical with ubiquitin and a portion of protein A24, a nuclear chromosomal protein. The relationships among these proteins are discussed.", "contents": "The chemistry and biology of thymosin. II. Amino acid sequence analysis of thymosin alpha1 and polypeptide beta1. The amino acid sequences of two polypeptide components of thymosin Fraction 5 termed thymosin alpha1 and polypeptide beta1 have been established. The sequences were determined by automatic Edman degradation of the intact molecules as well as by manual sequence analysis of the enzymatic cleavage products. Thymosin alpha1, an immunologically active polypeptide, is highly acidic with an isoelectric point of 4.2. This molecule is composed of 28 amino acid residues with acetylserine as the NH2 terminus. A chemically synthesized molecule of thymosin alpha1 has been found to be as active as the natural molecule in our bioassay systems. Polypeptide beta1 is a molecule consisting of 74 amino acid residues and has an isoelectric point of 6.7. This peptide is not biologically active in our assay systems, suggesting that it is not involved in thymic hormone action. The sequence of beta1 was found to be identical with ubiquitin and a portion of protein A24, a nuclear chromosomal protein. The relationships among these proteins are discussed.", "PMID": 762108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1022", "title": "Purification and characterization of the sequence-specific endonuclease Bam HI.", "content": "The specific endonuclease Bam HI from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (RUB 500) has been purified to apparent homogeneity. Two active forms of the enzyme corresponding to the dimeric and tetrameric forms have been isolated. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the enzyme dissociated into Mr = 22,000 +/- 500 subunits. Bam HI has a broad pH optimum on the alkaline side and requires Mg2+ which can be partially replaced by Mn2+. The enzyme catalysis appears to be governed by a two-step mechanism.", "contents": "Purification and characterization of the sequence-specific endonuclease Bam HI. The specific endonuclease Bam HI from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (RUB 500) has been purified to apparent homogeneity. Two active forms of the enzyme corresponding to the dimeric and tetrameric forms have been isolated. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the enzyme dissociated into Mr = 22,000 +/- 500 subunits. Bam HI has a broad pH optimum on the alkaline side and requires Mg2+ which can be partially replaced by Mn2+. The enzyme catalysis appears to be governed by a two-step mechanism.", "PMID": 762109} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1023", "title": "A hybrid protein containing the toxic subunit of ricin and the cell-specific subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin. I. Synthesis and characterization.", "content": "In order to study the mechanisms involved in the interaction of cell-surface components and effector proteins, we synthesized a double-labeled dimeric hybrid molecule consisting of the toxic A subunit of the lectin ricin and the cell-specific beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGbeta). Utilizing methyl-5-bromovalerimidate, a disulfide cross-linked conjugate of hCGbeta and toxin subunit A was prepared in 30% yield relative to hCGbeta input. The dimeric protein, purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography, was characterized by: (a) sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of 2-mercaptoethanol, (b) analysis by gel filtration chromatography in the presence and absence of 2-mercaptoethanol, and (c) precipitation with antibodies specific for hCG and subunit A.", "contents": "A hybrid protein containing the toxic subunit of ricin and the cell-specific subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin. I. Synthesis and characterization. In order to study the mechanisms involved in the interaction of cell-surface components and effector proteins, we synthesized a double-labeled dimeric hybrid molecule consisting of the toxic A subunit of the lectin ricin and the cell-specific beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGbeta). Utilizing methyl-5-bromovalerimidate, a disulfide cross-linked conjugate of hCGbeta and toxin subunit A was prepared in 30% yield relative to hCGbeta input. The dimeric protein, purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography, was characterized by: (a) sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of 2-mercaptoethanol, (b) analysis by gel filtration chromatography in the presence and absence of 2-mercaptoethanol, and (c) precipitation with antibodies specific for hCG and subunit A.", "PMID": 762110} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1024", "title": "A hybrid protein containing the toxic subunit of ricin and the cell-specific subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin. II. Biologic properties.", "content": "The biologic properties of a purified hybrid protein containing the toxic subunit A of ricin and the cell-specific subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGbeta) in a disulfide conjugate is reported. The biologic activity of the hybrid has been studied by assaying inhibition of protein synthesis in rat R2C Leydig cells and mouse L-cells. The results indicate that for the A subunit to exhibit its toxic effect it must first bind to cells through receptors which are specific for the beta subunit of the hybrid. Thus, only cells with beta-type receptors are sensitive to the toxic effects, which hCG is capable of blocking, while cells which are not target cells for hCG are not subject to the toxic effects. Thus it is concluded that the disulfide conjugate may act as a functional analog of ricin toxin but with altered cell specificity. Or, alternately, the hybrid may be regarded as an analog of hCG but with drastically altered physiologic effects.", "contents": "A hybrid protein containing the toxic subunit of ricin and the cell-specific subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin. II. Biologic properties. The biologic properties of a purified hybrid protein containing the toxic subunit A of ricin and the cell-specific subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGbeta) in a disulfide conjugate is reported. The biologic activity of the hybrid has been studied by assaying inhibition of protein synthesis in rat R2C Leydig cells and mouse L-cells. The results indicate that for the A subunit to exhibit its toxic effect it must first bind to cells through receptors which are specific for the beta subunit of the hybrid. Thus, only cells with beta-type receptors are sensitive to the toxic effects, which hCG is capable of blocking, while cells which are not target cells for hCG are not subject to the toxic effects. Thus it is concluded that the disulfide conjugate may act as a functional analog of ricin toxin but with altered cell specificity. Or, alternately, the hybrid may be regarded as an analog of hCG but with drastically altered physiologic effects.", "PMID": 762111} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1025", "title": "Subcellular membrane topology and turnover of a rat hepatic binding protein specific for asialoglycoproteins.", "content": "Examination of the topological distribution of the rat liver binding protein specific for desialylated serum glycoproteins has revealed a subcellular distribution wherein this receptor is located largely, if not entirely, on the luminal membrane surface of the Golgi complex and smooth microsomes. In contrast, the receptor protein has been identified on the external, or cytosolic, surface of the lysosomal membranes. Recovery of the purified binding protein from whole rat livers established an average half-life survival time of approximately 88 h. Subsequently, injection in vivo of the readily catabolized ligand, asialo-orosomucoid, was found to be without effect upon the turnover rate of the receptor purified from isolated plasma membranes. These observations are interpreted as suggesting the existence of a recycling mechanism wherein the receptor is spared destruction in the lysosomes and remains available for subsequent reinsertion into the hepatocyte plasma membrane as part of a continuing process for the clearance of galactose-terminated ligands from the circulation.", "contents": "Subcellular membrane topology and turnover of a rat hepatic binding protein specific for asialoglycoproteins. Examination of the topological distribution of the rat liver binding protein specific for desialylated serum glycoproteins has revealed a subcellular distribution wherein this receptor is located largely, if not entirely, on the luminal membrane surface of the Golgi complex and smooth microsomes. In contrast, the receptor protein has been identified on the external, or cytosolic, surface of the lysosomal membranes. Recovery of the purified binding protein from whole rat livers established an average half-life survival time of approximately 88 h. Subsequently, injection in vivo of the readily catabolized ligand, asialo-orosomucoid, was found to be without effect upon the turnover rate of the receptor purified from isolated plasma membranes. These observations are interpreted as suggesting the existence of a recycling mechanism wherein the receptor is spared destruction in the lysosomes and remains available for subsequent reinsertion into the hepatocyte plasma membrane as part of a continuing process for the clearance of galactose-terminated ligands from the circulation.", "PMID": 762112} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1026", "title": "Dissociation of complexes and their derivatives formed during inhibition of bovine thrombin and activated factor X by antithrombin III.", "content": "The complexes formed by antithrombin III with activated bovine Factor X and thrombin have been studied by gel electrophoresis in dodecyl sulfate. When subjected to electrophoresis at pH 7, the complexes remain intact, whereas electrophoresis at pH 9 in the presence of Tris results in their dissociation. Dissociation of both the Factor Xa-antithrombin III complex and the thrombin-antithrombin III complex in dodecyl sulfate produces a modified form of antithrombin III which, unlike the native inhibitor, apparently consists of two chains. Gel electrophoresis of the dissociated complexes has also been used to study the sites where the complexes are cleaved by the respective enzymes. The cleavage of the Factor Xa-inhibitor complex by Factor Xa apparently results from hydrolysis of a single bond in the enzyme part of the complex and releases a 15,000-dalton NH2-terminal fragment of the heavy chain, with the light chain attached. Cleavage of the thrombin-inhibitor complex by thrombin involves several cleavages of the heavy (B) chain of the thrombin part of that complex. Neither enzyme-inhibitor complex is subject to cleavage by free enzyme in the inhibitor part of the complex under the conditions used.", "contents": "Dissociation of complexes and their derivatives formed during inhibition of bovine thrombin and activated factor X by antithrombin III. The complexes formed by antithrombin III with activated bovine Factor X and thrombin have been studied by gel electrophoresis in dodecyl sulfate. When subjected to electrophoresis at pH 7, the complexes remain intact, whereas electrophoresis at pH 9 in the presence of Tris results in their dissociation. Dissociation of both the Factor Xa-antithrombin III complex and the thrombin-antithrombin III complex in dodecyl sulfate produces a modified form of antithrombin III which, unlike the native inhibitor, apparently consists of two chains. Gel electrophoresis of the dissociated complexes has also been used to study the sites where the complexes are cleaved by the respective enzymes. The cleavage of the Factor Xa-inhibitor complex by Factor Xa apparently results from hydrolysis of a single bond in the enzyme part of the complex and releases a 15,000-dalton NH2-terminal fragment of the heavy chain, with the light chain attached. Cleavage of the thrombin-inhibitor complex by thrombin involves several cleavages of the heavy (B) chain of the thrombin part of that complex. Neither enzyme-inhibitor complex is subject to cleavage by free enzyme in the inhibitor part of the complex under the conditions used.", "PMID": 762113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1027", "title": "Synthesis of ceramides and cerebrosides containing both alpha-hydroxy and nonhydroxy fatty acids from lignoceroyl-CoA by rat brain microsomes.", "content": "The conversion of [1-14C]lignoceroyl-CoA to nonhydroxy- and alpha-hydroxyceramides and cerebrosides by brain microsomes of developing rat in the presence of NADPH was investigated. A new technique of thin layer chromatography for the separation of these lipids and unreacted substrate was developed for this assay. The synthesis of nonhydroxy- and hydroxyceramides was significantly stimulated by the addition of heat-stable factor, a factor which is essential in the alpha-hydroxylation of free lignoceric acid (I. Singh and Y. Kishimoto, manuscript in preparation). The addition of sphingosine also stimulated the ceramide synthesis to a great extent. When the microsomes or heat-stable factor were crude, the ceramides formed were further converted to cerebrosides, apparently by UDP-galactose contamination. The purification of these subcellular components resulted in the formation of only ceramides which, in turn, were converted to cerebrosides by the addition of UDP-galactose. These observations indicate that hydroxyceramide is the precursor of hydroxycerebroside and is formed by alpha-hydroxylation of lignoceroyl-CoA and N-acylation of sphingosine. However, lignoceroyl-CoA, like free lignoceric acid, does not appear to be the immediate substrate of the alpha-hydroxylation.", "contents": "Synthesis of ceramides and cerebrosides containing both alpha-hydroxy and nonhydroxy fatty acids from lignoceroyl-CoA by rat brain microsomes. The conversion of [1-14C]lignoceroyl-CoA to nonhydroxy- and alpha-hydroxyceramides and cerebrosides by brain microsomes of developing rat in the presence of NADPH was investigated. A new technique of thin layer chromatography for the separation of these lipids and unreacted substrate was developed for this assay. The synthesis of nonhydroxy- and hydroxyceramides was significantly stimulated by the addition of heat-stable factor, a factor which is essential in the alpha-hydroxylation of free lignoceric acid (I. Singh and Y. Kishimoto, manuscript in preparation). The addition of sphingosine also stimulated the ceramide synthesis to a great extent. When the microsomes or heat-stable factor were crude, the ceramides formed were further converted to cerebrosides, apparently by UDP-galactose contamination. The purification of these subcellular components resulted in the formation of only ceramides which, in turn, were converted to cerebrosides by the addition of UDP-galactose. These observations indicate that hydroxyceramide is the precursor of hydroxycerebroside and is formed by alpha-hydroxylation of lignoceroyl-CoA and N-acylation of sphingosine. However, lignoceroyl-CoA, like free lignoceric acid, does not appear to be the immediate substrate of the alpha-hydroxylation.", "PMID": 762114} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1028", "title": "Active carrier-mediated transport of melphalan by two separate amino acid transport systems in LPC-1 plasmacytoma cells in vitro.", "content": "Previous studies have shown that uptake of several alkylating agents occurs by independent transport mechanisms. Uptake of one of these agents, the phenylalanine derivative of nitrogen mustard (melphalan), has been investigated in LPC-1 plasmacytoma cells in vitro. Evidence suggesting that melphalan uptake is an active process is that uptake of free intact melphalan proceeds \"uphill\" against a concentration gradient, is temperature- and sodium-dependent, and is inhibited by several metabolic antagonists. Other findings supporting the concept that melphalan uptake is carrier-mediated is that uptake follows biphasic Michaelis-Menten kinetics, is chemically specific, and is mediated by at least two separate amino acid transport systems. Uptake by one system was sensitive to DL-beta-2-aminobicyclo[2,2,1]-heptane-2-carboxylic acid, was sodium-independent, and appeared to be mediated by system L. The second unassigned system was characterized by sodium dependence, insensitivity to 2-aminoisobutyric acid and 2-(methylamino)isobutyric acid, and was inhibited by alanine, serine, cysteine, and other amino acids.", "contents": "Active carrier-mediated transport of melphalan by two separate amino acid transport systems in LPC-1 plasmacytoma cells in vitro. Previous studies have shown that uptake of several alkylating agents occurs by independent transport mechanisms. Uptake of one of these agents, the phenylalanine derivative of nitrogen mustard (melphalan), has been investigated in LPC-1 plasmacytoma cells in vitro. Evidence suggesting that melphalan uptake is an active process is that uptake of free intact melphalan proceeds \"uphill\" against a concentration gradient, is temperature- and sodium-dependent, and is inhibited by several metabolic antagonists. Other findings supporting the concept that melphalan uptake is carrier-mediated is that uptake follows biphasic Michaelis-Menten kinetics, is chemically specific, and is mediated by at least two separate amino acid transport systems. Uptake by one system was sensitive to DL-beta-2-aminobicyclo[2,2,1]-heptane-2-carboxylic acid, was sodium-independent, and appeared to be mediated by system L. The second unassigned system was characterized by sodium dependence, insensitivity to 2-aminoisobutyric acid and 2-(methylamino)isobutyric acid, and was inhibited by alanine, serine, cysteine, and other amino acids.", "PMID": 762115} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1029", "title": "Histone molar ratios among different electrophoretic forms of mono- and dinucleosomes.", "content": "The relative molar ratios of each of the histone classes and protein A24 have been determined in nuclei, chromatin, and different electrophoretic forms of mono- and dinucleosomes of cultured mouse cells. For this purpose, [3H]lysine- and [14C]arginine-labeled cells were used for sample preparations, and stoichiometries were estimated from protein radioactivity profiles and known amino acid compositions following sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-gel electrophoresis. The results demonstrate that upper limits of one and two histone H1 molecules exist per mono- and dinucleosome, respectively. However, isolated nuclei contain less than one copy of histone H1 per nucleosome. In addition, among the chromatin subfractions studied, histones H3, H2B, and H4 are essentially equimolar, while histone H2A is less than equimolar by 19 +/- 9%. This latter finding offers direct support to the proposal of Goldknopf (Goldknopf, I. L., French, M. F., Musso, R., and Busch, H. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 74, 5492-5495) that protein A24 replaces histone H2A in the octamer protein core of the nucleosome, since about 10% of the total histone H2A of cultured mouse cells is in the form of protein A24 and is present in nucleosomes. From the results of the present study, it is concluded that electrophoretic fractionation of mono- and dinucleosomes is not due to variable molar ratios or amounts of the four smaller histone classes, but depends on part on DNA length, the number of associated histone H1 molecules, and non-histone chromosomal proteins.", "contents": "Histone molar ratios among different electrophoretic forms of mono- and dinucleosomes. The relative molar ratios of each of the histone classes and protein A24 have been determined in nuclei, chromatin, and different electrophoretic forms of mono- and dinucleosomes of cultured mouse cells. For this purpose, [3H]lysine- and [14C]arginine-labeled cells were used for sample preparations, and stoichiometries were estimated from protein radioactivity profiles and known amino acid compositions following sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-gel electrophoresis. The results demonstrate that upper limits of one and two histone H1 molecules exist per mono- and dinucleosome, respectively. However, isolated nuclei contain less than one copy of histone H1 per nucleosome. In addition, among the chromatin subfractions studied, histones H3, H2B, and H4 are essentially equimolar, while histone H2A is less than equimolar by 19 +/- 9%. This latter finding offers direct support to the proposal of Goldknopf (Goldknopf, I. L., French, M. F., Musso, R., and Busch, H. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 74, 5492-5495) that protein A24 replaces histone H2A in the octamer protein core of the nucleosome, since about 10% of the total histone H2A of cultured mouse cells is in the form of protein A24 and is present in nucleosomes. From the results of the present study, it is concluded that electrophoretic fractionation of mono- and dinucleosomes is not due to variable molar ratios or amounts of the four smaller histone classes, but depends on part on DNA length, the number of associated histone H1 molecules, and non-histone chromosomal proteins.", "PMID": 762116} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1030", "title": "Selective effects of membrane sterol depletion on surface function thymidine and 3-O-methyl-D-glucose transport in a sterol auxotroph.", "content": "Using a sterol-specific auxotroph of LM cells (mouse fibroblasts), we obtained cells with progressively lower sterol contents. 3-O-Methylglucose and thymidine were shown to enter the cells by saturable as well as by nonsaturable processes and it was possible to measure these processes separately at various stages of sterol depletion. Sterol depletion inhibited the saturable as well as the nonsaturable components for both 3-O-methylglucose and thymidine uptake. The extent of inhibition of the saturable process was much more than that of the nonsaturable component at any stage of the sterol depletion. Furthermore, in the course of progressive sterol depletion the saturable component of 3-O-methylglucose or thymidine uptake was inhibited well before the nonsaturable process. Sterol depletion produced reductions in the Vmax values but no change in the Km values for the saturable uptake of these two substrates. The depletion of cellular sterol to 75% resulted in 70% and 90% reduction of the saturable uptake of 3-O-methylglucose and thymidine, respectively, and 30% and 50% reduction of the nonsaturable uptake of 3-O-methylglucose and thymidine, respectively. DNA and protein synthesis, however, were not affected at all when the saturable component of thymidine uptake was inhibited by 50% demonstrating that the observed decrease of transport activity was selective and not a reflection of a gross alteration in cellular physiology.", "contents": "Selective effects of membrane sterol depletion on surface function thymidine and 3-O-methyl-D-glucose transport in a sterol auxotroph. Using a sterol-specific auxotroph of LM cells (mouse fibroblasts), we obtained cells with progressively lower sterol contents. 3-O-Methylglucose and thymidine were shown to enter the cells by saturable as well as by nonsaturable processes and it was possible to measure these processes separately at various stages of sterol depletion. Sterol depletion inhibited the saturable as well as the nonsaturable components for both 3-O-methylglucose and thymidine uptake. The extent of inhibition of the saturable process was much more than that of the nonsaturable component at any stage of the sterol depletion. Furthermore, in the course of progressive sterol depletion the saturable component of 3-O-methylglucose or thymidine uptake was inhibited well before the nonsaturable process. Sterol depletion produced reductions in the Vmax values but no change in the Km values for the saturable uptake of these two substrates. The depletion of cellular sterol to 75% resulted in 70% and 90% reduction of the saturable uptake of 3-O-methylglucose and thymidine, respectively, and 30% and 50% reduction of the nonsaturable uptake of 3-O-methylglucose and thymidine, respectively. DNA and protein synthesis, however, were not affected at all when the saturable component of thymidine uptake was inhibited by 50% demonstrating that the observed decrease of transport activity was selective and not a reflection of a gross alteration in cellular physiology.", "PMID": 762118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1031", "title": "Effect of sterol depletion on LM cell sterol mutants. Changes in the lipid composition of the plasma membrane and their effects on 3-O-methlglucose transport.", "content": "With the use of two sterol biosynthetic mutants, LM cells with various sterol levels were obtained after extended periods of growth with suboptimal sterol concentrations. As was found in the preceding paper, sterol depletion resulted in reduction of the apparent Vmax values for 3-O-methylglucose transport with no change in the apparent Km values. Analysis of the lipid compositions of isolated plasma membranes and crude endoplasmic reticulum membranes showed that depletion of the cellular sterol levels led to a reduction in the sterol content of both membranes. Furthermore, there were significant changes in the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids of both membranes. The amount of 18:1 of the plasma membrane phospholipids increased dramatically accompanied by a marked decrease in 16:0. The loss of transport activity could be reproduced in vitro by removing cholesterol from cells with the use of liposomes containing phosphatidylcholine. Furthermore, activity was restored to normal values when the cells were subsequently incubated with liposomes composed of phospholipids plus cholesterol. These findings indicate that 1) an inter-relation exists between the fatty acyl group structure of phospholipids and the sterol content of LM cell membranes which may serve to maintain membrane function and 2) that the reversible inactivation of a surface membrane transport system is directly related to reversible changes in the properties of membrane lipid.", "contents": "Effect of sterol depletion on LM cell sterol mutants. Changes in the lipid composition of the plasma membrane and their effects on 3-O-methlglucose transport. With the use of two sterol biosynthetic mutants, LM cells with various sterol levels were obtained after extended periods of growth with suboptimal sterol concentrations. As was found in the preceding paper, sterol depletion resulted in reduction of the apparent Vmax values for 3-O-methylglucose transport with no change in the apparent Km values. Analysis of the lipid compositions of isolated plasma membranes and crude endoplasmic reticulum membranes showed that depletion of the cellular sterol levels led to a reduction in the sterol content of both membranes. Furthermore, there were significant changes in the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids of both membranes. The amount of 18:1 of the plasma membrane phospholipids increased dramatically accompanied by a marked decrease in 16:0. The loss of transport activity could be reproduced in vitro by removing cholesterol from cells with the use of liposomes containing phosphatidylcholine. Furthermore, activity was restored to normal values when the cells were subsequently incubated with liposomes composed of phospholipids plus cholesterol. These findings indicate that 1) an inter-relation exists between the fatty acyl group structure of phospholipids and the sterol content of LM cell membranes which may serve to maintain membrane function and 2) that the reversible inactivation of a surface membrane transport system is directly related to reversible changes in the properties of membrane lipid.", "PMID": 762119} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1032", "title": "N-Acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase from human urine.", "content": "N-Acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase, which liberates sulfate from the N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfate residue at the nonreducing terminus of a 3H-labeled trisaccharide prepared from heparan sulfate, was purified 136-fold from human urine. The final N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase preparation was free of all lysosomal sulfatases known to act on sulfated polysaccharides and gave a single band in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme appears to be a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of around 97,000 and displays considerable charge heterogeneity. Multiple forms with pI values between 5.4 and 8.3 with a maximum at pH 7.7 were detected. The enzyme acts on the 3H-trisaccharide with a pH optimum at 5.5 and is active towards the sulfated monosaccharides N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfate and glucose 6-sulfate. Although predominantly in exosulfatase, the enzyme catalyzes hydrolysis of sulfate from internal N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfate moieties at a low rate. The Km for the 3H-trisaccharide, N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfate, and glucose 6-sulfate were 0.15, 1.5, and 7.7 mM, respectively. The enzyme is inhibited by albumin, Hg2+, PO43-, SO42-, and CN-. Enzyme activity was highest in kidney and cultured fibroblasts but could be demonstrated in all human tissues tested.", "contents": "N-Acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase from human urine. N-Acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase, which liberates sulfate from the N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfate residue at the nonreducing terminus of a 3H-labeled trisaccharide prepared from heparan sulfate, was purified 136-fold from human urine. The final N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase preparation was free of all lysosomal sulfatases known to act on sulfated polysaccharides and gave a single band in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme appears to be a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of around 97,000 and displays considerable charge heterogeneity. Multiple forms with pI values between 5.4 and 8.3 with a maximum at pH 7.7 were detected. The enzyme acts on the 3H-trisaccharide with a pH optimum at 5.5 and is active towards the sulfated monosaccharides N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfate and glucose 6-sulfate. Although predominantly in exosulfatase, the enzyme catalyzes hydrolysis of sulfate from internal N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfate moieties at a low rate. The Km for the 3H-trisaccharide, N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfate, and glucose 6-sulfate were 0.15, 1.5, and 7.7 mM, respectively. The enzyme is inhibited by albumin, Hg2+, PO43-, SO42-, and CN-. Enzyme activity was highest in kidney and cultured fibroblasts but could be demonstrated in all human tissues tested.", "PMID": 762121} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1033", "title": "The rate of oxygen uptake by human red blood cells.", "content": "Oxygen uptake into intact and reconstituted human red blood cells was measured using dual wavelength, stopped flow techniques. The rate of oxygen uptake by human erythrocytes is roughly 40 times slower (t 1/2 congruent to 80 ms at 0.125 mM O2, 25 degrees C) than the corresponding rate of oxygen combination with free hemoglobin. Oxygen transport through the red cell cytoplasm accounts for part of this difference and predicts a half-time of uptake of about 15 ms, which is still 5 times smaller than that observed experimentally. Further limitation of uptake appears to be due to the presence of unstirred layers of solvent adjacent to the red cell surface. Very rapidly after mixing, these layers form and become depleted of O2 due to uptake by the cells. This requires that the bulk of the oxygen molecules must diffuse over rather large distances, 1.0 to 5.0 micrometer, before they can penetrate the erythrocytes. A mathematical model was developed to take into account diffusion through an unstirred solvent layer which increases in thickness with time. This scheme can account quantitatively both for the dependence of the apparent rate of uptake on O2 concentration and for the shape of the observed time courses. In addition, the diffusion parameters which were developed for the O2 reaction can also be used to describe quantitatively the rates and time courses of CO and ethyl isocyanide uptake and the rates and time courses of O2 release from cells in the presence of sodium dithionite. Finally, the parameters used to describe the stopped flow results can also be used to simulate quantitatively O2 uptake time courses obtained from previous studies with thin films of red cells (Sinha, A. K. (1969) Ph.D. dissertation, University of California, San Francisco; Thews, G. (1959) Arch. Gesamte Physiol. Mens. Tiere (Pflufgers) 268, 308-317).", "contents": "The rate of oxygen uptake by human red blood cells. Oxygen uptake into intact and reconstituted human red blood cells was measured using dual wavelength, stopped flow techniques. The rate of oxygen uptake by human erythrocytes is roughly 40 times slower (t 1/2 congruent to 80 ms at 0.125 mM O2, 25 degrees C) than the corresponding rate of oxygen combination with free hemoglobin. Oxygen transport through the red cell cytoplasm accounts for part of this difference and predicts a half-time of uptake of about 15 ms, which is still 5 times smaller than that observed experimentally. Further limitation of uptake appears to be due to the presence of unstirred layers of solvent adjacent to the red cell surface. Very rapidly after mixing, these layers form and become depleted of O2 due to uptake by the cells. This requires that the bulk of the oxygen molecules must diffuse over rather large distances, 1.0 to 5.0 micrometer, before they can penetrate the erythrocytes. A mathematical model was developed to take into account diffusion through an unstirred solvent layer which increases in thickness with time. This scheme can account quantitatively both for the dependence of the apparent rate of uptake on O2 concentration and for the shape of the observed time courses. In addition, the diffusion parameters which were developed for the O2 reaction can also be used to describe quantitatively the rates and time courses of CO and ethyl isocyanide uptake and the rates and time courses of O2 release from cells in the presence of sodium dithionite. Finally, the parameters used to describe the stopped flow results can also be used to simulate quantitatively O2 uptake time courses obtained from previous studies with thin films of red cells (Sinha, A. K. (1969) Ph.D. dissertation, University of California, San Francisco; Thews, G. (1959) Arch. Gesamte Physiol. Mens. Tiere (Pflufgers) 268, 308-317).", "PMID": 762123} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1034", "title": "The mechanism of action of S-adenosylhomocysteinase.", "content": "S-Adenosylhomocysteinase catalyzes the reversible hydrolysis of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) to adenosine and L-homocysteine without added cofactors. A mechanism is proposed which involves oxidation of the 3'-hydroxyl group of AdoHcy by enzyme-bound NAD+. Following oxidation, L-homocysteine is eliminated, alpha-beta, to give 3'-keto-4'-5'-dehydroadenosine. This compound reacts with water in a Michael type addition to form 3'-ketoadenosine which is then reduced to adenosine. This mechanism is supported by these facts. 1) The enzyme contains 1 tightly bound NAD+ per subunit. Upon addition of substrate, this NAD is converted to NADH. 2) The enzyme catalyzes the exchange of the 4'-proton of substrate with solvent. This exchange is an integral part of the catalytic mechanism. 3) The hydrolysis of [4'-2H]S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine has a Vmax isotope effect of 1.44. This provides additional evidence that cleavage of the C-4' C-H bond is a step on the reaction pathway. 4) 4',5'-Dehydroadenosine is oxidized by the enzyme, then converted into adenosine or into AdoHcy in the presence of L-homocysteine. 5) An adenosine analog, 5'-deoxyadenosine, is oxidized by the enzyme to yield 3'-keto-5'-deoxyadenosine, and an analog of the proposed intermediate, 3'-ketoadenosine. 6) The enzyme catalyzes the exchange of the C-4' proton of 5'-deoxyadenosine. Since the enzyme catalyzes proton abstraction without OH elimination, it was concluded that the elimination of H2O from adenosine proceeds by a carbanion mechanism and not by a concerted elimination. Substrate analogs in which the 5'-OH group of adenosine is replaced by -F, -Cl, or -SMe are not substrates for the enzyme.", "contents": "The mechanism of action of S-adenosylhomocysteinase. S-Adenosylhomocysteinase catalyzes the reversible hydrolysis of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) to adenosine and L-homocysteine without added cofactors. A mechanism is proposed which involves oxidation of the 3'-hydroxyl group of AdoHcy by enzyme-bound NAD+. Following oxidation, L-homocysteine is eliminated, alpha-beta, to give 3'-keto-4'-5'-dehydroadenosine. This compound reacts with water in a Michael type addition to form 3'-ketoadenosine which is then reduced to adenosine. This mechanism is supported by these facts. 1) The enzyme contains 1 tightly bound NAD+ per subunit. Upon addition of substrate, this NAD is converted to NADH. 2) The enzyme catalyzes the exchange of the 4'-proton of substrate with solvent. This exchange is an integral part of the catalytic mechanism. 3) The hydrolysis of [4'-2H]S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine has a Vmax isotope effect of 1.44. This provides additional evidence that cleavage of the C-4' C-H bond is a step on the reaction pathway. 4) 4',5'-Dehydroadenosine is oxidized by the enzyme, then converted into adenosine or into AdoHcy in the presence of L-homocysteine. 5) An adenosine analog, 5'-deoxyadenosine, is oxidized by the enzyme to yield 3'-keto-5'-deoxyadenosine, and an analog of the proposed intermediate, 3'-ketoadenosine. 6) The enzyme catalyzes the exchange of the C-4' proton of 5'-deoxyadenosine. Since the enzyme catalyzes proton abstraction without OH elimination, it was concluded that the elimination of H2O from adenosine proceeds by a carbanion mechanism and not by a concerted elimination. Substrate analogs in which the 5'-OH group of adenosine is replaced by -F, -Cl, or -SMe are not substrates for the enzyme.", "PMID": 762125} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1035", "title": "Characterization of iodoproteins secreted by phagocytosing human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.", "content": "Several proteins, glycoproteins, and iodoproteins are secreted from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes during phagocytosis of inert latex particles. The amount of 125I-labeled proteins increases during 10 to 60 min of incubation. The 125I-iodoproteins secreted into the incubation medium during the phagocytosis were first separated on Sephadex G-150 column and then characterized by column chromatography on Sepharose 4B, Sephadex G-200, and G-100. Three 125I-iodoproteins were found with the molecular weights of 580,000, 100,000, and 22,000. The molecular mass of 15 protein subunits calculated after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis ranged from 11,000 to 86,000 daltons. Four of the protein subunits were labeled with 125I. Their molecular weights were 63,000 to 69,000, 44,000 to 49,000, 22,000, and 11,000. In addition to iodoproteins, several 125I-labeled peptides and compounds were found by column chromatography on Bio-Gel P-2 and P-10. The 125I-iodoproteins are not secreted from resting or boiled granulocytes, and their production is 92 to 98% inhibited by 1 mM KCN or 1 mM sodium azide. The double-labeling technique with [125I]- and [131I]-iodine suggests that the iodoproteins formed in the phagocytosing granulocytes or secreted into the incubation medium are not identical.", "contents": "Characterization of iodoproteins secreted by phagocytosing human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Several proteins, glycoproteins, and iodoproteins are secreted from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes during phagocytosis of inert latex particles. The amount of 125I-labeled proteins increases during 10 to 60 min of incubation. The 125I-iodoproteins secreted into the incubation medium during the phagocytosis were first separated on Sephadex G-150 column and then characterized by column chromatography on Sepharose 4B, Sephadex G-200, and G-100. Three 125I-iodoproteins were found with the molecular weights of 580,000, 100,000, and 22,000. The molecular mass of 15 protein subunits calculated after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis ranged from 11,000 to 86,000 daltons. Four of the protein subunits were labeled with 125I. Their molecular weights were 63,000 to 69,000, 44,000 to 49,000, 22,000, and 11,000. In addition to iodoproteins, several 125I-labeled peptides and compounds were found by column chromatography on Bio-Gel P-2 and P-10. The 125I-iodoproteins are not secreted from resting or boiled granulocytes, and their production is 92 to 98% inhibited by 1 mM KCN or 1 mM sodium azide. The double-labeling technique with [125I]- and [131I]-iodine suggests that the iodoproteins formed in the phagocytosing granulocytes or secreted into the incubation medium are not identical.", "PMID": 762129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1036", "title": "Thrombin-catalyzed activation of single chain bovine factor V.", "content": "The thrombin-catalyzed activation of single chain bovine Factor V was found to proceed by cleavage of the parent molecule (Mr = 330,000) to intermediates of apparent Mr = 205,000 and 150,000 followed by cleavage of the latter to end products of 94,000 and 74,000 apparent molecular weights. The generation of Factor Va activity coincides with the second cleavage. Further cleavages of the Mr = 205,000 component to apparent Mr = 74,000 and 32,000 fragments and possibly to others also occurred at a slower rate with little or no further increase in activity. The nature of the products and intermediates was unchanged regardless of whether the activation process was complete in either 1 or 10 min. Factor Xa did not catalyze the cleavage nor enhance the activity of Factor V under conditions in which the activation by comparable amounts of thrombin was complete. It was shown using either discrete clotting assays or continuous thrombin analysis with a chromogenic substrate that Factor V was subject to activation in situ by newly formed thrombin in a system initially containing prothrombin, Factor Xa, Ca2+, phospholipid, and unactivated Factor V. The rate of activation of prethrombin 1 was found to be saturable with added Factor Va when all other components were present at fixed levels. The amount of Factor Va required to achieve saturation was linearly dependent on the amount of Factor Xa present, indicating that the two factors interact stoichiometrically in the \"prothrombinase\" complex.", "contents": "Thrombin-catalyzed activation of single chain bovine factor V. The thrombin-catalyzed activation of single chain bovine Factor V was found to proceed by cleavage of the parent molecule (Mr = 330,000) to intermediates of apparent Mr = 205,000 and 150,000 followed by cleavage of the latter to end products of 94,000 and 74,000 apparent molecular weights. The generation of Factor Va activity coincides with the second cleavage. Further cleavages of the Mr = 205,000 component to apparent Mr = 74,000 and 32,000 fragments and possibly to others also occurred at a slower rate with little or no further increase in activity. The nature of the products and intermediates was unchanged regardless of whether the activation process was complete in either 1 or 10 min. Factor Xa did not catalyze the cleavage nor enhance the activity of Factor V under conditions in which the activation by comparable amounts of thrombin was complete. It was shown using either discrete clotting assays or continuous thrombin analysis with a chromogenic substrate that Factor V was subject to activation in situ by newly formed thrombin in a system initially containing prothrombin, Factor Xa, Ca2+, phospholipid, and unactivated Factor V. The rate of activation of prethrombin 1 was found to be saturable with added Factor Va when all other components were present at fixed levels. The amount of Factor Va required to achieve saturation was linearly dependent on the amount of Factor Xa present, indicating that the two factors interact stoichiometrically in the \"prothrombinase\" complex.", "PMID": 762131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1037", "title": "Isolation and characterization of two homoserine dehydrogenases from maize suspension cultures.", "content": "Homoserine dehydrogenase in unpurified extracts of maize (Zea mays L.) cell suspensions is inhibited 73% by the feedback regulator threonine; the remaining 27% of the total activity is not affected even by high concentrations of threonine. The threonine-resistant and threonine-sensitive homoserine dehydrogenase activities were separated by affinity chromatography on Blue Sepharose columns, and the two distinct homoserine dehydrogenases were purified. The threonine-resistant enzyme is an Mr = 70,000 dimer of two Mr = 38,000 subunits and the threonine-sensitive enzyme is an Mr = 190,000 dimer containing two apparently different subunits with molecular weights of 89,000 and 93,000. The threonine-resistant enzyme exhibits normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics and its activity is not affected by any of the amino acid end products of the aspartate pathway. The threonine-sensitive enzyme exhibits positive cooperative kinetics with respect to NADPH and is inhibited by threonine and stimulated by isoleucine. All attempts to affect interconversion of the two purified enzymes have been unsuccessful. Because the purified enzymes correspond to activities present in crude extracts of various maize tissues, it is concluded that the two types of homoserine dehydrogenase are natural in vivo constituents of maize.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of two homoserine dehydrogenases from maize suspension cultures. Homoserine dehydrogenase in unpurified extracts of maize (Zea mays L.) cell suspensions is inhibited 73% by the feedback regulator threonine; the remaining 27% of the total activity is not affected even by high concentrations of threonine. The threonine-resistant and threonine-sensitive homoserine dehydrogenase activities were separated by affinity chromatography on Blue Sepharose columns, and the two distinct homoserine dehydrogenases were purified. The threonine-resistant enzyme is an Mr = 70,000 dimer of two Mr = 38,000 subunits and the threonine-sensitive enzyme is an Mr = 190,000 dimer containing two apparently different subunits with molecular weights of 89,000 and 93,000. The threonine-resistant enzyme exhibits normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics and its activity is not affected by any of the amino acid end products of the aspartate pathway. The threonine-sensitive enzyme exhibits positive cooperative kinetics with respect to NADPH and is inhibited by threonine and stimulated by isoleucine. All attempts to affect interconversion of the two purified enzymes have been unsuccessful. Because the purified enzymes correspond to activities present in crude extracts of various maize tissues, it is concluded that the two types of homoserine dehydrogenase are natural in vivo constituents of maize.", "PMID": 762132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1038", "title": "Environmental regulation of gene expression. In vitro translation of winter flounder antifreeze messenger RNA.", "content": "The serum of winter flounder contains a group of antifreeze peptides which lower the freezing point of their body fluid in the winter. These antifreeze peptides disappear from their serum in the summer when the water temperature rises. Messenger RNA isolated from the liver of flounder collected in January directs the synthesis of predominantly one protein in an in vitro protein synthesis system. This protein can be precipitated by the antiserum made from the purified antifreeze peptides and was identified as the precursor(s) of these peptides. There is a seasonal variation in the concentrations of mRNA coding for the antifreeze peptides in the liver which can be correlated with the appearance and disappearance of these peptides in the serum. However, the changes in the levels of mRNA occur much sooner than the changes in the levels of antifreeze peptides in the serum, suggesting that an additional control mechanism might have taken place at the translational level.", "contents": "Environmental regulation of gene expression. In vitro translation of winter flounder antifreeze messenger RNA. The serum of winter flounder contains a group of antifreeze peptides which lower the freezing point of their body fluid in the winter. These antifreeze peptides disappear from their serum in the summer when the water temperature rises. Messenger RNA isolated from the liver of flounder collected in January directs the synthesis of predominantly one protein in an in vitro protein synthesis system. This protein can be precipitated by the antiserum made from the purified antifreeze peptides and was identified as the precursor(s) of these peptides. There is a seasonal variation in the concentrations of mRNA coding for the antifreeze peptides in the liver which can be correlated with the appearance and disappearance of these peptides in the serum. However, the changes in the levels of mRNA occur much sooner than the changes in the levels of antifreeze peptides in the serum, suggesting that an additional control mechanism might have taken place at the translational level.", "PMID": 762138} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1039", "title": "Isolation of a collagen-binding fragment from fibronectin and cold-insoluble globulin.", "content": "Limited proteolytic cleavage of fibronectin and plasma cold-insoluble globulin with cathepsin D produced two major fragments. The smaller, Mr = 72,000 fragment bound to collagen and contained most of the cysteine in the molecule. This region contains intrachain disulfide bonds which maintain a conformation that is necessary for interaction with collagen. Cleavage of the intact protein and the 72,000-dalton fragment with plasmin localized the collagen-binding region in cold-insoluble globulin to a sequence of about 42,000 daltons. This region is located approximately two-thirds of the linear distance from the NH2 terminus of each chain in the dimeric molecule.", "contents": "Isolation of a collagen-binding fragment from fibronectin and cold-insoluble globulin. Limited proteolytic cleavage of fibronectin and plasma cold-insoluble globulin with cathepsin D produced two major fragments. The smaller, Mr = 72,000 fragment bound to collagen and contained most of the cysteine in the molecule. This region contains intrachain disulfide bonds which maintain a conformation that is necessary for interaction with collagen. Cleavage of the intact protein and the 72,000-dalton fragment with plasmin localized the collagen-binding region in cold-insoluble globulin to a sequence of about 42,000 daltons. This region is located approximately two-thirds of the linear distance from the NH2 terminus of each chain in the dimeric molecule.", "PMID": 762139} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1040", "title": "NH2-terminal sequence of the chick proalpha1(I) chain synthesized in the reticulocyte lysate system. Evidence for a transient hydrophobic leader sequence.", "content": "Translation of chick procollagen mRNA in a reticulocyte lysate system yields a larger proalpha1(I) chain than is observed in vivo. The NH2-terminal sequence of this putative precursor, determined by automated radiosequencing, is Met-Phe-Ser-Phe-Val-X-Ser-Arg-Leu-Leu-Leu-Leu-Ile-Ala-Ala-X-X-Leu-Leu. This sequence closely resembles the transient hydrophobic leader (signal) sequences observed on most secreted proteins. When synthesized in the presence of microsomal membranes from dog pancreas, which contain signal peptidase activity, proalpha chains with the electrophoretic mobility of underhydroxylated procollagen polypeptides synthesized in vivo are produced. Estimates of the molecular weight of the NH2-terminal extension of the precursor suggest that the leader sequence may be longer than those commonly found in precursors of secreted proteins.", "contents": "NH2-terminal sequence of the chick proalpha1(I) chain synthesized in the reticulocyte lysate system. Evidence for a transient hydrophobic leader sequence. Translation of chick procollagen mRNA in a reticulocyte lysate system yields a larger proalpha1(I) chain than is observed in vivo. The NH2-terminal sequence of this putative precursor, determined by automated radiosequencing, is Met-Phe-Ser-Phe-Val-X-Ser-Arg-Leu-Leu-Leu-Leu-Ile-Ala-Ala-X-X-Leu-Leu. This sequence closely resembles the transient hydrophobic leader (signal) sequences observed on most secreted proteins. When synthesized in the presence of microsomal membranes from dog pancreas, which contain signal peptidase activity, proalpha chains with the electrophoretic mobility of underhydroxylated procollagen polypeptides synthesized in vivo are produced. Estimates of the molecular weight of the NH2-terminal extension of the precursor suggest that the leader sequence may be longer than those commonly found in precursors of secreted proteins.", "PMID": 762140} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1041", "title": "Characterization of rabbit reticulocyte factor(s) that stimulates the translation of mRNAs lacking 5'-terminal 7-methylguanosine.", "content": "Purified reticulocyte initiation factors were assayed for their ability to stimulate the translation of uncapped vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) mRNA relative to capped VSV mRNA in reticulocyte lysates. Both eIF-3 and eIF-4B preparations contained such an activity. However, at least some of the activity was due to the presence of an as yet unidentified factor that contaminated the eIF-3 and eIF-4B preparations. A polypeptide of apparent molecular weight 24,000 that can be specifically cross-linked to the oxidized 5'-terminal cap structures of reovirus and other viral mRNAs co-purifies with this new factor, and may be a component of it. This stimulatory activity present in our eIF-4B preparations was found to be greater when lower concentrations of KCl were present in the reaction mixture, possibly explaining why uncapped VSV mRNA is translated relatively more efficiently at low K+ concentrations.", "contents": "Characterization of rabbit reticulocyte factor(s) that stimulates the translation of mRNAs lacking 5'-terminal 7-methylguanosine. Purified reticulocyte initiation factors were assayed for their ability to stimulate the translation of uncapped vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) mRNA relative to capped VSV mRNA in reticulocyte lysates. Both eIF-3 and eIF-4B preparations contained such an activity. However, at least some of the activity was due to the presence of an as yet unidentified factor that contaminated the eIF-3 and eIF-4B preparations. A polypeptide of apparent molecular weight 24,000 that can be specifically cross-linked to the oxidized 5'-terminal cap structures of reovirus and other viral mRNAs co-purifies with this new factor, and may be a component of it. This stimulatory activity present in our eIF-4B preparations was found to be greater when lower concentrations of KCl were present in the reaction mixture, possibly explaining why uncapped VSV mRNA is translated relatively more efficiently at low K+ concentrations.", "PMID": 762141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1042", "title": "A kinetic analysis of D-glucose transport by adipocyte plasma membranes.", "content": "The measurement of the initial rate of glucose uptake is of critical importance for the kinetic analysis of the effects of temperature, ions, or hormones on the uptake process. Presented here is a highly reproducible double isotope assay system which for the first time allowed the measurement of the initial rates of glucose uptake into isolated adipocyte plasma membrane vesicles by having time points as early as 1/2 s. Measurement of the initial rates of uptake at 1 s allowed the calculation of a Km of 9.0 mM and a Vmax of 3209 pmol/mg of protein/s for specific D-glucose transport (D-glucose minus L-glucose). The time course of specific D-glucose uptake is extremely rapid, reaching an equilibrium value in approximately 20 s with a half-time of 4 s. This uptake process is markedly inhibited by cytochalasin B. The similarity of these findings to those for intact adipocytes indicates that the plasma membrane preparation and the assay conditions used have retained the structural and functional integrity of the glucose transport system from the intact cell.", "contents": "A kinetic analysis of D-glucose transport by adipocyte plasma membranes. The measurement of the initial rate of glucose uptake is of critical importance for the kinetic analysis of the effects of temperature, ions, or hormones on the uptake process. Presented here is a highly reproducible double isotope assay system which for the first time allowed the measurement of the initial rates of glucose uptake into isolated adipocyte plasma membrane vesicles by having time points as early as 1/2 s. Measurement of the initial rates of uptake at 1 s allowed the calculation of a Km of 9.0 mM and a Vmax of 3209 pmol/mg of protein/s for specific D-glucose transport (D-glucose minus L-glucose). The time course of specific D-glucose uptake is extremely rapid, reaching an equilibrium value in approximately 20 s with a half-time of 4 s. This uptake process is markedly inhibited by cytochalasin B. The similarity of these findings to those for intact adipocytes indicates that the plasma membrane preparation and the assay conditions used have retained the structural and functional integrity of the glucose transport system from the intact cell.", "PMID": 762142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1043", "title": "Enhanced transcription by RNA polymerases II and III after inhibition of protein synthesis.", "content": "Intraperitoneal administration of cycloheximide (100 mg/kg) to rats produces a time-dependent rise in nuclear RNA polymerase II activity which is maximum at 30 min. This same concentration of cycloheximide also reduces RNA polymerase I activity to 64% of control within this time period. When 10 mg/kg of cycloheximide was administered, there was a 2-fold increase in both RNA polymerases II and III activities within 30 min as assayed in isolated nuclei. When these enzymes are solubilized from nuclei and resolved by DEAE-Sephadex, there is no significant change in the activity of RNA polymerase I or II when assayed on an exogenous template. It is suggested that the dual enhancement of nuclear RNA polymerase II and III activities is the result of a compensatory feedback relationship which exists between translation and transcription in vivo.", "contents": "Enhanced transcription by RNA polymerases II and III after inhibition of protein synthesis. Intraperitoneal administration of cycloheximide (100 mg/kg) to rats produces a time-dependent rise in nuclear RNA polymerase II activity which is maximum at 30 min. This same concentration of cycloheximide also reduces RNA polymerase I activity to 64% of control within this time period. When 10 mg/kg of cycloheximide was administered, there was a 2-fold increase in both RNA polymerases II and III activities within 30 min as assayed in isolated nuclei. When these enzymes are solubilized from nuclei and resolved by DEAE-Sephadex, there is no significant change in the activity of RNA polymerase I or II when assayed on an exogenous template. It is suggested that the dual enhancement of nuclear RNA polymerase II and III activities is the result of a compensatory feedback relationship which exists between translation and transcription in vivo.", "PMID": 762144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1044", "title": "alpha-Clostripain. Chemical characterization, activity, and thiol content of the highly active form of clostripain.", "content": "A highly active form of clostripain, composed of two polypeptide chains (Mr = 43,000 and 12,500), was isolated by hydrophobic chromatography from the culture medium of Clostridium histolyticum. It differs in amino acid composition, namely in the value for cyst(e)ine, from that previously reported. The analyses of the separated chains are given. Activity is related to the number of free cysteine residues and full activity is obtained only after complete reduction of the disulfide bonds. Specific modifications by sulfhydryl reagents and tosyl lysine chloromethyl ketone of one thiol group, the one implicated in the activity, are reported. High specificity of alpha-clostripain is restricted to arginyl peptide bonds as tested on parvalbumin.", "contents": "alpha-Clostripain. Chemical characterization, activity, and thiol content of the highly active form of clostripain. A highly active form of clostripain, composed of two polypeptide chains (Mr = 43,000 and 12,500), was isolated by hydrophobic chromatography from the culture medium of Clostridium histolyticum. It differs in amino acid composition, namely in the value for cyst(e)ine, from that previously reported. The analyses of the separated chains are given. Activity is related to the number of free cysteine residues and full activity is obtained only after complete reduction of the disulfide bonds. Specific modifications by sulfhydryl reagents and tosyl lysine chloromethyl ketone of one thiol group, the one implicated in the activity, are reported. High specificity of alpha-clostripain is restricted to arginyl peptide bonds as tested on parvalbumin.", "PMID": 762145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1045", "title": "Primary structure of a high potential, four-iron-sulfur ferredoxin from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum tenue.", "content": "The amino acid sequence of a high oxidation-reduction potential iron-sulfur protein (HiPIP) isolated from the purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum tenue has been determined. This is the smallest of the HiPIP's, containing 63 residues, with only 3 residues apparently conserved in addition to the 4 cluster-binding cysteines. A minimum of four internal genetic gaps is postulated to align tenue high potential iron-sulfur protein with the previously known proteins. It is the most divergent of its class, with an average of only 25% identically matching residues in common with any of the other species.", "contents": "Primary structure of a high potential, four-iron-sulfur ferredoxin from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum tenue. The amino acid sequence of a high oxidation-reduction potential iron-sulfur protein (HiPIP) isolated from the purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum tenue has been determined. This is the smallest of the HiPIP's, containing 63 residues, with only 3 residues apparently conserved in addition to the 4 cluster-binding cysteines. A minimum of four internal genetic gaps is postulated to align tenue high potential iron-sulfur protein with the previously known proteins. It is the most divergent of its class, with an average of only 25% identically matching residues in common with any of the other species.", "PMID": 762147} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1046", "title": "The structure and stability of human plasma cold-insoluble globulin.", "content": "The molecular properties of cold-insoluble globulin have been investigated by velocity centrifugation, circular dichroism, and fluorescence at neutral and alkaline pH. The stability of the protein to thermal and guanidine hydrochloride has been evaluated under both conditions. The close parallelism between the properties of cold-insoluble globulin and those of the cell surface protein (fibronectin) serve to establish the essential identity of the structures of the two proteins derived from different sources. It is suggested that the cold-insoluble globulin is composed of several domains connected by flexible polypeptide segments. The large increase in the frictional ratio observed between pH 7.0 and 11.0 can be explained by an expansion of the flexible segments without significant change in the domains. These domains are stable to about 55 degrees C at pH 7.0 but only to about 40 degrees C at pH 11.0.", "contents": "The structure and stability of human plasma cold-insoluble globulin. The molecular properties of cold-insoluble globulin have been investigated by velocity centrifugation, circular dichroism, and fluorescence at neutral and alkaline pH. The stability of the protein to thermal and guanidine hydrochloride has been evaluated under both conditions. The close parallelism between the properties of cold-insoluble globulin and those of the cell surface protein (fibronectin) serve to establish the essential identity of the structures of the two proteins derived from different sources. It is suggested that the cold-insoluble globulin is composed of several domains connected by flexible polypeptide segments. The large increase in the frictional ratio observed between pH 7.0 and 11.0 can be explained by an expansion of the flexible segments without significant change in the domains. These domains are stable to about 55 degrees C at pH 7.0 but only to about 40 degrees C at pH 11.0.", "PMID": 762148} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1047", "title": "Accumulation of two glycoasparagines in the liver in aspartylglycosaminuria.", "content": "Two water-soluble glycoasparagine storage products were isolated from the liver of a patient with inherited deficiency of lysosomal N-aspartyl-beta-glucosaminidase (aspartylglycosaminuria). The compounds were characterized using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analyses of intact and specifically degraded derivatives. The storage compounds were identified as 2-acetamido-1-N-(4'-L-aspartyl)-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine and alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1 leads to 6)-beta-D-mannopyranosyl-(1 leads to 4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 4)-2-acetamido-1-N-(4'-L-aspartyl)-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine. Their amounts in the pathological liver were approximately 2.7 mg/g and 0.2 mg/g, wet weight, respectively. These glycoasparagines are structurally related to the inner core region of a number of different glycoproteins.", "contents": "Accumulation of two glycoasparagines in the liver in aspartylglycosaminuria. Two water-soluble glycoasparagine storage products were isolated from the liver of a patient with inherited deficiency of lysosomal N-aspartyl-beta-glucosaminidase (aspartylglycosaminuria). The compounds were characterized using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analyses of intact and specifically degraded derivatives. The storage compounds were identified as 2-acetamido-1-N-(4'-L-aspartyl)-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine and alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1 leads to 6)-beta-D-mannopyranosyl-(1 leads to 4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 4)-2-acetamido-1-N-(4'-L-aspartyl)-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine. Their amounts in the pathological liver were approximately 2.7 mg/g and 0.2 mg/g, wet weight, respectively. These glycoasparagines are structurally related to the inner core region of a number of different glycoproteins.", "PMID": 762149} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1048", "title": "Purification of pre-prolactin mRNA from bovine anterior pituitary glands.", "content": "Total cytoplasmic RNA, isolated from bovine anterior pituitary glands, directed the synthesis of primarily two proteins in a wheat germ cell-free system. Analysis of wheat germ cell-free products by sodium dodecyl sulfate-slab gel electrophoresis, direct immunoprecipitation with prolactin aatibody, and prolactin- and growth hormone-specific radioimmunoassay indicated that the two proteins were pre-prolactin and pre-growth hormone. Agarose-urea-gel electrophoresis of poly(A)-containing RNA revealed the presence of a large symmetrical RNA peak with an estimated size of approximately 15 S. The RNA contained in this peak was eluted from the gel and translated in the wheat germ cell-free system. Analysis of the translation products by electrophoresis, direct immunoprecipitation, and radioimmunoassay resulted in the detection of only pre-prolactin. The extent of pre-prolactin mRNA purification was assessed by synthesizing DNA complementary to gel-purified pre-prolactin mRNA and then following the hybridization of this cDNA to gel purified pre-prolactin mRNA. The result of this hybridization is consistent with the cell-free translation studies, namely that pre-prolactin mRNA is the predominant mRNA component of pituitary poly(A)-containing RNA.", "contents": "Purification of pre-prolactin mRNA from bovine anterior pituitary glands. Total cytoplasmic RNA, isolated from bovine anterior pituitary glands, directed the synthesis of primarily two proteins in a wheat germ cell-free system. Analysis of wheat germ cell-free products by sodium dodecyl sulfate-slab gel electrophoresis, direct immunoprecipitation with prolactin aatibody, and prolactin- and growth hormone-specific radioimmunoassay indicated that the two proteins were pre-prolactin and pre-growth hormone. Agarose-urea-gel electrophoresis of poly(A)-containing RNA revealed the presence of a large symmetrical RNA peak with an estimated size of approximately 15 S. The RNA contained in this peak was eluted from the gel and translated in the wheat germ cell-free system. Analysis of the translation products by electrophoresis, direct immunoprecipitation, and radioimmunoassay resulted in the detection of only pre-prolactin. The extent of pre-prolactin mRNA purification was assessed by synthesizing DNA complementary to gel-purified pre-prolactin mRNA and then following the hybridization of this cDNA to gel purified pre-prolactin mRNA. The result of this hybridization is consistent with the cell-free translation studies, namely that pre-prolactin mRNA is the predominant mRNA component of pituitary poly(A)-containing RNA.", "PMID": 762150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1049", "title": "Mucosal coenzyme A-dependent cholesterol esterification after intestinal perfusion of lipids in rats.", "content": "Coenzyme A-dependent esterification of cholesterol was determined in intestinal mucosal homogenates prepared after duodenal perfusion of cholesterol-free lipid emulsions for 5 h in unanesthetized rats. Cholesterol esterification rates were lowest and the mucosal cholesterol pool was greatly reduced after the same lipid infusions that, in lymph fistula rats, had produced chylomicrons deficient in cholesterol esters. CoA-dependent esterification rates were sufficient to account for all the cholesterol esters secreted in mesenteric lymph chylomicrons. During triglyceride secretion by the gut, unesterified cholesterol for chylomicron membranes may be maintained both by suppressing mucosal CoA-dependent cholesterol ester formation and from a mobilizable unesterified cholesterol pool within the mucosa.", "contents": "Mucosal coenzyme A-dependent cholesterol esterification after intestinal perfusion of lipids in rats. Coenzyme A-dependent esterification of cholesterol was determined in intestinal mucosal homogenates prepared after duodenal perfusion of cholesterol-free lipid emulsions for 5 h in unanesthetized rats. Cholesterol esterification rates were lowest and the mucosal cholesterol pool was greatly reduced after the same lipid infusions that, in lymph fistula rats, had produced chylomicrons deficient in cholesterol esters. CoA-dependent esterification rates were sufficient to account for all the cholesterol esters secreted in mesenteric lymph chylomicrons. During triglyceride secretion by the gut, unesterified cholesterol for chylomicron membranes may be maintained both by suppressing mucosal CoA-dependent cholesterol ester formation and from a mobilizable unesterified cholesterol pool within the mucosa.", "PMID": 762153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1050", "title": "Characterization of a UGA-suppressing serine tRNA from Schizosaccharomyces pombe with the help of a new in vitro assay system for eukaryotic suppressor tRNAs.", "content": "Two different allele-specific suppressor mutants of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe produce opal (UGA) suppressor tRNAs. This was shown by the use of a new in vitro assay for eukaryotic nonsense suppression: a wheat germ extract is programmed with rabbit globin mRNAs and the readthrough products are studied. alpha-Globin is elongated upon addition of ochre (UAA) suppressor tRNAs, whereas beta-globin yields a readthrough product with opal suppressor tRNAs. This simple and very sensitive assay allowed the purification of the opal suppressor tRNA from S. pombe strain sup3-e. The pure tRNA can be aminoacylated with serine; thus, we conclude that this suppressor tRNA inserts serine in response to the UGA termination codon of pure rabbit beta-globin mRNA.", "contents": "Characterization of a UGA-suppressing serine tRNA from Schizosaccharomyces pombe with the help of a new in vitro assay system for eukaryotic suppressor tRNAs. Two different allele-specific suppressor mutants of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe produce opal (UGA) suppressor tRNAs. This was shown by the use of a new in vitro assay for eukaryotic nonsense suppression: a wheat germ extract is programmed with rabbit globin mRNAs and the readthrough products are studied. alpha-Globin is elongated upon addition of ochre (UAA) suppressor tRNAs, whereas beta-globin yields a readthrough product with opal suppressor tRNAs. This simple and very sensitive assay allowed the purification of the opal suppressor tRNA from S. pombe strain sup3-e. The pure tRNA can be aminoacylated with serine; thus, we conclude that this suppressor tRNA inserts serine in response to the UGA termination codon of pure rabbit beta-globin mRNA.", "PMID": 762155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1051", "title": "Synthesis and mode of action on axonal membranes of photoactivable derivatives of tetrodotoxin.", "content": "Two photoactivable derivatives of tetrodotoxin have been synthesized. Electrophysiological experiments on crab giant axons and competitive binding with [3H]-tetrodotoxin for the tetrodotoxin receptor indicate that they are only 4.5 to 7.5 times less active than tetrodotoxin itself. These compounds give a reversible block of the sodium channel in the dark but after ultraviolet irradiation they provoke an irreversible blockade of the channel.", "contents": "Synthesis and mode of action on axonal membranes of photoactivable derivatives of tetrodotoxin. Two photoactivable derivatives of tetrodotoxin have been synthesized. Electrophysiological experiments on crab giant axons and competitive binding with [3H]-tetrodotoxin for the tetrodotoxin receptor indicate that they are only 4.5 to 7.5 times less active than tetrodotoxin itself. These compounds give a reversible block of the sodium channel in the dark but after ultraviolet irradiation they provoke an irreversible blockade of the channel.", "PMID": 762156} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1052", "title": "Malate dehydrogenase, inhibition of pig heart supernatant enzyme by iodoacetamide.", "content": "Pig heart supernatant malate dehydrogenase is alkylated by 250 mM iodoacetamide at 37 degrees C in pH 7.5 Tris/acetate buffer which is 0.05 M with respect to acetate to form enzyme with 1,3-dicarboxamidomethyl histidine, 3-carboxamidomethyl histidine, 1-carboxamidomethyl histidine, carboxamidomethyl cysteine, and carboxamidomethyl methionine. 1,3-Dicarboxamidomethyl histidine forms with a stoichiometry of 1/enzyme subunit at a rate equaling the rate (approximately 1.24 +/- 0.09 X 10(-2) min-1) of enzyme inactivation by iodoacetamide. All other amino acid derivatives form at a slower rate initially or continuously. The enzyme is protected against inactivation by iodoacetamide through NADH binding, suggesting that there is an \"essential\" histidine residue at or near the active site.", "contents": "Malate dehydrogenase, inhibition of pig heart supernatant enzyme by iodoacetamide. Pig heart supernatant malate dehydrogenase is alkylated by 250 mM iodoacetamide at 37 degrees C in pH 7.5 Tris/acetate buffer which is 0.05 M with respect to acetate to form enzyme with 1,3-dicarboxamidomethyl histidine, 3-carboxamidomethyl histidine, 1-carboxamidomethyl histidine, carboxamidomethyl cysteine, and carboxamidomethyl methionine. 1,3-Dicarboxamidomethyl histidine forms with a stoichiometry of 1/enzyme subunit at a rate equaling the rate (approximately 1.24 +/- 0.09 X 10(-2) min-1) of enzyme inactivation by iodoacetamide. All other amino acid derivatives form at a slower rate initially or continuously. The enzyme is protected against inactivation by iodoacetamide through NADH binding, suggesting that there is an \"essential\" histidine residue at or near the active site.", "PMID": 762157} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1053", "title": "Progesterone-induced secretory protein. NH2-Terminal sequence of pre-uteroglobin.", "content": "Uteroglobin is a protein secreted by the rabbit uterus in response to progesterone. In cell-free translation systems, the mRNA for uteroglobin codes for a protein larger in size than the secreted protein. To investigate the relationship between these two forms, the NH2-terminal sequences of pre-uteroglobin and of uteroglobin have been determined. Uteroglobin was purified from rabbit uterine flushings and pre-uteroglobin was obtained by immunoprecipitation of the products of translation of poly(A)-rich endometrial RNA in the wheat germ system in the presence of single or multiple radioactive amino acids. Sequencing was performed by automated Edman degradation and the residue at each cycle was identified by chromatography. The larger size of pre-uteroglobin is accounted for by a 21-amino-acid leader sequence, containing 15 hydrophobic residues, at the NH2 terminus. The sequence Thr-Leu-Ala-Leu occurs twice in the leader region. In common with other secretory proteins, the transient hydrophobic extension at the NH2 terminus of pre-uteroglobin may function to assist transfer of the nascent peptide into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, as proposed in the \"signal\" hypothesis.", "contents": "Progesterone-induced secretory protein. NH2-Terminal sequence of pre-uteroglobin. Uteroglobin is a protein secreted by the rabbit uterus in response to progesterone. In cell-free translation systems, the mRNA for uteroglobin codes for a protein larger in size than the secreted protein. To investigate the relationship between these two forms, the NH2-terminal sequences of pre-uteroglobin and of uteroglobin have been determined. Uteroglobin was purified from rabbit uterine flushings and pre-uteroglobin was obtained by immunoprecipitation of the products of translation of poly(A)-rich endometrial RNA in the wheat germ system in the presence of single or multiple radioactive amino acids. Sequencing was performed by automated Edman degradation and the residue at each cycle was identified by chromatography. The larger size of pre-uteroglobin is accounted for by a 21-amino-acid leader sequence, containing 15 hydrophobic residues, at the NH2 terminus. The sequence Thr-Leu-Ala-Leu occurs twice in the leader region. In common with other secretory proteins, the transient hydrophobic extension at the NH2 terminus of pre-uteroglobin may function to assist transfer of the nascent peptide into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, as proposed in the \"signal\" hypothesis.", "PMID": 762158} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1054", "title": "Structural studies of the major high mannose oligosaccharide units from Chinese hamster ovary cell glycoproteins.", "content": "The major high mannose-type glycopeptides present in Chinese hamster ovary cells have the compositions (Man)9(GlcNAc)2-Asn, (Man)8(GlcNAc)2-Asn, and (Man)6(GlcNAc)2-Asn. The structures of these glycopeptides were determined by the combination of methylation analysis, acetolysis, Smith periodate degradation, and alpha- and beta-mannosidase digestion. Their complete structures are: manalpha1 leads to 2Manaalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAcbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAc-Asn, Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAcbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAc-Asn, and Manalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAcbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAc-Asn. These structures are compared with the structures of the peptide-bound oligosaccharide intermediates that are processed to form complex-type oligosaccharides. From these results, it is proposed that the high mannose-type oligosaccharides are a product of \"incomplete\" processing of the protein-bound oligosaccharide along the same pathway which leads ultimately to the formation of a complex-type oligosaccharide.", "contents": "Structural studies of the major high mannose oligosaccharide units from Chinese hamster ovary cell glycoproteins. The major high mannose-type glycopeptides present in Chinese hamster ovary cells have the compositions (Man)9(GlcNAc)2-Asn, (Man)8(GlcNAc)2-Asn, and (Man)6(GlcNAc)2-Asn. The structures of these glycopeptides were determined by the combination of methylation analysis, acetolysis, Smith periodate degradation, and alpha- and beta-mannosidase digestion. Their complete structures are: manalpha1 leads to 2Manaalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAcbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAc-Asn, Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAcbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAc-Asn, and Manalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manalpha1 leads to 6(Manalpha1 leads to 2Manalpha1 leads to 3)Manbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAcbeta1 leads to 4GlcNAc-Asn. These structures are compared with the structures of the peptide-bound oligosaccharide intermediates that are processed to form complex-type oligosaccharides. From these results, it is proposed that the high mannose-type oligosaccharides are a product of \"incomplete\" processing of the protein-bound oligosaccharide along the same pathway which leads ultimately to the formation of a complex-type oligosaccharide.", "PMID": 762159} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1055", "title": "Isolation of proteoglycan-hyaluronate complexes from bovine aorta.", "content": "Two proteoglycan-hyaluronate complexes were extracted from bovine aorta with 4.0 M guanidinium chloride in the presence of protease inhibitors and purified by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation under associative conditions. Complex I with higher buoyant density had 22% protein and 18% uronate, whereas Complex II had 11% protein and 23.6% uronate. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) analysis of the complexes indicated that both complexes contained large amounts of hyaluronic acid, 13.6% and 24.0% of the total GAG in Complexes I and II, respectively. Chondroitin sulfates and dermatan sulfate constituted the remainder of the GAG. Chromatography on Sepharose CL 6B suggested that Complex I had an estimated molecular weight of 800,000 and Complex II, 250,000. The complexes were dissociated into proteoglycan and hyaluronate by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation under dissociative conditions. The proteoglycans free of hyaluronic obtained from the complexes had similar protein and GAG composition. The molecular weight of the proteoglycan was estimated to be 80,000 and that of the hyaluronate of the complex, 90,000.", "contents": "Isolation of proteoglycan-hyaluronate complexes from bovine aorta. Two proteoglycan-hyaluronate complexes were extracted from bovine aorta with 4.0 M guanidinium chloride in the presence of protease inhibitors and purified by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation under associative conditions. Complex I with higher buoyant density had 22% protein and 18% uronate, whereas Complex II had 11% protein and 23.6% uronate. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) analysis of the complexes indicated that both complexes contained large amounts of hyaluronic acid, 13.6% and 24.0% of the total GAG in Complexes I and II, respectively. Chondroitin sulfates and dermatan sulfate constituted the remainder of the GAG. Chromatography on Sepharose CL 6B suggested that Complex I had an estimated molecular weight of 800,000 and Complex II, 250,000. The complexes were dissociated into proteoglycan and hyaluronate by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation under dissociative conditions. The proteoglycans free of hyaluronic obtained from the complexes had similar protein and GAG composition. The molecular weight of the proteoglycan was estimated to be 80,000 and that of the hyaluronate of the complex, 90,000.", "PMID": 762161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1056", "title": "The preparation and properties of bovine enterokinase.", "content": "Bovine enterokinase was purified from duodenal mucosa. The purification included an initial extraction with 2% deoxycholate, ammonium sulfate fractionations, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, and affinity chromatography on basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) (PTI)-Sepharose. The purified enzyme contained 35% carbohydrate; it had a molecular weight of 150,000, with a heavy (115,000) and light (35,000) chain connected by one or more disulfide bonds. Enterokinase hydrolyzed lysine and arginine substrates and slowly reacted with the trypsin active site titrant 4-methylumbelliferyl-p-guanidinobenzoate. The enzyme activated bovine trypsinogen with kinetic parameters similar to those of other preparations of enterokinase. Bovine enterokinase was inhibited by Kunitz pancreatic trypsin inhibitor with a Kassoc of 2 X 10(8) M-1 and only weakly by other proteinase inhibitors. The amino acid composition differed from bovine enterokinase isolated from duodenal contents (Anderson, L.E., Walsh, K.A., and Neurath, H. (1977) Biochemistry 16, 3354-3360). The mucosal enzyme and the duodenal contents enzymes also differed in the size of the heavy and light chains. The mucosal enterokinase more closely resembled the properties of porcine enterokinase (Baratti, J., Maroux, S., Louvard, D., and Desnuelle, P. (1973) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 315, 147-161). The amino acid composition and size of the light chain were also similar to bovine trypsin.", "contents": "The preparation and properties of bovine enterokinase. Bovine enterokinase was purified from duodenal mucosa. The purification included an initial extraction with 2% deoxycholate, ammonium sulfate fractionations, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, and affinity chromatography on basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) (PTI)-Sepharose. The purified enzyme contained 35% carbohydrate; it had a molecular weight of 150,000, with a heavy (115,000) and light (35,000) chain connected by one or more disulfide bonds. Enterokinase hydrolyzed lysine and arginine substrates and slowly reacted with the trypsin active site titrant 4-methylumbelliferyl-p-guanidinobenzoate. The enzyme activated bovine trypsinogen with kinetic parameters similar to those of other preparations of enterokinase. Bovine enterokinase was inhibited by Kunitz pancreatic trypsin inhibitor with a Kassoc of 2 X 10(8) M-1 and only weakly by other proteinase inhibitors. The amino acid composition differed from bovine enterokinase isolated from duodenal contents (Anderson, L.E., Walsh, K.A., and Neurath, H. (1977) Biochemistry 16, 3354-3360). The mucosal enzyme and the duodenal contents enzymes also differed in the size of the heavy and light chains. The mucosal enterokinase more closely resembled the properties of porcine enterokinase (Baratti, J., Maroux, S., Louvard, D., and Desnuelle, P. (1973) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 315, 147-161). The amino acid composition and size of the light chain were also similar to bovine trypsin.", "PMID": 762166} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1057", "title": "Identification of ATP citrate lyase as a phosphoprotein.", "content": "ATP citrate lyase has been purified from rat liver by a new procedure which results in high yields of an intact and stable enzyme. The pure lyase (specific activity approximately equal to 10 at 25 degrees C) exhibits a single protein band upon sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-gel electrophoresis (Mr = 110,000). This procedure minimizes protease degradation that usually occurs when the enzyme is isolated by previously described isolation methods. In addition, the lyase is shown to be a phosphoprotein. 32P-labeled lyase has been purified from rat liver following an intraperitoneal injection of inorganic [32P]phosphate into the animals. It has been demonstrated that this phosphate (structural phosphate) behaves as a serine phosphate and is not the same as the enzyme-bound phosphate (catalytic phosphate) that is derived from ATP during the lyase reaction. There are 2 structural phosphate residues for each enzyme tetramer molecule. Removal of the structural phosphate has been accomplished using a partially purified phosphatase derived from rat liver. The dephospholyase has the same Vmax as the native phosphoenzyme. Evidence indicates that the structural phosphate resides in a protease-sensitive region of the native enzyme.", "contents": "Identification of ATP citrate lyase as a phosphoprotein. ATP citrate lyase has been purified from rat liver by a new procedure which results in high yields of an intact and stable enzyme. The pure lyase (specific activity approximately equal to 10 at 25 degrees C) exhibits a single protein band upon sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-gel electrophoresis (Mr = 110,000). This procedure minimizes protease degradation that usually occurs when the enzyme is isolated by previously described isolation methods. In addition, the lyase is shown to be a phosphoprotein. 32P-labeled lyase has been purified from rat liver following an intraperitoneal injection of inorganic [32P]phosphate into the animals. It has been demonstrated that this phosphate (structural phosphate) behaves as a serine phosphate and is not the same as the enzyme-bound phosphate (catalytic phosphate) that is derived from ATP during the lyase reaction. There are 2 structural phosphate residues for each enzyme tetramer molecule. Removal of the structural phosphate has been accomplished using a partially purified phosphatase derived from rat liver. The dephospholyase has the same Vmax as the native phosphoenzyme. Evidence indicates that the structural phosphate resides in a protease-sensitive region of the native enzyme.", "PMID": 762167} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1058", "title": "An electron microscopic study of pyruvate carboxylase.", "content": "Pyruvate carboxylases, purified to homogeneity from sheep and chicken liver, have been examined in the electron microscope and found to have a splayed tetrahedral structure which, in some views, appears similar to that described for this enzyme isolated from yeast. The square-planar tetrameric image previously ascribed to pyruvate carboxylases from vertebrate sources was shown to be that of a molecule which is not only larger than pyruvate carboxylase, but also devoid of biotin.", "contents": "An electron microscopic study of pyruvate carboxylase. Pyruvate carboxylases, purified to homogeneity from sheep and chicken liver, have been examined in the electron microscope and found to have a splayed tetrahedral structure which, in some views, appears similar to that described for this enzyme isolated from yeast. The square-planar tetrameric image previously ascribed to pyruvate carboxylases from vertebrate sources was shown to be that of a molecule which is not only larger than pyruvate carboxylase, but also devoid of biotin.", "PMID": 762170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1059", "title": "A re-examination of the electron microscopic appearance of pyruvate carboxylase from chicken liver.", "content": "Electron microscopic studies of chicken liver pyruvate carboxylase conducted under a variety of conditions show that this enzyme has an overall rhombic appearance and is comprised of four nonspherical subunits. The square planar tetramers originally identified by Valentine et al. (Valentine, R.C., Wrigley, N.G., Scrutton, M.C., Irias, J.J., and Utter, M.F. (1966) Biochemistry 5, 3111-3116) as pyruvate carboxylase have been shown to represent a minor protein contaminant found in many impure preparations of this enzyme. The contaminating protein has been separated from pyruvate carboxylase and further purified. It does not contain biotin and its constituent polypeptides are smaller than those of pyruvate carboxylase. This protein, whose function is not yet identified, shows a strong tendency to aggregate and is highly visible under many conditions of electron microscopy. Several lines of evidence support the thesis that the nonsquare tetramers are pyruvate carboxylase. When essentially homogeneous material is examined with a variety of different negative stains, numbers of intact molecules represent 20 to 70% of the visible protein. These tetramers, like pyruvate carboxylase, are very cold-labile and are protected from dissociation under these conditions by acetyl-CoA, a specific activator of this enzyme. Also, the structures form complexes with avidin and antibiotin antibody and thus, like pyruvate carboxylase, contain biotin.", "contents": "A re-examination of the electron microscopic appearance of pyruvate carboxylase from chicken liver. Electron microscopic studies of chicken liver pyruvate carboxylase conducted under a variety of conditions show that this enzyme has an overall rhombic appearance and is comprised of four nonspherical subunits. The square planar tetramers originally identified by Valentine et al. (Valentine, R.C., Wrigley, N.G., Scrutton, M.C., Irias, J.J., and Utter, M.F. (1966) Biochemistry 5, 3111-3116) as pyruvate carboxylase have been shown to represent a minor protein contaminant found in many impure preparations of this enzyme. The contaminating protein has been separated from pyruvate carboxylase and further purified. It does not contain biotin and its constituent polypeptides are smaller than those of pyruvate carboxylase. This protein, whose function is not yet identified, shows a strong tendency to aggregate and is highly visible under many conditions of electron microscopy. Several lines of evidence support the thesis that the nonsquare tetramers are pyruvate carboxylase. When essentially homogeneous material is examined with a variety of different negative stains, numbers of intact molecules represent 20 to 70% of the visible protein. These tetramers, like pyruvate carboxylase, are very cold-labile and are protected from dissociation under these conditions by acetyl-CoA, a specific activator of this enzyme. Also, the structures form complexes with avidin and antibiotin antibody and thus, like pyruvate carboxylase, contain biotin.", "PMID": 762171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1060", "title": "Rate of potassium-sodium exchange by human lymphocytes: prediction of the cooperative adsorption model.", "content": "The equilibrium parameters of potassium-sodium distribution in human lymphocytes, determined experimentally in the preceding study (Negendank and Shaller, '79), were incorporated into a stochastic treatment of the cooperative adsorption model in order to predict the kinetics of \"active\" potassium-sodium exchange. The rate of uptake of potassium, in potassium-depleted, sodium-loaded cells, is complex and deviates markedly from simple exponential functions. The sigmoid form of the exchange data closely followed the predicted curve. This result enhances one's confidence in the usefulness and applicability of the cooperative adsorption model, and adds further support to the association-induction hypothesis as a coherent theory of cell physiology.", "contents": "Rate of potassium-sodium exchange by human lymphocytes: prediction of the cooperative adsorption model. The equilibrium parameters of potassium-sodium distribution in human lymphocytes, determined experimentally in the preceding study (Negendank and Shaller, '79), were incorporated into a stochastic treatment of the cooperative adsorption model in order to predict the kinetics of \"active\" potassium-sodium exchange. The rate of uptake of potassium, in potassium-depleted, sodium-loaded cells, is complex and deviates markedly from simple exponential functions. The sigmoid form of the exchange data closely followed the predicted curve. This result enhances one's confidence in the usefulness and applicability of the cooperative adsorption model, and adds further support to the association-induction hypothesis as a coherent theory of cell physiology.", "PMID": 762188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1061", "title": "The effects of dopamine on prostaglandin E1-elicited electrophysiological changes in a neuronal somatic cell hybrid.", "content": "PGE1 elicited a slow, dose-dependent membrane depolarization with an increase in membrane conductance in the somatic cell hybrid TCX11. The ED50 was 1-2 X 10(-8) M with maximal responses at 1-5 X 10(-7) M. Dopamine (DA) reversed the effect of PGE1 and caused the membrane potential and resistance to return to control levels. Chronic exposure of cells (measured in minutes) to DA alone would not cause this hyperpolarization. 5-HT was also tested and failed to consistently reverse the PGE1 effects. Chlorpromazine antagonized the effects of DA on the PGE1 response. The electrophysiological results reported here using TCX11 cells are discussed in light of previously reported biochemical results describing interactions of PGE1 and DA, and the electrophysiological effects of DA alone.", "contents": "The effects of dopamine on prostaglandin E1-elicited electrophysiological changes in a neuronal somatic cell hybrid. PGE1 elicited a slow, dose-dependent membrane depolarization with an increase in membrane conductance in the somatic cell hybrid TCX11. The ED50 was 1-2 X 10(-8) M with maximal responses at 1-5 X 10(-7) M. Dopamine (DA) reversed the effect of PGE1 and caused the membrane potential and resistance to return to control levels. Chronic exposure of cells (measured in minutes) to DA alone would not cause this hyperpolarization. 5-HT was also tested and failed to consistently reverse the PGE1 effects. Chlorpromazine antagonized the effects of DA on the PGE1 response. The electrophysiological results reported here using TCX11 cells are discussed in light of previously reported biochemical results describing interactions of PGE1 and DA, and the electrophysiological effects of DA alone.", "PMID": 762189} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1062", "title": "Binding of Salmonella minnesota R-form glycolipid mR595 to rat fibroblasts and its effect on cell metabolism and cell behaviour.", "content": "Trypsinized normal rat embryo fibroblasts and untrypsinized and trypsinized transformed rat fibroblasts have two orders of binding sites for bacterial glycolipid mR595. The high order sites fix 1--3 micrograms glycolipid mR595/10(5) cells and those of the low order fix about 6 microgram glycolipids mR595/10(6) cells. Ca++ is required for the low order glycolipid mR595 binding to be trypsinized but not to the untrypsinized transformed rat fibroblasts. The low order binding is temperature dependent with the transition temperature lying between 25 and 37 degrees C. Exogenously added ganglioside and glycoproteins contained in the fetal calf serum do not inhibit fixation of glycolipid mR595. Only beta-lipoprotein at high concentrations is slightly inhibitory. Glycolipid mR595 fixation to transformed fibroblast does not alter their morphology and appears to slightly improve cell attachment to substratum. Glycolipid mR595 fixation results in a lengthening of the S-phase of the cell cycle and a reduction in 2-deoxyglucose uptake. Uptake of inorganic phosphate is not affected. Inhibition of phospholipid synthesis is observed in mR595 fixed fibroblasts whereas synthesis of cell surface glycoproteins and the content of cellular gangliosides is not affected.", "contents": "Binding of Salmonella minnesota R-form glycolipid mR595 to rat fibroblasts and its effect on cell metabolism and cell behaviour. Trypsinized normal rat embryo fibroblasts and untrypsinized and trypsinized transformed rat fibroblasts have two orders of binding sites for bacterial glycolipid mR595. The high order sites fix 1--3 micrograms glycolipid mR595/10(5) cells and those of the low order fix about 6 microgram glycolipids mR595/10(6) cells. Ca++ is required for the low order glycolipid mR595 binding to be trypsinized but not to the untrypsinized transformed rat fibroblasts. The low order binding is temperature dependent with the transition temperature lying between 25 and 37 degrees C. Exogenously added ganglioside and glycoproteins contained in the fetal calf serum do not inhibit fixation of glycolipid mR595. Only beta-lipoprotein at high concentrations is slightly inhibitory. Glycolipid mR595 fixation to transformed fibroblast does not alter their morphology and appears to slightly improve cell attachment to substratum. Glycolipid mR595 fixation results in a lengthening of the S-phase of the cell cycle and a reduction in 2-deoxyglucose uptake. Uptake of inorganic phosphate is not affected. Inhibition of phospholipid synthesis is observed in mR595 fixed fibroblasts whereas synthesis of cell surface glycoproteins and the content of cellular gangliosides is not affected.", "PMID": 762190} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1063", "title": "Lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin: intracellular volume and intracellular [K+].", "content": "The effect of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) on lymphocytes was examined with respect to free intracellular water volume and intracellular [K+]. At a cell concentration of 30 X 10(6) lymphocytes/ml in modified Hank's Buffered Salt Solution (HBSS) in the presence of 10% human AB serum, addition of PHA at 3 mg/ml resulted in a 24-27% decrease in free intracellular water space within 30 to 60 minutes and a return to control level after three hours. A larger change in intracellular water (44%) was observed under similar conditions in the absence of serum. The absolute intracellular K+ content did not change after PHA addition, but the cell water volume decrease arising from PHA addition resulted in a 29% increase in intracellular [K+] at 60 minutes. The decrease in lymphocyte water volume induced by PHA was also observed for concanavalin A which stimulates lymphocyte proliferation, but not for wheat germ lectin, an agglutinating agent which is not mitogenic. Thus, volume regulation may be closely associated with the mitogenicity of these compounds.", "contents": "Lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin: intracellular volume and intracellular [K+]. The effect of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) on lymphocytes was examined with respect to free intracellular water volume and intracellular [K+]. At a cell concentration of 30 X 10(6) lymphocytes/ml in modified Hank's Buffered Salt Solution (HBSS) in the presence of 10% human AB serum, addition of PHA at 3 mg/ml resulted in a 24-27% decrease in free intracellular water space within 30 to 60 minutes and a return to control level after three hours. A larger change in intracellular water (44%) was observed under similar conditions in the absence of serum. The absolute intracellular K+ content did not change after PHA addition, but the cell water volume decrease arising from PHA addition resulted in a 29% increase in intracellular [K+] at 60 minutes. The decrease in lymphocyte water volume induced by PHA was also observed for concanavalin A which stimulates lymphocyte proliferation, but not for wheat germ lectin, an agglutinating agent which is not mitogenic. Thus, volume regulation may be closely associated with the mitogenicity of these compounds.", "PMID": 762191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1064", "title": "Studies on intercellular adhesion. III. Adhesion of cells to isotypic or heterotypic collecting particles and monolayers.", "content": "Adhesion between cells of different tissues from chick embryos was studied by the modified collecting particle (Pessac et al., '77a) and stationary monolayer assays. These assays measure the number of 3H labeled cells that adhere to the surface of cell aggregates and tissue fragments or on top of cell monolayers. The numbers of cells from a given suspension that adhere to identical or different cells can be compared. Intercellular adhesion may be considered as tissue specific if, in identical conditions, more cells adhere to identical cells than to cells from different tissues. Neural retina, cerebrum, optic tectum, liver and kidney cells from 9-day-old chick embryos showed no tissue specificity of adhesion, while heart cells adhered preferentially to collecting heart fragments.", "contents": "Studies on intercellular adhesion. III. Adhesion of cells to isotypic or heterotypic collecting particles and monolayers. Adhesion between cells of different tissues from chick embryos was studied by the modified collecting particle (Pessac et al., '77a) and stationary monolayer assays. These assays measure the number of 3H labeled cells that adhere to the surface of cell aggregates and tissue fragments or on top of cell monolayers. The numbers of cells from a given suspension that adhere to identical or different cells can be compared. Intercellular adhesion may be considered as tissue specific if, in identical conditions, more cells adhere to identical cells than to cells from different tissues. Neural retina, cerebrum, optic tectum, liver and kidney cells from 9-day-old chick embryos showed no tissue specificity of adhesion, while heart cells adhered preferentially to collecting heart fragments.", "PMID": 762192} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1065", "title": "Isolation and cell cycle analysis of temperature-sensitive mutants from Chinese hamster cells.", "content": "Mutants temperature-sensitive for growth have been isolated from the established line of Chinese hamster fibroblasts Wg1A. These mutants, together with the ones previously isolated by Roscoe et al. ('73), have been characterized with regard to their cell cycle properties. Most of them become arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle when incubated under restrictive conditions. By performing temperature shift experiments with synchronous cultures, the execution steps of most of the mutated functions have been located within the second half of the G1 phase.", "contents": "Isolation and cell cycle analysis of temperature-sensitive mutants from Chinese hamster cells. Mutants temperature-sensitive for growth have been isolated from the established line of Chinese hamster fibroblasts Wg1A. These mutants, together with the ones previously isolated by Roscoe et al. ('73), have been characterized with regard to their cell cycle properties. Most of them become arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle when incubated under restrictive conditions. By performing temperature shift experiments with synchronous cultures, the execution steps of most of the mutated functions have been located within the second half of the G1 phase.", "PMID": 762193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1066", "title": "Establishment of a rat hepatoma cell line which has ornithine carbamoyltransferase activity and grows continuously in arginine-deprived medium.", "content": "The epithelial cell line, H4-II-E derived from Reuber hepatoma H35 has no significant activity of ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT, EC 2.1.3.3) and is not able to grow in arginine-deprived medium. A multi-step selection procedure is described which selects from HR-II-E populations, cells with OCT activity which can grow in arginine-deficient, ornithine-supplemented media.", "contents": "Establishment of a rat hepatoma cell line which has ornithine carbamoyltransferase activity and grows continuously in arginine-deprived medium. The epithelial cell line, H4-II-E derived from Reuber hepatoma H35 has no significant activity of ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT, EC 2.1.3.3) and is not able to grow in arginine-deprived medium. A multi-step selection procedure is described which selects from HR-II-E populations, cells with OCT activity which can grow in arginine-deficient, ornithine-supplemented media.", "PMID": 762194} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1067", "title": "The initiation and elongation steps in protein synthesis: relative rates in Chinese hamster ovary cells during and after hyperthermic and hypothermic shocks.", "content": "The relative rates of the initiation and elongation phases of protein synthesis have been determined in heat- and cold-shocked CHO cells from measurements of the incorporation of 35S-methionine into N-terminal and internal positions of growing peptides by a modified Edman degradation. When the cells are shifted from 37 degrees C to temperatures between 10 degrees C and 34 degrees C, the rate of initiation is at first reduced more extensively than that of elongation. After 20 to 30 minutes at the lower temperature, however, the cells undergo a metabolic adjustment which includes increasing the rate of initiation until it corresponds to the rate of elongation at that temperature. Calculated apparent energies of activation for initiation and elongation are in reasonable agreement with those determined in other mammalian cells. When the cooled cells are returned to 37 degrees C, the rates of initiation and elongation recover immediately but do not exceed the control values. Exposure to elevated temperatures (43 degrees C) causes an immediate cessation of initiation and thus a delayed inhibition of elongation; upon return to 37 degrees C, the rate of initiation is transiently elevated above the control rate, and the rate of elongation returns to the control rate after a 2- to 3-minute delay. Hence, a factor which leads to supranormal rates of initiation may accumulate at high but not at low temperatures.", "contents": "The initiation and elongation steps in protein synthesis: relative rates in Chinese hamster ovary cells during and after hyperthermic and hypothermic shocks. The relative rates of the initiation and elongation phases of protein synthesis have been determined in heat- and cold-shocked CHO cells from measurements of the incorporation of 35S-methionine into N-terminal and internal positions of growing peptides by a modified Edman degradation. When the cells are shifted from 37 degrees C to temperatures between 10 degrees C and 34 degrees C, the rate of initiation is at first reduced more extensively than that of elongation. After 20 to 30 minutes at the lower temperature, however, the cells undergo a metabolic adjustment which includes increasing the rate of initiation until it corresponds to the rate of elongation at that temperature. Calculated apparent energies of activation for initiation and elongation are in reasonable agreement with those determined in other mammalian cells. When the cooled cells are returned to 37 degrees C, the rates of initiation and elongation recover immediately but do not exceed the control values. Exposure to elevated temperatures (43 degrees C) causes an immediate cessation of initiation and thus a delayed inhibition of elongation; upon return to 37 degrees C, the rate of initiation is transiently elevated above the control rate, and the rate of elongation returns to the control rate after a 2- to 3-minute delay. Hence, a factor which leads to supranormal rates of initiation may accumulate at high but not at low temperatures.", "PMID": 762195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1068", "title": "Patterns of peptide synthesis in senescent and presenescent human fibroblasts.", "content": "Peptide production in senescent and presenescent human foreskin fibroblasts was measured using 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This procedure permits the visualization of a cohort of the major peptides being produced. Among this cohort of over 500 peptides only two were found to differ in relative amount in that more was being produced in senescent cells. This difference was confirmed by measurements of the relative intensity of the peptide spot. This difference was senescent cell-specific and not due to the differences in rate of growth of senescent and non-senescent cells.", "contents": "Patterns of peptide synthesis in senescent and presenescent human fibroblasts. Peptide production in senescent and presenescent human foreskin fibroblasts was measured using 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This procedure permits the visualization of a cohort of the major peptides being produced. Among this cohort of over 500 peptides only two were found to differ in relative amount in that more was being produced in senescent cells. This difference was confirmed by measurements of the relative intensity of the peptide spot. This difference was senescent cell-specific and not due to the differences in rate of growth of senescent and non-senescent cells.", "PMID": 762196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1069", "title": "Elevation of HeLa cell 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity by glucocorticoids: possible relationship to the cell cycle.", "content": "Elevation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase, EC 1.1.1.34) activity by glucocorticoids was shown to be dependent on the concentration of hormone in the medium over a range of 5 X 10(-10) to 1 X 10(-8) M, although the presence of steroid in the assay at 10(-5) M elicited no increase in activity. There was a demonstrated time dependence for the addition of dexamethasone i.e., from zero to six hours after serum removal, addition of hormone resulted in the same peak acitvity; addition at 12 hours gave slight elevation but resulted in an extended maintenance of the peak level of activity; addition at 24 hours showed no effect. When cycloheximide was added to the above times, subsequent kinetics showed identical decay of the enzyme activities from control and treated cultures at 6 and 24 hours, but at 12 hours the activity from dexamethasone treated cells exhibited an extended lag before the onset of decay, which then proceeded at the same rate as the control. The continuous presence of the hormone was not necessary for the induction to continue and the addition of Actinomycin D to cultures incubated in the presence of hormone resulted in an immediate decay of catalytic activity without evidence of \"superinduction.\" The addition of progesterone at the same time as dexamethasone resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of the augmentation, suggesting the involvement of the glucocorticoid receptor in the elevation of HMG-CoA reductase activity. Flow microfluorometric (FMF) analysis of hormone treated cells indicated a delayed entrance into the DNA synthesis (S) phase of the cell cycle. The temporal relationships between this cell cycle perturbation and HMG-CoA reductase elevation are discussed.", "contents": "Elevation of HeLa cell 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity by glucocorticoids: possible relationship to the cell cycle. Elevation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase, EC 1.1.1.34) activity by glucocorticoids was shown to be dependent on the concentration of hormone in the medium over a range of 5 X 10(-10) to 1 X 10(-8) M, although the presence of steroid in the assay at 10(-5) M elicited no increase in activity. There was a demonstrated time dependence for the addition of dexamethasone i.e., from zero to six hours after serum removal, addition of hormone resulted in the same peak acitvity; addition at 12 hours gave slight elevation but resulted in an extended maintenance of the peak level of activity; addition at 24 hours showed no effect. When cycloheximide was added to the above times, subsequent kinetics showed identical decay of the enzyme activities from control and treated cultures at 6 and 24 hours, but at 12 hours the activity from dexamethasone treated cells exhibited an extended lag before the onset of decay, which then proceeded at the same rate as the control. The continuous presence of the hormone was not necessary for the induction to continue and the addition of Actinomycin D to cultures incubated in the presence of hormone resulted in an immediate decay of catalytic activity without evidence of \"superinduction.\" The addition of progesterone at the same time as dexamethasone resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of the augmentation, suggesting the involvement of the glucocorticoid receptor in the elevation of HMG-CoA reductase activity. Flow microfluorometric (FMF) analysis of hormone treated cells indicated a delayed entrance into the DNA synthesis (S) phase of the cell cycle. The temporal relationships between this cell cycle perturbation and HMG-CoA reductase elevation are discussed.", "PMID": 762197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1070", "title": "Metabolic correction of fucosidosis fibroblasts by human alpha-L-fucosidase.", "content": "Human alpha-L-fucosidase, purified from placenta, was taken up from the culture medium by skin fibroblasts from patients with fucosidosis (alpha-L-fucosidase deficiency). The rate of uptake was low (uptake coefficient = 6 X 10(-4) ml.mg-1.h-1). Intracellular alpha-L-fucosidase activity was directly proportional to enzyme in the medium up to an activity of at least 40 nmoles/min/ml. No evidence for saturation of specific cell-surface receptors was seen. However, uptake was reduced by 75% by 1 mM mannose-6-phosphate and by 50% by 1mM glucose-6-phosphate, suggesting that uptake may be mediated by a receptor recognising a phosphorylated sugar or an analagous compound. Enzyme taken up by the cells was most active in subcellular fractions enriched with lysosomes and had an isozyme pattern, by isoelectric focusing, identical to that of the original enzyme preparation. Fucosidosis fibroblasts were shown to accumulate low molecular-weight, fucose-containing compounds to a level several times greater than control cells. This stored material was eluted from Sephadex G-25 as an asymmetrical peak with an elution volume of approximately twice the void volume of the column. Addition of placental alpha-L-fucosidase to the culture medium of fucosidosis fibroblasts prevented excessive accumulation of fucose-containing material and accelerated the breakdown of material accumulated prior to enzyme uptake.", "contents": "Metabolic correction of fucosidosis fibroblasts by human alpha-L-fucosidase. Human alpha-L-fucosidase, purified from placenta, was taken up from the culture medium by skin fibroblasts from patients with fucosidosis (alpha-L-fucosidase deficiency). The rate of uptake was low (uptake coefficient = 6 X 10(-4) ml.mg-1.h-1). Intracellular alpha-L-fucosidase activity was directly proportional to enzyme in the medium up to an activity of at least 40 nmoles/min/ml. No evidence for saturation of specific cell-surface receptors was seen. However, uptake was reduced by 75% by 1 mM mannose-6-phosphate and by 50% by 1mM glucose-6-phosphate, suggesting that uptake may be mediated by a receptor recognising a phosphorylated sugar or an analagous compound. Enzyme taken up by the cells was most active in subcellular fractions enriched with lysosomes and had an isozyme pattern, by isoelectric focusing, identical to that of the original enzyme preparation. Fucosidosis fibroblasts were shown to accumulate low molecular-weight, fucose-containing compounds to a level several times greater than control cells. This stored material was eluted from Sephadex G-25 as an asymmetrical peak with an elution volume of approximately twice the void volume of the column. Addition of placental alpha-L-fucosidase to the culture medium of fucosidosis fibroblasts prevented excessive accumulation of fucose-containing material and accelerated the breakdown of material accumulated prior to enzyme uptake.", "PMID": 762198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1071", "title": "The accumulation of manganese from the environmental medium by the egg of Oryzias latipes.", "content": "The manganese content of the egg and embryo of the Medaka, Oryzias latipes was determined by activation analysis. A remarkable increase in the amount of manganese in the egg was observed within one hour after fertilization. The rate of increase was reduced by the gastrula stage and the concentration of manganese remained unchanged at a later stage. The accumulation of manganese by the Oryzias egg was discussed in relation to the effect of manganese on respiratory enzyme systems.", "contents": "The accumulation of manganese from the environmental medium by the egg of Oryzias latipes. The manganese content of the egg and embryo of the Medaka, Oryzias latipes was determined by activation analysis. A remarkable increase in the amount of manganese in the egg was observed within one hour after fertilization. The rate of increase was reduced by the gastrula stage and the concentration of manganese remained unchanged at a later stage. The accumulation of manganese by the Oryzias egg was discussed in relation to the effect of manganese on respiratory enzyme systems.", "PMID": 762199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1072", "title": "Cell cycle control by Ca++-ions in mouse 3T3 cells and in transformed 3T3 cells.", "content": "Total cellular calcium levels do not change when 3T3-4a cells stop proliferating due to serum depletion, or when serum-arrested quiescent cells are incubated for up to 44 hours in calcium-deficient medium (approximately 10 micrometer Ca++). Upon stimulation with dialyzed serum cells enter S and progress through at least one cycle even at extremely low calcium levels in the culture medium (greater than or equal to 10 micrometer). Cells divide until a final cell density is attained which is proportional to the calcium concentration in the medium and cells reversibly arrest in G1. Cells which arrested in G1 in medium containing less than or equal to 26 micrometer Ca++ in the presence of excess serum can be stimulated to enter S in response to added calcium after a prereplicative phase of 14 to 16 hours. Serum does not affect 45Ca-uptake in these cells. Benzo[a]pyrene transformed 3T3 (BP3T3) cells have a 100--200 times lower Ca++-requirement than 3T3 cells but arrest in G1 at low Ca++ levels. In contrast, SV40-virus transformed 3T3 (SV3T3) cells that grow without restriction in monolayer cultures have even lower Ca++-requirements for growth than BP3T3 cells and have no Ca++-sensitive restriction point. Therefore, 3T3 and BP3T3 cells have retained the capacity to sense intracellular Ca++-pool sizes and to arrest in G1 at subthreshold cellular Ca++-levels.", "contents": "Cell cycle control by Ca++-ions in mouse 3T3 cells and in transformed 3T3 cells. Total cellular calcium levels do not change when 3T3-4a cells stop proliferating due to serum depletion, or when serum-arrested quiescent cells are incubated for up to 44 hours in calcium-deficient medium (approximately 10 micrometer Ca++). Upon stimulation with dialyzed serum cells enter S and progress through at least one cycle even at extremely low calcium levels in the culture medium (greater than or equal to 10 micrometer). Cells divide until a final cell density is attained which is proportional to the calcium concentration in the medium and cells reversibly arrest in G1. Cells which arrested in G1 in medium containing less than or equal to 26 micrometer Ca++ in the presence of excess serum can be stimulated to enter S in response to added calcium after a prereplicative phase of 14 to 16 hours. Serum does not affect 45Ca-uptake in these cells. Benzo[a]pyrene transformed 3T3 (BP3T3) cells have a 100--200 times lower Ca++-requirement than 3T3 cells but arrest in G1 at low Ca++ levels. In contrast, SV40-virus transformed 3T3 (SV3T3) cells that grow without restriction in monolayer cultures have even lower Ca++-requirements for growth than BP3T3 cells and have no Ca++-sensitive restriction point. Therefore, 3T3 and BP3T3 cells have retained the capacity to sense intracellular Ca++-pool sizes and to arrest in G1 at subthreshold cellular Ca++-levels.", "PMID": 762200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1073", "title": "Growth and electron microscopic studies on an experimentally established bacterial endosymbiosis in amoebae.", "content": "A strain of nonsymbiotic A. proteus was infected with endosymbiotic bacteria isolated from another strain of amoeba which had become dependent on the symbionts after a few years of spontaneously established symbiosis. In the newly infected amoebae, the bacteria avoided digestion and multiplied at a faster rate than the hosts, reaching the maximum carrying number (about 42,000 per amoeba) in fewer than ten cell generations of the hosts. The experimentally infected amoebae were also examined under the electron microscope, and the development of bacteria-containing vesicles was followed. The results show that the infective bacteria that were initially harmful to host amoebae have become harmless and that they have changed in their mode of multiplication during the course of establishing a stable symbiosis with their hosts.", "contents": "Growth and electron microscopic studies on an experimentally established bacterial endosymbiosis in amoebae. A strain of nonsymbiotic A. proteus was infected with endosymbiotic bacteria isolated from another strain of amoeba which had become dependent on the symbionts after a few years of spontaneously established symbiosis. In the newly infected amoebae, the bacteria avoided digestion and multiplied at a faster rate than the hosts, reaching the maximum carrying number (about 42,000 per amoeba) in fewer than ten cell generations of the hosts. The experimentally infected amoebae were also examined under the electron microscope, and the development of bacteria-containing vesicles was followed. The results show that the infective bacteria that were initially harmful to host amoebae have become harmless and that they have changed in their mode of multiplication during the course of establishing a stable symbiosis with their hosts.", "PMID": 762201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1074", "title": "Basis for differential cellular sensitivity to 8-azaguanine and 6-thioguanine.", "content": "Cellular resistance to the cytotoxic purine analogues 8-azaguanine (AG) and 6-thioguanine (TG) is usually mediated by a mutation leading to the loss or reduction in hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) activity. However, stable AG-resistant variants have often been shown to contain wild-type levels of HPRT, while cellular resistance to TG is always accompanied by a profound deficiency in HPRT activity. Such AG-resistant, HPRT-positive cells are still sensitive to TG. To investigate the basis of this differential sensitivity, we examined the inhibition of the HPRT activity by AG and TG in whole cells, in cell-free extracts, and with purified mouse HPRT. In addition, the relative incorporation and utilization of AG and TG by L929 cells were determined under a variety of culture conditions. Results show that, compared to TG, AG is generally a very poor substrate for HPRT. Incorporation of radioactive AG by HPRT-positive cells was extremely sensitive to the free purine concentrations in the medium, so that under the usual culture conditions employing undialyzed serum, cellular uptake and utilization was minimal even when relatively high levels of AG were present. In contrast, the incorporation of radioactive TG was comparable to that of a natural substrate, hypoxanthine. The results indicate that the differential cellular sensitivity to AG and TG is due to the difference between these two guanine analogues as substrates of HPRT. Additional data indicate also that cellular resistance to TG is mediated exclusively by HPRT deficiency, but resistance to very high levels of AG may result through at least two other mechanisms not involving HPRT deficiency. These observations may help resolve some of the conflicting data in the literature, and demonstrate that TG is a better selective agent for the HPRT-deficient phenotype.", "contents": "Basis for differential cellular sensitivity to 8-azaguanine and 6-thioguanine. Cellular resistance to the cytotoxic purine analogues 8-azaguanine (AG) and 6-thioguanine (TG) is usually mediated by a mutation leading to the loss or reduction in hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) activity. However, stable AG-resistant variants have often been shown to contain wild-type levels of HPRT, while cellular resistance to TG is always accompanied by a profound deficiency in HPRT activity. Such AG-resistant, HPRT-positive cells are still sensitive to TG. To investigate the basis of this differential sensitivity, we examined the inhibition of the HPRT activity by AG and TG in whole cells, in cell-free extracts, and with purified mouse HPRT. In addition, the relative incorporation and utilization of AG and TG by L929 cells were determined under a variety of culture conditions. Results show that, compared to TG, AG is generally a very poor substrate for HPRT. Incorporation of radioactive AG by HPRT-positive cells was extremely sensitive to the free purine concentrations in the medium, so that under the usual culture conditions employing undialyzed serum, cellular uptake and utilization was minimal even when relatively high levels of AG were present. In contrast, the incorporation of radioactive TG was comparable to that of a natural substrate, hypoxanthine. The results indicate that the differential cellular sensitivity to AG and TG is due to the difference between these two guanine analogues as substrates of HPRT. Additional data indicate also that cellular resistance to TG is mediated exclusively by HPRT deficiency, but resistance to very high levels of AG may result through at least two other mechanisms not involving HPRT deficiency. These observations may help resolve some of the conflicting data in the literature, and demonstrate that TG is a better selective agent for the HPRT-deficient phenotype.", "PMID": 762202} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1075", "title": "Effect of amino acid deprivation on DNA synthesis in BHK-21/C13 cells.", "content": "Removal of serum from BHK-21/C13 cells in culture results in a decline in thymidine incorporation extending over five days. Additional removal of any of several amino acids results in a rapid decrease in incorporation of thymidine to negligible levels by 24 hours. Replacement by complete medium then provokes a synchronous wave of DNA synthesis after only ten hours with DNA synthesis first increased at six hours. Starvation for glutamine results in a rapid decline in protein synthesis over the 24 hour period when DNA synthesis is falling. However, there is considerable degradation of total protein during this period, and RNA degradation is also greatly increased. Concurrently, synthesis of RNA falls to less than 10% of that in control cells.", "contents": "Effect of amino acid deprivation on DNA synthesis in BHK-21/C13 cells. Removal of serum from BHK-21/C13 cells in culture results in a decline in thymidine incorporation extending over five days. Additional removal of any of several amino acids results in a rapid decrease in incorporation of thymidine to negligible levels by 24 hours. Replacement by complete medium then provokes a synchronous wave of DNA synthesis after only ten hours with DNA synthesis first increased at six hours. Starvation for glutamine results in a rapid decline in protein synthesis over the 24 hour period when DNA synthesis is falling. However, there is considerable degradation of total protein during this period, and RNA degradation is also greatly increased. Concurrently, synthesis of RNA falls to less than 10% of that in control cells.", "PMID": 762203} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1076", "title": "Potassium-sodium distribution in human lymphocytes: description by the association-induction hypothesis.", "content": "Human lymphocytes were equilibrated for 48 hours over a wide range of external potassium levels, and their contents of potassium, sodium, and water determined. As external potassium rose from zero, cell potassium rose steeply in a sigmoidal fashion, reached half-saturation at 0.4 mM esternal potassium, and then saturated at 129 mmoles/kg cells. The saturable cell potassium exchanged mole-for-mole with sodium. Analysis of the saturable components by a statistical-mechanical adsorption model demonstrated a cooperative intraction between sites determining equilibrium potassium-sodium distribution. Superimposed upon the saturable fraction of cell potassium was a smaller one that was non-saturable with increasing external potassium to at least 64 mM, and that, when expressed as mmoles/liter cell water, existed in a ratio to external potassium of 0.6. The results strongly support the association-induction hypothesis, which predicts a small non-saturable component of ions determined by exclusion from oriented cell water and a cooperative interaction between sites throughout the cell that associate with potassium or sodium.", "contents": "Potassium-sodium distribution in human lymphocytes: description by the association-induction hypothesis. Human lymphocytes were equilibrated for 48 hours over a wide range of external potassium levels, and their contents of potassium, sodium, and water determined. As external potassium rose from zero, cell potassium rose steeply in a sigmoidal fashion, reached half-saturation at 0.4 mM esternal potassium, and then saturated at 129 mmoles/kg cells. The saturable cell potassium exchanged mole-for-mole with sodium. Analysis of the saturable components by a statistical-mechanical adsorption model demonstrated a cooperative intraction between sites determining equilibrium potassium-sodium distribution. Superimposed upon the saturable fraction of cell potassium was a smaller one that was non-saturable with increasing external potassium to at least 64 mM, and that, when expressed as mmoles/liter cell water, existed in a ratio to external potassium of 0.6. The results strongly support the association-induction hypothesis, which predicts a small non-saturable component of ions determined by exclusion from oriented cell water and a cooperative interaction between sites throughout the cell that associate with potassium or sodium.", "PMID": 762204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1077", "title": "Determination of propranolol and six metabolites in human urine by high-pressure liquid chromatography.", "content": "A method for the determination of propranolol and six of its metabolites, as well as their glucuronide and/or aryl sulfate conjugates in human urine is described. Propranolol and its basic and neutral metabolites are extracted into ether at pH 9.8, evaporated to dryness, reconstituted, separated on a reversed-phase, high-pressure liquid chromatographic system and quantitated using fluorescence detection. The aqueous urine aliquot is then made acidic and the acid metabolites extracted and measured using similar methods. The presence of 2% sodium metabisulfite in all urines collected is essential to ensure the stability of 4-hydroxy-propranolol during collection and storage. Preliminary data is presented from 24-h urine samples collected from three patients chronically receiving propranolol.", "contents": "Determination of propranolol and six metabolites in human urine by high-pressure liquid chromatography. A method for the determination of propranolol and six of its metabolites, as well as their glucuronide and/or aryl sulfate conjugates in human urine is described. Propranolol and its basic and neutral metabolites are extracted into ether at pH 9.8, evaporated to dryness, reconstituted, separated on a reversed-phase, high-pressure liquid chromatographic system and quantitated using fluorescence detection. The aqueous urine aliquot is then made acidic and the acid metabolites extracted and measured using similar methods. The presence of 2% sodium metabisulfite in all urines collected is essential to ensure the stability of 4-hydroxy-propranolol during collection and storage. Preliminary data is presented from 24-h urine samples collected from three patients chronically receiving propranolol.", "PMID": 762208} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1078", "title": "Determination of quinidine and its major metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography.", "content": "A specific and precise assay, capable of quantitating in human plasma simultaneously but separately quinidine, dihydroquinidine and the quinidine metabolites 2'-quinidinone, 3-OH-quinidine and a third metabolite found--tentatively identified as the product formed by rearrangement of quinidine-N-oxide-is reported. The assay uses a normal phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) system with a variable-wavelength UV detector at 235 nm and has a limit of sensitivity at approximately 20 ng/ml. The mobile phase consists of hexanes-ethanol-ethanolamine (91.5:8.47:0.03). A 2-ml plasma sample is worked up by adding primaquine base as an internal standard and extracting with ether-dichlormethane-isopropanol (6:4:1). The organic extract is evaporated and the residue reconstituted in 100-600 micron1 of mobile phase and an aliquot injected onto the column. Comparison of this procedure with the Edgar and Sokolow (dichloroethane) extraction--fluorescence procedure and with the Cramer and Isaksson (benzene) double extraction--fluorescence assay indicates that both fluorescence procedures give quinidine concentrations up to 2.3 times those determined by HPLC. These discrepancies were shown to be due to carry-over of metabolites and some extraneous background fluorescence.", "contents": "Determination of quinidine and its major metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography. A specific and precise assay, capable of quantitating in human plasma simultaneously but separately quinidine, dihydroquinidine and the quinidine metabolites 2'-quinidinone, 3-OH-quinidine and a third metabolite found--tentatively identified as the product formed by rearrangement of quinidine-N-oxide-is reported. The assay uses a normal phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) system with a variable-wavelength UV detector at 235 nm and has a limit of sensitivity at approximately 20 ng/ml. The mobile phase consists of hexanes-ethanol-ethanolamine (91.5:8.47:0.03). A 2-ml plasma sample is worked up by adding primaquine base as an internal standard and extracting with ether-dichlormethane-isopropanol (6:4:1). The organic extract is evaporated and the residue reconstituted in 100-600 micron1 of mobile phase and an aliquot injected onto the column. Comparison of this procedure with the Edgar and Sokolow (dichloroethane) extraction--fluorescence procedure and with the Cramer and Isaksson (benzene) double extraction--fluorescence assay indicates that both fluorescence procedures give quinidine concentrations up to 2.3 times those determined by HPLC. These discrepancies were shown to be due to carry-over of metabolites and some extraneous background fluorescence.", "PMID": 762209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1079", "title": "Gas-liquid chromatography of isobutyl ester, N(O)-heptafluorobutyrate derivatives of amino acids on a glass capillary column for quantitative separation in clinical biology.", "content": "A gas chromatographic method adapted to routine analysis has been developed for quantitative separation on glass capillary columns for free proteic and other known amino acids normally or abnormally found in physiological fluids. The procedure involves ion-exchange chromatography and isobutyl ester, N(O)-heptafluorobutyrate derivatization of free plasma and urine amino acid samples. Derivatized components were ascertained by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The use of glass for the capillary column is mandatory to achieve qualitative and quantitative analysis of the known occurring amino acids in urine and small plasma samples. Quantitative analysis of several types of human amino acid disorders are presented.", "contents": "Gas-liquid chromatography of isobutyl ester, N(O)-heptafluorobutyrate derivatives of amino acids on a glass capillary column for quantitative separation in clinical biology. A gas chromatographic method adapted to routine analysis has been developed for quantitative separation on glass capillary columns for free proteic and other known amino acids normally or abnormally found in physiological fluids. The procedure involves ion-exchange chromatography and isobutyl ester, N(O)-heptafluorobutyrate derivatization of free plasma and urine amino acid samples. Derivatized components were ascertained by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The use of glass for the capillary column is mandatory to achieve qualitative and quantitative analysis of the known occurring amino acids in urine and small plasma samples. Quantitative analysis of several types of human amino acid disorders are presented.", "PMID": 762216} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1080", "title": "Surfactant ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography of tryptophan and some of its metabolites in biological fluids.", "content": "A rapid, sensitive assay for tryptophan and some of its metabolites in urine, plasma and saliva has been developed using sodium dodecylsulphate as a pairing ion in a surfactant ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography technique. The method is highly selective for tryptophan which is separated from its main indoleamine metabolites, 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and from kynurenine. The usefulness of the assay has been demonstrated in plasma level and urinary excretion studies of orally administered tryptophan.", "contents": "Surfactant ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography of tryptophan and some of its metabolites in biological fluids. A rapid, sensitive assay for tryptophan and some of its metabolites in urine, plasma and saliva has been developed using sodium dodecylsulphate as a pairing ion in a surfactant ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography technique. The method is highly selective for tryptophan which is separated from its main indoleamine metabolites, 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and from kynurenine. The usefulness of the assay has been demonstrated in plasma level and urinary excretion studies of orally administered tryptophan.", "PMID": 762217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1081", "title": "Ways of collagen separation in pathologically altered tissue.", "content": "A system of chromatographic methods using two successive DEAE-cellulose chromatographic steps and two successive separations on Bio-Gel A-1.5 m has been worked out for the separation of individual collagen types. The success of the procedure is based on the preliminary removal of proteoglycans during the first DEAE-cellulose run. Alternatively it is possible to replace chromatographic steps, following the removal of proteoglycans, with fraction precipitation.", "contents": "Ways of collagen separation in pathologically altered tissue. A system of chromatographic methods using two successive DEAE-cellulose chromatographic steps and two successive separations on Bio-Gel A-1.5 m has been worked out for the separation of individual collagen types. The success of the procedure is based on the preliminary removal of proteoglycans during the first DEAE-cellulose run. Alternatively it is possible to replace chromatographic steps, following the removal of proteoglycans, with fraction precipitation.", "PMID": 762218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1082", "title": "Longitudinal urinary trace amine excretion in a human male.", "content": "The urinary excretion of a beta-phenylethylamine (PE), m-tyramine (mTA), p-tyramine (pTA) and tryptamine (TR) in their unconjugated (free) and conjugated (except tryptamine) forms, was examined in a male human subject over a total period of 28 days. The average excretion values were (in microgram per 24 h, mean +/- standard error): PE, free 3.19 +/- 0.21, conjugated 6.85 +/- 0.52, mTA, free 98.0 +/- 2.2, conjugated 106.1 +/- 18.6; pTA, free 427 +/- 12, conjugated 571 +/- 142; and TR, free 79.4 +/- 2.8. This data, when considered along with other published information, permits the suggestion that probably mTA and pTA in the unconjugated form are exclusively formed endogenously; whether or not this also pertains to PE and TR is less clear. In all cases, the conjugated amines derive from both exogenous and endogenous sources.", "contents": "Longitudinal urinary trace amine excretion in a human male. The urinary excretion of a beta-phenylethylamine (PE), m-tyramine (mTA), p-tyramine (pTA) and tryptamine (TR) in their unconjugated (free) and conjugated (except tryptamine) forms, was examined in a male human subject over a total period of 28 days. The average excretion values were (in microgram per 24 h, mean +/- standard error): PE, free 3.19 +/- 0.21, conjugated 6.85 +/- 0.52, mTA, free 98.0 +/- 2.2, conjugated 106.1 +/- 18.6; pTA, free 427 +/- 12, conjugated 571 +/- 142; and TR, free 79.4 +/- 2.8. This data, when considered along with other published information, permits the suggestion that probably mTA and pTA in the unconjugated form are exclusively formed endogenously; whether or not this also pertains to PE and TR is less clear. In all cases, the conjugated amines derive from both exogenous and endogenous sources.", "PMID": 762219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1083", "title": "Spectrum of total fatty acids in cerebrospinal fluid determined by gas chromatography.", "content": "A simple gas-liquid chromatographic method for the determination of the spectrum of fatty acids in a small volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is presented. In a group of 49 neurological patients it has been found that in the CSF of the controls (n = 12) there are the following main fatty acids: oleic (27.28%), palmitic (23.23%), stearic (12.21%), linoleic (7.66%), myristic (5.02%), and palmitoleic (4.51%). Altogether 28 fatty acid methyl esters (FAME'S) from 12:0 to 22:2 have been tentatively identified. The majority of them appeared irregularly, sometimes in less than in 10% of cases. The composition of FAME'S in the CSF of patients with lumbar discopathy and with acute ischaemic cerebrovascular accidents does not differ from the control group. A significant difference (P less than 0.01) has been found in the group of hypophyseal adenomas in which the amounts of practically all saturated FAME'S with an odd carbon number are elevated. The same applies to the 18:0 and 20:0 compounds. In the group of atrophic and degenerative CNS processes the palmitic and stearic acids predominated to the detriment of oleic and linoleic acids.", "contents": "Spectrum of total fatty acids in cerebrospinal fluid determined by gas chromatography. A simple gas-liquid chromatographic method for the determination of the spectrum of fatty acids in a small volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is presented. In a group of 49 neurological patients it has been found that in the CSF of the controls (n = 12) there are the following main fatty acids: oleic (27.28%), palmitic (23.23%), stearic (12.21%), linoleic (7.66%), myristic (5.02%), and palmitoleic (4.51%). Altogether 28 fatty acid methyl esters (FAME'S) from 12:0 to 22:2 have been tentatively identified. The majority of them appeared irregularly, sometimes in less than in 10% of cases. The composition of FAME'S in the CSF of patients with lumbar discopathy and with acute ischaemic cerebrovascular accidents does not differ from the control group. A significant difference (P less than 0.01) has been found in the group of hypophyseal adenomas in which the amounts of practically all saturated FAME'S with an odd carbon number are elevated. The same applies to the 18:0 and 20:0 compounds. In the group of atrophic and degenerative CNS processes the palmitic and stearic acids predominated to the detriment of oleic and linoleic acids.", "PMID": 762221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1084", "title": "A specific and sensitive method for the determination of the anticoagulant phenprocoumon in plasma.", "content": "A specific thin-layer chromatographic assay for phenprocoumon has been developed with a sensitivity of 5 ng/ml of plasma, using only 0.2 ml. This sensitivity is more than 20 times higher than that of the published methods. The drug is extracted from acidified plasma, an aliquot of the extract is applied to a silica-gel thin-layer plate and separated from interfering substances. The quantity of phenprocoumon is determined by fluorescence densitometry in situ. The standard deviation of the whole procedure is less than +/- 3%. The new procedure permits pharmacokinetic studies with low doses of phenprocoumon to be performed on volunteers. Furthermore, due to the high sensitivity of the method, it is possible to determine the free drug fraction of this highly protein-bound substance in the plasma of patients. It was shown that, in the therapeutic concentration range, phenprocoumon is bound by about 99.5% to the plasma proteins. Since the assay is simple and quick to perform, a large series of plasma samples can be analysed without any problems.", "contents": "A specific and sensitive method for the determination of the anticoagulant phenprocoumon in plasma. A specific thin-layer chromatographic assay for phenprocoumon has been developed with a sensitivity of 5 ng/ml of plasma, using only 0.2 ml. This sensitivity is more than 20 times higher than that of the published methods. The drug is extracted from acidified plasma, an aliquot of the extract is applied to a silica-gel thin-layer plate and separated from interfering substances. The quantity of phenprocoumon is determined by fluorescence densitometry in situ. The standard deviation of the whole procedure is less than +/- 3%. The new procedure permits pharmacokinetic studies with low doses of phenprocoumon to be performed on volunteers. Furthermore, due to the high sensitivity of the method, it is possible to determine the free drug fraction of this highly protein-bound substance in the plasma of patients. It was shown that, in the therapeutic concentration range, phenprocoumon is bound by about 99.5% to the plasma proteins. Since the assay is simple and quick to perform, a large series of plasma samples can be analysed without any problems.", "PMID": 762222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1085", "title": "Caffeine determination in rat plasma. A comparative study of micromethods.", "content": "Confronted with the need for a sensitive (1 mg/1), specific and reproducible (less than 5%) method for the determination of caffeine in small plasma samples (10-50 microliter) of small laboratory animals, two existing methods, radioactive labelling and gas chromatography, were adapted. The first step, common to both methods, is chloroform extraction, followed by either gas-chromatographic analysis or radioactivity measurement. These methods were compared by using a common internal standard, labelled caffeine, measured before and after the extraction step. The initial requirements were fulfilled and the correlation of the results proved to be excellent. The methods can be extended to animals other than the rat, and to organs or biological fluids other than plasma. The very small amount of plasma needed for the determination allows pharmacokinetic studies to be conducted in small laboratory animals. Further, by combining the two methods it is possible to perform rather complex investigations, such as evaluating the extent of caffeine metabolism and, at the same time, determining levels in the case of chromic administration.", "contents": "Caffeine determination in rat plasma. A comparative study of micromethods. Confronted with the need for a sensitive (1 mg/1), specific and reproducible (less than 5%) method for the determination of caffeine in small plasma samples (10-50 microliter) of small laboratory animals, two existing methods, radioactive labelling and gas chromatography, were adapted. The first step, common to both methods, is chloroform extraction, followed by either gas-chromatographic analysis or radioactivity measurement. These methods were compared by using a common internal standard, labelled caffeine, measured before and after the extraction step. The initial requirements were fulfilled and the correlation of the results proved to be excellent. The methods can be extended to animals other than the rat, and to organs or biological fluids other than plasma. The very small amount of plasma needed for the determination allows pharmacokinetic studies to be conducted in small laboratory animals. Further, by combining the two methods it is possible to perform rather complex investigations, such as evaluating the extent of caffeine metabolism and, at the same time, determining levels in the case of chromic administration.", "PMID": 762223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1086", "title": "Extractive alkylation of sulphonamide diuretics and their determination by electron-capture gas chromatography.", "content": "The extractive alkylation of 11 sulphonamide diuretics has been evaluated using tetrabutylammonium, tetrapentylammonium or tetrahexylammonium as counter ion at different pH values and methyl iodide in methylene chloride as the organic phase. The sulphonamides are methylated within 20 min with tetrahexylammonium as counter ion in 0.2 M sodium hydroxide at 50 degrees. The derivatives have been identified by mass spectral and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Relative retentions of the derivatives are given using 1% SE-30 as the stationary phase. A contaminant, dimethylsulphuric acid, occurs in methyl iodide and seriously disturbs the gas chromatographic analysis. The application of the extrative alkylation to biological samples is demonstrated by the direct analysis of acetazolamide in serum. 0.1 M tetrapentylammonium in 0.5 M sodium hydroxide is suitable as the aqueous phase with 1.6 M methyl iodide as alkylating reagent in methylene chloride. The trimethyl derivative of acetazolamide formed has been determined by electron-capture gas chromatography down to 0.5 microgram/ml in a 0.1-ml serum sample. The relative standard deviation at the 10 microgram/ml level is 6.6% (n = 10).", "contents": "Extractive alkylation of sulphonamide diuretics and their determination by electron-capture gas chromatography. The extractive alkylation of 11 sulphonamide diuretics has been evaluated using tetrabutylammonium, tetrapentylammonium or tetrahexylammonium as counter ion at different pH values and methyl iodide in methylene chloride as the organic phase. The sulphonamides are methylated within 20 min with tetrahexylammonium as counter ion in 0.2 M sodium hydroxide at 50 degrees. The derivatives have been identified by mass spectral and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Relative retentions of the derivatives are given using 1% SE-30 as the stationary phase. A contaminant, dimethylsulphuric acid, occurs in methyl iodide and seriously disturbs the gas chromatographic analysis. The application of the extrative alkylation to biological samples is demonstrated by the direct analysis of acetazolamide in serum. 0.1 M tetrapentylammonium in 0.5 M sodium hydroxide is suitable as the aqueous phase with 1.6 M methyl iodide as alkylating reagent in methylene chloride. The trimethyl derivative of acetazolamide formed has been determined by electron-capture gas chromatography down to 0.5 microgram/ml in a 0.1-ml serum sample. The relative standard deviation at the 10 microgram/ml level is 6.6% (n = 10).", "PMID": 762226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1087", "title": "Separation of geometric isomers of retinyl ester, retinal and retinol, pertaining to the visual cycle, by high-performance liquid chromatography.", "content": "A method for the analytical and/or preparative separation of the 13-cis, 11-cis, 9-cis and all all-trans isomers of retinyl palmitate ester, retinal and retinol by high-performance liquid chromatography is described. A straight-phase adsorption system consisting of Si 60 silica gel as the stationary phase and mixtures of n-hexane and dioxane as mobile phases were employed, using photometric detection at either 320 or 360 nm, depending on the nature of the compounds being studied. With simple adaptation of the phase system, all geometric isomers within each group could be separated. The precision of the method was 0.5% at the 10-microgram (about 40-nmole) level and 4% at the 10-ng (about 40-pmole) level (n = 3). The detection limit was about 0.5 ng (about 2 pmole). The suitability of the phase system is demonstrated by chromatograms of test mixtures and of eye extracts. The fractionation of 0.5 mg of an isomeric sample could be achieved on a column of length 250 mm and I.D. 10 mm.", "contents": "Separation of geometric isomers of retinyl ester, retinal and retinol, pertaining to the visual cycle, by high-performance liquid chromatography. A method for the analytical and/or preparative separation of the 13-cis, 11-cis, 9-cis and all all-trans isomers of retinyl palmitate ester, retinal and retinol by high-performance liquid chromatography is described. A straight-phase adsorption system consisting of Si 60 silica gel as the stationary phase and mixtures of n-hexane and dioxane as mobile phases were employed, using photometric detection at either 320 or 360 nm, depending on the nature of the compounds being studied. With simple adaptation of the phase system, all geometric isomers within each group could be separated. The precision of the method was 0.5% at the 10-microgram (about 40-nmole) level and 4% at the 10-ng (about 40-pmole) level (n = 3). The detection limit was about 0.5 ng (about 2 pmole). The suitability of the phase system is demonstrated by chromatograms of test mixtures and of eye extracts. The fractionation of 0.5 mg of an isomeric sample could be achieved on a column of length 250 mm and I.D. 10 mm.", "PMID": 762227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1088", "title": "Affinity chromatography at sub-zero temperatures. A model study with porcine pancreatic elastase.", "content": "A new variety of affinity chromatography of enzymes is described which consists of building up an affinity adsorbent composed of a real substrate. The chromatography is performed at a sub-zero temperature where the turnover of the enzyme is very low or stopped. As a model system Sepharose-bound L-trialanine p-nitroanilide was for used the affinity binding of porcine pancreatic elastase, which was adsorbed to the column in a hypersaline medium at--14 degrees and eluted from the column at the same temperature using 50% (v/v) ethylene glycol. The affinity adsorbent proved to be vary specific as it did not retain trypsin, chymotrypsin and ovalbumin and retained only 20% of cytochrome c.", "contents": "Affinity chromatography at sub-zero temperatures. A model study with porcine pancreatic elastase. A new variety of affinity chromatography of enzymes is described which consists of building up an affinity adsorbent composed of a real substrate. The chromatography is performed at a sub-zero temperature where the turnover of the enzyme is very low or stopped. As a model system Sepharose-bound L-trialanine p-nitroanilide was for used the affinity binding of porcine pancreatic elastase, which was adsorbed to the column in a hypersaline medium at--14 degrees and eluted from the column at the same temperature using 50% (v/v) ethylene glycol. The affinity adsorbent proved to be vary specific as it did not retain trypsin, chymotrypsin and ovalbumin and retained only 20% of cytochrome c.", "PMID": 762228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1089", "title": "Comparison of elution patterns of proteins chromatographed on controlled-pore glass and carboxymethyl-cellulose.", "content": "As controlled-pore glass (CPG) has anionic silanol groups, we compared the elution patterns of proteins chromatographed on CPG with those on carboxymethyl (CM)-cellulose using standard proteins and two protein mixtures, rabbit serum and bovine parotid extracts. The results showed that the order of proteins eluted from CPG was similar to that from CM-cellulose, although some differences were found. The adsorption of proteins on CPG was slightly stronger than that on CM-cellulose and the separation of proteins on CPG was slightly better. Some conditions, such as amounts of proteins loaded on the column, pH, temperature and kind of buffer solution for elution, were investigated. The pH of buffer solutions was important in the adsorption chromatography of proteins on CPG and the useful pH range was 7.0-8.5.", "contents": "Comparison of elution patterns of proteins chromatographed on controlled-pore glass and carboxymethyl-cellulose. As controlled-pore glass (CPG) has anionic silanol groups, we compared the elution patterns of proteins chromatographed on CPG with those on carboxymethyl (CM)-cellulose using standard proteins and two protein mixtures, rabbit serum and bovine parotid extracts. The results showed that the order of proteins eluted from CPG was similar to that from CM-cellulose, although some differences were found. The adsorption of proteins on CPG was slightly stronger than that on CM-cellulose and the separation of proteins on CPG was slightly better. Some conditions, such as amounts of proteins loaded on the column, pH, temperature and kind of buffer solution for elution, were investigated. The pH of buffer solutions was important in the adsorption chromatography of proteins on CPG and the useful pH range was 7.0-8.5.", "PMID": 762229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1090", "title": "High-performance liquid chromatographic analyses of sulbenicillin and carbenicillin in human urine.", "content": "A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of sulbenicillin (SBPC) and carbenicillin (CBPC) excreted in human urine. The method uses reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography with a bonded hydrophobic stationary phase and methanol-tetra-n-butylammonium bromide solution as the mobile phase. Urine is filtered through a micropore membrane and the filtrate introduced directly into a liquid chromatograph. An in vivo experiment was conducted by administering intravenously 1 g of SBPC or CBPC to volunteers and analysing their urine. One-compartment model analysis of the time-course data revealed that 73.1% of the amount of SBPC dosed was excreted in the urine with a rate constant of 0.579 h-1, and 91.5% of CBPC with a rate constant of 0.845 h-1.", "contents": "High-performance liquid chromatographic analyses of sulbenicillin and carbenicillin in human urine. A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of sulbenicillin (SBPC) and carbenicillin (CBPC) excreted in human urine. The method uses reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography with a bonded hydrophobic stationary phase and methanol-tetra-n-butylammonium bromide solution as the mobile phase. Urine is filtered through a micropore membrane and the filtrate introduced directly into a liquid chromatograph. An in vivo experiment was conducted by administering intravenously 1 g of SBPC or CBPC to volunteers and analysing their urine. One-compartment model analysis of the time-course data revealed that 73.1% of the amount of SBPC dosed was excreted in the urine with a rate constant of 0.579 h-1, and 91.5% of CBPC with a rate constant of 0.845 h-1.", "PMID": 762230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1091", "title": "Qualitative and quantitative determination of metapramine and its metabolites in biological materials.", "content": "The qualitative and quantitative determination of metapramine and its metabolites, after selective solvent extraction from biological materials, are achieved by gas-liquid chromatography with or without an internal standard, carried out directly or after derivatization, spectrofluorimetry and one- or two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. The gas chromatographic procedures are the most sensitive for the quantitative determination fo the unchanged compound: 15 and 35 ng/ml in plasma and 5 and 10 ng/ml in urine; the detection limit for thin-layer chromatography is about 100 ng. These techniques can be used for pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic controls, and also in analytical toxicology.", "contents": "Qualitative and quantitative determination of metapramine and its metabolites in biological materials. The qualitative and quantitative determination of metapramine and its metabolites, after selective solvent extraction from biological materials, are achieved by gas-liquid chromatography with or without an internal standard, carried out directly or after derivatization, spectrofluorimetry and one- or two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. The gas chromatographic procedures are the most sensitive for the quantitative determination fo the unchanged compound: 15 and 35 ng/ml in plasma and 5 and 10 ng/ml in urine; the detection limit for thin-layer chromatography is about 100 ng. These techniques can be used for pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic controls, and also in analytical toxicology.", "PMID": 762231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1092", "title": "Simultaneous determination of endogenous norepinephrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in biological materials by chemical ionization mass fragmentography.", "content": "A new clean-up procedure is described for the quantitation of biogenic amines and their metabolites by gas chromatography-chemical ionization mass fragmentography. The procedure is carried out in an acidic, non-aqueous medium. The metabolites as well as the amines are extracted with greater than 92% recovery. Using a CPG-10 column, the procedure is most suitable for the purification of these amines and their metabolites from the extract. It has been applied to the simultaneous determination of endogenous norepinephrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity in rat adrenal by use of [2H2]dopamine as a substrate and [2H6]norepinephrine as an internal standard. The quantitation limit of the DBH activity is 0.1 pmole/mg of rat adrenal per hour.", "contents": "Simultaneous determination of endogenous norepinephrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in biological materials by chemical ionization mass fragmentography. A new clean-up procedure is described for the quantitation of biogenic amines and their metabolites by gas chromatography-chemical ionization mass fragmentography. The procedure is carried out in an acidic, non-aqueous medium. The metabolites as well as the amines are extracted with greater than 92% recovery. Using a CPG-10 column, the procedure is most suitable for the purification of these amines and their metabolites from the extract. It has been applied to the simultaneous determination of endogenous norepinephrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity in rat adrenal by use of [2H2]dopamine as a substrate and [2H6]norepinephrine as an internal standard. The quantitation limit of the DBH activity is 0.1 pmole/mg of rat adrenal per hour.", "PMID": 762232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1093", "title": "Separation of unconjugated pteridines by high-pressure cation-exchange liquid chromatography.", "content": "In the course of determining the levels of unconjugated pteridines occurring in various biological fluids, such as urines, plasma and tissue culture media, a method has been developed for the separation and quantitative determination in the picomole range of ten 2-amino-4-hydroxy substituted pteridines. This method involves separation by high-pressure cation-exchange liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection of the eluted compounds at 450 nm. Optimal separation was obtained by isocratic elution with 3 mM phosphoric acid-7% methanol-1% acetonitrile at a flow-rate of 2 ml/min or with 1 mM ammonium dihydrogenphosphate pH 2.8-7% methanol-5% acetonitrile at a flow-rate of 1.5 ml/min. With either solvent, the order of elution of the compounds is: isoxanthopterin, pterin-6-carboxylic acid, xanthopterin, pterin-6-carboxaldehyde, D-erythro-neopterin, L-threo-neopterin, biopterin, 6-hydroxymethylpterin, pterin, 6-methylpterin. In addition, a systemic investigation of the effects of ammonium ion concentration and pH of the solvent as well as column temperature on the separation of these compounds was also conducted.", "contents": "Separation of unconjugated pteridines by high-pressure cation-exchange liquid chromatography. In the course of determining the levels of unconjugated pteridines occurring in various biological fluids, such as urines, plasma and tissue culture media, a method has been developed for the separation and quantitative determination in the picomole range of ten 2-amino-4-hydroxy substituted pteridines. This method involves separation by high-pressure cation-exchange liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection of the eluted compounds at 450 nm. Optimal separation was obtained by isocratic elution with 3 mM phosphoric acid-7% methanol-1% acetonitrile at a flow-rate of 2 ml/min or with 1 mM ammonium dihydrogenphosphate pH 2.8-7% methanol-5% acetonitrile at a flow-rate of 1.5 ml/min. With either solvent, the order of elution of the compounds is: isoxanthopterin, pterin-6-carboxylic acid, xanthopterin, pterin-6-carboxaldehyde, D-erythro-neopterin, L-threo-neopterin, biopterin, 6-hydroxymethylpterin, pterin, 6-methylpterin. In addition, a systemic investigation of the effects of ammonium ion concentration and pH of the solvent as well as column temperature on the separation of these compounds was also conducted.", "PMID": 762233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1094", "title": "Fractionation of mannose-labeled neutral glycopeptides by QAE-Sephadex chromatography.", "content": "Mannose-labeled cellular glycopeptides derived from human diploid fibroblasts (KL-2) were separated into two classes by QAE-Sephadex chromatography. High-voltage paper electrophoresis and Sephadex G-50 chromatography were used to characterize the glycopeptides further. At least five distinct neutral fractions were isolated with molecular weights ranging from 1050 to 2000 daltons. A linear gradient of ammonium acetate eluted a heterogeneous population of acidic glycopeptides. The use of QAE-Sephadex enables a single-step fractionation of both neutral and acidic glycopeptides on one column. The technique appears to be sensitive enough to distinguish growth-dependent alterations between growing and non-growing cells.", "contents": "Fractionation of mannose-labeled neutral glycopeptides by QAE-Sephadex chromatography. Mannose-labeled cellular glycopeptides derived from human diploid fibroblasts (KL-2) were separated into two classes by QAE-Sephadex chromatography. High-voltage paper electrophoresis and Sephadex G-50 chromatography were used to characterize the glycopeptides further. At least five distinct neutral fractions were isolated with molecular weights ranging from 1050 to 2000 daltons. A linear gradient of ammonium acetate eluted a heterogeneous population of acidic glycopeptides. The use of QAE-Sephadex enables a single-step fractionation of both neutral and acidic glycopeptides on one column. The technique appears to be sensitive enough to distinguish growth-dependent alterations between growing and non-growing cells.", "PMID": 762234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1095", "title": "High-performance liquid chromatography of pirimiphos methyl and five metabolites.", "content": "Pirimiphos methyl is an organophosphorus insecticide which is rapidly metabolised by plants and animals to several modified triesters and free hydroxyprimidines. A method is described for the determination by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of pirimiphos methyl and its five major metabolites in plasma and urine. Separations were performed by isocratic and gradient elutions from short columns packed with SAS-Hypersil, a relatively new column packing.", "contents": "High-performance liquid chromatography of pirimiphos methyl and five metabolites. Pirimiphos methyl is an organophosphorus insecticide which is rapidly metabolised by plants and animals to several modified triesters and free hydroxyprimidines. A method is described for the determination by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of pirimiphos methyl and its five major metabolites in plasma and urine. Separations were performed by isocratic and gradient elutions from short columns packed with SAS-Hypersil, a relatively new column packing.", "PMID": 762235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1096", "title": "Differential effects of a partially purified preparation of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis on guinea pig tracheal spirals and parenchymal strips.", "content": "The contractile effects of partially purified slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) and histamine were compared on isolated guinea pig tracheal spirals and parenchymal strips. Histamine was equally active on both isolated tissues in a concentration-related fashion. SRS-A (0.1--10.0 U/ml) produced a concentration-related effect on parenchymal strips, whereas the tracheal spiral was 100 times less sensitive to this mediator. The contractile activity of SRS-A on parenchymal strips was diminished by incubation with limpet arylsulfatase and antagonized by FPL 55712, a known SRS-A antagonist. SRS-A, further purified by high pressure liquid chromatography, also demonstrated this preferential activity on guinea pig parenchymal strips. These data are consistent with the hypothesis, based on previous in vivo observations, that SRS-A is a selective peripheral airway constrictor.", "contents": "Differential effects of a partially purified preparation of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis on guinea pig tracheal spirals and parenchymal strips. The contractile effects of partially purified slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) and histamine were compared on isolated guinea pig tracheal spirals and parenchymal strips. Histamine was equally active on both isolated tissues in a concentration-related fashion. SRS-A (0.1--10.0 U/ml) produced a concentration-related effect on parenchymal strips, whereas the tracheal spiral was 100 times less sensitive to this mediator. The contractile activity of SRS-A on parenchymal strips was diminished by incubation with limpet arylsulfatase and antagonized by FPL 55712, a known SRS-A antagonist. SRS-A, further purified by high pressure liquid chromatography, also demonstrated this preferential activity on guinea pig parenchymal strips. These data are consistent with the hypothesis, based on previous in vivo observations, that SRS-A is a selective peripheral airway constrictor.", "PMID": 762239} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1097", "title": "Synergistic interactions of physiologic increments of glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol in the dog: a model for stress-induced hyperglycemia.", "content": "To evaluate the role of anti-insulin hormone actions and interactions in the pathogenesis of stress-induced hyperglycemia, the counterregulatory hormones, glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol were infused alone as well as in double and triple combinations into normal conscious dogs in doses that were designed to simulate changes observed in severe stress. Infusion of glucagon, epinephrine, or cortisol alone produced only mild or insignificant elevations in plasma glucose concentration. In contrast, the rise in plasma glucose produced by combined infusion of any two counterregulatory hormones was 50-215% greater (P < 0.005-0.001) than the sum of the respective individual infusions. Furthermore, when all three hormones were infused simultaneously, the increment in plasma glucose concentration (144+/-2 mg/dl) was two- to fourfold greater than the sum of the responses to the individual hormone infusions or the sum of any combination of double plus single hormone infusion (P < 0.001). Infusion of glucagon or epinephrine alone resulted in a transient rise in glucose production (as measured by [3-(3)H]glucose). While glucagon infusion was accompanied by a rise in glucose clearance, with epinephrine there was a sustained, 20% fall in glucose clearance. When epinephrine was infused together with glucagon, the rise in glucose production was additive, albeit transient. However, the inhibitory effect of epinephrine on glucose clearance predominated, thereby accounting for the exaggerated glycemic response to combined infusion of glucagon and epinephrine. Although infusion of cortisol alone had no effect on glucose production, the addition of cortisol markedly accentuated hyperglycemia produced by glucagon and(or) epinephrine primarily by sustaining the increases in glucose production produced by these hormones. The combined hormonal infusions had no effect on beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration. It is concluded that (a) physiologic increments in glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol interact synergistically in the normal dog so as to rapidly produce marked fasting hyperglycemia; (b) in this interaction, epinephrine enhances glucagon-stimulated glucose output and interferes with glucose uptake while cortisol sustains elevations in glucose production produced by epinephrine and glucagon; and (c) these data indicate that changes in glucose metabolism in circumstances in which several counterregulatory hormones are elevated (e.g., \"stress hyperglycemia\") are a consequence of synergistic interactions among these hormones.", "contents": "Synergistic interactions of physiologic increments of glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol in the dog: a model for stress-induced hyperglycemia. To evaluate the role of anti-insulin hormone actions and interactions in the pathogenesis of stress-induced hyperglycemia, the counterregulatory hormones, glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol were infused alone as well as in double and triple combinations into normal conscious dogs in doses that were designed to simulate changes observed in severe stress. Infusion of glucagon, epinephrine, or cortisol alone produced only mild or insignificant elevations in plasma glucose concentration. In contrast, the rise in plasma glucose produced by combined infusion of any two counterregulatory hormones was 50-215% greater (P < 0.005-0.001) than the sum of the respective individual infusions. Furthermore, when all three hormones were infused simultaneously, the increment in plasma glucose concentration (144+/-2 mg/dl) was two- to fourfold greater than the sum of the responses to the individual hormone infusions or the sum of any combination of double plus single hormone infusion (P < 0.001). Infusion of glucagon or epinephrine alone resulted in a transient rise in glucose production (as measured by [3-(3)H]glucose). While glucagon infusion was accompanied by a rise in glucose clearance, with epinephrine there was a sustained, 20% fall in glucose clearance. When epinephrine was infused together with glucagon, the rise in glucose production was additive, albeit transient. However, the inhibitory effect of epinephrine on glucose clearance predominated, thereby accounting for the exaggerated glycemic response to combined infusion of glucagon and epinephrine. Although infusion of cortisol alone had no effect on glucose production, the addition of cortisol markedly accentuated hyperglycemia produced by glucagon and(or) epinephrine primarily by sustaining the increases in glucose production produced by these hormones. The combined hormonal infusions had no effect on beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration. It is concluded that (a) physiologic increments in glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol interact synergistically in the normal dog so as to rapidly produce marked fasting hyperglycemia; (b) in this interaction, epinephrine enhances glucagon-stimulated glucose output and interferes with glucose uptake while cortisol sustains elevations in glucose production produced by epinephrine and glucagon; and (c) these data indicate that changes in glucose metabolism in circumstances in which several counterregulatory hormones are elevated (e.g., \"stress hyperglycemia\") are a consequence of synergistic interactions among these hormones.", "PMID": 762240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1098", "title": "Different HLA-D associations in adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "HLA-D typing was performed in 126 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. HLA-DW4, the antigen found in previous studies to characterize adult rheumatoid arthritis, had a significantly lower frequency in children with arthritis than in normal controls (P less than 0.04). By contrast, in children the antigens HLA-DW7 (P less than 0.03) and HLA-DW8 (P less than 0.01) were increased compared to controls. The antigen TMo, detected with homozygous typing cells from a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, was found to be related to the cross-reactive specificities HLA-DW7 and DW11. 46% of the patients with persistent pauciarticular arthritis of childhood typed for the antigen TMo, compared to only 1% of normal controls. Thus the relative risk for persistent pauciarticular arthritis in relation to the presence of TMo was 67.7 (P less than 0.0001). These results provide evidence of fundamental differences between adult rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis of childhood. The latter group appears to include a population distinguishable clinically and characterized in these studies by the HLA-D determinant TMo.", "contents": "Different HLA-D associations in adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. HLA-D typing was performed in 126 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. HLA-DW4, the antigen found in previous studies to characterize adult rheumatoid arthritis, had a significantly lower frequency in children with arthritis than in normal controls (P less than 0.04). By contrast, in children the antigens HLA-DW7 (P less than 0.03) and HLA-DW8 (P less than 0.01) were increased compared to controls. The antigen TMo, detected with homozygous typing cells from a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, was found to be related to the cross-reactive specificities HLA-DW7 and DW11. 46% of the patients with persistent pauciarticular arthritis of childhood typed for the antigen TMo, compared to only 1% of normal controls. Thus the relative risk for persistent pauciarticular arthritis in relation to the presence of TMo was 67.7 (P less than 0.0001). These results provide evidence of fundamental differences between adult rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis of childhood. The latter group appears to include a population distinguishable clinically and characterized in these studies by the HLA-D determinant TMo.", "PMID": 762241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1099", "title": "Effects of prostaglandin cyclic endoperoxides on the lung circulation of unanesthetized sheep.", "content": "Although prostaglandins E(2) and F(2alpha) have been suggested as mediators of the pulmonary hypertension seen after endotoxin infusion or during alveolar hypoxia, their precursors, the endoperoxides (prostaglandins G(2) and H(2)) are much more potent vasoconstrictors in vitro. In this study we compared the effects of prostaglandin (PG)H(2), a stable 9-methylene ether analogue of PGH(2) (PGH(2)-A), PGE(2), and PGF(2alpha) on pulmonary hemodynamics in awake sheep. The animals were prepared to allow for measurement of (a) lung lymph flow; (b) plasma and lymph protein concentration; (c) systemic and pulmonary vascular pressures; and (d) cardiac output. We also determined the effect of prolonged PGH(2)-A infusions on lung fluid balance and vascular permeability by indicator dilution methods, and by assessing the response of lung lymph. Both PGH(2) and PGH(2)-A caused a dose-related increase in pulmonary artery pressure: 0.25 mug/kg x min tripled pulmonary vascular resistance without substantially affecting systemic pressures. Both were 100 times more potent than PGE(2) or PGF(2alpha) in this preparation. PGH(2)-A, as our analysis of lung lymph and indicator dilution measurements show, does not increase the permeability of exchanging vessels in the lung to fluid and protein. It does, however, augment lung fluid transport by increasing hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary circulation. We conclude: (a) that PGH(2) is likely to be an important mediator of pulmonary vasoconstriction; (b) its effects are probably not a result of its metabolites PGE(2) or PGF(2alpha).", "contents": "Effects of prostaglandin cyclic endoperoxides on the lung circulation of unanesthetized sheep. Although prostaglandins E(2) and F(2alpha) have been suggested as mediators of the pulmonary hypertension seen after endotoxin infusion or during alveolar hypoxia, their precursors, the endoperoxides (prostaglandins G(2) and H(2)) are much more potent vasoconstrictors in vitro. In this study we compared the effects of prostaglandin (PG)H(2), a stable 9-methylene ether analogue of PGH(2) (PGH(2)-A), PGE(2), and PGF(2alpha) on pulmonary hemodynamics in awake sheep. The animals were prepared to allow for measurement of (a) lung lymph flow; (b) plasma and lymph protein concentration; (c) systemic and pulmonary vascular pressures; and (d) cardiac output. We also determined the effect of prolonged PGH(2)-A infusions on lung fluid balance and vascular permeability by indicator dilution methods, and by assessing the response of lung lymph. Both PGH(2) and PGH(2)-A caused a dose-related increase in pulmonary artery pressure: 0.25 mug/kg x min tripled pulmonary vascular resistance without substantially affecting systemic pressures. Both were 100 times more potent than PGE(2) or PGF(2alpha) in this preparation. PGH(2)-A, as our analysis of lung lymph and indicator dilution measurements show, does not increase the permeability of exchanging vessels in the lung to fluid and protein. It does, however, augment lung fluid transport by increasing hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary circulation. We conclude: (a) that PGH(2) is likely to be an important mediator of pulmonary vasoconstriction; (b) its effects are probably not a result of its metabolites PGE(2) or PGF(2alpha).", "PMID": 762242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1100", "title": "C5 chemotactic fragment induces leukocyte production of tissue factor activity: a link between complement and coagulation.", "content": "Complement-activated human plasma causes generation of tissue factor in human leukocytes. This phenomenon appears to be related to the fifth component of complement (C5) as demonstrated by the use of C5 deficient-plasma and suppression of activity with antibody to C5. Isolation of the chemotactic factor from activated serum or trypsinization of purified C5 reproduces the phenomenon. These data provide evidence for a direct link between complement products and activation of the coagulation system. Because chemotactic peptides from C5 can be generated by a variety of enzymes, our findings suggest a relationship between complement, coagulation, and inflammation.", "contents": "C5 chemotactic fragment induces leukocyte production of tissue factor activity: a link between complement and coagulation. Complement-activated human plasma causes generation of tissue factor in human leukocytes. This phenomenon appears to be related to the fifth component of complement (C5) as demonstrated by the use of C5 deficient-plasma and suppression of activity with antibody to C5. Isolation of the chemotactic factor from activated serum or trypsinization of purified C5 reproduces the phenomenon. These data provide evidence for a direct link between complement products and activation of the coagulation system. Because chemotactic peptides from C5 can be generated by a variety of enzymes, our findings suggest a relationship between complement, coagulation, and inflammation.", "PMID": 762243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1101", "title": "Lymphocyte adherence in multiple sclerosis: effect of aspirin.", "content": "Peripheral blood lymphocytes from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients form substantially greater numbers of rosettes with measles virus-infected human epithelial cells than do lymphocytes from healthy controls or from patients with other diseases. We have previously shown that prostaglandin E(1)-treated normal lymphocytes exhibit increased lymphocyte adherence, and thus behave like MS lymphocytes in this in vitro system. In this study we describe the effect of prostaglandin synthesis inhibition on lymphocyte adherence in both MS and control patients. Direct addition of aspirin or indomethacin to peripheral blood mononuclear cells from MS patients in vitro reduced lymphocyte adherence to control levels. Ingestion of therapeutic (anti-inflammatory) doses of aspirin (1 g, 4 times daily for 2 d) by MS patients resulted in reduction of lymphocyte adherence to levels seen in healthy controls. A single 325-mg dose of aspirin did not reduce lymphocyte adherence. A dose-dependent reduction in lymphocyte adherence was observed after single doses ranging from 650 mg to 1.3 g; duration of the effect was directly related to the aspirin dose. These observations indicate that treatment of MS patients with aspirin profoundly influences adherence of their lymphocytes to measles virus-infected cells and suggest that the altered cellular response, which results in increased lymphocyte adherence in MS patients, may be mediated by a prostaglandin-sensitive mechanism.", "contents": "Lymphocyte adherence in multiple sclerosis: effect of aspirin. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients form substantially greater numbers of rosettes with measles virus-infected human epithelial cells than do lymphocytes from healthy controls or from patients with other diseases. We have previously shown that prostaglandin E(1)-treated normal lymphocytes exhibit increased lymphocyte adherence, and thus behave like MS lymphocytes in this in vitro system. In this study we describe the effect of prostaglandin synthesis inhibition on lymphocyte adherence in both MS and control patients. Direct addition of aspirin or indomethacin to peripheral blood mononuclear cells from MS patients in vitro reduced lymphocyte adherence to control levels. Ingestion of therapeutic (anti-inflammatory) doses of aspirin (1 g, 4 times daily for 2 d) by MS patients resulted in reduction of lymphocyte adherence to levels seen in healthy controls. A single 325-mg dose of aspirin did not reduce lymphocyte adherence. A dose-dependent reduction in lymphocyte adherence was observed after single doses ranging from 650 mg to 1.3 g; duration of the effect was directly related to the aspirin dose. These observations indicate that treatment of MS patients with aspirin profoundly influences adherence of their lymphocytes to measles virus-infected cells and suggest that the altered cellular response, which results in increased lymphocyte adherence in MS patients, may be mediated by a prostaglandin-sensitive mechanism.", "PMID": 762244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1102", "title": "Hyperoxic attenuation of exercise-induced bronchospasm in asthmatics.", "content": "To investigate the mechanism of exercise-induced bronchospasm, we measured specific airway conductance before and after exercise in 7 healthy normals, 12 asthmatics with intact carotid bodies, and 5 asthmatics who had had bilateral carotid body resection. The subjects breathed either air or oxygen (randomly assigned) during cycle ergometer exercise. Post-exercise bronchodilation was the usual pattern in normals, whereas post-exercise bronchospasm occurred in all asthmatics who breathed air during exercise. Oxygen breathing during exercise markedly attenuated the post-exercise bronchospasm in those asthmatics with intact carotid bodies, but had no significant effect in those without effect in those without carotid bodies. The attenuation of the bronchospasm with oxygen occurred with either incremental or constant load exercise of high intensity. The degree of attenuation did not correlate significantly with changes in end-tidal PCO2, maximum work rate, maximum exercise ventilation, or maximum heart rate. These studies indicate that oxygen attenuates exercise-induced bronchospasm in asthmatics through its action on the carotid bodies.", "contents": "Hyperoxic attenuation of exercise-induced bronchospasm in asthmatics. To investigate the mechanism of exercise-induced bronchospasm, we measured specific airway conductance before and after exercise in 7 healthy normals, 12 asthmatics with intact carotid bodies, and 5 asthmatics who had had bilateral carotid body resection. The subjects breathed either air or oxygen (randomly assigned) during cycle ergometer exercise. Post-exercise bronchodilation was the usual pattern in normals, whereas post-exercise bronchospasm occurred in all asthmatics who breathed air during exercise. Oxygen breathing during exercise markedly attenuated the post-exercise bronchospasm in those asthmatics with intact carotid bodies, but had no significant effect in those without effect in those without carotid bodies. The attenuation of the bronchospasm with oxygen occurred with either incremental or constant load exercise of high intensity. The degree of attenuation did not correlate significantly with changes in end-tidal PCO2, maximum work rate, maximum exercise ventilation, or maximum heart rate. These studies indicate that oxygen attenuates exercise-induced bronchospasm in asthmatics through its action on the carotid bodies.", "PMID": 762245} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1103", "title": "Cholic acid biosynthesis: the enzymatic defect in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis.", "content": "Cholic acid biosynthesis is defective in individuals with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) and is associated with the excretion of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,25-tetrol, an intermediate in the 25-hydroxylation pathway of cholic acid in CTX. To define the enzymatic defect in CTX, two suspected precursors of cholic acid, namely 5beta-[7beta-(3)H]cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-triol and 5beta-[24-(14)C]cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24S,25-pentol were examined by both in vivo and in vitro experiments. A third precursor, 5beta-[7beta-(3)H]-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,25-tetrol, was compared with them in vitro. In the in vivo experiments, each one of the labeled precursors was administered intravenously to two CTX and two control subjects. In the controls, 5beta-[7beta-(3)H]cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-triol as well as 5beta-[24-(14)C]-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24S,25-pentol were rapidly converted to labeled cholic acid. Maximum specific activity values were reached within 1 d after pulse labeling, followed by exponential decay of the cholic acid specific activity curves. In contrast, these two precursors differed widely when administered to two CTX patients. While 5beta-[24-(14)C]cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24S,25-pentol was rapidly converted to [24-(14)C]cholic acid and yielded identical decay curves with those obtained in the control subjects, maximum specific activity values in [7beta-(3)H]cholic acid were much lower and peaked only on the second day after the injection of 5beta-[7beta-(3)H]cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-triol. Furthermore, an appreciable amount of (3)H label was present in the 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,25-tetrol isolated from the bile of the subjects with CTX. In the in vitro experiments, three enzymes on the 25-hydroxylation pathway of cholic acid were examined in both control and CTX subjects. The rate of the 25-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-triol in CTX patients was comparable to that in the controls. Similarly, the transformation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24S,25-pentol to cholic acid, catalyzed by soluble enzymes, proceeded at approximately equal rates in CTX and in control individuals. On the other hand, the rate of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24S,25-pentol formation was about four times greater in the control subjects than in the CTX patients.The results of the in vivo as well as the in vitro experiments suggest that the site of the enzymatic defect in CTX is at the 24S-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,25-tetrol. The relative deficiency of this hydroxylase in CTX patients, accompanied by the accumulation of its substrate in bile and feces, probably accounts for the subnormal production of bile acids in CTX patients.", "contents": "Cholic acid biosynthesis: the enzymatic defect in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. Cholic acid biosynthesis is defective in individuals with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) and is associated with the excretion of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,25-tetrol, an intermediate in the 25-hydroxylation pathway of cholic acid in CTX. To define the enzymatic defect in CTX, two suspected precursors of cholic acid, namely 5beta-[7beta-(3)H]cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-triol and 5beta-[24-(14)C]cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24S,25-pentol were examined by both in vivo and in vitro experiments. A third precursor, 5beta-[7beta-(3)H]-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,25-tetrol, was compared with them in vitro. In the in vivo experiments, each one of the labeled precursors was administered intravenously to two CTX and two control subjects. In the controls, 5beta-[7beta-(3)H]cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-triol as well as 5beta-[24-(14)C]-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24S,25-pentol were rapidly converted to labeled cholic acid. Maximum specific activity values were reached within 1 d after pulse labeling, followed by exponential decay of the cholic acid specific activity curves. In contrast, these two precursors differed widely when administered to two CTX patients. While 5beta-[24-(14)C]cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24S,25-pentol was rapidly converted to [24-(14)C]cholic acid and yielded identical decay curves with those obtained in the control subjects, maximum specific activity values in [7beta-(3)H]cholic acid were much lower and peaked only on the second day after the injection of 5beta-[7beta-(3)H]cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-triol. Furthermore, an appreciable amount of (3)H label was present in the 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,25-tetrol isolated from the bile of the subjects with CTX. In the in vitro experiments, three enzymes on the 25-hydroxylation pathway of cholic acid were examined in both control and CTX subjects. The rate of the 25-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-triol in CTX patients was comparable to that in the controls. Similarly, the transformation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24S,25-pentol to cholic acid, catalyzed by soluble enzymes, proceeded at approximately equal rates in CTX and in control individuals. On the other hand, the rate of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24S,25-pentol formation was about four times greater in the control subjects than in the CTX patients.The results of the in vivo as well as the in vitro experiments suggest that the site of the enzymatic defect in CTX is at the 24S-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,25-tetrol. The relative deficiency of this hydroxylase in CTX patients, accompanied by the accumulation of its substrate in bile and feces, probably accounts for the subnormal production of bile acids in CTX patients.", "PMID": 762246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1104", "title": "Loop of Henle bicarbonate accumulation in vivo in the rat.", "content": "We have carried out perfusion studies on hydropenic and bicarbonate-loaded rats to provide direct in vivo observations on bicarbonate accumulation in the short loops of Henle. Analysis of early distal tubular fluid was made during bicarbonate-free saline perfusion from the end proximal to the early distal site, documenting accumulation of \"new\" bicarbonate. During perfusion in hydropenic rats, steady-state bicarbonate concentrations were suggested by early distal values of approximately equal to mM, which were independent of perfusion rate and virtually indistinguishable from bicarbonate concentration measured during free flow when filtered bicarbonate was allowed to enter the loop. Thus, loop bicarconate accumulation was apparently sufficient to allow new bicarbonate to enter at a rate comparable to that delivered to the early distal site during free flow, recognizing of course that free-flow delivery rates are the result of complex components of filtration and bidirectional fluxes. In bicarbonate-loaded rats, however, bicarbonate accumulation rates although higher than in hydropenia, were much lower than free-flow delivery rates. Furthermore, early distal bicarbonate concentrations during bicarbonate loading fell as perfusion rate increased, presumably because of a limitation to increasing ionic bicarbonate entry.", "contents": "Loop of Henle bicarbonate accumulation in vivo in the rat. We have carried out perfusion studies on hydropenic and bicarbonate-loaded rats to provide direct in vivo observations on bicarbonate accumulation in the short loops of Henle. Analysis of early distal tubular fluid was made during bicarbonate-free saline perfusion from the end proximal to the early distal site, documenting accumulation of \"new\" bicarbonate. During perfusion in hydropenic rats, steady-state bicarbonate concentrations were suggested by early distal values of approximately equal to mM, which were independent of perfusion rate and virtually indistinguishable from bicarbonate concentration measured during free flow when filtered bicarbonate was allowed to enter the loop. Thus, loop bicarconate accumulation was apparently sufficient to allow new bicarbonate to enter at a rate comparable to that delivered to the early distal site during free flow, recognizing of course that free-flow delivery rates are the result of complex components of filtration and bidirectional fluxes. In bicarbonate-loaded rats, however, bicarbonate accumulation rates although higher than in hydropenia, were much lower than free-flow delivery rates. Furthermore, early distal bicarbonate concentrations during bicarbonate loading fell as perfusion rate increased, presumably because of a limitation to increasing ionic bicarbonate entry.", "PMID": 762247} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1105", "title": "The handling of immunoreactive vasopressin by the isolated perfused rat kidney.", "content": "Using the isolated rat kidney perfused with an artificial medium containing glucose as the sole fuel, we studied the renal handling of immunoreactive arginine vasopressin (AVP) and determined the effect of various factors on the ability of the kidney to remove AVP. In control kidneys perfused with AVP at concentrations below 116 muU/ml, the organ clearance of AVP (OC(AVP)) was 1,145+/-47 (SE) mul/min, whereas glomerular filtration rate (GFR) averaged 515+/-37 mul/min. Filtration could thus account for up to 45% of the OC(AVP), the balance presumably being cleared from the peritubular circulation. Of the AVP filtered, only 38% could be recovered in the urine (urinary clearance AVP averaged 205+/-12 mul/min) suggesting that the balance was taken up by the tubular epithelium and degraded. Fractional excretion of filtered AVP rose significantly in the presence of anoxia and cold (10 degrees C) to 49 and 59%, respectively, but was not affected by ouabain or high levels of AVP (458+/-58 muU/ml). The OC(AVP) was not significantly altered by the absence of glucose in the perfusate, anoxia, or ureteral ligation, maneuvers that were associated with significant reductions in GFR. In these and the control experiments, there was a significant inverse correlation between GFR and peritubular clearance emphasizing the importance of the latter (r = -0.749; P < 0.001). Cold, ouabain, and high concentrations of AVP reduced the clearance of AVP by the kidneys. On the basis of these studies we conclude that the kidney clears AVP from the circulation via two pathways, glomerular clearance and peritubular clearance. This exposes both the luminal and contraluminal surfaces of the tubular cells to the hormone, allowing these cells to remove AVP from the filtrate and the peritubular compartment. Noteworthy is the observation that under several conditions when GFR falls reducing the glomerular clearance of AVP, peritubular clearance increases and the total clearance of AVP by the kidney remains constant.", "contents": "The handling of immunoreactive vasopressin by the isolated perfused rat kidney. Using the isolated rat kidney perfused with an artificial medium containing glucose as the sole fuel, we studied the renal handling of immunoreactive arginine vasopressin (AVP) and determined the effect of various factors on the ability of the kidney to remove AVP. In control kidneys perfused with AVP at concentrations below 116 muU/ml, the organ clearance of AVP (OC(AVP)) was 1,145+/-47 (SE) mul/min, whereas glomerular filtration rate (GFR) averaged 515+/-37 mul/min. Filtration could thus account for up to 45% of the OC(AVP), the balance presumably being cleared from the peritubular circulation. Of the AVP filtered, only 38% could be recovered in the urine (urinary clearance AVP averaged 205+/-12 mul/min) suggesting that the balance was taken up by the tubular epithelium and degraded. Fractional excretion of filtered AVP rose significantly in the presence of anoxia and cold (10 degrees C) to 49 and 59%, respectively, but was not affected by ouabain or high levels of AVP (458+/-58 muU/ml). The OC(AVP) was not significantly altered by the absence of glucose in the perfusate, anoxia, or ureteral ligation, maneuvers that were associated with significant reductions in GFR. In these and the control experiments, there was a significant inverse correlation between GFR and peritubular clearance emphasizing the importance of the latter (r = -0.749; P < 0.001). Cold, ouabain, and high concentrations of AVP reduced the clearance of AVP by the kidneys. On the basis of these studies we conclude that the kidney clears AVP from the circulation via two pathways, glomerular clearance and peritubular clearance. This exposes both the luminal and contraluminal surfaces of the tubular cells to the hormone, allowing these cells to remove AVP from the filtrate and the peritubular compartment. Noteworthy is the observation that under several conditions when GFR falls reducing the glomerular clearance of AVP, peritubular clearance increases and the total clearance of AVP by the kidney remains constant.", "PMID": 762248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1106", "title": "Demonstration of a specific neutrophil receptor for a cell-derived chemotactic factor.", "content": "The crystal-induced chemotactic factor, a cell-derived chemoattractant for neutrophils, binds specifically to a site on human neutrophils but not to erythrocytes or lymphocytes, suggesting a relationship between the presence of specific binding sites on the neutrophils and the ability to be chemotactically activated. The Scatchard analysis revealed an equilibrium dissociation constant at 37 degrees C of 0.446 micrometer and the presence of approximately equal to 6.44 x 10(5) binding sites for 125I-crystal-induced chemotactic factor per cell. Binding was not displaced by the synthetic chemotactic factors F-Met-Leu-Phe and Gly-His-Gly or by complement-activated plasma providing evidence of the specificity of the receptor.", "contents": "Demonstration of a specific neutrophil receptor for a cell-derived chemotactic factor. The crystal-induced chemotactic factor, a cell-derived chemoattractant for neutrophils, binds specifically to a site on human neutrophils but not to erythrocytes or lymphocytes, suggesting a relationship between the presence of specific binding sites on the neutrophils and the ability to be chemotactically activated. The Scatchard analysis revealed an equilibrium dissociation constant at 37 degrees C of 0.446 micrometer and the presence of approximately equal to 6.44 x 10(5) binding sites for 125I-crystal-induced chemotactic factor per cell. Binding was not displaced by the synthetic chemotactic factors F-Met-Leu-Phe and Gly-His-Gly or by complement-activated plasma providing evidence of the specificity of the receptor.", "PMID": 762249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1107", "title": "Analysis of parathyroid hormone and its fragments in rat tissues: chemical identification and microscopical localization.", "content": "After intravenous injection of [(125)I]-iodo-parathyroid hormone in the rat, uptake of the hormone was greatest in the liver and kidneys. Uptake was rapid, reaching a maximal concentration by 4 and 8 min, respectively. Extracts, prepared from both these organs at intervals soon after the injection of intact hormone, showed three main radioactive peaks when samples were subjected to gel filtration under protein-denaturing conditions. The first peak coeluted with intact hormone. The second eluted at a position corresponding to the carboxy-terminal fragments previously described in plasma, and the last eluted at the salt volume of the column. Microsequence analysis of the radioiodinated fragments, a method that has proved valuable for chemically defining the circulating fragments resulting from metabolism of injected hormone, showed that extracts of liver and kidney, prepared at 4 and 8 min after injection of the intact hormone, contained different fragments. The radioiodinated fragments in liver extracts were identical to those previously reported in the plasma of rats and dogs, fragments resulting principally from proteolysis between positions 33 and 34, and 36 and 37 of the intact hormone. Although the same fragments were also present in the kidneys, they constituted less than 15% of the amount present in the liver. More than 50% of the labeled renal fragments consisted of a peptide whose amino-terminal amino acid was position 39 of the intact hormone, a fragment not present in plasma. The rate of appearance of radioiodinated fragments that were chemically identical to those in plasma was more rapid in the liver than in plasma. Correlation of these chemical analyses with studies of the localization of (125)I by autoradiography showed that at the times when the intact hormone and the carboxy-terminal fragments comprised nearly all of the (125)I-labeled moieties in the tissues, the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney and sinusoidal lining cells of the liver, which probably are Kupffer cells, contained the highest concentration of (125)I. Preferential localization of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone to these tissue sites also was shown by immunoperoxidase staining in studies with unlabeled hormone. Our results suggest that, unless multiple renal mechanisms are present for release of hormonal fragments, one of which releases the circulating fragments preferentially, the liver, rather than the kidney, is principally responsible for generating the carboxy-terminal fragments in plasma after injection of intact hormone, and the Kupffer cells may contain the enzymes that hydrolyze parathyroid hormone.", "contents": "Analysis of parathyroid hormone and its fragments in rat tissues: chemical identification and microscopical localization. After intravenous injection of [(125)I]-iodo-parathyroid hormone in the rat, uptake of the hormone was greatest in the liver and kidneys. Uptake was rapid, reaching a maximal concentration by 4 and 8 min, respectively. Extracts, prepared from both these organs at intervals soon after the injection of intact hormone, showed three main radioactive peaks when samples were subjected to gel filtration under protein-denaturing conditions. The first peak coeluted with intact hormone. The second eluted at a position corresponding to the carboxy-terminal fragments previously described in plasma, and the last eluted at the salt volume of the column. Microsequence analysis of the radioiodinated fragments, a method that has proved valuable for chemically defining the circulating fragments resulting from metabolism of injected hormone, showed that extracts of liver and kidney, prepared at 4 and 8 min after injection of the intact hormone, contained different fragments. The radioiodinated fragments in liver extracts were identical to those previously reported in the plasma of rats and dogs, fragments resulting principally from proteolysis between positions 33 and 34, and 36 and 37 of the intact hormone. Although the same fragments were also present in the kidneys, they constituted less than 15% of the amount present in the liver. More than 50% of the labeled renal fragments consisted of a peptide whose amino-terminal amino acid was position 39 of the intact hormone, a fragment not present in plasma. The rate of appearance of radioiodinated fragments that were chemically identical to those in plasma was more rapid in the liver than in plasma. Correlation of these chemical analyses with studies of the localization of (125)I by autoradiography showed that at the times when the intact hormone and the carboxy-terminal fragments comprised nearly all of the (125)I-labeled moieties in the tissues, the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney and sinusoidal lining cells of the liver, which probably are Kupffer cells, contained the highest concentration of (125)I. Preferential localization of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone to these tissue sites also was shown by immunoperoxidase staining in studies with unlabeled hormone. Our results suggest that, unless multiple renal mechanisms are present for release of hormonal fragments, one of which releases the circulating fragments preferentially, the liver, rather than the kidney, is principally responsible for generating the carboxy-terminal fragments in plasma after injection of intact hormone, and the Kupffer cells may contain the enzymes that hydrolyze parathyroid hormone.", "PMID": 762250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1108", "title": "Electrophysiologic properties of coffee in man.", "content": "There is no information on the effects of coffee on the human conduction system. His bundle electrograms were obtained in 12 patients before and 20 minutes after the ingestion of coffee containing 150 mg caffeine. Antegrade and retrograde refractory periods were obtained with the extrastimulus method. The effective and functional refractory period of the atrioventricular node decreased after coffee ingestion. This improvement in conduction is probably mediated by a release of catecholamines.", "contents": "Electrophysiologic properties of coffee in man. There is no information on the effects of coffee on the human conduction system. His bundle electrograms were obtained in 12 patients before and 20 minutes after the ingestion of coffee containing 150 mg caffeine. Antegrade and retrograde refractory periods were obtained with the extrastimulus method. The effective and functional refractory period of the atrioventricular node decreased after coffee ingestion. This improvement in conduction is probably mediated by a release of catecholamines.", "PMID": 762254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1109", "title": "Variability of laminar patterns in the human lateral geniculate nucleus.", "content": "The structure of the human lateral geniculate nucleus has been studied on serial Nissl stained sections from 57 human brains. Most of the brains were from neurologically normal individuals and were obtained during routine autopsy procedures. The laminar arrangement within the human nucleus is surprisingly variable. It is always possible to recognize a small segment with two layers (the monocular segment), one with four layers and one with six layers. Often an 8-layered segment can also be seen. The posterior half of the nucleus, within which central vision is represented, is made up mainly of six layers, and is the least variable part of the nucleus. Here the layers lie roughly parallel to each other. In the anterior half of the nucleus the laminar arrangement is more variable, and the layers often form complex and irregular interdigitations with each other. The 8-layered segment varies greatly in size and may be absent. It generally lies at the edge of the 4-layered segment not, as might have been expected, within the borders of the 6-layered segment. In many parts of the nucleus nerve cells are organized in short rows that run perpendicular to the layers; also, individual nerve cells are elongated in this direction. This neuronal orientation follows the lines of projection that are defined by the borders of a zone of retrograde degeneration, and also corresponds to the orientation of a cellular discontinuity that probably is the geniculate representation of the blind spot. Thus, we conclude that the neuronal orientation indicates the lines of projection within the nucleus.", "contents": "Variability of laminar patterns in the human lateral geniculate nucleus. The structure of the human lateral geniculate nucleus has been studied on serial Nissl stained sections from 57 human brains. Most of the brains were from neurologically normal individuals and were obtained during routine autopsy procedures. The laminar arrangement within the human nucleus is surprisingly variable. It is always possible to recognize a small segment with two layers (the monocular segment), one with four layers and one with six layers. Often an 8-layered segment can also be seen. The posterior half of the nucleus, within which central vision is represented, is made up mainly of six layers, and is the least variable part of the nucleus. Here the layers lie roughly parallel to each other. In the anterior half of the nucleus the laminar arrangement is more variable, and the layers often form complex and irregular interdigitations with each other. The 8-layered segment varies greatly in size and may be absent. It generally lies at the edge of the 4-layered segment not, as might have been expected, within the borders of the 6-layered segment. In many parts of the nucleus nerve cells are organized in short rows that run perpendicular to the layers; also, individual nerve cells are elongated in this direction. This neuronal orientation follows the lines of projection that are defined by the borders of a zone of retrograde degeneration, and also corresponds to the orientation of a cellular discontinuity that probably is the geniculate representation of the blind spot. Thus, we conclude that the neuronal orientation indicates the lines of projection within the nucleus.", "PMID": 762256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1110", "title": "A Golgi study of the early postnatal development of the visual cortex of the hooded rat.", "content": "Although neuroanatomical plasticity has been demonstrated in the rat visual cortex, no systematic data on the dendritic development of the area are available. In the present study, the visual cortex of hooded rats at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 postnatal days of age (P1-P15) was impregnated with the rapid Golgi method. The cortex was divided into the superficial layers, II-IV, and the middle layer V. At P1, pyramidal neurons had apical shafts and the beginning of the apical terminal arch. Analysis of both basilar and oblique dendritic number showed that pyramidal neurons of the middle layer developed more quickly than those in the superficial layers. The number of lower order basilar dendritic branches reached asymptote over the examined time period, whereas the higher order branches were still increasing in number but at a decelerating rate by P15. Dendrites at all ages exhibited varicosities which were especially prominent on the thin dendritic branches of the earlier ages. Some thin, filamentous processes, termed protospines, were found on dendrites and cell bodies at P1 to P5. They seemed to decrease by P7, when a few mature spines appeared. Spines increased in number on days P10 and P15. A comparison of the data from this study with quantified Golgi studies in adult rats indicates that by P10 and P15 the number of basilar branches is in the range seen in the adult.", "contents": "A Golgi study of the early postnatal development of the visual cortex of the hooded rat. Although neuroanatomical plasticity has been demonstrated in the rat visual cortex, no systematic data on the dendritic development of the area are available. In the present study, the visual cortex of hooded rats at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 postnatal days of age (P1-P15) was impregnated with the rapid Golgi method. The cortex was divided into the superficial layers, II-IV, and the middle layer V. At P1, pyramidal neurons had apical shafts and the beginning of the apical terminal arch. Analysis of both basilar and oblique dendritic number showed that pyramidal neurons of the middle layer developed more quickly than those in the superficial layers. The number of lower order basilar dendritic branches reached asymptote over the examined time period, whereas the higher order branches were still increasing in number but at a decelerating rate by P15. Dendrites at all ages exhibited varicosities which were especially prominent on the thin dendritic branches of the earlier ages. Some thin, filamentous processes, termed protospines, were found on dendrites and cell bodies at P1 to P5. They seemed to decrease by P7, when a few mature spines appeared. Spines increased in number on days P10 and P15. A comparison of the data from this study with quantified Golgi studies in adult rats indicates that by P10 and P15 the number of basilar branches is in the range seen in the adult.", "PMID": 762257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1111", "title": "An electron microscope study of the early postnatal development of the visual cortex of the hooded rat.", "content": "Synaptic plasticity in response to environmental events has been clearly demonstrated in the visual cortex of the rat, but no detailed data concerning the course of early synaptogenesis in this area are available. In this study, synaptogenesis in the visual cortex of hooded rats at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 postnatal days of age (P1-P10) was examined with electron microscopy. The cortex was divided into the molecular layer, the superficial layers (II-IV) and deep layers (V-VI). In the visual cortex at P1, very few synapses are present in the molecular and deep layers and virtually none in the yet undifferentiated layers II-IV that compose the cortical plate at this age. The synapses that are present are axodendritic and often symmetrical with little membrane thickening and few vesicles. Axosomatic synapses were seen as early as P3 but very rarely. There are marked increases in axodendritic synaptic density and maturity with increasing age. By P7 and P10, many synapses appear mature in form and the majority can be classified a symmetrical. Axospinal synapses first appeared at P7 and were more frequent by P10. However, this classification was somewhat uncertain since no spinal apparatus was detected. Rate of synaptogenesis appeared to increase over the ages studied and showed no signs of leveling off except in the deep layers. Synaptic length was extremely variable and did not change systematically with age.", "contents": "An electron microscope study of the early postnatal development of the visual cortex of the hooded rat. Synaptic plasticity in response to environmental events has been clearly demonstrated in the visual cortex of the rat, but no detailed data concerning the course of early synaptogenesis in this area are available. In this study, synaptogenesis in the visual cortex of hooded rats at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 postnatal days of age (P1-P10) was examined with electron microscopy. The cortex was divided into the molecular layer, the superficial layers (II-IV) and deep layers (V-VI). In the visual cortex at P1, very few synapses are present in the molecular and deep layers and virtually none in the yet undifferentiated layers II-IV that compose the cortical plate at this age. The synapses that are present are axodendritic and often symmetrical with little membrane thickening and few vesicles. Axosomatic synapses were seen as early as P3 but very rarely. There are marked increases in axodendritic synaptic density and maturity with increasing age. By P7 and P10, many synapses appear mature in form and the majority can be classified a symmetrical. Axospinal synapses first appeared at P7 and were more frequent by P10. However, this classification was somewhat uncertain since no spinal apparatus was detected. Rate of synaptogenesis appeared to increase over the ages studied and showed no signs of leveling off except in the deep layers. Synaptic length was extremely variable and did not change systematically with age.", "PMID": 762258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1112", "title": "Properties of superior colliculus neurons in the golden hamster.", "content": "A laminar representation of sensory modalities was present in the hamster superior colliculus (SC) with upper laminar cells being exclusively visual, while intermediate and deeper layer cells were visual, somatic, acoustic or multimodal. Receptive field (RF) properties of visual SC cells were studied quantitatively with stationary spots and moving bars of light of various sizes, velocities and directions of movement. The most effective stimuli were usually less than half of the diameter of the RF. Increasing stimulus size beyond a critical range produced progressively lower discharge rates even though the stimulus was confined within the borders of the RF. Low velocities (10-50 degrees/sec) were most frequently optimal for both upper and lower laminar cells and the majority of cells were directionally selective. Movements in the upper nasal direction usually elicited the highest discharge rates and were thus preferred most frequently. However, directional preferences often could be minimized, or obliterated, by employing nonoptimal stimulus sizes and/or velocities. Most intermediate and deeper laminar somatic cells could be activated by gentle cutaneous stimuli and a general somatotopic plan, which was in register with the overlying visuotopy, was noted. Cells optimally, or solely, activated by noxious stimuli were also located, but RFs of such cells were extensive and a somatotopic plan was not apparent. Although species differences are apparent, the similarities between the organization and the RF properties of SC cells of the hamster and distantly related species are striking. Apparently the same SC system is adaptive in diverse species despite the very different behavioral repertories of these animals and their different ecological niches.", "contents": "Properties of superior colliculus neurons in the golden hamster. A laminar representation of sensory modalities was present in the hamster superior colliculus (SC) with upper laminar cells being exclusively visual, while intermediate and deeper layer cells were visual, somatic, acoustic or multimodal. Receptive field (RF) properties of visual SC cells were studied quantitatively with stationary spots and moving bars of light of various sizes, velocities and directions of movement. The most effective stimuli were usually less than half of the diameter of the RF. Increasing stimulus size beyond a critical range produced progressively lower discharge rates even though the stimulus was confined within the borders of the RF. Low velocities (10-50 degrees/sec) were most frequently optimal for both upper and lower laminar cells and the majority of cells were directionally selective. Movements in the upper nasal direction usually elicited the highest discharge rates and were thus preferred most frequently. However, directional preferences often could be minimized, or obliterated, by employing nonoptimal stimulus sizes and/or velocities. Most intermediate and deeper laminar somatic cells could be activated by gentle cutaneous stimuli and a general somatotopic plan, which was in register with the overlying visuotopy, was noted. Cells optimally, or solely, activated by noxious stimuli were also located, but RFs of such cells were extensive and a somatotopic plan was not apparent. Although species differences are apparent, the similarities between the organization and the RF properties of SC cells of the hamster and distantly related species are striking. Apparently the same SC system is adaptive in diverse species despite the very different behavioral repertories of these animals and their different ecological niches.", "PMID": 762259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1113", "title": "The formation of afferent patterns in the somatosensory cortex of the neonatal rat.", "content": "In the rat, the clustered pattern of thalamocortical afferent terminals to the \"barrel field\" portion of primary somatosensory cortex replicates the arrangement of vibrissae on the face, and the pattern of the terminals can be altered by the removal of vibrissae on the face, and the pattern of the terminals can be altered by the removal of vibrissae at birth (Killackey et al., '76). These patterns of terminals were studied using enzyme succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) because in somatosensory cortex the activity levels of SDH closely correspond to the patterns of thalamocortical afferent terminals. The present experiments show that the pattern of high SDH segmentation in the portion of layer IV of somatosensory cortex that is related to the vibrissae develops during postnatal Day 3 through 6. Activity related to the centers of individual clusters is first visible, with indistinct boundaries. At later times the edges of individual clusters become apparent. Further, in animals with Row C of vibrissae removed at birth, the abnormal SDH segmentation in somatosensory cortex develops with a time course similar to that of normal animals. At ages when edge boundaries are first distinct, a fused band corresponding to the removed row of vibrissae is present. Thus the aberrant organization seen in the adult cortex is the result of an abnormal initial development, not a later reorganization from a normal pattern. And indeed, vibrissae removal at Day 5 or 6 does not result in an aberrant cortical SDH pattern. Finally, after removal of all five rows of mystacial vibrissae at birth, the cortical SDH pattern seen at postnatal Days 6 and 7 consists of five bands in place of the normally present five rows of clusters. This may indicate that closer relationships exist between vibrissae within one row than vibrissae in adjacent rows.", "contents": "The formation of afferent patterns in the somatosensory cortex of the neonatal rat. In the rat, the clustered pattern of thalamocortical afferent terminals to the \"barrel field\" portion of primary somatosensory cortex replicates the arrangement of vibrissae on the face, and the pattern of the terminals can be altered by the removal of vibrissae on the face, and the pattern of the terminals can be altered by the removal of vibrissae at birth (Killackey et al., '76). These patterns of terminals were studied using enzyme succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) because in somatosensory cortex the activity levels of SDH closely correspond to the patterns of thalamocortical afferent terminals. The present experiments show that the pattern of high SDH segmentation in the portion of layer IV of somatosensory cortex that is related to the vibrissae develops during postnatal Day 3 through 6. Activity related to the centers of individual clusters is first visible, with indistinct boundaries. At later times the edges of individual clusters become apparent. Further, in animals with Row C of vibrissae removed at birth, the abnormal SDH segmentation in somatosensory cortex develops with a time course similar to that of normal animals. At ages when edge boundaries are first distinct, a fused band corresponding to the removed row of vibrissae is present. Thus the aberrant organization seen in the adult cortex is the result of an abnormal initial development, not a later reorganization from a normal pattern. And indeed, vibrissae removal at Day 5 or 6 does not result in an aberrant cortical SDH pattern. Finally, after removal of all five rows of mystacial vibrissae at birth, the cortical SDH pattern seen at postnatal Days 6 and 7 consists of five bands in place of the normally present five rows of clusters. This may indicate that closer relationships exist between vibrissae within one row than vibrissae in adjacent rows.", "PMID": 762260} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1114", "title": "Vibrissae representation in subcortical trigeminal centers of the neonatal rat.", "content": "In the neonatal rat differential activity levels of the metabolic enzyme succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) reveal intricately detailed sgementation in the neuropil of the spinal and principal trigeminal nuclei of the brainstem and in the ventrobasal complex of the thalamus. The segmentation occurs in the portions of these nuclei that electrophysiological evidence has indicated to be related to the mystacial vibrissae and sinus hairs on the face of the rat. Indeed, the pattern of segmentation in each nucleus replicates the topographic distribution of the vibrissae and sinus hairs. Further, within the spinal trigeminal nucleus, there appear to be two distinct representations of the vibrissae, one in the subnucleus caudalis and a second in the subnucleus interpolaris. Examination of these patterns of segmentation indicates that the large mystacial vibriaase and sinus hairs on the face of the young rat are somatotopically represented three times within the trigeminal complex, as straight cylinders of neuropil, and once in the ventrobasal complex, as curved cylinders of neuropil. Neonatal vibrissae damage leads to an aberrant organization of the segmentation in the spinal trigeminal nucleus and the ventrobasal complex. In the spinal trigeminal nucleus, the SDH activity in areas associated with damaged vibrissae is of a lower than normal density, and patterns are indistinct. However, rows of clusters associated with the adjacent normal vibrissae are apparent and appear to be enlarged. In the ventrobasal complex, vibrissae damage results in bands of normal density SDH activity where rows of segmented clusters would normally be present. Comparison of these data to the cortical data in the previous paper (Killackey and Belford, '79) indicates that cortical and nuclear structures can have aspects of their development controlled by similar mechanisms.", "contents": "Vibrissae representation in subcortical trigeminal centers of the neonatal rat. In the neonatal rat differential activity levels of the metabolic enzyme succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) reveal intricately detailed sgementation in the neuropil of the spinal and principal trigeminal nuclei of the brainstem and in the ventrobasal complex of the thalamus. The segmentation occurs in the portions of these nuclei that electrophysiological evidence has indicated to be related to the mystacial vibrissae and sinus hairs on the face of the rat. Indeed, the pattern of segmentation in each nucleus replicates the topographic distribution of the vibrissae and sinus hairs. Further, within the spinal trigeminal nucleus, there appear to be two distinct representations of the vibrissae, one in the subnucleus caudalis and a second in the subnucleus interpolaris. Examination of these patterns of segmentation indicates that the large mystacial vibriaase and sinus hairs on the face of the young rat are somatotopically represented three times within the trigeminal complex, as straight cylinders of neuropil, and once in the ventrobasal complex, as curved cylinders of neuropil. Neonatal vibrissae damage leads to an aberrant organization of the segmentation in the spinal trigeminal nucleus and the ventrobasal complex. In the spinal trigeminal nucleus, the SDH activity in areas associated with damaged vibrissae is of a lower than normal density, and patterns are indistinct. However, rows of clusters associated with the adjacent normal vibrissae are apparent and appear to be enlarged. In the ventrobasal complex, vibrissae damage results in bands of normal density SDH activity where rows of segmented clusters would normally be present. Comparison of these data to the cortical data in the previous paper (Killackey and Belford, '79) indicates that cortical and nuclear structures can have aspects of their development controlled by similar mechanisms.", "PMID": 762261} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1115", "title": "The posterior lateral line lobe of certain gymnotoid fish: quantitative light microscopy.", "content": "The posterior lateral line lobe of the wave species of gymnotoid fish was investigated with the Golgi technique. The posterior lobe has a laminar structure and contains II cell types differentially distributed in the varous laminae (fig. 13). The major laminae, from ventral to dorsal are the deep fiber layer, containing multipolar neurons; the deep neuropil layer, containing ovoid neurons and a sub-lamina of spherical cells; the granule cell lamina, containing two types of granule cell; the plexiform laminae; the polymorphic cell lamina, containing basilar pyramids, non-basilar pyramids, giant fusiform cells, and polymorphic cells; the stratum fibrosum; the molecular lamina, containing neurons of the ventral molecule layer and stellate cells. The spherical cells are regularly distributed in their sub-lamina and appear to receive one type of primary afferent input. Another type of primary afferent input ends in the deep neuropil and granule layers, in proximity to the basilar dendrites of the granule cells and the basilar pyramids. The basilar pyramidal cell spatially alternates with the non-basilar pyramidal cell, so that the basilar dendritic trees of nearest-neighbour basilar pyramids show almost no overlap. Descending input to the posterior lobe ends in the molecular layer, in proximity to apical dendrites of both pyramidal cells, giant fusiform cells, polymorphic cells, and one type of granule cell. There are three afferent fiber systems in the molecular layer, one running transversely, one longitudinally, and one vertically. Local circuity in the posterior lobe is precisely organized and involves projections of granule cells onto overlying pyramidal cells. The polymorphic cell may also be involved in the intrinsic circuits of the posterior lobe.", "contents": "The posterior lateral line lobe of certain gymnotoid fish: quantitative light microscopy. The posterior lateral line lobe of the wave species of gymnotoid fish was investigated with the Golgi technique. The posterior lobe has a laminar structure and contains II cell types differentially distributed in the varous laminae (fig. 13). The major laminae, from ventral to dorsal are the deep fiber layer, containing multipolar neurons; the deep neuropil layer, containing ovoid neurons and a sub-lamina of spherical cells; the granule cell lamina, containing two types of granule cell; the plexiform laminae; the polymorphic cell lamina, containing basilar pyramids, non-basilar pyramids, giant fusiform cells, and polymorphic cells; the stratum fibrosum; the molecular lamina, containing neurons of the ventral molecule layer and stellate cells. The spherical cells are regularly distributed in their sub-lamina and appear to receive one type of primary afferent input. Another type of primary afferent input ends in the deep neuropil and granule layers, in proximity to the basilar dendrites of the granule cells and the basilar pyramids. The basilar pyramidal cell spatially alternates with the non-basilar pyramidal cell, so that the basilar dendritic trees of nearest-neighbour basilar pyramids show almost no overlap. Descending input to the posterior lobe ends in the molecular layer, in proximity to apical dendrites of both pyramidal cells, giant fusiform cells, polymorphic cells, and one type of granule cell. There are three afferent fiber systems in the molecular layer, one running transversely, one longitudinally, and one vertically. Local circuity in the posterior lobe is precisely organized and involves projections of granule cells onto overlying pyramidal cells. The polymorphic cell may also be involved in the intrinsic circuits of the posterior lobe.", "PMID": 762262} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1116", "title": "An ultrastructural study of Schwann cell response to axonal degeneration.", "content": "Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used to prepare isolated and distal segments of ovarian, vagus and saphenous nerves. Isolated segments were prepared by cutting between double ligatures followed by retracting and anchoring the proximal and distal segments 0.5 cm or more away from the isolated piece. After various intervals between 3 and 123 days and rats were perfused with buffered glutaraldehyde and nerves were processed for electron microscopic examination. Cross sections of isolated and distal segments of all nerves displayed an abundance of mostly circular profiles containing microtubules and filaments that were indistinguishable from those in unmyelinated nerve fibers. Many such profiles were nested against perinuclear Schwann cell cytoplasm, others were present in isolated clusters enclosed only by basement membrane. Examples of continuity between the nerve-like profiles and perinuclear cytoplasm of Schwann cells were found in longitudinal sections. In time, the number of such processes gradually diminished, but 123 days after transection they still could be found. It was concluded that Schwann cells in isolated and distal segments of transected nerves develop great numbers of small cylindrical processes that are arranged in bundles parallel to the long axis of the degenerated nerve. These processes had an arrangement of cytoplasmic organelles similar to axons of the proximal segment and the contralateral nerve. However the processes differed from most mature axons in that they were not ensheathed by Schwann cell cytoplasm with a mesaxon.", "contents": "An ultrastructural study of Schwann cell response to axonal degeneration. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used to prepare isolated and distal segments of ovarian, vagus and saphenous nerves. Isolated segments were prepared by cutting between double ligatures followed by retracting and anchoring the proximal and distal segments 0.5 cm or more away from the isolated piece. After various intervals between 3 and 123 days and rats were perfused with buffered glutaraldehyde and nerves were processed for electron microscopic examination. Cross sections of isolated and distal segments of all nerves displayed an abundance of mostly circular profiles containing microtubules and filaments that were indistinguishable from those in unmyelinated nerve fibers. Many such profiles were nested against perinuclear Schwann cell cytoplasm, others were present in isolated clusters enclosed only by basement membrane. Examples of continuity between the nerve-like profiles and perinuclear cytoplasm of Schwann cells were found in longitudinal sections. In time, the number of such processes gradually diminished, but 123 days after transection they still could be found. It was concluded that Schwann cells in isolated and distal segments of transected nerves develop great numbers of small cylindrical processes that are arranged in bundles parallel to the long axis of the degenerated nerve. These processes had an arrangement of cytoplasmic organelles similar to axons of the proximal segment and the contralateral nerve. However the processes differed from most mature axons in that they were not ensheathed by Schwann cell cytoplasm with a mesaxon.", "PMID": 762263} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1117", "title": "A regional specialization in the opossum's retina: quantitative analysis of the ganglion cell layer.", "content": "The distribution of ganglion cells in the opossum's retina was determined from flat-mounted preparations stained with cresyl-violet. The retinal area is 109 mm2 (SD = 16 mm2). Maps of ganglion cell density were made from retinae of seven animals. In all maps iso-density lines were approximately concentric, showing a slight elongation towards the nasal region. Cell density varied from 400 cells/mm2 at the extreme periphery to 2,900 cells/mm2 in the region of highest count, the are centralis. The center of this region lies 1.85 mm (26.3 degree) temporal to the center of the optic nerve head. The average total number of ganglion cells is 77,384 (SD = 10,173). Based upon soma diameter histograms ganglion cells were classified into three groups, showing at area centralis peaks at 7 micrometer, 12 micrometer and 15 micrometer respectively. Cell soma diameter ranged from 6 micrometer to 21 micrometer, larger values being observed at the periphery.", "contents": "A regional specialization in the opossum's retina: quantitative analysis of the ganglion cell layer. The distribution of ganglion cells in the opossum's retina was determined from flat-mounted preparations stained with cresyl-violet. The retinal area is 109 mm2 (SD = 16 mm2). Maps of ganglion cell density were made from retinae of seven animals. In all maps iso-density lines were approximately concentric, showing a slight elongation towards the nasal region. Cell density varied from 400 cells/mm2 at the extreme periphery to 2,900 cells/mm2 in the region of highest count, the are centralis. The center of this region lies 1.85 mm (26.3 degree) temporal to the center of the optic nerve head. The average total number of ganglion cells is 77,384 (SD = 10,173). Based upon soma diameter histograms ganglion cells were classified into three groups, showing at area centralis peaks at 7 micrometer, 12 micrometer and 15 micrometer respectively. Cell soma diameter ranged from 6 micrometer to 21 micrometer, larger values being observed at the periphery.", "PMID": 762264} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1118", "title": "The organization of the electromotor nucleus and extraocular motor nuclei in the stargazer (Astroscopus y-graecum).", "content": "The organization of the oculomotor and electromotor systems was examined in the stargazer, a teleost. The electromotor system in these animals is a derivative of the oculomotor system. The extraocular motor nuclei and nerves consist of approximately equal numbers of motoneurons and axons (about 100 per muscle). In contrast, electromotor axons appear to branch several times within the intracranial portion of the IIIrd nerve. The topographical organization of the motoneurons was examined using retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase injected into the electric organ or eye muscles. Electromotor and oculomotor neurons form distinct populations. Each electric organ receives a strong ipsilateral and a weak contralateral innervation. Individual eye muscles receive unilateral innervations with the expected laterality. Within the oculomotor nucleus there is some topographical separation of motoneurons innervating each muscle. Antidromic field potentials confirm the identity of the electromotor nucleus.", "contents": "The organization of the electromotor nucleus and extraocular motor nuclei in the stargazer (Astroscopus y-graecum). The organization of the oculomotor and electromotor systems was examined in the stargazer, a teleost. The electromotor system in these animals is a derivative of the oculomotor system. The extraocular motor nuclei and nerves consist of approximately equal numbers of motoneurons and axons (about 100 per muscle). In contrast, electromotor axons appear to branch several times within the intracranial portion of the IIIrd nerve. The topographical organization of the motoneurons was examined using retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase injected into the electric organ or eye muscles. Electromotor and oculomotor neurons form distinct populations. Each electric organ receives a strong ipsilateral and a weak contralateral innervation. Individual eye muscles receive unilateral innervations with the expected laterality. Within the oculomotor nucleus there is some topographical separation of motoneurons innervating each muscle. Antidromic field potentials confirm the identity of the electromotor nucleus.", "PMID": 762265} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1119", "title": "Evidence for a critical period of neuronal trophism late in the development of the chick visual system.", "content": "Chick embryos and young hatchling chicks have undergone unilateral retinal ablation and the brains were subsequently prepared for modified Fink-Heimer staining to detect degenerating axoplasm. Additional animals have been injected with tritiated proline or combinations of tritiated proline and tritiated fucose. In examining the patterns of degeneration and labelling produced, it appears that during the stage 40-44 period of embryonic life there is a critical period during which damage to retinal axons produces degeneration not only in the direct targets of the optic tract (primary centers), but also in a number of nuclei not projected to by the optic tract (secondary centers). By examining various survival times following retinal ablation and animals of varying embryonic and post-hatch age, we have concluded that retinal ablation during the critical period causes a rapid and fulminant degeneration in the secondary centers because they are all targets of the projection from the optic tectum, itself a prime target of the optic projection. Presumably, interruption of the retino-tectal projection during the critical period disrupts some as yet undefined trophic relationship between these two sets of neurons. Our studies show that the observed degenerative reaction in the secondary centers occurs most strongly in chick embryos between stage 40 and stage 44. This period coincides with the onset of synaptogenesis in the retino-tectal system (Rager, '76a,b). We therefore hypothesize that during this period some property or influence is passing from the retinal to the tectal neurons such that interruption of this process leads to death of the tectal neurons.", "contents": "Evidence for a critical period of neuronal trophism late in the development of the chick visual system. Chick embryos and young hatchling chicks have undergone unilateral retinal ablation and the brains were subsequently prepared for modified Fink-Heimer staining to detect degenerating axoplasm. Additional animals have been injected with tritiated proline or combinations of tritiated proline and tritiated fucose. In examining the patterns of degeneration and labelling produced, it appears that during the stage 40-44 period of embryonic life there is a critical period during which damage to retinal axons produces degeneration not only in the direct targets of the optic tract (primary centers), but also in a number of nuclei not projected to by the optic tract (secondary centers). By examining various survival times following retinal ablation and animals of varying embryonic and post-hatch age, we have concluded that retinal ablation during the critical period causes a rapid and fulminant degeneration in the secondary centers because they are all targets of the projection from the optic tectum, itself a prime target of the optic projection. Presumably, interruption of the retino-tectal projection during the critical period disrupts some as yet undefined trophic relationship between these two sets of neurons. Our studies show that the observed degenerative reaction in the secondary centers occurs most strongly in chick embryos between stage 40 and stage 44. This period coincides with the onset of synaptogenesis in the retino-tectal system (Rager, '76a,b). We therefore hypothesize that during this period some property or influence is passing from the retinal to the tectal neurons such that interruption of this process leads to death of the tectal neurons.", "PMID": 762266} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1120", "title": "Electron microscopic studies on the lamprey meninges.", "content": "Lamprey meninges were revealed to consist of four layers. The I (outermost) layer was made up of densely packed collagen fibrils and microfibrils with fibrocytes interposed between them. It contained a vascular network (epidural vascular plexus). The II layer was a cellular layer, consisting of two parts: the outer, membranous and the inner, spongy part. The membranous part was composed of two sheets of type 1 cells which were held together by desmosomes, gap junctions and tight junctions. Continuous basal laminae were found on both the outer and the inner surface of the membranous part. The spongy part consisted of type 2 cells, collagen fibrils and microfibrils, which were loosely arranged. Type 2 cells were joined together with each other, or with type 1 cells, by gap junctions. These cells lacked a basal lamina covering. The III layer was a peculiar thick layer, being mostly occupied by fine filamentous matrix substance with scattered round cells, fibroblasts and microfibrils. The IV (innermost) layer was a thick fibrous one, consisting of two parts: the outer, vascular and the inner, loose part. The former consisted of a vascular network (perineural vascular plexus) and thick bundles of microfibrils which frequently contained a dense filamentous core. The latter was composed of loosely arranged collagen fibrils. The inner part of the I layer (inside the epidural vascular plexus) was considered to correspond to the true dura, and the II and IV layer to the arachnoid and pia in the meninges of higher animals, respectively. Characteristically the subarachnoid space was absent in lamprey meninges, and instead a peuliar \"gelatinous\" layer, III layer, was present between the II and IV layer.", "contents": "Electron microscopic studies on the lamprey meninges. Lamprey meninges were revealed to consist of four layers. The I (outermost) layer was made up of densely packed collagen fibrils and microfibrils with fibrocytes interposed between them. It contained a vascular network (epidural vascular plexus). The II layer was a cellular layer, consisting of two parts: the outer, membranous and the inner, spongy part. The membranous part was composed of two sheets of type 1 cells which were held together by desmosomes, gap junctions and tight junctions. Continuous basal laminae were found on both the outer and the inner surface of the membranous part. The spongy part consisted of type 2 cells, collagen fibrils and microfibrils, which were loosely arranged. Type 2 cells were joined together with each other, or with type 1 cells, by gap junctions. These cells lacked a basal lamina covering. The III layer was a peculiar thick layer, being mostly occupied by fine filamentous matrix substance with scattered round cells, fibroblasts and microfibrils. The IV (innermost) layer was a thick fibrous one, consisting of two parts: the outer, vascular and the inner, loose part. The former consisted of a vascular network (perineural vascular plexus) and thick bundles of microfibrils which frequently contained a dense filamentous core. The latter was composed of loosely arranged collagen fibrils. The inner part of the I layer (inside the epidural vascular plexus) was considered to correspond to the true dura, and the II and IV layer to the arachnoid and pia in the meninges of higher animals, respectively. Characteristically the subarachnoid space was absent in lamprey meninges, and instead a peuliar \"gelatinous\" layer, III layer, was present between the II and IV layer.", "PMID": 762267} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1121", "title": "The generation of neurons involved in an early reflex pathway of embryonic mouse spinal cord.", "content": "The generation of lateral motor neurons (LMNs), interneurons and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of the cervical mouse spinal cord has been investigated by [3H]thymidine autoradiographic techniques. This investigation has two main objectives: (a) to determine on which embryonic days these three neuronal populations are born, and (b) to investigate the possibility that the neurons comprising early reflex circuits might be formed by a retrograde temporal sequencing of generation. LMNs are the first neurons generated in the cervical spinal cord. They arise between E8.8 and E11.5, and approximately 90% of these cells are born within a 36-hour period between E9 and E10.5. The earliest time of origin for interneurons is on E9.5, and those cells which are generated between E9.5 and E10.5 cluster in two distinct regions of the adult spinal cord. One of these regions is the lateral portions of laminae IV through VI; this appears to be the location of many ipsilateral association neurons. DRG neurons begin to arise on E9.5 and their generation is completed by E14. There is a trend within the DRG population for large neurons to be born before small neurons. Those cells with diameters of 40 micron or greater reach their generation peak on E10.5, while those smaller than 40 micron arise in the greatest numbers on E12. The findings of other investigations have provided evidence for a retrograde sequence of synaptic closure in the formation of the early disynaptic forelimb reflex pathway. The temporal difference in synapse formation in the terminal fields of DRG and association neurons is discussed in terms of our observation that both of these populations appear to have similar generation times. We suggest that factors responsible for the delayed synaptic closure of DRG afferents include the greater distances and the degree of collateralization which these afferents must undergo in order to establish their terminal fields. Finally, we discuss the possibility that the temporal sequence of neuronal generation and factors involved with the growth of neurites combine to produce a retrograde sequence of synaptic closure in the early disynaptic forelimb reflex pathway of mouse spinal cord.", "contents": "The generation of neurons involved in an early reflex pathway of embryonic mouse spinal cord. The generation of lateral motor neurons (LMNs), interneurons and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of the cervical mouse spinal cord has been investigated by [3H]thymidine autoradiographic techniques. This investigation has two main objectives: (a) to determine on which embryonic days these three neuronal populations are born, and (b) to investigate the possibility that the neurons comprising early reflex circuits might be formed by a retrograde temporal sequencing of generation. LMNs are the first neurons generated in the cervical spinal cord. They arise between E8.8 and E11.5, and approximately 90% of these cells are born within a 36-hour period between E9 and E10.5. The earliest time of origin for interneurons is on E9.5, and those cells which are generated between E9.5 and E10.5 cluster in two distinct regions of the adult spinal cord. One of these regions is the lateral portions of laminae IV through VI; this appears to be the location of many ipsilateral association neurons. DRG neurons begin to arise on E9.5 and their generation is completed by E14. There is a trend within the DRG population for large neurons to be born before small neurons. Those cells with diameters of 40 micron or greater reach their generation peak on E10.5, while those smaller than 40 micron arise in the greatest numbers on E12. The findings of other investigations have provided evidence for a retrograde sequence of synaptic closure in the formation of the early disynaptic forelimb reflex pathway. The temporal difference in synapse formation in the terminal fields of DRG and association neurons is discussed in terms of our observation that both of these populations appear to have similar generation times. We suggest that factors responsible for the delayed synaptic closure of DRG afferents include the greater distances and the degree of collateralization which these afferents must undergo in order to establish their terminal fields. Finally, we discuss the possibility that the temporal sequence of neuronal generation and factors involved with the growth of neurites combine to produce a retrograde sequence of synaptic closure in the early disynaptic forelimb reflex pathway of mouse spinal cord.", "PMID": 762268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1122", "title": "Anomalous ipsilateral retinotectal projections in Syrian hamsters with early lesions: topography and functional capacity.", "content": "Retinotectal topography, response properties of neurons in superior colliculus, and visual orienting behavior were studied in hamsters whose superior colliculi were innervated by one or the other of two types of anomalous ipsilateral projections. For the first type, an abnormally large uncrossed projection was created by monocular enucleation on the day of birth. This projection extended over the superficial part of the rostral half of the colliculus. The upper visual field was represented medially, and the lower visual field laterally, which corresponds to a normal projection. The rostrocaudal axis was disordered, but showed a slight tendency for nasal visual field to be represented rostrally and temporal field caudally; this tendency corresponds to an inversion of the normal ipsilateral projection, fitting instead the pattern of a contralateral projection. For the second type of anomalous ipsilateral projection, an abnormal intertectal decussation of optic tract fibers was created by neonatal ablation of the superficial layers of one superior colliculus and removal of the ipsilateral eye (Schneider, '73). Retinotectal topography observed in this recrossing projection was predominantly mirror-symmetric to the normal contralateral projection; however, some distortions in retinotopic order were observed, including misplaced fields and local inversions of the mirror-symmetric topography, and distortions of local magnification factor. Response properties of single units found medially in the left colliculus were similar to those found in normal colliculus. Units found more laterally were underresponsive, showing response decrements with repeated stimulation which is abnormal for units in the superficial gray, and many had abnormally large receptive fields. This physiological pattern was reflected in the pattern of errors made in visual orienting to small targets. It was concluded that polarity cues exist in the tectum sufficient to order the terminals of the retinotectal projection independent of the direction of fiber arrival or order in the optic tract as it enters the tectum. In addition, the functional competence of the abnormal recrossing retinotectal projection has been demonstrated by both electrophysiological and behavioral methods.", "contents": "Anomalous ipsilateral retinotectal projections in Syrian hamsters with early lesions: topography and functional capacity. Retinotectal topography, response properties of neurons in superior colliculus, and visual orienting behavior were studied in hamsters whose superior colliculi were innervated by one or the other of two types of anomalous ipsilateral projections. For the first type, an abnormally large uncrossed projection was created by monocular enucleation on the day of birth. This projection extended over the superficial part of the rostral half of the colliculus. The upper visual field was represented medially, and the lower visual field laterally, which corresponds to a normal projection. The rostrocaudal axis was disordered, but showed a slight tendency for nasal visual field to be represented rostrally and temporal field caudally; this tendency corresponds to an inversion of the normal ipsilateral projection, fitting instead the pattern of a contralateral projection. For the second type of anomalous ipsilateral projection, an abnormal intertectal decussation of optic tract fibers was created by neonatal ablation of the superficial layers of one superior colliculus and removal of the ipsilateral eye (Schneider, '73). Retinotectal topography observed in this recrossing projection was predominantly mirror-symmetric to the normal contralateral projection; however, some distortions in retinotopic order were observed, including misplaced fields and local inversions of the mirror-symmetric topography, and distortions of local magnification factor. Response properties of single units found medially in the left colliculus were similar to those found in normal colliculus. Units found more laterally were underresponsive, showing response decrements with repeated stimulation which is abnormal for units in the superficial gray, and many had abnormally large receptive fields. This physiological pattern was reflected in the pattern of errors made in visual orienting to small targets. It was concluded that polarity cues exist in the tectum sufficient to order the terminals of the retinotectal projection independent of the direction of fiber arrival or order in the optic tract as it enters the tectum. In addition, the functional competence of the abnormal recrossing retinotectal projection has been demonstrated by both electrophysiological and behavioral methods.", "PMID": 762269} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1123", "title": "Ultrastructural development of Rohon-Beard neurons: loss of intramitochondrial granules parallels loss of calcium action potentials.", "content": "We have examined the ultrastructure of the cell body of a vertebrate spinal neuron, the Rohon-Beard cell of Xenopus laevis, at four stages during its development (Nieuwkoop and Faber stages: 22, 29/30, 37/38 and 42). At this time it has attained its electrical excitability and the action potential mechanism in the cell body is maturing through a sequence of stages in which the inward current is carried by Ca++ (stages 20-25), later by Ca++ and Na+ (stages 25-40), and finally by Na+ (stages 40-51) (Spitzer and Baccaglini, '76; Baccaglini and Spitzer, '77). There is a change in the abundance and distribution of the organelles in the perikaryon during this period, characteristic of other developing neurons. Mitochondria and Golgi apparatus become localized progressively more in the interior of the cells, and rough endoplasmic reticulum progressively more to the periphery where it often appears in orderly tiers parallel to the plasma membrane. The mitochondria contain dense intramitochondrial granules which are known in other cells to contain concentrations of divalent cations. The number of granules declines over the course of the developmental period studied. The presence of the intramitochondrial granules was examined quantitatively because electrophysiological data indicate that the amount of Ca++ entering the cells in early stages should raise the internal Ca++ concentration by several orders of magnitude, and that Ca++ is rapidly sequestered (Baccaglini and Spitzer, '77). A minimum of 200 mitochondrial profiles from at least four Rohon-Beard cells were scored for the presence of dense intramitochondrial granules at each stage studied. In stage 22 Rohon-Beard cells 75 +/- 5% (mean +/- SD, n = 4) of the mitochondrial profiles scored contained granules; in stage 29/30, 56 +/- 10% (n = 7); in stage 37/38, 3 +/- 3% (n = 5); and in stage 42, 0.5 +/- 0.25% (n = 4). Therefore, dense intramitochondrial granules, an indication of calcium accumulation in mitochondria, decrease in parallel with the loss of the Ca++ component of the inward current of the action potential in Rohon-Beard neurons.", "contents": "Ultrastructural development of Rohon-Beard neurons: loss of intramitochondrial granules parallels loss of calcium action potentials. We have examined the ultrastructure of the cell body of a vertebrate spinal neuron, the Rohon-Beard cell of Xenopus laevis, at four stages during its development (Nieuwkoop and Faber stages: 22, 29/30, 37/38 and 42). At this time it has attained its electrical excitability and the action potential mechanism in the cell body is maturing through a sequence of stages in which the inward current is carried by Ca++ (stages 20-25), later by Ca++ and Na+ (stages 25-40), and finally by Na+ (stages 40-51) (Spitzer and Baccaglini, '76; Baccaglini and Spitzer, '77). There is a change in the abundance and distribution of the organelles in the perikaryon during this period, characteristic of other developing neurons. Mitochondria and Golgi apparatus become localized progressively more in the interior of the cells, and rough endoplasmic reticulum progressively more to the periphery where it often appears in orderly tiers parallel to the plasma membrane. The mitochondria contain dense intramitochondrial granules which are known in other cells to contain concentrations of divalent cations. The number of granules declines over the course of the developmental period studied. The presence of the intramitochondrial granules was examined quantitatively because electrophysiological data indicate that the amount of Ca++ entering the cells in early stages should raise the internal Ca++ concentration by several orders of magnitude, and that Ca++ is rapidly sequestered (Baccaglini and Spitzer, '77). A minimum of 200 mitochondrial profiles from at least four Rohon-Beard cells were scored for the presence of dense intramitochondrial granules at each stage studied. In stage 22 Rohon-Beard cells 75 +/- 5% (mean +/- SD, n = 4) of the mitochondrial profiles scored contained granules; in stage 29/30, 56 +/- 10% (n = 7); in stage 37/38, 3 +/- 3% (n = 5); and in stage 42, 0.5 +/- 0.25% (n = 4). Therefore, dense intramitochondrial granules, an indication of calcium accumulation in mitochondria, decrease in parallel with the loss of the Ca++ component of the inward current of the action potential in Rohon-Beard neurons.", "PMID": 762270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1124", "title": "Efferent projections from temperature sensitive recording loci within the marginal zone of the nucleus caudalis of the spinal trigeminal complex in the cat.", "content": "The efferent projections from nucleus caudalis of the spinal trigeminal complex in cats were studied with retrograde and anterograde axonal transport techniques combined with localization of recording sites in the thalamus and marginal zone of nucleus caudalis to innocuous skin cooling. Results showed brainstem projections from nucleus caudalis to rostral levels of the spinal trigeminal complex, to the ventral division of the principal trigeminal nucleus, the parabrachial nucleus, cranial motor nuclei 7 and 12, solitary complex, contralateral dorsal inferior olivary nucleus, portions of the lateral reticular formation, upper cervical spinal dorsal horn and, lateral cervical nucleus. Projections to the thalamus included; a dorsomedial region of VPM (bilaterally) and to the main part of VPM and PO contralaterally. Neuronal activity was recorded in the dorsomedial region of VPM to cooling the ipsilateral tongue. HRP injections in this thalamic region retrogradely labeled marginal neurons in nucleus caudalis. These results show that marginal neurons of nucleus caudalis provide a trigeminal equivalent of spinothalamic projections to the ventroposterior nucleus in cats.", "contents": "Efferent projections from temperature sensitive recording loci within the marginal zone of the nucleus caudalis of the spinal trigeminal complex in the cat. The efferent projections from nucleus caudalis of the spinal trigeminal complex in cats were studied with retrograde and anterograde axonal transport techniques combined with localization of recording sites in the thalamus and marginal zone of nucleus caudalis to innocuous skin cooling. Results showed brainstem projections from nucleus caudalis to rostral levels of the spinal trigeminal complex, to the ventral division of the principal trigeminal nucleus, the parabrachial nucleus, cranial motor nuclei 7 and 12, solitary complex, contralateral dorsal inferior olivary nucleus, portions of the lateral reticular formation, upper cervical spinal dorsal horn and, lateral cervical nucleus. Projections to the thalamus included; a dorsomedial region of VPM (bilaterally) and to the main part of VPM and PO contralaterally. Neuronal activity was recorded in the dorsomedial region of VPM to cooling the ipsilateral tongue. HRP injections in this thalamic region retrogradely labeled marginal neurons in nucleus caudalis. These results show that marginal neurons of nucleus caudalis provide a trigeminal equivalent of spinothalamic projections to the ventroposterior nucleus in cats.", "PMID": 762271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1125", "title": "Horizontal ampullary nerve fiber projections to the crista angustarum in the crista ampullaris.", "content": "Individual nerve fibers were traced on consecutive serial 1-micron-thick cross-sections to determine their position of origin within the horizontal ampullary nerve trunk (HANT) and the site at which they penetrated the basilar lamina of the horizontal crista in the guitarfish, Rhinobatos productus. Of the 132 fibers successfully traced, 87.1% followed an anatomical projection pattern consistent with the dynamic response characteristics of the nerve fibers. That projection pattern was: from the peripheral HANT region to the ipsilateral slope; from the central HANT region to the crest; and from the intermediate HANT region both to the ipsilateral slope and the crest of the horizontal crista. The 12.9% of \"error\" fibers not following this projection pattern were also consistent with the functional neurophysiological data. The terms crista bulbus and crista angustarum were introduced to designate specific anatomical regions of the dumb-bell shaped crista ampullaris.", "contents": "Horizontal ampullary nerve fiber projections to the crista angustarum in the crista ampullaris. Individual nerve fibers were traced on consecutive serial 1-micron-thick cross-sections to determine their position of origin within the horizontal ampullary nerve trunk (HANT) and the site at which they penetrated the basilar lamina of the horizontal crista in the guitarfish, Rhinobatos productus. Of the 132 fibers successfully traced, 87.1% followed an anatomical projection pattern consistent with the dynamic response characteristics of the nerve fibers. That projection pattern was: from the peripheral HANT region to the ipsilateral slope; from the central HANT region to the crest; and from the intermediate HANT region both to the ipsilateral slope and the crest of the horizontal crista. The 12.9% of \"error\" fibers not following this projection pattern were also consistent with the functional neurophysiological data. The terms crista bulbus and crista angustarum were introduced to designate specific anatomical regions of the dumb-bell shaped crista ampullaris.", "PMID": 762272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1126", "title": "An autoradiographic study of the efferent connections of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus.", "content": "Efferent projections from the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) were traced using tritiated amino acid autoradiography in albino rats. Ascending fibers passed through the anterior hypothalamus. Labelled fibers and terminal fields were seen in the preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, substantia innominata, the anterior amygdaloid area, diagonal bands of Broca and lateral septum. Fibers also projected laterally from VMN and entered the supraoptic commissures and zona incerta. These lateral projections were responsible for the fibers observed in the cerebral peduncle, the amygdala, the thalamus and the reticular formation. Fibers descending in a medial position projected through the posterior hypothalamus and then swept dorsally to terminate in the mesencephalic and pontine central grey. A projection from VMN into the median eminence was noted. The overall patterns of projection from different parts of VMN were similar; differences that existed were primarily in the relative strengths of the different projections. The efferent projections from VMN are extensive, well organized, and would appear capable of supporting significant physiological actions on extra-hypothalamic structures.", "contents": "An autoradiographic study of the efferent connections of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. Efferent projections from the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) were traced using tritiated amino acid autoradiography in albino rats. Ascending fibers passed through the anterior hypothalamus. Labelled fibers and terminal fields were seen in the preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, substantia innominata, the anterior amygdaloid area, diagonal bands of Broca and lateral septum. Fibers also projected laterally from VMN and entered the supraoptic commissures and zona incerta. These lateral projections were responsible for the fibers observed in the cerebral peduncle, the amygdala, the thalamus and the reticular formation. Fibers descending in a medial position projected through the posterior hypothalamus and then swept dorsally to terminate in the mesencephalic and pontine central grey. A projection from VMN into the median eminence was noted. The overall patterns of projection from different parts of VMN were similar; differences that existed were primarily in the relative strengths of the different projections. The efferent projections from VMN are extensive, well organized, and would appear capable of supporting significant physiological actions on extra-hypothalamic structures.", "PMID": 762273} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1127", "title": "Substrate pathways which guide growing axons in Xenopus embryos.", "content": "Optic axons from eyes transplanted to hindbrain and spinal cord (i.e., non-optic areas) in Xenopus embryos reproducibly follow a particular pair of continuous tracts, the external sensory tract and the internal sensory tract. The course of the external sensory tract may coincide with the course of the general somatic afferent tracts (i.e., the ascending and descending tracts of nerve V, the tract of Lissauer, and the Rohon-Beard cell tracts). The course of the internal sensory tract parallels that of the external sensory tract but runs more medially. Transplanted optic axons follow the same tracts regardless of where along the neural axis the axons have entered the CNS. What kind of developmental cues guide these optic axons? It is unlikely that the guidance cues are organized as spatial coordinates, rather it appears that the optic axons of these two tracts are guided along pre-existing substrate routes. We have called these routes substrate pathways. Substrate pathways may be a device normally used for organizing fiber tracts in the developing nervous system.", "contents": "Substrate pathways which guide growing axons in Xenopus embryos. Optic axons from eyes transplanted to hindbrain and spinal cord (i.e., non-optic areas) in Xenopus embryos reproducibly follow a particular pair of continuous tracts, the external sensory tract and the internal sensory tract. The course of the external sensory tract may coincide with the course of the general somatic afferent tracts (i.e., the ascending and descending tracts of nerve V, the tract of Lissauer, and the Rohon-Beard cell tracts). The course of the internal sensory tract parallels that of the external sensory tract but runs more medially. Transplanted optic axons follow the same tracts regardless of where along the neural axis the axons have entered the CNS. What kind of developmental cues guide these optic axons? It is unlikely that the guidance cues are organized as spatial coordinates, rather it appears that the optic axons of these two tracts are guided along pre-existing substrate routes. We have called these routes substrate pathways. Substrate pathways may be a device normally used for organizing fiber tracts in the developing nervous system.", "PMID": 762274} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1128", "title": "\"Extra\" optic fibers exclude normal fibers from tectal regions in goldfish.", "content": "A small group of selected optic fibers were surgically deflected from one tectum into the other, thus creating a novel additional projection originating from a small area of ipsilateral retina. The normal fibers to this \"recipient\" tectum were also severed so that both the deflected and the normal fibers regrew into this tectum at about the same time. The reinnervation pattern was analyzed by autoradiography and electrophysiologic mapping. Both techniques showed that the deflected fibers and the \"normal\" fibers failed to intermix. The deflected fibers typically formed several well-defined patches of innervation in roughly the appropriate region of denervated recipient tectum. The normal fibers filled in the remaining uninnervated tectal areas and were completely or nearly completely exculded from the patches occupied by the deflected fibers. This segregation was often quite sharp having an apparent average overlap less than 25-50 micron. The electrophysiology indicated that the projections of both deflected and normal fibers were retinotopically organized but that the mapping by the normal fibers was compressed. This compression, an apparent consequence of being squeezed onto a smaller than normal region of tectum, was similar to that previously observed following ablations of part of the tectum. The negligible surgical damage in the present experiment, however, excludes the kind of cytochemical reorganization previously suggested to produce compression. The findings also provide evidence for a competitive type of interaction between optic fibers.", "contents": "\"Extra\" optic fibers exclude normal fibers from tectal regions in goldfish. A small group of selected optic fibers were surgically deflected from one tectum into the other, thus creating a novel additional projection originating from a small area of ipsilateral retina. The normal fibers to this \"recipient\" tectum were also severed so that both the deflected and the normal fibers regrew into this tectum at about the same time. The reinnervation pattern was analyzed by autoradiography and electrophysiologic mapping. Both techniques showed that the deflected fibers and the \"normal\" fibers failed to intermix. The deflected fibers typically formed several well-defined patches of innervation in roughly the appropriate region of denervated recipient tectum. The normal fibers filled in the remaining uninnervated tectal areas and were completely or nearly completely exculded from the patches occupied by the deflected fibers. This segregation was often quite sharp having an apparent average overlap less than 25-50 micron. The electrophysiology indicated that the projections of both deflected and normal fibers were retinotopically organized but that the mapping by the normal fibers was compressed. This compression, an apparent consequence of being squeezed onto a smaller than normal region of tectum, was similar to that previously observed following ablations of part of the tectum. The negligible surgical damage in the present experiment, however, excludes the kind of cytochemical reorganization previously suggested to produce compression. The findings also provide evidence for a competitive type of interaction between optic fibers.", "PMID": 762275} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1129", "title": "Proprioceptive reflex connections of head musculature and the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus in the carp.", "content": "The location of the sensory cells concerned with the proprioception of respiratory and extraocular musculature in the carp was studied by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. Sensory cell labeling after intramuscular HRP injection was exclusively found in the trigeminal-facial-anterior lateral line ganglion complex. The muscles innervated by the trigeminal system are represented in the more rostral ganglion areas, the muscles innervated by the facial system in the more caudal ganglion parts. Nearly all labeled cells were situated on the ipsilateral side. Sensory cells labeled after extraocular muscle injection were also found all over the V-VII ganglion, however, to a considerable degree also on the contralateral side. All muscle injections failed to give mesencephalic trigeminal cell labeling. The resluts of intranerve HRP injections in peripheral trigeminal nerve branches strongly suggests a perioral mechanoreceptive function for the mes.V neurons. A bisynaptic proprioceptive reflex model is described for respiratory musculature consisting of a sensory cranial ganglion component connected to the descending trigeminal nucleus, which on its turn links the proprioceptive ganglion cells to the trigeminal and facial motorneurons. Monosynaptic proprioceptive reflex circuits are discussed on neurophysiological grounds.", "contents": "Proprioceptive reflex connections of head musculature and the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus in the carp. The location of the sensory cells concerned with the proprioception of respiratory and extraocular musculature in the carp was studied by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. Sensory cell labeling after intramuscular HRP injection was exclusively found in the trigeminal-facial-anterior lateral line ganglion complex. The muscles innervated by the trigeminal system are represented in the more rostral ganglion areas, the muscles innervated by the facial system in the more caudal ganglion parts. Nearly all labeled cells were situated on the ipsilateral side. Sensory cells labeled after extraocular muscle injection were also found all over the V-VII ganglion, however, to a considerable degree also on the contralateral side. All muscle injections failed to give mesencephalic trigeminal cell labeling. The resluts of intranerve HRP injections in peripheral trigeminal nerve branches strongly suggests a perioral mechanoreceptive function for the mes.V neurons. A bisynaptic proprioceptive reflex model is described for respiratory musculature consisting of a sensory cranial ganglion component connected to the descending trigeminal nucleus, which on its turn links the proprioceptive ganglion cells to the trigeminal and facial motorneurons. Monosynaptic proprioceptive reflex circuits are discussed on neurophysiological grounds.", "PMID": 762276} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1130", "title": "A neurophysiological determination of the vertical horopter in the cat and owl.", "content": "We have undertaken a determination of the vertical horopter in two species by simultaneously mapping the receptive field positions of binocular cortical neurons at various elevations along the zero azimuthal meridians. In the paralyzed cat our recordings show that the zero meridians of the two eyes are parallel and vertical under paralysis. Slit-pupil photographs demonstrate that paralysis induces an average net intorsin of 9 degrees between the two eyes. Correction back to the unparalyzed state results in the zero meridians themselves being out-torted with respect to each other. Since the two eyes' zero meridians define physiologically the positions of corresponding retinal points, this out-torsion results in a vertical horopter in the mid-sagittal plane which is tilted away from the alert, unparalyzed cat. The limited eye movements of the owl permit the use of an unparalyzed preparation; it is therefore possible to avoid the problem of the cyclotorsion under paralysis which occurs in the cat. The results of our physiological analysis in the burrowing owl (Speotyto cunicularia) also reveal a tilted horopter in this terrestrial avian species.", "contents": "A neurophysiological determination of the vertical horopter in the cat and owl. We have undertaken a determination of the vertical horopter in two species by simultaneously mapping the receptive field positions of binocular cortical neurons at various elevations along the zero azimuthal meridians. In the paralyzed cat our recordings show that the zero meridians of the two eyes are parallel and vertical under paralysis. Slit-pupil photographs demonstrate that paralysis induces an average net intorsin of 9 degrees between the two eyes. Correction back to the unparalyzed state results in the zero meridians themselves being out-torted with respect to each other. Since the two eyes' zero meridians define physiologically the positions of corresponding retinal points, this out-torsion results in a vertical horopter in the mid-sagittal plane which is tilted away from the alert, unparalyzed cat. The limited eye movements of the owl permit the use of an unparalyzed preparation; it is therefore possible to avoid the problem of the cyclotorsion under paralysis which occurs in the cat. The results of our physiological analysis in the burrowing owl (Speotyto cunicularia) also reveal a tilted horopter in this terrestrial avian species.", "PMID": 762277} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1131", "title": "Synaptic contacts of the horizontal cells in the retina of the marine teleost, Callionymus lyra L.", "content": "The horizontal cell system in the retina of the fish Callionymus lyra L. was investigated light microscopically and electron microscopically. One type of rod horizontal cells, which are only found in the mixed ventral part, exclusively contacts spherules with lateral endknobs in the triads. Three types of cone horizontal cells occur. The first type, c-H1, contacts pedicles of pale and dark double cones and single cones. The processes always have a lateral position in the triads. This type has a constant contact pattern with the photoreceptor cells. The second type, c-H2, selectively contacts pedicles of pale double cones and the endbuds occupy a central position in the triads. In the single cone pedicles in the dendritic field of the c-H2 horizontal cell, the endbuds never seem to reach the triads. The third type, c-H3, only sends processes to pedicles of single cones where the endbuds occupy a central position in the triads. The synaptic connections of the horizontal cells of Callionymus differ from those observed in Nannacara anomala and Carassius auratus. The difference from the results obtained from Carassius is such that the information transfer model proposed for Carassius cannot apply to Callionymus.", "contents": "Synaptic contacts of the horizontal cells in the retina of the marine teleost, Callionymus lyra L. The horizontal cell system in the retina of the fish Callionymus lyra L. was investigated light microscopically and electron microscopically. One type of rod horizontal cells, which are only found in the mixed ventral part, exclusively contacts spherules with lateral endknobs in the triads. Three types of cone horizontal cells occur. The first type, c-H1, contacts pedicles of pale and dark double cones and single cones. The processes always have a lateral position in the triads. This type has a constant contact pattern with the photoreceptor cells. The second type, c-H2, selectively contacts pedicles of pale double cones and the endbuds occupy a central position in the triads. In the single cone pedicles in the dendritic field of the c-H2 horizontal cell, the endbuds never seem to reach the triads. The third type, c-H3, only sends processes to pedicles of single cones where the endbuds occupy a central position in the triads. The synaptic connections of the horizontal cells of Callionymus differ from those observed in Nannacara anomala and Carassius auratus. The difference from the results obtained from Carassius is such that the information transfer model proposed for Carassius cannot apply to Callionymus.", "PMID": 762279} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1132", "title": "Branching of sensory axons in the dorsal root and evidence for the absence of dorsal root efferent fibers.", "content": "The present study demonstrates that there are more dorsal root axons than dorsal root ganglion cells in the L6-S1 dorsal roots of the rat. The excess fibers do not come from aberrant dorsal root ganglion cells and our control procedures indicate that there are no extraneous fibers in these dorsal roots. Accordingly many dorsal root axons must branch in the dorsal root.", "contents": "Branching of sensory axons in the dorsal root and evidence for the absence of dorsal root efferent fibers. The present study demonstrates that there are more dorsal root axons than dorsal root ganglion cells in the L6-S1 dorsal roots of the rat. The excess fibers do not come from aberrant dorsal root ganglion cells and our control procedures indicate that there are no extraneous fibers in these dorsal roots. Accordingly many dorsal root axons must branch in the dorsal root.", "PMID": 762280} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1133", "title": "The organization of afferents to the cerebellar cortex in the cat: projections from the deep cerebellar nuclei.", "content": "The topography of the cerebellar nucleo-cortical projection was investigated in the cat by experiments employing the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) technique or by combined HRP-autoradiographic methods. The results of the HRP studies extend previous findings showing that neurons in the deep nuclei project to the cerebellar cortex in an orderly way. Thus, it appears that the cortex of the vermis-proper receives projections from neurons located predominately in the fastigial nucleus. Intermediate and lateral zones of mid-vermal cerebellar cortex are projected on by neurons located in the interposed and dentate nuclei. Crus II receives input from neurons located predominately in the dentate nucleus, while the paramedian lobule is projected on by neurons located in a large postero-dorsal sector of the interposed nucleus and in a smaller medial strip of the dentate nucleus. Neurons in the ventral part of the dentate nucleus and the lateral part of the interposed nucleus send fibers to the paraflocculus. The nucleo-cortical pathway to the flocculus and nodulus arises largely from a population of neurons located in a ventral region stretching from the medial border of the dentate nucleus to the lateral border of the fastigial nucleus. The results of experiments using the combined HRP-autoradiographic method show that clusters of neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei project back to the cerebellar cortical areas from which they receive input, establishing a fairly precise feedback loop between the cerebellar cortex and deep nuclei.", "contents": "The organization of afferents to the cerebellar cortex in the cat: projections from the deep cerebellar nuclei. The topography of the cerebellar nucleo-cortical projection was investigated in the cat by experiments employing the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) technique or by combined HRP-autoradiographic methods. The results of the HRP studies extend previous findings showing that neurons in the deep nuclei project to the cerebellar cortex in an orderly way. Thus, it appears that the cortex of the vermis-proper receives projections from neurons located predominately in the fastigial nucleus. Intermediate and lateral zones of mid-vermal cerebellar cortex are projected on by neurons located in the interposed and dentate nuclei. Crus II receives input from neurons located predominately in the dentate nucleus, while the paramedian lobule is projected on by neurons located in a large postero-dorsal sector of the interposed nucleus and in a smaller medial strip of the dentate nucleus. Neurons in the ventral part of the dentate nucleus and the lateral part of the interposed nucleus send fibers to the paraflocculus. The nucleo-cortical pathway to the flocculus and nodulus arises largely from a population of neurons located in a ventral region stretching from the medial border of the dentate nucleus to the lateral border of the fastigial nucleus. The results of experiments using the combined HRP-autoradiographic method show that clusters of neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei project back to the cerebellar cortical areas from which they receive input, establishing a fairly precise feedback loop between the cerebellar cortex and deep nuclei.", "PMID": 762281} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1134", "title": "Conduction velocity distribution of the retinal input to the hamster's superior colliculus and a correlation with receptive field characteristics.", "content": "Cells driven reliably by shocks delivered to the optic nerve or optic chiasm were encountered throughout the depth of the colliculus. The incidence of such cells, however, decreased markedly in the laminae ventral to the stratum opticum. The distribution of conduction velocities for the retinal afferents to the tectum was quite broad (range: 1.7-25.5 m/sec) and clearly biomodal with peaks at about 6 and 12 m/sec. A small number of cells were innervated by rapidly (greater than 15 m/sec) conducting axons. No evidence of an indirect-fast pathway from the retina to the colliculus via the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex was obtained. Afferent conduction velocity was not correlated with retinal eccentricity, collicular depth or speed selectivity. It was, however, clearly related to directional selectivity. Ninety percent of the tectal neurons receiving inputs from axons having conduction velocities of less than 5 m/sec were directionally selective while only 41% of those neurons innervated by more rapidly conducting fibers (greater than 5 m/sec) exhibited selectivity. One hundred and sixteen cells in the anterior portion of the colliculus were tested with shocks delivered to the ipsilateral optic nerve and photic stimulation of the ipsilateral eye. Of these, 11% exhibited some degree of binocularity and only 6% were responsive to optic nerve shocks. These electrophysiological findings were correalted with the limited nature of the retinal input to the ipsilateral superior colliculus.", "contents": "Conduction velocity distribution of the retinal input to the hamster's superior colliculus and a correlation with receptive field characteristics. Cells driven reliably by shocks delivered to the optic nerve or optic chiasm were encountered throughout the depth of the colliculus. The incidence of such cells, however, decreased markedly in the laminae ventral to the stratum opticum. The distribution of conduction velocities for the retinal afferents to the tectum was quite broad (range: 1.7-25.5 m/sec) and clearly biomodal with peaks at about 6 and 12 m/sec. A small number of cells were innervated by rapidly (greater than 15 m/sec) conducting axons. No evidence of an indirect-fast pathway from the retina to the colliculus via the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex was obtained. Afferent conduction velocity was not correlated with retinal eccentricity, collicular depth or speed selectivity. It was, however, clearly related to directional selectivity. Ninety percent of the tectal neurons receiving inputs from axons having conduction velocities of less than 5 m/sec were directionally selective while only 41% of those neurons innervated by more rapidly conducting fibers (greater than 5 m/sec) exhibited selectivity. One hundred and sixteen cells in the anterior portion of the colliculus were tested with shocks delivered to the ipsilateral optic nerve and photic stimulation of the ipsilateral eye. Of these, 11% exhibited some degree of binocularity and only 6% were responsive to optic nerve shocks. These electrophysiological findings were correalted with the limited nature of the retinal input to the ipsilateral superior colliculus.", "PMID": 762283} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1135", "title": "The cerebellar projection of the vestibular nerve in the cat.", "content": "The projection of the vestibular nerve to the cerebellum of the cat was examined with silver degeneration methods after complete lesions of the vestibular ganglion. The majority of the primary vestibular afferents were traced to the cortex of the ipsilateral nodulus and uvula, relatively fewer entering the ipsilateral flocculus. Fibers were not traced to the paraflocculus, lingula or lateral cerebellar nucleus. A sparse projection to the ipsilateral fastigial nucleus may exist, but it remains equivocal until confirmed with additional methods. Light microscopic examination of plastic sections confirmed these observations and showed further details of the organization of the primary vestibular projection to the nodulus and uvula. These results show that the region of the cerebellum densely innervated by primary vestibular afferents is smaller than previously believed.", "contents": "The cerebellar projection of the vestibular nerve in the cat. The projection of the vestibular nerve to the cerebellum of the cat was examined with silver degeneration methods after complete lesions of the vestibular ganglion. The majority of the primary vestibular afferents were traced to the cortex of the ipsilateral nodulus and uvula, relatively fewer entering the ipsilateral flocculus. Fibers were not traced to the paraflocculus, lingula or lateral cerebellar nucleus. A sparse projection to the ipsilateral fastigial nucleus may exist, but it remains equivocal until confirmed with additional methods. Light microscopic examination of plastic sections confirmed these observations and showed further details of the organization of the primary vestibular projection to the nodulus and uvula. These results show that the region of the cerebellum densely innervated by primary vestibular afferents is smaller than previously believed.", "PMID": 762284} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1136", "title": "The brainstem projection of the vestibular nerve in the cat.", "content": "The projection of the vestibular nerve to the brainstem of the cat was re-examined with silver degeneration methods after complete lesions of the vestibular ganglion. Whereas previous investigations emphasize that only parts of the major vestibular nuclei are innervated by the vestibular nerve, the present investigation shows that only the dorsal division of the lateral vestibular nucleus is uninnervated. Thus, the terminal field of the vestibular nerve extends to the cytoarchitectonic boundaries of the superior, medial, descending, and the ventral division of the lateral vestibular nuclei. Vestibular nerve fibers were also traced to discrete terminal fields in the reticular formation lateral to the abducens nucleus and in the rostral, lateral parts of the accessory cuneate nucleus. These observations indicate a more widespread distribution of vestibular nerve fibers in the brainstem of the cat than previously believed.", "contents": "The brainstem projection of the vestibular nerve in the cat. The projection of the vestibular nerve to the brainstem of the cat was re-examined with silver degeneration methods after complete lesions of the vestibular ganglion. Whereas previous investigations emphasize that only parts of the major vestibular nuclei are innervated by the vestibular nerve, the present investigation shows that only the dorsal division of the lateral vestibular nucleus is uninnervated. Thus, the terminal field of the vestibular nerve extends to the cytoarchitectonic boundaries of the superior, medial, descending, and the ventral division of the lateral vestibular nuclei. Vestibular nerve fibers were also traced to discrete terminal fields in the reticular formation lateral to the abducens nucleus and in the rostral, lateral parts of the accessory cuneate nucleus. These observations indicate a more widespread distribution of vestibular nerve fibers in the brainstem of the cat than previously believed.", "PMID": 762285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1137", "title": "Sources of subcortical projections to the superior colliculus in the cat.", "content": "A comprehensive search for subcortical projections to the cat superior colliculus was conducted using the retrograde horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method. Over 40 different subcortical structures project to the superior colliculus. The more notable among these are grouped under the following categories. Visual structures: ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, parabigeminal nucleus, pretectal area (nucleus of the optic tract, posterior pretectal nucleus, nuclei of the posterior commissure). Auditory structures: inferior colliculus (external and pericentral nuclei), dorsomedial periolivary nucleus, nuclei of the trapezoid body, ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus. Somatosensory structures: sensory trigeminal complex (all divisions, but mainly the gamma division of nucleus oralis), dorsal column nuclei (mostly cuneate nucleus), and the lateral cervical nucleus. Catecholamine nuclei: locus coeruleus, raphe dorsalis, and the parabrachial nuclei. Cerebellum: medial, interposed, and lateral nuclei, and the perihypoglossal nuclei. Reticular areas: zona incerta, substantia nigra, midbrain tegmentum, nucleus paragigantocellularis lateralis, and the hypothalamus. Evidence is presented that only the parabigeminal nucleus, the nucleus of the optic tract, and the posterior pretectal nucleus project to the superficial collicular layers (striatum griseum superficiale and stratum opticum), while all other afferents terminate in the deeper layers of the colliculus. Also presented is information concerning the rostrocaudal distribution of some of these afferent connections. These findings stress the multiplicity and diversity of inputs to the deeper collicular layers, and more specifically, identify multiple sources of the physiologically well-known representations of the somatic and auditory modalities in the colliculus.", "contents": "Sources of subcortical projections to the superior colliculus in the cat. A comprehensive search for subcortical projections to the cat superior colliculus was conducted using the retrograde horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method. Over 40 different subcortical structures project to the superior colliculus. The more notable among these are grouped under the following categories. Visual structures: ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, parabigeminal nucleus, pretectal area (nucleus of the optic tract, posterior pretectal nucleus, nuclei of the posterior commissure). Auditory structures: inferior colliculus (external and pericentral nuclei), dorsomedial periolivary nucleus, nuclei of the trapezoid body, ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus. Somatosensory structures: sensory trigeminal complex (all divisions, but mainly the gamma division of nucleus oralis), dorsal column nuclei (mostly cuneate nucleus), and the lateral cervical nucleus. Catecholamine nuclei: locus coeruleus, raphe dorsalis, and the parabrachial nuclei. Cerebellum: medial, interposed, and lateral nuclei, and the perihypoglossal nuclei. Reticular areas: zona incerta, substantia nigra, midbrain tegmentum, nucleus paragigantocellularis lateralis, and the hypothalamus. Evidence is presented that only the parabigeminal nucleus, the nucleus of the optic tract, and the posterior pretectal nucleus project to the superficial collicular layers (striatum griseum superficiale and stratum opticum), while all other afferents terminate in the deeper layers of the colliculus. Also presented is information concerning the rostrocaudal distribution of some of these afferent connections. These findings stress the multiplicity and diversity of inputs to the deeper collicular layers, and more specifically, identify multiple sources of the physiologically well-known representations of the somatic and auditory modalities in the colliculus.", "PMID": 762286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1138", "title": "Remodelling of optic nerve myelin sheaths and axons during metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis.", "content": "Whole mounts and transverse sections of Xenopus optic nerves were examined with the light and electron microscopes before, during, and after metamorphosis. In stage 52--58 tadpoles, almost all myelin sheaths were circular in transverse sections. Early in metamorphosis (stages 60--61) large redundant myelin loops surrounded many large axons in central regions of the nerve. The loops subsequently were broken down into ovoids and lamellar segments that remained mostly within oligodendrocytes. These myelin changes were not observed in the chiasm or next to the eye. They were not associated with significant axonal degeneration and were no longer apparent in optic nerves of young frogs. Xenopus optic nerves also became shorter during metamorphosis. We therefore suggest that myelin sheaths with redundant loops which degenerate and disappear are being remodelled as the nerve decreases in length.", "contents": "Remodelling of optic nerve myelin sheaths and axons during metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis. Whole mounts and transverse sections of Xenopus optic nerves were examined with the light and electron microscopes before, during, and after metamorphosis. In stage 52--58 tadpoles, almost all myelin sheaths were circular in transverse sections. Early in metamorphosis (stages 60--61) large redundant myelin loops surrounded many large axons in central regions of the nerve. The loops subsequently were broken down into ovoids and lamellar segments that remained mostly within oligodendrocytes. These myelin changes were not observed in the chiasm or next to the eye. They were not associated with significant axonal degeneration and were no longer apparent in optic nerves of young frogs. Xenopus optic nerves also became shorter during metamorphosis. We therefore suggest that myelin sheaths with redundant loops which degenerate and disappear are being remodelled as the nerve decreases in length.", "PMID": 762287} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1139", "title": "Modification of neuron numbers in the visual system of the rat.", "content": "After unilateral lesions of the posterior cerebral cortex at birth, the ipsilateral dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus disappears within 96 hours. Several of the remaining visual centers may be distorted, atrophic or hypertrophic. Examples of the last are the ipsilateral nucleus of the optic tract (NOT) and superficial layers of the superior colliculus (SC), which usually show a volume increase. In order to determine changes in neuron numbers in these two regions, we exposed rats to 3H-thymidine on specific embryonic days. Some of these rats received poterior cortical lesions on the day of birth and others served as controls. Counts from adult rats exposed to 3H-thymidine on embryonic days 13 and 14 reveal a significant increase in the number of labeled neurons in both the NOT and SC on the side of the lesion. The retinal projections in rats with posterior lesions at birth were determined by the application of silver degeneration methods after eye removal. Atypical optic projections are found to the lateral posterior nucleus and the NOT on the side of the lesion. We conclude that the redistribution of optic collaterals after early destruction of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus serves to increase neuron numbers in the NOT and SC. Therefore, the present findings are comparable to the results in nonmammals after transplantation of additional peripheral organs.", "contents": "Modification of neuron numbers in the visual system of the rat. After unilateral lesions of the posterior cerebral cortex at birth, the ipsilateral dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus disappears within 96 hours. Several of the remaining visual centers may be distorted, atrophic or hypertrophic. Examples of the last are the ipsilateral nucleus of the optic tract (NOT) and superficial layers of the superior colliculus (SC), which usually show a volume increase. In order to determine changes in neuron numbers in these two regions, we exposed rats to 3H-thymidine on specific embryonic days. Some of these rats received poterior cortical lesions on the day of birth and others served as controls. Counts from adult rats exposed to 3H-thymidine on embryonic days 13 and 14 reveal a significant increase in the number of labeled neurons in both the NOT and SC on the side of the lesion. The retinal projections in rats with posterior lesions at birth were determined by the application of silver degeneration methods after eye removal. Atypical optic projections are found to the lateral posterior nucleus and the NOT on the side of the lesion. We conclude that the redistribution of optic collaterals after early destruction of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus serves to increase neuron numbers in the NOT and SC. Therefore, the present findings are comparable to the results in nonmammals after transplantation of additional peripheral organs.", "PMID": 762291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1140", "title": "Scalpel excision of primary cutaneous malignant melanomas without metastasis.", "content": "Views and opinions about surgical treatment of primary malignant melanomas that are without local spread or metastasis are presented. An attempt is made to determine the limitations of office-based dermatologists in the treatment of malignant melanomas of this stage. Using accepted criteria for clinical recognition of malignant melanomas early, it is suggested that surgical excisions of small malignant melanomas that are judged to be complete obviate preliminary biopsies and furnish surgical specimens that can be read histopathologically for confirmation of clinical diagnosis and adequacy of excision.", "contents": "Scalpel excision of primary cutaneous malignant melanomas without metastasis. Views and opinions about surgical treatment of primary malignant melanomas that are without local spread or metastasis are presented. An attempt is made to determine the limitations of office-based dermatologists in the treatment of malignant melanomas of this stage. Using accepted criteria for clinical recognition of malignant melanomas early, it is suggested that surgical excisions of small malignant melanomas that are judged to be complete obviate preliminary biopsies and furnish surgical specimens that can be read histopathologically for confirmation of clinical diagnosis and adequacy of excision.", "PMID": 762292} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1141", "title": "Electro-excision of melanomas.", "content": "Excision of primary malignant melanomas by a cautery (actual heat) or by endothermy (electric cutting current) is a simple method of management. It consists of excision of a disc of tissue that contains the evident malignancy plus some surrounding normal-appearing skin.", "contents": "Electro-excision of melanomas. Excision of primary malignant melanomas by a cautery (actual heat) or by endothermy (electric cutting current) is a simple method of management. It consists of excision of a disc of tissue that contains the evident malignancy plus some surrounding normal-appearing skin.", "PMID": 762293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1142", "title": "Surgical management of advanced cutaneous malignant melanoma.", "content": "In the past, surgical treatment of cutaneous melanoma has been determined largely by assessment of the regional nodes by clinical palpation. More recently, an increasing number of reports indicate that measurement of the histologic thickness of primary melanomas and evaluation of the level of penetration of tumor cells into the dermis can predict the likelihood of development of nodal metastases. In addition performance of fine needle aspiration of questionably involved regional nodes has provided cytologic data regarding nodal metastases. The role of certain procedures, such as prophylactic (elective) node dissection remains clouded because adequate numbers of properly controlled studies have not been reported. However, increasing knowledge of important prognostic factors, cytologic findings from needle aspiration of regional nodes, as well as the clinical assessment of regional nodes, can all aid formulation of more rational management recommendations.", "contents": "Surgical management of advanced cutaneous malignant melanoma. In the past, surgical treatment of cutaneous melanoma has been determined largely by assessment of the regional nodes by clinical palpation. More recently, an increasing number of reports indicate that measurement of the histologic thickness of primary melanomas and evaluation of the level of penetration of tumor cells into the dermis can predict the likelihood of development of nodal metastases. In addition performance of fine needle aspiration of questionably involved regional nodes has provided cytologic data regarding nodal metastases. The role of certain procedures, such as prophylactic (elective) node dissection remains clouded because adequate numbers of properly controlled studies have not been reported. However, increasing knowledge of important prognostic factors, cytologic findings from needle aspiration of regional nodes, as well as the clinical assessment of regional nodes, can all aid formulation of more rational management recommendations.", "PMID": 762294} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1143", "title": "Chemotherapy of unresectable or recurrent metastatic malignant melanomas: an update.", "content": "Satisfactory chemotherapeutic management of malignant melanomas in advanced stages must await development of more active agents and combinations of them than are presently available. The development of entirely new means of treatment by hormones, heat, and adjuvants like amphotericin B may improve the efficacy of currently available agents.", "contents": "Chemotherapy of unresectable or recurrent metastatic malignant melanomas: an update. Satisfactory chemotherapeutic management of malignant melanomas in advanced stages must await development of more active agents and combinations of them than are presently available. The development of entirely new means of treatment by hormones, heat, and adjuvants like amphotericin B may improve the efficacy of currently available agents.", "PMID": 762295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1144", "title": "Chemosurgery for familial malignant melanomas.", "content": "Three patients with numerous melanomatous lesions of the B-K mole syndrome are reported who were the first to be treated chemosurgically. The fixed-tissue chemosurgical technique provided a microscopically controlled, safe, effective, and conservative means of removing the melanomas. Atypical moles suspected of malignant change were removed by biopsy-excision.", "contents": "Chemosurgery for familial malignant melanomas. Three patients with numerous melanomatous lesions of the B-K mole syndrome are reported who were the first to be treated chemosurgically. The fixed-tissue chemosurgical technique provided a microscopically controlled, safe, effective, and conservative means of removing the melanomas. Atypical moles suspected of malignant change were removed by biopsy-excision.", "PMID": 762296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1145", "title": "Does immunotherapy have any value in the treatment of malignant melanomas?", "content": "To date, immunotherapy has not proven to be curative of malignant melanomas. Some immunologic procedures have produced regressions of some recurrences and perhaps have prolonged life by eliminating some dispersed malignant cells that would have gone to metastasis, but have not affected established, disseminated metastases to a meaningful degree.", "contents": "Does immunotherapy have any value in the treatment of malignant melanomas? To date, immunotherapy has not proven to be curative of malignant melanomas. Some immunologic procedures have produced regressions of some recurrences and perhaps have prolonged life by eliminating some dispersed malignant cells that would have gone to metastasis, but have not affected established, disseminated metastases to a meaningful degree.", "PMID": 762297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1146", "title": "Surgery by laser for malignant melanoma.", "content": "Lasers have been used for photocoagulation and photoexcision of malignant melanomas when conventional instruments could not be used. Lasers are useful for destruction of cutaneous metastases from malignant melanomas especially when numerous and dispersed. The color of melanomas makes for selective absorption of energy from lasers in the visible light range. Surgery by lasers is still an investigative form of surgery with current research studies on immediate placement of grafts, lymphatic migration of malignant cells after laser surgery, and relevant immunologic studies.", "contents": "Surgery by laser for malignant melanoma. Lasers have been used for photocoagulation and photoexcision of malignant melanomas when conventional instruments could not be used. Lasers are useful for destruction of cutaneous metastases from malignant melanomas especially when numerous and dispersed. The color of melanomas makes for selective absorption of energy from lasers in the visible light range. Surgery by lasers is still an investigative form of surgery with current research studies on immediate placement of grafts, lymphatic migration of malignant cells after laser surgery, and relevant immunologic studies.", "PMID": 762298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1147", "title": "Prognosis of primary malignant melanomas.", "content": "In all probability, a patient with a primary malignant melanoma, but without clinical, radiological or other laboratory evidence of metastases, has a 75 to 80% chance of living five years and 55 to 65% of surviving for ten years regardless of other prognostic factors and the skill with which surgical therapy is applied. It has not been established whether or not malignant melanomas are absolutely curable.", "contents": "Prognosis of primary malignant melanomas. In all probability, a patient with a primary malignant melanoma, but without clinical, radiological or other laboratory evidence of metastases, has a 75 to 80% chance of living five years and 55 to 65% of surviving for ten years regardless of other prognostic factors and the skill with which surgical therapy is applied. It has not been established whether or not malignant melanomas are absolutely curable.", "PMID": 762299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1148", "title": "Mangement of malignant melanomas: an overview.", "content": "This paper presents an overview of the management of malignant melanoma. It considers the value of wide reexcision relative to the depth of invasion of the melanoma. It considers the indications for elective lymphadenectomy and presents a critical review of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other procedures, such as X ray. The conclusion is that surgery, wherever feasible, is still the best approach.", "contents": "Mangement of malignant melanomas: an overview. This paper presents an overview of the management of malignant melanoma. It considers the value of wide reexcision relative to the depth of invasion of the melanoma. It considers the indications for elective lymphadenectomy and presents a critical review of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other procedures, such as X ray. The conclusion is that surgery, wherever feasible, is still the best approach.", "PMID": 762300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1149", "title": "Nutritional realities--where does technology fit?", "content": "Food technology involves much more than fortification. It encompasses processing, i.e., a means of maintaining food in an acceptable, safe, and nutritious form for an extended period. Preservation processes free us from dependence on solely fresh foods. Thus, technology provides us with a stable food supply the year round and removes the threat of seasonal starvation. By increasing food acceptability through technology, the nutritional status of a population can be raised since the food will actually be eaten. To make technology the servant, rather than the master, however, more research is needed--for example, to establish the bioavailability of fortification nutrients.", "contents": "Nutritional realities--where does technology fit? Food technology involves much more than fortification. It encompasses processing, i.e., a means of maintaining food in an acceptable, safe, and nutritious form for an extended period. Preservation processes free us from dependence on solely fresh foods. Thus, technology provides us with a stable food supply the year round and removes the threat of seasonal starvation. By increasing food acceptability through technology, the nutritional status of a population can be raised since the food will actually be eaten. To make technology the servant, rather than the master, however, more research is needed--for example, to establish the bioavailability of fortification nutrients.", "PMID": 762337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1150", "title": "The relationship of family structure and interaction to nutrition.", "content": "The relationship of nutritional adequacy to family structure and interaction is reviewed in light of previous research. Family structure is described by demographic data and measures of organization and status discrepancy of family members. Measures of family interaction include parent-child interactions, shared activities, and child-rearing habits. Nutritional research and educational programs need to give more attention to family units rather than individual respondents or clients. The review presents research findings and raises questions in order to generate ideas for future research.", "contents": "The relationship of family structure and interaction to nutrition. The relationship of nutritional adequacy to family structure and interaction is reviewed in light of previous research. Family structure is described by demographic data and measures of organization and status discrepancy of family members. Measures of family interaction include parent-child interactions, shared activities, and child-rearing habits. Nutritional research and educational programs need to give more attention to family units rather than individual respondents or clients. The review presents research findings and raises questions in order to generate ideas for future research.", "PMID": 762338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1151", "title": "Caffeine content of common beverages.", "content": "Tea, coffee, carbonated and chocolate beverages were analyzed for caffeine, and results compared in terms of usual serving sizes. Significant differences in caffeine levels were found to result from the preparation method of coffee or brewing time of tea. It is possible for a cup of tea, instant coffee, or can of cola beverage to have similar caffeine content (55 to 65 mg.); however, the mean values per cup of black tea (28 to 46 mg.) are considerably lower than for brewed coffee (107 to 151 mg.). Caffeine is readily absorbed and can have pharmacologic effects on adults or on children who consume quantities of cola beverages or chocolate. Both preparation method and quantity of beverage consumed should be considered in taking dietary histories or estimating caffeine intake.", "contents": "Caffeine content of common beverages. Tea, coffee, carbonated and chocolate beverages were analyzed for caffeine, and results compared in terms of usual serving sizes. Significant differences in caffeine levels were found to result from the preparation method of coffee or brewing time of tea. It is possible for a cup of tea, instant coffee, or can of cola beverage to have similar caffeine content (55 to 65 mg.); however, the mean values per cup of black tea (28 to 46 mg.) are considerably lower than for brewed coffee (107 to 151 mg.). Caffeine is readily absorbed and can have pharmacologic effects on adults or on children who consume quantities of cola beverages or chocolate. Both preparation method and quantity of beverage consumed should be considered in taking dietary histories or estimating caffeine intake.", "PMID": 762339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1152", "title": "Nutritional status of white college students in Virginia.", "content": "The nutritional status of the fifty men, fifty-three women, and forty-seven women taking oral contraceptives--all white--between the ages of seventeen and twenty-two years--as reflected by height-weight measurements, hemoglobin-hematocrit values, and dietary records, was similar or slightly better than reported by other investigators. Low hemoglobin values were observed in 2 to 4 per cent of these students, and low hematocrits, in 8 to 17 per cent. Similar hemoglobin and hematocrit values were observed in all women, regardless of whether they were taking oral contraceptives. Exercise patterns; use of vitamin-mineral supplements, \"pot,\" alcoholic beverages, special diets; whether subjects ate alone; where subjects ate; snacking; number of meals consumed daily; whether subjects had ever been diagnosed as being anemic; and what subjects thought of their food habits did not affect hemoglobin or hematocrit. Iron intakes of many of the women students were below the allowance.", "contents": "Nutritional status of white college students in Virginia. The nutritional status of the fifty men, fifty-three women, and forty-seven women taking oral contraceptives--all white--between the ages of seventeen and twenty-two years--as reflected by height-weight measurements, hemoglobin-hematocrit values, and dietary records, was similar or slightly better than reported by other investigators. Low hemoglobin values were observed in 2 to 4 per cent of these students, and low hematocrits, in 8 to 17 per cent. Similar hemoglobin and hematocrit values were observed in all women, regardless of whether they were taking oral contraceptives. Exercise patterns; use of vitamin-mineral supplements, \"pot,\" alcoholic beverages, special diets; whether subjects ate alone; where subjects ate; snacking; number of meals consumed daily; whether subjects had ever been diagnosed as being anemic; and what subjects thought of their food habits did not affect hemoglobin or hematocrit. Iron intakes of many of the women students were below the allowance.", "PMID": 762340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1153", "title": "Fructose: comparison with sucrose as sweetener in four products.", "content": "The relative sweetness and acceptability of sucrose and fructose were determined at various levels in sugar cookies, white cake, vanilla pudding, and lemonade. Because of the reported increased sweetness of fructose and greater tolerance in individuals with diabetes mellitus for fructose, the study was designed to investigate its potential as an alternative sweetener. Results indicate that sucrose was both preferred and considered sweeter than fructose in sugar cookies, white cake, and vanilla pudding; however, the reverse was true in lemonade. On the basis of these results, the authors do not recommend the substitution of fructose for sucrose.", "contents": "Fructose: comparison with sucrose as sweetener in four products. The relative sweetness and acceptability of sucrose and fructose were determined at various levels in sugar cookies, white cake, vanilla pudding, and lemonade. Because of the reported increased sweetness of fructose and greater tolerance in individuals with diabetes mellitus for fructose, the study was designed to investigate its potential as an alternative sweetener. Results indicate that sucrose was both preferred and considered sweeter than fructose in sugar cookies, white cake, and vanilla pudding; however, the reverse was true in lemonade. On the basis of these results, the authors do not recommend the substitution of fructose for sucrose.", "PMID": 762341} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1154", "title": "A low-cholesterol menu in a steak restaurant.", "content": "A twelve-month pilot project was conducted to test public reaction to a special restaurant menu identifying food choices low in cholesterol and saturated fat. The Houston steak house in which the \"Help Your Heart\" menu was tested prepared foods according to guidelines from dietitians of the Diet Modification Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine. Two newspaper articles, a brief magazine feature, and regularly scheduled radio advertising spots publicized the special menu. At the end of each month of the test period, the number of orders from the special menu was tallied for fourteen randomly selected days. Monthly sales from the special menu ranged from 2.5 to 5.1 per cent, with an overall average of 3.4 per cent. There was no statistically significant change from the mean of the percentage of total sales from the special menu over the months. Despite the relatively low percentage of total sales, restaurant executives were pleased with the results of the study and planned to offer the low-cholesterol menu indefinitely, eventually in an expanded form.", "contents": "A low-cholesterol menu in a steak restaurant. A twelve-month pilot project was conducted to test public reaction to a special restaurant menu identifying food choices low in cholesterol and saturated fat. The Houston steak house in which the \"Help Your Heart\" menu was tested prepared foods according to guidelines from dietitians of the Diet Modification Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine. Two newspaper articles, a brief magazine feature, and regularly scheduled radio advertising spots publicized the special menu. At the end of each month of the test period, the number of orders from the special menu was tallied for fourteen randomly selected days. Monthly sales from the special menu ranged from 2.5 to 5.1 per cent, with an overall average of 3.4 per cent. There was no statistically significant change from the mean of the percentage of total sales from the special menu over the months. Despite the relatively low percentage of total sales, restaurant executives were pleased with the results of the study and planned to offer the low-cholesterol menu indefinitely, eventually in an expanded form.", "PMID": 762344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1155", "title": "Nutrition component in a comprehensive child development program. I. The home visitor's role in the prenatal intervention phase.", "content": "Nutritional services were integrated in a comprehensive child development program for sixty-eight disadvantaged urban families in an attempt to promote maximum cognitive and psychosocial functioning in their children. Child development trainers made weekly home visits beginning in pregnancy, which combined data gathering, direct nutritional counseling, and early sensory excercises for infants. This paper describes the prenatal home visit program, the training of the home visitors, how the 24-hr. food recall method was adapted for their use, the nature of the home visits, and the complex role of the home visitor. The group whose families participated in the prenatal home visits and were also followed for six months after the infants' birth scored higher on six-month Cattell Scales than did a control group who entered the program at six months of age. There were no stillbirths or neonatal deaths. The incidence of low-birth-weight infants was lower than the national averages. Participation in the program was high.", "contents": "Nutrition component in a comprehensive child development program. I. The home visitor's role in the prenatal intervention phase. Nutritional services were integrated in a comprehensive child development program for sixty-eight disadvantaged urban families in an attempt to promote maximum cognitive and psychosocial functioning in their children. Child development trainers made weekly home visits beginning in pregnancy, which combined data gathering, direct nutritional counseling, and early sensory excercises for infants. This paper describes the prenatal home visit program, the training of the home visitors, how the 24-hr. food recall method was adapted for their use, the nature of the home visits, and the complex role of the home visitor. The group whose families participated in the prenatal home visits and were also followed for six months after the infants' birth scored higher on six-month Cattell Scales than did a control group who entered the program at six months of age. There were no stillbirths or neonatal deaths. The incidence of low-birth-weight infants was lower than the national averages. Participation in the program was high.", "PMID": 762346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1156", "title": "Nutrition component in a comprehensive child development program. II. Nutrient intakes of low-income, pregnant women and the outcome of pregnancy.", "content": "Twenty-four-hr. food recall records taken by home visitors in an intervention program for disadvantaged families yielded data similar to three-day records and 24-hr. recalls taken by nutritionists. The young, urban, low-income expectant mothers studied had intakes below the recommended allowances for all nutrients studied except ascorbic acid. Energy, calcium, and iron were particularly low. The use of energy- and/or sodium-restricted diets during pregnancy was associated with lower intakes of other nutrients. Recent studies showed that low energy intake appears common among low-income, young, pregnant women.", "contents": "Nutrition component in a comprehensive child development program. II. Nutrient intakes of low-income, pregnant women and the outcome of pregnancy. Twenty-four-hr. food recall records taken by home visitors in an intervention program for disadvantaged families yielded data similar to three-day records and 24-hr. recalls taken by nutritionists. The young, urban, low-income expectant mothers studied had intakes below the recommended allowances for all nutrients studied except ascorbic acid. Energy, calcium, and iron were particularly low. The use of energy- and/or sodium-restricted diets during pregnancy was associated with lower intakes of other nutrients. Recent studies showed that low energy intake appears common among low-income, young, pregnant women.", "PMID": 762347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1157", "title": "Effect of supplements on the nutrient intake of children.", "content": "Daily intakes of nutrients were calculated from records of food eaten at home, as school lunches, and morning milk, of boys and girls in second and sixth grades. Vitamin/mineral supplementations were also calculated. Comparisons were made (with and without supplementation) with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). Analyses of variance between sexes and between grade levels showed second graders consumed better diets than sixth and boys better diets than girls. Although many received supplements, intakes of several nutrients were below the 67 per cent level. The milk program played a significant role in calcium consumption. Excessive amounts of vitamin A and ascorbic acid were consumed by some children.", "contents": "Effect of supplements on the nutrient intake of children. Daily intakes of nutrients were calculated from records of food eaten at home, as school lunches, and morning milk, of boys and girls in second and sixth grades. Vitamin/mineral supplementations were also calculated. Comparisons were made (with and without supplementation) with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). Analyses of variance between sexes and between grade levels showed second graders consumed better diets than sixth and boys better diets than girls. Although many received supplements, intakes of several nutrients were below the 67 per cent level. The milk program played a significant role in calcium consumption. Excessive amounts of vitamin A and ascorbic acid were consumed by some children.", "PMID": 762348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1158", "title": "Development of an instrument to evaluate critical incident performance.", "content": "A performance evaluation instrument was developed for the clinical components of a course in a coordinated undergraduate program (CUP) in dietetics. The critical incident technique was chosen as being most appropriate. Twenty-six students in the \"Foodservice Systems\" course of the CUP at Kansas State University comprised the research population. The course instructor, clinical instructors, and dietitians in the affiliations served as observers. The performance evaluation instrument, as developed consisted of ten categories of behavioral activities. Entries into the form were either behaviors to be encouraged or suggestions for improvement. Students' reactions were extremely favorable because of the feedback element. The instrument should be an effective tool and worthy of adaptation for other courses.", "contents": "Development of an instrument to evaluate critical incident performance. A performance evaluation instrument was developed for the clinical components of a course in a coordinated undergraduate program (CUP) in dietetics. The critical incident technique was chosen as being most appropriate. Twenty-six students in the \"Foodservice Systems\" course of the CUP at Kansas State University comprised the research population. The course instructor, clinical instructors, and dietitians in the affiliations served as observers. The performance evaluation instrument, as developed consisted of ten categories of behavioral activities. Entries into the form were either behaviors to be encouraged or suggestions for improvement. Students' reactions were extremely favorable because of the feedback element. The instrument should be an effective tool and worthy of adaptation for other courses.", "PMID": 762349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1159", "title": "A nutrition attitude instrument for nursing students.", "content": "This communication has focused on selected aspects of attitude measurement used in developing an attitude instrument, composed of one scale, appropriate for nursing students. The study generated a scale with a Coefficient Alpha of r = 0.87 and a split-half reliability estimate of r = 0.84. Due to the dependence of these reliability estimates on statistical correlations, the size and/or the manner of the selection of the sample is an important consideration. The study was discussed in relation to the present status of attitude measurement in nutrition education research.", "contents": "A nutrition attitude instrument for nursing students. This communication has focused on selected aspects of attitude measurement used in developing an attitude instrument, composed of one scale, appropriate for nursing students. The study generated a scale with a Coefficient Alpha of r = 0.87 and a split-half reliability estimate of r = 0.84. Due to the dependence of these reliability estimates on statistical correlations, the size and/or the manner of the selection of the sample is an important consideration. The study was discussed in relation to the present status of attitude measurement in nutrition education research.", "PMID": 762350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1160", "title": "Vietnam, 1978: crisis in food, nutrition, and health.", "content": "Evidence of shortages of food, medical equipment, and supplies and indications of malnutrition were observed by an American Study Mission to Vietnam in the summer of 1978. Recommendations of humanitarian aid were made by the study team and presented as promoting peace and stability in Southeast Asia.", "contents": "Vietnam, 1978: crisis in food, nutrition, and health. Evidence of shortages of food, medical equipment, and supplies and indications of malnutrition were observed by an American Study Mission to Vietnam in the summer of 1978. Recommendations of humanitarian aid were made by the study team and presented as promoting peace and stability in Southeast Asia.", "PMID": 762356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1161", "title": "Dietetic audit--a giant step for nutritional care. The approach at Brooke Army Medical Center.", "content": "Issues which must be addressed by clinical dietitians as participants in their hospitals' quality assessment programs (audits) are defined. Solutions and approaches used at various phases of the audit processes by the clinical dietitians at Brooke Army Medical Center are described. Outcome and process criteria for nutritional care of the patients with maturity onset diabetes mellitus are presented, along with samples of the clinical dietitian's documentation in the patient's record. The impact of \"audits\" on the quality of nutritional care is exemplified by results of a series of audit studies on diabetes mellitus conducted over the past three years. Other benefits which have accrued from participation in the hospital's audit programs are enumerated.", "contents": "Dietetic audit--a giant step for nutritional care. The approach at Brooke Army Medical Center. Issues which must be addressed by clinical dietitians as participants in their hospitals' quality assessment programs (audits) are defined. Solutions and approaches used at various phases of the audit processes by the clinical dietitians at Brooke Army Medical Center are described. Outcome and process criteria for nutritional care of the patients with maturity onset diabetes mellitus are presented, along with samples of the clinical dietitian's documentation in the patient's record. The impact of \"audits\" on the quality of nutritional care is exemplified by results of a series of audit studies on diabetes mellitus conducted over the past three years. Other benefits which have accrued from participation in the hospital's audit programs are enumerated.", "PMID": 762357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1162", "title": "Changes in nutrient intake during a behavioral weight control program.", "content": "Behavioral modification holds promise of being an effective mode of therapy for obesity. It focuses on changing clients' eating habits and does not always include specific dietary guidance. This study was conducted to learn whether such behavior modification training results in the adoption of nutritionally sound dietary patterns. Originally, the diets of fifteen individuals met two-thirds of all Recommended Dietary Allowances. After a twenty-week program, the only nutrients below this level were iron, thiamin, and calcium. Other changes involved an increase in nutrient density for protein, fiber, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid, and cholesterol. Nutrient density for carbohydrates, fat, and calcium decreased.", "contents": "Changes in nutrient intake during a behavioral weight control program. Behavioral modification holds promise of being an effective mode of therapy for obesity. It focuses on changing clients' eating habits and does not always include specific dietary guidance. This study was conducted to learn whether such behavior modification training results in the adoption of nutritionally sound dietary patterns. Originally, the diets of fifteen individuals met two-thirds of all Recommended Dietary Allowances. After a twenty-week program, the only nutrients below this level were iron, thiamin, and calcium. Other changes involved an increase in nutrient density for protein, fiber, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid, and cholesterol. Nutrient density for carbohydrates, fat, and calcium decreased.", "PMID": 762358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1163", "title": "Attitudes toward obesity and the obese among professionals.", "content": "Negative attitudes toward obese patients by health professionals have been attributed to termination of weight reducing attempts. This study measured attitudes concerning the obese held by professional participants in a continuing education conference on causes and treatment of obesity. Substantial variation was found on items comprising obesity-related belief dimensions: (a) Disparaging image of the obese; (b) causes of obesity; and (c) ways to lose weight. Evidence is presented for the association among measures of these dimensions. While background and educational characteristics and conditions of practice were not related to such attitudes, the professional's personal experience with successful weight reduction was the best predictor of favorable attitudes.", "contents": "Attitudes toward obesity and the obese among professionals. Negative attitudes toward obese patients by health professionals have been attributed to termination of weight reducing attempts. This study measured attitudes concerning the obese held by professional participants in a continuing education conference on causes and treatment of obesity. Substantial variation was found on items comprising obesity-related belief dimensions: (a) Disparaging image of the obese; (b) causes of obesity; and (c) ways to lose weight. Evidence is presented for the association among measures of these dimensions. While background and educational characteristics and conditions of practice were not related to such attitudes, the professional's personal experience with successful weight reduction was the best predictor of favorable attitudes.", "PMID": 762359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1164", "title": "Dietetic services in a cross-modality system.", "content": "The nutrition component of a cross-modality training program is described. This training specifically enabled non-professionals to provide selected dietary and clinical evaluations and basic nutrition education. The role development of a dietitian, either functioning in a C-M system or facilitating the introduction of such a system, is discussed. The dietitian's contributions and limitations are presented from the viewpoint of the dietitian as a member of a C-M training team. Implications are drawn from utilization of the C-M system in institutions.", "contents": "Dietetic services in a cross-modality system. The nutrition component of a cross-modality training program is described. This training specifically enabled non-professionals to provide selected dietary and clinical evaluations and basic nutrition education. The role development of a dietitian, either functioning in a C-M system or facilitating the introduction of such a system, is discussed. The dietitian's contributions and limitations are presented from the viewpoint of the dietitian as a member of a C-M training team. Implications are drawn from utilization of the C-M system in institutions.", "PMID": 762360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1165", "title": "Approaches to wage and salary determination. Implications for hospital dietitians.", "content": "Although many types of rewards are to be found in work, salaries and benefits remain primary concerns. Thus the compensation policy of the employer is of great importance to the employee. Described here are current salary administration approaches and practices, i.e., market pricing and internal equity systems. Also explained are components of wage and salary plans, including job evaluation, labor market surveys, and job pricing. A detailed discussion of methods of job evaluation--qualitative and quantitative--is presented. The paper concludes by reporting figures from a recent salary survey of four hospitals in the Chicago area.", "contents": "Approaches to wage and salary determination. Implications for hospital dietitians. Although many types of rewards are to be found in work, salaries and benefits remain primary concerns. Thus the compensation policy of the employer is of great importance to the employee. Described here are current salary administration approaches and practices, i.e., market pricing and internal equity systems. Also explained are components of wage and salary plans, including job evaluation, labor market surveys, and job pricing. A detailed discussion of methods of job evaluation--qualitative and quantitative--is presented. The paper concludes by reporting figures from a recent salary survey of four hospitals in the Chicago area.", "PMID": 762361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1166", "title": "A social policy directed toward the health and welfare of the aged in the Soviet Union.", "content": "Dealt with in detail are the factors which have determined the characteristics and peculiarities of medical and social care for the aged in the USSR. The forms of geriatric care, personnel training and delivery of social and domestic services to the aged are also presented. Facts are given about the state policy directed at improvement of well-being of the aged as well as at drawing these people into public life and preventing their \"disadaptation\". The importance of the UN- and WHO-sponsored international programs in this field is emphasized.", "contents": "A social policy directed toward the health and welfare of the aged in the Soviet Union. Dealt with in detail are the factors which have determined the characteristics and peculiarities of medical and social care for the aged in the USSR. The forms of geriatric care, personnel training and delivery of social and domestic services to the aged are also presented. Facts are given about the state policy directed at improvement of well-being of the aged as well as at drawing these people into public life and preventing their \"disadaptation\". The importance of the UN- and WHO-sponsored international programs in this field is emphasized.", "PMID": 762366} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1167", "title": "Systemic lupus erythematosus in the older age group: computer analysis.", "content": "A computer analysis was made of the data from a prospective study of the clinical course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 234 patients followed for an average of 46 months. All fulfilled four ARA criteria for the diagnosis of SLE. Sixteen of the 234 patients were aged 51 or older. They were compared with the 218 younger SLE patients to determine the influence of age on the signs and symptoms of the disease, the organ systems involved, the laboratory data, amount and duration of corticosteroid or azathioprine therapy, and the prognosis. The older group showed more discoid lupus, photosensitivity and pulmonary fibrosis than did the younger group, but a similar incidence of malar rash, alopecia, arthritis, arthralgia, myalgia and serositis, and a lower incidence of oral ulcers, Raynaud's phenomenon, cutaneous vasculitis, neuropsychiatric manifestations, leukopenia, hypocomplementemia and profus proteinuria. The older patients needed a lower dosage of corticosteroids, and a shorter course of azathioprine therapy. These findings suggest a milder form of SLE with better response to therapy in the older group.", "contents": "Systemic lupus erythematosus in the older age group: computer analysis. A computer analysis was made of the data from a prospective study of the clinical course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 234 patients followed for an average of 46 months. All fulfilled four ARA criteria for the diagnosis of SLE. Sixteen of the 234 patients were aged 51 or older. They were compared with the 218 younger SLE patients to determine the influence of age on the signs and symptoms of the disease, the organ systems involved, the laboratory data, amount and duration of corticosteroid or azathioprine therapy, and the prognosis. The older group showed more discoid lupus, photosensitivity and pulmonary fibrosis than did the younger group, but a similar incidence of malar rash, alopecia, arthritis, arthralgia, myalgia and serositis, and a lower incidence of oral ulcers, Raynaud's phenomenon, cutaneous vasculitis, neuropsychiatric manifestations, leukopenia, hypocomplementemia and profus proteinuria. The older patients needed a lower dosage of corticosteroids, and a shorter course of azathioprine therapy. These findings suggest a milder form of SLE with better response to therapy in the older group.", "PMID": 762367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1168", "title": "Sexuality in nursing homes.", "content": "Since so little has been written on the subject of sexuality among the elderly in nursing homes, a study was conducted in some nursing home populations in Wisconsin. Resistance was encountered in certain areas but finally 63 residents (27 men and 36 women) agreed to be interviewed. A recently designed questionnaire was used, followed by a relaxed conversational period. Our findings indicate that the aged interviewees believed that sexual activity was appropriate for other elderly people in the homes; they personally were not involved, chiefly because of lack of opportunity. Most of them admitted having sexual thoughts and feelings. Medical and behavioral personnel showed great reluctance to discuss the subject. It would seem that, if the quality of life in old age is to be improved, there should be some provision in nursing homes for those who desire appropriate sexual activity.", "contents": "Sexuality in nursing homes. Since so little has been written on the subject of sexuality among the elderly in nursing homes, a study was conducted in some nursing home populations in Wisconsin. Resistance was encountered in certain areas but finally 63 residents (27 men and 36 women) agreed to be interviewed. A recently designed questionnaire was used, followed by a relaxed conversational period. Our findings indicate that the aged interviewees believed that sexual activity was appropriate for other elderly people in the homes; they personally were not involved, chiefly because of lack of opportunity. Most of them admitted having sexual thoughts and feelings. Medical and behavioral personnel showed great reluctance to discuss the subject. It would seem that, if the quality of life in old age is to be improved, there should be some provision in nursing homes for those who desire appropriate sexual activity.", "PMID": 762368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1169", "title": "Dihydroergotoxine: 6-mg versus 3-mg dosage in the treatment of senile dementia. Preliminary report.", "content": "In 14 patients with senile dementia, a study was made of two dosage levels (3 mg or 6 mg daily) of dihydroergotoxine mesylate (DEM, Hydergine). Only a nonstatistically significant trend was found for superiority of the higher dosage. However, one patient showed remarkable clinical improvement during the 6-mg period; the mechanism remains unexplained. Further studies are needed with this higher dosage in less impaired patients and in those with well-defined cerebral pathologic changes.", "contents": "Dihydroergotoxine: 6-mg versus 3-mg dosage in the treatment of senile dementia. Preliminary report. In 14 patients with senile dementia, a study was made of two dosage levels (3 mg or 6 mg daily) of dihydroergotoxine mesylate (DEM, Hydergine). Only a nonstatistically significant trend was found for superiority of the higher dosage. However, one patient showed remarkable clinical improvement during the 6-mg period; the mechanism remains unexplained. Further studies are needed with this higher dosage in less impaired patients and in those with well-defined cerebral pathologic changes.", "PMID": 762369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1170", "title": "Drug usage and health characteristics in noninstitutional retired persons.", "content": "A study was made of total drug usage (prescription, over-the-counter, social), health characteristics, and life satisfaction in 55 noninstitutional retired men and women whose average age was 70 years. The sample was purposively selected on the basis of involvement in peer group interaction networks. Among those using drugs, the average number taken per person was 2.0 prescription, 1.8 over-the-counter, and 1.8 social (alcohol, caffeine, nicotine), for a total of 5.6 drugs. For men the average was 7.5, and for women 4.7 drugs. Although drug interaction hazards from prescription drugs alone appeared to be minimal, examination of total drug usage indicated potential interactive hazards. Despite the number of chronic illnesses and physical impairments (5 and 1 per person respectively) and the number of drugs ingested, the respondents usually expressed overall satisfaction with their life condition. A commonly expressed dissatisfaction (males 75 percent, females 35 percent) was with government officials. Respondents had confidence in both their physicians' diagnoses and the effectiveness of the drugs prescribed. The findings that women reported more chronic diseases and physical impairments, and were relatively more dissatisfied with their life condition than were men, may be associated with their greater acquiescence with self-disclosure.", "contents": "Drug usage and health characteristics in noninstitutional retired persons. A study was made of total drug usage (prescription, over-the-counter, social), health characteristics, and life satisfaction in 55 noninstitutional retired men and women whose average age was 70 years. The sample was purposively selected on the basis of involvement in peer group interaction networks. Among those using drugs, the average number taken per person was 2.0 prescription, 1.8 over-the-counter, and 1.8 social (alcohol, caffeine, nicotine), for a total of 5.6 drugs. For men the average was 7.5, and for women 4.7 drugs. Although drug interaction hazards from prescription drugs alone appeared to be minimal, examination of total drug usage indicated potential interactive hazards. Despite the number of chronic illnesses and physical impairments (5 and 1 per person respectively) and the number of drugs ingested, the respondents usually expressed overall satisfaction with their life condition. A commonly expressed dissatisfaction (males 75 percent, females 35 percent) was with government officials. Respondents had confidence in both their physicians' diagnoses and the effectiveness of the drugs prescribed. The findings that women reported more chronic diseases and physical impairments, and were relatively more dissatisfied with their life condition than were men, may be associated with their greater acquiescence with self-disclosure.", "PMID": 762370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1171", "title": "Prosopo-affective agnosia associated with chronic organic brain syndrome.", "content": "Impairment of the ability to recognize facially expressed emotions was studied in 14 chronically disoriented patients with chronic organic brain syndrome (CBS). This impairment was named prosopo-affective agnosia (PAA). A diagnostic requirement was relatively intact neurologic functioning in underlying perceptual-verbal-motor processing. A test was designed for facial-affect recognition in the accurate differentiation of normal persons from chronically disoriented CBS patients. No normal subject made any errors in this test. Despite decades of illness and hospital living, patients with a history of schizophrenia or major affective disorders scored almost at a normal level (95 vs. 100 percent) in this test, and significantly higher (95 vs. 66 percent) than did the disoriented CBS patients. The social and therapeutic implications of the findings are stressed. CBS patients may be impaired with respect to receiving and appreciating elementary aspects of social communications such as recognizing a smile, anger, sadness or disapproval on the faces of people who surround them. This disability requires understanding and a special attitude on the part of the therapeutic team toward such patients.", "contents": "Prosopo-affective agnosia associated with chronic organic brain syndrome. Impairment of the ability to recognize facially expressed emotions was studied in 14 chronically disoriented patients with chronic organic brain syndrome (CBS). This impairment was named prosopo-affective agnosia (PAA). A diagnostic requirement was relatively intact neurologic functioning in underlying perceptual-verbal-motor processing. A test was designed for facial-affect recognition in the accurate differentiation of normal persons from chronically disoriented CBS patients. No normal subject made any errors in this test. Despite decades of illness and hospital living, patients with a history of schizophrenia or major affective disorders scored almost at a normal level (95 vs. 100 percent) in this test, and significantly higher (95 vs. 66 percent) than did the disoriented CBS patients. The social and therapeutic implications of the findings are stressed. CBS patients may be impaired with respect to receiving and appreciating elementary aspects of social communications such as recognizing a smile, anger, sadness or disapproval on the faces of people who surround them. This disability requires understanding and a special attitude on the part of the therapeutic team toward such patients.", "PMID": 762371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1172", "title": "Visual training, the alpha activation cycle and reading.", "content": "Two patients with visual problems and reading difficulties originally unable to suppress alpha have been shown to demonstrate alpha rhythm attenuation during the course of and after a program of visual training with simultaneous improvement in reading performance. No direct training of alpha attenuation was engaged in. No other therapy directed toward solution of the patients reading or behavior problems was attempted during the course of visual training. It is concluded that the change in alpha activation and the improvement in reading were both brought about by the combined visual therapy and reading glasses. Further research concerning the number and proportion in the population of learning disabled who respond similarly to the cited cases is presently being undertaken by the author.", "contents": "Visual training, the alpha activation cycle and reading. Two patients with visual problems and reading difficulties originally unable to suppress alpha have been shown to demonstrate alpha rhythm attenuation during the course of and after a program of visual training with simultaneous improvement in reading performance. No direct training of alpha attenuation was engaged in. No other therapy directed toward solution of the patients reading or behavior problems was attempted during the course of visual training. It is concluded that the change in alpha activation and the improvement in reading were both brought about by the combined visual therapy and reading glasses. Further research concerning the number and proportion in the population of learning disabled who respond similarly to the cited cases is presently being undertaken by the author.", "PMID": 762372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1173", "title": "Measuring contrast sensitivity with gratings: A new simple technique for the early diagnosis of retinal and neurological disease.", "content": "The measurement of contrast sensitivity using gratings is a new clinical procedure which yields information about the functioning of the visual system. Previously, this type of information has not been readily obtainable in the clinical environment. This article includes the basic concepts of measuring contrast sensitivity with gratings and preliminary clinical results.", "contents": "Measuring contrast sensitivity with gratings: A new simple technique for the early diagnosis of retinal and neurological disease. The measurement of contrast sensitivity using gratings is a new clinical procedure which yields information about the functioning of the visual system. Previously, this type of information has not been readily obtainable in the clinical environment. This article includes the basic concepts of measuring contrast sensitivity with gratings and preliminary clinical results.", "PMID": 762375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1174", "title": "The NIH-ERG ganzfeld stimulator.", "content": "The design specifications of a NIH-ERG ganzfield stimulator is discussed. Based on a proposed standard for clinical electroretinography, the stimulator uses stroboscopic stimuli as a whole field flash. But by varying the parameters of wavelengths and background illumination, a complete isolation of the rods and cone systems of the retina is obtained. This information is invaluable at times in early detection and diagnosis of retinal dysfunctions.", "contents": "The NIH-ERG ganzfeld stimulator. The design specifications of a NIH-ERG ganzfield stimulator is discussed. Based on a proposed standard for clinical electroretinography, the stimulator uses stroboscopic stimuli as a whole field flash. But by varying the parameters of wavelengths and background illumination, a complete isolation of the rods and cone systems of the retina is obtained. This information is invaluable at times in early detection and diagnosis of retinal dysfunctions.", "PMID": 762376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1175", "title": "Fundus fluorescein angiography: a summary of theoretical concepts and clinical applications.", "content": "The basic concepts of fundus fluorescein angiography are presented along with historical and physiological background. Fundus photographs, as well as angiograms, are used to highlight the text.", "contents": "Fundus fluorescein angiography: a summary of theoretical concepts and clinical applications. The basic concepts of fundus fluorescein angiography are presented along with historical and physiological background. Fundus photographs, as well as angiograms, are used to highlight the text.", "PMID": 762377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1176", "title": "The electroretinogram: concepts and clinical applications.", "content": "This paper describes the clinical applications of the electroretinogram (ERG). Its purpose is to familiarize the practitioner with the capabilities, and limitations, of the ERG. This discussion includes ERG theory, test procedures, and interpretation of results.", "contents": "The electroretinogram: concepts and clinical applications. This paper describes the clinical applications of the electroretinogram (ERG). Its purpose is to familiarize the practitioner with the capabilities, and limitations, of the ERG. This discussion includes ERG theory, test procedures, and interpretation of results.", "PMID": 762378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1177", "title": "Visual implications of diagnostic advances in neurology.", "content": "Two major diagnostic advances in neurology which have visual implications are Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT Scan) and Evoked Potentials. This paper briefly discusses the basic concepts of the CAT Scan and of Evoked Potentials. In addition, it includes select clinical applicability of each.", "contents": "Visual implications of diagnostic advances in neurology. Two major diagnostic advances in neurology which have visual implications are Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT Scan) and Evoked Potentials. This paper briefly discusses the basic concepts of the CAT Scan and of Evoked Potentials. In addition, it includes select clinical applicability of each.", "PMID": 762379} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1178", "title": "Static vs dynamic visual field evaluation; with emphasis on the utility of the Friedmann Visual Field Analyzer.", "content": "This paper contrasts static and dynamic perimetry, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each. A type of static perimetry, the Friedmann Visual Field Analyzer, is discussed in some detail. A clinical study, comparing the sensitivity of the Friedmann Visual Field Analyzer and B&L Autoplot in detecting field defects in known glaucoma patients, is presented. The results of this study support the notion that static fields (utilizing the FVFA) are significantly more sensitive than dynamic fields (utilizing the B&L Autoplot) in detecting field defects in known glaucoma patients.", "contents": "Static vs dynamic visual field evaluation; with emphasis on the utility of the Friedmann Visual Field Analyzer. This paper contrasts static and dynamic perimetry, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each. A type of static perimetry, the Friedmann Visual Field Analyzer, is discussed in some detail. A clinical study, comparing the sensitivity of the Friedmann Visual Field Analyzer and B&L Autoplot in detecting field defects in known glaucoma patients, is presented. The results of this study support the notion that static fields (utilizing the FVFA) are significantly more sensitive than dynamic fields (utilizing the B&L Autoplot) in detecting field defects in known glaucoma patients.", "PMID": 762380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1179", "title": "Variola minor in Braganca Paulista County, 1956: household aggregation of the disease and the influence of household size on the attack rate.", "content": "Household aggregation of cases, one possible characteristic of person-to-person transmitted disease, was formally tested in one epidemic of variola minor by using a pair statistic. A significant result was found for all households as well as for households grouped by the type of environment, or by the phase of the epidemic growth in time. Secondary attack rates, when related to household size (number of susceptibles) showed only a marginal trend in rural households but no trend in urban or semi-rural households.", "contents": "Variola minor in Braganca Paulista County, 1956: household aggregation of the disease and the influence of household size on the attack rate. Household aggregation of cases, one possible characteristic of person-to-person transmitted disease, was formally tested in one epidemic of variola minor by using a pair statistic. A significant result was found for all households as well as for households grouped by the type of environment, or by the phase of the epidemic growth in time. Secondary attack rates, when related to household size (number of susceptibles) showed only a marginal trend in rural households but no trend in urban or semi-rural households.", "PMID": 762399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1180", "title": "Gastroenteritis in London and Jamaica: a clinical and bacteriological study.", "content": "The flora of both faeces and small bowel lumen was studied in children with gastroenteritis from London, England, and Kingston, Jamaica. Clinical and laboratory differences between these two groups are described. All bacterial groups in the faeces were greatly altered during gastroenteritis and this particularly affected anaerobic organisms. These changes generally reverted rapidly to normal after the illness. The small bowel flora was also altered during gastroenteritis; there was a tendency for a wider range of organisms including anaerobes to be isolated from the children in Jamacia than from those in England.", "contents": "Gastroenteritis in London and Jamaica: a clinical and bacteriological study. The flora of both faeces and small bowel lumen was studied in children with gastroenteritis from London, England, and Kingston, Jamaica. Clinical and laboratory differences between these two groups are described. All bacterial groups in the faeces were greatly altered during gastroenteritis and this particularly affected anaerobic organisms. These changes generally reverted rapidly to normal after the illness. The small bowel flora was also altered during gastroenteritis; there was a tendency for a wider range of organisms including anaerobes to be isolated from the children in Jamacia than from those in England.", "PMID": 762400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1181", "title": "Salmonellosis in Indonesia: phage type distribution of Salmonella typhi.", "content": "The distribution of phage types was studied among 577 strains of Salmonella typhi from Indonesia. Chemotype, colicinogeny, and tetrathionate reductase activity were also studied for most of these strains. The current phage type formula for Java was determined to be: A, D2, D6, E1a, E2, M1, and 46, but two other large groups of strains were also found, I + IV and degraded Vi+ strains. Significant differences in S. typhi strain distributions were noted between two localities on Java with respect to phage type and tetrathionate reductase activity. Comparisons were made with past phage typing studies in Jakarta as well as with more recent studies in other parts of south-east Asia. Phage types A, D1, D2, and E1 persisted at a rather steady level in Jakarta for 28 years. Evidence was found for epidemiological links to European and Asian areas. Antibiotic resistance among these Indonesian S. typhi strains was rare.", "contents": "Salmonellosis in Indonesia: phage type distribution of Salmonella typhi. The distribution of phage types was studied among 577 strains of Salmonella typhi from Indonesia. Chemotype, colicinogeny, and tetrathionate reductase activity were also studied for most of these strains. The current phage type formula for Java was determined to be: A, D2, D6, E1a, E2, M1, and 46, but two other large groups of strains were also found, I + IV and degraded Vi+ strains. Significant differences in S. typhi strain distributions were noted between two localities on Java with respect to phage type and tetrathionate reductase activity. Comparisons were made with past phage typing studies in Jakarta as well as with more recent studies in other parts of south-east Asia. Phage types A, D1, D2, and E1 persisted at a rather steady level in Jakarta for 28 years. Evidence was found for epidemiological links to European and Asian areas. Antibiotic resistance among these Indonesian S. typhi strains was rare.", "PMID": 762401} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1182", "title": "Epidermal tissue as a primary site of replication of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in small experimental hosts.", "content": "When fresh urine from LCM tolerantly infected mice was applied to small areas of excoriated skin of guinea-pigs undiluted or diluted 10(-1), a high LCM infectivity developed in the local dermal tissue within 3 days and quickly spread to the lymphatic system. The skin at this site of infection became erythematous 10--12 days after infection and a few days later a rash was often seen in the hairless skin around the mammary teats. A viraemia was first detected at about 8 days after infection and persisted for at least 8 days, during which time a high infectivity titre in skin not only at the infection site but also distal to it suggested that there was a generalized active infection of the dermis. Infectivity in the tongue was simultaneously high and probably associated with erosions of the tongue tip seen a day or two later than the teat rash. In similar experiments in hamsters and rabbits, indications were again that lightly injured dermis was a primary site of virus replication. These observations should lead to the dermal route receiving greater attention as a potential route of infection of man when exposed to infectious excretions of reservoir hosts of arena-viruses.", "contents": "Epidermal tissue as a primary site of replication of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in small experimental hosts. When fresh urine from LCM tolerantly infected mice was applied to small areas of excoriated skin of guinea-pigs undiluted or diluted 10(-1), a high LCM infectivity developed in the local dermal tissue within 3 days and quickly spread to the lymphatic system. The skin at this site of infection became erythematous 10--12 days after infection and a few days later a rash was often seen in the hairless skin around the mammary teats. A viraemia was first detected at about 8 days after infection and persisted for at least 8 days, during which time a high infectivity titre in skin not only at the infection site but also distal to it suggested that there was a generalized active infection of the dermis. Infectivity in the tongue was simultaneously high and probably associated with erosions of the tongue tip seen a day or two later than the teat rash. In similar experiments in hamsters and rabbits, indications were again that lightly injured dermis was a primary site of virus replication. These observations should lead to the dermal route receiving greater attention as a potential route of infection of man when exposed to infectious excretions of reservoir hosts of arena-viruses.", "PMID": 762402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1183", "title": "The increasing isolation of Serratia species from clinical specimens.", "content": "A 14-month survey was undertaken in a diagnostic bacteriology laboratory to determine the incidence of Serratia spp. in routine clinical specimens. Gram-negative organisms with enterobacteria-like colonies were tested by a simple screening procedure. Fifty-eight strains of S. marcescens and two strains of S. liquefaciens were isolated from 59 patients. The strains were usually non-pigmented and exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance. Serotyping and determination of bacteriocine sensitivity patterns revealed that the majority of infections were sporadic, although episodes of cross-infection did occur. S. marcescens was considered to contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in 53% of patients and appears to be of increasing importance in hospital-acquired infections.", "contents": "The increasing isolation of Serratia species from clinical specimens. A 14-month survey was undertaken in a diagnostic bacteriology laboratory to determine the incidence of Serratia spp. in routine clinical specimens. Gram-negative organisms with enterobacteria-like colonies were tested by a simple screening procedure. Fifty-eight strains of S. marcescens and two strains of S. liquefaciens were isolated from 59 patients. The strains were usually non-pigmented and exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance. Serotyping and determination of bacteriocine sensitivity patterns revealed that the majority of infections were sporadic, although episodes of cross-infection did occur. S. marcescens was considered to contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in 53% of patients and appears to be of increasing importance in hospital-acquired infections.", "PMID": 762403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1184", "title": "The cultural and biochemical characters of Streptococcus milleri strains isolated from human sources.", "content": "A collection of 346 strains of Streptococcus milleri from a variety of human sources was examined culturally and biochemically, and for the presence of Lancefield group antigens. Most of the strains were non-haemolytic and ungroupable, but 25% were beta haemolytic and 19% were alpha haemolytic; 28% possessed a group antigen (A, 5%; C, 6%, F, 14%, G, 3%). These antigens were present in 69% of beta-haemolytic but in only 13% of alpha-haemolytic or non-haemolytic strains; beta haemolysis occurred in 82% of group-F strains, 43% of other groupable strains and 11% of ungroupable strains.The following reactions were given by > 80% of S. milleri strains: hydrolysis of arginine and aesculin, a positive Voges-Proskauer reaction, and acidification of trehalose, lactose, salicin and sucrose. A minority of strains showed enhancement of growth by CO(2), bile tolerance, NaCl tolerance, and ability to acidify other sugars, notably mannitol, raffinose and melibiose. Departures from the modal pattern of biochemical reactions showed a weak correlation with the type of haemolysis and the presence or absence of a group antigen but were not sufficiently systematic for clear-cut subdivisions to be recognized within the species.S. milleri therefore appeared to comprise a ;central' group of non-haemolytic strains that rarely formed a Lancefield-group antigen, in which the aesculin reaction was nearly always positive, lactose was usually acidified, and a considerable minority showed enhancement of growth by CO(2) and bile tolerance. Deviations from this pattern were of two main types. (1) ;Loss' of one or more of these reactions, which tended to be associated with beta-haemolysis and presence of a group antigen. In these respects, alpha-haemolytic strains tended to occupy an intermediate position. (2) ;Gain' of the ability to acidify additional sugars, notably raffinose and melibiose or mannitol; this occurred mainly among otherwise typical non-haemolytic strains that were rarely groupable.Only 12% of isolations from the bloodstream of patients suffering from systemic infections were beta haemolytic and only 18% possessed a group antigen, but a considerably greater proportion of those from visceral abscesses were beta haemolytic (28%). Among isolations from superficial lesions in some body sites there were considerably greater proportions of beta-haemolytic and groupable strains; thus, nearly one-half of those isolated from the abdomen other than the female genital tract were beta-haemolytic and over one-half were groupable. On the other hand, strains from the teeth and gums were nearly always non-haemolytic and ungroupable, and most vaginal isolations were of non-haemolytic strains with a wide sugar-fermentation pattern.", "contents": "The cultural and biochemical characters of Streptococcus milleri strains isolated from human sources. A collection of 346 strains of Streptococcus milleri from a variety of human sources was examined culturally and biochemically, and for the presence of Lancefield group antigens. Most of the strains were non-haemolytic and ungroupable, but 25% were beta haemolytic and 19% were alpha haemolytic; 28% possessed a group antigen (A, 5%; C, 6%, F, 14%, G, 3%). These antigens were present in 69% of beta-haemolytic but in only 13% of alpha-haemolytic or non-haemolytic strains; beta haemolysis occurred in 82% of group-F strains, 43% of other groupable strains and 11% of ungroupable strains.The following reactions were given by > 80% of S. milleri strains: hydrolysis of arginine and aesculin, a positive Voges-Proskauer reaction, and acidification of trehalose, lactose, salicin and sucrose. A minority of strains showed enhancement of growth by CO(2), bile tolerance, NaCl tolerance, and ability to acidify other sugars, notably mannitol, raffinose and melibiose. Departures from the modal pattern of biochemical reactions showed a weak correlation with the type of haemolysis and the presence or absence of a group antigen but were not sufficiently systematic for clear-cut subdivisions to be recognized within the species.S. milleri therefore appeared to comprise a ;central' group of non-haemolytic strains that rarely formed a Lancefield-group antigen, in which the aesculin reaction was nearly always positive, lactose was usually acidified, and a considerable minority showed enhancement of growth by CO(2) and bile tolerance. Deviations from this pattern were of two main types. (1) ;Loss' of one or more of these reactions, which tended to be associated with beta-haemolysis and presence of a group antigen. In these respects, alpha-haemolytic strains tended to occupy an intermediate position. (2) ;Gain' of the ability to acidify additional sugars, notably raffinose and melibiose or mannitol; this occurred mainly among otherwise typical non-haemolytic strains that were rarely groupable.Only 12% of isolations from the bloodstream of patients suffering from systemic infections were beta haemolytic and only 18% possessed a group antigen, but a considerably greater proportion of those from visceral abscesses were beta haemolytic (28%). Among isolations from superficial lesions in some body sites there were considerably greater proportions of beta-haemolytic and groupable strains; thus, nearly one-half of those isolated from the abdomen other than the female genital tract were beta-haemolytic and over one-half were groupable. On the other hand, strains from the teeth and gums were nearly always non-haemolytic and ungroupable, and most vaginal isolations were of non-haemolytic strains with a wide sugar-fermentation pattern.", "PMID": 762404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1185", "title": "A garment for use in the operating theatre: the effect upon bacterial shedding.", "content": "In operating theatres the air is mainly contaminated with bacteria shed from the human skin. The emission of bacteria can be prevented by wearing clothing of impervious material, while normal cotton clothing does not decrease the shedding of bacteria. In this study shedding of viable bacteria from 20 test-persons wearing an operating theatre suit, composed of 65% polyester and 35% cotton (Diolen), was investigated in a test-chamber and compared with that when normal clothing was worn. The use of this operating-theatre suit resulted in a significant reduction (50--75%) in the number of bacteria-carrying particles in the air of the test-chamber and in an operating room when everyone present wore this suit. A combination of the suit with knee-high boots showed a further reduction in the dispersal of colony forming units. The dispersion from female subjects wearing an operating-theatre frock was significantly higher than when wearing an operating-theatre suit.", "contents": "A garment for use in the operating theatre: the effect upon bacterial shedding. In operating theatres the air is mainly contaminated with bacteria shed from the human skin. The emission of bacteria can be prevented by wearing clothing of impervious material, while normal cotton clothing does not decrease the shedding of bacteria. In this study shedding of viable bacteria from 20 test-persons wearing an operating theatre suit, composed of 65% polyester and 35% cotton (Diolen), was investigated in a test-chamber and compared with that when normal clothing was worn. The use of this operating-theatre suit resulted in a significant reduction (50--75%) in the number of bacteria-carrying particles in the air of the test-chamber and in an operating room when everyone present wore this suit. A combination of the suit with knee-high boots showed a further reduction in the dispersal of colony forming units. The dispersion from female subjects wearing an operating-theatre frock was significantly higher than when wearing an operating-theatre suit.", "PMID": 762405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1186", "title": "Comparison of the tuberculin Tine Test+ and the Mantoux.", "content": "Re-evaluation of recently published figures comparing the tuberculin Tine Test+ and the Mantoux showed that, contrary to original opinion, the Tine Test+ did perform satisfactorily, the reason for the apparent ineffectiveness lying in the original interpretation of the results.", "contents": "Comparison of the tuberculin Tine Test+ and the Mantoux. Re-evaluation of recently published figures comparing the tuberculin Tine Test+ and the Mantoux showed that, contrary to original opinion, the Tine Test+ did perform satisfactorily, the reason for the apparent ineffectiveness lying in the original interpretation of the results.", "PMID": 762406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1187", "title": "Influenza A(H1N1) viruses of the 1977/78 outbreak: isolation and haemagglutination properties.", "content": "During the H1N1 outbreak of 1977/8, the virus was isolated in embryonated eggs from 59 out of 76 patients (78%) with the serologically confirmed infection. A similar isolation frequency has been achieved during a period of six H3N2 outbreaks since 1972/3. The H1N1 strains were isolated less frequently from late specimens (collected 4--6 days from the onset of illness) and more often only in the second passage compared with the H3N2 viruses. The new H1N1 strains resembled those prevalent in the 1950s with respect to their ability to agglutinate erythrocytes of certain laboratory animals and to be eluted from these, and thus differed from the H3N2 viruses.", "contents": "Influenza A(H1N1) viruses of the 1977/78 outbreak: isolation and haemagglutination properties. During the H1N1 outbreak of 1977/8, the virus was isolated in embryonated eggs from 59 out of 76 patients (78%) with the serologically confirmed infection. A similar isolation frequency has been achieved during a period of six H3N2 outbreaks since 1972/3. The H1N1 strains were isolated less frequently from late specimens (collected 4--6 days from the onset of illness) and more often only in the second passage compared with the H3N2 viruses. The new H1N1 strains resembled those prevalent in the 1950s with respect to their ability to agglutinate erythrocytes of certain laboratory animals and to be eluted from these, and thus differed from the H3N2 viruses.", "PMID": 762407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1188", "title": "Detergents compared with each other and with antiseptics as skin 'degerming' agents.", "content": "Three detergent preparations (bar soap, 'Hibiscrub' base and 'LIC 76'), TWO ANTISEPTic preparations (0.5% chlorhexidine in 95% ethyl alcohol and an alcohol jelly, 'Alcogel'), and one antiseptic-detergent solution (4% chlorhexidine gluconate in a detergent base, 'Hibiscrub') were compared for their effectiveness, on a single use, in reducing the yield of bacteria from the hands of volunteers. The antiseptic and antiseptic--detergent preparations were more effective than the detergents, with a mean reduction in yield of skin bacteria of 96.0% after use of alcoholic chlorhexidine and of 81.2% after use of Hibiscrub. One of the detergents, LIC 76, appeared more effective than the others, causing a mean reduction in the yield of skin bacteria of 41.5%, compared with reductions of 4.6% by the Hibiscrub detergent base and an increase of 3.2% with bar soap; unlike the other detergents, LIC 76 was found to have appreciable bacteristatic and bactericidal properties.", "contents": "Detergents compared with each other and with antiseptics as skin 'degerming' agents. Three detergent preparations (bar soap, 'Hibiscrub' base and 'LIC 76'), TWO ANTISEPTic preparations (0.5% chlorhexidine in 95% ethyl alcohol and an alcohol jelly, 'Alcogel'), and one antiseptic-detergent solution (4% chlorhexidine gluconate in a detergent base, 'Hibiscrub') were compared for their effectiveness, on a single use, in reducing the yield of bacteria from the hands of volunteers. The antiseptic and antiseptic--detergent preparations were more effective than the detergents, with a mean reduction in yield of skin bacteria of 96.0% after use of alcoholic chlorhexidine and of 81.2% after use of Hibiscrub. One of the detergents, LIC 76, appeared more effective than the others, causing a mean reduction in the yield of skin bacteria of 41.5%, compared with reductions of 4.6% by the Hibiscrub detergent base and an increase of 3.2% with bar soap; unlike the other detergents, LIC 76 was found to have appreciable bacteristatic and bactericidal properties.", "PMID": 762408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1189", "title": "Early complement components in NZB/NZW mice. I. The first component.", "content": "Sera from periodic bleedings of B/W female mice were assayed for C1 hemolytic activity. It peaked at 3 to 4 months of age and declined to very low levels by 6 to 7 months. Activity remained low even in long-lived animals.", "contents": "Early complement components in NZB/NZW mice. I. The first component. Sera from periodic bleedings of B/W female mice were assayed for C1 hemolytic activity. It peaked at 3 to 4 months of age and declined to very low levels by 6 to 7 months. Activity remained low even in long-lived animals.", "PMID": 762411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1190", "title": "In vitro activation of complement by isolated human heart subcellular membranes.", "content": "Activation of human complement (C) occurred in vitro when mitochondrial membranes isolated from normal human heart tissue were incubated with normal human serum. This activation, as measured by C3 depletion, was not completely inhibited by blocking classical pathway activity in serum treated with EGTA, in C2-deficient serum, or in C1-depleted serum, nor in serum heated at 50 degrees C for 30 min to block the alternative pathway, but it could be prevented by blocking the classical and the alternative pathway simultaneously with EDTA, or by treating heated serum (50 degrees C. 30 min) with EGTA. Factor B was converted in normal serum as well as in EGTA-treated serum, but not in EDTA-treated serum. Mitochondrial membranes had no direct enzymatic or other activity that could inactivate functionally or highly purified C4 or C3, but the membranes could bind and activate C1 either in serum or in functionally pure C1 preparations. C4 also bound to the mitochondrial membranes only in the presence of C1. These data suggest that the activation of C by heart subcellular membranes involved both the classical and the alternative pathways, that the mitochondrial membrane preparations were capable of forming stabel complexes with C1 and C4, but not C3, and that the mitochondrial membrane preparations did not contain enzymes or have inherent properties that could directly cause C3 conversion.", "contents": "In vitro activation of complement by isolated human heart subcellular membranes. Activation of human complement (C) occurred in vitro when mitochondrial membranes isolated from normal human heart tissue were incubated with normal human serum. This activation, as measured by C3 depletion, was not completely inhibited by blocking classical pathway activity in serum treated with EGTA, in C2-deficient serum, or in C1-depleted serum, nor in serum heated at 50 degrees C for 30 min to block the alternative pathway, but it could be prevented by blocking the classical and the alternative pathway simultaneously with EDTA, or by treating heated serum (50 degrees C. 30 min) with EGTA. Factor B was converted in normal serum as well as in EGTA-treated serum, but not in EDTA-treated serum. Mitochondrial membranes had no direct enzymatic or other activity that could inactivate functionally or highly purified C4 or C3, but the membranes could bind and activate C1 either in serum or in functionally pure C1 preparations. C4 also bound to the mitochondrial membranes only in the presence of C1. These data suggest that the activation of C by heart subcellular membranes involved both the classical and the alternative pathways, that the mitochondrial membrane preparations were capable of forming stabel complexes with C1 and C4, but not C3, and that the mitochondrial membrane preparations did not contain enzymes or have inherent properties that could directly cause C3 conversion.", "PMID": 762412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1191", "title": "Characterization of an antiserum specific for the Fabalpha fragment. Its use for detection of alpha-heavy chain disease protein by immunoselection.", "content": "An antiserum to the Fabalpha fragment of human IgA was prepared by injecting K-and lambda-type IgA1 myeloma protein Fab fragments in complete Freund's adjuvant into a goat. After appropriate absorptions, the antiserum reacted specifically with Fabalpha fragments, normal IgA, and K- and lambda-type IgA1 and IgA2 myeloma proteins. This antiserum contained predominantly antibodies to determinants shared by different IgA myeloma proteins and expressed on isolated alpha chains. These determinants were presumably located on the first constant domain of the alpha chain (Fd fragment). When incorporated into agarose, the anti-Fabalpha antiserum is a potentially valuable reagent for screening human sera for alpha-heavy chain disease proteins by an immunoelectrophoretic method of immunoselection.", "contents": "Characterization of an antiserum specific for the Fabalpha fragment. Its use for detection of alpha-heavy chain disease protein by immunoselection. An antiserum to the Fabalpha fragment of human IgA was prepared by injecting K-and lambda-type IgA1 myeloma protein Fab fragments in complete Freund's adjuvant into a goat. After appropriate absorptions, the antiserum reacted specifically with Fabalpha fragments, normal IgA, and K- and lambda-type IgA1 and IgA2 myeloma proteins. This antiserum contained predominantly antibodies to determinants shared by different IgA myeloma proteins and expressed on isolated alpha chains. These determinants were presumably located on the first constant domain of the alpha chain (Fd fragment). When incorporated into agarose, the anti-Fabalpha antiserum is a potentially valuable reagent for screening human sera for alpha-heavy chain disease proteins by an immunoelectrophoretic method of immunoselection.", "PMID": 762416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1192", "title": "Allogeneic placenta is a paternal strain antigen immunoabsorbent.", "content": "A partially purified 125I-labeled antibody directed against the murine major histocompatibility complex and injected i.v. pregnant females is selectively absorbed by the placenta when the fetus bears the appropriate targen antigen. The placenta specifically absorbs the antibody at both 13 days and 17 days of gestation, and the differential uptake is found as early as 2 hr after injection and as late as 12 hr. It is also seen in 13-day placentas that have had the fetus removed surgically, indicating that fetal circulation is not essential for the absorption to take place. Specificity controls eliminate the possibility that the differential uptake is due to Fc receptor binding or undefined effects of hybrid vigor. This increase in binding is not seen in the livers, spleens, kidneys, or lungs of the pregnant females. There is a slight decrease in radioactivity in the serum. These results indicate that the placenta is a paternal antigen-bearing immunoabsorbent that could serve as a barrier between the maternal immune response and the semi-allogeneic fetus.", "contents": "Allogeneic placenta is a paternal strain antigen immunoabsorbent. A partially purified 125I-labeled antibody directed against the murine major histocompatibility complex and injected i.v. pregnant females is selectively absorbed by the placenta when the fetus bears the appropriate targen antigen. The placenta specifically absorbs the antibody at both 13 days and 17 days of gestation, and the differential uptake is found as early as 2 hr after injection and as late as 12 hr. It is also seen in 13-day placentas that have had the fetus removed surgically, indicating that fetal circulation is not essential for the absorption to take place. Specificity controls eliminate the possibility that the differential uptake is due to Fc receptor binding or undefined effects of hybrid vigor. This increase in binding is not seen in the livers, spleens, kidneys, or lungs of the pregnant females. There is a slight decrease in radioactivity in the serum. These results indicate that the placenta is a paternal antigen-bearing immunoabsorbent that could serve as a barrier between the maternal immune response and the semi-allogeneic fetus.", "PMID": 762418} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1193", "title": "Ascaris and eosinophil. II. Isolation and characterization of eosinophil chemotactic factor and neutrophil chemotactic factor of parasite in Ascaris antigen.", "content": "In the previous study, we found an eosinophil chemotactic factor of the parasite (ECF-P) in extracts from the body cavity fluid of the Ascaris species. In this study, the physiochemical characteristics of ECF-P were determined in order to elucidate the relationship between ECF-P and Ascaris antigens. ECF-P was active in both in vivo and in vitro chemotactic assay systems and was found to be heat labile, nondialyzable, and stable to lyophilization. The estimated m.w. was approximately 30,000 daltons. The isoelectric point of ECF-P was 8.5. It was quite different from the Ascaris antigen in the same extract, or various Ascaris allergens that had been reported previously by other researchers. Furthermore, ECF-P did not show any activity in eliciting a guinea pig passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction. From these experimental results, we concluded that ECF-P is not identical to Ascaris antigens. In addition, we found that the neutrophil chemotactic factor of the parasite (NCF-P), with at least two components, is present in the Ascaris extract, and is also heat labile and resistant to dialysis and lyophilization, but separable from coexistent ECF-P by reason of their different physiochemical properties.", "contents": "Ascaris and eosinophil. II. Isolation and characterization of eosinophil chemotactic factor and neutrophil chemotactic factor of parasite in Ascaris antigen. In the previous study, we found an eosinophil chemotactic factor of the parasite (ECF-P) in extracts from the body cavity fluid of the Ascaris species. In this study, the physiochemical characteristics of ECF-P were determined in order to elucidate the relationship between ECF-P and Ascaris antigens. ECF-P was active in both in vivo and in vitro chemotactic assay systems and was found to be heat labile, nondialyzable, and stable to lyophilization. The estimated m.w. was approximately 30,000 daltons. The isoelectric point of ECF-P was 8.5. It was quite different from the Ascaris antigen in the same extract, or various Ascaris allergens that had been reported previously by other researchers. Furthermore, ECF-P did not show any activity in eliciting a guinea pig passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction. From these experimental results, we concluded that ECF-P is not identical to Ascaris antigens. In addition, we found that the neutrophil chemotactic factor of the parasite (NCF-P), with at least two components, is present in the Ascaris extract, and is also heat labile and resistant to dialysis and lyophilization, but separable from coexistent ECF-P by reason of their different physiochemical properties.", "PMID": 762419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1194", "title": "The identification of actin as a major lymphocyte component.", "content": "Lymphocytes derived from pig mesenteric lymph node and mouse spleen have been shown to contain a major protein conponent which a) co-migrates on one-dimensional (SDS-PAGE with purified pig muscle actin, and b) possesses the same isoelectric point as muscle actin on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Further, limited proteolytic digestion of the lymphocyte actin-comigrating band by S. aureus V8-protease revealed extensive primary sequence hemology with purified muscle actin. Based on the virtual identity of molecular size charge, and primary sequence, we conclude that the actin-comigrating band represents lymphocyte actin. The appearance of lymphocyte actin as a nonspecific \"contaminant\" of immune precipitates has also been discussed.", "contents": "The identification of actin as a major lymphocyte component. Lymphocytes derived from pig mesenteric lymph node and mouse spleen have been shown to contain a major protein conponent which a) co-migrates on one-dimensional (SDS-PAGE with purified pig muscle actin, and b) possesses the same isoelectric point as muscle actin on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Further, limited proteolytic digestion of the lymphocyte actin-comigrating band by S. aureus V8-protease revealed extensive primary sequence hemology with purified muscle actin. Based on the virtual identity of molecular size charge, and primary sequence, we conclude that the actin-comigrating band represents lymphocyte actin. The appearance of lymphocyte actin as a nonspecific \"contaminant\" of immune precipitates has also been discussed.", "PMID": 762420} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1195", "title": "Activation of the classical complement pathway by nephritic factor bound to the alternative pathway C3/C5 convertase.", "content": "Nephritic Factor (NF), the potent alternative pathway activator, which is occasionally found in association with certain types of nephritis has recently been identified as an IgG class autoantibody specific for the C3 convertase (C3bB) of the alternative pathway. In these studies we have examined the possibility that the cell-bound NF-stabilized C3 convertase (EC3 bBNF) binds and activates the first component of the classical pathway of complement. EC3bBNF bound C1q, and the extent of binding was dependent upon the number of NF molecules bound per cell and decreased parallel to the dissociation and release of NF from the cells. Interaction of C1 with bound NF resulted in its activation as shown by the proteolytic conversion of proenzyme C1s to its activated form C1s. As was the case with C1q binding, C1 activation was dependent on the number of NF molecules bound per cell. Thus the NF-stabilized C3 convertase binds and activates C1.", "contents": "Activation of the classical complement pathway by nephritic factor bound to the alternative pathway C3/C5 convertase. Nephritic Factor (NF), the potent alternative pathway activator, which is occasionally found in association with certain types of nephritis has recently been identified as an IgG class autoantibody specific for the C3 convertase (C3bB) of the alternative pathway. In these studies we have examined the possibility that the cell-bound NF-stabilized C3 convertase (EC3 bBNF) binds and activates the first component of the classical pathway of complement. EC3bBNF bound C1q, and the extent of binding was dependent upon the number of NF molecules bound per cell and decreased parallel to the dissociation and release of NF from the cells. Interaction of C1 with bound NF resulted in its activation as shown by the proteolytic conversion of proenzyme C1s to its activated form C1s. As was the case with C1q binding, C1 activation was dependent on the number of NF molecules bound per cell. Thus the NF-stabilized C3 convertase binds and activates C1.", "PMID": 762421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1196", "title": "High responder rabbits to SRBC, a familial incidence.", "content": "Three litters of rabbits from our closed colony when immunized with multiple i.v. injections of SRBC gave unusually high titers compared to other rabbits immunized in a similar fashion. Data suggest that this response is a familial occurrence. The antisera from the high responding rabbits also exhibited other unique properties in addition to the high agglutinin titers. The early bleedings had significantly higher amounts of IgG anti-SRBC antibodies but similar amounts of IgM anti-SRBC antibodies relative to normal rabbits immunized with SRBC. The IgG antibodies from the high responders were low avidity antibodies and may exhibit limited heterogeneity.", "contents": "High responder rabbits to SRBC, a familial incidence. Three litters of rabbits from our closed colony when immunized with multiple i.v. injections of SRBC gave unusually high titers compared to other rabbits immunized in a similar fashion. Data suggest that this response is a familial occurrence. The antisera from the high responding rabbits also exhibited other unique properties in addition to the high agglutinin titers. The early bleedings had significantly higher amounts of IgG anti-SRBC antibodies but similar amounts of IgM anti-SRBC antibodies relative to normal rabbits immunized with SRBC. The IgG antibodies from the high responders were low avidity antibodies and may exhibit limited heterogeneity.", "PMID": 762422} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1197", "title": "Spontaneous cytotoxicity. III. Inhibition of human monocyte mediated cytotoxicity by pokeweed mitogen.", "content": "We have shown that human mononuclear cells become spontaneously cytotoxic to a variety of erythrocyte targets after 7 days of in vitro culture. This phenomenon of spontaneous cytotoxicity occurs in low concentration of either autologous serum of FCS and is independent of any known stimulant. It does not require exogenous antibody, mitogen, or antigen. Once expressed, the cytotoxic cell has little, if any, specificity. Monocytes appear to be responsible for this observed in vitro cytotoxicity. We now present evidence that the development of spontaneous monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro is completely reversed by the addition of optimally mitogenic doses of PWM. PWM appears to reverse monocyte-mediated killing by stimulating a potent cell-mediated suppressor. This suppressor cell is radiosensitive and its action is blocked by inhibitors of protein synthesis. In contrast to other mitogen-driven suppressor models, PWM will inhibit spontaneous monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity even when added as late as 6 hr before the end of a 7-day culture.", "contents": "Spontaneous cytotoxicity. III. Inhibition of human monocyte mediated cytotoxicity by pokeweed mitogen. We have shown that human mononuclear cells become spontaneously cytotoxic to a variety of erythrocyte targets after 7 days of in vitro culture. This phenomenon of spontaneous cytotoxicity occurs in low concentration of either autologous serum of FCS and is independent of any known stimulant. It does not require exogenous antibody, mitogen, or antigen. Once expressed, the cytotoxic cell has little, if any, specificity. Monocytes appear to be responsible for this observed in vitro cytotoxicity. We now present evidence that the development of spontaneous monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro is completely reversed by the addition of optimally mitogenic doses of PWM. PWM appears to reverse monocyte-mediated killing by stimulating a potent cell-mediated suppressor. This suppressor cell is radiosensitive and its action is blocked by inhibitors of protein synthesis. In contrast to other mitogen-driven suppressor models, PWM will inhibit spontaneous monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity even when added as late as 6 hr before the end of a 7-day culture.", "PMID": 762423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1198", "title": "Physical association of histocompatibility antigens and tumor-associated antigens on the surface of murine lymphoma cells.", "content": "Serologic and immunochemical techniques were used to characterize plasma membrane antigens of the murine lymphoma 6C3HED. Syngeneic C3H/HeJ anti-6C3HED antisera were prepared and were shown by cytotoxicity, absorption, and immunoprecipitation tests to be specifically reactive with the lymphoma cells. Alloantisera to H-2.23 were found to be unreactive with intact lymphoma cells by cytotoxicity and absorption assays. However, H-2.23 antigens were detectable in tumor cell lysates by inhibition of cytotoxicity and immunoprecipitation. SDS-PAGE electropherograms of immunoprecipitates of radiolabeled tumor cell extracts obtained with anti-6C3HED and anti-H2.23 antisera were essentially identical; proteins with Mr of approximately 70,000, 45,000, and 12,000 were apparent in both. An immuno-adsorbent of insolubilized anti-6C3HED removed H-2.23 antigens detectable in lymphoma extracts, but had no effect on H-2.23 antigens in normal splenocyte extracts. These data indicate that H-2.23 and TAA are physically associated on 6C3HED cells.", "contents": "Physical association of histocompatibility antigens and tumor-associated antigens on the surface of murine lymphoma cells. Serologic and immunochemical techniques were used to characterize plasma membrane antigens of the murine lymphoma 6C3HED. Syngeneic C3H/HeJ anti-6C3HED antisera were prepared and were shown by cytotoxicity, absorption, and immunoprecipitation tests to be specifically reactive with the lymphoma cells. Alloantisera to H-2.23 were found to be unreactive with intact lymphoma cells by cytotoxicity and absorption assays. However, H-2.23 antigens were detectable in tumor cell lysates by inhibition of cytotoxicity and immunoprecipitation. SDS-PAGE electropherograms of immunoprecipitates of radiolabeled tumor cell extracts obtained with anti-6C3HED and anti-H2.23 antisera were essentially identical; proteins with Mr of approximately 70,000, 45,000, and 12,000 were apparent in both. An immuno-adsorbent of insolubilized anti-6C3HED removed H-2.23 antigens detectable in lymphoma extracts, but had no effect on H-2.23 antigens in normal splenocyte extracts. These data indicate that H-2.23 and TAA are physically associated on 6C3HED cells.", "PMID": 762424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1199", "title": "Mouse antibody-dependent eosinophil and macrophage adherence and damage to schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni.", "content": "The effects of sera from S. mansoni-infected mice together with eosinophil- and macrophage-rich peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) on the schistosomula were examined in vitro. Adherence to and killing of the parasite by PEC is mediated through a complement-independent opsonizing IgG. Destruction of schistosomula was assessed morphologically and by evaluating their infectivity to normal mice. By using ferritin-labeled anti-mouse immunoglobulin, the antibody was localized on the surface of the schistosomula and at the cell-organism areas of contact. The serum antibody activity appears with the onset of egg production, does not correlate well with the duration of infection, and is relatively specific among schistosome species. Eosinophils and macrophages were demonstrated by electron microscopy to adhere firmly to the surface of the organisms; the latter cells were shown invading the schistosomula. Furthermore, depletion of eosinophils by prior incubation of PEC with monospecific anti-eosinophil serum blocked the early adherence phase, but a substantial part of PEC ability to kill the schistosomula was retained.", "contents": "Mouse antibody-dependent eosinophil and macrophage adherence and damage to schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni. The effects of sera from S. mansoni-infected mice together with eosinophil- and macrophage-rich peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) on the schistosomula were examined in vitro. Adherence to and killing of the parasite by PEC is mediated through a complement-independent opsonizing IgG. Destruction of schistosomula was assessed morphologically and by evaluating their infectivity to normal mice. By using ferritin-labeled anti-mouse immunoglobulin, the antibody was localized on the surface of the schistosomula and at the cell-organism areas of contact. The serum antibody activity appears with the onset of egg production, does not correlate well with the duration of infection, and is relatively specific among schistosome species. Eosinophils and macrophages were demonstrated by electron microscopy to adhere firmly to the surface of the organisms; the latter cells were shown invading the schistosomula. Furthermore, depletion of eosinophils by prior incubation of PEC with monospecific anti-eosinophil serum blocked the early adherence phase, but a substantial part of PEC ability to kill the schistosomula was retained.", "PMID": 762428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1200", "title": "The expression of the allelic gene of murine C3 in fetal and neonatal mice.", "content": "A single co-dominant gene locus linked to H-2, tentatively designated C3-1 locus by us, controls allotypic variation of murine complement (C) C3 as previously described. We used this genetically determined variation of murine C3 as a marker in the probe for the synthesis of this C component in fetal and neonatal mice. Phenotypes of murine C3 were determined by a combined use of analytical isoelectric focusing and immunofixation and by antigenic analysis with alloantiserum directed to the gene product of one of the alleles at the C3-1 locus. Fetuses and neonates of inbred mice (BALB/c and NC strains), F1 hybrids, and backcross progeny express the same C3 phenotype as the one observed in adult mice of the corresponding C3 genotype. No evidence for the occurrence of \"fetal C3\" in fetal mice was obtained. Furthermore, allotypic differences of C3 between mother and fetus or neonates provide evidence that murine C3 is synthesized by fetus or neonate and is not transferred from mother transplacentally nor via colostrum. In summary, mice synthesize C3 according to the allelic structural gene(s) at the C3-1 locus even during their early developmental life.", "contents": "The expression of the allelic gene of murine C3 in fetal and neonatal mice. A single co-dominant gene locus linked to H-2, tentatively designated C3-1 locus by us, controls allotypic variation of murine complement (C) C3 as previously described. We used this genetically determined variation of murine C3 as a marker in the probe for the synthesis of this C component in fetal and neonatal mice. Phenotypes of murine C3 were determined by a combined use of analytical isoelectric focusing and immunofixation and by antigenic analysis with alloantiserum directed to the gene product of one of the alleles at the C3-1 locus. Fetuses and neonates of inbred mice (BALB/c and NC strains), F1 hybrids, and backcross progeny express the same C3 phenotype as the one observed in adult mice of the corresponding C3 genotype. No evidence for the occurrence of \"fetal C3\" in fetal mice was obtained. Furthermore, allotypic differences of C3 between mother and fetus or neonates provide evidence that murine C3 is synthesized by fetus or neonate and is not transferred from mother transplacentally nor via colostrum. In summary, mice synthesize C3 according to the allelic structural gene(s) at the C3-1 locus even during their early developmental life.", "PMID": 762429} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1201", "title": "Electrical measurements of complement-mediated membrane damage in cultured nerve and muscle cells.", "content": "Cultured neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells and primary mouse and rat muscle cells were studied by using intracellular microelectrodes to monitor membrane electrical potential and resistance changes during complement-mediated lysis. The cell membrane was TNP modified under mild conditions and subsequently coated with rabbit IgG anti-TNP, with no electrical changes observed. However, upon addition of guinea pig C the membrane potential dropped from approximately -50 mv to less than -12 mv within a few minutes, with parallel decreases in electrical resistance. Ten to 60 min after these electrical changes the cells became stainable with trypan blue. No electrical changes or trypan blue staining was observed in the absence of antibody or with heat-inactivated C. With more dilute C so that only a fraction of cells became trypan blue positive, all cells nevertheless showed the membrane electrical changes; surviving cells recovered their original membrane properties within 1 hr. Thus the C-mediated damage to the membrane measured electrically is not in itself sufficient to ensure the subsequent death of the cell. The early electrical changes observed appear to be comparable to increases in 86Rb efflux measured by others.", "contents": "Electrical measurements of complement-mediated membrane damage in cultured nerve and muscle cells. Cultured neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells and primary mouse and rat muscle cells were studied by using intracellular microelectrodes to monitor membrane electrical potential and resistance changes during complement-mediated lysis. The cell membrane was TNP modified under mild conditions and subsequently coated with rabbit IgG anti-TNP, with no electrical changes observed. However, upon addition of guinea pig C the membrane potential dropped from approximately -50 mv to less than -12 mv within a few minutes, with parallel decreases in electrical resistance. Ten to 60 min after these electrical changes the cells became stainable with trypan blue. No electrical changes or trypan blue staining was observed in the absence of antibody or with heat-inactivated C. With more dilute C so that only a fraction of cells became trypan blue positive, all cells nevertheless showed the membrane electrical changes; surviving cells recovered their original membrane properties within 1 hr. Thus the C-mediated damage to the membrane measured electrically is not in itself sufficient to ensure the subsequent death of the cell. The early electrical changes observed appear to be comparable to increases in 86Rb efflux measured by others.", "PMID": 762431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1202", "title": "Lactoperoxidase catalyzed radioiodination of cell surface immunoglobulin: incorporated radioactivity may not reflect relative cell surface Ig density.", "content": "Rabbit and mouse splenic lymphocytes were radioiodinated by the lactoperoxidase technique, extracted with non-ionic detergent, immunoprecipitated with high titered rabbit anti-kappa antisera, and compared by SDS-PAGE. Mouse sIg peaks were reproducibly larger in size than rabbit sIg peaks (often greater than 10 times). Neither differences in incorporation of label into the rabbit cell surface, nor differences in average sIg density explain this result. Total TCA-precipitable radioactivity was similar in each species. Estimation of the relative amounts of sIg in the mouse and rabbit showed similar average sIg densities. Differences in detergent solubility, proteolytic lability, or antisera used also do not adequately account for this difference. Thus, these data indicate that radioactivity incorporated after lactoperoxidase catalyzed cell surface radioiodination may not reflect cell surface Ig density. Conclusions about cell surface density based upon relative incorporation of radioactivity should be confirmed by other approaches.", "contents": "Lactoperoxidase catalyzed radioiodination of cell surface immunoglobulin: incorporated radioactivity may not reflect relative cell surface Ig density. Rabbit and mouse splenic lymphocytes were radioiodinated by the lactoperoxidase technique, extracted with non-ionic detergent, immunoprecipitated with high titered rabbit anti-kappa antisera, and compared by SDS-PAGE. Mouse sIg peaks were reproducibly larger in size than rabbit sIg peaks (often greater than 10 times). Neither differences in incorporation of label into the rabbit cell surface, nor differences in average sIg density explain this result. Total TCA-precipitable radioactivity was similar in each species. Estimation of the relative amounts of sIg in the mouse and rabbit showed similar average sIg densities. Differences in detergent solubility, proteolytic lability, or antisera used also do not adequately account for this difference. Thus, these data indicate that radioactivity incorporated after lactoperoxidase catalyzed cell surface radioiodination may not reflect cell surface Ig density. Conclusions about cell surface density based upon relative incorporation of radioactivity should be confirmed by other approaches.", "PMID": 762432} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1203", "title": "Mouse C4 (Ss): three-step purification of its C4c fragment and production of a monospecific antiserum.", "content": "We report here that a large fragment of mouse C4 (C4c) can be easily purified from serum with good recoveries, and used to produce a monospecific antiserum. The method of isolation of C4c is based on the observation that C4 is easily activated and fragmented in mouse serum. The fragments bind to the C4-binding protein (C4-bp), a newly described macromolecular component of the complement system. The high m.w. complexes were precipitated by dialysis of the serum against 0.1 M acetate buffer, pH 5.0, and purified by passage of the dissolved precipitate through a Sephadex G-200 column. The complexes were dissociated at high salt concentration, and the C4 fragments were isolated by passage of the mixture through a second Sephadex G-200 column. One of the C4 fragments (C4c) was used to immunize rabbits, and a monospecific antiserum was obtained, which showed a reaction of identity between C4 and Slp. Therefore the C4c fragment of C4 and the Slp protein are structurally related.", "contents": "Mouse C4 (Ss): three-step purification of its C4c fragment and production of a monospecific antiserum. We report here that a large fragment of mouse C4 (C4c) can be easily purified from serum with good recoveries, and used to produce a monospecific antiserum. The method of isolation of C4c is based on the observation that C4 is easily activated and fragmented in mouse serum. The fragments bind to the C4-binding protein (C4-bp), a newly described macromolecular component of the complement system. The high m.w. complexes were precipitated by dialysis of the serum against 0.1 M acetate buffer, pH 5.0, and purified by passage of the dissolved precipitate through a Sephadex G-200 column. The complexes were dissociated at high salt concentration, and the C4 fragments were isolated by passage of the mixture through a second Sephadex G-200 column. One of the C4 fragments (C4c) was used to immunize rabbits, and a monospecific antiserum was obtained, which showed a reaction of identity between C4 and Slp. Therefore the C4c fragment of C4 and the Slp protein are structurally related.", "PMID": 762433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1204", "title": "The use of staphylococcal protein A in the mixed agglutination test.", "content": "A mixed agglutination (MA) test employing staphylococcal protein A (SpA) instead of an antiglobulin reagent has been developed for the detection of IgG antibodies bound to cell-surface antigens. In the SpA MA test, a single indicator system may be used for the detection of IgG antibodies from several mammalian species. The sensitivity of this test compares favorably with that of the conventional MA test in the detection of most mammalian IgG. The main advantage of the conventional SpA MA test is its usefulness in the study of antigens on cells because of adherence of antibody-coated indicator erythrocytes.", "contents": "The use of staphylococcal protein A in the mixed agglutination test. A mixed agglutination (MA) test employing staphylococcal protein A (SpA) instead of an antiglobulin reagent has been developed for the detection of IgG antibodies bound to cell-surface antigens. In the SpA MA test, a single indicator system may be used for the detection of IgG antibodies from several mammalian species. The sensitivity of this test compares favorably with that of the conventional MA test in the detection of most mammalian IgG. The main advantage of the conventional SpA MA test is its usefulness in the study of antigens on cells because of adherence of antibody-coated indicator erythrocytes.", "PMID": 762436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1205", "title": "Immunoassay for serum thyroxine monitored by chemiluminescence.", "content": "An immunoassay for thyroxine (T4) monitored by chemiluminescence was evaluated with clinical serums. A thyroxine-label conjugate (T4-L) and serum samples were applied sequentially to alkaline Sephadex G-25 columns which adsorbed the thyroxine species. Other serum components and potential interferents were washed from the column with barbital buffer. Subsequently addition of antibody initiated the binding reaction. After 1 h incubation, the antibody was eluted from the column with a barbital buffer wash. The bound T4-L in the eluate was oxidized in a chemiluminescent detection reaction. The peak light intensity, attained in about 1 sec, was related to T4 concentration by means of standards. The intra-assay precision of the chemiluminescence immunoassay was +/-5% (C.V.). Statistical comparison of T4 levels determined for 28 serums by this method and a reference assay was acceptable (y = 0.95x + 5.9, r = 0.98, Sy square root of y . 100 = 13.1%).", "contents": "Immunoassay for serum thyroxine monitored by chemiluminescence. An immunoassay for thyroxine (T4) monitored by chemiluminescence was evaluated with clinical serums. A thyroxine-label conjugate (T4-L) and serum samples were applied sequentially to alkaline Sephadex G-25 columns which adsorbed the thyroxine species. Other serum components and potential interferents were washed from the column with barbital buffer. Subsequently addition of antibody initiated the binding reaction. After 1 h incubation, the antibody was eluted from the column with a barbital buffer wash. The bound T4-L in the eluate was oxidized in a chemiluminescent detection reaction. The peak light intensity, attained in about 1 sec, was related to T4 concentration by means of standards. The intra-assay precision of the chemiluminescence immunoassay was +/-5% (C.V.). Statistical comparison of T4 levels determined for 28 serums by this method and a reference assay was acceptable (y = 0.95x + 5.9, r = 0.98, Sy square root of y . 100 = 13.1%).", "PMID": 762437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1206", "title": "Effect of retinoids on the differentiation of chick embryo metatarsal skin explants.", "content": "Twelve retinoids were evaluated in organ culture for activity in modulating epithelial differentiation of metatarsal skin explants from 13-day chick embryos. The epithelium differentiated into a squamous, keratinizing epidermis; but, in the presence of active retinoids, keratinization was inhibited, and a mucous metaplasia developed. The methyl-keto and 1-methoxyethyl cyclopentenyl analogs of retinoic acid were about tenfold more effective than retinoic acid in altering epithelial differentiation. The dichlorophenyl analog exhibited about the same activity as retinoic acid. The following analogs were one-half to one-third as effective as retinoic acid in inhibiting keratinization: the chlorotrimethylphenyl analog of retinoic acid and the 13-cis, 10-fluoro analog of trimethylmethoxyphenyl methyl retinoate. The other 7 retinoids were essentially not active at the concentration tested (1.4--2.0 x 10(-5) M). The activity of synthetic retinoids in altering epithelial differentiation may be related to their ability to affect or treat epithelial lesions provided that modification of the retinoid molecule can enhance its activity and decrease toxicity.", "contents": "Effect of retinoids on the differentiation of chick embryo metatarsal skin explants. Twelve retinoids were evaluated in organ culture for activity in modulating epithelial differentiation of metatarsal skin explants from 13-day chick embryos. The epithelium differentiated into a squamous, keratinizing epidermis; but, in the presence of active retinoids, keratinization was inhibited, and a mucous metaplasia developed. The methyl-keto and 1-methoxyethyl cyclopentenyl analogs of retinoic acid were about tenfold more effective than retinoic acid in altering epithelial differentiation. The dichlorophenyl analog exhibited about the same activity as retinoic acid. The following analogs were one-half to one-third as effective as retinoic acid in inhibiting keratinization: the chlorotrimethylphenyl analog of retinoic acid and the 13-cis, 10-fluoro analog of trimethylmethoxyphenyl methyl retinoate. The other 7 retinoids were essentially not active at the concentration tested (1.4--2.0 x 10(-5) M). The activity of synthetic retinoids in altering epithelial differentiation may be related to their ability to affect or treat epithelial lesions provided that modification of the retinoid molecule can enhance its activity and decrease toxicity.", "PMID": 762444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1207", "title": "Determining skin thickness with pulsed ultra sound.", "content": "A high frequency, high resolution ultrasonic echo technique is presented for determining the thickness of human skin. An experimental series is described in which the accuracy of this new technique is demonstrated by comparison with a radiological method of proven accuracy. The \"ultrasonic biometric ruler\" is shown to provide an accurate, simple, noninvasive method for measuring full-thickness human skin. In addition to the determination of skin thickness, it is demonstrated that the underlying subcutaneous fat and muscle can also be noninvasively \"explored\" with the possibility of identifying a variety of skin and underlying tissue lesions.", "contents": "Determining skin thickness with pulsed ultra sound. A high frequency, high resolution ultrasonic echo technique is presented for determining the thickness of human skin. An experimental series is described in which the accuracy of this new technique is demonstrated by comparison with a radiological method of proven accuracy. The \"ultrasonic biometric ruler\" is shown to provide an accurate, simple, noninvasive method for measuring full-thickness human skin. In addition to the determination of skin thickness, it is demonstrated that the underlying subcutaneous fat and muscle can also be noninvasively \"explored\" with the possibility of identifying a variety of skin and underlying tissue lesions.", "PMID": 762445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1208", "title": "Experimental inoculation of dermatophytes on psoriatic skin.", "content": "Two dermatophytic agents, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were used in the experimental inoculation of psoriatic lesions in 27 volunteer patients (13 males and 14 females with an age range from 17 to 72 yr). T. rubrum was inoculated in 14 patients and T. mentagrophytes (varietas granulare) in 13. For purposes of control in each patient the same agent was also inoculated on healthy skin. Results were noted once a week for a period of 1 mo. A positive response was found in 12 of the 14 patients inoculated with T. rubrum but only in 4 of the 13 inoculated with T. mentagrophytes. Healthy skin was found to have a positive response in only 5 cases, in 4 with T. rubrum, and in 1 with T. mentagrophytes. These results confirm the possibility of invasion of psoriatic lesions by dermatophytes and suggest that the coexistance of psoriasis and dermatophytic infection may be not always purely coincidental. The importance of the awareness of the presence of mycotic lesions and their possible spread with the application of steroid ointments under occlusive dressings in a psoriatic patient is stressed.", "contents": "Experimental inoculation of dermatophytes on psoriatic skin. Two dermatophytic agents, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were used in the experimental inoculation of psoriatic lesions in 27 volunteer patients (13 males and 14 females with an age range from 17 to 72 yr). T. rubrum was inoculated in 14 patients and T. mentagrophytes (varietas granulare) in 13. For purposes of control in each patient the same agent was also inoculated on healthy skin. Results were noted once a week for a period of 1 mo. A positive response was found in 12 of the 14 patients inoculated with T. rubrum but only in 4 of the 13 inoculated with T. mentagrophytes. Healthy skin was found to have a positive response in only 5 cases, in 4 with T. rubrum, and in 1 with T. mentagrophytes. These results confirm the possibility of invasion of psoriatic lesions by dermatophytes and suggest that the coexistance of psoriasis and dermatophytic infection may be not always purely coincidental. The importance of the awareness of the presence of mycotic lesions and their possible spread with the application of steroid ointments under occlusive dressings in a psoriatic patient is stressed.", "PMID": 762446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1209", "title": "Penetration of chromium in intact human skin in vivo.", "content": "Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy was modified to permit analysis of solid material, thereby fully utilizing the high sensitivity of the method. Tangential sections of biopsies from skin tested epicutaneously with K2Cr2O7 were analyzed for the content of chromium 5, 24, and 72 hr after application of the test substance in various concentrations, either in petrolatum or in water. The concentration of chromium as a rule showed 2 maxima, one at the dermal-epidermal junction and the other in upper mid-dermis. The content of chromium was of the same order of magnitude at all 3 times after application. This indicates that a steady state is reached already after 5 hr and that penetration is continuing at 72 hr. The chromium content in normal skin was 0.4-2 ppm. K2Cr2O7 in petrolatum penetrated to a greater extent than in water. The relative penetration of chromium was lower for 0.5% concentration than for 0.05%. A complex of chromium and glycine was found to penetrate into the skin but to a lower extent than K2Cr2O7. It also elicited a positive epicutaneous test reaction in 1 out of 2 individuals hypersensitive to chromium.", "contents": "Penetration of chromium in intact human skin in vivo. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy was modified to permit analysis of solid material, thereby fully utilizing the high sensitivity of the method. Tangential sections of biopsies from skin tested epicutaneously with K2Cr2O7 were analyzed for the content of chromium 5, 24, and 72 hr after application of the test substance in various concentrations, either in petrolatum or in water. The concentration of chromium as a rule showed 2 maxima, one at the dermal-epidermal junction and the other in upper mid-dermis. The content of chromium was of the same order of magnitude at all 3 times after application. This indicates that a steady state is reached already after 5 hr and that penetration is continuing at 72 hr. The chromium content in normal skin was 0.4-2 ppm. K2Cr2O7 in petrolatum penetrated to a greater extent than in water. The relative penetration of chromium was lower for 0.5% concentration than for 0.05%. A complex of chromium and glycine was found to penetrate into the skin but to a lower extent than K2Cr2O7. It also elicited a positive epicutaneous test reaction in 1 out of 2 individuals hypersensitive to chromium.", "PMID": 762448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1210", "title": "Transfer of paraphenylenediamine delayed-type hypersensitivity: a comparative investigation in the guinea pig, using arteriovenous cross-transfusion and parabiosis.", "content": "Arteriovenous cross-transfusion and parabiosis were used to study transfer of paraphenylenediamine (PPDA) hypersensitivity in guinea pigs. Nine out of 10 transfusion experiments were successful, resulting in definite positive test reactions in the recipient animals, and the remaining experiment was evaluated as possibly positive. Six out of 10 parabiosis experiments were successful, a further 2 were negative and the remaining 2 were evaluated as possibly positive. The mean test reactions in the recipients were stronger in the transfusion experiments than in the parabiosis experiments (0.001 less than P less than 0.01 for 0.5% PPDA). In control experiments, where the \"donors\" were nonsensitized guinea pigs negative test reactions were obtained. It was concluded that the transfusion technique was the most reliable of the 2 methods, when studying transfer of PPDA hypersensitivity.", "contents": "Transfer of paraphenylenediamine delayed-type hypersensitivity: a comparative investigation in the guinea pig, using arteriovenous cross-transfusion and parabiosis. Arteriovenous cross-transfusion and parabiosis were used to study transfer of paraphenylenediamine (PPDA) hypersensitivity in guinea pigs. Nine out of 10 transfusion experiments were successful, resulting in definite positive test reactions in the recipient animals, and the remaining experiment was evaluated as possibly positive. Six out of 10 parabiosis experiments were successful, a further 2 were negative and the remaining 2 were evaluated as possibly positive. The mean test reactions in the recipients were stronger in the transfusion experiments than in the parabiosis experiments (0.001 less than P less than 0.01 for 0.5% PPDA). In control experiments, where the \"donors\" were nonsensitized guinea pigs negative test reactions were obtained. It was concluded that the transfusion technique was the most reliable of the 2 methods, when studying transfer of PPDA hypersensitivity.", "PMID": 762449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1211", "title": "Identification of a novel cell type in peripheral lymphoid organs of mice. V. Purification of spleen dendritic cells, new surface markers, and maintenance in vitro.", "content": "Dendritic cells (DCs; 1) have been purified from mouse spleen in good yield. Spleen cell suspensions were floated on dense bovine plasma albumin (BPA) columns, and the low density fraction was adhered to glass (2). The adherent cells consisted of DCs and immature macrophages most of which eluted in a viable state from the culture dish after overnight incubation. The macrophages were then removed by selective rosetting with opsonized erythrocytes and recentrifugation on dense BPA. This protocol resulted in a purified DC fraction, containing 1--3 X 10(5) DCs/spleen, which was homogeneous and distinctive in its properties. All cells exhibited the phase contrast and transmission electron microscopy (EM) cytologic features that were previously described for freshly isolated adherent DCs. By scanning EM, most purified DCs exhibited a remarkable array of bulbous protrusions of varying length and shape, unlike any other lymphoid cell. All DCs expressed surface Ia and other major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-linked alloantigens. DCs, however, lacked surface Ig and T-cell antigens, and did not bind or interiorize opsonized erythrocytes. Purified DCs have been maintined in vitro for 3 days. Recovery of cultured purified cells was 70% or more of starting cell numbers. When [3H]uridine-tagged DCs were mixed with nonlabeled heterogeneous spleen cells, 70--80% of the labeled DCs were recovered as viable cells 2--3 days later. Purified DCs did not readhere to tissue culture surfaces and did not proliferate, even when cultured with mitogenic doses of concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide. Finally, DCs did not change their cytologic or surface properties after 3 days of culture. These observations extend the evidence that DCs are a novel cell type and provide useful properties and techniques for their further study.", "contents": "Identification of a novel cell type in peripheral lymphoid organs of mice. V. Purification of spleen dendritic cells, new surface markers, and maintenance in vitro. Dendritic cells (DCs; 1) have been purified from mouse spleen in good yield. Spleen cell suspensions were floated on dense bovine plasma albumin (BPA) columns, and the low density fraction was adhered to glass (2). The adherent cells consisted of DCs and immature macrophages most of which eluted in a viable state from the culture dish after overnight incubation. The macrophages were then removed by selective rosetting with opsonized erythrocytes and recentrifugation on dense BPA. This protocol resulted in a purified DC fraction, containing 1--3 X 10(5) DCs/spleen, which was homogeneous and distinctive in its properties. All cells exhibited the phase contrast and transmission electron microscopy (EM) cytologic features that were previously described for freshly isolated adherent DCs. By scanning EM, most purified DCs exhibited a remarkable array of bulbous protrusions of varying length and shape, unlike any other lymphoid cell. All DCs expressed surface Ia and other major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-linked alloantigens. DCs, however, lacked surface Ig and T-cell antigens, and did not bind or interiorize opsonized erythrocytes. Purified DCs have been maintined in vitro for 3 days. Recovery of cultured purified cells was 70% or more of starting cell numbers. When [3H]uridine-tagged DCs were mixed with nonlabeled heterogeneous spleen cells, 70--80% of the labeled DCs were recovered as viable cells 2--3 days later. Purified DCs did not readhere to tissue culture surfaces and did not proliferate, even when cultured with mitogenic doses of concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide. Finally, DCs did not change their cytologic or surface properties after 3 days of culture. These observations extend the evidence that DCs are a novel cell type and provide useful properties and techniques for their further study.", "PMID": 762493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1212", "title": "Role of marrow-derived monocytes and mesangial cells in removal of immune complexes from renal glomeruli.", "content": "Phagocytosis of intravenously administered immune complexes by cells in the mesangium was investigated. The model used was that of exchange marrow transplantation between Chediak-Higashi (CH) mice and syngeneic partners after X-irradiation. This model was chosen since marrow-derived macrophages could be differentiated from resident mesangial cells by the presence of the characteristic giant lysosomes in phagocytic cells of the CH mice. Injected immune complexes were cleared normally and localized in the glomerular mesangium in CH or C57BL/6J mice receiving either C57BL/6J or CH marrow. C57BL/6J mice with CH marrow injected with immune complexes prepared with reduced and alkylated antibodies accumulated many cells within the mesangium that contained both giant lysosomes and electron dense deposits. Deposits were not found in cells with subplasmalemmal microfilaments and perpheral dense bodies. Conversely, the cells in the mesangium of CH mice with C57BL/6J marrow that contained electron dense deposits were devoid of giant lysosomes. Based on these observations, we concluded that (a) marrow-derived monocytes contribute to mesangial hypercellularity after deposition of immune complexes and (b) phagocytosis of immune complexes localized in the glomerular mesangium was by marrow-derived monocytes rather than by mesangial cells.", "contents": "Role of marrow-derived monocytes and mesangial cells in removal of immune complexes from renal glomeruli. Phagocytosis of intravenously administered immune complexes by cells in the mesangium was investigated. The model used was that of exchange marrow transplantation between Chediak-Higashi (CH) mice and syngeneic partners after X-irradiation. This model was chosen since marrow-derived macrophages could be differentiated from resident mesangial cells by the presence of the characteristic giant lysosomes in phagocytic cells of the CH mice. Injected immune complexes were cleared normally and localized in the glomerular mesangium in CH or C57BL/6J mice receiving either C57BL/6J or CH marrow. C57BL/6J mice with CH marrow injected with immune complexes prepared with reduced and alkylated antibodies accumulated many cells within the mesangium that contained both giant lysosomes and electron dense deposits. Deposits were not found in cells with subplasmalemmal microfilaments and perpheral dense bodies. Conversely, the cells in the mesangium of CH mice with C57BL/6J marrow that contained electron dense deposits were devoid of giant lysosomes. Based on these observations, we concluded that (a) marrow-derived monocytes contribute to mesangial hypercellularity after deposition of immune complexes and (b) phagocytosis of immune complexes localized in the glomerular mesangium was by marrow-derived monocytes rather than by mesangial cells.", "PMID": 762494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1213", "title": "RNA and protein synthesis in human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes.", "content": "Polymorphonuclear leukocytes purified from human peripheral blood synthesized RNA and proteins when placed in cell culture. Autoradiography of the cultured cells revealed that a majority of mature PMNs were engaged in macromolecule synthesis, and an analysis of newly synthesized proteins by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that many different polypeptide chains were synthesized by these cells. The rate of [3H]uridine incorporation and the pattern of newly synthesized proteins were modulated by Con A and glucocorticoids. These results suggest that in spite of their short lifetime and a large performed enzymatic apparatus, mature PMNs retain a substantial capacity for RNA and protein synthesis; and, further, that modulation of macromolecule synthesis forms part of the mechanism by which PMNs respond to inflammatory and anti-flammatory stimuli.", "contents": "RNA and protein synthesis in human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes purified from human peripheral blood synthesized RNA and proteins when placed in cell culture. Autoradiography of the cultured cells revealed that a majority of mature PMNs were engaged in macromolecule synthesis, and an analysis of newly synthesized proteins by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that many different polypeptide chains were synthesized by these cells. The rate of [3H]uridine incorporation and the pattern of newly synthesized proteins were modulated by Con A and glucocorticoids. These results suggest that in spite of their short lifetime and a large performed enzymatic apparatus, mature PMNs retain a substantial capacity for RNA and protein synthesis; and, further, that modulation of macromolecule synthesis forms part of the mechanism by which PMNs respond to inflammatory and anti-flammatory stimuli.", "PMID": 762495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1214", "title": "Differential response of early erythropoietic and granulopoietic progenitors to dexamethasone and cortisone.", "content": "The sensitivity of erythropoietic (BFU-E) and granulopoietic (CFU-C) progenitor cells to dexamethasone and cortisone was studied in cultures of mouse bone marrow. Although the log dose-response relationships had a similar form, the BFU-E were much more sensitive than the CFU-C to either glucocorticoid. The dexamethasone concentration for 50% inhibition was 3 X 10)-9) M for BFU-E and 60 X 10(-9) M for CFU-C. The differential sensitivity to cortisone was even greater, with 60% inhibition of BFU-E and 18% inhibition of CFU-C at 0.1 microgram/ml. These findings suggest a specific rather than a general response to glucocorticoids and indicate that granulocyte-macrophage progenitors are less affected than early erythroid progenitors by physiologic concentrations of these hormones.", "contents": "Differential response of early erythropoietic and granulopoietic progenitors to dexamethasone and cortisone. The sensitivity of erythropoietic (BFU-E) and granulopoietic (CFU-C) progenitor cells to dexamethasone and cortisone was studied in cultures of mouse bone marrow. Although the log dose-response relationships had a similar form, the BFU-E were much more sensitive than the CFU-C to either glucocorticoid. The dexamethasone concentration for 50% inhibition was 3 X 10)-9) M for BFU-E and 60 X 10(-9) M for CFU-C. The differential sensitivity to cortisone was even greater, with 60% inhibition of BFU-E and 18% inhibition of CFU-C at 0.1 microgram/ml. These findings suggest a specific rather than a general response to glucocorticoids and indicate that granulocyte-macrophage progenitors are less affected than early erythroid progenitors by physiologic concentrations of these hormones.", "PMID": 762496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1215", "title": "Persistence and pathogenicity of defective Friend spleen focus-forming virus. Decreased transplantability of hemopoietic cells as a marker for preleukemic change.", "content": "A latent form of persistent infection can be established in susceptible adult mice inoculated with a preparation of defective Friend spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) purified free from standard leukemia-inducing helper virus (LLV-F). SFFV persistence was initially observed using an in vivo rescue technique in which SFFV could be directly rescued to form splenic foci of malignant erythropoiesis in mice. At approximately 30 d after virus inoculation however, SFFV could not be rescued after inoculation of LLV-F indicating that persistently infected (i.e., SFFV+) mice were either immume to exogenous helper virus or able to express SFFV-associated defective-interfering (DI) function(s). Persistent infection by SFFV was further documented using an in vitro rescue technique and ultimately resulted in the induction by SFFV of erythroleukemia in the absence of polycythemia or overt virus production. However, SFFV rescued by LLV-F from persistently infected normal and transformed hemopoietic cells was able to induce polycythemia in adult mice suggesting that this is a helper controlled property of the Friend virus complex. Transplantable SFFV-induced erythroleukemic cells could be retrieved from persistently infected yet histologically normal mice. The duration of SFFV persistence in normal spleen tissue suggests that the SFFV provirus resides in either a long-lived or pluripotent hemopoietic cell. Further, certain changes occurred, presumably in the membranes of persistently infected cells, which preceded the overt development of Friend leukemia and facilitated the definition of an SFFV preleukemic phase. Cell surface alterations were revealed using cell transfer techniques. Hemopoietic cells harboring a rescuable SFFV failed to proliferate when inoculated into lethally irradiated, syngeneic adult mice. In contrast, the transformed progeny of preleukemic cell populations and spleen cells transformed by FV complex (i.e., cells replicating both SFFV and LLV-F) were not rejected. This result suggests that histologically normal SFFV+ preleukemic cells express an antigen recognition site which is not present on overtly transformed cells and which may be a pertinent surveillance target for host anti-leukemogenic reactions.", "contents": "Persistence and pathogenicity of defective Friend spleen focus-forming virus. Decreased transplantability of hemopoietic cells as a marker for preleukemic change. A latent form of persistent infection can be established in susceptible adult mice inoculated with a preparation of defective Friend spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) purified free from standard leukemia-inducing helper virus (LLV-F). SFFV persistence was initially observed using an in vivo rescue technique in which SFFV could be directly rescued to form splenic foci of malignant erythropoiesis in mice. At approximately 30 d after virus inoculation however, SFFV could not be rescued after inoculation of LLV-F indicating that persistently infected (i.e., SFFV+) mice were either immume to exogenous helper virus or able to express SFFV-associated defective-interfering (DI) function(s). Persistent infection by SFFV was further documented using an in vitro rescue technique and ultimately resulted in the induction by SFFV of erythroleukemia in the absence of polycythemia or overt virus production. However, SFFV rescued by LLV-F from persistently infected normal and transformed hemopoietic cells was able to induce polycythemia in adult mice suggesting that this is a helper controlled property of the Friend virus complex. Transplantable SFFV-induced erythroleukemic cells could be retrieved from persistently infected yet histologically normal mice. The duration of SFFV persistence in normal spleen tissue suggests that the SFFV provirus resides in either a long-lived or pluripotent hemopoietic cell. Further, certain changes occurred, presumably in the membranes of persistently infected cells, which preceded the overt development of Friend leukemia and facilitated the definition of an SFFV preleukemic phase. Cell surface alterations were revealed using cell transfer techniques. Hemopoietic cells harboring a rescuable SFFV failed to proliferate when inoculated into lethally irradiated, syngeneic adult mice. In contrast, the transformed progeny of preleukemic cell populations and spleen cells transformed by FV complex (i.e., cells replicating both SFFV and LLV-F) were not rejected. This result suggests that histologically normal SFFV+ preleukemic cells express an antigen recognition site which is not present on overtly transformed cells and which may be a pertinent surveillance target for host anti-leukemogenic reactions.", "PMID": 762497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1216", "title": "C5b-9 dimer: isolation from complement lysed cells and ultrastructural identification with complement-dependent membrane lesions.", "content": "The membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement was extracted from the membranes of cells lysed by human complement and its properties were compared with those of the fluid phase complex SC5b-9. Upon sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunochemical analysis, the two isolated complexes had identical subunit compositions, except that the MAC lacked the S-protein. The sedimentation coefficient and molecular weight of the extracted and isolated MAC were, respectively, 33.5 S and 1.7 x 10(6) daltons, compared to 23 S and 1.0 x 10(6) dalton for SC5b-9. Because the molecular weight of the MAC is approximately two times greater than that of C5b-0 (800,000 daltons), the MAC is considered the dimer of C5b-9. Under specified conditions, the 33.5 S dimer could be converted to the 23 S monomer without dissociation of subunits. The MAC had the electron microscopic appearance and dimensions that are characteristic for the complement produced ultrastructural membrane lesions. SC5b-9 had a different ultrastructure that is dissimilar to the morphology of the lesions. The isolated MAC could be reincorporated into phospholipid bilayers and assumed on the surface of the resultant lipid vesicles the orientation and appearance of typical complement lesions.", "contents": "C5b-9 dimer: isolation from complement lysed cells and ultrastructural identification with complement-dependent membrane lesions. The membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement was extracted from the membranes of cells lysed by human complement and its properties were compared with those of the fluid phase complex SC5b-9. Upon sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunochemical analysis, the two isolated complexes had identical subunit compositions, except that the MAC lacked the S-protein. The sedimentation coefficient and molecular weight of the extracted and isolated MAC were, respectively, 33.5 S and 1.7 x 10(6) daltons, compared to 23 S and 1.0 x 10(6) dalton for SC5b-9. Because the molecular weight of the MAC is approximately two times greater than that of C5b-0 (800,000 daltons), the MAC is considered the dimer of C5b-9. Under specified conditions, the 33.5 S dimer could be converted to the 23 S monomer without dissociation of subunits. The MAC had the electron microscopic appearance and dimensions that are characteristic for the complement produced ultrastructural membrane lesions. SC5b-9 had a different ultrastructure that is dissimilar to the morphology of the lesions. The isolated MAC could be reincorporated into phospholipid bilayers and assumed on the surface of the resultant lipid vesicles the orientation and appearance of typical complement lesions.", "PMID": 762498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1217", "title": "Hyaluronidase-sensitive halos around adherent cells. Their role in blocking lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis.", "content": "A variety of adherent sarcoma, carcinoma and normal cells are surrounded in vitro by thick, transparent zones (approximately equal to 9 micron thick) that spleen cells and a variety of other cells and particles cannot penetrate. Seven lymphoblastoid cell lines did not possess such halos. The presence of these halos around adherent fibrosarcoma cells appeared to protect them from lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis. Hyaluronidase treatment, which destroyed the halo and allowed lymphocytes to approach the tumor cell membrane, enhanced the cytotoxic action of immune but not of normal spleen cells. These observations, in addition to highlighting a little-known feature of the cell surface, may also be of general relevance to the in vitro and in vivo killing of tumor cells by immune effector cells.", "contents": "Hyaluronidase-sensitive halos around adherent cells. Their role in blocking lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis. A variety of adherent sarcoma, carcinoma and normal cells are surrounded in vitro by thick, transparent zones (approximately equal to 9 micron thick) that spleen cells and a variety of other cells and particles cannot penetrate. Seven lymphoblastoid cell lines did not possess such halos. The presence of these halos around adherent fibrosarcoma cells appeared to protect them from lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis. Hyaluronidase treatment, which destroyed the halo and allowed lymphocytes to approach the tumor cell membrane, enhanced the cytotoxic action of immune but not of normal spleen cells. These observations, in addition to highlighting a little-known feature of the cell surface, may also be of general relevance to the in vitro and in vivo killing of tumor cells by immune effector cells.", "PMID": 762499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1218", "title": "Regulation of IgE antibody production by serum molecules. III. Induction of suppressive activity by allogeneic lymphoid cell interactions and suppression of IgE synthesis by the allogeneic effect.", "content": "Antibody responses of the IgE class are, like other immunoglobulin classes, regulated by a finely-tuned network of complex cellular and molecular interactions (1). Previous studies conducted in our laboratory (2, 3) have provided new insights into the differences in control mechanisms that result in individuals manifesting either the high (allergic) or low (nonallergic) IgE responder phenotype. These experiments have shown that certain manipulations (i.e. low dose X-irradiation) convert normally low responder mice to high IgE responders, apparently by diminishing a suppressor T-cell mechanism which normally dampens, rather selectively, IgE antibody production in such individuals. Similar findings have been made by Watanabe et al. (4). Recently, we have been studying the types of manipulations that could reverse the high IgE responsive state back to a low one. These studies (2, 3, 5, 6) have demonstrated that the high IgE responses induced in low responder mice can be substantially diminished, and even abolished, by passively transfusing serum or ascetic fluid from donor mice previously inoculated with mycobacterial-containing complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Because the suppressive activity of CFA-immune serum or ascitic fluid is so highly selective for IgE antibody production, we have recently termed these serum substances suppressive factors of allergy (SFA) (2, 3). The present study was undertaken to determine whether alternative means, particularly those that avoid administration of CFA, could be devised for the induction of SFA. Herein, we report the effectiveness of allogeneic lymphoid cell interactions in inducing SFA, both in vivo and in vitro, as well as the potent suppressive effects of an in vivo allogeneic effect on irradiation enhanced IgE antibody production in low responder mice.", "contents": "Regulation of IgE antibody production by serum molecules. III. Induction of suppressive activity by allogeneic lymphoid cell interactions and suppression of IgE synthesis by the allogeneic effect. Antibody responses of the IgE class are, like other immunoglobulin classes, regulated by a finely-tuned network of complex cellular and molecular interactions (1). Previous studies conducted in our laboratory (2, 3) have provided new insights into the differences in control mechanisms that result in individuals manifesting either the high (allergic) or low (nonallergic) IgE responder phenotype. These experiments have shown that certain manipulations (i.e. low dose X-irradiation) convert normally low responder mice to high IgE responders, apparently by diminishing a suppressor T-cell mechanism which normally dampens, rather selectively, IgE antibody production in such individuals. Similar findings have been made by Watanabe et al. (4). Recently, we have been studying the types of manipulations that could reverse the high IgE responsive state back to a low one. These studies (2, 3, 5, 6) have demonstrated that the high IgE responses induced in low responder mice can be substantially diminished, and even abolished, by passively transfusing serum or ascetic fluid from donor mice previously inoculated with mycobacterial-containing complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Because the suppressive activity of CFA-immune serum or ascitic fluid is so highly selective for IgE antibody production, we have recently termed these serum substances suppressive factors of allergy (SFA) (2, 3). The present study was undertaken to determine whether alternative means, particularly those that avoid administration of CFA, could be devised for the induction of SFA. Herein, we report the effectiveness of allogeneic lymphoid cell interactions in inducing SFA, both in vivo and in vitro, as well as the potent suppressive effects of an in vivo allogeneic effect on irradiation enhanced IgE antibody production in low responder mice.", "PMID": 762501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1219", "title": "Distribution of lymphocytes identified by surface markers in murine strains with systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndromes.", "content": "The frequencies and absolute numbers of B and T cells in the lymphoid organs of five murine strains (NZB, (NZB X NZW)F1, BXSB, MRL/l, and MRL/n) with SLE-like syndromes were examined. We assessed the frequencies of cells bearing surface Ig, C3d and IgG Fc receptors, and theta-antigen. The sequential expression of Ig isotopes on developing B cells and the Ig isotypes expressed on adult B cells were ascertained. In addition, the Ly subsets and the expression of Ia antigens coded for by the I-J subregion of the mouse H-2 complex were examined. Compared to normal, older mice, New Zealand mice had low frequencies and absolute numbers of B cells, BXSB mice had a moderate B-cell proliferation, and MRL/l mice had normal absolute numbers of B cells but a reduced frequency concomitant with a massive T-cell proliferation. Old New Zealand mice and BXSB mice had reduced frequencies and absolute numbers of T cells compared to old controls. The developmental Ig-isotype diversity during the 1st wk of age was similar in normal mice and those with autoimmune manifestations. Mature B cells were present in lymphoid organs of New Zealand mice and BXSB mice as evidenced by the high frequency of C3d receptor-bearing cells and Ig-isotype expression (high ratio of IgM- to IgD-bearing cells) in adult spleen cells. Numbers of IgG Fc receptor-bearing cells were reduced in autoimmune mice with advanced age and disease. The proliferating T cells in MRL/l mice were found to be theta-antigen positive but Ly null. These theta+-, Ly null cells may have arisen from Ly123+ T cells. MRL/l and BXSB mice seemed normal in their content of T cells bearing Ia antigens coded for by the I-J subregion of H-2. Overall, mice with autoimmune manifestations appear to express perturbations in T and B cells with development of disease, and their patterns of change vary from one strain to another.", "contents": "Distribution of lymphocytes identified by surface markers in murine strains with systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndromes. The frequencies and absolute numbers of B and T cells in the lymphoid organs of five murine strains (NZB, (NZB X NZW)F1, BXSB, MRL/l, and MRL/n) with SLE-like syndromes were examined. We assessed the frequencies of cells bearing surface Ig, C3d and IgG Fc receptors, and theta-antigen. The sequential expression of Ig isotopes on developing B cells and the Ig isotypes expressed on adult B cells were ascertained. In addition, the Ly subsets and the expression of Ia antigens coded for by the I-J subregion of the mouse H-2 complex were examined. Compared to normal, older mice, New Zealand mice had low frequencies and absolute numbers of B cells, BXSB mice had a moderate B-cell proliferation, and MRL/l mice had normal absolute numbers of B cells but a reduced frequency concomitant with a massive T-cell proliferation. Old New Zealand mice and BXSB mice had reduced frequencies and absolute numbers of T cells compared to old controls. The developmental Ig-isotype diversity during the 1st wk of age was similar in normal mice and those with autoimmune manifestations. Mature B cells were present in lymphoid organs of New Zealand mice and BXSB mice as evidenced by the high frequency of C3d receptor-bearing cells and Ig-isotype expression (high ratio of IgM- to IgD-bearing cells) in adult spleen cells. Numbers of IgG Fc receptor-bearing cells were reduced in autoimmune mice with advanced age and disease. The proliferating T cells in MRL/l mice were found to be theta-antigen positive but Ly null. These theta+-, Ly null cells may have arisen from Ly123+ T cells. MRL/l and BXSB mice seemed normal in their content of T cells bearing Ia antigens coded for by the I-J subregion of H-2. Overall, mice with autoimmune manifestations appear to express perturbations in T and B cells with development of disease, and their patterns of change vary from one strain to another.", "PMID": 762500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1220", "title": "Study of sample collection and preparation methods for multi element analysis in liver tissue by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE).", "content": "Large samples of tissue and biopsy specimen were taken from a single human liver, homogenized or paraffin-embedded, then analyzed by PIXE. Homogenates, including those of biopsies, proved to be suitable for PIXE-analysis of P, S, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Mo, Cd and, to a limited extent, Pb. Paraffin-embedding leads to a distinct elution of K, Rb, Cl and to a lesser elution of P, Zn, Se, Br and Mo. The contents of Ca and Sr, on the other hand, were higher in the paraffin-embedded sections. Sections of paraffin-embedded biopsies proved to be hardly suitable for PIXE-analysis.", "contents": "Study of sample collection and preparation methods for multi element analysis in liver tissue by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Large samples of tissue and biopsy specimen were taken from a single human liver, homogenized or paraffin-embedded, then analyzed by PIXE. Homogenates, including those of biopsies, proved to be suitable for PIXE-analysis of P, S, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Mo, Cd and, to a limited extent, Pb. Paraffin-embedding leads to a distinct elution of K, Rb, Cl and to a lesser elution of P, Zn, Se, Br and Mo. The contents of Ca and Sr, on the other hand, were higher in the paraffin-embedded sections. Sections of paraffin-embedded biopsies proved to be hardly suitable for PIXE-analysis.", "PMID": 762502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1221", "title": "Variation of trace element contents in a single human liver.", "content": "Multi element analysis of homogenised samples taken from three different areas of a single human liver was performed for 18 elements by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Small (10--20%) but statistically significant variations between the element contents of these areas were found for Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb and Mo. These differences are not parallel to each other. The variation of element content within one area of this single liver did not show any distinct correlation between different elements, nor did it significantly exceed the methodical errors of 3--10% except for lead. Thus we conclude from our measurements that the trace element analysis of small liver samples by PIXE is, with the exception of lead, fairly representative for the whole organ.", "contents": "Variation of trace element contents in a single human liver. Multi element analysis of homogenised samples taken from three different areas of a single human liver was performed for 18 elements by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Small (10--20%) but statistically significant variations between the element contents of these areas were found for Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb and Mo. These differences are not parallel to each other. The variation of element content within one area of this single liver did not show any distinct correlation between different elements, nor did it significantly exceed the methodical errors of 3--10% except for lead. Thus we conclude from our measurements that the trace element analysis of small liver samples by PIXE is, with the exception of lead, fairly representative for the whole organ.", "PMID": 762503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1222", "title": "Immuno-chemical studies on the alkali-labile carbohydrate chains of human serum glycoproteins.", "content": "Human serum glycoproteins can be classified into those containing N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and into those lacking this hexosamine. The N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-containing serum glycoproteins have alkali-labile chains containing this hexosamine linked O-glycosidically to hydroxy amino acids. These alkali-labile chains can be demonstrated in neuraminic acid free serum glycoproteins by gas liquid chromatography and by using precipitating lectins from invertebrates and plants. They are represented by two chains, one containing only N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, the other with D-galactose linked (1--3) beta-glycosidically to this hexosamine forming a disaccharide. Serologically these two chains, which usually occur together on one molecule, can be characterized by their reaction with lectins from Helix pomatia (anti-A like) and from Agaricus bisporus and Arachis hypogaea (anti-TF specificity).", "contents": "Immuno-chemical studies on the alkali-labile carbohydrate chains of human serum glycoproteins. Human serum glycoproteins can be classified into those containing N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and into those lacking this hexosamine. The N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-containing serum glycoproteins have alkali-labile chains containing this hexosamine linked O-glycosidically to hydroxy amino acids. These alkali-labile chains can be demonstrated in neuraminic acid free serum glycoproteins by gas liquid chromatography and by using precipitating lectins from invertebrates and plants. They are represented by two chains, one containing only N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, the other with D-galactose linked (1--3) beta-glycosidically to this hexosamine forming a disaccharide. Serologically these two chains, which usually occur together on one molecule, can be characterized by their reaction with lectins from Helix pomatia (anti-A like) and from Agaricus bisporus and Arachis hypogaea (anti-TF specificity).", "PMID": 762504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1223", "title": "[Simultaneous determination of antiepileptic drugs in clinical laboratories: Problems of quality control and standardization (author's transl)].", "content": "Methods for determination of antiepileptic drugs in clinical laboratories are discussed with respect to precision, constant error control and economy. Experimental data for reproducibility and standardization are presented for gas chromatographic and photometric methods. Methods for choosing the most suitable procedure for any of the common analytical tasks that may arise in the clinical laboratory are recommended.", "contents": "[Simultaneous determination of antiepileptic drugs in clinical laboratories: Problems of quality control and standardization (author's transl)]. Methods for determination of antiepileptic drugs in clinical laboratories are discussed with respect to precision, constant error control and economy. Experimental data for reproducibility and standardization are presented for gas chromatographic and photometric methods. Methods for choosing the most suitable procedure for any of the common analytical tasks that may arise in the clinical laboratory are recommended.", "PMID": 762505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1224", "title": "[Creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB: determination of normal values and values for myocardial infarct, using the new, optimized method with N-acetyl cysteine as the activator (author's transl)].", "content": "Preliminary results are reported for the determination of creatine kinase and its isoenzyme MB in healthy individuals and in patients with acute, transmural myocardial infarct, using N-acetyl cysteine as the activator of the enzyme. In healthy individuals, the upper normal limit for creatine kinase activity was 54 U/l; the decision level for the presence of creatine kinase MB activity 9 U/l. The limiting values were only slightly different from those for the GSH-activated creatine kinase, and the results with the old and new methods showed a linear relationship with a slope of 1.0. The differences in the activation of creatine kinase MM by GSH and by N-acetyl cysteine are discussed; the activities obtained for creatine kinase and creatine kinase-MB by the GSH-activation method cannot simply be recalculated to give the appropriate values of the N-acetyl cysteine activation method.", "contents": "[Creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB: determination of normal values and values for myocardial infarct, using the new, optimized method with N-acetyl cysteine as the activator (author's transl)]. Preliminary results are reported for the determination of creatine kinase and its isoenzyme MB in healthy individuals and in patients with acute, transmural myocardial infarct, using N-acetyl cysteine as the activator of the enzyme. In healthy individuals, the upper normal limit for creatine kinase activity was 54 U/l; the decision level for the presence of creatine kinase MB activity 9 U/l. The limiting values were only slightly different from those for the GSH-activated creatine kinase, and the results with the old and new methods showed a linear relationship with a slope of 1.0. The differences in the activation of creatine kinase MM by GSH and by N-acetyl cysteine are discussed; the activities obtained for creatine kinase and creatine kinase-MB by the GSH-activation method cannot simply be recalculated to give the appropriate values of the N-acetyl cysteine activation method.", "PMID": 762506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1225", "title": "Sociobiological theories of kin selection and reciprocal altruism and their relevance for psychiatry.", "content": "The revelance of sociobiology to psychiatry is examined through a consideration of the theories of kin selection and reciprocal altruism. Predictions developed from these theories are compared with currently available mental-health statistics. The theory of kin selection is used to predict a positive correlation between mental health and the existence of an active kin-support system. Similarly, the theory of reciprocal altruism is used to predict a positive correlation between mental health and the existence of an active friend-support system. The findings tend to support both sets of predictions in that individuals with access to kin-support and/or friend-support systems are less likely to be hospitalized with psychiatric disorders than are individuals without access to such systems. Sociobiology may be useful to psychiatry in that in some cases it provides: a) a new focus on the adaptive functions of human behavior which may serve to aid the psychiatrist in evaluating individual problems; b) functional predictions which may help to identify segments of the population which are more at risk for psychiatric disorders than others, thereby providing guidelines for preventive psychiatry; and c) direction for research into unexplored aspects of human social relationships and their relevance to psychiatric disorders.", "contents": "Sociobiological theories of kin selection and reciprocal altruism and their relevance for psychiatry. The revelance of sociobiology to psychiatry is examined through a consideration of the theories of kin selection and reciprocal altruism. Predictions developed from these theories are compared with currently available mental-health statistics. The theory of kin selection is used to predict a positive correlation between mental health and the existence of an active kin-support system. Similarly, the theory of reciprocal altruism is used to predict a positive correlation between mental health and the existence of an active friend-support system. The findings tend to support both sets of predictions in that individuals with access to kin-support and/or friend-support systems are less likely to be hospitalized with psychiatric disorders than are individuals without access to such systems. Sociobiology may be useful to psychiatry in that in some cases it provides: a) a new focus on the adaptive functions of human behavior which may serve to aid the psychiatrist in evaluating individual problems; b) functional predictions which may help to identify segments of the population which are more at risk for psychiatric disorders than others, thereby providing guidelines for preventive psychiatry; and c) direction for research into unexplored aspects of human social relationships and their relevance to psychiatric disorders.", "PMID": 762537} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1226", "title": "The overlapping territories of psychiatry and ethology.", "content": "There have been numerous attempts since 1965 to stimulate more utilization of ethological methods and concepts in psychiatry. This literature is reviewed and an attempt is made to identify the factors which have inhibited an enhancement of this interaction to date. Most of the previous articles on this subject have appeared in edited collections, rather than in more widely circulated psychiatric or medical journals. Some of the articles focus on ethological theory, others on ethological research findings, and several on clinical analogies between animal and human situations. Regarding the specific way in which to integrate ethological thought into psychiatry, most frequently a phylogenetic approach is emphasized, however a few authors stress methodological considerations. In this paper, it is argued that artifactual differences have been the primary impediment to more interaction between these two rather similar fields. Scientific language difficulties, educational differences, and personal factors are described in this regard. Also, the real differences in approach and methodology, relative interest in normal vs. abnormal behavior, the degree of willingness to accept a phylogenetic approach, and the breadth of behavior being studied by the two fields are described. Examples of current areas of applicability of ethology to psychiatry are given: the attachment systems, early infantile autism, methodology, social psychiatry, and psychiatric education. Of these, the area where the most utilized is that of the occurred and in which the findings of ethology have been the most utilized is that of the attachment systems. Clinically applicable studies based upon the premise that attachment systems exist as understood ethologically are reviewed. These include study of extra physical contact between mothers and infants at birth, the prediction of child abuse and neglect utilizing observations from the immediate postpartum period, the treatment of failure to thrive by teaching attachment behavior, and developmental differences at 1 year correlated with differences in maternal responsiveness at 3 months. The usefulness of a biological approach to behavior is discussed, particularly in terms of utilizing operational criteria and from the point of view of differentiating etiological, phenomenological, and treatment models. A curriculum stressing the writings of Tinbergen, Lorenz, Bowlby, and Hailman is presented for possible use in psychiatric training programs interested in teaching an ethological approach to psychiatry. A briefer curriculum is also suggested from the psychiatric literature for use by ethologists. The epistemology and methodology of ethology possible will be of more use to psychiatry than the content. It is the opinion of the authors that the difficulties which have inhibited significant cooperation between psychiatry and ethology in the past are mostly artifactual, that such cooperation could be useful to both fields, and that a beginning to such interaction will require mutual familiarity with the literature.", "contents": "The overlapping territories of psychiatry and ethology. There have been numerous attempts since 1965 to stimulate more utilization of ethological methods and concepts in psychiatry. This literature is reviewed and an attempt is made to identify the factors which have inhibited an enhancement of this interaction to date. Most of the previous articles on this subject have appeared in edited collections, rather than in more widely circulated psychiatric or medical journals. Some of the articles focus on ethological theory, others on ethological research findings, and several on clinical analogies between animal and human situations. Regarding the specific way in which to integrate ethological thought into psychiatry, most frequently a phylogenetic approach is emphasized, however a few authors stress methodological considerations. In this paper, it is argued that artifactual differences have been the primary impediment to more interaction between these two rather similar fields. Scientific language difficulties, educational differences, and personal factors are described in this regard. Also, the real differences in approach and methodology, relative interest in normal vs. abnormal behavior, the degree of willingness to accept a phylogenetic approach, and the breadth of behavior being studied by the two fields are described. Examples of current areas of applicability of ethology to psychiatry are given: the attachment systems, early infantile autism, methodology, social psychiatry, and psychiatric education. Of these, the area where the most utilized is that of the occurred and in which the findings of ethology have been the most utilized is that of the attachment systems. Clinically applicable studies based upon the premise that attachment systems exist as understood ethologically are reviewed. These include study of extra physical contact between mothers and infants at birth, the prediction of child abuse and neglect utilizing observations from the immediate postpartum period, the treatment of failure to thrive by teaching attachment behavior, and developmental differences at 1 year correlated with differences in maternal responsiveness at 3 months. The usefulness of a biological approach to behavior is discussed, particularly in terms of utilizing operational criteria and from the point of view of differentiating etiological, phenomenological, and treatment models. A curriculum stressing the writings of Tinbergen, Lorenz, Bowlby, and Hailman is presented for possible use in psychiatric training programs interested in teaching an ethological approach to psychiatry. A briefer curriculum is also suggested from the psychiatric literature for use by ethologists. The epistemology and methodology of ethology possible will be of more use to psychiatry than the content. It is the opinion of the authors that the difficulties which have inhibited significant cooperation between psychiatry and ethology in the past are mostly artifactual, that such cooperation could be useful to both fields, and that a beginning to such interaction will require mutual familiarity with the literature.", "PMID": 762538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1227", "title": "An ethological view of human adolescence.", "content": "In modern times the essential \"normality\" of adolescence has been acknowledged. With its pan-cultural and functional perspective, ethology is in a position to elaborate a description of normal human adolescence. Ethologists attempt to elucidate four interrelated aspects of a given behavior: its survival function, evolution, development, and elicitation by internal and external factors. The basic research strategy is two-fold: to identify biologically based, or evolved, behaviors (chiefly by controlling for the effects of experience and seeing if a core of evolved behavior remains); and to discover their functions by isolating the necessary and sufficient ecological conditions for their evolution. Applying this evolutionary analysis to human adolescence, we find that two developments seem to be basic: reproductive maturation and gaining independence from parents. The remainder of the article is an interpretation of various behavioral, morphological, and cultural data in accordance with these two developmental functions. Puberty seems to be timed so as to promote these functions most effectively. Pubertal changes parallel somatic growth and are delayed by poor nutrition, disease, and psychological stress--patterns consistent with functional considerations. The influence of natural selection on the sequencing of pubertal events is also emphasized. The role of pubertal hormones in altering behavior as well as morphology is illustrated. The adolescent gains independence from his parents by means of maturation and sex differentiation. Males become specialized for vigorous exertion, and females for work near the settlement--although considerable overlap in morphological and behavioral tendencies exists between the sexes. Various examples of sex differentiation demonstrates how morphological, behavioral, and cultural factors complement each other. Adolescent initiation rites help channel boys and girls into appropriate adult roles, teach respect for one's culture, and favor the fittest individuals. Hopi rites of passage are described as an example. Reproductive maturation likewise involves adaptive morphological and behavioral changes that are reinforced by cultural mores. Males rely on intimidation more than females, in order to dominate other males and attract females; contrariwise, females employ an endearment strategy more than males do. Many sex differences in human reproductive behavior can be explained with reference to man's parental behavior pattern. These include the male's greater aggressiveness, the preponderance of polygyny over polyandry, and differences in the antecedents of jealousy. Lastly, the need for an ethological understanding of adolescence is underscored as promising to offer a useful perspective on the problems of U.S. youth.", "contents": "An ethological view of human adolescence. In modern times the essential \"normality\" of adolescence has been acknowledged. With its pan-cultural and functional perspective, ethology is in a position to elaborate a description of normal human adolescence. Ethologists attempt to elucidate four interrelated aspects of a given behavior: its survival function, evolution, development, and elicitation by internal and external factors. The basic research strategy is two-fold: to identify biologically based, or evolved, behaviors (chiefly by controlling for the effects of experience and seeing if a core of evolved behavior remains); and to discover their functions by isolating the necessary and sufficient ecological conditions for their evolution. Applying this evolutionary analysis to human adolescence, we find that two developments seem to be basic: reproductive maturation and gaining independence from parents. The remainder of the article is an interpretation of various behavioral, morphological, and cultural data in accordance with these two developmental functions. Puberty seems to be timed so as to promote these functions most effectively. Pubertal changes parallel somatic growth and are delayed by poor nutrition, disease, and psychological stress--patterns consistent with functional considerations. The influence of natural selection on the sequencing of pubertal events is also emphasized. The role of pubertal hormones in altering behavior as well as morphology is illustrated. The adolescent gains independence from his parents by means of maturation and sex differentiation. Males become specialized for vigorous exertion, and females for work near the settlement--although considerable overlap in morphological and behavioral tendencies exists between the sexes. Various examples of sex differentiation demonstrates how morphological, behavioral, and cultural factors complement each other. Adolescent initiation rites help channel boys and girls into appropriate adult roles, teach respect for one's culture, and favor the fittest individuals. Hopi rites of passage are described as an example. Reproductive maturation likewise involves adaptive morphological and behavioral changes that are reinforced by cultural mores. Males rely on intimidation more than females, in order to dominate other males and attract females; contrariwise, females employ an endearment strategy more than males do. Many sex differences in human reproductive behavior can be explained with reference to man's parental behavior pattern. These include the male's greater aggressiveness, the preponderance of polygyny over polyandry, and differences in the antecedents of jealousy. Lastly, the need for an ethological understanding of adolescence is underscored as promising to offer a useful perspective on the problems of U.S. youth.", "PMID": 762539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1228", "title": "An ethological analysis of manic-depressive disorder.", "content": "Hospitalized manic-depressive patients were studied using ethological techniques. Within the sample three subgroups were created: a) manic patients whose psychiatric condition improved during the course of hospitalization (N = 3); b) manic patients who showed little or no improvement (N = 3); c) depressed patients (N = 2). Time-sampling procedures were employed to monitor the occurrence of a wide variety of behaviors in various parts of the hospital. Data were analyzed in terms of behavioral diversity, frequency, constancy, and profiles of behavior. Findings included: a) distinctive patterns of behavior characteristics of manic and depressed patients: manics had higher frequencies for most behavioral categories: b) characteristic patterns of behavior for patients who improved as compared to patients who showed no improvement: manic-improved patients showed a marked decrease in diversity as hospitalization progressed. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed in relation to the kinds of data typically generated from ethological investigations.", "contents": "An ethological analysis of manic-depressive disorder. Hospitalized manic-depressive patients were studied using ethological techniques. Within the sample three subgroups were created: a) manic patients whose psychiatric condition improved during the course of hospitalization (N = 3); b) manic patients who showed little or no improvement (N = 3); c) depressed patients (N = 2). Time-sampling procedures were employed to monitor the occurrence of a wide variety of behaviors in various parts of the hospital. Data were analyzed in terms of behavioral diversity, frequency, constancy, and profiles of behavior. Findings included: a) distinctive patterns of behavior characteristics of manic and depressed patients: manics had higher frequencies for most behavioral categories: b) characteristic patterns of behavior for patients who improved as compared to patients who showed no improvement: manic-improved patients showed a marked decrease in diversity as hospitalization progressed. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed in relation to the kinds of data typically generated from ethological investigations.", "PMID": 762540} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1229", "title": "Vasovagal syncope in aircrew. Psychosocial aspects.", "content": "Twenty-four aircrew members with the diagnosis of vasovagal syncope were compared to 26 controls on variables of personality characteristics, psychosocial antecedents to the onset of their conditions, and hyperventilation experience. The syncope group was found to be younger, slightly less adaptable, and to have significantly more negative feelings about their work. The authors argue that syncope in aircrew should be considered from a psychosocial perspective as well as from a medical-neurological perspective.", "contents": "Vasovagal syncope in aircrew. Psychosocial aspects. Twenty-four aircrew members with the diagnosis of vasovagal syncope were compared to 26 controls on variables of personality characteristics, psychosocial antecedents to the onset of their conditions, and hyperventilation experience. The syncope group was found to be younger, slightly less adaptable, and to have significantly more negative feelings about their work. The authors argue that syncope in aircrew should be considered from a psychosocial perspective as well as from a medical-neurological perspective.", "PMID": 762541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1230", "title": "Multiple group rape: psychosocial considerations.", "content": "Psychiatric examination of the participants in repeated episodes of rape demonstrated that sexual assault combined with stealing represents symbolically an attack upon the bad mother, such hostile acting out enabling the individual to defend against strong, but ambivalent, wishes to be nurtured. Separation from home in each case was considered a crucial precipitant of such behavior. It is suggested that exhibitionistic-voyeuristic conflict may be an important determinant of whether or not rape is committed in group fashion.", "contents": "Multiple group rape: psychosocial considerations. Psychiatric examination of the participants in repeated episodes of rape demonstrated that sexual assault combined with stealing represents symbolically an attack upon the bad mother, such hostile acting out enabling the individual to defend against strong, but ambivalent, wishes to be nurtured. Separation from home in each case was considered a crucial precipitant of such behavior. It is suggested that exhibitionistic-voyeuristic conflict may be an important determinant of whether or not rape is committed in group fashion.", "PMID": 762542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1231", "title": "The fear of object loss, responsiveness to subliminal stimuli, and schizophrenic psychopathology.", "content": "Thirty schizophrenic patients were seen individually for three sessions in a balanced design. In each session, following subliminal stimulation with a neutral stimulus, a baseline assessment of pathology was made. Then, in different sessions, in counterbalanced order, each patient received one of three experimental (or \"critical\") stimuli: a) a neutral control stimulus; b) a message--CANNIBAL EATS PERSON--intended to activate aggressive ideation; c) a message--I AM LOSING MOMMY--intended to activate fantasies of object loss. Each of these conditions was followed by an initial and later assessment of pathology, and finally by a measure of the patients' sense of differentiation from a mothering figure. In the final session other measures were also obtained, including each patient's conscious association to the critical stimuli when presented supraliminally. The major results were: a) as in previous experiments, the subliminal aggressive message intensified pathology and aggressive ideation--especially for relatively undifferentiated and relatively nondefended patients; b) subliminal stimulation of fantasies of object loss also increased pathology--especially for nondefended patients--and also increased the patients' sense of merging with the mothering object; c) the patients' response to subliminal stimuli--including presumably neutral ones--was a function of the conscious meaning(s) of such stimuli. It was concluded that: a) the threat of object loss (real or fantasied) may be one of the motivations supporting the development of pathology in schizophrenics; b) the activation of fantasies of aggressive destruction can exacerbate schizophrenic pathology--perhaps by activating fantasies of object loss; c) future research with subliminal stimulation should consider carefully the differential responsiveness of subjects to the content of particular messages.", "contents": "The fear of object loss, responsiveness to subliminal stimuli, and schizophrenic psychopathology. Thirty schizophrenic patients were seen individually for three sessions in a balanced design. In each session, following subliminal stimulation with a neutral stimulus, a baseline assessment of pathology was made. Then, in different sessions, in counterbalanced order, each patient received one of three experimental (or \"critical\") stimuli: a) a neutral control stimulus; b) a message--CANNIBAL EATS PERSON--intended to activate aggressive ideation; c) a message--I AM LOSING MOMMY--intended to activate fantasies of object loss. Each of these conditions was followed by an initial and later assessment of pathology, and finally by a measure of the patients' sense of differentiation from a mothering figure. In the final session other measures were also obtained, including each patient's conscious association to the critical stimuli when presented supraliminally. The major results were: a) as in previous experiments, the subliminal aggressive message intensified pathology and aggressive ideation--especially for relatively undifferentiated and relatively nondefended patients; b) subliminal stimulation of fantasies of object loss also increased pathology--especially for nondefended patients--and also increased the patients' sense of merging with the mothering object; c) the patients' response to subliminal stimuli--including presumably neutral ones--was a function of the conscious meaning(s) of such stimuli. It was concluded that: a) the threat of object loss (real or fantasied) may be one of the motivations supporting the development of pathology in schizophrenics; b) the activation of fantasies of aggressive destruction can exacerbate schizophrenic pathology--perhaps by activating fantasies of object loss; c) future research with subliminal stimulation should consider carefully the differential responsiveness of subjects to the content of particular messages.", "PMID": 762544} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1232", "title": "Analysis of patient states and state transitions.", "content": "Psychiatric diagnoses and formulations have classically focused on the chief complaint of the patient as part of a larger pattern of episodes and reactions. This is a form of state analysis in which the problem states of a person are carefully described and distinguished from other states. The authors suggest methods for deepening such formulations by grounding description of problem states in models of other states and models of state transitions. The resultant method of state analysis can be applied to examination of change processes during treatment as well as to initial diagnostic formulations. As an example of its use and possible extension to quantification, state analysis is applied to description of status and change in a person treated by brief psychotherapy. Because state analysis is based on observable behavior and reportable conscious experiences, it serves as a useful beginning point upon which to anchor more extended inferences about psychodynamics.", "contents": "Analysis of patient states and state transitions. Psychiatric diagnoses and formulations have classically focused on the chief complaint of the patient as part of a larger pattern of episodes and reactions. This is a form of state analysis in which the problem states of a person are carefully described and distinguished from other states. The authors suggest methods for deepening such formulations by grounding description of problem states in models of other states and models of state transitions. The resultant method of state analysis can be applied to examination of change processes during treatment as well as to initial diagnostic formulations. As an example of its use and possible extension to quantification, state analysis is applied to description of status and change in a person treated by brief psychotherapy. Because state analysis is based on observable behavior and reportable conscious experiences, it serves as a useful beginning point upon which to anchor more extended inferences about psychodynamics.", "PMID": 762545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1233", "title": "Angiomas of the spinal cord: review of the pathogenesis, clinical features, and results of surgery.", "content": "Twenty-four patients with angiomas of the thoraco-lumbo-sacral region of the spinal cord, which characteristically occur in elderly men and are situated on the dorsum of the cord, were subjected to surgery after diagnosis by selective arteriography. It is suggested that in this variety of angioma the operation produced its effect by eliminating the raised pressure in the venous and capillary vessels within the spinal cord. There was no evidence of an arterial \"steal.\" In all cases, followed up for a mean of five years, progression of neurological symptoms was arrested but, apart from motor disability and pain, any improvement among this already seriously disabled group was small. Diagnosis in the early stages is difficult but the history of mechanical factors exacerbating the symptoms and which occur in the majority of patients should suggest the presence of such a lesion and indicate the need for myelography. Any improvement in results can only come from greater awareness of the condition leading to earlier diagnosis and operation.", "contents": "Angiomas of the spinal cord: review of the pathogenesis, clinical features, and results of surgery. Twenty-four patients with angiomas of the thoraco-lumbo-sacral region of the spinal cord, which characteristically occur in elderly men and are situated on the dorsum of the cord, were subjected to surgery after diagnosis by selective arteriography. It is suggested that in this variety of angioma the operation produced its effect by eliminating the raised pressure in the venous and capillary vessels within the spinal cord. There was no evidence of an arterial \"steal.\" In all cases, followed up for a mean of five years, progression of neurological symptoms was arrested but, apart from motor disability and pain, any improvement among this already seriously disabled group was small. Diagnosis in the early stages is difficult but the history of mechanical factors exacerbating the symptoms and which occur in the majority of patients should suggest the presence of such a lesion and indicate the need for myelography. Any improvement in results can only come from greater awareness of the condition leading to earlier diagnosis and operation.", "PMID": 762580} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1234", "title": "Diagnosis and management of tuberculous paraplegia with special reference to tuberculous radiculomyelitis.", "content": "Paraplegia occurred in eight of 17 patients with central nervous system tuberculosis. In six of these paraplegia was the presenting feature. Paraplegia may complicate tuberculous meningitis, or vertebral tuberculosis, but it may also occur, as in three of our cases, as a primary localised spinal tuberculous radiculomyelitis. These cases are presented in relation to the concept that paraplegia complicating these forms of tuberculosis is caused by radiculomyelitis.", "contents": "Diagnosis and management of tuberculous paraplegia with special reference to tuberculous radiculomyelitis. Paraplegia occurred in eight of 17 patients with central nervous system tuberculosis. In six of these paraplegia was the presenting feature. Paraplegia may complicate tuberculous meningitis, or vertebral tuberculosis, but it may also occur, as in three of our cases, as a primary localised spinal tuberculous radiculomyelitis. These cases are presented in relation to the concept that paraplegia complicating these forms of tuberculosis is caused by radiculomyelitis.", "PMID": 762581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1235", "title": "Brain damage complicating septic shock: acute haemorrhagic leucoencephalitis as a complication of the generalised Shwartzman reaction.", "content": "The neuropathological findings in six patients who developed neurological signs after the onset of \"septic shock\" caused by Gram-negative septicaemia are described. The changes in the brains were characteristic of acute haemorrhagic leucoencephalitis, and there was evidence, particularly in the kidneys, of disseminated intravascular coagulation with tubular necrosis and, in some, appearances indistinguishable from membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis. It is agreed that acute haemorrhagic leucoencephalitis is another manifestation of a generalised Shwartzman reaction, and it is suggested that activation of complement is the final common pathway that produces tissue damage in the brain and kidney.", "contents": "Brain damage complicating septic shock: acute haemorrhagic leucoencephalitis as a complication of the generalised Shwartzman reaction. The neuropathological findings in six patients who developed neurological signs after the onset of \"septic shock\" caused by Gram-negative septicaemia are described. The changes in the brains were characteristic of acute haemorrhagic leucoencephalitis, and there was evidence, particularly in the kidneys, of disseminated intravascular coagulation with tubular necrosis and, in some, appearances indistinguishable from membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis. It is agreed that acute haemorrhagic leucoencephalitis is another manifestation of a generalised Shwartzman reaction, and it is suggested that activation of complement is the final common pathway that produces tissue damage in the brain and kidney.", "PMID": 762582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1236", "title": "Electrical properties of motor units in Parkinsonism and a possible relationship with bradykinesia.", "content": "The electrical activity of single motor units was recorded from the first dorsal interosseous muscles of nine patients with Parkinson's disease. Six of these patients had a combination of the following abnormal motor unit properies: (1) a variable delay period of 20 seconds to 3 minutes between the initiation of voluntary effort and the recruitment of the first group of motor units; (2) after recruitment, some of the motor units stopped firing for durations of 10s, 40s, 75s... 3 min.; (3) some of the motor units fired at abnormally low frequencies of 2-3 per second. All these six patients had slowed finger movement, and five of the six were studied while off levodopa for two to seven days. One of these patients, reinvestigated after levodopa therapy had been restarted, demonstrated improvement in motor unit control. The three remaining patients who were studied while on uninterrupted levodopa therapy could make rapid finger movements, could recruit motor units without delay, and could fire recruited motor units continuously at normal frequencies of 6-14 per second. These results suggest that levodopa therapy is effective in Parkinson's disease at least partly because of its ability to correct abnormalities in the recruitment of motor units. Levodopa also corrects the abnormal motor unit firing pattern. The abnormal motor unit properties found in these patients could account for some aspects of bradykinesia.", "contents": "Electrical properties of motor units in Parkinsonism and a possible relationship with bradykinesia. The electrical activity of single motor units was recorded from the first dorsal interosseous muscles of nine patients with Parkinson's disease. Six of these patients had a combination of the following abnormal motor unit properies: (1) a variable delay period of 20 seconds to 3 minutes between the initiation of voluntary effort and the recruitment of the first group of motor units; (2) after recruitment, some of the motor units stopped firing for durations of 10s, 40s, 75s... 3 min.; (3) some of the motor units fired at abnormally low frequencies of 2-3 per second. All these six patients had slowed finger movement, and five of the six were studied while off levodopa for two to seven days. One of these patients, reinvestigated after levodopa therapy had been restarted, demonstrated improvement in motor unit control. The three remaining patients who were studied while on uninterrupted levodopa therapy could make rapid finger movements, could recruit motor units without delay, and could fire recruited motor units continuously at normal frequencies of 6-14 per second. These results suggest that levodopa therapy is effective in Parkinson's disease at least partly because of its ability to correct abnormalities in the recruitment of motor units. Levodopa also corrects the abnormal motor unit firing pattern. The abnormal motor unit properties found in these patients could account for some aspects of bradykinesia.", "PMID": 762583} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1237", "title": "Uraemic myoclonus: an example of reticular reflex myoclonus?", "content": "Two patients are described who developed action, reflex myoclonus during acute renal failure. In both cases the myoclonus was abolished after the intravenous administration of clonazepam. We suggest that the characteristic action myoclonus, which occurs in both acute renal failure and postanoxic encephalopathy, is caused by a disturbance of function in the lower brainstem reticular formation.", "contents": "Uraemic myoclonus: an example of reticular reflex myoclonus? Two patients are described who developed action, reflex myoclonus during acute renal failure. In both cases the myoclonus was abolished after the intravenous administration of clonazepam. We suggest that the characteristic action myoclonus, which occurs in both acute renal failure and postanoxic encephalopathy, is caused by a disturbance of function in the lower brainstem reticular formation.", "PMID": 762584} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1238", "title": "Regional impairment of cerebral oxidative metabolism in Parkinson's disease.", "content": "Twenty-two patients affected by idiopathic Parkinsonism were studied using the oxygen-15 inhalation technique. The production of labelled metabolic water was found to be decreased in the parietal cerebral cortex, indicating an impairment in oxidative metabolism. This metabolic defect was localised mainly to the parietal cortex of the affected hemispheres; in non-affected hemispheres of patients presenting with unilateral Parkinsonism, the uptake was normal. In contrast, regional blood flow was not significantly altered. It is possible that this metabolic impairment is caused by chronic deafferentation.", "contents": "Regional impairment of cerebral oxidative metabolism in Parkinson's disease. Twenty-two patients affected by idiopathic Parkinsonism were studied using the oxygen-15 inhalation technique. The production of labelled metabolic water was found to be decreased in the parietal cerebral cortex, indicating an impairment in oxidative metabolism. This metabolic defect was localised mainly to the parietal cortex of the affected hemispheres; in non-affected hemispheres of patients presenting with unilateral Parkinsonism, the uptake was normal. In contrast, regional blood flow was not significantly altered. It is possible that this metabolic impairment is caused by chronic deafferentation.", "PMID": 762585} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1239", "title": "Tactual and auditory vigilance in split-brain man.", "content": "Two studies are reported of tactual and auditory vigilance performance in patients with a split-brain or partial commissurotomy to examine the attentional behaviour of the right and left hemisphere, and to identify defects in attention which may be related to the division of the cerebral commissures. The performance of the right hemisphere on all tasks of sustained attention so far studied was substantially better than that of the left. Considerable depletion of concentration was observed for the total split-brain group but not in patients with partial commissurotomy. One of the more unusual phenomena of the split-brain condition is that gaps of attention, often lasting many seconds, occur predominantly on the left hemisphere. The switch to a different type of signal on the same hemisphere does not stop them but the switching of signals from one hemisphere to another does. The defect is interpreted as a failure of attention peculiar to the individual hemisphere under test.", "contents": "Tactual and auditory vigilance in split-brain man. Two studies are reported of tactual and auditory vigilance performance in patients with a split-brain or partial commissurotomy to examine the attentional behaviour of the right and left hemisphere, and to identify defects in attention which may be related to the division of the cerebral commissures. The performance of the right hemisphere on all tasks of sustained attention so far studied was substantially better than that of the left. Considerable depletion of concentration was observed for the total split-brain group but not in patients with partial commissurotomy. One of the more unusual phenomena of the split-brain condition is that gaps of attention, often lasting many seconds, occur predominantly on the left hemisphere. The switch to a different type of signal on the same hemisphere does not stop them but the switching of signals from one hemisphere to another does. The defect is interpreted as a failure of attention peculiar to the individual hemisphere under test.", "PMID": 762586} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1240", "title": "Value of EEG in acute confusional states.", "content": "Electroencephalograms of 95 patients with an acute confusional state, referred over three years, were studied to determine their usefulness. The majority were abnormal, and those from patients with intracranial pathology often showed asymmetry of delta activity and paroxysmal discharges. These, and other features, suggested that the EEG was a helpful investigation.", "contents": "Value of EEG in acute confusional states. Electroencephalograms of 95 patients with an acute confusional state, referred over three years, were studied to determine their usefulness. The majority were abnormal, and those from patients with intracranial pathology often showed asymmetry of delta activity and paroxysmal discharges. These, and other features, suggested that the EEG was a helpful investigation.", "PMID": 762587} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1241", "title": "Beats produced between a rhythmic applied force and the resting tremor of Parkinsonism.", "content": "Rhythmic forces have been applied to the wrist of patients with Parkinsonism tremor by means of a printed motor. The tremor rate was not altered to that of the applied force. On the contrary, beats were established, the rate of which depended on the difference in rate between the tremor and the applied rhythm. Most of the observations have been for horizontal motion of the hand but similar phenomena have been seen for vertical movements, and for other parts of the body--for example, foot, elbow, finger joint, and head. The observations are regarded as supporting the view that the tremorgenic mechanism is central. There was no electromyographic evidence of servo driving or servo assistance in the genesis of the tremor.", "contents": "Beats produced between a rhythmic applied force and the resting tremor of Parkinsonism. Rhythmic forces have been applied to the wrist of patients with Parkinsonism tremor by means of a printed motor. The tremor rate was not altered to that of the applied force. On the contrary, beats were established, the rate of which depended on the difference in rate between the tremor and the applied rhythm. Most of the observations have been for horizontal motion of the hand but similar phenomena have been seen for vertical movements, and for other parts of the body--for example, foot, elbow, finger joint, and head. The observations are regarded as supporting the view that the tremorgenic mechanism is central. There was no electromyographic evidence of servo driving or servo assistance in the genesis of the tremor.", "PMID": 762588} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1242", "title": "Serial recording of visual and somatosensory evoked potentials in multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (VEP) and short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were recorded at frequent intevals in 7 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). A persistent increase in latency of VEP was found to accompany evanescent visual symptoms. SEP, whether normal or abnormal, remained stable in patients without relapse. In 3 patients with active disease the cervical SEP was labile but this could not be related to specific clinical changes. In 51 patients VEP were recorded on two or more occasions at varying intervals. There was a reasonable correlation between alteration in visual acuity and in VEP. The return of abnormal latency to normal values was seen on 9 occasions. In 27 patients in whom SEP were similarly recorded the potentials became more abnormal in the majority of those with relapse involving the spinal cord but SEP did not return to normal with remission. It was concluded that the use of EP for diagnostic purposes in MS depended on persistence of abnormalities during quiescent phases of the disease and that this property was incompatible with the use of these techniques as an effective means of monitoring the course of the disease.", "contents": "Serial recording of visual and somatosensory evoked potentials in multiple sclerosis. Pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (VEP) and short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were recorded at frequent intevals in 7 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). A persistent increase in latency of VEP was found to accompany evanescent visual symptoms. SEP, whether normal or abnormal, remained stable in patients without relapse. In 3 patients with active disease the cervical SEP was labile but this could not be related to specific clinical changes. In 51 patients VEP were recorded on two or more occasions at varying intervals. There was a reasonable correlation between alteration in visual acuity and in VEP. The return of abnormal latency to normal values was seen on 9 occasions. In 27 patients in whom SEP were similarly recorded the potentials became more abnormal in the majority of those with relapse involving the spinal cord but SEP did not return to normal with remission. It was concluded that the use of EP for diagnostic purposes in MS depended on persistence of abnormalities during quiescent phases of the disease and that this property was incompatible with the use of these techniques as an effective means of monitoring the course of the disease.", "PMID": 762589} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1243", "title": "Experimental ischemic myopathy. Effects of aortic ligation and serotonin.", "content": "Support for the hypothesis that biogenic amines are involved in the production of muscle diseases comes from a report that rat muscle is damaged by combining distal aortic ligation with serotonin injection. Our studies explore the role of serotonin in the production of the myopathic changes in the aortic ligation-serotonin model. Twenty-six young Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected either to aortic ligation alone, aortic ligation followed by injection of serotonin (40 mg/kg, i.p.), or injection of serotonin alone. Following sacrifice 7--14 days later, 10 micrometer frozen sections of the soleus muscle were stained by trichrome, NADH-TR, and ATPase methods. Focal necrosis and phagocytosis or focal regeneration were seen after aortic ligation with, or without, subsequent serotonin injection. Serotonin alone produced only occasional mild changes in muscle. Therefore, we conclude that the significant damage to muscle in the ligation-serotonin model is provided by the aortic ligation, not the serotonin injection.", "contents": "Experimental ischemic myopathy. Effects of aortic ligation and serotonin. Support for the hypothesis that biogenic amines are involved in the production of muscle diseases comes from a report that rat muscle is damaged by combining distal aortic ligation with serotonin injection. Our studies explore the role of serotonin in the production of the myopathic changes in the aortic ligation-serotonin model. Twenty-six young Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected either to aortic ligation alone, aortic ligation followed by injection of serotonin (40 mg/kg, i.p.), or injection of serotonin alone. Following sacrifice 7--14 days later, 10 micrometer frozen sections of the soleus muscle were stained by trichrome, NADH-TR, and ATPase methods. Focal necrosis and phagocytosis or focal regeneration were seen after aortic ligation with, or without, subsequent serotonin injection. Serotonin alone produced only occasional mild changes in muscle. Therefore, we conclude that the significant damage to muscle in the ligation-serotonin model is provided by the aortic ligation, not the serotonin injection.", "PMID": 762590} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1244", "title": "Arteriovenous aneurysm of the vein of Galen. A clinical, angiographic CT scan and neuropathological study.", "content": "An autopsied case of arteriovenous aneurysm of the vein of Galen in a 31/2-month-old female is reported. Arteriovenous aneurysm of the vein of Galen is a rare vascular malformation of the central nervous system consisting of a saccular dilatation of the vein which receives blood shunted through enlarged arteries. These peculiar structural and hemodynamic characteristics differentiate this particular malformation from the other AVMs of the central nervous system. In infants the arteriovenous aneurysm of the vein of Galen is characterized clinically by hydrocephalus and cardiomegaly. In the present paper the clinical features and diagnostic indications are discussed and, in particular, the role of computerized cranial tomography (CT) is emphasized as a rapid and noninvasive procedure for detection of intracranial disorders.", "contents": "Arteriovenous aneurysm of the vein of Galen. A clinical, angiographic CT scan and neuropathological study. An autopsied case of arteriovenous aneurysm of the vein of Galen in a 31/2-month-old female is reported. Arteriovenous aneurysm of the vein of Galen is a rare vascular malformation of the central nervous system consisting of a saccular dilatation of the vein which receives blood shunted through enlarged arteries. These peculiar structural and hemodynamic characteristics differentiate this particular malformation from the other AVMs of the central nervous system. In infants the arteriovenous aneurysm of the vein of Galen is characterized clinically by hydrocephalus and cardiomegaly. In the present paper the clinical features and diagnostic indications are discussed and, in particular, the role of computerized cranial tomography (CT) is emphasized as a rapid and noninvasive procedure for detection of intracranial disorders.", "PMID": 762591} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1245", "title": "Electromyographic recording and muscle biopsy in lepromatous leprosy.", "content": "The aim of this study was to detect early muscular changes in lepromatous leprosy using simultaneously electromyography and muscle biopsy. In 13 subjects a single clinically normal muscle innervated by the popliteal nerve was studied. Three were found to be normal. All the others were electromyographically denervated. Histopathologic findings included only 3 cases of fascicular atrophy. In 8 cases inflammatory nodules were observed in the connective tissue of the muscle and acid-fast bacilli were present in Virchow cells in 5. In only one patient were intact acid-fast bacilli found in muscle cells. It was concluded that electromyography was the better method of detecting early denervation, while muscle biopsy was the better examination to detect \"lepromatous myositis\". In practice these techniques are complementary in the study of muscle data in lepromatous leprosy.", "contents": "Electromyographic recording and muscle biopsy in lepromatous leprosy. The aim of this study was to detect early muscular changes in lepromatous leprosy using simultaneously electromyography and muscle biopsy. In 13 subjects a single clinically normal muscle innervated by the popliteal nerve was studied. Three were found to be normal. All the others were electromyographically denervated. Histopathologic findings included only 3 cases of fascicular atrophy. In 8 cases inflammatory nodules were observed in the connective tissue of the muscle and acid-fast bacilli were present in Virchow cells in 5. In only one patient were intact acid-fast bacilli found in muscle cells. It was concluded that electromyography was the better method of detecting early denervation, while muscle biopsy was the better examination to detect \"lepromatous myositis\". In practice these techniques are complementary in the study of muscle data in lepromatous leprosy.", "PMID": 762592} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1246", "title": "Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency with normal carnitine palmitoyltransferase I in skeletal muscle and leucocytes.", "content": "Deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT II), was found to be the cause of the syndrome of muscle pain and myoglobinuria following strenuous exercise in an otherwise healthy young man. During fasting, serum creatine kinase remained low and ketogenesis was normal. The clearance of a fat emulsion and the activity of extrahepatic lipoprotein lipase was lowered, while the hepatic lipoprotein lipase was normal. A skeletal muscle biopsy did not show abnormal lipid storage. CPT II was deficient in skeletal muscle and leucocytes, while CPT I activity was normal and exhibited normal kinetic properties. CPT I has a higher affinity for palmitoylcarnitine than CPT II, and is more inhibited at increasing palmitoylcarnitine concentrations. In erythrocytes only CPT I is present.", "contents": "Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency with normal carnitine palmitoyltransferase I in skeletal muscle and leucocytes. Deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT II), was found to be the cause of the syndrome of muscle pain and myoglobinuria following strenuous exercise in an otherwise healthy young man. During fasting, serum creatine kinase remained low and ketogenesis was normal. The clearance of a fat emulsion and the activity of extrahepatic lipoprotein lipase was lowered, while the hepatic lipoprotein lipase was normal. A skeletal muscle biopsy did not show abnormal lipid storage. CPT II was deficient in skeletal muscle and leucocytes, while CPT I activity was normal and exhibited normal kinetic properties. CPT I has a higher affinity for palmitoylcarnitine than CPT II, and is more inhibited at increasing palmitoylcarnitine concentrations. In erythrocytes only CPT I is present.", "PMID": 762593} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1247", "title": "An intravenous 133xenon clearance technique for measuring cerebral blood flow.", "content": "An intravenous 133Xe clearance technique for measuring cerebral blood flow (CBF) is described. Results obtained compared well with those using the intracarotid 133Xe technique. The reproducibility of the method was checked by repeating measurements within a few hours in 14 patients, when no significant overall change occurred, and after some days in 23 patients when a mean fall in flow of 8% was observed. CBF was measured in 52 control subjects. The mean fast component flow (Ff) was 68.6 ml/100 g/min (SD 11.3). No difference between the two hemispheres was found. Flow was confirmed to be higher anteriorly in the cerebral hemispheres. A significant inverse correlation was found between CBF and age.", "contents": "An intravenous 133xenon clearance technique for measuring cerebral blood flow. An intravenous 133Xe clearance technique for measuring cerebral blood flow (CBF) is described. Results obtained compared well with those using the intracarotid 133Xe technique. The reproducibility of the method was checked by repeating measurements within a few hours in 14 patients, when no significant overall change occurred, and after some days in 23 patients when a mean fall in flow of 8% was observed. CBF was measured in 52 control subjects. The mean fast component flow (Ff) was 68.6 ml/100 g/min (SD 11.3). No difference between the two hemispheres was found. Flow was confirmed to be higher anteriorly in the cerebral hemispheres. A significant inverse correlation was found between CBF and age.", "PMID": 762594} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1248", "title": "Increased prostaglandin synthesis in childhood diabetes mellitus.", "content": "Prostaglandins are synthesized from the fatty acids, linoleic and arachidonic acids, and are associated with increased platelet aggregation as has been found in blood from patients with diabetes mellitus. In the present study blood was obtained from 40 children with diabetes and from 20 control children for measurements of fatty acid and PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2alpha levels. The production of PGE2 and PGF2alpha was significantly elevated in blood from the children with diabetes at all times measured. The mean quantitative plasma linoleic acid levels were also higher in the patients. The increased PG synthesis may be related to the vascular problems that occur in patients with diabetes.", "contents": "Increased prostaglandin synthesis in childhood diabetes mellitus. Prostaglandins are synthesized from the fatty acids, linoleic and arachidonic acids, and are associated with increased platelet aggregation as has been found in blood from patients with diabetes mellitus. In the present study blood was obtained from 40 children with diabetes and from 20 control children for measurements of fatty acid and PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2alpha levels. The production of PGE2 and PGF2alpha was significantly elevated in blood from the children with diabetes at all times measured. The mean quantitative plasma linoleic acid levels were also higher in the patients. The increased PG synthesis may be related to the vascular problems that occur in patients with diabetes.", "PMID": 762604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1249", "title": "Serum concentrations of 24,25(OH)2D in uremic children: a reflection of renal function.", "content": "The mean serum concentration of 24,25(OH)2D determined by competitive protein-binding radioassay was significantly lower in ten uremic children maintained on hemodialysis (0.82 +/- 0.43[SD] ng/ml) than in ten patients with impaired renal function not requiring hemodialysis (1.30 +/- 0.54 ng/ml, P less than 0.05), or in 12 normal children (2.98 +/- 1.57 ng/ml, P less than 0.01). The serum levels of 250HD were similar in all groups. There were significant (P less than 0.01) positive correlations between the serum concentration of 24,25(OH)2D or the ratio 24,25(OH)2D/25OHD and the creatinine clearance. The serum concentration of 24,25(OH)2D was significantly decreased also in six anephric adults relative to normal adult values. The data indicate that production of 24,25(OH)2D is impaired in subjects with compromised renal function. Inasmuch as the major active metabolite of Vitamin D, i.e., 1,25(OH)2D, is requried for renal synthesis of 24,25(OH)2D measurement of the latter metabolite may provide a convenient method for assessment of renal vitamin D metabolism. The role of this metabolite in the pathogenesis of renal osteodystrophy remains speculative.", "contents": "Serum concentrations of 24,25(OH)2D in uremic children: a reflection of renal function. The mean serum concentration of 24,25(OH)2D determined by competitive protein-binding radioassay was significantly lower in ten uremic children maintained on hemodialysis (0.82 +/- 0.43[SD] ng/ml) than in ten patients with impaired renal function not requiring hemodialysis (1.30 +/- 0.54 ng/ml, P less than 0.05), or in 12 normal children (2.98 +/- 1.57 ng/ml, P less than 0.01). The serum levels of 250HD were similar in all groups. There were significant (P less than 0.01) positive correlations between the serum concentration of 24,25(OH)2D or the ratio 24,25(OH)2D/25OHD and the creatinine clearance. The serum concentration of 24,25(OH)2D was significantly decreased also in six anephric adults relative to normal adult values. The data indicate that production of 24,25(OH)2D is impaired in subjects with compromised renal function. Inasmuch as the major active metabolite of Vitamin D, i.e., 1,25(OH)2D, is requried for renal synthesis of 24,25(OH)2D measurement of the latter metabolite may provide a convenient method for assessment of renal vitamin D metabolism. The role of this metabolite in the pathogenesis of renal osteodystrophy remains speculative.", "PMID": 762605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1250", "title": "An evaluation of methods to monitor infants receiving intravenous lipids.", "content": "Nephelometric measurement of light-scattering index and visual estimates of turbidity have been advocated to monitor serum Intralipid levels. This study describes a simple modified fluorometric method for accurately measuring lipid particles in serum and examines the reliability of such estimates compared with other chemical measurements. Ten percent IL was diluted with either saline or serum to various concentrations (0 to 250 mg/dl). The LSI showed an excellent correlation with known IL standard solutions in saline or serum (R = 0.99) and with triglyceride concentrations (R= 0.98). One hundred nine blood samples were obtained from 35 patients (28 neonates) receiving IL. An elevated TG, free fatty acid, or cholesterol level could not be reliably predicted from the LSI. The ability of clinical personnel to visually grade the degree of turbidity was evaluated by having them assign a turbidity score of 0 to 4+ to 39 hematocrit tubes which contained clear, hemolyzed, or icteric serum, each of which had IL concentrations varying from 0 to 292 mg/dl. The 15 tubes of identical IL concentration of 99 mg/dl were graded from 0 to 4+ by two of the observers, from 1 to 4+ by three of the observers, and 0 to 3+, 1 to 3+, and 2 or 3+ by one each of the observers. This study shows that (1) in vitro fluorometric LSI correlates well with IL concentrations; (2) in vivo correlations of LSI with FFA, cholesterol, and TG are poor; and (3) personnel are unable to reliably grade turbidity by visual examination of hematocrit tubes. Infants on IL should be monitored by TG and FFA levels.", "contents": "An evaluation of methods to monitor infants receiving intravenous lipids. Nephelometric measurement of light-scattering index and visual estimates of turbidity have been advocated to monitor serum Intralipid levels. This study describes a simple modified fluorometric method for accurately measuring lipid particles in serum and examines the reliability of such estimates compared with other chemical measurements. Ten percent IL was diluted with either saline or serum to various concentrations (0 to 250 mg/dl). The LSI showed an excellent correlation with known IL standard solutions in saline or serum (R = 0.99) and with triglyceride concentrations (R= 0.98). One hundred nine blood samples were obtained from 35 patients (28 neonates) receiving IL. An elevated TG, free fatty acid, or cholesterol level could not be reliably predicted from the LSI. The ability of clinical personnel to visually grade the degree of turbidity was evaluated by having them assign a turbidity score of 0 to 4+ to 39 hematocrit tubes which contained clear, hemolyzed, or icteric serum, each of which had IL concentrations varying from 0 to 292 mg/dl. The 15 tubes of identical IL concentration of 99 mg/dl were graded from 0 to 4+ by two of the observers, from 1 to 4+ by three of the observers, and 0 to 3+, 1 to 3+, and 2 or 3+ by one each of the observers. This study shows that (1) in vitro fluorometric LSI correlates well with IL concentrations; (2) in vivo correlations of LSI with FFA, cholesterol, and TG are poor; and (3) personnel are unable to reliably grade turbidity by visual examination of hematocrit tubes. Infants on IL should be monitored by TG and FFA levels.", "PMID": 762606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1251", "title": "A therapeutic approach to childhood pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma without pelvic exenteration.", "content": "A therapeutic approach using chemotherapy rather than radical surgery as the initial modality of treatment was employed in 13 children with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma. One patient failed to respond to chemotherapy and required anterior pelvic exenteration. Eight patients are alive and free of disease 24 to 96 months after diagnosis. Limited surgery for minimal residual disease was used in two patients. Radiation therapy at lower than conventional doses was used in seven of eight patients. This experience supports a therapeutic approach to childhood pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma with an initial chemotherapy regimen, resulting in the use of surgical procedures less detrimental to pelvic organs without compromising survival.", "contents": "A therapeutic approach to childhood pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma without pelvic exenteration. A therapeutic approach using chemotherapy rather than radical surgery as the initial modality of treatment was employed in 13 children with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma. One patient failed to respond to chemotherapy and required anterior pelvic exenteration. Eight patients are alive and free of disease 24 to 96 months after diagnosis. Limited surgery for minimal residual disease was used in two patients. Radiation therapy at lower than conventional doses was used in seven of eight patients. This experience supports a therapeutic approach to childhood pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma with an initial chemotherapy regimen, resulting in the use of surgical procedures less detrimental to pelvic organs without compromising survival.", "PMID": 762607} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1252", "title": "The hematopoietic effects of prednisone therapy in four infants with osteopetrosis.", "content": "Sequential hematologic studies were performed in four infants with malignant osteopetrosis who received prednisone. Prednisone therapy resulted in decreased liver and spleen size, decreased numbers of circulating immature blood cells, and increased hemoglobin concentration and platelet counts in all infants. The quantity and quality of hematopoietic tissue in bone marrow biopsies improved during prednisone therapy but showed no significant improvement without therapy. Sequential indium 111 chloride scans in one infant showed increased uptake in long bones and pelvis and decreased uptake in liver and spleen during therapy. We conclude that prednisone therapy of infantile osteopetrosis results in increased bone marrow hematopoiesis and decreased extramedullary hematopoiesis.", "contents": "The hematopoietic effects of prednisone therapy in four infants with osteopetrosis. Sequential hematologic studies were performed in four infants with malignant osteopetrosis who received prednisone. Prednisone therapy resulted in decreased liver and spleen size, decreased numbers of circulating immature blood cells, and increased hemoglobin concentration and platelet counts in all infants. The quantity and quality of hematopoietic tissue in bone marrow biopsies improved during prednisone therapy but showed no significant improvement without therapy. Sequential indium 111 chloride scans in one infant showed increased uptake in long bones and pelvis and decreased uptake in liver and spleen during therapy. We conclude that prednisone therapy of infantile osteopetrosis results in increased bone marrow hematopoiesis and decreased extramedullary hematopoiesis.", "PMID": 762608} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1253", "title": "Hyperreninemia and secondary hyperaldosteronism in pheochromocytomas.", "content": "Foremost in the differential diagnosis of hypertension is the identification of surgically correctable lesions. Increased plasma renin activity in a hypertensive patient suggests the presence of a renovascular or renal etiology. We have recently seen two adolescent patients whose hyperreninemia was cuased by a pheochromocytoma. Secondary hyperaldosteronism was an associated finding.", "contents": "Hyperreninemia and secondary hyperaldosteronism in pheochromocytomas. Foremost in the differential diagnosis of hypertension is the identification of surgically correctable lesions. Increased plasma renin activity in a hypertensive patient suggests the presence of a renovascular or renal etiology. We have recently seen two adolescent patients whose hyperreninemia was cuased by a pheochromocytoma. Secondary hyperaldosteronism was an associated finding.", "PMID": 762609} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1254", "title": "Abnormalities of the complement system in Reye syndrome.", "content": "Sixteen patients with Reye syndrome had diminished concentration of serum complement proteins and/or hemolytic activity in the earliest blood sample. All 12 studied with hemolytic methods had significantly reduced C1 activity; total hemolytic complement activity was reduced in only three. Low Cl activity was accompanied by equivalent reduction of Cls in 11 of 12 patients; Clq was less than normal in only two of 12. Decreased levels of at least one other classical pathway complement hemolytic activity or protein concentration were found in 13 patients, whereas factor B or the alternate complement pathway was normal or elevated in the ten patients studied. The consistent reduction of Cls protein concentration in Reye syndrome suggests that early metabolic abnormalities regularly affect the production or catabolism of this protein. Although normal serum Clq concentration in the majority of these patients does not support an immune pathogenesis, decreased Clq, C4, and C2 in three patients does suggest that immune mechanisms may be responsible for the serum complement abnormalities in this latter group of patients.", "contents": "Abnormalities of the complement system in Reye syndrome. Sixteen patients with Reye syndrome had diminished concentration of serum complement proteins and/or hemolytic activity in the earliest blood sample. All 12 studied with hemolytic methods had significantly reduced C1 activity; total hemolytic complement activity was reduced in only three. Low Cl activity was accompanied by equivalent reduction of Cls in 11 of 12 patients; Clq was less than normal in only two of 12. Decreased levels of at least one other classical pathway complement hemolytic activity or protein concentration were found in 13 patients, whereas factor B or the alternate complement pathway was normal or elevated in the ten patients studied. The consistent reduction of Cls protein concentration in Reye syndrome suggests that early metabolic abnormalities regularly affect the production or catabolism of this protein. Although normal serum Clq concentration in the majority of these patients does not support an immune pathogenesis, decreased Clq, C4, and C2 in three patients does suggest that immune mechanisms may be responsible for the serum complement abnormalities in this latter group of patients.", "PMID": 762610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1255", "title": "Cell-mediated immunity to varicella-zoster virus infection in subjects with lymphoma or leukemia.", "content": "Normal subjects and patients with lymphoma or leukemia were tested for the levels of lymphocytes, E-rosette--forming T-cells, serum and vesicle fluid interferon, and specific in vitro proliferative response to varicella-zoster antigen after clinical varicella or herpes zoster illness. The effect of polyinosinic acid/polycytidilic acid on the immune response was also evaluated. The development of VZ specific cell-mediated response in normal subjects was characterized by intense proliferative activity eight to ten days after the onset of illness, with significant decline 70 to 80 days later. The responses in subjects with lymphoma or leukemia were much lower. Few subjects with chickenpox or zoster with lymphoma or leukemia died during the infection. Death was associated with significant depletion of E-rosette--forming T-cells, and grossly deficient specific cellular response to VZ antigen. Treatment with Poly IC frequently induced elevations in serum as well as vesicle fluid interferon levels, and increased the proliferative activity of lymphocytes against VZ antigen.", "contents": "Cell-mediated immunity to varicella-zoster virus infection in subjects with lymphoma or leukemia. Normal subjects and patients with lymphoma or leukemia were tested for the levels of lymphocytes, E-rosette--forming T-cells, serum and vesicle fluid interferon, and specific in vitro proliferative response to varicella-zoster antigen after clinical varicella or herpes zoster illness. The effect of polyinosinic acid/polycytidilic acid on the immune response was also evaluated. The development of VZ specific cell-mediated response in normal subjects was characterized by intense proliferative activity eight to ten days after the onset of illness, with significant decline 70 to 80 days later. The responses in subjects with lymphoma or leukemia were much lower. Few subjects with chickenpox or zoster with lymphoma or leukemia died during the infection. Death was associated with significant depletion of E-rosette--forming T-cells, and grossly deficient specific cellular response to VZ antigen. Treatment with Poly IC frequently induced elevations in serum as well as vesicle fluid interferon levels, and increased the proliferative activity of lymphocytes against VZ antigen.", "PMID": 762611} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1256", "title": "Epidemiology of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.", "content": "The Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Registry has compiled data from 453 instances of SSPE occurring in the United States from 1960 through 1976. The mean annual incidence during this period was 3.5 per 10 million persons under 20 years of age, 2.3 times higher for males than females, and 4.0 times higher for whites than blacks. Although the long-term pattern of incidence is unknown, the incidence of reported SSPE declined dramatically from 1970 to 1976. There are marked geographic variations of SSPE activity within the United States and also a higher incidence for children from farms (9.4 per 10 million persons under 20) compared with children from other rural domiciles (3.7 per 10 million), suburban children (2.9 per 10 million), and inner-city children (1.6 per 10 million). Available epidemiologic evidence suggests that some extrinsic factor, unrelated to measles or measles vaccine, is important in the pathogenesis of the disease.", "contents": "Epidemiology of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. The Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Registry has compiled data from 453 instances of SSPE occurring in the United States from 1960 through 1976. The mean annual incidence during this period was 3.5 per 10 million persons under 20 years of age, 2.3 times higher for males than females, and 4.0 times higher for whites than blacks. Although the long-term pattern of incidence is unknown, the incidence of reported SSPE declined dramatically from 1970 to 1976. There are marked geographic variations of SSPE activity within the United States and also a higher incidence for children from farms (9.4 per 10 million persons under 20) compared with children from other rural domiciles (3.7 per 10 million), suburban children (2.9 per 10 million), and inner-city children (1.6 per 10 million). Available epidemiologic evidence suggests that some extrinsic factor, unrelated to measles or measles vaccine, is important in the pathogenesis of the disease.", "PMID": 762612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1257", "title": "Transient myocardial ischemia of the newborn infant demonstrated by thallium myocardial imaging.", "content": "Five term and two premature newborn infants were referred for respiratory distress and congestive heart failure, and were found to have electrocardiographic Q or ST-T abnormalities suggesting ischemia. Echocardiographic and/or hemodynamic assessment excluded anatomic heart disease in six infants. In three infants, moderate or severe hemodynamic impairment within 36 hours of age was suggested by these studies. Myocardial perfusion images in all patients showed very poor myocardial uptake of thallium 201, compatible with global myocardial ischemia. Infants of similar age with myocarditis, or with congenital heart disease and congestive failure, had normal myocardial uptake. Rapid clinical improvement occurred within three to seven days. Two to five months later, all infants were well. Two had persistent electrocardiographic abnormalities but repeat thallium 201 imaging in six demonstrated almost normal myocardial uptake. These data provide further evidence that perinatal respiratory distress may be associated with myocardial dysfunction and congestive heart failure in some infants without anatomic heart disease, and suggest that myocardial dysfunction in these infants is associated with global myocardial ischemia, most of which is transient. The timing and nature of the insult causing the ischemia are unclear.", "contents": "Transient myocardial ischemia of the newborn infant demonstrated by thallium myocardial imaging. Five term and two premature newborn infants were referred for respiratory distress and congestive heart failure, and were found to have electrocardiographic Q or ST-T abnormalities suggesting ischemia. Echocardiographic and/or hemodynamic assessment excluded anatomic heart disease in six infants. In three infants, moderate or severe hemodynamic impairment within 36 hours of age was suggested by these studies. Myocardial perfusion images in all patients showed very poor myocardial uptake of thallium 201, compatible with global myocardial ischemia. Infants of similar age with myocarditis, or with congenital heart disease and congestive failure, had normal myocardial uptake. Rapid clinical improvement occurred within three to seven days. Two to five months later, all infants were well. Two had persistent electrocardiographic abnormalities but repeat thallium 201 imaging in six demonstrated almost normal myocardial uptake. These data provide further evidence that perinatal respiratory distress may be associated with myocardial dysfunction and congestive heart failure in some infants without anatomic heart disease, and suggest that myocardial dysfunction in these infants is associated with global myocardial ischemia, most of which is transient. The timing and nature of the insult causing the ischemia are unclear.", "PMID": 762622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1258", "title": "Arterial oxygen tension during active and quiet sleep in the normal neonate.", "content": "The effect of sleep state on arterial oxygen tension was determined in ten healthy term infants by means of continuous transcutaneous PO2 monitoring. In all ten infants, PaO2 was significantly lower and more variable during active as compared to quiet sleep. This fall in PaO2 during active sleep was accompanied by asynchronous (or paradoxical) chest wall movement. These findings may be important in our understanding of the higher incidence of apnea during active sleep in both preterm and term infants.", "contents": "Arterial oxygen tension during active and quiet sleep in the normal neonate. The effect of sleep state on arterial oxygen tension was determined in ten healthy term infants by means of continuous transcutaneous PO2 monitoring. In all ten infants, PaO2 was significantly lower and more variable during active as compared to quiet sleep. This fall in PaO2 during active sleep was accompanied by asynchronous (or paradoxical) chest wall movement. These findings may be important in our understanding of the higher incidence of apnea during active sleep in both preterm and term infants.", "PMID": 762623} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1259", "title": "Spontaneous neck flexion and airway obstruction during apneic spells in preterm infants.", "content": "Forty-three apneic episodes were observed in eight preterm infants, four of whom had a history of spells. Measurements of expiratory airflow and respiratory effort indicated that 36 of 43 spells were mixed, consisting of central apnea preceded or followed by airway obstruction. The episodes occurred more frequently during periods of spontaneous neck flexion. This association can be related to previous studies indicating that neck flexion interferes with neuromuscular regulation of pharyngeal patency and can produce intermittent airway obstruction. Our observations suggest that airway obstruction may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of apnea in certain preterm infants.", "contents": "Spontaneous neck flexion and airway obstruction during apneic spells in preterm infants. Forty-three apneic episodes were observed in eight preterm infants, four of whom had a history of spells. Measurements of expiratory airflow and respiratory effort indicated that 36 of 43 spells were mixed, consisting of central apnea preceded or followed by airway obstruction. The episodes occurred more frequently during periods of spontaneous neck flexion. This association can be related to previous studies indicating that neck flexion interferes with neuromuscular regulation of pharyngeal patency and can produce intermittent airway obstruction. Our observations suggest that airway obstruction may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of apnea in certain preterm infants.", "PMID": 762624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1260", "title": "Head growth in sick premature infants--a longitudinal study.", "content": "Serial weekly measurements of somatic growth and head circumference were made for ten weeks on 41 appropriately grown sick preterm infants (gestational age 28 to 32 weeks) with severe neonatal problems. Twenty-seven (66%) required prolonged assisted ventilation. During the period of acute illness, the velocity of growth for the sick infants was below that of the normal fetus, with deviation away from and below the normal fetal growth curve. During recovery, head growth paralleled that of normal fetal growth, and subsequently rapid \"catch-up\" growth in head circumference occurred. By comparison, six similar infants, whose head circumference followed the intrauterine growth curve, proved to have hydrocephalus. These results suggest that: (1) the brain participates in the growth retardation associated with being sick and premature and that apparently normal head growth under comparable circumstances may be associated with hydrocephalus; (2) in spite of an energy intake ranging from 80 to 120 kcal/kg/day by the end of the second postpartum week, normal growth in the sick low-birth-weight infant does not occur until their acute illness has resolved.", "contents": "Head growth in sick premature infants--a longitudinal study. Serial weekly measurements of somatic growth and head circumference were made for ten weeks on 41 appropriately grown sick preterm infants (gestational age 28 to 32 weeks) with severe neonatal problems. Twenty-seven (66%) required prolonged assisted ventilation. During the period of acute illness, the velocity of growth for the sick infants was below that of the normal fetus, with deviation away from and below the normal fetal growth curve. During recovery, head growth paralleled that of normal fetal growth, and subsequently rapid \"catch-up\" growth in head circumference occurred. By comparison, six similar infants, whose head circumference followed the intrauterine growth curve, proved to have hydrocephalus. These results suggest that: (1) the brain participates in the growth retardation associated with being sick and premature and that apparently normal head growth under comparable circumstances may be associated with hydrocephalus; (2) in spite of an energy intake ranging from 80 to 120 kcal/kg/day by the end of the second postpartum week, normal growth in the sick low-birth-weight infant does not occur until their acute illness has resolved.", "PMID": 762625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1261", "title": "Adolescent secondary amenorrhea: association with hypothalamic hypothyroidism.", "content": "In adolescent girls, secondary amenorrhea can result from a variety of physiologic and psychologic disturbances. Previous reports associating amenorrhea and primary hypothyroidism have not distinguished between the alternative etiologic roles of thyroxine deficiency and hyperprolactinemia. We have evaluated two girls with secondary amenorrhea who had clinical and chemical evidence of hypothyroidism. Both had low basal T4 values (0.8 and 3.2 microgram/dl), calculated free T4 (0.1 and 0.7 ng/dl), and T3 (51 and 81 ng/dl). Both had undetectable basal TSH with normal TSH response to TRH. Basal FSH and LH values were normal, as was the response to LHRH. Basal prolactin levels were 6 and 14 ng/ml, respectively, and both girls had growth hormone responses of greater than or equal to 15 ng/ml in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Pituitary-adrenal function and reserve were also normal. In neither patient was there any historical, physical, or laboratory features compatible with anorexia nervosa. After treatment with 1-thyroxine, both girls had a resumption in menses. These two adolescent girls thus appear to have isolated hypothalamic hypothyroidism. The associated secondary amenorrhea demonstrates that thyroid deficiency alone, without hyperprolactinemia, can interfere with normal hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function.", "contents": "Adolescent secondary amenorrhea: association with hypothalamic hypothyroidism. In adolescent girls, secondary amenorrhea can result from a variety of physiologic and psychologic disturbances. Previous reports associating amenorrhea and primary hypothyroidism have not distinguished between the alternative etiologic roles of thyroxine deficiency and hyperprolactinemia. We have evaluated two girls with secondary amenorrhea who had clinical and chemical evidence of hypothyroidism. Both had low basal T4 values (0.8 and 3.2 microgram/dl), calculated free T4 (0.1 and 0.7 ng/dl), and T3 (51 and 81 ng/dl). Both had undetectable basal TSH with normal TSH response to TRH. Basal FSH and LH values were normal, as was the response to LHRH. Basal prolactin levels were 6 and 14 ng/ml, respectively, and both girls had growth hormone responses of greater than or equal to 15 ng/ml in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Pituitary-adrenal function and reserve were also normal. In neither patient was there any historical, physical, or laboratory features compatible with anorexia nervosa. After treatment with 1-thyroxine, both girls had a resumption in menses. These two adolescent girls thus appear to have isolated hypothalamic hypothyroidism. The associated secondary amenorrhea demonstrates that thyroid deficiency alone, without hyperprolactinemia, can interfere with normal hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function.", "PMID": 762630} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1262", "title": "Adrenal steroids indirectly modulate morphine and beta-endorphin effects.", "content": "The pharmacological effects of morphine or the postulated physiological opiate, beta-endorphin, were compared in adrenalectomized and sham control animals. Pretreatment of adrenalectomized rats and mice with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone 2 hr before opiate injections abolished the adrenalectomy-induced sensitization to parenteral opiates. This effect of dexamethasone was completely blocked by cycloheximide, a protein-synthesis inhibitor. After parenteral injection ot tritiated morphine, total tritium counts in the blood and brains of adrenalectomized mice were greater than in sham controls; this effect was also blocked by dexamethasone pretreatment. Administration of SKF 525-A before morphine produced results which suggest that this putative inhibitor of the mixed-function oxidase metabolizing enzyme system also alters opiate potency. Collectively, these studies provide evidence that adrenalectomy causes a decrease in morphine metabolism which enhances the parenteral potency of this opiate through increased bioavailability. Furthermore, the dexamethasone reversal of this effect appears to depend upon its de novo induction of protein components of the opiate-metabolizing system. The possibility that a physiological interplay between endorphins and corticosteroids exists is suggested by the dexamethasone blockade of both the pharmacological effects and the toxicity of intravenous beta-endorphin in adrenalectomized mice.", "contents": "Adrenal steroids indirectly modulate morphine and beta-endorphin effects. The pharmacological effects of morphine or the postulated physiological opiate, beta-endorphin, were compared in adrenalectomized and sham control animals. Pretreatment of adrenalectomized rats and mice with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone 2 hr before opiate injections abolished the adrenalectomy-induced sensitization to parenteral opiates. This effect of dexamethasone was completely blocked by cycloheximide, a protein-synthesis inhibitor. After parenteral injection ot tritiated morphine, total tritium counts in the blood and brains of adrenalectomized mice were greater than in sham controls; this effect was also blocked by dexamethasone pretreatment. Administration of SKF 525-A before morphine produced results which suggest that this putative inhibitor of the mixed-function oxidase metabolizing enzyme system also alters opiate potency. Collectively, these studies provide evidence that adrenalectomy causes a decrease in morphine metabolism which enhances the parenteral potency of this opiate through increased bioavailability. Furthermore, the dexamethasone reversal of this effect appears to depend upon its de novo induction of protein components of the opiate-metabolizing system. The possibility that a physiological interplay between endorphins and corticosteroids exists is suggested by the dexamethasone blockade of both the pharmacological effects and the toxicity of intravenous beta-endorphin in adrenalectomized mice.", "PMID": 762650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1263", "title": "Morphine persistence in rat brain and serum after single doses.", "content": "The disposition of morphine in rat brain and serum was determined over 48 hr after subcutaneous doses. Free morphine was measured by a specific assay using 3H-labeling together with high-pressure liquid chromatography separation, with a sensitivity of 1 nM (0.3 ng of morphine per ml). This study revealed the persistence of free morphine in nanomolar concentrations over at least 24 hr after a single analgesic dose. The terminal half-life of morphine elimination was 5 hours. Total radioactivity was retained in the body at much higher concentrations. Similar disposition of [C-1-3H]morphine and [N-14CH3] morphine ruled out any major metabolic alterations at these positions, including N-demethylation. Irreversible binding to insoluble tissue components, which has previously been linked to tolerance, was observed only to the extent of less than 20% of total tissue radioactivity and was not unique to brain tissue. The persistence of morphine and its metabolites may be related to protracted opiate effects such as withdrawal symptoms after addiction.", "contents": "Morphine persistence in rat brain and serum after single doses. The disposition of morphine in rat brain and serum was determined over 48 hr after subcutaneous doses. Free morphine was measured by a specific assay using 3H-labeling together with high-pressure liquid chromatography separation, with a sensitivity of 1 nM (0.3 ng of morphine per ml). This study revealed the persistence of free morphine in nanomolar concentrations over at least 24 hr after a single analgesic dose. The terminal half-life of morphine elimination was 5 hours. Total radioactivity was retained in the body at much higher concentrations. Similar disposition of [C-1-3H]morphine and [N-14CH3] morphine ruled out any major metabolic alterations at these positions, including N-demethylation. Irreversible binding to insoluble tissue components, which has previously been linked to tolerance, was observed only to the extent of less than 20% of total tissue radioactivity and was not unique to brain tissue. The persistence of morphine and its metabolites may be related to protracted opiate effects such as withdrawal symptoms after addiction.", "PMID": 762653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1264", "title": "Inhibition of the enzymatic activity of ligandin by organogermanium, organolead or organotin compounds and the biliary excretion of sulfobromophthalein by the rat.", "content": "Ligandin binds several classes of compounds, has glutathione-S-transferase activity and is postulated to function in the intracellular transport of substances which bind to it and/or are substrates for its enzymatic activity. The effects of a group of organometals reported to inhibit the enzymatic activity of ligandin on the biliary excretion of sulfobromophthalein have been investigated to determine what role the enzymatic activity of ligandin has with respect to the biliary excretion of the dye. Triethyllead reduced the rate of dye excretion into the bile without affecting blood pressure, blood or liver sulfhydryl compounds or the volume of bile flow. The organometal had no effect on the initial rate of plasma dye clearance. Inhibited biliary sulfobromophthalein excretion by triethylead-treated rats correlated with relative increases in liver and bile unconjugated dye, decreases in liver and bile conjugated dye and reduced glutathione-S-aryltransferase activity in supernatant fractions isolated from the liver. The results clearly demonstrated that the tested organometals can inhibit the enzymatic activity of ligandin in vivo and suggested that, if ligandin has a role in the translocation of the dye from the blood to the liver, the enzymatic activity of the protein may not be involved.", "contents": "Inhibition of the enzymatic activity of ligandin by organogermanium, organolead or organotin compounds and the biliary excretion of sulfobromophthalein by the rat. Ligandin binds several classes of compounds, has glutathione-S-transferase activity and is postulated to function in the intracellular transport of substances which bind to it and/or are substrates for its enzymatic activity. The effects of a group of organometals reported to inhibit the enzymatic activity of ligandin on the biliary excretion of sulfobromophthalein have been investigated to determine what role the enzymatic activity of ligandin has with respect to the biliary excretion of the dye. Triethyllead reduced the rate of dye excretion into the bile without affecting blood pressure, blood or liver sulfhydryl compounds or the volume of bile flow. The organometal had no effect on the initial rate of plasma dye clearance. Inhibited biliary sulfobromophthalein excretion by triethylead-treated rats correlated with relative increases in liver and bile unconjugated dye, decreases in liver and bile conjugated dye and reduced glutathione-S-aryltransferase activity in supernatant fractions isolated from the liver. The results clearly demonstrated that the tested organometals can inhibit the enzymatic activity of ligandin in vivo and suggested that, if ligandin has a role in the translocation of the dye from the blood to the liver, the enzymatic activity of the protein may not be involved.", "PMID": 762656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1265", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of naloxone and naltrexone in the dog.", "content": "The serum kinetics of 5 mg/kg of i. v. naloxone or naltrexone were studied in each of two groups of five dogs; serum samples were obtained from 2 min to 2 hr after injection. Serum concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Serum levels of both naloxone and naltrexone fell rapidly; serum half-life during the elimination phase was 71.2 +/- 8.9 min (mean +/- S.E.) for naloxone and 85.1 +/- 9.0 min (mean +/- S.E.) for naltrexone. Although human and dog kinetics are similar for naloxone, naltrexone is long-acting in man, but is quickly dissipated in the dog.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of naloxone and naltrexone in the dog. The serum kinetics of 5 mg/kg of i. v. naloxone or naltrexone were studied in each of two groups of five dogs; serum samples were obtained from 2 min to 2 hr after injection. Serum concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Serum levels of both naloxone and naltrexone fell rapidly; serum half-life during the elimination phase was 71.2 +/- 8.9 min (mean +/- S.E.) for naloxone and 85.1 +/- 9.0 min (mean +/- S.E.) for naltrexone. Although human and dog kinetics are similar for naloxone, naltrexone is long-acting in man, but is quickly dissipated in the dog.", "PMID": 762657} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1266", "title": "The effect of pregnancy on the biliary excretion of [14C]phenytoin in the rat.", "content": "The biliary excretion of [14C]phenytoin (DPH) was examined in pregnant and nonpregnant female control rats. After administration of [14C]DPH (1 mg/kg i.v.), the bile concentration (nanomoles per milliliter) and biliary excretion (nanomoles per minute per kilogram) of the glucuronide conjugate of the major primary metabolite of DPH, 5-phenyl-5-p-hydroxyphenyl[4-14C] hydantoin ([14C)]HPPH), was significantly decreased at 15 and 30 min in pregnant rats relative to controls. Bile flow averaged 50 and 70 microliter/min/kg in control and pregnant rats, respectively. The concentration in blood of [14C]HPPH-glucuronide was increased 2 to 6-fold in pregnant rats relative to controls. After administration of [14C]HPPH (10 mg/kg i.v.), the disappearance of [14C]HPPH from the blood, biliary excretion and bile concentration of [14C]HPPH-glucuronide were very similar in control and pregnant rats. The blood concentration of [14C]HPPH-glucuronide was elevated 2 to 6-fold in pregnant rats and the half-life was increased from 43 min in controls to 70 min in pregnant rats. Maximal bile/blood concentration ratios of [14C]HPPH-glucuronide were 630 and 300 in control and pregnant rats, respectively, indicating a decreased ability of the liver to concentrate the glucuronide in the bile in pregnancy.", "contents": "The effect of pregnancy on the biliary excretion of [14C]phenytoin in the rat. The biliary excretion of [14C]phenytoin (DPH) was examined in pregnant and nonpregnant female control rats. After administration of [14C]DPH (1 mg/kg i.v.), the bile concentration (nanomoles per milliliter) and biliary excretion (nanomoles per minute per kilogram) of the glucuronide conjugate of the major primary metabolite of DPH, 5-phenyl-5-p-hydroxyphenyl[4-14C] hydantoin ([14C)]HPPH), was significantly decreased at 15 and 30 min in pregnant rats relative to controls. Bile flow averaged 50 and 70 microliter/min/kg in control and pregnant rats, respectively. The concentration in blood of [14C]HPPH-glucuronide was increased 2 to 6-fold in pregnant rats relative to controls. After administration of [14C]HPPH (10 mg/kg i.v.), the disappearance of [14C]HPPH from the blood, biliary excretion and bile concentration of [14C]HPPH-glucuronide were very similar in control and pregnant rats. The blood concentration of [14C]HPPH-glucuronide was elevated 2 to 6-fold in pregnant rats and the half-life was increased from 43 min in controls to 70 min in pregnant rats. Maximal bile/blood concentration ratios of [14C]HPPH-glucuronide were 630 and 300 in control and pregnant rats, respectively, indicating a decreased ability of the liver to concentrate the glucuronide in the bile in pregnancy.", "PMID": 762658} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1267", "title": "The relationship of age to the metabolism and protein binding of digoxin in sheep.", "content": "The relationship of age to the protein binding and metabolism of digoxin was studied in newborn and adult sheep. Protein binding, studied by equilibrium dialysis, varied directly with albumin concentration. The percentage of digoxin bound to protein did not differ with age: 17.2 +/- 1.2% in newborn lambs and 17.6 +/- 1.7% in ewes. The percentage of drug bound did not change significantly over a concentration range of 0.5 to 5 ng/ml. Metabolic studies were performed by thin-layer chromatography on samples of serum, myocardium and urine obtained after animals had been treated for 4 days with [3H]-digoxin. In both newborns and adults, more than 70% of digoxin remained unmetabolized. The mean metabolic composition of all three tissues for newborns and adults, respectively, was: digoxin--80.3%, 77.0%; digoxigenin bisdigitoxoside--9.6%, 12.5%; digoxigenin monodigitoxoside--6.4%, 7.0%; digoxigenin--3.7%, 3.5%. These studies suggest that age-related differences in the effects of digoxin in sheep are not due to variations in drug binding or drug metabolism.", "contents": "The relationship of age to the metabolism and protein binding of digoxin in sheep. The relationship of age to the protein binding and metabolism of digoxin was studied in newborn and adult sheep. Protein binding, studied by equilibrium dialysis, varied directly with albumin concentration. The percentage of digoxin bound to protein did not differ with age: 17.2 +/- 1.2% in newborn lambs and 17.6 +/- 1.7% in ewes. The percentage of drug bound did not change significantly over a concentration range of 0.5 to 5 ng/ml. Metabolic studies were performed by thin-layer chromatography on samples of serum, myocardium and urine obtained after animals had been treated for 4 days with [3H]-digoxin. In both newborns and adults, more than 70% of digoxin remained unmetabolized. The mean metabolic composition of all three tissues for newborns and adults, respectively, was: digoxin--80.3%, 77.0%; digoxigenin bisdigitoxoside--9.6%, 12.5%; digoxigenin monodigitoxoside--6.4%, 7.0%; digoxigenin--3.7%, 3.5%. These studies suggest that age-related differences in the effects of digoxin in sheep are not due to variations in drug binding or drug metabolism.", "PMID": 762659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1268", "title": "The deleterious effect of Bordetella pertussis vaccine and poly(rI.rC) on the metabolism and disposition of phenytoin.", "content": "The elimination of phenytoin from blood was significantly decreased in rats pretreated 24 hr previously with Bordetella pertussis vaccine or the synthetic polynucleotide poly(rI.rC.). Phenytoin half-life was increased about 4-fold by both agents. In microsomes prepared from rats pretreated with B. pertussis vaccine or poly(rI.rC) the hydroxylation of phenytoin in vitro was decreased by 36 nad 53%, respectively. The addition of these agents to normal microsomal suspensions had no effect on phenytoin hydroxylation, demonstrating that the decrease in biotransformation was not due to direct enzyme inhibition. The decrease in phenytoin hydroxylation and elimination rate resulted from depressed levels of cytochrome P-450 in the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum of rats treated with B. pertussis vaccine or poly(rI.rC).", "contents": "The deleterious effect of Bordetella pertussis vaccine and poly(rI.rC) on the metabolism and disposition of phenytoin. The elimination of phenytoin from blood was significantly decreased in rats pretreated 24 hr previously with Bordetella pertussis vaccine or the synthetic polynucleotide poly(rI.rC.). Phenytoin half-life was increased about 4-fold by both agents. In microsomes prepared from rats pretreated with B. pertussis vaccine or poly(rI.rC) the hydroxylation of phenytoin in vitro was decreased by 36 nad 53%, respectively. The addition of these agents to normal microsomal suspensions had no effect on phenytoin hydroxylation, demonstrating that the decrease in biotransformation was not due to direct enzyme inhibition. The decrease in phenytoin hydroxylation and elimination rate resulted from depressed levels of cytochrome P-450 in the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum of rats treated with B. pertussis vaccine or poly(rI.rC).", "PMID": 762660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1269", "title": "Determinants of the renal handling of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by winter flounder.", "content": "The factors determining the renal handling of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were examined in winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, using isolated tubules and clearance techniques. In vitro, extensive energy-dependent uptake was seen with tissue/medium ratios of 30-fold at 1 micronM 2,4-D. The velocity of uptake was concentration-dependent with apparent Km and Vmax v,lues of 70 micronM and 3.6 micronmol/g of tubules per hr, respectively. Uptake was inhibited by other organic acids and 2,4-D competitively inhibited p-aminohippurate uptake. 2,4-D did not inhibit organic cation transport by the tubules. In vivo, 2,4-D was actively secreted with clearances of nearly 500 times the glomerular filtration rate at 1 micronM 2,4-D in plasma. At higher plasma concentrations (10-60 micronM) a transport maximum of 0.85 micronmol/g of kidney per hr was observed. Secretion was inhibited by other organic acids. 2,4-D also inhibited p-aminohippurate secretion in vivo. Little metabolism was noted; approximately 10% was excreted as the taurine conjugate. Plasma binding was 70%. Examination of the effects of added proteins on in vitro uptake showed that protein binding could limit 2,4-D transport but that flounder plasma (low in albumin) was far less effective than bovine serum albumin in binding and inhibition of transport. The roles of plasma binding, intracellular binding and metabolism in determining the rate of 2,4-D elimination by the kidney are discussed.", "contents": "Determinants of the renal handling of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by winter flounder. The factors determining the renal handling of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were examined in winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, using isolated tubules and clearance techniques. In vitro, extensive energy-dependent uptake was seen with tissue/medium ratios of 30-fold at 1 micronM 2,4-D. The velocity of uptake was concentration-dependent with apparent Km and Vmax v,lues of 70 micronM and 3.6 micronmol/g of tubules per hr, respectively. Uptake was inhibited by other organic acids and 2,4-D competitively inhibited p-aminohippurate uptake. 2,4-D did not inhibit organic cation transport by the tubules. In vivo, 2,4-D was actively secreted with clearances of nearly 500 times the glomerular filtration rate at 1 micronM 2,4-D in plasma. At higher plasma concentrations (10-60 micronM) a transport maximum of 0.85 micronmol/g of kidney per hr was observed. Secretion was inhibited by other organic acids. 2,4-D also inhibited p-aminohippurate secretion in vivo. Little metabolism was noted; approximately 10% was excreted as the taurine conjugate. Plasma binding was 70%. Examination of the effects of added proteins on in vitro uptake showed that protein binding could limit 2,4-D transport but that flounder plasma (low in albumin) was far less effective than bovine serum albumin in binding and inhibition of transport. The roles of plasma binding, intracellular binding and metabolism in determining the rate of 2,4-D elimination by the kidney are discussed.", "PMID": 762661} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1270", "title": "Effect of anesthesia on cardiovascular and renal function in the newborn piglet.", "content": "The effects of anesthetic agents, nitrous oxide-oxygen, nitrous oxide-oxygen plus ketamine, pentobarbital sodium and halothane, were determined in piglets 6 to 76 hr of age. After observations of cardiovascular and renal function in the unanesthetized state, the drugs were administered and observations were repeated in the anesthetized state. All of the anesthetics caused a decrease in cardiac output and an increase in total peripheral resistance in the newborn piglet. Both nitrous oxide-oxygen plus ketamine and halothane produced a decrease in heart rate while pentobarbital caused an increase and halothane a decrease in systemic blood pressure. Changes in renal function were minimal. Changes in renal blood flow were inconsistent and renal vascular resistance was not modified by any of the drugs. There was little evidence of redistribution of intrarenal blood flow and no significant changes in glomerular filtration rate or sodium excretion. Plasma renin concentration increased after halothane. It was concluded that changes in renal and cardiovascular function due to anesthesia in the newborn were small. Differences between newborn and adult animals may be related to several factors including the state of development of the autonomic nervous system and species differences used in different studies.", "contents": "Effect of anesthesia on cardiovascular and renal function in the newborn piglet. The effects of anesthetic agents, nitrous oxide-oxygen, nitrous oxide-oxygen plus ketamine, pentobarbital sodium and halothane, were determined in piglets 6 to 76 hr of age. After observations of cardiovascular and renal function in the unanesthetized state, the drugs were administered and observations were repeated in the anesthetized state. All of the anesthetics caused a decrease in cardiac output and an increase in total peripheral resistance in the newborn piglet. Both nitrous oxide-oxygen plus ketamine and halothane produced a decrease in heart rate while pentobarbital caused an increase and halothane a decrease in systemic blood pressure. Changes in renal function were minimal. Changes in renal blood flow were inconsistent and renal vascular resistance was not modified by any of the drugs. There was little evidence of redistribution of intrarenal blood flow and no significant changes in glomerular filtration rate or sodium excretion. Plasma renin concentration increased after halothane. It was concluded that changes in renal and cardiovascular function due to anesthesia in the newborn were small. Differences between newborn and adult animals may be related to several factors including the state of development of the autonomic nervous system and species differences used in different studies.", "PMID": 762663} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1271", "title": "Effects of antihypertensive treatment on systolic blood pressure and renin in experimental hypertension in rats.", "content": "The effects of pretreatment with hydralazine and alpha-methyldopa were assessed in rats made hypertensive by ligation of the left renal artery (LRA). Systolic blood pressure and peripheral renin activity (PRA) were measured 7 and 1 day before LRA and 2, 7 and 28 days after LRA. Systolic blood pressure increased 2 days after LRA in control and alpha-methyldopa-treated rats but not in the hydralazine-treated rats. Peripheral renin activity levels did not correlate with changes in systolic blood pressure. Peripheral renin activity first increased 7 days after LRA but decreased 28 days after LRA despite persistent hypertension in controls and alpha-methyldopa-treated rats. It is concluded that factors other than renin are involved in the initial and maintenance phases of this experimental model. In addition, hydralazine protects the rat with LRA from developing hypertension.", "contents": "Effects of antihypertensive treatment on systolic blood pressure and renin in experimental hypertension in rats. The effects of pretreatment with hydralazine and alpha-methyldopa were assessed in rats made hypertensive by ligation of the left renal artery (LRA). Systolic blood pressure and peripheral renin activity (PRA) were measured 7 and 1 day before LRA and 2, 7 and 28 days after LRA. Systolic blood pressure increased 2 days after LRA in control and alpha-methyldopa-treated rats but not in the hydralazine-treated rats. Peripheral renin activity levels did not correlate with changes in systolic blood pressure. Peripheral renin activity first increased 7 days after LRA but decreased 28 days after LRA despite persistent hypertension in controls and alpha-methyldopa-treated rats. It is concluded that factors other than renin are involved in the initial and maintenance phases of this experimental model. In addition, hydralazine protects the rat with LRA from developing hypertension.", "PMID": 762665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1272", "title": "Effects of veratrine on the in situ dog heart: evidence for increased ventricular fibrillation threshold.", "content": "The present work studied the effect of veratrine on electrical stability of the mammalian ventricles. In a group of anesthetized open-chest dogs we determined the effects of veratrine (0.001-0.3 mg/kg) on the threshold for ventricular fibrillation (VFT), both during sinus rhythm (SR) and during atrial drive (AD) at 166 +/- 7 beats/min. Veratrine (0.3 mg/kg) increased the VFT during SR from control levels of 33 +/- 5 mA to 56 +/- 4 mA (P less than .05) and during AD from 34 +/- 6 to 57 +/- 9 mA (P less than .05). VFTs after infusion of veratrine were higher than in a control group of dogs given the saline diluent in which VFT during SR was 26 +/- 3 mA (P less than .001) and during AD was 24 +/- 3 mA (P less than .005). The increase in VFT during SR was independent of the decrease in heart rate, which fell from 147 +/- 8 to 106 +/- 6 beats/min (P less than .001). It was associated, however, with an increase in the QT interval during SR from control values of 254 +/- 13 to 308 +/- 19 msec (P less than .02) and during AD from 238 +/- 8 to 267 +/- 8 msec (P less than .005). We conclude that small doses of veratrine increase the electrical stability of the ventricles in the normal dog heart.", "contents": "Effects of veratrine on the in situ dog heart: evidence for increased ventricular fibrillation threshold. The present work studied the effect of veratrine on electrical stability of the mammalian ventricles. In a group of anesthetized open-chest dogs we determined the effects of veratrine (0.001-0.3 mg/kg) on the threshold for ventricular fibrillation (VFT), both during sinus rhythm (SR) and during atrial drive (AD) at 166 +/- 7 beats/min. Veratrine (0.3 mg/kg) increased the VFT during SR from control levels of 33 +/- 5 mA to 56 +/- 4 mA (P less than .05) and during AD from 34 +/- 6 to 57 +/- 9 mA (P less than .05). VFTs after infusion of veratrine were higher than in a control group of dogs given the saline diluent in which VFT during SR was 26 +/- 3 mA (P less than .001) and during AD was 24 +/- 3 mA (P less than .005). The increase in VFT during SR was independent of the decrease in heart rate, which fell from 147 +/- 8 to 106 +/- 6 beats/min (P less than .001). It was associated, however, with an increase in the QT interval during SR from control values of 254 +/- 13 to 308 +/- 19 msec (P less than .02) and during AD from 238 +/- 8 to 267 +/- 8 msec (P less than .005). We conclude that small doses of veratrine increase the electrical stability of the ventricles in the normal dog heart.", "PMID": 762666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1273", "title": "Cardiovascular and respiratory chemoreflexes from the hindlimb sensory receptors evoked by intra-arterial injection of bradykinin and other chemical agents in the rabbit.", "content": "Intra-arterial injections of bradykinin into the hindlimb of the rabbit cause two types of cardiovascular reflex effects displayed in succession. The first-type effects appear early and are of inhibitory nature, being represented by systemic hypotension, contralateral hindlimb vasodilation and bradycardia; the second-type effects appear later and are excitatory in nature, consisting of hypertension, hindlimb vasoconstriction and tachycardia and occur closely associated with behavioral manifestations typical of the reaction to pain. Both the depressor and pressor effects are accompanied by hyperventilation. Analogous biphasic reflex responses may be caused by intraarterial injections of potassium ions. On the contrary, hypertonic solutions (NaCl, glucose) usually only produce second-type excitatory responses. No significant cardiocirculatory reflex effects are induced by even high doses of serotonin, nicotine, adenosine, adenosine triphosphate, adrenalin, noradrenalin, angiotensin, vasopressin and oxytocin. General anesthesia greatly inhibits the pressor reflexes and potentiates the depressor responses (to bradykinin and K ions) but does not appear to be a necessary condition for provoking depressor reflexes by chemical stimulation of somatic afferents. Both chemoreflex responses are prevented by sectioning the somatic nerves of the injected limb. Denervation of sinoaortic areas and of cardiopulmonary receptors by bilateral cervical vagotomy or complete removal of the skin from the injected limb does not prevent either type of chemoreflex response. These depressor and pressor chemoreflexes have been ascribed to activation of two functionally distinct types of sensory receptors in the skeletal muscle, differently sensitive to chemical substances and selectively concerned with different patterns of cardiocirculatory reflex response.", "contents": "Cardiovascular and respiratory chemoreflexes from the hindlimb sensory receptors evoked by intra-arterial injection of bradykinin and other chemical agents in the rabbit. Intra-arterial injections of bradykinin into the hindlimb of the rabbit cause two types of cardiovascular reflex effects displayed in succession. The first-type effects appear early and are of inhibitory nature, being represented by systemic hypotension, contralateral hindlimb vasodilation and bradycardia; the second-type effects appear later and are excitatory in nature, consisting of hypertension, hindlimb vasoconstriction and tachycardia and occur closely associated with behavioral manifestations typical of the reaction to pain. Both the depressor and pressor effects are accompanied by hyperventilation. Analogous biphasic reflex responses may be caused by intraarterial injections of potassium ions. On the contrary, hypertonic solutions (NaCl, glucose) usually only produce second-type excitatory responses. No significant cardiocirculatory reflex effects are induced by even high doses of serotonin, nicotine, adenosine, adenosine triphosphate, adrenalin, noradrenalin, angiotensin, vasopressin and oxytocin. General anesthesia greatly inhibits the pressor reflexes and potentiates the depressor responses (to bradykinin and K ions) but does not appear to be a necessary condition for provoking depressor reflexes by chemical stimulation of somatic afferents. Both chemoreflex responses are prevented by sectioning the somatic nerves of the injected limb. Denervation of sinoaortic areas and of cardiopulmonary receptors by bilateral cervical vagotomy or complete removal of the skin from the injected limb does not prevent either type of chemoreflex response. These depressor and pressor chemoreflexes have been ascribed to activation of two functionally distinct types of sensory receptors in the skeletal muscle, differently sensitive to chemical substances and selectively concerned with different patterns of cardiocirculatory reflex response.", "PMID": 762667} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1274", "title": "Effects of LSD on learning as measured by classical conditioning of the rabbit nictitating membrane response.", "content": "Acquisition of the classically conditioned, nictitating membrane response was used to assess effects of LSD on learning. Tone and light conditioned stimuli (CS) were presented 800 msec before delivery of the unconditioned stimulus, consisting of a 100 msec electric shock to the skin over the paraorbital region of the head. Extension of the membrane to the CSs in the 800 msec prior to shock onset was recorded as a conditioned response (CR), while extension to shock onset was recorded as an unconditioned response (UCR). LSD (1, 10, 30, 100 or 300 nmol/kg) was injected i.v., 30 min before each daily conditioning session. Dosages of 1 to 100 nmol/kg of LSD produced a dose-dependent enhancement of CR acquisition. Acquisition to a criterion of 10 successive CRs required 184 trials at 30 nmol/kg of LSD as compared to 293 trials with controls. Separate groups of rabbits received explicity unpaired presentations of stimuli (tone alone, light alone and shock alone). The frequency of responding within 800 msec of CS onset or in the 800 msec before shock onset was low (2-3%) and was not affected by any dosage of LSD, indicating that the effects of LSD on acquisition were not due to sensitization, pseudoconditioning or changes in baseline responding. LSD also had no effect on UCR amplitude. Hence, the systematic effects of LSD on acquisition of CRs reflects the action of the drug on learning.", "contents": "Effects of LSD on learning as measured by classical conditioning of the rabbit nictitating membrane response. Acquisition of the classically conditioned, nictitating membrane response was used to assess effects of LSD on learning. Tone and light conditioned stimuli (CS) were presented 800 msec before delivery of the unconditioned stimulus, consisting of a 100 msec electric shock to the skin over the paraorbital region of the head. Extension of the membrane to the CSs in the 800 msec prior to shock onset was recorded as a conditioned response (CR), while extension to shock onset was recorded as an unconditioned response (UCR). LSD (1, 10, 30, 100 or 300 nmol/kg) was injected i.v., 30 min before each daily conditioning session. Dosages of 1 to 100 nmol/kg of LSD produced a dose-dependent enhancement of CR acquisition. Acquisition to a criterion of 10 successive CRs required 184 trials at 30 nmol/kg of LSD as compared to 293 trials with controls. Separate groups of rabbits received explicity unpaired presentations of stimuli (tone alone, light alone and shock alone). The frequency of responding within 800 msec of CS onset or in the 800 msec before shock onset was low (2-3%) and was not affected by any dosage of LSD, indicating that the effects of LSD on acquisition were not due to sensitization, pseudoconditioning or changes in baseline responding. LSD also had no effect on UCR amplitude. Hence, the systematic effects of LSD on acquisition of CRs reflects the action of the drug on learning.", "PMID": 762668} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1275", "title": "Some measurements of autonomic nervous system influence on production of cerebrospinal fluid in the cat.", "content": "The effects on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production of specific agonists and antagonists for the autonomic nervous system were studied during ventriculocisternal perfusion in cats. Both carbachol and phenylephrine increased the rate of CSF formation 11 microliter/min from control rates of 17 and 11 microliter/min, resepctively; albuterol increased formation 6 microliter/min above the control 16 microliter/min. Atropine or phentolamine administered alone caused slight but significant decreases in CSF production; propranolol had no effect. All three antagonists reduced the changes in fluid formation elicited by their respective agonists. Atropine also blocked the action of phenylephrine. Hemicholinium-3, which reduced the synthesis of acetylcholine, sharply attenuated the increase caused by phenylephrine. These observations were taken to indicate that phenylephrine increased CSF production by stimulating a cholinergic pathway to the choroid plexus. Bilateral electrical stimulation of the cervical sympathetic trunks decreased CSF formation. Agents which increased CSF production caused no significant changes in cerebral or choroid plexus blood flow, possibly indicating that their effect is a direct action on the choroid plexus secretory mechanisms.", "contents": "Some measurements of autonomic nervous system influence on production of cerebrospinal fluid in the cat. The effects on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production of specific agonists and antagonists for the autonomic nervous system were studied during ventriculocisternal perfusion in cats. Both carbachol and phenylephrine increased the rate of CSF formation 11 microliter/min from control rates of 17 and 11 microliter/min, resepctively; albuterol increased formation 6 microliter/min above the control 16 microliter/min. Atropine or phentolamine administered alone caused slight but significant decreases in CSF production; propranolol had no effect. All three antagonists reduced the changes in fluid formation elicited by their respective agonists. Atropine also blocked the action of phenylephrine. Hemicholinium-3, which reduced the synthesis of acetylcholine, sharply attenuated the increase caused by phenylephrine. These observations were taken to indicate that phenylephrine increased CSF production by stimulating a cholinergic pathway to the choroid plexus. Bilateral electrical stimulation of the cervical sympathetic trunks decreased CSF formation. Agents which increased CSF production caused no significant changes in cerebral or choroid plexus blood flow, possibly indicating that their effect is a direct action on the choroid plexus secretory mechanisms.", "PMID": 762669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1276", "title": "The teaching of interpersonal skills in U.S. medical schools.", "content": "In response to the increasing recognition of the importance of interpersonal skills (IPS) to the physician, there has recently been a rapid growth in the number and variety of medical school teaching programs in IPS. This is a report of a national survey which was part of a study designed to determine the extent and characteristics of IPS-teaching. Most medical schools have specific IPS programs, 80 percent of which are less than five years old. Most teachers in the programs are psychiatrists and psychologists. Most programs teach process (for example, listening, responding), information-gathering, and psychological intervention (for example, demonstrating empathy) skills. Less than one-third teach any specific information-giving/counseling skills. IPS programs are taught mostly in the preclinical years, with a notable lack of formal follow-through into the clinical years. Ninety percent of the programs use videotechnology in teaching or assessing IPS. Only about one-third use any kind of outcome index for evaluation.", "contents": "The teaching of interpersonal skills in U.S. medical schools. In response to the increasing recognition of the importance of interpersonal skills (IPS) to the physician, there has recently been a rapid growth in the number and variety of medical school teaching programs in IPS. This is a report of a national survey which was part of a study designed to determine the extent and characteristics of IPS-teaching. Most medical schools have specific IPS programs, 80 percent of which are less than five years old. Most teachers in the programs are psychiatrists and psychologists. Most programs teach process (for example, listening, responding), information-gathering, and psychological intervention (for example, demonstrating empathy) skills. Less than one-third teach any specific information-giving/counseling skills. IPS programs are taught mostly in the preclinical years, with a notable lack of formal follow-through into the clinical years. Ninety percent of the programs use videotechnology in teaching or assessing IPS. Only about one-third use any kind of outcome index for evaluation.", "PMID": 762678} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1277", "title": "The Helping Professions Group: interpersonal dimensions in health sciences education.", "content": "At Queen's University an extramural interprofessional discussion group, involving students and faculty members from medicine, nursing, theology, education, and law, has been meeting since February 1977. The discussions center on actual persons and problems with implications for a number of professional groups. This format provides an alternative opportunity for learning and may enhance personal growth and the development of interpersonal skills. It seems to meet certain needs which are not fulfilled by the more traditional university programs.", "contents": "The Helping Professions Group: interpersonal dimensions in health sciences education. At Queen's University an extramural interprofessional discussion group, involving students and faculty members from medicine, nursing, theology, education, and law, has been meeting since February 1977. The discussions center on actual persons and problems with implications for a number of professional groups. This format provides an alternative opportunity for learning and may enhance personal growth and the development of interpersonal skills. It seems to meet certain needs which are not fulfilled by the more traditional university programs.", "PMID": 762680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1278", "title": "Predicting performance in a child psychiatry program for pediatric residents.", "content": "As part of an evaluation of a program to train pediatric residents in child psychiatry, measures were made of the following variables predictive of the residents' performance in the program: personality traits, attitude toward psychiatry, willingness to treat psychological problems, preprogram interview performance, length of commitment to pediatrics, and frequency of interaction with teachers in the program. Outcome variables were pediatric residents' course evaluation, frequency of interaction with teachers in the program, and postprogram interview performance. In multiple regression equations the variables predictive of the residents' performance explained up to 72 percent of the variance of the residents' participation in the program, 88 percent of the variance of the postprogram interview, and 61 percent of the variance of the residents' course evaluations.", "contents": "Predicting performance in a child psychiatry program for pediatric residents. As part of an evaluation of a program to train pediatric residents in child psychiatry, measures were made of the following variables predictive of the residents' performance in the program: personality traits, attitude toward psychiatry, willingness to treat psychological problems, preprogram interview performance, length of commitment to pediatrics, and frequency of interaction with teachers in the program. Outcome variables were pediatric residents' course evaluation, frequency of interaction with teachers in the program, and postprogram interview performance. In multiple regression equations the variables predictive of the residents' performance explained up to 72 percent of the variance of the residents' participation in the program, 88 percent of the variance of the postprogram interview, and 61 percent of the variance of the residents' course evaluations.", "PMID": 762681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1279", "title": "Using Delphi to achieve congruent objectives and activities in a pediatrics department.", "content": "This study demonstrated the use of the Delphi technique in conjunction with activity analysis to obtain consensus on and clarity of objectives and activities of full-time members of an academic medical department. The results indicated that the Delphi technique is an effective method not only for obtaining a consensus on objectives but also for elucidating areas where there is no apparent consensus. The results also revealed which activities contributed to the objectives of the department and in which areas there was a divergence of objectives from the actual activities being carried out.", "contents": "Using Delphi to achieve congruent objectives and activities in a pediatrics department. This study demonstrated the use of the Delphi technique in conjunction with activity analysis to obtain consensus on and clarity of objectives and activities of full-time members of an academic medical department. The results indicated that the Delphi technique is an effective method not only for obtaining a consensus on objectives but also for elucidating areas where there is no apparent consensus. The results also revealed which activities contributed to the objectives of the department and in which areas there was a divergence of objectives from the actual activities being carried out.", "PMID": 762686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1280", "title": "Electrocardiograph course.", "content": "Instruction in electrocardiogram interpretation was provided for students by distributing complete electrocardiograms to them at the beginning of the week, for nine weeks, followed by analysis by an instructor at the end of the week. This problem-solving method required minimal instruction in theory and lecture time. Skills in interpretation were promoted by teaching recognition of specific electrocardiographic patterns and their differential diagnosis rather than electrocardiogram aberrations produced by particular diseases. Reinforcement was provided by the frequent repetition of similar electrocardiograms during the course. This course was evaluated by examining students before and after the course and comparing their results with those of general internists who took the same examination. The students significantly improved their mean score and scored significantly higher than the general internists.", "contents": "Electrocardiograph course. Instruction in electrocardiogram interpretation was provided for students by distributing complete electrocardiograms to them at the beginning of the week, for nine weeks, followed by analysis by an instructor at the end of the week. This problem-solving method required minimal instruction in theory and lecture time. Skills in interpretation were promoted by teaching recognition of specific electrocardiographic patterns and their differential diagnosis rather than electrocardiogram aberrations produced by particular diseases. Reinforcement was provided by the frequent repetition of similar electrocardiograms during the course. This course was evaluated by examining students before and after the course and comparing their results with those of general internists who took the same examination. The students significantly improved their mean score and scored significantly higher than the general internists.", "PMID": 762687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1281", "title": "Specialty certification in North America: a comparative analysis of examination results.", "content": "The pass/fail results of 44 North American medical specialty certification examinations are compared and analyzed. A calculated annual failure rate was used to equate one- and two-part examinations. Failure rates on American boards generally varied between 8 and 61 percent. Foreign medical graduates (FMGs) had failure rates two to three times higher than those of North American graduates in almost all specialties. Failure rates for comparable North American and FMG candidates tended to be higher on Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada specialty certification examinations than on equivalent American specialty board examinations. The place of specialty certification in the continuum of American graduate medical education is delineated. Questions are raised concerning the standards required for specialty certification.", "contents": "Specialty certification in North America: a comparative analysis of examination results. The pass/fail results of 44 North American medical specialty certification examinations are compared and analyzed. A calculated annual failure rate was used to equate one- and two-part examinations. Failure rates on American boards generally varied between 8 and 61 percent. Foreign medical graduates (FMGs) had failure rates two to three times higher than those of North American graduates in almost all specialties. Failure rates for comparable North American and FMG candidates tended to be higher on Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada specialty certification examinations than on equivalent American specialty board examinations. The place of specialty certification in the continuum of American graduate medical education is delineated. Questions are raised concerning the standards required for specialty certification.", "PMID": 762694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1282", "title": "The interinstitutional development of an international health course.", "content": "An interinstitutional project to develop a self-instructional course in international health is described. Included is the rationale which supported the creation of the project and the operating procedures used to produce the course materials. The design and results of a field trial which provided the evaluative feedback for revising course materials are also described. The conclusion offers specific practical recommendations for the interinstitutional development of instructional materials and for the utilization of the course materials produced in this project.", "contents": "The interinstitutional development of an international health course. An interinstitutional project to develop a self-instructional course in international health is described. Included is the rationale which supported the creation of the project and the operating procedures used to produce the course materials. The design and results of a field trial which provided the evaluative feedback for revising course materials are also described. The conclusion offers specific practical recommendations for the interinstitutional development of instructional materials and for the utilization of the course materials produced in this project.", "PMID": 762695} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1283", "title": "Verbal response mode profiles of patients and physicians in medical screening interviews.", "content": "The medical importance of the patient-physician relationship is widely acknowledged, but research on its effects has been hampered by the lack of a method to quantify its clinically relevant features. In this study a new method of coding verbal interaction was applied to 52 interviews with adults in a general medical screening clinic. \"Average interaction profiles\" for patients and for physicians in the medical history, physical examination, and conclusion segments of the interviews provided detailed descriptions of the relationship that appear to be accurate and coincide with descriptions derived from clinical experience, textbooks, and other studies. The profiles yield quantitative indexes of such crucial aspects of the relationship as the manner in which patients give a history and physicians trasmit information to patients.", "contents": "Verbal response mode profiles of patients and physicians in medical screening interviews. The medical importance of the patient-physician relationship is widely acknowledged, but research on its effects has been hampered by the lack of a method to quantify its clinically relevant features. In this study a new method of coding verbal interaction was applied to 52 interviews with adults in a general medical screening clinic. \"Average interaction profiles\" for patients and for physicians in the medical history, physical examination, and conclusion segments of the interviews provided detailed descriptions of the relationship that appear to be accurate and coincide with descriptions derived from clinical experience, textbooks, and other studies. The profiles yield quantitative indexes of such crucial aspects of the relationship as the manner in which patients give a history and physicians trasmit information to patients.", "PMID": 762696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1284", "title": "Developing the medical curriculum at King Abdulaziz University.", "content": "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed a high priority on medical education. King Abdulaziz University is developing a medical curriculum aimed at being responsive to the health needs of the people of the kingdom. In creating the curriculum, planners devoted considerable time and effort to studying health manpower resources and needs, regional developments, demographic patterns, socioeconomic and cultural factors, general education development plans, vital statistics, and existing and projected health facilities. These and many other factors played a role in determining the format and the content of the curriculum, which is intended to produce individuals for leadership roles as medical educators, medical practitioners, and researchers.", "contents": "Developing the medical curriculum at King Abdulaziz University. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed a high priority on medical education. King Abdulaziz University is developing a medical curriculum aimed at being responsive to the health needs of the people of the kingdom. In creating the curriculum, planners devoted considerable time and effort to studying health manpower resources and needs, regional developments, demographic patterns, socioeconomic and cultural factors, general education development plans, vital statistics, and existing and projected health facilities. These and many other factors played a role in determining the format and the content of the curriculum, which is intended to produce individuals for leadership roles as medical educators, medical practitioners, and researchers.", "PMID": 762697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1285", "title": "Construction and evaluation of a hydromechanical simulation facility for the assessment of mitral valve prostheses.", "content": "A hydromechanical simulator of the human left heart and systemic circulation system has been built for evaluating the dynamic actions of mitral valve prostheses. The facility includes a transparent and compliant model ventricle pumping into a simulation of the systemic circulation impedance. Transparent materials permit detailed high speed photography of valve action from the left ventricular aspect. This action has been analyzed by digitizing the valve open area and computing the variation of area with time. Additionally, pressures across and flows through the valves have been measured. Comparison has been made between the maximum observed valve open areas and the areas computed using the appropriate pressure and flow measurements substituted in clinically used equations.", "contents": "Construction and evaluation of a hydromechanical simulation facility for the assessment of mitral valve prostheses. A hydromechanical simulator of the human left heart and systemic circulation system has been built for evaluating the dynamic actions of mitral valve prostheses. The facility includes a transparent and compliant model ventricle pumping into a simulation of the systemic circulation impedance. Transparent materials permit detailed high speed photography of valve action from the left ventricular aspect. This action has been analyzed by digitizing the valve open area and computing the variation of area with time. Additionally, pressures across and flows through the valves have been measured. Comparison has been made between the maximum observed valve open areas and the areas computed using the appropriate pressure and flow measurements substituted in clinically used equations.", "PMID": 762699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1286", "title": "A BSc level option in biomedical electronics.", "content": "1. The application of electronic instruments in medical diagnosis and therapy is well established. 2. There is a demand for electronic engineers both in industry and in the Health Service at all ranges of educational attainment. 3. It is possible to identify a set of objectives for a first degree course in Biomedical Electronics. An important element of this course should be the provision of practical experience in industry and in hospitals. 4. Such courses are available both in Europe and in the United States. Although the postgraduate course provision was satisfactory in the UK in the early seventies, only one full time undergraduate course was in operation. 5. A sandwich course can be designed in Biomedical Electronics as a major option of an existing BSc course in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Provision can be made for entering and leaving the option. The option can be arranged to follow the guidelines laid down by the IEE for exemption from its educational requirements. 6. The option described started at the Lanchester Polytechnic in Coventry in September 1977.", "contents": "A BSc level option in biomedical electronics. 1. The application of electronic instruments in medical diagnosis and therapy is well established. 2. There is a demand for electronic engineers both in industry and in the Health Service at all ranges of educational attainment. 3. It is possible to identify a set of objectives for a first degree course in Biomedical Electronics. An important element of this course should be the provision of practical experience in industry and in hospitals. 4. Such courses are available both in Europe and in the United States. Although the postgraduate course provision was satisfactory in the UK in the early seventies, only one full time undergraduate course was in operation. 5. A sandwich course can be designed in Biomedical Electronics as a major option of an existing BSc course in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Provision can be made for entering and leaving the option. The option can be arranged to follow the guidelines laid down by the IEE for exemption from its educational requirements. 6. The option described started at the Lanchester Polytechnic in Coventry in September 1977.", "PMID": 762700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1287", "title": "Solid state delay unit for a cardiac arrhythmia monitor.", "content": "A cheap alternative to tape loop delays has been described which is easy to construct. Although the system described here is for an arrhythmia monitoring system, it can be simply adapted to any device requiring a signal delay. Using 1024 shift registers, a delay of 2 1/2 seconds with a 3 dB signal bandwidth well in excess of 100 Hz is obtained; in theory, this delay and bandwidth combination should be obtained using 512 bit shift registers which would considerably reduce the cost. Full details including a circuit diagram are available on request.", "contents": "Solid state delay unit for a cardiac arrhythmia monitor. A cheap alternative to tape loop delays has been described which is easy to construct. Although the system described here is for an arrhythmia monitoring system, it can be simply adapted to any device requiring a signal delay. Using 1024 shift registers, a delay of 2 1/2 seconds with a 3 dB signal bandwidth well in excess of 100 Hz is obtained; in theory, this delay and bandwidth combination should be obtained using 512 bit shift registers which would considerably reduce the cost. Full details including a circuit diagram are available on request.", "PMID": 762701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1288", "title": "A solid state laboratory timer for viscosity measurement.", "content": "A low cost timer originally for use with the Harkness Viscometer is described. The timer, which may be used as a general purpose laboratory stop watch, is quiet in operation and counts to 99 seconds with 0.01 second resolution.", "contents": "A solid state laboratory timer for viscosity measurement. A low cost timer originally for use with the Harkness Viscometer is described. The timer, which may be used as a general purpose laboratory stop watch, is quiet in operation and counts to 99 seconds with 0.01 second resolution.", "PMID": 762702} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1289", "title": "The pyroelectric vidicon camera as a medical thermograph.", "content": "The operating principles of a pyroelectric vidicon (PEV) tube as an infra red (IR) image detector tube are explained. Characteristic requirements such as pedestal operation and sensitivity to time varying scenes are outlined. Of the possible read-out modes, the synchronous chopper mode is considered. The PEV camera properties are discussed in terms of measurement errors. The largest such as pedestal variations, noise and thermal blurring can be reduced to an acceptable level by image processing. A future PEV camera system with specifications comparable to, or even better than, those of existing commerical medical IR scanners seems to be possible.", "contents": "The pyroelectric vidicon camera as a medical thermograph. The operating principles of a pyroelectric vidicon (PEV) tube as an infra red (IR) image detector tube are explained. Characteristic requirements such as pedestal operation and sensitivity to time varying scenes are outlined. Of the possible read-out modes, the synchronous chopper mode is considered. The PEV camera properties are discussed in terms of measurement errors. The largest such as pedestal variations, noise and thermal blurring can be reduced to an acceptable level by image processing. A future PEV camera system with specifications comparable to, or even better than, those of existing commerical medical IR scanners seems to be possible.", "PMID": 762707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1290", "title": "The evaluation of head trauma by computed tomography.", "content": "A retrospective study of 133 patients with documented head trauma is presented. Computed tomography (C.T.) has replaced cerebral angiography in the evaluation of these patients at our institutions. C.T. provides a rapid noninvasive diagnosis, plus accurate localization of lesions; it also allows for the assessment of multiple lesions. The authors feel that C.T. should be the first neurological mode of investigation after plain skull radiographs. It is important to obtain good quality scans, and intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia may be required.", "contents": "The evaluation of head trauma by computed tomography. A retrospective study of 133 patients with documented head trauma is presented. Computed tomography (C.T.) has replaced cerebral angiography in the evaluation of these patients at our institutions. C.T. provides a rapid noninvasive diagnosis, plus accurate localization of lesions; it also allows for the assessment of multiple lesions. The authors feel that C.T. should be the first neurological mode of investigation after plain skull radiographs. It is important to obtain good quality scans, and intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia may be required.", "PMID": 762711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1291", "title": "Experience with a simplified trauma registry: profile of trauma at a university hospital.", "content": "A simplified computer-based trauma registry system with well-defined limits of data capture is presented. This registry was utilized to describe the profile of trauma at a university hospital. In 1 year there were 882 trauma victims hospitalized, with an overall mortality of 3.3%. The majority of the patients had relatively minor injuries, primarily involving soft tissue and bone. Severe multiple trauma was associated with a significant mortality. Intracranial or intra-abdominal injuries occurred in less than 10% of the patients. Transport accidents, falls, and assaults were the cause of injury in 70%. Key access to specific information about the trauma patient population demonstrated the potential of the registry system. The advantages and limitations of the registry are discussed.", "contents": "Experience with a simplified trauma registry: profile of trauma at a university hospital. A simplified computer-based trauma registry system with well-defined limits of data capture is presented. This registry was utilized to describe the profile of trauma at a university hospital. In 1 year there were 882 trauma victims hospitalized, with an overall mortality of 3.3%. The majority of the patients had relatively minor injuries, primarily involving soft tissue and bone. Severe multiple trauma was associated with a significant mortality. Intracranial or intra-abdominal injuries occurred in less than 10% of the patients. Transport accidents, falls, and assaults were the cause of injury in 70%. Key access to specific information about the trauma patient population demonstrated the potential of the registry system. The advantages and limitations of the registry are discussed.", "PMID": 762712} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1292", "title": "Changes in metabolism and muscle composition associated with total hip replacement.", "content": "Metabolic changes in 10 patients undergoing total hip replacement were studied. Metabolic expenditure postoperatively remained within 5--10% of preoperative values. Net nitrogen loss for the postoperative period was less than 35 gm for the first 4 postoperative days, well below changes seen in major nonsurgical trauma. Fluid balance was positive in all patients for the first 4 postoperative days. Patients not in negative fluid balance by the fourth postoperative day should be closely monitored for complications. Recognition of delayed fluid excretion is essential in order to avoid the complications of further fluid loading in the postoperative period. Muscle composition reveals predictable changes in extracellular water, sodium, and chloride composition following surgery. Our data showed that metabolic changes following total hip replacement are in the order of major general surgical procedures and well below that observed with major trauma.", "contents": "Changes in metabolism and muscle composition associated with total hip replacement. Metabolic changes in 10 patients undergoing total hip replacement were studied. Metabolic expenditure postoperatively remained within 5--10% of preoperative values. Net nitrogen loss for the postoperative period was less than 35 gm for the first 4 postoperative days, well below changes seen in major nonsurgical trauma. Fluid balance was positive in all patients for the first 4 postoperative days. Patients not in negative fluid balance by the fourth postoperative day should be closely monitored for complications. Recognition of delayed fluid excretion is essential in order to avoid the complications of further fluid loading in the postoperative period. Muscle composition reveals predictable changes in extracellular water, sodium, and chloride composition following surgery. Our data showed that metabolic changes following total hip replacement are in the order of major general surgical procedures and well below that observed with major trauma.", "PMID": 762714} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1293", "title": "The role of NADH-NADPH oxidase activity in the leukocyte function of burned patients.", "content": "Irreversible sepsis, in spite of advancements in topical therapy and antimicrobial agents, remains the leading cause of death in major thermal injury. A defect in intracellular bactericidal capacity in leukocytes from severely burned patients appears to correspond with increases in bacterial wound colonization and ultimate sepsis. This leukocyte defect has been demonstrated by abnormally low nitroblue tetrazolium reduction (NBT) and oxygen consumption of white cells in patients with major thermal injury. The subcellular mechanisms responsible for decreased bactericidal capacity were therefore investigated. Nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and nicotinamide-adenine phosphodinucleotide (NADPH) oxidase activity was measured in patients with major burns, controls (normals), and in patients with nonburn stress or infection. NADH and NADPH oxidase levels in leukocytes from burn patients were not significantly different from those of normal nonchallenged controls but were significantly lower than the leukocyte values found in the patients with nonburn infections or stress. This NADH and NADPH defect in the subcellular leukocyte fraction suggests that it may be a significant factor in the reduced bactericidal function of the intact leukocyte in thermally injured patients.", "contents": "The role of NADH-NADPH oxidase activity in the leukocyte function of burned patients. Irreversible sepsis, in spite of advancements in topical therapy and antimicrobial agents, remains the leading cause of death in major thermal injury. A defect in intracellular bactericidal capacity in leukocytes from severely burned patients appears to correspond with increases in bacterial wound colonization and ultimate sepsis. This leukocyte defect has been demonstrated by abnormally low nitroblue tetrazolium reduction (NBT) and oxygen consumption of white cells in patients with major thermal injury. The subcellular mechanisms responsible for decreased bactericidal capacity were therefore investigated. Nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and nicotinamide-adenine phosphodinucleotide (NADPH) oxidase activity was measured in patients with major burns, controls (normals), and in patients with nonburn stress or infection. NADH and NADPH oxidase levels in leukocytes from burn patients were not significantly different from those of normal nonchallenged controls but were significantly lower than the leukocyte values found in the patients with nonburn infections or stress. This NADH and NADPH defect in the subcellular leukocyte fraction suggests that it may be a significant factor in the reduced bactericidal function of the intact leukocyte in thermally injured patients.", "PMID": 762716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1294", "title": "The effect of immediate and delayed cold immersion on burn edema formation and resorption.", "content": "Massive wound edema after a burn may impair healing and help to convert partial to full-thickness injury. Cold treatment (usually by immersion) has been reported to decrease wound edema and is useful in first-aid treatment of burns. Reliable quantitative data have been lacking and frequently a superficial burn has been studied. Since cold by decreasing peripheral blood flow could actually be harmful to a deep burn, especially if applied late, we measured the effect of cold immediately and 2 minutes postburn on edema formation and resorption in a deep second-degree burn in sheep hindlimbs. We used Dichromatic Absorptiometry, a noninvasive, reliable method for measuring tissue fluid, to quantitate edema. Immediate application of cold by immersion in 15 degrees C saline for 30 minutes reduced the edema of a deep second-degree burn and did not impair resorption rate compared with control limbs, fluid content returning to baseline after 1 week. Cold treatment beginning 2 minutes after the burn did not decrease edema formation and did impair resorption. Fifteen per cent of the edema fluid was still present 1 week postburn, suggesting further injury to the burn wound vasculature with use of cold immersion 2 minutes postburn.", "contents": "The effect of immediate and delayed cold immersion on burn edema formation and resorption. Massive wound edema after a burn may impair healing and help to convert partial to full-thickness injury. Cold treatment (usually by immersion) has been reported to decrease wound edema and is useful in first-aid treatment of burns. Reliable quantitative data have been lacking and frequently a superficial burn has been studied. Since cold by decreasing peripheral blood flow could actually be harmful to a deep burn, especially if applied late, we measured the effect of cold immediately and 2 minutes postburn on edema formation and resorption in a deep second-degree burn in sheep hindlimbs. We used Dichromatic Absorptiometry, a noninvasive, reliable method for measuring tissue fluid, to quantitate edema. Immediate application of cold by immersion in 15 degrees C saline for 30 minutes reduced the edema of a deep second-degree burn and did not impair resorption rate compared with control limbs, fluid content returning to baseline after 1 week. Cold treatment beginning 2 minutes after the burn did not decrease edema formation and did impair resorption. Fifteen per cent of the edema fluid was still present 1 week postburn, suggesting further injury to the burn wound vasculature with use of cold immersion 2 minutes postburn.", "PMID": 762717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1295", "title": "Traumatic pneumocephalus: a hazard of resuscitators.", "content": "A patient with traumatic pneumocephalus following use of an oxygen-powered resuscitator with a face mask is presented. Pressures of 50 cm H2O delivered by the device apparently were sufficient to force air into the cranium through a fracture communicating with the nasal cavity. The authors feel that manual-powered resuscitators should be used on patients suspected of skull fracture.", "contents": "Traumatic pneumocephalus: a hazard of resuscitators. A patient with traumatic pneumocephalus following use of an oxygen-powered resuscitator with a face mask is presented. Pressures of 50 cm H2O delivered by the device apparently were sufficient to force air into the cranium through a fracture communicating with the nasal cavity. The authors feel that manual-powered resuscitators should be used on patients suspected of skull fracture.", "PMID": 762719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1296", "title": "Rotational displacement of the distal tibial epiphysis without fibular fracture.", "content": "Rotational displacement of the distal tibial epiphysis, a rare injury, is reported in a 14-year-old girl. A high clinical index of suspicion and roentgenograms of the entire leg, including knee and ankle, are necessary for diagnosis. Long-term followup is indicated to determine if epiphyseal closure will eventuate as it did in our patient.", "contents": "Rotational displacement of the distal tibial epiphysis without fibular fracture. Rotational displacement of the distal tibial epiphysis, a rare injury, is reported in a 14-year-old girl. A high clinical index of suspicion and roentgenograms of the entire leg, including knee and ankle, are necessary for diagnosis. Long-term followup is indicated to determine if epiphyseal closure will eventuate as it did in our patient.", "PMID": 762720} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1297", "title": "Traumatic hematocele of the gallbladder with hemobilia.", "content": "An unusual case of traumatic hemobilia in which blood reached the bile duct through transhepatic penetration of the gallbladder is reported. The salient features of this variant of traumatic hemobilia are described: antecedent subcapsular liver injury; variant time interval to GI hemorrhage and episodic hemorrhage; and necrosis or hematoma at the bleeding site.", "contents": "Traumatic hematocele of the gallbladder with hemobilia. An unusual case of traumatic hemobilia in which blood reached the bile duct through transhepatic penetration of the gallbladder is reported. The salient features of this variant of traumatic hemobilia are described: antecedent subcapsular liver injury; variant time interval to GI hemorrhage and episodic hemorrhage; and necrosis or hematoma at the bleeding site.", "PMID": 762721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1298", "title": "Longitudinal fractures of the sacrum: case report.", "content": "A longitudinal fracture of the sacrum without an associated neurologic deficit is described. It was treated by bedrest successfully. The case is compared to the usual transverse or oblique sacral fracture: we feel that because the sacral nerve roots were pushed to either side of the fracture there were no neurologic problems in the case presented.", "contents": "Longitudinal fractures of the sacrum: case report. A longitudinal fracture of the sacrum without an associated neurologic deficit is described. It was treated by bedrest successfully. The case is compared to the usual transverse or oblique sacral fracture: we feel that because the sacral nerve roots were pushed to either side of the fracture there were no neurologic problems in the case presented.", "PMID": 762722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1299", "title": "Peripheral embolization following blunt thoracic trauma.", "content": "The case of a 41-year-old man with an embolus in the left popliteal artery following multiple injuries suffered in an auto accident is presented. Following popliteal embolectomy, a rupture of the descending thoracic aorta was demonstrated and repaired. The need for aortography in patients with severe blunt chest trauma who develop hypertension is emphasized.", "contents": "Peripheral embolization following blunt thoracic trauma. The case of a 41-year-old man with an embolus in the left popliteal artery following multiple injuries suffered in an auto accident is presented. Following popliteal embolectomy, a rupture of the descending thoracic aorta was demonstrated and repaired. The need for aortography in patients with severe blunt chest trauma who develop hypertension is emphasized.", "PMID": 762723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1300", "title": "Arthrography as a method of diagnosing tear of the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb (\"gamekeeper's thumb\").", "content": "Arthrography of the metacarpo-phalangeal (MP) joint of the thumb was performed on 47 thumbs. The normal arthrographic appearance shows a closed joint space, whereas leakage of contrast material indicates tear of the joint capsule with or without an associated tear of a stabilizing ligament. Arthrographic demonstration of the heads of the adductor pollicis muscle was found to be specific for tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the MP joint, a tear which is commonly responsible for its instability. Arthrography is suggested as a safe and accurate diagnostic examination for the early detection of tears of the UCL of the MP joint.", "contents": "Arthrography as a method of diagnosing tear of the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb (\"gamekeeper's thumb\"). Arthrography of the metacarpo-phalangeal (MP) joint of the thumb was performed on 47 thumbs. The normal arthrographic appearance shows a closed joint space, whereas leakage of contrast material indicates tear of the joint capsule with or without an associated tear of a stabilizing ligament. Arthrographic demonstration of the heads of the adductor pollicis muscle was found to be specific for tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the MP joint, a tear which is commonly responsible for its instability. Arthrography is suggested as a safe and accurate diagnostic examination for the early detection of tears of the UCL of the MP joint.", "PMID": 762724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1301", "title": "Rupture of the left atrium from blunt trauma.", "content": "Severe cardiac injury may occur in multiple-trauma patients and the associated injuries may obscure a significant and potentially fatal cardiac wound. In the patient presented, a left auricular appendage tear was found after he suddenly became hypotensive intraoperatively. After its repair he has recovered and returned to his previous employment.", "contents": "Rupture of the left atrium from blunt trauma. Severe cardiac injury may occur in multiple-trauma patients and the associated injuries may obscure a significant and potentially fatal cardiac wound. In the patient presented, a left auricular appendage tear was found after he suddenly became hypotensive intraoperatively. After its repair he has recovered and returned to his previous employment.", "PMID": 762726} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1302", "title": "Displaced transverse fracture of the sacrum with nerve root injury: report of a case with successful operative management.", "content": "A displaced transverse fracture of the sacrum occurred in a young woman along with lumbar transverse process fractures, displacement suggesting instability in flexion, and nerve root injury, all features common to this injury. Open decompression, reduction, and Harrington rod fixation were successful for this patient, but the method is not recommended for all sacral fractures.", "contents": "Displaced transverse fracture of the sacrum with nerve root injury: report of a case with successful operative management. A displaced transverse fracture of the sacrum occurred in a young woman along with lumbar transverse process fractures, displacement suggesting instability in flexion, and nerve root injury, all features common to this injury. Open decompression, reduction, and Harrington rod fixation were successful for this patient, but the method is not recommended for all sacral fractures.", "PMID": 762727} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1303", "title": "Esophago-bronchial fistula 8 years after blunt trauma.", "content": "A case of an esophago-bronchial fistula 8 years post-blunt trauma is described. Prompt diagnosis and early surgical treatment are indicated to prevent irreversible lung damage or extrathoracic complications.", "contents": "Esophago-bronchial fistula 8 years after blunt trauma. A case of an esophago-bronchial fistula 8 years post-blunt trauma is described. Prompt diagnosis and early surgical treatment are indicated to prevent irreversible lung damage or extrathoracic complications.", "PMID": 762728} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1304", "title": "Coronary angiography after traumatic myocardial contusion.", "content": "A patient with myocardial trauma following blunt chest injury is presented who returned 4 months later with persistent cardiac symptoms. Left ventriculography showed asynergy of the mid-diaphragmatic surface of the left ventricle while coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. The value of cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography in patients in whom symptoms persist after traumatic myocardial contusion and in patients in whom additional coronary artery or other cardiac disease is suspected is emphasized.", "contents": "Coronary angiography after traumatic myocardial contusion. A patient with myocardial trauma following blunt chest injury is presented who returned 4 months later with persistent cardiac symptoms. Left ventriculography showed asynergy of the mid-diaphragmatic surface of the left ventricle while coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. The value of cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography in patients in whom symptoms persist after traumatic myocardial contusion and in patients in whom additional coronary artery or other cardiac disease is suspected is emphasized.", "PMID": 762729} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1305", "title": "Traumatic bitemporal hemianopsia: case report.", "content": "Bitemporal hemianopsia due to trauma to the optic chiasm is uncommon following head injury. In the patient described, a hemianopic field defect was seen 12 days after frontal basilar skull fracture. We feel the cause is intrachiasmatic contusion, edema, and hemorrhage. Serial ophthalmologic examinations and possibly use of steroids are recommended.", "contents": "Traumatic bitemporal hemianopsia: case report. Bitemporal hemianopsia due to trauma to the optic chiasm is uncommon following head injury. In the patient described, a hemianopic field defect was seen 12 days after frontal basilar skull fracture. We feel the cause is intrachiasmatic contusion, edema, and hemorrhage. Serial ophthalmologic examinations and possibly use of steroids are recommended.", "PMID": 762730} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1306", "title": "Bilateral scapular fractures from accidental electric shock.", "content": "This report presents a patient with bilateral scapular fractures resulting from an accidental electric shock (440 volt, 60 cps current). This appears to be a previously unreported injury. A postulated mechanism of injury is discussed.", "contents": "Bilateral scapular fractures from accidental electric shock. This report presents a patient with bilateral scapular fractures resulting from an accidental electric shock (440 volt, 60 cps current). This appears to be a previously unreported injury. A postulated mechanism of injury is discussed.", "PMID": 762731} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1307", "title": "An analysis of the components of the pulmonary shunt equation: significance of the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, arterio-venous oxygen content difference, and mixed venous oxygen pressure.", "content": "Pulmonary shunt calculated by the Berggren method is commonly used as an indicator of pulmonary function. Although there is usually a good correlation between the shunt and the A-aDO2, other physiologic parameters involved in the shunt equation may significantly alter pulmonary function. The purpose of this study is to show the contribution of the PVO2 and a--v diff to the shunt equation. Data from eight selected patients with A--aDo2 values ranging from 300 to 395 torr and calculated shunts ranging from 6 to 35% were selected for this purpose. In patients with significant changes in PVO2 and a--v diff, the A--aDO2 is more reliable as an indicator of pulmonary function than is the calculated shunt.", "contents": "An analysis of the components of the pulmonary shunt equation: significance of the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, arterio-venous oxygen content difference, and mixed venous oxygen pressure. Pulmonary shunt calculated by the Berggren method is commonly used as an indicator of pulmonary function. Although there is usually a good correlation between the shunt and the A-aDO2, other physiologic parameters involved in the shunt equation may significantly alter pulmonary function. The purpose of this study is to show the contribution of the PVO2 and a--v diff to the shunt equation. Data from eight selected patients with A--aDo2 values ranging from 300 to 395 torr and calculated shunts ranging from 6 to 35% were selected for this purpose. In patients with significant changes in PVO2 and a--v diff, the A--aDO2 is more reliable as an indicator of pulmonary function than is the calculated shunt.", "PMID": 762734} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1308", "title": "White blood cell consumption in the microcirculation after a major burn.", "content": "The mesenteric microvasculature was observed before and after a distant full-thickness cutaneous burn in rats. Diameters, flow velocities, and white blood cell sticking and emigration were measured. Between 30 and 360 minutes postburn 13 to 16 WBC's were found to stick to the venular walls which had an area of 1.57 x 10(4) microns(2). Therefore, the number of WBC's emigrating from the vascular compartment during the 6-hour observation period could be as many as 0.51 X 10(9)/kg. Based on known values for total stores of WBC's, the data suggest that granulocyte sticking and emigration could account for a consumption of granulocytes that on an acute basis could deplete the body stores, which could explain the apparent decrease in total body granulocytes seen clinically following major thermal trauma.", "contents": "White blood cell consumption in the microcirculation after a major burn. The mesenteric microvasculature was observed before and after a distant full-thickness cutaneous burn in rats. Diameters, flow velocities, and white blood cell sticking and emigration were measured. Between 30 and 360 minutes postburn 13 to 16 WBC's were found to stick to the venular walls which had an area of 1.57 x 10(4) microns(2). Therefore, the number of WBC's emigrating from the vascular compartment during the 6-hour observation period could be as many as 0.51 X 10(9)/kg. Based on known values for total stores of WBC's, the data suggest that granulocyte sticking and emigration could account for a consumption of granulocytes that on an acute basis could deplete the body stores, which could explain the apparent decrease in total body granulocytes seen clinically following major thermal trauma.", "PMID": 762735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1309", "title": "Severity indices and their implications for emergency medical services research and evaluation.", "content": "The present paper explores the rationale for the development of severity indices and the role such indices can play in various research and evaluation situations. Concrete examples from Emergency Medical Services research and evaluation settings are used to illustrate the potential shortcomings of designs that fail to incorporate measures of severity. A short critical review of existing indices is presented, and the ways that the indices can be refined and improved, and better used to evaluate emergency care, are summarized.", "contents": "Severity indices and their implications for emergency medical services research and evaluation. The present paper explores the rationale for the development of severity indices and the role such indices can play in various research and evaluation situations. Concrete examples from Emergency Medical Services research and evaluation settings are used to illustrate the potential shortcomings of designs that fail to incorporate measures of severity. A short critical review of existing indices is presented, and the ways that the indices can be refined and improved, and better used to evaluate emergency care, are summarized.", "PMID": 762736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1310", "title": "The treatment of pulmonary edema in the absence of renal function. A role for sorbitol and furosemide.", "content": "In doses sufficient to induce a rapid osmotic loss of fluid from the bowel, sorbitol can provide an alternate method of removing fluid in patients who lack renal function. Two patients with acute pulmonary edema and oliguric renal failure were treated with a combined therapy of sorbitol and furosemide. Their clinical, hemodynamic, and metabolic responses were strikingly similar to those achieved with furosemide therapy alone in patients with normal renal function.", "contents": "The treatment of pulmonary edema in the absence of renal function. A role for sorbitol and furosemide. In doses sufficient to induce a rapid osmotic loss of fluid from the bowel, sorbitol can provide an alternate method of removing fluid in patients who lack renal function. Two patients with acute pulmonary edema and oliguric renal failure were treated with a combined therapy of sorbitol and furosemide. Their clinical, hemodynamic, and metabolic responses were strikingly similar to those achieved with furosemide therapy alone in patients with normal renal function.", "PMID": 762738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1311", "title": "Psychiatric symptoms in disliked medical patients.", "content": "Twenty-two patients seen in a clinic for systemic lupus erythematosus were tested for organicity, depression, anxiety, and hostility. Four of the clinic's physicians ranked these patients from most liked to least liked. In three of the four physicians, dislike was significantly correlated with the patient's degree of organicity. Ten of the patients were ranked among the three most disliked patients by one or more of the ranking physicians. This group of most disliked patients contained all patients with signs of organic brain damage and all suicidal patients. Dislike of a patient by the physician may be a clue to serious psychiatric impairment.", "contents": "Psychiatric symptoms in disliked medical patients. Twenty-two patients seen in a clinic for systemic lupus erythematosus were tested for organicity, depression, anxiety, and hostility. Four of the clinic's physicians ranked these patients from most liked to least liked. In three of the four physicians, dislike was significantly correlated with the patient's degree of organicity. Ten of the patients were ranked among the three most disliked patients by one or more of the ranking physicians. This group of most disliked patients contained all patients with signs of organic brain damage and all suicidal patients. Dislike of a patient by the physician may be a clue to serious psychiatric impairment.", "PMID": 762762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1312", "title": "The epidemiology of sudden infant death in upstate New York.", "content": "The epidemiology of sudden infant death among infants born during 1974 to mothers residing in upstate New York was studied. Death-certificate characteristics for 190 infants with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are compared with those for 434 infants dying of other causes in the same age range. The overall incidence of SIDS was 1.43 per 1,000 live births. No relationship was found between SIDS rate and population density. The SIDS deaths peaked in January, with an overall seasonal pattern compatible with that of viral respiratory infections. The SIDS infants were more likely to die during sleeping hours than infants dying suddenly of other causes. Their age at death distribution is significantly different from that of other infant deaths. Progress in understanding sudden death in infancy is still hampered by the lack of positive diagnostic criteria.", "contents": "The epidemiology of sudden infant death in upstate New York. The epidemiology of sudden infant death among infants born during 1974 to mothers residing in upstate New York was studied. Death-certificate characteristics for 190 infants with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are compared with those for 434 infants dying of other causes in the same age range. The overall incidence of SIDS was 1.43 per 1,000 live births. No relationship was found between SIDS rate and population density. The SIDS deaths peaked in January, with an overall seasonal pattern compatible with that of viral respiratory infections. The SIDS infants were more likely to die during sleeping hours than infants dying suddenly of other causes. Their age at death distribution is significantly different from that of other infant deaths. Progress in understanding sudden death in infancy is still hampered by the lack of positive diagnostic criteria.", "PMID": 762763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1313", "title": "Serum lithium levels and long-term diuretic use.", "content": "In normal volunteers whose conditions were stablized with lithium carbonate, there were no significant changes in serum lithium levels during a two-week period while they received 40 mg/day of furosemide. During another two-week period, a 50 mg/day dosage of hydrochlorothiazide did cause a significant rise in serum lithium levels. These observations suggest that a substantial amount of lithium and a loop diuretic may not require modification of the lithium dosage.", "contents": "Serum lithium levels and long-term diuretic use. In normal volunteers whose conditions were stablized with lithium carbonate, there were no significant changes in serum lithium levels during a two-week period while they received 40 mg/day of furosemide. During another two-week period, a 50 mg/day dosage of hydrochlorothiazide did cause a significant rise in serum lithium levels. These observations suggest that a substantial amount of lithium and a loop diuretic may not require modification of the lithium dosage.", "PMID": 762764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1314", "title": "Exposure to lead in firing ranges.", "content": "Members of law enforcement agencies were examined for adverse health effects caused by their activities in firing ranges and exposure to lead. Central nervous system and gastrointestinal symptoms were prominent and correlated with blood lead and zinc protoporphyrin levels. Half the group had blood lead levels exceeding 40 microgram/dL, and four (5%) exceeded 60 microgram/dL. Environmental surveys of three firing ranges indicate that indoor facilities with insufficient ventilation may have considerable air lead concentrations with levels up to 900 microgram/cu m or 4.5 times the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard for an eight-hour shift. Evaluation of lead effects should be taken into account in medical surveillance programs of firearms instructors. Zinc protoporphyrin determination has proved a suitable and practical way to assess biological effects among exposed persons and should be available at medical facilities responsible for the health of indoor firing range employees.", "contents": "Exposure to lead in firing ranges. Members of law enforcement agencies were examined for adverse health effects caused by their activities in firing ranges and exposure to lead. Central nervous system and gastrointestinal symptoms were prominent and correlated with blood lead and zinc protoporphyrin levels. Half the group had blood lead levels exceeding 40 microgram/dL, and four (5%) exceeded 60 microgram/dL. Environmental surveys of three firing ranges indicate that indoor facilities with insufficient ventilation may have considerable air lead concentrations with levels up to 900 microgram/cu m or 4.5 times the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard for an eight-hour shift. Evaluation of lead effects should be taken into account in medical surveillance programs of firearms instructors. Zinc protoporphyrin determination has proved a suitable and practical way to assess biological effects among exposed persons and should be available at medical facilities responsible for the health of indoor firing range employees.", "PMID": 762765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1315", "title": "Screening for sickle cell hemoglobinopathies.", "content": "Screening for sickle cell hemoglobin can detect carriers, who can benefit from education and genetic counseling, and can bring about early diagnosis, supportive care, and management for patients with established disease. However, such screening programs should be designed and supervised properly by health professionals to avoid methodological pitfalls and other unfortunate circumstances that have occurred in the past.", "contents": "Screening for sickle cell hemoglobinopathies. Screening for sickle cell hemoglobin can detect carriers, who can benefit from education and genetic counseling, and can bring about early diagnosis, supportive care, and management for patients with established disease. However, such screening programs should be designed and supervised properly by health professionals to avoid methodological pitfalls and other unfortunate circumstances that have occurred in the past.", "PMID": 762766} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1316", "title": "The interface between undergraduate and graduate medical education.", "content": "The principal current problem related to the interface between undergraduate and graduate medical education is the lack of preparation of graduating medical students to assume many of the patient-care responsibilities required in certain graduate programs. There are two sides to the interface, and both require attention if the problem is to be resolved. The educational quality of the generally permissive fourth year of medical school should be examined in terms of the need for medical schools to prepare students for graduate educational programs. An effective broad first year of graduate medical education requires the development of institutional policy by all clinical departmental directors jointly and the delegation of operational responsibility to a small group of professionals.", "contents": "The interface between undergraduate and graduate medical education. The principal current problem related to the interface between undergraduate and graduate medical education is the lack of preparation of graduating medical students to assume many of the patient-care responsibilities required in certain graduate programs. There are two sides to the interface, and both require attention if the problem is to be resolved. The educational quality of the generally permissive fourth year of medical school should be examined in terms of the need for medical schools to prepare students for graduate educational programs. An effective broad first year of graduate medical education requires the development of institutional policy by all clinical departmental directors jointly and the delegation of operational responsibility to a small group of professionals.", "PMID": 762767} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1317", "title": "Toxic effects of isoniazid in tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis. Role of biochemical monitoring in 1,000 patients.", "content": "One thousand patients receiving isoniazid chemoprophylaxis were prospectively followed up to assess the value of liver function monitoring plus monthly clinical evaluation. Two hundred twenty-two (22.2%) of the patients had at least one elevated SGOT level during the course of treatment, and 47 asymptomatic persons had isoniazid therapy discontinued because of consistent elevations greater than five times normal. Another 17 had symptoms in association with elevated SGOT levels, and therapy was stopped in these patients as well. No patient became seriously ill, and there were no deaths. Biochemical monitoring should be done routinely in patients receiving isoniazid chemoprophylaxis to avoid the development of irreversible hepatic reactions.", "contents": "Toxic effects of isoniazid in tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis. Role of biochemical monitoring in 1,000 patients. One thousand patients receiving isoniazid chemoprophylaxis were prospectively followed up to assess the value of liver function monitoring plus monthly clinical evaluation. Two hundred twenty-two (22.2%) of the patients had at least one elevated SGOT level during the course of treatment, and 47 asymptomatic persons had isoniazid therapy discontinued because of consistent elevations greater than five times normal. Another 17 had symptoms in association with elevated SGOT levels, and therapy was stopped in these patients as well. No patient became seriously ill, and there were no deaths. Biochemical monitoring should be done routinely in patients receiving isoniazid chemoprophylaxis to avoid the development of irreversible hepatic reactions.", "PMID": 762788} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1318", "title": "Calcium and parathyroid disorders in children. Chronic renal failure and treatment with calcitriol.", "content": "Progression of renal failure, represented by rising serum creatinine concentrations, was correlated with progressive elevation of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations in 23 children. A significant linear relationship was established. Despite normal serum calcium concentrations in 11 children receiving maintenance hemodialysis, circulating PTH concentrations were elevated after six months. Progressive deterioration with time occurred in all variables tested, at six-month intervals. These complications were reversible with kidney transplantation or treatment with 0.25 to 2 microgram/day of calcitriol for four to 20 weeks.", "contents": "Calcium and parathyroid disorders in children. Chronic renal failure and treatment with calcitriol. Progression of renal failure, represented by rising serum creatinine concentrations, was correlated with progressive elevation of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations in 23 children. A significant linear relationship was established. Despite normal serum calcium concentrations in 11 children receiving maintenance hemodialysis, circulating PTH concentrations were elevated after six months. Progressive deterioration with time occurred in all variables tested, at six-month intervals. These complications were reversible with kidney transplantation or treatment with 0.25 to 2 microgram/day of calcitriol for four to 20 weeks.", "PMID": 762789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1319", "title": "Therapeutic embolization with detachable silicone balloons. Early clinical experience.", "content": "A recently developed percutaneous transcatheter technique for selectively occluding arteries with detachable silicone balloons was applied in four patients. Uncontrollable hemorrhage from carcinoma of the cervix was controlled by selective uterine artery occlusion in one patient. Life-threatening hemorrhage from cystic fibrosis in another patient was controlled by balloon occlusion of a bronchial artery. A patient with hypernephroma and another with right ischial fibrous histiocytoma each had preoperative occlusion of the arteries supplying the neoplasms to reduce operative blood loss and to obviate the need for surgical ligation of the internal iliac artery in the latter patient. Detachable balloon embolization techniques represent a nonoperative method for permanently occluding arteries without the risks of inadvertent embolization.", "contents": "Therapeutic embolization with detachable silicone balloons. Early clinical experience. A recently developed percutaneous transcatheter technique for selectively occluding arteries with detachable silicone balloons was applied in four patients. Uncontrollable hemorrhage from carcinoma of the cervix was controlled by selective uterine artery occlusion in one patient. Life-threatening hemorrhage from cystic fibrosis in another patient was controlled by balloon occlusion of a bronchial artery. A patient with hypernephroma and another with right ischial fibrous histiocytoma each had preoperative occlusion of the arteries supplying the neoplasms to reduce operative blood loss and to obviate the need for surgical ligation of the internal iliac artery in the latter patient. Detachable balloon embolization techniques represent a nonoperative method for permanently occluding arteries without the risks of inadvertent embolization.", "PMID": 762790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1320", "title": "Continuing education for the rural physician.", "content": "A two-day continuing education course in emergency care was presented in small communities of Colorado and Wyoming to 349 rural physicians. Eighty percent of the physicians in those areas participated, indicating the interest of rural practitioners in updating their training if they can do so in their own communities. Continuity of care in the communities was provided by university residents covering local hospitals and clinics. The cost was comparable with other forms of continuing education; there was no tuition fee. The success of the program suggests that the special problems of providing education in rural areas require special solutions. Courses must be designed to reach all rural physicians to satisfy the increasing demand for continuing medical education.", "contents": "Continuing education for the rural physician. A two-day continuing education course in emergency care was presented in small communities of Colorado and Wyoming to 349 rural physicians. Eighty percent of the physicians in those areas participated, indicating the interest of rural practitioners in updating their training if they can do so in their own communities. Continuity of care in the communities was provided by university residents covering local hospitals and clinics. The cost was comparable with other forms of continuing education; there was no tuition fee. The success of the program suggests that the special problems of providing education in rural areas require special solutions. Courses must be designed to reach all rural physicians to satisfy the increasing demand for continuing medical education.", "PMID": 762791} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1321", "title": "Indomethacin and the nephrotic syndrome.", "content": "Treatment of membranous nephropathy and the nephrotic syndrome with 2 mg/kg/day of indomethacin resulted in prompt and sustained reduction in urinary protein excretion and the loss of edema fluid, which allowed the withdrawal of diuretic therapy and liberalization of salt intake. The reduction in proteinuria was paralleled by a decrease in urinary prostaglandin E (PGE) and F (PGF) levels. Plasma PGE and PGF levels did not change appreciably. Withdrawal of indomethacin therapy resulted in an increase in urinary protein and urinary PGE excretion. Reinstitution of therapy resulted in reductions in both values. Indomethacin may provide a useful means of reducing proteinuria and controlling edema in some patients with the nephrotic syndrome.", "contents": "Indomethacin and the nephrotic syndrome. Treatment of membranous nephropathy and the nephrotic syndrome with 2 mg/kg/day of indomethacin resulted in prompt and sustained reduction in urinary protein excretion and the loss of edema fluid, which allowed the withdrawal of diuretic therapy and liberalization of salt intake. The reduction in proteinuria was paralleled by a decrease in urinary prostaglandin E (PGE) and F (PGF) levels. Plasma PGE and PGF levels did not change appreciably. Withdrawal of indomethacin therapy resulted in an increase in urinary protein and urinary PGE excretion. Reinstitution of therapy resulted in reductions in both values. Indomethacin may provide a useful means of reducing proteinuria and controlling edema in some patients with the nephrotic syndrome.", "PMID": 762792} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1322", "title": "Intravaginal estrogen creams and endometrial cancer: no causal association found.", "content": "In two case-control studies of estrogens and endometrial cancer, women were asked about previous use of intravaginal estrogen creams. In a set of cases and controls chosen by conventional procedures from a tumor registry, the odds ratio was 0.90. In an alternative set of cases and controls who had all received dilatation and curettage or hysterectomy, the odds ratio was 0.82. Despite the reported relationship between oral estrogens and endometrial cancer and although intravaginal estrogen creams are readily absorbed by the vaginal mucosa, we detect no causal association for their use.", "contents": "Intravaginal estrogen creams and endometrial cancer: no causal association found. In two case-control studies of estrogens and endometrial cancer, women were asked about previous use of intravaginal estrogen creams. In a set of cases and controls chosen by conventional procedures from a tumor registry, the odds ratio was 0.90. In an alternative set of cases and controls who had all received dilatation and curettage or hysterectomy, the odds ratio was 0.82. Despite the reported relationship between oral estrogens and endometrial cancer and although intravaginal estrogen creams are readily absorbed by the vaginal mucosa, we detect no causal association for their use.", "PMID": 762793} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1323", "title": "Complete remission of acromegaly with medical treatment.", "content": "A 40-year-old patient with a ten-year history of acromegaly had persistent disease despite prior treatment with conventional pituitary radiotherapy and two transsphenoidal hypophysectomies. Initial evaluation showed characteristic acromegalic features, hypertension, amenorrhea, inappropriate diaphoresis, and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus despite isophane insulin suspension daily. Growth-hormone levels were high and did not suppress with glucose load. Treatment with bromocriptine was associated with prompt improvement in glucose intolerance, with elimination of insulin requirement within 72 hours of institutions of this therapy. Blood pressure normalized; inappropriate diaphoresis disappeared. Within three months ovulatory menses were noted to resume for the first time in ten years. There was progressive improvement in the soft-tissue changes of acromegaly. The growth-hormone levels fell within three hours after the first dose of bromocryptine and remained suppressed throughout her six-month course of therapy.", "contents": "Complete remission of acromegaly with medical treatment. A 40-year-old patient with a ten-year history of acromegaly had persistent disease despite prior treatment with conventional pituitary radiotherapy and two transsphenoidal hypophysectomies. Initial evaluation showed characteristic acromegalic features, hypertension, amenorrhea, inappropriate diaphoresis, and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus despite isophane insulin suspension daily. Growth-hormone levels were high and did not suppress with glucose load. Treatment with bromocriptine was associated with prompt improvement in glucose intolerance, with elimination of insulin requirement within 72 hours of institutions of this therapy. Blood pressure normalized; inappropriate diaphoresis disappeared. Within three months ovulatory menses were noted to resume for the first time in ten years. There was progressive improvement in the soft-tissue changes of acromegaly. The growth-hormone levels fell within three hours after the first dose of bromocryptine and remained suppressed throughout her six-month course of therapy.", "PMID": 762812} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1324", "title": "Step 2 regimens in hypertension. An assessment.", "content": "A single-blind clinical trial compared step 2 combination therapy consisting of 50 or 100 mg of hydroflumethiazide plus either 0.125 to 0.250 mg of reserpine, 500 to 2,000 mg of methyldopa, or 80 to 320 mg of propranolol hydrochloride, in 59 patients whose elevated blood pressure (BP) failed to respond adequately to the thiazide alone. After nine weeks of treatment, diastolic BP was reduced below 90 mm Hg in all 20 patients treated with the reserpine-hydroflumethiazide combination, in 13 of the 19 patients treated with methyldopa and hydroflumethiazide, and in 16 of the 20 patients treated with propranolol and hydroflumethiazide. Changes in laboratory values were not substantial; adverse reactions occurred only in the methyldopa group. Although the three treatment regimens were similar with respect to safety and efficacy, the reserpine-hydroflumethiazide combination offers the advantages of more convenient dosage at lower cost.", "contents": "Step 2 regimens in hypertension. An assessment. A single-blind clinical trial compared step 2 combination therapy consisting of 50 or 100 mg of hydroflumethiazide plus either 0.125 to 0.250 mg of reserpine, 500 to 2,000 mg of methyldopa, or 80 to 320 mg of propranolol hydrochloride, in 59 patients whose elevated blood pressure (BP) failed to respond adequately to the thiazide alone. After nine weeks of treatment, diastolic BP was reduced below 90 mm Hg in all 20 patients treated with the reserpine-hydroflumethiazide combination, in 13 of the 19 patients treated with methyldopa and hydroflumethiazide, and in 16 of the 20 patients treated with propranolol and hydroflumethiazide. Changes in laboratory values were not substantial; adverse reactions occurred only in the methyldopa group. Although the three treatment regimens were similar with respect to safety and efficacy, the reserpine-hydroflumethiazide combination offers the advantages of more convenient dosage at lower cost.", "PMID": 762813} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1325", "title": "Incidence and significance of candiduria.", "content": "The 100,000 colony count has been used without careful evaluation for the diagnosis of renal candidiasis. Therefore, a prospective study was done on 1,004 urine samples from patients without signs of candidiasis to determine the incidence of candiduria and Candida colony counts. These were compared with colony counts from histologically proved cases of renal candidiasis. The incidence of candiduria varied from a low of 4% in men to a high of 39% in girls during their second week of antibiotic therapy. The overall mean colony count was 1,292 +/- 1,500. The mean colony count in clean-catch urine specimens from six proved cases of renal candidiasis was 23,750 +/- 12,311. The difference in colony counts from proved and unproved cases is statistically significant. Counts greater than 10,000 Candida organisms per milliliter require further investigation.", "contents": "Incidence and significance of candiduria. The 100,000 colony count has been used without careful evaluation for the diagnosis of renal candidiasis. Therefore, a prospective study was done on 1,004 urine samples from patients without signs of candidiasis to determine the incidence of candiduria and Candida colony counts. These were compared with colony counts from histologically proved cases of renal candidiasis. The incidence of candiduria varied from a low of 4% in men to a high of 39% in girls during their second week of antibiotic therapy. The overall mean colony count was 1,292 +/- 1,500. The mean colony count in clean-catch urine specimens from six proved cases of renal candidiasis was 23,750 +/- 12,311. The difference in colony counts from proved and unproved cases is statistically significant. Counts greater than 10,000 Candida organisms per milliliter require further investigation.", "PMID": 762814} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1326", "title": "Hepatitis B virus. Inappropriate reactions to transmission risks.", "content": "Ten patients designated as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers were screened for inappropriate reactions to their disease. Assessment with a 32-item questionnaire showed three carriers to have underreacted to the risks of HBsAg transmission through misunderstandings or denial concerning the disease. One carrier, through severe social withdrawal, showed overreaction to the possibilities of disease transmission. Counseling was provided regarding the risks of HBsAg transmission. At a one-month follow-up, all carriers appeared appropriately aware of the risks of transmission, and one of two carriers referred for psychotherapy showed greatly improved social adjustment. We recommend that persons treating HBsAg carriers screen routinely for inappropriate reactions to risks of disease transmission and provide counseling as needed.", "contents": "Hepatitis B virus. Inappropriate reactions to transmission risks. Ten patients designated as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers were screened for inappropriate reactions to their disease. Assessment with a 32-item questionnaire showed three carriers to have underreacted to the risks of HBsAg transmission through misunderstandings or denial concerning the disease. One carrier, through severe social withdrawal, showed overreaction to the possibilities of disease transmission. Counseling was provided regarding the risks of HBsAg transmission. At a one-month follow-up, all carriers appeared appropriately aware of the risks of transmission, and one of two carriers referred for psychotherapy showed greatly improved social adjustment. We recommend that persons treating HBsAg carriers screen routinely for inappropriate reactions to risks of disease transmission and provide counseling as needed.", "PMID": 762815} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1327", "title": "The care of patients at increased risk of premature pacemaker failure.", "content": "During 1975 to 1977, a series of advisory notices from a pacemaker manufacturer alerted us to an increased probability of sudden, premature pacemaker failure in 217 patients. Three possible responses to these recalls were used among these patients: prophylactic pulse generator change, increased surveillance without pulse generator change, and routine surveillance with replacement only after pacing failure. During the three years after implantation of these pulse generators, 30 sudden failures and 19 incidents of rate decrease indicating impending failure were observed; all were corrected by pulse generator replacement. Among the 50 deaths were six for whom terminal pacemaker status information was inadequate, but overall mortality was not notably different from other pacing series. Consideration of recalls should include projected frequency of failure, expected mode of failure, patient dependence on pacing, and presence of coexisting diseases.", "contents": "The care of patients at increased risk of premature pacemaker failure. During 1975 to 1977, a series of advisory notices from a pacemaker manufacturer alerted us to an increased probability of sudden, premature pacemaker failure in 217 patients. Three possible responses to these recalls were used among these patients: prophylactic pulse generator change, increased surveillance without pulse generator change, and routine surveillance with replacement only after pacing failure. During the three years after implantation of these pulse generators, 30 sudden failures and 19 incidents of rate decrease indicating impending failure were observed; all were corrected by pulse generator replacement. Among the 50 deaths were six for whom terminal pacemaker status information was inadequate, but overall mortality was not notably different from other pacing series. Consideration of recalls should include projected frequency of failure, expected mode of failure, patient dependence on pacing, and presence of coexisting diseases.", "PMID": 762828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1328", "title": "American foreign medical graduates. Performance after a year of supervised clinical clerkships (fifth pathway).", "content": "The performance during graduate medical education of Americans who have studied medicine abroad and who have taken a year of intense and closely supervised clinical clerkships (fifth pathway program) was assessed. Only 14% of such house officers were given inadequate or below-average ratings in overall clinical performance by residency program directors. Ninety percent or more received average, good, very good, or excellent evaluations in their ability to take medical histories and perform physical examinations, in their response to instruction, in behavior and interpersonal relationships, and in appearance and emotional stability. Seventy percent were said to be as good as or better than house staff in general. Carefully selected and properly motivated Americans who have studied medicine in a foreign country can become good physicians following a well-organized, comprehensive closely supervised year of clinical clerkship education.", "contents": "American foreign medical graduates. Performance after a year of supervised clinical clerkships (fifth pathway). The performance during graduate medical education of Americans who have studied medicine abroad and who have taken a year of intense and closely supervised clinical clerkships (fifth pathway program) was assessed. Only 14% of such house officers were given inadequate or below-average ratings in overall clinical performance by residency program directors. Ninety percent or more received average, good, very good, or excellent evaluations in their ability to take medical histories and perform physical examinations, in their response to instruction, in behavior and interpersonal relationships, and in appearance and emotional stability. Seventy percent were said to be as good as or better than house staff in general. Carefully selected and properly motivated Americans who have studied medicine in a foreign country can become good physicians following a well-organized, comprehensive closely supervised year of clinical clerkship education.", "PMID": 762829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1329", "title": "Women in alternative health care. Their influence on traditional medicine.", "content": "Male domination of the traditional health care systems is well recognized. In contrast, it appears that women are a more important force in the alternative health care system, which is made up of neighborhood clinics and community health centers. A study of 17 such alternative health care centers in the San Diego area discloses that women account for almost half of the directors, all seven of the assistant directors, more than three-fourths of the clinic coordinators, and almost half (40%) of the membership of the boards of directors. Since many of the recent innovations in traditional health care derive from the alternative health care movement, the influence of women on the traditional systems may be more substantial than heretofore recognized.", "contents": "Women in alternative health care. Their influence on traditional medicine. Male domination of the traditional health care systems is well recognized. In contrast, it appears that women are a more important force in the alternative health care system, which is made up of neighborhood clinics and community health centers. A study of 17 such alternative health care centers in the San Diego area discloses that women account for almost half of the directors, all seven of the assistant directors, more than three-fourths of the clinic coordinators, and almost half (40%) of the membership of the boards of directors. Since many of the recent innovations in traditional health care derive from the alternative health care movement, the influence of women on the traditional systems may be more substantial than heretofore recognized.", "PMID": 762830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1330", "title": "Hypomagnesemia. Suppression of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure.", "content": "Chronic renal failure is accompanied by secondary hyperparathyroidism. Inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion has been reported to be induced by hypomagnesemia in conditions other than chronic renal failure, since severe hypomagnesemia is rare in chronic renal failure. In the case reported here, the patient had chronic renal failure and malabsorption-induced hypomagnesemia; she exhibited hypoparathyroidism while hypomagnesemic, and hyperparathyroidism after magnesium was replaced. Hypomagnesemia induced parathyroid hormone suppression in this patient with chronic renal failure, despite the presence of chronic hyperfunctioning parathyroid cells.", "contents": "Hypomagnesemia. Suppression of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure. Chronic renal failure is accompanied by secondary hyperparathyroidism. Inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion has been reported to be induced by hypomagnesemia in conditions other than chronic renal failure, since severe hypomagnesemia is rare in chronic renal failure. In the case reported here, the patient had chronic renal failure and malabsorption-induced hypomagnesemia; she exhibited hypoparathyroidism while hypomagnesemic, and hyperparathyroidism after magnesium was replaced. Hypomagnesemia induced parathyroid hormone suppression in this patient with chronic renal failure, despite the presence of chronic hyperfunctioning parathyroid cells.", "PMID": 762831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1331", "title": "Cubital tunnel syndrome.", "content": "The symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome in 118 patients were mainly those of muscular atrophy, but they also included sensory disturbances in the ring and little fingers and pain in the ulnar side of the forearm. The syndrome occurs equally in men and women, with no particular age preference in adults. Seven tests are useful in diagnosing the condition. Treatment consists of excising the band, which constricts the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Sensory recovery is usually complete, but muscular atrophy may not recover in older patients. In my series of 561 nerve decompressions, ulnar nerve decompression was carried out eight times more often at the elbow than at the wrist.", "contents": "Cubital tunnel syndrome. The symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome in 118 patients were mainly those of muscular atrophy, but they also included sensory disturbances in the ring and little fingers and pain in the ulnar side of the forearm. The syndrome occurs equally in men and women, with no particular age preference in adults. Seven tests are useful in diagnosing the condition. Treatment consists of excising the band, which constricts the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Sensory recovery is usually complete, but muscular atrophy may not recover in older patients. In my series of 561 nerve decompressions, ulnar nerve decompression was carried out eight times more often at the elbow than at the wrist.", "PMID": 762844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1332", "title": "Necrotizing fasciitis. Importance of roentgenographic studies for soft-tissue gas.", "content": "Twenty-six patients with necrotizing fasciitis were treated during a nine-year period. Twenty-one (81%) had diabetes mellitus and 19 (73%) had gas in their soft tissues from nonclostridial infection. Although crepitation was found by physical examination in only five patients, roentgenographic examination of the involved site disclosed gas in every patient in whom it was subsequently found at surgery. Previous studies have not used roentgenography to search for soft-tissue gas. The 21 diabetic patients in our series had a mortality of 19%, the lowest yet reported. This suggested that roentgenographic study of cases with fasciitis permits earlier diagnosis and favorably affects outcome.", "contents": "Necrotizing fasciitis. Importance of roentgenographic studies for soft-tissue gas. Twenty-six patients with necrotizing fasciitis were treated during a nine-year period. Twenty-one (81%) had diabetes mellitus and 19 (73%) had gas in their soft tissues from nonclostridial infection. Although crepitation was found by physical examination in only five patients, roentgenographic examination of the involved site disclosed gas in every patient in whom it was subsequently found at surgery. Previous studies have not used roentgenography to search for soft-tissue gas. The 21 diabetic patients in our series had a mortality of 19%, the lowest yet reported. This suggested that roentgenographic study of cases with fasciitis permits earlier diagnosis and favorably affects outcome.", "PMID": 762845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1333", "title": "Lower-extremity arterial emboli from ulcerating atherosclerotic plaques.", "content": "Ten cases of lower-extremity emboli originated from proximal, ulcerated atherosclerotic plaques. Two distinct clinical presentations were seen. Embolization of cholesterol-rich debris was usually widespread and lodged in terminal arteries, producing either focal digital ischemia or livedo reticularis of the extremity. By contrast, thrombi arising from mural erosions were larger and produced a picture indistinguishable from emboli of cardiac origin. Biplanar aortography was essential in making the correct diagnosis. Anticoagulation has not prevented recurrent embolization. Endarterectomy or graft replacement of the diseased arterial segment is the preferred method of treatment. Lumbar sympathectomy is a useful adjunct when persistent cutaneous ischemia is present.", "contents": "Lower-extremity arterial emboli from ulcerating atherosclerotic plaques. Ten cases of lower-extremity emboli originated from proximal, ulcerated atherosclerotic plaques. Two distinct clinical presentations were seen. Embolization of cholesterol-rich debris was usually widespread and lodged in terminal arteries, producing either focal digital ischemia or livedo reticularis of the extremity. By contrast, thrombi arising from mural erosions were larger and produced a picture indistinguishable from emboli of cardiac origin. Biplanar aortography was essential in making the correct diagnosis. Anticoagulation has not prevented recurrent embolization. Endarterectomy or graft replacement of the diseased arterial segment is the preferred method of treatment. Lumbar sympathectomy is a useful adjunct when persistent cutaneous ischemia is present.", "PMID": 762846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1334", "title": "Helping hemiparetics to help themselves. Sensory feedback therapy.", "content": "Despite the presence of some voluntary movement, the loss of discrete control impairs functioning of the arm and hand in most hemiparetics. Seventy hemiparetic patients, aged 12 to 78 years, were treated and followed up for six months to three years. Electromyographic activity monitored from dysfunctional primary movers during attempted movement was displayed to the patients as a continuous oscilloscopic trace, reflecting generated muscle activity and allowing its quantification. Coupled with operant conditioning techniques, these displays were modified gradually by reinforcing the patient's effort with auditory feedback during successive approximations to a desired level. Such therapeutic use of electromyographic displays often resulted in a progressive improvement of voluntary movement. More than half the patients acquired and retained purposive movements that meaningfully improved their functional capabilities.", "contents": "Helping hemiparetics to help themselves. Sensory feedback therapy. Despite the presence of some voluntary movement, the loss of discrete control impairs functioning of the arm and hand in most hemiparetics. Seventy hemiparetic patients, aged 12 to 78 years, were treated and followed up for six months to three years. Electromyographic activity monitored from dysfunctional primary movers during attempted movement was displayed to the patients as a continuous oscilloscopic trace, reflecting generated muscle activity and allowing its quantification. Coupled with operant conditioning techniques, these displays were modified gradually by reinforcing the patient's effort with auditory feedback during successive approximations to a desired level. Such therapeutic use of electromyographic displays often resulted in a progressive improvement of voluntary movement. More than half the patients acquired and retained purposive movements that meaningfully improved their functional capabilities.", "PMID": 762847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1335", "title": "Postcholecystectomy diarrhea.", "content": "Diarrhea developed in three patients following cholecystectomy. Fecal bile-acid excretion was elevated in the two patients for whom it was measured. All three patients' diarrhea resolved with cholestyramine resin therapy. This experience suggests that gallbladder removal may lead to a bile-acid-mediated diarrhea in some patients, and that this condition appears to respond to cholestyramine therapy.", "contents": "Postcholecystectomy diarrhea. Diarrhea developed in three patients following cholecystectomy. Fecal bile-acid excretion was elevated in the two patients for whom it was measured. All three patients' diarrhea resolved with cholestyramine resin therapy. This experience suggests that gallbladder removal may lead to a bile-acid-mediated diarrhea in some patients, and that this condition appears to respond to cholestyramine therapy.", "PMID": 762849} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1336", "title": "Changes in physicians' attitudes toward telling the cancer patient.", "content": "In answer to a questionnaire administered in 1961, 90% of responding physicians indicated a preference for not telling a cancer patient his diagnosis. To assess attitudinal changes, the same questionnaire was submitted to 699 university-hospital medical staff. Of 264 respondents, 97% indicated a preference for telling a cancer patient his diagnosis--a complete reversal of attitude. As in 1961, clinical experience was the major policy determinant, but the 1977 population emphasized the influence of medical school and hospital training. Our respondents indicated less likelihood that they would change their present policy or be swayed by research. Clinical experience was the determining factor in shaping two opposite policies. Physicians are still basing their policies on emotion-laden personal conviction rather than the outcome of properly designed scientific studies.", "contents": "Changes in physicians' attitudes toward telling the cancer patient. In answer to a questionnaire administered in 1961, 90% of responding physicians indicated a preference for not telling a cancer patient his diagnosis. To assess attitudinal changes, the same questionnaire was submitted to 699 university-hospital medical staff. Of 264 respondents, 97% indicated a preference for telling a cancer patient his diagnosis--a complete reversal of attitude. As in 1961, clinical experience was the major policy determinant, but the 1977 population emphasized the influence of medical school and hospital training. Our respondents indicated less likelihood that they would change their present policy or be swayed by research. Clinical experience was the determining factor in shaping two opposite policies. Physicians are still basing their policies on emotion-laden personal conviction rather than the outcome of properly designed scientific studies.", "PMID": 762865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1337", "title": "Trainees' retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. How quickly they forget.", "content": "Lay persons trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were evaluated six months after completion of a four-hour basic life support course to determine the degree to which CPR cognitive and psychomotor performance skills were retained. Evaluation criteria were based on the American Heart Association's recommended standards. The data disclosed a significant decrease in the resuscitators' retention of CPR knowledge and skills.", "contents": "Trainees' retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. How quickly they forget. Lay persons trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were evaluated six months after completion of a four-hour basic life support course to determine the degree to which CPR cognitive and psychomotor performance skills were retained. Evaluation criteria were based on the American Heart Association's recommended standards. The data disclosed a significant decrease in the resuscitators' retention of CPR knowledge and skills.", "PMID": 762866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1338", "title": "Alveolar hydatid disease in Minnesota. First human case acquired in the contiguous United States.", "content": "A 56-year-old woman from southwestern Minnesota underwent an extended left hepatic lobectomy to remove a large multinodular mass with a necrotic central cavity. The clinical, serological, and pathological findings led to the diagnosis of alveolar hydatid disease, and specific identification of Echinococcus multilocularis was achieved by growing mature larvas in voles inoculated intraperitoneally with tissue from the hepatic lesions. The patient probably acquired her infection some years previously from pet cats or dogs that had become infected by ingesting infected rodents. In North America E multilocularis is enzootic in the northern tundra zone of Alaska and Canada. Since 1964 the cestode has been recognized with increasing frequency in several north-central states, including Minnesota. The parasite may extend its range farther south, since suitable animal hosts occur throughout the United States.", "contents": "Alveolar hydatid disease in Minnesota. First human case acquired in the contiguous United States. A 56-year-old woman from southwestern Minnesota underwent an extended left hepatic lobectomy to remove a large multinodular mass with a necrotic central cavity. The clinical, serological, and pathological findings led to the diagnosis of alveolar hydatid disease, and specific identification of Echinococcus multilocularis was achieved by growing mature larvas in voles inoculated intraperitoneally with tissue from the hepatic lesions. The patient probably acquired her infection some years previously from pet cats or dogs that had become infected by ingesting infected rodents. In North America E multilocularis is enzootic in the northern tundra zone of Alaska and Canada. Since 1964 the cestode has been recognized with increasing frequency in several north-central states, including Minnesota. The parasite may extend its range farther south, since suitable animal hosts occur throughout the United States.", "PMID": 762867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1339", "title": "Glycohemoglobins and glucose tolerance.", "content": "Glycohemoglobin (GHb) levels were assayed after chromatography on weakly acidic acrylic cationite columns in 167 patients undergoing glucose tolerance test (GTT) and in 105 known diabetics. In 95% of patients with normal GTT levels, the GHb level was in the range of 6.8% to 9.8%. The GHb level was normal in patients with latent diabetes. Glycohemoglobin levels were elevated in patients with poorly controlled diabetes. Even in patients with normal GTT results, GHb levels correlated positively with fasting plasma glucose and glucose tolerance values. In patients with abnormal GTT results or diabetes but not receiving insulin therapy, the correlation between GHb levels and fasting plasma glucose values was significant. The GHb level that distinguished between latent and overt diabetes correlated strongly with the values of fasting plasma glucose and glucose tolerance and reflected changes in the control of diabetes.", "contents": "Glycohemoglobins and glucose tolerance. Glycohemoglobin (GHb) levels were assayed after chromatography on weakly acidic acrylic cationite columns in 167 patients undergoing glucose tolerance test (GTT) and in 105 known diabetics. In 95% of patients with normal GTT levels, the GHb level was in the range of 6.8% to 9.8%. The GHb level was normal in patients with latent diabetes. Glycohemoglobin levels were elevated in patients with poorly controlled diabetes. Even in patients with normal GTT results, GHb levels correlated positively with fasting plasma glucose and glucose tolerance values. In patients with abnormal GTT results or diabetes but not receiving insulin therapy, the correlation between GHb levels and fasting plasma glucose values was significant. The GHb level that distinguished between latent and overt diabetes correlated strongly with the values of fasting plasma glucose and glucose tolerance and reflected changes in the control of diabetes.", "PMID": 762868} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1340", "title": "Food and water restriction in the wrestler.", "content": "The present practice in wrestling of \"making weight\" is hazardous to the health of growing young men, primarily because competitors lose too high a percentage of body fat. The Tcheng-Tipton-Clarke method should be used to control food restriction, while observation of specific gravity of urine should be used to control fluid restriction and hydration.", "contents": "Food and water restriction in the wrestler. The present practice in wrestling of \"making weight\" is hazardous to the health of growing young men, primarily because competitors lose too high a percentage of body fat. The Tcheng-Tipton-Clarke method should be used to control food restriction, while observation of specific gravity of urine should be used to control fluid restriction and hydration.", "PMID": 762869} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1341", "title": "Thyroglobulin in benign and malignant thyroid disease.", "content": "Thyroglobulin (TG) is a 19S glycoprotein produced by normal thyroids and almost all nonmedullary thyroid cancers. Radioimmunoassays measure serum levels of TG, and these levels are abnormally elevated in patients with metastatic thyroid cancer. Data from our study show that TG measurement is not effective in screening high-risk populations for thyroid cancer. Nevertheless, serum TG determinations are useful for assessing the presence and possibly the extent of residual or recurrent nonmedullary thyroid cancer in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy.", "contents": "Thyroglobulin in benign and malignant thyroid disease. Thyroglobulin (TG) is a 19S glycoprotein produced by normal thyroids and almost all nonmedullary thyroid cancers. Radioimmunoassays measure serum levels of TG, and these levels are abnormally elevated in patients with metastatic thyroid cancer. Data from our study show that TG measurement is not effective in screening high-risk populations for thyroid cancer. Nevertheless, serum TG determinations are useful for assessing the presence and possibly the extent of residual or recurrent nonmedullary thyroid cancer in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy.", "PMID": 762873} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1342", "title": "The multiple roentgen manifestations of sclerosing mediastinitis.", "content": "Sclerosing mediastinitis is excessive production of fibrous tissue in the mediastinum. Its most common manifestations, widening of the mediastinum and superior vena caval obstruction, are the only roentgenographic findings generally recognized to be associated with this disease. Analysis of 29 cases of sclerosing mediastinitis and review of the literature reveal that compression of mediastinal organs by constricting bands of collagen may cause various roentgen manifestations including bronchial or tracheal obstruction leading to atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis, pulmonary venous obstruction, pulmonary artery obstruction, esophageal obstruction and nerve entrapment. The most common abnormality seen on the chest roentgenogram, mediastinal widening, is usually superior and especially right paratracheal in location. Superior vena caval compression is smooth and tapered rather than irregular as in malignant disease. Pulmonary venous and arterial obstruction may cause cor pulmonale and death, although the other manifestations are usually not life-threatening. The most common causes of sclerosing mediastinitis are generally considered to be granulomatous diseases, especially histoplasmosis, although many other causes have also been suggested. The disease may be regarded as an inappropriate response to one of several stimuli.", "contents": "The multiple roentgen manifestations of sclerosing mediastinitis. Sclerosing mediastinitis is excessive production of fibrous tissue in the mediastinum. Its most common manifestations, widening of the mediastinum and superior vena caval obstruction, are the only roentgenographic findings generally recognized to be associated with this disease. Analysis of 29 cases of sclerosing mediastinitis and review of the literature reveal that compression of mediastinal organs by constricting bands of collagen may cause various roentgen manifestations including bronchial or tracheal obstruction leading to atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis, pulmonary venous obstruction, pulmonary artery obstruction, esophageal obstruction and nerve entrapment. The most common abnormality seen on the chest roentgenogram, mediastinal widening, is usually superior and especially right paratracheal in location. Superior vena caval compression is smooth and tapered rather than irregular as in malignant disease. Pulmonary venous and arterial obstruction may cause cor pulmonale and death, although the other manifestations are usually not life-threatening. The most common causes of sclerosing mediastinitis are generally considered to be granulomatous diseases, especially histoplasmosis, although many other causes have also been suggested. The disease may be regarded as an inappropriate response to one of several stimuli.", "PMID": 762913} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1343", "title": "[Properties of hypoxanthineguanine-phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRTase) in a gout patient with partial deficiency of this enzyme (author's transl)].", "content": "Some physicochemical properties of HGPRTase were studied in hemolysates and fibroblasts of a gout patient with partial deficiency of this enzyme. In comparison to normal HGPRTase the mutant enzyme from erythrocytes was found to have an elevated apparent Km-value for hypoxanthine and guanine and a lower Km-value for PRPP. The patient's enzyme from erythrocytes is more stable at +4 degrees C and +80 degrees C, the enzyme from fibroblasts more labile than that of controls. The inhibition of the mutant enzyme by some purine nucleosides and -nucleotides differed from that found in controls. No evidence was shown for an inhibitor of the patient's HGPRTase from erythrocytes. Ultracentrifugation of hemolysate in a saccharose gradient revealed no difference in the sedimentation coefficient.", "contents": "[Properties of hypoxanthineguanine-phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRTase) in a gout patient with partial deficiency of this enzyme (author's transl)]. Some physicochemical properties of HGPRTase were studied in hemolysates and fibroblasts of a gout patient with partial deficiency of this enzyme. In comparison to normal HGPRTase the mutant enzyme from erythrocytes was found to have an elevated apparent Km-value for hypoxanthine and guanine and a lower Km-value for PRPP. The patient's enzyme from erythrocytes is more stable at +4 degrees C and +80 degrees C, the enzyme from fibroblasts more labile than that of controls. The inhibition of the mutant enzyme by some purine nucleosides and -nucleotides differed from that found in controls. No evidence was shown for an inhibitor of the patient's HGPRTase from erythrocytes. Ultracentrifugation of hemolysate in a saccharose gradient revealed no difference in the sedimentation coefficient.", "PMID": 762946} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1344", "title": "Etiopathology and classification of acquired coagulation disorders in the newborn infant.", "content": "In the newborn period low vitamin K dependent coagulation factors are frequently found in connection with normal global tests. To investigate this peculiar coagulation status studies were performed in 54 newborns who were divided into three groups according to their clinical course and the existence of bleeding. The results are compared to coagulation tests used for the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). An early sign of an increased turnover of coagulation factors is a difference in the fibrinogen concentration determined by an immunological technique and a coagulation test which is sensible to fibrin(ogen)-degradation-products (FDP'S). At this stage factor II, V and VII levels are still within the normal range suggesting an increased production. In a more severe disturbance of the clotting system the increased turnover is no longer compensated by an increased production, and platelets and later on factor II and VII levels are lowered. At this early stage of DIC the vitamin K dependent factors are correlated to the factors I and V. Finally factors I and V drop as well. This stage in most infants is accompanied by the clinical symptom of bleeding. The clotting tests results are well correlated to the severity of the disease.", "contents": "Etiopathology and classification of acquired coagulation disorders in the newborn infant. In the newborn period low vitamin K dependent coagulation factors are frequently found in connection with normal global tests. To investigate this peculiar coagulation status studies were performed in 54 newborns who were divided into three groups according to their clinical course and the existence of bleeding. The results are compared to coagulation tests used for the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). An early sign of an increased turnover of coagulation factors is a difference in the fibrinogen concentration determined by an immunological technique and a coagulation test which is sensible to fibrin(ogen)-degradation-products (FDP'S). At this stage factor II, V and VII levels are still within the normal range suggesting an increased production. In a more severe disturbance of the clotting system the increased turnover is no longer compensated by an increased production, and platelets and later on factor II and VII levels are lowered. At this early stage of DIC the vitamin K dependent factors are correlated to the factors I and V. Finally factors I and V drop as well. This stage in most infants is accompanied by the clinical symptom of bleeding. The clotting tests results are well correlated to the severity of the disease.", "PMID": 762947} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1345", "title": "[Phase coordination between maternal and fetal heart rhythm during pregnancy (author's transl)].", "content": "In pregnant women during 8th and 9th month of pregnancy simultaneous registrations of the maternal and the fetal electrocardiograms were carried out, generally by systematic long-term studies during night rest. It could be proofed by examinations of the frequency distribution of the maternal R-peaks within the fetal cardiac cycle as well as of the frequency distribution of the fetal R-peaks within the maternal cardiac cycle that around a whole number frequency relationship of both of the heart rhythms a phase coordination between maternal and fetal heart actions occurs, leading to a preference of a defined phase relationship. According to the detected phase relationship it can be presumed, that the fetal rhythm is triggered by the guiding maternal pulse wave rhythm within a small range.", "contents": "[Phase coordination between maternal and fetal heart rhythm during pregnancy (author's transl)]. In pregnant women during 8th and 9th month of pregnancy simultaneous registrations of the maternal and the fetal electrocardiograms were carried out, generally by systematic long-term studies during night rest. It could be proofed by examinations of the frequency distribution of the maternal R-peaks within the fetal cardiac cycle as well as of the frequency distribution of the fetal R-peaks within the maternal cardiac cycle that around a whole number frequency relationship of both of the heart rhythms a phase coordination between maternal and fetal heart actions occurs, leading to a preference of a defined phase relationship. According to the detected phase relationship it can be presumed, that the fetal rhythm is triggered by the guiding maternal pulse wave rhythm within a small range.", "PMID": 762948} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1346", "title": "Comparison of phenytoin determinations in plasma, plasma dialysate and saliva for control of antiepileptic therapy in children.", "content": "Phenytoin was determined in plasma or serum, dialysate from plasma or serum and saliva in 45 children and 7 adults by gas chromatography. 200 microliter of plasma were necessary for dialysis. Close correlations were found between phenytoin concentrations in the different media (r greater than or equal to 0.95). Since in some cases the levels in saliva were extremely high in comparison to plasma and dialysate, precautions are advisable when using phenytoin determinations in saliva for therapeutic decisions. Clinical data from 15 children with high phenytoin levels suggest that there is no advantage in determining the unbound fraction of the drug in plasma for the control of antiepileptic therapy.", "contents": "Comparison of phenytoin determinations in plasma, plasma dialysate and saliva for control of antiepileptic therapy in children. Phenytoin was determined in plasma or serum, dialysate from plasma or serum and saliva in 45 children and 7 adults by gas chromatography. 200 microliter of plasma were necessary for dialysis. Close correlations were found between phenytoin concentrations in the different media (r greater than or equal to 0.95). Since in some cases the levels in saliva were extremely high in comparison to plasma and dialysate, precautions are advisable when using phenytoin determinations in saliva for therapeutic decisions. Clinical data from 15 children with high phenytoin levels suggest that there is no advantage in determining the unbound fraction of the drug in plasma for the control of antiepileptic therapy.", "PMID": 762949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1347", "title": "[Effect of Co-trimoxazole on renal creatinine excretion in man (author's transl)].", "content": "Clinical observations have shown, that administration of Co-trimoxazole (Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole) may result in an elevation of the serum-creatinine level. In 27 subjects the endogenous creatinine- and inulinclearance were measured before and during oral or parenteral application of Co-trimoxazole. The inulinclearance showed no significant differences (p greater than 0,05). But the endogenous creatinine clearance showed a reduction of 18% during the oral and of 13% during the parenteral treatment (p less than or equal to 0,05). These observations indicate a functional inhibition of the tubular creatinine secretion by Co-trimoxazole.", "contents": "[Effect of Co-trimoxazole on renal creatinine excretion in man (author's transl)]. Clinical observations have shown, that administration of Co-trimoxazole (Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole) may result in an elevation of the serum-creatinine level. In 27 subjects the endogenous creatinine- and inulinclearance were measured before and during oral or parenteral application of Co-trimoxazole. The inulinclearance showed no significant differences (p greater than 0,05). But the endogenous creatinine clearance showed a reduction of 18% during the oral and of 13% during the parenteral treatment (p less than or equal to 0,05). These observations indicate a functional inhibition of the tubular creatinine secretion by Co-trimoxazole.", "PMID": 762950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1348", "title": "Morphologic changes in arterial grafts in rabbit ears.", "content": "The morphology of auto- and allografted segments of rabbit central ear arteries was studied at various times after grafting. Autografts showed thrombosis only in the immediate postoperative period. Autografts developed intimal thickenings whose cellular elements at all stages were almost exclusively myointimal in type. Their medial smooth muscle cells were viable at all stages. Allografts frequently thrombosed within 8 weeks of grafting. Intimal thickenings that developed in the first 6 weeks in allografts mainly contained infiltrating hematogenous cells with few myointimal cells. Immune cells infiltrated all of the layers of allograft walls, and the smooth muscle cells of their medias showed increasingly severe degeneration and by 8 weeks had completely disappeared. In long established allografts, the intima was extremely thick and contained myointimal cells and fibrous tissue. Their medias were fibrosed. In long standing allografts, immune cell infiltration was no longer present. The thrombosis of allografted arteries that occurred within 8 weeks of grafting was related to immunologic events observed within the vessel grafts. Differences between myointimal cells and smooth muscle cells with regard to their morphology and orientation were identified. A possible origin of myointimal cells from endothelial cells is suggested.", "contents": "Morphologic changes in arterial grafts in rabbit ears. The morphology of auto- and allografted segments of rabbit central ear arteries was studied at various times after grafting. Autografts showed thrombosis only in the immediate postoperative period. Autografts developed intimal thickenings whose cellular elements at all stages were almost exclusively myointimal in type. Their medial smooth muscle cells were viable at all stages. Allografts frequently thrombosed within 8 weeks of grafting. Intimal thickenings that developed in the first 6 weeks in allografts mainly contained infiltrating hematogenous cells with few myointimal cells. Immune cells infiltrated all of the layers of allograft walls, and the smooth muscle cells of their medias showed increasingly severe degeneration and by 8 weeks had completely disappeared. In long established allografts, the intima was extremely thick and contained myointimal cells and fibrous tissue. Their medias were fibrosed. In long standing allografts, immune cell infiltration was no longer present. The thrombosis of allografted arteries that occurred within 8 weeks of grafting was related to immunologic events observed within the vessel grafts. Differences between myointimal cells and smooth muscle cells with regard to their morphology and orientation were identified. A possible origin of myointimal cells from endothelial cells is suggested.", "PMID": 762951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1349", "title": "Regeneration of cerebral microvessels: a morphologic and histochemical study after local freeze-injury.", "content": "The sequential changes that occur during regeneration of cerebral microvessels was studied in young mice after a local freeze-injury. The immediate breakdown in the blood-brain barrier to horseradish peroxidase was followed by dissolution of cells in the vessel wall although the basal lamina was preserved. This residual basal lamina formed the pathway for the orderly regeneration of microvessels. Three days after injury, reactive endothelial cells with prominent pinocytosis and patent interendothelial channels were present at the edge of the lesion. By 5 days, endothelialization of necrotic vessels was in progress with patent vascular channels and tight junction formation. Establishment of astrocytic contacts or perivascular fibrosis by 7 days was generally followed by reconstitution of normal vascular morphology and integrity at 15 to 35 days after injury.", "contents": "Regeneration of cerebral microvessels: a morphologic and histochemical study after local freeze-injury. The sequential changes that occur during regeneration of cerebral microvessels was studied in young mice after a local freeze-injury. The immediate breakdown in the blood-brain barrier to horseradish peroxidase was followed by dissolution of cells in the vessel wall although the basal lamina was preserved. This residual basal lamina formed the pathway for the orderly regeneration of microvessels. Three days after injury, reactive endothelial cells with prominent pinocytosis and patent interendothelial channels were present at the edge of the lesion. By 5 days, endothelialization of necrotic vessels was in progress with patent vascular channels and tight junction formation. Establishment of astrocytic contacts or perivascular fibrosis by 7 days was generally followed by reconstitution of normal vascular morphology and integrity at 15 to 35 days after injury.", "PMID": 762954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1350", "title": "Stability of messenger ribonucleic acid of free and membrane-bound polyribosomes of the livers of rats treated with ethionine.", "content": "Administration of ethionine to female rats results in disaggregation of free and membrane-bound polyribosomes and inhibition of protein synthesis in the liver. The administration of adenine and methionine to ethionine-treated rats reverses these effects, even after actinomycin D treatment which inhibits new RNA synthesis. The membrane-bound polyribosomes show greater recovery of the state of aggregation and of in vitro protein synthesis than do the free polyribosomes of rat liver. The messenger RNA (mRNA) in the recovering membrane-bound polyribosomes appears to come from endoplasmic reticulum membranes and is not related to increased nucleocytoplasmic translocation of existing mRNA. Initiation factors-dependent stimulation of polyphenylalanine synthesis by ribosomes and by initiation factors of membrane-bound polyribosomes is increased more than the synthesis by ribosomes and by initiation factors of free polyribosomes in the livers of ethionine-treated rats receiving actinomycin D and adenine plus methionine. Our results suggest that stable mRNA associated with membranes remains in the rat liver after injury by ethionine, and during recovery induced by adenine and methionine, the mRNA is utilized to reform membrane-bound polyribosomes.", "contents": "Stability of messenger ribonucleic acid of free and membrane-bound polyribosomes of the livers of rats treated with ethionine. Administration of ethionine to female rats results in disaggregation of free and membrane-bound polyribosomes and inhibition of protein synthesis in the liver. The administration of adenine and methionine to ethionine-treated rats reverses these effects, even after actinomycin D treatment which inhibits new RNA synthesis. The membrane-bound polyribosomes show greater recovery of the state of aggregation and of in vitro protein synthesis than do the free polyribosomes of rat liver. The messenger RNA (mRNA) in the recovering membrane-bound polyribosomes appears to come from endoplasmic reticulum membranes and is not related to increased nucleocytoplasmic translocation of existing mRNA. Initiation factors-dependent stimulation of polyphenylalanine synthesis by ribosomes and by initiation factors of membrane-bound polyribosomes is increased more than the synthesis by ribosomes and by initiation factors of free polyribosomes in the livers of ethionine-treated rats receiving actinomycin D and adenine plus methionine. Our results suggest that stable mRNA associated with membranes remains in the rat liver after injury by ethionine, and during recovery induced by adenine and methionine, the mRNA is utilized to reform membrane-bound polyribosomes.", "PMID": 762955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1351", "title": "Management of thoracic outlet syndrome.", "content": "Twelve hundred patients with thoracic outlet syndrome have been managed between 1973 and 1978. Diagnosis was based on a careful history and detailed physical examination designed to establish the presence of brachial plexus irritation. The cervical spine was evaluated and nerve conduction studies were obtained. All patients were initially treated with a comprehensive physical therapy program. One hundred thirteen patients had transaxillary first rib resections. Eighty percent of surgical patients had complete relief of symptoms and 13 percent were improved. Seven percent were unimproved and none was made worse by operation. There were no operative deaths. Complications occurred in 3 percent, and there were no recurrences requiring operation. This management plan reduced the number of patients requiring operation to 9.4 percent while maintaining satisfactory surgical results.", "contents": "Management of thoracic outlet syndrome. Twelve hundred patients with thoracic outlet syndrome have been managed between 1973 and 1978. Diagnosis was based on a careful history and detailed physical examination designed to establish the presence of brachial plexus irritation. The cervical spine was evaluated and nerve conduction studies were obtained. All patients were initially treated with a comprehensive physical therapy program. One hundred thirteen patients had transaxillary first rib resections. Eighty percent of surgical patients had complete relief of symptoms and 13 percent were improved. Seven percent were unimproved and none was made worse by operation. There were no operative deaths. Complications occurred in 3 percent, and there were no recurrences requiring operation. This management plan reduced the number of patients requiring operation to 9.4 percent while maintaining satisfactory surgical results.", "PMID": 762957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1352", "title": "Surgical management of straddling atrioventricular valve.", "content": "Corrective operations were attempted in 10 patients with straddling atrioventricular valve (SAVV), and successful palliative operations were performed in another nine patients. SAVV occurred as a part of five different cardiac complexes, and three anatomic types were encountered. The SAVV was a tricuspid valve in eight patients, right atrioventricular valve (in univentricular hearts) in five, and mitral valve in six. Four types of corrective procedures were used: (1) the Rastelli operation, (2) isolated closure of the universally present ventricular septal defect by a patch deviating around the straddling portion of the SAVV, (3) replacement of the SAVV with or without insertion of an extracardiac conduit, and (4) closure of the SAVV plus right atrium-pulmonary artery anastomosis (modified Fontan procedure). All three hospital deaths occurred in patients managed by replacement of SAVV and extracardiac conduit insertion (technique 3). This experience allows preliminary speculation about preferred methods of surgical management.", "contents": "Surgical management of straddling atrioventricular valve. Corrective operations were attempted in 10 patients with straddling atrioventricular valve (SAVV), and successful palliative operations were performed in another nine patients. SAVV occurred as a part of five different cardiac complexes, and three anatomic types were encountered. The SAVV was a tricuspid valve in eight patients, right atrioventricular valve (in univentricular hearts) in five, and mitral valve in six. Four types of corrective procedures were used: (1) the Rastelli operation, (2) isolated closure of the universally present ventricular septal defect by a patch deviating around the straddling portion of the SAVV, (3) replacement of the SAVV with or without insertion of an extracardiac conduit, and (4) closure of the SAVV plus right atrium-pulmonary artery anastomosis (modified Fontan procedure). All three hospital deaths occurred in patients managed by replacement of SAVV and extracardiac conduit insertion (technique 3). This experience allows preliminary speculation about preferred methods of surgical management.", "PMID": 762959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1353", "title": "The spectrum of Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve.", "content": "The structure of the tricuspid valve in 14 cases of Ebstein's malformation is described and compared with that in the normal heart. The anomalous hearts showed a spectrum of malformation, varying from minimal displacement of the adjacent parts of the septal and inferior leaflets of the tricuspid valve to presence of an imperforate membrane or muscle shelf between the inlet and trabecular zones of the right ventricle. In \"typical\" Ebstein's anomaly the anterosuperior leaflet was abnormally attached so as to partially obstruct the route from right atrium to distal right ventricle, the communication between these chambers being between the abnormally attached leaflet and its malformed neighbors. In two hearts, a muscular shelf produced stenosis between inlet and trabecular portions, but a competent valve was produced at this site, the atrialized part of the right ventricle being of normal thickness. The significance of these findings is considered with regard to possible methods of repair. Description of the anomaly is facilitated by considering the right ventricle as possessing inlet, trabecular, and outlet portions. The essence of the anomaly is displacement of the tricuspid orifice to the junction of the inlet and trabecular ventricular zones.", "contents": "The spectrum of Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve. The structure of the tricuspid valve in 14 cases of Ebstein's malformation is described and compared with that in the normal heart. The anomalous hearts showed a spectrum of malformation, varying from minimal displacement of the adjacent parts of the septal and inferior leaflets of the tricuspid valve to presence of an imperforate membrane or muscle shelf between the inlet and trabecular zones of the right ventricle. In \"typical\" Ebstein's anomaly the anterosuperior leaflet was abnormally attached so as to partially obstruct the route from right atrium to distal right ventricle, the communication between these chambers being between the abnormally attached leaflet and its malformed neighbors. In two hearts, a muscular shelf produced stenosis between inlet and trabecular portions, but a competent valve was produced at this site, the atrialized part of the right ventricle being of normal thickness. The significance of these findings is considered with regard to possible methods of repair. Description of the anomaly is facilitated by considering the right ventricle as possessing inlet, trabecular, and outlet portions. The essence of the anomaly is displacement of the tricuspid orifice to the junction of the inlet and trabecular ventricular zones.", "PMID": 762960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1354", "title": "Pneumonectomy for intractable left bronchial compression in d-transposition of the great arteries.", "content": "In infants with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) tracheobronchial obstruction may occur as a result of compression by a dilated posterior pulmonary artery, especially if there is a large interventricular septal defect with its attendant large pulmonary blood flow and high pressure. Banding of the pulmonary artery may give temporary relief. A patient with TGA had collapse of the left lung at 2 months of age, following atrial septectomy. Bronchoscopy and bronchography revealed extrinsic compression of the left main bronchus. Banding of the pulmonary artery at 6 months of age relieved the respiratory distress. At 8 years of age atelectasis of the left lung recurred following a Mustard procedure. Two additional procedures were attempted to decrease the pressure of the pulmonary artery on the bronchus but these were unsuccessful. At age 9 years, pneumonectomy, her sixth thoracotomy, was performed as a final attempt to relieve the respiratory problem caused by persistent atelectasis. She is now 17 years of age and has remained asymptomatic during the last 8 years.", "contents": "Pneumonectomy for intractable left bronchial compression in d-transposition of the great arteries. In infants with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) tracheobronchial obstruction may occur as a result of compression by a dilated posterior pulmonary artery, especially if there is a large interventricular septal defect with its attendant large pulmonary blood flow and high pressure. Banding of the pulmonary artery may give temporary relief. A patient with TGA had collapse of the left lung at 2 months of age, following atrial septectomy. Bronchoscopy and bronchography revealed extrinsic compression of the left main bronchus. Banding of the pulmonary artery at 6 months of age relieved the respiratory distress. At 8 years of age atelectasis of the left lung recurred following a Mustard procedure. Two additional procedures were attempted to decrease the pressure of the pulmonary artery on the bronchus but these were unsuccessful. At age 9 years, pneumonectomy, her sixth thoracotomy, was performed as a final attempt to relieve the respiratory problem caused by persistent atelectasis. She is now 17 years of age and has remained asymptomatic during the last 8 years.", "PMID": 762961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1355", "title": "Surgical treatment for a complicated congenital aortic stenosis. The association of a three-level obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract with mitral incompetence, coarctation of the aorta, and the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.", "content": "We report a case of complex congenital aortic stenosis with obstruction at all three levels of the left ventricular outflow tract (subaortic, aortic, and supravalvular aortic stenoses) associated with a mitral malformation, coarctation of the aorta, and the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The subaortic stenosis was corrected by excision and myotomy, and the supravalvular stenosis by a widening prosthetic operation with a Dacron patch extending as far as the aortic ring, at which level a Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley No. 17 aortic prosthesis was inserted. The mitral valve was replaced by a Lillehei-Kaster prosthesis. The coarctation of the aorta was not significant and was left alone. Permanent pacing was needed because of peroperative surgical section of the bundle of His. Reviews of the literature and the various techniques used to widen the left ventricular outflow tract are included.", "contents": "Surgical treatment for a complicated congenital aortic stenosis. The association of a three-level obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract with mitral incompetence, coarctation of the aorta, and the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. We report a case of complex congenital aortic stenosis with obstruction at all three levels of the left ventricular outflow tract (subaortic, aortic, and supravalvular aortic stenoses) associated with a mitral malformation, coarctation of the aorta, and the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The subaortic stenosis was corrected by excision and myotomy, and the supravalvular stenosis by a widening prosthetic operation with a Dacron patch extending as far as the aortic ring, at which level a Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley No. 17 aortic prosthesis was inserted. The mitral valve was replaced by a Lillehei-Kaster prosthesis. The coarctation of the aorta was not significant and was left alone. Permanent pacing was needed because of peroperative surgical section of the bundle of His. Reviews of the literature and the various techniques used to widen the left ventricular outflow tract are included.", "PMID": 762963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1356", "title": "Role of surgery in the management of pulmonary sporotrichosis.", "content": "Management of four patients with sporotrichosis is summarized; one was treated medically and three were treated surgically. Thirty-seven cases from the literature are reviewed. The role of surgery in the management of pulmonary sporotrichosis is outlined as follows: (1) diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates and/or pulmonary cavities of undetermined origin, (2) surgical intervention in patients with persistent infiltrates with cavitary lesions resulting from sporotrichosis, following failed medical treatment, and (3) resection of associated pulmonary cavitary lesions in patients in spite of adequte medical control of sporotrichosis. Surgical principles that must be observed in the management of pulmonary sporotrichosis follows:(1) Resection is the procedure of choice. The magnitude ranges from segmental resection to pneumonectomy. Clean resection is necessary. (2) Antifungal drug therapy--preferably with amphotericin B--is advisable preoperatively and postoperatively, since the major cause of late death is progression of the disease when clean resection has not been feasible. (3) Resection combined with drug therapy can be curative without increased risk in physiologically operable and anatomically resectable disease. (4) Thoracoplasty can be a lifesaving procedure for bilateral cavitary lesions with severe hemoptysis in patients with impaired pulmonary functions.", "contents": "Role of surgery in the management of pulmonary sporotrichosis. Management of four patients with sporotrichosis is summarized; one was treated medically and three were treated surgically. Thirty-seven cases from the literature are reviewed. The role of surgery in the management of pulmonary sporotrichosis is outlined as follows: (1) diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates and/or pulmonary cavities of undetermined origin, (2) surgical intervention in patients with persistent infiltrates with cavitary lesions resulting from sporotrichosis, following failed medical treatment, and (3) resection of associated pulmonary cavitary lesions in patients in spite of adequte medical control of sporotrichosis. Surgical principles that must be observed in the management of pulmonary sporotrichosis follows:(1) Resection is the procedure of choice. The magnitude ranges from segmental resection to pneumonectomy. Clean resection is necessary. (2) Antifungal drug therapy--preferably with amphotericin B--is advisable preoperatively and postoperatively, since the major cause of late death is progression of the disease when clean resection has not been feasible. (3) Resection combined with drug therapy can be curative without increased risk in physiologically operable and anatomically resectable disease. (4) Thoracoplasty can be a lifesaving procedure for bilateral cavitary lesions with severe hemoptysis in patients with impaired pulmonary functions.", "PMID": 762964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1357", "title": "Fogarty catheter extraction of foreign bodies from tracheobronchial trees of small children.", "content": "The inhalation of a foreign body into the tracheobronchial tree tree presents a life-threatening situation. A satisfactory outcome requires the timely and atraumatic removal of the offending agent. The morbidity associated with present methods of dealing with this problem is well documented. Four cases are described to illustrate the efficacy and simplicity of a new technique of endoscopic extraction with the aid of a Fogarty embolectomy catheter. The actual technique and anesthetic management are described.", "contents": "Fogarty catheter extraction of foreign bodies from tracheobronchial trees of small children. The inhalation of a foreign body into the tracheobronchial tree tree presents a life-threatening situation. A satisfactory outcome requires the timely and atraumatic removal of the offending agent. The morbidity associated with present methods of dealing with this problem is well documented. Four cases are described to illustrate the efficacy and simplicity of a new technique of endoscopic extraction with the aid of a Fogarty embolectomy catheter. The actual technique and anesthetic management are described.", "PMID": 762965} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1358", "title": "Implantation of an endocardial tined lead to prevent early dislodgment.", "content": "Early electrode dislodgment from the ventricular apex is a major complication associated with transvenous cardiac pacing. A new lead with flexible tines proximal to the tip electrode has been developed to minimize acute dislodgment incidence. The bipolar tined lead was implanted in 79 patients. This experience was compared to 48 implants of a standard bipolar endocardial lead. Stimulation threshold, sensing, and resistance measurements from both leads were comparable. Although the cephalic vein was the preferred venous route, the jugular vein was needed more often for tined lead insertion than for standard lead insertion. The incidence of early dislodgment with the tined lead was 2.5 percent compared to 8 percent with the standard lead (no significant difference). This preliminary experience can only suggest that the addition of flexible tined leads may reduce early electrode dislodgment.", "contents": "Implantation of an endocardial tined lead to prevent early dislodgment. Early electrode dislodgment from the ventricular apex is a major complication associated with transvenous cardiac pacing. A new lead with flexible tines proximal to the tip electrode has been developed to minimize acute dislodgment incidence. The bipolar tined lead was implanted in 79 patients. This experience was compared to 48 implants of a standard bipolar endocardial lead. Stimulation threshold, sensing, and resistance measurements from both leads were comparable. Although the cephalic vein was the preferred venous route, the jugular vein was needed more often for tined lead insertion than for standard lead insertion. The incidence of early dislodgment with the tined lead was 2.5 percent compared to 8 percent with the standard lead (no significant difference). This preliminary experience can only suggest that the addition of flexible tined leads may reduce early electrode dislodgment.", "PMID": 762966} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1359", "title": "Lung transvascular fluid dynamics with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in unanesthetized lambs.", "content": "Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used for long-term support of patients with acute respiratory failure. We investigated the effect of partial venoarterial (VA) and venovenous (VV) bypass with filler-free silicone spiral-coil membrane lungs on steady-state lung transcapillary fluid filtration in six unanesthetized lambs for periods of 11 to 32 hours. Using three thoracotomies we prepared animals to collect lung lymph; lymph obtained in this way is representative of lung interstitial fluid. By studying lymph flow and composition we demonstrated that the permeability of the pulmonary capillaries does not change during prolonged partial VV or VA bypass with a membrane lung. There was no accumulation of lung water during bypass, and lung protein and fluid leak neither increased not decreased with bypass flows equivalent to those used clinically. Thus prolonged use of ECMO in unanesthetized lambs appears to be neither harmful nor beneficial to the steady-state dynamics of fluid exchange in the lung. Furthermore, total pulmonary blood flow is not a determinant of net fluid filtration across the lung microcirculation.", "contents": "Lung transvascular fluid dynamics with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in unanesthetized lambs. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used for long-term support of patients with acute respiratory failure. We investigated the effect of partial venoarterial (VA) and venovenous (VV) bypass with filler-free silicone spiral-coil membrane lungs on steady-state lung transcapillary fluid filtration in six unanesthetized lambs for periods of 11 to 32 hours. Using three thoracotomies we prepared animals to collect lung lymph; lymph obtained in this way is representative of lung interstitial fluid. By studying lymph flow and composition we demonstrated that the permeability of the pulmonary capillaries does not change during prolonged partial VV or VA bypass with a membrane lung. There was no accumulation of lung water during bypass, and lung protein and fluid leak neither increased not decreased with bypass flows equivalent to those used clinically. Thus prolonged use of ECMO in unanesthetized lambs appears to be neither harmful nor beneficial to the steady-state dynamics of fluid exchange in the lung. Furthermore, total pulmonary blood flow is not a determinant of net fluid filtration across the lung microcirculation.", "PMID": 762967} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1360", "title": "Use of athrombogenic tubing for perfusion rewarming following surface-induced deep hypothermia.", "content": "A method of heparinless, oxygenatorless, left heart bypass perfusion rewarming following surface hypothermia, with the use of a closed circuit with 130 ml. prime volume including heat exchanger, has been devised. The use of polyurethane-polyvinyl-graphite (PPG)-coated tubing has previously been reported. In this text, the use of an athrombogenic coating with cetyl-pyridinium chloride (CPC) as a regional heparin carrier was studied in dogs, comparing groups with PPG tubing and total systemic heparinization or plain polyvinyl tubing without systemic heparinization. Heparin compounded in the CPC coating eluted into the blood and caused mild transient whole-body heparinization during rewarming from 20 degrees to 25 degrees C., as evidenced by prolongation of the thrombin time. Alterations of hematologic parameters in all three groups were similar to those during surface rewarming except for those affected by heparinization. The left heart bypass method was found useful for hypothermic open-heart surgery when utilized with an athrombogenic surface coating or total body heparinization. It was concluded that the CPC coating is superior to the PPG coating since no cracking surface develops, it is translucent, and it provides a more effective athrombogenic surface.", "contents": "Use of athrombogenic tubing for perfusion rewarming following surface-induced deep hypothermia. A method of heparinless, oxygenatorless, left heart bypass perfusion rewarming following surface hypothermia, with the use of a closed circuit with 130 ml. prime volume including heat exchanger, has been devised. The use of polyurethane-polyvinyl-graphite (PPG)-coated tubing has previously been reported. In this text, the use of an athrombogenic coating with cetyl-pyridinium chloride (CPC) as a regional heparin carrier was studied in dogs, comparing groups with PPG tubing and total systemic heparinization or plain polyvinyl tubing without systemic heparinization. Heparin compounded in the CPC coating eluted into the blood and caused mild transient whole-body heparinization during rewarming from 20 degrees to 25 degrees C., as evidenced by prolongation of the thrombin time. Alterations of hematologic parameters in all three groups were similar to those during surface rewarming except for those affected by heparinization. The left heart bypass method was found useful for hypothermic open-heart surgery when utilized with an athrombogenic surface coating or total body heparinization. It was concluded that the CPC coating is superior to the PPG coating since no cracking surface develops, it is translucent, and it provides a more effective athrombogenic surface.", "PMID": 762968} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1361", "title": "Effects of cardiac surgery on renal function in children.", "content": "In order to determine whether cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) affects renal function in children, glomerular filtration rate (GFR and renal plasma flow (RPF) were determined preoperatively and on the second postoperative day by a single-injection, urineless technique in a randomly selected group of 10 children. The GFR was 126.7 +/- 6.8 ml. per minute per 1.73 sq. M. (mean +/- S.E.M.) before the operation and 127.4 +/- 16.2 on the second postoperative day (p = 0.95). The RPF was 541.7 +/- 80.6 ml. per minute per 1.73 sq. M. preoperatively and 536.0 +/- 82.1 on the second postoperative day (p = 0.8 to 0.9). The results in this group of 10 children indicate that renal function is not markedly altered 2 days after cardiac surgery with CPB and deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest. The study also revealed a falsely decreased creatinine clearance. This was due to an increase in postoperative plasma creatinine values, probably related to an increase in plasma noncreatinine chromogens.", "contents": "Effects of cardiac surgery on renal function in children. In order to determine whether cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) affects renal function in children, glomerular filtration rate (GFR and renal plasma flow (RPF) were determined preoperatively and on the second postoperative day by a single-injection, urineless technique in a randomly selected group of 10 children. The GFR was 126.7 +/- 6.8 ml. per minute per 1.73 sq. M. (mean +/- S.E.M.) before the operation and 127.4 +/- 16.2 on the second postoperative day (p = 0.95). The RPF was 541.7 +/- 80.6 ml. per minute per 1.73 sq. M. preoperatively and 536.0 +/- 82.1 on the second postoperative day (p = 0.8 to 0.9). The results in this group of 10 children indicate that renal function is not markedly altered 2 days after cardiac surgery with CPB and deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest. The study also revealed a falsely decreased creatinine clearance. This was due to an increase in postoperative plasma creatinine values, probably related to an increase in plasma noncreatinine chromogens.", "PMID": 762969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1362", "title": "Experimental evaluation of aortic homograft valves mounted on flexible support frames and comparison with glutaraldehyde-treated porcine valves.", "content": "The durability of the aortic homograft valve, when mounted in a rigid support frame, has been limited in some cases by aortic wall detachment from the frame in the commissure buttress area. To investigate the effects of frame flexibility, a stent was designed which was suitable for canine aortic valves of selected sizes. Of the two materials tested, acetal copolymer was found to be superior to polypropylene, as stents made from the latter material were permanently deformed as a result of polymer creep under the action of a cyclic load. Observations of a commercially available glutaraldehyde-treated heterograft mounted on a polypropylene frame indicated that stent flexibility was less important than had been suggested in earlier reports. It is considered that the glutaraldehyde preservation and the method of mounting this valve in the frame are major factors in prolonging the life of the implant.", "contents": "Experimental evaluation of aortic homograft valves mounted on flexible support frames and comparison with glutaraldehyde-treated porcine valves. The durability of the aortic homograft valve, when mounted in a rigid support frame, has been limited in some cases by aortic wall detachment from the frame in the commissure buttress area. To investigate the effects of frame flexibility, a stent was designed which was suitable for canine aortic valves of selected sizes. Of the two materials tested, acetal copolymer was found to be superior to polypropylene, as stents made from the latter material were permanently deformed as a result of polymer creep under the action of a cyclic load. Observations of a commercially available glutaraldehyde-treated heterograft mounted on a polypropylene frame indicated that stent flexibility was less important than had been suggested in earlier reports. It is considered that the glutaraldehyde preservation and the method of mounting this valve in the frame are major factors in prolonging the life of the implant.", "PMID": 762970} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1363", "title": "Replacement of mitral, aortic, and pulmonary valves for rheumatic heart disease.", "content": "Rheumatic disease of the pulmonary valve has been documented at autopsy. Most of the reported cases of calcified pulmonary valves are associated with congenital heart disease. A unique case of rheumatic aortic and mitral valve disease associated with calcific pulmonary stenosis is presented. Prosthetic replacement of all three involved valves was carried out successfully. This is believed to be the first reported triple valve replacement of its kind.", "contents": "Replacement of mitral, aortic, and pulmonary valves for rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic disease of the pulmonary valve has been documented at autopsy. Most of the reported cases of calcified pulmonary valves are associated with congenital heart disease. A unique case of rheumatic aortic and mitral valve disease associated with calcific pulmonary stenosis is presented. Prosthetic replacement of all three involved valves was carried out successfully. This is believed to be the first reported triple valve replacement of its kind.", "PMID": 762971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1364", "title": "Increased mortality rate from coronary artery disease following operation for coarctation of the aorta at a late age.", "content": "Sixty-six patients past 35 years of age at operation for coarctation of the aorta had significantly higher hospital (five of 66, 7.5 percent) and late cardiovascular (10 of 61, 16.4 percent) mortality rates than 137 patients aged 15 to 34 years (mean, 21.9 years). Three of the five hospital deaths, as well as four of the 10 late deaths, in the group greater than 35 years of age were due to myocardial infarction. Thus the total coronary mortality rate was 10.6 percent (seven of 66 patients), with all deaths occurring in men. It appears that coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant complication in male patients who undergo operation for coarctation of the aorta at a late age.", "contents": "Increased mortality rate from coronary artery disease following operation for coarctation of the aorta at a late age. Sixty-six patients past 35 years of age at operation for coarctation of the aorta had significantly higher hospital (five of 66, 7.5 percent) and late cardiovascular (10 of 61, 16.4 percent) mortality rates than 137 patients aged 15 to 34 years (mean, 21.9 years). Three of the five hospital deaths, as well as four of the 10 late deaths, in the group greater than 35 years of age were due to myocardial infarction. Thus the total coronary mortality rate was 10.6 percent (seven of 66 patients), with all deaths occurring in men. It appears that coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant complication in male patients who undergo operation for coarctation of the aorta at a late age.", "PMID": 762972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1365", "title": "Equipment for inducing cold cardioplegic arrest.", "content": "A technique for the infusion of the cardioplegic solution used at St. Thomas' Hospital is described. A flanged aortic root needle is used for patients with competent aortic valves and hand-held metal cannulas for those with aortic regurgitation.", "contents": "Equipment for inducing cold cardioplegic arrest. A technique for the infusion of the cardioplegic solution used at St. Thomas' Hospital is described. A flanged aortic root needle is used for patients with competent aortic valves and hand-held metal cannulas for those with aortic regurgitation.", "PMID": 762973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1366", "title": "Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the surgical approach to Wegener's granulomatosis.", "content": "Over a 16 year period, 47 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis were treated at the National Institutes of Health. Age at the onset of disease ranged from 15 to 75 years with a mean of 42.2 years. The group was evenly divided between male and female subjects. With seven exceptions, all patients had the classic form of Wegener's granulomatosis, with upper airway and pulmonary disease and glomerulitis. The most consistently abnormal laboratory test was an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Most of the patients were treated with cyclophosphamide alone or in combination with prednisone. In 37 patients the disease now is well controlled or in complete remission from 1 to 9 years after the onset of symptoms. Of the 10 patients who died, only two were considered treatment failures. Forty-one of the 47 patients had chest x-ray changes at some point in their clinical course. Nineteen had bilateral involvement and 22 unilateral disease. Three of 11 patients with nodular disease had cavitation, and four of 21 with less discrete infiltrative disease demonstrated cavitation. Four patients had an associated pleural effusion and another four had pleural thickening. As part of the diagnostic procedure, 24 patients underwent an open lung biopsy. Two patients had a lobectomy for presumed neoplastic disease. In one patient the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis was made by endobronchial biopsy. In the remaining patients the diagnosis was made by biopsy of another site. Endobronchial involvement is being seen with the increasing patient survival. Three patients had subglottic tracheal stenosis necessitating tracheal dilatations. One of the three also had multiple areas of bronchial stenosis responding to cyclophosphamide therapy. A fourth patient had progressive left main-stem bronchial stenosis which necessitated a sleeve resection. Five patients had pericarditis secondary to Wegener's granulomatosis.", "contents": "Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the surgical approach to Wegener's granulomatosis. Over a 16 year period, 47 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis were treated at the National Institutes of Health. Age at the onset of disease ranged from 15 to 75 years with a mean of 42.2 years. The group was evenly divided between male and female subjects. With seven exceptions, all patients had the classic form of Wegener's granulomatosis, with upper airway and pulmonary disease and glomerulitis. The most consistently abnormal laboratory test was an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Most of the patients were treated with cyclophosphamide alone or in combination with prednisone. In 37 patients the disease now is well controlled or in complete remission from 1 to 9 years after the onset of symptoms. Of the 10 patients who died, only two were considered treatment failures. Forty-one of the 47 patients had chest x-ray changes at some point in their clinical course. Nineteen had bilateral involvement and 22 unilateral disease. Three of 11 patients with nodular disease had cavitation, and four of 21 with less discrete infiltrative disease demonstrated cavitation. Four patients had an associated pleural effusion and another four had pleural thickening. As part of the diagnostic procedure, 24 patients underwent an open lung biopsy. Two patients had a lobectomy for presumed neoplastic disease. In one patient the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis was made by endobronchial biopsy. In the remaining patients the diagnosis was made by biopsy of another site. Endobronchial involvement is being seen with the increasing patient survival. Three patients had subglottic tracheal stenosis necessitating tracheal dilatations. One of the three also had multiple areas of bronchial stenosis responding to cyclophosphamide therapy. A fourth patient had progressive left main-stem bronchial stenosis which necessitated a sleeve resection. Five patients had pericarditis secondary to Wegener's granulomatosis.", "PMID": 762975} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1367", "title": "Intralesional BCG immunotherapy of pulmonary tumors.", "content": "A new method of baccile Calmette Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) immunotherapy has been evaluated in 25 patients with lung cancer. This technique involves the direct intratumor injection of BCG in patients with pulmonary tumors. Four patients underwent transbronchoscopic injections of tumor, with significant resolution of tumor in three. Twenty-one patients underwent percutaneous injection with the aid of fluoroscopic imaging. Twenty of these 21 underwent pulmonary resection. Toxicity was limited to fever and malaise. The severity of this toxicity was closely related to the magnitude of reactivity to PPD. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications occasioned by BCG injection. The histologic features were characterized by granulomatous inflammatory reactions in the tumors and the regional lymph nodes. These histologic findings are identical to those seen in animal tumor models in which potent systemic antitumor immunity is induced. BCG intratumor injection is technically feasible and safe, and it is appropriate to begin phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials.", "contents": "Intralesional BCG immunotherapy of pulmonary tumors. A new method of baccile Calmette Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) immunotherapy has been evaluated in 25 patients with lung cancer. This technique involves the direct intratumor injection of BCG in patients with pulmonary tumors. Four patients underwent transbronchoscopic injections of tumor, with significant resolution of tumor in three. Twenty-one patients underwent percutaneous injection with the aid of fluoroscopic imaging. Twenty of these 21 underwent pulmonary resection. Toxicity was limited to fever and malaise. The severity of this toxicity was closely related to the magnitude of reactivity to PPD. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications occasioned by BCG injection. The histologic features were characterized by granulomatous inflammatory reactions in the tumors and the regional lymph nodes. These histologic findings are identical to those seen in animal tumor models in which potent systemic antitumor immunity is induced. BCG intratumor injection is technically feasible and safe, and it is appropriate to begin phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials.", "PMID": 762979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1368", "title": "The coronary hemodynamics of left main and branch coronary stenoses. The effects of reduction in stenosis diameter, stenosis length, and number of stenoses.", "content": "Although considerable investigation has been devoted to the concept of \"critical\" coronary stenosis, there is general lack of agreement on which coronary stenoses consistently decrease coronary blood flow (CBF). In 32 open-chest dogs we studied CBF and the aorta-distal coronary pressure gradient at rest and with reactive hyperemia (RH) as stenoses were created in the left coronary artery (LCA) or its major branches--anterior descending (LAD) or circumflex (LCx) arteries. The effects of stenosis location, reduction in stenosis diameter, stenosis length, and the number of stenoses were studied. Resting CBF and resting distal coronary pressure were decreased by short snare stenoses, which reduced the diameter of the LCA or either major branch more than 80%. Lengthening 50 to 60% LAD or LCx stenoses decreased CBF and increased the pressure gradient. There were small increases in pressure gradients but no change in CBF with multiple stenoses in either the LAD or LCx branch. During peak RH, CBF was decreased by a 60% LCA or branch snare stenosis. Peak RH CBF responses decreased further as length of an LAD or LCx stenosis increased. Multiple stenoses affected peak RH CBF responses significantly more than a single stenosis of the same total length. These data indicate that several anatomic variables of coronary stenosis affect the physiological responses of the coronary circulation. The variables are (1) reduction in lumen diameter, (2) length of stenosis, and (3) number of stenoses in one vessel.", "contents": "The coronary hemodynamics of left main and branch coronary stenoses. The effects of reduction in stenosis diameter, stenosis length, and number of stenoses. Although considerable investigation has been devoted to the concept of \"critical\" coronary stenosis, there is general lack of agreement on which coronary stenoses consistently decrease coronary blood flow (CBF). In 32 open-chest dogs we studied CBF and the aorta-distal coronary pressure gradient at rest and with reactive hyperemia (RH) as stenoses were created in the left coronary artery (LCA) or its major branches--anterior descending (LAD) or circumflex (LCx) arteries. The effects of stenosis location, reduction in stenosis diameter, stenosis length, and the number of stenoses were studied. Resting CBF and resting distal coronary pressure were decreased by short snare stenoses, which reduced the diameter of the LCA or either major branch more than 80%. Lengthening 50 to 60% LAD or LCx stenoses decreased CBF and increased the pressure gradient. There were small increases in pressure gradients but no change in CBF with multiple stenoses in either the LAD or LCx branch. During peak RH, CBF was decreased by a 60% LCA or branch snare stenosis. Peak RH CBF responses decreased further as length of an LAD or LCx stenosis increased. Multiple stenoses affected peak RH CBF responses significantly more than a single stenosis of the same total length. These data indicate that several anatomic variables of coronary stenosis affect the physiological responses of the coronary circulation. The variables are (1) reduction in lumen diameter, (2) length of stenosis, and (3) number of stenoses in one vessel.", "PMID": 762981} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1369", "title": "Total occlusion of left coronary artery. Incidence and management.", "content": "From July 1, 1972, to Jan. 1, 1978, 527 patients underwent coronary revascularization. In four (0.76%) of these patients arteriography demonstrated total occlusion of the left main coronary artery. The incidence of acquired occlusion of the left coronary artery encountered in the cardiac catheterization laboratory during the same period was 0.17% in patients undergoing coronary arteriography. Literature review reveals 13 patients with total occlusion of the left coronary artery, and only seven of these were treated operatively, some with suboptimal results. With an average of three grafts per patient, all four of our patients are in Class I of the New York Association an average of 23 months postoperatively. These patients were dramatically symptomatic preoperatively, and their clinical management in terms of pharmacologic or mechanical intraoperative support was no different from that of patients with critical stenosis of the left main coronary artery. This report documents the incidence of left coronary artery occlusion encountered in clinical practice. This incidence should not be as rare as the literature review suggests.", "contents": "Total occlusion of left coronary artery. Incidence and management. From July 1, 1972, to Jan. 1, 1978, 527 patients underwent coronary revascularization. In four (0.76%) of these patients arteriography demonstrated total occlusion of the left main coronary artery. The incidence of acquired occlusion of the left coronary artery encountered in the cardiac catheterization laboratory during the same period was 0.17% in patients undergoing coronary arteriography. Literature review reveals 13 patients with total occlusion of the left coronary artery, and only seven of these were treated operatively, some with suboptimal results. With an average of three grafts per patient, all four of our patients are in Class I of the New York Association an average of 23 months postoperatively. These patients were dramatically symptomatic preoperatively, and their clinical management in terms of pharmacologic or mechanical intraoperative support was no different from that of patients with critical stenosis of the left main coronary artery. This report documents the incidence of left coronary artery occlusion encountered in clinical practice. This incidence should not be as rare as the literature review suggests.", "PMID": 762982} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1370", "title": "Distribution of oxygenated blood by transseptal left atrial cannulation during lung support in the open-chest model.", "content": "The hemodynamic characteristics and anatomic configuration of the aortic root determine the extent of coronary bed filling by the desaturated blood ejected by the left ventricle during conventional lung support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), unless turbulence is created close to the coronary ostia by high-flow bypass ratios (greater than 80% of cardiac output) or ascending aorta cannulation. Using a total right heart bypass preparation, we studied the effect of returning blood transseptally into the left atrium upstream to the coronary arteries by means of a specially designed double-lumen cannula inserted via the jugular vein. Desaturated blood was used in six dogs ventilated with 100% oxygen (Group A), and oxygenated blood was used in 10 hypoxic dogs (Group B). We observed homogeneous mixing of oxygenated and desaturated blood at wide ranges of bypass flow ratios (20 to 80%) as determined downstream to the left atrium, i.e., left ventricle, coronary artery branch, root of the aorta, and descending thoracic aorta. Adequate coronary oxygenation (PO2 greater than or equal to 60 mm. Hg) was obtained with 40% of cardiac output oxygenation, a flow that could be met with a single superior vena cava (SVC) cannula through the major lumen of such a cannula. Total avoidance of high-pressure arterial cannulation and homogeneous distribution of oxygenated blood, regardless of the bypass flow ratio, by this technique are obvious advantages not available with conventional ECMO cannulations.", "contents": "Distribution of oxygenated blood by transseptal left atrial cannulation during lung support in the open-chest model. The hemodynamic characteristics and anatomic configuration of the aortic root determine the extent of coronary bed filling by the desaturated blood ejected by the left ventricle during conventional lung support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), unless turbulence is created close to the coronary ostia by high-flow bypass ratios (greater than 80% of cardiac output) or ascending aorta cannulation. Using a total right heart bypass preparation, we studied the effect of returning blood transseptally into the left atrium upstream to the coronary arteries by means of a specially designed double-lumen cannula inserted via the jugular vein. Desaturated blood was used in six dogs ventilated with 100% oxygen (Group A), and oxygenated blood was used in 10 hypoxic dogs (Group B). We observed homogeneous mixing of oxygenated and desaturated blood at wide ranges of bypass flow ratios (20 to 80%) as determined downstream to the left atrium, i.e., left ventricle, coronary artery branch, root of the aorta, and descending thoracic aorta. Adequate coronary oxygenation (PO2 greater than or equal to 60 mm. Hg) was obtained with 40% of cardiac output oxygenation, a flow that could be met with a single superior vena cava (SVC) cannula through the major lumen of such a cannula. Total avoidance of high-pressure arterial cannulation and homogeneous distribution of oxygenated blood, regardless of the bypass flow ratio, by this technique are obvious advantages not available with conventional ECMO cannulations.", "PMID": 762983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1371", "title": "Cardiac rhythm following exclusion of the sinoatrial node and most of the right atrium from the remainder of the heart.", "content": "In this study two surgical interventions on the right atrium were followed by long-term observation of their effect on the cardiac rhythm. In the first, the sinoatrial (SA) node and a small area of surrounding atrium were excluded from the heart by a circumferential incision. This was followed immediately by an unstable junctional rhythm accompanied by periods of pacemaker arrest. After 14 days a rhythm, indistinguishable from sinus rhythm, became permanently established. On atrial mapping the area of earliest epicardial breakthrough was the low right atrium, indicating that the pacemaker was in this area. In the second procedure, most of the right atrium including the SA node was excluded by an incision from the remainder of the heart, but left in continuity were the left atrium, right atrium in the area about the coronary sinus and inferior vena caval ostium and the atrial septum (areas where the low atrial pacemakers are known to occur), and the ventricles. A permanent junctional rhythm associated with periods of pacemaker arrest was produced. In two dogs permanent atrial fibrillation eventually developed. The area of earliest breakthrough found on epicardial mapping was to the right of the right inferior pulmonary vein, close to the atrial septum. One of the differences between the two interventions was the amount of right atrium remaining between the potential low atrial pacemakers and the atrioventricular (AV) node. It is suggested that summation, a factor needed for the atrial excitation wave to penetrate the AV node, was inadequate in the more extensive intervention. This may explain the failure of a potential low atrial pacemaker to become dominant in the second intervention. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.", "contents": "Cardiac rhythm following exclusion of the sinoatrial node and most of the right atrium from the remainder of the heart. In this study two surgical interventions on the right atrium were followed by long-term observation of their effect on the cardiac rhythm. In the first, the sinoatrial (SA) node and a small area of surrounding atrium were excluded from the heart by a circumferential incision. This was followed immediately by an unstable junctional rhythm accompanied by periods of pacemaker arrest. After 14 days a rhythm, indistinguishable from sinus rhythm, became permanently established. On atrial mapping the area of earliest epicardial breakthrough was the low right atrium, indicating that the pacemaker was in this area. In the second procedure, most of the right atrium including the SA node was excluded by an incision from the remainder of the heart, but left in continuity were the left atrium, right atrium in the area about the coronary sinus and inferior vena caval ostium and the atrial septum (areas where the low atrial pacemakers are known to occur), and the ventricles. A permanent junctional rhythm associated with periods of pacemaker arrest was produced. In two dogs permanent atrial fibrillation eventually developed. The area of earliest breakthrough found on epicardial mapping was to the right of the right inferior pulmonary vein, close to the atrial septum. One of the differences between the two interventions was the amount of right atrium remaining between the potential low atrial pacemakers and the atrioventricular (AV) node. It is suggested that summation, a factor needed for the atrial excitation wave to penetrate the AV node, was inadequate in the more extensive intervention. This may explain the failure of a potential low atrial pacemaker to become dominant in the second intervention. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.", "PMID": 762987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1372", "title": "Right atrial-right ventricular anastomosis for correction of tricuspid atresia.", "content": "Previously reported methods for the correction of tricuspid atresia involve the use of conduits and/or valves. Since many of the younger patients will outgrow their conduits and the long-term durability of the valve prostheses is open to question, we have devised an operation in which the right atrial (RA) appendage is anastomosed to the right ventricle (RV) with the aid of a pericardial patch. The RV, if not too hypoplastic, is used as a pumping chamber and the pulmonary valve is in its normal position. Three patients, 8, 9, and 12 years of age, were operated on with good clinical and hemodynamic results. Postoperatively, all three were acyanotic and had improved physical capacity compared with their preoperative status. The RA pressure in the first two patients 1 year after operation was 12 mm. Hg and at angiocardiography the RA-RV anastomosis was widely patent. In one of the patients, the RV was too hypoplastic to function. It should be possible to perform this operation even in younger patients and it may eliminate the need for palliative procedures and reoperations.", "contents": "Right atrial-right ventricular anastomosis for correction of tricuspid atresia. Previously reported methods for the correction of tricuspid atresia involve the use of conduits and/or valves. Since many of the younger patients will outgrow their conduits and the long-term durability of the valve prostheses is open to question, we have devised an operation in which the right atrial (RA) appendage is anastomosed to the right ventricle (RV) with the aid of a pericardial patch. The RV, if not too hypoplastic, is used as a pumping chamber and the pulmonary valve is in its normal position. Three patients, 8, 9, and 12 years of age, were operated on with good clinical and hemodynamic results. Postoperatively, all three were acyanotic and had improved physical capacity compared with their preoperative status. The RA pressure in the first two patients 1 year after operation was 12 mm. Hg and at angiocardiography the RA-RV anastomosis was widely patent. In one of the patients, the RV was too hypoplastic to function. It should be possible to perform this operation even in younger patients and it may eliminate the need for palliative procedures and reoperations.", "PMID": 762988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1373", "title": "Lymphoid neoplasia following connective tissue disease.", "content": "A retrospective review was undertaken to ascertain whether there are distinctive histopathologic features of the lymphoid neoplasms that occur in patients with previous connective tissue disease. Of 29 patients studied, 12 had malignant lymphoma with diffuse large-cell cytomorphology. Only 1 of these 12 had an immunoblastic cell type. The remaining 17 patients had neoplasia of a widely diverse nature. Six had lymphocytic lymphoma (one nodular poorly differentiated, three diffuse poorly differentiated, and three diffuse well differentiated), two had Hodgkin's disease, three had plasma cell myeloma, and six had chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Data fail to confirm a relationship between lymphoid proliferations with immunoblastic morphology and connective tissue diseases.", "contents": "Lymphoid neoplasia following connective tissue disease. A retrospective review was undertaken to ascertain whether there are distinctive histopathologic features of the lymphoid neoplasms that occur in patients with previous connective tissue disease. Of 29 patients studied, 12 had malignant lymphoma with diffuse large-cell cytomorphology. Only 1 of these 12 had an immunoblastic cell type. The remaining 17 patients had neoplasia of a widely diverse nature. Six had lymphocytic lymphoma (one nodular poorly differentiated, three diffuse poorly differentiated, and three diffuse well differentiated), two had Hodgkin's disease, three had plasma cell myeloma, and six had chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Data fail to confirm a relationship between lymphoid proliferations with immunoblastic morphology and connective tissue diseases.", "PMID": 762992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1374", "title": "Transmural eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ascites.", "content": "An atopic patient with recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhea, and ascites was shown to have eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Transmural involvement was inferred from the findings of dense eosinophilic infiltrates in the jejunal mucosa and eosinophilia in the ascitic fluid. An impressive response to steroid treatment occurred. The reported cases of eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ascites are reviewed.", "contents": "Transmural eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ascites. An atopic patient with recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhea, and ascites was shown to have eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Transmural involvement was inferred from the findings of dense eosinophilic infiltrates in the jejunal mucosa and eosinophilia in the ascitic fluid. An impressive response to steroid treatment occurred. The reported cases of eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ascites are reviewed.", "PMID": 762993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1375", "title": "Chronic active liver disease with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia.", "content": "Progressive liver injury in chronic active liver disease is usually associated with elevation of serum immunoglobulin levels. However, the role of immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of this disease is still obscure. We report here the case of a 41-year-old man with hypogammaglobulinemia since at least 1964 in whom chronic active liver disease later developed. From 1954 he had had frequent respiratory tract infections, and these continued, along with diarrhea, despite regular gamma-globulin therapy. Studies in 1969 showed absent serum IgA and IgM and an abnormally low level of IgG. In 1974, liver enzyme abnormalities were recorded and a diagnosis of chronic active liver disease was made. A liver biopsy showed cirrhosis with active hepatitis. Lymphocyte function studies revealed that the T cells suppressed B-cell maturation and production of immunoglobulins. He was treated with azathioprine and prednisone, and this therapy has been associated with a decrease in both the elevation in liver enzymes and the frequency of infections. This case suggests that liver cell injury in chronic active liver disease is independent of the elevation of immunoglobulins and that immunosuppressive therapy may be well tolerated by patients with hypogammaglobulinemia.", "contents": "Chronic active liver disease with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia. Progressive liver injury in chronic active liver disease is usually associated with elevation of serum immunoglobulin levels. However, the role of immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of this disease is still obscure. We report here the case of a 41-year-old man with hypogammaglobulinemia since at least 1964 in whom chronic active liver disease later developed. From 1954 he had had frequent respiratory tract infections, and these continued, along with diarrhea, despite regular gamma-globulin therapy. Studies in 1969 showed absent serum IgA and IgM and an abnormally low level of IgG. In 1974, liver enzyme abnormalities were recorded and a diagnosis of chronic active liver disease was made. A liver biopsy showed cirrhosis with active hepatitis. Lymphocyte function studies revealed that the T cells suppressed B-cell maturation and production of immunoglobulins. He was treated with azathioprine and prednisone, and this therapy has been associated with a decrease in both the elevation in liver enzymes and the frequency of infections. This case suggests that liver cell injury in chronic active liver disease is independent of the elevation of immunoglobulins and that immunosuppressive therapy may be well tolerated by patients with hypogammaglobulinemia.", "PMID": 762994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1376", "title": "Treatment of recurrent ventricular tachycardia by patient-activated radiofrequency ventricular stimulation.", "content": "A new pacing technique may benefit selected patients with drug-resistant, chronic, recurrent ventricular tachycardia. This report describes two patients treated effectively with permanently implanted, patient-activated, radiofrequency ventricular stimulators. Both used the device successfully for repeated termination of episodic, sustained ventricular tachycardias. Optimal utilization of this technique requires extensive prior electrophysiologic assessment and drug trials, does not supplant continued drug therapy, and is not without potential hazard.", "contents": "Treatment of recurrent ventricular tachycardia by patient-activated radiofrequency ventricular stimulation. A new pacing technique may benefit selected patients with drug-resistant, chronic, recurrent ventricular tachycardia. This report describes two patients treated effectively with permanently implanted, patient-activated, radiofrequency ventricular stimulators. Both used the device successfully for repeated termination of episodic, sustained ventricular tachycardias. Optimal utilization of this technique requires extensive prior electrophysiologic assessment and drug trials, does not supplant continued drug therapy, and is not without potential hazard.", "PMID": 762997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1377", "title": "Pseudoepileptic seizures in children and adolescents.", "content": "Eighteen patients ranging in age from 4 to 20 years who were seen at the Mayo Clinic from 1970 through 1976 for suspected epilepsy were studied. Seventeen of these patients had previously been treated with anticonvulsant medication, and the majority had been subjected to multiple diagnostic procedures. After careful analysis of their histories, clinical examinations, and appropriate laboratory studies, their seizures appeared to be nonepileptic in nature. Various psychogenic and other nonorganic causes were identified. These cases are presented to alert the physician to the not infrequent occurrence of pseudoepileptic seizures in children and adolescents who do not have epilepsy.", "contents": "Pseudoepileptic seizures in children and adolescents. Eighteen patients ranging in age from 4 to 20 years who were seen at the Mayo Clinic from 1970 through 1976 for suspected epilepsy were studied. Seventeen of these patients had previously been treated with anticonvulsant medication, and the majority had been subjected to multiple diagnostic procedures. After careful analysis of their histories, clinical examinations, and appropriate laboratory studies, their seizures appeared to be nonepileptic in nature. Various psychogenic and other nonorganic causes were identified. These cases are presented to alert the physician to the not infrequent occurrence of pseudoepileptic seizures in children and adolescents who do not have epilepsy.", "PMID": 762998} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1378", "title": "Unilateral essential hematuria.", "content": "At the Mayo Clinic between 1961 and 1975, 54 patients presenting with gross hematuria had \"essential hematuria\" of unilateral origin diagnosed. Criteria for this diagnosis included normal findings on excretory urogram, unilateral bleeding demonstrated at cystoscopic examination, the absence of infection, and a negative history for bleeding diathesis, analgesic abuse, renal surgery, or trauma. Of these patients, 52 responded to follow-up inquiry; 2 died of unrelated causes. Ancillary studies such as renal arteriography, renal biopsy, and repeated excretory urography and cystoscopic examinations were not helpful in establishing a cause, and no explanation for the hematuria was ever found in any of these patients. Although contributing no information as to the cause of unilateral essential hematuria, the study suggests that the patient who fulfills the above criteria need not undergo an extensive workup beyong excretory urography and cystoscopy and that repeated examinations are unnecessary and unrewarding. Most patients continue to do well despite intermittent or persistent hematuria. Essential unilateral hematuria probably is a benign condition that seldom requires surgical intervention.", "contents": "Unilateral essential hematuria. At the Mayo Clinic between 1961 and 1975, 54 patients presenting with gross hematuria had \"essential hematuria\" of unilateral origin diagnosed. Criteria for this diagnosis included normal findings on excretory urogram, unilateral bleeding demonstrated at cystoscopic examination, the absence of infection, and a negative history for bleeding diathesis, analgesic abuse, renal surgery, or trauma. Of these patients, 52 responded to follow-up inquiry; 2 died of unrelated causes. Ancillary studies such as renal arteriography, renal biopsy, and repeated excretory urography and cystoscopic examinations were not helpful in establishing a cause, and no explanation for the hematuria was ever found in any of these patients. Although contributing no information as to the cause of unilateral essential hematuria, the study suggests that the patient who fulfills the above criteria need not undergo an extensive workup beyong excretory urography and cystoscopy and that repeated examinations are unnecessary and unrewarding. Most patients continue to do well despite intermittent or persistent hematuria. Essential unilateral hematuria probably is a benign condition that seldom requires surgical intervention.", "PMID": 762999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1379", "title": "Horseshoe kidney associated with surgery of the abdominal aorta.", "content": "Of 53 patients with horseshoe kidney (9 in the present series), 45 underwent operation for an abdominal aortic aneurysm: 40 electively and 5 on an emergency basis. The remaining eight patients underwent revascularization for arteriosclerosis obliterans. Of the 53 patients, 35 (66%) had renal artery anomalies. The anomalous arteries prevented aortic repair in 6 patients (17%), were left undisturbed in 9 (26%), were revascularized in 7 (20%), and were ligated in 13 (37%). Partial nephrectomy was required in 2 of the 13 patients undergoing arterial ligation. Symphysiotomy was performed in 16 (30%) of the 53 patients. The following approach to management of horseshoe kidney associated with disease of the abdominal aorta is suggested. 1. Whenever a horshoe kidney is suspected, excretory urography, aortography, and, if necessary, selective renal arteriography should be obtained preoperatively. 2. Anomalous renal arteries arising from resected segments of the aorta should be revascularized whenever technically possible, usually by reimplantation of the renal artery into the aortic graft. 3. If an anomalous renal artery is ligated, the kidney should be inspected for signs of ischemia, and partial nephrectomy should be performed if ischemia occurs. 4. Symphysiotomy should be avoided. If division is necessary, symphysiectomy is preferable to symphysiotomy. In either circumstance, care need be taken lest there be fusion of the urinary collecting system and the renal parenchyma. In most patients with horseshoe kidney, aortic surgery has been accomplished without complication and with only minor alteration in surgical technique, even when the renal anomaly is first detected at surgical exploration.", "contents": "Horseshoe kidney associated with surgery of the abdominal aorta. Of 53 patients with horseshoe kidney (9 in the present series), 45 underwent operation for an abdominal aortic aneurysm: 40 electively and 5 on an emergency basis. The remaining eight patients underwent revascularization for arteriosclerosis obliterans. Of the 53 patients, 35 (66%) had renal artery anomalies. The anomalous arteries prevented aortic repair in 6 patients (17%), were left undisturbed in 9 (26%), were revascularized in 7 (20%), and were ligated in 13 (37%). Partial nephrectomy was required in 2 of the 13 patients undergoing arterial ligation. Symphysiotomy was performed in 16 (30%) of the 53 patients. The following approach to management of horseshoe kidney associated with disease of the abdominal aorta is suggested. 1. Whenever a horshoe kidney is suspected, excretory urography, aortography, and, if necessary, selective renal arteriography should be obtained preoperatively. 2. Anomalous renal arteries arising from resected segments of the aorta should be revascularized whenever technically possible, usually by reimplantation of the renal artery into the aortic graft. 3. If an anomalous renal artery is ligated, the kidney should be inspected for signs of ischemia, and partial nephrectomy should be performed if ischemia occurs. 4. Symphysiotomy should be avoided. If division is necessary, symphysiectomy is preferable to symphysiotomy. In either circumstance, care need be taken lest there be fusion of the urinary collecting system and the renal parenchyma. In most patients with horseshoe kidney, aortic surgery has been accomplished without complication and with only minor alteration in surgical technique, even when the renal anomaly is first detected at surgical exploration.", "PMID": 763000} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1380", "title": "Patterns of ambulatory health care in five different delivery systems.", "content": "Few empirical investigations permit systematic comparison of the impact of widely-varying delivery systems within a single population sample. This study provides such a comparison, describing patterns of ambulatory care among patients using five different systems in Washington, D.C. as a regular source of health care: solo practice, fee-for-service group practice, prepaid group practice, public clinics, and hospital outpatient departments or emergency rooms. Comparisons are adjusted statistically to account for major patient group variations, and the results reveal substantial differences among the five systems. Sources used primarily by the poor--hospital outpatient departments, emergency rooms, and public clinics--contained important structural and financial barriers, and had the lowest rates of patient-initiated use. The prepaid system, in contrast, maximized patient's access to both preventive care and symptomatic care, and did not seem to inhibit physician-controlled follow-up care. The results suggest some perverse effects of fee-for-service payment: patients, especially poor patients, appeared to be deterred from seeking preventive and symptomatic care, while physicians were encouraged to expand follow-up services. Moreover, services in fee-for-service systems were distributed less equitably relative to both income and medical need than in the prepaid system. These findings have direct implications for policy decisions concerning organizational and financial arrangements for the delivery of ambulatory care.", "contents": "Patterns of ambulatory health care in five different delivery systems. Few empirical investigations permit systematic comparison of the impact of widely-varying delivery systems within a single population sample. This study provides such a comparison, describing patterns of ambulatory care among patients using five different systems in Washington, D.C. as a regular source of health care: solo practice, fee-for-service group practice, prepaid group practice, public clinics, and hospital outpatient departments or emergency rooms. Comparisons are adjusted statistically to account for major patient group variations, and the results reveal substantial differences among the five systems. Sources used primarily by the poor--hospital outpatient departments, emergency rooms, and public clinics--contained important structural and financial barriers, and had the lowest rates of patient-initiated use. The prepaid system, in contrast, maximized patient's access to both preventive care and symptomatic care, and did not seem to inhibit physician-controlled follow-up care. The results suggest some perverse effects of fee-for-service payment: patients, especially poor patients, appeared to be deterred from seeking preventive and symptomatic care, while physicians were encouraged to expand follow-up services. Moreover, services in fee-for-service systems were distributed less equitably relative to both income and medical need than in the prepaid system. These findings have direct implications for policy decisions concerning organizational and financial arrangements for the delivery of ambulatory care.", "PMID": 763001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1381", "title": "Consumer participation and community organization practice: implications of national health legislation.", "content": "This paper reviews ten federal health laws from the perspective of the extent to which consumer participation had been incorporated as an integral aspect of health program, identifies some issues and dilemmas of implementing consumer participation activities, and offers suggestions for the involvement of consumer advocates. The review of the laws showed uncertainty of outcomes, conflicting philosophies, conflicting purposes, conflicting strategies, and conflicts relating to representativeness, legitimacy and consumer role. Despite the inconsistent record of Congress to legislate consumer participation, two recent health laws, P.L. 93-641 and Title III of P.L. 94-63, appear to offer major opportunities in promoting consumer involvement in planning and policy development activities. However, because these laws continue to delegate the responsibility for implementing consumer involvement programs to providers, established institutions and state agencies, consumer advocates are urged to increase their knowledge of the laws and to assist consumers to realize their right of self-determination. The cause is worthy and represents a desirable goal for public health--and in the final analysis, for the survival of our democratic society.", "contents": "Consumer participation and community organization practice: implications of national health legislation. This paper reviews ten federal health laws from the perspective of the extent to which consumer participation had been incorporated as an integral aspect of health program, identifies some issues and dilemmas of implementing consumer participation activities, and offers suggestions for the involvement of consumer advocates. The review of the laws showed uncertainty of outcomes, conflicting philosophies, conflicting purposes, conflicting strategies, and conflicts relating to representativeness, legitimacy and consumer role. Despite the inconsistent record of Congress to legislate consumer participation, two recent health laws, P.L. 93-641 and Title III of P.L. 94-63, appear to offer major opportunities in promoting consumer involvement in planning and policy development activities. However, because these laws continue to delegate the responsibility for implementing consumer involvement programs to providers, established institutions and state agencies, consumer advocates are urged to increase their knowledge of the laws and to assist consumers to realize their right of self-determination. The cause is worthy and represents a desirable goal for public health--and in the final analysis, for the survival of our democratic society.", "PMID": 763002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1382", "title": "Institutional outpatient clinics: a case study in unmet needs.", "content": "An outpatient clinic of a charity hospital, managed by a medical school of a large Latin American country, was studied to assess the characteristics of the patients and the management of their conditions. All medical records of registered patients of the clinic were abstracted for identification, demographic and clinical data, for two periods of one month each, yielding 2,153 patient observations. The study period represented 18 per cent of the total days of operation of the clinic in 1975. A 20 per cent stratified sample of all cases was studied in depth to characterize the management of patients. Up to 40 per cent of all patients were rejected by the clinic, a result of the system of selection and handling of the patients. Only 36 per cent of all patients received minimally satisfactory care when treated. These results are analyzed within the framework of the conflict between professional and academic values of the medical profession and the medical and social needs of the patients.", "contents": "Institutional outpatient clinics: a case study in unmet needs. An outpatient clinic of a charity hospital, managed by a medical school of a large Latin American country, was studied to assess the characteristics of the patients and the management of their conditions. All medical records of registered patients of the clinic were abstracted for identification, demographic and clinical data, for two periods of one month each, yielding 2,153 patient observations. The study period represented 18 per cent of the total days of operation of the clinic in 1975. A 20 per cent stratified sample of all cases was studied in depth to characterize the management of patients. Up to 40 per cent of all patients were rejected by the clinic, a result of the system of selection and handling of the patients. Only 36 per cent of all patients received minimally satisfactory care when treated. These results are analyzed within the framework of the conflict between professional and academic values of the medical profession and the medical and social needs of the patients.", "PMID": 763003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1383", "title": "Active patient orientation and outcomes in hypertensive treatment: application of a socio-organizational perspective.", "content": "In the area of chronic ambulatory illness, it is well recognized that poor participation by patients in the treatment process greatly limits the potential benefits of effective medical technology. Patients' contributions to treatment outcomes might be enhanced if medical care was oriented to consider patients as active participants in the treatment process, rather than as passive-obedient recipients of care. A systematic attempt is needed to define and measure services along a specific dimension of \"Active Patient Orientation\" and to relate these measurements directly to treatment outcomes. Applying a socio-organizational perspective, the study reported here examined the link between an active patient orientation and treatment outcomes. Hypertensive patients were asked to characterize their care along the dimension of Active Patient Orientation (APO). Findings indicate that patients who are afforded a high degree of APO are significantly more likely to have their blood pressures under control and to exhibit more positive cognitive and behavioral responses to illness-management. Further, the data suggest that level of APO can be significantly increased through incremental changes in systems of routine clinic care.", "contents": "Active patient orientation and outcomes in hypertensive treatment: application of a socio-organizational perspective. In the area of chronic ambulatory illness, it is well recognized that poor participation by patients in the treatment process greatly limits the potential benefits of effective medical technology. Patients' contributions to treatment outcomes might be enhanced if medical care was oriented to consider patients as active participants in the treatment process, rather than as passive-obedient recipients of care. A systematic attempt is needed to define and measure services along a specific dimension of \"Active Patient Orientation\" and to relate these measurements directly to treatment outcomes. Applying a socio-organizational perspective, the study reported here examined the link between an active patient orientation and treatment outcomes. Hypertensive patients were asked to characterize their care along the dimension of Active Patient Orientation (APO). Findings indicate that patients who are afforded a high degree of APO are significantly more likely to have their blood pressures under control and to exhibit more positive cognitive and behavioral responses to illness-management. Further, the data suggest that level of APO can be significantly increased through incremental changes in systems of routine clinic care.", "PMID": 763004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1384", "title": "The relationship of an overt commitment to the frequency and speed of compliance with symptom reporting.", "content": "This study investigates the effect of an overt verbal commitment on compliance with returning symptom report cards. Patients in two flu inoculation clinics were placed in an experimental condition. Patients in two other comparable flu inoculation clinics were placed in the control condition. After receiving their inoculations, all patients were asked to mail back a postcard after 48 hours that indicated the occurance of any symptoms. Patients in the experimental condition were asked if they would comply with the request. Patients in the control condition were not asked for a commitment. Patients in the experimental condition returned significantly more cards and significantly sooner than those in the control condition. This technique has both clinical and research applications.", "contents": "The relationship of an overt commitment to the frequency and speed of compliance with symptom reporting. This study investigates the effect of an overt verbal commitment on compliance with returning symptom report cards. Patients in two flu inoculation clinics were placed in an experimental condition. Patients in two other comparable flu inoculation clinics were placed in the control condition. After receiving their inoculations, all patients were asked to mail back a postcard after 48 hours that indicated the occurance of any symptoms. Patients in the experimental condition were asked if they would comply with the request. Patients in the control condition were not asked for a commitment. Patients in the experimental condition returned significantly more cards and significantly sooner than those in the control condition. This technique has both clinical and research applications.", "PMID": 763005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1385", "title": "Predicting blood pressure control in hypertensive patients: an approach to quality-of-care assessment.", "content": "In assessing the quality of medical care, techniques were needed which can predict which patients are likely to have good or poor health outcomes. This study describes one way of identifying a subgroup of hypertensive patients whose diastolic blood pressures (DBP) are at high risk of remaining uncontrolled while under treatment. Medical care and patient variables were measured for 123 hypertensive medical clinic patients. Stepwise discriminant analysis identified a set of six variables which best distinguished between patients with well-controlled and uncontrolled DBP. When measurements of these variables were divided into high and low risk responses for uncontrolled DBP, the number of high risk variables was directly related to the proportion of patients with uncontrolled DBP. The variables also predicted DBP control among 63 patients in an entirely different medical care setting.", "contents": "Predicting blood pressure control in hypertensive patients: an approach to quality-of-care assessment. In assessing the quality of medical care, techniques were needed which can predict which patients are likely to have good or poor health outcomes. This study describes one way of identifying a subgroup of hypertensive patients whose diastolic blood pressures (DBP) are at high risk of remaining uncontrolled while under treatment. Medical care and patient variables were measured for 123 hypertensive medical clinic patients. Stepwise discriminant analysis identified a set of six variables which best distinguished between patients with well-controlled and uncontrolled DBP. When measurements of these variables were divided into high and low risk responses for uncontrolled DBP, the number of high risk variables was directly related to the proportion of patients with uncontrolled DBP. The variables also predicted DBP control among 63 patients in an entirely different medical care setting.", "PMID": 763006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1386", "title": "Forecasting bed needs and recommending facilities plans for community hospitals: a review of past performance.", "content": "A university-based hospital consulting group reviewed six studies of Michigan hospitals retrospectively in 1975. The studies represented all those done between 1967 and 1971 requiring forecasts of acute bed supply and service needs. The original studies developed forecasts using empirical studies of patient origin and rigorously prepared authoritative forecasts of county populations. The 1975 review compared forecasts of population, service population, and bed need against current values and also interviewed clients to assess retrospective satisfaction with the recommendations. Although the consultants strove steadily to minimize the bed supply and base population forecasts were accurate, the studies overestimated bed needs. Further, the clients were often dissatisfied with the original recommendations, and frequently acted to exceed them. Comparing the 1975 actual with what would now be recommended by the consultant indicates that the \"error\" cost the communities about $50 per person per year.", "contents": "Forecasting bed needs and recommending facilities plans for community hospitals: a review of past performance. A university-based hospital consulting group reviewed six studies of Michigan hospitals retrospectively in 1975. The studies represented all those done between 1967 and 1971 requiring forecasts of acute bed supply and service needs. The original studies developed forecasts using empirical studies of patient origin and rigorously prepared authoritative forecasts of county populations. The 1975 review compared forecasts of population, service population, and bed need against current values and also interviewed clients to assess retrospective satisfaction with the recommendations. Although the consultants strove steadily to minimize the bed supply and base population forecasts were accurate, the studies overestimated bed needs. Further, the clients were often dissatisfied with the original recommendations, and frequently acted to exceed them. Comparing the 1975 actual with what would now be recommended by the consultant indicates that the \"error\" cost the communities about $50 per person per year.", "PMID": 763007} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1387", "title": "Detection of cervical and breast cancer: a community-based pilot study.", "content": "Pilot screening clinics were conducted in two Los Angeles County health districts where cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates were high. Results are of interest because they provide information on planning and operating community-based clinics in low-income areas where there are women who are unlikely to seek or are ineligible for available health services.", "contents": "Detection of cervical and breast cancer: a community-based pilot study. Pilot screening clinics were conducted in two Los Angeles County health districts where cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates were high. Results are of interest because they provide information on planning and operating community-based clinics in low-income areas where there are women who are unlikely to seek or are ineligible for available health services.", "PMID": 763008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1388", "title": "[Comparison of the results of incus interposition and artificial columella in tympanoplasty (author's transl)].", "content": "The average postoperative air-bone gap after interposition of an incus between tympanic membrane and stapes footplate is too high in case of missing crura of the stapes, it is 27 dB. The interposition of an artificial prosthesis, according to Shea and beeing made of \"Platipore\", leads to a statistically based lower air-bone gap with a mean of 20 dB. Concerning the change of bone conduction, there is no difference between these two methods of operation. The rate of artificial prosthesis which are perforating the tympanic membrane, increases after seven months up to 15%, but only 4% of the incuses invade the plane of the tympanic membrane after 22 months.", "contents": "[Comparison of the results of incus interposition and artificial columella in tympanoplasty (author's transl)]. The average postoperative air-bone gap after interposition of an incus between tympanic membrane and stapes footplate is too high in case of missing crura of the stapes, it is 27 dB. The interposition of an artificial prosthesis, according to Shea and beeing made of \"Platipore\", leads to a statistically based lower air-bone gap with a mean of 20 dB. Concerning the change of bone conduction, there is no difference between these two methods of operation. The rate of artificial prosthesis which are perforating the tympanic membrane, increases after seven months up to 15%, but only 4% of the incuses invade the plane of the tympanic membrane after 22 months.", "PMID": 763047} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1389", "title": "[Problems of autologic incus interposition in cholesteatoma operations (author's transl)].", "content": "Our clinical study proves whether or not the warning is justified not to reimplantate autologic ossicula in cholesteatoma operations in order to avoid recidives. After interposition of the autologic incus in 18 patients we found cholesteatome recidives--originating from the incus--in two cases. According to histological studies, even the most careful preparation cannot avoid that some cells of the epithelium remain on the ossicula, from which a cholesteatoma recidive may develop. Clinical studies show rather low rates of recidives compared with the histological findings. Possibly remaining squamous epithelium cells in autologic ossicles need not always cause recidives. Clinical and histological studies lead to the demand that because of the possibility of cholesteatoma recidives autologic ossicula should not be reimplated in cholesteatoma operations.", "contents": "[Problems of autologic incus interposition in cholesteatoma operations (author's transl)]. Our clinical study proves whether or not the warning is justified not to reimplantate autologic ossicula in cholesteatoma operations in order to avoid recidives. After interposition of the autologic incus in 18 patients we found cholesteatome recidives--originating from the incus--in two cases. According to histological studies, even the most careful preparation cannot avoid that some cells of the epithelium remain on the ossicula, from which a cholesteatoma recidive may develop. Clinical studies show rather low rates of recidives compared with the histological findings. Possibly remaining squamous epithelium cells in autologic ossicles need not always cause recidives. Clinical and histological studies lead to the demand that because of the possibility of cholesteatoma recidives autologic ossicula should not be reimplated in cholesteatoma operations.", "PMID": 763048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1390", "title": "[The complex tympanic membrane impedance in various middle ear disturbances (author's transl)].", "content": "Clinical experience with two-component registration (Susceptance and Conductance) of the tympanic membrane impedance at two frequencies (220 and 660 Hz) is reported. More than 1000 results of the last 6 years have been evaluated. The normal tympanometric shape is confirmed by computer simulation. More information about mass and elasticity relations of the middle ear is obtained by the complex registration at 660 Hz. Clinical examples are presented to demonstrate the influence of scars on the ear drum and of a disruption of the ossicular chain. In 77 cases of otosclerosis with stapes fixation, as confirmed by operation, the shape of the pressure-dependent admittance is significantly narrower than in normal hearing ears. For a glomus tumor a pulsation of the oto-admittance following the electro-cardiogram can be shown. In a classification of the tympanometric types the different shapes correspond well to the set of functional finding (normal) ears, otosclerosis, Eustachian tube malfunction, processes of the middle ear cavity, post operation state). The extreme sensitivity of the method, however, produces a small group of unpredictable results for each type. So differential diagnosis is to be done by usual audiometric methods or microscopy of the ear drum.", "contents": "[The complex tympanic membrane impedance in various middle ear disturbances (author's transl)]. Clinical experience with two-component registration (Susceptance and Conductance) of the tympanic membrane impedance at two frequencies (220 and 660 Hz) is reported. More than 1000 results of the last 6 years have been evaluated. The normal tympanometric shape is confirmed by computer simulation. More information about mass and elasticity relations of the middle ear is obtained by the complex registration at 660 Hz. Clinical examples are presented to demonstrate the influence of scars on the ear drum and of a disruption of the ossicular chain. In 77 cases of otosclerosis with stapes fixation, as confirmed by operation, the shape of the pressure-dependent admittance is significantly narrower than in normal hearing ears. For a glomus tumor a pulsation of the oto-admittance following the electro-cardiogram can be shown. In a classification of the tympanometric types the different shapes correspond well to the set of functional finding (normal) ears, otosclerosis, Eustachian tube malfunction, processes of the middle ear cavity, post operation state). The extreme sensitivity of the method, however, produces a small group of unpredictable results for each type. So differential diagnosis is to be done by usual audiometric methods or microscopy of the ear drum.", "PMID": 763049} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1391", "title": "[Critical review of the SISI-test (author's transl)].", "content": "For the last twenty years since the first publication the SISI-test (Jerger et al. 1959) is used as a standard test in audiometry, although the clinical utility has been doubted by many audiologists. The aim of this study is to show essential test-theoretical mistakes which exist--apart from the bad clinical results--in the SISI-test. The most important fault is, that the diagnosis of clinical groups is established by means of the comparison of different test-stimuli (different main intensities).", "contents": "[Critical review of the SISI-test (author's transl)]. For the last twenty years since the first publication the SISI-test (Jerger et al. 1959) is used as a standard test in audiometry, although the clinical utility has been doubted by many audiologists. The aim of this study is to show essential test-theoretical mistakes which exist--apart from the bad clinical results--in the SISI-test. The most important fault is, that the diagnosis of clinical groups is established by means of the comparison of different test-stimuli (different main intensities).", "PMID": 763050} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1392", "title": "[Brainstem auditory evoked response (BER) in paedaudiological diagnosis (author's transl)].", "content": "Intention of paedaudiology is to detect and to evaluate hearing loss in children. In new born and small infants, in children with behavioral disorders and multiple disabilities, the clinical techniques of audiometry are often not useful. The brainstem audiometry is a reliable alternative and not so cost intensive and time consuming as it is often assumed. Encouraging is this technique in regard of hearing aids: prevention of attaching unnecessary hearing aids, ruling out not appropriate fitted hearing aids and proper habilitation of unilateral hearing loss.", "contents": "[Brainstem auditory evoked response (BER) in paedaudiological diagnosis (author's transl)]. Intention of paedaudiology is to detect and to evaluate hearing loss in children. In new born and small infants, in children with behavioral disorders and multiple disabilities, the clinical techniques of audiometry are often not useful. The brainstem audiometry is a reliable alternative and not so cost intensive and time consuming as it is often assumed. Encouraging is this technique in regard of hearing aids: prevention of attaching unnecessary hearing aids, ruling out not appropriate fitted hearing aids and proper habilitation of unilateral hearing loss.", "PMID": 763051} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1393", "title": "[Tracheotomy superior, media and inferior? (author's transl)].", "content": "The traditional classification of tracheotomy in superior, media and inferior is not important. It only is important that the tracheotomy tube is in a tensionless position and does neither irritate the larynx nor the thyreoid gland. This can be obtained by strict conservation of at least the first tracheal ring and by dissection of the isthmus of the thyreoid gland.", "contents": "[Tracheotomy superior, media and inferior? (author's transl)]. The traditional classification of tracheotomy in superior, media and inferior is not important. It only is important that the tracheotomy tube is in a tensionless position and does neither irritate the larynx nor the thyreoid gland. This can be obtained by strict conservation of at least the first tracheal ring and by dissection of the isthmus of the thyreoid gland.", "PMID": 763052} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1394", "title": "[How to prevent the various neuralgic complaints after operation of maxillary sinus? (author's transl)].", "content": "In order to avoid multiple neuralgic complaints after operations of maxillary sinus the following advice for cautions operative procedures is as follows: 1. A vertical incision in the mucosa of the fossa canine behind the eye-tooth instead of the usual horizontal section. 2. A small dorsolateral fenestration in a part of less nervous ramification in the facial bone layer of the antrum of High-more. 3. The limitation of resection of the mucous membrane in pathological areas of the sinus. 450 operations of the maxillary sinus were done in this way, which resulted in a lower rate of postoperative neuralgic complaints. Another advantage was the minimized intraoperative bleeding and the absence of postoperative swelling and haematoma formation of the cheek.", "contents": "[How to prevent the various neuralgic complaints after operation of maxillary sinus? (author's transl)]. In order to avoid multiple neuralgic complaints after operations of maxillary sinus the following advice for cautions operative procedures is as follows: 1. A vertical incision in the mucosa of the fossa canine behind the eye-tooth instead of the usual horizontal section. 2. A small dorsolateral fenestration in a part of less nervous ramification in the facial bone layer of the antrum of High-more. 3. The limitation of resection of the mucous membrane in pathological areas of the sinus. 450 operations of the maxillary sinus were done in this way, which resulted in a lower rate of postoperative neuralgic complaints. Another advantage was the minimized intraoperative bleeding and the absence of postoperative swelling and haematoma formation of the cheek.", "PMID": 763053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1395", "title": "[Monomorphous tubular salivary gland adenoma of the middle ear (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of monomorphous tubular salivary gland adenoma of the middle ear is presented. Ectopical tissue of salivary gland is conceived as a morphogenetic disturbance and is closely related to the n. facial. Case-taking, therapy, topogenesis and morphology are discussed.", "contents": "[Monomorphous tubular salivary gland adenoma of the middle ear (author's transl)]. A case of monomorphous tubular salivary gland adenoma of the middle ear is presented. Ectopical tissue of salivary gland is conceived as a morphogenetic disturbance and is closely related to the n. facial. Case-taking, therapy, topogenesis and morphology are discussed.", "PMID": 763054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1396", "title": "[Extreme case of open laryngeal trauma (author's transl)].", "content": "Description of a very rare case of open laryngeal trauma, caused by a high-pressure 'cutting' waterjet. Immediate wound-toilet, healing without any complication within few days.", "contents": "[Extreme case of open laryngeal trauma (author's transl)]. Description of a very rare case of open laryngeal trauma, caused by a high-pressure 'cutting' waterjet. Immediate wound-toilet, healing without any complication within few days.", "PMID": 763055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1397", "title": "[Pathohistology of necrotizing sialometaplasia in parotid glands (author's transl)].", "content": "Under the descriptive term necrotizing sialometaplasia a lesion (infarct) is described in the minor salivary glands of the mouth, mucous glands in the nose and in the maxillary sinus. Identical changes are seen in the parotid gland after surgical treatment. In the German literature there is no report on necrotizing sialometaplasia or infarction of salivary gland. In this paper 6 infarcts of the parotid gland are reported. The pathohistologic picture is described, the proposed etiopathogenic factors are discussed. The diagnostic problems between the infarct of salivary glands and squamous carcinoma and low grade mucoepidermoid tumours were pointed out.", "contents": "[Pathohistology of necrotizing sialometaplasia in parotid glands (author's transl)]. Under the descriptive term necrotizing sialometaplasia a lesion (infarct) is described in the minor salivary glands of the mouth, mucous glands in the nose and in the maxillary sinus. Identical changes are seen in the parotid gland after surgical treatment. In the German literature there is no report on necrotizing sialometaplasia or infarction of salivary gland. In this paper 6 infarcts of the parotid gland are reported. The pathohistologic picture is described, the proposed etiopathogenic factors are discussed. The diagnostic problems between the infarct of salivary glands and squamous carcinoma and low grade mucoepidermoid tumours were pointed out.", "PMID": 763056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1398", "title": "[About the estimation of human parotid gland amylase in fractionated secretions (author's transl)].", "content": "The amylases are the main proteins in parotid secretions. In 30 probands the amylase secretion is observed under rest and gustatoric and parasympathicomimetic stimulation. A stimulation specific behaviour of amylase secretion is found. Under parasympathicomimetic stimulation by subcutaneous injection of Pilocarpin a high increase of amylase concentration is observed, in comparison to gustatoric stimulation where the concentration doesn't change. Different enzymatic activities of amylase under rest- and stimulation-conditions couldn't be found.", "contents": "[About the estimation of human parotid gland amylase in fractionated secretions (author's transl)]. The amylases are the main proteins in parotid secretions. In 30 probands the amylase secretion is observed under rest and gustatoric and parasympathicomimetic stimulation. A stimulation specific behaviour of amylase secretion is found. Under parasympathicomimetic stimulation by subcutaneous injection of Pilocarpin a high increase of amylase concentration is observed, in comparison to gustatoric stimulation where the concentration doesn't change. Different enzymatic activities of amylase under rest- and stimulation-conditions couldn't be found.", "PMID": 763057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1399", "title": "[Hereditary combination of branchial fistulas and middle ear malformations (author's transl)].", "content": "Four cases with hereditary combinations of branchial fistulas and middle ear malformations in three generations of one family are reported. We found preauricular fistulas and lateral cervical fistulas combined with different types of middle ear dysplasias. In one case a preauricular fistula running through the middle ear and ending in the dura could be exstirpated. Such rare varieties must be considered, when preauricular fistulas are found together with congenital middle ear deafness.", "contents": "[Hereditary combination of branchial fistulas and middle ear malformations (author's transl)]. Four cases with hereditary combinations of branchial fistulas and middle ear malformations in three generations of one family are reported. We found preauricular fistulas and lateral cervical fistulas combined with different types of middle ear dysplasias. In one case a preauricular fistula running through the middle ear and ending in the dura could be exstirpated. Such rare varieties must be considered, when preauricular fistulas are found together with congenital middle ear deafness.", "PMID": 763058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1400", "title": "[Chronic pancreatitis: diagnostic value of endoscopic retrograde pancreaticography, of pancreatic sonography, and of secretin-pancreozymin test corrected for volume losses (author's transl)].", "content": "Endoscopic retrograde pancreaticography (ERP) and secretin-pancreozymin test corrected for losses (SP test) were performed in 153 patients suspected to have pancreatic disorders in order to evaluate diagnostic significance of these procedures. Pancreatic sonography was done in addition in 110 of these patients. If pancreatic excretion was normal, ERP results turned out to be normal in the same patients as well. SP test involves rather extensive laboratory work-up, but it does yield the most precise results as far as diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis is concerned. For this reason, and because of the possible complications caused by ERP, ERP should be applied only, when surgery is considered. Results of SP test and sonography coincided rather well. Therefore, sonography, not doing any harm to the patient, does have its place in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.", "contents": "[Chronic pancreatitis: diagnostic value of endoscopic retrograde pancreaticography, of pancreatic sonography, and of secretin-pancreozymin test corrected for volume losses (author's transl)]. Endoscopic retrograde pancreaticography (ERP) and secretin-pancreozymin test corrected for losses (SP test) were performed in 153 patients suspected to have pancreatic disorders in order to evaluate diagnostic significance of these procedures. Pancreatic sonography was done in addition in 110 of these patients. If pancreatic excretion was normal, ERP results turned out to be normal in the same patients as well. SP test involves rather extensive laboratory work-up, but it does yield the most precise results as far as diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis is concerned. For this reason, and because of the possible complications caused by ERP, ERP should be applied only, when surgery is considered. Results of SP test and sonography coincided rather well. Therefore, sonography, not doing any harm to the patient, does have its place in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.", "PMID": 763059} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1401", "title": "[Chronic atrophic gastritis: histological studies of stomachs removed by surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "Partial gastrectomy was performed in 23 patients for different reasons, and the specimens recovered were investigated histologically. Localization and size of inflammatory and atrophic changes were looked for especially. Inflammatory lesions of the fundus area are distributed primarily as spots and do not spread continuously; they extend from the aboral gastric region to the upper parts of the stomach. These alterations start as small and spot-like lesions, increase in size and join neighbouring lesions to form larger inflammatory areas. Atrophic alterations of the mucosa generally develop in the same way as inflammatory lesions occurring most frequently in the antral zone and in the adjacent areas of the fundus as well; however patterns of distribution of inflammatory and atrophic changes do not seem to correlate well in the individual case.", "contents": "[Chronic atrophic gastritis: histological studies of stomachs removed by surgery (author's transl)]. Partial gastrectomy was performed in 23 patients for different reasons, and the specimens recovered were investigated histologically. Localization and size of inflammatory and atrophic changes were looked for especially. Inflammatory lesions of the fundus area are distributed primarily as spots and do not spread continuously; they extend from the aboral gastric region to the upper parts of the stomach. These alterations start as small and spot-like lesions, increase in size and join neighbouring lesions to form larger inflammatory areas. Atrophic alterations of the mucosa generally develop in the same way as inflammatory lesions occurring most frequently in the antral zone and in the adjacent areas of the fundus as well; however patterns of distribution of inflammatory and atrophic changes do not seem to correlate well in the individual case.", "PMID": 763060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1402", "title": "[Cimetidin treatment of duodenal ulcer resistant to antacid therapy (author's transl)].", "content": "A selected group of 21 patients having received antacids (neutralizing capacity less than 50 meq HCl/d) as treatment for duodenal ulcers showed no improvement of the disease as demonstrated by endoscopic control after 8-16 weeks. Subsequent treatment of this group with 1 g Cimetidin/d for periods of 4-8 weeks was successful as far as healing of the ulcers is concerned in 85% of the cases, however symptoms of duodenitis persisted. In a control group of 39 patients which did not improve after 8 weeks of treatment with antacids the same therapy was continued for another 8 weeks; during this second period ulcers disappeared in 12 patients = 30% of the group. Improvement of symptoms resulted on the average after 6 days of therapy with cimetidine. One third of the patients treated with cimetidine relapsed with ulcers after approximately 4 months as demonstrated by endoscopy. Patients with duodenal ulcers resistant to therapy with antacids do represent a selected group suited to test the potency of new therapeutic methods as for instance treatment with cimetidine.", "contents": "[Cimetidin treatment of duodenal ulcer resistant to antacid therapy (author's transl)]. A selected group of 21 patients having received antacids (neutralizing capacity less than 50 meq HCl/d) as treatment for duodenal ulcers showed no improvement of the disease as demonstrated by endoscopic control after 8-16 weeks. Subsequent treatment of this group with 1 g Cimetidin/d for periods of 4-8 weeks was successful as far as healing of the ulcers is concerned in 85% of the cases, however symptoms of duodenitis persisted. In a control group of 39 patients which did not improve after 8 weeks of treatment with antacids the same therapy was continued for another 8 weeks; during this second period ulcers disappeared in 12 patients = 30% of the group. Improvement of symptoms resulted on the average after 6 days of therapy with cimetidine. One third of the patients treated with cimetidine relapsed with ulcers after approximately 4 months as demonstrated by endoscopy. Patients with duodenal ulcers resistant to therapy with antacids do represent a selected group suited to test the potency of new therapeutic methods as for instance treatment with cimetidine.", "PMID": 763061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1403", "title": "[Immunoglobulin producing immunoblastoma of the duodenum (author's transl)].", "content": "A case report is given of a 32 year old patient harboring an immunoblastoma of the duodenum. Immunoglobulins could be demonstrated histologically in the tumor cells for the first time by a special technique. Clinical and morphological findings are discussed.", "contents": "[Immunoglobulin producing immunoblastoma of the duodenum (author's transl)]. A case report is given of a 32 year old patient harboring an immunoblastoma of the duodenum. Immunoglobulins could be demonstrated histologically in the tumor cells for the first time by a special technique. Clinical and morphological findings are discussed.", "PMID": 763062} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1404", "title": "[Relapsing lipomatosis of the ileocolic junction after surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "A 58 year old women had massive hemorrhage from ulcers originating from lipomatosis of the ileocecal valve. The tumor and part of the intestine were removed by ample surgical resection and ileo-ascendostomy was performed. The patient relapsed 11 months later with hemorrhage and lipomatosis adjacent to the anastomosis established surgically 11 months before. This case report demonstrates that lipomatosis does not only occur at the ileocecal valve but as well at junctions established artificially between ileum and colon. The reasons for this latter event are unknown.", "contents": "[Relapsing lipomatosis of the ileocolic junction after surgery (author's transl)]. A 58 year old women had massive hemorrhage from ulcers originating from lipomatosis of the ileocecal valve. The tumor and part of the intestine were removed by ample surgical resection and ileo-ascendostomy was performed. The patient relapsed 11 months later with hemorrhage and lipomatosis adjacent to the anastomosis established surgically 11 months before. This case report demonstrates that lipomatosis does not only occur at the ileocecal valve but as well at junctions established artificially between ileum and colon. The reasons for this latter event are unknown.", "PMID": 763063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1405", "title": "[Surgical management of incontinence in rectal constipation (author's transl)].", "content": "In rectal constipation chronic filling of the rectum with feces will cause continuous rectal dilatation, a permanent stimulus for defecation and finally rectal incontinence. Reduction of rectal volume and perfect continence may be achieved in these cases by surgical removal of part of the elongated colon; thus surgery may have its place as an alternative to medical treatment of this disease. Patients with rectal constipation do not have an aganglionic segment of the colon, as is the case in Hirschsprung's disease; the dilated part of the colon is characterized on the contrary by hypertrophic intestinal wall.", "contents": "[Surgical management of incontinence in rectal constipation (author's transl)]. In rectal constipation chronic filling of the rectum with feces will cause continuous rectal dilatation, a permanent stimulus for defecation and finally rectal incontinence. Reduction of rectal volume and perfect continence may be achieved in these cases by surgical removal of part of the elongated colon; thus surgery may have its place as an alternative to medical treatment of this disease. Patients with rectal constipation do not have an aganglionic segment of the colon, as is the case in Hirschsprung's disease; the dilated part of the colon is characterized on the contrary by hypertrophic intestinal wall.", "PMID": 763064} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1406", "title": "[Operational control of the effectiveness of assisted blood circulation].", "content": "Introduction into the clinical practice of methods providing for mechanic support to the heart demands equipping the apparatus of assisted circulation with appliances, helping to operatively assess the effect of applying some or other procedures helping the heart performance. The existing criteria do not allow the degree of restoring the contractility of the myocardium under the effect of assisted circulation to be appraised. Criteria may be of help in comparing the energy balance of the myocardium with application of assisted circulation and the energy balance of an unloaded myocardium are proposed.", "contents": "[Operational control of the effectiveness of assisted blood circulation]. Introduction into the clinical practice of methods providing for mechanic support to the heart demands equipping the apparatus of assisted circulation with appliances, helping to operatively assess the effect of applying some or other procedures helping the heart performance. The existing criteria do not allow the degree of restoring the contractility of the myocardium under the effect of assisted circulation to be appraised. Criteria may be of help in comparing the energy balance of the myocardium with application of assisted circulation and the energy balance of an unloaded myocardium are proposed.", "PMID": 763100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1407", "title": "[Possibility of using DST-30 thermoelastoplast in blood transfusion systems].", "content": "Investigating possible application of the DCT-30 thermoelastoplastic shows advantages of some physico-technical properties of this product based on natural caoutchouc and latex by comparison with base-rubber onene. It justifies recommending the former for making injection tubes in the blood transfusion systems.", "contents": "[Possibility of using DST-30 thermoelastoplast in blood transfusion systems]. Investigating possible application of the DCT-30 thermoelastoplastic shows advantages of some physico-technical properties of this product based on natural caoutchouc and latex by comparison with base-rubber onene. It justifies recommending the former for making injection tubes in the blood transfusion systems.", "PMID": 763103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1408", "title": "[Technology of preparing gauges for calibration of medical syringe cylinders].", "content": "Thermal treatment substantially influences the resistance of calibres used in mollification (vacuum calibrating) of glass cylinders for medical syringes, the highest resistance of calibres made of the XH32T alloy and the 12X18H10T steel being achieved through their preliminary annealing in the argon atmosphere. The quality of manufactured syringes is affected also by wrong calibres shape and, formostly, by their out-of-roundness, whose degree in individual cases reaches 2--3 micrometer.", "contents": "[Technology of preparing gauges for calibration of medical syringe cylinders]. Thermal treatment substantially influences the resistance of calibres used in mollification (vacuum calibrating) of glass cylinders for medical syringes, the highest resistance of calibres made of the XH32T alloy and the 12X18H10T steel being achieved through their preliminary annealing in the argon atmosphere. The quality of manufactured syringes is affected also by wrong calibres shape and, formostly, by their out-of-roundness, whose degree in individual cases reaches 2--3 micrometer.", "PMID": 763104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1409", "title": "[Method of determining the aggregational properties of the formed elements in blood].", "content": "A theoretical analysis of the filtration dynamics showed that the hydrodynamic resistance of the filter and the time of the blood flow proportional to it is determined by the degree of aggregation and adhesion of the constituents. The design of the device and the sequence of operations for investigating the influence of the pharmacological agents on the aggregation of cells are described. A micromethod with the use of Panchenkov's device has been devised, which enables the aggregation of cells in the blood drawn through a puncture of the finger to be investigated.", "contents": "[Method of determining the aggregational properties of the formed elements in blood]. A theoretical analysis of the filtration dynamics showed that the hydrodynamic resistance of the filter and the time of the blood flow proportional to it is determined by the degree of aggregation and adhesion of the constituents. The design of the device and the sequence of operations for investigating the influence of the pharmacological agents on the aggregation of cells are described. A micromethod with the use of Panchenkov's device has been devised, which enables the aggregation of cells in the blood drawn through a puncture of the finger to be investigated.", "PMID": 763106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1410", "title": "[Evaluation of the functional and clinical qualities of the new GSG-2 dual-sensor gamma-topograph].", "content": "A double-sensor gamma-topograph model GSG-2 has been constructed to realize colour shade lining and black-and-white photographic registration of images reflecting spatial distribution of radioactive isotopes introduced to patients for diagnostic purposes. On the ground of trial tests the valuation of functional and clinical qualities of the device is given.", "contents": "[Evaluation of the functional and clinical qualities of the new GSG-2 dual-sensor gamma-topograph]. A double-sensor gamma-topograph model GSG-2 has been constructed to realize colour shade lining and black-and-white photographic registration of images reflecting spatial distribution of radioactive isotopes introduced to patients for diagnostic purposes. On the ground of trial tests the valuation of functional and clinical qualities of the device is given.", "PMID": 763107} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1411", "title": "[Operating characteristics of EK1T \"Malysh\" electrocardiographs].", "content": "In terms of features specific for the operation of the single-channel transister electrocardiograph EK1T \"Malysh\" a number of recommendations aimed at improving the quality and accuracy of reproducing electrocardiograms are proposed.", "contents": "[Operating characteristics of EK1T \"Malysh\" electrocardiographs]. In terms of features specific for the operation of the single-channel transister electrocardiograph EK1T \"Malysh\" a number of recommendations aimed at improving the quality and accuracy of reproducing electrocardiograms are proposed.", "PMID": 763108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1412", "title": "Maternal serum metabolites during prolonged starvation in pregnant pigs.", "content": "Pregnancies in pigs were sustained during periods of prolonged starvation in spite of maternal body weight losses exceeding 40 kg. Maternal stores of protein were made available for feto-placental development during starvation of the dam. Concentrations of maternal serum proteins, urea nitrogen, electrolytes, and iron were determined in sequential blood samples of healthy Yorkshire pigs during a prolonged period of 40 days inanition (water only) in either the middle third (days 30-70) or last third (days 70-110). Serum protein levels remained similar to full-diet controls throughout these two periods, whereas serum concentrations of albumin and urea N increased primarily during the last third of gestation in starved dams. Serum Na+ levels declined during prolonged inanition while Ca2+ increased and K+ remained unchanged. It was only near term that Fe2+ levels decreased in those dams starved during a period of 40 days in the last third of pregnancy. These results indicated that maternal serum components were sustained at adequate levels to maintain normal development of conceptuses during prolonged starvation in either the middle third or last third of pregnancy in the pig.", "contents": "Maternal serum metabolites during prolonged starvation in pregnant pigs. Pregnancies in pigs were sustained during periods of prolonged starvation in spite of maternal body weight losses exceeding 40 kg. Maternal stores of protein were made available for feto-placental development during starvation of the dam. Concentrations of maternal serum proteins, urea nitrogen, electrolytes, and iron were determined in sequential blood samples of healthy Yorkshire pigs during a prolonged period of 40 days inanition (water only) in either the middle third (days 30-70) or last third (days 70-110). Serum protein levels remained similar to full-diet controls throughout these two periods, whereas serum concentrations of albumin and urea N increased primarily during the last third of gestation in starved dams. Serum Na+ levels declined during prolonged inanition while Ca2+ increased and K+ remained unchanged. It was only near term that Fe2+ levels decreased in those dams starved during a period of 40 days in the last third of pregnancy. These results indicated that maternal serum components were sustained at adequate levels to maintain normal development of conceptuses during prolonged starvation in either the middle third or last third of pregnancy in the pig.", "PMID": 763146} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1413", "title": "The response to intravenous glucose of patients on maintenance hemodialysis: effects of dialysis.", "content": "To learn whether a single dialysis can acutely improve the intravenous glucose tolerance (i.v.GTT) of chronically dialyzed patients, a standard i.v.GTT was performed on 10 nonobese uremic subjects on maintenance hemodialysis for 27 +/- 9 (mean +/- SEM) mo, and on a control group of 13 normal subjects. The uremic patients were tested first 0.2-17 (range) hr, and then 65-109 hr, from last dialysis. In the uremic sera, plasma glucose was analyzed by 4 methods; 2 reducing (neocopurine and ferricyanide) and 2 enzymatic (hexokinase and glucose oxidase). The reducing methods markedly overestimated plasma glucose concentration because of the presence of nonglucose reducing substances (notably, creatinine). This inteference was significantly cut down by dialysis. A single dialysis, on the other hand, failed to improve the glucose fractional decay rate (KG) computed from the glucose oxidase data (1.69 +/- 0.2%/min before and 1.35 +/- 0.1 after dialysis, versus 1.47 +/- 0.1 of the normal subjects). The same conclusion was derived from the data measured by the other 3 methods of glucose assay. Fasting plasma insulin concentrations were, on average, above normal (5.5 +/- 0.6 muU/ml) both before (12.3 +/- 2.7, p less than 0.05) and after (17.2 +/- 3.5, p less than 0.01) a single dialysis. Likewise, the area under the glucose-induced plasma insulin curve was significantly greater than normal (1.46 +/- 0.21 mU/ml . min) both before (2.26 +/- 0.34, p less than 0.05), and after (2.86 +/- 0.43, p less than 0.01) dialysis. A single dialysis had little effect on either basal or glucose-stimulated insulin release, and no significant difference in the insulinogenic index (insulin area/glucose area) was found between the control and the uremic group in either test. Insulin response was not correlated with KG, whereas it was significantly associated with higher triglyceride levels. Creatinine, urea or methylguanidine did not appear to have any influence on KG, but lower serum potassium levels were significantly associated with poorer i.v.GTT's. Plasma calcium bore a reciprocal relation to the insulinogenic index. Chronically dialyzed subjects show some degree of tissue insulin resistance, which a single dialysis fails to correct. Electrolyte disturbances may play a role in this metabolic derangement.", "contents": "The response to intravenous glucose of patients on maintenance hemodialysis: effects of dialysis. To learn whether a single dialysis can acutely improve the intravenous glucose tolerance (i.v.GTT) of chronically dialyzed patients, a standard i.v.GTT was performed on 10 nonobese uremic subjects on maintenance hemodialysis for 27 +/- 9 (mean +/- SEM) mo, and on a control group of 13 normal subjects. The uremic patients were tested first 0.2-17 (range) hr, and then 65-109 hr, from last dialysis. In the uremic sera, plasma glucose was analyzed by 4 methods; 2 reducing (neocopurine and ferricyanide) and 2 enzymatic (hexokinase and glucose oxidase). The reducing methods markedly overestimated plasma glucose concentration because of the presence of nonglucose reducing substances (notably, creatinine). This inteference was significantly cut down by dialysis. A single dialysis, on the other hand, failed to improve the glucose fractional decay rate (KG) computed from the glucose oxidase data (1.69 +/- 0.2%/min before and 1.35 +/- 0.1 after dialysis, versus 1.47 +/- 0.1 of the normal subjects). The same conclusion was derived from the data measured by the other 3 methods of glucose assay. Fasting plasma insulin concentrations were, on average, above normal (5.5 +/- 0.6 muU/ml) both before (12.3 +/- 2.7, p less than 0.05) and after (17.2 +/- 3.5, p less than 0.01) a single dialysis. Likewise, the area under the glucose-induced plasma insulin curve was significantly greater than normal (1.46 +/- 0.21 mU/ml . min) both before (2.26 +/- 0.34, p less than 0.05), and after (2.86 +/- 0.43, p less than 0.01) dialysis. A single dialysis had little effect on either basal or glucose-stimulated insulin release, and no significant difference in the insulinogenic index (insulin area/glucose area) was found between the control and the uremic group in either test. Insulin response was not correlated with KG, whereas it was significantly associated with higher triglyceride levels. Creatinine, urea or methylguanidine did not appear to have any influence on KG, but lower serum potassium levels were significantly associated with poorer i.v.GTT's. Plasma calcium bore a reciprocal relation to the insulinogenic index. Chronically dialyzed subjects show some degree of tissue insulin resistance, which a single dialysis fails to correct. Electrolyte disturbances may play a role in this metabolic derangement.", "PMID": 763147} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1414", "title": "Factors altering platelet monoamine oxidase. The influence of oral glucose intake.", "content": "The specific activity of human platelet monoamine oxidase from control subjects undergoing glucose tolerance tests is reduced drastically. Three hours after intake of 100 g of glucose only 25%-30% of the MAO-baseline activity was measured with tryptamine. beta-phenylethylamine and p-tyramine as substrates. At about 5 hr, platelet MAO activity has increased again. Inhibition was not due to small molecular weight inhibitors or other diffusible factors. Studies of other platelet enzymes, including succinate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP+ dependent) showed no parallel reductions; hGH, insulin, blood glucose and platelet glycogen concentrations did not correlate with platelet MAO activity. The changes of MAO activity in respect with p-tyramine and tryptamine as substrates 24 hr after glucose ingestion suggest changes of the lipid microenvironment of this enzyme of the outer mitochondrial membrane.", "contents": "Factors altering platelet monoamine oxidase. The influence of oral glucose intake. The specific activity of human platelet monoamine oxidase from control subjects undergoing glucose tolerance tests is reduced drastically. Three hours after intake of 100 g of glucose only 25%-30% of the MAO-baseline activity was measured with tryptamine. beta-phenylethylamine and p-tyramine as substrates. At about 5 hr, platelet MAO activity has increased again. Inhibition was not due to small molecular weight inhibitors or other diffusible factors. Studies of other platelet enzymes, including succinate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP+ dependent) showed no parallel reductions; hGH, insulin, blood glucose and platelet glycogen concentrations did not correlate with platelet MAO activity. The changes of MAO activity in respect with p-tyramine and tryptamine as substrates 24 hr after glucose ingestion suggest changes of the lipid microenvironment of this enzyme of the outer mitochondrial membrane.", "PMID": 763148} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1415", "title": "Sterol and bile acid metabolism during development. 3. Occurrence of neonatal hypercholesterolemia in guinea pig and its possible relation to bile acid pool.", "content": "The relationship of the changes in plasma cholesterol to bile acid pool was studied in the newborn guinea pig. Plasma cholesterol reached the maximum on the fifth day and gradually declined to adult levels. The cholesterol concentration in the high density lipoproteins (HDL) was higher in the newborn guinea pig than in the adult. Plasma triglycerides peaked on the third day and decreased markedly. The bile acid pool increased progressively after birth with a 13-fold increase at 5 days of age. While the hepatic triglycerides decreased sharply in the newborn guinea pig, hepatic cholesterol increased in the first 5 days and then decreased to adult levels. This study has described the occurrence of \"neonatal hypercholesterolemia\" in the guinea pig and its possible relationship to the low level of bile acid synthesis.", "contents": "Sterol and bile acid metabolism during development. 3. Occurrence of neonatal hypercholesterolemia in guinea pig and its possible relation to bile acid pool. The relationship of the changes in plasma cholesterol to bile acid pool was studied in the newborn guinea pig. Plasma cholesterol reached the maximum on the fifth day and gradually declined to adult levels. The cholesterol concentration in the high density lipoproteins (HDL) was higher in the newborn guinea pig than in the adult. Plasma triglycerides peaked on the third day and decreased markedly. The bile acid pool increased progressively after birth with a 13-fold increase at 5 days of age. While the hepatic triglycerides decreased sharply in the newborn guinea pig, hepatic cholesterol increased in the first 5 days and then decreased to adult levels. This study has described the occurrence of \"neonatal hypercholesterolemia\" in the guinea pig and its possible relationship to the low level of bile acid synthesis.", "PMID": 763149} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1416", "title": "Triiodothyronine turnover studies in euthyroid patients with autonomous thyroid nodules.", "content": "Triiodothyronine (T3) kinetic studies were carried out using 126I-T3 and the single injection technique in eight clinically euthyroid patients with autonomous thyroid nodules and the metabolic results were compared to those obtained in a group of 12 healthy control subjects. Plasma labeled T3 concentration was measured by a chromatographic method based on the extraction of the hormone on Sephadex G-25 columns, followed by its elution with a specific anti-T3 antiserum. The analysis of the experimental plasma disappearance curves of the labeled hormone was performed using the noncompartmental method. The results obtained showed a significantly increased metabolic clearance rate of T3 in the patients with autonomous thyroid nodules, as compared to the control group. On the average, the T3 production rates were increased more significantly than the corresponding circulating levels of the hormone, therefore, suggesting that the significant TSH inhibition observed in the euthyroid patients with autonomous thyroid nodules could be related with an increased peripheral utilization of triiodothyronine.", "contents": "Triiodothyronine turnover studies in euthyroid patients with autonomous thyroid nodules. Triiodothyronine (T3) kinetic studies were carried out using 126I-T3 and the single injection technique in eight clinically euthyroid patients with autonomous thyroid nodules and the metabolic results were compared to those obtained in a group of 12 healthy control subjects. Plasma labeled T3 concentration was measured by a chromatographic method based on the extraction of the hormone on Sephadex G-25 columns, followed by its elution with a specific anti-T3 antiserum. The analysis of the experimental plasma disappearance curves of the labeled hormone was performed using the noncompartmental method. The results obtained showed a significantly increased metabolic clearance rate of T3 in the patients with autonomous thyroid nodules, as compared to the control group. On the average, the T3 production rates were increased more significantly than the corresponding circulating levels of the hormone, therefore, suggesting that the significant TSH inhibition observed in the euthyroid patients with autonomous thyroid nodules could be related with an increased peripheral utilization of triiodothyronine.", "PMID": 763150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1417", "title": "Purification and characterization of a troponin C-like phosphodiesterase activator from bovine thyroid.", "content": "A troponin C-like phosphodiesterase activator from bovine thyroid has been purified to homogeneity. The overall purification was about 9,800-fold with a yield of 8%. Bovine thyroid activator protein is identical in biologic properties to that isolated from bovine brain. They have the same specific activity regarding stimulation of bovine brain cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Both proteins form a Ca2+-dependent complex with heart muscle troponin I which is stable in 6M urea-polyacrylamide gel and which is similar, but not identical, to the troponin C-troponin I complex. The physiochemical properties of bovine thyroid activator protein are identical with those of bovine brain and other phosphodiesterase activator proteins and are similar to heart muscle and skeletal muscle troponin C as follows: (A) they bind 3-4 exchangeable calcium ions/mol with dissociation constants between 10(-5) and 10(-6) M, (B) they are highly acidic with a high content of aspartic and glutamic acids and isoelectric points of approximately 4.1, (C) these proteins have an unusual ultraviolet absorption spectrum with six discrete maxima between 250 and 284 nm which are characteristic of phenylalanine and tyrosine, and (D) these proteins have a low content of cysteine, histidine, tyrosine and proline. The tryptic peptide maps of bovine thyroid and brain activator protein are very similar. However, despite a very similar amino acid composition, the peptide map of bovine heart muscle troponin C is significantly different from that of the other two proteins. The molecular weight of thyroid and brain activator protein is 16,500, while that of heart troponin C is 18,500. Thyroid and brain activator protein, as well as heart troponin C, appear to undergo significant Ca2+-dependent conformational changes, as measured by the difference in the circular dichroism spectrum and electrophoretic mobility observed in the presence and absence of calcium ion.", "contents": "Purification and characterization of a troponin C-like phosphodiesterase activator from bovine thyroid. A troponin C-like phosphodiesterase activator from bovine thyroid has been purified to homogeneity. The overall purification was about 9,800-fold with a yield of 8%. Bovine thyroid activator protein is identical in biologic properties to that isolated from bovine brain. They have the same specific activity regarding stimulation of bovine brain cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Both proteins form a Ca2+-dependent complex with heart muscle troponin I which is stable in 6M urea-polyacrylamide gel and which is similar, but not identical, to the troponin C-troponin I complex. The physiochemical properties of bovine thyroid activator protein are identical with those of bovine brain and other phosphodiesterase activator proteins and are similar to heart muscle and skeletal muscle troponin C as follows: (A) they bind 3-4 exchangeable calcium ions/mol with dissociation constants between 10(-5) and 10(-6) M, (B) they are highly acidic with a high content of aspartic and glutamic acids and isoelectric points of approximately 4.1, (C) these proteins have an unusual ultraviolet absorption spectrum with six discrete maxima between 250 and 284 nm which are characteristic of phenylalanine and tyrosine, and (D) these proteins have a low content of cysteine, histidine, tyrosine and proline. The tryptic peptide maps of bovine thyroid and brain activator protein are very similar. However, despite a very similar amino acid composition, the peptide map of bovine heart muscle troponin C is significantly different from that of the other two proteins. The molecular weight of thyroid and brain activator protein is 16,500, while that of heart troponin C is 18,500. Thyroid and brain activator protein, as well as heart troponin C, appear to undergo significant Ca2+-dependent conformational changes, as measured by the difference in the circular dichroism spectrum and electrophoretic mobility observed in the presence and absence of calcium ion.", "PMID": 763151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1418", "title": "Carbohydrate metabolism in lean and obese Zucker rats.", "content": "Carbohydrate metabolism was evaluated in lean and obese Zucker rats. Plasma glucose concentration, renal and hepatic gluconeogenesis, and hepatic glycogen content and rates of synthesis were investigated in 2-mo and 8-mo-old animals. Mild hyperglycemia was observed in obese Zucker rats compared to lean rats and was more pronounced in males than in females. Rates of glucose disappearance were normal in both female and male rats, although there was a trend toward decreased clearance in the male. Total organ hepatic and kidney PEPCK activity and kidney glucose production were elevated in obese compared to lean rats. Total organ hepatic glycogen levels and rates of glycogen synthesis were increased significantly in obese compared to lean, the increase being greater in males than females. The mild hyperglycemia present in obese Zucker rats is not associated with delayed disappearance of intravenously administered glucose, but may be due to the increased production of glucose by whole kidney and liver.", "contents": "Carbohydrate metabolism in lean and obese Zucker rats. Carbohydrate metabolism was evaluated in lean and obese Zucker rats. Plasma glucose concentration, renal and hepatic gluconeogenesis, and hepatic glycogen content and rates of synthesis were investigated in 2-mo and 8-mo-old animals. Mild hyperglycemia was observed in obese Zucker rats compared to lean rats and was more pronounced in males than in females. Rates of glucose disappearance were normal in both female and male rats, although there was a trend toward decreased clearance in the male. Total organ hepatic and kidney PEPCK activity and kidney glucose production were elevated in obese compared to lean rats. Total organ hepatic glycogen levels and rates of glycogen synthesis were increased significantly in obese compared to lean, the increase being greater in males than females. The mild hyperglycemia present in obese Zucker rats is not associated with delayed disappearance of intravenously administered glucose, but may be due to the increased production of glucose by whole kidney and liver.", "PMID": 763152} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1419", "title": "Effect of glycerol on triglyceride metabolism in the rat.", "content": "Lipid metabolic studies were carried out on the male Wistar rats fed on glycerol-rich diet in order to elucidate the mechanism of glycerol-induced hypertriglyceridemia. No difference was found between the glycerol fed rats and the control rats in the rate of triglyceride secretion from the liver measured by the Triton WR-1339 method as well as in the rate of incorporation of labeled glycerol into liver triglyceride. The facts that the half-life of the intravenously injected Intralipid in the blood was significantly delayed in the glycerol fed rats and that the lipoprotein lipase activity released from epididymal adipose tissue of the glycerol fed rats was markedly decreased to 19% of that of the control rats seem to account for the serum triglyceride elevation induced by the glycerol feeding.", "contents": "Effect of glycerol on triglyceride metabolism in the rat. Lipid metabolic studies were carried out on the male Wistar rats fed on glycerol-rich diet in order to elucidate the mechanism of glycerol-induced hypertriglyceridemia. No difference was found between the glycerol fed rats and the control rats in the rate of triglyceride secretion from the liver measured by the Triton WR-1339 method as well as in the rate of incorporation of labeled glycerol into liver triglyceride. The facts that the half-life of the intravenously injected Intralipid in the blood was significantly delayed in the glycerol fed rats and that the lipoprotein lipase activity released from epididymal adipose tissue of the glycerol fed rats was markedly decreased to 19% of that of the control rats seem to account for the serum triglyceride elevation induced by the glycerol feeding.", "PMID": 763153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1420", "title": "The peritoneal absorption of insulin in diabetic man: a potential site for a mechanical insulin delivery system.", "content": "The potential of the peritoneum as a site for an \"artificial beta cell\" was studied. Three 14-hr studies were performed in an insulin-dependent diabetic male maintained on chronic peritoneal dialysis. All studies were performed between dialyses and throughout three standard American Diabetes Association (ADA) 600 calorie meals. The degree of insulin absorption from the peritoneal space was assessed by measuring the changes in plasma-free insulin concentration during these studies. The results of this study demonstrate that normalization of plasma insulin profiles may be observed with the administration of insulin into the peritoneal space. This absorbed insulin exerts hypoglycemic activity that suppresses the meal-induced rise in plasma glucose concentration. Thus, the peritoneal space may be a feasible route into which insulin may be delivered by an artificial beta cell.", "contents": "The peritoneal absorption of insulin in diabetic man: a potential site for a mechanical insulin delivery system. The potential of the peritoneum as a site for an \"artificial beta cell\" was studied. Three 14-hr studies were performed in an insulin-dependent diabetic male maintained on chronic peritoneal dialysis. All studies were performed between dialyses and throughout three standard American Diabetes Association (ADA) 600 calorie meals. The degree of insulin absorption from the peritoneal space was assessed by measuring the changes in plasma-free insulin concentration during these studies. The results of this study demonstrate that normalization of plasma insulin profiles may be observed with the administration of insulin into the peritoneal space. This absorbed insulin exerts hypoglycemic activity that suppresses the meal-induced rise in plasma glucose concentration. Thus, the peritoneal space may be a feasible route into which insulin may be delivered by an artificial beta cell.", "PMID": 763154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1421", "title": "Glucose metabolism in man: responses to intravenous glucose infusion.", "content": "We have determined the effect of unlabeled glucose infusions, with and without added insulin, on glucose metabolism in normal male volunteers by means of the simultaneous primed-constant infusion of 6-3H and U-13C-glucose. Glucose kinetics were measured after 90 min of infusion. When steady state had been reached, endogenous glucose production (2.53 +/- .058 mg/kg . min, X +/- SEM) was suppressed at all rates of exogenous glucose tested (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg . min). The absolute degree of suppression was most marked (75%) at the highest rate of infusion, but the greatest degree of suppression, relative to infusion rate, was at the lowest infusion rate. The control of plasma glucose concentration during the glucose infusion was achieved primarily through regulation of endogenous Ra. The rate of uptake of glucose only increased during the 4 mg/kg . min infusion, even though there were significant elevations in the plasma glucose and insulin concentrations during the 2 mg/kg . min infusion as well. The glucose clearance rate increased only when sufficient insulin was infused with the 4 mg/kg . min glucose infusion to control the hyperglycemia that developed if no insulin was administered. Approximately 43% of the infused glucose was directly oxidized when the infusion rate was 1 or 2 mg/kg . min. That value fell to 32% when the infusion rate was increased to 4 mg/kg . min, regardless of whether insulin was infused or not.", "contents": "Glucose metabolism in man: responses to intravenous glucose infusion. We have determined the effect of unlabeled glucose infusions, with and without added insulin, on glucose metabolism in normal male volunteers by means of the simultaneous primed-constant infusion of 6-3H and U-13C-glucose. Glucose kinetics were measured after 90 min of infusion. When steady state had been reached, endogenous glucose production (2.53 +/- .058 mg/kg . min, X +/- SEM) was suppressed at all rates of exogenous glucose tested (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg . min). The absolute degree of suppression was most marked (75%) at the highest rate of infusion, but the greatest degree of suppression, relative to infusion rate, was at the lowest infusion rate. The control of plasma glucose concentration during the glucose infusion was achieved primarily through regulation of endogenous Ra. The rate of uptake of glucose only increased during the 4 mg/kg . min infusion, even though there were significant elevations in the plasma glucose and insulin concentrations during the 2 mg/kg . min infusion as well. The glucose clearance rate increased only when sufficient insulin was infused with the 4 mg/kg . min glucose infusion to control the hyperglycemia that developed if no insulin was administered. Approximately 43% of the infused glucose was directly oxidized when the infusion rate was 1 or 2 mg/kg . min. That value fell to 32% when the infusion rate was increased to 4 mg/kg . min, regardless of whether insulin was infused or not.", "PMID": 763155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1422", "title": "Differential effect of isoproterenol on acute glucagon and insulin release in man.", "content": "In man, the infusion of arginine or isoproterenol elevates immunoreactive glucagon and insulin levels. Since arginine administered as a pulse stimulates the acute secretion of both hormones, and an insulin rise is observed after the bolus injection of isoproterenol, these findings probably represent a direct effect of arginine and isoproterenol on islet cells. To determine if there is an acute alpha-cell response to isoproterenol, we have administered this beta-adrenergic agonist as a bolus to healthy volunteers. Arginine administered as a pulse elicited both insulin and glucagon responses whereas pulses of isoproterenol, at half maximal and maximal insulin-stimulating doses, had little effect on glucagon levels. This relative insensitivity of the alpha cells to stimulation by isoproterenol suggests that endogenous beta-adrenergic tone may have a stronger influence on insulin than on glucagon secretion. Furthermore, these findings raise the possibility that beta-adrenergic regulation of plasma glucagon levels in vivo occurs by an indirect mechanism rather than a direct effect on the alpha cells.", "contents": "Differential effect of isoproterenol on acute glucagon and insulin release in man. In man, the infusion of arginine or isoproterenol elevates immunoreactive glucagon and insulin levels. Since arginine administered as a pulse stimulates the acute secretion of both hormones, and an insulin rise is observed after the bolus injection of isoproterenol, these findings probably represent a direct effect of arginine and isoproterenol on islet cells. To determine if there is an acute alpha-cell response to isoproterenol, we have administered this beta-adrenergic agonist as a bolus to healthy volunteers. Arginine administered as a pulse elicited both insulin and glucagon responses whereas pulses of isoproterenol, at half maximal and maximal insulin-stimulating doses, had little effect on glucagon levels. This relative insensitivity of the alpha cells to stimulation by isoproterenol suggests that endogenous beta-adrenergic tone may have a stronger influence on insulin than on glucagon secretion. Furthermore, these findings raise the possibility that beta-adrenergic regulation of plasma glucagon levels in vivo occurs by an indirect mechanism rather than a direct effect on the alpha cells.", "PMID": 763156} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1423", "title": "Leucocytic movement and contractile protein.", "content": "In a study on leucocytic movement, it was found that leucocytes showed periodical dynamic patterns with each motile function, and a possible organization in their motile system. It was also clarified that the motile form and function of leucocytes were co-ordinately controlled by the intracellular level of ATP and that the characteristic contraction wave observed in moving leucocytes was substantial as a morphological manifestation of the contractile element in moving leucocytes. Based on these findings, an attempt was made to extract contractile protein from leucocytes. It was shown that the protein consisted mainly of myosin and actin, which is similar to protein of muscle. Thus, it was concluded that development of the pseudopod, which is indispensable for cell movement, seemed to result from liquid substance in the granuloplasm being squeezed out through contraction of contractile protein located in the surface layer of the granuloplasm. In non-muscular cells, the same type of ordered structure as seen in muscle has not been found yet, but it seems likely that the protein is capable of converting chemical energy into movement.", "contents": "Leucocytic movement and contractile protein. In a study on leucocytic movement, it was found that leucocytes showed periodical dynamic patterns with each motile function, and a possible organization in their motile system. It was also clarified that the motile form and function of leucocytes were co-ordinately controlled by the intracellular level of ATP and that the characteristic contraction wave observed in moving leucocytes was substantial as a morphological manifestation of the contractile element in moving leucocytes. Based on these findings, an attempt was made to extract contractile protein from leucocytes. It was shown that the protein consisted mainly of myosin and actin, which is similar to protein of muscle. Thus, it was concluded that development of the pseudopod, which is indispensable for cell movement, seemed to result from liquid substance in the granuloplasm being squeezed out through contraction of contractile protein located in the surface layer of the granuloplasm. In non-muscular cells, the same type of ordered structure as seen in muscle has not been found yet, but it seems likely that the protein is capable of converting chemical energy into movement.", "PMID": 763157} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1424", "title": "The role of contractile proteins in wound healing and fibrocontractive diseases.", "content": "During the healing of an open wound, the majority of granulation tissue fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) acquire morphological, biochemical, pharmacological, and immunological characteristics typical of contractile cells. The presence of contractile proteins and the appearance of gap junctions between several myofibroblasts make them similar to cultivated fibroblasts; these have been proven to develop in vitro a contractile force similar to that exerted by granulation tissue during wound contraction. These observations suggest that myofibroblasts are responsible for granulation tissue contraction. Epidermal cells moving over an open wound also develop a contractile apparatus and many cellular connections in the form of gap junctions. These changes may be the morphological support for epithelial cell movements. The presence of gap junctions between myofibroblasts and healing epidermal cells shows that granulation tissue contraction and epithelial cell movement are probably synchronized rather than individual phenomena.", "contents": "The role of contractile proteins in wound healing and fibrocontractive diseases. During the healing of an open wound, the majority of granulation tissue fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) acquire morphological, biochemical, pharmacological, and immunological characteristics typical of contractile cells. The presence of contractile proteins and the appearance of gap junctions between several myofibroblasts make them similar to cultivated fibroblasts; these have been proven to develop in vitro a contractile force similar to that exerted by granulation tissue during wound contraction. These observations suggest that myofibroblasts are responsible for granulation tissue contraction. Epidermal cells moving over an open wound also develop a contractile apparatus and many cellular connections in the form of gap junctions. These changes may be the morphological support for epithelial cell movements. The presence of gap junctions between myofibroblasts and healing epidermal cells shows that granulation tissue contraction and epithelial cell movement are probably synchronized rather than individual phenomena.", "PMID": 763158} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1425", "title": "The beginning doctor: a problem-based course for first year medical and dental students.", "content": "A problem-based course designated as 'Beginning Doctor' was given to 136 first year medical and dental students. The students were divided into small groups and under guidance of a tutor studied largely unfamiliar clinical problems presented to them as written r\u00e9sum\u00e9s. They determined what further information they required, obtained the information on their own and described it to the oters in plenary sessions. The tutors acted as facilitators of student learning rather than as sources of information. Contrary to the widely held assumption that students in these parts of the world are passive learners, incapable of taking direct responsibility for their own learning, the staff was pleasantly surprised to see the enthusiasm and the competence with which the students tackled the problems and easily adopted the self-learning mode.", "contents": "The beginning doctor: a problem-based course for first year medical and dental students. A problem-based course designated as 'Beginning Doctor' was given to 136 first year medical and dental students. The students were divided into small groups and under guidance of a tutor studied largely unfamiliar clinical problems presented to them as written r\u00e9sum\u00e9s. They determined what further information they required, obtained the information on their own and described it to the oters in plenary sessions. The tutors acted as facilitators of student learning rather than as sources of information. Contrary to the widely held assumption that students in these parts of the world are passive learners, incapable of taking direct responsibility for their own learning, the staff was pleasantly surprised to see the enthusiasm and the competence with which the students tackled the problems and easily adopted the self-learning mode.", "PMID": 763177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1426", "title": "Attitudes of Ugandan medical students toward 'straight' and 'modified' ECT.", "content": "In Third World countries, limited resources of anaesthetists and resuscitation facilities mean that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is usually given 'straight' (i.e. without anaesthetic and muscle relaxant). This study compared the attitudes of Ugandan medical students towards ECT given straight and ECT administered with muscle relaxant and general anaesthesia (i.e. 'modified' ECT). Results confirmed the clinical impression that students regarded straight ECT as an inhumane method of treatment. However, whilst this was a major factor influencing students' preference for modified ECT as a treatment for themselves or for a close friend, it was relatively unimportant in determining their choice of ECT technique for a patient. Convenience of administration was the main criterion applied by students when deciding whether they would prefer to administer straight or modified ECT to a patient. Implications for medical education and the development of professional attitudes are discussed.", "contents": "Attitudes of Ugandan medical students toward 'straight' and 'modified' ECT. In Third World countries, limited resources of anaesthetists and resuscitation facilities mean that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is usually given 'straight' (i.e. without anaesthetic and muscle relaxant). This study compared the attitudes of Ugandan medical students towards ECT given straight and ECT administered with muscle relaxant and general anaesthesia (i.e. 'modified' ECT). Results confirmed the clinical impression that students regarded straight ECT as an inhumane method of treatment. However, whilst this was a major factor influencing students' preference for modified ECT as a treatment for themselves or for a close friend, it was relatively unimportant in determining their choice of ECT technique for a patient. Convenience of administration was the main criterion applied by students when deciding whether they would prefer to administer straight or modified ECT to a patient. Implications for medical education and the development of professional attitudes are discussed.", "PMID": 763178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1427", "title": "The urgent need to train orthopaedic surgeons in Third World countries.", "content": "The paper stresses the need to train orthopaedic surgeons for Third World countries. The urgent need for such a programme is emphasized. A suitable training scheme is outlined which could be followed in any developing country to train its own orthopaedic surgeons of the future. The importance of training in the local environment is emphasized.", "contents": "The urgent need to train orthopaedic surgeons in Third World countries. The paper stresses the need to train orthopaedic surgeons for Third World countries. The urgent need for such a programme is emphasized. A suitable training scheme is outlined which could be followed in any developing country to train its own orthopaedic surgeons of the future. The importance of training in the local environment is emphasized.", "PMID": 763179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1428", "title": "A course on collaboration between social workers and general practitioners during their vocational training.", "content": "The educational programme reported was an experiment in the vocational training scheme of the department of General Practice, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Holland, and is now part of the course. The programme focused on the training in team function (co-operation) given to trainee GPs and social workers. It became clear that both groups during their professional training develop markedly different attitudes and views about patient (client) care. These differences form a fundamental handicap in any discussion about teamwork. During the programme the students were made aware of this divergence of viewpoint and were taught how to handle these resulting handicaps and, if possible, to eliminate them.", "contents": "A course on collaboration between social workers and general practitioners during their vocational training. The educational programme reported was an experiment in the vocational training scheme of the department of General Practice, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Holland, and is now part of the course. The programme focused on the training in team function (co-operation) given to trainee GPs and social workers. It became clear that both groups during their professional training develop markedly different attitudes and views about patient (client) care. These differences form a fundamental handicap in any discussion about teamwork. During the programme the students were made aware of this divergence of viewpoint and were taught how to handle these resulting handicaps and, if possible, to eliminate them.", "PMID": 763180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1429", "title": "Some notes on the admission of graduate applicants to the medical schools.", "content": "A survey of the admissions policy adopted by the medical schools towards older applicants, and in particular graduate applicants, has been carried out. Some 1000 graduates applied for places in 1976, of whom about one in six was successful (compared with one in four for all applicants). The academic requirements for this category of student are normally at least an upper second class degree, age maxima vary from 25 to around 30 years and, increasingly, schools require a financial guarantee from students not in receipt of a Local Education Authority grant. A minority of medical schools reserve a proportion of places for older applicants, but only a very small minority of schools will consider reducing the length of their course for graduate entrants. These factors are tabulated for each of thirty-one of the medical schools in the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.", "contents": "Some notes on the admission of graduate applicants to the medical schools. A survey of the admissions policy adopted by the medical schools towards older applicants, and in particular graduate applicants, has been carried out. Some 1000 graduates applied for places in 1976, of whom about one in six was successful (compared with one in four for all applicants). The academic requirements for this category of student are normally at least an upper second class degree, age maxima vary from 25 to around 30 years and, increasingly, schools require a financial guarantee from students not in receipt of a Local Education Authority grant. A minority of medical schools reserve a proportion of places for older applicants, but only a very small minority of schools will consider reducing the length of their course for graduate entrants. These factors are tabulated for each of thirty-one of the medical schools in the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.", "PMID": 763182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1430", "title": "Efficacy of cimetidine and tri-potassium di-citrato bismuthate (De-Nol) in chronic gastric ulceration: a comparative study.", "content": "Sixty patients with benign chronic gastric ulcer were treated in a controlled clinical trial to assess the relative efficacy of cimetidine and tri-potassium di-citrato bismuthate (De-Nol). Patients were assigned at random either to cimetidine or to De-Nol treatment after initial endoscopic diagnosis. Healing was assessed endoscopically after six weeks by an endoscopist who had no knowledge of the patients' treatment. Consumption of analgesic preparations (both for medical and for non-medical reasons), of other anti-inflammatory agents, and of alcohol and cigarettes was recorded. Of the 57 patients who were reassessed at six weeks, 30 had been assigned to De-Nol and 20 of these patients (66%) had completely healed; 27 patients had been assigned to cimetidine and 17 of these (63%) had also completely healed. Those patients who regularly ingested more than four analgesic preparations a day healed less frequently, but this effect was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference between cimetidine and De-Nol in the initial healing of chronic gastric ulceration. The choice of therapy for chronic gastric ulceration will depend on cost, patient acceptance, and data from studies of more complex therapeutic regimens.", "contents": "Efficacy of cimetidine and tri-potassium di-citrato bismuthate (De-Nol) in chronic gastric ulceration: a comparative study. Sixty patients with benign chronic gastric ulcer were treated in a controlled clinical trial to assess the relative efficacy of cimetidine and tri-potassium di-citrato bismuthate (De-Nol). Patients were assigned at random either to cimetidine or to De-Nol treatment after initial endoscopic diagnosis. Healing was assessed endoscopically after six weeks by an endoscopist who had no knowledge of the patients' treatment. Consumption of analgesic preparations (both for medical and for non-medical reasons), of other anti-inflammatory agents, and of alcohol and cigarettes was recorded. Of the 57 patients who were reassessed at six weeks, 30 had been assigned to De-Nol and 20 of these patients (66%) had completely healed; 27 patients had been assigned to cimetidine and 17 of these (63%) had also completely healed. Those patients who regularly ingested more than four analgesic preparations a day healed less frequently, but this effect was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference between cimetidine and De-Nol in the initial healing of chronic gastric ulceration. The choice of therapy for chronic gastric ulceration will depend on cost, patient acceptance, and data from studies of more complex therapeutic regimens.", "PMID": 763184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1431", "title": "Persistent fetal circulation. Two cases with myocardial dysfunction and severe acidosis.", "content": "Two neonates with the most severe form of persistent fetal circulation are described. Their presentation mimicked severe congenital heart disease. As well as persistent pulmonary hypertension and right-to-left shunting through the ductus arteriosus, they had poor myocardial contractility and atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Associated acidaemia was extreme. They survived with medical management, and the functional abnormalities resolved.", "contents": "Persistent fetal circulation. Two cases with myocardial dysfunction and severe acidosis. Two neonates with the most severe form of persistent fetal circulation are described. Their presentation mimicked severe congenital heart disease. As well as persistent pulmonary hypertension and right-to-left shunting through the ductus arteriosus, they had poor myocardial contractility and atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Associated acidaemia was extreme. They survived with medical management, and the functional abnormalities resolved.", "PMID": 763197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1432", "title": "Photochemotherapy in psoriasis: the first six months in Australia.", "content": "The results of the first six months of treatment of psoriasis with photochemotherapy in the Skin and Cancer Foundation's clinic resulted in 30 out of 53 patients being completely clear of psoriasis lesions, 14 showing progressive improvement (and subsequently clearing), four failures, and five withdrawals. The treatment is not a cure, and requires maintenance therapy. It involves the use of large expensive machines to deliver ultraviolet light, and demands careful supervision and control dosimetry.", "contents": "Photochemotherapy in psoriasis: the first six months in Australia. The results of the first six months of treatment of psoriasis with photochemotherapy in the Skin and Cancer Foundation's clinic resulted in 30 out of 53 patients being completely clear of psoriasis lesions, 14 showing progressive improvement (and subsequently clearing), four failures, and five withdrawals. The treatment is not a cure, and requires maintenance therapy. It involves the use of large expensive machines to deliver ultraviolet light, and demands careful supervision and control dosimetry.", "PMID": 763199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1433", "title": "[Personality-structure in different kinds of bronchial asthma (author's transl)].", "content": "The \"Giessen-Test\" is a psychological test in form of a questionnaire, basing on self-assessment. It was applied in 63 patients with bronchial asthma in order to get their \"self-images\" and their \"ideal-self-images\". Except of higher values for depression the \"self-images\" of the asthmatics resembled very closely those of normals. The ideals (\"ideal-self-image\") of the patients were uncharacteristic and reflected general trends. In contrast to these findings eleven physicians had a negative conception of asthmatic patients (\"foreign image\"). Physicians assessed the asthmatics to be disliked (\"negative social resonant\"), obstinate (\"dominant\") and depressive. Patients with exogen-allergic asthma, intrinsic asthma and asthma of unknown origin differ from each other only within a few marks. These differences, however, are not sufficient, to allow to coordinate a specific personality-structure with one of the different kinds of asthma.", "contents": "[Personality-structure in different kinds of bronchial asthma (author's transl)]. The \"Giessen-Test\" is a psychological test in form of a questionnaire, basing on self-assessment. It was applied in 63 patients with bronchial asthma in order to get their \"self-images\" and their \"ideal-self-images\". Except of higher values for depression the \"self-images\" of the asthmatics resembled very closely those of normals. The ideals (\"ideal-self-image\") of the patients were uncharacteristic and reflected general trends. In contrast to these findings eleven physicians had a negative conception of asthmatic patients (\"foreign image\"). Physicians assessed the asthmatics to be disliked (\"negative social resonant\"), obstinate (\"dominant\") and depressive. Patients with exogen-allergic asthma, intrinsic asthma and asthma of unknown origin differ from each other only within a few marks. These differences, however, are not sufficient, to allow to coordinate a specific personality-structure with one of the different kinds of asthma.", "PMID": 763201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1434", "title": "[Metastases to the bone. Diagnosis, treatment, prognosis (author's transl)].", "content": "The prognosis of cancer patients with metastases to the bone has changed little during the past 10 years despite improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. A review of the patients treated at the Surgical Clinic of the Erlangen University between 1969 and 1975 showed that out of 78 patients with metastases to the bone only one survived 5 years. In this case a ultraradical method of treatment--hemipelvectomy--was employed. Three groups of comparison were formed; one of them being treated conservatively, the second by palliative osteosynthesis and the third by resection. In the first and second group no patient was alive after 4 1/2 years. The mean survival time was 6,7 months for patients treated conservatively and 11,2 months for those in whom osteosynthesis was used. Patients treated by resection survived 16,3 months on average.", "contents": "[Metastases to the bone. Diagnosis, treatment, prognosis (author's transl)]. The prognosis of cancer patients with metastases to the bone has changed little during the past 10 years despite improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. A review of the patients treated at the Surgical Clinic of the Erlangen University between 1969 and 1975 showed that out of 78 patients with metastases to the bone only one survived 5 years. In this case a ultraradical method of treatment--hemipelvectomy--was employed. Three groups of comparison were formed; one of them being treated conservatively, the second by palliative osteosynthesis and the third by resection. In the first and second group no patient was alive after 4 1/2 years. The mean survival time was 6,7 months for patients treated conservatively and 11,2 months for those in whom osteosynthesis was used. Patients treated by resection survived 16,3 months on average.", "PMID": 763204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1435", "title": "[Familial-hereditary malignant melanoma (author's transl)].", "content": "The existence of familial-hereditary malignant melanoma can be accepted for sure. Its frequency is estimated with 1 to 7% of all malignant melanomas. An autosomal-dominant mode of inheritance with reduced penetrance or a polygenetic mode of inheritance are discussed. Patients with numerous inherited, clinical and histological atypical naevi, the so called BK-moles, are reported to have a high incidence of malignant melanoma. Hereditary malignant melanomas begin early in life, have a high frequency of multiple primary lesions and show the coincidence of other malignant tumors in this families. Men are affected as often as women. Five own families are described and a review of the literature is given.", "contents": "[Familial-hereditary malignant melanoma (author's transl)]. The existence of familial-hereditary malignant melanoma can be accepted for sure. Its frequency is estimated with 1 to 7% of all malignant melanomas. An autosomal-dominant mode of inheritance with reduced penetrance or a polygenetic mode of inheritance are discussed. Patients with numerous inherited, clinical and histological atypical naevi, the so called BK-moles, are reported to have a high incidence of malignant melanoma. Hereditary malignant melanomas begin early in life, have a high frequency of multiple primary lesions and show the coincidence of other malignant tumors in this families. Men are affected as often as women. Five own families are described and a review of the literature is given.", "PMID": 763205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1436", "title": "[Ultrasound as a diagnostic procedure in liver disease: results of 3000 sonographic investigations (author's transl)].", "content": "3000 sonographic examinations of the liver were performed. The results of 142 sonographic studies were compared with the findings obtained by subsequent laparoscopy and microscopy. In 90% there was good agreement between the sonographic diagnosis and the microscopic findings. Fatty liver (97%) and metastasis (95%) into the liver were diagnosed accurately. 3 hematomas of the liver were found in 150 patients who underwent liver biopsy. Sonographic examination of the liver is usefull in: (1) determining topographic anatomy of the liver before needle biopsy. (2) deciding the next diagnostic step within the catalogue of indications for the morphologic diagnosis of the liver given by the IASL. Ultrasound shortens diagnosis. (3) early diagnosis of hematoma after liver biopsy.", "contents": "[Ultrasound as a diagnostic procedure in liver disease: results of 3000 sonographic investigations (author's transl)]. 3000 sonographic examinations of the liver were performed. The results of 142 sonographic studies were compared with the findings obtained by subsequent laparoscopy and microscopy. In 90% there was good agreement between the sonographic diagnosis and the microscopic findings. Fatty liver (97%) and metastasis (95%) into the liver were diagnosed accurately. 3 hematomas of the liver were found in 150 patients who underwent liver biopsy. Sonographic examination of the liver is usefull in: (1) determining topographic anatomy of the liver before needle biopsy. (2) deciding the next diagnostic step within the catalogue of indications for the morphologic diagnosis of the liver given by the IASL. Ultrasound shortens diagnosis. (3) early diagnosis of hematoma after liver biopsy.", "PMID": 763208} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1437", "title": "[Complication rate under passive and active cure treatment of cardio-circulatory patients (author's transl)].", "content": "A comparison between the rate of complications under preferably passive balneotherapeutic cure treatment in 1967 and under preferably active physical training treatment in 1972 gave no significant difference. In spite of an increasing portion of heart patients the complication rate in the cardio-circulatory system under active treatment showed a slight decreasing tendency. On the contrary there were found differences when comparing the temporal frequency distribution of complications under cure treatment of both years. Indeed both years exhibited the known circaseptan periodicity of cure treatment, the temporal frequency distribution of the maxima and the minima, however, showed the characteristic pattern of reactive periods not but under conventional passive treatment in 1967. By reason of these findings the higher load of modern physical training treatment is supposed to strengthen the influence of interindividual differences in the autonomous reagibility, and thus differences from the conventional mode of cure treatment in the first place appear in the temporal distribution of complications.", "contents": "[Complication rate under passive and active cure treatment of cardio-circulatory patients (author's transl)]. A comparison between the rate of complications under preferably passive balneotherapeutic cure treatment in 1967 and under preferably active physical training treatment in 1972 gave no significant difference. In spite of an increasing portion of heart patients the complication rate in the cardio-circulatory system under active treatment showed a slight decreasing tendency. On the contrary there were found differences when comparing the temporal frequency distribution of complications under cure treatment of both years. Indeed both years exhibited the known circaseptan periodicity of cure treatment, the temporal frequency distribution of the maxima and the minima, however, showed the characteristic pattern of reactive periods not but under conventional passive treatment in 1967. By reason of these findings the higher load of modern physical training treatment is supposed to strengthen the influence of interindividual differences in the autonomous reagibility, and thus differences from the conventional mode of cure treatment in the first place appear in the temporal distribution of complications.", "PMID": 763212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1438", "title": "[Plasma levels of lidocaine following intramuscular injection by means of an automatic injector (author's transl)].", "content": "Plasma levels of lidocaine were determined in either 10 patients following injection into the deltoid and lateral vastus muscle, respectively. We used an automatic injector containing 250 mg of lidocaine in a 10% solution. In the early phase after injection, plasma levels were higher, when the deltoid muscle had been chosen for administration. This was the same result as referred by other authors using normal injectors. Variance of single plasma values was smaller in the vastus group.", "contents": "[Plasma levels of lidocaine following intramuscular injection by means of an automatic injector (author's transl)]. Plasma levels of lidocaine were determined in either 10 patients following injection into the deltoid and lateral vastus muscle, respectively. We used an automatic injector containing 250 mg of lidocaine in a 10% solution. In the early phase after injection, plasma levels were higher, when the deltoid muscle had been chosen for administration. This was the same result as referred by other authors using normal injectors. Variance of single plasma values was smaller in the vastus group.", "PMID": 763213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1439", "title": "[Perforation of sinus of valsalva aneurysms (case report and review of the literature) (author's transl)].", "content": "A perforation in a case of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm misinterpreted first as perforated ulcer and later on as myocarditis made us review the literature (76 cases) for patients' history and diagnostic criteria which lead to the diagnosis. Special references were taken to the following subjects: localization of the aneurysms and direction of perforation; age and sex distribution at the time of perforation; ECG-changes and clinical symptomatology before and after perforation, and to diseases which must be taken into account for differential diagnosis.", "contents": "[Perforation of sinus of valsalva aneurysms (case report and review of the literature) (author's transl)]. A perforation in a case of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm misinterpreted first as perforated ulcer and later on as myocarditis made us review the literature (76 cases) for patients' history and diagnostic criteria which lead to the diagnosis. Special references were taken to the following subjects: localization of the aneurysms and direction of perforation; age and sex distribution at the time of perforation; ECG-changes and clinical symptomatology before and after perforation, and to diseases which must be taken into account for differential diagnosis.", "PMID": 763214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1440", "title": "[Thrombolysis with Urokinase after anaphylaxis caused by streptokinase treatment (author's transl)].", "content": "Deep femoral and pelvic phlebothrombosis represents a safe indication for thrombolytic therapy, despite the fact that additionally considered surgical measures have increasingly been brought up for discussion very recently. While numerous studies are being considered for treatment with streptokinase, only sporadically does one hear of reports about therapy using Urokinase. In the case of a deep pelvo-femoral phlebothrombosis we decided to carry out thrombolytic treatment using Urokinase, the originally planned streptokinase treatment having had to be terminated owing to an allergic reaction.", "contents": "[Thrombolysis with Urokinase after anaphylaxis caused by streptokinase treatment (author's transl)]. Deep femoral and pelvic phlebothrombosis represents a safe indication for thrombolytic therapy, despite the fact that additionally considered surgical measures have increasingly been brought up for discussion very recently. While numerous studies are being considered for treatment with streptokinase, only sporadically does one hear of reports about therapy using Urokinase. In the case of a deep pelvo-femoral phlebothrombosis we decided to carry out thrombolytic treatment using Urokinase, the originally planned streptokinase treatment having had to be terminated owing to an allergic reaction.", "PMID": 763216} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1441", "title": "[Reaction of blood sugar and serum insulin to intravenous longterm treatment with Actovegin. Clinical double-blind study (author's transl)].", "content": "In a randomised double-blind study involving 20 diabetics and 20 patients with normal carbohydrate metabolism, the influence of a 14 days' course of intravenous infusion of protein-free calf blood extract (0.5 ml Actovegin/kg/day) and equivalent amounts of physiological saline solution on blood sugar and serum insulin was investigated by the oral glucose tolerance test (100 g Dextro-OGTT). In diabetic carbohydrate metabolism Actovegin was shown to improve the glucose tolerance significantly without alteration of the serum insulin, thus possessing antidiabetogenic activities. With normal carbohydrate metabolism, however, the behaviour of blood sugar and serum insulim was not changed by Actovegin.", "contents": "[Reaction of blood sugar and serum insulin to intravenous longterm treatment with Actovegin. Clinical double-blind study (author's transl)]. In a randomised double-blind study involving 20 diabetics and 20 patients with normal carbohydrate metabolism, the influence of a 14 days' course of intravenous infusion of protein-free calf blood extract (0.5 ml Actovegin/kg/day) and equivalent amounts of physiological saline solution on blood sugar and serum insulin was investigated by the oral glucose tolerance test (100 g Dextro-OGTT). In diabetic carbohydrate metabolism Actovegin was shown to improve the glucose tolerance significantly without alteration of the serum insulin, thus possessing antidiabetogenic activities. With normal carbohydrate metabolism, however, the behaviour of blood sugar and serum insulim was not changed by Actovegin.", "PMID": 763217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1442", "title": "[Blood sugar self-profiles. Improvement in diabetes control in outpatients (author's transl)].", "content": "15 insulin-dependent diabetics who had been hospitalised for evaluation and modification of their treatment regimen were trained to take their own blood samples with 10 microliter glass capillaries. Blood sugar self-profiles were analysed from each patient twice in hospital and afterwards at home. Urine samples were also self-tested for sugar. The profiles were carried out reliably and seem to cause a minimum of trouble to the patient. This method of feedback, with comparison of blood and urine sugar values, increased the patient's understanding and ability to vary his own insulin dosis. The analysis of 3 daily profiles for each patient showed increasing improvement in metabolic control. This also increased motivation to keep to a regimen in which insulin dosage, physical activity, and nutrition are in balance. For the first time daily profiles were introduced which could be carried out under the normal conditions of the patient's daily life.", "contents": "[Blood sugar self-profiles. Improvement in diabetes control in outpatients (author's transl)]. 15 insulin-dependent diabetics who had been hospitalised for evaluation and modification of their treatment regimen were trained to take their own blood samples with 10 microliter glass capillaries. Blood sugar self-profiles were analysed from each patient twice in hospital and afterwards at home. Urine samples were also self-tested for sugar. The profiles were carried out reliably and seem to cause a minimum of trouble to the patient. This method of feedback, with comparison of blood and urine sugar values, increased the patient's understanding and ability to vary his own insulin dosis. The analysis of 3 daily profiles for each patient showed increasing improvement in metabolic control. This also increased motivation to keep to a regimen in which insulin dosage, physical activity, and nutrition are in balance. For the first time daily profiles were introduced which could be carried out under the normal conditions of the patient's daily life.", "PMID": 763219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1443", "title": "[Epidemiology of peripheral vascular disease in diabetics (author's transl)].", "content": "623 non-selected diabetic outpatients were screened by the Doppler-ultrasonic-method for peripheral vascular disease. Additional angiologic work up was performed to define the location of stenosis and obliteration. 15.9% of the diabetics were shown to have peripheral vascular disease and 57% of those denied claudication. 9% of the patients had signs of mediasclerosis. The predilection of peripheral vascular disease in diabetics for the arteries below the knee (peripheral type) was confirmed in our study. Patients with a pelvic or femoropopliteal type of peripheral vascular disease showed a high frequency of cardiovascular risk factors. An influence of the duration of diabetes on peripheral vascular disease was not evident. In contrast to this, a significant correlation (p less than 0.001) of the peripheral type of peripheral vascular disease-as well as of mediasclerosis--could be demonstrated with the diabetes of long duration. In patients with the peripheral type of peripheral vascular disease significantly more often higher blood sugar volues were found. Thus the quality of metabolic control seems to be of some importance for this form of diabetic macroangiopathy.", "contents": "[Epidemiology of peripheral vascular disease in diabetics (author's transl)]. 623 non-selected diabetic outpatients were screened by the Doppler-ultrasonic-method for peripheral vascular disease. Additional angiologic work up was performed to define the location of stenosis and obliteration. 15.9% of the diabetics were shown to have peripheral vascular disease and 57% of those denied claudication. 9% of the patients had signs of mediasclerosis. The predilection of peripheral vascular disease in diabetics for the arteries below the knee (peripheral type) was confirmed in our study. Patients with a pelvic or femoropopliteal type of peripheral vascular disease showed a high frequency of cardiovascular risk factors. An influence of the duration of diabetes on peripheral vascular disease was not evident. In contrast to this, a significant correlation (p less than 0.001) of the peripheral type of peripheral vascular disease-as well as of mediasclerosis--could be demonstrated with the diabetes of long duration. In patients with the peripheral type of peripheral vascular disease significantly more often higher blood sugar volues were found. Thus the quality of metabolic control seems to be of some importance for this form of diabetic macroangiopathy.", "PMID": 763220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1444", "title": "In vivo nicking and rejoining of nuclear DNA in ultraviolet-irradiated radiation-resistant and sensitive strains of Dictyostelium discoideum.", "content": "Some aspects of DNA repair in several radiation-resistant and radiation-sensitive strains of Dictyostelium discoideum were investigated by using alkaline sucrose gradients to analyze for the production and resealing of single-strand breaks following irradiation with 254 nm UV. All radiation-resistant strains and all mutants assayed that are sensitive to both UV and 60Co gamma rays produced single-strand breaks in their nuclear DNA after a UV fluence of 15 M/m2. Mutants at the radC locus which are sensitive to UV but as resistant as their parental strains to 60Co gamma rays produced many fewer single-strand breaks in their DNA after irradiation with UV. Thus, the radC mutations alter a repair pathway specific for UV-induced DNA damage and presumably affect the activity of a UV-damage-specific endonuclease involved in excision repair. All radiation-resistant strains and all of our mutants sensitive to gamma rays rejoined much of their DNA during a three-hour post-UV-irradiation incubation, suggesting that these strains have at least a partially intact excision repair system.", "contents": "In vivo nicking and rejoining of nuclear DNA in ultraviolet-irradiated radiation-resistant and sensitive strains of Dictyostelium discoideum. Some aspects of DNA repair in several radiation-resistant and radiation-sensitive strains of Dictyostelium discoideum were investigated by using alkaline sucrose gradients to analyze for the production and resealing of single-strand breaks following irradiation with 254 nm UV. All radiation-resistant strains and all mutants assayed that are sensitive to both UV and 60Co gamma rays produced single-strand breaks in their nuclear DNA after a UV fluence of 15 M/m2. Mutants at the radC locus which are sensitive to UV but as resistant as their parental strains to 60Co gamma rays produced many fewer single-strand breaks in their DNA after irradiation with UV. Thus, the radC mutations alter a repair pathway specific for UV-induced DNA damage and presumably affect the activity of a UV-damage-specific endonuclease involved in excision repair. All radiation-resistant strains and all of our mutants sensitive to gamma rays rejoined much of their DNA during a three-hour post-UV-irradiation incubation, suggesting that these strains have at least a partially intact excision repair system.", "PMID": 763236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1445", "title": "Interactions between radiation-sensitive mutations in double-mutant haploids of Dictyostelium discoideum.", "content": "Haploid strains of Dictyostelium discoideum carrying radiation-sensitive mutations in both the radA and radC genes are more sensitive to UV light irradiation than the \"additive\" sensitivity of the single-mutant haploids. This synergistic interaction indicates that the radA and radC gene products are involved in two different pathways of repair following UV-induced DNA damage. Double-mutant haploids bearing mutations in both the radA and radB genes have the same sensitivity as the radB single mutant indicating that the radA and radB gene products are involved in the same repair pathway.", "contents": "Interactions between radiation-sensitive mutations in double-mutant haploids of Dictyostelium discoideum. Haploid strains of Dictyostelium discoideum carrying radiation-sensitive mutations in both the radA and radC genes are more sensitive to UV light irradiation than the \"additive\" sensitivity of the single-mutant haploids. This synergistic interaction indicates that the radA and radC gene products are involved in two different pathways of repair following UV-induced DNA damage. Double-mutant haploids bearing mutations in both the radA and radB genes have the same sensitivity as the radB single mutant indicating that the radA and radB gene products are involved in the same repair pathway.", "PMID": 763237} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1446", "title": "Permutation of the DNA in small-headed virions of coliphage P1.", "content": "Use of restriction endonucleases Bg/II, EcoRI, BamHI, and HindIII, has established that in small-headed (P1S) virions of coliphage P1, as a population, the entire genome found in big-headed (P1B) virions is represented. In addition, the origin and direction of DNA packaging are identical in P1S and P1B virions.", "contents": "Permutation of the DNA in small-headed virions of coliphage P1. Use of restriction endonucleases Bg/II, EcoRI, BamHI, and HindIII, has established that in small-headed (P1S) virions of coliphage P1, as a population, the entire genome found in big-headed (P1B) virions is represented. In addition, the origin and direction of DNA packaging are identical in P1S and P1B virions.", "PMID": 763238} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1447", "title": "[Hypsarrhythmia as a cause of recurrent infantile apnoea (author's transl)].", "content": "In a seven months old infant with a history of obstructive bronchitis, hypsarrhythmia was found to be the cause of symptoms mimicking pertussis with recurrent apnoea. Morphological cerebral abnormalities could not be detected. Clonazepam showed a prompt and persistent therapeutic effect.", "contents": "[Hypsarrhythmia as a cause of recurrent infantile apnoea (author's transl)]. In a seven months old infant with a history of obstructive bronchitis, hypsarrhythmia was found to be the cause of symptoms mimicking pertussis with recurrent apnoea. Morphological cerebral abnormalities could not be detected. Clonazepam showed a prompt and persistent therapeutic effect.", "PMID": 763239} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1448", "title": "[Joint occurrence of congenital ring constrictions and limb amputations with craniofactial dysmorphia (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of an infrequent congenital malformation, partial ring constrictions on fingers and toes and their amputation associated with cleft lip, facial cleft, microphthalmus and hydrocephalus is described. The etiology of the congenital malformation is discussed. Based on the literature, the question is put forward whether an increase in the frequency of this malformation could be connected to the more frequent use of amniocentesis.", "contents": "[Joint occurrence of congenital ring constrictions and limb amputations with craniofactial dysmorphia (author's transl)]. A case of an infrequent congenital malformation, partial ring constrictions on fingers and toes and their amputation associated with cleft lip, facial cleft, microphthalmus and hydrocephalus is described. The etiology of the congenital malformation is discussed. Based on the literature, the question is put forward whether an increase in the frequency of this malformation could be connected to the more frequent use of amniocentesis.", "PMID": 763240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1449", "title": "[Computed tomography of the trunk in children (author's transl)].", "content": "So far whole body CT has not yet been used very often in children. The main reason for this are patient-related factors which impair the recognition of details on the scans such as frequent lack of intra abdominal fat tissue, and so called movement artefacts. The search for tumors is the predominent indication for CT in children. The advantages of CT are discussed and the authors' own measurements of radiation exposure are given.", "contents": "[Computed tomography of the trunk in children (author's transl)]. So far whole body CT has not yet been used very often in children. The main reason for this are patient-related factors which impair the recognition of details on the scans such as frequent lack of intra abdominal fat tissue, and so called movement artefacts. The search for tumors is the predominent indication for CT in children. The advantages of CT are discussed and the authors' own measurements of radiation exposure are given.", "PMID": 763241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1450", "title": "[Hypertensive emergencies in children with renal hypertension (author's transl)].", "content": "Hypertensive emergencies of 10 children with renal hypertension were analysed. Cause of renal disease are chronic renal failure in three, acute renal failure in three, hemolytic uremic syndrome in two, acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis in one, and renal arterial stenosis in a further patient. Therapy should be started early in the course of the hypertensive emergency, first symptoms are headache and vomiting. Drug of first choice is diazoxide (3-5-(8)mg/kg i.v.). Three patients developed transitory hyperglycemia after repeated injections of diazoxide.", "contents": "[Hypertensive emergencies in children with renal hypertension (author's transl)]. Hypertensive emergencies of 10 children with renal hypertension were analysed. Cause of renal disease are chronic renal failure in three, acute renal failure in three, hemolytic uremic syndrome in two, acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis in one, and renal arterial stenosis in a further patient. Therapy should be started early in the course of the hypertensive emergency, first symptoms are headache and vomiting. Drug of first choice is diazoxide (3-5-(8)mg/kg i.v.). Three patients developed transitory hyperglycemia after repeated injections of diazoxide.", "PMID": 763242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1451", "title": "[Schizophrenia in childhood (author's transl)].", "content": "After considerable controversies during the last decades there is no longer any doubt about childhood schizophrenia as a disease, although within German-speaking countries its somewhat wider definition like in Anglo-Saxon child- and adolescent psychiatry is not accepted. The relation of early childhood autism to the nosologic entity of schizophrenia still remains speculative. The etiology of childhood schizophrenia is not known, equally not that of the even less frequent manic-depressive disease. Symptoms, course, and prognosis of childhood schizophrenia which developes between preschool age and the begin of puberty are described in detail.", "contents": "[Schizophrenia in childhood (author's transl)]. After considerable controversies during the last decades there is no longer any doubt about childhood schizophrenia as a disease, although within German-speaking countries its somewhat wider definition like in Anglo-Saxon child- and adolescent psychiatry is not accepted. The relation of early childhood autism to the nosologic entity of schizophrenia still remains speculative. The etiology of childhood schizophrenia is not known, equally not that of the even less frequent manic-depressive disease. Symptoms, course, and prognosis of childhood schizophrenia which developes between preschool age and the begin of puberty are described in detail.", "PMID": 763243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1452", "title": "[The significance of cranial computerized tomography for diagnosis and therapy of inflammatory diseases of the brain and meninges in children (author's transl)].", "content": "The significance of cranial computerized tomography (CCT) for the diagnosis and therapy of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system in children is discussed in connection with five characteristic case studies. CCT is shown to be superior to classical neuroradiological approaches, and to allow important diagnostic insights: 1. the early recognition of diffuse brain edema and the resulting possibility of an early begin of therapy--2. the pathological expansions of the cerebral ventricles of various etiology before a pathological enlargement of the head can be detected, and the size of the ventricles after neurosurgical therapy can be measured--3. the early recognition of space-occupying inflammatory complications.", "contents": "[The significance of cranial computerized tomography for diagnosis and therapy of inflammatory diseases of the brain and meninges in children (author's transl)]. The significance of cranial computerized tomography (CCT) for the diagnosis and therapy of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system in children is discussed in connection with five characteristic case studies. CCT is shown to be superior to classical neuroradiological approaches, and to allow important diagnostic insights: 1. the early recognition of diffuse brain edema and the resulting possibility of an early begin of therapy--2. the pathological expansions of the cerebral ventricles of various etiology before a pathological enlargement of the head can be detected, and the size of the ventricles after neurosurgical therapy can be measured--3. the early recognition of space-occupying inflammatory complications.", "PMID": 763244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1453", "title": "[Parents of children dialysed at home. Psychological assessment (author's transl)].", "content": "Ten married couples with children undergoing home dialysis were examined by means of different tests used in family interaction diagnosis (Joint Rorschach, SIMFAM, Giessen Test, Bales Scale, Expert Rating). The couples showed a similar cooperation as found in a group of psychologically \"ordinary\" couples, but emotional problems between the parents of home dialysis children were at least as frequent as in a group of psychologically, disturbed couples needing family therapy. The role of the psychologist for the stability testing in parents of children destined for regular dialysis and for psychotherapeutic preparation to home dialysis is described.", "contents": "[Parents of children dialysed at home. Psychological assessment (author's transl)]. Ten married couples with children undergoing home dialysis were examined by means of different tests used in family interaction diagnosis (Joint Rorschach, SIMFAM, Giessen Test, Bales Scale, Expert Rating). The couples showed a similar cooperation as found in a group of psychologically \"ordinary\" couples, but emotional problems between the parents of home dialysis children were at least as frequent as in a group of psychologically, disturbed couples needing family therapy. The role of the psychologist for the stability testing in parents of children destined for regular dialysis and for psychotherapeutic preparation to home dialysis is described.", "PMID": 763246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1454", "title": "[Plasma renin activity in diabetic children (author's transl)].", "content": "In 10 healthy and 27 diabetic children aged 11--17 years plasma renin activity was determined in horizontal position (PRA-I) and after stimulation by furosemid and upright position (PRA-II). In diabetic children with or without hypertension and protein-uria, and a normal or only slightly elevated plasma creatinine level normal PRA-I and PRA-II values were found.", "contents": "[Plasma renin activity in diabetic children (author's transl)]. In 10 healthy and 27 diabetic children aged 11--17 years plasma renin activity was determined in horizontal position (PRA-I) and after stimulation by furosemid and upright position (PRA-II). In diabetic children with or without hypertension and protein-uria, and a normal or only slightly elevated plasma creatinine level normal PRA-I and PRA-II values were found.", "PMID": 763247} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1455", "title": "Defective reticuloendothelial system Fc-receptor function in systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "To determine whether reticuloendothelial-system immunospecific Fc-receptor function is abnormal in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, we studied the clearance of IgG-sensitized 51Cr-labeled erythrocytes by these splenic macrophage membrane receptors in 15 untreated patients. Fc-specific clearance rates were strikingly abnormal in 13 of 15 patients (half-times ranging from 80 to 2256 minutes, P less than 0.001 as compared to controls). Abnormal clearances correlated with immune-complex levels (as measured by the C1q-binding assay) and with disease activity. C1q-binding activity and anti-DNA titers also correlated with disease activity. The correlations of C3, C4, CH50 and factor B with abnormal clearance and disease activity were weaker or nonexistent. The significant correlations among clearance, disease activity and C1q-binding activity suggest that the defect in Fc-receptor function may lead to the prolonged circulation of immune complexes, thereby contributing to tissue deposition and damage.", "contents": "Defective reticuloendothelial system Fc-receptor function in systemic lupus erythematosus. To determine whether reticuloendothelial-system immunospecific Fc-receptor function is abnormal in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, we studied the clearance of IgG-sensitized 51Cr-labeled erythrocytes by these splenic macrophage membrane receptors in 15 untreated patients. Fc-specific clearance rates were strikingly abnormal in 13 of 15 patients (half-times ranging from 80 to 2256 minutes, P less than 0.001 as compared to controls). Abnormal clearances correlated with immune-complex levels (as measured by the C1q-binding assay) and with disease activity. C1q-binding activity and anti-DNA titers also correlated with disease activity. The correlations of C3, C4, CH50 and factor B with abnormal clearance and disease activity were weaker or nonexistent. The significant correlations among clearance, disease activity and C1q-binding activity suggest that the defect in Fc-receptor function may lead to the prolonged circulation of immune complexes, thereby contributing to tissue deposition and damage.", "PMID": 763252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1456", "title": "Respiratory-syncytial-virus infections, reinfections and immunity. A prospective, longitudinal study in young children.", "content": "To better understand acquired immunity to respiratory-syncytial-virus infections, we analyzed data from a 10-year study of respiratory illness in normal children who were followed longitudinally from early infancy. Immunity was measured in terms of failure to become infected or reduction in severity of clinical illness upon reinfection. Outbreaks of infections occurred seven times over the 10-year-period. During epidemics the attack rate for first infection was 98 per cent. The rate for second infections (75 per cent) was modestly reduced (P less than 0.001); that for third infections was 65 per cent. Age and history of infection both influenced illness. Immunity induced by a single infection had no demonstrable effect on illness associated with reinfection one year later; however, a considerable reduction in severity occurred with the third infection. These observations suggest that amelioration of illness--rather than prevention of infection--may be a realistic goal for immunoprophylaxis.", "contents": "Respiratory-syncytial-virus infections, reinfections and immunity. A prospective, longitudinal study in young children. To better understand acquired immunity to respiratory-syncytial-virus infections, we analyzed data from a 10-year study of respiratory illness in normal children who were followed longitudinally from early infancy. Immunity was measured in terms of failure to become infected or reduction in severity of clinical illness upon reinfection. Outbreaks of infections occurred seven times over the 10-year-period. During epidemics the attack rate for first infection was 98 per cent. The rate for second infections (75 per cent) was modestly reduced (P less than 0.001); that for third infections was 65 per cent. Age and history of infection both influenced illness. Immunity induced by a single infection had no demonstrable effect on illness associated with reinfection one year later; however, a considerable reduction in severity occurred with the third infection. These observations suggest that amelioration of illness--rather than prevention of infection--may be a realistic goal for immunoprophylaxis.", "PMID": 763253} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1457", "title": "Potential effect of self-care algorithms on the number of physician visits.", "content": "To assess the potential effect of self-care algorithms on the number of physician visits, actual visits from the Seattle Virus Watch were compared retrospectively with those recommended by clinical algorithms for common illnesses from the book, Take Care of Yourself, by Vickery and Fries. From a total of 3929 illnesses, records indicating the presence of the index symptom for eight algorithms were identified, determining whether the criteria for seeing a physician were met and whether a physician visit was recorded. The number of visits observed was compared to the number of visits recommended by the algorithms. Strict adherence would have increased the number of visits over that observed for five, remained the same for two, and decreased for one of the algorithms. These results indicate that adherence to some commonly promulgated self-care algorithms may increase rather than decrease the number of physician visits.", "contents": "Potential effect of self-care algorithms on the number of physician visits. To assess the potential effect of self-care algorithms on the number of physician visits, actual visits from the Seattle Virus Watch were compared retrospectively with those recommended by clinical algorithms for common illnesses from the book, Take Care of Yourself, by Vickery and Fries. From a total of 3929 illnesses, records indicating the presence of the index symptom for eight algorithms were identified, determining whether the criteria for seeing a physician were met and whether a physician visit was recorded. The number of visits observed was compared to the number of visits recommended by the algorithms. Strict adherence would have increased the number of visits over that observed for five, remained the same for two, and decreased for one of the algorithms. These results indicate that adherence to some commonly promulgated self-care algorithms may increase rather than decrease the number of physician visits.", "PMID": 763254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1458", "title": "Reduction to normal of plasma glucose in juvenile diabetes by subcutaneous administration of insulin with a portable infusion pump.", "content": "To improve plasma glucose control, we administered insulin via the subcutaneous route in seven ambulatory patients with juvenile diabetes (12 to 17 years of age), using a portable infusion pump at a basal rate with pulse-dose increments before meals. After two to four days, the mean plasma glucose (+/- 1 S.E.) of 94 +/- 5 mg per deciliter was markedly lower than when insulin was given by conventional methods in the patients' usual dose (243 +/- 28, P less than 0.01) or in a total dose equivalent to that administered with the pump (150 +/- 15, P less than 0.01). Maximal fluctuations in plasma glucose were also 50 to 150 mg per deciliter below those observed with conventional treatment (P less than 0.001). Glycosuria was eliminated in six of seven patients during pump treatment. None of the subjects had hypoglycemia. These results demonstrate that plasma glucose can be lowered to normal in ambulatory patients with brittle juvenile diabetes using a portable, subcutaneous insulin infusion system for two to four days. The feasibility and value of the long-term application of this technic need exploration.", "contents": "Reduction to normal of plasma glucose in juvenile diabetes by subcutaneous administration of insulin with a portable infusion pump. To improve plasma glucose control, we administered insulin via the subcutaneous route in seven ambulatory patients with juvenile diabetes (12 to 17 years of age), using a portable infusion pump at a basal rate with pulse-dose increments before meals. After two to four days, the mean plasma glucose (+/- 1 S.E.) of 94 +/- 5 mg per deciliter was markedly lower than when insulin was given by conventional methods in the patients' usual dose (243 +/- 28, P less than 0.01) or in a total dose equivalent to that administered with the pump (150 +/- 15, P less than 0.01). Maximal fluctuations in plasma glucose were also 50 to 150 mg per deciliter below those observed with conventional treatment (P less than 0.001). Glycosuria was eliminated in six of seven patients during pump treatment. None of the subjects had hypoglycemia. These results demonstrate that plasma glucose can be lowered to normal in ambulatory patients with brittle juvenile diabetes using a portable, subcutaneous insulin infusion system for two to four days. The feasibility and value of the long-term application of this technic need exploration.", "PMID": 763270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1459", "title": "Current practice of artificial insemination by donor in the United States.", "content": "Of 711 physicians likely to perform artificial insemination by donor surveyed to determine their current practices, 471 responded, of whom 379 reported that they performed this procedure. They accounted for approximately 3576 births by this means in 1977. In addition to treating infertility, 26 per cent of these physicians used the procedure to prevent transmission of a genetic disease, and 10 per cent used if for single women. Donors of semen were primarily from universities, were only superficially screened for genetic diseases, and were then matched phenotypically to the recipient's husband. Most recipients were inseminated twice per cycle. Only 17 per cent of physicians used the same donor for a given recipient, and 32 per cent used multiple donors within a single cycle. Only 37 per cent kept records on children, and only 30 per cent on donors. The identity of donors usually was carefully guarded to ensure privacy and to avoid legal complications.", "contents": "Current practice of artificial insemination by donor in the United States. Of 711 physicians likely to perform artificial insemination by donor surveyed to determine their current practices, 471 responded, of whom 379 reported that they performed this procedure. They accounted for approximately 3576 births by this means in 1977. In addition to treating infertility, 26 per cent of these physicians used the procedure to prevent transmission of a genetic disease, and 10 per cent used if for single women. Donors of semen were primarily from universities, were only superficially screened for genetic diseases, and were then matched phenotypically to the recipient's husband. Most recipients were inseminated twice per cycle. Only 17 per cent of physicians used the same donor for a given recipient, and 32 per cent used multiple donors within a single cycle. Only 37 per cent kept records on children, and only 30 per cent on donors. The identity of donors usually was carefully guarded to ensure privacy and to avoid legal complications.", "PMID": 763271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1460", "title": "Chronic cough as the sole presenting manifestation of bronchial asthma.", "content": "Six patients with chronic cough, without history of dyspnea or wheezing, had normal base-line spirometry but hyper-reactive airways, as demonstrated with methacholine. Maintenance therapy with bronchodilators promptly eliminated the cough in all patients. Three to 12 months later therapy was discontinued for three days, cough returned, and detailed pulmonary-function studies were carried out. Again, base-line values were normal, but after methacholine one-second forced expiratory volume decreased an average of 40 per cent in the patients as compared to 30 per cent in normal controls (P less than 0.001). The point of identical flow was increased by methacholine to 43.5 per cent of vital capacity in the patients, as compared to 6 per cent in normal controls (P less than 0.001), and the alveolar plateau was 4.8 deltaN2 per liter, as compared to 1.4 in normal controls (P less than 0.01). Specific airway conductance was lowered in patients and controls, but the post-methacholine value was significantly lower in the patients. On the basis of their persistently hyper-reactive airways, inducible diffuse airway bronchoconstriction and excellent response to bronchodilator therapy, these patients appear to have a variant form of asthma in which the only presenting symptom is cough.", "contents": "Chronic cough as the sole presenting manifestation of bronchial asthma. Six patients with chronic cough, without history of dyspnea or wheezing, had normal base-line spirometry but hyper-reactive airways, as demonstrated with methacholine. Maintenance therapy with bronchodilators promptly eliminated the cough in all patients. Three to 12 months later therapy was discontinued for three days, cough returned, and detailed pulmonary-function studies were carried out. Again, base-line values were normal, but after methacholine one-second forced expiratory volume decreased an average of 40 per cent in the patients as compared to 30 per cent in normal controls (P less than 0.001). The point of identical flow was increased by methacholine to 43.5 per cent of vital capacity in the patients, as compared to 6 per cent in normal controls (P less than 0.001), and the alveolar plateau was 4.8 deltaN2 per liter, as compared to 1.4 in normal controls (P less than 0.01). Specific airway conductance was lowered in patients and controls, but the post-methacholine value was significantly lower in the patients. On the basis of their persistently hyper-reactive airways, inducible diffuse airway bronchoconstriction and excellent response to bronchodilator therapy, these patients appear to have a variant form of asthma in which the only presenting symptom is cough.", "PMID": 763286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1461", "title": "Deficits in psychologic and classroom performance of children with elevated dentine lead levels.", "content": "To measure the neuropsychologic effects of unidentified childhood exposure to lead, the performance of 58 children with high and 100 with low dentine lead levels was compared. Children with lead levels scored significantly less well on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) than those with low lead levels. This difference was also apparent on verbal subtests, on three other measures of auditory or speech processing and on a measure of attention. Analysis of variance showed that none of these differences could be explained by any of the 39 other variables studied. Also evaluated by a teachers' questionnaire was the classroom behavior of all children (2146 in number) whose teeth were analyzed. The frequency of non-adaptive classroom behavior increased in a dose-related fashion to dentine lead level. Lead exposure, at doses below those producing symptoms severe enough to be diagnosed clinically, appears to be associated with neuropsychologic deficits that may interfere with classroom performance.", "contents": "Deficits in psychologic and classroom performance of children with elevated dentine lead levels. To measure the neuropsychologic effects of unidentified childhood exposure to lead, the performance of 58 children with high and 100 with low dentine lead levels was compared. Children with lead levels scored significantly less well on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) than those with low lead levels. This difference was also apparent on verbal subtests, on three other measures of auditory or speech processing and on a measure of attention. Analysis of variance showed that none of these differences could be explained by any of the 39 other variables studied. Also evaluated by a teachers' questionnaire was the classroom behavior of all children (2146 in number) whose teeth were analyzed. The frequency of non-adaptive classroom behavior increased in a dose-related fashion to dentine lead level. Lead exposure, at doses below those producing symptoms severe enough to be diagnosed clinically, appears to be associated with neuropsychologic deficits that may interfere with classroom performance.", "PMID": 763299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1462", "title": "Epidemic toxoplasmosis associated with infected cats.", "content": "In October, 1977, an outbreak of toxoplasmosis occurred in patrons of a riding stable in Atlanta, Georgia; 37 became ill with toxoplasmosis or had serologic evidence by indirect fluorescent-antibody test of acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii (titer greater than or equal to 1:4096 or a positive fluorescent-antibody test for toxoplasma antibodies). Forty-nine additional patrons did not become ill. Two of the three adult cats from the stable were seropositive for toxoplasma, which was also recovered from the tissues of two kittens and four mice trapped near the stable. Patrons who spent most of their time at the end of the stable where a cat had defecated had the highest incidence of infection. Patrons who attended the stable daily had a higher attack rate than those who attended less frequently. No common meals were consumed, and dietary histroy eliminated meat as the source of infection. The data suggest that toxoplasma oocysts were the source of the infection.", "contents": "Epidemic toxoplasmosis associated with infected cats. In October, 1977, an outbreak of toxoplasmosis occurred in patrons of a riding stable in Atlanta, Georgia; 37 became ill with toxoplasmosis or had serologic evidence by indirect fluorescent-antibody test of acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii (titer greater than or equal to 1:4096 or a positive fluorescent-antibody test for toxoplasma antibodies). Forty-nine additional patrons did not become ill. Two of the three adult cats from the stable were seropositive for toxoplasma, which was also recovered from the tissues of two kittens and four mice trapped near the stable. Patrons who spent most of their time at the end of the stable where a cat had defecated had the highest incidence of infection. Patrons who attended the stable daily had a higher attack rate than those who attended less frequently. No common meals were consumed, and dietary histroy eliminated meat as the source of infection. The data suggest that toxoplasma oocysts were the source of the infection.", "PMID": 763300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1463", "title": "Normal human tissues contain RNA and antigens related to infectious adenovirus type 2.", "content": "Normal human tissues have been found to contain RNA which hybridises with four regions of the adenovirus type 2 genome, including one which contains the transforming gene(s) of this virus. The RNAs have also been extracted from gorilla organs, but not from those of chickens, suggesting that they are a feature of all normal higher primate tissues. Serological test suggest that these homologous RNAs are translated into proteins connected with essentially normal and virus-infected cell functions.", "contents": "Normal human tissues contain RNA and antigens related to infectious adenovirus type 2. Normal human tissues have been found to contain RNA which hybridises with four regions of the adenovirus type 2 genome, including one which contains the transforming gene(s) of this virus. The RNAs have also been extracted from gorilla organs, but not from those of chickens, suggesting that they are a feature of all normal higher primate tissues. Serological test suggest that these homologous RNAs are translated into proteins connected with essentially normal and virus-infected cell functions.", "PMID": 763319} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1464", "title": "Radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in nuclear-dockyard workers.", "content": "The incidence of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 197 dockyard workers has been followed over a 10-yr period. These workers were exposed to mixed neutron-gamma radiation during the refuelling of nuclear reactors, but most exposures were below the internationally accepted maximum permissible level of 5 rem per yr. There was a significant increase in chromosome damage with increasing exposure; aberration frequency was a linear function of dose and was unfluenced by age and time of blood sampling after exposure.", "contents": "Radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in nuclear-dockyard workers. The incidence of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 197 dockyard workers has been followed over a 10-yr period. These workers were exposed to mixed neutron-gamma radiation during the refuelling of nuclear reactors, but most exposures were below the internationally accepted maximum permissible level of 5 rem per yr. There was a significant increase in chromosome damage with increasing exposure; aberration frequency was a linear function of dose and was unfluenced by age and time of blood sampling after exposure.", "PMID": 763341} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1465", "title": "A novel bacteriophage defence mechanism: the anti-restriction protein.", "content": "Bacteriophage T3 and T7 protect their DNA from restriction by producing, as the earliest detectable phage functions, anti-restriction proteins. Although the two phage proteins differ in their chromatographic and antigenic properties, they act by the same mechanism: the anti-restriction proteins inhibit E. coli K12 restriction endonuclease by direct interaction.", "contents": "A novel bacteriophage defence mechanism: the anti-restriction protein. Bacteriophage T3 and T7 protect their DNA from restriction by producing, as the earliest detectable phage functions, anti-restriction proteins. Although the two phage proteins differ in their chromatographic and antigenic properties, they act by the same mechanism: the anti-restriction proteins inhibit E. coli K12 restriction endonuclease by direct interaction.", "PMID": 763348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1466", "title": "[Hypoglycemia in the newborn infant subsequent to hyperplasia of beta cells of the pancreas].", "content": "A case of hypoglycemia of difficult control and resistant to treatment due to hypersinsulinism as a result of hypertrophy of beta celis of the pancreas in the newborn perior is analyzed. Based on this case, hypoglycemia of the newborn is discussed, analyzed etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment. Emphasis is place on the lack of clear symptoms and signs at this age, on the differential diagnosis, on the entities with which it can be associated or confused, and on the need to make an early diagnosis in order to prevent brain damage.", "contents": "[Hypoglycemia in the newborn infant subsequent to hyperplasia of beta cells of the pancreas]. A case of hypoglycemia of difficult control and resistant to treatment due to hypersinsulinism as a result of hypertrophy of beta celis of the pancreas in the newborn perior is analyzed. Based on this case, hypoglycemia of the newborn is discussed, analyzed etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment. Emphasis is place on the lack of clear symptoms and signs at this age, on the differential diagnosis, on the entities with which it can be associated or confused, and on the need to make an early diagnosis in order to prevent brain damage.", "PMID": 764829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1467", "title": "[Primary prevention of rheumatic fever. Occurrence of beta hemolytic Streptococcus of the A group in 11,314 students in Magdalena Contreras].", "content": "A study was made in 11,314 school-age children to determine the prevalence of streptococcus pyogenes group A. The children studied belonged to a low socioeconomic group of one of the political boroughs of the Federal District. The prevalence found was 6.86%. There were no differences in the percentage of carriage according to the school surveyed or the school grade studied. However, marked differences were found when the presence of arthralgias was related to the carriage of streptococcus. Children complaining of artharlgias showed twice as much streptococcus in their pharynx than the ones not carrying it.", "contents": "[Primary prevention of rheumatic fever. Occurrence of beta hemolytic Streptococcus of the A group in 11,314 students in Magdalena Contreras]. A study was made in 11,314 school-age children to determine the prevalence of streptococcus pyogenes group A. The children studied belonged to a low socioeconomic group of one of the political boroughs of the Federal District. The prevalence found was 6.86%. There were no differences in the percentage of carriage according to the school surveyed or the school grade studied. However, marked differences were found when the presence of arthralgias was related to the carriage of streptococcus. Children complaining of artharlgias showed twice as much streptococcus in their pharynx than the ones not carrying it.", "PMID": 764830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1468", "title": "[Analysis of fecal mucus in children with prolonged and acute diarrhea].", "content": "The fecal mucus obtained from 110 samples in 50 children with diarrhea was studied. Leukocytes were present in 44 cases and 66 samples were negative. Patients with E. coli 0111 did not show fecal leukocytes in contrast with those with E. coli 0119. Patients with shigellosis showed fecal leukocytes of polymorphonuclear predominance, the same as patients with non-thyphoid salmonellosis. But when septicemia was present, either from salmonella or from other enterobacteria, there was a striking increase in percentage of mononuclears. Several patients with negative stool cultures showed fecal leukocytes of polymorphonuclear predominance which suggested residual inflammatory reaction or presence of bacteriologically unidentified invasive E. coli. The index of diagnostic prediction for this test was 73%. Its routine use is recommended in any child with acute or protracted diarrhea, before the initiation of antimicrobial treatment.", "contents": "[Analysis of fecal mucus in children with prolonged and acute diarrhea]. The fecal mucus obtained from 110 samples in 50 children with diarrhea was studied. Leukocytes were present in 44 cases and 66 samples were negative. Patients with E. coli 0111 did not show fecal leukocytes in contrast with those with E. coli 0119. Patients with shigellosis showed fecal leukocytes of polymorphonuclear predominance, the same as patients with non-thyphoid salmonellosis. But when septicemia was present, either from salmonella or from other enterobacteria, there was a striking increase in percentage of mononuclears. Several patients with negative stool cultures showed fecal leukocytes of polymorphonuclear predominance which suggested residual inflammatory reaction or presence of bacteriologically unidentified invasive E. coli. The index of diagnostic prediction for this test was 73%. Its routine use is recommended in any child with acute or protracted diarrhea, before the initiation of antimicrobial treatment.", "PMID": 764831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1469", "title": "Reduced lethality in mice receiving a combined dose of cyclophosphamide and busulphan.", "content": "Animals treated with a sufficiently high dose of busulphan die about 14 days later from bone marrow failure. A single, appropriately timed injection of cyclophosphamide can save these mice. The nature of this protection is shown to be the cyclophosphamide induced elaboration of a humoral factor which stimulates haemopoietic recovery.", "contents": "Reduced lethality in mice receiving a combined dose of cyclophosphamide and busulphan. Animals treated with a sufficiently high dose of busulphan die about 14 days later from bone marrow failure. A single, appropriately timed injection of cyclophosphamide can save these mice. The nature of this protection is shown to be the cyclophosphamide induced elaboration of a humoral factor which stimulates haemopoietic recovery.", "PMID": 764844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1470", "title": "Granulocyte function in myeloblastic leukaemia.", "content": "A study of granulocyte function in myeloblastic leukaemia is reported. Function was assessed by the ability of peripheral blood granulocytes to ingest and kill Candida albicans in bitro. Depressed cidal activity was observed in 11 patients with smouldering leukaemia and in 19 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. Cidal activity was lowest in the untreated acute disease; this improved during cytoreduction therapy and was maintained when remission occurred. Leukaemic plasma depressed the function of control granulocytes; the possible role of a plasma \"factor\" is discussed.", "contents": "Granulocyte function in myeloblastic leukaemia. A study of granulocyte function in myeloblastic leukaemia is reported. Function was assessed by the ability of peripheral blood granulocytes to ingest and kill Candida albicans in bitro. Depressed cidal activity was observed in 11 patients with smouldering leukaemia and in 19 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. Cidal activity was lowest in the untreated acute disease; this improved during cytoreduction therapy and was maintained when remission occurred. Leukaemic plasma depressed the function of control granulocytes; the possible role of a plasma \"factor\" is discussed.", "PMID": 764849} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1471", "title": "The humoral immune response to allografts of foetal small intestine in mice.", "content": "The influence of the presence of \"passenger leucocytes\" on the production of anti-H2 antibodies has been studied in mice receiving allografts of foetal small intestine, adult skin or intradermally injected spleen cells. It was found that the humoral immune response to foetal intestine (a tissue without passenger leucocytes) was identical temporarily to that elicited by skin allografts and these responses differed from that following injection of allogeneic spleen cells in that antibodies to solid grafts took longer to appear. The humoral immune response to small intestine grafts was not evident until several days after the onset of graft rejection as assessed morphologicallymanti H2 antibody production was not observed in thymus deprived recipients of foetal small intestine allografts or allogeneic spleen cells, and this suggests that the humoral immune response to transplantation antigens is thymus dependent.", "contents": "The humoral immune response to allografts of foetal small intestine in mice. The influence of the presence of \"passenger leucocytes\" on the production of anti-H2 antibodies has been studied in mice receiving allografts of foetal small intestine, adult skin or intradermally injected spleen cells. It was found that the humoral immune response to foetal intestine (a tissue without passenger leucocytes) was identical temporarily to that elicited by skin allografts and these responses differed from that following injection of allogeneic spleen cells in that antibodies to solid grafts took longer to appear. The humoral immune response to small intestine grafts was not evident until several days after the onset of graft rejection as assessed morphologicallymanti H2 antibody production was not observed in thymus deprived recipients of foetal small intestine allografts or allogeneic spleen cells, and this suggests that the humoral immune response to transplantation antigens is thymus dependent.", "PMID": 764850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1472", "title": "Colony formation by human haemopoietic precursor cells cultured in semi-solid agar in diffusion chambers.", "content": "A technique which allows colony growth of haematologically normal human bone marrow cells is described. The cells are supported by semi-solid-agar-medium inside modified Millipore diffusion chambers implanted in the peritoneal cavity of irradiated mice. After 9 days incubation colonies containing up to 1000 cells are found in these Agar Diffusion Chambers. All haematologically normal patients studied so far produced colonies, the majority with between 10 and 40 colonies per 2 X 10(5) bone marrow cells inoculated. This culture system therefore provides a convenient and reliable clonal assay for human bone marrow cells which, in contrast to the agar colony assay in vitro, does not require a source of Colony Stimulating Factor (CSF).", "contents": "Colony formation by human haemopoietic precursor cells cultured in semi-solid agar in diffusion chambers. A technique which allows colony growth of haematologically normal human bone marrow cells is described. The cells are supported by semi-solid-agar-medium inside modified Millipore diffusion chambers implanted in the peritoneal cavity of irradiated mice. After 9 days incubation colonies containing up to 1000 cells are found in these Agar Diffusion Chambers. All haematologically normal patients studied so far produced colonies, the majority with between 10 and 40 colonies per 2 X 10(5) bone marrow cells inoculated. This culture system therefore provides a convenient and reliable clonal assay for human bone marrow cells which, in contrast to the agar colony assay in vitro, does not require a source of Colony Stimulating Factor (CSF).", "PMID": 764851} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1473", "title": "Liver transplantation in pigs with von Willebrand's disease.", "content": "Nine pigs with von Willebrand's disease (vWd pigs) received normal auxiliary livers; in the immediate postoperative period, three pigs died, three survived from 3 days to 3 weeks, and three were killed 5-13 weeks postoperatively. There was an increase in factor VIII (up to 90 u/dl) but with a type of factor VIII that was more labile than normal and that decreased after 2 weeks, probably as a result of liver rejection. There was a slight increase in the levels of the ristocetin-Willebrand factor postoperatively (up to 11%) but this activity was undetectable after 2 weeks. There was no correction of the abnormal bleeding time and platelet retention. When a vWd liver was transplanted orthotopically into a normal pig, the factor-VIII coagulant activity and the ristocetin-Willebrand factor remained normal. The abnormality in porcine von Willebrand's disease is only partially corrected by liver transplantation, which suggests that there also is extrahepatic synthesis of the missing or abnormal plasmatic activity or activities.", "contents": "Liver transplantation in pigs with von Willebrand's disease. Nine pigs with von Willebrand's disease (vWd pigs) received normal auxiliary livers; in the immediate postoperative period, three pigs died, three survived from 3 days to 3 weeks, and three were killed 5-13 weeks postoperatively. There was an increase in factor VIII (up to 90 u/dl) but with a type of factor VIII that was more labile than normal and that decreased after 2 weeks, probably as a result of liver rejection. There was a slight increase in the levels of the ristocetin-Willebrand factor postoperatively (up to 11%) but this activity was undetectable after 2 weeks. There was no correction of the abnormal bleeding time and platelet retention. When a vWd liver was transplanted orthotopically into a normal pig, the factor-VIII coagulant activity and the ristocetin-Willebrand factor remained normal. The abnormality in porcine von Willebrand's disease is only partially corrected by liver transplantation, which suggests that there also is extrahepatic synthesis of the missing or abnormal plasmatic activity or activities.", "PMID": 764852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1474", "title": "Changes in erythroblast morphology as an index of response to cyanocobalamin in patients with megaloblastic anaemia.", "content": "Fifty-three patients with megaloblastic anaemia treated with cyanocobalamin and folic acid have been studied. Repeat marrow examination was found to be of value in assessing response to treatment. The early improvement in marrow morphology in patients with pernicious anaemia was greater with 1000 mug than with 5 mug doses of cyanocobalamin. The effect of folate deficiency in delaying marrow response to cyanocobalamin in patients with pernicious anaemia is described and combined cyanocobalamin and folic acid treatment was found to be more effective than either alone. The response to large doses of cyanocobalamin in folate deficient patients was unrelated to the initial serum vitamin B12 level.", "contents": "Changes in erythroblast morphology as an index of response to cyanocobalamin in patients with megaloblastic anaemia. Fifty-three patients with megaloblastic anaemia treated with cyanocobalamin and folic acid have been studied. Repeat marrow examination was found to be of value in assessing response to treatment. The early improvement in marrow morphology in patients with pernicious anaemia was greater with 1000 mug than with 5 mug doses of cyanocobalamin. The effect of folate deficiency in delaying marrow response to cyanocobalamin in patients with pernicious anaemia is described and combined cyanocobalamin and folic acid treatment was found to be more effective than either alone. The response to large doses of cyanocobalamin in folate deficient patients was unrelated to the initial serum vitamin B12 level.", "PMID": 764853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1475", "title": "Lack of correlation of lymphoblast cell size with presence of T-cell markers or with outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.", "content": "The proportion of pretreatment bone marrow macrolymphoblasts was determined in a total of 93 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in order to assess the validity of cell size as a prognostic indicator. A macrolymphoblast (MLb) was defined as having a diameter greater than 12 mum, and patient samples were divided simply on the basis of whether they had more or less than 10% MLb present at diagnosis. In a retrospective study of a sample of 47 children treated according to Total Therapy Study VII, the continuous complete remission duration, survival and incidence of CNS disease bore no relationship to the cell size distribution present at diagnosis. A second sample of 46 current patients with untreated ALL was examined both for the presence of surface markers for T- and B-cells and for cell size. Bone marrow blasts from 10 of these 46 children formed rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E)-- a T-cell marker. E-rosette formation was associated with a constellation of adverse prognostic factors, including older age, very high initial WBC counts, organomegaly, and mediastinal enlargement; yet the presence of this T-cell marker was unrelated to cell size. We conclude that pretreatment lymphoblast cell size is not a reliable prognostic indicator in childhood ALL.", "contents": "Lack of correlation of lymphoblast cell size with presence of T-cell markers or with outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The proportion of pretreatment bone marrow macrolymphoblasts was determined in a total of 93 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in order to assess the validity of cell size as a prognostic indicator. A macrolymphoblast (MLb) was defined as having a diameter greater than 12 mum, and patient samples were divided simply on the basis of whether they had more or less than 10% MLb present at diagnosis. In a retrospective study of a sample of 47 children treated according to Total Therapy Study VII, the continuous complete remission duration, survival and incidence of CNS disease bore no relationship to the cell size distribution present at diagnosis. A second sample of 46 current patients with untreated ALL was examined both for the presence of surface markers for T- and B-cells and for cell size. Bone marrow blasts from 10 of these 46 children formed rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E)-- a T-cell marker. E-rosette formation was associated with a constellation of adverse prognostic factors, including older age, very high initial WBC counts, organomegaly, and mediastinal enlargement; yet the presence of this T-cell marker was unrelated to cell size. We conclude that pretreatment lymphoblast cell size is not a reliable prognostic indicator in childhood ALL.", "PMID": 764854} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1476", "title": "Purification and properties of gentamicin acetyltransferase I.", "content": "Gentamicin acetyltransferase I is induced 13-fold in R factor resistant Escherichia coli by high concentrations (1 mg/ml) of gentamicin in the growth medium. The enzyme is maximally released from bacteria by osmotic shock in late-log phase, unlike previously studied periplasmic enzymes. Streptomycin sulfate and ammonium sulfate precipitations of shockate followed by affinity and ion-exchange chromatography recover 51% of the induced enzyme with a 360-fold increase in purity (12% of 4400-fold, uninduced). The purified enzyme appears homogeneous by six criteria, the first aminoglycoside inactivating enzyme so purified. Sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis, amino acid analysis, and sedimentation analyses indicate a tetrameric protein of 63000 molecular weight. The protein does not contain tryptophan. Kinetic analyses yield apparent values of: Vmax = 3.4 +/- 0.2 mumol per min mg at pH 8 (optimum), Km (acetyl-CoA) = 3.9 +/- 0.2 muM, Km (gentamicin Cla) = 0.3 +/- 0.08 muM, KI (gentamicin substrate inhibition) = 160 +/- 29 muM. The activity of the enzyme is stable to a variety of conditions, including lyophilization and prolonged storage, and can be monitored by two convenient spectrophotometric assays.", "contents": "Purification and properties of gentamicin acetyltransferase I. Gentamicin acetyltransferase I is induced 13-fold in R factor resistant Escherichia coli by high concentrations (1 mg/ml) of gentamicin in the growth medium. The enzyme is maximally released from bacteria by osmotic shock in late-log phase, unlike previously studied periplasmic enzymes. Streptomycin sulfate and ammonium sulfate precipitations of shockate followed by affinity and ion-exchange chromatography recover 51% of the induced enzyme with a 360-fold increase in purity (12% of 4400-fold, uninduced). The purified enzyme appears homogeneous by six criteria, the first aminoglycoside inactivating enzyme so purified. Sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis, amino acid analysis, and sedimentation analyses indicate a tetrameric protein of 63000 molecular weight. The protein does not contain tryptophan. Kinetic analyses yield apparent values of: Vmax = 3.4 +/- 0.2 mumol per min mg at pH 8 (optimum), Km (acetyl-CoA) = 3.9 +/- 0.2 muM, Km (gentamicin Cla) = 0.3 +/- 0.08 muM, KI (gentamicin substrate inhibition) = 160 +/- 29 muM. The activity of the enzyme is stable to a variety of conditions, including lyophilization and prolonged storage, and can be monitored by two convenient spectrophotometric assays.", "PMID": 764855} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1477", "title": "Ionophore A23187. Solution conformations of the calcium complex and free acid deduced from proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance studies.", "content": "Proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra have been used to deduce possible biologically relevant conformations of ionophore A23187 as the free acid, and as the calcium complex, in solution. By analysis of coupling constants and dihedral angles obtained from 270-MHz proton NMR, A23187 free acid molecules and individual A23187 anions which comprise the calcium complex are found to differ principally by the rotational state of a carbon-carbon single bond near the benzoxazole ring. Proton Tl relaxation data and measurements of rotational correlation times confirm the dimeric nature of the calcium complex vs. the free acid monomer. Using the deduced pseudocyclic conformation for the A23187 anion, in conjunction with model-building studies, a conformation for the calcium complex is proposed, in which the benzoxazole carboxylate oxygen, the ketopyrrole oxygen, and the benzoxazole (ring) nitrogen atom of each molecule are the major participants in calcium binding. Additional stabilization of the structure is possible through the formation of a postulated hydrogen bond bridge between the pyrrole NH proton and benzoxazole carboxylate oxygen.", "contents": "Ionophore A23187. Solution conformations of the calcium complex and free acid deduced from proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance studies. Proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra have been used to deduce possible biologically relevant conformations of ionophore A23187 as the free acid, and as the calcium complex, in solution. By analysis of coupling constants and dihedral angles obtained from 270-MHz proton NMR, A23187 free acid molecules and individual A23187 anions which comprise the calcium complex are found to differ principally by the rotational state of a carbon-carbon single bond near the benzoxazole ring. Proton Tl relaxation data and measurements of rotational correlation times confirm the dimeric nature of the calcium complex vs. the free acid monomer. Using the deduced pseudocyclic conformation for the A23187 anion, in conjunction with model-building studies, a conformation for the calcium complex is proposed, in which the benzoxazole carboxylate oxygen, the ketopyrrole oxygen, and the benzoxazole (ring) nitrogen atom of each molecule are the major participants in calcium binding. Additional stabilization of the structure is possible through the formation of a postulated hydrogen bond bridge between the pyrrole NH proton and benzoxazole carboxylate oxygen.", "PMID": 764856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1478", "title": "Equilibrium binding of magnesium(II) by Escherichia coli tRNAfMet.", "content": "Equilibrium dialysis measurements show that tRNAfMet1 in 0.17 M Na+ has one strong Mg2+ binding site, K = 3 X 10(4) M-1, and approximately 26 weak binding sites with K = 4 X 10(2) M-1, with RNA concentration measured in moles of tRNA per liter and T = 4 degrees C. The data fit significantly less well to a model with two strong sites and a large class of weak sites. Binding is noncooperative. Our results differ from previous experiments showing cooperative binding because the binding equilibrium is not coupled to a cooperative conformational change of the macromolecule. Measurements at relatively high Na+ concentrations and low temperature ensure that the tRNA is in the \"native\" region of the conformational phase diagram for all Mg2+ concentrations.", "contents": "Equilibrium binding of magnesium(II) by Escherichia coli tRNAfMet. Equilibrium dialysis measurements show that tRNAfMet1 in 0.17 M Na+ has one strong Mg2+ binding site, K = 3 X 10(4) M-1, and approximately 26 weak binding sites with K = 4 X 10(2) M-1, with RNA concentration measured in moles of tRNA per liter and T = 4 degrees C. The data fit significantly less well to a model with two strong sites and a large class of weak sites. Binding is noncooperative. Our results differ from previous experiments showing cooperative binding because the binding equilibrium is not coupled to a cooperative conformational change of the macromolecule. Measurements at relatively high Na+ concentrations and low temperature ensure that the tRNA is in the \"native\" region of the conformational phase diagram for all Mg2+ concentrations.", "PMID": 764857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1479", "title": "Conformational changes of transfer RNA. The role of magnesium(II).", "content": "Magnesium ions added to tRNAfMET1 selectively stabilize the dihydrouridine helix-tertiary structural region. Low Mg2+ levels have little direct effect on the remaining three cloverleaf helices, but these are prevented from melting independently when their intrinsic Tm is surpassed by the Tm of the tertiary structure. At high Mg2+ concentration the thermal unfolding of tRNAfMet1 is approximately a two-state, concerted transition from the globular native structure to the random coil, in contrast to the sequential unfolding observed without Mg2+. We interpret the kinetics of refolding to mean that the D helix serves as a required nucleus for the rate-limiting step of tertiary structure formation. We found that unfolding of the tertiary structure leads to loss of the tightly bound Mg2+ ions, and showed with a Mn2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator that the rate of Mn2+ release is the same as the rate of unfolding the tertiary structure. Hence the tightly bound divalent ion must be located in a site formed by the tertiary structure-D helix region of the molecule.", "contents": "Conformational changes of transfer RNA. The role of magnesium(II). Magnesium ions added to tRNAfMET1 selectively stabilize the dihydrouridine helix-tertiary structural region. Low Mg2+ levels have little direct effect on the remaining three cloverleaf helices, but these are prevented from melting independently when their intrinsic Tm is surpassed by the Tm of the tertiary structure. At high Mg2+ concentration the thermal unfolding of tRNAfMet1 is approximately a two-state, concerted transition from the globular native structure to the random coil, in contrast to the sequential unfolding observed without Mg2+. We interpret the kinetics of refolding to mean that the D helix serves as a required nucleus for the rate-limiting step of tertiary structure formation. We found that unfolding of the tertiary structure leads to loss of the tightly bound Mg2+ ions, and showed with a Mn2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator that the rate of Mn2+ release is the same as the rate of unfolding the tertiary structure. Hence the tightly bound divalent ion must be located in a site formed by the tertiary structure-D helix region of the molecule.", "PMID": 764858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1480", "title": "Preparation and properties of the repeating sequence polymers d(A-I-C)n-d(I-C-T)n and d(A-G-C)n-d(G-C-T)n.", "content": "The repeating sequence polymer d(A-I-C)n-d(I-C-T)n has been prepared using the chemically synthesized oligomers d(A-G-C)4 and d(C-T-G)4 and the DNA polymerase from Micrococcus luteus. The enzymatically synthesized polymer was used as template for preparation of d(A-G-C)n-d(G-C-T)n. Both deoxyribonucleotide polymers were characterized by nearest neighbor analyses, buoyant density measurements in cesium chloride and cesium sulfate, melting temperature, and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. The ribopolymers r(A-I-C)n-r(I-C-U)n and r(A-G-C)n-r(G-C-U)n were transcribed from d(A-I-C)n-d(I-C-T)n, and their CD spectra were compared with those of the respective deoxyribonucleotide polymers.", "contents": "Preparation and properties of the repeating sequence polymers d(A-I-C)n-d(I-C-T)n and d(A-G-C)n-d(G-C-T)n. The repeating sequence polymer d(A-I-C)n-d(I-C-T)n has been prepared using the chemically synthesized oligomers d(A-G-C)4 and d(C-T-G)4 and the DNA polymerase from Micrococcus luteus. The enzymatically synthesized polymer was used as template for preparation of d(A-G-C)n-d(G-C-T)n. Both deoxyribonucleotide polymers were characterized by nearest neighbor analyses, buoyant density measurements in cesium chloride and cesium sulfate, melting temperature, and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. The ribopolymers r(A-I-C)n-r(I-C-U)n and r(A-G-C)n-r(G-C-U)n were transcribed from d(A-I-C)n-d(I-C-T)n, and their CD spectra were compared with those of the respective deoxyribonucleotide polymers.", "PMID": 764859} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1481", "title": "Mechanism of yeast cytochrome b2 action. I. Thermodynamics and relaxation kinetics of the interaction between cytochrome b2 and oxalate.", "content": "Oxalate is the strongest known inhibitor of yeast cytochrome b2 activity. We have used spectrophotometric titration, temperature-jump relaxation, and calorimetry in an investigation of the interaction between enzyme and inhibitor. The titration data are consistent with noncooperative binding to one site per subunit. This conclusion is corroborated by temperature-jump results which reveal a single relaxation phenomenon which obeys second-order kinetics. Further evidence for a simple binding reaction enthalpy estimated from relaxation amplitudes is in good agreement with the value obtained directly with batch calorimetry. The forward and reverse rate constants evaluated from the temperature-jump experiments are, respectively, 1 x 10(4) M-1 sec-1 and 15 sec-1. Although considerably smaller than a diffusion-controlled value, the forward rate constant is characterized by an unusually small activation energy of approximately 3 kcal/mol. This, together with a large unfavorable association activation entropy of -30 eu, suggests that oxalate diffuses freely to the active site, but only a small fraction of the collisions are productive due to severe steric requirements.", "contents": "Mechanism of yeast cytochrome b2 action. I. Thermodynamics and relaxation kinetics of the interaction between cytochrome b2 and oxalate. Oxalate is the strongest known inhibitor of yeast cytochrome b2 activity. We have used spectrophotometric titration, temperature-jump relaxation, and calorimetry in an investigation of the interaction between enzyme and inhibitor. The titration data are consistent with noncooperative binding to one site per subunit. This conclusion is corroborated by temperature-jump results which reveal a single relaxation phenomenon which obeys second-order kinetics. Further evidence for a simple binding reaction enthalpy estimated from relaxation amplitudes is in good agreement with the value obtained directly with batch calorimetry. The forward and reverse rate constants evaluated from the temperature-jump experiments are, respectively, 1 x 10(4) M-1 sec-1 and 15 sec-1. Although considerably smaller than a diffusion-controlled value, the forward rate constant is characterized by an unusually small activation energy of approximately 3 kcal/mol. This, together with a large unfavorable association activation entropy of -30 eu, suggests that oxalate diffuses freely to the active site, but only a small fraction of the collisions are productive due to severe steric requirements.", "PMID": 764860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1482", "title": "Mechanism of yeast cytochrome b2 action. II. Steady-state kinetics of oxalate inhibition.", "content": "From a careful steady-state kinetic study it is shown that the inhibition of L-lactate oxidation by cytochrome b2 with ferricyanide as acceptor is of the mixed competitive-noncompetitive type, indicating the formation of an active ternary complex between enzyme, substrate, and inhibitor. With a large excess of acceptor, the simplest formal mechanism consistent with all available data is: E + L equilibrium EL; E + S equilibrium ES leads to EP leads to E + P; ES + L equilibrium ESL leads to EPL leads to EL + P, where L is oxalate, S is L-lactate, P is pyruvate, and E is enzyme. The inhibition kinetics together with the rate constants for oxalate binding to free enzyme (Thusius, D., Blazy, B., and Baudras, A. (1976), Biochemistry, preceding paper in this issue) and recent steady-state experiments on L-lactate deuterated at C-2 (Lederer, F. (1974), Eur. J. Biochem, 46, 393) lead to estimates of some of the elementary rate parameters in the above scheme. As in the case of oxalate (see Thusius et al. reference above), the association rate constant for substrate binding (1.1 x 10(5) M-1 sec-1) is much smaller than a diffusion-controlled value. Our results also imply that dissociation of complex EP to free enzyme and pyruvate is partially rate limiting for the overall reaction.", "contents": "Mechanism of yeast cytochrome b2 action. II. Steady-state kinetics of oxalate inhibition. From a careful steady-state kinetic study it is shown that the inhibition of L-lactate oxidation by cytochrome b2 with ferricyanide as acceptor is of the mixed competitive-noncompetitive type, indicating the formation of an active ternary complex between enzyme, substrate, and inhibitor. With a large excess of acceptor, the simplest formal mechanism consistent with all available data is: E + L equilibrium EL; E + S equilibrium ES leads to EP leads to E + P; ES + L equilibrium ESL leads to EPL leads to EL + P, where L is oxalate, S is L-lactate, P is pyruvate, and E is enzyme. The inhibition kinetics together with the rate constants for oxalate binding to free enzyme (Thusius, D., Blazy, B., and Baudras, A. (1976), Biochemistry, preceding paper in this issue) and recent steady-state experiments on L-lactate deuterated at C-2 (Lederer, F. (1974), Eur. J. Biochem, 46, 393) lead to estimates of some of the elementary rate parameters in the above scheme. As in the case of oxalate (see Thusius et al. reference above), the association rate constant for substrate binding (1.1 x 10(5) M-1 sec-1) is much smaller than a diffusion-controlled value. Our results also imply that dissociation of complex EP to free enzyme and pyruvate is partially rate limiting for the overall reaction.", "PMID": 764861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1483", "title": "Soluble tri- and dipeptidases in Escherichia coli K-12+.", "content": "As part of a study of the metabolic role of peptidases in Escherichia coli K-12, cell extracts were examined for the presence of three enzymes originally identified [Sussman, A. J., and Gilvarg, C. (1970), J. Biol. Chem. 245, 6518] in extracts of the lysine auxotroph ASO13 by virtue of their activity toward lysine homopolymers. It has now been shown that the activity ascribed to a Co2+-dependent dilysine-specific enzyme is a function of the strain K-12 dipeptidase DP, a metal-dependent enzyme active toward a variety of dipeptides, and that the activity ascribed to a trilysine-specific enzyme is a function of the strain K-12 tripeptidase TP, an aminopeptidase capable of hydrolyzing substrates in the series X-Gly-Gly, X-Gly-X, and X-Leu-Gly (where X is Leu or Met) but devoid of activity toward dipeptides. The third enzyme, an oligopeptidase not previously observed in strain K-12, was found to include among its substrates not only di- and trilysine but other di- and tripeptides that are hydrolyzed by the di-and tripeptidase as well as by aminopeptidases L and AP; the aminopeptidases, however, lack activity toward di- and trilysine. The absence of oligopeptidase activity from extracts of strain AJOO5, a \"PEPTIDE-DEFICIENT MUTANT\" derived from strain ASO13 by Sussman and Gilvarg, has been confirmed, and strain AJOO5 has been shown to contain all the other peptidases known to be present in strain K-12. Possible functions of the oligopeptidase are proposed on the basis of its observed activity in vitro and of the basis of its observed activity in vitro and of the differences between the growth responses of strains AJOO5 and ASO13 in various media. Some general aspects of peptide metabolism are discussed with emphasis on the use of peptidase-deficient mutants in the study of this problem, and methods that may prove helpful in the isolation of such mutants are suggested.", "contents": "Soluble tri- and dipeptidases in Escherichia coli K-12+. As part of a study of the metabolic role of peptidases in Escherichia coli K-12, cell extracts were examined for the presence of three enzymes originally identified [Sussman, A. J., and Gilvarg, C. (1970), J. Biol. Chem. 245, 6518] in extracts of the lysine auxotroph ASO13 by virtue of their activity toward lysine homopolymers. It has now been shown that the activity ascribed to a Co2+-dependent dilysine-specific enzyme is a function of the strain K-12 dipeptidase DP, a metal-dependent enzyme active toward a variety of dipeptides, and that the activity ascribed to a trilysine-specific enzyme is a function of the strain K-12 tripeptidase TP, an aminopeptidase capable of hydrolyzing substrates in the series X-Gly-Gly, X-Gly-X, and X-Leu-Gly (where X is Leu or Met) but devoid of activity toward dipeptides. The third enzyme, an oligopeptidase not previously observed in strain K-12, was found to include among its substrates not only di- and trilysine but other di- and tripeptides that are hydrolyzed by the di-and tripeptidase as well as by aminopeptidases L and AP; the aminopeptidases, however, lack activity toward di- and trilysine. The absence of oligopeptidase activity from extracts of strain AJOO5, a \"PEPTIDE-DEFICIENT MUTANT\" derived from strain ASO13 by Sussman and Gilvarg, has been confirmed, and strain AJOO5 has been shown to contain all the other peptidases known to be present in strain K-12. Possible functions of the oligopeptidase are proposed on the basis of its observed activity in vitro and of the basis of its observed activity in vitro and of the differences between the growth responses of strains AJOO5 and ASO13 in various media. Some general aspects of peptide metabolism are discussed with emphasis on the use of peptidase-deficient mutants in the study of this problem, and methods that may prove helpful in the isolation of such mutants are suggested.", "PMID": 764862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1484", "title": "The control of pyruvate kinase of Escherichia coli. Binding of substrate and allosteric effectors to the enzyme activated by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate.", "content": "The binding of various regulatory ligands and substrates to the fructose bisphosphate activated pyruvate kinase from Escherichia coli has been studied at equilibrium. The allosteric activator, fructose bisphosphate, and the substrate phosphoenolypyruvate bind in a cooperative manner to the enzyme. There is one site for each of these ligands per monomer. In the presence of fructose bisphosphate the binding of phosphoenolpyruvate follows an absorption isotherm, i.e., all homotropic interactions of the substrate are lost. In reciprocal experiments, however, both phosphoenolpyruvate and KCl are required in order to facilitate binding of the activator. The allosteric inhibitors of pyruvate kinase, ATP, succinyl-CoA, and GTP compete on the enzyme surface with the binding of the activator, fructose bisphosphate, Inhibitor pairs such as ATP and succinyl-CoA together bring about not cooperative but only additive inhibition of the binding of the activator. The nucleotide substrate GDP and the allosteric inhibitor GTP have in contrast to the activator two seemingly noninteracting sites on each monomer. In the saturating presence of fructose bisphosphate, however, binding of GDP and possibly also of GTP occurs at only one site on each monomer. Magnesium ions inhibit binding of GDP and GTP. KCl which is an activator of the enzyme along with its analogues, such as ammonia, thallium, rubidium, etc., enhances the binding of phosphoenolpyruvate but not of the nucleotides or fructose bisphosphate. The data are analyzed on the basis of a two-site model, where the substrate and fructose bisphosphate bind to one conformation and the inhibitors to the other.", "contents": "The control of pyruvate kinase of Escherichia coli. Binding of substrate and allosteric effectors to the enzyme activated by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. The binding of various regulatory ligands and substrates to the fructose bisphosphate activated pyruvate kinase from Escherichia coli has been studied at equilibrium. The allosteric activator, fructose bisphosphate, and the substrate phosphoenolypyruvate bind in a cooperative manner to the enzyme. There is one site for each of these ligands per monomer. In the presence of fructose bisphosphate the binding of phosphoenolpyruvate follows an absorption isotherm, i.e., all homotropic interactions of the substrate are lost. In reciprocal experiments, however, both phosphoenolpyruvate and KCl are required in order to facilitate binding of the activator. The allosteric inhibitors of pyruvate kinase, ATP, succinyl-CoA, and GTP compete on the enzyme surface with the binding of the activator, fructose bisphosphate, Inhibitor pairs such as ATP and succinyl-CoA together bring about not cooperative but only additive inhibition of the binding of the activator. The nucleotide substrate GDP and the allosteric inhibitor GTP have in contrast to the activator two seemingly noninteracting sites on each monomer. In the saturating presence of fructose bisphosphate, however, binding of GDP and possibly also of GTP occurs at only one site on each monomer. Magnesium ions inhibit binding of GDP and GTP. KCl which is an activator of the enzyme along with its analogues, such as ammonia, thallium, rubidium, etc., enhances the binding of phosphoenolpyruvate but not of the nucleotides or fructose bisphosphate. The data are analyzed on the basis of a two-site model, where the substrate and fructose bisphosphate bind to one conformation and the inhibitors to the other.", "PMID": 764863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1485", "title": "Fluorescence energy transfer measurements between ligand binding sites of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex.", "content": "The interaction of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex from Escherichia coli with 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), pyruvate, and acetyl-CoA has been investigated using equilibrium binding, steady-state fluorescence, and fluorescence lifetime measurements. The fluorescnece of ANS is greatly enhanced when bound to the enzyme complex and to the pyruvate dehydrogenase component of the complex. Approximately 22 molecules of ANS are bound to a molecule of the complex with a binding constant of 3.69 muM in 0.03 M potassium potassium phosphate (pH 7.0). Direct and competitive binding measurements indicate that about 42 pyruvate binding sites are present per mole of enzyme complex which has been stripped of thiamine diphosphate; the number of binding sites is reduced to 28,5 in the presence of a saturating concentration of thiochrome diphosphate, a thiamine diphosphate analogue. The dissociation constant for pyruvate to the enzyme complex in the presence of thiochrome diphosphate is 308 muM in 0.02 M potassium phosphate (pH 7.0). Pyruvate, thiochrome diphosphate, and acetyl-CoA all displace ANS from the enzyme complex. In the cases of pyruvate and thiochrome diphosphate, the concentration dependence of the displacements suggests the displacement is allosteric, while in the case of acetyl-CoA direct competition appears to be involved. GTP decreased the effect of acetyl-CoA to the enzyme complex indicate that 24-26 bound acetyl-CoA molecules per complex can be readily displaced by ANS, and the binding of acetyl-CoA to these sites displays positive cooperativity. Fluorescence energy transfer measurements between bound ANS on the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme and FAD on the dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase enzyme indicate, assuming the emission and absorption dipoles are randomly oriented, that these two probes must be at least 58 A apart in the intact complex.", "contents": "Fluorescence energy transfer measurements between ligand binding sites of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex. The interaction of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex from Escherichia coli with 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), pyruvate, and acetyl-CoA has been investigated using equilibrium binding, steady-state fluorescence, and fluorescence lifetime measurements. The fluorescnece of ANS is greatly enhanced when bound to the enzyme complex and to the pyruvate dehydrogenase component of the complex. Approximately 22 molecules of ANS are bound to a molecule of the complex with a binding constant of 3.69 muM in 0.03 M potassium potassium phosphate (pH 7.0). Direct and competitive binding measurements indicate that about 42 pyruvate binding sites are present per mole of enzyme complex which has been stripped of thiamine diphosphate; the number of binding sites is reduced to 28,5 in the presence of a saturating concentration of thiochrome diphosphate, a thiamine diphosphate analogue. The dissociation constant for pyruvate to the enzyme complex in the presence of thiochrome diphosphate is 308 muM in 0.02 M potassium phosphate (pH 7.0). Pyruvate, thiochrome diphosphate, and acetyl-CoA all displace ANS from the enzyme complex. In the cases of pyruvate and thiochrome diphosphate, the concentration dependence of the displacements suggests the displacement is allosteric, while in the case of acetyl-CoA direct competition appears to be involved. GTP decreased the effect of acetyl-CoA to the enzyme complex indicate that 24-26 bound acetyl-CoA molecules per complex can be readily displaced by ANS, and the binding of acetyl-CoA to these sites displays positive cooperativity. Fluorescence energy transfer measurements between bound ANS on the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme and FAD on the dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase enzyme indicate, assuming the emission and absorption dipoles are randomly oriented, that these two probes must be at least 58 A apart in the intact complex.", "PMID": 764864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1486", "title": "Randomization of membrane lipids in relation to transport system assembly in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The distribution of newly synthesized lipid molecules in the pre-existing lipid phase of the membrane was studied in whole cells of the fatty acid requiring Escheria coli strain K1062. The fluorescence probe N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine revealed reversible lipid phase transitions in cells supplemented with cis-delta9-octadecenoate (transition temperature Tt = 14 degrees C; width of the transition deltaT = 13 degrees C) or trans-delta9-hexadecenoate (Tt = 27 degrees C; deltaT = 7 degrees C). Cells were first grown in the presence of cis-delta9-octadecenoate at 37 degrees C and subsequently for various periods in the presence of trans-delta9-hexadecenoate at 37 or 22 degrees C, i.e. above or below the transition of the newly formed lipids. Reproducible phase transitions with single, well-defined Tt values between 14 and 27 degrees C were observed under both conditions. Beta-Galactoside transport induced in a similar experiment before or during a change in the fatty acid composition showed a single change in activation energy at a temperature close to the lipid transition temperature, Tt. Starvation of cis-delta9-octadecenoate-supplemented cells for this fatty acid led to a gradual rise in the transition temperature, due to an increase in the percentage of saturated acyl chains in the membrane lipids. It is concluded that under all conditions investigated a mixed lipid phase composed of newly synthesized and pre-existing lipid molecules is formed in the membrane. Since conserved domains of newly synthesized lipids surrounding simultaneously formed transport proteins could not be demonstrated, the results do not support a membrane assembly mechanism proposed by N. Tsukagoshi and C. F. Fox [(1973), Biochemistry 12, 2822-2829]. It rather appears that newly formed lipid molecules are continuously released from their sites of synthesis into the lipid matrix by a rapid diffusion-controlled process.", "contents": "Randomization of membrane lipids in relation to transport system assembly in Escherichia coli. The distribution of newly synthesized lipid molecules in the pre-existing lipid phase of the membrane was studied in whole cells of the fatty acid requiring Escheria coli strain K1062. The fluorescence probe N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine revealed reversible lipid phase transitions in cells supplemented with cis-delta9-octadecenoate (transition temperature Tt = 14 degrees C; width of the transition deltaT = 13 degrees C) or trans-delta9-hexadecenoate (Tt = 27 degrees C; deltaT = 7 degrees C). Cells were first grown in the presence of cis-delta9-octadecenoate at 37 degrees C and subsequently for various periods in the presence of trans-delta9-hexadecenoate at 37 or 22 degrees C, i.e. above or below the transition of the newly formed lipids. Reproducible phase transitions with single, well-defined Tt values between 14 and 27 degrees C were observed under both conditions. Beta-Galactoside transport induced in a similar experiment before or during a change in the fatty acid composition showed a single change in activation energy at a temperature close to the lipid transition temperature, Tt. Starvation of cis-delta9-octadecenoate-supplemented cells for this fatty acid led to a gradual rise in the transition temperature, due to an increase in the percentage of saturated acyl chains in the membrane lipids. It is concluded that under all conditions investigated a mixed lipid phase composed of newly synthesized and pre-existing lipid molecules is formed in the membrane. Since conserved domains of newly synthesized lipids surrounding simultaneously formed transport proteins could not be demonstrated, the results do not support a membrane assembly mechanism proposed by N. Tsukagoshi and C. F. Fox [(1973), Biochemistry 12, 2822-2829]. It rather appears that newly formed lipid molecules are continuously released from their sites of synthesis into the lipid matrix by a rapid diffusion-controlled process.", "PMID": 764865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1487", "title": "Renaturation of a multisubunit multiactivity enzyme complex: recovery of phage Qbeta RNA replicase, EF-Tu, and EF-Ts activities after denaturation in urea.", "content": "Phage Qbeta RNA replicase consists of four nonidentical subunits three of which are required for poly(C)-directed synthesis of poly(G): a phage-coded polypeptide and the two host-supplied protein biosynthesis elongation factors EF-Tu and EF-Ts. After denaturation of the enzyme in 8 M urea, poly(G) polymerase activity can be renaturated by dilution of the denatured subunits into a high ionic strength buffer with glycerol. The renaturation reaction has a broad temperature optimum between 11 and 21 degrees. The extent of renaturation is dependent on enzyme concentration: at low enzyme concentrations and 21 degrees renaturation proceeds for more than 3 h with greater than 40% recovery of activity, whereas at high enzyme concentrations the reaction is complete by 1 h with less than 10% of the poly(G) polymerase activity regained. Activities catalyzed by the elongation factors can be measured while they are part of the replicase complex. Study of rates of renaturation of EF-Tu and EF-Ts dependent activities alone and in the replicase complex revealed that virtually 100% of the EF-Ts activity was recovered more rapidly than could be assayed at temperatures as low as 2 degrees, while the rate of recovery of EF-Tu activity was comparable to that of the poly(G) polymerase activity and was independent of either EF-Tu concentration or the presence of other enzyme subunits. The rate of recovery of the poly(G) polymerase activity was found to be limited by the renaturation of EF-Tu, since the rate was dramatically increased by the addition of undenatured EF-Tu.", "contents": "Renaturation of a multisubunit multiactivity enzyme complex: recovery of phage Qbeta RNA replicase, EF-Tu, and EF-Ts activities after denaturation in urea. Phage Qbeta RNA replicase consists of four nonidentical subunits three of which are required for poly(C)-directed synthesis of poly(G): a phage-coded polypeptide and the two host-supplied protein biosynthesis elongation factors EF-Tu and EF-Ts. After denaturation of the enzyme in 8 M urea, poly(G) polymerase activity can be renaturated by dilution of the denatured subunits into a high ionic strength buffer with glycerol. The renaturation reaction has a broad temperature optimum between 11 and 21 degrees. The extent of renaturation is dependent on enzyme concentration: at low enzyme concentrations and 21 degrees renaturation proceeds for more than 3 h with greater than 40% recovery of activity, whereas at high enzyme concentrations the reaction is complete by 1 h with less than 10% of the poly(G) polymerase activity regained. Activities catalyzed by the elongation factors can be measured while they are part of the replicase complex. Study of rates of renaturation of EF-Tu and EF-Ts dependent activities alone and in the replicase complex revealed that virtually 100% of the EF-Ts activity was recovered more rapidly than could be assayed at temperatures as low as 2 degrees, while the rate of recovery of EF-Tu activity was comparable to that of the poly(G) polymerase activity and was independent of either EF-Tu concentration or the presence of other enzyme subunits. The rate of recovery of the poly(G) polymerase activity was found to be limited by the renaturation of EF-Tu, since the rate was dramatically increased by the addition of undenatured EF-Tu.", "PMID": 764866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1488", "title": "The role of 16S rRNA in ribosomal binding of IF-3.", "content": "The binding of initiation factor IF-3 to Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunits has been found to be inhibited by rRNA ligands such as ethidium bromide, polyamines, and monovalent alkali metals. The order of effectiveness of the polyamines (spermine greater than spermidine greater than putrescine) and alkali metals (Li+ greater than Na+ greater than K+) in inhibiting the ribosomal binding of IF-3 parallels their degree of affinity for the RNA. Furthermore, the binding of IF-3 to 30S subunits chemically modified by photooxidation with rose bengal, nitration with tetranitromethane, and reaction with kethoxal, monoperphthalic acid, and p-chloromercuribenzoic acid was studied. Results obtained after the direct treatment of the 30S subunits with the above chemical reagents or upon reconstitution of 30S particles having a modified rRNA or ribosomal proteins indicate that the IF-3 binding site is preferentially lost when the rRNA becomes modified. It was found that IF-3 could bind normally to 30S subunits lacking protein S1 or proteins S11, S12, S19, and S21 (and perhaps S14) which had been cross-linked to IF-3 in other laboratories.", "contents": "The role of 16S rRNA in ribosomal binding of IF-3. The binding of initiation factor IF-3 to Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunits has been found to be inhibited by rRNA ligands such as ethidium bromide, polyamines, and monovalent alkali metals. The order of effectiveness of the polyamines (spermine greater than spermidine greater than putrescine) and alkali metals (Li+ greater than Na+ greater than K+) in inhibiting the ribosomal binding of IF-3 parallels their degree of affinity for the RNA. Furthermore, the binding of IF-3 to 30S subunits chemically modified by photooxidation with rose bengal, nitration with tetranitromethane, and reaction with kethoxal, monoperphthalic acid, and p-chloromercuribenzoic acid was studied. Results obtained after the direct treatment of the 30S subunits with the above chemical reagents or upon reconstitution of 30S particles having a modified rRNA or ribosomal proteins indicate that the IF-3 binding site is preferentially lost when the rRNA becomes modified. It was found that IF-3 could bind normally to 30S subunits lacking protein S1 or proteins S11, S12, S19, and S21 (and perhaps S14) which had been cross-linked to IF-3 in other laboratories.", "PMID": 764867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1489", "title": "Mechanism of aminoacylation of tRNA. Proof of the aminoacyl adenylate pathway for the isoleucyl- and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases from Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "The following observations show that the formation of isoleucyl-tRNA catalyzed by the isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli K12 involves the initial rapid formation of an isoleucyl adenylate complex followed by the slow, rate-determining, transfer of the isoleucyl moiety to tRNA. (1) The rate constant for the transfer of [14C]Ile from the E-[14C]Ile approximately AMP complex to tRNA is the same as the turnover number for the steady-state isoleucylation of tRNA at pH 7.78 (1.5 s-1) and pH 5.87 (0.34 s-1). (2) On mixing a solution of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase and tRNA with [14C]Ile and ATP the steady-state rate of isoleucylation is attained in the first turnover of the enzyme, with little or no \"burst\" or charging that would indicate a slow step after the transfer step. (3) The pyrophosphate exchange reaction in the presence of tRNA is 40 times faster than the overall rate of isoleucylation of tRNA. (4) Similarly, rapid quenching experiments indicate that isoleucyl adenylate is formed prior to the transfer step. The possibility that isoleucyl adenylate formation is a parallel reaction caused by a second active site on the enzyme is ruled out both by the stoichiometry in this rapid quenching experiment and also the overall stoichiometry of isoleucyl-tRNA formation. At saturating reagent concentrations the major species in solution is the E-tRNA-Ile approximately AMP complex. Similar observations are found for the tyrosyl-tRNA systhetase except that at saturating reagent concentrations the rate constants for both tyrosyl adenylate formation and transfer are similar so that both processes contribute to the rate-determining step.", "contents": "Mechanism of aminoacylation of tRNA. Proof of the aminoacyl adenylate pathway for the isoleucyl- and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases from Escherichia coli K12. The following observations show that the formation of isoleucyl-tRNA catalyzed by the isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli K12 involves the initial rapid formation of an isoleucyl adenylate complex followed by the slow, rate-determining, transfer of the isoleucyl moiety to tRNA. (1) The rate constant for the transfer of [14C]Ile from the E-[14C]Ile approximately AMP complex to tRNA is the same as the turnover number for the steady-state isoleucylation of tRNA at pH 7.78 (1.5 s-1) and pH 5.87 (0.34 s-1). (2) On mixing a solution of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase and tRNA with [14C]Ile and ATP the steady-state rate of isoleucylation is attained in the first turnover of the enzyme, with little or no \"burst\" or charging that would indicate a slow step after the transfer step. (3) The pyrophosphate exchange reaction in the presence of tRNA is 40 times faster than the overall rate of isoleucylation of tRNA. (4) Similarly, rapid quenching experiments indicate that isoleucyl adenylate is formed prior to the transfer step. The possibility that isoleucyl adenylate formation is a parallel reaction caused by a second active site on the enzyme is ruled out both by the stoichiometry in this rapid quenching experiment and also the overall stoichiometry of isoleucyl-tRNA formation. At saturating reagent concentrations the major species in solution is the E-tRNA-Ile approximately AMP complex. Similar observations are found for the tyrosyl-tRNA systhetase except that at saturating reagent concentrations the rate constants for both tyrosyl adenylate formation and transfer are similar so that both processes contribute to the rate-determining step.", "PMID": 764868} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1490", "title": "The binding of near-ultraviolet light-induced tryptophan photoproduct(s) to DNA.", "content": "To test one possible mode of toxicity of L-tryptophan photoproduct(s) to bacterial cells, we have examined the binding of near-ultraviolet light-treated tryptophan to purified Escherichia coli DNA in vitro. The results show that co-irradiated (or pre-irradiated) [3H]tryptophan binds to purified DNA as assayed by trichloroacetic acid co-precipitation of DNA and 3H counts on cellulose filters. This was supported by co-sedimentation of DNA and 3H photoproduct(s) on CsCl gradients. Hot trichloroacetic acid extraction or enzymatic digestion of DNA prevents filter binding. The binding is most efficient when tryptophan and DNA are co-irradiated. Under these conditions, binding is more efficient with denatured rather than native DNA. From kinetic studies, the binding is DNA-dependent at constant doses of near-ultraviolet light. At a dose of 2.16 - 10(6) ergs - mm-2 we estimate that 100-150 L-[3H]tryptophan equivalents are bound per E. coli genome equivalent. The binding does not occur with another aromatic amino acid such as tyrosine.", "contents": "The binding of near-ultraviolet light-induced tryptophan photoproduct(s) to DNA. To test one possible mode of toxicity of L-tryptophan photoproduct(s) to bacterial cells, we have examined the binding of near-ultraviolet light-treated tryptophan to purified Escherichia coli DNA in vitro. The results show that co-irradiated (or pre-irradiated) [3H]tryptophan binds to purified DNA as assayed by trichloroacetic acid co-precipitation of DNA and 3H counts on cellulose filters. This was supported by co-sedimentation of DNA and 3H photoproduct(s) on CsCl gradients. Hot trichloroacetic acid extraction or enzymatic digestion of DNA prevents filter binding. The binding is most efficient when tryptophan and DNA are co-irradiated. Under these conditions, binding is more efficient with denatured rather than native DNA. From kinetic studies, the binding is DNA-dependent at constant doses of near-ultraviolet light. At a dose of 2.16 - 10(6) ergs - mm-2 we estimate that 100-150 L-[3H]tryptophan equivalents are bound per E. coli genome equivalent. The binding does not occur with another aromatic amino acid such as tyrosine.", "PMID": 764869} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1491", "title": "The polypeptide chain growth rate in amino acid-starved Escherichia coli determined by a novel method.", "content": "The proteins synthesized by arginine-requiring Escherichia coli during growth or arginine starvation were characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate to give size distributions. The proteins made during amino acid starvation were smaller than those made by growing cells. This was true for otherwise isogenic rel- (\"relaxed\") and rel+ (\"stringent\") bacteria. Also using electrophoretic profiles, the peptide chain growth rate was estimated by a novel method based on comparison of theoretically predicted and observed kinetics of pulse labeling protein chains of different sizes. During arginine starvation, the rate was 2--5 amino acids/s for both rel- and rel+ cells, compared to 20 amino acids/s for growing cells. The results rule out chain growth-rate differences as an aspect of the \"relaxed\" phenomenon.", "contents": "The polypeptide chain growth rate in amino acid-starved Escherichia coli determined by a novel method. The proteins synthesized by arginine-requiring Escherichia coli during growth or arginine starvation were characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate to give size distributions. The proteins made during amino acid starvation were smaller than those made by growing cells. This was true for otherwise isogenic rel- (\"relaxed\") and rel+ (\"stringent\") bacteria. Also using electrophoretic profiles, the peptide chain growth rate was estimated by a novel method based on comparison of theoretically predicted and observed kinetics of pulse labeling protein chains of different sizes. During arginine starvation, the rate was 2--5 amino acids/s for both rel- and rel+ cells, compared to 20 amino acids/s for growing cells. The results rule out chain growth-rate differences as an aspect of the \"relaxed\" phenomenon.", "PMID": 764870} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1492", "title": "Informational complexity of the nuclear and chloroplast genomes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi.", "content": "DNA - DNA reassociation kinetics analyzed by hydroxylapatite chromatography have been used to determine the informational content of the Chlamydomonas reinhardi nuclear and chloroplast genomes. The kinetics indicate that nuclear DNA, with the exception of ribosomal cistrons, renatures as a single component with an informational complexity 25 times that of the Escherichia coli genome. The chloroplast genome has less than 0.3% of the informational complexity of the nuclear genome, but is present in about 50 copies in the vegetative cell. Chloroplast DNA shows about a 10-12% zero-time binding component.", "contents": "Informational complexity of the nuclear and chloroplast genomes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi. DNA - DNA reassociation kinetics analyzed by hydroxylapatite chromatography have been used to determine the informational content of the Chlamydomonas reinhardi nuclear and chloroplast genomes. The kinetics indicate that nuclear DNA, with the exception of ribosomal cistrons, renatures as a single component with an informational complexity 25 times that of the Escherichia coli genome. The chloroplast genome has less than 0.3% of the informational complexity of the nuclear genome, but is present in about 50 copies in the vegetative cell. Chloroplast DNA shows about a 10-12% zero-time binding component.", "PMID": 764871} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1493", "title": "Phosphorylation of ribosomal proteins from eukaryotes in homologous and heterogous cell-free systems.", "content": "The phosphorylation of ribosomal proteins from eukaryotes in homologous and heterologous cell-free systems has been studied. The ribosomes and protein kinases from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain Bu), wheat (Triticum vulgare) and rabbit (Orystolagus cuniculus) have been used. It has been found that five ribosomal proteins incorporate gamma-32P from ATP during the incubation of wheat ribosomes with wheat protein kinase. When the phosphorylation of isolated wheat ribosomal proteins was examined more phosphoproteins were detected. These data confirm the suggestion that the ribosomal structure affects the phosphorylation. Probably some ribosomal proteins remain hidden for the action of protein kinase. The results from the crossed experiments show that there is no barrier for phosphorylation of yeast ribosomes with liver protein kinase, of wheat ribosomes with yeast and liver protein kinases and of liver ribosomes with yeast and plant protein kinases. The wheat protein kinase does not phosphorylate the yeast ribosomes under these experimental conditions. Some differences in the set of phosphoproteins obtained with various protein kinases have been detected. These data suggest that the ribosomal protein phosphorylation is not highly species specific although it is not universal.", "contents": "Phosphorylation of ribosomal proteins from eukaryotes in homologous and heterogous cell-free systems. The phosphorylation of ribosomal proteins from eukaryotes in homologous and heterologous cell-free systems has been studied. The ribosomes and protein kinases from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain Bu), wheat (Triticum vulgare) and rabbit (Orystolagus cuniculus) have been used. It has been found that five ribosomal proteins incorporate gamma-32P from ATP during the incubation of wheat ribosomes with wheat protein kinase. When the phosphorylation of isolated wheat ribosomal proteins was examined more phosphoproteins were detected. These data confirm the suggestion that the ribosomal structure affects the phosphorylation. Probably some ribosomal proteins remain hidden for the action of protein kinase. The results from the crossed experiments show that there is no barrier for phosphorylation of yeast ribosomes with liver protein kinase, of wheat ribosomes with yeast and liver protein kinases and of liver ribosomes with yeast and plant protein kinases. The wheat protein kinase does not phosphorylate the yeast ribosomes under these experimental conditions. Some differences in the set of phosphoproteins obtained with various protein kinases have been detected. These data suggest that the ribosomal protein phosphorylation is not highly species specific although it is not universal.", "PMID": 764872} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1494", "title": "Inactivation by detergents of the proline transport system in membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli and its reactivation by bovine serum albumin.", "content": "The proline transport system of membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli was inactivated by a low concentration of detergents such as deoxycholate, dodecyl sulfate and Triton X-100. The addition of a large amount of bovine serum albumin to membrane vesicles which had been treated with one of these detergents resulted in the restoration of the proline transport activity. The restoration of the transport activity by bovine serum albumain was most remarkable with the deoxycholate-inactivated membrane vesicle. 80% inactivation of the transport system with 0.005% deoxycholate was completely overcome by the addition of albumin. The degree of restoration was dependent on the concentration of albumin. Although albumin stimulated the proline transport activity itself, the stimulatory effect could not account for the restoration of transport activity. The binding of deoxy [14C]cholate to the membrane vesicle was roughly proportional to the amount of detergent added. Deoxycholate once bound to the membrane vesicle was removed almost completely by the incubation with albumin. It is concluded that the removal of detergent from the membrane vesicle by bovine serum albumin results in the restoration of the proline transport activity.", "contents": "Inactivation by detergents of the proline transport system in membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli and its reactivation by bovine serum albumin. The proline transport system of membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli was inactivated by a low concentration of detergents such as deoxycholate, dodecyl sulfate and Triton X-100. The addition of a large amount of bovine serum albumin to membrane vesicles which had been treated with one of these detergents resulted in the restoration of the proline transport activity. The restoration of the transport activity by bovine serum albumain was most remarkable with the deoxycholate-inactivated membrane vesicle. 80% inactivation of the transport system with 0.005% deoxycholate was completely overcome by the addition of albumin. The degree of restoration was dependent on the concentration of albumin. Although albumin stimulated the proline transport activity itself, the stimulatory effect could not account for the restoration of transport activity. The binding of deoxy [14C]cholate to the membrane vesicle was roughly proportional to the amount of detergent added. Deoxycholate once bound to the membrane vesicle was removed almost completely by the incubation with albumin. It is concluded that the removal of detergent from the membrane vesicle by bovine serum albumin results in the restoration of the proline transport activity.", "PMID": 764873} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1495", "title": "Inhibition of dihydrofolate synthetase by folate, homofolate, pteroate and homopteroate and their reduced forms.", "content": "Dihydrofolate (H2-folate) synthetase (EC 6.3.2.12) was isolated from Escherichia coli B. A radiochemical assay was developed to determine the activity of H2-folate synthetase in order to study the effects of folate metabolites and antimetabolites which would interfere with the microbiological assay method previously used. The effects of folate and pteroate derivatives on the activity of this enzyme were investigated to determine if inhibition of this enzyme could constitute a site of action for these compounds as chemotherapeutic agents or a site of metabolic regulation. H2-folate synthetase was inhibited by its product, H2-folate, and by the antimetabolite dihydrohomopteroate, with apparent Ki values of 23.4 and 9.2 muM, respectively.", "contents": "Inhibition of dihydrofolate synthetase by folate, homofolate, pteroate and homopteroate and their reduced forms. Dihydrofolate (H2-folate) synthetase (EC 6.3.2.12) was isolated from Escherichia coli B. A radiochemical assay was developed to determine the activity of H2-folate synthetase in order to study the effects of folate metabolites and antimetabolites which would interfere with the microbiological assay method previously used. The effects of folate and pteroate derivatives on the activity of this enzyme were investigated to determine if inhibition of this enzyme could constitute a site of action for these compounds as chemotherapeutic agents or a site of metabolic regulation. H2-folate synthetase was inhibited by its product, H2-folate, and by the antimetabolite dihydrohomopteroate, with apparent Ki values of 23.4 and 9.2 muM, respectively.", "PMID": 764876} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1496", "title": "Dimethylaminostyrylmethylpyridiniumiodine (daspmi) as a fluorescent probe for mitochondria in situ.", "content": "An investigation has been made on the properties of dimethylaminostyrylmethylpyridiniumiodine (DASPMI), its reaction with isolated pigeon heart mitochondria and its suitability as a vital strain for mitochondria in situ. DASPMI is a low toxicity specific vital stain for mitochondria in living cells. In vitro dye concentrations over 6 nmol/mg protein inhibit fast (state 3) respiration after a preincubation time of more than 5 min in the presence of substrate. No uncoupling was observed. Energization of pigeon heart mitochondria by addition of ATP or various substrated yields an average 8.5-fold increase in fluorescence intensity in relation to DASPMI-stained mitochondria that are under anoxia, substrate deficiency, or under the influence of respiratory inhibitors, or uncouplers. The alterations in fluorescence intensity are not primarily due to ion movements or pH changes. The amount of dye (2.96+/-0.8 nmol) yielding maximal fluorescence response with 1 mg mitochondrial protein remains constant during energization of mitochondria. As indicated by electron microscopic studies the observed changes in emission intensity may be related to changes in the fine structural organisation of cristae. A remarkable difference exists between isolated mitochondria and mitochondria in situ with respect to the reaction to cyanide. According to the reported results DASPMI will be a useful probe for the investigation of mitochondrial activities in living cells.", "contents": "Dimethylaminostyrylmethylpyridiniumiodine (daspmi) as a fluorescent probe for mitochondria in situ. An investigation has been made on the properties of dimethylaminostyrylmethylpyridiniumiodine (DASPMI), its reaction with isolated pigeon heart mitochondria and its suitability as a vital strain for mitochondria in situ. DASPMI is a low toxicity specific vital stain for mitochondria in living cells. In vitro dye concentrations over 6 nmol/mg protein inhibit fast (state 3) respiration after a preincubation time of more than 5 min in the presence of substrate. No uncoupling was observed. Energization of pigeon heart mitochondria by addition of ATP or various substrated yields an average 8.5-fold increase in fluorescence intensity in relation to DASPMI-stained mitochondria that are under anoxia, substrate deficiency, or under the influence of respiratory inhibitors, or uncouplers. The alterations in fluorescence intensity are not primarily due to ion movements or pH changes. The amount of dye (2.96+/-0.8 nmol) yielding maximal fluorescence response with 1 mg mitochondrial protein remains constant during energization of mitochondria. As indicated by electron microscopic studies the observed changes in emission intensity may be related to changes in the fine structural organisation of cristae. A remarkable difference exists between isolated mitochondria and mitochondria in situ with respect to the reaction to cyanide. According to the reported results DASPMI will be a useful probe for the investigation of mitochondrial activities in living cells.", "PMID": 764877} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1497", "title": "The 5' ends of bacterial RNA. II. The triphosphate-terminated ends of primary gene transcripts.", "content": "Bacterial RNA, Pulse labeled with 32Pi, was digested with pancreatic RNAase. Oligonucleotides containing a triphosphate group at the 5'-hydroxyl, and therefore derived from the original beginning ends of the RNA transcripts, were purified by hydroxyapatite chromatography and analyzed by two-dimensional paper electrophoresis. A broad diversity of species was found, although the distribution among these species was not completely uniform. Possible methods of utilizing these methods in combination with in vitro synthetic techniques are discussed.", "contents": "The 5' ends of bacterial RNA. II. The triphosphate-terminated ends of primary gene transcripts. Bacterial RNA, Pulse labeled with 32Pi, was digested with pancreatic RNAase. Oligonucleotides containing a triphosphate group at the 5'-hydroxyl, and therefore derived from the original beginning ends of the RNA transcripts, were purified by hydroxyapatite chromatography and analyzed by two-dimensional paper electrophoresis. A broad diversity of species was found, although the distribution among these species was not completely uniform. Possible methods of utilizing these methods in combination with in vitro synthetic techniques are discussed.", "PMID": 764878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1498", "title": "Calcium ionophores A23187 and X537A affect cell agglutination by lectins and capping of lymphocyte surface immunoglobulins.", "content": "The microtubule-disruptive drugs colchicine and vinblastine alter ligand-induced redistribution of cell surface immunoglobulins and lectin receptors. These effects can be duplicated by treatment of cells with the divalent cation ionophores A23187 and X537A. Ionophore activity was dependent upon the presence of Ca2+ (1.8 - 10(-3)-4 - 10(-4) M) in the culture medium. The K+-selective ionophore valinomycin had no effect on ligand-induced redistribution of surface receptors. It is suggested that A23187 and X537A impair membrane-associated microtubules involved in transmembrane control of receptor mobility and topography. In contrast to the action of colchicine and vinblastine that bind directly to microtubules, it is proposed that ionophores indirectly affect microtubules by raising the concentration of Ca2+ in the cytoplasm to levels that favor microtubule depolymerization and inhibit microtubule assembly.", "contents": "Calcium ionophores A23187 and X537A affect cell agglutination by lectins and capping of lymphocyte surface immunoglobulins. The microtubule-disruptive drugs colchicine and vinblastine alter ligand-induced redistribution of cell surface immunoglobulins and lectin receptors. These effects can be duplicated by treatment of cells with the divalent cation ionophores A23187 and X537A. Ionophore activity was dependent upon the presence of Ca2+ (1.8 - 10(-3)-4 - 10(-4) M) in the culture medium. The K+-selective ionophore valinomycin had no effect on ligand-induced redistribution of surface receptors. It is suggested that A23187 and X537A impair membrane-associated microtubules involved in transmembrane control of receptor mobility and topography. In contrast to the action of colchicine and vinblastine that bind directly to microtubules, it is proposed that ionophores indirectly affect microtubules by raising the concentration of Ca2+ in the cytoplasm to levels that favor microtubule depolymerization and inhibit microtubule assembly.", "PMID": 764879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1499", "title": "Ionophores X537A and A23187. Effects on the permeability of lipid bimolecular membranes to dopamine and calcium.", "content": "X537A carries dopamine across lipid bimolecular membranes. The rate of transport increases linearly with the X537A concentration and is independent of an electric field across the membrane. The evidence suggests that the permeating species is a neutral 1:1 complex between dopamine and X537A. A23187 does not transport dopamine. The permeability of the membrane to calcium increases as the square of the X537A concentration; the transport of calcium is also increased by A23187. With both ionophores, calcium is probably transported as an uncharged complex. Neither desmethylimipramine nor cocaine alters the transport of dopamine with X537A.", "contents": "Ionophores X537A and A23187. Effects on the permeability of lipid bimolecular membranes to dopamine and calcium. X537A carries dopamine across lipid bimolecular membranes. The rate of transport increases linearly with the X537A concentration and is independent of an electric field across the membrane. The evidence suggests that the permeating species is a neutral 1:1 complex between dopamine and X537A. A23187 does not transport dopamine. The permeability of the membrane to calcium increases as the square of the X537A concentration; the transport of calcium is also increased by A23187. With both ionophores, calcium is probably transported as an uncharged complex. Neither desmethylimipramine nor cocaine alters the transport of dopamine with X537A.", "PMID": 764880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1500", "title": "Microtelemetry--the use of integrated circuits in biotelemetry.", "content": "Integrated circuits are now in widespread use in such equipment as computers and consumer electronics, where their low cost, high reliability and small size are their principal advantages. In biotelemetry, small size is of particular importance. Here the use of integrated circuits allows systems of considerable complexity to be produced with high reliability in small packages. Commercial integrated circuits with the low power consumption and low voltage operation needed for biotelemetry are now becoming available; some such applications are briefly reviewed. In addition, examples of the use of custom integrated circuits in biotelemetry, and of the use of integrated circuit technology to build unique transducers and assemblies, are described.", "contents": "Microtelemetry--the use of integrated circuits in biotelemetry. Integrated circuits are now in widespread use in such equipment as computers and consumer electronics, where their low cost, high reliability and small size are their principal advantages. In biotelemetry, small size is of particular importance. Here the use of integrated circuits allows systems of considerable complexity to be produced with high reliability in small packages. Commercial integrated circuits with the low power consumption and low voltage operation needed for biotelemetry are now becoming available; some such applications are briefly reviewed. In addition, examples of the use of custom integrated circuits in biotelemetry, and of the use of integrated circuit technology to build unique transducers and assemblies, are described.", "PMID": 764888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1501", "title": "Biorhythms in toxicology and pharmacology. II. infradian biorhythms and general discussion.", "content": "In man circaseptidian (weekly) rhythm has been established in certain employements where a delayed pulmonary allergic reaction is observed. Circatrigintan (monthly) rhythms related to the biological effects of the rotation of the moon around the earth or of the rotation of the sun around its axis have not been definitely pointed out in man. The demonstration of a circannual (seasonal) biorhythmicity of responses to drugs and toxins requires long runs of observations (5-7 years). However circannual, as well as infrannual rhythms, should not be dismissed as they are consequences of biometeorological factors the actions of which at least for temperature on toxic reactions are admitted. Besides the influences of endogenous factors such as sex and aging perturbate the endocrinological modulations of these biorhythms and complicate the scope of such a research. The cyclic action mechanism of therapeutic and toxic agents appears to be a direct impact on intrinsic enzymatic rhythms of different periods entrained by the physical, chemical and principally psychophysiological factors of man's environment.", "contents": "Biorhythms in toxicology and pharmacology. II. infradian biorhythms and general discussion. In man circaseptidian (weekly) rhythm has been established in certain employements where a delayed pulmonary allergic reaction is observed. Circatrigintan (monthly) rhythms related to the biological effects of the rotation of the moon around the earth or of the rotation of the sun around its axis have not been definitely pointed out in man. The demonstration of a circannual (seasonal) biorhythmicity of responses to drugs and toxins requires long runs of observations (5-7 years). However circannual, as well as infrannual rhythms, should not be dismissed as they are consequences of biometeorological factors the actions of which at least for temperature on toxic reactions are admitted. Besides the influences of endogenous factors such as sex and aging perturbate the endocrinological modulations of these biorhythms and complicate the scope of such a research. The cyclic action mechanism of therapeutic and toxic agents appears to be a direct impact on intrinsic enzymatic rhythms of different periods entrained by the physical, chemical and principally psychophysiological factors of man's environment.", "PMID": 764889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1502", "title": "The effect of prednisone on the non-stimulated and the stimulated NBT test.", "content": "The non-stimulated and stimulated nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye test was studied in five normal adults in sequence, viz. before and at intervals after prednisone was given as one large dose. A negative effect of prednisone on the NBT response was seen. This applied to both the non-stimulated and stimulated NBT test. For the latter five different toxins were used. At the same time a pronounced neutrophil granulocytosis was seen. The depression of the NBT test is present both in the percentage of NBT-stained neutrophils and when expressed in absolute counts of NBT-strained neutrophils.", "contents": "The effect of prednisone on the non-stimulated and the stimulated NBT test. The non-stimulated and stimulated nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye test was studied in five normal adults in sequence, viz. before and at intervals after prednisone was given as one large dose. A negative effect of prednisone on the NBT response was seen. This applied to both the non-stimulated and stimulated NBT test. For the latter five different toxins were used. At the same time a pronounced neutrophil granulocytosis was seen. The depression of the NBT test is present both in the percentage of NBT-stained neutrophils and when expressed in absolute counts of NBT-strained neutrophils.", "PMID": 764890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1503", "title": "Ultrastructure of the contractile system of striated skeletal muscle and the processes of muscular contraction. I. Ultrastructure of the myofibril and source of energy.", "content": "1) The contractile system consists of thick and thin filaments arranged side by side in a double network of hexagonal cross-section. 2) The thick filaments are principally made up of myosin and the thin ones of actin, tropomyosin and troponin. 3) Myosin is an enzyme catalysing the hydrolysis of ATP; actin increases the specific activity of this enzyme, converting it from a Ca+2 sensitive ATPase to a Mg+2 sensitive ATPase. 4) Hydrolysis of the last phosphoryl group of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) salts is the energy source for muscle contraction. 5) The adenosine diphosphate (ADP) salts, formed by ATP splitting, are rephosphorylated and reinjected into the myofibril.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of the contractile system of striated skeletal muscle and the processes of muscular contraction. I. Ultrastructure of the myofibril and source of energy. 1) The contractile system consists of thick and thin filaments arranged side by side in a double network of hexagonal cross-section. 2) The thick filaments are principally made up of myosin and the thin ones of actin, tropomyosin and troponin. 3) Myosin is an enzyme catalysing the hydrolysis of ATP; actin increases the specific activity of this enzyme, converting it from a Ca+2 sensitive ATPase to a Mg+2 sensitive ATPase. 4) Hydrolysis of the last phosphoryl group of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) salts is the energy source for muscle contraction. 5) The adenosine diphosphate (ADP) salts, formed by ATP splitting, are rephosphorylated and reinjected into the myofibril.", "PMID": 764891} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1504", "title": "[Idnetification of DNA methylases in Escherichia coli CK cells].", "content": "E. coli CK cell are found to contain metylase which catalyses the incorporation of CH33-groups into tissue and phage DNAs in vitro in the presence of S-adenosyl-L-methionine, the donor of methyl groups. The enzyme was precipitated by (NH4)2SO4 of 30-60% saturation, which increased its specific activity in 1.9 times. Metylase was active both in phosphate and Tris. HCl buffers, pH 6.5-7.5 and did not require Mg2+, EDTA and dithiotreithol. The enzyme recognises certain nucleotide sequences in all the DNAs studied and has more wide specificity as compared with the enzyme from E. coli B. Methylase from E. coli CK developed the highest activity with thymus DNA. Methylase from rat liver nuclei turned to be inactive with bacteriophage DNA.", "contents": "[Idnetification of DNA methylases in Escherichia coli CK cells]. E. coli CK cell are found to contain metylase which catalyses the incorporation of CH33-groups into tissue and phage DNAs in vitro in the presence of S-adenosyl-L-methionine, the donor of methyl groups. The enzyme was precipitated by (NH4)2SO4 of 30-60% saturation, which increased its specific activity in 1.9 times. Metylase was active both in phosphate and Tris. HCl buffers, pH 6.5-7.5 and did not require Mg2+, EDTA and dithiotreithol. The enzyme recognises certain nucleotide sequences in all the DNAs studied and has more wide specificity as compared with the enzyme from E. coli B. Methylase from E. coli CK developed the highest activity with thymus DNA. Methylase from rat liver nuclei turned to be inactive with bacteriophage DNA.", "PMID": 764884} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1505", "title": "[Purification, heterogeneity and some properties of T2 bacteriophage lysozyme].", "content": "Free T2 bacteriophage lysozyme is isolated and purified from 80 l portion of phagolysate by means of ballast protein and bacterial debris precipitation with rivanol, two-stage fractionation on amberlit IRC-50 and chromatography on CM-Sephadex C-50. Purified enzyme is homogenous under polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate, it has a molecular weight value similar to that in the literature. A presence of two active enzyme forms (I and II) is demonstrated. They can be separated by means of analytical electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel at pH 4,5 and of ion-exchange chromatography on Amberlite IRC-50. T2 lysozymes I and II do not differ in their amino acid composition, ORD parameters, and they are not interconversible. Heterogeneity of phage lysozyme is shown not to be an artefact and to be due neither to heterogeneity of the initial phage poluation, nor to aggregation and to oxidation of enzyme SH-groups. The content of alpha-helix regions, as estimated by ORD is higher in phage lysozyme than in hen egg-white lysozyme, which evidences that these proteins are non-homologous.", "contents": "[Purification, heterogeneity and some properties of T2 bacteriophage lysozyme]. Free T2 bacteriophage lysozyme is isolated and purified from 80 l portion of phagolysate by means of ballast protein and bacterial debris precipitation with rivanol, two-stage fractionation on amberlit IRC-50 and chromatography on CM-Sephadex C-50. Purified enzyme is homogenous under polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate, it has a molecular weight value similar to that in the literature. A presence of two active enzyme forms (I and II) is demonstrated. They can be separated by means of analytical electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel at pH 4,5 and of ion-exchange chromatography on Amberlite IRC-50. T2 lysozymes I and II do not differ in their amino acid composition, ORD parameters, and they are not interconversible. Heterogeneity of phage lysozyme is shown not to be an artefact and to be due neither to heterogeneity of the initial phage poluation, nor to aggregation and to oxidation of enzyme SH-groups. The content of alpha-helix regions, as estimated by ORD is higher in phage lysozyme than in hen egg-white lysozyme, which evidences that these proteins are non-homologous.", "PMID": 764885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1506", "title": "Physiological significance of the lymphocytic cell coat.", "content": "The lymphocytes are coated by an external glycoprotein layer the so-called cell coat. There is some difference between the structure of the cell coat of T- and B-derived lymphocytes. The cell coat represents the chemical basis of some lymphocytic properties, i.e. their homing and electrophoretic mobility and it plays and important role in the expression of antigenicity of lymphocytes and the triggering of blast transformation.", "contents": "Physiological significance of the lymphocytic cell coat. The lymphocytes are coated by an external glycoprotein layer the so-called cell coat. There is some difference between the structure of the cell coat of T- and B-derived lymphocytes. The cell coat represents the chemical basis of some lymphocytic properties, i.e. their homing and electrophoretic mobility and it plays and important role in the expression of antigenicity of lymphocytes and the triggering of blast transformation.", "PMID": 764892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1507", "title": "A rosette technique for identification of human mononuclear cells bearing Fc receptors.", "content": "A rosette technique has been described which showed some human mononuclear cells to bind chicken red blood cells coated with rabbit anti-chicken erythrocyte antibodies (EA). Intact 7S Ig, but not their F(ab')2 fragments, were found to sensitize chicken erythrocytes; therefore it was concluded that this rosette technique detects cells bearing receptors for the Fc portion of IgG. Among the different parameters of the reaction which were studied, centrigugation at 4 degrees C appeared necessary for obtaining the maximum number of rosettes. Kinetics of rosette dissociation indicated low and heterogeneous binding avidities. Distribution of EA-rosette forming cells among different organs appeared extremely heterogeneous: 8-28% were found in blood, spleen and bone marrow, whereas about 3% were found in lymph nodes and less than 1% in tonsils and thymus; this suggests that EA-rosette forming cells are not restricted to a single subclass of either T or B lymphocytes.", "contents": "A rosette technique for identification of human mononuclear cells bearing Fc receptors. A rosette technique has been described which showed some human mononuclear cells to bind chicken red blood cells coated with rabbit anti-chicken erythrocyte antibodies (EA). Intact 7S Ig, but not their F(ab')2 fragments, were found to sensitize chicken erythrocytes; therefore it was concluded that this rosette technique detects cells bearing receptors for the Fc portion of IgG. Among the different parameters of the reaction which were studied, centrigugation at 4 degrees C appeared necessary for obtaining the maximum number of rosettes. Kinetics of rosette dissociation indicated low and heterogeneous binding avidities. Distribution of EA-rosette forming cells among different organs appeared extremely heterogeneous: 8-28% were found in blood, spleen and bone marrow, whereas about 3% were found in lymph nodes and less than 1% in tonsils and thymus; this suggests that EA-rosette forming cells are not restricted to a single subclass of either T or B lymphocytes.", "PMID": 764893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1508", "title": "[Correlation of protein synthesis and degradation of messenger RNA in E. coli].", "content": "More than 80% of rapidly labelled RNA is found to be bound with cytoplasmic membranes of E. coli and only 17% was discovered in cytoplasmic fraction. 96% of DNA was found in the cytoplasmic membrane fraction. The treatment of E. coli homogenate with sodium deoxycholate resulted in the release of rapidly labelled RNA from membranes. The analysis of membrane-bound rapidly labelled RNA in sucrose density gradient (10-40%) revealed that it sedimented in the polyribosome region. Incubation of E. coli cells with actinomycin D for 10 min at 37 degrees C resulted in the decrease of membrane-bound radioactivity in the polysome region (31% as compared with 55% in the control culture which was incubated for 20 sec with 14C-orotate). The inhibition of protein synthesis with chloramphenicol or puromycin interrupted the decomposition of polysomes in the presence of actinomycin D. The radioactivity of polysomes in these experiments was 50% and 47% respectively and was comparable with the control. Under dialysis of rapidly labelled RNA fraction against buffer with minimal concentration of Mg2+ (0,1 mM) the elimination of the label from the polysome region was observed. The prolongation of the incubation of cells with actinomycin D resulted in the decrease of protein synthetising ability of the membrane fraction. The increase of the inhibition level of protein synthesis by chloramphenicol was shown to result in the increase of the amount of membrane-bound rapidly labelled RNA, which remained stable in the presence of actinomycin D. A number of arguments of the hypothesis on the role of protein in the initiation mechanism of the decomposition of mRNA in bacteria is discussed.", "contents": "[Correlation of protein synthesis and degradation of messenger RNA in E. coli]. More than 80% of rapidly labelled RNA is found to be bound with cytoplasmic membranes of E. coli and only 17% was discovered in cytoplasmic fraction. 96% of DNA was found in the cytoplasmic membrane fraction. The treatment of E. coli homogenate with sodium deoxycholate resulted in the release of rapidly labelled RNA from membranes. The analysis of membrane-bound rapidly labelled RNA in sucrose density gradient (10-40%) revealed that it sedimented in the polyribosome region. Incubation of E. coli cells with actinomycin D for 10 min at 37 degrees C resulted in the decrease of membrane-bound radioactivity in the polysome region (31% as compared with 55% in the control culture which was incubated for 20 sec with 14C-orotate). The inhibition of protein synthesis with chloramphenicol or puromycin interrupted the decomposition of polysomes in the presence of actinomycin D. The radioactivity of polysomes in these experiments was 50% and 47% respectively and was comparable with the control. Under dialysis of rapidly labelled RNA fraction against buffer with minimal concentration of Mg2+ (0,1 mM) the elimination of the label from the polysome region was observed. The prolongation of the incubation of cells with actinomycin D resulted in the decrease of protein synthetising ability of the membrane fraction. The increase of the inhibition level of protein synthesis by chloramphenicol was shown to result in the increase of the amount of membrane-bound rapidly labelled RNA, which remained stable in the presence of actinomycin D. A number of arguments of the hypothesis on the role of protein in the initiation mechanism of the decomposition of mRNA in bacteria is discussed.", "PMID": 764883} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1509", "title": "Granulomatous hepatitis caused by B.C.G. injection during immunotherapy of a malignant melanoma.", "content": "The authors report a case of granulomatous hepatitis after treatment by B.C.G. in a patient with malignant melanoma. The patient was treated for one year by an association of chemotherapy and lyophilized B.C.G. (Pasteur Institute). Aside from the rarity of the localization the importance of this observation resides in the discovery of B.C.G. after auramine staining in the liver suggesting that the hepatic lesions were linked to the in situ presence of mycobacteria.", "contents": "Granulomatous hepatitis caused by B.C.G. injection during immunotherapy of a malignant melanoma. The authors report a case of granulomatous hepatitis after treatment by B.C.G. in a patient with malignant melanoma. The patient was treated for one year by an association of chemotherapy and lyophilized B.C.G. (Pasteur Institute). Aside from the rarity of the localization the importance of this observation resides in the discovery of B.C.G. after auramine staining in the liver suggesting that the hepatic lesions were linked to the in situ presence of mycobacteria.", "PMID": 764894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1510", "title": "Abnormal neuronal differentiation (functional maturation) in mental retardation.", "content": "A review is presented of a variety of human pathologic conditions, including some forms of mental retardation, and of experimental situations involving the nervous system proved (with the Golgi method) to be associated with detectable morphologic abnormalities. The postsynaptic elements (the dendritic spines) have been found to be especially sensitive and frequently they are found to be structurally abnormal. Structural abnormalities involving one of the synaptic components could result in synaptic dysfunction which could explain some degree of mental or motor retardation or incoordination. It is hoped that this review will stimulate and encourage the use of the Golgi method in the study of abnormal conditions (clinical or experimental) affecting the nervous system.", "contents": "Abnormal neuronal differentiation (functional maturation) in mental retardation. A review is presented of a variety of human pathologic conditions, including some forms of mental retardation, and of experimental situations involving the nervous system proved (with the Golgi method) to be associated with detectable morphologic abnormalities. The postsynaptic elements (the dendritic spines) have been found to be especially sensitive and frequently they are found to be structurally abnormal. Structural abnormalities involving one of the synaptic components could result in synaptic dysfunction which could explain some degree of mental or motor retardation or incoordination. It is hoped that this review will stimulate and encourage the use of the Golgi method in the study of abnormal conditions (clinical or experimental) affecting the nervous system.", "PMID": 764896} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1511", "title": "Median facial malformations and their implications for brain malformations.", "content": "For purposes of identifying craniofacial syndromes which predict brain malformations the face can be regarded as developing from 2 sources. The median and paramedian structures derive from the embryonic segment of the face, termed the frontonasal prominence. The lateral structures of the face derive from the branchial arches. Certain patterns of median plane facial anomalies predict a severe brain malformation, while other patterns, although producing equally grotesque facial malformations, bear little association with a malformed brain. Orbital hypotelorism may occur in a variety of syndromes with microcephaly. When combined in typical patterns with other median plane facial defects, the patient almost certainly has holoprosencephaly, and has a poor prognosis for useful psychomotor development and survival. To the current knowledge of the author, every patient with orbital hypotelorism and total aplasia of the intermaxillary segment has a severely malformed brain. These patients, with only a rare exception, make no useful psychomotor progress and die in infancy. Orbital hypertelorism implies an increased risk of a neurologically abnormal patient, but neither the mental deficiency nor the prognosis for survival are as poor as in hypotelorism. When hypertelorism is combined with certain median plane facial anomalies the patient has the median cleft face syndrome and most likely has normal mentality, or only mild retardation, and has a normal prognosis for survival.", "contents": "Median facial malformations and their implications for brain malformations. For purposes of identifying craniofacial syndromes which predict brain malformations the face can be regarded as developing from 2 sources. The median and paramedian structures derive from the embryonic segment of the face, termed the frontonasal prominence. The lateral structures of the face derive from the branchial arches. Certain patterns of median plane facial anomalies predict a severe brain malformation, while other patterns, although producing equally grotesque facial malformations, bear little association with a malformed brain. Orbital hypotelorism may occur in a variety of syndromes with microcephaly. When combined in typical patterns with other median plane facial defects, the patient almost certainly has holoprosencephaly, and has a poor prognosis for useful psychomotor development and survival. To the current knowledge of the author, every patient with orbital hypotelorism and total aplasia of the intermaxillary segment has a severely malformed brain. These patients, with only a rare exception, make no useful psychomotor progress and die in infancy. Orbital hypertelorism implies an increased risk of a neurologically abnormal patient, but neither the mental deficiency nor the prognosis for survival are as poor as in hypotelorism. When hypertelorism is combined with certain median plane facial anomalies the patient has the median cleft face syndrome and most likely has normal mentality, or only mild retardation, and has a normal prognosis for survival.", "PMID": 764897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1512", "title": "[The reaction of pepsin and pepsinogen with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide].", "content": "The reaction of pig pepsin and pepsinogen with 3H-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC-T) is studied. It is found that about three residues of DCC-H incorporate into pepsin molecule and about four residues--into pepsinogen molecule under the excess of carbodiimide. The incorporation of DCC-T into protein results in a deep enzyme and zymogen inactivation: pepsine retains 20% of the proteolytic activity with respect to hemoglobin, and pepsinogen completely loses its potential proteolytic activity. It is found that a part of DCC-T residues attaches to N-terminal part of pepsinogen, which splits off under the activation of proenzyme in acid medium. It is demonstrated that the interaction of DCC-T with carboxyl groups of dicarbonic amino acids results in the change of isoelectric point of pepsin and pepsinogen.", "contents": "[The reaction of pepsin and pepsinogen with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide]. The reaction of pig pepsin and pepsinogen with 3H-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC-T) is studied. It is found that about three residues of DCC-H incorporate into pepsin molecule and about four residues--into pepsinogen molecule under the excess of carbodiimide. The incorporation of DCC-T into protein results in a deep enzyme and zymogen inactivation: pepsine retains 20% of the proteolytic activity with respect to hemoglobin, and pepsinogen completely loses its potential proteolytic activity. It is found that a part of DCC-T residues attaches to N-terminal part of pepsinogen, which splits off under the activation of proenzyme in acid medium. It is demonstrated that the interaction of DCC-T with carboxyl groups of dicarbonic amino acids results in the change of isoelectric point of pepsin and pepsinogen.", "PMID": 764886} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1513", "title": "Cartilage in the face.", "content": "Cartilaginous influence in the face begins with the formation of the early chondrocranium and continues into the postnatal life with the persisting derivatives of the chondrocranium, the cranial base synchondroses and the nasal septum, and with the secondary cartilage of the mandibular condyle. A review of available data indicates that the cartilages should be considered as integral parts of a holistic system, and that their role within this system most likely diminishes with age.", "contents": "Cartilage in the face. Cartilaginous influence in the face begins with the formation of the early chondrocranium and continues into the postnatal life with the persisting derivatives of the chondrocranium, the cranial base synchondroses and the nasal septum, and with the secondary cartilage of the mandibular condyle. A review of available data indicates that the cartilages should be considered as integral parts of a holistic system, and that their role within this system most likely diminishes with age.", "PMID": 764898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1514", "title": "A critical analysis of the growth in length of the cranial base.", "content": "The basicranium chondrifies and ossifies in a posteroanterior, but ceases growth in an anteroposterior sequence. The synchondroses respond to \"built-in\" and local influences, show symmetric or asymmetric bipolar growth and cease growth long before synostosis. Individual variations in amount of bone formation occur in them within an overall species pattern. The ethmoid stops elongating early in man and rhesus monkey, but grows until maturity, although least of all the basicranial bones, in other animals. The hypophyseal fossa drifts significantly caudally.", "contents": "A critical analysis of the growth in length of the cranial base. The basicranium chondrifies and ossifies in a posteroanterior, but ceases growth in an anteroposterior sequence. The synchondroses respond to \"built-in\" and local influences, show symmetric or asymmetric bipolar growth and cease growth long before synostosis. Individual variations in amount of bone formation occur in them within an overall species pattern. The ethmoid stops elongating early in man and rhesus monkey, but grows until maturity, although least of all the basicranial bones, in other animals. The hypophyseal fossa drifts significantly caudally.", "PMID": 764899} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1515", "title": "[Morphometry of the juxtaglomerular apparatus of allo-transplanted human kidneys].", "content": "Juxtaglomerular appartus of 17 allotransplanted human kidneys was studied by the karyometric method at various periods of existence in the recipient's organism. Kidneys of persons who died of craniocerebral trauma or acute cardiac incompetence served as control. At the early periods (up to 2 months) there was revealed an authentic increase in the nuclear volume of the epitheloid-modified cells of the afferent arteriole and of the Goormaghtigh cells. There was also a tendency to increase in the volume of the macula densa cells. At the late periods the juxtamolecular apparatus persisted in the allotransplanted kidneys with a but little injured parenchyma. Reduction of the juxtaglomerular appartus occurred in case of marked sclerosis and atrophy of the transplant parenchyma.", "contents": "[Morphometry of the juxtaglomerular apparatus of allo-transplanted human kidneys]. Juxtaglomerular appartus of 17 allotransplanted human kidneys was studied by the karyometric method at various periods of existence in the recipient's organism. Kidneys of persons who died of craniocerebral trauma or acute cardiac incompetence served as control. At the early periods (up to 2 months) there was revealed an authentic increase in the nuclear volume of the epitheloid-modified cells of the afferent arteriole and of the Goormaghtigh cells. There was also a tendency to increase in the volume of the macula densa cells. At the late periods the juxtamolecular apparatus persisted in the allotransplanted kidneys with a but little injured parenchyma. Reduction of the juxtaglomerular appartus occurred in case of marked sclerosis and atrophy of the transplant parenchyma.", "PMID": 764900} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1516", "title": "The priority of malaria eradication programs.", "content": "The planning of health activities begins with the setting of priorities--that is to say, the selection and arrangement of the problems to be attacked in an order consistent with their gravity and the possibilities that exist for the adoption of effective measures for their soultion. The assignment of priorities not only implies financial, administrative, and manpower support, but also involves the continuing renewal of health workers' interest in fulfilling the tasks that have been entrusted to them. According to the extent and severity of the problem, priorities may have to be envisaged on a world, continental, regional, or local scale. Ever since the beginning of the present century the Governments of the Americas have accorded high priority to malaria control and, since 1954, to its eradication. In recent years malaria programs in the Americas have been classified into three groups according to their epidemiologic status and prospects for the future. As of 1974, Group I included the 12 political units (countries or territories) in which malaria had been eradicated. These units should give suitable priority to activities for ensuring that they remain free of the disease. Group II was composed of eight units whose prospects of achieving eradication within a short period were good. Here the highest priority should go to efforts designed to eliminate residual foci and to complete the last steps toward ultimate eradication. Group III contained 14 units, the majority of which had part of their territories in the consolidation or maintenance phase. In some of these Group III units malaria eradication could be achieved within a short period if additional funds are found; in others the situation is quite different and eradication cannot be expected in a foreseeable time. The latter units should therefore give high priority to activities that will conserve the gains already made (in those areas which are in the consolidation and maintenance phases) and that will gradually reduce the incidence of malaria in areas that are still in the attack phase. In general, when a malaria program is given high priority by the Government concerned, adequate funds for the campaign can be obtained more redily, either through the regular budget or from international and bilateral agencies.", "contents": "The priority of malaria eradication programs. The planning of health activities begins with the setting of priorities--that is to say, the selection and arrangement of the problems to be attacked in an order consistent with their gravity and the possibilities that exist for the adoption of effective measures for their soultion. The assignment of priorities not only implies financial, administrative, and manpower support, but also involves the continuing renewal of health workers' interest in fulfilling the tasks that have been entrusted to them. According to the extent and severity of the problem, priorities may have to be envisaged on a world, continental, regional, or local scale. Ever since the beginning of the present century the Governments of the Americas have accorded high priority to malaria control and, since 1954, to its eradication. In recent years malaria programs in the Americas have been classified into three groups according to their epidemiologic status and prospects for the future. As of 1974, Group I included the 12 political units (countries or territories) in which malaria had been eradicated. These units should give suitable priority to activities for ensuring that they remain free of the disease. Group II was composed of eight units whose prospects of achieving eradication within a short period were good. Here the highest priority should go to efforts designed to eliminate residual foci and to complete the last steps toward ultimate eradication. Group III contained 14 units, the majority of which had part of their territories in the consolidation or maintenance phase. In some of these Group III units malaria eradication could be achieved within a short period if additional funds are found; in others the situation is quite different and eradication cannot be expected in a foreseeable time. The latter units should therefore give high priority to activities that will conserve the gains already made (in those areas which are in the consolidation and maintenance phases) and that will gradually reduce the incidence of malaria in areas that are still in the attack phase. In general, when a malaria program is given high priority by the Government concerned, adequate funds for the campaign can be obtained more redily, either through the regular budget or from international and bilateral agencies.", "PMID": 764904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1517", "title": "Biological considerations in the treatment of breast cancer: the \"fall out\" from clinical trials.", "content": "The evolution of the treatment for early breast cancer has now reached a critical period. At long last the conflicting claims of the anatomical and biological approaches towards treatment of this disease are being resolved by the application of prospective randomised clinical trials. The recognition that host factors exist which may place a constraint on the spread of cancer, and that haematogenous dissemination may occur long before the tumour has reached clinical proportions, has shaken the whole basis upon which \"radical\" cancer therapy is based. Furthermore, experimental work has suggested that lymphadenectomy or regional radiotherapy may produce sufficient disturbance to the immune competence of the host to allow the outgrowth of occult distant tumour foci. Prospective randomised clinical trials designed to determine the most effective local treatment have incidentally produced biological \"fall out\" which has thrown additional light on the behaviour and nature of breast cancer. It transpires that untreated mediastinal or axillary lymph nodes appear to have little growth potential of their own, or is it likely that they act as a reservoir for further metastatic dissemination. It is at last becoming accepted that irrespective of the extent of local therapy, the outcome for \"early\" breast cancer is predetermined by the extent of subclinical distant metastases at the time of presentation. In order to improve the results therefore, some form of adjuvant systemic therapy is essential. A number of clinical trials are at present underway designed to explore the most effective means of controlling minimal residual cancer following local ablation of the tumour.", "contents": "Biological considerations in the treatment of breast cancer: the \"fall out\" from clinical trials. The evolution of the treatment for early breast cancer has now reached a critical period. At long last the conflicting claims of the anatomical and biological approaches towards treatment of this disease are being resolved by the application of prospective randomised clinical trials. The recognition that host factors exist which may place a constraint on the spread of cancer, and that haematogenous dissemination may occur long before the tumour has reached clinical proportions, has shaken the whole basis upon which \"radical\" cancer therapy is based. Furthermore, experimental work has suggested that lymphadenectomy or regional radiotherapy may produce sufficient disturbance to the immune competence of the host to allow the outgrowth of occult distant tumour foci. Prospective randomised clinical trials designed to determine the most effective local treatment have incidentally produced biological \"fall out\" which has thrown additional light on the behaviour and nature of breast cancer. It transpires that untreated mediastinal or axillary lymph nodes appear to have little growth potential of their own, or is it likely that they act as a reservoir for further metastatic dissemination. It is at last becoming accepted that irrespective of the extent of local therapy, the outcome for \"early\" breast cancer is predetermined by the extent of subclinical distant metastases at the time of presentation. In order to improve the results therefore, some form of adjuvant systemic therapy is essential. A number of clinical trials are at present underway designed to explore the most effective means of controlling minimal residual cancer following local ablation of the tumour.", "PMID": 764902} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1518", "title": "Transmission of hepatitis type B from healthy HBsAg-positive mothers.", "content": "Seventeen mothers, all apparently healthy carriers of hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) during pregnancy, and their children were studied for four to five years to determine the transmission rate of hepatitis-B virus infection. All the mothers had antibody against hepatitis-B core antigen in addition to HBsAg. One of them, a renal transplant recipient, was persistently positive for hepatitis-B-associated e antigen (HBeAg), while the remaining 16, who were detected during screening of healthy pregnant women were positive for anti-HBe. Evidence of infection was found in the child and husband of the woman positive for HBeAg, while none of the 29 children and five husbands of the anti-HBe-positive women became infected.", "contents": "Transmission of hepatitis type B from healthy HBsAg-positive mothers. Seventeen mothers, all apparently healthy carriers of hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) during pregnancy, and their children were studied for four to five years to determine the transmission rate of hepatitis-B virus infection. All the mothers had antibody against hepatitis-B core antigen in addition to HBsAg. One of them, a renal transplant recipient, was persistently positive for hepatitis-B-associated e antigen (HBeAg), while the remaining 16, who were detected during screening of healthy pregnant women were positive for anti-HBe. Evidence of infection was found in the child and husband of the woman positive for HBeAg, while none of the 29 children and five husbands of the anti-HBe-positive women became infected.", "PMID": 764911} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1519", "title": "Role of doxapram in reducing pulmonary complications after major surgery.", "content": "In a double-blind study patients given a single dose of doxapram 1-5-2-0 mg/kg combined with morphine postoperatively had a significantly lower incidence of reflex postoperative cough and expectoration of purulent sputum than patients given morphine alone. They also had significantly higher arterial oxygen tensions five days postoperatively. Smaller differences were found with naloxone combined with morphine.", "contents": "Role of doxapram in reducing pulmonary complications after major surgery. In a double-blind study patients given a single dose of doxapram 1-5-2-0 mg/kg combined with morphine postoperatively had a significantly lower incidence of reflex postoperative cough and expectoration of purulent sputum than patients given morphine alone. They also had significantly higher arterial oxygen tensions five days postoperatively. Smaller differences were found with naloxone combined with morphine.", "PMID": 764914} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1520", "title": "Three-day and ten-day chemotherapy for urinary tract infections in general practice.", "content": "The length of a course of antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infection varies with the habits of the prescriber. Many patients do not complete a course of treatment once their symptoms have subsided. In uncomplicated urinary tract infection among women seen in general practice a three-day course of amoxycillin was as effective as a 10-day course of the same drug in the same dose. Relief of symptoms was equal in both groups and bacteriuria was eliminated equally successfully in both regimens. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of side effects from the drugs. The financial saving which could accrue from adopting this therapeutic regimen would be significant.", "contents": "Three-day and ten-day chemotherapy for urinary tract infections in general practice. The length of a course of antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infection varies with the habits of the prescriber. Many patients do not complete a course of treatment once their symptoms have subsided. In uncomplicated urinary tract infection among women seen in general practice a three-day course of amoxycillin was as effective as a 10-day course of the same drug in the same dose. Relief of symptoms was equal in both groups and bacteriuria was eliminated equally successfully in both regimens. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of side effects from the drugs. The financial saving which could accrue from adopting this therapeutic regimen would be significant.", "PMID": 764915} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1521", "title": "Immunological features in multiple sclerosis.", "content": "A clinical and laboratory profile of the immunological system of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) strongly suggested that many specific immune deficiencies exist in MS. The immunological history showed that patients with MS had had more tonsillectomies, appendicectomies, and childhood infections than matched controls, which suggested that there had been problems in controlling various types of childhood infections. The cell-mediated immune response and the circulating antibody titres were specifically impaired against a variety of antigens. Patients with MS had significantly lower serum antibody titres than controls against many naturally occurring antigens-namely, diptheria and tetanus toxoids, adenovirus, and mumps viruses. Raised serum antibody titres were found against measles and varicella zoster viruses while no difference was found towards other antigens. The delayed hypersensitivity reaction and the immunological memory of patients with MS were also greatly reduced against the mumps skin test antigens. There were normal amounts of circulating T and B lymphocytes, and the phytohaemagglutinin, concanavallin A, pokeweed mitogen, and encephalitogens lymphocyte transformation was not different from that in controls. These results indicated that patients with MS have more infectious problems than normal people and that both their T and B cell systems cannot mount a fully normal immunological response to some viral and bacterial antigens, while they give an increased response to others.", "contents": "Immunological features in multiple sclerosis. A clinical and laboratory profile of the immunological system of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) strongly suggested that many specific immune deficiencies exist in MS. The immunological history showed that patients with MS had had more tonsillectomies, appendicectomies, and childhood infections than matched controls, which suggested that there had been problems in controlling various types of childhood infections. The cell-mediated immune response and the circulating antibody titres were specifically impaired against a variety of antigens. Patients with MS had significantly lower serum antibody titres than controls against many naturally occurring antigens-namely, diptheria and tetanus toxoids, adenovirus, and mumps viruses. Raised serum antibody titres were found against measles and varicella zoster viruses while no difference was found towards other antigens. The delayed hypersensitivity reaction and the immunological memory of patients with MS were also greatly reduced against the mumps skin test antigens. There were normal amounts of circulating T and B lymphocytes, and the phytohaemagglutinin, concanavallin A, pokeweed mitogen, and encephalitogens lymphocyte transformation was not different from that in controls. These results indicated that patients with MS have more infectious problems than normal people and that both their T and B cell systems cannot mount a fully normal immunological response to some viral and bacterial antigens, while they give an increased response to others.", "PMID": 764920} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1522", "title": "Barbiturate and anticonvulsant treatment in relation to osteomalacia with haemodialysis and renal transplantation.", "content": "Among 39 patients treated by regular haemodialysis for four years or more pathological fractures and histological evidence of osteomalacia were significantly more common in those taking barbiturates. Out of 58 transplant recipients surveyed after one year, seven had osteomalacia; four of these had been taking phenobarbitone and phenytoin and one had taken barbiturates alone. Sedatives and other drugs such as phenobarbitone and phenytoin that induce hepatic microsomal enzymes should probably be avoided when possible in patients with chronic renal failure and after transplantation.", "contents": "Barbiturate and anticonvulsant treatment in relation to osteomalacia with haemodialysis and renal transplantation. Among 39 patients treated by regular haemodialysis for four years or more pathological fractures and histological evidence of osteomalacia were significantly more common in those taking barbiturates. Out of 58 transplant recipients surveyed after one year, seven had osteomalacia; four of these had been taking phenobarbitone and phenytoin and one had taken barbiturates alone. Sedatives and other drugs such as phenobarbitone and phenytoin that induce hepatic microsomal enzymes should probably be avoided when possible in patients with chronic renal failure and after transplantation.", "PMID": 764921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1523", "title": "Renin concentrations and effects of propranolol and spironolactone in patients with hypertension.", "content": "In a crossover study 32 patients with hypertension were randomly allocated to treatment with spironolactone 200 mg/day for two months, propranolol 320 mg/day for two months, and a combination of both drugs at half the dose. Between the treatments placebo was given for two months. Both spironolactone and propranolol lowered the blood pressure significantly in both positions. The initial plasma renin activity (PRA) levels ranged from 0-4 to 5-0 mug angiotensin I l-1 h-1, and there was a close correlation between these levels and the effects of the drugs: with increasing PRA the response to propranolol was better while the opposite was true for spironolactone. Spironolactone reduced the blood pressure more at eight than at four weeks, while no such difference could be shown for propranolol. Spironolactone and propranolol together decreased the blood pressure still further irrespective of the initial PRA. All patients achieved a normal supine blood pressure.", "contents": "Renin concentrations and effects of propranolol and spironolactone in patients with hypertension. In a crossover study 32 patients with hypertension were randomly allocated to treatment with spironolactone 200 mg/day for two months, propranolol 320 mg/day for two months, and a combination of both drugs at half the dose. Between the treatments placebo was given for two months. Both spironolactone and propranolol lowered the blood pressure significantly in both positions. The initial plasma renin activity (PRA) levels ranged from 0-4 to 5-0 mug angiotensin I l-1 h-1, and there was a close correlation between these levels and the effects of the drugs: with increasing PRA the response to propranolol was better while the opposite was true for spironolactone. Spironolactone reduced the blood pressure more at eight than at four weeks, while no such difference could be shown for propranolol. Spironolactone and propranolol together decreased the blood pressure still further irrespective of the initial PRA. All patients achieved a normal supine blood pressure.", "PMID": 764929} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1524", "title": "Sterculia bulk-forming agent with smooth-muscle relaxant versus bran in diverticular disease.", "content": "Sterculia with and without a smooth-muscle relaxant (alverine citrate) had similar beneficial effects on constipation and reduced the transit times in diverticular disease. Intracolonic pressure, however, varied with the preparation used. Though both preparations relieved the symptoms of diverticular disease, the one containing alverine citrate was more effective. Part of the mode of action of bran may be to relax the smooth muscle of the gut, since its actions were more comparable to those of sterculia plus alverine citrate than to those of sterculia alone.", "contents": "Sterculia bulk-forming agent with smooth-muscle relaxant versus bran in diverticular disease. Sterculia with and without a smooth-muscle relaxant (alverine citrate) had similar beneficial effects on constipation and reduced the transit times in diverticular disease. Intracolonic pressure, however, varied with the preparation used. Though both preparations relieved the symptoms of diverticular disease, the one containing alverine citrate was more effective. Part of the mode of action of bran may be to relax the smooth muscle of the gut, since its actions were more comparable to those of sterculia plus alverine citrate than to those of sterculia alone.", "PMID": 764934} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1525", "title": "Metronidazole in prevention and treatment of bacteroides infections after appendicectomy.", "content": "The frequency of non-clostridial anaerobic infection was studied in 95 patients who had undergone acute appendicectomy: 49 received prophylactic metronidazole and 46 received placebo. Anaerobic infection did not develop in any of the metronidazole-treated patients, but infections did develop in nine (19%) of the 46 controls. Metronidazole is conveniently administered by suppository to patients who cannot take oral drugs. Five patients with intra-abdominal infections caused by non-clostridial anaerobes were successfully treated with metronidazole.", "contents": "Metronidazole in prevention and treatment of bacteroides infections after appendicectomy. The frequency of non-clostridial anaerobic infection was studied in 95 patients who had undergone acute appendicectomy: 49 received prophylactic metronidazole and 46 received placebo. Anaerobic infection did not develop in any of the metronidazole-treated patients, but infections did develop in nine (19%) of the 46 controls. Metronidazole is conveniently administered by suppository to patients who cannot take oral drugs. Five patients with intra-abdominal infections caused by non-clostridial anaerobes were successfully treated with metronidazole.", "PMID": 764935} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1526", "title": "The treatment of malaria.", "content": "At least four doses of quinine followed by a single dose of mefloquine or by a single dose of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine are two highly effective regimens for chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria. Mefloquine alone is valuable in ambulant patients. Chloroquine-sensitive falciparum malaria can be treated with a course of chloroquine. Vivax and all other types of malaria should be treated with sequential chloroquine and primaquine. Quinine, by intravenous infusion, is the most effective drug for severe falciparum malaria. The optimum intravenous dose varies between 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg administered over four hours. Intravenous or oral quinine should be administered about every 12 hours and the total daily dose of quinine should rarely exceed 20 mg/kg. Intravenous fluid input should be controlled in falciparum malaria to prevent pulmonary oedema. Established renal failure is best treated by dialysis. The value of adrenocortical steroids for falciparum coma has not been established. Fresh blood transfusion may be helpful in small doses for severe anaemia and to replace clotting factors. Anticoagulants, such as heparin, should not be used in falciparum malaria.", "contents": "The treatment of malaria. At least four doses of quinine followed by a single dose of mefloquine or by a single dose of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine are two highly effective regimens for chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria. Mefloquine alone is valuable in ambulant patients. Chloroquine-sensitive falciparum malaria can be treated with a course of chloroquine. Vivax and all other types of malaria should be treated with sequential chloroquine and primaquine. Quinine, by intravenous infusion, is the most effective drug for severe falciparum malaria. The optimum intravenous dose varies between 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg administered over four hours. Intravenous or oral quinine should be administered about every 12 hours and the total daily dose of quinine should rarely exceed 20 mg/kg. Intravenous fluid input should be controlled in falciparum malaria to prevent pulmonary oedema. Established renal failure is best treated by dialysis. The value of adrenocortical steroids for falciparum coma has not been established. Fresh blood transfusion may be helpful in small doses for severe anaemia and to replace clotting factors. Anticoagulants, such as heparin, should not be used in falciparum malaria.", "PMID": 764937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1527", "title": "Growth of medical laboratory work during 1920-2000.", "content": "The volume of work carried out by pathology departments has grown exponentially since they were first opened, and this is likely to continue to the end of the century. Computer diagnosis may modify the process.", "contents": "Growth of medical laboratory work during 1920-2000. The volume of work carried out by pathology departments has grown exponentially since they were first opened, and this is likely to continue to the end of the century. Computer diagnosis may modify the process.", "PMID": 764939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1528", "title": "Spina bifida and anencephaly: miscarriage as possible cause.", "content": "In two retrospective Liverpool surveys the domestic, family, dietary, and medical environments of the mothers of children affected by anencephaly or spina bifida, or both (ASB) were examined. None seemed to be of more than minor importance and the findings of others were therefore examined to see if they suggested a major factor. The most promising lead came from the hypothesis that ASB is usually due to an interaction between twin fetuses or between a fetus and residual trophoblastic material from the previous normal pregnancy, particularly when this is of the opposite sex to the propositus. The sex finding was not confirmed. It was noted that hydatidiform moles, like children with ASB, were usually female and that moles and choriocarcinomas on the one hand and children with ASB on the other occurred in mothers of similar ages, but were to some extent reciprocal in geographical incidence. This suggested that trophoblastic disease might be a factor common to all three and if so then one would expect the frequency of miscarriages to be higher immediately before than immediately after the birth of an ASB child, since mole and choriocarcinoma seldom follow a normal pregnancy. An analysis of published data confirmed that this was almost certainly so. Hence residual pathological trophoblastic material from either a previous miscarriage or a co-twin may interact unfavourably with another fetus to produce ASB and this may be the primary cause of the condition. The hypothesis is consistent with the observed lack of concordance in twins, the high incidence in females, the maternal age effect, and the greater prevalence in social classes IV and V.", "contents": "Spina bifida and anencephaly: miscarriage as possible cause. In two retrospective Liverpool surveys the domestic, family, dietary, and medical environments of the mothers of children affected by anencephaly or spina bifida, or both (ASB) were examined. None seemed to be of more than minor importance and the findings of others were therefore examined to see if they suggested a major factor. The most promising lead came from the hypothesis that ASB is usually due to an interaction between twin fetuses or between a fetus and residual trophoblastic material from the previous normal pregnancy, particularly when this is of the opposite sex to the propositus. The sex finding was not confirmed. It was noted that hydatidiform moles, like children with ASB, were usually female and that moles and choriocarcinomas on the one hand and children with ASB on the other occurred in mothers of similar ages, but were to some extent reciprocal in geographical incidence. This suggested that trophoblastic disease might be a factor common to all three and if so then one would expect the frequency of miscarriages to be higher immediately before than immediately after the birth of an ASB child, since mole and choriocarcinoma seldom follow a normal pregnancy. An analysis of published data confirmed that this was almost certainly so. Hence residual pathological trophoblastic material from either a previous miscarriage or a co-twin may interact unfavourably with another fetus to produce ASB and this may be the primary cause of the condition. The hypothesis is consistent with the observed lack of concordance in twins, the high incidence in females, the maternal age effect, and the greater prevalence in social classes IV and V.", "PMID": 764943} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1529", "title": "A study of anaesthesia depth by power spectral analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG).", "content": "The feasibility of using computer-based EEG spectral analysis to monitor the level of anaesthesia during nitrous oxide-alphaprodine anaesthesia has been established by this study. At present, this system is capable of estimating the level of anaesthesia correctly from 55 per cent to 80 per cent of the time. There are several possible clinical applications of such a monitoring system during anaesthesia. It provides a continuous estimation of the depth of anaesthesia, without requiring any special EEG training on the part of the anaesthetist. This system can also be of particular benefit during anaesthesia for critically ill patients, or in specific cases, as in neurosurgery and caesarian section when there may be periods of time when the gross clinical evaluation of depth of anaesthesia may not be precise or reliable and yet it is imperative not to deepen the anaesthesia unnecessarily. In such instances it appears that a monitoring system such as we have developed could provide valuable indication of the depth of anaesthesia. Other potential applications might be in the training of students in the clinical assessment of patients during anaesthesia and in the study of new anaesthetic agents.", "contents": "A study of anaesthesia depth by power spectral analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG). The feasibility of using computer-based EEG spectral analysis to monitor the level of anaesthesia during nitrous oxide-alphaprodine anaesthesia has been established by this study. At present, this system is capable of estimating the level of anaesthesia correctly from 55 per cent to 80 per cent of the time. There are several possible clinical applications of such a monitoring system during anaesthesia. It provides a continuous estimation of the depth of anaesthesia, without requiring any special EEG training on the part of the anaesthetist. This system can also be of particular benefit during anaesthesia for critically ill patients, or in specific cases, as in neurosurgery and caesarian section when there may be periods of time when the gross clinical evaluation of depth of anaesthesia may not be precise or reliable and yet it is imperative not to deepen the anaesthesia unnecessarily. In such instances it appears that a monitoring system such as we have developed could provide valuable indication of the depth of anaesthesia. Other potential applications might be in the training of students in the clinical assessment of patients during anaesthesia and in the study of new anaesthetic agents.", "PMID": 764954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1530", "title": "Enzymes in colon cancer. General information.", "content": "Serum enzymes have not proved useful in evaluation of patients with early colon cancer, but certain enzymes such as transpeptidase, phosphohexone isosomerase, or 5'-nucleotidase have been of assistance in following the course of the disease, particularly in patients with metastatic spread to the liver. Attempts have been made to improve the utility of enzyme analysis in colon cancer by examination of enzyme patterns in colon biopsy specimens, feces, and colon washings. These studies, which will be summarized, are of importance in the possible development of diagnostic tools and as probes in the understanding of the etiology of colon cancer. The technical problems in carrying out these assays in humans, as well as the significance of the activity of aryl sulfatase, beta-glucuronidase, beta-glucosidase, lactic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-p-osphate dehydrogenase, and other enzymes will be considered.", "contents": "Enzymes in colon cancer. General information. Serum enzymes have not proved useful in evaluation of patients with early colon cancer, but certain enzymes such as transpeptidase, phosphohexone isosomerase, or 5'-nucleotidase have been of assistance in following the course of the disease, particularly in patients with metastatic spread to the liver. Attempts have been made to improve the utility of enzyme analysis in colon cancer by examination of enzyme patterns in colon biopsy specimens, feces, and colon washings. These studies, which will be summarized, are of importance in the possible development of diagnostic tools and as probes in the understanding of the etiology of colon cancer. The technical problems in carrying out these assays in humans, as well as the significance of the activity of aryl sulfatase, beta-glucuronidase, beta-glucosidase, lactic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-p-osphate dehydrogenase, and other enzymes will be considered.", "PMID": 764957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1531", "title": "The role of colon anaerobes in the metabolism of bile acids and steroids, and its relation to colon cancer.", "content": "The principle enzymes in the metabolism of both the substituent groups and the nucleus of the bile acids and of cholesterol are reviewed, together with their possible relevence to the etiology of large bowel cancer. Since the incidence of the disease appears to be related to the bile acid concentration and the activity of the 7-dehydroxylase and the delta4-dehydrogenase enzymes, the study of bile acids with a 4,6-dien-3-one structure is strongly recommended.", "contents": "The role of colon anaerobes in the metabolism of bile acids and steroids, and its relation to colon cancer. The principle enzymes in the metabolism of both the substituent groups and the nucleus of the bile acids and of cholesterol are reviewed, together with their possible relevence to the etiology of large bowel cancer. Since the incidence of the disease appears to be related to the bile acid concentration and the activity of the 7-dehydroxylase and the delta4-dehydrogenase enzymes, the study of bile acids with a 4,6-dien-3-one structure is strongly recommended.", "PMID": 764958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1532", "title": "Role of bile metabolites in colon carcinogenesis. Animal models.", "content": "Epidemiological data indicate that colon cancer incidence is associated mainly with high dietary fat intake. Studies in metabolic epidemiology have shown a strong association between dietary fat intake, level of fecal bacteria, fecal acid, and neutral sterols, and the risk of colon cancer among different populations. Current concepts visualize that colonic bile acids and cholesterol metabolities play a modifying role in large bowel carcinogenesis, and that these compounds are derived from dietary factors, directly or indirectly, and subsequently are modified by the intestinal bacteria. In animal models, lithocholic acid and dexycholic acid, which are present in high concentration in the large bowel of man, acted as promoters of colon carcinogenesis. The carcinogenic effect of azoxymethane in rats was enhanced by the increase of bile salts in the colon induced by surgical means. Animals fed a high fat diet were more susceptable to colon tumor induction by dimethylhydrazine compared with rats fed a normal diet. Our data also demonstrate that the intestinal microflora played a modifying role in accelerating colon tumor production by dimethylhydrazine.", "contents": "Role of bile metabolites in colon carcinogenesis. Animal models. Epidemiological data indicate that colon cancer incidence is associated mainly with high dietary fat intake. Studies in metabolic epidemiology have shown a strong association between dietary fat intake, level of fecal bacteria, fecal acid, and neutral sterols, and the risk of colon cancer among different populations. Current concepts visualize that colonic bile acids and cholesterol metabolities play a modifying role in large bowel carcinogenesis, and that these compounds are derived from dietary factors, directly or indirectly, and subsequently are modified by the intestinal bacteria. In animal models, lithocholic acid and dexycholic acid, which are present in high concentration in the large bowel of man, acted as promoters of colon carcinogenesis. The carcinogenic effect of azoxymethane in rats was enhanced by the increase of bile salts in the colon induced by surgical means. Animals fed a high fat diet were more susceptable to colon tumor induction by dimethylhydrazine compared with rats fed a normal diet. Our data also demonstrate that the intestinal microflora played a modifying role in accelerating colon tumor production by dimethylhydrazine.", "PMID": 764959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1533", "title": "Chemotherapy of large intestinal carcinoma. Current results and future prospects.", "content": "Chemotherapy of advanced stages of large bowel cancer has until recently made little progress since the introduction of 5-FU 16 years ago. While survival is improved for patients who respond, 5-FU alone has made little impact on life span of the overall population of patients. Mitomycin-C and the chloroethyl nitrosourea antitumor agents, and in particular methyl-CCNU, have also demonstrated marginal activity in large bowel cancer. Two recently reported controlled clinical trials of combination chemotherapy have demonstrated response rates that are substantially better than those obtained with 5-FU alone; a 43% response rate in colorectal carcinoma has been reported using a combination of 5-FU, BCNU, vincristine, and DTIC, compared to a 25% response with 5-FU as a single agent; a 44% objective response rate with a combination of 5-FU, methyl-CCNU, and vincristine has been reported to be significantly better than 5-FU alone. 5-FU as an adjuvant following surgical resection with curative intent has not prevented tumor relapse; however, it is hoped that future studies employing more effective drug combinations will result in increased number of patients achieving disease free survival.", "contents": "Chemotherapy of large intestinal carcinoma. Current results and future prospects. Chemotherapy of advanced stages of large bowel cancer has until recently made little progress since the introduction of 5-FU 16 years ago. While survival is improved for patients who respond, 5-FU alone has made little impact on life span of the overall population of patients. Mitomycin-C and the chloroethyl nitrosourea antitumor agents, and in particular methyl-CCNU, have also demonstrated marginal activity in large bowel cancer. Two recently reported controlled clinical trials of combination chemotherapy have demonstrated response rates that are substantially better than those obtained with 5-FU alone; a 43% response rate in colorectal carcinoma has been reported using a combination of 5-FU, BCNU, vincristine, and DTIC, compared to a 25% response with 5-FU as a single agent; a 44% objective response rate with a combination of 5-FU, methyl-CCNU, and vincristine has been reported to be significantly better than 5-FU alone. 5-FU as an adjuvant following surgical resection with curative intent has not prevented tumor relapse; however, it is hoped that future studies employing more effective drug combinations will result in increased number of patients achieving disease free survival.", "PMID": 764960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1534", "title": "Biochemical approaches to the combination chemotherapy of colon cancer.", "content": "The employment of biochemical concepts to select drugs for use in the treatment of colorectal cancer is advocated. It is stressed that new drug mixtures, even those employing agents inactive alone, with unique mechanisms of action may be fashioned through biochemical design. Following delineation of activity in animal model systems, these drug combinations then become candidates for use in man. It is emphasized that 6-thioguanine is a particularly attractive agent for consideration as a component of new combinations of drugs to be used in patients with cancer. The desirability of this agent derives from (a) the known, albeit weak, activity of 6-thioguanine against colorectal neoplasms of man, thereby providing some inherent activity to be joined by additional materials; (b) a knowledge of several major biochemical and pharmacologic determinants of tissue susceptibility to its cytotoxic action, possibly allowing the ultimate selection of patients with a high probability of response; and (c) the availability of four different agents or classes of agents which synergistically interact with 6-thioguanine to inhibit the growth of malignant cells by diverse biochemical mechanisms.", "contents": "Biochemical approaches to the combination chemotherapy of colon cancer. The employment of biochemical concepts to select drugs for use in the treatment of colorectal cancer is advocated. It is stressed that new drug mixtures, even those employing agents inactive alone, with unique mechanisms of action may be fashioned through biochemical design. Following delineation of activity in animal model systems, these drug combinations then become candidates for use in man. It is emphasized that 6-thioguanine is a particularly attractive agent for consideration as a component of new combinations of drugs to be used in patients with cancer. The desirability of this agent derives from (a) the known, albeit weak, activity of 6-thioguanine against colorectal neoplasms of man, thereby providing some inherent activity to be joined by additional materials; (b) a knowledge of several major biochemical and pharmacologic determinants of tissue susceptibility to its cytotoxic action, possibly allowing the ultimate selection of patients with a high probability of response; and (c) the availability of four different agents or classes of agents which synergistically interact with 6-thioguanine to inhibit the growth of malignant cells by diverse biochemical mechanisms.", "PMID": 764962} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1535", "title": "The present status of DEA in diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluation of therapy.", "content": "Despite nonspecificity for the diagnosis of colon cancer, the assays for CEA widely studied to date may be useful in the management of patients with colorectal cancer by aiding detection of colonic cancer and especially of widespread metastases to the liver. Use of serial quantitative measurements may also be useful in determining persistence of residual or metastatic tumor after apparently complete surgical resection, in enabling detection of recurrence at an earlier stage than may be otherwise possible, and in helping to evaluate the effects of chemotherapy, provided that the assays are used only in context with complete clinical and laboratory findings, including cancer staging, histopathologic findings, assessment of liver status, and with appreciation of methodologic complexities. Both the further investigation of the clinical use of CEA and the intensified search for more specific markers are encouraged by the findings to date.", "contents": "The present status of DEA in diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluation of therapy. Despite nonspecificity for the diagnosis of colon cancer, the assays for CEA widely studied to date may be useful in the management of patients with colorectal cancer by aiding detection of colonic cancer and especially of widespread metastases to the liver. Use of serial quantitative measurements may also be useful in determining persistence of residual or metastatic tumor after apparently complete surgical resection, in enabling detection of recurrence at an earlier stage than may be otherwise possible, and in helping to evaluate the effects of chemotherapy, provided that the assays are used only in context with complete clinical and laboratory findings, including cancer staging, histopathologic findings, assessment of liver status, and with appreciation of methodologic complexities. Both the further investigation of the clinical use of CEA and the intensified search for more specific markers are encouraged by the findings to date.", "PMID": 764963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1536", "title": "Copper and zinc levels in serum from human patients with sarcomas.", "content": "Serum copper levels (SCL) and serum zinc levels (SZL) were evaluated in 19 patients with sarcomas, 12 of which were osteosarcomas at various stages. Patients with primary or metastatic osteosarcoma had elevated SCL, whereas amputated osteosarcoma patients who were clinically tumor-free had nearly normal SCL. Patients with primary osteosarcoma had elevated SZL, those with metastases had depressed zinc levels, and amputated patients who were clinically tumor-free and nearly normal SZL. Thus, the ratio of SCL:SZL in metastatic osteosarcoma patients is higher than in patients with primary osteosarcoma. SCL and SZL are compared to clinical histories for selected patients. Patients with the more advanced disease and poorest prognoses had the most elevated SCL and highest SCL:SZL ratios. It appears that the determination of SCL and SZL in osteosarcoma patients may be of value in prognosis and therapy evaluation; furthermore, the ratio of SCL:SZL may be useful in discriminating between patients with primary and metastatic osteosarcoma.", "contents": "Copper and zinc levels in serum from human patients with sarcomas. Serum copper levels (SCL) and serum zinc levels (SZL) were evaluated in 19 patients with sarcomas, 12 of which were osteosarcomas at various stages. Patients with primary or metastatic osteosarcoma had elevated SCL, whereas amputated osteosarcoma patients who were clinically tumor-free had nearly normal SCL. Patients with primary osteosarcoma had elevated SZL, those with metastases had depressed zinc levels, and amputated patients who were clinically tumor-free and nearly normal SZL. Thus, the ratio of SCL:SZL in metastatic osteosarcoma patients is higher than in patients with primary osteosarcoma. SCL and SZL are compared to clinical histories for selected patients. Patients with the more advanced disease and poorest prognoses had the most elevated SCL and highest SCL:SZL ratios. It appears that the determination of SCL and SZL in osteosarcoma patients may be of value in prognosis and therapy evaluation; furthermore, the ratio of SCL:SZL may be useful in discriminating between patients with primary and metastatic osteosarcoma.", "PMID": 764964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1537", "title": "Mutagenicity of azathioprine.", "content": "Azathioprine (6-[(1-methyl-4-nitroimidazol-5-yl)thio]purine; lmuran) is mutagenic for Salmonella typhirmuium. Demonstration of this mutagenic effect requires a period of anaerobic incubation of the bacteria with the test agent.", "contents": "Mutagenicity of azathioprine. Azathioprine (6-[(1-methyl-4-nitroimidazol-5-yl)thio]purine; lmuran) is mutagenic for Salmonella typhirmuium. Demonstration of this mutagenic effect requires a period of anaerobic incubation of the bacteria with the test agent.", "PMID": 764967} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1538", "title": "Electron microscopy and immunofluorescence of glomerular immune complex deposits in cancer patients.", "content": "Kidneys of 29 patients without clinical renal disease were studied by electron microscopy for the presence of glomerular basement membrane deposits: those from 11 of 20 patients with cancers of various sites, but only 1 of 9 patients without cancer contained electron-dense subendothelial deposits. The majority of these kidneys gave positive immunofluorescent reactions for immunoglobulin and complement. However, among a number of the cases studied, a lack of correlation between electron microscopic and immunofluorescence findings has yet to be investigated. Although the number of patients in this study is small because of the difficulty in obtaining tissue for electron microscopy, it is postulated that the deposition of immune complexes in the kidney occurs with a high frequency among cancer patients. The kidneys may thus be a valuable source for isolating tumor-associated antigens and corresponding antibodies.", "contents": "Electron microscopy and immunofluorescence of glomerular immune complex deposits in cancer patients. Kidneys of 29 patients without clinical renal disease were studied by electron microscopy for the presence of glomerular basement membrane deposits: those from 11 of 20 patients with cancers of various sites, but only 1 of 9 patients without cancer contained electron-dense subendothelial deposits. The majority of these kidneys gave positive immunofluorescent reactions for immunoglobulin and complement. However, among a number of the cases studied, a lack of correlation between electron microscopic and immunofluorescence findings has yet to be investigated. Although the number of patients in this study is small because of the difficulty in obtaining tissue for electron microscopy, it is postulated that the deposition of immune complexes in the kidney occurs with a high frequency among cancer patients. The kidneys may thus be a valuable source for isolating tumor-associated antigens and corresponding antibodies.", "PMID": 764968} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1539", "title": "Cytochemical and immunofluorescence investigations of insulin-like producing cells in the intestine of Mytilus edulis L. (Bivalvia).", "content": "Insulin-like immunoreactivity can be localized to cells of the intestine in the area of the hepatopancreas of Mytilus edulis L. No cross-reactivity can be obtained with anti-glucagon, anti-gastrin, anti-pentagastrin or anti-caerulin. The cells containing the substance immunoreactive to mammalian anti-insulin, can be restrained with paraldehyde-fuchsin.", "contents": "Cytochemical and immunofluorescence investigations of insulin-like producing cells in the intestine of Mytilus edulis L. (Bivalvia). Insulin-like immunoreactivity can be localized to cells of the intestine in the area of the hepatopancreas of Mytilus edulis L. No cross-reactivity can be obtained with anti-glucagon, anti-gastrin, anti-pentagastrin or anti-caerulin. The cells containing the substance immunoreactive to mammalian anti-insulin, can be restrained with paraldehyde-fuchsin.", "PMID": 764973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1540", "title": "Gastrointestinal somatostatin cells in the human fetus.", "content": "The stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum from 6 to 24 week-old human fetuses or deceased premature infants and from one totally anencephalic fetus were stained with antisomatostatin serum. The somatostatin containing cells appear in different segments of the gastrointestinal tract from the tenth week of gestation. The somatostatin-containing cells are lead haematoxylin positive. Somatostatin was also detected in the duodenum of the anencephalic fetus. The study of inhibition of the immunofluorescent reaction by homologous and heterologous antigens confirmed the specificity of antiserum. These data demonstrate that somatostatin can be synthetized elsewhere than in the hypothalamus.", "contents": "Gastrointestinal somatostatin cells in the human fetus. The stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum from 6 to 24 week-old human fetuses or deceased premature infants and from one totally anencephalic fetus were stained with antisomatostatin serum. The somatostatin containing cells appear in different segments of the gastrointestinal tract from the tenth week of gestation. The somatostatin-containing cells are lead haematoxylin positive. Somatostatin was also detected in the duodenum of the anencephalic fetus. The study of inhibition of the immunofluorescent reaction by homologous and heterologous antigens confirmed the specificity of antiserum. These data demonstrate that somatostatin can be synthetized elsewhere than in the hypothalamus.", "PMID": 764974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1541", "title": "Adaptation of the cells of Escherichia coli to the presence of hydroxyurea increases the level of inorganic pyrophosphatase acttivity.", "content": "Hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase, completely arrested the net synthesis of DNA for 3-4 h, when it was added in 30 mM concentration to growing cultures of Escherichia coli K12. Thereafter the net synthesis of DNA started again, although slowly, and simultaneously with it the formation of inorganic pyrophosphatase activity was stimulated leading to a 2-fold increase in the specific activity of the enzyme in 2-3 h. Subsequently cell division began again. In this way a new steady state, stable in the presence of hydroxyurea, was reached. This new state was characterized by the high specific activity of inorganic pyrophosphatase, a small but constant amount of DNA/cell mass (1/4 of the normal value), and large elongated cells. All these changes were slowly reversed during 5-6 h, when the cells were transferred into a drug-free medium. The activity of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, assayed as a control, did not change significantly in the presence of hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea had no effect on the activity of inorganic pyrophosphatase in vitro.", "contents": "Adaptation of the cells of Escherichia coli to the presence of hydroxyurea increases the level of inorganic pyrophosphatase acttivity. Hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase, completely arrested the net synthesis of DNA for 3-4 h, when it was added in 30 mM concentration to growing cultures of Escherichia coli K12. Thereafter the net synthesis of DNA started again, although slowly, and simultaneously with it the formation of inorganic pyrophosphatase activity was stimulated leading to a 2-fold increase in the specific activity of the enzyme in 2-3 h. Subsequently cell division began again. In this way a new steady state, stable in the presence of hydroxyurea, was reached. This new state was characterized by the high specific activity of inorganic pyrophosphatase, a small but constant amount of DNA/cell mass (1/4 of the normal value), and large elongated cells. All these changes were slowly reversed during 5-6 h, when the cells were transferred into a drug-free medium. The activity of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, assayed as a control, did not change significantly in the presence of hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea had no effect on the activity of inorganic pyrophosphatase in vitro.", "PMID": 764988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1542", "title": "Carcinogenic mechanisms: a critical review and a suggestion that oncogenesis may be adaptive ontogenesis.", "content": "The precise mechanism(s) whereby normal cells become malignant are not known with any degree of certainty. However, many mechanisms have been proposed on the basis of available experimental evidence as interpreted by the proposer. These fall into two main groups and are based upon changes in genetic structure (somatic mutation hypotheses) or in genetic expression (epigenetic hypotheses). Yet a third group embodies elements of the first two. The more important of all these proposals are critically reviewed and yet another hypothesis is ventured. In this hypothesis, the induction of neoplasia is envisaged as embodying (a) initiation of preferentially partly-differentiated and resting stem cells and (b) promotion of the initiated cells, through mitosis and further differentiation and by adaptations of normal ontogenic mechanisms, into a variety of novel phenotypes which are malignant or potentially so. Cancer-specifying genes, altered chromosomes, de-differentiations and interrupted re-differentiations are not considered to be causally involved, although the last three of these can be present as epiphenomena. Evidence cited in support of this proposal appears to show a general absence from cancer cells of any single property, including an abnormality in genetic constitution or in cellular expression, which is specific to malignancy. Malignancy is thus envisaged as abnormal expressions of the genetic potential of the zygote. Some practical and theoretical implications of this concept are discussed.", "contents": "Carcinogenic mechanisms: a critical review and a suggestion that oncogenesis may be adaptive ontogenesis. The precise mechanism(s) whereby normal cells become malignant are not known with any degree of certainty. However, many mechanisms have been proposed on the basis of available experimental evidence as interpreted by the proposer. These fall into two main groups and are based upon changes in genetic structure (somatic mutation hypotheses) or in genetic expression (epigenetic hypotheses). Yet a third group embodies elements of the first two. The more important of all these proposals are critically reviewed and yet another hypothesis is ventured. In this hypothesis, the induction of neoplasia is envisaged as embodying (a) initiation of preferentially partly-differentiated and resting stem cells and (b) promotion of the initiated cells, through mitosis and further differentiation and by adaptations of normal ontogenic mechanisms, into a variety of novel phenotypes which are malignant or potentially so. Cancer-specifying genes, altered chromosomes, de-differentiations and interrupted re-differentiations are not considered to be causally involved, although the last three of these can be present as epiphenomena. Evidence cited in support of this proposal appears to show a general absence from cancer cells of any single property, including an abnormality in genetic constitution or in cellular expression, which is specific to malignancy. Malignancy is thus envisaged as abnormal expressions of the genetic potential of the zygote. Some practical and theoretical implications of this concept are discussed.", "PMID": 764989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1543", "title": "The effect of 5-iodouracil on the growth and biosynthetic processes of bacteriophage T4td8 in the absence of light.", "content": "5-Iodouracil (IUra)-substituted progeny bacteriophage T4td8 were grown under conditions such that, upon CsCl equilibrium isopycnic gradient centrifugation, progeny with density distributions about the median similar to that of unsubstituted phage are obtained. In the absence of light a monotonic relationship exists between decreasing progeny viability and increasing percent IUra substitution. IUra is equivalent to thymine as a growth factor on a molar basis, and at concentrations of IUra plus thymine above that required for maximum particle production, the percent IUra substitution in phage DNA is determined by the mole fraction of IUra in the medium. The lethal effects of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IdUrd) and IUra are equivalent, and are not produced by a direct effect on the phage particles. At equivalent percent substitution in phage DNA the order of lethality is IUra greater than 5-bromouracil (BrUra) greater than 5-chlorouracil (ClUra). There is no interference with the transfer of thymine from host cell to progeny phage by the presence of IUra in the medium, and IUra affects neither the time of lysis nor the content of phage DNA in the infected cells.", "contents": "The effect of 5-iodouracil on the growth and biosynthetic processes of bacteriophage T4td8 in the absence of light. 5-Iodouracil (IUra)-substituted progeny bacteriophage T4td8 were grown under conditions such that, upon CsCl equilibrium isopycnic gradient centrifugation, progeny with density distributions about the median similar to that of unsubstituted phage are obtained. In the absence of light a monotonic relationship exists between decreasing progeny viability and increasing percent IUra substitution. IUra is equivalent to thymine as a growth factor on a molar basis, and at concentrations of IUra plus thymine above that required for maximum particle production, the percent IUra substitution in phage DNA is determined by the mole fraction of IUra in the medium. The lethal effects of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IdUrd) and IUra are equivalent, and are not produced by a direct effect on the phage particles. At equivalent percent substitution in phage DNA the order of lethality is IUra greater than 5-bromouracil (BrUra) greater than 5-chlorouracil (ClUra). There is no interference with the transfer of thymine from host cell to progeny phage by the presence of IUra in the medium, and IUra affects neither the time of lysis nor the content of phage DNA in the infected cells.", "PMID": 764990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1544", "title": "Removal of minor methylation products 7-methyladenine and 3-methylguanine from DNA of Escherichia coli treated with dimethyl sulphate.", "content": "Persistence of methylpurines in DNA methylated in vitro and in vivo in Escherichia coli WP2 cells, by dimethyl sulphate (DMS) was studied, with particular reference to the minor products 7-methyladenine and 3-methylguanine, not previously investigated in this respect, but known to be removed from DNA in vitro by spontaneous hydrolysis at neutral pH. The half-life of 7-methyladenine in vivo was relatively short (2.6 +/- 0.2 h) but not significantly shorter than in vitro at pH 7.2, 37 degrees C. The half-life of 3-methylguanine was 3.6 +/- 0.3 h in vivo, markedly shorter than in vitro, where its stability was somewhat greater than that of 7-methylguanine. Enzymatic excision of 3-methylguanine was therefore indicated to occur in E. coli. Previous findings that 7-methylguanine is probably not enzymatically excised from DNA in vivo, whereas 3-methyladenine is rapidly removed, were confirmed, and additional support for the concept of enzymatic removal of 3-methyladenine was obtained by showing extensive inhibition of its removal from cells treated with iodoacetamide prior to methylation. It is suggested that methylations of adenine or guanine in DNA at N-3 constitute blocks to template activity of DNA and stimulate a \"repair\" response of enzymatic removal of 3-methylpurines. Possible valence bond structures for 3-methylpurine residues in DNA are discussed, leading to the suggestion that ionized forms with positively charged amino groups may be the most effective blocks to template activity.", "contents": "Removal of minor methylation products 7-methyladenine and 3-methylguanine from DNA of Escherichia coli treated with dimethyl sulphate. Persistence of methylpurines in DNA methylated in vitro and in vivo in Escherichia coli WP2 cells, by dimethyl sulphate (DMS) was studied, with particular reference to the minor products 7-methyladenine and 3-methylguanine, not previously investigated in this respect, but known to be removed from DNA in vitro by spontaneous hydrolysis at neutral pH. The half-life of 7-methyladenine in vivo was relatively short (2.6 +/- 0.2 h) but not significantly shorter than in vitro at pH 7.2, 37 degrees C. The half-life of 3-methylguanine was 3.6 +/- 0.3 h in vivo, markedly shorter than in vitro, where its stability was somewhat greater than that of 7-methylguanine. Enzymatic excision of 3-methylguanine was therefore indicated to occur in E. coli. Previous findings that 7-methylguanine is probably not enzymatically excised from DNA in vivo, whereas 3-methyladenine is rapidly removed, were confirmed, and additional support for the concept of enzymatic removal of 3-methyladenine was obtained by showing extensive inhibition of its removal from cells treated with iodoacetamide prior to methylation. It is suggested that methylations of adenine or guanine in DNA at N-3 constitute blocks to template activity of DNA and stimulate a \"repair\" response of enzymatic removal of 3-methylpurines. Possible valence bond structures for 3-methylpurine residues in DNA are discussed, leading to the suggestion that ionized forms with positively charged amino groups may be the most effective blocks to template activity.", "PMID": 764991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1545", "title": "Receptivity to malaria in Europe.", "content": "Experimental work has confirmed the refractoriness of Anopheles atroparvus to tropical strains of Plasmodium falciparum to which A. labranchiae may also be refractory. This indicates a lower receptivity to malaria in Europe than the existing vector densities and increasing number of parasite carriers would suggest.", "contents": "Receptivity to malaria in Europe. Experimental work has confirmed the refractoriness of Anopheles atroparvus to tropical strains of Plasmodium falciparum to which A. labranchiae may also be refractory. This indicates a lower receptivity to malaria in Europe than the existing vector densities and increasing number of parasite carriers would suggest.", "PMID": 764992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1546", "title": "A strain of Plasmodium vivax characterized by prolonged incubation: morphological and biological characteristics.", "content": "Numerous strains of P. vivax, distinguishable chiefly by their biological characteristics, are known to exist. Two main varieties are recognized: the so-called temperate and tropical strains. The most extreme example of the former-designated by Nikolaev as P. vivax hibernans-constantly exhibited an extremely long incubation period. The strain is no longer in existence and no type material has been preserved. In its place, a North Korean strain with a generally long incubation period has been studied and compared with the well-known tropical Madagascar strain, which frequently but not constantly has a short incubation period. The data presented here concern the behaviour of various strains from the USSR and the morphological characteristics of the North Korean and Madagascar strains. Splenectomized chimpanzees were used as the host of these parasites, particularly in regard to exoerythrocytic schizogony. Attempts were also made, by late biopsies of the liver of the apes, to elucidate the prolonged latency of the North Korean strain. Although there was no evidence of specifically dormant forms, it is probable that certain sporozoites fail to develop in the normal time and that they are reactivated by an unknown factor a year or more after inoculation.", "contents": "A strain of Plasmodium vivax characterized by prolonged incubation: morphological and biological characteristics. Numerous strains of P. vivax, distinguishable chiefly by their biological characteristics, are known to exist. Two main varieties are recognized: the so-called temperate and tropical strains. The most extreme example of the former-designated by Nikolaev as P. vivax hibernans-constantly exhibited an extremely long incubation period. The strain is no longer in existence and no type material has been preserved. In its place, a North Korean strain with a generally long incubation period has been studied and compared with the well-known tropical Madagascar strain, which frequently but not constantly has a short incubation period. The data presented here concern the behaviour of various strains from the USSR and the morphological characteristics of the North Korean and Madagascar strains. Splenectomized chimpanzees were used as the host of these parasites, particularly in regard to exoerythrocytic schizogony. Attempts were also made, by late biopsies of the liver of the apes, to elucidate the prolonged latency of the North Korean strain. Although there was no evidence of specifically dormant forms, it is probable that certain sporozoites fail to develop in the normal time and that they are reactivated by an unknown factor a year or more after inoculation.", "PMID": 764993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1547", "title": "Thick-smear Plasmodium falciparum antigen from in vitro cultures for the indirect fluorescent antibody test.", "content": "An important prerequisite for serological studies is the availability of specific antigens with which a high, consistently reproducible degree of test sensitivity can be obtained. In the present study, thick films of P. falciparum antigen were made from in vitro cultures in order to evaluate this antigen in terms of the sensitivity and reproducibility of the indirect fluorescent antibody test, as compared with an antigen prepared from washed infected erythrocytes of Aotus trivirgatus monkeys. The test was performed in 132 serum samples from 4 different sources. The results showed that the sensitivity and reproducibility of the two antigens compared well. No binding of donors' antibody to antigen was noticed within the 24-hour period of in vitroculture.", "contents": "Thick-smear Plasmodium falciparum antigen from in vitro cultures for the indirect fluorescent antibody test. An important prerequisite for serological studies is the availability of specific antigens with which a high, consistently reproducible degree of test sensitivity can be obtained. In the present study, thick films of P. falciparum antigen were made from in vitro cultures in order to evaluate this antigen in terms of the sensitivity and reproducibility of the indirect fluorescent antibody test, as compared with an antigen prepared from washed infected erythrocytes of Aotus trivirgatus monkeys. The test was performed in 132 serum samples from 4 different sources. The results showed that the sensitivity and reproducibility of the two antigens compared well. No binding of donors' antibody to antigen was noticed within the 24-hour period of in vitroculture.", "PMID": 764994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1548", "title": "Bacteriological status (point prevalence) of lepromatous outpatients under sulfone treatment.", "content": "The study concerns 337 outpatients with lepromatous leprosy who had been receiving dapsone treatment for 1-26 years-69% of them regularly and 31% irregularly. Routine bacterial examination (10 min per slide) by a paramedical technician showed only 50% of these patients to be bacteriologically positive. This rate attained 99% when each slide was examined for 30-60 min by a qualified bacteriologist. Other factors-apart from the limited action of sulfones-might account for these unexpected results: the material was collected by an experienced leprologist; the disease was still clinically active in 75% of the patients; about 25% of them had been treated for only 1-4 years; and the intake of dapsone in long-term treatment gradually decreases.", "contents": "Bacteriological status (point prevalence) of lepromatous outpatients under sulfone treatment. The study concerns 337 outpatients with lepromatous leprosy who had been receiving dapsone treatment for 1-26 years-69% of them regularly and 31% irregularly. Routine bacterial examination (10 min per slide) by a paramedical technician showed only 50% of these patients to be bacteriologically positive. This rate attained 99% when each slide was examined for 30-60 min by a qualified bacteriologist. Other factors-apart from the limited action of sulfones-might account for these unexpected results: the material was collected by an experienced leprologist; the disease was still clinically active in 75% of the patients; about 25% of them had been treated for only 1-4 years; and the intake of dapsone in long-term treatment gradually decreases.", "PMID": 764995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1549", "title": "Controlled field trial on the effectiveness of one and two doses of acetone-inactivated and dried typhoid vaccine.", "content": "A controlled field trial was carried out with acetone-dried vaccine on about 35 000 people on the Tongan islands of tongatapu and 'Eua where typhoid fever is endemic. Volunteers were distributed at random into 3 groups, 1 of which received 1 dose of typhoid vaccine and a second 2 doses; the third, a control group, received tetanus toxoid. The population was vaccinated in 1966 and was studied until the end of 1973. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the vaccine was based on cases of typhoid fever that were confirmed by positive blood cultures. Morbidity rates in the 3 groups indicated that the acetone-dried vaccine used was effective and that a single dose of vaccine gave reasonable protection for a short period, but that 2 doses gave greater and longer protection. The results of this trial are compared with those of earlier field and laboratory studies.", "contents": "Controlled field trial on the effectiveness of one and two doses of acetone-inactivated and dried typhoid vaccine. A controlled field trial was carried out with acetone-dried vaccine on about 35 000 people on the Tongan islands of tongatapu and 'Eua where typhoid fever is endemic. Volunteers were distributed at random into 3 groups, 1 of which received 1 dose of typhoid vaccine and a second 2 doses; the third, a control group, received tetanus toxoid. The population was vaccinated in 1966 and was studied until the end of 1973. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the vaccine was based on cases of typhoid fever that were confirmed by positive blood cultures. Morbidity rates in the 3 groups indicated that the acetone-dried vaccine used was effective and that a single dose of vaccine gave reasonable protection for a short period, but that 2 doses gave greater and longer protection. The results of this trial are compared with those of earlier field and laboratory studies.", "PMID": 764996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1550", "title": "Clinical evaluation of a new measles-mumps-rubella combined live virus vaccine in the Dominican Republic.", "content": "Over 900 children were enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study of measles (Schwarz strain), mumps (Jeryl Lynn strain), and rubella (Cendehill strain) trivalent vaccine. The trivalent vaccine caused about the same degree of reactivity as is generally associated with the Schwarz strain measles vaccine. Paired sera from triplesusceptible vaccinees had seroconversion rates of 99% for measles, 94% for mumps, and 93% for rubella. The results of this study show that this trivalent vaccine is as well tolerated and as effective as its component vaccines.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of a new measles-mumps-rubella combined live virus vaccine in the Dominican Republic. Over 900 children were enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study of measles (Schwarz strain), mumps (Jeryl Lynn strain), and rubella (Cendehill strain) trivalent vaccine. The trivalent vaccine caused about the same degree of reactivity as is generally associated with the Schwarz strain measles vaccine. Paired sera from triplesusceptible vaccinees had seroconversion rates of 99% for measles, 94% for mumps, and 93% for rubella. The results of this study show that this trivalent vaccine is as well tolerated and as effective as its component vaccines.", "PMID": 764997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1551", "title": "Absolute determination of cardiac output in intra-aortic balloon pumped patients using the radial arterial pressure trace.", "content": "We describe a new method for the absolute determination of cardiac output in intra-aortic balloon pumped (IABP) patients. The method uses the known pumping volume of the IABP balloon and the radial arterial pressure trace, which is commonly used to monitor IABP patients, to determine the cardiac output. Two pressure excursions denoted by P1-P0 and P2-P0, characterizing IABP balloon deflation, and ventricular ejection, respectively, are extracted from the radial trace. The cardiac output (CO) is then determined by the simple relation: CO = (BV) x (P2-P0)/(P1-P0) x HR where HR is the heart rate, and the value for pumped balloon volume (BV) is corrected for the effect of the pressure in the patient's aorta. Comparison with dye dilution and thermal dilution procedures as carried out on a routine basis in a clinical setting produced a good correlation (r = .928). When fit to a straight line through zero output, the data yielded a constant of proportionality of 0.973 between the above formula and the clinical procedures. The procedure does not disturb the patient in any way, and enables continuous monitoring of cardiac output. This has been implemented using a real-time, miniaturized computer and allows much more information to be obtained than in usual single measurements.", "contents": "Absolute determination of cardiac output in intra-aortic balloon pumped patients using the radial arterial pressure trace. We describe a new method for the absolute determination of cardiac output in intra-aortic balloon pumped (IABP) patients. The method uses the known pumping volume of the IABP balloon and the radial arterial pressure trace, which is commonly used to monitor IABP patients, to determine the cardiac output. Two pressure excursions denoted by P1-P0 and P2-P0, characterizing IABP balloon deflation, and ventricular ejection, respectively, are extracted from the radial trace. The cardiac output (CO) is then determined by the simple relation: CO = (BV) x (P2-P0)/(P1-P0) x HR where HR is the heart rate, and the value for pumped balloon volume (BV) is corrected for the effect of the pressure in the patient's aorta. Comparison with dye dilution and thermal dilution procedures as carried out on a routine basis in a clinical setting produced a good correlation (r = .928). When fit to a straight line through zero output, the data yielded a constant of proportionality of 0.973 between the above formula and the clinical procedures. The procedure does not disturb the patient in any way, and enables continuous monitoring of cardiac output. This has been implemented using a real-time, miniaturized computer and allows much more information to be obtained than in usual single measurements.", "PMID": 764999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1552", "title": "Late dysrhythmias and disturbances of conduction following Mustard operation for complete transposition of the great arteries.", "content": "Between 1964 and 1971, 49 patients were discharged from hospital following atrial baffle repair for transposition of the great arteries. Electrocardiograms of 47 of these patients were available for review seven months to eight and a half years (average 31 months) after operation. Of the 46 patients in sinus rhythm prior to operation, 40 (87%) were in sinus rhythm with normal atrioventricular conduction when last seen. Four patients (8.7%) had benign supraventricular dysrhythmias: three were junctional, one was atrial. None was noted to experience rapid dysrhythmias. Two patients showed evidence of abnormal atrioventricular conduction. There were five late deaths but in only one of these patients was a dysrhythmia a possible factor. The effects of variations in caval cannulation, extent of excision of the atrial septum and placement of the baffle suture line on the rhythm present at last review were examined. To preserve sinus rhythm it appears necessary to avoid surgical trauma in the vicinity of both the sinus node and the A-V node. Preservation of the internodal tracts appears less important. It is uncertain whether the 'sinus' rhythm seen after operation originates in the sinoatrial node but the rhythm is functionally similar.", "contents": "Late dysrhythmias and disturbances of conduction following Mustard operation for complete transposition of the great arteries. Between 1964 and 1971, 49 patients were discharged from hospital following atrial baffle repair for transposition of the great arteries. Electrocardiograms of 47 of these patients were available for review seven months to eight and a half years (average 31 months) after operation. Of the 46 patients in sinus rhythm prior to operation, 40 (87%) were in sinus rhythm with normal atrioventricular conduction when last seen. Four patients (8.7%) had benign supraventricular dysrhythmias: three were junctional, one was atrial. None was noted to experience rapid dysrhythmias. Two patients showed evidence of abnormal atrioventricular conduction. There were five late deaths but in only one of these patients was a dysrhythmia a possible factor. The effects of variations in caval cannulation, extent of excision of the atrial septum and placement of the baffle suture line on the rhythm present at last review were examined. To preserve sinus rhythm it appears necessary to avoid surgical trauma in the vicinity of both the sinus node and the A-V node. Preservation of the internodal tracts appears less important. It is uncertain whether the 'sinus' rhythm seen after operation originates in the sinoatrial node but the rhythm is functionally similar.", "PMID": 765000} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1553", "title": "Late postoperative hemodynamic results and cineangiocardiographic findings after Mustard atrial baffle repair for transposition of the great arteries.", "content": "Forty-nine patients with transposition of the great arteries who underwent a Mustard atrial baffle repair between 1964 and 1971 were assessed late postoperatively. There have been five late deaths: two related to baffle obstruction, two from noncardiac causes, and one sudden and unexpected. Hemodynamic data were available in 42 patients and autopsy in four. Obstruction of the lower venous channel was not encountered. Three patients had severe obstruction of the upper venous channel and in four there was mild restriction. Two patients had severe pulmonary venous obstruction resulting in late death; mild asymptomatic obstruction could not be excluded with certainty in six patients. Tricuspid incompetence was infrequently encountered in patients with an essentially intact ventricular septum. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was found in eight patients. In three it was present after satisfactory but incomplete surgical relief and in five it had not been recognized prior to operation. In only one of the latter patients was the obstruction important. Seventeen patients were operated on prior to one year of age. While baffle obstruction was confined almost entirely to these patients, the five youngest patients, aged one to nine weeks at operation, had adequate pulmonary and caval compartments at restudy two to three years later.", "contents": "Late postoperative hemodynamic results and cineangiocardiographic findings after Mustard atrial baffle repair for transposition of the great arteries. Forty-nine patients with transposition of the great arteries who underwent a Mustard atrial baffle repair between 1964 and 1971 were assessed late postoperatively. There have been five late deaths: two related to baffle obstruction, two from noncardiac causes, and one sudden and unexpected. Hemodynamic data were available in 42 patients and autopsy in four. Obstruction of the lower venous channel was not encountered. Three patients had severe obstruction of the upper venous channel and in four there was mild restriction. Two patients had severe pulmonary venous obstruction resulting in late death; mild asymptomatic obstruction could not be excluded with certainty in six patients. Tricuspid incompetence was infrequently encountered in patients with an essentially intact ventricular septum. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was found in eight patients. In three it was present after satisfactory but incomplete surgical relief and in five it had not been recognized prior to operation. In only one of the latter patients was the obstruction important. Seventeen patients were operated on prior to one year of age. While baffle obstruction was confined almost entirely to these patients, the five youngest patients, aged one to nine weeks at operation, had adequate pulmonary and caval compartments at restudy two to three years later.", "PMID": 765001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1554", "title": "Hemodynamic studies in children four to ten years after the Mustard operation for transposition of the great arteries.", "content": "Fourteen patients have been studied hemodynamically 4-10 years (mean 5.5 years) after the Mustard operation for transposition of the great arteries. Investigation was directed principally at 1) the detection of baffle obstruction by catheterization of the pulmonary veins (PV) and venae cavae and recording of simultaneous right ventricular (RV) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures (PCW); 2) the detection of intra-atrial baffle leaks by dye curves and selective angiography; 3) the assessment of RV and LV function by calculating peak VCE (dp/dt/28p) from high fidelity recordings in 11 patients. Severe baffle obstruction to the PV return was found in only one patient. The others had no or minimal gradients between RV end-diastolic and PCW pressures (mean 1.3 +/- 0.69 mm Hg). Cardiac output was normal at rest (4.1 +/- .22) and increased to 7.1 +/- .62 L/min/m2 (+73%) but the gradient between the RV end-diastolic and PCW pressures remained insignificant (2.2 +/- 1.13 mm Hg). No evidence of caval obstruction was found in any patient. Baffle leaks were found in five patients with mild bidirectional shunting. All arterial oxygen saturations were above 90%. Mild tricuspid regurgitation was demonstrated in two patients by RV angiography and was absent in 12 others. The contractility index peak VCE averaged 1.87 +/- .122 sec-1 for the RV and was significantly lower in the LV (1.53 +/- 1.35 SEC-1, P less than 0.01). Only one patient presented significantly decreased RV contractility with a peak VCE of 1.07 sec-1 and poor contraction on the RV angiogram. These data indicate that the long-term prognosis after the Mustard operation should be good in most patients and that the right ventricle is capable of functioning at the level of contractility of a normal left ventricle.", "contents": "Hemodynamic studies in children four to ten years after the Mustard operation for transposition of the great arteries. Fourteen patients have been studied hemodynamically 4-10 years (mean 5.5 years) after the Mustard operation for transposition of the great arteries. Investigation was directed principally at 1) the detection of baffle obstruction by catheterization of the pulmonary veins (PV) and venae cavae and recording of simultaneous right ventricular (RV) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures (PCW); 2) the detection of intra-atrial baffle leaks by dye curves and selective angiography; 3) the assessment of RV and LV function by calculating peak VCE (dp/dt/28p) from high fidelity recordings in 11 patients. Severe baffle obstruction to the PV return was found in only one patient. The others had no or minimal gradients between RV end-diastolic and PCW pressures (mean 1.3 +/- 0.69 mm Hg). Cardiac output was normal at rest (4.1 +/- .22) and increased to 7.1 +/- .62 L/min/m2 (+73%) but the gradient between the RV end-diastolic and PCW pressures remained insignificant (2.2 +/- 1.13 mm Hg). No evidence of caval obstruction was found in any patient. Baffle leaks were found in five patients with mild bidirectional shunting. All arterial oxygen saturations were above 90%. Mild tricuspid regurgitation was demonstrated in two patients by RV angiography and was absent in 12 others. The contractility index peak VCE averaged 1.87 +/- .122 sec-1 for the RV and was significantly lower in the LV (1.53 +/- 1.35 SEC-1, P less than 0.01). Only one patient presented significantly decreased RV contractility with a peak VCE of 1.07 sec-1 and poor contraction on the RV angiogram. These data indicate that the long-term prognosis after the Mustard operation should be good in most patients and that the right ventricle is capable of functioning at the level of contractility of a normal left ventricle.", "PMID": 765002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1555", "title": "Paradoxical embolism. A diagnostic challenge and its detection during life.", "content": "Two cases of paradoxical embolism, one with recurrent cerebral embolism and one with brachial and coronary embolism and both associated with pulmonary embolism, were diagnosed during life. Although there was neither pulmonary hypertension nor intracardiac shunt present at the time of cardiac catheterization in both cases, the presence of a patent foramen ovale with an interatrial right-to-left shunt was demonstrated by a simple ascorbate dilution technique following a Valsalva maneuver. Each patient was treated by surgical interruption of the inferior vena cava and did well. Paradoxical embolism should be included in the differential diagnosis of arterial embolism for which there is no obvious source, especially when there is also evidence of venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.", "contents": "Paradoxical embolism. A diagnostic challenge and its detection during life. Two cases of paradoxical embolism, one with recurrent cerebral embolism and one with brachial and coronary embolism and both associated with pulmonary embolism, were diagnosed during life. Although there was neither pulmonary hypertension nor intracardiac shunt present at the time of cardiac catheterization in both cases, the presence of a patent foramen ovale with an interatrial right-to-left shunt was demonstrated by a simple ascorbate dilution technique following a Valsalva maneuver. Each patient was treated by surgical interruption of the inferior vena cava and did well. Paradoxical embolism should be included in the differential diagnosis of arterial embolism for which there is no obvious source, especially when there is also evidence of venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.", "PMID": 765003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1556", "title": "Histological and immunological studies on eosinophilic granuloma of soft tissue, so-called Kimura's disease.", "content": "Increase of serum IgE with frequent localization of IgE in the germinal centres, mast cell hyperplasia in lymph nodes and changes of specific granules in the infiltrated eosinophils, such as roughness of the matrix and appearance of tubular structures together with fusing and disappearance of the core, were demonstrated in eosinophilic granuloma of the soft tissue, so-called Kimura's disease, in association with increase of anti-Candida IgE antibody. It is suggested that this disease may be due to atopic allergy to Candida albicans.", "contents": "Histological and immunological studies on eosinophilic granuloma of soft tissue, so-called Kimura's disease. Increase of serum IgE with frequent localization of IgE in the germinal centres, mast cell hyperplasia in lymph nodes and changes of specific granules in the infiltrated eosinophils, such as roughness of the matrix and appearance of tubular structures together with fusing and disappearance of the core, were demonstrated in eosinophilic granuloma of the soft tissue, so-called Kimura's disease, in association with increase of anti-Candida IgE antibody. It is suggested that this disease may be due to atopic allergy to Candida albicans.", "PMID": 765004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1557", "title": "Human pituitary gonadotrophin index. II LHRH test and clomiphene response before and after LHRH stimulation.", "content": "To monitor the effect of LHRH treatment on hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal function, women with functional amenorrhoea were investigated by standardized LHRH and repeated clomiphene tests before and after LHRH therapy. The actual pituitary gonadotrophin reserve was defined by a Human Pituitary Gonadotrophin Index (HPGI). Clomiphene response served as hypothalamic function test, plasma oestradiol and progesterone concentrations were measured for assessment of the gonadal function. LHRH treatment as performed in this study did not change basal gonadotrophin levels or the pituitary responsiveness in our standardized LHRH test. Plasma oestradiol concentrations remained unaltered at the lower limit of the early follicular phase values of a normal menstrual cycle. The inability to respond to clomiphene was changed to clomiphene responsiveness during therapy in eighteen out of twenty-nine women with anovulation. The majority of the responders had HPG-Indices of R2. Patients with hyperprolactinaemic anovulation did not convert. The possibility of an ultrashort feedback action of LHRH on its own production in the human is discussed.", "contents": "Human pituitary gonadotrophin index. II LHRH test and clomiphene response before and after LHRH stimulation. To monitor the effect of LHRH treatment on hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal function, women with functional amenorrhoea were investigated by standardized LHRH and repeated clomiphene tests before and after LHRH therapy. The actual pituitary gonadotrophin reserve was defined by a Human Pituitary Gonadotrophin Index (HPGI). Clomiphene response served as hypothalamic function test, plasma oestradiol and progesterone concentrations were measured for assessment of the gonadal function. LHRH treatment as performed in this study did not change basal gonadotrophin levels or the pituitary responsiveness in our standardized LHRH test. Plasma oestradiol concentrations remained unaltered at the lower limit of the early follicular phase values of a normal menstrual cycle. The inability to respond to clomiphene was changed to clomiphene responsiveness during therapy in eighteen out of twenty-nine women with anovulation. The majority of the responders had HPG-Indices of R2. Patients with hyperprolactinaemic anovulation did not convert. The possibility of an ultrashort feedback action of LHRH on its own production in the human is discussed.", "PMID": 765006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1558", "title": "Inhibitory effect of serotonin antagonists on growth hormone release in acromegalic patients.", "content": "We evaluated the effect of the serotonin antagonists cyproheptadine (Cypro) and methysergide (Methy) on growth hormone secretion in six patients with acromegaly. Two days administration of Cypro decreased the plasma GH concentration during oral glucose tolerance tests in four of the six patients evaluated; 2 days administration of Methy reduced the plasma GH levels of only one of the four patients evaluated. The one patient whose plasma GH concentration was lowered by Methy, did not have a decrease in plasma GH concentration after Cypro administration. Acromegalic patients have normal serum serotonin concentration and normal 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion. If Cypro lowers plasma GH by antagonizing serotonin, our data would suggest that serotoninergic neuronal pathways are important in the regulation of pituitary GH secretion in some patients with acromegaly.", "contents": "Inhibitory effect of serotonin antagonists on growth hormone release in acromegalic patients. We evaluated the effect of the serotonin antagonists cyproheptadine (Cypro) and methysergide (Methy) on growth hormone secretion in six patients with acromegaly. Two days administration of Cypro decreased the plasma GH concentration during oral glucose tolerance tests in four of the six patients evaluated; 2 days administration of Methy reduced the plasma GH levels of only one of the four patients evaluated. The one patient whose plasma GH concentration was lowered by Methy, did not have a decrease in plasma GH concentration after Cypro administration. Acromegalic patients have normal serum serotonin concentration and normal 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion. If Cypro lowers plasma GH by antagonizing serotonin, our data would suggest that serotoninergic neuronal pathways are important in the regulation of pituitary GH secretion in some patients with acromegaly.", "PMID": 765007} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1559", "title": "A comparative study on the local inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities of anti-mouse anti-lymphocyte sera.", "content": "Local inflammatory reaction at the site of injection of anti-human antilymphocyte serum is a troublesome side effect. In this paper, a simple experimental model is presented for studying the local reaction caused by antilymphocyte serum. Anti-mouse antilymphocyte sera were injected intracutaneously and the intensity of the consequent oedema was estimated by the extravasation of Evans Blue dye solution given intravenously. It was found: (a) that rabbit anti-mouse anti-spleen sera produce consistently stronger local reactions than either anti-lymph node or anti-thymus sera; (b) that there is as yet no correlation between the intensity of the local reaction and the immunosuppressive (graft-protective) activity of the anti-lymphocyte serum pools tested. The possible implications of these findings are also discussed.", "contents": "A comparative study on the local inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities of anti-mouse anti-lymphocyte sera. Local inflammatory reaction at the site of injection of anti-human antilymphocyte serum is a troublesome side effect. In this paper, a simple experimental model is presented for studying the local reaction caused by antilymphocyte serum. Anti-mouse antilymphocyte sera were injected intracutaneously and the intensity of the consequent oedema was estimated by the extravasation of Evans Blue dye solution given intravenously. It was found: (a) that rabbit anti-mouse anti-spleen sera produce consistently stronger local reactions than either anti-lymph node or anti-thymus sera; (b) that there is as yet no correlation between the intensity of the local reaction and the immunosuppressive (graft-protective) activity of the anti-lymphocyte serum pools tested. The possible implications of these findings are also discussed.", "PMID": 765011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1560", "title": "Humoral and cellular immune reactions 'in vitro' against allogeneic and autologous human melanoma cells.", "content": "Based on 51Cr release from an allogeneic human melanoma cell (M1) cell-mediated (CMC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) were determined in twenty-eight melanoma patients, thirty-one healthy controls, ten patients with other tumours and eleven chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients. The results were related to simultaneously performed microcytotoxicity (MC) tests, HL-A typing, plasma membrane fluorescence and B:T cell ratios in the peripheral blood. Furthermore, lymphocytes from six melanoma patients were tested in CMC and ADCC assays against autologous tumour cells. The following results were obtained. (1) A large number of healthy controls possessed lymphocytes which readily lysed M1 target cells in CMC and MC assays. (2) CMC activity of lymphocytes from melanoma patients was generally lower than that of control lymphocytes and decreased further with progression of the disease. (3) CLL lymphocytes were virtually non-toxic for M1 cells, even at high aggressor:target cell ratios. (4) ADCC assays with a heterologous rabbit-anti-M1 serum showed generally higher isotope release than CMC assays; this was particularly pronounced in the melanoma group and in the group of patients with other tumours. (5) No tumour-specific blocking factor could be detected in melanoma sera, as judged by the capacity of the sera to block CMC activity. (6) No obvious correlation was found between the results obtained in short-term CMC and long-term MC assays. (7) T lymphocytes, as determined by E-rosette formation, were significantly diminished in melanoma patients. (8) The HL-A type of lymphocytes from normal donors and melanoma patients did not appear to be related to high or low activity in CMC and MC assays. (9) Preliminary results of 51Cr release tests with autologous melanoma cells were encouraging with respect to the correlation of the results to the clinical course of the disease.", "contents": "Humoral and cellular immune reactions 'in vitro' against allogeneic and autologous human melanoma cells. Based on 51Cr release from an allogeneic human melanoma cell (M1) cell-mediated (CMC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) were determined in twenty-eight melanoma patients, thirty-one healthy controls, ten patients with other tumours and eleven chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients. The results were related to simultaneously performed microcytotoxicity (MC) tests, HL-A typing, plasma membrane fluorescence and B:T cell ratios in the peripheral blood. Furthermore, lymphocytes from six melanoma patients were tested in CMC and ADCC assays against autologous tumour cells. The following results were obtained. (1) A large number of healthy controls possessed lymphocytes which readily lysed M1 target cells in CMC and MC assays. (2) CMC activity of lymphocytes from melanoma patients was generally lower than that of control lymphocytes and decreased further with progression of the disease. (3) CLL lymphocytes were virtually non-toxic for M1 cells, even at high aggressor:target cell ratios. (4) ADCC assays with a heterologous rabbit-anti-M1 serum showed generally higher isotope release than CMC assays; this was particularly pronounced in the melanoma group and in the group of patients with other tumours. (5) No tumour-specific blocking factor could be detected in melanoma sera, as judged by the capacity of the sera to block CMC activity. (6) No obvious correlation was found between the results obtained in short-term CMC and long-term MC assays. (7) T lymphocytes, as determined by E-rosette formation, were significantly diminished in melanoma patients. (8) The HL-A type of lymphocytes from normal donors and melanoma patients did not appear to be related to high or low activity in CMC and MC assays. (9) Preliminary results of 51Cr release tests with autologous melanoma cells were encouraging with respect to the correlation of the results to the clinical course of the disease.", "PMID": 765012} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1561", "title": "Role of the thymus in programming of neuroendocrine functions.", "content": "Specific derangements of thyroid and gonadal functions were observed in athymic nude and neonatally thymectomized mice. Such endocrine alterations are already established during the perinatal period and maintained through adult life. Passive transfer of lymphoid cells from normal donors does not prevent such alterations. In nude mice thymus implantation at birth fully reconstitutes oestrogenic function, but thyroid and progestational functions remain defective. Peripheral endocrine glands (thyroid, adrenals and ovaries) respond normally to ACTH, TSH and LH. Thus the thymus may well have a basic role in the organization of the adult hypothalamus-pituitary axis for thyroid and sexual functions.", "contents": "Role of the thymus in programming of neuroendocrine functions. Specific derangements of thyroid and gonadal functions were observed in athymic nude and neonatally thymectomized mice. Such endocrine alterations are already established during the perinatal period and maintained through adult life. Passive transfer of lymphoid cells from normal donors does not prevent such alterations. In nude mice thymus implantation at birth fully reconstitutes oestrogenic function, but thyroid and progestational functions remain defective. Peripheral endocrine glands (thyroid, adrenals and ovaries) respond normally to ACTH, TSH and LH. Thus the thymus may well have a basic role in the organization of the adult hypothalamus-pituitary axis for thyroid and sexual functions.", "PMID": 765013} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1562", "title": "Mechanisms of protective immunity in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis of the guinea-pig. II. Selective destruction of different Leishmania species in activated guinea-pig and mouse macrophages.", "content": "Macrophages activation as the effector mechanism in destroying L. enriettii in the guinea-pig, and L. tropica in the mouse, was tested in vitro. Activated guinea-pig macrophages, with enhanced anti-Listeria capacity had no effect on the survival of intracellular L. enriettii, irrespective of the antigen used. Activated mouse macrophages, on the other hand, destroyed ingested L. enriettii within 24-48 hr but had no effect on L. tropica during the same time period. It is suggested that the pathogenicity of a Leishmania parasite in a given host depends on the ability of the parasite to survive in the host's activated macrophages. The possible mechanisms by which L. enriettii evades destruction in activated guinea-pig macrophages are discussed.", "contents": "Mechanisms of protective immunity in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis of the guinea-pig. II. Selective destruction of different Leishmania species in activated guinea-pig and mouse macrophages. Macrophages activation as the effector mechanism in destroying L. enriettii in the guinea-pig, and L. tropica in the mouse, was tested in vitro. Activated guinea-pig macrophages, with enhanced anti-Listeria capacity had no effect on the survival of intracellular L. enriettii, irrespective of the antigen used. Activated mouse macrophages, on the other hand, destroyed ingested L. enriettii within 24-48 hr but had no effect on L. tropica during the same time period. It is suggested that the pathogenicity of a Leishmania parasite in a given host depends on the ability of the parasite to survive in the host's activated macrophages. The possible mechanisms by which L. enriettii evades destruction in activated guinea-pig macrophages are discussed.", "PMID": 765014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1563", "title": "Studies on the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory liver diseases. I. Membrane-fixed IgG on isolated hepatocytes from patients.", "content": "Membrane-fixed IgG on isolated hepatocytes from biopsy material could be demonstrated by direct immunofluorescence in nine of thirty-four patients with acute virus-B hepatitis and in seventeen of forty-nine cases with chronic active hepatitis (CAH). Patients with acute virus-A hepatitis, chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) or metabolic liver diseases did not show this phenomenon. Cases with CAH and IgG on the hepatocytes-HBsAg-positive as well as HBsAg-negative-had high inflammatory activity. Antibodies against HBsAg were not present in any serum. Autoimmune phenomena (antibodies against smooth muscle, mitochondria and nuclei) were only rarely demonstrable. The findings suggest that an antibody- or immune complex-mediated lymphocyte cytotoxicity may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases.", "contents": "Studies on the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory liver diseases. I. Membrane-fixed IgG on isolated hepatocytes from patients. Membrane-fixed IgG on isolated hepatocytes from biopsy material could be demonstrated by direct immunofluorescence in nine of thirty-four patients with acute virus-B hepatitis and in seventeen of forty-nine cases with chronic active hepatitis (CAH). Patients with acute virus-A hepatitis, chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) or metabolic liver diseases did not show this phenomenon. Cases with CAH and IgG on the hepatocytes-HBsAg-positive as well as HBsAg-negative-had high inflammatory activity. Antibodies against HBsAg were not present in any serum. Autoimmune phenomena (antibodies against smooth muscle, mitochondria and nuclei) were only rarely demonstrable. The findings suggest that an antibody- or immune complex-mediated lymphocyte cytotoxicity may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases.", "PMID": 765015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1564", "title": "The role of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the autologous phase of nephrotoxic nephritis.", "content": "The role of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) in the autologous phase of nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN) in the rabbit has been investigated. Depletion of circulating PMN by nitrogen mustard protected renal function and immunofluorescent examination showed reduction in glomerular fibrin deposition. Depletion of circulating PMN using a highly specific goat anti-PMN serum (APS) provided similar protection of renal function, highly significant reduction in proteinuria and histological and immunofluorescent examination showed reduced glomerular PMN infiltration, extracapillary cell proliferation and virtual absence of fibrin deposition. Although protection by nitrogen mustard may have been partly due to immunosuppression, no reduction in antibody response was detected in the APS-treated rabbits. The results implicate the polymorph as the principal injurious agent in this model of NTN, responsible directly or indirectly for both proteinuria and glomerular fibrin deposition.", "contents": "The role of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the autologous phase of nephrotoxic nephritis. The role of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) in the autologous phase of nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN) in the rabbit has been investigated. Depletion of circulating PMN by nitrogen mustard protected renal function and immunofluorescent examination showed reduction in glomerular fibrin deposition. Depletion of circulating PMN using a highly specific goat anti-PMN serum (APS) provided similar protection of renal function, highly significant reduction in proteinuria and histological and immunofluorescent examination showed reduced glomerular PMN infiltration, extracapillary cell proliferation and virtual absence of fibrin deposition. Although protection by nitrogen mustard may have been partly due to immunosuppression, no reduction in antibody response was detected in the APS-treated rabbits. The results implicate the polymorph as the principal injurious agent in this model of NTN, responsible directly or indirectly for both proteinuria and glomerular fibrin deposition.", "PMID": 765016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1565", "title": "B- and T-cell markers on human lymphoblasts after stimulation with mitogen or antigens.", "content": "Receptors for sheep erythrocytes and for the third component of complement were demonstrated on human lymphoblasts after stimulation with various antigens and mitogens. With these markers B- and T-cell stimulation could be differentiated. Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and purified protein derivative (PPD) proved to activate predominantly T cells, whereas foetal calf serum (FCS) was shown to be a B-cell stimulator. Candida albicans and allogeneic cells, on the other hand, stimulated both B and T cells.", "contents": "B- and T-cell markers on human lymphoblasts after stimulation with mitogen or antigens. Receptors for sheep erythrocytes and for the third component of complement were demonstrated on human lymphoblasts after stimulation with various antigens and mitogens. With these markers B- and T-cell stimulation could be differentiated. Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and purified protein derivative (PPD) proved to activate predominantly T cells, whereas foetal calf serum (FCS) was shown to be a B-cell stimulator. Candida albicans and allogeneic cells, on the other hand, stimulated both B and T cells.", "PMID": 765017} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1566", "title": "Immunological studies of human placentae. Binding of complexed immunoglobulin by stromal endothelial cells.", "content": "Endothelial cells of foetal stem vessels in cryostat sections of normal, full-term human placentae bind fluorescein-conjugated heat-aggregated human IgG. Soluble immune complexes of sheep anti-human albumin also bind in a pattern that is similar to that of aggregated human IgG, but native human IgG is not bound by placental endothelial cells. Aggregated IgG binding, unlike soluble immune complexes, is blocked by pretreatment of the sections with antiserum to human IgM. Cross-blocking experiments with aggregated IgG and immune complexes suggest that they may be bound by different receptors.", "contents": "Immunological studies of human placentae. Binding of complexed immunoglobulin by stromal endothelial cells. Endothelial cells of foetal stem vessels in cryostat sections of normal, full-term human placentae bind fluorescein-conjugated heat-aggregated human IgG. Soluble immune complexes of sheep anti-human albumin also bind in a pattern that is similar to that of aggregated human IgG, but native human IgG is not bound by placental endothelial cells. Aggregated IgG binding, unlike soluble immune complexes, is blocked by pretreatment of the sections with antiserum to human IgM. Cross-blocking experiments with aggregated IgG and immune complexes suggest that they may be bound by different receptors.", "PMID": 765018} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1567", "title": "Influence of IgG antibody and glycopeptide allergens on the correlation between the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and skin testing or bronchial challenge with alternaria.", "content": "The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for alternaria was compared to skin tests and bronchial challenges in children suffering from chronic intractable asthma. In contrast to when such children were tested with a timothy grass pollen extract, the bronchial challenge and skin test results against alternaria did not correlate significantly. When alternaria allergens were coupled to cyanogen bromide-activated microcrystalline cellulose, the RAST correlated with the results of skin testing but not bronchial challenge. It was demonstrated by column immunabsorption that some allergic sera contained sufficient IgG antibody against alternaria to competitively inhibit the RAST. When Sepharose 2B was substituted for cellulose as the insoluble support, the inhibition by IgG antibody was largely overcome and then the RAST correlated with both skin test and bronchial challenge results. Glycopeptides contribute significantly to the allergenicity of alternaria, and when these materials were coupled to a Sepharose 2B conjugate by mild oxidation, the RAST correlated with bronchial challenge, but not skin test, results. It was concluded that in this group of steroid-dependent asthmatic children, the correlation of the RAST with the in vivo challenges was strongly influenced by the presence of IgG antibody in the allergic sera and the chemical nature of the mould allergens investigated.", "contents": "Influence of IgG antibody and glycopeptide allergens on the correlation between the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and skin testing or bronchial challenge with alternaria. The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for alternaria was compared to skin tests and bronchial challenges in children suffering from chronic intractable asthma. In contrast to when such children were tested with a timothy grass pollen extract, the bronchial challenge and skin test results against alternaria did not correlate significantly. When alternaria allergens were coupled to cyanogen bromide-activated microcrystalline cellulose, the RAST correlated with the results of skin testing but not bronchial challenge. It was demonstrated by column immunabsorption that some allergic sera contained sufficient IgG antibody against alternaria to competitively inhibit the RAST. When Sepharose 2B was substituted for cellulose as the insoluble support, the inhibition by IgG antibody was largely overcome and then the RAST correlated with both skin test and bronchial challenge results. Glycopeptides contribute significantly to the allergenicity of alternaria, and when these materials were coupled to a Sepharose 2B conjugate by mild oxidation, the RAST correlated with bronchial challenge, but not skin test, results. It was concluded that in this group of steroid-dependent asthmatic children, the correlation of the RAST with the in vivo challenges was strongly influenced by the presence of IgG antibody in the allergic sera and the chemical nature of the mould allergens investigated.", "PMID": 765019} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1568", "title": "Electrophoresis of lymphoid cells. Differences in the cell membrane structure of murine thymocytes, T and B cells revealed by enzyme and formalin treatment.", "content": "Low concentrations of protease and trypsin reduced the electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of thymocytes; with higher concentrations it was normal or above. Differences in membrane structure of thymocytes, T and B cells was found as B cells showed no reduction while T cells gave intermediate values. Further the reduction was greater with protease than with trypsin. Formalin fixation increased the EPM of all normal cell types to a similar degree. The EPM of proteolytically treated thymocytes and B cells was increased to a similar level and to a greater degree than neuraminidase-treated thymocytes. Small amounts of sialic acid were detected in the supernatant after proteolytic treatment of thymocytes. Protease reduced the binding of anti-lymphocyte serum, while no definite effect was obtained with trypsin. Neither sublytic doses of phospholipase C nor ribonuclease appeared to change the EPM.", "contents": "Electrophoresis of lymphoid cells. Differences in the cell membrane structure of murine thymocytes, T and B cells revealed by enzyme and formalin treatment. Low concentrations of protease and trypsin reduced the electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of thymocytes; with higher concentrations it was normal or above. Differences in membrane structure of thymocytes, T and B cells was found as B cells showed no reduction while T cells gave intermediate values. Further the reduction was greater with protease than with trypsin. Formalin fixation increased the EPM of all normal cell types to a similar degree. The EPM of proteolytically treated thymocytes and B cells was increased to a similar level and to a greater degree than neuraminidase-treated thymocytes. Small amounts of sialic acid were detected in the supernatant after proteolytic treatment of thymocytes. Protease reduced the binding of anti-lymphocyte serum, while no definite effect was obtained with trypsin. Neither sublytic doses of phospholipase C nor ribonuclease appeared to change the EPM.", "PMID": 765020} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1569", "title": "Microtechnique for simultaneous determination of immobilizing and cytotoxic sperm antibodies. Methodological and clinical studies.", "content": "A microtechnique for simultaneous detection of immobilizing and cyctotoxic sperm antibodies was elaborated according to the principles of Terasaki and McClelland. The technique was found reproducible, easy to perform and thus suitable for large scale examinations. The test includes determination of titres for immobilizing and cytotoxic effects and provides at the same time an opportunity to observe both complement-dependent and independent activities. Furthermore, agglutination patterns can easily be recorded. The requirement of only small volumes of test samples makes the test suitable also in testing secretions from the genital tract. In these cases, inclusion of a control for anticomplementary activity of the sample is advisable. In serum from 288 men from infertile couples simultaneous occurence of immobilizing and cytotoxic antibodies was observed in eight cases; all of them also had sperm-agglutinins in serum. In two of these cases, immobilizing and, in one case, cytotoxic activity was revealed in seminal plasma using undiluted samples. Patients with negative findings in serum also revealed negative findings in seminal plasma. Immobilizing and cytotoxic antibodies were not disclosed in serum from 247 women from infertile couples.", "contents": "Microtechnique for simultaneous determination of immobilizing and cytotoxic sperm antibodies. Methodological and clinical studies. A microtechnique for simultaneous detection of immobilizing and cyctotoxic sperm antibodies was elaborated according to the principles of Terasaki and McClelland. The technique was found reproducible, easy to perform and thus suitable for large scale examinations. The test includes determination of titres for immobilizing and cytotoxic effects and provides at the same time an opportunity to observe both complement-dependent and independent activities. Furthermore, agglutination patterns can easily be recorded. The requirement of only small volumes of test samples makes the test suitable also in testing secretions from the genital tract. In these cases, inclusion of a control for anticomplementary activity of the sample is advisable. In serum from 288 men from infertile couples simultaneous occurence of immobilizing and cytotoxic antibodies was observed in eight cases; all of them also had sperm-agglutinins in serum. In two of these cases, immobilizing and, in one case, cytotoxic activity was revealed in seminal plasma using undiluted samples. Patients with negative findings in serum also revealed negative findings in seminal plasma. Immobilizing and cytotoxic antibodies were not disclosed in serum from 247 women from infertile couples.", "PMID": 765021} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1570", "title": "Antigen presentation as a factor in the protective immune response to renal infection.", "content": "Host protection against renal infection may be augmented by active immunization against the causative organism. In these experiments we have investigated the effect of varying amounts and methods of presentation of bacterial antigen on the seconday immune response. Primary immunization with varying amounts of both killed and live antigen did not affect the nature of the secondary immune response although active renal infection did have a noticeable effect on the titre of serum antibody during the primary immune response. The experiments confirmed the presence of immunological memory to the somatic antigen of E. coli and showed that memory persisted for at least 6 months after primary immunization. Experiments have also been carried out which have demonstrated that memory to the somatic antigen of E. coli is carried by the B lymphocyte.", "contents": "Antigen presentation as a factor in the protective immune response to renal infection. Host protection against renal infection may be augmented by active immunization against the causative organism. In these experiments we have investigated the effect of varying amounts and methods of presentation of bacterial antigen on the seconday immune response. Primary immunization with varying amounts of both killed and live antigen did not affect the nature of the secondary immune response although active renal infection did have a noticeable effect on the titre of serum antibody during the primary immune response. The experiments confirmed the presence of immunological memory to the somatic antigen of E. coli and showed that memory persisted for at least 6 months after primary immunization. Experiments have also been carried out which have demonstrated that memory to the somatic antigen of E. coli is carried by the B lymphocyte.", "PMID": 765022} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1571", "title": "Cellular and circulating immunity to diabetic basement membrane, a negative finding.", "content": "A linear deposition of IgG was seen by immunofluorescence on the glomerular basement membrane of a diabetic kidney. However, when the remaining kidney was subjected to elution with acidic buffer the eluate had no affinity for glomerular basement membrane. The leucocytes from normal and diabetic subjects were also tested for an in vitro cell-mediated response to diabetic and normal basement membrane. No difference was found between the reaction of leucocytes from diabetics and those from normal age- and sex-matched controls.", "contents": "Cellular and circulating immunity to diabetic basement membrane, a negative finding. A linear deposition of IgG was seen by immunofluorescence on the glomerular basement membrane of a diabetic kidney. However, when the remaining kidney was subjected to elution with acidic buffer the eluate had no affinity for glomerular basement membrane. The leucocytes from normal and diabetic subjects were also tested for an in vitro cell-mediated response to diabetic and normal basement membrane. No difference was found between the reaction of leucocytes from diabetics and those from normal age- and sex-matched controls.", "PMID": 765023} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1572", "title": "Immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide in the dog.", "content": "Cyclophosphamide significantly diminished the canine humoral antibody response to sheep red blood cells and tended to prevent arterial lesions in renal homografts. However, cyclophosphamide failed to prolong renal homograft survival when administered to dogs as the sole immunosuppressive agent, and it did not add to the effectiveness of azathioprine when given as a supplement to the azathioprine and administered simultaneously or sequentially.", "contents": "Immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide in the dog. Cyclophosphamide significantly diminished the canine humoral antibody response to sheep red blood cells and tended to prevent arterial lesions in renal homografts. However, cyclophosphamide failed to prolong renal homograft survival when administered to dogs as the sole immunosuppressive agent, and it did not add to the effectiveness of azathioprine when given as a supplement to the azathioprine and administered simultaneously or sequentially.", "PMID": 765024} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1573", "title": "Dynamics of thymidine incorporation by spleen cells from rats infected with Plasmodium berghei.", "content": "The in vitro incorporation of thymidine by spleen cells of rat infected with Plasmodium berghei was higher than that of normal rat spleen cells. The incorporation was proportional to the number of cells in the system and was related to the day of infection, e.g. spleen cells from malarious rats incorporated up to forty times as much thymidine as did normal spleen cells 21 days after inoculation. At the same time, the response of the malarious spleen cells to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was only one-twentieth of that observed for normal spleen cells. The thymidine was incorporated by non-adherent spleen cells in a single pulse during the first 8 hr in culture.", "contents": "Dynamics of thymidine incorporation by spleen cells from rats infected with Plasmodium berghei. The in vitro incorporation of thymidine by spleen cells of rat infected with Plasmodium berghei was higher than that of normal rat spleen cells. The incorporation was proportional to the number of cells in the system and was related to the day of infection, e.g. spleen cells from malarious rats incorporated up to forty times as much thymidine as did normal spleen cells 21 days after inoculation. At the same time, the response of the malarious spleen cells to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was only one-twentieth of that observed for normal spleen cells. The thymidine was incorporated by non-adherent spleen cells in a single pulse during the first 8 hr in culture.", "PMID": 765025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1574", "title": "Infantile nephrotic syndrome.", "content": "The clinical features and renal histology of twelve chinldren who developed nephrotic syndrome in the first year of life were studied. Six suffered from microcystic disease and six from primary mesangial cell proliferation and/or sclerosis. A consistent family history, premature birth, large placenta pressence of other congenital abnormalities, onset in the first two months of life and lower plasma albumin level all suggested microcyste disease, but the most reliable distinction was histological. All microcystic children died within two years, whereas four with primary mesangial disease survived indefinitely. Corticosterid and immunosuppressive herapy failed to help either group and most deaths were due to sepsis, especialy with E. coli.", "contents": "Infantile nephrotic syndrome. The clinical features and renal histology of twelve chinldren who developed nephrotic syndrome in the first year of life were studied. Six suffered from microcystic disease and six from primary mesangial cell proliferation and/or sclerosis. A consistent family history, premature birth, large placenta pressence of other congenital abnormalities, onset in the first two months of life and lower plasma albumin level all suggested microcyste disease, but the most reliable distinction was histological. All microcystic children died within two years, whereas four with primary mesangial disease survived indefinitely. Corticosterid and immunosuppressive herapy failed to help either group and most deaths were due to sepsis, especialy with E. coli.", "PMID": 765027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1575", "title": "Hypergastrinemia and gastric acid hypersecretion in uremia.", "content": "Twenty-one chronic hemodialysis patients were investigated. While only two had radiologic evidence of peptic ulceration, three had markedly elevated basal acid outputs, thirteen had significantly elevated maximal acid outputs and seven had fasting duodenogastric reflux. Elevated fasting serum gastrin levels and prolonged gastrin circulation following stimulated endogenous release were also demonstrated. The abnormalities in gastric function may be explained by fasting and stimulated hypergastrinemia.", "contents": "Hypergastrinemia and gastric acid hypersecretion in uremia. Twenty-one chronic hemodialysis patients were investigated. While only two had radiologic evidence of peptic ulceration, three had markedly elevated basal acid outputs, thirteen had significantly elevated maximal acid outputs and seven had fasting duodenogastric reflux. Elevated fasting serum gastrin levels and prolonged gastrin circulation following stimulated endogenous release were also demonstrated. The abnormalities in gastric function may be explained by fasting and stimulated hypergastrinemia.", "PMID": 765028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1576", "title": "Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with antibodies against glomerular basement membranes in serum and kidneys.", "content": "Four cases of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with similar clinical courses are presented. Examination of kidney biopsies from these patients showed severe glomerulitis with capillary necrosis, fibrin thrombi and interstitial inflammation but no vasculitis. Electron microscopy showed wrinkled capillary basement membranes which were irregularly thickened, homogenous and had an irregular fibrillar structure. No localized deposits were observed. Immunohistological examination demonstrated linear and diffuse deposition of IgG and C3 along glomerular basement membranes. Nephrectomized kidneys from these patients were eluted and shown to contain antibodies against glomerular basement membrane. These antibodies were also present in sera of three of the patients.", "contents": "Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with antibodies against glomerular basement membranes in serum and kidneys. Four cases of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with similar clinical courses are presented. Examination of kidney biopsies from these patients showed severe glomerulitis with capillary necrosis, fibrin thrombi and interstitial inflammation but no vasculitis. Electron microscopy showed wrinkled capillary basement membranes which were irregularly thickened, homogenous and had an irregular fibrillar structure. No localized deposits were observed. Immunohistological examination demonstrated linear and diffuse deposition of IgG and C3 along glomerular basement membranes. Nephrectomized kidneys from these patients were eluted and shown to contain antibodies against glomerular basement membrane. These antibodies were also present in sera of three of the patients.", "PMID": 765029} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1577", "title": "Embryonic induction.", "content": "Inductive interactions between tissue components in proximity constitute a universal guiding principle for synchronized development during embryogenesis. Such sequential morphogenetic events involve both specific, determinative \"instructions\" and less specific, supporting or \"permissive\" influences acting upon predetermined target cells. Transmission of these intercellular messages may be mediated by diffusible signal substances, by morphogenetically active interfacial materials,or via actual cell contacts. Inductive interactions can be upset experimentally by exposure to various exogenous agents known to be potential teratogens, and several mutant strains of animals are known in which a genetic defect is manifested as a malformation through a defective interactive process. Hence, such inductive interactions should be considered likely targets for both genetic and exogenous factors in teratogenesis.", "contents": "Embryonic induction. Inductive interactions between tissue components in proximity constitute a universal guiding principle for synchronized development during embryogenesis. Such sequential morphogenetic events involve both specific, determinative \"instructions\" and less specific, supporting or \"permissive\" influences acting upon predetermined target cells. Transmission of these intercellular messages may be mediated by diffusible signal substances, by morphogenetically active interfacial materials,or via actual cell contacts. Inductive interactions can be upset experimentally by exposure to various exogenous agents known to be potential teratogens, and several mutant strains of animals are known in which a genetic defect is manifested as a malformation through a defective interactive process. Hence, such inductive interactions should be considered likely targets for both genetic and exogenous factors in teratogenesis.", "PMID": 765032} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1578", "title": "Screening for endometrial cancer.", "content": "Since Gusberg's description in 1947 of adenomatous hyperplasia (15), the role of precursors in the development of endometrial carcinoma has been well studied. There is now no doubt that in many patients histologic precursors can be demonstrated in the endometrial cavity prior to the development of invasive cancer. At this point in the continuum, interruption by hysterectomy or other therapy will insure the patient's health. We have discussed a wide variety of techniques designed to provide cytologic or histologic samples of the endometrium that are highly effective in the detection of early neoplasia. As a goal, universal endometrial sampling on a periodic basis is probably impractical and may be unecessary or undesirable. However, surely the patient at high risk for endometrial cancer requires close periodic screening. The high-risk category may be expanded to include others beyond the group of hypertensive, diabetic, obese, anovulatory, nulliparous women. It should include patients with irregular vaginal bleeding, those with a strong family history of genital and breast cancer, those patients receiving hormone therapy, and patients in the menopausal years who experience changes in the menstrual pattern. With intelligent and aggressive application of outpatient screening, uterine cancer can be diagnosed when patients are virtually completely curable, thus resulting in further reduction in mortality from this disease.", "contents": "Screening for endometrial cancer. Since Gusberg's description in 1947 of adenomatous hyperplasia (15), the role of precursors in the development of endometrial carcinoma has been well studied. There is now no doubt that in many patients histologic precursors can be demonstrated in the endometrial cavity prior to the development of invasive cancer. At this point in the continuum, interruption by hysterectomy or other therapy will insure the patient's health. We have discussed a wide variety of techniques designed to provide cytologic or histologic samples of the endometrium that are highly effective in the detection of early neoplasia. As a goal, universal endometrial sampling on a periodic basis is probably impractical and may be unecessary or undesirable. However, surely the patient at high risk for endometrial cancer requires close periodic screening. The high-risk category may be expanded to include others beyond the group of hypertensive, diabetic, obese, anovulatory, nulliparous women. It should include patients with irregular vaginal bleeding, those with a strong family history of genital and breast cancer, those patients receiving hormone therapy, and patients in the menopausal years who experience changes in the menstrual pattern. With intelligent and aggressive application of outpatient screening, uterine cancer can be diagnosed when patients are virtually completely curable, thus resulting in further reduction in mortality from this disease.", "PMID": 765037} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1579", "title": "Tumor-associated antigens in gynecologic cancer.", "content": "If the study of tumor immunology is to have a profound impact on clinical medicine, certain hypotheses must be proven to be valid. First and foremost, it must be demonstrated that malignant tissue possesses antigenic substances (probably protein moieties) that are unique to that particular malignant process. In addition, these antigenic substances must be very similar in histologically similar tumors. Second, the host defense mechanisms must be capable of reacting to these tumor-associated antigens. The reaction is, of course, necessary in order to develop both diagnostic and therapeutic routes of application. The reaction of the immunologic system to these tumor-associated antigens could be monitored as an early serodiagnostic tool for subclinical cancer, and the cytotoxic reaction holds great promise as an immunotherapeutic tool. The essence of tumor immunologic research can thus be stated in the form of the following questions: 1. Do histologically similar cancers from identical primary sites share common tumor-associated antigens? 2. Does the immunologic system react to these antigens? 3. Can this reaction be assayed on one hand for serodiagnosis and augmented on the other for immunotherapy? Specific antigens have been found in animal tumors and have been divided into two classes: the viral induced tumors, which share common antigens when caused by the same viral agent, and carcinogen-induced tumors, which appear to have unique antigenic determinants for each tumor. In recent years a great many human tumors have been found to have tumor-associated antigens; these include colonic carcinoma, neuroblastoma, melanoma, soft tissue and osteogenic sarcoma, bladder carcinoma and Burkitt's lymphoma. This report includes evidence for the existence of such antigens in adenocarcinoma of the ovary and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. The laboratory evidence that has been presented would suggest that there are both a cell-mediated response and humoral response to the antigenic determinants of these two gynecologic cancers. It would appear that the mediated (lymphocyte) effect is considerably more cytotoxic and definitive than the humoral factors measured. In addition, the allogenic experiments would suggest strongly that indeed (at least with regard to these two cancers) histologically similar cancers from the same organ share common antigenic determinants. The identification and isolation of these tumor-associated antigens appears complex. The complexity is increased when one studies patients afflicted with these cancers for plasma carcinoembryonic antigens. This antigen, which was thought to be specific for adenocarcinoma of the colon, is found in the blood of a significant number of patients with adenocarcinoma of the ovary and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.", "contents": "Tumor-associated antigens in gynecologic cancer. If the study of tumor immunology is to have a profound impact on clinical medicine, certain hypotheses must be proven to be valid. First and foremost, it must be demonstrated that malignant tissue possesses antigenic substances (probably protein moieties) that are unique to that particular malignant process. In addition, these antigenic substances must be very similar in histologically similar tumors. Second, the host defense mechanisms must be capable of reacting to these tumor-associated antigens. The reaction is, of course, necessary in order to develop both diagnostic and therapeutic routes of application. The reaction of the immunologic system to these tumor-associated antigens could be monitored as an early serodiagnostic tool for subclinical cancer, and the cytotoxic reaction holds great promise as an immunotherapeutic tool. The essence of tumor immunologic research can thus be stated in the form of the following questions: 1. Do histologically similar cancers from identical primary sites share common tumor-associated antigens? 2. Does the immunologic system react to these antigens? 3. Can this reaction be assayed on one hand for serodiagnosis and augmented on the other for immunotherapy? Specific antigens have been found in animal tumors and have been divided into two classes: the viral induced tumors, which share common antigens when caused by the same viral agent, and carcinogen-induced tumors, which appear to have unique antigenic determinants for each tumor. In recent years a great many human tumors have been found to have tumor-associated antigens; these include colonic carcinoma, neuroblastoma, melanoma, soft tissue and osteogenic sarcoma, bladder carcinoma and Burkitt's lymphoma. This report includes evidence for the existence of such antigens in adenocarcinoma of the ovary and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. The laboratory evidence that has been presented would suggest that there are both a cell-mediated response and humoral response to the antigenic determinants of these two gynecologic cancers. It would appear that the mediated (lymphocyte) effect is considerably more cytotoxic and definitive than the humoral factors measured. In addition, the allogenic experiments would suggest strongly that indeed (at least with regard to these two cancers) histologically similar cancers from the same organ share common antigenic determinants. The identification and isolation of these tumor-associated antigens appears complex. The complexity is increased when one studies patients afflicted with these cancers for plasma carcinoembryonic antigens. This antigen, which was thought to be specific for adenocarcinoma of the colon, is found in the blood of a significant number of patients with adenocarcinoma of the ovary and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.", "PMID": 765038} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1580", "title": "Prolonged apnea of prematurity: Treatment with continuous airway distending pressure delivered by nasopharyngeal tube.", "content": "Five premature infants experiencing frequent episodes of apnea and bradycardia were treated with continuous positive airway pressure delivered by nasopharyngeal tube. A significant decrease in the frequency and severity of apneic spells was observed. Premature withdrawal from end expiratory pressure resulted in an increase in both the incidence and the duration of the apneic episodes. We suggest that hypoventilation and a reduced functional residual capacity (FRC) are related to the development of prolonged apnea. Expansion and stablization of FRC with small amounts of end expiratory pressure appears to be beneficial.", "contents": "Prolonged apnea of prematurity: Treatment with continuous airway distending pressure delivered by nasopharyngeal tube. Five premature infants experiencing frequent episodes of apnea and bradycardia were treated with continuous positive airway pressure delivered by nasopharyngeal tube. A significant decrease in the frequency and severity of apneic spells was observed. Premature withdrawal from end expiratory pressure resulted in an increase in both the incidence and the duration of the apneic episodes. We suggest that hypoventilation and a reduced functional residual capacity (FRC) are related to the development of prolonged apnea. Expansion and stablization of FRC with small amounts of end expiratory pressure appears to be beneficial.", "PMID": 765041} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1581", "title": "Free skin flap transfer.", "content": "In this article we have described general considerations relative to free flap transfers, introduced our operative technique of free flap transfers and outlined some of our representative cases. We also set forth the advantages and disadvantages of free flap transfers as we have experienced them.", "contents": "Free skin flap transfer. In this article we have described general considerations relative to free flap transfers, introduced our operative technique of free flap transfers and outlined some of our representative cases. We also set forth the advantages and disadvantages of free flap transfers as we have experienced them.", "PMID": 765043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1582", "title": "Resurfacing problems in the hand.", "content": "Some of the many acceptable methods of achieving primary skin cover of optimal quality under varying conditions in hand injuries have been briefly described. The overriding principles of hand coverage following injury remain: to achieve, by the simplest methods appropriate to the circumstances, the replacement of lost tissue similar or nearly similar in quality to that lost and to accomplish this with as little morbidity and as little donor area scar as possible, and as expeditiously as is consonant with the best results.", "contents": "Resurfacing problems in the hand. Some of the many acceptable methods of achieving primary skin cover of optimal quality under varying conditions in hand injuries have been briefly described. The overriding principles of hand coverage following injury remain: to achieve, by the simplest methods appropriate to the circumstances, the replacement of lost tissue similar or nearly similar in quality to that lost and to accomplish this with as little morbidity and as little donor area scar as possible, and as expeditiously as is consonant with the best results.", "PMID": 765044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1583", "title": "Dupuytren's disease: controversial aspects of management.", "content": "Surgical literature is replete with descriptions of Dupuytren's contracture and the various operations which surgeons have utilized to correct contractures of the palmar fascia. All that is worthy of presentation now are the unknown factors or frontiers of our knowledge. Etiology and control of major complications such as pain, joint stiffness, and recurrence are the frontiers which seem most intriguing to the author. The first step in scientific exploration of these areas is to form a hypothesis which takes into account all of the known factors. In this treatise, the author has stated a hypothesis for each of the frontiers. One hypothesis is that genetic predisposition for selective hyperkinetic collagen metabolism in the palm may be a biological counterpart to the condition found in transversalis fascia in patients with direct inguinal hernia. A hypothesis for pain syndromes is based upon general visceral afferent impulses striking a preconditioned central tract or sensitized central receptor. Joint stiffness has been attributed to the protracted release of polypeptides which change the electrical charge on crystalline protein and result in binding of water which then leads to secondary remodeling of joint structures. Recurrence or persistence of Dupuytren's contracture has been considered to be the result of a persistent inductive phenomenon by cells in the deepest layer of the dermis. Brief arguments supporting these hypotheses as being more tenable now than most others have been presented. For the most part such deductions have been based primarily upon the argument that no other hypothesis presently before us takes into account all of the available data or clinical observations, meager as they may be. Prejudice for surgical biology as a means of enlightenment, intuition, and, at times, empirical reasoning has been admitted in an attempt to stimulate imagination. The rest is left to the reader.", "contents": "Dupuytren's disease: controversial aspects of management. Surgical literature is replete with descriptions of Dupuytren's contracture and the various operations which surgeons have utilized to correct contractures of the palmar fascia. All that is worthy of presentation now are the unknown factors or frontiers of our knowledge. Etiology and control of major complications such as pain, joint stiffness, and recurrence are the frontiers which seem most intriguing to the author. The first step in scientific exploration of these areas is to form a hypothesis which takes into account all of the known factors. In this treatise, the author has stated a hypothesis for each of the frontiers. One hypothesis is that genetic predisposition for selective hyperkinetic collagen metabolism in the palm may be a biological counterpart to the condition found in transversalis fascia in patients with direct inguinal hernia. A hypothesis for pain syndromes is based upon general visceral afferent impulses striking a preconditioned central tract or sensitized central receptor. Joint stiffness has been attributed to the protracted release of polypeptides which change the electrical charge on crystalline protein and result in binding of water which then leads to secondary remodeling of joint structures. Recurrence or persistence of Dupuytren's contracture has been considered to be the result of a persistent inductive phenomenon by cells in the deepest layer of the dermis. Brief arguments supporting these hypotheses as being more tenable now than most others have been presented. For the most part such deductions have been based primarily upon the argument that no other hypothesis presently before us takes into account all of the available data or clinical observations, meager as they may be. Prejudice for surgical biology as a means of enlightenment, intuition, and, at times, empirical reasoning has been admitted in an attempt to stimulate imagination. The rest is left to the reader.", "PMID": 765047} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1584", "title": "Practical microsurgery.", "content": "The reconstructive surgeon who wishes to learn microsurgery must realize that its acquisition demands extensive practice in the research laboratory with clinical application occurring after perfection of the fundamental techniques. Their initial usage should be in traumatic extremity injuries followed by replantation of complete and incomplete amputations. Elective reconstructive microsurgery demands consummate clinical skills and should not be attempted except by those who have convincingly demonstrated their microsurgical skills either in replantation surgery or in the research laboratory.", "contents": "Practical microsurgery. The reconstructive surgeon who wishes to learn microsurgery must realize that its acquisition demands extensive practice in the research laboratory with clinical application occurring after perfection of the fundamental techniques. Their initial usage should be in traumatic extremity injuries followed by replantation of complete and incomplete amputations. Elective reconstructive microsurgery demands consummate clinical skills and should not be attempted except by those who have convincingly demonstrated their microsurgical skills either in replantation surgery or in the research laboratory.", "PMID": 765049} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1585", "title": "Problems in the treatment of burnt hands.", "content": "The treatment of burnt hands is not simple. By emphasizing problems that are frequently encountered, I have attempted to stress certain methods of treatment based on sound principles of burn wound care and skin grafting. Great responsibility rests on the person who does the initial skin grafting in the full-thickness loss burn of the hand, just as there is on the person who is treating the burnt hand prior to grafting. Such responsibility demands the maintenance of adequate range of motion during the preparatory wound care, after the important initial grafting, and during the rehabilitation period, so that maximum final function can be attained. If one does not recognize the importance of these principles of treatment, a stiff, malpositioned, contracted hand will result that is impossible to adequately correct, leading to significant permanent disability and loss of earning power. All who treat burned patients should realize that the major permanent disability of burns is in the hands. Proper treatment based on sound principles can greatly reduce or eliminate that disability.", "contents": "Problems in the treatment of burnt hands. The treatment of burnt hands is not simple. By emphasizing problems that are frequently encountered, I have attempted to stress certain methods of treatment based on sound principles of burn wound care and skin grafting. Great responsibility rests on the person who does the initial skin grafting in the full-thickness loss burn of the hand, just as there is on the person who is treating the burnt hand prior to grafting. Such responsibility demands the maintenance of adequate range of motion during the preparatory wound care, after the important initial grafting, and during the rehabilitation period, so that maximum final function can be attained. If one does not recognize the importance of these principles of treatment, a stiff, malpositioned, contracted hand will result that is impossible to adequately correct, leading to significant permanent disability and loss of earning power. All who treat burned patients should realize that the major permanent disability of burns is in the hands. Proper treatment based on sound principles can greatly reduce or eliminate that disability.", "PMID": 765051} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1586", "title": "Management of mutilating injuries of the hand.", "content": "In the devastating destruction of parts associated with mutilating injuries of the hand, it is often not possible to salvage the elements essential to normal function of the hand. The objective of primary treatment is re-establishment of circulation to the devitalized part, realignment of the remaining skeletal structures, and skin cover of the denuded portions. Definitive reconstruction has to be delayed until survival of the salvaged parts is assured. Occasionally, complex procedures have to be carried out to convert a marginal remnant of the hand into a useful functional unit. These may comprise rearrangement of bony elements to provide a radial digit with intervening space to permit pinch and grasp. Lack of sensibility can be corrected by shifting neurovascular pedicle or by immediate transfer of free neurovascular flap from a distance. Challenge met by skill, tempered by knowledge and sound judgment, comprise the elements of reconstructive hand surgery in the face of mutilating trauma. It is a field in which the surgeon is continually reminded of humility and yet it is filled with rewards for both patient and plastic surgeon.", "contents": "Management of mutilating injuries of the hand. In the devastating destruction of parts associated with mutilating injuries of the hand, it is often not possible to salvage the elements essential to normal function of the hand. The objective of primary treatment is re-establishment of circulation to the devitalized part, realignment of the remaining skeletal structures, and skin cover of the denuded portions. Definitive reconstruction has to be delayed until survival of the salvaged parts is assured. Occasionally, complex procedures have to be carried out to convert a marginal remnant of the hand into a useful functional unit. These may comprise rearrangement of bony elements to provide a radial digit with intervening space to permit pinch and grasp. Lack of sensibility can be corrected by shifting neurovascular pedicle or by immediate transfer of free neurovascular flap from a distance. Challenge met by skill, tempered by knowledge and sound judgment, comprise the elements of reconstructive hand surgery in the face of mutilating trauma. It is a field in which the surgeon is continually reminded of humility and yet it is filled with rewards for both patient and plastic surgeon.", "PMID": 765052} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1587", "title": "Children's drawings about dentistry.", "content": "Drawings about the dentist at work were solicited from 1,101 children in grades 2, 4, 6 and 8 in an urban school district. A system to classify the contents of these drawings was developed. The frequency of various items occurring in the children's drawings was determined. The \"typical\" or most frequent child's drawing of the dentist at work was described. This drawing contained a normal dental chair, dentist, a patient in the chair and dental cabinetry or furniture. The picture was a very matter-of-fact representation. Abnormal or bizarre pictures occurred infrequently. A few children drew pictures that did not relate to dentistry.", "contents": "Children's drawings about dentistry. Drawings about the dentist at work were solicited from 1,101 children in grades 2, 4, 6 and 8 in an urban school district. A system to classify the contents of these drawings was developed. The frequency of various items occurring in the children's drawings was determined. The \"typical\" or most frequent child's drawing of the dentist at work was described. This drawing contained a normal dental chair, dentist, a patient in the chair and dental cabinetry or furniture. The picture was a very matter-of-fact representation. Abnormal or bizarre pictures occurred infrequently. A few children drew pictures that did not relate to dentistry.", "PMID": 765053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1588", "title": "A study of multiracial malocclusions.", "content": "The prevalance of a number of malocclusion traits was investigated for 1,000 modern British caucasoid, 70 medieval British, 60 Anglo-Saxon, 100 negroid and 100 mongoloid dentitions. Marked contrasts were evident in the sagittal, vertical and transverse occlusal and spacing anomalies between the various samples, with dental crowding being particularly prevalent in the modern British caucasoid sample and spacing between the teeth in the Anglo-Saxon sample. The method of quantification of malocclusions was shown to be applicable for other epidemiologic studies.", "contents": "A study of multiracial malocclusions. The prevalance of a number of malocclusion traits was investigated for 1,000 modern British caucasoid, 70 medieval British, 60 Anglo-Saxon, 100 negroid and 100 mongoloid dentitions. Marked contrasts were evident in the sagittal, vertical and transverse occlusal and spacing anomalies between the various samples, with dental crowding being particularly prevalent in the modern British caucasoid sample and spacing between the teeth in the Anglo-Saxon sample. The method of quantification of malocclusions was shown to be applicable for other epidemiologic studies.", "PMID": 765054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1589", "title": "Thermodilution and Fick cardiac index determinations following cardiac surgery.", "content": "With the thermodilution technique, repeated determination of cardiac index (CI) has become a rapid, easily accomplished, safe procedure. We paired 77 CI determinations measured by direct Fick and thermodilution techniques in 21 patients who underwent myocardial revascularization. Commercially available thermistor-tipped catheters and a cardiac output computer were used to determine CI according to the manufacturer's instructions. Oxygen consumption and arterial-venous oxygen content differences were measured directly to determine CI by the Fick method. Comparisons were made during mechanical ventilation with and without positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and during spontaneous ventilation with and without PEEP. Cardiac indices measured by the two techniques were within +/- 0.5 L/min/m2 of each other only 76% of the time and within +/- 1.0 L/min/m2 96% of the time, if CI greater than or equal to 4.0 L/min/m2 were omitted. Ventilatory pattern had no apparent effect on results.", "contents": "Thermodilution and Fick cardiac index determinations following cardiac surgery. With the thermodilution technique, repeated determination of cardiac index (CI) has become a rapid, easily accomplished, safe procedure. We paired 77 CI determinations measured by direct Fick and thermodilution techniques in 21 patients who underwent myocardial revascularization. Commercially available thermistor-tipped catheters and a cardiac output computer were used to determine CI according to the manufacturer's instructions. Oxygen consumption and arterial-venous oxygen content differences were measured directly to determine CI by the Fick method. Comparisons were made during mechanical ventilation with and without positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and during spontaneous ventilation with and without PEEP. Cardiac indices measured by the two techniques were within +/- 0.5 L/min/m2 of each other only 76% of the time and within +/- 1.0 L/min/m2 96% of the time, if CI greater than or equal to 4.0 L/min/m2 were omitted. Ventilatory pattern had no apparent effect on results.", "PMID": 765060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1590", "title": "A tongue stent for prevention of oral trauma in the comatose patient.", "content": "This paper presents the need for and offers a solution to the problem of factitial tongue and other intra-oral injuries in comatose and decerebrate patients. The neurophysiology of jaw movement in the comatose patient is the basis for the design of an intraoral prosthesis which in two patients has prevented discoordinate mandibular chewing movements and facilitated healing of preexisting factitial lesions. The authors delineate in detail the fabrication, insertion, and maintenance of this protective prosthesis and emphasize the need for joint effort between the intensive care, neurosurgical, and oral surgical teams.", "contents": "A tongue stent for prevention of oral trauma in the comatose patient. This paper presents the need for and offers a solution to the problem of factitial tongue and other intra-oral injuries in comatose and decerebrate patients. The neurophysiology of jaw movement in the comatose patient is the basis for the design of an intraoral prosthesis which in two patients has prevented discoordinate mandibular chewing movements and facilitated healing of preexisting factitial lesions. The authors delineate in detail the fabrication, insertion, and maintenance of this protective prosthesis and emphasize the need for joint effort between the intensive care, neurosurgical, and oral surgical teams.", "PMID": 765061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1591", "title": "The pulmonary response to fiberglass dust. Report of the Committee on Environmental Health. American College of Chest Physicians.", "content": "Fiberglass inhalation seems to produce a minimal tissue response in the lungs, and the reaction is one of macrophagic mobilization and is characteristic of the pulmonary response to those nonfibrogenic dusts classified as nuisance dusts. In order to merit the designation of a nuisance dust, the pulmonary response must fulfill the following three requisites:31(p5) (1) The alveolar architecture must remain intact. (2) The stromal proliferation is minimal and consists mainly of reticulin. (3) The tissue reaction is potentially reversible. Inasmuch as the pulmonary reaction to the dusts of fiber glass fulfills all of these requirements, it should be classified as a nuisance dust. 31(p5) There is no evidence to indicate that inhaling fiber glass is associated with either permanent respiratory impairment or carcinogenesis; however, the final verdict as far as the latter is concerned must await the findings of long-term mortality studies.", "contents": "The pulmonary response to fiberglass dust. Report of the Committee on Environmental Health. American College of Chest Physicians. Fiberglass inhalation seems to produce a minimal tissue response in the lungs, and the reaction is one of macrophagic mobilization and is characteristic of the pulmonary response to those nonfibrogenic dusts classified as nuisance dusts. In order to merit the designation of a nuisance dust, the pulmonary response must fulfill the following three requisites:31(p5) (1) The alveolar architecture must remain intact. (2) The stromal proliferation is minimal and consists mainly of reticulin. (3) The tissue reaction is potentially reversible. Inasmuch as the pulmonary reaction to the dusts of fiber glass fulfills all of these requirements, it should be classified as a nuisance dust. 31(p5) There is no evidence to indicate that inhaling fiber glass is associated with either permanent respiratory impairment or carcinogenesis; however, the final verdict as far as the latter is concerned must await the findings of long-term mortality studies.", "PMID": 765070} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1592", "title": "Surgical management of radiation injury of the small and large intestine.", "content": "The following principles should be observed during operations for radiation injuries of the small and large intestine: 1) The objective of operation is modest: to relieve symptoms. 2) Only healthy bowel, which was outside the radiation field, should be anastomosed. 3) Isolated small intestinal injuries should be resected or bypassed, and extensive dissection should be avoided. 4) Colorectal injuries should be treated by diverting descending colostomy, with or without resection of the diseased bowel.", "contents": "Surgical management of radiation injury of the small and large intestine. The following principles should be observed during operations for radiation injuries of the small and large intestine: 1) The objective of operation is modest: to relieve symptoms. 2) Only healthy bowel, which was outside the radiation field, should be anastomosed. 3) Isolated small intestinal injuries should be resected or bypassed, and extensive dissection should be avoided. 4) Colorectal injuries should be treated by diverting descending colostomy, with or without resection of the diseased bowel.", "PMID": 765078} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1593", "title": "A controlled study comparing the conventional treatment of idiopathic anorectal abcess with that of incision, curettage and primary suture under systemic antibiotic cover.", "content": "The treatment of anorectal abscess by deroofing and packing on an initial inpatient basis has been compared in a controlled trial with that of incision, curettage and primary suture under systemic antibiotic cover in the Accident and Emergency Department. Over a three-year period 219 patients with anorectal abscess were randomly allocated to one or other treatment and subsequently followed up in a rectal clinic. In terms of the time taken for complete healing and the periods lost from work postoperatively, the method of incision, curettage and primary suture under systemic antibiotic cover was found to be significantly superior, without any increased risk of recurrence of the abscess or of subsequent fistula formation.", "contents": "A controlled study comparing the conventional treatment of idiopathic anorectal abcess with that of incision, curettage and primary suture under systemic antibiotic cover. The treatment of anorectal abscess by deroofing and packing on an initial inpatient basis has been compared in a controlled trial with that of incision, curettage and primary suture under systemic antibiotic cover in the Accident and Emergency Department. Over a three-year period 219 patients with anorectal abscess were randomly allocated to one or other treatment and subsequently followed up in a rectal clinic. In terms of the time taken for complete healing and the periods lost from work postoperatively, the method of incision, curettage and primary suture under systemic antibiotic cover was found to be significantly superior, without any increased risk of recurrence of the abscess or of subsequent fistula formation.", "PMID": 765079} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1594", "title": "Fenfluramine: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy in obesity.", "content": "Fenfluramine has been used for a number of years as a short-term adjunct to diet in the management of obesity. Controlled studies and clinical experience have shown that it possesses anorectic activity at least as good as that of other therapeutically useful drugs of its type, but like these drugs it has only a limited role in the overall management of obesity. Tolerance to the anorectic effects of fenfluramine may possibly develop more slowly than to other chemically related drugs in patients with refractory obesity. The mechanism of its anorectic action is probably by an effect on the appetite control centres in the hypothalamus, rather than by an effect on glucose and lipid metabolism. However, its effect in enhancing glucose uptake into skeletal muscle may be of advantage in diabetes mellitus, preliminary studies suggesting that it is of potential use in maturity-onset obese diabetics who cannot be adequately controlled by dietary measures alone. The starting dosage in obesity of 40mg daily should be increased gradually over 2 to 4 weeks to 60 to 120mg. In general, little extra benefit is gained by higher dosage. When a course of therapy is to be discontinued, fenfluramine dosage should be reduced gradually over a period of 2 to 4 weeks in order to avoid mood depression which has occurred in some patients on abrupt withdrawal of the drug. With these recommendations, the majority of patients tolerate fenfluramine satisfactorily, although some patients may have to discontinue the drug because of troublesome gastro-intestinal problems, diarrhoea, drowsiness or dizziness. Unlike other amphetamine-derived anorectics, fenfluramine is not a central stimulant in therapeutic doses, and it probably has little abuse potential.", "contents": "Fenfluramine: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy in obesity. Fenfluramine has been used for a number of years as a short-term adjunct to diet in the management of obesity. Controlled studies and clinical experience have shown that it possesses anorectic activity at least as good as that of other therapeutically useful drugs of its type, but like these drugs it has only a limited role in the overall management of obesity. Tolerance to the anorectic effects of fenfluramine may possibly develop more slowly than to other chemically related drugs in patients with refractory obesity. The mechanism of its anorectic action is probably by an effect on the appetite control centres in the hypothalamus, rather than by an effect on glucose and lipid metabolism. However, its effect in enhancing glucose uptake into skeletal muscle may be of advantage in diabetes mellitus, preliminary studies suggesting that it is of potential use in maturity-onset obese diabetics who cannot be adequately controlled by dietary measures alone. The starting dosage in obesity of 40mg daily should be increased gradually over 2 to 4 weeks to 60 to 120mg. In general, little extra benefit is gained by higher dosage. When a course of therapy is to be discontinued, fenfluramine dosage should be reduced gradually over a period of 2 to 4 weeks in order to avoid mood depression which has occurred in some patients on abrupt withdrawal of the drug. With these recommendations, the majority of patients tolerate fenfluramine satisfactorily, although some patients may have to discontinue the drug because of troublesome gastro-intestinal problems, diarrhoea, drowsiness or dizziness. Unlike other amphetamine-derived anorectics, fenfluramine is not a central stimulant in therapeutic doses, and it probably has little abuse potential.", "PMID": 765100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1595", "title": "Effects of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone on incorporation of radioactive glucosamine and amino acids into luteinizing hormone and total protein by rat pituitaries in vitro.", "content": "The influence of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on incorporation of glucosamine and amino acids into LH and total protein was investigated. Rat pituitaries were incubated in vitro with radioactive precursors for 4 h at 37 C. Labeled LH was isolated by immunoprecipitation with specific anti-LH-beta serum. Total LH in the medium and pituitary glands was measured by radioimmunoassay. GnRH significantly stimulated incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into LH in pituitaries from immature male, intact female, and ovariectomized rats. Pituitaries from ovariectomized rats synthesized more [3H]glucosamine-labeled LH than those from intact adult rats. GnRH enhanced release of [3H]glucosamine-LH into medium in pituitaries of both adult intact and ovariectomized rats. The response to GnRH was greatly reduced when pituitaries were exposed to cold shock before the 4 h incorporation period. In contrast to its effect on incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into LH, GnRH had either no or little effect, depending on experimental conditions, on uptake of [3H]glucosamine by pituitaries. Incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into total protein was not affected by GnRH treatment. GnRH increased release of either [3H]leucine- or [3H]alanine-labeled LH into medium, but had no significant effect on incorporation of labeled amino acids into total LH in the system. GnRH modified neither uptake nor incorporation of amino acids into total protein. GnRH significantly stimulated the release of cold LH into medium under all conditions, but the total amount of immunoassayable LH in the system was not detectably modified by GnRH treatment.", "contents": "Effects of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone on incorporation of radioactive glucosamine and amino acids into luteinizing hormone and total protein by rat pituitaries in vitro. The influence of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on incorporation of glucosamine and amino acids into LH and total protein was investigated. Rat pituitaries were incubated in vitro with radioactive precursors for 4 h at 37 C. Labeled LH was isolated by immunoprecipitation with specific anti-LH-beta serum. Total LH in the medium and pituitary glands was measured by radioimmunoassay. GnRH significantly stimulated incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into LH in pituitaries from immature male, intact female, and ovariectomized rats. Pituitaries from ovariectomized rats synthesized more [3H]glucosamine-labeled LH than those from intact adult rats. GnRH enhanced release of [3H]glucosamine-LH into medium in pituitaries of both adult intact and ovariectomized rats. The response to GnRH was greatly reduced when pituitaries were exposed to cold shock before the 4 h incorporation period. In contrast to its effect on incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into LH, GnRH had either no or little effect, depending on experimental conditions, on uptake of [3H]glucosamine by pituitaries. Incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into total protein was not affected by GnRH treatment. GnRH increased release of either [3H]leucine- or [3H]alanine-labeled LH into medium, but had no significant effect on incorporation of labeled amino acids into total LH in the system. GnRH modified neither uptake nor incorporation of amino acids into total protein. GnRH significantly stimulated the release of cold LH into medium under all conditions, but the total amount of immunoassayable LH in the system was not detectably modified by GnRH treatment.", "PMID": 765113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1596", "title": "Uptake of (3H)progesterone and (3H)5alpha-dihydroprogesterone by rat tissues in vivo and analysis of accumulated radioactivity: accumulation of 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone by pituitary and hypothalamic tissues.", "content": "These in vivo studies explored the possibility that the metabolism of progesterone to 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone (5alpha-DHP) and 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one in hypothalamus and pituitary may influence gonadotropin release. [3H]progesterone or [3H]5alpha-DHP was injected iv into ovariectomized or ovariectomized-adrenalectomized rats for 10 0r 30 min. 3H content was determined for plasma, anterior pituitary, medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), cerebral cortex, muscle and uterus. Isotopic dilution analyses of the accumulated 3H were made for progesterone, 5alpha-DHP, 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one, 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone, 20alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-3-one, and 5alpha-pregnane-3alpha, 20alpha-diol on samples from the 10 min groups. With progesterone injections, most of the tissue 3H was distributed among progesterone, 5alpha-DHP, and 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one. Progesterone was the predominant 3H-steroid in uterus, MBH, cerebral cortex and muscle. [3H]5alpha-DHP was the other major 3H-steroid in MBH and the predominant one in pituitary. In terms of tissue/plasma concentration comparisons, no tissue concentration of [3H]progesterone was greater than that in plasma except for MBH in the ovariectomized-adrenalectomized group. In contrast, [3H]5alpha-DHP levels in pituitary, MBH and cerebral cortex were many fold greater than those in plasma and muscle. MBH and pituitary levels were significantly greater than that in cerebral cortex. With 5alpha-DHP injections, most tissue 3H was associated with 5alpha-DHP and/or 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one. No [3H]progesterone was detected. [3H]5alpha-DHP predominated in pituitary and MBH, while 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one predominated in the others. In terms of tissue and plasma concentration comparisons, MBH, pituitary and cerebral cortical concentrations of [3H]5alpha-DHP were markedly higher than plasma, muscle, and uterine levels. Pituitary and MBH concentrations were also greater than that in cerebral cortex. Tissue levels of [3H]3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one were not significantly greater than that in plasma. Thus, 10 min after injection of either [3H]progesterone or [3H]5alpha-DHP, high and significant amounts of 5alpha-DHP are accumulated in pituitary and hypothalamus, but not in uterus, which suggests that its presence may be functionally important in governing progesterone-sensitive processes in these feedback tissues.", "contents": "Uptake of (3H)progesterone and (3H)5alpha-dihydroprogesterone by rat tissues in vivo and analysis of accumulated radioactivity: accumulation of 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone by pituitary and hypothalamic tissues. These in vivo studies explored the possibility that the metabolism of progesterone to 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone (5alpha-DHP) and 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one in hypothalamus and pituitary may influence gonadotropin release. [3H]progesterone or [3H]5alpha-DHP was injected iv into ovariectomized or ovariectomized-adrenalectomized rats for 10 0r 30 min. 3H content was determined for plasma, anterior pituitary, medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), cerebral cortex, muscle and uterus. Isotopic dilution analyses of the accumulated 3H were made for progesterone, 5alpha-DHP, 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one, 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone, 20alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-3-one, and 5alpha-pregnane-3alpha, 20alpha-diol on samples from the 10 min groups. With progesterone injections, most of the tissue 3H was distributed among progesterone, 5alpha-DHP, and 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one. Progesterone was the predominant 3H-steroid in uterus, MBH, cerebral cortex and muscle. [3H]5alpha-DHP was the other major 3H-steroid in MBH and the predominant one in pituitary. In terms of tissue/plasma concentration comparisons, no tissue concentration of [3H]progesterone was greater than that in plasma except for MBH in the ovariectomized-adrenalectomized group. In contrast, [3H]5alpha-DHP levels in pituitary, MBH and cerebral cortex were many fold greater than those in plasma and muscle. MBH and pituitary levels were significantly greater than that in cerebral cortex. With 5alpha-DHP injections, most tissue 3H was associated with 5alpha-DHP and/or 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one. No [3H]progesterone was detected. [3H]5alpha-DHP predominated in pituitary and MBH, while 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one predominated in the others. In terms of tissue and plasma concentration comparisons, MBH, pituitary and cerebral cortical concentrations of [3H]5alpha-DHP were markedly higher than plasma, muscle, and uterine levels. Pituitary and MBH concentrations were also greater than that in cerebral cortex. Tissue levels of [3H]3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one were not significantly greater than that in plasma. Thus, 10 min after injection of either [3H]progesterone or [3H]5alpha-DHP, high and significant amounts of 5alpha-DHP are accumulated in pituitary and hypothalamus, but not in uterus, which suggests that its presence may be functionally important in governing progesterone-sensitive processes in these feedback tissues.", "PMID": 765114} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1597", "title": "Effect of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and an LHRH antagonist of hypothalamic and plasma LHRH of hypophysectomized rats.", "content": "Stalk-medium eminence (SME) and plasma LHRH activities of chronically hypophysectomized immature female rats were evaluated by bioassay following a single subcutaneous injection of varying doses of either LHRH or the LHRH antagonist, [D-Phe2, D-Ala6]-LHRH (Wy-18,185). Administration of LHRH to hypophysectomized rats produced parallel dose-related increases in SME and plasma LHRH activities. Wy-18,185 produced a similar, but attenuated dose-related increase in SME-LHRH activity, while a dose-related decrease in plasma LHRH activity was observed. Collectively, the data suggest that (1) exogenous LHRH may be sequestered by the hypothalamus leading to significant increases in hypothalamic LHRH content, and (2) peptide antagonists of LHRH inhibit the release of endogenous LHRH at the hypothalamic level.", "contents": "Effect of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and an LHRH antagonist of hypothalamic and plasma LHRH of hypophysectomized rats. Stalk-medium eminence (SME) and plasma LHRH activities of chronically hypophysectomized immature female rats were evaluated by bioassay following a single subcutaneous injection of varying doses of either LHRH or the LHRH antagonist, [D-Phe2, D-Ala6]-LHRH (Wy-18,185). Administration of LHRH to hypophysectomized rats produced parallel dose-related increases in SME and plasma LHRH activities. Wy-18,185 produced a similar, but attenuated dose-related increase in SME-LHRH activity, while a dose-related decrease in plasma LHRH activity was observed. Collectively, the data suggest that (1) exogenous LHRH may be sequestered by the hypothalamus leading to significant increases in hypothalamic LHRH content, and (2) peptide antagonists of LHRH inhibit the release of endogenous LHRH at the hypothalamic level.", "PMID": 765115} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1598", "title": "Somatostatinergic neurons in anterior hypothalamus: immunohistochemical localization.", "content": "The distribution of somatostatin was studied in the rat with an immunoperoxidase technique and rabbit anti-somatostatin. Somatostatinergic neurons were identified in the preoptic and anterior periventricular hypothalamus between the anterior commissure, optic chiasm, and the anterior portion of the ventromedial nucleus.", "contents": "Somatostatinergic neurons in anterior hypothalamus: immunohistochemical localization. The distribution of somatostatin was studied in the rat with an immunoperoxidase technique and rabbit anti-somatostatin. Somatostatinergic neurons were identified in the preoptic and anterior periventricular hypothalamus between the anterior commissure, optic chiasm, and the anterior portion of the ventromedial nucleus.", "PMID": 765116} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1599", "title": "Somatostatin inhibition of insulin and glucagon secretion in rat islet culture: reversal by ionophore A23187.", "content": "Both insulin and glucagon release by monolayer cell cultures of newborn rat pancreas were increased when calcium concentration was raised from 1.8 mEq/1 to 7.2 mEq/1. In low calcium medium, the calcium ionophore A23187 (10 mug/ml) enhanced insulin and glucagon secretion. Incubation with somatostatin (1.0 mug/ml), which inhibited hormonal release in a low calcium environment, paradoxically caused augmented insulin and glucagon secretion when A23187 was also present.", "contents": "Somatostatin inhibition of insulin and glucagon secretion in rat islet culture: reversal by ionophore A23187. Both insulin and glucagon release by monolayer cell cultures of newborn rat pancreas were increased when calcium concentration was raised from 1.8 mEq/1 to 7.2 mEq/1. In low calcium medium, the calcium ionophore A23187 (10 mug/ml) enhanced insulin and glucagon secretion. Incubation with somatostatin (1.0 mug/ml), which inhibited hormonal release in a low calcium environment, paradoxically caused augmented insulin and glucagon secretion when A23187 was also present.", "PMID": 765117} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1600", "title": "Effects of intravenous infusion of catecholamines on rat plasma luteinizing hormone and prolactin concentrations.", "content": "Catecholamines were infused through an atrial cannula in unanesthetized rats on the afternoon of proestrus and blood was withdrawn through a second cannula for radioimmunoassay of LH and prolactin. Infusion of epinephrine, but not of norepinephrine or dopamine, blocked spontaneous pituitary LH release and ovulation. Ultimately, this effect appears to be exerted on the brain and not on the pituitary or through changes in pituitary blood flow. Pituitary LH release in response to exogenous LHRH, when administered in an amount that simulated the proestrous LH surge in phenobarital-treated rats, was unaltered by epinephrine infusion. In addition, epinephrine infusion did not alter the timing of the rise in plasma prolactin. Infusion of dopamine blocked the spontaneous rise in plasma prolactin and depressed basal prolactin levels. After the end of infusion, plasma prolactin rose rapidly. Infusion of norepinephrine or epinephrine partially suppressed the prolactin rise but only after 2 h of infusion. 1) point out the possibility that chronic release of epinephrine from the adrenal medulla may be involved in phenomena in which \"stress\" inhibits reproductive function; and 2) are consistent with the view that dopamine, but not norepinephrine, may be PIF.", "contents": "Effects of intravenous infusion of catecholamines on rat plasma luteinizing hormone and prolactin concentrations. Catecholamines were infused through an atrial cannula in unanesthetized rats on the afternoon of proestrus and blood was withdrawn through a second cannula for radioimmunoassay of LH and prolactin. Infusion of epinephrine, but not of norepinephrine or dopamine, blocked spontaneous pituitary LH release and ovulation. Ultimately, this effect appears to be exerted on the brain and not on the pituitary or through changes in pituitary blood flow. Pituitary LH release in response to exogenous LHRH, when administered in an amount that simulated the proestrous LH surge in phenobarital-treated rats, was unaltered by epinephrine infusion. In addition, epinephrine infusion did not alter the timing of the rise in plasma prolactin. Infusion of dopamine blocked the spontaneous rise in plasma prolactin and depressed basal prolactin levels. After the end of infusion, plasma prolactin rose rapidly. Infusion of norepinephrine or epinephrine partially suppressed the prolactin rise but only after 2 h of infusion. 1) point out the possibility that chronic release of epinephrine from the adrenal medulla may be involved in phenomena in which \"stress\" inhibits reproductive function; and 2) are consistent with the view that dopamine, but not norepinephrine, may be PIF.", "PMID": 765118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1601", "title": "Inhibition of luteinizing hormone release by analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in vitro.", "content": "Sixteen synthetic analogs of LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) were tested for their ability to inhibit the stimulation of LH release induced by 3 X 10(-9)M LHRH in anterior pituitary cells in monolayer culture. Half-maximal inhibition of LHRH-induced LH release was obtained with 7 analogs at concentrations which ranged from 3 X 10(-6)M to 3 X 10(-5)M. None of these seven analogs had significant LH-releasing activity at concentrations up to 10-5M. Nine analogs had no detectable antagonistic activity when tested in up to a 3000-fold molar ratio of analog to LHRH.", "contents": "Inhibition of luteinizing hormone release by analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in vitro. Sixteen synthetic analogs of LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) were tested for their ability to inhibit the stimulation of LH release induced by 3 X 10(-9)M LHRH in anterior pituitary cells in monolayer culture. Half-maximal inhibition of LHRH-induced LH release was obtained with 7 analogs at concentrations which ranged from 3 X 10(-6)M to 3 X 10(-5)M. None of these seven analogs had significant LH-releasing activity at concentrations up to 10-5M. Nine analogs had no detectable antagonistic activity when tested in up to a 3000-fold molar ratio of analog to LHRH.", "PMID": 765119} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1602", "title": "Re-examination of porcine and bovine hypothalamic fractions for additional luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone-releasing activities.", "content": "More than 150 hypothalamic fractions were reassayed for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) and follicle stimulating hormone-releasing hormone (FSHRH) activities in search for LHRH and FSHRH which differ from the decapeptide (pyro)Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Try-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2 (I). Among the porcine fractions tested were those obtained: 1) from the isolation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone; 2) from two isolation procedures for LHRH; and 3) from methanolic and aqueous 2N acetic acid extracts which were subjected to Biogel P-2 filtration and partition chromatography. Some bovine hypothalamic fractions were also tested. Both in vivo and in vitro assays were used for measuring LHRH and FSHRH activities. The values obtained were in each case compared with those resulting from the administration of pure natural or synthetic LHRH decapeptide I. A radioimmunoassay for LHRH (I) was also utilized for some fractions. In all the purification steps the location of LHRH and FSHRH activity, as determined by in vivo assays, corresponded to that of the decapeptide I. Purification of hypothalamic extracts on Biogel P-2 and by partition chromatography separated a fraction from the decapeptide I, which released more FSH than LH in vitro from the pituitaries of immature female rats. However, this material was inactive in vivo and in other in vitro systems, so that its significance is obscure. The results suggest that if material with LHRH and FSHRH activity other than the decapeptide I is present in acid extracts of porcine hypothalami, then its FSHRH and LHRH activity would be a minor part of the total LHRH/FSHRH activity in the extracts. (Pyro)-Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2 appears to account for most of all of the LHRH and FSHRH activity found.", "contents": "Re-examination of porcine and bovine hypothalamic fractions for additional luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone-releasing activities. More than 150 hypothalamic fractions were reassayed for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) and follicle stimulating hormone-releasing hormone (FSHRH) activities in search for LHRH and FSHRH which differ from the decapeptide (pyro)Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Try-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2 (I). Among the porcine fractions tested were those obtained: 1) from the isolation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone; 2) from two isolation procedures for LHRH; and 3) from methanolic and aqueous 2N acetic acid extracts which were subjected to Biogel P-2 filtration and partition chromatography. Some bovine hypothalamic fractions were also tested. Both in vivo and in vitro assays were used for measuring LHRH and FSHRH activities. The values obtained were in each case compared with those resulting from the administration of pure natural or synthetic LHRH decapeptide I. A radioimmunoassay for LHRH (I) was also utilized for some fractions. In all the purification steps the location of LHRH and FSHRH activity, as determined by in vivo assays, corresponded to that of the decapeptide I. Purification of hypothalamic extracts on Biogel P-2 and by partition chromatography separated a fraction from the decapeptide I, which released more FSH than LH in vitro from the pituitaries of immature female rats. However, this material was inactive in vivo and in other in vitro systems, so that its significance is obscure. The results suggest that if material with LHRH and FSHRH activity other than the decapeptide I is present in acid extracts of porcine hypothalami, then its FSHRH and LHRH activity would be a minor part of the total LHRH/FSHRH activity in the extracts. (Pyro)-Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2 appears to account for most of all of the LHRH and FSHRH activity found.", "PMID": 765120} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1603", "title": "Cytochalasin B-induced impariment of glucose metabolism in islets of Langerhans.", "content": "Cytochalasin B (10 mug/ml) facilitated glucose-, glyceraldehyde-, and leucine-induced insulin release. It inhibited glucose uptake, utilization, and oxidation, as well as lactate output in islets exposed to glucose (16.7 mM). However, it failed to affect lactate output in the presence of glyceraldehyde, and leucine oxidation. Cytochalasin B also caused a partial inhibition of 45calcium uptake and proinsulin synthesis evoked by glucose in low concentration (5.6 mM), these findings being compatible with a modest impairment of the process of glucose recognition by the beta-cell. At a higher glucose level (16.7 mM), cytochalasin B failed to affect proinsulin synthesis, the immediate inhibitory effect of glucose upon 45calcium efflux, and the subsequent accumulation of 45calcium in the islets. In the presence of cytochalasin B, mannoheptulose further reduced glucose utilization and lactate production and suppressed glucose-induced insulin release. These data suggest that, although insulin release in the presence of cytochalasin B apparently remains dependent on a sufficient glycolytic flux, the facilitating effect of the drug upon insulin secretion cannot be ascribed to any favorable influence on glucose handling by islet tissue. It is suggested that cytochalasin B, possibly through its effect on the microfilamentous web which is part of the cell boundary, may both facilitate insulin release and inhibit glucose transport across the cell membrane, although no direct cause and effect relationship would exist between the two phenomena.", "contents": "Cytochalasin B-induced impariment of glucose metabolism in islets of Langerhans. Cytochalasin B (10 mug/ml) facilitated glucose-, glyceraldehyde-, and leucine-induced insulin release. It inhibited glucose uptake, utilization, and oxidation, as well as lactate output in islets exposed to glucose (16.7 mM). However, it failed to affect lactate output in the presence of glyceraldehyde, and leucine oxidation. Cytochalasin B also caused a partial inhibition of 45calcium uptake and proinsulin synthesis evoked by glucose in low concentration (5.6 mM), these findings being compatible with a modest impairment of the process of glucose recognition by the beta-cell. At a higher glucose level (16.7 mM), cytochalasin B failed to affect proinsulin synthesis, the immediate inhibitory effect of glucose upon 45calcium efflux, and the subsequent accumulation of 45calcium in the islets. In the presence of cytochalasin B, mannoheptulose further reduced glucose utilization and lactate production and suppressed glucose-induced insulin release. These data suggest that, although insulin release in the presence of cytochalasin B apparently remains dependent on a sufficient glycolytic flux, the facilitating effect of the drug upon insulin secretion cannot be ascribed to any favorable influence on glucose handling by islet tissue. It is suggested that cytochalasin B, possibly through its effect on the microfilamentous web which is part of the cell boundary, may both facilitate insulin release and inhibit glucose transport across the cell membrane, although no direct cause and effect relationship would exist between the two phenomena.", "PMID": 765121} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1604", "title": "Simulation of the proestrous luteinizing hormone (LH) surge after infusion of LH-releasing hormone in phenobarbital-blocked rats.", "content": "Four-day cycling rats were kept in a room with the lights on from 0500-1900 h. Injection of an ovulation-blocking dose of phenobarbital at 1230 h on proestrus did not alter the rise in plasma LH concentration in response to rapid injection of 12.4, 124, or 1240 ng of LHRH at 1300 h. In additional blocked rats, blood was rapidly withdrawen through one of two indwelling atrial cannulas while LHRH was infused at a constant rate through the other. Administration of a given amount of LHRH by slow infusion was much more effective in elevating plasma LH than was rapid injection of the same amount of releasing hormone. The pattern of plasma LH concentration after infusion of approximately 50 ng of LHRH per hour from 1500-1810 h was remarkably similar to that of the spontaneous LH surge, i.e., a gradual rise in plasma LH concentration followed by a steep linear increase to high levels which remained elevated for a period of approximately 2 h before declining rapidly soon after the end of infusion. In rats given a second 3 h infusion of LHRH at the same rate, from 2200 to 0100 h, a different response pattern was seen: the initial increase in plasma LH was greater, but the linear rise, which ensued after a lag period of similar duration (about 45 min), was less marked. Prolongation of the first infusion beyond 1800 h did not prolong the plateau: plasma LH levels declined before the infusion was terminated. This decline was less rapid than that seen at the end of a spontaneous LH surge, which in turn was less rapid than that seen after termination of a 3 h and 10 min infusion starting at the same time (1500 h), suggesting that both LHRH release and pituitary responsiveness are diminished (but not abolished) at this time. These findings clearly indicate that, in phenobarbital-blocked proestrous rats, the major part of the proestrous LH surge (including rising and plateau phases) can be simulated by a constant-rate infusion of about 150 ng of LHRH over the 3 h and 10 min period beginning at 1500 h. Since the data also suggest that LHRH release is reduced and/or occurs sporadically during the terminal phase of the surge (when plasma LH levels are declining), these experiments imply that the LH surge is caused by a properly timed, nearly constant-rate release of LHRH for about 3 h (beginning about 1500 h of proestrus) followed by a period of diminished LHRH release.", "contents": "Simulation of the proestrous luteinizing hormone (LH) surge after infusion of LH-releasing hormone in phenobarbital-blocked rats. Four-day cycling rats were kept in a room with the lights on from 0500-1900 h. Injection of an ovulation-blocking dose of phenobarbital at 1230 h on proestrus did not alter the rise in plasma LH concentration in response to rapid injection of 12.4, 124, or 1240 ng of LHRH at 1300 h. In additional blocked rats, blood was rapidly withdrawen through one of two indwelling atrial cannulas while LHRH was infused at a constant rate through the other. Administration of a given amount of LHRH by slow infusion was much more effective in elevating plasma LH than was rapid injection of the same amount of releasing hormone. The pattern of plasma LH concentration after infusion of approximately 50 ng of LHRH per hour from 1500-1810 h was remarkably similar to that of the spontaneous LH surge, i.e., a gradual rise in plasma LH concentration followed by a steep linear increase to high levels which remained elevated for a period of approximately 2 h before declining rapidly soon after the end of infusion. In rats given a second 3 h infusion of LHRH at the same rate, from 2200 to 0100 h, a different response pattern was seen: the initial increase in plasma LH was greater, but the linear rise, which ensued after a lag period of similar duration (about 45 min), was less marked. Prolongation of the first infusion beyond 1800 h did not prolong the plateau: plasma LH levels declined before the infusion was terminated. This decline was less rapid than that seen at the end of a spontaneous LH surge, which in turn was less rapid than that seen after termination of a 3 h and 10 min infusion starting at the same time (1500 h), suggesting that both LHRH release and pituitary responsiveness are diminished (but not abolished) at this time. These findings clearly indicate that, in phenobarbital-blocked proestrous rats, the major part of the proestrous LH surge (including rising and plateau phases) can be simulated by a constant-rate infusion of about 150 ng of LHRH over the 3 h and 10 min period beginning at 1500 h. Since the data also suggest that LHRH release is reduced and/or occurs sporadically during the terminal phase of the surge (when plasma LH levels are declining), these experiments imply that the LH surge is caused by a properly timed, nearly constant-rate release of LHRH for about 3 h (beginning about 1500 h of proestrus) followed by a period of diminished LHRH release.", "PMID": 765122} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1605", "title": "Simulation of the early phase of the proestrous follicle-stimulating hormone rise after infusion of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in phenobarbital-blocked rats.", "content": "Four-day cycling rats were kept in a room with the lights on from 0500-1900 h. Plasma FSH concentrations in blood withdrawn through atrial cannulas at hourly intervals from 1400-2000 h on proestrus were very similar to serum FSH concentrations in blood collected by decapitation. Additional cannulated rats were bled at 20 min intervals from 1400-1600, 1600-1800, or 1800-2000 h. In most rats, plasma FSH concentration rose gradually to approximately three times pre-rise levels by 1900 h. It then decreased slightly by 2000 h. Injection of an ovulation-blocking dosage of phenobarbital at 1345 h blocked the FSH rise. Rapid injection of 124 or 1240 ng of LHRH at 1300 h did not elevate plasma FSH by 1315 h but the 1240 ng dose did by 1400 h. Phenobarbital injection at 1230 h did not alter this response. In additional blocked rats, blood was rapidly withdrawen through one of two indwelling atrial cannulas while LHRH was infused at a constant rate through the other. Administration of LHRH by infusion was much more effective in elevating plasma FSH than was rapid injection of the releasing hormone. The pattern of plasma FSH concentration after infusion of about 50 ng of LHRH per hour from 1500-1810 h and then about 12 ng of LHRH per hour from 1810-1920 h was remarkably similar to that of the spontaneous FSH rise. These experiments imply that the early phase of the FSH surge (the one associated with the proestrous LH surge) is caused by a properly timed, nearly constant-rate release of LHRH for about 3 h (beginning about 1500 h of proestrus) followed by a period of diminished LHRH release.", "contents": "Simulation of the early phase of the proestrous follicle-stimulating hormone rise after infusion of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in phenobarbital-blocked rats. Four-day cycling rats were kept in a room with the lights on from 0500-1900 h. Plasma FSH concentrations in blood withdrawn through atrial cannulas at hourly intervals from 1400-2000 h on proestrus were very similar to serum FSH concentrations in blood collected by decapitation. Additional cannulated rats were bled at 20 min intervals from 1400-1600, 1600-1800, or 1800-2000 h. In most rats, plasma FSH concentration rose gradually to approximately three times pre-rise levels by 1900 h. It then decreased slightly by 2000 h. Injection of an ovulation-blocking dosage of phenobarbital at 1345 h blocked the FSH rise. Rapid injection of 124 or 1240 ng of LHRH at 1300 h did not elevate plasma FSH by 1315 h but the 1240 ng dose did by 1400 h. Phenobarbital injection at 1230 h did not alter this response. In additional blocked rats, blood was rapidly withdrawen through one of two indwelling atrial cannulas while LHRH was infused at a constant rate through the other. Administration of LHRH by infusion was much more effective in elevating plasma FSH than was rapid injection of the releasing hormone. The pattern of plasma FSH concentration after infusion of about 50 ng of LHRH per hour from 1500-1810 h and then about 12 ng of LHRH per hour from 1810-1920 h was remarkably similar to that of the spontaneous FSH rise. These experiments imply that the early phase of the FSH surge (the one associated with the proestrous LH surge) is caused by a properly timed, nearly constant-rate release of LHRH for about 3 h (beginning about 1500 h of proestrus) followed by a period of diminished LHRH release.", "PMID": 765123} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1606", "title": "Effect of administration of anti-serum to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on gonadal function during the estrous cycle in the hamster.", "content": "One-half ml of sheep-anti-LHRH-serum (No. 772) completely blocked ovulation when administered iv or sc at any stage of the estrous cycle in cycling hamsters. This anti-ovulatory activity lasted 12-13 days. The minimal effective iv dose (MED) of the anti-LHRH serum for completely blocking the preovulatory LH surge and ovulation when administered at 1200 h on proestrus was 0.2 ml. Injection of LHRH on the afternoon of P (proestrus) induced ovulation in the antiserum-treated hamsters when the antiserum was injected on P, but not when injected on D1 (diestrus 1) or D2 (diestrus 2). This suggests that the anti-LHRH serum acts differently in blocking ovulation during D and P, by suppressing follicular development and inhibiting preovulatory surge of gonadotropins, respectively. Serum estradiol levels, measured by radioimmunoassay, were significantly reduced but not completely suppressed after injection of 0.5 ml of anti-LHRH-serum. Histological examinations of the ovaries revealed that an arrest of follicular maturation resulted 3 days after antiserum injection. 17-beta-Estradiol administered 22 h before the presumptive preovulatory LH surge improved significantly (P less than 0.05) the LH response to LHRH in the antiserum-blocked hamsters. This suggests a direct modulation of pituitary LH responsiveness by estradiol in the absence of endogenous LHRH activity. When the integrated levels of serum LH following an injection of a minimum effective dose of exogenous LHRH to induce full ovulation in anti-serum-blocked hamsters were compared with those during the physiological preovulatory LH surge, it was found that only 11% of the amount of LH released on the afternoon of proestrus was sufficient for inducing full ovulation.", "contents": "Effect of administration of anti-serum to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on gonadal function during the estrous cycle in the hamster. One-half ml of sheep-anti-LHRH-serum (No. 772) completely blocked ovulation when administered iv or sc at any stage of the estrous cycle in cycling hamsters. This anti-ovulatory activity lasted 12-13 days. The minimal effective iv dose (MED) of the anti-LHRH serum for completely blocking the preovulatory LH surge and ovulation when administered at 1200 h on proestrus was 0.2 ml. Injection of LHRH on the afternoon of P (proestrus) induced ovulation in the antiserum-treated hamsters when the antiserum was injected on P, but not when injected on D1 (diestrus 1) or D2 (diestrus 2). This suggests that the anti-LHRH serum acts differently in blocking ovulation during D and P, by suppressing follicular development and inhibiting preovulatory surge of gonadotropins, respectively. Serum estradiol levels, measured by radioimmunoassay, were significantly reduced but not completely suppressed after injection of 0.5 ml of anti-LHRH-serum. Histological examinations of the ovaries revealed that an arrest of follicular maturation resulted 3 days after antiserum injection. 17-beta-Estradiol administered 22 h before the presumptive preovulatory LH surge improved significantly (P less than 0.05) the LH response to LHRH in the antiserum-blocked hamsters. This suggests a direct modulation of pituitary LH responsiveness by estradiol in the absence of endogenous LHRH activity. When the integrated levels of serum LH following an injection of a minimum effective dose of exogenous LHRH to induce full ovulation in anti-serum-blocked hamsters were compared with those during the physiological preovulatory LH surge, it was found that only 11% of the amount of LH released on the afternoon of proestrus was sufficient for inducing full ovulation.", "PMID": 765124} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1607", "title": "[Decomposition of steroids during incubation with beta-glucuronidase and during storage of urine].", "content": "Androsterone, etiocholanolone, pregnanetriol, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnanediol, tetrahydrocortisol, 5-pregnenolone and 11-beta-OH-androsterone were incubated with beta-glucuronidase preparations (Helix pomatia, bovine liver and E. coli) for 96 hrs at 37 degrees C. After extraction and silylation they were gas-chromatographed. The first 3 steroids were left practically intact. The least decomposition of the last 5 steroids occurred with the liver enzyme. Testosterone and 11-ketoandrosterone without the enzymes showed 74 and 35% recoveries. Cortisol and tetrahydrocortisol, incubated with the first two enzymes for 18 hrs at 37 degrees and 48 degrees C, showed nearly 100% recoveries. The recoveries of 17-OHCS in urines (pH 7.8-8.8), stored for 7 days, was 80% at 20 degrees-25 degrees C and 55% at 25 degrees-30 degrees C. The same samples, brought to pH 1.8-2.8 WITH NaHSO4 before the storage, showed a 100% recovery.", "contents": "[Decomposition of steroids during incubation with beta-glucuronidase and during storage of urine]. Androsterone, etiocholanolone, pregnanetriol, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnanediol, tetrahydrocortisol, 5-pregnenolone and 11-beta-OH-androsterone were incubated with beta-glucuronidase preparations (Helix pomatia, bovine liver and E. coli) for 96 hrs at 37 degrees C. After extraction and silylation they were gas-chromatographed. The first 3 steroids were left practically intact. The least decomposition of the last 5 steroids occurred with the liver enzyme. Testosterone and 11-ketoandrosterone without the enzymes showed 74 and 35% recoveries. Cortisol and tetrahydrocortisol, incubated with the first two enzymes for 18 hrs at 37 degrees and 48 degrees C, showed nearly 100% recoveries. The recoveries of 17-OHCS in urines (pH 7.8-8.8), stored for 7 days, was 80% at 20 degrees-25 degrees C and 55% at 25 degrees-30 degrees C. The same samples, brought to pH 1.8-2.8 WITH NaHSO4 before the storage, showed a 100% recovery.", "PMID": 765125} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1608", "title": "Insulin secretion of isolated islets of sand rats (Psammomys obesus) during adaptation on captivity.", "content": "In normoglycemic sand rats the insulin secretion of isolated islets was investigated dependent on the time of artificial nutrition in captivity. Whereas the islets of short-term adapted animals did not respond within 15 min with an enhanced insulin secretion after stimulation with 16.5 mM glucose or 10 mM arginine, prolongation of incubation time resulted in a significantly enhanced hormone release. An intraveneous glucose injection (1 g/kg body weight) 45 min prior to the excision of the pancreas caused an immediate insulin secretion of the isolated islets in response to glucose or arginine. Islets of sand rats adapted for more than 10 weeks to artificial nutrition responded immediately with an enhanced insulin release in contrast to the islets of short-term adapted animals. These differences could not be correlated to the insulin content, the A/B cell ratio, and ultrastructural alterations of the islets.", "contents": "Insulin secretion of isolated islets of sand rats (Psammomys obesus) during adaptation on captivity. In normoglycemic sand rats the insulin secretion of isolated islets was investigated dependent on the time of artificial nutrition in captivity. Whereas the islets of short-term adapted animals did not respond within 15 min with an enhanced insulin secretion after stimulation with 16.5 mM glucose or 10 mM arginine, prolongation of incubation time resulted in a significantly enhanced hormone release. An intraveneous glucose injection (1 g/kg body weight) 45 min prior to the excision of the pancreas caused an immediate insulin secretion of the isolated islets in response to glucose or arginine. Islets of sand rats adapted for more than 10 weeks to artificial nutrition responded immediately with an enhanced insulin release in contrast to the islets of short-term adapted animals. These differences could not be correlated to the insulin content, the A/B cell ratio, and ultrastructural alterations of the islets.", "PMID": 765126} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1609", "title": "Processing of the 17-S Escherichia coli precursor RNA in the 27-S pre-ribosomal particle.", "content": "An RNase activity probably involved in the maturation of 16-S pre-ribosomal RNA in Escherichia coli has been partially purified from crude cell extracts. When 27-S ribosome precursor particles are incubated with this enzyme preparation in vitro, their 17-S RNA is converted to a product with the same electrophoretic mobility as mature 16-S rRNA. Fingerprint analysis of this product shows that it contains the 3'-OH but not the 5'-P terminus of mature 16-S rRNA. Generation of the normal 5'-P terminus seems to require a factor present in cell extracts since incubation of the 27-S precursor particle in an extract obtained after centrifugation at 30 000 x g causes conversion of the 17-S RNA to a 16-S species containing both termini of mature 16-S rRNA. Preliminary experiments suggest that correct maturation of the 5' end of the 17-S precursor RNA requires a system in which protein synthesis can take place.", "contents": "Processing of the 17-S Escherichia coli precursor RNA in the 27-S pre-ribosomal particle. An RNase activity probably involved in the maturation of 16-S pre-ribosomal RNA in Escherichia coli has been partially purified from crude cell extracts. When 27-S ribosome precursor particles are incubated with this enzyme preparation in vitro, their 17-S RNA is converted to a product with the same electrophoretic mobility as mature 16-S rRNA. Fingerprint analysis of this product shows that it contains the 3'-OH but not the 5'-P terminus of mature 16-S rRNA. Generation of the normal 5'-P terminus seems to require a factor present in cell extracts since incubation of the 27-S precursor particle in an extract obtained after centrifugation at 30 000 x g causes conversion of the 17-S RNA to a 16-S species containing both termini of mature 16-S rRNA. Preliminary experiments suggest that correct maturation of the 5' end of the 17-S precursor RNA requires a system in which protein synthesis can take place.", "PMID": 765130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1610", "title": "Carcinogen-induced DNA repair in nucleotide-permeable Escherichia coli cells. Analysis of DNA repair induced by the carcinogens N-acetoxy-N-2-acetylaminofluorene and 7-bromomethyl-benz(a)anthracene.", "content": "Upon exposure to the carcinogens N-acetoxy-N-2-acetylaminofluorene and 7-bromomethyl-benz[a]anthracene, which bind covalently to DNA, ether-permeabilized (nucleotide-permeable) Escherichia coli wild-type cells responded with DNA excision repair. This repair was missing in mutants carrying defects in genes uvrA, uvrB and uvrC, whereas it was present in uvrD and several rec mutants. Enzymic activities involved were identified by measuring repair polymerization and size reduction of denatured DNA. 1. An easily measurable effect in E. coli wild-type cells was carcinogen-induced repair polymerization. When initiated by N-acetoxy-N-2-acetylaminofluorene or 7-bromomethyl-benz[a]anthracene, it depended upon an ATP-requiring step; CTP, GTP or UTP did not substitute for ATP. DNA repair synthesis was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate and quinacrine. In uvrA, uvrB and uvrC mutants no carcinogen-stimulated DNA synthesis could be detected, indicating that steps involved in pyrimidine dimer excision are also involved in chemorepair. In recA, recB and recC mutant cells, repair synthesis was stimulated by the carcinogens to a normal extent. This evidence excludes the ATP-dependent recB,C deoxyribonuclease and recA gene products as playing an important role in carcinogen-induced excision repair. polA1 cells showed drastically reduced levels of rapair polymerization, indicating that DNA polymerase I is the main polymerizing enzyme. 2. As determined by DNA size reduction in alkaline sucrose gradients, the arylalkylating carcinogens caused endonucleolytic cleavage of endogenous DNA in wild-type cells. This incision step was most effectively performed in the presence of ATP; UTP, CTP and GTP were only slightly effective. Incision was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate and quinacrine. When exposed to the arylalkylating carcinogens, uvrA, uvrB and uvrC mutant cells did not perform the incision step in the presence of ATP, suggesting the involvement of the respective gene products in the initiation of chemorepair.", "contents": "Carcinogen-induced DNA repair in nucleotide-permeable Escherichia coli cells. Analysis of DNA repair induced by the carcinogens N-acetoxy-N-2-acetylaminofluorene and 7-bromomethyl-benz(a)anthracene. Upon exposure to the carcinogens N-acetoxy-N-2-acetylaminofluorene and 7-bromomethyl-benz[a]anthracene, which bind covalently to DNA, ether-permeabilized (nucleotide-permeable) Escherichia coli wild-type cells responded with DNA excision repair. This repair was missing in mutants carrying defects in genes uvrA, uvrB and uvrC, whereas it was present in uvrD and several rec mutants. Enzymic activities involved were identified by measuring repair polymerization and size reduction of denatured DNA. 1. An easily measurable effect in E. coli wild-type cells was carcinogen-induced repair polymerization. When initiated by N-acetoxy-N-2-acetylaminofluorene or 7-bromomethyl-benz[a]anthracene, it depended upon an ATP-requiring step; CTP, GTP or UTP did not substitute for ATP. DNA repair synthesis was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate and quinacrine. In uvrA, uvrB and uvrC mutants no carcinogen-stimulated DNA synthesis could be detected, indicating that steps involved in pyrimidine dimer excision are also involved in chemorepair. In recA, recB and recC mutant cells, repair synthesis was stimulated by the carcinogens to a normal extent. This evidence excludes the ATP-dependent recB,C deoxyribonuclease and recA gene products as playing an important role in carcinogen-induced excision repair. polA1 cells showed drastically reduced levels of rapair polymerization, indicating that DNA polymerase I is the main polymerizing enzyme. 2. As determined by DNA size reduction in alkaline sucrose gradients, the arylalkylating carcinogens caused endonucleolytic cleavage of endogenous DNA in wild-type cells. This incision step was most effectively performed in the presence of ATP; UTP, CTP and GTP were only slightly effective. Incision was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate and quinacrine. When exposed to the arylalkylating carcinogens, uvrA, uvrB and uvrC mutant cells did not perform the incision step in the presence of ATP, suggesting the involvement of the respective gene products in the initiation of chemorepair.", "PMID": 765131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1611", "title": "The involvement of protein L11 in the joining of the 30-S initiation complex to the 50-S subunit.", "content": "Ribosomal protein L11 participates in the coupling of the 30-S initiation complex with the 50-S subunit. P37 cores, lacking L7, L8, L12, L33, L10 and L11 were reconstituted with L7 and L10. These particles are unable to join successfully to the 30-S initiation complex, whereas reconstitution of the same cores in the presence of L7, L10 and L11 restores 60-80% of the original coupling activity. P0 cores lacking only L7, L8, L12 and L33 are able to carry out one round of initiation, addition of L7 resulting in complete restoration of full activity. The data obtained with these P37 core particles resemble those obtained with untreated 50-S particles carrying thiostrepton, which prevents the binding of initiation factor IF-2 into the 70-S initiation complex. It is postulated that L11 induces a niche on the ribosomal surface to facilitate the proper binding of the IF-2 X GTP X fMet-tRNA complex. This binding of IF-2 enables the 30-S initiation complex to join to the 50-S subunit, because of the associative ability of IF-2. If joining is impaired than both the level of fMet-tRNA binding and of the IF-2-mediated GTP hydrolysis is lowered.", "contents": "The involvement of protein L11 in the joining of the 30-S initiation complex to the 50-S subunit. Ribosomal protein L11 participates in the coupling of the 30-S initiation complex with the 50-S subunit. P37 cores, lacking L7, L8, L12, L33, L10 and L11 were reconstituted with L7 and L10. These particles are unable to join successfully to the 30-S initiation complex, whereas reconstitution of the same cores in the presence of L7, L10 and L11 restores 60-80% of the original coupling activity. P0 cores lacking only L7, L8, L12 and L33 are able to carry out one round of initiation, addition of L7 resulting in complete restoration of full activity. The data obtained with these P37 core particles resemble those obtained with untreated 50-S particles carrying thiostrepton, which prevents the binding of initiation factor IF-2 into the 70-S initiation complex. It is postulated that L11 induces a niche on the ribosomal surface to facilitate the proper binding of the IF-2 X GTP X fMet-tRNA complex. This binding of IF-2 enables the 30-S initiation complex to join to the 50-S subunit, because of the associative ability of IF-2. If joining is impaired than both the level of fMet-tRNA binding and of the IF-2-mediated GTP hydrolysis is lowered.", "PMID": 765132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1612", "title": "[Acute intoxication by cosmetics].", "content": "Intoxications due to cosmetics are of various types, but certain substances may be particularly harmful, especially when the constituants include acetone, boric acid and borates, ethyl alcohol, bromates, formol, methyl alcohol, propylene glycol, thallium, thioglycolate.. Every cosmetic substance may induce accidental intoxications. Most often, fluid cosmetics are absorbed either by children or by feeble-minded subjects. In all intoxication, one must take account of the age and weight of the patient, of the quantity absorbed, of the toxicity and of the constituants of the substance.", "contents": "[Acute intoxication by cosmetics]. Intoxications due to cosmetics are of various types, but certain substances may be particularly harmful, especially when the constituants include acetone, boric acid and borates, ethyl alcohol, bromates, formol, methyl alcohol, propylene glycol, thallium, thioglycolate.. Every cosmetic substance may induce accidental intoxications. Most often, fluid cosmetics are absorbed either by children or by feeble-minded subjects. In all intoxication, one must take account of the age and weight of the patient, of the quantity absorbed, of the toxicity and of the constituants of the substance.", "PMID": 765135} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1613", "title": "[Effects in the rat of a weak dose of acrolein inhaled continuously].", "content": "The results of an experiment on 173 S. P. F. rats inhaling 0.55 ppm of acrolein, compared to 173 control rats, are reported. In what concerns the respiratory apparatus, this dose of acrolein affects its defense mechanisms, leading to a greater susceptibility to the airborne Salmonella enteritidis infection, compared to the control group. These phenomena disappear spontaneously when intoxication is prolonged more than three weeks. On the contrary, the general toxic action, manifesting itself through diminished weight growth and under-nourishment, compared to control group, lasts as long as intoxication and disappears only after acrolein inhalation has stopped. These results are discussed.", "contents": "[Effects in the rat of a weak dose of acrolein inhaled continuously]. The results of an experiment on 173 S. P. F. rats inhaling 0.55 ppm of acrolein, compared to 173 control rats, are reported. In what concerns the respiratory apparatus, this dose of acrolein affects its defense mechanisms, leading to a greater susceptibility to the airborne Salmonella enteritidis infection, compared to the control group. These phenomena disappear spontaneously when intoxication is prolonged more than three weeks. On the contrary, the general toxic action, manifesting itself through diminished weight growth and under-nourishment, compared to control group, lasts as long as intoxication and disappears only after acrolein inhalation has stopped. These results are discussed.", "PMID": 765136} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1614", "title": "A rapid method for the verification of drug injection into the cerebral ventricular system of the rat.", "content": "A precise method for the injection of drugs into the cerebroventricular system of small animals used for experimentation is described. This method, based on the intraventricular pressue record, gives absolute certainty for the injection of a drug into a previously selected site and thus avoids the subsequent histological studies.", "contents": "A rapid method for the verification of drug injection into the cerebral ventricular system of the rat. A precise method for the injection of drugs into the cerebroventricular system of small animals used for experimentation is described. This method, based on the intraventricular pressue record, gives absolute certainty for the injection of a drug into a previously selected site and thus avoids the subsequent histological studies.", "PMID": 765141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1615", "title": "Inflammatory factors produced by sensitized guinea-pig peripheral blood lymphocytes.", "content": "The supernatants obtained from stimulated tuberculin-sensitive guinea-pig peripheral blood lymphocytes contain factors that induce a cutaneous inflammatory response in normal guinea-pigs similar to the tuberculin reaction and inhibit the migration of normal guinea-pigs peritoneal exudate cells. There appears to be a correlation between the presence of in vitro migration inhibitory activity and inflammatory activity in vivo.", "contents": "Inflammatory factors produced by sensitized guinea-pig peripheral blood lymphocytes. The supernatants obtained from stimulated tuberculin-sensitive guinea-pig peripheral blood lymphocytes contain factors that induce a cutaneous inflammatory response in normal guinea-pigs similar to the tuberculin reaction and inhibit the migration of normal guinea-pigs peritoneal exudate cells. There appears to be a correlation between the presence of in vitro migration inhibitory activity and inflammatory activity in vivo.", "PMID": 765143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1616", "title": "The functioning and interrelationships of blood capillaries and lymphatics.", "content": "The structure and function of blood capillaries, as related to permeability, depends on tight, close and (in injured vessels) open junctional regions, small vesicles, vacuoles (in injured vessels) and fenestrae. The basement membrane presents a hindrance to the larger macromolecules, at high flow rates, but not to small molecules. The connective tissue channels are probably the paths by which macromolecules, and most of the small ones, pass from the arterial-limbs to the venous ones, and to the lymphatics. In some regions these channels are grouped in special systems: the prelymphatics. The initial lymphatics take up material via open junctions, which close during tissue-compression. The collecting lymphatics retain the lymph because they do not have open junctions. In the close junctional regions the motive force for water flow is the result of Starling's forces; diffusion is very important for other small molecules. The small vesicles transport macromolecules slowly by Brownian motion, as may the vacuoles, but possibly these latter are moved actively. There is much evidence that colloids can develop high effective osmotic pressures even across pores much larger than their molecules, and that proteins can be dragged up a concentration gradient by the resultant fluid flow. On the basis of this, hypotheses have been developed about the functioning of venous-limb fenestrae and the initial lymphatics, for which there is much theoretical, in vitro, and in vivo evidence. Thus, in fenestrated regions there is held to be a large local circulation through the tissues, of which a quantitatively small, but qualitatively vital, part goes to the lymphatics. Material is considered usually to enter these latter because of the relative concentration of the lymph. It is becoming increasingly evident that in the study of the microvasculature, as with other systems, there is much to be gained by quantifying fine structural observations and by combining and contrasting this data, via physical laws, with that obtained by other methods where the characteristics of whole organs and regions are studied. Thus one can obtain interrelated information, which is not possible by either method alone, and which gives us a vital, comprehensive, perspective of the ways in which whole systems function, and how different systems interact. In this paper I shall show how this approach has yielded much that is new about the functioning of different kinds of blood capillaries, of the tissue channels, of the whole lymphatic system, and of the ways they affect each other.", "contents": "The functioning and interrelationships of blood capillaries and lymphatics. The structure and function of blood capillaries, as related to permeability, depends on tight, close and (in injured vessels) open junctional regions, small vesicles, vacuoles (in injured vessels) and fenestrae. The basement membrane presents a hindrance to the larger macromolecules, at high flow rates, but not to small molecules. The connective tissue channels are probably the paths by which macromolecules, and most of the small ones, pass from the arterial-limbs to the venous ones, and to the lymphatics. In some regions these channels are grouped in special systems: the prelymphatics. The initial lymphatics take up material via open junctions, which close during tissue-compression. The collecting lymphatics retain the lymph because they do not have open junctions. In the close junctional regions the motive force for water flow is the result of Starling's forces; diffusion is very important for other small molecules. The small vesicles transport macromolecules slowly by Brownian motion, as may the vacuoles, but possibly these latter are moved actively. There is much evidence that colloids can develop high effective osmotic pressures even across pores much larger than their molecules, and that proteins can be dragged up a concentration gradient by the resultant fluid flow. On the basis of this, hypotheses have been developed about the functioning of venous-limb fenestrae and the initial lymphatics, for which there is much theoretical, in vitro, and in vivo evidence. Thus, in fenestrated regions there is held to be a large local circulation through the tissues, of which a quantitatively small, but qualitatively vital, part goes to the lymphatics. Material is considered usually to enter these latter because of the relative concentration of the lymph. It is becoming increasingly evident that in the study of the microvasculature, as with other systems, there is much to be gained by quantifying fine structural observations and by combining and contrasting this data, via physical laws, with that obtained by other methods where the characteristics of whole organs and regions are studied. Thus one can obtain interrelated information, which is not possible by either method alone, and which gives us a vital, comprehensive, perspective of the ways in which whole systems function, and how different systems interact. In this paper I shall show how this approach has yielded much that is new about the functioning of different kinds of blood capillaries, of the tissue channels, of the whole lymphatic system, and of the ways they affect each other.", "PMID": 765142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1617", "title": "[Toxicity and tolerance of toxogonin].", "content": "A comparative characteristic of acute toxicity of toxogonine and dipiroxime is given for different animal species with various routes of introduction of the compounds from which it follows that, as concerns the toxicity parameters and the area of toxic action, toxogonine is in the lead. It is also shown that with its multiple administration in a therapeutic dose toxogonine does not affect the peripheral blood, the hepatic and renal functions, the cardio-vascular system, this being also supported by the anatomo-pathological findings. With its intramuscular introduction toxogonine does not produce any local irritation.", "contents": "[Toxicity and tolerance of toxogonin]. A comparative characteristic of acute toxicity of toxogonine and dipiroxime is given for different animal species with various routes of introduction of the compounds from which it follows that, as concerns the toxicity parameters and the area of toxic action, toxogonine is in the lead. It is also shown that with its multiple administration in a therapeutic dose toxogonine does not affect the peripheral blood, the hepatic and renal functions, the cardio-vascular system, this being also supported by the anatomo-pathological findings. With its intramuscular introduction toxogonine does not produce any local irritation.", "PMID": 765148} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1618", "title": "Biogenesis of matrix vesicles in cartilage growth plates.", "content": "Although the structure and function of cartilage matrix vesicles have been comprehensively documented in the literature, the method of vesicle production and export to the extra-cellular matrix is less well understood. The existing data are grouped into four general hypotheses of matrix vesicle biogenesis, with a consideration of the relative merits and weaknesses of each postulate. The hypotheses are: a) budding from cellular processes; b) extrusion of preformed structures; c) cellular degeneration and disintegration; and c)subunit secretion and extracellular assembly. Each of these possibilities offers conceptual advantages and disadvantages, so that it is difficult to adopt a monistic stance. Previous notions of vesicle biogenesis have derived from statis morphologic and analytical data, which are necessarily limiting when attempting to draw kinetic conclusions. Radiotracer studies of lipid synthesis and transport in cartilage lead to the conclusion that matrix vesicles in the growth plate are derived from chondrocytes; the present data favor the hypotheses of budding from cellular processes and/or subunit secretion with extracellular self-assembly.", "contents": "Biogenesis of matrix vesicles in cartilage growth plates. Although the structure and function of cartilage matrix vesicles have been comprehensively documented in the literature, the method of vesicle production and export to the extra-cellular matrix is less well understood. The existing data are grouped into four general hypotheses of matrix vesicle biogenesis, with a consideration of the relative merits and weaknesses of each postulate. The hypotheses are: a) budding from cellular processes; b) extrusion of preformed structures; c) cellular degeneration and disintegration; and c)subunit secretion and extracellular assembly. Each of these possibilities offers conceptual advantages and disadvantages, so that it is difficult to adopt a monistic stance. Previous notions of vesicle biogenesis have derived from statis morphologic and analytical data, which are necessarily limiting when attempting to draw kinetic conclusions. Radiotracer studies of lipid synthesis and transport in cartilage lead to the conclusion that matrix vesicles in the growth plate are derived from chondrocytes; the present data favor the hypotheses of budding from cellular processes and/or subunit secretion with extracellular self-assembly.", "PMID": 765159} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1619", "title": "Lipids of matrix vesicles.", "content": "The association of lipids with biological mineral formation was first indicated by histochemical observations. This was later confirmed by biochemical studies which revealed that calcium was bound to acidic lipids at sites of early mineral deposition. The morphological locus of initial mineral formation has now been shown to be membrane-enclosed vesicles in the extracellular matrix. Recent studies on isolated vesicles have documented that they are rich in lipids very similar to those previously found to be associated with newly forming mineral. The vesicle lipids are enriched in cholesterol, free fatty acids, sphingomyelin, glycolipids, lysophospholipids, and phosphatidylserine, and depleted in phosphatidylcholine and -ethanolamine. This composition is like that of the plasma membrane of cells and supports electron microscopic evidence that the vesicles arise by budding from the chondrocyte surface membrane. Metabolic studies indicate that formation of the vesicles occurs relatively rapidly (i.e., in less than 6 hours) by biochemical processes involving both lipid synthesis and degradation. In vitro studies suggest that the vesicle lipids may be involved in the initial binding and phase separation of calcium phosphate, as well as its conversion to crystalline apatite; however, final elucidation of the mechanism of action remains to be attained.", "contents": "Lipids of matrix vesicles. The association of lipids with biological mineral formation was first indicated by histochemical observations. This was later confirmed by biochemical studies which revealed that calcium was bound to acidic lipids at sites of early mineral deposition. The morphological locus of initial mineral formation has now been shown to be membrane-enclosed vesicles in the extracellular matrix. Recent studies on isolated vesicles have documented that they are rich in lipids very similar to those previously found to be associated with newly forming mineral. The vesicle lipids are enriched in cholesterol, free fatty acids, sphingomyelin, glycolipids, lysophospholipids, and phosphatidylserine, and depleted in phosphatidylcholine and -ethanolamine. This composition is like that of the plasma membrane of cells and supports electron microscopic evidence that the vesicles arise by budding from the chondrocyte surface membrane. Metabolic studies indicate that formation of the vesicles occurs relatively rapidly (i.e., in less than 6 hours) by biochemical processes involving both lipid synthesis and degradation. In vitro studies suggest that the vesicle lipids may be involved in the initial binding and phase separation of calcium phosphate, as well as its conversion to crystalline apatite; however, final elucidation of the mechanism of action remains to be attained.", "PMID": 765160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1620", "title": "Modulation and mediation of the action of the renal kallikrein-kinin system by prostaglandins.", "content": "The coupling of the kallikrein-kinin and prostaglandin systems within the kidney may be unique: Prostaglandins mediate some of the actions of kinins and modulate others, while depending on the intrarenal generation of kinin to set their level and type of activity. Thus, not only production of prostaglandins but the functional consequences within the kidney of their enhanced production, as determined by the ratio of PGE2 to PGF2alpha, may be subject to regulation by kinins originating intrarenally.", "contents": "Modulation and mediation of the action of the renal kallikrein-kinin system by prostaglandins. The coupling of the kallikrein-kinin and prostaglandin systems within the kidney may be unique: Prostaglandins mediate some of the actions of kinins and modulate others, while depending on the intrarenal generation of kinin to set their level and type of activity. Thus, not only production of prostaglandins but the functional consequences within the kidney of their enhanced production, as determined by the ratio of PGE2 to PGF2alpha, may be subject to regulation by kinins originating intrarenally.", "PMID": 765161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1621", "title": "The renal kallikrein-kinin system and the regulation of salt and water excretion.", "content": "Sodium excretion is correlated with kallikrein excretion in man, rabbits and rats on a free sodium and water intake, but not on a constant sodium or constant water intake. The correlation also exists during arterial infusion of angiotensin II, substance P and various vasodilators. During sodium depletion, the stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system causes increased drinking in rats and rabbits. The high angiotensin levels would stimulate kallikrein excretion. The excretion of water and dilution of urine are facilitated by the renal kallikrein-kinin system, even when antidiuretic hormone is high. This negative correlation between urinary osmolality and kallikrein excretion exists during arterial infusion of angiotensin or substance P and various vasodilators. During renal artery constriction, the kallikrein release per minute decreases, but over successive 10-minute periods, the kallikrein concentration in urine rises. This rise is correlated with some recovery in the clearance of rho-aminohippurate and inulin. Since kallikrein is released into renal lymph during saline infusion at a rate that correlates with its release into the urine, it is suggested that the renal kallikrein-kinin system protects the renal vasculature against the constricting action of the renin-angiotensin system. The decreased release of kallikrein (via the lymphatics into the circulation) during renal artery constriction, or decreased renal compliance, would potentiate the hypertensive effect of these procedures which cause increased renin release.", "contents": "The renal kallikrein-kinin system and the regulation of salt and water excretion. Sodium excretion is correlated with kallikrein excretion in man, rabbits and rats on a free sodium and water intake, but not on a constant sodium or constant water intake. The correlation also exists during arterial infusion of angiotensin II, substance P and various vasodilators. During sodium depletion, the stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system causes increased drinking in rats and rabbits. The high angiotensin levels would stimulate kallikrein excretion. The excretion of water and dilution of urine are facilitated by the renal kallikrein-kinin system, even when antidiuretic hormone is high. This negative correlation between urinary osmolality and kallikrein excretion exists during arterial infusion of angiotensin or substance P and various vasodilators. During renal artery constriction, the kallikrein release per minute decreases, but over successive 10-minute periods, the kallikrein concentration in urine rises. This rise is correlated with some recovery in the clearance of rho-aminohippurate and inulin. Since kallikrein is released into renal lymph during saline infusion at a rate that correlates with its release into the urine, it is suggested that the renal kallikrein-kinin system protects the renal vasculature against the constricting action of the renin-angiotensin system. The decreased release of kallikrein (via the lymphatics into the circulation) during renal artery constriction, or decreased renal compliance, would potentiate the hypertensive effect of these procedures which cause increased renin release.", "PMID": 765162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1622", "title": "Interaction of mineralocorticoids, renal prostaglandins and the renal kallikrein-kinin system.", "content": "Kinins and prostaglandins of the E series (PGE) have the capacity to influence renal hemodynamic and excretory events and may interact intrarenally so as to reinforce one another. Thus, in the isolated Krebs-perfused rabbit kidney we showed that addition of either bradykinin or kininogen to the perfusing fluid augments the release of a PGE-like substance and that aprotinin, a kallikrein inhibitor, reduces the release of prostaglandins evoked by kininogen but not by bradykinin. Moreover, we have observed that deoxycorticosterone, an agent which increases urinary kallikrein, enhances the urinary excretion of PGE-like substance, and that this effect is prevented by simultaneous treatment with aprotinin. These observations and our demonstration that enhanced intrarenal activity of the kallikrein-kinin system, consequent to kininase II inhibition, is associated with renal vasodilation, diuresis, and natriuresis, suggest that a coupling of kinins and prostaglandins intrarenally may be directed towards the facilitation of salt-water excretion. The interdigitation of prostaglandins and the kallikrein-kinin system may thereby constitute the essential operation of a regulatory system in which the complementary actions of these hormones antagonize the sodium retaining effect of mineralocorticoids in those states in which salt-water balance is positive.", "contents": "Interaction of mineralocorticoids, renal prostaglandins and the renal kallikrein-kinin system. Kinins and prostaglandins of the E series (PGE) have the capacity to influence renal hemodynamic and excretory events and may interact intrarenally so as to reinforce one another. Thus, in the isolated Krebs-perfused rabbit kidney we showed that addition of either bradykinin or kininogen to the perfusing fluid augments the release of a PGE-like substance and that aprotinin, a kallikrein inhibitor, reduces the release of prostaglandins evoked by kininogen but not by bradykinin. Moreover, we have observed that deoxycorticosterone, an agent which increases urinary kallikrein, enhances the urinary excretion of PGE-like substance, and that this effect is prevented by simultaneous treatment with aprotinin. These observations and our demonstration that enhanced intrarenal activity of the kallikrein-kinin system, consequent to kininase II inhibition, is associated with renal vasodilation, diuresis, and natriuresis, suggest that a coupling of kinins and prostaglandins intrarenally may be directed towards the facilitation of salt-water excretion. The interdigitation of prostaglandins and the kallikrein-kinin system may thereby constitute the essential operation of a regulatory system in which the complementary actions of these hormones antagonize the sodium retaining effect of mineralocorticoids in those states in which salt-water balance is positive.", "PMID": 765163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1623", "title": "The effect of repeated injections of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on the response of plasma luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in young hypogonadotropic-hypogonadal patients.", "content": "Sixteen patients, ages 14 to 18, eleven with isolated gonadotropin deficiency and five with sporadic multiple pituitary hormone deficiency, were subjected to a course of five daily intramuscular injections of synthetic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH), 100 mug/day. Before and after the course of intramuscular injections, a rapid LH-RH test (by a one-bolus intravenous injection of 50 mug/sq m) was performed and the responses of plasma LH and follicle-stimulating hormone were measured by a radioimmunoassay method. The patients could be divided into three groups according to the response of the plasma LH to the second LH-RH test: group A, five patients with a significantly higher response of plasma LH to the second LH-RH test: group B, nine patients with a less significantly higher response of the plasma LH to the second LH-RH test; and group C, two patients with very low or no response to either stimulation used in this study. The patients in the three groups may represent different etiologic entities, namely that of a separate hypothalamic lesion, a \"mixed\" pituitary and hypothalamic lesion, and a \"pure\" pituitary lesion, respectively. It is concluded that the proposed procedure provides a useful tool for discriminating etiologic groups in patients with abnormal gonadotropic secretion. Recognition of tertiary hypogonadism (primary, pure, hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone deficiency) is of practical importance in selecting those patients who can benefit from long standing LH-RH therapy.", "contents": "The effect of repeated injections of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on the response of plasma luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in young hypogonadotropic-hypogonadal patients. Sixteen patients, ages 14 to 18, eleven with isolated gonadotropin deficiency and five with sporadic multiple pituitary hormone deficiency, were subjected to a course of five daily intramuscular injections of synthetic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH), 100 mug/day. Before and after the course of intramuscular injections, a rapid LH-RH test (by a one-bolus intravenous injection of 50 mug/sq m) was performed and the responses of plasma LH and follicle-stimulating hormone were measured by a radioimmunoassay method. The patients could be divided into three groups according to the response of the plasma LH to the second LH-RH test: group A, five patients with a significantly higher response of plasma LH to the second LH-RH test: group B, nine patients with a less significantly higher response of the plasma LH to the second LH-RH test; and group C, two patients with very low or no response to either stimulation used in this study. The patients in the three groups may represent different etiologic entities, namely that of a separate hypothalamic lesion, a \"mixed\" pituitary and hypothalamic lesion, and a \"pure\" pituitary lesion, respectively. It is concluded that the proposed procedure provides a useful tool for discriminating etiologic groups in patients with abnormal gonadotropic secretion. Recognition of tertiary hypogonadism (primary, pure, hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone deficiency) is of practical importance in selecting those patients who can benefit from long standing LH-RH therapy.", "PMID": 765164} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1624", "title": "Circulating hormone levels in a case of granulosa cell tumor.", "content": "Hormone studies in a case of granulosa cell ovarian tumor were accomplished preoperatively by measuring the plasma steroids and the gonadotropin response to synthetic lutenizing hormone-releasing hormone. Plasma estradiol and estrone were elevated, but not to levels observed preovulation. The base line follicle-stimulating hormone level was markedly supressed and did not respond to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, whereas base line and peak luteinizing hormone values were nearly within the normal range. The clinical finding of copious cervical mucus suggested the diagnosis and prompted preoperative documentation of circulating hormone values.", "contents": "Circulating hormone levels in a case of granulosa cell tumor. Hormone studies in a case of granulosa cell ovarian tumor were accomplished preoperatively by measuring the plasma steroids and the gonadotropin response to synthetic lutenizing hormone-releasing hormone. Plasma estradiol and estrone were elevated, but not to levels observed preovulation. The base line follicle-stimulating hormone level was markedly supressed and did not respond to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, whereas base line and peak luteinizing hormone values were nearly within the normal range. The clinical finding of copious cervical mucus suggested the diagnosis and prompted preoperative documentation of circulating hormone values.", "PMID": 765165} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1625", "title": "Trends in return migration to the South.", "content": "The rate of return migration to the South rose by nearly 19 percent between the late 1950's and the late 1960's and was an important factor in changing the South's overall migration pattern. But an increase in the rate of return migration was somewhat less important in changing Southern migration than (1) a decline in the rate of out-migration of native Southerners and (2) an increase in the rate at which non-Southern-born persons move to the South. The probability of former migrants returning to the South was over four times greater for whites than for blacks in the 1955-1960 period and three and one-fourth times greater in the 1965-1970 period. Since 1970 the rate of return migration has apparently continued to rise at a faster rate for blacks, but the black rate of return migration is still below the white rate.", "contents": "Trends in return migration to the South. The rate of return migration to the South rose by nearly 19 percent between the late 1950's and the late 1960's and was an important factor in changing the South's overall migration pattern. But an increase in the rate of return migration was somewhat less important in changing Southern migration than (1) a decline in the rate of out-migration of native Southerners and (2) an increase in the rate at which non-Southern-born persons move to the South. The probability of former migrants returning to the South was over four times greater for whites than for blacks in the 1955-1960 period and three and one-fourth times greater in the 1965-1970 period. Since 1970 the rate of return migration has apparently continued to rise at a faster rate for blacks, but the black rate of return migration is still below the white rate.", "PMID": 765168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1626", "title": "Regenerative techniques in periodontal therapy.", "content": "The remarkable ability of the periodontium to repair once the long-term etiologic factors have been eliminated is now belatedly being recognized as a key consideration in periodontal therapy. This will force many practitioners interested in comprehensive periodontal treatment to reconsider the classic resective approach to pocket elimination. Resective techniques have been and will probably remain the foundation of periodontal therapy for some time to come. However, the knowledge that is now available concerning the reparative potential of the periodontium opens new treatment avenues for selected patients. In addition, as more research and clinical information becomes available, we can anticipate that the philosophy of repair will play an ever-increasing role in the therapeutic approach to periodontal treatment. This fact should not make the practitioner who is secure with his present treatment philosophy uncomfortable, since the required therapeutic modifications can easily be incorporated into the office routine without confusion. If the clinician then completes each step of the treatment plan with close attention to detail, regeneration will occur in many cases. It should be reiterated that many of the concepts introduced in this paper are based on the authors' clinical observations and are applicable only to select patients. Admittedly, basic research on this subject is sparse, however, the efficacy of this treatment modality has been well substantiated clinically by many therapists. The authors estimate that regenerative therapy is utilized in 10 to 20 per cent of their patients. They believe it is the therapeutic program of choice in many cases showing extensive periodontal destruction, since an innovative and skilled therapist treating a well motivated patient can utilize regenerative periodontal therapy in conjunction with sophisticated restorative dentistry in order to avoid complete dentures.", "contents": "Regenerative techniques in periodontal therapy. The remarkable ability of the periodontium to repair once the long-term etiologic factors have been eliminated is now belatedly being recognized as a key consideration in periodontal therapy. This will force many practitioners interested in comprehensive periodontal treatment to reconsider the classic resective approach to pocket elimination. Resective techniques have been and will probably remain the foundation of periodontal therapy for some time to come. However, the knowledge that is now available concerning the reparative potential of the periodontium opens new treatment avenues for selected patients. In addition, as more research and clinical information becomes available, we can anticipate that the philosophy of repair will play an ever-increasing role in the therapeutic approach to periodontal treatment. This fact should not make the practitioner who is secure with his present treatment philosophy uncomfortable, since the required therapeutic modifications can easily be incorporated into the office routine without confusion. If the clinician then completes each step of the treatment plan with close attention to detail, regeneration will occur in many cases. It should be reiterated that many of the concepts introduced in this paper are based on the authors' clinical observations and are applicable only to select patients. Admittedly, basic research on this subject is sparse, however, the efficacy of this treatment modality has been well substantiated clinically by many therapists. The authors estimate that regenerative therapy is utilized in 10 to 20 per cent of their patients. They believe it is the therapeutic program of choice in many cases showing extensive periodontal destruction, since an innovative and skilled therapist treating a well motivated patient can utilize regenerative periodontal therapy in conjunction with sophisticated restorative dentistry in order to avoid complete dentures.", "PMID": 765170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1627", "title": "Correction of periodontal abnormalities as a preliminary phase of oral rehabilitation.", "content": "The elimination of etiological factors and the correction of periodontal abnormalities are often a necessary preliminary phase of oral reconstruction. The development of optimal gingival and bony qualities using the surgical procedures outlined when indicated improves the prognosis of prospective abutment teeth and additionally may improve esthetics, retention, and maintenance of a fixed restoration.", "contents": "Correction of periodontal abnormalities as a preliminary phase of oral rehabilitation. The elimination of etiological factors and the correction of periodontal abnormalities are often a necessary preliminary phase of oral reconstruction. The development of optimal gingival and bony qualities using the surgical procedures outlined when indicated improves the prognosis of prospective abutment teeth and additionally may improve esthetics, retention, and maintenance of a fixed restoration.", "PMID": 765172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1628", "title": "Subpopulations of peripheral lymphocytes in juvenile diabetes.", "content": "Subpopulations of peripheral lymphocytes were studied in 26 children with insulin-treated juvenile diabetes and in 27 control children of comparable age. T-lymphocytes were quantitated by spontaneous rosette-formation with sheep erythrocytes and B-lymphocytes by indirect immunofluorescence with the use of monovalent, fluorescein-labeled rabbit antiserum specific to the heavy chains of human IgG IgM, or IgA. No significant quantitative difference in subpopulations of the peripheral lymphocytes, T-cells, and B-cells with IgG, IgA, or IgM markers found between children with juvenile diabetes and the control group, although the B-lymphocytes with IgG or IgA markers tended to be higher and those with IgM markers lower in the diabetic than in the control group.", "contents": "Subpopulations of peripheral lymphocytes in juvenile diabetes. Subpopulations of peripheral lymphocytes were studied in 26 children with insulin-treated juvenile diabetes and in 27 control children of comparable age. T-lymphocytes were quantitated by spontaneous rosette-formation with sheep erythrocytes and B-lymphocytes by indirect immunofluorescence with the use of monovalent, fluorescein-labeled rabbit antiserum specific to the heavy chains of human IgG IgM, or IgA. No significant quantitative difference in subpopulations of the peripheral lymphocytes, T-cells, and B-cells with IgG, IgA, or IgM markers found between children with juvenile diabetes and the control group, although the B-lymphocytes with IgG or IgA markers tended to be higher and those with IgM markers lower in the diabetic than in the control group.", "PMID": 765177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1629", "title": "The effect of acute hyperglycemia on gastric emptying in man.", "content": "Older work in man with meals of carbohydrates in water has indicated that such meals slow gastric emptying in proportion to their osomolarities. Nevertheless, different carbohydrates have been found to have differing efficacies per milliosmole. One possibility which would explain such discrepancies among carbohydrates is that hyperglycemia induced by carbohydrate absorption itself contributes to the slowing of gastric emptying. To test this possibility, normal subjects were made acutely hyperglycemic with intravenous loads of glucose during the ingestion of various liquid test meals, and rates of gastric emptying of these meals were compared in the same subjects during periods of induced hyperglycemia with rates of gastric emptying under euglycemia conditions. Induced hyperglycemia significantly slowed the rate of emptying of meals containing fat + protein, or protein, but did not significantly alter emptying of meals containing only NaCl. It is concluded that hyperglycemia does exert some effect on gastric emptying, but that these effects of hyperglycemia are variably expressed, depending on the presence of other factors which themselves slow gastric emptying.", "contents": "The effect of acute hyperglycemia on gastric emptying in man. Older work in man with meals of carbohydrates in water has indicated that such meals slow gastric emptying in proportion to their osomolarities. Nevertheless, different carbohydrates have been found to have differing efficacies per milliosmole. One possibility which would explain such discrepancies among carbohydrates is that hyperglycemia induced by carbohydrate absorption itself contributes to the slowing of gastric emptying. To test this possibility, normal subjects were made acutely hyperglycemic with intravenous loads of glucose during the ingestion of various liquid test meals, and rates of gastric emptying of these meals were compared in the same subjects during periods of induced hyperglycemia with rates of gastric emptying under euglycemia conditions. Induced hyperglycemia significantly slowed the rate of emptying of meals containing fat + protein, or protein, but did not significantly alter emptying of meals containing only NaCl. It is concluded that hyperglycemia does exert some effect on gastric emptying, but that these effects of hyperglycemia are variably expressed, depending on the presence of other factors which themselves slow gastric emptying.", "PMID": 765178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1630", "title": "Cholestatic effects of Escherichia coli endotoxin endotoxin on the isolated perfused rat liver.", "content": "The effects of Escherichia coli endotoxin on the function of the ex vivo perfused rat liver were examined in order to investigate the possible role of circulating endotoxin in the pathogenesis of cholestatic jaundice observed in humans with gram-negative bacterial infections. Endotoxin led to a dose-dependent impairment of bile flow and of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) excretion. The demonstration that indocyanine green excretion was also significantly decreased by endotoxin suggests that the impaired dye excretion was not due to an inhibition of BSP conjugation in the hepatocyte. Analysis of the kinetic data suggested that the effects of endotoxin were on the excretory mechanisms of the hepatocyte. These effects did not seem attributable to endotoxin-mediated changes in perfusate flow since a mechanical reduction in perfusate flow caused no decrease in the excretion of bile or BSP. The results of the present study provide supportive evidence for the hypothesis that circulating endotoxin can adversely affect hepatic function and may contribute to the production of intrahepatic cholestasis seen during bacterial infection. Hepatocyte injury by endotoxin, as judged by the leakage of enzymes from hepatocyte suspensions or from the perfused rat liver, could not be demonstrated.", "contents": "Cholestatic effects of Escherichia coli endotoxin endotoxin on the isolated perfused rat liver. The effects of Escherichia coli endotoxin on the function of the ex vivo perfused rat liver were examined in order to investigate the possible role of circulating endotoxin in the pathogenesis of cholestatic jaundice observed in humans with gram-negative bacterial infections. Endotoxin led to a dose-dependent impairment of bile flow and of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) excretion. The demonstration that indocyanine green excretion was also significantly decreased by endotoxin suggests that the impaired dye excretion was not due to an inhibition of BSP conjugation in the hepatocyte. Analysis of the kinetic data suggested that the effects of endotoxin were on the excretory mechanisms of the hepatocyte. These effects did not seem attributable to endotoxin-mediated changes in perfusate flow since a mechanical reduction in perfusate flow caused no decrease in the excretion of bile or BSP. The results of the present study provide supportive evidence for the hypothesis that circulating endotoxin can adversely affect hepatic function and may contribute to the production of intrahepatic cholestasis seen during bacterial infection. Hepatocyte injury by endotoxin, as judged by the leakage of enzymes from hepatocyte suspensions or from the perfused rat liver, could not be demonstrated.", "PMID": 765179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1631", "title": "[Treatment of the anovulatory sterility with LH-RH (author's transl)].", "content": "Thirthy one infertile women with different forms of anovulation were treated with LH-RH on various schemes of application: continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion, intramuscular (i.m.) unique injection, continuous i.v. infusi\u00f3n plus i.m. unique injection, repeated i.v. injection, repeated i.m. injection and estrogens plus unique i.m. injection. On 46 cycles treated, ovulation was obtained in 18 (39.1%), 13 patients ovulated at least one cycle (41.8%) and six became pregnant (19.3%) three during the treatment and three during the first cycle post-treatment. The best results were obtained (63.2%) of ovulation) with the repeated i.v. injection scheme. Though the results obtained with LH-RH in relation to pregnancies, are lower than those obtained with other therapies of anovulation, the fact that we have been sucessful in cases on which other therapies of anovulation had been unsuccessful, the report up to now of only one case of mild ovary hyperestimulation, and the recent development of LH-RH analogs of more powerful and longer action, justifies the continuing of therpeutic assays with this hormone as to find the most effective scheme to induce ovulation.", "contents": "[Treatment of the anovulatory sterility with LH-RH (author's transl)]. Thirthy one infertile women with different forms of anovulation were treated with LH-RH on various schemes of application: continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion, intramuscular (i.m.) unique injection, continuous i.v. infusi\u00f3n plus i.m. unique injection, repeated i.v. injection, repeated i.m. injection and estrogens plus unique i.m. injection. On 46 cycles treated, ovulation was obtained in 18 (39.1%), 13 patients ovulated at least one cycle (41.8%) and six became pregnant (19.3%) three during the treatment and three during the first cycle post-treatment. The best results were obtained (63.2%) of ovulation) with the repeated i.v. injection scheme. Though the results obtained with LH-RH in relation to pregnancies, are lower than those obtained with other therapies of anovulation, the fact that we have been sucessful in cases on which other therapies of anovulation had been unsuccessful, the report up to now of only one case of mild ovary hyperestimulation, and the recent development of LH-RH analogs of more powerful and longer action, justifies the continuing of therpeutic assays with this hormone as to find the most effective scheme to induce ovulation.", "PMID": 765176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1632", "title": "Jejunal adenylate cyclase activity in human subjects during viral gastroenteritis.", "content": "The histopathological changes that occur in the jejunal mucosa of humans infected with the Norwalk or Hawaii agent of acute infectious nonbacterial gastroenteritis (\"viral\" gastroenteritis) have ben well characterized. The pathogenesis of diarrhea in this syndrome remains unknown; however, recent reports have suggested a possible role for the adenylate cyclase system. In this combined paper, two groups of investigators working independently and employing slightly different techniques report that: (1) there is marked interindividual variation in the apparent specific activity of adenylate cyclase in human jejunal biopsy tissue; (2) such variation can be minimized by expressing enzyme activity as a fraction of maximal that can be stimulated by 10(-2) M sodium fluoride; and (3) adenylate cyclase activity in jejunal mucosa is not increased during diarrhea or illness in human viral gastroenteritis, therefore suggesting no role for the adenylate cyclase system in the pathogenesis of diarrhea in this common clinical entity.", "contents": "Jejunal adenylate cyclase activity in human subjects during viral gastroenteritis. The histopathological changes that occur in the jejunal mucosa of humans infected with the Norwalk or Hawaii agent of acute infectious nonbacterial gastroenteritis (\"viral\" gastroenteritis) have ben well characterized. The pathogenesis of diarrhea in this syndrome remains unknown; however, recent reports have suggested a possible role for the adenylate cyclase system. In this combined paper, two groups of investigators working independently and employing slightly different techniques report that: (1) there is marked interindividual variation in the apparent specific activity of adenylate cyclase in human jejunal biopsy tissue; (2) such variation can be minimized by expressing enzyme activity as a fraction of maximal that can be stimulated by 10(-2) M sodium fluoride; and (3) adenylate cyclase activity in jejunal mucosa is not increased during diarrhea or illness in human viral gastroenteritis, therefore suggesting no role for the adenylate cyclase system in the pathogenesis of diarrhea in this common clinical entity.", "PMID": 765182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1633", "title": "Colonic myoelectric activity in the irritable bowel syndrome.", "content": "Although the irritable bowel syndrome has been characterized as an abnormality in colonic motor activity occurring in response to certain stimuli, the etiology of this abnormality is unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare colonic myoelectric and motor activity in normal subjects and in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome. Myoelectric activity was recorded using a bipolar electrode clipped to the mucosa of the rectal and rectosigmoid areas. Basic electrical rhythm (BER), spike potential activity, and intraluminal pressure were recorded in both groups. Two types of BER were observed. The major component of the BER had a frequency of approximately 6 cycles per min, whereas the minor component had a frequency of approximately 3 cycles per min. Although both types of BER were recorded in the two groups, thitable bowel syndrome. The 3 cycles per min activity was present as 44.1 +/- 1.3% of the total BER in the irritable bowel syndrome, as compared with 10.0 +/- 1.6% in the normal group (P less than 0.001). Basal spike potential and motor activity were similiar in both groups. Because it had been demonstrated previously that colonic responsiveness to certain stimuli was increased during the slower frequency BER, it is suggested that the abnormalities in colonic motor response reported in the irritable bowel syndrome may be related to this difference in colonic BER.", "contents": "Colonic myoelectric activity in the irritable bowel syndrome. Although the irritable bowel syndrome has been characterized as an abnormality in colonic motor activity occurring in response to certain stimuli, the etiology of this abnormality is unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare colonic myoelectric and motor activity in normal subjects and in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome. Myoelectric activity was recorded using a bipolar electrode clipped to the mucosa of the rectal and rectosigmoid areas. Basic electrical rhythm (BER), spike potential activity, and intraluminal pressure were recorded in both groups. Two types of BER were observed. The major component of the BER had a frequency of approximately 6 cycles per min, whereas the minor component had a frequency of approximately 3 cycles per min. Although both types of BER were recorded in the two groups, thitable bowel syndrome. The 3 cycles per min activity was present as 44.1 +/- 1.3% of the total BER in the irritable bowel syndrome, as compared with 10.0 +/- 1.6% in the normal group (P less than 0.001). Basal spike potential and motor activity were similiar in both groups. Because it had been demonstrated previously that colonic responsiveness to certain stimuli was increased during the slower frequency BER, it is suggested that the abnormalities in colonic motor response reported in the irritable bowel syndrome may be related to this difference in colonic BER.", "PMID": 765183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1634", "title": "Effect of oral metoclopramide on gastroesophageal reflux in the post-cibal state.", "content": "The effect of oral metoclopramide (15 mg), AlMgOH (30 ml), and placebo on the cumulative duration of gastroesophageal reflux induced by a protein-rich meal was compared in 15 patients with reflux esophagitis. Oral metoclopramide was found to be more effective than AlMgOH in reducing the cumulative duration of reflux after placebo over a 3-hr period. The same dose of oral metoclopramide increased resting lower esophageal sphincter pressures in all 15 patients for at least 1 hr and prevented gastroesophageal reflux after an intragastric acid load (300 ml of O.1 N HCl) in 8 of 10 of these patients. Oral metoclopramide, however, failed to increase the amplitude of esophageal contractions and acid clearing of the distal esophagus. These findings suggest that oral metoclopramide in the dose of 15 mg may be potentially valuable in the management of reflux esophagitis.", "contents": "Effect of oral metoclopramide on gastroesophageal reflux in the post-cibal state. The effect of oral metoclopramide (15 mg), AlMgOH (30 ml), and placebo on the cumulative duration of gastroesophageal reflux induced by a protein-rich meal was compared in 15 patients with reflux esophagitis. Oral metoclopramide was found to be more effective than AlMgOH in reducing the cumulative duration of reflux after placebo over a 3-hr period. The same dose of oral metoclopramide increased resting lower esophageal sphincter pressures in all 15 patients for at least 1 hr and prevented gastroesophageal reflux after an intragastric acid load (300 ml of O.1 N HCl) in 8 of 10 of these patients. Oral metoclopramide, however, failed to increase the amplitude of esophageal contractions and acid clearing of the distal esophagus. These findings suggest that oral metoclopramide in the dose of 15 mg may be potentially valuable in the management of reflux esophagitis.", "PMID": 765184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1635", "title": "Intraluminal pressures during perfusion of the human colon in situ.", "content": "Nine healthy human volunteers underwent colonic perfusion and recording of the intraluminal pressure simultaneously in the right, transverse, and left colon. Isotonic saline was infused into the caecum at various flow rates from 10 to 30 ml per min. During colonic perfusions, pressure waves were simple and distorted only by respiratory artifacts. Their amplitude was large (10 to 44 cm of H2O), of long duration (8 to 68 sec), and of low frequency (0.2 to 1.8 wave per min). The frequency of the waves was very stable and this stability was uninfluenced by the site of recording and the rate of perfusion. A pressure wave in the right colon was always followed within 3 sec by a wave in the transverse and left colon. The frequency and amplitude of the waves increased in all subjects and at all rates of perfusion from right to left colon (P less than 0.001). The wave frequency increased with the perfusion flow rate (P less than 0.001). The relationship between the perfusion flow rate and the waves amplitude was curvilinear (P less than 0.01). It is concluded that in the human colon perfused in situ there is a gradient of motility preventing aboral propulsion. This study suggests that during perfusion, liquids are trapped in the right colon. Data on transport of water and electrolytes, obtained from whole colon perfusion, may in fact reflect events occurring in the proximal part of the large bowel.", "contents": "Intraluminal pressures during perfusion of the human colon in situ. Nine healthy human volunteers underwent colonic perfusion and recording of the intraluminal pressure simultaneously in the right, transverse, and left colon. Isotonic saline was infused into the caecum at various flow rates from 10 to 30 ml per min. During colonic perfusions, pressure waves were simple and distorted only by respiratory artifacts. Their amplitude was large (10 to 44 cm of H2O), of long duration (8 to 68 sec), and of low frequency (0.2 to 1.8 wave per min). The frequency of the waves was very stable and this stability was uninfluenced by the site of recording and the rate of perfusion. A pressure wave in the right colon was always followed within 3 sec by a wave in the transverse and left colon. The frequency and amplitude of the waves increased in all subjects and at all rates of perfusion from right to left colon (P less than 0.001). The wave frequency increased with the perfusion flow rate (P less than 0.001). The relationship between the perfusion flow rate and the waves amplitude was curvilinear (P less than 0.01). It is concluded that in the human colon perfused in situ there is a gradient of motility preventing aboral propulsion. This study suggests that during perfusion, liquids are trapped in the right colon. Data on transport of water and electrolytes, obtained from whole colon perfusion, may in fact reflect events occurring in the proximal part of the large bowel.", "PMID": 765185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1636", "title": "Intestinal lipoprotein formation: effect of cholchicine.", "content": "The possibility that microtubules might be involved in intestinal lipoprotein formation or secretion was studied by determining the effect of colchicine, a known microtubule inhibitor, on intestinal lipid absorption. The effect of colchicine (0.5 mg per 100 g) in the lymphatic absorption of [14C]oleic acid was studied in rats with indwelling mesenteric lymph cannulas. Colchicine-treated animals showed a marked delay as well as a decrease in the lympatic absorption of [14C]oleic acid. Chylomicrons from colchicine-treated animals showed no difference in apoprotein content when examined on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. Micellar lipid absorption was next studied from in situ jejunal loops in animals pretreated with colchicine. Colchicine administration was associated with a 3-fold increase in residual mucosal lipid when compared with controls. Thin layer chromatography of residual lipid demonstrated that residual lipid was largely present as triglyceride, suggesting that the impairment in lipid transport induced by colchicine was at a site distal to triglyceride resynthesis. Electron microscopic examination of intestine from colchicine-treated animals revealed that most residual lipid was present within the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi in numerous particles the size of chylomicrons (0.2 to 0.4 mu). These results suggest that the impairment in lipid transport induced by colchicine is distal and, in part, may represent an \"exit block\". These results suggest a possible role for microtubules in intestinal lipid transport. However, further studies are required to demonstrate directly the participation of microtubules in chylomicron secretion.", "contents": "Intestinal lipoprotein formation: effect of cholchicine. The possibility that microtubules might be involved in intestinal lipoprotein formation or secretion was studied by determining the effect of colchicine, a known microtubule inhibitor, on intestinal lipid absorption. The effect of colchicine (0.5 mg per 100 g) in the lymphatic absorption of [14C]oleic acid was studied in rats with indwelling mesenteric lymph cannulas. Colchicine-treated animals showed a marked delay as well as a decrease in the lympatic absorption of [14C]oleic acid. Chylomicrons from colchicine-treated animals showed no difference in apoprotein content when examined on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. Micellar lipid absorption was next studied from in situ jejunal loops in animals pretreated with colchicine. Colchicine administration was associated with a 3-fold increase in residual mucosal lipid when compared with controls. Thin layer chromatography of residual lipid demonstrated that residual lipid was largely present as triglyceride, suggesting that the impairment in lipid transport induced by colchicine was at a site distal to triglyceride resynthesis. Electron microscopic examination of intestine from colchicine-treated animals revealed that most residual lipid was present within the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi in numerous particles the size of chylomicrons (0.2 to 0.4 mu). These results suggest that the impairment in lipid transport induced by colchicine is distal and, in part, may represent an \"exit block\". These results suggest a possible role for microtubules in intestinal lipid transport. However, further studies are required to demonstrate directly the participation of microtubules in chylomicron secretion.", "PMID": 765186} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1637", "title": "Effects of fasting and refeeding on secretory granules of the mouse gallbladder epithelium. A quantitative electron microscopic study.", "content": "Mouse gallbladder epithelial cells were studied with the electron microscope during fasting and refeeding. Morphometric data were obtained from randomly selected epithelial cells of normal starved (12, 24, and 48 hr) and refed (12 hr) mice. Deprivation of food significantly diminishes the volume density of the mucinous secretory granules by about 70% after 48 hr of fasting. Upon refeeding, this secretory granule parameter increases significantly ( 2.5 times). Stereological measurements were also performed on nuclei, mitochondria, and lysosomes, but no major morphometric changes were observed in these organelles. The findings suggest that a basal secretion of mucin granules occur in the mouse gallbladder, irrespective of the animal's nutritional state and that this discharge during starvation exceeds the formation of new granule material. The findings are discussed in relation to effects of fasting and refeeding on other secretory cell systems.", "contents": "Effects of fasting and refeeding on secretory granules of the mouse gallbladder epithelium. A quantitative electron microscopic study. Mouse gallbladder epithelial cells were studied with the electron microscope during fasting and refeeding. Morphometric data were obtained from randomly selected epithelial cells of normal starved (12, 24, and 48 hr) and refed (12 hr) mice. Deprivation of food significantly diminishes the volume density of the mucinous secretory granules by about 70% after 48 hr of fasting. Upon refeeding, this secretory granule parameter increases significantly ( 2.5 times). Stereological measurements were also performed on nuclei, mitochondria, and lysosomes, but no major morphometric changes were observed in these organelles. The findings suggest that a basal secretion of mucin granules occur in the mouse gallbladder, irrespective of the animal's nutritional state and that this discharge during starvation exceeds the formation of new granule material. The findings are discussed in relation to effects of fasting and refeeding on other secretory cell systems.", "PMID": 765187} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1638", "title": "The clinical value of ascitic fluid culture and leukocyte count studies in alcoholic cirrhosis.", "content": "Because of the paucity of studies establishing the accepted leukocyte count is sterile ascites, less than 300 WBC per mm3 with 25% polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes, peritoneal fluid WBC counts and bacterial cultures were studied in 63 consecutive hospitalized patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and ascities. In 58 culture-negative patients the ascitic fluid WBC count range was 28 to 1800 and 50% of counts were greater than 300 WBC per mm3. The percentage of PMN leukocytes ranged from 2 to 98%. Five patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), proven by positive cultures, had an ascitic WBC count range of 300 to 6320 WBC per mm3 and a PMN leukocyte range of 20 to 76%. Physical findings did not allow clear separation of the two groups. Anaerobic organisms were not found. It is concluded: (1) differentiation of SBP from sterile ascities relies on prompt ascitic fluid bacteriology; (2) the improved survival of 40% of SBP patients in this study may be related to an increased awareness of the entity and early treatment.", "contents": "The clinical value of ascitic fluid culture and leukocyte count studies in alcoholic cirrhosis. Because of the paucity of studies establishing the accepted leukocyte count is sterile ascites, less than 300 WBC per mm3 with 25% polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes, peritoneal fluid WBC counts and bacterial cultures were studied in 63 consecutive hospitalized patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and ascities. In 58 culture-negative patients the ascitic fluid WBC count range was 28 to 1800 and 50% of counts were greater than 300 WBC per mm3. The percentage of PMN leukocytes ranged from 2 to 98%. Five patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), proven by positive cultures, had an ascitic WBC count range of 300 to 6320 WBC per mm3 and a PMN leukocyte range of 20 to 76%. Physical findings did not allow clear separation of the two groups. Anaerobic organisms were not found. It is concluded: (1) differentiation of SBP from sterile ascities relies on prompt ascitic fluid bacteriology; (2) the improved survival of 40% of SBP patients in this study may be related to an increased awareness of the entity and early treatment.", "PMID": 765188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1639", "title": "Pasteurella multocida peritonitis in hepatic cirrhosis with ascites.", "content": "Two patients with spontaneous Pasteurella multocida peritonitis in association with cirrhosis and ascites are described. Both patients had close contact with domestic animals, but neither had been bitten. Both patients died, but only one as a result of his infection. We are aware of only one previous report of cirrhosis with spontaneous peritonitis caused by this organism. P. multocida should be considered as a possible cause of peritonitis in cirrhotic patients with a history of close contact with animals, particularly cats.", "contents": "Pasteurella multocida peritonitis in hepatic cirrhosis with ascites. Two patients with spontaneous Pasteurella multocida peritonitis in association with cirrhosis and ascites are described. Both patients had close contact with domestic animals, but neither had been bitten. Both patients died, but only one as a result of his infection. We are aware of only one previous report of cirrhosis with spontaneous peritonitis caused by this organism. P. multocida should be considered as a possible cause of peritonitis in cirrhotic patients with a history of close contact with animals, particularly cats.", "PMID": 765189} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1640", "title": "Spontaneous bacterial empyema in cirrhosis.", "content": "Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in decompensated cirrhotic patients develops when bacteria invade preexising ascites. It is probable that other transudates such as pleural effusions can be afected in a similar manner. This paper describes a cirrhotic patient with long-standing pleural effusion in whom Escherichia coli caused a spontaneous bacterial empyema. The ascitic fluid was sterile.", "contents": "Spontaneous bacterial empyema in cirrhosis. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in decompensated cirrhotic patients develops when bacteria invade preexising ascites. It is probable that other transudates such as pleural effusions can be afected in a similar manner. This paper describes a cirrhotic patient with long-standing pleural effusion in whom Escherichia coli caused a spontaneous bacterial empyema. The ascitic fluid was sterile.", "PMID": 765190} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1641", "title": "Immunofluorescence studies of gastric heterotopia of the small intestine in Crohn's disease.", "content": "A patient with long-standing Crohn's disease of the large and small intestine was found to have extensive gastric metaplasia of the ileum. Most metaplastic glands were of the pyloric type, but numerous oxyntic glands with parietal and chief cells were also seen. By immunofluorescence the chief cells contained both the group I and group II pepsinogens, while the pyloric gland cells contained only the group II pepsinogens. Gastric-containing or other endocrine cells were not detected in the metaplastic pyloric and oxyntic glands. The latter findings are consistent with the concept expressed by Pearse that the endocrine and exocrine cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa may originate from different precursor elements during embryogenesis.", "contents": "Immunofluorescence studies of gastric heterotopia of the small intestine in Crohn's disease. A patient with long-standing Crohn's disease of the large and small intestine was found to have extensive gastric metaplasia of the ileum. Most metaplastic glands were of the pyloric type, but numerous oxyntic glands with parietal and chief cells were also seen. By immunofluorescence the chief cells contained both the group I and group II pepsinogens, while the pyloric gland cells contained only the group II pepsinogens. Gastric-containing or other endocrine cells were not detected in the metaplastic pyloric and oxyntic glands. The latter findings are consistent with the concept expressed by Pearse that the endocrine and exocrine cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa may originate from different precursor elements during embryogenesis.", "PMID": 765191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1642", "title": "[Organization of mass-screening for early detection of cervical cancer and its precancerous conditions. I. report: Demonstration of a computer assisted mass-screening program (Model Rostock) (author's transl)].", "content": "Gynecological mass-screening leads to a decrease of prevalence and incidence of cervical cancer and precancerous conditions. In Rostock a program for early detection of cervical cancer was developed. Organization, application of computer in this model and the expenses of a computer assisted mass-screening-program are discussed. In order to facilitate comparison between various centers, a generally accepted classification and terminology of colposcopic, cytologic and histologic findings are essential. First epidemiological results of Rostock's women are demonstrated to characterize the screened population.", "contents": "[Organization of mass-screening for early detection of cervical cancer and its precancerous conditions. I. report: Demonstration of a computer assisted mass-screening program (Model Rostock) (author's transl)]. Gynecological mass-screening leads to a decrease of prevalence and incidence of cervical cancer and precancerous conditions. In Rostock a program for early detection of cervical cancer was developed. Organization, application of computer in this model and the expenses of a computer assisted mass-screening-program are discussed. In order to facilitate comparison between various centers, a generally accepted classification and terminology of colposcopic, cytologic and histologic findings are essential. First epidemiological results of Rostock's women are demonstrated to characterize the screened population.", "PMID": 765193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1643", "title": "[Organization of mass-screening for early detection of cervical cancer and its precancerous conditions. II. report: Practical experience with a computer assisted mass-screening program (Model Rostock) (author's transl)].", "content": "Two years experiences with a computerassisted program for early detection of prestages and early cervical cancer in Rostock-city are reported. From 43.000 women invited to take part in the examination, 27.028 = 65% finally cooperated. Pathological Pap-smears were found in 134 cases (= 0,52%). Histological examination in 51 cases (= 0,2%) showed 1 Erosio vera (false positive), 9 severe dysplasia, 30 carcinomata in situ, 3 early invasions (microinvasive cancer), 3 microcarcinoma and 5 macrocarcinoma. Accessory findings were seen in 10,2%. A good organized mass-screening-system with unique nomenclature, diagnostic and treatment of cervical cancer and its prestages gives the best supposition to cut down its rate of incidence.", "contents": "[Organization of mass-screening for early detection of cervical cancer and its precancerous conditions. II. report: Practical experience with a computer assisted mass-screening program (Model Rostock) (author's transl)]. Two years experiences with a computerassisted program for early detection of prestages and early cervical cancer in Rostock-city are reported. From 43.000 women invited to take part in the examination, 27.028 = 65% finally cooperated. Pathological Pap-smears were found in 134 cases (= 0,52%). Histological examination in 51 cases (= 0,2%) showed 1 Erosio vera (false positive), 9 severe dysplasia, 30 carcinomata in situ, 3 early invasions (microinvasive cancer), 3 microcarcinoma and 5 macrocarcinoma. Accessory findings were seen in 10,2%. A good organized mass-screening-system with unique nomenclature, diagnostic and treatment of cervical cancer and its prestages gives the best supposition to cut down its rate of incidence.", "PMID": 765194} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1644", "title": "[Report on 21 uterine ruptures and the influence of single row uterotomy stitching on rupture prevention (author's transl)].", "content": "Wound closure by 1 row of interupted sutures provides optimal healing conditions. As a result scar tissue formation is cut down. This general surgical principle is valid in stitching an uterotomy as well. Increasing frequency of cesarian section could end up in a rising number of scar ruptures. This drawback for a subsequent pregnancy should be met by the single row technique. It was applied in 1434 women from 1962 to 1974. All of them had lower segment cesarian sections. Only 3 harmless ruptures occurred in this group. The clinical course of 12 scar ruptures after terraced uterotomy closure was less favourable. In 6 cases a pregnant uterus ruptured without previous operation. Clinical results are compared. This backs the technique practised. In 5 patients the ruptured uterus could be repaired in the same way as in cesarian section. Hysterectomy, however, was the usual treatment. The risk of rupture after classical cesarian section is lowered by the technique described. This applies to the surgical treatment of uterus duplex as well.", "contents": "[Report on 21 uterine ruptures and the influence of single row uterotomy stitching on rupture prevention (author's transl)]. Wound closure by 1 row of interupted sutures provides optimal healing conditions. As a result scar tissue formation is cut down. This general surgical principle is valid in stitching an uterotomy as well. Increasing frequency of cesarian section could end up in a rising number of scar ruptures. This drawback for a subsequent pregnancy should be met by the single row technique. It was applied in 1434 women from 1962 to 1974. All of them had lower segment cesarian sections. Only 3 harmless ruptures occurred in this group. The clinical course of 12 scar ruptures after terraced uterotomy closure was less favourable. In 6 cases a pregnant uterus ruptured without previous operation. Clinical results are compared. This backs the technique practised. In 5 patients the ruptured uterus could be repaired in the same way as in cesarian section. Hysterectomy, however, was the usual treatment. The risk of rupture after classical cesarian section is lowered by the technique described. This applies to the surgical treatment of uterus duplex as well.", "PMID": 765195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1645", "title": "Integration, at hag or elsewhere, of H2 (phase-2 flagellin) genes transduced from Salmonella to Escherichia coli.", "content": "A fla mutant of E. coli K12 was given fla+ and H1-i by phage P1kc cotransduction from S. typhimurium, then made Fla- by transduction of ah1 from S. typhimurium. Motile clones expressing a Salmonella phase-2 antigen, e,n,x or 1,2, were obtained from the K12 i ah1 (therefore Fla-) line by P1kc transduction of flagellin-specifying genes, H2-e,n,x or H2-1,2, from Salmonella donors. Of eighteen such transductants sixteen failed to show phase variation, and on transduction back to Salmonella each structural gene for a phase-2 flagellin (or at least for its antigenically determinant part) now behaved as an allele of H1, presumably in consequence of incorporation in the hag region of the K12 recipient, in place of H1-i ah1. The e,n,x- and 1,2-specifying genes were shown to have been integrated in the K12 chromosome without the linked H1-repressor gene or the adjacent vh2 gene (controlling rate of phase-variation) and they responded to the repressing activity of an H2 allele elsewhere in the cell, in this respect resembling H1 alleles of Salmonella or hag alleles of E. coli. Two K12 e,n,x transductants had flagellin-specifying genes which when transduced back to Salmonella were integrated at H2; they are inferred to have resulted from integration of H2-e,n,x in the K12 chromosome elsewhere than the hag region. These two clones showed phase variation, between a Fla+ phase, with antigen e,n,x, and a Fla- phase (with e,n,x determinant in the nonactive state and the determinant of antigen i inactivated by ah1). The two integrated e,n,x genes when in the \"active\" state retained the ability to repress expression of exogenote H1 alleles, which indicates that the closely linked H1-repressor gene also was integrated. One of the two exceptional transductants derived its e,n,x gene from a Salmonella donor with the linked vh2- gene, which in Salmonella almost entirely prevents change of phase, and transduction of this e,n,x gene back to Salmonella recipients proved that vh2- had been incorporated into the E. coli chromosome along with the e,n,x determinant and the H1-repressor gene. The high frequency of change of phase (Fla+ in equilibrium Fla-) in the K12 e,n,x vh2- transductant concerned suggests that vh2- fails to prevent frequent change of state of the phase-determined part of H2 when vh2- and H2 are incorporated in the E. coli chromosome.", "contents": "Integration, at hag or elsewhere, of H2 (phase-2 flagellin) genes transduced from Salmonella to Escherichia coli. A fla mutant of E. coli K12 was given fla+ and H1-i by phage P1kc cotransduction from S. typhimurium, then made Fla- by transduction of ah1 from S. typhimurium. Motile clones expressing a Salmonella phase-2 antigen, e,n,x or 1,2, were obtained from the K12 i ah1 (therefore Fla-) line by P1kc transduction of flagellin-specifying genes, H2-e,n,x or H2-1,2, from Salmonella donors. Of eighteen such transductants sixteen failed to show phase variation, and on transduction back to Salmonella each structural gene for a phase-2 flagellin (or at least for its antigenically determinant part) now behaved as an allele of H1, presumably in consequence of incorporation in the hag region of the K12 recipient, in place of H1-i ah1. The e,n,x- and 1,2-specifying genes were shown to have been integrated in the K12 chromosome without the linked H1-repressor gene or the adjacent vh2 gene (controlling rate of phase-variation) and they responded to the repressing activity of an H2 allele elsewhere in the cell, in this respect resembling H1 alleles of Salmonella or hag alleles of E. coli. Two K12 e,n,x transductants had flagellin-specifying genes which when transduced back to Salmonella were integrated at H2; they are inferred to have resulted from integration of H2-e,n,x in the K12 chromosome elsewhere than the hag region. These two clones showed phase variation, between a Fla+ phase, with antigen e,n,x, and a Fla- phase (with e,n,x determinant in the nonactive state and the determinant of antigen i inactivated by ah1). The two integrated e,n,x genes when in the \"active\" state retained the ability to repress expression of exogenote H1 alleles, which indicates that the closely linked H1-repressor gene also was integrated. One of the two exceptional transductants derived its e,n,x gene from a Salmonella donor with the linked vh2- gene, which in Salmonella almost entirely prevents change of phase, and transduction of this e,n,x gene back to Salmonella recipients proved that vh2- had been incorporated into the E. coli chromosome along with the e,n,x determinant and the H1-repressor gene. The high frequency of change of phase (Fla+ in equilibrium Fla-) in the K12 e,n,x vh2- transductant concerned suggests that vh2- fails to prevent frequent change of state of the phase-determined part of H2 when vh2- and H2 are incorporated in the E. coli chromosome.", "PMID": 765196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1646", "title": "[Genetico-biochemical study of acid phosphatases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. V. Genetic control of regulation of acid phosphatase II synthesis].", "content": "Regulation of exocellular enzyme acid phosphatase 2 synthesis is studied. 21 mutants with consitutive synthesis of this enzyme are obtained by UV-irradiation. All mutants were recessive and were distributed among 3 complementation groups ACP80, ACP81, ACP82. Two groups, ACP80 and ACP81 corresponded to two different genes, which showed no linkage with ACP1, ACP2 and PHO1 genes. The type of synthesis of acid phosphatase 2 in strains acp1 acp80, acp1 acp81, acp2 acp80, acp2 acp81 is determined, and a conclusion is made about the participation of ACP2 gene in the regulation of acid phosphatase 2 synthesis. It is shown that some mutations in PHO1 gene, which block the activity of acid phosphatase 1, influence the activity and regulation of acid phosphatase 2.", "contents": "[Genetico-biochemical study of acid phosphatases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. V. Genetic control of regulation of acid phosphatase II synthesis]. Regulation of exocellular enzyme acid phosphatase 2 synthesis is studied. 21 mutants with consitutive synthesis of this enzyme are obtained by UV-irradiation. All mutants were recessive and were distributed among 3 complementation groups ACP80, ACP81, ACP82. Two groups, ACP80 and ACP81 corresponded to two different genes, which showed no linkage with ACP1, ACP2 and PHO1 genes. The type of synthesis of acid phosphatase 2 in strains acp1 acp80, acp1 acp81, acp2 acp80, acp2 acp81 is determined, and a conclusion is made about the participation of ACP2 gene in the regulation of acid phosphatase 2 synthesis. It is shown that some mutations in PHO1 gene, which block the activity of acid phosphatase 1, influence the activity and regulation of acid phosphatase 2.", "PMID": 765203} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1647", "title": "[Veterinary genetics].", "content": "At the age of scientific and technical progress and of industrialization of animal husbandry neither theoretical nor applied science can dispense with the data of the veterinary genetics. Unfortunately this branch of science does not receive the attention it deserves. The following three problems have to be solved by the veterinary genetics: (1) the investigation of the relationship between the heredity and the pathology of animals; the examination of the mechanism of pathology at the molecular and organism genetic levels; (2) the elaboration of the methods of genetic diagnostics; (3) the search for scientifically-substantiated directions in breeding of animal breeds highly resistant to diseases. The main attention will be paid to the investigation of the mechanisms ensuring the natural resistance of animals to certain definite diseases. The establishment and development of veterinary genetics will exert a favourable influence on the progress of biological sciences. Its data will be indispensable both for the theory and the practice of agriculture.", "contents": "[Veterinary genetics]. At the age of scientific and technical progress and of industrialization of animal husbandry neither theoretical nor applied science can dispense with the data of the veterinary genetics. Unfortunately this branch of science does not receive the attention it deserves. The following three problems have to be solved by the veterinary genetics: (1) the investigation of the relationship between the heredity and the pathology of animals; the examination of the mechanism of pathology at the molecular and organism genetic levels; (2) the elaboration of the methods of genetic diagnostics; (3) the search for scientifically-substantiated directions in breeding of animal breeds highly resistant to diseases. The main attention will be paid to the investigation of the mechanisms ensuring the natural resistance of animals to certain definite diseases. The establishment and development of veterinary genetics will exert a favourable influence on the progress of biological sciences. Its data will be indispensable both for the theory and the practice of agriculture.", "PMID": 765204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1648", "title": "Fetal circulation times and their implications for tissue oxygenation.", "content": "In an effort to understand O2 delivery to fetal tissues, we measured circulatory transit times using dye dilution methods in near-term fetuses of 19 ewes. Times from dye injection to peak response (+/-1 sec) were: femoral vein to carotid artery 2.2, to femoral arter 2.6, to umbilical artery 3.7; jugular vein to carotid artery 1.7, to femoral artery 2.6; umbilical vein to carotid artery 1.9, to femoral artery 3.4, to umbilical artery 5.1, and umbilical artery to umbilical vein 5.4 sec. These rapid transits suggest that changes in placenta and peripheral tissues will quickly affect one another. The time for a complete circuit of blood through the fetus was 12.6 (+/-1.0 SEM) sec. Following dye dilunjections into an umbilical vein double peaks, separated by 4.9 sec, were recorded in peripheral arteries (44 observations), and the divergence localized to the ductus venosus. Based on relative areas under the two peaks, ductus flow averaged 0.425 +/- 0.052 SEM of total flow returning from the placenta with the remainder taking a slow course through liver parenchyma.", "contents": "Fetal circulation times and their implications for tissue oxygenation. In an effort to understand O2 delivery to fetal tissues, we measured circulatory transit times using dye dilution methods in near-term fetuses of 19 ewes. Times from dye injection to peak response (+/-1 sec) were: femoral vein to carotid artery 2.2, to femoral arter 2.6, to umbilical artery 3.7; jugular vein to carotid artery 1.7, to femoral artery 2.6; umbilical vein to carotid artery 1.9, to femoral artery 3.4, to umbilical artery 5.1, and umbilical artery to umbilical vein 5.4 sec. These rapid transits suggest that changes in placenta and peripheral tissues will quickly affect one another. The time for a complete circuit of blood through the fetus was 12.6 (+/-1.0 SEM) sec. Following dye dilunjections into an umbilical vein double peaks, separated by 4.9 sec, were recorded in peripheral arteries (44 observations), and the divergence localized to the ductus venosus. Based on relative areas under the two peaks, ductus flow averaged 0.425 +/- 0.052 SEM of total flow returning from the placenta with the remainder taking a slow course through liver parenchyma.", "PMID": 765235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1649", "title": "[The hypermobile skin- and soft-tissue tube in thumb reconstruction].", "content": "Reconstruction of an amputated thumb using a bone graft covered by a tubed skin pedicle gives good results if sufficient vascular supply and sensory innervation is transferred to the reconstructed thumb by a neruovascular island pedicle flap and if the skin and soft tissue tube is fixed well enough to the bone graft. Hypermobility of the skin prevents firm and accurate gripping. Fixation of the skin tube to the bone is best achieved at the time of neurovascular pedicle transfer. At the margin of the skin incision a strip of dermis is left and screwed to the periosteum. This method has been described by CHASE. If hypermobility of the skin persists after the neurovascular pedicle has been transferred the skin can be fixed to the bone using strips of fascia, dermis or lyodura. The operative technique of this procedure is described in detail.", "contents": "[The hypermobile skin- and soft-tissue tube in thumb reconstruction]. Reconstruction of an amputated thumb using a bone graft covered by a tubed skin pedicle gives good results if sufficient vascular supply and sensory innervation is transferred to the reconstructed thumb by a neruovascular island pedicle flap and if the skin and soft tissue tube is fixed well enough to the bone graft. Hypermobility of the skin prevents firm and accurate gripping. Fixation of the skin tube to the bone is best achieved at the time of neurovascular pedicle transfer. At the margin of the skin incision a strip of dermis is left and screwed to the periosteum. This method has been described by CHASE. If hypermobility of the skin persists after the neurovascular pedicle has been transferred the skin can be fixed to the bone using strips of fascia, dermis or lyodura. The operative technique of this procedure is described in detail.", "PMID": 765236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1650", "title": "[The thenar flap].", "content": "In covering amputations of fingertips several methods, including free grafts and local flaps have proven useful. When the amputation is at a more proximal level near the cuticle closure of the wound is often accomplished by further shortening of the distal phalanx and eradication of the nail matrix in order to avoid a claw-like deformity of the nail. This results in a unpleasant stump of poor prehensile quality. Therefore attention is called to the distal thenar flap which offers all the advantages of the palmar flap e. g. adequate subcutaneous tissue for reconstruction of a fingertip, good texture and colour match and a great potential for recovery of sensation. To avoid permanent stiffness of the PIP joint the flap is fashioned well distally on the thenar eminence with the base on the radial side. Immobilisation is secured by means of a plaster cast with the thumb in full palmar abduction and the MP joint of the recipient finger in full flexion. This leaves the PIP joint in but moderate flexion. The base of the flap is severed at two weeks.", "contents": "[The thenar flap]. In covering amputations of fingertips several methods, including free grafts and local flaps have proven useful. When the amputation is at a more proximal level near the cuticle closure of the wound is often accomplished by further shortening of the distal phalanx and eradication of the nail matrix in order to avoid a claw-like deformity of the nail. This results in a unpleasant stump of poor prehensile quality. Therefore attention is called to the distal thenar flap which offers all the advantages of the palmar flap e. g. adequate subcutaneous tissue for reconstruction of a fingertip, good texture and colour match and a great potential for recovery of sensation. To avoid permanent stiffness of the PIP joint the flap is fashioned well distally on the thenar eminence with the base on the radial side. Immobilisation is secured by means of a plaster cast with the thumb in full palmar abduction and the MP joint of the recipient finger in full flexion. This leaves the PIP joint in but moderate flexion. The base of the flap is severed at two weeks.", "PMID": 765237} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1651", "title": "[Reestablishment of sensation in the distal phalanges using innervated flaps or grafts].", "content": "The authors describe a full thickness skin graft taken with its cutaneous nerve for the coverage of skin defects in the area of the distal phalanx for defects involving the pulp. The defect was covered by a cross-finger flap; its collateral nerve was raised with it and then anastomosed with the injured digit's nerve, using the operating microscope. Either of the above methods permitted improved sensory return.", "contents": "[Reestablishment of sensation in the distal phalanges using innervated flaps or grafts]. The authors describe a full thickness skin graft taken with its cutaneous nerve for the coverage of skin defects in the area of the distal phalanx for defects involving the pulp. The defect was covered by a cross-finger flap; its collateral nerve was raised with it and then anastomosed with the injured digit's nerve, using the operating microscope. Either of the above methods permitted improved sensory return.", "PMID": 765238} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1652", "title": "[Central action of beta-phenylethylamine derivatives. (4) Effects on spontaneous motor activity and body temperature of beta phenylethyamine derivatives injected into the brain in reserpine pretreated mice].", "content": "Effects on spontaneous motor activity and body temperature of beta-phenylethlamine derivatives injected into the cerebral ventricles in reserpine or reserpine and isocarboxazide pretreated mice were investigated with the following results. 1) Each injection of tyramine (40 mug) and dopamine (40 mug) increased the spontaneous motor activity measured by the photo-cell counters method in reserpinized mice. 2) Each injection of tyramine (40 mug), dopamine (40 mug) and beta-phenylethylamine (40 mug) increased the spontaneous motor activity measured by both the wheel cage and photo-cell counters methods in reserpine and isocarboxazide-pretreated mice, but noradrenaline (20 mug) and isoproterenol (80 mug) did not increase the spontaneous motor activity as determined by both methods. 3) The injection of tyramine (40 and 80 mug), dopamine (10 and 40 mug) and p-octopamine (40 mug) increased the body temperature in reserpine and isocarboxazide pretreated mice. 4) Tyramine, dopamine and p-octopamine caused a marked increase in the body temperature as compared with control injection in reserpine and isocarboxazide-pretreated mice, whereas isoproterenol had no influence on body temperature. Our results suggest that beta-phenylethylamine derivatives have different effects in reserpinized and non-pretreated states.", "contents": "[Central action of beta-phenylethylamine derivatives. (4) Effects on spontaneous motor activity and body temperature of beta phenylethyamine derivatives injected into the brain in reserpine pretreated mice]. Effects on spontaneous motor activity and body temperature of beta-phenylethlamine derivatives injected into the cerebral ventricles in reserpine or reserpine and isocarboxazide pretreated mice were investigated with the following results. 1) Each injection of tyramine (40 mug) and dopamine (40 mug) increased the spontaneous motor activity measured by the photo-cell counters method in reserpinized mice. 2) Each injection of tyramine (40 mug), dopamine (40 mug) and beta-phenylethylamine (40 mug) increased the spontaneous motor activity measured by both the wheel cage and photo-cell counters methods in reserpine and isocarboxazide-pretreated mice, but noradrenaline (20 mug) and isoproterenol (80 mug) did not increase the spontaneous motor activity as determined by both methods. 3) The injection of tyramine (40 and 80 mug), dopamine (10 and 40 mug) and p-octopamine (40 mug) increased the body temperature in reserpine and isocarboxazide pretreated mice. 4) Tyramine, dopamine and p-octopamine caused a marked increase in the body temperature as compared with control injection in reserpine and isocarboxazide-pretreated mice, whereas isoproterenol had no influence on body temperature. Our results suggest that beta-phenylethylamine derivatives have different effects in reserpinized and non-pretreated states.", "PMID": 765240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1653", "title": "Elimination of lethal and pre-mutational DNA lesions during the photoreactivation of UV-irradiated Escherichia coli.", "content": "The comparison of the frequency of trp+ revertants of Escherichia coli B/r Hcr+ thy trp after UV-irradiation on the one hand and after UV-irradiation plus photoreactivation on the other showed that both photoreversible pyrimidine dimers of the cyclobutane type and the non-photoreversible DNA lesions cause, at equal lethal effects, also trp+ reversions with the same efficiency. If lethal, the pyrimidine dimers may thus be conceived as primary pre-mutational lesions.", "contents": "Elimination of lethal and pre-mutational DNA lesions during the photoreactivation of UV-irradiated Escherichia coli. The comparison of the frequency of trp+ revertants of Escherichia coli B/r Hcr+ thy trp after UV-irradiation on the one hand and after UV-irradiation plus photoreactivation on the other showed that both photoreversible pyrimidine dimers of the cyclobutane type and the non-photoreversible DNA lesions cause, at equal lethal effects, also trp+ reversions with the same efficiency. If lethal, the pyrimidine dimers may thus be conceived as primary pre-mutational lesions.", "PMID": 765241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1654", "title": "Biochemical aspects of cell death.", "content": "Studies of cell injury and death at the molecular and cell-biological level will help to provide methods for the reconstruction of the course of events between the occurrence of primary pathology and the time of investigation. The general role of component turnover, energy metabolism and lysosomes in cellular injury is briefly described.", "contents": "Biochemical aspects of cell death. Studies of cell injury and death at the molecular and cell-biological level will help to provide methods for the reconstruction of the course of events between the occurrence of primary pathology and the time of investigation. The general role of component turnover, energy metabolism and lysosomes in cellular injury is briefly described.", "PMID": 765245} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1655", "title": "Insulin secretion and glucose uptake by isolated islets of the hamster. Effect of insulin, proinsulin and C-peptide.", "content": "Isolated pancreatic islets of normal hamsters were perifused either in a closed or in a open system. When the buffer was recirculated and the endogenous insulin was allowed to accumulate, the islets secreted significantly less insulin than when the system was open and the endogenous insulin was washed away. The addition of monocomponent insulin or of proinsulin to the perifusion buffer significantly decreased insulin secretion. The inhibitory action of proinsulin was significantly greater than that of monocomponent insulin. C peptide had no effect. When pancreatic islets were incubated in a fixed volume of stationary buffer containing unlabeled glucose (1.0 mg or 3.0 mg/ml) and glucose-U-14C (1.0 muC/ml), the amount of insulin secreted and the 14CO2 produced by each islet decreased progressively as the number of islets in the sample increased. Under these conditions, the concentration of insulin required to inhibit insulin secretion increased with the concentration of glucose in the medium. Proinsulin did not alter the incorporation of leucine-4.5(-3). H into total extractable insulin (insulin + proinsulin). Thus, insulin and proinsulin appear to inhibit insulin release, but not insulin synthesis.", "contents": "Insulin secretion and glucose uptake by isolated islets of the hamster. Effect of insulin, proinsulin and C-peptide. Isolated pancreatic islets of normal hamsters were perifused either in a closed or in a open system. When the buffer was recirculated and the endogenous insulin was allowed to accumulate, the islets secreted significantly less insulin than when the system was open and the endogenous insulin was washed away. The addition of monocomponent insulin or of proinsulin to the perifusion buffer significantly decreased insulin secretion. The inhibitory action of proinsulin was significantly greater than that of monocomponent insulin. C peptide had no effect. When pancreatic islets were incubated in a fixed volume of stationary buffer containing unlabeled glucose (1.0 mg or 3.0 mg/ml) and glucose-U-14C (1.0 muC/ml), the amount of insulin secreted and the 14CO2 produced by each islet decreased progressively as the number of islets in the sample increased. Under these conditions, the concentration of insulin required to inhibit insulin secretion increased with the concentration of glucose in the medium. Proinsulin did not alter the incorporation of leucine-4.5(-3). H into total extractable insulin (insulin + proinsulin). Thus, insulin and proinsulin appear to inhibit insulin release, but not insulin synthesis.", "PMID": 765252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1656", "title": "C- and N-terminal specific LH-releasing hormone (LRH) radioimmunoassay.", "content": "A highly sensitive and specific LRH radioimmunoassay is described. Three antisera were compared and characterized. High specificity was shown by 2 of them in that both C- and N-terminals were required for binding when testing LRH analogs. A lower detection limit of about 1 pg could be obtained using a simple organic solvent precipitation method for separation of bound/free antigen. Good correlation with the Ramirez-McCann bioassay was obtained, and rat median eminence extracts contained a material immunologically similar to synthetic LRH as indicated by parallel inhibition curves. Direct measurement of radioimmunoassayable LRH in plasma can lead to misleading results due to nonspecific interference of plasma factors. After employing a simple deproteinization method, rat plasma was found to contain less than 1-3 pg LRH/ml. Rat median eminence extracts contained approx. 7 ng LRH.", "contents": "C- and N-terminal specific LH-releasing hormone (LRH) radioimmunoassay. A highly sensitive and specific LRH radioimmunoassay is described. Three antisera were compared and characterized. High specificity was shown by 2 of them in that both C- and N-terminals were required for binding when testing LRH analogs. A lower detection limit of about 1 pg could be obtained using a simple organic solvent precipitation method for separation of bound/free antigen. Good correlation with the Ramirez-McCann bioassay was obtained, and rat median eminence extracts contained a material immunologically similar to synthetic LRH as indicated by parallel inhibition curves. Direct measurement of radioimmunoassayable LRH in plasma can lead to misleading results due to nonspecific interference of plasma factors. After employing a simple deproteinization method, rat plasma was found to contain less than 1-3 pg LRH/ml. Rat median eminence extracts contained approx. 7 ng LRH.", "PMID": 765253} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1657", "title": "Interactions between the metabolism of L-leucine and D-glucose in the pancreatic beta-cells.", "content": "Beta-Cell-rich pancreatic islets microdissected from obese-hyperglycemic mice were used to study interactions between the metabolism of L-leucine and D-glucose. L-leucine reduced the islet content of aspartic acid whereas D-glucose, when added to L-leucine-incubated islets, increased the contents of aspartic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). D-glucose also increased the incorporation of L-leucine carbon into aspartic acid, GABA and glutamic acid suggesting stimulation of a malate shuttle mechanism. When expressed per mole of the individual amino acids, the incorporation of L-leucine carbon into GABA was 2.5-4 times higher than into glutamic acid indicating intracellular compartmentation of the latter amino acid. Both L-leucine and D-leucine stimulated 14CO2 production from 14C-labelled D-glucose. L-leucine did not affect 3H2O production from tritiated D-glucose. The present data do not indicate a role of other amino acids or D-glucose in L-leucine-stimulated insulin release.", "contents": "Interactions between the metabolism of L-leucine and D-glucose in the pancreatic beta-cells. Beta-Cell-rich pancreatic islets microdissected from obese-hyperglycemic mice were used to study interactions between the metabolism of L-leucine and D-glucose. L-leucine reduced the islet content of aspartic acid whereas D-glucose, when added to L-leucine-incubated islets, increased the contents of aspartic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). D-glucose also increased the incorporation of L-leucine carbon into aspartic acid, GABA and glutamic acid suggesting stimulation of a malate shuttle mechanism. When expressed per mole of the individual amino acids, the incorporation of L-leucine carbon into GABA was 2.5-4 times higher than into glutamic acid indicating intracellular compartmentation of the latter amino acid. Both L-leucine and D-leucine stimulated 14CO2 production from 14C-labelled D-glucose. L-leucine did not affect 3H2O production from tritiated D-glucose. The present data do not indicate a role of other amino acids or D-glucose in L-leucine-stimulated insulin release.", "PMID": 765254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1658", "title": "Effects of somatostatin on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function stimulated by intestinal hormones in man.", "content": "To evaluate the action of somatostatin on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function, synthetic somatostatin (GIF) was administered (intravenous bolus of 300 mug followed by a constant 60-minute infusion, 5 mug/min) to 17 normal subjects. The secretin-induced volume and total bicarbonate contents of the duodenal aspirate were not affected whereas the bicarbonate concentration was significantly diminished. GIF reduced decisively the pancreatic enzyme secretion stimulated by pure (99%) cholecystokinin-pancreozymin. After the GIF infusion was stopped, a significant rise in enzyme secretion was observed. The secretin-induced insulin release was almost completely suppressed. Because GIF can be extracted in large quantities from pancreas, these data suggest that somatostatin may play a physiological role in the regulation of the secretory processes of this organ. Furthermore, GIF may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.", "contents": "Effects of somatostatin on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function stimulated by intestinal hormones in man. To evaluate the action of somatostatin on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function, synthetic somatostatin (GIF) was administered (intravenous bolus of 300 mug followed by a constant 60-minute infusion, 5 mug/min) to 17 normal subjects. The secretin-induced volume and total bicarbonate contents of the duodenal aspirate were not affected whereas the bicarbonate concentration was significantly diminished. GIF reduced decisively the pancreatic enzyme secretion stimulated by pure (99%) cholecystokinin-pancreozymin. After the GIF infusion was stopped, a significant rise in enzyme secretion was observed. The secretin-induced insulin release was almost completely suppressed. Because GIF can be extracted in large quantities from pancreas, these data suggest that somatostatin may play a physiological role in the regulation of the secretory processes of this organ. Furthermore, GIF may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.", "PMID": 765255} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1659", "title": "Isolation and characterization of type III collagen from chick stain.", "content": "A collagen species was isolated from the skin of 8 week-old chicks by pepsin treatment at 4 degrees C and was identified as type III collagen by analogy to human and calf type III collagen. Like human type III collagen, the type III collagen molecule from chick skin is composed of three alpha1 (III) chains which are linked together by disulfide bridges. The amino acid composition of [alpha1 (III)]3 purified by CM-cellulose chromatography and agarose-gel chromatography includes two cysteine residues per chain, and the hydroxyproline/proline ratio is greater than 1.0. The cyanogen bromide peptide pattern of [alpha1 (III)]3 on sodium dodecylsulfate acrylamide gel electrophoresis differed from that of alpha1 (I), alpha1 (II) and alpha2 chains. Segment-long-spacing crystallites from chick skin type III collagen showed the same cross striation pattern as segment-long-spacing crystallites from calf skin type III collagen. Unlike human type III collagen, type III collagen from chick skin was highly soluble in 1.0M NaCl, 0.05M Tris/HCl buffer, pH 7.5, and could not be separated from type I collagen by fractional salt precipitation. On CM-cellulose chromatography, [alpha1 (III)]3 molecules from chick skin eluted in the same position as alpha2 chains, in contrast to human [alpha1 (III)]3, which elutes in the position of beta12.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of type III collagen from chick stain. A collagen species was isolated from the skin of 8 week-old chicks by pepsin treatment at 4 degrees C and was identified as type III collagen by analogy to human and calf type III collagen. Like human type III collagen, the type III collagen molecule from chick skin is composed of three alpha1 (III) chains which are linked together by disulfide bridges. The amino acid composition of [alpha1 (III)]3 purified by CM-cellulose chromatography and agarose-gel chromatography includes two cysteine residues per chain, and the hydroxyproline/proline ratio is greater than 1.0. The cyanogen bromide peptide pattern of [alpha1 (III)]3 on sodium dodecylsulfate acrylamide gel electrophoresis differed from that of alpha1 (I), alpha1 (II) and alpha2 chains. Segment-long-spacing crystallites from chick skin type III collagen showed the same cross striation pattern as segment-long-spacing crystallites from calf skin type III collagen. Unlike human type III collagen, type III collagen from chick skin was highly soluble in 1.0M NaCl, 0.05M Tris/HCl buffer, pH 7.5, and could not be separated from type I collagen by fractional salt precipitation. On CM-cellulose chromatography, [alpha1 (III)]3 molecules from chick skin eluted in the same position as alpha2 chains, in contrast to human [alpha1 (III)]3, which elutes in the position of beta12.", "PMID": 765256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1660", "title": "Determination of the complete amino acid sequence of protein S21 from Escherichia coli ribosomes.", "content": "Protein S21 was digested with trypsin before and after maleylation, with chymotrypsin, thermolysin and a glutamyl-specific protease. The resulting peptides were isolated and their amino acid composition determined. The amino acid sequences of selected peptides were determined either by the manual subtractive Edman method or by the dansyl-Edman procedure. Additional information was obtained from the automatic Edman degradation of the whole protein in a modified Sequenator. All these results combined yielded the sequence shown in Fig. 1. Protein S21 consists of 70 amino acids (Asp1,Asn2,Thr3,Ser2,Glu8,Pro3,Gly1,Ala9,Val6,Cys1,Ile1,Leu4,Tyr2,Phe3,His1,Lys9 and Arg14). It contains neither Met nor Trp. The molecular weight amounts to 8359. Clustering of basic amino acids is observed in five regions. We also include a prediction for regions with alpha-helices and with beta-sheets.", "contents": "Determination of the complete amino acid sequence of protein S21 from Escherichia coli ribosomes. Protein S21 was digested with trypsin before and after maleylation, with chymotrypsin, thermolysin and a glutamyl-specific protease. The resulting peptides were isolated and their amino acid composition determined. The amino acid sequences of selected peptides were determined either by the manual subtractive Edman method or by the dansyl-Edman procedure. Additional information was obtained from the automatic Edman degradation of the whole protein in a modified Sequenator. All these results combined yielded the sequence shown in Fig. 1. Protein S21 consists of 70 amino acids (Asp1,Asn2,Thr3,Ser2,Glu8,Pro3,Gly1,Ala9,Val6,Cys1,Ile1,Leu4,Tyr2,Phe3,His1,Lys9 and Arg14). It contains neither Met nor Trp. The molecular weight amounts to 8359. Clustering of basic amino acids is observed in five regions. We also include a prediction for regions with alpha-helices and with beta-sheets.", "PMID": 765257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1661", "title": "Lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions as studied with a novel type of fluorescent fatty acid and phospholipid probes.", "content": "A novel fluorescent-labelled group of fatty acids and phospholipids has been applied to determine phase transitions in liposomes by fluorescence intensity and polarisation measurements. The chromophore of these amphiphilic lipids proved to be very suitable to demonstrate temperature-dependent lipid-lipid interactions. Liposomes from 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-sn-glycero-phosphoethanolamine and from lipids isolated from membranes of E. coli K 1062 mutant grown on elaidic acid were used in these studies. These probes also made it possible to observe conformational changes in membrane proteins in isolated plasma membranes from this mutant. The changes in protein conformation were dependent on structural changes in the lipid phase.", "contents": "Lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions as studied with a novel type of fluorescent fatty acid and phospholipid probes. A novel fluorescent-labelled group of fatty acids and phospholipids has been applied to determine phase transitions in liposomes by fluorescence intensity and polarisation measurements. The chromophore of these amphiphilic lipids proved to be very suitable to demonstrate temperature-dependent lipid-lipid interactions. Liposomes from 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-sn-glycero-phosphoethanolamine and from lipids isolated from membranes of E. coli K 1062 mutant grown on elaidic acid were used in these studies. These probes also made it possible to observe conformational changes in membrane proteins in isolated plasma membranes from this mutant. The changes in protein conformation were dependent on structural changes in the lipid phase.", "PMID": 765259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1662", "title": "Mechanisms of natural resistance to trypanosomal infection. Role of complement in avian resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi infection.", "content": "The natural resistance of chickens to Trypanosoma curzi infection and the capacity of their sera to lyse blood (trypomastigote) forms of the parasite in vitro were found to be complement-dependent phenomena. Parasites given intravenously to decomplemented chickens were detectable in their bloodstream for at least 24 h post-infection, whereas in untreated animals they became undetectable after 1 min (and destroyed flagellates were observed). One millilitre of serum had the capacity to lyse as many as 10-30 X 10(6) organisms. The lytic activity of serum in vitro was not impaired in chickens that had been immunosuppressed by four different procedures and was present in the absence of antibodies. In vitro lysis of T. cruzi by either normal or antibody-free chicken sera occurred in the absence of calcium ions but required magnesium ions, indicating that complement was activated via the alternative pathway. Administration of normal chicken serum to mice infected with T. cruzi provoked a marked decrease in their parasitaemias.", "contents": "Mechanisms of natural resistance to trypanosomal infection. Role of complement in avian resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The natural resistance of chickens to Trypanosoma curzi infection and the capacity of their sera to lyse blood (trypomastigote) forms of the parasite in vitro were found to be complement-dependent phenomena. Parasites given intravenously to decomplemented chickens were detectable in their bloodstream for at least 24 h post-infection, whereas in untreated animals they became undetectable after 1 min (and destroyed flagellates were observed). One millilitre of serum had the capacity to lyse as many as 10-30 X 10(6) organisms. The lytic activity of serum in vitro was not impaired in chickens that had been immunosuppressed by four different procedures and was present in the absence of antibodies. In vitro lysis of T. cruzi by either normal or antibody-free chicken sera occurred in the absence of calcium ions but required magnesium ions, indicating that complement was activated via the alternative pathway. Administration of normal chicken serum to mice infected with T. cruzi provoked a marked decrease in their parasitaemias.", "PMID": 765264} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1663", "title": "Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase deficiency.", "content": "In man congential lack of enzyme of the purine salvage system, hypoxanthineguanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HG-PRT E.C. 2.4.2.8), is mostly accompanied by a picture known as the Lesch-Nyhan snydrome. The degree of deficiency may vary from zero to a few percent of normal activity but a correlation between the severity of HG-PRT deficiency and the clinical picture has not been observed, no more than a correlation HG-PRT deficiency and neurological dysfunction. But individuals with undetectable HG-PRT activity but without the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome have been described. Patients with partial HG-PRT defiency have clinically distinctive findings. Sometimes mild neurological abnormalities are observed. Because of marked overproduction of ric acid severe gouty arthritis and renal dysfunction are often encountered in both complete and partial deficiency. There is considerable molecular heterogeneity in HG-PRT deficiency in man. Mutant ebnzymes may exhibit different kinetic and electrophoretic properties, indicating that hterwe might be a mutation on the structural gene coding for HG-PRT. Lack of HG-PRT disturbs purine interconversions profoundly. In addition to an important function of HG-PRT in the uptake of the purine hypoxantine and guanine into the cell, the effective uptake of inosine, guanosine and adenosine also seems to be dependent on HG-PRT...", "contents": "Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase deficiency. In man congential lack of enzyme of the purine salvage system, hypoxanthineguanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HG-PRT E.C. 2.4.2.8), is mostly accompanied by a picture known as the Lesch-Nyhan snydrome. The degree of deficiency may vary from zero to a few percent of normal activity but a correlation between the severity of HG-PRT deficiency and the clinical picture has not been observed, no more than a correlation HG-PRT deficiency and neurological dysfunction. But individuals with undetectable HG-PRT activity but without the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome have been described. Patients with partial HG-PRT defiency have clinically distinctive findings. Sometimes mild neurological abnormalities are observed. Because of marked overproduction of ric acid severe gouty arthritis and renal dysfunction are often encountered in both complete and partial deficiency. There is considerable molecular heterogeneity in HG-PRT deficiency in man. Mutant ebnzymes may exhibit different kinetic and electrophoretic properties, indicating that hterwe might be a mutation on the structural gene coding for HG-PRT. Lack of HG-PRT disturbs purine interconversions profoundly. In addition to an important function of HG-PRT in the uptake of the purine hypoxantine and guanine into the cell, the effective uptake of inosine, guanosine and adenosine also seems to be dependent on HG-PRT...", "PMID": 765262} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1664", "title": "Antibody formation in mouse bone marrow. V. The response to the thymus-independent antigen Ecsherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.", "content": "The occurrence of plaque-forming cells (PFC) in mouse bone marrow was studied during primary and secondary responses to the thymus-independent antigen Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Anti-LPS responses were induced by various doses of LPS. During the primary response, doses of 1 and 10 mug LPS intravenously (i.v.) were found to evoke a distinct PFC response in both spleen and bone marrow. The spleen contained the majority of PFC until about 5 days after immunization. During the course of the reaction the number of PFC in the bone marrow rose to a level which equalled or surpassed the level in the spleen. LPS doses of 0-001, 0-01 and 0-1 mug i.v. only induced a PFC response in the spleen. Apparently there is a minimal threshold dose of LPS of about 1 mug for PFC to appear in the bone marrow. The secondary response was studied in mice primed with 1 mug LPS i.v. and boosted with either 0-001, 0-1 or 10 mug LPS i.v. 3 months later. After each dose tested the PFC activity in the spleen was several times higher than during the primary response. As was observed in the primary response doses of 0-001 and 0-1 mug LPS i.v. did not evoke a PFC response in the bone marrow. After boosting with 10 mug of LPS i.v. a significant PFC response was found in spleen, bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, Peyer's patches and blood. From about 5 days after the booster injection the number of PFC in the bone marrow exceeded the total number found in all other lymphoid organs. The results are discussed in relation to the bone marrow PFC response to the thymus-dependent antigen sheep red blood cells. To this antigen a clear PFC response in the bone marrow is found only during the secondary response.", "contents": "Antibody formation in mouse bone marrow. V. The response to the thymus-independent antigen Ecsherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. The occurrence of plaque-forming cells (PFC) in mouse bone marrow was studied during primary and secondary responses to the thymus-independent antigen Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Anti-LPS responses were induced by various doses of LPS. During the primary response, doses of 1 and 10 mug LPS intravenously (i.v.) were found to evoke a distinct PFC response in both spleen and bone marrow. The spleen contained the majority of PFC until about 5 days after immunization. During the course of the reaction the number of PFC in the bone marrow rose to a level which equalled or surpassed the level in the spleen. LPS doses of 0-001, 0-01 and 0-1 mug i.v. only induced a PFC response in the spleen. Apparently there is a minimal threshold dose of LPS of about 1 mug for PFC to appear in the bone marrow. The secondary response was studied in mice primed with 1 mug LPS i.v. and boosted with either 0-001, 0-1 or 10 mug LPS i.v. 3 months later. After each dose tested the PFC activity in the spleen was several times higher than during the primary response. As was observed in the primary response doses of 0-001 and 0-1 mug LPS i.v. did not evoke a PFC response in the bone marrow. After boosting with 10 mug of LPS i.v. a significant PFC response was found in spleen, bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, Peyer's patches and blood. From about 5 days after the booster injection the number of PFC in the bone marrow exceeded the total number found in all other lymphoid organs. The results are discussed in relation to the bone marrow PFC response to the thymus-dependent antigen sheep red blood cells. To this antigen a clear PFC response in the bone marrow is found only during the secondary response.", "PMID": 765265} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1665", "title": "Partial characterization of an immunoenhancing factor from allogeneic human lymphocyte cell lines.", "content": "The mixing of two histoincompatible human lymphocyte cell lines generated the release of a soluble factor which was capable on non-specifically enhancing the in vitro immune response of normal mouse spleen cells against sheep erythrocytes. The mediator was secreted into the supernatant of the allogeneic cell cultures within 24 h of cultuvation. The human enhancing factor (HEF) must be added to assay cultures on day 2, of a 5-day culture period, for its activity to be manifest. HEF was resistant to DNase, RNase and heating at 56 degrees for 30 min, but was inactivated by exposure to protease or elevated temperature (80 degrees for 30 min). The molecular weight of HEF, purified by ammonium sulphate fractionation, followed by Sephadex gel filtration, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was approximately 38,000 Daltons.", "contents": "Partial characterization of an immunoenhancing factor from allogeneic human lymphocyte cell lines. The mixing of two histoincompatible human lymphocyte cell lines generated the release of a soluble factor which was capable on non-specifically enhancing the in vitro immune response of normal mouse spleen cells against sheep erythrocytes. The mediator was secreted into the supernatant of the allogeneic cell cultures within 24 h of cultuvation. The human enhancing factor (HEF) must be added to assay cultures on day 2, of a 5-day culture period, for its activity to be manifest. HEF was resistant to DNase, RNase and heating at 56 degrees for 30 min, but was inactivated by exposure to protease or elevated temperature (80 degrees for 30 min). The molecular weight of HEF, purified by ammonium sulphate fractionation, followed by Sephadex gel filtration, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was approximately 38,000 Daltons.", "PMID": 765266} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1666", "title": "Experimental neonatal colibacillosis in cows: immunoglobin classes involved in protection.", "content": "Pregnant cows were vaccinated with one of four vaccine preparations to induce passive immunity in their offspring against a homologous oral challenge with Escherichia coli strain B-44. Quantitative assays of specific antibody in colostral whey from both immunized and nonimmunized dams revealed that immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) with anti-O (somatic) activity were present in whey of all dams tested, whereas a marked deficiency of IgA and IgM anti-K immunoglobulin was noted in the whey from control dams only. The degree of scours (neonatal colibacillosis) induced by oral challenge was evaluated clinically and reported by a semiquantitative scour index as 0 to 4+. Calf scour indexes showed an inverse relationship to the frequency of occurrence and to the levels of IgA and IgM in whey of dams vaccinated with killed vaccine, live vaccine, and culture supernatant, and from nonvaccinated controls. The data strongly suggested that IgA and colostral IgM anti-K immunoglobulins were important in passive immunity in experimental neonatal bovine colibacillosis.", "contents": "Experimental neonatal colibacillosis in cows: immunoglobin classes involved in protection. Pregnant cows were vaccinated with one of four vaccine preparations to induce passive immunity in their offspring against a homologous oral challenge with Escherichia coli strain B-44. Quantitative assays of specific antibody in colostral whey from both immunized and nonimmunized dams revealed that immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) with anti-O (somatic) activity were present in whey of all dams tested, whereas a marked deficiency of IgA and IgM anti-K immunoglobulin was noted in the whey from control dams only. The degree of scours (neonatal colibacillosis) induced by oral challenge was evaluated clinically and reported by a semiquantitative scour index as 0 to 4+. Calf scour indexes showed an inverse relationship to the frequency of occurrence and to the levels of IgA and IgM in whey of dams vaccinated with killed vaccine, live vaccine, and culture supernatant, and from nonvaccinated controls. The data strongly suggested that IgA and colostral IgM anti-K immunoglobulins were important in passive immunity in experimental neonatal bovine colibacillosis.", "PMID": 765281} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1667", "title": "Indigenous microorganisms prevent reduction in cecal size induced by Salmonella typhimurium in vaccinated gnotobiotic mice.", "content": "Germfree CD-1 mice challenged by the oral route with Salmonella typhimurium had ceca that were abnormal in appearance and reduced in size compared to those of germfree controls. Similarly, germfree mice injected with heat-killed S. typhimurium or gnotobiotes associated with three indigenous microbes (Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Clostridium), and subsequently challenged with S. typhimurium also had small ceca. By contrast, gnotobiotic mice that had been both injected with the heat-killed S. typhimurium and associated with the three indigenous microbes before challenge with S. typhimurium had ceca similar in size and appearance to germfree mice. Thus, indigenous microorganisms could interfere with the mechanism by which the pathogen induced the decrease in cecal size, but could do so only in mice injected with heat-killed bacteria. This phenomenon suggests synergism between the interference effected by the indigenous bacteria and the resistance mechanisms of the animal.", "contents": "Indigenous microorganisms prevent reduction in cecal size induced by Salmonella typhimurium in vaccinated gnotobiotic mice. Germfree CD-1 mice challenged by the oral route with Salmonella typhimurium had ceca that were abnormal in appearance and reduced in size compared to those of germfree controls. Similarly, germfree mice injected with heat-killed S. typhimurium or gnotobiotes associated with three indigenous microbes (Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Clostridium), and subsequently challenged with S. typhimurium also had small ceca. By contrast, gnotobiotic mice that had been both injected with the heat-killed S. typhimurium and associated with the three indigenous microbes before challenge with S. typhimurium had ceca similar in size and appearance to germfree mice. Thus, indigenous microorganisms could interfere with the mechanism by which the pathogen induced the decrease in cecal size, but could do so only in mice injected with heat-killed bacteria. This phenomenon suggests synergism between the interference effected by the indigenous bacteria and the resistance mechanisms of the animal.", "PMID": 765282} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1668", "title": "Adaptation of an osmotically fragile L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes to physiological osmotic conditions and its ability to destroy human heart cells in tissue culture.", "content": "An osmotically fragile L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes, type 12, was quickly rendered osmotically stable by decreasing the sodium chloride content of the growth medium and with the temporary use of oleic acid. The change from osmotic fragility to stability was accompanied by changes in cell yield, generation time, saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratio of the membrane, and cytoplasmic protein composition. Finally, this resulting osmotically stable L-form survived and was capable of rapidly destroying Girardi human heart cells in tissue culture.", "contents": "Adaptation of an osmotically fragile L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes to physiological osmotic conditions and its ability to destroy human heart cells in tissue culture. An osmotically fragile L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes, type 12, was quickly rendered osmotically stable by decreasing the sodium chloride content of the growth medium and with the temporary use of oleic acid. The change from osmotic fragility to stability was accompanied by changes in cell yield, generation time, saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratio of the membrane, and cytoplasmic protein composition. Finally, this resulting osmotically stable L-form survived and was capable of rapidly destroying Girardi human heart cells in tissue culture.", "PMID": 765283} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1669", "title": "Specificity of secretory antibodies to bacterial immunogens.", "content": "The present investigation examined the specificity of the salivary immune response of axenic and conventional mice to topically administered Salmonella typhi, S. gallinarum, and S. typhimurium. Specific antibacterial antibodies were determined by passive hemagglutination and bacterial agglutination. Reciprocal antibody titers up to 320 were detected in saliva from mice immunized and assayed with homologous antigens. Antibodies to heterologous immunogens exhibited lower mean titers of 10 to 20 under identical conditions. High concentrations of specific antibodies to the somatic (O) antigen were detected in the saliva of mice administered these microorganisms; however, no significant differences in serum antibody levels were detectable after oral immunization. Only low levels of specific antiflagellar (H) antibodies were demonstrated in the saliva of immunized mice, whereas mean reciprocal titers of 20 were observed in the serum. Antibodies to the Vi antigen of S. typhi were detected in the saliva and serum of only those mice administered formalin-treated S. typhi. Examination of the classes of antibody elicited by these organisms indicated that immunoglobulin A (IgA) was the predominant class in saliva against the O antigens. The salivary response to the H antigens was comprised of both IgG and IgA, whereas the specific serum immunoglobulins were consistent with a primary humoral immune reaction. Local antibodies formed in response to the Vi antigen were exclusively IgG. Serum immunoglobulins produced after peroral administration of the somatic and virulence antigens were limited to the IgM class.", "contents": "Specificity of secretory antibodies to bacterial immunogens. The present investigation examined the specificity of the salivary immune response of axenic and conventional mice to topically administered Salmonella typhi, S. gallinarum, and S. typhimurium. Specific antibacterial antibodies were determined by passive hemagglutination and bacterial agglutination. Reciprocal antibody titers up to 320 were detected in saliva from mice immunized and assayed with homologous antigens. Antibodies to heterologous immunogens exhibited lower mean titers of 10 to 20 under identical conditions. High concentrations of specific antibodies to the somatic (O) antigen were detected in the saliva of mice administered these microorganisms; however, no significant differences in serum antibody levels were detectable after oral immunization. Only low levels of specific antiflagellar (H) antibodies were demonstrated in the saliva of immunized mice, whereas mean reciprocal titers of 20 were observed in the serum. Antibodies to the Vi antigen of S. typhi were detected in the saliva and serum of only those mice administered formalin-treated S. typhi. Examination of the classes of antibody elicited by these organisms indicated that immunoglobulin A (IgA) was the predominant class in saliva against the O antigens. The salivary response to the H antigens was comprised of both IgG and IgA, whereas the specific serum immunoglobulins were consistent with a primary humoral immune reaction. Local antibodies formed in response to the Vi antigen were exclusively IgG. Serum immunoglobulins produced after peroral administration of the somatic and virulence antigens were limited to the IgM class.", "PMID": 765284} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1670", "title": "Experimental neonatal colibacillosis in cows: serological studies.", "content": "Serological studies of passive immunity in experimentally induced bovine colibacillosis was studied in a 41-cow university herd. Pregnant dams were antigenized prepartum with two injections administered by the subcutaneous and intrammamary routes with one of four vaccine preparations (killed bacteria, live bacteria, culture supernatant, or heart infusion broth [control]). The data indicate that 77% of the neonates born to vaccinated dams were strongly protected against oral challenge with Escherichia coli strain B-44. Bacterial agglutinin and passive hemagglutination titers of colostral whey directly reflected the efficacy of the vaccines. A notable decrease in the whey titers to somatic and capsular antigens occurred after heat treatment at 56 C for 30 min. Complicity of heat-liable immune factor(s) in protection from scouring was suggested. The nature of the protective antigen is not clearly defined by these studies but there is some evidence that the K antigen may play a vital role in this regard.", "contents": "Experimental neonatal colibacillosis in cows: serological studies. Serological studies of passive immunity in experimentally induced bovine colibacillosis was studied in a 41-cow university herd. Pregnant dams were antigenized prepartum with two injections administered by the subcutaneous and intrammamary routes with one of four vaccine preparations (killed bacteria, live bacteria, culture supernatant, or heart infusion broth [control]). The data indicate that 77% of the neonates born to vaccinated dams were strongly protected against oral challenge with Escherichia coli strain B-44. Bacterial agglutinin and passive hemagglutination titers of colostral whey directly reflected the efficacy of the vaccines. A notable decrease in the whey titers to somatic and capsular antigens occurred after heat treatment at 56 C for 30 min. Complicity of heat-liable immune factor(s) in protection from scouring was suggested. The nature of the protective antigen is not clearly defined by these studies but there is some evidence that the K antigen may play a vital role in this regard.", "PMID": 765285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1671", "title": "Human lymphocyte sub-populations and K cells.", "content": "Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 19 normal subjects were examined for surface Ig (SIg) and capacity to form rosettes with normal and neuraminidase-treated sheep erythrocytes and with chicken erythrocytes sensitised with IgG antibody. Information on the relationship between the presence of SIg and capacity to form rosettes was obtained by combined tests and depletion experiments. By these means, a population of lymphocytes with Fc receptors, but lacking SIg (mean 14.6%) was defined and shown to correlate closely with cytotoxic activity for antibody-sensitised target cells. Indirect evidence was also obtained that these lymphocytes, which are regarded as the major population of antibody-dependent cytotoxic cells, are capable of forming rosettes with normal and neuraminidase-treated sheep erythrocytes. The nature of these cells is briefly discussed.", "contents": "Human lymphocyte sub-populations and K cells. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 19 normal subjects were examined for surface Ig (SIg) and capacity to form rosettes with normal and neuraminidase-treated sheep erythrocytes and with chicken erythrocytes sensitised with IgG antibody. Information on the relationship between the presence of SIg and capacity to form rosettes was obtained by combined tests and depletion experiments. By these means, a population of lymphocytes with Fc receptors, but lacking SIg (mean 14.6%) was defined and shown to correlate closely with cytotoxic activity for antibody-sensitised target cells. Indirect evidence was also obtained that these lymphocytes, which are regarded as the major population of antibody-dependent cytotoxic cells, are capable of forming rosettes with normal and neuraminidase-treated sheep erythrocytes. The nature of these cells is briefly discussed.", "PMID": 765286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1672", "title": "Incomplete viral synthesis in Friend leukemia virus-induced reticulum cell sarcomas.", "content": "Tissue-culture-passaged, Friend leukemia virus (FV)-induced reticulum cell sarcomas from BALB/c mice (FVTCT-BALB) did not produce infectious FV, although retrieval of infectious FV occurred when these cells were co-cultivated with cell lines replicating non-defective murine leukemia viruses (MLVs). The level of FV expression in the FVTCT-BALB cell line was studied to understand better the process of FV retrieval. 3H-uridine labelling techniques and reverse transcriptase assays showed that FVTCT-BALB cells did not release C-type virus particles. Nucleic acid hybridization techniques demonstrated that the level of viral RNA synthesis in the FVTCT-BALB non-producer cell line was indistinguishable from that in cell lines productively infected with MLVs. These data suggest that in the FVTCT-BALB cell line the synthesis of FV is blocked in some late stage of virus assembly.", "contents": "Incomplete viral synthesis in Friend leukemia virus-induced reticulum cell sarcomas. Tissue-culture-passaged, Friend leukemia virus (FV)-induced reticulum cell sarcomas from BALB/c mice (FVTCT-BALB) did not produce infectious FV, although retrieval of infectious FV occurred when these cells were co-cultivated with cell lines replicating non-defective murine leukemia viruses (MLVs). The level of FV expression in the FVTCT-BALB cell line was studied to understand better the process of FV retrieval. 3H-uridine labelling techniques and reverse transcriptase assays showed that FVTCT-BALB cells did not release C-type virus particles. Nucleic acid hybridization techniques demonstrated that the level of viral RNA synthesis in the FVTCT-BALB non-producer cell line was indistinguishable from that in cell lines productively infected with MLVs. These data suggest that in the FVTCT-BALB cell line the synthesis of FV is blocked in some late stage of virus assembly.", "PMID": 765287} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1673", "title": "[Enzymatic quick determination of aminoglycoside antibiotics in serum].", "content": "The therapeutic range of aminoglycoside antibiotics is relatively narrow; therefore short-term controls of serum concentrations can be recommended, particularly for high-dosage therapy and for renal insufficiency. For the aminoglycosides Amicacin, Gentamycin, Sisomicin and Tobramycin an enzymatic quick-determination test within 2 hrs is being described, which is based on the pH-deviation of a medium containing urea by hydrolytic activity of proteus mirabilis-bacteriae. In more than 180 measurements of patients' sera as well as of sera with known concentrations the method was tried out and compared with the conventional agar diffusion procedure. In strict compliance with the methodical directions, reproducable results could be achieved at any time within the range of1.0-30.0mug/ml; the number of faults in the quick-determination test was with +/- 8.4% about the same as in the agar diffusion test. In comparison with other microbiological or biochemical quick-procedures, the simplicity of the described method must be emphasized, thus it can be performed, too, in non-bacteriological laboratories.", "contents": "[Enzymatic quick determination of aminoglycoside antibiotics in serum]. The therapeutic range of aminoglycoside antibiotics is relatively narrow; therefore short-term controls of serum concentrations can be recommended, particularly for high-dosage therapy and for renal insufficiency. For the aminoglycosides Amicacin, Gentamycin, Sisomicin and Tobramycin an enzymatic quick-determination test within 2 hrs is being described, which is based on the pH-deviation of a medium containing urea by hydrolytic activity of proteus mirabilis-bacteriae. In more than 180 measurements of patients' sera as well as of sera with known concentrations the method was tried out and compared with the conventional agar diffusion procedure. In strict compliance with the methodical directions, reproducable results could be achieved at any time within the range of1.0-30.0mug/ml; the number of faults in the quick-determination test was with +/- 8.4% about the same as in the agar diffusion test. In comparison with other microbiological or biochemical quick-procedures, the simplicity of the described method must be emphasized, thus it can be performed, too, in non-bacteriological laboratories.", "PMID": 765289} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1674", "title": "Double-bind comparison of maprotiline with amitriptyline in the treatment of depressive illness.", "content": "Thirty patients closely matched for age, sex and duration of illness were treated with either amitriptyline or maprotiline in a double-blind, between-patient trial. Within limits of the small number of patients in the trial, maprotiline produced a significantly quicker improvement during the first 2 weeks as judged by the scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale. Maprotiline showed better tolerability than amitriptyline overall, especially as far as trial drop-out rates were concerned.", "contents": "Double-bind comparison of maprotiline with amitriptyline in the treatment of depressive illness. Thirty patients closely matched for age, sex and duration of illness were treated with either amitriptyline or maprotiline in a double-blind, between-patient trial. Within limits of the small number of patients in the trial, maprotiline produced a significantly quicker improvement during the first 2 weeks as judged by the scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale. Maprotiline showed better tolerability than amitriptyline overall, especially as far as trial drop-out rates were concerned.", "PMID": 765292} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1675", "title": "A controlled comparison of cyclazocine and naloxone treatment of the paroled narcotic addict.", "content": "A controlled, double-blind study of the comparative effectiveness of the narcotic antagonists, cyclazocine and naloxone, was undertaken in a metropolitan narcotic clinic offering an abstinence program involving urine monitoring and ancillary counseling services. Seventy male addict parolees were randomly assigned to 6-month treatment with either cyclazocine, 4 mg administered on a daily basis, or naloxone, 500-2,000 mg administered on a locally developed and researched 'contingent' basis, i.e., whenever there was indication of narcotic drug use (daily and contingent placebos were utilized to preserve the double-blind). Criteria of treatment effectiveness included narcotic drug usage, clinic attendance, length of participation in the program, disposition at 6 months, and incidence of side effects. The two subsamples of 35 individuals were similar with respect to relevant demographic characteristics. Examination of comparative effects revealed little to no significant differences between the two groups in terms of measures of program adherence, treatment outcome, and personal and social adjustment. Side effects were more prevalent among cyclazocine patients. Typically, these included moderately severe somatic effects and perceptual and cognitive disturbances.", "contents": "A controlled comparison of cyclazocine and naloxone treatment of the paroled narcotic addict. A controlled, double-blind study of the comparative effectiveness of the narcotic antagonists, cyclazocine and naloxone, was undertaken in a metropolitan narcotic clinic offering an abstinence program involving urine monitoring and ancillary counseling services. Seventy male addict parolees were randomly assigned to 6-month treatment with either cyclazocine, 4 mg administered on a daily basis, or naloxone, 500-2,000 mg administered on a locally developed and researched 'contingent' basis, i.e., whenever there was indication of narcotic drug use (daily and contingent placebos were utilized to preserve the double-blind). Criteria of treatment effectiveness included narcotic drug usage, clinic attendance, length of participation in the program, disposition at 6 months, and incidence of side effects. The two subsamples of 35 individuals were similar with respect to relevant demographic characteristics. Examination of comparative effects revealed little to no significant differences between the two groups in terms of measures of program adherence, treatment outcome, and personal and social adjustment. Side effects were more prevalent among cyclazocine patients. Typically, these included moderately severe somatic effects and perceptual and cognitive disturbances.", "PMID": 765293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1676", "title": "The genetic effects of elevated temperature in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The growth of yeast cultures at supra-optimal temperatures up to 39 degrees C and exposure in non-nutrient solution up to 52 degrees C has been examined for the induction of genetic change. Both sets of conditions lead to the induction of mutation to antibiotic resistance, mitotic gene conversion, crossing-over and mitotic chromosomal non-disjunction.", "contents": "The genetic effects of elevated temperature in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The growth of yeast cultures at supra-optimal temperatures up to 39 degrees C and exposure in non-nutrient solution up to 52 degrees C has been examined for the induction of genetic change. Both sets of conditions lead to the induction of mutation to antibiotic resistance, mitotic gene conversion, crossing-over and mitotic chromosomal non-disjunction.", "PMID": 765306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1677", "title": "On structural formulas of basic fuchsin and aldehyde-Schiff reaction products.", "content": "A variety of structural formulas has been suggested for the basic fuchsin moiety of aldehyde-Schiff reaction products. It was therefore deemed of interest to review the development of these different concepts of dye structure. Formulation of basic fuchsin as an ammonium salt preceded the quinonoid theory; however, chemists could not find such salts. The quinoid theory also could not be reconciled with chemical observations and spectroscopic data. In the 1920's the quinonoid formulas were superseded by benzenoid formulas with a positive charge at the central carbon atom. Using the resonance theory, basic fuchsin is often written with an apparently pentavalent nitrogen atom at a quinonoid ring. But such limiting structures do not exist in reality; the structure of the resonance hybrid is intermediate between the various contributing structures. The carbonium formula appears preferable to other limiting structures because it would remove temptations to endow basic fuchsin with a quinonoid ring, an imino or an ammonium group. Some formulas of aldehyde-Schiff reaction products carry two positive charges. But divalent basic fuchsin is very unstable. The divalent form of its derivatives formaldehyde- Schiff's reagent, aldehyde-fuchsin, and Crystal Violet is deep green; with decreasing H-ion concentration the divalent green compounds revert to the red or violet monovalent substance. It appears therefore highly unlikely that divalent basic fuchsin exists in PAS reaction products in washed and dehydrated sections.", "contents": "On structural formulas of basic fuchsin and aldehyde-Schiff reaction products. A variety of structural formulas has been suggested for the basic fuchsin moiety of aldehyde-Schiff reaction products. It was therefore deemed of interest to review the development of these different concepts of dye structure. Formulation of basic fuchsin as an ammonium salt preceded the quinonoid theory; however, chemists could not find such salts. The quinoid theory also could not be reconciled with chemical observations and spectroscopic data. In the 1920's the quinonoid formulas were superseded by benzenoid formulas with a positive charge at the central carbon atom. Using the resonance theory, basic fuchsin is often written with an apparently pentavalent nitrogen atom at a quinonoid ring. But such limiting structures do not exist in reality; the structure of the resonance hybrid is intermediate between the various contributing structures. The carbonium formula appears preferable to other limiting structures because it would remove temptations to endow basic fuchsin with a quinonoid ring, an imino or an ammonium group. Some formulas of aldehyde-Schiff reaction products carry two positive charges. But divalent basic fuchsin is very unstable. The divalent form of its derivatives formaldehyde- Schiff's reagent, aldehyde-fuchsin, and Crystal Violet is deep green; with decreasing H-ion concentration the divalent green compounds revert to the red or violet monovalent substance. It appears therefore highly unlikely that divalent basic fuchsin exists in PAS reaction products in washed and dehydrated sections.", "PMID": 765308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1678", "title": "Effect of supplemental dietary vitamin E on the serologic response of swine to an Escherichia coli bacterin.", "content": "Three groups of 10 pigs (6 to 8 weeks old) were fed a nutritionally complete ration (control ration, CR), CR plus 20,000 IU of vitamin E/ton (CR + recommended E), and CR plus 100,000 IU of vitamin E/ton (CR + high E), respectively. Each pig was given an intramuscular injection of an Escherichia coli bacterin at experimental days 0 and 35. Serums were collected 7 days prior to the first injection and at days 7, 14, 21, 35, 42, 49, and 56. Pigs fed the CR + high E ration developed anti-E coli serum antibody titers two- to threefold higher than those of the controls. Pigs fed the CR + recommended E ration developed serum antibody titers intermediate between those of pigs in the other 2 groups.", "contents": "Effect of supplemental dietary vitamin E on the serologic response of swine to an Escherichia coli bacterin. Three groups of 10 pigs (6 to 8 weeks old) were fed a nutritionally complete ration (control ration, CR), CR plus 20,000 IU of vitamin E/ton (CR + recommended E), and CR plus 100,000 IU of vitamin E/ton (CR + high E), respectively. Each pig was given an intramuscular injection of an Escherichia coli bacterin at experimental days 0 and 35. Serums were collected 7 days prior to the first injection and at days 7, 14, 21, 35, 42, 49, and 56. Pigs fed the CR + high E ration developed anti-E coli serum antibody titers two- to threefold higher than those of the controls. Pigs fed the CR + recommended E ration developed serum antibody titers intermediate between those of pigs in the other 2 groups.", "PMID": 765311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1679", "title": "Histochemical and immunohistochemical properties of the CRF-granules and other \"Gomori-positive\" substances of the rat.", "content": "In adrenalectomized rats, histochemical and immunohistochemical properties of the following secretion products have been investigated: 1. CRF-granules in the outer layer of the median eminence; 2. neurosecretory material (NSM) in the supraoptico-hypophysial system of the hypothalamus; 3. secretory granules in the TSH-cells of the anterior lobe of the hypophysis; 4. secretory granules in the ependymal cells of the subcommissural organ (SCO); 5. beta-cell-granules in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. All these substances are characterized by their stainability with the so-called \"Gomori method\". The experiments have included studies into: a) the extractability of the substances by various solvents; b) the digestability of the substances by pepsin or trypsin; c) their histochemically detectable content of disulfide groups, arginine and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reactive carbohydrates; d) their reaction with porcine-neurophysin-II-antibodies. All substances exhibited a positive reaction for disulfide groups. Based on their solubility properties, their resistance to pepsin or trypsin, their respective content of PAS-reactive carbohydrates and their failure to react with anti-neurophysin serum the \"Gomori-positive\" granules in TSH-, SCO- and pancreatic beta-cells can be distinguished from one another and from CRF- and neurosecretory granules. In contrast, CRF-granules and NSM showed identical properties. Taking into consideration data from the biochemical and histochemical literature, the present findings suggest that CRF-granules and NSM consist of closely related biochemical substances.", "contents": "Histochemical and immunohistochemical properties of the CRF-granules and other \"Gomori-positive\" substances of the rat. In adrenalectomized rats, histochemical and immunohistochemical properties of the following secretion products have been investigated: 1. CRF-granules in the outer layer of the median eminence; 2. neurosecretory material (NSM) in the supraoptico-hypophysial system of the hypothalamus; 3. secretory granules in the TSH-cells of the anterior lobe of the hypophysis; 4. secretory granules in the ependymal cells of the subcommissural organ (SCO); 5. beta-cell-granules in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. All these substances are characterized by their stainability with the so-called \"Gomori method\". The experiments have included studies into: a) the extractability of the substances by various solvents; b) the digestability of the substances by pepsin or trypsin; c) their histochemically detectable content of disulfide groups, arginine and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reactive carbohydrates; d) their reaction with porcine-neurophysin-II-antibodies. All substances exhibited a positive reaction for disulfide groups. Based on their solubility properties, their resistance to pepsin or trypsin, their respective content of PAS-reactive carbohydrates and their failure to react with anti-neurophysin serum the \"Gomori-positive\" granules in TSH-, SCO- and pancreatic beta-cells can be distinguished from one another and from CRF- and neurosecretory granules. In contrast, CRF-granules and NSM showed identical properties. Taking into consideration data from the biochemical and histochemical literature, the present findings suggest that CRF-granules and NSM consist of closely related biochemical substances.", "PMID": 765309} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1680", "title": "Influence of acute hypertension on aortic valve competence.", "content": "The effect of acutely induced hypertension on aortic valve competence was studied in anesthetized dogs. Aortic pressure was increased by infusion of methoxamine or mechanically; aortic valve competence was evaluated by aortogrphy and by indicator dye. The aortic valve was normally competent; aortic insufficiency appeared with increase of mean pressure by as little as 20-50 mmHg; 6 of 9 animals showed aortic incompetence when mean aortic pressure was elevated 45-70 mmHg, but the valve remained competent in 2 of 9 animals with mean pressure increments of 60-90 mmHg. The aortic root was appreciably less distensible than was the proximal descending aorta; this factor may limit the degree of aortic insufficiency in response to acute hypertension in the dog.", "contents": "Influence of acute hypertension on aortic valve competence. The effect of acutely induced hypertension on aortic valve competence was studied in anesthetized dogs. Aortic pressure was increased by infusion of methoxamine or mechanically; aortic valve competence was evaluated by aortogrphy and by indicator dye. The aortic valve was normally competent; aortic insufficiency appeared with increase of mean pressure by as little as 20-50 mmHg; 6 of 9 animals showed aortic incompetence when mean aortic pressure was elevated 45-70 mmHg, but the valve remained competent in 2 of 9 animals with mean pressure increments of 60-90 mmHg. The aortic root was appreciably less distensible than was the proximal descending aorta; this factor may limit the degree of aortic insufficiency in response to acute hypertension in the dog.", "PMID": 765312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1681", "title": "Lactic acid removal rates during controlled and uncontrolled recovery exercise.", "content": "After a standardized 6-min bicycle ergometer exercise (89% VO2max) lactic acid removal rates were compared during recovery at rest and exercies at 29.7, 45.3, 61.8, and 80.8% VO2max, and twice while the subjects (N = 7) regulated their own recovery exercise. Blood samples were taken after the standardized exercise and every 5 min during the 30-min recovery periods. During the controlled recovery periods lactic acid removal rates were dependent on the intensity of the recovery (Y' = 0.103 + 0.218chi - 0.464 X 10(-2)chi2 + 0.252 X 10(-4)chi3). Optimal removal was predicted to occur at 32% VO2max. Removal rates during the self-regulated recoveries were not different (P greater than 0.05), but these removal rates were faster than during recovery at rest and exercise at 61.8 and 80.8% VO2max (P less than 0.01). Removal rates during the self-regulated recovery and recovery at 29.7 and 45.3% VO2max were not different (P greater than 0.05). The subjects were therefore able to remove lactic acid effectively when selecting their own recovery exercise.", "contents": "Lactic acid removal rates during controlled and uncontrolled recovery exercise. After a standardized 6-min bicycle ergometer exercise (89% VO2max) lactic acid removal rates were compared during recovery at rest and exercies at 29.7, 45.3, 61.8, and 80.8% VO2max, and twice while the subjects (N = 7) regulated their own recovery exercise. Blood samples were taken after the standardized exercise and every 5 min during the 30-min recovery periods. During the controlled recovery periods lactic acid removal rates were dependent on the intensity of the recovery (Y' = 0.103 + 0.218chi - 0.464 X 10(-2)chi2 + 0.252 X 10(-4)chi3). Optimal removal was predicted to occur at 32% VO2max. Removal rates during the self-regulated recoveries were not different (P greater than 0.05), but these removal rates were faster than during recovery at rest and exercise at 61.8 and 80.8% VO2max (P less than 0.01). Removal rates during the self-regulated recovery and recovery at 29.7 and 45.3% VO2max were not different (P greater than 0.05). The subjects were therefore able to remove lactic acid effectively when selecting their own recovery exercise.", "PMID": 765313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1682", "title": "Continuous positive-pressure ventilation and choledochoduodenal flow resistance.", "content": "Resistance to flow through the choledochoduodenal junction was measured during constant perfusion (0.8 ml saline/min). In eight dogs, intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) and continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV) were compared. Pressure in the common bile duct was always higher during JPPV than IPPV. With the first application of CPPV the rate of intravenous fluid was adjusted to maintain constant Hct. Mean hepatic venous pressure (Phv) increased from 6.6 to 11.5 cmH2O (P less than 0.001). Mean pressure in the common bile duct increased (P less than 0.001) from 11.6 to 14.1 cmH2O. The average increase in resistance was 21%. Changes reversed with return to IPPV. During the second application of CPPV, intravenous fluid was increased to maintain constant arterial pressure. Phv increased to 12.8 cmH2O and pressure in the common bile duct increased to 15.0 cmH2O (30% increase). In four additional dogs, choledochoduodenal resistance during continuous CPPV was reduced by intravenous vasopressin, intravenous norepinephrine and intraducta phenylephrine. CPPV increases resistance to flow through the choledochoduodenal junction, probably by vascular engorgement.", "contents": "Continuous positive-pressure ventilation and choledochoduodenal flow resistance. Resistance to flow through the choledochoduodenal junction was measured during constant perfusion (0.8 ml saline/min). In eight dogs, intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) and continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV) were compared. Pressure in the common bile duct was always higher during JPPV than IPPV. With the first application of CPPV the rate of intravenous fluid was adjusted to maintain constant Hct. Mean hepatic venous pressure (Phv) increased from 6.6 to 11.5 cmH2O (P less than 0.001). Mean pressure in the common bile duct increased (P less than 0.001) from 11.6 to 14.1 cmH2O. The average increase in resistance was 21%. Changes reversed with return to IPPV. During the second application of CPPV, intravenous fluid was increased to maintain constant arterial pressure. Phv increased to 12.8 cmH2O and pressure in the common bile duct increased to 15.0 cmH2O (30% increase). In four additional dogs, choledochoduodenal resistance during continuous CPPV was reduced by intravenous vasopressin, intravenous norepinephrine and intraducta phenylephrine. CPPV increases resistance to flow through the choledochoduodenal junction, probably by vascular engorgement.", "PMID": 765314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1683", "title": "Fever: exchange of shivering by nonshivering pyrogenesis in cold-acclimated guinea pigs.", "content": "The pyrogenic response of adult, unanesthetized guinea pigs to 2 mug/kg iv of Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin was measured at 27 and 7 degrees C ambient temperatures, both before and after an 8-wk exposure to 7 degrees C. There were no significant differences between the onset, maximum height, and total duration of the fevers produced before and after cold acclimation in both thermal environments. However, in 27 degrees C, before cold acclimation, fever production was associated with vigorous shivering activity; two temperature maxima typically developed. After cold acclimation, visible shivering was not detectable during pyrogenesis; moreover, only a single maximum occurred, culminating during the interval between the two rises previously. In 7 degrees C, shivering occurred in both the non-cold- and cold-acclimated endotoxin-treated guinea pigs, but the increase in oxygen consumption was significantly greater in the latter. These results indicated, therefore, that nonshivering (NST) replaces shivering thermogenesis (ST) in a thermoneutral, while ST is added onto NST in a cold, environment in cold-acclimated guinea pigs in supplying the necessary heat for fever production, and that these effects involve alterations in the character of the febrile course.", "contents": "Fever: exchange of shivering by nonshivering pyrogenesis in cold-acclimated guinea pigs. The pyrogenic response of adult, unanesthetized guinea pigs to 2 mug/kg iv of Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin was measured at 27 and 7 degrees C ambient temperatures, both before and after an 8-wk exposure to 7 degrees C. There were no significant differences between the onset, maximum height, and total duration of the fevers produced before and after cold acclimation in both thermal environments. However, in 27 degrees C, before cold acclimation, fever production was associated with vigorous shivering activity; two temperature maxima typically developed. After cold acclimation, visible shivering was not detectable during pyrogenesis; moreover, only a single maximum occurred, culminating during the interval between the two rises previously. In 7 degrees C, shivering occurred in both the non-cold- and cold-acclimated endotoxin-treated guinea pigs, but the increase in oxygen consumption was significantly greater in the latter. These results indicated, therefore, that nonshivering (NST) replaces shivering thermogenesis (ST) in a thermoneutral, while ST is added onto NST in a cold, environment in cold-acclimated guinea pigs in supplying the necessary heat for fever production, and that these effects involve alterations in the character of the febrile course.", "PMID": 765315} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1684", "title": "Effect of propranolol on endotoxin-induced pyrogenesis in newborn and adult guinea pigs.", "content": "Previous studied have shown that nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) is the prevailing mechanism of fever production in both newborn (during the first 2-3 wk of life) and adult cold-acclimated guinea pigs. This study was undertaken to determine whether this process may be mediated by noradrenergic sympathetics. The temperatures in the interscapular brown fat pad (Tbat) and the colon (Tre), the rate of oxygen consumption (VO2), and shivering activity were measured continuously for 5 h at 27 degrees C ambient temperature in 8- and 16-day-old and adult cold-acclimated guinea pigs following 2 mug/kg iv of Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin, with and without 6.0 mg/kg of propranolol (a beta-adrenergic blocker) injected ip 2 min before the endotoxin. In the older animals, the increase in Tbat normally produced by endotoxin was reduced by propranolol administration, but shivering set in, maintaining both VO2 and Tre at their febrile levels. In the newborn animals, Tbat also was decreased by propranolol, but shivering did not set in, so that VO2 and Tre fell below their febrile values. It is concluded that endotoxin-induced NST is controlled by noradrenergic sympathetics. The failure of NST to be replaced in the present newborn guinea pigs by visible shivering might be related to other observations that the onset of shivering at this age occurs only when Tre is significantly reduced.", "contents": "Effect of propranolol on endotoxin-induced pyrogenesis in newborn and adult guinea pigs. Previous studied have shown that nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) is the prevailing mechanism of fever production in both newborn (during the first 2-3 wk of life) and adult cold-acclimated guinea pigs. This study was undertaken to determine whether this process may be mediated by noradrenergic sympathetics. The temperatures in the interscapular brown fat pad (Tbat) and the colon (Tre), the rate of oxygen consumption (VO2), and shivering activity were measured continuously for 5 h at 27 degrees C ambient temperature in 8- and 16-day-old and adult cold-acclimated guinea pigs following 2 mug/kg iv of Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin, with and without 6.0 mg/kg of propranolol (a beta-adrenergic blocker) injected ip 2 min before the endotoxin. In the older animals, the increase in Tbat normally produced by endotoxin was reduced by propranolol administration, but shivering set in, maintaining both VO2 and Tre at their febrile levels. In the newborn animals, Tbat also was decreased by propranolol, but shivering did not set in, so that VO2 and Tre fell below their febrile values. It is concluded that endotoxin-induced NST is controlled by noradrenergic sympathetics. The failure of NST to be replaced in the present newborn guinea pigs by visible shivering might be related to other observations that the onset of shivering at this age occurs only when Tre is significantly reduced.", "PMID": 765316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1685", "title": "Measurement of cardiac output by electrical impedance at rest and during exercise.", "content": "A comparison was made between cardiac output values determined by the dye dilution and electrical impedance methods in ten subjects at rest and during graded exercise on a bicycle ergometer. The cardiac output values determined by the two methods were linearly related and significantly (P less than 0.001) correlated (r = 0.90). Movement artifact associated with exercise at maximum or near-maximum work loads caused severe distortion of the dZ/dt wave form and prevented calculation of impedance cardiac output at these levels of work. Use of the lowest value of L (distance between mean value of L in the impedance stroke volume equation (SV = p(L2/ZO2) (dZ/dt)mt), resulted in nearly identical values for the least-squares line and equalvalue line of impedance and dye cardiac outputs. Although absolute values of cardiac output determined by the two methods were not identical in all subjects the changes in cardiac output were nearly identical during the different levels of exercise. The data support the validity of the impedance method as a noninvasive, atraumatic measure of cardiac output at rest and during graded exercise.", "contents": "Measurement of cardiac output by electrical impedance at rest and during exercise. A comparison was made between cardiac output values determined by the dye dilution and electrical impedance methods in ten subjects at rest and during graded exercise on a bicycle ergometer. The cardiac output values determined by the two methods were linearly related and significantly (P less than 0.001) correlated (r = 0.90). Movement artifact associated with exercise at maximum or near-maximum work loads caused severe distortion of the dZ/dt wave form and prevented calculation of impedance cardiac output at these levels of work. Use of the lowest value of L (distance between mean value of L in the impedance stroke volume equation (SV = p(L2/ZO2) (dZ/dt)mt), resulted in nearly identical values for the least-squares line and equalvalue line of impedance and dye cardiac outputs. Although absolute values of cardiac output determined by the two methods were not identical in all subjects the changes in cardiac output were nearly identical during the different levels of exercise. The data support the validity of the impedance method as a noninvasive, atraumatic measure of cardiac output at rest and during graded exercise.", "PMID": 765317} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1686", "title": "On-line cardiac output by digital computer.", "content": "Many devices for fast cardiac output calculations employ special assumptions and departures from the Stewart-Hamilton method. These assumptions and departures can cause substantial errors. This publication describes an on-line computer system for evaluating dye-dilution curves according to the classical Stewart-Hamilton method. Dilution curves are smoothed, using a digital filter to eliminate heartbeat noise. Recirculation is removed using the constant ratio property of exponentials. The quality of the curves is evaluated by determining the length of the base line, the extent and the fit to an exponential downslope, and a figure of merit based on the five tanks-in-series model. Dilution curves, the logarithmic form, and the exponential ratios are displayed on a CRT for visual checks. Comparison of cardiac outputs obtained by this on-line system with results obtained by hand calculations showed a mean difference of 150 ml. Repeated evaluation of one electronically simulated dye curve resulted in SD = 10 ml for computer results and SD = 200 ml for hand calculations.", "contents": "On-line cardiac output by digital computer. Many devices for fast cardiac output calculations employ special assumptions and departures from the Stewart-Hamilton method. These assumptions and departures can cause substantial errors. This publication describes an on-line computer system for evaluating dye-dilution curves according to the classical Stewart-Hamilton method. Dilution curves are smoothed, using a digital filter to eliminate heartbeat noise. Recirculation is removed using the constant ratio property of exponentials. The quality of the curves is evaluated by determining the length of the base line, the extent and the fit to an exponential downslope, and a figure of merit based on the five tanks-in-series model. Dilution curves, the logarithmic form, and the exponential ratios are displayed on a CRT for visual checks. Comparison of cardiac outputs obtained by this on-line system with results obtained by hand calculations showed a mean difference of 150 ml. Repeated evaluation of one electronically simulated dye curve resulted in SD = 10 ml for computer results and SD = 200 ml for hand calculations.", "PMID": 765318} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1687", "title": "Automated gel permeation chromatographic cleanup of animal and plant extracts for pesticide residue determination.", "content": "Applications of an improved gel-solvent system for cleanup of pesticide residues by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were investigated. Elution characteristics using Bio-Beads SX-3 gel and a toluene-ethyl acetate (1+3) elution solvent were determined for 16 nonionic chlorinated pesticides, 3 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 14 chlorophenoxy herbicide esters, and 7 organophosphate insecticides. Elution patterns for vegetable and animal lipids were also studied. Quantitative recoveries of the pesticides were achieved. No liquid-liquid partitioning cleanup steps were required with any type of nonionic chlorinated pesticide or sample matrix. Only GPC cleanup was required for the nonionic chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, and organophosphate pesticide residues in chicken and turkey fat samples. Electron capture and flame photometric detectors were used in the gas chromatographic method for the respective pesticides. Samples containing up to 0.5 g lipid each were processed at the rate of one every 30-40 min with the automated system. Results were in excellent agreement with those from accepted manual partitioning methods and were achieved with significant savings of both labor and chemicals.", "contents": "Automated gel permeation chromatographic cleanup of animal and plant extracts for pesticide residue determination. Applications of an improved gel-solvent system for cleanup of pesticide residues by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were investigated. Elution characteristics using Bio-Beads SX-3 gel and a toluene-ethyl acetate (1+3) elution solvent were determined for 16 nonionic chlorinated pesticides, 3 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 14 chlorophenoxy herbicide esters, and 7 organophosphate insecticides. Elution patterns for vegetable and animal lipids were also studied. Quantitative recoveries of the pesticides were achieved. No liquid-liquid partitioning cleanup steps were required with any type of nonionic chlorinated pesticide or sample matrix. Only GPC cleanup was required for the nonionic chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, and organophosphate pesticide residues in chicken and turkey fat samples. Electron capture and flame photometric detectors were used in the gas chromatographic method for the respective pesticides. Samples containing up to 0.5 g lipid each were processed at the rate of one every 30-40 min with the automated system. Results were in excellent agreement with those from accepted manual partitioning methods and were achieved with significant savings of both labor and chemicals.", "PMID": 765319} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1688", "title": "Confirmation of vinyl chloride in foods by conversion to 1-chloro-1,2-dibromoethane.", "content": "A semiquantitative method has been developed for the confirmation of vinyl chloride (VC) in foodstuffs. The VC was brominated to give 1-chloro-1,2-dibromoethane which was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography, using an electron capture detector. The yield of 1-chloro-1,2-dibromoethane varied between 40 and 55%, which permitted a lower limit of confirmation of VC of 15 ppb for vinegar and sherry and 50 ppb for peanut oil.", "contents": "Confirmation of vinyl chloride in foods by conversion to 1-chloro-1,2-dibromoethane. A semiquantitative method has been developed for the confirmation of vinyl chloride (VC) in foodstuffs. The VC was brominated to give 1-chloro-1,2-dibromoethane which was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography, using an electron capture detector. The yield of 1-chloro-1,2-dibromoethane varied between 40 and 55%, which permitted a lower limit of confirmation of VC of 15 ppb for vinegar and sherry and 50 ppb for peanut oil.", "PMID": 765320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1689", "title": "Collaborative study of an enzymatic digestion method for the isolation of light filth from ground beef or hamburger.", "content": "Collaborative results are presented for a proposed method for light filth extraction from ground beef or hamburger. The method involves enzymatic digestion, wet sieving, and extraction with light mineral oil from 40% isopropanol. Recoveries are good and filter papers are clean. This method has been adopted as official first action.", "contents": "Collaborative study of an enzymatic digestion method for the isolation of light filth from ground beef or hamburger. Collaborative results are presented for a proposed method for light filth extraction from ground beef or hamburger. The method involves enzymatic digestion, wet sieving, and extraction with light mineral oil from 40% isopropanol. Recoveries are good and filter papers are clean. This method has been adopted as official first action.", "PMID": 765321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1690", "title": "Pathogenicity of Escherichia coli recovered from food.", "content": "In Western nations, pathogenic biotypes are sporadically encountered in foodborne gastroentetis. Cholera, dysentery, and chronic ulcerative colitis syndromes are recognized. E. coli has been associated on the average with 2% of annual food outbreaks and 5% of total cases. In developing nations, the incidence may be greater. In contrast with Salmonella and Shigella, significance can be assessed only by fulfillment of Koch's postulates. Preliminary studies using vascular permeability reaction for the detection of heart-labile toxin and the Sereny keratoconjunctivities test for demonstration of invasiveness indicate limited incidence of these pathogenicity markers in cultures from foods. Two per cent of isolates from cheeses involved in recent outbreaks were toxigenic; 14% were invasive. Corresponding values for food isolates not associated with illness were 10 and 0, respectively. To facilitate examination of multiple isolates, 10 may be pooled for the detection of heat-labile toxin, and 5 for invasiveness. Present model pathogenicity systems require standardization, estimation of specificity and sensitivity limits, examination by collaborative study, and ascertainment of human equivalence. Supplemental tests include capacity for colonization of intestinal epithelium and intracellular growth. Stereotypes based upon serology, host range, and recognized toxic factors may require modification.", "contents": "Pathogenicity of Escherichia coli recovered from food. In Western nations, pathogenic biotypes are sporadically encountered in foodborne gastroentetis. Cholera, dysentery, and chronic ulcerative colitis syndromes are recognized. E. coli has been associated on the average with 2% of annual food outbreaks and 5% of total cases. In developing nations, the incidence may be greater. In contrast with Salmonella and Shigella, significance can be assessed only by fulfillment of Koch's postulates. Preliminary studies using vascular permeability reaction for the detection of heart-labile toxin and the Sereny keratoconjunctivities test for demonstration of invasiveness indicate limited incidence of these pathogenicity markers in cultures from foods. Two per cent of isolates from cheeses involved in recent outbreaks were toxigenic; 14% were invasive. Corresponding values for food isolates not associated with illness were 10 and 0, respectively. To facilitate examination of multiple isolates, 10 may be pooled for the detection of heat-labile toxin, and 5 for invasiveness. Present model pathogenicity systems require standardization, estimation of specificity and sensitivity limits, examination by collaborative study, and ascertainment of human equivalence. Supplemental tests include capacity for colonization of intestinal epithelium and intracellular growth. Stereotypes based upon serology, host range, and recognized toxic factors may require modification.", "PMID": 765322} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1691", "title": "Renaturation of yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase denatured in urea and guanidine hydrochloride.", "content": "The renaturation of yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase [EC 3.6.1.1] (PPiase) denatured in guanidine-HCl and urea was studied. The molecular weight of PPiase was estimated to be ca. 63,000-70,000 by means of Sephadex G-75 column chromatography in 8 M urea and 6 M guanidine-HCl and by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel containing 8 M urea. The activities of PPiase denatured in various concentrations of denaturants were measured in the presence and absence of the denaturants. In the presence of the denaturants, enzymatic activity decreased as the denaturant concentration increased up to 1.5 M guanidine-HCl and 4 7 urea. The activities of PPiase denatured in these denaturants were not restored by dilution with buffer. However, the enzymatic activities of PPiase denatured at concentrations higher than 1.5 M guanidine-HCl and 4 M urea were restored by dilution with Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.5). The recovery of the enzymatic activities of PPiase denatured in 3 to 6 M guanidine-HCl and 6 to 8 M urea was to a level of about 90% of the native enzyme. Irreversible denaturation of PPiase in lower denaturant concentrations was prevented in the presence of sulfhydryl reagents, dithiothreitol, glutathione, and 2-mercaptoethanol. In irreversibly denatured PPiase, the amount of free SH groups decreased markedly. These results indicated that in lower denaturant concentrations, SH groups in PPiase are very oxidizable and their oxidation may cause irreversible denaturation. In higher denaturant concentrations where PPiase was denatured completely, the SH groups became less reactive. The conformations of renatured PPiases was investigated by means of N-bromosuccinimide oxidation, fluorescence emission spectra and circular dichroism spectra. The PPiase denatured in 6 M guanidine-HCl showed fully restored native conformation, as checked by these methods, although renatured PPiase gave a trough in the 280 nm region of slightly less magnitude than that of PPiase. On the other hand, PPiase denatured in 8 M urea showed restored enzymatic activity, but restoration of its conformation was incomplete as compared to PPiase denatured in 6 M guanidine-HCl. PPiase renatured from material denatured in lower denaturant concentrations, such as 4 M urea and 1.5 M guanidine-HCl, had quite a different conformation from the native enzyme as judged from CD spectra, N-bromosuccinimide oxidation and fluorescence spectra. Differences in PPiases denatured in urea and guanidine-HCl were discussed in connection with the possible modification of amino groups in PPiase by cyanate ions.", "contents": "Renaturation of yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase denatured in urea and guanidine hydrochloride. The renaturation of yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase [EC 3.6.1.1] (PPiase) denatured in guanidine-HCl and urea was studied. The molecular weight of PPiase was estimated to be ca. 63,000-70,000 by means of Sephadex G-75 column chromatography in 8 M urea and 6 M guanidine-HCl and by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel containing 8 M urea. The activities of PPiase denatured in various concentrations of denaturants were measured in the presence and absence of the denaturants. In the presence of the denaturants, enzymatic activity decreased as the denaturant concentration increased up to 1.5 M guanidine-HCl and 4 7 urea. The activities of PPiase denatured in these denaturants were not restored by dilution with buffer. However, the enzymatic activities of PPiase denatured at concentrations higher than 1.5 M guanidine-HCl and 4 M urea were restored by dilution with Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.5). The recovery of the enzymatic activities of PPiase denatured in 3 to 6 M guanidine-HCl and 6 to 8 M urea was to a level of about 90% of the native enzyme. Irreversible denaturation of PPiase in lower denaturant concentrations was prevented in the presence of sulfhydryl reagents, dithiothreitol, glutathione, and 2-mercaptoethanol. In irreversibly denatured PPiase, the amount of free SH groups decreased markedly. These results indicated that in lower denaturant concentrations, SH groups in PPiase are very oxidizable and their oxidation may cause irreversible denaturation. In higher denaturant concentrations where PPiase was denatured completely, the SH groups became less reactive. The conformations of renatured PPiases was investigated by means of N-bromosuccinimide oxidation, fluorescence emission spectra and circular dichroism spectra. The PPiase denatured in 6 M guanidine-HCl showed fully restored native conformation, as checked by these methods, although renatured PPiase gave a trough in the 280 nm region of slightly less magnitude than that of PPiase. On the other hand, PPiase denatured in 8 M urea showed restored enzymatic activity, but restoration of its conformation was incomplete as compared to PPiase denatured in 6 M guanidine-HCl. PPiase renatured from material denatured in lower denaturant concentrations, such as 4 M urea and 1.5 M guanidine-HCl, had quite a different conformation from the native enzyme as judged from CD spectra, N-bromosuccinimide oxidation and fluorescence spectra. Differences in PPiases denatured in urea and guanidine-HCl were discussed in connection with the possible modification of amino groups in PPiase by cyanate ions.", "PMID": 765323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1692", "title": "Myosin aggregates as a requirement for contraction and a proposal to the mechanism of contraction of actomyosin systems.", "content": "Glycerinated fibers of rabbit psoas muscle showed no augmentation of tension development upon incubation with heavy meromyosin, irrespective of whether the fibers were of standard length, stretched, or extracted of their myosin content. The effect of heavy meromyosin was to suppress contraction. These observations are in disagreement with certain recent published reports (Oplatka et al., 1974) and do tend to support the current sliding filament theory of muscle contraction and the necessity of bipolar myosin filaments for contraction. A possible mechanism of contraction in protein systems, including tension generation in actomyosin fibers and superprecipitation, is described emphasizing the polarity of both myosin and actin filaments.", "contents": "Myosin aggregates as a requirement for contraction and a proposal to the mechanism of contraction of actomyosin systems. Glycerinated fibers of rabbit psoas muscle showed no augmentation of tension development upon incubation with heavy meromyosin, irrespective of whether the fibers were of standard length, stretched, or extracted of their myosin content. The effect of heavy meromyosin was to suppress contraction. These observations are in disagreement with certain recent published reports (Oplatka et al., 1974) and do tend to support the current sliding filament theory of muscle contraction and the necessity of bipolar myosin filaments for contraction. A possible mechanism of contraction in protein systems, including tension generation in actomyosin fibers and superprecipitation, is described emphasizing the polarity of both myosin and actin filaments.", "PMID": 765324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1693", "title": "Transport of sugars and amino acids in bacteria. XVI. Theory and evaluation of a model for the membrane transport reaction mediated by a single carrier with three binding sites for substrate.", "content": "A novel model is presented for bacterial active transport reactions which show a curvilinear Eadie-Hofstee plot and negative homotropic cooperativity in the kinetics of substrate uptake. Various models of a single carrier with multi-binding sites for substrate were constructed and examined theoretically. The fit of these models with experimental data on the kinetics of branched chain amino acid transport reactions were tested by iterative computation using the non-linear least square method. The transport model which fitted the experimental data best consisted of a single carrier with three binding sites for substrate in which one of the substrate-carrier complexes, CSS, is not active in translocating substrate across the cytoplasmic membrane. The mechanism of homeostatic regulation of the intracellular concentration of amino acids by active transport systems is discussed on the basis of this transport model.", "contents": "Transport of sugars and amino acids in bacteria. XVI. Theory and evaluation of a model for the membrane transport reaction mediated by a single carrier with three binding sites for substrate. A novel model is presented for bacterial active transport reactions which show a curvilinear Eadie-Hofstee plot and negative homotropic cooperativity in the kinetics of substrate uptake. Various models of a single carrier with multi-binding sites for substrate were constructed and examined theoretically. The fit of these models with experimental data on the kinetics of branched chain amino acid transport reactions were tested by iterative computation using the non-linear least square method. The transport model which fitted the experimental data best consisted of a single carrier with three binding sites for substrate in which one of the substrate-carrier complexes, CSS, is not active in translocating substrate across the cytoplasmic membrane. The mechanism of homeostatic regulation of the intracellular concentration of amino acids by active transport systems is discussed on the basis of this transport model.", "PMID": 765325} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1694", "title": "Uptake of radioactive D-glucose anomers by pancreatic islets.", "content": "Isolated rat islets were incubated in media containing either the alpha or beta anomer of D-[1-3H]glucose for 5 min at 37 degrees. The amounts of the two anomers incorporated were determined using L-[1-14C]glucose as an extracellular space marker. The incorporation of beta-D-glucose was about twice that of alpha-D-glucose. Our previous and present results suggest that the two anomers of D-glucose each have a preferential function in pancreatic beta cells; alpha-D-glucose stimulates insulin secretion, and beta-D-glucose is transported into the cells.", "contents": "Uptake of radioactive D-glucose anomers by pancreatic islets. Isolated rat islets were incubated in media containing either the alpha or beta anomer of D-[1-3H]glucose for 5 min at 37 degrees. The amounts of the two anomers incorporated were determined using L-[1-14C]glucose as an extracellular space marker. The incorporation of beta-D-glucose was about twice that of alpha-D-glucose. Our previous and present results suggest that the two anomers of D-glucose each have a preferential function in pancreatic beta cells; alpha-D-glucose stimulates insulin secretion, and beta-D-glucose is transported into the cells.", "PMID": 765326} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1695", "title": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 1. General introduction.", "content": "With the ultimate objective of the total synthesis of a tRNA gene including its transcriptional signals, an Escherichia coli tyrosine suppressor tRNA gene was chosen. The arguments in favor of this choice are presented. A plan for the total synthesis of the 126-nucleotide-long DNA duplex corresponding to a precursor (Altman S., and Smith, J. D. (1971) Nature New Biol. 233, 35) to the above tRNA is formulated. The plan involves: (a) the chemical synthesis of 26 deoxyribooligonucleotide segments, (b) polynucleotide ligase-catalyzed joining of several segments at a time to form a total of four DNA duplexes with appropriate comlementary single-stranded ends, and (c) the joining of the duplexes to form the entire DNA duplex. Ten accompanying papers describe the experimental realization of this objective.", "contents": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 1. General introduction. With the ultimate objective of the total synthesis of a tRNA gene including its transcriptional signals, an Escherichia coli tyrosine suppressor tRNA gene was chosen. The arguments in favor of this choice are presented. A plan for the total synthesis of the 126-nucleotide-long DNA duplex corresponding to a precursor (Altman S., and Smith, J. D. (1971) Nature New Biol. 233, 35) to the above tRNA is formulated. The plan involves: (a) the chemical synthesis of 26 deoxyribooligonucleotide segments, (b) polynucleotide ligase-catalyzed joining of several segments at a time to form a total of four DNA duplexes with appropriate comlementary single-stranded ends, and (c) the joining of the duplexes to form the entire DNA duplex. Ten accompanying papers describe the experimental realization of this objective.", "PMID": 765327} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1696", "title": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 2. Chemical synthesis of the deoxypolynucleotide segments corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 1-31.", "content": "Chemical synthesis of the undecanucleotides d(T-G-G-G-G-G-A-A-G-G-A), d(C-C-C-C-A-C-C-A-C-C-A), and d(T-C-G-A-A-T-C-C-T-T-C), and the nonanucleotides, d(T-T-C-G-A-A-C-C-T) and d(T-T-C-G-A-A-G-G-T) are described. The deoxyribopolynucleotides together represent the DNA duplex corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 1-31 (from the 3'-end) of the gene for the tyrosine suppressor tRNA. The synthesis, which basically used the previously developed chemical methods, started with 5' and N-protected deoxyribonucleosides. Successive condensations at the 3'-end were performed using suitably protected mononucleotides or preformed di- and trinucleotides. The condensing agents used were mesitylenesulfonyl chloride or triisopropyl benzenesulfonyl chloride. The required condensation products were isolated partly by solvent partition methods or, in the case of longer chains, by anion exchange chromatography. The completely deprotected deoxypolynucleotides were further purified by anion exchange chromatography in the presence of 7 M urea and characterized by chemical and enzymatic methods.", "contents": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 2. Chemical synthesis of the deoxypolynucleotide segments corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 1-31. Chemical synthesis of the undecanucleotides d(T-G-G-G-G-G-A-A-G-G-A), d(C-C-C-C-A-C-C-A-C-C-A), and d(T-C-G-A-A-T-C-C-T-T-C), and the nonanucleotides, d(T-T-C-G-A-A-C-C-T) and d(T-T-C-G-A-A-G-G-T) are described. The deoxyribopolynucleotides together represent the DNA duplex corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 1-31 (from the 3'-end) of the gene for the tyrosine suppressor tRNA. The synthesis, which basically used the previously developed chemical methods, started with 5' and N-protected deoxyribonucleosides. Successive condensations at the 3'-end were performed using suitably protected mononucleotides or preformed di- and trinucleotides. The condensing agents used were mesitylenesulfonyl chloride or triisopropyl benzenesulfonyl chloride. The required condensation products were isolated partly by solvent partition methods or, in the case of longer chains, by anion exchange chromatography. The completely deprotected deoxypolynucleotides were further purified by anion exchange chromatography in the presence of 7 M urea and characterized by chemical and enzymatic methods.", "PMID": 765328} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1697", "title": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 4. Synthesis of deoxyribopolynucleotide segments corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 47-78.", "content": "The chemical syntheses of the dodecanucleotide, d(G-C-C-G-C-T-C-G-G-G-A-A), the decanucleotides, d(T-T-T-A-G-A-G-T-C-T), d(G-C-T-C-C-C-T-T-T-G), d(C-G-G-C-C-A-A-A-G-G), and the nonanucleotide, d(G-A-G-C-A-G-A-C-T), are described. The deoxypolynucleotides together represent the DNA duplex corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 47-78 of the gene for the tyrosine suppressor tRNA. Chemical syntheses used protected mono- and oligonucleotides and stepwise condensation methods. The detailed plans used are given in Diagrams 1 to 4 in the text. Two additional notable features in the present syntheses were: (a) solvent extraction procedures for the preparation of oligonucleotides as large as pentanucleotides and (b) the demonstration that a heptanucleotide containing 5'-phosphate group can be used successfully in condensation with the 3'-OH group of another oligonucleotide. The synthetic polynucleotides were purified and characterized at protected and unprotected levels.", "contents": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 4. Synthesis of deoxyribopolynucleotide segments corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 47-78. The chemical syntheses of the dodecanucleotide, d(G-C-C-G-C-T-C-G-G-G-A-A), the decanucleotides, d(T-T-T-A-G-A-G-T-C-T), d(G-C-T-C-C-C-T-T-T-G), d(C-G-G-C-C-A-A-A-G-G), and the nonanucleotide, d(G-A-G-C-A-G-A-C-T), are described. The deoxypolynucleotides together represent the DNA duplex corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 47-78 of the gene for the tyrosine suppressor tRNA. Chemical syntheses used protected mono- and oligonucleotides and stepwise condensation methods. The detailed plans used are given in Diagrams 1 to 4 in the text. Two additional notable features in the present syntheses were: (a) solvent extraction procedures for the preparation of oligonucleotides as large as pentanucleotides and (b) the demonstration that a heptanucleotide containing 5'-phosphate group can be used successfully in condensation with the 3'-OH group of another oligonucleotide. The synthetic polynucleotides were purified and characterized at protected and unprotected levels.", "PMID": 765329} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1698", "title": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 5. Synthesis of the deoxyribopolynucleotide segments representing the nucleotide sequence 71-103.", "content": "Chemical syntheses of the pentadecanucleotide, d(G-G-T-G-G-G-G-T-T-C-C-C-G-A-G), the undecanucleotides, d(G-G-T-G-G-G-G-T-T-C-C) and d(C-C-C-C-A-C-C-A-C-G-G), the decanucleotide, d(G-T-A-A-T-G-C-T-T-T), and the nonanucleotides, d(A-T-T-A-C-C-C-G-T) and d(A-G-T-A-A-A-A-G-C) are described. The deoxyribopolynucleotides together represent the DNA duplex corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 71-103 (from the 3'-end) of the gene for the tyrosine suppressor tRNA. Synthesis of the guanine-rich undecanucleotide d(G-G-T-G-G-G-G-T-T-C-C) was performed by the use of a new protecting group for the guanine ring, the methylbutyryl group. The heptanucleotide d[(MeOTr)mbG-mbG-T-mbG-mbG-mbG-mbG], prepared by the new method, was condensed with the tetranucleotide d[panC-anC-T-T(Ac)]. All of the condensations described followed previously developed chemical principles and started with the N- and 5'-protected deoxyribonucleosides. Successive condensations at the 3'-end with protected mononucleotides, preformed di-, tri-, or tetranucleotides gave products which were separated by anion exchange chromatography and characterized by chemical and enzymatic methods.", "contents": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 5. Synthesis of the deoxyribopolynucleotide segments representing the nucleotide sequence 71-103. Chemical syntheses of the pentadecanucleotide, d(G-G-T-G-G-G-G-T-T-C-C-C-G-A-G), the undecanucleotides, d(G-G-T-G-G-G-G-T-T-C-C) and d(C-C-C-C-A-C-C-A-C-G-G), the decanucleotide, d(G-T-A-A-T-G-C-T-T-T), and the nonanucleotides, d(A-T-T-A-C-C-C-G-T) and d(A-G-T-A-A-A-A-G-C) are described. The deoxyribopolynucleotides together represent the DNA duplex corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 71-103 (from the 3'-end) of the gene for the tyrosine suppressor tRNA. Synthesis of the guanine-rich undecanucleotide d(G-G-T-G-G-G-G-T-T-C-C) was performed by the use of a new protecting group for the guanine ring, the methylbutyryl group. The heptanucleotide d[(MeOTr)mbG-mbG-T-mbG-mbG-mbG-mbG], prepared by the new method, was condensed with the tetranucleotide d[panC-anC-T-T(Ac)]. All of the condensations described followed previously developed chemical principles and started with the N- and 5'-protected deoxyribonucleosides. Successive condensations at the 3'-end with protected mononucleotides, preformed di-, tri-, or tetranucleotides gave products which were separated by anion exchange chromatography and characterized by chemical and enzymatic methods.", "PMID": 765330} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1699", "title": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 6. Synthesis of the deoxyribopolynucleotide segments corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 100-126.", "content": "Chemical syntheses of the tridecanucleotide, d(G-C-T-T-C-C-C-G-A-T-A-A-G), the dodecanucleotide, d(G-C-T-C-C-C-T-T-A-T-C-G), the decanucleotide, d(G-G-A-G-C-A-G-G-C-C), the nonanucleotide, d(T-A-C-T-G-G-C-C-T), and the hexanucleotide, d(G-G-A-A-G-C), are described. Together, these syntheses represent the nucleotide sequence 100-126 of the DNA corresponding to the Escherichia coli tyrosine tRNA precursor. The synthesis of the dodecanucleotide d(G-C-T-C-C-C-T-T-A-T-C-G), was accomplished by the condensation of the previously described protected nonanucleotide, d[(MeOTr)ibG-anC-T-anC-anC-anC-T-T-bzA], with the trinucleotide block d[pT-anC-mbG(Ac)]. Synthesis of the other segments involved stepwise condensations to the 3'-OH group of growing oligonucleotide chains, starting with suitably protected deoxyribonucleosides and using protected mono-, di-, and trinucleotides as the incoming blocks. The final products, after deprotection, were purified by anion exchange chromatography and characterized. The synthesis of this part of the DNA was planned so that only a hexanucleotide segment is used to go up to the 3'-end (nucleotide 126) of the DNA and, therefore, it is amenable to elongation by chemical methods when the nucleotide sequence of the several nucleotides beyond this end becomes known.", "contents": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 6. Synthesis of the deoxyribopolynucleotide segments corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 100-126. Chemical syntheses of the tridecanucleotide, d(G-C-T-T-C-C-C-G-A-T-A-A-G), the dodecanucleotide, d(G-C-T-C-C-C-T-T-A-T-C-G), the decanucleotide, d(G-G-A-G-C-A-G-G-C-C), the nonanucleotide, d(T-A-C-T-G-G-C-C-T), and the hexanucleotide, d(G-G-A-A-G-C), are described. Together, these syntheses represent the nucleotide sequence 100-126 of the DNA corresponding to the Escherichia coli tyrosine tRNA precursor. The synthesis of the dodecanucleotide d(G-C-T-C-C-C-T-T-A-T-C-G), was accomplished by the condensation of the previously described protected nonanucleotide, d[(MeOTr)ibG-anC-T-anC-anC-anC-T-T-bzA], with the trinucleotide block d[pT-anC-mbG(Ac)]. Synthesis of the other segments involved stepwise condensations to the 3'-OH group of growing oligonucleotide chains, starting with suitably protected deoxyribonucleosides and using protected mono-, di-, and trinucleotides as the incoming blocks. The final products, after deprotection, were purified by anion exchange chromatography and characterized. The synthesis of this part of the DNA was planned so that only a hexanucleotide segment is used to go up to the 3'-end (nucleotide 126) of the DNA and, therefore, it is amenable to elongation by chemical methods when the nucleotide sequence of the several nucleotides beyond this end becomes known.", "PMID": 765331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1700", "title": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 7. Enzymatic joining of the chemically synthesized segments to form a DNA duplex corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 1-26.", "content": "Duplex [I], which represents the nucleotide sequence 1-26 of the double-stranded DNA corresponding to the precursor for a tyrosine suppressor tRNA, has been synthesized by the enzymatic joining of five chemically synthesized deoxyribooligonucleotide segments. The synthesis was accomplished in two different ways. In a one-step synthesis, all of the five segments were used together: segments 2, 3, and 5 carried 5'-33P-labeled phosphate groups while segment 4 carried a 32P-phosphate group. An alternative, two-step method involved the joining of 5'-32P-phosphorylated segment 2 to segment 4 (carrying 5'-OH group or 5'-32P- or 33P-labeled phosphate group) in the presence of segment 3 followed by the joining of [5-32P]segment 5 in a second step. The duplex [I]' (segments 2 to 5) thus obtained was phosphorlated at the 5'-ends with polynucleotide kinase and then joined to segment 1 to give duplex [I] quantitatively. The preparative methods described have the desired flexibility for performing the subsequent operations necessary for the total synthesis of the structural gene for the tyrosine suppressor tRNA precursor.", "contents": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 7. Enzymatic joining of the chemically synthesized segments to form a DNA duplex corresponding to the nucleotide sequence 1-26. Duplex [I], which represents the nucleotide sequence 1-26 of the double-stranded DNA corresponding to the precursor for a tyrosine suppressor tRNA, has been synthesized by the enzymatic joining of five chemically synthesized deoxyribooligonucleotide segments. The synthesis was accomplished in two different ways. In a one-step synthesis, all of the five segments were used together: segments 2, 3, and 5 carried 5'-33P-labeled phosphate groups while segment 4 carried a 32P-phosphate group. An alternative, two-step method involved the joining of 5'-32P-phosphorylated segment 2 to segment 4 (carrying 5'-OH group or 5'-32P- or 33P-labeled phosphate group) in the presence of segment 3 followed by the joining of [5-32P]segment 5 in a second step. The duplex [I]' (segments 2 to 5) thus obtained was phosphorlated at the 5'-ends with polynucleotide kinase and then joined to segment 1 to give duplex [I] quantitatively. The preparative methods described have the desired flexibility for performing the subsequent operations necessary for the total synthesis of the structural gene for the tyrosine suppressor tRNA precursor.", "PMID": 765332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1701", "title": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 8. Enzymatic joining of the chemically synthesized segments to form DNA duplexes corresponding to nucleotide sequences 23-60 and 23-66.", "content": "Polynucleotide ligase-catalyzed joining of the eight chemically synthesized deoxyribopolynucleotide segments (Fig. 1) comprising the nucleotide sequence 23-66 of the DNA corresponding to the Escherichia coli tyrosine tRNA precursor has been systematically investigated. Joining was studied using all possible combinations of 3, 4, and 5 and larger numbers of segments at a time. The extent of joining varied widely (0 to about 90%) in three component systems. The \"self-structure\" of some of the components evidently inhibited the joining. Addition of a fourth segment in general enhanced the extent of joining and optimal yields were obtained in systems containing six or more segments. A comparison of the T4-induced ligase and the E. coli polynucleotide ligase for joining of the chemically synthesized segments showed the E. coli enzyme to be inferior to the T4-induced ligase. Satisfactory syntheses of the duplexes [IIa] and [IIb] comprising, respectively, eight and seven segments were achieved in single steps. Of the two terminal segments carrying 5'-OH groups in the duplexes, only one (segment 7) was used in the prephosphorylated form. The duplexes were isolated pure and characterized by enzymatic degradations and by electrophoresis.", "contents": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 8. Enzymatic joining of the chemically synthesized segments to form DNA duplexes corresponding to nucleotide sequences 23-60 and 23-66. Polynucleotide ligase-catalyzed joining of the eight chemically synthesized deoxyribopolynucleotide segments (Fig. 1) comprising the nucleotide sequence 23-66 of the DNA corresponding to the Escherichia coli tyrosine tRNA precursor has been systematically investigated. Joining was studied using all possible combinations of 3, 4, and 5 and larger numbers of segments at a time. The extent of joining varied widely (0 to about 90%) in three component systems. The \"self-structure\" of some of the components evidently inhibited the joining. Addition of a fourth segment in general enhanced the extent of joining and optimal yields were obtained in systems containing six or more segments. A comparison of the T4-induced ligase and the E. coli polynucleotide ligase for joining of the chemically synthesized segments showed the E. coli enzyme to be inferior to the T4-induced ligase. Satisfactory syntheses of the duplexes [IIa] and [IIb] comprising, respectively, eight and seven segments were achieved in single steps. Of the two terminal segments carrying 5'-OH groups in the duplexes, only one (segment 7) was used in the prephosphorylated form. The duplexes were isolated pure and characterized by enzymatic degradations and by electrophoresis.", "PMID": 765333} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1702", "title": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 9. Enzymatic joining of chemically synthesized deoxyribopolynucleotide segments corresponding to nucleotide sequence 57-94.", "content": "The DNA duplexes representing nucleotide sequences 61-89 and 57-94 have been synthesized, isolated pure, and fully characterized. Synthesis of the duplex with the nucleotide sequence 61-89 involved the DNA ligase-catalyzed joining of chemically synthesized deoxyoligonucleotide segments 14 to 18 shown in Fig. 1A, while for the longer duplex (sequences 57-94) seven deoxyribooligonucleotides (segments 13 to 19, Fig. 1B) were used in one-step enzymatic joining. The joining of the short tetranucleotide (segment 16) to the segment 17 required the presence of the adjacent segment 14, even if the latter did not contain a 5'-phosphate group, to allow its joining to segment 16. However, in the synthesis of both of the DNA duplexes, the yields were comparatively low (30 to 40%) and could not be significantly increased although a variety of conditions was tried. The main cause in both cases evidently was the sluggish joining of segment 14 to 16 and of segment 16 to segment 17. Although the original plan for the total synthesis of this part of the gene for the tRNA precursor involved the DNA duplex consisting of segments 14 to 18, this duplex could not be quantitatively phosphorylated at the two 5'-OH ends for subsequent joining to the adjoining parts of the gene. The DNA duplex consisting of segments 13 to 19, which possesses both terminal 5'-OH groups at protruding single-stranded ends, was readily phosphorylated and used successfully in the total synthesis of the gene as described in an accompanying paper.", "contents": "Total synthesis of the structural gene for the precursor of a tyrosine suppressor transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. 9. Enzymatic joining of chemically synthesized deoxyribopolynucleotide segments corresponding to nucleotide sequence 57-94. The DNA duplexes representing nucleotide sequences 61-89 and 57-94 have been synthesized, isolated pure, and fully characterized. Synthesis of the duplex with the nucleotide sequence 61-89 involved the DNA ligase-catalyzed joining of chemically synthesized deoxyoligonucleotide segments 14 to 18 shown in Fig. 1A, while for the longer duplex (sequences 57-94) seven deoxyribooligonucleotides (segments 13 to 19, Fig. 1B) were used in one-step enzymatic joining. The joining of the short tetranucleotide (segment 16) to the segment 17 required the presence of the adjacent segment 14, even if the latter did not contain a 5'-phosphate group, to allow its joining to segment 16. However, in the synthesis of both of the DNA duplexes, the yields were comparatively low (30 to 40%) and could not be significantly increased although a variety of conditions was tried. The main cause in both cases evidently was the sluggish joining of segment 14 to 16 and of segment 16 to segment 17. Although the original plan for the total synthesis of this part of the gene for the tRNA precursor involved the DNA duplex consisting of segments 14 to 18, this duplex could not be quantitatively phosphorylated at the two 5'-OH ends for subsequent joining to the adjoining parts of the gene. The DNA duplex consisting of segments 13 to 19, which possesses both terminal 5'-OH groups at protruding single-stranded ends, was readily phosphorylated and used successfully in the total synthesis of the gene as described in an accompanying paper.", "PMID": 765334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1703", "title": "Regulation of carbohydrate uptake and adenylate cyclase activity mediated by the enzymes II of the phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The uptake of various carbohydrates and the synthesis of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) are subject to inhibition by sugar substrates of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system in Escherichia coli. The induced synthesis of the sugar-specific components of the phosphotransferase system was studied and correlated with the induction of regulatory interactions controlling glycerol uptake and net cyclic AMP synthesis. Activities of the Enzyme II complexes specific for glucose, fructose, and mannitol were measured both in vivo and in vitro. These activities were induced 8- to 40-fold by growth in the presence of the appropriate substrate-inducers. Cross inducer specificities were noted. Maximal inhibition of glycerol uptake and cyclic AMP synthesis by a sugar substrate of the phosphotransferase system required induction of the Enzyme II complex specific for that sugar and was abolished by mutations which destroyed Enzyme II activity. The inducer specificities of the regulatory systems and of the Enzymes II were found to be the same. A mutation which depressed the cellular activity of Enzyme I of the phosphotransferase system did not relieve sensitivity to inhibition. The results suggest that adenylate cyclase and several carbohydrate permeases are subject to coordinate regulation by a mechanism which depends on the catalytic activities of the protein components of the phosphotransferase system.", "contents": "Regulation of carbohydrate uptake and adenylate cyclase activity mediated by the enzymes II of the phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system in Escherichia coli. The uptake of various carbohydrates and the synthesis of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) are subject to inhibition by sugar substrates of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system in Escherichia coli. The induced synthesis of the sugar-specific components of the phosphotransferase system was studied and correlated with the induction of regulatory interactions controlling glycerol uptake and net cyclic AMP synthesis. Activities of the Enzyme II complexes specific for glucose, fructose, and mannitol were measured both in vivo and in vitro. These activities were induced 8- to 40-fold by growth in the presence of the appropriate substrate-inducers. Cross inducer specificities were noted. Maximal inhibition of glycerol uptake and cyclic AMP synthesis by a sugar substrate of the phosphotransferase system required induction of the Enzyme II complex specific for that sugar and was abolished by mutations which destroyed Enzyme II activity. The inducer specificities of the regulatory systems and of the Enzymes II were found to be the same. A mutation which depressed the cellular activity of Enzyme I of the phosphotransferase system did not relieve sensitivity to inhibition. The results suggest that adenylate cyclase and several carbohydrate permeases are subject to coordinate regulation by a mechanism which depends on the catalytic activities of the protein components of the phosphotransferase system.", "PMID": 765335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1704", "title": "Syntheses of elongation factors Tu and G are under stringent control in Escherichia coli.", "content": "We have compared the synthesis of the elongation factors Tu and G at 30 and 36.5 degrees in three strains of Escherichia coli: NF314 (rel+valS+), NF536 (rel+valSts), and NF537 (rel-valSts). At the elevated temperature, the latter two strains continue to grow but suffer a partial deprivation of valyl-tRNA. As a consequence, the syntheses of stable RNA, Tu, and G are decreased in NF536; the syntheses of stable RNA, Tu, and G are increased in NF537. These results indicate that the syntheses of Tu and G are directly or indirectly under the influence of the rel gene.", "contents": "Syntheses of elongation factors Tu and G are under stringent control in Escherichia coli. We have compared the synthesis of the elongation factors Tu and G at 30 and 36.5 degrees in three strains of Escherichia coli: NF314 (rel+valS+), NF536 (rel+valSts), and NF537 (rel-valSts). At the elevated temperature, the latter two strains continue to grow but suffer a partial deprivation of valyl-tRNA. As a consequence, the syntheses of stable RNA, Tu, and G are decreased in NF536; the syntheses of stable RNA, Tu, and G are increased in NF537. These results indicate that the syntheses of Tu and G are directly or indirectly under the influence of the rel gene.", "PMID": 765336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1705", "title": "Effect of estrogen on gene expression in the chick oviduct. Kinetics of initiation of in vitro transcription on chromatin.", "content": "The kinetics of initiation of in vitro RNA synthesis by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase on the chromatin template of chick oviduct was examined and compared to initiation on the template of deproteinized chick DNA. The formation of rapidly starting, highly stable binary complexes (RS complexes) between RNA polymerase and chromatin was an apparent first order process with a half-time (t1/2) of 9.4 min. By contrast, the t1/2 of formation of RS complex on chick DNA was 1.3 min. The apparent first order rate constants of RNA chain initiation from performed RS complexes were 0.57 s-1 for chromatin and 0.98 s-1 for DNA. Thus, although the formation of RS complex on chromatin was much slower than on DNA, the actual rate of RNA chain initiation on chromatin was similar to that on DNA. The effects of temperature on the formation of RS complex were examined. On chick DNA, both the rate of formation and the amount of RS complex formed decreased as the temperature of preincubation was lowered from 37 degrees to 0 degrees. On chromatin, the t1/2 of formation of RS complex was independent of temperature, and the amount of complex formed was only slightly affected at changing, temperatures. The kinetics of initiation on chromatin is consistent with the hypothesis that the rate-limiting step in the formation of RS complex is dissociation of RNA polymerase from nonspecific interaction with chromosomal proteins. Furthermore, chromosomal proteins seem to interact with initiation sites to facilitate the opening of the DNA strands required for RS complex formation.", "contents": "Effect of estrogen on gene expression in the chick oviduct. Kinetics of initiation of in vitro transcription on chromatin. The kinetics of initiation of in vitro RNA synthesis by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase on the chromatin template of chick oviduct was examined and compared to initiation on the template of deproteinized chick DNA. The formation of rapidly starting, highly stable binary complexes (RS complexes) between RNA polymerase and chromatin was an apparent first order process with a half-time (t1/2) of 9.4 min. By contrast, the t1/2 of formation of RS complex on chick DNA was 1.3 min. The apparent first order rate constants of RNA chain initiation from performed RS complexes were 0.57 s-1 for chromatin and 0.98 s-1 for DNA. Thus, although the formation of RS complex on chromatin was much slower than on DNA, the actual rate of RNA chain initiation on chromatin was similar to that on DNA. The effects of temperature on the formation of RS complex were examined. On chick DNA, both the rate of formation and the amount of RS complex formed decreased as the temperature of preincubation was lowered from 37 degrees to 0 degrees. On chromatin, the t1/2 of formation of RS complex was independent of temperature, and the amount of complex formed was only slightly affected at changing, temperatures. The kinetics of initiation on chromatin is consistent with the hypothesis that the rate-limiting step in the formation of RS complex is dissociation of RNA polymerase from nonspecific interaction with chromosomal proteins. Furthermore, chromosomal proteins seem to interact with initiation sites to facilitate the opening of the DNA strands required for RS complex formation.", "PMID": 765337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1706", "title": "The site of ribosome degradation in starved Escherichia coli cells.", "content": "An attempt was made, in starved Escherichia coli cells, to locate the site at which the process of ribosome degradation is initiated. Supernatant and rapidly sedimenting pellet fractions from exponentially growing and from carbon-starved cells were prepared, and the ribonucleic acids from these fractions were seperated by polyacrylamide electrophoresis and quantitated. The data indicated that 23 S, 16 S, and 5 S RNA are lost only from the pellet; and also that the low molecular weight RNA degradation products are confined to this fraction. Ribosomes from supernatant and pellet fractions were seperated on sucrose density gradients. The sedimentation profiles obtained indicated that pellet fractions of starved cells contain for the most part 50 S and 30 S subunits, whereas 70 S monosomes were most abundant in the supernatant fraction. In vitro measurements on RNA degradation in supernatant and rapidly sedimenting pellet fractions confirmed the in vivo data on the exclusive degradation of ribosomal RNA in the pellet. Based on these data and on previous observations, we suggest that the endoribonucleolytic attack which triggers ribosome degradation, occurs in free subunits attached to the rapidly sedimenting membrane fraction. Subsequently, the ribosome falls apart, and the small RNA pieces generated remain attached to the pellet fraction until their final degradation by the exonuclease.", "contents": "The site of ribosome degradation in starved Escherichia coli cells. An attempt was made, in starved Escherichia coli cells, to locate the site at which the process of ribosome degradation is initiated. Supernatant and rapidly sedimenting pellet fractions from exponentially growing and from carbon-starved cells were prepared, and the ribonucleic acids from these fractions were seperated by polyacrylamide electrophoresis and quantitated. The data indicated that 23 S, 16 S, and 5 S RNA are lost only from the pellet; and also that the low molecular weight RNA degradation products are confined to this fraction. Ribosomes from supernatant and pellet fractions were seperated on sucrose density gradients. The sedimentation profiles obtained indicated that pellet fractions of starved cells contain for the most part 50 S and 30 S subunits, whereas 70 S monosomes were most abundant in the supernatant fraction. In vitro measurements on RNA degradation in supernatant and rapidly sedimenting pellet fractions confirmed the in vivo data on the exclusive degradation of ribosomal RNA in the pellet. Based on these data and on previous observations, we suggest that the endoribonucleolytic attack which triggers ribosome degradation, occurs in free subunits attached to the rapidly sedimenting membrane fraction. Subsequently, the ribosome falls apart, and the small RNA pieces generated remain attached to the pellet fraction until their final degradation by the exonuclease.", "PMID": 765338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1707", "title": "Kinetic studies of inducer binding to lactose repressor protein.", "content": "The kinetics of binding of the inducer, isopropyl-beta, D-thiogalactoside to lactose repressor from Escherichia coli was studied by stopped flow rapid mixing techniques. Three different spectral probes for measuring changes in the conformation of the repressor were used: ultraviolet absorbance, fluorescence, and a reporter group, 2-mercuri-4-nitrophenol, in the visible region. Repressor can be reacted with this mercurial to modify two of the three free sulfhydryl groups per monomer without loss of inducer or operator binding activities. The observed first order rate constant for the reaction of repressor with 2-chloromercuri-4-nitrophenol at pH 7.5 and 20 degrees was found to be on the order of 0.1 s-1, an unexpectedly slow rate for this type of reaction. Once bound to repressor, the nitrophenol serves as a chromophoric probe to monitor changes in the surrounding environment. The binding of inducer to repressor causes a change in the absorbance of the bound 2-mercuri-4-nitrophenol moiety and exhibits a second order rate of 3.2 x 10(4) M-1 s-1. Similar rates were obtained when binding of inducer is monitored by changes in either the ultraviolet absorbance of fluorescence of tryptophan residues. Since the same rate of spectral perturbation is observed for different regions of the primary structure of the protein, the conformational change produced in response to inducer binding appears to be translated rapidly throughout the protein molecule.", "contents": "Kinetic studies of inducer binding to lactose repressor protein. The kinetics of binding of the inducer, isopropyl-beta, D-thiogalactoside to lactose repressor from Escherichia coli was studied by stopped flow rapid mixing techniques. Three different spectral probes for measuring changes in the conformation of the repressor were used: ultraviolet absorbance, fluorescence, and a reporter group, 2-mercuri-4-nitrophenol, in the visible region. Repressor can be reacted with this mercurial to modify two of the three free sulfhydryl groups per monomer without loss of inducer or operator binding activities. The observed first order rate constant for the reaction of repressor with 2-chloromercuri-4-nitrophenol at pH 7.5 and 20 degrees was found to be on the order of 0.1 s-1, an unexpectedly slow rate for this type of reaction. Once bound to repressor, the nitrophenol serves as a chromophoric probe to monitor changes in the surrounding environment. The binding of inducer to repressor causes a change in the absorbance of the bound 2-mercuri-4-nitrophenol moiety and exhibits a second order rate of 3.2 x 10(4) M-1 s-1. Similar rates were obtained when binding of inducer is monitored by changes in either the ultraviolet absorbance of fluorescence of tryptophan residues. Since the same rate of spectral perturbation is observed for different regions of the primary structure of the protein, the conformational change produced in response to inducer binding appears to be translated rapidly throughout the protein molecule.", "PMID": 765339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1708", "title": "Superoxide dismutase. Reversible removal of manganese and its substitution by cobalt, nickel or zinc.", "content": "The maganese-containing superoxide dismutase, from Escherichia coli, lost metal and activity when dialyzed against 20 mM-8-hydroxyquinoline and 2.5 M guanidinium chloride in 5 mM Tris-chloride buffer at pH 7.8. Subsequent dialysis against 0.01 m M McCl2, in this buffer, caused a restoration of manganese and activity. Reconstituted enzyme appeared identical with native enzyme, and removal and restoration of manganese could be repeated. Co (II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Mg(II), Cr (II), Cu(II), Fe(II), In(II), and Mo(VI), were tested for their abiltiy to replace manganese. None of these restored activity to apoenzyme. When present at a 100-fold molar excess over manganese only Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) were effective as competitors of manganese. Co(II) was demonstrated to be tightly bound to the apoenzyme in place of the magnasese, with a stoichiometry of 1 Co(II) per molecule. In the cases of Co(II), Zn(II), or Ni(II), reconstituted enzyme; the metals could be removed and subsequently replaced by manganese, with restoration of catalytic activity. None of these metal cations exhibited superoxide dismutase activity. We conclude that manganese is essential for the catalytic activity of superoxide dismutase, and that the site which normally binds manganese can accommodate Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II).", "contents": "Superoxide dismutase. Reversible removal of manganese and its substitution by cobalt, nickel or zinc. The maganese-containing superoxide dismutase, from Escherichia coli, lost metal and activity when dialyzed against 20 mM-8-hydroxyquinoline and 2.5 M guanidinium chloride in 5 mM Tris-chloride buffer at pH 7.8. Subsequent dialysis against 0.01 m M McCl2, in this buffer, caused a restoration of manganese and activity. Reconstituted enzyme appeared identical with native enzyme, and removal and restoration of manganese could be repeated. Co (II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Mg(II), Cr (II), Cu(II), Fe(II), In(II), and Mo(VI), were tested for their abiltiy to replace manganese. None of these restored activity to apoenzyme. When present at a 100-fold molar excess over manganese only Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) were effective as competitors of manganese. Co(II) was demonstrated to be tightly bound to the apoenzyme in place of the magnasese, with a stoichiometry of 1 Co(II) per molecule. In the cases of Co(II), Zn(II), or Ni(II), reconstituted enzyme; the metals could be removed and subsequently replaced by manganese, with restoration of catalytic activity. None of these metal cations exhibited superoxide dismutase activity. We conclude that manganese is essential for the catalytic activity of superoxide dismutase, and that the site which normally binds manganese can accommodate Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II).", "PMID": 765340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1709", "title": "Isolation and characterization of large transfer ribonucleic acid precursors from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Several transfer RNA precursors which accumulate in a strain of Escherichia coli temperature-sensitive for RNase P have been described. These precursors range from 135 to 690 nucleotides in length. Their tRNA content has been determined by digestion of the precursors to 4 S RNA, followed by Sanger fingerprint analysis of the purified 4 S material. Identification of some of these tRNAs, as well as an estimate of the number of copies of tRNA in each precursor has been achieved. Many of these precursor RNA molecules contain multiple copies of the same tRNA sequence, indicating a tandem arrangement of the corresponding tRNA genes in the E. coli genome.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of large transfer ribonucleic acid precursors from Escherichia coli. Several transfer RNA precursors which accumulate in a strain of Escherichia coli temperature-sensitive for RNase P have been described. These precursors range from 135 to 690 nucleotides in length. Their tRNA content has been determined by digestion of the precursors to 4 S RNA, followed by Sanger fingerprint analysis of the purified 4 S material. Identification of some of these tRNAs, as well as an estimate of the number of copies of tRNA in each precursor has been achieved. Many of these precursor RNA molecules contain multiple copies of the same tRNA sequence, indicating a tandem arrangement of the corresponding tRNA genes in the E. coli genome.", "PMID": 765341} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1710", "title": "Selective chemical modification of Escherichia coli elongation factor G. N-Ethylmaleimide modification of a cysteine essential for nucleotide binding.", "content": "Escherichia coli Elongation Factor G is inhibited ireversibly by the chemical modification of 1 cysteine residue with N-ethylmaleimide. At pH 5.2, this cysteine is approximately 130 times more reactive than beta-mercaptoethanol toward N-ethylmaleimide. Inhibition is not prevented by either the ribosome or GTP alone at concentrations approximately equal to that of Elongation Factor G, but in combination they reduce the inhibition by 50%. Increasing the stability of the Elongation Factor G-ribosome-GDP complex by the addition of fusidec acid, completely protects against N-ethylmaleimide inhibition. The modified protein cannot form either the Elongation Factor G-ribosome-GMP-P(CH2)P or the Elongation Factor G-ribosome-GDP-fusidic acidcomplex. However, the modification had no effect on its ability to form the Elongation Factor G-ribosome complex. These results suggest that the cysteine residue modified by N-ethylmaleimide is at or near the nucleotide binding site.", "contents": "Selective chemical modification of Escherichia coli elongation factor G. N-Ethylmaleimide modification of a cysteine essential for nucleotide binding. Escherichia coli Elongation Factor G is inhibited ireversibly by the chemical modification of 1 cysteine residue with N-ethylmaleimide. At pH 5.2, this cysteine is approximately 130 times more reactive than beta-mercaptoethanol toward N-ethylmaleimide. Inhibition is not prevented by either the ribosome or GTP alone at concentrations approximately equal to that of Elongation Factor G, but in combination they reduce the inhibition by 50%. Increasing the stability of the Elongation Factor G-ribosome-GDP complex by the addition of fusidec acid, completely protects against N-ethylmaleimide inhibition. The modified protein cannot form either the Elongation Factor G-ribosome-GMP-P(CH2)P or the Elongation Factor G-ribosome-GDP-fusidic acidcomplex. However, the modification had no effect on its ability to form the Elongation Factor G-ribosome complex. These results suggest that the cysteine residue modified by N-ethylmaleimide is at or near the nucleotide binding site.", "PMID": 765342} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1711", "title": "Properties of anthranilate synthetase component II from Pseudomonas putida.", "content": "The interaction of Pseudomanas putida anthranilate synthetase Component II (AS II) with glutamine, glutamine analogs, and iodoacetamide has been investigated in order to clarify the initial steps in the mechanism for glutamine utilization. AS II is alkylated and irreversibly inactivated by covalent attachment of approximately 1 eg of L-2-amino-4-oxo-5-chloropentanoic acid (chloroketone) or 1 eq of iodoacetamide. Alkylation of AS II by chloroketone involves initial formation of an enzyme-inhibitor complex having a Ki of 28 muM. Alkylation of AS II by iodoacetamide occurs without initial formation of a reversible complex. In both cases glutamine protects against alkylation and exhibits competitive kinetics. When anthranilate synthetase Component I (AS I) is associated with AS II, the second substrate, chorismate, enhances alkylation of AS II by chloroketone. Alkylation of AS II by iodoacetamide is unaffected by AS I and chorismate. These results suggest a role of chorismate-AS I complex to promote binding of glutamine to AS II or to facilitate conversion of an AS II-glutamine complex to the covalent glutamyl-AS II intermediate. This conclusion is supported by the fact that glutaminase activity of AS II, which requires formation of the glutamyl-AS II intermediate, is stimulated by AS I and chorismate.", "contents": "Properties of anthranilate synthetase component II from Pseudomonas putida. The interaction of Pseudomanas putida anthranilate synthetase Component II (AS II) with glutamine, glutamine analogs, and iodoacetamide has been investigated in order to clarify the initial steps in the mechanism for glutamine utilization. AS II is alkylated and irreversibly inactivated by covalent attachment of approximately 1 eg of L-2-amino-4-oxo-5-chloropentanoic acid (chloroketone) or 1 eq of iodoacetamide. Alkylation of AS II by chloroketone involves initial formation of an enzyme-inhibitor complex having a Ki of 28 muM. Alkylation of AS II by iodoacetamide occurs without initial formation of a reversible complex. In both cases glutamine protects against alkylation and exhibits competitive kinetics. When anthranilate synthetase Component I (AS I) is associated with AS II, the second substrate, chorismate, enhances alkylation of AS II by chloroketone. Alkylation of AS II by iodoacetamide is unaffected by AS I and chorismate. These results suggest a role of chorismate-AS I complex to promote binding of glutamine to AS II or to facilitate conversion of an AS II-glutamine complex to the covalent glutamyl-AS II intermediate. This conclusion is supported by the fact that glutaminase activity of AS II, which requires formation of the glutamyl-AS II intermediate, is stimulated by AS I and chorismate.", "PMID": 765343} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1712", "title": "Instability of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. Reconstruction of the collateral ligaments using the extensor pollicis brevis tendon.", "content": "Reconstruction of the collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb was performed for fourteen ruptures of the ulnar and two ruptures of the radial collateral ligament, one to eighteen months after injury. The extensor pollicis brevis tendon was used to reinforce the resutured ligament. Symptoms were relieved in all cases after follow-ups ranging from one to seven years, even in two thumbs with mild degenerative arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint.", "contents": "Instability of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. Reconstruction of the collateral ligaments using the extensor pollicis brevis tendon. Reconstruction of the collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb was performed for fourteen ruptures of the ulnar and two ruptures of the radial collateral ligament, one to eighteen months after injury. The extensor pollicis brevis tendon was used to reinforce the resutured ligament. Symptoms were relieved in all cases after follow-ups ranging from one to seven years, even in two thumbs with mild degenerative arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint.", "PMID": 765344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1713", "title": "The orthopaedic aspects of spinal muscular atrophy.", "content": "To clarify the role of the orthopaedic surgeon in the management of spinal muscular atrophy, the records of 130 patients were reviewed. Seventy-three had died. Of the remaining fifty-seven, fifty were re-examined. The clinical manifestations of the disease, particularly those giving rise to orthopaedic problems, were studied. At the time of review the average age of the patients was 11.5 years. Thirty-five could not walk and all had some degree of muscle weakness, more marked proximally and in the lower limbs. The most common medical problem was repeated respiratory infection and the major orthopaedic problem was scoliosis, often severe. Nine of the thirty-five patients with scoliosis had had spine fusion. Most of them suffered some functional loss in attaining spinal stability.", "contents": "The orthopaedic aspects of spinal muscular atrophy. To clarify the role of the orthopaedic surgeon in the management of spinal muscular atrophy, the records of 130 patients were reviewed. Seventy-three had died. Of the remaining fifty-seven, fifty were re-examined. The clinical manifestations of the disease, particularly those giving rise to orthopaedic problems, were studied. At the time of review the average age of the patients was 11.5 years. Thirty-five could not walk and all had some degree of muscle weakness, more marked proximally and in the lower limbs. The most common medical problem was repeated respiratory infection and the major orthopaedic problem was scoliosis, often severe. Nine of the thirty-five patients with scoliosis had had spine fusion. Most of them suffered some functional loss in attaining spinal stability.", "PMID": 765347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1714", "title": "The effect of polymethylmethacrylate and antibiotic combinations on bacterial viability. An in vitro and preliminary in vivo study.", "content": "Polymethylmethacrylate itself has a slight, long-term bacteriostatic effect on the growth of staphylococci, but while polymerizing the heat of polymerization and possibly the elaboration of monomer can be bactericidal to many pathogenic organisms. Twelve antibiotics incorporated into polymethylmethacrylate cement retained their antibacterial activity for long periods in dry storage, but the antibiotics leached out of polymethylmethacrylate quite rapidly in vitro and in vivo. No antibiotic could be found after thirty-seven days in treated cement pellets placed in a rabbit thigh.", "contents": "The effect of polymethylmethacrylate and antibiotic combinations on bacterial viability. An in vitro and preliminary in vivo study. Polymethylmethacrylate itself has a slight, long-term bacteriostatic effect on the growth of staphylococci, but while polymerizing the heat of polymerization and possibly the elaboration of monomer can be bactericidal to many pathogenic organisms. Twelve antibiotics incorporated into polymethylmethacrylate cement retained their antibacterial activity for long periods in dry storage, but the antibiotics leached out of polymethylmethacrylate quite rapidly in vitro and in vivo. No antibiotic could be found after thirty-seven days in treated cement pellets placed in a rabbit thigh.", "PMID": 765348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1715", "title": "Immunohistochemical localization of alpha-amylase in barley aleurone cells.", "content": "Alpha-Amylase was localized in aleurone cells of barley using immunohistochemical methods. Anti-alpha-amylase antibody was produced by rabbits immunized with enzyme purified from malt diastase and Himalaya variety barley seeds. Immunoelectrophoresis showed that the antibodies to both antigens were immunologically similar, therefore, they were used interchangeably in the localization of alpha-amylase. Fluorescence of 8-10 mum sections of freeze-substituted and paraffin embedded, gibberellic acid (GA)-treated aleurone tissue incubated with rabbit anti-alpha-amylase IgG and rhodamine-conjugated goat-anti-rabbit IgG is localized in the cytoplasm, the nuclear region and the innermost portion of the cell wall. Cytoplasmic immunofluorescence is not associated with a specific organelle but rather is diffusely distributed. The fluorescence of the nuclear region, however, is intense and in thinner (4-5 mum) sections is associated not with the nucleoplasm but with the nuclear envelope and perinuclear region of the cytoplasm. Fluorescence of the cell wall is confined to the inner boundary of the wall corresponding to the resistant wall layer. The immunofluorescent properties of non-GA-treated cells are quantitatively different; fluorescence of these sections is low and diffuse and is particularly reduced in the nuclear region. Electron microscopy shows that GA-treatment results in the proliferation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in the perinuclear region of the cell. We suggest that the alpha-amylase localized by immunofluorescence in the perinuclear region of the cell is localized in this ER produced in response to GA treatment. Immunohistochemical localization of alpha-amylase in cells zonated by centrifugation also suggests that the enzyme is intimately associated with the perinuclear area.", "contents": "Immunohistochemical localization of alpha-amylase in barley aleurone cells. Alpha-Amylase was localized in aleurone cells of barley using immunohistochemical methods. Anti-alpha-amylase antibody was produced by rabbits immunized with enzyme purified from malt diastase and Himalaya variety barley seeds. Immunoelectrophoresis showed that the antibodies to both antigens were immunologically similar, therefore, they were used interchangeably in the localization of alpha-amylase. Fluorescence of 8-10 mum sections of freeze-substituted and paraffin embedded, gibberellic acid (GA)-treated aleurone tissue incubated with rabbit anti-alpha-amylase IgG and rhodamine-conjugated goat-anti-rabbit IgG is localized in the cytoplasm, the nuclear region and the innermost portion of the cell wall. Cytoplasmic immunofluorescence is not associated with a specific organelle but rather is diffusely distributed. The fluorescence of the nuclear region, however, is intense and in thinner (4-5 mum) sections is associated not with the nucleoplasm but with the nuclear envelope and perinuclear region of the cytoplasm. Fluorescence of the cell wall is confined to the inner boundary of the wall corresponding to the resistant wall layer. The immunofluorescent properties of non-GA-treated cells are quantitatively different; fluorescence of these sections is low and diffuse and is particularly reduced in the nuclear region. Electron microscopy shows that GA-treatment results in the proliferation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in the perinuclear region of the cell. We suggest that the alpha-amylase localized by immunofluorescence in the perinuclear region of the cell is localized in this ER produced in response to GA treatment. Immunohistochemical localization of alpha-amylase in cells zonated by centrifugation also suggests that the enzyme is intimately associated with the perinuclear area.", "PMID": 765349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1716", "title": "Computer-based modeling in the teaching of steady-state enzyme kinetics.", "content": "Equations are derived for the steady-state treatment of enzyme reactions with one type of inhibitor, consisting of one reaction cycle or two connected cycles. Computerized stimulation programs are described which are designed to acquaint the student thoroughly with the behavior of enzyme systems. The user has freedom in the choice of parameters for the system, including up to three product-producing rate constants for the two-cycle system.", "contents": "Computer-based modeling in the teaching of steady-state enzyme kinetics. Equations are derived for the steady-state treatment of enzyme reactions with one type of inhibitor, consisting of one reaction cycle or two connected cycles. Computerized stimulation programs are described which are designed to acquaint the student thoroughly with the behavior of enzyme systems. The user has freedom in the choice of parameters for the system, including up to three product-producing rate constants for the two-cycle system.", "PMID": 765350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1717", "title": "Hyperprolactinemic anovulatory syndrome.", "content": "The functional status of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis was investigated in 127 women with anovulatory disease. Radioimmunoassayable circulating LH, FSH, and prolactin concentrations were measured. An attempt was made to localize the functional lesion by utilizing the following criteria: 1. Hypothalamic function: a) clomiphene test based upon hormonal parameters; b) recording of the pulsatile LH fluctuation (spiking) and of basal FSH. 2. Pituitary function: determination of the gonadotropin reserve by means of a standardized LRH test. 3. Ovarian function: a) measurement of plasma E2 and progesterone levels by RIA; b) gestagen bleeding test. All patients had amenorrhea of up to 14 years duration. A total of 17 hyperprolactinemic patients (13.4%) was found. Eight of these patients never experienced galatorrhea, in 7 only transient galactorrhea was reported, and in 2 cases galactorrhea persisted. All hyperprolactinemic patients were found to be clomiphene non-responders as well as nonspikers. The pituitary LH reserve varied from practically none to normal. Baseline LH was low whereas that of FSH was normal. In accordance with this observation E2 levels, with two exceptions, were found to be in the lower range of normal female concentrations. Thus, all but two patients exhibited gestagen withdrawal bleeding. In conclusion, the hyperprolactinemic anvoluatory syndrome is not necessarily associated with galactorrhea. In all cases of amenorrhea syndromes with or without galactorrhea, hyperprolactinemia should be excluded as it is very often associated with anovulation. The hyperprolactinemic anovulatory syndrome includes the following features: 1. gestagen withdrawal bleeding. 2. subnormal to normal E2 levels. 3. clomiphene nonresponsiveness. 4. LH-hypogonadotropism. 5. lack of LH secretory episodes. 6. FSH-normogonadotropism.", "contents": "Hyperprolactinemic anovulatory syndrome. The functional status of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis was investigated in 127 women with anovulatory disease. Radioimmunoassayable circulating LH, FSH, and prolactin concentrations were measured. An attempt was made to localize the functional lesion by utilizing the following criteria: 1. Hypothalamic function: a) clomiphene test based upon hormonal parameters; b) recording of the pulsatile LH fluctuation (spiking) and of basal FSH. 2. Pituitary function: determination of the gonadotropin reserve by means of a standardized LRH test. 3. Ovarian function: a) measurement of plasma E2 and progesterone levels by RIA; b) gestagen bleeding test. All patients had amenorrhea of up to 14 years duration. A total of 17 hyperprolactinemic patients (13.4%) was found. Eight of these patients never experienced galatorrhea, in 7 only transient galactorrhea was reported, and in 2 cases galactorrhea persisted. All hyperprolactinemic patients were found to be clomiphene non-responders as well as nonspikers. The pituitary LH reserve varied from practically none to normal. Baseline LH was low whereas that of FSH was normal. In accordance with this observation E2 levels, with two exceptions, were found to be in the lower range of normal female concentrations. Thus, all but two patients exhibited gestagen withdrawal bleeding. In conclusion, the hyperprolactinemic anvoluatory syndrome is not necessarily associated with galactorrhea. In all cases of amenorrhea syndromes with or without galactorrhea, hyperprolactinemia should be excluded as it is very often associated with anovulation. The hyperprolactinemic anovulatory syndrome includes the following features: 1. gestagen withdrawal bleeding. 2. subnormal to normal E2 levels. 3. clomiphene nonresponsiveness. 4. LH-hypogonadotropism. 5. lack of LH secretory episodes. 6. FSH-normogonadotropism.", "PMID": 765352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1718", "title": "Translation of ovalbumin mRNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Characterization of the system and effects of estrogen on injected mRNA populations.", "content": "Ovalbumin messenger RNA (mRNAov) purified from hen oviduct was injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. The oocytes were incubated in culture medium containing [3H]leucine. Analysis of the oocyte cytosol on Sephadex G-15O columns demonstrated a peak of radioactivity which cochromatographed with authentic ovalbumin. Radioactive protein contained in this peak was precipitated by ovalbumin antiserum, coelectrophoresed with ovalbumin on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and urea gels at pH 8.7, and eluted with the protein at the same pH (4.8) on CM-cellulose chromatography. Injection of increasing amounts of mRNAov was found to elicit a linear response in terms of ovalbumin synthesis. Moreover, there was linear incorporation of radioactivity into microinjected oocytes over a minimum period of 91 h. Less than 1 ng mRNAov was detected in this system. Ovalbumin mRNA activity was present in RNA preparations from chicks treated with estrogen but was undetectable in animals withdrawn from the hormone. This study constitutes an initial demonstration of a steroid hormone-induced alteration in mRNA population as assayed in intact viable heterologous cells.", "contents": "Translation of ovalbumin mRNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Characterization of the system and effects of estrogen on injected mRNA populations. Ovalbumin messenger RNA (mRNAov) purified from hen oviduct was injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. The oocytes were incubated in culture medium containing [3H]leucine. Analysis of the oocyte cytosol on Sephadex G-15O columns demonstrated a peak of radioactivity which cochromatographed with authentic ovalbumin. Radioactive protein contained in this peak was precipitated by ovalbumin antiserum, coelectrophoresed with ovalbumin on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and urea gels at pH 8.7, and eluted with the protein at the same pH (4.8) on CM-cellulose chromatography. Injection of increasing amounts of mRNAov was found to elicit a linear response in terms of ovalbumin synthesis. Moreover, there was linear incorporation of radioactivity into microinjected oocytes over a minimum period of 91 h. Less than 1 ng mRNAov was detected in this system. Ovalbumin mRNA activity was present in RNA preparations from chicks treated with estrogen but was undetectable in animals withdrawn from the hormone. This study constitutes an initial demonstration of a steroid hormone-induced alteration in mRNA population as assayed in intact viable heterologous cells.", "PMID": 765353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1719", "title": "Distribution of extravascular fluid volumes in isolated perfused lungs measured with H215O.", "content": "The distributions per unit volume of extravascular water (EVLW), blood volume, and blood flow were measured in isolated perfused vertical dog lungs. A steady-state tracer technique was employed using oxygen-15, carbon-11, and nitrogen-13 isotopes and external scintillation counting of the 511-KeV annihilation radiation common to all three radionuclides. EVLW, and blood volume and flow increased from apex to base in all preparations, but the gradient of increasing flow exceeded that for blood and EVLW volumes. The regional distributions of EVLW and blood volume were almost identical. With increasing edema, lower-zone EVLW increased slightly relative to that in the upper zone. There was no change in the distribution of blood volume or flow until gross edema (100% wt gain) occurred when lower zone values were reduced. In four lungs the distribution of EVLW was compared with wet-to-dry ratios from lung biopsies taken immediately afterwards. Whereas the isotopically measured EVLW increased from apex to base, the wet-to-dry weight ratios remained essentially uniform. We concluded that isotopic methods measure only an \"exchangeable\" water pool whose volume is dependent on regional blood flow and capillary recruitment. Second, the isolated perfused lung can accommodate up to 60% wt gain without much change in the regional distribution of EVLW, volume, or flow.", "contents": "Distribution of extravascular fluid volumes in isolated perfused lungs measured with H215O. The distributions per unit volume of extravascular water (EVLW), blood volume, and blood flow were measured in isolated perfused vertical dog lungs. A steady-state tracer technique was employed using oxygen-15, carbon-11, and nitrogen-13 isotopes and external scintillation counting of the 511-KeV annihilation radiation common to all three radionuclides. EVLW, and blood volume and flow increased from apex to base in all preparations, but the gradient of increasing flow exceeded that for blood and EVLW volumes. The regional distributions of EVLW and blood volume were almost identical. With increasing edema, lower-zone EVLW increased slightly relative to that in the upper zone. There was no change in the distribution of blood volume or flow until gross edema (100% wt gain) occurred when lower zone values were reduced. In four lungs the distribution of EVLW was compared with wet-to-dry ratios from lung biopsies taken immediately afterwards. Whereas the isotopically measured EVLW increased from apex to base, the wet-to-dry weight ratios remained essentially uniform. We concluded that isotopic methods measure only an \"exchangeable\" water pool whose volume is dependent on regional blood flow and capillary recruitment. Second, the isolated perfused lung can accommodate up to 60% wt gain without much change in the regional distribution of EVLW, volume, or flow.", "PMID": 765354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1720", "title": "Effects of a marathon group on self-actualization and attitudes toward women.", "content": "This study investigated the impact of a 16-hour marathon session on levels of self-actualization and attitudes toward women both 1 day and 5 weeks after the group experience. Female undergraduates were assigned randomly to one of two marathon groups or to a no-treatment control group. Ss in both marathon groups experienced a significant shift toward increased independence or self-supportedness on both posttests. However, a differential group effect was found from separate comparisons of each marathon group with the control group reflected significantly shifts in attitudes toward women; Ss in one marathon group reflected significantly greater agreement with profeminist attitudes on the first posttest and experienced an even greater shift in that direction on the second posttest, while Ss in the other marathon group did not differ significantly from the control Ss on either posttest.", "contents": "Effects of a marathon group on self-actualization and attitudes toward women. This study investigated the impact of a 16-hour marathon session on levels of self-actualization and attitudes toward women both 1 day and 5 weeks after the group experience. Female undergraduates were assigned randomly to one of two marathon groups or to a no-treatment control group. Ss in both marathon groups experienced a significant shift toward increased independence or self-supportedness on both posttests. However, a differential group effect was found from separate comparisons of each marathon group with the control group reflected significantly shifts in attitudes toward women; Ss in one marathon group reflected significantly greater agreement with profeminist attitudes on the first posttest and experienced an even greater shift in that direction on the second posttest, while Ss in the other marathon group did not differ significantly from the control Ss on either posttest.", "PMID": 765356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1721", "title": "Surface immunoglobulin on activated human peripheral blood thymus-derived cells.", "content": "Human peripheral blood lymphocytes grown in vitro were stimulated with nonspecific mitogens and in mixed lymphocyte culture. The presence of IgM and thymus (T) surface markers on large and small lymphocytes was investigated by immunofluorescence and correlated with spontaneous rosette formation. All stimulated large lymphocytes formed spontaneous rosettes and all except pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated large lymphocytes had IgM and T markers. IgG, IgA, and light chain determinants were only detected on PWM-induced large lymphocytes. Thus, surface markers expressed on activated human lymphocytes may differ for different mitogens. IgM was always present on large cells which had the T markers, and it cannot be used to identify a lymphocyte as a bone marrow-derived (B) cell. Due to the overlap of surface markers, the classification into B and thymus-derived (T) cells ought to be restricted to functional phenomena of antibody-production or cell-mediated immunity.", "contents": "Surface immunoglobulin on activated human peripheral blood thymus-derived cells. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes grown in vitro were stimulated with nonspecific mitogens and in mixed lymphocyte culture. The presence of IgM and thymus (T) surface markers on large and small lymphocytes was investigated by immunofluorescence and correlated with spontaneous rosette formation. All stimulated large lymphocytes formed spontaneous rosettes and all except pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated large lymphocytes had IgM and T markers. IgG, IgA, and light chain determinants were only detected on PWM-induced large lymphocytes. Thus, surface markers expressed on activated human lymphocytes may differ for different mitogens. IgM was always present on large cells which had the T markers, and it cannot be used to identify a lymphocyte as a bone marrow-derived (B) cell. Due to the overlap of surface markers, the classification into B and thymus-derived (T) cells ought to be restricted to functional phenomena of antibody-production or cell-mediated immunity.", "PMID": 765355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1722", "title": "The person in personality research: an laternate lifestyle case study.", "content": "The current crisis in personality research, with large-scale, objective, reductionistic, vs. individual, subjective, holistic paradigms, is seen as a real issue that reflects the prevailing schism between academic and professional, applied psychology. Each approach is seen as uniquely useful, but limited in its conception of man. A clinician-personologist approach that allows the combined implementation of the best of both traditions is proposed. A case study of a homosexual is presented as an illustration of this method, which also substantively provides a new perspective on man. Methodological considerations and refinements of this technique and closely related techniques also are discussed in the context of their relevance for both the \"helping\" orientation of professional psychology and the heuristic orientation of personology.", "contents": "The person in personality research: an laternate lifestyle case study. The current crisis in personality research, with large-scale, objective, reductionistic, vs. individual, subjective, holistic paradigms, is seen as a real issue that reflects the prevailing schism between academic and professional, applied psychology. Each approach is seen as uniquely useful, but limited in its conception of man. A clinician-personologist approach that allows the combined implementation of the best of both traditions is proposed. A case study of a homosexual is presented as an illustration of this method, which also substantively provides a new perspective on man. Methodological considerations and refinements of this technique and closely related techniques also are discussed in the context of their relevance for both the \"helping\" orientation of professional psychology and the heuristic orientation of personology.", "PMID": 765357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1723", "title": "The accuracy of an automated MMPI interpretation system in a psychiatric setting.", "content": "This study indicates that the Lachar MMPI interpretation system is useful in this setting. Overall and specific paragraph accuracy for 98 psychiatric patients' reports suggest clinician acceptance, diagnostic utility, and the potential realization of time savings for the psychologist.", "contents": "The accuracy of an automated MMPI interpretation system in a psychiatric setting. This study indicates that the Lachar MMPI interpretation system is useful in this setting. Overall and specific paragraph accuracy for 98 psychiatric patients' reports suggest clinician acceptance, diagnostic utility, and the potential realization of time savings for the psychologist.", "PMID": 765358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1724", "title": "Laboratory tests of antifungal drugs.", "content": "The procedures evolved in the author's laboratory over the past 20 years for the microbiological assessment of antifungal drugs are described; methods are detailed for the estimation of the sensitivity of pathogenic fungi to therapeutic agents and for the assay of those agents in body fluids. The preparation and maintenance of stock reference solutions of the drugs, the culture media used, and the incubation temperature and time are discussed. Sensitivity tests by paper disc and by liquid titration for minimal inhibitory and cidal concentrations estimated are described, and the importance of standardized initial inocula is emphasized. Two groups of assay procedures are given, the liquid dilution and the agar diffusion methods, and suitable indicator organisms for both methods are named. The paper concludes with a discussion on the problem of differential assays when two antimycotic agents are in simultaneous clinical use.", "contents": "Laboratory tests of antifungal drugs. The procedures evolved in the author's laboratory over the past 20 years for the microbiological assessment of antifungal drugs are described; methods are detailed for the estimation of the sensitivity of pathogenic fungi to therapeutic agents and for the assay of those agents in body fluids. The preparation and maintenance of stock reference solutions of the drugs, the culture media used, and the incubation temperature and time are discussed. Sensitivity tests by paper disc and by liquid titration for minimal inhibitory and cidal concentrations estimated are described, and the importance of standardized initial inocula is emphasized. Two groups of assay procedures are given, the liquid dilution and the agar diffusion methods, and suitable indicator organisms for both methods are named. The paper concludes with a discussion on the problem of differential assays when two antimycotic agents are in simultaneous clinical use.", "PMID": 765359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1725", "title": "Bacteriocine typing of Proteus.", "content": "A method of typing isolates of Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris is described based on the sensitivity of the organisms to bacteriocine. Twelve standard proteocine producing strains were selected from a large number of isolates tested, and from these liquid proteocine preparations were prepared. The sensitivities of 1805 isolates to these 12 preparations were then determined and none was found to be untypable. From the results a bacteriocine typing system has been developed.", "contents": "Bacteriocine typing of Proteus. A method of typing isolates of Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris is described based on the sensitivity of the organisms to bacteriocine. Twelve standard proteocine producing strains were selected from a large number of isolates tested, and from these liquid proteocine preparations were prepared. The sensitivities of 1805 isolates to these 12 preparations were then determined and none was found to be untypable. From the results a bacteriocine typing system has been developed.", "PMID": 765360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1726", "title": "Correlation between serological and immunofluorescence results in the investigation of brucellosis in veterinary surgeons.", "content": "Four serological tests and three immunofluorescence tests for IgG, IgM, and IgA were compared for value in the investigation of brucellosis in veterinary surgeons. No one serological test stood out over the others, and the immunofluorescence tests did not appear to have advantages over the serological tests. If a laboratory is limited in time and resources then the saline agglutination or the complement fixation test would be reasonably satisfactory. The 2-mercaptoethanol test and the antihuman globulin (Coombs' test) have no advantages over the other two and could be dropped. Immunofluorescence tests are not recommended for routine testing of brucellosis sera. The results and these recommendations apply to the 'vet' sera tested; it is reasonable to suppose that what applies to 'vet' sera will also apply to sera of those who work with or are in repeated contact with cattle and who will have had previous experience of brucella antigen, that is, dairy farmers, herdsmen, or slaughter house employees.", "contents": "Correlation between serological and immunofluorescence results in the investigation of brucellosis in veterinary surgeons. Four serological tests and three immunofluorescence tests for IgG, IgM, and IgA were compared for value in the investigation of brucellosis in veterinary surgeons. No one serological test stood out over the others, and the immunofluorescence tests did not appear to have advantages over the serological tests. If a laboratory is limited in time and resources then the saline agglutination or the complement fixation test would be reasonably satisfactory. The 2-mercaptoethanol test and the antihuman globulin (Coombs' test) have no advantages over the other two and could be dropped. Immunofluorescence tests are not recommended for routine testing of brucellosis sera. The results and these recommendations apply to the 'vet' sera tested; it is reasonable to suppose that what applies to 'vet' sera will also apply to sera of those who work with or are in repeated contact with cattle and who will have had previous experience of brucella antigen, that is, dairy farmers, herdsmen, or slaughter house employees.", "PMID": 765361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1727", "title": "Slide haemagglutination test in hydatid disease: a correlative study of diagnostic procedures.", "content": "Human 0 erythrocytes, treated with 1% formalin and subsequently exposed simultaneously to hydatid protein antigen and 0.1% chromic chloride, acquire the property of agglutinating on a slide when brought in coontact with specific antiserum. This constitutes the basis of the slide haemagglutination test, an easy, quick, sensitive, and specific procedure, usefull in the diagnosis of hydatid disease.", "contents": "Slide haemagglutination test in hydatid disease: a correlative study of diagnostic procedures. Human 0 erythrocytes, treated with 1% formalin and subsequently exposed simultaneously to hydatid protein antigen and 0.1% chromic chloride, acquire the property of agglutinating on a slide when brought in coontact with specific antiserum. This constitutes the basis of the slide haemagglutination test, an easy, quick, sensitive, and specific procedure, usefull in the diagnosis of hydatid disease.", "PMID": 765362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1728", "title": "A method of studying the effects of reduced alveolar support on the sensibility to axial force on the incisor teeth in humans.", "content": "A method has been developed for measuring the threshold level of sensibility to axial pressures applied to the incisor teeth in man. Eight subjects were investigated, four with support reduced by up to 60% as a result of chronic periodontal disease. Reduced alveolar support appears to have no significant effect on the threshold of perception. All subjects had a lower threshold for the removal of force than for its application. Infiltration of local anaesthetic labially over the test tooth resulted in failure to feel forces previously recognised, thus confirming the role of the periodontal receptors in force perception.", "contents": "A method of studying the effects of reduced alveolar support on the sensibility to axial force on the incisor teeth in humans. A method has been developed for measuring the threshold level of sensibility to axial pressures applied to the incisor teeth in man. Eight subjects were investigated, four with support reduced by up to 60% as a result of chronic periodontal disease. Reduced alveolar support appears to have no significant effect on the threshold of perception. All subjects had a lower threshold for the removal of force than for its application. Infiltration of local anaesthetic labially over the test tooth resulted in failure to feel forces previously recognised, thus confirming the role of the periodontal receptors in force perception.", "PMID": 765364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1729", "title": "Reduction of the incidence of new mastitis infections by \"pre-squirting\" teats.", "content": "\"Pre-squirting\" is a technique for flushing out the streak canal of a lactating cow while avoiding movement of milk from the teat back into the udder. When 500 colony-forming units of Streptococcus agalactiae were placed into the streak canal, pre-squirting before let down at succeeding milkings reduced the number of new udder infections. In contrast to this result, pre-squirting was not effective against challenging S. agalactiae placed into the teat cistern.", "contents": "Reduction of the incidence of new mastitis infections by \"pre-squirting\" teats. \"Pre-squirting\" is a technique for flushing out the streak canal of a lactating cow while avoiding movement of milk from the teat back into the udder. When 500 colony-forming units of Streptococcus agalactiae were placed into the streak canal, pre-squirting before let down at succeeding milkings reduced the number of new udder infections. In contrast to this result, pre-squirting was not effective against challenging S. agalactiae placed into the teat cistern.", "PMID": 765367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1730", "title": "Oral manifestations in a group of blind students.", "content": "The blind population observed in this study exhibited a relatively low caries rate while the amount of plaque per subject was considered high. Although comparisons within the group were made, no significant differences were revealed when both PHP-M and DMF rates were tested against age and degree of blindness. The percentage of anterior fractures was consistent with recent estimates for the sighted population. Estimates of occlusion also showed close correlation with the general population. Maintenance of oral hygiene remains the most outstanding challenge in the care of blind patients. The problem of motivation as encountered in the sighted patient is magnified here. Disclosing agents for staining plaque are not effective for patient education. Other senses, particularly that of touch, must be utilized when instructing the blind patient in oral hygiene methods.", "contents": "Oral manifestations in a group of blind students. The blind population observed in this study exhibited a relatively low caries rate while the amount of plaque per subject was considered high. Although comparisons within the group were made, no significant differences were revealed when both PHP-M and DMF rates were tested against age and degree of blindness. The percentage of anterior fractures was consistent with recent estimates for the sighted population. Estimates of occlusion also showed close correlation with the general population. Maintenance of oral hygiene remains the most outstanding challenge in the care of blind patients. The problem of motivation as encountered in the sighted patient is magnified here. Disclosing agents for staining plaque are not effective for patient education. Other senses, particularly that of touch, must be utilized when instructing the blind patient in oral hygiene methods.", "PMID": 765373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1731", "title": "Human figure drawings of gender-problem and school-problem boys.", "content": "In this study 19 boys aged 4 through 13 years referred for gender problems were compared with 35 similar-aged boys referred for school problems on variables derived from sets of human figure drawings. The results indicated that gender-problem boys, relative to school-problem boys, were more likely to draw female figures in response to a Draw-a-Person (DAP) instruction, were more likely to draw figures with good rather than average body proportion, tended to draw more articles of clothing on their figures, and tended to draw their female figures larger than their male figures. There were no differences between the groups in the frequency of emotional disturbance indicators, frequency of age-expected or age-exceptional figure details, and total number of body features. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for the validation of the DAP procedure, their contribution to an understanding of boyhood effeminacy, and their implications for the role of the DAP test as a clinical assessment procedure only in conjunction with other sources of information.", "contents": "Human figure drawings of gender-problem and school-problem boys. In this study 19 boys aged 4 through 13 years referred for gender problems were compared with 35 similar-aged boys referred for school problems on variables derived from sets of human figure drawings. The results indicated that gender-problem boys, relative to school-problem boys, were more likely to draw female figures in response to a Draw-a-Person (DAP) instruction, were more likely to draw figures with good rather than average body proportion, tended to draw more articles of clothing on their figures, and tended to draw their female figures larger than their male figures. There were no differences between the groups in the frequency of emotional disturbance indicators, frequency of age-expected or age-exceptional figure details, and total number of body features. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for the validation of the DAP procedure, their contribution to an understanding of boyhood effeminacy, and their implications for the role of the DAP test as a clinical assessment procedure only in conjunction with other sources of information.", "PMID": 765381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1732", "title": "Clinical and physiological assessment of asthmatic children treated with beclomethasone dipropionate.", "content": "Forty-two perennial asthmatic children were selected for a 12-wk study using beclomethasone dipropionate. The groups included 21 steroid-dependent children (Group I) and 21 patients (Group II) whose disease was of sufficient severity that corticosteroid therapy was contemplated. All children received the drug in a dose of 100 mug 4 times daily. During the study, oral prednisone was withdrawn from the steroid-dependent children while other therapy was essentially unchanged. Group II children underwent a double-blind trial, receiving beclomethasone for 6 wk and placebo for 6 wk. Objective assessment of adrenal and pulmonary function was obtained at regular intervals. For the latter, total lung capacity and its subdivisions, airways resistance, maximum expiratory flow volume, and oxygen tension, were measured in both groups. In Group II static elastic recoil was measured also. For most tests the results were statistically significant. In both groups, 18 of 21 patients demonstrated an excellent clinical response, no evidence of adrenal suppression, and improvement in pulmonary function. Forty of 42 patients were followed for another 12 wk, and 19 of each group did well. After 20-24 wk of therapy, 16% of patients harbored monilia in their oropharynx, and 1 patient had clinical monilial stomatitis. Within the limits of the time of the study, beclomethasone dipropionate appeared to provide adequate clinical control in many chronic, severe, steroid-dependent and nonsteroid-dependent asthmatic children.", "contents": "Clinical and physiological assessment of asthmatic children treated with beclomethasone dipropionate. Forty-two perennial asthmatic children were selected for a 12-wk study using beclomethasone dipropionate. The groups included 21 steroid-dependent children (Group I) and 21 patients (Group II) whose disease was of sufficient severity that corticosteroid therapy was contemplated. All children received the drug in a dose of 100 mug 4 times daily. During the study, oral prednisone was withdrawn from the steroid-dependent children while other therapy was essentially unchanged. Group II children underwent a double-blind trial, receiving beclomethasone for 6 wk and placebo for 6 wk. Objective assessment of adrenal and pulmonary function was obtained at regular intervals. For the latter, total lung capacity and its subdivisions, airways resistance, maximum expiratory flow volume, and oxygen tension, were measured in both groups. In Group II static elastic recoil was measured also. For most tests the results were statistically significant. In both groups, 18 of 21 patients demonstrated an excellent clinical response, no evidence of adrenal suppression, and improvement in pulmonary function. Forty of 42 patients were followed for another 12 wk, and 19 of each group did well. After 20-24 wk of therapy, 16% of patients harbored monilia in their oropharynx, and 1 patient had clinical monilial stomatitis. Within the limits of the time of the study, beclomethasone dipropionate appeared to provide adequate clinical control in many chronic, severe, steroid-dependent and nonsteroid-dependent asthmatic children.", "PMID": 765382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1733", "title": "Feeding families and children--1776 to 1976. A bicentennial study.", "content": "The food heritage which Americans enjoy today owes its great diversity to the influences of many ethnic groups--the native Indians, Franciscan friars in California, Mexican-Americans, the British, the French, the Creoles, and later, northern Europeans and those of Mediterranean stock. Geography and climate in different parts of our large country and religious beliefs have also played a part in the development of our present-day, varied cuisine. In our colonial and pioneer days, most people raised their own food, but as our nation has become industrialized and urbanized, we find that now only 7 per cent of our population produces the food for our entire nation, and our consumers generally buy their food in stores. Even as late as the beginning of the twentieth century, infant feeding practices could be considered unscientific and primitive. Only in recent years have knowledge of metabolism and the rapid increase in nutritional science permitted progress in infant feeding. Problems of feeding families remain, nevertheless--different than in the early days of our nation--and their solution challenges American ingenuity.", "contents": "Feeding families and children--1776 to 1976. A bicentennial study. The food heritage which Americans enjoy today owes its great diversity to the influences of many ethnic groups--the native Indians, Franciscan friars in California, Mexican-Americans, the British, the French, the Creoles, and later, northern Europeans and those of Mediterranean stock. Geography and climate in different parts of our large country and religious beliefs have also played a part in the development of our present-day, varied cuisine. In our colonial and pioneer days, most people raised their own food, but as our nation has become industrialized and urbanized, we find that now only 7 per cent of our population produces the food for our entire nation, and our consumers generally buy their food in stores. Even as late as the beginning of the twentieth century, infant feeding practices could be considered unscientific and primitive. Only in recent years have knowledge of metabolism and the rapid increase in nutritional science permitted progress in infant feeding. Problems of feeding families remain, nevertheless--different than in the early days of our nation--and their solution challenges American ingenuity.", "PMID": 765385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1734", "title": "Age distribution of patients with Parkinsonism.", "content": "The modal age at onset of the parkinsonian syndrome during the past thrity years is less than a decade higher than it was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, suggesting that the same disease entity is affecting parkinsonian patients now as then. The evidence points to the existence of two distinct clinical entities: 1) parkinsonism secondary to encephalitis lethargica, which had its greatest influence on the epidemiology of parkinsonism between 1920 and 1945; and 2) classic parkinsonism, which has undergone little change in the past hundred years.", "contents": "Age distribution of patients with Parkinsonism. The modal age at onset of the parkinsonian syndrome during the past thrity years is less than a decade higher than it was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, suggesting that the same disease entity is affecting parkinsonian patients now as then. The evidence points to the existence of two distinct clinical entities: 1) parkinsonism secondary to encephalitis lethargica, which had its greatest influence on the epidemiology of parkinsonism between 1920 and 1945; and 2) classic parkinsonism, which has undergone little change in the past hundred years.", "PMID": 765387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1735", "title": "Thiothixene in the treatment of geriatric patients with chronic organic brain syndrome.", "content": "Thiothixene was used in a four-week double-blind placebo-controlled study of 42 geriatric patients with chronic organic brain syndrome (psychotic or nonpsychotic). The results, according to several rating measures, showed no significant difference between placebo and thiothixene. Side effects were mild and few. These data support the safety of thiothixene therapy for geriatric patients; however, there is no conclusive evidence of its efficacy in the treatment of chronic organic brain syndrome.", "contents": "Thiothixene in the treatment of geriatric patients with chronic organic brain syndrome. Thiothixene was used in a four-week double-blind placebo-controlled study of 42 geriatric patients with chronic organic brain syndrome (psychotic or nonpsychotic). The results, according to several rating measures, showed no significant difference between placebo and thiothixene. Side effects were mild and few. These data support the safety of thiothixene therapy for geriatric patients; however, there is no conclusive evidence of its efficacy in the treatment of chronic organic brain syndrome.", "PMID": 765388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1736", "title": "Daily vitamin C consumption and fatigability.", "content": "The increased prevalence of fatigue in persons with a low intake of vitamin C is mentioned only briefly in the literature. An analysis of the authors' data on vitamin C intake and fatigability in 411 dentists and their wives revealed a negative relationship. The mean number of fatigue symptoms among the low users of vitamin C was double that among the relatively high users of vitamin C. The mean difference was statistically significant.", "contents": "Daily vitamin C consumption and fatigability. The increased prevalence of fatigue in persons with a low intake of vitamin C is mentioned only briefly in the literature. An analysis of the authors' data on vitamin C intake and fatigability in 411 dentists and their wives revealed a negative relationship. The mean number of fatigue symptoms among the low users of vitamin C was double that among the relatively high users of vitamin C. The mean difference was statistically significant.", "PMID": 765389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1737", "title": "Can hyperbaric oxygenation improve cognitive functioning in the organically impaired elderly?: a critical review.", "content": "The present article reviews experimental investigation concerned with the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation upon cognitive functioning in the organically-impaired elderly. The conclusion of the Jacobs et al. studies was that hyperbaric oxygenation in cases of chronic organic brain damage (regardless of etiology) leads to improvement in cognitive functioning and general behavior on the ward. Goldfarb et al. (1972) found no evidence to support this conclusion. A critique of the above studies indicates several methodological weaknesses. First, there are serious reservations concerning the makeup of the samples employed in the Jacobs et al. (1969, 1971, 1972, 1973) investigations: it is highly uncertain that most of the Jacobs et al. subjects were suffering from moderate or severe chronic organic brain damage. One reason for the discrepancy between the Jacobs and Goldfarb studies is that the subjects in the later study were more deteriorated and perhaps not as amenable to hyperbaric oxygenation. Secondly, the Bender-Gestalt Test and Tien's Organic Integrity Test have not been validated in an elderly sample. The gain evidenced on the Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale (Jacobs et al., 1969, 1971, 1972) may have little practical significance, and since the data were pooled across groups, the so-called falloff effect could not have been measured. Third, and most significantly, the experimental designs employed in the Jacobs et al., the Goldfarb et al., and the Jacobs followup investigations have such serious shortcomings that the findings must be regarded as inconclusive. Such factors as experimenter attention, testing effects, and familiarity with the experimenter could account for the change in cognitive functioning. Further, in the case of the Jacobs et al. study, the ward personnel may have treated the control group differently after learning that they were expected to improve. Additionally, the subjects in the Jacobs et al. study (1969) themselves may have heard about this prognosis and may have become more interested in performing well on the psychological tests. Thuse, there is no unambiguous evidence that hyperbaric oxygenation was responsible for the changes or lack of changes in cognitive functioning in the samples presented in these studies.", "contents": "Can hyperbaric oxygenation improve cognitive functioning in the organically impaired elderly?: a critical review. The present article reviews experimental investigation concerned with the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation upon cognitive functioning in the organically-impaired elderly. The conclusion of the Jacobs et al. studies was that hyperbaric oxygenation in cases of chronic organic brain damage (regardless of etiology) leads to improvement in cognitive functioning and general behavior on the ward. Goldfarb et al. (1972) found no evidence to support this conclusion. A critique of the above studies indicates several methodological weaknesses. First, there are serious reservations concerning the makeup of the samples employed in the Jacobs et al. (1969, 1971, 1972, 1973) investigations: it is highly uncertain that most of the Jacobs et al. subjects were suffering from moderate or severe chronic organic brain damage. One reason for the discrepancy between the Jacobs and Goldfarb studies is that the subjects in the later study were more deteriorated and perhaps not as amenable to hyperbaric oxygenation. Secondly, the Bender-Gestalt Test and Tien's Organic Integrity Test have not been validated in an elderly sample. The gain evidenced on the Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale (Jacobs et al., 1969, 1971, 1972) may have little practical significance, and since the data were pooled across groups, the so-called falloff effect could not have been measured. Third, and most significantly, the experimental designs employed in the Jacobs et al., the Goldfarb et al., and the Jacobs followup investigations have such serious shortcomings that the findings must be regarded as inconclusive. Such factors as experimenter attention, testing effects, and familiarity with the experimenter could account for the change in cognitive functioning. Further, in the case of the Jacobs et al. study, the ward personnel may have treated the control group differently after learning that they were expected to improve. Additionally, the subjects in the Jacobs et al. study (1969) themselves may have heard about this prognosis and may have become more interested in performing well on the psychological tests. Thuse, there is no unambiguous evidence that hyperbaric oxygenation was responsible for the changes or lack of changes in cognitive functioning in the samples presented in these studies.", "PMID": 765391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1738", "title": "[Nomographical determination of brain wet weight of small mammals (albino rats) from weight of brain fixed in different ways].", "content": "Some nomograms have been designed, based upon albino rat brains, which are fixated by several liquids (Bouin, Carnoy, formaldehyde, Golgi-Cox according to Ramon-Moliner). These nomograms allow to determine the weight of fresh unfixated brains (HFG) in a simplified manner, if it was possible only to determine the weight of fixated brains (HT) by weighing.", "contents": "[Nomographical determination of brain wet weight of small mammals (albino rats) from weight of brain fixed in different ways]. Some nomograms have been designed, based upon albino rat brains, which are fixated by several liquids (Bouin, Carnoy, formaldehyde, Golgi-Cox according to Ramon-Moliner). These nomograms allow to determine the weight of fresh unfixated brains (HFG) in a simplified manner, if it was possible only to determine the weight of fixated brains (HT) by weighing.", "PMID": 765396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1739", "title": "Immunopathogenesis of autoimmune tubulointerstitial nephritis. I. Demonstration of differential susceptibility in strain II and strain XIII guinea pigs.", "content": "Autoimmune tubulointerstitial nephritis (TN) was induced in strain XIII and Hartley but not strain II guinea pigs after immunization with rabbit tubular basement membranes (TBM) in CFA. Strain XIII guinea pigs developed extensive autoimmune TN associated with high anti-TBM (aTBM) antibody titers and linear deposits of IgG along renal cortical TBM after immunization with 10 mug to 10 mg of TBM. In addition, autoimmune TN was passively transferred to strain XIII animals by the i.p. injection of aTBM sera obtained from actively immunized Hartley guinea pigs. In contrast, strain II guinea pigs did not develop autoimmune TN after active immunization (10 mug to 10 mg) with rabbit TBM in CFA, and only produced high aTBM antibody titers with the highest immunnizing antigen dose. At this dose (10 mg) the strain II animals demonstrated linear deposits of IgG along renal cortical TBM but did not develop autoimmune TN. Further, recipient strain II guines pigs did not develop autoimmune TN after passive transfer of aTBM antisera despite renal cortical tubular deposition of aTBM antibodies. Both inbred guinea pig strains produced antibodies reactive with rabbit and rat renal basement membranes. No evidence for differences in nephritogenic TBM antigens could be demonstrated betweed strain XIII and strain II TBM. These observations indicate that 1) genetic factor(s) influence the production of antibodies reactive to autologous TBM, 2) after the deposition of antibodies on the TBM, additional or related genetic factor(s) determine the full expression of this autoimmune renal disease, and 3) aTBM antibody deposition on renal TBM is not sufficient to elicit autoimmune TN.", "contents": "Immunopathogenesis of autoimmune tubulointerstitial nephritis. I. Demonstration of differential susceptibility in strain II and strain XIII guinea pigs. Autoimmune tubulointerstitial nephritis (TN) was induced in strain XIII and Hartley but not strain II guinea pigs after immunization with rabbit tubular basement membranes (TBM) in CFA. Strain XIII guinea pigs developed extensive autoimmune TN associated with high anti-TBM (aTBM) antibody titers and linear deposits of IgG along renal cortical TBM after immunization with 10 mug to 10 mg of TBM. In addition, autoimmune TN was passively transferred to strain XIII animals by the i.p. injection of aTBM sera obtained from actively immunized Hartley guinea pigs. In contrast, strain II guinea pigs did not develop autoimmune TN after active immunization (10 mug to 10 mg) with rabbit TBM in CFA, and only produced high aTBM antibody titers with the highest immunnizing antigen dose. At this dose (10 mg) the strain II animals demonstrated linear deposits of IgG along renal cortical TBM but did not develop autoimmune TN. Further, recipient strain II guines pigs did not develop autoimmune TN after passive transfer of aTBM antisera despite renal cortical tubular deposition of aTBM antibodies. Both inbred guinea pig strains produced antibodies reactive with rabbit and rat renal basement membranes. No evidence for differences in nephritogenic TBM antigens could be demonstrated betweed strain XIII and strain II TBM. These observations indicate that 1) genetic factor(s) influence the production of antibodies reactive to autologous TBM, 2) after the deposition of antibodies on the TBM, additional or related genetic factor(s) determine the full expression of this autoimmune renal disease, and 3) aTBM antibody deposition on renal TBM is not sufficient to elicit autoimmune TN.", "PMID": 765397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1740", "title": "The in vitro suppression of antigen- or mitogen-induced DNA synthesis by murine spleen cells after the addition of freshly prepared syngeneic cells.", "content": "The suppression of antigen- and mitogen-induced DNA synthesis by murine spleen cells in vitro was investigated. It appears that cultures receiving two signals exhibit marked suppression of DNA synthesis. The addition of KLH, PPD, Con A, PHA, or LPS to 72-hr-lod cultures of KLH-stimulated murine spleen cells resulted in the suppression of DNA synthesis assayed at 144 hr. When small numbers of freshly prepared KLH-PPD SC or NSC were added to these cultures at 72 hr the suppression of DNA synthesis was abrogated. However, the addition of larger numbers of KLH-PPD SC or NSC resulted in increased suppression of DNA synthesis. Large numbers of KLH-PPD SC or NSC could substitute for the second stimulant (KLH, PPD, Con A, PHA, or LPS) in suppressing DNA synthesis. The addition of fresh cells obtained from KLH-PPD-immunized mice were more effective in eliciting the subsequent suppression than were cells obtained from non-immunized mice. Cells obtained 30 to 75 days post immunization were most effective in suppressing DNA synthesis.", "contents": "The in vitro suppression of antigen- or mitogen-induced DNA synthesis by murine spleen cells after the addition of freshly prepared syngeneic cells. The suppression of antigen- and mitogen-induced DNA synthesis by murine spleen cells in vitro was investigated. It appears that cultures receiving two signals exhibit marked suppression of DNA synthesis. The addition of KLH, PPD, Con A, PHA, or LPS to 72-hr-lod cultures of KLH-stimulated murine spleen cells resulted in the suppression of DNA synthesis assayed at 144 hr. When small numbers of freshly prepared KLH-PPD SC or NSC were added to these cultures at 72 hr the suppression of DNA synthesis was abrogated. However, the addition of larger numbers of KLH-PPD SC or NSC resulted in increased suppression of DNA synthesis. Large numbers of KLH-PPD SC or NSC could substitute for the second stimulant (KLH, PPD, Con A, PHA, or LPS) in suppressing DNA synthesis. The addition of fresh cells obtained from KLH-PPD-immunized mice were more effective in eliciting the subsequent suppression than were cells obtained from non-immunized mice. Cells obtained 30 to 75 days post immunization were most effective in suppressing DNA synthesis.", "PMID": 765398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1741", "title": "The immune response to dextran in BALB/c mice. I. Modification of \"thymus-independent\" response by the T cell mitogen concanavalin A.", "content": "Normal and congenitally athymic mice respond to immunization with dextran, thus indicating that the response is thymus independent. Athymic mice have lower plaque-forming cell (PFC) response than normal mice 3 days after immunization, but similar PFC response as normal mice by 5 days. Seven to 10 days after immunization, athymic mice maintain a high level of PFC response whereas the PFC response declines sharply in normal mice. Concanavalin A (Con A), added at initiation of in vitro culture, enhances the response of spleen cells from primed normal mice. Treatment with methyl-alpha-D-mannoside (MAM), a competitive inhibitor of binding of Con A, immediately after addition of Con A, abolishes the enhancement. Treatment with MAM, 3 to 6 hr after Con A addition, partially blocks the enhancement. The enhancing effect is dependent on the dose of Con A and the duration of in vivo priming before in vitro culture. Con A does not enhance the in vitro PFC response of cells from primed athymic mice. Supernatants from Con A-treated non-primed normal spleen cell cultures enhance the PFC response of \"nude\" cells, thereby indicating that enhancement by Con A is mediated through a soluble T cell product(s) with no apparent antigen specificity. Hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, blocks the enhancement by Con A of cells primed for 1 to 3 days. Release of hydroxyurea block after 19 hr incubation does not restore the PFC response, thereby indicating the responding anti-dextran PFC precursor cells are engaging actively in DNA synthesis. PFC response of primed cells taken at the peak of anti-dextran response (day 5) shows that they are less susceptible to the hydroxyurea block. Con A enhances the PFC response of cells primed for 5 days even in the absence of DNA synthesis.", "contents": "The immune response to dextran in BALB/c mice. I. Modification of \"thymus-independent\" response by the T cell mitogen concanavalin A. Normal and congenitally athymic mice respond to immunization with dextran, thus indicating that the response is thymus independent. Athymic mice have lower plaque-forming cell (PFC) response than normal mice 3 days after immunization, but similar PFC response as normal mice by 5 days. Seven to 10 days after immunization, athymic mice maintain a high level of PFC response whereas the PFC response declines sharply in normal mice. Concanavalin A (Con A), added at initiation of in vitro culture, enhances the response of spleen cells from primed normal mice. Treatment with methyl-alpha-D-mannoside (MAM), a competitive inhibitor of binding of Con A, immediately after addition of Con A, abolishes the enhancement. Treatment with MAM, 3 to 6 hr after Con A addition, partially blocks the enhancement. The enhancing effect is dependent on the dose of Con A and the duration of in vivo priming before in vitro culture. Con A does not enhance the in vitro PFC response of cells from primed athymic mice. Supernatants from Con A-treated non-primed normal spleen cell cultures enhance the PFC response of \"nude\" cells, thereby indicating that enhancement by Con A is mediated through a soluble T cell product(s) with no apparent antigen specificity. Hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, blocks the enhancement by Con A of cells primed for 1 to 3 days. Release of hydroxyurea block after 19 hr incubation does not restore the PFC response, thereby indicating the responding anti-dextran PFC precursor cells are engaging actively in DNA synthesis. PFC response of primed cells taken at the peak of anti-dextran response (day 5) shows that they are less susceptible to the hydroxyurea block. Con A enhances the PFC response of cells primed for 5 days even in the absence of DNA synthesis.", "PMID": 765399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1742", "title": "An improved method for synthesising omega-stearoyldextran for the detection of plaque forming cells specific for the alpha-(1 replaces 6) determinant.", "content": "A method for synthesising omega-stearoyldextran for the detection of plaque forming cells specific for the alpha-(1 replaces 6) determinant is described. The omega-stearoyl derivative is obtained by reacting dextran with phenylboronic acid to give a 2,4-phenylboronate, which can be subsequently esterified in a pyridine solution with stearoyl chloride. Four different preparations of omega-stearoyldextran with increasing content of stearoyl were obtained. Chemical and immunochemical properties of these compounds are given.", "contents": "An improved method for synthesising omega-stearoyldextran for the detection of plaque forming cells specific for the alpha-(1 replaces 6) determinant. A method for synthesising omega-stearoyldextran for the detection of plaque forming cells specific for the alpha-(1 replaces 6) determinant is described. The omega-stearoyl derivative is obtained by reacting dextran with phenylboronic acid to give a 2,4-phenylboronate, which can be subsequently esterified in a pyridine solution with stearoyl chloride. Four different preparations of omega-stearoyldextran with increasing content of stearoyl were obtained. Chemical and immunochemical properties of these compounds are given.", "PMID": 765400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1743", "title": "The direct relationship of proinsulin-insulin hypersecretion to basal serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in myotonic dystrophy.", "content": "Excessive pancreatic insulin secretory responses to a variety of beta-cytotropic agents have been observed in 40 to 60 per cent of subjects with myotonic dystrophy; in addition, 25 to 30 per cent of affected persons manifest mild glucose intolerance, suggesting that circulating insulin may be biologically ineffective. To test this hypothesis, 8 men with myotonic dystrophy were challenged with a 100 gm. oral glucose load; responses were compared to an age, sex, weight-matched control group. Fasting serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI), cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the myotonic group did not differ significantly from the controls. In contrast, fasting blood glucose and serum free fatty acid (FFA) levels in the myotonic group were significantly elevated above control, although still within the accepted normal range. Following oral glucose challenge, myotonic subjects exhibited mild glucose intolerance and excessive IRI response, but the FFA and serum alpha-amino nitrogen responses were comparable to control responses. Serum proinsulin was separated from insulin by gel filtration and quantitated by immunoassay. Overall, the proinsulin level in myotonic serum was not greater than the accepted normal level. The mean proinsulin level at the peak serum IRI response during the test was 18.6 +/- 4.1 per cent of the total IRI; 3 myotonic subjects responded with greater than 20 per cent proinsulin. The proinsulin secretory response correlated significantly with basal triglyceride (r = 0.972) and cholesterol (r = 0.794) levels but not with fasting glucose or FFA levels. Peak insulin response was also significantly correlated with triglyceride but not with cholesterol levels. Serum insulin-like activity (ILA) from myotonic dystrophic patients was assessed in vitro employing rat adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in the presence and absence of excess guinea pig anti-insulin serum. Comparison of suppressible insulin-like activity to immunoreactive insulin revealed that the mean biological recovery of serum insulin in these assay systems was 85 to 90 per cent, indicating that endogenous insulin was biologically active on both adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in vitro. We conclude that a biologically ineffective form of circulating insulin does not exist in myotonic dystrophy and that the pancreatic insulin response mechanism may be excessively sensitive, resulting in balanced hypersecretion of proinsulin and insulin. The highly significant correlation between proinsulin and serum triglyceride or cholesterol levels suggests that, in addition to insulin, proinsulin may also exert an important influence on lipid metabolism.", "contents": "The direct relationship of proinsulin-insulin hypersecretion to basal serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in myotonic dystrophy. Excessive pancreatic insulin secretory responses to a variety of beta-cytotropic agents have been observed in 40 to 60 per cent of subjects with myotonic dystrophy; in addition, 25 to 30 per cent of affected persons manifest mild glucose intolerance, suggesting that circulating insulin may be biologically ineffective. To test this hypothesis, 8 men with myotonic dystrophy were challenged with a 100 gm. oral glucose load; responses were compared to an age, sex, weight-matched control group. Fasting serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI), cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the myotonic group did not differ significantly from the controls. In contrast, fasting blood glucose and serum free fatty acid (FFA) levels in the myotonic group were significantly elevated above control, although still within the accepted normal range. Following oral glucose challenge, myotonic subjects exhibited mild glucose intolerance and excessive IRI response, but the FFA and serum alpha-amino nitrogen responses were comparable to control responses. Serum proinsulin was separated from insulin by gel filtration and quantitated by immunoassay. Overall, the proinsulin level in myotonic serum was not greater than the accepted normal level. The mean proinsulin level at the peak serum IRI response during the test was 18.6 +/- 4.1 per cent of the total IRI; 3 myotonic subjects responded with greater than 20 per cent proinsulin. The proinsulin secretory response correlated significantly with basal triglyceride (r = 0.972) and cholesterol (r = 0.794) levels but not with fasting glucose or FFA levels. Peak insulin response was also significantly correlated with triglyceride but not with cholesterol levels. Serum insulin-like activity (ILA) from myotonic dystrophic patients was assessed in vitro employing rat adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in the presence and absence of excess guinea pig anti-insulin serum. Comparison of suppressible insulin-like activity to immunoreactive insulin revealed that the mean biological recovery of serum insulin in these assay systems was 85 to 90 per cent, indicating that endogenous insulin was biologically active on both adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in vitro. We conclude that a biologically ineffective form of circulating insulin does not exist in myotonic dystrophy and that the pancreatic insulin response mechanism may be excessively sensitive, resulting in balanced hypersecretion of proinsulin and insulin. The highly significant correlation between proinsulin and serum triglyceride or cholesterol levels suggests that, in addition to insulin, proinsulin may also exert an important influence on lipid metabolism.", "PMID": 765416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1744", "title": "Sources of variance in the measurement of intrapulmonary killing of bacteria.", "content": "Sources of variability are described for a method used for the quantitative measurement of pulmonary resistance to inhaled bacteria in individual animals. Factors contributing significantly to variability include aerosol exposure chamber design, bacterial species used for aerosol challenge, location of animals in the chamber, and individual intrapulmonary bacterial killing rates. Laboratory error accounted for a small portion of the variance. The data demonstrate that with appropriate modifications in protocol, statistical design and analysis experiments can be performed with increased accuracy, thereby reducing the number of animals needed for each experiment.", "contents": "Sources of variance in the measurement of intrapulmonary killing of bacteria. Sources of variability are described for a method used for the quantitative measurement of pulmonary resistance to inhaled bacteria in individual animals. Factors contributing significantly to variability include aerosol exposure chamber design, bacterial species used for aerosol challenge, location of animals in the chamber, and individual intrapulmonary bacterial killing rates. Laboratory error accounted for a small portion of the variance. The data demonstrate that with appropriate modifications in protocol, statistical design and analysis experiments can be performed with increased accuracy, thereby reducing the number of animals needed for each experiment.", "PMID": 765417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1745", "title": "Induction of transport of organic anions in Malpighian tubules of Rhodnius.", "content": "1. The ability of Rhodnius Malpighian tubules to transport organic anions such as p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) and amaranth depends on the physiological state of the insect. Unfed insects progressively lose this ability, but the transport mechanisms rapidly become activated after a blood meal. 2. This induction occurs in adults as well as larval instars and is not prevented by decapitation. 3. No increase in rates of excretion of organic anions follows a meal of Ringer's solution or a single injection of 0-1 mumoles of PAH into the haemolymph. 4. Accelerated PAH excretion is induced in insects fed (a) blood plasma alone or a suspension of red blood cells in saline, (b) solutions of serum albumin or casein, and (c) whole or diluted milk. 5. These results show that the ingestion of a protein-rich meal is sufficient to induce an accelerated transport of organic anions such as PAH and they suggest that this induction is not controlled by a hormone released in response to abdominal distension but depends instead on the continued presence in the haemolymph of some product of digestion of the meal.", "contents": "Induction of transport of organic anions in Malpighian tubules of Rhodnius. 1. The ability of Rhodnius Malpighian tubules to transport organic anions such as p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) and amaranth depends on the physiological state of the insect. Unfed insects progressively lose this ability, but the transport mechanisms rapidly become activated after a blood meal. 2. This induction occurs in adults as well as larval instars and is not prevented by decapitation. 3. No increase in rates of excretion of organic anions follows a meal of Ringer's solution or a single injection of 0-1 mumoles of PAH into the haemolymph. 4. Accelerated PAH excretion is induced in insects fed (a) blood plasma alone or a suspension of red blood cells in saline, (b) solutions of serum albumin or casein, and (c) whole or diluted milk. 5. These results show that the ingestion of a protein-rich meal is sufficient to induce an accelerated transport of organic anions such as PAH and they suggest that this induction is not controlled by a hormone released in response to abdominal distension but depends instead on the continued presence in the haemolymph of some product of digestion of the meal.", "PMID": 765424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1746", "title": "Antibody response of rabbit blood lymphocytes in vitro. Kinetics, clone size, and clonotype analysis in response to streptococcal group polysaccharide antigens.", "content": "Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of rabbits previously hyperimmunized against streptococcal groups A and A-variant antigens were stimulated in vitro by the corresponding vaccines to produce group-specific antibody. This response was dependent on an optimal cell density (2 X 10(6) cells/ml), on the presence of antigen, it was specific and cross-reactive due to a shared rhamnose backbone of the two polysaccharide antigens, and it was highly selective, such that in a 42-55-day culture 1 out of 20 viable cells was a specific PFC. During the exponential increase of the antibody concentration at a constant number of PFC, antibodies were secreted at a rate of 2.4 X 10(4) molecules/s per cell until a plateau level of antibody (40 mug/culture) was reached. The microculture system was used to determine the minimal frequency of group polysaccharide-specific precursor cells in the blood. Independent of the time elapsed since the last immunization this frequency was 1-3 X 10(-5), i.e., in the range of 1-2.8 X 10(2) precursor cells per ml blood. This number was further used together with the clonotype analysis of the culture supernates to calculate the frequencies of precursors of major and minor clonotypes. A hierachy of persisting clonal memory precursor cells was found indicating that clonal dominance is determined by locked-in frequency patterns and therefore it is a phenomenon based on numbers of cells that respond to the antigen.", "contents": "Antibody response of rabbit blood lymphocytes in vitro. Kinetics, clone size, and clonotype analysis in response to streptococcal group polysaccharide antigens. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of rabbits previously hyperimmunized against streptococcal groups A and A-variant antigens were stimulated in vitro by the corresponding vaccines to produce group-specific antibody. This response was dependent on an optimal cell density (2 X 10(6) cells/ml), on the presence of antigen, it was specific and cross-reactive due to a shared rhamnose backbone of the two polysaccharide antigens, and it was highly selective, such that in a 42-55-day culture 1 out of 20 viable cells was a specific PFC. During the exponential increase of the antibody concentration at a constant number of PFC, antibodies were secreted at a rate of 2.4 X 10(4) molecules/s per cell until a plateau level of antibody (40 mug/culture) was reached. The microculture system was used to determine the minimal frequency of group polysaccharide-specific precursor cells in the blood. Independent of the time elapsed since the last immunization this frequency was 1-3 X 10(-5), i.e., in the range of 1-2.8 X 10(2) precursor cells per ml blood. This number was further used together with the clonotype analysis of the culture supernates to calculate the frequencies of precursors of major and minor clonotypes. A hierachy of persisting clonal memory precursor cells was found indicating that clonal dominance is determined by locked-in frequency patterns and therefore it is a phenomenon based on numbers of cells that respond to the antigen.", "PMID": 765425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1747", "title": "Amyloid-related serum protein SAA in endotoxin-induced amyloidosis of the mink.", "content": "The concentration of the amyloid AA-related serum protein (SAA) was markedly increased after endotoxin injections in mink, mouse, rabbit, and man. It was particularly studied during the development of endotoxin-induced amyloidosis of the mink. Protein SAA was markedly elevated in all mink 24 h after the first endotoxin injection but had fallen to relatively low levels before the onset of amyloidosis at about 4 wk. These results are consistent with SAA being a circulating precursor of the amyloid fibril protein, AA. However, both proteins may be derived by proteolysis from a common precursor.", "contents": "Amyloid-related serum protein SAA in endotoxin-induced amyloidosis of the mink. The concentration of the amyloid AA-related serum protein (SAA) was markedly increased after endotoxin injections in mink, mouse, rabbit, and man. It was particularly studied during the development of endotoxin-induced amyloidosis of the mink. Protein SAA was markedly elevated in all mink 24 h after the first endotoxin injection but had fallen to relatively low levels before the onset of amyloidosis at about 4 wk. These results are consistent with SAA being a circulating precursor of the amyloid fibril protein, AA. However, both proteins may be derived by proteolysis from a common precursor.", "PMID": 765426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1748", "title": "Antipolysaccharide antibodies of restricted heterogeneity secreted by a single lymph node.", "content": "Immune responses which give rise to the synthesis of antibodies of restricted heterogeneity can be reproducibly induced in rabbits and mice by streptococcal polysaccharide antigens (1,2). While these reports have demonstrated clonotype restriction in the immune serum of rabbits and mice, they give little information with respect to the clontype restriction in a single reaction site of organized lymphoid tissue, for example a single lymph node. The kinetics of immune responses in lymph nodes in situ have been studied in sheep using a variety of antigens (3-6), and a substantial body of information is available on the changes in cell output, cell type, and the number of antibody-secreting cells which occur within the efferent lymph of antigen-stimulated lymph nodes. However, there is no information with respect to the amount and the heterogeneity of antibody that is secreted by the lymph node or cells within the efferent lymph. In the present report we have examined the temporal sequence of clonal restriction in the efferent lymph of individual sheep popliteal lymph nodes undergoing an immune response to the streptococcal group A-variant polysaccharide (Av-CHO).", "contents": "Antipolysaccharide antibodies of restricted heterogeneity secreted by a single lymph node. Immune responses which give rise to the synthesis of antibodies of restricted heterogeneity can be reproducibly induced in rabbits and mice by streptococcal polysaccharide antigens (1,2). While these reports have demonstrated clonotype restriction in the immune serum of rabbits and mice, they give little information with respect to the clontype restriction in a single reaction site of organized lymphoid tissue, for example a single lymph node. The kinetics of immune responses in lymph nodes in situ have been studied in sheep using a variety of antigens (3-6), and a substantial body of information is available on the changes in cell output, cell type, and the number of antibody-secreting cells which occur within the efferent lymph of antigen-stimulated lymph nodes. However, there is no information with respect to the amount and the heterogeneity of antibody that is secreted by the lymph node or cells within the efferent lymph. In the present report we have examined the temporal sequence of clonal restriction in the efferent lymph of individual sheep popliteal lymph nodes undergoing an immune response to the streptococcal group A-variant polysaccharide (Av-CHO).", "PMID": 765427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1749", "title": "Breath-alcohol analysis: uses, methods, and some forensic problems--review and opinion.", "content": "Breath analysis for ethanol, especially in respect to the forensic aspects, has been reviewed. Included are matters dealing with instrumentation, physiological factors involved in the elimination of ethanol via the breath, and, especially, the uncertainties in the calculation of a whole blood concentration of ethanol from the quantity found in breath. We believe that the conversion of a breath quantity to a blood concentration of ethanol, for forensic purposes, should be abandoned and that the offense of driving while under the influence of alcohol should be statutorily defined in terms of the concentration of ethanol found in the breath in jurisdictions employing breath analysis. The breath sample should be obtained and analyzed only with instruments having capabilities which would require some extension of present federal standards for evidential breath-testing devices. Events in early 1975 indicate that implementation of some of these proposals may soon be undertaken.", "contents": "Breath-alcohol analysis: uses, methods, and some forensic problems--review and opinion. Breath analysis for ethanol, especially in respect to the forensic aspects, has been reviewed. Included are matters dealing with instrumentation, physiological factors involved in the elimination of ethanol via the breath, and, especially, the uncertainties in the calculation of a whole blood concentration of ethanol from the quantity found in breath. We believe that the conversion of a breath quantity to a blood concentration of ethanol, for forensic purposes, should be abandoned and that the offense of driving while under the influence of alcohol should be statutorily defined in terms of the concentration of ethanol found in the breath in jurisdictions employing breath analysis. The breath sample should be obtained and analyzed only with instruments having capabilities which would require some extension of present federal standards for evidential breath-testing devices. Events in early 1975 indicate that implementation of some of these proposals may soon be undertaken.", "PMID": 765429} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1750", "title": "Anterior cervical discectomy with and without interbody bone graft.", "content": "Fifty-one patients with symptomatic cervical disc disease refractory to conservative management were allocated at random to one of two treatment groups. The standard anterior approach devised by Cloward was used for 25 patients, and radical discectomy and foraminotomy for the other 26. All patients were followed for 6 months or longer with interview, physical examination, and radiographic evaluation. There was no difference in the success rate between the two groups. The large majority (92%) of patients in both groups were pleased with results of their operation. Because of technical factors related to operative exposure of the spinal canal and nerve roots, we prefer the Cloward procedure for patients symptomatic from advanced spondylosis and reserve discectomy without bone graft insertion for those with minimal spondylosis or soft disc herniations.", "contents": "Anterior cervical discectomy with and without interbody bone graft. Fifty-one patients with symptomatic cervical disc disease refractory to conservative management were allocated at random to one of two treatment groups. The standard anterior approach devised by Cloward was used for 25 patients, and radical discectomy and foraminotomy for the other 26. All patients were followed for 6 months or longer with interview, physical examination, and radiographic evaluation. There was no difference in the success rate between the two groups. The large majority (92%) of patients in both groups were pleased with results of their operation. Because of technical factors related to operative exposure of the spinal canal and nerve roots, we prefer the Cloward procedure for patients symptomatic from advanced spondylosis and reserve discectomy without bone graft insertion for those with minimal spondylosis or soft disc herniations.", "PMID": 765435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1751", "title": "Comparative evaluation of renal transplant rejection with radioiodinated fibrinogen 99mTc-sulfur collid, and 67Ga-citrate.", "content": "The diagnostic accuracy, ease, and technical feasibility of imaging with 131I-or 125 I-fibrinogen, 99mTc-sulfur colloid, and 67 Ga-citrate in renal transplant rejection are compared. Radiofibrinogen data resulted from literature review, radiocolloid data from 125 studies in 52 transplant patients, and gallium citrate data from 24 examinations in seven renal transplant patients performed simultaneously with the radiocolloid studied. Specificity of graft labeling during rejection appears to be similar with radiofibrinogen, 99mTc-sulfur colloid, and 67Ga-citrate. For routine clinical use 99mTc-sulfur colloid surpasses radiofibrinogen and radiogallium because of its better imaging qualities with a permissible radiation dose, leading to better separation of positive and negative results. The 99mTc-sulfur colloid accumulates in areas of intravascular fibrin thrombosis in acute and chronic rejecting renal transplants. Hence, the mechanisms for accumulation of 99mTc-sulfur colloid and labeled fibrinogen in rejecting transplants would seem to be similar. Such physiologic properties as rapid blood clearance and such physical properties as short physical half-life combine to produce reliable graft visualization with adequate definition, thus favoring 99mTc-sulfur colloid as the single agent of choice for clinical evaluation of renal transplant rejection at this time.", "contents": "Comparative evaluation of renal transplant rejection with radioiodinated fibrinogen 99mTc-sulfur collid, and 67Ga-citrate. The diagnostic accuracy, ease, and technical feasibility of imaging with 131I-or 125 I-fibrinogen, 99mTc-sulfur colloid, and 67 Ga-citrate in renal transplant rejection are compared. Radiofibrinogen data resulted from literature review, radiocolloid data from 125 studies in 52 transplant patients, and gallium citrate data from 24 examinations in seven renal transplant patients performed simultaneously with the radiocolloid studied. Specificity of graft labeling during rejection appears to be similar with radiofibrinogen, 99mTc-sulfur colloid, and 67Ga-citrate. For routine clinical use 99mTc-sulfur colloid surpasses radiofibrinogen and radiogallium because of its better imaging qualities with a permissible radiation dose, leading to better separation of positive and negative results. The 99mTc-sulfur colloid accumulates in areas of intravascular fibrin thrombosis in acute and chronic rejecting renal transplants. Hence, the mechanisms for accumulation of 99mTc-sulfur colloid and labeled fibrinogen in rejecting transplants would seem to be similar. Such physiologic properties as rapid blood clearance and such physical properties as short physical half-life combine to produce reliable graft visualization with adequate definition, thus favoring 99mTc-sulfur colloid as the single agent of choice for clinical evaluation of renal transplant rejection at this time.", "PMID": 765436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1752", "title": "Use of 99mTc-sulfur colloid in evaluation of renal transplant complications.", "content": "Technetium-99m-sulfur colloid (TSC) was administered to 45 renal transplant patients. No TSC accumulation was seen in normally functioning transplant kidneys. Accumulation of TSC was found in 89% of transplants with rejection, in 30% of transplants exhibiting acute tubular necrosis, and in 30% of transplants of patients with sepsis. Renal accumulation of TSC in various transplant complications diminishes the value of this technique for monitoring transplant rejection.", "contents": "Use of 99mTc-sulfur colloid in evaluation of renal transplant complications. Technetium-99m-sulfur colloid (TSC) was administered to 45 renal transplant patients. No TSC accumulation was seen in normally functioning transplant kidneys. Accumulation of TSC was found in 89% of transplants with rejection, in 30% of transplants exhibiting acute tubular necrosis, and in 30% of transplants of patients with sepsis. Renal accumulation of TSC in various transplant complications diminishes the value of this technique for monitoring transplant rejection.", "PMID": 765437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1753", "title": "Glucose antimetabolites and hunger (theoretical article).", "content": "A decrease in the cellular utilization of glucose produced by several glucose antimetabolites and especially by 2 deoxy-D-glucose considerably stimulates food intake. An analysis of this phenomenon is presented in terms of the available experimental evidence. Experiments in which glucose antimetabolites have been administered so as to influence selectively the central and peripheral glucosensitive loci suggest a possible mechanism for the action of the substances. The mechanisms by which glucose antimetabolites and exogenous insulin induce cellular glucoprivation and the subsequent changes in food intake are compared and discussed.", "contents": "Glucose antimetabolites and hunger (theoretical article). A decrease in the cellular utilization of glucose produced by several glucose antimetabolites and especially by 2 deoxy-D-glucose considerably stimulates food intake. An analysis of this phenomenon is presented in terms of the available experimental evidence. Experiments in which glucose antimetabolites have been administered so as to influence selectively the central and peripheral glucosensitive loci suggest a possible mechanism for the action of the substances. The mechanisms by which glucose antimetabolites and exogenous insulin induce cellular glucoprivation and the subsequent changes in food intake are compared and discussed.", "PMID": 765438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1754", "title": "Pathogenesis of diastematomyelia and spina bifida.", "content": "Three cases of spina bifida (SB) associated with diastematomyelia (DM) are described and possible differences in pathogenesis are discussed. The frequent simultaneous occurrence of both malformations and the possibility that the cord can be split above, at the level of or below the SB indicate a common pathogenesis for SB and DM. Splitting of the cord symmetrically, asymmetrically, bilateraly or even antero-posteriorly can be explained only by the existence of a destructive phenomenon which is responsible for the bifurcation of the neural tube or its anlage. The existence of such a phenomenon indicates that myelocele can develop due to re-opening of a previously closed neural tube. Meningocele may be a manifestation of early embryonic antero-posterior DM in which the anterior tubule develops into an almost normal spinal cord, whereas the posterior tubule provides the wall of the cystic sac of meningocele in which most or all the neural tissue undergoes fibrous replacement.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of diastematomyelia and spina bifida. Three cases of spina bifida (SB) associated with diastematomyelia (DM) are described and possible differences in pathogenesis are discussed. The frequent simultaneous occurrence of both malformations and the possibility that the cord can be split above, at the level of or below the SB indicate a common pathogenesis for SB and DM. Splitting of the cord symmetrically, asymmetrically, bilateraly or even antero-posteriorly can be explained only by the existence of a destructive phenomenon which is responsible for the bifurcation of the neural tube or its anlage. The existence of such a phenomenon indicates that myelocele can develop due to re-opening of a previously closed neural tube. Meningocele may be a manifestation of early embryonic antero-posterior DM in which the anterior tubule develops into an almost normal spinal cord, whereas the posterior tubule provides the wall of the cystic sac of meningocele in which most or all the neural tissue undergoes fibrous replacement.", "PMID": 765440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1755", "title": "Recent advances in calcium metabolism. II. Disorders of calcium homeostasis.", "content": "Abnormalities of calcium and mineral metabolism are described in relation to the differential diagnosis, clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures, and treatment of infants and children with hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia, rickets, chronic renal insufficiency, and other disorders of calcium metabolism. Understanding of the basic pathogenesis of each abnormality of calcium homeostasis is essential for the rational management of affected patients.", "contents": "Recent advances in calcium metabolism. II. Disorders of calcium homeostasis. Abnormalities of calcium and mineral metabolism are described in relation to the differential diagnosis, clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures, and treatment of infants and children with hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia, rickets, chronic renal insufficiency, and other disorders of calcium metabolism. Understanding of the basic pathogenesis of each abnormality of calcium homeostasis is essential for the rational management of affected patients.", "PMID": 765441} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1756", "title": "A retentive attachment for overdentures.", "content": "A technique is described that incorporates an extracoronal attachment within an overdenture to provide increased retention. This type of retentive attachment is easily fabricated. It's durability, simplicity, adjustability, and adaptability to a wide variety of situations make it most useful. The retentive attachment may be used with either removable partial dentures or complete dentures.", "contents": "A retentive attachment for overdentures. A technique is described that incorporates an extracoronal attachment within an overdenture to provide increased retention. This type of retentive attachment is easily fabricated. It's durability, simplicity, adjustability, and adaptability to a wide variety of situations make it most useful. The retentive attachment may be used with either removable partial dentures or complete dentures.", "PMID": 765447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1757", "title": "Stimulus-secretion coupling processes in brain: analysis of noradrenaline and gamma-aminobutyric acid release.", "content": "1. Brain synaptosomal fractions released both endogenous and exogenously loaded noradrenaline and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in response to calcium. Elevation of magnesium concentrations in the release media decreased the calcium-dependent release. 2. The release of noradrenaline and GABA occurred within 250 msec following the application of calcium. Following the initial response to calcium, release progressively decreased with continued application of calcium. GABA release declined more rapidly than noradrenaline release, consistent with a noradrenaline distribution having greater accessibility to the release process. 3. Sodium was required for the loading of noradrenaline and GABA into pools released by calcium. On the other hand, the presence of sodoium was not required for release from previously loaded pools. 4. Microsomal fractions did not exhibit calcium-dependent release of noradrenaline or GABA. Furthermore, exogenously loaded lysine was not released from synaptosomal fractions in response to calcium. 5. Barium and strontium, but not magnesium, stimulated noradrenaline and GABA release in the absence of calcium. The ordering of alkaline earth efficacies was barium greater than strontium greater than calcium. 6. Manganese inhibited calcium-dependent release of noradrenaline and GABA to a greater extent than magnesium. 7. Release, in response to 1 mM calcium, increased linearly with the log. [K+]0, suggesting that a voltage-dependent calcium inophore limits release. The slope of release vs. log. [K+]0 was greater for noradrenaline than for GABA. 8. For a given [K+]0 less than 55 mM, increases in external calcium concentration above 1 mM increased noradrenaline release but decreased GABA release. These data suggest that calcium can decrease its own permeation and that differences in the release process may exist for different neurotransmitters. 9. In the presence of the artificial calcium ionophore, A23187, both noradrenaline and GABA release increased linearly with the log. [Ca2+]0. The slope for noradrenaline release was greater than that for GABA release. 10. Stimulus-secretion coupling in brain is suggested to be regulated at the level of a voltage dependent calcium permeation mechanism. However, basic differences in the interaction of calcium with the release process may exist between the noradrenaline and GABA systems.", "contents": "Stimulus-secretion coupling processes in brain: analysis of noradrenaline and gamma-aminobutyric acid release. 1. Brain synaptosomal fractions released both endogenous and exogenously loaded noradrenaline and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in response to calcium. Elevation of magnesium concentrations in the release media decreased the calcium-dependent release. 2. The release of noradrenaline and GABA occurred within 250 msec following the application of calcium. Following the initial response to calcium, release progressively decreased with continued application of calcium. GABA release declined more rapidly than noradrenaline release, consistent with a noradrenaline distribution having greater accessibility to the release process. 3. Sodium was required for the loading of noradrenaline and GABA into pools released by calcium. On the other hand, the presence of sodoium was not required for release from previously loaded pools. 4. Microsomal fractions did not exhibit calcium-dependent release of noradrenaline or GABA. Furthermore, exogenously loaded lysine was not released from synaptosomal fractions in response to calcium. 5. Barium and strontium, but not magnesium, stimulated noradrenaline and GABA release in the absence of calcium. The ordering of alkaline earth efficacies was barium greater than strontium greater than calcium. 6. Manganese inhibited calcium-dependent release of noradrenaline and GABA to a greater extent than magnesium. 7. Release, in response to 1 mM calcium, increased linearly with the log. [K+]0, suggesting that a voltage-dependent calcium inophore limits release. The slope of release vs. log. [K+]0 was greater for noradrenaline than for GABA. 8. For a given [K+]0 less than 55 mM, increases in external calcium concentration above 1 mM increased noradrenaline release but decreased GABA release. These data suggest that calcium can decrease its own permeation and that differences in the release process may exist for different neurotransmitters. 9. In the presence of the artificial calcium ionophore, A23187, both noradrenaline and GABA release increased linearly with the log. [Ca2+]0. The slope for noradrenaline release was greater than that for GABA release. 10. Stimulus-secretion coupling in brain is suggested to be regulated at the level of a voltage dependent calcium permeation mechanism. However, basic differences in the interaction of calcium with the release process may exist between the noradrenaline and GABA systems.", "PMID": 765446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1758", "title": "A technique for fabricating dies.", "content": "A technique for fabricating dies without using a die saw has been described. The technique saves the time consumed in sawing the dies and eliminates the hazards of using a die saw. It is particularly advantageous when little space exists between dies since the Zolnowski matrix band is thinner than the thinnest saw blade. The band can be easily placed in the tightest interproximal spaces and can be secured in place with a minimum amount of sticky wax. The technique can be used for crowns, fixed partial dentures, and indirect inlays.", "contents": "A technique for fabricating dies. A technique for fabricating dies without using a die saw has been described. The technique saves the time consumed in sawing the dies and eliminates the hazards of using a die saw. It is particularly advantageous when little space exists between dies since the Zolnowski matrix band is thinner than the thinnest saw blade. The band can be easily placed in the tightest interproximal spaces and can be secured in place with a minimum amount of sticky wax. The technique can be used for crowns, fixed partial dentures, and indirect inlays.", "PMID": 765448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1759", "title": "Monistat cream (miconazole nitrate) a new agent for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.", "content": "Monistat Cream (miconazole nitrate 2%), a new fungicidal agent indicated for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, was evaluated in a comparative study with nystatin vaginal tablets (100,-000 units each). A total of 95 pregnant and non-pregnant patients were treated. Miconazole nitrate was administered once daily, at bedtime, for 14 days to 55 pregnant and non-pregnant patients. Overall, 74.5% (41 of 55 patients) were cured with one course of therapy. In contrast, of 40 nystatin-treated patients (both pregnant and non-pregnant) treated twice daily for 15 days, 22 patients (57.8%) were cured with one course of therapy. This difference in cure rates was statistically significant. Side effects were minimal and comparable in the two treatment groups. No recorded instances of birth defects were observed in infants born to mothers in either treatment group. Monistate Cream, in this study, was found to be a safe and effective drug in treating both pregnant and nonpregnant patients with confirmed candidiasis.", "contents": "Monistat cream (miconazole nitrate) a new agent for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Monistat Cream (miconazole nitrate 2%), a new fungicidal agent indicated for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, was evaluated in a comparative study with nystatin vaginal tablets (100,-000 units each). A total of 95 pregnant and non-pregnant patients were treated. Miconazole nitrate was administered once daily, at bedtime, for 14 days to 55 pregnant and non-pregnant patients. Overall, 74.5% (41 of 55 patients) were cured with one course of therapy. In contrast, of 40 nystatin-treated patients (both pregnant and non-pregnant) treated twice daily for 15 days, 22 patients (57.8%) were cured with one course of therapy. This difference in cure rates was statistically significant. Side effects were minimal and comparable in the two treatment groups. No recorded instances of birth defects were observed in infants born to mothers in either treatment group. Monistate Cream, in this study, was found to be a safe and effective drug in treating both pregnant and nonpregnant patients with confirmed candidiasis.", "PMID": 765457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1760", "title": "Current status of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in diagnosis and treatment of disorders in reproductive function.", "content": "The concept of the hypothalamic regulation of the function of the anterior pituitary was established by experiments involving the interruption of blood supply from the hypothalamus to the pituitary, transplantation of pituitary to sites away frm the hypothalamus and the effects of various lesion and electrical stimulation experiments with the hypothalamus. These experiments were the result of the concept proposed by Harris in 1937 that the pituitary gland may be controlled by the brain through substances carried to it by the portal vessels arising in the hypothalamus. The first direct evidence of the presence of a hypothalamic factor that could bring about the release of pituitary LH was provided independently in 1960 by McCann and co-workers and in 1961 by Harris and co-workers. The releasing factors and their physiological role was a subject of great interest, and porcine LH-RH was isolated by Schally et al. in 1971, followed by the isolation of ovine LH-RH by Guilleman and co-workers. The structure of the releasing factor has been established with no species differences between the ovine and porcine preparation and the decapeptide which has been synthesized. The use of LH-RH on various experimental animals has been done extensively, and evidence of the release of both LH and FSH has been obtained. In the absence of concrete evidence for a separate FSH-RH at this time, the above observation has led to the speculation that there is a single releasing factor that brings about the release of both FSH and LH. Both natural hormone from either ovine or porcine origin and the synthetic decapeptide have biological activity in the human. However, the rhesus monkey seems to be much less sensitive, and the question of a species difference has been raised. This subject has been reviewed in considerable detail by Schally and co-workers.", "contents": "Current status of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in diagnosis and treatment of disorders in reproductive function. The concept of the hypothalamic regulation of the function of the anterior pituitary was established by experiments involving the interruption of blood supply from the hypothalamus to the pituitary, transplantation of pituitary to sites away frm the hypothalamus and the effects of various lesion and electrical stimulation experiments with the hypothalamus. These experiments were the result of the concept proposed by Harris in 1937 that the pituitary gland may be controlled by the brain through substances carried to it by the portal vessels arising in the hypothalamus. The first direct evidence of the presence of a hypothalamic factor that could bring about the release of pituitary LH was provided independently in 1960 by McCann and co-workers and in 1961 by Harris and co-workers. The releasing factors and their physiological role was a subject of great interest, and porcine LH-RH was isolated by Schally et al. in 1971, followed by the isolation of ovine LH-RH by Guilleman and co-workers. The structure of the releasing factor has been established with no species differences between the ovine and porcine preparation and the decapeptide which has been synthesized. The use of LH-RH on various experimental animals has been done extensively, and evidence of the release of both LH and FSH has been obtained. In the absence of concrete evidence for a separate FSH-RH at this time, the above observation has led to the speculation that there is a single releasing factor that brings about the release of both FSH and LH. Both natural hormone from either ovine or porcine origin and the synthetic decapeptide have biological activity in the human. However, the rhesus monkey seems to be much less sensitive, and the question of a species difference has been raised. This subject has been reviewed in considerable detail by Schally and co-workers.", "PMID": 765458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1761", "title": "Inhibitors of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone based upon modifications in the 2, 3, and 6 positions.", "content": "[Leu2,Leu3,D-Ala6]-LH-RH (less than Glu-Leu-Leu-Ser-Tyr-D-Ala-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-[NH2) and [Val2,Leu3,D-Ala6]-LH-RH completely inhibited the release of LH and FSH induced by 0.3 ng/ml of medium of LH-RH on isolated rat pituitaries, at a dosage of 10 mug. [Leu2,Val3,D-Ala6]-LH-RH and [Val2,Val3,D-Ala6]-LH-RH also completely inhibited this response but were one-tenth as active as [Leu2,Leu3,D-Ala6]-LH-RH. All of the analogs were devoid of agonist activities. The incorporation of the D-Ala residue in position 6 into the [Leu2,Leu3]-LH-RH sequence, therefore, increased the inhibition potency as much as tenfold.", "contents": "Inhibitors of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone based upon modifications in the 2, 3, and 6 positions. [Leu2,Leu3,D-Ala6]-LH-RH (less than Glu-Leu-Leu-Ser-Tyr-D-Ala-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-[NH2) and [Val2,Leu3,D-Ala6]-LH-RH completely inhibited the release of LH and FSH induced by 0.3 ng/ml of medium of LH-RH on isolated rat pituitaries, at a dosage of 10 mug. [Leu2,Val3,D-Ala6]-LH-RH and [Val2,Val3,D-Ala6]-LH-RH also completely inhibited this response but were one-tenth as active as [Leu2,Leu3,D-Ala6]-LH-RH. All of the analogs were devoid of agonist activities. The incorporation of the D-Ala residue in position 6 into the [Leu2,Leu3]-LH-RH sequence, therefore, increased the inhibition potency as much as tenfold.", "PMID": 765459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1762", "title": "Synthesis of 5-substituted aminomethyluracils via the Mannich reaction.", "content": "An extension of the Mannich reaction, in which aminomethylation of the five position of uracil, is reported. Thus, primary and secondary alkylamines and primary aromatic amines containing ring-activating groups led to the title compounds 3-10. Compound 11 in which the aromatic ring contains the ring-deactivating nitro group was synthesized in an alternative way. All compounds were characterized by their elemental and spectral properties.", "contents": "Synthesis of 5-substituted aminomethyluracils via the Mannich reaction. An extension of the Mannich reaction, in which aminomethylation of the five position of uracil, is reported. Thus, primary and secondary alkylamines and primary aromatic amines containing ring-activating groups led to the title compounds 3-10. Compound 11 in which the aromatic ring contains the ring-deactivating nitro group was synthesized in an alternative way. All compounds were characterized by their elemental and spectral properties.", "PMID": 765460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1763", "title": "Induced abortion: epidemiological aspects.", "content": "Sir Dugald Baird sketches the history of abortion legislation in Great Britain from the beginning of the century. In his views the 1967 Abortion Act has been one of the most important and beneficial pieces of social legislation enacted in Britain in the last 100 years. It has, however, brought problems both of administration in the hospitals and to individual doctors and nurses, particularly when the patients are young single women and even schoolgirls. One of the consequences of the Abortion Act has been a fall in maternal mortality and perinatal mortality rates. Abortion does not seem to be followed by serious emotional sequelae. Nevertheless recent changes in sexual mores have introduced new and serious social problems which are discussed in relation to the role of the doctor in his relationship with patients seeking abortion.", "contents": "Induced abortion: epidemiological aspects. Sir Dugald Baird sketches the history of abortion legislation in Great Britain from the beginning of the century. In his views the 1967 Abortion Act has been one of the most important and beneficial pieces of social legislation enacted in Britain in the last 100 years. It has, however, brought problems both of administration in the hospitals and to individual doctors and nurses, particularly when the patients are young single women and even schoolgirls. One of the consequences of the Abortion Act has been a fall in maternal mortality and perinatal mortality rates. Abortion does not seem to be followed by serious emotional sequelae. Nevertheless recent changes in sexual mores have introduced new and serious social problems which are discussed in relation to the role of the doctor in his relationship with patients seeking abortion.", "PMID": 765461} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1764", "title": "Some observations on informed consent in non-therapeutic research.", "content": "The quality of the consent obtained from 41 volunteer subjects in eight experiments is evaluated. Five subjects (all physicians) gave informed consent; 22 subjects gave partially informed consent; and 14 subjects merely gave consent. It is argued that 'informed' consent is obtainable only from medically trained people, and that lip service to this concept in laymen should cease. The concept of medical competence should instead be introduced and a personal medical referee appointed to adjudicate on behalf of the volunteer.", "contents": "Some observations on informed consent in non-therapeutic research. The quality of the consent obtained from 41 volunteer subjects in eight experiments is evaluated. Five subjects (all physicians) gave informed consent; 22 subjects gave partially informed consent; and 14 subjects merely gave consent. It is argued that 'informed' consent is obtainable only from medically trained people, and that lip service to this concept in laymen should cease. The concept of medical competence should instead be introduced and a personal medical referee appointed to adjudicate on behalf of the volunteer.", "PMID": 765462} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1765", "title": "Medical care evaluation: an old new idea.", "content": "The recent implementation of medical care evaluation (medical audit) systems in the nation's hospitals is a phenomenon of major consequence. The systematic measurement of the quality of patient care based on outcome data is becoming a part of the delivery of that care. Sixty years ago Dr. E. A. Codman developed and crusaded for a similar idea that seemed at one point to be on the threshold of widespread acceptance in U. S. hospitals, but for reasons other than lack of conceptual soundness the effort failed. In this article the author reviews the history of this early approach to the evaluation of patient care quality and suggests some lessons this historical episode holds for today's health care professionals.", "contents": "Medical care evaluation: an old new idea. The recent implementation of medical care evaluation (medical audit) systems in the nation's hospitals is a phenomenon of major consequence. The systematic measurement of the quality of patient care based on outcome data is becoming a part of the delivery of that care. Sixty years ago Dr. E. A. Codman developed and crusaded for a similar idea that seemed at one point to be on the threshold of widespread acceptance in U. S. hospitals, but for reasons other than lack of conceptual soundness the effort failed. In this article the author reviews the history of this early approach to the evaluation of patient care quality and suggests some lessons this historical episode holds for today's health care professionals.", "PMID": 765464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1766", "title": "The preparation, examination and analysis of frozen hydrated tissue sections by scanning transmission electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis.", "content": "A method is reported for preparing, examining and analysing frozen hydrated tissue sections using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Use of this method permits localization and measurement of water soluble or diffusible elements within the hydrated cell matrix. Since any change in total fresh weight of the specimen will affect the concentration of all components, great care has been taken to demonstrate that the mass neither increases nor decreases and to ensure that the tissue remains frozen-hydrated. Criteria for assessing whether or not the tissue remains frozen-hydrated are reported. After quench freezing, 1-2 mum thick sections of mouse liver were cut at 193 degrees K and picked up on a specially designed annular specimen holder covered with an aluminium coated nylon film. Using a transfer device which prevents contamination of the tissue sections while maintaining them at a low temperature (below 143 degrees K), the sections are transferred either to the vacuum evaporator cold stage or the scanning microscope cold stage. The tissue sections may be coated with an aluminium layer to improve electrical and thermal conductivity. The specimens are examined in the scanning transmission imaging mode and analysed using an energy dispersive X-ray analyser. Concentration of intra-nuclear and intra-cytoplasmic K, P, S and Cl are reported for mouse hepatocytes as ratios of the characteristic radiation to the continuum radiation used as a measure of mass. Ratios for all four elements were higher in the nucleus than the cytoplasm. Examples are given of this method as applied to plant and insect tissue.", "contents": "The preparation, examination and analysis of frozen hydrated tissue sections by scanning transmission electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis. A method is reported for preparing, examining and analysing frozen hydrated tissue sections using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Use of this method permits localization and measurement of water soluble or diffusible elements within the hydrated cell matrix. Since any change in total fresh weight of the specimen will affect the concentration of all components, great care has been taken to demonstrate that the mass neither increases nor decreases and to ensure that the tissue remains frozen-hydrated. Criteria for assessing whether or not the tissue remains frozen-hydrated are reported. After quench freezing, 1-2 mum thick sections of mouse liver were cut at 193 degrees K and picked up on a specially designed annular specimen holder covered with an aluminium coated nylon film. Using a transfer device which prevents contamination of the tissue sections while maintaining them at a low temperature (below 143 degrees K), the sections are transferred either to the vacuum evaporator cold stage or the scanning microscope cold stage. The tissue sections may be coated with an aluminium layer to improve electrical and thermal conductivity. The specimens are examined in the scanning transmission imaging mode and analysed using an energy dispersive X-ray analyser. Concentration of intra-nuclear and intra-cytoplasmic K, P, S and Cl are reported for mouse hepatocytes as ratios of the characteristic radiation to the continuum radiation used as a measure of mass. Ratios for all four elements were higher in the nucleus than the cytoplasm. Examples are given of this method as applied to plant and insect tissue.", "PMID": 765465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1767", "title": "A method of collecting and processing nematode larvae for electron microscopy.", "content": "A method is described using simple apparatus for separating and concentrating nematode larvae from host faecal material and a recommended procedure is given for processing the helminths for transmission electron microscopical examination.", "contents": "A method of collecting and processing nematode larvae for electron microscopy. A method is described using simple apparatus for separating and concentrating nematode larvae from host faecal material and a recommended procedure is given for processing the helminths for transmission electron microscopical examination.", "PMID": 765466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1768", "title": "The appearance of new structures and functions in proteins during evolution.", "content": "The likelihood of a de novo generation of classes of efficient proteins through neoformation of DNA, through modification of expressed DNA, and through modification of nonexpressed DNA is examined. So is the likelihood that newly formed inefficient enzymes be turned into efficient enzymes. The conclusions are that neither gene duplicates nor dormant genes represent promising materials for a de novo generation of protein classes, that (with exceptions) such generation is unlikely to have taken place in recent evolution, that new structural genes must nearly consistently derive from preexisting structural genes, and that new functions can be evolved only on the basis of old proteins. Conditions of protein evolution in prokaryotes suggest that the saltatory formation of protein classes is as unlikely in prokaryotes as in eukaryotes. Data on the history of a few protein classes are reviewed to illustrate the preceding inferences. The analysis leads to the hypothesis that most protein classes originated before the major elements of the translation apparatus of modern cells were fully evolved. If simple sequence DNA is turned into structural genes by evolution, this process (again with exceptions) is considered to have taken place only at that very remote period. A polyphyletic origin of proteins is thought to date back to the same era. It is proposed that the development of genic multiplicity and of marked structural and functional diversity of proteins may have come about in the earliest cells primarily through the independent generation of structurally different polymerases in different protocells, followed by cell conjugation and the subsequent use by enriched cells of supernumerary types of polymerase for evolving further functions. Functional growth, as it took place at early times, is briefly discussed as well as functional change. The foundations for new functional developments in old proteins are analyzed. In considering the evolutionary recovery of lost functions, aspects of cell differentiation and gene regulation are linked with the evolutionary picture. The distinction between eurygenic and stemogenic control of gene activity is used. Next to gene deletion, cell and tissue deletion is held to be an event of general evolutionary significance, through cell and tissue origination that presumably accompanies the restoration of a lost molecular function.", "contents": "The appearance of new structures and functions in proteins during evolution. The likelihood of a de novo generation of classes of efficient proteins through neoformation of DNA, through modification of expressed DNA, and through modification of nonexpressed DNA is examined. So is the likelihood that newly formed inefficient enzymes be turned into efficient enzymes. The conclusions are that neither gene duplicates nor dormant genes represent promising materials for a de novo generation of protein classes, that (with exceptions) such generation is unlikely to have taken place in recent evolution, that new structural genes must nearly consistently derive from preexisting structural genes, and that new functions can be evolved only on the basis of old proteins. Conditions of protein evolution in prokaryotes suggest that the saltatory formation of protein classes is as unlikely in prokaryotes as in eukaryotes. Data on the history of a few protein classes are reviewed to illustrate the preceding inferences. The analysis leads to the hypothesis that most protein classes originated before the major elements of the translation apparatus of modern cells were fully evolved. If simple sequence DNA is turned into structural genes by evolution, this process (again with exceptions) is considered to have taken place only at that very remote period. A polyphyletic origin of proteins is thought to date back to the same era. It is proposed that the development of genic multiplicity and of marked structural and functional diversity of proteins may have come about in the earliest cells primarily through the independent generation of structurally different polymerases in different protocells, followed by cell conjugation and the subsequent use by enriched cells of supernumerary types of polymerase for evolving further functions. Functional growth, as it took place at early times, is briefly discussed as well as functional change. The foundations for new functional developments in old proteins are analyzed. In considering the evolutionary recovery of lost functions, aspects of cell differentiation and gene regulation are linked with the evolutionary picture. The distinction between eurygenic and stemogenic control of gene activity is used. Next to gene deletion, cell and tissue deletion is held to be an event of general evolutionary significance, through cell and tissue origination that presumably accompanies the restoration of a lost molecular function.", "PMID": 765485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1769", "title": "Evolution of 5sRNA.", "content": "The evolution of 5sRNA of 17 organisms ranging from human to bacteria has been studied using a sequence homology analysis. The evolutionary rate of 5sRNA genes has been estimated to be 2.2x10(-10) replacement per one nucleotide site per year. This value is about the same as that of cytochrome C or tRNA's (congruent to 2x10(-10)). A phylogenic tree of these organisms including both eukaryotes and prokaryotes has been constructed from the evolutionary distances (the rate of nucleotide substitution per site) data. The time of divergence of prokaryotes and eukaryotes was estimated to be greater than or congruent to 1.75x10(9) years ago and the branching order in eukaryotic kingdoms is consistent with the traditional order. Blue-green algae separated from the bacterial stem greater than or congruent to 1.3x10(9) years ago after eukaryotes had branched.", "contents": "Evolution of 5sRNA. The evolution of 5sRNA of 17 organisms ranging from human to bacteria has been studied using a sequence homology analysis. The evolutionary rate of 5sRNA genes has been estimated to be 2.2x10(-10) replacement per one nucleotide site per year. This value is about the same as that of cytochrome C or tRNA's (congruent to 2x10(-10)). A phylogenic tree of these organisms including both eukaryotes and prokaryotes has been constructed from the evolutionary distances (the rate of nucleotide substitution per site) data. The time of divergence of prokaryotes and eukaryotes was estimated to be greater than or congruent to 1.75x10(9) years ago and the branching order in eukaryotic kingdoms is consistent with the traditional order. Blue-green algae separated from the bacterial stem greater than or congruent to 1.3x10(9) years ago after eukaryotes had branched.", "PMID": 765486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1770", "title": "The history of inorganic nitrogen in the biosphere.", "content": "When in the primeval atmosphere ammonia approached exhaustion, bacteria resembling clostridia developed mechanisms for nitrogen fixation. The fixation was continued by the photosynthetic bacteria. In the later, oxidizing, atmosphere the combined activities of the nitrificants and the denitrificants could lead to a large-scale cyclic regeneration of free nitrogen. The possibility of a descent of the nitrificants from hypothetical photosynthetic bacteria, which used ammonia as electron donor, is discussed. The anoxygenic atmosphere contained no nitrate, and therefore neither nitrate fermentation nor nitrate respiration were precursors of aerobic respiration. This evolved from photosynthesis. In nitrate fermentation, nitrate serves only as an incidental electron acceptor; this process is merely an evolutionary sideline. Nitrate respiration evolved from aerobic respiration. While in present conditions the reaction of nitrogen with oxygen and water to give nitrate is exergonic and possibly occurs at a low rate, the antagonistic action of the denitrificants maintains the stationary concentrations of nitrogen and oxygen in the air.", "contents": "The history of inorganic nitrogen in the biosphere. When in the primeval atmosphere ammonia approached exhaustion, bacteria resembling clostridia developed mechanisms for nitrogen fixation. The fixation was continued by the photosynthetic bacteria. In the later, oxidizing, atmosphere the combined activities of the nitrificants and the denitrificants could lead to a large-scale cyclic regeneration of free nitrogen. The possibility of a descent of the nitrificants from hypothetical photosynthetic bacteria, which used ammonia as electron donor, is discussed. The anoxygenic atmosphere contained no nitrate, and therefore neither nitrate fermentation nor nitrate respiration were precursors of aerobic respiration. This evolved from photosynthesis. In nitrate fermentation, nitrate serves only as an incidental electron acceptor; this process is merely an evolutionary sideline. Nitrate respiration evolved from aerobic respiration. While in present conditions the reaction of nitrogen with oxygen and water to give nitrate is exergonic and possibly occurs at a low rate, the antagonistic action of the denitrificants maintains the stationary concentrations of nitrogen and oxygen in the air.", "PMID": 765487} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1771", "title": "Nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis after renal transplantation: a case report and review of the literature.", "content": "Stone formation in renal allografts is rare. Although infection or renal tubular acidosis can predispose to calcium deposition in a renal allograft, hyperparathyroidism is usually an accompanying factor. Parathyroidectomy is recommended as the treatment of choice when stone deposition or nephrocalcinosis occurs after transplantation. The reported case demonstrates that aggressive therapy is also necessary to eliminate calculi from the urinary system to avoid mechanical obstruction, continued infection or renal paraenchymal damage.", "contents": "Nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis after renal transplantation: a case report and review of the literature. Stone formation in renal allografts is rare. Although infection or renal tubular acidosis can predispose to calcium deposition in a renal allograft, hyperparathyroidism is usually an accompanying factor. Parathyroidectomy is recommended as the treatment of choice when stone deposition or nephrocalcinosis occurs after transplantation. The reported case demonstrates that aggressive therapy is also necessary to eliminate calculi from the urinary system to avoid mechanical obstruction, continued infection or renal paraenchymal damage.", "PMID": 765494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1772", "title": "Non-nutritive sweeteners and human bladder cancer: preliminary findings.", "content": "The non-nutritive sweeteners, saccharin and cyclamate, were not associated with the risk of human bladder cancer in a controlled investigation. The prior intake of such sweeteners in any and all forms was not greater or more prolonged among 209 recently diagnosed bladder cancer patients than among 209 otherwise similar patients without bladder disease. These findings were unaffected by case-control differences in diabetic histories or smoking practices.", "contents": "Non-nutritive sweeteners and human bladder cancer: preliminary findings. The non-nutritive sweeteners, saccharin and cyclamate, were not associated with the risk of human bladder cancer in a controlled investigation. The prior intake of such sweeteners in any and all forms was not greater or more prolonged among 209 recently diagnosed bladder cancer patients than among 209 otherwise similar patients without bladder disease. These findings were unaffected by case-control differences in diabetic histories or smoking practices.", "PMID": 765495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1773", "title": "Immunobiology of human bladder cancer.", "content": "The immune destruction of bladder cancer most likely results from an interaction of specific and non-specific cellular and humoral responses evoked by tumor-associated antigens. We are just beginning to comprehend the complex immune mechanisms operating to retard or facilitate tumor growth in patients with this disease. This understanding has led to renewed hope that the immune system may be manipulated for the benefit of the tumor-bearing patient. However, only a thorough understanding of the basic functions of the immune system in man will permit a rational approach to immunotherapy in patients with bladder cancer.", "contents": "Immunobiology of human bladder cancer. The immune destruction of bladder cancer most likely results from an interaction of specific and non-specific cellular and humoral responses evoked by tumor-associated antigens. We are just beginning to comprehend the complex immune mechanisms operating to retard or facilitate tumor growth in patients with this disease. This understanding has led to renewed hope that the immune system may be manipulated for the benefit of the tumor-bearing patient. However, only a thorough understanding of the basic functions of the immune system in man will permit a rational approach to immunotherapy in patients with bladder cancer.", "PMID": 765496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1774", "title": "Observations on definitive cobalt 60 radiation for cure in bladder carcinoma: 15-year followup.", "content": "Radiation therapy will result in tumor disappearance in a select number of patients. However, it does not prevent local recurrence and, therefore, the patient continues at risk. Tumor recurrence was noted in more than half the patients in our series and more than 50 per cent of these patients experienced multiple recurrences. A functional bladder was maintained in nearly 60 per cent of the patients. Survival in 11 patients in category 1 with radiation therapy and subsequent non-ablative extirpative surgical procedures in 8 patients was equivalent to series treated by preoperative irradiation and cystectomy. In contrast the 14 patients in category 2 had a survival rate that was appreciably lower than that obtained with preoperative irradiation followed by cystectomy. There was a significantly increased morbidity associated with an open operation in the treatment of recurrence in the irradiated patient. We would advocate preoperative irradiation followed by cystectomy in the patients with high grade and high stage disease. The value of single versus adjuvant forms of therapy for patients with diffuse, rapidly recurring low grade and low stage disease would be determined best by a randomized prospective study. Evidence from this series suggests that irradiation improved over-all survival in this category.", "contents": "Observations on definitive cobalt 60 radiation for cure in bladder carcinoma: 15-year followup. Radiation therapy will result in tumor disappearance in a select number of patients. However, it does not prevent local recurrence and, therefore, the patient continues at risk. Tumor recurrence was noted in more than half the patients in our series and more than 50 per cent of these patients experienced multiple recurrences. A functional bladder was maintained in nearly 60 per cent of the patients. Survival in 11 patients in category 1 with radiation therapy and subsequent non-ablative extirpative surgical procedures in 8 patients was equivalent to series treated by preoperative irradiation and cystectomy. In contrast the 14 patients in category 2 had a survival rate that was appreciably lower than that obtained with preoperative irradiation followed by cystectomy. There was a significantly increased morbidity associated with an open operation in the treatment of recurrence in the irradiated patient. We would advocate preoperative irradiation followed by cystectomy in the patients with high grade and high stage disease. The value of single versus adjuvant forms of therapy for patients with diffuse, rapidly recurring low grade and low stage disease would be determined best by a randomized prospective study. Evidence from this series suggests that irradiation improved over-all survival in this category.", "PMID": 765497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1775", "title": "Patch graft urethroplasty: a review with emphasis on use for strictures in the region of the membranous urethra.", "content": "A series of 40 patch graft urethroplasties is presented. The surgical technique, with versatility of the procedure and its application to repair of strictures in the membranous urethra are discussed.", "contents": "Patch graft urethroplasty: a review with emphasis on use for strictures in the region of the membranous urethra. A series of 40 patch graft urethroplasties is presented. The surgical technique, with versatility of the procedure and its application to repair of strictures in the membranous urethra are discussed.", "PMID": 765498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1776", "title": "Aminoglutethimide medical adrenalectomy for advanced prostatic carcinoma.", "content": "Complete adrenal suppression with aminoglutethimide has been accomplished in 7 patients with progressive stage D carcinoma of the prostate who had become refractory to orchiectomy and the administration of exogenous estrogens. A favorable response was noted in 3 patients. These preliminary results indicate that this agent may be as useful as surgical adrenalectomy in the treatment of progressive prostatic carcinoma. A brief discussion of the pharmacology of this agent, its mode of administration and the side effects are presented.", "contents": "Aminoglutethimide medical adrenalectomy for advanced prostatic carcinoma. Complete adrenal suppression with aminoglutethimide has been accomplished in 7 patients with progressive stage D carcinoma of the prostate who had become refractory to orchiectomy and the administration of exogenous estrogens. A favorable response was noted in 3 patients. These preliminary results indicate that this agent may be as useful as surgical adrenalectomy in the treatment of progressive prostatic carcinoma. A brief discussion of the pharmacology of this agent, its mode of administration and the side effects are presented.", "PMID": 765499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1777", "title": "Early prediction of acute homograft rejection: urinary assay for polyribosomal-rich lymphocytes.", "content": "Urinary cytology from 29 pediatric renal homograft recipients was evaluated for the presence of polyribosomal-rich (pyroninophilic) lymphocytes during an 8-month period. Seven episodes of acute (cell-mediated) rejection occurred in 21 cadaveric renal recipients. No episodes of rejection occurred during this period in the living-related recipients. Each episode of rejection was associated with significant polyribosomal-rich lymphocyturia 5 to 11 days before the onset of clinical rejection as diagnosed by conventional methodology. In addition, significant lymphocyturia occurred 1 to 3 days before and simultaneous with a sustained elevation in serum creatine. Falsely positive assays demonstrating occasional to 1 plus (less than 10 per cent) ribosomal-rich lymphocyturia occurred in 10 of 29 patients. None of these falsely positive-reacting patients demonstrated acute rejection. In our experience the urinary assay for polyribosomal-rich lymphocytes proved to be an early indicator of acute rejection. It is hoped that by early institution of antirejection therapy based on this parameter homograft rejection may be aborted or its severity diminished.", "contents": "Early prediction of acute homograft rejection: urinary assay for polyribosomal-rich lymphocytes. Urinary cytology from 29 pediatric renal homograft recipients was evaluated for the presence of polyribosomal-rich (pyroninophilic) lymphocytes during an 8-month period. Seven episodes of acute (cell-mediated) rejection occurred in 21 cadaveric renal recipients. No episodes of rejection occurred during this period in the living-related recipients. Each episode of rejection was associated with significant polyribosomal-rich lymphocyturia 5 to 11 days before the onset of clinical rejection as diagnosed by conventional methodology. In addition, significant lymphocyturia occurred 1 to 3 days before and simultaneous with a sustained elevation in serum creatine. Falsely positive assays demonstrating occasional to 1 plus (less than 10 per cent) ribosomal-rich lymphocyturia occurred in 10 of 29 patients. None of these falsely positive-reacting patients demonstrated acute rejection. In our experience the urinary assay for polyribosomal-rich lymphocytes proved to be an early indicator of acute rejection. It is hoped that by early institution of antirejection therapy based on this parameter homograft rejection may be aborted or its severity diminished.", "PMID": 765500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1778", "title": "Exstrophy of the bladder--an alternative method of management.", "content": "Sixteen bladder exstrophy patients were treated by diverting the urine into a non-refluxing colon conduit. There were 4 new, previously unoperated cases and 12 had been diverted earlier by ileal conduit. Subsequently, 11 conduits were detached from the abdominal wall and joined end-to-side to the rectosigmoid colon. This method has proved satisfactory to date but long-term assessment will be needed. This staged method of ureterosigmoid urinary diversion appears to be a satisfactory way to manage new patients with bladder exstrophy and patients who have been diverted previously by an ileal conduit. From our experience with non-refluxing colon conduits we conclude also that it is: 1) a better method than ileal loop for permanent diversion, 2) indicated for patients with an ileal loop who are not doing well and 3) useful in patients undergoing anterior exenteration, providing the option of joining it to the rectosigmoid if there is no recurrent disease or radiation proctitis.", "contents": "Exstrophy of the bladder--an alternative method of management. Sixteen bladder exstrophy patients were treated by diverting the urine into a non-refluxing colon conduit. There were 4 new, previously unoperated cases and 12 had been diverted earlier by ileal conduit. Subsequently, 11 conduits were detached from the abdominal wall and joined end-to-side to the rectosigmoid colon. This method has proved satisfactory to date but long-term assessment will be needed. This staged method of ureterosigmoid urinary diversion appears to be a satisfactory way to manage new patients with bladder exstrophy and patients who have been diverted previously by an ileal conduit. From our experience with non-refluxing colon conduits we conclude also that it is: 1) a better method than ileal loop for permanent diversion, 2) indicated for patients with an ileal loop who are not doing well and 3) useful in patients undergoing anterior exenteration, providing the option of joining it to the rectosigmoid if there is no recurrent disease or radiation proctitis.", "PMID": 765501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1779", "title": "Management of postoperative renal hemorrhage by transcatheter embolization.", "content": "A patient with uncontrollable postoperative renal hemorrhage was successfully treated by sub-selective injection of autologous clot into the renal artery. Followup arteriography 10 days later revealed persistent occlusion of the bleeding vessel with recanalization of all other vessels. This method is an effective alternative to an operation in cases of renal hemorrhage of diverse etiology not responsive to conservative management.", "contents": "Management of postoperative renal hemorrhage by transcatheter embolization. A patient with uncontrollable postoperative renal hemorrhage was successfully treated by sub-selective injection of autologous clot into the renal artery. Followup arteriography 10 days later revealed persistent occlusion of the bleeding vessel with recanalization of all other vessels. This method is an effective alternative to an operation in cases of renal hemorrhage of diverse etiology not responsive to conservative management.", "PMID": 765502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1780", "title": "Preoperative vascular embolization as an adjunct to successful resection of large retroperitoneal hemangiopericytoma.", "content": "A large retroperitoneal hemangiopericytoma was resected successfully with the aid of preoperative control of the blood supply of the lesion with percutaneous intra-arterial gelfoam and ferromagnetic silicone embolization. We believe that this resection would not have been possible without this adjuvant technique. Future application of this combined technique will enable more aggressive surgical intervention in unresectable vascular tumors and arteriovenous malformations.", "contents": "Preoperative vascular embolization as an adjunct to successful resection of large retroperitoneal hemangiopericytoma. A large retroperitoneal hemangiopericytoma was resected successfully with the aid of preoperative control of the blood supply of the lesion with percutaneous intra-arterial gelfoam and ferromagnetic silicone embolization. We believe that this resection would not have been possible without this adjuvant technique. Future application of this combined technique will enable more aggressive surgical intervention in unresectable vascular tumors and arteriovenous malformations.", "PMID": 765503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1781", "title": "Noonan's syndrome associated with polycistic renal disease.", "content": "Noonan's syndrome is an eponymic designation that has been used during the last 8 years to describe a variable constellation of somatic and visceral congenital anomalies, which includes groups of patients previously referred to as male Turner's, female pseudo-Turner's and Bonnevie-Ullrich syndromes. It is now recognized that both sexes may show the stigmas of this condition and, unlike Turner's syndrome, there is no karyotype abnormality although there is often a familial pattern. The most commonly observed anomalies include webbing of the neck, hypertelorism, a shield-shaped chest and short stature. Congenital heart disease, principally pulmonary stenosis, and sexual infantilism often with cryptorchidism in the male subject are additional associated anomalies in this syndrome. Renal anomalies have been described rarely and usually consist of rotational errors, duplications and hydronephrosis. We report the first case of an infant who displayed many of the stigmas of Noonan's syndrome and also showed early evidence of frank renal failure secondary to renal dysplasia with cystic disease.", "contents": "Noonan's syndrome associated with polycistic renal disease. Noonan's syndrome is an eponymic designation that has been used during the last 8 years to describe a variable constellation of somatic and visceral congenital anomalies, which includes groups of patients previously referred to as male Turner's, female pseudo-Turner's and Bonnevie-Ullrich syndromes. It is now recognized that both sexes may show the stigmas of this condition and, unlike Turner's syndrome, there is no karyotype abnormality although there is often a familial pattern. The most commonly observed anomalies include webbing of the neck, hypertelorism, a shield-shaped chest and short stature. Congenital heart disease, principally pulmonary stenosis, and sexual infantilism often with cryptorchidism in the male subject are additional associated anomalies in this syndrome. Renal anomalies have been described rarely and usually consist of rotational errors, duplications and hydronephrosis. We report the first case of an infant who displayed many of the stigmas of Noonan's syndrome and also showed early evidence of frank renal failure secondary to renal dysplasia with cystic disease.", "PMID": 765504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1782", "title": "Successful allotransplantation of a kidney removed because of ureteral damage in an unrelated living donor.", "content": "The use of a kidney removed because of ureteral damage in an unrelated donor has produced a well functioning renal allograft in the transplant recipient. The kidney demonstrated calicectasis and hydronephrosis on an excretory urogram before removal of the ureteral cutaneous fistula. An excretory urogram performed 8 months after the renal allotransplantation of this kidney shows prompt function of a delicate collecting system without any residual calicectasis. This case emphasizes the need for us to explore the possible use of free kidneys removed from living unrelated donors for non-neoplastic diseases of the ureter.", "contents": "Successful allotransplantation of a kidney removed because of ureteral damage in an unrelated living donor. The use of a kidney removed because of ureteral damage in an unrelated donor has produced a well functioning renal allograft in the transplant recipient. The kidney demonstrated calicectasis and hydronephrosis on an excretory urogram before removal of the ureteral cutaneous fistula. An excretory urogram performed 8 months after the renal allotransplantation of this kidney shows prompt function of a delicate collecting system without any residual calicectasis. This case emphasizes the need for us to explore the possible use of free kidneys removed from living unrelated donors for non-neoplastic diseases of the ureter.", "PMID": 765506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1783", "title": "Effective treatment of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate with adriamycin.", "content": "A case is presented of a 67-year old man who experienced the sudden onset of prostatism and underwent a complete panendoscopy and transurethral resection of the prostate. Tissue from the right lateral lobe of the prostatic urethra revealed squamous cell carcinoma and a chest x-ray revealed bilateral pulmonary nodules. Tumor progression was observed. However, subsequent response to adriamycin has lasted more than 5 months after the carcinoma failed to respond to radiation, surgery or other chemotherapy.", "contents": "Effective treatment of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate with adriamycin. A case is presented of a 67-year old man who experienced the sudden onset of prostatism and underwent a complete panendoscopy and transurethral resection of the prostate. Tissue from the right lateral lobe of the prostatic urethra revealed squamous cell carcinoma and a chest x-ray revealed bilateral pulmonary nodules. Tumor progression was observed. However, subsequent response to adriamycin has lasted more than 5 months after the carcinoma failed to respond to radiation, surgery or other chemotherapy.", "PMID": 765507} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1784", "title": "Ultrasonic evaluation of pararenal masses.", "content": "The ease of performing ultrasonic examination and its noninvasive nature make it especially useful in seriously ill patients. We present 12 patients with lesions that can be identified by ultrasound, along with a discussion of the differential diagnosis. Ultrasonically guided percutaneous aspiration biopsy can confirm the diagnosis in selected patients.", "contents": "Ultrasonic evaluation of pararenal masses. The ease of performing ultrasonic examination and its noninvasive nature make it especially useful in seriously ill patients. We present 12 patients with lesions that can be identified by ultrasound, along with a discussion of the differential diagnosis. Ultrasonically guided percutaneous aspiration biopsy can confirm the diagnosis in selected patients.", "PMID": 765508} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1785", "title": "Extensive urban outbreak caused by antibiotic-sensitive Shigella sonnei.", "content": "During 1970 and 1971, a large increase in the number of isolations of Shigella organisms (90% S sonnei) occurred among patients of Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Examination of strains isolated during this outbreak showed a marked decline in the frequency of antibiotic resistance, especially multiple resistance, from that which had been observed during the preceding three years, in spite of continued heavy usage of antibiotics. These findings are contrary to most recently reported experience, which has indicated a rapidly increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance, especially to ampicillin.", "contents": "Extensive urban outbreak caused by antibiotic-sensitive Shigella sonnei. During 1970 and 1971, a large increase in the number of isolations of Shigella organisms (90% S sonnei) occurred among patients of Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Examination of strains isolated during this outbreak showed a marked decline in the frequency of antibiotic resistance, especially multiple resistance, from that which had been observed during the preceding three years, in spite of continued heavy usage of antibiotics. These findings are contrary to most recently reported experience, which has indicated a rapidly increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance, especially to ampicillin.", "PMID": 765512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1786", "title": "Streptococcal pharyngitis in children. A comparison of four treatment schedules with intramuscular penicillin G benzathine.", "content": "Four hundred children with streptococcal pharyngitis were treated randomly with single injections in groups of 100 each (1) with 600,000 units of penicillin G benzathine, (2) 1.2 million units of penicillin G benzathine, (3) 600,000 units of penicillin G benzathine and 600,000 units of penicillin G procaine, or (4) 900,000 units of penicillin G benzathine and 300,000 units of penicillin G procaine. Clinical response and severity of local reaction were judged in a double-blind manner at 24, 48, and 72 hours; throat cultures were taken then, and at 10, 21, and 42 days. Although the clinical response to 900,000 units of penicillin G benzathine and 300,000 units of penicillin G procaine was equal to 1.2 million units of penicillin G benzathine, the former cleared the streptococci more quickly, greatly reduced the incidence and severity of local reactions, and offered optimal therapy for streptococcal pharyngitis in the pediatric age group.", "contents": "Streptococcal pharyngitis in children. A comparison of four treatment schedules with intramuscular penicillin G benzathine. Four hundred children with streptococcal pharyngitis were treated randomly with single injections in groups of 100 each (1) with 600,000 units of penicillin G benzathine, (2) 1.2 million units of penicillin G benzathine, (3) 600,000 units of penicillin G benzathine and 600,000 units of penicillin G procaine, or (4) 900,000 units of penicillin G benzathine and 300,000 units of penicillin G procaine. Clinical response and severity of local reaction were judged in a double-blind manner at 24, 48, and 72 hours; throat cultures were taken then, and at 10, 21, and 42 days. Although the clinical response to 900,000 units of penicillin G benzathine and 300,000 units of penicillin G procaine was equal to 1.2 million units of penicillin G benzathine, the former cleared the streptococci more quickly, greatly reduced the incidence and severity of local reactions, and offered optimal therapy for streptococcal pharyngitis in the pediatric age group.", "PMID": 765515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1787", "title": "Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy for shigellosis.", "content": "Twenty-eight infants and children hospitalized for severe shigellosis were treated orally either with ampicillin trihydrate (100 mg/kg/day administered in divided doses every six hours) or with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (trimethoprim, 10 mg; sulfamethoxazole, 50 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours) for five days. Four patients with ampicillin-resistant shigellae continued to have diarrhea and positive stool cultures during therapy. Patients with susceptible shigellae treated with ampicillin and all patients treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole responsed promptly and comparably within an average of 1.6 and 1.7 days, respectively, until stool cultures were negative, and 3.1 and 2.9 days, respectively, until diarrhea stopped. Patients with ampicillin-resistant shigellae responded to treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. It is concluded that trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the best currently available drug for treatment of shigellosis in areas where multiple antibiotic resistance of shigellae is common.", "contents": "Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy for shigellosis. Twenty-eight infants and children hospitalized for severe shigellosis were treated orally either with ampicillin trihydrate (100 mg/kg/day administered in divided doses every six hours) or with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (trimethoprim, 10 mg; sulfamethoxazole, 50 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours) for five days. Four patients with ampicillin-resistant shigellae continued to have diarrhea and positive stool cultures during therapy. Patients with susceptible shigellae treated with ampicillin and all patients treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole responsed promptly and comparably within an average of 1.6 and 1.7 days, respectively, until stool cultures were negative, and 3.1 and 2.9 days, respectively, until diarrhea stopped. Patients with ampicillin-resistant shigellae responded to treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. It is concluded that trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the best currently available drug for treatment of shigellosis in areas where multiple antibiotic resistance of shigellae is common.", "PMID": 765518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1788", "title": "Bacterial contamination of skin used as a biological dressing. A potential hazard.", "content": "Bacterially contaminated skin used as a biological dressing on burn wounds can cause serious or even lethal infections, three examples of which are cited. Cadaver-skin allografts were frequently found to contain pathogenic bacteria. The frequency of infections due to the use of contaminated skin grafts on open wounds is unknown.", "contents": "Bacterial contamination of skin used as a biological dressing. A potential hazard. Bacterially contaminated skin used as a biological dressing on burn wounds can cause serious or even lethal infections, three examples of which are cited. Cadaver-skin allografts were frequently found to contain pathogenic bacteria. The frequency of infections due to the use of contaminated skin grafts on open wounds is unknown.", "PMID": 765519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1789", "title": "Contour restoration following simple or modified radical mastectomy.", "content": "With the increasing performance of modified radical mastectomy in the treatment of female breast cancer, satisfactory restoration of contour can be performed by a relatively simple procedure. In a large number of patients, this constitutes the optimal rehabilitation in the appropriate circumstances. It is hoped that with an increasing awareness of the possibility of this type of restoration, the procedure will be more widely applied.", "contents": "Contour restoration following simple or modified radical mastectomy. With the increasing performance of modified radical mastectomy in the treatment of female breast cancer, satisfactory restoration of contour can be performed by a relatively simple procedure. In a large number of patients, this constitutes the optimal rehabilitation in the appropriate circumstances. It is hoped that with an increasing awareness of the possibility of this type of restoration, the procedure will be more widely applied.", "PMID": 765523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1790", "title": "Long-term metaproterenol therapy in asthmatic children.", "content": "The bronchodilator efficacy and safety of metaproterenol sulfate were evaluated by double-blind crossover tests against placebo at three intervals during a 90-day treatment period in 50 asthmatic children. One group of 25 patients was continuously treated with metaproterenol syrup, and the other 25 with placebo syrup. Pulmonary function tests showed statistically significant improvements in forced expiratory volume, forced expiratory volume in one second, and peak expiratory flow rate after metaproterenol administration as compared with those measurements after treatment with placebo. Biweekly global evaluations of responses to metaproterenol administration were consistently more favorable than responses to placebo. Tachycardia and blood pressure changes after metaproterenol administration were consistent with the pharmacologic properties of beta-sympathomimetic stimulants. Side effects during metaproterenol treatment were minimal and laboratory data remained normal.", "contents": "Long-term metaproterenol therapy in asthmatic children. The bronchodilator efficacy and safety of metaproterenol sulfate were evaluated by double-blind crossover tests against placebo at three intervals during a 90-day treatment period in 50 asthmatic children. One group of 25 patients was continuously treated with metaproterenol syrup, and the other 25 with placebo syrup. Pulmonary function tests showed statistically significant improvements in forced expiratory volume, forced expiratory volume in one second, and peak expiratory flow rate after metaproterenol administration as compared with those measurements after treatment with placebo. Biweekly global evaluations of responses to metaproterenol administration were consistently more favorable than responses to placebo. Tachycardia and blood pressure changes after metaproterenol administration were consistent with the pharmacologic properties of beta-sympathomimetic stimulants. Side effects during metaproterenol treatment were minimal and laboratory data remained normal.", "PMID": 765528} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1791", "title": "Pneumoperitoneum. A complication of mechanical ventilation.", "content": "Pneumoperitoneum occurred in three adults receiving mechanical ventilatory support. Since the presence of a perforated viscus could not be confirmed by combinations of clinical, surgical, or autopsy findings in any of these patients, it appears that the free abdominal air in these patients was a complication of the ventilatory therapy. It is possible that such a complication may be more common than is currently recognized and thus should be added to the differential diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum.", "contents": "Pneumoperitoneum. A complication of mechanical ventilation. Pneumoperitoneum occurred in three adults receiving mechanical ventilatory support. Since the presence of a perforated viscus could not be confirmed by combinations of clinical, surgical, or autopsy findings in any of these patients, it appears that the free abdominal air in these patients was a complication of the ventilatory therapy. It is possible that such a complication may be more common than is currently recognized and thus should be added to the differential diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum.", "PMID": 765530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1792", "title": "[A semi-automatic electric keratome for lamellar corneal graft (author's transl)].", "content": "The demands on the precision of the operative incision are in lamellar keratoplasty much higher as in the total thickness graft. Besides the accurate limitation of the size of the graft, a lamellar dissection must be performed, by which the quality of the dissection must be as high as possible, in order to give an acceptable optical result. The depth of cut must be constant, and, above all, the surface of the cut must be absolutely smooth. A new semi-automatic, electrically-driven keratome with very exact micrometer -- adjustment allows for the first time a continuous cut without changing the direction of movement of the knife. A special construction allows use with the operation microscope, so that the surgeon can follow the whole cutting operation. With many illustrations the new instrument is shown in construction, function, and clinical application.", "contents": "[A semi-automatic electric keratome for lamellar corneal graft (author's transl)]. The demands on the precision of the operative incision are in lamellar keratoplasty much higher as in the total thickness graft. Besides the accurate limitation of the size of the graft, a lamellar dissection must be performed, by which the quality of the dissection must be as high as possible, in order to give an acceptable optical result. The depth of cut must be constant, and, above all, the surface of the cut must be absolutely smooth. A new semi-automatic, electrically-driven keratome with very exact micrometer -- adjustment allows for the first time a continuous cut without changing the direction of movement of the knife. A special construction allows use with the operation microscope, so that the surgeon can follow the whole cutting operation. With many illustrations the new instrument is shown in construction, function, and clinical application.", "PMID": 765604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1793", "title": "[Tissue culture investigations on the distinction between hereditary and sporadic retinoblastoma (author's transl)].", "content": "The growth pattern in tissue culture of cells derived from retinoblastoma is different for all cases with known heredity and most of the cases with unknown heredity. It is concluded that those of the latter, that show a growth pattern that is identical with that of the hereditary cases, represent the hereditary cases in the group with unknown heredity.", "contents": "[Tissue culture investigations on the distinction between hereditary and sporadic retinoblastoma (author's transl)]. The growth pattern in tissue culture of cells derived from retinoblastoma is different for all cases with known heredity and most of the cases with unknown heredity. It is concluded that those of the latter, that show a growth pattern that is identical with that of the hereditary cases, represent the hereditary cases in the group with unknown heredity.", "PMID": 765605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1794", "title": "[Early keratoplasty after perforating injury of the cornea (author's transl)].", "content": "A report is given of experiences with early penetrating keratoplasty after perforating injury of the cornea, lens, and vitreous. 10x0-nylon through- and through sutures were used. The technique of operation and the results of treated cases are demonstrated with photos.", "contents": "[Early keratoplasty after perforating injury of the cornea (author's transl)]. A report is given of experiences with early penetrating keratoplasty after perforating injury of the cornea, lens, and vitreous. 10x0-nylon through- and through sutures were used. The technique of operation and the results of treated cases are demonstrated with photos.", "PMID": 765606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1795", "title": "[Experiments on animals to investigate the suitability of perforating corneal sutures (author's transl)].", "content": "Injuries of the cornea in rabbits are treated with perforating sutures using non-traumatic material (nylon and silk 9-0). Postoperative examinations with fluorescein showed the absence of fistulas along the suture in all cases. Histological examinations of the lacerations and sutures three respectively five weeks after the operation did not reveal any epithelial growth in the anterior chamber nor endothelial growth in the suture canal. We believe, therefore, that the use of perforating corneal sutures no longer presents any risks, especially when materials of up to 15-0 are used which are readily available.", "contents": "[Experiments on animals to investigate the suitability of perforating corneal sutures (author's transl)]. Injuries of the cornea in rabbits are treated with perforating sutures using non-traumatic material (nylon and silk 9-0). Postoperative examinations with fluorescein showed the absence of fistulas along the suture in all cases. Histological examinations of the lacerations and sutures three respectively five weeks after the operation did not reveal any epithelial growth in the anterior chamber nor endothelial growth in the suture canal. We believe, therefore, that the use of perforating corneal sutures no longer presents any risks, especially when materials of up to 15-0 are used which are readily available.", "PMID": 765607} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1796", "title": "[A case of X/X translocation: t(X;X) (q26;p11)].", "content": "An eight-year old girl showing a X/X-translocation (45,X/46,Xt(X;X)(q26;p11)) is presented. Besides short stature and congenital heart-anomaly no other phenotypical abnormalities were present. In all cells containing the abnormal X-chromosome, the latter was late labeling as shown by autoradiography and BrdU-labeling.", "contents": "[A case of X/X translocation: t(X;X) (q26;p11)]. An eight-year old girl showing a X/X-translocation (45,X/46,Xt(X;X)(q26;p11)) is presented. Besides short stature and congenital heart-anomaly no other phenotypical abnormalities were present. In all cells containing the abnormal X-chromosome, the latter was late labeling as shown by autoradiography and BrdU-labeling.", "PMID": 765610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1797", "title": "[Computer-oriented documentation of quantitative and qualitative data in gastroenterology (author's transl)].", "content": "Computer-oriented documentation of quantitative and qualitative data obtained from patients with gastroenterological diseases is described as an example of a method when considering a relatively small number of patients. All qualitative and quantitative features are entered uncoded in a data booklet and subsequently on port-a-punch cards. After extensive computerized error check - and correction, as need arises, - the data are transferred to a data base and stored on magnetic disk. The ISIS information system, in conjunction with special routines provides access to the data in any combination desired. Analysis of the data, both on an individual and a statistical basis is thus facilitated.", "contents": "[Computer-oriented documentation of quantitative and qualitative data in gastroenterology (author's transl)]. Computer-oriented documentation of quantitative and qualitative data obtained from patients with gastroenterological diseases is described as an example of a method when considering a relatively small number of patients. All qualitative and quantitative features are entered uncoded in a data booklet and subsequently on port-a-punch cards. After extensive computerized error check - and correction, as need arises, - the data are transferred to a data base and stored on magnetic disk. The ISIS information system, in conjunction with special routines provides access to the data in any combination desired. Analysis of the data, both on an individual and a statistical basis is thus facilitated.", "PMID": 765612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1798", "title": "[Blood coagulation factor XIII and fibrin stabilization (author's transl)].", "content": "Coagulation factor XIII (fibrin stabilizing factor, FSF) is detectable in plasma, platelets, placenta and various tissues. In the activated form FSF has the enzymatic properties of a transglutaminase and is capable of stabilizing fibrin by inducing covalent bondings between fibrin monomers. In patients with congenital factor XIII deficiency or acquired immune inhibitors of fibrin stabilization a severe bleeding tendency is evident. There is not yet enough information available concerning the significance of reduced FSF-activity as cofactor in hemorrhagic diathesis and wound healing disturbances in various disease states. There are some indications from experimental studies that there might be an influence of FSF on tumor growth and metastasis as well as arteriosclerosis. The quantitation of the enzyme by radiological and immunological techniques yield reproducible results. Fibrin in its stabilized or non stabilized form can be discriminated in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after reduction of fibrin clots.", "contents": "[Blood coagulation factor XIII and fibrin stabilization (author's transl)]. Coagulation factor XIII (fibrin stabilizing factor, FSF) is detectable in plasma, platelets, placenta and various tissues. In the activated form FSF has the enzymatic properties of a transglutaminase and is capable of stabilizing fibrin by inducing covalent bondings between fibrin monomers. In patients with congenital factor XIII deficiency or acquired immune inhibitors of fibrin stabilization a severe bleeding tendency is evident. There is not yet enough information available concerning the significance of reduced FSF-activity as cofactor in hemorrhagic diathesis and wound healing disturbances in various disease states. There are some indications from experimental studies that there might be an influence of FSF on tumor growth and metastasis as well as arteriosclerosis. The quantitation of the enzyme by radiological and immunological techniques yield reproducible results. Fibrin in its stabilized or non stabilized form can be discriminated in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after reduction of fibrin clots.", "PMID": 765611} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1799", "title": "Human glomerular smooth muscle (mesangial) cells in culture.", "content": "Glomerular smooth muscle cells were grown and subcultured from human glomeruli in vitro. These cells, stained with antiserum to smooth muscle actomyosin and examined by immunofluorescence, had brightly stained intracellular fibrils similar to those seen in smooth muscle cells. Actomyosin fibrils were altered by conditions affecting actomyosin in vitro. Glomerular smooth muscle cells lacked the antihemophilic factor and blood group antigens present in endothelial cells, and are, therefore, most likely derived from the smooth muscle cells of the glomerular mesangium. By radio-labeled amino acid analysis, they synthesize a collagen differing from that of fibroblasts, and which probably differs from basement membrane collagen. Other cell types could be grown and subcultured using a different glomerular isolation technique, culture medium and method of subculture.", "contents": "Human glomerular smooth muscle (mesangial) cells in culture. Glomerular smooth muscle cells were grown and subcultured from human glomeruli in vitro. These cells, stained with antiserum to smooth muscle actomyosin and examined by immunofluorescence, had brightly stained intracellular fibrils similar to those seen in smooth muscle cells. Actomyosin fibrils were altered by conditions affecting actomyosin in vitro. Glomerular smooth muscle cells lacked the antihemophilic factor and blood group antigens present in endothelial cells, and are, therefore, most likely derived from the smooth muscle cells of the glomerular mesangium. By radio-labeled amino acid analysis, they synthesize a collagen differing from that of fibroblasts, and which probably differs from basement membrane collagen. Other cell types could be grown and subcultured using a different glomerular isolation technique, culture medium and method of subculture.", "PMID": 765620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1800", "title": "Nonessential role of neutrophils as mediators of hyperacute cardiac allograft rejection in the rat.", "content": "The presence of neutrophils within the graft has been widely emphasized as a characteristic feature of hyperacute rejection, and analogies have been drawn to the Arthus reaction, in which neutrophils are essential mediators of tissue damage. To evaluate the role of neutrophils as mediators of graft destruction in hyperacute rejection, we studied a series of 16 heterotopic ACT strain rat cardiac allografts in skin-presenitized Lewis strain recipients, all of which recieved prior treatment with cyclophosphamide and methotrexate or heterologous rabbit antirat polymorphonuclear globulin. Fourteen recipients showed significant depression in levels of circulating neutrophils prior to transplant, and neutrophils were not detected in 13 allogrates at the time of functional rejection. There was no abrogation of hyperacute rejection in this series and the characteristic pattern of vacular and myocardial damage was not altered by the absence of neutrophils from the graft. Although the possibility that neutrophil-derived agents may contribute to late graft destruction cannot be excluded, this study has shown that neutrophils are neither essential nor specific participants in hyperacute allograft rejection in this model.", "contents": "Nonessential role of neutrophils as mediators of hyperacute cardiac allograft rejection in the rat. The presence of neutrophils within the graft has been widely emphasized as a characteristic feature of hyperacute rejection, and analogies have been drawn to the Arthus reaction, in which neutrophils are essential mediators of tissue damage. To evaluate the role of neutrophils as mediators of graft destruction in hyperacute rejection, we studied a series of 16 heterotopic ACT strain rat cardiac allografts in skin-presenitized Lewis strain recipients, all of which recieved prior treatment with cyclophosphamide and methotrexate or heterologous rabbit antirat polymorphonuclear globulin. Fourteen recipients showed significant depression in levels of circulating neutrophils prior to transplant, and neutrophils were not detected in 13 allogrates at the time of functional rejection. There was no abrogation of hyperacute rejection in this series and the characteristic pattern of vacular and myocardial damage was not altered by the absence of neutrophils from the graft. Although the possibility that neutrophil-derived agents may contribute to late graft destruction cannot be excluded, this study has shown that neutrophils are neither essential nor specific participants in hyperacute allograft rejection in this model.", "PMID": 765621} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1801", "title": "Pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal disease. A summary of current work.", "content": "Chronic periodontitis, a common disease of microbial origin, is the major cause of tooth loss in adult humans. The disease serves as a convenient experimental model for analysis of many aspects of chronic inflammation. A consideration of currently available data has permitted the formulation of a new concept of the pathogenesis of this disease. The gingival tissues respond within 2 to 4 days to a beginning accumlation of microbial plaque with a classic acute exudative vasculitis which we have termed the initial lesion. This response, which includes loss of perivascular collagen, is comparable to that elicited in most other tissues subjected to acute injury and may be a consequence of the elaboration and release of chemotactic and antigenic substances by microbial plaque. Within 4 to 10 days, the early lesion develops. It is characterized by a dense infiltrate of lymphocytes and other mononuclear cells, pathologic alteration of fibroblasts, and continuing loss of the connective tissue substance. The structural features of the early lesion are consistent with those expected in some form of cellular hypersensitivity, and a mechanism of this kind may be important in the pathogenesis. The early lesion is followed by the established lesion which develops within 2 to 3 weeks and is distinguished by a predominance of plasma cells in the absence of significant bone loss. The established lesion, which is extremely widespread in humans and in animals, may remain stable for years or decades, or it may become converted into a progressive destructive lesion. Factors causing this conversion are not understood. In the advanced lesion, plasma cells continue to predominate although loss of the alveolar bone and periodontal ligament, and disruption of the tissue architecture with fibrosis are also important characteristics. The initial, early, and established lesions are sequential stages in gingivitis and they, rather than the advanced lesion which is manifest clinically as periodontitis, make up the major portion of inflammatory gingival and periodontal disease in humans.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal disease. A summary of current work. Chronic periodontitis, a common disease of microbial origin, is the major cause of tooth loss in adult humans. The disease serves as a convenient experimental model for analysis of many aspects of chronic inflammation. A consideration of currently available data has permitted the formulation of a new concept of the pathogenesis of this disease. The gingival tissues respond within 2 to 4 days to a beginning accumlation of microbial plaque with a classic acute exudative vasculitis which we have termed the initial lesion. This response, which includes loss of perivascular collagen, is comparable to that elicited in most other tissues subjected to acute injury and may be a consequence of the elaboration and release of chemotactic and antigenic substances by microbial plaque. Within 4 to 10 days, the early lesion develops. It is characterized by a dense infiltrate of lymphocytes and other mononuclear cells, pathologic alteration of fibroblasts, and continuing loss of the connective tissue substance. The structural features of the early lesion are consistent with those expected in some form of cellular hypersensitivity, and a mechanism of this kind may be important in the pathogenesis. The early lesion is followed by the established lesion which develops within 2 to 3 weeks and is distinguished by a predominance of plasma cells in the absence of significant bone loss. The established lesion, which is extremely widespread in humans and in animals, may remain stable for years or decades, or it may become converted into a progressive destructive lesion. Factors causing this conversion are not understood. In the advanced lesion, plasma cells continue to predominate although loss of the alveolar bone and periodontal ligament, and disruption of the tissue architecture with fibrosis are also important characteristics. The initial, early, and established lesions are sequential stages in gingivitis and they, rather than the advanced lesion which is manifest clinically as periodontitis, make up the major portion of inflammatory gingival and periodontal disease in humans.", "PMID": 765622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1802", "title": "Cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas.", "content": "Cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma comprise the majority of the true neoplastic cysts of the pancreas. Five cystadenomas and two cystadenocarcinomas of the pancreas were found in a review of the clinical records of the University of Minnesota Hospitals and the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Hospital. The report of these cases serves to review the clinical and pathological features of these neoplasms. These rare neoplastic cysts occur predominantly in women and are not associated with a history of trauma, alcoholism, or pancreatitis. They produce symptoms by compression of neighboring organs and are slow growing, often attaining large size. With complete excision the results of surgical treatment are usually good.", "contents": "Cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma comprise the majority of the true neoplastic cysts of the pancreas. Five cystadenomas and two cystadenocarcinomas of the pancreas were found in a review of the clinical records of the University of Minnesota Hospitals and the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Hospital. The report of these cases serves to review the clinical and pathological features of these neoplasms. These rare neoplastic cysts occur predominantly in women and are not associated with a history of trauma, alcoholism, or pancreatitis. They produce symptoms by compression of neighboring organs and are slow growing, often attaining large size. With complete excision the results of surgical treatment are usually good.", "PMID": 765624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1803", "title": "Antiperistaltic bowel segment for prevention of ileoproctostomy diarrhea.", "content": "Persistent diarrhea accompanied by water, electrolyte, and nutritional depletion and skin excoriation can occur following subtotal colectomy with ileoproctostomy. Attempting to improve the course of these patients, an experimental study using dogs was undertaken to evaluate the use of antiperistaltic ileal segment in the management of ileoproctostomy diarrhea. Subtotal colectomy with ileoproctostomy was performed in dogs. One animal died from weight loss and massive diarrhea with water and electrolyte depletion. The surviving dogs had water and electrolyte imbalance and lost an average of 30.6% of their body weight. A second group of animals was treated identically except that an antiperistaltic ileal segment was placed one foot proximal to ileorectal anastomosis. These dogs maintained their weight and electrolyte and water balance. The stools of these animals became solid, as opposed to the watery diarrhea of the animals with ileoproctostomy only. Ileoproctostomy diarrhea can be successfully controlled by the use of antiperistaltic ileal segment.", "contents": "Antiperistaltic bowel segment for prevention of ileoproctostomy diarrhea. Persistent diarrhea accompanied by water, electrolyte, and nutritional depletion and skin excoriation can occur following subtotal colectomy with ileoproctostomy. Attempting to improve the course of these patients, an experimental study using dogs was undertaken to evaluate the use of antiperistaltic ileal segment in the management of ileoproctostomy diarrhea. Subtotal colectomy with ileoproctostomy was performed in dogs. One animal died from weight loss and massive diarrhea with water and electrolyte depletion. The surviving dogs had water and electrolyte imbalance and lost an average of 30.6% of their body weight. A second group of animals was treated identically except that an antiperistaltic ileal segment was placed one foot proximal to ileorectal anastomosis. These dogs maintained their weight and electrolyte and water balance. The stools of these animals became solid, as opposed to the watery diarrhea of the animals with ileoproctostomy only. Ileoproctostomy diarrhea can be successfully controlled by the use of antiperistaltic ileal segment.", "PMID": 765625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1804", "title": "The contribution of atrial contraction to right heart function before and after right ventriculotomy. Experimental and clinical observations.", "content": "Effective atrial contraction was abolished by simultaneous atrial and ventricular (A-V) pacing in an acute canine preparation. At constant cardiac output, aortic pressure, and heart rate, only a small rise (1.4 mm. Hg) in mean right atrial pressure was observed before vertical right ventriculotomy, but a larger rise (9.5 mm Hg) occurred after ventriculotomy (p less than 0.01). Right heart failure with tricuspid regurgitation was induced after ventriculotomy by volume overload and A-V pacing. Restoration of atrial contraction (sequential A-V pacing) eliminated regurgitation and lowered average mean right atrial pressure from 22 to 4 mm. Hg (p less than 0.001). After right ventriculotomy, loss of atrial contraction at a constant right atrial pressure resulted in a 42 per cent reduction in cardiac output. In 8 patients who had had right ventriculotomies, abolition of effective atrial contraction by A-V pacing caused an average reduction in cardiac output of 22 per cent, whereas cardiac output fell only 5 per cent in 5 control patients (p less than 0.01).", "contents": "The contribution of atrial contraction to right heart function before and after right ventriculotomy. Experimental and clinical observations. Effective atrial contraction was abolished by simultaneous atrial and ventricular (A-V) pacing in an acute canine preparation. At constant cardiac output, aortic pressure, and heart rate, only a small rise (1.4 mm. Hg) in mean right atrial pressure was observed before vertical right ventriculotomy, but a larger rise (9.5 mm Hg) occurred after ventriculotomy (p less than 0.01). Right heart failure with tricuspid regurgitation was induced after ventriculotomy by volume overload and A-V pacing. Restoration of atrial contraction (sequential A-V pacing) eliminated regurgitation and lowered average mean right atrial pressure from 22 to 4 mm. Hg (p less than 0.001). After right ventriculotomy, loss of atrial contraction at a constant right atrial pressure resulted in a 42 per cent reduction in cardiac output. In 8 patients who had had right ventriculotomies, abolition of effective atrial contraction by A-V pacing caused an average reduction in cardiac output of 22 per cent, whereas cardiac output fell only 5 per cent in 5 control patients (p less than 0.01).", "PMID": 765626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1805", "title": "Function of lower lung lobe autograft in experimental animals.", "content": "The changes in ventilation, gas exchange, blood gases, and acid-base balance, as well as the compensatory capacity of the autotransplanted lung lobe, were studied in 30 dogs with an uncomplicated course following autotransplantation of the lower lobe of the left lung. The studies demonstrated that in the early postoperative period some deterioration in ventilation and gas exchange is noted in the autografted lobe which results in the development of arterial hypoxemia and metabolic acidosis. A normalization of the ventilation and gas exchange is observed in the beginning of the late postoperative period (3 months after surgery). As judged by the functional test with the exclusion of the right (intact) lung from respiration, the compensatory capacity of the autografter left lower lobe remained reduced for a long time after surgery. The author noted no restoration of the Hering-Breuer reflex on the side of the autografted lung lobe, the maximum follow-up period being 7 1/2 years.", "contents": "Function of lower lung lobe autograft in experimental animals. The changes in ventilation, gas exchange, blood gases, and acid-base balance, as well as the compensatory capacity of the autotransplanted lung lobe, were studied in 30 dogs with an uncomplicated course following autotransplantation of the lower lobe of the left lung. The studies demonstrated that in the early postoperative period some deterioration in ventilation and gas exchange is noted in the autografted lobe which results in the development of arterial hypoxemia and metabolic acidosis. A normalization of the ventilation and gas exchange is observed in the beginning of the late postoperative period (3 months after surgery). As judged by the functional test with the exclusion of the right (intact) lung from respiration, the compensatory capacity of the autografter left lower lobe remained reduced for a long time after surgery. The author noted no restoration of the Hering-Breuer reflex on the side of the autografted lung lobe, the maximum follow-up period being 7 1/2 years.", "PMID": 765627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1806", "title": "Pulmonary pathology in acute respiratory insufficiency: lung biopsy as a diagnostic tool.", "content": "Forty-two patients underwent open-lung biopsy during the early phase of acute respiratory insufficiency. Correlation between the gross appearance of the lung at operation and the microscopic findings was good. Although only fair correlation was found between lung and tracheal cultures, the findings of two positive cultures in the lung only was of utmost importance. Biopsying multiple areas from the same operation showed identical pathology in 86 per cent of cases. The mortality rate of open-lung biopsy was zero; the morbidity rate was 4 per cent. The over-all survival rate of acute respiratory insufficiency (ARI) due to trauma was 39 per cent; that of pneumonia, 11 per cent. In 17 (33 percent) patients specific diagnoses and/or specific therapies were employed as a direct result of the biopsy or the thoracotomy. The incidence and prognostic implications of fibrosis and microthromboembolism are presented and discussed. Open-lung biopsy has been extremely safe and valuable in characterizing and managing ARI.", "contents": "Pulmonary pathology in acute respiratory insufficiency: lung biopsy as a diagnostic tool. Forty-two patients underwent open-lung biopsy during the early phase of acute respiratory insufficiency. Correlation between the gross appearance of the lung at operation and the microscopic findings was good. Although only fair correlation was found between lung and tracheal cultures, the findings of two positive cultures in the lung only was of utmost importance. Biopsying multiple areas from the same operation showed identical pathology in 86 per cent of cases. The mortality rate of open-lung biopsy was zero; the morbidity rate was 4 per cent. The over-all survival rate of acute respiratory insufficiency (ARI) due to trauma was 39 per cent; that of pneumonia, 11 per cent. In 17 (33 percent) patients specific diagnoses and/or specific therapies were employed as a direct result of the biopsy or the thoracotomy. The incidence and prognostic implications of fibrosis and microthromboembolism are presented and discussed. Open-lung biopsy has been extremely safe and valuable in characterizing and managing ARI.", "PMID": 765628} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1807", "title": "Double-outlet right ventricle. A collective review with a surgical viewpoint.", "content": "Double-outlet right ventricle (DORV) should be classified according to its various subsets. Van Praagh's symbolic terminology provides an appropriate mechanism for doing that. Each of these subsets is described in terms of its pathology, clinical characteristics, cardiac catheterization findings, and operative repair. The operative repair for each is different. The presence or absence of continuity between the semilunar and atrioventricular valves is unimportant from the standpoint of operation and should not be a criterion for classification.", "contents": "Double-outlet right ventricle. A collective review with a surgical viewpoint. Double-outlet right ventricle (DORV) should be classified according to its various subsets. Van Praagh's symbolic terminology provides an appropriate mechanism for doing that. Each of these subsets is described in terms of its pathology, clinical characteristics, cardiac catheterization findings, and operative repair. The operative repair for each is different. The presence or absence of continuity between the semilunar and atrioventricular valves is unimportant from the standpoint of operation and should not be a criterion for classification.", "PMID": 765629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1808", "title": "Cardiac output in infants and children after open-heart surgery.", "content": "Green dye measurements of cardiac index (in liters per minute per square meter) were compared in 32 infants and 58 children, 6 and 24 hours after normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Cardiac index was significantly lower in infants under one year of age, as compared to older infants and children. This parameter was also lower in patients with total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, truncus arteriosus, and tetralogy of Fallot. Five infants who died had 6-hour cardiac index determinations of 2.0 L./min./sq. M. Only 2 of 27 survivors had cardiac indices below this level. Simultaneously recorded heart rate and central venous pressure did not correlate with cardiac index. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in infants in whom the cardiac index was less then 2.0 L./min./sq. M. (p less than 0.01). However, in individual situations, determination of systemic blood pressure lacked specificity in predicting outcome. Measurements of cardiac index are helpful in the management of infants and children following intracardiac repair by (1) assessing the hemodynamic status, (2) providing a useful indication of the cardiocirculatory effects of therapeutic interventions, and (3) predicting outcome.", "contents": "Cardiac output in infants and children after open-heart surgery. Green dye measurements of cardiac index (in liters per minute per square meter) were compared in 32 infants and 58 children, 6 and 24 hours after normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Cardiac index was significantly lower in infants under one year of age, as compared to older infants and children. This parameter was also lower in patients with total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, truncus arteriosus, and tetralogy of Fallot. Five infants who died had 6-hour cardiac index determinations of 2.0 L./min./sq. M. Only 2 of 27 survivors had cardiac indices below this level. Simultaneously recorded heart rate and central venous pressure did not correlate with cardiac index. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in infants in whom the cardiac index was less then 2.0 L./min./sq. M. (p less than 0.01). However, in individual situations, determination of systemic blood pressure lacked specificity in predicting outcome. Measurements of cardiac index are helpful in the management of infants and children following intracardiac repair by (1) assessing the hemodynamic status, (2) providing a useful indication of the cardiocirculatory effects of therapeutic interventions, and (3) predicting outcome.", "PMID": 765630} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1809", "title": "Bone marrow lymphocytes.", "content": "Some aspects of bone marrow lymphocyte production are reviewed. Attention is drawn in particular to fundamental histogenetic differences in the production of B and T lymphocytes. B lymphocyte precursors are transitional cells.", "contents": "Bone marrow lymphocytes. Some aspects of bone marrow lymphocyte production are reviewed. Attention is drawn in particular to fundamental histogenetic differences in the production of B and T lymphocytes. B lymphocyte precursors are transitional cells.", "PMID": 765632} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1810", "title": "Soluble proteins of human bronchogenic carcinomas.", "content": "Solid-phase affinity chromatography has been used to search for tumor-associated proteins of bronchogenic carcinomas. All of the apparently normal proteins were removed from extracts of squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma of the lung. The remaining soluble proteins were partially characterized as to heat stability, approximate molecular size, electrophoretic mobility, and biologic function. These tumor-associated proteins were not tumor-specific by current definition. Neither lung cancer patients' lymphocytes nor serum proteins were specifically reactive with these tumor-associated proteins.", "contents": "Soluble proteins of human bronchogenic carcinomas. Solid-phase affinity chromatography has been used to search for tumor-associated proteins of bronchogenic carcinomas. All of the apparently normal proteins were removed from extracts of squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma of the lung. The remaining soluble proteins were partially characterized as to heat stability, approximate molecular size, electrophoretic mobility, and biologic function. These tumor-associated proteins were not tumor-specific by current definition. Neither lung cancer patients' lymphocytes nor serum proteins were specifically reactive with these tumor-associated proteins.", "PMID": 765635} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1811", "title": "Stimulation-produced analgesia.", "content": "Recent experimental and clinical reports have indicated that analgesia can be produced by stimulation techniques. The mechanism of stimulation-produced analgesia has been proposed to involve neurophysiologic and neurohumoral inhibitory effect at the level of the spinal cord, brain stem, thalamus, and cortex. Research in this area will improve the chance of understanding pain mechanisms and providing effective methods for pain control.", "contents": "Stimulation-produced analgesia. Recent experimental and clinical reports have indicated that analgesia can be produced by stimulation techniques. The mechanism of stimulation-produced analgesia has been proposed to involve neurophysiologic and neurohumoral inhibitory effect at the level of the spinal cord, brain stem, thalamus, and cortex. Research in this area will improve the chance of understanding pain mechanisms and providing effective methods for pain control.", "PMID": 765636} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1812", "title": "The spectrum of von Willebrand's disease revisited.", "content": "We have examined nine patients with presumed von Willebrand's disease who present the spectrum of that disorder. Two had findings that would be accepted generally as diagnostic of von Willebrand's disease, and seven had variations of the usual pattern. The commonest variation was the combination of borderline and variable levels of coagulant Factor VIII, commensurate levels of Factor VIII-related antigen, and low levels of ristocetin-Willebrand factor.", "contents": "The spectrum of von Willebrand's disease revisited. We have examined nine patients with presumed von Willebrand's disease who present the spectrum of that disorder. Two had findings that would be accepted generally as diagnostic of von Willebrand's disease, and seven had variations of the usual pattern. The commonest variation was the combination of borderline and variable levels of coagulant Factor VIII, commensurate levels of Factor VIII-related antigen, and low levels of ristocetin-Willebrand factor.", "PMID": 765637} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1813", "title": "The use of radioisotope methods in pharmacologic and toxicologic studies.", "content": "By the use of radioisotopes, some pharmacologic studies can be carried out with less perturbation of physiologic processes than with other methods. Some isotope methods used at the Chair of Pharmacology of the Medical Academy in L\u00f3d\u017a include determination of capillary circulation in the heart and skeletal muscle, minute output and stroke volume of the heart, renal clearance of 125J hippurate, and levels of some hormones and enzymes.", "contents": "The use of radioisotope methods in pharmacologic and toxicologic studies. By the use of radioisotopes, some pharmacologic studies can be carried out with less perturbation of physiologic processes than with other methods. Some isotope methods used at the Chair of Pharmacology of the Medical Academy in L\u00f3d\u017a include determination of capillary circulation in the heart and skeletal muscle, minute output and stroke volume of the heart, renal clearance of 125J hippurate, and levels of some hormones and enzymes.", "PMID": 765634} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1814", "title": "An experimental analysis of liver development.", "content": "Liver differentiation results from cellular interactions between the mesoderm and the endoderm. The presumptive hepatic endoderm is determined to differentiate into parenchymal cells from the 4-5 somite stage under the influence of the precardiac mesoderm. Later on, the endodermal cells proliferate and give rise to the hepatic buds from which strands of glandular cells are derived. The mesenchymal liver component stimulates both proliferation and differentiation of the endodermal cells. Its action is, however, not specific since the same effect is obtained with all the mesenchymes derived from the lateral plate mesoderm. The characteristics of the mesenchymal liver component were studied. In both quail and chick a cholinesterase activity was detected in the mesenchymal liver cells, which show an extensive development of the granular ergastoplasmic reticulum and of the Golgi apparatus. A close contact between endodermal and mesenchymal cells seems to be required for the cell interactions to occur. In monolayer cultures, glycogen synthesis ceases in the hepatocytes which after some days become fibroblastic in appearance. However, such a dedifferentiation is not irreversible. If reassociated with hepatic mesenchyme the fibroplastic cultures can recover their ability to synthesize and store glycogen.", "contents": "An experimental analysis of liver development. Liver differentiation results from cellular interactions between the mesoderm and the endoderm. The presumptive hepatic endoderm is determined to differentiate into parenchymal cells from the 4-5 somite stage under the influence of the precardiac mesoderm. Later on, the endodermal cells proliferate and give rise to the hepatic buds from which strands of glandular cells are derived. The mesenchymal liver component stimulates both proliferation and differentiation of the endodermal cells. Its action is, however, not specific since the same effect is obtained with all the mesenchymes derived from the lateral plate mesoderm. The characteristics of the mesenchymal liver component were studied. In both quail and chick a cholinesterase activity was detected in the mesenchymal liver cells, which show an extensive development of the granular ergastoplasmic reticulum and of the Golgi apparatus. A close contact between endodermal and mesenchymal cells seems to be required for the cell interactions to occur. In monolayer cultures, glycogen synthesis ceases in the hepatocytes which after some days become fibroblastic in appearance. However, such a dedifferentiation is not irreversible. If reassociated with hepatic mesenchyme the fibroplastic cultures can recover their ability to synthesize and store glycogen.", "PMID": 765644} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1815", "title": "[Problems in the surgical treatment of sliding hiatal hernia (author's transl)].", "content": "The aim of surgical treatment of hiatus hernia is well defined: restoration of the esophago-gastric closing mechanism to prevent further reflux of gastric contents and gastric juice into the esophagus. The main problem to realize this demand lies in the variety of discussed closing mechanisms. Interaction of different mechanisms influencing the \"anti-reflux barrier\" as well as hormonal and neural regulation of the lower esophagus are not yet examined sufficiently enough. Benefits and hazards of several types of operations for repair of hiatal hernia are discussed before the background of the small but slowly growing understanding of the esophago-gastric closing mechanism.", "contents": "[Problems in the surgical treatment of sliding hiatal hernia (author's transl)]. The aim of surgical treatment of hiatus hernia is well defined: restoration of the esophago-gastric closing mechanism to prevent further reflux of gastric contents and gastric juice into the esophagus. The main problem to realize this demand lies in the variety of discussed closing mechanisms. Interaction of different mechanisms influencing the \"anti-reflux barrier\" as well as hormonal and neural regulation of the lower esophagus are not yet examined sufficiently enough. Benefits and hazards of several types of operations for repair of hiatal hernia are discussed before the background of the small but slowly growing understanding of the esophago-gastric closing mechanism.", "PMID": 765656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1816", "title": "[A new organ perfusion system: Successful preservation of kidney function for 72 hrs (author's transl)].", "content": "A new preservation system is described. In this unit 17 dog kidneys were nonpulsatile perfused with hypothermic human albumin for 72 hrs and then transplanted. All kidneys started immediately to function and the PAH and inulin clearances attained normal values at least at the 7th postoperative day. The quality of the immediate function is referred to the applied perfusion pressure (20 mm Hg) and the applied temperature of the perfusion medium (7.5 degrees C). During preservation substrate utilization (oxygen, unesterified fatty acids) and the accumulation of toxic metabolic products (ammonia, uric acid) were controlled in the perfusate. Their importance concerning to the limitation of preservation time is discussed.", "contents": "[A new organ perfusion system: Successful preservation of kidney function for 72 hrs (author's transl)]. A new preservation system is described. In this unit 17 dog kidneys were nonpulsatile perfused with hypothermic human albumin for 72 hrs and then transplanted. All kidneys started immediately to function and the PAH and inulin clearances attained normal values at least at the 7th postoperative day. The quality of the immediate function is referred to the applied perfusion pressure (20 mm Hg) and the applied temperature of the perfusion medium (7.5 degrees C). During preservation substrate utilization (oxygen, unesterified fatty acids) and the accumulation of toxic metabolic products (ammonia, uric acid) were controlled in the perfusate. Their importance concerning to the limitation of preservation time is discussed.", "PMID": 765657} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1817", "title": "[Automation of cardiological studies of the population].", "content": "To conduct large-scale medical examinations of the population with a view to detecting cardiovascular affections an experimental automated complex has been set up. The program of the examination to be instituted is largely drawn up conformable to recommendation of the WHO. In the complex are envisaged collection and registration of the data on the patient, biochemical analyses of the blood and urine, compilation of the case-history, anthropometric measurements and determination of the arterial blood pressure, ECG recording, veloergometric load test measurements, along with spirometric ones and the measurement of the subcutaneous fat layer thickness. The processing of the information obtained is done at the computation under \"off-line\" conditions.", "contents": "[Automation of cardiological studies of the population]. To conduct large-scale medical examinations of the population with a view to detecting cardiovascular affections an experimental automated complex has been set up. The program of the examination to be instituted is largely drawn up conformable to recommendation of the WHO. In the complex are envisaged collection and registration of the data on the patient, biochemical analyses of the blood and urine, compilation of the case-history, anthropometric measurements and determination of the arterial blood pressure, ECG recording, veloergometric load test measurements, along with spirometric ones and the measurement of the subcutaneous fat layer thickness. The processing of the information obtained is done at the computation under \"off-line\" conditions.", "PMID": 765668} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1818", "title": "[Automatic analysis of electrocardiograph signals in the diagnosis of myocardial infarct].", "content": "At present the work of automatization of the processes of the ECG analysis for diagnosing myocardial infarction with the help of computer technique is going forward on an ever broader scale. For an automatic identification of the focal changes syndrome on the ECG, which in the clinical practice is considered to be tantanount to myocardial infarction, the use of a special diagnostic device (SDD) is proposed. The SDD are comparatively cheap and simple in operation. The process of diagnosing provides for utilization of medical experience, but, at the same time, eliminates shortcomings inherent in systems that reproduce the physicians' manipulations in establishing the diagnosis of myocardial infarction with the help of an electrocardiogram. The choice of the SDD was made by stimulating it with an all-purpose computer. The results of clinical trials of the SDD conducted at specialized clinics bear proof to great possibilities of the automatic electrocardiographic diagnostics.", "contents": "[Automatic analysis of electrocardiograph signals in the diagnosis of myocardial infarct]. At present the work of automatization of the processes of the ECG analysis for diagnosing myocardial infarction with the help of computer technique is going forward on an ever broader scale. For an automatic identification of the focal changes syndrome on the ECG, which in the clinical practice is considered to be tantanount to myocardial infarction, the use of a special diagnostic device (SDD) is proposed. The SDD are comparatively cheap and simple in operation. The process of diagnosing provides for utilization of medical experience, but, at the same time, eliminates shortcomings inherent in systems that reproduce the physicians' manipulations in establishing the diagnosis of myocardial infarction with the help of an electrocardiogram. The choice of the SDD was made by stimulating it with an all-purpose computer. The results of clinical trials of the SDD conducted at specialized clinics bear proof to great possibilities of the automatic electrocardiographic diagnostics.", "PMID": 765669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1819", "title": "Glucagon responses to hypoglycemia in adrenalectomized man.", "content": "In order to examine the possibility that epinephrine is involved in either the mediation or modulation of the enhanced glucagon release during glucopenia, glucagon responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia were evaluated in four men with bilateral adrenalectomy in comparison with ten normal men. In the adrenalectomized patients, the mean nadir of plasma glucose and the rate of ascent to baseline levels were indistinguishable from those observed in normal subjects. Similarly, glucagon responses in the adrenalectomized group were not different from those encountered in the normal volunteers. We conclude that epinephrine does not contribute significantly to the augmented glucagon release during abrupt glucopenia in normal man and is not necessary for normal recovery from hypoglycemia.", "contents": "Glucagon responses to hypoglycemia in adrenalectomized man. In order to examine the possibility that epinephrine is involved in either the mediation or modulation of the enhanced glucagon release during glucopenia, glucagon responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia were evaluated in four men with bilateral adrenalectomy in comparison with ten normal men. In the adrenalectomized patients, the mean nadir of plasma glucose and the rate of ascent to baseline levels were indistinguishable from those observed in normal subjects. Similarly, glucagon responses in the adrenalectomized group were not different from those encountered in the normal volunteers. We conclude that epinephrine does not contribute significantly to the augmented glucagon release during abrupt glucopenia in normal man and is not necessary for normal recovery from hypoglycemia.", "PMID": 765680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1820", "title": "[Technics for isolation of ATP from microorganisms].", "content": "A technique for isolation of ATP from microorganisms is suggested. The technique is based on increasing permeability of the cell membrane for substances of low molecular weight during dehydration. Treatment of the dry biomass with boiling water gives a higher yield of ATP from the cells of eukaryote and prokaryote microorganisms as compared with other techniques, and permits to register the amount of APT at the moment of experiment.", "contents": "[Technics for isolation of ATP from microorganisms]. A technique for isolation of ATP from microorganisms is suggested. The technique is based on increasing permeability of the cell membrane for substances of low molecular weight during dehydration. Treatment of the dry biomass with boiling water gives a higher yield of ATP from the cells of eukaryote and prokaryote microorganisms as compared with other techniques, and permits to register the amount of APT at the moment of experiment.", "PMID": 765686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1821", "title": "[Effect of cultivation conditions on the electrophoretic spectrum of various dehydrogenases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae].", "content": "The activity and electrophoretic spectrum of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae 14 depended on the conditions of cultivation, i. e. the sources of carbon and their concentration, the content of nitrogen, and aeration of the medium. A heterogeneous tris-buffer protein fraction was isolated after disintegration of the cells; the dehydrogenases were represented by several molecular forms whose number, electrophoretic mobility, and activity depended on the conditions of cultivation.", "contents": "[Effect of cultivation conditions on the electrophoretic spectrum of various dehydrogenases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae]. The activity and electrophoretic spectrum of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae 14 depended on the conditions of cultivation, i. e. the sources of carbon and their concentration, the content of nitrogen, and aeration of the medium. A heterogeneous tris-buffer protein fraction was isolated after disintegration of the cells; the dehydrogenases were represented by several molecular forms whose number, electrophoretic mobility, and activity depended on the conditions of cultivation.", "PMID": 765685} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1822", "title": "[Bactericidal activity of serum and chemotherapy in sensitive and resistant exciter (author's transl)].", "content": "Comparing examinations with Ampicillin sensitive and resistant bacteria-strains show that the bactericidal activity of serum is dependent on the bacteria-strains, on the Ampicillin sensitivity of the particular exciter and on the number of bacteria/ml (germ count). Bactericide effect could always be obtained with sensitive strains as a result of additional chemotherapy. With several resistant strains a bactericide effect could not be obtained in this case the continuous optimal Ampicillin addition was the decisive factor. Because of the extremely complicated process of the bactericide one should not make general conclusions from the individual experimental results.", "contents": "[Bactericidal activity of serum and chemotherapy in sensitive and resistant exciter (author's transl)]. Comparing examinations with Ampicillin sensitive and resistant bacteria-strains show that the bactericidal activity of serum is dependent on the bacteria-strains, on the Ampicillin sensitivity of the particular exciter and on the number of bacteria/ml (germ count). Bactericide effect could always be obtained with sensitive strains as a result of additional chemotherapy. With several resistant strains a bactericide effect could not be obtained in this case the continuous optimal Ampicillin addition was the decisive factor. Because of the extremely complicated process of the bactericide one should not make general conclusions from the individual experimental results.", "PMID": 765704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1823", "title": "[Indanyl Carbenicillin in the treatment of urinary tract infections due to difficult urological organisms (author's transl)].", "content": "Fifty in-patients suffering from chronic urinary tract infections with underlying urological diseases received the oral Carbenicillin preparation Indanyl Carbenicillin (short term Carindacillin) for 10 days in a dosage of 1 g q.i.d. The therapy results were objectified by blood and urine tests performed prior to and after treatment. Indanyl Carbenicillin led to a sterile urine in nearly 60% of the patients; in about 85% of the cases the primary organism was eliminated. The drug was particularly active against difficult organisms such as Proteus, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas. The results obtained in this study are somewhat surprising as the dosage used produces bactericidal levels of the active substance only in the cavity system of the efferent urinary tract but not in the tissue. No effect on blood picture or liver function was observed. Side effects occurred in 8 patients, they disappeared with continued therapy or after discontinuation of the drug. Considering the good efficacy observed in this study and because of the possibility of oral administration, Indanyl Carbenicillin appears to be suitable also for out-patient treatment of chronic urinary tract infections due to difficult urological germs.", "contents": "[Indanyl Carbenicillin in the treatment of urinary tract infections due to difficult urological organisms (author's transl)]. Fifty in-patients suffering from chronic urinary tract infections with underlying urological diseases received the oral Carbenicillin preparation Indanyl Carbenicillin (short term Carindacillin) for 10 days in a dosage of 1 g q.i.d. The therapy results were objectified by blood and urine tests performed prior to and after treatment. Indanyl Carbenicillin led to a sterile urine in nearly 60% of the patients; in about 85% of the cases the primary organism was eliminated. The drug was particularly active against difficult organisms such as Proteus, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas. The results obtained in this study are somewhat surprising as the dosage used produces bactericidal levels of the active substance only in the cavity system of the efferent urinary tract but not in the tissue. No effect on blood picture or liver function was observed. Side effects occurred in 8 patients, they disappeared with continued therapy or after discontinuation of the drug. Considering the good efficacy observed in this study and because of the possibility of oral administration, Indanyl Carbenicillin appears to be suitable also for out-patient treatment of chronic urinary tract infections due to difficult urological germs.", "PMID": 765706} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1824", "title": "Passive oral immunization with bovine immunoglobulins: enterpathogenic Escherichia coli from infants and bovine anti-E. coli lactoserum assayed in the rabbit ileal loop model.", "content": "The effect of immune bovine lactoserum (BLS) antipolyvalent enteropathogenic Escherichia coli on bacterial growth, viability and bacteria-induced fluid accumulation was examined in rabbit ileal loops. Human enteropathogenic E. coli strains 0125:K70 (B15), 0111:K58 (B4) and 055:K59 (B5) (1-3 X 10(9) per inoculum) induced secretion of 4-6 ml fluid per 10 cm loop. This effect was inhibited effectively by BLS (corresponding to 50 mg IgG 1 per loop) while the viability of bacteria counts decreased 2-25 fold compared with bovine serum albumin. E. coli 026:K60 (B6), 0126:K71 (B16) and 0127:K63 (B8) caused moderate secretion (2-3 ml/10 cm loop) that was significantly neutralized by BLS. E. coli 086:K61 (B7) and 0128:K67 (B12) did not give positive loops. The fluid secretion was shown to be dose dependent for E. coli 0125:K70 (B15) over the range from 2.5 X 10(9) to 8 X 10(7) bacteria/loop. The titration of the effect of BLS on fluid secretion caused by the same strain revealed a dose dependent decrease. The best inhibition was obtained with 100 mg BLS/loop, the highest dose tested.", "contents": "Passive oral immunization with bovine immunoglobulins: enterpathogenic Escherichia coli from infants and bovine anti-E. coli lactoserum assayed in the rabbit ileal loop model. The effect of immune bovine lactoserum (BLS) antipolyvalent enteropathogenic Escherichia coli on bacterial growth, viability and bacteria-induced fluid accumulation was examined in rabbit ileal loops. Human enteropathogenic E. coli strains 0125:K70 (B15), 0111:K58 (B4) and 055:K59 (B5) (1-3 X 10(9) per inoculum) induced secretion of 4-6 ml fluid per 10 cm loop. This effect was inhibited effectively by BLS (corresponding to 50 mg IgG 1 per loop) while the viability of bacteria counts decreased 2-25 fold compared with bovine serum albumin. E. coli 026:K60 (B6), 0126:K71 (B16) and 0127:K63 (B8) caused moderate secretion (2-3 ml/10 cm loop) that was significantly neutralized by BLS. E. coli 086:K61 (B7) and 0128:K67 (B12) did not give positive loops. The fluid secretion was shown to be dose dependent for E. coli 0125:K70 (B15) over the range from 2.5 X 10(9) to 8 X 10(7) bacteria/loop. The titration of the effect of BLS on fluid secretion caused by the same strain revealed a dose dependent decrease. The best inhibition was obtained with 100 mg BLS/loop, the highest dose tested.", "PMID": 765710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1825", "title": "[Antibody differentiation in human toxoplasmosis experiments on model cases (author's transl)].", "content": "Human sera with antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were investigated-before and after gel filtration (Sephadex G 200)-by IgM-and IgG-specific immunofluorescent reactions as well as well by complement fixation tests.-In sera from patients with \"latent\" infections IgM-antibodies could not be demonstrated neither by the IgM-IFT-nor the CFT technique, although IgG antibodies with IFT titres between 1:50 qnd 1:200 were present.-In sera from patients in the \"acute\" stage of infection both IgM and IgG antibodies were always found. In some cases the IgG fraction had complement fixing properties only, although IgM antibodies were present as demonstrable by the IFT technique. -These observations leed to the possibility of immunologic differentiation between IgM-IFT and CF-antibodies. The role of the different antibodies in the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis is discussed.", "contents": "[Antibody differentiation in human toxoplasmosis experiments on model cases (author's transl)]. Human sera with antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were investigated-before and after gel filtration (Sephadex G 200)-by IgM-and IgG-specific immunofluorescent reactions as well as well by complement fixation tests.-In sera from patients with \"latent\" infections IgM-antibodies could not be demonstrated neither by the IgM-IFT-nor the CFT technique, although IgG antibodies with IFT titres between 1:50 qnd 1:200 were present.-In sera from patients in the \"acute\" stage of infection both IgM and IgG antibodies were always found. In some cases the IgG fraction had complement fixing properties only, although IgM antibodies were present as demonstrable by the IFT technique. -These observations leed to the possibility of immunologic differentiation between IgM-IFT and CF-antibodies. The role of the different antibodies in the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis is discussed.", "PMID": 765711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1826", "title": "recA+-dependent inactivation of the lambda repressor in Escherichia coli lysogens by gamma-radiation and by tif expression.", "content": "When gamma lysogens of E. coli are induced by gamma-radiation the gamma repressor, as measured by its specific binding to gamma DNA, is rapidly inactivated by a recA+-dependent process which does not require new protein synthesis. This rapid inactivation is similar to inactivation of repressor by expression of the temperature sensitive E. coli mutation tif. In contrast, induction by UV irradiation or mitomycin C treatment requires new protein synthesis and there is a lag before the repressor is inactivated (Tomizawa and Ogawa, 1967; Shinagawa and Itoh, 1973).", "contents": "recA+-dependent inactivation of the lambda repressor in Escherichia coli lysogens by gamma-radiation and by tif expression. When gamma lysogens of E. coli are induced by gamma-radiation the gamma repressor, as measured by its specific binding to gamma DNA, is rapidly inactivated by a recA+-dependent process which does not require new protein synthesis. This rapid inactivation is similar to inactivation of repressor by expression of the temperature sensitive E. coli mutation tif. In contrast, induction by UV irradiation or mitomycin C treatment requires new protein synthesis and there is a lag before the repressor is inactivated (Tomizawa and Ogawa, 1967; Shinagawa and Itoh, 1973).", "PMID": 765722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1827", "title": "Transversion mutagenesis in bacteriophage T4.", "content": "Transversion mutations can be distinguished from transition mutations by the use of special tauII mutants of bacteriophage T4. Methyl methanesulfonate did not induce reversion of the tester mutants along transversion or transition pathways from A:T1 base pair sites, nor along transversion pathways from G:C base pair sites. Ethyl methanesulfonate and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, however, induced both transversions and transitions at an A:T base pair site; no transversions were detected at G:C-sites. Mn++ induced transversions and transitions at both A:T-and G:C-sites. The influence of temperature-sensitive gene-43 DNA polymerase mutator and antimutator mutations on the reversion of the tauII tester mutants was measured: some gene-43 mutants differentially influenced different pathways of reversion. Studies of thymineless mutagenesis demonstrated A:T-site transversion mutations. A synergistic interaction between thymineless mutagenesis and the gene-43 mutator, tsL56, was used to demonstrate thymineless mutagenesis at one site where it was not detected in the presence of the wild type polymerase.", "contents": "Transversion mutagenesis in bacteriophage T4. Transversion mutations can be distinguished from transition mutations by the use of special tauII mutants of bacteriophage T4. Methyl methanesulfonate did not induce reversion of the tester mutants along transversion or transition pathways from A:T1 base pair sites, nor along transversion pathways from G:C base pair sites. Ethyl methanesulfonate and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, however, induced both transversions and transitions at an A:T base pair site; no transversions were detected at G:C-sites. Mn++ induced transversions and transitions at both A:T-and G:C-sites. The influence of temperature-sensitive gene-43 DNA polymerase mutator and antimutator mutations on the reversion of the tauII tester mutants was measured: some gene-43 mutants differentially influenced different pathways of reversion. Studies of thymineless mutagenesis demonstrated A:T-site transversion mutations. A synergistic interaction between thymineless mutagenesis and the gene-43 mutator, tsL56, was used to demonstrate thymineless mutagenesis at one site where it was not detected in the presence of the wild type polymerase.", "PMID": 765723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1828", "title": "Zygote heterogeneity and uniparental inheritance of mitochondrial genes in yeast.", "content": "A number of different crosses between strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae differing in mitochondrial genotype are analyzed with respect to the extent to which individual zygotes transmit mitochondrial genes from one parent or the other. Many crosses produce two or more distinct classes of zygotes in this respect. Some crosses produce a high frequency of uniparental zygotes, which transmit mitochondrial genes exclusively or nearly so from one parent. Such zygotes cannot be accounted for in terms of an unequal input of mitochondrial DNA molecules from the two parents; they indicate that mitochondrial DNA from one parent is selectively replicated, or mitochondrial DNA from the other parent is selectively destroyed, in the zygote. Multiple zygote classes, and uniparental zygotes, are seen in studies of mitochondrial and chloroplast inheritance in other organisms, and may have a common explanation.", "contents": "Zygote heterogeneity and uniparental inheritance of mitochondrial genes in yeast. A number of different crosses between strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae differing in mitochondrial genotype are analyzed with respect to the extent to which individual zygotes transmit mitochondrial genes from one parent or the other. Many crosses produce two or more distinct classes of zygotes in this respect. Some crosses produce a high frequency of uniparental zygotes, which transmit mitochondrial genes exclusively or nearly so from one parent. Such zygotes cannot be accounted for in terms of an unequal input of mitochondrial DNA molecules from the two parents; they indicate that mitochondrial DNA from one parent is selectively replicated, or mitochondrial DNA from the other parent is selectively destroyed, in the zygote. Multiple zygote classes, and uniparental zygotes, are seen in studies of mitochondrial and chloroplast inheritance in other organisms, and may have a common explanation.", "PMID": 765724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1829", "title": "Three-marker extranuclear mitochondrial crosses in Aspergillus nidulans.", "content": "Two- and three-point extranuclear crosses have been carried out via heterokaryons involving the three extranuclear mitochondrial markers of Aspergillus nidulans: (oliA1), (cs67) and (camA112). All three markers appear to be located on a single functional mitochondrial genome. Recombination between all three pairs of extranuclear markers appears to be equally frequent, suggesting a lack of genetic linkage. An important feature of these results is the variable and often marked non-equality of frequency of reciprocal classes of recombinants.", "contents": "Three-marker extranuclear mitochondrial crosses in Aspergillus nidulans. Two- and three-point extranuclear crosses have been carried out via heterokaryons involving the three extranuclear mitochondrial markers of Aspergillus nidulans: (oliA1), (cs67) and (camA112). All three markers appear to be located on a single functional mitochondrial genome. Recombination between all three pairs of extranuclear markers appears to be equally frequent, suggesting a lack of genetic linkage. An important feature of these results is the variable and often marked non-equality of frequency of reciprocal classes of recombinants.", "PMID": 765725} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1830", "title": "Two new genes controlling the constitutive acid phosphatase synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Two new classes of mutants, phoF and phoG, lacking the constitutive acid phosphatase activity, were isolated. They both complemented each other and the phoC mutation. No linkage was detected among these three complementary genes.", "contents": "Two new genes controlling the constitutive acid phosphatase synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two new classes of mutants, phoF and phoG, lacking the constitutive acid phosphatase activity, were isolated. They both complemented each other and the phoC mutation. No linkage was detected among these three complementary genes.", "PMID": 765726} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1831", "title": "IS1 and IS2 mutations in the ribosomal protein genes of E. coli K-12.", "content": "The insertion mutations I15 and I16 in the ribosomal protein gene cluster at 64 min in Escherichia coli are identified as IS1 and IS2 using electron microscope heteroduplex analysis.", "contents": "IS1 and IS2 mutations in the ribosomal protein genes of E. coli K-12. The insertion mutations I15 and I16 in the ribosomal protein gene cluster at 64 min in Escherichia coli are identified as IS1 and IS2 using electron microscope heteroduplex analysis.", "PMID": 765727} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1832", "title": "The restriction of the recombination of mitochondrial DNA molecules in the zygotes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Crosses were made between strains carrying a nuclear control factor (NC) and strains classified with respect to their omega allele (omega+ or omega-). The characteristic asymmetrical transmission was always observed (as was seen) in crosses not involving the omega factor. The analysis of functional recombinants in a cross involving an NC factor has indicated that the absence of the omega effect may be caused by a restriction in the zygote of the recombination of mitochondrial DNA molecules.", "contents": "The restriction of the recombination of mitochondrial DNA molecules in the zygotes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Crosses were made between strains carrying a nuclear control factor (NC) and strains classified with respect to their omega allele (omega+ or omega-). The characteristic asymmetrical transmission was always observed (as was seen) in crosses not involving the omega factor. The analysis of functional recombinants in a cross involving an NC factor has indicated that the absence of the omega effect may be caused by a restriction in the zygote of the recombination of mitochondrial DNA molecules.", "PMID": 765728} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1833", "title": "Biogenesis of mitochondria. 43. A comparative study of petite induction and inhibition of mitochondrial DNA replication in yeast by ethidium bromide and berenil.", "content": "The action of ethidium bromide and berenil on the mitochondrial genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been compared in three types of study: (i) early kinetics (up to 4 h) of petite induction by the drugs in the presence or absence of sodium dodecyl sulphate; (ii) genetic consequences of long-term (8 cell generations) exposure to the drugs; (iii) inhibition of mitochondrial DNA replication, both in whole cells and in isolated mitochondria. The results have been interpreted as follows. Firstly, the early events in petite induction differ markedly for the two drugs, as indicated by differences in the short-term kinetics. After some stage a common pathway is apparently followed because the composition of the population of petite cells induced after long-term exposure are very similar for both ethidium bromide and berenil. Secondly, both drugs probably act at the same site to inhibit mitochondrial DNA replication, in view of the fact that a petite strain known to be resistant to ethidium bromide inhibition of mitochondrial DNA replication was found to have simultaneously acquired resistance to berenil. From consideration of the drug concentrations needed to inhibit mitochondrial DNA replication in vivo and in vitro it is suggested that in vivo permeability barriers impede the access of ethidium bromide to the site of inhibition of mitochondrial DNA replication, whilst access of berenil to this site is facilitated. The site at which the drugs act to inhibit mitochondrial DNA replication may be different from the site(s) involved in early petite induction. Binding of the drugs at the latter site(s) is considered to initiate a series of events leading to the fragmentation of yeast mitochondrial DNA and petite induction.", "contents": "Biogenesis of mitochondria. 43. A comparative study of petite induction and inhibition of mitochondrial DNA replication in yeast by ethidium bromide and berenil. The action of ethidium bromide and berenil on the mitochondrial genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been compared in three types of study: (i) early kinetics (up to 4 h) of petite induction by the drugs in the presence or absence of sodium dodecyl sulphate; (ii) genetic consequences of long-term (8 cell generations) exposure to the drugs; (iii) inhibition of mitochondrial DNA replication, both in whole cells and in isolated mitochondria. The results have been interpreted as follows. Firstly, the early events in petite induction differ markedly for the two drugs, as indicated by differences in the short-term kinetics. After some stage a common pathway is apparently followed because the composition of the population of petite cells induced after long-term exposure are very similar for both ethidium bromide and berenil. Secondly, both drugs probably act at the same site to inhibit mitochondrial DNA replication, in view of the fact that a petite strain known to be resistant to ethidium bromide inhibition of mitochondrial DNA replication was found to have simultaneously acquired resistance to berenil. From consideration of the drug concentrations needed to inhibit mitochondrial DNA replication in vivo and in vitro it is suggested that in vivo permeability barriers impede the access of ethidium bromide to the site of inhibition of mitochondrial DNA replication, whilst access of berenil to this site is facilitated. The site at which the drugs act to inhibit mitochondrial DNA replication may be different from the site(s) involved in early petite induction. Binding of the drugs at the latter site(s) is considered to initiate a series of events leading to the fragmentation of yeast mitochondrial DNA and petite induction.", "PMID": 765729} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1834", "title": "Alteration of ribosomal proteins in revertants of a valyl-tRNA synthetase mutant of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The work described in this paper was done to see whether the partial suppression of temperature-sensitive aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutations by ribosomal mutations is restricted to the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutation which was used for the selection of the suppressor strains or whether the ribosomal mutations can also suppress mutations of other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. It is shown that a mutation in ribosomal protein S5 which was selected for suppression of an alanyl-tRNA synthetase mutation (alaS-3) can also partially compensate the temperature-sensitivity of two valyl-tRNA synthetase mutants and of another alanyl-tRNA synthetase mutant. Furthermore, revertants of a temperature-sensitive valyl-tRNA synthetase mutant were isolated and screened for alterations in ribosomal proteins by electrophoretic and immunochemical methods. Alterations in at least two proteins, S8 and S20, were clearly observed among the mutants. The alteration in protein S8 renders the growth of this strain severely cold-sensitive. Presence of the mutation in protein S8 is strictly correlated with suppression of temperature-sensitivity. The S8 mutation maps between strA and spc on the Escherichia coli chromosome. Five suppressor strains have quantitatively or qualitatively altered ribosomal proteins S20. In one strain no S20 protein could be detected at all, employing different electrophoretic and immunological methods. All five suppressor mutations map in the thr-leu region of the E. coli chromosome, i.e. in an area where the alteration of protein S20 in two alaS suppressor strains has been localized previously.", "contents": "Alteration of ribosomal proteins in revertants of a valyl-tRNA synthetase mutant of Escherichia coli. The work described in this paper was done to see whether the partial suppression of temperature-sensitive aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutations by ribosomal mutations is restricted to the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutation which was used for the selection of the suppressor strains or whether the ribosomal mutations can also suppress mutations of other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. It is shown that a mutation in ribosomal protein S5 which was selected for suppression of an alanyl-tRNA synthetase mutation (alaS-3) can also partially compensate the temperature-sensitivity of two valyl-tRNA synthetase mutants and of another alanyl-tRNA synthetase mutant. Furthermore, revertants of a temperature-sensitive valyl-tRNA synthetase mutant were isolated and screened for alterations in ribosomal proteins by electrophoretic and immunochemical methods. Alterations in at least two proteins, S8 and S20, were clearly observed among the mutants. The alteration in protein S8 renders the growth of this strain severely cold-sensitive. Presence of the mutation in protein S8 is strictly correlated with suppression of temperature-sensitivity. The S8 mutation maps between strA and spc on the Escherichia coli chromosome. Five suppressor strains have quantitatively or qualitatively altered ribosomal proteins S20. In one strain no S20 protein could be detected at all, employing different electrophoretic and immunological methods. All five suppressor mutations map in the thr-leu region of the E. coli chromosome, i.e. in an area where the alteration of protein S20 in two alaS suppressor strains has been localized previously.", "PMID": 765730} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1835", "title": "Analysis of ribosomal proteins in streptomycin resistant and dependent mutants isolated from streptomycin independent Escherichia coli strains.", "content": "Mutants resistant to (Str-R) or dependent on streptomycin (Str-D) were isolated from several streptomycin independent (Str-I) strains of Escherichia coli. From 90 of these mutants ribosomes were isolated and the ribosomal proteins analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results which are summarized in Tables 1-4 led to the following conclusions: a) The phenotype (Str-R) or Str-D) of the mutants isolated from the Str-I strains strongly depends on the parental strain. b) No other ribosomal proteins than S4, S5 and S12 seem to be altered by mutations leading to dependence on, independence from or resistance to streptomycin. c) The S4 proteins of the analyzed mutants belong to three groups. The ratio between the groups depends more on the origin of the mutants than on their phenotype. d)Eight new types of altered S4 proteins were detected. It is very likely that many, if not all, of the altered S4 proteins originated by frame shift mutations. e) Some of the mutants differ from the wild type by alterations in three ribosomal proteins (S4, S5 and S12). The alteration in one protein, S4, apparently compensates for that in another protein, S5, in such a way that the original phenotype is expressed. These mutants are therefore an excellent tool for studies at the molecular level on the interaction of ribosomal components within the particle.", "contents": "Analysis of ribosomal proteins in streptomycin resistant and dependent mutants isolated from streptomycin independent Escherichia coli strains. Mutants resistant to (Str-R) or dependent on streptomycin (Str-D) were isolated from several streptomycin independent (Str-I) strains of Escherichia coli. From 90 of these mutants ribosomes were isolated and the ribosomal proteins analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results which are summarized in Tables 1-4 led to the following conclusions: a) The phenotype (Str-R) or Str-D) of the mutants isolated from the Str-I strains strongly depends on the parental strain. b) No other ribosomal proteins than S4, S5 and S12 seem to be altered by mutations leading to dependence on, independence from or resistance to streptomycin. c) The S4 proteins of the analyzed mutants belong to three groups. The ratio between the groups depends more on the origin of the mutants than on their phenotype. d)Eight new types of altered S4 proteins were detected. It is very likely that many, if not all, of the altered S4 proteins originated by frame shift mutations. e) Some of the mutants differ from the wild type by alterations in three ribosomal proteins (S4, S5 and S12). The alteration in one protein, S4, apparently compensates for that in another protein, S5, in such a way that the original phenotype is expressed. These mutants are therefore an excellent tool for studies at the molecular level on the interaction of ribosomal components within the particle.", "PMID": 765731} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1836", "title": "Isolation and properties of a conditionally lethal bacteriophage lambda mutated in the chi region.", "content": "A thermosensitive lambda phage mutant was isolated which can grow at high temperature only in the presence of the lambda chi gene product supplied in trans. This mutation tn was mapped within the chi region, and lambda tn phage expressed the pRoR-OP operon only poorly at high temperature. Effects of the tn mutation on expression of other operons were also examined and compared with those observed with cro27 or some tof mutations.", "contents": "Isolation and properties of a conditionally lethal bacteriophage lambda mutated in the chi region. A thermosensitive lambda phage mutant was isolated which can grow at high temperature only in the presence of the lambda chi gene product supplied in trans. This mutation tn was mapped within the chi region, and lambda tn phage expressed the pRoR-OP operon only poorly at high temperature. Effects of the tn mutation on expression of other operons were also examined and compared with those observed with cro27 or some tof mutations.", "PMID": 765732} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1837", "title": "Regulation of the ilv 1 multifunctional gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The ilv 1 gene in S. cerevisiae codes for a regulatory protein involved in depression of the ilv 2 and ilv 3 genes as well as a biosynthetic enzyme, threonine deaminase. 2. The ilv 1 gene does not autogenously regulate its catalytic product threonine deaninase. 3. Regulation of the ilv 2 and ilv 3 gene products involve different aporepressors than regulation of the ilv 1 gene product. 4. The ilv I multifunctional gene in S. cerevisiae may be a duplication and fusion of a bacterial like ilv 1 gene where ilv 1 catalytic and regulatory function have been differentially conserved.", "contents": "Regulation of the ilv 1 multifunctional gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The ilv 1 gene in S. cerevisiae codes for a regulatory protein involved in depression of the ilv 2 and ilv 3 genes as well as a biosynthetic enzyme, threonine deaminase. 2. The ilv 1 gene does not autogenously regulate its catalytic product threonine deaninase. 3. Regulation of the ilv 2 and ilv 3 gene products involve different aporepressors than regulation of the ilv 1 gene product. 4. The ilv I multifunctional gene in S. cerevisiae may be a duplication and fusion of a bacterial like ilv 1 gene where ilv 1 catalytic and regulatory function have been differentially conserved.", "PMID": 765733} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1838", "title": "Cytogenetic demonstration of mitotic chromosomes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "A cytogenetic study of the nuclear material of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as it appears during mitosis was undertaken using a technique which combines light and electron microscopic examination of spheroplasts. Condensation of chromatin into separate chromosomes is observed. The most frequent chromosome number counted is 18.", "contents": "Cytogenetic demonstration of mitotic chromosomes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A cytogenetic study of the nuclear material of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as it appears during mitosis was undertaken using a technique which combines light and electron microscopic examination of spheroplasts. Condensation of chromatin into separate chromosomes is observed. The most frequent chromosome number counted is 18.", "PMID": 765734} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1839", "title": "Cooperative control of translation fidelity by ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli. I. Properties of ribosomal mutants whose resistance to neamine is the cumulative effect of two distinct mutations.", "content": "Two spontaneous mutants of Escherichia coli strain KMBL-146 selected for resistance to the aminoglycoside antibiotic neamine show severe restriction of amber suppressors in vivo. Purified ribosomes from the mutant strains exhibit low neamine-induced misreading in vitro and a decreased affinity for the related antibiotic streptomycin. Biochemical analysis shows that the mutants each have two modified 30S ribosmal proteins, S12 and S5. In agreement with these results, genetic analysis shows that two mutations are present, neither of which confers resistance to neamine by itself; the mutation located in gene rpxL (the structural gene for protein S12) confers streptomycin dependence but this dependence is suppressed in the presence of the second mutation, located in gene rpxE (the structural gene for protein S5).", "contents": "Cooperative control of translation fidelity by ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli. I. Properties of ribosomal mutants whose resistance to neamine is the cumulative effect of two distinct mutations. Two spontaneous mutants of Escherichia coli strain KMBL-146 selected for resistance to the aminoglycoside antibiotic neamine show severe restriction of amber suppressors in vivo. Purified ribosomes from the mutant strains exhibit low neamine-induced misreading in vitro and a decreased affinity for the related antibiotic streptomycin. Biochemical analysis shows that the mutants each have two modified 30S ribosmal proteins, S12 and S5. In agreement with these results, genetic analysis shows that two mutations are present, neither of which confers resistance to neamine by itself; the mutation located in gene rpxL (the structural gene for protein S12) confers streptomycin dependence but this dependence is suppressed in the presence of the second mutation, located in gene rpxE (the structural gene for protein S5).", "PMID": 765735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1840", "title": "Cooperative control of translational fidelity by ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli. II. Localization of amino acid replacements in proteins S5 and S12 altered in double mutants resistant to neamine.", "content": "Protein S5 and S12 were isolated from 30S ribosomal subunits of two E. coli mutants highly resistant to the antibiotic neamine, and of the parental strain. Proteinchemical analyses on these proteins led to the following results: a) In protein S5 the arginine residue in peptide T2 of the parental strain is replaced by glycine in one (nea 314) or serine in the other (nea 319) of the two mutants. b) In protein S12 The proline residue in peptide T15 of the parental strain is replaced by leucine in mutant nea 314 and by glutamine in mutant nea 319. Comparison of these results with those obtained in earlier studies on other mutants with altered ribosomal proteins revealed that the amino acid replacements in neamine resistant mutants and in \"revertants\" from streptomycin dependence occur at the same amino acid positions of proteins S5 and S12. Therefore it is likely that both types of mutants belong to the same class.", "contents": "Cooperative control of translational fidelity by ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli. II. Localization of amino acid replacements in proteins S5 and S12 altered in double mutants resistant to neamine. Protein S5 and S12 were isolated from 30S ribosomal subunits of two E. coli mutants highly resistant to the antibiotic neamine, and of the parental strain. Proteinchemical analyses on these proteins led to the following results: a) In protein S5 the arginine residue in peptide T2 of the parental strain is replaced by glycine in one (nea 314) or serine in the other (nea 319) of the two mutants. b) In protein S12 The proline residue in peptide T15 of the parental strain is replaced by leucine in mutant nea 314 and by glutamine in mutant nea 319. Comparison of these results with those obtained in earlier studies on other mutants with altered ribosomal proteins revealed that the amino acid replacements in neamine resistant mutants and in \"revertants\" from streptomycin dependence occur at the same amino acid positions of proteins S5 and S12. Therefore it is likely that both types of mutants belong to the same class.", "PMID": 765736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1841", "title": "Biosynthesis of RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli. II. control of RNA polymerase synthesis during nutritional shift up and down.", "content": "As an effort to elucidate the control of quality and quantity of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli, the rate of synthesis of the individual subunits was determined during shift-up and -down of nutrients. When the strain B/r grown in a succinate medium was imposed to a shift-up by adding a mixture of glucose and amino acids, rapid rise was observed of the differential rates of the synthesis of alpha, beta and beta' subunits, the constituents of core enzyme, leading to the increase of core polymerase concentration. The differential rates decreased thereafter to the level characteristic of the post-shift rate of cell growth. Compared to the strain B/r, the adaptation was slow in the strain K12 W3350. On the other hand, upon transfer of the strain B/r from a glucose-amino acids medium to a glucose medium lacking amino acids, the differential rate of core polymerase synthesis decreased rapidly and then regained the rate characteristic of the new growth rate. Similar control was also observed on the rate of ribosomal protein synthesis suggesting the coordinate expression of genes for the core polymerase subunits and ribosomal proteins. Thus, the intracellular concentration of RNA polymerase as well as of ribosomes might be one of the most important factors that affect the rate of bacterial growth. The rate of alpha subunit synthesis, however, exhibited little change during the shift-up but a considerable decrease was observed during the shift-down.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli. II. control of RNA polymerase synthesis during nutritional shift up and down. As an effort to elucidate the control of quality and quantity of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli, the rate of synthesis of the individual subunits was determined during shift-up and -down of nutrients. When the strain B/r grown in a succinate medium was imposed to a shift-up by adding a mixture of glucose and amino acids, rapid rise was observed of the differential rates of the synthesis of alpha, beta and beta' subunits, the constituents of core enzyme, leading to the increase of core polymerase concentration. The differential rates decreased thereafter to the level characteristic of the post-shift rate of cell growth. Compared to the strain B/r, the adaptation was slow in the strain K12 W3350. On the other hand, upon transfer of the strain B/r from a glucose-amino acids medium to a glucose medium lacking amino acids, the differential rate of core polymerase synthesis decreased rapidly and then regained the rate characteristic of the new growth rate. Similar control was also observed on the rate of ribosomal protein synthesis suggesting the coordinate expression of genes for the core polymerase subunits and ribosomal proteins. Thus, the intracellular concentration of RNA polymerase as well as of ribosomes might be one of the most important factors that affect the rate of bacterial growth. The rate of alpha subunit synthesis, however, exhibited little change during the shift-up but a considerable decrease was observed during the shift-down.", "PMID": 765737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1842", "title": "Control of gene expression in bacteriophage lambda: suppression of N mutants by mutations of the antirepressor.", "content": "The lysogenization and induction properties of phages lambdasusN7CI857Ai7 and lambdasusN53cro27 are described. Both phages, at 32 degrees kill little, but show only a moderate frequency of lysogenization whether an amber suppressor is present or absent in the host bacterium. In the latter case, lysogens for lambdasusN7CI857Ai7 or lambdasusN53CI857cro27 can exist in two different regulatory states, here called P r- and Pr+. The Pr+ phase is characterized by phage release and cell death at 40 degrees; conversely, cells in the Pr- phase are similarly killed but release no or very little phage. Pr- is the phase usually obtained at lysogenization. Each phase may be transmitted at 32 degrees for an unlimited number of generations, however, shifts to the opposite phase take place from time to time with a low probability. Two previously described antirepressor defective mutants. Ai7 and cro27, were found to suppress specifically the growth defect caused by an amber mutation in gene N. This suppression is observed in non-suppressing hosts at 40 or 42 degrees. Apparent revertants of N- mutants were shown to be often (80%) caused by a second mutation, in the Ai gene (also called tof, cro and fed). All the revertants so far examined appeared to be recessive. Lambda phages bearing a double amber mutation in gene N did not acquire full N independence by the acquisiton of an Ai mutation; this could be achieved, however, in the presence of a CII mutation. The above findings are discussed in terms of a direct interaction between the N, Ai and CII products.", "contents": "Control of gene expression in bacteriophage lambda: suppression of N mutants by mutations of the antirepressor. The lysogenization and induction properties of phages lambdasusN7CI857Ai7 and lambdasusN53cro27 are described. Both phages, at 32 degrees kill little, but show only a moderate frequency of lysogenization whether an amber suppressor is present or absent in the host bacterium. In the latter case, lysogens for lambdasusN7CI857Ai7 or lambdasusN53CI857cro27 can exist in two different regulatory states, here called P r- and Pr+. The Pr+ phase is characterized by phage release and cell death at 40 degrees; conversely, cells in the Pr- phase are similarly killed but release no or very little phage. Pr- is the phase usually obtained at lysogenization. Each phase may be transmitted at 32 degrees for an unlimited number of generations, however, shifts to the opposite phase take place from time to time with a low probability. Two previously described antirepressor defective mutants. Ai7 and cro27, were found to suppress specifically the growth defect caused by an amber mutation in gene N. This suppression is observed in non-suppressing hosts at 40 or 42 degrees. Apparent revertants of N- mutants were shown to be often (80%) caused by a second mutation, in the Ai gene (also called tof, cro and fed). All the revertants so far examined appeared to be recessive. Lambda phages bearing a double amber mutation in gene N did not acquire full N independence by the acquisiton of an Ai mutation; this could be achieved, however, in the presence of a CII mutation. The above findings are discussed in terms of a direct interaction between the N, Ai and CII products.", "PMID": 765738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1843", "title": "Persistence and decay of thermoinducible error-prone repair activity in nonfilamentous derivatives of tif-1, Escherichia coli B/r: the timing of some critical events in ultraviolet mutagenesis.", "content": "Ultraviolet (UV) mutagenesis in E. coli is associated with a UV-inducible type of error-prone postreplication repair (\"SOS\" repair) which, in tif-1 strains, is thermo-inducible in coordination with other recA+ lexA+-dependent inducible functions, including filamentous growth. Mutants of E. coli B/r tif-1 strains have been isolated which retain thermoinducibility of SOS repair activity, but lack the thermosensitivity caused by filamentous growth at 42 degrees C. These strains have been used to determine: the kinetics of decay at 30 degrees C of thermally induced ability to enhance UV mutagenesis; the kinetics of thermal enhancement of spontaneous and UV-induced mutability at 42 degrees C, and the kinetics of decay at 30 degrees C of susceptibility to thermal enhancement of spontaneous and UV-induced mutability. Mutations from tryptophane requirement to prototrophy (Trp- to Trp+) were scored. UV doses were 0.2 J/M2 for excision repair-deficient (Uvr-) and 2J/m2 for Uvr+ strains. The results support the following conclusions. 1) thermally induced SOS repair activity decays at 30 degrees C to about 25% of its maximum level in 45 min, and is no longer detectable after 90 min. 2) Thermal enhancement of UV mutability occurs at sites produced primarily (perhaps exclusively) before completion of the first post-irradiation cell division. 3) UV-induced sites susceptible to thermally induced SOS repair are stable at 30 degrees C in cells not containing the error-prone repair system, and are refractory to constitutive error-free repair for at least 2-3 hours. 4) UV produces a potentially mutagenic type of photoproduct in DNA which can, without interacting with another UV lesion, provide a site susceptible to SOS repair, but which is not a sufficient signal for SOS induction. 5) 50-70% of the SOS-mutable SOS-noninducing UV photoproducts are photoreversible pyrimidine dimers. The results are discussed in relation to current models of UV mutagenesis and induction of UV-inducible functions.", "contents": "Persistence and decay of thermoinducible error-prone repair activity in nonfilamentous derivatives of tif-1, Escherichia coli B/r: the timing of some critical events in ultraviolet mutagenesis. Ultraviolet (UV) mutagenesis in E. coli is associated with a UV-inducible type of error-prone postreplication repair (\"SOS\" repair) which, in tif-1 strains, is thermo-inducible in coordination with other recA+ lexA+-dependent inducible functions, including filamentous growth. Mutants of E. coli B/r tif-1 strains have been isolated which retain thermoinducibility of SOS repair activity, but lack the thermosensitivity caused by filamentous growth at 42 degrees C. These strains have been used to determine: the kinetics of decay at 30 degrees C of thermally induced ability to enhance UV mutagenesis; the kinetics of thermal enhancement of spontaneous and UV-induced mutability at 42 degrees C, and the kinetics of decay at 30 degrees C of susceptibility to thermal enhancement of spontaneous and UV-induced mutability. Mutations from tryptophane requirement to prototrophy (Trp- to Trp+) were scored. UV doses were 0.2 J/M2 for excision repair-deficient (Uvr-) and 2J/m2 for Uvr+ strains. The results support the following conclusions. 1) thermally induced SOS repair activity decays at 30 degrees C to about 25% of its maximum level in 45 min, and is no longer detectable after 90 min. 2) Thermal enhancement of UV mutability occurs at sites produced primarily (perhaps exclusively) before completion of the first post-irradiation cell division. 3) UV-induced sites susceptible to thermally induced SOS repair are stable at 30 degrees C in cells not containing the error-prone repair system, and are refractory to constitutive error-free repair for at least 2-3 hours. 4) UV produces a potentially mutagenic type of photoproduct in DNA which can, without interacting with another UV lesion, provide a site susceptible to SOS repair, but which is not a sufficient signal for SOS induction. 5) 50-70% of the SOS-mutable SOS-noninducing UV photoproducts are photoreversible pyrimidine dimers. The results are discussed in relation to current models of UV mutagenesis and induction of UV-inducible functions.", "PMID": 765739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1844", "title": "Strains of Escherichia coli diploid for the chromosomal origin of DNA replication.", "content": "F' strains of E. coli have been isolated which are merodiploid for various chromosomal segments between 66 and 78 minutes. Strains diploid for the chromosomal DNA between the genes bgl and mtl grow slowly, have a reduced DNA/mass and an increased cell size. These properties could result if the chromosomal replication origin and a second, extrachromosomal, copy of the origin (located in this case on the F') were to compete for a substance required to initiate replication. We therefore suggest that these strains are diploid for the chromosomal origin of replication and that, therefore, the origin is located between bgl and mtl, that is between 71 and 73 minutes on the E. coli chromosome.", "contents": "Strains of Escherichia coli diploid for the chromosomal origin of DNA replication. F' strains of E. coli have been isolated which are merodiploid for various chromosomal segments between 66 and 78 minutes. Strains diploid for the chromosomal DNA between the genes bgl and mtl grow slowly, have a reduced DNA/mass and an increased cell size. These properties could result if the chromosomal replication origin and a second, extrachromosomal, copy of the origin (located in this case on the F') were to compete for a substance required to initiate replication. We therefore suggest that these strains are diploid for the chromosomal origin of replication and that, therefore, the origin is located between bgl and mtl, that is between 71 and 73 minutes on the E. coli chromosome.", "PMID": 765740} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1845", "title": "The role of Chi mutations in the Spi- phenotype of phage lambda: lack of evidence for a gene delta.", "content": "Lambda red- gam- makes a small plaque on P2 lysogens (the partial Spi- phenotype). It has been proposed that inactivation of an additional gene delta, mapping in the recombination region, makes the plaque bigger (the full Spi- phenotype) (Zissler et al., 1917b). The present paper demonstrates that the Chi mutation in lambda (Stahl et al., 1975) confers upon red- gam- phage the full Spi- phenotype and that the deletion of the region of the chromosome attributed to delta does not. It appears unnecessary to invoke a gene delta in the Spi- phenotype.", "contents": "The role of Chi mutations in the Spi- phenotype of phage lambda: lack of evidence for a gene delta. Lambda red- gam- makes a small plaque on P2 lysogens (the partial Spi- phenotype). It has been proposed that inactivation of an additional gene delta, mapping in the recombination region, makes the plaque bigger (the full Spi- phenotype) (Zissler et al., 1917b). The present paper demonstrates that the Chi mutation in lambda (Stahl et al., 1975) confers upon red- gam- phage the full Spi- phenotype and that the deletion of the region of the chromosome attributed to delta does not. It appears unnecessary to invoke a gene delta in the Spi- phenotype.", "PMID": 765741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1846", "title": "Selection of spontaneous mutants by inositol starvation in yeast.", "content": "A new method for the routine isolation of mutations of spontaneous origin in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is reported. The technique is based on the observation that inositol auxotrophs die when deprived of inositol. However, if macromolecular synthesis is inhibited, most of the cells survive. Appropriate manipulation of inositol requiring mutants can therefore result in the selective survival of cells possessing mutations which affect macromolecular synthesis. Since reversion to inositol prototrophy can be a major source of interference in efficient selection, a haploid double mutant strain has been constructed which reverts to inositol prototrophy with a frequency estimated to be several orders of magnitude lower than the expected frequency of single, spontaneous mutational events. Using this strain, enrichment in excess of 10,000 fold has been obtained for various classes of auxotrophic mutants. Spontaneous temperature sensitive mutants have also been obtained.", "contents": "Selection of spontaneous mutants by inositol starvation in yeast. A new method for the routine isolation of mutations of spontaneous origin in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is reported. The technique is based on the observation that inositol auxotrophs die when deprived of inositol. However, if macromolecular synthesis is inhibited, most of the cells survive. Appropriate manipulation of inositol requiring mutants can therefore result in the selective survival of cells possessing mutations which affect macromolecular synthesis. Since reversion to inositol prototrophy can be a major source of interference in efficient selection, a haploid double mutant strain has been constructed which reverts to inositol prototrophy with a frequency estimated to be several orders of magnitude lower than the expected frequency of single, spontaneous mutational events. Using this strain, enrichment in excess of 10,000 fold has been obtained for various classes of auxotrophic mutants. Spontaneous temperature sensitive mutants have also been obtained.", "PMID": 765742} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1847", "title": "The organization of genes in yeast mitochondrial DNA II. The physical map of EcoRI and HindII + III fragments.", "content": "1. We have isolated large fragments of the mtDNA of the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis and digested these with restriction endonucleases. The digestion products were separated by electrophoresis in agarose gels. 2. Endonucleases EcoRI, HindII + III, HpaI, HindIII and HapII yield 9, 11, 6, 0 and greater than 80 fragments, respectively. 3. By analysis of partial digestion products and by redigesting the fragments obtained with one endonuclease with a second, we have established the order of all EcoRI and HindII + III fragments. The map is circular and its contour length is 22.1 +/- 0.35 mum, in good agreement with earlier estimates of the size of yeast mtDNA, using electron microscopy and renaturation kinetics. 4. A comparison of the fragmentation pattern of mtDNAs from S. carlsbergensis and various strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with endonuclease HindII + III suggests that the overall gene order is similar.", "contents": "The organization of genes in yeast mitochondrial DNA II. The physical map of EcoRI and HindII + III fragments. 1. We have isolated large fragments of the mtDNA of the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis and digested these with restriction endonucleases. The digestion products were separated by electrophoresis in agarose gels. 2. Endonucleases EcoRI, HindII + III, HpaI, HindIII and HapII yield 9, 11, 6, 0 and greater than 80 fragments, respectively. 3. By analysis of partial digestion products and by redigesting the fragments obtained with one endonuclease with a second, we have established the order of all EcoRI and HindII + III fragments. The map is circular and its contour length is 22.1 +/- 0.35 mum, in good agreement with earlier estimates of the size of yeast mtDNA, using electron microscopy and renaturation kinetics. 4. A comparison of the fragmentation pattern of mtDNAs from S. carlsbergensis and various strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with endonuclease HindII + III suggests that the overall gene order is similar.", "PMID": 765743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1848", "title": "Genes coding for the structure of the acid phosphatases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The phoE locus, one of the loci in which mutations lack the activity for repressible acid phosphatase, was found to be the structural gene for the enzyme by examining the enzymic characteristics of repressible acid phosphatase activity using cell extracts prepared from the leaky phoE mutants, the PHOE revertants and the PHOE recombinants between the different phoE mutants. Other evidence which strongly suggests that the phoC locus is coding for the constitutive acid phosphatase was obtained by a similar investigation. Although the phoC and phoE loci are tightly linked, they were separable by meiotic recombination.", "contents": "Genes coding for the structure of the acid phosphatases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The phoE locus, one of the loci in which mutations lack the activity for repressible acid phosphatase, was found to be the structural gene for the enzyme by examining the enzymic characteristics of repressible acid phosphatase activity using cell extracts prepared from the leaky phoE mutants, the PHOE revertants and the PHOE recombinants between the different phoE mutants. Other evidence which strongly suggests that the phoC locus is coding for the constitutive acid phosphatase was obtained by a similar investigation. Although the phoC and phoE loci are tightly linked, they were separable by meiotic recombination.", "PMID": 765744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1849", "title": "A mutant of Escherichia coli auxotrophic for organic phosphates: evidence for two defects in inorganic phosphate transport.", "content": "An inorganic phosphate transport mutant has been isolated as a sn-glycerol-3-phosphate auxotroph and characterized genetically. Two lesions are responsible for the transport defect. One lesion, pst, is located at minute 74 of the E. coli genetic map while the other lesion, pit, is located at minute 68. All \"K10\" strains that were examined carry the pit lesion. Evidence is presented that the glycerol phosphate and hexose phosphate transport systems are not important inorganic phophate transport systems. The mapping data indicate that the genetic distance between malA and xyl is greater than that now allowed.", "contents": "A mutant of Escherichia coli auxotrophic for organic phosphates: evidence for two defects in inorganic phosphate transport. An inorganic phosphate transport mutant has been isolated as a sn-glycerol-3-phosphate auxotroph and characterized genetically. Two lesions are responsible for the transport defect. One lesion, pst, is located at minute 74 of the E. coli genetic map while the other lesion, pit, is located at minute 68. All \"K10\" strains that were examined carry the pit lesion. Evidence is presented that the glycerol phosphate and hexose phosphate transport systems are not important inorganic phophate transport systems. The mapping data indicate that the genetic distance between malA and xyl is greater than that now allowed.", "PMID": 765745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1850", "title": "Induction of RNA polymerase synthesis in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Studies on the rate of synthesis of the beta and beta' subunits of RNA polymerase in haploid strains of Escherichia coli K12 containing poorly-suppressed rif degrees am mutations provide conclusive evidence that synthesis of at least these two subunits is regulated.", "contents": "Induction of RNA polymerase synthesis in Escherichia coli. Studies on the rate of synthesis of the beta and beta' subunits of RNA polymerase in haploid strains of Escherichia coli K12 containing poorly-suppressed rif degrees am mutations provide conclusive evidence that synthesis of at least these two subunits is regulated.", "PMID": 765746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1851", "title": "Location on the chromosome of Escherichia coli of genes governing purine metabolism. Adenosine deaminase (add), guanosine kinase (gsk) and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (hpt).", "content": "Genes coding for enzymes functioning in purine salvage pathways have been located on the chromosome of Escherichia coli. The gene add encoding adenosine deaminase was located by transduction at 31 min, the gene order was established to be man-uidA-add-aroD. A deletion covering man-uidA-add was obtained. The gene gsk encoding guanosine kinase was cotransducible with purE and shown to be located at 13 min. The gene hpt encoding hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase was cotransducible with tonA indicating a location at 3 min. The location of the gene gpt encoding guanine (xanthine) phosphoribosyltransferase in the proA-proB region was confirmed.", "contents": "Location on the chromosome of Escherichia coli of genes governing purine metabolism. Adenosine deaminase (add), guanosine kinase (gsk) and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (hpt). Genes coding for enzymes functioning in purine salvage pathways have been located on the chromosome of Escherichia coli. The gene add encoding adenosine deaminase was located by transduction at 31 min, the gene order was established to be man-uidA-add-aroD. A deletion covering man-uidA-add was obtained. The gene gsk encoding guanosine kinase was cotransducible with purE and shown to be located at 13 min. The gene hpt encoding hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase was cotransducible with tonA indicating a location at 3 min. The location of the gene gpt encoding guanine (xanthine) phosphoribosyltransferase in the proA-proB region was confirmed.", "PMID": 765747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1852", "title": "Transmission and recombination of extranuclear genes during sexual crosses in Aspergillus nidulans.", "content": "Three extranuclear mitochondrial mutations in Aspergillus nidulans, (oliA1), (camA1) and (cs67), were used as markers in sexual crosses to provide information on the frequencies of transmission and recombination of the mitochondrial genome. Any individual perithecium contained ascospores of only one extranuclear genotype. Using mono-, bi- and trifactorial crosses it was found that all three markers could be recovered from the progeny, although the transmission frequencies were different for each marker. This bias was present irrespective of the nuclear background or the presence of selective agents in the medium on which the cross was established. These findings enable a series of \"transmission strength\" to be established, as shown below:-- (camA1) greater than (cs67, camA1) greater than (+) = (cs67) greater than (oliA1, cs67) greater than (oliA1) greater than (oliA1, camA1). However, the numbers of recombinants isolated were so variable as to make this form of analysis unsuitable for mapping the mitochondrial genome.", "contents": "Transmission and recombination of extranuclear genes during sexual crosses in Aspergillus nidulans. Three extranuclear mitochondrial mutations in Aspergillus nidulans, (oliA1), (camA1) and (cs67), were used as markers in sexual crosses to provide information on the frequencies of transmission and recombination of the mitochondrial genome. Any individual perithecium contained ascospores of only one extranuclear genotype. Using mono-, bi- and trifactorial crosses it was found that all three markers could be recovered from the progeny, although the transmission frequencies were different for each marker. This bias was present irrespective of the nuclear background or the presence of selective agents in the medium on which the cross was established. These findings enable a series of \"transmission strength\" to be established, as shown below:-- (camA1) greater than (cs67, camA1) greater than (+) = (cs67) greater than (oliA1, cs67) greater than (oliA1) greater than (oliA1, camA1). However, the numbers of recombinants isolated were so variable as to make this form of analysis unsuitable for mapping the mitochondrial genome.", "PMID": 765748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1853", "title": "The repair of double-strand breaks in the nuclear DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its genetic control.", "content": "With the use of neutral sucrose sedimentation techniques, the size of unirradiated nuclear DNA and the repair of double-strand breaks induced in it by ionizing radiation have been determined in both wild-type and homozygous rad52 diploids of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The number average molecular weight of unirradiated DNA in these experiments is 3.0 X 10(8)+/-0.3 Daltons. Double-strand breaks are induced with a frequency of 0.58 X 10(-10) per Daltonkrad in the range of 25 to 100 krad. Since repair at low doses is observed in wild-type but not homozygous rad52 strains, the corresponding rad52 gene product is concluded to have a role in the repair process. Cycloheximide was also observed to inhibit repair to a limited extent indicating a requirement for protein synthesis. Based on the sensitivity of various mutants and the induction frequency of double-strand breaks, it is concluded that there are 1 to 2 double-strand breaks per lethal event in diploid cells incapable of repairing these breaks.", "contents": "The repair of double-strand breaks in the nuclear DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its genetic control. With the use of neutral sucrose sedimentation techniques, the size of unirradiated nuclear DNA and the repair of double-strand breaks induced in it by ionizing radiation have been determined in both wild-type and homozygous rad52 diploids of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The number average molecular weight of unirradiated DNA in these experiments is 3.0 X 10(8)+/-0.3 Daltons. Double-strand breaks are induced with a frequency of 0.58 X 10(-10) per Daltonkrad in the range of 25 to 100 krad. Since repair at low doses is observed in wild-type but not homozygous rad52 strains, the corresponding rad52 gene product is concluded to have a role in the repair process. Cycloheximide was also observed to inhibit repair to a limited extent indicating a requirement for protein synthesis. Based on the sensitivity of various mutants and the induction frequency of double-strand breaks, it is concluded that there are 1 to 2 double-strand breaks per lethal event in diploid cells incapable of repairing these breaks.", "PMID": 765749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1854", "title": "Mitochondrial genetics. XI. Mutations at the mitochondrial locus omega affecting the recombination of mitochondrial genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "1. A series of CS revertants has been selected from various strains (both omega+ and omega-) carrying a CR mitochondrial mutation at the RIB1 locus. The properties of mitochondrial recombination exhibited by these CS revertants in various crosses, have been examined systematically. The omega allele of the CS revertants has been defined in crosses with omega+ and omega- tester strains using two criteria: the polarity of recombination and a new criterium called relative output coefficient. We found that mutations of omega appear frequently associated with the mutations at the RIB1 locus selected from omega- strains but not with those selected from omega+ strains. A new allelic form of omega (omega n) which had not been found amongst wild type yeast strains is characterised. Similarly omega n mutation was found frequently associated with CR mutants at the RIB1 locus selected from omega- CS strains but not with those selected from omega+ CS strains. The omega n mutants, and the omega+ and omega- strains, explain the groups of polarity previously observed by Coen et al. (1970). 2. Main features of mitochondrial crosses with omega n strains (omega+ x omega n, omega- x omega n and omega n x omega n) are analysed. Recombination is possible between the different mitochondrial genetic markers. No high polarity of recombination is observed and the frequency of recombinants are similar to those found in homosexual crosses (omega+ x omega+ and omega- x omega-). A striking property, observed for the first time, exists in crosses between zota+ omega n CS strains and some zota- CREO mutants: the zota- CREO are unable to integrate by recombination their CR allele into the zota+ mit-DNA of omega n CS strains while being capable of integrating it into omega+ CS or omega- CS genomes. 3. It is proposed that the omega locus is the site of initiation of non reciprocal recombination events, the omega+/omega- pairing specifically initiates the non-reciprocal act while omega+/omega n or omega-/omega n pairings do not. 4. The molecular nature of the omega n mutation and its bearing on the structure of the omega locus are discussed. It is suggested that omega n mutations correspond to macrolesions (probably deletions) of a segment of the mit-DNA covering the omega and RIB1 loci. If omega n is a partial deletions of the omega- sequence the omega+ could be an additionnal deletion of the omega n sequence. 5. The occurrence of spontaneous CR and ER mitochondrial mutations has been analysed by the Luria and Delbr\u00fcck fluctuation test in omega- and omega n isonuclear strains. Results of these tests indicate that an intracellular selection of resistant copies preexisting the action of the anttibiotic occurs.", "contents": "Mitochondrial genetics. XI. Mutations at the mitochondrial locus omega affecting the recombination of mitochondrial genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 1. A series of CS revertants has been selected from various strains (both omega+ and omega-) carrying a CR mitochondrial mutation at the RIB1 locus. The properties of mitochondrial recombination exhibited by these CS revertants in various crosses, have been examined systematically. The omega allele of the CS revertants has been defined in crosses with omega+ and omega- tester strains using two criteria: the polarity of recombination and a new criterium called relative output coefficient. We found that mutations of omega appear frequently associated with the mutations at the RIB1 locus selected from omega- strains but not with those selected from omega+ strains. A new allelic form of omega (omega n) which had not been found amongst wild type yeast strains is characterised. Similarly omega n mutation was found frequently associated with CR mutants at the RIB1 locus selected from omega- CS strains but not with those selected from omega+ CS strains. The omega n mutants, and the omega+ and omega- strains, explain the groups of polarity previously observed by Coen et al. (1970). 2. Main features of mitochondrial crosses with omega n strains (omega+ x omega n, omega- x omega n and omega n x omega n) are analysed. Recombination is possible between the different mitochondrial genetic markers. No high polarity of recombination is observed and the frequency of recombinants are similar to those found in homosexual crosses (omega+ x omega+ and omega- x omega-). A striking property, observed for the first time, exists in crosses between zota+ omega n CS strains and some zota- CREO mutants: the zota- CREO are unable to integrate by recombination their CR allele into the zota+ mit-DNA of omega n CS strains while being capable of integrating it into omega+ CS or omega- CS genomes. 3. It is proposed that the omega locus is the site of initiation of non reciprocal recombination events, the omega+/omega- pairing specifically initiates the non-reciprocal act while omega+/omega n or omega-/omega n pairings do not. 4. The molecular nature of the omega n mutation and its bearing on the structure of the omega locus are discussed. It is suggested that omega n mutations correspond to macrolesions (probably deletions) of a segment of the mit-DNA covering the omega and RIB1 loci. If omega n is a partial deletions of the omega- sequence the omega+ could be an additionnal deletion of the omega n sequence. 5. The occurrence of spontaneous CR and ER mitochondrial mutations has been analysed by the Luria and Delbr\u00fcck fluctuation test in omega- and omega n isonuclear strains. Results of these tests indicate that an intracellular selection of resistant copies preexisting the action of the anttibiotic occurs.", "PMID": 765750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1855", "title": "I.n vitro transcription of adenovirus 2 DNA. I. Characterization of promoters for E. coli RNA polymerase.", "content": "E coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme is able to recognize transcription initiation sites on Adenovirus 2 DNA that are functionally indistinguishable from promoters for the enzyme on phage DNAs. The complexes formed between the polymerase and the DNA at these sites can exist in two states-either as I (initiation) complexes, from which rapid RNA chain initiation is not possible, or as RS (rapid starting) \"rifampicin resistant\" complexes, from which rapid RNA chain initiation can occur. When transcription is limited to that initiated from stable, rifmapicin-resistant pre-initiation complexes, initiation is strictly dependent on the presence of sigma factor; in addition, the frequency of initiation exhibits sigmoidal dependence on the temperature at which pre-initiation complexes are allowed to form, with a transition temperature of 26-28 degrees C. The average half-time for initiation of RNA chains from sites on Ad 2 DNA is shown to be comparable to half-times for initiation of RNA chains from promoters on T7 and lambda DNAs. At saturating levels of enzyme, the half-times are 0.6, 0.9, and 1.6 sec for lambda b2, Ad 2 and T7 DNAs, respectively. The existence of efficient, phage-like promoters for E coli RNA polymerase on Ad 2 DNA suggests to us that such promoters may be closely related functionally and spatially to promoters for mammalian RNA polymerases.", "contents": "I.n vitro transcription of adenovirus 2 DNA. I. Characterization of promoters for E. coli RNA polymerase. E coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme is able to recognize transcription initiation sites on Adenovirus 2 DNA that are functionally indistinguishable from promoters for the enzyme on phage DNAs. The complexes formed between the polymerase and the DNA at these sites can exist in two states-either as I (initiation) complexes, from which rapid RNA chain initiation is not possible, or as RS (rapid starting) \"rifampicin resistant\" complexes, from which rapid RNA chain initiation can occur. When transcription is limited to that initiated from stable, rifmapicin-resistant pre-initiation complexes, initiation is strictly dependent on the presence of sigma factor; in addition, the frequency of initiation exhibits sigmoidal dependence on the temperature at which pre-initiation complexes are allowed to form, with a transition temperature of 26-28 degrees C. The average half-time for initiation of RNA chains from sites on Ad 2 DNA is shown to be comparable to half-times for initiation of RNA chains from promoters on T7 and lambda DNAs. At saturating levels of enzyme, the half-times are 0.6, 0.9, and 1.6 sec for lambda b2, Ad 2 and T7 DNAs, respectively. The existence of efficient, phage-like promoters for E coli RNA polymerase on Ad 2 DNA suggests to us that such promoters may be closely related functionally and spatially to promoters for mammalian RNA polymerases.", "PMID": 765751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1856", "title": "In vitro transcription of adenovirus 2 DNA. II. Quantification and localization of promoters for E. coli RNA polymerase.", "content": "We estimate that E. coli RNA polymerase is able to form stable, rifampicin-resistant, pre-intiation complexes with Adenovirus 2 DNA at three to six binding sites. The number of RNA chains initiated from such complexes has been determined form the incorporation of gamma-32P-ATP and -GTP at two rifampicin concentrations (7 mug/ml and 24 mug/ml) and after pre-incubation at either 25 or 37 degrees C. The total number of RNA chains initiated ranges from 2.6 per Ad 2 DNA molecule at a rifampicin concentration of 24 mug/ml and pre-incubation temperature of 25 degrees C, to 5.4 per Ad 2 DNA molecule at a rifampicin concentration of 7 mug/ml and pre-incubation temperature of 37 degrees C. Efficient initiation with GTP occurs only after pre-incubation at 37 degrees C whereas initiation with ATP is equally as efficient at either pre-incubation temperature. Promoters for initiation with ATP have been localized to the leftmost 58% of the Ad 2 DNA molecule, defined by the EcoR.RI restriction endonuclease fragment A; promoters for initiation with GTP are located on the remaining 42% of the Ad2 DNA molecule. It is likely that on Adenovirus 2 DNA each RNA chain is initiated from a unique binding site which constitutes a seperate promoter for E. coli RNA polymerase.", "contents": "In vitro transcription of adenovirus 2 DNA. II. Quantification and localization of promoters for E. coli RNA polymerase. We estimate that E. coli RNA polymerase is able to form stable, rifampicin-resistant, pre-intiation complexes with Adenovirus 2 DNA at three to six binding sites. The number of RNA chains initiated from such complexes has been determined form the incorporation of gamma-32P-ATP and -GTP at two rifampicin concentrations (7 mug/ml and 24 mug/ml) and after pre-incubation at either 25 or 37 degrees C. The total number of RNA chains initiated ranges from 2.6 per Ad 2 DNA molecule at a rifampicin concentration of 24 mug/ml and pre-incubation temperature of 25 degrees C, to 5.4 per Ad 2 DNA molecule at a rifampicin concentration of 7 mug/ml and pre-incubation temperature of 37 degrees C. Efficient initiation with GTP occurs only after pre-incubation at 37 degrees C whereas initiation with ATP is equally as efficient at either pre-incubation temperature. Promoters for initiation with ATP have been localized to the leftmost 58% of the Ad 2 DNA molecule, defined by the EcoR.RI restriction endonuclease fragment A; promoters for initiation with GTP are located on the remaining 42% of the Ad2 DNA molecule. It is likely that on Adenovirus 2 DNA each RNA chain is initiated from a unique binding site which constitutes a seperate promoter for E. coli RNA polymerase.", "PMID": 765752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1857", "title": "Isolation and characterization of lambdadargECBH transducing phages and heteroduplex analysis of the argECBH cluster.", "content": "Transducing lambda bacteriophages have been isolated which carry the divergently transcribed argECBH operon of E. coli K12 and various portions of the adjacent ppc and bfe chromosomal regions. They were recovered from lysates prepared by the procedure of Schrenk and Weisberg using a Ppc+ Arg+ Bfe+ strain carrying a deletion of the usual attachment site of lambda. Heteroduplex DNA mapping of these lumbdadarg and of the phi 80 darg isolated by B. Konrad indicates that the two kinds of phages carry the arg cluster in opposite orientations, a situation favorable for the isolation of argECBH DNA. A physical map of the ppc argECBH bfe region including 2 unusual attachment sites of lambda has been constructed. The localization of the end points of certain arg deletions provides a useful reference framework for the currently pursued mapping of mutations affecting the control of divergent transcription and for the location of restriction enzyme cleavage sites in the arg region.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of lambdadargECBH transducing phages and heteroduplex analysis of the argECBH cluster. Transducing lambda bacteriophages have been isolated which carry the divergently transcribed argECBH operon of E. coli K12 and various portions of the adjacent ppc and bfe chromosomal regions. They were recovered from lysates prepared by the procedure of Schrenk and Weisberg using a Ppc+ Arg+ Bfe+ strain carrying a deletion of the usual attachment site of lambda. Heteroduplex DNA mapping of these lumbdadarg and of the phi 80 darg isolated by B. Konrad indicates that the two kinds of phages carry the arg cluster in opposite orientations, a situation favorable for the isolation of argECBH DNA. A physical map of the ppc argECBH bfe region including 2 unusual attachment sites of lambda has been constructed. The localization of the end points of certain arg deletions provides a useful reference framework for the currently pursued mapping of mutations affecting the control of divergent transcription and for the location of restriction enzyme cleavage sites in the arg region.", "PMID": 765753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1858", "title": "Stimulation in trans of synthesis of E. coli gal operon enzymes by lambdoid phages during low catabolite repression.", "content": "The infection of E. coli cells with different lambdo\u00efd prophages triggers a stimulation of galactokinase synthesis when cells are grown in a medium giving rise to a mild catabolite repression (tryptone broth) with an inducer of the gal operon (fucose). These results show that during phage infection (or induction) some factor acting in trans is produced which is able to overcome efficiently catabolite repression of the kinase cistron. Using different strains of lambdapbio252 (pam, qam, \"hl), lambdapbio256Hl and lambdaNNS7 we have concluded that the factor is the N gene product which is known for its anti- p(rho) action. Studies of the whole gal operon in the same conditions show that epimerase unlike transferase and galactokinase is practically insensitive to catabolite repression by tryptone broth and that viral development has a low effect on it. This indicates that there is an internal modulation of gal operon expression. A mRNA termination site sensitive to the p factor is known in the gal operon between galE and galT. Another site weaker than this one might exist between galE and operator-promoter region.", "contents": "Stimulation in trans of synthesis of E. coli gal operon enzymes by lambdoid phages during low catabolite repression. The infection of E. coli cells with different lambdo\u00efd prophages triggers a stimulation of galactokinase synthesis when cells are grown in a medium giving rise to a mild catabolite repression (tryptone broth) with an inducer of the gal operon (fucose). These results show that during phage infection (or induction) some factor acting in trans is produced which is able to overcome efficiently catabolite repression of the kinase cistron. Using different strains of lambdapbio252 (pam, qam, \"hl), lambdapbio256Hl and lambdaNNS7 we have concluded that the factor is the N gene product which is known for its anti- p(rho) action. Studies of the whole gal operon in the same conditions show that epimerase unlike transferase and galactokinase is practically insensitive to catabolite repression by tryptone broth and that viral development has a low effect on it. This indicates that there is an internal modulation of gal operon expression. A mRNA termination site sensitive to the p factor is known in the gal operon between galE and galT. Another site weaker than this one might exist between galE and operator-promoter region.", "PMID": 765754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1859", "title": "Isolation and genetic characterization of the nitA mutants of Escherichia coli affecting the termination factor rho.", "content": "Taking advantage of the Spi (sensitivity to P2 interference) phenomenon, bacterial mutants seemingly resistant to phage lambdasusNnin5, but sensitive to phage lambdaspi, were isolated from a strain of E. coli K12 carrying no nonsense suppressor and lysogenic for P2. A class of these mutants, designated nitA (N-independent transcription), is described here. Upon infection of the nitA mutants with a trp transducing phage lambdasusN7N53ptrp46 which carries the E. coli trpE and D genes in the CIII-att region of the lambda genome, formation of anthranilate synthetase (ASase, a complex protein of trp E and D gene products) was clearly demonstrated. In contrast, no ASase formation was observed in the parent nitA+ strain under the same conditions. The synthesis is subject to \"turn off\" control, and is completely repressed by the CI repressor of phage lambda. The nitA cells lysogenic for lambdaCI857susN7N53 are killed by thermal induction much more efficiently than the parent cells lysogenic for the same phage. The nitA mutants support the growth of lambdasusN7N53byp much better than the parent. These results suggest that the nitA mutation permits the early leftward and rightward transcription of the lambda genome in the absence of the N gene product. On the E. coli genetic map, nitA is located between ilv and metE, nearer to ilv. The mutant allele is recessive to the wild-type allele. The present evidence, together with results of biochemical investigations to be reported, suggests that nitA is a gene specifying the transcription termination factor rho.", "contents": "Isolation and genetic characterization of the nitA mutants of Escherichia coli affecting the termination factor rho. Taking advantage of the Spi (sensitivity to P2 interference) phenomenon, bacterial mutants seemingly resistant to phage lambdasusNnin5, but sensitive to phage lambdaspi, were isolated from a strain of E. coli K12 carrying no nonsense suppressor and lysogenic for P2. A class of these mutants, designated nitA (N-independent transcription), is described here. Upon infection of the nitA mutants with a trp transducing phage lambdasusN7N53ptrp46 which carries the E. coli trpE and D genes in the CIII-att region of the lambda genome, formation of anthranilate synthetase (ASase, a complex protein of trp E and D gene products) was clearly demonstrated. In contrast, no ASase formation was observed in the parent nitA+ strain under the same conditions. The synthesis is subject to \"turn off\" control, and is completely repressed by the CI repressor of phage lambda. The nitA cells lysogenic for lambdaCI857susN7N53 are killed by thermal induction much more efficiently than the parent cells lysogenic for the same phage. The nitA mutants support the growth of lambdasusN7N53byp much better than the parent. These results suggest that the nitA mutation permits the early leftward and rightward transcription of the lambda genome in the absence of the N gene product. On the E. coli genetic map, nitA is located between ilv and metE, nearer to ilv. The mutant allele is recessive to the wild-type allele. The present evidence, together with results of biochemical investigations to be reported, suggests that nitA is a gene specifying the transcription termination factor rho.", "PMID": 765755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1860", "title": "Isolation of rec- mutants from an F-prime merodiploid strain of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "This paper describes a method of screening mutagenised populations of an E. coli galA/galB F- prime merodiploid for mutants defective in recombination. The method relies on scoring colonies on Eosin-Methylene Blue agar that have fewer than normal numbers of Gal+ papillae. With a suitable choice of gal- mutations most of the papillae arise by recombination and some of those colonies with less than normal numbers prove to be defective in some aspect of recombination or DNA repair. In addition to strains carrying mutations that can be ascribed to known loci, several novel mutant phenotypes were identified.", "contents": "Isolation of rec- mutants from an F-prime merodiploid strain of Escherichia coli K-12. This paper describes a method of screening mutagenised populations of an E. coli galA/galB F- prime merodiploid for mutants defective in recombination. The method relies on scoring colonies on Eosin-Methylene Blue agar that have fewer than normal numbers of Gal+ papillae. With a suitable choice of gal- mutations most of the papillae arise by recombination and some of those colonies with less than normal numbers prove to be defective in some aspect of recombination or DNA repair. In addition to strains carrying mutations that can be ascribed to known loci, several novel mutant phenotypes were identified.", "PMID": 765756} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1861", "title": "RNA polymerase mutants of Escherichia coli. III. A temperature-sensitive rifampicin-resistant mutant.", "content": "Temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli that are unable to grow at high temperature can be obtained among those selected for resistance to streptovaricin or rifampicin at low temperature (Yura et al., 1973). One of these mutants (KY5323) that was supposed to carry a single mutation affecting both rifampicin resistance and temperature sensitivity was further investigated. Using purified RNA polymerase preparations obtained from the mutant and the wild type, it was found that the activity for RNA chain elongation is more sensitive to heat treatment than that for RNA chain initiation or DNA binding, and that the mutant enzyme is significantly more labile than the wild-type enzyme with respect to RNA chain elongation, when heat treatment is carried out at high salt concentration. These results, taken together with those of the enzyme reconstitution experiments, strongly suggest that the beta subunit of the polymerase is directly involved in both RNA chain initiation and elongation reactions. Enzyme reconstitution experiments using isolated subunits derived from the mutant and the wild-type polymerases demonstrate that the alteration of beta subunit is primarily responsible for both rifampicin resistance and thermolability of the mutant enzyme. In addition, the results suggested the apparent alteration of both beta and alpha subunits in this mutant. Extensive transduction experiments provided genetic evidence that are consistent with the view that the strain KY5323 carries a second mutation affecting the beta subunit, beside the primary mutation affecting the beta subunit. The hypothetical beta subunit mutation seems to modify quantitatively the rifampicin resistance caused by the beta subunit mutation.", "contents": "RNA polymerase mutants of Escherichia coli. III. A temperature-sensitive rifampicin-resistant mutant. Temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli that are unable to grow at high temperature can be obtained among those selected for resistance to streptovaricin or rifampicin at low temperature (Yura et al., 1973). One of these mutants (KY5323) that was supposed to carry a single mutation affecting both rifampicin resistance and temperature sensitivity was further investigated. Using purified RNA polymerase preparations obtained from the mutant and the wild type, it was found that the activity for RNA chain elongation is more sensitive to heat treatment than that for RNA chain initiation or DNA binding, and that the mutant enzyme is significantly more labile than the wild-type enzyme with respect to RNA chain elongation, when heat treatment is carried out at high salt concentration. These results, taken together with those of the enzyme reconstitution experiments, strongly suggest that the beta subunit of the polymerase is directly involved in both RNA chain initiation and elongation reactions. Enzyme reconstitution experiments using isolated subunits derived from the mutant and the wild-type polymerases demonstrate that the alteration of beta subunit is primarily responsible for both rifampicin resistance and thermolability of the mutant enzyme. In addition, the results suggested the apparent alteration of both beta and alpha subunits in this mutant. Extensive transduction experiments provided genetic evidence that are consistent with the view that the strain KY5323 carries a second mutation affecting the beta subunit, beside the primary mutation affecting the beta subunit. The hypothetical beta subunit mutation seems to modify quantitatively the rifampicin resistance caused by the beta subunit mutation.", "PMID": 765757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1862", "title": "Expression of a valine-resistant acetolactate synthase activity mediated by the ilv O and ilv G genes of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "A strain carrying the ilv0603 mutation has been isolated in E. coli K-12 and its characteristics were found to be very similar to those previously reported by Ramakrishnan and Adelberg (1965a) for other ilv0 mutants. The strain carrying the ilv0603 mutation is resistant to valine inhibition (Valr) and we show that this resistance depends on the expression of a newly recognized gene, ilvG, which is located at min 75, between ilvE and ilvD on the E. coli K-12 map. The ilvG gene causes the expression of a Valr acetolactate synthase, which is detectable only when the ilv0603 mutation is also present in cis on the same chromosome. Under these conditions the Valr acetolactate synthase activity is eluted, on a hydroxylapatite column, at an ionic strength slightly lower than that required for elution of the remaining acetolactate synthase activity (sensitive to valine inhibition). The Valr peak is missing in a strain carrying an ilvG (amber) mutation.", "contents": "Expression of a valine-resistant acetolactate synthase activity mediated by the ilv O and ilv G genes of Escherichia coli K-12. A strain carrying the ilv0603 mutation has been isolated in E. coli K-12 and its characteristics were found to be very similar to those previously reported by Ramakrishnan and Adelberg (1965a) for other ilv0 mutants. The strain carrying the ilv0603 mutation is resistant to valine inhibition (Valr) and we show that this resistance depends on the expression of a newly recognized gene, ilvG, which is located at min 75, between ilvE and ilvD on the E. coli K-12 map. The ilvG gene causes the expression of a Valr acetolactate synthase, which is detectable only when the ilv0603 mutation is also present in cis on the same chromosome. Under these conditions the Valr acetolactate synthase activity is eluted, on a hydroxylapatite column, at an ionic strength slightly lower than that required for elution of the remaining acetolactate synthase activity (sensitive to valine inhibition). The Valr peak is missing in a strain carrying an ilvG (amber) mutation.", "PMID": 765758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1863", "title": "Mitochondrial DNA in yeast recombination and subsequent modification following mating between a Grande and a suppressive Petite.", "content": "The fate of mitochondrial DNA, following mating between a grande and suppressive petite of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been followed for up to 60 generations. The buoyant density of the mitochondrial DNA was seen to change in a manner explicable by a combination of recombination and subsequent modification phenomena whilst the suppressivity of the petite zygotic clones always remained high. These findings are consistent with current models of mitochondrial DNA metabolism in which petite strains have been observed to undergo deletion and reamplification of certain parts of their genomes.", "contents": "Mitochondrial DNA in yeast recombination and subsequent modification following mating between a Grande and a suppressive Petite. The fate of mitochondrial DNA, following mating between a grande and suppressive petite of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been followed for up to 60 generations. The buoyant density of the mitochondrial DNA was seen to change in a manner explicable by a combination of recombination and subsequent modification phenomena whilst the suppressivity of the petite zygotic clones always remained high. These findings are consistent with current models of mitochondrial DNA metabolism in which petite strains have been observed to undergo deletion and reamplification of certain parts of their genomes.", "PMID": 765759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1864", "title": "The depression of endolysin synthesis in bacteria infected with high multiplicities of phage lambda.", "content": "The effect of multiplicity of infection was studied in Escherichia coli with lambda phage, using phage endolysin as an example of a late gene product. A very sensitive endolysin assay method was used so that the initiation time of endolysin synthesis could be more accurately determined. It was observed that high multiplicity of infection (1) increases the rate of lysogenization, (2) progressively delays lysis time, and (3) significantly delays and reduces the synthesis of endolysin in lamdacIII+ cII+ -infected cells. The extent of delay and reduction in endolysin synthesis increases with increasing multiplicity. In contrast, lamdacIII67cII68-infected cells show no delay in endolysin synthesis at high multiplicity of infection when compared with the lamdacIII+ cII+ -infected cells. The results suggest that (1) the expression of cIII and cII genes is multiplicity dependent, (2) high multiplicity of infection enhances the expression of the cIII and cII genes, and (3) the expression of the cIII and cII genes interferes with the expression of the late genes. A model to explain how the expression of the cIII and cII genes interferes with the expression of the late genes is proposed.", "contents": "The depression of endolysin synthesis in bacteria infected with high multiplicities of phage lambda. The effect of multiplicity of infection was studied in Escherichia coli with lambda phage, using phage endolysin as an example of a late gene product. A very sensitive endolysin assay method was used so that the initiation time of endolysin synthesis could be more accurately determined. It was observed that high multiplicity of infection (1) increases the rate of lysogenization, (2) progressively delays lysis time, and (3) significantly delays and reduces the synthesis of endolysin in lamdacIII+ cII+ -infected cells. The extent of delay and reduction in endolysin synthesis increases with increasing multiplicity. In contrast, lamdacIII67cII68-infected cells show no delay in endolysin synthesis at high multiplicity of infection when compared with the lamdacIII+ cII+ -infected cells. The results suggest that (1) the expression of cIII and cII genes is multiplicity dependent, (2) high multiplicity of infection enhances the expression of the cIII and cII genes, and (3) the expression of the cIII and cII genes interferes with the expression of the late genes. A model to explain how the expression of the cIII and cII genes interferes with the expression of the late genes is proposed.", "PMID": 765760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1865", "title": "Biosynthesis of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase subunits upon release of rifampicin inhibition.", "content": "Upon release of rifampicin inhibition of Escherichia coli cells, the initiation of transcription will resume. The sequential resumption of the synthesis of proteins after release of rifampicin inhibition reflects the genetic order and size of the corresponding transcriptional units. We have used this approach to analyze whether the genes for alpha and sigma are on the same transcriptional unit as the genes for beta and beta', employing a method, which allowed us to measure the amounts of RNA polymerase subunits, alpha, beta, beta' and sigma in crude extracts. We have found that the alpha and sigma subunits are synthesized concurrently with the beta subunit in the rifampicin restart experiment, which suggests that the genes for alpha and sigma belongs to different transcriptional units.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase subunits upon release of rifampicin inhibition. Upon release of rifampicin inhibition of Escherichia coli cells, the initiation of transcription will resume. The sequential resumption of the synthesis of proteins after release of rifampicin inhibition reflects the genetic order and size of the corresponding transcriptional units. We have used this approach to analyze whether the genes for alpha and sigma are on the same transcriptional unit as the genes for beta and beta', employing a method, which allowed us to measure the amounts of RNA polymerase subunits, alpha, beta, beta' and sigma in crude extracts. We have found that the alpha and sigma subunits are synthesized concurrently with the beta subunit in the rifampicin restart experiment, which suggests that the genes for alpha and sigma belongs to different transcriptional units.", "PMID": 765761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1866", "title": "Binding of erythromycin to the 50S ribosomal subunit is affected by alterations in the 30S ribosomal subunit.", "content": "Expression of resistance to erythromycin in Escherichia coli, caused by an altered L4 protein in the 50S ribosomal subunit, can be masked when two additional ribosomal mutations affecting the 30S proteins S5 and S12 are introduced into the strain (Saltzman, Brown, and Apriion, 1974). Ribosomes from such strains bind erythromycin to the same extent as ribosomes from erythromycin sensitive parental strains (Apirion and Saltzman, 1974). Among mutants isolated for the reappearance of erythromycin resistance, kasugamycin resistant mutants were found. One such mutant was analysed and found to be due to undermethylation of the rRNA. The ribosomes of this strain do not bind erythromycin, thus there is a complete correlation between phenotype of cells with respect to erythromycin resistance and binding of erythromycin to ribosomes. Furthermore, by separating the ribosomal subunits we showed that 50S ribosomes bind or do not bind erythromycin according to their L4 protein; 50S with normal L4 bind and 50S with altered L4 do not bind erythromycin. However, the 30S ribosomes with altered S5 and S12 can restore binding in resistant 50S ribosomes while the 30S ribosomes in which the rRNA also became undermethylated did not allow erythromycin binding to occur. Thus, evidence for an intimate functional relationship between 30S and 50S ribosomal elements in the function of the ribosome could be demonstrated. These functional interrelationships concerns four ribosomal components, two proteins from the 30S ribosomal subunit, S5, and S12, one protein from the 50S subunit L4, and 16S rRNA.", "contents": "Binding of erythromycin to the 50S ribosomal subunit is affected by alterations in the 30S ribosomal subunit. Expression of resistance to erythromycin in Escherichia coli, caused by an altered L4 protein in the 50S ribosomal subunit, can be masked when two additional ribosomal mutations affecting the 30S proteins S5 and S12 are introduced into the strain (Saltzman, Brown, and Apriion, 1974). Ribosomes from such strains bind erythromycin to the same extent as ribosomes from erythromycin sensitive parental strains (Apirion and Saltzman, 1974). Among mutants isolated for the reappearance of erythromycin resistance, kasugamycin resistant mutants were found. One such mutant was analysed and found to be due to undermethylation of the rRNA. The ribosomes of this strain do not bind erythromycin, thus there is a complete correlation between phenotype of cells with respect to erythromycin resistance and binding of erythromycin to ribosomes. Furthermore, by separating the ribosomal subunits we showed that 50S ribosomes bind or do not bind erythromycin according to their L4 protein; 50S with normal L4 bind and 50S with altered L4 do not bind erythromycin. However, the 30S ribosomes with altered S5 and S12 can restore binding in resistant 50S ribosomes while the 30S ribosomes in which the rRNA also became undermethylated did not allow erythromycin binding to occur. Thus, evidence for an intimate functional relationship between 30S and 50S ribosomal elements in the function of the ribosome could be demonstrated. These functional interrelationships concerns four ribosomal components, two proteins from the 30S ribosomal subunit, S5, and S12, one protein from the 50S subunit L4, and 16S rRNA.", "PMID": 765762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1867", "title": "Effects of different alleles of the E. coli K12 pol A gene on the replication of non-transferring plasmids.", "content": "The effects of eight different polA alleles on the replication of six different non-transferring enterobacterial plasmids have been tested. Using phage P1CM transduction, different allelic polA mutations were introduced into E. coli K12 strains carrying one of several antibiotic resistance plasmids. Plasmid stability in the transductants was examined by testing clones for drug resistance after growth under various conditions. From the results, the R factors may be divided into three different classes. One plasmid is only affected by PolA conditions which inhibit host cell growth, 3 plasmids (from the same compatibility group) are unstable under conditions in which the cells are severely deficient in DNA polymerase I and two other plasmids (compatible with each other and with the other 4) are immediately lost from such transductants and are unstable in a number of others. Furthermore, the plasmids which are most dependent on DNA polymerase I have been shown to replicate in the presence of chloramphenicol and therefore typigy a class of plasmids which includes bacteriocinogenic factors such as ColE1 and CloDF13, resistance determinant RSF1030 and the E. coli 15 minicircular plasmid.", "contents": "Effects of different alleles of the E. coli K12 pol A gene on the replication of non-transferring plasmids. The effects of eight different polA alleles on the replication of six different non-transferring enterobacterial plasmids have been tested. Using phage P1CM transduction, different allelic polA mutations were introduced into E. coli K12 strains carrying one of several antibiotic resistance plasmids. Plasmid stability in the transductants was examined by testing clones for drug resistance after growth under various conditions. From the results, the R factors may be divided into three different classes. One plasmid is only affected by PolA conditions which inhibit host cell growth, 3 plasmids (from the same compatibility group) are unstable under conditions in which the cells are severely deficient in DNA polymerase I and two other plasmids (compatible with each other and with the other 4) are immediately lost from such transductants and are unstable in a number of others. Furthermore, the plasmids which are most dependent on DNA polymerase I have been shown to replicate in the presence of chloramphenicol and therefore typigy a class of plasmids which includes bacteriocinogenic factors such as ColE1 and CloDF13, resistance determinant RSF1030 and the E. coli 15 minicircular plasmid.", "PMID": 765763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1868", "title": "Characterisation of plasmids coding for the restriction endonuclease EcoRI.", "content": "The properties of two plasmids coding for the CcoRI restriction and modification enzymes are described. Both plasmids are non auto-transferring (NTP) but can be mobilised by transfer factors. Strains carrying NTP13 produce colicin E1 and the EcoRI enzymes. This plasmid has a molecular weight of 6 X 10(6) daltons and is present as approximately 12 copies per chromosome. The second plasmid, NTP14, was detected after mobilisation of the EcoRI plasmid with the R factor RI-19. NTP14 codes for ampicillin resistance, synthesis of the EcoRI enzymes and colicin E1. The molecular weight of NTP14 is 10.7 X 10(6) daltons and there are about 14 copies per chromosome. DNA-DNA reassociation experiments were performed to determine the interrelationships of NTP13, NTP14, ColE1 and the R factor R1-19. NTP13 and NTP14 continue to replicate when cellular protein synthesis is inhibited by the addition of chloramphenicol.", "contents": "Characterisation of plasmids coding for the restriction endonuclease EcoRI. The properties of two plasmids coding for the CcoRI restriction and modification enzymes are described. Both plasmids are non auto-transferring (NTP) but can be mobilised by transfer factors. Strains carrying NTP13 produce colicin E1 and the EcoRI enzymes. This plasmid has a molecular weight of 6 X 10(6) daltons and is present as approximately 12 copies per chromosome. The second plasmid, NTP14, was detected after mobilisation of the EcoRI plasmid with the R factor RI-19. NTP14 codes for ampicillin resistance, synthesis of the EcoRI enzymes and colicin E1. The molecular weight of NTP14 is 10.7 X 10(6) daltons and there are about 14 copies per chromosome. DNA-DNA reassociation experiments were performed to determine the interrelationships of NTP13, NTP14, ColE1 and the R factor R1-19. NTP13 and NTP14 continue to replicate when cellular protein synthesis is inhibited by the addition of chloramphenicol.", "PMID": 765764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1869", "title": "Radiation sensitivity of a mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 associated with DNA replication: evidence for a new repair function.", "content": "The isolation and properties of a new radiation sensitive mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 are described which shows a correlation between radiation sensitivity and replication of irradiated DNA. The mutation, called rer, is located between arg B and pur D loci. The mutant, when grown in tryptone broth after irradiation, is sensitive to UV and lambda-rays and incorporates little or no 3H-thymidine but in minimal glucose-salts medium both the radiation sensitivity and incorporation of 3H-thymidine remain identical to that of the parent strain. Studies with a temperature sensitive double mutant rer dnaC show that 1 hr incubation of irradiated cells at 42 degrees C before their transfer to 30 degrees C results in higher survival as compared to their incubation at 30 degrees C only. It is suggested that rer controls the replication of irradiated DNA and thus regulates the coordination between replication and repair of DNA.", "contents": "Radiation sensitivity of a mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 associated with DNA replication: evidence for a new repair function. The isolation and properties of a new radiation sensitive mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 are described which shows a correlation between radiation sensitivity and replication of irradiated DNA. The mutation, called rer, is located between arg B and pur D loci. The mutant, when grown in tryptone broth after irradiation, is sensitive to UV and lambda-rays and incorporates little or no 3H-thymidine but in minimal glucose-salts medium both the radiation sensitivity and incorporation of 3H-thymidine remain identical to that of the parent strain. Studies with a temperature sensitive double mutant rer dnaC show that 1 hr incubation of irradiated cells at 42 degrees C before their transfer to 30 degrees C results in higher survival as compared to their incubation at 30 degrees C only. It is suggested that rer controls the replication of irradiated DNA and thus regulates the coordination between replication and repair of DNA.", "PMID": 765765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1870", "title": "R factor-mediated tetracycline resistance in Escherichia coli K12. Dominance of some tetracycline sensitive mutants and relief of dominance by deletion.", "content": "Strains of Escherichia coli K12 heterozygous for the R100-1 tetracycline resistance region were constructed. They carried the wild-type Tetr genes in the chromosome and single site Tets mutations on plasmids. Some heterozygotes could not express tetracycline resistance fully after induction. The mutant tet allele was thus partially dominant. When heterozygotes carrying the dominant tet mutant were plated on agar containing 20 mg/ml tetracycline, mutants which grew normally occurred at a frequency of 1-4 X 10(-4). Analysis of these dominance relief mutants showed that in 53/56 isolates the dominant tet allele was lost forming either Tra+ or Tra- deletion mutants of the plasmid. The mutation frequency was not affected either by the host chromosomal recA mutation or by the temperature of growth of the culture.", "contents": "R factor-mediated tetracycline resistance in Escherichia coli K12. Dominance of some tetracycline sensitive mutants and relief of dominance by deletion. Strains of Escherichia coli K12 heterozygous for the R100-1 tetracycline resistance region were constructed. They carried the wild-type Tetr genes in the chromosome and single site Tets mutations on plasmids. Some heterozygotes could not express tetracycline resistance fully after induction. The mutant tet allele was thus partially dominant. When heterozygotes carrying the dominant tet mutant were plated on agar containing 20 mg/ml tetracycline, mutants which grew normally occurred at a frequency of 1-4 X 10(-4). Analysis of these dominance relief mutants showed that in 53/56 isolates the dominant tet allele was lost forming either Tra+ or Tra- deletion mutants of the plasmid. The mutation frequency was not affected either by the host chromosomal recA mutation or by the temperature of growth of the culture.", "PMID": 765766} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1871", "title": "Pyrimidine nucleoside analogues as inducers of pyrimidine nucleoside catabolizing enzymes in Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Various structural analogues of cytosine and uracil nucleosides were tested as potential inducers of the nucleoside catabolizing (cyt) enzymes in Salmonella typhimurium. Some analogues, e.g. 5'-O-alkyl cytidines and uridines, resistant to catabolic enzymes, were as effective as the natural inducers cytidine and uridine; but etherification of one of the cis 2' or 3'hydroxyls fully abolished activity, pointing to a requirement of an intact ribose cis-glycol system for activity. A uridine analogue in the syn conformation, 6-methyluridine, a good substrate for uridine phosphorylase, was inactive as an inducer. The behavior of various other analogues, in relation to their structure, conformation and substrate properties, indicated the absence of any correlation between inducing activity and substrate susceptibility. The overall findings are consistent with conclusions derived from genetic experiments. The active analogues apparently act via similar pathways, and probably affect the same regulatory mechanism(s) as the natural inducers.", "contents": "Pyrimidine nucleoside analogues as inducers of pyrimidine nucleoside catabolizing enzymes in Salmonella typhimurium. Various structural analogues of cytosine and uracil nucleosides were tested as potential inducers of the nucleoside catabolizing (cyt) enzymes in Salmonella typhimurium. Some analogues, e.g. 5'-O-alkyl cytidines and uridines, resistant to catabolic enzymes, were as effective as the natural inducers cytidine and uridine; but etherification of one of the cis 2' or 3'hydroxyls fully abolished activity, pointing to a requirement of an intact ribose cis-glycol system for activity. A uridine analogue in the syn conformation, 6-methyluridine, a good substrate for uridine phosphorylase, was inactive as an inducer. The behavior of various other analogues, in relation to their structure, conformation and substrate properties, indicated the absence of any correlation between inducing activity and substrate susceptibility. The overall findings are consistent with conclusions derived from genetic experiments. The active analogues apparently act via similar pathways, and probably affect the same regulatory mechanism(s) as the natural inducers.", "PMID": 765767} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1872", "title": "Immunopathology of sympathetic ophthalmia.", "content": "The long held notion that sympathetic ophthalmia represents an autoimmune reaction to uveal pigment is no longer tenable. Pigmentation influences the histopathologic picture of sympathetic ophthalmia but no evidence supports the role of uveal pigment as inciting antigen. Several recent studies have confirmed our initial report of the participation of cellular hypersensitivity to ocular tissues in the pathogenesis of this disease. Both clinical and experimental studies implicate retinal tissue as being more immunogenic than uveal antigens. The recent histopathologic observation that eosinophils concentrate near the choriocapillaris suggests that outer retina and retinal pigment epithelium should not be overlooked as a potential source of the stimulating antigen in sympathetic ophthalmia.", "contents": "Immunopathology of sympathetic ophthalmia. The long held notion that sympathetic ophthalmia represents an autoimmune reaction to uveal pigment is no longer tenable. Pigmentation influences the histopathologic picture of sympathetic ophthalmia but no evidence supports the role of uveal pigment as inciting antigen. Several recent studies have confirmed our initial report of the participation of cellular hypersensitivity to ocular tissues in the pathogenesis of this disease. Both clinical and experimental studies implicate retinal tissue as being more immunogenic than uveal antigens. The recent histopathologic observation that eosinophils concentrate near the choriocapillaris suggests that outer retina and retinal pigment epithelium should not be overlooked as a potential source of the stimulating antigen in sympathetic ophthalmia.", "PMID": 765777} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1873", "title": "[Infectivity of different forms of lambda bacteriophage DNA in transfection of calcinated Escherichia coli].", "content": "Infectivity of linear lambdaDNA molecules is proved to be about a hundred times higher in calcinated E. coli K12 (lambai434) than in E. coli K12(lambda-): the levels of transfection were 1-3-10(7) and 1-2-10(5) infective centers per 1 mug DNA, respectively. In E. coli JC 5743 rec B21 defective for exonucleases I and V the level of transfection was 1-3-10(6). High infectivity of linear lambdaDNA in lysogenic cells cannot be explained by a helping effect of phage particles spontaneously liberated by these cells. It can be caused by recombinations of inserted lambdaDNA molecules with prophage or by the low activity of some nucleases in the lysogenic cells. Covalently closed and \"Hershey\" ring forms of lambdaDNA penetrate the calcinated cells as readily as linear molecules do but the infectivity of the former ones is proved to be very low.", "contents": "[Infectivity of different forms of lambda bacteriophage DNA in transfection of calcinated Escherichia coli]. Infectivity of linear lambdaDNA molecules is proved to be about a hundred times higher in calcinated E. coli K12 (lambai434) than in E. coli K12(lambda-): the levels of transfection were 1-3-10(7) and 1-2-10(5) infective centers per 1 mug DNA, respectively. In E. coli JC 5743 rec B21 defective for exonucleases I and V the level of transfection was 1-3-10(6). High infectivity of linear lambdaDNA in lysogenic cells cannot be explained by a helping effect of phage particles spontaneously liberated by these cells. It can be caused by recombinations of inserted lambdaDNA molecules with prophage or by the low activity of some nucleases in the lysogenic cells. Covalently closed and \"Hershey\" ring forms of lambdaDNA penetrate the calcinated cells as readily as linear molecules do but the infectivity of the former ones is proved to be very low.", "PMID": 765769} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1874", "title": "The role of uveal and retinal antigens in experimental autoimmune ocular pathology.", "content": "Guinea pigs immunized with retina antigen, located by immunofluorescence in the photoreceptor cell layers, develop retina-specific immune responses and autoimmune uveoretinitis. Ocular pathology is characterized by cellular infiltration and destruction of the photoreceptor cells subsequent to inflammation of the iris, ciliary body and choroid. Guinea pigs immunized with homologous choroid antigen, localized by immunofluorenscence in the area of Bruch's membrane or pigment epithelium, developed choroiditis, subretinal exudation and loss of photoreceptor outer segments. The pathology is associated with immune responses directed primarily against antigens recovered with choroid, but which demonstrated partial cross reactions with outer segment antigens. Possible relationship of uveal and retinal antigens is discussed.", "contents": "The role of uveal and retinal antigens in experimental autoimmune ocular pathology. Guinea pigs immunized with retina antigen, located by immunofluorescence in the photoreceptor cell layers, develop retina-specific immune responses and autoimmune uveoretinitis. Ocular pathology is characterized by cellular infiltration and destruction of the photoreceptor cells subsequent to inflammation of the iris, ciliary body and choroid. Guinea pigs immunized with homologous choroid antigen, localized by immunofluorenscence in the area of Bruch's membrane or pigment epithelium, developed choroiditis, subretinal exudation and loss of photoreceptor outer segments. The pathology is associated with immune responses directed primarily against antigens recovered with choroid, but which demonstrated partial cross reactions with outer segment antigens. Possible relationship of uveal and retinal antigens is discussed.", "PMID": 765778} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1875", "title": "Prostaglandins and inflammation in the eye.", "content": "Traumatic injury of the eye promotes the release of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha from the iris and other tissues. These induce vasodilation, increased capillary permeability and an increase in protein content of the aqueous. They are leukotactic. With an influx of leukocytes PGE1 appears in the aqueous having been synthesized by these cells. Infectious agents also attract leukocytes and sensitized lymphocytes characterize inflammation of both allergic and infectious origin. The cascade of molecular and cellular events seen in ocular inflammation of various origin seem ultimately to result in a reaction largely mediated by prostaglandins. Effective therapy should be directed at preventing their synthesis (synthetase inhibitors), interferring with their action once synthesized (receptor blockers), and inhibiting the migration of leukocytes into the eye.", "contents": "Prostaglandins and inflammation in the eye. Traumatic injury of the eye promotes the release of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha from the iris and other tissues. These induce vasodilation, increased capillary permeability and an increase in protein content of the aqueous. They are leukotactic. With an influx of leukocytes PGE1 appears in the aqueous having been synthesized by these cells. Infectious agents also attract leukocytes and sensitized lymphocytes characterize inflammation of both allergic and infectious origin. The cascade of molecular and cellular events seen in ocular inflammation of various origin seem ultimately to result in a reaction largely mediated by prostaglandins. Effective therapy should be directed at preventing their synthesis (synthetase inhibitors), interferring with their action once synthesized (receptor blockers), and inhibiting the migration of leukocytes into the eye.", "PMID": 765779} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1876", "title": "Studies on the mechanism of translocation in ribosomes. IV. The role of ribisomal proteins S12 in translocation.", "content": "It is shown that ribosomes, the 30S subparticles of which are reconstituted without protein S12, read out poly(U) and synthesize polyphenylalanine in the absence of protein elongation factors (EF-T and EF-G) and GTP, i.e. perform \"non-enzymatic\" translation. On the contrary, ribosomes, the 30S subparticles of which are reconstituted with protein S12, do not display \"non-enzymatic\" translation without its activation with parachloromercuribenzoate. This means that a complete removal of protein S12 from the ribosome, as well as its damage with para-chloromercuribenzoate, leads to the unblocking of the potential ability of ribosomes for spontaneous (\"non-enzymatic\") translocation. The presence of intact protein S12 in the ribosome prevents spontaneous (EF-G-GTP-independent) translocation. A suggestion is made that the intact protein S12 forms an additional contact between the ribosomal subparticles and thus participates in the ribosomal mechanism of translocation by affecting the locking-unlocking of the subparticles.", "contents": "Studies on the mechanism of translocation in ribosomes. IV. The role of ribisomal proteins S12 in translocation. It is shown that ribosomes, the 30S subparticles of which are reconstituted without protein S12, read out poly(U) and synthesize polyphenylalanine in the absence of protein elongation factors (EF-T and EF-G) and GTP, i.e. perform \"non-enzymatic\" translation. On the contrary, ribosomes, the 30S subparticles of which are reconstituted with protein S12, do not display \"non-enzymatic\" translation without its activation with parachloromercuribenzoate. This means that a complete removal of protein S12 from the ribosome, as well as its damage with para-chloromercuribenzoate, leads to the unblocking of the potential ability of ribosomes for spontaneous (\"non-enzymatic\") translocation. The presence of intact protein S12 in the ribosome prevents spontaneous (EF-G-GTP-independent) translocation. A suggestion is made that the intact protein S12 forms an additional contact between the ribosomal subparticles and thus participates in the ribosomal mechanism of translocation by affecting the locking-unlocking of the subparticles.", "PMID": 765774} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1877", "title": "[Phage T4 partial diploids obtained with the method of DNA interrupted injection. II. The mapping technique based on the physical size measurement of the diploid region].", "content": "Populations of the E. coli B mixedly infected with the whole chromosome of the amber mutant in respect to two genes under consideration and with a chromosome fragment of the phage T4 \"wild\" type are examined. The fragment length with which both of the amber mutants defect functions are compensated is determined to measure physical distance between the genes. Distances so obtained do not depend on recombination frequencies and are shown to be additive and \"complementary\". The latter property means that the sum of the smaller and \"complementary\", larger distances between two genes on the circular map equals the complete linkage group quantity. Moreover, a \"complementary\", larger distance is measured directly and independently on a smaller one, whereas current mapping technique fail to do so. The method enables to evaluate a size of rather long phage T4 gene region, for example gene 43, i. e. the structural DNA polymerase gene. Phage T4 genes 34 and 35 are shown to have a common start region for transcription and translation, i. e. they belong to the same operon. In consequences the circular map of physical distances between phage T4 genes is constructed.", "contents": "[Phage T4 partial diploids obtained with the method of DNA interrupted injection. II. The mapping technique based on the physical size measurement of the diploid region]. Populations of the E. coli B mixedly infected with the whole chromosome of the amber mutant in respect to two genes under consideration and with a chromosome fragment of the phage T4 \"wild\" type are examined. The fragment length with which both of the amber mutants defect functions are compensated is determined to measure physical distance between the genes. Distances so obtained do not depend on recombination frequencies and are shown to be additive and \"complementary\". The latter property means that the sum of the smaller and \"complementary\", larger distances between two genes on the circular map equals the complete linkage group quantity. Moreover, a \"complementary\", larger distance is measured directly and independently on a smaller one, whereas current mapping technique fail to do so. The method enables to evaluate a size of rather long phage T4 gene region, for example gene 43, i. e. the structural DNA polymerase gene. Phage T4 genes 34 and 35 are shown to have a common start region for transcription and translation, i. e. they belong to the same operon. In consequences the circular map of physical distances between phage T4 genes is constructed.", "PMID": 765775} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1878", "title": "Histoincompatibility and allogeneic corneal grafting between inbred strains of rats.", "content": "To study corneal allograft reactions in antigenically controlled models, our method for interlamellar grafting was applied in two rat inbred strain combinations, the one with intermediate and the other with strong (RtH-1) histoincompatibility. In syngeneic controls, no rejection of grafts applied near the limbus could be observed clinically and histologically, but all allografts were rejected; the speed and intensity of the reaction depend on the degree of histoincompatibility. Systemic sensitization following corneal grafting took place in both strain combinations as indicated by accelerated rejection of subsequent skin grafts.", "contents": "Histoincompatibility and allogeneic corneal grafting between inbred strains of rats. To study corneal allograft reactions in antigenically controlled models, our method for interlamellar grafting was applied in two rat inbred strain combinations, the one with intermediate and the other with strong (RtH-1) histoincompatibility. In syngeneic controls, no rejection of grafts applied near the limbus could be observed clinically and histologically, but all allografts were rejected; the speed and intensity of the reaction depend on the degree of histoincompatibility. Systemic sensitization following corneal grafting took place in both strain combinations as indicated by accelerated rejection of subsequent skin grafts.", "PMID": 765780} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1879", "title": "The role of tissue typing in corneal transplantation.", "content": "The ABO relationships of 150 corneal transplant recipients and their donors were evaluated as were IgG and IgM isoagglutinins in recipients receiving grafts from ABO-incompatible donors. The HL-A antigens of 43 corneal transplant recipients and their donors were determined as were the cross-matches of donor lymphocytes in selected cases. No relationships of significance between mismatched donors and recipients or presence of antibody in recipients against antigens of the donor for either ABO or HL-A systems were found. It was concluded that in this series histocompatibility mismatches could not be shown to be a factor in corneal transplant failure.", "contents": "The role of tissue typing in corneal transplantation. The ABO relationships of 150 corneal transplant recipients and their donors were evaluated as were IgG and IgM isoagglutinins in recipients receiving grafts from ABO-incompatible donors. The HL-A antigens of 43 corneal transplant recipients and their donors were determined as were the cross-matches of donor lymphocytes in selected cases. No relationships of significance between mismatched donors and recipients or presence of antibody in recipients against antigens of the donor for either ABO or HL-A systems were found. It was concluded that in this series histocompatibility mismatches could not be shown to be a factor in corneal transplant failure.", "PMID": 765781} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1880", "title": "[Studies on the mechanism of translocation in ribosomes. V. Comparison of the effect of antibiotic inhibitors of ribosomes on \"enzymatic\" and \"non-enzymatic\" translation].", "content": "A comparison of the effect of 11 antibiotic inhibitors of protein synthesis on \"enzymatic\" and para-chloromercuribenzoateactivated \"non-enzymatic\" translation was made. It was found that fusidic acid which inhibits protein synthesis by blocking the action of one of the elongation factors (EF-G) did not suppress functioning of the \"non-enzymatic\" system. On the contrary, all the antibiotics blocking different functional sites of the ribosome itself such as tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, edeine, thiostreptone, viridogrisein, spectinomycin, streptomycin, kanamycin and neomycin, were shown to inhibit the \"non-enzymatic\" translation. The data obtained corroborate the idea that the molecular mechanism which the ribosome utilized during \"non-enzymatic\" translation are similar or identical to the mechanism of normal \"enzymatic\" translation. It was found that the \"non-enzymatic\" working ribosome is more sensitive to all the antibiotics as compared to the ribosome synthesizing peptide with the participation of elongation factors (EF-T and EF-G). This suggests that the elongation factors increase the level of general resistance of the working ribosome against very different hindrances.", "contents": "[Studies on the mechanism of translocation in ribosomes. V. Comparison of the effect of antibiotic inhibitors of ribosomes on \"enzymatic\" and \"non-enzymatic\" translation]. A comparison of the effect of 11 antibiotic inhibitors of protein synthesis on \"enzymatic\" and para-chloromercuribenzoateactivated \"non-enzymatic\" translation was made. It was found that fusidic acid which inhibits protein synthesis by blocking the action of one of the elongation factors (EF-G) did not suppress functioning of the \"non-enzymatic\" system. On the contrary, all the antibiotics blocking different functional sites of the ribosome itself such as tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, edeine, thiostreptone, viridogrisein, spectinomycin, streptomycin, kanamycin and neomycin, were shown to inhibit the \"non-enzymatic\" translation. The data obtained corroborate the idea that the molecular mechanism which the ribosome utilized during \"non-enzymatic\" translation are similar or identical to the mechanism of normal \"enzymatic\" translation. It was found that the \"non-enzymatic\" working ribosome is more sensitive to all the antibiotics as compared to the ribosome synthesizing peptide with the participation of elongation factors (EF-T and EF-G). This suggests that the elongation factors increase the level of general resistance of the working ribosome against very different hindrances.", "PMID": 765776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1881", "title": "Immunologic protection of rabbit corneal allografts with heterologous 'blocking' antibody. Immunologic protection of corneal allografts.", "content": "Exchange penetrating keratoplasties were performed in NZW rabbits using conreas soaked in heterologous 'blocking' antibody (guinea pig anti-rabbit gamma-globulin) under various experimental situations and immunogenic stimuli. Results suggest that the antibody can protect the rabbit graft from weak rejection stimuli possibly by blocking the afferent arc of the immunologic reflex, but cannot protect the graft from presensitization, or nonocular sensitization. The use of a blocking antibody in human transplantation would be simple and of slight risk to a graft recipient.", "contents": "Immunologic protection of rabbit corneal allografts with heterologous 'blocking' antibody. Immunologic protection of corneal allografts. Exchange penetrating keratoplasties were performed in NZW rabbits using conreas soaked in heterologous 'blocking' antibody (guinea pig anti-rabbit gamma-globulin) under various experimental situations and immunogenic stimuli. Results suggest that the antibody can protect the rabbit graft from weak rejection stimuli possibly by blocking the afferent arc of the immunologic reflex, but cannot protect the graft from presensitization, or nonocular sensitization. The use of a blocking antibody in human transplantation would be simple and of slight risk to a graft recipient.", "PMID": 765782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1882", "title": "[A method of comparison of DNA polynucleotide sequences].", "content": "The results of a comparative analysis of the kinetic curves of reassociation of DNA of closely related species of Microtus (Microtus arvalis, Microtus oeconomus oeconomus, Microtus oeconomus Chachlovi) are presented. A five power polynomial was used as a mathematical model of the kinetic DNA reassociation curves. The values of polynomial coefficients and the theoretical value, both with statistical deviations dispersion, have been estimated with the help of a standard computer programme. The modified Fischer criterium was used for comparing the model kinetic curves of reassociation of the above species and of subspecies of Microtus, and to estimate the significance of the difference between two random means. A pair-wise comparison of the model curves shows that the similarity of the DNA polynucleotide sequences in two subspecies is less expressed than in two species of Microtus. A method of comparison of DNA nucleotide sequences is suggested on the basis of mathematical models of kinetic curves of DNA reassociation.", "contents": "[A method of comparison of DNA polynucleotide sequences]. The results of a comparative analysis of the kinetic curves of reassociation of DNA of closely related species of Microtus (Microtus arvalis, Microtus oeconomus oeconomus, Microtus oeconomus Chachlovi) are presented. A five power polynomial was used as a mathematical model of the kinetic DNA reassociation curves. The values of polynomial coefficients and the theoretical value, both with statistical deviations dispersion, have been estimated with the help of a standard computer programme. The modified Fischer criterium was used for comparing the model kinetic curves of reassociation of the above species and of subspecies of Microtus, and to estimate the significance of the difference between two random means. A pair-wise comparison of the model curves shows that the similarity of the DNA polynucleotide sequences in two subspecies is less expressed than in two species of Microtus. A method of comparison of DNA nucleotide sequences is suggested on the basis of mathematical models of kinetic curves of DNA reassociation.", "PMID": 765772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1883", "title": "[Approach to a priori calculation of stable forms of proteins].", "content": "Basing on semi-empirical conformational analysis an approach is suggested to the calculation of stable forms of protein molecules. The physical model proposed implies: 1) that the most stable conformation of a protein corresponds to its native state, 2) that interactions of three types which determine conformational states of every residue should be treated separately, 3) that the protein molecule is highly compact structure with interactions of different kinds compensating each other, 4) that interactions of the three types contribute differently to the formation of the spatial structure of a globule. These interactions are: 1) those of peptide chain atoms within a particular residue, 2) interactions of the residue with the nearest neighbours in the chain, 3) interactions with residues which are remote in the chain but close in the globule. The approach proposed allows to separate the conformational analysis of a protein into a number of subsequently solved problems. The scheme of the calculation of stable forms is presented.", "contents": "[Approach to a priori calculation of stable forms of proteins]. Basing on semi-empirical conformational analysis an approach is suggested to the calculation of stable forms of protein molecules. The physical model proposed implies: 1) that the most stable conformation of a protein corresponds to its native state, 2) that interactions of three types which determine conformational states of every residue should be treated separately, 3) that the protein molecule is highly compact structure with interactions of different kinds compensating each other, 4) that interactions of the three types contribute differently to the formation of the spatial structure of a globule. These interactions are: 1) those of peptide chain atoms within a particular residue, 2) interactions of the residue with the nearest neighbours in the chain, 3) interactions with residues which are remote in the chain but close in the globule. The approach proposed allows to separate the conformational analysis of a protein into a number of subsequently solved problems. The scheme of the calculation of stable forms is presented.", "PMID": 765773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1884", "title": "Immunology of the vitreous body.", "content": "The vitreous is feebly antigenic and is characterized by the absence of gamma-globulins and immunocompetent cells. Moreover, it is isolated from the aqueous humour by a mucopolysaccharide molecular filter. It represents an incomplete and primitive immunological system, reacting like an embryonic tissue and exhibiting only phagocytosis.", "contents": "Immunology of the vitreous body. The vitreous is feebly antigenic and is characterized by the absence of gamma-globulins and immunocompetent cells. Moreover, it is isolated from the aqueous humour by a mucopolysaccharide molecular filter. It represents an incomplete and primitive immunological system, reacting like an embryonic tissue and exhibiting only phagocytosis.", "PMID": 765783} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1885", "title": "Immunological aspects of viral uveitis.", "content": "The study of the immunological aspects of viral uveitis deals with virology as well as ophthalmology. Viral uveitis can be the result of direct invasion of the uvea by viral particles, or possibly by immune complexes, and even autoimmune reactions can play a role. The diagnosis will be made, besides the rare finding of viruses, by measuring circulating antibodies in serum and aqueous. The evolution of the disease and its therapy raise many questions involving the humoral and the cellular immune systems.", "contents": "Immunological aspects of viral uveitis. The study of the immunological aspects of viral uveitis deals with virology as well as ophthalmology. Viral uveitis can be the result of direct invasion of the uvea by viral particles, or possibly by immune complexes, and even autoimmune reactions can play a role. The diagnosis will be made, besides the rare finding of viruses, by measuring circulating antibodies in serum and aqueous. The evolution of the disease and its therapy raise many questions involving the humoral and the cellular immune systems.", "PMID": 765784} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1886", "title": "Some remarks on the immunopathology of toxoplasmic uveitis.", "content": "Data obtained from prospective studies of congenital toxoplasmosis and from serological examination of patients with uveitis suggest that ocular toxoplasmosis is mostly congenital in origin. It is mainly related to the immunological clearance of residual cysts persisting after a subclinical congenital toxoplasmosis.", "contents": "Some remarks on the immunopathology of toxoplasmic uveitis. Data obtained from prospective studies of congenital toxoplasmosis and from serological examination of patients with uveitis suggest that ocular toxoplasmosis is mostly congenital in origin. It is mainly related to the immunological clearance of residual cysts persisting after a subclinical congenital toxoplasmosis.", "PMID": 765785} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1887", "title": "Demonstration of cell-mediated immunological reactivity to transplantation antigens in uveo-retinal tissues.", "content": "Lymph node cells from inbred rats, sensitized against allotransplantation antigens, were tested for reactivity against uveo-retinal tissues, using a two-step leucocyte migration inhibition test: (1) These tissues induced positive reactions indicating the presence of transplantation antigens. (2) This was true for strong and weaker histoincompatibility systems. (3) Quantitatively, uveo-retinal tissues were somewhat less reactive than lymphocytes as antigen.", "contents": "Demonstration of cell-mediated immunological reactivity to transplantation antigens in uveo-retinal tissues. Lymph node cells from inbred rats, sensitized against allotransplantation antigens, were tested for reactivity against uveo-retinal tissues, using a two-step leucocyte migration inhibition test: (1) These tissues induced positive reactions indicating the presence of transplantation antigens. (2) This was true for strong and weaker histoincompatibility systems. (3) Quantitatively, uveo-retinal tissues were somewhat less reactive than lymphocytes as antigen.", "PMID": 765787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1888", "title": "Experimental lens-induced granulomatous endophthalmitis.", "content": "Experimental lens-induced granulomatous endophthalmitis is an experimental autoimmune disease that is histopathologically identical to the human disease known as phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis or lens-induced uveitis. The capacity to develop experimental disease after lens injury can be passively transferred to virgin animals with hyperimmune serum. Fluorescein-labeled anti-IgG and anti-C'3 antisera bind to the lenses of appropriately sensitized animals after lens injury but not to the injured lenses of unsensitized control animals. Cobra Venom factor which inhibits C'3 prevents the development of lens-induced granulomatous uveitis in appropriately sensitized animals. Hypersensitized animals develop a massive Arthus-like reaction. On the basis of these observations we feel that experimental lens-induced granulomatous endophthalmitis is an immune complex disease. Because the experimental disease is histopathologically identical to human lens-induced uveitis or phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis we believe an immune complex mechanism of immunopathogenesis is important in phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis.", "contents": "Experimental lens-induced granulomatous endophthalmitis. Experimental lens-induced granulomatous endophthalmitis is an experimental autoimmune disease that is histopathologically identical to the human disease known as phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis or lens-induced uveitis. The capacity to develop experimental disease after lens injury can be passively transferred to virgin animals with hyperimmune serum. Fluorescein-labeled anti-IgG and anti-C'3 antisera bind to the lenses of appropriately sensitized animals after lens injury but not to the injured lenses of unsensitized control animals. Cobra Venom factor which inhibits C'3 prevents the development of lens-induced granulomatous uveitis in appropriately sensitized animals. Hypersensitized animals develop a massive Arthus-like reaction. On the basis of these observations we feel that experimental lens-induced granulomatous endophthalmitis is an immune complex disease. Because the experimental disease is histopathologically identical to human lens-induced uveitis or phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis we believe an immune complex mechanism of immunopathogenesis is important in phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis.", "PMID": 765788} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1889", "title": "History of immunology of uveitis.", "content": "The history of immunology of uveitis is given from the point of view of the author. Immunological studies on clinical cases of uveitis and later experimental uveitis in rabbits using the fluorescent antibody technique of COONS are shortly discussed. Later studies on viral diseases in collaboration with Dr. Martenet are mentioned.", "contents": "History of immunology of uveitis. The history of immunology of uveitis is given from the point of view of the author. Immunological studies on clinical cases of uveitis and later experimental uveitis in rabbits using the fluorescent antibody technique of COONS are shortly discussed. Later studies on viral diseases in collaboration with Dr. Martenet are mentioned.", "PMID": 765789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1890", "title": "Hydroxyurea.", "content": "Hydroxyurea (HU) is an anti-leukaemia and anti-tumour drug which has also found limited application in the treatment of dermatological disorders. It is a potent inhibitor of DNA synthesis in many organisms from viruses to man and in cell culture systems. To a lesser degree it can also inhibit RNA and protein synthesis. It is anti-mitotic and cytotoxic depending on the concentration used, the duration of exposure, and the sensitivity of the organism. In most cells HU is active mainly in the S-phase of the cycle and because of the easy reversibility of its action it has been used as a synchronising agent in cell cultures with some success. There is conflicting evidence about the ability of HU to act as an inhibitor of the natural DNA repair mechanisms in cells exposed to radiation or alkylating agents. HU has, however, been shown to induce chromosome damage in a number of organisms including man. It is clearly teratogenic in mammals and can cross the placental barrier at least in rats and the golden hamster, but it is believed to have only a limited mutagenic activity. Studies involving a direct comparison of the action of HU with other compounds suggest that the = C--NHOH moiety is responsible for its biological activity.", "contents": "Hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea (HU) is an anti-leukaemia and anti-tumour drug which has also found limited application in the treatment of dermatological disorders. It is a potent inhibitor of DNA synthesis in many organisms from viruses to man and in cell culture systems. To a lesser degree it can also inhibit RNA and protein synthesis. It is anti-mitotic and cytotoxic depending on the concentration used, the duration of exposure, and the sensitivity of the organism. In most cells HU is active mainly in the S-phase of the cycle and because of the easy reversibility of its action it has been used as a synchronising agent in cell cultures with some success. There is conflicting evidence about the ability of HU to act as an inhibitor of the natural DNA repair mechanisms in cells exposed to radiation or alkylating agents. HU has, however, been shown to induce chromosome damage in a number of organisms including man. It is clearly teratogenic in mammals and can cross the placental barrier at least in rats and the golden hamster, but it is believed to have only a limited mutagenic activity. Studies involving a direct comparison of the action of HU with other compounds suggest that the = C--NHOH moiety is responsible for its biological activity.", "PMID": 765790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1891", "title": "Theobromine and theophylline.", "content": "Theobromine and theophylline have a limited therapeutic use and in addition they occur in plants used in the preparation of a number of widely consumed drinks. Thus most of the population must be exposed to both compounds. Chromosome abnormalities are caused by both theobromine and theophylline in plant cells and in mammalian cells in culture, and both have anti-mitotic activity. While they are fairly potent mutagens in Escherichia coli and other lower organisms the rather scanty available evidence suggests that they are not mutagenic in mammals. The difference in mutagenic activity may be due to the reported inability of E. coli to demethylate these compounds, a process which occurs readily in mammals including man. The structure-activity relationships of these compounds are complex but the available evidence suggests that methylation at position 1 is the most important for both mutagenic activity and the anti-mitotic effect while methylation at position 3 is of most importance in the action on chromosomes.", "contents": "Theobromine and theophylline. Theobromine and theophylline have a limited therapeutic use and in addition they occur in plants used in the preparation of a number of widely consumed drinks. Thus most of the population must be exposed to both compounds. Chromosome abnormalities are caused by both theobromine and theophylline in plant cells and in mammalian cells in culture, and both have anti-mitotic activity. While they are fairly potent mutagens in Escherichia coli and other lower organisms the rather scanty available evidence suggests that they are not mutagenic in mammals. The difference in mutagenic activity may be due to the reported inability of E. coli to demethylate these compounds, a process which occurs readily in mammals including man. The structure-activity relationships of these compounds are complex but the available evidence suggests that methylation at position 1 is the most important for both mutagenic activity and the anti-mitotic effect while methylation at position 3 is of most importance in the action on chromosomes.", "PMID": 765793} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1892", "title": "The lethal effect on bacteria of dimethylnitrosamine used without an activating agent.", "content": "Survival curves have been obtained for various strains of bacteria treated with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) solutions of different concentrations. The results are compatible with the conclusion that DMN kills the bacteria by an attack on their deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and the damage so caused can be repaired by the same systems that repair damage created by ultraviolet light or X radiation. No activating agent was added to the DMN solutions and under these circumstances their activities were in proportion to the squares of their concentrations. It is suggested that this is because two molecules of DMN plus one of oxygen produce two carbonium ions, two hydroxyl ions, two formaldehyde molecules and two nitrogen molecules.", "contents": "The lethal effect on bacteria of dimethylnitrosamine used without an activating agent. Survival curves have been obtained for various strains of bacteria treated with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) solutions of different concentrations. The results are compatible with the conclusion that DMN kills the bacteria by an attack on their deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and the damage so caused can be repaired by the same systems that repair damage created by ultraviolet light or X radiation. No activating agent was added to the DMN solutions and under these circumstances their activities were in proportion to the squares of their concentrations. It is suggested that this is because two molecules of DMN plus one of oxygen produce two carbonium ions, two hydroxyl ions, two formaldehyde molecules and two nitrogen molecules.", "PMID": 765795} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1893", "title": "Inactivation and mutation of yeast cells by hydrogen peroxide.", "content": "It has been found that inactivation and mutation to respiratory deficiency of yeast cells can be induced by hydrogen peroxide treatment. However, considerable inconsistencies were encountered in measuring these responses. The inconsistencies were found to arise from differences in the abilities of cells in different metabolic states to destroy H2O2 and in the intrinsic sensitivities of cells in different growth states. Parallels are drawn with previous inactivation data from bacterial studies suggesting reparable lesions in DNA provide a useful model to explain H2O2-induced inactivation, but it is not yet possible to eliminate alternative interpretations. Mutation induction in stationary phase cells is strongly depressed at high \"doses\" of H2O2 (or low cell survival), as is found with a variety of other agents.", "contents": "Inactivation and mutation of yeast cells by hydrogen peroxide. It has been found that inactivation and mutation to respiratory deficiency of yeast cells can be induced by hydrogen peroxide treatment. However, considerable inconsistencies were encountered in measuring these responses. The inconsistencies were found to arise from differences in the abilities of cells in different metabolic states to destroy H2O2 and in the intrinsic sensitivities of cells in different growth states. Parallels are drawn with previous inactivation data from bacterial studies suggesting reparable lesions in DNA provide a useful model to explain H2O2-induced inactivation, but it is not yet possible to eliminate alternative interpretations. Mutation induction in stationary phase cells is strongly depressed at high \"doses\" of H2O2 (or low cell survival), as is found with a variety of other agents.", "PMID": 765796} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1894", "title": "Two mutations which confer temperature-sensitive radiation sensitivity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "X-ray survival curves for two mutations, rad54 and rad55, in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are presented. These mutations confer temperature sensitive X-ray sensitivity; that is rad54 and rad55 strains display a wild type X-ray survival response at permissive temperatures and a radiosensitive X-ray survival response at restrictive temperatures. The survival response of cells which were shifted from a permissive to a restrictive temperature or vice versa at various post-irradiation times indicates that repair and fixation of X-ray induced lesions is largely complete three hours after X-irradiation. Experiments to determine the utilization sequence of the rad54 and rad55 gene products in the repair of X-ray induced damage suggest that the two products are required in an interdependent manner.", "contents": "Two mutations which confer temperature-sensitive radiation sensitivity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. X-ray survival curves for two mutations, rad54 and rad55, in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are presented. These mutations confer temperature sensitive X-ray sensitivity; that is rad54 and rad55 strains display a wild type X-ray survival response at permissive temperatures and a radiosensitive X-ray survival response at restrictive temperatures. The survival response of cells which were shifted from a permissive to a restrictive temperature or vice versa at various post-irradiation times indicates that repair and fixation of X-ray induced lesions is largely complete three hours after X-irradiation. Experiments to determine the utilization sequence of the rad54 and rad55 gene products in the repair of X-ray induced damage suggest that the two products are required in an interdependent manner.", "PMID": 765797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1895", "title": "The gene dosage effect of the rad52 mutation on X-ray survival curves of tetraploid yeast strains.", "content": "The mutation rad52 in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae confers sensitivity to X-rays. The gene dosage effect of this mutation on X-ray survival curves of tetraploid yeast strains is shown. With increasing number of rad52 alleles, both a decrease in the survival for a given dose and a decrease in the survival curve shoulder width are observed. The generation of such a family of survival curves using three different mathematical models is discussed.", "contents": "The gene dosage effect of the rad52 mutation on X-ray survival curves of tetraploid yeast strains. The mutation rad52 in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae confers sensitivity to X-rays. The gene dosage effect of this mutation on X-ray survival curves of tetraploid yeast strains is shown. With increasing number of rad52 alleles, both a decrease in the survival for a given dose and a decrease in the survival curve shoulder width are observed. The generation of such a family of survival curves using three different mathematical models is discussed.", "PMID": 765798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1896", "title": "Effect of caffeine on recovery from DEB-induced cell inactivation in UV-sensitive mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The UV-sensitive yeast mutants rad3 and rad6 are highly sensitive to diepoxybutane (DEB) as compared with the RAD strain. The two mutants show differential response to liquid holding (LH) after exposure to DEB and UV. The survival of rad3 increases markedly after DEB and decreases after UV. Caffeine significantly affects LH recovery of DEB-treated RAD strain, slightly decreases recovery of rad3 and has almost no effect on survival of rad6. When DEB-treated cultures are plated immediately on caffeine-containing medium, survival of rad3 decreases more significantly than that of the RAD strain, whereas survival of rad6 is only slightly decreased as compared with the untreated cultures. Possible mechanisms of recovery from DEB-induced cell damage are discussed.", "contents": "Effect of caffeine on recovery from DEB-induced cell inactivation in UV-sensitive mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The UV-sensitive yeast mutants rad3 and rad6 are highly sensitive to diepoxybutane (DEB) as compared with the RAD strain. The two mutants show differential response to liquid holding (LH) after exposure to DEB and UV. The survival of rad3 increases markedly after DEB and decreases after UV. Caffeine significantly affects LH recovery of DEB-treated RAD strain, slightly decreases recovery of rad3 and has almost no effect on survival of rad6. When DEB-treated cultures are plated immediately on caffeine-containing medium, survival of rad3 decreases more significantly than that of the RAD strain, whereas survival of rad6 is only slightly decreased as compared with the untreated cultures. Possible mechanisms of recovery from DEB-induced cell damage are discussed.", "PMID": 765799} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1897", "title": "Genetic effects of formaldehyde in yeast. I. Influence of the growth stages on killing and recombination.", "content": "In random cultures, stationary phase cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are more resistant to killing induced by formaldehyde than are exponentially growing cells. It is shown that this compound induces intra- and intergenic recombination in this eucaryotic organism. In synchronized populations the lag and G1 phases demonstrate the higher resistance to both killing and induction of recombinants by formaldehyde whereas maximal sensitivity occurs during the end of G2 and/or the mitotic division. This pattern in contrast with that found after treatments by ionizing or ultraviolet radiations.", "contents": "Genetic effects of formaldehyde in yeast. I. Influence of the growth stages on killing and recombination. In random cultures, stationary phase cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are more resistant to killing induced by formaldehyde than are exponentially growing cells. It is shown that this compound induces intra- and intergenic recombination in this eucaryotic organism. In synchronized populations the lag and G1 phases demonstrate the higher resistance to both killing and induction of recombinants by formaldehyde whereas maximal sensitivity occurs during the end of G2 and/or the mitotic division. This pattern in contrast with that found after treatments by ionizing or ultraviolet radiations.", "PMID": 765800} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1898", "title": "A cytogenetic study in women who had used oral contraceptives and in their progeny.", "content": "A study has been made of the chromosome numbers and characteristics of leucocytes cultured from mothers (a total of 77) who had taken one or more types of oral contraceptive, and their babies (108), and compared with similar numbers of control subjects. When the total cytogenetic results from test and control mothers were compared, no significant differences in frequency or type of chromosome abnormalities was observed. However, with certain types of oral contraceptive, minor differences in the numbers of chromosome abnormalities were found between test and control groups and the significance of these findings are discussed. The only significant abnormalities observed in the babies from mothers taking oral contraceptives were slight increases in the numbers who had cells with less than 46 chromosomes and who exhibited chromosomal gaps. The number of abnormal cells was significantly higher in babies born to mothers who had been taking norethynodrel (Conovid) (4.6% abnormal cells in test babies; 2.0% in controls).", "contents": "A cytogenetic study in women who had used oral contraceptives and in their progeny. A study has been made of the chromosome numbers and characteristics of leucocytes cultured from mothers (a total of 77) who had taken one or more types of oral contraceptive, and their babies (108), and compared with similar numbers of control subjects. When the total cytogenetic results from test and control mothers were compared, no significant differences in frequency or type of chromosome abnormalities was observed. However, with certain types of oral contraceptive, minor differences in the numbers of chromosome abnormalities were found between test and control groups and the significance of these findings are discussed. The only significant abnormalities observed in the babies from mothers taking oral contraceptives were slight increases in the numbers who had cells with less than 46 chromosomes and who exhibited chromosomal gaps. The number of abnormal cells was significantly higher in babies born to mothers who had been taking norethynodrel (Conovid) (4.6% abnormal cells in test babies; 2.0% in controls).", "PMID": 765801} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1899", "title": "Use of snail enzyme for the selection of glucose-and mannose-negative mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The relationship between growth and sensitivity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells to snail enzyme led us to work out the conditions for using this enzyme to isolate mannose-negative and glucose-negative mutants. The technique is based on a prior growth on a glycerol medium in which any cell becomes resistant to snail enzyme, followed by a period of growth in a medium in which only the wild-type cells can grow, thereby becoming sensitive to the enzyme. This technique was very effective in both tested cases. This result suggests that the method described might also be applied to isolate other kinds of mutant.", "contents": "Use of snail enzyme for the selection of glucose-and mannose-negative mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The relationship between growth and sensitivity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells to snail enzyme led us to work out the conditions for using this enzyme to isolate mannose-negative and glucose-negative mutants. The technique is based on a prior growth on a glycerol medium in which any cell becomes resistant to snail enzyme, followed by a period of growth in a medium in which only the wild-type cells can grow, thereby becoming sensitive to the enzyme. This technique was very effective in both tested cases. This result suggests that the method described might also be applied to isolate other kinds of mutant.", "PMID": 765802} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1900", "title": "Spontaneous and induced mutability or frameshift strains of Salmonella typhimurium carrying uvrB and polA mutations.", "content": "Three strains of Salmonella typhimurium carrying frameshift mutations affectin g the histidine genes (hisC3076, hisD3052 and hisC207) showed increased sensitivity to mutagenesis by ICR-191 (as judged by measuring back mutation to prototrophy), if they were made deficient in excision repair by deleting the uvrB gene. One frameshift strain, hisC3076, also showed increased sensitivity to mutagenesis by ICR-191 when it carried either of two different polA alleles, whereas the hisD3052 and hisC207 frameshifts reduced sensitivity to mutagenesis in the presence of these alleles. Studies of spontaneous back mutation to prototrophy revealed significant mutator effects of the polA1 mutation on reversion of the hisD3052 frameshift and of the polA3 mutation on reversion of the hisC3076 frameshift. Other smaller mutator effects of the polA alleles on complex interactions between different polA alleles and different frameshift mutations, it is tentatively suggested that deletion frameshifts may arise mainly during DNA replication, while addition frameshifts may arise mainly during post-replication repair.", "contents": "Spontaneous and induced mutability or frameshift strains of Salmonella typhimurium carrying uvrB and polA mutations. Three strains of Salmonella typhimurium carrying frameshift mutations affectin g the histidine genes (hisC3076, hisD3052 and hisC207) showed increased sensitivity to mutagenesis by ICR-191 (as judged by measuring back mutation to prototrophy), if they were made deficient in excision repair by deleting the uvrB gene. One frameshift strain, hisC3076, also showed increased sensitivity to mutagenesis by ICR-191 when it carried either of two different polA alleles, whereas the hisD3052 and hisC207 frameshifts reduced sensitivity to mutagenesis in the presence of these alleles. Studies of spontaneous back mutation to prototrophy revealed significant mutator effects of the polA1 mutation on reversion of the hisD3052 frameshift and of the polA3 mutation on reversion of the hisC3076 frameshift. Other smaller mutator effects of the polA alleles on complex interactions between different polA alleles and different frameshift mutations, it is tentatively suggested that deletion frameshifts may arise mainly during DNA replication, while addition frameshifts may arise mainly during post-replication repair.", "PMID": 765803} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1901", "title": "Fate of thymine-containing dimers in the deoxyribonucleic acid of ultraviolet-irradiated mutator T1 Escherichia coli transductants.", "content": "In order to determine whether a relationship generally exists between the mutator property (mutT1) and repair of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation damaged DNA, we performed spontaneous mutation rate and UV-survival determinations without and with acriflavin (4 mug/ml) in P1 phage mediated mut T1 Escherichia coli transductants. The strains constructed were assumed to be coisogenic except for the mutator factor. The mutT1 uvrA, uvrB or exrA transductants had mutation rates similar to the donor strain. Double mutants containing mutT1 and uvrB or exrA had the same level of UV survival as the parent with the same mutator phenotype. Mutator strains were normal for host-cell reactivation of UV-irradiated phage T1, and phage lambda was UV-inducible. The fate of UV-induced thymine-containing dimers in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of mutT1 transductants was investigated. Dark repair of pyrimidine dimers is equally acriflavin sensitive in the nonmutator and mutator Hcr+ strains. During incubation in the dark, dimers were excised to the same extent from the DNA of the HCR+ mutator and nonmutator transductants, but remained in the DNA of the HCR- MUTANT. A preliminary report of these studies was presented at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Scoeity of Microbiology, Boston, 1970.", "contents": "Fate of thymine-containing dimers in the deoxyribonucleic acid of ultraviolet-irradiated mutator T1 Escherichia coli transductants. In order to determine whether a relationship generally exists between the mutator property (mutT1) and repair of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation damaged DNA, we performed spontaneous mutation rate and UV-survival determinations without and with acriflavin (4 mug/ml) in P1 phage mediated mut T1 Escherichia coli transductants. The strains constructed were assumed to be coisogenic except for the mutator factor. The mutT1 uvrA, uvrB or exrA transductants had mutation rates similar to the donor strain. Double mutants containing mutT1 and uvrB or exrA had the same level of UV survival as the parent with the same mutator phenotype. Mutator strains were normal for host-cell reactivation of UV-irradiated phage T1, and phage lambda was UV-inducible. The fate of UV-induced thymine-containing dimers in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of mutT1 transductants was investigated. Dark repair of pyrimidine dimers is equally acriflavin sensitive in the nonmutator and mutator Hcr+ strains. During incubation in the dark, dimers were excised to the same extent from the DNA of the HCR+ mutator and nonmutator transductants, but remained in the DNA of the HCR- MUTANT. A preliminary report of these studies was presented at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Scoeity of Microbiology, Boston, 1970.", "PMID": 765804} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1902", "title": "Analaysis of photoenzymatic repair of UV lesions in DNA by single light flashes. XI. Light-induced activation of the yeast photoreactivating enzyme.", "content": "Photoreactivating enzyme (PRE) from yeast (as semi-crude extract, or in highly purified form) shows increased activity if it is illuminated with near UV or short wavelength visible light prior to its use for photoenzymatic repair of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers in transforming DNA in vitro. This effect results from an alternation in PRE molecules changing those with low activity in the light-dependent step of the reaction to a higher activity. Light-induced activation of PRE preparations is slowly lost by dark storage for several hours to 1 day (faster at 23 degrees C than at 5 degrees C), but can be recovered repeatedly by renewed preillumination. The action spectrum for these preillumination effects generally resembles that for the photoenzymatic repair reaction itself, having its maximum in the same 355-385 nm region as the latter, but light of somewhat longer wavelengths (546 nm) is still effective. Preilluminated PRE is also more stable to thermal inactivation (65 degrees C) than untreated enzyme.", "contents": "Analaysis of photoenzymatic repair of UV lesions in DNA by single light flashes. XI. Light-induced activation of the yeast photoreactivating enzyme. Photoreactivating enzyme (PRE) from yeast (as semi-crude extract, or in highly purified form) shows increased activity if it is illuminated with near UV or short wavelength visible light prior to its use for photoenzymatic repair of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers in transforming DNA in vitro. This effect results from an alternation in PRE molecules changing those with low activity in the light-dependent step of the reaction to a higher activity. Light-induced activation of PRE preparations is slowly lost by dark storage for several hours to 1 day (faster at 23 degrees C than at 5 degrees C), but can be recovered repeatedly by renewed preillumination. The action spectrum for these preillumination effects generally resembles that for the photoenzymatic repair reaction itself, having its maximum in the same 355-385 nm region as the latter, but light of somewhat longer wavelengths (546 nm) is still effective. Preilluminated PRE is also more stable to thermal inactivation (65 degrees C) than untreated enzyme.", "PMID": 765806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1903", "title": "The effects of temperature on genetic instability in Aspergillus nidulans.", "content": "Previous work has shown that strains of Aspergillus nidulans with a chromosome segment in duplicate (one in normal position, one translocated to another chromosome) are unstable. Deletions occur from either duplicate segment. The present work has shown that most deletions occur from the translocated duplicate segment. Furthermore, it has been found that the overall frequency of deletions from a duplication is dependent upon the temperature of growth. The overall frequency of deletions from a chromosome III duplication is greatly enhanced by low temperatures, while the overall frequency of deletions from a chromosome I duplication is markedly enhanced by high temperatures. A temperature of 39.5 degrees C appears to enhance to overall frequency of deletions from the I duplication to the greatest extent. With regard to the non-translocated duplicate I segment, an increase in temperature progressively enhances the frequency of those deletions to which it is subject to far more deletions during a particular period of growth than during any other period, and at 42 degrees C, a section of the III duplication is subject to far more deletions during a given period of growth than during any other period. Comparisons with other cases of genetic instability are made and common underlying connections are proposed.", "contents": "The effects of temperature on genetic instability in Aspergillus nidulans. Previous work has shown that strains of Aspergillus nidulans with a chromosome segment in duplicate (one in normal position, one translocated to another chromosome) are unstable. Deletions occur from either duplicate segment. The present work has shown that most deletions occur from the translocated duplicate segment. Furthermore, it has been found that the overall frequency of deletions from a duplication is dependent upon the temperature of growth. The overall frequency of deletions from a chromosome III duplication is greatly enhanced by low temperatures, while the overall frequency of deletions from a chromosome I duplication is markedly enhanced by high temperatures. A temperature of 39.5 degrees C appears to enhance to overall frequency of deletions from the I duplication to the greatest extent. With regard to the non-translocated duplicate I segment, an increase in temperature progressively enhances the frequency of those deletions to which it is subject to far more deletions during a particular period of growth than during any other period, and at 42 degrees C, a section of the III duplication is subject to far more deletions during a given period of growth than during any other period. Comparisons with other cases of genetic instability are made and common underlying connections are proposed.", "PMID": 765807} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1904", "title": "The resistance of Micrococcus radiodurans to killing and mutation by agents which damage DNA.", "content": "The resistance of Micrococcus radiodurans to the lethal and mutagenic action of ultraviolet (UV) light, ionising (gamma) radiation, mitomycin C (MTC), nitrous acid (NA), hydroxylamine (HA), N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NG), ethylmethanesulphonate (EMS) and beta-propiolactone (betaPL) has been compared with that of Escherichia coli B/r. M. radiodurans was much more resistant than E. coli B/r to the lethal effects of UV light (by a factor of 33), gamma-radiation (55), NG (15) and NA (62), showed intermediate resistance to MTC (4) and HA (7), but was sensitive to EMS (1) and betaPL (2). M. radiodurans was very resistant to mutagens producing damage which can be repaired by a recombination system, indicating that it possesses an extremely efficient recombination repair mechanism. Both species were equally sensitive to mutation to trimethoprim resistance by NG, but M. radiodurans was more resistant than E. coli B/R to the other mutagens tests, being non-mutable by UV light, gamma-radiation, MTC and HA, and only slightly sensitive to mutation by NA, EMS and betaPL. The resistance of M. radiodurans to mutation by UV-light, gamma-radiation and MTC is consistent with an hypothesis that recombination repair in M. radiodurans is accurate since these mutagens may depend on an \"error-prone\" recombination system for their mutagenic effect in E. coli B/r. However, because M. radiodurans is also resistant to mutagens such as HA and EMS, which are mutagenic in E. coli in the absence of an \"error-prone\" system, we propose that all the mutagens tested may have a common mode of action in E. coli B/r, but that this mutagenic pathway is missing in M. radiodurans.", "contents": "The resistance of Micrococcus radiodurans to killing and mutation by agents which damage DNA. The resistance of Micrococcus radiodurans to the lethal and mutagenic action of ultraviolet (UV) light, ionising (gamma) radiation, mitomycin C (MTC), nitrous acid (NA), hydroxylamine (HA), N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NG), ethylmethanesulphonate (EMS) and beta-propiolactone (betaPL) has been compared with that of Escherichia coli B/r. M. radiodurans was much more resistant than E. coli B/r to the lethal effects of UV light (by a factor of 33), gamma-radiation (55), NG (15) and NA (62), showed intermediate resistance to MTC (4) and HA (7), but was sensitive to EMS (1) and betaPL (2). M. radiodurans was very resistant to mutagens producing damage which can be repaired by a recombination system, indicating that it possesses an extremely efficient recombination repair mechanism. Both species were equally sensitive to mutation to trimethoprim resistance by NG, but M. radiodurans was more resistant than E. coli B/R to the other mutagens tests, being non-mutable by UV light, gamma-radiation, MTC and HA, and only slightly sensitive to mutation by NA, EMS and betaPL. The resistance of M. radiodurans to mutation by UV-light, gamma-radiation and MTC is consistent with an hypothesis that recombination repair in M. radiodurans is accurate since these mutagens may depend on an \"error-prone\" recombination system for their mutagenic effect in E. coli B/r. However, because M. radiodurans is also resistant to mutagens such as HA and EMS, which are mutagenic in E. coli in the absence of an \"error-prone\" system, we propose that all the mutagens tested may have a common mode of action in E. coli B/r, but that this mutagenic pathway is missing in M. radiodurans.", "PMID": 765808} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1905", "title": "A protective effect of caffeine on the ethidium induced petite mutation in yeast.", "content": "A prerequisite for petite induction by ethidium bromide (EB) is an initial covalent attachment of the drug to cytoplasmic DNA. This DNA modification is thought to initiate repair processes. The repair inhibitor, caffeine, provided a protective effect against the ethidium induced petite mutation at caffeine concentrations known to inhibit the repair of UV damage in cytoplasmic DNA (Fig. 1). Mitochondrial DNA isolated from yeast exposed to EB in vivo was not as degraded in the presence of both drugs as with EB alone (Fig. 2).", "contents": "A protective effect of caffeine on the ethidium induced petite mutation in yeast. A prerequisite for petite induction by ethidium bromide (EB) is an initial covalent attachment of the drug to cytoplasmic DNA. This DNA modification is thought to initiate repair processes. The repair inhibitor, caffeine, provided a protective effect against the ethidium induced petite mutation at caffeine concentrations known to inhibit the repair of UV damage in cytoplasmic DNA (Fig. 1). Mitochondrial DNA isolated from yeast exposed to EB in vivo was not as degraded in the presence of both drugs as with EB alone (Fig. 2).", "PMID": 765809} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1906", "title": "Induction of mitotic recombination with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A comparison between treatment in vitro and in the host-mediated assay.", "content": "Two methods, treatment in vitro and the host-mediated assay method, were compared in their ability to demonstrate the induction of MNNG of nitotic recombination in a diploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. MNNG had a strong activity in vitro but not in the host-mediated assay at the concentrations tested. When the genetic effects of MNNG have been tested in different test systems, sometimes negative, sometimes positive results have been obtained. The relevance of different tests for risk evaluation is discussed, and it is concluded from the data on MNNG that tests on whole mammals may sometimes give false negative results because the cells tested are, in parts of the body, less accessible to the mutagen. Increasing doses of MNNG by treatment in vitro gave decreasing frequencies of mitotic recombination, indicating damage to the recombinational system in the cells. Dose-response relationships for recombination and mutation are discussed.", "contents": "Induction of mitotic recombination with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A comparison between treatment in vitro and in the host-mediated assay. Two methods, treatment in vitro and the host-mediated assay method, were compared in their ability to demonstrate the induction of MNNG of nitotic recombination in a diploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. MNNG had a strong activity in vitro but not in the host-mediated assay at the concentrations tested. When the genetic effects of MNNG have been tested in different test systems, sometimes negative, sometimes positive results have been obtained. The relevance of different tests for risk evaluation is discussed, and it is concluded from the data on MNNG that tests on whole mammals may sometimes give false negative results because the cells tested are, in parts of the body, less accessible to the mutagen. Increasing doses of MNNG by treatment in vitro gave decreasing frequencies of mitotic recombination, indicating damage to the recombinational system in the cells. Dose-response relationships for recombination and mutation are discussed.", "PMID": 765810} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1907", "title": "Mutagenicities of nitrofuran derivatives on a bacterial tester strain with an R factor plasmid.", "content": "Many nitrofuran derivatives are known to be mutagenic on Escherichia coli WP2 but not on Salmonella typhimurium TA1535, TA1536, TA1537 or TA1538. Ames and coworkers recently obtained a new tester strain of S. typhimurium, TA100, by putting an R factor plasmid, pKM101, into TA1535. We found that all mutagenic nitrofuran derivatives previously found to be mutagenic on E. coli WP2 were mutagenic on this new strain (TA100).", "contents": "Mutagenicities of nitrofuran derivatives on a bacterial tester strain with an R factor plasmid. Many nitrofuran derivatives are known to be mutagenic on Escherichia coli WP2 but not on Salmonella typhimurium TA1535, TA1536, TA1537 or TA1538. Ames and coworkers recently obtained a new tester strain of S. typhimurium, TA100, by putting an R factor plasmid, pKM101, into TA1535. We found that all mutagenic nitrofuran derivatives previously found to be mutagenic on E. coli WP2 were mutagenic on this new strain (TA100).", "PMID": 765814} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1908", "title": "Steroid therapy in severe viral hepatitis. A double-blind, randomized trial of methyl-prednisolone versus placebo.", "content": "The efficacy of corticosteroid therapy in severe viral hepatitis has never been demonstrated in a controlled clinical trial. For this reason, patients with severe viral hepatitis were randomly assigned to methyl-prednisolone or placebo treatment groups. The two groups were comparable in clinical findings, laboratory results and the presence of bridging necrosis on liver biopsy. Seven of the 14 patients assigned to methyl-prednisolone and two of the 15 assigned to placebo died during the 16-week study period. Although the apparent excess mortality in the steroid-treated patients is not quite statistically significant (P = 0.08), the trend persists when only patients positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (P = 0.04) are analyzed separately. Methyl-prednisolone does not enhance survival in patients with severe viral hepatitis, and it may be detrimental.", "contents": "Steroid therapy in severe viral hepatitis. A double-blind, randomized trial of methyl-prednisolone versus placebo. The efficacy of corticosteroid therapy in severe viral hepatitis has never been demonstrated in a controlled clinical trial. For this reason, patients with severe viral hepatitis were randomly assigned to methyl-prednisolone or placebo treatment groups. The two groups were comparable in clinical findings, laboratory results and the presence of bridging necrosis on liver biopsy. Seven of the 14 patients assigned to methyl-prednisolone and two of the 15 assigned to placebo died during the 16-week study period. Although the apparent excess mortality in the steroid-treated patients is not quite statistically significant (P = 0.08), the trend persists when only patients positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (P = 0.04) are analyzed separately. Methyl-prednisolone does not enhance survival in patients with severe viral hepatitis, and it may be detrimental.", "PMID": 765822} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1909", "title": "Replication control in a composite plasmid constructed by in vitro linkage of two distinct replicons.", "content": "Although it carries two competent replication systems, a composite plasmid formed in vitro by linkage of the complete ColE1 and pSC101 plasmid replicons at their unique EcoRI endonuclease cleavage sites normally uses only the replication origin and functions of the ColE1 component. Restriction of ColE1 replication functions by DNA polymerase I deprivation results, however, in exclusive use of the pSC101 replication origin. When using the ColE1 replication system the composite plasmid is nevertheless incompatible with both the parent replicons. This suggests that a trans-dominant gene product is involved in plasmid incompatibility and supports negative control rather than positive control models for regulation of the initiation of DNA replication.", "contents": "Replication control in a composite plasmid constructed by in vitro linkage of two distinct replicons. Although it carries two competent replication systems, a composite plasmid formed in vitro by linkage of the complete ColE1 and pSC101 plasmid replicons at their unique EcoRI endonuclease cleavage sites normally uses only the replication origin and functions of the ColE1 component. Restriction of ColE1 replication functions by DNA polymerase I deprivation results, however, in exclusive use of the pSC101 replication origin. When using the ColE1 replication system the composite plasmid is nevertheless incompatible with both the parent replicons. This suggests that a trans-dominant gene product is involved in plasmid incompatibility and supports negative control rather than positive control models for regulation of the initiation of DNA replication.", "PMID": 765836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1910", "title": "Hazards of plutonium with special reference to the skeleton.", "content": "In the past attempts have been made to deduce plutonium toxicity in man from studies based on animal experimentation. An alternative method is to use the comparative dosimetry of plutonium and radium in man, with results broadly in agreement with maximum permissible levels set by the International Commission of Radiological Protection.", "contents": "Hazards of plutonium with special reference to the skeleton. In the past attempts have been made to deduce plutonium toxicity in man from studies based on animal experimentation. An alternative method is to use the comparative dosimetry of plutonium and radium in man, with results broadly in agreement with maximum permissible levels set by the International Commission of Radiological Protection.", "PMID": 765842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1911", "title": "Induction of chronic progressive glomerulonephritis with immunofluorescent \"mesangial pattern\" in rats.", "content": "Morphologic changes of extracapillary and chronic progressive glomerulonephritis with contracted kidneys, resembling those of adult human chronic glomerulonephritis, were induced in rats by a single injection of the purified glycopeptide and Freund's incomplete adjuvant into the hind footpads. The purified glycopeptide was prepared by TCA treatment or DEAE-cellulose chromatography from the nephritogenic glycopeptide which is known to have the ability to induce typical morphologic changes of membranous glomerulonephritis. As demonstrated in this report, the purification procedures result in complete elimination of contaminating free amino acids from the nephritogenic glycopeptide. The basic pathogenesis of the new experimental model of proliferative glomerulonephritis (including typical chronic glomerulonephritis) appears to have other than immune complex mechanisms.", "contents": "Induction of chronic progressive glomerulonephritis with immunofluorescent \"mesangial pattern\" in rats. Morphologic changes of extracapillary and chronic progressive glomerulonephritis with contracted kidneys, resembling those of adult human chronic glomerulonephritis, were induced in rats by a single injection of the purified glycopeptide and Freund's incomplete adjuvant into the hind footpads. The purified glycopeptide was prepared by TCA treatment or DEAE-cellulose chromatography from the nephritogenic glycopeptide which is known to have the ability to induce typical morphologic changes of membranous glomerulonephritis. As demonstrated in this report, the purification procedures result in complete elimination of contaminating free amino acids from the nephritogenic glycopeptide. The basic pathogenesis of the new experimental model of proliferative glomerulonephritis (including typical chronic glomerulonephritis) appears to have other than immune complex mechanisms.", "PMID": 765872} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1912", "title": "High intravenous doses of methylprednisolone for acute cadaveric renal allograft rejection.", "content": "In a group of 48 patients with a renal cadaveric allograft 38 acute rejection episodes were treated by increasing the daily prednisolone doses to 300 mg the first day, 200 mg the second day and 100 mg the third day, gradually tapering down over a matter of weeks. In a second group of 48 patients 39 acute rejections were treated by 1 g of methylprednisolone intravenously on alternate days with a maximum of four injections. Rejection treatment was successful in 26 of 38 in the first group (68%) and in 30 of 38 in the second group (76%). Complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, aseptic necrosis and diabetes were more frequent in the first series.", "contents": "High intravenous doses of methylprednisolone for acute cadaveric renal allograft rejection. In a group of 48 patients with a renal cadaveric allograft 38 acute rejection episodes were treated by increasing the daily prednisolone doses to 300 mg the first day, 200 mg the second day and 100 mg the third day, gradually tapering down over a matter of weeks. In a second group of 48 patients 39 acute rejections were treated by 1 g of methylprednisolone intravenously on alternate days with a maximum of four injections. Rejection treatment was successful in 26 of 38 in the first group (68%) and in 30 of 38 in the second group (76%). Complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, aseptic necrosis and diabetes were more frequent in the first series.", "PMID": 765873} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1913", "title": "Role of heparin therapy in the outcome of adult hemolytic uremic syndrome.", "content": "Intravenous heparin therapy was associated with complete recovery of renal function in a young woman who developed adult hemolytic uremic syndrome while taking oral contraceptive agents. No controlled study is yet available but a review of an additional 36 reported patients who fulfill adequate criteria for the diagnosis of adult hemolytic uremic syndrome suggests that consideration should be given to a trial of heparin therapy in patients with this syndrome in whom renal biopsy shows recoverable glomeruli in the presence of persistent severe impairment of renal function.", "contents": "Role of heparin therapy in the outcome of adult hemolytic uremic syndrome. Intravenous heparin therapy was associated with complete recovery of renal function in a young woman who developed adult hemolytic uremic syndrome while taking oral contraceptive agents. No controlled study is yet available but a review of an additional 36 reported patients who fulfill adequate criteria for the diagnosis of adult hemolytic uremic syndrome suggests that consideration should be given to a trial of heparin therapy in patients with this syndrome in whom renal biopsy shows recoverable glomeruli in the presence of persistent severe impairment of renal function.", "PMID": 765874} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1914", "title": "Relationship between proteinuria and epithelial cell changes in minimal lesion glomerulopathy.", "content": "The degree of fusion of glomerular epithelial cell foot processes was quantitated by determining the mean number of inter-process slip pores along 10 mum of basement membrane of peripheral capillary walls in 45 children with steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome and minimal lesion glomerulopathy. Fusion was present in all biopsies performed when the child had proteinuria, but after remission the number of slit pores increased progressively towards normal over the next 4 weeks. There was a close correlation between the degree of fusion and the amount of proteinuria in those biopsied before remission.", "contents": "Relationship between proteinuria and epithelial cell changes in minimal lesion glomerulopathy. The degree of fusion of glomerular epithelial cell foot processes was quantitated by determining the mean number of inter-process slip pores along 10 mum of basement membrane of peripheral capillary walls in 45 children with steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome and minimal lesion glomerulopathy. Fusion was present in all biopsies performed when the child had proteinuria, but after remission the number of slit pores increased progressively towards normal over the next 4 weeks. There was a close correlation between the degree of fusion and the amount of proteinuria in those biopsied before remission.", "PMID": 765875} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1915", "title": "A simplified method of percutaneous allograft biopsy.", "content": "Although the renal allograft represents only a single-functioning kidney, it lends itself readily to biopsy from a percutaneous approach. Previous contraindications to percutaneous biopsy of a single normally situated kidney do not apply to the renal allograft because of its altered extraperitoneal and superficial location. The transplant operative note and palpation serve to adequately localize the kidney without the need of fluoroscopy, metal tagging or other X-ray techniques. The cortex may be safely approached through a perpendicular plane directed toward the lower pole or a tangential plane directed toward the lateral curvature of the allograft. The fibrous capsule's resistance to the neddle passage helps localize the periphery of the kidney. Hemostasis is augmented through manual pressure and subsequent pressure dressing. The technique was used in 62 renal biopsies in 62 different patients. Adequate material for microscopic and bacteriologic evaluation was obtained in all cases. There were three episodes of gross hematuria, but no prolonged bleeding, significant perirenal hematoma formation, infection or decreasing renal function after the biopsy procedure.", "contents": "A simplified method of percutaneous allograft biopsy. Although the renal allograft represents only a single-functioning kidney, it lends itself readily to biopsy from a percutaneous approach. Previous contraindications to percutaneous biopsy of a single normally situated kidney do not apply to the renal allograft because of its altered extraperitoneal and superficial location. The transplant operative note and palpation serve to adequately localize the kidney without the need of fluoroscopy, metal tagging or other X-ray techniques. The cortex may be safely approached through a perpendicular plane directed toward the lower pole or a tangential plane directed toward the lateral curvature of the allograft. The fibrous capsule's resistance to the neddle passage helps localize the periphery of the kidney. Hemostasis is augmented through manual pressure and subsequent pressure dressing. The technique was used in 62 renal biopsies in 62 different patients. Adequate material for microscopic and bacteriologic evaluation was obtained in all cases. There were three episodes of gross hematuria, but no prolonged bleeding, significant perirenal hematoma formation, infection or decreasing renal function after the biopsy procedure.", "PMID": 765876} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1916", "title": "Intrasellar abscess.", "content": "A case of intrasellar abscess in a 31-year-old male, with pituitary insufficiency, visual field and acuity disturbances, is reported. In the pus extracted at surgery E. coli and Staphylococcus haemolyticus were identified. The patient died 20 days after the operation. Necropsy revealed the fibrous capsule of an abscess in the hypophyseal region and putriform tissue at the level of the hypothalamus, with three small tumours one of which proved to be a craniopharyngioma.", "contents": "Intrasellar abscess. A case of intrasellar abscess in a 31-year-old male, with pituitary insufficiency, visual field and acuity disturbances, is reported. In the pus extracted at surgery E. coli and Staphylococcus haemolyticus were identified. The patient died 20 days after the operation. Necropsy revealed the fibrous capsule of an abscess in the hypophyseal region and putriform tissue at the level of the hypothalamus, with three small tumours one of which proved to be a craniopharyngioma.", "PMID": 765877} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1917", "title": "[Differential diagnosis of stroke in computer tomography].", "content": "Computertomography permits an early diagnosis of acute intracerebral hemorrhage a few hours after onset of symptoms. Embolic or thrombotic infarcts may be detected only after 2 to 3 days. Late manifestations of ischemic infarcts are unequivocal when confined to the circulation area of a cerebral artery. They must, however, be differentiated from small gliomas with edema, while in cerebral hemorrhage the differential diagnosis must consider bleeding from tumors and vascular malformations.", "contents": "[Differential diagnosis of stroke in computer tomography]. Computertomography permits an early diagnosis of acute intracerebral hemorrhage a few hours after onset of symptoms. Embolic or thrombotic infarcts may be detected only after 2 to 3 days. Late manifestations of ischemic infarcts are unequivocal when confined to the circulation area of a cerebral artery. They must, however, be differentiated from small gliomas with edema, while in cerebral hemorrhage the differential diagnosis must consider bleeding from tumors and vascular malformations.", "PMID": 765878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1918", "title": "Review and new proposals for immunotherapy of brain tumors.", "content": "The authors give a review of the possibilities and new approaches of therapy of malignant brain tumors.", "contents": "Review and new proposals for immunotherapy of brain tumors. The authors give a review of the possibilities and new approaches of therapy of malignant brain tumors.", "PMID": 765879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1919", "title": "[A case of primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the brain with uveitis (author's transl)].", "content": "In 1972, Neault and his co-workers reported seven cases of uveitis associated with intracranial reticulum cell sarcoma. Recently we have experienced a similar case for the first time in Japan. A 32-year-old woman registered on March 10, 1971, complaining of blurred vision in the left eye for about two weeks. By ophthalmic examination, left posterior uveitis was diagnosed but the etiology was unknown. Treatment with corticosteroids was begun, but her left eye continued to fail in spite of the treatment. In August, 1971, she complained of weakness of left arm and leg, and in October, she suffered from severe headache and vomiting. At that time, uveitis appeared in the right eye too. Neurological findings and carotid angiogram indicated a right cerebral lesion. On November 5, 1971, a right frontoparietal craniotomy was performed but no tumor was found. Since then her neurological and eye symptoms had been progressively worse. The patient died on July 12, 1972. Postmortem examination revealed the tumor infiltrating in the bilateral diencephalon, left internal capsule, left lenticular nucleus, left temporal lobe, midbrain, pons, left dentate nucleus, optic chiasma and intracranial portion of the optic nerves. But no tumor was found at any other parts of the body. Histologically the tumor was a reticulum cell sarcoma. The eyeballs were not examined histologically, but the uveitis in this case was thought to be closely related to the intracranial reticulum cell sarcoma. If the uveitis is resistant to the treatment, we must consider a possibility of reticulum cell sarcoma of the brain.", "contents": "[A case of primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the brain with uveitis (author's transl)]. In 1972, Neault and his co-workers reported seven cases of uveitis associated with intracranial reticulum cell sarcoma. Recently we have experienced a similar case for the first time in Japan. A 32-year-old woman registered on March 10, 1971, complaining of blurred vision in the left eye for about two weeks. By ophthalmic examination, left posterior uveitis was diagnosed but the etiology was unknown. Treatment with corticosteroids was begun, but her left eye continued to fail in spite of the treatment. In August, 1971, she complained of weakness of left arm and leg, and in October, she suffered from severe headache and vomiting. At that time, uveitis appeared in the right eye too. Neurological findings and carotid angiogram indicated a right cerebral lesion. On November 5, 1971, a right frontoparietal craniotomy was performed but no tumor was found. Since then her neurological and eye symptoms had been progressively worse. The patient died on July 12, 1972. Postmortem examination revealed the tumor infiltrating in the bilateral diencephalon, left internal capsule, left lenticular nucleus, left temporal lobe, midbrain, pons, left dentate nucleus, optic chiasma and intracranial portion of the optic nerves. But no tumor was found at any other parts of the body. Histologically the tumor was a reticulum cell sarcoma. The eyeballs were not examined histologically, but the uveitis in this case was thought to be closely related to the intracranial reticulum cell sarcoma. If the uveitis is resistant to the treatment, we must consider a possibility of reticulum cell sarcoma of the brain.", "PMID": 765882} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1920", "title": "Immunofluorescence study of LRF-producing neurons in the cat and the dog.", "content": "A fluorescent antibody study of LRF-producing neurons was made with antisera to synthetic LRF in normal male and female cats and dogs. Specific immunoreactive perikarya have been found in the rostral hypothalamus of both species. In the dog, specific immunoreactive perikarya have also been found in the pars oralis tuberi, the infundibular nucleus, the premammillary region, and even the dorsomedial and ventromedial areas and the rostral mesencephalon.", "contents": "Immunofluorescence study of LRF-producing neurons in the cat and the dog. A fluorescent antibody study of LRF-producing neurons was made with antisera to synthetic LRF in normal male and female cats and dogs. Specific immunoreactive perikarya have been found in the rostral hypothalamus of both species. In the dog, specific immunoreactive perikarya have also been found in the pars oralis tuberi, the infundibular nucleus, the premammillary region, and even the dorsomedial and ventromedial areas and the rostral mesencephalon.", "PMID": 765883} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1921", "title": "Evidence for a cholinergic component in the neuroendocrine control of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion.", "content": "The possible participation of cholinergic mechanisms in the control of LH and LH-RH secretion has been studied using an in vitro procedure. Halved anterior pituitaries (AP) of normal adult male rats were incubated for 6 h either alone or in the presence of hypothalamic fragments (HF). At the end of the incubation period, LH was evaluated in the media using a biological assay. AP halves, when incubated alone, released small amounts of LH. The addition of HF to the media containing AP tissue did not change LH release. Acetylcholine (Ach) added to the incubation flasks containing only AP tissue did not increase LH output of AP incubated without Ach. On the contraty, Ach significantly enhanced LH release when added to the incubation media of flasks simultaneously containing AP tissue and HF. Atropine had no effect on the release of LH from AP incubated alone. However the addition of atropine to the incubation media containing the halved AP, HF and Ach totally prevented the effects of Ach on LH release. Prostigmine enhanced the release of LH in the media containing AP plus HF. The LH-releasing effect of Ach in the AP plus HF coincubates was not influenced by the alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, phentolamine. These data indicate: (1) that from HFs incubated in vitro, Ach is able to release a factor (most probably LH-RH) which increases the secretion of LH from AP tissue; (2) that this effect of Ach follows the general rules of cholinergic systems (blockade by atropine, potentiation by prostigmine, etc.); and (3) that the LH-RH releasing activity of Ach is not linked to the liberation of catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, etc.). These results suggest that cholinergic mechanisms play a role in the control of LH-RH release.", "contents": "Evidence for a cholinergic component in the neuroendocrine control of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. The possible participation of cholinergic mechanisms in the control of LH and LH-RH secretion has been studied using an in vitro procedure. Halved anterior pituitaries (AP) of normal adult male rats were incubated for 6 h either alone or in the presence of hypothalamic fragments (HF). At the end of the incubation period, LH was evaluated in the media using a biological assay. AP halves, when incubated alone, released small amounts of LH. The addition of HF to the media containing AP tissue did not change LH release. Acetylcholine (Ach) added to the incubation flasks containing only AP tissue did not increase LH output of AP incubated without Ach. On the contraty, Ach significantly enhanced LH release when added to the incubation media of flasks simultaneously containing AP tissue and HF. Atropine had no effect on the release of LH from AP incubated alone. However the addition of atropine to the incubation media containing the halved AP, HF and Ach totally prevented the effects of Ach on LH release. Prostigmine enhanced the release of LH in the media containing AP plus HF. The LH-releasing effect of Ach in the AP plus HF coincubates was not influenced by the alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, phentolamine. These data indicate: (1) that from HFs incubated in vitro, Ach is able to release a factor (most probably LH-RH) which increases the secretion of LH from AP tissue; (2) that this effect of Ach follows the general rules of cholinergic systems (blockade by atropine, potentiation by prostigmine, etc.); and (3) that the LH-RH releasing activity of Ach is not linked to the liberation of catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, etc.). These results suggest that cholinergic mechanisms play a role in the control of LH-RH release.", "PMID": 765884} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1922", "title": "Studies on the site(s) of blockade by actinomycin-D of estrogen-induced LH release.", "content": "Ovariectomized rats were injected with estradiol benzoate (EB) on day 1. The rats received propylene glycol alone (control) or with Actinomycin-D (Act-D) at 08.00 h, followed by EB at 12.00 h on day 3. Plasma LH levels were markedly elevated at 18.00 h on days 3 and 4 in control rats; Act-D treatment failed to modify the surge of LH on day 3, but abolished it on day 4. The site of Act-D's blockade of estrogen-induced LH release was investigated. Act-D treatment suppressed serum levels of LRF while it failed to modify either hypothalamic LRF content or noon levels of pituitary and serum LH on day 4. Act-D treatment consistently reduced the weight and the ribonucleic acid (RNA) content of the pituitary; a similar effect on RNA in the medial basal hypothalamus was not detected on day 4. On the other hand, electrochemical stimulation of the medial preoptic area of Act-D-treated rats on day 4 raised plasma LH significantly. However, the elevations at 45 min after stimulation were less in Act-D-treated than in control rats. Similarly, a significantly smaller response of LH release was observed at 15 min following intravenous injections of LRF in Act-D rats than in controls. These studies suggest that Act-D-sensitive steps exist at more than one site on the preopticotuberal pituitary axis involved in the stimulatory feedback action of estrogen on LH release.", "contents": "Studies on the site(s) of blockade by actinomycin-D of estrogen-induced LH release. Ovariectomized rats were injected with estradiol benzoate (EB) on day 1. The rats received propylene glycol alone (control) or with Actinomycin-D (Act-D) at 08.00 h, followed by EB at 12.00 h on day 3. Plasma LH levels were markedly elevated at 18.00 h on days 3 and 4 in control rats; Act-D treatment failed to modify the surge of LH on day 3, but abolished it on day 4. The site of Act-D's blockade of estrogen-induced LH release was investigated. Act-D treatment suppressed serum levels of LRF while it failed to modify either hypothalamic LRF content or noon levels of pituitary and serum LH on day 4. Act-D treatment consistently reduced the weight and the ribonucleic acid (RNA) content of the pituitary; a similar effect on RNA in the medial basal hypothalamus was not detected on day 4. On the other hand, electrochemical stimulation of the medial preoptic area of Act-D-treated rats on day 4 raised plasma LH significantly. However, the elevations at 45 min after stimulation were less in Act-D-treated than in control rats. Similarly, a significantly smaller response of LH release was observed at 15 min following intravenous injections of LRF in Act-D rats than in controls. These studies suggest that Act-D-sensitive steps exist at more than one site on the preopticotuberal pituitary axis involved in the stimulatory feedback action of estrogen on LH release.", "PMID": 765885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1923", "title": "Locked-in syndrome caused by a tumor.", "content": "A case of locked-in syndrome is described. Clinical and radiologic evidence suggested the presence of a brain-stem tumor. Autopsy showed that the patient had a reticulum cell sarcoma. This is the first reported case of locked-in syndrome caused by a tumor.", "contents": "Locked-in syndrome caused by a tumor. A case of locked-in syndrome is described. Clinical and radiologic evidence suggested the presence of a brain-stem tumor. Autopsy showed that the patient had a reticulum cell sarcoma. This is the first reported case of locked-in syndrome caused by a tumor.", "PMID": 765886} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1924", "title": "Equal treatment and unequal benefits: the Medicare program.", "content": "This paper analyzes the distribution of Medicare benefits among elderly persons on the basis of income, race, and geographical location. It first presents available statistical evidence from Medicare on the distribution of benefits and the magnitude of differentials among these elderly. It then sorts out the contribution to differentials arising from differences in the availability of medical resources. prices of medical services, and other demographic factors. The importance of various Medicare program features on remaining differentials--such as the cost-sharing provisions of Medicare, reimbursement policies, and nondiscrimination enforcement procedures--are then investigated. The effect of health status on utilization of medical services by the elderly is also analyzed, and the distribution of Medicare benefits by income for elderly persons of similar health status is presented. The paper concludes with recommendations for reducing differentials in Medicare benefits and indicates those policy changes which would result in a distribution of benefits more closely related to health care needs of the elderly.", "contents": "Equal treatment and unequal benefits: the Medicare program. This paper analyzes the distribution of Medicare benefits among elderly persons on the basis of income, race, and geographical location. It first presents available statistical evidence from Medicare on the distribution of benefits and the magnitude of differentials among these elderly. It then sorts out the contribution to differentials arising from differences in the availability of medical resources. prices of medical services, and other demographic factors. The importance of various Medicare program features on remaining differentials--such as the cost-sharing provisions of Medicare, reimbursement policies, and nondiscrimination enforcement procedures--are then investigated. The effect of health status on utilization of medical services by the elderly is also analyzed, and the distribution of Medicare benefits by income for elderly persons of similar health status is presented. The paper concludes with recommendations for reducing differentials in Medicare benefits and indicates those policy changes which would result in a distribution of benefits more closely related to health care needs of the elderly.", "PMID": 765887} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1925", "title": "The contributions of Henry E. Sigerist to health service organization.", "content": "Henry E. Sigerist made profound and strikingly original contributions to health service organization. Not only did he expand greatly our concepts of the functions of medicine, but he redefined health in a manner which was later to be paraphrased by the World Health Organization. Sigerist's account of the evolution of the physician and his discussion of the role of the people in the fight for health provide important new insights into current realities, while his remarkable analysis of the genesis of national health insurance makes it possible to understand its continued absence in the United States. Although he was in the forefront of the campaign for national health insurance, Sigbrist always considered it inferior to a national health service. His thorough studies of the Soviet national health service opened new vistas in the promotion of health and prevention of disease and the development of team practice in health centers. Sigerist's impact was world-wide, and was particularly important in Chile, Cuba, China, and Great Britain.", "contents": "The contributions of Henry E. Sigerist to health service organization. Henry E. Sigerist made profound and strikingly original contributions to health service organization. Not only did he expand greatly our concepts of the functions of medicine, but he redefined health in a manner which was later to be paraphrased by the World Health Organization. Sigerist's account of the evolution of the physician and his discussion of the role of the people in the fight for health provide important new insights into current realities, while his remarkable analysis of the genesis of national health insurance makes it possible to understand its continued absence in the United States. Although he was in the forefront of the campaign for national health insurance, Sigbrist always considered it inferior to a national health service. His thorough studies of the Soviet national health service opened new vistas in the promotion of health and prevention of disease and the development of team practice in health centers. Sigerist's impact was world-wide, and was particularly important in Chile, Cuba, China, and Great Britain.", "PMID": 765888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1926", "title": "FSH and LH response to LHRF in Kallman's syndrome.", "content": "The olfacto-genital syndrome (Kallman's syndrome) is believed to be primarily an hypothalamic disorder resulting in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or hypo-ovarianism and anosmia. The pituitary response in 2 patients was measured on dialy subcutaneous injections of 100 mug of LHRF. One of the patients was also studied in a similar fashion by administration of LHRF intravenously for 4 consecutive days. A greater response occurred with the subcutaneous route.", "contents": "FSH and LH response to LHRF in Kallman's syndrome. The olfacto-genital syndrome (Kallman's syndrome) is believed to be primarily an hypothalamic disorder resulting in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or hypo-ovarianism and anosmia. The pituitary response in 2 patients was measured on dialy subcutaneous injections of 100 mug of LHRF. One of the patients was also studied in a similar fashion by administration of LHRF intravenously for 4 consecutive days. A greater response occurred with the subcutaneous route.", "PMID": 765905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1927", "title": "Gonadotropin release in patients with androgen insensitivity. Testicular feminization syndrome.", "content": "Two siblings are presented, both with classic androgen-insensitivity syndrome (AIS). Endocrine testing was carried out and then gonadectomy was performed. Studies in these patients with AIS revealed low control serum FSH. In these patients serum FSH was not significantly suppressed by intravenous estrogen nor adequately stimulated by FSH-LH-releasing hormone but rose normally after castration. The various studies are interpreted in the light of the known kinetics of pituitary gonadotorpins and their modulation by gonadal steroids. A third sibling is also presented.", "contents": "Gonadotropin release in patients with androgen insensitivity. Testicular feminization syndrome. Two siblings are presented, both with classic androgen-insensitivity syndrome (AIS). Endocrine testing was carried out and then gonadectomy was performed. Studies in these patients with AIS revealed low control serum FSH. In these patients serum FSH was not significantly suppressed by intravenous estrogen nor adequately stimulated by FSH-LH-releasing hormone but rose normally after castration. The various studies are interpreted in the light of the known kinetics of pituitary gonadotorpins and their modulation by gonadal steroids. A third sibling is also presented.", "PMID": 765906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1928", "title": "Treatment of urinary stress incontinence. Use of dermal graft in the sling procedure.", "content": "Use of dermal graft for a urethral sling in treating urinary stress incontinence is described. This tissue has potential advantages of availability, strength, and freedom from side effects.", "contents": "Treatment of urinary stress incontinence. Use of dermal graft in the sling procedure. Use of dermal graft for a urethral sling in treating urinary stress incontinence is described. This tissue has potential advantages of availability, strength, and freedom from side effects.", "PMID": 765907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1929", "title": "[A method of measuring cell orientation].", "content": "A method is described for measuring cell nuclei orientation in culture. The nuclear orientation in the experiment was compared with that obtained in the model experiment with electronic computer. The method developed allows to compare nuclear orientation in parts of culture which differ both by area and number of nuclei. The method can be modified for measuring cell nuclei orientation with reference to the substrate relief. Examples are given of the method's application for comparing orientation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts and cells of the strain L.", "contents": "[A method of measuring cell orientation]. A method is described for measuring cell nuclei orientation in culture. The nuclear orientation in the experiment was compared with that obtained in the model experiment with electronic computer. The method developed allows to compare nuclear orientation in parts of culture which differ both by area and number of nuclei. The method can be modified for measuring cell nuclei orientation with reference to the substrate relief. Examples are given of the method's application for comparing orientation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts and cells of the strain L.", "PMID": 765911} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1930", "title": "[Hormonal regulation of gonadal function and reproduction in fish].", "content": "On the basis of contemporary data about neurohormonal control of gonadal function in fishes, the hormonal control of reproduction during the normal sexual cycle in sturgeons is considered. The data are given on the state of hypophysis in sturgeons in cases of gonadal function disturbances and the problem is discussed of functional interaction between different components of the system of interrelated organs which takes part in the control of reproduction. Methods of hormonal stimulation for obtaining mature eggs and sperm in sturgeons are considered and a new variant of hormonal influence is suggested.", "contents": "[Hormonal regulation of gonadal function and reproduction in fish]. On the basis of contemporary data about neurohormonal control of gonadal function in fishes, the hormonal control of reproduction during the normal sexual cycle in sturgeons is considered. The data are given on the state of hypophysis in sturgeons in cases of gonadal function disturbances and the problem is discussed of functional interaction between different components of the system of interrelated organs which takes part in the control of reproduction. Methods of hormonal stimulation for obtaining mature eggs and sperm in sturgeons are considered and a new variant of hormonal influence is suggested.", "PMID": 765912} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1931", "title": "[A radioautographic study of the turnover and differentiation of mast cells in normal mice and mouse radiation chimeras].", "content": "The patterns of renewal of the previously labeled by 35S-sulphate mast cells of peritoneal liquor and loose connective tissue were investigated in normal mice, after their irradiation and transplantation of singenic and xenogenic bone marrow (radiation mouse chimaeras). The renewal of labeled mast cells in the peritoneal liquor proceeds markedly (ca. 10 times) more intensively than in the loose connective tissue. A stage of lymphocyte-like cells-precursors actively synthesizing sulphomucopolysaccharides is established in the series of differentiation of mast cells during postnatal ontogenesis. The duration of this stage amounts to 10-15 days. The patterns of renewal of the previously labeled by 35S-sulphate mast cells do not differ markedly in normal animals and radiation chimaeras.", "contents": "[A radioautographic study of the turnover and differentiation of mast cells in normal mice and mouse radiation chimeras]. The patterns of renewal of the previously labeled by 35S-sulphate mast cells of peritoneal liquor and loose connective tissue were investigated in normal mice, after their irradiation and transplantation of singenic and xenogenic bone marrow (radiation mouse chimaeras). The renewal of labeled mast cells in the peritoneal liquor proceeds markedly (ca. 10 times) more intensively than in the loose connective tissue. A stage of lymphocyte-like cells-precursors actively synthesizing sulphomucopolysaccharides is established in the series of differentiation of mast cells during postnatal ontogenesis. The duration of this stage amounts to 10-15 days. The patterns of renewal of the previously labeled by 35S-sulphate mast cells do not differ markedly in normal animals and radiation chimaeras.", "PMID": 765915} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1932", "title": "[Participation of transplanted xenogenic bone marrow cells in an inflammatory reaction].", "content": "The course of inflammation reaction was studied both in the lethally irradiated mice just after the implantation of the great number of rat bone marrow cells and the xenogenic radiation chimaeras. The transplanted donor cells did not participate in the inflammation reaction in the lethally irradiated animals just after the implantation of xenogenic bone marrow. The cells of donor type were found in the inflammation focus only after the repopulation of radiation-devastated blood-forming organs of the recipient by the transplanted xenogenic bone marrow cells.", "contents": "[Participation of transplanted xenogenic bone marrow cells in an inflammatory reaction]. The course of inflammation reaction was studied both in the lethally irradiated mice just after the implantation of the great number of rat bone marrow cells and the xenogenic radiation chimaeras. The transplanted donor cells did not participate in the inflammation reaction in the lethally irradiated animals just after the implantation of xenogenic bone marrow. The cells of donor type were found in the inflammation focus only after the repopulation of radiation-devastated blood-forming organs of the recipient by the transplanted xenogenic bone marrow cells.", "PMID": 765916} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1933", "title": "Treatment of external ocular Candida infections with 5-fluorocytosine.", "content": "15 patients who suffered from severe and prolonged external Candida ocular infections and who had not responded to Mycostatin and/or Amphotericin B treatment, were successfully treated with 5-Fluorocytosine administered topically or combined topical-orally. In all patients, a cure was achieved after a treatment period of approximately 6 months. No side effects were observed and no resistance to the drug developed.", "contents": "Treatment of external ocular Candida infections with 5-fluorocytosine. 15 patients who suffered from severe and prolonged external Candida ocular infections and who had not responded to Mycostatin and/or Amphotericin B treatment, were successfully treated with 5-Fluorocytosine administered topically or combined topical-orally. In all patients, a cure was achieved after a treatment period of approximately 6 months. No side effects were observed and no resistance to the drug developed.", "PMID": 765917} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1934", "title": "[Symmetrical shortening of both humeri (author's transl)].", "content": "In a Chinese boy from Taiwan shortening of both upper arms were seen. No evidence of exogenous causation was found in this case nor in simular cases reported in the literature.", "contents": "[Symmetrical shortening of both humeri (author's transl)]. In a Chinese boy from Taiwan shortening of both upper arms were seen. No evidence of exogenous causation was found in this case nor in simular cases reported in the literature.", "PMID": 765938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1935", "title": "[Alport's-syndrome: diagnosis, light- and electronmicroscopic findings (author's transl)].", "content": "Alport's syndrome is a hereditary nephropathy with grave prognostic consequences. The occurrence of this disease is probably more frequent than was assumed until now - many cases are not immediately recognized as such. It is possible to make a clinical diagnosis from detailed family histories and through careful examinations of family members including audiometric tests. In the early stages of the disease children merely have recurrent macro- or microhematuria. Renal functional tests are normal and there is general well-being of the patient. Whereas the biopsy specimens examined by light microscopy show non-specific alterations, those examined under the electronmicroscope already show specific defects of the basement membrane. Our studies lead us to believe that these morphologic findings correspond with changes of the basement membrane, detectable by immunochemical investigations. 6 of 12 patients have been biopsied in recent time and the above cited typical changes of the basement membrane could be demonstrated. Therefore these investigations are recommended in Alport's syndrome.", "contents": "[Alport's-syndrome: diagnosis, light- and electronmicroscopic findings (author's transl)]. Alport's syndrome is a hereditary nephropathy with grave prognostic consequences. The occurrence of this disease is probably more frequent than was assumed until now - many cases are not immediately recognized as such. It is possible to make a clinical diagnosis from detailed family histories and through careful examinations of family members including audiometric tests. In the early stages of the disease children merely have recurrent macro- or microhematuria. Renal functional tests are normal and there is general well-being of the patient. Whereas the biopsy specimens examined by light microscopy show non-specific alterations, those examined under the electronmicroscope already show specific defects of the basement membrane. Our studies lead us to believe that these morphologic findings correspond with changes of the basement membrane, detectable by immunochemical investigations. 6 of 12 patients have been biopsied in recent time and the above cited typical changes of the basement membrane could be demonstrated. Therefore these investigations are recommended in Alport's syndrome.", "PMID": 765939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1936", "title": "The measurement of muscle mass in children using [15N]creatine.", "content": "In eight infants and children who had recovered from protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), muscle mass was estimated by measuring creatine turnover by an isotope dilution technique using [15N]creatine, creatine concentration, and urinary creatinine output. Creatine turnover varied from 1.5 to 2.6% of the muscle creatine pool per day and muscle creatine concentration ranged from 1.7 to 3.9 mug/mug muscle mass was between 15% and 37% of total body weight. The results indicate that daily creatinine output is not a reliable indicator of muscle mass in children who have recently recovered from severe PEM.", "contents": "The measurement of muscle mass in children using [15N]creatine. In eight infants and children who had recovered from protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), muscle mass was estimated by measuring creatine turnover by an isotope dilution technique using [15N]creatine, creatine concentration, and urinary creatinine output. Creatine turnover varied from 1.5 to 2.6% of the muscle creatine pool per day and muscle creatine concentration ranged from 1.7 to 3.9 mug/mug muscle mass was between 15% and 37% of total body weight. The results indicate that daily creatinine output is not a reliable indicator of muscle mass in children who have recently recovered from severe PEM.", "PMID": 765941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1937", "title": "Central nervous system infection with Eikenella corrodens: report of two cases.", "content": "Two cases of central nervous system infections from which E. corrodens has been isolated are reported. The portals of entry, clinical course, and antimicrobial responses conform to other reports in the literature. The importance of obtaining careful anaerobic cultures is emphasized.", "contents": "Central nervous system infection with Eikenella corrodens: report of two cases. Two cases of central nervous system infections from which E. corrodens has been isolated are reported. The portals of entry, clinical course, and antimicrobial responses conform to other reports in the literature. The importance of obtaining careful anaerobic cultures is emphasized.", "PMID": 765945} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1938", "title": "Early perceptual development in humans and animals: a bibliography of English language papers, 1967-1974.", "content": "482 articles and books are presented in alphabetical order. The bibliographaphy surveys the English language literature on early perceptual development in animals and humans during the period 1967-1974, inclusive.", "contents": "Early perceptual development in humans and animals: a bibliography of English language papers, 1967-1974. 482 articles and books are presented in alphabetical order. The bibliographaphy surveys the English language literature on early perceptual development in animals and humans during the period 1967-1974, inclusive.", "PMID": 765948} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1939", "title": "Analysis of general anxiety scale for children and draw-a-person measures of general anxiety level of elementary school children.", "content": "Sarason's (1960) General Anxiety Scale for Children was used as the criterion measure of trait anxiety in a study investigating fifth- and sixth-graders' (ns equals 15) human figure-drawing performance. Figures drawn were man, woman, and self. Significant differentiation by the figure-drawing scores on the sex criterion was obtained for some indices; however, no significant relationships were found between subjects' human figure-drawing scores and their anxiety level as measured by the General Anxiety Scale for Children.", "contents": "Analysis of general anxiety scale for children and draw-a-person measures of general anxiety level of elementary school children. Sarason's (1960) General Anxiety Scale for Children was used as the criterion measure of trait anxiety in a study investigating fifth- and sixth-graders' (ns equals 15) human figure-drawing performance. Figures drawn were man, woman, and self. Significant differentiation by the figure-drawing scores on the sex criterion was obtained for some indices; however, no significant relationships were found between subjects' human figure-drawing scores and their anxiety level as measured by the General Anxiety Scale for Children.", "PMID": 765949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1940", "title": "Inherited biochemical defects affecting the kidney.", "content": "The identification of a disease entity as one that is the result of a heritable defect offers the physician an opportunity to intervene in a variety of ways. As emphasized, knowledge of the heritable pattern of a particular disease allows the physician an opportunity to counsel family members in personal disease risk and the offspring. Such genetic counseling results in a reduction of affected cases for many inherited diseases. There is every expectation that similar approaches would be effective for inherited renal diseases. The heritable diseases are a favored group for investigative purposes since these diseases result from a single gene defect no matter how plieotropic the effects of that defect. Thus the investigator is capable of constant probing with tools available for identifying that one event or component that lies at the basis of the disease. The emphasis of this chapter is on those inherited renal diseases for which we have reached a high level of understanding of this single defect. In many of these diseases a single enzyme is identified as deficient and is the presumed genetic defect. In others (cystinuria, RTA, and cystinosis) the precise biochemical answers appear close at hand. Thus a variety of therapeutic approaches to overcome either the gene defect or ill effects of the gene defect emerge for diseases involving the kidney and are listed in Table 7. For some of these diseases the new diagnostic technique of prenatal diagnosis can be used (Table 8). This genetic option provides couples at risk for bearing affected offspring with reduced risk. For a number of other diseases that are not identified by amniocentesis, this risk can be effectively lowered to acceptable levels by use of artificial insemination. Thus the inherited diseases of the kidney are amenable to medical intervention at a variety of levels. Such intervention can predictably lead to a lowering of both the incidence and consequences of these gene defects.", "contents": "Inherited biochemical defects affecting the kidney. The identification of a disease entity as one that is the result of a heritable defect offers the physician an opportunity to intervene in a variety of ways. As emphasized, knowledge of the heritable pattern of a particular disease allows the physician an opportunity to counsel family members in personal disease risk and the offspring. Such genetic counseling results in a reduction of affected cases for many inherited diseases. There is every expectation that similar approaches would be effective for inherited renal diseases. The heritable diseases are a favored group for investigative purposes since these diseases result from a single gene defect no matter how plieotropic the effects of that defect. Thus the investigator is capable of constant probing with tools available for identifying that one event or component that lies at the basis of the disease. The emphasis of this chapter is on those inherited renal diseases for which we have reached a high level of understanding of this single defect. In many of these diseases a single enzyme is identified as deficient and is the presumed genetic defect. In others (cystinuria, RTA, and cystinosis) the precise biochemical answers appear close at hand. Thus a variety of therapeutic approaches to overcome either the gene defect or ill effects of the gene defect emerge for diseases involving the kidney and are listed in Table 7. For some of these diseases the new diagnostic technique of prenatal diagnosis can be used (Table 8). This genetic option provides couples at risk for bearing affected offspring with reduced risk. For a number of other diseases that are not identified by amniocentesis, this risk can be effectively lowered to acceptable levels by use of artificial insemination. Thus the inherited diseases of the kidney are amenable to medical intervention at a variety of levels. Such intervention can predictably lead to a lowering of both the incidence and consequences of these gene defects.", "PMID": 765953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1941", "title": "Comparative evaluation of fractional excretion of sodium following saline infusion in transplanted kidneys and in isolated perfused kidneys in conditions of previous high or low dietary sodium intake.", "content": "The increase of fractional excretion of sodium following the infusion of isotonic saline solution is quantitatively the same in dog kidneys perfused by a whole animal or by a pump-oxygenator machine at identical arterial and venous pressures. The equal response found in both experimental conditions demonstrates that the dilution of the blood, and primarily the decrease of post-glomerular plasma oncotic pressure, represents the only extrarenal humoral factor of significant importance in the reduction of fractional reabsorption of sodium following large saline infusion. The renal response to hemodilution is reduced similarly in both types of experiments when the dogs have been previously submitted to a dietary deprivation of sodium. The decreased sensitivity of the kidney to the stimulus of hemodilution appears as a major determinant of the poor natriuretic response to saline loading of sodium-deprived animals.", "contents": "Comparative evaluation of fractional excretion of sodium following saline infusion in transplanted kidneys and in isolated perfused kidneys in conditions of previous high or low dietary sodium intake. The increase of fractional excretion of sodium following the infusion of isotonic saline solution is quantitatively the same in dog kidneys perfused by a whole animal or by a pump-oxygenator machine at identical arterial and venous pressures. The equal response found in both experimental conditions demonstrates that the dilution of the blood, and primarily the decrease of post-glomerular plasma oncotic pressure, represents the only extrarenal humoral factor of significant importance in the reduction of fractional reabsorption of sodium following large saline infusion. The renal response to hemodilution is reduced similarly in both types of experiments when the dogs have been previously submitted to a dietary deprivation of sodium. The decreased sensitivity of the kidney to the stimulus of hemodilution appears as a major determinant of the poor natriuretic response to saline loading of sodium-deprived animals.", "PMID": 765957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1942", "title": "Comparison of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and secretin in gastric secretion and mucosal blood flow.", "content": "VIP and secretin were compared in regard to their effects on gastric acid and pepsin secretion induced by pentagastrin histamine or a peptone meal as well as on gastric mucosal blood flow and meal induced serum gastrin level in conscious dogs provided with gastric fistulas and denervated fundic pouches. Both VIP and secretin caused a dose-related stimulation of basal pepsin outputs and inhibition of pentagastrin-induced acid secretion. VIP, like secretin, inhibited pentagastrin and meal-induced gastric acid secretion but in contrast to secretin it caused inhibition of acid response to histamine. Inhibition of acid secretion by VIP or secretin was accompanied by secondary reduction in gastric mucosal blood flow in tests with pentagastrin or histamine and by depression of the serum gastrin level in tests with a peptone meal. This study indicates that in comparison with secretin, VIP has a wider spectrum of inhibition of stimulated gastric secretion and may be considered as one of the enterogastrones released in the small intestine.", "contents": "Comparison of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and secretin in gastric secretion and mucosal blood flow. VIP and secretin were compared in regard to their effects on gastric acid and pepsin secretion induced by pentagastrin histamine or a peptone meal as well as on gastric mucosal blood flow and meal induced serum gastrin level in conscious dogs provided with gastric fistulas and denervated fundic pouches. Both VIP and secretin caused a dose-related stimulation of basal pepsin outputs and inhibition of pentagastrin-induced acid secretion. VIP, like secretin, inhibited pentagastrin and meal-induced gastric acid secretion but in contrast to secretin it caused inhibition of acid response to histamine. Inhibition of acid secretion by VIP or secretin was accompanied by secondary reduction in gastric mucosal blood flow in tests with pentagastrin or histamine and by depression of the serum gastrin level in tests with a peptone meal. This study indicates that in comparison with secretin, VIP has a wider spectrum of inhibition of stimulated gastric secretion and may be considered as one of the enterogastrones released in the small intestine.", "PMID": 765958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1943", "title": "[The K antigens of Escherichia coli (author's transl)].", "content": "The development of the serology of Escherichia coli, especially the present division of the antigen into L, B, and A antigens is described. Only the A antigen should be regarded as a capsular antigen whereas L and B antigens are to be considered as envelope antigens. Immunoelectrophoretic studies by Orskov & Orskov (1972) on the K antigens and O antigens of Escherichia coli revealed that the strains could be placed into a few well defined groups according to migration patterns of the O antigens and of the thermostable polysaccharide K antigens. Orskov's et al proposed new criteria for K antigens and studies on the importance of K antigens as determinants of virulence in Escherichia coli are presented", "contents": "[The K antigens of Escherichia coli (author's transl)]. The development of the serology of Escherichia coli, especially the present division of the antigen into L, B, and A antigens is described. Only the A antigen should be regarded as a capsular antigen whereas L and B antigens are to be considered as envelope antigens. Immunoelectrophoretic studies by Orskov & Orskov (1972) on the K antigens and O antigens of Escherichia coli revealed that the strains could be placed into a few well defined groups according to migration patterns of the O antigens and of the thermostable polysaccharide K antigens. Orskov's et al proposed new criteria for K antigens and studies on the importance of K antigens as determinants of virulence in Escherichia coli are presented", "PMID": 765961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1944", "title": "[Treatment of hyaline membrane disease by a new method of continuous positive pressure, 1st results].", "content": "In this article the authors report their experience with regard to the use of continuous positive pressure by means of a nasal appliance in the treatement of hyaline membrane disease. In addition to mechanical respiratory assistance and economy in the administration of oxygen procured by continuous positive pressure, its use in conjunction with the nasal appliance has led to some progress being made in comparison with the so-called \"bag\" technique of Martin-Bouyer. In particular, the positive pressure method can be used without undue risk with children weighing less than 2000 grams at birth whereas the \"bag\" technique has shown itself to be too dangerous for them.", "contents": "[Treatment of hyaline membrane disease by a new method of continuous positive pressure, 1st results]. In this article the authors report their experience with regard to the use of continuous positive pressure by means of a nasal appliance in the treatement of hyaline membrane disease. In addition to mechanical respiratory assistance and economy in the administration of oxygen procured by continuous positive pressure, its use in conjunction with the nasal appliance has led to some progress being made in comparison with the so-called \"bag\" technique of Martin-Bouyer. In particular, the positive pressure method can be used without undue risk with children weighing less than 2000 grams at birth whereas the \"bag\" technique has shown itself to be too dangerous for them.", "PMID": 765963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1945", "title": "Interactions between 30s ribosomal proteins and 50s subunits of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The interaction between ribosomal proteins of the 30s subunit with intact 50s subunits was investigated. Experiments with mixtures of total 30s proteins indicated that several 30s proteins including protein s4 would form a stable complex with 50s subunits. Further work with pure s4 indicates that this protein binds stoichiometrically to the 50s subunits, probably through protein-nucleic acid interaction. The possible significance of this interaction is discussed.", "contents": "Interactions between 30s ribosomal proteins and 50s subunits of Escherichia coli. The interaction between ribosomal proteins of the 30s subunit with intact 50s subunits was investigated. Experiments with mixtures of total 30s proteins indicated that several 30s proteins including protein s4 would form a stable complex with 50s subunits. Further work with pure s4 indicates that this protein binds stoichiometrically to the 50s subunits, probably through protein-nucleic acid interaction. The possible significance of this interaction is discussed.", "PMID": 765969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1946", "title": "Terminal labeling and addition of homopolymer tracts to duplex DNA fragments by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase.", "content": "Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, which requires a single-stranded DNA primer under the usual assay conditions, can be made to accept double-stranded DNA as primer for the addition of either rNMP or dNMP, if Mg+2 ion is replaced by Co+2 ion. The priming efficiency in the presence of (C leads to) CO+2 ion with respect to initial rate tested with 2 single-stranded primer, is 5-6 fols higher than that observed with Mg+2 ion. In the presence of Co+2 ion, the primer specificity is altered so that all forms of duplex DNA molecules can be labeled at their unique 3' -ends regardless of whether such ends are staggered or even. Thus, using ribonucleotide incorporation, we have for the first time employed this reaction for sequence analysis of duplex DNA fragments generated by restriction endonuclease cleavages. Furthermore, by using Co+2 ion, it is possible to add a long homopolymer tract of deoxyribonucleotides to the 3'-terminus of double-stranded DNA. Therefore, without prior treatment with lambda exonuclease to expose the 3' terminus as single-stranded primer, this reaction now permits insertion of homopolymer tails at the 3'-ends of all types of DNA molecules for the purpose of in vitro construction of recombinant DNA.", "contents": "Terminal labeling and addition of homopolymer tracts to duplex DNA fragments by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, which requires a single-stranded DNA primer under the usual assay conditions, can be made to accept double-stranded DNA as primer for the addition of either rNMP or dNMP, if Mg+2 ion is replaced by Co+2 ion. The priming efficiency in the presence of (C leads to) CO+2 ion with respect to initial rate tested with 2 single-stranded primer, is 5-6 fols higher than that observed with Mg+2 ion. In the presence of Co+2 ion, the primer specificity is altered so that all forms of duplex DNA molecules can be labeled at their unique 3' -ends regardless of whether such ends are staggered or even. Thus, using ribonucleotide incorporation, we have for the first time employed this reaction for sequence analysis of duplex DNA fragments generated by restriction endonuclease cleavages. Furthermore, by using Co+2 ion, it is possible to add a long homopolymer tract of deoxyribonucleotides to the 3'-terminus of double-stranded DNA. Therefore, without prior treatment with lambda exonuclease to expose the 3' terminus as single-stranded primer, this reaction now permits insertion of homopolymer tails at the 3'-ends of all types of DNA molecules for the purpose of in vitro construction of recombinant DNA.", "PMID": 765970} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1947", "title": "DNA replication in eukaryotes: a model for the specific involvement of chromatin subunits.", "content": "A model is proposed whereby eukaryotic DNA replication is specifically directed by the 200 base pair repeat structure of the DNA-histone complex. The model proposes a mechanism for the sequential, bidirectional replication of DNA from initial origin points on the chromatin fibre and is consistent with the known properties of eukaryotic DNA replication. Several predictions can be made from the model which are amenable to testing.", "contents": "DNA replication in eukaryotes: a model for the specific involvement of chromatin subunits. A model is proposed whereby eukaryotic DNA replication is specifically directed by the 200 base pair repeat structure of the DNA-histone complex. The model proposes a mechanism for the sequential, bidirectional replication of DNA from initial origin points on the chromatin fibre and is consistent with the known properties of eukaryotic DNA replication. Several predictions can be made from the model which are amenable to testing.", "PMID": 765971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1948", "title": "The surgical management of extracranial cerebrovascular occlusive disease: a review of 200 consecutive surgical cases.", "content": "The role of surgery in the treatment of extracranial cerebrovascular disease is essentially a prophylactic one but it should be borne in mind that apart from preventing stroke, such procedures will or should eliminate symptoms. The authors believe that every patient suffering from cerebrovascular insufficiency should be thoroughly evaluated for extracranial cerebrovascular occlusive disease and that arteriograms should be performed on all patients who could be expected to be candidates for surgery. The various indications for surgery have been discussed. The authors believe that people who have severe bilateral disease and who are of an advanced age are probably in a higher risk group. They also believe that surgery should not be offered to people who have a complete stroke and who are in semi-coma or coma, no matter how rapidly they may be transferred to the operating theatre. The authors firmly believe that intra-operative E.E.G. monitoring is an important adjunct to the safe surgical treatment of lesions of the carotid bifurcation, not only to indicate when shunting is necessary but also to indicate how well that shunt is functioning. In spite of the frequent presence of associated heart disease, hypertension and other vascular lesions, operation can be offered with confidence to suitable candidates. Elimination of symptoms can be expected in over 90% of cases. Only one patient has suffered a stroke since leaving hospital and this occurred because of occlusion in his internal carotid artery which was not operated on. Apart from patient selection, the factors which have contributed to the authors' low morbidity and mortality have been the use of intra-operative E.E.G. monitoring, intra-operative heparinisation and the availability of excellent angiographic studies.", "contents": "The surgical management of extracranial cerebrovascular occlusive disease: a review of 200 consecutive surgical cases. The role of surgery in the treatment of extracranial cerebrovascular disease is essentially a prophylactic one but it should be borne in mind that apart from preventing stroke, such procedures will or should eliminate symptoms. The authors believe that every patient suffering from cerebrovascular insufficiency should be thoroughly evaluated for extracranial cerebrovascular occlusive disease and that arteriograms should be performed on all patients who could be expected to be candidates for surgery. The various indications for surgery have been discussed. The authors believe that people who have severe bilateral disease and who are of an advanced age are probably in a higher risk group. They also believe that surgery should not be offered to people who have a complete stroke and who are in semi-coma or coma, no matter how rapidly they may be transferred to the operating theatre. The authors firmly believe that intra-operative E.E.G. monitoring is an important adjunct to the safe surgical treatment of lesions of the carotid bifurcation, not only to indicate when shunting is necessary but also to indicate how well that shunt is functioning. In spite of the frequent presence of associated heart disease, hypertension and other vascular lesions, operation can be offered with confidence to suitable candidates. Elimination of symptoms can be expected in over 90% of cases. Only one patient has suffered a stroke since leaving hospital and this occurred because of occlusion in his internal carotid artery which was not operated on. Apart from patient selection, the factors which have contributed to the authors' low morbidity and mortality have been the use of intra-operative E.E.G. monitoring, intra-operative heparinisation and the availability of excellent angiographic studies.", "PMID": 766004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1949", "title": "In vitro and in vivo activity of 2,4-diamino-6-(2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)acetamido) quinazoline against Cryptococcus neoformans.", "content": "The minimum inhibitory concentration of quinazoline derivative was determined by the tube dilution method for Cryptococcus neoformans, strain 184. The effect of this chemical agent on macromolecular metabolism indicated an inhibition of incorporations of labeled precursors into RNA and protein of C. neoformans. A mouse model infection with C. neoformans was established. Following this, the animals were given ip or oral doses of different concentrations of the experimental drug. Infected mice responded to ip administration of the drug in that the percentage of surviving mice increased progressively with increasing drug dosage. The curing dose 50 (CD50) was determined, based on the isolation of C. neoformans from organs of animals during or at the termination of the experiments.", "contents": "In vitro and in vivo activity of 2,4-diamino-6-(2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)acetamido) quinazoline against Cryptococcus neoformans. The minimum inhibitory concentration of quinazoline derivative was determined by the tube dilution method for Cryptococcus neoformans, strain 184. The effect of this chemical agent on macromolecular metabolism indicated an inhibition of incorporations of labeled precursors into RNA and protein of C. neoformans. A mouse model infection with C. neoformans was established. Following this, the animals were given ip or oral doses of different concentrations of the experimental drug. Infected mice responded to ip administration of the drug in that the percentage of surviving mice increased progressively with increasing drug dosage. The curing dose 50 (CD50) was determined, based on the isolation of C. neoformans from organs of animals during or at the termination of the experiments.", "PMID": 766014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1950", "title": "Gonadotropin releasing hormone induced luteinizing hormone release after prostaglandin F2alpha in heifers.", "content": "Twenty Holstein heifers in diestrus were given 30 mg of PGF2alpha Tham salt (im). Thereafter each of five heifers received no further treatment of 40 mug of GnRH (im) at 10, 30, or 50 hr after PGF2alpha. Serum progesterone decreased to less than 1 ng/ml at 24 hr after PGF2alpha and remained low throughout the remainder of the sampling period. Following PGF2alpha, estradiol concentrations increased gradually in serum but GnRH given at 30 hr after PGF2alpha abruptly decreased estradiol concentration. The magnitude of LH release induced by GnRH given at 30 or 50 hr after PGF2alpha was greater than that at 10 hr. All heifers exhibited behavioral estrus except those in group GnRH-50. Spontaneous LH peaks, which usually occur after PGF2alpha were observed in 5/5 (control), 4/5 (GnRH-10), 0/5 (GnRH-30), and 2/5 (GnRH-50) heifers. We conclude that pituitary responsiveness to GnRH increases with time after PGF2alpha and GnRH given at 30 hr completely inhibits and at 50 hr partially inhibits endogenous LH release.", "contents": "Gonadotropin releasing hormone induced luteinizing hormone release after prostaglandin F2alpha in heifers. Twenty Holstein heifers in diestrus were given 30 mg of PGF2alpha Tham salt (im). Thereafter each of five heifers received no further treatment of 40 mug of GnRH (im) at 10, 30, or 50 hr after PGF2alpha. Serum progesterone decreased to less than 1 ng/ml at 24 hr after PGF2alpha and remained low throughout the remainder of the sampling period. Following PGF2alpha, estradiol concentrations increased gradually in serum but GnRH given at 30 hr after PGF2alpha abruptly decreased estradiol concentration. The magnitude of LH release induced by GnRH given at 30 or 50 hr after PGF2alpha was greater than that at 10 hr. All heifers exhibited behavioral estrus except those in group GnRH-50. Spontaneous LH peaks, which usually occur after PGF2alpha were observed in 5/5 (control), 4/5 (GnRH-10), 0/5 (GnRH-30), and 2/5 (GnRH-50) heifers. We conclude that pituitary responsiveness to GnRH increases with time after PGF2alpha and GnRH given at 30 hr completely inhibits and at 50 hr partially inhibits endogenous LH release.", "PMID": 766015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1951", "title": "Inhibition by nalidixic acid of post-uv survival of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Nalidixate inhibited the post-uv survival of E. coli B. TAU-bar and Ts-7, but not Bs-1 or B/r when included in the plating medium. Removal of the drug sensitivity by photoreactivation was consistent with pyrimidine dimers as the target for the effect. Nalidixate did not inhibit liquid-holding recovery from uv when included in the holding medium, but survival was inhibited if the drug was in the subsequent plating medium. In fact, there was an actual increase in the number of nonsurvivors due to the drug following a period of holding.", "contents": "Inhibition by nalidixic acid of post-uv survival of Escherichia coli. Nalidixate inhibited the post-uv survival of E. coli B. TAU-bar and Ts-7, but not Bs-1 or B/r when included in the plating medium. Removal of the drug sensitivity by photoreactivation was consistent with pyrimidine dimers as the target for the effect. Nalidixate did not inhibit liquid-holding recovery from uv when included in the holding medium, but survival was inhibited if the drug was in the subsequent plating medium. In fact, there was an actual increase in the number of nonsurvivors due to the drug following a period of holding.", "PMID": 766016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1952", "title": "Endotoxin toxicity in rats is enhanced by tilorone.", "content": "The relatively nontoxic drug, tilorone, greatly enhanced the susceptibility of rats to lethal effects of endotoxin. The magnitude of the synergy was similar to that produced by adrenalectomy, but the effect of tilorone was not mediated by the adrenal glands. The histopathologic effects of endotoxin plus tilorone resembled those produced by much larger doses of endotoxin alone, including instances of the generalized Shwartzman reaction.", "contents": "Endotoxin toxicity in rats is enhanced by tilorone. The relatively nontoxic drug, tilorone, greatly enhanced the susceptibility of rats to lethal effects of endotoxin. The magnitude of the synergy was similar to that produced by adrenalectomy, but the effect of tilorone was not mediated by the adrenal glands. The histopathologic effects of endotoxin plus tilorone resembled those produced by much larger doses of endotoxin alone, including instances of the generalized Shwartzman reaction.", "PMID": 766017} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1953", "title": "Intracolonic tensions of oxygen and carbon dioxide in germfree, conventional, and gnotobiotic rats.", "content": "The relation of intracolonic gaseous tension to fecal microflora was investigated by mass spectrometric measurements of intracolonic O2 and CO2 in unanesthetized germfree, conventional, and gnotobiotic rats; ip measurements were obtained in rats whose colons became perforated accidentally; fecal bacterial flora and cecal size were also determined. Gnotobiotes were monoassociated with Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and were diassociated with E. coli plus B. fragilis and with Bacillus macerans plus an aerobic diphtheroid. Mean intracolonic Po2 in conventional rats (11.1 mmHg) was significantly lower than in germfree rats (12.8 mmHg); mean intracolonic Pco2 in conventionals (83.4 mmHg) was greater than in germfree rats (54.6 mmHg). Differences of Po2 values among all rats were slight. However, intracolonic Pco2 values were directly related to CO2 production by the normal intestinal flora, and were thus significantly lower in both germfree and gnotobiotic rats. Intraperitoneal tensions were independent of the status of rats, and the mean ip Po2 and Pco2 (38.9 and 49.1 mmHg, respectively) agreed with values in the literature. The enlarged cecum, characteristic of germfree rats, was also present in gnotobiotic rats. Counts of each bacterial species in feces of monoassociated rats were 10(8) to 10(10)/g; counts were progressively smaller in feces of diassociated rats and conventional rats (10(8) to 10(9)/g and 10(5) to 10(8)/g, respectively). Intracolonic gaseous tensions of CO2 clearly reflected the presence of a normal flora inconventional rats, and were inversely proportional to cecal size.", "contents": "Intracolonic tensions of oxygen and carbon dioxide in germfree, conventional, and gnotobiotic rats. The relation of intracolonic gaseous tension to fecal microflora was investigated by mass spectrometric measurements of intracolonic O2 and CO2 in unanesthetized germfree, conventional, and gnotobiotic rats; ip measurements were obtained in rats whose colons became perforated accidentally; fecal bacterial flora and cecal size were also determined. Gnotobiotes were monoassociated with Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and were diassociated with E. coli plus B. fragilis and with Bacillus macerans plus an aerobic diphtheroid. Mean intracolonic Po2 in conventional rats (11.1 mmHg) was significantly lower than in germfree rats (12.8 mmHg); mean intracolonic Pco2 in conventionals (83.4 mmHg) was greater than in germfree rats (54.6 mmHg). Differences of Po2 values among all rats were slight. However, intracolonic Pco2 values were directly related to CO2 production by the normal intestinal flora, and were thus significantly lower in both germfree and gnotobiotic rats. Intraperitoneal tensions were independent of the status of rats, and the mean ip Po2 and Pco2 (38.9 and 49.1 mmHg, respectively) agreed with values in the literature. The enlarged cecum, characteristic of germfree rats, was also present in gnotobiotic rats. Counts of each bacterial species in feces of monoassociated rats were 10(8) to 10(10)/g; counts were progressively smaller in feces of diassociated rats and conventional rats (10(8) to 10(9)/g and 10(5) to 10(8)/g, respectively). Intracolonic gaseous tensions of CO2 clearly reflected the presence of a normal flora inconventional rats, and were inversely proportional to cecal size.", "PMID": 766018} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1954", "title": "The use of healed superficial burns as a donor site for split-skin grafts.", "content": "We compared 30 skin grafts obtained from healed burn areas to 30 skin grafts obtained from normal uninjured skin. The rates and characteristics of healing were studied and compared, both clinically and histologically; in general they were quite similar.", "contents": "The use of healed superficial burns as a donor site for split-skin grafts. We compared 30 skin grafts obtained from healed burn areas to 30 skin grafts obtained from normal uninjured skin. The rates and characteristics of healing were studied and compared, both clinically and histologically; in general they were quite similar.", "PMID": 766028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1955", "title": "Repair of forehead defects by rotation of local flaps.", "content": "A simple rotation of the remaining forehead as a flap may permit closure of major defects in the forehead, with relative ease and a good cosmetic result.", "contents": "Repair of forehead defects by rotation of local flaps. A simple rotation of the remaining forehead as a flap may permit closure of major defects in the forehead, with relative ease and a good cosmetic result.", "PMID": 766029} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1956", "title": "[Psychodiagnosis of brain damage and brain damage sequelae in adults].", "content": "The author examines methodical problems of construction and validation, and the local value of psychological methods within the framework of neuropsychological diagnostics. He bases this examination on a characterization of the wide field of problems of psychological diagnostics when proving, bjectivizing, quantifying and describing psychic consequences of cerebro-organic conditioned functional lesions and their differential diagnostic delimitation with regard to other symptom images. He goes on to describe diagnostic aims, statement possibilities and the limitations of psychopathometric and psychopathognostic testing devices. Finally, more from pragmatic than from strictly theoretical aspects of neuropsychology, he gives an outline of a number of major psychodiagnostic processes commonly used in practice with a view to objecting and quantifying forms of performance and behavior resulting from cerebro-organic alterations, i.e. processes which definately occupy an equal place in the arsenal of methods employed by the neuropsychiatrist.", "contents": "[Psychodiagnosis of brain damage and brain damage sequelae in adults]. The author examines methodical problems of construction and validation, and the local value of psychological methods within the framework of neuropsychological diagnostics. He bases this examination on a characterization of the wide field of problems of psychological diagnostics when proving, bjectivizing, quantifying and describing psychic consequences of cerebro-organic conditioned functional lesions and their differential diagnostic delimitation with regard to other symptom images. He goes on to describe diagnostic aims, statement possibilities and the limitations of psychopathometric and psychopathognostic testing devices. Finally, more from pragmatic than from strictly theoretical aspects of neuropsychology, he gives an outline of a number of major psychodiagnostic processes commonly used in practice with a view to objecting and quantifying forms of performance and behavior resulting from cerebro-organic alterations, i.e. processes which definately occupy an equal place in the arsenal of methods employed by the neuropsychiatrist.", "PMID": 766035} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1957", "title": "Self-inhibiting action of nortriptylin's antidepressive effect at high plasma levels: a randomized double-blind study controlled by plasma concentrations in patients with endogenous depression.", "content": "Below the toxic plasma level of nortriptyline (NT) an upper therapeutic limit has been postulated in patients with endogenous depression. If so the clinical significance is obvious and a double-blind, randomized study was performed in order to solve this problem. Two groups of patients were controlled at different plasma levels (less than 150 ng/ml and less than 180 ng/ml). The degree of depression was rated weekly. Only about one third (n equals 24) of the patients originally included, were carried through the full protocol, the most prominent reason for drop out beeing spontaneous remission during an initial placebo period. After 4 weeks of NT treatment the majority in the high level group was still depressed, but the difference barely significant (P equals 5.5%). However, a randomized reduction of the plasma level among the patients at the high level resulted in a significant correlation to remission. Evaluation of the total material after 6 weeks of NT treatment demonstrated a strong correlation of high plasma level to poor antidepressive effect of NT. No correlation could be obtained between side-effects, which were few, and plasma level. The non-proteinbound fraction in plasma was found to 7% (SD 1.83) by simultaneous determinations of NT in plasma and CSF in 13 patients. The variation in the proteinbinding was not likely to invalidate the over all results based on total NT determination. A therapeutic plasma range of 50-150 ng/ml is recommended.", "contents": "Self-inhibiting action of nortriptylin's antidepressive effect at high plasma levels: a randomized double-blind study controlled by plasma concentrations in patients with endogenous depression. Below the toxic plasma level of nortriptyline (NT) an upper therapeutic limit has been postulated in patients with endogenous depression. If so the clinical significance is obvious and a double-blind, randomized study was performed in order to solve this problem. Two groups of patients were controlled at different plasma levels (less than 150 ng/ml and less than 180 ng/ml). The degree of depression was rated weekly. Only about one third (n equals 24) of the patients originally included, were carried through the full protocol, the most prominent reason for drop out beeing spontaneous remission during an initial placebo period. After 4 weeks of NT treatment the majority in the high level group was still depressed, but the difference barely significant (P equals 5.5%). However, a randomized reduction of the plasma level among the patients at the high level resulted in a significant correlation to remission. Evaluation of the total material after 6 weeks of NT treatment demonstrated a strong correlation of high plasma level to poor antidepressive effect of NT. No correlation could be obtained between side-effects, which were few, and plasma level. The non-proteinbound fraction in plasma was found to 7% (SD 1.83) by simultaneous determinations of NT in plasma and CSF in 13 patients. The variation in the proteinbinding was not likely to invalidate the over all results based on total NT determination. A therapeutic plasma range of 50-150 ng/ml is recommended.", "PMID": 766041} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1958", "title": "The wind of the cannon ball: an informative anecdote from medical history.", "content": "When Cartesian dualism became a determining philosophical basis of medical theory, psychosomatic events became logical impossibilities. In the nineteenth century, physicians confronted with a class of such events - battle casualties without externally inflicted injuries - sought mechanistic interpretations in the 'wind' of the cannon ball. Those who rejected these ineffective hypotheses were forced to deny the existence of such casualties. Today we acknowledge the existence of psychosomatic events. The logical barrier to understanding them, however, remains at the basis of medical theory and must be eradicated.", "contents": "The wind of the cannon ball: an informative anecdote from medical history. When Cartesian dualism became a determining philosophical basis of medical theory, psychosomatic events became logical impossibilities. In the nineteenth century, physicians confronted with a class of such events - battle casualties without externally inflicted injuries - sought mechanistic interpretations in the 'wind' of the cannon ball. Those who rejected these ineffective hypotheses were forced to deny the existence of such casualties. Today we acknowledge the existence of psychosomatic events. The logical barrier to understanding them, however, remains at the basis of medical theory and must be eradicated.", "PMID": 766042} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1959", "title": "Rapid onset of pulmonary infiltration due to histiocytic lymphoma.", "content": "Five cases demonstrating the rapid onset of pulmonary infiltrates due to hystiocytic lymphoma are presented. In four cases the pulmonary infiltrate occurred at the time of initial presentation and the fifth case occurred 2 1/2 months after the original diagnosis. The radiographic manifestations are nonspecific. Lung biopsy, open or closed, is needed to confirm the diagnosis before initating appropriate therapy.", "contents": "Rapid onset of pulmonary infiltration due to histiocytic lymphoma. Five cases demonstrating the rapid onset of pulmonary infiltrates due to hystiocytic lymphoma are presented. In four cases the pulmonary infiltrate occurred at the time of initial presentation and the fifth case occurred 2 1/2 months after the original diagnosis. The radiographic manifestations are nonspecific. Lung biopsy, open or closed, is needed to confirm the diagnosis before initating appropriate therapy.", "PMID": 766053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1960", "title": "A computer assisted radiological reporting system.", "content": "The authors report their experience with a commercially available computerized diagnostic reporting system. The system has been in operation more than 36 months and processes more than 95,000 cases annually. Dictation is needed for only 13% of emergency room cases and 23% of in-patient cases. Savings in overtime and increased efficiency have resulted. The system can be adapted to other computerized systems within the x-ray department. Acceptance by staff and residents has been good.", "contents": "A computer assisted radiological reporting system. The authors report their experience with a commercially available computerized diagnostic reporting system. The system has been in operation more than 36 months and processes more than 95,000 cases annually. Dictation is needed for only 13% of emergency room cases and 23% of in-patient cases. Savings in overtime and increased efficiency have resulted. The system can be adapted to other computerized systems within the x-ray department. Acceptance by staff and residents has been good.", "PMID": 766054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1961", "title": "Computed tomography in the detection of juxtasellar lesions.", "content": "One thousand consecutive computed tomograms were reviewed to determine the accuracy of the procedure in the detection of juxtasellar lesions. The detection rate was compared to those of plain skull films, radionuclide studies, angiography, and pneumoencephalography. Computed tomography was slightly superior to angiography and was surpassed only by pneumoencephalography, both of which are invasive procedures which carry a definite risk. The data indicate that computed tomography is the screening method of choice in the detection of juxtasellar masses.", "contents": "Computed tomography in the detection of juxtasellar lesions. One thousand consecutive computed tomograms were reviewed to determine the accuracy of the procedure in the detection of juxtasellar lesions. The detection rate was compared to those of plain skull films, radionuclide studies, angiography, and pneumoencephalography. Computed tomography was slightly superior to angiography and was surpassed only by pneumoencephalography, both of which are invasive procedures which carry a definite risk. The data indicate that computed tomography is the screening method of choice in the detection of juxtasellar masses.", "PMID": 766055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1962", "title": "\"Watershed\" infarction in sickle cell disease.", "content": "A classical \"watershed\" infarction pattern on brain scintigraphy was demonstrated in a seven-year-old black girl with sickle cell disease. Computed tomography (CT) showed minimal abnormalities compared to the characteristic findings on the radionuclide image.", "contents": "\"Watershed\" infarction in sickle cell disease. A classical \"watershed\" infarction pattern on brain scintigraphy was demonstrated in a seven-year-old black girl with sickle cell disease. Computed tomography (CT) showed minimal abnormalities compared to the characteristic findings on the radionuclide image.", "PMID": 766056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1963", "title": "Positional shift of intraventricular blood clots demonstrated by computed tomography.", "content": "Computed tomography with the patient in the prone position was employed to obtain information in a case of intraventricular hematoma secondary to arteriovenous maliformation. A gravitational shift in the position of the intraventricular blood clots was demonstrated by a scan obtained with the patient in the brow-down position. Consideration is given to the possible use of the \"prone EMI scan\" for other intracranial problems of differential diagnosis.", "contents": "Positional shift of intraventricular blood clots demonstrated by computed tomography. Computed tomography with the patient in the prone position was employed to obtain information in a case of intraventricular hematoma secondary to arteriovenous maliformation. A gravitational shift in the position of the intraventricular blood clots was demonstrated by a scan obtained with the patient in the brow-down position. Consideration is given to the possible use of the \"prone EMI scan\" for other intracranial problems of differential diagnosis.", "PMID": 766057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1964", "title": "Asymmetric lung involvement in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.", "content": "The radiographic distribution of pulmonary abnormalities in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in all previously reported cases has been bilateral and generalized. The authors studied 11 premature infants who had BPD that was primarily unilateral. The striking feature in each of these patients was the occurrence of an episode of prolonged unilateral atelectasis or tension pneumathorax. Few, if any, radiographic manifestations of BPD developed. Results of a detailed analysis of oxygen exposure and respirator therapy during the periods of unequal lung ventilation further characterizes the protective effect of atelectasis and tension pneumothorax in the development of BPD.", "contents": "Asymmetric lung involvement in bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The radiographic distribution of pulmonary abnormalities in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in all previously reported cases has been bilateral and generalized. The authors studied 11 premature infants who had BPD that was primarily unilateral. The striking feature in each of these patients was the occurrence of an episode of prolonged unilateral atelectasis or tension pneumathorax. Few, if any, radiographic manifestations of BPD developed. Results of a detailed analysis of oxygen exposure and respirator therapy during the periods of unequal lung ventilation further characterizes the protective effect of atelectasis and tension pneumothorax in the development of BPD.", "PMID": 766058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1965", "title": "Radiological findings in group B streptococcal Sepsis.", "content": "Analysis of the radiographs of 9 infants who died of proved Group B streptococcal sepsis revealed a typical pattern of hyaline membrane disease despite birth weights of over 2,000 g in most cases. Pleural effusions subsequently developed in 6 infants; the rest had pleural fluid at postmortem examination. This is an unusual finding for either hyaline membrane disease or non-group B streptococcal sepsis in the neonate, and may have implications for the early diagnosis and treatment of this usually lethal infection.", "contents": "Radiological findings in group B streptococcal Sepsis. Analysis of the radiographs of 9 infants who died of proved Group B streptococcal sepsis revealed a typical pattern of hyaline membrane disease despite birth weights of over 2,000 g in most cases. Pleural effusions subsequently developed in 6 infants; the rest had pleural fluid at postmortem examination. This is an unusual finding for either hyaline membrane disease or non-group B streptococcal sepsis in the neonate, and may have implications for the early diagnosis and treatment of this usually lethal infection.", "PMID": 766059} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1966", "title": "Evaluation of renal transplants with ultrasound.", "content": "Ultrasound scanning is useful in evaluating renal transplants: it is atraumatic, independent of renal function, and well suited for analyzing such common complications as lymphocele, abscess, hydronephrosis, and hematoma. When there is uncertainty as to the nature of a paranephric mass, ultrasonically guided percutaneous aspiration is definitive. Ultrasound can also detect the acute increase in renal volume associated with rejection and may prove to be a valuable adjunct in the early diagnosis of this problem.", "contents": "Evaluation of renal transplants with ultrasound. Ultrasound scanning is useful in evaluating renal transplants: it is atraumatic, independent of renal function, and well suited for analyzing such common complications as lymphocele, abscess, hydronephrosis, and hematoma. When there is uncertainty as to the nature of a paranephric mass, ultrasonically guided percutaneous aspiration is definitive. Ultrasound can also detect the acute increase in renal volume associated with rejection and may prove to be a valuable adjunct in the early diagnosis of this problem.", "PMID": 766060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1967", "title": "Hypotonic duodenography with glucagon. A clinical comparison study.", "content": "This clinical double-blind study shows that glucagon (2 mg) is a valuable agent for hypotonic duodenography. Pro-Banthine (45 mg) is slightly more effective as a hypotonic agent, but there is no doubt that its use is associated with more side effects and subsequent patient discomfort; contraindications to its use are more commonly encountered in a general hospital population.", "contents": "Hypotonic duodenography with glucagon. A clinical comparison study. This clinical double-blind study shows that glucagon (2 mg) is a valuable agent for hypotonic duodenography. Pro-Banthine (45 mg) is slightly more effective as a hypotonic agent, but there is no doubt that its use is associated with more side effects and subsequent patient discomfort; contraindications to its use are more commonly encountered in a general hospital population.", "PMID": 766062} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1968", "title": "Radiosensitization of Serratia marcescens by cetylpyridinium chloride. Evidence for membrane-associated events.", "content": "Cetylpyridinium chloride has been shown to be an effective radiosensitizer of both oxic and anoxic suspensions of Serratia marcescens in buffer. The related compounds ethylpyridinium bromide and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride exhibited no such radiosensitizing properties at comparable concentrations. It is suggested that the efficiency of cetylpyridinium chloride is due to the combination of lipid-soluble (cetyl) and electron-affinic (pyridinium) moieties within the same molecule, and that these may provide for interaction with a membrane-associated target. Cetylpyridinium chloride did not radiosensitize bacteria suspended in nutrient broth.", "contents": "Radiosensitization of Serratia marcescens by cetylpyridinium chloride. Evidence for membrane-associated events. Cetylpyridinium chloride has been shown to be an effective radiosensitizer of both oxic and anoxic suspensions of Serratia marcescens in buffer. The related compounds ethylpyridinium bromide and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride exhibited no such radiosensitizing properties at comparable concentrations. It is suggested that the efficiency of cetylpyridinium chloride is due to the combination of lipid-soluble (cetyl) and electron-affinic (pyridinium) moieties within the same molecule, and that these may provide for interaction with a membrane-associated target. Cetylpyridinium chloride did not radiosensitize bacteria suspended in nutrient broth.", "PMID": 766063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1969", "title": "The impact of computerized radiological reporting systems on the radiologist.", "content": "Although the advantages of automated reporting systems in diagnostic radiology far outweigh the disadvantages, radiologists have been slow to accept them because of their reluctance to work with the systems, i.e., assume a secretarial function, or to abandon ad lib. dictation. To realize the benefits of automated reporting, it is necessary for the radiologist to change his reporting style from one of \"dictating while reading\" to one of \"reporting\" only after searching the films and drawing a conclusion, and to appreciate that in this era of information overload, rapid delivery of a crisp, pertinent summary of his findings to the referring physician maximizes his influence on patient care.", "contents": "The impact of computerized radiological reporting systems on the radiologist. Although the advantages of automated reporting systems in diagnostic radiology far outweigh the disadvantages, radiologists have been slow to accept them because of their reluctance to work with the systems, i.e., assume a secretarial function, or to abandon ad lib. dictation. To realize the benefits of automated reporting, it is necessary for the radiologist to change his reporting style from one of \"dictating while reading\" to one of \"reporting\" only after searching the films and drawing a conclusion, and to appreciate that in this era of information overload, rapid delivery of a crisp, pertinent summary of his findings to the referring physician maximizes his influence on patient care.", "PMID": 766064} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1970", "title": "Interactions of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and LRH on anterior pituitary function.", "content": "Numerous biochemical pathways influence the synthesis and release of anterior pituitary hormones. Releasing factors extracted from the hypothalamus and prostaglandins (PGs) appear to alter a common biochemical activity, adenyl cyclase, in pituitary cells. Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH), prostaglandin (PGE1), 7 oxa-13-prostynoic acid and cycloheximide were tested for individual and interacting effects on the in vitro release of FSH, LH and prolactin from hemipituitaries of 15 day old female rats. LRH (10 ng/ml) consistently released both LH and FSH in all in vitro experiments and inhibited prolactin release in 1 of 2 experiments. Lower concentrations (5 and 1 ng/ml) also stimulated LH and FSH release but did not influence prolactin release. Concurrent depletion of stored LH and FSH in the gland was observed. PGE1 in a 6.5 hour incubation increased the storage of LH within the gland in the absence of LRH. In a 1.5 hour incubation in the presence of LRH, storage of LH was also increased. PGE1 had no effect on LH and FSH release; however, in 1 of 2 experiments it stimulted prolactin release in the absence of LRH. Prostynoic acid stimulted LH and FSH release but did not synergize with LRH action in the same tissue. Cycloheximide did not affect LH release during the first 30 minutes of incubation; however, the release during the subsequent 1 hour was significantly inhibited. Similar tissue also exposed to cycloheximide was still responsive to LRH during the latter 1 hour incubation period. Cycloheximide had no effect on prolactin storage and release from the same tissue.", "contents": "Interactions of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and LRH on anterior pituitary function. Numerous biochemical pathways influence the synthesis and release of anterior pituitary hormones. Releasing factors extracted from the hypothalamus and prostaglandins (PGs) appear to alter a common biochemical activity, adenyl cyclase, in pituitary cells. Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH), prostaglandin (PGE1), 7 oxa-13-prostynoic acid and cycloheximide were tested for individual and interacting effects on the in vitro release of FSH, LH and prolactin from hemipituitaries of 15 day old female rats. LRH (10 ng/ml) consistently released both LH and FSH in all in vitro experiments and inhibited prolactin release in 1 of 2 experiments. Lower concentrations (5 and 1 ng/ml) also stimulated LH and FSH release but did not influence prolactin release. Concurrent depletion of stored LH and FSH in the gland was observed. PGE1 in a 6.5 hour incubation increased the storage of LH within the gland in the absence of LRH. In a 1.5 hour incubation in the presence of LRH, storage of LH was also increased. PGE1 had no effect on LH and FSH release; however, in 1 of 2 experiments it stimulted prolactin release in the absence of LRH. Prostynoic acid stimulted LH and FSH release but did not synergize with LRH action in the same tissue. Cycloheximide did not affect LH release during the first 30 minutes of incubation; however, the release during the subsequent 1 hour was significantly inhibited. Similar tissue also exposed to cycloheximide was still responsive to LRH during the latter 1 hour incubation period. Cycloheximide had no effect on prolactin storage and release from the same tissue.", "PMID": 766087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1971", "title": "A new beta adrenergic blocking agent, sotalol, in the treatment of angina pectoris. A double blind-crossed treatment study.", "content": "The present therapy for coronary insufficiency includes the use of drugs which decrease the cardiac work, thus reducing the needs for oxygen (beta adrenergic blocking agents). The 4- (2-isopropylamino-1-hydroxyethil) methane sulfonamylide (Sotalol (R)) is considered the most active of the alkylsulfonamide phethenolamines group. 69 patients with angina pectoris were selected for treatment with Sotalol. The administration was preceded by a five weeks period during which the patients received placebo. Afterwards they received for three weeks a dose of Sotalol (titration period), set the optimal effective dose. At the end of this period all patients began a double blind-crossed treatment which continued for 12 weeks. Two schedules were followed: group 1, Sotalol-placebo; group 2, placebo-Sotalol. No statistically significant variations were shown in the number of anginose attacks during the initial placebo period. The decline in the number of anginose attacks during the titration period (Group 1: weeks 5 to 8, p less than 0.0001; Group 2: weeks 5 to 8, p less than 0.0002) is statistically significant. In the first group the continued administration of Sotalol decreased the number of painful attacks even further, which describe a slope which is abruptly interrupted at the end of the six weeks, coinciding with the initiation of the placebo treatment (Group 1: weeks 8 to 14, p less than 0.001, significant). In group 2 (drug-placebo-drug) the administration of the placebo in the six weeks following the titration period was followed by a recrudescence of the symptomatology, whose intensity, however remained far below that recorded during the initial period (Group 2: weeks 8 to 14, p less than 0,0783, not significant). Then, in the final six weeks, the administration of Sotalol produced a sustained and considerable improvement in the weekly number of anginose attacks (Group 2: weeks 14 to 20, p less than 0.0011, significant). All the differences produced by the ingestion of Sotalol are statistically significant. These facts, together with the absence of clinical or humoral side effects incontestably bear out the efficacy of the drug in controlling the number and the intensity of painful attacks of coronary origin.", "contents": "A new beta adrenergic blocking agent, sotalol, in the treatment of angina pectoris. A double blind-crossed treatment study. The present therapy for coronary insufficiency includes the use of drugs which decrease the cardiac work, thus reducing the needs for oxygen (beta adrenergic blocking agents). The 4- (2-isopropylamino-1-hydroxyethil) methane sulfonamylide (Sotalol (R)) is considered the most active of the alkylsulfonamide phethenolamines group. 69 patients with angina pectoris were selected for treatment with Sotalol. The administration was preceded by a five weeks period during which the patients received placebo. Afterwards they received for three weeks a dose of Sotalol (titration period), set the optimal effective dose. At the end of this period all patients began a double blind-crossed treatment which continued for 12 weeks. Two schedules were followed: group 1, Sotalol-placebo; group 2, placebo-Sotalol. No statistically significant variations were shown in the number of anginose attacks during the initial placebo period. The decline in the number of anginose attacks during the titration period (Group 1: weeks 5 to 8, p less than 0.0001; Group 2: weeks 5 to 8, p less than 0.0002) is statistically significant. In the first group the continued administration of Sotalol decreased the number of painful attacks even further, which describe a slope which is abruptly interrupted at the end of the six weeks, coinciding with the initiation of the placebo treatment (Group 1: weeks 8 to 14, p less than 0.001, significant). In group 2 (drug-placebo-drug) the administration of the placebo in the six weeks following the titration period was followed by a recrudescence of the symptomatology, whose intensity, however remained far below that recorded during the initial period (Group 2: weeks 8 to 14, p less than 0,0783, not significant). Then, in the final six weeks, the administration of Sotalol produced a sustained and considerable improvement in the weekly number of anginose attacks (Group 2: weeks 14 to 20, p less than 0.0011, significant). All the differences produced by the ingestion of Sotalol are statistically significant. These facts, together with the absence of clinical or humoral side effects incontestably bear out the efficacy of the drug in controlling the number and the intensity of painful attacks of coronary origin.", "PMID": 766118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1972", "title": "Preponderance of postsystolic period in the positive inotropic effects of increases in (Ca++).", "content": "If the frequency of stimulation of isolated kitten right ventricular papillary muscles is progressively reduced, the size of contractions decreases until a frequency is reached (rested state rate) where further reduction produces no change (rested state contraction, Koch-Weser and Blinks, 1963). At 30 degrees C and 2.25 mM Ca++, the rested state rate was about one per 2-5 min, the peak tension of 0.2-0.6 g/mm2 was about 5-15% of the tension of 20/min beats, and times to peak tension and 80% repolarization about doubled. Sudden calcium increases in the perfusion fluid, [Ca++]p, from 2.25 to 6.75 mM were produced at random during intervals between rested state contractions, and time and amplitude of peak isometric tension, max +/- dT/dt of subsequent beats were studied. The greatest positive inotropic response of the initial beats following increments in [Ca++]p resulted when [Ca++]p was increased immediately after a rested state contraction: as the postsystolic interval before the [Ca++]p increment was increased, the positive inotropic effects decreased approximately exponentially, attaining a plateau level in about 30 sec. This plateau was then maintained until the period prior to the initial test beat in high calcium was less than the approximately 2-min diffusion equilibrium time between [Ca++]p and the interior of the fiber.", "contents": "Preponderance of postsystolic period in the positive inotropic effects of increases in (Ca++). If the frequency of stimulation of isolated kitten right ventricular papillary muscles is progressively reduced, the size of contractions decreases until a frequency is reached (rested state rate) where further reduction produces no change (rested state contraction, Koch-Weser and Blinks, 1963). At 30 degrees C and 2.25 mM Ca++, the rested state rate was about one per 2-5 min, the peak tension of 0.2-0.6 g/mm2 was about 5-15% of the tension of 20/min beats, and times to peak tension and 80% repolarization about doubled. Sudden calcium increases in the perfusion fluid, [Ca++]p, from 2.25 to 6.75 mM were produced at random during intervals between rested state contractions, and time and amplitude of peak isometric tension, max +/- dT/dt of subsequent beats were studied. The greatest positive inotropic response of the initial beats following increments in [Ca++]p resulted when [Ca++]p was increased immediately after a rested state contraction: as the postsystolic interval before the [Ca++]p increment was increased, the positive inotropic effects decreased approximately exponentially, attaining a plateau level in about 30 sec. This plateau was then maintained until the period prior to the initial test beat in high calcium was less than the approximately 2-min diffusion equilibrium time between [Ca++]p and the interior of the fiber.", "PMID": 766127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1973", "title": "Comparison of energetic patterns of skeletal and cardiac muscles.", "content": "The shape of the basic oxygen uptake to load relationship for afterloaded contractions by in situ mammalian skeletal muscle was found to be altered significantly when the initial length of the muscles was changed from values of initial length which were less than optimal length to values of initial length which were greater than optimal length. When initial length was greater than optimal length, the relationship was like that reported for isolated amphibian muscles. When initial length was less than optimal length, the relationship was like that reported for heart muscle which is usually studied with initial length less than optimal length. If the effect of initial length is found to be the same for isolated amphibian muscles and heart muscles as it is for mammalian muscles, then the basic energetic pattern for these striated muscles will be similar.", "contents": "Comparison of energetic patterns of skeletal and cardiac muscles. The shape of the basic oxygen uptake to load relationship for afterloaded contractions by in situ mammalian skeletal muscle was found to be altered significantly when the initial length of the muscles was changed from values of initial length which were less than optimal length to values of initial length which were greater than optimal length. When initial length was greater than optimal length, the relationship was like that reported for isolated amphibian muscles. When initial length was less than optimal length, the relationship was like that reported for heart muscle which is usually studied with initial length less than optimal length. If the effect of initial length is found to be the same for isolated amphibian muscles and heart muscles as it is for mammalian muscles, then the basic energetic pattern for these striated muscles will be similar.", "PMID": 766128} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1974", "title": "Effects of chronic hypoxia on myocardial metabolism.", "content": "Chronic hypoxia had widespread effects on myocardial metabolism. In understanding these effects, it is necessary to take account of the indirect ways in which hypoxia may act on the heart. Two such important indirect actions are those which follow the development of pulmonary hypertension and anorexia. The experimental design reported here enables one largely to distinguish the effects of pulmonary hypertension and anorexia from the rest. Using such a design, we have presented a number of diverse aspects of myocardial metabolism under conditions of chronic alveolar hypoxia induced by a low atmospheric pressure.", "contents": "Effects of chronic hypoxia on myocardial metabolism. Chronic hypoxia had widespread effects on myocardial metabolism. In understanding these effects, it is necessary to take account of the indirect ways in which hypoxia may act on the heart. Two such important indirect actions are those which follow the development of pulmonary hypertension and anorexia. The experimental design reported here enables one largely to distinguish the effects of pulmonary hypertension and anorexia from the rest. Using such a design, we have presented a number of diverse aspects of myocardial metabolism under conditions of chronic alveolar hypoxia induced by a low atmospheric pressure.", "PMID": 766129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1975", "title": "Myofilament flexibility: a possible role in Hill's model for cardiac and skeletal muscle.", "content": "The sarcomeric unit (\"sark\") is an elastic structure (cf. hard rubber). The sark stretch under load is the sum of the deflections of: (a) the naked thick filament, (b) the joined thick-thin filaments, (c) the naked thin filaments, (d) the parallel array of S1 moieties (bending deflection), (e) the parallel array of S2 rods, and (f) the Z-filaments. Hill's model can be revalidated at the molecular level, if the contractile element is identified as the instantaneous array of contract points between each S1 moiety and the thin filament, such that sark stretch accounts for series elasticity. A matrix array of variously activated and test-rig-damaged sarks can account for large quick-release compliances in cardiac muscles.", "contents": "Myofilament flexibility: a possible role in Hill's model for cardiac and skeletal muscle. The sarcomeric unit (\"sark\") is an elastic structure (cf. hard rubber). The sark stretch under load is the sum of the deflections of: (a) the naked thick filament, (b) the joined thick-thin filaments, (c) the naked thin filaments, (d) the parallel array of S1 moieties (bending deflection), (e) the parallel array of S2 rods, and (f) the Z-filaments. Hill's model can be revalidated at the molecular level, if the contractile element is identified as the instantaneous array of contract points between each S1 moiety and the thin filament, such that sark stretch accounts for series elasticity. A matrix array of variously activated and test-rig-damaged sarks can account for large quick-release compliances in cardiac muscles.", "PMID": 766130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1976", "title": "Failure of increased brain gamma-aminobutyric acid levels to influence amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior.", "content": "Increased brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels secondary to the administration of sodium valproate failed to inhibit amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior. This observation raises some doubt as to whether GABA plays a role in the physiology of the striatum and suggests that GABA does not play a role in the pathophysiology of chorea. If this is true, pharmacologic attempts to increase brain GABA may not improve human choreatic disorders.", "contents": "Failure of increased brain gamma-aminobutyric acid levels to influence amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior. Increased brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels secondary to the administration of sodium valproate failed to inhibit amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior. This observation raises some doubt as to whether GABA plays a role in the physiology of the striatum and suggests that GABA does not play a role in the pathophysiology of chorea. If this is true, pharmacologic attempts to increase brain GABA may not improve human choreatic disorders.", "PMID": 766131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1977", "title": "[Pulmonary function tests following single lung homotransplantation in emphysematous dogs (author's transl)].", "content": "Experimental emphysema was induced by multiple intratracheal instillation of Papain in a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight in 4 bastard dogs. Development of emphysema was objectivated by pulmonary function tests. Increase of static lung compliance, decrease of lung elastance, and increase of air-way resistance were observed. In addition arterial pO2 decreased while pCO2 remained constant. Following single lung homotransplantation there was an increase of respiratory rate and minute ventilation, the transpulmonary pressure rose in the first postoperative days, static lung compliance was diminished. Four weeks after transplantation typical functional changes of emphysema could be demonstrated concerning the slope and appearance of the compliance loops. Arterial pO2 however remained within the normal range. This functional behaviour does not support the concept of a ventialtion perfusion imbalance after lung transplantation in emphysema patients. Respiratory insufficiency therefore is probably caused by an alveolar type of rejection.", "contents": "[Pulmonary function tests following single lung homotransplantation in emphysematous dogs (author's transl)]. Experimental emphysema was induced by multiple intratracheal instillation of Papain in a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight in 4 bastard dogs. Development of emphysema was objectivated by pulmonary function tests. Increase of static lung compliance, decrease of lung elastance, and increase of air-way resistance were observed. In addition arterial pO2 decreased while pCO2 remained constant. Following single lung homotransplantation there was an increase of respiratory rate and minute ventilation, the transpulmonary pressure rose in the first postoperative days, static lung compliance was diminished. Four weeks after transplantation typical functional changes of emphysema could be demonstrated concerning the slope and appearance of the compliance loops. Arterial pO2 however remained within the normal range. This functional behaviour does not support the concept of a ventialtion perfusion imbalance after lung transplantation in emphysema patients. Respiratory insufficiency therefore is probably caused by an alveolar type of rejection.", "PMID": 766132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1978", "title": "Passive immunity to contagious bovine pleuropneumonia.", "content": "A significant passive protection against contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) was demonstrated in cattle. One group of cattle was inoculated with serum from CBPP-recovered cattle, while another group was inoculated with serum from susceptible cattle. The two groups, along with an untreated control group, were challenged with the virulent Gladysdale strain of Mycoplasma mycoides, using the in-contact method. Four out of the five cattle inoculated with serum from animals which had recovered from CBPP were protected, whereas three of five cattle inoculated with serum from susceptible animals and all the untreated animals died of CBPP.", "contents": "Passive immunity to contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. A significant passive protection against contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) was demonstrated in cattle. One group of cattle was inoculated with serum from CBPP-recovered cattle, while another group was inoculated with serum from susceptible cattle. The two groups, along with an untreated control group, were challenged with the virulent Gladysdale strain of Mycoplasma mycoides, using the in-contact method. Four out of the five cattle inoculated with serum from animals which had recovered from CBPP were protected, whereas three of five cattle inoculated with serum from susceptible animals and all the untreated animals died of CBPP.", "PMID": 766133} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1979", "title": "[Neurophysiopathological hypothesis on startle epilepsy in man].", "content": "Clinical observation and S.E.E.G. recordings performed with a surgical purpose in a typical case of startle-epilepsy has led to a reassessment of the relationship of this form of epilepsy and \"Startle reaction\". It is confirmed that the critical discharges take origin in the primary motor cortex. The authors discuss, in the light of experimental data already published, the physiopathological hypotheses likely to lead to a better understanding of startle epilepsy. On the one hand it is suggested that the startle reaction may be responsible through a feed-back mechanism for triggering the epileptogenic focus. On the other hand it is assumed that afferent pathways, central organization and efferent systems involved in startle reaction and actual fits are different.", "contents": "[Neurophysiopathological hypothesis on startle epilepsy in man]. Clinical observation and S.E.E.G. recordings performed with a surgical purpose in a typical case of startle-epilepsy has led to a reassessment of the relationship of this form of epilepsy and \"Startle reaction\". It is confirmed that the critical discharges take origin in the primary motor cortex. The authors discuss, in the light of experimental data already published, the physiopathological hypotheses likely to lead to a better understanding of startle epilepsy. On the one hand it is suggested that the startle reaction may be responsible through a feed-back mechanism for triggering the epileptogenic focus. On the other hand it is assumed that afferent pathways, central organization and efferent systems involved in startle reaction and actual fits are different.", "PMID": 766135} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1980", "title": "[Subacute spongiform encephalopathy and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Apropos of 1 case].", "content": "The authors describe a case of sub-acute spongiform encephalopathy with an ultrastructural study in a man of 65 with associated dementia, extra-pyramidal syndrome, myoclonia, optical disorders, pyramidal syndrome and speech disorders, rapidly leading to death one and a half months later. Electroencephalograms were at first disorganized with persistent delta and theta activity and only in the last record did short runs of repetitive activity appear. Histologically, there was severe status spongiosus, a moderate degree of neuronal depopulation with a noticeable astrocytary gliosis. Under the electron microscope, the neuropile in the astrocytes was found to be pitted with numerous cavities and so were, to a lesser extent, the axonal projections. The vessels were normal. Nothing was found to indicate viral structures. Attention is drawn to the nosological connection between this type of observation and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.", "contents": "[Subacute spongiform encephalopathy and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Apropos of 1 case]. The authors describe a case of sub-acute spongiform encephalopathy with an ultrastructural study in a man of 65 with associated dementia, extra-pyramidal syndrome, myoclonia, optical disorders, pyramidal syndrome and speech disorders, rapidly leading to death one and a half months later. Electroencephalograms were at first disorganized with persistent delta and theta activity and only in the last record did short runs of repetitive activity appear. Histologically, there was severe status spongiosus, a moderate degree of neuronal depopulation with a noticeable astrocytary gliosis. Under the electron microscope, the neuropile in the astrocytes was found to be pitted with numerous cavities and so were, to a lesser extent, the axonal projections. The vessels were normal. Nothing was found to indicate viral structures. Attention is drawn to the nosological connection between this type of observation and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.", "PMID": 766136} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1981", "title": "The effect of low doses of prednisolone compared with placebo on function and on the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A double-blind trial of prednisolone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using doses of zero, 3 mg and 5 mg is reported. Patients on a dose of 3 mg derived little sustained benefit but subjects on the higher dose showed some improvement which did not last more than two years. Mild suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis occurred in both steroid-treated groups.", "contents": "The effect of low doses of prednisolone compared with placebo on function and on the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind trial of prednisolone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using doses of zero, 3 mg and 5 mg is reported. Patients on a dose of 3 mg derived little sustained benefit but subjects on the higher dose showed some improvement which did not last more than two years. Mild suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis occurred in both steroid-treated groups.", "PMID": 766142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1982", "title": "[Clinical test of the Delcomat miniaturisation system (author's transl)].", "content": "A series of 1720 roentgen examinations consisting of 5178 roentgen films were copied with the Delcomat (de Oude Delft) copying apparatus. The copies were re-examined after some months, and the diagnoses were compared with the original ones made of normal size films. The diagnostic accuracy was in most examinations not significantly reduced. There was some extraneous variation not depending on the copying method in complicated pulmonary and cardiologic problem cases, and the lack of immediate screening information also caused some reduction in the diagnostic accuracy. The presumption that there would be some information loss in the miniaturized copies led to false positive statements in some cases. The diagnoses were made by a group of radiologists consisting of one specialist (staff member) and two registrars (residents).", "contents": "[Clinical test of the Delcomat miniaturisation system (author's transl)]. A series of 1720 roentgen examinations consisting of 5178 roentgen films were copied with the Delcomat (de Oude Delft) copying apparatus. The copies were re-examined after some months, and the diagnoses were compared with the original ones made of normal size films. The diagnostic accuracy was in most examinations not significantly reduced. There was some extraneous variation not depending on the copying method in complicated pulmonary and cardiologic problem cases, and the lack of immediate screening information also caused some reduction in the diagnostic accuracy. The presumption that there would be some information loss in the miniaturized copies led to false positive statements in some cases. The diagnoses were made by a group of radiologists consisting of one specialist (staff member) and two registrars (residents).", "PMID": 766143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1983", "title": "[Radiographic differential diagnosis of tumors of jejunum and ileum (author's transl)].", "content": "Tumors of the small intestine form only 1.5-8% of intestinal tumors. After a survey of localization, type of growth and tendency towards degeneration the most important clinical findings are described. The most common sign is high ileus. Barium swallow is recommended which, when all radiologic criteria are taken into account, may even permit identification of the type of tumor. Typical individual tumors are illustrated and described and differential diagnostic data are given. The potential and limits of angiography are discussed.", "contents": "[Radiographic differential diagnosis of tumors of jejunum and ileum (author's transl)]. Tumors of the small intestine form only 1.5-8% of intestinal tumors. After a survey of localization, type of growth and tendency towards degeneration the most important clinical findings are described. The most common sign is high ileus. Barium swallow is recommended which, when all radiologic criteria are taken into account, may even permit identification of the type of tumor. Typical individual tumors are illustrated and described and differential diagnostic data are given. The potential and limits of angiography are discussed.", "PMID": 766144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1984", "title": "A method for studying adherence of oral streptococci to solid surfaces.", "content": "The adherence of different streptococci to test pieces of glass, human enamel and whale dentin carried in the mouth or immersed in saliva or bacterial suspensions was studied by examining the number and frequency of microorganisms which were selectively desorbed by a standardized washing technique. The results obtained from in vivo and in vitro experiments were similar in principle. The proportion of streptococci obtained in the first washing resembled that found in the saliva, but with more vigorous washing the proportion of S. sanguis increased while that of S. salivarius decreased. This illustrates that different microorganisms can attach to solid surfaces with different strengths. The applicability of the method was tested by treating dentin surfaces with fluoride solutions and by incorporating sucrose in the test solution. The fluoride treatment reduced while the sucrose addition increased the number of streptococci which could be removed from the surfaces.", "contents": "A method for studying adherence of oral streptococci to solid surfaces. The adherence of different streptococci to test pieces of glass, human enamel and whale dentin carried in the mouth or immersed in saliva or bacterial suspensions was studied by examining the number and frequency of microorganisms which were selectively desorbed by a standardized washing technique. The results obtained from in vivo and in vitro experiments were similar in principle. The proportion of streptococci obtained in the first washing resembled that found in the saliva, but with more vigorous washing the proportion of S. sanguis increased while that of S. salivarius decreased. This illustrates that different microorganisms can attach to solid surfaces with different strengths. The applicability of the method was tested by treating dentin surfaces with fluoride solutions and by incorporating sucrose in the test solution. The fluoride treatment reduced while the sucrose addition increased the number of streptococci which could be removed from the surfaces.", "PMID": 766151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1985", "title": "Adult coeliac disease. A case with ulceration, dermatitis herpetiformis and reticulosarcoma.", "content": "A 64-year-old woman with adult coeliac disease developed recurrent ulceration and perforation of the small intestine, dermatitis herpetiformis and a reticulosarcoma of the small intestine. She died following the third perforation. The possible importance of strict adherence to a gluten-free diet in the hope of preventing these complications in patients with adult coeliac disease is discussed.", "contents": "Adult coeliac disease. A case with ulceration, dermatitis herpetiformis and reticulosarcoma. A 64-year-old woman with adult coeliac disease developed recurrent ulceration and perforation of the small intestine, dermatitis herpetiformis and a reticulosarcoma of the small intestine. She died following the third perforation. The possible importance of strict adherence to a gluten-free diet in the hope of preventing these complications in patients with adult coeliac disease is discussed.", "PMID": 766153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1986", "title": "A secretory and histological study of the stomach before and after truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty in duodenal ulcer patients.", "content": "In 10 patients with duodenal ulcer gastric secretion was studied after graded doses of pentagastrin before and 3 months after truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty. In 6 patients carbacholine was also infused simultaneously with the greatest dose of pentagastrin after vagotomy. The histology of the gastric mucosa was studied in suction biopsies obtained from the corpus of the stomach before and 3 months after the operation. After truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty the maximal pentagastrin-stimulated acid and pepsin secretion and the sensitivity of the parietal cells to pentagastrin were all reduced significantly. There was no significant increase in maximal pentagastrin-stimulated acid and pepsin secretion when carbacholine was added to pentagastrin. The average thickness of the gastric mucosa and the mean number of parietal cells per unit area of the stomach did not show any significant change, while the number of patients with deep gastritis increased significantly after vagotomy.", "contents": "A secretory and histological study of the stomach before and after truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty in duodenal ulcer patients. In 10 patients with duodenal ulcer gastric secretion was studied after graded doses of pentagastrin before and 3 months after truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty. In 6 patients carbacholine was also infused simultaneously with the greatest dose of pentagastrin after vagotomy. The histology of the gastric mucosa was studied in suction biopsies obtained from the corpus of the stomach before and 3 months after the operation. After truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty the maximal pentagastrin-stimulated acid and pepsin secretion and the sensitivity of the parietal cells to pentagastrin were all reduced significantly. There was no significant increase in maximal pentagastrin-stimulated acid and pepsin secretion when carbacholine was added to pentagastrin. The average thickness of the gastric mucosa and the mean number of parietal cells per unit area of the stomach did not show any significant change, while the number of patients with deep gastritis increased significantly after vagotomy.", "PMID": 766154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1987", "title": "Effect of azathioprine on the cell cycle of haemopoietic cells.", "content": "The megaloblastic erythropoiesis encountered in 3 azathioprine-treated patients with renal transplants was found to be associated with a marked increase in the proportion of early polychromatic erythroblasts in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. By contrast, there was only a slight increase in the proportion of G2 cells in the neutrophil promyelocyte-myelocyte pool of these patients.", "contents": "Effect of azathioprine on the cell cycle of haemopoietic cells. The megaloblastic erythropoiesis encountered in 3 azathioprine-treated patients with renal transplants was found to be associated with a marked increase in the proportion of early polychromatic erythroblasts in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. By contrast, there was only a slight increase in the proportion of G2 cells in the neutrophil promyelocyte-myelocyte pool of these patients.", "PMID": 766155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1988", "title": "A plaque technique for assay and characterization of antibody-dependent cytotoxic effector (K) cells.", "content": "Using monolayers of erythrocytes as target cells, a plaque assay was developed by which individual antibody-dependent cytolytic lymphoid cells (K cells) could be identified at the cellular level. The extent of plaque formation depended on the concentration of sensitizing antibody, time of incubation, and number of lymphocytes added. Most of the plaque-forming cells (50% to 70%) were shown to possess receptors for activated complements, a small but variable fraction (5% to 25%) had surface Ig detectable by indirect immunofluorescence, and 5% to 10% bound sheep erythrocytes at 5 degrees C. The plaque-forming cells appeared as villous, small to medium-sized lymphocytes when studied by transmission or scanning electron microscopy. Under standardized experimental conditions the minimal number of active, plaque-forming K cells in purified lymphocyte preparations could be estimated.", "contents": "A plaque technique for assay and characterization of antibody-dependent cytotoxic effector (K) cells. Using monolayers of erythrocytes as target cells, a plaque assay was developed by which individual antibody-dependent cytolytic lymphoid cells (K cells) could be identified at the cellular level. The extent of plaque formation depended on the concentration of sensitizing antibody, time of incubation, and number of lymphocytes added. Most of the plaque-forming cells (50% to 70%) were shown to possess receptors for activated complements, a small but variable fraction (5% to 25%) had surface Ig detectable by indirect immunofluorescence, and 5% to 10% bound sheep erythrocytes at 5 degrees C. The plaque-forming cells appeared as villous, small to medium-sized lymphocytes when studied by transmission or scanning electron microscopy. Under standardized experimental conditions the minimal number of active, plaque-forming K cells in purified lymphocyte preparations could be estimated.", "PMID": 766156} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1989", "title": "Oxyphenbutazone in the treatment of acute ureteral stone disease.", "content": "A comparative study between the effect of oxyphenbutazone and placebo in acute ureteral disease was carried out in 45 patients. The results are statistically significant in favour of the group treated with oxyphenbutazone with respect to the rapidity and the incidence of spontaneous passage of ureteral stones.", "contents": "Oxyphenbutazone in the treatment of acute ureteral stone disease. A comparative study between the effect of oxyphenbutazone and placebo in acute ureteral disease was carried out in 45 patients. The results are statistically significant in favour of the group treated with oxyphenbutazone with respect to the rapidity and the incidence of spontaneous passage of ureteral stones.", "PMID": 766157} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1990", "title": "Femoral head necrosis in renal transplanted patients. Evidence of a haemodynamic etiological factor.", "content": "In a material of 197 consecutive renal allotransplanted patients, 15 patients developed femoral head necrosis on X-ray examination. Eleven of these patients developed the femoral head necrosis ipsilateral to the renal allograft. It is therefore suggested that the altered haemodynamics caused by the transplantation may be of pathogenic importance in the development of the femoral head necrosis.", "contents": "Femoral head necrosis in renal transplanted patients. Evidence of a haemodynamic etiological factor. In a material of 197 consecutive renal allotransplanted patients, 15 patients developed femoral head necrosis on X-ray examination. Eleven of these patients developed the femoral head necrosis ipsilateral to the renal allograft. It is therefore suggested that the altered haemodynamics caused by the transplantation may be of pathogenic importance in the development of the femoral head necrosis.", "PMID": 766158} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1991", "title": "Preanastomotic arterial stenosis in renal transplant recipients. A report of four cases.", "content": "Four cases of arterial stenosis proximal to the renal artery anastomosis in renal transplant recipients are described. In three of the cases infarcts also occurred in the transplanted kidney. The stenoses were probably caused by injury from a vascular clamp. Embolisation from the injured area of the vessel was probably responsible for the infarcts. The radiological findings were characteristic in the three cases thus examined. The importance of special care in handling the blood vessels is stressed. Detailed angiographic studies are required to ensure diagnosis.", "contents": "Preanastomotic arterial stenosis in renal transplant recipients. A report of four cases. Four cases of arterial stenosis proximal to the renal artery anastomosis in renal transplant recipients are described. In three of the cases infarcts also occurred in the transplanted kidney. The stenoses were probably caused by injury from a vascular clamp. Embolisation from the injured area of the vessel was probably responsible for the infarcts. The radiological findings were characteristic in the three cases thus examined. The importance of special care in handling the blood vessels is stressed. Detailed angiographic studies are required to ensure diagnosis.", "PMID": 766159} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1992", "title": "Renal transplantation in the rat. III. The effect of colloidal and non-colloidal perfusates on the clearing of blood from the in vitro perfused rat kidney.", "content": "Rat kidneys were perfused in vitro with Perfadex (Gelin's solution) and a modified Collins' C3-solution with or without colloids. When the same flow rate was used the presence of 5% dextran 40, 5% albumin, or 10% albumin did not alter the clearing of 51Cr-tagged red blood cells. The main difference between the experimental groups was a significant increase in perfusion pressure when colloids were excluded from the perfusate. Results concerning the regional distribution of 51Cr-activity within the kidney are discussed.", "contents": "Renal transplantation in the rat. III. The effect of colloidal and non-colloidal perfusates on the clearing of blood from the in vitro perfused rat kidney. Rat kidneys were perfused in vitro with Perfadex (Gelin's solution) and a modified Collins' C3-solution with or without colloids. When the same flow rate was used the presence of 5% dextran 40, 5% albumin, or 10% albumin did not alter the clearing of 51Cr-tagged red blood cells. The main difference between the experimental groups was a significant increase in perfusion pressure when colloids were excluded from the perfusate. Results concerning the regional distribution of 51Cr-activity within the kidney are discussed.", "PMID": 766160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1993", "title": "Pyelocystostomy used as a treatment of ureteric necrosis after kidney transplantation.", "content": "A 32-year-old male had chronic glomerulonephritis and terminal renal failure. He was treated with intermittent haemodialysis, and transplantation of a cadaveric kidney. Urine extravasation occurred due to ureteric necrosis. He was treated with temporary diversionary ureterostomy, and 9 weeks later a direct anastomosis between the pelvis of the transplanted kidney and the recipient bladder was performed. Thirty-three months after this operation the transplanted kidney is functioning well.", "contents": "Pyelocystostomy used as a treatment of ureteric necrosis after kidney transplantation. A 32-year-old male had chronic glomerulonephritis and terminal renal failure. He was treated with intermittent haemodialysis, and transplantation of a cadaveric kidney. Urine extravasation occurred due to ureteric necrosis. He was treated with temporary diversionary ureterostomy, and 9 weeks later a direct anastomosis between the pelvis of the transplanted kidney and the recipient bladder was performed. Thirty-three months after this operation the transplanted kidney is functioning well.", "PMID": 766161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1994", "title": "[Pneumocystis carinii infections following kidney transplantation].", "content": "Four adult recipients of cadaveric renal homografts acquired Pneumocystis carinii infections from which they subsequently died. The disease in adults under immunosuppressive therapy runs a course different from the disease observed in newborns. The clinical course is rapidly progressive and early diagnosis by means of aggressive diagnostic procedures is mandatory. To prevent a fatal outcome, treatment even on suspicion is suggested. Epidemiologically, a person-to-person spread seems possible and isolation of the patient is necessary.", "contents": "[Pneumocystis carinii infections following kidney transplantation]. Four adult recipients of cadaveric renal homografts acquired Pneumocystis carinii infections from which they subsequently died. The disease in adults under immunosuppressive therapy runs a course different from the disease observed in newborns. The clinical course is rapidly progressive and early diagnosis by means of aggressive diagnostic procedures is mandatory. To prevent a fatal outcome, treatment even on suspicion is suggested. Epidemiologically, a person-to-person spread seems possible and isolation of the patient is necessary.", "PMID": 766162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1995", "title": "[Induction of ovulation by means of synthetic LH-RH following unsuccessful stimulation with clomide].", "content": "Synthetic LH-RH was used to induce ovulation and pregnancy in 6 women with suspected hypothalamic anovulation. The women had been previously treated with Clomid, but according to indirect evidence this drug either failed to induce ovulation or the women had insufficient luteal phase. After treatment with LH-RH one pregnancy occurred and in 3 more cases indirect evidence indicated that ovulation had occurred.", "contents": "[Induction of ovulation by means of synthetic LH-RH following unsuccessful stimulation with clomide]. Synthetic LH-RH was used to induce ovulation and pregnancy in 6 women with suspected hypothalamic anovulation. The women had been previously treated with Clomid, but according to indirect evidence this drug either failed to induce ovulation or the women had insufficient luteal phase. After treatment with LH-RH one pregnancy occurred and in 3 more cases indirect evidence indicated that ovulation had occurred.", "PMID": 766163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1996", "title": "[Treatment of arthrosis with a new non-steroid anti-rheumatic agent (Voltaren). A double blind comparison with indomethacin].", "content": "The new antirheumatic agent diclofenac sodium (Voltaren) has been compared with indometacin with respect to tolerance and effect on osteoarthritic symptoms. In a double blind trial two groups of 30 arthritic patients each received Voltaren and indometacin respectively for 12 weeks. The initial dose for both drugs was 75 mg per day. Where the effect was inadequate the dose could be raised to 125 mg daily. The outcome revealed no significant differences of the effect and tolerance between the two drugs. An earlier onset of effect, however, was observed in the Voltaren group.", "contents": "[Treatment of arthrosis with a new non-steroid anti-rheumatic agent (Voltaren). A double blind comparison with indomethacin]. The new antirheumatic agent diclofenac sodium (Voltaren) has been compared with indometacin with respect to tolerance and effect on osteoarthritic symptoms. In a double blind trial two groups of 30 arthritic patients each received Voltaren and indometacin respectively for 12 weeks. The initial dose for both drugs was 75 mg per day. Where the effect was inadequate the dose could be raised to 125 mg daily. The outcome revealed no significant differences of the effect and tolerance between the two drugs. An earlier onset of effect, however, was observed in the Voltaren group.", "PMID": 766164} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1997", "title": "[Comparison of Tyloxapol (Tacholiquin, Alevaire) with physiological saline as inhalation carrier solutions].", "content": "By means of a double-blind crossover study the effects of tyloxapol (Tacholiquin, Alevaire) and saline as carrier solutions for the inhalation of beta-agonists have been compared in 24 paitents with bronchial asthma. Specific airway conductance was measured repeatedly over a 2-hour period in order to assess changes of airway caliber due to the inhalation. The results reveal a significant bronchoconstrictive effect of tyloxapol as compared with saline. The bronchodilator activity of solutions with tyloxapol and beta-agonists (orciprenaline, salbutamol) was no better than those with saline and the same beta-agonists. However, side effects (symptoms of airway irritation, increase of pulse rate) were more pronounced with tyloxapol. In view of the direct effects of inhalation with a beta-agonist, no advantage of the expensive carrier solution tyloxapol over saline could be shown.", "contents": "[Comparison of Tyloxapol (Tacholiquin, Alevaire) with physiological saline as inhalation carrier solutions]. By means of a double-blind crossover study the effects of tyloxapol (Tacholiquin, Alevaire) and saline as carrier solutions for the inhalation of beta-agonists have been compared in 24 paitents with bronchial asthma. Specific airway conductance was measured repeatedly over a 2-hour period in order to assess changes of airway caliber due to the inhalation. The results reveal a significant bronchoconstrictive effect of tyloxapol as compared with saline. The bronchodilator activity of solutions with tyloxapol and beta-agonists (orciprenaline, salbutamol) was no better than those with saline and the same beta-agonists. However, side effects (symptoms of airway irritation, increase of pulse rate) were more pronounced with tyloxapol. In view of the direct effects of inhalation with a beta-agonist, no advantage of the expensive carrier solution tyloxapol over saline could be shown.", "PMID": 766165} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1998", "title": "[Perinatal transmission of Plasmodium falciparum malaria].", "content": "Two weeks after leaving Nigeria for temperate zones and a few hours after giving birth to twins, a nigerian mother suffered an acute attack of malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum accompanied by cerebral, renal and hematolgical complications. Both infants were apparently healthy at birth, and no parasites were found on peripheral blood smears. Both placentas were macroscopically normal. At two months of age the second infant, a boy, developed non-febrile hemolytic anemia due to Plasmodium falciparum. The clinical picture and pathogenic mechanisms of perinatal malaria are discussed. Possible protection of the twin sister by partial glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is considered.", "contents": "[Perinatal transmission of Plasmodium falciparum malaria]. Two weeks after leaving Nigeria for temperate zones and a few hours after giving birth to twins, a nigerian mother suffered an acute attack of malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum accompanied by cerebral, renal and hematolgical complications. Both infants were apparently healthy at birth, and no parasites were found on peripheral blood smears. Both placentas were macroscopically normal. At two months of age the second infant, a boy, developed non-febrile hemolytic anemia due to Plasmodium falciparum. The clinical picture and pathogenic mechanisms of perinatal malaria are discussed. Possible protection of the twin sister by partial glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is considered.", "PMID": 766166} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_1999", "title": "[Dialysis and kidney transplantation in Switzerland in 1973].", "content": "A separate computer print-out for Switzerland of the EDTA registry concerning all patients on dialysis or carrying a renal transplant has been analysed. Of a total number of 857 registered patients, 584 or 91 per million inhabitants were alive on 31 December 1973; 306 patients were on hospital hemodialysis, 68 on home hemodialysis and 2 on peritoneal dialysis. 353 patients had received 385 renal transplants, 208 of which were still functioning at the end of 1973. No major change was noted in cumulative survival rates of Swiss patients, who, as expected, showed lower survival with increasing age. Graft survival in a group of 148 first cadaver transplants with poor tissue match (2 or fewer HL-A identities) was better with 66+/-4% at one year than the 53+/-7% survival in the 63 grafts with at least 3 HL-A identities. The number of patients alive on home dialysis increased by 74% through 1973; one year survival equalled the European average at 93+/-4%. Rehabilitation was rather poor in dialysed patients, 21% of whom were reported to be working full time in the hospital-dialysed group and 42% in the home-dialysed group. Patients with functioning transplants, on the other hand, showed very satisfactory rehabilitation (75% working full time). Hepatitis among staff appeared be on the decrease, with only 9 cases in 1973 despite the fact that some 20% of dialysed and transplanted patients were still reported as hepatitis B antigen carriers. The number of new patients accepted for treatment in Switzerland has stabilized at 25-27 per million population per year since 1971. Average mortality was 15.3% in 1973. At the beginning of 1980 we can thus expect to be treating some 135 patients per million population with dialysis and renal transplantation.", "contents": "[Dialysis and kidney transplantation in Switzerland in 1973]. A separate computer print-out for Switzerland of the EDTA registry concerning all patients on dialysis or carrying a renal transplant has been analysed. Of a total number of 857 registered patients, 584 or 91 per million inhabitants were alive on 31 December 1973; 306 patients were on hospital hemodialysis, 68 on home hemodialysis and 2 on peritoneal dialysis. 353 patients had received 385 renal transplants, 208 of which were still functioning at the end of 1973. No major change was noted in cumulative survival rates of Swiss patients, who, as expected, showed lower survival with increasing age. Graft survival in a group of 148 first cadaver transplants with poor tissue match (2 or fewer HL-A identities) was better with 66+/-4% at one year than the 53+/-7% survival in the 63 grafts with at least 3 HL-A identities. The number of patients alive on home dialysis increased by 74% through 1973; one year survival equalled the European average at 93+/-4%. Rehabilitation was rather poor in dialysed patients, 21% of whom were reported to be working full time in the hospital-dialysed group and 42% in the home-dialysed group. Patients with functioning transplants, on the other hand, showed very satisfactory rehabilitation (75% working full time). Hepatitis among staff appeared be on the decrease, with only 9 cases in 1973 despite the fact that some 20% of dialysed and transplanted patients were still reported as hepatitis B antigen carriers. The number of new patients accepted for treatment in Switzerland has stabilized at 25-27 per million population per year since 1971. Average mortality was 15.3% in 1973. At the beginning of 1980 we can thus expect to be treating some 135 patients per million population with dialysis and renal transplantation.", "PMID": 766167} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2000", "title": "[Testing of granulocyte function].", "content": "Recent work on the in-vitro analysis of granulocyte functions is reviewed. Various forms of granulocyte functions defect have been observed in association with increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Intrinsic cellular defects can be distinguished from secondary impairment of granulocyte functions due to other diseases, iatrogenic causes or humoral defects. In such cases the in-vitro methods for evaluation of granulocyte functions have become an indispensable diagnostic aid.", "contents": "[Testing of granulocyte function]. Recent work on the in-vitro analysis of granulocyte functions is reviewed. Various forms of granulocyte functions defect have been observed in association with increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Intrinsic cellular defects can be distinguished from secondary impairment of granulocyte functions due to other diseases, iatrogenic causes or humoral defects. In such cases the in-vitro methods for evaluation of granulocyte functions have become an indispensable diagnostic aid.", "PMID": 766168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2001", "title": "[The value of cooperative studies for the evaluation of new forms of therapy].", "content": "The principles of clinical therapeutic research that have evolved over the last few years are presented and illustrated with examples. The basis remains prospectively planned, controlled studies using standardized criteria for evaluation and documentation. Such studies are usually carried out cooperatively by several hospitals using a standard protocol. The principles underlying such studies are presented in detail, taking malignant lymphoma and acute leukemia as concrete examples.", "contents": "[The value of cooperative studies for the evaluation of new forms of therapy]. The principles of clinical therapeutic research that have evolved over the last few years are presented and illustrated with examples. The basis remains prospectively planned, controlled studies using standardized criteria for evaluation and documentation. Such studies are usually carried out cooperatively by several hospitals using a standard protocol. The principles underlying such studies are presented in detail, taking malignant lymphoma and acute leukemia as concrete examples.", "PMID": 766170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2002", "title": "[Bone marrow transplantation in leukemia: possibilities and problems].", "content": "At present, clinical bone marrow transplantation has reached such an advanced stage that it offers a chance of permanent cure to some patients with acute refractory leukemias. Prerequisites for successful marrow grafts are: careful histocompatibility typing of donor and host, favourable timing of the graft, which should not be performed in the absolutely terminal stages of the disease; optimum conditioning of the recipient, which should aim not only at immunosuppression to allow a marrow take but at maximum reduction of the tumor load; a well-trained team in supportive care and wide experimental and clinical experience in marrow grafting. For the time being only HL-A-identical, MLC-negative siblings or identical twins should be used as marrow donors.", "contents": "[Bone marrow transplantation in leukemia: possibilities and problems]. At present, clinical bone marrow transplantation has reached such an advanced stage that it offers a chance of permanent cure to some patients with acute refractory leukemias. Prerequisites for successful marrow grafts are: careful histocompatibility typing of donor and host, favourable timing of the graft, which should not be performed in the absolutely terminal stages of the disease; optimum conditioning of the recipient, which should aim not only at immunosuppression to allow a marrow take but at maximum reduction of the tumor load; a well-trained team in supportive care and wide experimental and clinical experience in marrow grafting. For the time being only HL-A-identical, MLC-negative siblings or identical twins should be used as marrow donors.", "PMID": 766171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2003", "title": "[Viewpoints on the pharmacological suppression of immunologic reactivity].", "content": "The pharmacological alteration of immunological reactivity is considered. The immunosuppressive drugs may be classified according to their chemical class and their antigen- or cycle-dependency. A relative specificity towards the lymphoid system is cyclophosphamide. New vistas are opened by the modulation of immunological reactivity by cyclic nucleotides. The possibilities afforded by the combined use of immunosuppressive drugs have not been fully exploited. A short therapeutic program including donor antigen, procarbazine and antilymphocyte serum induces immunological tolerance to allogeneic skin grafts in mice and bone marrow allografts in dogs. Immunosuppressive properties of microorganisms are exemplified.", "contents": "[Viewpoints on the pharmacological suppression of immunologic reactivity]. The pharmacological alteration of immunological reactivity is considered. The immunosuppressive drugs may be classified according to their chemical class and their antigen- or cycle-dependency. A relative specificity towards the lymphoid system is cyclophosphamide. New vistas are opened by the modulation of immunological reactivity by cyclic nucleotides. The possibilities afforded by the combined use of immunosuppressive drugs have not been fully exploited. A short therapeutic program including donor antigen, procarbazine and antilymphocyte serum induces immunological tolerance to allogeneic skin grafts in mice and bone marrow allografts in dogs. Immunosuppressive properties of microorganisms are exemplified.", "PMID": 766172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2004", "title": "[Proceedings: Experimental endocarditis. Experimental basis and prophylaxis].", "content": "A simple model has been developed for the production of bacterial endocarditis in rabbits. The principle depends on the insertion of a polyethylene catheter into the venous or arterial system so that the tip rests in the heart cavity in which endocarditis is to be established. After catheter placement, intravenous injection of any one of a variety of microorganisms regularly produces infective endocarditis. The characteristics of the infection in rabbits are similar to those observed in infective endocarditis in man. The production of streptococcus viridans infections in previously immunized animals leads to the development of diffuse glomerulonephritis. Translating antibiotic doses on a weight basis, prophylactic antibiotic treatment programs recommended in man have been shown to be ineffective in rabbits. If the activity of antibiotics in this model infection in rabbits can be assumed to be comparable to that in man, it is necessary that we reconsider the currently accepted recommendation for prophylaxis and treatment of infective endocarditis in man.", "contents": "[Proceedings: Experimental endocarditis. Experimental basis and prophylaxis]. A simple model has been developed for the production of bacterial endocarditis in rabbits. The principle depends on the insertion of a polyethylene catheter into the venous or arterial system so that the tip rests in the heart cavity in which endocarditis is to be established. After catheter placement, intravenous injection of any one of a variety of microorganisms regularly produces infective endocarditis. The characteristics of the infection in rabbits are similar to those observed in infective endocarditis in man. The production of streptococcus viridans infections in previously immunized animals leads to the development of diffuse glomerulonephritis. Translating antibiotic doses on a weight basis, prophylactic antibiotic treatment programs recommended in man have been shown to be ineffective in rabbits. If the activity of antibiotics in this model infection in rabbits can be assumed to be comparable to that in man, it is necessary that we reconsider the currently accepted recommendation for prophylaxis and treatment of infective endocarditis in man.", "PMID": 766173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2005", "title": "[Proceedings: Microbiology of endocarditis].", "content": "The classical paper published by Schottm\u00fcller in 1903 has shown beyond doubt that blood cultures are a crucial diagnostic procedure for the diagnosis of endocarditis. Positive blood cultures also make it possible to distinguish between bacteremia and endocarditis: in the latter condition the number of organisms per ml of blood is relatively constant and all blood cultures are usually positive. Gram positive cocci are still the commonest organisms found in classical endocarditis. Gram negative organisms, yeasts and fungi are cultured with increasing frequency in cases of endocarditis secondary to valve replacement. Sensitivity testing by the disc diffusion method determines the minimal inhibitory concentration of the antibiotic towards the isolated organism. However, minimal bactericidal concentrations are of much greater prognostic value in endocarditis and should be performed routinely on the isolated organism.", "contents": "[Proceedings: Microbiology of endocarditis]. The classical paper published by Schottm\u00fcller in 1903 has shown beyond doubt that blood cultures are a crucial diagnostic procedure for the diagnosis of endocarditis. Positive blood cultures also make it possible to distinguish between bacteremia and endocarditis: in the latter condition the number of organisms per ml of blood is relatively constant and all blood cultures are usually positive. Gram positive cocci are still the commonest organisms found in classical endocarditis. Gram negative organisms, yeasts and fungi are cultured with increasing frequency in cases of endocarditis secondary to valve replacement. Sensitivity testing by the disc diffusion method determines the minimal inhibitory concentration of the antibiotic towards the isolated organism. However, minimal bactericidal concentrations are of much greater prognostic value in endocarditis and should be performed routinely on the isolated organism.", "PMID": 766174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2006", "title": "[Urinary infections following bladder catheterization].", "content": "The incidence and the prophylaxis of urinary tract infection following bladder catheterization have been studied in 142 patients admitted for voiding cystourethrography (VCU). 71 children received a prophylactic treatment of 2 mg/kg nitrofurantoin daily for 4 days, while 71 received no treatment following bladder catheterization. Bacteriologic examination of the urine 4-9 days after catheterization showed significant bacteriuria in 5 untreated children. The germs responsible were E. coli, Proteus, and Klebsiella. None of the treated patients presented with significant bacteriuria. It is concluded that the incidence of significant bacteriuria after a VCU is not inconsiderable, that this urinary tract infection is often asymptomatic, and that the prophylactic administration of a disinfectant is justified.", "contents": "[Urinary infections following bladder catheterization]. The incidence and the prophylaxis of urinary tract infection following bladder catheterization have been studied in 142 patients admitted for voiding cystourethrography (VCU). 71 children received a prophylactic treatment of 2 mg/kg nitrofurantoin daily for 4 days, while 71 received no treatment following bladder catheterization. Bacteriologic examination of the urine 4-9 days after catheterization showed significant bacteriuria in 5 untreated children. The germs responsible were E. coli, Proteus, and Klebsiella. None of the treated patients presented with significant bacteriuria. It is concluded that the incidence of significant bacteriuria after a VCU is not inconsiderable, that this urinary tract infection is often asymptomatic, and that the prophylactic administration of a disinfectant is justified.", "PMID": 766175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2007", "title": "[The value of dextran 70 in the prevention of thromboembolism in general surgery, orthopedics, urology and gynecology. A review of the literature].", "content": "28 prospective, controlled, randomised studies on the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in surgical patients on dextran 70 prophylaxis are analysed. In all patients the diagnosis had been established by objective methods (fibrinogen test, phlebography, autopsy). In patients undergoing hip surgery (11 studies, mainly fractures of the upper end of the femur) the reduction in the number of DVT under dextran prophylaxis is the more evident the longer after operation phlebography is carried out. Coumarin and dextran prevention are equally effective. In 3 studies where diagnosis by the fibrinogen test was established during the first postoperative week only, no significant effect of dextran can be shown; there is no difference between the effect of dextran, coumarin or small doses of subcutaneous heparin. The effectiveness of dextran prophylaxis in reducing the DVT rate in general surgery (4 papers) is not clear, though 7 studies show that the number of fatal PE is reduced more than fivefold (p less than 0.0005). In patients on dextran prophylaxis, the incidence of DVT is equal to that in patients on coumarin prophylaxis before major gynecological surgery (4 papers). On postoperative initiation coumarin is significantly less effective than dextran. 2 further studies show that dextran is significantly effective as compared to controls and that there is no difference between dextran and heparin prophylaxis. Out of 1932 control patients 36 died of fatal PE verified at autopsy. Only 8 PE were seen in the group of 2011 patients receiving dextran prophylaxis (p less than 0.005). The effectiveness of dextran 70 corresponds to that of small doses of subcutaneous heparin. Dextran prevention is more effective in women than in men. Dextran prophylaxis is simple to carry out, has few contraindications, only rarely causes complications and is already effective during operation.", "contents": "[The value of dextran 70 in the prevention of thromboembolism in general surgery, orthopedics, urology and gynecology. A review of the literature]. 28 prospective, controlled, randomised studies on the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in surgical patients on dextran 70 prophylaxis are analysed. In all patients the diagnosis had been established by objective methods (fibrinogen test, phlebography, autopsy). In patients undergoing hip surgery (11 studies, mainly fractures of the upper end of the femur) the reduction in the number of DVT under dextran prophylaxis is the more evident the longer after operation phlebography is carried out. Coumarin and dextran prevention are equally effective. In 3 studies where diagnosis by the fibrinogen test was established during the first postoperative week only, no significant effect of dextran can be shown; there is no difference between the effect of dextran, coumarin or small doses of subcutaneous heparin. The effectiveness of dextran prophylaxis in reducing the DVT rate in general surgery (4 papers) is not clear, though 7 studies show that the number of fatal PE is reduced more than fivefold (p less than 0.0005). In patients on dextran prophylaxis, the incidence of DVT is equal to that in patients on coumarin prophylaxis before major gynecological surgery (4 papers). On postoperative initiation coumarin is significantly less effective than dextran. 2 further studies show that dextran is significantly effective as compared to controls and that there is no difference between dextran and heparin prophylaxis. Out of 1932 control patients 36 died of fatal PE verified at autopsy. Only 8 PE were seen in the group of 2011 patients receiving dextran prophylaxis (p less than 0.005). The effectiveness of dextran 70 corresponds to that of small doses of subcutaneous heparin. Dextran prevention is more effective in women than in men. Dextran prophylaxis is simple to carry out, has few contraindications, only rarely causes complications and is already effective during operation.", "PMID": 766176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2008", "title": "[Initial reduction of the lung volume and capillary escape syndrome in gram negative peritonitis].", "content": "Report on a female patient aged 29 with gramnegative bacterial peritonitis due to perforation of a postpyloric ulcer. A reduction of lung volume was observed, followed after 24 h by non cardiogenic interstitial and alveolar edema resulting in severe hypoxemia and hypercapnia with metabolic acidosis for 4 days. Return of gas exchange to physiological values was established prior to the restoration of normal lung volume. The pathophysiological mechanism of these phenomena is discussed.", "contents": "[Initial reduction of the lung volume and capillary escape syndrome in gram negative peritonitis]. Report on a female patient aged 29 with gramnegative bacterial peritonitis due to perforation of a postpyloric ulcer. A reduction of lung volume was observed, followed after 24 h by non cardiogenic interstitial and alveolar edema resulting in severe hypoxemia and hypercapnia with metabolic acidosis for 4 days. Return of gas exchange to physiological values was established prior to the restoration of normal lung volume. The pathophysiological mechanism of these phenomena is discussed.", "PMID": 766177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2009", "title": "[Proceedings: Hypercoagulability and compensated intravascular coagulation in chronic kidney insufficiency and after kidney transplantation].", "content": "Seven blood coagulation tests which may indicate a state of hypercoagulability or of chronic intravascular coagulation were assayed in 106 blood samples from 50 patients with chronic renal insufficiency or after renal transplantation. The following abnormal results were obtained: increased titer of fibrin(ogen) degradation products in 60%, abnormal fibrinogen immunoelectrophoresis in 49%, shortened partial thromboplastin time and whole blood clotting time in 45 and 37% respectively, prolonged thrombin time in 34%, increased cryofibrinogen level in 21% and positive protamine sulfate gelation test in 11%. The greatest number of abnormalities was found during the first week after transplantation and during transplant rejection, and the smallest in patients with stable transplant who were anticoagulated with warfarin. Partial thromboplastin times of less than 19 sec were associated in 3/4 patients with thrombosis of the renal artery or vein or with rejection. Rejections could be identified with high probability (p less than 0.001).", "contents": "[Proceedings: Hypercoagulability and compensated intravascular coagulation in chronic kidney insufficiency and after kidney transplantation]. Seven blood coagulation tests which may indicate a state of hypercoagulability or of chronic intravascular coagulation were assayed in 106 blood samples from 50 patients with chronic renal insufficiency or after renal transplantation. The following abnormal results were obtained: increased titer of fibrin(ogen) degradation products in 60%, abnormal fibrinogen immunoelectrophoresis in 49%, shortened partial thromboplastin time and whole blood clotting time in 45 and 37% respectively, prolonged thrombin time in 34%, increased cryofibrinogen level in 21% and positive protamine sulfate gelation test in 11%. The greatest number of abnormalities was found during the first week after transplantation and during transplant rejection, and the smallest in patients with stable transplant who were anticoagulated with warfarin. Partial thromboplastin times of less than 19 sec were associated in 3/4 patients with thrombosis of the renal artery or vein or with rejection. Rejections could be identified with high probability (p less than 0.001).", "PMID": 766178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2010", "title": "[Proceedings: Transfer factor--a preliminary report].", "content": "Experience with the production, physicochemical analysis and clinical application of transfer factor (TF) from 1971 to 1975 is briefly reviewed. Standardized TF preparations were given to over 100 patients in controlled studies. Clinical results are discussed and the present position of TF therapy is evaluated.", "contents": "[Proceedings: Transfer factor--a preliminary report]. Experience with the production, physicochemical analysis and clinical application of transfer factor (TF) from 1971 to 1975 is briefly reviewed. Standardized TF preparations were given to over 100 patients in controlled studies. Clinical results are discussed and the present position of TF therapy is evaluated.", "PMID": 766179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2011", "title": "[Yersinioses].", "content": "The principal clinical syndromes caused by Yersinia (Y. pseudotuberculosis and Y. enterocolitica) are described. It is likely that they are zoonoses transmitted to man by ingestion. Fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea are the commonest symptoms, and patients are often operated upon for suspected appendicitis. The symptoms associated with these infections include arthralgia and erythema nodosum, particularly in adults. Most cases are benign, but some may be severe. Fortunately, however, many antibiotics are active against Yersinia. At present these diseases are uncommon in Switzerland but appear to be endemic in Scandinavia. Their relative incidence may increase if physicians become more aware of this possible etiology.", "contents": "[Yersinioses]. The principal clinical syndromes caused by Yersinia (Y. pseudotuberculosis and Y. enterocolitica) are described. It is likely that they are zoonoses transmitted to man by ingestion. Fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea are the commonest symptoms, and patients are often operated upon for suspected appendicitis. The symptoms associated with these infections include arthralgia and erythema nodosum, particularly in adults. Most cases are benign, but some may be severe. Fortunately, however, many antibiotics are active against Yersinia. At present these diseases are uncommon in Switzerland but appear to be endemic in Scandinavia. Their relative incidence may increase if physicians become more aware of this possible etiology.", "PMID": 766181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2012", "title": "[Lymphangiomyomatosis. Presentation of a case and review of the literature].", "content": "Diffuse lymphangiomyomatosis is a rare disorder of the mediastinal and retroperitoneal lymph nodes due to chronic benign proliferation of the smooth muscle cells in the lymphatics. This process leads to chylothorax and chylascites and eventually to cystic lung disease. The pulmonary complications are usually result in respiratory failure and death. The disease is only observed in females. A typical lethal course in a young woman is described and the literature is reviewed. The possible etiologic and therapeutic implications are discussed.", "contents": "[Lymphangiomyomatosis. Presentation of a case and review of the literature]. Diffuse lymphangiomyomatosis is a rare disorder of the mediastinal and retroperitoneal lymph nodes due to chronic benign proliferation of the smooth muscle cells in the lymphatics. This process leads to chylothorax and chylascites and eventually to cystic lung disease. The pulmonary complications are usually result in respiratory failure and death. The disease is only observed in females. A typical lethal course in a young woman is described and the literature is reviewed. The possible etiologic and therapeutic implications are discussed.", "PMID": 766182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2013", "title": "[A false historic representation of the martyrdom of St. Apollonia: decapitation].", "content": "The author quotes the only known historical witness on the life and death of Santa Apollonia: the description given by the historian Eusebius. According to his description of the martyrdom of the Saint, her teeth were extracted and her jawbones broken. An extensive iconography exists in museums, churches and private collections. According to statues and images of the Saint, the martyrdom took place by stoning or else by the use of instruments of torture such as pincers, gouge and gammer, and dentists' forceps. Although it is most probable that recourse was taken to lapidation, it is also likely that the above instruments were used, because it agrees with the technic then in use in dental surgery and does not disagree in any way with the historical facts. Such is not the case regarding the beheading. However, the author quotes three groups of iconographic documents displaying that kind of torture. One of them, shown for the first time, appears in a Book of hours of French origin, dating from the 15th century, which exists in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, in Lisbon, Portugal.", "contents": "[A false historic representation of the martyrdom of St. Apollonia: decapitation]. The author quotes the only known historical witness on the life and death of Santa Apollonia: the description given by the historian Eusebius. According to his description of the martyrdom of the Saint, her teeth were extracted and her jawbones broken. An extensive iconography exists in museums, churches and private collections. According to statues and images of the Saint, the martyrdom took place by stoning or else by the use of instruments of torture such as pincers, gouge and gammer, and dentists' forceps. Although it is most probable that recourse was taken to lapidation, it is also likely that the above instruments were used, because it agrees with the technic then in use in dental surgery and does not disagree in any way with the historical facts. Such is not the case regarding the beheading. However, the author quotes three groups of iconographic documents displaying that kind of torture. One of them, shown for the first time, appears in a Book of hours of French origin, dating from the 15th century, which exists in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, in Lisbon, Portugal.", "PMID": 766183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2014", "title": "Review of the chemical elements and environmental chemistry--strategies and tactics.", "content": "Inspite of advanced technology and the availability of adequate basic analytical instrumentation there is a need to improve the quality of data obtained in many programmes of environmental monitoring. Really new approaches are required based upon interdisciplinary, as distinct from pluridisciplinary cooperation; during the early stages individual disciplines need to extend some degree of charity. Scientists have to acknowledge the social implications of many of their studies and face up to controversial issues particularly in relation to pollution of the environment. Today we do not know the significance of levels of most contaminants and pollutants found in the environment, and many have not even been identified. Besides large releases of pollutants, a fundamental problem concerns man's biological response to low doses of various substances over long periods of time; the interval between an initial insult and the detection of detrimental effects for many physical and chemical agents can amount to between 10-30 years. In the absence of an objective interdisciplinary approach the expertise developed in an individual discipline is not available to others in which it may be of value. Many types of instrumentation and techniques developed in one discipline are unknown, or untried, in another; centralised facilities provide an adequate spectrum of tools and skills which are essential in tackling current problems. This approach has been shown to be rewarding in industry and in several private research organisations. In this paper the versatility of some types of modern instrumentation is illustrated in several fields of environmental chemistry and some of the substantial problems are discussed.", "contents": "Review of the chemical elements and environmental chemistry--strategies and tactics. Inspite of advanced technology and the availability of adequate basic analytical instrumentation there is a need to improve the quality of data obtained in many programmes of environmental monitoring. Really new approaches are required based upon interdisciplinary, as distinct from pluridisciplinary cooperation; during the early stages individual disciplines need to extend some degree of charity. Scientists have to acknowledge the social implications of many of their studies and face up to controversial issues particularly in relation to pollution of the environment. Today we do not know the significance of levels of most contaminants and pollutants found in the environment, and many have not even been identified. Besides large releases of pollutants, a fundamental problem concerns man's biological response to low doses of various substances over long periods of time; the interval between an initial insult and the detection of detrimental effects for many physical and chemical agents can amount to between 10-30 years. In the absence of an objective interdisciplinary approach the expertise developed in an individual discipline is not available to others in which it may be of value. Many types of instrumentation and techniques developed in one discipline are unknown, or untried, in another; centralised facilities provide an adequate spectrum of tools and skills which are essential in tackling current problems. This approach has been shown to be rewarding in industry and in several private research organisations. In this paper the versatility of some types of modern instrumentation is illustrated in several fields of environmental chemistry and some of the substantial problems are discussed.", "PMID": 766185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2015", "title": "Detection of mutagenic activity of metronidazole and niridazole in body fluids of humans and mice.", "content": "After humans were treated at therapeutic doses with the trichomonacide metronidazole (Flagyl) and the antischistosomal agent niridazole mutagenic activity was demonstrable in their urines when tested with the histidine auxotroph of Salmonella typhimurium. Both compounds were active in the host-mediated assay in mice, and evidence of activity was found in the blood and urine of mice treated with niridazole but not with metronidazole.", "contents": "Detection of mutagenic activity of metronidazole and niridazole in body fluids of humans and mice. After humans were treated at therapeutic doses with the trichomonacide metronidazole (Flagyl) and the antischistosomal agent niridazole mutagenic activity was demonstrable in their urines when tested with the histidine auxotroph of Salmonella typhimurium. Both compounds were active in the host-mediated assay in mice, and evidence of activity was found in the blood and urine of mice treated with niridazole but not with metronidazole.", "PMID": 766186} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2016", "title": "Mutagenicity of malonaldehyde, a decomposition product of peroxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids.", "content": "Incubation of histidine requiring auxotrophs of the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium with malonaldehyde, a three-carbon dialdehyde, produced an increased number of revertants in specific strains. Mutagenesis was only observed in frameshift mutants with normal excision repair and did not occur in those base-pair substitution mutants tested. The results are consistent with the cross-linking of bacterial DNA by malonaldehyde leading to mutagenesis expressed through the error-prone repair system.", "contents": "Mutagenicity of malonaldehyde, a decomposition product of peroxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids. Incubation of histidine requiring auxotrophs of the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium with malonaldehyde, a three-carbon dialdehyde, produced an increased number of revertants in specific strains. Mutagenesis was only observed in frameshift mutants with normal excision repair and did not occur in those base-pair substitution mutants tested. The results are consistent with the cross-linking of bacterial DNA by malonaldehyde leading to mutagenesis expressed through the error-prone repair system.", "PMID": 766187} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2017", "title": "Acute leukemia in polycythemia vera.", "content": "Virtually every aspect concerning the occurrence of acute leukemia in polycythemia vera is controversial. However, a list of those factors believed to have importance in leukemogenesis in this disease includes: maleness, ethnic origin, the presence of myeloid metaplasia and/or early WBC precursors in the peripheral blood at the time of presentation, the influence of prolonged survival, and a possible dose-response relationship with 32P treatment. Many of the features of PV suggest that it is a malignant disease per se, with other factors (such as clones of cells, or altered host response) combining to increase the leukemogenic potential of the agents used to control the disease. It does appear that the incidence of AL in PV treated with 32P and/or x-ray is many times higher than that for PV treated with phlebotomy alone. However, overall survival for 32P-treated patients appears to be longer than that for phlebotomy treatment. Further, for both 32P and phlebotomy treatments, patients with AL do not die an an earlier age than do patients not developing this complication. Since the transformation of PV into AL has been described in more than 20 patients treated with phlebotomy alone, and in more than 30 patients treated with chemotherapy and phlebotomy, the question concerning the occurrence of AL in PV no longer appears to revolve around whether this is a function of the leukemogenicity of 32P or the effect of prolongation of survival. The occurrence of AL in multiple myeloma, lymphomas, other malignancies, and in nonmalignant diseases following treatment with myelosuppressive agents, forces one to consider the leukemogenic potential of any agent capable of suppressing the panmyelopathy of this disease, as well as the inherent tendency to AL of the \"untreated\" disease. Hopefully, the next decade will give us a more complete understanding of the complex interrelationships between PV, its treatment, and AL.", "contents": "Acute leukemia in polycythemia vera. Virtually every aspect concerning the occurrence of acute leukemia in polycythemia vera is controversial. However, a list of those factors believed to have importance in leukemogenesis in this disease includes: maleness, ethnic origin, the presence of myeloid metaplasia and/or early WBC precursors in the peripheral blood at the time of presentation, the influence of prolonged survival, and a possible dose-response relationship with 32P treatment. Many of the features of PV suggest that it is a malignant disease per se, with other factors (such as clones of cells, or altered host response) combining to increase the leukemogenic potential of the agents used to control the disease. It does appear that the incidence of AL in PV treated with 32P and/or x-ray is many times higher than that for PV treated with phlebotomy alone. However, overall survival for 32P-treated patients appears to be longer than that for phlebotomy treatment. Further, for both 32P and phlebotomy treatments, patients with AL do not die an an earlier age than do patients not developing this complication. Since the transformation of PV into AL has been described in more than 20 patients treated with phlebotomy alone, and in more than 30 patients treated with chemotherapy and phlebotomy, the question concerning the occurrence of AL in PV no longer appears to revolve around whether this is a function of the leukemogenicity of 32P or the effect of prolongation of survival. The occurrence of AL in multiple myeloma, lymphomas, other malignancies, and in nonmalignant diseases following treatment with myelosuppressive agents, forces one to consider the leukemogenic potential of any agent capable of suppressing the panmyelopathy of this disease, as well as the inherent tendency to AL of the \"untreated\" disease. Hopefully, the next decade will give us a more complete understanding of the complex interrelationships between PV, its treatment, and AL.", "PMID": 766188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2018", "title": "An editorial anecdote.", "content": "The quality and the influence of South African medical literature during the first half of this century owes a great deal to two outstanding medical editors: Drs William Darley-Hartley and C. L. Leipoldt who, in a curious fashion, were closely related in this field of medical endeavour although their origins were so very different.", "contents": "An editorial anecdote. The quality and the influence of South African medical literature during the first half of this century owes a great deal to two outstanding medical editors: Drs William Darley-Hartley and C. L. Leipoldt who, in a curious fashion, were closely related in this field of medical endeavour although their origins were so very different.", "PMID": 766232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2019", "title": "[South African family doctor's contribution to public health during the period 1900-1950].", "content": "During the period 1900-1950 the general or family practitioners made significant contributions to the health care in South Africa. The historical details of these contributions were not always documented and are difficult to trace. The Department of Family Medicine is anxious to preserve this part of South African medical history and a research project to further this effort was carried out. All possible sources of information were used. Chairs of medical history should be established in our medical faculties.", "contents": "[South African family doctor's contribution to public health during the period 1900-1950]. During the period 1900-1950 the general or family practitioners made significant contributions to the health care in South Africa. The historical details of these contributions were not always documented and are difficult to trace. The Department of Family Medicine is anxious to preserve this part of South African medical history and a research project to further this effort was carried out. All possible sources of information were used. Chairs of medical history should be established in our medical faculties.", "PMID": 766233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2020", "title": "Survey of the current status of the clinical uses of antilymphocyte serum.", "content": "A limited degree of effectiveness of antilymphoid globulin in clinical kidney and bone marrow transplantation has been described. It may also be useful for the prolongation of temporary skin allografts for burn patients and may be valuable as an adjunct in the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases. The use of antilymphoid globulin with donor antigen to facilitate allograft enhancement has been reviewed. An instance of possible enhancement of a mismatched cadaveric renal allograft in a highly sensitized recipient given antilymphoid globulin and donor marrow is recorded. Use of antilymphoid globulin to facilitate enhancement with donor antigen is probably the next major application of antilymphoid globulin.", "contents": "Survey of the current status of the clinical uses of antilymphocyte serum. A limited degree of effectiveness of antilymphoid globulin in clinical kidney and bone marrow transplantation has been described. It may also be useful for the prolongation of temporary skin allografts for burn patients and may be valuable as an adjunct in the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases. The use of antilymphoid globulin with donor antigen to facilitate allograft enhancement has been reviewed. An instance of possible enhancement of a mismatched cadaveric renal allograft in a highly sensitized recipient given antilymphoid globulin and donor marrow is recorded. Use of antilymphoid globulin to facilitate enhancement with donor antigen is probably the next major application of antilymphoid globulin.", "PMID": 766248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2021", "title": "Graft survival of perfused vs nonperfused cadaver kidneys.", "content": "No significant difference in the late survival rate of primary cadaver kidney transplants was demonstrated between perfused and nonperfused kidneys in the New England area. It is felt that the advantages of continuous perfusion to clinical renal transplantation continue to make it the preferred method of renal preservation.", "contents": "Graft survival of perfused vs nonperfused cadaver kidneys. No significant difference in the late survival rate of primary cadaver kidney transplants was demonstrated between perfused and nonperfused kidneys in the New England area. It is felt that the advantages of continuous perfusion to clinical renal transplantation continue to make it the preferred method of renal preservation.", "PMID": 766270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2022", "title": "Effect of coronal plane tilt on cat caloric nystagmus responses.", "content": "The nystagmus slope responses to vestibular stimuli are strongly dependent on eye position, while the frequency responses shift predictably and are relatively independent of the eye position. Spurious directional differences may be introduced in nystagmus slope parameters by small tilts in the roll plane in comparison to the more predictable frequency responses.", "contents": "Effect of coronal plane tilt on cat caloric nystagmus responses. The nystagmus slope responses to vestibular stimuli are strongly dependent on eye position, while the frequency responses shift predictably and are relatively independent of the eye position. Spurious directional differences may be introduced in nystagmus slope parameters by small tilts in the roll plane in comparison to the more predictable frequency responses.", "PMID": 766276} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2023", "title": "Reliability of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of Trichinella spiralis infections in conventionally raised pigs.", "content": "An enzyme innunoassay using horse radish peroxidase as teh marker enzyme for the detection of antibodies to Trichinella spiralis in pigs was described. In the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) quantitation os specific antibodies is obtained by means of peroxidase labeled anti-species-immunoglobulin in antigen-coated tubes. The enzyme remaining in the tube after wasging provides a measure of the amount of specific antibodies in the serum. A crude saline extract of T. spiralis muscle larvae served as antigen. In experiments in which conventionally raised pigs intended for slaughter were infected with various numbers of T. spiralis larvae (25,000; 12,500; 5,000; 2,500; 1,500; 500; 150; 50) a positive correlation was found between initial dose of larvae administered and amount of antibodies detected by ELISA. Compared with immuno-fluorescence (IF) ELISA was more sensitive. IF yielded positive results in 11 out of 34 infected animals, whereas ELISA results were positive in 27 cases. In order to evaluate ELISA results under practical conditions extinction values os sera from both infected and non-infected conventional pigs were compared with the highest extinction value of a group of 74 negative conventional pig sera. Due to the relatively high background reaction of some of these negative sera the number of positive practical ELISA results decreased from 27 to 19 out of 34 animals. Furthermore, in 1 out of 10 non-infected animals a false positive practical ELISA result was obtained. Ways to improve the reliability of ELISA are discussed.", "contents": "Reliability of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of Trichinella spiralis infections in conventionally raised pigs. An enzyme innunoassay using horse radish peroxidase as teh marker enzyme for the detection of antibodies to Trichinella spiralis in pigs was described. In the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) quantitation os specific antibodies is obtained by means of peroxidase labeled anti-species-immunoglobulin in antigen-coated tubes. The enzyme remaining in the tube after wasging provides a measure of the amount of specific antibodies in the serum. A crude saline extract of T. spiralis muscle larvae served as antigen. In experiments in which conventionally raised pigs intended for slaughter were infected with various numbers of T. spiralis larvae (25,000; 12,500; 5,000; 2,500; 1,500; 500; 150; 50) a positive correlation was found between initial dose of larvae administered and amount of antibodies detected by ELISA. Compared with immuno-fluorescence (IF) ELISA was more sensitive. IF yielded positive results in 11 out of 34 infected animals, whereas ELISA results were positive in 27 cases. In order to evaluate ELISA results under practical conditions extinction values os sera from both infected and non-infected conventional pigs were compared with the highest extinction value of a group of 74 negative conventional pig sera. Due to the relatively high background reaction of some of these negative sera the number of positive practical ELISA results decreased from 27 to 19 out of 34 animals. Furthermore, in 1 out of 10 non-infected animals a false positive practical ELISA result was obtained. Ways to improve the reliability of ELISA are discussed.", "PMID": 766300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2024", "title": "[Counts of aerobic bacteria using a droplet technique (author's transl)].", "content": "A new droplet method used in counts of aerobic bacteria was compared with the standard pour-plate method. The results obtained with the two methods were virtually identical (r finely chopped fillet steak = 0.95; r heated meats = 0.98). The advantage of the droplet method consists in the fact that it saves time (48 hours) and material (pipettes and Petri dishes).", "contents": "[Counts of aerobic bacteria using a droplet technique (author's transl)]. A new droplet method used in counts of aerobic bacteria was compared with the standard pour-plate method. The results obtained with the two methods were virtually identical (r finely chopped fillet steak = 0.95; r heated meats = 0.98). The advantage of the droplet method consists in the fact that it saves time (48 hours) and material (pipettes and Petri dishes).", "PMID": 766302} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2025", "title": "[Polyarthritis in calves (author's transl)].", "content": "The development of polyarthritis was studied in thirty-six calves. Thirty patients were from two to eleven days of age; six animals were older than eleven days. Besides clinical studies, the synovial fluid was examined both biochemically and bacteriologically in addition, a blood culture was made. When the synovial fluids of twenty-six calves were studied bacteriologically, P. multocida was isolated in ten cases, P. haemolytica in two cases, E. coli in ten cases, streptococci in three cases and D. pneumoniae in one case; bacteriological examination of the synovial fluid was negative in ten cases. Blood cultures were positive in twenty animals (P. multocida in five cases, P. haemolytica in two cases, E. coli in eleven cases, S. subacidus in one case and D. pneumoniae in one case). Twenty-five calves were treated by intra-articular as well as intramuscular injection of kanamycin (sulphate); six animals were treated with similar injections of ampicillin. Treatment with ampicillin was initially instituted in five calves; after some time, however, kanamycine (sulphate) was substituted for this medication. Twenty-seven calves recovered completely.", "contents": "[Polyarthritis in calves (author's transl)]. The development of polyarthritis was studied in thirty-six calves. Thirty patients were from two to eleven days of age; six animals were older than eleven days. Besides clinical studies, the synovial fluid was examined both biochemically and bacteriologically in addition, a blood culture was made. When the synovial fluids of twenty-six calves were studied bacteriologically, P. multocida was isolated in ten cases, P. haemolytica in two cases, E. coli in ten cases, streptococci in three cases and D. pneumoniae in one case; bacteriological examination of the synovial fluid was negative in ten cases. Blood cultures were positive in twenty animals (P. multocida in five cases, P. haemolytica in two cases, E. coli in eleven cases, S. subacidus in one case and D. pneumoniae in one case). Twenty-five calves were treated by intra-articular as well as intramuscular injection of kanamycin (sulphate); six animals were treated with similar injections of ampicillin. Treatment with ampicillin was initially instituted in five calves; after some time, however, kanamycine (sulphate) was substituted for this medication. Twenty-seven calves recovered completely.", "PMID": 766303} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2026", "title": "[Residues of antimicrobial materials in the effluents of livestock farms (author's transl)].", "content": "Forty water samples were taken from streams of three different regions of Belgium, with intensive husbandry and examined for residual microbiological activity. In some samples, activity was detected against Staphylococcus aureus; none of them were active against E. coli and C. albicans. The substances in the few positive samples were not identified. With this low activity and the small proportion of positive samples (12 out of 41) any influence on the water biosphere due to the methods of farming, with their use of antimicrobials, can safety be neglected.", "contents": "[Residues of antimicrobial materials in the effluents of livestock farms (author's transl)]. Forty water samples were taken from streams of three different regions of Belgium, with intensive husbandry and examined for residual microbiological activity. In some samples, activity was detected against Staphylococcus aureus; none of them were active against E. coli and C. albicans. The substances in the few positive samples were not identified. With this low activity and the small proportion of positive samples (12 out of 41) any influence on the water biosphere due to the methods of farming, with their use of antimicrobials, can safety be neglected.", "PMID": 766304} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2027", "title": "[The clinical value of histoautoradiographic studies during radiotherapy of cervix carcinoma].", "content": "Tissue samples from 35 patients with cervical carcinoma stage I up to stage III were incubated with H-3 -thymidine before and after a test dose of irradiation, as well as several times during treatment until application of the full irradiation dose and the percentage of labelled cells was determined autoradiographically. An important marked decrease in labelling index (subject to individual verification), was found during radiotherapy. The duration of observation was more than two years in the cases of 27 patients. Close correlation was found between the decrease in labelling index and the corresponding clinical course of the disease.", "contents": "[The clinical value of histoautoradiographic studies during radiotherapy of cervix carcinoma]. Tissue samples from 35 patients with cervical carcinoma stage I up to stage III were incubated with H-3 -thymidine before and after a test dose of irradiation, as well as several times during treatment until application of the full irradiation dose and the percentage of labelled cells was determined autoradiographically. An important marked decrease in labelling index (subject to individual verification), was found during radiotherapy. The duration of observation was more than two years in the cases of 27 patients. Close correlation was found between the decrease in labelling index and the corresponding clinical course of the disease.", "PMID": 766313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2028", "title": "The distribution of enzyme variation in populations of Plasmodium falciparum in Africa.", "content": "Isolates of Plasmodium falciparum collected from the east and west coasts of tropical Africa and also from several inland regions have been examined for electrophoretic forms of the enzymes GPI, LDH and 6PGD. Variation within and between isolates was found in the parasite forms of all three enzymes. While not disproving the existence of genetic divisions between P. falciparum populations in Africa the distribution of this variation provides no evidence for such a hypothesis.", "contents": "The distribution of enzyme variation in populations of Plasmodium falciparum in Africa. Isolates of Plasmodium falciparum collected from the east and west coasts of tropical Africa and also from several inland regions have been examined for electrophoretic forms of the enzymes GPI, LDH and 6PGD. Variation within and between isolates was found in the parasite forms of all three enzymes. While not disproving the existence of genetic divisions between P. falciparum populations in Africa the distribution of this variation provides no evidence for such a hypothesis.", "PMID": 766317} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2029", "title": "Skin and heart allograft prolongation in tilorone-treated rats.", "content": "Tilorone is a synthetic amino-alkoxyfluorenone with demonstrated antiviral and antitumor properties. This study gives evidence for immunosuppressive properties of the substance as well. Buffalo rats (AgB6) received skin grafts from rats of the Fischer (AgB1) strain. Control animals rejected in 9.9 +/- 1.1 days, compared to 13.7 +/- 2.3 days for recipients treated with Tilorone. Steroids when combined with Tilorone further prolonged skin allografts to 16.7 +/- 2.6 days. Heart allografts from Fischer (AgB1) and Brown-Norway (AgB3) to Lewis (AgB1) also were performed. In the Fischer to Lewis combination, allograft survival was prolonged from 14.7 +/- 1.0 to 31.0 +/- 3.8 days. In the Brown-Norway to Lewis combination, treated rats rejected in 10.2 +/- 1.4 days versus 6.6 +/- 1.1 days for controls. Increased levels of cytotoxic antibody specific to lymphocytes of the donor strain were noted in Tilorone-treated animals. The mechanism by which Tilorone prolongs allografts may well involve a combination of interferon production and specific suppression of thymus-derived lymphocytes.", "contents": "Skin and heart allograft prolongation in tilorone-treated rats. Tilorone is a synthetic amino-alkoxyfluorenone with demonstrated antiviral and antitumor properties. This study gives evidence for immunosuppressive properties of the substance as well. Buffalo rats (AgB6) received skin grafts from rats of the Fischer (AgB1) strain. Control animals rejected in 9.9 +/- 1.1 days, compared to 13.7 +/- 2.3 days for recipients treated with Tilorone. Steroids when combined with Tilorone further prolonged skin allografts to 16.7 +/- 2.6 days. Heart allografts from Fischer (AgB1) and Brown-Norway (AgB3) to Lewis (AgB1) also were performed. In the Fischer to Lewis combination, allograft survival was prolonged from 14.7 +/- 1.0 to 31.0 +/- 3.8 days. In the Brown-Norway to Lewis combination, treated rats rejected in 10.2 +/- 1.4 days versus 6.6 +/- 1.1 days for controls. Increased levels of cytotoxic antibody specific to lymphocytes of the donor strain were noted in Tilorone-treated animals. The mechanism by which Tilorone prolongs allografts may well involve a combination of interferon production and specific suppression of thymus-derived lymphocytes.", "PMID": 766331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2030", "title": "Drainage of thoracic duct lymph in renal transplant patients.", "content": "Lymphocyte depletion by drainage of lymph via a thoracic duct fistula was accomplished in 51 renal transplant recipients as an adjunct method for immunosuppression. The duration of lymph flow varied between 2 and 53 days and the total drained lymph volume between 1 and 168 liters. The graft survival of these patients was compared to that of a control group of patients undergoing transplantation during a similar period. The followup period was 2-6 years. In patients receiving transplants from living related donors, no beneficial effect of lymphocyte depletion was demonstrated, probably because of the satisfactory graft survival among the control patients (84% at 1 year). However, in recipients of cadaveric kidneys, a significantly higher 1-year graft survival was achieved in the lymph-drained patients. Drainage for more than 30 days and of more than 20 liters improved the results. Additional suppression by thymectomy and institution of antilymphocyte globulin suggested that the best treatment would be a combination of both these measures with lymph drainage continuing for more than 30 days. Infection around the thoracic duct cannula occurred in 5 patients, necessitating removal of the cannula in 2. Two patients developed septicemia. In one of them the infection originated from an infected incisional wound and in the other probably from reinfusion of contaminated lymph plasma. Two other patients developed malignant tumors 23 and 58 months after transplantation, respectively. It is felt that lymphocyte depletion by lymph drainage is an effective supplementary method of immunosuppression to enhance graft survival in recipients of cadaveric renal transplants.", "contents": "Drainage of thoracic duct lymph in renal transplant patients. Lymphocyte depletion by drainage of lymph via a thoracic duct fistula was accomplished in 51 renal transplant recipients as an adjunct method for immunosuppression. The duration of lymph flow varied between 2 and 53 days and the total drained lymph volume between 1 and 168 liters. The graft survival of these patients was compared to that of a control group of patients undergoing transplantation during a similar period. The followup period was 2-6 years. In patients receiving transplants from living related donors, no beneficial effect of lymphocyte depletion was demonstrated, probably because of the satisfactory graft survival among the control patients (84% at 1 year). However, in recipients of cadaveric kidneys, a significantly higher 1-year graft survival was achieved in the lymph-drained patients. Drainage for more than 30 days and of more than 20 liters improved the results. Additional suppression by thymectomy and institution of antilymphocyte globulin suggested that the best treatment would be a combination of both these measures with lymph drainage continuing for more than 30 days. Infection around the thoracic duct cannula occurred in 5 patients, necessitating removal of the cannula in 2. Two patients developed septicemia. In one of them the infection originated from an infected incisional wound and in the other probably from reinfusion of contaminated lymph plasma. Two other patients developed malignant tumors 23 and 58 months after transplantation, respectively. It is felt that lymphocyte depletion by lymph drainage is an effective supplementary method of immunosuppression to enhance graft survival in recipients of cadaveric renal transplants.", "PMID": 766332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2031", "title": "A refinement of the immunofluorescent complement fixation test for trypanosoma infections.", "content": "The sandwich immunofluorescent complement fixation test proved to be as sensitive as the indirect fluorescent antibody test when anti-C1q was used to detect the binding of complement to antigen-antibody complex of four species of trypanosomes in experimentally infected domestic animals.", "contents": "A refinement of the immunofluorescent complement fixation test for trypanosoma infections. The sandwich immunofluorescent complement fixation test proved to be as sensitive as the indirect fluorescent antibody test when anti-C1q was used to detect the binding of complement to antigen-antibody complex of four species of trypanosomes in experimentally infected domestic animals.", "PMID": 766336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2032", "title": "The Plasmodium berghei-infection in isogenic F1 (C57Bl x DBA)-mice. I. The course of the infection and immunization experiments.", "content": "The malarial infection caused by Plasmodium berghei (strain K 173) was observed in the isogenic mouse strains C3H, C57Bl, DBA, and the F1 (C57Bl x DBA)-hybrids. In addition immunization experiments were carried out by intermittent suppression of the parasite multiplication through maintaining the infected animals on a milk diet for various length of time. The F1-hybrids were the most resistant mice and immunization was most effective in these animals, too. But if the course of the infection was not influenced experimentally all animals succumbed to the infection. If the mice were inoculated with very small parasite numbers a bimodal mortality pattern was usually observed with a pronounced peak of eary mortality. The changes in body weight, temperature, and hematocrit during the infection are shown.", "contents": "The Plasmodium berghei-infection in isogenic F1 (C57Bl x DBA)-mice. I. The course of the infection and immunization experiments. The malarial infection caused by Plasmodium berghei (strain K 173) was observed in the isogenic mouse strains C3H, C57Bl, DBA, and the F1 (C57Bl x DBA)-hybrids. In addition immunization experiments were carried out by intermittent suppression of the parasite multiplication through maintaining the infected animals on a milk diet for various length of time. The F1-hybrids were the most resistant mice and immunization was most effective in these animals, too. But if the course of the infection was not influenced experimentally all animals succumbed to the infection. If the mice were inoculated with very small parasite numbers a bimodal mortality pattern was usually observed with a pronounced peak of eary mortality. The changes in body weight, temperature, and hematocrit during the infection are shown.", "PMID": 766337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2033", "title": "[Demonstration of antigenicity in adult dipetalonema vitae by the indirect immunofluorescence test using serum from filariasis patients (author's transl)].", "content": "The localization of the antigen-antibody reactions on methacrylate embedded sections of an adult male and female of the nematode Dipetalonema vitae by the indirect immunofluorescence test was found to be as follows: female D. vitae: in the egg-shell and circumference of sections of the microfilariae as well as amorphous structures in the vesica seminalis and vas deferens. In both sexes: partially in the somatic muscle cells according to their glycogen content, the interstitial spaces between the muscle cells and the connecting pseudocoelomic cavity. Reference to the possible application of this technique in the immunofluorescence diagnosis of filariasis is made.", "contents": "[Demonstration of antigenicity in adult dipetalonema vitae by the indirect immunofluorescence test using serum from filariasis patients (author's transl)]. The localization of the antigen-antibody reactions on methacrylate embedded sections of an adult male and female of the nematode Dipetalonema vitae by the indirect immunofluorescence test was found to be as follows: female D. vitae: in the egg-shell and circumference of sections of the microfilariae as well as amorphous structures in the vesica seminalis and vas deferens. In both sexes: partially in the somatic muscle cells according to their glycogen content, the interstitial spaces between the muscle cells and the connecting pseudocoelomic cavity. Reference to the possible application of this technique in the immunofluorescence diagnosis of filariasis is made.", "PMID": 766338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2034", "title": "A controlled trial of daily and intermittent rifampicin plus ethambutol in the retreatment of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: results up to 30 months.", "content": "In a controlled clinical trial in Hong Kong, 575 Chinese adults with smear-positive isoniazid-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis, who had previously been treated with first-line chemotherapy, were allocated at random to regimens of rifampicin plus ethambutol daily (ER7), twice-weekly (ER2), once-weekly (ER1), or daily for 2 months and then once-weekly (ER7ER1), or to a standard retreatment regimen of daily ethionamide plus pyrazinamide plus cycloserine (EtZC). The ER7 patients were allocated to 12 or 18 months of chemotherapy, and the remainder to 18 months. As assessed at 18 months, a favourable response was achieved in 87 per cent of 91 ER7 patients, 79 per cent of 84 ER2, 81 per cent of 53 ER1, 87 per cent of 62 ER7ER1, and in 88 per cent of 68 EtZC patients (93 per cent of 59 EtZC patients if those with ethionamide-resistant strains pretreatment are excluded). As assessed at 18 and 30 months the ER7 regime was as effective as the control EtZC regimen, and 18 months of chemotherapy on the ER7 regimen conferred no benefit over 12 months. No patient on either regimen relapsed after 18 months. Adverse reactions were uncommon on the daily rifampicin regimen but relatively common on the intermittent and control regimens. The commonest reaction to the intermittent regimens was the 'flu' syndrome, which was associated with the presence of circulating rifampicin-dependent antibodies (P less than 0-001).", "contents": "A controlled trial of daily and intermittent rifampicin plus ethambutol in the retreatment of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: results up to 30 months. In a controlled clinical trial in Hong Kong, 575 Chinese adults with smear-positive isoniazid-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis, who had previously been treated with first-line chemotherapy, were allocated at random to regimens of rifampicin plus ethambutol daily (ER7), twice-weekly (ER2), once-weekly (ER1), or daily for 2 months and then once-weekly (ER7ER1), or to a standard retreatment regimen of daily ethionamide plus pyrazinamide plus cycloserine (EtZC). The ER7 patients were allocated to 12 or 18 months of chemotherapy, and the remainder to 18 months. As assessed at 18 months, a favourable response was achieved in 87 per cent of 91 ER7 patients, 79 per cent of 84 ER2, 81 per cent of 53 ER1, 87 per cent of 62 ER7ER1, and in 88 per cent of 68 EtZC patients (93 per cent of 59 EtZC patients if those with ethionamide-resistant strains pretreatment are excluded). As assessed at 18 and 30 months the ER7 regime was as effective as the control EtZC regimen, and 18 months of chemotherapy on the ER7 regimen conferred no benefit over 12 months. No patient on either regimen relapsed after 18 months. Adverse reactions were uncommon on the daily rifampicin regimen but relatively common on the intermittent and control regimens. The commonest reaction to the intermittent regimens was the 'flu' syndrome, which was associated with the presence of circulating rifampicin-dependent antibodies (P less than 0-001).", "PMID": 766340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2035", "title": "[Use of \"catgut ligatures\" in treatment of trophic ulcers of the lower limbs].", "content": "Ligatures with fine-cut catgut were employed by the author for treatment of ulcers in 73 patients. Ulcer healing was obtained in 72 patients, while in one case the ulcer was reduced in size. No ulcer recurrence within the terms from 2 months to 6 years was noted.", "contents": "[Use of \"catgut ligatures\" in treatment of trophic ulcers of the lower limbs]. Ligatures with fine-cut catgut were employed by the author for treatment of ulcers in 73 patients. Ulcer healing was obtained in 72 patients, while in one case the ulcer was reduced in size. No ulcer recurrence within the terms from 2 months to 6 years was noted.", "PMID": 766355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2036", "title": "[Hemangiomas of the skin in children].", "content": "In the article the indications to and results of surgical treatment of 2420 children with skin hemangiomas are discussed. An operative excision of hemangiomas was used in 1139 cases, electrocoagulation--in 1648, sclerosing therapy--in 21, combined treatment--in 4. In 5 children hemangiomas were removed with subsequent free skin graft plasty. Late results were followed up in 795 (32.8%) children within the terms from 4 months to 10 years, following the excision--in 348 cases and after electrocoagulation--in 447.", "contents": "[Hemangiomas of the skin in children]. In the article the indications to and results of surgical treatment of 2420 children with skin hemangiomas are discussed. An operative excision of hemangiomas was used in 1139 cases, electrocoagulation--in 1648, sclerosing therapy--in 21, combined treatment--in 4. In 5 children hemangiomas were removed with subsequent free skin graft plasty. Late results were followed up in 795 (32.8%) children within the terms from 4 months to 10 years, following the excision--in 348 cases and after electrocoagulation--in 447.", "PMID": 766356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2037", "title": "Salmonella infection in poultry.", "content": "Poutry may require a wide range of salmonella serotypes from various sources including feedingstuffs, breeding flocks, rodents, wild birds and other vectors. Clinical disease is uncommon, but all infections are of importance as potential sources of food poisoning in man.", "contents": "Salmonella infection in poultry. Poutry may require a wide range of salmonella serotypes from various sources including feedingstuffs, breeding flocks, rodents, wild birds and other vectors. Clinical disease is uncommon, but all infections are of importance as potential sources of food poisoning in man.", "PMID": 766359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2038", "title": "[Type differentiation of V. fetus and V. bubulus by using fluorescent antisera].", "content": "Obtained were type-specific fluorescent vibrionic antisera for the laboratory identification of Vibrio fetus strains. They produced positive fluorescence only with the homologous strains, and did not react with the heterologous strains. This showed that the sera were strongly specific. Their use is suggested for the differentiation typing of the Vibrio strains.", "contents": "[Type differentiation of V. fetus and V. bubulus by using fluorescent antisera]. Obtained were type-specific fluorescent vibrionic antisera for the laboratory identification of Vibrio fetus strains. They produced positive fluorescence only with the homologous strains, and did not react with the heterologous strains. This showed that the sera were strongly specific. Their use is suggested for the differentiation typing of the Vibrio strains.", "PMID": 766378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2039", "title": "[The transketolase activity in erythrocytes as a criterion for thiamine balance in the body].", "content": "In deficiency of thiamin the transketolase activity was decreased in patients and in experimental animals. The data obtained showed the high sensitivity of transketolase from erythrocytes to hypovitaminosis B1. At the same time, in diseases, especially accompained by hypoxia (and also by avitaminosis B1), the transketolase activity was shown to be increased. The effect was observed in relation to an increase in amount of young erythrocytes, which contained more transketolase. In these cases it was reasonable to estimate not only the transketolase activity but also other characteristics of thiamin metabolism (content of the vitamin in food, urine and blood).", "contents": "[The transketolase activity in erythrocytes as a criterion for thiamine balance in the body]. In deficiency of thiamin the transketolase activity was decreased in patients and in experimental animals. The data obtained showed the high sensitivity of transketolase from erythrocytes to hypovitaminosis B1. At the same time, in diseases, especially accompained by hypoxia (and also by avitaminosis B1), the transketolase activity was shown to be increased. The effect was observed in relation to an increase in amount of young erythrocytes, which contained more transketolase. In these cases it was reasonable to estimate not only the transketolase activity but also other characteristics of thiamin metabolism (content of the vitamin in food, urine and blood).", "PMID": 766392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2040", "title": "[Nucleotide composition of RNA, synthesized by polynucleotide phosphorylase, in toluene-treated cells of Escherichia coli].", "content": "On incubation of cells of E. coli B and MRE 600 (logariphmic phase of growth), treated with toluene in presence of a mixture 14C-nucleoside-5'-diphosphates, Mg2+ or Mn2+ and tris HCl buffer pH 8.0, intracellular synthesis of heteropolyribonucleotide was observed. The synthesis was catalyzed by polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase, E. C. 2.7.7.8). An increase in GDP concentration in the medium distinctly decreased the incorporation of other NDP into the polymer (poly-AGUC). If the ratio of ADP, UDP, CDP, GDP in the medium was 1:1:1:0.2, the composition of nitrogenous bases in the heteropolymer produced reflected completely the NDP concentrations in the incubation mixture. Addition of different amino acids (1-lysine, 1-histidine, glycine, 1-phenylalanine) and their mixtures stimulated poly-AGUC synthesis markedly and caused an appreciable alteration in the nucleotide composition of the poly-AGUC synthesized. This phenomenon resembled the effect of amino acids on the activity of partially purified PNPase and on RNA synthesis, catalized by the enzyme in vitro. These data suggest that in bacterial cell, i. e. in vivo, PNPase synthesizes specific RNA polyribonucleotide sequences, participating in protein synthesis or in its regulation.", "contents": "[Nucleotide composition of RNA, synthesized by polynucleotide phosphorylase, in toluene-treated cells of Escherichia coli]. On incubation of cells of E. coli B and MRE 600 (logariphmic phase of growth), treated with toluene in presence of a mixture 14C-nucleoside-5'-diphosphates, Mg2+ or Mn2+ and tris HCl buffer pH 8.0, intracellular synthesis of heteropolyribonucleotide was observed. The synthesis was catalyzed by polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase, E. C. 2.7.7.8). An increase in GDP concentration in the medium distinctly decreased the incorporation of other NDP into the polymer (poly-AGUC). If the ratio of ADP, UDP, CDP, GDP in the medium was 1:1:1:0.2, the composition of nitrogenous bases in the heteropolymer produced reflected completely the NDP concentrations in the incubation mixture. Addition of different amino acids (1-lysine, 1-histidine, glycine, 1-phenylalanine) and their mixtures stimulated poly-AGUC synthesis markedly and caused an appreciable alteration in the nucleotide composition of the poly-AGUC synthesized. This phenomenon resembled the effect of amino acids on the activity of partially purified PNPase and on RNA synthesis, catalized by the enzyme in vitro. These data suggest that in bacterial cell, i. e. in vivo, PNPase synthesizes specific RNA polyribonucleotide sequences, participating in protein synthesis or in its regulation.", "PMID": 766393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2041", "title": "[Disorders in sugar utilization by peripheral tissues in lung cancer].", "content": "In 140 patients with lung cancer the rate of sugar utilization by antebrachial tissues was determined by the method of arteriovenous difference, in 20 of them the pancreatic functional activity was investigated, using the double sugar stress. In most patients (70%) an impaired peripheral tissue metabolism was observed, that was manifested in a marked reduction of the arterio-venous difference in sugar in some patients and its release by tissues into blood in others. In the latter a reduced activity of the pancreatic insular apparatus was noted.", "contents": "[Disorders in sugar utilization by peripheral tissues in lung cancer]. In 140 patients with lung cancer the rate of sugar utilization by antebrachial tissues was determined by the method of arteriovenous difference, in 20 of them the pancreatic functional activity was investigated, using the double sugar stress. In most patients (70%) an impaired peripheral tissue metabolism was observed, that was manifested in a marked reduction of the arterio-venous difference in sugar in some patients and its release by tissues into blood in others. In the latter a reduced activity of the pancreatic insular apparatus was noted.", "PMID": 766400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2042", "title": "[Penetration of 35S-lipoate into cells of animals subjected to overloading with the lipoate].", "content": "Penetration of 35S-lipoate into nucleated and nucleus-free erythrocytes, isolated cells (enterocytes) and accumulating tissue preparations from intestinal mucosa was studied in presence or in absence of other vitamins. Effect on this process of overloading the penetration of 35S-lipoate into rat and pigeon erythrocytes was found to be increased; under these conditions the enterocytes bind less 35S-lipoate than in control animals. Water-soluble vitamins (nicotinate, riboflavine, thiamin and, especially, panthotenate) decreased the rate of 35S-lipoate penetration into the cells. The mixture of the vitamins caused less distinct inhibitory effect, than the panthotenate only.", "contents": "[Penetration of 35S-lipoate into cells of animals subjected to overloading with the lipoate]. Penetration of 35S-lipoate into nucleated and nucleus-free erythrocytes, isolated cells (enterocytes) and accumulating tissue preparations from intestinal mucosa was studied in presence or in absence of other vitamins. Effect on this process of overloading the penetration of 35S-lipoate into rat and pigeon erythrocytes was found to be increased; under these conditions the enterocytes bind less 35S-lipoate than in control animals. Water-soluble vitamins (nicotinate, riboflavine, thiamin and, especially, panthotenate) decreased the rate of 35S-lipoate penetration into the cells. The mixture of the vitamins caused less distinct inhibitory effect, than the panthotenate only.", "PMID": 766396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2043", "title": "[Impairments of lipid metabolism in liver, kidney and heart tissues of mice infected with Proteus vulgaris].", "content": "Intraperitoneal administration of Proteus vulgaris living culture of various age (12 hrs and one day) caused impairments in lipid metabolism in mice liver, kidney and heart tissues. The one day-old culture was more toxic. The impairment in lipid metabolism was manifested as distinct increase in cholesterol content in liver tissue and kidney and a decrease in phospholipid content in liver, kidney and heart tissues. These changes were accompanied by an increase in content of sialic acids in liver tissue.", "contents": "[Impairments of lipid metabolism in liver, kidney and heart tissues of mice infected with Proteus vulgaris]. Intraperitoneal administration of Proteus vulgaris living culture of various age (12 hrs and one day) caused impairments in lipid metabolism in mice liver, kidney and heart tissues. The one day-old culture was more toxic. The impairment in lipid metabolism was manifested as distinct increase in cholesterol content in liver tissue and kidney and a decrease in phospholipid content in liver, kidney and heart tissues. These changes were accompanied by an increase in content of sialic acids in liver tissue.", "PMID": 766398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2044", "title": "[Comparative characteristics of PBV-1 and PBV-3 viruses isolated from Penicillium breve-compactum].", "content": "PBV-1 and PBV-3 viruses isolated from mycelium of Penicillium brevi-compactum show similar morphology and practically the same size of virus particles. Both viruses have been shown to lyse very effectively E. coli C, K12, W3350, CR63. Reproduction of the viruses in E. coli CK cells is limited due to the phenomenon of modification by the host, and negative colonies formed by each on E. coli CK sheet differ in morphology. PBV-1 virus is highly infectious for E. coli B, while the capacity of PBV-3 to multiply in these cells is very low. The limited reproduction appears to be explained by modification of PBV-3 DNA in the E. coli B system. PBV-1 and PBV-3 viruses have been shown to differ serologically, although serological cross reactions indicate their antigenic relationship. The two viruses under study differ in the constituency and molecular weight of the main structural proteins: 36,000: 28,000: 26,500 and 17,000 daltons for PBV-1 and 39,000; 36,000; 32,500; 31,000 and 18,000 daltons for PBV-2.", "contents": "[Comparative characteristics of PBV-1 and PBV-3 viruses isolated from Penicillium breve-compactum]. PBV-1 and PBV-3 viruses isolated from mycelium of Penicillium brevi-compactum show similar morphology and practically the same size of virus particles. Both viruses have been shown to lyse very effectively E. coli C, K12, W3350, CR63. Reproduction of the viruses in E. coli CK cells is limited due to the phenomenon of modification by the host, and negative colonies formed by each on E. coli CK sheet differ in morphology. PBV-1 virus is highly infectious for E. coli B, while the capacity of PBV-3 to multiply in these cells is very low. The limited reproduction appears to be explained by modification of PBV-3 DNA in the E. coli B system. PBV-1 and PBV-3 viruses have been shown to differ serologically, although serological cross reactions indicate their antigenic relationship. The two viruses under study differ in the constituency and molecular weight of the main structural proteins: 36,000: 28,000: 26,500 and 17,000 daltons for PBV-1 and 39,000; 36,000; 32,500; 31,000 and 18,000 daltons for PBV-2.", "PMID": 766406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2045", "title": "[Determination of antibody specificity to a new influenza B virus variant by means of the immunoadsorption test].", "content": "Immunoadsorption test was used for determination of the strainspecificity of antibody to a new antigenic variant of influenza B virus (B/Hong Kong/5/72 and B/Yamagata/1/73) in human sera collected in April, 1973--March, 1974. The new strains were shown to be circulating in Moscow City only late in February and in March 1974. The experimental data show the immunoadsorption test to give more definite ideas not only on the qualitative differences between strains but also on the specificity of the immunologic response.", "contents": "[Determination of antibody specificity to a new influenza B virus variant by means of the immunoadsorption test]. Immunoadsorption test was used for determination of the strainspecificity of antibody to a new antigenic variant of influenza B virus (B/Hong Kong/5/72 and B/Yamagata/1/73) in human sera collected in April, 1973--March, 1974. The new strains were shown to be circulating in Moscow City only late in February and in March 1974. The experimental data show the immunoadsorption test to give more definite ideas not only on the qualitative differences between strains but also on the specificity of the immunologic response.", "PMID": 766407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2046", "title": "Scleroma of the nose and pharynx.", "content": "Scleroma of the respiratory tract was first recognized just over a century ago. The disease is endemic in a number of North African, Central American and Latin American countries. However, it has been only rarely seen in the United States. The progression of scleroma takes place through three stages. The first stage of rhinitis has an early catarrhal phase which progresses to one of atrophic rhinitis. The second stage is seen as a proliferative granulomatous growth which obliterates the nasal fossae. The third cicatricial stage is usually accompanied by pronounced scarring and retraction of the tissues involved. Because of the increased ease of international travel by both sea and air, more cases can be expected to occur in the United States. This paper is presented to alert physicians to suspect scleroma in any case of granulomatous disease of the respiratory tract.", "contents": "Scleroma of the nose and pharynx. Scleroma of the respiratory tract was first recognized just over a century ago. The disease is endemic in a number of North African, Central American and Latin American countries. However, it has been only rarely seen in the United States. The progression of scleroma takes place through three stages. The first stage of rhinitis has an early catarrhal phase which progresses to one of atrophic rhinitis. The second stage is seen as a proliferative granulomatous growth which obliterates the nasal fossae. The third cicatricial stage is usually accompanied by pronounced scarring and retraction of the tissues involved. Because of the increased ease of international travel by both sea and air, more cases can be expected to occur in the United States. This paper is presented to alert physicians to suspect scleroma in any case of granulomatous disease of the respiratory tract.", "PMID": 766412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2047", "title": "The founding of a Medical Service Bureau in King County, Washington -- 1933.", "content": "The events leading to the establishment of the King County Medical Service Corporation, now King County Medical-Blue Shield, were varied and complex. Under pressure, the King County Medical Society redefined its code of ethics, expanded its view of acceptable practice and gave birth to a major provider of prepaid health care services.", "contents": "The founding of a Medical Service Bureau in King County, Washington -- 1933. The events leading to the establishment of the King County Medical Service Corporation, now King County Medical-Blue Shield, were varied and complex. Under pressure, the King County Medical Society redefined its code of ethics, expanded its view of acceptable practice and gave birth to a major provider of prepaid health care services.", "PMID": 766413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2048", "title": "[Comparison of short and protracted streptokinase therapy in acute myocardial infarction].", "content": "In numerous controlled studies the effectivity of the streptokinase therapy of the acute myocardial infarction is proved by a significant decrease of the early lethality. The main difference of the therapeutic methods lies in the duration of the application of streptokinase. Of the number of patients of an intensive therapy ward for internal diseases comparisons of the results of therapy of one year with short-term lysis (3 hours) are contrasted with one year with protracted lysis therapy (24-72 hours). The findings demonstrated plead for the fact that by means of the short-time lysis may also be achieved good, perhaps even better results. Issuing from the therapeutic mechanisms of the lysis therapy in the sense of a prevention of the formation of thrombi in disturbed microcirculation by the achieved hyperplasminaemia the short-term lysis is to be regarded as optimum introduction of an anticoagulant long-term therapy.", "contents": "[Comparison of short and protracted streptokinase therapy in acute myocardial infarction]. In numerous controlled studies the effectivity of the streptokinase therapy of the acute myocardial infarction is proved by a significant decrease of the early lethality. The main difference of the therapeutic methods lies in the duration of the application of streptokinase. Of the number of patients of an intensive therapy ward for internal diseases comparisons of the results of therapy of one year with short-term lysis (3 hours) are contrasted with one year with protracted lysis therapy (24-72 hours). The findings demonstrated plead for the fact that by means of the short-time lysis may also be achieved good, perhaps even better results. Issuing from the therapeutic mechanisms of the lysis therapy in the sense of a prevention of the formation of thrombi in disturbed microcirculation by the achieved hyperplasminaemia the short-term lysis is to be regarded as optimum introduction of an anticoagulant long-term therapy.", "PMID": 766431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2049", "title": "[72. Evaluation of the cardiac performance by means of radiocardiographic studies].", "content": "In 2 series of investigations could be established that there exist relations between the radiocardiographically determined stroke volume and minute volume in rest and the maximum receptivity of oxygen and that the effect of a digitalisation is to be judged according to the increase of stroke and minute volume in rest and under load. The values obtained by the use of 113m indium allow an evidence concerning the functional capacity of the heart. A clear reduction of the stroke volume correlates with a diminution of the maximum oxygen pulse established during an ergometric examination and the maximum receptivity of oxygen.", "contents": "[72. Evaluation of the cardiac performance by means of radiocardiographic studies]. In 2 series of investigations could be established that there exist relations between the radiocardiographically determined stroke volume and minute volume in rest and the maximum receptivity of oxygen and that the effect of a digitalisation is to be judged according to the increase of stroke and minute volume in rest and under load. The values obtained by the use of 113m indium allow an evidence concerning the functional capacity of the heart. A clear reduction of the stroke volume correlates with a diminution of the maximum oxygen pulse established during an ergometric examination and the maximum receptivity of oxygen.", "PMID": 766432} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2050", "title": "[Possibilities of differentiation of antinuclear antibodies].", "content": "Antinuclear antibodies can give diagnostic informations according to their titre values, the belonging to different classes of immune globulins and on the basis of different patterns of immunofluorescence connection. The determination of granulocyte-specific antibodies which frequently appear in progressive chronic polyarthritis further contributes to the differential-diagnostic classification of diseases of the connective tissue. An antibody against extractable nuclear antigen is specific for the so-called mixed connective tissue disease, an antimitochondrial antibody for the pseudo-LE-syndrome. Moreover, the own examinations resulted in a particularly high and frequent ability of complement fixation of the antinuclear factors in systematic lupus erythematosus and sclerodermy. In contrast to this in the progressive chronic polyarthritis the complement fixation was clearly more insignificant.", "contents": "[Possibilities of differentiation of antinuclear antibodies]. Antinuclear antibodies can give diagnostic informations according to their titre values, the belonging to different classes of immune globulins and on the basis of different patterns of immunofluorescence connection. The determination of granulocyte-specific antibodies which frequently appear in progressive chronic polyarthritis further contributes to the differential-diagnostic classification of diseases of the connective tissue. An antibody against extractable nuclear antigen is specific for the so-called mixed connective tissue disease, an antimitochondrial antibody for the pseudo-LE-syndrome. Moreover, the own examinations resulted in a particularly high and frequent ability of complement fixation of the antinuclear factors in systematic lupus erythematosus and sclerodermy. In contrast to this in the progressive chronic polyarthritis the complement fixation was clearly more insignificant.", "PMID": 766433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2051", "title": "[Radioimmunologic diagnosis and pathobiochemistry of the renin-angiotension-aldosterone system. Report of the workshop conference of the German Society for clinical chemistry on January 31 and February 1, 1975 in Bonn (author's transl)].", "content": "Studies on the individual components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are of crucial importance for the investigation of hypertension. The purpose of the workship conference was to give occasion for discussion amongst German speaking research groups on the determination of the individual components of this system, and for the consideration of new results and their pathophysiological significance, as well as possibilities for the evaluation of radioimmunological data with the aid of electronic data processing. The following report is a summary of the contributions to the discussion by those taking part in the workshop conference.", "contents": "[Radioimmunologic diagnosis and pathobiochemistry of the renin-angiotension-aldosterone system. Report of the workshop conference of the German Society for clinical chemistry on January 31 and February 1, 1975 in Bonn (author's transl)]. Studies on the individual components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are of crucial importance for the investigation of hypertension. The purpose of the workship conference was to give occasion for discussion amongst German speaking research groups on the determination of the individual components of this system, and for the consideration of new results and their pathophysiological significance, as well as possibilities for the evaluation of radioimmunological data with the aid of electronic data processing. The following report is a summary of the contributions to the discussion by those taking part in the workshop conference.", "PMID": 766436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2052", "title": "[Treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc lesions by intradiscal instillation of pressurereducing substances (author's transl)].", "content": "Direct intradiscal instillation is a possibility to treat lumbar disc lesions. Different substances can be instillated. They are different as far as the effectivity and the side effects are concerned. Therapyresistent nerve root irritations caused by lumbar disc protrusions which generally require operative treatment, are the main indication for instillating pressureducing substances. The technic of the medial transdural injection is described. During the last 2 years 137 patients were treated with lumbar intradiscal instillation with Trasylol. This is a report of our experiences and the first results.", "contents": "[Treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc lesions by intradiscal instillation of pressurereducing substances (author's transl)]. Direct intradiscal instillation is a possibility to treat lumbar disc lesions. Different substances can be instillated. They are different as far as the effectivity and the side effects are concerned. Therapyresistent nerve root irritations caused by lumbar disc protrusions which generally require operative treatment, are the main indication for instillating pressureducing substances. The technic of the medial transdural injection is described. During the last 2 years 137 patients were treated with lumbar intradiscal instillation with Trasylol. This is a report of our experiences and the first results.", "PMID": 766437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2053", "title": "[Radiologic differentiation between pathologic osteoporosis and bone atrophy due to age (author's transl)].", "content": "Loss of architecture within the femoral neck due to ageing follows a distinct pattern. This may serve as an index of physiologic ageing of bone. In pathologic osteoporosis (e.g. Cushing's disease, thyreotoxicosis and idiopathic osteoporosis) this systematic reduction of trabecular structure cannot be seen in the femoral neck although the vertebral bodies show all the signs of severe osteoporosis. Radiographic comparison between the proximal end of femur and the spine may, therefore, serve as a useful means of differentiation between pathologic and age-osteoporosis.", "contents": "[Radiologic differentiation between pathologic osteoporosis and bone atrophy due to age (author's transl)]. Loss of architecture within the femoral neck due to ageing follows a distinct pattern. This may serve as an index of physiologic ageing of bone. In pathologic osteoporosis (e.g. Cushing's disease, thyreotoxicosis and idiopathic osteoporosis) this systematic reduction of trabecular structure cannot be seen in the femoral neck although the vertebral bodies show all the signs of severe osteoporosis. Radiographic comparison between the proximal end of femur and the spine may, therefore, serve as a useful means of differentiation between pathologic and age-osteoporosis.", "PMID": 766438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2054", "title": "[Infected endoprosthesis of the hip - an actuel problem (author's transl)].", "content": "Out of 49 infected total hip replacements which were treated at the Orthopedic Hospital of the University of Heidelberg, 39 were taken out and not replaced by a new one. The advantage of such doing was an almost total cure of the infection and a relief of pain. The functional result is the same found in head-neck-resections. The patient's opinion about this method is surprisingly good. It is worth to be considered as an alternative to a replacement of a new prosthesis.", "contents": "[Infected endoprosthesis of the hip - an actuel problem (author's transl)]. Out of 49 infected total hip replacements which were treated at the Orthopedic Hospital of the University of Heidelberg, 39 were taken out and not replaced by a new one. The advantage of such doing was an almost total cure of the infection and a relief of pain. The functional result is the same found in head-neck-resections. The patient's opinion about this method is surprisingly good. It is worth to be considered as an alternative to a replacement of a new prosthesis.", "PMID": 766439} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2055", "title": "[The frequency of sex chromatine occurring in cell nuclei of internal organs determined by the smear method (author's transl)].", "content": "The frequency of sex chromatine occurring in cell nuclei of twelve organs from 25 male and female corpses was determined using the smear method. It was found to be about 60% in the case of female, and about 6% in the case of male corpses.", "contents": "[The frequency of sex chromatine occurring in cell nuclei of internal organs determined by the smear method (author's transl)]. The frequency of sex chromatine occurring in cell nuclei of twelve organs from 25 male and female corpses was determined using the smear method. It was found to be about 60% in the case of female, and about 6% in the case of male corpses.", "PMID": 766492} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2056", "title": "[Use of a new culture procedure in the diagnosis of vaginal mycoses--a contribution on the improvement of diagnosis].", "content": "On the basis of our good experiences with the application of the spoon culture procedure in the quantitative bacteriological urine diagnostics, we tested the applicability of the plastic spoon in the diagnostics of vaginal mycoses. Our investigations show that the spoon culture procedure means an optimization and rationalization in mycological diagnostics due to omission of several stages of work and of the risks of transport, and due to improvement of diagnostic reliability and acceleration of the transmission of findings.", "contents": "[Use of a new culture procedure in the diagnosis of vaginal mycoses--a contribution on the improvement of diagnosis]. On the basis of our good experiences with the application of the spoon culture procedure in the quantitative bacteriological urine diagnostics, we tested the applicability of the plastic spoon in the diagnostics of vaginal mycoses. Our investigations show that the spoon culture procedure means an optimization and rationalization in mycological diagnostics due to omission of several stages of work and of the risks of transport, and due to improvement of diagnostic reliability and acceleration of the transmission of findings.", "PMID": 766496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2057", "title": "[The need for early therapy in gynecologic patients with postoperative indvelling catheters].", "content": "Different conceptions on value or method of chemoprophylaxis or early therapy in case of postoperative carriers of indwelling catheters caused us to compare the effectivity of Nifurantin and Sulfaclomid. Patients were randomised in three groups (target therapy as per antibiogram, \"blind\" begin with Nifurantin or Sulfaclomid). A simple blind test was made. Evaluation of results was made on the basis of the antibiograms. No essential microbiological differences were found to exist between trans-urethral and suprapubic catheters. Due to the frequency distribution and the resistance situation, we recommend a \"blind\" early therapy with Nifurantin and simultaneous urine culture, the result of which may lead to a target change in therapy. Microbiological after-checks are just as essential as the correct use of optimal catheters.", "contents": "[The need for early therapy in gynecologic patients with postoperative indvelling catheters]. Different conceptions on value or method of chemoprophylaxis or early therapy in case of postoperative carriers of indwelling catheters caused us to compare the effectivity of Nifurantin and Sulfaclomid. Patients were randomised in three groups (target therapy as per antibiogram, \"blind\" begin with Nifurantin or Sulfaclomid). A simple blind test was made. Evaluation of results was made on the basis of the antibiograms. No essential microbiological differences were found to exist between trans-urethral and suprapubic catheters. Due to the frequency distribution and the resistance situation, we recommend a \"blind\" early therapy with Nifurantin and simultaneous urine culture, the result of which may lead to a target change in therapy. Microbiological after-checks are just as essential as the correct use of optimal catheters.", "PMID": 766497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2058", "title": "[Blastomycoid flora of the urogenital tract in nonpregnant and pregnant patients].", "content": "Vaginal and vulva smears and urine obtained by catheters from 232 pregnant and 251 non-pregnant women were examined for the growth of yeasts. These fungi could be grown from the vulvo-vaginal smears from 26,7% of the pregnant women. Yeasts were found in 6,4% of the urine samples. In the case of non-pregnant women, fungi were found in 19,9% of the vulvo-vaginal smears, whereas 3,2% of the urine samples contained yeasts. The growth of yeasts was encouraged by the addition of various urine dilutions using to a nutrient solution containing Candida albicans of Torulopsis glabrata the urine obtained via catheters from both pregnant and non-pregnant women. There was no difference in the intensity of the effect between the two urine charges. Due to the relatively rare occurrence of yeasts in the urine from pregnant and non-pregnant women it suspected that the increased frequency of vaginal mycoses during pregnancy is not caused by a general disposition, but that locally effective factors are responsible.", "contents": "[Blastomycoid flora of the urogenital tract in nonpregnant and pregnant patients]. Vaginal and vulva smears and urine obtained by catheters from 232 pregnant and 251 non-pregnant women were examined for the growth of yeasts. These fungi could be grown from the vulvo-vaginal smears from 26,7% of the pregnant women. Yeasts were found in 6,4% of the urine samples. In the case of non-pregnant women, fungi were found in 19,9% of the vulvo-vaginal smears, whereas 3,2% of the urine samples contained yeasts. The growth of yeasts was encouraged by the addition of various urine dilutions using to a nutrient solution containing Candida albicans of Torulopsis glabrata the urine obtained via catheters from both pregnant and non-pregnant women. There was no difference in the intensity of the effect between the two urine charges. Due to the relatively rare occurrence of yeasts in the urine from pregnant and non-pregnant women it suspected that the increased frequency of vaginal mycoses during pregnancy is not caused by a general disposition, but that locally effective factors are responsible.", "PMID": 766498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2059", "title": "[Birth injury and colposcopic status of the cervix uteri following labor].", "content": "A colposcopic examination is made of uterine cervix 3 to 4 months after delivery to 629 women divided into 4 groups: with Caesarian section and vaginal delivery without cervical rupture after inspection, with suture and without suture after cervical rupture. Higher incidence and severe colposcopic changes in the uterine cervix were found in unsutured cervical ruptures after delivery. Suturing of the cervical ruptures after delivery reduces these changes by 25 per cent. For this reason the author recommends cervical inspection and suturing of the existing cervical ruptures after every delivery.", "contents": "[Birth injury and colposcopic status of the cervix uteri following labor]. A colposcopic examination is made of uterine cervix 3 to 4 months after delivery to 629 women divided into 4 groups: with Caesarian section and vaginal delivery without cervical rupture after inspection, with suture and without suture after cervical rupture. Higher incidence and severe colposcopic changes in the uterine cervix were found in unsutured cervical ruptures after delivery. Suturing of the cervical ruptures after delivery reduces these changes by 25 per cent. For this reason the author recommends cervical inspection and suturing of the existing cervical ruptures after every delivery.", "PMID": 766499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2060", "title": "[New serological investigations into O-antigenic relations between Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Arizona and Citrobacter (author's transl)].", "content": "During a systemic investigation into O-antigenic relations within the family Enterobacteriaceae, with special emphasis on serological relationships between O-antigens (or O-groups) of E. coli and various O-groupps of Salmonella, Arizona, and Citrobacter, our tests confirmed some findings previously descried by other authors, some were not confirmed, and other antigenic relationships were discovered which have not yet been published. Individually tested were O-Antigens of 142 serologically defined E. coli types by using O-factorsera of Salmonella, Arizona, and Citrobacter for the slide agglutination. The slide agglutination was applied in preference to the tube-agglutination, not only because the former has been generally adopted but it also shows broader reactions...", "contents": "[New serological investigations into O-antigenic relations between Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Arizona and Citrobacter (author's transl)]. During a systemic investigation into O-antigenic relations within the family Enterobacteriaceae, with special emphasis on serological relationships between O-antigens (or O-groups) of E. coli and various O-groupps of Salmonella, Arizona, and Citrobacter, our tests confirmed some findings previously descried by other authors, some were not confirmed, and other antigenic relationships were discovered which have not yet been published. Individually tested were O-Antigens of 142 serologically defined E. coli types by using O-factorsera of Salmonella, Arizona, and Citrobacter for the slide agglutination. The slide agglutination was applied in preference to the tube-agglutination, not only because the former has been generally adopted but it also shows broader reactions...", "PMID": 766500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2061", "title": "[Chemical and serological characterization of Salmonella lipopolysaccharides from different phases of growth (author's transl)].", "content": "Chemical and serological investigations were carried out on lipopolysaccharides of 4 Salmonella S-forms and of 1 SR-mutant, extracted from bacteria at different ages of culture (early exponential to stationary growth phase). The results show that the fatty acid composition of Lipid A (lauric-, myristic-, palmitic-, and beta-hydroxy-myristic acids) does not undergo any significant change during the growth of the cultures. However, there are differences in the molar ratios of the fatty acids from strain to strain. In all phases of growth Lipid A is substituted by basaloligosaccharide, to the same extent, as can be seen from the constant ratios of beta-hydroxy-myristic acid: heptose. Serological experiments (haemagglutination inhibition tests, absorption of antibodies by LPS-coated erythrocytes) showed that in no case the basaloligosaccharide is completely substituted by O-specific chains and that basaloligosaccharide exhibits free R-antigen structures which are mainly of chemotypes Ra, Rb and Rc, for the SR-mutant only of types Ra and Rb. There is no demonstrable dependence upon the phases of growth. In the O-specific polysaccharide chains the sugars of the main chain and the side bound dideoxy sugars (abequose and tyvelose) show a constant 1:1 molar ratio in all phases. In the case of S. typhimurium, antigen factors 1, 4 and 12(2), the biosynthesis of which is controlled by modifying oaf genes and/or by a lysogenic phage, are of a somewhat weaker expression in the exponential phase than in the latter phases of growth. In the SR-mutant, lipopolysaccarides with (low) serological O1 and O12(2) activity are only extractable by the phenol/water method, but not by the PCP method. In three out of four S-forms, changes occur in the length of the O-specific polysaccharide chains, whereas the number of repeating units of the fourth strain remains almost unchanged. The lipopolysaccharides of the SR-mutant contain in all phases of growth about one repeating unit. In all strains the covering of the cell surface by lipopolysaccharide molecules changes during the course of growth, as can be seen by comparing the relative cell surface and the content of Lipid A fatty acids of the bacteria. Lipid A synthesis in the 4 S-forms is reduced in the exponential phase and/or in the phase of delayed growth acceleration. The extent of biosynthesis of the carbohydrate moiety of lipopolysaccharides is independent of that of Lipoid A. In the SR-mutant, Lipoid A and Polysaccharide are formed in increased amounts in the exponential growth phase.", "contents": "[Chemical and serological characterization of Salmonella lipopolysaccharides from different phases of growth (author's transl)]. Chemical and serological investigations were carried out on lipopolysaccharides of 4 Salmonella S-forms and of 1 SR-mutant, extracted from bacteria at different ages of culture (early exponential to stationary growth phase). The results show that the fatty acid composition of Lipid A (lauric-, myristic-, palmitic-, and beta-hydroxy-myristic acids) does not undergo any significant change during the growth of the cultures. However, there are differences in the molar ratios of the fatty acids from strain to strain. In all phases of growth Lipid A is substituted by basaloligosaccharide, to the same extent, as can be seen from the constant ratios of beta-hydroxy-myristic acid: heptose. Serological experiments (haemagglutination inhibition tests, absorption of antibodies by LPS-coated erythrocytes) showed that in no case the basaloligosaccharide is completely substituted by O-specific chains and that basaloligosaccharide exhibits free R-antigen structures which are mainly of chemotypes Ra, Rb and Rc, for the SR-mutant only of types Ra and Rb. There is no demonstrable dependence upon the phases of growth. In the O-specific polysaccharide chains the sugars of the main chain and the side bound dideoxy sugars (abequose and tyvelose) show a constant 1:1 molar ratio in all phases. In the case of S. typhimurium, antigen factors 1, 4 and 12(2), the biosynthesis of which is controlled by modifying oaf genes and/or by a lysogenic phage, are of a somewhat weaker expression in the exponential phase than in the latter phases of growth. In the SR-mutant, lipopolysaccarides with (low) serological O1 and O12(2) activity are only extractable by the phenol/water method, but not by the PCP method. In three out of four S-forms, changes occur in the length of the O-specific polysaccharide chains, whereas the number of repeating units of the fourth strain remains almost unchanged. The lipopolysaccharides of the SR-mutant contain in all phases of growth about one repeating unit. In all strains the covering of the cell surface by lipopolysaccharide molecules changes during the course of growth, as can be seen by comparing the relative cell surface and the content of Lipid A fatty acids of the bacteria. Lipid A synthesis in the 4 S-forms is reduced in the exponential phase and/or in the phase of delayed growth acceleration. The extent of biosynthesis of the carbohydrate moiety of lipopolysaccharides is independent of that of Lipoid A. In the SR-mutant, Lipoid A and Polysaccharide are formed in increased amounts in the exponential growth phase.", "PMID": 766501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2062", "title": "[Salmonella typhimurium masked as an Enterobacter species (author's transl)].", "content": "A bacterial strain at first sight appearing to be an Enterobacter species causing enteritis could be identified as Salmonella typhimurium showing only a low formation of H2S. This small degree of H2S formation could not be demonstrated on commercial media ready for use. The high antibiotics resistance of the strain in question points to the possibility of its having undergone several antibiotics passages without recognition. Thus, serological verification is recommended in the case of so-called Enterobacter species appearing as agents of enteritis.", "contents": "[Salmonella typhimurium masked as an Enterobacter species (author's transl)]. A bacterial strain at first sight appearing to be an Enterobacter species causing enteritis could be identified as Salmonella typhimurium showing only a low formation of H2S. This small degree of H2S formation could not be demonstrated on commercial media ready for use. The high antibiotics resistance of the strain in question points to the possibility of its having undergone several antibiotics passages without recognition. Thus, serological verification is recommended in the case of so-called Enterobacter species appearing as agents of enteritis.", "PMID": 766502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2063", "title": "Reactivity of lipopolysaccharides from various salmonella SR and R chemotypes Ra-Re mutants with concanavalin A.", "content": "Lipopolysaccharides from different R mutants of Salmonella minnesota and Salmonella typhimurium belonging to chemotypes Ra to Re, as well as from three SR mutants of Salmonella typhimurium were selected for a study of their precipitability with Concanavalin A. Predictions as to the outcome of the reaction could be made since both the chemical structure of the Salmonella R lipopolysaccharides and structural requirements for a positive reaction with Concanavalin A are well established. Precipitation studies in the immuno-electrophoretic assay and in the microcapillary test were carried out with alkali-treated lipopolysaccharides as untreated lipopolysaccharide is too highly aggregated to allow a sufficient migration in agarose layers. Lipopolysaccharides of all mutants--except the SR mutants--were obtained by the phenol/chloroform/petroleum ether method in order to avoid contaminations by glucans or glycogen which are known to occur in phenol/water extracted lipopolysaccharides and which would lead to erroneous results. Additional precipitation studies were carried out with two other lectins of different polysaccharide specificity: Wheat Germ Agglutinin and Soybean Agglutinin. As expected, lipopolysaccharides of chemotypes Ra, Rb1, and RcP- mutants reacted strongly with Concanavalin A, whereas no reaction was demonstrable with lipopolysaccharides of chemotypes Rb2, Rb3, Rd and Re mutants. The lipopolysaccharide of an RcP+ mutant unexpectedly failed to precipitate unless it was dephosphorylated with HF. This artificially prepared RcP-lipopolysaccharide showed a strong reaction, thus demonstrating that negative charges in the direct neighborhood of reactive sugar units as in RcP+ LPS may prevent precipitation with Concanavalin A. No reactivity demonstrable by precipitation could be obtained using either Wheat Germ Agglutinin or Soybean Agglutinin with alkali-treated lipopolysaccharide even of those chemotypes which had the supposedly reactive sugar in a terminal position, such as N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in Ra mutants (Wheat Germ Agglutinin) or D-galactose in Rb2 or Rb3 mutants (Soybean Agglutinin).", "contents": "Reactivity of lipopolysaccharides from various salmonella SR and R chemotypes Ra-Re mutants with concanavalin A. Lipopolysaccharides from different R mutants of Salmonella minnesota and Salmonella typhimurium belonging to chemotypes Ra to Re, as well as from three SR mutants of Salmonella typhimurium were selected for a study of their precipitability with Concanavalin A. Predictions as to the outcome of the reaction could be made since both the chemical structure of the Salmonella R lipopolysaccharides and structural requirements for a positive reaction with Concanavalin A are well established. Precipitation studies in the immuno-electrophoretic assay and in the microcapillary test were carried out with alkali-treated lipopolysaccharides as untreated lipopolysaccharide is too highly aggregated to allow a sufficient migration in agarose layers. Lipopolysaccharides of all mutants--except the SR mutants--were obtained by the phenol/chloroform/petroleum ether method in order to avoid contaminations by glucans or glycogen which are known to occur in phenol/water extracted lipopolysaccharides and which would lead to erroneous results. Additional precipitation studies were carried out with two other lectins of different polysaccharide specificity: Wheat Germ Agglutinin and Soybean Agglutinin. As expected, lipopolysaccharides of chemotypes Ra, Rb1, and RcP- mutants reacted strongly with Concanavalin A, whereas no reaction was demonstrable with lipopolysaccharides of chemotypes Rb2, Rb3, Rd and Re mutants. The lipopolysaccharide of an RcP+ mutant unexpectedly failed to precipitate unless it was dephosphorylated with HF. This artificially prepared RcP-lipopolysaccharide showed a strong reaction, thus demonstrating that negative charges in the direct neighborhood of reactive sugar units as in RcP+ LPS may prevent precipitation with Concanavalin A. No reactivity demonstrable by precipitation could be obtained using either Wheat Germ Agglutinin or Soybean Agglutinin with alkali-treated lipopolysaccharide even of those chemotypes which had the supposedly reactive sugar in a terminal position, such as N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in Ra mutants (Wheat Germ Agglutinin) or D-galactose in Rb2 or Rb3 mutants (Soybean Agglutinin).", "PMID": 766503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2064", "title": "Receptors for T2, T4 and T6 phages in Sh. dysenteriae 7 and other serotypes of Sh. dysenteriae.", "content": "The sensitivity of four strains of Sh. dysenteriae and of nine strains representing other serotypes of Sh. dynsenteriae to phages T2, T4 and T6 was examined. Different extracts, prepared from sensitive strains were tested for their capacity of phage inactivation. We found that the receptor substance for phage T2 is localized differently in various strains: In Sh. dysenteriae 7, it was found in bacterial extracts obtained by water/phenol at 68 degrees C and in extracts obtained by trichloracetic acid; in Sh. dysenteriae 2 and Sh. dysenteriae 6, it was found in extracts obtained by heating in water at 65 degrees C. None of the tested extracts of strains Sh. dysenteriae 1, Sh. dysenteriae 4 and Sh. dysenteriae 9, sensitive to phage T2 and T6 and T6, revealed receptro activity for these phages. Most of the extracts, which showed receptor activity for phage T2, appeared to be weak or completely inactive for phage T6. Several strains appeared to be sensitive to phage T4 and the receptor active substance was found in the bacterial extracts obtained by water/phenol at 68 degrees C. The sensitivity of Sh. dysenteriae smooth strains to \"rough specific\" T4 phage is discussed.", "contents": "Receptors for T2, T4 and T6 phages in Sh. dysenteriae 7 and other serotypes of Sh. dysenteriae. The sensitivity of four strains of Sh. dysenteriae and of nine strains representing other serotypes of Sh. dynsenteriae to phages T2, T4 and T6 was examined. Different extracts, prepared from sensitive strains were tested for their capacity of phage inactivation. We found that the receptor substance for phage T2 is localized differently in various strains: In Sh. dysenteriae 7, it was found in bacterial extracts obtained by water/phenol at 68 degrees C and in extracts obtained by trichloracetic acid; in Sh. dysenteriae 2 and Sh. dysenteriae 6, it was found in extracts obtained by heating in water at 65 degrees C. None of the tested extracts of strains Sh. dysenteriae 1, Sh. dysenteriae 4 and Sh. dysenteriae 9, sensitive to phage T2 and T6 and T6, revealed receptro activity for these phages. Most of the extracts, which showed receptor activity for phage T2, appeared to be weak or completely inactive for phage T6. Several strains appeared to be sensitive to phage T4 and the receptor active substance was found in the bacterial extracts obtained by water/phenol at 68 degrees C. The sensitivity of Sh. dysenteriae smooth strains to \"rough specific\" T4 phage is discussed.", "PMID": 766504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2065", "title": "[Indirect flourescent antibody test in toxoplasmosis. Advantage of the use of fluorescent anti-IgG conjugate (author's transl)].", "content": "The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test effected with anti-human conjugate gives appreciably equivalent results to those obtained with the dye (SABIN-FELDMAN) test, but weak serum dilutions may raise non specific reactions, due to the presence of substances possessing the IgM antibody properties. Those substances are not present in the serum of children during the first months of their life. The application of an anti-IgG conjugate allows to prevent those unspecific reactions. The application of the modified IFA test for detecting the toxoplasmic infection during pregnancy and the use of the REMINGTON test for the early diagnosis of the congenital toxoplasmosis are discussed.", "contents": "[Indirect flourescent antibody test in toxoplasmosis. Advantage of the use of fluorescent anti-IgG conjugate (author's transl)]. The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test effected with anti-human conjugate gives appreciably equivalent results to those obtained with the dye (SABIN-FELDMAN) test, but weak serum dilutions may raise non specific reactions, due to the presence of substances possessing the IgM antibody properties. Those substances are not present in the serum of children during the first months of their life. The application of an anti-IgG conjugate allows to prevent those unspecific reactions. The application of the modified IFA test for detecting the toxoplasmic infection during pregnancy and the use of the REMINGTON test for the early diagnosis of the congenital toxoplasmosis are discussed.", "PMID": 766505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2066", "title": "[Results of a quantitative study of the interaction of pathogenic enterobacteria with a cell monolayer].", "content": "A study was made of the cytopathic effect and dynamics of intracellular reproduction of S. typhimurium and shigellae in the monolayer of HeLa cells, macrophages (monocytes) of the peritoneal exudate of rabbits and rats and microphages (granulocytes) of the pleural exudate of rabbits. The presence of bactericidal mechanism in the host cell to the invaded infectious agent is postulated. An important role of the cell component of defence in insensibility in shigellosis is supposed.", "contents": "[Results of a quantitative study of the interaction of pathogenic enterobacteria with a cell monolayer]. A study was made of the cytopathic effect and dynamics of intracellular reproduction of S. typhimurium and shigellae in the monolayer of HeLa cells, macrophages (monocytes) of the peritoneal exudate of rabbits and rats and microphages (granulocytes) of the pleural exudate of rabbits. The presence of bactericidal mechanism in the host cell to the invaded infectious agent is postulated. An important role of the cell component of defence in insensibility in shigellosis is supposed.", "PMID": 766517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2067", "title": "[Reactivity and immunogenicity of the Sonne dysentery detergent monovaccine].", "content": "The authors elaborated a method of isolation under industrial conditions of Shigella sonnei surface antigens by the treatment of the culture with a detergent (sodium laurylsulfate). The antigens obtained possessed a much lesser toxicity in comparison with the tryptic ones. A method of preparation of a detergent Sonne monovaccine with an increased antigen content (1.3 mg/ml) was described. Experimental series of the preparation were tested on 38 volunteers. A lower reactogenicity of the detergent vaccine (in comparison with the tryptic) and its marked immunological efficacy was demonstrated.", "contents": "[Reactivity and immunogenicity of the Sonne dysentery detergent monovaccine]. The authors elaborated a method of isolation under industrial conditions of Shigella sonnei surface antigens by the treatment of the culture with a detergent (sodium laurylsulfate). The antigens obtained possessed a much lesser toxicity in comparison with the tryptic ones. A method of preparation of a detergent Sonne monovaccine with an increased antigen content (1.3 mg/ml) was described. Experimental series of the preparation were tested on 38 volunteers. A lower reactogenicity of the detergent vaccine (in comparison with the tryptic) and its marked immunological efficacy was demonstrated.", "PMID": 766518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2068", "title": "[Detection of autoimmune changes in white mice as a method of studying the biological properties of Shigella sonnei].", "content": "An attempt was made of using for the purpose of studying the virulence of Sh. sonnei of the method of determination of autoimmune plaque-forming cells in infected albino mice. By the mentioned method a total of 231 strains of Sh. sonnei of various biochemical types were examined. The virulence of 103 strains was checked in paralled by the keratoconjunctival test. It was shown that the method of determination of the autoimmune plaque-forming cells in the blood of infected mice could be used as a test for the virulence of Sh. sonnei, which was more sensitive than the keratoconjunctival test. Among the cultures studied 14.7% proved to be avirulent, 51.5%-of low virulence, 21.2%-moderately virulent, and 12.6%-highly virulent. Strains of the II biotype proved to be the most virulent, and strains of the III biotype-the least. The virulence of the cultures isolated from the patients with acute dysentery was more than double that of the cultures isolated from persons who came in contact with the patients.", "contents": "[Detection of autoimmune changes in white mice as a method of studying the biological properties of Shigella sonnei]. An attempt was made of using for the purpose of studying the virulence of Sh. sonnei of the method of determination of autoimmune plaque-forming cells in infected albino mice. By the mentioned method a total of 231 strains of Sh. sonnei of various biochemical types were examined. The virulence of 103 strains was checked in paralled by the keratoconjunctival test. It was shown that the method of determination of the autoimmune plaque-forming cells in the blood of infected mice could be used as a test for the virulence of Sh. sonnei, which was more sensitive than the keratoconjunctival test. Among the cultures studied 14.7% proved to be avirulent, 51.5%-of low virulence, 21.2%-moderately virulent, and 12.6%-highly virulent. Strains of the II biotype proved to be the most virulent, and strains of the III biotype-the least. The virulence of the cultures isolated from the patients with acute dysentery was more than double that of the cultures isolated from persons who came in contact with the patients.", "PMID": 766519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2069", "title": "[Study of the role of colicins in the formation of microbial association in experiments in chick embryos].", "content": "Experiments were conducted on chick embryos; conditions of formation of bacterial cenosis of Shigella sonnei and E. coli were reproduced. The role of colicinogenia in the formation of bacterial cenosis was demonstrated. An accumulation of colicines in high titres (1: 5120- 1:2560) in the chick embryonic cavity was noted in combined or separate cultivation of colicinogenic shigellae and E. coli. An intergenera transmission of the col-factor was traced in experiments on chick embryos. The data obtained served as foundation for recommendation of the accessible and economic model (chick embryos) for the in vivo study of colicinogenia of the enteric bacteria representatives.", "contents": "[Study of the role of colicins in the formation of microbial association in experiments in chick embryos]. Experiments were conducted on chick embryos; conditions of formation of bacterial cenosis of Shigella sonnei and E. coli were reproduced. The role of colicinogenia in the formation of bacterial cenosis was demonstrated. An accumulation of colicines in high titres (1: 5120- 1:2560) in the chick embryonic cavity was noted in combined or separate cultivation of colicinogenic shigellae and E. coli. An intergenera transmission of the col-factor was traced in experiments on chick embryos. The data obtained served as foundation for recommendation of the accessible and economic model (chick embryos) for the in vivo study of colicinogenia of the enteric bacteria representatives.", "PMID": 766520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2070", "title": "[Serologic interrelations of choleragen and the neurotoxins of enterobacteria].", "content": "Antibodies reacting with the endotoxins of enterobacteria or antibodies to homologous endotoxin were eliminated from the sera to cholerigen, cholerigen-toxoid by precipitin abosrption. Sera to neurotoxin of enterobacteria were exhausted in the same way. The exhausted sera continued to form precipitation lines with heterologous toxic complexes. The presence of affiliated antigens in the composition of cholerigen and of shigellae, salmonellae and escherichia neurotoxins was also shown by the method of immune electrophoresis.", "contents": "[Serologic interrelations of choleragen and the neurotoxins of enterobacteria]. Antibodies reacting with the endotoxins of enterobacteria or antibodies to homologous endotoxin were eliminated from the sera to cholerigen, cholerigen-toxoid by precipitin abosrption. Sera to neurotoxin of enterobacteria were exhausted in the same way. The exhausted sera continued to form precipitation lines with heterologous toxic complexes. The presence of affiliated antigens in the composition of cholerigen and of shigellae, salmonellae and escherichia neurotoxins was also shown by the method of immune electrophoresis.", "PMID": 766521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2071", "title": "[Detection, quantitative calculation and identification of bacteria of the Proteus genus in objects of the environment].", "content": "The author suggests a complex of nutrient media which aid in detection, quantitative recording and identification of bacteria belonging to Proteus genus and also of the species included into this genus, as well as of the biochemically similar bacteria. The complex of the media constitutes a complete cycle of study: the first stage-fluid enrichment medium, the second stage-isolation and preliminary identification on a hard differential medium with a narrow directed action, and the third stage-determination of the reference of the isolated culture by 9 signs in three integrated media.", "contents": "[Detection, quantitative calculation and identification of bacteria of the Proteus genus in objects of the environment]. The author suggests a complex of nutrient media which aid in detection, quantitative recording and identification of bacteria belonging to Proteus genus and also of the species included into this genus, as well as of the biochemically similar bacteria. The complex of the media constitutes a complete cycle of study: the first stage-fluid enrichment medium, the second stage-isolation and preliminary identification on a hard differential medium with a narrow directed action, and the third stage-determination of the reference of the isolated culture by 9 signs in three integrated media.", "PMID": 766522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2072", "title": "[Cultivation of F. tularensis in developing chick embryos].", "content": "In cultivation of the causative agent of tularemia in the organism of chick embryos (8-10 days of incubation) it was found that the virulent strains multiplied intensively in the yolk sacs causing the death of the embryos on the 3rd-4th day after the infection; as to the virulent strains-they were only preserved in the embryos. The period of death of the embryos and the accumulation of bacteria depended on the strain virulence. No differences in the anatomical structure of the cells belonging to the virulent and avirulent strains could be found.", "contents": "[Cultivation of F. tularensis in developing chick embryos]. In cultivation of the causative agent of tularemia in the organism of chick embryos (8-10 days of incubation) it was found that the virulent strains multiplied intensively in the yolk sacs causing the death of the embryos on the 3rd-4th day after the infection; as to the virulent strains-they were only preserved in the embryos. The period of death of the embryos and the accumulation of bacteria depended on the strain virulence. No differences in the anatomical structure of the cells belonging to the virulent and avirulent strains could be found.", "PMID": 766523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2073", "title": "[Comparative study of the antigens of Streptococcus group A. Rport I. Comparative characteristics of the immunologic activity of partially purified M-protien and the cytoplasmic protective antigen].", "content": "Experiments were conducted on mice. A study was made of the protective properties of the cytoplasmic fraction of streptococcus, group A, Type 1 and of an antigen isolated from it by sedimentation with ammonium sulfate, in comparison with M-protein partially purified by the method of Lancefield and Perlman. Cytoplasmic antigen was not inferior by immunogenicity in comparison with M-protein. In difference from the latter, it was thermolabile and sensitive to the action of hydrochloric acid. The protective antigen was revealed in the cytoplasm not only of the virulent, but also of avirulent strains of streptococcus devoid of M-protein.", "contents": "[Comparative study of the antigens of Streptococcus group A. Rport I. Comparative characteristics of the immunologic activity of partially purified M-protien and the cytoplasmic protective antigen]. Experiments were conducted on mice. A study was made of the protective properties of the cytoplasmic fraction of streptococcus, group A, Type 1 and of an antigen isolated from it by sedimentation with ammonium sulfate, in comparison with M-protein partially purified by the method of Lancefield and Perlman. Cytoplasmic antigen was not inferior by immunogenicity in comparison with M-protein. In difference from the latter, it was thermolabile and sensitive to the action of hydrochloric acid. The protective antigen was revealed in the cytoplasm not only of the virulent, but also of avirulent strains of streptococcus devoid of M-protein.", "PMID": 766524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2074", "title": "[Construction of new types of chemical vaccines for the prevention of intestinal infections, and their qualitative assessment. IV. Physical properties and immunological characteristics of the experimental series of chemical vaccines presented for comparative study].", "content": "The authors present the results of study of physico-chemical properties of the chemical sorbed monovaccines from the antigens of the causative agents of typhoid fever, paratyphoid A and B and Sonne and Flexner dysentery obtained by various methods; the results of investigation of their reactogenic properties and immunological activity of limited groups of volunteers also given. The vaccines from the antigens obtained by sparing methods were less reactogenic than the rest experimental and control vaccines obtained from the tryptic antigens. The majority of the experimental vaccines caused a significant increase of the specific antibody titres in the sera of the vaccinated persons: typhoid vaccines--of the O-, VI- and H-antibodies, paratyphoid B vaccines--of the O- and H-antibodies; the control vaccines from the tryptic antigens failed to induce the H-antibody synteisis in the vaccinated persons. Experimental dysentery monovaccines induced a greater increase in the antibody titres than the control vaccines.", "contents": "[Construction of new types of chemical vaccines for the prevention of intestinal infections, and their qualitative assessment. IV. Physical properties and immunological characteristics of the experimental series of chemical vaccines presented for comparative study]. The authors present the results of study of physico-chemical properties of the chemical sorbed monovaccines from the antigens of the causative agents of typhoid fever, paratyphoid A and B and Sonne and Flexner dysentery obtained by various methods; the results of investigation of their reactogenic properties and immunological activity of limited groups of volunteers also given. The vaccines from the antigens obtained by sparing methods were less reactogenic than the rest experimental and control vaccines obtained from the tryptic antigens. The majority of the experimental vaccines caused a significant increase of the specific antibody titres in the sera of the vaccinated persons: typhoid vaccines--of the O-, VI- and H-antibodies, paratyphoid B vaccines--of the O- and H-antibodies; the control vaccines from the tryptic antigens failed to induce the H-antibody synteisis in the vaccinated persons. Experimental dysentery monovaccines induced a greater increase in the antibody titres than the control vaccines.", "PMID": 766526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2075", "title": "[Condition of microflora of the nasopharynx in immunization with live influenza vaccine for oral administration].", "content": "The authors present data concerning the state of the microflora of the nasopharynx in the immunization of adults and schoolchildren with the living influenza vaccine for oral administration. During the vaccinal process there occurred qualitative changes in the microbial pattern of the nasopharynx and a reduction in the level of the salivary lysozyme. The most pronounced changes were seen after the first vaccination, when the seeding efficiency of the pathogenic staphylococcus the E. coli and the Pr. mirabilis increased considerably. At the same time the incidence of isolation of the pathogenic staphylococcus, neisseria, and hemolytic streptococcus was decreased. The mentioned changes in the microbial flora directly depended on the dynamics of the survival of the vaccine influenza virus.", "contents": "[Condition of microflora of the nasopharynx in immunization with live influenza vaccine for oral administration]. The authors present data concerning the state of the microflora of the nasopharynx in the immunization of adults and schoolchildren with the living influenza vaccine for oral administration. During the vaccinal process there occurred qualitative changes in the microbial pattern of the nasopharynx and a reduction in the level of the salivary lysozyme. The most pronounced changes were seen after the first vaccination, when the seeding efficiency of the pathogenic staphylococcus the E. coli and the Pr. mirabilis increased considerably. At the same time the incidence of isolation of the pathogenic staphylococcus, neisseria, and hemolytic streptococcus was decreased. The mentioned changes in the microbial flora directly depended on the dynamics of the survival of the vaccine influenza virus.", "PMID": 766528} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2076", "title": "[Nomenclature of the S. coli (E. coli) No. 2624/36 and 5396/38 strains].", "content": "The author confirmed the fact that S. coli (E. coli) No. 2624/36 and 5396/38 strains were referred to the serological type O37 : H1,5(Salmonella) : Vi of the Citrobacter genus. Strains of this serological type of Citrobacter failed to ferment cellobiose, starch, contained no decarboxylase of glutamic acid, and did not utilize sodium malonate; they fermented glycerine.", "contents": "[Nomenclature of the S. coli (E. coli) No. 2624/36 and 5396/38 strains]. The author confirmed the fact that S. coli (E. coli) No. 2624/36 and 5396/38 strains were referred to the serological type O37 : H1,5(Salmonella) : Vi of the Citrobacter genus. Strains of this serological type of Citrobacter failed to ferment cellobiose, starch, contained no decarboxylase of glutamic acid, and did not utilize sodium malonate; they fermented glycerine.", "PMID": 766529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2077", "title": "[Characteristics of bacteriophages used in the detection of disturbances in the synthesis of the O-antigen polysaccharide of Shigella flexneri].", "content": "A study was made of the sensitivity spectra of various strains of Sh. flexneri and R-mutants of various chemotypes to bacteriophages used for lysotyping of shigellae and to some bacteriophages specific of the R-mutants of salmonellae and E. coli. As a result of study there was selected and characterized a collection of bacteriophages specific of the S-strains and R-mutants of shigellae of different chemotypes, which could be used in genetic and immunochemical investigations.", "contents": "[Characteristics of bacteriophages used in the detection of disturbances in the synthesis of the O-antigen polysaccharide of Shigella flexneri]. A study was made of the sensitivity spectra of various strains of Sh. flexneri and R-mutants of various chemotypes to bacteriophages used for lysotyping of shigellae and to some bacteriophages specific of the R-mutants of salmonellae and E. coli. As a result of study there was selected and characterized a collection of bacteriophages specific of the S-strains and R-mutants of shigellae of different chemotypes, which could be used in genetic and immunochemical investigations.", "PMID": 766530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2078", "title": "[Morphological manifestation of the action of the complement-antibody system on the surface structures of S. typhimurium].", "content": "An electron-microscopic study of the negatively-stained S. typhimurium cells from the culture subjected to the action of a specific hyperimmune antiserum in the presence of a complement (the \"complement-antibody\" system) pointed to increase in the population of morphological signs of cell destruction--an increase in the number of small bacterial fragments. Many cells which retained the configuration of bacterial cells also had signs of specific affection. The determining sign of specificity of the process was the presence on the surface of the great majority of the mentioned morphological types of accumulations of bacterial fragments of the stain in the form of dark stains surrounded by a lighter ring. The stains were as a rule round with the diameter of the dark zone of about 80 A. The light framing of about 30 A in width consisted of 12 subunits. A conclusion was drawn that further experimental analysis was necessary for detalization of this process and reproduction of a complete picture of bacteriolysis.", "contents": "[Morphological manifestation of the action of the complement-antibody system on the surface structures of S. typhimurium]. An electron-microscopic study of the negatively-stained S. typhimurium cells from the culture subjected to the action of a specific hyperimmune antiserum in the presence of a complement (the \"complement-antibody\" system) pointed to increase in the population of morphological signs of cell destruction--an increase in the number of small bacterial fragments. Many cells which retained the configuration of bacterial cells also had signs of specific affection. The determining sign of specificity of the process was the presence on the surface of the great majority of the mentioned morphological types of accumulations of bacterial fragments of the stain in the form of dark stains surrounded by a lighter ring. The stains were as a rule round with the diameter of the dark zone of about 80 A. The light framing of about 30 A in width consisted of 12 subunits. A conclusion was drawn that further experimental analysis was necessary for detalization of this process and reproduction of a complete picture of bacteriolysis.", "PMID": 766532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2079", "title": "[Functional asymmetry of the human cerebral hemispheres].", "content": "On the basis of a critical analysis of Soviet and foreign literature, as well as on some results of long-term personal observations, the authors discuss some modern concepts (clinico-diagnostical, neurosurgical, rehabilitative, neurophysiological) of functional asymmetry in the human hemishperes. The authors underline a necessity for a detailed multidisciplinary study of this problem, having in view its importance for the theory and practice of medicine.", "contents": "[Functional asymmetry of the human cerebral hemispheres]. On the basis of a critical analysis of Soviet and foreign literature, as well as on some results of long-term personal observations, the authors discuss some modern concepts (clinico-diagnostical, neurosurgical, rehabilitative, neurophysiological) of functional asymmetry in the human hemishperes. The authors underline a necessity for a detailed multidisciplinary study of this problem, having in view its importance for the theory and practice of medicine.", "PMID": 766533} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2080", "title": "[Catecholamines in the pathochemical structure of depressive conditions (according to material from a biological study)].", "content": "By a combination of biochemical and pharmacodynamical analyses the author conducted a differentiated study of the role of separate neurohormones (adrenalin, noradrenalin, dopamine, serotonine) and their interconnection with other regulating systems (corticosteroids, nucleic acids) in the neurochemical structure of experimental models in depressive behaviour (reserpine depressions, depressions due to inhibitors of dopamine-beta-oxydase). In the aspect of the author's concept concerning reciprocity of relationships between the central and peripheral catecholamine mechanisms on the basis of the obtained experimental data, their comparison with the previous clinico-biochemical investigations and literary data is considered to be the pathochemical basis of depression. This is considered to be a multicomponent structure of pathologically fixed changes of the central noradrenergic activity, relationships in the catecholaminergic system (hypothalamus--medullau substance of the adrenal glands) and processes of reswitching catecholamine influences on the state of other neurochemical regulatory systems.", "contents": "[Catecholamines in the pathochemical structure of depressive conditions (according to material from a biological study)]. By a combination of biochemical and pharmacodynamical analyses the author conducted a differentiated study of the role of separate neurohormones (adrenalin, noradrenalin, dopamine, serotonine) and their interconnection with other regulating systems (corticosteroids, nucleic acids) in the neurochemical structure of experimental models in depressive behaviour (reserpine depressions, depressions due to inhibitors of dopamine-beta-oxydase). In the aspect of the author's concept concerning reciprocity of relationships between the central and peripheral catecholamine mechanisms on the basis of the obtained experimental data, their comparison with the previous clinico-biochemical investigations and literary data is considered to be the pathochemical basis of depression. This is considered to be a multicomponent structure of pathologically fixed changes of the central noradrenergic activity, relationships in the catecholaminergic system (hypothalamus--medullau substance of the adrenal glands) and processes of reswitching catecholamine influences on the state of other neurochemical regulatory systems.", "PMID": 766541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2081", "title": "[Rupture of the duodenum due to blunt injury].", "content": "Injuries of the duodenum, although rare, have increased in frequency of occurence during the past ten years. Careful attention must be given to them, especially if the injury was brought about by a blunt blow of the abdominal, and lower thoracic regions. X-rays are the most important means used in diagnosing such cases. Injuries of the duodenum often occur along with injuries of other related structures, especially in polytraumatized patients. Early diagnosis, and surgical treatment are conditio sine qua non for successful results. During the operation itself, a compete inspection of the entire duodenum, both intra and extraperitoneal parts, careful placement of sutures about the perforation and an exact drainage are of utmost importance in the prevention of postoperative complications. In cases in which the duodenal wall has lost its vitality for accepting suture, a gastrojejunal, duodenojejunal anastomisi, or gastrostomia are performed, the content of the duodenum is aspirated, the duodenum is decompressed and adequate drainage of the peritoneal cavity is established. In cases of accompanying injury of the pancreas, or choledochus, a drainage of the extrahepatic bile duct is recommended. The authors discuss one case with a ruptured duodenum, resulting from blunt trauma, in which all of the above mentioned procedures were used; they insist that any suspicion of a duodenum's rupture indicates an immediate laparotomy.", "contents": "[Rupture of the duodenum due to blunt injury]. Injuries of the duodenum, although rare, have increased in frequency of occurence during the past ten years. Careful attention must be given to them, especially if the injury was brought about by a blunt blow of the abdominal, and lower thoracic regions. X-rays are the most important means used in diagnosing such cases. Injuries of the duodenum often occur along with injuries of other related structures, especially in polytraumatized patients. Early diagnosis, and surgical treatment are conditio sine qua non for successful results. During the operation itself, a compete inspection of the entire duodenum, both intra and extraperitoneal parts, careful placement of sutures about the perforation and an exact drainage are of utmost importance in the prevention of postoperative complications. In cases in which the duodenal wall has lost its vitality for accepting suture, a gastrojejunal, duodenojejunal anastomisi, or gastrostomia are performed, the content of the duodenum is aspirated, the duodenum is decompressed and adequate drainage of the peritoneal cavity is established. In cases of accompanying injury of the pancreas, or choledochus, a drainage of the extrahepatic bile duct is recommended. The authors discuss one case with a ruptured duodenum, resulting from blunt trauma, in which all of the above mentioned procedures were used; they insist that any suspicion of a duodenum's rupture indicates an immediate laparotomy.", "PMID": 766547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2082", "title": "The significance of local malignant lesions of the neck diagnosed accidentally during parathyroid exploration.", "content": "Three cases are presented in which strictly localized, malignant lesions in reticuloendothelial or mesenchymal tissue of the neck with varying degrees of differentiation were diagnosed accidentally during parathyroid exploration. No signs of metastatic dissemination or primary tumour with other localization were found. In all three cases, the identified changes were removed and a careful follow-up has not hitherto indicated that further treatment in these cases were necessary.", "contents": "The significance of local malignant lesions of the neck diagnosed accidentally during parathyroid exploration. Three cases are presented in which strictly localized, malignant lesions in reticuloendothelial or mesenchymal tissue of the neck with varying degrees of differentiation were diagnosed accidentally during parathyroid exploration. No signs of metastatic dissemination or primary tumour with other localization were found. In all three cases, the identified changes were removed and a careful follow-up has not hitherto indicated that further treatment in these cases were necessary.", "PMID": 766548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2083", "title": "Morphological studies of the duct-ligated canine pancreatic allograft in the early period after transplantation.", "content": "Eighteen previously pancreatectomized dogs were transplanted with duct-ligated pancreatic allografts. Fourteen grafts were preserved for 24 hours with either continuous hypothermic perfusion or simple hypothermic storage. Four grafts were immediately transplanted. Azathioprine was given as sole immunosuppressive treatment. Three dogs died from early post-operative bleeding. The remaining 15 animals had an adequate endocrine function. After four to eight days the gross appearance was registered and the histopathological changes of the graft were studied with light and electron microscopy. The grafts were enlarged and of a firm consistency. Light microscopically the inter-lobular septa and the interstitial tissue showed an inflammatory reaction with oedema and fibroblastic proliferation. Collagen deposition was found after five days. In spite of an inflammatory reaction of the grafts, islets of normal appearance were recognized both light and electron microscopically which corresponded to an adequate endocrine function. In the 24-hour preserved glands fibrosis seemed to appear earlier and a smaller number of islets were recognized than in the immediately transplanted glands.", "contents": "Morphological studies of the duct-ligated canine pancreatic allograft in the early period after transplantation. Eighteen previously pancreatectomized dogs were transplanted with duct-ligated pancreatic allografts. Fourteen grafts were preserved for 24 hours with either continuous hypothermic perfusion or simple hypothermic storage. Four grafts were immediately transplanted. Azathioprine was given as sole immunosuppressive treatment. Three dogs died from early post-operative bleeding. The remaining 15 animals had an adequate endocrine function. After four to eight days the gross appearance was registered and the histopathological changes of the graft were studied with light and electron microscopy. The grafts were enlarged and of a firm consistency. Light microscopically the inter-lobular septa and the interstitial tissue showed an inflammatory reaction with oedema and fibroblastic proliferation. Collagen deposition was found after five days. In spite of an inflammatory reaction of the grafts, islets of normal appearance were recognized both light and electron microscopically which corresponded to an adequate endocrine function. In the 24-hour preserved glands fibrosis seemed to appear earlier and a smaller number of islets were recognized than in the immediately transplanted glands.", "PMID": 766549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2084", "title": "Oestrone, oestradiol and testosterone in normal and hypogonadal men following LH-RH or HCG stimulation.", "content": "oestrone, oestradiol-17beta and testosterone in serum were measured during a LH-RH infusion test and a Leydig cell function test with HCG in healthy men and in patients with primary or secondary hypogonadism. Following infusion of LH-RH increases of LH (+112%), oestradiol (+62%) and testosterone (+51%) were observed in normal men, while oestrone remained unchanged. Of the patients only those with Klinefelter's syndrome showed a significant increase in testosterone and oestradiol after LH-RH infusion. During the Leydig cell function test oestradiol and testosterone exhibited a largely parallel pattern under normal and pathological conditions as well as in subjects with experimental hypogonadism. Augmentations of plasma oestrone were usually smaller than those for oestradiol.", "contents": "Oestrone, oestradiol and testosterone in normal and hypogonadal men following LH-RH or HCG stimulation. oestrone, oestradiol-17beta and testosterone in serum were measured during a LH-RH infusion test and a Leydig cell function test with HCG in healthy men and in patients with primary or secondary hypogonadism. Following infusion of LH-RH increases of LH (+112%), oestradiol (+62%) and testosterone (+51%) were observed in normal men, while oestrone remained unchanged. Of the patients only those with Klinefelter's syndrome showed a significant increase in testosterone and oestradiol after LH-RH infusion. During the Leydig cell function test oestradiol and testosterone exhibited a largely parallel pattern under normal and pathological conditions as well as in subjects with experimental hypogonadism. Augmentations of plasma oestrone were usually smaller than those for oestradiol.", "PMID": 766550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2085", "title": "Changes in pituitary and ovarian hormones following injection of ultra low dose LH-RH in normal and amenorrhoeic women.", "content": "The results of the ultra low doses of synthetic LH-RH, 1.56, 3.125 and 6.25 mug, are presented in 8 normal women during the first week of the menstrual cycle and 14 patients with secondary amenorrhoea. Seven of these patients had \"stress\" amenorrhoea, and 7 had preceeding oligomenorrhoea. There was no significant difference between the mean basal gonadotrophin levels in the normal volunteers and those patients with secondary amenorrhoea. There was no significant difference in basal gonadotrophin levels or the response to LH-RH, between the two groups of amenorrhoea, stress and previous oligomenorrhoea. Basal FSH and oestradiol levels do not appear to influence the response to LH-RH. However, those patients with secondary amenorrhoea and a low basal LH (5 patients) had a significantly higher response to LH-RH at 1.56 and 3.125 mug than the amenorrhoeic patients with normal basal LH levels. Two patients with stress amenorrhoea and weight loss had an exaggerated response to LH-RH. The significance of this is discussed.", "contents": "Changes in pituitary and ovarian hormones following injection of ultra low dose LH-RH in normal and amenorrhoeic women. The results of the ultra low doses of synthetic LH-RH, 1.56, 3.125 and 6.25 mug, are presented in 8 normal women during the first week of the menstrual cycle and 14 patients with secondary amenorrhoea. Seven of these patients had \"stress\" amenorrhoea, and 7 had preceeding oligomenorrhoea. There was no significant difference between the mean basal gonadotrophin levels in the normal volunteers and those patients with secondary amenorrhoea. There was no significant difference in basal gonadotrophin levels or the response to LH-RH, between the two groups of amenorrhoea, stress and previous oligomenorrhoea. Basal FSH and oestradiol levels do not appear to influence the response to LH-RH. However, those patients with secondary amenorrhoea and a low basal LH (5 patients) had a significantly higher response to LH-RH at 1.56 and 3.125 mug than the amenorrhoeic patients with normal basal LH levels. Two patients with stress amenorrhoea and weight loss had an exaggerated response to LH-RH. The significance of this is discussed.", "PMID": 766551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2086", "title": "Cellular sensitization in kuru, Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease and multiple sclerosis: with a note on the biohazards of slow infection work.", "content": "Following intramuscular injection of Kuru and Jakob-Creutzfeldt brain material into chimpanzees, circulating lymphocytes became sensitized to scrapie mouse brain (and spleen) to a greater degree than to normal tissue. This sensitization subsided after about a month, to be followed some 90 days later by a secondary peak attributed to establishment of changes in the nervous system. Special sensitization to scrapie material occurs in Kuru and Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease, but is not specific to them. The immunological evidence suggests that parenchymatous destruction may precede astroglial hypertrophy in these diseases. An early peak occurred in animals inoculated with multiple sclerosis brain and normal brain, but neither showed a delayed second peak. Thus there was no evidence of establishment of infection, even though all four animals were in intimate contact for over 200 days, and no evidence of the injection of MS material itself having established an infection. Biohazards in Kuru, Jakob-Creutzfeldt and MS work appear to be very low. The significance of the increased sensitilization to scrapie material in Kuru and Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease, especially in relation to normal ageing (where it also increases), is discussed.", "contents": "Cellular sensitization in kuru, Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease and multiple sclerosis: with a note on the biohazards of slow infection work. Following intramuscular injection of Kuru and Jakob-Creutzfeldt brain material into chimpanzees, circulating lymphocytes became sensitized to scrapie mouse brain (and spleen) to a greater degree than to normal tissue. This sensitization subsided after about a month, to be followed some 90 days later by a secondary peak attributed to establishment of changes in the nervous system. Special sensitization to scrapie material occurs in Kuru and Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease, but is not specific to them. The immunological evidence suggests that parenchymatous destruction may precede astroglial hypertrophy in these diseases. An early peak occurred in animals inoculated with multiple sclerosis brain and normal brain, but neither showed a delayed second peak. Thus there was no evidence of establishment of infection, even though all four animals were in intimate contact for over 200 days, and no evidence of the injection of MS material itself having established an infection. Biohazards in Kuru, Jakob-Creutzfeldt and MS work appear to be very low. The significance of the increased sensitilization to scrapie material in Kuru and Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease, especially in relation to normal ageing (where it also increases), is discussed.", "PMID": 766554} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2087", "title": "Study of the suppression of lactation and the influence on blood clotting with bromocriptine (CB 154) (Parlodel): a double blind comparison with diethylstilboestrol.", "content": "Inhibition of lactation was studied in 38 puerperal women in a double blind trial to assess the effect of bromocriptine in comparison with diethylstilboestrol (DS). Simultaneously the influence of both compounds on blood clotting was studied, along with a control group of 20 women not receiving any medication. Bromocriptine was given in a daily dose of 5 mg for 14 days and DS in a daily dose of 20 mg for 7 days followed by a placebo for a further 7 days. The first doses were not later than 8 hours after delivery. Both compounds showed an inhibitory effect on the onset of lactation and mammary congestion. This inhibitory effect on both parameters was significantly in favour of bromocriptine during the last days of the treatment due to rebound in the DS group. The bromocriptine doses used (5 mg daily for 2 weeks) caused no objective side effects and no subjective restraint. Treatment with bromocriptine caused no untoward effect on the blood clotting, while in the DS group a slower return to normal antithrombin III could be observed. Also in this group one case of thrombophlebitis occurred. Bromocriptine can be administered to puerperal women for the suppression of lactation.", "contents": "Study of the suppression of lactation and the influence on blood clotting with bromocriptine (CB 154) (Parlodel): a double blind comparison with diethylstilboestrol. Inhibition of lactation was studied in 38 puerperal women in a double blind trial to assess the effect of bromocriptine in comparison with diethylstilboestrol (DS). Simultaneously the influence of both compounds on blood clotting was studied, along with a control group of 20 women not receiving any medication. Bromocriptine was given in a daily dose of 5 mg for 14 days and DS in a daily dose of 20 mg for 7 days followed by a placebo for a further 7 days. The first doses were not later than 8 hours after delivery. Both compounds showed an inhibitory effect on the onset of lactation and mammary congestion. This inhibitory effect on both parameters was significantly in favour of bromocriptine during the last days of the treatment due to rebound in the DS group. The bromocriptine doses used (5 mg daily for 2 weeks) caused no objective side effects and no subjective restraint. Treatment with bromocriptine caused no untoward effect on the blood clotting, while in the DS group a slower return to normal antithrombin III could be observed. Also in this group one case of thrombophlebitis occurred. Bromocriptine can be administered to puerperal women for the suppression of lactation.", "PMID": 766555} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2088", "title": "Extramembranous pregnancy with amniorrhoea.", "content": "A case of extramembranous pregnancy is reported. From about the 10th week of pregnancy there was an intermittent loss of liquor amnii, which from about the 25th week, became continuous. The infant was born alive in the 31st week, but died 15 days later because of the respiratory distress syndrome. The placenta was circumvallate with short, thick membranes unable to cover more than a small part of the infant. The course of the pregnancy and the prognosis of the infant are discussed on the base of previous publications. Because of the poor prognosis for the infant it is suggested that interruption of the pregnancy should be considered in early cases of amniorrhoea.", "contents": "Extramembranous pregnancy with amniorrhoea. A case of extramembranous pregnancy is reported. From about the 10th week of pregnancy there was an intermittent loss of liquor amnii, which from about the 25th week, became continuous. The infant was born alive in the 31st week, but died 15 days later because of the respiratory distress syndrome. The placenta was circumvallate with short, thick membranes unable to cover more than a small part of the infant. The course of the pregnancy and the prognosis of the infant are discussed on the base of previous publications. Because of the poor prognosis for the infant it is suggested that interruption of the pregnancy should be considered in early cases of amniorrhoea.", "PMID": 766556} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2089", "title": "The periurethral aerobic bacterial flora in healthy boys and girls.", "content": "The present study was undertaken to provide information about the presence of bacterial flora in the periurethral region of healthy children and its variation with age and sex. It was intended as a basis for subsequent studies in individuals prone to urinary tract infection. Quantitative methods were used for bacteria sampling and culture. The study included 394 girls and 305 boys from birth to 16 years. During the first few weeks of life a massive aerobic bacterial flora (E. coli, enterococci, staphylococci) was established in the periurethral region of both sexes. The colonization with E. coli and enterococci began to diminish already during the first year of life and became very scanty after the age of 5 years. In newborns E. coli colonization was dense in boys and scanty in girls. Later E. coli was the dominating gram-negative species in girls of all age groups. In boys E. coli dominated during the first half year of life, later Proteus was as common as E. coli; staphylococci did not change very much. Urine samples from healthy school-children contained very few gram-negative bacteria; even when collected without preceding cleansing. The results suggest that there might be a local defence mechanism maturing during the first year of life, eventually protecting the exposed area from colonization with gram-negatives and enterococci.", "contents": "The periurethral aerobic bacterial flora in healthy boys and girls. The present study was undertaken to provide information about the presence of bacterial flora in the periurethral region of healthy children and its variation with age and sex. It was intended as a basis for subsequent studies in individuals prone to urinary tract infection. Quantitative methods were used for bacteria sampling and culture. The study included 394 girls and 305 boys from birth to 16 years. During the first few weeks of life a massive aerobic bacterial flora (E. coli, enterococci, staphylococci) was established in the periurethral region of both sexes. The colonization with E. coli and enterococci began to diminish already during the first year of life and became very scanty after the age of 5 years. In newborns E. coli colonization was dense in boys and scanty in girls. Later E. coli was the dominating gram-negative species in girls of all age groups. In boys E. coli dominated during the first half year of life, later Proteus was as common as E. coli; staphylococci did not change very much. Urine samples from healthy school-children contained very few gram-negative bacteria; even when collected without preceding cleansing. The results suggest that there might be a local defence mechanism maturing during the first year of life, eventually protecting the exposed area from colonization with gram-negatives and enterococci.", "PMID": 766562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2090", "title": "The periurethral aerobic flora in girls highly susceptible to urinary infections.", "content": "After the age of 5 years, normal children have but few aerobic gram-negative rods periurethrally. This study examines whether there is an abnormal periurethral colonization in urinary tract infection-prone girls during infection-free intervals, indicating a defective local defence. In 13 girls with a history of recurrent infection, daily bacterial samples were obtained from the periurethral area and from urine. Sampling continued until an infection eventually occurred. Seven girls contracted a urinary tract infection within 3-30 days. All were heavy colonized with gram-negative rods, often several species, before infection appeared. Serotyping of E. coli confirmed that it was the colonizing strain which later invaded the bladder. The findings suggest a local defect in the antibacterial defence of infection-prone individuals and gives strong evidence for ascending infection. Six girls remained uninfected during an observation period of 9-123 days. They all had a normal periurethral flora. A reasonable hypothesis would be that the same factor counteracted colonization and infection. Since abnormal periurethral colonization was not a constant phenomenon the postulated defect may vary. This might explain the fact that urinary tract infections often appear in quick succession, often followed by long infection-free intervals.", "contents": "The periurethral aerobic flora in girls highly susceptible to urinary infections. After the age of 5 years, normal children have but few aerobic gram-negative rods periurethrally. This study examines whether there is an abnormal periurethral colonization in urinary tract infection-prone girls during infection-free intervals, indicating a defective local defence. In 13 girls with a history of recurrent infection, daily bacterial samples were obtained from the periurethral area and from urine. Sampling continued until an infection eventually occurred. Seven girls contracted a urinary tract infection within 3-30 days. All were heavy colonized with gram-negative rods, often several species, before infection appeared. Serotyping of E. coli confirmed that it was the colonizing strain which later invaded the bladder. The findings suggest a local defect in the antibacterial defence of infection-prone individuals and gives strong evidence for ascending infection. Six girls remained uninfected during an observation period of 9-123 days. They all had a normal periurethral flora. A reasonable hypothesis would be that the same factor counteracted colonization and infection. Since abnormal periurethral colonization was not a constant phenomenon the postulated defect may vary. This might explain the fact that urinary tract infections often appear in quick succession, often followed by long infection-free intervals.", "PMID": 766563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2091", "title": "Glucose tolerance and serum lipids in man after long-term lithium administration.", "content": "Intravenous glucose tolerance and serum lactate concentration during the tolerance test were determined in the same 12 patients after 6 months of placebo and after 6 months of lithium treatment. At the end of these periods values of glucose, lactate, serum free fatty acids, and serum triglycerides were measured in fasting patients. Long-term lithium treatment had no influence on these parameters.", "contents": "Glucose tolerance and serum lipids in man after long-term lithium administration. Intravenous glucose tolerance and serum lactate concentration during the tolerance test were determined in the same 12 patients after 6 months of placebo and after 6 months of lithium treatment. At the end of these periods values of glucose, lactate, serum free fatty acids, and serum triglycerides were measured in fasting patients. Long-term lithium treatment had no influence on these parameters.", "PMID": 766567} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2092", "title": "Comparison of unilateral dominant and non-dominant ECT on verbal and non-verbal memory.", "content": "An intraindividual, double-blind cross-over comparison of the effects of dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) temporo-parietal unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was performed in connection with the second and third treatment, the type of electrode placement being allocated at random. Four memory tests were used. The 30 Word-Pair Test is an audio-visual verbal recall test, the 30 Figure Test is a mainly visual recognition test with easily verbalized items. The 30 Geometrical Figure Test and the 30 Face Test are nonverbal recognition tests of visual complex and unfamiliar material. Compared with dominant ECT, non-dominant ECT has a more negative influence in the complex non-verbal visual tests, whereas dominant ECT has a more negative effect on verbal memory. In the non-verbal tests, as compared with the verbal ones, the encoding (or learning) is relatively more influenced and the retention (or storage) relatively less. An impairment either of complex apperceptive function or of memory may be responsible for the relatively lower performance in non-verbal tests after non-dominant ECT.", "contents": "Comparison of unilateral dominant and non-dominant ECT on verbal and non-verbal memory. An intraindividual, double-blind cross-over comparison of the effects of dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) temporo-parietal unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was performed in connection with the second and third treatment, the type of electrode placement being allocated at random. Four memory tests were used. The 30 Word-Pair Test is an audio-visual verbal recall test, the 30 Figure Test is a mainly visual recognition test with easily verbalized items. The 30 Geometrical Figure Test and the 30 Face Test are nonverbal recognition tests of visual complex and unfamiliar material. Compared with dominant ECT, non-dominant ECT has a more negative influence in the complex non-verbal visual tests, whereas dominant ECT has a more negative effect on verbal memory. In the non-verbal tests, as compared with the verbal ones, the encoding (or learning) is relatively more influenced and the retention (or storage) relatively less. An impairment either of complex apperceptive function or of memory may be responsible for the relatively lower performance in non-verbal tests after non-dominant ECT.", "PMID": 766568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2093", "title": "Three-dimensional reconstruction of the human heart by video technique.", "content": "Three-dimensional reconstruction of different plastic phantoms, organic material and beating human heart was achieved by utilizing a standard roentgen-television system. In continuous stabilized fluoroscopy the television images of the object obtained from different projections were digitized in real time and computerized for reconstruction. Despite a cone beam being used, the spatial resolution seems to be quite adequate for evaluation of gross anatomic structures like the cardiac walls without enhancement by contrast medium.", "contents": "Three-dimensional reconstruction of the human heart by video technique. Three-dimensional reconstruction of different plastic phantoms, organic material and beating human heart was achieved by utilizing a standard roentgen-television system. In continuous stabilized fluoroscopy the television images of the object obtained from different projections were digitized in real time and computerized for reconstruction. Despite a cone beam being used, the spatial resolution seems to be quite adequate for evaluation of gross anatomic structures like the cardiac walls without enhancement by contrast medium.", "PMID": 766569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2094", "title": "[The Dualism drive in Freudian theory].", "content": "The author discusses Freudian dualistic conception of drives and contends that it can be reduced to a monistic one, on the basis of modern conceptions of Biology, and after scanning the original writings of Freud on the subject of drive and instinct. The word Trieb (drive) is used by Freud as compared with Instinkt (instinct); in 1915 the concept is defined through its attributes: thrust, source, objet and goal; being object and goal contingent for the drive and fixed for instincts. The first dualism is love vs. hunger; the drives are either sexual or autoconservative. But Biology demonstrates today that all life movements are autoconservative. The second dualism, love vs. hate, and the third one, Eros vs. Thantos, interpreted through Biology, show that there is always a prevailing therm, the first one. In this view, instinct should be but one successful drive, \"frozen\" through time because of its very success, and transmitted through philogenetic channels, in order to be enlivened in each ontogenetic process.", "contents": "[The Dualism drive in Freudian theory]. The author discusses Freudian dualistic conception of drives and contends that it can be reduced to a monistic one, on the basis of modern conceptions of Biology, and after scanning the original writings of Freud on the subject of drive and instinct. The word Trieb (drive) is used by Freud as compared with Instinkt (instinct); in 1915 the concept is defined through its attributes: thrust, source, objet and goal; being object and goal contingent for the drive and fixed for instincts. The first dualism is love vs. hunger; the drives are either sexual or autoconservative. But Biology demonstrates today that all life movements are autoconservative. The second dualism, love vs. hate, and the third one, Eros vs. Thantos, interpreted through Biology, show that there is always a prevailing therm, the first one. In this view, instinct should be but one successful drive, \"frozen\" through time because of its very success, and transmitted through philogenetic channels, in order to be enlivened in each ontogenetic process.", "PMID": 766566} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2095", "title": "Photographic subtraction. I. Theory of the subtraction image.", "content": "The purpose of subtraction of angiographic images is to demonstrate the vessels free of superimposed, disturbing image noise. With the aid of physical film parameters the theoretic basis for an optimum subtraction technique is presented.", "contents": "Photographic subtraction. I. Theory of the subtraction image. The purpose of subtraction of angiographic images is to demonstrate the vessels free of superimposed, disturbing image noise. With the aid of physical film parameters the theoretic basis for an optimum subtraction technique is presented.", "PMID": 766570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2096", "title": "Angiography in disease of the peripancreatic lymph nodes.", "content": "Angiography was performed in 8 patients with peripancreatic lymph node disease. The findings were similar to those caused by pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma. The angiographic characteristics of the disease, respectively, are discussed.", "contents": "Angiography in disease of the peripancreatic lymph nodes. Angiography was performed in 8 patients with peripancreatic lymph node disease. The findings were similar to those caused by pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma. The angiographic characteristics of the disease, respectively, are discussed.", "PMID": 766571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2097", "title": "A double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study with lidoflazine (Clinium) in post-infarction patients.", "content": "The effects of lidoflazine on exercise tolerance have been tested during a double-blind cross-over trial in 14 male post-infarction patients with a median age of 47 years (range 24-85). Each treatment phase lasted three months. Lidoflazine dosage was one 60 mg tablet t.i.d. At rest, significant decreases in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were noted during lidoflazine treatment. Bicycle ergometric tests revealed a significant increase in maximum work load and a significant decrease in the product HRXsystolic BP at a 100 W work load during lidoflazine. No similar changes were recorded during placebo periods. Five patients were able to resume their professional activities whilst on lidofalzine, against only two on placebo.", "contents": "A double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study with lidoflazine (Clinium) in post-infarction patients. The effects of lidoflazine on exercise tolerance have been tested during a double-blind cross-over trial in 14 male post-infarction patients with a median age of 47 years (range 24-85). Each treatment phase lasted three months. Lidoflazine dosage was one 60 mg tablet t.i.d. At rest, significant decreases in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were noted during lidoflazine treatment. Bicycle ergometric tests revealed a significant increase in maximum work load and a significant decrease in the product HRXsystolic BP at a 100 W work load during lidoflazine. No similar changes were recorded during placebo periods. Five patients were able to resume their professional activities whilst on lidofalzine, against only two on placebo.", "PMID": 766572} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2098", "title": "Evaluation of a computer-based system for detecting ventricular arrhythmias.", "content": "A digital system for real-time arrhythmia monitoring in the coronary care unit has been designed. The system is based on an algorithm for discrimination between normal complexes and ventricular ectopic beats (VBs). A beat is classified as normal if the absolute difference from a running average of the patient's normal QRS is below an adaptive threshold. To prevent artifacts and beats of non-ventricular origin from being falsely interpreted as VBs, each abnormal beat is correlated with a typical VB waveform, incorporated into the program. A VB is recognized only when the correlation coefficient exceeds 0.8. In a performance study, ECGs from 15 patients were recorded on magnetic tape and replayed to the computer. Independent evaluation by two physicians showed a total of 1 306 VBs, 94% correctly classified by the computer. In the group labelled \"suspected VBs\" the detection rate was lower (average 69%). Out of the whole number of complexes (53 260), 0.45% were falsely interpreted as VBs by the computer. Artifacts giving rise to false VBs are included in this figure. The causes of false positive and false negative VBs were thoroughly investigated and on the basis of these results, possible improvements in the system are discussed.", "contents": "Evaluation of a computer-based system for detecting ventricular arrhythmias. A digital system for real-time arrhythmia monitoring in the coronary care unit has been designed. The system is based on an algorithm for discrimination between normal complexes and ventricular ectopic beats (VBs). A beat is classified as normal if the absolute difference from a running average of the patient's normal QRS is below an adaptive threshold. To prevent artifacts and beats of non-ventricular origin from being falsely interpreted as VBs, each abnormal beat is correlated with a typical VB waveform, incorporated into the program. A VB is recognized only when the correlation coefficient exceeds 0.8. In a performance study, ECGs from 15 patients were recorded on magnetic tape and replayed to the computer. Independent evaluation by two physicians showed a total of 1 306 VBs, 94% correctly classified by the computer. In the group labelled \"suspected VBs\" the detection rate was lower (average 69%). Out of the whole number of complexes (53 260), 0.45% were falsely interpreted as VBs by the computer. Artifacts giving rise to false VBs are included in this figure. The causes of false positive and false negative VBs were thoroughly investigated and on the basis of these results, possible improvements in the system are discussed.", "PMID": 766573} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2099", "title": "Beta1-blocker (practolol) and exercise in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.", "content": "Ventilatory and circulatory data from 20 patients suffering from chronic obstructive lung disease have been obtained before, during and after exercise at 600 kpm/min for 5 min on a bicycle ergometer. The patients had been given intravenously practolol, 15 mg, or saline alternatively, using a double-blind cross-over technique. A slight postexercise reduction of FEV1 (8%) was noted after practolol medication as compared to placebo, with an accompanying decrease in PaCO2; PaO2 did not differ substantially. No wheezing or inappropriate dyspnea attributable to the medication was noted in any of the patients. The well known beta1-blocking effects on the circulation were confirmed, with maintained Q and reduced HR, together with a lowered systemic BP during and after exercise. There was a significant positive relationship between the postexercise reduction of FEV1 and the concomitant fall in HR. It is concluded that practolol in doses with near maximal circulatory effects had a slight, but clinically insignificant effect on the ventilatory parameters.", "contents": "Beta1-blocker (practolol) and exercise in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Ventilatory and circulatory data from 20 patients suffering from chronic obstructive lung disease have been obtained before, during and after exercise at 600 kpm/min for 5 min on a bicycle ergometer. The patients had been given intravenously practolol, 15 mg, or saline alternatively, using a double-blind cross-over technique. A slight postexercise reduction of FEV1 (8%) was noted after practolol medication as compared to placebo, with an accompanying decrease in PaCO2; PaO2 did not differ substantially. No wheezing or inappropriate dyspnea attributable to the medication was noted in any of the patients. The well known beta1-blocking effects on the circulation were confirmed, with maintained Q and reduced HR, together with a lowered systemic BP during and after exercise. There was a significant positive relationship between the postexercise reduction of FEV1 and the concomitant fall in HR. It is concluded that practolol in doses with near maximal circulatory effects had a slight, but clinically insignificant effect on the ventilatory parameters.", "PMID": 766574} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2100", "title": "Physiopathological effects of rapeseed oil: a review.", "content": "Rapeseed oil has a growth retarding effect in animals. Some investigators claim that the high content of erucic acid in rapeseed oil alone causes this effect, while others consider the low ratio saturated/monounsaturated fatty acids in rapeseed oil to be a contributory factor. Normally erucic acid is not found or occurs in traces in body fat, but when the diet contains rapeseed oil erucic acid is found in depot fat, organ fat and milk fat. Erucic acid is metabolized in vivo to oleic acid. The effects of rapeseed oil on reproduction and adrenals, testes, ovaries, liver, spleen, kidneys, blood, heart and skeletal muscles have been investigated. Fatty infiltration in the heart muscle cells has been observed in the species investigated. In long-term experiments in rats erucic acid produces fibrosis of the myocardium. Erucic acid lowers the respiratory capacity of the heart mitochondria. The reduction of respiratory capacity is roughly proportional to the content of erucic acid in the diet, and diminishes on continued administration of erucic acid. The lifespan of rats is the same on corn oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, whale oil and rapeseed oil diet. Rats fed a diet with erucic acid or other docosenoic acids showed a lowered tolerance to cold stress (+4 degrees C). In Sweden erucic acid constituted 3-4% of the average intake of calories up to 1970 compared with about 0.4% at present.", "contents": "Physiopathological effects of rapeseed oil: a review. Rapeseed oil has a growth retarding effect in animals. Some investigators claim that the high content of erucic acid in rapeseed oil alone causes this effect, while others consider the low ratio saturated/monounsaturated fatty acids in rapeseed oil to be a contributory factor. Normally erucic acid is not found or occurs in traces in body fat, but when the diet contains rapeseed oil erucic acid is found in depot fat, organ fat and milk fat. Erucic acid is metabolized in vivo to oleic acid. The effects of rapeseed oil on reproduction and adrenals, testes, ovaries, liver, spleen, kidneys, blood, heart and skeletal muscles have been investigated. Fatty infiltration in the heart muscle cells has been observed in the species investigated. In long-term experiments in rats erucic acid produces fibrosis of the myocardium. Erucic acid lowers the respiratory capacity of the heart mitochondria. The reduction of respiratory capacity is roughly proportional to the content of erucic acid in the diet, and diminishes on continued administration of erucic acid. The lifespan of rats is the same on corn oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, whale oil and rapeseed oil diet. Rats fed a diet with erucic acid or other docosenoic acids showed a lowered tolerance to cold stress (+4 degrees C). In Sweden erucic acid constituted 3-4% of the average intake of calories up to 1970 compared with about 0.4% at present.", "PMID": 766575} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2101", "title": "The anginal syndrome without evidence of coronary artery disease.", "content": "It is apparent that a variety of factors may be responsible for myocardial ischemia, and even infarction, in the absence of occlusive major vessel coronary disease. In particular, it must be emphasized than angina-like chest pain may well have its origin in myocardial ischemia, even in younger patients with unusual patterns of chest pain but without predisposition to premature CAD. Increasing awareness of disorders such as coronary arterial spasm, functional impairment of subendocardial blood flow and the possible role of variant patterns of anatomic distribution of the coronary arterial tree, will provide a better understanding of their significance as determining or contributing factors in patients with the anginal syndrome.", "contents": "The anginal syndrome without evidence of coronary artery disease. It is apparent that a variety of factors may be responsible for myocardial ischemia, and even infarction, in the absence of occlusive major vessel coronary disease. In particular, it must be emphasized than angina-like chest pain may well have its origin in myocardial ischemia, even in younger patients with unusual patterns of chest pain but without predisposition to premature CAD. Increasing awareness of disorders such as coronary arterial spasm, functional impairment of subendocardial blood flow and the possible role of variant patterns of anatomic distribution of the coronary arterial tree, will provide a better understanding of their significance as determining or contributing factors in patients with the anginal syndrome.", "PMID": 766588} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2102", "title": "Acute bacterial diseases.", "content": "The manner by which bacteria cause diarrhea has been clarified as a result of the understanding of mechanisms involved in fluid secretion. It is conceivable that many of the undiagnosed mass of diarrheal cases are in fact caused by E. coli or other organisms capable of eleborating an enterotoxin or of invading the epitehlial surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract. Confirmation of this concept would permit a better estimation of the importance of \"viruses\" in causing diarrhea. Proper treatment for bacterial diarrhea requires fluid replacement. Antibiotic therapy and antidiarrheal drugs need to be used with caution since they may worsen the diarrheal process or may complicate recovery.", "contents": "Acute bacterial diseases. The manner by which bacteria cause diarrhea has been clarified as a result of the understanding of mechanisms involved in fluid secretion. It is conceivable that many of the undiagnosed mass of diarrheal cases are in fact caused by E. coli or other organisms capable of eleborating an enterotoxin or of invading the epitehlial surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract. Confirmation of this concept would permit a better estimation of the importance of \"viruses\" in causing diarrhea. Proper treatment for bacterial diarrhea requires fluid replacement. Antibiotic therapy and antidiarrheal drugs need to be used with caution since they may worsen the diarrheal process or may complicate recovery.", "PMID": 766589} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2103", "title": "Senile and postmenopausal osteoporosis.", "content": "Obviously, the relentless decrease in bone mass that accompanies aging will continue the long sought \"elixir of youth\" is discovered. Individuals, because of race, sex, environmental, dietary, genetic or activity differences, will be more or less predisposed to symptomatic osteoporosis with increasing age. The careful and knowledgeable physician should, however, make every attempt to rule out potentially remediable, subtle forms of demineralizing disorders, such as apathetic or T3-thyrotoxicosis, hyperparathyroidism, malabsorption and osteomalacia or multiple myeloma. Not only do these diseases result in an accelerated loss of bone mass and an increased incidence of skeletal fractures but they mimic postmenopausal or senile osteoporosis radiologically. Once the metabolic or malignant disorders of bone metabolism have been effectively considered and ruled out, the senescent or postmenopausal osteoporotic patient should be treated judiciously with short-term estrogen therapy, a diet sufficient in vitamin D and calcium content and continued attempts to insure adequate skeletal mobilization. The addition of sodium fluoride and/or calcitonin to this regimen should not be attempted without extreme caution until the potentially harmful systemic effects of prolonged therapeutic trials have been appropriately assessed.", "contents": "Senile and postmenopausal osteoporosis. Obviously, the relentless decrease in bone mass that accompanies aging will continue the long sought \"elixir of youth\" is discovered. Individuals, because of race, sex, environmental, dietary, genetic or activity differences, will be more or less predisposed to symptomatic osteoporosis with increasing age. The careful and knowledgeable physician should, however, make every attempt to rule out potentially remediable, subtle forms of demineralizing disorders, such as apathetic or T3-thyrotoxicosis, hyperparathyroidism, malabsorption and osteomalacia or multiple myeloma. Not only do these diseases result in an accelerated loss of bone mass and an increased incidence of skeletal fractures but they mimic postmenopausal or senile osteoporosis radiologically. Once the metabolic or malignant disorders of bone metabolism have been effectively considered and ruled out, the senescent or postmenopausal osteoporotic patient should be treated judiciously with short-term estrogen therapy, a diet sufficient in vitamin D and calcium content and continued attempts to insure adequate skeletal mobilization. The addition of sodium fluoride and/or calcitonin to this regimen should not be attempted without extreme caution until the potentially harmful systemic effects of prolonged therapeutic trials have been appropriately assessed.", "PMID": 766591} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2104", "title": "The enterohepatic circulation of bile acids in man.", "content": "It is clear that a truly spectacular increase in our understanding of the biliary circulation has occurred during the past 5 years. A steady-state situation has now become dynamic. In a sense, we have clarified the anatomy and physiology of the biliary circulation, and the challenge now is to describe its biochemistry. Specifically, we remain totally ignorant of the mechanism of cell transport of bile acids, the regulation of their synthesis and the action of bile acids in bile formation. When we understand the biliary circulation, we can then clarify its diseases. That, in turn, should lead to the development of a new specialty of biliary therapy.", "contents": "The enterohepatic circulation of bile acids in man. It is clear that a truly spectacular increase in our understanding of the biliary circulation has occurred during the past 5 years. A steady-state situation has now become dynamic. In a sense, we have clarified the anatomy and physiology of the biliary circulation, and the challenge now is to describe its biochemistry. Specifically, we remain totally ignorant of the mechanism of cell transport of bile acids, the regulation of their synthesis and the action of bile acids in bile formation. When we understand the biliary circulation, we can then clarify its diseases. That, in turn, should lead to the development of a new specialty of biliary therapy.", "PMID": 766594} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2105", "title": "Clinical research by the family phtsician.", "content": "After the safety and the tolerable dosage range of a new drug have been determined, it must be evaluated for efficacy and safety in patients having the condition for which the new drug is intended. The nature of certain drugs or diseases of of the patient population desired may suggest a family physician as the best director of a clinical trial. There are important obligations for physicians participating in such programs, as well as deep professional satisfactions.", "contents": "Clinical research by the family phtsician. After the safety and the tolerable dosage range of a new drug have been determined, it must be evaluated for efficacy and safety in patients having the condition for which the new drug is intended. The nature of certain drugs or diseases of of the patient population desired may suggest a family physician as the best director of a clinical trial. There are important obligations for physicians participating in such programs, as well as deep professional satisfactions.", "PMID": 766600} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2106", "title": "The detection of carriers of classic hemophilia. H. P. Smith Memorial Lecture.", "content": "The authors summarize their experience with detection of the carrier state in classic hemophilia. Their test depends upon the observation that the plasma of patients with classic hemophilia, deficient in functional antihemophilic factor, contains normal amounts of precipitating antigenic material. By inference, the plasma of carriers should be relatively deficient in functional antihemophilic factor, but should contain normal amounts of antihemophilic factor-like antigenic material. Data obtained from 81 obligate carriers suggest that at least 90% of these women can be identified as carriers in the laboratory by demonstrating that there is an excess of antihemophilic factor-like antigenic material in plasma relative to functional antihemophilic factor. Further, at least two-thirds of mothers of individuals with isolated cases of hemophilia are carriers, suggesting that mutation is a relatively rare cause of hemophilia. Only about one-third of daughters of carriers who had no sons can be identified as carriers, a result due to the systematic exclusion of those daughters who had already had a hemophilic son.", "contents": "The detection of carriers of classic hemophilia. H. P. Smith Memorial Lecture. The authors summarize their experience with detection of the carrier state in classic hemophilia. Their test depends upon the observation that the plasma of patients with classic hemophilia, deficient in functional antihemophilic factor, contains normal amounts of precipitating antigenic material. By inference, the plasma of carriers should be relatively deficient in functional antihemophilic factor, but should contain normal amounts of antihemophilic factor-like antigenic material. Data obtained from 81 obligate carriers suggest that at least 90% of these women can be identified as carriers in the laboratory by demonstrating that there is an excess of antihemophilic factor-like antigenic material in plasma relative to functional antihemophilic factor. Further, at least two-thirds of mothers of individuals with isolated cases of hemophilia are carriers, suggesting that mutation is a relatively rare cause of hemophilia. Only about one-third of daughters of carriers who had no sons can be identified as carriers, a result due to the systematic exclusion of those daughters who had already had a hemophilic son.", "PMID": 766603} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2107", "title": "The histiocytic nature of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Tissue culture and electron microscopic study.", "content": "Specimens from four cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans when explanted in vitro exhibited a typical ameboid outgrowth, confirming the histiocytic nature of these tumors. The cultures displayed the same evolution from macrophages to fibroblast-like cells observed previously in cultures of other types of histiocytomas. Electron microscopic study of the cultures confirmed the light microscopic findings and suggested that the fibroblast-like cells were histiocytes with some secondarily acquired fibroblastic features. The possibility that neoplastic histiocytes may transform into true fibroblasts was deemed unlikely, but could not be excluded.", "contents": "The histiocytic nature of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Tissue culture and electron microscopic study. Specimens from four cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans when explanted in vitro exhibited a typical ameboid outgrowth, confirming the histiocytic nature of these tumors. The cultures displayed the same evolution from macrophages to fibroblast-like cells observed previously in cultures of other types of histiocytomas. Electron microscopic study of the cultures confirmed the light microscopic findings and suggested that the fibroblast-like cells were histiocytes with some secondarily acquired fibroblastic features. The possibility that neoplastic histiocytes may transform into true fibroblasts was deemed unlikely, but could not be excluded.", "PMID": 766604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2108", "title": "Histologic identification of malignant lymphoma cutis.", "content": "Sections of 47 skin biopsies diagnosed during 1960-1970 as suggestive of or diagnostic of malignant lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen with monomorphous cutaneous infiltrates of reticulum cells or poorly differentiated lymphocytes were encountered; all were from patients who had extracutaneous manifestations of reticulum-cell sarcoma, poorly differentiated lymphosarcoma, or leukemia at the time of biopsy or within a year after biopsy. Diagnosis of well-differentiated lymphosarcoma or leukemia cutis is more tenuous, since mature lymphocytic infiltrates were encountered in patients with or without evidence of extracutaneous lymphoma. These are designated \"unclassified\" lymphocytic infiltrates of skin, requiring careful clinical exclusion of these types of malignant lymphoma. Other purported histopathologic discriminants of malignant lymphoma and pseudolymphoma, the latter term utilized to designate banal disorders characterized by a polymorphous infiltrate with or without atypical reticulum cells, are of little value for their distinction. These diagnostic criteria for malignant lymphoma cutis should clarify much of the pathologic and clinical uncertainty attendant upon the so-called \"lymphoreticular\" infiltrates of the skin.", "contents": "Histologic identification of malignant lymphoma cutis. Sections of 47 skin biopsies diagnosed during 1960-1970 as suggestive of or diagnostic of malignant lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen with monomorphous cutaneous infiltrates of reticulum cells or poorly differentiated lymphocytes were encountered; all were from patients who had extracutaneous manifestations of reticulum-cell sarcoma, poorly differentiated lymphosarcoma, or leukemia at the time of biopsy or within a year after biopsy. Diagnosis of well-differentiated lymphosarcoma or leukemia cutis is more tenuous, since mature lymphocytic infiltrates were encountered in patients with or without evidence of extracutaneous lymphoma. These are designated \"unclassified\" lymphocytic infiltrates of skin, requiring careful clinical exclusion of these types of malignant lymphoma. Other purported histopathologic discriminants of malignant lymphoma and pseudolymphoma, the latter term utilized to designate banal disorders characterized by a polymorphous infiltrate with or without atypical reticulum cells, are of little value for their distinction. These diagnostic criteria for malignant lymphoma cutis should clarify much of the pathologic and clinical uncertainty attendant upon the so-called \"lymphoreticular\" infiltrates of the skin.", "PMID": 766605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2109", "title": "Comparison of the efficacies of closed trephine needle biopsy, aspirated paraffin-embedded clot section, and smear preparation in the diagnosis of bone-marrow involvement by lymphoma.", "content": "Bone marrow aspirates totaling 1,024 and trephine biopsies totaling 386 were obtained from 234 patients with various diagnoses of lymphoma. The study analyzed the morphologic patterns of bone-marrow involvement by each entity and compared the sensitivity of aspiration versus biopsy for detecting lymphomatous involvement of bone marrow. Lymphoma may appear in one of three forms: nodular, diffuse (packed bone marrow), and diffusely infiltrative. Trephine biopsy was superior to aspiration in most instances, especially for the nodular form. In some cases, however, examination of paraffin-embedded clot sections and smears was diagnostic of lymphoma whereas the biopsy section appeared negative.", "contents": "Comparison of the efficacies of closed trephine needle biopsy, aspirated paraffin-embedded clot section, and smear preparation in the diagnosis of bone-marrow involvement by lymphoma. Bone marrow aspirates totaling 1,024 and trephine biopsies totaling 386 were obtained from 234 patients with various diagnoses of lymphoma. The study analyzed the morphologic patterns of bone-marrow involvement by each entity and compared the sensitivity of aspiration versus biopsy for detecting lymphomatous involvement of bone marrow. Lymphoma may appear in one of three forms: nodular, diffuse (packed bone marrow), and diffusely infiltrative. Trephine biopsy was superior to aspiration in most instances, especially for the nodular form. In some cases, however, examination of paraffin-embedded clot sections and smears was diagnostic of lymphoma whereas the biopsy section appeared negative.", "PMID": 766606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2110", "title": "Unusual morphologic abnormalities of megaloblasts in pernicious anemia and folate deficiency.", "content": "Three types of morphologic abnormalities of megaloblasts in the bone marrows of eight patients with severe untreated pernicious anemia and two patients with folate deficiency are described. A fourth type of abnormality, probably indicating disturbances in hemoglobin synthesis, was also observed in megaloblasts from patients with these conditons. In addition to the phenomenon of erythrophagocytosis in these disorders, the degenerating megaloblasts and those showing disturbances of hemoglobinization may constitute additional cytologic evidence for intramedullary destruction of erythroid precursors contributing to ineffective erythropoiesis in these disorders.", "contents": "Unusual morphologic abnormalities of megaloblasts in pernicious anemia and folate deficiency. Three types of morphologic abnormalities of megaloblasts in the bone marrows of eight patients with severe untreated pernicious anemia and two patients with folate deficiency are described. A fourth type of abnormality, probably indicating disturbances in hemoglobin synthesis, was also observed in megaloblasts from patients with these conditons. In addition to the phenomenon of erythrophagocytosis in these disorders, the degenerating megaloblasts and those showing disturbances of hemoglobinization may constitute additional cytologic evidence for intramedullary destruction of erythroid precursors contributing to ineffective erythropoiesis in these disorders.", "PMID": 766607} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2111", "title": "A simple, highly sensitive colorimetric method for the determination of zinc in serum.", "content": "A simple, reliable, highly sensitive method for the determination of zinc in biological fluids is described. Interfering trace metals are removed as insoluble iodides or hydroxides prior to complex formation of zinc with dithizone in a Tris-buffered trichloroacetate centrifugate. Absorbance of the chelate is read at 555 nm. The sensitivity of the new method is comparable to that of atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and the results of zinc determinations of 23 sera by the two procedures agree to within acceptable limits of experimental error.", "contents": "A simple, highly sensitive colorimetric method for the determination of zinc in serum. A simple, reliable, highly sensitive method for the determination of zinc in biological fluids is described. Interfering trace metals are removed as insoluble iodides or hydroxides prior to complex formation of zinc with dithizone in a Tris-buffered trichloroacetate centrifugate. Absorbance of the chelate is read at 555 nm. The sensitivity of the new method is comparable to that of atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and the results of zinc determinations of 23 sera by the two procedures agree to within acceptable limits of experimental error.", "PMID": 766608} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2112", "title": "Computer-assisted differential diagnosis of laboratory abnormalities and follow-up testing. Evaluation of the accuracy of a computer program.", "content": "An evaluation is made of a computer program which generates a differential diagnostic list given a set of input data obtained from an admission chemistry screening profile. The program is tested by supplying input data on patients for whom diseases are known. The laboratory data from 367 patients are examined. Accurate computer diagnosis is obtained in many disease categories. The original computer program is modified to suggest the follow-up tests indicated based on the diagnoses it makes. By using this program and some additional clinical input from the physician, the clinical pathologist can select the most appropriate computer diagnosis and begin the follow-up testing. Accelerated diagnosis and patient care should result.", "contents": "Computer-assisted differential diagnosis of laboratory abnormalities and follow-up testing. Evaluation of the accuracy of a computer program. An evaluation is made of a computer program which generates a differential diagnostic list given a set of input data obtained from an admission chemistry screening profile. The program is tested by supplying input data on patients for whom diseases are known. The laboratory data from 367 patients are examined. Accurate computer diagnosis is obtained in many disease categories. The original computer program is modified to suggest the follow-up tests indicated based on the diagnoses it makes. By using this program and some additional clinical input from the physician, the clinical pathologist can select the most appropriate computer diagnosis and begin the follow-up testing. Accelerated diagnosis and patient care should result.", "PMID": 766609} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2113", "title": "Bubbles in samples for blood gas determinations. A potential source of error.", "content": "The presence of small gas bubbles in devices used to collect blood gas samples is considered. A gas bubble whose relative volume is 0.5 to 1% or more that of the liquid in the collection device is a potential source of significant error. Relationships describing the possible magnitude of this error are derived and substantiated.", "contents": "Bubbles in samples for blood gas determinations. A potential source of error. The presence of small gas bubbles in devices used to collect blood gas samples is considered. A gas bubble whose relative volume is 0.5 to 1% or more that of the liquid in the collection device is a potential source of significant error. Relationships describing the possible magnitude of this error are derived and substantiated.", "PMID": 766610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2114", "title": "Vasopressin analog DDAVP in the treatment of diabetes insipidus.", "content": "A synthetic vasopressin analog, 1-desamino-8D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP also known as desmopressin), was found to be highly effective in the treatment of seven children and one adult with vasopressin-sensitive diabetes insipidus. The average duration of action of DDAVP was 10 to 11 hours, and with proper adjustment of dose, the subjects were able to control their symptoms satisfactorily with one or two inhalations daily. The youngest child in whom adequate control was achieved was 2 years of age. All subjects found the use of intranasal DDAVP superior to other forms of therapy, and none experienced any known side-effects after six months of treatment. All subjects in this study are currently using 2.5 mug to 10 mug of DDAVP once or twice daily.", "contents": "Vasopressin analog DDAVP in the treatment of diabetes insipidus. A synthetic vasopressin analog, 1-desamino-8D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP also known as desmopressin), was found to be highly effective in the treatment of seven children and one adult with vasopressin-sensitive diabetes insipidus. The average duration of action of DDAVP was 10 to 11 hours, and with proper adjustment of dose, the subjects were able to control their symptoms satisfactorily with one or two inhalations daily. The youngest child in whom adequate control was achieved was 2 years of age. All subjects found the use of intranasal DDAVP superior to other forms of therapy, and none experienced any known side-effects after six months of treatment. All subjects in this study are currently using 2.5 mug to 10 mug of DDAVP once or twice daily.", "PMID": 766613} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2115", "title": "Streptococcal pharyngitis. Evaluation of a new diagnostic kit for clinic and office use.", "content": "One hundred sixty-eight children with upper respiratory infections were screened for beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis. A recently developed throat culture kit was processed in comparison with the conventional blood agar plate using a duplicate swab technique. Kits and plates were examined independently. Three individuals with no previous bacteriologic experience were allowed to interpret results of the culture kit after receiving instructions for approximately 15 minutes on three consecutive days. The interpretations of two of these individuals approached 95% accuracy, and those of the third individual surpassed this rate. The kit appears to be at least equal to the conventional blood agar plate in supporting the growth of beta-hemolytic streptococci. Moreover, its selective nature allows the nontechnical office staff to interpret results of the cultures promptly and accurately with a minimum of instruction.", "contents": "Streptococcal pharyngitis. Evaluation of a new diagnostic kit for clinic and office use. One hundred sixty-eight children with upper respiratory infections were screened for beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis. A recently developed throat culture kit was processed in comparison with the conventional blood agar plate using a duplicate swab technique. Kits and plates were examined independently. Three individuals with no previous bacteriologic experience were allowed to interpret results of the culture kit after receiving instructions for approximately 15 minutes on three consecutive days. The interpretations of two of these individuals approached 95% accuracy, and those of the third individual surpassed this rate. The kit appears to be at least equal to the conventional blood agar plate in supporting the growth of beta-hemolytic streptococci. Moreover, its selective nature allows the nontechnical office staff to interpret results of the cultures promptly and accurately with a minimum of instruction.", "PMID": 766614} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2116", "title": "Erythromycin therapy for streptococcal pharyngitis.", "content": "Streptococcal eradication rates of 86% were demonstrated in 97 patients seen on day 14 and in 73 patients seen on both days 14 and 28 after a ten-day course of erythromycin estolate therapy given at a dosage of 20 mg/kg/day, administered in two equal doses. The efficacy of this regimen compares favorably with other results in which this and other erythromycin preparations have been employed at higher doses, usually in the range of 30 to 50 mg/kg/day. Our reported effectiveness at a lower than usual dose of erythromycin is probably explained by the following factors: the known susceptibility of group A streptococci to low concentrations of erythromycin, the uniform absorption of the estolate formulation of erythromycin, and adequate compliance in adhering to the treatment regimen by the majority of our patients. This dosage schedule of erythromycin is simple to administer; and a reduction by half of the total dose usually recommended provides an economical advantage for patients.", "contents": "Erythromycin therapy for streptococcal pharyngitis. Streptococcal eradication rates of 86% were demonstrated in 97 patients seen on day 14 and in 73 patients seen on both days 14 and 28 after a ten-day course of erythromycin estolate therapy given at a dosage of 20 mg/kg/day, administered in two equal doses. The efficacy of this regimen compares favorably with other results in which this and other erythromycin preparations have been employed at higher doses, usually in the range of 30 to 50 mg/kg/day. Our reported effectiveness at a lower than usual dose of erythromycin is probably explained by the following factors: the known susceptibility of group A streptococci to low concentrations of erythromycin, the uniform absorption of the estolate formulation of erythromycin, and adequate compliance in adhering to the treatment regimen by the majority of our patients. This dosage schedule of erythromycin is simple to administer; and a reduction by half of the total dose usually recommended provides an economical advantage for patients.", "PMID": 766615} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2117", "title": "Anaphylactic shock following banana ingestion.", "content": "A 15 1/2-year-old girl experienced anaphylactic shock, asthma, angioedema, and urticaria after eating a banana. Reagin-mediated hypersensitivity was demonstrated by direct skin tests, passive transfer tests, and the radioallergosorbent test.", "contents": "Anaphylactic shock following banana ingestion. A 15 1/2-year-old girl experienced anaphylactic shock, asthma, angioedema, and urticaria after eating a banana. Reagin-mediated hypersensitivity was demonstrated by direct skin tests, passive transfer tests, and the radioallergosorbent test.", "PMID": 766616} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2118", "title": "A controlled study of the effects of single doses of hydrocortisone on the resolution of acute attacks of asthma.", "content": "To evaluate the effects of corticosteroids on the resolution of acute attacks of asthma, 38 young, acutely ill, asthmatic subjects were given a single intravenous injection of either 0.25, 0.50 or 1.0 g of hydrocortisone hemisuccinate or a placebo (sterile saline solution) in a random, double blind manner. Each was then treated with isoproterenol, at hourly intervals, for a minimum of six hours, and the serial changes in plethysmography, spirometry, lung volumes, subjective complaints and physical findings that occurred as the patients improved were observed. No statistical differences were found in any of the physiologic or clinical variables between those patients given any dose of steroids and their matched controls. From this it has been concluded that hydrocortisone, in the doses and route of administration employed, does not produce any immediate benefits in the treatment of acute asthma.", "contents": "A controlled study of the effects of single doses of hydrocortisone on the resolution of acute attacks of asthma. To evaluate the effects of corticosteroids on the resolution of acute attacks of asthma, 38 young, acutely ill, asthmatic subjects were given a single intravenous injection of either 0.25, 0.50 or 1.0 g of hydrocortisone hemisuccinate or a placebo (sterile saline solution) in a random, double blind manner. Each was then treated with isoproterenol, at hourly intervals, for a minimum of six hours, and the serial changes in plethysmography, spirometry, lung volumes, subjective complaints and physical findings that occurred as the patients improved were observed. No statistical differences were found in any of the physiologic or clinical variables between those patients given any dose of steroids and their matched controls. From this it has been concluded that hydrocortisone, in the doses and route of administration employed, does not produce any immediate benefits in the treatment of acute asthma.", "PMID": 766619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2119", "title": "Recurrence of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis following kidney transplantation. Serum complement component studies.", "content": "Sixteen patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis who required kidney transplantation because of renal failure were evaluated for evidence of recurrence of the original disease by serologic and morphologic studies. Of the 12 patients with transplant tissue available for study, seven showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis by light morphology. Four of these seven also had hypocomplementemia, and this hypocomplementemia was characterized by decreased serum CH50, C3 beta1A or C3-C9 but norma serum C1, C4 and C2 by hemolytic assay. Immunofluorescent microscopy demonstrated more intense glomerular deposition of C3 and properdin in the hypocomplementemic patients. Ultrastructural studies demonstrated intramembranous deposits typical of dense deposit disease in one patient who also had marked hypocomplementemia. One patient who had two transplant biopsies and persistent hypocomplementemia showed progression from predominantly mesangial glomerular changes to both capillary wall and mesangial abnormalities. This study has shown a high rate of recurrence of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in the transplanted kidneys. A high death rate was noted in persistently hypocomplementemic patients. The serum C profile in hypcomplementemic patients who received translants was similar to that seen before transplantation, but the signficance of this finding remains unknown.", "contents": "Recurrence of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis following kidney transplantation. Serum complement component studies. Sixteen patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis who required kidney transplantation because of renal failure were evaluated for evidence of recurrence of the original disease by serologic and morphologic studies. Of the 12 patients with transplant tissue available for study, seven showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis by light morphology. Four of these seven also had hypocomplementemia, and this hypocomplementemia was characterized by decreased serum CH50, C3 beta1A or C3-C9 but norma serum C1, C4 and C2 by hemolytic assay. Immunofluorescent microscopy demonstrated more intense glomerular deposition of C3 and properdin in the hypocomplementemic patients. Ultrastructural studies demonstrated intramembranous deposits typical of dense deposit disease in one patient who also had marked hypocomplementemia. One patient who had two transplant biopsies and persistent hypocomplementemia showed progression from predominantly mesangial glomerular changes to both capillary wall and mesangial abnormalities. This study has shown a high rate of recurrence of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in the transplanted kidneys. A high death rate was noted in persistently hypocomplementemic patients. The serum C profile in hypcomplementemic patients who received translants was similar to that seen before transplantation, but the signficance of this finding remains unknown.", "PMID": 766620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2120", "title": "Rotor's syndrome. A distinct inheritable pathophysiologic entity.", "content": "Urinary total, isomer I and isomer III coproporphyrin excretion was determined in 11 patients with Rotor's syndrome, 23 phenotypically normal family members, 16 patients with the Dubin-Johnson syndrome and 20 normal control subjects. Control subjects excreted 24.8 +/- 1.3 per cent (mean SEM) of urinary coproporphyrin as isomer I. Patients with the Dubin-Johnson syndrome excreted 88.9 +/- 1.3 per cent as urinary coproporphyrin I, and patients with Rotor's syndrome excreted 64.8 +/- 2.5 per cent as urinary coproporphyrin I, significantly different from the control subjects and the patients with the Dubin-Johnson syndrome (p less than 0.001). Eight phenotypically normal parents and children of patients with Rotor's syndrome excreted 42.9 +/- 5.4 per cent as urinary coproporphyrin I, intermediate between results in patients with Rotor's syndrome and control subjects (p less than 0.001). Total urinary coproporphyrin excretion was markedly increased in patients with Rotor's syndrome (332 +/- 86 mug/g creatinine) as compared to that in control subjects (p less than 0.001) or obligate heterozygotes (p less than 0.025). With respect to urinary coproporphyrin excretion, Rotor's syndrome and Dubin-Johnson syndrome are both inherited as autosomal recessive traits and are separate pathophysiologic entities. Study of rare but distinct inheritable disorders, such as these, provide insight into the functional dissociation of hepatic transport mechanisms.", "contents": "Rotor's syndrome. A distinct inheritable pathophysiologic entity. Urinary total, isomer I and isomer III coproporphyrin excretion was determined in 11 patients with Rotor's syndrome, 23 phenotypically normal family members, 16 patients with the Dubin-Johnson syndrome and 20 normal control subjects. Control subjects excreted 24.8 +/- 1.3 per cent (mean SEM) of urinary coproporphyrin as isomer I. Patients with the Dubin-Johnson syndrome excreted 88.9 +/- 1.3 per cent as urinary coproporphyrin I, and patients with Rotor's syndrome excreted 64.8 +/- 2.5 per cent as urinary coproporphyrin I, significantly different from the control subjects and the patients with the Dubin-Johnson syndrome (p less than 0.001). Eight phenotypically normal parents and children of patients with Rotor's syndrome excreted 42.9 +/- 5.4 per cent as urinary coproporphyrin I, intermediate between results in patients with Rotor's syndrome and control subjects (p less than 0.001). Total urinary coproporphyrin excretion was markedly increased in patients with Rotor's syndrome (332 +/- 86 mug/g creatinine) as compared to that in control subjects (p less than 0.001) or obligate heterozygotes (p less than 0.025). With respect to urinary coproporphyrin excretion, Rotor's syndrome and Dubin-Johnson syndrome are both inherited as autosomal recessive traits and are separate pathophysiologic entities. Study of rare but distinct inheritable disorders, such as these, provide insight into the functional dissociation of hepatic transport mechanisms.", "PMID": 766621} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2121", "title": "Pathophysiologic studies in human rabies.", "content": "Six patients with proved rabies were studied with a combination of clinical, physiologic and pathologic technics. Three were given a type of intensive care but died with evidence of respiratory failure. Although circulatory failure did not develop in any of the six patients, three had supraventricular arrhythmias: interstitial myocarditis was found in one of these and rabies virus was isolated from the myocardium of another. Inspiratory muscle spasm was the dominant clinical feature in all cases. This occurred as part of the hydrophobic response and followed stimulation of the upper respiratory tract and skin. Hydrophobia may represent an exaggerated respiratory tract irritant reflex with associated arousal. Later in the course of the disease, various patterns of periodic and ataxic breathing were observed. Widespread brain stem encephalitis was discovered at autopsy, with particular involvement of the neighborhood of the nucleus ambiguous in two of three patients examined. In one patient cerebral metabolism was grossly abnormal, with greatly reduced cerebral oxygen consumption suggesting irreversible brain damage. Respiratory and circulatory disturbances may well be immediate causes of death in patients with rabies, but the present studies reemphasize the severity of the encephalitis which remains the ultimate barrier to survival. In the developing countries in which rabies is still a major problem and in which the cost precludes intensive care, the clinical management of rabies can aim only to reduce suffering by heavy sedation.", "contents": "Pathophysiologic studies in human rabies. Six patients with proved rabies were studied with a combination of clinical, physiologic and pathologic technics. Three were given a type of intensive care but died with evidence of respiratory failure. Although circulatory failure did not develop in any of the six patients, three had supraventricular arrhythmias: interstitial myocarditis was found in one of these and rabies virus was isolated from the myocardium of another. Inspiratory muscle spasm was the dominant clinical feature in all cases. This occurred as part of the hydrophobic response and followed stimulation of the upper respiratory tract and skin. Hydrophobia may represent an exaggerated respiratory tract irritant reflex with associated arousal. Later in the course of the disease, various patterns of periodic and ataxic breathing were observed. Widespread brain stem encephalitis was discovered at autopsy, with particular involvement of the neighborhood of the nucleus ambiguous in two of three patients examined. In one patient cerebral metabolism was grossly abnormal, with greatly reduced cerebral oxygen consumption suggesting irreversible brain damage. Respiratory and circulatory disturbances may well be immediate causes of death in patients with rabies, but the present studies reemphasize the severity of the encephalitis which remains the ultimate barrier to survival. In the developing countries in which rabies is still a major problem and in which the cost precludes intensive care, the clinical management of rabies can aim only to reduce suffering by heavy sedation.", "PMID": 766622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2122", "title": "Miconazole in coccidiodomycosis. II. Therapeutic and pharmacologic studies in man.", "content": "Fourteen patients with chronic coccidioidomycosis, many of whom had complicating concurrent diseases and/or had failed to respond to amphotericin therapy, were treated with intravenous miconazole, a synthetic imidazole drug previously shown to be effective in experimental murine coccidioidomycosis. Up to 3.6 g/day was given for up to three months. 7inimal inhibitory concentrations of mycelial and endospore phases of all clinical isolates of C. immitis were less than 2.0 mug/ml. Peak concentrations in the blood of up to 7.5 mug/ml (by assay against C. immitis in vitro) were achieved. Doses above 9 mg/kg or 350 mg/m2 were more efficacious in producing blood levels over 1 mug/ml. Serum protein binding, determined by several methods, was approximately 90 per cent. The disappearance of bioactive drug from blood after infusion has a rapid initial phase (t1/2 approximately 30 minutes) and a final plateau (t1/2 approximately 20 hours). Eight patients had objective evidence of response, three had slight or equivocal responses, two could not be evaluated, and one was a treatment failure. Side effects were generally uncommon, minor and transient except for phlebitis. Infusion into central venous catheters appears to circumvent this problem. Miconazole is a potentially useful drug in the treatment of coccidioidomycosis.", "contents": "Miconazole in coccidiodomycosis. II. Therapeutic and pharmacologic studies in man. Fourteen patients with chronic coccidioidomycosis, many of whom had complicating concurrent diseases and/or had failed to respond to amphotericin therapy, were treated with intravenous miconazole, a synthetic imidazole drug previously shown to be effective in experimental murine coccidioidomycosis. Up to 3.6 g/day was given for up to three months. 7inimal inhibitory concentrations of mycelial and endospore phases of all clinical isolates of C. immitis were less than 2.0 mug/ml. Peak concentrations in the blood of up to 7.5 mug/ml (by assay against C. immitis in vitro) were achieved. Doses above 9 mg/kg or 350 mg/m2 were more efficacious in producing blood levels over 1 mug/ml. Serum protein binding, determined by several methods, was approximately 90 per cent. The disappearance of bioactive drug from blood after infusion has a rapid initial phase (t1/2 approximately 30 minutes) and a final plateau (t1/2 approximately 20 hours). Eight patients had objective evidence of response, three had slight or equivocal responses, two could not be evaluated, and one was a treatment failure. Side effects were generally uncommon, minor and transient except for phlebitis. Infusion into central venous catheters appears to circumvent this problem. Miconazole is a potentially useful drug in the treatment of coccidioidomycosis.", "PMID": 766623} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2123", "title": "Familial Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome with associated primary salivary gland lymphoma.", "content": "Primary salivary gland lymphoma has been rarely documented in patients with or without Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome. The association of disseminated lymphoreticular neoplasms with Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome has been recognized, and the malignancy is usually widespread at the time of diagnosis. Familial occurrence of Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome is likewise infrequently observed. In the present report we describe a patient with Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome in whom a primary parotid gland lymphoma subsequently developed. In addition to the propositus, two of four siblings had definite evidence of Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and a third had several abnormal studies commonly associated with the disease. This observation suggests that genetic influence alone or in conjunction with other factors may facilitate the development of Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome.", "contents": "Familial Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome with associated primary salivary gland lymphoma. Primary salivary gland lymphoma has been rarely documented in patients with or without Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome. The association of disseminated lymphoreticular neoplasms with Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome has been recognized, and the malignancy is usually widespread at the time of diagnosis. Familial occurrence of Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome is likewise infrequently observed. In the present report we describe a patient with Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome in whom a primary parotid gland lymphoma subsequently developed. In addition to the propositus, two of four siblings had definite evidence of Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and a third had several abnormal studies commonly associated with the disease. This observation suggests that genetic influence alone or in conjunction with other factors may facilitate the development of Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome.", "PMID": 766625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2124", "title": "Cushing's syndrome in a patient with an empty sella turcica and a microadenoma of the adenohypophysis.", "content": "A patient with Cushing's syndrome and an empty sella turcica is presented. A pituitary microadenoma was removed by the transsphenoidal approach. The Cushing's syndrome was alleviated, and the function of the other pituitary trophic hormones has remained normal eight months after surgery. It is emphasized that an empty sella turcica does not rule out a pituitary tumor. The therapeutic implications are discussed.", "contents": "Cushing's syndrome in a patient with an empty sella turcica and a microadenoma of the adenohypophysis. A patient with Cushing's syndrome and an empty sella turcica is presented. A pituitary microadenoma was removed by the transsphenoidal approach. The Cushing's syndrome was alleviated, and the function of the other pituitary trophic hormones has remained normal eight months after surgery. It is emphasized that an empty sella turcica does not rule out a pituitary tumor. The therapeutic implications are discussed.", "PMID": 766626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2125", "title": "Unusual manifestation of tuberculosis: TE fistula.", "content": "Fistulas between the tracheobronchial tree and the esophagus (TE fistula) caused by tuberculosis are rare; usually they are associated with readily apparent pulmonary and/or mediastinal infection, and require surgical management. The patient we describe presented with a TE fistula as the only manifestation of active tuberculosis. This case represents the first report of successful nonsurgical treatment of tuberculous TE fistulas.", "contents": "Unusual manifestation of tuberculosis: TE fistula. Fistulas between the tracheobronchial tree and the esophagus (TE fistula) caused by tuberculosis are rare; usually they are associated with readily apparent pulmonary and/or mediastinal infection, and require surgical management. The patient we describe presented with a TE fistula as the only manifestation of active tuberculosis. This case represents the first report of successful nonsurgical treatment of tuberculous TE fistulas.", "PMID": 766627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2126", "title": "Clinical aspects of anaerobic infections in the surgical patient.", "content": "Oxygen-sensitive anaerobic bacteria comprise the largest group of organisms among the human endogenous microflora. The oral cavity, vagina and colon are the areas where obligate anaerobes are predominant and can be isolated in very high numbers. Sepsis following surgery of any of these organs is frequently due to the escape of endogenous bacteria during the course of the operative procedure. To isolate and successfully identify most of these anaerobic microorganisms from clinical exudate, special collection and bacteriologic techniques are necessary. The acceptable anaerobic collection techniques mentioned above minimize exposure of the clinical specimen to atmospheric oxygen during collection and transfer. Clinical clues indicating anaerobic sepsis include a putrid odor of the exudate and evidence of abscess, necrosis or associated gas formation. The importance and value of the Gram stain in early identification of surgical sepsis is stressed. Treatment of infectious complications includes surgical drainage and specific antibiotics.", "contents": "Clinical aspects of anaerobic infections in the surgical patient. Oxygen-sensitive anaerobic bacteria comprise the largest group of organisms among the human endogenous microflora. The oral cavity, vagina and colon are the areas where obligate anaerobes are predominant and can be isolated in very high numbers. Sepsis following surgery of any of these organs is frequently due to the escape of endogenous bacteria during the course of the operative procedure. To isolate and successfully identify most of these anaerobic microorganisms from clinical exudate, special collection and bacteriologic techniques are necessary. The acceptable anaerobic collection techniques mentioned above minimize exposure of the clinical specimen to atmospheric oxygen during collection and transfer. Clinical clues indicating anaerobic sepsis include a putrid odor of the exudate and evidence of abscess, necrosis or associated gas formation. The importance and value of the Gram stain in early identification of surgical sepsis is stressed. Treatment of infectious complications includes surgical drainage and specific antibiotics.", "PMID": 766629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2127", "title": "Gonadotropin-releasing hormone radioimmunoassay and its measurement in normal human plasma, secondary amenorrhea, and postmenopausal syndrome.", "content": "A sensitive and specific double antibody radioimmunoassay for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been developed for measurement in ethanol extracts of human plasma. Iodinated hormone was prepared with the use of the chloramine-T method, and antibodies were developed in rabbits over a six-month period with a GnRH synthetic copolymer immunogen. A Scatchard plot revealed at least three species of antibody. The assay can measure conservatively at the 5 pg. per milliliter level and shows no cross-reactivity with other available hypothalamic and pituitary hormones. The releasing hormone was quantitatively recovered from human plasma with immunologic identity to native hormone. Unextracted plasma could not be used because of nonspecific displacement. The measurement of GnRH in individuals receiving 100 mug of intravenous bolus infusions of the synthetic decapeptide show extremely elevated values with two half-lives: one of two to four minutes and another of 35 to 40 minutes. In our experiments, we have found measurable GnRH in patients with secondary amenorrhea and at the midcycle in normal women. In the normal cycling woman during the follicular and luteal phases, GnRH was undetectable. In postmenopausal women with extreme hypoestrogenism and markedly elevated luteinizing hormone values, GnRH was also undetectable. No bursts of GnRH could be detected in normal men when sampled every ten minutes over a two-hour period and every two hours throughout the day.", "contents": "Gonadotropin-releasing hormone radioimmunoassay and its measurement in normal human plasma, secondary amenorrhea, and postmenopausal syndrome. A sensitive and specific double antibody radioimmunoassay for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been developed for measurement in ethanol extracts of human plasma. Iodinated hormone was prepared with the use of the chloramine-T method, and antibodies were developed in rabbits over a six-month period with a GnRH synthetic copolymer immunogen. A Scatchard plot revealed at least three species of antibody. The assay can measure conservatively at the 5 pg. per milliliter level and shows no cross-reactivity with other available hypothalamic and pituitary hormones. The releasing hormone was quantitatively recovered from human plasma with immunologic identity to native hormone. Unextracted plasma could not be used because of nonspecific displacement. The measurement of GnRH in individuals receiving 100 mug of intravenous bolus infusions of the synthetic decapeptide show extremely elevated values with two half-lives: one of two to four minutes and another of 35 to 40 minutes. In our experiments, we have found measurable GnRH in patients with secondary amenorrhea and at the midcycle in normal women. In the normal cycling woman during the follicular and luteal phases, GnRH was undetectable. In postmenopausal women with extreme hypoestrogenism and markedly elevated luteinizing hormone values, GnRH was also undetectable. No bursts of GnRH could be detected in normal men when sampled every ten minutes over a two-hour period and every two hours throughout the day.", "PMID": 766630} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2128", "title": "Giant drusen (astrocytic hamartoma) of the optic nerve seen with computerized axial tomography.", "content": "An EMI scan (computerized axial tomography) performed on a 75-year-old man with giant drusen (astrocytic hamartoma) of the left optic nerve clearly revealed a dense localized mass at the distal termination of the left optic nerve. The EMI scan proved to be an accurate, noninvasive technique for neuro-ophthalmologic diagnosis.", "contents": "Giant drusen (astrocytic hamartoma) of the optic nerve seen with computerized axial tomography. An EMI scan (computerized axial tomography) performed on a 75-year-old man with giant drusen (astrocytic hamartoma) of the left optic nerve clearly revealed a dense localized mass at the distal termination of the left optic nerve. The EMI scan proved to be an accurate, noninvasive technique for neuro-ophthalmologic diagnosis.", "PMID": 766631} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2129", "title": "Superficial lines and associated disorders of the cornea.", "content": "In a clinical classification of fine superficial corneal lines, we recognized five major types of line: mare's tail lines, fibrillary lines, fingerprint lines, lacunar dystrophy or map-like changes, and tram lines. The fingerprint lines were further classified into several subgroups. There was a relationship between certain lines, in particular, fingerprint lines and lacunar dystrophy or map-like change with the occurrence of Cogan's microcystic dystrophy and recurrent erosion.", "contents": "Superficial lines and associated disorders of the cornea. In a clinical classification of fine superficial corneal lines, we recognized five major types of line: mare's tail lines, fibrillary lines, fingerprint lines, lacunar dystrophy or map-like changes, and tram lines. The fingerprint lines were further classified into several subgroups. There was a relationship between certain lines, in particular, fingerprint lines and lacunar dystrophy or map-like change with the occurrence of Cogan's microcystic dystrophy and recurrent erosion.", "PMID": 766633} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2130", "title": "A telemeter without refractive optics.", "content": "A conic tube may be adjusted by varying the distal diameter and by using binocular vision for measuring distances. This device appears to be the earliest telemeter in the world. It is mentioned in the Talmud as being used in the first century A.D.", "contents": "A telemeter without refractive optics. A conic tube may be adjusted by varying the distal diameter and by using binocular vision for measuring distances. This device appears to be the earliest telemeter in the world. It is mentioned in the Talmud as being used in the first century A.D.", "PMID": 766635} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2131", "title": "Clinical immunology in ophthalmology. The 1975 Bedell lecture.", "content": "Immunology has played a recognizable role in ophthalmology for many years. The old immunology concerned itself with antibodies, skin tests, complement, agglutinins, precipitants, and lysins. The old immunology was responsible for the remarkable development of vaccines, vaccinations, antisera, and the prophylactic use of toxins. The new immunology cannot display such achievements as yet. However, continued study in this area could lead to significant improvements in diagnosis, prognosis, and the development of effective immunoregulants in inflammatory and neoplastic disease.", "contents": "Clinical immunology in ophthalmology. The 1975 Bedell lecture. Immunology has played a recognizable role in ophthalmology for many years. The old immunology concerned itself with antibodies, skin tests, complement, agglutinins, precipitants, and lysins. The old immunology was responsible for the remarkable development of vaccines, vaccinations, antisera, and the prophylactic use of toxins. The new immunology cannot display such achievements as yet. However, continued study in this area could lead to significant improvements in diagnosis, prognosis, and the development of effective immunoregulants in inflammatory and neoplastic disease.", "PMID": 766636} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2132", "title": "Effect of drug vehicle on human ocular retention of topically applied tetracycline.", "content": "Tetracycline hydrochloride--as a 1% suspension in oil, 1 and 2% suspension in ointment, and 1 and 2% solution in water or balanced salt solution USP--was applied once to the conjunctival cul-de-sacs of volunteers and patients before cataract extraction. The tear film concentrations of drug were maintained above a bacteriostatic level in excess of six hours for 1 and 2% tetracycline in ointment, less than two hours for 1% tetracycline in oil, and less than 30 minutes for 1 and 2% tetracycline in water or balanced salt solution. The 2% tetracycline in ointment produced the highest tear film levels of drug. The 1% tetracycline in oil induced excessive lacrimation and much of the drug was washed from the conjunctival surface. The tear film levels of the drug were mirrored by the maintenance of bacteriostatic levels of tetracycline in the aqueous humor for 1 1/2 hours with 2% tetracycline in ointment. Whereas 1% tetracycline in ointment produced drug levels approaching bacteriostasis in the aqueous humor, 1% tetracycline in oil produced only trace levels of the drug within the anterior chamber. The ointment acted as a depot for the suspended drug and most of the drug in the absence of excessive tearing was lost from the conjunctiva via the lacrimal system.", "contents": "Effect of drug vehicle on human ocular retention of topically applied tetracycline. Tetracycline hydrochloride--as a 1% suspension in oil, 1 and 2% suspension in ointment, and 1 and 2% solution in water or balanced salt solution USP--was applied once to the conjunctival cul-de-sacs of volunteers and patients before cataract extraction. The tear film concentrations of drug were maintained above a bacteriostatic level in excess of six hours for 1 and 2% tetracycline in ointment, less than two hours for 1% tetracycline in oil, and less than 30 minutes for 1 and 2% tetracycline in water or balanced salt solution. The 2% tetracycline in ointment produced the highest tear film levels of drug. The 1% tetracycline in oil induced excessive lacrimation and much of the drug was washed from the conjunctival surface. The tear film levels of the drug were mirrored by the maintenance of bacteriostatic levels of tetracycline in the aqueous humor for 1 1/2 hours with 2% tetracycline in ointment. Whereas 1% tetracycline in ointment produced drug levels approaching bacteriostasis in the aqueous humor, 1% tetracycline in oil produced only trace levels of the drug within the anterior chamber. The ointment acted as a depot for the suspended drug and most of the drug in the absence of excessive tearing was lost from the conjunctiva via the lacrimal system.", "PMID": 766637} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2133", "title": "Intravitreal effects of pimaricin in experimental fungal endophthalmitis.", "content": "Evaluation of 25, 50, and 100 mug of pimaricin given intravitreally to albino rabbits with Aspergillus endophthalmitis revealed that 25 mug of pimaricin, while nontoxic to the retina, was ineffective in inhibiting the fungal process. A dose of 50 mug was significantly more effective in inhibiting fungal disease but also caused significant retinal damage with loss of retinal function and iridoplegia. Dosages above this level resulted in vitreous retraction and degeneration, iridoplegia, and retinal detachment. Twenty-five micrograms of pimaricin given in three dosages spaced three days apart may be effective in inhibiting fungal endophthalmitis.", "contents": "Intravitreal effects of pimaricin in experimental fungal endophthalmitis. Evaluation of 25, 50, and 100 mug of pimaricin given intravitreally to albino rabbits with Aspergillus endophthalmitis revealed that 25 mug of pimaricin, while nontoxic to the retina, was ineffective in inhibiting the fungal process. A dose of 50 mug was significantly more effective in inhibiting fungal disease but also caused significant retinal damage with loss of retinal function and iridoplegia. Dosages above this level resulted in vitreous retraction and degeneration, iridoplegia, and retinal detachment. Twenty-five micrograms of pimaricin given in three dosages spaced three days apart may be effective in inhibiting fungal endophthalmitis.", "PMID": 766638} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2134", "title": "Marginal ulceration after intracapsular cataract extraction.", "content": "In four cases of marginal corneal ulceration after uncomplicated intracapsular cataract extraction three of the ulcers appeared within three months after the surgery. In all patients the ulcers were located anteriorly to the site of limbal incision and were progressive. Conservative management was successful in three patients, including one after recurrence of the ulcer after surgery, and one patient resisted medical and surgical management.", "contents": "Marginal ulceration after intracapsular cataract extraction. In four cases of marginal corneal ulceration after uncomplicated intracapsular cataract extraction three of the ulcers appeared within three months after the surgery. In all patients the ulcers were located anteriorly to the site of limbal incision and were progressive. Conservative management was successful in three patients, including one after recurrence of the ulcer after surgery, and one patient resisted medical and surgical management.", "PMID": 766639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2135", "title": "Beta-ray treatment of malignant epithelial tumors of the conjunctiva.", "content": "Fifteen patients with malignant epithelial tumors of the conjunctiva were treated with beta-ray ocular applicators filled with radioactive strontium and yttrium (90Sr/90Y). Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis. There were ten squamous cell carcinomas, four carcinomas in situ, and one case of epidermidalization. In one patient, who may have received an insufficient dose, recurrence led to enucleation. Radiogenic complications-secondary glaucoma and corneal degeneration-caused visual loss in two other patients. All of the other tumors disappeared completely without seriously affecting the eyes. Beta-ray irradiation with 90Sr/90Y applicators was effective if a sufficient dose (15,000 to 18,000 rads) was applied to the tumor surface and if the height of the tumor did not exceed 5 mm.", "contents": "Beta-ray treatment of malignant epithelial tumors of the conjunctiva. Fifteen patients with malignant epithelial tumors of the conjunctiva were treated with beta-ray ocular applicators filled with radioactive strontium and yttrium (90Sr/90Y). Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis. There were ten squamous cell carcinomas, four carcinomas in situ, and one case of epidermidalization. In one patient, who may have received an insufficient dose, recurrence led to enucleation. Radiogenic complications-secondary glaucoma and corneal degeneration-caused visual loss in two other patients. All of the other tumors disappeared completely without seriously affecting the eyes. Beta-ray irradiation with 90Sr/90Y applicators was effective if a sufficient dose (15,000 to 18,000 rads) was applied to the tumor surface and if the height of the tumor did not exceed 5 mm.", "PMID": 766640} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2136", "title": "Resection of both medial rectus muscles in organic convergence insufficiency.", "content": "Six patients with a prolonged history of severe muscular asthenopia caused by persistent convergence insufficiency underwent resection of both medial rectus muscles. A temporary consecutive esotrapia occurred in each instance and was controlled with prisms. Five weeks after surgery the consecutive esotropia had disappeared in all but one patient who still required prismatic correction for distance fixation. All patients experienced relief from their symptoms. Whereas orthoptic training is useful in most cases of convergence insufficiency a resection of both medial rectus muscles should be considered in persistent cases especially with an associated weakness of accommodation.", "contents": "Resection of both medial rectus muscles in organic convergence insufficiency. Six patients with a prolonged history of severe muscular asthenopia caused by persistent convergence insufficiency underwent resection of both medial rectus muscles. A temporary consecutive esotrapia occurred in each instance and was controlled with prisms. Five weeks after surgery the consecutive esotropia had disappeared in all but one patient who still required prismatic correction for distance fixation. All patients experienced relief from their symptoms. Whereas orthoptic training is useful in most cases of convergence insufficiency a resection of both medial rectus muscles should be considered in persistent cases especially with an associated weakness of accommodation.", "PMID": 766641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2137", "title": "Changes in nasal airway resistance associated with rapid maxillary expansion.", "content": "Records consisting of nasal resistance measurements, postero-anterior radiographs, and dental casts were obtained on seventeen patients before they underwent rapid maxillary expansion. These records were retaken after maximum expansion of the appliance and after 3 months of retention. Measurements of nasal resistance, binasal cavity width, and maxillary first molar width were made for each subject at each stage of treatment. The following conclusions were derived: 1. Rapid maxillary expansion produced a significant reduction in nasal resistance measured at both 0.50 L. per second and 0.25 L. per second air flow. The reduction of nasal resistance by maxillary expansion was stable through a 3-month period of retention. 2. There was very low correlation between the amount of maxillary first molar expansion and change in nasal resistance. Also, changes in nasal resistance showed low correlation with the amount of nasal cavity widening which occurred during the expansion procedure. 3. Changes in nasal cavity width was not closely related to the amount of maxillary first molar expansion. 4. The patient's subjective opinion of changes in his ability to breathe through the nose was not closely related to the amount his nasal resistance was reduced. 5. The change in nasal resistance of subjects who noticed an improvement in their ability to breathe through the nose was not significantly different from nasal resistance change in children who did not notice any change in their breathing. 6. When subjects treated with an all-wire expansion appliance were compared to subjects treated with a wire-and-acrylic appliance, the two groups were not significantly different with respect to maxillary first molar expansion, nasal cavity widening, or changes in nasal resistance. Differences in amount of molar tipping or alveolar bending were not investigated. 7. Patients requiring rapid maxillary expansion treatment for constricted maxillary arches have significantly higher nasal resistance than other orthodontic patients and nonorthodontic subjects. The rapid maxillary expansion procedure reduced the nasal resistance of those treated to a level which was not significantly different from that of subjects with maxillary arches of normal dimensions. 8. The reduction in nasal resistance achieved with the expansion procedure was not lost after 3 months of retention. 9. Where indicated, rapid maxillary expansion is not only an effective method for increasing the width of narrow maxillary arches but also reduces nasal resistance from levels associated with mouth breathing to levels compatible with normal nasal respiration.", "contents": "Changes in nasal airway resistance associated with rapid maxillary expansion. Records consisting of nasal resistance measurements, postero-anterior radiographs, and dental casts were obtained on seventeen patients before they underwent rapid maxillary expansion. These records were retaken after maximum expansion of the appliance and after 3 months of retention. Measurements of nasal resistance, binasal cavity width, and maxillary first molar width were made for each subject at each stage of treatment. The following conclusions were derived: 1. Rapid maxillary expansion produced a significant reduction in nasal resistance measured at both 0.50 L. per second and 0.25 L. per second air flow. The reduction of nasal resistance by maxillary expansion was stable through a 3-month period of retention. 2. There was very low correlation between the amount of maxillary first molar expansion and change in nasal resistance. Also, changes in nasal resistance showed low correlation with the amount of nasal cavity widening which occurred during the expansion procedure. 3. Changes in nasal cavity width was not closely related to the amount of maxillary first molar expansion. 4. The patient's subjective opinion of changes in his ability to breathe through the nose was not closely related to the amount his nasal resistance was reduced. 5. The change in nasal resistance of subjects who noticed an improvement in their ability to breathe through the nose was not significantly different from nasal resistance change in children who did not notice any change in their breathing. 6. When subjects treated with an all-wire expansion appliance were compared to subjects treated with a wire-and-acrylic appliance, the two groups were not significantly different with respect to maxillary first molar expansion, nasal cavity widening, or changes in nasal resistance. Differences in amount of molar tipping or alveolar bending were not investigated. 7. Patients requiring rapid maxillary expansion treatment for constricted maxillary arches have significantly higher nasal resistance than other orthodontic patients and nonorthodontic subjects. The rapid maxillary expansion procedure reduced the nasal resistance of those treated to a level which was not significantly different from that of subjects with maxillary arches of normal dimensions. 8. The reduction in nasal resistance achieved with the expansion procedure was not lost after 3 months of retention. 9. Where indicated, rapid maxillary expansion is not only an effective method for increasing the width of narrow maxillary arches but also reduces nasal resistance from levels associated with mouth breathing to levels compatible with normal nasal respiration.", "PMID": 766643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2138", "title": "Cause and prevention of injuries to teeth and supporting structures during orthodontic treatment.", "content": "The present investigations have shown that, although there are definite risks in undertaking orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances, such treatment need not cause any appreciable damage when accepted orthodontic principles are followed in cooperative patients with good oral hygiene and regular fluoride treatment. On the other hand, when these principles are neglected, the damage may be considerable and the benefits from orthodontic treatment questionable. Progressively increasing evidence from preventive dentistry that the bacterial plaque is the single most important causative factor in periodontal breakdown, and is important also in causing dental caries, opens unique possibilities for the orthodontist and his auxiliary personnel with simple means to increase their patient's oral hygiene awareness. This would not only reduce the prevalence and severity of iatrogenic damage, but would increase the long-term benefits of the orthodontic therapy. Orthodontists may thus provide young adults with an improved esthetic facial appearance, a perfectly functioning occlusion, and the desire, interest, and possibilities of maintaining the dentition in this condition for all or most of their lives (Figs. 3 to 5, 12, and 13).", "contents": "Cause and prevention of injuries to teeth and supporting structures during orthodontic treatment. The present investigations have shown that, although there are definite risks in undertaking orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances, such treatment need not cause any appreciable damage when accepted orthodontic principles are followed in cooperative patients with good oral hygiene and regular fluoride treatment. On the other hand, when these principles are neglected, the damage may be considerable and the benefits from orthodontic treatment questionable. Progressively increasing evidence from preventive dentistry that the bacterial plaque is the single most important causative factor in periodontal breakdown, and is important also in causing dental caries, opens unique possibilities for the orthodontist and his auxiliary personnel with simple means to increase their patient's oral hygiene awareness. This would not only reduce the prevalence and severity of iatrogenic damage, but would increase the long-term benefits of the orthodontic therapy. Orthodontists may thus provide young adults with an improved esthetic facial appearance, a perfectly functioning occlusion, and the desire, interest, and possibilities of maintaining the dentition in this condition for all or most of their lives (Figs. 3 to 5, 12, and 13).", "PMID": 766644} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2139", "title": "Direct bonding of orthodontic brackets.", "content": "The direct adhesive bonding of orthodontic brackets to enamel was investigated. For a number of resin systems, all based on a bisphenol-GMA type of resin, commercially available or synthesized, the adhesive bonding to the enamel as well as to the bracket was studied. The maximum average bond strength to enamel was 121 Kg. per square centimeter; the maximum adhesion to the bracket material was 53 Kg. per square centimeter. Consequently, the attachment of the adhesive to the bracket material is the bottleneck of the direct-bonding procedure. Special attention has been given to preconditioning procedures to enhance the bonding between adhesive and bracket. The best results were obtained when the bracket base was roughened by means of a small amount of resin powder. Because all adhesives studied show large standard deviations of the bond strength, criteria of reliability are discussed. They show that future approaches should aim not only for higher average bonds strengths but also for a smaller standard deviation. The setting process, one of the factors influencing reliability, has been considered in some detail. Results of different mixing ratios as well as the influence of the amount of catalyst are presented.", "contents": "Direct bonding of orthodontic brackets. The direct adhesive bonding of orthodontic brackets to enamel was investigated. For a number of resin systems, all based on a bisphenol-GMA type of resin, commercially available or synthesized, the adhesive bonding to the enamel as well as to the bracket was studied. The maximum average bond strength to enamel was 121 Kg. per square centimeter; the maximum adhesion to the bracket material was 53 Kg. per square centimeter. Consequently, the attachment of the adhesive to the bracket material is the bottleneck of the direct-bonding procedure. Special attention has been given to preconditioning procedures to enhance the bonding between adhesive and bracket. The best results were obtained when the bracket base was roughened by means of a small amount of resin powder. Because all adhesives studied show large standard deviations of the bond strength, criteria of reliability are discussed. They show that future approaches should aim not only for higher average bonds strengths but also for a smaller standard deviation. The setting process, one of the factors influencing reliability, has been considered in some detail. Results of different mixing ratios as well as the influence of the amount of catalyst are presented.", "PMID": 766645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2140", "title": "Changed cholinergic receptor characteristics after vagotomy in gastric fistula dogs.", "content": "By the use of small doses of atropine (0.2-10 mug/kg-h) the kinetics of atropine antagonism to the gastric stimuli Urecholine and pentagastrin could be defined in intact dogs and in dogs after fundic vagotomy. Though pentagastrin was a much less effective stimulus after vagotomy, atropine had very similar effects on the pentagastrin response before and after vagotomy. Stimulation of both acid and pepsin by Urecholine remained unchanged by vagotomy but was uncompetitively inhibited by atropine in the intact dog, suggesting irreversible binding of atropine to gastric cholinergic receptors. After vagotomy, however, atropine inhibited Urecholine competitively, suggesting that atropine was now bound reversibly to cholinergic receptors. These changes are analogous to those occurring in muscle after denervation and suggest the growth of new cholinergic receptors with changed characteristics after denervation of the stomach.", "contents": "Changed cholinergic receptor characteristics after vagotomy in gastric fistula dogs. By the use of small doses of atropine (0.2-10 mug/kg-h) the kinetics of atropine antagonism to the gastric stimuli Urecholine and pentagastrin could be defined in intact dogs and in dogs after fundic vagotomy. Though pentagastrin was a much less effective stimulus after vagotomy, atropine had very similar effects on the pentagastrin response before and after vagotomy. Stimulation of both acid and pepsin by Urecholine remained unchanged by vagotomy but was uncompetitively inhibited by atropine in the intact dog, suggesting irreversible binding of atropine to gastric cholinergic receptors. After vagotomy, however, atropine inhibited Urecholine competitively, suggesting that atropine was now bound reversibly to cholinergic receptors. These changes are analogous to those occurring in muscle after denervation and suggest the growth of new cholinergic receptors with changed characteristics after denervation of the stomach.", "PMID": 766648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2141", "title": "Overview: Ethical issues in contemporary psychiatry.", "content": "The authors survey the ethical problems confronting psychiatry today. They state that with rare exceptions psychiatric intervention can be morally justified only with the potential patient's informed consent. Within this framework, they discuss the fact that today nonpsychiatrists, particularly ethicists, lawyers, legislators, and social scientists, as well as psychiatrists are concerned about medical ethics, specifically regarding the right to be treated, the right not to be treated, the civil rights of psychiatric patients, the ethics of behavior control, the problem of conflicts of interest in therapeutic goals, privacy and confidentiality, the ethics of human experimentation, policy decisions, and psychiatry's relationship to the changing moral value structure of U.S. society.", "contents": "Overview: Ethical issues in contemporary psychiatry. The authors survey the ethical problems confronting psychiatry today. They state that with rare exceptions psychiatric intervention can be morally justified only with the potential patient's informed consent. Within this framework, they discuss the fact that today nonpsychiatrists, particularly ethicists, lawyers, legislators, and social scientists, as well as psychiatrists are concerned about medical ethics, specifically regarding the right to be treated, the right not to be treated, the civil rights of psychiatric patients, the ethics of behavior control, the problem of conflicts of interest in therapeutic goals, privacy and confidentiality, the ethics of human experimentation, policy decisions, and psychiatry's relationship to the changing moral value structure of U.S. society.", "PMID": 766649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2142", "title": "The behavior therapies: therapeutic breakthrough or latest fad?", "content": "The author critically examines the evidence for the effectiveness of the behavior therapies as described in the American Psychaitric Association's task force report on behavior therapy. He concludes that current attempts to evaluate behavior therapy suffer from inadequate methodology and that the claims for its therapeutic efficacy are excessive and unsupported by the controlled clinical evidence.", "contents": "The behavior therapies: therapeutic breakthrough or latest fad? The author critically examines the evidence for the effectiveness of the behavior therapies as described in the American Psychaitric Association's task force report on behavior therapy. He concludes that current attempts to evaluate behavior therapy suffer from inadequate methodology and that the claims for its therapeutic efficacy are excessive and unsupported by the controlled clinical evidence.", "PMID": 766650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2143", "title": "Current diagnostic concepts in schizophrenia.", "content": "The diagnosis of psychiatric disorders currently relies primarily on clinical observation and evaluation of manifest psychopathology. Symptom-based diagnosis of schizophrenia defines a highly variable patient population and thus makes replication of research results difficult. However, this diagnostic approach is useful because it has established communicative value, encourages clinicians to rely on the diagnostic data most readily available (i.e., the patient's behavior), and relates directly to treatment plans. The author describes a 12-point symptom-based diagnostic system for schizophrenia that enhances the reliability and (presumably) validity of the diagnostic process. He then illustrates methods that can be used to select homogeneous schizophrenic populations for specialized research purposes.", "contents": "Current diagnostic concepts in schizophrenia. The diagnosis of psychiatric disorders currently relies primarily on clinical observation and evaluation of manifest psychopathology. Symptom-based diagnosis of schizophrenia defines a highly variable patient population and thus makes replication of research results difficult. However, this diagnostic approach is useful because it has established communicative value, encourages clinicians to rely on the diagnostic data most readily available (i.e., the patient's behavior), and relates directly to treatment plans. The author describes a 12-point symptom-based diagnostic system for schizophrenia that enhances the reliability and (presumably) validity of the diagnostic process. He then illustrates methods that can be used to select homogeneous schizophrenic populations for specialized research purposes.", "PMID": 766651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2144", "title": "Recent developments in the drug treatment of schizophrenia.", "content": "The author reviews six topics relevant to the drug treatment of schizophrenia. The quantitative effectiveness of promazine is of interest with respect to the structural models of the phenothiazines and the dopamine theory of schizophrenia. The quantitative effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs is also important in evaluating new agents and therefore relevant to a discussion of two newly released neuroleptics, molindone and loxapine. The author's discussion of high-dose treatment of typical acute schizophrenics or treatment-resistant patients reviews the available data and calls attention to the fact that these areas of pharmacologic research have not received sufficient attention.", "contents": "Recent developments in the drug treatment of schizophrenia. The author reviews six topics relevant to the drug treatment of schizophrenia. The quantitative effectiveness of promazine is of interest with respect to the structural models of the phenothiazines and the dopamine theory of schizophrenia. The quantitative effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs is also important in evaluating new agents and therefore relevant to a discussion of two newly released neuroleptics, molindone and loxapine. The author's discussion of high-dose treatment of typical acute schizophrenics or treatment-resistant patients reviews the available data and calls attention to the fact that these areas of pharmacologic research have not received sufficient attention.", "PMID": 766652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2145", "title": "Visceral and parietal suture in abdominal surgery.", "content": "The effect of various modifications in suture technic on the healing of intestinal and other alimentary anastomoses is reviewed in the light mainly of controlled clinical comparisons by the author and other workers. (a) In small bowel anastomoses and in colonic and colorectal anastomoses in which both participating stumps have a peritoneal coat an inverting technic of suture has been found to be much more secure than an everting technic, but no significant difference has been demonstrated between the classic two-layer inverting technic and a one-layer inverting technic. However, for low anterior resections in which the distal stump is devoid of a peritoneal coat, the one-layer end-on slightly inverting technic has been shown to be followed by significantly fewer anastomotic dehiscences than the two-layer technic. (b) No controlled clinical studies are available regarding anastomoses in the upper gastrointestinal tract, but for anastomoses between the stomach and the intestine, the weight of surgical experience seems to be heavily in favor of a two-layer technic, whereas for esophago-gastric, -jejunal, or -colonic anastomoses there is one body of authoritative opinion in favor of a one-layer inverting technic. (2) The method of determining the relative merits of some of the many different ways of closing parietal abdominal wounds, by means of controlled clinical trails, is discussed. By one such trial, continuous layer suture with chromic catgut has been shown to be significantly inferior to catgut layer suture combined with tension, sutures or to figure-of-eight (Tom Jones) sutures of wire, as judged by the incidence of wound dehiscence or of subsequent incisional herniation. Reference is made to other trials in progress for evaluation of Prolene, Dexon, and other suture materials and comparison of median and paramedian incisions.", "contents": "Visceral and parietal suture in abdominal surgery. The effect of various modifications in suture technic on the healing of intestinal and other alimentary anastomoses is reviewed in the light mainly of controlled clinical comparisons by the author and other workers. (a) In small bowel anastomoses and in colonic and colorectal anastomoses in which both participating stumps have a peritoneal coat an inverting technic of suture has been found to be much more secure than an everting technic, but no significant difference has been demonstrated between the classic two-layer inverting technic and a one-layer inverting technic. However, for low anterior resections in which the distal stump is devoid of a peritoneal coat, the one-layer end-on slightly inverting technic has been shown to be followed by significantly fewer anastomotic dehiscences than the two-layer technic. (b) No controlled clinical studies are available regarding anastomoses in the upper gastrointestinal tract, but for anastomoses between the stomach and the intestine, the weight of surgical experience seems to be heavily in favor of a two-layer technic, whereas for esophago-gastric, -jejunal, or -colonic anastomoses there is one body of authoritative opinion in favor of a one-layer inverting technic. (2) The method of determining the relative merits of some of the many different ways of closing parietal abdominal wounds, by means of controlled clinical trails, is discussed. By one such trial, continuous layer suture with chromic catgut has been shown to be significantly inferior to catgut layer suture combined with tension, sutures or to figure-of-eight (Tom Jones) sutures of wire, as judged by the incidence of wound dehiscence or of subsequent incisional herniation. Reference is made to other trials in progress for evaluation of Prolene, Dexon, and other suture materials and comparison of median and paramedian incisions.", "PMID": 766653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2146", "title": "Incidence of incisional hernai after dehiscence of the abdominal wound.", "content": "The records of 103 patients whose abdominal wounds burst were studied in an attempt to assess the subsequent incidence of incidence of incisional hernia. Sufficient information about seventy patients was obtained. Forty-nine patients (47.6 per cent) had a hernia whereas twenty-one patients (20.4 per cent) definitely did not have a hernia. The incidence of hernia was associated wit- the age of the patient, the site of the wound, the day of resuture, an original diagnosis of malignancy, and the postoperative blood urea level but not with the technic employed in the resuture nor with infection. It is suggested that a blood-stained serous discharge and the \"dip sign\" should enable an early diagnosis of dehiscence to be made before the small bowel appears in the wound; after diagnosis, the wound should either be explored electively or the skin sutures left for at least three weeks until the skin heals.", "contents": "Incidence of incisional hernai after dehiscence of the abdominal wound. The records of 103 patients whose abdominal wounds burst were studied in an attempt to assess the subsequent incidence of incidence of incisional hernia. Sufficient information about seventy patients was obtained. Forty-nine patients (47.6 per cent) had a hernia whereas twenty-one patients (20.4 per cent) definitely did not have a hernia. The incidence of hernia was associated wit- the age of the patient, the site of the wound, the day of resuture, an original diagnosis of malignancy, and the postoperative blood urea level but not with the technic employed in the resuture nor with infection. It is suggested that a blood-stained serous discharge and the \"dip sign\" should enable an early diagnosis of dehiscence to be made before the small bowel appears in the wound; after diagnosis, the wound should either be explored electively or the skin sutures left for at least three weeks until the skin heals.", "PMID": 766654} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2147", "title": "Gunshot wounds of the colon. A review of 100 consecutive patients, with emphasis on complications and their causes.", "content": "The cases of one hundred civilian patients with gunshot wounds of the colon treated at the Louisville General Hospital have been reviewed. Most injuries were in the transverse colon (44%), followed by the ascending colon (27%), rectosigmoid (19%), and descending colon (10%). Associated injuries occurred in 81 per cent of the patients; the small bowel was the most common structure injured. Primary closure was used in 52% of the patients, with a resultant 19% rate of wound infection and 14% rate of serious complication. When the extent of contamination or tissue destruction required resection, an attempted primary anastomosis was followed by a high rate of wound infection (57%) and serious complications (36%) as compared with end-colostomy and mucous fistula, which resulted in a 24% rate of wound infection and 24% rate of serious complication. The rate of wound infection between these groups is significant (p = 0.05). Results end-colostomy and mucous fistula were better than with attempted primary anastomosis.", "contents": "Gunshot wounds of the colon. A review of 100 consecutive patients, with emphasis on complications and their causes. The cases of one hundred civilian patients with gunshot wounds of the colon treated at the Louisville General Hospital have been reviewed. Most injuries were in the transverse colon (44%), followed by the ascending colon (27%), rectosigmoid (19%), and descending colon (10%). Associated injuries occurred in 81 per cent of the patients; the small bowel was the most common structure injured. Primary closure was used in 52% of the patients, with a resultant 19% rate of wound infection and 14% rate of serious complication. When the extent of contamination or tissue destruction required resection, an attempted primary anastomosis was followed by a high rate of wound infection (57%) and serious complications (36%) as compared with end-colostomy and mucous fistula, which resulted in a 24% rate of wound infection and 24% rate of serious complication. The rate of wound infection between these groups is significant (p = 0.05). Results end-colostomy and mucous fistula were better than with attempted primary anastomosis.", "PMID": 766655} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2148", "title": "Urologic complications in renal primary and retransplantation. Experience with 202 consecutive transplants.", "content": "In a period of two years, 202 kidneys were transplanted in 162 patients at the Downstate Medical Center. On hundred twenty-nine patients had primary transplantations, twenty-nine second transplantations, and five third transplantations. Urologic complications occurred in twenty-four of the patients (12%). There were eight complications involving the urinary bladder and fifteen ureteric complications. In twenty-one patients the complications appeared within six weeks after surgery. Surgical correction immediately upon diagnosis of the urinary complications resulted in a high degree of early restoration of the urinary tract continuity and preservation of renal function. Leakage from the bladder was frequently associated with previous surgery. In five of eight patients, bladder leakage occurred after the second or third transplantations. Complications of the urinary bladder in general had a significantly favorable prognosis as compared with ureteric complications. Although all the patients with bladder complications fully recovered and maintained good renal function, four patients with ureteric complications either died or lost the graft.", "contents": "Urologic complications in renal primary and retransplantation. Experience with 202 consecutive transplants. In a period of two years, 202 kidneys were transplanted in 162 patients at the Downstate Medical Center. On hundred twenty-nine patients had primary transplantations, twenty-nine second transplantations, and five third transplantations. Urologic complications occurred in twenty-four of the patients (12%). There were eight complications involving the urinary bladder and fifteen ureteric complications. In twenty-one patients the complications appeared within six weeks after surgery. Surgical correction immediately upon diagnosis of the urinary complications resulted in a high degree of early restoration of the urinary tract continuity and preservation of renal function. Leakage from the bladder was frequently associated with previous surgery. In five of eight patients, bladder leakage occurred after the second or third transplantations. Complications of the urinary bladder in general had a significantly favorable prognosis as compared with ureteric complications. Although all the patients with bladder complications fully recovered and maintained good renal function, four patients with ureteric complications either died or lost the graft.", "PMID": 766656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2149", "title": "Immunologic monitoring and aspergillosis in renal transplant patients.", "content": "Three cases of pulmonary aspergillosis in a \"high risk\" population of renal transplant recipients are presented. The source of infection was traced to the forced air exhaust system of the Transplantation Unit. Early definitive diagnosis of the infection was very important for effective management. Immunologic monitoring was demonstrated to be instrumental in indicating the early presence of infection, and as a guideline to reduced immunosuppression during therapy. Bronchoscopy with brushings and endobronchial cavitary biopsy were valuable methods for obtaining the infected tissue. Amphotericin B was effective when therapy was started early. Adequate levels of the drug were obtained by varying the dose and frequency of administration according to serum inhibitory titers. Control of infection was aided by immunologic monitoring at regular intervals.", "contents": "Immunologic monitoring and aspergillosis in renal transplant patients. Three cases of pulmonary aspergillosis in a \"high risk\" population of renal transplant recipients are presented. The source of infection was traced to the forced air exhaust system of the Transplantation Unit. Early definitive diagnosis of the infection was very important for effective management. Immunologic monitoring was demonstrated to be instrumental in indicating the early presence of infection, and as a guideline to reduced immunosuppression during therapy. Bronchoscopy with brushings and endobronchial cavitary biopsy were valuable methods for obtaining the infected tissue. Amphotericin B was effective when therapy was started early. Adequate levels of the drug were obtained by varying the dose and frequency of administration according to serum inhibitory titers. Control of infection was aided by immunologic monitoring at regular intervals.", "PMID": 766657} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2150", "title": "[Diagnosis of herpetic keratitis by immunofluorescence (author's transl)].", "content": "Between December 1973 and October 1974 scrapings of the corneal epithelium of 52 patients were examined by immunofluorescence. 41 of these corneal scrapings were suitable for examination. In 31 of 38 cases with the clinical diagnosis of a herpes simplex keratitis virus-specific antigen was found by means of immunofluorescence. The procedure takes only a few hours, and shows with 81,5% correct diagnoses a high reliability; scrapings of patients without herpetic affection never revealed a positive result. In 3 of 4 cases of deep herpetic keratitis, in which the herpetic etiology could only be supposed clinically, the diagnosis was proved by immunofluorescence.", "contents": "[Diagnosis of herpetic keratitis by immunofluorescence (author's transl)]. Between December 1973 and October 1974 scrapings of the corneal epithelium of 52 patients were examined by immunofluorescence. 41 of these corneal scrapings were suitable for examination. In 31 of 38 cases with the clinical diagnosis of a herpes simplex keratitis virus-specific antigen was found by means of immunofluorescence. The procedure takes only a few hours, and shows with 81,5% correct diagnoses a high reliability; scrapings of patients without herpetic affection never revealed a positive result. In 3 of 4 cases of deep herpetic keratitis, in which the herpetic etiology could only be supposed clinically, the diagnosis was proved by immunofluorescence.", "PMID": 766664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2151", "title": "[Controlled hyperventilation with dead space (author's transl)].", "content": "We report on a new kind of ventilation-hyperventilation, whereby dead space is added between the patient and the respirator. This kind of ventilation is compared with positive end expiratory pressure ventilation together with intermittent sighs on 10 dogs. Over a period of 80 hours no respiratory or circulatory differences were found in the two groups. There also was no difference in clinical or anatomic histologic findings. It was demonstrated that dogs can be artificially ventilated for a much longer period than estimated. The findings of \"respirator lungs\" were only shown in an emphysema of the lungs.", "contents": "[Controlled hyperventilation with dead space (author's transl)]. We report on a new kind of ventilation-hyperventilation, whereby dead space is added between the patient and the respirator. This kind of ventilation is compared with positive end expiratory pressure ventilation together with intermittent sighs on 10 dogs. Over a period of 80 hours no respiratory or circulatory differences were found in the two groups. There also was no difference in clinical or anatomic histologic findings. It was demonstrated that dogs can be artificially ventilated for a much longer period than estimated. The findings of \"respirator lungs\" were only shown in an emphysema of the lungs.", "PMID": 766665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2152", "title": "The bony tentorium of the cat: stereotaxic coordinates.", "content": "The cat's tentorium cerebelli is an osseous structure which overlies much of the brain stem. None of the current brain atlases list the coordinates of this bony projection. With a stiff wire and a stereotaxic apparatus, the location of its free edge and dorsal surface was mapped in 1.0 mm steps in the skulls of 16 cats. In the midline the dorsal surface meets the calvaria at a point 7 mm posterior and 15 mm superior to the atlas zero (intra-aural plane + 10 mm horizontal). From this junction it slopes inferiorly and anteriorly between the cerebrum and cerebellum along a 50 degree slope to terminate along a curved line. In the midline this free edge is located 0.5 mm anterior, and 6.5 mm superior to the atlas zero. It recedes laterally along a curved line to a point 6 mm lateral, 6 mm superior and 3 mm posterior to the atlas zero. The free edge then curves forward and descends to pass through an imaginary line 3 mm anterior and 4.5 mm inferior to the altas zero. Statistical comparisons between measurements made in male and female cats revealed no significant differences.", "contents": "The bony tentorium of the cat: stereotaxic coordinates. The cat's tentorium cerebelli is an osseous structure which overlies much of the brain stem. None of the current brain atlases list the coordinates of this bony projection. With a stiff wire and a stereotaxic apparatus, the location of its free edge and dorsal surface was mapped in 1.0 mm steps in the skulls of 16 cats. In the midline the dorsal surface meets the calvaria at a point 7 mm posterior and 15 mm superior to the atlas zero (intra-aural plane + 10 mm horizontal). From this junction it slopes inferiorly and anteriorly between the cerebrum and cerebellum along a 50 degree slope to terminate along a curved line. In the midline this free edge is located 0.5 mm anterior, and 6.5 mm superior to the atlas zero. It recedes laterally along a curved line to a point 6 mm lateral, 6 mm superior and 3 mm posterior to the atlas zero. The free edge then curves forward and descends to pass through an imaginary line 3 mm anterior and 4.5 mm inferior to the altas zero. Statistical comparisons between measurements made in male and female cats revealed no significant differences.", "PMID": 766669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2153", "title": "Dental and skeletal relationships to attritional occlusion.", "content": "Dental attrition has been investigated in depth. Besides alterations in arch length due to attrition, skeletal and intra-arch differences were discovered. It is felt that these findings do have value in helping us realize that present-day concepts of proper occlusion cannot necessarily be applied to dentitions that existed at another time. A more thorough knowledge of occlusions exhibiting dental attrition provides information that is helpful in understanding more fully the nature of tooth eruption and associated dental arch occlusion and the interrelationships of these factors with supporting skeletal structures.", "contents": "Dental and skeletal relationships to attritional occlusion. Dental attrition has been investigated in depth. Besides alterations in arch length due to attrition, skeletal and intra-arch differences were discovered. It is felt that these findings do have value in helping us realize that present-day concepts of proper occlusion cannot necessarily be applied to dentitions that existed at another time. A more thorough knowledge of occlusions exhibiting dental attrition provides information that is helpful in understanding more fully the nature of tooth eruption and associated dental arch occlusion and the interrelationships of these factors with supporting skeletal structures.", "PMID": 766672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2154", "title": "Immediate skin-test reactivity in a general population sample.", "content": "To assess the prevalence and distribution of allergic skin-test reactions in a general population sample, allergy prick tests were applied to 3101 subjects older than 2 years of age. Test materials included allergens common to the Tucson environment, and subjects were randomly stratified by age, sex, and socioeconomic status. No difference in the prevalence of measurable reactions was found among male subjects versus female subjects. A definite age relation was apparent, however, with the peak prevalence of reactivity (more than 40%) occurring during the third decade, and falling rapidly past age 50. When present, reactions tended to be multiple, highly reproducible, and more frequent among those in the higher socioeconomic strata. The prick test was judged to be a useful tool for the assessment of atopy.", "contents": "Immediate skin-test reactivity in a general population sample. To assess the prevalence and distribution of allergic skin-test reactions in a general population sample, allergy prick tests were applied to 3101 subjects older than 2 years of age. Test materials included allergens common to the Tucson environment, and subjects were randomly stratified by age, sex, and socioeconomic status. No difference in the prevalence of measurable reactions was found among male subjects versus female subjects. A definite age relation was apparent, however, with the peak prevalence of reactivity (more than 40%) occurring during the third decade, and falling rapidly past age 50. When present, reactions tended to be multiple, highly reproducible, and more frequent among those in the higher socioeconomic strata. The prick test was judged to be a useful tool for the assessment of atopy.", "PMID": 766679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2155", "title": "Hereditary renal-retinal dysplasia and the medullary cystic disease-nephronophthisis complex.", "content": "Nine of 81 members of two families were found to have renal problems. Three patients in one family had renal-retinal dysplasia with probable recessive inheritance. Of the 6 patients in the second family, one received a kidney transplant from his brother who initially had no detectable renal abnormality but later developed renal failure. In this family, the mode of inheritance seems to be dominant. Hereditary renal-retinal dysplasia differs from medullary cystic disease and nephronophthisis in its pattern of uniformly recessive inheritance and its accompaniment by retinitis pigmentosa. Because genetic considerations have important implications in selection of donors for renal transplant, these entities should be considered distinct despite the similarities in their clinical and pathologic features.", "contents": "Hereditary renal-retinal dysplasia and the medullary cystic disease-nephronophthisis complex. Nine of 81 members of two families were found to have renal problems. Three patients in one family had renal-retinal dysplasia with probable recessive inheritance. Of the 6 patients in the second family, one received a kidney transplant from his brother who initially had no detectable renal abnormality but later developed renal failure. In this family, the mode of inheritance seems to be dominant. Hereditary renal-retinal dysplasia differs from medullary cystic disease and nephronophthisis in its pattern of uniformly recessive inheritance and its accompaniment by retinitis pigmentosa. Because genetic considerations have important implications in selection of donors for renal transplant, these entities should be considered distinct despite the similarities in their clinical and pathologic features.", "PMID": 766680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2156", "title": "Penetration of clindamycin phosphate into the abnormal human biliary tract.", "content": "Clindamycin phosphate, 600 mg, was given intravenously to 14 patients undergoing biliary tract surgery. Seven had complete obstruction of the common bile duct. Concentrations of total and active (nonesterified) antibiotic were measured in serum, gall bladder and common duct bile, gall bladder wall, and liver. Persons with patent common ducts had high levels of active drug at all hepatobiliary sites; concentrations were two and one half to three times higher in bile and liver than in serum. Persons with obstruction of the common duct had no measurable drug in bile and had reduced levels in gall bladder wall; however, concentrations in the liver were slightly higher than those in the group without obstruction. The results of this study suggest that, even in the presence of common duct obstruction, the concentrations of active clindamycin in the liver may be sufficient to limit the spread of intrahepatic infections due to susceptible organisms.", "contents": "Penetration of clindamycin phosphate into the abnormal human biliary tract. Clindamycin phosphate, 600 mg, was given intravenously to 14 patients undergoing biliary tract surgery. Seven had complete obstruction of the common bile duct. Concentrations of total and active (nonesterified) antibiotic were measured in serum, gall bladder and common duct bile, gall bladder wall, and liver. Persons with patent common ducts had high levels of active drug at all hepatobiliary sites; concentrations were two and one half to three times higher in bile and liver than in serum. Persons with obstruction of the common duct had no measurable drug in bile and had reduced levels in gall bladder wall; however, concentrations in the liver were slightly higher than those in the group without obstruction. The results of this study suggest that, even in the presence of common duct obstruction, the concentrations of active clindamycin in the liver may be sufficient to limit the spread of intrahepatic infections due to susceptible organisms.", "PMID": 766681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2157", "title": "Isoniazid liver injury: clinical spectrum, pathology, and probable pathogenesis.", "content": "The clinical spectrum of isoniazid-induced liver injury seems to be clinically, biochemically, and histologically indistinguishable from viral hepatitis, except that the injury occurs primarily in persons older than 35 years. A possible relation between susceptibility of patients to isoniazid liver injury and rapid metabolism (acetylation) of the drug has been found. Examination of isoniazid metabolites showed that patients with rapid acetylator phenotype hydrolyze much more isoniazid to isonicotinic acid and the free hydrazine moiety than do slow acetylators. The hydrazine moiety liberated from isoniazid is primarily acetylhydrazine, and studies in animals show this metabolite to be converted to a potent acylating agent that produces liver necrosis. It seems likely that formation of chemically reactive metabolites is also the biochemical event initiating isoniazid liver injury in man. Recognition of the seriousness of isoniazid hepatic injury, not readily accepted at first, has led to revisions in the uses of isoniazid prophylaxis.", "contents": "Isoniazid liver injury: clinical spectrum, pathology, and probable pathogenesis. The clinical spectrum of isoniazid-induced liver injury seems to be clinically, biochemically, and histologically indistinguishable from viral hepatitis, except that the injury occurs primarily in persons older than 35 years. A possible relation between susceptibility of patients to isoniazid liver injury and rapid metabolism (acetylation) of the drug has been found. Examination of isoniazid metabolites showed that patients with rapid acetylator phenotype hydrolyze much more isoniazid to isonicotinic acid and the free hydrazine moiety than do slow acetylators. The hydrazine moiety liberated from isoniazid is primarily acetylhydrazine, and studies in animals show this metabolite to be converted to a potent acylating agent that produces liver necrosis. It seems likely that formation of chemically reactive metabolites is also the biochemical event initiating isoniazid liver injury in man. Recognition of the seriousness of isoniazid hepatic injury, not readily accepted at first, has led to revisions in the uses of isoniazid prophylaxis.", "PMID": 766682} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2158", "title": "Toxoplasmosis in the compromised host.", "content": "In 81 cases of toxoplasmosis in patients with neoplasia, collagen-vascular disorders, and organ allografts, the clinical manifestations were highly variable but neurologic syndromes consistent with diffuse encephalopathy, meningoencephalitis, or cerebral mass lesions predominated. Many concomitant infections with DNA viruses were seen. The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was not made until postmortem examination in most cases. Biopsy of lymph nodes or brain and serologic tests needed for definitive diagnosis were done infrequently. Twenty patients received antitoxoplasma chemotherapy (pyrimethamine and sulfonamide), 16 (80%) showing marked clinical improvement or complete remission. In immunosuppressed hosts disseminated toxoplasmosis appears to result from defects in cellular immunity that permit recrudescence of latent infection. Because cell-mediated immunity to Toxoplasma gondii can be enhanced in animals by administration of adjuvants, immunotherapy may become a useful adjunct to chemotherapy in immunoincompetent humans suffering potentially lethal infection.", "contents": "Toxoplasmosis in the compromised host. In 81 cases of toxoplasmosis in patients with neoplasia, collagen-vascular disorders, and organ allografts, the clinical manifestations were highly variable but neurologic syndromes consistent with diffuse encephalopathy, meningoencephalitis, or cerebral mass lesions predominated. Many concomitant infections with DNA viruses were seen. The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was not made until postmortem examination in most cases. Biopsy of lymph nodes or brain and serologic tests needed for definitive diagnosis were done infrequently. Twenty patients received antitoxoplasma chemotherapy (pyrimethamine and sulfonamide), 16 (80%) showing marked clinical improvement or complete remission. In immunosuppressed hosts disseminated toxoplasmosis appears to result from defects in cellular immunity that permit recrudescence of latent infection. Because cell-mediated immunity to Toxoplasma gondii can be enhanced in animals by administration of adjuvants, immunotherapy may become a useful adjunct to chemotherapy in immunoincompetent humans suffering potentially lethal infection.", "PMID": 766683} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2159", "title": "Asparaginase activity of BCG and its phenotypes in relation to culture phases.", "content": "The asparaginase activity of the Montreal strain of BCG and of 2 of its phenotypes varies with the age of the culture; it starts to increase at the midlog phase of growth, reaches a maximum value near the end of this phase and decreases during the stationary or autolytic phase. However, the variations in this enzyme activity are greater in 2 the phenotypes than in the parental BCG.", "contents": "Asparaginase activity of BCG and its phenotypes in relation to culture phases. The asparaginase activity of the Montreal strain of BCG and of 2 of its phenotypes varies with the age of the culture; it starts to increase at the midlog phase of growth, reaches a maximum value near the end of this phase and decreases during the stationary or autolytic phase. However, the variations in this enzyme activity are greater in 2 the phenotypes than in the parental BCG.", "PMID": 766691} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2160", "title": "[Recent progress made in the classification of lymphoid and monocytoid leukemias and of lympho- and reticulo-sarcomas].", "content": "New methods helpful in the classification of lymphoid and monocytoid leukaemias and haematosarcomas have recently become available. Among the most valuable procedures have been those detecting immunological markers and the ultrastructural analysis permitted by convention and scanning electron microscopy. The results of these studies, taken together with a meticulous morphologic examination on Giemsa smears allow a more subtle classification on these neoplasias. Among the most interesting points, one can list: a) The description of macroglobulinemic proplasmocytic leukaemia; b) The observation that all the prognostic parameters in the four types of common acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) (prolymphocytic, microlymphocytic, macrolymphocytic, prolymphoblastic) such as age, tumour mass (or leucocytosis are related to the cytological type); T marker may be found in all these types, except for the prolymphoblastic one; c) T or B immunoblastic acute lymphoid leukaemias have been described as a fifth type of ALL; d) The lymphosarcomas which can be histologically nodular (composed of B cells) or diffuse (composed of cells presenting B, T or no markers) can be cytologically prolymphocytic or lymphoblastic (or lymphoblastoid) if they are nodular, prolymphocytic, lymphoblastic, or immunoblastic if they are diffuse; true (African) Burkitt's lymphosarcomas (BLS) must be distinguished from all the pseudo (non-African) Burkitt's lymphosarcomas which have been described elsewhere and which are either immunoblastic or lymphoblastic (oid) lymphosarcomas with a few macrophages; e) The diagnosis of reticulosarcoma which was in the past abusively carried out (because of confusion with immunoblastic lymphosarcoma) is based on the presence of many reticluins fibers at histological examination and on the cytological aspect of the cells on smears (the distinction of those cells with immunoblasts is easy).", "contents": "[Recent progress made in the classification of lymphoid and monocytoid leukemias and of lympho- and reticulo-sarcomas]. New methods helpful in the classification of lymphoid and monocytoid leukaemias and haematosarcomas have recently become available. Among the most valuable procedures have been those detecting immunological markers and the ultrastructural analysis permitted by convention and scanning electron microscopy. The results of these studies, taken together with a meticulous morphologic examination on Giemsa smears allow a more subtle classification on these neoplasias. Among the most interesting points, one can list: a) The description of macroglobulinemic proplasmocytic leukaemia; b) The observation that all the prognostic parameters in the four types of common acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) (prolymphocytic, microlymphocytic, macrolymphocytic, prolymphoblastic) such as age, tumour mass (or leucocytosis are related to the cytological type); T marker may be found in all these types, except for the prolymphoblastic one; c) T or B immunoblastic acute lymphoid leukaemias have been described as a fifth type of ALL; d) The lymphosarcomas which can be histologically nodular (composed of B cells) or diffuse (composed of cells presenting B, T or no markers) can be cytologically prolymphocytic or lymphoblastic (or lymphoblastoid) if they are nodular, prolymphocytic, lymphoblastic, or immunoblastic if they are diffuse; true (African) Burkitt's lymphosarcomas (BLS) must be distinguished from all the pseudo (non-African) Burkitt's lymphosarcomas which have been described elsewhere and which are either immunoblastic or lymphoblastic (oid) lymphosarcomas with a few macrophages; e) The diagnosis of reticulosarcoma which was in the past abusively carried out (because of confusion with immunoblastic lymphosarcoma) is based on the presence of many reticluins fibers at histological examination and on the cytological aspect of the cells on smears (the distinction of those cells with immunoblasts is easy).", "PMID": 766687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2161", "title": "[Chronic renal insufficiency in the terminal stage. Therapeutic possibilities offered by repeated dialysis and transplantation in the absence of selection. Apropos of 136 cases].", "content": "Repeated dialysis in hospital or at home, and renal transplantation, carried out mainly with cadaver kidney, should permit in France, in the near future, treatment of all patients with chronic terminal renal failure. This report shows the results obtained between the 1st of November 1972 and the 1st of January 1975 in 136 patients treated without any selection at the Nephrology Department and Renal Transplantation Unit of the Piti\u00e9-Salp\u0115tri\u00e8re Hospital in Paris, in connection with 20 public and private dialysis centers. 66 patients, i.e. 45% of all, were \"high risk\" patients, mainly because of their age or cardiovascular condition. The overall percentage of survival rate at 2 years in dialysed patients was 81%. It was 67% in the high risk group and 94% in the others. About half of the deaths occured because of cardiovascular reasons. 82 patients were considered for transplantation. Owing to the lack of donors, the number of transplanted patients was only 21. 19 transplantations were carried out with cadaver kidneys. On the 31st of December 1974, 15 patients, i.e. 71% lived with a functioning transplant. In the reported series, complete rehabilitation was obtained in 30% of cases. The results obtained justify, in our opinion, the policy of non-selection of patients.", "contents": "[Chronic renal insufficiency in the terminal stage. Therapeutic possibilities offered by repeated dialysis and transplantation in the absence of selection. Apropos of 136 cases]. Repeated dialysis in hospital or at home, and renal transplantation, carried out mainly with cadaver kidney, should permit in France, in the near future, treatment of all patients with chronic terminal renal failure. This report shows the results obtained between the 1st of November 1972 and the 1st of January 1975 in 136 patients treated without any selection at the Nephrology Department and Renal Transplantation Unit of the Piti\u00e9-Salp\u0115tri\u00e8re Hospital in Paris, in connection with 20 public and private dialysis centers. 66 patients, i.e. 45% of all, were \"high risk\" patients, mainly because of their age or cardiovascular condition. The overall percentage of survival rate at 2 years in dialysed patients was 81%. It was 67% in the high risk group and 94% in the others. About half of the deaths occured because of cardiovascular reasons. 82 patients were considered for transplantation. Owing to the lack of donors, the number of transplanted patients was only 21. 19 transplantations were carried out with cadaver kidneys. On the 31st of December 1974, 15 patients, i.e. 71% lived with a functioning transplant. In the reported series, complete rehabilitation was obtained in 30% of cases. The results obtained justify, in our opinion, the policy of non-selection of patients.", "PMID": 766688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2162", "title": "An accurate method for the determination of inorganic phosphate in serum.", "content": "Cali's approach to accuracy is reviewed, and it is concluded that the main factor limiting its extension to analytes other than elements is the lack of suitable definitive methods of analysis. The work published on calcium, andwork known to be under way on other elements, is based on the use of stable isotope dilution-mass spectrometry (I.D.M.S.) as the definitive technique. This paper outliones the theorectical considerations involved in extending I.D.M.S. to the determinatioons of molecules; in particular, exact equations for the calibration graph obtained by I.D.M.S. are developed, and special cases of practical significance are defined. It is concluded that in theory there is no reason why accurate resluts should not be realised. Ther determination of isotope rations is central to the tecnique of I.D.M.S. The means available for such measurments are discussed, and it is concluded that adequate precision cnan be achieved with standard equipment/ To illustrate the application for I.D.M.S. to molecules the steps involved in an assay for inorganic phosphate are defined, and the protocol this evolved is applied to specimens from the Wellcome Group Quality Control Programme. Although good correlation was found between I.D.M.S. results and the participants' mean results, there was a substantial bias. It is argued that this is a result of the difficulty of defining \"inorganic phosphate\" as a chemical entity. Some requirements for...", "contents": "An accurate method for the determination of inorganic phosphate in serum. Cali's approach to accuracy is reviewed, and it is concluded that the main factor limiting its extension to analytes other than elements is the lack of suitable definitive methods of analysis. The work published on calcium, andwork known to be under way on other elements, is based on the use of stable isotope dilution-mass spectrometry (I.D.M.S.) as the definitive technique. This paper outliones the theorectical considerations involved in extending I.D.M.S. to the determinatioons of molecules; in particular, exact equations for the calibration graph obtained by I.D.M.S. are developed, and special cases of practical significance are defined. It is concluded that in theory there is no reason why accurate resluts should not be realised. Ther determination of isotope rations is central to the tecnique of I.D.M.S. The means available for such measurments are discussed, and it is concluded that adequate precision cnan be achieved with standard equipment/ To illustrate the application for I.D.M.S. to molecules the steps involved in an assay for inorganic phosphate are defined, and the protocol this evolved is applied to specimens from the Wellcome Group Quality Control Programme. Although good correlation was found between I.D.M.S. results and the participants' mean results, there was a substantial bias. It is argued that this is a result of the difficulty of defining \"inorganic phosphate\" as a chemical entity. Some requirements for...", "PMID": 766697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2163", "title": "[Sound sensations produced by electric stimulation of the structures of the middle ear and the tympanic chord].", "content": "Certain facts must be clearly understood before any attempt is made to analyse the sensations produced by electrical stimulation of the structures of the middle ear. Firstly, when the current passes from an electrode to the skin or to any polarised structure whatsoever, the point at which the electrode is applied and the skin behave like the two plates of a condenser microphone. Electrical vibrations are transformed into ordinary acoustic resonances which can travel through air or bone. These acoustic resonances are fairly pure in comparison with electrical vibrations, judged by the standards under investigation. If a continuous polarisation potential, which gives better distribution of the electrical charges, is added, the capacity of the microphone is increased and greater purity obtained. Consequently, the quality of sound heard in this way depends not only on the quality of this electro-physiological microphone but also on the quality of the internal ear. The acoustic effect produced in this way is called an electrophonic effect. Stevens, Jones and Flottorp described this. Therefore an internal ear which has lost the ability to hear high-pitched sound cannot hear them by means of this electrophonic effect any more than it can by ordinary auditory stimulation. Stimulation of the skin of the mastoid and of the external auditory meatus can be sensed by means of this electrophonic effect. Next, sensations recorded by means of direct stimulation of the acoustic nerve (DJOURNO and EYRIES) or by implantation of intra-cochlear electrodes (SIMMONS, DOYLE, MICHELSON) were studied. Sounds heard through stimulation of the structures of the middle ear should be analysed in the light of these findings and bearing in mind that very strong stimulation of the promontory or of the auditory meatus always causes an auditory sensation without frequency awareness due to global stimulation of the acoustic nerve (faciaestations appeared when experiments, the results of which are described, were carried out, although there is a possibility of episode vestibular irritation. These stimulations were in fact always very weak. Our results were analysed in relation to the quality of the internal ear: completely deaf, serious condition, internal ear normal. The impulses were provided by a direct current battery: these were square with a frequency of between 50 and 900 Hertz, a tension of 0 to 8 volts per 1/10 volt. The electrode was bipolar. The experiments were monitored from time to time by oscilloscope. Mention should be made of the technical and psychological precautions to be observed when stimulation of this kind is carried out if results of any value are to be obtained: a relaxed, sensible patient with whom one can communicate easily. Not much can be gathered from a person deaf in both ears. With the ear opened, the posterior part of the tympanum pulled forward, stimulation of the round window always results in production of a sound at a threshold of 0.5 to 2.5 volts.", "contents": "[Sound sensations produced by electric stimulation of the structures of the middle ear and the tympanic chord]. Certain facts must be clearly understood before any attempt is made to analyse the sensations produced by electrical stimulation of the structures of the middle ear. Firstly, when the current passes from an electrode to the skin or to any polarised structure whatsoever, the point at which the electrode is applied and the skin behave like the two plates of a condenser microphone. Electrical vibrations are transformed into ordinary acoustic resonances which can travel through air or bone. These acoustic resonances are fairly pure in comparison with electrical vibrations, judged by the standards under investigation. If a continuous polarisation potential, which gives better distribution of the electrical charges, is added, the capacity of the microphone is increased and greater purity obtained. Consequently, the quality of sound heard in this way depends not only on the quality of this electro-physiological microphone but also on the quality of the internal ear. The acoustic effect produced in this way is called an electrophonic effect. Stevens, Jones and Flottorp described this. Therefore an internal ear which has lost the ability to hear high-pitched sound cannot hear them by means of this electrophonic effect any more than it can by ordinary auditory stimulation. Stimulation of the skin of the mastoid and of the external auditory meatus can be sensed by means of this electrophonic effect. Next, sensations recorded by means of direct stimulation of the acoustic nerve (DJOURNO and EYRIES) or by implantation of intra-cochlear electrodes (SIMMONS, DOYLE, MICHELSON) were studied. Sounds heard through stimulation of the structures of the middle ear should be analysed in the light of these findings and bearing in mind that very strong stimulation of the promontory or of the auditory meatus always causes an auditory sensation without frequency awareness due to global stimulation of the acoustic nerve (faciaestations appeared when experiments, the results of which are described, were carried out, although there is a possibility of episode vestibular irritation. These stimulations were in fact always very weak. Our results were analysed in relation to the quality of the internal ear: completely deaf, serious condition, internal ear normal. The impulses were provided by a direct current battery: these were square with a frequency of between 50 and 900 Hertz, a tension of 0 to 8 volts per 1/10 volt. The electrode was bipolar. The experiments were monitored from time to time by oscilloscope. Mention should be made of the technical and psychological precautions to be observed when stimulation of this kind is carried out if results of any value are to be obtained: a relaxed, sensible patient with whom one can communicate easily. Not much can be gathered from a person deaf in both ears. With the ear opened, the posterior part of the tympanum pulled forward, stimulation of the round window always results in production of a sound at a threshold of 0.5 to 2.5 volts.", "PMID": 766693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2164", "title": "Clinical interpretations of the measurement of folic acid and vitamin B12 in neuromuscular disease.", "content": "56 patients were studied in an attempt to define neurologic complications associated with folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency. 2 patients had abnormal levels of vitamin B12. 1 of these showed decreased vibRATORY SENSE IN THE LEGS. 10 of 15 patients with serum folate less than 4.0 ng per ml and 16 of 23 patients with serum folate less than 6.0 ng per ml by radioassay had neurologic abnormalities. The control group demonstrated 17/31 with neurologic abnormalities, a figure not significantly different from the deficient group. It is suggested that more patients with \"pure folate deficiency\" must be analyzed to eliminate the possible role of toxic effects of alcohol and other diseases of the nervous system in patients with low serum folate and neurologic problems.", "contents": "Clinical interpretations of the measurement of folic acid and vitamin B12 in neuromuscular disease. 56 patients were studied in an attempt to define neurologic complications associated with folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency. 2 patients had abnormal levels of vitamin B12. 1 of these showed decreased vibRATORY SENSE IN THE LEGS. 10 of 15 patients with serum folate less than 4.0 ng per ml and 16 of 23 patients with serum folate less than 6.0 ng per ml by radioassay had neurologic abnormalities. The control group demonstrated 17/31 with neurologic abnormalities, a figure not significantly different from the deficient group. It is suggested that more patients with \"pure folate deficiency\" must be analyzed to eliminate the possible role of toxic effects of alcohol and other diseases of the nervous system in patients with low serum folate and neurologic problems.", "PMID": 766698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2165", "title": "[Male hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism: successful treatment of infertility with HMG + HCG (author's transl)].", "content": "Ten typical cases of male eunuchoidism (two with anosmia) are reported. After administration of clomifene citrate to five patients there was no change in blood levels of gonadotrophins in four cases; in the fifth, a small and transitory increase of LH was noted. The intravenous injection of LHRH (100 mcg) to five patients induced an increase of serum LH in all cases and serum FSH in three cases. The initial site of the dysfunction is possibly hypothalamic with secondary gonadotrophic pituitary insufficiency. Among six patients desiring paternity, prolonged treatment (for 36 to 98 weeks), with HCG(1700-7000 I.U. weekly) + HMG (450-825 I.U. FSG weekly) resulted in the appearance of spermatozoa in the seminal fluid in five cases and a pregnancy was obtained in four cases. Methods of treatment are discussed.", "contents": "[Male hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism: successful treatment of infertility with HMG + HCG (author's transl)]. Ten typical cases of male eunuchoidism (two with anosmia) are reported. After administration of clomifene citrate to five patients there was no change in blood levels of gonadotrophins in four cases; in the fifth, a small and transitory increase of LH was noted. The intravenous injection of LHRH (100 mcg) to five patients induced an increase of serum LH in all cases and serum FSH in three cases. The initial site of the dysfunction is possibly hypothalamic with secondary gonadotrophic pituitary insufficiency. Among six patients desiring paternity, prolonged treatment (for 36 to 98 weeks), with HCG(1700-7000 I.U. weekly) + HMG (450-825 I.U. FSG weekly) resulted in the appearance of spermatozoa in the seminal fluid in five cases and a pregnancy was obtained in four cases. Methods of treatment are discussed.", "PMID": 766699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2166", "title": "[An immunofluorescent study of circulating sperm antibodies in humans (author's transl)].", "content": "1. By means of an indirect immunofluorescent technique with reference to Weller and Coons (1954), modified for spermatozoal immunofluorescence we found antibodies against spermatozoa in the sera of: 6 of 35 female partners of couples with unexplained infertility, 5 of 35 male partners of couples with unexplained infertility, 8 of 40 prostitutes, 8 of 18 men after orchitis and vasoresection. In contrast to these findings the sera of 20 fertile women, 25 fertile men, and 20 virgins showed negative results with the test mentioned above. 2. The site of the antigen-antibody reaction was mainly the spermatozoal tail and in the second place, the equatorial segment. 3. The immunoglobulins primarily belonged to the IgG and secondly to the IgA class. 4. Our results differ partly from the findings made by other authors perhaps on account of methodical differences. 5. The clinical relevance and associated problems are discussed.", "contents": "[An immunofluorescent study of circulating sperm antibodies in humans (author's transl)]. 1. By means of an indirect immunofluorescent technique with reference to Weller and Coons (1954), modified for spermatozoal immunofluorescence we found antibodies against spermatozoa in the sera of: 6 of 35 female partners of couples with unexplained infertility, 5 of 35 male partners of couples with unexplained infertility, 8 of 40 prostitutes, 8 of 18 men after orchitis and vasoresection. In contrast to these findings the sera of 20 fertile women, 25 fertile men, and 20 virgins showed negative results with the test mentioned above. 2. The site of the antigen-antibody reaction was mainly the spermatozoal tail and in the second place, the equatorial segment. 3. The immunoglobulins primarily belonged to the IgG and secondly to the IgA class. 4. Our results differ partly from the findings made by other authors perhaps on account of methodical differences. 5. The clinical relevance and associated problems are discussed.", "PMID": 766709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2167", "title": "[Free amino acids in human Eocrine sweat (author's transl)].", "content": "With the aid of ion exchange column chromatography we determined quantitatively the free amino acids in eccrine, thermal sweat. Sweat was collected (a) from the face of 27 healthy men and 26 healthy women (b) from the face, chest, armpits, shoulders, back, upper part of the abdomen, hypogastrium, forearms and thighs of the same individual and (c) from the face of the same individual at different times. Sweat was deproteinised by adding an equal volume of 5% sulphosalicylic acid. 1. The results showed not only a constant, qualitative amino acid pattern in sweat, but also a relative constancy among the individual amino acids. 2. The concentrations of the free amino acids in sweat showed significant, individual variations. Particularly high excretion rates were observed in the following amino acids: alanine, glycine, citrulline, histidine, ornithine, threonine and serine. 3. As compared to men, women had an increased excretion of all the examined amino acids in sweat from the face, except for cystine. Statistically significant higher excretion was seen within this sex-specific comparison for the following amino acids: alanine, citrulline, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, serine, taurine, threonine, tyrosine and valine. 4. Essential amino acids such as isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine and also cystine were always excreted only in small amounts. 5. Significant differences were also observed in the total amino acid excretion and in the individual amino acid excretions in sweat obtained from different parts of the body of the same person. 6. The amino acid concentrations determined in the sweat from the face of the same individual at different times showed a relative constancy as compared to the large differences of the amino acid concentrations determined in the sweat from the face of different individuals.", "contents": "[Free amino acids in human Eocrine sweat (author's transl)]. With the aid of ion exchange column chromatography we determined quantitatively the free amino acids in eccrine, thermal sweat. Sweat was collected (a) from the face of 27 healthy men and 26 healthy women (b) from the face, chest, armpits, shoulders, back, upper part of the abdomen, hypogastrium, forearms and thighs of the same individual and (c) from the face of the same individual at different times. Sweat was deproteinised by adding an equal volume of 5% sulphosalicylic acid. 1. The results showed not only a constant, qualitative amino acid pattern in sweat, but also a relative constancy among the individual amino acids. 2. The concentrations of the free amino acids in sweat showed significant, individual variations. Particularly high excretion rates were observed in the following amino acids: alanine, glycine, citrulline, histidine, ornithine, threonine and serine. 3. As compared to men, women had an increased excretion of all the examined amino acids in sweat from the face, except for cystine. Statistically significant higher excretion was seen within this sex-specific comparison for the following amino acids: alanine, citrulline, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, serine, taurine, threonine, tyrosine and valine. 4. Essential amino acids such as isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine and also cystine were always excreted only in small amounts. 5. Significant differences were also observed in the total amino acid excretion and in the individual amino acid excretions in sweat obtained from different parts of the body of the same person. 6. The amino acid concentrations determined in the sweat from the face of the same individual at different times showed a relative constancy as compared to the large differences of the amino acid concentrations determined in the sweat from the face of different individuals.", "PMID": 766710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2168", "title": "Immunofluorescent investigations in cutaneous vasculitis. II. Histotopical demonstration of IgD and fibrin.", "content": "The histotopical distribution of IgD and fibrin was examined in skin lesions of 12 patients with cutaneous vasculitis, by means of the direct IF method. IgD was found in 9 cases mostly in a striking fixation to the PMN-leucocytic inflammation cells. Homogeneous depositions of IgD in cutaneous blood vessel walls were seen twice. In 3 cases with older, lympho-histiocytic infiltrations, IgD was lacking. Fibrin was constantly present in the blood vessel walls of fresh and older vasculitis lesions, and showed up in the regions of \"fibrinoid necrosis\" in form of distorted vascular rings. Although neither IgD nor fibrin appear in a disease-specific histotopical distribution, their simultaneous in vivo demonstration, connected with the result of vascular bound complement, is a good aid to substantiate the diagnosis of cutaneous vasculitis.", "contents": "Immunofluorescent investigations in cutaneous vasculitis. II. Histotopical demonstration of IgD and fibrin. The histotopical distribution of IgD and fibrin was examined in skin lesions of 12 patients with cutaneous vasculitis, by means of the direct IF method. IgD was found in 9 cases mostly in a striking fixation to the PMN-leucocytic inflammation cells. Homogeneous depositions of IgD in cutaneous blood vessel walls were seen twice. In 3 cases with older, lympho-histiocytic infiltrations, IgD was lacking. Fibrin was constantly present in the blood vessel walls of fresh and older vasculitis lesions, and showed up in the regions of \"fibrinoid necrosis\" in form of distorted vascular rings. Although neither IgD nor fibrin appear in a disease-specific histotopical distribution, their simultaneous in vivo demonstration, connected with the result of vascular bound complement, is a good aid to substantiate the diagnosis of cutaneous vasculitis.", "PMID": 766711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2169", "title": "Promotion of sporulation by caffeine pretreatment in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I. Metabolism of nucleic acids and protein during sporulation.", "content": "Cells cultured in the presence of caffeine had high sporulation ability. The sporulation-promotive effect of caffeine was studied, special attention being paid upon changes in nucleic acid metabolism. When transferred to a sporulation medium, the breakdown of RNA, the synthesis of protein, RNA and DNA, commitment to sporulation and the appearance of mature asci took place in caffeine-treated cells significantly earlier than in control cells. Commitment to sporulation occurred before the completion of premeiotic DNA synthesis in both caffeine-treated and control cells.", "contents": "Promotion of sporulation by caffeine pretreatment in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I. Metabolism of nucleic acids and protein during sporulation. Cells cultured in the presence of caffeine had high sporulation ability. The sporulation-promotive effect of caffeine was studied, special attention being paid upon changes in nucleic acid metabolism. When transferred to a sporulation medium, the breakdown of RNA, the synthesis of protein, RNA and DNA, commitment to sporulation and the appearance of mature asci took place in caffeine-treated cells significantly earlier than in control cells. Commitment to sporulation occurred before the completion of premeiotic DNA synthesis in both caffeine-treated and control cells.", "PMID": 766716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2170", "title": "[Metabolic products of microorganisms. 150. Ferricrocin, triacetylfusigen and other sideramines from fungi of the genus Aspergillus, group Fumigatus (author's transl)].", "content": "The sideramines of 14 species of the genus Aspergillus, group Fumigatus, were isolated and analyzed. Ferricrocin was identified in 11 extracts, ferrichrome in 2 others. A lipophilic sideramine produced by 4 species was identified as triacetylfusigen, another minor component as triacetylfusigen B. Six species produced an alanine-containing sideramine, which may be identical with ferrichrom C.", "contents": "[Metabolic products of microorganisms. 150. Ferricrocin, triacetylfusigen and other sideramines from fungi of the genus Aspergillus, group Fumigatus (author's transl)]. The sideramines of 14 species of the genus Aspergillus, group Fumigatus, were isolated and analyzed. Ferricrocin was identified in 11 extracts, ferrichrome in 2 others. A lipophilic sideramine produced by 4 species was identified as triacetylfusigen, another minor component as triacetylfusigen B. Six species produced an alanine-containing sideramine, which may be identical with ferrichrom C.", "PMID": 766717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2171", "title": "The regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418 organisms, growing in chemostat culture.", "content": "Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418 was grown in chemostat cultures (D = 0.17 hr-1; pH 6.8;35 degrees C) that were, successively, carbon-, sulphate-, ammonia-, and phosphate-limited, and which contained as the sole carbon-substrate first glucose, then glycerol, mannitol and lactate. Quantitative analyses of carbon-substrate used and products formed allowed carbon balances to be constructed and direct comparisons to be made of the efficiency of substrate utilzation. With all sixteen cultures, carbon recoveries of better than 90% were obtained. Optimum utilization of the carbon substrate was invariably found with the carbon-limited cultures, the sole products being organisms and carbon dioxide. But the extent to which excess substrate was over-utilized varied markedly with both the nature of the growth-limitation and the identity of the carbon-substrate. In general, sulphate-, ammonia-, and phosphate-limited cultures utilized glycerol more efficiently than mannitol, mannitol better than lactate, and glucose least efficiently. Glucose-containing cultures also synthesized some extracellular polysaccharide. When the carbon source was in excess, a range of acidic compounds generally were excreted. Sulphate-limited cultures, growing on glucose, excreted much pyruvate and acetate, whereas similarly-limited cultures growing on glycerol, mannitol or lactate produced only acetate. Ammonia-limited cultures invariably excreted 2-oxoglutarate and acetate, whereas phosphate-limited cultures produced gluconic acid, 2-ketogluconic acid and acetate, when growing on glucose, but only acetate when growing on mannitol or lactate. From the rates of substrate and oxygen consumption, and the rates of cell synthesis, yield values for both substrate and oxygen were calculated. These showed different trends, but were similar in being highest under carbon-limitation and substantially lower under all other limitations. The physiological significance of these findings, and the probable nature of the regulatory mechanisms underlying \"overflow metabolism\" are discussed.", "contents": "The regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418 organisms, growing in chemostat culture. Klebsiella aerogenes NCTC 418 was grown in chemostat cultures (D = 0.17 hr-1; pH 6.8;35 degrees C) that were, successively, carbon-, sulphate-, ammonia-, and phosphate-limited, and which contained as the sole carbon-substrate first glucose, then glycerol, mannitol and lactate. Quantitative analyses of carbon-substrate used and products formed allowed carbon balances to be constructed and direct comparisons to be made of the efficiency of substrate utilzation. With all sixteen cultures, carbon recoveries of better than 90% were obtained. Optimum utilization of the carbon substrate was invariably found with the carbon-limited cultures, the sole products being organisms and carbon dioxide. But the extent to which excess substrate was over-utilized varied markedly with both the nature of the growth-limitation and the identity of the carbon-substrate. In general, sulphate-, ammonia-, and phosphate-limited cultures utilized glycerol more efficiently than mannitol, mannitol better than lactate, and glucose least efficiently. Glucose-containing cultures also synthesized some extracellular polysaccharide. When the carbon source was in excess, a range of acidic compounds generally were excreted. Sulphate-limited cultures, growing on glucose, excreted much pyruvate and acetate, whereas similarly-limited cultures growing on glycerol, mannitol or lactate produced only acetate. Ammonia-limited cultures invariably excreted 2-oxoglutarate and acetate, whereas phosphate-limited cultures produced gluconic acid, 2-ketogluconic acid and acetate, when growing on glucose, but only acetate when growing on mannitol or lactate. From the rates of substrate and oxygen consumption, and the rates of cell synthesis, yield values for both substrate and oxygen were calculated. These showed different trends, but were similar in being highest under carbon-limitation and substantially lower under all other limitations. The physiological significance of these findings, and the probable nature of the regulatory mechanisms underlying \"overflow metabolism\" are discussed.", "PMID": 766718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2172", "title": "Postpsychotic depression in schizophrenia.", "content": "Several authors have described a severe depression in patients emerging from psychotic states. The clinical picture usually resembles that of a retarded depression with strong neurasthenic and schizoid components. It frequently emerges after a patient has been discharged from the hospital and may often go unnoticed. When manifest, the syndrome is usually stable phenomenologically, is often lengthy, and may be resistant to all modalities of treatment. Postpsychotic depression is a relatively neglected clinical area despite the risk of suicide and prolonged suffering. Therapeutic perseverence purportedly can improve the patient's long-term prognosis, and the phenomenon itself may be favorable prognostic sign. We present here a review and reformulation of this syndrome.", "contents": "Postpsychotic depression in schizophrenia. Several authors have described a severe depression in patients emerging from psychotic states. The clinical picture usually resembles that of a retarded depression with strong neurasthenic and schizoid components. It frequently emerges after a patient has been discharged from the hospital and may often go unnoticed. When manifest, the syndrome is usually stable phenomenologically, is often lengthy, and may be resistant to all modalities of treatment. Postpsychotic depression is a relatively neglected clinical area despite the risk of suicide and prolonged suffering. Therapeutic perseverence purportedly can improve the patient's long-term prognosis, and the phenomenon itself may be favorable prognostic sign. We present here a review and reformulation of this syndrome.", "PMID": 766720} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2173", "title": "Immunochemical studies on the serotype of Shigella flexneri and its recombinant.", "content": "Chemical and serologic analysis of polysaccharides of Shigella flexneri 2b and its recombinant revealed complete defect of the gene responsible for type II specificity as a result of recombination. At the same time, function of the gene in the same locus responsible for 7,8 group specificity was partially inhibited. Attenuation of group antigen 7,8, associated with partial uncovering of the structure of the basic chain, causes appearance of a distinct 3,4 group antigen. Changes of this type in Shigella flexneri have not been described hitherto.", "contents": "Immunochemical studies on the serotype of Shigella flexneri and its recombinant. Chemical and serologic analysis of polysaccharides of Shigella flexneri 2b and its recombinant revealed complete defect of the gene responsible for type II specificity as a result of recombination. At the same time, function of the gene in the same locus responsible for 7,8 group specificity was partially inhibited. Attenuation of group antigen 7,8, associated with partial uncovering of the structure of the basic chain, causes appearance of a distinct 3,4 group antigen. Changes of this type in Shigella flexneri have not been described hitherto.", "PMID": 766721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2174", "title": "Comparative serologic analysis of Lac+ recombinants of serotypes 2a, 2b, 5a and variant Y of Shigella flexneri.", "content": "The serologic structure of Lac+ recombinants of 2a, 2b, 5a and var. Y serotypes of Sh. flexneri was compared. Rec. 2a Lac+, rec. 2b Lac+ and rec. Y Lac+ were shown to be identified, and rec. 5a Lac+ was found to differ from those mentioned in that it was deficient in determinants for 3,4 group antigen complex. Furthermore, the paper discusses the presumable genetic mechanisms of the described variability.", "contents": "Comparative serologic analysis of Lac+ recombinants of serotypes 2a, 2b, 5a and variant Y of Shigella flexneri. The serologic structure of Lac+ recombinants of 2a, 2b, 5a and var. Y serotypes of Sh. flexneri was compared. Rec. 2a Lac+, rec. 2b Lac+ and rec. Y Lac+ were shown to be identified, and rec. 5a Lac+ was found to differ from those mentioned in that it was deficient in determinants for 3,4 group antigen complex. Furthermore, the paper discusses the presumable genetic mechanisms of the described variability.", "PMID": 766722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2175", "title": "Cytophilic and cytotoxic antibodies in sera of rabbits after allogeneic skin grafts.", "content": "The appearance, distribution in serum fractions, and specificity of cytophilic and cytotoxic antibodies in rabbits after skin allotransplantation were investigated. The sera were obtained from rabbits receiving three subsequent skin allografts across the RL-A barrier. The direct cytophilic test and the microcytotoxic test using the graft recipients sera and lymphocytes from the donor rabbits, as well as lymphocytes from other rabbits were performed. In all the sera under investigation both cytophilic and cytotoxic antibodies were found. The specificity of cytotoxic antibodies was directed against rabbit histocompatibility antigens (RL-A), in contrary to cytophilic antibodies, which were strongly active with the donor lymphocytes, and to a somewhat lesser degree with other lymphocytes, regardless their RL-A constitution. Posttransplantation cytophilic and cytotoxic antibodies were present in the gamma1 and gamma2 classes of immunoglobulins and absent from the IgM immunoglobulins. It is concluded, that allografted rabbits develop, besides the known cytotoxic antibodies, also cytophilic antibodies, not connected with the strong histocompatibility antigen system.", "contents": "Cytophilic and cytotoxic antibodies in sera of rabbits after allogeneic skin grafts. The appearance, distribution in serum fractions, and specificity of cytophilic and cytotoxic antibodies in rabbits after skin allotransplantation were investigated. The sera were obtained from rabbits receiving three subsequent skin allografts across the RL-A barrier. The direct cytophilic test and the microcytotoxic test using the graft recipients sera and lymphocytes from the donor rabbits, as well as lymphocytes from other rabbits were performed. In all the sera under investigation both cytophilic and cytotoxic antibodies were found. The specificity of cytotoxic antibodies was directed against rabbit histocompatibility antigens (RL-A), in contrary to cytophilic antibodies, which were strongly active with the donor lymphocytes, and to a somewhat lesser degree with other lymphocytes, regardless their RL-A constitution. Posttransplantation cytophilic and cytotoxic antibodies were present in the gamma1 and gamma2 classes of immunoglobulins and absent from the IgM immunoglobulins. It is concluded, that allografted rabbits develop, besides the known cytotoxic antibodies, also cytophilic antibodies, not connected with the strong histocompatibility antigen system.", "PMID": 766723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2176", "title": "A double-blind clinical trial of laxogas evacuant suppositories.", "content": "A double-blind study was carried out to evaluate Laxogas gas producing suppositories--in inpatients confined to bed for long periods, and in elderly outpatients with constipation. Laxogas was found to give positive results in 92 per cent of cases treated, the time for evacuation of the bowel ranging from 15--40 min. No side effects were noticed.", "contents": "A double-blind clinical trial of laxogas evacuant suppositories. A double-blind study was carried out to evaluate Laxogas gas producing suppositories--in inpatients confined to bed for long periods, and in elderly outpatients with constipation. Laxogas was found to give positive results in 92 per cent of cases treated, the time for evacuation of the bowel ranging from 15--40 min. No side effects were noticed.", "PMID": 766724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2177", "title": "Early and late histologic effects of stereotactic neurosurgery.", "content": "The histologic lesions produced in the brain by stereotactic chemosurgery and cryosurgery are reviewed in four patients who died from 25 days to 15 years postoperatively. Three of four patients had damage to the internal capsule and died of pulmonary emboli. The early lesions are histologically nonspecific, but the old lesions of chemopallidectomy and chemothalamectomy in one patient contained metaplastic bone. Lesions produced by freezing are more discrete than those made by chemical means.", "contents": "Early and late histologic effects of stereotactic neurosurgery. The histologic lesions produced in the brain by stereotactic chemosurgery and cryosurgery are reviewed in four patients who died from 25 days to 15 years postoperatively. Three of four patients had damage to the internal capsule and died of pulmonary emboli. The early lesions are histologically nonspecific, but the old lesions of chemopallidectomy and chemothalamectomy in one patient contained metaplastic bone. Lesions produced by freezing are more discrete than those made by chemical means.", "PMID": 766728} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2178", "title": "The angiographic evaluation of human renal allotransplants. Functional graft deterioration and hypertension.", "content": "The renal arteriogram is a highly reliable test in the differential diagnosis of early transplant anuria, graft rejection, and hypertension. The reliability of the renal arteriogram was 97.8% in either substantiating or disproving the presence of a suspected episode of graft rejection or renal artery stenosis. The earliest signs of acute humoral and acute rejection were a prolongation of arterial clearance time, diffuse edema with enlargement of the kidney, and progressive deterioration of the nephrogram. Renal artery stenosis may be a sharply localized septum or an elongated narrowing at or distal to the actual site of anastomosis. This was seen primarily in patients' arteriograms more than 60 days after transplantation, and it is important because it is a surgically correctable cause of hypertension.", "contents": "The angiographic evaluation of human renal allotransplants. Functional graft deterioration and hypertension. The renal arteriogram is a highly reliable test in the differential diagnosis of early transplant anuria, graft rejection, and hypertension. The reliability of the renal arteriogram was 97.8% in either substantiating or disproving the presence of a suspected episode of graft rejection or renal artery stenosis. The earliest signs of acute humoral and acute rejection were a prolongation of arterial clearance time, diffuse edema with enlargement of the kidney, and progressive deterioration of the nephrogram. Renal artery stenosis may be a sharply localized septum or an elongated narrowing at or distal to the actual site of anastomosis. This was seen primarily in patients' arteriograms more than 60 days after transplantation, and it is important because it is a surgically correctable cause of hypertension.", "PMID": 766729} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2179", "title": "Complete scalp avulsion.", "content": "Complete scalp avulsion results in serious consequences, including hospitalization, economic loss, devasting disfigurement, and psychological effects on the patient. Three patients suffering complete scalp avulsion are discussed. Each case involved injury from farm tractors and occurred in young girls with long hair. In each of them we successfully employed split thickness skin graft for repair of the extensive scalp loss. Excellent aesthetic results were obtained with the use of a wig. Other reported experiences using replacement of the avulsed scalp have been almost uniformly unsuccessful. With recent advancements in microsurgery, the potential for replantation of a completely avulsed scalp has become a hope for the future.", "contents": "Complete scalp avulsion. Complete scalp avulsion results in serious consequences, including hospitalization, economic loss, devasting disfigurement, and psychological effects on the patient. Three patients suffering complete scalp avulsion are discussed. Each case involved injury from farm tractors and occurred in young girls with long hair. In each of them we successfully employed split thickness skin graft for repair of the extensive scalp loss. Excellent aesthetic results were obtained with the use of a wig. Other reported experiences using replacement of the avulsed scalp have been almost uniformly unsuccessful. With recent advancements in microsurgery, the potential for replantation of a completely avulsed scalp has become a hope for the future.", "PMID": 766730} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2180", "title": "Pneumonia in recipients of renal allografts.", "content": "Pneumonia developed in 33 of 266 renal transplant recipients while they were receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Clinical factors were compared for patients with pneumonia and the control group of 220 transplant recipients without pneumonia. The diagnosis was usually established roentgenographically. Most cases of pneumonia were of bacterial origin and occurred within three months after transplantation. Pneumonia occurring during the first two postoperative weeks had no fatal outcomes. Patients with pneumonia occurring three to 12 weeks after transplantation had significantly greater leukopenia (P less than .05) and more therapy for allograft rejection (P less than .01) than the control group. Cases of fungal pneumonia developed later, were preceded by rejection, and had a poor prognosis. The mortality was 51.5% for all cases of pneumonia. Early diagnosis, prompt administration of specific antimicrobial agents, and immediate cessation of immunosuppressive therapy should improve the survival rate.", "contents": "Pneumonia in recipients of renal allografts. Pneumonia developed in 33 of 266 renal transplant recipients while they were receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Clinical factors were compared for patients with pneumonia and the control group of 220 transplant recipients without pneumonia. The diagnosis was usually established roentgenographically. Most cases of pneumonia were of bacterial origin and occurred within three months after transplantation. Pneumonia occurring during the first two postoperative weeks had no fatal outcomes. Patients with pneumonia occurring three to 12 weeks after transplantation had significantly greater leukopenia (P less than .05) and more therapy for allograft rejection (P less than .01) than the control group. Cases of fungal pneumonia developed later, were preceded by rejection, and had a poor prognosis. The mortality was 51.5% for all cases of pneumonia. Early diagnosis, prompt administration of specific antimicrobial agents, and immediate cessation of immunosuppressive therapy should improve the survival rate.", "PMID": 766731} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2181", "title": "Forty-eight-hour kidney preservation. A comparison of flushing and ice storage with perfusion.", "content": "Cold nonperfusional (flushing and ice storage) with Collins or Sacks solution and perfusional preservation with cryoprecipitated plasma or albumin were compared in dog kidneys. All these methods were effective in achieving excellent 48-hour preservation of fresh kidneys. After exposure to 20 minutes of ischemia at 37 C, neither of the flushing solutions yielded kidneys that permitted survival of recipients after 48 hours of preservation, and flushed kidneys functioned poorly after 24 hours of preservation. In contrast, both plasma- and albumin-perfused kidneys exposed to ischemia supported life satisfactorily and with normal function. Therefore, simple and inexpensive flushing and ice storage techniques are entirely satisfactorily for the preservation of ideally harvested cadaver kidneys, while the more complex and expensive perfusional techniques must be employed in preserving ischemia-damaged organs.", "contents": "Forty-eight-hour kidney preservation. A comparison of flushing and ice storage with perfusion. Cold nonperfusional (flushing and ice storage) with Collins or Sacks solution and perfusional preservation with cryoprecipitated plasma or albumin were compared in dog kidneys. All these methods were effective in achieving excellent 48-hour preservation of fresh kidneys. After exposure to 20 minutes of ischemia at 37 C, neither of the flushing solutions yielded kidneys that permitted survival of recipients after 48 hours of preservation, and flushed kidneys functioned poorly after 24 hours of preservation. In contrast, both plasma- and albumin-perfused kidneys exposed to ischemia supported life satisfactorily and with normal function. Therefore, simple and inexpensive flushing and ice storage techniques are entirely satisfactorily for the preservation of ideally harvested cadaver kidneys, while the more complex and expensive perfusional techniques must be employed in preserving ischemia-damaged organs.", "PMID": 766732} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2182", "title": "Organophosphorus esters causing delayed neurotoxic effects: mechanism of action and structure activity studies.", "content": "Evidence is reviewed that the initial biochemical event leading to delayed neurotoxicity is phosphorylation of the active site of a specific enzyme called Neurotoxic Esterase. This is followed by a bondcleavage (? hydrolytic) leading to formation of a mono-substituted phosphoric acid residue on the protein. The mechanism by which some phosphinates protect hens against neurotoxic compounds is explained. Screening Assay. Assay of effects of compounds on Neurotoxic Esterase activity of hen brain in vitro and in vivo provides a quick biochemical screen to supplement the 3-week clinical test. This test provides an estimate of safety margin for compounds which give negative results in the clinical test and are currently used as pesticides, plasticisers, etc. Simplified assay procedures are being developed. Structure/Activity Studies. Data is now available for the biochemical and neurotoxic activity of many compounds. This provides a basis for structure/activity predictions; neurotoxicity data published since 1930 has been assessed in this light.", "contents": "Organophosphorus esters causing delayed neurotoxic effects: mechanism of action and structure activity studies. Evidence is reviewed that the initial biochemical event leading to delayed neurotoxicity is phosphorylation of the active site of a specific enzyme called Neurotoxic Esterase. This is followed by a bondcleavage (? hydrolytic) leading to formation of a mono-substituted phosphoric acid residue on the protein. The mechanism by which some phosphinates protect hens against neurotoxic compounds is explained. Screening Assay. Assay of effects of compounds on Neurotoxic Esterase activity of hen brain in vitro and in vivo provides a quick biochemical screen to supplement the 3-week clinical test. This test provides an estimate of safety margin for compounds which give negative results in the clinical test and are currently used as pesticides, plasticisers, etc. Simplified assay procedures are being developed. Structure/Activity Studies. Data is now available for the biochemical and neurotoxic activity of many compounds. This provides a basis for structure/activity predictions; neurotoxicity data published since 1930 has been assessed in this light.", "PMID": 766733} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2183", "title": "[Connective tissue development in rats with implanted chambers for in vivo microscopy].", "content": "The Sandison and Clark method of intravital microscopy including the implantation of special chambers into different areas of the body in order to study tissues in vivo in the chambers in the passing light was modified and adapted for experiments in rats. With the help of microcinematography the velocity of movement of the regenerating connective tissue of the rat and the velocity of the shift of granulocytes were found to equal 0,3 mm/a day and 50-200 nm/an hour respectively. Functional and morphological distinctions between leucocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts were noticed. The formation of vascular branches of a \"stretched\" type, arteries, veins and anastomoses between them was studied. The details of intravital staining of different connective units with neutral dyes and bright cresyl blue were investigated.", "contents": "[Connective tissue development in rats with implanted chambers for in vivo microscopy]. The Sandison and Clark method of intravital microscopy including the implantation of special chambers into different areas of the body in order to study tissues in vivo in the chambers in the passing light was modified and adapted for experiments in rats. With the help of microcinematography the velocity of movement of the regenerating connective tissue of the rat and the velocity of the shift of granulocytes were found to equal 0,3 mm/a day and 50-200 nm/an hour respectively. Functional and morphological distinctions between leucocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts were noticed. The formation of vascular branches of a \"stretched\" type, arteries, veins and anastomoses between them was studied. The details of intravital staining of different connective units with neutral dyes and bright cresyl blue were investigated.", "PMID": 766735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2184", "title": "Midbrain corectopia.", "content": "Intermittent corectopia was recently observed in a patient with bilateral, rostral midbrain infarction. Results from neuropathologic examination disclosed isolated but intact Edinger-Westphal nuclei. An explanation of midbrain corectopia centered on segmental innervation of the pupil by the Edinger-Westphal nucleus. In the presence of a paralyzed dilator muscle, select, central inhibition of sphincter tone resulted in an oval and eccentric pupil.", "contents": "Midbrain corectopia. Intermittent corectopia was recently observed in a patient with bilateral, rostral midbrain infarction. Results from neuropathologic examination disclosed isolated but intact Edinger-Westphal nuclei. An explanation of midbrain corectopia centered on segmental innervation of the pupil by the Edinger-Westphal nucleus. In the presence of a paralyzed dilator muscle, select, central inhibition of sphincter tone resulted in an oval and eccentric pupil.", "PMID": 766739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2185", "title": "Cadaver storage time. An important factor in donor cornea survival.", "content": "The effects of cadaver storage on endothelial survival are assessed by the temperature reversal effect in rabbit eyes. Eyes removed at death show little deterioration after one week of refrigerator storage. Eyes left in the cadaver from one to four hours after death show increasing deterioration with time in the body; the deterioration becomes more pronounced as the days of refrigerator storage increase. The sooner an eye is removed from the body, the more reliably it will survive refrigerator storage.", "contents": "Cadaver storage time. An important factor in donor cornea survival. The effects of cadaver storage on endothelial survival are assessed by the temperature reversal effect in rabbit eyes. Eyes removed at death show little deterioration after one week of refrigerator storage. Eyes left in the cadaver from one to four hours after death show increasing deterioration with time in the body; the deterioration becomes more pronounced as the days of refrigerator storage increase. The sooner an eye is removed from the body, the more reliably it will survive refrigerator storage.", "PMID": 766740} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2186", "title": "[The indication and technique of the arthrodesis by children and adolescents (author's transl)].", "content": "The indications and techniques of an arthrodesis procedure, in children and adolescents, differ greatly with that of adults. And this, on account of, the growth of the epiphysis and its circulation during that period, and also, due to the thick cartilage coating the joint's surface. And therefore, only for the rare exceptions, where there are strict indications that the procedure is weeded, should it be performed, and preferably, when possible in late adolescence. It is advised to perform the arthrodesis even earlier, when it will prevent an increase in the static's impairement especially that of the feet. In general, for the seldom splintplastics one should consider autologous material, as primary choice. To conclude, special arthrodesis will be mentioned later.", "contents": "[The indication and technique of the arthrodesis by children and adolescents (author's transl)]. The indications and techniques of an arthrodesis procedure, in children and adolescents, differ greatly with that of adults. And this, on account of, the growth of the epiphysis and its circulation during that period, and also, due to the thick cartilage coating the joint's surface. And therefore, only for the rare exceptions, where there are strict indications that the procedure is weeded, should it be performed, and preferably, when possible in late adolescence. It is advised to perform the arthrodesis even earlier, when it will prevent an increase in the static's impairement especially that of the feet. In general, for the seldom splintplastics one should consider autologous material, as primary choice. To conclude, special arthrodesis will be mentioned later.", "PMID": 766741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2187", "title": "[The distribution of B-lymphocytes in lymphoepithelial tissues as well as in tumors of the neck-, nose-, and throat region derived from lymphoreticular and lymphoepithelial tissues (author's transl)].", "content": "B-Lymphocytes carrying IgG-, IgM,- and IgA-surface receptors were estimated by fluorescence microscopy in the palatine tonsil of 50 patients aged 3 to 18 years as well as in 44 patients with various types of malignant lymphoms and lymphoepithelial carcinomas. Hyperplastic tonsillartissue contains large numbers of B-cells with a marked variability in concentration (4-30% IgG-cells, medium 12,9%;6-36 IgM-cells, medium 23.4%;3-38% IgA cells, medium 20.8%). There appears to exist an age-dependent increase in IgM-cells and an increase in IgG-and IgA-cells in patients with numerous recurrent infections of the upper respiratory tract. Malignant lymphomas can be grouped into three main categories: Such with a predominance of one B-cell line (above 75-80% of one immunological cell type); these include primarily malignant lymphomas of the well differentiated lymphocytic type (IgM and IgA receptors). Secondly, such with a significant decrease in B-cells (below 10%) which include primarily malignant lymphomas of the poorly differentiated lymphocytic type. Thirdly, such with an increased B-cell content but with more than one cell line participating in cell proliferation. The latter ones comprise certain cases of Hodkin's lymphomas. Lymphoepithial carcinomas are charactersized by a significant decrease in total B-cell content, except for IgE- and IgD-cells which were not investigated. The results show that the immunologic classification of malignant lymphomas correlates only to a certain degree with the morphologic classification; i.e. the same morphologic type of tumor may possess different immunologic characteristics. Since the immunologic characteristics may reflect a certain functional potential of these tumors as well as probably a certain kind of immunologic incompetence prior to tumor development, it is suggested, that future morphologic investigations of malignant lymphomas and lymphoepithelial carcinomas are combined with immunologic classifications.", "contents": "[The distribution of B-lymphocytes in lymphoepithelial tissues as well as in tumors of the neck-, nose-, and throat region derived from lymphoreticular and lymphoepithelial tissues (author's transl)]. B-Lymphocytes carrying IgG-, IgM,- and IgA-surface receptors were estimated by fluorescence microscopy in the palatine tonsil of 50 patients aged 3 to 18 years as well as in 44 patients with various types of malignant lymphoms and lymphoepithelial carcinomas. Hyperplastic tonsillartissue contains large numbers of B-cells with a marked variability in concentration (4-30% IgG-cells, medium 12,9%;6-36 IgM-cells, medium 23.4%;3-38% IgA cells, medium 20.8%). There appears to exist an age-dependent increase in IgM-cells and an increase in IgG-and IgA-cells in patients with numerous recurrent infections of the upper respiratory tract. Malignant lymphomas can be grouped into three main categories: Such with a predominance of one B-cell line (above 75-80% of one immunological cell type); these include primarily malignant lymphomas of the well differentiated lymphocytic type (IgM and IgA receptors). Secondly, such with a significant decrease in B-cells (below 10%) which include primarily malignant lymphomas of the poorly differentiated lymphocytic type. Thirdly, such with an increased B-cell content but with more than one cell line participating in cell proliferation. The latter ones comprise certain cases of Hodkin's lymphomas. Lymphoepithial carcinomas are charactersized by a significant decrease in total B-cell content, except for IgE- and IgD-cells which were not investigated. The results show that the immunologic classification of malignant lymphomas correlates only to a certain degree with the morphologic classification; i.e. the same morphologic type of tumor may possess different immunologic characteristics. Since the immunologic characteristics may reflect a certain functional potential of these tumors as well as probably a certain kind of immunologic incompetence prior to tumor development, it is suggested, that future morphologic investigations of malignant lymphomas and lymphoepithelial carcinomas are combined with immunologic classifications.", "PMID": 766742} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2188", "title": "[Myelin sheets of spiral ganglion cells in rats and guinea pigs, an electronmicroscopical study (author's transl)].", "content": "Comparative studies of the spiral ganglion cells in guinea pigs and rats, subsequent to osmium and glutaraldehyde fixation were undertaken to demonstrate the structure of their myelin sheets. We believe that the myelin sheets consist only out of loose and compact myelin components, which can be seen using glutaraldehyde fixation. The so called semicompact myelin must be an artefact due to osmiumfixation followed by a slight shrinkage of the ganglion cells with tearing of the compact myelin.", "contents": "[Myelin sheets of spiral ganglion cells in rats and guinea pigs, an electronmicroscopical study (author's transl)]. Comparative studies of the spiral ganglion cells in guinea pigs and rats, subsequent to osmium and glutaraldehyde fixation were undertaken to demonstrate the structure of their myelin sheets. We believe that the myelin sheets consist only out of loose and compact myelin components, which can be seen using glutaraldehyde fixation. The so called semicompact myelin must be an artefact due to osmiumfixation followed by a slight shrinkage of the ganglion cells with tearing of the compact myelin.", "PMID": 766743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2189", "title": "Histological examination of the aldolase monomer composition of cells from human kidney and hypernephroid carcinoma.", "content": "Aldolase was specifically fixed in tissue sections by the use of antibody prepared either against aldolase A or against aldolase B. The localization of the antigen was demonstrated with the immuno-histochemical method. Aldolase A was found to be the predominant constituent in the cytoplasm of the distal tubules, the large vessels and the glomerula of normal kidney, and aldolase B in the proximal tubules. The collecting tubules and the capillaries contained a mixture of the two types. In the hypernephroid carcinoma cells only aldolase A could be found, but the capillaries within the tumor tissue did contain some aldolase B. Confirmation of these results was obtained by analysis of homogenate prepared with carefully selected tissue parts.", "contents": "Histological examination of the aldolase monomer composition of cells from human kidney and hypernephroid carcinoma. Aldolase was specifically fixed in tissue sections by the use of antibody prepared either against aldolase A or against aldolase B. The localization of the antigen was demonstrated with the immuno-histochemical method. Aldolase A was found to be the predominant constituent in the cytoplasm of the distal tubules, the large vessels and the glomerula of normal kidney, and aldolase B in the proximal tubules. The collecting tubules and the capillaries contained a mixture of the two types. In the hypernephroid carcinoma cells only aldolase A could be found, but the capillaries within the tumor tissue did contain some aldolase B. Confirmation of these results was obtained by analysis of homogenate prepared with carefully selected tissue parts.", "PMID": 766744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2190", "title": "[Embedding of undecalcified bone tissue for electron microscopic investigation (author's transl)].", "content": "The preparation of undecalcified bone tissue for electron microscopic investigation depends on the quality of the embedding medium. Penetration of bone tissue is improved by a low viscosity of the monomer plastic material. Hardness of polymerized embedding medium should be similar to bone tissue, but a good cutting quality must be maintained. A low viscosity resin proposed by Spurr (1969) proved to be in compliance with these conditions. The embedding medium is composed of four components: vinylcyclohexenedioxide (ERL, 4206), polyglycolepoxide (DER 736), nonenyl succinic anhydride (NAS) and dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE). The most favourable molar ratio between anhydride (NSA) and epoxide (ERL 4206 and DER 736) was A : E = 0.81 : I. Hardness and brittleness of polymerized epoxy resin can additionally be influenced by varying the amounts of both epoxy components in the final mixture. Human iliac crest trabecular bone as well as rat bone tissue were embedded to test the quality of the medium. Resutls: Ultra-thin sections were performed at low cutting speed (0.5 mm/sec) using diamond knives. Artificial alterations of bone surfaces did hardly occur due to a good penetration of the bone tissue. The special hardness of the embedding medium stabilized the tissue, thus chattering of the transition from osteoid to mineralized bone could be markedly reduced.", "contents": "[Embedding of undecalcified bone tissue for electron microscopic investigation (author's transl)]. The preparation of undecalcified bone tissue for electron microscopic investigation depends on the quality of the embedding medium. Penetration of bone tissue is improved by a low viscosity of the monomer plastic material. Hardness of polymerized embedding medium should be similar to bone tissue, but a good cutting quality must be maintained. A low viscosity resin proposed by Spurr (1969) proved to be in compliance with these conditions. The embedding medium is composed of four components: vinylcyclohexenedioxide (ERL, 4206), polyglycolepoxide (DER 736), nonenyl succinic anhydride (NAS) and dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE). The most favourable molar ratio between anhydride (NSA) and epoxide (ERL 4206 and DER 736) was A : E = 0.81 : I. Hardness and brittleness of polymerized epoxy resin can additionally be influenced by varying the amounts of both epoxy components in the final mixture. Human iliac crest trabecular bone as well as rat bone tissue were embedded to test the quality of the medium. Resutls: Ultra-thin sections were performed at low cutting speed (0.5 mm/sec) using diamond knives. Artificial alterations of bone surfaces did hardly occur due to a good penetration of the bone tissue. The special hardness of the embedding medium stabilized the tissue, thus chattering of the transition from osteoid to mineralized bone could be markedly reduced.", "PMID": 766745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2191", "title": "Evidence for an active dimer of Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase.", "content": "BETA-Galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23), prepared from strains ML 308 and K12 3300 of Escherichia coli, dissociated into an inactive monomer in the presence of Ag+. When such a monomer preparation is treated with excess of thiol an enzymically active dimer is formed in addition to an active tetramer. It is suggested that Ag+ may be of value in studies on other multimeric proteins as a mild dissociating agent.", "contents": "Evidence for an active dimer of Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase. BETA-Galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23), prepared from strains ML 308 and K12 3300 of Escherichia coli, dissociated into an inactive monomer in the presence of Ag+. When such a monomer preparation is treated with excess of thiol an enzymically active dimer is formed in addition to an active tetramer. It is suggested that Ag+ may be of value in studies on other multimeric proteins as a mild dissociating agent.", "PMID": 766750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2192", "title": "A 30 S precursor of 30 S ribosomes in a mutant of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Escherichia coli 15-28, a mutant with a defect in ribosome metabolism, accumulates a ribonucleoprotein particle that is indistinguishable from 30S subunits by sedimentation but contains the precursor form of 16S RNA. This particle is probably a precursor of 30 S ribosomes.", "contents": "A 30 S precursor of 30 S ribosomes in a mutant of Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli 15-28, a mutant with a defect in ribosome metabolism, accumulates a ribonucleoprotein particle that is indistinguishable from 30S subunits by sedimentation but contains the precursor form of 16S RNA. This particle is probably a precursor of 30 S ribosomes.", "PMID": 766751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2193", "title": "The distribution of different molecular species of collagen in fibrous, elastic and hyaline cartilages of the pig.", "content": "The distribution of type II collagen, considered to be characteristic of cartilaginous tissues, was determined in various specialized cartilages of the mature pig. The tissues examined were: (1) fibrocartilage of the semilunar meniscus of the knee; (2) elastic cartilage of the external ear; (3) hyaline cartilage of (a) the synovial joint (b) the thyroid plate of the larynx, and (c) the nasal septum. The predominant species of collagen in each tissue, whether type I or type II, was appraised semi-quantitatively by analysis of purified collagen solubilized by pepsin and of peptide fragments produced by cyanogen bromide. Cyanogen bromide-derived peptides were characterized by column chromatography on CM-cellulose and by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels. The proportion of each type of collagen was determined precisely by isolating the homologous small peptides alpha1(II)CB6 [nomenclature of Miller (1973) Clin. Orthop. 92, 260-280], by column chromatography on phosphocellulose and determining their relative proportions by amino acid analysis. Thus collagen of the fibrocartilage of the meniscus proved to be all type I; type II was not detected. In contrast, collagen of elastic cartilage of the outer ear, after rigorous exclusion of perichondrium, was type II. Similarly, type II was the only collagen detected in all the mature hyalline cartilages examined.", "contents": "The distribution of different molecular species of collagen in fibrous, elastic and hyaline cartilages of the pig. The distribution of type II collagen, considered to be characteristic of cartilaginous tissues, was determined in various specialized cartilages of the mature pig. The tissues examined were: (1) fibrocartilage of the semilunar meniscus of the knee; (2) elastic cartilage of the external ear; (3) hyaline cartilage of (a) the synovial joint (b) the thyroid plate of the larynx, and (c) the nasal septum. The predominant species of collagen in each tissue, whether type I or type II, was appraised semi-quantitatively by analysis of purified collagen solubilized by pepsin and of peptide fragments produced by cyanogen bromide. Cyanogen bromide-derived peptides were characterized by column chromatography on CM-cellulose and by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels. The proportion of each type of collagen was determined precisely by isolating the homologous small peptides alpha1(II)CB6 [nomenclature of Miller (1973) Clin. Orthop. 92, 260-280], by column chromatography on phosphocellulose and determining their relative proportions by amino acid analysis. Thus collagen of the fibrocartilage of the meniscus proved to be all type I; type II was not detected. In contrast, collagen of elastic cartilage of the outer ear, after rigorous exclusion of perichondrium, was type II. Similarly, type II was the only collagen detected in all the mature hyalline cartilages examined.", "PMID": 766752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2194", "title": "Interchain disulphide bridges of mouse immunoglobulin M.", "content": "Mouse IgM (immunoglobulin M) was selectively and partially reduced and treated with iodo[2-14C]acetate to label the interchain disulphide bridges. The carboxymethylation was studied in some detail. The labelled peptides were purified, sequenced and positioned by homology with human IgM. Only peptides originating from three interchain disulphide bridges were labelled, in contrast with the four labelled bridges obtained in human IgM under the same conditions. These peptides are homologous to human bridge peptides forming the heavy-light bridge and two inter-heavy bridges, one present in the CMU2 region and the other in the C-terminal region. The inter-heavy bridge in the Cmu2 region was alone cleaved and radioactively labelled in selectively reduced IgM held together as a pentamer by non-covalen interactions. The same bridge was the only one to be totally cleaved in subunits released after more extensive, though still selective, reduction. In the light of these results a possible arrangement of the disulphide bridges of the mouse IgM.", "contents": "Interchain disulphide bridges of mouse immunoglobulin M. Mouse IgM (immunoglobulin M) was selectively and partially reduced and treated with iodo[2-14C]acetate to label the interchain disulphide bridges. The carboxymethylation was studied in some detail. The labelled peptides were purified, sequenced and positioned by homology with human IgM. Only peptides originating from three interchain disulphide bridges were labelled, in contrast with the four labelled bridges obtained in human IgM under the same conditions. These peptides are homologous to human bridge peptides forming the heavy-light bridge and two inter-heavy bridges, one present in the CMU2 region and the other in the C-terminal region. The inter-heavy bridge in the Cmu2 region was alone cleaved and radioactively labelled in selectively reduced IgM held together as a pentamer by non-covalen interactions. The same bridge was the only one to be totally cleaved in subunits released after more extensive, though still selective, reduction. In the light of these results a possible arrangement of the disulphide bridges of the mouse IgM.", "PMID": 766753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2195", "title": "Crystallization of one of the chicken pepinogens and its derived pepsin.", "content": "Dodecahedral crystals of chicken pepsinogen have been prepared, one perfect cystal having the dimensions 0.090mm x 0.086mm x 0.009mm. The derived pepsin crystakkized in the form of flat plates, often with one rounded end. The dimensions of one such crystal wer 0.076mm x 0.043mm. Both types of protein crystals showed full enzymic or potential enzymic activity.", "contents": "Crystallization of one of the chicken pepinogens and its derived pepsin. Dodecahedral crystals of chicken pepsinogen have been prepared, one perfect cystal having the dimensions 0.090mm x 0.086mm x 0.009mm. The derived pepsin crystakkized in the form of flat plates, often with one rounded end. The dimensions of one such crystal wer 0.076mm x 0.043mm. Both types of protein crystals showed full enzymic or potential enzymic activity.", "PMID": 766754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2196", "title": "[Are there pseudophototropic reactions in biology? Part 1: Some considerations on molecular repair (author's transl)].", "content": "The phenomenon of repair in light and darkness in biological systems is compared with the reactions of the pseudophototropy of synthetic macromolecules. The reactions of the pseudophototropy, that is the formation of terminal double bond sequences and their reactions which are effected through ultraviolet irradiation or oxidation, seem to be identical to the mechanism of DNA repair.", "contents": "[Are there pseudophototropic reactions in biology? Part 1: Some considerations on molecular repair (author's transl)]. The phenomenon of repair in light and darkness in biological systems is compared with the reactions of the pseudophototropy of synthetic macromolecules. The reactions of the pseudophototropy, that is the formation of terminal double bond sequences and their reactions which are effected through ultraviolet irradiation or oxidation, seem to be identical to the mechanism of DNA repair.", "PMID": 766763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2197", "title": "[Phalloidin antagonists 4th communication: Thioctic acid, SH-compounds, rifampicin, choleretics, dexamethasone, estradiol, unspecific inhibitors, and ineffective compounds (author's transl)].", "content": "1. Thioctic acid used clinically in poisoning by A. phalloides, protected perfused livers and also isolated hepatocytes against phalloidin, when given in high concentrations. 2. Some SH-compounds like coenzyme A, dimercaprol, cysteine and cysteamine were found to be protective in different concentrations. 3. Rifampicin protects mice against lethal doses of phalloidin, and inhibits poisoning of isolated hepatocytes at low concentrations. 4. Some choleretic drugs like dehydrocholate, temoebilin (extr. cucumae xanth.), ethacrynic acid influenced phalloidin poisoning by inhibition of binding. 5. Doses of 0.2 to 4.0 mg dexamethasone added to 100 ml of perfusion medium did not protect perfused rat livers against 0.5 mg phalloidin. 6. Pretreatment of female rats with estrogens effected protection against phalloidin in vivo. The same procedure resulted in moderate decrease of phalloidin effects when the livers of pretreated animals were poisoned in vitro. In male rats estrogen pretreatment was less effective. Castration did not augment the protective effect. 7. Secophalloidin, a biologically inactive derivative, did not influence phalloidin poisoning in perfused livers, even when applied in excessive concentrations. 8. Concanavalin A, probably bound in the neighborhood of binding sites for phalloidin, did not protect perfused livers against phalloidin. 9 Diethyldithiocarbamate, a compound protecting livers against carbon tetrachloride and halothane, was ineffective in phalloidin poisoning. 10. Further protective actions of Evans blue, of some phenanthrolines and of EDTA are discussed. 11. Pretreatment of animals with hepatotoxic compounds (CCl4, CHCl3, cinchophen) decreased the toxicity of phalloidin in vivo. Possible mechanisms are discussed.", "contents": "[Phalloidin antagonists 4th communication: Thioctic acid, SH-compounds, rifampicin, choleretics, dexamethasone, estradiol, unspecific inhibitors, and ineffective compounds (author's transl)]. 1. Thioctic acid used clinically in poisoning by A. phalloides, protected perfused livers and also isolated hepatocytes against phalloidin, when given in high concentrations. 2. Some SH-compounds like coenzyme A, dimercaprol, cysteine and cysteamine were found to be protective in different concentrations. 3. Rifampicin protects mice against lethal doses of phalloidin, and inhibits poisoning of isolated hepatocytes at low concentrations. 4. Some choleretic drugs like dehydrocholate, temoebilin (extr. cucumae xanth.), ethacrynic acid influenced phalloidin poisoning by inhibition of binding. 5. Doses of 0.2 to 4.0 mg dexamethasone added to 100 ml of perfusion medium did not protect perfused rat livers against 0.5 mg phalloidin. 6. Pretreatment of female rats with estrogens effected protection against phalloidin in vivo. The same procedure resulted in moderate decrease of phalloidin effects when the livers of pretreated animals were poisoned in vitro. In male rats estrogen pretreatment was less effective. Castration did not augment the protective effect. 7. Secophalloidin, a biologically inactive derivative, did not influence phalloidin poisoning in perfused livers, even when applied in excessive concentrations. 8. Concanavalin A, probably bound in the neighborhood of binding sites for phalloidin, did not protect perfused livers against phalloidin. 9 Diethyldithiocarbamate, a compound protecting livers against carbon tetrachloride and halothane, was ineffective in phalloidin poisoning. 10. Further protective actions of Evans blue, of some phenanthrolines and of EDTA are discussed. 11. Pretreatment of animals with hepatotoxic compounds (CCl4, CHCl3, cinchophen) decreased the toxicity of phalloidin in vivo. Possible mechanisms are discussed.", "PMID": 766764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2198", "title": "[Histometrical studies on induced paw inflammation by carrageenan and Freund's complete adjuvant in rats].", "content": "A group of male Wistar rats (strain AF/HAN) received carrageenin in a tragacanth suspension and saline solution by subplantar injection into the right and left hind paws, respectively. Another group was treated similarly with Mycobacterium butyricum in Freund's adjuvant given in the right hind paw while the left paw served as control. The experiments ran for 20 days. The paw volume was measured plethysmometrically and general histological examination was carried out on samples of the dorsal paw epidermis and dermis. The mast cell count and thickness of epidermis were also determined. Epidermal and dermal changes developed in distinct stages following carrageenin or adjuvant treatment. During the acute phase (from 0 to 12 h post-treatment) the paw volume as well as the thickness of the epidermis increased while the dermal mast cell count decreased. Furthermore, hyperemia, edema and leukocytic infiltration of the connective tissue was observed. Eosinophilia and focal necrosis appeared only in the adjuvant treated animals. In the subacute phase (from 1 to 3 days post-treatment) paw swelling and epidermal hyperplasia recessed slightly in the carrageenin treated group. On the other hand, paw volume of the adjuvant treated animals continued to rise. These changes were accompanied by proliferative and degenerative processes of the connective tissue (fibroplasia, histiolymphocytic infiltration, focal necrosis). A chronic phase of inflammation (from 4 to 20 days post-treatment) developed only in the adjuvant treated group. Epidermal hyperplasia reappeared and the paw volume increased significantly (secondary reaction). Also granulomatous chronic inflammation and foreign-body giant cells proliferated in the connective tissue.", "contents": "[Histometrical studies on induced paw inflammation by carrageenan and Freund's complete adjuvant in rats]. A group of male Wistar rats (strain AF/HAN) received carrageenin in a tragacanth suspension and saline solution by subplantar injection into the right and left hind paws, respectively. Another group was treated similarly with Mycobacterium butyricum in Freund's adjuvant given in the right hind paw while the left paw served as control. The experiments ran for 20 days. The paw volume was measured plethysmometrically and general histological examination was carried out on samples of the dorsal paw epidermis and dermis. The mast cell count and thickness of epidermis were also determined. Epidermal and dermal changes developed in distinct stages following carrageenin or adjuvant treatment. During the acute phase (from 0 to 12 h post-treatment) the paw volume as well as the thickness of the epidermis increased while the dermal mast cell count decreased. Furthermore, hyperemia, edema and leukocytic infiltration of the connective tissue was observed. Eosinophilia and focal necrosis appeared only in the adjuvant treated animals. In the subacute phase (from 1 to 3 days post-treatment) paw swelling and epidermal hyperplasia recessed slightly in the carrageenin treated group. On the other hand, paw volume of the adjuvant treated animals continued to rise. These changes were accompanied by proliferative and degenerative processes of the connective tissue (fibroplasia, histiolymphocytic infiltration, focal necrosis). A chronic phase of inflammation (from 4 to 20 days post-treatment) developed only in the adjuvant treated group. Epidermal hyperplasia reappeared and the paw volume increased significantly (secondary reaction). Also granulomatous chronic inflammation and foreign-body giant cells proliferated in the connective tissue.", "PMID": 766765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2199", "title": "Treatment of psoriatic arthritis with azaribine.", "content": "Thirty-two patients with psoriatic arthritis unresponsive to conventional therapy were treated wtih the antipyrimidine azaribine. For the group, improvement was highly significant (P less than 0.01) when average painful joint count, ring size, grip strength, pain, and morning gel were compared with baseline measurements. The spectrum of response of individual patients varied from total remission or arthritis in 5 patients to no improvement in 7. Dermatitis improved more than 50% in 26 patients. Reduction in hematocrit, gastrointestinal irritation, and occasional central nervous system toxicity were readily reversed by decreasing or discontinuing dosage. Azaribine appears to be a useful agent for trial in the treatment of refractory psoriatic arthritis.", "contents": "Treatment of psoriatic arthritis with azaribine. Thirty-two patients with psoriatic arthritis unresponsive to conventional therapy were treated wtih the antipyrimidine azaribine. For the group, improvement was highly significant (P less than 0.01) when average painful joint count, ring size, grip strength, pain, and morning gel were compared with baseline measurements. The spectrum of response of individual patients varied from total remission or arthritis in 5 patients to no improvement in 7. Dermatitis improved more than 50% in 26 patients. Reduction in hematocrit, gastrointestinal irritation, and occasional central nervous system toxicity were readily reversed by decreasing or discontinuing dosage. Azaribine appears to be a useful agent for trial in the treatment of refractory psoriatic arthritis.", "PMID": 766762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2200", "title": "Diagnostic parameters in experimental renal infection.", "content": "Urinary tract infections are commonly encountered in medical practice but their laboratory diagnosis presents many difficulties. In this study we have used experimental models to assess the value of serum antibody, urinary antibody, rheumatoid factor, and the histochemical examination of renal tissue as diagnostic parameters. Under the conditions of the experiment the analyses did provide useful diagnostic information and may prove to be of value in the management of urinary tract infection in man.", "contents": "Diagnostic parameters in experimental renal infection. Urinary tract infections are commonly encountered in medical practice but their laboratory diagnosis presents many difficulties. In this study we have used experimental models to assess the value of serum antibody, urinary antibody, rheumatoid factor, and the histochemical examination of renal tissue as diagnostic parameters. Under the conditions of the experiment the analyses did provide useful diagnostic information and may prove to be of value in the management of urinary tract infection in man.", "PMID": 766779} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2201", "title": "Recent studies on the role of the thymus in early stages of lymphopoiesis and immune differentiation.", "content": "The influence of thymus deprivation and thymus restoration was studied: a) on the cycling capacity of colony forming cells (CFU-S) in the bone marrow and b) on the establishment of tolerance in liver radiation chimeras. After neonatal thymectomy a reduction in the number of CFU-S in the bone marrow was observed. This reduction was accompanied by a striking decrease in the proportion of cycling cells in the bone marrow of thymus deprived mice. On the other hand, restoration of thymus function by thymic hormone (THF), by implantation of thymus in semi-impermeable cellophane bags, or by pregnancy, raised the number of cycling cells in the bone marrow to that of normal controls. Parental embryonic liver cells reconstitute lethally irradiated mice, and permit establishment of tolerance to further challenges of immunocompetent cells syngeneic to liver donors. We found here that adult thymectomy prevents the establishment of permanent tolerance in liver chimeras. Again, restoration of thymic function by THF permitted liver chimeric mice to resist the immunologic attack of parental spleen lymphocytes syngeneic to donor liver cells.", "contents": "Recent studies on the role of the thymus in early stages of lymphopoiesis and immune differentiation. The influence of thymus deprivation and thymus restoration was studied: a) on the cycling capacity of colony forming cells (CFU-S) in the bone marrow and b) on the establishment of tolerance in liver radiation chimeras. After neonatal thymectomy a reduction in the number of CFU-S in the bone marrow was observed. This reduction was accompanied by a striking decrease in the proportion of cycling cells in the bone marrow of thymus deprived mice. On the other hand, restoration of thymus function by thymic hormone (THF), by implantation of thymus in semi-impermeable cellophane bags, or by pregnancy, raised the number of cycling cells in the bone marrow to that of normal controls. Parental embryonic liver cells reconstitute lethally irradiated mice, and permit establishment of tolerance to further challenges of immunocompetent cells syngeneic to liver donors. We found here that adult thymectomy prevents the establishment of permanent tolerance in liver chimeras. Again, restoration of thymic function by THF permitted liver chimeric mice to resist the immunologic attack of parental spleen lymphocytes syngeneic to donor liver cells.", "PMID": 766782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2202", "title": "Blood-gas changes during induced hypotension with sodium nitroprusside.", "content": "A blood-gas study of the respiratory effects of sodium nitroprusside during anaesthesia has shown a marked reduction in PaO2 when the drug was administered. After nitroprusside PaO2 returned to the previous values. It is suggested that the reduction in PaO2 is a result of an increased scatter of ventilation/perfusion relationships in the lung. The reduction in PaO2 was evident during both spontaneous and artificial ventilation. Nitroprusside was associated with a small decrease in actual bicarbonate.", "contents": "Blood-gas changes during induced hypotension with sodium nitroprusside. A blood-gas study of the respiratory effects of sodium nitroprusside during anaesthesia has shown a marked reduction in PaO2 when the drug was administered. After nitroprusside PaO2 returned to the previous values. It is suggested that the reduction in PaO2 is a result of an increased scatter of ventilation/perfusion relationships in the lung. The reduction in PaO2 was evident during both spontaneous and artificial ventilation. Nitroprusside was associated with a small decrease in actual bicarbonate.", "PMID": 766790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2203", "title": "Cardiovascular effects of extradural analgesia in labour: comparison of bupivacaine with lignocaine.", "content": "Two groups of patients who requested extradural analgesia were studied in a within-patient controlled trial and received either 0.5% bupivacaine with adrenaline 5 mug/ml or 0.5% bupivacaine plain as the analgesic agent (first group) or 0.5% bupivacaine or 2% lignocaine both with adrenaline 5 mug/ml (second group). Arterial pressure, central venous pressure (CVP), maternal and foetal heart rate and uterine contractions were monitored continuously. There was no significant difference in any of the cardiovascular measurements when solutions of 0.5% bupivacaine (with or without adrenaline 5 mug/ml) were used. The second group had a statistically significant increase in CVP during the study period in which 2% lignocaine was used. The position of the patient did not affect the cardiovascular measurements in either group. Since the addition of adrenaline 5 mug/ml to bupivacaine solutions did not confer any apparent advantages, it is concluded that plain solutions of 0.5% bupivacaine should be used except in the longest labours.", "contents": "Cardiovascular effects of extradural analgesia in labour: comparison of bupivacaine with lignocaine. Two groups of patients who requested extradural analgesia were studied in a within-patient controlled trial and received either 0.5% bupivacaine with adrenaline 5 mug/ml or 0.5% bupivacaine plain as the analgesic agent (first group) or 0.5% bupivacaine or 2% lignocaine both with adrenaline 5 mug/ml (second group). Arterial pressure, central venous pressure (CVP), maternal and foetal heart rate and uterine contractions were monitored continuously. There was no significant difference in any of the cardiovascular measurements when solutions of 0.5% bupivacaine (with or without adrenaline 5 mug/ml) were used. The second group had a statistically significant increase in CVP during the study period in which 2% lignocaine was used. The position of the patient did not affect the cardiovascular measurements in either group. Since the addition of adrenaline 5 mug/ml to bupivacaine solutions did not confer any apparent advantages, it is concluded that plain solutions of 0.5% bupivacaine should be used except in the longest labours.", "PMID": 766791} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2204", "title": "A study of inflatable cuffs on endotracheal tubes. Pressures exerted on the trachea.", "content": "A simple method of measuring the pressure exerted by the cuff of an endotracheal tube on the trachea is described and has been used to measure the pressures exerted by 16 commercially available cuffs on the wall of a model trachea. The Shiley, Portex soft-seal, Kamen-Wilkinson (Bivona Fome) tubes had the lowest tracheal wall pressures. Using this method in vivo the changes in tracheal wall pressure exerted by a low-pressure cuff during percussion and vibration physiotherapy, and when the patient \"fights the ventilator\", were recorded.", "contents": "A study of inflatable cuffs on endotracheal tubes. Pressures exerted on the trachea. A simple method of measuring the pressure exerted by the cuff of an endotracheal tube on the trachea is described and has been used to measure the pressures exerted by 16 commercially available cuffs on the wall of a model trachea. The Shiley, Portex soft-seal, Kamen-Wilkinson (Bivona Fome) tubes had the lowest tracheal wall pressures. Using this method in vivo the changes in tracheal wall pressure exerted by a low-pressure cuff during percussion and vibration physiotherapy, and when the patient \"fights the ventilator\", were recorded.", "PMID": 766796} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2205", "title": "A fluidically controlled ventilator for bronchoscopy.", "content": "A simple time-cycled device uses an oscillating, fluidic, bistable element to control the high-pressure oxygen, supply to the ejector of a ventilating bronchoscope. Both manual and automatic modes of function are available, and inflation pressure and respiratory rate are controlled. Its construction is simple, the cost is low and the number of components is small.", "contents": "A fluidically controlled ventilator for bronchoscopy. A simple time-cycled device uses an oscillating, fluidic, bistable element to control the high-pressure oxygen, supply to the ejector of a ventilating bronchoscope. Both manual and automatic modes of function are available, and inflation pressure and respiratory rate are controlled. Its construction is simple, the cost is low and the number of components is small.", "PMID": 766797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2206", "title": "A double-blind clinical trial of the analgesic effects of R & S 218-M, a new potent analgesic for the relief or pain following abdominal surgery: comparison with morphine sulphate.", "content": "The analgesic effects of R & S 218-M, administered in doses of 0.56 mg/70 kg and 0.35 mg/70 kg, were compared with those of morphine sulphate 10.5 mg/70 kg for the relief of abdominal pain following surgery in healthy adults. The drugs were given as the first potent analgesic after operation and the subjects were interviewed at 30-min intervals until the pain became severe again. All the interviews were conducted by the one observer. R & S 218-M 0.56 mg/70 kg was as effective as morphine sulfate 10.5 mg/70 kg, while R & S 218-M 0.35 mg/70 kg was inferior. No evidence was found to support the claim that R & S 218-M causes less respiratory depression when compared with morphine sulphate.", "contents": "A double-blind clinical trial of the analgesic effects of R & S 218-M, a new potent analgesic for the relief or pain following abdominal surgery: comparison with morphine sulphate. The analgesic effects of R & S 218-M, administered in doses of 0.56 mg/70 kg and 0.35 mg/70 kg, were compared with those of morphine sulphate 10.5 mg/70 kg for the relief of abdominal pain following surgery in healthy adults. The drugs were given as the first potent analgesic after operation and the subjects were interviewed at 30-min intervals until the pain became severe again. All the interviews were conducted by the one observer. R & S 218-M 0.56 mg/70 kg was as effective as morphine sulfate 10.5 mg/70 kg, while R & S 218-M 0.35 mg/70 kg was inferior. No evidence was found to support the claim that R & S 218-M causes less respiratory depression when compared with morphine sulphate.", "PMID": 766798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2207", "title": "Chemotherapy of advanced breast cancer: a controlled randomized trial of cyclophosphamide versus a four-drug combination.", "content": "Ninety-nine patients with advanced breast cancer were randomized to receive either cyclophosphamide continuously or a combination of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil and vinblastine given intermittently. The number and duration of objective responses were greater in patients receiving the combination but the differences between the two treatments did not achieve formal significance. The combination was logistically easier to manage and produced less toxicity.", "contents": "Chemotherapy of advanced breast cancer: a controlled randomized trial of cyclophosphamide versus a four-drug combination. Ninety-nine patients with advanced breast cancer were randomized to receive either cyclophosphamide continuously or a combination of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil and vinblastine given intermittently. The number and duration of objective responses were greater in patients receiving the combination but the differences between the two treatments did not achieve formal significance. The combination was logistically easier to manage and produced less toxicity.", "PMID": 766800} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2208", "title": "Serum lysozyme as a marker of host resistance. I. Production by macrophages resident in rat sarcomata.", "content": "With progressive growth of syngeneic sarcomata in rats there was a rise in serum levels of lysozyme which correlated with their immunogenicity and their macrophage content. By an examination of lymph/blood differences in normal and in tumour bearing rats and of the production of lysozyme by cells obtained from the tumours and maintained in vitro, it is apparent that the macrophages resident in a tumour mass make a massive contribution to the elevation in serum lysozyme concentrations. Tumour cells did not release detectable lysozyme activity. Tumour amputation led to a rapid fall in lysozyme levels. Irradiation of the host rats abolished the lysozyme response and the subsequent development of metastases in these rats was associated with a rise in serum lysozyme. The serum concentration of this enzyme reflects the macrophage content of a tumour mass and the draining lymph nodes. We conclude that under well defined conditions serum lysozyme activity may be a useful marker of macrophage mediated host responses to a tumour.", "contents": "Serum lysozyme as a marker of host resistance. I. Production by macrophages resident in rat sarcomata. With progressive growth of syngeneic sarcomata in rats there was a rise in serum levels of lysozyme which correlated with their immunogenicity and their macrophage content. By an examination of lymph/blood differences in normal and in tumour bearing rats and of the production of lysozyme by cells obtained from the tumours and maintained in vitro, it is apparent that the macrophages resident in a tumour mass make a massive contribution to the elevation in serum lysozyme concentrations. Tumour cells did not release detectable lysozyme activity. Tumour amputation led to a rapid fall in lysozyme levels. Irradiation of the host rats abolished the lysozyme response and the subsequent development of metastases in these rats was associated with a rise in serum lysozyme. The serum concentration of this enzyme reflects the macrophage content of a tumour mass and the draining lymph nodes. We conclude that under well defined conditions serum lysozyme activity may be a useful marker of macrophage mediated host responses to a tumour.", "PMID": 766806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2209", "title": "Centrofacial lentiginosis. A survey of 40 cases.", "content": "Forty patients with centrofacial lentiginosis have been studied. A greater than normal number of bone abnormalities, malformations due to dysraphia, endocrine dysfunctions, and neurological diseases, but not psychiatric impairment, were found.", "contents": "Centrofacial lentiginosis. A survey of 40 cases. Forty patients with centrofacial lentiginosis have been studied. A greater than normal number of bone abnormalities, malformations due to dysraphia, endocrine dysfunctions, and neurological diseases, but not psychiatric impairment, were found.", "PMID": 766813} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2210", "title": "Specific cell-mediated immunity in the laboratory diagnosis of dermatophytic infections.", "content": "The leukocyte adherence inhibition test was used to detect cell-mediated immunity against antigens of the infecting fungi in patients with dermatophytosis. The species-specific diagnosis thus obtained was in all cases consistent with the eventual results of mycological examination. Most of the patients also produced a specific circulating blocking factor, the detection of which may be a useful guide to the success of treatment. Immunological reactivity against Candida albicans was also observed.", "contents": "Specific cell-mediated immunity in the laboratory diagnosis of dermatophytic infections. The leukocyte adherence inhibition test was used to detect cell-mediated immunity against antigens of the infecting fungi in patients with dermatophytosis. The species-specific diagnosis thus obtained was in all cases consistent with the eventual results of mycological examination. Most of the patients also produced a specific circulating blocking factor, the detection of which may be a useful guide to the success of treatment. Immunological reactivity against Candida albicans was also observed.", "PMID": 766814} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2211", "title": "International mortality from bullous diseases since 1950.", "content": "National mortality figures hold information about our overall success in treating bullous disorders which cannot be found elsewhere. The official data, since 1950, for England and Wales, the Unites States, France, Japan, Scotland, Ireland and Denmark have been analysed after corrections for changes in the population structure and in the International Classification of Disease. A steep fall in deaths occurred in England and Wales between 1952 (121 deaths) and 1955 (55 deaths). The low rate persisted from 1955 to 1962 (40 deaths) when it fell to a steady even lower level lasting until the present. The United States figures showed a sharp drop in mortality starting about 2 years earlier (from 283 deaths in 1950 to 150 deaths in 1954), followed by a gradual fall to the present. Mortality in Scotland, Ireland and Denmark has followed the same general pattern but the figures from France, after a steady fall between 1951 (68 deaths) and 1965 (29 deaths), have risen again until 1971 (62 deaths). The number of deaths has not fallen in Japan but the data are difficult to interpret. The timing of the improvement in mortality in England and Wales, and in the United States, fits well with the introduction of systemic steroids into general use. A fall to about one-third of the presteroid level is in general agreement with the improvement recorded in smaller personal series from several centres.", "contents": "International mortality from bullous diseases since 1950. National mortality figures hold information about our overall success in treating bullous disorders which cannot be found elsewhere. The official data, since 1950, for England and Wales, the Unites States, France, Japan, Scotland, Ireland and Denmark have been analysed after corrections for changes in the population structure and in the International Classification of Disease. A steep fall in deaths occurred in England and Wales between 1952 (121 deaths) and 1955 (55 deaths). The low rate persisted from 1955 to 1962 (40 deaths) when it fell to a steady even lower level lasting until the present. The United States figures showed a sharp drop in mortality starting about 2 years earlier (from 283 deaths in 1950 to 150 deaths in 1954), followed by a gradual fall to the present. Mortality in Scotland, Ireland and Denmark has followed the same general pattern but the figures from France, after a steady fall between 1951 (68 deaths) and 1965 (29 deaths), have risen again until 1971 (62 deaths). The number of deaths has not fallen in Japan but the data are difficult to interpret. The timing of the improvement in mortality in England and Wales, and in the United States, fits well with the introduction of systemic steroids into general use. A fall to about one-third of the presteroid level is in general agreement with the improvement recorded in smaller personal series from several centres.", "PMID": 766815} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2212", "title": "Cutaneous alternariosis.", "content": "Two patients with cutaneous alternaria infection are presented. In both patients the skin lesions were characterized by multiple non-healing ulcers covered with dry crusts. Although the skin changes were macroscopically alike in the two patients, differences in the histology were seen. Both patients had primary debilitating diseases. A review of the literature is presented and revealed an additional ten cases of cutaneous alternariosis. Methods for the isolation of Alternaria and the susceptibility of the fungus to antimycotic drugs are presented.", "contents": "Cutaneous alternariosis. Two patients with cutaneous alternaria infection are presented. In both patients the skin lesions were characterized by multiple non-healing ulcers covered with dry crusts. Although the skin changes were macroscopically alike in the two patients, differences in the histology were seen. Both patients had primary debilitating diseases. A review of the literature is presented and revealed an additional ten cases of cutaneous alternariosis. Methods for the isolation of Alternaria and the susceptibility of the fungus to antimycotic drugs are presented.", "PMID": 766816} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2213", "title": "The relationship of platelet coagulant activities to venous thrombosis following hip surgery.", "content": "Platelets have recently been shown to trigger intrinsic coagulation by two alternative pathways, protect active clotting factors from inactivation by plasma inhibitors and catalyse intrinsic coagulation reactions on the platelet surface to form fibrin. To determine whether these platelet coagulant activities (PCA) might have a role in the pathogenesis of DVT, 29 patients have been studied before and after arthroplasty or other surgery for fractured hip or degenerative hip disease. The occurrence of DVT was detected by [125I]fibrinogen uptake in the legs and confirmed by venography. In patients who developed DVT, all PCA increased progressively and significantly on day 1 (mean rise, 146% of baseline), day 3 (228%) and day 5 (298%) after surgery before isotopic evidence of DVT appeared (mean 3.27 days postoperatively). In patients without DVT no changes in PCA were observed. Plasma coagulation factor assays were no different in patients with a without DVT. Platelet counts and total platelet antiheparin activity increased during the early postoperative period in DVT patients but not in patients without DVT. It is suggested that progressive increases in PCA concerned with triggering and catalysing intrinsic coagulation reactions may play a pathogenetic role in DVT after hip surgery.", "contents": "The relationship of platelet coagulant activities to venous thrombosis following hip surgery. Platelets have recently been shown to trigger intrinsic coagulation by two alternative pathways, protect active clotting factors from inactivation by plasma inhibitors and catalyse intrinsic coagulation reactions on the platelet surface to form fibrin. To determine whether these platelet coagulant activities (PCA) might have a role in the pathogenesis of DVT, 29 patients have been studied before and after arthroplasty or other surgery for fractured hip or degenerative hip disease. The occurrence of DVT was detected by [125I]fibrinogen uptake in the legs and confirmed by venography. In patients who developed DVT, all PCA increased progressively and significantly on day 1 (mean rise, 146% of baseline), day 3 (228%) and day 5 (298%) after surgery before isotopic evidence of DVT appeared (mean 3.27 days postoperatively). In patients without DVT no changes in PCA were observed. Plasma coagulation factor assays were no different in patients with a without DVT. Platelet counts and total platelet antiheparin activity increased during the early postoperative period in DVT patients but not in patients without DVT. It is suggested that progressive increases in PCA concerned with triggering and catalysing intrinsic coagulation reactions may play a pathogenetic role in DVT after hip surgery.", "PMID": 766820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2214", "title": "A new method for estimation of fetal weight in late pregnancy by ultrasonic scanning.", "content": "The biparietal diameter and are of the fetal skull, and the area of the fetal thorax, were measured by ultrasonic scanning in 68 patients in the seven days prior to delivery. These parameters and various expressions based on the skull and thoracic areas were related to birth weight. It was concluded that the skull and thoracic areas multiple (STAM) index was a more efficient predictor of birth weight than the biparietal diameter.", "contents": "A new method for estimation of fetal weight in late pregnancy by ultrasonic scanning. The biparietal diameter and are of the fetal skull, and the area of the fetal thorax, were measured by ultrasonic scanning in 68 patients in the seven days prior to delivery. These parameters and various expressions based on the skull and thoracic areas were related to birth weight. It was concluded that the skull and thoracic areas multiple (STAM) index was a more efficient predictor of birth weight than the biparietal diameter.", "PMID": 766821} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2215", "title": "The failure of pyridoxine in suppression of puerperal lactation.", "content": "The benefits of pyridoxine in the suppression of lactation were assessed in a double blind controlled trial on 175 puerperal women. No significant differences were demonstrated between pyridoxine and the placebo whether assessed by subjective discomfort or by the persistence of lactation.", "contents": "The failure of pyridoxine in suppression of puerperal lactation. The benefits of pyridoxine in the suppression of lactation were assessed in a double blind controlled trial on 175 puerperal women. No significant differences were demonstrated between pyridoxine and the placebo whether assessed by subjective discomfort or by the persistence of lactation.", "PMID": 766822} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2216", "title": "Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia following the use of prostaglandin E2 in labour.", "content": "A prospective study of 447 labours and the resulting newborn failed to reveal any significant difference between the incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia, defined as a level of at least 205 mumol/l (12 mg/100 ml), following spontaneous labour and after labour induced or accelerated with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The incidence of unexplained neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia after spontaneous labour was 4-5 per cent. There was no significant association between the incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and the total dose of PGE2 used for induction. None of the babies of the six mothers who required more than 1-5 mg of PGE2 to induce labour developed hyperbilirubinaemia. No association was demonstrated between neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and birth weight or the duration of labour. The implications of these findings are discussed.", "contents": "Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia following the use of prostaglandin E2 in labour. A prospective study of 447 labours and the resulting newborn failed to reveal any significant difference between the incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia, defined as a level of at least 205 mumol/l (12 mg/100 ml), following spontaneous labour and after labour induced or accelerated with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The incidence of unexplained neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia after spontaneous labour was 4-5 per cent. There was no significant association between the incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and the total dose of PGE2 used for induction. None of the babies of the six mothers who required more than 1-5 mg of PGE2 to induce labour developed hyperbilirubinaemia. No association was demonstrated between neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and birth weight or the duration of labour. The implications of these findings are discussed.", "PMID": 766823} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2217", "title": "Precision of ultrasonic fetal cephalometry.", "content": "Ultrasonic measurement of the biparietal diameter is a frequently used technique in the assessment of fetal maturity. The popularity of this technique is based partly upon the claim that it can be performed with considerable presicion, but recently published work has not supported this claim. This paper describes a blind clinical trial in which the precision of a single biparietal measurement was determined under normal clinical conditions. The results show that this measurement can be determined with a precision better than +/- 1.6 mm (+/- 2 standard deviations). The clinical significance of this result is discussed.", "contents": "Precision of ultrasonic fetal cephalometry. Ultrasonic measurement of the biparietal diameter is a frequently used technique in the assessment of fetal maturity. The popularity of this technique is based partly upon the claim that it can be performed with considerable presicion, but recently published work has not supported this claim. This paper describes a blind clinical trial in which the precision of a single biparietal measurement was determined under normal clinical conditions. The results show that this measurement can be determined with a precision better than +/- 1.6 mm (+/- 2 standard deviations). The clinical significance of this result is discussed.", "PMID": 766824} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2218", "title": "Eye signs in craniopharyngioma.", "content": "A total of 45 patients with craniopharyngioma are reviewed, with particular reference to the presenting clinical features and neuro-ophthalmological findings. Of these 50 per cent had been referred in the first instance to an eye clinic. More than half the children presented with the clinical picture of raised intracranial pressure, although one-third of these had optic atrophy rather than papilloedema. One-third of the children had a history of concomitant strabismus, and only one patient had a paretic squint. The majority of the adults presented with visual failure and optic atrophy. Bitemporal hemianopia was fairly frequently found (27 per cent of our patients at the time of diagnosis) but was asymmetrical and unpredictable in its evolution. Homonymous hemianopia was relatively common, a presenting feature in II per cent of patients in this study. Full fields were found initially in nine patients (20 per cent), a high incidence compared with pituitary adenomas or suprasellar meningiomas. We consider pleomorphism, that is a distinct change from one type of field defect to another with progress of the disease, to be a characteristic feature of the tumour (as indeed are fluctuations in the clinical state and visual acuity); it was detected in 22 per cent of our patients. Endocrine disorders were common, especially in adults, and mental deterioration was a frequent presenting feature in patients over 30 years of age. Straight x rays of the skull are practically diagnostic of craniopharyngioma in children, but in adults a normal x ray does not exclude the diagnosis.", "contents": "Eye signs in craniopharyngioma. A total of 45 patients with craniopharyngioma are reviewed, with particular reference to the presenting clinical features and neuro-ophthalmological findings. Of these 50 per cent had been referred in the first instance to an eye clinic. More than half the children presented with the clinical picture of raised intracranial pressure, although one-third of these had optic atrophy rather than papilloedema. One-third of the children had a history of concomitant strabismus, and only one patient had a paretic squint. The majority of the adults presented with visual failure and optic atrophy. Bitemporal hemianopia was fairly frequently found (27 per cent of our patients at the time of diagnosis) but was asymmetrical and unpredictable in its evolution. Homonymous hemianopia was relatively common, a presenting feature in II per cent of patients in this study. Full fields were found initially in nine patients (20 per cent), a high incidence compared with pituitary adenomas or suprasellar meningiomas. We consider pleomorphism, that is a distinct change from one type of field defect to another with progress of the disease, to be a characteristic feature of the tumour (as indeed are fluctuations in the clinical state and visual acuity); it was detected in 22 per cent of our patients. Endocrine disorders were common, especially in adults, and mental deterioration was a frequent presenting feature in patients over 30 years of age. Straight x rays of the skull are practically diagnostic of craniopharyngioma in children, but in adults a normal x ray does not exclude the diagnosis.", "PMID": 766825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2219", "title": "Comparative trial of Dexon (polyglycolic acid), collagen, and silk sutures in ophthalmic surgery.", "content": "The tissue reaction, absorption, and handling properties of Dexon synthetic absorbable sutures, which are made from polymerized hydroxyacetic acid, were compared with those of silk and collagen in 51 eye operations, consisting mainly of cataract extractions and squint corrections. There was no significant difference between the sutures as regards degree of tissue reaction. The Dexon sutures were very strong and the knots held well. The sizes used in this series were found to be a little too thick and stiff for use in micro-surgery; smaller sizes would be easier to use and still remain strong enough. The Dexon was reliably absorbed in 5 weeks on average. No serious adverse reactions were seen with any of the sutures. Dexon was as well tolerated as the control sutures but had the advantage over silk of being absorbed and over collagen of containing no foreign protein.", "contents": "Comparative trial of Dexon (polyglycolic acid), collagen, and silk sutures in ophthalmic surgery. The tissue reaction, absorption, and handling properties of Dexon synthetic absorbable sutures, which are made from polymerized hydroxyacetic acid, were compared with those of silk and collagen in 51 eye operations, consisting mainly of cataract extractions and squint corrections. There was no significant difference between the sutures as regards degree of tissue reaction. The Dexon sutures were very strong and the knots held well. The sizes used in this series were found to be a little too thick and stiff for use in micro-surgery; smaller sizes would be easier to use and still remain strong enough. The Dexon was reliably absorbed in 5 weeks on average. No serious adverse reactions were seen with any of the sutures. Dexon was as well tolerated as the control sutures but had the advantage over silk of being absorbed and over collagen of containing no foreign protein.", "PMID": 766826} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2220", "title": "Manganese(II) and substrate interaction with unadenylylated glutamine synthetase (Escherichia coli w). I. Temperature and frequency dependent nuclear magnetic resonance studies.", "content": "A comprehensive study of solvent interaction with unadenylylated glutamine synthetase (E1.7) has been conducted using the enzyme isolated from Escherichia coli W. The longitudinal, (1/T1p)b, and transverse, (1/T2p)b, proton relaxation rates were measured with various enzyme samples as a function of frequency (6-48 MHZ) and temperature (1-40 degrees C). With Mn(II) bound at the \"tight\" metal ion site approximately two water molecules are rapidly exchanging with bulk solvent. This number is reduced to approximately one in the presence of glutamine. All data were successfully analyzed according to the Solomon-Bloembergen-Morgan (SBM) scheme for dipolar relaxation of water protons interacting with enzyme-bound Mn(II). The correlation time for this process varies from 1 to 3 X 10(-9) for the complexes described above. Significant contributions to the correlation time arise from both 1/taum, the exchange rate for water molecules bound at the metal site, and from 1/taus, the electron spin relaxation rate for Mn(II) with the latter rate showing a frequency dependence at the magnetic field strengths used in this study. A study of Mn(II) binding to E1.7 at 25 degrees C revealed two classes of metal ion sites, a \"tight\" set of one per subunit with KD=5.0 X 10(-7) M and a \"weak\" set of one per subunit with KD=4.5 X10(-5)M. In the presence of glutamine the affinity of the first site for Mn(II) was unchanged but the KD value for the weak site changed to 3 X 10(-6)M. In E1.7 samples with Mn(II) bound at both the tight and weak metal ion sites the data are interpretable with two rapidly exchanging water molecules interacting with each bound Mn(II)ion. With saturating amounts of glutamine or of ADP or of glutamine plus ADP plus arsenate, the proton relaxation rates progressively decreased suggesting that the substrates or inhibitors used were interacting with the bound Mn(II) ions resulting in diminished solvent accessibility to these bound ions. These results are interpretable in terms of ligand substitution into the coordination sphere of the bound Mn(II) ions. Indeed this is probably the case for Mn(II) at the weak metal ion site since Hunt et al. ((1975), Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 166, 102) showed that Mn(II) can bind as the Mn(II)-ADP complex to the second metal ion site. Results of proton relaxation rate data on E1.7 with Mn(II) bound at both the tight and weak metal ion sites led to the conclusion that these metal ion sites are greater than 6 A apart. In comparison with proton relaxation rate data on fully adenylylated glutamine synthetase (E11.8) as studied by Villafranca and Wedler ((1974), Biochemistry 13, 3286), the first \"tight\" metal ion site in E11.8 has three rapidly exchanging water molecules. Mn(II) has a weaker binding constant to E11.8 (KD approximately 5 X 10(-6)M) at the pH value used in both studies and a suggestion is made that an additional protein ligand is binding to Mn(II) in glutamine synthetase when the subunits are not adenylylated.", "contents": "Manganese(II) and substrate interaction with unadenylylated glutamine synthetase (Escherichia coli w). I. Temperature and frequency dependent nuclear magnetic resonance studies. A comprehensive study of solvent interaction with unadenylylated glutamine synthetase (E1.7) has been conducted using the enzyme isolated from Escherichia coli W. The longitudinal, (1/T1p)b, and transverse, (1/T2p)b, proton relaxation rates were measured with various enzyme samples as a function of frequency (6-48 MHZ) and temperature (1-40 degrees C). With Mn(II) bound at the \"tight\" metal ion site approximately two water molecules are rapidly exchanging with bulk solvent. This number is reduced to approximately one in the presence of glutamine. All data were successfully analyzed according to the Solomon-Bloembergen-Morgan (SBM) scheme for dipolar relaxation of water protons interacting with enzyme-bound Mn(II). The correlation time for this process varies from 1 to 3 X 10(-9) for the complexes described above. Significant contributions to the correlation time arise from both 1/taum, the exchange rate for water molecules bound at the metal site, and from 1/taus, the electron spin relaxation rate for Mn(II) with the latter rate showing a frequency dependence at the magnetic field strengths used in this study. A study of Mn(II) binding to E1.7 at 25 degrees C revealed two classes of metal ion sites, a \"tight\" set of one per subunit with KD=5.0 X 10(-7) M and a \"weak\" set of one per subunit with KD=4.5 X10(-5)M. In the presence of glutamine the affinity of the first site for Mn(II) was unchanged but the KD value for the weak site changed to 3 X 10(-6)M. In E1.7 samples with Mn(II) bound at both the tight and weak metal ion sites the data are interpretable with two rapidly exchanging water molecules interacting with each bound Mn(II)ion. With saturating amounts of glutamine or of ADP or of glutamine plus ADP plus arsenate, the proton relaxation rates progressively decreased suggesting that the substrates or inhibitors used were interacting with the bound Mn(II) ions resulting in diminished solvent accessibility to these bound ions. These results are interpretable in terms of ligand substitution into the coordination sphere of the bound Mn(II) ions. Indeed this is probably the case for Mn(II) at the weak metal ion site since Hunt et al. ((1975), Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 166, 102) showed that Mn(II) can bind as the Mn(II)-ADP complex to the second metal ion site. Results of proton relaxation rate data on E1.7 with Mn(II) bound at both the tight and weak metal ion sites led to the conclusion that these metal ion sites are greater than 6 A apart. In comparison with proton relaxation rate data on fully adenylylated glutamine synthetase (E11.8) as studied by Villafranca and Wedler ((1974), Biochemistry 13, 3286), the first \"tight\" metal ion site in E11.8 has three rapidly exchanging water molecules. Mn(II) has a weaker binding constant to E11.8 (KD approximately 5 X 10(-6)M) at the pH value used in both studies and a suggestion is made that an additional protein ligand is binding to Mn(II) in glutamine synthetase when the subunits are not adenylylated.", "PMID": 766828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2221", "title": "Borate inhibition of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase.", "content": "Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase is inhibited competitively by borate with respect to NAD+. An unusual mechanism of competitive inhibition prevails: the competition for the substrate NAD+ by borate and enzyme. The following evidence supports this conclusion. (1) Much greater inhibition is observed with respect to NAD+ as compared with NADH as substrates. (2) Borate decreases the equilibrium constant of the overall reaction in the direction of ethanol oxidation, therefore, borate enters directly into the overall reaction rather than merely decreases the effectiveness of the catalyst. (3) The Ki values for unrelated enzyme reactions are identical for NAD+. (4) Stopped-flow experiments show burst kinetics only when NAD+ and borate are not premixed. (5) The Ki value is identical with the inverse of the borate-NAD+ complexation constant. (6) The pH dependence of the inhibitor demonstrates that only the B(OH)4-species is inhibiting. These results are consistent with the preferable binding of borate to NAD+ as compared with NADH. These two binding constants were found to be equal to 2000 +/- 60 and 130 +/- 8 M-1, respectively. In contrast to the liver enzyme, the yeast enzyme does not show pre-steady-state burst reactions in the reduction of NAD+. This would indicate that the interconversion of ternary complexes is at least partially rate limiting for the yeast enzyme.", "contents": "Borate inhibition of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase. Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase is inhibited competitively by borate with respect to NAD+. An unusual mechanism of competitive inhibition prevails: the competition for the substrate NAD+ by borate and enzyme. The following evidence supports this conclusion. (1) Much greater inhibition is observed with respect to NAD+ as compared with NADH as substrates. (2) Borate decreases the equilibrium constant of the overall reaction in the direction of ethanol oxidation, therefore, borate enters directly into the overall reaction rather than merely decreases the effectiveness of the catalyst. (3) The Ki values for unrelated enzyme reactions are identical for NAD+. (4) Stopped-flow experiments show burst kinetics only when NAD+ and borate are not premixed. (5) The Ki value is identical with the inverse of the borate-NAD+ complexation constant. (6) The pH dependence of the inhibitor demonstrates that only the B(OH)4-species is inhibiting. These results are consistent with the preferable binding of borate to NAD+ as compared with NADH. These two binding constants were found to be equal to 2000 +/- 60 and 130 +/- 8 M-1, respectively. In contrast to the liver enzyme, the yeast enzyme does not show pre-steady-state burst reactions in the reduction of NAD+. This would indicate that the interconversion of ternary complexes is at least partially rate limiting for the yeast enzyme.", "PMID": 766829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2222", "title": "Nepsilon-acetyllysine transfer ribonucleic acid: a biologically active analogue of aminoacyl transfer ribonucleic acids.", "content": "Unfractionated Escherichia coli tRNA has been aminoacylated with lysine and preferentially acetylated at the epsilon-amino nitrogen of lysine by reaction with N-acetoxysuccinimide. After treatment with peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase, 90% of the aminoacylated tRNA molecules were Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNA. Post-ribosomal supernatant enzymes would not deacylate Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNA in the presence of AMP and PPi, even though such mixed enzymes could acylate, with lysine, tRNA which had been exposed to the acetylation reaction conditions. Poly(rA) stimulated the binding of Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNA to E. coli ribosomes. At the ribosome and tRNA concentrations used, Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNA was bound nearly as well as Lys-tRNA at 30 mM Mg2+; at 10 mM Mg2+, the analogue was bound one-half as well as Lys-tRNA. Both Lys-tRNA and Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNA reacted only slightly with puromycin at either 10 or 30 mM Mg2+. When Lys-tRNAE. coli or Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNAE. coli were added to rabbit reticulocyte cell-free protein synthesizing incubations, the incorporation of either amino acid into protein was complete within 5 min. The final incorporation level of the analogue was 82% that of the unmodified lysine. After protein synthesized in the presence of Nepsilon-acetyl-[14C]Lys-tRNA had been digested enzymatically to single amino acids, ion-exchange chromatography and paper electrophoresis showed that nearly all of the radioactivity was present as Nepsilon-acetyllysine. Gel filtration of the post-ribosomal supernatant revealed that most of the Nepsilon-acetyllysine radioactivity cochromatographed with tetrameric hemoglobin.", "contents": "Nepsilon-acetyllysine transfer ribonucleic acid: a biologically active analogue of aminoacyl transfer ribonucleic acids. Unfractionated Escherichia coli tRNA has been aminoacylated with lysine and preferentially acetylated at the epsilon-amino nitrogen of lysine by reaction with N-acetoxysuccinimide. After treatment with peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase, 90% of the aminoacylated tRNA molecules were Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNA. Post-ribosomal supernatant enzymes would not deacylate Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNA in the presence of AMP and PPi, even though such mixed enzymes could acylate, with lysine, tRNA which had been exposed to the acetylation reaction conditions. Poly(rA) stimulated the binding of Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNA to E. coli ribosomes. At the ribosome and tRNA concentrations used, Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNA was bound nearly as well as Lys-tRNA at 30 mM Mg2+; at 10 mM Mg2+, the analogue was bound one-half as well as Lys-tRNA. Both Lys-tRNA and Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNA reacted only slightly with puromycin at either 10 or 30 mM Mg2+. When Lys-tRNAE. coli or Nepsilon-acetyl-Lys-tRNAE. coli were added to rabbit reticulocyte cell-free protein synthesizing incubations, the incorporation of either amino acid into protein was complete within 5 min. The final incorporation level of the analogue was 82% that of the unmodified lysine. After protein synthesized in the presence of Nepsilon-acetyl-[14C]Lys-tRNA had been digested enzymatically to single amino acids, ion-exchange chromatography and paper electrophoresis showed that nearly all of the radioactivity was present as Nepsilon-acetyllysine. Gel filtration of the post-ribosomal supernatant revealed that most of the Nepsilon-acetyllysine radioactivity cochromatographed with tetrameric hemoglobin.", "PMID": 766830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2223", "title": "Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of membrane proteins.", "content": "A high-resolution method for two-dimensional separation of membrane proteins is described. It involves a nondiscriminating solubilization of a membrane preparation with sodium dodecyl sulfate, followed by electrophoresis in the first dimension according to charge (by isoelectric focusing). The electrophoresis in the second dimension is in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, thus separating proteins on the basis of molecular weight. Electrophoresis in the first dimension is either on a thin slab gel, or on a small-diameter tube; electrophoresis in the second dimension is on a thin slab gel. Up to 100 mug of protein can be analyzed. The two-dimensional system is a modification of the one recently described by O'Farrell (1975). About 150 different proteins can be visualized in Escherichia coli or Salmonella typhimurim cell envelopes; examples of differences between mutant and wild-type strains are presented. The method is applicable also to membrane preparations from other sources: a two-dimensional separation of plasma membrane proteins from HeLa cells is presented.", "contents": "Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of membrane proteins. A high-resolution method for two-dimensional separation of membrane proteins is described. It involves a nondiscriminating solubilization of a membrane preparation with sodium dodecyl sulfate, followed by electrophoresis in the first dimension according to charge (by isoelectric focusing). The electrophoresis in the second dimension is in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, thus separating proteins on the basis of molecular weight. Electrophoresis in the first dimension is either on a thin slab gel, or on a small-diameter tube; electrophoresis in the second dimension is on a thin slab gel. Up to 100 mug of protein can be analyzed. The two-dimensional system is a modification of the one recently described by O'Farrell (1975). About 150 different proteins can be visualized in Escherichia coli or Salmonella typhimurim cell envelopes; examples of differences between mutant and wild-type strains are presented. The method is applicable also to membrane preparations from other sources: a two-dimensional separation of plasma membrane proteins from HeLa cells is presented.", "PMID": 766831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2224", "title": "Behavior of colicins E1, E2, and E3 attached to sephadex beads.", "content": "Colicins E1, E2, and E3 were covalently attached to Sephadex G-25 beads by cyanogen bromide activation. These immobilized colicins were still active in binding to specific receptors on sensitive and tolerant cells but not to resistant cells which lack such receptors. Bound colicin E3 also retained its ability to inhibit protein synthesis in vitro. Leakage of free colicin from these coated beads was negligible. Assays sensitive to free colicin activity of 1 part in 10(7) of the bound toxin failed to detect any soluble activity. The viability of different cell types bound specifically onto these colicin-Sephadex beads was assayed by using autoradiography based on labeled amino acid uptake. Immobilized E1 killed 90% of bound sensitive cells while less than 10% of sensitive cells bound to E2 and E3 were killed in this assay. These observations agree very well with previously suggested mechanisms which propose that E1, whose target site appears to be at the membrane level, can kill sensitive cells by binding to the cell surface, but that for E2 and E3 penetration of part or all of the molecule is necessary for killing action to be observed.", "contents": "Behavior of colicins E1, E2, and E3 attached to sephadex beads. Colicins E1, E2, and E3 were covalently attached to Sephadex G-25 beads by cyanogen bromide activation. These immobilized colicins were still active in binding to specific receptors on sensitive and tolerant cells but not to resistant cells which lack such receptors. Bound colicin E3 also retained its ability to inhibit protein synthesis in vitro. Leakage of free colicin from these coated beads was negligible. Assays sensitive to free colicin activity of 1 part in 10(7) of the bound toxin failed to detect any soluble activity. The viability of different cell types bound specifically onto these colicin-Sephadex beads was assayed by using autoradiography based on labeled amino acid uptake. Immobilized E1 killed 90% of bound sensitive cells while less than 10% of sensitive cells bound to E2 and E3 were killed in this assay. These observations agree very well with previously suggested mechanisms which propose that E1, whose target site appears to be at the membrane level, can kill sensitive cells by binding to the cell surface, but that for E2 and E3 penetration of part or all of the molecule is necessary for killing action to be observed.", "PMID": 766832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2225", "title": "Synthesis and biological activity of pyrazolo[3,4,-d]pyrimidine nucleosides and nucleotides related to tubercidin, toyocamycin, and sangivamycin.", "content": "The 6-aza analogues of toyocamycin and sangivamycin were prepared as potential cytotoxic agents. The toyocamycin analogue (4-amino-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile) could not be obtained directly from its O-acetylated precursor but was accessible via 4-amino-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-3-thiocarboxamide. The identity of the nitrile was verified by its ultraviolet, infrared, and mass spectra, and by its conversion to the corresponding 3-carboxamide and thiocarboxamide when treated with water or hydrogen sulfide, respectively. Bioassay of the synthetic compounds in comparison with 4-amino-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (6-azatubercidin) and 4-amino-2-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine revealed that the 3-thiocarboxamido derivative was more cytotoxic to the growth of mouse fibroblasts than 6-azatubercidin, effecting killing of 3T6 cells at less than or equal to 1 mug/ml. 4-Amino-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (but not its 2-ribofuranosyl isomer) was shown to act as a substrate for adenosine deaminase from calf intestinal mucosa with an apparent Km of 125 (vs. 20 for adenosine) and the corresponding 5'-diphosphate of 6-azatubercidin was polymerized by polynucleotide phosphorylase (Micrococcus luteus) in the presence of Mn2+ to afford a homopolymer and copolymers with adenosine. The copolymers directed the binding of [3H]lysyl-tRNA to the A-site of ribosomes from Escherichia coli, but could not be used for the synthesis of polylsine in a cellfree system. The copolymer consiting of adenosine and 6-azatubercidin in a 2:1 ratio was found to form a 1:1 complex with poly(uridylic acid) at 4degreesC.", "contents": "Synthesis and biological activity of pyrazolo[3,4,-d]pyrimidine nucleosides and nucleotides related to tubercidin, toyocamycin, and sangivamycin. The 6-aza analogues of toyocamycin and sangivamycin were prepared as potential cytotoxic agents. The toyocamycin analogue (4-amino-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile) could not be obtained directly from its O-acetylated precursor but was accessible via 4-amino-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-3-thiocarboxamide. The identity of the nitrile was verified by its ultraviolet, infrared, and mass spectra, and by its conversion to the corresponding 3-carboxamide and thiocarboxamide when treated with water or hydrogen sulfide, respectively. Bioassay of the synthetic compounds in comparison with 4-amino-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (6-azatubercidin) and 4-amino-2-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine revealed that the 3-thiocarboxamido derivative was more cytotoxic to the growth of mouse fibroblasts than 6-azatubercidin, effecting killing of 3T6 cells at less than or equal to 1 mug/ml. 4-Amino-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (but not its 2-ribofuranosyl isomer) was shown to act as a substrate for adenosine deaminase from calf intestinal mucosa with an apparent Km of 125 (vs. 20 for adenosine) and the corresponding 5'-diphosphate of 6-azatubercidin was polymerized by polynucleotide phosphorylase (Micrococcus luteus) in the presence of Mn2+ to afford a homopolymer and copolymers with adenosine. The copolymers directed the binding of [3H]lysyl-tRNA to the A-site of ribosomes from Escherichia coli, but could not be used for the synthesis of polylsine in a cellfree system. The copolymer consiting of adenosine and 6-azatubercidin in a 2:1 ratio was found to form a 1:1 complex with poly(uridylic acid) at 4degreesC.", "PMID": 766833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2226", "title": "Alteration of the allosteric properties of aspartate transcarbamoylase by pyridoxylation of the catalytic and regulatory subunits.", "content": "Extension modification of aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate followed by reduction of the Schiff base with sodium borohydride caused only partial inactivation of the enzyme. Under comparable conditions, virtually complete loss of enzyme activity is obtained with the free catalytic subunits. The pyridoxylated, intact enzyme containing more than 60% of the bound pyridoxamine phosphate on the regulatory subunits exhibited considerable cooperativity, inhibition by CTP, and activation by ATP. When the modification was performed in the presence of the ligands which bind to the catalytic sites, the resulting product had virtually the same activity as the native enzyme, but it exhibited significantly reduced cooperativity and virtually no inhibition by CTP. The pyridoxylation of the regulatory subunits within the intact enzyme was enhanced markedly in the presence of ligands as compared with the reactivity of these subunits when the modificaiton was performed in the absence of the active site ligands. Both types of pyridoxylated derivatives exhibited the ligand-promoted conformational changes characteristic of the native enzyme. Spectrophotometric studies of inactive pyridoxylated catalytic subunits and intact enzyme showed that the substrate (carbamoyl phosphate) bound strongly but that the substrate analogue (succinate) did not bind. Both the pyridoxylation experiments in the presence and absence of ligands and the spectral behavior of a hybrid containing one native and one pyridoxylated catalytic subunit indicated that ligand binding was accompanied by a conformational change in the intact enzyme molecules.", "contents": "Alteration of the allosteric properties of aspartate transcarbamoylase by pyridoxylation of the catalytic and regulatory subunits. Extension modification of aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate followed by reduction of the Schiff base with sodium borohydride caused only partial inactivation of the enzyme. Under comparable conditions, virtually complete loss of enzyme activity is obtained with the free catalytic subunits. The pyridoxylated, intact enzyme containing more than 60% of the bound pyridoxamine phosphate on the regulatory subunits exhibited considerable cooperativity, inhibition by CTP, and activation by ATP. When the modification was performed in the presence of the ligands which bind to the catalytic sites, the resulting product had virtually the same activity as the native enzyme, but it exhibited significantly reduced cooperativity and virtually no inhibition by CTP. The pyridoxylation of the regulatory subunits within the intact enzyme was enhanced markedly in the presence of ligands as compared with the reactivity of these subunits when the modificaiton was performed in the absence of the active site ligands. Both types of pyridoxylated derivatives exhibited the ligand-promoted conformational changes characteristic of the native enzyme. Spectrophotometric studies of inactive pyridoxylated catalytic subunits and intact enzyme showed that the substrate (carbamoyl phosphate) bound strongly but that the substrate analogue (succinate) did not bind. Both the pyridoxylation experiments in the presence and absence of ligands and the spectral behavior of a hybrid containing one native and one pyridoxylated catalytic subunit indicated that ligand binding was accompanied by a conformational change in the intact enzyme molecules.", "PMID": 766834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2227", "title": "Concerted allosteric transition in hybrids of aspartate transcarbamoylase containing different arrangements of active and inactive sites.", "content": "Various hybrids of aspartate transcarbamoylase of Escherichia coli were constructed from native regulatory subunits and mixtures of active and inactive (pyridoxylated) catalytic chains in specific arrangements within the two catalytic subunits. The kinetic and physical properties of these well-defined hybrids were studied in order to determine the effects of reducing the number of substrate binding sites and distributing the active and inactive chains in different ways. Experiments on enzyme-like molecules containing six, four, three, two, and one active sites showed that the Hill coefficient decreased and the apparent Km increased as the number of active chains in the hybrids was reduced. The maximum inhibition and activation by the nucleotide effectors, CTP and ATP, were independent of the composition of the enzyme-like molecules. Two hybrids were of particular interest since one contained two active sites in one catalytic subunit and none in the other, and the second hybrid had one active site in each catalytic subunit. These two hybrids exhibited identical kinetic behavior despite the markedly different structural arrangements. The ligand-promoted conformational changes of the hybrids monitored both by sedimentation velocity measurements and the reactivity toward p-hydroxymercuribenzoate were similar to those of the native enzyme. These results indicate that there are no discrete \"cooperative units\" within the enzyme molecules but rather that the allosteric transition promoted by ligands is fully concerted. The various kinetic and physical properties can be accounted for satisfactorily in terms of the two-state model of Monod et al.", "contents": "Concerted allosteric transition in hybrids of aspartate transcarbamoylase containing different arrangements of active and inactive sites. Various hybrids of aspartate transcarbamoylase of Escherichia coli were constructed from native regulatory subunits and mixtures of active and inactive (pyridoxylated) catalytic chains in specific arrangements within the two catalytic subunits. The kinetic and physical properties of these well-defined hybrids were studied in order to determine the effects of reducing the number of substrate binding sites and distributing the active and inactive chains in different ways. Experiments on enzyme-like molecules containing six, four, three, two, and one active sites showed that the Hill coefficient decreased and the apparent Km increased as the number of active chains in the hybrids was reduced. The maximum inhibition and activation by the nucleotide effectors, CTP and ATP, were independent of the composition of the enzyme-like molecules. Two hybrids were of particular interest since one contained two active sites in one catalytic subunit and none in the other, and the second hybrid had one active site in each catalytic subunit. These two hybrids exhibited identical kinetic behavior despite the markedly different structural arrangements. The ligand-promoted conformational changes of the hybrids monitored both by sedimentation velocity measurements and the reactivity toward p-hydroxymercuribenzoate were similar to those of the native enzyme. These results indicate that there are no discrete \"cooperative units\" within the enzyme molecules but rather that the allosteric transition promoted by ligands is fully concerted. The various kinetic and physical properties can be accounted for satisfactorily in terms of the two-state model of Monod et al.", "PMID": 766835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2228", "title": "Influence of geometry on control of cell growth.", "content": "The assembled evidence suggests that geometry plays an important role in regulation of cell growth, at least at two levels: (1) For non-transformed individual cells in culture, there may be a continuous range of shapes, from spherical all the way to extremely flat or extended, which correlates with increasing proliferative capacity or increasing ability to respond to serum growth factors. In other words, sensitivity to a variety of mitotic stimulators and growth factors may be modulated by cell conformation. Fully transformed cells appear to lose the modulating effect of shape, and thus are able to proliferate even when spherical. (2) For transformed cells which can grow in three-dimensional populations, the shape of the population itself eventually limits growth. The most likely mechanism is based upon the limiting effects of diffusion gradients of nutrients, oxygen and catabolites which build up across the surface of a three-dimensional population of cells. Tumor cells which are able to make tumour angiogenesis factor (TAF), induce new capillary blood vessels from the host. These vessels penetrate the tumor and permit further rapid growth. In this sense, tumor angiogenesis is a mechanism by which \"successful\" tumors escape the growth restriction imposed upon three-dimensional cell population by geometry [49].", "contents": "Influence of geometry on control of cell growth. The assembled evidence suggests that geometry plays an important role in regulation of cell growth, at least at two levels: (1) For non-transformed individual cells in culture, there may be a continuous range of shapes, from spherical all the way to extremely flat or extended, which correlates with increasing proliferative capacity or increasing ability to respond to serum growth factors. In other words, sensitivity to a variety of mitotic stimulators and growth factors may be modulated by cell conformation. Fully transformed cells appear to lose the modulating effect of shape, and thus are able to proliferate even when spherical. (2) For transformed cells which can grow in three-dimensional populations, the shape of the population itself eventually limits growth. The most likely mechanism is based upon the limiting effects of diffusion gradients of nutrients, oxygen and catabolites which build up across the surface of a three-dimensional population of cells. Tumor cells which are able to make tumour angiogenesis factor (TAF), induce new capillary blood vessels from the host. These vessels penetrate the tumor and permit further rapid growth. In this sense, tumor angiogenesis is a mechanism by which \"successful\" tumors escape the growth restriction imposed upon three-dimensional cell population by geometry [49].", "PMID": 766836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2229", "title": "Optical measurements reveal base-pairing in T4-specific mRNAs.", "content": "Previous studies have shown that 60-70% of the nucleotides in rRNA, tRNA and the RNA of the RNA bacteriophages are involved in base pairing. To determine whether this is also true of mRNAs coded from double-stranded DNA, T4-specific mRNAs were purified using two different techniques: hybridization to T4 DNA or chromatography on benzoylated DEAE-cellulose columns followed by sucrose gradients. We have determined the optical melting curves of the purified mRNAs. The hypochromicities calculated from these melting curves were similar to those of rRNA, indicating comparable amounts of base pairing in rRNA and T4-specific mRNA. If this hypochromicity were due to random base pairing, we would have expected a less sharp melting curve and a lower Tm than for the rRNA controls. On the contrary, the mRNA samples had very high cooperativities and Tm values.", "contents": "Optical measurements reveal base-pairing in T4-specific mRNAs. Previous studies have shown that 60-70% of the nucleotides in rRNA, tRNA and the RNA of the RNA bacteriophages are involved in base pairing. To determine whether this is also true of mRNAs coded from double-stranded DNA, T4-specific mRNAs were purified using two different techniques: hybridization to T4 DNA or chromatography on benzoylated DEAE-cellulose columns followed by sucrose gradients. We have determined the optical melting curves of the purified mRNAs. The hypochromicities calculated from these melting curves were similar to those of rRNA, indicating comparable amounts of base pairing in rRNA and T4-specific mRNA. If this hypochromicity were due to random base pairing, we would have expected a less sharp melting curve and a lower Tm than for the rRNA controls. On the contrary, the mRNA samples had very high cooperativities and Tm values.", "PMID": 766837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2230", "title": "Action of phospholipases on the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli. Stimulation by melittin.", "content": "The emission maximum of the single tryptophan residue of melittin was measured in the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes and Escherichia coli cytoplasmic membranes. In both cases, the fluorescence maximum was shifted to shorter wavelengths indicating a transfer of the indole ring to an apolar environment. E. coli membranes were labelled in position 2 of their phospholids with [14C]oleic acid. These membranes were used for measuring the activity of an endogenous phospholipase A2. A slow hydrolysis is observed, which can be accelerated by adding melittin. The extent of the stimulation depends on the molar ratio of melittin to membrane phospholipid. Under suitable conditions, the initial rate of hydrolysis is six to seven times higher in the presence than in the absence of melittin. The action of the phospholipase A2 from bee venom is also stimulated by melittin. An identical stimulation was observed with either E. coli membranes or pure phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes as substrate.", "contents": "Action of phospholipases on the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli. Stimulation by melittin. The emission maximum of the single tryptophan residue of melittin was measured in the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes and Escherichia coli cytoplasmic membranes. In both cases, the fluorescence maximum was shifted to shorter wavelengths indicating a transfer of the indole ring to an apolar environment. E. coli membranes were labelled in position 2 of their phospholids with [14C]oleic acid. These membranes were used for measuring the activity of an endogenous phospholipase A2. A slow hydrolysis is observed, which can be accelerated by adding melittin. The extent of the stimulation depends on the molar ratio of melittin to membrane phospholipid. Under suitable conditions, the initial rate of hydrolysis is six to seven times higher in the presence than in the absence of melittin. The action of the phospholipase A2 from bee venom is also stimulated by melittin. An identical stimulation was observed with either E. coli membranes or pure phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes as substrate.", "PMID": 766838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2231", "title": "Ion etching of tobacco mosaic virus and T4 bacteriophage.", "content": "A technique for the etching of biological materials by accelerated nitrogen ions is described. Upon exposure to such a beam, tobacco mosaic virus becomes thinner in diameter and the head of T4 becomes smaller. Experiments on radioactively labeled T4 suggest that the particle's protein is more susceptible to removal by the incident ions, and that the residual material is predominantly nucleic acid.", "contents": "Ion etching of tobacco mosaic virus and T4 bacteriophage. A technique for the etching of biological materials by accelerated nitrogen ions is described. Upon exposure to such a beam, tobacco mosaic virus becomes thinner in diameter and the head of T4 becomes smaller. Experiments on radioactively labeled T4 suggest that the particle's protein is more susceptible to removal by the incident ions, and that the residual material is predominantly nucleic acid.", "PMID": 766845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2232", "title": "[The effect of hydrocortisone on individual stages of immunogenesis].", "content": "A study was made of the influence of hydrocortisone on the individual stages of immunogenesis: migration of the hemopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow, B-cell migration and cooperation between the T and B lymphocytes in the course of primary immune response to sheep red blood cells was studied. Experiments were carried out on (CBAXC57B1) F1 mice. In doses which failed to suppress the proliferation of hemopoietic cells hydrocortisone produced a marked immunosuppressive action which was a sum total result of its inhibition of various stages of immunogenesis--the stem cells and the B-cells migration and the T-B lymphocyte cooperation.", "contents": "[The effect of hydrocortisone on individual stages of immunogenesis]. A study was made of the influence of hydrocortisone on the individual stages of immunogenesis: migration of the hemopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow, B-cell migration and cooperation between the T and B lymphocytes in the course of primary immune response to sheep red blood cells was studied. Experiments were carried out on (CBAXC57B1) F1 mice. In doses which failed to suppress the proliferation of hemopoietic cells hydrocortisone produced a marked immunosuppressive action which was a sum total result of its inhibition of various stages of immunogenesis--the stem cells and the B-cells migration and the T-B lymphocyte cooperation.", "PMID": 766852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2233", "title": "[The importance of the density of spleen cell suspensions in cultures for development of immune reactions].", "content": "A relationship was revealed between the number of cells in the suspension of the splenic tissue taken for induction of primary immunization of the reaction outside the organism and the number of the plaque-forming cells (PFC) formed by the end of incubation. It was shown that with increase of the cell density in the culture in the bottom of the incubation flask there was a 10-100 fold decrease of the PFC response; as to the cell viability--it was not affected or decreased but slightly. This effect was observed in using sheep red blood cells and water-soluble antigen extracted from them as an antigen. The effect was independent of shortage of the antigen or of the nutrient substances; it was accompanied by a general reduction of the 3H-thymidine incorporation into cultured cells.", "contents": "[The importance of the density of spleen cell suspensions in cultures for development of immune reactions]. A relationship was revealed between the number of cells in the suspension of the splenic tissue taken for induction of primary immunization of the reaction outside the organism and the number of the plaque-forming cells (PFC) formed by the end of incubation. It was shown that with increase of the cell density in the culture in the bottom of the incubation flask there was a 10-100 fold decrease of the PFC response; as to the cell viability--it was not affected or decreased but slightly. This effect was observed in using sheep red blood cells and water-soluble antigen extracted from them as an antigen. The effect was independent of shortage of the antigen or of the nutrient substances; it was accompanied by a general reduction of the 3H-thymidine incorporation into cultured cells.", "PMID": 766853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2234", "title": "[A comparative immunofluorescent study of carcino-embryonic antigen in pseudomucinous cystoma of the ovary and adenocarcinoma of the large intestine].", "content": "The indirect method of immunofluorescent analysis was applied to the study of the localization of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in pseudomucinous cystoma of the ovary and adenocarcinoma of the large intestine. CEA proved to be concentrated in the membranes and the basal part of the epithelial cells both in the pseudomucinous cystoma of the ovary and in the carcinoma of the large intestine.", "contents": "[A comparative immunofluorescent study of carcino-embryonic antigen in pseudomucinous cystoma of the ovary and adenocarcinoma of the large intestine]. The indirect method of immunofluorescent analysis was applied to the study of the localization of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in pseudomucinous cystoma of the ovary and adenocarcinoma of the large intestine. CEA proved to be concentrated in the membranes and the basal part of the epithelial cells both in the pseudomucinous cystoma of the ovary and in the carcinoma of the large intestine.", "PMID": 766854} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2235", "title": "[The influence of differences in the Rec-genotype of E. coli cells on the function of sex factor F'].", "content": "Functions of the sex factor F' depended not only on damage of the genes, controlling the recombination capacity of bacterial cells, but also on suppression of the rec-gene mutations. Suppression of mutations of these genes was accompanied by the capacity of the sex factor to mobilize the chromosome for the transfer from the rec-bacterial cells. If it were demonstrated that the cells of the Jc 9604-131 strain actually carried the inverse mutation of the rec A gene, this would prove that these mutations resulted in the restoration of a recombination possibility between the sex factor F' and the bacterial chromosome.", "contents": "[The influence of differences in the Rec-genotype of E. coli cells on the function of sex factor F']. Functions of the sex factor F' depended not only on damage of the genes, controlling the recombination capacity of bacterial cells, but also on suppression of the rec-gene mutations. Suppression of mutations of these genes was accompanied by the capacity of the sex factor to mobilize the chromosome for the transfer from the rec-bacterial cells. If it were demonstrated that the cells of the Jc 9604-131 strain actually carried the inverse mutation of the rec A gene, this would prove that these mutations resulted in the restoration of a recombination possibility between the sex factor F' and the bacterial chromosome.", "PMID": 766855} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2236", "title": "Direct implantation of Ph1 chromosome-positive myeloblasts into newborn hamsters.", "content": "Peripheral leukocytes from a male patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis were implanted directly into the intraperitoneal cavity of seven newborn hamsters treated with antilymphocyte serum. At sacrifice 17-19 days after implantation, three hamsters were found to have disseminated tumors. The other four hamsters were cannibalized. Chromosome analysis of cells from the enlarged lymph nodes revealed the presence of a human male karyotype. Most metaphase cells were pseudodiploid with the Ph1 chromosome and isochromosome 17, while a few metaphase cells were classically diploid. Identical chromosome constitutions were observed in the original peripheral leukocytes of the patient. The results strongly suggested simultaneous heterotransplantation of Ph1-positive leukemic and normal leukocytes.", "contents": "Direct implantation of Ph1 chromosome-positive myeloblasts into newborn hamsters. Peripheral leukocytes from a male patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis were implanted directly into the intraperitoneal cavity of seven newborn hamsters treated with antilymphocyte serum. At sacrifice 17-19 days after implantation, three hamsters were found to have disseminated tumors. The other four hamsters were cannibalized. Chromosome analysis of cells from the enlarged lymph nodes revealed the presence of a human male karyotype. Most metaphase cells were pseudodiploid with the Ph1 chromosome and isochromosome 17, while a few metaphase cells were classically diploid. Identical chromosome constitutions were observed in the original peripheral leukocytes of the patient. The results strongly suggested simultaneous heterotransplantation of Ph1-positive leukemic and normal leukocytes.", "PMID": 766856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2237", "title": "Histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques on acrylate embedded bone biopsies.", "content": "Till present the advantages of methacrylate embedded bone biopsies for the diagnosis of haemoblastic disorders have been somewhat restricted. This was a result of the impossibility to apply histochemical methods and other sensitive staining procedures to semithin sections. A routine method is described whereby enzyme activity, excellent fixation and good sectioning ability are retained. Fixation is carried out using 4% purified formaldehyde buffered in 0.1M sodium cacodylate. Dehydration is done with a water-miscible glycolmethacrylate. Naphthol-AS-D-chloroacetate esterase activity can be observed in granules of the entire neutropil cell lineage. By use of this method it becomes possible to demonstrate acid phosphatase activity and immunoglobulins in atypical plasma cells of multiple myeloma. A considerable decrease in processing time, as well as a preservation of enzyme activity during the postal mailing of fixed tissue samples from outside are further advantages.", "contents": "Histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques on acrylate embedded bone biopsies. Till present the advantages of methacrylate embedded bone biopsies for the diagnosis of haemoblastic disorders have been somewhat restricted. This was a result of the impossibility to apply histochemical methods and other sensitive staining procedures to semithin sections. A routine method is described whereby enzyme activity, excellent fixation and good sectioning ability are retained. Fixation is carried out using 4% purified formaldehyde buffered in 0.1M sodium cacodylate. Dehydration is done with a water-miscible glycolmethacrylate. Naphthol-AS-D-chloroacetate esterase activity can be observed in granules of the entire neutropil cell lineage. By use of this method it becomes possible to demonstrate acid phosphatase activity and immunoglobulins in atypical plasma cells of multiple myeloma. A considerable decrease in processing time, as well as a preservation of enzyme activity during the postal mailing of fixed tissue samples from outside are further advantages.", "PMID": 766858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2238", "title": "Vaccination of schoolgirls against rubella. Assessment of serological status and a comparative trial of Wistar RA 27/3 and Cendehill strain live attenuated rubella vaccines in 13-year-old schoolgirls in Dudley.", "content": "A total of 1525 schoolgirls aged 13 years from 21 schools in the County Borough of Dudley, were bled for titration of rubella haemagglutinating inhibiting antibody and then were immediately vaccinated with either Wistar RA 27/3 or Cendehill strain live attenuated. Both vaccines were administered subcutaneously by syringe and needle but the Wistar RA 27/3 vaccine was also given by multiple injection apparatus. Significnatly higher conversion rates and geometric mean haemagglutinating inhibiting antibody titres were obtained in girls initially seronegative given the Wister RA 27/3 than in those given the Cendehill vaccine, regardless of the method of vaccination. The RA 27/3 strain was associated with a small but significantly greater incidence of local pain immediately on injection. With this exception, differences in the occurrence of reactions were not found between vaccines, between those initially susceptible and immune or with the level of antibody response.", "contents": "Vaccination of schoolgirls against rubella. Assessment of serological status and a comparative trial of Wistar RA 27/3 and Cendehill strain live attenuated rubella vaccines in 13-year-old schoolgirls in Dudley. A total of 1525 schoolgirls aged 13 years from 21 schools in the County Borough of Dudley, were bled for titration of rubella haemagglutinating inhibiting antibody and then were immediately vaccinated with either Wistar RA 27/3 or Cendehill strain live attenuated. Both vaccines were administered subcutaneously by syringe and needle but the Wistar RA 27/3 vaccine was also given by multiple injection apparatus. Significnatly higher conversion rates and geometric mean haemagglutinating inhibiting antibody titres were obtained in girls initially seronegative given the Wister RA 27/3 than in those given the Cendehill vaccine, regardless of the method of vaccination. The RA 27/3 strain was associated with a small but significantly greater incidence of local pain immediately on injection. With this exception, differences in the occurrence of reactions were not found between vaccines, between those initially susceptible and immune or with the level of antibody response.", "PMID": 766879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2239", "title": "[Oxygen transport in shock (author's transl)].", "content": "This review considers functional repercussions of shock state on the different stages of oxygen transport from alveolus to mitochondria. At the pulmonary level, the decrease in perfusion pressure induces disturbances in the distribition of VA/Q ratio, and therefore leads to aerial hypoxaemia. Prolonged ischemia injures the air-blood barrier and reduces the area of exchange. Decrease in oxygen delivery to the tissue is related to a fall in cardiac output (hemorrhagic and cardiogenic shock) or to a primary disturbance in peripheral circulatory distribution (septic shock) or to a primary disturbance in peripheral circulatory distribution (septic shock). The intervention of compensating factors leads to a redistribution of the regional perfusion and probably to an easier oxygen delivery by haemoglobin. However circulatory inhomogeneity by itself produces a progressive deterioration of microcirculation. Decrease in intracapillary circulation. Decrease in intracapillary circulation and impairment in blood rheologic properties contribute to aggregates formation and intravascular coagulation. The result is a decrease in capillary diffusion capacity and in oxygen intracellular transport. When intracellular PO2 reaches a critical level, the functional exclusion of mitochondria involves a metabolic shift to anaerobiosis. The value of hyperlactacidemia as a sign of oxygen debt is discussed.", "contents": "[Oxygen transport in shock (author's transl)]. This review considers functional repercussions of shock state on the different stages of oxygen transport from alveolus to mitochondria. At the pulmonary level, the decrease in perfusion pressure induces disturbances in the distribition of VA/Q ratio, and therefore leads to aerial hypoxaemia. Prolonged ischemia injures the air-blood barrier and reduces the area of exchange. Decrease in oxygen delivery to the tissue is related to a fall in cardiac output (hemorrhagic and cardiogenic shock) or to a primary disturbance in peripheral circulatory distribution (septic shock) or to a primary disturbance in peripheral circulatory distribution (septic shock). The intervention of compensating factors leads to a redistribution of the regional perfusion and probably to an easier oxygen delivery by haemoglobin. However circulatory inhomogeneity by itself produces a progressive deterioration of microcirculation. Decrease in intracapillary circulation. Decrease in intracapillary circulation and impairment in blood rheologic properties contribute to aggregates formation and intravascular coagulation. The result is a decrease in capillary diffusion capacity and in oxygen intracellular transport. When intracellular PO2 reaches a critical level, the functional exclusion of mitochondria involves a metabolic shift to anaerobiosis. The value of hyperlactacidemia as a sign of oxygen debt is discussed.", "PMID": 766877} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2240", "title": "The pathogenesis of reflux nephropathy (chronic atrophic pyelonephritis).", "content": "The relationship between vesico-ureteric reflux and coarse renal scarring (atrophic pyelonephritis) has been studied in swine. Scars were observed to develop where reflux took place into the kidney substance via the renal papillae (intrarenal reflux). They were confined to these regions and were similar in size, distribution and other features peculiar to those found in the human from early childhood onwards. Intrarenal reflux was found to be related to the pressure within the urinary tract as well as to vesico-ureteric reflux. Infection was not an essential factor in scar-formation, but it appeared to intensify the scarring process. The histological findings were a progressive focal interstitial fibrosis confined to the zones of intrarenal reflux, extending from the capsule to the papillary tip, and varying in severity with pressure, time and the extent of intrarenal reflux. Nephron and tubular damage accompanied all grades of fibrosis, with the possible exception of the earliest. In many respects the histological changes closely resemble those due to obstruction, except they are focal in distribution. Added features are the early peripheral lymphocytic aggregations and interstitial fibrosis which appear to suggest that some \"irritant\"--possibly urine--reaches the interstitium and drains away via the lymphatic system. Many of the phenomena observed were strikingly similar to those present in children with the more severe grades of vesico-ureteric reflux. In some cases a mixture of generalized obstructive nephropathy and focal scarring developed; in others focal scarring took place with normal papillae elsewhere. The results are readily reproducible. The basic questions as to whether it is bladder pressure, or infection, or a mixture of the two which is responsible for scar-formation are discussed.", "contents": "The pathogenesis of reflux nephropathy (chronic atrophic pyelonephritis). The relationship between vesico-ureteric reflux and coarse renal scarring (atrophic pyelonephritis) has been studied in swine. Scars were observed to develop where reflux took place into the kidney substance via the renal papillae (intrarenal reflux). They were confined to these regions and were similar in size, distribution and other features peculiar to those found in the human from early childhood onwards. Intrarenal reflux was found to be related to the pressure within the urinary tract as well as to vesico-ureteric reflux. Infection was not an essential factor in scar-formation, but it appeared to intensify the scarring process. The histological findings were a progressive focal interstitial fibrosis confined to the zones of intrarenal reflux, extending from the capsule to the papillary tip, and varying in severity with pressure, time and the extent of intrarenal reflux. Nephron and tubular damage accompanied all grades of fibrosis, with the possible exception of the earliest. In many respects the histological changes closely resemble those due to obstruction, except they are focal in distribution. Added features are the early peripheral lymphocytic aggregations and interstitial fibrosis which appear to suggest that some \"irritant\"--possibly urine--reaches the interstitium and drains away via the lymphatic system. Many of the phenomena observed were strikingly similar to those present in children with the more severe grades of vesico-ureteric reflux. In some cases a mixture of generalized obstructive nephropathy and focal scarring developed; in others focal scarring took place with normal papillae elsewhere. The results are readily reproducible. The basic questions as to whether it is bladder pressure, or infection, or a mixture of the two which is responsible for scar-formation are discussed.", "PMID": 766885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2241", "title": "[Estimation of intrapulmonary shunt in resuscitation (use of a nomogram) (author's transl)].", "content": "Acutely ill patients often show rapid and sometimes concomitant changes in haemodynamics, pulmonary exchange and O2-uptake. PaO2 reflects the interrelationships between these three factors. The Qs/Qt shunt is computed by taking two simultaneous blood samples, one systemic arterial, the other mixed venous, with the patient inhaling pure O2 for twenty minutes. In estimating the fraction of total cardiac output unsaturated in pulmonary transit, Qs/Qt is practically used as a selective test for pulmonary gas exchange. We propose a nomogram, showing in terms of Qs/Qt shunt the variations of PaO2, of haemoglobin O2 saturation and of arterial-venous difference of O2 concentrations. Blood gas changes during treatment of shock or of acute respiratory insufficiency are explained by use of this nomogram.", "contents": "[Estimation of intrapulmonary shunt in resuscitation (use of a nomogram) (author's transl)]. Acutely ill patients often show rapid and sometimes concomitant changes in haemodynamics, pulmonary exchange and O2-uptake. PaO2 reflects the interrelationships between these three factors. The Qs/Qt shunt is computed by taking two simultaneous blood samples, one systemic arterial, the other mixed venous, with the patient inhaling pure O2 for twenty minutes. In estimating the fraction of total cardiac output unsaturated in pulmonary transit, Qs/Qt is practically used as a selective test for pulmonary gas exchange. We propose a nomogram, showing in terms of Qs/Qt shunt the variations of PaO2, of haemoglobin O2 saturation and of arterial-venous difference of O2 concentrations. Blood gas changes during treatment of shock or of acute respiratory insufficiency are explained by use of this nomogram.", "PMID": 766878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2242", "title": "Long survival after renal transplantation in man.", "content": "The indications for transplantation, complications, management and results in 127 consecutive patients who had received renal transplants between October 1960 and December 1974 are presented. In 2 cases the donor was an identical twin, in 22 a living relative other than a twin, in 2 an unrelated individual in whom nephrectomy was performed for therapeutic reasons and in 101 a cadaver. At the end of the period under review there were 37 patients alive with grafts which had functioned for 6 months or more; of these, 28 had survived for more than 2 years, 13 for more than 5 years, 6 for more than 8 years and 2 for more than 12 years. Thirty-four patients were employed or doing routine housework or receiving full-time education. One patient fathered a child 4 years after transplantation; another gave birth to a healthy infant 3 years after transplantation.", "contents": "Long survival after renal transplantation in man. The indications for transplantation, complications, management and results in 127 consecutive patients who had received renal transplants between October 1960 and December 1974 are presented. In 2 cases the donor was an identical twin, in 22 a living relative other than a twin, in 2 an unrelated individual in whom nephrectomy was performed for therapeutic reasons and in 101 a cadaver. At the end of the period under review there were 37 patients alive with grafts which had functioned for 6 months or more; of these, 28 had survived for more than 2 years, 13 for more than 5 years, 6 for more than 8 years and 2 for more than 12 years. Thirty-four patients were employed or doing routine housework or receiving full-time education. One patient fathered a child 4 years after transplantation; another gave birth to a healthy infant 3 years after transplantation.", "PMID": 766892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2243", "title": "Diverticular disease: threee studies. Part II - Treatment with bran.", "content": "Forty patients with diverticular disease were treated with wheat bran 24g/day for at least six months. Thirty-three patients showed a very satisfactory clinical response. Sixty per cent of all symptoms were abolished, and a further 28% were relieved. After treatment the transit times accelerated in patients whose initial times were slower than 60 hours and slowed down in those whose initial transit times were faster than 36 hours. Stool weight increased significantly. The number of intracolonic high pressure waves decreased, especially during and after eating. Barium enema studies showed less spasm in eight patients and no diverticula in three patients after taking bran. As well as relieving the symptoms of diverticular disease a high-fibre diet may also prevent the condition from developing.", "contents": "Diverticular disease: threee studies. Part II - Treatment with bran. Forty patients with diverticular disease were treated with wheat bran 24g/day for at least six months. Thirty-three patients showed a very satisfactory clinical response. Sixty per cent of all symptoms were abolished, and a further 28% were relieved. After treatment the transit times accelerated in patients whose initial times were slower than 60 hours and slowed down in those whose initial transit times were faster than 36 hours. Stool weight increased significantly. The number of intracolonic high pressure waves decreased, especially during and after eating. Barium enema studies showed less spasm in eight patients and no diverticula in three patients after taking bran. As well as relieving the symptoms of diverticular disease a high-fibre diet may also prevent the condition from developing.", "PMID": 766894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2244", "title": "Cardiovascular effects of insulin.", "content": "Insulin increased the heart rates of seven diabetics with normal cardiovascular reflexes. This effect, which was not due to hypoglycaemia, was greater in the upright than in the supine position and was produced by as little as one unit given intravenously. This increase in heart rate may be a compensatory response to maintain cardiac output.", "contents": "Cardiovascular effects of insulin. Insulin increased the heart rates of seven diabetics with normal cardiovascular reflexes. This effect, which was not due to hypoglycaemia, was greater in the upright than in the supine position and was produced by as little as one unit given intravenously. This increase in heart rate may be a compensatory response to maintain cardiac output.", "PMID": 766895} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2245", "title": "Failure of BCG immunostimulation to affect the clinical course of Burkitt's lymphoma.", "content": "A controlled randomised trial was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of BCG immunotherapy in preventing relapse in patients with Burkitt's lymphoma in whom remission had been induced with cyclophosphamide. Twenty-one patients were treated with BCG, and 19 were controls. Eleven patients in each group relapsed during a follow-up period long enough to make it unlikely that further relapses would occur. There were no significant differences in the length of remission or the site of relapse that could be attributed to treatment. Eleven patients died: of these none of the six patients in the BCG group but all of the five in the control group had stage D lymphomas. BCG treatment increased the rate of recovery from tumour-induced immunosuppression, but within the BCG group immunocompetence improved most rapidly in the patients who relapsed-a finding that appears to contradict the tenet retionalising the use of immunological adjuvants as treatment.", "contents": "Failure of BCG immunostimulation to affect the clinical course of Burkitt's lymphoma. A controlled randomised trial was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of BCG immunotherapy in preventing relapse in patients with Burkitt's lymphoma in whom remission had been induced with cyclophosphamide. Twenty-one patients were treated with BCG, and 19 were controls. Eleven patients in each group relapsed during a follow-up period long enough to make it unlikely that further relapses would occur. There were no significant differences in the length of remission or the site of relapse that could be attributed to treatment. Eleven patients died: of these none of the six patients in the BCG group but all of the five in the control group had stage D lymphomas. BCG treatment increased the rate of recovery from tumour-induced immunosuppression, but within the BCG group immunocompetence improved most rapidly in the patients who relapsed-a finding that appears to contradict the tenet retionalising the use of immunological adjuvants as treatment.", "PMID": 766905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2246", "title": "Spironolactone in essential hypertension: evidence against its effect through mineralocorticoid antagonism.", "content": "The effect of a six-week course of spironolactone 300 mg/day was examined in 25 unselected patients with essential hypertension. In the blood spironolactone produced a significant rise in urea and potassium concentrations and a fall in sodium and bicarbonate concentrations. In six patients blood pressure was normal at the end of the course, while in five patients there was almost no change. Studies of the effects of spironolactone on various indices usually affected by mineralocorticoids-namely, blood electrolytes, total body potassium, and rectal electrical properties-showed no differences between responding and non-responding patients. Mineralocorticoid excess therefore seems to be rarely responsible for essential hypertension and the influence of spironolactone cannot at present be fully explained.", "contents": "Spironolactone in essential hypertension: evidence against its effect through mineralocorticoid antagonism. The effect of a six-week course of spironolactone 300 mg/day was examined in 25 unselected patients with essential hypertension. In the blood spironolactone produced a significant rise in urea and potassium concentrations and a fall in sodium and bicarbonate concentrations. In six patients blood pressure was normal at the end of the course, while in five patients there was almost no change. Studies of the effects of spironolactone on various indices usually affected by mineralocorticoids-namely, blood electrolytes, total body potassium, and rectal electrical properties-showed no differences between responding and non-responding patients. Mineralocorticoid excess therefore seems to be rarely responsible for essential hypertension and the influence of spironolactone cannot at present be fully explained.", "PMID": 766908} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2247", "title": "Quantitative effects of unsaturated fatty acids in microbial mutants. IV. Lipid composition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae when growth is limited by unsaturated fatty acid supply.", "content": "The Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant KD46 (ole 2), which is unable to synthesize unsaturated fatty acids, was grown on limiting amounts of different added unsaturated fatty acids. The acyl chain composition of the cellular lipid classes was determined in these cultures at different stages or growth. During growth on added oleic acid, there was no marked change in the mole percentage of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine. phosphatidylinositol, or phosphatidylserine among the total phospholipids. Cells grown on palmitoleic, oleic, or linoleic acid showed a steady decrease in their total phospholipid levels per cell concomitant with a decrease in growth rate approaching minimal levels at stationary phase. Furthermore, the mole percentage of the supplemented unsaturated fatty acid in the cellular phospholipids also decreased during growth and attained minimal values when growth ceased. At stationary phase the total phospholipid content per cell was similar for cells grown on a wide range of fatty acids or mixtures thereof, whereas the composition of the fatty acids in the cellular phospholipids were strikingly different. The differences in efficiencies for supporting growth of most of the unsaturated fatty acids tested did not seem due to the extent of their corporation into cellular phospholipids, but rather to differences in the ability of the derived membrane phospholipids to support cellular functions. Palmitoleate, oleate, linoleate, linolenate, arachidonate, eicosapentaenoate, and docosahexaenoate all appeared to contribute to the functionality of cellular membranes in an additive linear manner. Thus, the contribution of these acids to cellular growth can be characterized by a functionality factor that seems independent of the mixtures of acids supporting growth. Use of the functionality concept allows the cumulative influence of many different acids to be summarized quantitatively by a single number rather than resorting to qualitative decriptions of the degree of unsaturation or 'fitness' of the membrane phospholipids.", "contents": "Quantitative effects of unsaturated fatty acids in microbial mutants. IV. Lipid composition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae when growth is limited by unsaturated fatty acid supply. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant KD46 (ole 2), which is unable to synthesize unsaturated fatty acids, was grown on limiting amounts of different added unsaturated fatty acids. The acyl chain composition of the cellular lipid classes was determined in these cultures at different stages or growth. During growth on added oleic acid, there was no marked change in the mole percentage of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine. phosphatidylinositol, or phosphatidylserine among the total phospholipids. Cells grown on palmitoleic, oleic, or linoleic acid showed a steady decrease in their total phospholipid levels per cell concomitant with a decrease in growth rate approaching minimal levels at stationary phase. Furthermore, the mole percentage of the supplemented unsaturated fatty acid in the cellular phospholipids also decreased during growth and attained minimal values when growth ceased. At stationary phase the total phospholipid content per cell was similar for cells grown on a wide range of fatty acids or mixtures thereof, whereas the composition of the fatty acids in the cellular phospholipids were strikingly different. The differences in efficiencies for supporting growth of most of the unsaturated fatty acids tested did not seem due to the extent of their corporation into cellular phospholipids, but rather to differences in the ability of the derived membrane phospholipids to support cellular functions. Palmitoleate, oleate, linoleate, linolenate, arachidonate, eicosapentaenoate, and docosahexaenoate all appeared to contribute to the functionality of cellular membranes in an additive linear manner. Thus, the contribution of these acids to cellular growth can be characterized by a functionality factor that seems independent of the mixtures of acids supporting growth. Use of the functionality concept allows the cumulative influence of many different acids to be summarized quantitatively by a single number rather than resorting to qualitative decriptions of the degree of unsaturation or 'fitness' of the membrane phospholipids.", "PMID": 766924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2248", "title": "Purification and properties of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast.", "content": "In an effort to avoid proteolytic fragmentation of enzymes extracted from yeast cells, the (L-phenylalanine:tRNAPhe ligase (AMP-forming) phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (EC6.1.1.20)) has been isolated from toluene lysates of baker's yeast in the presence of the protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The procedure includes ammonium sulfate fractionation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and hydroxylapatite columns. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis of the enzyme in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate indicates a single subunit of 75 000; other isolations have led to two subunits of 75 000 and 63 000, respectively, in agreement with other workers. Steady state kinetic analysis of the enzyme has also been carried out. The apparent kinetic patterns resulting from application of Cleland's procedure, in which the substrates are varied pairwise in the presence of saturating concentrations of the third component, suggest a reaction mechanism in which ATP and phenylalanine enter the reaction in an obligatory ordered fashion but do not completely eliminate a random mechanism.", "contents": "Purification and properties of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast. In an effort to avoid proteolytic fragmentation of enzymes extracted from yeast cells, the (L-phenylalanine:tRNAPhe ligase (AMP-forming) phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (EC6.1.1.20)) has been isolated from toluene lysates of baker's yeast in the presence of the protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The procedure includes ammonium sulfate fractionation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and hydroxylapatite columns. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis of the enzyme in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate indicates a single subunit of 75 000; other isolations have led to two subunits of 75 000 and 63 000, respectively, in agreement with other workers. Steady state kinetic analysis of the enzyme has also been carried out. The apparent kinetic patterns resulting from application of Cleland's procedure, in which the substrates are varied pairwise in the presence of saturating concentrations of the third component, suggest a reaction mechanism in which ATP and phenylalanine enter the reaction in an obligatory ordered fashion but do not completely eliminate a random mechanism.", "PMID": 766925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2249", "title": "The conservation of amino acids in the n-terminal position of ribosomal and cytosol proteins from Escherichia coli, Bacillus stearothermophilus, and Halobacterium cutirubrum.", "content": "Alanine, methionine, and serine are the predominant N-terminal residues in the cytosol and ribosomal protein fractions from the thermophile Bacillus stear othermophilus and the extreme halophile Halobacterium cutirubrum, a similar situation to that previously found in Escherichia coli. In all three bacteria the N-terminal residues of the 30S ribosomal proteins are mainly alanine greater than methionine greater than serine whereas in the 50S ribosomal proteins from E. coli and B. stearothermophilus the predominant residues are methionine greater than alanine greater than serine suggesting conservation of specific N-terminal residues in these ribosomal proteins. However, the 50S ribosomal proteins from H. cutirubrum showed serine as the major N-terminal residue.", "contents": "The conservation of amino acids in the n-terminal position of ribosomal and cytosol proteins from Escherichia coli, Bacillus stearothermophilus, and Halobacterium cutirubrum. Alanine, methionine, and serine are the predominant N-terminal residues in the cytosol and ribosomal protein fractions from the thermophile Bacillus stear othermophilus and the extreme halophile Halobacterium cutirubrum, a similar situation to that previously found in Escherichia coli. In all three bacteria the N-terminal residues of the 30S ribosomal proteins are mainly alanine greater than methionine greater than serine whereas in the 50S ribosomal proteins from E. coli and B. stearothermophilus the predominant residues are methionine greater than alanine greater than serine suggesting conservation of specific N-terminal residues in these ribosomal proteins. However, the 50S ribosomal proteins from H. cutirubrum showed serine as the major N-terminal residue.", "PMID": 766926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2250", "title": "[Identification of aerobic actinomycetes isolated from fresh water].", "content": "This paper presents the methods used for the study and identification of 172 actinomycetes strains isolated from samples of surface water and of sediments (soft water). For this analysis, two main criteria were used; the morphological and the biochemical study of the cellular constituents. A key for identification is proposed.", "contents": "[Identification of aerobic actinomycetes isolated from fresh water]. This paper presents the methods used for the study and identification of 172 actinomycetes strains isolated from samples of surface water and of sediments (soft water). For this analysis, two main criteria were used; the morphological and the biochemical study of the cellular constituents. A key for identification is proposed.", "PMID": 766927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2251", "title": "The survival of Escherichia coli from freeze-thaw damage: the relative importance of wall and membrane damage.", "content": "When Escherichia coli is frozen rapidly in saline and thawed slowly, survival is very low; however, the inclusion of 3% glycerol or 1% Tween 80 in the saline freezing menstruum results in near complete survival. The release of material from, and penetration of, substances into the cell indicate that both membrane and wall damage occur during freezing and thawing. Glycerol, under these conditions, is able to reduce severely both the damage to the wall and membrane, whereas Tween 80 prevents only membrane damage. This indicates that freezing and thawing in saline results in membrane damage which is lethal to the cell whereas wall damage which occurs is not detrimental to cell survival.", "contents": "The survival of Escherichia coli from freeze-thaw damage: the relative importance of wall and membrane damage. When Escherichia coli is frozen rapidly in saline and thawed slowly, survival is very low; however, the inclusion of 3% glycerol or 1% Tween 80 in the saline freezing menstruum results in near complete survival. The release of material from, and penetration of, substances into the cell indicate that both membrane and wall damage occur during freezing and thawing. Glycerol, under these conditions, is able to reduce severely both the damage to the wall and membrane, whereas Tween 80 prevents only membrane damage. This indicates that freezing and thawing in saline results in membrane damage which is lethal to the cell whereas wall damage which occurs is not detrimental to cell survival.", "PMID": 766928} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2252", "title": "Ingestion and survival of Y. pseudotuberculosis in HeLa cells.", "content": "HeLa cells were infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis for 0.5-3 h. Intracellular bacteria could then be demonstrated by three different techniques: viable count, fluorescent-antibody staining and electron microscopy. Most of the bacteria seemed to be viable, since there was a good positive correlation (0.94) between viable and fluorescent bacteria. The bacterial uptake seemed to be mediated by a phagocytic-like procedure. The intracellular bacteria seemed to reside in vacuoles some of which increased in size as a function of time. The kinetics of infection was studied after addition of 10(7) or 10(9) bacteria per cell culture (2 X 10(6) cells). After a lag period of about 30 min there was a linear increase of intracellular bacteria, and this uptake proceeded for 1-2 h until most of the bacteria were ingested or an upper limit of ingested bacteria was reached. The upper limit was calculated to be a mean of 60 per infected cell in the cell culture. More than 90% of the cells could be infected and a reasonable number of the bacteria survive in the cells for at least 3 days, as demonstrated by the viable-count technique. The bacteria-cell system may be used to study, for example, the effect of antibiotics or antibodies on intracellular bacteria and pathogenicity of intracellular diseases.", "contents": "Ingestion and survival of Y. pseudotuberculosis in HeLa cells. HeLa cells were infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis for 0.5-3 h. Intracellular bacteria could then be demonstrated by three different techniques: viable count, fluorescent-antibody staining and electron microscopy. Most of the bacteria seemed to be viable, since there was a good positive correlation (0.94) between viable and fluorescent bacteria. The bacterial uptake seemed to be mediated by a phagocytic-like procedure. The intracellular bacteria seemed to reside in vacuoles some of which increased in size as a function of time. The kinetics of infection was studied after addition of 10(7) or 10(9) bacteria per cell culture (2 X 10(6) cells). After a lag period of about 30 min there was a linear increase of intracellular bacteria, and this uptake proceeded for 1-2 h until most of the bacteria were ingested or an upper limit of ingested bacteria was reached. The upper limit was calculated to be a mean of 60 per infected cell in the cell culture. More than 90% of the cells could be infected and a reasonable number of the bacteria survive in the cells for at least 3 days, as demonstrated by the viable-count technique. The bacteria-cell system may be used to study, for example, the effect of antibiotics or antibodies on intracellular bacteria and pathogenicity of intracellular diseases.", "PMID": 766929} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2253", "title": "Purification and characterization of tuberculin-active components from BCG.", "content": "The tuberculin activity of protoplasmic extracts isolated from living BCG was purified successively by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and G-75, and by electrophoresis on 7.5% and on gradient (6-18%) polyacrylamide gels. The tuberculin-active fractions, as determined in BCG-sensitized guinea pigs, were used as the starting material for each of the following fractionation steps. The physicochemical properties and the antigenic activity of the biologically active fractions have shown that a single component, or only a few ones with similar properties, possessed high tuberculin activity. These active components were proteins having relatively high molecular weights (about 72,000) and could behave as antigens.", "contents": "Purification and characterization of tuberculin-active components from BCG. The tuberculin activity of protoplasmic extracts isolated from living BCG was purified successively by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and G-75, and by electrophoresis on 7.5% and on gradient (6-18%) polyacrylamide gels. The tuberculin-active fractions, as determined in BCG-sensitized guinea pigs, were used as the starting material for each of the following fractionation steps. The physicochemical properties and the antigenic activity of the biologically active fractions have shown that a single component, or only a few ones with similar properties, possessed high tuberculin activity. These active components were proteins having relatively high molecular weights (about 72,000) and could behave as antigens.", "PMID": 766930} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2254", "title": "Pyruvate inhibition of the carbon dioxide fixation of the strict chemolithotroph Thiobacillus thiooxidans.", "content": "A flow-through dialysis system used to decrease the concentrations of toxic organic materials excreted by Thiobacillus thiooxidans permitted an improved efficiency of carbon dioxide fixation when compared with cells taken from the usual shaken culture. The additions of various concentrations of pyruvic acid and succinic acid inhibited growth significantly. Pyruvate at a concentration of 5 X 10(-3) M completely inhibited the respiration of resting cells oxidizing sulfur. The toxicity of pyruvic acid was found to be permanent as evidenced by the inability to obtain satisfactory oxidation rates after washing the exposed cells twice in buffer. Both pyruvate (10(-3) M) and succinate (10(-3) M) inhibited carbon dioxide fixation by 84%.", "contents": "Pyruvate inhibition of the carbon dioxide fixation of the strict chemolithotroph Thiobacillus thiooxidans. A flow-through dialysis system used to decrease the concentrations of toxic organic materials excreted by Thiobacillus thiooxidans permitted an improved efficiency of carbon dioxide fixation when compared with cells taken from the usual shaken culture. The additions of various concentrations of pyruvic acid and succinic acid inhibited growth significantly. Pyruvate at a concentration of 5 X 10(-3) M completely inhibited the respiration of resting cells oxidizing sulfur. The toxicity of pyruvic acid was found to be permanent as evidenced by the inability to obtain satisfactory oxidation rates after washing the exposed cells twice in buffer. Both pyruvate (10(-3) M) and succinate (10(-3) M) inhibited carbon dioxide fixation by 84%.", "PMID": 766931} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2255", "title": "[Study of various factors affecting the colonization of the digestive tract in white mice by Candida albicans].", "content": "This paper deals with the quantitative localization of Candida albicans in different parts of white micr gastrointestinal tract after oral inoculation of the yeast. Animals are previously treated with ampicillin, cortisone, or estradiol. Female pregnant and normal adult mice are also used. Our results show that the number of yeasts increases respectively in small intestine, stomach, caecum, and sigmoid. As compared with normal adult mice, C. albicans is more abundant in mice treated wtih ampicillin or cortisone whereas the yeast growth is lower in pregnant animals or in mice receiving estradiol. Moreover, male animals ordinarily show higher values than those found in female mice.", "contents": "[Study of various factors affecting the colonization of the digestive tract in white mice by Candida albicans]. This paper deals with the quantitative localization of Candida albicans in different parts of white micr gastrointestinal tract after oral inoculation of the yeast. Animals are previously treated with ampicillin, cortisone, or estradiol. Female pregnant and normal adult mice are also used. Our results show that the number of yeasts increases respectively in small intestine, stomach, caecum, and sigmoid. As compared with normal adult mice, C. albicans is more abundant in mice treated wtih ampicillin or cortisone whereas the yeast growth is lower in pregnant animals or in mice receiving estradiol. Moreover, male animals ordinarily show higher values than those found in female mice.", "PMID": 766932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2256", "title": "Detection of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains in wastewater by fluorescent antibody.", "content": "Flourescent antibody (FA) techniques were used to evaluate fluorescein-labeled enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EEC) OB globulins as a means of presumptively detecting these serogroups in wastewater. Four of the more prevalent and incriminated EEC serogroups were detected by FA and isolated from wastewater. A total of 317 sewage isolates biochemically defined as E. coli were tested by FA and agglutination tests. Only a small number of these isolates (9/317, 2.8%) were serologically groups as being enteropathogenic related strains. The frequency of occurrence of EEC organisms in a wastewater, as determined by FA, is reported. The use of highly specific OB fluorescent antibodies to monitor wastewater for the presence of EEC is discussed.", "contents": "Detection of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains in wastewater by fluorescent antibody. Flourescent antibody (FA) techniques were used to evaluate fluorescein-labeled enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EEC) OB globulins as a means of presumptively detecting these serogroups in wastewater. Four of the more prevalent and incriminated EEC serogroups were detected by FA and isolated from wastewater. A total of 317 sewage isolates biochemically defined as E. coli were tested by FA and agglutination tests. Only a small number of these isolates (9/317, 2.8%) were serologically groups as being enteropathogenic related strains. The frequency of occurrence of EEC organisms in a wastewater, as determined by FA, is reported. The use of highly specific OB fluorescent antibodies to monitor wastewater for the presence of EEC is discussed.", "PMID": 766933} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2257", "title": "Massive pulmonary hemorrhage in neonatal infection.", "content": "Of 35 newborn infants who died from an infection 19 had postmortem evidence of massive pulmonary hemorrhage. All but 1 of the 19 had evidence of antimortem formation of intravascular fibrin clots in lung tissue. Seventeen infants had low platelet counts. Of the 11 infants in whom coagulation studies were done, 8 had evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) during life. Vasculitis in the lungs, associated with fibrin clots and hemorrhages, was detected in two infants. It is postulated that sepsis is an important cause of hemorrhage in the newborn, probably as a result of the development of DIC.", "contents": "Massive pulmonary hemorrhage in neonatal infection. Of 35 newborn infants who died from an infection 19 had postmortem evidence of massive pulmonary hemorrhage. All but 1 of the 19 had evidence of antimortem formation of intravascular fibrin clots in lung tissue. Seventeen infants had low platelet counts. Of the 11 infants in whom coagulation studies were done, 8 had evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) during life. Vasculitis in the lungs, associated with fibrin clots and hemorrhages, was detected in two infants. It is postulated that sepsis is an important cause of hemorrhage in the newborn, probably as a result of the development of DIC.", "PMID": 766937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2258", "title": "Occupational asthma.", "content": "Occupational asthma is probably much more common than is generally realized. Though many causes have been described, undoubtedly many more are yet to be recognized. One of the diagnostic difficulties lies in the fact that in most forms of this disease a late asthmatic reaction occurs in the evening rather than at work. The pathogenetic mechanisms differ in various forms of occupational asthma. In some, an immunologic mechanism is likely; in others, a \"pharmacologic\" action of the offending agent is implicated. Asthma due to inhalation of dusts of western red cedar, isocyanates, detergent enzymes and textiles is considered in detail. Periodic examination of workers at risk is of value for early diagnosis and prevention of irrversible airway obstruction.", "contents": "Occupational asthma. Occupational asthma is probably much more common than is generally realized. Though many causes have been described, undoubtedly many more are yet to be recognized. One of the diagnostic difficulties lies in the fact that in most forms of this disease a late asthmatic reaction occurs in the evening rather than at work. The pathogenetic mechanisms differ in various forms of occupational asthma. In some, an immunologic mechanism is likely; in others, a \"pharmacologic\" action of the offending agent is implicated. Asthma due to inhalation of dusts of western red cedar, isocyanates, detergent enzymes and textiles is considered in detail. Periodic examination of workers at risk is of value for early diagnosis and prevention of irrversible airway obstruction.", "PMID": 766943} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2259", "title": "A phase II study of intravenously- administered methyl CCNU in the treatment of advanced sarcomas.", "content": "Thirty-two patients with advanced, inoperable nonhematologic soft-tissue and osseous sarcomas were treated with Methyl CCNU administered via controlled intravenous infusion in doses of 130-170 mg/m2 every 6 weeks in a Phase II trial. All 28 evaluable patients were no longer responsive to adriamycin. Greater than 50% tumor regression was seen in one of two patients with chondrosarcoma and one of five patients with rhabdomyosarcoma. Less than 50% tumor regression occurred in one of five patients with rhabdomyosarcoma, one of two patients with malignant giant cell tumor, and one of three patients with malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Stabilization of previously advancing disease occurred in two of seven patients with leiomyosarcoma. The drug preparation was well tolerated. Nausea and vomiting occurring in three of 32 patients. Major toxicity was myelosuppression, characterized chiefly by thrombocytopenia with lesser degrees of leukopenia. This drug preparation appears to have activity in this group of tumors.", "contents": "A phase II study of intravenously- administered methyl CCNU in the treatment of advanced sarcomas. Thirty-two patients with advanced, inoperable nonhematologic soft-tissue and osseous sarcomas were treated with Methyl CCNU administered via controlled intravenous infusion in doses of 130-170 mg/m2 every 6 weeks in a Phase II trial. All 28 evaluable patients were no longer responsive to adriamycin. Greater than 50% tumor regression was seen in one of two patients with chondrosarcoma and one of five patients with rhabdomyosarcoma. Less than 50% tumor regression occurred in one of five patients with rhabdomyosarcoma, one of two patients with malignant giant cell tumor, and one of three patients with malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Stabilization of previously advancing disease occurred in two of seven patients with leiomyosarcoma. The drug preparation was well tolerated. Nausea and vomiting occurring in three of 32 patients. Major toxicity was myelosuppression, characterized chiefly by thrombocytopenia with lesser degrees of leukopenia. This drug preparation appears to have activity in this group of tumors.", "PMID": 766946} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2260", "title": "Intralesional BCG in the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma.", "content": "The therapeutic efficacy of intralesional BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin; one immunizing dose every 2 weeks for a minimum of five treatments) was studied in 19 melanoma patients. Of 15 patients evaluable for response, five experienced significant objective improvement (two complete and three partial remissions). Objective improvement was limited to those patients with dermal metastatic disease. In vitro cytotoxicity in the presence of patient's serum bore, on average, a relationship to the clinical disease. In certain individual cases, serum blocking and/or lymphocyte stimulation may have had prognostic significance.", "contents": "Intralesional BCG in the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma. The therapeutic efficacy of intralesional BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin; one immunizing dose every 2 weeks for a minimum of five treatments) was studied in 19 melanoma patients. Of 15 patients evaluable for response, five experienced significant objective improvement (two complete and three partial remissions). Objective improvement was limited to those patients with dermal metastatic disease. In vitro cytotoxicity in the presence of patient's serum bore, on average, a relationship to the clinical disease. In certain individual cases, serum blocking and/or lymphocyte stimulation may have had prognostic significance.", "PMID": 766947} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2261", "title": "Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and lip in renal homograft recipients.", "content": "Forty-four squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the skin and lip were observed in 9 of 464 renal homograft recipients. Clinically and histologically the SCC's fell into two groups. Two patients with widespread warts, suggestive of epidermodysplasia verruciformis, showed multiple SCC's predominantly on the upper extremities which were associated with minimal solar elastosis of the adjacent dermis. The other seven patients did not have widespread warts; their SCC's occurred predominantly on the head and neck and were associated with prominent solar elastosis of the adjacent dermis. The degree of solar elastosis was particularly striking in view of the young age of this group (mean age: 37 years). Inflammatory cellular response to the transplant SCC's was significantly diminished in comparison with a group of control SCC's from non-immunosuppressed patients. In both transplant groups sunlight appears to be an important etiologic factor; in the first group viruses may also be important.", "contents": "Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and lip in renal homograft recipients. Forty-four squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the skin and lip were observed in 9 of 464 renal homograft recipients. Clinically and histologically the SCC's fell into two groups. Two patients with widespread warts, suggestive of epidermodysplasia verruciformis, showed multiple SCC's predominantly on the upper extremities which were associated with minimal solar elastosis of the adjacent dermis. The other seven patients did not have widespread warts; their SCC's occurred predominantly on the head and neck and were associated with prominent solar elastosis of the adjacent dermis. The degree of solar elastosis was particularly striking in view of the young age of this group (mean age: 37 years). Inflammatory cellular response to the transplant SCC's was significantly diminished in comparison with a group of control SCC's from non-immunosuppressed patients. In both transplant groups sunlight appears to be an important etiologic factor; in the first group viruses may also be important.", "PMID": 766948} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2262", "title": "Febrile neutrophilic dermatosis in acute myelogenous leukemia.", "content": "Three patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and adequate granulocyte reserves developed fever and painful indurated erythematous plaques on their extremities and faces. The plaques became studded with vesicles or bullae and occasionally became necrotic. Histologic examination revealed dermal edema, infiltration with granulocytes, and formation of intraepidermal vesicles. Efforts to relate the skin reaction to infiltration of leukemic cells, microorganisms, or allergic phenomena were unsuccessful. Empiric antibiotic therapy was without effect. The symptoms and signs responded dramatically to systemic administration of corticosteroids. These lesions, which may cause diagnostic confusion and needless therapy with potent antibiotics, may represent another previously uncharacterized nonspecific skin reaction in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia.", "contents": "Febrile neutrophilic dermatosis in acute myelogenous leukemia. Three patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and adequate granulocyte reserves developed fever and painful indurated erythematous plaques on their extremities and faces. The plaques became studded with vesicles or bullae and occasionally became necrotic. Histologic examination revealed dermal edema, infiltration with granulocytes, and formation of intraepidermal vesicles. Efforts to relate the skin reaction to infiltration of leukemic cells, microorganisms, or allergic phenomena were unsuccessful. Empiric antibiotic therapy was without effect. The symptoms and signs responded dramatically to systemic administration of corticosteroids. These lesions, which may cause diagnostic confusion and needless therapy with potent antibiotics, may represent another previously uncharacterized nonspecific skin reaction in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia.", "PMID": 766949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2263", "title": "Primary reticulum cell sarcoma of testis in a 12-year-old.", "content": "A 12-year-old boy with primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the testis who is alive and free of tumor 32 months after orchiectomy, radiation therapy to inguinal, iliac and retroperitoneal lymph nodes and chemotherapy is reported. Seven previously documented cases of childhood primary testicular lymphoma are reviewed. The patient with reticulum cell and one with lymphosarcoma were alive and tumor-free 4 and 18 months respectively. The other 5 with primary testicular lymphosarcoma died. Four survived for periods up to 1 year, 3 developing generalized lymphosarcoma and 1 leukemia. The fifth was tumor-free for 4 years and developed leukemia 2 weeks before death. The small number of cases precludes evaluation of survival in relation to various modes of therapy. Primary lymphoma of testis, no evidence of lymphoma elsewhere at time of orchiectomy, does exist. Its relatively benign biologic behavior in some remains an enigma.", "contents": "Primary reticulum cell sarcoma of testis in a 12-year-old. A 12-year-old boy with primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the testis who is alive and free of tumor 32 months after orchiectomy, radiation therapy to inguinal, iliac and retroperitoneal lymph nodes and chemotherapy is reported. Seven previously documented cases of childhood primary testicular lymphoma are reviewed. The patient with reticulum cell and one with lymphosarcoma were alive and tumor-free 4 and 18 months respectively. The other 5 with primary testicular lymphosarcoma died. Four survived for periods up to 1 year, 3 developing generalized lymphosarcoma and 1 leukemia. The fifth was tumor-free for 4 years and developed leukemia 2 weeks before death. The small number of cases precludes evaluation of survival in relation to various modes of therapy. Primary lymphoma of testis, no evidence of lymphoma elsewhere at time of orchiectomy, does exist. Its relatively benign biologic behavior in some remains an enigma.", "PMID": 766950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2264", "title": "The carcinogenicity of anticancer drugs: a hazard in man.", "content": "The carcinogenic potential of anticancer drugs is discussed in the light of selected basic principles of chemical carcinogenesis. Anticancer drugs which act by alkylation and/or by binding tightly to DNA frequently cause cancer in experimental animals and may be carcinogenic in man. In addition, certain anticancer drugs act as cocarcinogens in experimental systems and augment the tumorigenicity of chemical carcinogens. Host determinants are important in chemical carcinogenesis. Many chemical carcinogens and anticancer drugs require metabolic activation by microsomal enzymes. Studies in twins have shown interindividual variation of drug metabolism in man is greater than intraindividual variation caused by exogenous factors. Therefore, certain individuals may be unusually susceptible to the carcinogenicity of anticancer drugs on a pharmacogenetic basis. Age is also a host determinant. At a given total dose level, age at first exposure to chemical carcinogens has been shown to be an important risk factor in experimental studies and in some epidemiologic investigations in man. Therefore, children may be especially susceptible to the carcinogenicity of anticancer drugs. These treated children have the potential of a normal lifespan; the latency period between initial exposure to a carcinogen and clinical evidence of cancer in man is long, usually 2-5 decades. The problems involved in extrapolating data of carcinogenicity in experimental animals to man are discussed. A single drug may have multiple consequences in experimental studies; for example, actinomycin D can act as an anticancer drug, an anticarcinogen, and a carcinogen. These uncertainities and the clinical results concerning second neoplasms following cancer therapy in both children and adults clearly indicate the need to follow carefully long-term survivors who have received cancer therapy.", "contents": "The carcinogenicity of anticancer drugs: a hazard in man. The carcinogenic potential of anticancer drugs is discussed in the light of selected basic principles of chemical carcinogenesis. Anticancer drugs which act by alkylation and/or by binding tightly to DNA frequently cause cancer in experimental animals and may be carcinogenic in man. In addition, certain anticancer drugs act as cocarcinogens in experimental systems and augment the tumorigenicity of chemical carcinogens. Host determinants are important in chemical carcinogenesis. Many chemical carcinogens and anticancer drugs require metabolic activation by microsomal enzymes. Studies in twins have shown interindividual variation of drug metabolism in man is greater than intraindividual variation caused by exogenous factors. Therefore, certain individuals may be unusually susceptible to the carcinogenicity of anticancer drugs on a pharmacogenetic basis. Age is also a host determinant. At a given total dose level, age at first exposure to chemical carcinogens has been shown to be an important risk factor in experimental studies and in some epidemiologic investigations in man. Therefore, children may be especially susceptible to the carcinogenicity of anticancer drugs. These treated children have the potential of a normal lifespan; the latency period between initial exposure to a carcinogen and clinical evidence of cancer in man is long, usually 2-5 decades. The problems involved in extrapolating data of carcinogenicity in experimental animals to man are discussed. A single drug may have multiple consequences in experimental studies; for example, actinomycin D can act as an anticancer drug, an anticarcinogen, and a carcinogen. These uncertainities and the clinical results concerning second neoplasms following cancer therapy in both children and adults clearly indicate the need to follow carefully long-term survivors who have received cancer therapy.", "PMID": 766951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2265", "title": "Second malignant neoplasms associated with immunosuppressive medications.", "content": "Previous studies have shown that immunosuppressive therapy permits the growth and spread of inadvertently transplanted malignant cells in man, and, in addition, is associated with a 5 to 6% incidence of de novo cancers in organ homograft recipients who were apparently free of cancer before and at the time of transplantation. In the present report two further groups of patients were studied. There was a 4% incidence of new tumors in 101 organ homograft recipient- who had had pre-existing cancers. The immunosuppressive effects of cancer chemotherapeutic agents may have been responsible for the development of 166 new malignancies in 160 patients who received treatment for 161 neoplasms. This does not contraindicate the use of chemotherapy in patients with advanced or widespread neoplasms, as the occasional development of new malignancies is far outweighed by the many months or years of control of the original tumors.", "contents": "Second malignant neoplasms associated with immunosuppressive medications. Previous studies have shown that immunosuppressive therapy permits the growth and spread of inadvertently transplanted malignant cells in man, and, in addition, is associated with a 5 to 6% incidence of de novo cancers in organ homograft recipients who were apparently free of cancer before and at the time of transplantation. In the present report two further groups of patients were studied. There was a 4% incidence of new tumors in 101 organ homograft recipient- who had had pre-existing cancers. The immunosuppressive effects of cancer chemotherapeutic agents may have been responsible for the development of 166 new malignancies in 160 patients who received treatment for 161 neoplasms. This does not contraindicate the use of chemotherapy in patients with advanced or widespread neoplasms, as the occasional development of new malignancies is far outweighed by the many months or years of control of the original tumors.", "PMID": 766952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2266", "title": "The effect of immunosuppressive chemotherapy on immune function in patients with malignant disease.", "content": "This paper reviews studies previously conducted on the effect of anticancer drugs on immune function in man. It provides new data reporting on the effect of short intensive courses of cytotoxic drug therapy on B-lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte number in cancer patients. Both types of lymphocyte were found in this investigation to be equally sensitive to cytotoxic drugs. The degree of absolute cell number reduction and rate of recovery were similar for T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. Other workers have demonstrated, however, that with prolonged administration of cytotoxic drugs B-lymphocyte number and function are more adversely affected than are T-lymphocyte number and function. Immune function which had been suppressed by continuous programs of chemotherapy for periods of up to 2-3 years will, in certain groups of patients, recover to normal or almost normal levels of function. Short courses of combination drug chemotherapy may be followed by \"rebound-overshoot\" recovery of immune function. This has been associated with a more favorable clinical course than in situations where it does not occur. Chemotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy programs in clinical oncology ought ideally to be initially evaluated for the effect that they have on immune function. This will permit the development of drug dose and time schedules which allow for recovery of immune function and may possibly lead to augmented antitumor responses.", "contents": "The effect of immunosuppressive chemotherapy on immune function in patients with malignant disease. This paper reviews studies previously conducted on the effect of anticancer drugs on immune function in man. It provides new data reporting on the effect of short intensive courses of cytotoxic drug therapy on B-lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte number in cancer patients. Both types of lymphocyte were found in this investigation to be equally sensitive to cytotoxic drugs. The degree of absolute cell number reduction and rate of recovery were similar for T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. Other workers have demonstrated, however, that with prolonged administration of cytotoxic drugs B-lymphocyte number and function are more adversely affected than are T-lymphocyte number and function. Immune function which had been suppressed by continuous programs of chemotherapy for periods of up to 2-3 years will, in certain groups of patients, recover to normal or almost normal levels of function. Short courses of combination drug chemotherapy may be followed by \"rebound-overshoot\" recovery of immune function. This has been associated with a more favorable clinical course than in situations where it does not occur. Chemotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy programs in clinical oncology ought ideally to be initially evaluated for the effect that they have on immune function. This will permit the development of drug dose and time schedules which allow for recovery of immune function and may possibly lead to augmented antitumor responses.", "PMID": 766953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2267", "title": "Effects of chemotherapy on the central nervous system. A study of parenteral methotrexate in long-term survivors of leukemia and lymphoma in childhood.", "content": "Twenty-three children surviving more than 5 years from the diagnosis of leukemia, lymphoma, or malignant histiocytosis were evaluated for clinical evidence of central nervous system disease. Severe impairment, consisting of seizures, paraplegia, and dementia was present in 4, all of whom received methotrexate (MTX) and other agents for 2 to 7 years. Brain biopsies in 3 of these children showed white-matter gliosis and no evidence of viral or other infections or leukemic infiltrates. Of the remaining children 10/19 were found to have mild clinical or EEG abnormalities. All had received i.v. MTX with other drugs for 2-6 years; 5 did not receive cranial irradiation. Common to all impaired patients was the administration of intravenous methotrexate in relatively high doses over a prolonged period of time. Impairment in nervous system function may present as a spectrum of deficiencies, with the most severe resulting in death, or as in the 4 patients described here, profound dementia and dependence. Less dramatic changes in functioning, may, however, result from various combinations of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Methods of assessing their etiology and impact on survivors need now to be devised.", "contents": "Effects of chemotherapy on the central nervous system. A study of parenteral methotrexate in long-term survivors of leukemia and lymphoma in childhood. Twenty-three children surviving more than 5 years from the diagnosis of leukemia, lymphoma, or malignant histiocytosis were evaluated for clinical evidence of central nervous system disease. Severe impairment, consisting of seizures, paraplegia, and dementia was present in 4, all of whom received methotrexate (MTX) and other agents for 2 to 7 years. Brain biopsies in 3 of these children showed white-matter gliosis and no evidence of viral or other infections or leukemic infiltrates. Of the remaining children 10/19 were found to have mild clinical or EEG abnormalities. All had received i.v. MTX with other drugs for 2-6 years; 5 did not receive cranial irradiation. Common to all impaired patients was the administration of intravenous methotrexate in relatively high doses over a prolonged period of time. Impairment in nervous system function may present as a spectrum of deficiencies, with the most severe resulting in death, or as in the 4 patients described here, profound dementia and dependence. Less dramatic changes in functioning, may, however, result from various combinations of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Methods of assessing their etiology and impact on survivors need now to be devised.", "PMID": 766954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2268", "title": "Late neoplastic changes following medical irradiation.", "content": "New additions since 1968 to the literature on radiation carcinogenesis in man support the earlier conclusion of an approximately linear increase in cancer incidence in a broad intermediate dose range for most sites of cancer. Questions are raised regarding the nature of the dose-response relation at very low and at very high dose exposures. Analyses of some data on exposure to radiation from internal deposits of radioactive material suggest that the dose-response curve at low and intermediate ranges in concave up, implying a smaller effect per unit exposure at very low doses than at intermediate ranges. Data on exposure to the very high but anatomically limited doses of radiation used in cancer therapy give conflicting results, suggesting in one report a continuation of the linear relation into the high-dose range. Other reports suggest a lesser effect per unit dose at high doses than at intermediate doses. Extensive laboratory studies of exposure of experimental animals indicate that over broad dose ranges, exceptions to simple linear relations are the rule, and that factors of dose rate and fractionation also affect the dose-response relation.", "contents": "Late neoplastic changes following medical irradiation. New additions since 1968 to the literature on radiation carcinogenesis in man support the earlier conclusion of an approximately linear increase in cancer incidence in a broad intermediate dose range for most sites of cancer. Questions are raised regarding the nature of the dose-response relation at very low and at very high dose exposures. Analyses of some data on exposure to radiation from internal deposits of radioactive material suggest that the dose-response curve at low and intermediate ranges in concave up, implying a smaller effect per unit exposure at very low doses than at intermediate ranges. Data on exposure to the very high but anatomically limited doses of radiation used in cancer therapy give conflicting results, suggesting in one report a continuation of the linear relation into the high-dose range. Other reports suggest a lesser effect per unit dose at high doses than at intermediate doses. Extensive laboratory studies of exposure of experimental animals indicate that over broad dose ranges, exceptions to simple linear relations are the rule, and that factors of dose rate and fractionation also affect the dose-response relation.", "PMID": 766955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2269", "title": "The effects of gonadal irradiation in clinical radiation therapy: a review.", "content": "Recent improvements in radiation therapy of some malignancies in lower abdominal sites are leading to a prolongation of life in persons of child-bearing age. These successes require an evaluation of the possible undersirable consequences of the unavoidable gonadal irradiation that occurs in these cases. A review of radiobiological data from experimental animal studies and retrospective clinical studies suggests that in most instances human gonadal exposures in both sexes are insufficient to cause permanent sterility, because the exposures are fractionated and the total gonadal dose is much less than 600 rads. As a consequence, return of fertility must be anticipated, and the worrison questions of radiation-induced genetic damage in subsequent pregnancies must be addressed. This review did not substantiate this fear, because no case reports could be found of malformed infants among the progeny of previously irradiated parents. Some experimental studies suggest that radiation-damaged spermatogonia are self-destructive, but any evidence for this phenomenon in the ovary is nonexistent. We suggest that the difference between fact and theory here may be the mathematical result of the interplay of low probability for occurrences and the few patients who until now have survived long enough for study.", "contents": "The effects of gonadal irradiation in clinical radiation therapy: a review. Recent improvements in radiation therapy of some malignancies in lower abdominal sites are leading to a prolongation of life in persons of child-bearing age. These successes require an evaluation of the possible undersirable consequences of the unavoidable gonadal irradiation that occurs in these cases. A review of radiobiological data from experimental animal studies and retrospective clinical studies suggests that in most instances human gonadal exposures in both sexes are insufficient to cause permanent sterility, because the exposures are fractionated and the total gonadal dose is much less than 600 rads. As a consequence, return of fertility must be anticipated, and the worrison questions of radiation-induced genetic damage in subsequent pregnancies must be addressed. This review did not substantiate this fear, because no case reports could be found of malformed infants among the progeny of previously irradiated parents. Some experimental studies suggest that radiation-damaged spermatogonia are self-destructive, but any evidence for this phenomenon in the ovary is nonexistent. We suggest that the difference between fact and theory here may be the mathematical result of the interplay of low probability for occurrences and the few patients who until now have survived long enough for study.", "PMID": 766956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2270", "title": "Long-term effects on external radiation on the pituitary and thyroid glands.", "content": "Chronic damage following external irradiation of the normal pituitary and thyroid glands, delivered incidentally during radiotherapy of neoplasms of the head and neck may be more common than has been appreciated in the past. A case of a child who developed pituitary dwarfism 5 1/2 years after radiation therapy has been delivered for an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the naso-pharynx is described. A review of similar cases from the literature is presented. Likewise, external irradiation of the normal thyroid gland produces a spectrum of radiation-induced syndromes. Clinical damage to the pituitary and thyroid glands is usually manifested months to years after treatment and is preceded by a long subclinical phase. A careful exclusion of these glands from radiation treatment fields is recommended whenever possible. An early detection of endocrine function abnormalities in patients receiving radiation to these glands is desirable, since appropriate treatment may prevent the deleterious effects of external irradiation of the pituitary and thyroid glands.", "contents": "Long-term effects on external radiation on the pituitary and thyroid glands. Chronic damage following external irradiation of the normal pituitary and thyroid glands, delivered incidentally during radiotherapy of neoplasms of the head and neck may be more common than has been appreciated in the past. A case of a child who developed pituitary dwarfism 5 1/2 years after radiation therapy has been delivered for an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the naso-pharynx is described. A review of similar cases from the literature is presented. Likewise, external irradiation of the normal thyroid gland produces a spectrum of radiation-induced syndromes. Clinical damage to the pituitary and thyroid glands is usually manifested months to years after treatment and is preceded by a long subclinical phase. A careful exclusion of these glands from radiation treatment fields is recommended whenever possible. An early detection of endocrine function abnormalities in patients receiving radiation to these glands is desirable, since appropriate treatment may prevent the deleterious effects of external irradiation of the pituitary and thyroid glands.", "PMID": 766957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2271", "title": "Quantification of combined radiation therapy and chemotherapy effects on critical normal tissues.", "content": "In order to determine the modification of radiation effects on critical normal tissues which occurs with combinations of radiation and cancer chemotherapy, a review of laboratory and clinical data has been carried out. Information on 10 different normal tissues is available. It is clear that the antibiotic cancer chemotherapeutic agents are the most likely to enhance radiation injury, with increased levels reported in all tissues except the central nervous system. The second most common type of injury with combination therapy appears to occur with drugs causing injury to the normal tissue on their own, such as adriamycin in the heart and methotrexate in the central nervous system. Quantification of the dose-effect factor is only available on a limited number of tissues, and, primarily, in experimental animals. From these limited data, it is clear that dose-effect factors between 1.1 and 1.8 are seen, indicating that radiation doses must be reduced by 10-80% for the same level of injury when combined with chemotherapy. The augmentation of radiation damage by cancer chemotherapeutic agents is a serious problem in a wide range of tissues, but a problem which can be dealt with by accurate knowledge as to the dose-effect factor and appropriate modification of the radiation treatment.", "contents": "Quantification of combined radiation therapy and chemotherapy effects on critical normal tissues. In order to determine the modification of radiation effects on critical normal tissues which occurs with combinations of radiation and cancer chemotherapy, a review of laboratory and clinical data has been carried out. Information on 10 different normal tissues is available. It is clear that the antibiotic cancer chemotherapeutic agents are the most likely to enhance radiation injury, with increased levels reported in all tissues except the central nervous system. The second most common type of injury with combination therapy appears to occur with drugs causing injury to the normal tissue on their own, such as adriamycin in the heart and methotrexate in the central nervous system. Quantification of the dose-effect factor is only available on a limited number of tissues, and, primarily, in experimental animals. From these limited data, it is clear that dose-effect factors between 1.1 and 1.8 are seen, indicating that radiation doses must be reduced by 10-80% for the same level of injury when combined with chemotherapy. The augmentation of radiation damage by cancer chemotherapeutic agents is a serious problem in a wide range of tissues, but a problem which can be dealt with by accurate knowledge as to the dose-effect factor and appropriate modification of the radiation treatment.", "PMID": 766958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2272", "title": "Prevention of Marek's disease: a review.", "content": "Marek's disease (MD) is a highly infectious neoplastic condition of chickens caused by a herpesvirus. The virus is cell associated in tumors and in all organs except in the feather follicle where enveloped infectious virions egress from the body. From this source, infection is spread horizontally by the airborne route to the environment and to other chickens. Vertical transmission from dam to offspring does not occur or at best is very rare. The nonpathogenic herpesvirus of turkeys (HTV) is ubiquitous in turkeys and is probably spread horizontally by the airborne route. When chickens are inoculated with this virus, they do not subsequently develop MD even after infection with virulent Marek's disease virus. The Marek's disease virus, not the HVT, will spread horizontally from dually infected birds. The HVT vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing MD under field conditions, and most chickens throughout the world are vaccinated with this vaccine. Other vaccines that have been used but have disadvantages over HVT include the following: (a) the highly pathogenic HPRS 16 strain of Marek's disease virus was attenuated by passage in cell culture. The attenuated virus protects against MD and does not spread, but \"over-attenuated\" virus does not protect; (b) naturally apathogenic strains virologically, immunologically, and epizootiologically similar to pathogenic strains will protect when adminstered before infection with the virulent strains; (c) virus preparations that have been chemically treated to inactivate infectivity protect only slightly. When a candidate vaccine virus for the prevention of herpesvirus-induced cancer in humans is developed, the purity of the vaccine preparations will be easily determined by modern techniques. However, measurements of safety and effectiveness are a significant problem. If, analogous to the MD model, the vaccine will have to be administered shortly after birth and the incubation period to development of neoplasms is long, then pathogenicity tests in nonhuman primates and other animals may be of limited valued. However, biochemical demonstration that the segment of the nucleic acid responsible for oncogenesis is absent from the vaccine virus may be the major indication that the vaccine is nonocogenic and therefore safe. Because of the low incidence of neoplasia and long incubation period, the effectiveness of the vaccine will be difficult to test. The vaccine possibly will protect against an acute manifestation of viral infection. Future research on MD will be directed to determining the mechanism of protection against disease, i.e., whether immunity is mediated by thymus- or bursa-dependent systems, and to identifying the protective antigen, i.e., which cell surface or an interior antigen induces the protective immunity. The prevention of MD by vaccination may become a very fruitful area for model studies on prevention of human cancer by vaccination.", "contents": "Prevention of Marek's disease: a review. Marek's disease (MD) is a highly infectious neoplastic condition of chickens caused by a herpesvirus. The virus is cell associated in tumors and in all organs except in the feather follicle where enveloped infectious virions egress from the body. From this source, infection is spread horizontally by the airborne route to the environment and to other chickens. Vertical transmission from dam to offspring does not occur or at best is very rare. The nonpathogenic herpesvirus of turkeys (HTV) is ubiquitous in turkeys and is probably spread horizontally by the airborne route. When chickens are inoculated with this virus, they do not subsequently develop MD even after infection with virulent Marek's disease virus. The Marek's disease virus, not the HVT, will spread horizontally from dually infected birds. The HVT vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing MD under field conditions, and most chickens throughout the world are vaccinated with this vaccine. Other vaccines that have been used but have disadvantages over HVT include the following: (a) the highly pathogenic HPRS 16 strain of Marek's disease virus was attenuated by passage in cell culture. The attenuated virus protects against MD and does not spread, but \"over-attenuated\" virus does not protect; (b) naturally apathogenic strains virologically, immunologically, and epizootiologically similar to pathogenic strains will protect when adminstered before infection with the virulent strains; (c) virus preparations that have been chemically treated to inactivate infectivity protect only slightly. When a candidate vaccine virus for the prevention of herpesvirus-induced cancer in humans is developed, the purity of the vaccine preparations will be easily determined by modern techniques. However, measurements of safety and effectiveness are a significant problem. If, analogous to the MD model, the vaccine will have to be administered shortly after birth and the incubation period to development of neoplasms is long, then pathogenicity tests in nonhuman primates and other animals may be of limited valued. However, biochemical demonstration that the segment of the nucleic acid responsible for oncogenesis is absent from the vaccine virus may be the major indication that the vaccine is nonocogenic and therefore safe. Because of the low incidence of neoplasia and long incubation period, the effectiveness of the vaccine will be difficult to test. The vaccine possibly will protect against an acute manifestation of viral infection. Future research on MD will be directed to determining the mechanism of protection against disease, i.e., whether immunity is mediated by thymus- or bursa-dependent systems, and to identifying the protective antigen, i.e., which cell surface or an interior antigen induces the protective immunity. The prevention of MD by vaccination may become a very fruitful area for model studies on prevention of human cancer by vaccination.", "PMID": 766959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2273", "title": "Immunology of herpes simplex virus infection: relevance to herpes simplex virus vaccines and cervical cancer.", "content": "The immunology of herpes simplex infections has been reviewed, particularly in relation to potential herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccines, and to the association between HSV and cervical cancer. Relevant data from humans, experimental animals, and in vitro systems implicate both specific immune mechanisms and nonspecific factors in the course of HSV infections. There appear to be complex interactions between the various populations of mononuclear cells, marcrophages, and lymphokines or other humoral factors. It is not yet possible, however, to pinpoint the crucial factors determining the different manifestations of the viral infection (primary infection, endogenous recurrence, or exogenous reinfection) in the various human hosts, although genetic factors may be important. While numerous animal models of HSV infection are available for the evaluation of HSV vaccines, models of HSV-induced cervical cancer require further exploration.", "contents": "Immunology of herpes simplex virus infection: relevance to herpes simplex virus vaccines and cervical cancer. The immunology of herpes simplex infections has been reviewed, particularly in relation to potential herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccines, and to the association between HSV and cervical cancer. Relevant data from humans, experimental animals, and in vitro systems implicate both specific immune mechanisms and nonspecific factors in the course of HSV infections. There appear to be complex interactions between the various populations of mononuclear cells, marcrophages, and lymphokines or other humoral factors. It is not yet possible, however, to pinpoint the crucial factors determining the different manifestations of the viral infection (primary infection, endogenous recurrence, or exogenous reinfection) in the various human hosts, although genetic factors may be important. While numerous animal models of HSV infection are available for the evaluation of HSV vaccines, models of HSV-induced cervical cancer require further exploration.", "PMID": 766960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2274", "title": "Immune functions characteristic of SJL/J mice and their association with age and spontaneous reticulum cell sarcoma.", "content": "Spontaneous reticulum cell sarcoma in SJL/J mice has been proposed as an animal tumor model for Hodgkin's lymphoma. The relationship of tumor progression and immune function is not clear, however, and has prompted a systematic evaluation of SJL/J immune competence. It was found that the ability to generate cell-mediated immunity and antibody response to allografts was not impaired in 2- to 12-month-old mice, regardless of their tumor status. All animals were capable of generating in vivo cytotoxic effector T-cells and both IgG and IgM classes of cytotoxic antibody to a tumor allograft. In addition to being able to respond, older mice showed an unexpected hyperresponsiveness to alloantigens, which suggested that escape from feedback control might be a characteristic of SJL/J mice. Loss of immune regulation was further indicated by the failure to induce tolerance to human gamma-globulin in mice 4 months and older, while 3-week-old SJL/J mice could be rendered unresponsive. Coincident with this apparent loss of regulation, circulating antibodies to synthetic double-stranded RNA, polyinosinis - polycytidylic acid, were first detected in unimmunized mice at 4 months of age, and titers remained elevated regardless of tumor status. It is suggested that tumor development as well as autoimmunity may result from an effective amplification of the immune response.", "contents": "Immune functions characteristic of SJL/J mice and their association with age and spontaneous reticulum cell sarcoma. Spontaneous reticulum cell sarcoma in SJL/J mice has been proposed as an animal tumor model for Hodgkin's lymphoma. The relationship of tumor progression and immune function is not clear, however, and has prompted a systematic evaluation of SJL/J immune competence. It was found that the ability to generate cell-mediated immunity and antibody response to allografts was not impaired in 2- to 12-month-old mice, regardless of their tumor status. All animals were capable of generating in vivo cytotoxic effector T-cells and both IgG and IgM classes of cytotoxic antibody to a tumor allograft. In addition to being able to respond, older mice showed an unexpected hyperresponsiveness to alloantigens, which suggested that escape from feedback control might be a characteristic of SJL/J mice. Loss of immune regulation was further indicated by the failure to induce tolerance to human gamma-globulin in mice 4 months and older, while 3-week-old SJL/J mice could be rendered unresponsive. Coincident with this apparent loss of regulation, circulating antibodies to synthetic double-stranded RNA, polyinosinis - polycytidylic acid, were first detected in unimmunized mice at 4 months of age, and titers remained elevated regardless of tumor status. It is suggested that tumor development as well as autoimmunity may result from an effective amplification of the immune response.", "PMID": 766961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2275", "title": "The effects of methyl (5-(2-thienylcarbonyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) carbamate, (R 17934; NSC 238159), a new synthetic antitumoral drug interfering with microtubules, on mammalian cells cultured in vitro.", "content": "Ultrastructural investigations on mammalian cells cultured in vitro show that R 17934, a new synthetic anticancer drug, interferes with the structure and function of microtubules, both in interphase and mitotic cells. The activity of this compound in a wide range of experimental tumor systems can thus be explained partly as a direct antimitotic effect and partly as the disintegration of the normal subcellular organization of the nondividing cells. Preliminary investigations in experimental animals show that malignant cells are more susceptible to the antimicrotubular effect of R 17934 than are the nonmalignant cells of the host.", "contents": "The effects of methyl (5-(2-thienylcarbonyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) carbamate, (R 17934; NSC 238159), a new synthetic antitumoral drug interfering with microtubules, on mammalian cells cultured in vitro. Ultrastructural investigations on mammalian cells cultured in vitro show that R 17934, a new synthetic anticancer drug, interferes with the structure and function of microtubules, both in interphase and mitotic cells. The activity of this compound in a wide range of experimental tumor systems can thus be explained partly as a direct antimitotic effect and partly as the disintegration of the normal subcellular organization of the nondividing cells. Preliminary investigations in experimental animals show that malignant cells are more susceptible to the antimicrotubular effect of R 17934 than are the nonmalignant cells of the host.", "PMID": 766963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2276", "title": "Inhibitory effect of endotoxin on the growth of plasma cell tumor.", "content": "Small amounts (0.1 ng to 5.0 mug) of Escherichia coli endotoxin protect normal female BALB/c mice against challenge with low doses of syngeneic mineral oil-induced 315 plasma cell tumor. Significant protection was most evident when mice were treated with endotoxin 11 days and 5 days before inoculation with 50 to 100 tumor cells i.p., and endotoxin treatment continued twice a week for the entire experiment. Tumors induced by 10,000 cells s.c. were similarly affected by this treatment. The antitumor action of endotoxin was obliterated when higher challenges of tumor cells or solid tumor pieces were used. Omission of endotoxin pretreatment resulted in a loss of the effect against i.p.-induced tumors but not against s.c.-induced tumor.", "contents": "Inhibitory effect of endotoxin on the growth of plasma cell tumor. Small amounts (0.1 ng to 5.0 mug) of Escherichia coli endotoxin protect normal female BALB/c mice against challenge with low doses of syngeneic mineral oil-induced 315 plasma cell tumor. Significant protection was most evident when mice were treated with endotoxin 11 days and 5 days before inoculation with 50 to 100 tumor cells i.p., and endotoxin treatment continued twice a week for the entire experiment. Tumors induced by 10,000 cells s.c. were similarly affected by this treatment. The antitumor action of endotoxin was obliterated when higher challenges of tumor cells or solid tumor pieces were used. Omission of endotoxin pretreatment resulted in a loss of the effect against i.p.-induced tumors but not against s.c.-induced tumor.", "PMID": 766964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2277", "title": "Demonstration of the existence of a single morphological type of gonadotrophic cell in Ellobius lutescens (Microtinae) by an ultrastructural analysis of their development under various physiological and experimental conditions.", "content": "Ultrastructural studies of pituitaries from Ellobius lutescens (immature males and females, adult hypogonadic males, and virgin and pregnant females) show that the gonadotrophic cells are characterized by a lamellar or vacuolar rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), a spirally-arranged Golgi apparatus, elongated mitochondria and secretory granules of variable density and size (150-500 mmu). Ultrastructural differences between gonadotrophic cells previously determined by light microscopy correspond to changes in the development of the protein synthetic apparatus and in the intensity of hormonal discharge. Type 2 gonadotrophs always appear to be more active than type 1 gonadotrophs. After castration, all gonadotrophic cells develop into the same form of \"castration cell\", although type 1 gonadotrophs change more slowly than type 2 cells. Treatment with testosterone induces an inverse development of the gonadotrophic cells which take on the appearance of resting cells similar to those found in immature animals, where the two cell types are also identical. Thus, only one morphological type of gonadotrophic cell can be identified in Ellobius lutescens. Moreover, the gonadotrophic cells of the hypogonadic adult male have the same appearnance as those of the female two months after castration, whic proves that the negative feedback mechanism which regulates gonadtrophic function is defective in adult male Ellobius lutescens.", "contents": "Demonstration of the existence of a single morphological type of gonadotrophic cell in Ellobius lutescens (Microtinae) by an ultrastructural analysis of their development under various physiological and experimental conditions. Ultrastructural studies of pituitaries from Ellobius lutescens (immature males and females, adult hypogonadic males, and virgin and pregnant females) show that the gonadotrophic cells are characterized by a lamellar or vacuolar rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), a spirally-arranged Golgi apparatus, elongated mitochondria and secretory granules of variable density and size (150-500 mmu). Ultrastructural differences between gonadotrophic cells previously determined by light microscopy correspond to changes in the development of the protein synthetic apparatus and in the intensity of hormonal discharge. Type 2 gonadotrophs always appear to be more active than type 1 gonadotrophs. After castration, all gonadotrophic cells develop into the same form of \"castration cell\", although type 1 gonadotrophs change more slowly than type 2 cells. Treatment with testosterone induces an inverse development of the gonadotrophic cells which take on the appearance of resting cells similar to those found in immature animals, where the two cell types are also identical. Thus, only one morphological type of gonadotrophic cell can be identified in Ellobius lutescens. Moreover, the gonadotrophic cells of the hypogonadic adult male have the same appearnance as those of the female two months after castration, whic proves that the negative feedback mechanism which regulates gonadtrophic function is defective in adult male Ellobius lutescens.", "PMID": 766978} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2278", "title": "The mutagenicity of chloroethylene oxide, chloroacetaldehyde, 2-chloroethanol and chloroacetic acid, conceivable metabolites of vinyl chloride.", "content": "Previous investigations have shown that the carcinogen vinyl chloride causes base-pair substitution in the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium. The ability of four conceivable metabolites-chloroethylene oxide, chloroacetaldehyde, 2-chloroethanol and chloroacetic acid-to cause base-pair substitution directly in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535 has been compared. The main comparison was performed at initial concentrations from 0.1 to 1.5 mM. In this region, however, a mutagenic effect was observed only with chloroethylene oxide and chloroacetaldehyde, the former being approximately 20 times more effective than the aldehyde when compared on a molar basis.2-Chloroethanol and chloroacetic acid were studied also at higher concentration (1 mM-1 M), and a weak mutagenic response was found with 1 M 2-chloroethanol solution. With chloroacetic acid no enhancement of the mutation frequency could be detected. Chloroethylene oxide was found to be approximately 450 times more effective as a mutagen than chloroacetaldehyde when the comparison is based on exposure doses, defined as the time-dependent concentrations of the compounds in the treatment solutions, integrated between the times of onset and termination of treatment. Similarly, chloroethylene oxide was 10,000-15,000 times more effective as a mutagen than ethylene oxide, used as a positive control.", "contents": "The mutagenicity of chloroethylene oxide, chloroacetaldehyde, 2-chloroethanol and chloroacetic acid, conceivable metabolites of vinyl chloride. Previous investigations have shown that the carcinogen vinyl chloride causes base-pair substitution in the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium. The ability of four conceivable metabolites-chloroethylene oxide, chloroacetaldehyde, 2-chloroethanol and chloroacetic acid-to cause base-pair substitution directly in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535 has been compared. The main comparison was performed at initial concentrations from 0.1 to 1.5 mM. In this region, however, a mutagenic effect was observed only with chloroethylene oxide and chloroacetaldehyde, the former being approximately 20 times more effective than the aldehyde when compared on a molar basis.2-Chloroethanol and chloroacetic acid were studied also at higher concentration (1 mM-1 M), and a weak mutagenic response was found with 1 M 2-chloroethanol solution. With chloroacetic acid no enhancement of the mutation frequency could be detected. Chloroethylene oxide was found to be approximately 450 times more effective as a mutagen than chloroacetaldehyde when the comparison is based on exposure doses, defined as the time-dependent concentrations of the compounds in the treatment solutions, integrated between the times of onset and termination of treatment. Similarly, chloroethylene oxide was 10,000-15,000 times more effective as a mutagen than ethylene oxide, used as a positive control.", "PMID": 767010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2279", "title": "Effects of metabolic and pharmacologic interventions on myocardial infarct size following coronary occlusion.", "content": "A number of hemodynamic, pharmacologic, and metabolic interventions were found to change the extent of acute ischemic injury of the myocardium and subsequent necrosis following experimental coronary artery occlusion. Reduction in myocardial damage occurred by decreasing myocardial oxygen demands (beta-adrenergic blocking agents, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, nitroglycerin, decreasing afterload in hypertensive patients, inhibition of lipolysis, and digitalis in the failing heart); by increasing myocardial oxygen supply either directly (coronary artery reperfusion or elevating arterial pO2), or through collateral vessels (evevation of coronary perfusion pressure by alpha adrenergic agonists, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation); or by increasing plasma osmolality (manitol, hypertonic glucose); presumably by augmenting anaerobi metabolism (glucose-insulin-potassium, hypertonic glucoxe insulin potassium, hypertonic glucose); by enhancing transport to the ischemic zone of substrates utilized in energy production (hyaluronidase); by protecting against autolytic and heterolytic damage (hydrocortisone, cobra venom factor, aprotinin). Augmentation of myocardial ischemic damage occurred as a consequence of increasing myocardial oxygen requirements (isoproterenol, glucagon, ouabain, bretylium tosylate, tachycardia); by decreasing myocardial oxygen supply either directly (hypoxia, anemia), through reduction of collateral flow (hemorrhagic hypotension, minoxidil), or by decreasing substrate availability (hypoglycemia). Pilot studies have been carried out in patients with hyaluronidase, nitroglycerin intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, beta-blocking agents and Arfonad and have shown that these interventions may also reduce myocardial damage, which suggests that the concept of reduction in infarct size following coronary occlusion is applicable clinically.", "contents": "Effects of metabolic and pharmacologic interventions on myocardial infarct size following coronary occlusion. A number of hemodynamic, pharmacologic, and metabolic interventions were found to change the extent of acute ischemic injury of the myocardium and subsequent necrosis following experimental coronary artery occlusion. Reduction in myocardial damage occurred by decreasing myocardial oxygen demands (beta-adrenergic blocking agents, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, nitroglycerin, decreasing afterload in hypertensive patients, inhibition of lipolysis, and digitalis in the failing heart); by increasing myocardial oxygen supply either directly (coronary artery reperfusion or elevating arterial pO2), or through collateral vessels (evevation of coronary perfusion pressure by alpha adrenergic agonists, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation); or by increasing plasma osmolality (manitol, hypertonic glucose); presumably by augmenting anaerobi metabolism (glucose-insulin-potassium, hypertonic glucoxe insulin potassium, hypertonic glucose); by enhancing transport to the ischemic zone of substrates utilized in energy production (hyaluronidase); by protecting against autolytic and heterolytic damage (hydrocortisone, cobra venom factor, aprotinin). Augmentation of myocardial ischemic damage occurred as a consequence of increasing myocardial oxygen requirements (isoproterenol, glucagon, ouabain, bretylium tosylate, tachycardia); by decreasing myocardial oxygen supply either directly (hypoxia, anemia), through reduction of collateral flow (hemorrhagic hypotension, minoxidil), or by decreasing substrate availability (hypoglycemia). Pilot studies have been carried out in patients with hyaluronidase, nitroglycerin intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, beta-blocking agents and Arfonad and have shown that these interventions may also reduce myocardial damage, which suggests that the concept of reduction in infarct size following coronary occlusion is applicable clinically.", "PMID": 767015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2280", "title": "Mechanical and surgical interventions for the reduction of myocardial ischemia.", "content": "To reduce myocardial ischemia effectively, mechanical or surgical interventions must achieve either augmentation in coronary blood flow, a reduction in myocardial oxygen demand, or a combination of both. Coronary bypass graft procedures can achieve an immediate augmentation in coronary blood flow distally through the involved vessel and thereby improve myocardial perfusion and oxygen delivery and thus have the potential for reversing myocardial ischemia both acutely and for the long term. Although myocardial revascularization may resolve the ventricular functional alterations associated with acute myocardial ischemia it remains uncertain whether revascularization can reverse ischemic myocardial cellular injury and in what time framework, as related to reversible vs. irreversible ischemic cellular changes. Mechanical circulatory assistance (MCA) using diastolic counterpulsation effectively reduces myocardial ischemia by the physiologic mechanisms of 1) decrease in left ventricular after-load and left ventricular wall tension, 2) improvement is cardiac output by diastolic counterpulsation and 3) augmentation of coronary blood flow by diastolic pressure augmentation. The most effective indication for either MCA or myocardial revascularization is for interruption of myocardial ischemia prior to the development of infarction. Clinical sudies have demonstrated that acute myocardial ischemia can be effectively interrupted by intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) including reversal of left ventricular dysfunction associated with acute myocardial ischemia. In most instances, cessation of IABP resulted in recurrence of myocardial ischemia indicating the need for urgent revascularization surgery. In the management of medically refractory myocardial ischemia. IABP has been effective in complete suppression of ischemia in 80 percent and resulted in marked improvement in all, allowing safe revascularization surgery with an operative mortality in the range of 5% and perioperative myocardial infarction incidence of 2%. In patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS), IABP can resolve CS in 75 percent. The combination of IABP and surgery has resulted in survival approaching 45 percent indicative of a significant improvement in salvage in this group of patients where expected mortality approaches 100 percent.", "contents": "Mechanical and surgical interventions for the reduction of myocardial ischemia. To reduce myocardial ischemia effectively, mechanical or surgical interventions must achieve either augmentation in coronary blood flow, a reduction in myocardial oxygen demand, or a combination of both. Coronary bypass graft procedures can achieve an immediate augmentation in coronary blood flow distally through the involved vessel and thereby improve myocardial perfusion and oxygen delivery and thus have the potential for reversing myocardial ischemia both acutely and for the long term. Although myocardial revascularization may resolve the ventricular functional alterations associated with acute myocardial ischemia it remains uncertain whether revascularization can reverse ischemic myocardial cellular injury and in what time framework, as related to reversible vs. irreversible ischemic cellular changes. Mechanical circulatory assistance (MCA) using diastolic counterpulsation effectively reduces myocardial ischemia by the physiologic mechanisms of 1) decrease in left ventricular after-load and left ventricular wall tension, 2) improvement is cardiac output by diastolic counterpulsation and 3) augmentation of coronary blood flow by diastolic pressure augmentation. The most effective indication for either MCA or myocardial revascularization is for interruption of myocardial ischemia prior to the development of infarction. Clinical sudies have demonstrated that acute myocardial ischemia can be effectively interrupted by intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) including reversal of left ventricular dysfunction associated with acute myocardial ischemia. In most instances, cessation of IABP resulted in recurrence of myocardial ischemia indicating the need for urgent revascularization surgery. In the management of medically refractory myocardial ischemia. IABP has been effective in complete suppression of ischemia in 80 percent and resulted in marked improvement in all, allowing safe revascularization surgery with an operative mortality in the range of 5% and perioperative myocardial infarction incidence of 2%. In patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS), IABP can resolve CS in 75 percent. The combination of IABP and surgery has resulted in survival approaching 45 percent indicative of a significant improvement in salvage in this group of patients where expected mortality approaches 100 percent.", "PMID": 767016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2281", "title": "Platelet aggregation secondary to coronary obstruction.", "content": "From many observations made at autopsy it is apparent that thrombosis in a coronary artery is usually, if not always, associated with rupture of an atheromatous plaque. The sequelae of such rupture include hemorrhage into the plaque with further narrowing of the lumen, formation of an occlusive thrombus or of a non-occlusive thrombus. A developing thrombus in an artery undergoes fragmentation with showering of the distal microcirculation by aggregates of platelets possibly with some admixture of fibrin. In many cases of sudden cardiac death associated with severe atherosclerotic stenosis of the coronary vessels, an occlusive thrombus is not found and the myocardium shows no morphological lesion or else focal patchy early damage in the subendocardial region. One possible mechanism that might explain these findings is microembolism from mural nonobstructing coronary thrombus. Such a mechanism is well established in transient ischemia of the brain and retina related to ulcerated atheroma of the internal carotid artery. Experimental observations indicate that platelet aggregates in the myocardial circulation cause arrhythmias, sudden death, vasculitis, and myocardial ischemic damage. Induction of an occlusive coronary artery thrombus is associated with development of an infarct involving the full thickness of the myocardium. A nonocclusive thrombus is associated with either no myocardial damage or focal subendocardial ischemic injury. It is possible that further aggregation of platelets may facilitate the extension of infarction subsequent to an occlusive event, although there is little evidence on this point. A number of clinical studies show increased platelet reactivity to agents causing aggregation, such as norepinephrine or collagen, in subjects experiencing thromboembolic episodes. It seems unlikely, however, that in vitro tests of platelet function can identify or predict clinical arterial thrombotic disease, although studies of platelet survival and turnover may be more helpful. There is also evidence that platelet survival may be prolonged by drugs having a therapeutic benefit in coronary artery disease and arterial thromboembolism. There is a need for better designed and coordinated clinical trials and for better experimental approaches to explore the relationships among coronary thrombosis, embolsim of the myocardial microcirculation, myocardial ischemia, and sudden death.", "contents": "Platelet aggregation secondary to coronary obstruction. From many observations made at autopsy it is apparent that thrombosis in a coronary artery is usually, if not always, associated with rupture of an atheromatous plaque. The sequelae of such rupture include hemorrhage into the plaque with further narrowing of the lumen, formation of an occlusive thrombus or of a non-occlusive thrombus. A developing thrombus in an artery undergoes fragmentation with showering of the distal microcirculation by aggregates of platelets possibly with some admixture of fibrin. In many cases of sudden cardiac death associated with severe atherosclerotic stenosis of the coronary vessels, an occlusive thrombus is not found and the myocardium shows no morphological lesion or else focal patchy early damage in the subendocardial region. One possible mechanism that might explain these findings is microembolism from mural nonobstructing coronary thrombus. Such a mechanism is well established in transient ischemia of the brain and retina related to ulcerated atheroma of the internal carotid artery. Experimental observations indicate that platelet aggregates in the myocardial circulation cause arrhythmias, sudden death, vasculitis, and myocardial ischemic damage. Induction of an occlusive coronary artery thrombus is associated with development of an infarct involving the full thickness of the myocardium. A nonocclusive thrombus is associated with either no myocardial damage or focal subendocardial ischemic injury. It is possible that further aggregation of platelets may facilitate the extension of infarction subsequent to an occlusive event, although there is little evidence on this point. A number of clinical studies show increased platelet reactivity to agents causing aggregation, such as norepinephrine or collagen, in subjects experiencing thromboembolic episodes. It seems unlikely, however, that in vitro tests of platelet function can identify or predict clinical arterial thrombotic disease, although studies of platelet survival and turnover may be more helpful. There is also evidence that platelet survival may be prolonged by drugs having a therapeutic benefit in coronary artery disease and arterial thromboembolism. There is a need for better designed and coordinated clinical trials and for better experimental approaches to explore the relationships among coronary thrombosis, embolsim of the myocardial microcirculation, myocardial ischemia, and sudden death.", "PMID": 767018} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2282", "title": "Electorcardiographic ST-segment analysis in the characterization of myocardial ischemia and infarction.", "content": "The ST segments of the electrocardiogram (ECG) become elevated within 20 to 30 seconds after the onset of acute coronary occlusion and, when persistent, such changes offer a possible indirect marker of the extent and severity of myocardial ischemic injury and of eventual cell death. When ST-segment elevation on the epicardial ECG is measured 15 minutes after an acute coronary occlusion in the dog, a general correlation exists with biochemical changes, regional myocardial blood flow, and myocardial electrolyte alterations measured at 15 minutes, although when an effort is made to correlate the degree of such alterations with the magnitude of the ST-segment change there is considerable scatter. On the other hand, when the ST-segment elevation at 15 minutes is correlated with myocardial blood flow, histologic changes, and creating phosphokinase (CPK) depletion 24 hours later, the correlation is good. Possible mechanisms underlying ST-segment elevation are discussed, and data are reviewed which indicate that the epicardial ECG my be relatively insentive to subendocardial injury; in the experimental setting this problem may be partially corrected by the use of intramyocardial ECG leads. The extension of direct epicardial ECG maps to precordial ST-segment mapping poses additional problems that include reduced sensitively, problems due to reciprocal changes in the ECG at the body surface, surface contact of the electrodes, pericarditis, and individual variability in the rate of spontaneous regression of ST-segment changes. Such mapping appears reliable only for infarctions of the anterior and lacteral wall. Further research is necessary on analysis of the QRS complex, and use of vector leads. Despite these problems experimental and clinical studies indicate that precordial electrocardiographic analysis may be useful for detecting acute changes in the severity of ischemic injury over relatively short periods of time (2 to 4 hours). This indirect measure clearly will require correlation with specific markers of ischemic damage, but with further improvements it seems likely that analysis of serial ECG changes will evolve into a valuable and reliable nonivasive clinical tool for characterizing myocardial ischemia and infarction.", "contents": "Electorcardiographic ST-segment analysis in the characterization of myocardial ischemia and infarction. The ST segments of the electrocardiogram (ECG) become elevated within 20 to 30 seconds after the onset of acute coronary occlusion and, when persistent, such changes offer a possible indirect marker of the extent and severity of myocardial ischemic injury and of eventual cell death. When ST-segment elevation on the epicardial ECG is measured 15 minutes after an acute coronary occlusion in the dog, a general correlation exists with biochemical changes, regional myocardial blood flow, and myocardial electrolyte alterations measured at 15 minutes, although when an effort is made to correlate the degree of such alterations with the magnitude of the ST-segment change there is considerable scatter. On the other hand, when the ST-segment elevation at 15 minutes is correlated with myocardial blood flow, histologic changes, and creating phosphokinase (CPK) depletion 24 hours later, the correlation is good. Possible mechanisms underlying ST-segment elevation are discussed, and data are reviewed which indicate that the epicardial ECG my be relatively insentive to subendocardial injury; in the experimental setting this problem may be partially corrected by the use of intramyocardial ECG leads. The extension of direct epicardial ECG maps to precordial ST-segment mapping poses additional problems that include reduced sensitively, problems due to reciprocal changes in the ECG at the body surface, surface contact of the electrodes, pericarditis, and individual variability in the rate of spontaneous regression of ST-segment changes. Such mapping appears reliable only for infarctions of the anterior and lacteral wall. Further research is necessary on analysis of the QRS complex, and use of vector leads. Despite these problems experimental and clinical studies indicate that precordial electrocardiographic analysis may be useful for detecting acute changes in the severity of ischemic injury over relatively short periods of time (2 to 4 hours). This indirect measure clearly will require correlation with specific markers of ischemic damage, but with further improvements it seems likely that analysis of serial ECG changes will evolve into a valuable and reliable nonivasive clinical tool for characterizing myocardial ischemia and infarction.", "PMID": 767019} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2283", "title": "Salt, volume and the prevention of hypertension.", "content": "The evidence supporting the thesis that hypertension can be prevented by eliminating salt from the diet is based on four principal sources: (1) epidemiological studies in unacculturated peoples showing that the prevalence of hypertension is inversely correlated with the degree of salt intake; (2) hemodynamic studies suggesting that the development of chronic experimental hypertension is a homeostatic response to a maintained increase in extracellular fluid volume (ECF); (3) evidence that the ECF of \"salt eaters\" is expanded in comparison to that of \"no-salt eaters\"; and (4) investigations in hypertensive patients receiving either diets greatly restricted in salt or continuous diuretic therapy which correlate the fall in blood pressure with a reduction in ECF. Although this mechanism of essential hypertension is still obscure the evidence is very good if not conclusive that reduction of salt in the diet to below 2 g/day would result in the prevention of essential hypertension and its disappearance as a major public health problem.", "contents": "Salt, volume and the prevention of hypertension. The evidence supporting the thesis that hypertension can be prevented by eliminating salt from the diet is based on four principal sources: (1) epidemiological studies in unacculturated peoples showing that the prevalence of hypertension is inversely correlated with the degree of salt intake; (2) hemodynamic studies suggesting that the development of chronic experimental hypertension is a homeostatic response to a maintained increase in extracellular fluid volume (ECF); (3) evidence that the ECF of \"salt eaters\" is expanded in comparison to that of \"no-salt eaters\"; and (4) investigations in hypertensive patients receiving either diets greatly restricted in salt or continuous diuretic therapy which correlate the fall in blood pressure with a reduction in ECF. Although this mechanism of essential hypertension is still obscure the evidence is very good if not conclusive that reduction of salt in the diet to below 2 g/day would result in the prevention of essential hypertension and its disappearance as a major public health problem.", "PMID": 767020} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2284", "title": "Status report on instrumentation useful for craniofacial research.", "content": "This report reviews briefly State-of-the-Art of certain bioengineering instrumentation useful in craniofacial research and assessment. Brief reviews are included in the areas of Radiography, Electromyography, Intra-oral air flow/pressure, Lingual/palatal pressure, Oral-sensory perception, Visualization techniques, Acoustic processing, and Digital Computers. It should be obvious, even from this limited effort, that the variety and quality of available equipment is expanding rapidly. While it is conceded that there probably have been no abrupt or profound instrumental breakthroughs in any of the areas discussed, the sum total of the advances being made in each of the cited areas, taken collectively, are impressive. It is quite evident that both the clinical and basic researcher now have at their command great quantities of equipment of excellent intrinsic quality that are appropriate for the types of assessment and research being carried out or contemplated. These devices are at a level of sophistication not dreamed of as little as 20 years ago. It is now necessary for the scientist and practitioner to exploit this wealth of facilities and to be prepared to utilize effectively the future instrumental advances that can be expected in this area.", "contents": "Status report on instrumentation useful for craniofacial research. This report reviews briefly State-of-the-Art of certain bioengineering instrumentation useful in craniofacial research and assessment. Brief reviews are included in the areas of Radiography, Electromyography, Intra-oral air flow/pressure, Lingual/palatal pressure, Oral-sensory perception, Visualization techniques, Acoustic processing, and Digital Computers. It should be obvious, even from this limited effort, that the variety and quality of available equipment is expanding rapidly. While it is conceded that there probably have been no abrupt or profound instrumental breakthroughs in any of the areas discussed, the sum total of the advances being made in each of the cited areas, taken collectively, are impressive. It is quite evident that both the clinical and basic researcher now have at their command great quantities of equipment of excellent intrinsic quality that are appropriate for the types of assessment and research being carried out or contemplated. These devices are at a level of sophistication not dreamed of as little as 20 years ago. It is now necessary for the scientist and practitioner to exploit this wealth of facilities and to be prepared to utilize effectively the future instrumental advances that can be expected in this area.", "PMID": 767021} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2285", "title": "Post-transplantation analgesic dependence in patients who formerly suffered from analgesic neophropathy.", "content": "Twenty-two patients with functioning grafts who originally developed renal failure due to analgesic nephropathy (\"analgesic\" group), and 84 patients with various other causes of renal failure (\"non-analgesic\" group) were studied over one year to assess the extent of analgesic use and abuse. On each occasion that one of these patients reported to hospital a urine sample was collected and analyzed for N-acetylparaminophenol (NAPA). Of the \"analgesic\" group of patients, 14% had consistently negative urine samples while 41% showed NAPA in more than half the urines collected. In the \"non-analgesic\" group 29% of patients had entirely negative urine tests, and in only 7% were more than half of the urines NAPA-positive. Patients in the \"non-analgesic\" group readily admitted taking anaglesics at frequencies compatible with the observed number of positive tests. This contrasted with the \"analgesic\" group in which 14 of 19 patients with NAPA-positive urines denied analgesic intake. This is considered to be a guilt manifestation in patients who have developed a psychological dependence on analgesics and have recidivated with full knowledge of the possible harm these drugs may inflict on their grafts.", "contents": "Post-transplantation analgesic dependence in patients who formerly suffered from analgesic neophropathy. Twenty-two patients with functioning grafts who originally developed renal failure due to analgesic nephropathy (\"analgesic\" group), and 84 patients with various other causes of renal failure (\"non-analgesic\" group) were studied over one year to assess the extent of analgesic use and abuse. On each occasion that one of these patients reported to hospital a urine sample was collected and analyzed for N-acetylparaminophenol (NAPA). Of the \"analgesic\" group of patients, 14% had consistently negative urine samples while 41% showed NAPA in more than half the urines collected. In the \"non-analgesic\" group 29% of patients had entirely negative urine tests, and in only 7% were more than half of the urines NAPA-positive. Patients in the \"non-analgesic\" group readily admitted taking anaglesics at frequencies compatible with the observed number of positive tests. This contrasted with the \"analgesic\" group in which 14 of 19 patients with NAPA-positive urines denied analgesic intake. This is considered to be a guilt manifestation in patients who have developed a psychological dependence on analgesics and have recidivated with full knowledge of the possible harm these drugs may inflict on their grafts.", "PMID": 767023} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2286", "title": "Avascular necrosis of bone in patients undergoing renal allotransplantation.", "content": "Five to forty-three months after renal allotranplantation, thirteen patients (9 male, 4 female) developed avascular necrosis of one or more joints. The dose of corticosteroids used as part of the immunosuppressive therapy was compared to that used in similar patients who did not develop avascular necrosis. No significant difference could be found.", "contents": "Avascular necrosis of bone in patients undergoing renal allotransplantation. Five to forty-three months after renal allotranplantation, thirteen patients (9 male, 4 female) developed avascular necrosis of one or more joints. The dose of corticosteroids used as part of the immunosuppressive therapy was compared to that used in similar patients who did not develop avascular necrosis. No significant difference could be found.", "PMID": 767024} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2287", "title": "Mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis with dense \"deposits\" in the basement membranes of the kidney.", "content": "Amongst 125 patients with mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (MCGN), 19 showed continuous intramembranous dense \"deposits\" (IDD). Most were children or young adults. Two patients had partial lipodystrophy. Eleven had a consistently low plasma concentration of C3; only three, however, had an initial low plasma concentration of C4, which rose and then remained normal in two. Tests for the C3 nephritic factor were positive in thirteen patients, and plasma C1q was normal in 8 out of 11 cases investigated. Ten out of twelve (seven of them with low plasma C3) showed C3 deposition by immunofluorescence in the glomerular tuft. This was also demonstrated in some instances in Bowman's capsule and tubular basement membranes. Stains for IgG, IgA, C4 and C1q were negative in all, whereas stains for IgM and fibrin were weakly positive in the glomeruli of three and eight cases repectively. Eight patients went into terminal renal failure over an average of thirty-three months and required hemodialysis or transplantation. MCGN with IDD is an uncommon pattern of renal response to injury, which involves activation of the alternate pathway of the complement system and has a poor short term prognosis. The association with partial lipodystrophy and C3-splitting activity suggests a primary complement abnormality.", "contents": "Mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis with dense \"deposits\" in the basement membranes of the kidney. Amongst 125 patients with mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (MCGN), 19 showed continuous intramembranous dense \"deposits\" (IDD). Most were children or young adults. Two patients had partial lipodystrophy. Eleven had a consistently low plasma concentration of C3; only three, however, had an initial low plasma concentration of C4, which rose and then remained normal in two. Tests for the C3 nephritic factor were positive in thirteen patients, and plasma C1q was normal in 8 out of 11 cases investigated. Ten out of twelve (seven of them with low plasma C3) showed C3 deposition by immunofluorescence in the glomerular tuft. This was also demonstrated in some instances in Bowman's capsule and tubular basement membranes. Stains for IgG, IgA, C4 and C1q were negative in all, whereas stains for IgM and fibrin were weakly positive in the glomeruli of three and eight cases repectively. Eight patients went into terminal renal failure over an average of thirty-three months and required hemodialysis or transplantation. MCGN with IDD is an uncommon pattern of renal response to injury, which involves activation of the alternate pathway of the complement system and has a poor short term prognosis. The association with partial lipodystrophy and C3-splitting activity suggests a primary complement abnormality.", "PMID": 767025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2288", "title": "Management of postoperative infections in obstetrics and gynecology.", "content": "A discussion of postoperative infections in obstetrics and gynecology has been presented with particular emphasis on soft tissue infections involving the operative site. It has been emphasized that the offending organisms are those normally found in the vagina and cervix and that mixed infections are common. The immediate life threats to the patient are endotoxin shock and clostridial sepsis; therefore, initial therapy should include coverage for those organisms. Because of the potential toxicity of clindamycin and chloramphenicol, as well as the usual protracted course of Bacteroides infections, the addition of one of these drugs can generally be deferred until its use is dictated by microbiologic data or a failure of clinical response. Persistent fever generally indicates a lack of the appropriate antibiotic, an undrained collection of pus, or concomitant pelvic thrombophlebitis, the latter being a special concern with anaerobic infections. Specific infections and their management have also been discussed as have urinary tract and pulmonary infections and drug fever.", "contents": "Management of postoperative infections in obstetrics and gynecology. A discussion of postoperative infections in obstetrics and gynecology has been presented with particular emphasis on soft tissue infections involving the operative site. It has been emphasized that the offending organisms are those normally found in the vagina and cervix and that mixed infections are common. The immediate life threats to the patient are endotoxin shock and clostridial sepsis; therefore, initial therapy should include coverage for those organisms. Because of the potential toxicity of clindamycin and chloramphenicol, as well as the usual protracted course of Bacteroides infections, the addition of one of these drugs can generally be deferred until its use is dictated by microbiologic data or a failure of clinical response. Persistent fever generally indicates a lack of the appropriate antibiotic, an undrained collection of pus, or concomitant pelvic thrombophlebitis, the latter being a special concern with anaerobic infections. Specific infections and their management have also been discussed as have urinary tract and pulmonary infections and drug fever.", "PMID": 767029} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2289", "title": "Giant cell synovitis associated with failed polyethylene patellar replacements.", "content": "Destroyed patellar articular surfaces were replaced with a high molecular weight polyethylene prosthesis in two patients. The patellofemoral articulation of the femur consisted of eburnated bone in one case and degenerative cartilage in the other. Both operations failed within one year because of a giant cell synovitis caused by a high volume (0.2 cc) of fine polyethylene (1-100 mu) wear particles. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene should not be used as a prosthetic bearing surface to articulate against cortical, cancellous or eburnated bone or against degenerative articular cartilage in a major joint.", "contents": "Giant cell synovitis associated with failed polyethylene patellar replacements. Destroyed patellar articular surfaces were replaced with a high molecular weight polyethylene prosthesis in two patients. The patellofemoral articulation of the femur consisted of eburnated bone in one case and degenerative cartilage in the other. Both operations failed within one year because of a giant cell synovitis caused by a high volume (0.2 cc) of fine polyethylene (1-100 mu) wear particles. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene should not be used as a prosthetic bearing surface to articulate against cortical, cancellous or eburnated bone or against degenerative articular cartilage in a major joint.", "PMID": 767030} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2290", "title": "The surgical approach and source of bone graft for symptomatic nonunion of the scaphoid.", "content": "In 2 groups of patients treated by bone grafting for scaphoid nonunions, one group had a dorsal or dorsolateral surgical approach with a bone graft from the radius while the other group had a volar approach with an iliac graft. The best results were obtained with an iliac graft. Through the volar approach it is relatively easy to avoid damage to the scaphoid arterial supply. A small proximal vascular pole led to a failure rate of 36%.", "contents": "The surgical approach and source of bone graft for symptomatic nonunion of the scaphoid. In 2 groups of patients treated by bone grafting for scaphoid nonunions, one group had a dorsal or dorsolateral surgical approach with a bone graft from the radius while the other group had a volar approach with an iliac graft. The best results were obtained with an iliac graft. Through the volar approach it is relatively easy to avoid damage to the scaphoid arterial supply. A small proximal vascular pole led to a failure rate of 36%.", "PMID": 767031} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2291", "title": "Immunotherapy for allergic disease.", "content": "Although immunotherapy initially was purely empirical, immunologic studies of treated patients in more recent years have shown several types of responses that might be beneficial to patients. Likewise, double-blind clinical trials have documented some clinical improvement if sufficiently large doses of certain allergens are administered to properly selected patients. The selection of patients for possible immunotherapy depends upon a large number of considerations, including the severity of their disease and response to simpler forms of treatment. More slowly absorbed allergen preparations may make immunotherapy less cumbersome and reduce risks. It is impressive that so many patients persist with such an inconvenient form of treatment. Perhaps this indicates that allergies are trivial only for those who don't have them.", "contents": "Immunotherapy for allergic disease. Although immunotherapy initially was purely empirical, immunologic studies of treated patients in more recent years have shown several types of responses that might be beneficial to patients. Likewise, double-blind clinical trials have documented some clinical improvement if sufficiently large doses of certain allergens are administered to properly selected patients. The selection of patients for possible immunotherapy depends upon a large number of considerations, including the severity of their disease and response to simpler forms of treatment. More slowly absorbed allergen preparations may make immunotherapy less cumbersome and reduce risks. It is impressive that so many patients persist with such an inconvenient form of treatment. Perhaps this indicates that allergies are trivial only for those who don't have them.", "PMID": 767045} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2292", "title": "Ethical considerations of study participants in dental caries clinical trials.", "content": "During the past 30 years there has been increasing concern for ethical considerations that pertain to the conduct of human biomedical research. Consequently, many national and international medical and dental organizations and agencies have developed regulations, policies or ethical guidelines for the protection of human subjects who take part in clinical investigations. In the United States, more than 500 research institutions have established permanent committees to review research in humans conducted by their institutions. Members of these committees must represent a broad range of backgrounds, interests, and concerns. Prospective study subjects must be able to make an informed decision on whether to participate in any study, without any element of force, deceit, duress, or other form of constraint or coercion. Obtaining informed consent for studies of children, the mentally infirm, and persons with restricted civil freedom presents special problems. Ethical considerations also raise questions on appropriate designs for clinical studies, e.g. use of untreated controls. Dental studies, particularly those testing caries-preventive agents, raise special questions of design, informed consent, ethical procedures and the use of diagnostic radiographs. The director of a clinical study is responsible for the conduct of all personnel connected with the investigation.", "contents": "Ethical considerations of study participants in dental caries clinical trials. During the past 30 years there has been increasing concern for ethical considerations that pertain to the conduct of human biomedical research. Consequently, many national and international medical and dental organizations and agencies have developed regulations, policies or ethical guidelines for the protection of human subjects who take part in clinical investigations. In the United States, more than 500 research institutions have established permanent committees to review research in humans conducted by their institutions. Members of these committees must represent a broad range of backgrounds, interests, and concerns. Prospective study subjects must be able to make an informed decision on whether to participate in any study, without any element of force, deceit, duress, or other form of constraint or coercion. Obtaining informed consent for studies of children, the mentally infirm, and persons with restricted civil freedom presents special problems. Ethical considerations also raise questions on appropriate designs for clinical studies, e.g. use of untreated controls. Dental studies, particularly those testing caries-preventive agents, raise special questions of design, informed consent, ethical procedures and the use of diagnostic radiographs. The director of a clinical study is responsible for the conduct of all personnel connected with the investigation.", "PMID": 767047} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2293", "title": "A community health center dental program in Boston, U.S.A.", "content": "In 1970, a community-based and federally funded dental program was established in Boston. The multiple objectives of this program included the following: provision of dental treatment; education of schoolchildren in dental health; support for community measures of prevention such as water fluoridation; support of job training programs in dental assisting for community residents; employment of community people; and sensitization and training in community health for dental students and auxiliaries. The program provided a number of dental services at a reasonable benefit-cost ratio of 0.87. Other endeavors included the development of a dental health program with community schools and the involvement of dental students in the delivery of care and in screening for children with dental treatment needs.", "contents": "A community health center dental program in Boston, U.S.A. In 1970, a community-based and federally funded dental program was established in Boston. The multiple objectives of this program included the following: provision of dental treatment; education of schoolchildren in dental health; support for community measures of prevention such as water fluoridation; support of job training programs in dental assisting for community residents; employment of community people; and sensitization and training in community health for dental students and auxiliaries. The program provided a number of dental services at a reasonable benefit-cost ratio of 0.87. Other endeavors included the development of a dental health program with community schools and the involvement of dental students in the delivery of care and in screening for children with dental treatment needs.", "PMID": 767048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2294", "title": "Animal behavior as a subject for veterinary students.", "content": "Knowledge of animal behavior is an important asset for the veterinarian; therefore a course in veterinary animal behavior is offered at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine as an elective. The course emphasizes the behavior of those species of most interest to the practicing veterinarian: cats, dogs, horses, cows, pigs and sheep. Dominance heirarchies, animal communication, aggressive behavior, sexual behavior and maternal behavior are discussed. Play, learning, diurnal cycles of activity and sleep, and controls of ingestive behavior are also considered. Exotic and zoo animal behaviors are also presented by experts in these fields. The critical periods of canine development are related to the optimum management of puppies. The behavior of feral dogs and horses is described. The role of the veterinarian in preventing cruelty to animals and recognition of pain in animals is emphasized. Whenever possible behavior is observed in the laboratory or on film.", "contents": "Animal behavior as a subject for veterinary students. Knowledge of animal behavior is an important asset for the veterinarian; therefore a course in veterinary animal behavior is offered at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine as an elective. The course emphasizes the behavior of those species of most interest to the practicing veterinarian: cats, dogs, horses, cows, pigs and sheep. Dominance heirarchies, animal communication, aggressive behavior, sexual behavior and maternal behavior are discussed. Play, learning, diurnal cycles of activity and sleep, and controls of ingestive behavior are also considered. Exotic and zoo animal behaviors are also presented by experts in these fields. The critical periods of canine development are related to the optimum management of puppies. The behavior of feral dogs and horses is described. The role of the veterinarian in preventing cruelty to animals and recognition of pain in animals is emphasized. Whenever possible behavior is observed in the laboratory or on film.", "PMID": 767053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2295", "title": "Radiological signs of acute pancreatitis.", "content": "Acute pancreatitis is commonly presented as a confusing and challenging diagnostic problem. This article is intended to show the increasingly important contribution radiology plays in the establishment of a correct initial diagnosis as well as in recognizing the serious complications of acute pancreatitis. A short discussion of the etiology and pathophysiology of pancreatitis is essential in understanding the mechanism of production of the X-ray findings. The most important recently published papers on this topic are reviewed together with a personal evaluation of the most significant and reliable radiographic changes. Statistical data, indications, and contraindications as well as the limitations of our radiographic procedures are discussed.", "contents": "Radiological signs of acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is commonly presented as a confusing and challenging diagnostic problem. This article is intended to show the increasingly important contribution radiology plays in the establishment of a correct initial diagnosis as well as in recognizing the serious complications of acute pancreatitis. A short discussion of the etiology and pathophysiology of pancreatitis is essential in understanding the mechanism of production of the X-ray findings. The most important recently published papers on this topic are reviewed together with a personal evaluation of the most significant and reliable radiographic changes. Statistical data, indications, and contraindications as well as the limitations of our radiographic procedures are discussed.", "PMID": 767054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2296", "title": "Photochemical inactivation of enzymes.", "content": "The mechanisms of enzyme inactivation by ultraviolet light and visible light in the presence of sensitizing dyes are reviewed. Recent flash photolysis studies on amino acids and enzymes are summarized in terms of proposed models relating the initial photochemical reactions to permanent chemical and biological damage. The generation and reactions of singlet oxygen are discussed in connection with photodynamic processes. The photochemical results are compared with ionizing radiations, particularly pulse radiolytic methods employing radical anions as selective probes. The interrelationships between the various modes of enzyme inactivation are discussed, as well as the new information to be learned about the structure and functions of the native enzymes from selective radiation-induced alterations.", "contents": "Photochemical inactivation of enzymes. The mechanisms of enzyme inactivation by ultraviolet light and visible light in the presence of sensitizing dyes are reviewed. Recent flash photolysis studies on amino acids and enzymes are summarized in terms of proposed models relating the initial photochemical reactions to permanent chemical and biological damage. The generation and reactions of singlet oxygen are discussed in connection with photodynamic processes. The photochemical results are compared with ionizing radiations, particularly pulse radiolytic methods employing radical anions as selective probes. The interrelationships between the various modes of enzyme inactivation are discussed, as well as the new information to be learned about the structure and functions of the native enzymes from selective radiation-induced alterations.", "PMID": 767058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2297", "title": "Inhibition of cell wall synthesis by sulfonamides and trimethoprim.", "content": "The hypothesis that defective cell wall synthesis seems to represent a final common pathway of drug-induced injury either within the bacterial cell or on its surface was supported by two different findings: (1) sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, either alone or in combination, induced morphological findings in various Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis strains identical to those found after incubation with so-called cell-wall-active antibiotics (e.g., penicillin) and (2) cell-wall-defective bacteria (L forms, spheroblasts) were resistant to sulfonamides and/or trimethoprim as compared to their normal bacterial cells.", "contents": "Inhibition of cell wall synthesis by sulfonamides and trimethoprim. The hypothesis that defective cell wall synthesis seems to represent a final common pathway of drug-induced injury either within the bacterial cell or on its surface was supported by two different findings: (1) sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, either alone or in combination, induced morphological findings in various Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis strains identical to those found after incubation with so-called cell-wall-active antibiotics (e.g., penicillin) and (2) cell-wall-defective bacteria (L forms, spheroblasts) were resistant to sulfonamides and/or trimethoprim as compared to their normal bacterial cells.", "PMID": 767064} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2298", "title": "In vitro sensitivity of hospital strains of Serratia marcescens to chemotherapeutic agents.", "content": "The susceptibility of 83 non-pigmented Serratia marcescens strains was determined by an agar dilution technique. They originated from miscellaneous pathological specimens submitted to the diagnostic laboratory during a nosocomial infection outbreak in 1974. All strains were completely resistant to 128 mug/ml of cephalothin, colistin sulphomethate, lincomycin and penicillin G. They were also resistant to clinically attainable concentrations of ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, novobiocin and tetracycline. With regard to drugs with some activity 84% of the strains were susceptible to nalidixic acid, 48% to sulphamethoxazole, 57% to streptomycin, 60% to kanamycin, 61% to gentamicin, 85% to co-trimoxazole and 100% to amikacin. Environmental strains isolated from the infected units were strikingly more sensitive than the patient strains.", "contents": "In vitro sensitivity of hospital strains of Serratia marcescens to chemotherapeutic agents. The susceptibility of 83 non-pigmented Serratia marcescens strains was determined by an agar dilution technique. They originated from miscellaneous pathological specimens submitted to the diagnostic laboratory during a nosocomial infection outbreak in 1974. All strains were completely resistant to 128 mug/ml of cephalothin, colistin sulphomethate, lincomycin and penicillin G. They were also resistant to clinically attainable concentrations of ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, novobiocin and tetracycline. With regard to drugs with some activity 84% of the strains were susceptible to nalidixic acid, 48% to sulphamethoxazole, 57% to streptomycin, 60% to kanamycin, 61% to gentamicin, 85% to co-trimoxazole and 100% to amikacin. Environmental strains isolated from the infected units were strikingly more sensitive than the patient strains.", "PMID": 767065} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2299", "title": "[Wandering of foreign bodies. (Grenate fragment in the common bile duct causing jaundice)].", "content": "This report deals with the \"wandering\" of foreign bodies and their cause. The rarity of such occurrences is emphasised. Two cases are presented, in the first patient a grenade splinter was removed from the common bile duct 33 years after injury; there are only seven instances in the literature of this condition. In the other case a mandrin was injected into an arm vein and travelled to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta causing an aneurysm. According to the definition given by Schwaiger (1948) these 2 cases belong to the groups 2 and 3. In the case of the grenade splinter it is a secondary \"wandering\" from parenchymatous tissue to the biliary tract from where the splinter was able to descent the tract.", "contents": "[Wandering of foreign bodies. (Grenate fragment in the common bile duct causing jaundice)]. This report deals with the \"wandering\" of foreign bodies and their cause. The rarity of such occurrences is emphasised. Two cases are presented, in the first patient a grenade splinter was removed from the common bile duct 33 years after injury; there are only seven instances in the literature of this condition. In the other case a mandrin was injected into an arm vein and travelled to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta causing an aneurysm. According to the definition given by Schwaiger (1948) these 2 cases belong to the groups 2 and 3. In the case of the grenade splinter it is a secondary \"wandering\" from parenchymatous tissue to the biliary tract from where the splinter was able to descent the tract.", "PMID": 767071} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2300", "title": "Electron microscopy of membrane-associated folded chromosomes of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Membrane-associated folded chromosomes were purified from log-phase cultures of Escherichia coli 15 TAU-bar and prepared for electron microscopy by aqueous spreading techniques. A spectrum of structures was observed, ranging from condensed structures with no DNA fibers visible, to extended structures with DNA fibers. In the extended structures, loops of DNA radiated from residual envelope, the loops sometimes appeared supercoiled, and both their number and apparent contour length approximated previous estimates from physical and biochemical data. It is proposed that the structures with free DNA arose from the condensed structures.", "contents": "Electron microscopy of membrane-associated folded chromosomes of Escherichia coli. Membrane-associated folded chromosomes were purified from log-phase cultures of Escherichia coli 15 TAU-bar and prepared for electron microscopy by aqueous spreading techniques. A spectrum of structures was observed, ranging from condensed structures with no DNA fibers visible, to extended structures with DNA fibers. In the extended structures, loops of DNA radiated from residual envelope, the loops sometimes appeared supercoiled, and both their number and apparent contour length approximated previous estimates from physical and biochemical data. It is proposed that the structures with free DNA arose from the condensed structures.", "PMID": 767075} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2301", "title": "The fine structure of human chromosomes isolated by shearing-sieving.", "content": "Chromosomes isolated by the new technique of shearing-sieving, even if unstained, show a less degraded organisation than those prepared for the electron microscope by other techniques. The chromosomes are banded, may show more bands if stretched, and the centromere is a precisely defined structure. Appearances resulting from this technique are compared with those from other techniques.", "contents": "The fine structure of human chromosomes isolated by shearing-sieving. Chromosomes isolated by the new technique of shearing-sieving, even if unstained, show a less degraded organisation than those prepared for the electron microscope by other techniques. The chromosomes are banded, may show more bands if stretched, and the centromere is a precisely defined structure. Appearances resulting from this technique are compared with those from other techniques.", "PMID": 767076} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2302", "title": "Dysphoric response to neuroleptic treatment in schizophrenia and its prognostic significance.", "content": "Data on the subjective responses to neuroleptic treatment and their prognostic implications are reported from a multidimensional double-blind study of the pharmacotherapeutic process in schizophrenia. From these data it seems that the occurrence of a dysphoric response in the course of neuroleptic treatment is associated with a less favorable therapeutic response and long-term prognosis. It is suggested that the dysphoric responders, many of whom belong to the category of nuclear or poor prognosis schizophrenia, may be fundamentally different from the others.", "contents": "Dysphoric response to neuroleptic treatment in schizophrenia and its prognostic significance. Data on the subjective responses to neuroleptic treatment and their prognostic implications are reported from a multidimensional double-blind study of the pharmacotherapeutic process in schizophrenia. From these data it seems that the occurrence of a dysphoric response in the course of neuroleptic treatment is associated with a less favorable therapeutic response and long-term prognosis. It is suggested that the dysphoric responders, many of whom belong to the category of nuclear or poor prognosis schizophrenia, may be fundamentally different from the others.", "PMID": 767080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2303", "title": "Psychotic reactions associated with childbirth.", "content": "The literature on postpartum psychoses is reviewed. Clinical similarities and differences between patients with postpartum psychoses and those with nonpuerperal psychoses are described. The psychological and physiological precipitants of postpartum psychoses are discussed and a stress summation theory is proposed to explain the etiology of these reactions. Treatment considerations and factors pointing to favorable short-term and long-term prognoses are reviewed.", "contents": "Psychotic reactions associated with childbirth. The literature on postpartum psychoses is reviewed. Clinical similarities and differences between patients with postpartum psychoses and those with nonpuerperal psychoses are described. The psychological and physiological precipitants of postpartum psychoses are discussed and a stress summation theory is proposed to explain the etiology of these reactions. Treatment considerations and factors pointing to favorable short-term and long-term prognoses are reviewed.", "PMID": 767081} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2304", "title": "[Fatal thrombo-embolism after central-vein catheterisation (author's transl)].", "content": "Ten cases of fatal thromboembolism after central venous catheterisation were found among the autopsies of one year. The immediate causes of death were protracted pulmonary embolism (n = 8), cerebral embolism with defect of ventricular septum (n = 1), and central regulatory disturbance following complete thrombotic occlusion of the jugular veins (n = 1). The sources of the fatal embolisms were found in thrombi in the superior vena cava, the innominate veins or subclavian veins. The relation of these thrombi to catheter-dependent lesions in the venous walls was beyond doubt. The catheters had been left in position for periods of 2 to 56 days. In 40 further autopsies with different causes of death, catheter-dependent mural lesions of varying extent were found in the venous system near the heart. Local thrombi were identified after catheterisation of not more than 24 hours. Macroscopic and microscopic appearance of these thrombi was characterised by a groove-like structure corresponding to the apposition of thrombi around the plastic catheter.", "contents": "[Fatal thrombo-embolism after central-vein catheterisation (author's transl)]. Ten cases of fatal thromboembolism after central venous catheterisation were found among the autopsies of one year. The immediate causes of death were protracted pulmonary embolism (n = 8), cerebral embolism with defect of ventricular septum (n = 1), and central regulatory disturbance following complete thrombotic occlusion of the jugular veins (n = 1). The sources of the fatal embolisms were found in thrombi in the superior vena cava, the innominate veins or subclavian veins. The relation of these thrombi to catheter-dependent lesions in the venous walls was beyond doubt. The catheters had been left in position for periods of 2 to 56 days. In 40 further autopsies with different causes of death, catheter-dependent mural lesions of varying extent were found in the venous system near the heart. Local thrombi were identified after catheterisation of not more than 24 hours. Macroscopic and microscopic appearance of these thrombi was characterised by a groove-like structure corresponding to the apposition of thrombi around the plastic catheter.", "PMID": 767083} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2305", "title": "[Clinical evaluation of simple hygienic measures for wearers of dental prostheses in a nursing home].", "content": "The simple treatment of dentures with bacteriostatic drugs withoug any additional treatment may result in a considerable improvement of inflamed mucosa on which a denture is resting. The question as to whether hygiene or other factors (e. g. trauma) are more important with regard to the etiology of denture stomatitis cannot be answered entirely by this study. Continuation of studies on the various causes of denture stomatitis and searching for improvements in its therapy by short and long-term investigations are recommended.", "contents": "[Clinical evaluation of simple hygienic measures for wearers of dental prostheses in a nursing home]. The simple treatment of dentures with bacteriostatic drugs withoug any additional treatment may result in a considerable improvement of inflamed mucosa on which a denture is resting. The question as to whether hygiene or other factors (e. g. trauma) are more important with regard to the etiology of denture stomatitis cannot be answered entirely by this study. Continuation of studies on the various causes of denture stomatitis and searching for improvements in its therapy by short and long-term investigations are recommended.", "PMID": 767090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2306", "title": "[Clinical evaluation of an hygiene program for patients with denture stomatitis].", "content": "1. Daily thorough cleaning of dentures is the essential factor for the healing or prevention of denture stomatitis. 2. The denture-bearing base and its mucosal side should be shaped and prepared in such a manner that denture hygiene is facilitated. 3. In papillomatous stomatitis surgical and hygienic measures must be combined.", "contents": "[Clinical evaluation of an hygiene program for patients with denture stomatitis]. 1. Daily thorough cleaning of dentures is the essential factor for the healing or prevention of denture stomatitis. 2. The denture-bearing base and its mucosal side should be shaped and prepared in such a manner that denture hygiene is facilitated. 3. In papillomatous stomatitis surgical and hygienic measures must be combined.", "PMID": 767091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2307", "title": "[The effects of occlusal changes on the supporting tissues].", "content": "Displacements of the condyle caused by preparations in the supporting area are reported. These displacements occur only if the second premolar is included in the preparations. They are ventrocranial in direction and increase in extent if the first premolar and the canine are included in the preparations. Values of up to 2.8 mm in carnial and of up to 2.8 mm in ventral direction can be observed.", "contents": "[The effects of occlusal changes on the supporting tissues]. Displacements of the condyle caused by preparations in the supporting area are reported. These displacements occur only if the second premolar is included in the preparations. They are ventrocranial in direction and increase in extent if the first premolar and the canine are included in the preparations. Values of up to 2.8 mm in carnial and of up to 2.8 mm in ventral direction can be observed.", "PMID": 767092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2308", "title": "Standardization of the instrumentation used in the preparation of the site for endosseous implantation.", "content": "Special importance is attached to the standardization of the instrumentarium used for the preparation of a reception area of implants. When selecting and preparing the instrumentarium and the burs, the technical measurements must be in accordance with those of the implant. Also when selecting the various attachments for the dental mini-handpieces, the admissible r.p.m. numbers must be considered and a cooling system must be applied which excludes infections.", "contents": "Standardization of the instrumentation used in the preparation of the site for endosseous implantation. Special importance is attached to the standardization of the instrumentarium used for the preparation of a reception area of implants. When selecting and preparing the instrumentarium and the burs, the technical measurements must be in accordance with those of the implant. Also when selecting the various attachments for the dental mini-handpieces, the admissible r.p.m. numbers must be considered and a cooling system must be applied which excludes infections.", "PMID": 767093} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2309", "title": "[Pre and postoperative determination of the gingival sulcus fluid for the control of the healing process after periodontal surgery].", "content": "To objectify the healing process after gingivectomy and flap operation, the gingival sulcus liquid was determined in 20 patients before and after the operation. It was drawn off in the labial part of the sulcus of anterior teeth by means of microcapillaries and then measured. At the same time, the gingival index (M-index) was checked and the depth, of the pocket was measured. Four weeks after the operation, a clear reduction in the amount of the gingival liquid, the index and the depth of the pocket was observed. The group of probands on which flap operations were performed, had twice as much sulcus liquid than those undergoing gingivectomy, and consequently the amount of exudate decreased considerably more within the first three weeks. After the third postoperative week, the average values converged and after the fourth week they were almost identical. The M-index changed accordingly, the average pocket depth was between 1 and 1.5 mm after four weeks.", "contents": "[Pre and postoperative determination of the gingival sulcus fluid for the control of the healing process after periodontal surgery]. To objectify the healing process after gingivectomy and flap operation, the gingival sulcus liquid was determined in 20 patients before and after the operation. It was drawn off in the labial part of the sulcus of anterior teeth by means of microcapillaries and then measured. At the same time, the gingival index (M-index) was checked and the depth, of the pocket was measured. Four weeks after the operation, a clear reduction in the amount of the gingival liquid, the index and the depth of the pocket was observed. The group of probands on which flap operations were performed, had twice as much sulcus liquid than those undergoing gingivectomy, and consequently the amount of exudate decreased considerably more within the first three weeks. After the third postoperative week, the average values converged and after the fourth week they were almost identical. The M-index changed accordingly, the average pocket depth was between 1 and 1.5 mm after four weeks.", "PMID": 767094} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2310", "title": "[Dean's alveolotomy for the correction of maxillary protrusion with periodontal disease].", "content": "The method of intraseptal alveolotomy which was introduced by Dean and has meanwhile been further improved, enables us to correct maxillary protrusion when teeth cannot be retained. The various phases of the operation are described on the basis of our own experience. In many cases an additional excision of the labial frenulum with partial extension of the vestibulum appears to be indicated. This should, however, be performed in a second operation. Special attention is called to the simultaneous correction of a deep bite in the lower anteriors which is frequently the cause of periodontal damage of the maxillary teeth.", "contents": "[Dean's alveolotomy for the correction of maxillary protrusion with periodontal disease]. The method of intraseptal alveolotomy which was introduced by Dean and has meanwhile been further improved, enables us to correct maxillary protrusion when teeth cannot be retained. The various phases of the operation are described on the basis of our own experience. In many cases an additional excision of the labial frenulum with partial extension of the vestibulum appears to be indicated. This should, however, be performed in a second operation. Special attention is called to the simultaneous correction of a deep bite in the lower anteriors which is frequently the cause of periodontal damage of the maxillary teeth.", "PMID": 767095} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2311", "title": "[Plastic-surgical problems in the removal of malignant facial skin neoplasms on the nose and ear].", "content": "The majority of malignant tumors of the skin on the head are found in the upper two thirds of the face. The oral surgeon who is active in the plastic surgery field is therefore frequently confronted with surgical problems exceeding the limited area of the jaws. In this respect nose and ear are regions presenting special problems with regard to esthetics and function.", "contents": "[Plastic-surgical problems in the removal of malignant facial skin neoplasms on the nose and ear]. The majority of malignant tumors of the skin on the head are found in the upper two thirds of the face. The oral surgeon who is active in the plastic surgery field is therefore frequently confronted with surgical problems exceeding the limited area of the jaws. In this respect nose and ear are regions presenting special problems with regard to esthetics and function.", "PMID": 767096} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2312", "title": "[Electron microscopic study of preserved skin].", "content": "The ultrastructure of normal and preserved skin of rabbits breed \"chin-chill\" has been investigated. The authors state that when the skin is preserved under given conditions for 20 days, the intracellular changes of the epithelium and connective tissue have a reversible character, but after 30 day preservation under the same conditions the connective tissue shows deep pathological changes. The authors conclude that the electronic microscopic investigations give a more complete characteristics for the fitness of the tissues for transplantation, as compared with other methods.", "contents": "[Electron microscopic study of preserved skin]. The ultrastructure of normal and preserved skin of rabbits breed \"chin-chill\" has been investigated. The authors state that when the skin is preserved under given conditions for 20 days, the intracellular changes of the epithelium and connective tissue have a reversible character, but after 30 day preservation under the same conditions the connective tissue shows deep pathological changes. The authors conclude that the electronic microscopic investigations give a more complete characteristics for the fitness of the tissues for transplantation, as compared with other methods.", "PMID": 767097} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2313", "title": "[Hypothalamic mechanism of the antiovulatory action of sulpiride].", "content": "The antiovulatory effect of sulpiride is mediated via inhibition of the LH-RH release: when given during 10 days in guinea pigs, sulpiride is able to promote an increase of LH-RH immunoreactive substance in anterior hypothalamic and suprachiasmatic neurons. This storage probably related with inhibition of LH-RH release, is permitted by catecholamines, since metatyrosine administration prevent this sulpiride effect. On the other hand, when administered to hamsters sulpiride is able to promote stimulation of hypothalamic catecholaminergic neurons of tubero infundibular and anterior periventricularis nuclei. The hypothalamic aminergic action upon sulpiride antiovulatory effect is discussed.", "contents": "[Hypothalamic mechanism of the antiovulatory action of sulpiride]. The antiovulatory effect of sulpiride is mediated via inhibition of the LH-RH release: when given during 10 days in guinea pigs, sulpiride is able to promote an increase of LH-RH immunoreactive substance in anterior hypothalamic and suprachiasmatic neurons. This storage probably related with inhibition of LH-RH release, is permitted by catecholamines, since metatyrosine administration prevent this sulpiride effect. On the other hand, when administered to hamsters sulpiride is able to promote stimulation of hypothalamic catecholaminergic neurons of tubero infundibular and anterior periventricularis nuclei. The hypothalamic aminergic action upon sulpiride antiovulatory effect is discussed.", "PMID": 767098} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2314", "title": "Muscle structure and function--an explanation.", "content": "The structure of vertebrate skeletal muscle is reviewed. The mechanism of muscular contraction and its control is then discussed from the point of view of molecular structure. Contraction takes place by a sliding filament mechanism produced by cross-bridges which form between thick and thin filaments. Control is exercised by tropomyosin and troponin. When the calcium concentration is low, these proteins interfere with the formation of cross-bridges and prevent contraction, but when the calcium concentration is increased, they no longer interfere and contraction proceeds.", "contents": "Muscle structure and function--an explanation. The structure of vertebrate skeletal muscle is reviewed. The mechanism of muscular contraction and its control is then discussed from the point of view of molecular structure. Contraction takes place by a sliding filament mechanism produced by cross-bridges which form between thick and thin filaments. Control is exercised by tropomyosin and troponin. When the calcium concentration is low, these proteins interfere with the formation of cross-bridges and prevent contraction, but when the calcium concentration is increased, they no longer interfere and contraction proceeds.", "PMID": 767103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2315", "title": "The treatment of some fractures of the forelimb in the horse.", "content": "Sir Frederick Hobday's service as a Veterinary Officer in the Army Veterinary Corps during the Great War 1914-1918 is recorded. This is followed by a description of the fractures of the distal forelimb which can be treated satisfactorily by surgery, and includes fractures of the carpal, the small metacarpal, the proximal sesamoid bones, the first phalanx and the extensor process of the third phalanx.", "contents": "The treatment of some fractures of the forelimb in the horse. Sir Frederick Hobday's service as a Veterinary Officer in the Army Veterinary Corps during the Great War 1914-1918 is recorded. This is followed by a description of the fractures of the distal forelimb which can be treated satisfactorily by surgery, and includes fractures of the carpal, the small metacarpal, the proximal sesamoid bones, the first phalanx and the extensor process of the third phalanx.", "PMID": 767104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2316", "title": "Elongation factor T from Bacillus stearothermophilus and Escherichia coli. Purification and some properties of EF-Tu and EF-Ts from Bacillus stearothermophilus.", "content": "Homogeneous preparations of elongation factors EF-Tu and EF-Ts from Bacillus stearothermophilus have been obtained with specific activities of 20000 +/- 2000 and 500000 +/- 50000 units/mg, respectively. By dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the molecular weight of EF-Tu was found to be 49000 +/- 2000 and of EF-Ts 35500 +/- 1000. Nucleotide-free EF-Tu was prepared by using ITP as a GDP-binding-site-directed analogue. EF-Tu was shown to contain two sulphydryl groups, one reacting fast and one slowly with N-ethylmaleimide and 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) under non-denaturing conditions. The same reagents were shown to react with the three sulphydryl groups of EF-Ts in the native state. The heat stabilities of EF-Tu and EF-Ts are reversed with respect to the Escherichia coli factors, EF-Tu being the more stable protein; even nucleotide-free EF-Tu is relatively stable with a half-life at room temperature of about 35 h.", "contents": "Elongation factor T from Bacillus stearothermophilus and Escherichia coli. Purification and some properties of EF-Tu and EF-Ts from Bacillus stearothermophilus. Homogeneous preparations of elongation factors EF-Tu and EF-Ts from Bacillus stearothermophilus have been obtained with specific activities of 20000 +/- 2000 and 500000 +/- 50000 units/mg, respectively. By dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the molecular weight of EF-Tu was found to be 49000 +/- 2000 and of EF-Ts 35500 +/- 1000. Nucleotide-free EF-Tu was prepared by using ITP as a GDP-binding-site-directed analogue. EF-Tu was shown to contain two sulphydryl groups, one reacting fast and one slowly with N-ethylmaleimide and 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) under non-denaturing conditions. The same reagents were shown to react with the three sulphydryl groups of EF-Ts in the native state. The heat stabilities of EF-Tu and EF-Ts are reversed with respect to the Escherichia coli factors, EF-Tu being the more stable protein; even nucleotide-free EF-Tu is relatively stable with a half-life at room temperature of about 35 h.", "PMID": 767105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2317", "title": "The linkage of lysine in the O-specific chains of Proteus mirabilis 1959.", "content": "Lipopolysaccharides of qualitatively identical but quantitatively different sugar composition were extracted from Proteus mirabilis strain 1959. The lipopolysaccharide with the higher percentage of typical O-specific constituents was subjected to partial acid hydrolysis. An oligosaccharide B22 was separated by paper chromatography and electrophoresis. It was found to be composed of equimolar amounts of D-galacturonic acid, D-galactosamine and L-lysine. Dinitrophenylation of the oligosaccharide as well as of the genuine lipopolysaccharide afforded xi-dinitrophenyl-L-lysine after acid hydrolysis, showing that lysine was linked to the disaccharide via its alpha-amino group. Further studies including the Morgan-Elson and Elson-Morgan reactions, NaBH4-reduction, hydrazinolysis and periodate oxidation revealed the structure of oligosaccharide B22 as D-galacturonyl-(1 leads to 4)-D-galactosamine with lysine attached to the carboxylic group of galacturonic acid via its alpha-amino group. Judged from its high inhibition capacity this oligosaccharide has to be considered as an essential part of the serological determinant of Proteus mirabilis 1959. The frequent occurrence of lysine and galacturonic acid in Proteus mirabilis O-serogroups and their possible significance for the respective serological specificities are discussed.", "contents": "The linkage of lysine in the O-specific chains of Proteus mirabilis 1959. Lipopolysaccharides of qualitatively identical but quantitatively different sugar composition were extracted from Proteus mirabilis strain 1959. The lipopolysaccharide with the higher percentage of typical O-specific constituents was subjected to partial acid hydrolysis. An oligosaccharide B22 was separated by paper chromatography and electrophoresis. It was found to be composed of equimolar amounts of D-galacturonic acid, D-galactosamine and L-lysine. Dinitrophenylation of the oligosaccharide as well as of the genuine lipopolysaccharide afforded xi-dinitrophenyl-L-lysine after acid hydrolysis, showing that lysine was linked to the disaccharide via its alpha-amino group. Further studies including the Morgan-Elson and Elson-Morgan reactions, NaBH4-reduction, hydrazinolysis and periodate oxidation revealed the structure of oligosaccharide B22 as D-galacturonyl-(1 leads to 4)-D-galactosamine with lysine attached to the carboxylic group of galacturonic acid via its alpha-amino group. Judged from its high inhibition capacity this oligosaccharide has to be considered as an essential part of the serological determinant of Proteus mirabilis 1959. The frequent occurrence of lysine and galacturonic acid in Proteus mirabilis O-serogroups and their possible significance for the respective serological specificities are discussed.", "PMID": 767106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2318", "title": "The enzymic addition of poly(A) to the 3'-end of RNA using bacteriophage MS 2 RNA as a model system.", "content": "ATP : RNA adenyltransferase, purified from Escherichia coli, was used to add a series of adenosine residues to the 3'-end of MS2RNA. Incubations of the order of a few minutes at 37 degrees C were sufficient for synthesis of a short poly(A) chain that did not appreciably alter the hydrodynamic or electrophoretic properties of MS2 RNA. The size of the poly(A) tails was estimated by gel electrophoresis after prior hydrolysis of the primer RNA with pancreatic ribonuclease. These results were in good agreement with the values calculated on the basis of the relative amount of incorporated AMP. After the addition of a short poly(A) tail, approximately 50% of the treated material binds specifically to an oligo(dT)-cellulose column. The majority of the recovered poly(a)-containing RNA was still intact, as shown by analysis on polyacrylamide gel. After incubations beyond 6 min, slowly sedimenting material, also showing reduced electrophoretic mobility, was formed. Presumably this material corresponds to RNA chains to which long poly(A) tails are linked.", "contents": "The enzymic addition of poly(A) to the 3'-end of RNA using bacteriophage MS 2 RNA as a model system. ATP : RNA adenyltransferase, purified from Escherichia coli, was used to add a series of adenosine residues to the 3'-end of MS2RNA. Incubations of the order of a few minutes at 37 degrees C were sufficient for synthesis of a short poly(A) chain that did not appreciably alter the hydrodynamic or electrophoretic properties of MS2 RNA. The size of the poly(A) tails was estimated by gel electrophoresis after prior hydrolysis of the primer RNA with pancreatic ribonuclease. These results were in good agreement with the values calculated on the basis of the relative amount of incorporated AMP. After the addition of a short poly(A) tail, approximately 50% of the treated material binds specifically to an oligo(dT)-cellulose column. The majority of the recovered poly(a)-containing RNA was still intact, as shown by analysis on polyacrylamide gel. After incubations beyond 6 min, slowly sedimenting material, also showing reduced electrophoretic mobility, was formed. Presumably this material corresponds to RNA chains to which long poly(A) tails are linked.", "PMID": 767107} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2319", "title": "A computerized neurosurgical intensive care system.", "content": "A specialized neurosurgical data acquisition and processing system was developed and applied in practice to monitor some 60 patients after head injury or neurosurgical operations. At first the system allowed off-line operation, and the experiences thus gained made it possible to implement the system in its present form for real-time on-line patient monitoring. The algorithms prepared in our laboratory allow rapid and concise presentation of results and have proved their usefulness in clinical practice. The main parameters of interest in neurosurgery are intracranial pressure (ICP) and the volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drained from one of the lateral ventricles. Examples of statistical analysis of both these variables, and their presentation in the form of tables, diagrams and histograms are given.", "contents": "A computerized neurosurgical intensive care system. A specialized neurosurgical data acquisition and processing system was developed and applied in practice to monitor some 60 patients after head injury or neurosurgical operations. At first the system allowed off-line operation, and the experiences thus gained made it possible to implement the system in its present form for real-time on-line patient monitoring. The algorithms prepared in our laboratory allow rapid and concise presentation of results and have proved their usefulness in clinical practice. The main parameters of interest in neurosurgery are intracranial pressure (ICP) and the volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drained from one of the lateral ventricles. Examples of statistical analysis of both these variables, and their presentation in the form of tables, diagrams and histograms are given.", "PMID": 767108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2320", "title": "Multivariate data analysis based on a computerized patient monitoring system.", "content": "Multivariate time series data in post-operative patients (respiratory and cardiovascular) are compared to reference groups. Using this technique under the program control of a computerized patient monitoring system (IBM 1800) various classes in the respiratory and cardiovascular spectrum can define the co-ordinate system in hyperspace. The patient in crisis is recognised by his deviation from normal rates of change of the variable set, as well as by the time trajectories of recovery in the hyperspace.", "contents": "Multivariate data analysis based on a computerized patient monitoring system. Multivariate time series data in post-operative patients (respiratory and cardiovascular) are compared to reference groups. Using this technique under the program control of a computerized patient monitoring system (IBM 1800) various classes in the respiratory and cardiovascular spectrum can define the co-ordinate system in hyperspace. The patient in crisis is recognised by his deviation from normal rates of change of the variable set, as well as by the time trajectories of recovery in the hyperspace.", "PMID": 767109} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2321", "title": "Insulin and glucagon secretion by pancreatic islets from nondiabetic and diabetic sand rats (Psammomys obesus).", "content": "The secretion of insulin and glucagon was investigated in pancreatic islets from diabetic and nondiabetic sand rats of similar age and weight. The metabolic characterization was based on an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. Compared to nondiabetic animals diabetic sand rats had a diminished insulin content in their islets and a decreased insulin secretory response to glucose, glyceraldehyde and theophylline. Diazoxide inhibited insulin release in diabetic as well as in nondiabetic sand rats whereas mannoheptulose was effective only in the nondiabetic rats. There was no significant difference in glucagon content between the two groups. The glucagon secretion by pancreatic islets of diabetic animals was not suppressed by glucose, as in nondiabetic sand rats islets, but by glyceraldehyde. This indicates that the sensitivity to glucose rather than the suppressibility of glucagon release was altered.", "contents": "Insulin and glucagon secretion by pancreatic islets from nondiabetic and diabetic sand rats (Psammomys obesus). The secretion of insulin and glucagon was investigated in pancreatic islets from diabetic and nondiabetic sand rats of similar age and weight. The metabolic characterization was based on an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. Compared to nondiabetic animals diabetic sand rats had a diminished insulin content in their islets and a decreased insulin secretory response to glucose, glyceraldehyde and theophylline. Diazoxide inhibited insulin release in diabetic as well as in nondiabetic sand rats whereas mannoheptulose was effective only in the nondiabetic rats. There was no significant difference in glucagon content between the two groups. The glucagon secretion by pancreatic islets of diabetic animals was not suppressed by glucose, as in nondiabetic sand rats islets, but by glyceraldehyde. This indicates that the sensitivity to glucose rather than the suppressibility of glucagon release was altered.", "PMID": 767120} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2322", "title": "Some adrenomimetic drugs affecting lipolysis in human adipose tissue in vitro.", "content": "In human adipose tissue in vitro, dose-response curves were followed for different adrenomimetics releasing free fatty acids and glycerol into an albumin-containing medium. Phenylephrine, salbutamol and t-butyl-norsynephrine produced lipolytic actions whose maximum did not exceed 20% of the maximal isoproterenol lipolysis. Phentolamine (1 x 10(-5) M) did not potentiate the effect of any of these drugs. When using salbutamol or t-butyl-norsynephrine for antagonizing isoproterenol actions, typical antagonism was found. The parallel shift of the isoproterenol curves showed pA2 values 5.8 for salbutamol and 5.7 for t-butyl-norsynephrine. Comparison of human and rat adipose tissue reactivity shows identical affinities of the drugs studied in both tissues, but related to isoproterenol, diminished intrinsic activities of salbutamol and t-butyl-norsynephrine in human adipose tissue.", "contents": "Some adrenomimetic drugs affecting lipolysis in human adipose tissue in vitro. In human adipose tissue in vitro, dose-response curves were followed for different adrenomimetics releasing free fatty acids and glycerol into an albumin-containing medium. Phenylephrine, salbutamol and t-butyl-norsynephrine produced lipolytic actions whose maximum did not exceed 20% of the maximal isoproterenol lipolysis. Phentolamine (1 x 10(-5) M) did not potentiate the effect of any of these drugs. When using salbutamol or t-butyl-norsynephrine for antagonizing isoproterenol actions, typical antagonism was found. The parallel shift of the isoproterenol curves showed pA2 values 5.8 for salbutamol and 5.7 for t-butyl-norsynephrine. Comparison of human and rat adipose tissue reactivity shows identical affinities of the drugs studied in both tissues, but related to isoproterenol, diminished intrinsic activities of salbutamol and t-butyl-norsynephrine in human adipose tissue.", "PMID": 767121} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2323", "title": "Histological alterations in spleen and bone marrow colonies produced by irradiation of the donor mice.", "content": "The previously reported decrease in the ratio of erythrocytic (E): granulocytic (G) spleen colonies observed 8 days after bone marrow transplantation, when the donors had been x-irradiated up to 4 hours before the marrow was taken for transfer, was confirmed. The effect of taking the marrow between 4 hours and 13 days after x-irradiation, on the E:G ratio in both spleen and femoral bone marrow colonies, has been studied in detail. The reversion to a normal E:G ratio in spleen colonies assessed at 8 or 10 days was associated with increases in this ratio of colonies in the femoral bone marrow. Transplantation of cell suspensions prepared from the spleen and femoral bone marrow of primary recipients 8 days after the initial transfer produced a histological distribution of 8-day colonies in secondary recipients which was indpendent of x-irradiation of the donor. The data suggest that a hypothesis involving CFU migration within the spleen and, possibly, from the bone marrow to the spleen, provides a more satisfactory explanation of the data than one involving two CFU populations with different radiosensitivities.", "contents": "Histological alterations in spleen and bone marrow colonies produced by irradiation of the donor mice. The previously reported decrease in the ratio of erythrocytic (E): granulocytic (G) spleen colonies observed 8 days after bone marrow transplantation, when the donors had been x-irradiated up to 4 hours before the marrow was taken for transfer, was confirmed. The effect of taking the marrow between 4 hours and 13 days after x-irradiation, on the E:G ratio in both spleen and femoral bone marrow colonies, has been studied in detail. The reversion to a normal E:G ratio in spleen colonies assessed at 8 or 10 days was associated with increases in this ratio of colonies in the femoral bone marrow. Transplantation of cell suspensions prepared from the spleen and femoral bone marrow of primary recipients 8 days after the initial transfer produced a histological distribution of 8-day colonies in secondary recipients which was indpendent of x-irradiation of the donor. The data suggest that a hypothesis involving CFU migration within the spleen and, possibly, from the bone marrow to the spleen, provides a more satisfactory explanation of the data than one involving two CFU populations with different radiosensitivities.", "PMID": 767126} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2324", "title": "A possibility to achieve genetic transformation in the platyfish-swordtail system (Platypoecilus maculatus - Xiphophorus helleri).", "content": "In order to determine how informative homologous donor DNA might be made available to propigment cells of the recipient Xiphophorus helleri for transformation, labelled heterologous DNA from E. coli was injected into the neural crest region or the yolk sac of embryos of the recipient. On the basis of the degradation rate of the donor DNA and the incorporation rate of radioactivity into the recipient DNA, it is concluded that injection into the neural crest region may be a suitable method to make available informative homologous donor DNA for transformation.", "contents": "A possibility to achieve genetic transformation in the platyfish-swordtail system (Platypoecilus maculatus - Xiphophorus helleri). In order to determine how informative homologous donor DNA might be made available to propigment cells of the recipient Xiphophorus helleri for transformation, labelled heterologous DNA from E. coli was injected into the neural crest region or the yolk sac of embryos of the recipient. On the basis of the degradation rate of the donor DNA and the incorporation rate of radioactivity into the recipient DNA, it is concluded that injection into the neural crest region may be a suitable method to make available informative homologous donor DNA for transformation.", "PMID": 767130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2325", "title": "The Stein-Leventhal syndrome: a neuropituitary disorder.", "content": "Hypothalamic and pituitary gonadotropin function and responsiveness in four patients with well-documented Stein-Leventhal syndrome were studied. All patients were of reproductive age and had had menstrual disorders since menarche. Estrogen production was assessed by measuring the circulating levels of immunoreactive estradiol, by vaginal smears, and by the progestogen-induced menses test. Gonadotropin function was evaluated by measuring the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in blood samples obtained at 15-minute intervals for 150 minutes. Pituitary gonadotropin reserve and responsiveness were studied by giving an intravenous bolus of synthetic LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) and measuring the circulating gonadotropin levels before and after the injection.", "contents": "The Stein-Leventhal syndrome: a neuropituitary disorder. Hypothalamic and pituitary gonadotropin function and responsiveness in four patients with well-documented Stein-Leventhal syndrome were studied. All patients were of reproductive age and had had menstrual disorders since menarche. Estrogen production was assessed by measuring the circulating levels of immunoreactive estradiol, by vaginal smears, and by the progestogen-induced menses test. Gonadotropin function was evaluated by measuring the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in blood samples obtained at 15-minute intervals for 150 minutes. Pituitary gonadotropin reserve and responsiveness were studied by giving an intravenous bolus of synthetic LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) and measuring the circulating gonadotropin levels before and after the injection.", "PMID": 767160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2326", "title": "Serum estradiol response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone: studies in normal women and in women with secondary amenorrhea.", "content": "Serum estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured in blood samples obtained prior to and at frequent intervals for 360 or 480 minutes following the subcutaneous administration of gonadotropin releasing hormone (Gn-RH) to eight normal women and nine patients with hypothalamic secondary amenorrhea. In the normal subjects given 100 mug of Gn-RH on day 7 of the menstrual cycle, there was no significant increase in the mean E2 concentration above basal levels. Six women with secondary amenorrhea received Gn-RH, 100 mug, for 4 successive days; frequent blood samples were obtained on days 1 and 4. On day 1, the mean E2 concentration at 360 minutes was significantly greater than the mean basal level. On day 4 no significant increase in E2 was detected, although the mean LH and FSH responses and basal E2 level were not different from those of day 1. Four women with secondary amenorrhea received daily doses of 500 mug of Gn-RH for 7 days. Significant increases in mean serum E2 concentration (100 to 150 pg/ml) were noted at 6 and 8 hours after administration on day 1 and at 8 hours on day 4. No significant rise in E2 was detected on day 7. The mean LH and FSH responses did not differ from those observed in women who received the 100-mug dose, and there were no significant differences in responses on successive days of Gn-RH administration.", "contents": "Serum estradiol response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone: studies in normal women and in women with secondary amenorrhea. Serum estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured in blood samples obtained prior to and at frequent intervals for 360 or 480 minutes following the subcutaneous administration of gonadotropin releasing hormone (Gn-RH) to eight normal women and nine patients with hypothalamic secondary amenorrhea. In the normal subjects given 100 mug of Gn-RH on day 7 of the menstrual cycle, there was no significant increase in the mean E2 concentration above basal levels. Six women with secondary amenorrhea received Gn-RH, 100 mug, for 4 successive days; frequent blood samples were obtained on days 1 and 4. On day 1, the mean E2 concentration at 360 minutes was significantly greater than the mean basal level. On day 4 no significant increase in E2 was detected, although the mean LH and FSH responses and basal E2 level were not different from those of day 1. Four women with secondary amenorrhea received daily doses of 500 mug of Gn-RH for 7 days. Significant increases in mean serum E2 concentration (100 to 150 pg/ml) were noted at 6 and 8 hours after administration on day 1 and at 8 hours on day 4. No significant rise in E2 was detected on day 7. The mean LH and FSH responses did not differ from those observed in women who received the 100-mug dose, and there were no significant differences in responses on successive days of Gn-RH administration.", "PMID": 767161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2327", "title": "Effect of prostaglandins, nitrofurantoin, and Escherichia coli on response of human vas deferens to norepinephrine.", "content": "Surgical specimens of human vas deferens, mounted isometrically in vitro, were tested for their reactivity to norepinephrine, the major neurohumoral control mechanism in this tissue, under a variety of conditions. There was no significant difference in reactivity (measured as amplitude and frequency of contraction) between vasa obtained under either spinal or local anesthesia. Similarly, the age of the donor (range, 20 to 79 years) had no effect on either measure of reactivity. Prostaglandins A1 (10(-7) gm/ml) and E2 (10(-9) gm/ml), Escherichia coli (10(5) organisms/ml), and E. coli endotoxin (10(-7) gm/ml) did not affect norepinephrine responses, suggesting that the role of these compounds in problems of fertility is not related to an alternation in sperm transport through the vas. Nitrofurantoin (10(-5) gm/ml) also had no effect on reactivity to norepinephrine, providing further evidence that low sperm counts in patients taking this drug are more appropriately attributed to a direct effect on spermatogenesis than to an effect on sperm transport.", "contents": "Effect of prostaglandins, nitrofurantoin, and Escherichia coli on response of human vas deferens to norepinephrine. Surgical specimens of human vas deferens, mounted isometrically in vitro, were tested for their reactivity to norepinephrine, the major neurohumoral control mechanism in this tissue, under a variety of conditions. There was no significant difference in reactivity (measured as amplitude and frequency of contraction) between vasa obtained under either spinal or local anesthesia. Similarly, the age of the donor (range, 20 to 79 years) had no effect on either measure of reactivity. Prostaglandins A1 (10(-7) gm/ml) and E2 (10(-9) gm/ml), Escherichia coli (10(5) organisms/ml), and E. coli endotoxin (10(-7) gm/ml) did not affect norepinephrine responses, suggesting that the role of these compounds in problems of fertility is not related to an alternation in sperm transport through the vas. Nitrofurantoin (10(-5) gm/ml) also had no effect on reactivity to norepinephrine, providing further evidence that low sperm counts in patients taking this drug are more appropriately attributed to a direct effect on spermatogenesis than to an effect on sperm transport.", "PMID": 767162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2328", "title": "[Studies on the measurements of LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) by radioimmunoassay (RIA) (author's transl)].", "content": "The radioimmunoassay for LH-RH would aid greatly in the assessment of hypothalamic function. The anti-LH-RH was prepared by immunizing rabbits with LH-RH conjugate of BSA. 125I-LH-RH was prepared by the lactoperoxidase method and Sephadex G-10 column chromatography. The double antibody RIA technique was employed. On the assay of biological materials, LH-RH was extracted by methanol because LH-RH was rapidly destroyed in the serum, and this breakdown could not be prevented by benzamidine or 2,3-dimercaptopropranol. Sensitivity of this RIA system ranged from 10 tp 104 pg/ml, and the coefficient of variations of intra- and interassay were 12.9% and 9.% respectively. The serum LH-RH levels of men in a normal gonad state were below 10 pg/ml, and those of women in a normal gonad state in the early follicular or luteal phase were below 50 pg/ml. Whereas those of postmenopausal or castrated women were increased, and were highest in women with several gonadal disturbed states. The disappearance curve of LH-RH in women was characterized by two exponentials, t(1/2) of the initial component was 4.9 min, and that of the second component 24.6 min. Urinary excretion of exogenously administered LH-RH was also studied.", "contents": "[Studies on the measurements of LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) by radioimmunoassay (RIA) (author's transl)]. The radioimmunoassay for LH-RH would aid greatly in the assessment of hypothalamic function. The anti-LH-RH was prepared by immunizing rabbits with LH-RH conjugate of BSA. 125I-LH-RH was prepared by the lactoperoxidase method and Sephadex G-10 column chromatography. The double antibody RIA technique was employed. On the assay of biological materials, LH-RH was extracted by methanol because LH-RH was rapidly destroyed in the serum, and this breakdown could not be prevented by benzamidine or 2,3-dimercaptopropranol. Sensitivity of this RIA system ranged from 10 tp 104 pg/ml, and the coefficient of variations of intra- and interassay were 12.9% and 9.% respectively. The serum LH-RH levels of men in a normal gonad state were below 10 pg/ml, and those of women in a normal gonad state in the early follicular or luteal phase were below 50 pg/ml. Whereas those of postmenopausal or castrated women were increased, and were highest in women with several gonadal disturbed states. The disappearance curve of LH-RH in women was characterized by two exponentials, t(1/2) of the initial component was 4.9 min, and that of the second component 24.6 min. Urinary excretion of exogenously administered LH-RH was also studied.", "PMID": 767170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2329", "title": "[Effects of synthetic sex steroids on the pituitary responsiveness to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) (author's transl)].", "content": "Effects of short and long term administrations of an oral contraceptive preparation on the pituitary responses to the synthetic LH-RH were compared in the present experiment. Five normal cycling women were used as controls in the late proliferative phase. Five healty volunteers taking an oral contraceptive agent (1.0 mg norethindrone with 0.05 mg mestranol) for less than 10 cycles were served as short term group and other 4 women taking the same preparation for more than 40 cycles were studied as long term group. Volunteers in each group were kept fasting overnight and 5 ml of blood was drawn at 9 to 10 am on the day of experiment. Ten minutes after drawing blood, 200 mug synthetic LH-RH was injected subcutaneously in the late proliferative phase in the normal cycling women. According to the same procedure, women taking pills were administered LH-RH on the 7th to 12th day after the beginning of taking the first tablet in each cyle. Three ml of blood was taken at 15, 30, 60, 120 minutes and 24 hours, and serum LH and Fsh were determined by the double antibody radioimmunoassay. The 2nd IRP-HMG was used as the standard materials and expressed as mIU/ml of serum. Mean baseline serum LH and FSH concentrations were not suppressed in a short term administration of norethindrone-mestranol combination. Fifteen minutes after the subcutaneous injection of LH-RH, mean LH level was significantly elevated, and thereafter the level was not significantly changed as compared with that seen in the late proliferative phase of the cycle. Concerning the FSH response to LH-RH, a short term administration did not induce a significant rise. ...", "contents": "[Effects of synthetic sex steroids on the pituitary responsiveness to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) (author's transl)]. Effects of short and long term administrations of an oral contraceptive preparation on the pituitary responses to the synthetic LH-RH were compared in the present experiment. Five normal cycling women were used as controls in the late proliferative phase. Five healty volunteers taking an oral contraceptive agent (1.0 mg norethindrone with 0.05 mg mestranol) for less than 10 cycles were served as short term group and other 4 women taking the same preparation for more than 40 cycles were studied as long term group. Volunteers in each group were kept fasting overnight and 5 ml of blood was drawn at 9 to 10 am on the day of experiment. Ten minutes after drawing blood, 200 mug synthetic LH-RH was injected subcutaneously in the late proliferative phase in the normal cycling women. According to the same procedure, women taking pills were administered LH-RH on the 7th to 12th day after the beginning of taking the first tablet in each cyle. Three ml of blood was taken at 15, 30, 60, 120 minutes and 24 hours, and serum LH and Fsh were determined by the double antibody radioimmunoassay. The 2nd IRP-HMG was used as the standard materials and expressed as mIU/ml of serum. Mean baseline serum LH and FSH concentrations were not suppressed in a short term administration of norethindrone-mestranol combination. Fifteen minutes after the subcutaneous injection of LH-RH, mean LH level was significantly elevated, and thereafter the level was not significantly changed as compared with that seen in the late proliferative phase of the cycle. Concerning the FSH response to LH-RH, a short term administration did not induce a significant rise. ...", "PMID": 767171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2330", "title": "Family sizes of children and family sizes of women.", "content": "This paper demonstrates the relation that obtains between the average family size of women and the average family size of offspring of those women. It estimates the value of these two measures for cohorts of American women aged 45-49 in various years from 1890 to 1970. It shows that children born during the post-war baby boom actually derived from smaller families than those born during the low-fertility 1930's; that under current patterns a woman would have to bear an average of almost two children fewer than were borne by her mother merely to keep population fertility rates constant from generation to generation; and that average family size for nonwhite children exceeds that for white by 50 percent, although the racial difference in family sizes of women is only 19 percent.", "contents": "Family sizes of children and family sizes of women. This paper demonstrates the relation that obtains between the average family size of women and the average family size of offspring of those women. It estimates the value of these two measures for cohorts of American women aged 45-49 in various years from 1890 to 1970. It shows that children born during the post-war baby boom actually derived from smaller families than those born during the low-fertility 1930's; that under current patterns a woman would have to bear an average of almost two children fewer than were borne by her mother merely to keep population fertility rates constant from generation to generation; and that average family size for nonwhite children exceeds that for white by 50 percent, although the racial difference in family sizes of women is only 19 percent.", "PMID": 767172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2331", "title": "The United States population by race and urban-rural residence 1790-1860: reference tables.", "content": "The U.S. population by race and urban-rural residence from 1790 to 1860 is presented. The definition of the urban population used is that population residing in incorporated places of 2,500 population or more. The rural population is the residual of the total population minus the urban population, as defined above. The tables provide previously unavailable data on the urban-rural distribution of the black and white populations 1790-1860 and are compatible with data for the total population published by the Census Bureau.", "contents": "The United States population by race and urban-rural residence 1790-1860: reference tables. The U.S. population by race and urban-rural residence from 1790 to 1860 is presented. The definition of the urban population used is that population residing in incorporated places of 2,500 population or more. The rural population is the residual of the total population minus the urban population, as defined above. The tables provide previously unavailable data on the urban-rural distribution of the black and white populations 1790-1860 and are compatible with data for the total population published by the Census Bureau.", "PMID": 767173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2332", "title": "The conservative restoration of class IV and VI defects.", "content": "Success in conservatively restoring Class IV and VI defects depends upon the method of retention and the restorative material chosen to best fulfill the clinical need. This need is determined by the size of the defect and its location in the arch relative to the functional load, age, vanity, and general dental appreciation of the patient.", "contents": "The conservative restoration of class IV and VI defects. Success in conservatively restoring Class IV and VI defects depends upon the method of retention and the restorative material chosen to best fulfill the clinical need. This need is determined by the size of the defect and its location in the arch relative to the functional load, age, vanity, and general dental appreciation of the patient.", "PMID": 767175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2333", "title": "Clinical evaluation of anterior restorative materials.", "content": "There are many materials (metallic and tooth-colored) which can be used to restore lost tooth structure and defects of anterior teeth. Protection of the pulp and periodontium are important considerations in restoring form, function, and smile. None of the present restorative materials is ideal in every respect. By knowing the properties of each material, alterations can be made in the cavity preparation, insertion of materials, and finishing procedures to overcome many weaknesses and enhance the strong qualities. The finest material will fail unless every procedure is carefully planned and executed. Patient cooperation is essential in respect to diet, hygiene, and maintenance recalls. The right combination of these fundamentals will spell \"Happy Dentistry\".", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of anterior restorative materials. There are many materials (metallic and tooth-colored) which can be used to restore lost tooth structure and defects of anterior teeth. Protection of the pulp and periodontium are important considerations in restoring form, function, and smile. None of the present restorative materials is ideal in every respect. By knowing the properties of each material, alterations can be made in the cavity preparation, insertion of materials, and finishing procedures to overcome many weaknesses and enhance the strong qualities. The finest material will fail unless every procedure is carefully planned and executed. Patient cooperation is essential in respect to diet, hygiene, and maintenance recalls. The right combination of these fundamentals will spell \"Happy Dentistry\".", "PMID": 767176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2334", "title": "Nonprecious metal alloys for fixed restorative dentistry.", "content": "Non-noble alloys are available for use in the fabrication of cast restorations. These alloys are not necessarily designed for subsequent application of porcelain. Because they are promoted for use in place of the traditional gold alloys, significant changes in technique and armamentarium are necessary. Casting of acceptable clinical quality can be obtained, but not without additional equipment and personnel training. Obtaining casting of gold alloy quality on a routine basis may not be easily achieved. Casting into detail is possible (see Fig. 5), although greater surface roughness of the casting may be observed with the non-noble alloys. A high polish is possible (Fig. 6), however technicians and clinicians accustomed to and expert in polishing single or multiple gold alloy castings will require time and training to adjust to the somewhat more difficult and time-consuming techniques required in the polishing of non-noble alloys. Well fitting castings of the non-noble alloys require investments capable of greater thermal and/or hygroscopic expansion. The solidification shrinkage in non-noble alloys is greater than that of gold alloys. The clinician may find casting of these alloys to be \"tight-fitting\" on insertion. At present, because additional time and armamentarioum may be required, laboratory fees for the non-noble metal casting may not be any more economical than those of cast gold alloys. Therefore, the clinician and patient may benefit little with regard to reduced fees for restorations constructed of these alloys. In conclusion, the non-noble metals may find increased use in fixed restorative dentistry as expertise develops to the level at which usage of these products becomes routine. These is still considerable clinical information needed as to the durability and corrosion resistance of these alloys. Some work has been work has been done on the corrosion of these alloys, but much data remains to be obtained. Soldering these alloys is difficult and requires training of the technician in the required usage of special solders. The following facts should be considered in casting and finishing non-noble alloys for single and multiple unit casting in dentistry. 1. Silicate or phosphate bonding investments are required. 2. Recognition of proper casting appearance of the molten alloy is essential. 3. Additional armamentarium is required to obtain casting temperatures necessary. 4. Polishing procedures are more laborious and require harder abrasives. 5...", "contents": "Nonprecious metal alloys for fixed restorative dentistry. Non-noble alloys are available for use in the fabrication of cast restorations. These alloys are not necessarily designed for subsequent application of porcelain. Because they are promoted for use in place of the traditional gold alloys, significant changes in technique and armamentarium are necessary. Casting of acceptable clinical quality can be obtained, but not without additional equipment and personnel training. Obtaining casting of gold alloy quality on a routine basis may not be easily achieved. Casting into detail is possible (see Fig. 5), although greater surface roughness of the casting may be observed with the non-noble alloys. A high polish is possible (Fig. 6), however technicians and clinicians accustomed to and expert in polishing single or multiple gold alloy castings will require time and training to adjust to the somewhat more difficult and time-consuming techniques required in the polishing of non-noble alloys. Well fitting castings of the non-noble alloys require investments capable of greater thermal and/or hygroscopic expansion. The solidification shrinkage in non-noble alloys is greater than that of gold alloys. The clinician may find casting of these alloys to be \"tight-fitting\" on insertion. At present, because additional time and armamentarioum may be required, laboratory fees for the non-noble metal casting may not be any more economical than those of cast gold alloys. Therefore, the clinician and patient may benefit little with regard to reduced fees for restorations constructed of these alloys. In conclusion, the non-noble metals may find increased use in fixed restorative dentistry as expertise develops to the level at which usage of these products becomes routine. These is still considerable clinical information needed as to the durability and corrosion resistance of these alloys. Some work has been work has been done on the corrosion of these alloys, but much data remains to be obtained. Soldering these alloys is difficult and requires training of the technician in the required usage of special solders. The following facts should be considered in casting and finishing non-noble alloys for single and multiple unit casting in dentistry. 1. Silicate or phosphate bonding investments are required. 2. Recognition of proper casting appearance of the molten alloy is essential. 3. Additional armamentarium is required to obtain casting temperatures necessary. 4. Polishing procedures are more laborious and require harder abrasives. 5...", "PMID": 767177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2335", "title": "Early behavioral differences: gender or circumcision?", "content": "In human studies, the possible long-term effects on behavior of early physical insult or pharmacological agents have received little attention. We present both circumstantial and direct evidence that circumcision of male infants leads to behavioral changes. In some American studies using circumcised infants, reported gender differences may instead be the result of the altered behavior of circumcised males. We suggest that circumcision requires more study in its own right, and that it requires description if not control in all neonatal and infancy studies.", "contents": "Early behavioral differences: gender or circumcision? In human studies, the possible long-term effects on behavior of early physical insult or pharmacological agents have received little attention. We present both circumstantial and direct evidence that circumcision of male infants leads to behavioral changes. In some American studies using circumcised infants, reported gender differences may instead be the result of the altered behavior of circumcised males. We suggest that circumcision requires more study in its own right, and that it requires description if not control in all neonatal and infancy studies.", "PMID": 767183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2336", "title": "Isotransplantation of organ-cultured neonatal pancreas: reversal of alloxan diabetes in the rat.", "content": "Pancreases from neonatal rats four to 16 days postpartum were grown in organ culture for from two to nine days. Approximately 10-20 explants, each measuring 1 mm.3 (1 mg.), were grown on a single Millipore filter placed at the gas-liquid interface of a medium consisting of 50 per cent horse serum and 50 per cent chick embryo extract. Following organ culture, an estimated 9-20 mg. of cultured islet tissue were dissociated with collagenase and isotransplanted into the peritoneal cavity of alloxan-diabetic recipients. In seven of eight recipients the diabetes was reversed between 11 and 53 days of posttransplantation. Animals receiving 12-16 mg. of cultured islet attained normoglycemia in 11-20 days; animals receiving 9-10 mg. of cultured islet tissue recovered between 45 and 53 days. These animals have remained symptom-free for over six months. Biopsies of grafts taken from the peritoneal cavity following reversal of diabetes contained well-vascularized islets compared primarily of heavily granulated beta cells. Quantitative analysis of host pancreases by the linear scanning method (biopsied at one to two weeks and four to five months following reversal of the diabetes) demonstrated that the total beta-cell mass was 3 per cent and the total insulin content was 6 per cent of the normal values. Little or no evidence of regeneration of host beta cells was observed. These studies show that a period of organ culture prior to isotransplantation does not impair the ability of islet tissue to reverse alloxan diabetes in the rat.", "contents": "Isotransplantation of organ-cultured neonatal pancreas: reversal of alloxan diabetes in the rat. Pancreases from neonatal rats four to 16 days postpartum were grown in organ culture for from two to nine days. Approximately 10-20 explants, each measuring 1 mm.3 (1 mg.), were grown on a single Millipore filter placed at the gas-liquid interface of a medium consisting of 50 per cent horse serum and 50 per cent chick embryo extract. Following organ culture, an estimated 9-20 mg. of cultured islet tissue were dissociated with collagenase and isotransplanted into the peritoneal cavity of alloxan-diabetic recipients. In seven of eight recipients the diabetes was reversed between 11 and 53 days of posttransplantation. Animals receiving 12-16 mg. of cultured islet attained normoglycemia in 11-20 days; animals receiving 9-10 mg. of cultured islet tissue recovered between 45 and 53 days. These animals have remained symptom-free for over six months. Biopsies of grafts taken from the peritoneal cavity following reversal of diabetes contained well-vascularized islets compared primarily of heavily granulated beta cells. Quantitative analysis of host pancreases by the linear scanning method (biopsied at one to two weeks and four to five months following reversal of the diabetes) demonstrated that the total beta-cell mass was 3 per cent and the total insulin content was 6 per cent of the normal values. Little or no evidence of regeneration of host beta cells was observed. These studies show that a period of organ culture prior to isotransplantation does not impair the ability of islet tissue to reverse alloxan diabetes in the rat.", "PMID": 767184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2337", "title": "Inhibition of insulin rlease by scorpion toxin in rat pancreatic islets.", "content": "Toxin purified from venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus was used to release the norepinephrine from adrenergic nerve terminals in isolated pancreatic islets perifused in vitro. Addition of toxin (10 mug./ml) to the perifusion medium caused a sixfold increase in release of norepinephrine in the presence or absence of 3 X 10(-5) M phenoxybenzamine. During 20 minutes of stimulation with toxin, the pancreatic islets released an average of 15 pg. of norepinephrine per islet, which represented 20 per cent of the normal content of norepinephrine in islets. Insulin secretory rates in response to either 1.0 or 3.0 mg./ml. glucose were inhibited similarly by scorpion toxin. Addition of phenoxybenzamine abolished the inhibition of insulin release caused by scorpion toxin. Phenoxybenzamine alone did not affect release of insulin. Neither the enhanced release of norepinephrine nor the decreased release of insulin was reversed by a 20-minute wash-out period after infusion of toxin. These results indicate that the sympathetic nerve terminals in the rat pancreatic islet contain considerable amounts of norepinephrine that can be released by scorpion toxin. The norepinephrine released from sympathetic nerve endings in the pancreatic islet can inhibit release of insulin through an alpha-adrenergic action that is blocked by phenoxybenzamine.", "contents": "Inhibition of insulin rlease by scorpion toxin in rat pancreatic islets. Toxin purified from venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus was used to release the norepinephrine from adrenergic nerve terminals in isolated pancreatic islets perifused in vitro. Addition of toxin (10 mug./ml) to the perifusion medium caused a sixfold increase in release of norepinephrine in the presence or absence of 3 X 10(-5) M phenoxybenzamine. During 20 minutes of stimulation with toxin, the pancreatic islets released an average of 15 pg. of norepinephrine per islet, which represented 20 per cent of the normal content of norepinephrine in islets. Insulin secretory rates in response to either 1.0 or 3.0 mg./ml. glucose were inhibited similarly by scorpion toxin. Addition of phenoxybenzamine abolished the inhibition of insulin release caused by scorpion toxin. Phenoxybenzamine alone did not affect release of insulin. Neither the enhanced release of norepinephrine nor the decreased release of insulin was reversed by a 20-minute wash-out period after infusion of toxin. These results indicate that the sympathetic nerve terminals in the rat pancreatic islet contain considerable amounts of norepinephrine that can be released by scorpion toxin. The norepinephrine released from sympathetic nerve endings in the pancreatic islet can inhibit release of insulin through an alpha-adrenergic action that is blocked by phenoxybenzamine.", "PMID": 767185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2338", "title": "Lymphocytes and the gut.", "content": "An increasing interest is being shown in the physiopathological relationship between lymphocytes and the intestinal tract. The possible importance of immune phenomena in the aetiology of a wide variety of bowel diseases is one reason for the interest. In this review aspects of the morphology, distribution and recirculation of lymphocytes with particular reference to the gut are discussed. Some tentative conclusions of the significance of alterations in disease are made.", "contents": "Lymphocytes and the gut. An increasing interest is being shown in the physiopathological relationship between lymphocytes and the intestinal tract. The possible importance of immune phenomena in the aetiology of a wide variety of bowel diseases is one reason for the interest. In this review aspects of the morphology, distribution and recirculation of lymphocytes with particular reference to the gut are discussed. Some tentative conclusions of the significance of alterations in disease are made.", "PMID": 767186} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2339", "title": "Insulin and the glucose-glucagon feedback mechanism in the duck.", "content": "The relationship between insulin and the glucose-glucagon feedback mechanism was studied by testing the effectiveness of various routes, doses and timing of insulin administration prior to and during a glucose tolerance test in Peking ducks made transiently diabetic by subtotal pancreatectomy. Insulin injections or infusions given either before, or only during the glucose load, did not restore the A-cell response to glucose. Yet, if given both before and during the glucose test, in conditions which mimic the physiological basal insulin level and its variations (with, initially, intramuscular injections of 0.2 IU/kg and 8 mug/kg glucagon, every six hours, and then an intravenous injection of 3.6 mU/kg plus an infusion of 0.9 mU/kg/minute for one hour), the normal glucagon response to glucose was re-established. Insulin must therefore be present, both before and during glucose stimulation, for glucose to be effective as an A-cell suppressor.", "contents": "Insulin and the glucose-glucagon feedback mechanism in the duck. The relationship between insulin and the glucose-glucagon feedback mechanism was studied by testing the effectiveness of various routes, doses and timing of insulin administration prior to and during a glucose tolerance test in Peking ducks made transiently diabetic by subtotal pancreatectomy. Insulin injections or infusions given either before, or only during the glucose load, did not restore the A-cell response to glucose. Yet, if given both before and during the glucose test, in conditions which mimic the physiological basal insulin level and its variations (with, initially, intramuscular injections of 0.2 IU/kg and 8 mug/kg glucagon, every six hours, and then an intravenous injection of 3.6 mU/kg plus an infusion of 0.9 mU/kg/minute for one hour), the normal glucagon response to glucose was re-established. Insulin must therefore be present, both before and during glucose stimulation, for glucose to be effective as an A-cell suppressor.", "PMID": 767188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2340", "title": "Search for a biochemical basis of diabetic microangiopathy.", "content": "Diabetic microangiopathy, particularly as seen in the renal glomerulus, is characterized by morphological and biochemical alterations of the capillary basement membrane. Observations from a number of disciplines have indicated that the microvascular disease is not a separately inherited entity but a true consequence or \"complication\" of insulin deficiency. An evaluation of the biochemical events which could be responsible for the basement membrane lesions of diabetes indicates that the hyperglycemia or plasma somatotropin elevation of this disease alone, or in combination, may play an important role.", "contents": "Search for a biochemical basis of diabetic microangiopathy. Diabetic microangiopathy, particularly as seen in the renal glomerulus, is characterized by morphological and biochemical alterations of the capillary basement membrane. Observations from a number of disciplines have indicated that the microvascular disease is not a separately inherited entity but a true consequence or \"complication\" of insulin deficiency. An evaluation of the biochemical events which could be responsible for the basement membrane lesions of diabetes indicates that the hyperglycemia or plasma somatotropin elevation of this disease alone, or in combination, may play an important role.", "PMID": 767187} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2341", "title": "Effects of intermittent hypoglycaemia in pregnant rats on the functional development of the pancreatic B-cells of their offspring.", "content": "Intermittent hypoglycaemia was induced by insulin injections into pregnant rats. At birth, the pups body weight and pancreatic insulin content were slightly but significantly decreased. In contrast, the B-cells of these newborn rats responded more markedly to a glucose challenge than the controls. The pancreases of the insulin injected rats were grearly depleted of insulin, possibly because of feedback inhibition of insulin synthesis by exogenous insulin. This inhibitory effect was restricted to the mother since the injected insulin did not cross the placental barrier. It is proposed that the nutrient supply to the fetus influenced body growth and pancreatic insulin accumulation whereas blood glucose variations, even intermittent hypoglycaemia, promoted precocious maturation of the B-cell glucoreceptor system.", "contents": "Effects of intermittent hypoglycaemia in pregnant rats on the functional development of the pancreatic B-cells of their offspring. Intermittent hypoglycaemia was induced by insulin injections into pregnant rats. At birth, the pups body weight and pancreatic insulin content were slightly but significantly decreased. In contrast, the B-cells of these newborn rats responded more markedly to a glucose challenge than the controls. The pancreases of the insulin injected rats were grearly depleted of insulin, possibly because of feedback inhibition of insulin synthesis by exogenous insulin. This inhibitory effect was restricted to the mother since the injected insulin did not cross the placental barrier. It is proposed that the nutrient supply to the fetus influenced body growth and pancreatic insulin accumulation whereas blood glucose variations, even intermittent hypoglycaemia, promoted precocious maturation of the B-cell glucoreceptor system.", "PMID": 767189} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2342", "title": "Calcium-antagonists and islet function. IV. Effect of D600.", "content": "D600 (2 to 20 muM; alpha-isopropyl-alpha [(N-methyl-N-homoveratril)-gamma-aminopropyl]-3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-acetonitril) caused a dose-related, rapid and reversible inhibition of glucose-induced insulin release. It also suppressed the insulinotropic action of a sulphonylurea but failed to affect the enhancing action of theophylline upon glucose-induced release. The inhibitory effect of D600 was enhanced at low extracellular Ca2+ concentration. D600 reduced both basal and glucose-stimulated 45calcium net uptake, whilst failing to affect the efflux of 45calcium from perifused islets. The recognition of glucose by the B-cell was also unaffected by D600 as judged by the effect of the sugar upon both 45calcium efflux and net uptake in the isolated islets. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that the primary mode of action of D600 is to inhibit Ca2+ entry in the B-cell.", "contents": "Calcium-antagonists and islet function. IV. Effect of D600. D600 (2 to 20 muM; alpha-isopropyl-alpha [(N-methyl-N-homoveratril)-gamma-aminopropyl]-3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-acetonitril) caused a dose-related, rapid and reversible inhibition of glucose-induced insulin release. It also suppressed the insulinotropic action of a sulphonylurea but failed to affect the enhancing action of theophylline upon glucose-induced release. The inhibitory effect of D600 was enhanced at low extracellular Ca2+ concentration. D600 reduced both basal and glucose-stimulated 45calcium net uptake, whilst failing to affect the efflux of 45calcium from perifused islets. The recognition of glucose by the B-cell was also unaffected by D600 as judged by the effect of the sugar upon both 45calcium efflux and net uptake in the isolated islets. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that the primary mode of action of D600 is to inhibit Ca2+ entry in the B-cell.", "PMID": 767190} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2343", "title": "Mutagenicity of 5-nitroacenaphthene in salmonella.", "content": "5-Nitroacenaphthene was proved to be mutagenic on TA100 and TA98 of Salmonella typhimurium with or without metabolic activation by S-9 Mix. A possible metabolite, 5-hydroxyacenaphthene, carcinogenicity of which had not been observed, was non-mutagenic on TA100 and TA98, with or without metabolic activation.", "contents": "Mutagenicity of 5-nitroacenaphthene in salmonella. 5-Nitroacenaphthene was proved to be mutagenic on TA100 and TA98 of Salmonella typhimurium with or without metabolic activation by S-9 Mix. A possible metabolite, 5-hydroxyacenaphthene, carcinogenicity of which had not been observed, was non-mutagenic on TA100 and TA98, with or without metabolic activation.", "PMID": 767193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2344", "title": "The effect of oral and intravenous metoclopramide on human lower esophageal sphincter pressure.", "content": "Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was evaluated in response to oral or intravenous metoclopramide in normal subjects and in patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. Both the oral and intravenous administration of metoclopramide gave a dose-related increase in LES pressure. Complete dose-response curves to the oral compound showed greater absolute responsiveness in normals as compared to patients with LES incompetence. The generally accepted oral dose of 10.0 mg of metoclopramide gave a slight increase in LES pressure which was not consistent in all symptomatic patients. These studies suggest that higher doses of metoclopramide may be required for treating symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux secondary to LES incompetence.", "contents": "The effect of oral and intravenous metoclopramide on human lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was evaluated in response to oral or intravenous metoclopramide in normal subjects and in patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. Both the oral and intravenous administration of metoclopramide gave a dose-related increase in LES pressure. Complete dose-response curves to the oral compound showed greater absolute responsiveness in normals as compared to patients with LES incompetence. The generally accepted oral dose of 10.0 mg of metoclopramide gave a slight increase in LES pressure which was not consistent in all symptomatic patients. These studies suggest that higher doses of metoclopramide may be required for treating symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux secondary to LES incompetence.", "PMID": 767194} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2345", "title": "Immunohistochemical identification of the cholecystokinin cell in the intestinal mucosa.", "content": "In indirect immunofluorescence tests, antibodies against pure porcine cholecystokinin (CCK) have detected specific CCK cells in the duodenal and jejunal mucosa of the dog and man. The CCK cells were scattered in the epithelium of the crypts, although some were in the villi. No CCK cells were found in the stomach, pancreas, terminal ileum, or colon. Some pyloric G cells also showed some reactivity with CCK antiserum, but absorption of CCK antiserum with gastrin C terminal pentapeptide prevented the staining of pyloric cells and provided specific staining of intestinal CCK cells. Anti-human gastrin I serum stained some intestinal cells too. Most of such cells did not react when gastrin antiserum was absorbed with pure CCK (a treatment that did not prevent the staining of pyloric gastrin cells); they were interpreted as cross-reacting CCK cells rather than as intestinal gastrin cells.", "contents": "Immunohistochemical identification of the cholecystokinin cell in the intestinal mucosa. In indirect immunofluorescence tests, antibodies against pure porcine cholecystokinin (CCK) have detected specific CCK cells in the duodenal and jejunal mucosa of the dog and man. The CCK cells were scattered in the epithelium of the crypts, although some were in the villi. No CCK cells were found in the stomach, pancreas, terminal ileum, or colon. Some pyloric G cells also showed some reactivity with CCK antiserum, but absorption of CCK antiserum with gastrin C terminal pentapeptide prevented the staining of pyloric cells and provided specific staining of intestinal CCK cells. Anti-human gastrin I serum stained some intestinal cells too. Most of such cells did not react when gastrin antiserum was absorbed with pure CCK (a treatment that did not prevent the staining of pyloric gastrin cells); they were interpreted as cross-reacting CCK cells rather than as intestinal gastrin cells.", "PMID": 767195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2346", "title": "The use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of gastroenterological disease.", "content": "Ultrasound is high frequency mechanical vibration. As far as is presently known, there are no harmful effects of ultrasound at the energy levels used in currently available commercial ultrasonic scanners. Ultrasonic studies are independent of organ function, are painless, and require nor special preparation. Ultrasonic scanning is useful in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease, especially in the detection of complications of pancreatitis such as pancreatic abscess or pseudocyst, and in diagnosing pancreatic carcinoma. Gallstones and dilation of the biliary tree can be detected ultrasonically even when the patient is jaundiced. Primary liver tumors and hepatic metastases can often be demonstrated. Intraabdominal abscesses are better investigated by ultrasound than by any other means currently available. Ultrasonic scanning also provides a sensitive means of detecting ascites. Ultrasonic control of needle placement has been suggested for pancreatic and liver biopsy, for aspiration of intraabdominal fluid collections, and for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. Ultrasonic B-mode scans provide undistorted images of cross sections through the abdomen which can be used in radiotherapy planning to localize tumor masses and to place kidney shields accurately. Organ volumes can be estimated from a set of ultrasonic B-mode scans without any assumptions being made as to the shape of the organ.", "contents": "The use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of gastroenterological disease. Ultrasound is high frequency mechanical vibration. As far as is presently known, there are no harmful effects of ultrasound at the energy levels used in currently available commercial ultrasonic scanners. Ultrasonic studies are independent of organ function, are painless, and require nor special preparation. Ultrasonic scanning is useful in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease, especially in the detection of complications of pancreatitis such as pancreatic abscess or pseudocyst, and in diagnosing pancreatic carcinoma. Gallstones and dilation of the biliary tree can be detected ultrasonically even when the patient is jaundiced. Primary liver tumors and hepatic metastases can often be demonstrated. Intraabdominal abscesses are better investigated by ultrasound than by any other means currently available. Ultrasonic scanning also provides a sensitive means of detecting ascites. Ultrasonic control of needle placement has been suggested for pancreatic and liver biopsy, for aspiration of intraabdominal fluid collections, and for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. Ultrasonic B-mode scans provide undistorted images of cross sections through the abdomen which can be used in radiotherapy planning to localize tumor masses and to place kidney shields accurately. Organ volumes can be estimated from a set of ultrasonic B-mode scans without any assumptions being made as to the shape of the organ.", "PMID": 767196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2347", "title": "The current status of alpha-1-antityrpsin, a protease inhibitor, in gastrointestinal disease.", "content": "Extremely deficient levels of alpha-1-antitrypsin (ALPHA1AT) predispose such deficient individuals to the development of emphysema and cirrhosis. Protease inhibitor (Pi) typing has clarified that the inherited deficiency is codominant. A glycoprotein with antigenic characteristics of alpha1AT is found in the endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocytes of individuals with PiZ phenotype. No therapy is available except liver transplantation. Although biochemical advances in defining the nature of alpha1AT deficiency are progressing, the pathogenesis of the liver disease remains an enigma.", "contents": "The current status of alpha-1-antityrpsin, a protease inhibitor, in gastrointestinal disease. Extremely deficient levels of alpha-1-antitrypsin (ALPHA1AT) predispose such deficient individuals to the development of emphysema and cirrhosis. Protease inhibitor (Pi) typing has clarified that the inherited deficiency is codominant. A glycoprotein with antigenic characteristics of alpha1AT is found in the endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocytes of individuals with PiZ phenotype. No therapy is available except liver transplantation. Although biochemical advances in defining the nature of alpha1AT deficiency are progressing, the pathogenesis of the liver disease remains an enigma.", "PMID": 767197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2348", "title": "[Competence in Escherichia coli cells. III. Formation of competent states in Escherichia coli X7026 and Escherichia coli Hfr H cells during storage in different conditions].", "content": "The competence formation in 2 strains of Escherichia coli X7026 and Hfr H to isolated phage gamma DNA after the prolonged treatment of cells with Ca++ ions at low temperatures was investigated. In both strains studied the sensitivity of cells to phage lambda DNA increased during several days of maintenance at 4 degrees C in 0.2 M CaCl2, and reached the maximal value in 24-48 hours for E. coli Hfr H cells, and in 72-96 hours for E. coli X7026 cells. Cells maintained in CaCl2 for 24 hours and more interacted more effectively with DNA in the cold, and didn't need Ca++ ions at the last stage of transfection (incubation of the infectious mixture at 37 degrees C) as the freshly grown cells did. Variations induced in the cells after the prolonged action Ca++ ions were preserved only in the presence of CaCl2. After the washing of CaCl2 from the cells with 0.15 M NaCl they returned to the initial state. The competence formation in cells of E. coli X7026 under the effect of Ca++ ions was going on more actively when the cells were preliminary incubated for several days at 4 degrees C in the absence of CaCl2. E. coli Hfr H cells were resistant to this treatment.", "contents": "[Competence in Escherichia coli cells. III. Formation of competent states in Escherichia coli X7026 and Escherichia coli Hfr H cells during storage in different conditions]. The competence formation in 2 strains of Escherichia coli X7026 and Hfr H to isolated phage gamma DNA after the prolonged treatment of cells with Ca++ ions at low temperatures was investigated. In both strains studied the sensitivity of cells to phage lambda DNA increased during several days of maintenance at 4 degrees C in 0.2 M CaCl2, and reached the maximal value in 24-48 hours for E. coli Hfr H cells, and in 72-96 hours for E. coli X7026 cells. Cells maintained in CaCl2 for 24 hours and more interacted more effectively with DNA in the cold, and didn't need Ca++ ions at the last stage of transfection (incubation of the infectious mixture at 37 degrees C) as the freshly grown cells did. Variations induced in the cells after the prolonged action Ca++ ions were preserved only in the presence of CaCl2. After the washing of CaCl2 from the cells with 0.15 M NaCl they returned to the initial state. The competence formation in cells of E. coli X7026 under the effect of Ca++ ions was going on more actively when the cells were preliminary incubated for several days at 4 degrees C in the absence of CaCl2. E. coli Hfr H cells were resistant to this treatment.", "PMID": 767199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2349", "title": "[New type of mitochondrial mutation in yeasts--temperature-dependent mitochondrial mutations resistant to antibiotics].", "content": "Mitochondrial mutants of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae XII race resistant to erythromycin, neomycin and monomycin were used in the experiments. It is found that there are mitochondrial mutants resistant to antibiotics at 30 degrees C, but sensitive at 37 degrees C. In most cases the sensitivity to antibiotics was accompanied by a loss of the ability to growth on non-fermental carbon sources at the elevated temperature (37 degrees C). The genetic analysis revealed the extra-chromosomal inheritance of the markers. Probable interpretation of this phenomenon is discussed.", "contents": "[New type of mitochondrial mutation in yeasts--temperature-dependent mitochondrial mutations resistant to antibiotics]. Mitochondrial mutants of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae XII race resistant to erythromycin, neomycin and monomycin were used in the experiments. It is found that there are mitochondrial mutants resistant to antibiotics at 30 degrees C, but sensitive at 37 degrees C. In most cases the sensitivity to antibiotics was accompanied by a loss of the ability to growth on non-fermental carbon sources at the elevated temperature (37 degrees C). The genetic analysis revealed the extra-chromosomal inheritance of the markers. Probable interpretation of this phenomenon is discussed.", "PMID": 767200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2350", "title": "[Ploidy and liquid-holding recovery in yeasts sensitive to radiation and nitrous acid].", "content": "The effects of genome ploidy and posttreatment incubation on inactivation by nitrous acid (NA) were studied in normal, radio- and nitrous acid-sensitive strains of yeast. In normal yeast cells the increase of ploidy (haploid to triploid) resulted in \"the protective effect\", i.e. haploid cells were the most sensitive, triploid -- the most resistant. This \"protective effect\" is absent in polyploid yeast homozygous for the xrs1-5 (rad 54) mutation; in this case the NA-sensitivity rises with the increase of ploidy, i.e. haploid cells are the most resistant ones. The effect of liquid holding (LH) after the NA treatment depends on the genetic background and ploidy of treated cells. Posttreatment incubation in buffer has practically no effect on the survival of wild-type Berkeley's yeast strains (1n, 2n, 3n). The highly homozygous haploid strains from Zakharov' collection, both wild type and xrs1-5 mutant, exhibit no LH-recovery too. However the death of wild-type cells drastically rises in LH-condition as the ploidy increases. 24 hours incubation in buffer results in at least a ten-fold decrease in survival of wild type 2n, 3n, 4n cells. The loss of viability is proportional to the time of incubation, but the cell titer being constant. The strains (2n, 3n, 4n) homozygous for the xrs1-5 mutation (rad 54) show considerable LH-recovery. It is supposed that the xrs1-5 mutation results in the derepression of the prereplicative pathway of LH-recovery which eliminates the NA-INDUCED DAMAGE OF DNA.", "contents": "[Ploidy and liquid-holding recovery in yeasts sensitive to radiation and nitrous acid]. The effects of genome ploidy and posttreatment incubation on inactivation by nitrous acid (NA) were studied in normal, radio- and nitrous acid-sensitive strains of yeast. In normal yeast cells the increase of ploidy (haploid to triploid) resulted in \"the protective effect\", i.e. haploid cells were the most sensitive, triploid -- the most resistant. This \"protective effect\" is absent in polyploid yeast homozygous for the xrs1-5 (rad 54) mutation; in this case the NA-sensitivity rises with the increase of ploidy, i.e. haploid cells are the most resistant ones. The effect of liquid holding (LH) after the NA treatment depends on the genetic background and ploidy of treated cells. Posttreatment incubation in buffer has practically no effect on the survival of wild-type Berkeley's yeast strains (1n, 2n, 3n). The highly homozygous haploid strains from Zakharov' collection, both wild type and xrs1-5 mutant, exhibit no LH-recovery too. However the death of wild-type cells drastically rises in LH-condition as the ploidy increases. 24 hours incubation in buffer results in at least a ten-fold decrease in survival of wild type 2n, 3n, 4n cells. The loss of viability is proportional to the time of incubation, but the cell titer being constant. The strains (2n, 3n, 4n) homozygous for the xrs1-5 mutation (rad 54) show considerable LH-recovery. It is supposed that the xrs1-5 mutation results in the derepression of the prereplicative pathway of LH-recovery which eliminates the NA-INDUCED DAMAGE OF DNA.", "PMID": 767201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2351", "title": "[Effect of restricting the action of an amber-mutation suppressor contained in bacteriophage T4 genome].", "content": "The action of a bacteriophage suppressor can be restricted due to mutations arising in the genome of the host bacteria. Bacterial strains Escherichia coli BN and CAN were isolated in which a complete restriction of the action of phage suppressor psu+ took place. In thees strains obtained the restriction of serin-specific phage suppressors psu + a and psu + b is brought about. The action of bacteriophage suppressor su3+ containing in E. coli CAN is not abolished in this strain. The abolish of the action of glutamine-specific phage suppressor in both strains is not realized. Thus, in bacterial strains of E. coli BN and CAN the restriction of action of only definite tRNA type takes place. Mutation alterations in the bacterial strains obtained can be due to the change of 1) ribosomes, 2) aminoacyl-tRNA-synthetase, 3) suppressor tRNA. In this case the possibility of mutation alterations in the gene controlling the synthesis of suppressor tRNA is excluded, but there is a possibility of changing the tRNA molecule itself during maturation.", "contents": "[Effect of restricting the action of an amber-mutation suppressor contained in bacteriophage T4 genome]. The action of a bacteriophage suppressor can be restricted due to mutations arising in the genome of the host bacteria. Bacterial strains Escherichia coli BN and CAN were isolated in which a complete restriction of the action of phage suppressor psu+ took place. In thees strains obtained the restriction of serin-specific phage suppressors psu + a and psu + b is brought about. The action of bacteriophage suppressor su3+ containing in E. coli CAN is not abolished in this strain. The abolish of the action of glutamine-specific phage suppressor in both strains is not realized. Thus, in bacterial strains of E. coli BN and CAN the restriction of action of only definite tRNA type takes place. Mutation alterations in the bacterial strains obtained can be due to the change of 1) ribosomes, 2) aminoacyl-tRNA-synthetase, 3) suppressor tRNA. In this case the possibility of mutation alterations in the gene controlling the synthesis of suppressor tRNA is excluded, but there is a possibility of changing the tRNA molecule itself during maturation.", "PMID": 767202} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2352", "title": "[Single-parent inheritance of mitochondrial mutations resistant to tetracycline in Saccharomyces cerevisiae].", "content": "The mitochondrial mutation of the resistance to tetracycline (Tr) is shown to have one-parent inheritance. The polarity of recombination between the gene Tr and other mitochondrial mutations also depends on the alleles controlling the mating type as well as in another nuclear gene i, suppressing Tr-resistance. The \"arrest\" of Tr-transmission in alpha-haploid or in a haploid with gene-suppressor induces the process of mitochondrial recombination.", "contents": "[Single-parent inheritance of mitochondrial mutations resistant to tetracycline in Saccharomyces cerevisiae]. The mitochondrial mutation of the resistance to tetracycline (Tr) is shown to have one-parent inheritance. The polarity of recombination between the gene Tr and other mitochondrial mutations also depends on the alleles controlling the mating type as well as in another nuclear gene i, suppressing Tr-resistance. The \"arrest\" of Tr-transmission in alpha-haploid or in a haploid with gene-suppressor induces the process of mitochondrial recombination.", "PMID": 767203} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2353", "title": "[Disbalance in the rates of DNA and protein syntheses, occurrence of DNA breaks and viability of cells of rec+-, recA-- and recB--strains of Escherichia coli K-12].", "content": "The relationship between the disturbance of the velocity balance (disbalance) of DNA and protein syntheses, the beginning of DNA single-stranded breaks (SB) and their reparation in recA, recB mutants and wild type cells (rec+) is studied. It is found that a strong disbalance of the aforementioned syntheses results in SB of DNA, which are responsible for the death of the cells. The elimination of the disbalance by a balanced inhibition of DNA and protein syntheses contributes to the SB reparation and prevents the cells from the death.", "contents": "[Disbalance in the rates of DNA and protein syntheses, occurrence of DNA breaks and viability of cells of rec+-, recA-- and recB--strains of Escherichia coli K-12]. The relationship between the disturbance of the velocity balance (disbalance) of DNA and protein syntheses, the beginning of DNA single-stranded breaks (SB) and their reparation in recA, recB mutants and wild type cells (rec+) is studied. It is found that a strong disbalance of the aforementioned syntheses results in SB of DNA, which are responsible for the death of the cells. The elimination of the disbalance by a balanced inhibition of DNA and protein syntheses contributes to the SB reparation and prevents the cells from the death.", "PMID": 767204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2354", "title": "[Reversion induction in phage T4 mutants in Escherichia coli strains with defective RNA polymerase].", "content": "The reversion induction in mutants of phage T4 under the effect of base analogues in RNA-polymerase Escherichia coli mutants is studied. In double mutant E. coli rif-r stl-r strain phage T4 mutates several times more frequently than in the parental strain of E. coli RFS-522, containing an intact enzyme.", "contents": "[Reversion induction in phage T4 mutants in Escherichia coli strains with defective RNA polymerase]. The reversion induction in mutants of phage T4 under the effect of base analogues in RNA-polymerase Escherichia coli mutants is studied. In double mutant E. coli rif-r stl-r strain phage T4 mutates several times more frequently than in the parental strain of E. coli RFS-522, containing an intact enzyme.", "PMID": 767205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2355", "title": "[Induced and spontaneous mutagenesis in phage T4 in Escherichia coli strains with mutant RNA polymerase].", "content": "Study was made of the frequency of induced and spontaneous mutations in phage T4 in RNA polymerase Escherichia coli strains. It has been shown that the rate of induced mutagenesis by base analogues increases in two rUV-mutants of phage T4 carrying mutations of the transition type, unlike the frameshift mutant which does not revert under these conditions. An increase in the level of spontaneous mutations in the phage is also found when RNA polymerase mutations are introduced into the system. The influence of mutant RNA polymerase on the mutation process is specific as no alteration of the recombination process in phage T4 has been found in E. coli strains with mutant RNA polymerase.", "contents": "[Induced and spontaneous mutagenesis in phage T4 in Escherichia coli strains with mutant RNA polymerase]. Study was made of the frequency of induced and spontaneous mutations in phage T4 in RNA polymerase Escherichia coli strains. It has been shown that the rate of induced mutagenesis by base analogues increases in two rUV-mutants of phage T4 carrying mutations of the transition type, unlike the frameshift mutant which does not revert under these conditions. An increase in the level of spontaneous mutations in the phage is also found when RNA polymerase mutations are introduced into the system. The influence of mutant RNA polymerase on the mutation process is specific as no alteration of the recombination process in phage T4 has been found in E. coli strains with mutant RNA polymerase.", "PMID": 767206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2356", "title": "[Immunogenetic analysis of the localization of the Y-factor in the mouse genome. I. Study of interspecific F1 hybrids].", "content": "Immunogenetic analysis of Y-factor localization in mouse genome was carried out by means of skin grafts. The data obtained indicate to autosomal localization of Y-factor rather than Y-linked one. This leads to the conclusion that Y-factor is a sex-influenced factor, but not a sex-linked one. If the hypothesis about Y-factor localization in Y-chromosome is accepted, this gene will be identical in CGA and C57B1/6 strains and the variety of reactions, caused by T-antigen, will be determined by the genetical constitution of the male donors and the female recipients.", "contents": "[Immunogenetic analysis of the localization of the Y-factor in the mouse genome. I. Study of interspecific F1 hybrids]. Immunogenetic analysis of Y-factor localization in mouse genome was carried out by means of skin grafts. The data obtained indicate to autosomal localization of Y-factor rather than Y-linked one. This leads to the conclusion that Y-factor is a sex-influenced factor, but not a sex-linked one. If the hypothesis about Y-factor localization in Y-chromosome is accepted, this gene will be identical in CGA and C57B1/6 strains and the variety of reactions, caused by T-antigen, will be determined by the genetical constitution of the male donors and the female recipients.", "PMID": 767207} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2357", "title": "[Effect of mammalian and Escherichia coli DNA on rat somatic cell chromosomes].", "content": "High-polymer DNA isolated from mammalian lymphoid tissues (rat spleen, calf thymus) and from Escherichia coli increases the frequency of quantitative lesions in bone marrow cells of normal Wistar rats. The highest percentage of aberrant metaphases was revealed 24 hours after the injection of mammalian DNA, the frequency of aberrations being 9 times higher than the control values after the injection of heterologous DNA and 6 times higher-after the injection of homologous DNA. The effect observed was not a prolonged one, and 72 hours following the DNA injection the numbers of aberrant cells decreased to the control level. The maximal frequency of aberrations in bone marrow cells of rats treated with bacterial DNA was found 72 hours after the injection, when a 4-fold increase above the spontaneous aberration level was observed. Definite differences in the character of structural changes of chromosomes induced by DNA of different origin were revealed. Mammalian DNA injected produced the chromatid-type aberrations only. The injection of bacterial DNA led to the formation of both chromatid and chromosome aberrations. Possible mechanisms of the increase of chromosome aberration frequency in rat somatic cells under the action of high-polymer DNA of different origin are discussed.", "contents": "[Effect of mammalian and Escherichia coli DNA on rat somatic cell chromosomes]. High-polymer DNA isolated from mammalian lymphoid tissues (rat spleen, calf thymus) and from Escherichia coli increases the frequency of quantitative lesions in bone marrow cells of normal Wistar rats. The highest percentage of aberrant metaphases was revealed 24 hours after the injection of mammalian DNA, the frequency of aberrations being 9 times higher than the control values after the injection of heterologous DNA and 6 times higher-after the injection of homologous DNA. The effect observed was not a prolonged one, and 72 hours following the DNA injection the numbers of aberrant cells decreased to the control level. The maximal frequency of aberrations in bone marrow cells of rats treated with bacterial DNA was found 72 hours after the injection, when a 4-fold increase above the spontaneous aberration level was observed. Definite differences in the character of structural changes of chromosomes induced by DNA of different origin were revealed. Mammalian DNA injected produced the chromatid-type aberrations only. The injection of bacterial DNA led to the formation of both chromatid and chromosome aberrations. Possible mechanisms of the increase of chromosome aberration frequency in rat somatic cells under the action of high-polymer DNA of different origin are discussed.", "PMID": 767208} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2358", "title": "[Genetic-biochemical study of acid phosphatases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts. IV. Genetic control of acid phosphatase II activity].", "content": "Genetic control of exocellular acid phosphatase of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (acph 2) is studied. 64 mutants with the impaired activity of acid phosphatase have been obtained by UV-irradiation. All the mutations have been distributed among 4 genes: ACP1, ACP2, ACP3, ACP4 using functional and recombinational tests for allelism. It is shown that mutations in genes ACP1--ACP3 are recessive, but in the gene ACP4--dominant. The gene ACP4 is found to be located 0.41+/-0.064 in strains from centromere and to have no linkage with ACP1. Possible functions of genes studied are under discussion.", "contents": "[Genetic-biochemical study of acid phosphatases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts. IV. Genetic control of acid phosphatase II activity]. Genetic control of exocellular acid phosphatase of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (acph 2) is studied. 64 mutants with the impaired activity of acid phosphatase have been obtained by UV-irradiation. All the mutations have been distributed among 4 genes: ACP1, ACP2, ACP3, ACP4 using functional and recombinational tests for allelism. It is shown that mutations in genes ACP1--ACP3 are recessive, but in the gene ACP4--dominant. The gene ACP4 is found to be located 0.41+/-0.064 in strains from centromere and to have no linkage with ACP1. Possible functions of genes studied are under discussion.", "PMID": 767209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2359", "title": "[Mechanism of conjugation in Escherichia coli K-12. IV. Conjugation in conditions of phenotypic suppression of gene dnaB mutation].", "content": "The thermosensitive mutation BT43 in the gene dnaB is a missence mutation affecting the vegetative and conjugational DNA synthesis. By means of the increase of ionic strength (NaCl concentration) in the medium the functional activity of the dnaB product is partially restored in non-permissive conditions. In these conditions a rescue of recombinant yield is observed. But the mechanism of recombination is switched from one-stranded to double-stranded. This is demonstrated by the alteration of the degree of linkage of genetically close markers.", "contents": "[Mechanism of conjugation in Escherichia coli K-12. IV. Conjugation in conditions of phenotypic suppression of gene dnaB mutation]. The thermosensitive mutation BT43 in the gene dnaB is a missence mutation affecting the vegetative and conjugational DNA synthesis. By means of the increase of ionic strength (NaCl concentration) in the medium the functional activity of the dnaB product is partially restored in non-permissive conditions. In these conditions a rescue of recombinant yield is observed. But the mechanism of recombination is switched from one-stranded to double-stranded. This is demonstrated by the alteration of the degree of linkage of genetically close markers.", "PMID": 767210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2360", "title": "[Nuclear suppression of a mitonchondrial mutation of tetracycline resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae].", "content": "Nuclear suppression of the mitochondrial mutation of tetracycline resistance (Tr) is found. The suppressor mutation (i) is monogenous and recessive. Besides phenotypical suppression of mitochondrial resistance to tetracycline, it causes \"the arrest\" of the Tr plasmagene transmission. The effect of the suppressor is specific.", "contents": "[Nuclear suppression of a mitonchondrial mutation of tetracycline resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae]. Nuclear suppression of the mitochondrial mutation of tetracycline resistance (Tr) is found. The suppressor mutation (i) is monogenous and recessive. Besides phenotypical suppression of mitochondrial resistance to tetracycline, it causes \"the arrest\" of the Tr plasmagene transmission. The effect of the suppressor is specific.", "PMID": 767211} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2361", "title": "[Base pair substitutions induced by Escherichia coli K-12 mutator gene prv].", "content": "Using the trpA system of Yanofsky, it is shown that the mutator gene prv of Escherichia coli K-12 induces transitions in both directions (A:T in equilibrium G:C), and not A:T leads to leads to C:G and C:G leads to A:T transversions. The prv1 mutation was found to be recessive in prv+/prv1 merodiploid.", "contents": "[Base pair substitutions induced by Escherichia coli K-12 mutator gene prv]. Using the trpA system of Yanofsky, it is shown that the mutator gene prv of Escherichia coli K-12 induces transitions in both directions (A:T in equilibrium G:C), and not A:T leads to leads to C:G and C:G leads to A:T transversions. The prv1 mutation was found to be recessive in prv+/prv1 merodiploid.", "PMID": 767212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2362", "title": "[Mitochondrial marker recombination in yeasts. II. Crosses of isochromosomal and anisomitochondrial strains].", "content": "Mitochondrial markers of resistance to antibiotics erythromycin and neomycin were used to study mitochondrial recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae bifactorial crosses both in cis and trans configurations of markers. The following parameters of mitochondrial recombination have been examined: a) the asymmetrical transmission of parental classes, b) the frequency and the polarity of recombination and c) the effect of cell mating type on above listed parameters. The counting of results was carried out among random samples of zygotic diploid daughter colonies. The data obtained revealed the following features of mitochondrial recombination: 1. The origin of mitochondria controls all the parameters of mitochondrial recombination. 2. There are discovered two classes of mitochondrial crosses in relation to the polarity of recombination--a) a low polarity as \"homosexual\" (with types of mitochondria omega- X omega-) and b) a high polarity crosses as (heterosexual) (omega+ X omega+) 3. The linear arrangement of mitochondrial markers of the resistance to erythromycin and neomycin in relation to omega factor is suggested as omega-N-E. 4. The effect of cell mating type on the asymmetrical transmission of parental classes, frequency and polarity of recombination is established. 5. A new class of mitochondria is discovered that can transmit (or recombinate) with very high efficiency by ER-markers, but cannot transmit (or recombinate with) NR-markers.", "contents": "[Mitochondrial marker recombination in yeasts. II. Crosses of isochromosomal and anisomitochondrial strains]. Mitochondrial markers of resistance to antibiotics erythromycin and neomycin were used to study mitochondrial recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae bifactorial crosses both in cis and trans configurations of markers. The following parameters of mitochondrial recombination have been examined: a) the asymmetrical transmission of parental classes, b) the frequency and the polarity of recombination and c) the effect of cell mating type on above listed parameters. The counting of results was carried out among random samples of zygotic diploid daughter colonies. The data obtained revealed the following features of mitochondrial recombination: 1. The origin of mitochondria controls all the parameters of mitochondrial recombination. 2. There are discovered two classes of mitochondrial crosses in relation to the polarity of recombination--a) a low polarity as \"homosexual\" (with types of mitochondria omega- X omega-) and b) a high polarity crosses as (heterosexual) (omega+ X omega+) 3. The linear arrangement of mitochondrial markers of the resistance to erythromycin and neomycin in relation to omega factor is suggested as omega-N-E. 4. The effect of cell mating type on the asymmetrical transmission of parental classes, frequency and polarity of recombination is established. 5. A new class of mitochondria is discovered that can transmit (or recombinate) with very high efficiency by ER-markers, but cannot transmit (or recombinate with) NR-markers.", "PMID": 767213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2363", "title": "[Dominant nonsense suppressors restricting the killer activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae].", "content": "Dominant suppressors of the first type nonsense mutations, ade1-6, hisX, lys9-A21 and leu2-2, inhibit the killer activity in Peterhoff genetic stocks of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Phenotypes CN (weak killer at 20 degrees, neutral at 32 degrees) and N (neutral at both temperatures) arising in the presence of the suppressors in killer strains are dominant toward S phenotype and toward K phenotype.", "contents": "[Dominant nonsense suppressors restricting the killer activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae]. Dominant suppressors of the first type nonsense mutations, ade1-6, hisX, lys9-A21 and leu2-2, inhibit the killer activity in Peterhoff genetic stocks of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Phenotypes CN (weak killer at 20 degrees, neutral at 32 degrees) and N (neutral at both temperatures) arising in the presence of the suppressors in killer strains are dominant toward S phenotype and toward K phenotype.", "PMID": 767214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2364", "title": "Migration inhibition with various cell fractions in human colorectal cancer.", "content": "The unseparated leucocytes, separated mononuclear cells and granulocytes of six control subjects and nine patients with colorectal cancer have been studied by a direct cell migration inhibition technique. A migratory index was calculated from the migration in the presence and absence of a perchloric acid extract of large bowel tumours. In 10% homologous AB serum, no significant migration inhibition occurred with any of the cells from control subjects. Five of the nine cancer patients showed significant inhibition with their unseparated leucocytes, seven of seven with their mononuclear cells, and none of nine with their granulocytes. In 10% autologous serum, some controls exhibited migration inhibition with their unseparated leucocytes and their granulocyte fraction, but not with the mononuclear cell fraction. Migration inhibition was also now apparent in the granulocyte fraction of the cancer patients. It is concluded that, with a soluble tumour antigen preparation, a mononuclear cell population increases the sensitivity of the direct migration inhibition test and that autologous serum may interfere directly with the migration of granulocytes, by an action not dependent upon the release of inhibitory factors from sensitized lymphocytes. This could explain some of the inconsistencies of the assay when using an unseparated leucocyte population.", "contents": "Migration inhibition with various cell fractions in human colorectal cancer. The unseparated leucocytes, separated mononuclear cells and granulocytes of six control subjects and nine patients with colorectal cancer have been studied by a direct cell migration inhibition technique. A migratory index was calculated from the migration in the presence and absence of a perchloric acid extract of large bowel tumours. In 10% homologous AB serum, no significant migration inhibition occurred with any of the cells from control subjects. Five of the nine cancer patients showed significant inhibition with their unseparated leucocytes, seven of seven with their mononuclear cells, and none of nine with their granulocytes. In 10% autologous serum, some controls exhibited migration inhibition with their unseparated leucocytes and their granulocyte fraction, but not with the mononuclear cell fraction. Migration inhibition was also now apparent in the granulocyte fraction of the cancer patients. It is concluded that, with a soluble tumour antigen preparation, a mononuclear cell population increases the sensitivity of the direct migration inhibition test and that autologous serum may interfere directly with the migration of granulocytes, by an action not dependent upon the release of inhibitory factors from sensitized lymphocytes. This could explain some of the inconsistencies of the assay when using an unseparated leucocyte population.", "PMID": 767228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2365", "title": "Glucagon and the colon.", "content": "The effect of glucagon on human colonic myoelectrical activity is described. By means of intraluminal, serosal, and surface electrodes, recordings from all areas of the large bowel have been obtained. Glucagon inhibited both electrical and pressure rhythms in all subjects tested. Evidence is produced to suggest a direct action on colonic smooth muscle. A controlled trial using glucagon during routine barium enema examinations suggests that it may prove to be useful for hypotonic examinations of the colon where painful spasm is present.", "contents": "Glucagon and the colon. The effect of glucagon on human colonic myoelectrical activity is described. By means of intraluminal, serosal, and surface electrodes, recordings from all areas of the large bowel have been obtained. Glucagon inhibited both electrical and pressure rhythms in all subjects tested. Evidence is produced to suggest a direct action on colonic smooth muscle. A controlled trial using glucagon during routine barium enema examinations suggests that it may prove to be useful for hypotonic examinations of the colon where painful spasm is present.", "PMID": 767229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2366", "title": "[Modern criticism of psychiatry -- rebellion or return to tradition? (author's transl)].", "content": "Modern criticism of psychiatry started about 10 years ago with violent attacks on the ways in which psychiatric patients were handled in practice. In its attempt to shatter rigid structures and to adopt attitudes, wellknown for many years, for therapeutic action, this criticism remains in an historical scientific tradition which can be traced back to the beginning of this century. With the advance of sociologic thinking and the adoption of radical sociogenetic demands, mainly in the Anglo-Saxon literature, this criticism finds its own feet towards the end of the sixties as a kind of antipsychiatry. It obtains its leverage in the lack of differentiation between diagnosis and psychopathologic description in psychiatry ignoring like Birnbaum the \"essential\" history of psychiatric science dating from the middle of the 19th century, it returns to the psychiatry of late romanticism. It assesses the place of psychiatry within the range of sciences. In a similar manner it opposes the detached, individual-psychologic, approach or classical psychopathology and sees the various psychopathologic data as forms of a deviation in the sense of symbolic interactionism. Modern criticism of psychiatry could, therefore, mark the start of a developing interactional psychopathology which would certainly not have to compete with traditional psychopathology. It could take its place as an independent approach on equal terms with existing trends. A precondition would be a disnissal of a- and antihistoric basic tendencies which alone would make possible the necessary re-interpretation with the developments up to date and with present-day achievements.", "contents": "[Modern criticism of psychiatry -- rebellion or return to tradition? (author's transl)]. Modern criticism of psychiatry started about 10 years ago with violent attacks on the ways in which psychiatric patients were handled in practice. In its attempt to shatter rigid structures and to adopt attitudes, wellknown for many years, for therapeutic action, this criticism remains in an historical scientific tradition which can be traced back to the beginning of this century. With the advance of sociologic thinking and the adoption of radical sociogenetic demands, mainly in the Anglo-Saxon literature, this criticism finds its own feet towards the end of the sixties as a kind of antipsychiatry. It obtains its leverage in the lack of differentiation between diagnosis and psychopathologic description in psychiatry ignoring like Birnbaum the \"essential\" history of psychiatric science dating from the middle of the 19th century, it returns to the psychiatry of late romanticism. It assesses the place of psychiatry within the range of sciences. In a similar manner it opposes the detached, individual-psychologic, approach or classical psychopathology and sees the various psychopathologic data as forms of a deviation in the sense of symbolic interactionism. Modern criticism of psychiatry could, therefore, mark the start of a developing interactional psychopathology which would certainly not have to compete with traditional psychopathology. It could take its place as an independent approach on equal terms with existing trends. A precondition would be a disnissal of a- and antihistoric basic tendencies which alone would make possible the necessary re-interpretation with the developments up to date and with present-day achievements.", "PMID": 767236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2367", "title": "Clinical use of LH-RH test as a diagnostic tool.", "content": "The response to LH-RH is never characteristic of a given disorder of the hypothalamo-hypophysial-gonadal axis except in the cases of severe gonadal disturbances, but reflects the functional states which can be observed under various circumstances. The same functional state may be found in different diseases and, in contrast, one disease can evolve through different functional states with time.", "contents": "Clinical use of LH-RH test as a diagnostic tool. The response to LH-RH is never characteristic of a given disorder of the hypothalamo-hypophysial-gonadal axis except in the cases of severe gonadal disturbances, but reflects the functional states which can be observed under various circumstances. The same functional state may be found in different diseases and, in contrast, one disease can evolve through different functional states with time.", "PMID": 767240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2368", "title": "Treatment of work-related health problems in a work clinic.", "content": "Little is known about patients who chronically express work problems through medical complaints or who develop or exaggerate physical problems to avoid work, the authors say. In 1973 a university-affiliated medical clinic set up a multidisciplinary work clinic to study and treat patients with work-related health problems. In general the clinic's first 18 patients showed emotional immaturity and social or psychiatric dysfunction, often severe. After treatment nine of the 18 returned to work, and two began vocational retraining and later took jobs. The authors believe that because of the close relationship between work and health, medical-care institutions must deal with work problems that patients present.", "contents": "Treatment of work-related health problems in a work clinic. Little is known about patients who chronically express work problems through medical complaints or who develop or exaggerate physical problems to avoid work, the authors say. In 1973 a university-affiliated medical clinic set up a multidisciplinary work clinic to study and treat patients with work-related health problems. In general the clinic's first 18 patients showed emotional immaturity and social or psychiatric dysfunction, often severe. After treatment nine of the 18 returned to work, and two began vocational retraining and later took jobs. The authors believe that because of the close relationship between work and health, medical-care institutions must deal with work problems that patients present.", "PMID": 767242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2369", "title": "Suppression of the primary immune response in vivo to sheep red blood cells by B-cell mitogens.", "content": "Polyacrylic acid (PAAC), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), dextran sulphate (DS) and purified protein derivative of tubercle bacilli (PPD), compounds mitogenic for B lymphocytes in vitro, suppressed the immune response of mice to SRBC in vivo, when injected 4-2 days before immunization. The same compounds enhanced the immune response when injected half an hour before immunization of the animals with a suboptimal antigen dose. A subsequent injection of PAAC given shortly before immunization, abolished the immunosuppressive effect expected by pretreatment of the animals with either PAAC or LPS. A second injection of LPS abolished the immunosuppressive effect of LPS only. The results indicate that when B lymphocytes react with a mitogen in the absence of a particular antigen, they temporarily lose their capacity to respond to antigen.", "contents": "Suppression of the primary immune response in vivo to sheep red blood cells by B-cell mitogens. Polyacrylic acid (PAAC), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), dextran sulphate (DS) and purified protein derivative of tubercle bacilli (PPD), compounds mitogenic for B lymphocytes in vitro, suppressed the immune response of mice to SRBC in vivo, when injected 4-2 days before immunization. The same compounds enhanced the immune response when injected half an hour before immunization of the animals with a suboptimal antigen dose. A subsequent injection of PAAC given shortly before immunization, abolished the immunosuppressive effect expected by pretreatment of the animals with either PAAC or LPS. A second injection of LPS abolished the immunosuppressive effect of LPS only. The results indicate that when B lymphocytes react with a mitogen in the absence of a particular antigen, they temporarily lose their capacity to respond to antigen.", "PMID": 767254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2370", "title": "Should I be using pit and fissure sealants or amalgam?", "content": "Results of many trials have shown that fissure sealants can have a highly significant effect in the prevention of occlusal caries. The ultraviolet light cured materials appear to produce the most succesful and reproducible results. No evidence of caries or demineralization has been reported which could be related to acid etching of enamel. Several studies have shown that etched enamel, not covered by resin, will be remineralized on contact with oral fluid. There is evidence to support the argument that a small amount of undiagnosed caries at the base of the fissure would be arrested by the application of sealant. Larger carious lesions must be restored with a suitable material. Microleakage occurs at the margins of restorations as demonstrated in vitro by the use of an artificial caries technique in which 'outer' and 'cavity wall' lesions are produced. The incidence of cavity wall lesions is less if a composite material, rather than amalgam, is used. Microleakage may be decreased further by application of resin to the composite/enamel margins.", "contents": "Should I be using pit and fissure sealants or amalgam? Results of many trials have shown that fissure sealants can have a highly significant effect in the prevention of occlusal caries. The ultraviolet light cured materials appear to produce the most succesful and reproducible results. No evidence of caries or demineralization has been reported which could be related to acid etching of enamel. Several studies have shown that etched enamel, not covered by resin, will be remineralized on contact with oral fluid. There is evidence to support the argument that a small amount of undiagnosed caries at the base of the fissure would be arrested by the application of sealant. Larger carious lesions must be restored with a suitable material. Microleakage occurs at the margins of restorations as demonstrated in vitro by the use of an artificial caries technique in which 'outer' and 'cavity wall' lesions are produced. The incidence of cavity wall lesions is less if a composite material, rather than amalgam, is used. Microleakage may be decreased further by application of resin to the composite/enamel margins.", "PMID": 767258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2371", "title": "A disease-conscious method for sequential diagnosis by use of disease probabilities without assumption of symptom independence.", "content": "A method for automatic diagnosis of disease is formulated and applied to a data base of several hundred gastroenterological patients who were each known to have one of six diseases. Application of the method requires no assumptions regarding statistical independence of symptoms. Each disease is associated with its own disease-symptom function, and any order of dependence between the symptoms and each disease may be allowed for. A patient's symptoms are used to determine the value of any specified disease-symptom function. This value is then used to determine the probability that the patient has the corresponding disease. The method is applied to a sequential diagnosis of patients not contained in the initial data base. Additional symptoms are chosen according to their diagnostic value. The entire model is disease-conscious in that disease-symptom functions, disease probabilities and diagnostic values need be evaluated only for those diseases that are considered relevant to the diagnosis.", "contents": "A disease-conscious method for sequential diagnosis by use of disease probabilities without assumption of symptom independence. A method for automatic diagnosis of disease is formulated and applied to a data base of several hundred gastroenterological patients who were each known to have one of six diseases. Application of the method requires no assumptions regarding statistical independence of symptoms. Each disease is associated with its own disease-symptom function, and any order of dependence between the symptoms and each disease may be allowed for. A patient's symptoms are used to determine the value of any specified disease-symptom function. This value is then used to determine the probability that the patient has the corresponding disease. The method is applied to a sequential diagnosis of patients not contained in the initial data base. Additional symptoms are chosen according to their diagnostic value. The entire model is disease-conscious in that disease-symptom functions, disease probabilities and diagnostic values need be evaluated only for those diseases that are considered relevant to the diagnosis.", "PMID": 767259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2372", "title": "Outcome studies of therapeutic community and halfway house treatment for addicts.", "content": "This paper reviews the outcomes of follow-up studies of addicts in therapeutic communities. The aim is to assess the research problems in such studies and the range of recovery rates found. It was found that controlled studies are few in number and available only for correctional institutions, not for Daytop, Synanon, or Phoenix House. Most studies base outcomes on \"graduates\" rather than all those taken into the program. Very few graduates of traditional communities exist. Most are employed in drug or social service activities. Few return to employment outside treatment agencies for addicts. Three controlled studies, all with halfway houses, suggest that they are not more effective than probation. Further controlled studies, especially with agencies such as Daytop and Synanon, are required.", "contents": "Outcome studies of therapeutic community and halfway house treatment for addicts. This paper reviews the outcomes of follow-up studies of addicts in therapeutic communities. The aim is to assess the research problems in such studies and the range of recovery rates found. It was found that controlled studies are few in number and available only for correctional institutions, not for Daytop, Synanon, or Phoenix House. Most studies base outcomes on \"graduates\" rather than all those taken into the program. Very few graduates of traditional communities exist. Most are employed in drug or social service activities. Few return to employment outside treatment agencies for addicts. Three controlled studies, all with halfway houses, suggest that they are not more effective than probation. Further controlled studies, especially with agencies such as Daytop and Synanon, are required.", "PMID": 767260} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2373", "title": "Female drug use: some observations.", "content": "This paper, based on a review of recent social science drug research, summarizes the main findings on female drug use and speculates on its future direction. The findings include the following: women are usually initiated into illicit drug use by men; rates of illicit drug use are lower among females than males (which may reflect the greater personal freedom traditionally granted to males), although the difference narrows among younger persons and among those who subscribe to more liberal values and life styles; women are more likely than men to use psychotherapeutic drugs (which may reflect strains resulting from their unequal status vis-\u00e0-vis men); and female opiate addicts, although they tend to hold conventional values, are often involved in such deviant activity as prostitution. To the extent that women gain social equality with men and subscribe to greater personal lifestyle freedom, they may be expected to show a higher rate of illicit drug use, particularly of a recreational kind. On the other hand, the rate of psychotherapeutic drug use may decrease, although if the tensions of the workplace eventually substitute for the tensions of status inequality, the resultant changes in rates and patterns of substance use are problematic.", "contents": "Female drug use: some observations. This paper, based on a review of recent social science drug research, summarizes the main findings on female drug use and speculates on its future direction. The findings include the following: women are usually initiated into illicit drug use by men; rates of illicit drug use are lower among females than males (which may reflect the greater personal freedom traditionally granted to males), although the difference narrows among younger persons and among those who subscribe to more liberal values and life styles; women are more likely than men to use psychotherapeutic drugs (which may reflect strains resulting from their unequal status vis-\u00e0-vis men); and female opiate addicts, although they tend to hold conventional values, are often involved in such deviant activity as prostitution. To the extent that women gain social equality with men and subscribe to greater personal lifestyle freedom, they may be expected to show a higher rate of illicit drug use, particularly of a recreational kind. On the other hand, the rate of psychotherapeutic drug use may decrease, although if the tensions of the workplace eventually substitute for the tensions of status inequality, the resultant changes in rates and patterns of substance use are problematic.", "PMID": 767261} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2374", "title": "In vitro cultivation of leprosy bacilli on hyaluronic acid based medium. 1. Preliminary report.", "content": "In vitro cultivation is reported of Mycobacterium leprae on a medium (designated LA-3) based on hyaluronic acid with additional ingredients of yeast extract, bovine albumin and glycerin together with phosphate buffer. The medium is also incorporated with agar or agarose (designated LA-3P) to serve as culture plates. Initial growth in LA-3 in test tubes required about six weeks but subsequently this was speeded up to about two weeks utilizing large quantities of media with aeration by shaking twice a day. Growth on LA-3P yields numerous small orange-yellow colonies in two to three weeks. Facets of the emerging aspects of the life cycle of M. leprae under cultivation are given preliminary report. The bases for the allegation of M. leprae identity of the cultured bacilli are essentially the following six determinations. 1. Pathologic and experimental determined rationale for the essential M. leprae nutrient requirement. 2. Several cultures having the same characteristics have been isolated from LL patients widely separate in time and by geography. 3. Failure of culture isolates to subculture on the usual media employed in the cultivation of mycobacteria at both 37 degrees C and room temperature. 4. 1 degree cultures in liquid medium successfully transferred to 2 degrees liquid medium and to 2 degrees agar medium plates. 5. Bacillary isolates and bacilli of 1 degree and 2 degrees liquid medium cultures all stain with pooled LL serum, FITC coupled, M. leprae specific antibody with which a broad range of other mycobacteria do not react. 6. M. lepraemurium also presents good growth on this medium.", "contents": "In vitro cultivation of leprosy bacilli on hyaluronic acid based medium. 1. Preliminary report. In vitro cultivation is reported of Mycobacterium leprae on a medium (designated LA-3) based on hyaluronic acid with additional ingredients of yeast extract, bovine albumin and glycerin together with phosphate buffer. The medium is also incorporated with agar or agarose (designated LA-3P) to serve as culture plates. Initial growth in LA-3 in test tubes required about six weeks but subsequently this was speeded up to about two weeks utilizing large quantities of media with aeration by shaking twice a day. Growth on LA-3P yields numerous small orange-yellow colonies in two to three weeks. Facets of the emerging aspects of the life cycle of M. leprae under cultivation are given preliminary report. The bases for the allegation of M. leprae identity of the cultured bacilli are essentially the following six determinations. 1. Pathologic and experimental determined rationale for the essential M. leprae nutrient requirement. 2. Several cultures having the same characteristics have been isolated from LL patients widely separate in time and by geography. 3. Failure of culture isolates to subculture on the usual media employed in the cultivation of mycobacteria at both 37 degrees C and room temperature. 4. 1 degree cultures in liquid medium successfully transferred to 2 degrees liquid medium and to 2 degrees agar medium plates. 5. Bacillary isolates and bacilli of 1 degree and 2 degrees liquid medium cultures all stain with pooled LL serum, FITC coupled, M. leprae specific antibody with which a broad range of other mycobacteria do not react. 6. M. lepraemurium also presents good growth on this medium.", "PMID": 767262} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2375", "title": "Specific direct fluorescent antibody identification of Mycobacterium leprae.", "content": "In vitro cultivation of M. leprae requires a rapid, specific identification procedure for monitoring the cultures. A method utilizing direct FITC-coupled lepromatous, specific serum globulin is described in detail with suggestions for improvement. After various purification and adsorption procedures, notably against human liver powder and M. tuberculosis, a fluorescent serum preparation is obtained which specifically reacts with M. leprae and not with other mycobacteria.", "contents": "Specific direct fluorescent antibody identification of Mycobacterium leprae. In vitro cultivation of M. leprae requires a rapid, specific identification procedure for monitoring the cultures. A method utilizing direct FITC-coupled lepromatous, specific serum globulin is described in detail with suggestions for improvement. After various purification and adsorption procedures, notably against human liver powder and M. tuberculosis, a fluorescent serum preparation is obtained which specifically reacts with M. leprae and not with other mycobacteria.", "PMID": 767263} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2376", "title": "Modification of radiation effects in single-cell systems by membrane-binding agents.", "content": "Chlorpromazine sensitized E. COLI B/r, thymocytes and Yoshida ascites-tumour cells to 60Co gamma-rays, preferentially, under hypoxic conditions, Residual sensitization was observed in E. coli B/r. The radiosensitization by chlorpromazine was found to be due to the reaction of radiolytically-induced hydroxyl radicals with the sensitizer. When both procaine HCI and chlorpromazine were present during anoxic irradiation of E. coli B/r, there was no additive effect. But the addition of procaine HCL after irradiation to cell sensitized by chlorpromazine had an effect that was significantly greater than that produced even by oxygen. A similar effect was observed when lignocaine or tetracaine was used in place of procaine. The possible mechanisms involved in radiosensitization by chlorpromazine and in the post-irradiation effect of local anaesthetics in cells sensitized to 60Co gamma-rays by chlorpromazine are discussed.", "contents": "Modification of radiation effects in single-cell systems by membrane-binding agents. Chlorpromazine sensitized E. COLI B/r, thymocytes and Yoshida ascites-tumour cells to 60Co gamma-rays, preferentially, under hypoxic conditions, Residual sensitization was observed in E. coli B/r. The radiosensitization by chlorpromazine was found to be due to the reaction of radiolytically-induced hydroxyl radicals with the sensitizer. When both procaine HCI and chlorpromazine were present during anoxic irradiation of E. coli B/r, there was no additive effect. But the addition of procaine HCL after irradiation to cell sensitized by chlorpromazine had an effect that was significantly greater than that produced even by oxygen. A similar effect was observed when lignocaine or tetracaine was used in place of procaine. The possible mechanisms involved in radiosensitization by chlorpromazine and in the post-irradiation effect of local anaesthetics in cells sensitized to 60Co gamma-rays by chlorpromazine are discussed.", "PMID": 767270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2377", "title": "Biochemical properties of cultivated Mycobacterium lepraemurium.", "content": "1. Dehydrogenase activity of whole cell of cultivated M. lepraemurium is accelerated with sodium laurate, but not with the other substrates. 2. Dehydrogenase activity of cell free extract of cultivated M. lepraemurium is accelerated with citrate or malate. 3. There is no acceleration of oxygen consumption corresponding to added substrates in the respiration activity of whole cells of cultivated M. lepraemurium, but endogenous QO2 is 1.7 mul. 4. Cell free extract of cultivated M. lepraemurium shows slight acceleration of oxygen consumption with NADH, but does not with citrate or alpha-ketoglutarate. 5. NADH is not oxidized rapidly with the particle fraction of cultivated M. lepraemurium. 6. Type b1 cytochrome having an absorption peak at a wave length of 561 mmu and type a2 cytochrome having an absorption peak at 625 mmu are detected in an oxidoreductive difference spectrum or particle fraction of cultivated M. lepraemurium, but type c cytochrome having the absorption peak at 550 mmu is not seen. Since the other cultivable acid-fast bacilli always have type c cytochrome, nondetection of type c cytochrome is characteristic for M. lepraemurium. 7. These cytochromes are reduced with NADH. 8. M. lepraemurium produces a red pigment which emits a red fluorescence with ultraviolet light on its 1% Ogawa yolk medium. This phenomenon is a characteristic of M. lepraemurium, M. avium and M. intracellulare.", "contents": "Biochemical properties of cultivated Mycobacterium lepraemurium. 1. Dehydrogenase activity of whole cell of cultivated M. lepraemurium is accelerated with sodium laurate, but not with the other substrates. 2. Dehydrogenase activity of cell free extract of cultivated M. lepraemurium is accelerated with citrate or malate. 3. There is no acceleration of oxygen consumption corresponding to added substrates in the respiration activity of whole cells of cultivated M. lepraemurium, but endogenous QO2 is 1.7 mul. 4. Cell free extract of cultivated M. lepraemurium shows slight acceleration of oxygen consumption with NADH, but does not with citrate or alpha-ketoglutarate. 5. NADH is not oxidized rapidly with the particle fraction of cultivated M. lepraemurium. 6. Type b1 cytochrome having an absorption peak at a wave length of 561 mmu and type a2 cytochrome having an absorption peak at 625 mmu are detected in an oxidoreductive difference spectrum or particle fraction of cultivated M. lepraemurium, but type c cytochrome having the absorption peak at 550 mmu is not seen. Since the other cultivable acid-fast bacilli always have type c cytochrome, nondetection of type c cytochrome is characteristic for M. lepraemurium. 7. These cytochromes are reduced with NADH. 8. M. lepraemurium produces a red pigment which emits a red fluorescence with ultraviolet light on its 1% Ogawa yolk medium. This phenomenon is a characteristic of M. lepraemurium, M. avium and M. intracellulare.", "PMID": 767264} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2378", "title": "R.b.e. of 50 k Vp x-rays and 660 keV gamma-rays (137 Cs) with respect to the production of DNA damage, repair and cell-killing in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "We have compared the efficiency of cell-killing, DNA single-strand breakage and double-strand breakage in an Escherichia coli K-12 wild-type strain after irradiation with soft X-rays (50kVp) and hard gamma-rays (600 keV) under aerobic conditions. Irradiation with 50 kVP x-rays resulted in 1.47 times more cell killing than was observed with 137Cs gamma-rays based on a comparison of D0 values evaluated from the survival curves. DNA sedimentation studies showed that, although 50 kVp X-rays were 1-93 times more effective than 137Cs gamma-rays in producing DNA double-strand breaks, there was no sigificant difference between the two qualities of radiation with respect to the initial number of single-strand breaks produced. When the cells were irradiated and allowed to repair maximally in minimal medium, 1-57 times more unrepaired DNA single-strand breaks remained per krad after irradiation with 50 kVp X-rays than with 137Cs gamma-rays. The increased yield of DNA double-strand breaks resulting from 50 kVp X-radiation may account for most of these additional unrepaired single-strand breaks, since single- and double-strand breaks are indistinguishable on alkaline sucrose gradients. These results suggest that the greater r.b.e. of 50 kVp X-rays may be related to an increased effectiveness for producing DNA double-strand breaks compared with the higher energy 137Cs gamma-rays.", "contents": "R.b.e. of 50 k Vp x-rays and 660 keV gamma-rays (137 Cs) with respect to the production of DNA damage, repair and cell-killing in Escherichia coli K-12. We have compared the efficiency of cell-killing, DNA single-strand breakage and double-strand breakage in an Escherichia coli K-12 wild-type strain after irradiation with soft X-rays (50kVp) and hard gamma-rays (600 keV) under aerobic conditions. Irradiation with 50 kVP x-rays resulted in 1.47 times more cell killing than was observed with 137Cs gamma-rays based on a comparison of D0 values evaluated from the survival curves. DNA sedimentation studies showed that, although 50 kVp X-rays were 1-93 times more effective than 137Cs gamma-rays in producing DNA double-strand breaks, there was no sigificant difference between the two qualities of radiation with respect to the initial number of single-strand breaks produced. When the cells were irradiated and allowed to repair maximally in minimal medium, 1-57 times more unrepaired DNA single-strand breaks remained per krad after irradiation with 50 kVp X-rays than with 137Cs gamma-rays. The increased yield of DNA double-strand breaks resulting from 50 kVp X-radiation may account for most of these additional unrepaired single-strand breaks, since single- and double-strand breaks are indistinguishable on alkaline sucrose gradients. These results suggest that the greater r.b.e. of 50 kVp X-rays may be related to an increased effectiveness for producing DNA double-strand breaks compared with the higher energy 137Cs gamma-rays.", "PMID": 767271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2379", "title": "Immunologic protection of rabbit corneal allografts: prolonged survival of allografts pretreated with homologous antibody against transplantation antigens.", "content": "Homologous Dutch pigmented rabbit antibody against New Zealand white rabbit transplantation antigens has been produced. This antibody is much less cytotoxic than similarly prepared heterologous guinea pig antilymphocyte serum. The homologous antibody preparation significantly prolongs corneal allograft survival.", "contents": "Immunologic protection of rabbit corneal allografts: prolonged survival of allografts pretreated with homologous antibody against transplantation antigens. Homologous Dutch pigmented rabbit antibody against New Zealand white rabbit transplantation antigens has been produced. This antibody is much less cytotoxic than similarly prepared heterologous guinea pig antilymphocyte serum. The homologous antibody preparation significantly prolongs corneal allograft survival.", "PMID": 767285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2380", "title": "The response of the juxtaglomerular apparatus to stimuli effecting renin or erythropoietin release in canine renal allografts.", "content": "The functioning canine renal allograft produces plasma renin activity (PRA) and erythropoietin (ESF) activity and can maintain normal blood pressure and normal erythropoiesis. Moreover, in response to various provocative stimuli it can: (i) increase plasma renin activity in response to low sodium intake; (ii) suppress PRA in response to high sodium intake; (iii) produce increased serum erythropoietin in response to hypoxia. The granulation activity of the juxtaglomerular apparatus correlates best with the degree of graft rejection and with the PRA in groups manipulated by changing sodium balance. This is not the case with hypoxia. Thus, the juxtaglomerular apparatus, even in the presence of vascular changes seen with the severe degree of rejection in renal allografts, can respond to stimuli that can regulate renin release. Renin production by the transplanted kidney can be dissociated from ESF secretion. Blood pressure changes in the present model were not directly associated with increased PRA or juxtaglomerular apparatus activity. In such conditions hypertension can exist in the presence of suppressed PRA and without hypergranulation of the apparatus. The majority of correlations of this study thus establish a close association of the degree of juxtaglomerular index activity with PRA levels, rather than ESF.", "contents": "The response of the juxtaglomerular apparatus to stimuli effecting renin or erythropoietin release in canine renal allografts. The functioning canine renal allograft produces plasma renin activity (PRA) and erythropoietin (ESF) activity and can maintain normal blood pressure and normal erythropoiesis. Moreover, in response to various provocative stimuli it can: (i) increase plasma renin activity in response to low sodium intake; (ii) suppress PRA in response to high sodium intake; (iii) produce increased serum erythropoietin in response to hypoxia. The granulation activity of the juxtaglomerular apparatus correlates best with the degree of graft rejection and with the PRA in groups manipulated by changing sodium balance. This is not the case with hypoxia. Thus, the juxtaglomerular apparatus, even in the presence of vascular changes seen with the severe degree of rejection in renal allografts, can respond to stimuli that can regulate renin release. Renin production by the transplanted kidney can be dissociated from ESF secretion. Blood pressure changes in the present model were not directly associated with increased PRA or juxtaglomerular apparatus activity. In such conditions hypertension can exist in the presence of suppressed PRA and without hypergranulation of the apparatus. The majority of correlations of this study thus establish a close association of the degree of juxtaglomerular index activity with PRA levels, rather than ESF.", "PMID": 767286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2381", "title": "Histogenesis of B and T lymphocytes.", "content": "There are striking differences in the histogenesis of B and T cells. 1) The formation of B lymphocytes seems to be closely associated with that of other blood cells, whereas the formation of T cells is not. 2) In postnatal life, the bone marrow is a mojor site for the formation of B cells, while T cells are produced mainly in the thymus. 3) B cells are formed in a short production pathway, consisting of two or three mitoses, whereas T cells are formed in a long production pathway, consisting of about eight mitoses. 4) The starting point for the short production pathway is a large transitional cell. The long production pathway starts with a reticulum cell, a large lymphoblast or a cell which has been termed \"monocytoid\". 5) Plasma proteins have ready access to the cells of the short production pathway in bone marrow, but because of the blood-thymus barrier are not as readily accessible to the tissure involved in T cell formation in the long production pathway in the thymus.", "contents": "Histogenesis of B and T lymphocytes. There are striking differences in the histogenesis of B and T cells. 1) The formation of B lymphocytes seems to be closely associated with that of other blood cells, whereas the formation of T cells is not. 2) In postnatal life, the bone marrow is a mojor site for the formation of B cells, while T cells are produced mainly in the thymus. 3) B cells are formed in a short production pathway, consisting of two or three mitoses, whereas T cells are formed in a long production pathway, consisting of about eight mitoses. 4) The starting point for the short production pathway is a large transitional cell. The long production pathway starts with a reticulum cell, a large lymphoblast or a cell which has been termed \"monocytoid\". 5) Plasma proteins have ready access to the cells of the short production pathway in bone marrow, but because of the blood-thymus barrier are not as readily accessible to the tissure involved in T cell formation in the long production pathway in the thymus.", "PMID": 767291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2382", "title": "Effect of phospholipids on the activity of DNA polymerase I from E. coli.", "content": "Sphingomyelin, phosphatidylethanolamine and lecithin at concentrations which destabilize the DNA helix enhance the DNA polymerase activity, but sphingosine and phosphatidylserine have only a moderate effect. MgCl2 was shown to modify the action of sphingomyelin on the DNA polymerase activity. The role of phospholipids in the DNA replicating process was analyzed.", "contents": "Effect of phospholipids on the activity of DNA polymerase I from E. coli. Sphingomyelin, phosphatidylethanolamine and lecithin at concentrations which destabilize the DNA helix enhance the DNA polymerase activity, but sphingosine and phosphatidylserine have only a moderate effect. MgCl2 was shown to modify the action of sphingomyelin on the DNA polymerase activity. The role of phospholipids in the DNA replicating process was analyzed.", "PMID": 767289} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2383", "title": "Transplant nephrectomy and simultaneous second graft retransplantation.", "content": "Tranplant nephrectomy and retransplantation has become an established modality in treating patients with rejected kidney allografts. Experience with 29 patients who underwent simultaneous transplant nephrectomy and retransplantation is presented. This procedure did not involve a considerably greater risk than a primary transplant and had an almost equal rate of success. There was no significant correlation between survival or failure of the second graft and the time the patient had been on dialysis prior to the first transplant, the duration of first graft survival, or the source of the first or second kidney. Seventy-five percent of the failures in the second transplant group were due to hyperacute or accelerated rejection, and only 25% were rejected in an acute or chronic fashion. The high frequency of hyperacute and accelerated rejections is presumably a result of presensitization by the first transplant. An inadequate supply of cadaver kidneys prevented performance of the simultaneous procedure in all patients that required it.", "contents": "Transplant nephrectomy and simultaneous second graft retransplantation. Tranplant nephrectomy and retransplantation has become an established modality in treating patients with rejected kidney allografts. Experience with 29 patients who underwent simultaneous transplant nephrectomy and retransplantation is presented. This procedure did not involve a considerably greater risk than a primary transplant and had an almost equal rate of success. There was no significant correlation between survival or failure of the second graft and the time the patient had been on dialysis prior to the first transplant, the duration of first graft survival, or the source of the first or second kidney. Seventy-five percent of the failures in the second transplant group were due to hyperacute or accelerated rejection, and only 25% were rejected in an acute or chronic fashion. The high frequency of hyperacute and accelerated rejections is presumably a result of presensitization by the first transplant. An inadequate supply of cadaver kidneys prevented performance of the simultaneous procedure in all patients that required it.", "PMID": 767295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2384", "title": "Membrane immunoglobulin on mouse myeloma cells: discrepancies in the detection of membrane IG by two different methods.", "content": "Two different methods, immunofluorescence and lactoperoxidase-catalysed radioiodination, were used to investigate mIg on two different myeloma cell lines. The data indicate that, even though both techniques are highly sensitive, different results can be obtained in the same cell line depending on the technique employed.", "contents": "Membrane immunoglobulin on mouse myeloma cells: discrepancies in the detection of membrane IG by two different methods. Two different methods, immunofluorescence and lactoperoxidase-catalysed radioiodination, were used to investigate mIg on two different myeloma cell lines. The data indicate that, even though both techniques are highly sensitive, different results can be obtained in the same cell line depending on the technique employed.", "PMID": 767290} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2385", "title": "Atrial and ventricular asystole for 19 seconds without syncope. Report of a case.", "content": "A 58-year-old male presented with a three-year-long history of short attacks of loss of consciousness. Epilepsy was suspected and phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin were given, but without effect. Ambulatory ECG monitoring for four days revealed episodes of sinus bradycardia, marked sinus arrhythmia, and episodes of atrial and ventricular standstill. The longest asystolic period, without escape of lower pacemakers, was 20 sec and was recoreded during undisturbed sleep. Another long atrial and ventricular asystolic period with a duration of 19 sec, recorded during daily activity, was accompanied by dizziness but without loss of consciousness. The patient's symptoms were relieved by implantation of a pacemaker.", "contents": "Atrial and ventricular asystole for 19 seconds without syncope. Report of a case. A 58-year-old male presented with a three-year-long history of short attacks of loss of consciousness. Epilepsy was suspected and phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin were given, but without effect. Ambulatory ECG monitoring for four days revealed episodes of sinus bradycardia, marked sinus arrhythmia, and episodes of atrial and ventricular standstill. The longest asystolic period, without escape of lower pacemakers, was 20 sec and was recoreded during undisturbed sleep. Another long atrial and ventricular asystolic period with a duration of 19 sec, recorded during daily activity, was accompanied by dizziness but without loss of consciousness. The patient's symptoms were relieved by implantation of a pacemaker.", "PMID": 767296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2386", "title": "[Development in the immunotherapy of malignant melanoma].", "content": "Recent progress in the investigation of malignant melanoma has encouraged the possibilities of using immunological methods in the treatment of cancer. Under investigation are especially attempts to influence both the humoral and cellular immunity with cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. In perspective of these studies schedules for greater effectiveness of immunotherapy by combination of active, passive, eliminative or adoptive methods are conceivable. They provide a rational basis particulary because essential questions of alternation between the immune reactions are not yet understood.", "contents": "[Development in the immunotherapy of malignant melanoma]. Recent progress in the investigation of malignant melanoma has encouraged the possibilities of using immunological methods in the treatment of cancer. Under investigation are especially attempts to influence both the humoral and cellular immunity with cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. In perspective of these studies schedules for greater effectiveness of immunotherapy by combination of active, passive, eliminative or adoptive methods are conceivable. They provide a rational basis particulary because essential questions of alternation between the immune reactions are not yet understood.", "PMID": 767300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2387", "title": "[Model experiments on the effect of IgM- and IgG-antibodies on the reactivity of Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA)-test].", "content": "Fractionated sera of patients in different stages of syphilis were examined comparatively with the TPHA-FTA(IgM)- and FTA(IgG)-test. It was shown that the TPHA-test proved to be convenient for early immunologic diagnosis of syphilis. The TPHA-test includes not only IgG anti-treponemal antibodies but also IgM antibodies. In the early stage of syphilis a reactive result of TPHA-test can be related exclusively on treponemal specific IgM antibodies.", "contents": "[Model experiments on the effect of IgM- and IgG-antibodies on the reactivity of Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA)-test]. Fractionated sera of patients in different stages of syphilis were examined comparatively with the TPHA-FTA(IgM)- and FTA(IgG)-test. It was shown that the TPHA-test proved to be convenient for early immunologic diagnosis of syphilis. The TPHA-test includes not only IgG anti-treponemal antibodies but also IgM antibodies. In the early stage of syphilis a reactive result of TPHA-test can be related exclusively on treponemal specific IgM antibodies.", "PMID": 767301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2388", "title": "[Mixed bullous diseases].", "content": "As mixed bullous diseases are presented the intermediate forms between bullous pemphigoid (BP) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) with clinical and histologic features of both diseases, and with linear deposits composed exclusively or mainly of IgA at the basement membrane zone in the direct immunofluorescence test. This type of mixed bullous disease is more common in children (juvenile DH), although typical DH and BP cases as in adults occur also in childhood. Also herpes gestationis seems to be related to mixed bullous diseases with prevalence of immunologic phenomena characteristic of BP, although its IF pattern may be regarded as diagnostic (usually absence of circulating and in vivo bound antibasement antibodies, and presence of some complement components at the dermal-epidermal juncti0n). Especially controversial is in this group a variety of pemphigus with clinical features of DH, and good response to sulfapyridine of some cases, presenting acantholysis and immunological phenomena specific for pemphigus. For this form of pemphigus the term herpetiform pemphigus has been proposed. In the group of mixed bullous diseases should also be included cases of coexistence-in different periods, or concomitantly-of pemphigus and BP.", "contents": "[Mixed bullous diseases]. As mixed bullous diseases are presented the intermediate forms between bullous pemphigoid (BP) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) with clinical and histologic features of both diseases, and with linear deposits composed exclusively or mainly of IgA at the basement membrane zone in the direct immunofluorescence test. This type of mixed bullous disease is more common in children (juvenile DH), although typical DH and BP cases as in adults occur also in childhood. Also herpes gestationis seems to be related to mixed bullous diseases with prevalence of immunologic phenomena characteristic of BP, although its IF pattern may be regarded as diagnostic (usually absence of circulating and in vivo bound antibasement antibodies, and presence of some complement components at the dermal-epidermal juncti0n). Especially controversial is in this group a variety of pemphigus with clinical features of DH, and good response to sulfapyridine of some cases, presenting acantholysis and immunological phenomena specific for pemphigus. For this form of pemphigus the term herpetiform pemphigus has been proposed. In the group of mixed bullous diseases should also be included cases of coexistence-in different periods, or concomitantly-of pemphigus and BP.", "PMID": 767303} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2389", "title": "[The voice as a mirror of personality (author's transl)].", "content": "The philosopher and astrologer Scotus, who was famous for his translations from Greek and Arabic into Latin wrote a handbook of physiognomy for Emperor Friedrich II about 1228 A.D. In this volume based particularly on Arabic sources is a chapter on the voice. It contains numerous details that suposedly enable recognition of certain personality traits by voice characteristics. In the present such concepts are familiar, but that it was of practical relevance 750 years ago may justify closer inspection of Scotus and his work.", "contents": "[The voice as a mirror of personality (author's transl)]. The philosopher and astrologer Scotus, who was famous for his translations from Greek and Arabic into Latin wrote a handbook of physiognomy for Emperor Friedrich II about 1228 A.D. In this volume based particularly on Arabic sources is a chapter on the voice. It contains numerous details that suposedly enable recognition of certain personality traits by voice characteristics. In the present such concepts are familiar, but that it was of practical relevance 750 years ago may justify closer inspection of Scotus and his work.", "PMID": 767307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2390", "title": "Use of a formalin-treated, live Escherichia coli vaccine in the prevention of neonatal enteric colibacillosis in swine.", "content": "A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an Escherichia coli vaccine in prevention of neonatal enteric colibacillosis in swine. Sows (272 total) were allotted to control (151 sows) and vaccinated groups (121 sows). Sows in the vaccinated groups were given a single intramuscular injection of a formalin-treated, live E coli vaccine 10 to 20 days prior to farrowing. The effects of the vaccination were to: (1) reduce mortality from 2.14 to 0.93 (P less than 0.001) pigs per litter; (2) reduce number of pigs with diarrhea, from 7.28 to 3.12 (P less than 0.004) per litter; and (3) increase number of pigs weaned, from 7.62 to 8.2 (P less than 0.005) per litter. The advantages of vaccination were most apparent in the barns with less than adequate sanitation and ventilation.", "contents": "Use of a formalin-treated, live Escherichia coli vaccine in the prevention of neonatal enteric colibacillosis in swine. A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an Escherichia coli vaccine in prevention of neonatal enteric colibacillosis in swine. Sows (272 total) were allotted to control (151 sows) and vaccinated groups (121 sows). Sows in the vaccinated groups were given a single intramuscular injection of a formalin-treated, live E coli vaccine 10 to 20 days prior to farrowing. The effects of the vaccination were to: (1) reduce mortality from 2.14 to 0.93 (P less than 0.001) pigs per litter; (2) reduce number of pigs with diarrhea, from 7.28 to 3.12 (P less than 0.004) per litter; and (3) increase number of pigs weaned, from 7.62 to 8.2 (P less than 0.005) per litter. The advantages of vaccination were most apparent in the barns with less than adequate sanitation and ventilation.", "PMID": 767310} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2391", "title": "Immunofluorescence testing in a bullous skin disease of a dog.", "content": "A chronic skin disease in a dog, which resembled a pemphigus-like condition, was studied histologically and by direct immunofluorescence testing. Histologic examination revealed a bullous disorder and was a useful diagnostic tool; however, direct immunofluorescence testing showed the disease to be equivalent to bullous pemphigoid of man.", "contents": "Immunofluorescence testing in a bullous skin disease of a dog. A chronic skin disease in a dog, which resembled a pemphigus-like condition, was studied histologically and by direct immunofluorescence testing. Histologic examination revealed a bullous disorder and was a useful diagnostic tool; however, direct immunofluorescence testing showed the disease to be equivalent to bullous pemphigoid of man.", "PMID": 767311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2392", "title": "Localization of smooth muscle-like contractile proteins in kidney by immunoelectron microscopy.", "content": "Contractile proteins of smooth muscle type were found in kidney cells by immunological methods. The reactions of rabbit anti-actin, anti-heavy meromyosin and anti-myosin antisera with rat kidney were investigated by immunoelectron microscopy. Anti-actin stained specifically the foot processes of epithelial cells in the glomerulus, the basal processes of tubular epithelial cells, and the cytoplasm of smooth muscle cells. Anti-heavy meromyosin stained the foot processes at their bases near the cell membrane and close to the basement membrane. Anti-myosin stained the cytoplasm of vascular smooth muscle cells. It is suggested that actin and heavy meromyosin-like proteins may act together to cause movement of foot process cytoplasm.", "contents": "Localization of smooth muscle-like contractile proteins in kidney by immunoelectron microscopy. Contractile proteins of smooth muscle type were found in kidney cells by immunological methods. The reactions of rabbit anti-actin, anti-heavy meromyosin and anti-myosin antisera with rat kidney were investigated by immunoelectron microscopy. Anti-actin stained specifically the foot processes of epithelial cells in the glomerulus, the basal processes of tubular epithelial cells, and the cytoplasm of smooth muscle cells. Anti-heavy meromyosin stained the foot processes at their bases near the cell membrane and close to the basement membrane. Anti-myosin stained the cytoplasm of vascular smooth muscle cells. It is suggested that actin and heavy meromyosin-like proteins may act together to cause movement of foot process cytoplasm.", "PMID": 767314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2393", "title": "Training children with asthma to use inhalation therapy equipment.", "content": "In Experiment I, four children with asthma were taught to use the intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) apparatus, a device that delivers bronchodilator medication to the lungs under positive pressure. Because these youngsters had not learned to use the device with repeated instructions, script with back-up reinforcement was introduced to train sequentially three responses - eye fixation, facial posturing, and diaphragmatic breathing - according to a multiple-baseline design. The procedures were effective in teaching appropriate use of the IPPB apparatus. Further, the children's use of the apparatus after training resulted in significantly more effective relief of asthma symptoms. In a second experiment, nurses were instructed in the application of the operant techniques used in the first study, and then served as experimenters in a partial replication of Experiment I. The data once again reflected a strong impact of the intervention program on IPPB responses.", "contents": "Training children with asthma to use inhalation therapy equipment. In Experiment I, four children with asthma were taught to use the intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) apparatus, a device that delivers bronchodilator medication to the lungs under positive pressure. Because these youngsters had not learned to use the device with repeated instructions, script with back-up reinforcement was introduced to train sequentially three responses - eye fixation, facial posturing, and diaphragmatic breathing - according to a multiple-baseline design. The procedures were effective in teaching appropriate use of the IPPB apparatus. Further, the children's use of the apparatus after training resulted in significantly more effective relief of asthma symptoms. In a second experiment, nurses were instructed in the application of the operant techniques used in the first study, and then served as experimenters in a partial replication of Experiment I. The data once again reflected a strong impact of the intervention program on IPPB responses.", "PMID": 767316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2394", "title": "Discontinuous synthesis of lac messenger ribonucleic acid in a mutant of Escherichia coli with a new lac promoter.", "content": "A mutant of Escherichia coli with a new promoter for the lac operon exhibits dramatic discontinuities in the synthesis of lac messenger ribonucleic acid after induction. These discontinuities immediately precede similar discontinuities in the synthesis of beta-galactosidase. The discontinuous synthesis of beta-galactosidase persists after addition of rifampin.", "contents": "Discontinuous synthesis of lac messenger ribonucleic acid in a mutant of Escherichia coli with a new lac promoter. A mutant of Escherichia coli with a new promoter for the lac operon exhibits dramatic discontinuities in the synthesis of lac messenger ribonucleic acid after induction. These discontinuities immediately precede similar discontinuities in the synthesis of beta-galactosidase. The discontinuous synthesis of beta-galactosidase persists after addition of rifampin.", "PMID": 767318} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2395", "title": "Changes in active transport, intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate levels, macromolecular syntheses, and glycolysis in an energy-uncoupled mutant of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli mutant ecfts metC (Lieberman and Hong, 1974), previously shown to be defective in the coupling of metabolic energy to active transport, is also altered in a wide variety of cellular activities at the nonpermissive temperature. These alterations include a lowering of intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate levels, an alteration of glucose metabolism such that large quantities of pyruvate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate are excreted into the medium, excretion of accumulated potassium ions, and a cessation of deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, and phospholipid synthesis. Since these effects closely mimic the action of colicins E1 and K on E. coli cells, the possibility that the ecf gene product is the primary biochemical target for these colicins is discussed.", "contents": "Changes in active transport, intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate levels, macromolecular syntheses, and glycolysis in an energy-uncoupled mutant of Escherichia coli. The temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli mutant ecfts metC (Lieberman and Hong, 1974), previously shown to be defective in the coupling of metabolic energy to active transport, is also altered in a wide variety of cellular activities at the nonpermissive temperature. These alterations include a lowering of intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate levels, an alteration of glucose metabolism such that large quantities of pyruvate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate are excreted into the medium, excretion of accumulated potassium ions, and a cessation of deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, and phospholipid synthesis. Since these effects closely mimic the action of colicins E1 and K on E. coli cells, the possibility that the ecf gene product is the primary biochemical target for these colicins is discussed.", "PMID": 767319} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2396", "title": "Escherichia coli mutants with altered ribosomal ribonucleic acid metabolism.", "content": "This paper reports the partial characterization of two temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli with alterations in ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) metabolism at the restrictive temperature. Both mutants continue to synthesize deoxyribonucleic acid and protein at 42 C but showed little or no accumulation of RNA. Both strains are inducible for beta-galactosidase at the restrictive temperature, showing that messenger RNA synthesis continues and that the messenger RNA is translated into functional protein. One of the strains, 2S474, shows a rather severe depression (sevenfold) in the synthesis of all classes of RNA at 42 C. In addition, the synthesis of rRNA is selectively depressed, with the percentage of rRNA synthesis. However, there appears to be a selective depression in the rate of rRNA synthesis and, possibly, in the conversion of p16S rRNA to m16S rRNA.", "contents": "Escherichia coli mutants with altered ribosomal ribonucleic acid metabolism. This paper reports the partial characterization of two temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli with alterations in ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) metabolism at the restrictive temperature. Both mutants continue to synthesize deoxyribonucleic acid and protein at 42 C but showed little or no accumulation of RNA. Both strains are inducible for beta-galactosidase at the restrictive temperature, showing that messenger RNA synthesis continues and that the messenger RNA is translated into functional protein. One of the strains, 2S474, shows a rather severe depression (sevenfold) in the synthesis of all classes of RNA at 42 C. In addition, the synthesis of rRNA is selectively depressed, with the percentage of rRNA synthesis. However, there appears to be a selective depression in the rate of rRNA synthesis and, possibly, in the conversion of p16S rRNA to m16S rRNA.", "PMID": 767320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2397", "title": "In vivo transcription of R-plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli strains with altered antibiotic resistance levels and/or conjugal proficiency.", "content": "The amounts of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and the levels of the in vivo transcription of the Escherichia coli plasmids R538-1 (repressed for conjugal transfer) and R538-1drd (derepressed for transfer) were determined by DNA-DNA hybridization and DNA-ribonucleic acid hybridization, respectively. The results demonstrate that the level of plasmid transcription is increased by two-fold in the strain carrying the derepressed plasmid, compared to an isogenic strain carrying the repressed plasmid, whereas the amount of plasmid DNA is approximately the same, suggesting that the transfer genes are under transcriptional control. Levels of plasmid DNA, plasmid DNA transcription, and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity were also compared in a mutant strain that carried the R538-1drd plasmid and was resistant to high levels of antibiotics. This strain produces about 13 copies of plasmid DNA per chromosome compared to five copies for the parent strain. The level of transcription of plasmid DNA was found to be twofold higher in the high-level resistant strain, whereas the level of chloramphenition, acetyltransferase activity was increased by 10-fold. In addition the levels of plasmid DNA transcription and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity in the high-level resistant strain were found to be further increased by the presence of high levels of chloramphenicol in the growth medium. The amount of plasmid DNA remained constant under these conditions, indicating that high levels of chloramphenicol can stimulate the expression of plasmid genes at the level of transcription in this strain.", "contents": "In vivo transcription of R-plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli strains with altered antibiotic resistance levels and/or conjugal proficiency. The amounts of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and the levels of the in vivo transcription of the Escherichia coli plasmids R538-1 (repressed for conjugal transfer) and R538-1drd (derepressed for transfer) were determined by DNA-DNA hybridization and DNA-ribonucleic acid hybridization, respectively. The results demonstrate that the level of plasmid transcription is increased by two-fold in the strain carrying the derepressed plasmid, compared to an isogenic strain carrying the repressed plasmid, whereas the amount of plasmid DNA is approximately the same, suggesting that the transfer genes are under transcriptional control. Levels of plasmid DNA, plasmid DNA transcription, and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity were also compared in a mutant strain that carried the R538-1drd plasmid and was resistant to high levels of antibiotics. This strain produces about 13 copies of plasmid DNA per chromosome compared to five copies for the parent strain. The level of transcription of plasmid DNA was found to be twofold higher in the high-level resistant strain, whereas the level of chloramphenition, acetyltransferase activity was increased by 10-fold. In addition the levels of plasmid DNA transcription and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity in the high-level resistant strain were found to be further increased by the presence of high levels of chloramphenicol in the growth medium. The amount of plasmid DNA remained constant under these conditions, indicating that high levels of chloramphenicol can stimulate the expression of plasmid genes at the level of transcription in this strain.", "PMID": 767321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2398", "title": "Effect of mutations in deoxyribonucleic acid repair pathways on the sensitivity of Escherichia coli K-12 strains to nitrofurantoin.", "content": "Escherichia coli K-12 strains that carry mutations in one or more genes coding for proteins involved in repair of deoxyribonucleic acid lesions are more sensitive to the antibiotic nitrofurantoin than are the nonmutant parent strains.", "contents": "Effect of mutations in deoxyribonucleic acid repair pathways on the sensitivity of Escherichia coli K-12 strains to nitrofurantoin. Escherichia coli K-12 strains that carry mutations in one or more genes coding for proteins involved in repair of deoxyribonucleic acid lesions are more sensitive to the antibiotic nitrofurantoin than are the nonmutant parent strains.", "PMID": 767322} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2399", "title": "Kinetics of thymineless death in Escherichia coli 15 as measured by single-cell observations.", "content": "Kinetics of thymineless death for Escherichia coli 15 TAU-bar from plating on solid medium were compared with those from direct observations of single cells under a microscope. The latter method did not involve any physical change of the medium. The kinetics obtained for the two methods were identical. This rules out the assumption that in E. coli 15 TAU-bar death from the thymine deprivation is directly associated with the plating procedure.", "contents": "Kinetics of thymineless death in Escherichia coli 15 as measured by single-cell observations. Kinetics of thymineless death for Escherichia coli 15 TAU-bar from plating on solid medium were compared with those from direct observations of single cells under a microscope. The latter method did not involve any physical change of the medium. The kinetics obtained for the two methods were identical. This rules out the assumption that in E. coli 15 TAU-bar death from the thymine deprivation is directly associated with the plating procedure.", "PMID": 767323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2400", "title": "In vivo distribution of ribonucleic acid polymerase between cytoplasm and nucleoid in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Three forms of ribonucleic acid polymerase can be distinguished in exponentially growing Escherichia coli cells: (i) active, (ii) inactive, inside the nucleoid, and (iii) inactive, free in the cytoplasm.", "contents": "In vivo distribution of ribonucleic acid polymerase between cytoplasm and nucleoid in Escherichia coli. Three forms of ribonucleic acid polymerase can be distinguished in exponentially growing Escherichia coli cells: (i) active, (ii) inactive, inside the nucleoid, and (iii) inactive, free in the cytoplasm.", "PMID": 767324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2401", "title": "Effect of growth conditions on glutamate transport in the wild-type strain and glutamate-utilizing mutants of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The effects of growth conditions on the glutamate transport activity of intact cells and membrane vesicles and on the levels of glutamate-binding protein in wild-type Escherichia coli K-12 CS101 and in two glutamate-utilizing mutants, CS7 and CS2TC, were studied. Growth of CS101 on aspartate as the sole source of carbon or nitrogen resulted in a severalfold increase in glutamate transport activity of intact cells and membrane preparations to levels characteristic of the operator-constitutive mutant CS7. The high glutamate transport activity of mutant CS7 was not depressed further by growth on aspartate. Synthesis of glutamate-binding protein was not enhanced by aspartate in either strain. Mutant CS2TC produces a heat-labile repressor of glutamate permease synthesis and is therefore able to grow on glutamate at 42 C but not at 30 C. CS2TC cells grown in a glycerol-minimal medium at the restrictive temperature (30 C) exhibit low glutamate transport activity. Growth on aspartate at 30 C results in derepressed synthesis of glutamate permease. Cells grown on glycerol at 42 C have high glutamate transport activity. No further derepression is obtained upon growth on aspartate. Growth of CS101 and CS7 in \"rich broth\" greatly reduces the levels of glutamate-binding protein but does not appreciably affect glutamate transport by whole cells or membrane preparations. The identity of the carrier and the role of the binding protein in glutamate transport are discussed in the light of these findings.", "contents": "Effect of growth conditions on glutamate transport in the wild-type strain and glutamate-utilizing mutants of Escherichia coli. The effects of growth conditions on the glutamate transport activity of intact cells and membrane vesicles and on the levels of glutamate-binding protein in wild-type Escherichia coli K-12 CS101 and in two glutamate-utilizing mutants, CS7 and CS2TC, were studied. Growth of CS101 on aspartate as the sole source of carbon or nitrogen resulted in a severalfold increase in glutamate transport activity of intact cells and membrane preparations to levels characteristic of the operator-constitutive mutant CS7. The high glutamate transport activity of mutant CS7 was not depressed further by growth on aspartate. Synthesis of glutamate-binding protein was not enhanced by aspartate in either strain. Mutant CS2TC produces a heat-labile repressor of glutamate permease synthesis and is therefore able to grow on glutamate at 42 C but not at 30 C. CS2TC cells grown in a glycerol-minimal medium at the restrictive temperature (30 C) exhibit low glutamate transport activity. Growth on aspartate at 30 C results in derepressed synthesis of glutamate permease. Cells grown on glycerol at 42 C have high glutamate transport activity. No further derepression is obtained upon growth on aspartate. Growth of CS101 and CS7 in \"rich broth\" greatly reduces the levels of glutamate-binding protein but does not appreciably affect glutamate transport by whole cells or membrane preparations. The identity of the carrier and the role of the binding protein in glutamate transport are discussed in the light of these findings.", "PMID": 767325} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2402", "title": "Glutamate transport in membrane vesicles of the wild-type strain and glutamate-utilizing mutants of Escherichia coli.", "content": "A highly specific energy-dependent glutamate transport system was demonstrated in membrane vesicles of glutamate-utilizing Escherichia coli K-12 mutants. The glutamate transport activity of membranes from the parent strain, unable to grow on glutamate, was very low. With ascorbate-phenazine methosulfate as the electron donor, mutant preparations displayed 17 to 20 times higher activity than did the wild type. However, the affinity of the mutant carrier for L-glutamate remained the same as in the parent strain. Comparative inhibition analysis of glutamate transport in whole cells and membrane vesicles and of in vitro binding of glutamate to a specific periplasmic-binding protein suggests that under certain conditions the latter may be a component of the E. coli K-12 glutamate transport system.", "contents": "Glutamate transport in membrane vesicles of the wild-type strain and glutamate-utilizing mutants of Escherichia coli. A highly specific energy-dependent glutamate transport system was demonstrated in membrane vesicles of glutamate-utilizing Escherichia coli K-12 mutants. The glutamate transport activity of membranes from the parent strain, unable to grow on glutamate, was very low. With ascorbate-phenazine methosulfate as the electron donor, mutant preparations displayed 17 to 20 times higher activity than did the wild type. However, the affinity of the mutant carrier for L-glutamate remained the same as in the parent strain. Comparative inhibition analysis of glutamate transport in whole cells and membrane vesicles and of in vitro binding of glutamate to a specific periplasmic-binding protein suggests that under certain conditions the latter may be a component of the E. coli K-12 glutamate transport system.", "PMID": 767326} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2403", "title": "Excision repair of ultraviolet-irradiated deoxyribonucleic acid in plasmolyzed cells of Escherichia coli.", "content": "A system of cells made permeable by treatment with high concentrations of surcrose (plasmolysis) has been exploited to study the excision repair of ultraviolet-irradiated deoxyribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli. It is demonstrated that adenosine 5'-triphosphate is required for incision breaks to be made in the bacterial chromosome as well as in covalently closed bacteriophage lambda deoxyribonucleic acid. After plasmolysis, uvrC mutant strains appear as defective in the incision step as the uvrA-mutated strains. This is in contrast to the situation in intact cells where uvrC mutants accumulate single-strand breaks during postirradiation incubation. These observations have led to the proposal of a model for excision repair, in which the ultraviolet-specific endonuclease, coded for by the uvrA and uvrB genes, exists in a complex with the uvrC gene product. The complex is responsible for the incision and possibly also the excision steps of repair. The dark-repair inhibitors acriflavine and caffeine are both shown to interfere with the action of the adenosine 5'-triphosphate-dependent enzyme.", "contents": "Excision repair of ultraviolet-irradiated deoxyribonucleic acid in plasmolyzed cells of Escherichia coli. A system of cells made permeable by treatment with high concentrations of surcrose (plasmolysis) has been exploited to study the excision repair of ultraviolet-irradiated deoxyribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli. It is demonstrated that adenosine 5'-triphosphate is required for incision breaks to be made in the bacterial chromosome as well as in covalently closed bacteriophage lambda deoxyribonucleic acid. After plasmolysis, uvrC mutant strains appear as defective in the incision step as the uvrA-mutated strains. This is in contrast to the situation in intact cells where uvrC mutants accumulate single-strand breaks during postirradiation incubation. These observations have led to the proposal of a model for excision repair, in which the ultraviolet-specific endonuclease, coded for by the uvrA and uvrB genes, exists in a complex with the uvrC gene product. The complex is responsible for the incision and possibly also the excision steps of repair. The dark-repair inhibitors acriflavine and caffeine are both shown to interfere with the action of the adenosine 5'-triphosphate-dependent enzyme.", "PMID": 767327} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2404", "title": "Transposition of a deoxyribonucleic acid sequence encoding trimethoprim and streptomycin resistances from R483 to other replicons.", "content": "R483, a plasmid of the Ialpha incompatibility group, contained a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence encoding resistance to trimethoprim (TpR) and streptomycin (SmR) that could be transposed to other replicons, i.e., to the Escherichia coli chromosome and to related and unrelated plasmids. Each transposition resulted in the acquisition by the recipient replicon of a segment of DNA of about 9 X 10(6) daltons, both resistance genes, but never the colicin Ia or pilus genes of R483. Transposition took place at a single chromosomal site between dnaA and ilv and did not suppress the DnaA phenotype, in contrast to integration of the whole R483 plasmid. The chromosome, having received the transposition, could secondarily act as a transposition donor to another plasmid. Such a plasmid was indistinguishable from one having received a direct transposition from R483. TpR SmR transposition was very site specific and did not require a functional recA+ gene. We postulate that the TpR SmR segment of R483 is a transposon (TnC) with specific boundary sequences.", "contents": "Transposition of a deoxyribonucleic acid sequence encoding trimethoprim and streptomycin resistances from R483 to other replicons. R483, a plasmid of the Ialpha incompatibility group, contained a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence encoding resistance to trimethoprim (TpR) and streptomycin (SmR) that could be transposed to other replicons, i.e., to the Escherichia coli chromosome and to related and unrelated plasmids. Each transposition resulted in the acquisition by the recipient replicon of a segment of DNA of about 9 X 10(6) daltons, both resistance genes, but never the colicin Ia or pilus genes of R483. Transposition took place at a single chromosomal site between dnaA and ilv and did not suppress the DnaA phenotype, in contrast to integration of the whole R483 plasmid. The chromosome, having received the transposition, could secondarily act as a transposition donor to another plasmid. Such a plasmid was indistinguishable from one having received a direct transposition from R483. TpR SmR transposition was very site specific and did not require a functional recA+ gene. We postulate that the TpR SmR segment of R483 is a transposon (TnC) with specific boundary sequences.", "PMID": 767328} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2405", "title": "Regulation of lysine transport by feedback inhibition in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "A steady-state level of about 240 nmol/mg (dry wt) occurs during lysine transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. No subsequent efflux of the accumulated amino acid was detected. Two transport systems mediate lysine transport, a high-affinity, lysine-specific system and an arginine-lysine system for which lysine exhibits a lower affinity. Preloading with lysine, arginine, glutamic acid, or aspartic acid inhibited lysine transport activity; preloading with glutamine, glycine, methionine, phenylalanine, or valine had little effect; however, preloading with histidine stimulated lysine transport activity. These preloading effects correlated with fluctuations in the intracellular lysine and/or arginine pool: lysine transport activity was inhibited when increases in the lysine and/or arginine pool occurred and was stimulated when decreases in the lysine and/or arginine pool occurred. After addition of lysine to a growing culture, lysine transport activity was inhibited more than threefold in one-third of the doubling time of the culture. These results indicate that the lysine-specific and arginine-lysine transport systems are regulated by feedback inhibition that may be mediated by intracellular lysine and arginine.", "contents": "Regulation of lysine transport by feedback inhibition in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A steady-state level of about 240 nmol/mg (dry wt) occurs during lysine transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. No subsequent efflux of the accumulated amino acid was detected. Two transport systems mediate lysine transport, a high-affinity, lysine-specific system and an arginine-lysine system for which lysine exhibits a lower affinity. Preloading with lysine, arginine, glutamic acid, or aspartic acid inhibited lysine transport activity; preloading with glutamine, glycine, methionine, phenylalanine, or valine had little effect; however, preloading with histidine stimulated lysine transport activity. These preloading effects correlated with fluctuations in the intracellular lysine and/or arginine pool: lysine transport activity was inhibited when increases in the lysine and/or arginine pool occurred and was stimulated when decreases in the lysine and/or arginine pool occurred. After addition of lysine to a growing culture, lysine transport activity was inhibited more than threefold in one-third of the doubling time of the culture. These results indicate that the lysine-specific and arginine-lysine transport systems are regulated by feedback inhibition that may be mediated by intracellular lysine and arginine.", "PMID": 767329} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2406", "title": "Kinetics of labeling of the S-adenosylmethionine pool of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "A method has been developed for studying the specific activity of the pool of S-adenosylmethionine in yeast. The pool reaches half-maximal specific activity within 30 s after the addition of [methyl-3H]methionine. After addition of an excess of nonradioactive methionine, the specific activity of S-adenosylmethionine is reduced by half within 20 s. During that period there is a substantial expansion of the pool. A logarithmically growing cell in synthetic medium contains about 2 X 10(6) molecules of S-adenosylmethionine, of which only 10% is used for the methylation of ribonucleic acid molecules.", "contents": "Kinetics of labeling of the S-adenosylmethionine pool of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A method has been developed for studying the specific activity of the pool of S-adenosylmethionine in yeast. The pool reaches half-maximal specific activity within 30 s after the addition of [methyl-3H]methionine. After addition of an excess of nonradioactive methionine, the specific activity of S-adenosylmethionine is reduced by half within 20 s. During that period there is a substantial expansion of the pool. A logarithmically growing cell in synthetic medium contains about 2 X 10(6) molecules of S-adenosylmethionine, of which only 10% is used for the methylation of ribonucleic acid molecules.", "PMID": 767330} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2407", "title": "Biosynthesis and assembly of envelope lipoprotein in a glycerol-requiring mutant of Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "A glycerol-requiring mutant of Salmonella typhimurium was used in a study of the biosynthesis and assembly of a structural lipoprotein in the cell envelope of gram-negative bacteria. Upon removal of glycerol from the growth medium, the biosynthesis of lipoprotein, as measured by radioactive arginine incorporation, was reduced by the same extent as that of other envelope proteins, the cumulative incorporation of arginine being 20% of that of the unstarved control cells. However, the incorporation of radioactive palmitate into lipoprotein was more severely curtailed after glycerol starvation, the cumulative rate of which was 8% of that observed in the unstarved cells. It was further observed that the lipoprotein synthesized in the glycerol-starved cells was more enriched in unmodified cysteine, which is known to be the N-terminal amino acid of lipoprotein, than that synthesized in the unstarved cells. We conclude that the synthesis of the apoprotein portion of Braun's lipoprotein proceeds independently of the attachment of diglyceride to the sulfhydryl group of the N-terminal cysteine and may, in fact, precede the incorporation of the diglyceride moiety.", "contents": "Biosynthesis and assembly of envelope lipoprotein in a glycerol-requiring mutant of Salmonella typhimurium. A glycerol-requiring mutant of Salmonella typhimurium was used in a study of the biosynthesis and assembly of a structural lipoprotein in the cell envelope of gram-negative bacteria. Upon removal of glycerol from the growth medium, the biosynthesis of lipoprotein, as measured by radioactive arginine incorporation, was reduced by the same extent as that of other envelope proteins, the cumulative incorporation of arginine being 20% of that of the unstarved control cells. However, the incorporation of radioactive palmitate into lipoprotein was more severely curtailed after glycerol starvation, the cumulative rate of which was 8% of that observed in the unstarved cells. It was further observed that the lipoprotein synthesized in the glycerol-starved cells was more enriched in unmodified cysteine, which is known to be the N-terminal amino acid of lipoprotein, than that synthesized in the unstarved cells. We conclude that the synthesis of the apoprotein portion of Braun's lipoprotein proceeds independently of the attachment of diglyceride to the sulfhydryl group of the N-terminal cysteine and may, in fact, precede the incorporation of the diglyceride moiety.", "PMID": 767331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2408", "title": "Utilization of D-asparagine by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Yeast strains sigma1278b and Harden and Young, which synthesize only an internal constitutive form of L-asparaginase, do not grow on D-asparagine, as a sole source of nitrogen, and whole cell suspensions of these strains do not hydrolyze D-asparagine. Strains X2180-A2 and D273-10B, which possess an externally active form of asparaginase, are able to grow slowly on D-asparagine, and nitrogen-starved suspensions of these strains exhibit high activity toward the D-isomer. Nitrogen starvation of strain X218O-A2 results in coordinate increase of D- and L-asparaginase activity; the specific activity observed for the D-isomer is approximately 20% greater than that observed for the L-isomer. It was observed, in studies with cell extracts, that hydrolysis of D-asparagine occurred only with extracts from nitrogen-starved cells of strains that synthesize the external form of asparaginase. Furthermore, the activity of the extracts toward the D-isomer was always higher than that observed with the L-isomer. A 400-fold purified preparation of external asparaginase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae X218U-A2 hydrolyzed D-asparagine with an apparent Km of 0.23 mM and a Vmax of 38.7 mumol/min per mg of protein. D-Asparagine was a competitive inhibitor of L-asparagine hydrolysis and the Ki determined for this inhibition was approximately equal to its Km. These data suggest that D-asparagine is a good substrate for the external yeast asparaginase but is a poor substrate for the internal enzyme.", "contents": "Utilization of D-asparagine by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast strains sigma1278b and Harden and Young, which synthesize only an internal constitutive form of L-asparaginase, do not grow on D-asparagine, as a sole source of nitrogen, and whole cell suspensions of these strains do not hydrolyze D-asparagine. Strains X2180-A2 and D273-10B, which possess an externally active form of asparaginase, are able to grow slowly on D-asparagine, and nitrogen-starved suspensions of these strains exhibit high activity toward the D-isomer. Nitrogen starvation of strain X218O-A2 results in coordinate increase of D- and L-asparaginase activity; the specific activity observed for the D-isomer is approximately 20% greater than that observed for the L-isomer. It was observed, in studies with cell extracts, that hydrolysis of D-asparagine occurred only with extracts from nitrogen-starved cells of strains that synthesize the external form of asparaginase. Furthermore, the activity of the extracts toward the D-isomer was always higher than that observed with the L-isomer. A 400-fold purified preparation of external asparaginase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae X218U-A2 hydrolyzed D-asparagine with an apparent Km of 0.23 mM and a Vmax of 38.7 mumol/min per mg of protein. D-Asparagine was a competitive inhibitor of L-asparagine hydrolysis and the Ki determined for this inhibition was approximately equal to its Km. These data suggest that D-asparagine is a good substrate for the external yeast asparaginase but is a poor substrate for the internal enzyme.", "PMID": 767332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2409", "title": "Active site of ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase from Escherichia coli. Inactivation of the enzyme by 2'-substituted ribonucleoside diphosphates.", "content": "Ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase is an allosteric enzyme consisting of two nonidentical subunits, proteins B1 and B2. B1 contains dithiols which participate in the oxidation-reduction reactions of electron transport, while B2 contains a free radical essential for activity. Ribonucleoside diphosphates are bound to B1 but not to B2. Addition of 2'-deoxy-2'-chloro ribonucleoside diphosphates to ribonucleotide reductase irreversibly inactivates B1 without affecting B2. The reaction is specific since (a) it requires the presence of active B2, (b) it is controlled by allosteric effectors, (c) B1 is protected against inactivation by the normal substrates, and (d) the chloro-substituted nucleoside monophosphates have no effect. The inactivation of B1 is caused by a modification of the oxidation-reduction dithiols. The chloro derivatives decompose into free base, chloride ion, and 2-deoxyribose 5-diphosphate as a consequence of reaction with the enzyme. 2'-Deoxy-2\"-azido ribonucleoside diphosphates cause an irreversible inactivation of B2 without affecting B1. The reaction is specific by the above criteria, indicating that the azido derivatives also bind to the active site of the enzyme. On reduction by ribonucleotide reductase, the azido derivatives function as radical scavengers and selectively destroy the free radical of B2, indicating that this radical participates in ribonucleotide reduction directly. On the basis of these results, a model of the active site of ribonucleotide reductase is proposed in which the site is formed from both B1 and B2. In the site the electron-donating oxidation-reduction active dithiols of B1 are in close contact with the free radical of B2. The azido derivative also inactivates the adenosylcobalamin-dependent ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase from Lactobacillus leichmannii and a ribonucleotide reductase preparation from calf thymus, indicating a general involvement of free radical intermediates in enzyme-catalyzed ribonucleotide reduction.", "contents": "Active site of ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase from Escherichia coli. Inactivation of the enzyme by 2'-substituted ribonucleoside diphosphates. Ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase is an allosteric enzyme consisting of two nonidentical subunits, proteins B1 and B2. B1 contains dithiols which participate in the oxidation-reduction reactions of electron transport, while B2 contains a free radical essential for activity. Ribonucleoside diphosphates are bound to B1 but not to B2. Addition of 2'-deoxy-2'-chloro ribonucleoside diphosphates to ribonucleotide reductase irreversibly inactivates B1 without affecting B2. The reaction is specific since (a) it requires the presence of active B2, (b) it is controlled by allosteric effectors, (c) B1 is protected against inactivation by the normal substrates, and (d) the chloro-substituted nucleoside monophosphates have no effect. The inactivation of B1 is caused by a modification of the oxidation-reduction dithiols. The chloro derivatives decompose into free base, chloride ion, and 2-deoxyribose 5-diphosphate as a consequence of reaction with the enzyme. 2'-Deoxy-2\"-azido ribonucleoside diphosphates cause an irreversible inactivation of B2 without affecting B1. The reaction is specific by the above criteria, indicating that the azido derivatives also bind to the active site of the enzyme. On reduction by ribonucleotide reductase, the azido derivatives function as radical scavengers and selectively destroy the free radical of B2, indicating that this radical participates in ribonucleotide reduction directly. On the basis of these results, a model of the active site of ribonucleotide reductase is proposed in which the site is formed from both B1 and B2. In the site the electron-donating oxidation-reduction active dithiols of B1 are in close contact with the free radical of B2. The azido derivative also inactivates the adenosylcobalamin-dependent ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase from Lactobacillus leichmannii and a ribonucleotide reductase preparation from calf thymus, indicating a general involvement of free radical intermediates in enzyme-catalyzed ribonucleotide reduction.", "PMID": 767333} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2410", "title": "Yeast DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I. A rapid procedure for the large scale purification of homogeneous enzyme.", "content": "A procedure has been developed for the rapid purification of large amounts of yeast RNA polymerase I (A). The method involves batchwise treatment with phosphocellulose and DEAE-cellulose, ion filtration chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex, sucrose gradient centrifugation, and DNA-cellulose chromatography. The enzyme obtained is apparently homogeneous by sedimentation velocity analysis and has a specific activity of 300 nmol of UMP incorporated into RNA in 10 min per mg of protein. Between 30 and 45 mg of enzyme can be obtained in 5 days from 3.0 kg of yeast cells. The subunit composition of the enzyme was determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The purified polymerase is composed of 11 putative subunits with molecular weights 185,000 (Ia), 137,000 (Ib), 48,000 (Ic), 44,000 (Id), 41,000 (Ie), 36,000 (If), 28,000 (Ig), 24,000 (Ih), 20,000 (Ii), 14,500 (Ij), and 12,000 (Ik). Yeast polymerase I separates into two forms when subjected to gel electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions. The main component which migrates faster contains all the subunits except the polypeptides Ic and If. The slow migrating component which is present in lower amounts contains all the subunits.", "contents": "Yeast DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I. A rapid procedure for the large scale purification of homogeneous enzyme. A procedure has been developed for the rapid purification of large amounts of yeast RNA polymerase I (A). The method involves batchwise treatment with phosphocellulose and DEAE-cellulose, ion filtration chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex, sucrose gradient centrifugation, and DNA-cellulose chromatography. The enzyme obtained is apparently homogeneous by sedimentation velocity analysis and has a specific activity of 300 nmol of UMP incorporated into RNA in 10 min per mg of protein. Between 30 and 45 mg of enzyme can be obtained in 5 days from 3.0 kg of yeast cells. The subunit composition of the enzyme was determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The purified polymerase is composed of 11 putative subunits with molecular weights 185,000 (Ia), 137,000 (Ib), 48,000 (Ic), 44,000 (Id), 41,000 (Ie), 36,000 (If), 28,000 (Ig), 24,000 (Ih), 20,000 (Ii), 14,500 (Ij), and 12,000 (Ik). Yeast polymerase I separates into two forms when subjected to gel electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions. The main component which migrates faster contains all the subunits except the polypeptides Ic and If. The slow migrating component which is present in lower amounts contains all the subunits.", "PMID": 767334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2411", "title": "Conditional spore cortex-less mutants of Bacillus sphaericus 9602.", "content": "Lysine-requiring mutants of Bacillus sphaericus 9602 were isolated and classified into three groups by their mutation site in the pathway of lysine biosynthesis. The Group I mutant lacks meso-alpha, epsilon-diaminopimelic acid (meso-Dap) decarboxylase activity, but Group II and III mutants have a normal level of Dap decarboxylase activity. A Group II mutant makes dipicolinic acid from an intermediate in the lysine pathway, but Group III mutants do not. In the absence of meso-Dap in the culture, muramic lactam content in the spore cortex of Group II and III mutants is very low, compared to the wild type content. Addition of meso-Dap to the culture causes an increase of muramic lactam content. Since meso-Dap is detectable only in the spore cortex of B. sphaericus 9602, almost all of the muramic lactam in the spore is probably also located in the cortex. Group I mutants grown in the presence of L-lysine sporulate normally. Group II and III mutants produce oval and nonrefractile spores under the same conditions but the addition of meso-Dap to the culture results in the production of round and refractile spores. Thus, the presence of cortex in the spore is essential to give the round and refractile spores in B. sphaericus. The presence of cortex is also required for the accumulation of dipicolinic acid in the sporulating cells. Furthermore, 1-octanol resistance of the spore depends only on the presence of cortex but both cortex and dipicolinic acid are required for heat resistance of the spore.", "contents": "Conditional spore cortex-less mutants of Bacillus sphaericus 9602. Lysine-requiring mutants of Bacillus sphaericus 9602 were isolated and classified into three groups by their mutation site in the pathway of lysine biosynthesis. The Group I mutant lacks meso-alpha, epsilon-diaminopimelic acid (meso-Dap) decarboxylase activity, but Group II and III mutants have a normal level of Dap decarboxylase activity. A Group II mutant makes dipicolinic acid from an intermediate in the lysine pathway, but Group III mutants do not. In the absence of meso-Dap in the culture, muramic lactam content in the spore cortex of Group II and III mutants is very low, compared to the wild type content. Addition of meso-Dap to the culture causes an increase of muramic lactam content. Since meso-Dap is detectable only in the spore cortex of B. sphaericus 9602, almost all of the muramic lactam in the spore is probably also located in the cortex. Group I mutants grown in the presence of L-lysine sporulate normally. Group II and III mutants produce oval and nonrefractile spores under the same conditions but the addition of meso-Dap to the culture results in the production of round and refractile spores. Thus, the presence of cortex in the spore is essential to give the round and refractile spores in B. sphaericus. The presence of cortex is also required for the accumulation of dipicolinic acid in the sporulating cells. Furthermore, 1-octanol resistance of the spore depends only on the presence of cortex but both cortex and dipicolinic acid are required for heat resistance of the spore.", "PMID": 767335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2412", "title": "Evidence for a conformational change in tRNAPhe upon aminoacylation.", "content": "A conformational difference between the structure of tRNAPhe and Cbz-Phe-tRNAPhe from Escherichia coli was detected using the spin label method. A comparison of the respective rotational correlation time (tau c) values of three differently located spin labels, indicates that upon aminoacylation of tRNAPhe, the 4-thiouridine residue region and the miniloop region become more flexible, while the environment of the anticodon loop is not affected. These observations suggest that the main difference in structure between charged and uncharged tRNA resides in the release and exposure of the TpsiC loop for eventual binding to the ribosomes.", "contents": "Evidence for a conformational change in tRNAPhe upon aminoacylation. A conformational difference between the structure of tRNAPhe and Cbz-Phe-tRNAPhe from Escherichia coli was detected using the spin label method. A comparison of the respective rotational correlation time (tau c) values of three differently located spin labels, indicates that upon aminoacylation of tRNAPhe, the 4-thiouridine residue region and the miniloop region become more flexible, while the environment of the anticodon loop is not affected. These observations suggest that the main difference in structure between charged and uncharged tRNA resides in the release and exposure of the TpsiC loop for eventual binding to the ribosomes.", "PMID": 767336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2413", "title": "Modification and restriction of T-even bacteriophages. In vitro degradation of deoxyribonucleic acid containing 5-hydroxymethylctosine.", "content": "Using the single-stranded circular DNA of bacteriophage fd as template, double-stranded circular DNA has been prepared in vitro with either 5-hydroxymethylcytosine ([hmdC]DNA) or cytosine ([dC]DNA) in the product strand. Extracts prepared from Escherichia coli cells restrictive to T-even phage containing nonglucosylated DNA degrade [hmdC]DNA to acid-soluble material in vitro, but do not degrade [dC]dna. In contrast, extracts prepared from E. coli K12 rglA- rglB-, a strain permissive to T-even phage containing nonglucosylated DNA, do not degrade [hmdC]DNA or [dC]DNA. In addition, glucosylation of the [hmdC]DNA renders it resistant to degradation by extracts from restrictive strains. The conversion of [hmdC]DNA to acid-soluble material in vitro consists of an HmCyt-specific endonucleolytic cleavage requiring the presence of the RglB gene product to form a linear molecule, followed by a non-HmCyt-specific hydrolysis of the linear DNA to acid-soluble fragments, catalyzed in part by exonuclease V. The RglB protein present in extracts of E. coli K12 rglA- rglB+ has been purified 200-fold by complementation with extracts from E. coli K12 rglA- rglB-. The purified RglB protein does not contain detectable HmCyt-specific endonuclease or exonuclease activity. In vitro endonucleolytic cleavage of [hmdC]DNA thus requires additional factors present in cell extracts.", "contents": "Modification and restriction of T-even bacteriophages. In vitro degradation of deoxyribonucleic acid containing 5-hydroxymethylctosine. Using the single-stranded circular DNA of bacteriophage fd as template, double-stranded circular DNA has been prepared in vitro with either 5-hydroxymethylcytosine ([hmdC]DNA) or cytosine ([dC]DNA) in the product strand. Extracts prepared from Escherichia coli cells restrictive to T-even phage containing nonglucosylated DNA degrade [hmdC]DNA to acid-soluble material in vitro, but do not degrade [dC]dna. In contrast, extracts prepared from E. coli K12 rglA- rglB-, a strain permissive to T-even phage containing nonglucosylated DNA, do not degrade [hmdC]DNA or [dC]DNA. In addition, glucosylation of the [hmdC]DNA renders it resistant to degradation by extracts from restrictive strains. The conversion of [hmdC]DNA to acid-soluble material in vitro consists of an HmCyt-specific endonucleolytic cleavage requiring the presence of the RglB gene product to form a linear molecule, followed by a non-HmCyt-specific hydrolysis of the linear DNA to acid-soluble fragments, catalyzed in part by exonuclease V. The RglB protein present in extracts of E. coli K12 rglA- rglB+ has been purified 200-fold by complementation with extracts from E. coli K12 rglA- rglB-. The purified RglB protein does not contain detectable HmCyt-specific endonuclease or exonuclease activity. In vitro endonucleolytic cleavage of [hmdC]DNA thus requires additional factors present in cell extracts.", "PMID": 767337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2414", "title": "Structural studies on yeast RNA polymerases. Existence of common subunits in RNA polymerases A(I) and B(II).", "content": "The subunits of yeast RNA polymerases A(I) and B(II) were characterized using several techniques. The present studies demonstrate that the A and B enzymes possess three subunits, which are indistinguishable on the basis of molecular weight, isoelectric point, and fingerprint pattern. The three common subunits belong to the small molecular weight components of the enzymes. By polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with sodium dodecyl sulfate they migrate with apparent molecular weights of 27,000, 23,000, and 14,500, respectively. A two-dimensional subunit mapping technique on polyacrylamide gel was used to separate the subunits according to isoelectric point and molecular weight. The common polypeptides co-migrated on three spots corresponding to isoelectric points of 9.2 (27,000), 4.5 (23,000), and 4.6 (14,500). The fingerprints of the 35S-labeled tryptic peptides of the presumptive common subunits were found to be essentially identical. Finally, the presence of common subunits was supported by the fact that antibodies against pure RNA polymerase A cross-react with and inhibit RNA polymerase B. Except for the common subunits, it is likely that RNA polymerases A and B are primarily made of distinct gene products for the following reasons. A total of 13 polypeptide chains are present in enzyme A, whereas 10 polypeptides are found in enzyme B. The molecular weight, isoelectric point, and sulfur content of the majority of these polypeptide chains are different in the two enzymes. No similarity was found in the 35S-peptide fingerprint from a number of A and B subunits of slightly different molecular weight. Finally, antibodies against the largest subunit from RNA polymerase A do not cross-react with or inhibit RNA polymerase B. The data are discussed in terms of structural organization of eukaryotic RNA polymerases.", "contents": "Structural studies on yeast RNA polymerases. Existence of common subunits in RNA polymerases A(I) and B(II). The subunits of yeast RNA polymerases A(I) and B(II) were characterized using several techniques. The present studies demonstrate that the A and B enzymes possess three subunits, which are indistinguishable on the basis of molecular weight, isoelectric point, and fingerprint pattern. The three common subunits belong to the small molecular weight components of the enzymes. By polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with sodium dodecyl sulfate they migrate with apparent molecular weights of 27,000, 23,000, and 14,500, respectively. A two-dimensional subunit mapping technique on polyacrylamide gel was used to separate the subunits according to isoelectric point and molecular weight. The common polypeptides co-migrated on three spots corresponding to isoelectric points of 9.2 (27,000), 4.5 (23,000), and 4.6 (14,500). The fingerprints of the 35S-labeled tryptic peptides of the presumptive common subunits were found to be essentially identical. Finally, the presence of common subunits was supported by the fact that antibodies against pure RNA polymerase A cross-react with and inhibit RNA polymerase B. Except for the common subunits, it is likely that RNA polymerases A and B are primarily made of distinct gene products for the following reasons. A total of 13 polypeptide chains are present in enzyme A, whereas 10 polypeptides are found in enzyme B. The molecular weight, isoelectric point, and sulfur content of the majority of these polypeptide chains are different in the two enzymes. No similarity was found in the 35S-peptide fingerprint from a number of A and B subunits of slightly different molecular weight. Finally, antibodies against the largest subunit from RNA polymerase A do not cross-react with or inhibit RNA polymerase B. The data are discussed in terms of structural organization of eukaryotic RNA polymerases.", "PMID": 767338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2415", "title": "Stoichiometry of polypeptide chain elongation.", "content": "To quantitate the amount of GTP hydrolyzed during polypeptide chain elongation, an in vitro system containing purified endogenous Escherichia coli polysomes has been developed. The polysomes are washed with 1 M NH4Cl to eliminate endogenous GTPase activities and are depleted of subunits and free ribosomes to diminish the uncoupled elongation factor G-dependent GTP hydrolysis. These polysomes, supplemented with elongation factors, aminoacyl-tRNA, and low concentrations of GTP, incorporate amino acids in their nascent peptide chains. After correcting for a background of uncoupled GTP hydrolysis, it has been found that the incorporation of each molecule of amino acid is associated with the hydrolysis of 2 molecules of GTP.", "contents": "Stoichiometry of polypeptide chain elongation. To quantitate the amount of GTP hydrolyzed during polypeptide chain elongation, an in vitro system containing purified endogenous Escherichia coli polysomes has been developed. The polysomes are washed with 1 M NH4Cl to eliminate endogenous GTPase activities and are depleted of subunits and free ribosomes to diminish the uncoupled elongation factor G-dependent GTP hydrolysis. These polysomes, supplemented with elongation factors, aminoacyl-tRNA, and low concentrations of GTP, incorporate amino acids in their nascent peptide chains. After correcting for a background of uncoupled GTP hydrolysis, it has been found that the incorporation of each molecule of amino acid is associated with the hydrolysis of 2 molecules of GTP.", "PMID": 767339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2416", "title": "Binding interactions between radiolabeled Escherichia coli elongation factor G and the ribosome.", "content": "We have prepared homogeneous radiolabeled Escherichia coli Elongation Factor G (EF-G) and examined its interactions with the ribosome. In agreement with earlier indirect observations we found that in the presence of high concentrations of fusidic acid approximately equimolar amounts of [3H]EF-G and [alpha-32P]GDP are stably bound to the ribosome. In the absence of fusidic acid, we observed a previously undescribed nucleotide-independent binding interaction between EF-G and the ribosome. This binding is detectable by rapid elution on small gel columns but is not apparent when reactions are analyzed by sucrose density gradient sedimentation. With the exception of the fact that the nucleotide-independent binding of EF-G to ribosome is apparently unaffected even by high concentrations of fusidic acid, it shares many properties in common with that binding which occurs in the presence of GDP. Nucleotide-independent binding requires magnesium ion (10 to 20 mM ) and does not require a monovalent cation but is strongly inhibited by even moderate concentrations of NH4Cl. This binding requires the presence on the ribosome of Protein L7/L12 and is inhibited by the antibiotic thiostrepton. Although we were unable to examine the binary ribosome.EF-G complex by equilibrium means, the observed stoichiometry under the conditions we employed did not exceed 0.2 mol of EF-G/mole of ribosome. Nonequilibrium measurements revealed that one-half of the EF-G was bound at a ribosome concentration of about 50 muM.", "contents": "Binding interactions between radiolabeled Escherichia coli elongation factor G and the ribosome. We have prepared homogeneous radiolabeled Escherichia coli Elongation Factor G (EF-G) and examined its interactions with the ribosome. In agreement with earlier indirect observations we found that in the presence of high concentrations of fusidic acid approximately equimolar amounts of [3H]EF-G and [alpha-32P]GDP are stably bound to the ribosome. In the absence of fusidic acid, we observed a previously undescribed nucleotide-independent binding interaction between EF-G and the ribosome. This binding is detectable by rapid elution on small gel columns but is not apparent when reactions are analyzed by sucrose density gradient sedimentation. With the exception of the fact that the nucleotide-independent binding of EF-G to ribosome is apparently unaffected even by high concentrations of fusidic acid, it shares many properties in common with that binding which occurs in the presence of GDP. Nucleotide-independent binding requires magnesium ion (10 to 20 mM ) and does not require a monovalent cation but is strongly inhibited by even moderate concentrations of NH4Cl. This binding requires the presence on the ribosome of Protein L7/L12 and is inhibited by the antibiotic thiostrepton. Although we were unable to examine the binary ribosome.EF-G complex by equilibrium means, the observed stoichiometry under the conditions we employed did not exceed 0.2 mol of EF-G/mole of ribosome. Nonequilibrium measurements revealed that one-half of the EF-G was bound at a ribosome concentration of about 50 muM.", "PMID": 767340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2417", "title": "The ribosomal proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Phosphorylated and exchangeable proteins.", "content": "Sixty-seven ribosomal proteins of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been distinguished by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Five of the ribosomal proteins are phosphorylated in vivo. One of the phosphorylated proteins appears to correspond to the phosphorylated ribosomal protein, S6, of rat liver. Another of the yeast-phosphorylated proteins, which is highly acidic, may be related to the protein L7/L12 of Escherichia coli. The phosphorylation of four of the five ribosomal proteins depends on protein synthesis. Ribosome synthesis, however, is not necessary for the phosphorylation of any of them. Three proteins of the 60 S ribosomal subunit are \"exchangeable\" in vivo. Two of these are phosphoproteins, one of which is the very acidic protein possibly related to L7/L12 of E. coli. The possible significance of this phosphorylated, exchangeable protein in protein synthesis is discussed.", "contents": "The ribosomal proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Phosphorylated and exchangeable proteins. Sixty-seven ribosomal proteins of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been distinguished by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Five of the ribosomal proteins are phosphorylated in vivo. One of the phosphorylated proteins appears to correspond to the phosphorylated ribosomal protein, S6, of rat liver. Another of the yeast-phosphorylated proteins, which is highly acidic, may be related to the protein L7/L12 of Escherichia coli. The phosphorylation of four of the five ribosomal proteins depends on protein synthesis. Ribosome synthesis, however, is not necessary for the phosphorylation of any of them. Three proteins of the 60 S ribosomal subunit are \"exchangeable\" in vivo. Two of these are phosphoproteins, one of which is the very acidic protein possibly related to L7/L12 of E. coli. The possible significance of this phosphorylated, exchangeable protein in protein synthesis is discussed.", "PMID": 767341} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2418", "title": "Further experience with interfascicular grafting of the median, ulnar, and radial nerves.", "content": "The results of interfascicular nerve-grafting, a procedure developed in 1964, were reported in The Journal in 1972 9. Between 1964 and 1972, defects in forty-three median, fourty-four ulnar, and sixteen radial nerves were grafted using this technique. Final functional results after a minimum follow-up of two years are known for thirty-eight patients with median, thirty-nine patients with ulnar, and thirteen patients with radial-nerve lesions. In the median-nerve cases useful motor recovery (M 3 or higher) was achieved in 82% and protective sensibility was restored in all but one. In all of the patients with ulnar-nerve lesions useful motor recovery (M 2+ or higher) occurred, while in 77% of the patients with radial-nerve lesions an M 4 or M 5 level of function was achieved. The majority of the patients with poor results had some unfavorable circumstance such as advanced age, severity of the original trauma, or long time interval before repair. Comparison of our results with those in other series indicates that interfascicular nerve-grafting gives results which are at least as good as those after epineural nerve suture under ideal conditions and better than those after neurorrhaphy under tension.", "contents": "Further experience with interfascicular grafting of the median, ulnar, and radial nerves. The results of interfascicular nerve-grafting, a procedure developed in 1964, were reported in The Journal in 1972 9. Between 1964 and 1972, defects in forty-three median, fourty-four ulnar, and sixteen radial nerves were grafted using this technique. Final functional results after a minimum follow-up of two years are known for thirty-eight patients with median, thirty-nine patients with ulnar, and thirteen patients with radial-nerve lesions. In the median-nerve cases useful motor recovery (M 3 or higher) was achieved in 82% and protective sensibility was restored in all but one. In all of the patients with ulnar-nerve lesions useful motor recovery (M 2+ or higher) occurred, while in 77% of the patients with radial-nerve lesions an M 4 or M 5 level of function was achieved. The majority of the patients with poor results had some unfavorable circumstance such as advanced age, severity of the original trauma, or long time interval before repair. Comparison of our results with those in other series indicates that interfascicular nerve-grafting gives results which are at least as good as those after epineural nerve suture under ideal conditions and better than those after neurorrhaphy under tension.", "PMID": 767344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2419", "title": "Organization of the flagellar apparatus and associate cytoplasmic microtubules in the quadriflagellate alga Polytomella agilis.", "content": "The organization of microtubular systems in the quadriflagellate unicell Polytomella agilis has been reconstructed by electron microscopy of serial sections, and the overall arrangement confirmed by immunofluorescent staining using antiserum directed against chick brain tubulin. The basal bodies of the four flagella are shown to be linked in two pairs of short fibers. Light microscopy of swimming cells indicates that the flagella beat in two synchronous pairs, with each pair exhibiting a breast-stroke-like motion. Two structurally distinct flagellar rootlets, one consisting of four microtubules in a 3 over 1 pattern and the other of a striated fiber over two microtubules, terminate between adjacent basal bodies. These rootlets diverge from the basal body region and extend toward the cell posterior, passing just beneath the plasma membrane. Near the anterior part of the cell, all eight rootlets serve as attachment sites for large numbers of cytoplasmic microtubules which occur in a single row around the circumference of the cell and closely parallel the cell shape. It is suggested that the flagellar rootless may function in controlling the patterning and the direction of cytoplasmic microtubule assembly. The occurrence of similar rootlet structures in other flagellates is briefly reviewed.", "contents": "Organization of the flagellar apparatus and associate cytoplasmic microtubules in the quadriflagellate alga Polytomella agilis. The organization of microtubular systems in the quadriflagellate unicell Polytomella agilis has been reconstructed by electron microscopy of serial sections, and the overall arrangement confirmed by immunofluorescent staining using antiserum directed against chick brain tubulin. The basal bodies of the four flagella are shown to be linked in two pairs of short fibers. Light microscopy of swimming cells indicates that the flagella beat in two synchronous pairs, with each pair exhibiting a breast-stroke-like motion. Two structurally distinct flagellar rootlets, one consisting of four microtubules in a 3 over 1 pattern and the other of a striated fiber over two microtubules, terminate between adjacent basal bodies. These rootlets diverge from the basal body region and extend toward the cell posterior, passing just beneath the plasma membrane. Near the anterior part of the cell, all eight rootlets serve as attachment sites for large numbers of cytoplasmic microtubules which occur in a single row around the circumference of the cell and closely parallel the cell shape. It is suggested that the flagellar rootless may function in controlling the patterning and the direction of cytoplasmic microtubule assembly. The occurrence of similar rootlet structures in other flagellates is briefly reviewed.", "PMID": 767347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2420", "title": "Subcellular localization of cellulases in auxin-treated pea.", "content": "Two forms of cellulase, buffer soluble (BS) and buffer insoluble (BI), are induced as a result of auxin treatment of dark-grown pea epicotyls. These two cellulases have been purified to homogeneity. Antibodies raised against the purified cellulases were conjugated with ferritin and were used to localize the two cellulases. Tissue sections were fixed in cold paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde and incubated for 1 h in the ferritin conjugates. The sections were washed with continuous shaking for 18 h and subsequently postfixed in osmium tetroxide. Tissue incubated in unconjugated ferritin was used as a control. A major part of BI cellulase is localized at the inner surface of the cell wall in close association with microfibrils. BS cellulase is localized mainly within the distended endoplasmic reticulum. Gogli complex and plasma membrane appear to be completely devoid of any cellulase activity. These observations are consistent with cytochemical localization and biochemical data on the distribution of these two cellulases among various cell and membrane fractions.", "contents": "Subcellular localization of cellulases in auxin-treated pea. Two forms of cellulase, buffer soluble (BS) and buffer insoluble (BI), are induced as a result of auxin treatment of dark-grown pea epicotyls. These two cellulases have been purified to homogeneity. Antibodies raised against the purified cellulases were conjugated with ferritin and were used to localize the two cellulases. Tissue sections were fixed in cold paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde and incubated for 1 h in the ferritin conjugates. The sections were washed with continuous shaking for 18 h and subsequently postfixed in osmium tetroxide. Tissue incubated in unconjugated ferritin was used as a control. A major part of BI cellulase is localized at the inner surface of the cell wall in close association with microfibrils. BS cellulase is localized mainly within the distended endoplasmic reticulum. Gogli complex and plasma membrane appear to be completely devoid of any cellulase activity. These observations are consistent with cytochemical localization and biochemical data on the distribution of these two cellulases among various cell and membrane fractions.", "PMID": 767348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2421", "title": "[Stab wound of the right branch of the portal vein. Suture. Healing].", "content": "The authors report a stab wound of the right branch of the portal vein observed at the Lariboisi\u00e8re hospital, and discuss 27 published cases of traumatic lesions of the portal vein or its branches. The treatment of choice of these lesions is mainly suture, which is the best procedure when there is a frank lesion without loss of tissue. Furthermore, we have found that ligature of one branch of the portal vein is possible, even if one does not carry out removal of the liver in the corresponding area. On the other hand, in no case, in a patient without liver disease or portal hypertension, should one carry out sudden total interruption of the portal blood flow.", "contents": "[Stab wound of the right branch of the portal vein. Suture. Healing]. The authors report a stab wound of the right branch of the portal vein observed at the Lariboisi\u00e8re hospital, and discuss 27 published cases of traumatic lesions of the portal vein or its branches. The treatment of choice of these lesions is mainly suture, which is the best procedure when there is a frank lesion without loss of tissue. Furthermore, we have found that ligature of one branch of the portal vein is possible, even if one does not carry out removal of the liver in the corresponding area. On the other hand, in no case, in a patient without liver disease or portal hypertension, should one carry out sudden total interruption of the portal blood flow.", "PMID": 767349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2422", "title": "Gonadotropin secretion in response to low and high doses of LRF in normal and hypogonadal women (functional disparity of the gonadotrophs).", "content": "A comparison was made of gonadotropin release after an iv bolus of large (150 mug) and small (10 mug) doses of LRF during various phases of the menstrual cycle and in primary hypogonadal women. Gonadotropin release was quantitatively similar to small and large doses of LRF in hypogonadal women with low estradiol levels. In contrast, normal women from the early to late follicular phase of the cycle, the gonadotropin response to a small dose of LRF (10 mug) was not as great as that observed with a large dose of LRF (150 mug) and did not elicit the augmented gonadotropin response of the late follicular phase. During the mid-luteal phase, a significant enhancement of responses to small doses of LRF was observed. The sustained gonadotropin release induced by the large dose of LRF in the late follicular phase was no longer apparent during the mid-luteal phase, although the dose-related discrimination of LH release was maintained. These dose-related disparities in the gonadotropin release to LRF might represent functional expressions of the two-pool dynamics of the gonadotrophs induced by ovarian steroids.", "contents": "Gonadotropin secretion in response to low and high doses of LRF in normal and hypogonadal women (functional disparity of the gonadotrophs). A comparison was made of gonadotropin release after an iv bolus of large (150 mug) and small (10 mug) doses of LRF during various phases of the menstrual cycle and in primary hypogonadal women. Gonadotropin release was quantitatively similar to small and large doses of LRF in hypogonadal women with low estradiol levels. In contrast, normal women from the early to late follicular phase of the cycle, the gonadotropin response to a small dose of LRF (10 mug) was not as great as that observed with a large dose of LRF (150 mug) and did not elicit the augmented gonadotropin response of the late follicular phase. During the mid-luteal phase, a significant enhancement of responses to small doses of LRF was observed. The sustained gonadotropin release induced by the large dose of LRF in the late follicular phase was no longer apparent during the mid-luteal phase, although the dose-related discrimination of LH release was maintained. These dose-related disparities in the gonadotropin release to LRF might represent functional expressions of the two-pool dynamics of the gonadotrophs induced by ovarian steroids.", "PMID": 767351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2423", "title": "Strength-duration characteristics of estrogen effects on gonadotropin response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in women. II. Effects of varying concentrations of estradiol.", "content": "This study was designed to investigate the effect of varying concentrations of estradiol, administered to normal women, upon the gonadotropin response to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH or LRF). Beginning at 4 pm on the first day of the menstrual cycle, 19 studies were performed in subjects who received injections of estradiol benzoate (E2B every 12 h for 6 days). Concentrations of E2B administered (mug/kg/12 h) were: 0.3, 0.6, 1.25, 2.5, 3.75, and 5.0. Mean serum estradiol concentrations achieved at these respective concentrations of E2B were 43, 53, 91, 145, 195, and 305 pg/ml. Twelve h after the last E2B injection, an intravenous bolus of 100 mug GnRH was administered. Gonadotropin response to this dose of GnRH after E2B was compared with each subject's response in the early follicular phase of a previous (control) cycle during which no exogenous estradiol was administered.", "contents": "Strength-duration characteristics of estrogen effects on gonadotropin response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in women. II. Effects of varying concentrations of estradiol. This study was designed to investigate the effect of varying concentrations of estradiol, administered to normal women, upon the gonadotropin response to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH or LRF). Beginning at 4 pm on the first day of the menstrual cycle, 19 studies were performed in subjects who received injections of estradiol benzoate (E2B every 12 h for 6 days). Concentrations of E2B administered (mug/kg/12 h) were: 0.3, 0.6, 1.25, 2.5, 3.75, and 5.0. Mean serum estradiol concentrations achieved at these respective concentrations of E2B were 43, 53, 91, 145, 195, and 305 pg/ml. Twelve h after the last E2B injection, an intravenous bolus of 100 mug GnRH was administered. Gonadotropin response to this dose of GnRH after E2B was compared with each subject's response in the early follicular phase of a previous (control) cycle during which no exogenous estradiol was administered.", "PMID": 767352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2424", "title": "Hypersecretion of LH and FSH by a pituitary adenoma.", "content": "A 51-year-old man who had a pituitary adenoma that appeared to be hypersecreting LH and FSH is described. Not only were serum LH and FSH concentrations above the normal ranges, but the serum concentrations of testosterone, free testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone were also above normal. Serum LH and FSH concentration increased in response to synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone as well as to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone. The elevated hormone concentrations decreased following an initial partial hypophysectomy and decreased further following repeat hypophysectomy.", "contents": "Hypersecretion of LH and FSH by a pituitary adenoma. A 51-year-old man who had a pituitary adenoma that appeared to be hypersecreting LH and FSH is described. Not only were serum LH and FSH concentrations above the normal ranges, but the serum concentrations of testosterone, free testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone were also above normal. Serum LH and FSH concentration increased in response to synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone as well as to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone. The elevated hormone concentrations decreased following an initial partial hypophysectomy and decreased further following repeat hypophysectomy.", "PMID": 767353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2425", "title": "Effect of cyproterone acetate therapy on gonadotropin response to synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty.", "content": "50 mg daily of cyproterone acetate (CA) were orally administered for 8 to 35 months to 7 girls with idiopathic precocious puberty. Plasma levels of FSH and LH, cortisol, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone were measured in 6 patients before treatment. Compared with control subjects of the same chronological age, significantly higher values were found for gonadotropins, testosterone, and estradiol. After treatment, no significant variation was observed in FSH and LH levels; testosterone was reduced in the majority of the cases without significant decline in mean values; estradiol fell significantly and returned in the prepubertal range. The plasma gonadotropin pattern following exogenously administered luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH, 100 mug iv) was characterized before treatment by an exaggerated LH response both in terms of maximum level (32.02 +/- 4.35 SE mIU/ml; prepubertal controls: 16.20 +/- 1.45 SE mIU/ml) and maximum increment above baseline values (25.36 +/- 2.84 SE mIU/ml; prepubertal controls: 13.78 +/- 1.71 mIU/ml); plasma FSH response was similar to prepubertal subjects. Treatment with CA caused a significant reduction of mean LH response (P less than .025 in comparison with pre-treatment values for maximum level and maximum increment), whereas effect on FSH response was minimal. In all patients examined, a gonadotropin release from the pituitary after the injection of synthetic LRH was evident also after several months of therapy.", "contents": "Effect of cyproterone acetate therapy on gonadotropin response to synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty. 50 mg daily of cyproterone acetate (CA) were orally administered for 8 to 35 months to 7 girls with idiopathic precocious puberty. Plasma levels of FSH and LH, cortisol, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone were measured in 6 patients before treatment. Compared with control subjects of the same chronological age, significantly higher values were found for gonadotropins, testosterone, and estradiol. After treatment, no significant variation was observed in FSH and LH levels; testosterone was reduced in the majority of the cases without significant decline in mean values; estradiol fell significantly and returned in the prepubertal range. The plasma gonadotropin pattern following exogenously administered luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH, 100 mug iv) was characterized before treatment by an exaggerated LH response both in terms of maximum level (32.02 +/- 4.35 SE mIU/ml; prepubertal controls: 16.20 +/- 1.45 SE mIU/ml) and maximum increment above baseline values (25.36 +/- 2.84 SE mIU/ml; prepubertal controls: 13.78 +/- 1.71 mIU/ml); plasma FSH response was similar to prepubertal subjects. Treatment with CA caused a significant reduction of mean LH response (P less than .025 in comparison with pre-treatment values for maximum level and maximum increment), whereas effect on FSH response was minimal. In all patients examined, a gonadotropin release from the pituitary after the injection of synthetic LRH was evident also after several months of therapy.", "PMID": 767354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2426", "title": "Peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes, in vitro stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, and sensitization with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene in Grave's disease.", "content": "The percentage and absolute numbers of thymos-dependent (T) and thymos-independent (B) peripheral blood lymphocytes, the in vitro response of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and the sensitization with 2,4dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was studied in 26 patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease. The results showed a normal percentage of both T and B cells and increased absoluted numbers of total lymphocytes in patients compared with 30 healthy controls. The in vitro response to PHA was normal in most patients with the exception of 5 of them who showed an impaired response. All patients developed a reaction of delayed hypersensitivity to DNCB. Our study indicated that there is no general abnormality in cell-mediated immunity in Graves' disease.", "contents": "Peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes, in vitro stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, and sensitization with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene in Grave's disease. The percentage and absolute numbers of thymos-dependent (T) and thymos-independent (B) peripheral blood lymphocytes, the in vitro response of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and the sensitization with 2,4dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was studied in 26 patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease. The results showed a normal percentage of both T and B cells and increased absoluted numbers of total lymphocytes in patients compared with 30 healthy controls. The in vitro response to PHA was normal in most patients with the exception of 5 of them who showed an impaired response. All patients developed a reaction of delayed hypersensitivity to DNCB. Our study indicated that there is no general abnormality in cell-mediated immunity in Graves' disease.", "PMID": 767355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2427", "title": "Effect of clomiphene on basal and LRH-induced gonadotropin secretion in postmenopausal women.", "content": "LRH tests were performed in 11 postmenopausal women before and after the administration of 200 mg of clomiphene citrate daily by mouth for 7 consecutive days. The basal levels and the maximum increments of serum LH (deltaLH) and the area under the response curve from basal level (deltaarea) after LRH administration, significantly (P less than 0.005) decreased after consecutive administration of this compound. Serum FSH levels were significantly (P less than 0.025) decreased but deltaFSH and deltaarea in LRH test were statistically unchanged. These results suggest that clomiphene citrate in postmenopausal women inhibits the pituitary gonadotropin response to exogenous LRH by its estrogenic effects.", "contents": "Effect of clomiphene on basal and LRH-induced gonadotropin secretion in postmenopausal women. LRH tests were performed in 11 postmenopausal women before and after the administration of 200 mg of clomiphene citrate daily by mouth for 7 consecutive days. The basal levels and the maximum increments of serum LH (deltaLH) and the area under the response curve from basal level (deltaarea) after LRH administration, significantly (P less than 0.005) decreased after consecutive administration of this compound. Serum FSH levels were significantly (P less than 0.025) decreased but deltaFSH and deltaarea in LRH test were statistically unchanged. These results suggest that clomiphene citrate in postmenopausal women inhibits the pituitary gonadotropin response to exogenous LRH by its estrogenic effects.", "PMID": 767356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2428", "title": "Evaluation of an adenosine 5'-triphosphate assay as a screening method to detect significant bacteriuria.", "content": "The bioluminescent reaction of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) with luciferin and luciferase has been used in conjunction with a sensitive photometer (Lab-Line's ATP photometer) to detect significant bacteriuria in urine. This rapid method of screening urine specimens for bacteriuria was evaluated by using 348 urine specimens submitted to the clinical microbiology laboratory at the University of Minnesota Hospitals for routine culture using the calibrated loop-streak plate method. There was 89.4% agreement between the culture method and the ATP assay, with 7.0% false positive and 27.0% false negative results from the ATP assay using 10(5) organisms/ml of urine or greater as positive for significant bacteriuria and less than 10(5) organisms/ml as negative for significant bacteriuria.", "contents": "Evaluation of an adenosine 5'-triphosphate assay as a screening method to detect significant bacteriuria. The bioluminescent reaction of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) with luciferin and luciferase has been used in conjunction with a sensitive photometer (Lab-Line's ATP photometer) to detect significant bacteriuria in urine. This rapid method of screening urine specimens for bacteriuria was evaluated by using 348 urine specimens submitted to the clinical microbiology laboratory at the University of Minnesota Hospitals for routine culture using the calibrated loop-streak plate method. There was 89.4% agreement between the culture method and the ATP assay, with 7.0% false positive and 27.0% false negative results from the ATP assay using 10(5) organisms/ml of urine or greater as positive for significant bacteriuria and less than 10(5) organisms/ml as negative for significant bacteriuria.", "PMID": 767357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2429", "title": "Rapid, colorimetric test for the determination of hippurate hydrolysis by group B Streptococcus.", "content": "A colorimetric test for the determination of hippurate hydrolysis was developed. Brain heart infusion broth made with 1% sodium hippurate served as the test medium. Hydrolysis was determined by the addition of two chemical developers, M (rhodamine B) and A (uranium acetate). A dark pink color indicated hydrolysis; no color change indicated no hydrolysis. The method was efficacious in either rapid or overnight incubation. One hundred twenty-five strains of group B, 44 strains of group A, 15 strains of group C, and 10 strains of group G Streptococcus were tested. By using the Lancefield method as the standard, there was 100% agreement with both the colorimetric and ferric chloride tests for hippurate hydrolysis, and 96% agreement with the CAMP test.", "contents": "Rapid, colorimetric test for the determination of hippurate hydrolysis by group B Streptococcus. A colorimetric test for the determination of hippurate hydrolysis was developed. Brain heart infusion broth made with 1% sodium hippurate served as the test medium. Hydrolysis was determined by the addition of two chemical developers, M (rhodamine B) and A (uranium acetate). A dark pink color indicated hydrolysis; no color change indicated no hydrolysis. The method was efficacious in either rapid or overnight incubation. One hundred twenty-five strains of group B, 44 strains of group A, 15 strains of group C, and 10 strains of group G Streptococcus were tested. By using the Lancefield method as the standard, there was 100% agreement with both the colorimetric and ferric chloride tests for hippurate hydrolysis, and 96% agreement with the CAMP test.", "PMID": 767358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2430", "title": "Retention of motility of Treponema pallidum (Nichols virulent strain) in an anaerobic cell culture system and in a cell-free system.", "content": "Optimum parameters for retention of motility of Treponema pallidum (Nichols virulent strain) were found by anaerobic co-incubation of the treponeme with rat glial cells and anaerobic incubation in spent medium obtained from glial cells originally grown aerobically.", "contents": "Retention of motility of Treponema pallidum (Nichols virulent strain) in an anaerobic cell culture system and in a cell-free system. Optimum parameters for retention of motility of Treponema pallidum (Nichols virulent strain) were found by anaerobic co-incubation of the treponeme with rat glial cells and anaerobic incubation in spent medium obtained from glial cells originally grown aerobically.", "PMID": 767359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2431", "title": "Comparison of amino acid decarboxylase and dihydrolase results by Moeller, rapid, and replicator plate methods.", "content": "A slightly modified Moeller medium for amino acid decarboxylase and dihydrolase testing by the replicator method correlated 96 to 99% with the reference Moeller broth method. False positive results were not encountered in this study.", "contents": "Comparison of amino acid decarboxylase and dihydrolase results by Moeller, rapid, and replicator plate methods. A slightly modified Moeller medium for amino acid decarboxylase and dihydrolase testing by the replicator method correlated 96 to 99% with the reference Moeller broth method. False positive results were not encountered in this study.", "PMID": 767360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2432", "title": "Diagnostic value of indirect hemagglutination in the seroepidemiology of Shigella infections.", "content": "To evaluate the usefulness of the indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test in the epidemiological investigation of shigellosis, single serum specimens were tested from 50 patients with Shigella dysenteriae 1 (Shiga bacillus) infections, 103 asymptomatic contacts of these cases, 267 adult and 100 student control, and serum specimens collected during two outbreaks caused by S. sonnei and one outbreak due to S. flexneri 6. In patients with S. dysenteriae 1, 74% demonstrated titers of greater than or equal to 1:40, with 50% showing titers of greater than or equal to 1:160, whereas in the controls 10.4% had titers of greater than or equal to 1:40 and only 0.3% had titers of greater than or equal to 1:160. IHA titers in serum specimens collected from patients with S. sonnei and S. flexneri 6 were too low to be considered diagnostic for individual patients, but were useful in analysis of group results. Groups of ill individuals yielded titers significantly higher than non-ill groups; however, titers from ill groups were usually less than 1:40. The IHA test for S. dysenteriae 1 antibodies serves as a valuable adjunct to the diagnosis of Shiga bacillus dysentery. In our laboratory, an IHA titer of 1:40 or 1:80 is a \"borderline positive.\" Shiga bacillus dysentery is strongly indicated when IHA titers are greater than or equal to 1:60.", "contents": "Diagnostic value of indirect hemagglutination in the seroepidemiology of Shigella infections. To evaluate the usefulness of the indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test in the epidemiological investigation of shigellosis, single serum specimens were tested from 50 patients with Shigella dysenteriae 1 (Shiga bacillus) infections, 103 asymptomatic contacts of these cases, 267 adult and 100 student control, and serum specimens collected during two outbreaks caused by S. sonnei and one outbreak due to S. flexneri 6. In patients with S. dysenteriae 1, 74% demonstrated titers of greater than or equal to 1:40, with 50% showing titers of greater than or equal to 1:160, whereas in the controls 10.4% had titers of greater than or equal to 1:40 and only 0.3% had titers of greater than or equal to 1:160. IHA titers in serum specimens collected from patients with S. sonnei and S. flexneri 6 were too low to be considered diagnostic for individual patients, but were useful in analysis of group results. Groups of ill individuals yielded titers significantly higher than non-ill groups; however, titers from ill groups were usually less than 1:40. The IHA test for S. dysenteriae 1 antibodies serves as a valuable adjunct to the diagnosis of Shiga bacillus dysentery. In our laboratory, an IHA titer of 1:40 or 1:80 is a \"borderline positive.\" Shiga bacillus dysentery is strongly indicated when IHA titers are greater than or equal to 1:60.", "PMID": 767361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2433", "title": "Unusual Enterobacteriaceae: H2S+ Shigella sonnei, one authentic and one false positive due to contamination with the obligate anaerobe Eubacterium lentum.", "content": "A mixture of Shigella sonnei and Eubacterium lentum produced H2S in triple sugar iron agar; however, neither produced any in pure culture. A second culture of S. sonnei, isolated in Japan, is thought to be the first documented H2S+ Shigella.", "contents": "Unusual Enterobacteriaceae: H2S+ Shigella sonnei, one authentic and one false positive due to contamination with the obligate anaerobe Eubacterium lentum. A mixture of Shigella sonnei and Eubacterium lentum produced H2S in triple sugar iron agar; however, neither produced any in pure culture. A second culture of S. sonnei, isolated in Japan, is thought to be the first documented H2S+ Shigella.", "PMID": 767362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2434", "title": "Simple procedure for detection of Mycobacterium gordonae in water causing false-positive acid-fast smears.", "content": "A simple procedure for detecting a few cells of Mycobacterium gordonae in laboratory water that yielded spurious smear results is described.", "contents": "Simple procedure for detection of Mycobacterium gordonae in water causing false-positive acid-fast smears. A simple procedure for detecting a few cells of Mycobacterium gordonae in laboratory water that yielded spurious smear results is described.", "PMID": 767363} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2435", "title": "Evaluation of the hemolysis-in-gel test for the screening of rubella immunity and the demonstration of recent infection.", "content": "The hemolysis-in-gel method for detection of antibodies to rubella virus gave results which correlated well with results of hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization tests. With a diffusion time of 24 or 48 h, a linear correlation was obtained between the logarithm of antibody concentration and the diameter of the hemolytic zone. Fourfold, and even twofold, differences in serum antibody concentrations were shown to give statistically significant differences in hemolytic zone diameters. It could therefore be concluded that the hemolysis-in-gel test is well suited for the serological diagnosis of primary rubella infection, as well as of reinfection. The sensitivity of the hemolysis-in-gel test was comparable to that of the hemagglutination inhibition test. Pigeon erythrocytes were superior to sheep erythrocytes for use in the test. Studies of the antibody response after natural rubella infection or vaccination showed that the appearance and persistence of antibodies measured by hemolysis in gel is similar to that of hemagglutination inhibition antibodies.", "contents": "Evaluation of the hemolysis-in-gel test for the screening of rubella immunity and the demonstration of recent infection. The hemolysis-in-gel method for detection of antibodies to rubella virus gave results which correlated well with results of hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization tests. With a diffusion time of 24 or 48 h, a linear correlation was obtained between the logarithm of antibody concentration and the diameter of the hemolytic zone. Fourfold, and even twofold, differences in serum antibody concentrations were shown to give statistically significant differences in hemolytic zone diameters. It could therefore be concluded that the hemolysis-in-gel test is well suited for the serological diagnosis of primary rubella infection, as well as of reinfection. The sensitivity of the hemolysis-in-gel test was comparable to that of the hemagglutination inhibition test. Pigeon erythrocytes were superior to sheep erythrocytes for use in the test. Studies of the antibody response after natural rubella infection or vaccination showed that the appearance and persistence of antibodies measured by hemolysis in gel is similar to that of hemagglutination inhibition antibodies.", "PMID": 767364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2436", "title": "Bone morphology and bone loss in periodontal disease.", "content": "A clinical study of the distribution of different types of bone defects in chronic periodontitis was carried out on 30 patients. An analysis of 176 defects suggests that their distribution reflects the original morphology of the alveolar bone. The role of function as a determinant of that morphology is examined. While there appears to be a relationship between functional stress and the phylogenesis of the bone, there is no direct relationship between function and ontogenesis. A study of growth remodelling of the mandible in several animals indicates that the pattern of activity is dictated by a drive to achieve a mature form which is the expression of the genetic endowment. Normal function and normal muscle stress are part of the environment in which complete growth can take place, but they do not appear to play a more active role in determining the form of growth; abnormal function does not allow normal growth to take place. The relationship between functional stress and the morphology and activity of the mature bone is not clear. Osteoporosis of age, as measured by the metacarpal index in 101 patients with chronic periodontitis, did not appear to be significantly related to the bone loss score. However, in 54 females patients, aged 35-45 years, a significant correlation was found between the metacarpal index and a \"rapidity of bone loss\" score.", "contents": "Bone morphology and bone loss in periodontal disease. A clinical study of the distribution of different types of bone defects in chronic periodontitis was carried out on 30 patients. An analysis of 176 defects suggests that their distribution reflects the original morphology of the alveolar bone. The role of function as a determinant of that morphology is examined. While there appears to be a relationship between functional stress and the phylogenesis of the bone, there is no direct relationship between function and ontogenesis. A study of growth remodelling of the mandible in several animals indicates that the pattern of activity is dictated by a drive to achieve a mature form which is the expression of the genetic endowment. Normal function and normal muscle stress are part of the environment in which complete growth can take place, but they do not appear to play a more active role in determining the form of growth; abnormal function does not allow normal growth to take place. The relationship between functional stress and the morphology and activity of the mature bone is not clear. Osteoporosis of age, as measured by the metacarpal index in 101 patients with chronic periodontitis, did not appear to be significantly related to the bone loss score. However, in 54 females patients, aged 35-45 years, a significant correlation was found between the metacarpal index and a \"rapidity of bone loss\" score.", "PMID": 767365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2437", "title": "The effect of systematic plaque control on bone regeneration in infrabony pockets.", "content": "A clinical trial was undertaken to test the hypothesis that periodontitis can be cured and that bone regeneration occurs in infrabony pockets in patients maintained on an optimal standard of oral hygiene. The material comprised 24 patients with advanced periodontal disease. After an initial examination, the patients were randomly distributed into one test group and one control group. All the patients were given instruction and practice in a proper oral hygiene technique, and then subjected to periodontal surgery using the modified Widman flap procedure. Following treatment, during a 2-year period the patients of the test group were recalled once every second week for professional tooth cleaning. The control patients were recalled once every 12 months for prophylaxis. The results showed that all osseous defects of the patients of the test group were refilled with bone. The control patients, on the other hand, could not maintain a high standard of oral hygiene, and exhibited a progressive deterioration of the periodontal tissues during the postsurgical observation time.", "contents": "The effect of systematic plaque control on bone regeneration in infrabony pockets. A clinical trial was undertaken to test the hypothesis that periodontitis can be cured and that bone regeneration occurs in infrabony pockets in patients maintained on an optimal standard of oral hygiene. The material comprised 24 patients with advanced periodontal disease. After an initial examination, the patients were randomly distributed into one test group and one control group. All the patients were given instruction and practice in a proper oral hygiene technique, and then subjected to periodontal surgery using the modified Widman flap procedure. Following treatment, during a 2-year period the patients of the test group were recalled once every second week for professional tooth cleaning. The control patients were recalled once every 12 months for prophylaxis. The results showed that all osseous defects of the patients of the test group were refilled with bone. The control patients, on the other hand, could not maintain a high standard of oral hygiene, and exhibited a progressive deterioration of the periodontal tissues during the postsurgical observation time.", "PMID": 767366} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2438", "title": "The use of chlorhexidine mouthwash compared with a periodontal dressing following the gingivectomy procedure.", "content": "The clinical results achieved were compared when a group of 21 patients requiring gingivectomies in comparable bilateral segments received a dressing or a chlorhexidine mouthwash during the first post-operative week. Initial pre-operative conditions were comparable. In each of the two treatments highly significant reductions in pocket depths were achieved; the sizes of the reductions were of clinical significance (greater than 1.5 mm). The observed difference (0.16 mm) between the two treatments in favour of the mouthwash, although significant at the conventional 5% level, was clinically unimportant. More patients preferred the dressing as a post-operative treatment, and the clinical implications of the patients' preferences are discussed.", "contents": "The use of chlorhexidine mouthwash compared with a periodontal dressing following the gingivectomy procedure. The clinical results achieved were compared when a group of 21 patients requiring gingivectomies in comparable bilateral segments received a dressing or a chlorhexidine mouthwash during the first post-operative week. Initial pre-operative conditions were comparable. In each of the two treatments highly significant reductions in pocket depths were achieved; the sizes of the reductions were of clinical significance (greater than 1.5 mm). The observed difference (0.16 mm) between the two treatments in favour of the mouthwash, although significant at the conventional 5% level, was clinically unimportant. More patients preferred the dressing as a post-operative treatment, and the clinical implications of the patients' preferences are discussed.", "PMID": 767367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2439", "title": "Odontohypophosphatasia: report of two cases.", "content": "Reports of a mild form of hypophosphatasia have been presented in which the oral findings were the only clinical and radiographic manifestations of the disease. It is important to support the clinical interpretations with laboratory findings in order to make a differential diagnosis from such diseases as Papillon-LeFevre Syndrome and cyclic diseases and noncyclic neutropenia. The term odontohypophosphatasia is suggested in those cases where the dental findings are the predominant manifestations of the disease.", "contents": "Odontohypophosphatasia: report of two cases. Reports of a mild form of hypophosphatasia have been presented in which the oral findings were the only clinical and radiographic manifestations of the disease. It is important to support the clinical interpretations with laboratory findings in order to make a differential diagnosis from such diseases as Papillon-LeFevre Syndrome and cyclic diseases and noncyclic neutropenia. The term odontohypophosphatasia is suggested in those cases where the dental findings are the predominant manifestations of the disease.", "PMID": 767378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2440", "title": "Relation of musical wind instruments to malocclusion.", "content": "Eighty-four seventh graders of both sexes, not undergoing orthodontic treatment, participated in a double-blind study to determine the effect on the anterior teeth of playing a musical wind instrument. The instrument players were just beginning their studies. Seventh graders not playing a musical wind instrument served as the control group. Impressions and plaster casts were made of each mouth at the beginning and conclusion of the study. The plaster casts were marked with the same numerical code assigned to each student. Overjet and overbite measurements of the anterior teeth were taken from the plaster casts and recorded. Findings indicate that, on an individual basis, the effect on the anterior teeth of playing a musical wind instrument is unpredictable. Only on a group basis can a class of musical wind instruments be theorized to have a certain effect on the anterior teeth. The playing of a musical wind instrument should not be used as a substitute for orthodontic treatment.", "contents": "Relation of musical wind instruments to malocclusion. Eighty-four seventh graders of both sexes, not undergoing orthodontic treatment, participated in a double-blind study to determine the effect on the anterior teeth of playing a musical wind instrument. The instrument players were just beginning their studies. Seventh graders not playing a musical wind instrument served as the control group. Impressions and plaster casts were made of each mouth at the beginning and conclusion of the study. The plaster casts were marked with the same numerical code assigned to each student. Overjet and overbite measurements of the anterior teeth were taken from the plaster casts and recorded. Findings indicate that, on an individual basis, the effect on the anterior teeth of playing a musical wind instrument is unpredictable. Only on a group basis can a class of musical wind instruments be theorized to have a certain effect on the anterior teeth. The playing of a musical wind instrument should not be used as a substitute for orthodontic treatment.", "PMID": 767392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2441", "title": "[Plasma concentrations of LH and of sex steroids during the normal menstrual cycle and during contraceptive treatment].", "content": "The authors have studied the long-term effects of combined oestrogen-progestogen on the secretion of gonadotrophins and on ovarian function. Estimation of the radio-immune levels of the plasma concentrations of the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH), of oestradiol (E2), of progesterone (P) and of 20 alpha hydroxyprogesterone (20 alpha OHP) and of testosterone (T) served as a base for this study. A test cycle and 8 cycles in which a combination of 50 micrograms of ethinyl-oestradiol and 0.5 mg of norgestrel were administered were studied in 4 normal volunteer women. A pituitary stimulation test using 50 micrograms of gonadotrophin \"releasing factor\" (LH-RH) was given during the 7th cycle. Ovarian stimulation using human menopausal gonadotrophins (HMG) was given during the 8th cycle of treatment in 3 of the women and in 3 other subjects. Pituitary secretion of LH and ovarian secretion of E2 and P are partially inhibited. Pituitary response to the injection of LH-RH stays normal but 5 out 6 patients had no response to stimulation by gonadotrophins. These results allow us to conclude that the lowering of production of gonadotrophins during treatment with combination oestrogen and progestagens is responsible for inhibition of ovarian activity, and that there is a delay before the latter respond to stimulation by either endogenous or exogenous gonadotrophins.", "contents": "[Plasma concentrations of LH and of sex steroids during the normal menstrual cycle and during contraceptive treatment]. The authors have studied the long-term effects of combined oestrogen-progestogen on the secretion of gonadotrophins and on ovarian function. Estimation of the radio-immune levels of the plasma concentrations of the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH), of oestradiol (E2), of progesterone (P) and of 20 alpha hydroxyprogesterone (20 alpha OHP) and of testosterone (T) served as a base for this study. A test cycle and 8 cycles in which a combination of 50 micrograms of ethinyl-oestradiol and 0.5 mg of norgestrel were administered were studied in 4 normal volunteer women. A pituitary stimulation test using 50 micrograms of gonadotrophin \"releasing factor\" (LH-RH) was given during the 7th cycle. Ovarian stimulation using human menopausal gonadotrophins (HMG) was given during the 8th cycle of treatment in 3 of the women and in 3 other subjects. Pituitary secretion of LH and ovarian secretion of E2 and P are partially inhibited. Pituitary response to the injection of LH-RH stays normal but 5 out 6 patients had no response to stimulation by gonadotrophins. These results allow us to conclude that the lowering of production of gonadotrophins during treatment with combination oestrogen and progestagens is responsible for inhibition of ovarian activity, and that there is a delay before the latter respond to stimulation by either endogenous or exogenous gonadotrophins.", "PMID": 767402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2442", "title": "Laser stroboscopic photography. Technique for cell orientation studies in flow.", "content": "Squamous cells in fluid flow are photographed using a laser stroboscopic technique. The technique provides either dark field or phase contrast multiple images of a cell on a single frame of film at resolutions permitted by the thickness of the cell stream. Cell orientation, velocity and acceleration are obtained from these photographs for evaluation of flow system performance.", "contents": "Laser stroboscopic photography. Technique for cell orientation studies in flow. Squamous cells in fluid flow are photographed using a laser stroboscopic technique. The technique provides either dark field or phase contrast multiple images of a cell on a single frame of film at resolutions permitted by the thickness of the cell stream. Cell orientation, velocity and acceleration are obtained from these photographs for evaluation of flow system performance.", "PMID": 768371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2443", "title": "Flow microfluorometric quantitation of the blastogenic response of lymphocytes.", "content": "A method for quantitating the specific stimulation of peripheral lymphocytes has been developed using the techniques of flow microfluorometry. Peripheral bovine lymphocytes were collected and specifically stained for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content using a low-salt propidium iodide procedure. Flow microfluorometry was used to determine, on the basis of DNA content, the percentage of cells in a population that was stimulated. Extremely uniform staining of the lymphocytes (coefficient of variation of less than 2%) provides a high resolution between proliferating and nonproliferating cells. The method provides a rapid, highly repoducible technique for determing the fraction of lymphocytes stimulated in response to tuberculin antigens based on an increase in cellular DNA content. Specific and nonspecific stimulation by a defined antigen can be measured and resolved.", "contents": "Flow microfluorometric quantitation of the blastogenic response of lymphocytes. A method for quantitating the specific stimulation of peripheral lymphocytes has been developed using the techniques of flow microfluorometry. Peripheral bovine lymphocytes were collected and specifically stained for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content using a low-salt propidium iodide procedure. Flow microfluorometry was used to determine, on the basis of DNA content, the percentage of cells in a population that was stimulated. Extremely uniform staining of the lymphocytes (coefficient of variation of less than 2%) provides a high resolution between proliferating and nonproliferating cells. The method provides a rapid, highly repoducible technique for determing the fraction of lymphocytes stimulated in response to tuberculin antigens based on an increase in cellular DNA content. Specific and nonspecific stimulation by a defined antigen can be measured and resolved.", "PMID": 768372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2444", "title": "A new method for the cytochemical demonstration of peroxidase for light, fluorescence and electron microscopy.", "content": "A new technique for the cytochemical demonstration of peroxidase is presented. Monomeric homovanillic acid is converted by H2O2 and peroxidase into its dimeric form, which is then precipitated as a complex salt of lead and rhodamine 6G or rhodamine B. The reaction product can be visualized by conversion to lead sulphide or viewed directly under the fluorescence microscope, since it emits a red fluorescence when excited with green light. The reaction is rapid and results in good localization at the cytologic level of peroxidase activity in granulocytes. The technique can be applied for the ultrastructural localization of enzymatic activity, but in its present form it does not match the localization sharpness of the diaminobenzidine method. This fluorescent cytochemical technique will also detect horseradish peroxidase activity and may provide a usefull probe in peroxidase immunohistochemistry. The principle of complexing metal salts with fluorescent dyes may find a more general application in enzyme cytochemistry.", "contents": "A new method for the cytochemical demonstration of peroxidase for light, fluorescence and electron microscopy. A new technique for the cytochemical demonstration of peroxidase is presented. Monomeric homovanillic acid is converted by H2O2 and peroxidase into its dimeric form, which is then precipitated as a complex salt of lead and rhodamine 6G or rhodamine B. The reaction product can be visualized by conversion to lead sulphide or viewed directly under the fluorescence microscope, since it emits a red fluorescence when excited with green light. The reaction is rapid and results in good localization at the cytologic level of peroxidase activity in granulocytes. The technique can be applied for the ultrastructural localization of enzymatic activity, but in its present form it does not match the localization sharpness of the diaminobenzidine method. This fluorescent cytochemical technique will also detect horseradish peroxidase activity and may provide a usefull probe in peroxidase immunohistochemistry. The principle of complexing metal salts with fluorescent dyes may find a more general application in enzyme cytochemistry.", "PMID": 768373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2445", "title": "Humoral immunity in aged mice. I. Age-related decline in the secondary response to DNP of spleen cells propagated in diffusion chambers.", "content": "The secondary response of young-adult and old BC3F1 mice to DNP was assessed by boosting spleen cells from primed mice with DNP-KLH, propagating them in diffusion chambers implanted into irradiated recipient mice, and by counting the DNP-specific PFC. There was no difference between young-adult and old cells in the antigen dose response and in the kinetics of the immune response. There were marked differences in the magnitude of the peak response. The response of 2-year-old mice was significantly smaller than the response of young-adult mice. Two and one half-year-old mice had the smallest response. In the old mice, there was an inverse correlation between the number of nucleated cells in the spleen and the log of the number of PFC.", "contents": "Humoral immunity in aged mice. I. Age-related decline in the secondary response to DNP of spleen cells propagated in diffusion chambers. The secondary response of young-adult and old BC3F1 mice to DNP was assessed by boosting spleen cells from primed mice with DNP-KLH, propagating them in diffusion chambers implanted into irradiated recipient mice, and by counting the DNP-specific PFC. There was no difference between young-adult and old cells in the antigen dose response and in the kinetics of the immune response. There were marked differences in the magnitude of the peak response. The response of 2-year-old mice was significantly smaller than the response of young-adult mice. Two and one half-year-old mice had the smallest response. In the old mice, there was an inverse correlation between the number of nucleated cells in the spleen and the log of the number of PFC.", "PMID": 768374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2446", "title": "The Goodale white-spotted mice: a historical report.", "content": "After tracing the history of Dr. Goodale's selection study of white-spotted mice, it appears that the white spotting selected for was controlled by a complex of genetic factors. Spot occurrence was controlled by a single gene pair, causing small white areas on the forehead. The size of head spot was determined by a few modifier gene loci, among which some nonadditive gene action may have taken place. The B locus appeared to be associated with head-spot size, either through linkage or pleiotropic effects. There may also have been some maternal effects on head-spot size. Selection for increased head-spot size was successful, the heritability of the trait being between 0.1 and 0.2. The increase in spot size was fairly slow; a total score of about 13 units was reached over 16 years of selection. Accumulation of factors favoring increased head-spot size led eventually to the appearance of body spots, and selection began to concentrate on these. Body-spot size was controlled by a larger number of gene pairs; gene action appeared to be more nearly additive, and there appeared to be no maternal effect or association with B locus alleles. Heritability of body-spot size was 0.3 to 0.5. Total score increased from 13 to 56 units over the 11 years of selection.", "contents": "The Goodale white-spotted mice: a historical report. After tracing the history of Dr. Goodale's selection study of white-spotted mice, it appears that the white spotting selected for was controlled by a complex of genetic factors. Spot occurrence was controlled by a single gene pair, causing small white areas on the forehead. The size of head spot was determined by a few modifier gene loci, among which some nonadditive gene action may have taken place. The B locus appeared to be associated with head-spot size, either through linkage or pleiotropic effects. There may also have been some maternal effects on head-spot size. Selection for increased head-spot size was successful, the heritability of the trait being between 0.1 and 0.2. The increase in spot size was fairly slow; a total score of about 13 units was reached over 16 years of selection. Accumulation of factors favoring increased head-spot size led eventually to the appearance of body spots, and selection began to concentrate on these. Body-spot size was controlled by a larger number of gene pairs; gene action appeared to be more nearly additive, and there appeared to be no maternal effect or association with B locus alleles. Heritability of body-spot size was 0.3 to 0.5. Total score increased from 13 to 56 units over the 11 years of selection.", "PMID": 767403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2447", "title": "Humoral immunity in aged mice. II. Increased suppressor T cell activity in immunologically deficient old mice.", "content": "Mixed cultures of DNP-primed spleen cells from old and young BC3F1 mice in diffusion chambers yielded significantly fewer secondary PFC than expected from the numbers of PFC found when young and old spleen cells were cultured alone. There was a negative correlation between the log of the number of PFC found in cultures of old spleen cells alone and the degree of immunosuppression exerted by the cells. The immunosuppressive effect was abolished by pretreatment of the old spleen cells with anti-theta serum and complement. Thus, the effect was attributed to the presence of large numbers of suppressor T cells in the spleen of primed old mice. No suppression was found in mixed cultures of spleen cells from old unimmunized mice and young primed mice.", "contents": "Humoral immunity in aged mice. II. Increased suppressor T cell activity in immunologically deficient old mice. Mixed cultures of DNP-primed spleen cells from old and young BC3F1 mice in diffusion chambers yielded significantly fewer secondary PFC than expected from the numbers of PFC found when young and old spleen cells were cultured alone. There was a negative correlation between the log of the number of PFC found in cultures of old spleen cells alone and the degree of immunosuppression exerted by the cells. The immunosuppressive effect was abolished by pretreatment of the old spleen cells with anti-theta serum and complement. Thus, the effect was attributed to the presence of large numbers of suppressor T cells in the spleen of primed old mice. No suppression was found in mixed cultures of spleen cells from old unimmunized mice and young primed mice.", "PMID": 768375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2448", "title": "Role of monosaccharides in the interaction of two lymphocyte mediators with their target cells.", "content": "The role of monosaccharides on the interaction of two lymphocyte mediators related to the human cell migration inhibition systems with their respective target cells has been investigated. Human MIF activity on blood monocytes was significantly reduced by several 5-methylpentose sugars indcluding L-fucose, L-rhamnose and 6 deoxy-D-glucose. Certain structurally unrelated monosaccharides such as D-galactose, methyl alpha-D-mannoside and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine had no effect on this system. Incubation of human monocytes with alpha-L-fucosidase, a glycosidase which cleaves terminal L-fucose moieties, reversibly prevented their response to MIF. These results indicate that alpha-L-fucosyl residues form an integral part of the receptor for MIF on human monocytes, and furthermore, this interaction may be somewhat nonspecific in that the 5-methylpentose configuration perse is recognized. In contrast, human LIF activity on PMN leukocytes was significantly reduced by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, but not by 5-methylpentoses, D-glucose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, methyl alpha-Dmannoside or D-galactose. The latter finding suggests that a subterminal sugar may form part of the receptor to LIF on human PMN leukocytes.", "contents": "Role of monosaccharides in the interaction of two lymphocyte mediators with their target cells. The role of monosaccharides on the interaction of two lymphocyte mediators related to the human cell migration inhibition systems with their respective target cells has been investigated. Human MIF activity on blood monocytes was significantly reduced by several 5-methylpentose sugars indcluding L-fucose, L-rhamnose and 6 deoxy-D-glucose. Certain structurally unrelated monosaccharides such as D-galactose, methyl alpha-D-mannoside and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine had no effect on this system. Incubation of human monocytes with alpha-L-fucosidase, a glycosidase which cleaves terminal L-fucose moieties, reversibly prevented their response to MIF. These results indicate that alpha-L-fucosyl residues form an integral part of the receptor for MIF on human monocytes, and furthermore, this interaction may be somewhat nonspecific in that the 5-methylpentose configuration perse is recognized. In contrast, human LIF activity on PMN leukocytes was significantly reduced by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, but not by 5-methylpentoses, D-glucose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, methyl alpha-Dmannoside or D-galactose. The latter finding suggests that a subterminal sugar may form part of the receptor to LIF on human PMN leukocytes.", "PMID": 768376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2449", "title": "Carrier determined tolerance with various subclasses of murine myeloma IgG.", "content": "Groups of BALB/c mice were treated with various conjugates of 2,4 dinitrophenyl (DNP) and BALB/c myeloma proteins belonging to the four subclasses of IgG (IgG1, IgG2, IgG2b, IgG3). Immediately therafter, they were challenged with DNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanin in complete Freund's adjuvant and antibody to the hapten was measured by direct and indirect hemolytic plaque assay. The results show that all subclasses of IgG are effective as tolerance-inducing carriers. However, the ability of induce tolerance is dependent upon the concentration of hapten bound to each myeloma protein. Tolerogenic conjugates suppress both direct and indirect plaque-forming cells in all types of antibodies measured (IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgGa), whereas, non-tolerogenic conjugate failed to suppress them. The intact molecule of IgG but not its fragments (Fab, F(ab)2', Fc) appear necessary as tolerance-inducing carriers. It is suggested that the ability to induce tolerance is related to the capacity of the tolerogenic conjugates to cause receptor blockade.", "contents": "Carrier determined tolerance with various subclasses of murine myeloma IgG. Groups of BALB/c mice were treated with various conjugates of 2,4 dinitrophenyl (DNP) and BALB/c myeloma proteins belonging to the four subclasses of IgG (IgG1, IgG2, IgG2b, IgG3). Immediately therafter, they were challenged with DNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanin in complete Freund's adjuvant and antibody to the hapten was measured by direct and indirect hemolytic plaque assay. The results show that all subclasses of IgG are effective as tolerance-inducing carriers. However, the ability of induce tolerance is dependent upon the concentration of hapten bound to each myeloma protein. Tolerogenic conjugates suppress both direct and indirect plaque-forming cells in all types of antibodies measured (IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgGa), whereas, non-tolerogenic conjugate failed to suppress them. The intact molecule of IgG but not its fragments (Fab, F(ab)2', Fc) appear necessary as tolerance-inducing carriers. It is suggested that the ability to induce tolerance is related to the capacity of the tolerogenic conjugates to cause receptor blockade.", "PMID": 768377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2450", "title": "Local and systemic cell-mediated immunity against transmissible gastroenteritis, an intestinal viral infection of swine.", "content": "The occurrence of local and systemic cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in swine against transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus, a coronavirus that infects the epithelial cells of the small intestine of swine, has been investigated. Leukocyte suspensions prepared from intestinal lamina propria (LP) and spleen were each incubated with and without inactivated TGE virus. The supernatants from these cultures were tested for the presence of macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) by the indirect MIF test using guinea pig peritoneal exudate cells as the source of macrophages. All swine serologically negative for TGE antibodies (i.e., unexposed to TGE virus) were also negative for MIF production by lymphocytes from both sources. In 10 of 10 animals given TGE virus subcutaneously, MIF production by splenic lymphocytes was significantly greater (p less than or equal to 0.01) than by LP lymphocytes, and in 9 of 10 of these animals MIF production by LP lymphocytes was negligible (percentage of inhibition of migration less than 3%).", "contents": "Local and systemic cell-mediated immunity against transmissible gastroenteritis, an intestinal viral infection of swine. The occurrence of local and systemic cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in swine against transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus, a coronavirus that infects the epithelial cells of the small intestine of swine, has been investigated. Leukocyte suspensions prepared from intestinal lamina propria (LP) and spleen were each incubated with and without inactivated TGE virus. The supernatants from these cultures were tested for the presence of macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) by the indirect MIF test using guinea pig peritoneal exudate cells as the source of macrophages. All swine serologically negative for TGE antibodies (i.e., unexposed to TGE virus) were also negative for MIF production by lymphocytes from both sources. In 10 of 10 animals given TGE virus subcutaneously, MIF production by splenic lymphocytes was significantly greater (p less than or equal to 0.01) than by LP lymphocytes, and in 9 of 10 of these animals MIF production by LP lymphocytes was negligible (percentage of inhibition of migration less than 3%).", "PMID": 768378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2451", "title": "Artifactual plaque formation in vitro and in vivo to passive transfer of specific antibody.", "content": "The localized hemolysis in gel (LHG) assay for antibody-secreting cells was used to evaluate antibody production in heterologous erythrocyte-immunized cultures of human peripheral blood lymphocytes supplemented with 10% human plasma. Antigen-specific plaques were detected in such cultures and the number of plaques varied with different lymphocyte donors and were inhibited by heat killing the cultures before assay. However, plaque number varied directly with the number of immunizing erythrocytes added to the cultures and inversely with the number of lymphocytes added. Maximum plaque production occurred within 10 min of initiation of the cultures and occurred in the absence of any lymphoid cells. Absorption of the plasma used as culture supplement with the immunizing erythrocyte resulted in complete abrogation of subsequent specific plaque formation. Mice previously passively immunized with high titered anti-erythrocyte antibody had large numbers of plaques detected 30 min after i.v. immunization with the appropriate erythrocyte. These plaques detected by LHG are the result of carry-over of aggregates of antibody-coated erythrocytes and subsequent release of this antibody in the LHG assay and are not the result of active antibody synthesis. This \"pseudoplaque\" production may lead to the false interpretation of plaque formation as indicating active synthesis of antibody in vivo and in vitro where such experiments are carried out in immune animals or with antibody containing serum culture supplements.", "contents": "Artifactual plaque formation in vitro and in vivo to passive transfer of specific antibody. The localized hemolysis in gel (LHG) assay for antibody-secreting cells was used to evaluate antibody production in heterologous erythrocyte-immunized cultures of human peripheral blood lymphocytes supplemented with 10% human plasma. Antigen-specific plaques were detected in such cultures and the number of plaques varied with different lymphocyte donors and were inhibited by heat killing the cultures before assay. However, plaque number varied directly with the number of immunizing erythrocytes added to the cultures and inversely with the number of lymphocytes added. Maximum plaque production occurred within 10 min of initiation of the cultures and occurred in the absence of any lymphoid cells. Absorption of the plasma used as culture supplement with the immunizing erythrocyte resulted in complete abrogation of subsequent specific plaque formation. Mice previously passively immunized with high titered anti-erythrocyte antibody had large numbers of plaques detected 30 min after i.v. immunization with the appropriate erythrocyte. These plaques detected by LHG are the result of carry-over of aggregates of antibody-coated erythrocytes and subsequent release of this antibody in the LHG assay and are not the result of active antibody synthesis. This \"pseudoplaque\" production may lead to the false interpretation of plaque formation as indicating active synthesis of antibody in vivo and in vitro where such experiments are carried out in immune animals or with antibody containing serum culture supplements.", "PMID": 768379} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2452", "title": "The effect of serum inhibitor on the antigenic and mitogenic responses to E. coli bacteria.", "content": "The effect of serum inhibitory factors on the induction of the in vitro immune response and mitogenic response to Escherichia coli antigens in murine spleen cell cultures was investigated. Both normal and congenitally athymic mice served as spleen cell and serum donors. Cultured CBA/J spleen cells produced anti-bacterial antibody in the presence of mouse serum, but the mitogenic response to the bacterial antigen was suppressed by the addition of mouse serum. The addition of mouse serum from either CBA/J or nude mice to nude spleen cell cultures led to suppression of both the antigenic and mitogenic responses to bacterial antigen. The polyclonal antibody response by CBA/J spleen cell cultures to SRBC induced by bacteria was significantly enhanced by the addition of either CBA/J or nude mouse serum. Conversely, the nude spleen cell polyclonal response to SRBC was significantly inhibited by high concentrations of nude or CBA/J mouse serum. These data indicate that inhibition of the specific E. coli and nonspecific polyclonal antibody responses by mouse serum occurs only in cultures of spleen cells taken from mice lacking a population of T lymphocytes.", "contents": "The effect of serum inhibitor on the antigenic and mitogenic responses to E. coli bacteria. The effect of serum inhibitory factors on the induction of the in vitro immune response and mitogenic response to Escherichia coli antigens in murine spleen cell cultures was investigated. Both normal and congenitally athymic mice served as spleen cell and serum donors. Cultured CBA/J spleen cells produced anti-bacterial antibody in the presence of mouse serum, but the mitogenic response to the bacterial antigen was suppressed by the addition of mouse serum. The addition of mouse serum from either CBA/J or nude mice to nude spleen cell cultures led to suppression of both the antigenic and mitogenic responses to bacterial antigen. The polyclonal antibody response by CBA/J spleen cell cultures to SRBC induced by bacteria was significantly enhanced by the addition of either CBA/J or nude mouse serum. Conversely, the nude spleen cell polyclonal response to SRBC was significantly inhibited by high concentrations of nude or CBA/J mouse serum. These data indicate that inhibition of the specific E. coli and nonspecific polyclonal antibody responses by mouse serum occurs only in cultures of spleen cells taken from mice lacking a population of T lymphocytes.", "PMID": 768380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2453", "title": "Klebsiella L-forms: effect of growth as L-form on virulence of reverted Klebsiella pneumoniae.", "content": "A strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae virulent for mice was serially passaged in vitro as a penicillin-induced L-form. Periodically, the L-form was reverted to the bacterial form by removal of penicillin, and the revertant was tested for virulence. Virulence was gradually reduced, and after 109 passages the revertant was totally avirulent. Virulence was not restored by 40 passages of the revertant through mouse peritoneum. The revertant grew less vigorously and did not infect mice when inoculated subcutaneously; in contrast, the parental form was found in all tissues examined. After phagocytosis in vitro or in vivo, the revertant survived but did not increase in numbers, whereas the parental form did increase in numbers. The revertant had a much smaller capsule than did the parental form. Immunization with the live revertant resulted in type-specific protection against infection with the parental form.", "contents": "Klebsiella L-forms: effect of growth as L-form on virulence of reverted Klebsiella pneumoniae. A strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae virulent for mice was serially passaged in vitro as a penicillin-induced L-form. Periodically, the L-form was reverted to the bacterial form by removal of penicillin, and the revertant was tested for virulence. Virulence was gradually reduced, and after 109 passages the revertant was totally avirulent. Virulence was not restored by 40 passages of the revertant through mouse peritoneum. The revertant grew less vigorously and did not infect mice when inoculated subcutaneously; in contrast, the parental form was found in all tissues examined. After phagocytosis in vitro or in vivo, the revertant survived but did not increase in numbers, whereas the parental form did increase in numbers. The revertant had a much smaller capsule than did the parental form. Immunization with the live revertant resulted in type-specific protection against infection with the parental form.", "PMID": 768382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2454", "title": "Murine pulmonary alveolar macrophages: rates of bacterial ingestion, inactivation, and destruction.", "content": "The component processes of phagocytosis (ingestion, inactivation, and destruction of bacteria) were studied in mice by histological and microbiological techniques after aerosol infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Rates of bacterial ingestion and inactivation were (respectively): 0 hr, 37.7% and 0; 1 hr, 64.5% and 45.8%; 2 hr, 75.9% and 67.9%; 4 hr, 82.4% and 84.1%; and 8 hr, 90.7% and 94.8%. Bacterial destruction began 2-4 hr after aerosol infection and affected 80% of the bacteria by 8 hr. Comparison of these processes indicated that bacterial ingestion occurred before inactivation and was 76% complete at 2 hr. Inactivation resulted in death of 84% of the bacteria at 4 hr, and 80% of the bacteria were at least partially destroyed by 8 hr. The mechanism of X-irradiation-induced depression of pulmonary bacterial inactivation was studied in syngeneic mice protected from lethal effects of X-irradiation by chest and pelvic shields or by transplantation of 2 times 10(6) bone marrow cells. Impairments in bacterial inactivation resulted from diminished ingestion of bacteria by macrophages.", "contents": "Murine pulmonary alveolar macrophages: rates of bacterial ingestion, inactivation, and destruction. The component processes of phagocytosis (ingestion, inactivation, and destruction of bacteria) were studied in mice by histological and microbiological techniques after aerosol infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Rates of bacterial ingestion and inactivation were (respectively): 0 hr, 37.7% and 0; 1 hr, 64.5% and 45.8%; 2 hr, 75.9% and 67.9%; 4 hr, 82.4% and 84.1%; and 8 hr, 90.7% and 94.8%. Bacterial destruction began 2-4 hr after aerosol infection and affected 80% of the bacteria by 8 hr. Comparison of these processes indicated that bacterial ingestion occurred before inactivation and was 76% complete at 2 hr. Inactivation resulted in death of 84% of the bacteria at 4 hr, and 80% of the bacteria were at least partially destroyed by 8 hr. The mechanism of X-irradiation-induced depression of pulmonary bacterial inactivation was studied in syngeneic mice protected from lethal effects of X-irradiation by chest and pelvic shields or by transplantation of 2 times 10(6) bone marrow cells. Impairments in bacterial inactivation resulted from diminished ingestion of bacteria by macrophages.", "PMID": 768383} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2455", "title": "Interactions of choleragenoid and GM1 ganglioside with enterotoxins of Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli in cultured adrenal cells.", "content": "The heat-labile enterotoxins of Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli induce morphologic changes and steroidogenesis in clonal lines of adrenal tumor cells in tissue culture; these effects are preventable by prior incubation of either toxin with GM1 ganglioside (galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl [sialosyl] lactosyl ceramide; GGnSLC) but are not preventable by prior incubation of adrenal cells with choleragenoid. Choleragenoid, however, is capable of interfering with the ability of GM1 ganglioside to neutralize the effects of either toxin. These results suggest that the GM1 ganglioside may not be the true receptor for the toxins on adrenal cells, but that it is acting as a pseudoreceptor. The ability of a subunit (A) of the cholera enterotoxin molecule to induce in adrenal cells morphologic changes and steroidogenesis similar to those effects inducible by the whole toxin indicates the possibility that separate receptor sites on these adrenal cells may exist for the binding and active fragments of the molecule.", "contents": "Interactions of choleragenoid and GM1 ganglioside with enterotoxins of Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli in cultured adrenal cells. The heat-labile enterotoxins of Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli induce morphologic changes and steroidogenesis in clonal lines of adrenal tumor cells in tissue culture; these effects are preventable by prior incubation of either toxin with GM1 ganglioside (galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl [sialosyl] lactosyl ceramide; GGnSLC) but are not preventable by prior incubation of adrenal cells with choleragenoid. Choleragenoid, however, is capable of interfering with the ability of GM1 ganglioside to neutralize the effects of either toxin. These results suggest that the GM1 ganglioside may not be the true receptor for the toxins on adrenal cells, but that it is acting as a pseudoreceptor. The ability of a subunit (A) of the cholera enterotoxin molecule to induce in adrenal cells morphologic changes and steroidogenesis similar to those effects inducible by the whole toxin indicates the possibility that separate receptor sites on these adrenal cells may exist for the binding and active fragments of the molecule.", "PMID": 768385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2456", "title": "Isolation and properties of heat-labile enterotoxin(s) from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.", "content": "Various techniques have been applied to the detection of skin reactivity associated with heat-labile Escherichia coli enterotoxin in fermenter-grown cultures of enterotoxigenic strains in syncase medium and in trypticase soy broth. Isolated products that were homogeneous, as determined by disc electrophoresis and sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, differed immunologically and in physicochemical characteristics depending on the strain and medium used, even though the products had similar specific activities in skin tests and in Chinese hamster ovary cells. In support of observations on porcine E.coli enterotoxin, and in contrast to the enterotoxin of Vibrio cholerae, the products were single polypeptide chains with molecular weights ranging from approximately 35,000 ot over 100,000 daltons. Proteolytic cleavage during culture and purification might account for some of the variations observed. The isolated products were almost 10(6)-fold less active than purified choleragen in causing morphologic alterations of Chinese hamster ovary cells, approximately 1,000-fold less active in skin tests, and at least 100-fold less active in rabbit ileal loops. In addition, only 1/100 as much active protein was produced by the strains employed as by V. cholerae. It is possible that accessory or host-derived factors are required. The most effective large-scale procedure for isolation from trypticase soy broth culture supernatants was a sequence of concentration by ultrafiltration, judicious (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, gel filtration on Sephadex G-150, and gel filtration on Agarose A5m, from which the E. coli products (like choleragen) are retarded in their elution. Toxin was isolated from an enterotoxigenic strain that caused diarrhea (total volume, 60-liters) for four days in a patient who had visited Mexico.", "contents": "Isolation and properties of heat-labile enterotoxin(s) from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Various techniques have been applied to the detection of skin reactivity associated with heat-labile Escherichia coli enterotoxin in fermenter-grown cultures of enterotoxigenic strains in syncase medium and in trypticase soy broth. Isolated products that were homogeneous, as determined by disc electrophoresis and sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, differed immunologically and in physicochemical characteristics depending on the strain and medium used, even though the products had similar specific activities in skin tests and in Chinese hamster ovary cells. In support of observations on porcine E.coli enterotoxin, and in contrast to the enterotoxin of Vibrio cholerae, the products were single polypeptide chains with molecular weights ranging from approximately 35,000 ot over 100,000 daltons. Proteolytic cleavage during culture and purification might account for some of the variations observed. The isolated products were almost 10(6)-fold less active than purified choleragen in causing morphologic alterations of Chinese hamster ovary cells, approximately 1,000-fold less active in skin tests, and at least 100-fold less active in rabbit ileal loops. In addition, only 1/100 as much active protein was produced by the strains employed as by V. cholerae. It is possible that accessory or host-derived factors are required. The most effective large-scale procedure for isolation from trypticase soy broth culture supernatants was a sequence of concentration by ultrafiltration, judicious (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, gel filtration on Sephadex G-150, and gel filtration on Agarose A5m, from which the E. coli products (like choleragen) are retarded in their elution. Toxin was isolated from an enterotoxigenic strain that caused diarrhea (total volume, 60-liters) for four days in a patient who had visited Mexico.", "PMID": 768386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2457", "title": "Purification of heat-labile enterotoxin from Escherichia coli O78:H11 by affinity chromatography with antserum to Vibrio cholerae toxin.", "content": "Concentrated culture filtrate of Escherichia coli O78:H11, strain H10407, was applied to an affinity column prepared with IgG antibodies to the toxin of Vibrio cholerae. Elution of the retained material with 3 M KCNS yielded a nonenterotoxic protein that precipitated with antiserum to V. cholerae toxin and had three major protein components on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels. After treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol, two protein components were observed. Elution of the affinity column with 5 M guanidine yielded an enterotoxic protein that precipitated with antiserum to V. cholerae toxin. After treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol, only one protein component, with mobility identical to that of the slower component of the eluate (treated with 3 M KCNS and 2-mercaptoethanol), was observed.", "contents": "Purification of heat-labile enterotoxin from Escherichia coli O78:H11 by affinity chromatography with antserum to Vibrio cholerae toxin. Concentrated culture filtrate of Escherichia coli O78:H11, strain H10407, was applied to an affinity column prepared with IgG antibodies to the toxin of Vibrio cholerae. Elution of the retained material with 3 M KCNS yielded a nonenterotoxic protein that precipitated with antiserum to V. cholerae toxin and had three major protein components on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels. After treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol, two protein components were observed. Elution of the affinity column with 5 M guanidine yielded an enterotoxic protein that precipitated with antiserum to V. cholerae toxin. After treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol, only one protein component, with mobility identical to that of the slower component of the eluate (treated with 3 M KCNS and 2-mercaptoethanol), was observed.", "PMID": 768387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2458", "title": "Activation of Heat-labile Escherichia coli enterotoxin by trypsin.", "content": "Trypsin-treated, cell-free filtrates derived from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, strain H197 (O78:H11), exhibited a fourfold or greater increase in heat-labile vascular permeability factor activity and a 10-fold or greater increase in the ability to stimulate secretion of growth hormone by cultured rat pituitary cells. In contrast, trypsin-treated filtrates were not different from untreated filtrates in their ability to elicit a secretory response in ligated rabbit intestinal loops. However, incubation of culture filtrate in ligated intestinal loops, or with rabbit intestinal fluid (in vitro), resulted in at least a twofold increase in permeability factor that did not occur in the presence of trypsin inhibitor or with heat-inactivated intestinal fluid. Moreover, trypsin inhibitor could reduce the secretory response to culture filtrate. These findings suggest that activation of heat-labile E. coli enterotoxin by host enzymes may play a role in the development of a full pathogenic effect.", "contents": "Activation of Heat-labile Escherichia coli enterotoxin by trypsin. Trypsin-treated, cell-free filtrates derived from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, strain H197 (O78:H11), exhibited a fourfold or greater increase in heat-labile vascular permeability factor activity and a 10-fold or greater increase in the ability to stimulate secretion of growth hormone by cultured rat pituitary cells. In contrast, trypsin-treated filtrates were not different from untreated filtrates in their ability to elicit a secretory response in ligated rabbit intestinal loops. However, incubation of culture filtrate in ligated intestinal loops, or with rabbit intestinal fluid (in vitro), resulted in at least a twofold increase in permeability factor that did not occur in the presence of trypsin inhibitor or with heat-inactivated intestinal fluid. Moreover, trypsin inhibitor could reduce the secretory response to culture filtrate. These findings suggest that activation of heat-labile E. coli enterotoxin by host enzymes may play a role in the development of a full pathogenic effect.", "PMID": 768388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2459", "title": "Estimation of bile acid excretion in man: comparison of isotopic turnover and fecal excretion methods.", "content": "Bile acid excretion was studied in 9 human subjects simultaneously by the Lindstedt (Lindstedt, S. 1957. Acta Physiol. Scand. 40:1-9) isotopic turnovermethod and by fecal chemical analysis during a balance study. The identities of the fecal bile acids were confirmed by combined gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Under the steady state conditions of the patient studies, bile acid excretion values obtained by fecal analysis were lower (by 18.1 to 44.2%) than the values obtained by the isotopic turnover method. This difference persisted even in those patients given [14C]chenodeoxycholic acid instead of [3H]chenodeoxycholic acid. The fecal excretion values were similar when calculated using either beta-sitosterol or chromium sesquioxide as fecal flow markers. The fecal excretion values during the earlier part of the isotopic study were higher than those during the latter part of the study. The lower values of bile acid excretion obtained from fecal analysis could not be explained by the loss of bile acids as sulfate conjugates or by losses due to bile acid degradation in the intestine. This study suggests that bile acid turnover is consistently higher than bile acid excretion under experimental conditions. It is recommended that the data obtained from the isotopic turnover method should not be compared with fecal excretion data.", "contents": "Estimation of bile acid excretion in man: comparison of isotopic turnover and fecal excretion methods. Bile acid excretion was studied in 9 human subjects simultaneously by the Lindstedt (Lindstedt, S. 1957. Acta Physiol. Scand. 40:1-9) isotopic turnovermethod and by fecal chemical analysis during a balance study. The identities of the fecal bile acids were confirmed by combined gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Under the steady state conditions of the patient studies, bile acid excretion values obtained by fecal analysis were lower (by 18.1 to 44.2%) than the values obtained by the isotopic turnover method. This difference persisted even in those patients given [14C]chenodeoxycholic acid instead of [3H]chenodeoxycholic acid. The fecal excretion values were similar when calculated using either beta-sitosterol or chromium sesquioxide as fecal flow markers. The fecal excretion values during the earlier part of the isotopic study were higher than those during the latter part of the study. The lower values of bile acid excretion obtained from fecal analysis could not be explained by the loss of bile acids as sulfate conjugates or by losses due to bile acid degradation in the intestine. This study suggests that bile acid turnover is consistently higher than bile acid excretion under experimental conditions. It is recommended that the data obtained from the isotopic turnover method should not be compared with fecal excretion data.", "PMID": 768394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2460", "title": "Sterilization of infected bone by lyophilization and rehydration with antibiotic solutions.", "content": "In vitro experiments were carried out with artificially infected rib-fragments in order to find out, whether freeze-drying and subsequent sterilization with ethylene oxide and antibiotic solutions will eliminate bacteria inside the bone. Ethylene oxide will kill bacterial surface contaminants, but not bacteria inside the bone; rehydration with appropriate antibiotic solutions will eliminate bacteria inside the graft. Some clinical implications are mentioned.", "contents": "Sterilization of infected bone by lyophilization and rehydration with antibiotic solutions. In vitro experiments were carried out with artificially infected rib-fragments in order to find out, whether freeze-drying and subsequent sterilization with ethylene oxide and antibiotic solutions will eliminate bacteria inside the bone. Ethylene oxide will kill bacterial surface contaminants, but not bacteria inside the bone; rehydration with appropriate antibiotic solutions will eliminate bacteria inside the graft. Some clinical implications are mentioned.", "PMID": 768395} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2461", "title": "Probucol, a new cholesterol lowering drug.", "content": "The purpose of this investigation was to determine the ability of Dh-581 (Procubol) (See Figure 1) to reduce the level of serum cholesterol for extended periods of time and to maintain the reduction without loss of effectiveness. The effects of DH-581 on triglycerides and the safety and tolerance of daily doses were also assessed.", "contents": "Probucol, a new cholesterol lowering drug. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the ability of Dh-581 (Procubol) (See Figure 1) to reduce the level of serum cholesterol for extended periods of time and to maintain the reduction without loss of effectiveness. The effects of DH-581 on triglycerides and the safety and tolerance of daily doses were also assessed.", "PMID": 768396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2462", "title": "Plasma and red cell cholinesterase activity in uremic patterns (effects of hemodialysis and renal transplantation).", "content": "Plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and red cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured in patients with endstage kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis or renal transplantation. All patients had significantly lower values of BuChE activity than normals. A single hemodialysis did not influence the level of BuChE activity but caused a moderate, though statistically significant increase of red cell AChE activity. Chronic hemodialysis significantly increased BuChE but did not affect AChE activity. After successful renal transplantation a sharp fall of BuChE activity occurred, a completely unexpected finding. This decrease coincided with the administration of large doses of glucocorticoids. Once the dose of these drugs was decreased the activity of plasma BuChE returned toward preoperative values. No similar changes in red cell AChE were seen. The possible effect of the steroid drugs on protein synthesis in the liver is discussed.", "contents": "Plasma and red cell cholinesterase activity in uremic patterns (effects of hemodialysis and renal transplantation). Plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and red cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured in patients with endstage kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis or renal transplantation. All patients had significantly lower values of BuChE activity than normals. A single hemodialysis did not influence the level of BuChE activity but caused a moderate, though statistically significant increase of red cell AChE activity. Chronic hemodialysis significantly increased BuChE but did not affect AChE activity. After successful renal transplantation a sharp fall of BuChE activity occurred, a completely unexpected finding. This decrease coincided with the administration of large doses of glucocorticoids. Once the dose of these drugs was decreased the activity of plasma BuChE returned toward preoperative values. No similar changes in red cell AChE were seen. The possible effect of the steroid drugs on protein synthesis in the liver is discussed.", "PMID": 768397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2463", "title": "Interaction between oestrogen and gonadotrophin- releasing hormone on the release and synthesis of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone from incubated pituitaries.", "content": "The release and synthesis of LH and FSH were studied in adenohypophyses from ovariectomized rats incubated for a period of 4 h in flasks containing 1 ml Eagle's medium. One hemipituitary was used as the experimental gland and the other half served as a control. Glands from ovariectomized untreated animals showed a spontaneous release of LH and FSH and the amount of hormones released (per mg gland) by both the hemipituitaries was not significantly different. Also the content of the hormones at the end of the incubation period was similar in both halves. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) added to the incubation medium stimulated the release of LH and FSH. A dose--response relationship was obtained between doses of 0-51 and 8-00 ng/ml medium. Although lower doses were required to increase the release of LH, the amount of FSH released was higher when expressed as a percentage of gland content. Pituitary glands from ovariectomized rats treated with 5 mug oestradiol benzoate 24 h before being killed showed an increase in sensitivity to Gn-RH, but the response decreased when oestrogen was injected 2 h before death. Also the addition of oestradiol-17beta to the incubation medium inhibited LH and FSH release induced by Gn-RH. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone increased the spontaneous synthesis of LH and FSH observed in the incubated pituitaries. This effect of Gn-RH was stimulated by the injection of oestrogen into the donor animals whereas administration of oestrogen into the medium enhanced the synthesis of LH and partially inhibited that of FSH. These results provide evidence for a dual effect of oestrogen on the release of LH and FSH induced by Gn-RH. They also show that synthesis of gonadotrophic hormones was favoured by oestrogen or by increased gonadotrophin release.", "contents": "Interaction between oestrogen and gonadotrophin- releasing hormone on the release and synthesis of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone from incubated pituitaries. The release and synthesis of LH and FSH were studied in adenohypophyses from ovariectomized rats incubated for a period of 4 h in flasks containing 1 ml Eagle's medium. One hemipituitary was used as the experimental gland and the other half served as a control. Glands from ovariectomized untreated animals showed a spontaneous release of LH and FSH and the amount of hormones released (per mg gland) by both the hemipituitaries was not significantly different. Also the content of the hormones at the end of the incubation period was similar in both halves. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) added to the incubation medium stimulated the release of LH and FSH. A dose--response relationship was obtained between doses of 0-51 and 8-00 ng/ml medium. Although lower doses were required to increase the release of LH, the amount of FSH released was higher when expressed as a percentage of gland content. Pituitary glands from ovariectomized rats treated with 5 mug oestradiol benzoate 24 h before being killed showed an increase in sensitivity to Gn-RH, but the response decreased when oestrogen was injected 2 h before death. Also the addition of oestradiol-17beta to the incubation medium inhibited LH and FSH release induced by Gn-RH. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone increased the spontaneous synthesis of LH and FSH observed in the incubated pituitaries. This effect of Gn-RH was stimulated by the injection of oestrogen into the donor animals whereas administration of oestrogen into the medium enhanced the synthesis of LH and partially inhibited that of FSH. These results provide evidence for a dual effect of oestrogen on the release of LH and FSH induced by Gn-RH. They also show that synthesis of gonadotrophic hormones was favoured by oestrogen or by increased gonadotrophin release.", "PMID": 768398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2464", "title": "Immunoreactive luteinizing hormone releasing factor in rat pituitary stalk blood: effects of electrical stimulation of the medial preoptic area.", "content": "Blood was collected from the cut pituitary stalk of male and female rats before and during the application of an electrical stimulus to the medial preoptic area. The plasma was assayed for immunoreactive LH releasing factor (RF) by a double antibody radioimmunoassay using a specific antiserum raised in rabbits against the free acid derivative of the decapeptide LH-RF conjugated to bovine serum albumin. The decapeptide (used as a standard) and pituitary stalk plasma cross-reacted in a similar manner with the antiserum. Stimulation of the preoptic area increased significantly the amount of LH-RF in pituitary stalk plasma in both male and female rats. The increase in LH-RF was linearly related to the strength of the stimulating current, and the amount of LH-RF liberated diminished on cessation of the stimulus. The concentration of LH-RF in pituitary stalk plasma from female rats was significantly greater than that in jugular venous plasma. The magnitudes of the mean increments of LH-RF in pituitary stalk plasma (stimulation minus pre-stimulation values) at various times of the oestrous cycle in female rats suggest that between 18.00 h of dioestrus and 13.00 h of pro-oestrus there is an increase in sensitivity of the LH-RF secretory mechanism to electrical stimulation. However, the increments decreased in magnitude between 13.00 and 18.00 h of pro-oestrus, indicating that the marked increase in responsiveness of the hypothalamo-hypophysial system to electrical stimulation which occurs during this period is due mainly to a change in sensitivity of the pituitary gonadotrophs to LH-RF. The LH-RF in pituitary stalk plasma collected before application of the stimulus was higher at some of the times examined during pro-oestrus than at other times of the oestrous cycle. A higher level of the secretion of the factor may be important for the full development of the priming effect of LH-RF and, consequently, the marked increase in responsiveness of the pituitary gland which occurs during the afternoon of pro-oestrus.", "contents": "Immunoreactive luteinizing hormone releasing factor in rat pituitary stalk blood: effects of electrical stimulation of the medial preoptic area. Blood was collected from the cut pituitary stalk of male and female rats before and during the application of an electrical stimulus to the medial preoptic area. The plasma was assayed for immunoreactive LH releasing factor (RF) by a double antibody radioimmunoassay using a specific antiserum raised in rabbits against the free acid derivative of the decapeptide LH-RF conjugated to bovine serum albumin. The decapeptide (used as a standard) and pituitary stalk plasma cross-reacted in a similar manner with the antiserum. Stimulation of the preoptic area increased significantly the amount of LH-RF in pituitary stalk plasma in both male and female rats. The increase in LH-RF was linearly related to the strength of the stimulating current, and the amount of LH-RF liberated diminished on cessation of the stimulus. The concentration of LH-RF in pituitary stalk plasma from female rats was significantly greater than that in jugular venous plasma. The magnitudes of the mean increments of LH-RF in pituitary stalk plasma (stimulation minus pre-stimulation values) at various times of the oestrous cycle in female rats suggest that between 18.00 h of dioestrus and 13.00 h of pro-oestrus there is an increase in sensitivity of the LH-RF secretory mechanism to electrical stimulation. However, the increments decreased in magnitude between 13.00 and 18.00 h of pro-oestrus, indicating that the marked increase in responsiveness of the hypothalamo-hypophysial system to electrical stimulation which occurs during this period is due mainly to a change in sensitivity of the pituitary gonadotrophs to LH-RF. The LH-RF in pituitary stalk plasma collected before application of the stimulus was higher at some of the times examined during pro-oestrus than at other times of the oestrous cycle. A higher level of the secretion of the factor may be important for the full development of the priming effect of LH-RF and, consequently, the marked increase in responsiveness of the pituitary gland which occurs during the afternoon of pro-oestrus.", "PMID": 768399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2465", "title": "Absence of an immunologically distinct follicle-stimulating hormone releasing factor in rat stalk median eminence extracts.", "content": "Rat stalk median eminence (SME) extract was incubated with various quantities of an antiserum raised against synthetic luteinizing hormone (LH-RH) and the resulting material was used at two or more dose levels to stimulate release of LH and FSH from anterior pituitary tissue, obtained from male rats, incubated in vitro. The resulting dose-response lines were use to obtain the LH- and FSH-releasing potency of the material, expressed as a percentage of SME extract pre-incubated with normal rabbit serum. Treatment with various doses of antiserum reduced LH-releasing and FSH-releasing potencies to a similar extent. Stalk median eminence extract and synthetic LH-RH were incubated with antiserum and directly compared in the same experiment in vitro. The changes in LH and FSH release caused by pre-treatment with antibody were similar for SME extract and synthetic LH-RH. In a final experiment, SME extract was passed through a column of Sepharose 2B particles to which was coupled anti-LH-RH antibody. The resulting material, when mixed with synthetic LH-RH and used to stimulate rat pituitary tissue in vitro caused a similar increase in the LH- and FSH-releasing potencies of the synthetic decapaptide. It is concluded that rat SME extract contains a single releasing factor for LH and FSH immunologically indistinguishable from synthetic LH-RH.", "contents": "Absence of an immunologically distinct follicle-stimulating hormone releasing factor in rat stalk median eminence extracts. Rat stalk median eminence (SME) extract was incubated with various quantities of an antiserum raised against synthetic luteinizing hormone (LH-RH) and the resulting material was used at two or more dose levels to stimulate release of LH and FSH from anterior pituitary tissue, obtained from male rats, incubated in vitro. The resulting dose-response lines were use to obtain the LH- and FSH-releasing potency of the material, expressed as a percentage of SME extract pre-incubated with normal rabbit serum. Treatment with various doses of antiserum reduced LH-releasing and FSH-releasing potencies to a similar extent. Stalk median eminence extract and synthetic LH-RH were incubated with antiserum and directly compared in the same experiment in vitro. The changes in LH and FSH release caused by pre-treatment with antibody were similar for SME extract and synthetic LH-RH. In a final experiment, SME extract was passed through a column of Sepharose 2B particles to which was coupled anti-LH-RH antibody. The resulting material, when mixed with synthetic LH-RH and used to stimulate rat pituitary tissue in vitro caused a similar increase in the LH- and FSH-releasing potencies of the synthetic decapaptide. It is concluded that rat SME extract contains a single releasing factor for LH and FSH immunologically indistinguishable from synthetic LH-RH.", "PMID": 768400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2466", "title": "Inhibition by oestradiol of the pituitary response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in the dog.", "content": "Intravenous injections of synthetic LH-RH stimulated LH secretion in male dogs. Pretreatment with 50 mug oestradiol-17beta, 60 or 165 min but not 15 min before LH-RH, inhibited LH secretion. Injection of 0.1-10 mug oestradiol 165 min before administration of LH-RH, Blocked LH secretion. Basal plasma LH levels before LH-RH administration were lower in dogs given oestradiol than in controls.", "contents": "Inhibition by oestradiol of the pituitary response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in the dog. Intravenous injections of synthetic LH-RH stimulated LH secretion in male dogs. Pretreatment with 50 mug oestradiol-17beta, 60 or 165 min but not 15 min before LH-RH, inhibited LH secretion. Injection of 0.1-10 mug oestradiol 165 min before administration of LH-RH, Blocked LH secretion. Basal plasma LH levels before LH-RH administration were lower in dogs given oestradiol than in controls.", "PMID": 768402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2467", "title": "Epithelial cell binding of group A streptococci by lipoteichoic acid on fimbriae denuded of M protein.", "content": "Group A streptococci were treated with various enzymatic and chemical agents in an attempt to dissociate the type-specific M protein from intact surface \"fimbriae.\" Mild peptic digestion at pH 5.8, which was previously shown to extract serologically active M antigen from intact streptococci had little visible effect on the fimbriae even though virtually all of the M protein was removed as demonstrated by (a) increased susceptibility to phagocytosis, (b) lack of opsonic effect of homologous M antibody on the treated streptococci, and (c) loss of HCl-extractable M protein. These fimbriated streptococci which lacked M protein adhered to human oral mucosal cells equally as well as untreated, fimbriated organisms which retained their M protein. Removal of both fimbriae and M protein by digesting organisms with HCL at pH 2.0 at 94 degrees C. or with trypsin abolished their ability to bind mucosal cells. Electron microscopy of streptococci bound to epithelial cells demonstrated fimbriae radiating from the surface of the organisms to the membrane of the epithelial cells. It is apparent, therefore, that the determinants of streptococcal fimbriae involved in resistance to phagocytosis can be dissociated from those involved in epithelial cell binding. These results are consistent with our previous studies which suggested that fatty acids ester linked with glycerol teichoic acid rather than M protein of streptococci binds the organisms to epithelial cells.", "contents": "Epithelial cell binding of group A streptococci by lipoteichoic acid on fimbriae denuded of M protein. Group A streptococci were treated with various enzymatic and chemical agents in an attempt to dissociate the type-specific M protein from intact surface \"fimbriae.\" Mild peptic digestion at pH 5.8, which was previously shown to extract serologically active M antigen from intact streptococci had little visible effect on the fimbriae even though virtually all of the M protein was removed as demonstrated by (a) increased susceptibility to phagocytosis, (b) lack of opsonic effect of homologous M antibody on the treated streptococci, and (c) loss of HCl-extractable M protein. These fimbriated streptococci which lacked M protein adhered to human oral mucosal cells equally as well as untreated, fimbriated organisms which retained their M protein. Removal of both fimbriae and M protein by digesting organisms with HCL at pH 2.0 at 94 degrees C. or with trypsin abolished their ability to bind mucosal cells. Electron microscopy of streptococci bound to epithelial cells demonstrated fimbriae radiating from the surface of the organisms to the membrane of the epithelial cells. It is apparent, therefore, that the determinants of streptococcal fimbriae involved in resistance to phagocytosis can be dissociated from those involved in epithelial cell binding. These results are consistent with our previous studies which suggested that fatty acids ester linked with glycerol teichoic acid rather than M protein of streptococci binds the organisms to epithelial cells.", "PMID": 768404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2468", "title": "Idiotypic analysis of lymphocytes in vitro. I. Specificity and heterogeneity of B and T lymphocytes reactive with anti-idiotypic antibody.", "content": "Guinea pig anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id) of the IgG1 class, directed to an A/J antibody to Group A streptococcal carbohydrate (A-CHO), or directed to a BALB/c myeloma protein that binds the same antigen, stimulate B-precursor cells as well as T-helper cells when injected into mice of the appropriate strain. The strain-specific induction of both precursor and helper activity was detected by in vitro secondary responses of primed spleen cells to A-CHO or to 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP) upon challenge with Group A streptococcal vaccine (Strep.A) or with TNP-Strep.A, respectively. B- and T-cell populations primed with anti-Id were uniform with respect to the binding of antigen and of anti-Id. This was in contrast to cells primed with Strep.A, which were heterogenous. Taken together, B and T cells that possess the same antigen-binding specificity share idiotypic determinants, reveal the same idiotypic polymorphism, and may display similar degrees of heterogeneity with respect to the binding of antigen and anti-Id. Since the anti-Id used in this study detect Id determinants associated with the heavy chain of the variable region of mouse antibodies, the data suggest that this region of the immunoglobulin molecule is shared between T- and B-cell antigen receptors.", "contents": "Idiotypic analysis of lymphocytes in vitro. I. Specificity and heterogeneity of B and T lymphocytes reactive with anti-idiotypic antibody. Guinea pig anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id) of the IgG1 class, directed to an A/J antibody to Group A streptococcal carbohydrate (A-CHO), or directed to a BALB/c myeloma protein that binds the same antigen, stimulate B-precursor cells as well as T-helper cells when injected into mice of the appropriate strain. The strain-specific induction of both precursor and helper activity was detected by in vitro secondary responses of primed spleen cells to A-CHO or to 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP) upon challenge with Group A streptococcal vaccine (Strep.A) or with TNP-Strep.A, respectively. B- and T-cell populations primed with anti-Id were uniform with respect to the binding of antigen and of anti-Id. This was in contrast to cells primed with Strep.A, which were heterogenous. Taken together, B and T cells that possess the same antigen-binding specificity share idiotypic determinants, reveal the same idiotypic polymorphism, and may display similar degrees of heterogeneity with respect to the binding of antigen and anti-Id. Since the anti-Id used in this study detect Id determinants associated with the heavy chain of the variable region of mouse antibodies, the data suggest that this region of the immunoglobulin molecule is shared between T- and B-cell antigen receptors.", "PMID": 768405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2469", "title": "Octopamine: presence in firefly lantern suggests a transmitter role.", "content": "The lantern of the adult firefly is innervated by a nerve supply with endings similar to other known monoaminergic nerves. However, catecholamines could not be detected in the nerve endings and noradrenaline and adrenaline were relatively weak agonists in eliciting a flash of light when applied to the lantern in vitro. Firefly lanterns were assayed for octopamine using a sensitive, specific enzymatic assay in which octopamine is enzymatically converted to 3H-synephrine and quantitated by liquid scintillation counting. The presence of substantial amounts (125 ng/g tissue) of octopamine was demonstrated and confirmed by thin layer chromatography. On the basis of this and earlier work, it is suggested that the nerves to the firefly lantern are octopaminergic.", "contents": "Octopamine: presence in firefly lantern suggests a transmitter role. The lantern of the adult firefly is innervated by a nerve supply with endings similar to other known monoaminergic nerves. However, catecholamines could not be detected in the nerve endings and noradrenaline and adrenaline were relatively weak agonists in eliciting a flash of light when applied to the lantern in vitro. Firefly lanterns were assayed for octopamine using a sensitive, specific enzymatic assay in which octopamine is enzymatically converted to 3H-synephrine and quantitated by liquid scintillation counting. The presence of substantial amounts (125 ng/g tissue) of octopamine was demonstrated and confirmed by thin layer chromatography. On the basis of this and earlier work, it is suggested that the nerves to the firefly lantern are octopaminergic.", "PMID": 768406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2470", "title": "Genetic transfer of Salmonella O antigens to Escherichia coli O8.", "content": "His+ hybrids from a cross between a Salmonella typhimurium donor and an Escherichia coli O8 recipient expressed E. coli O8 specificity and in addition Salmonella O4,12-specificity. This indicated that the recipients had received the his-linked donor rfb cluster determining the synthesis of S. typhimurium O-specific repeat units and that the rfb genes of both mating partners are functional in these hybrids. Chemical analyses showed that the hybrids contained an E. coli O8 lipopolysaccharide (O antigen) and a S. typhimurium specific lipopolysaccharide with only one O-specific repeat unit (SR antigen). O8-negative mutants selected from the O8-positive hybrids retained the Salmonella O-specificity and represent semi-rough (SR) forms, because the rfc gene(s) determining the polymerization of repeat units has not been transferred. Attempts to introduce the S. typhimurium rfc locus into E. coli O8 remained unsuccessful. Crosses between a S. typhi donor and E. coli O8 gave rise to smooth (S) and SR His+ recombinants exhibiting only S. typhi O-specificity. The smooth recombinants are assumed to have obtained the his-linked rfb cluster and in addition the rfc gene(s) of the donor. The exchange of the rfb region of such smooth recombinants by that of a S. typhimurium donor led to smooth hybrids with O4,(5), 12-specificity. The phenotypically smooth recombinants exhibited concomitantly S- and SR-lipopolysaccharides of S. typhi and S. typhimurium O-specificity, respectively.", "contents": "Genetic transfer of Salmonella O antigens to Escherichia coli O8. His+ hybrids from a cross between a Salmonella typhimurium donor and an Escherichia coli O8 recipient expressed E. coli O8 specificity and in addition Salmonella O4,12-specificity. This indicated that the recipients had received the his-linked donor rfb cluster determining the synthesis of S. typhimurium O-specific repeat units and that the rfb genes of both mating partners are functional in these hybrids. Chemical analyses showed that the hybrids contained an E. coli O8 lipopolysaccharide (O antigen) and a S. typhimurium specific lipopolysaccharide with only one O-specific repeat unit (SR antigen). O8-negative mutants selected from the O8-positive hybrids retained the Salmonella O-specificity and represent semi-rough (SR) forms, because the rfc gene(s) determining the polymerization of repeat units has not been transferred. Attempts to introduce the S. typhimurium rfc locus into E. coli O8 remained unsuccessful. Crosses between a S. typhi donor and E. coli O8 gave rise to smooth (S) and SR His+ recombinants exhibiting only S. typhi O-specificity. The smooth recombinants are assumed to have obtained the his-linked rfb cluster and in addition the rfc gene(s) of the donor. The exchange of the rfb region of such smooth recombinants by that of a S. typhimurium donor led to smooth hybrids with O4,(5), 12-specificity. The phenotypically smooth recombinants exhibited concomitantly S- and SR-lipopolysaccharides of S. typhi and S. typhimurium O-specificity, respectively.", "PMID": 768409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2471", "title": "Further observations on the association of the colicine V plasmid of Escherichia coli with pathogenicity and with survival in the alimentary tract.", "content": "A high proportion of invasive strains of Escherichia coli produced colicine V. This property was easily eliminated from 20 of 21 of these strains by 'curing' agents, especially sodium lauryl sulphate, indicating that the genes determining it were located on a plasmid (ColV) which was transmitted from ten of the strains by conjugation. Inoculated intramuscularly, the ColV- forms of all 17 strains tested were less pathogenic for chickens than the corresponding ColV+ forms. The pathogenicity of the ColV- forms of four strains was increased, usually to that of the ColV+ form from which they were derived, by implanting other ColV determinants in them. Much higher concentrations of organisms were found in the blood and liver of chickens infected with ColV+ forms than in chickens infected with ColV- forms. Inoculated intraperitoneally, the ColV+ form of one of the strains, BI88, was more pathogenic for mice than the ColV- form; much higher concentrations of organisms were found in the peritoneal fluid and blood of ColV+-inoculated mice than of ColV--inoculated mice. Inoculated orally and intravenously, ColV+ forms were more pathogenic for colostrum-deprived calves than the corresponding ColV- forms. After mixtures of ColV+ and ColV- organisms of the same strain in ratios of 1:10,1:100 or 1:1000 were given orally, they were found in a similar ratio in the contents of the alimentary tract 1 to 2 days later, when the calves were near to death. Many more ColV+ than ColV- organisms were found in the mesenteric lymph nodes, the deeper tissues and the blood; in the urinary and gall bladders, locations remote from the defence mechanisms of the body, the numbers of ColV- organisms sometimes exceeded those of ColV+ organisms. Colicine V, although demonstrated in the blood at death, did not appear adversely to influence the concentration of ColV- organisms in these calves. Several days after mixtures of ColV+ and ColV- organisms of strain BI88 were taken orally by two human beings, the ColV+ organisms became much more numerous in their faeces than the ColV- ones. Similar results were obtained when colVr organisms of BI88 were included in the inoculum or when a strain whose ColV- form was completely colicine V-resistant was studied. A ColE+ form of BI88 ColV- was no more pathogenic for chickens, mice or colostrum-deprived calves than was a ColE- form of this strain, and it did not persist in the faeces of the two human beings for longer than the ColE- form.", "contents": "Further observations on the association of the colicine V plasmid of Escherichia coli with pathogenicity and with survival in the alimentary tract. A high proportion of invasive strains of Escherichia coli produced colicine V. This property was easily eliminated from 20 of 21 of these strains by 'curing' agents, especially sodium lauryl sulphate, indicating that the genes determining it were located on a plasmid (ColV) which was transmitted from ten of the strains by conjugation. Inoculated intramuscularly, the ColV- forms of all 17 strains tested were less pathogenic for chickens than the corresponding ColV+ forms. The pathogenicity of the ColV- forms of four strains was increased, usually to that of the ColV+ form from which they were derived, by implanting other ColV determinants in them. Much higher concentrations of organisms were found in the blood and liver of chickens infected with ColV+ forms than in chickens infected with ColV- forms. Inoculated intraperitoneally, the ColV+ form of one of the strains, BI88, was more pathogenic for mice than the ColV- form; much higher concentrations of organisms were found in the peritoneal fluid and blood of ColV+-inoculated mice than of ColV--inoculated mice. Inoculated orally and intravenously, ColV+ forms were more pathogenic for colostrum-deprived calves than the corresponding ColV- forms. After mixtures of ColV+ and ColV- organisms of the same strain in ratios of 1:10,1:100 or 1:1000 were given orally, they were found in a similar ratio in the contents of the alimentary tract 1 to 2 days later, when the calves were near to death. Many more ColV+ than ColV- organisms were found in the mesenteric lymph nodes, the deeper tissues and the blood; in the urinary and gall bladders, locations remote from the defence mechanisms of the body, the numbers of ColV- organisms sometimes exceeded those of ColV+ organisms. Colicine V, although demonstrated in the blood at death, did not appear adversely to influence the concentration of ColV- organisms in these calves. Several days after mixtures of ColV+ and ColV- organisms of strain BI88 were taken orally by two human beings, the ColV+ organisms became much more numerous in their faeces than the ColV- ones. Similar results were obtained when colVr organisms of BI88 were included in the inoculum or when a strain whose ColV- form was completely colicine V-resistant was studied. A ColE+ form of BI88 ColV- was no more pathogenic for chickens, mice or colostrum-deprived calves than was a ColE- form of this strain, and it did not persist in the faeces of the two human beings for longer than the ColE- form.", "PMID": 768410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2472", "title": "Transduction of leucine auxotrophs of Proteus mirabilis to prototrophy or antibiotic resistance by P. mirabilis high frequency transducing bacteriophages.", "content": "High frequency transducing (HFT) phages 5006MHFTk and 5006MHFTak for kanamycin or ampicillin plus kanamycin resistance, derived from Proteus mirabilis strains PM5006(R394) and PM5006(R394) respectively, transduced (at low multiplicities of infection, m.o.i.) antibiotic resistance and prototrophy to PM5006 leu-I at high frequency. Simultaneous transduction of these markers occurred at very much lower frequencies. The latter result was correlated with the proportion of multiply-infected bacteria which, due to the great transducing potential of the phage, could register as transductants. Each HFT lysate was thus heterogenous with regard to high frequency transducing phage. Apart from the additional antibiotic resistance marker carried by one phage, no other difference between the two lysates was detected. High segregation frequencies of antibiotic-resistant or prototrophic transductants indicated transduction by lysogenization. Although antibiotic-sensitive segregants of antibiotic-resistant prototrophic transductants occurred at high frequency, no auxotrophic segregants of these transductants were found. This suggests transduction by a double cross-over event in the leucine region. Most transductants, even at low m.o.i., were lysogenically converted to homologous phage non-adsorption as a result of interaction between the transducing phage genome and the resident cryptic prophage. They could, however, be retransduced by appropriate phage lysates; thus, lysogenic conversion to non-adsorption was not absolute. Some prototrophic transductants were non-lysogenic although their segregants liberated low-titre phage. The latter anomaly, and the fact that the leucine marker and antibiotic resistance were not cotransduced, are explained by the mode of integration of the phage into the host chromosome in relation to the resident cryptic prophage and the leucine region.", "contents": "Transduction of leucine auxotrophs of Proteus mirabilis to prototrophy or antibiotic resistance by P. mirabilis high frequency transducing bacteriophages. High frequency transducing (HFT) phages 5006MHFTk and 5006MHFTak for kanamycin or ampicillin plus kanamycin resistance, derived from Proteus mirabilis strains PM5006(R394) and PM5006(R394) respectively, transduced (at low multiplicities of infection, m.o.i.) antibiotic resistance and prototrophy to PM5006 leu-I at high frequency. Simultaneous transduction of these markers occurred at very much lower frequencies. The latter result was correlated with the proportion of multiply-infected bacteria which, due to the great transducing potential of the phage, could register as transductants. Each HFT lysate was thus heterogenous with regard to high frequency transducing phage. Apart from the additional antibiotic resistance marker carried by one phage, no other difference between the two lysates was detected. High segregation frequencies of antibiotic-resistant or prototrophic transductants indicated transduction by lysogenization. Although antibiotic-sensitive segregants of antibiotic-resistant prototrophic transductants occurred at high frequency, no auxotrophic segregants of these transductants were found. This suggests transduction by a double cross-over event in the leucine region. Most transductants, even at low m.o.i., were lysogenically converted to homologous phage non-adsorption as a result of interaction between the transducing phage genome and the resident cryptic prophage. They could, however, be retransduced by appropriate phage lysates; thus, lysogenic conversion to non-adsorption was not absolute. Some prototrophic transductants were non-lysogenic although their segregants liberated low-titre phage. The latter anomaly, and the fact that the leucine marker and antibiotic resistance were not cotransduced, are explained by the mode of integration of the phage into the host chromosome in relation to the resident cryptic prophage and the leucine region.", "PMID": 768411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2473", "title": "Attempted transfer of antibiotic resistance between Bacteroides and Escherichia coli.", "content": "Transfer of antibiotic resistance between Bacteroides organisms and E. coli in mixed culture under optimal anaerobic conditions was attempted. Donor strains used were E. coli with R factors of a number of compatibility groups and Bacteroides with unusually high antibiotic resistance. Recipient strains included E. coli strains with characteristics favouring conjugal transfer. Although control experiments verified that conjugal transfer of derepressed R factors could occur at a high frequency between E. coli in an anaerobic environment, transfer of antibiotic resistance between E. coli and Bacteroides was never demonstrated.", "contents": "Attempted transfer of antibiotic resistance between Bacteroides and Escherichia coli. Transfer of antibiotic resistance between Bacteroides organisms and E. coli in mixed culture under optimal anaerobic conditions was attempted. Donor strains used were E. coli with R factors of a number of compatibility groups and Bacteroides with unusually high antibiotic resistance. Recipient strains included E. coli strains with characteristics favouring conjugal transfer. Although control experiments verified that conjugal transfer of derepressed R factors could occur at a high frequency between E. coli in an anaerobic environment, transfer of antibiotic resistance between E. coli and Bacteroides was never demonstrated.", "PMID": 768412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2474", "title": "Stereotactic extralemniscal myelotomy.", "content": "A procedure is reported in which radiofrequency lesions were stereotactically placed in the central cord region at the cervicomedullary junction to interrupt selectively the extralemniscal system. Physiological recognition of the target site was based upon the homuncular organization of the dorsal funiculi, which is analysed. Only subjective (segmentally unrelated) analgesia was achieved, usually without demonstrable sensory loss. Stimuli were not painful, while ability to localize it and the discrimination between sharp and blunt components were preserved. A rational approach is offered to certain central pain phenomena which resulted in abolition of hyperpathia and disappearance of, or marked reduction in, deep background pain. Both upper and lower body pain were easily dealt with. Pathways for automatic respiration or for micturition were not encroached upon. Therefore it was electively used for cases with diminished respiratory reserve and for cases with midline and/or bilateral pain.", "contents": "Stereotactic extralemniscal myelotomy. A procedure is reported in which radiofrequency lesions were stereotactically placed in the central cord region at the cervicomedullary junction to interrupt selectively the extralemniscal system. Physiological recognition of the target site was based upon the homuncular organization of the dorsal funiculi, which is analysed. Only subjective (segmentally unrelated) analgesia was achieved, usually without demonstrable sensory loss. Stimuli were not painful, while ability to localize it and the discrimination between sharp and blunt components were preserved. A rational approach is offered to certain central pain phenomena which resulted in abolition of hyperpathia and disappearance of, or marked reduction in, deep background pain. Both upper and lower body pain were easily dealt with. Pathways for automatic respiration or for micturition were not encroached upon. Therefore it was electively used for cases with diminished respiratory reserve and for cases with midline and/or bilateral pain.", "PMID": 768415} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2475", "title": "Tumor volume, luxury perfusion, and regional blood volume changes in man visualized by subtraction computerized tomography.", "content": "Computer and photographic methods for producing subtractions of computerized axial tomographic (CAT) scans have been developed. By subtracting point for point a normal scan from one taken after intravenous infusion of contrast material, a picture of the contrast in the cerebral vessels is created. By this method, tumor size and degree of vascularity may be assessed. Furthermore, abnormalities in perfusion and changes in blood volume due to mass effects and edema may be detected. Subtracting scans should add to the diagnostic potential of CAT and provide a noninvasive way to study vascular changes in cerebral disease.", "contents": "Tumor volume, luxury perfusion, and regional blood volume changes in man visualized by subtraction computerized tomography. Computer and photographic methods for producing subtractions of computerized axial tomographic (CAT) scans have been developed. By subtracting point for point a normal scan from one taken after intravenous infusion of contrast material, a picture of the contrast in the cerebral vessels is created. By this method, tumor size and degree of vascularity may be assessed. Furthermore, abnormalities in perfusion and changes in blood volume due to mass effects and edema may be detected. Subtracting scans should add to the diagnostic potential of CAT and provide a noninvasive way to study vascular changes in cerebral disease.", "PMID": 768416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2476", "title": "Inclusion of physiologic data into computerized nuclear medicine dynamic studies.", "content": "A general technique has been developed for the multiplexing of time-dependent analog signals into the individual frames of a scintillation camera dynamic function study. A pulse train, frequency-modulated by the physiologic signal, is injected into a test input of a preamplifier servicing an outer phototube of the camera head. These tail pulses mimic photoevents occurring at a point outside of the camera's field of view, chosen to occupy a data cell in an unused corner of a computer-stored image. By selecting a region of interest encompassing this pulser peak, the resulting time-activity curve displays the desired physiologic variable in temporal synchronism with the radiotracer distribution.", "contents": "Inclusion of physiologic data into computerized nuclear medicine dynamic studies. A general technique has been developed for the multiplexing of time-dependent analog signals into the individual frames of a scintillation camera dynamic function study. A pulse train, frequency-modulated by the physiologic signal, is injected into a test input of a preamplifier servicing an outer phototube of the camera head. These tail pulses mimic photoevents occurring at a point outside of the camera's field of view, chosen to occupy a data cell in an unused corner of a computer-stored image. By selecting a region of interest encompassing this pulser peak, the resulting time-activity curve displays the desired physiologic variable in temporal synchronism with the radiotracer distribution.", "PMID": 768418} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2477", "title": "Oral sarcoidosis: review of the literature.", "content": "Patients with symptoms consistent with sarcoidosis who are seen by a dentist are not common. Generally, the disease is documented in a patient before the expression of oral symptoms. The most common oral or para-oral symptom appears to be an asymptomatic swelling--usually of the parotid glands or cervical nodes. Often these lesions are first brought to the attention of our medical colleagues. However, in four instances reported in the literature, systemic sarcoidosis was discovered because of the initial oral symptoms. There are often changes in the minor salivary glands under clinically normal-appearing mucosa in patients with systemic sarcoidosis. We have reviewed the concepts of etiology, criteria for diagnosis, and rationale of treatment, along with a review of the dental literature of sarcoidosis. An illustrative case report of a sarcoid lesion on the buccal mucosa is presented.", "contents": "Oral sarcoidosis: review of the literature. Patients with symptoms consistent with sarcoidosis who are seen by a dentist are not common. Generally, the disease is documented in a patient before the expression of oral symptoms. The most common oral or para-oral symptom appears to be an asymptomatic swelling--usually of the parotid glands or cervical nodes. Often these lesions are first brought to the attention of our medical colleagues. However, in four instances reported in the literature, systemic sarcoidosis was discovered because of the initial oral symptoms. There are often changes in the minor salivary glands under clinically normal-appearing mucosa in patients with systemic sarcoidosis. We have reviewed the concepts of etiology, criteria for diagnosis, and rationale of treatment, along with a review of the dental literature of sarcoidosis. An illustrative case report of a sarcoid lesion on the buccal mucosa is presented.", "PMID": 768426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2478", "title": "The localisation of hepatitis B antigen and immunoglobulin G in liver tissue: an immunofluorescence, light and electron microscopic study.", "content": "Liver tissue specimens for 43 HBAg seropositive patients and 22 HBAg seronegative individuals were investigated for the presence of HBAg with the immunofluorescence technique. Histological diagnoses were established with light microscopy on routinely stained frozen liver sections. The liver specimens of 42 out of the 43 HBAg-positive patients showed positive fluorescence. Three distinct fluorescence patterns could be observed: diffuse, focal and solitary. The diffuse pattern appeared to occur particularly in chronic aggressive or persistent hepatitis, the focal pattern was seen only in the group of patients without obvious alterations and the solitary pattern especially in acute hepatic necrosis.", "contents": "The localisation of hepatitis B antigen and immunoglobulin G in liver tissue: an immunofluorescence, light and electron microscopic study. Liver tissue specimens for 43 HBAg seropositive patients and 22 HBAg seronegative individuals were investigated for the presence of HBAg with the immunofluorescence technique. Histological diagnoses were established with light microscopy on routinely stained frozen liver sections. The liver specimens of 42 out of the 43 HBAg-positive patients showed positive fluorescence. Three distinct fluorescence patterns could be observed: diffuse, focal and solitary. The diffuse pattern appeared to occur particularly in chronic aggressive or persistent hepatitis, the focal pattern was seen only in the group of patients without obvious alterations and the solitary pattern especially in acute hepatic necrosis.", "PMID": 768429} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2479", "title": "Experimental contribution to the pathogenesis of spina bifida.", "content": "Reopening of the central canal in 3-day-old chick embryos results in the development of a typical myeloschisis within 5 min. Focal continuity between the ectoderm and neural tissue at the site of experimentally induced spina bifida (SB) may be achieved in 2 hr and increases in consecutive hours. In 24 hr a secondary neuro-ectodermal junction at the site of SB is fully formed and can be misinterpreted as evidence of a failure of the neural tube to close. Therefore the continuity between ectoderm and neural tube to close. The detachment of the notochord from the open portion of the spinal cord is a secondary phenomenon.", "contents": "Experimental contribution to the pathogenesis of spina bifida. Reopening of the central canal in 3-day-old chick embryos results in the development of a typical myeloschisis within 5 min. Focal continuity between the ectoderm and neural tissue at the site of experimentally induced spina bifida (SB) may be achieved in 2 hr and increases in consecutive hours. In 24 hr a secondary neuro-ectodermal junction at the site of SB is fully formed and can be misinterpreted as evidence of a failure of the neural tube to close. Therefore the continuity between ectoderm and neural tube to close. The detachment of the notochord from the open portion of the spinal cord is a secondary phenomenon.", "PMID": 768430} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2480", "title": "Pathogenesis of trypan-blue-induced spina bifida.", "content": "Congenital malformations induced in rats by the application of trypan blue were studied at variable times of their development of congenital malformations is a continuous process of structural and functional adaptation of the development embryo to focal tissue degeneration and necrosis (cell death). The primary degeneration is a transitory phenomenon, because the dead cells are phagocytosed by surviving cells. However, the damage triggers off the process of abnormal development.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of trypan-blue-induced spina bifida. Congenital malformations induced in rats by the application of trypan blue were studied at variable times of their development of congenital malformations is a continuous process of structural and functional adaptation of the development embryo to focal tissue degeneration and necrosis (cell death). The primary degeneration is a transitory phenomenon, because the dead cells are phagocytosed by surviving cells. However, the damage triggers off the process of abnormal development.", "PMID": 768431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2481", "title": "Mechanical ventilation of infants of less than 1,501 gm birth weight: Health, growth, and neurologic sequelae.", "content": "A two-year follow-up study of 73 low-birth-weight ( less than 1,501 gm) infants treated with positive pressure ventilation as neonates revealed the following: 24% incidence of lower respiratory tract infections during the first year; weight and height at two years averaging between tenth and twenty-fifth percentiles; major neurologic defects diagnosed in 14 boys (39%) and seven girls (18%) with one-year Bayley scores of less than 80. Major neurologic sequelae were closely associated with a neonatal history of seizures and intracranial hemorrhage and were more common in boys, survivors weighing more than 1,000 gm and following high-risk pregnancies.", "contents": "Mechanical ventilation of infants of less than 1,501 gm birth weight: Health, growth, and neurologic sequelae. A two-year follow-up study of 73 low-birth-weight ( less than 1,501 gm) infants treated with positive pressure ventilation as neonates revealed the following: 24% incidence of lower respiratory tract infections during the first year; weight and height at two years averaging between tenth and twenty-fifth percentiles; major neurologic defects diagnosed in 14 boys (39%) and seven girls (18%) with one-year Bayley scores of less than 80. Major neurologic sequelae were closely associated with a neonatal history of seizures and intracranial hemorrhage and were more common in boys, survivors weighing more than 1,000 gm and following high-risk pregnancies.", "PMID": 768433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2482", "title": "The use of a self-polymerizing resin with enamel etchant for temporary stabilization.", "content": "The indications and characteristics of ideal temporary splints have been discussed. A technique has been presented using a self-polymerizing resin with an enamel etchant for extracoronal splinting of anterior teeth. When properly fabricated, the restoration has most of the properties of an ideal temporary splint: economy, simplicity of fabrication, lack of irritation, compactness, durability and esthetics.", "contents": "The use of a self-polymerizing resin with enamel etchant for temporary stabilization. The indications and characteristics of ideal temporary splints have been discussed. A technique has been presented using a self-polymerizing resin with an enamel etchant for extracoronal splinting of anterior teeth. When properly fabricated, the restoration has most of the properties of an ideal temporary splint: economy, simplicity of fabrication, lack of irritation, compactness, durability and esthetics.", "PMID": 768437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2483", "title": "A comparative study of ultrasonic generators and hand instruments.", "content": "A 6-month study project utilized four human subjects and a total of 63 biopsies which were obtained from gingiva treated by hand scaling, Alpha-Sonic scaling and Cavitron. These were compared with controls (untreated specimens). Microsections of soft tissues taken immediately and after 1 and 2 weeks were evaluated. The clinical acceptability of Alpha-Sonic as a working tool for periodontal scaling is to be noted.", "contents": "A comparative study of ultrasonic generators and hand instruments. A 6-month study project utilized four human subjects and a total of 63 biopsies which were obtained from gingiva treated by hand scaling, Alpha-Sonic scaling and Cavitron. These were compared with controls (untreated specimens). Microsections of soft tissues taken immediately and after 1 and 2 weeks were evaluated. The clinical acceptability of Alpha-Sonic as a working tool for periodontal scaling is to be noted.", "PMID": 768438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2484", "title": "Clinical evaluation of freeze-dried bone allografts in periodontal osseous defects.", "content": "Freeze-dried cortical bone allografts of a fine particle size were implanted into wide three-wall, two-wall, one-wall, combination, and furcation defects. Of the 97 defects treated, 23 manifested complete bone regeneration; 39 showed greater than 50%; and 24, less than 50% osseous repair. Twelve defects failed to demonstrate any bony regeneration, of which nine were furcation involvements. From the preliminary data available, there is strong evidence which indicates that freeze-dried bone allografts have definite potential as grafting material in certain periodontal osseous defects. However, final determination must await the outcome of a larger number of cases and also histologic evidence.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of freeze-dried bone allografts in periodontal osseous defects. Freeze-dried cortical bone allografts of a fine particle size were implanted into wide three-wall, two-wall, one-wall, combination, and furcation defects. Of the 97 defects treated, 23 manifested complete bone regeneration; 39 showed greater than 50%; and 24, less than 50% osseous repair. Twelve defects failed to demonstrate any bony regeneration, of which nine were furcation involvements. From the preliminary data available, there is strong evidence which indicates that freeze-dried bone allografts have definite potential as grafting material in certain periodontal osseous defects. However, final determination must await the outcome of a larger number of cases and also histologic evidence.", "PMID": 768439} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2485", "title": "Structure of surface coatings on teeth. A review.", "content": "Classification by origin and structure of the many different coatings which occur on the surfaces of teeth and artificial surfaces exposed to the oral environment necessitate a revision of the terminology used to describe these coatings. Numerous gaps still exist in our understanding of the origin, morphological structure and chemical composition of many of these structures, notably the ones in the \"acquired\" category. The proposed classification of surface coatings, although not definitive, may provide a more accurate categorization of these structures in the light of contemporary knowledge.", "contents": "Structure of surface coatings on teeth. A review. Classification by origin and structure of the many different coatings which occur on the surfaces of teeth and artificial surfaces exposed to the oral environment necessitate a revision of the terminology used to describe these coatings. Numerous gaps still exist in our understanding of the origin, morphological structure and chemical composition of many of these structures, notably the ones in the \"acquired\" category. The proposed classification of surface coatings, although not definitive, may provide a more accurate categorization of these structures in the light of contemporary knowledge.", "PMID": 768440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2486", "title": "Aggression in children in an urban clinic.", "content": "Seeking to identify causal factors and practical means of controlling aggressive behavior, the clinical records of 35 aggressive and 35 non-aggressive boys were examined for evidence of parental and peer models, frustating life experiences, and capacity for fantasy on projective tests. Records of 15 girls were also studied. The most striking difference between groups appeared in the high frequency of aggressive behavior in parents and peers of the aggressive children and the relative absence of such behavioral models for the nonaggressive groups. Support for fantasy and frustation theories was also found. The reduction of aggressive behavior would necessitate going beyond individual treatment and enlisting the cooperation of aggressive families.", "contents": "Aggression in children in an urban clinic. Seeking to identify causal factors and practical means of controlling aggressive behavior, the clinical records of 35 aggressive and 35 non-aggressive boys were examined for evidence of parental and peer models, frustating life experiences, and capacity for fantasy on projective tests. Records of 15 girls were also studied. The most striking difference between groups appeared in the high frequency of aggressive behavior in parents and peers of the aggressive children and the relative absence of such behavioral models for the nonaggressive groups. Support for fantasy and frustation theories was also found. The reduction of aggressive behavior would necessitate going beyond individual treatment and enlisting the cooperation of aggressive families.", "PMID": 768442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2487", "title": "Discriminating adolescent male delinquents through the use of kinetic family drawings.", "content": "Studied the discriminatory potential of the Kinetic Family Drawing technique (KFD). The drawings of 20 male adolescent delinquents were compared to a group of 20 normal male adolescents in order to discover whether any hypothesized differences existed. Significant chi square differences were found on only three of the variables: (a) body omission, (b) lack of family, and (c) akinesis. The delinquent group tended to manifest all three of these traits in their KFDs. The value of the KFD in terms of normative discrimination and/or prediction was found to be somewhat inconclusive in light of the low number of distinguishing traits and the small size of the sample.", "contents": "Discriminating adolescent male delinquents through the use of kinetic family drawings. Studied the discriminatory potential of the Kinetic Family Drawing technique (KFD). The drawings of 20 male adolescent delinquents were compared to a group of 20 normal male adolescents in order to discover whether any hypothesized differences existed. Significant chi square differences were found on only three of the variables: (a) body omission, (b) lack of family, and (c) akinesis. The delinquent group tended to manifest all three of these traits in their KFDs. The value of the KFD in terms of normative discrimination and/or prediction was found to be somewhat inconclusive in light of the low number of distinguishing traits and the small size of the sample.", "PMID": 768443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2488", "title": "Effects of glucose on 45Ca2+ uptake by pancreatic islets as studied with the lanthanum method.", "content": "1. Fluxes of 45Ca2+ were studied in pancreatic islets from non-inbred ob/ob-mice. Because La3+ blocked the transmembrane fluxes of 45Ca2+ in islet cells, incubations aimed at measuring glucose-induced changes of the intracellular Ca2+ were ended by washing the islets with 2 mM-La3+ for 60 min. 2. Uptake of 45Ca2+ progressed for 2 hr; the intracellular concentration of exchangable Ca2+ was about 7 m-mole/kg dry wt., as estimated from the isotope distribution at apparent equilibrium in islets exposed to 3 mM D-glucose. Raising the D-glucose concentration to 20 mM enhanced the 45 Ca2+ uptake whether or not the islets had first been equilibrated with the isotope. The stimulatory effect of D-glucose was observed in Tris buffer containing no anions but Cl- as well as in polyanionic bicarbonate buffer. The effect could not be reproduced with equimolar L-glucose. 3. The rate of 45Ca2+ release was the same whether the islets had been pre-loaded in the presence of 3 or 20 mM D-glucose. Thus the 45Ca2+ that had been taken up in response to 20 mM D-glucose appeared to be released much more slowly than the bulk of intracellular 45Ca2+. The release of 45Ca2+ was not significantly influenced by D-glucose during the release period. Incubation for 30 min was require for half of the radioactivity to be released. 4. The rates of insulin secretion were about the same in uni-anionic Tris buffer as in polyanionic bicarbonate buffer. A marked insulin secretory response to 20 mM D-glucose was observed in either buffer. 5. It is concluded that 20 mM D-glucose causes a net uptake of Ca2+ from the extracellular fluid into the interior of the beta-cells. This uptake is probably not regulated at the level of the plasma membrane but more likely reflects an increased affinity of some intracellular phase or compartment for the ion. Because the observed uptake and release of intracellular 45Ca2+ are slow processes in comparison with the rapid effects of extracellular Ca2+ on insulin secretion, insulin secretion may also depend on a more superficial and La3+-displacable Ca2+ pool.", "contents": "Effects of glucose on 45Ca2+ uptake by pancreatic islets as studied with the lanthanum method. 1. Fluxes of 45Ca2+ were studied in pancreatic islets from non-inbred ob/ob-mice. Because La3+ blocked the transmembrane fluxes of 45Ca2+ in islet cells, incubations aimed at measuring glucose-induced changes of the intracellular Ca2+ were ended by washing the islets with 2 mM-La3+ for 60 min. 2. Uptake of 45Ca2+ progressed for 2 hr; the intracellular concentration of exchangable Ca2+ was about 7 m-mole/kg dry wt., as estimated from the isotope distribution at apparent equilibrium in islets exposed to 3 mM D-glucose. Raising the D-glucose concentration to 20 mM enhanced the 45 Ca2+ uptake whether or not the islets had first been equilibrated with the isotope. The stimulatory effect of D-glucose was observed in Tris buffer containing no anions but Cl- as well as in polyanionic bicarbonate buffer. The effect could not be reproduced with equimolar L-glucose. 3. The rate of 45Ca2+ release was the same whether the islets had been pre-loaded in the presence of 3 or 20 mM D-glucose. Thus the 45Ca2+ that had been taken up in response to 20 mM D-glucose appeared to be released much more slowly than the bulk of intracellular 45Ca2+. The release of 45Ca2+ was not significantly influenced by D-glucose during the release period. Incubation for 30 min was require for half of the radioactivity to be released. 4. The rates of insulin secretion were about the same in uni-anionic Tris buffer as in polyanionic bicarbonate buffer. A marked insulin secretory response to 20 mM D-glucose was observed in either buffer. 5. It is concluded that 20 mM D-glucose causes a net uptake of Ca2+ from the extracellular fluid into the interior of the beta-cells. This uptake is probably not regulated at the level of the plasma membrane but more likely reflects an increased affinity of some intracellular phase or compartment for the ion. Because the observed uptake and release of intracellular 45Ca2+ are slow processes in comparison with the rapid effects of extracellular Ca2+ on insulin secretion, insulin secretion may also depend on a more superficial and La3+-displacable Ca2+ pool.", "PMID": 768450} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2489", "title": "Muscle-formed complete mandibular dentures.", "content": "A method has been presented whereby a patient's musculature is used to indicate the position of the teeth and to develop the shape and thickness of the denture base. Of 30 patients tested, 28 experienced improved stability of their lower dentures.", "contents": "Muscle-formed complete mandibular dentures. A method has been presented whereby a patient's musculature is used to indicate the position of the teeth and to develop the shape and thickness of the denture base. Of 30 patients tested, 28 experienced improved stability of their lower dentures.", "PMID": 768453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2490", "title": "The effects of etching on the margins of cast gold restorations.", "content": "1. Any etching, either chemical or electrical, sufficient to remove an adequate bulk of metal from the tissue surface of a casting will have a measurable and, hence, adverse effect on the margins of the restoration. 2. During any etching process, all margins and contact and occluding surfaces should be protected. 3. For aqua regia etching, Type 2 inlay wax appeared to provide sufficient protection. For electrochemical milling, fingernail polish appeared to provide sufficient protection. 4. Ceramco gold exhibited more resistance to the action of both electrochemical milling and aqua regia etching than did the \"C\" bridge alloy. 5. Aqua regia etching required more time than electrochemical milling on the two types of gold tested.", "contents": "The effects of etching on the margins of cast gold restorations. 1. Any etching, either chemical or electrical, sufficient to remove an adequate bulk of metal from the tissue surface of a casting will have a measurable and, hence, adverse effect on the margins of the restoration. 2. During any etching process, all margins and contact and occluding surfaces should be protected. 3. For aqua regia etching, Type 2 inlay wax appeared to provide sufficient protection. For electrochemical milling, fingernail polish appeared to provide sufficient protection. 4. Ceramco gold exhibited more resistance to the action of both electrochemical milling and aqua regia etching than did the \"C\" bridge alloy. 5. Aqua regia etching required more time than electrochemical milling on the two types of gold tested.", "PMID": 768454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2491", "title": "Design and technique variables affecting fracture resistance of metal-ceramic restorations.", "content": "An attempt was made in this study to make a clinically meaningful measure of fracture resistance in metal-ceramic restorations. Forty-four solid metal-ceramic crown forms were fabricated and subjected to compressive load testings. Variables included the presence or absence of a metal coating agent, the type of metal preparation (using stones of different abrasives), and three designs of the underlying metal. The following conclusions were arrived at: (1) The design of the underlying metal structure had a significant relation to the ultimate fracture strength. (2) A design with a definite acuteness of the underlying metal structure failed at significantly lower ultimate fracture strengths. (3) A metal conditioning agent did not decrease fracture resistance if applied properly. (4) Fracture strength was severely decreased when (a) improper thickness of the coating agent was used and (b) porcelain was fused to an unoxidized metal surface. (5) Bond strength, although a contributing factor, may not be as important as metal design and proper manipulation of materials during fabrication of the restoration.", "contents": "Design and technique variables affecting fracture resistance of metal-ceramic restorations. An attempt was made in this study to make a clinically meaningful measure of fracture resistance in metal-ceramic restorations. Forty-four solid metal-ceramic crown forms were fabricated and subjected to compressive load testings. Variables included the presence or absence of a metal coating agent, the type of metal preparation (using stones of different abrasives), and three designs of the underlying metal. The following conclusions were arrived at: (1) The design of the underlying metal structure had a significant relation to the ultimate fracture strength. (2) A design with a definite acuteness of the underlying metal structure failed at significantly lower ultimate fracture strengths. (3) A metal conditioning agent did not decrease fracture resistance if applied properly. (4) Fracture strength was severely decreased when (a) improper thickness of the coating agent was used and (b) porcelain was fused to an unoxidized metal surface. (5) Bond strength, although a contributing factor, may not be as important as metal design and proper manipulation of materials during fabrication of the restoration.", "PMID": 768455} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2492", "title": "A technique for autogenous root transplantation.", "content": "A technique of surgically creating a socket and transplanting an autogenous root to provide a stable abutment for a fixed partial prosthesis was described. Radiographic evidence and the demonstration of physiologic mobility of the transplanted root at a three and a half year follow-up of one patient give an indication of the development of a periodontal ligament. One transplant has successfully served as an abutment for seven years.", "contents": "A technique for autogenous root transplantation. A technique of surgically creating a socket and transplanting an autogenous root to provide a stable abutment for a fixed partial prosthesis was described. Radiographic evidence and the demonstration of physiologic mobility of the transplanted root at a three and a half year follow-up of one patient give an indication of the development of a periodontal ligament. One transplant has successfully served as an abutment for seven years.", "PMID": 768456} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2493", "title": "Reproducing the vertical-lateral defect space in obturator construction.", "content": "A method of incorporating vertical and horizontal tissues in an obturator impression using an open palate impression tray is presented. The laboratory technique of obturator construction from this impression allows for a definitive (heat-cured) or interim (cold-cured) prosthesis for an edentulous or dentulous patient.", "contents": "Reproducing the vertical-lateral defect space in obturator construction. A method of incorporating vertical and horizontal tissues in an obturator impression using an open palate impression tray is presented. The laboratory technique of obturator construction from this impression allows for a definitive (heat-cured) or interim (cold-cured) prosthesis for an edentulous or dentulous patient.", "PMID": 768457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2494", "title": "Prosthodontic aspects of palatal elevation and palatopharyngeal stimulation.", "content": "The prosthodontic aspects of palatal elevation and palatopharyngeal stimulation were discussed. Following are important factors that must be considered. (1) Elevation of the soft palate should be gradual to avoid placing pressure upon the teeth retaining the prosthesis and to reduce mucosal irritation. (2) Prosthetic stimulation should be initiated as soon as palatal paralysis is noted to prevent palatal disuse atrophy. (3) The palatal lift prosthesis may be used as a temporary or definitive treatment for palatal incompetency. When adequate elevation of the soft palate has been achieved, the prosthesis may be discarded. Otherwise, the patient would wear the prosthesis as a permanent supportive device. (4) The construction of the combined palatal lift/pharyngeal section prosthesis includes the gradual palatal elevation and molding of the pharyngeal section to reduce the gag reflexes and to increase palatopharyngeal muscle adaptation to the prosthesis. After the initial placement, adjustment to the pharyngeal section is easier for the patient. (5) Speech and myofunctional therapy should be instituted in conjunction with prosthetic treatment. (6) The palatal lift and combination prostheses are more effective for patients with less severe neurologic impairment and speech articulatory problems. (7) The palatal lift prosthesis is more effective for those patients with palatal incompetency who have no involvement of the other oropharyngeal muscles. The combination type of prosthesis is more effective for patients with palatopharyngeal insufficiency without marked speech articulatory disorders. There are still several questions which require further investigation. These include: (1) What is the relationship between the palatal stimulation and the degree of neuromuscular function and recovery? (2) What is the relationship between the palatal stimulation and the degree of palatal disuse atrophy? (3) What is the relationship between pharyngeal stimulation and muscle contraction? (4) What is the degree of stability of palatopharyngeal function and muscle contraction after stimulation?", "contents": "Prosthodontic aspects of palatal elevation and palatopharyngeal stimulation. The prosthodontic aspects of palatal elevation and palatopharyngeal stimulation were discussed. Following are important factors that must be considered. (1) Elevation of the soft palate should be gradual to avoid placing pressure upon the teeth retaining the prosthesis and to reduce mucosal irritation. (2) Prosthetic stimulation should be initiated as soon as palatal paralysis is noted to prevent palatal disuse atrophy. (3) The palatal lift prosthesis may be used as a temporary or definitive treatment for palatal incompetency. When adequate elevation of the soft palate has been achieved, the prosthesis may be discarded. Otherwise, the patient would wear the prosthesis as a permanent supportive device. (4) The construction of the combined palatal lift/pharyngeal section prosthesis includes the gradual palatal elevation and molding of the pharyngeal section to reduce the gag reflexes and to increase palatopharyngeal muscle adaptation to the prosthesis. After the initial placement, adjustment to the pharyngeal section is easier for the patient. (5) Speech and myofunctional therapy should be instituted in conjunction with prosthetic treatment. (6) The palatal lift and combination prostheses are more effective for patients with less severe neurologic impairment and speech articulatory problems. (7) The palatal lift prosthesis is more effective for those patients with palatal incompetency who have no involvement of the other oropharyngeal muscles. The combination type of prosthesis is more effective for patients with palatopharyngeal insufficiency without marked speech articulatory disorders. There are still several questions which require further investigation. These include: (1) What is the relationship between the palatal stimulation and the degree of neuromuscular function and recovery? (2) What is the relationship between the palatal stimulation and the degree of palatal disuse atrophy? (3) What is the relationship between pharyngeal stimulation and muscle contraction? (4) What is the degree of stability of palatopharyngeal function and muscle contraction after stimulation?", "PMID": 768458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2495", "title": "Evaluating refractory cast wax-ups for removable partial dentures.", "content": "A review of the waxed refractory cast and blocked-out master cast by the dentist is an effective method for controlling the quality of framework castings. Major errors in wax-ups have been shown to occur frequently, but they are corrected easily if detected prior to casting. This critique can be incorporated readily into the private practice of dentistry.", "contents": "Evaluating refractory cast wax-ups for removable partial dentures. A review of the waxed refractory cast and blocked-out master cast by the dentist is an effective method for controlling the quality of framework castings. Major errors in wax-ups have been shown to occur frequently, but they are corrected easily if detected prior to casting. This critique can be incorporated readily into the private practice of dentistry.", "PMID": 768461} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2496", "title": "A systematic approach to the control of esthetic form.", "content": "A systematic, orderly approach to the problem of establishing harmonious phonetics, esthetics, and function in fixed restorations has been described. The system requires an initial investment of time in performing an adequate diagnostic waxing, but recoups that time in many clinical and laboratory procedures. The method has proved a valuable asset in fixed prosthodontic care. The technique can be expanded and combined with other techniques with a little imagination and artistic bent.", "contents": "A systematic approach to the control of esthetic form. A systematic, orderly approach to the problem of establishing harmonious phonetics, esthetics, and function in fixed restorations has been described. The system requires an initial investment of time in performing an adequate diagnostic waxing, but recoups that time in many clinical and laboratory procedures. The method has proved a valuable asset in fixed prosthodontic care. The technique can be expanded and combined with other techniques with a little imagination and artistic bent.", "PMID": 768462} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2497", "title": "The effect of varnish on dentinal bonding strength of five dental cements.", "content": "1. The following dental cements are listed in order of decreasing mean bonding strenghts on varnish-free dentin: polycarboxylate, zinc phosphate, EBA, Fynal, and CBA. 2. The application of either Copalite or Varnal decreased the dentinal bonding strength of polycarboxylate and zinc phosphate cements. There was no change for CBA cement. 3. The application of Copalite and Varnal increased the dentinal bonding strength for Fynal to the level of zinc phosphate cement on varnish-free dentin. 4. The dentinal bonding strength of EBA cement increased with the application of Varnal but not with Copalite.", "contents": "The effect of varnish on dentinal bonding strength of five dental cements. 1. The following dental cements are listed in order of decreasing mean bonding strenghts on varnish-free dentin: polycarboxylate, zinc phosphate, EBA, Fynal, and CBA. 2. The application of either Copalite or Varnal decreased the dentinal bonding strength of polycarboxylate and zinc phosphate cements. There was no change for CBA cement. 3. The application of Copalite and Varnal increased the dentinal bonding strength for Fynal to the level of zinc phosphate cement on varnish-free dentin. 4. The dentinal bonding strength of EBA cement increased with the application of Varnal but not with Copalite.", "PMID": 768463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2498", "title": "Accuracy of six elastic impression materials used for complete-arch fixed partial dentures.", "content": "1. The accuracy of four types of impression materials used to make a complete-arch fixed partial denture was evaluated by visual comparison and indirect measurement methods. 2. None of the tested materials allows safe finishing of a complete-arch fixed partial denture on a cast poured from one single master impression. 3. All of the tested materials can be used for impressions for a complete-arch fixed partial denture provided it is not finished on one single cast. Errors can be avoided by making a new impression with the fitted castings in place. Assembly and soldering should be done on the second cast. 4. In making the master fixed partial denture for this study, inaccurate soldering was a problem that was overcome with the use of epoxy glue. Hence, soldering seems to be a major source of inaccuracy for every fixed partial denture.", "contents": "Accuracy of six elastic impression materials used for complete-arch fixed partial dentures. 1. The accuracy of four types of impression materials used to make a complete-arch fixed partial denture was evaluated by visual comparison and indirect measurement methods. 2. None of the tested materials allows safe finishing of a complete-arch fixed partial denture on a cast poured from one single master impression. 3. All of the tested materials can be used for impressions for a complete-arch fixed partial denture provided it is not finished on one single cast. Errors can be avoided by making a new impression with the fitted castings in place. Assembly and soldering should be done on the second cast. 4. In making the master fixed partial denture for this study, inaccurate soldering was a problem that was overcome with the use of epoxy glue. Hence, soldering seems to be a major source of inaccuracy for every fixed partial denture.", "PMID": 768464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2499", "title": "Effect of continuous infusion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone in ewes at different times of the year.", "content": "Gn-RH (3 mug/hr for 8 hr) evoked a surge of LH in ewes during the anoestrous season which was of similar peak height to that found at oestrus but of shorter duration. When Gn-RH was given on 3 consecutive days, the response was considerably reduced on the 2nd and 3rd day. Follicles grew as a result of Gn-RH infusion but peripheral plasma oestrogen concentration did not increase. During the anoestrous season 9/18 ewes ovulated but only 1/6 did so at mid-anoestrus. Mature follicles or a CL were found in 15/18 ewes that had increased peripheral plasma progesterone concentrations for 1-5 days (11 ewes) or 9-14 days (4 ewes). The concentrations of progesterone found were always lower than those observed during the normal cycle. In the breeding season 10/11 ewes ovulated but there was no evidence that the induced CL were maintained.", "contents": "Effect of continuous infusion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone in ewes at different times of the year. Gn-RH (3 mug/hr for 8 hr) evoked a surge of LH in ewes during the anoestrous season which was of similar peak height to that found at oestrus but of shorter duration. When Gn-RH was given on 3 consecutive days, the response was considerably reduced on the 2nd and 3rd day. Follicles grew as a result of Gn-RH infusion but peripheral plasma oestrogen concentration did not increase. During the anoestrous season 9/18 ewes ovulated but only 1/6 did so at mid-anoestrus. Mature follicles or a CL were found in 15/18 ewes that had increased peripheral plasma progesterone concentrations for 1-5 days (11 ewes) or 9-14 days (4 ewes). The concentrations of progesterone found were always lower than those observed during the normal cycle. In the breeding season 10/11 ewes ovulated but there was no evidence that the induced CL were maintained.", "PMID": 768465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2500", "title": "The interrelation of LH-RH, ovarian steroids and the adenohypophysis.", "content": "In this presentation experimental evidence is reviewed and new information is presented concerning the question of cyclic fluctuations in pituitary responsiveness to endogenous and exogenous hypothalamic-releasing hormones as well as the direct role of steroids in modulating pituitary sensitivity. Experiments are described which show that four-day and five-day cyclic rats respond differently to LH-RH, presumably because of differences in secretion patterns of ovarian steroids. The direct role of these steroids in this process was investigated both from the morphological (light and electron microscopy) and physiological (radioimmunoassay measurement of LH) viewpoint in hypophysectomized rats bearing pituitary homografts. It was found that steroids may directly alter both the morphology and the secretory function of pituitary gonadotrophs. Estradiol was found to depress the amount of LH that was secreted while progesterone was seen to influence primarily the time of LH release following LH-RH injection. Thus, it appears that direct feedback effects of ovarian steroids at the level of the pituitary are important regulators of the sensitivity of pituitary gonadotrophs to the LH- releaseing action of hypothalamic LH-RH.", "contents": "The interrelation of LH-RH, ovarian steroids and the adenohypophysis. In this presentation experimental evidence is reviewed and new information is presented concerning the question of cyclic fluctuations in pituitary responsiveness to endogenous and exogenous hypothalamic-releasing hormones as well as the direct role of steroids in modulating pituitary sensitivity. Experiments are described which show that four-day and five-day cyclic rats respond differently to LH-RH, presumably because of differences in secretion patterns of ovarian steroids. The direct role of these steroids in this process was investigated both from the morphological (light and electron microscopy) and physiological (radioimmunoassay measurement of LH) viewpoint in hypophysectomized rats bearing pituitary homografts. It was found that steroids may directly alter both the morphology and the secretory function of pituitary gonadotrophs. Estradiol was found to depress the amount of LH that was secreted while progesterone was seen to influence primarily the time of LH release following LH-RH injection. Thus, it appears that direct feedback effects of ovarian steroids at the level of the pituitary are important regulators of the sensitivity of pituitary gonadotrophs to the LH- releaseing action of hypothalamic LH-RH.", "PMID": 768469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2501", "title": "The acute effects of Dramamine on uterine contractability during labor.", "content": "The acute effects of intravenously administered Dramamine or placebo on uterine activity were studied in 32 primigravida patients during the active phase of spontaneous labor. Uterine activity was monitored by invasive quantitative techniques. The results showed no change in uterine activity in the placebo group, but there was a significant increase in activity in the Dramamaine-treated women. The increased activity was primarily the result of an increase in the frequency of contractions.", "contents": "The acute effects of Dramamine on uterine contractability during labor. The acute effects of intravenously administered Dramamine or placebo on uterine activity were studied in 32 primigravida patients during the active phase of spontaneous labor. Uterine activity was monitored by invasive quantitative techniques. The results showed no change in uterine activity in the placebo group, but there was a significant increase in activity in the Dramamaine-treated women. The increased activity was primarily the result of an increase in the frequency of contractions.", "PMID": 768471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2502", "title": "African swine fever: an epizootiological review with special reference to the South African situation.", "content": "The most important characteristics and the distribution of the viruses of African swine fever and hog cholera are reviewed. Both viruses were probably present simultaneously in South Africa in the first two decades of the century. While hog cholera was eradicated by 1918, African swine fever persists to the present day because it has a different epizootiology. The role played by wild pigs and the argasid tick (Ornithodoros moubata porcinus) in the epizootiology of African swine fever is discussed and an account of the outbreaks of the disease in South Africa from 1926 to 1974 is given. It appears that the disease in the Transvaal has had a cyclic occurrence.", "contents": "African swine fever: an epizootiological review with special reference to the South African situation. The most important characteristics and the distribution of the viruses of African swine fever and hog cholera are reviewed. Both viruses were probably present simultaneously in South Africa in the first two decades of the century. While hog cholera was eradicated by 1918, African swine fever persists to the present day because it has a different epizootiology. The role played by wild pigs and the argasid tick (Ornithodoros moubata porcinus) in the epizootiology of African swine fever is discussed and an account of the outbreaks of the disease in South Africa from 1926 to 1974 is given. It appears that the disease in the Transvaal has had a cyclic occurrence.", "PMID": 768472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2503", "title": "Antimalarials. 8. Synthesis of amino ethers as candidate antimalarials.", "content": "Based upon the antimalarial activities demonstrated by compounds I and II a series of amino ethers represented by structures III-VI was synthesized. These structures incorporated several modifications of compound II. The compounds prepared displayed no activity in either the Rane P. berghei mouse screen or the Rane P. gallinaceum sporozoite-induced chick test.", "contents": "Antimalarials. 8. Synthesis of amino ethers as candidate antimalarials. Based upon the antimalarial activities demonstrated by compounds I and II a series of amino ethers represented by structures III-VI was synthesized. These structures incorporated several modifications of compound II. The compounds prepared displayed no activity in either the Rane P. berghei mouse screen or the Rane P. gallinaceum sporozoite-induced chick test.", "PMID": 768473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2504", "title": "Antimalarials. 11. 2-Vinylogs of substituted 2-aryl-4-quinoline amino alcohols.", "content": "3-(P-Chlorobenzylidene)-5, 7-dimethyl-2, 3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinoline-9-(di-n-butylaminomethyl)methanol and 2-[beta-(p-chlorostyryl)]-6, 8-dimethylquinoline-4-(di-n-butylaminomethyl)methanol were synthesized from 6, -8-dimethyl-4-hydroxycarbostyril by 3, 3-dichlorination, dimethoxylation th the 3-ketal, basic hydrolysis to the glyoxal acetal, Pfitzinger condensation with cylopentanone or acetone to the 2, 3-trimethylene or 2-methylquinoline, condensation with p-ClPhCHO at the 2-methylene or 2-methyl group, hydrolysis to the 4-quinaldehyde, methylenation to the epoxide, and condensation with Bu2NH. Both were curative against P. berghei in mice. The first was the more effective: active at 10 mg/kg, completely curative at 40 mg/kg, and only mildly phototoxic in animals.", "contents": "Antimalarials. 11. 2-Vinylogs of substituted 2-aryl-4-quinoline amino alcohols. 3-(P-Chlorobenzylidene)-5, 7-dimethyl-2, 3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinoline-9-(di-n-butylaminomethyl)methanol and 2-[beta-(p-chlorostyryl)]-6, 8-dimethylquinoline-4-(di-n-butylaminomethyl)methanol were synthesized from 6, -8-dimethyl-4-hydroxycarbostyril by 3, 3-dichlorination, dimethoxylation th the 3-ketal, basic hydrolysis to the glyoxal acetal, Pfitzinger condensation with cylopentanone or acetone to the 2, 3-trimethylene or 2-methylquinoline, condensation with p-ClPhCHO at the 2-methylene or 2-methyl group, hydrolysis to the 4-quinaldehyde, methylenation to the epoxide, and condensation with Bu2NH. Both were curative against P. berghei in mice. The first was the more effective: active at 10 mg/kg, completely curative at 40 mg/kg, and only mildly phototoxic in animals.", "PMID": 768474} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2505", "title": "Synthesis and microbiological activities of beta-(1-chloro-2-naphthyl) alanine and beta-(1-bromo-2-naphthyl) alanine.", "content": "beta-(1-Chloro-2-naphthyl)alanine and beta-(1-bromo-2-naphthyl) alanine were synthesized by ammonolysis of the corresponding alpha, 1-dihalo-2-naphthalenepropanoic acids derived from 1-nitro-2-naphthylamine by diazotization and condensation with acrylic acid in the presence of cuprous halides. The two analogs as well as the previously reported beta-(2-naphthyl)alanine and beta-(1-naphthyl)alanine were studied as growth inhibitors of Escherichia coli 9723, Leuconostoc dextranicum 8086, and Lactobacillus plantarum 8014. In general, the chloro and bromo analogs were more effective than the unsubstituted naphthylalanines as growth inhibitors of the three microorganisms studied.", "contents": "Synthesis and microbiological activities of beta-(1-chloro-2-naphthyl) alanine and beta-(1-bromo-2-naphthyl) alanine. beta-(1-Chloro-2-naphthyl)alanine and beta-(1-bromo-2-naphthyl) alanine were synthesized by ammonolysis of the corresponding alpha, 1-dihalo-2-naphthalenepropanoic acids derived from 1-nitro-2-naphthylamine by diazotization and condensation with acrylic acid in the presence of cuprous halides. The two analogs as well as the previously reported beta-(2-naphthyl)alanine and beta-(1-naphthyl)alanine were studied as growth inhibitors of Escherichia coli 9723, Leuconostoc dextranicum 8086, and Lactobacillus plantarum 8014. In general, the chloro and bromo analogs were more effective than the unsubstituted naphthylalanines as growth inhibitors of the three microorganisms studied.", "PMID": 768475} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2506", "title": "Dyskeratosis congenita: clinical features and genetic aspects. Report of a family and review of the literature.", "content": "A large family with dyskeratosis congenita is reported. There were nine affected males, the findings in five of who are reported. We review 46 cases selected from the literature. The cardinal findings of this inherited multisystem disorder are delineated from these 51 cases. The complications of the disease, including opportunistic infection, are described. The parallel is made between dyskeratosis congenita and Fanconi's anaemia. The X-linked transmission of dyskeratosis congenita is confirmed by the family pedigree in this report. From the analysis of the families reported in the literature, there appears to be genetic heterogeneity in this disease. This study in our family indicates absence of close linkage between the Xga locus and the X-linked recessive form of dyskeratosis congenita.", "contents": "Dyskeratosis congenita: clinical features and genetic aspects. Report of a family and review of the literature. A large family with dyskeratosis congenita is reported. There were nine affected males, the findings in five of who are reported. We review 46 cases selected from the literature. The cardinal findings of this inherited multisystem disorder are delineated from these 51 cases. The complications of the disease, including opportunistic infection, are described. The parallel is made between dyskeratosis congenita and Fanconi's anaemia. The X-linked transmission of dyskeratosis congenita is confirmed by the family pedigree in this report. From the analysis of the families reported in the literature, there appears to be genetic heterogeneity in this disease. This study in our family indicates absence of close linkage between the Xga locus and the X-linked recessive form of dyskeratosis congenita.", "PMID": 768476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2507", "title": "Genetics of the complement system.", "content": "The complement system, unlike the coagulation system, was largely characterized by in-vitro techniques which did not make use of genetically deficient plasmas. The existence of the genetically deficient plasmas. The existence of the genetically deficient subjects therefore has served largely to increase our knowledge of the in-vivo role of complement. At the present time its clearest role is in the resistance to infection; obviously in the case of C3 deficiency and bacterial infection and possibly more subtly in the case of deficiency of the early active complement components and low virulence organisms. There is so far no evidence that genetic complement deficiency interferes with antibody formation or with the generation of tolerance as has been suggested in the pas (Azar et al, 1968; Dukor and Hartmann, 1973).", "contents": "Genetics of the complement system. The complement system, unlike the coagulation system, was largely characterized by in-vitro techniques which did not make use of genetically deficient plasmas. The existence of the genetically deficient plasmas. The existence of the genetically deficient subjects therefore has served largely to increase our knowledge of the in-vivo role of complement. At the present time its clearest role is in the resistance to infection; obviously in the case of C3 deficiency and bacterial infection and possibly more subtly in the case of deficiency of the early active complement components and low virulence organisms. There is so far no evidence that genetic complement deficiency interferes with antibody formation or with the generation of tolerance as has been suggested in the pas (Azar et al, 1968; Dukor and Hartmann, 1973).", "PMID": 768477} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2508", "title": "Communicating drug information to physicians.", "content": "In this paper the authors present a review of the multitudinous studies of researchers who have attempted to identify the sources of drug information utilized by physicians. Consideration is given to both professional sources (for example, journal articles, colleagues, meetings, and pharmacists) and commercial sources (for example, detailmen, journal advertisements, mail advertisements, and samples). Also included is a discussion of the relationship between physicians' sources of drug information and their choice of drugs and of the relationship between the sources of information and the severity of the conditions being treated. The paper concludes with a brief review of some of the new sources of drug information being considered for utilization by the Food and Drug Administration.", "contents": "Communicating drug information to physicians. In this paper the authors present a review of the multitudinous studies of researchers who have attempted to identify the sources of drug information utilized by physicians. Consideration is given to both professional sources (for example, journal articles, colleagues, meetings, and pharmacists) and commercial sources (for example, detailmen, journal advertisements, mail advertisements, and samples). Also included is a discussion of the relationship between physicians' sources of drug information and their choice of drugs and of the relationship between the sources of information and the severity of the conditions being treated. The paper concludes with a brief review of some of the new sources of drug information being considered for utilization by the Food and Drug Administration.", "PMID": 768478} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2509", "title": "Spinal nerves and their bearing on salamander phylogeny.", "content": "Examination of the vertebral columns of representatives of all families of salamanders revealed that, in contrast to the condition found in most other vertebrates, salamander spinal nerves of often pass through foramina in the vertebrae. Two kinds of spinal nerve foramina were found: those in the anterior halves of vertebrae, and those in the posterior halves. In addition, many salamanders retain intervertebral nerves. However, within each family or, in a few cases, subfamily there is a characteristic pattern of spinal nerve-vertebral relationships. The first spinal nerve of all salamanders exits through a foramen in the anterior half of the atlas. All more posterior nerves are intervertebral in the families Cryptobranchidae, Hynobiidae and Proteidae. The posterior caudal nerves exit through the posterior halves of the caudal vertebrae in the family Amphiumidae, while in the subfamilies Dicamptodontinae and Rhyacotritoninae all post-sacral nerves exit through the posterior halves of the vertebrae. All but the first three nerves exit through posterior foramina in the family Plethodontidae and the subfamily Ambystomatinae, while all but the first two nerves pass through posterior foramina in the families Salamandridae and Sirenidae. Several fossil salamanders were also examined. These showed that the amphiumid and dicamptodontine-rhyacotritonine nerve patterns had evolved by the Late Cretaceous, and the sirenid pattern had probably evolved by that time. Other Cretaceous genera associated with the Ambystomatoidea still possessed the primitive intervertebral pattern. Using spinal nerve patterns and several other previously described morphological characters, a new hypothesis of the phylogeny of recent and fossil salamanders is presented and compared to earlier proposed phylogenies of the group. A new classification of salamander families is presented.", "contents": "Spinal nerves and their bearing on salamander phylogeny. Examination of the vertebral columns of representatives of all families of salamanders revealed that, in contrast to the condition found in most other vertebrates, salamander spinal nerves of often pass through foramina in the vertebrae. Two kinds of spinal nerve foramina were found: those in the anterior halves of vertebrae, and those in the posterior halves. In addition, many salamanders retain intervertebral nerves. However, within each family or, in a few cases, subfamily there is a characteristic pattern of spinal nerve-vertebral relationships. The first spinal nerve of all salamanders exits through a foramen in the anterior half of the atlas. All more posterior nerves are intervertebral in the families Cryptobranchidae, Hynobiidae and Proteidae. The posterior caudal nerves exit through the posterior halves of the caudal vertebrae in the family Amphiumidae, while in the subfamilies Dicamptodontinae and Rhyacotritoninae all post-sacral nerves exit through the posterior halves of the vertebrae. All but the first three nerves exit through posterior foramina in the family Plethodontidae and the subfamily Ambystomatinae, while all but the first two nerves pass through posterior foramina in the families Salamandridae and Sirenidae. Several fossil salamanders were also examined. These showed that the amphiumid and dicamptodontine-rhyacotritonine nerve patterns had evolved by the Late Cretaceous, and the sirenid pattern had probably evolved by that time. Other Cretaceous genera associated with the Ambystomatoidea still possessed the primitive intervertebral pattern. Using spinal nerve patterns and several other previously described morphological characters, a new hypothesis of the phylogeny of recent and fossil salamanders is presented and compared to earlier proposed phylogenies of the group. A new classification of salamander families is presented.", "PMID": 768494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2510", "title": "Canine malignant lymphomas: comparison of morphologic and immunologic parameters.", "content": "Twenty-three canine malignant lymphomas were studied to correlate morphologic and immunologic properties of the neoplastic cells. Morphotologic characterization included histologic classification of cell type and growth pattern, anatomic distribution of lesions, and transmission electron microscopic examination. Parameters examined to indicate B- or T-cell nature of lymphoma cells included demonstration of mitogen responsiveness, cell-surface Ig, spontaneous rosette formation with human red blood cells, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of cell-surface features. Results indicated that the cells from histiocytic lymphomas were lymphocytes rather than histiocytes or macrophages. Most cells from lymphomas examined possessed cell-surface ig, indicating B-cell nature. The cell types represented by the different Ig-positive lymphomas were compatible with maturation arrest at different stages in normal lymphocyte differentiation. For the two most common histiologic cell types, nitogen responsiveness and the presence of cell-surface Ig indicated that diffuse, poorly differentiated lymphocytic cases were biologically heterogenous, whereas nodular histiocytic lymphomas were biologically homogenous. Most canine lymphomas had a multicentric anatomic distribution; however, one thymic and two alimentary forms were observed. Lymphomas with a nodular pattern in lymph nodes had multifocal splenic involvement centered on small arteries, whereas lymphomas with a diffuse pattern in lymph nodes had diffuse involvement of splenic white pulp. The cells of Ig-positive and Ig-negative neoplasms examined by SEM were predominantly of the smooth-cell type.", "contents": "Canine malignant lymphomas: comparison of morphologic and immunologic parameters. Twenty-three canine malignant lymphomas were studied to correlate morphologic and immunologic properties of the neoplastic cells. Morphotologic characterization included histologic classification of cell type and growth pattern, anatomic distribution of lesions, and transmission electron microscopic examination. Parameters examined to indicate B- or T-cell nature of lymphoma cells included demonstration of mitogen responsiveness, cell-surface Ig, spontaneous rosette formation with human red blood cells, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of cell-surface features. Results indicated that the cells from histiocytic lymphomas were lymphocytes rather than histiocytes or macrophages. Most cells from lymphomas examined possessed cell-surface ig, indicating B-cell nature. The cell types represented by the different Ig-positive lymphomas were compatible with maturation arrest at different stages in normal lymphocyte differentiation. For the two most common histiologic cell types, nitogen responsiveness and the presence of cell-surface Ig indicated that diffuse, poorly differentiated lymphocytic cases were biologically heterogenous, whereas nodular histiocytic lymphomas were biologically homogenous. Most canine lymphomas had a multicentric anatomic distribution; however, one thymic and two alimentary forms were observed. Lymphomas with a nodular pattern in lymph nodes had multifocal splenic involvement centered on small arteries, whereas lymphomas with a diffuse pattern in lymph nodes had diffuse involvement of splenic white pulp. The cells of Ig-positive and Ig-negative neoplasms examined by SEM were predominantly of the smooth-cell type.", "PMID": 768497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2511", "title": "Immunosuppression induced in vitro by cell-free extracts of Friend leukemia virusinfected splenocytes.", "content": "The immunologic responsiveness by normal BALB/c spleen lymphocytes immunized in vitro with sheep erythrocytes was markedly suppressed by calrified cell-free homogenates of Friend leukemia virus (FLV)-infected mouse spleens. Suppression was achieved with a 3,000Xg supernatant of FLV-containing homogenates freed of cellular debris but not with crude unclarified homogenates or pelleted material after centrifugation. The immunosuppressive effects of the virus were dose dependent, whether the virus was added directly to the target spleen cells or separated from them by a 0.4mu Nuclepore filter. Suppression was prevented by heating of the virus at 100 degrees C for 10 minutes or by neutralization with antiserum to FLV. Addition of the virus as late as 48 hours after in vitro immunization of splenocytes affected the immune response. However, suppression was maximum when the clarified virus was added to the splenocytes 1 or 2 days before immunization. The agent in the FLV-infected spleen homogenates responsible for immunosuppression appeared to be the virus per se; however, virus-associated soluble factor(s) might have been involved.", "contents": "Immunosuppression induced in vitro by cell-free extracts of Friend leukemia virusinfected splenocytes. The immunologic responsiveness by normal BALB/c spleen lymphocytes immunized in vitro with sheep erythrocytes was markedly suppressed by calrified cell-free homogenates of Friend leukemia virus (FLV)-infected mouse spleens. Suppression was achieved with a 3,000Xg supernatant of FLV-containing homogenates freed of cellular debris but not with crude unclarified homogenates or pelleted material after centrifugation. The immunosuppressive effects of the virus were dose dependent, whether the virus was added directly to the target spleen cells or separated from them by a 0.4mu Nuclepore filter. Suppression was prevented by heating of the virus at 100 degrees C for 10 minutes or by neutralization with antiserum to FLV. Addition of the virus as late as 48 hours after in vitro immunization of splenocytes affected the immune response. However, suppression was maximum when the clarified virus was added to the splenocytes 1 or 2 days before immunization. The agent in the FLV-infected spleen homogenates responsible for immunosuppression appeared to be the virus per se; however, virus-associated soluble factor(s) might have been involved.", "PMID": 768498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2512", "title": "Hybrid-versus-parental strain reaction. II. Comparative mortality in parental strain mice of different H-2 genotypes.", "content": "Lethally irradiated perental strain mice were inoculated with marrow from reciprocal hybrid donors. Hybrid cells could recognize the quantitatively greater antigenicity of parental strain recipients. The severity of the hybrid-versus-parental strain and parental strain-versus-hybrid reactions was compared. There was a significantly less severe reaction when DBA/2 mice were inoculated with (DBA/2female X C57BLmale)F1 arrow than with (C57BL X DBA/2)F1 marrow, which indicated a maternal influence on antigen recognition. The reaction of (DBA/2 X C57BL)F1 against DBA/2 recipients was significantly less severe than the DBA/2 reaction against (DBA/2 X C57BL)F1 recipients. All reactions involving C57BL were equally severe and more lethal than those involving DBA/2 mice. The strength of these reactions was a function of the relative tissue antigenicity and responsiveness of the parental strains of the hybrid cross. Both the expression of tissue antigens and the ability to recognize and respons to them are influenced by the maternal strain of the hybrid cross.", "contents": "Hybrid-versus-parental strain reaction. II. Comparative mortality in parental strain mice of different H-2 genotypes. Lethally irradiated perental strain mice were inoculated with marrow from reciprocal hybrid donors. Hybrid cells could recognize the quantitatively greater antigenicity of parental strain recipients. The severity of the hybrid-versus-parental strain and parental strain-versus-hybrid reactions was compared. There was a significantly less severe reaction when DBA/2 mice were inoculated with (DBA/2female X C57BLmale)F1 arrow than with (C57BL X DBA/2)F1 marrow, which indicated a maternal influence on antigen recognition. The reaction of (DBA/2 X C57BL)F1 against DBA/2 recipients was significantly less severe than the DBA/2 reaction against (DBA/2 X C57BL)F1 recipients. All reactions involving C57BL were equally severe and more lethal than those involving DBA/2 mice. The strength of these reactions was a function of the relative tissue antigenicity and responsiveness of the parental strains of the hybrid cross. Both the expression of tissue antigens and the ability to recognize and respons to them are influenced by the maternal strain of the hybrid cross.", "PMID": 768499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2513", "title": "Identification of carcinogenic tannin isolated from Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum).", "content": "We attempted to isolate a carcinogenic substance from bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), a naturally occurring toxicant responsible for the production of chronic enzootic hematuria and urinary bladder cancer of cattle and carcinogenic for various target organs of several species. Hot methanol extracts of bracken fern were solubilized in water and extracted with chloroform followed by a mixture of n-butanol-butanone (1:1). That fraction was dried and triturated with ether-methanol (4:1), n-butanol, and finally absolute ethanol. The insoluble residue was dissolved in 10% aqueous methanol and passed through Dowex 1 OH-, Dowex 50 H+, or Dowex 1 OH- and then Dowex 50 H+ ion exchange resins. A condensed tannin, isolated from one ot the fractions, was identical to that isolated from bracken fern by the caffeine procedure used for the separation of tannins from other plant constituents. Three systems were used for bioassay; induction of bladder carcinoma by implantation of cholesterol pellets containing bracken fern fractions into the bladder lumens of mice; acute toxicity by ip injection of brachen fern fraction into mice; and growth inhibition of Escherichia coli. The following fractions induced significantly greater incidences of bladder carcinoma than did cholesterol pellets only: tannin, Dowex 50 H+, residue, n-butanol, and methanol. Tiliroside, a component of bracken fern fractions into the bladder lumens of mice; acute genic acid, and quercetin were not carcinogenic. Tannin was the most toxic (mean lethal dose: 0.16 mg/g) and carcinogenic. None of the carcinogenic fractions inhibited growth of E. coli.", "contents": "Identification of carcinogenic tannin isolated from Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum). We attempted to isolate a carcinogenic substance from bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), a naturally occurring toxicant responsible for the production of chronic enzootic hematuria and urinary bladder cancer of cattle and carcinogenic for various target organs of several species. Hot methanol extracts of bracken fern were solubilized in water and extracted with chloroform followed by a mixture of n-butanol-butanone (1:1). That fraction was dried and triturated with ether-methanol (4:1), n-butanol, and finally absolute ethanol. The insoluble residue was dissolved in 10% aqueous methanol and passed through Dowex 1 OH-, Dowex 50 H+, or Dowex 1 OH- and then Dowex 50 H+ ion exchange resins. A condensed tannin, isolated from one ot the fractions, was identical to that isolated from bracken fern by the caffeine procedure used for the separation of tannins from other plant constituents. Three systems were used for bioassay; induction of bladder carcinoma by implantation of cholesterol pellets containing bracken fern fractions into the bladder lumens of mice; acute toxicity by ip injection of brachen fern fraction into mice; and growth inhibition of Escherichia coli. The following fractions induced significantly greater incidences of bladder carcinoma than did cholesterol pellets only: tannin, Dowex 50 H+, residue, n-butanol, and methanol. Tiliroside, a component of bracken fern fractions into the bladder lumens of mice; acute genic acid, and quercetin were not carcinogenic. Tannin was the most toxic (mean lethal dose: 0.16 mg/g) and carcinogenic. None of the carcinogenic fractions inhibited growth of E. coli.", "PMID": 768500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2514", "title": "Transfer RNA and transfer RNA methylase activity in spleens of patients with Hodgkin's disease and histiocytic lymphoma.", "content": "tRNA levels, base composition, and tRNA methylase activities of normal and tumor tissue from the spleens of 24 patients (18 with Hodgkin's disease and 6 with histiocytic lymphoma) were studied. There were no significant differences in major base composition of normal and tumor tissue. Methylated guanosine was increased in tumor tissue of some patients, and tRNA methylase activities were increased in extracts from the tumors.", "contents": "Transfer RNA and transfer RNA methylase activity in spleens of patients with Hodgkin's disease and histiocytic lymphoma. tRNA levels, base composition, and tRNA methylase activities of normal and tumor tissue from the spleens of 24 patients (18 with Hodgkin's disease and 6 with histiocytic lymphoma) were studied. There were no significant differences in major base composition of normal and tumor tissue. Methylated guanosine was increased in tumor tissue of some patients, and tRNA methylase activities were increased in extracts from the tumors.", "PMID": 768501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2515", "title": "T-cell precursors in mice bearing the Ehrlich ascites tumors.", "content": "Mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumors and challenged with sheep erythrocytes produced fewer plaque-forming cells than did normal mice. At the same time the immunosuppression developed, the number of T lymphocytes in the thymus and spleen were reduced significantly. In the spleen, the number of B lymphocytes remained constant during carcinogenesis, whereas that of the macrophages increased significantly, as compared to the controls. In this paper, we demonstrated that the mechanism responsible for thymus and spleen depletion of theta antigen-bearing cells had to be ascribed to fewer T-lymphocyte precursors in the bone marrow of mice with cancer. The reduction of T-lymphocyte precursors was probably caused by the same \"soluble factor(s)\" produced by Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, which also interfered with the proliferation of myelopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow of mice with this neoplasm, as we previously reported. By performing several reconstitution experiments of lethally X-irradiated hosts, we determined that the immunodepression by Ehrlich ascites tumor cells was readily reversible, and the alteration of the T:B lymphocyte ratio in the spleen had a minor function, if any, in the pathogenesis of the immunosuppression.", "contents": "T-cell precursors in mice bearing the Ehrlich ascites tumors. Mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumors and challenged with sheep erythrocytes produced fewer plaque-forming cells than did normal mice. At the same time the immunosuppression developed, the number of T lymphocytes in the thymus and spleen were reduced significantly. In the spleen, the number of B lymphocytes remained constant during carcinogenesis, whereas that of the macrophages increased significantly, as compared to the controls. In this paper, we demonstrated that the mechanism responsible for thymus and spleen depletion of theta antigen-bearing cells had to be ascribed to fewer T-lymphocyte precursors in the bone marrow of mice with cancer. The reduction of T-lymphocyte precursors was probably caused by the same \"soluble factor(s)\" produced by Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, which also interfered with the proliferation of myelopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow of mice with this neoplasm, as we previously reported. By performing several reconstitution experiments of lethally X-irradiated hosts, we determined that the immunodepression by Ehrlich ascites tumor cells was readily reversible, and the alteration of the T:B lymphocyte ratio in the spleen had a minor function, if any, in the pathogenesis of the immunosuppression.", "PMID": 768502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2516", "title": "Use of dimethylmyleran in adoptive chemoimmunotherapy of two murine leukemias.", "content": "Dimethylmyleran (DMM) is an antitumor agent that has minimal effects on immunity. In a study of its usefulness in adoptive chemoimmunotherapy, C57BL/6 mice inoculated on day 0 with C57BL/6 Friend virus-induced leukemia (FBL-3) were treated on day 5 with 12 mg DMM/kg [less than LD10 (lethal dose for 10% of mice)] plus C5BL/6 spleen cells. All untreated mice died, with a median survival time (MST) of 17 days. DMM alone or with nonimmune cells prolonged survival to day 20, and 3/53 mice survived beyond day 60. By contrast, 12/25 mice treated with DMM plus cells immune to FBL-3 were cured. Similar results were obtained in C57BL/6 mice with syngeneic Rauscher virus-induced leukemia (RBL-5). Untreated mice died, with an MST of 14 days. DMM alone or with nonimmune cells prolonged the MST to 21 and 26 days, respectively, and 3/26 and 6/28 mice were long-term survivors. However, 13/28 mice were cured by DMM plus cells immune to antigenically related FBL-3. Lethal irradiation of cells immune to FBL-3 abolished their efficacy. Finally, in contrast to the efficacy of sublethal DMM plus immune cells, an LD100 of DMM (20 mg/kg) plus hematopoietic reconstitution with nonimmune syngeneic cells was not effective against FBL-3 OR RBL-5. The results emphasized the critical role of immune cells in chemoimmunotherapy even when the drug used is nonimmunosuppressive.", "contents": "Use of dimethylmyleran in adoptive chemoimmunotherapy of two murine leukemias. Dimethylmyleran (DMM) is an antitumor agent that has minimal effects on immunity. In a study of its usefulness in adoptive chemoimmunotherapy, C57BL/6 mice inoculated on day 0 with C57BL/6 Friend virus-induced leukemia (FBL-3) were treated on day 5 with 12 mg DMM/kg [less than LD10 (lethal dose for 10% of mice)] plus C5BL/6 spleen cells. All untreated mice died, with a median survival time (MST) of 17 days. DMM alone or with nonimmune cells prolonged survival to day 20, and 3/53 mice survived beyond day 60. By contrast, 12/25 mice treated with DMM plus cells immune to FBL-3 were cured. Similar results were obtained in C57BL/6 mice with syngeneic Rauscher virus-induced leukemia (RBL-5). Untreated mice died, with an MST of 14 days. DMM alone or with nonimmune cells prolonged the MST to 21 and 26 days, respectively, and 3/26 and 6/28 mice were long-term survivors. However, 13/28 mice were cured by DMM plus cells immune to antigenically related FBL-3. Lethal irradiation of cells immune to FBL-3 abolished their efficacy. Finally, in contrast to the efficacy of sublethal DMM plus immune cells, an LD100 of DMM (20 mg/kg) plus hematopoietic reconstitution with nonimmune syngeneic cells was not effective against FBL-3 OR RBL-5. The results emphasized the critical role of immune cells in chemoimmunotherapy even when the drug used is nonimmunosuppressive.", "PMID": 768503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2517", "title": "Spontaneous colon tumors in rats.", "content": "Twenty-eight cases of spontaneous colon tumors were found during autopsy of approximately 3,000 male W rats in our laboratories between 1968 and 1974. Macroscopically, these tumors were multiple and localized in the proximal part of the colon. Many nodules protruded on the serosal surface; polypoid tumors protruding into the lumen were rare. Microscopically, hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps were observed in the mucous membrane of the colon. There was adenomatous downward growth into the submucosal layer, and tubular-type adenocarcinomas invaded all the coats of the colon wall. Structural atypism was frequent and slight cell atypism was also present. Invasive tumors sometimes had an inflammatory reaction, and bacterial growth was observed within the neoplastic glands in thionine-stained sections. Escherichia coli and a gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacillus, which grew only with E. coli in vitro, were isolated. A cultured epithelial cell line was established from one colon tumor. After a primary tumor was transplanted intraperitoneally into young adult rats, a mass grew in the peritoneal cavity for 4 months. The tumor incidence seemed higher at different times in the animals examined.", "contents": "Spontaneous colon tumors in rats. Twenty-eight cases of spontaneous colon tumors were found during autopsy of approximately 3,000 male W rats in our laboratories between 1968 and 1974. Macroscopically, these tumors were multiple and localized in the proximal part of the colon. Many nodules protruded on the serosal surface; polypoid tumors protruding into the lumen were rare. Microscopically, hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps were observed in the mucous membrane of the colon. There was adenomatous downward growth into the submucosal layer, and tubular-type adenocarcinomas invaded all the coats of the colon wall. Structural atypism was frequent and slight cell atypism was also present. Invasive tumors sometimes had an inflammatory reaction, and bacterial growth was observed within the neoplastic glands in thionine-stained sections. Escherichia coli and a gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacillus, which grew only with E. coli in vitro, were isolated. A cultured epithelial cell line was established from one colon tumor. After a primary tumor was transplanted intraperitoneally into young adult rats, a mass grew in the peritoneal cavity for 4 months. The tumor incidence seemed higher at different times in the animals examined.", "PMID": 768504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2518", "title": "Membrane markers in \"histiocytic\" lymphomas (reticulum cell sarcomas).", "content": "Neoplastic cells from 9 patients affected with a \"histiocytic\" lymphoma were studied with 5 membrane markers of B or T lymphocytes. In 2 patients a monoclonal B-cell proliferation was found; they had been affected previously with well documented B-cell proliferations: chronic lymphocytic leukemia or Waldenstr\u00f6m's macroglobulinemia. The blast cells of 2 other patients had T-cell features; in a fifth case, the abnormal cells carried only a strong receptor for the Fc fragment of IgG, which suggested their truly monocytic origin. In 4 patients, the cells had no detectable surface markers. These findings demonstrated that this group of lymphomas is heterogenous, that the term \"histiocytic\" appears to be wrong in most instances, and that the cellular origin of the malignant cells frequently remains unidentified and thus prevents a satisfactory new classification.", "contents": "Membrane markers in \"histiocytic\" lymphomas (reticulum cell sarcomas). Neoplastic cells from 9 patients affected with a \"histiocytic\" lymphoma were studied with 5 membrane markers of B or T lymphocytes. In 2 patients a monoclonal B-cell proliferation was found; they had been affected previously with well documented B-cell proliferations: chronic lymphocytic leukemia or Waldenstr\u00f6m's macroglobulinemia. The blast cells of 2 other patients had T-cell features; in a fifth case, the abnormal cells carried only a strong receptor for the Fc fragment of IgG, which suggested their truly monocytic origin. In 4 patients, the cells had no detectable surface markers. These findings demonstrated that this group of lymphomas is heterogenous, that the term \"histiocytic\" appears to be wrong in most instances, and that the cellular origin of the malignant cells frequently remains unidentified and thus prevents a satisfactory new classification.", "PMID": 768505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2519", "title": "Immunosuppression by Moloney leukemia virus: lack of correlation between virus replication and the immunosuppressive effect.", "content": "Young adult mice were infected with 10(4) plaque-forming units (PFU) or Moloney murine leukemia virus M-MuLV. Two different virus preparations were used: a) M-MuLV obtained from serial passage in mice [animal passage (AP)] and b) tissue culture (TC)-grown virus harvested after three in vitro passages of the AP M-MuLV in fibroblasts. Replication of TC and AP M-MuLV in spleen cells was determined by an infectious center (IC) assay at 1 and 2 weeks after the infection. Immune responsiveness of spleen cells was evaluated in challenge with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and subsequent enumeration of antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC). TC M-MuLV replicated faster in the spleen than did AP M-MuLV and reached about 10- to 100-fold higher titers. However, the response of anti-SRBC PFC, suppressed to the same degree in the spleens of mice infected with TC or AP virus, was from 10 to 50% of the control response. A comparison of virus replication with the anti-SRBC response in aliquots from the same spleens showed no correlation between virus IC and antibody PFC. Both TC and AP M-MuLV induced the expression of virus-specific, cell membrane antigen on spleen cells. These findings indicated a divergence between virus replication on the one hand and the immunosuppressive effect and the cell membrane alteration on the other.", "contents": "Immunosuppression by Moloney leukemia virus: lack of correlation between virus replication and the immunosuppressive effect. Young adult mice were infected with 10(4) plaque-forming units (PFU) or Moloney murine leukemia virus M-MuLV. Two different virus preparations were used: a) M-MuLV obtained from serial passage in mice [animal passage (AP)] and b) tissue culture (TC)-grown virus harvested after three in vitro passages of the AP M-MuLV in fibroblasts. Replication of TC and AP M-MuLV in spleen cells was determined by an infectious center (IC) assay at 1 and 2 weeks after the infection. Immune responsiveness of spleen cells was evaluated in challenge with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and subsequent enumeration of antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC). TC M-MuLV replicated faster in the spleen than did AP M-MuLV and reached about 10- to 100-fold higher titers. However, the response of anti-SRBC PFC, suppressed to the same degree in the spleens of mice infected with TC or AP virus, was from 10 to 50% of the control response. A comparison of virus replication with the anti-SRBC response in aliquots from the same spleens showed no correlation between virus IC and antibody PFC. Both TC and AP M-MuLV induced the expression of virus-specific, cell membrane antigen on spleen cells. These findings indicated a divergence between virus replication on the one hand and the immunosuppressive effect and the cell membrane alteration on the other.", "PMID": 768506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2520", "title": "Isolated ureteral injury secondary to transperitoneal stab wound.", "content": "The patient reported suffered a transperitoneal stab wound resulting in the isolated complete transection of the left upper ureter. In spite of immediate exploratory laparotomy, the time of recognition of the injury was delayed. The treatment consisted of an ellipitcal spatulated everting uretero-ureterostomy with interrupted fine chromic catgut over a stenting ureteral catheter. The postoperative course was smooth and the final result excellent. The importance of intravenous urography in penetrating abdominal or flank trauma cannot be overemphasized. This is the first reported case of isolated ureteral injury secondary to transperitoneal stab wound.", "contents": "Isolated ureteral injury secondary to transperitoneal stab wound. The patient reported suffered a transperitoneal stab wound resulting in the isolated complete transection of the left upper ureter. In spite of immediate exploratory laparotomy, the time of recognition of the injury was delayed. The treatment consisted of an ellipitcal spatulated everting uretero-ureterostomy with interrupted fine chromic catgut over a stenting ureteral catheter. The postoperative course was smooth and the final result excellent. The importance of intravenous urography in penetrating abdominal or flank trauma cannot be overemphasized. This is the first reported case of isolated ureteral injury secondary to transperitoneal stab wound.", "PMID": 768511} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2521", "title": "Outpatient burns: a prospective study.", "content": "1) There is no significant difference in overall wound healing rates between non-antibacterial and antibacterial impregnated dressings used in this study. 2) The burn wound is not sterile. 3) Ease of dressing removal was similar during the first 7 days; thereafter the nitrofurazone dressings were more adherent; however, patient acceptance as subjectively evaluated at the time of dressing change and from the description of intervals between dressing changes did not vary significantly between the two dressings. 4) Pathogenic flora, both gram-positive and gram-negative, were significantly less prevalent in wounds treated with nitrofurazone dressings when the closed technique for burn treatment was utilized.", "contents": "Outpatient burns: a prospective study. 1) There is no significant difference in overall wound healing rates between non-antibacterial and antibacterial impregnated dressings used in this study. 2) The burn wound is not sterile. 3) Ease of dressing removal was similar during the first 7 days; thereafter the nitrofurazone dressings were more adherent; however, patient acceptance as subjectively evaluated at the time of dressing change and from the description of intervals between dressing changes did not vary significantly between the two dressings. 4) Pathogenic flora, both gram-positive and gram-negative, were significantly less prevalent in wounds treated with nitrofurazone dressings when the closed technique for burn treatment was utilized.", "PMID": 768512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2522", "title": "Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient in the burn patient.", "content": "1)A presumptive diagnosis of inhalation injury by the occurrence of a \"closed-space\" burn and the presence of facial burns, singed nasal vibrissae, ronchi and wheezes as clinical criteria was often in error in our study group. 2) A-a O2 gradient and change in A-a gradient in our group of patients was of value in predicting the development of pulmonary dysfunction.", "contents": "Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient in the burn patient. 1)A presumptive diagnosis of inhalation injury by the occurrence of a \"closed-space\" burn and the presence of facial burns, singed nasal vibrissae, ronchi and wheezes as clinical criteria was often in error in our study group. 2) A-a O2 gradient and change in A-a gradient in our group of patients was of value in predicting the development of pulmonary dysfunction.", "PMID": 768513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2523", "title": "The management of traumatic asphyxia: case report and literature review.", "content": "Traumatic asphyxia is not as benign as has been indicated in the literature (2, 4) and may represent a life-threatening process. A thorough understanding of the involved pathophysiology coupled with aggressive cardiopulmonary management is essential for patient survival. In cases with severe pulmonary injury, the judicious employment of respirator and PEEP therapy is emphasized.", "contents": "The management of traumatic asphyxia: case report and literature review. Traumatic asphyxia is not as benign as has been indicated in the literature (2, 4) and may represent a life-threatening process. A thorough understanding of the involved pathophysiology coupled with aggressive cardiopulmonary management is essential for patient survival. In cases with severe pulmonary injury, the judicious employment of respirator and PEEP therapy is emphasized.", "PMID": 768514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2524", "title": "Effect of the \"RNA control\" locus in Escherichia coli on RNA bacteriophage R23 replication.", "content": "The effect of the rel gene of Escherichia coli on the RNA synthesis induced by phage R23 was studied. This RNA phage has the property of inhibiting ribosomal RNA formation and completely dominating the RNA synthesis of the host. Phage-specific RNA formation was found to be dependent on the allelic state of the rel gene. Determinations of RNA synthesis were made by both cumulative and short-term incorporations of uracil and adenine. Variations in labeling of nucleotide pools were compensated for by determining specific activities of ATP and UTP and using these values to obtain true, relative rates of RNA synthesis.", "contents": "Effect of the \"RNA control\" locus in Escherichia coli on RNA bacteriophage R23 replication. The effect of the rel gene of Escherichia coli on the RNA synthesis induced by phage R23 was studied. This RNA phage has the property of inhibiting ribosomal RNA formation and completely dominating the RNA synthesis of the host. Phage-specific RNA formation was found to be dependent on the allelic state of the rel gene. Determinations of RNA synthesis were made by both cumulative and short-term incorporations of uracil and adenine. Variations in labeling of nucleotide pools were compensated for by determining specific activities of ATP and UTP and using these values to obtain true, relative rates of RNA synthesis.", "PMID": 768516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2525", "title": "Bacteriophage T4-induced shut-off of host-specific translation.", "content": "To study the mechanism by which bacteriophage T4 inhibits the synthesis of inducible host enzymes we measured the formation of beta-galactosidase from preformed lac mRNA. Beta-Galactosidase was induced with isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside in the presence of 7-azatryptophan, a tryptophan analogue that is incorporated into proteins and renders the beta-galactosidase formed inactive. The accumulated las mRNA was measured by capacity to form active beta-galactosidase after a chase of the analogue with excess tryptophan. After T4 infection the ability to form beta-galactosidase from the preformed lac mRNA was rapidly lost even when T4 infection took place in the presence of rifampin. This restriction was dependent on the multiplicity of infection. At a multiplicity of infection of 8.6, 90% of the ability to express preformed lac mRNA was lost within 30 s. The kinetics of cessation of beta-galactosidase synthesis after T4 infection indicate that infection blocks initiation of lac mRNA translation.", "contents": "Bacteriophage T4-induced shut-off of host-specific translation. To study the mechanism by which bacteriophage T4 inhibits the synthesis of inducible host enzymes we measured the formation of beta-galactosidase from preformed lac mRNA. Beta-Galactosidase was induced with isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside in the presence of 7-azatryptophan, a tryptophan analogue that is incorporated into proteins and renders the beta-galactosidase formed inactive. The accumulated las mRNA was measured by capacity to form active beta-galactosidase after a chase of the analogue with excess tryptophan. After T4 infection the ability to form beta-galactosidase from the preformed lac mRNA was rapidly lost even when T4 infection took place in the presence of rifampin. This restriction was dependent on the multiplicity of infection. At a multiplicity of infection of 8.6, 90% of the ability to express preformed lac mRNA was lost within 30 s. The kinetics of cessation of beta-galactosidase synthesis after T4 infection indicate that infection blocks initiation of lac mRNA translation.", "PMID": 768517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2526", "title": "Virus-like particles from killer, neutral, and sensitive strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Procedures were developed for purification of virus-like particles (VLPs) from killer, neutral, and sensitive strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Morphologically similar spherical VLPs measuring 40 nm in diameter were extracted from all three phenotypes. The particles were partially purified by high-speed centrifugation through a layer of CsCl (1.26 g/cm3) and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Gradient-purified preparations contained three centrifugal species that sedimented at approximately 43, 102, and 162S. The 43S component is considered to be an artifact. Preparations from killer strains contained three double-stranded RNA (ds-RNA) components with molecular weights of 1.19 x 10(6), 1.29 x 10(6) and 2.54 x 10(6). VLPs from neutral and sensitive strains contained only the largest ds-RNA species. VLP preparations were subsequently separated into two major density components by CsCl equilibrium gradient centrifugation. The light component banding at 1.28 to 1.30 g/cm3 was void of nucleic acid, and the heavy component banding at 1.40 g/cm3 contained only the largest ds-RNA species.", "contents": "Virus-like particles from killer, neutral, and sensitive strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Procedures were developed for purification of virus-like particles (VLPs) from killer, neutral, and sensitive strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Morphologically similar spherical VLPs measuring 40 nm in diameter were extracted from all three phenotypes. The particles were partially purified by high-speed centrifugation through a layer of CsCl (1.26 g/cm3) and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Gradient-purified preparations contained three centrifugal species that sedimented at approximately 43, 102, and 162S. The 43S component is considered to be an artifact. Preparations from killer strains contained three double-stranded RNA (ds-RNA) components with molecular weights of 1.19 x 10(6), 1.29 x 10(6) and 2.54 x 10(6). VLPs from neutral and sensitive strains contained only the largest ds-RNA species. VLP preparations were subsequently separated into two major density components by CsCl equilibrium gradient centrifugation. The light component banding at 1.28 to 1.30 g/cm3 was void of nucleic acid, and the heavy component banding at 1.40 g/cm3 contained only the largest ds-RNA species.", "PMID": 768518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2527", "title": "[Technique and interpretation of cystomanometry in the neurological bladder of the child (author's transl)].", "content": "One hundred and twelve cystomanometric investigations were carried out in 86 children, 67 of them were suffering from a neurological bladder. Measurement of the vesical pressure was carried out by the suprapubic route, furthermore the rectal pressure and pneumogram were recorded. This technique enables the study of vesical tonus and activity, and also permits estimation of peripheral resistance.", "contents": "[Technique and interpretation of cystomanometry in the neurological bladder of the child (author's transl)]. One hundred and twelve cystomanometric investigations were carried out in 86 children, 67 of them were suffering from a neurological bladder. Measurement of the vesical pressure was carried out by the suprapubic route, furthermore the rectal pressure and pneumogram were recorded. This technique enables the study of vesical tonus and activity, and also permits estimation of peripheral resistance.", "PMID": 768515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2528", "title": "Identification and preliminary characterization of a mutant defective in the bacteriophage T4-induced unfolding of the Escherichia coli nucleoid.", "content": "The nucleoids of Escherichia coli S/6/5 cells are rapidly unfolded at about 3 min after infection with wild-type T4 bacteriophage or with nuclear disruption deficient, host DNA degradation-deficient multiple mutants of phage T4. Unfolding does not occur after infection with T4 phage ghosts. Experiments using chloramphenicol to inhibit protein synthesis indicate that the T4-induced unfolding of the E. coli chromosomes is dependent on the presence of one or more protein synthesized between 2 and 3 min after infection. A mutant of phage T4 has been isolated which fails to induce this early unfolding of the host nucleoids. This mutant has been termed \"unfoldase deficient\" (unf-) despite the fact that the function of the gene product defective in this strain is not yet known. Mapping experiments indicate that the unf- mutation is located near gene 63 between genes 31 and 63. The folded genomes of E. coli S/6/5 cells remain essentially intact (2,000-3,000S) at 5 min after infection with unfoldase-, nuclear disruption-, and host DNA degradation-deficient T4 phage. Nuclear disruption occurs normally after infection with unfoldase- and host DNA degradation-deficient but nuclear disruption-proficient (ndd+), T4 phage. The host chromosomes remain partially folded (1,200-1,800S) at 5 min after infection with the unfoldase single mutant unf39 x 5 or an unfoldase- and host DNA degradation-deficient, but nuclear disruption-proficient, T4 strain. The presence of the unfoldase mutation causes a slight delay in host DNA degradation in the presence of nuclear disruption but has no effect on the rate of host DNA degradation in the absence of nuclear disruption. Its presence in nuclear disruption- and host DNA degradation-deficient multiple mutants does not alter the shutoff to host DNA or protein synthesis.", "contents": "Identification and preliminary characterization of a mutant defective in the bacteriophage T4-induced unfolding of the Escherichia coli nucleoid. The nucleoids of Escherichia coli S/6/5 cells are rapidly unfolded at about 3 min after infection with wild-type T4 bacteriophage or with nuclear disruption deficient, host DNA degradation-deficient multiple mutants of phage T4. Unfolding does not occur after infection with T4 phage ghosts. Experiments using chloramphenicol to inhibit protein synthesis indicate that the T4-induced unfolding of the E. coli chromosomes is dependent on the presence of one or more protein synthesized between 2 and 3 min after infection. A mutant of phage T4 has been isolated which fails to induce this early unfolding of the host nucleoids. This mutant has been termed \"unfoldase deficient\" (unf-) despite the fact that the function of the gene product defective in this strain is not yet known. Mapping experiments indicate that the unf- mutation is located near gene 63 between genes 31 and 63. The folded genomes of E. coli S/6/5 cells remain essentially intact (2,000-3,000S) at 5 min after infection with unfoldase-, nuclear disruption-, and host DNA degradation-deficient T4 phage. Nuclear disruption occurs normally after infection with unfoldase- and host DNA degradation-deficient but nuclear disruption-proficient (ndd+), T4 phage. The host chromosomes remain partially folded (1,200-1,800S) at 5 min after infection with the unfoldase single mutant unf39 x 5 or an unfoldase- and host DNA degradation-deficient, but nuclear disruption-proficient, T4 strain. The presence of the unfoldase mutation causes a slight delay in host DNA degradation in the presence of nuclear disruption but has no effect on the rate of host DNA degradation in the absence of nuclear disruption. Its presence in nuclear disruption- and host DNA degradation-deficient multiple mutants does not alter the shutoff to host DNA or protein synthesis.", "PMID": 768519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2529", "title": "Sonic fragility of the head-tail bond of bacteriophage P22.", "content": "The binding of tail parts to the head of phage P22 is normally irreversible, but after adsorption to host cells sonication releases many of the tail parts intact. This release is dependent on the power of sonication, but is independent of the length of sonication from 2 to 32 s. This phenomenon has been used to show that the upper limit of the number of P22 particles that can bind to a cell is no lower than 700.", "contents": "Sonic fragility of the head-tail bond of bacteriophage P22. The binding of tail parts to the head of phage P22 is normally irreversible, but after adsorption to host cells sonication releases many of the tail parts intact. This release is dependent on the power of sonication, but is independent of the length of sonication from 2 to 32 s. This phenomenon has been used to show that the upper limit of the number of P22 particles that can bind to a cell is no lower than 700.", "PMID": 768520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2530", "title": "Comparison of biophysical and morphological properties of occluded and extracellular nonoccluded baculovirus from in vivo and in vitro host systems.", "content": "Electron microscopic examination and buoyant density profiles of nonoccluded Rachiplusia ou and Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis viruses purified from both infectious insect hemolymph and cell culture medium revealed that the viruses are enveloped, single nucleocapsids. The envelopes exhibited variation in the amount and degree of fit with regard to the nucleocapsids. This was determined by: (i) electron microscopic observations of virus budding from the surface of infected cells; (ii) electron microscopic observations of negatively stained preparations of pelleted, highly purified, nonoccluded enveloped particles; and (iii) the resolution and density distributions of nonoccluded virus in sucrose gradients after centrifugation to equilibrium; all were compared with virus extracted from polyhedra. Peplomers, ovserved on the surface of enveloped nucleocapsids of nonoccluded virus, are not associated with polyhedra-derived virus. Density gradient analysis indicated that virus from insect hemolymph and culture medium exhibited similar densities of approximately 1.17 to 1.18 g/ml. This is significantly different from the buoyant density of an alkali-liberated, enveloped single nucleocapsid (1.20 g/ml). Results of this study show that the nonoccluded forms of two nuclear polyhedrosis viruses from two different sources, hemolymph and cell culture, are similar with regard to several morphological and biophysical characteristics but are quite different from the alkali-liberated, polyhedra-derived form of the virus.", "contents": "Comparison of biophysical and morphological properties of occluded and extracellular nonoccluded baculovirus from in vivo and in vitro host systems. Electron microscopic examination and buoyant density profiles of nonoccluded Rachiplusia ou and Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis viruses purified from both infectious insect hemolymph and cell culture medium revealed that the viruses are enveloped, single nucleocapsids. The envelopes exhibited variation in the amount and degree of fit with regard to the nucleocapsids. This was determined by: (i) electron microscopic observations of virus budding from the surface of infected cells; (ii) electron microscopic observations of negatively stained preparations of pelleted, highly purified, nonoccluded enveloped particles; and (iii) the resolution and density distributions of nonoccluded virus in sucrose gradients after centrifugation to equilibrium; all were compared with virus extracted from polyhedra. Peplomers, ovserved on the surface of enveloped nucleocapsids of nonoccluded virus, are not associated with polyhedra-derived virus. Density gradient analysis indicated that virus from insect hemolymph and culture medium exhibited similar densities of approximately 1.17 to 1.18 g/ml. This is significantly different from the buoyant density of an alkali-liberated, enveloped single nucleocapsid (1.20 g/ml). Results of this study show that the nonoccluded forms of two nuclear polyhedrosis viruses from two different sources, hemolymph and cell culture, are similar with regard to several morphological and biophysical characteristics but are quite different from the alkali-liberated, polyhedra-derived form of the virus.", "PMID": 768521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2531", "title": "Pleiotropic effects of mutants in gene A of bacteriophage phi chi 174.", "content": "It has previously been established that the functional gene A product of phi chi X 174 is required for double-stranded DNA replication and that mutants in gene A affect the lysis of the host cell. We report here other alterations of normal phenotype for a subset of gene A mutants suggesting additional functions of gene A. Mutants in the subset failed to terminate cellular DNA synthesis and were unable to efficiently inactivate the colony-forming ability of the host. Two mutants in a second group retained the ability to kill the infected cell, although only one of these mutants efficiently terminated cellular DNA synthesis. Normal termination of cellular DNA synthesis did not occur by the production of random multiple breaks in the DNA, although it may have occurred by the selective production of breaks in newly synthesized DNA. It has previously been shown that two protein products are produced from the gene A region, the smaller of which is a C-terminal fragment of the larger. The separate phenotypes reported here for the two groups of mutants in gene A are consistent with separate functions for the two gene products previously reported.", "contents": "Pleiotropic effects of mutants in gene A of bacteriophage phi chi 174. It has previously been established that the functional gene A product of phi chi X 174 is required for double-stranded DNA replication and that mutants in gene A affect the lysis of the host cell. We report here other alterations of normal phenotype for a subset of gene A mutants suggesting additional functions of gene A. Mutants in the subset failed to terminate cellular DNA synthesis and were unable to efficiently inactivate the colony-forming ability of the host. Two mutants in a second group retained the ability to kill the infected cell, although only one of these mutants efficiently terminated cellular DNA synthesis. Normal termination of cellular DNA synthesis did not occur by the production of random multiple breaks in the DNA, although it may have occurred by the selective production of breaks in newly synthesized DNA. It has previously been shown that two protein products are produced from the gene A region, the smaller of which is a C-terminal fragment of the larger. The separate phenotypes reported here for the two groups of mutants in gene A are consistent with separate functions for the two gene products previously reported.", "PMID": 768522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2532", "title": "Role of the bacteriophage P22 tail in the early stages of infection.", "content": "The initial binding of phage P22 to its host, Salmonella typhimurium, is dependent in a linear fashion on the number of tail parts per phage head. (The normal head has six.) There is also a later step which depends on tail parts. This step must occur some time after hydrolysis of the O antigen has been initiated and before ejection of phage DNA from the head is complete. This step causes PFU to depend on approximately the third power of the number of tail parts per head.", "contents": "Role of the bacteriophage P22 tail in the early stages of infection. The initial binding of phage P22 to its host, Salmonella typhimurium, is dependent in a linear fashion on the number of tail parts per phage head. (The normal head has six.) There is also a later step which depends on tail parts. This step must occur some time after hydrolysis of the O antigen has been initiated and before ejection of phage DNA from the head is complete. This step causes PFU to depend on approximately the third power of the number of tail parts per head.", "PMID": 768524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2533", "title": "Mutants of bacteriophage T4 deficient in the ability to induce nuclear disruption: shutoff of host DNA and protein synthesis gene dosage experiments, identification of a restrictive host, and possible biological significance.", "content": "The shutoff of host DNA synthesis is delayed until about 8 to 10 min after infection when Escherichia coli B/5 cells were infected with bacteriophage T4 mutants deficient in the ability to induce nuclear disruption (ndd mutants). The host DNA synthesized after infection with ndd mutants is stable in the absence of T4 endonucleases II and IV, but is unstable in the presence of these nucleases. Host protein synthesis, as indicated by the inducibility of beta-galactosidase and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel patterns of isoptopically labeled proteins synthesize after infection, is shut off normally in ndd-infected cells, even in the absence of host DNA degradation. The Cal Tech wild-type strain of E. coli CT447 was found to restrict growth of the ndd mutants. Since T4D+ also has a very low efficiency of plating on CT447, we have isolated a nitrosoguanidine-induced derivative of CT447 which yields a high T4D+ efficiency of plating while still restricting the ndd mutants. Using this derivative, CT447 T4 plq+ (for T4 plaque+), we have shown that hos DNA degradation and shutoff of host DNA synthesis occur after infection with either ndd98 X 5 (shutoff delayed) or T4D+ (shutoff normal) with approximately the same kinetics as in E. coli strain B/5. Nuclear disruption occurs after infection of CT447 with ndd+ phage, but not after infection with ndd- phage. The rate of DNA synthesis after infection of CT447 T4 plq+ with ndd98 X 5 is about 75% of the rate observed after infection with T4D+ while the burst size of ndd98 X 5 is only 3.5% of that of T4D+. The results of gene dosage experiments using the ndd restrictive host C5447 suggest that the ndd gene product is required in stoichiometric amounts. The observation by thin-section electron microscopy of two distinct pools of DNA, one apparently phage DNA and the other host DNA, in cells infected with nuclear disruption may be a compartmentalization mechanism which separates the pathways of host DNA degradation and phage DNA biosynthesis.", "contents": "Mutants of bacteriophage T4 deficient in the ability to induce nuclear disruption: shutoff of host DNA and protein synthesis gene dosage experiments, identification of a restrictive host, and possible biological significance. The shutoff of host DNA synthesis is delayed until about 8 to 10 min after infection when Escherichia coli B/5 cells were infected with bacteriophage T4 mutants deficient in the ability to induce nuclear disruption (ndd mutants). The host DNA synthesized after infection with ndd mutants is stable in the absence of T4 endonucleases II and IV, but is unstable in the presence of these nucleases. Host protein synthesis, as indicated by the inducibility of beta-galactosidase and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel patterns of isoptopically labeled proteins synthesize after infection, is shut off normally in ndd-infected cells, even in the absence of host DNA degradation. The Cal Tech wild-type strain of E. coli CT447 was found to restrict growth of the ndd mutants. Since T4D+ also has a very low efficiency of plating on CT447, we have isolated a nitrosoguanidine-induced derivative of CT447 which yields a high T4D+ efficiency of plating while still restricting the ndd mutants. Using this derivative, CT447 T4 plq+ (for T4 plaque+), we have shown that hos DNA degradation and shutoff of host DNA synthesis occur after infection with either ndd98 X 5 (shutoff delayed) or T4D+ (shutoff normal) with approximately the same kinetics as in E. coli strain B/5. Nuclear disruption occurs after infection of CT447 with ndd+ phage, but not after infection with ndd- phage. The rate of DNA synthesis after infection of CT447 T4 plq+ with ndd98 X 5 is about 75% of the rate observed after infection with T4D+ while the burst size of ndd98 X 5 is only 3.5% of that of T4D+. The results of gene dosage experiments using the ndd restrictive host C5447 suggest that the ndd gene product is required in stoichiometric amounts. The observation by thin-section electron microscopy of two distinct pools of DNA, one apparently phage DNA and the other host DNA, in cells infected with nuclear disruption may be a compartmentalization mechanism which separates the pathways of host DNA degradation and phage DNA biosynthesis.", "PMID": 768523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2534", "title": "UV sensitivity of a nonrepressor regulatory protein of bacteriophage P22.", "content": "The product of phage P22 gene c1 has two functions: it promotes synthesis of P22 repressor and it retards expression of some lytic genes. We present evidence that this product is inactivated in UV-irradiated hosts. The conditions for inactivation of c1 product include a functional DNA recombination system involving the host recA gene.", "contents": "UV sensitivity of a nonrepressor regulatory protein of bacteriophage P22. The product of phage P22 gene c1 has two functions: it promotes synthesis of P22 repressor and it retards expression of some lytic genes. We present evidence that this product is inactivated in UV-irradiated hosts. The conditions for inactivation of c1 product include a functional DNA recombination system involving the host recA gene.", "PMID": 768525} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2535", "title": "Management of urinary fistulas after renal transplantation.", "content": "Urinary fistulas developed in 13 of 134 patients after renal transplantation. Bladder fistulas originating from the anterior suture line in 6 patients were satisfactorily managed by urethral or paravesical drainage. Fistulas arising from the donor ureter were best treated by surgical repair using the recipient's own ureter. Caliceal fistulas in 3 patients were successfully treated with nephrostomy drainage. A favorable outcome was achieved in 11 of the 13 patients, with closure of the fistula and preservation of renal function.", "contents": "Management of urinary fistulas after renal transplantation. Urinary fistulas developed in 13 of 134 patients after renal transplantation. Bladder fistulas originating from the anterior suture line in 6 patients were satisfactorily managed by urethral or paravesical drainage. Fistulas arising from the donor ureter were best treated by surgical repair using the recipient's own ureter. Caliceal fistulas in 3 patients were successfully treated with nephrostomy drainage. A favorable outcome was achieved in 11 of the 13 patients, with closure of the fistula and preservation of renal function.", "PMID": 768526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2536", "title": "Management of extensively destroyed ureter: special reference to renal autotransplantation.", "content": "Renal autotransplantation has been attempted 6 times in 4 patients for the correction of extensive ureteral disease. Indications in these patients include trauma secondary to ureterolithotomy and spinal fusion, and failed supravesical diversionary procedures. Included in our report is the first case of autotransplantation associated with ureterosigmoidostomy. Renal autotransplantation is an effective method to restore or preserve renal function in patients with extensive ureteral damage or disease. However, the procedure should not be considered in poor risk patients with good contralateral renal function or in patients in whom standard reparative procedures are possible. The hazard is real of vascular spasm, poor perfusion and ultimate autograft failure in kidneys with advanced chronic pyelonephritis and/or inflammation involving the renal pedicle. Autotransplantation should be considered only as a last resort in such patients.", "contents": "Management of extensively destroyed ureter: special reference to renal autotransplantation. Renal autotransplantation has been attempted 6 times in 4 patients for the correction of extensive ureteral disease. Indications in these patients include trauma secondary to ureterolithotomy and spinal fusion, and failed supravesical diversionary procedures. Included in our report is the first case of autotransplantation associated with ureterosigmoidostomy. Renal autotransplantation is an effective method to restore or preserve renal function in patients with extensive ureteral damage or disease. However, the procedure should not be considered in poor risk patients with good contralateral renal function or in patients in whom standard reparative procedures are possible. The hazard is real of vascular spasm, poor perfusion and ultimate autograft failure in kidneys with advanced chronic pyelonephritis and/or inflammation involving the renal pedicle. Autotransplantation should be considered only as a last resort in such patients.", "PMID": 768527} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2537", "title": "Changes in cell-mediated cytotoxicity during the clinical course of patients with bladder carcinoma.", "content": "The conventional cell-mediated cytotoxicity assay was modified so that more useful estimates of cell-mediated immunity to transitional cell carcimoma of the urinary tract could be obtained. With this modified assay changes in the levels of cell-mediated immunity in transitional cell carcinoma patients to transitional cell carcinoma target cells were measured during the clinical course. Initial results from a small number of patients with invasive and non-invasive tumors showed that anti-transitional cell carcinoma cell-mediated immunity increased after the tumor was removed and during administration of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin.", "contents": "Changes in cell-mediated cytotoxicity during the clinical course of patients with bladder carcinoma. The conventional cell-mediated cytotoxicity assay was modified so that more useful estimates of cell-mediated immunity to transitional cell carcimoma of the urinary tract could be obtained. With this modified assay changes in the levels of cell-mediated immunity in transitional cell carcinoma patients to transitional cell carcinoma target cells were measured during the clinical course. Initial results from a small number of patients with invasive and non-invasive tumors showed that anti-transitional cell carcinoma cell-mediated immunity increased after the tumor was removed and during administration of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin.", "PMID": 768528} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2538", "title": "Reflux into the unused ureter.", "content": "Reflux occurs into unused ureters in patients with urinary diversion and renal tranplantation, and into the ipsilateral ureter in patients with renal agenesis or dysplasia. Efflux may prevent reflux in patients with normal ureterovesical anatomy. If urine begins to flow down the ureter again the reflux may cease. Thus, in patients undergoing urinary tract reconstruction, undiversion should be done before an antireflux operation is performed. Reimplantation can be done after undiversion on a normal capacity bladder if the reflux persists.", "contents": "Reflux into the unused ureter. Reflux occurs into unused ureters in patients with urinary diversion and renal tranplantation, and into the ipsilateral ureter in patients with renal agenesis or dysplasia. Efflux may prevent reflux in patients with normal ureterovesical anatomy. If urine begins to flow down the ureter again the reflux may cease. Thus, in patients undergoing urinary tract reconstruction, undiversion should be done before an antireflux operation is performed. Reimplantation can be done after undiversion on a normal capacity bladder if the reflux persists.", "PMID": 768530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2539", "title": "Leptospirosis in small mammals of Iran: I. Serologic tests and isolation of Leptospira hebdomadis from Apodemus sylvaticus.", "content": "Leptospires of the hebdomadis sero-group and related to sejroe serotype, were isolated from the kidney of a vole (Apodemus sylvaticus) by direct culture as well as by animal inoculation. Sera of the vole from which leptospires were isolated, and serologic specimens from 1372 other small mammals, were negative for leptospiral agglutinins.", "contents": "Leptospirosis in small mammals of Iran: I. Serologic tests and isolation of Leptospira hebdomadis from Apodemus sylvaticus. Leptospires of the hebdomadis sero-group and related to sejroe serotype, were isolated from the kidney of a vole (Apodemus sylvaticus) by direct culture as well as by animal inoculation. Sera of the vole from which leptospires were isolated, and serologic specimens from 1372 other small mammals, were negative for leptospiral agglutinins.", "PMID": 768531} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2540", "title": "Unfavorable effect of atropine-diphenoxylate (Lomotil) therapy in lincomycin-caused diarrhea.", "content": "In this double-blind, randomized study, 200 normal subjects received a three-day course of one of five treatment regimens: lincomycin hydrochloride monohydrate injection (sterile solution, 300 mg/ml) with two tablets of either placebo, a mixture of atropine sulfate and diphenoxylate hydrochloride (Lomotil), an aspirin-phenacetin-caffeine (APC) combination or the latter with codeine, or an injection of saline with two placebo tablets. Gastrointestinal irritation was most prominent in subjects receiving lincomycin with atropine-diphenoxylate and lincomycin with APC plus codeine (P less than .05). Decreased intestinal motility from atropine-diphenoxylate or codeine may increase the contact time between the lincomycin (or its metabolites) or some developing toxic substances and the mucosal epithelium. The use of atropine-diphenoxylate or codeine in treating lincomycin-induced diarrhea may be questionable.", "contents": "Unfavorable effect of atropine-diphenoxylate (Lomotil) therapy in lincomycin-caused diarrhea. In this double-blind, randomized study, 200 normal subjects received a three-day course of one of five treatment regimens: lincomycin hydrochloride monohydrate injection (sterile solution, 300 mg/ml) with two tablets of either placebo, a mixture of atropine sulfate and diphenoxylate hydrochloride (Lomotil), an aspirin-phenacetin-caffeine (APC) combination or the latter with codeine, or an injection of saline with two placebo tablets. Gastrointestinal irritation was most prominent in subjects receiving lincomycin with atropine-diphenoxylate and lincomycin with APC plus codeine (P less than .05). Decreased intestinal motility from atropine-diphenoxylate or codeine may increase the contact time between the lincomycin (or its metabolites) or some developing toxic substances and the mucosal epithelium. The use of atropine-diphenoxylate or codeine in treating lincomycin-induced diarrhea may be questionable.", "PMID": 768533} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2541", "title": "Ex vivo surgical dissection. Autotransplantation in renal disease.", "content": "Ex vivo dissection, reconstruction, and autotransplantation have been performed in a total of five patients. Two had intrarenal aneurysms, and in three, this treatment was deemed best suitable. One patient has sustained normal renal function with as little as one third of his remaining kidney. There are techniques now available to provide a means of ex vivo preservation of organs adequate to sustain renal viability during bench surgery.", "contents": "Ex vivo surgical dissection. Autotransplantation in renal disease. Ex vivo dissection, reconstruction, and autotransplantation have been performed in a total of five patients. Two had intrarenal aneurysms, and in three, this treatment was deemed best suitable. One patient has sustained normal renal function with as little as one third of his remaining kidney. There are techniques now available to provide a means of ex vivo preservation of organs adequate to sustain renal viability during bench surgery.", "PMID": 768536} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2542", "title": "Cultures of blood drawn by catheters vs venipuncture.", "content": "Cultures of blood drawn through indwelling intravascular venous and arterial cannulas were compared with those of blood drawn simultaneously by percutaneous venipuncture. In 92% of 174 comparisons, the results were identical. Cultures of blood drawn through indwelling intravascular catheters are as reliable as those of percutaneously obtained samples. In addition, the speed, ease, and lack of trauma in obtaining blood for cultures in critically ill patients further recommends this technique.", "contents": "Cultures of blood drawn by catheters vs venipuncture. Cultures of blood drawn through indwelling intravascular venous and arterial cannulas were compared with those of blood drawn simultaneously by percutaneous venipuncture. In 92% of 174 comparisons, the results were identical. Cultures of blood drawn through indwelling intravascular catheters are as reliable as those of percutaneously obtained samples. In addition, the speed, ease, and lack of trauma in obtaining blood for cultures in critically ill patients further recommends this technique.", "PMID": 768539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2543", "title": "Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with asystole and syncope: report of a case of sinus node dysfunction with hypokalemia and hypertension.", "content": "A patient is presented who developed syncope due to asystole following paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Suppression of intrinsic cardiac pacemakers during tachycardia is postulated as the mechanism for asystole. This patient might have sinus node dysfunction. The episodes of tachycardia occurred more often when the serum potassium level was low.", "contents": "Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with asystole and syncope: report of a case of sinus node dysfunction with hypokalemia and hypertension. A patient is presented who developed syncope due to asystole following paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Suppression of intrinsic cardiac pacemakers during tachycardia is postulated as the mechanism for asystole. This patient might have sinus node dysfunction. The episodes of tachycardia occurred more often when the serum potassium level was low.", "PMID": 768546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2544", "title": "[Behavior of fibrinogen-split-product-E in fibrinuria following allogeneic kidney transplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "80 urine samples from 10 kidney grafted patients were immunologically analyzed for detection of fibrin degradation products by various techniques. Split product E, which was quantitatively determined by two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis only contributes to a minor part to fibrinuria, but increases significantly during periods of severe acute rejection also during the first 2-3 weeks, when overall fibrinuria is not a useful indicator of impending rejection. Determination of split-product E therefore seems to be a valuable diagnostic procedure.", "contents": "[Behavior of fibrinogen-split-product-E in fibrinuria following allogeneic kidney transplantation (author's transl)]. 80 urine samples from 10 kidney grafted patients were immunologically analyzed for detection of fibrin degradation products by various techniques. Split product E, which was quantitatively determined by two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis only contributes to a minor part to fibrinuria, but increases significantly during periods of severe acute rejection also during the first 2-3 weeks, when overall fibrinuria is not a useful indicator of impending rejection. Determination of split-product E therefore seems to be a valuable diagnostic procedure.", "PMID": 768629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2545", "title": "[Value and limitations of coronary blood flow measurement in man (author's transl)].", "content": "Attempts to measure coronary blood flow in man have made considerable progress during the last 25 years. The major techniques are based on the direct or indirect Fick principle; coronary flow is calculated from the arterio-coronary venous difference of inert gases or from the precordial recorded disappearance curve of radioactive gases or substances. The accuracy of the techniques depends upon the properties or the indicators used and the precision of their determination. All techniques applied hitherto are intricate and unsuitable for general use. -A lot of information is obtained about coronary circulation in health and disease by coronary flow measurements in man. Further studies in this field may influence pathophysiological and clinical concepts especially concerning coronary heart disease.", "contents": "[Value and limitations of coronary blood flow measurement in man (author's transl)]. Attempts to measure coronary blood flow in man have made considerable progress during the last 25 years. The major techniques are based on the direct or indirect Fick principle; coronary flow is calculated from the arterio-coronary venous difference of inert gases or from the precordial recorded disappearance curve of radioactive gases or substances. The accuracy of the techniques depends upon the properties or the indicators used and the precision of their determination. All techniques applied hitherto are intricate and unsuitable for general use. -A lot of information is obtained about coronary circulation in health and disease by coronary flow measurements in man. Further studies in this field may influence pathophysiological and clinical concepts especially concerning coronary heart disease.", "PMID": 768628} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2546", "title": "[Present state in synchronization therapy of malignant tumors and acute leukemias (author's transl)].", "content": "Chemotherapy of malignant tumors can be made more effective by synchronization of the cell cycle. Synchronization therapy consists of a synchronizing step (phase I), an interval and a cytocidal step (phase II). Some regimens till now approved in clinical treatment are presented. The results are found to be encouraging. In all schedules three effects work together namely synchronization recruitment, summation.", "contents": "[Present state in synchronization therapy of malignant tumors and acute leukemias (author's transl)]. Chemotherapy of malignant tumors can be made more effective by synchronization of the cell cycle. Synchronization therapy consists of a synchronizing step (phase I), an interval and a cytocidal step (phase II). Some regimens till now approved in clinical treatment are presented. The results are found to be encouraging. In all schedules three effects work together namely synchronization recruitment, summation.", "PMID": 768630} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2547", "title": "Pinworm infections in laboratory rodents: a review.", "content": "The important and common oxyurids which affect laboratory rodents- Syphacia spp., Aspiculuris tetraptera and Passalurus ambiguus-are discussed and reviewed. Their life histories, pathogenicity and immunity are examined, and mention is made of the influence of age, sex, strain and host status on infection. The importance of using worm-free animals in experimental work is stressed, and guidance is given on diagnosis and control.", "contents": "Pinworm infections in laboratory rodents: a review. The important and common oxyurids which affect laboratory rodents- Syphacia spp., Aspiculuris tetraptera and Passalurus ambiguus-are discussed and reviewed. Their life histories, pathogenicity and immunity are examined, and mention is made of the influence of age, sex, strain and host status on infection. The importance of using worm-free animals in experimental work is stressed, and guidance is given on diagnosis and control.", "PMID": 768631} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2548", "title": "Computer-aided speech training for the deaf.", "content": "An effort to develop a computer-based system of speech-training aids for the deaf is reported. The system is described, as are four different types of visual displays that have been programmed to date. The use of the system in a school for the deaf and an attempt to evaluate its effectiveness are described. The importance of close collaboration between researchers and teachers on efforts to develop innovative training aids is emphasized, as is the need to resolve some basic pedagogical issues.", "contents": "Computer-aided speech training for the deaf. An effort to develop a computer-based system of speech-training aids for the deaf is reported. The system is described, as are four different types of visual displays that have been programmed to date. The use of the system in a school for the deaf and an attempt to evaluate its effectiveness are described. The importance of close collaboration between researchers and teachers on efforts to develop innovative training aids is emphasized, as is the need to resolve some basic pedagogical issues.", "PMID": 768635} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2549", "title": "Early removal of the eschar in upper extremity burns.", "content": "The rationale behind early removal of the burn is sound, but the techniques presently available to accomplish this are limited. In patients with large area burns, massive excision should be considered only in burn centers prepared to provide the enormous amount of supportive care required. Carefully selected, localized burns of the upper extremity may benefit from timely surgical excision. Final function, particularly in the hand, depends more on the depth of initial injury and involvement of deep structures than on the choice between excision and topical chemotherapy. Enzymatic d\u00e9bridement, though an attractive concept, is presently in the development stage and should be viewed with caution. The success of any procedure for early removal of the eschar depends on prompt and complete wound coverage with skin grafts.", "contents": "Early removal of the eschar in upper extremity burns. The rationale behind early removal of the burn is sound, but the techniques presently available to accomplish this are limited. In patients with large area burns, massive excision should be considered only in burn centers prepared to provide the enormous amount of supportive care required. Carefully selected, localized burns of the upper extremity may benefit from timely surgical excision. Final function, particularly in the hand, depends more on the depth of initial injury and involvement of deep structures than on the choice between excision and topical chemotherapy. Enzymatic d\u00e9bridement, though an attractive concept, is presently in the development stage and should be viewed with caution. The success of any procedure for early removal of the eschar depends on prompt and complete wound coverage with skin grafts.", "PMID": 768643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2550", "title": "Reconstruction of superior vena cava-right atrial continuity and \"anatomic\" repair of transposition of great arteries with ventricular septal defect.", "content": "A superior vena cava-to-right pulmonary artery anastomosis (Glenn procedure), used to palliate certain types of cyanotic congenital heart defects, has usually been left intact at the time of definitive intracardiac repair. Late failure of this shunt has prompted attempts to reestablish superior vena cava-to-right atrium and right ventricle-to-right pulmonary artery continuity. The present patient, a 10-year-old boy with transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and mild pulmonic stenosis, had had a Glenn procedure performed at 3 years of age. Angiography demonstrated a patent superior vena cava-to-right pulmonary anastomosis. The appearance of the main left pulmonary artery and of its peripheral branches suggested the presence of pulmonary vascular obstructive disease in the left lung. Therefore, it was considered advisable to reconnect the right ventricle to the right pulmonary artery, which was \"protected\" by the long-standing low-pressure shunt. The operative result, the intraoperative hemodynamics, and the postoperative assessment of the pulmonary blood flow by means of lung scanning, which clearly demonstrated a preferential perfusion of the right lung, support the validity of this approach.", "contents": "Reconstruction of superior vena cava-right atrial continuity and \"anatomic\" repair of transposition of great arteries with ventricular septal defect. A superior vena cava-to-right pulmonary artery anastomosis (Glenn procedure), used to palliate certain types of cyanotic congenital heart defects, has usually been left intact at the time of definitive intracardiac repair. Late failure of this shunt has prompted attempts to reestablish superior vena cava-to-right atrium and right ventricle-to-right pulmonary artery continuity. The present patient, a 10-year-old boy with transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and mild pulmonic stenosis, had had a Glenn procedure performed at 3 years of age. Angiography demonstrated a patent superior vena cava-to-right pulmonary anastomosis. The appearance of the main left pulmonary artery and of its peripheral branches suggested the presence of pulmonary vascular obstructive disease in the left lung. Therefore, it was considered advisable to reconnect the right ventricle to the right pulmonary artery, which was \"protected\" by the long-standing low-pressure shunt. The operative result, the intraoperative hemodynamics, and the postoperative assessment of the pulmonary blood flow by means of lung scanning, which clearly demonstrated a preferential perfusion of the right lung, support the validity of this approach.", "PMID": 768645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2551", "title": "Sampling intestinal content with a sequestering capsule. A noninvasive technique for determining bile acid kinetics in man.", "content": "A noninvasive technique for determining bile acid kinetics by isotope dilution in man features the intravenous injection of a radiolabeled bile acid, together with daily oral administration, for several days, of capsules of dialysis membrane containing cholestyramine and colored beads for dating. The cholestyramine traps conjugated bile acids during transit of the small intestine. Capsules are recovered from stool by sieving, sequestered bile acid is eluted, conjugated bile acids are isolated chromatographically, and their specific activity is determined. The precision and validity of this sequestering capsule technique were assessed by comparing the specific activity decay curve of chenodeoxycholyl conjugates obtained from capsule samples with that obtained from duodenal samples in seven healthy volunteers in whom the bile acid pool had been labeled with [14C]chenodeoxycholic acid. Estimates of pool size by the two methods correlated well (r = 0.98), as did the daily fractional turnover rate (r = 0.96). The mean (+/-SD) percentage differences for the kinetic parameters of pool size (8.3 +/- 13.6), fractional turnover rate (-15.2 +/- 11.5), and synthesis rate (-4.3 +/- 11.4) were fairly small, indicating that the noninvasive method has validity. However, agreement between simultaneously administered capsules was only fair, especially when the amount of bile acid trapped was small, suggesting that the precision of the capsule technique may be less than that of the conventional duodenal sampling technique; the latter probably obtains a more valid sample of the bile acid pool.", "contents": "Sampling intestinal content with a sequestering capsule. A noninvasive technique for determining bile acid kinetics in man. A noninvasive technique for determining bile acid kinetics by isotope dilution in man features the intravenous injection of a radiolabeled bile acid, together with daily oral administration, for several days, of capsules of dialysis membrane containing cholestyramine and colored beads for dating. The cholestyramine traps conjugated bile acids during transit of the small intestine. Capsules are recovered from stool by sieving, sequestered bile acid is eluted, conjugated bile acids are isolated chromatographically, and their specific activity is determined. The precision and validity of this sequestering capsule technique were assessed by comparing the specific activity decay curve of chenodeoxycholyl conjugates obtained from capsule samples with that obtained from duodenal samples in seven healthy volunteers in whom the bile acid pool had been labeled with [14C]chenodeoxycholic acid. Estimates of pool size by the two methods correlated well (r = 0.98), as did the daily fractional turnover rate (r = 0.96). The mean (+/-SD) percentage differences for the kinetic parameters of pool size (8.3 +/- 13.6), fractional turnover rate (-15.2 +/- 11.5), and synthesis rate (-4.3 +/- 11.4) were fairly small, indicating that the noninvasive method has validity. However, agreement between simultaneously administered capsules was only fair, especially when the amount of bile acid trapped was small, suggesting that the precision of the capsule technique may be less than that of the conventional duodenal sampling technique; the latter probably obtains a more valid sample of the bile acid pool.", "PMID": 768646} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2552", "title": "Medicaid records as a valid data source: the Tennessee experience.", "content": "Health care researchers rarely employ Medicaid claim files as a data base, in part because they are designed to serve fiscal and administrative ends. Indeed, some investigators have emphasized the deficiencies in such records. In contrast, we have found Tennessee Medicaid data to be suitable for research. A statewide automated data processing system reduces the occurrence of many of the errors noted by others. Further, analysis of the July 1974 month of payment file illustrates the accuracy and internal consistency of Tennessee Medicaid data. Specimen legend drug results for ambulatory patients suggest investigations of physician prescribing patterns. Evaluation of the Medicaid claims processing system suggests other applications in health care administration and research. In a time when available resources are dwindling, the incisive use of Medicaid claims files offers an attractive alternative to expensive new systems of data collection and analysis.", "contents": "Medicaid records as a valid data source: the Tennessee experience. Health care researchers rarely employ Medicaid claim files as a data base, in part because they are designed to serve fiscal and administrative ends. Indeed, some investigators have emphasized the deficiencies in such records. In contrast, we have found Tennessee Medicaid data to be suitable for research. A statewide automated data processing system reduces the occurrence of many of the errors noted by others. Further, analysis of the July 1974 month of payment file illustrates the accuracy and internal consistency of Tennessee Medicaid data. Specimen legend drug results for ambulatory patients suggest investigations of physician prescribing patterns. Evaluation of the Medicaid claims processing system suggests other applications in health care administration and research. In a time when available resources are dwindling, the incisive use of Medicaid claims files offers an attractive alternative to expensive new systems of data collection and analysis.", "PMID": 768652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2553", "title": "Mechanical suture techniques in gastro-intestinal surgery: partial gastrectomy B I and B II.", "content": "Out of a total of 140 gastro-intestinal procedures performed with mechanical suture techniques 25 partial gastrectomies (according to Billroth I or II) are discussed. Provided the operating instructions are followed and possible complications are avoided, these mechanical techniques have proved advantageous.", "contents": "Mechanical suture techniques in gastro-intestinal surgery: partial gastrectomy B I and B II. Out of a total of 140 gastro-intestinal procedures performed with mechanical suture techniques 25 partial gastrectomies (according to Billroth I or II) are discussed. Provided the operating instructions are followed and possible complications are avoided, these mechanical techniques have proved advantageous.", "PMID": 768663} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2554", "title": "Recurrent adenotonsillitis: a new concept.", "content": "An update of original data is presented. These data continue to confirm the physiological effect of adenotonsillectomy on the abnormal oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal microflora of children with recurrent adenotonsillitis. A new concept suggesting a bacterial-viral etiology of recurrent adenotonsillitis is presented. The advantages of such a concept are reviewed.", "contents": "Recurrent adenotonsillitis: a new concept. An update of original data is presented. These data continue to confirm the physiological effect of adenotonsillectomy on the abnormal oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal microflora of children with recurrent adenotonsillitis. A new concept suggesting a bacterial-viral etiology of recurrent adenotonsillitis is presented. The advantages of such a concept are reviewed.", "PMID": 768664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2555", "title": "Avoiding complications in radical neck dissection.", "content": "As reported previously, it remains our conclusion that the radical neck dissection can be performed expediently in a reasonable period of time, usually without the need of blood replacement, and is not characterized by major physiologic disability or wound complications secondary to the neck dissection alone. The presence of preoperative radiation, composite resections entering the oral cavity or pharynx, and systemic disease or debilitation, however, vastly enhance the risk of significant life threatening complications and prolong hospitalization; therefore, the use of postoperative radiation therapy in combined treatment, the use of planned fistulas and generally accepted reconstructive techniques, and a careful evaluation of the methods and technique for protection of the carotid artery are recommended.", "contents": "Avoiding complications in radical neck dissection. As reported previously, it remains our conclusion that the radical neck dissection can be performed expediently in a reasonable period of time, usually without the need of blood replacement, and is not characterized by major physiologic disability or wound complications secondary to the neck dissection alone. The presence of preoperative radiation, composite resections entering the oral cavity or pharynx, and systemic disease or debilitation, however, vastly enhance the risk of significant life threatening complications and prolong hospitalization; therefore, the use of postoperative radiation therapy in combined treatment, the use of planned fistulas and generally accepted reconstructive techniques, and a careful evaluation of the methods and technique for protection of the carotid artery are recommended.", "PMID": 768665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2556", "title": "One-stage dermal pedicle flap reconstruction of the oropharynx (an experimental and clinical study).", "content": "A single stage dermal pedicle graft method for reconstruction of oropharyngeal defects is presented. Its successful clinical use is described. The advantages of the method include large surface-to-surface anastomosis which appears to minimize breakdown secondary to hypovascularity of an irradiated recipient bed. Other advantages include its single stage feature, persistent blood supply, avoidance of external tubed pedicles and intermediate salivary fistulas. A histologic study in pigs preceded its clinical use in humans. Findings of both aspects of the study are discussed.", "contents": "One-stage dermal pedicle flap reconstruction of the oropharynx (an experimental and clinical study). A single stage dermal pedicle graft method for reconstruction of oropharyngeal defects is presented. Its successful clinical use is described. The advantages of the method include large surface-to-surface anastomosis which appears to minimize breakdown secondary to hypovascularity of an irradiated recipient bed. Other advantages include its single stage feature, persistent blood supply, avoidance of external tubed pedicles and intermediate salivary fistulas. A histologic study in pigs preceded its clinical use in humans. Findings of both aspects of the study are discussed.", "PMID": 768666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2557", "title": "Tympanomastoid reconstruction: an operative procedure for anatomical and functional restoration of the radicalized ear.", "content": "A new operative procedure for the anatomical and functional restoration of both the middle ear and mastoid is described. The technique employs homograft tympanic membrane with ossicles en bloc for the middle ear reconstruction and a homograft dura form and autogenous bone pate is used to recreate the bony posterior ear canal wall. The reconstructed wall becomes hard viable bone in about one year. Results in terms of wall integrity, tympanic membrane survival and hearing are discussed. The mechanism of new bone formation is discussed with presentation of histologic findings.", "contents": "Tympanomastoid reconstruction: an operative procedure for anatomical and functional restoration of the radicalized ear. A new operative procedure for the anatomical and functional restoration of both the middle ear and mastoid is described. The technique employs homograft tympanic membrane with ossicles en bloc for the middle ear reconstruction and a homograft dura form and autogenous bone pate is used to recreate the bony posterior ear canal wall. The reconstructed wall becomes hard viable bone in about one year. Results in terms of wall integrity, tympanic membrane survival and hearing are discussed. The mechanism of new bone formation is discussed with presentation of histologic findings.", "PMID": 768667} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2558", "title": "[Core and surface antigen of the Dane particle in liver tissue - relation to different forms of hepatitis B (author's transl)].", "content": "The complete Dane particle consists of two serologically and morphologically different components: Core (HBc) and Surface (HBs). HBc is located almost exclusively in the liver cell nucleus and can be demonstrated by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, but not by light microscopy. HBs is located exclusively in the cytoplasm and can be demonstrated by immunofluorescence (IF) and, if present in excess, by electron an light microscopy (as ground-glass hepatocytes). The combined analysis with IF, electron and light microscopy of biopsy specimens taken from patients with different forms of hepatitis with and without immunosuppresive therapy allows recognition of at least four different reaction patterns: 1. Immunosuppression type (= HBc-predominance type), 2. Elimination type, 3. Aggressive type (= HBc+s equivalence type, 4. Carrier type (= HBs-predominance type). The patterns of HB-Antigen components are of prognostic value as to the clinical course of hepatitis. These findings strongly suggest that immune responsiveness determins the reaction pattern, the key mechanism being immune elimination of affected cells. In addition, these findings stress the role of the immune system in regard to the variability to the clinical course of hepatitis B, and shed light on morphological correlations.", "contents": "[Core and surface antigen of the Dane particle in liver tissue - relation to different forms of hepatitis B (author's transl)]. The complete Dane particle consists of two serologically and morphologically different components: Core (HBc) and Surface (HBs). HBc is located almost exclusively in the liver cell nucleus and can be demonstrated by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, but not by light microscopy. HBs is located exclusively in the cytoplasm and can be demonstrated by immunofluorescence (IF) and, if present in excess, by electron an light microscopy (as ground-glass hepatocytes). The combined analysis with IF, electron and light microscopy of biopsy specimens taken from patients with different forms of hepatitis with and without immunosuppresive therapy allows recognition of at least four different reaction patterns: 1. Immunosuppression type (= HBc-predominance type), 2. Elimination type, 3. Aggressive type (= HBc+s equivalence type, 4. Carrier type (= HBs-predominance type). The patterns of HB-Antigen components are of prognostic value as to the clinical course of hepatitis. These findings strongly suggest that immune responsiveness determins the reaction pattern, the key mechanism being immune elimination of affected cells. In addition, these findings stress the role of the immune system in regard to the variability to the clinical course of hepatitis B, and shed light on morphological correlations.", "PMID": 768668} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2559", "title": "Medicolegal implications of medical records.", "content": "The problem of ownership and possession of patient's medical records has been reviewed. The apparent fallacies in the presently accepted legal doctrines regarding ownership of the patient's records by health care providers have been submitted. The legal approaches and tactics available to implement the accessibility and availability of his records to the patient have been reviewed. The problems incident to the employment of statutory enactments as a means of putting the patient's record in his possession have been considered. The various legal theories that could conceivably be utilized in establishing this right on a case-to-case basis in the courts have been presented. The medicolegal implications relating to medical records have been discussed.", "contents": "Medicolegal implications of medical records. The problem of ownership and possession of patient's medical records has been reviewed. The apparent fallacies in the presently accepted legal doctrines regarding ownership of the patient's records by health care providers have been submitted. The legal approaches and tactics available to implement the accessibility and availability of his records to the patient have been reviewed. The problems incident to the employment of statutory enactments as a means of putting the patient's record in his possession have been considered. The various legal theories that could conceivably be utilized in establishing this right on a case-to-case basis in the courts have been presented. The medicolegal implications relating to medical records have been discussed.", "PMID": 768669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2560", "title": "The medicolegal aspects of rapid deaths initiated by hypoxia and anoxia.", "content": "In all forms of death the postmortem findings may be divided into two groups. The first group comprises those of general pathologic changes, such as visceral congestion and petechial hemorrhages. These nonspecific changes are always present in a greater or lesser degree in rapid deaths initiated by hypoxia and anoxia as well as in deaths from shock and natural causes. The second group consists of the pathologic changes which are dependent upon the type of death, eg, the local injuries to the neck in throttling and strangulation, and the color of the blood in acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Such changes are best described as special pathologic changes. In the description of postmortem findings for medicolegal purposes, a clear distinction should be drawn between nonspecific general pathologic changes and special pathologic changes which are dependent upon the type of death. All postmortem findings should be considered under the two headings: (1) special pathologic changes; and (2) nonspecific general pathologic changes.", "contents": "The medicolegal aspects of rapid deaths initiated by hypoxia and anoxia. In all forms of death the postmortem findings may be divided into two groups. The first group comprises those of general pathologic changes, such as visceral congestion and petechial hemorrhages. These nonspecific changes are always present in a greater or lesser degree in rapid deaths initiated by hypoxia and anoxia as well as in deaths from shock and natural causes. The second group consists of the pathologic changes which are dependent upon the type of death, eg, the local injuries to the neck in throttling and strangulation, and the color of the blood in acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Such changes are best described as special pathologic changes. In the description of postmortem findings for medicolegal purposes, a clear distinction should be drawn between nonspecific general pathologic changes and special pathologic changes which are dependent upon the type of death. All postmortem findings should be considered under the two headings: (1) special pathologic changes; and (2) nonspecific general pathologic changes.", "PMID": 768671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2561", "title": "[Experience with the clinical use of the PKS-25 and KTs-28 suturing devices].", "content": "A study of the experience gained during many years of use in the surgical practice of a stitcher PKS-25 for establishing esophageal-intestinal anastomoses and of the KTs-28 apparatus for anastomosing the colon with superjacent segments of the large intestine proved their efficient performance. Their utilization makes it possible to reduce the percentage of lethal outcomes due to inadequacy of the anastomosis sutures following operations involving gastrectomy, resection of the cardia, esophagus and segments of the large intestine.", "contents": "[Experience with the clinical use of the PKS-25 and KTs-28 suturing devices]. A study of the experience gained during many years of use in the surgical practice of a stitcher PKS-25 for establishing esophageal-intestinal anastomoses and of the KTs-28 apparatus for anastomosing the colon with superjacent segments of the large intestine proved their efficient performance. Their utilization makes it possible to reduce the percentage of lethal outcomes due to inadequacy of the anastomosis sutures following operations involving gastrectomy, resection of the cardia, esophagus and segments of the large intestine.", "PMID": 768697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2562", "title": "Pleural mesotheliomas--an analysis of 18 cases and review of the literature.", "content": "Eighteen cases of mesothelioma, 7 benign and 11 malignant, were analyzed retrospectively. There were 5 females with benign tumors and 10 males with the malignant variety. The mean age was 59 years in the benign group and 55 years in those with malignant tumors. Exposure to asbestos was documented in one benign and five malignant mesotheliomas. Three patients with benign lesions were asymptomatic on presentation while all 11 with malignant tumors had symptoms, chest pain and dyspnea being the most frequent. Abnormal physical findings were rarely noted in the benign group while all the malignant tumors had abnormal findings on presentation. Signs of a pleural effusion were the most common abnormal physical findings, occurring in 8 of 11 patients. Pleural effusion was the most common roentgenologic finding in malignant mesotheliomas, while a mass lesion was the presenting finding in six of seven of the benign group. Pleural effusion was a usual accompaniment of malignant tumors and was an exudate, usually hemorrhagic with leukocyte counts up to 20,000/mm3. Thoracotomy established the diagnosis in each of the five benign and seven malignant cases in which it was attempted. Pleural biopsy was diagnostic in three of six with malignant and one of two with benign tumors. Pleural fluid cytology did not yield a diagnosis in the seven instances in which it was studied. Excisional surgery was performed in five of the benign cases and all have survived one to six years. No treatment was curative of malignant mesotheliomas. Ten of the 11 with malignant tumors died from 3 to 24 months after onset of symptoms (mean 9.9 months). The clinical features of 82 benign and 160 malignant mesotheliomas from selected series in the literature are reviewed and compared with the present series. The roentgenographic features of 51 benign and 87 malignant tumors are also presented. The clinical and diagnostic features which help differentiate mesotheliomas from bronchogenic carcinomas are discussed. A careful approach to the diagnosis of malignant mesotheliomas may help avoid an unnecessary thoracotomy.", "contents": "Pleural mesotheliomas--an analysis of 18 cases and review of the literature. Eighteen cases of mesothelioma, 7 benign and 11 malignant, were analyzed retrospectively. There were 5 females with benign tumors and 10 males with the malignant variety. The mean age was 59 years in the benign group and 55 years in those with malignant tumors. Exposure to asbestos was documented in one benign and five malignant mesotheliomas. Three patients with benign lesions were asymptomatic on presentation while all 11 with malignant tumors had symptoms, chest pain and dyspnea being the most frequent. Abnormal physical findings were rarely noted in the benign group while all the malignant tumors had abnormal findings on presentation. Signs of a pleural effusion were the most common abnormal physical findings, occurring in 8 of 11 patients. Pleural effusion was the most common roentgenologic finding in malignant mesotheliomas, while a mass lesion was the presenting finding in six of seven of the benign group. Pleural effusion was a usual accompaniment of malignant tumors and was an exudate, usually hemorrhagic with leukocyte counts up to 20,000/mm3. Thoracotomy established the diagnosis in each of the five benign and seven malignant cases in which it was attempted. Pleural biopsy was diagnostic in three of six with malignant and one of two with benign tumors. Pleural fluid cytology did not yield a diagnosis in the seven instances in which it was studied. Excisional surgery was performed in five of the benign cases and all have survived one to six years. No treatment was curative of malignant mesotheliomas. Ten of the 11 with malignant tumors died from 3 to 24 months after onset of symptoms (mean 9.9 months). The clinical features of 82 benign and 160 malignant mesotheliomas from selected series in the literature are reviewed and compared with the present series. The roentgenographic features of 51 benign and 87 malignant tumors are also presented. The clinical and diagnostic features which help differentiate mesotheliomas from bronchogenic carcinomas are discussed. A careful approach to the diagnosis of malignant mesotheliomas may help avoid an unnecessary thoracotomy.", "PMID": 768710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2563", "title": "Sudden infant death syndrome in South Australia. Measurement of serum IgE antibodies to three common allergens.", "content": "Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) studies showed that IgE antibodies to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (house dust mite), Aspergillus fumigatus and bovine beta-lactoglobulin were significantly elevated in the sera of infants who died as a result of the sudden death in infancy syndrome (SDIS). No significant differences were found in the levels of total IgE, IgA, IgG or IgM in the sera of SDIS victims or controls. The possible role of hypersensitivity in the aetiology of SDIS is discussed.", "contents": "Sudden infant death syndrome in South Australia. Measurement of serum IgE antibodies to three common allergens. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) studies showed that IgE antibodies to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (house dust mite), Aspergillus fumigatus and bovine beta-lactoglobulin were significantly elevated in the sera of infants who died as a result of the sudden death in infancy syndrome (SDIS). No significant differences were found in the levels of total IgE, IgA, IgG or IgM in the sera of SDIS victims or controls. The possible role of hypersensitivity in the aetiology of SDIS is discussed.", "PMID": 768723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2564", "title": "In vitro diagnosis of allergy. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) studies with some allergens commonly encountered in Australia.", "content": "The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is proving valuable for experimental work in allergy research and as an in-vitro supplement in the diagnosis of clinical allergy. A detailed description of the materials and procedures required to establish the technique as a routine laboratory method, and data obtained in setting up the method for use with a variety of allergens commonly encountered in Australia are presented.", "contents": "In vitro diagnosis of allergy. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) studies with some allergens commonly encountered in Australia. The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is proving valuable for experimental work in allergy research and as an in-vitro supplement in the diagnosis of clinical allergy. A detailed description of the materials and procedures required to establish the technique as a routine laboratory method, and data obtained in setting up the method for use with a variety of allergens commonly encountered in Australia are presented.", "PMID": 768724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2565", "title": "Gynaecology from ancient Egypt: The papyrus Kahun: A translation of the oldest treatise on gynaecology that has survived from the ancient world.", "content": "This article presents a new translation of the papyrus Kahun. Interest in the papyrus lies in its being indisputably the most ancient document on gynaecology known. The text consists of a continuum of individual \"cases\" which lend themselves to subdivsion into four major sections. Selected commentaries accompany the translation which consist in the main of illuminating quotations from other Egyptian papyri. The aim is to propagate some insight into the gynaecological concepts behind medical practice around 2000 B.C.", "contents": "Gynaecology from ancient Egypt: The papyrus Kahun: A translation of the oldest treatise on gynaecology that has survived from the ancient world. This article presents a new translation of the papyrus Kahun. Interest in the papyrus lies in its being indisputably the most ancient document on gynaecology known. The text consists of a continuum of individual \"cases\" which lend themselves to subdivsion into four major sections. Selected commentaries accompany the translation which consist in the main of illuminating quotations from other Egyptian papyri. The aim is to propagate some insight into the gynaecological concepts behind medical practice around 2000 B.C.", "PMID": 768725} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2566", "title": "Bayesian statistics: a guided tour.", "content": "An overview of Bayesian statistical decision theory is presented in the tutorial spirit. A section on fundamental principles is followed by selected applications of the Bayesian approach to parameter estimation, pattern recognition, image processing, computer-aided medical diagnosis, optimal diagnostic test selection, and radiotherapy treatment planning.", "contents": "Bayesian statistics: a guided tour. An overview of Bayesian statistical decision theory is presented in the tutorial spirit. A section on fundamental principles is followed by selected applications of the Bayesian approach to parameter estimation, pattern recognition, image processing, computer-aided medical diagnosis, optimal diagnostic test selection, and radiotherapy treatment planning.", "PMID": 768734} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2567", "title": "Localization of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S4 on the surface of the 30S ribosomal subunit by immuno electron microscopy. I. Distribution of antibody-binding sites as obtained with immunoglobulins and monovalent antibody fragments from various S4-specific antisera.", "content": "The location of the ribosomal protein S4 on the surface of the 30S subunit of E. coli ribosomes was determined by immuno electron microscopy. Immunoglobulins from six separate S4-specific antisera were investigated. In accordance with earlier findings protein S4 was shown to have an elongated conformation within the antisera. Protein S4 has therefore definitely an extended or fibrous shape in the intact ribosome (Lake et al., 1974; St\u00f6ffler and Tischendorf, 1975; Tischendorf et al., 1975). S4 specific antibodies bind at four distinct sites of 30S ribosomal subunits, designated A, B, C and D. Two antibody binding sites (A and B) are located on the \"head\", they were shown to be separated by 70-85 A. The distance between these sites and the two sites C and D on the \"body\" of the subunit amounts to at least 90-125 A; hence protein S4 should be extended to a total length of approximately 160-200 A. At least three of the four S4-specific antibody binding sites were observed with antibodies from each of the six investigated. These sites were observed independently of whether isolated S4 protein, an S4-16S rRNA complex or 30S ribosomes were used as the antigen. They could also be visualized with monovalent antibody fragments (Fab). S4-specific antibodies enriched by affinity chromatography bound at identical sites which conclusively ensures that antibody binding at these sites is specific for protein S4 and is not due to the presence of contaminating antibodies in the intact ribosome. The implications of these results with respect of the correlation of each of the sites to their respective antigenically active fragments within protein S4 are discussed.", "contents": "Localization of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S4 on the surface of the 30S ribosomal subunit by immuno electron microscopy. I. Distribution of antibody-binding sites as obtained with immunoglobulins and monovalent antibody fragments from various S4-specific antisera. The location of the ribosomal protein S4 on the surface of the 30S subunit of E. coli ribosomes was determined by immuno electron microscopy. Immunoglobulins from six separate S4-specific antisera were investigated. In accordance with earlier findings protein S4 was shown to have an elongated conformation within the antisera. Protein S4 has therefore definitely an extended or fibrous shape in the intact ribosome (Lake et al., 1974; St\u00f6ffler and Tischendorf, 1975; Tischendorf et al., 1975). S4 specific antibodies bind at four distinct sites of 30S ribosomal subunits, designated A, B, C and D. Two antibody binding sites (A and B) are located on the \"head\", they were shown to be separated by 70-85 A. The distance between these sites and the two sites C and D on the \"body\" of the subunit amounts to at least 90-125 A; hence protein S4 should be extended to a total length of approximately 160-200 A. At least three of the four S4-specific antibody binding sites were observed with antibodies from each of the six investigated. These sites were observed independently of whether isolated S4 protein, an S4-16S rRNA complex or 30S ribosomes were used as the antigen. They could also be visualized with monovalent antibody fragments (Fab). S4-specific antibodies enriched by affinity chromatography bound at identical sites which conclusively ensures that antibody binding at these sites is specific for protein S4 and is not due to the presence of contaminating antibodies in the intact ribosome. The implications of these results with respect of the correlation of each of the sites to their respective antigenically active fragments within protein S4 are discussed.", "PMID": 768740} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2568", "title": "Variation of ACTA scanner numbers with the physical properties of the scanned material.", "content": "An experiment has been carried out in which an ACTA computerized axial-transverse tomographic scanner was used in a series of scans on a polystyrene phantom. Cavities in the phantom contained distilled water and various concentrations of acetic acid or ferric nitrate in aqueous solution. It is shown that the ACTA numbers generated for the low-Z acetic acid solution are proportional to the electron density of the solution, but that such is not the case for the higher-Z ferric nitrate, where photoelectric absorption is significant. The correlation of scanner numbers with electron density rather than with mass density is discussed and, as an illustrative example, the electron densities of whole blood and blood cells are calculated and the relative value is compared with the relative mass densities of the materials.", "contents": "Variation of ACTA scanner numbers with the physical properties of the scanned material. An experiment has been carried out in which an ACTA computerized axial-transverse tomographic scanner was used in a series of scans on a polystyrene phantom. Cavities in the phantom contained distilled water and various concentrations of acetic acid or ferric nitrate in aqueous solution. It is shown that the ACTA numbers generated for the low-Z acetic acid solution are proportional to the electron density of the solution, but that such is not the case for the higher-Z ferric nitrate, where photoelectric absorption is significant. The correlation of scanner numbers with electron density rather than with mass density is discussed and, as an illustrative example, the electron densities of whole blood and blood cells are calculated and the relative value is compared with the relative mass densities of the materials.", "PMID": 768735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2569", "title": "Antibiotics and compounds affecting tanslation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Specific enhancement of aminoacyl-tRNA binding by methylaxnthines.", "content": "The mode and site of action of inhibitors of translation (initiation, elongation and termination of protein synthesis) in eukaryotic systems is reviewed. The isolation and characterization of a factor is described that binds Ac-Phe-tRNA to form a complex made up of binding factors, Ac-Phe-tRNA, and ribosome. The binding of Ac-Phe-tRNA probably occurs at the ribosomal site involved in the binding of the initiator substrate Met-tRNAF. The effect of inhibitors of the intitiation phase of protein synthesis on the nonenzymic Ac-Phe-tRNA binding to ribosomes is investigated. The two sites translocation model for translation in eukaryotic cells is presented and the effects of inhibitors on the various steps of protein synthesis are determined empirically. The site of action of inhibitors of peptide bond formation at the ribosomal peptidyl transferase center is elucidated. The action of inhibitors of translocation is sutdied in model cell-free systems from human cells. In addition, a number of methylxanthines are shown to enhance the elongation phase in polypeptide synthesis by stimulating the enzymic binding of aminoacyl-tRNA. The effect of caffeine, theophylline and its derivatives are shown to be fairly specific and dependent on the ribosome concentration. Aminophylline is shown to have a similar effect but also enhances aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activity at low Mg++ concentrations, probably displacing the optimal concentration of Mg++ in the reaction. This second effect of aminophylline appears to be due to the ethylenediamine moiety of aminophylline since it is also observed in the presence of different polyamines but not in the presence of caffeine or theophylline.", "contents": "Antibiotics and compounds affecting tanslation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Specific enhancement of aminoacyl-tRNA binding by methylaxnthines. The mode and site of action of inhibitors of translation (initiation, elongation and termination of protein synthesis) in eukaryotic systems is reviewed. The isolation and characterization of a factor is described that binds Ac-Phe-tRNA to form a complex made up of binding factors, Ac-Phe-tRNA, and ribosome. The binding of Ac-Phe-tRNA probably occurs at the ribosomal site involved in the binding of the initiator substrate Met-tRNAF. The effect of inhibitors of the intitiation phase of protein synthesis on the nonenzymic Ac-Phe-tRNA binding to ribosomes is investigated. The two sites translocation model for translation in eukaryotic cells is presented and the effects of inhibitors on the various steps of protein synthesis are determined empirically. The site of action of inhibitors of peptide bond formation at the ribosomal peptidyl transferase center is elucidated. The action of inhibitors of translocation is sutdied in model cell-free systems from human cells. In addition, a number of methylxanthines are shown to enhance the elongation phase in polypeptide synthesis by stimulating the enzymic binding of aminoacyl-tRNA. The effect of caffeine, theophylline and its derivatives are shown to be fairly specific and dependent on the ribosome concentration. Aminophylline is shown to have a similar effect but also enhances aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activity at low Mg++ concentrations, probably displacing the optimal concentration of Mg++ in the reaction. This second effect of aminophylline appears to be due to the ethylenediamine moiety of aminophylline since it is also observed in the presence of different polyamines but not in the presence of caffeine or theophylline.", "PMID": 768741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2570", "title": "[Characterization of fluorescent derivatives of tRNA Phe by experiments in the ribosomal system].", "content": "Yeast tRNAPhe has been modified by excising the Y base and by replacing the Y base or the dihydrouracil residue with the fluorescent dyes proflavine or ethidium bromide. The poly(U) directed ribosomal system from E. coli was used to study the activities of the tRNAPhe derivatives in the assays for ribosome binding and polyphenylalanine synthesis. It was found that the tRNAPhe derivatives modified by replacing dihydrouracil were nearly as active as unmodified tRNAPhe. While excision of the Y base led to a considerable decrease in the activities, replacement by the above mentioned dyes yielded rather active tRNAPhe derivatives. The activities decreased somewhat when the tRNAPhe derivatives with a substitution in the anticodon loop were reduced with NaBH4. The lower plateau values observed with some of the tRNAPhe derivatives are largely attributed to a decreased efficiency of tRNA binding to the ribosomes which, in turn, results in an increased susceptibility to deacylation prior to phenylalanine transfer.", "contents": "[Characterization of fluorescent derivatives of tRNA Phe by experiments in the ribosomal system]. Yeast tRNAPhe has been modified by excising the Y base and by replacing the Y base or the dihydrouracil residue with the fluorescent dyes proflavine or ethidium bromide. The poly(U) directed ribosomal system from E. coli was used to study the activities of the tRNAPhe derivatives in the assays for ribosome binding and polyphenylalanine synthesis. It was found that the tRNAPhe derivatives modified by replacing dihydrouracil were nearly as active as unmodified tRNAPhe. While excision of the Y base led to a considerable decrease in the activities, replacement by the above mentioned dyes yielded rather active tRNAPhe derivatives. The activities decreased somewhat when the tRNAPhe derivatives with a substitution in the anticodon loop were reduced with NaBH4. The lower plateau values observed with some of the tRNAPhe derivatives are largely attributed to a decreased efficiency of tRNA binding to the ribosomes which, in turn, results in an increased susceptibility to deacylation prior to phenylalanine transfer.", "PMID": 768743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2571", "title": "[Transcription of DNA by RNA polymerases of E. coli and calf thymus].", "content": "The paper deals with the comparative investigation of initiation and in vitro RNA synthesis on DNA template by E. coli RNA polymerase and B-form of calf thymus RNA polymerase. It was shown in hybridization experiments that in the range of Cot values between 10(2) and 10(4) RNA synthesized by calf thymus RNA polymerase was hybridized with homologous DNA more effectively than RNA synthesized by E. coli RNA polymerase. No differences were observed in the case of low Cot values. RNA chains synthesized by calf thymus RNA polymerase contained in average about 300-600 nucleotides per chain as determined in the kinetic experiments with ATP-gamma-32P and GTP-gamma-32P. These values are in average 5-10 times lower than in the case of bacterial enzyme. The data presented show that calf thymus and E. coli RNA polymerases initiate the RNA synthesis at apparently different sites of calf thymus DNA. The results obtained make the possibility of specific transcription of eucaryotic DNA by bacterial RNA polymerase to be doubtful.", "contents": "[Transcription of DNA by RNA polymerases of E. coli and calf thymus]. The paper deals with the comparative investigation of initiation and in vitro RNA synthesis on DNA template by E. coli RNA polymerase and B-form of calf thymus RNA polymerase. It was shown in hybridization experiments that in the range of Cot values between 10(2) and 10(4) RNA synthesized by calf thymus RNA polymerase was hybridized with homologous DNA more effectively than RNA synthesized by E. coli RNA polymerase. No differences were observed in the case of low Cot values. RNA chains synthesized by calf thymus RNA polymerase contained in average about 300-600 nucleotides per chain as determined in the kinetic experiments with ATP-gamma-32P and GTP-gamma-32P. These values are in average 5-10 times lower than in the case of bacterial enzyme. The data presented show that calf thymus and E. coli RNA polymerases initiate the RNA synthesis at apparently different sites of calf thymus DNA. The results obtained make the possibility of specific transcription of eucaryotic DNA by bacterial RNA polymerase to be doubtful.", "PMID": 768744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2572", "title": "[Phage T4 partial diploidy obtained with the method of DNA interrupted injection. I. Analysis of the genetic structure and phage progeny reproduction process].", "content": "Phage T4 chromosome fragmentation is shown to take place when DNA injection is interrupted, a fragment length being strictly controlled by the interval from the moment of adsorbtion till the moment of an interruption. Populations of the bacteria cells infected by the phage T4 partial diploids are produced with the method of DNA interrupted injection. In the population a merodiploid involves some phage T4 amber mutant and a phage \"wild\" type chromosome fragment of the size controlled. To construct merodiploids the amber mutant in gene 43 and the mutant in gene 32 with the higher and the lower recombination frequency, accordingly, are used. Every merodiploid which is the heterozygote by one of these genes or which is the heterozygote by the late genes is determined to reproduce mixed phage progeny. Both the mean of the burst and the parent genotypes ratio in progeny either in the E. coli CR-63 cells or in the E. coli B depend on neither the heterozygote genetic structure nor the diploid region size. The results obtained conclude that phage genes express their function in the small fragments and the fragment recombination with the mutant partner whole chromosome follows their autonomous replication.", "contents": "[Phage T4 partial diploidy obtained with the method of DNA interrupted injection. I. Analysis of the genetic structure and phage progeny reproduction process]. Phage T4 chromosome fragmentation is shown to take place when DNA injection is interrupted, a fragment length being strictly controlled by the interval from the moment of adsorbtion till the moment of an interruption. Populations of the bacteria cells infected by the phage T4 partial diploids are produced with the method of DNA interrupted injection. In the population a merodiploid involves some phage T4 amber mutant and a phage \"wild\" type chromosome fragment of the size controlled. To construct merodiploids the amber mutant in gene 43 and the mutant in gene 32 with the higher and the lower recombination frequency, accordingly, are used. Every merodiploid which is the heterozygote by one of these genes or which is the heterozygote by the late genes is determined to reproduce mixed phage progeny. Both the mean of the burst and the parent genotypes ratio in progeny either in the E. coli CR-63 cells or in the E. coli B depend on neither the heterozygote genetic structure nor the diploid region size. The results obtained conclude that phage genes express their function in the small fragments and the fragment recombination with the mutant partner whole chromosome follows their autonomous replication.", "PMID": 768746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2573", "title": "[Demonstration of bone lacunes and canicules].", "content": "Schmorl's thionin-dye was applied to paraffin embedded sections after decalcination in a ferrichlorid-hydrochlorid acid solution. Using this modification long-lasting treatment with M\u00fcller's solution or celloidin embedding can be avoided.", "contents": "[Demonstration of bone lacunes and canicules]. Schmorl's thionin-dye was applied to paraffin embedded sections after decalcination in a ferrichlorid-hydrochlorid acid solution. Using this modification long-lasting treatment with M\u00fcller's solution or celloidin embedding can be avoided.", "PMID": 768752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2574", "title": "[Structure of the DNA molecule in the course of reparation process after ultraviolet irradiation of E. coli cells].", "content": "Kinetics was studied of DNA degradation, processing and synthesis in the course of post-radiation incubation (irradiation dose 0-2000 erg/mm2). It has been shown that contrary to the endonuclease splitting of DNA strands, DNA degradation requires energy. DNA degradation is not enhanced upon an increase of the irradiation up to 400 erg/mm2 and more and at the incubation duration exceeding 120 min. The degradation involves not more than 40% of the total DNA quantity. It takes place in the absence of resynthesis registered by the incorporation of [3h] thymidine and 32P and dephinylamine reaction. The number of single-strand breaks in DNA (per one E. coli chromosome strans) reaches a maximum value after 120-180 min. of incubation. This maximal value is linearily increased upon an increase of the irradiation dose from 0 to 1200 erg/mm2 and does not change when the dose increases further. The number of single-strand breaks does not exceed 35-50, this value being dependent on the presence of glucose. On the basis of the data obtained a suggestion is put forward that in the course of the reparative degradation of DNA, prolonged (10(4)-10(5) nucleotides) single-stranded regions are formed. Possible role of these 'nicks\" in the appearance of mutations is discussed.", "contents": "[Structure of the DNA molecule in the course of reparation process after ultraviolet irradiation of E. coli cells]. Kinetics was studied of DNA degradation, processing and synthesis in the course of post-radiation incubation (irradiation dose 0-2000 erg/mm2). It has been shown that contrary to the endonuclease splitting of DNA strands, DNA degradation requires energy. DNA degradation is not enhanced upon an increase of the irradiation up to 400 erg/mm2 and more and at the incubation duration exceeding 120 min. The degradation involves not more than 40% of the total DNA quantity. It takes place in the absence of resynthesis registered by the incorporation of [3h] thymidine and 32P and dephinylamine reaction. The number of single-strand breaks in DNA (per one E. coli chromosome strans) reaches a maximum value after 120-180 min. of incubation. This maximal value is linearily increased upon an increase of the irradiation dose from 0 to 1200 erg/mm2 and does not change when the dose increases further. The number of single-strand breaks does not exceed 35-50, this value being dependent on the presence of glucose. On the basis of the data obtained a suggestion is put forward that in the course of the reparative degradation of DNA, prolonged (10(4)-10(5) nucleotides) single-stranded regions are formed. Possible role of these 'nicks\" in the appearance of mutations is discussed.", "PMID": 768745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2575", "title": "Mutagen testing using TRP+ reversion in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Escherichia coli strain WP2 and its repair-deficient derivatives are suitable strains for mutagen screening. In these strains, agents which cause base substitution mutations can be shown to increase the frequency of Trp+ revertants. In addition, agents causing many types of DNA damage can be detected through increased killing of the repair deficient derivatives. Four ways of performing tests are described: (a) Spot tests in which a small amount of the agent under test is placed directly on a selective agar plate. Trp+ revertants are counted and increased sensitivity of repair-deficient strains determined from the size of the zone of inhibition of cell growth. (b) Treat and plate tests, where a strain is treated with the agent under test and subsequently plated to determine survival or frequency of Trp+ revertants. (c) A simplified fluctuation test which shows exceptional sensitivity in measuring mutation with low levels of mutagens. (d) Use of a liver microsomal fraction in conjunction with treat and plate tests to detect metabolically activated mutagens. The merits and defects of these systems are discussed. Common pitfalls in evaluating tests and procedures for avoiding them are described.", "contents": "Mutagen testing using TRP+ reversion in Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli strain WP2 and its repair-deficient derivatives are suitable strains for mutagen screening. In these strains, agents which cause base substitution mutations can be shown to increase the frequency of Trp+ revertants. In addition, agents causing many types of DNA damage can be detected through increased killing of the repair deficient derivatives. Four ways of performing tests are described: (a) Spot tests in which a small amount of the agent under test is placed directly on a selective agar plate. Trp+ revertants are counted and increased sensitivity of repair-deficient strains determined from the size of the zone of inhibition of cell growth. (b) Treat and plate tests, where a strain is treated with the agent under test and subsequently plated to determine survival or frequency of Trp+ revertants. (c) A simplified fluctuation test which shows exceptional sensitivity in measuring mutation with low levels of mutagens. (d) Use of a liver microsomal fraction in conjunction with treat and plate tests to detect metabolically activated mutagens. The merits and defects of these systems are discussed. Common pitfalls in evaluating tests and procedures for avoiding them are described.", "PMID": 768757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2576", "title": "Use of a simplified fluctuation test to detect low levels of mutagens.", "content": "As a mutagen screening procedure we have used a modification of the Luria and Delbr\u00fcck fluctuation test in which the individual tubes are scored by eye for the presence or absence of a mutation. The test is simple and extremely sensitive, detecting concentrations of mutagens up to 100-fold lower than conventional tests. Measuring mutation to tryptophan independence in Escherichia coli strain WP2 we have found that methyl methanesulphonate (0.5 mug/ml), mitomycin C (0.0015 mug/ml), dichlorvos (5 mug/ml, and K2CrO4 (0.5 mug/ml) are all positively mutagenic in the test, whereas NiCl2 is negative. Chronic exposure to low levels of mutagens using this method appears to induce more mutations than might be predicted by extrapolation from short exposure experiments at higher doses. The procedure is applicable to any system which involves mutation to prototrophy from a non-leaky auxotrophic requirement and should prove valuable in detecting and investigating the effects of low doses and chronic exposures.", "contents": "Use of a simplified fluctuation test to detect low levels of mutagens. As a mutagen screening procedure we have used a modification of the Luria and Delbr\u00fcck fluctuation test in which the individual tubes are scored by eye for the presence or absence of a mutation. The test is simple and extremely sensitive, detecting concentrations of mutagens up to 100-fold lower than conventional tests. Measuring mutation to tryptophan independence in Escherichia coli strain WP2 we have found that methyl methanesulphonate (0.5 mug/ml), mitomycin C (0.0015 mug/ml), dichlorvos (5 mug/ml, and K2CrO4 (0.5 mug/ml) are all positively mutagenic in the test, whereas NiCl2 is negative. Chronic exposure to low levels of mutagens using this method appears to induce more mutations than might be predicted by extrapolation from short exposure experiments at higher doses. The procedure is applicable to any system which involves mutation to prototrophy from a non-leaky auxotrophic requirement and should prove valuable in detecting and investigating the effects of low doses and chronic exposures.", "PMID": 768758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2577", "title": "The induction of mutation in yeast by hydrogen peroxide.", "content": "The inactivation and mutation to respiratory deficiency of yeast cells by H2O2 are shown to vary progressively with the phase of cell growth, with a sharp transition occurring as the cells complete logarithmic growth. Respiratory deficient mutants isolated from the wild-type population are of two types, one of which is much more sensitive to H2O2 but forms only a small fraction of the mutant sub-population. Based upon the response of the more resistant type, mutation frequency increases appear to result from selection of pre-existing mutants in log phase populations, while induction occurs in stationary phase cells. The induced mutation frequency fits a (dose)2 relationship, but the frequency is depressed when the dose is high (or number of cells treated is low). All the induced mutants are extranuclear and of the resistant type, and show a wide range of suppressiveness in crosses to respiratory competent cells. This may indicate mitochondrial DNA is altered to different extents by H2O2; by the same criterion, the spontaneously occurring H2O2 -sensitive mutants retain a large amount of mitochondrial DNA information, in agreement with their colonial morphology. A small increase in forward mutation of nuclear genes was also found after H2O2 treatment. Parallels are drawn between the response of yeast cells to ionising radiation and to H2O2, and it is suggested that radical action may be involved in inactivation and mitochondrial genome mutation induced by both agents.", "contents": "The induction of mutation in yeast by hydrogen peroxide. The inactivation and mutation to respiratory deficiency of yeast cells by H2O2 are shown to vary progressively with the phase of cell growth, with a sharp transition occurring as the cells complete logarithmic growth. Respiratory deficient mutants isolated from the wild-type population are of two types, one of which is much more sensitive to H2O2 but forms only a small fraction of the mutant sub-population. Based upon the response of the more resistant type, mutation frequency increases appear to result from selection of pre-existing mutants in log phase populations, while induction occurs in stationary phase cells. The induced mutation frequency fits a (dose)2 relationship, but the frequency is depressed when the dose is high (or number of cells treated is low). All the induced mutants are extranuclear and of the resistant type, and show a wide range of suppressiveness in crosses to respiratory competent cells. This may indicate mitochondrial DNA is altered to different extents by H2O2; by the same criterion, the spontaneously occurring H2O2 -sensitive mutants retain a large amount of mitochondrial DNA information, in agreement with their colonial morphology. A small increase in forward mutation of nuclear genes was also found after H2O2 treatment. Parallels are drawn between the response of yeast cells to ionising radiation and to H2O2, and it is suggested that radical action may be involved in inactivation and mitochondrial genome mutation induced by both agents.", "PMID": 768759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2578", "title": "Correlation of maternal antibody deficiency with susceptibility to neonatal group B streptococcal infection.", "content": "We investigated the role of maternal antibody in neonatal Group B streptococcal infection with a radioactive antigen-binding assay employing a purified polysaccharide antigen with both Type III and Group B determinants. Serums from seven women who gave birth to infants who had invasive Group B streptococcal infection with Type III strains were all deficient in antibody. In contrast, serums from 22 of 29 pregnant Type III vaginal carriers whose infants were healthy contained antibody with a prevalence significantly different from that in women delivering infants with Type III disease (P less than 0.01). Three healthy neonates born to women with antibody in serums had demonstrable antibody in umbilical-cord serum. These data suggest that transplacental transfer of maternal antibody protects infants from invasive Group B streptococcal infection with Type III strains.", "contents": "Correlation of maternal antibody deficiency with susceptibility to neonatal group B streptococcal infection. We investigated the role of maternal antibody in neonatal Group B streptococcal infection with a radioactive antigen-binding assay employing a purified polysaccharide antigen with both Type III and Group B determinants. Serums from seven women who gave birth to infants who had invasive Group B streptococcal infection with Type III strains were all deficient in antibody. In contrast, serums from 22 of 29 pregnant Type III vaginal carriers whose infants were healthy contained antibody with a prevalence significantly different from that in women delivering infants with Type III disease (P less than 0.01). Three healthy neonates born to women with antibody in serums had demonstrable antibody in umbilical-cord serum. These data suggest that transplacental transfer of maternal antibody protects infants from invasive Group B streptococcal infection with Type III strains.", "PMID": 768760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2579", "title": "Immune complexes in hepatocytic nuclei of HB ag-positive chronic hepatitis.", "content": "To localize immune complexes in viral hepatitis Type B and to assess their pathogenic role, we examined by the direct fluorescent-antibody technic 21 liver specimens with hepatitis B core antigen (HBc Ag) in hepatocytic nuclei from 10 patients with HBs Ag-seropositive acute viral hepatitis and from 11 patients with HBs Ag-seropositive chronic active hepatitis. IgG with in vitro fixation of complement was demonstrated in HBc Ag-containing hepatocytic nuclei of all patients with chronic active, but not in those with acute viral hepatitis. All patients except for one had antibody to HBc Ag in the serum as determined by indirect immunofluorescence. The evidence suggests that intranuclear IgG in chronic active hepatitis has anti-HBc specificity and forms immune complexes with HBc Ag. The binding of IgG to intranuclear HBc Ag might have pathogenic importance in chronic active hepatitis.", "contents": "Immune complexes in hepatocytic nuclei of HB ag-positive chronic hepatitis. To localize immune complexes in viral hepatitis Type B and to assess their pathogenic role, we examined by the direct fluorescent-antibody technic 21 liver specimens with hepatitis B core antigen (HBc Ag) in hepatocytic nuclei from 10 patients with HBs Ag-seropositive acute viral hepatitis and from 11 patients with HBs Ag-seropositive chronic active hepatitis. IgG with in vitro fixation of complement was demonstrated in HBc Ag-containing hepatocytic nuclei of all patients with chronic active, but not in those with acute viral hepatitis. All patients except for one had antibody to HBc Ag in the serum as determined by indirect immunofluorescence. The evidence suggests that intranuclear IgG in chronic active hepatitis has anti-HBc specificity and forms immune complexes with HBc Ag. The binding of IgG to intranuclear HBc Ag might have pathogenic importance in chronic active hepatitis.", "PMID": 768764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2580", "title": "Physician fee patterns under medicare: a descriptive analysis.", "content": "To describe physician fee patterns under a national program, we analyzed physician reimbursement rates for 39 medical procedures for 292 local Medicare reimbursement areas. The results indicate that the maximum prevailing charge for each procedure generally ranged from three to 10 times the minimum charge. Prevailing charges, however, clustered around the mean (coefficient of variation less than 0.50) in 37 of the 39 fee distributions for general practitioners and specialists. Although differences (P less than 0.05) existed between mean general practitioner and specialist charges for 27 of the 39 procedures, these differences were generally less than 10%.", "contents": "Physician fee patterns under medicare: a descriptive analysis. To describe physician fee patterns under a national program, we analyzed physician reimbursement rates for 39 medical procedures for 292 local Medicare reimbursement areas. The results indicate that the maximum prevailing charge for each procedure generally ranged from three to 10 times the minimum charge. Prevailing charges, however, clustered around the mean (coefficient of variation less than 0.50) in 37 of the 39 fee distributions for general practitioners and specialists. Although differences (P less than 0.05) existed between mean general practitioner and specialist charges for 27 of the 39 procedures, these differences were generally less than 10%.", "PMID": 768768} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2581", "title": "Bacterial cloning of plasmids carrying copies of rabbit globin messenger RNA.", "content": "DNA copies of rabbit globin mRNA have been inserted into the plasmid mini-ColEl. After addition of poly(dT) tails, the plasmid was used to prime the copying of mRNA by reverse transcriptase. Mini-ColEl carrying globin sequences were denatured and annealed with mini-ColEl tailed with poly(dA). Functional plasmids containing the synthesised globin sequences were isolated by transfection in E. coli.", "contents": "Bacterial cloning of plasmids carrying copies of rabbit globin messenger RNA. DNA copies of rabbit globin mRNA have been inserted into the plasmid mini-ColEl. After addition of poly(dT) tails, the plasmid was used to prime the copying of mRNA by reverse transcriptase. Mini-ColEl carrying globin sequences were denatured and annealed with mini-ColEl tailed with poly(dA). Functional plasmids containing the synthesised globin sequences were isolated by transfection in E. coli.", "PMID": 768776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2582", "title": "Mechanism localisation and control of restriction cleavage of phage T4 and lambda chromosomes in vivo.", "content": "The primary action of restriction endonuclease, cleaving infecting DNA, has been demonstrated in vivo. This primary cleavage is followed rapidly by hydrolysis of the cleaved DNA at its newly exposed termini. Infecting viruses can inactivate cytoplasmic and membrane restriction endonucleases to prevent cleavage of unmodified DNA replicas.", "contents": "Mechanism localisation and control of restriction cleavage of phage T4 and lambda chromosomes in vivo. The primary action of restriction endonuclease, cleaving infecting DNA, has been demonstrated in vivo. This primary cleavage is followed rapidly by hydrolysis of the cleaved DNA at its newly exposed termini. Infecting viruses can inactivate cytoplasmic and membrane restriction endonucleases to prevent cleavage of unmodified DNA replicas.", "PMID": 768782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2583", "title": "[Kyphotic paraplegia treated by antero-lateral transthoracic decompression and double autograft].", "content": "The authors describe a case of malformative kyphosis with paraplegia, treated by transthoracic antero-lateral decompression and anterior spinal fusion by posterior spinal fusion six weeks later. The result of the surgical treatment has been excellent with complete functional recovery. The spinal fusion seems to be the main element of the treatment, by contrast it is impossible to assess the role played by the antero-lateral decompression.", "contents": "[Kyphotic paraplegia treated by antero-lateral transthoracic decompression and double autograft]. The authors describe a case of malformative kyphosis with paraplegia, treated by transthoracic antero-lateral decompression and anterior spinal fusion by posterior spinal fusion six weeks later. The result of the surgical treatment has been excellent with complete functional recovery. The spinal fusion seems to be the main element of the treatment, by contrast it is impossible to assess the role played by the antero-lateral decompression.", "PMID": 768790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2584", "title": "[Brain scanning of the posterior fossa tumors (author's transl)].", "content": "It has been generally accepted that the scanning of the posterior fossa yield less accuracy in comparison with that of the supratentorial region. It seems that the difficulties are primarily attributable to the parotid gland, the overlying venous sinuses, and the heavy investment of the muscles with their rich vascular supply at the posterior fossa. These problems are compounded by poor patient positioning in the posterior view. We believe that the brain scanning of the posterior fossa is, however, nearly as successful as that of the supratentorial region, when the following procedures are carried out. We performed 99mTc-pertechnetate brain scanning 41 times and 169 Yb-DTPA cisternography 7 times on 25 posterior fossa tumors, from August 1970 to September, 1974. The diagnosis of these cases were confirmed by operation or autopsy. These include six neurinomas, six astrocytomas, three medulloblastomas, three hemangioblastomas, three metastatic tumors, one meningioma, one arteriovenous malformation, one osteochondroma and one microglioma.", "contents": "[Brain scanning of the posterior fossa tumors (author's transl)]. It has been generally accepted that the scanning of the posterior fossa yield less accuracy in comparison with that of the supratentorial region. It seems that the difficulties are primarily attributable to the parotid gland, the overlying venous sinuses, and the heavy investment of the muscles with their rich vascular supply at the posterior fossa. These problems are compounded by poor patient positioning in the posterior view. We believe that the brain scanning of the posterior fossa is, however, nearly as successful as that of the supratentorial region, when the following procedures are carried out. We performed 99mTc-pertechnetate brain scanning 41 times and 169 Yb-DTPA cisternography 7 times on 25 posterior fossa tumors, from August 1970 to September, 1974. The diagnosis of these cases were confirmed by operation or autopsy. These include six neurinomas, six astrocytomas, three medulloblastomas, three hemangioblastomas, three metastatic tumors, one meningioma, one arteriovenous malformation, one osteochondroma and one microglioma.", "PMID": 768794} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2585", "title": "[Atlanto-axial dislocation--instability index and indications for surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "Thirty cases of atlanto-axial dislocation were investigated and the results are reported. The may be divided into 2 groups; (a) 15 cases of abnormalities of the odontoid process, i. e. 7 cases of os odontoideum, 7 cases of fractured odontoid, 1 cases of deformed odontoid, and (b) 15 cases with no abnormalities of the odontoid process. Neurological signs were noted in 14 cases which may be divided into the following three types, i.e. acute, recurrent, and chronic-progressive. The spinal canal diameter at the atlanto-axial level was measured in the position of flexion and extension using cervical tomography. The degree of motility thus obtained was expressed in terms of \"Instability Index\" (I. I.) devised in our clinic. In the group with neurological signs, the acute type showed an I. I. of 39 percent which was the highest value, and followed by 33 percent in the recurrent type. In the chronic-progressive type, the I. I. value was as low as 3.75 percent with a mean maximal diameter of 11.0 mm. Operation was performed in 16 cases. In 12 cases, posterior fusion was performed from the occipital bone to C3 or in some cases C4. In 3 cases, posterior decompression and fusion from the occipital bone to C3 were conducted. In one case, anterior decompression and fusion was performed by the transoral approach. The outcome was generally satisfactory. As a new method of posterior fusion, we have used \"single bone-flap\" method since 1972, that could fix the occipital bone and the cervical spines more tightly. In conclusion, the operation is indicated in the following cases; (1) when neurological signs are evident, (2) even in the abcence of neurological signs, (a) when the I. I. is high (over 20 percent), (b) even when the I. I. is low, when the maximal diameter of the canal is under 14.0 mm.", "contents": "[Atlanto-axial dislocation--instability index and indications for surgery (author's transl)]. Thirty cases of atlanto-axial dislocation were investigated and the results are reported. The may be divided into 2 groups; (a) 15 cases of abnormalities of the odontoid process, i. e. 7 cases of os odontoideum, 7 cases of fractured odontoid, 1 cases of deformed odontoid, and (b) 15 cases with no abnormalities of the odontoid process. Neurological signs were noted in 14 cases which may be divided into the following three types, i.e. acute, recurrent, and chronic-progressive. The spinal canal diameter at the atlanto-axial level was measured in the position of flexion and extension using cervical tomography. The degree of motility thus obtained was expressed in terms of \"Instability Index\" (I. I.) devised in our clinic. In the group with neurological signs, the acute type showed an I. I. of 39 percent which was the highest value, and followed by 33 percent in the recurrent type. In the chronic-progressive type, the I. I. value was as low as 3.75 percent with a mean maximal diameter of 11.0 mm. Operation was performed in 16 cases. In 12 cases, posterior fusion was performed from the occipital bone to C3 or in some cases C4. In 3 cases, posterior decompression and fusion from the occipital bone to C3 were conducted. In one case, anterior decompression and fusion was performed by the transoral approach. The outcome was generally satisfactory. As a new method of posterior fusion, we have used \"single bone-flap\" method since 1972, that could fix the occipital bone and the cervical spines more tightly. In conclusion, the operation is indicated in the following cases; (1) when neurological signs are evident, (2) even in the abcence of neurological signs, (a) when the I. I. is high (over 20 percent), (b) even when the I. I. is low, when the maximal diameter of the canal is under 14.0 mm.", "PMID": 768795} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2586", "title": "Neural control of LH release in anterior periventriculo-median eminence-pituitary system.", "content": "Separate regions of the anterior periventricular area (PVA), median eminence (ME) and frontal cortex from brains of hypophysectomized female and intact male rats were extracted and homogenized. The LH-RH content of these homogenates was determined by a specific double antibody radioimmunoassay. LH-RH was found in the PVA as well as in the ME of both hypophysectomized female and intact male rats; it was not detected in the frontal cortex. Extracellular recordings were made from neurons in the PVA and 55 neurons were activated antidromically by stimulating the ME. This suggests that PVA neurons exist with axons terminating in the ME. It is assumed that these axons are unmyelinated since their conduction velocity was approximately 0.3-0.8 m/sec. In addition to the antidromically-activated neurons, 26 neurons with characteristics of transsynaptic activation were recorded in the PVA following stimulation of the ME. Some of the units recorded from the ME-arcuate (ARC) region were also activated either antidromically or transsynaptically by stimulating the PVA. The effect of PVA stimulation on LH release was tested in ovariectomized, estrogen-treated rats with or without anterior deafferentation of the hypothalamus. Increased LH concentration in serum was elicited by PVA stimulation of rats in which deafferentation was either not performed or not completed; no increase in serum LH level was observed following PVA stimulation in rats with complete deafferentation. These data suggest that PVA neurons synthesize LH-RH, which is released at the ME.", "contents": "Neural control of LH release in anterior periventriculo-median eminence-pituitary system. Separate regions of the anterior periventricular area (PVA), median eminence (ME) and frontal cortex from brains of hypophysectomized female and intact male rats were extracted and homogenized. The LH-RH content of these homogenates was determined by a specific double antibody radioimmunoassay. LH-RH was found in the PVA as well as in the ME of both hypophysectomized female and intact male rats; it was not detected in the frontal cortex. Extracellular recordings were made from neurons in the PVA and 55 neurons were activated antidromically by stimulating the ME. This suggests that PVA neurons exist with axons terminating in the ME. It is assumed that these axons are unmyelinated since their conduction velocity was approximately 0.3-0.8 m/sec. In addition to the antidromically-activated neurons, 26 neurons with characteristics of transsynaptic activation were recorded in the PVA following stimulation of the ME. Some of the units recorded from the ME-arcuate (ARC) region were also activated either antidromically or transsynaptically by stimulating the PVA. The effect of PVA stimulation on LH release was tested in ovariectomized, estrogen-treated rats with or without anterior deafferentation of the hypothalamus. Increased LH concentration in serum was elicited by PVA stimulation of rats in which deafferentation was either not performed or not completed; no increase in serum LH level was observed following PVA stimulation in rats with complete deafferentation. These data suggest that PVA neurons synthesize LH-RH, which is released at the ME.", "PMID": 768797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2587", "title": "Ovulation in PMS-treated rats with gonadotropin releasing hormone after pentobarbital and melatonin block.", "content": "The immature rat that has been induced to ovulate with pregnant mare serum (PMS) has proven to be a valuable model for the study of antiovulatory compounds. This paper describes an extension of this model in order to attempt to study the site of action of substances such as pentobarbital and a pineal compound, melatonin. A first experiment was designed to define a specific time for injecting pentobarbital in order to inhibit ovulation. In this study immature female rats were given injections with 25 IU PMS; pentobarbital was given at various times after PMS treatment. This study showed that sodium pentobarbital (35 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibits LH release and ovulation when rats have been anesthetized between 2 and 6 p.m. on day 2 after PMS treatment. In a second experiment ovulation was blocked with pentobarbital (35 mg/kg, i.p., beginning at 12 noon and at 2 p.m. on day 2 after PMS treatment) and completely restored to normal with the s.c. injection of 2 mug GnRH at 2 and 4 p.m. on day 2 after PMS treatment. In the third experiment, varying doses of GnRH were studied for their capacity to overcome the pentobarbital block. This study showed that 2 mug, 1 mug, 500 ng, and 250 ng of GnRH at 2 and 4 p.m. on day 2 after PMS treatment were equipotent in causing ovulation. In a fourth experiment ovulation was blocked with melatonin and this block was overcome with exogenous GnRH. In the last study exogenous GnRH was shown to restore ovulation after being blocked by both melatonin and pentobarbital. This evidence suggests that pentobarbital and melatonin inhibit ovulation by inhibiting the secretion of endogenous GnRH.", "contents": "Ovulation in PMS-treated rats with gonadotropin releasing hormone after pentobarbital and melatonin block. The immature rat that has been induced to ovulate with pregnant mare serum (PMS) has proven to be a valuable model for the study of antiovulatory compounds. This paper describes an extension of this model in order to attempt to study the site of action of substances such as pentobarbital and a pineal compound, melatonin. A first experiment was designed to define a specific time for injecting pentobarbital in order to inhibit ovulation. In this study immature female rats were given injections with 25 IU PMS; pentobarbital was given at various times after PMS treatment. This study showed that sodium pentobarbital (35 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibits LH release and ovulation when rats have been anesthetized between 2 and 6 p.m. on day 2 after PMS treatment. In a second experiment ovulation was blocked with pentobarbital (35 mg/kg, i.p., beginning at 12 noon and at 2 p.m. on day 2 after PMS treatment) and completely restored to normal with the s.c. injection of 2 mug GnRH at 2 and 4 p.m. on day 2 after PMS treatment. In the third experiment, varying doses of GnRH were studied for their capacity to overcome the pentobarbital block. This study showed that 2 mug, 1 mug, 500 ng, and 250 ng of GnRH at 2 and 4 p.m. on day 2 after PMS treatment were equipotent in causing ovulation. In a fourth experiment ovulation was blocked with melatonin and this block was overcome with exogenous GnRH. In the last study exogenous GnRH was shown to restore ovulation after being blocked by both melatonin and pentobarbital. This evidence suggests that pentobarbital and melatonin inhibit ovulation by inhibiting the secretion of endogenous GnRH.", "PMID": 768798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2588", "title": "[Effect of Coretal Polfa (Oxprenolol) on parkinsonian tremor and benign essential tremor].", "content": "Coretal -- an agent blocking the beta-adrenergic receptors -- was given to 12 patients with Parkinson's syndrome with evident tremor and to 4 patients with benign essential tremor. In the group of Parkinson's syndrome the effectiveness of this treatment was evaluated by the blind method. The whole period of observation was 6 weeks, during 3 weeks the patients received Coretal 60-120 mg daily, during the next 3 weeks they were given placebo. The intensity of tremor was assessed by means of a scoring system. Improvement was achieved in 7 patients with Parkinson's syndrome and in 3 out of 4 cases of idiopathic tremor. Complete disappearance of tremor was never observed. Transient side effects were observed in 2 causes. The authors think that Coretal may be used with good result in treatment of parkinsonian tremor and benign essential tremor.", "contents": "[Effect of Coretal Polfa (Oxprenolol) on parkinsonian tremor and benign essential tremor]. Coretal -- an agent blocking the beta-adrenergic receptors -- was given to 12 patients with Parkinson's syndrome with evident tremor and to 4 patients with benign essential tremor. In the group of Parkinson's syndrome the effectiveness of this treatment was evaluated by the blind method. The whole period of observation was 6 weeks, during 3 weeks the patients received Coretal 60-120 mg daily, during the next 3 weeks they were given placebo. The intensity of tremor was assessed by means of a scoring system. Improvement was achieved in 7 patients with Parkinson's syndrome and in 3 out of 4 cases of idiopathic tremor. Complete disappearance of tremor was never observed. Transient side effects were observed in 2 causes. The authors think that Coretal may be used with good result in treatment of parkinsonian tremor and benign essential tremor.", "PMID": 768793} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2589", "title": "Automation of a patient medical profile from insurance claims data: a possible first step in automating ambulatory medical records on a national scale.", "content": "This report describes how a detailed patient medical profile can be produced by the systematic collection and linkage of claims data in a state-wide Medicaid program. Extension of this system nationally could provide automated medical profiles for more than 20,000,000 people at a small increment in cost. The possibility that this cost could be offset by reduction of duplicated services currently provided deserves serious consideration by health care planners and administrators. The ability of the profile to portray a patient's clinical status accurately hinges on both the determination of health care administrators to adopt sensitive and precise diagnostic codes and on the adoption of improved data acquisition techniques. The deficiencies of the database are described, and methods of overcoming these problems are suggested.", "contents": "Automation of a patient medical profile from insurance claims data: a possible first step in automating ambulatory medical records on a national scale. This report describes how a detailed patient medical profile can be produced by the systematic collection and linkage of claims data in a state-wide Medicaid program. Extension of this system nationally could provide automated medical profiles for more than 20,000,000 people at a small increment in cost. The possibility that this cost could be offset by reduction of duplicated services currently provided deserves serious consideration by health care planners and administrators. The ability of the profile to portray a patient's clinical status accurately hinges on both the determination of health care administrators to adopt sensitive and precise diagnostic codes and on the adoption of improved data acquisition techniques. The deficiencies of the database are described, and methods of overcoming these problems are suggested.", "PMID": 768803} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2590", "title": "[Preliminary observations on changes in pancreatic blood flow studied with the use of rubidium (Rb86) in acute experimental pancreatitis].", "content": "Initial results of research into pancreatic blood flow by the use of a gammaemitting radioisotope, Rubidium86 (Rb86) are reported. The experiments were carried out on normal dogs and on dogs with acute pancreatitis that had been brought on by various techniques. Some of the physiopathological aspects of the role of microcirculatory changes within the pancreas in the genesis of acute necrotico-haemorrhagic pancreatitis are discussed.", "contents": "[Preliminary observations on changes in pancreatic blood flow studied with the use of rubidium (Rb86) in acute experimental pancreatitis]. Initial results of research into pancreatic blood flow by the use of a gammaemitting radioisotope, Rubidium86 (Rb86) are reported. The experiments were carried out on normal dogs and on dogs with acute pancreatitis that had been brought on by various techniques. Some of the physiopathological aspects of the role of microcirculatory changes within the pancreas in the genesis of acute necrotico-haemorrhagic pancreatitis are discussed.", "PMID": 768811} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2591", "title": "[Dorsal intestinal cyst (split-notochord syndrome) in a newborn girl].", "content": "A dorsal formation in a newborn girl proved to have been caused by an intestinal cyst, thus forming part of the rare classification of split notochord malformations.", "contents": "[Dorsal intestinal cyst (split-notochord syndrome) in a newborn girl]. A dorsal formation in a newborn girl proved to have been caused by an intestinal cyst, thus forming part of the rare classification of split notochord malformations.", "PMID": 768810} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2592", "title": "[Cholesteric liquid crystal plaque thermography. New diagnostic aid in plastic surgery (preliminary note)].", "content": "A new type of examination for assessing the vitality of flat and tubular flaps by means of patch-mounted cholesteric liquid crystals is presented. The thermographic method employed is discussed with reference to two clinical cases.", "contents": "[Cholesteric liquid crystal plaque thermography. New diagnostic aid in plastic surgery (preliminary note)]. A new type of examination for assessing the vitality of flat and tubular flaps by means of patch-mounted cholesteric liquid crystals is presented. The thermographic method employed is discussed with reference to two clinical cases.", "PMID": 768809} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2593", "title": "Pulsatile gonadotropin output and response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) in primary amenorrhea.", "content": "The pulsatile gonadotropin output and resonse to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) administration was evaluated in 23 patients with primary amenorrhea. Pulsatile LH output and associated FSH pulses were readily observed in patients with hypergonadotropism. Responses in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia varied with the adequacy of the prior therapeutic management, which in turn apparently determined the maturational status of the individual. A patient with Kallmann's syndrome had both FSH and LH pulsatile activity. Patients thought to have simple delayed puberty had normal baseline gonadotropin values, and regular LH pulsations, but no correlation of FSH and LH pulsatile activity. Correlated analysis of LRH response and pulsatile gonadotropin activity may allow differentiation of individuals showing a normal progression of maturation from those with maturational dysfunction.", "contents": "Pulsatile gonadotropin output and response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) in primary amenorrhea. The pulsatile gonadotropin output and resonse to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) administration was evaluated in 23 patients with primary amenorrhea. Pulsatile LH output and associated FSH pulses were readily observed in patients with hypergonadotropism. Responses in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia varied with the adequacy of the prior therapeutic management, which in turn apparently determined the maturational status of the individual. A patient with Kallmann's syndrome had both FSH and LH pulsatile activity. Patients thought to have simple delayed puberty had normal baseline gonadotropin values, and regular LH pulsations, but no correlation of FSH and LH pulsatile activity. Correlated analysis of LRH response and pulsatile gonadotropin activity may allow differentiation of individuals showing a normal progression of maturation from those with maturational dysfunction.", "PMID": 768842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2594", "title": "Cephacetrile in the treatment of female pelvic inflammatory disease.", "content": "The efficacy and tolerability of cephacetrile administered by the intravenous or intramuscular route was evaluated in an open-label study of 55 hospitalized females diagnosed as having mild to severe pelvic inflammatory disease. Rapid improvement was observed in most patients. All patients were classified as clinically cured or significantly improved. Pain was absent or mild in 86% of the patients who received cephacetrile by intramuscular injection. Seventy-two percent of the patients given the drug intravenously experienced no localized pain. Phlebitis occurred in 6 of the 53 patients (11%) who received intravenous cephacetrile and thrombosis was present in 3 (6%). Rash and puritus was reported in 1 patient. Results of this study suggest that cephacetrile is an important and useful drug in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease.", "contents": "Cephacetrile in the treatment of female pelvic inflammatory disease. The efficacy and tolerability of cephacetrile administered by the intravenous or intramuscular route was evaluated in an open-label study of 55 hospitalized females diagnosed as having mild to severe pelvic inflammatory disease. Rapid improvement was observed in most patients. All patients were classified as clinically cured or significantly improved. Pain was absent or mild in 86% of the patients who received cephacetrile by intramuscular injection. Seventy-two percent of the patients given the drug intravenously experienced no localized pain. Phlebitis occurred in 6 of the 53 patients (11%) who received intravenous cephacetrile and thrombosis was present in 3 (6%). Rash and puritus was reported in 1 patient. Results of this study suggest that cephacetrile is an important and useful drug in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease.", "PMID": 768843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2595", "title": "Obstetric observations in eleven cases of neonatal sepsis due to the group B beta hemolytic streptococcus.", "content": "Neonatal sepsis due to Group B streptococcus is reported to be increasing, but the reasons are unclear. Eleven cases from a single hospital were reviewed for common obstetric factors. Frequent observations associated with 8 surviving infants were maternal infection, early evaluation and treatment of the newborn, and 4+ or 5+ growth on maternal cultures. In contrast, mothers of the 3 infants who died had no clinical signs of infection, and cultures were not obtained. All 11 infants had direct monitoring during labor but the frequency of infection, 1/1600 live births, was lower than usually reported. Three surviving infants and 3 nonsurvivors were premature. Semiquantitative culture technics suggest that the predominance of Group B streptococcus in the vagina may be a more important etiologic factor than the frequency of its presence.", "contents": "Obstetric observations in eleven cases of neonatal sepsis due to the group B beta hemolytic streptococcus. Neonatal sepsis due to Group B streptococcus is reported to be increasing, but the reasons are unclear. Eleven cases from a single hospital were reviewed for common obstetric factors. Frequent observations associated with 8 surviving infants were maternal infection, early evaluation and treatment of the newborn, and 4+ or 5+ growth on maternal cultures. In contrast, mothers of the 3 infants who died had no clinical signs of infection, and cultures were not obtained. All 11 infants had direct monitoring during labor but the frequency of infection, 1/1600 live births, was lower than usually reported. Three surviving infants and 3 nonsurvivors were premature. Semiquantitative culture technics suggest that the predominance of Group B streptococcus in the vagina may be a more important etiologic factor than the frequency of its presence.", "PMID": 768844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2596", "title": "Phase I study of L-asparaginase (NSC 109229).", "content": "22 patients received intravenously infused L-asparaginase (Escherichia coli) on a protocol for 5 weekly doses. 13 patients received 100 U/kg, 1 patient 500 U/kg, and 8 patients 1,500 U/kg. Only 3 of the 9 patients receiving 500 U/kg or more were able to complete the 5-week protocol. 11 of the 13 patients receiving 100 U/kg were able to complete the 5-week protocol. Significant tumor responses were not seen. CNS toxicity and allergic reactions were observed at high- and low-dose levels. There was no difference as to the degree of protein changes, BUN elevation, or liver function abnormalities at the different dose levels.", "contents": "Phase I study of L-asparaginase (NSC 109229). 22 patients received intravenously infused L-asparaginase (Escherichia coli) on a protocol for 5 weekly doses. 13 patients received 100 U/kg, 1 patient 500 U/kg, and 8 patients 1,500 U/kg. Only 3 of the 9 patients receiving 500 U/kg or more were able to complete the 5-week protocol. 11 of the 13 patients receiving 100 U/kg were able to complete the 5-week protocol. Significant tumor responses were not seen. CNS toxicity and allergic reactions were observed at high- and low-dose levels. There was no difference as to the degree of protein changes, BUN elevation, or liver function abnormalities at the different dose levels.", "PMID": 768851} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2597", "title": "Nitrosourea combination chemotherapy: 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methyl cyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (methyl-CCNU) and cyclophosphamide.", "content": "MCCNU and cyclophosphamide are synergistic in animal tumor systems and have different chronology patterns for dose-limiting myelosuppression. The combination was employed in 49 patients with metastatic cancer with each drug administered on successive days and repeated at 6-week intervals. A total of 108 courses of therapy were monitored, and leukopenia (WBC less than 3,000 cells/mm3) and thrombocytopenia (platelets less than 150,000/mm3) were observed in 47 and 30%, respectively, at nadir days 15 and 22. No clinically beneficial effects were observed in 40 patients with measurable disease. Combination chemotherapy employing nitrosoureas have not, as in this study, generally demonstrated synergistic therapeutic effects possibly related to the low level of antitumor activity of nitrosoureas in solid tumors and the use of suboptimal doses for one of more agents in the combination.", "contents": "Nitrosourea combination chemotherapy: 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methyl cyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (methyl-CCNU) and cyclophosphamide. MCCNU and cyclophosphamide are synergistic in animal tumor systems and have different chronology patterns for dose-limiting myelosuppression. The combination was employed in 49 patients with metastatic cancer with each drug administered on successive days and repeated at 6-week intervals. A total of 108 courses of therapy were monitored, and leukopenia (WBC less than 3,000 cells/mm3) and thrombocytopenia (platelets less than 150,000/mm3) were observed in 47 and 30%, respectively, at nadir days 15 and 22. No clinically beneficial effects were observed in 40 patients with measurable disease. Combination chemotherapy employing nitrosoureas have not, as in this study, generally demonstrated synergistic therapeutic effects possibly related to the low level of antitumor activity of nitrosoureas in solid tumors and the use of suboptimal doses for one of more agents in the combination.", "PMID": 768852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2598", "title": "Lymphocytes and cells in malignant transformation: similarities and possible relationship between the two cell types.", "content": "This paper points out some similarities between the behaviour and characteristics of lymphocytes and their transformation to lymphoblasts on one hand and malignant cells on the other. The areas of similarity are (1) anomalous communicating junction formation; (2) recruitment of neighbouring cells; (3) random antigen expression; (4) Fc synthesis; (5) stimulation by immune attack; (6) relation to a plasminogen activator, and (7) inhibition of stimulation by trypsin inhibitors. It is argued that, considering the anomalous membrane characteristics shown by lymphocytes and malignant cells and the list of similarities, carcinogenesis could represent a normal cell line infected with lymphocytic information. Two incidental ideas are presented based on the main idea. These concern lymphocytes but are related to malignant cells and their characteristics too. They are (1) a mechanism whereby generation of randomness in the variable region of Ig molecules could take place, and (2) a mechanism whereby the lymphocyte, in order to kill its target, could use the normal cell's propensity to form communicating intercellular junctions.", "contents": "Lymphocytes and cells in malignant transformation: similarities and possible relationship between the two cell types. This paper points out some similarities between the behaviour and characteristics of lymphocytes and their transformation to lymphoblasts on one hand and malignant cells on the other. The areas of similarity are (1) anomalous communicating junction formation; (2) recruitment of neighbouring cells; (3) random antigen expression; (4) Fc synthesis; (5) stimulation by immune attack; (6) relation to a plasminogen activator, and (7) inhibition of stimulation by trypsin inhibitors. It is argued that, considering the anomalous membrane characteristics shown by lymphocytes and malignant cells and the list of similarities, carcinogenesis could represent a normal cell line infected with lymphocytic information. Two incidental ideas are presented based on the main idea. These concern lymphocytes but are related to malignant cells and their characteristics too. They are (1) a mechanism whereby generation of randomness in the variable region of Ig molecules could take place, and (2) a mechanism whereby the lymphocyte, in order to kill its target, could use the normal cell's propensity to form communicating intercellular junctions.", "PMID": 768853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2599", "title": "[Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes during early embryonic development in rats].", "content": "Using the Coon's immunohistochemical method, antisera against LDH-1 and LDH-5 and electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, the polypeptides A and B, i.e. the products of both the LDH genes, were shown to be present both in mature eggs and at the early stages of their development. The spectrum of LDH isozymes in the nature egg is represented, mainly, by LDH-1 and LDH-5. The electrophoretic pattern of the egg LDH depends on the method of extraction since LDH-5 appears to be in the bound form. It has also been shown that the content of LDH-2 and, especially, LDH-3 and LDH-4 in the mature egg is low.", "contents": "[Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes during early embryonic development in rats]. Using the Coon's immunohistochemical method, antisera against LDH-1 and LDH-5 and electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, the polypeptides A and B, i.e. the products of both the LDH genes, were shown to be present both in mature eggs and at the early stages of their development. The spectrum of LDH isozymes in the nature egg is represented, mainly, by LDH-1 and LDH-5. The electrophoretic pattern of the egg LDH depends on the method of extraction since LDH-5 appears to be in the bound form. It has also been shown that the content of LDH-2 and, especially, LDH-3 and LDH-4 in the mature egg is low.", "PMID": 768856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2600", "title": "[Heart muscle regeneration].", "content": "A review of literature on the possibility of regeneration of muscle fibers under the artificial myocardium trauma in frogs, newts, lizards, newborn kittens, rats and guinea pigs, in very small foci of trauma in adult dogs and rabbits, under the stimulation of regeneration in adult rats, rabbits and dogs. The data are given about growth and secondary differentiation of muscle fibers in the myocardium of chick, mammal and human embryos, as well as of adult cocks and rabbits under the definite conditions of explantation. It was noted that the sources and mechanism of formation of muscle fibers remained as yet unclear, as well as the causes preventing the myocardium regeneration in adult mammals under routine conditions of traumatization. It is stressed that the problem of myocardium regeneration is as yet not solved and, being one of the most important biological problems, needs further studies.", "contents": "[Heart muscle regeneration]. A review of literature on the possibility of regeneration of muscle fibers under the artificial myocardium trauma in frogs, newts, lizards, newborn kittens, rats and guinea pigs, in very small foci of trauma in adult dogs and rabbits, under the stimulation of regeneration in adult rats, rabbits and dogs. The data are given about growth and secondary differentiation of muscle fibers in the myocardium of chick, mammal and human embryos, as well as of adult cocks and rabbits under the definite conditions of explantation. It was noted that the sources and mechanism of formation of muscle fibers remained as yet unclear, as well as the causes preventing the myocardium regeneration in adult mammals under routine conditions of traumatization. It is stressed that the problem of myocardium regeneration is as yet not solved and, being one of the most important biological problems, needs further studies.", "PMID": 768857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2601", "title": "Clinical and experimental experience in reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.", "content": "Various methods for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament have been described in the literature. In 1968 Brostr\u00f6m et al. described a reconstruction using the medial third of the patellar ligament as a substitute for the cruciate ligament. (The operative procedure is described elsewhere in this book by Eriksson and has also been described by Alm and Gillquist.) The aim of the present investigation was to study the long term clinical results after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using the medial third of the patellar ligament. The clinical and morphological findings were correlated at various intervals after reconstruction of the ligament. The influence of the rotatory movement of the tibia on the tensile strength and on the elongation of the anterior cruciate ligament was studied experimentally. To clarify the vascular anatomy and morphology of the cruciate ligaments and to study the vascularization and fate of the transposed part of the patellar ligament, experimental surgery was performed in dogs.", "contents": "Clinical and experimental experience in reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. Various methods for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament have been described in the literature. In 1968 Brostr\u00f6m et al. described a reconstruction using the medial third of the patellar ligament as a substitute for the cruciate ligament. (The operative procedure is described elsewhere in this book by Eriksson and has also been described by Alm and Gillquist.) The aim of the present investigation was to study the long term clinical results after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using the medial third of the patellar ligament. The clinical and morphological findings were correlated at various intervals after reconstruction of the ligament. The influence of the rotatory movement of the tibia on the tensile strength and on the elongation of the anterior cruciate ligament was studied experimentally. To clarify the vascular anatomy and morphology of the cruciate ligaments and to study the vascularization and fate of the transposed part of the patellar ligament, experimental surgery was performed in dogs.", "PMID": 768864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2602", "title": "Repair of the ligaments about the knee.", "content": "The evolution of techniques used to repair torn ligaments about the knee is described. A combination of repairs of the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and posterior joint capsule along with transfer of the medial half of the semimembranosus tendon and transfer of the pes anserinus is described. The surgical procedures have been evolved over a three year period in an orthopedic practice in a skiing and resort community. These combinations of surgical techniques can insure stable knees for active persons without the need to resort to more formal and more extensive surgical procedures. It is also thought that repair of both fresh and old ligament tears in the manner described gives the athletic individual a better chance for continuing in recreational and competitive sports, as well as reducing the possibility of lateral degenerative joint changes.", "contents": "Repair of the ligaments about the knee. The evolution of techniques used to repair torn ligaments about the knee is described. A combination of repairs of the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and posterior joint capsule along with transfer of the medial half of the semimembranosus tendon and transfer of the pes anserinus is described. The surgical procedures have been evolved over a three year period in an orthopedic practice in a skiing and resort community. These combinations of surgical techniques can insure stable knees for active persons without the need to resort to more formal and more extensive surgical procedures. It is also thought that repair of both fresh and old ligament tears in the manner described gives the athletic individual a better chance for continuing in recreational and competitive sports, as well as reducing the possibility of lateral degenerative joint changes.", "PMID": 768866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2603", "title": "Closed treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures.", "content": "A method of closed treatment of ruptures of the Achilles tendon is advocated. This system provides for a period of casting for ten weeks, eight of which are with the foot immobilized in gravity equinus. The use of a long leg cast for the first six weeks is justified to allow relaxation of the gastrocnemius muscle. Clinical evaluation and experience in treating eight patients reveal a consistently good result with a minimum of complications. The inherent risks of anesthesia and surgery are avoided. The postoperative problems associated with surgery on the Achilles tendon are not present.", "contents": "Closed treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures. A method of closed treatment of ruptures of the Achilles tendon is advocated. This system provides for a period of casting for ten weeks, eight of which are with the foot immobilized in gravity equinus. The use of a long leg cast for the first six weeks is justified to allow relaxation of the gastrocnemius muscle. Clinical evaluation and experience in treating eight patients reveal a consistently good result with a minimum of complications. The inherent risks of anesthesia and surgery are avoided. The postoperative problems associated with surgery on the Achilles tendon are not present.", "PMID": 768867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2604", "title": "Varicella gangrenosa due to group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus.", "content": "Varicella is usually a well-tolerated disease in normal children. Pyogenic infections involving the skin are the commonest complications and their potential severity is emphasized by our recent experience with two children who suffered from gangrene as a result of cutaneous superinfection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. We present the recognition and management of these patients in an effort to reacquaint physicians with this potentially fatal infection.", "contents": "Varicella gangrenosa due to group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus. Varicella is usually a well-tolerated disease in normal children. Pyogenic infections involving the skin are the commonest complications and their potential severity is emphasized by our recent experience with two children who suffered from gangrene as a result of cutaneous superinfection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. We present the recognition and management of these patients in an effort to reacquaint physicians with this potentially fatal infection.", "PMID": 768889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2605", "title": "The vulnerability of the medical student: posthumous presentation of L.L. Stephens' ideas.", "content": "L.L. Stephens described several critical issues in medical professionalization. The encounter with morbidity and mortality heightens the student's feelings of vulnerability. If he over-identifies with patients, he may suffer more and be unable to provide rational medical care. If he protects himself by dehumanizing patients, humane treatment suffers. Students have surreal perceptions of their responsibility for patients. Recognition of unconscious motivation may be troubling to students. Finally, there are emotional barriers to the recognition of psychosocial elements in disease. To optimize students' personal and professional functioning, medical training should deal with these concerns. Support can be provided by small continuing learning groups for students and clinical faculty, in which these issues, illustrated by videotapes of patient-student encounters and other clinical examples, are discussed in the context of providing comprehensive medical care. Support should continue during internship.", "contents": "The vulnerability of the medical student: posthumous presentation of L.L. Stephens' ideas. L.L. Stephens described several critical issues in medical professionalization. The encounter with morbidity and mortality heightens the student's feelings of vulnerability. If he over-identifies with patients, he may suffer more and be unable to provide rational medical care. If he protects himself by dehumanizing patients, humane treatment suffers. Students have surreal perceptions of their responsibility for patients. Recognition of unconscious motivation may be troubling to students. Finally, there are emotional barriers to the recognition of psychosocial elements in disease. To optimize students' personal and professional functioning, medical training should deal with these concerns. Support can be provided by small continuing learning groups for students and clinical faculty, in which these issues, illustrated by videotapes of patient-student encounters and other clinical examples, are discussed in the context of providing comprehensive medical care. Support should continue during internship.", "PMID": 768890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2606", "title": "The role of artificial ventilation, oxygen, and CPAP in the pathogenesis of lung damage in neonates: assessment by serial measurements of lung function.", "content": "Lung volume, airway resistance, and compliance have been measured in 19 infants, 18 of whom suffered from the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) at birth, while the remaining infant was ventilated for persistent apnea and a pneumothorax. Prior to discharge from the neonatal unit, and after recovery from RDS, most infants were found to have essentially normal lung function. When retested between 4 and 11 months of age, every infant who had received artificial ventilation during the acute illness was found to have developed a raised airway resistance, whereas the remaining infants, who had been treated with continuous positive airway pressure and/or oxygen were all entirely normal. The implications of these results for the management of RDS are discussed.", "contents": "The role of artificial ventilation, oxygen, and CPAP in the pathogenesis of lung damage in neonates: assessment by serial measurements of lung function. Lung volume, airway resistance, and compliance have been measured in 19 infants, 18 of whom suffered from the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) at birth, while the remaining infant was ventilated for persistent apnea and a pneumothorax. Prior to discharge from the neonatal unit, and after recovery from RDS, most infants were found to have essentially normal lung function. When retested between 4 and 11 months of age, every infant who had received artificial ventilation during the acute illness was found to have developed a raised airway resistance, whereas the remaining infants, who had been treated with continuous positive airway pressure and/or oxygen were all entirely normal. The implications of these results for the management of RDS are discussed.", "PMID": 768891} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2607", "title": "Preliminary study of effects of \"in vivo\" emotive imagery on dental discomfort.", "content": "To examine the effects of \"in vivo\" emotive imagery on dental discomfort (as measured by pulse rate and self-report) 27 female subjects undergoing tooth prophylaxis were exposed to three tape-recorded treatment conditions (relaxation imagery, neutral imagery, and a blank tape) in counterbalanced order. Promising findings of a pilot study were not confirmed on heart rate; however, on self-reported discomfort, positive differences appeared between the relaxation imagery and each of the control conditions.", "contents": "Preliminary study of effects of \"in vivo\" emotive imagery on dental discomfort. To examine the effects of \"in vivo\" emotive imagery on dental discomfort (as measured by pulse rate and self-report) 27 female subjects undergoing tooth prophylaxis were exposed to three tape-recorded treatment conditions (relaxation imagery, neutral imagery, and a blank tape) in counterbalanced order. Promising findings of a pilot study were not confirmed on heart rate; however, on self-reported discomfort, positive differences appeared between the relaxation imagery and each of the control conditions.", "PMID": 768895} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2608", "title": "Comparison of scoring methods for tests of attention, including an error index for use with schizophrenic patients.", "content": "A resume is given of various doubts raised concerning the application of signal-detection theory to discrimination tasks involving 'supra-threshold' stimuli, as in tests of vigilance and selective attention. The validity of this theory in pathological conditions, such as schizophrenia, is also questioned. The continuing need for a unitary index combining errors or omission and commission is emphasized and the various indices so far proposed are compared using experimental data. A new Error Index is offered as a more satisfactory resolution.", "contents": "Comparison of scoring methods for tests of attention, including an error index for use with schizophrenic patients. A resume is given of various doubts raised concerning the application of signal-detection theory to discrimination tasks involving 'supra-threshold' stimuli, as in tests of vigilance and selective attention. The validity of this theory in pathological conditions, such as schizophrenia, is also questioned. The continuing need for a unitary index combining errors or omission and commission is emphasized and the various indices so far proposed are compared using experimental data. A new Error Index is offered as a more satisfactory resolution.", "PMID": 768896} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2609", "title": "SAM Complex Coordinator and Multidimensional Pursuit Test: annotated bibliographies.", "content": "A brief description of the SAM Complex Coordinator (Mashburn Apparatus) and the SAM Multidimensional Pursuit Test (MDP or MPT) and annotated bibliographies including 144 and 51 citations respectively are presented. All references are annotated as to subject matter within six categories; Factor Analytic-Task Taxonomy, Aircrew Selection-Classification, Learning Phenomena, Stress Effects, History and Development, General Reviews.", "contents": "SAM Complex Coordinator and Multidimensional Pursuit Test: annotated bibliographies. A brief description of the SAM Complex Coordinator (Mashburn Apparatus) and the SAM Multidimensional Pursuit Test (MDP or MPT) and annotated bibliographies including 144 and 51 citations respectively are presented. All references are annotated as to subject matter within six categories; Factor Analytic-Task Taxonomy, Aircrew Selection-Classification, Learning Phenomena, Stress Effects, History and Development, General Reviews.", "PMID": 768897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2610", "title": "[Adriamycin, VM 26, cyclophosphamide and prednisone (AVmCP) combination in the therapy of disseminated lymphoreticulosarcoma (Stages or topographical forms III and IV].", "content": "This work presents the results obtained on 24 patients with disseminated lymphosarcoma and reticulosarcoma (stage III and IV) with a cyclic combination chemotherapy which combines adriamycin, epipodophyllotoxin (VM 26), cyclophosphamide and prednisone. The complete remission rate is 58 p.cent of the patients who entered the trial, the response rate is 75 p.cent. Tolerance of the regimen is good in general from the hematological point of view.", "contents": "[Adriamycin, VM 26, cyclophosphamide and prednisone (AVmCP) combination in the therapy of disseminated lymphoreticulosarcoma (Stages or topographical forms III and IV]. This work presents the results obtained on 24 patients with disseminated lymphosarcoma and reticulosarcoma (stage III and IV) with a cyclic combination chemotherapy which combines adriamycin, epipodophyllotoxin (VM 26), cyclophosphamide and prednisone. The complete remission rate is 58 p.cent of the patients who entered the trial, the response rate is 75 p.cent. Tolerance of the regimen is good in general from the hematological point of view.", "PMID": 768904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2611", "title": "[Pharmacokinetics of acebutolol].", "content": "Pharmacodynamic data correlating beta-adrenoceptor blockade with plasma level of drug were obtained in healthy male volunteers (3). Direct comparison of the inhibition of isoprenaline induced tachycardia was achieved in each volunteer after the administration of single doses of either acebutolol (300 mg), practolol (400 mg) or propranolol (40 mg). These drugs were approximately equipotent at these doses, at the times of maximum beta-adrenoceptor blockade. Pharmacokinetic data were obtained in hypertensive male patients (4) after treatment with 14C-radioactively labelled acebutolol hydrochloride. Both 'total-14C' levels and specific '14C-acebutol' levels were determined in plasma, urine and faeces. It was shown, by calculation from the renal clearance, that the late biological half-life for the decline of 14C-acebutolol in plasma was 9.4 h and 13.2 h, respectively, in two of these patients treated with a single oral dose (200 mg) of 14C-acebutolol hydrochloride. In one of the patients treated by intravenous infusion (20 mg/10 mn), the late biological half-life plasma was calculated to be 7.5 h. Renal clearance of acebutolol was shown to be close to a mean of 83 ml plasma/mn for each of three patients (two oral and one intravenous) in spite of the fact that one of the orally treated patients had an elevated level of urea in his plasma (47 mg/100 ml) indicative of some impairment of kidney function. The recovery of 14C-radioactivity in the urine (29 p. cent) and faeces (64 p. cent) was 93 p.cent of the dose of labelled acebutolol in one of the orally treated patients. The overall proportion of the dose excreted as unchanged 14C-acebutolol was 62 p.cent. The major metabolite was the product formed by shortening of the butyramido-group of acebutolol to form an acetamido-group. This metabolite was also readily excreted in both urine and faeces and was also detected in an extract of the 4 h plasma from an orally treated patient. It was identified by co-chromatography as the acetyl analogue (M & B 16 942) of acebutolol. It would be detected by the colorimetric assay of acebutolol in plasma because the same aromatic amino-compound (M & B 17 127) would be formed during the acid hydrolysis procedure. A small quantity of an other unidentified metabolite was detected in an extract of freeze-dried urine after autoradiography of a two dimensional thin layer silica-gel chromatogram.", "contents": "[Pharmacokinetics of acebutolol]. Pharmacodynamic data correlating beta-adrenoceptor blockade with plasma level of drug were obtained in healthy male volunteers (3). Direct comparison of the inhibition of isoprenaline induced tachycardia was achieved in each volunteer after the administration of single doses of either acebutolol (300 mg), practolol (400 mg) or propranolol (40 mg). These drugs were approximately equipotent at these doses, at the times of maximum beta-adrenoceptor blockade. Pharmacokinetic data were obtained in hypertensive male patients (4) after treatment with 14C-radioactively labelled acebutolol hydrochloride. Both 'total-14C' levels and specific '14C-acebutol' levels were determined in plasma, urine and faeces. It was shown, by calculation from the renal clearance, that the late biological half-life for the decline of 14C-acebutolol in plasma was 9.4 h and 13.2 h, respectively, in two of these patients treated with a single oral dose (200 mg) of 14C-acebutolol hydrochloride. In one of the patients treated by intravenous infusion (20 mg/10 mn), the late biological half-life plasma was calculated to be 7.5 h. Renal clearance of acebutolol was shown to be close to a mean of 83 ml plasma/mn for each of three patients (two oral and one intravenous) in spite of the fact that one of the orally treated patients had an elevated level of urea in his plasma (47 mg/100 ml) indicative of some impairment of kidney function. The recovery of 14C-radioactivity in the urine (29 p. cent) and faeces (64 p. cent) was 93 p.cent of the dose of labelled acebutolol in one of the orally treated patients. The overall proportion of the dose excreted as unchanged 14C-acebutolol was 62 p.cent. The major metabolite was the product formed by shortening of the butyramido-group of acebutolol to form an acetamido-group. This metabolite was also readily excreted in both urine and faeces and was also detected in an extract of the 4 h plasma from an orally treated patient. It was identified by co-chromatography as the acetyl analogue (M & B 16 942) of acebutolol. It would be detected by the colorimetric assay of acebutolol in plasma because the same aromatic amino-compound (M & B 17 127) would be formed during the acid hydrolysis procedure. A small quantity of an other unidentified metabolite was detected in an extract of freeze-dried urine after autoradiography of a two dimensional thin layer silica-gel chromatogram.", "PMID": 768905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2612", "title": "[Hemodynamic effects and effects on plasma renin activity of injectable acebutolol in arterial hypertension].", "content": "The purpose of the study was to determine the early haemodynamic effects of injectable acebutolol and to study in parallel the changes in plasma renin activity (P.R.A.) in 11 patients, most of whom were affected with labile arterial hypertension. The haemodynamic measurements and P.R.A. determinations were carried out before and 5 and 15 mn after very slow intravenous injection of 10 mg acebutolol. The results obtained under these conditions were as follows: 1) Decrease in cardiac index (I.C.). It was particularly significant after 5 mn, since the I.C. decreased from 4.43 to 3.75 1/mm (p less than .01). It was essentially due to a decrease in heart rate, that fell from 90.45 to 77 beats/mn (p less than .001), while stroke volume changed virtually not. 2) Decrease in blood pressure, more marked on systolic blood pressure (110 mm Hg after 15 mn as against 154 mm Hg before injection; p less than .001), associated with a decrease in left ventricular work (4.7 kgm/mn/m2 after 5 mn as against 6.2 kgm/mn/m2 before injection; p less than .001), without significant changes in total systemic arterial resistances. 3) Increase in diastolic pulmonary arterial pressure (10.4 mm Hg after 5 mn against 8.09 mm Hg before injection; p less than .001), testifying to a slight left ventricular myocardial depression. 4) Decrease in supine P.R.A. level (0.72 nanogram/1/mn after 5 mn as against 1.15 nanogram/1/min before injection; p less than .01). A significant correlation was found between this decrease in P.R.A. and that in I.C., testifying to a close parallelism between the inhibition of cardiac beta-1 receptors and that of the receptors involved in renine secretion. 5) The tolerance of injectable acebutolol appeared to us to be excellent.", "contents": "[Hemodynamic effects and effects on plasma renin activity of injectable acebutolol in arterial hypertension]. The purpose of the study was to determine the early haemodynamic effects of injectable acebutolol and to study in parallel the changes in plasma renin activity (P.R.A.) in 11 patients, most of whom were affected with labile arterial hypertension. The haemodynamic measurements and P.R.A. determinations were carried out before and 5 and 15 mn after very slow intravenous injection of 10 mg acebutolol. The results obtained under these conditions were as follows: 1) Decrease in cardiac index (I.C.). It was particularly significant after 5 mn, since the I.C. decreased from 4.43 to 3.75 1/mm (p less than .01). It was essentially due to a decrease in heart rate, that fell from 90.45 to 77 beats/mn (p less than .001), while stroke volume changed virtually not. 2) Decrease in blood pressure, more marked on systolic blood pressure (110 mm Hg after 15 mn as against 154 mm Hg before injection; p less than .001), associated with a decrease in left ventricular work (4.7 kgm/mn/m2 after 5 mn as against 6.2 kgm/mn/m2 before injection; p less than .001), without significant changes in total systemic arterial resistances. 3) Increase in diastolic pulmonary arterial pressure (10.4 mm Hg after 5 mn against 8.09 mm Hg before injection; p less than .001), testifying to a slight left ventricular myocardial depression. 4) Decrease in supine P.R.A. level (0.72 nanogram/1/mn after 5 mn as against 1.15 nanogram/1/min before injection; p less than .01). A significant correlation was found between this decrease in P.R.A. and that in I.C., testifying to a close parallelism between the inhibition of cardiac beta-1 receptors and that of the receptors involved in renine secretion. 5) The tolerance of injectable acebutolol appeared to us to be excellent.", "PMID": 768906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2613", "title": "[Action of acebutolol on heart rate and FEV1 in asthmatic patients. Single intravenous administration and long term oral administration].", "content": "In 7 asthmatic patients, intravenous injection of acebutolol resulted in a slowing of the heart rate by blocking the cardiac beta-receptors. An aerosol of isoprenaline, which accelerated the heart, is without effect after intravenous injection of acebutolol. On the contrary, isoprenaline caused similar changes in the FEV1 before and after acebutolol injection in the same patients. This effect confirms the slight action of the compound on the beta2-adrenergic receptors. Prolonged oral administration did not cause any adverse clinical effects in 6 asthmatic patients.", "contents": "[Action of acebutolol on heart rate and FEV1 in asthmatic patients. Single intravenous administration and long term oral administration]. In 7 asthmatic patients, intravenous injection of acebutolol resulted in a slowing of the heart rate by blocking the cardiac beta-receptors. An aerosol of isoprenaline, which accelerated the heart, is without effect after intravenous injection of acebutolol. On the contrary, isoprenaline caused similar changes in the FEV1 before and after acebutolol injection in the same patients. This effect confirms the slight action of the compound on the beta2-adrenergic receptors. Prolonged oral administration did not cause any adverse clinical effects in 6 asthmatic patients.", "PMID": 768907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2614", "title": "[Acebutolol test in moderate arterial hypertension. Action on systolic time intervals].", "content": "The antihypertensive effect of acebutolol, a new cardioselective beta-blocking drug, is studied in 31 patients with mild essential hypertension. Administration of acebutolol (2,000 mg) in 48 hours produced a significant decrease in blood pressure, heart rate, plasma renin activity (P.R.A.) and an increase in systolic time intervals (pre-ejection period and isovolumetric contraction time). The blood pressure drop is highly correlated to the initial P.R.A. values, but is not related either to the initial heart rate, or to the systolic time intervals values.", "contents": "[Acebutolol test in moderate arterial hypertension. Action on systolic time intervals]. The antihypertensive effect of acebutolol, a new cardioselective beta-blocking drug, is studied in 31 patients with mild essential hypertension. Administration of acebutolol (2,000 mg) in 48 hours produced a significant decrease in blood pressure, heart rate, plasma renin activity (P.R.A.) and an increase in systolic time intervals (pre-ejection period and isovolumetric contraction time). The blood pressure drop is highly correlated to the initial P.R.A. values, but is not related either to the initial heart rate, or to the systolic time intervals values.", "PMID": 768908} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2615", "title": "[Controlled comparative trial of acebutolol and bendrofluazide alone or in association for the treatment of hypertension].", "content": "The hypotensive effects of acebutolol and bendrofluazide were studied comparatively, used alone or in association, using a permutation method over three consecutive six week periods, in 47 patients aged over 21 whose diastolic pressure prior to treatment was in excess of 100 mm Hg. Whether used alone or associated, the drugs were prescribed at the following daily doses: acebutolol 500 mg, bendrofluazide 5-15 mg. After six weeks and at the end of the trials (18 weeks), acebutolol proved to have an hypotensive effect, less marked when given alone than in association. It provided significant relief from anxiety, especially when prescribed alone during the latter part of the test. Side effects were unfrequent on the whole and without marked predominance for any type of treatment.", "contents": "[Controlled comparative trial of acebutolol and bendrofluazide alone or in association for the treatment of hypertension]. The hypotensive effects of acebutolol and bendrofluazide were studied comparatively, used alone or in association, using a permutation method over three consecutive six week periods, in 47 patients aged over 21 whose diastolic pressure prior to treatment was in excess of 100 mm Hg. Whether used alone or associated, the drugs were prescribed at the following daily doses: acebutolol 500 mg, bendrofluazide 5-15 mg. After six weeks and at the end of the trials (18 weeks), acebutolol proved to have an hypotensive effect, less marked when given alone than in association. It provided significant relief from anxiety, especially when prescribed alone during the latter part of the test. Side effects were unfrequent on the whole and without marked predominance for any type of treatment.", "PMID": 768909} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2616", "title": "[Results of the treatment of essential arterial hypertension following prolonged (24 months administration of acebutolol)].", "content": "Acebutolol, a new cardioselective blocking agent, has been used to treat essential hypertension during two years in 56 patients. The initial dosage was 600 mg a day and was sufficient in the majority of patients. We have observed a perfect control of arterial blood pressure in 69 p.cent. In 10 p.cent of our patients arterial blood pressure decreased and the mean decrease was 25 mm Hg. In 21 p.cent there was no effect of the treatment. Tolerance was very good.", "contents": "[Results of the treatment of essential arterial hypertension following prolonged (24 months administration of acebutolol)]. Acebutolol, a new cardioselective blocking agent, has been used to treat essential hypertension during two years in 56 patients. The initial dosage was 600 mg a day and was sufficient in the majority of patients. We have observed a perfect control of arterial blood pressure in 69 p.cent. In 10 p.cent of our patients arterial blood pressure decreased and the mean decrease was 25 mm Hg. In 21 p.cent there was no effect of the treatment. Tolerance was very good.", "PMID": 768910} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2617", "title": "[Acebutolol in the treatment of arterial hypertension. Clinical study].", "content": "Fifty hypertensive patients were given a beta-blocker, acebutolol, alone or in association with other hypotensive drugs, in an open therapeutic trial lasting for a year. The results of treatment were considered to be good or moderate in 74 p.cent of the patients. Treatment failures were recorded in 26 p.cent. The mean dosage of acebutolol was 10 mg/kg (maximum 22 mg/kg) and the drug was very well tolerated. Hypertension with an increased cardiac index and reno-vascular hypertension with increased plasma renin activity are good indications for acebutolol.", "contents": "[Acebutolol in the treatment of arterial hypertension. Clinical study]. Fifty hypertensive patients were given a beta-blocker, acebutolol, alone or in association with other hypotensive drugs, in an open therapeutic trial lasting for a year. The results of treatment were considered to be good or moderate in 74 p.cent of the patients. Treatment failures were recorded in 26 p.cent. The mean dosage of acebutolol was 10 mg/kg (maximum 22 mg/kg) and the drug was very well tolerated. Hypertension with an increased cardiac index and reno-vascular hypertension with increased plasma renin activity are good indications for acebutolol.", "PMID": 768911} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2618", "title": "[Treatment of arterial hypertension with acebutolol. Clinical results].", "content": "Acebutolol was given to a group of 23 subjects with essential arterial hypertension associated with tachycardia at rest. In 70 p.cent of the cases, arterial blood pressure was rapidly influenced by the treatment. The favorable results are mostly-but not exclusively-found among the subjects with the highest initial sympathetic reactivity and renin plasmatic activity. However, there is no correlation between the quality of the result and the degree of reduction of renin activity or heart rate.", "contents": "[Treatment of arterial hypertension with acebutolol. Clinical results]. Acebutolol was given to a group of 23 subjects with essential arterial hypertension associated with tachycardia at rest. In 70 p.cent of the cases, arterial blood pressure was rapidly influenced by the treatment. The favorable results are mostly-but not exclusively-found among the subjects with the highest initial sympathetic reactivity and renin plasmatic activity. However, there is no correlation between the quality of the result and the degree of reduction of renin activity or heart rate.", "PMID": 768912} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2619", "title": "[Comparative study of acebutolol and propranolol in the treatment of arterial hypertension].", "content": "This double-blind clinical study was carried out in order to compare the therapeutic activity of propranolol, and a new beta-adrenergic blocker, acebutolol, in essential hypertension. The hypotensive activity of acebutolol was confirmed when a dosage of 600 mg/day was used, with en absence of side effects.", "contents": "[Comparative study of acebutolol and propranolol in the treatment of arterial hypertension]. This double-blind clinical study was carried out in order to compare the therapeutic activity of propranolol, and a new beta-adrenergic blocker, acebutolol, in essential hypertension. The hypotensive activity of acebutolol was confirmed when a dosage of 600 mg/day was used, with en absence of side effects.", "PMID": 768913} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2620", "title": "[The induction of labor by prostaglandin F2alpha Clinical, tocographic and electrohysterographic study].", "content": "Induction of labor was performed in 65 patients by intravenous infusion of PgF2alpha. 55 patients were near term and induction made electively. 5 cases failed. No correlation was found between the stade of the cervix and the probability of success nor the length of the induction time. PgF2alpha induced labor needs to be closely monitored (electronical pumps and monitoring) because of the risk of hypertonus. With such a technique the side effects are minimal and no undesirable consequences were observed concerning either the mother or the child. During the course of this investigation a study was performed for the first time of the electrical activity of the human myometrium subjected to PgF2alpha stimulation. (26 recordings through the extra-amniotic intrauterine technique). The pattern of this activity is quite similar to spontaneously occuring alectrical activity.", "contents": "[The induction of labor by prostaglandin F2alpha Clinical, tocographic and electrohysterographic study]. Induction of labor was performed in 65 patients by intravenous infusion of PgF2alpha. 55 patients were near term and induction made electively. 5 cases failed. No correlation was found between the stade of the cervix and the probability of success nor the length of the induction time. PgF2alpha induced labor needs to be closely monitored (electronical pumps and monitoring) because of the risk of hypertonus. With such a technique the side effects are minimal and no undesirable consequences were observed concerning either the mother or the child. During the course of this investigation a study was performed for the first time of the electrical activity of the human myometrium subjected to PgF2alpha stimulation. (26 recordings through the extra-amniotic intrauterine technique). The pattern of this activity is quite similar to spontaneously occuring alectrical activity.", "PMID": 768917} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2621", "title": "Oviduct patency control by means of 133Xe-solution.", "content": "The authors describe a radioisotopic method for the oviduct patency control in patients suffering from primary or secondary sterility. The application of 133Xe causes at least about 3-4 times less radiation than hysterosalpingographical tests. Ease of interpretation facility, painlessness and comparability of the results were noticed.", "contents": "Oviduct patency control by means of 133Xe-solution. The authors describe a radioisotopic method for the oviduct patency control in patients suffering from primary or secondary sterility. The application of 133Xe causes at least about 3-4 times less radiation than hysterosalpingographical tests. Ease of interpretation facility, painlessness and comparability of the results were noticed.", "PMID": 768921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2622", "title": "[Minimal cardiac transit times in the diagnosis of heart disease: measurements with the gamma retina V and indium-113m. The influence on central volume relationships of long-term digitalis therapy in patients with latent and manifest coronary insufficiency].", "content": "Using Indium-113m and the Gamma Retina V (Fucks-Knipping Camera), the minimal cardiac transit times (MTTs) were measured radiocardiographically from the right auricle to the aortic root. This analysis served to determine the relation between stroke volume and the segment volume of the part of circulation between the right auricle and the aortic root. In 39 patients with myocardial insufficiency of different clinical degree the effectiveness of digitalization was, up to a period of 5 years, measured by means of the volume relation mentioned above. The following conclusions can be drawn from the results: digitalization of patients with myocardial insufficiency leads to an improvement of the impaired relation of central volumes. In patients with diminished cardiac reserve the improvement is drastic and often results in a nearly complete normalization. The data remain constant during therapy even for an observation period of 5 years. Digitalization of patients with congestive heart failure only leads to a partial improvement. In contrast to patients with diminished cardiac reserve this effect is temporary. The different behaviour of the relation between stroke volume and segment volume in patients with diminished cardiac reserve and congestive heart failure under prolonged administration of digitalis points to the necessity of treatment with digitalis in the early stage of myocardial disease.", "contents": "[Minimal cardiac transit times in the diagnosis of heart disease: measurements with the gamma retina V and indium-113m. The influence on central volume relationships of long-term digitalis therapy in patients with latent and manifest coronary insufficiency]. Using Indium-113m and the Gamma Retina V (Fucks-Knipping Camera), the minimal cardiac transit times (MTTs) were measured radiocardiographically from the right auricle to the aortic root. This analysis served to determine the relation between stroke volume and the segment volume of the part of circulation between the right auricle and the aortic root. In 39 patients with myocardial insufficiency of different clinical degree the effectiveness of digitalization was, up to a period of 5 years, measured by means of the volume relation mentioned above. The following conclusions can be drawn from the results: digitalization of patients with myocardial insufficiency leads to an improvement of the impaired relation of central volumes. In patients with diminished cardiac reserve the improvement is drastic and often results in a nearly complete normalization. The data remain constant during therapy even for an observation period of 5 years. Digitalization of patients with congestive heart failure only leads to a partial improvement. In contrast to patients with diminished cardiac reserve this effect is temporary. The different behaviour of the relation between stroke volume and segment volume in patients with diminished cardiac reserve and congestive heart failure under prolonged administration of digitalis points to the necessity of treatment with digitalis in the early stage of myocardial disease.", "PMID": 768922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2623", "title": "The isolation and partial characterization of a new restriction endonuclease from Providencia stuartii.", "content": "We describe the isolation of a new class 2 restriction endonuclease from Providencia stuartii 164. Using the procedure of osmotic shock treatment, we have partially purified this enzyme (Pst 1) and have begun preliminary work to characterize its specificity and requirements. Pst 1 requires Mg++ as the only cofactor and produces more than 18 cleavages in wild type lambda. We have determined the location of 7 of these cleavages by the use of deletion and insertion mutants of lambda.", "contents": "The isolation and partial characterization of a new restriction endonuclease from Providencia stuartii. We describe the isolation of a new class 2 restriction endonuclease from Providencia stuartii 164. Using the procedure of osmotic shock treatment, we have partially purified this enzyme (Pst 1) and have begun preliminary work to characterize its specificity and requirements. Pst 1 requires Mg++ as the only cofactor and produces more than 18 cleavages in wild type lambda. We have determined the location of 7 of these cleavages by the use of deletion and insertion mutants of lambda.", "PMID": 768923} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2624", "title": "A modified uridine in the anticodon of E. coli tRNA I Tyr su + oc.", "content": "The anticodon of an ochre-suppressing derivative of E. coli tRNA I Tyr, previously identified as UUA, can contain a modified uridine (U+) in the first position. The novel modified nucleotide has been identified by two-dimensional thin layer chromatography following RNase T2 digestion of anticodon-containing fragments. Up+ is found in less than stoichiometric molar yields in preparations of tRNA I Tyr su + oc. The electrophoretic mobility of Up+ is the same as Up at pH 3.5 and pH 7.5. U+ probably does not contain sulfur since it cannot be labeled with 35S in vivo incorporation experiments.", "contents": "A modified uridine in the anticodon of E. coli tRNA I Tyr su + oc. The anticodon of an ochre-suppressing derivative of E. coli tRNA I Tyr, previously identified as UUA, can contain a modified uridine (U+) in the first position. The novel modified nucleotide has been identified by two-dimensional thin layer chromatography following RNase T2 digestion of anticodon-containing fragments. Up+ is found in less than stoichiometric molar yields in preparations of tRNA I Tyr su + oc. The electrophoretic mobility of Up+ is the same as Up at pH 3.5 and pH 7.5. U+ probably does not contain sulfur since it cannot be labeled with 35S in vivo incorporation experiments.", "PMID": 768924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2625", "title": "Comparison of the fine structure of mitochondrial DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. carlsbergensis: electron microscopy of partially denatured molecules.", "content": "Denaturation-maps of mitochondrial DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. carlsbergensis have been derived from electron microscopic observations of partially denatured complete circular molecules and large fragments of these circles. The mitochondrial DNA from the two species differ by 6% in total length, but seems from the maps to contain some regions of apparent close homology. The cleavage pattern of the two DNAs by the restriction endonuclease EcoRI is compared by gel electrophoresis.", "contents": "Comparison of the fine structure of mitochondrial DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. carlsbergensis: electron microscopy of partially denatured molecules. Denaturation-maps of mitochondrial DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. carlsbergensis have been derived from electron microscopic observations of partially denatured complete circular molecules and large fragments of these circles. The mitochondrial DNA from the two species differ by 6% in total length, but seems from the maps to contain some regions of apparent close homology. The cleavage pattern of the two DNAs by the restriction endonuclease EcoRI is compared by gel electrophoresis.", "PMID": 768925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2626", "title": "Late psychologic effects of a serious illness in childhood.", "content": "The results of psychologic testing and parent interviews showed that children who experience catastrophic illness between 2 and 5 years of age do not necessarily have severe adjustment problems at a later date. Only 2 of the 18 children studied, who are long-term survivors of childhood cancer, have been found to have moderately severe adjustment problems. The problems of these two children could be related to continuing stress within the family and are not necessarily caused by the child's illness.", "contents": "Late psychologic effects of a serious illness in childhood. The results of psychologic testing and parent interviews showed that children who experience catastrophic illness between 2 and 5 years of age do not necessarily have severe adjustment problems at a later date. Only 2 of the 18 children studied, who are long-term survivors of childhood cancer, have been found to have moderately severe adjustment problems. The problems of these two children could be related to continuing stress within the family and are not necessarily caused by the child's illness.", "PMID": 768931} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2627", "title": "[Changes in the concentration of estradiol in the peripheral blood of immature female rats following intrahypothalamic administration of a factor liberating luteinizing hormone].", "content": "Administration of a synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LH-RF) into the area of the medial eminence and the third ventricle of the sexually immature female rats, aged 20-22 days, caused a distinct increase in the estradiol concentration in the peripheral blood of the majority of these animals. Administration of physiological solution produced a reaction (much weaker) only in a small percentage of the animals. There was no increase in estradiol level when LH-RF got into the other areas of the hypothalamus.", "contents": "[Changes in the concentration of estradiol in the peripheral blood of immature female rats following intrahypothalamic administration of a factor liberating luteinizing hormone]. Administration of a synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LH-RF) into the area of the medial eminence and the third ventricle of the sexually immature female rats, aged 20-22 days, caused a distinct increase in the estradiol concentration in the peripheral blood of the majority of these animals. Administration of physiological solution produced a reaction (much weaker) only in a small percentage of the animals. There was no increase in estradiol level when LH-RF got into the other areas of the hypothalamus.", "PMID": 768972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2628", "title": "Identification of biological molecules in situ at high resolution via the fluorescence excited by a scanning electron beam.", "content": "Proteins, nucleic acids, and fluorescein-conjugated antibody are shown to be identifidable in situ via the fluorescence excited by the focused electron beam of a canning electron microscope. A molecular species is identified by its characteristic fluorescence spectrum and by a characteristic alteration of the spectrum with time under the electron beam. Primary protein fluorescence is relatively rapidly destroyed by the beam, but protein photoproduct fluorescence is more rugged and will in some cases permit detection of small numbers of protein molecules. Nucleic acid fluorescence is extremely long-lived and will permit detection of small numbers of nucleic acid residues. The theoretical resolution limit for localization of a particular molecular species -- about 20 A--is determined by the known maximum distance for molecular excitation by fast electrons. Drect extapolation from an observed resolution of 900 A in the localization of nucleic acid using a low-efficiency detector leads to an experimental resolution limit of less than 60 A. Fluorescence is strongly quenched by residual water in the specimen. Similar quenching is produced by some macromolecular associations and so may serve to localize such associations.", "contents": "Identification of biological molecules in situ at high resolution via the fluorescence excited by a scanning electron beam. Proteins, nucleic acids, and fluorescein-conjugated antibody are shown to be identifidable in situ via the fluorescence excited by the focused electron beam of a canning electron microscope. A molecular species is identified by its characteristic fluorescence spectrum and by a characteristic alteration of the spectrum with time under the electron beam. Primary protein fluorescence is relatively rapidly destroyed by the beam, but protein photoproduct fluorescence is more rugged and will in some cases permit detection of small numbers of protein molecules. Nucleic acid fluorescence is extremely long-lived and will permit detection of small numbers of nucleic acid residues. The theoretical resolution limit for localization of a particular molecular species -- about 20 A--is determined by the known maximum distance for molecular excitation by fast electrons. Drect extapolation from an observed resolution of 900 A in the localization of nucleic acid using a low-efficiency detector leads to an experimental resolution limit of less than 60 A. Fluorescence is strongly quenched by residual water in the specimen. Similar quenching is produced by some macromolecular associations and so may serve to localize such associations.", "PMID": 768980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2629", "title": "Cloning of Escherichia coli DNA that controls cell division and capsular polysaccharide synthesis.", "content": "A 2 x 10(6) dalton DNA fragment that controls cell division, capsular polysaccharide synthesis, and enzymes of capsular polysaccharide synthesis has been cloned.", "contents": "Cloning of Escherichia coli DNA that controls cell division and capsular polysaccharide synthesis. A 2 x 10(6) dalton DNA fragment that controls cell division, capsular polysaccharide synthesis, and enzymes of capsular polysaccharide synthesis has been cloned.", "PMID": 768981} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2630", "title": "Specific in situ cleavage of 16S ribosomal RNA of Escherichia coli interferes with the function of initiation factor IF-1.", "content": "Specific in situ cleavage of 16S rRNA of E. coli has been accomplished by in vitro treatment of 70S ribosomes (\"tight couples\") with the bacteriocin cloacin DF13. The defective ribosomes, which have fully lost their ability to sustain polypeptide synthesis, are still able to form initiation on complexes with MS2 RNA, but the kinetics are altered. This is apparently due to an improper functioning of initiation factor IF-1, for the defective ribosomal couples respond normally to dissociation by IF-3 but the dissociation is not stimulated by IF-1. The initiation complexes formed with defective ribosomes are fully reactive with puromycin. Their ability to bind alanyl-tRNA is reduced by about 50% at all concentrations of elongation factor Tu studied. Cleavage of the 16S rRNA, not the release of the terminal fragment from the ribosome, causes the block of protein synthesis and the aberrations observed during initiation and elongation.", "contents": "Specific in situ cleavage of 16S ribosomal RNA of Escherichia coli interferes with the function of initiation factor IF-1. Specific in situ cleavage of 16S rRNA of E. coli has been accomplished by in vitro treatment of 70S ribosomes (\"tight couples\") with the bacteriocin cloacin DF13. The defective ribosomes, which have fully lost their ability to sustain polypeptide synthesis, are still able to form initiation on complexes with MS2 RNA, but the kinetics are altered. This is apparently due to an improper functioning of initiation factor IF-1, for the defective ribosomal couples respond normally to dissociation by IF-3 but the dissociation is not stimulated by IF-1. The initiation complexes formed with defective ribosomes are fully reactive with puromycin. Their ability to bind alanyl-tRNA is reduced by about 50% at all concentrations of elongation factor Tu studied. Cleavage of the 16S rRNA, not the release of the terminal fragment from the ribosome, causes the block of protein synthesis and the aberrations observed during initiation and elongation.", "PMID": 768982} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2631", "title": "Stringent factor from Escherichia coli directs ribosomal binding and release of uncharged tRNA.", "content": "Uncharged tRNA is preferentially bound to the peptidyl site of the ribosome in the absence of stringent factor ,but in its presence is directed to the acceptor site. The synthesis of pppGpp and ppGpp is initiated by tRNA bound in the acceptor but not in the peptidyl site. In this reaction, tRNA is not permanently attached to the acceptor site. Uncharged [32P] tRNA but not 3H-labeled stringent factor is released from the ribosome after each round of stringent factor-dependent hydrolysis of ATP. ATP-32PPi-exchange experiments reveal that exchange is independent of the presence of GTP but strongly enhanced by the addition of stringent factor and tRNA. The tRNA release is suppressed when ATP is replaced by beta, gamma-imido adenosine 5'-triphosphate, 5'-AMP, or GTP.", "contents": "Stringent factor from Escherichia coli directs ribosomal binding and release of uncharged tRNA. Uncharged tRNA is preferentially bound to the peptidyl site of the ribosome in the absence of stringent factor ,but in its presence is directed to the acceptor site. The synthesis of pppGpp and ppGpp is initiated by tRNA bound in the acceptor but not in the peptidyl site. In this reaction, tRNA is not permanently attached to the acceptor site. Uncharged [32P] tRNA but not 3H-labeled stringent factor is released from the ribosome after each round of stringent factor-dependent hydrolysis of ATP. ATP-32PPi-exchange experiments reveal that exchange is independent of the presence of GTP but strongly enhanced by the addition of stringent factor and tRNA. The tRNA release is suppressed when ATP is replaced by beta, gamma-imido adenosine 5'-triphosphate, 5'-AMP, or GTP.", "PMID": 768983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2632", "title": "Isolation of an intermediate which precedes dnaG RNA polymerase participation in enzymatic replication of bacteriophage phi X174 DNA.", "content": "Conversion of phi X174 single-stranded DNA to the duplex replicative form (RF) in vitro requires at least 10 purified proteins. Three stages - strand initiation, elongation, and termination - comprise this conversion. We now identify a separate stage in strand initiation which precedes dnaG RNA polymerase participation. Incubation of five proteins - protein i, protein n, DNA unwinding protein, dnaB protein, and dnaC protein - with ATP and phi X174 DNA forms an intermediate which enables subsequent stages measured by DNA synthesis to proceed 20 times faster. The intermediate can be isolated in quantitative yield by gel filtration or by ultracentrifugation. Protein i and protein n are required in less than stoichiometric amounts and appear to be absent from the isolated intermediate. Whereas formation of the intermediate is sensitive to antibody to protein i and to N-ethylmaleimide (an inhibitor of protein n and dnaC protein), the intermediate itself is resistant to these reagents. DNA unwinding protein complexes the DNA in a ratio of 60 molecules per circle. Synthesis of the intermediate appears to require stoichiometric quantities of dnaB protein and dnaC PROTEin but their presence in the intermediate has not been established as yet.", "contents": "Isolation of an intermediate which precedes dnaG RNA polymerase participation in enzymatic replication of bacteriophage phi X174 DNA. Conversion of phi X174 single-stranded DNA to the duplex replicative form (RF) in vitro requires at least 10 purified proteins. Three stages - strand initiation, elongation, and termination - comprise this conversion. We now identify a separate stage in strand initiation which precedes dnaG RNA polymerase participation. Incubation of five proteins - protein i, protein n, DNA unwinding protein, dnaB protein, and dnaC protein - with ATP and phi X174 DNA forms an intermediate which enables subsequent stages measured by DNA synthesis to proceed 20 times faster. The intermediate can be isolated in quantitative yield by gel filtration or by ultracentrifugation. Protein i and protein n are required in less than stoichiometric amounts and appear to be absent from the isolated intermediate. Whereas formation of the intermediate is sensitive to antibody to protein i and to N-ethylmaleimide (an inhibitor of protein n and dnaC protein), the intermediate itself is resistant to these reagents. DNA unwinding protein complexes the DNA in a ratio of 60 molecules per circle. Synthesis of the intermediate appears to require stoichiometric quantities of dnaB protein and dnaC PROTEin but their presence in the intermediate has not been established as yet.", "PMID": 768984} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2633", "title": "Receptor interactions in a signalling system: competition between ribose receptor and galactose receptor in the chemotaxis response.", "content": "Galactose and ribose receptors are shown to compete for a common site by comparing the specificities of the purified receptors with the specificity of the whole organism response. Ribose does not bind to the purified galactose receptor but inhibits the in vivo galactose response. A mutant lacking the ribose receptor shows no inhibition of the galactose response even at very high ribose concentrations. The results can be explained by a mechanism involving (a) a ligand-induced conformational change in the receptor which produces a combining site with affinity for the molecule that serves as a first component of the signalling system and (b) a limited number of such first component molecules that cannot bind both receptors simultaneously. The mechanism may have considerable generality for sensory, hormonal, and transport systems.", "contents": "Receptor interactions in a signalling system: competition between ribose receptor and galactose receptor in the chemotaxis response. Galactose and ribose receptors are shown to compete for a common site by comparing the specificities of the purified receptors with the specificity of the whole organism response. Ribose does not bind to the purified galactose receptor but inhibits the in vivo galactose response. A mutant lacking the ribose receptor shows no inhibition of the galactose response even at very high ribose concentrations. The results can be explained by a mechanism involving (a) a ligand-induced conformational change in the receptor which produces a combining site with affinity for the molecule that serves as a first component of the signalling system and (b) a limited number of such first component molecules that cannot bind both receptors simultaneously. The mechanism may have considerable generality for sensory, hormonal, and transport systems.", "PMID": 768985} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2634", "title": "Escherichia coli thioredoxin: a subunit of bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase.", "content": "T7 DNA polymerase (DNA nucleotidyltransferase; deoxynucleosidetriphosphate:DNA deoxynucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.7) is composed of an 84,000 dalton protein specified by the gene 5 of the phage and a 12,000 dalton protein (TsnC protein) specified by the tsnC gene of E. coli [Modrich, P. & Richardson, C. C. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250 5515-5522]. Both proteins are necessary for T7 DNA polymerase activity and for the replication of T7 DNA. The TsnC protein is identical to thioredoxin of E. coli by the following criteria: (1) Homogeneous preparations of both proteins have TsnC and thioredoxin activity. (2) Both proteins show similar stability to heat. (3) They have identical mobilities, corresponding to a molecular weight of 12,000, on polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. (4) Their amino-acid compositions are indistinguishabe. (5) Antibody prepared against thioredoxin inhibits TsnC activity. (6) TsnC protein isolated from purified T7 DNA polymerase has thioredoxin activity. In addition, preparations of T7 DNA polymerase itself exhibit thioredoxin activity and are partially inhibited by antibody to thioredoxin.", "contents": "Escherichia coli thioredoxin: a subunit of bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase. T7 DNA polymerase (DNA nucleotidyltransferase; deoxynucleosidetriphosphate:DNA deoxynucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.7) is composed of an 84,000 dalton protein specified by the gene 5 of the phage and a 12,000 dalton protein (TsnC protein) specified by the tsnC gene of E. coli [Modrich, P. & Richardson, C. C. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250 5515-5522]. Both proteins are necessary for T7 DNA polymerase activity and for the replication of T7 DNA. The TsnC protein is identical to thioredoxin of E. coli by the following criteria: (1) Homogeneous preparations of both proteins have TsnC and thioredoxin activity. (2) Both proteins show similar stability to heat. (3) They have identical mobilities, corresponding to a molecular weight of 12,000, on polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. (4) Their amino-acid compositions are indistinguishabe. (5) Antibody prepared against thioredoxin inhibits TsnC activity. (6) TsnC protein isolated from purified T7 DNA polymerase has thioredoxin activity. In addition, preparations of T7 DNA polymerase itself exhibit thioredoxin activity and are partially inhibited by antibody to thioredoxin.", "PMID": 768986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2635", "title": "Influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids on survival of skin allografts and tumor incidence in mice.", "content": "Subcutaneous or oral administration of the polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid prolongs survival of skin allografts in mice. Mice fed on a diet deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids show a relative immunopotentiation, as indicated by accelerated skin allograft rejection and decreased incidence and rate of development of methylcholanthrene-induced tumors. These observations support the hypothesis that polyunsaturated fatty acids take part in immunoregulatory mechanisms.", "contents": "Influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids on survival of skin allografts and tumor incidence in mice. Subcutaneous or oral administration of the polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid prolongs survival of skin allografts in mice. Mice fed on a diet deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids show a relative immunopotentiation, as indicated by accelerated skin allograft rejection and decreased incidence and rate of development of methylcholanthrene-induced tumors. These observations support the hypothesis that polyunsaturated fatty acids take part in immunoregulatory mechanisms.", "PMID": 768987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2636", "title": "Detection of carcinogens as mutagens in the Salmonella/microsome test: assay of 300 chemicals: discussion.", "content": "About 300 carcinogens and non-carcinogens of a wide variety of chemical types have been tested for mutagenicity in the simple Salmonella/microsome test. The test uses bacteria as sensitive indicators of DNA damage, and mammalian liver extracts for metabolic conversion of carcinogens to their active mutagenic forms. There is a high correlation between carcinogenicity and mutagenicity: 90% (157/175) of the carcinogens were mutagenic in the test, including almost all of the known human carcinogens that were tested. Despite the severe limitations inherent in defining non-carcinogenicity, few \"non-carcinogens\" showed any degree of mutagenicity [McCann et al. (1975) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 72, 5135-5139]. In the present paper, carcinogens negative in the test andapparent false positives are discussed. We also discuss evidence that chemical carcinogens and radiation, likely to initiate most human cancer and genetic defects do so by damage to DNA. The Salmonella test can play a central role in a program of prevention: to identify mutagenic chemicals in the environment (all indications are there are many) and to aid in the development of non-mutagenic products to prevent future human exposure.", "contents": "Detection of carcinogens as mutagens in the Salmonella/microsome test: assay of 300 chemicals: discussion. About 300 carcinogens and non-carcinogens of a wide variety of chemical types have been tested for mutagenicity in the simple Salmonella/microsome test. The test uses bacteria as sensitive indicators of DNA damage, and mammalian liver extracts for metabolic conversion of carcinogens to their active mutagenic forms. There is a high correlation between carcinogenicity and mutagenicity: 90% (157/175) of the carcinogens were mutagenic in the test, including almost all of the known human carcinogens that were tested. Despite the severe limitations inherent in defining non-carcinogenicity, few \"non-carcinogens\" showed any degree of mutagenicity [McCann et al. (1975) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 72, 5135-5139]. In the present paper, carcinogens negative in the test andapparent false positives are discussed. We also discuss evidence that chemical carcinogens and radiation, likely to initiate most human cancer and genetic defects do so by damage to DNA. The Salmonella test can play a central role in a program of prevention: to identify mutagenic chemicals in the environment (all indications are there are many) and to aid in the development of non-mutagenic products to prevent future human exposure.", "PMID": 768988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2637", "title": "Turnover of tritiated-thymidine-labeled mononuclear cells in tuberculous lesions of rabbits: a comparison of primary dermal BCG lesions and those of reinfection.", "content": "Rabbits were infected or reinfected intradermally in multiple sites with BCG. One day before the BCG infection they were injected iv with a single pulse of tritiated thymidine (3HT). At various times thereafter, the BCG lesions were biopsied and evaluated for 3HT-labeled mononuclear cells (MN), which are mostly macrophages but include some lymphocytes. Periodically Old Tuberculin (OT) was infected intradermally, creating MN traps, which were biopsied and evaluated 1 day after their onset. These traps monitor the population of 3HT-labeled MN in the blood stream that readily enters sites of inflammation. During the first 5 days after the 3HT pulse, a higher percentage of labeled MN accumulated in tuberculin traps on rabbits reinfected with BCG than in traps on rabbits with primary infection. The high percentage of labeled MN in the former was probably due to the more intense inflammation cuased by preexisting tuberculin hypersensitivity. By 8 days after the 3HT pulse, a lower percentage of labeled MN had accumulated in BCG lesions of reinfection than in primary BCG lesions. Evidently the presence of delayed hypersensitivity increased the turnover of MN in tuberculous lesions. By 15 days after the 3HT pulse, the percentage of 3HT-labeled MN was much higher in BCG lesions than in 1-day traps, suggesting that such MN had accumulated in the lesions over a period of several days.", "contents": "Turnover of tritiated-thymidine-labeled mononuclear cells in tuberculous lesions of rabbits: a comparison of primary dermal BCG lesions and those of reinfection. Rabbits were infected or reinfected intradermally in multiple sites with BCG. One day before the BCG infection they were injected iv with a single pulse of tritiated thymidine (3HT). At various times thereafter, the BCG lesions were biopsied and evaluated for 3HT-labeled mononuclear cells (MN), which are mostly macrophages but include some lymphocytes. Periodically Old Tuberculin (OT) was infected intradermally, creating MN traps, which were biopsied and evaluated 1 day after their onset. These traps monitor the population of 3HT-labeled MN in the blood stream that readily enters sites of inflammation. During the first 5 days after the 3HT pulse, a higher percentage of labeled MN accumulated in tuberculin traps on rabbits reinfected with BCG than in traps on rabbits with primary infection. The high percentage of labeled MN in the former was probably due to the more intense inflammation cuased by preexisting tuberculin hypersensitivity. By 8 days after the 3HT pulse, a lower percentage of labeled MN had accumulated in BCG lesions of reinfection than in primary BCG lesions. Evidently the presence of delayed hypersensitivity increased the turnover of MN in tuberculous lesions. By 15 days after the 3HT pulse, the percentage of 3HT-labeled MN was much higher in BCG lesions than in 1-day traps, suggesting that such MN had accumulated in the lesions over a period of several days.", "PMID": 768991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2638", "title": "The bacterial flora of the female rat genital tract.", "content": "A study of the genital microflora in virgin female rats of reproductive age has demonstrated that alpha and nonhemolytic streptococci, Pasteurella pneumotropica, diphtheroid bacilli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Proteus mirabilis are the predominant genital organisms. The pH of the rat vagina was demonstrated to be near neutrality. It is suggested that the higher pH in the rat vagina as compared to the human vagina may account for some of the differences between human and rat genital microflora.", "contents": "The bacterial flora of the female rat genital tract. A study of the genital microflora in virgin female rats of reproductive age has demonstrated that alpha and nonhemolytic streptococci, Pasteurella pneumotropica, diphtheroid bacilli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Proteus mirabilis are the predominant genital organisms. The pH of the rat vagina was demonstrated to be near neutrality. It is suggested that the higher pH in the rat vagina as compared to the human vagina may account for some of the differences between human and rat genital microflora.", "PMID": 768992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2639", "title": "Serum and blister fluid anticomplementary activity in pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid. Sucrose density gradient studies.", "content": "By sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and standard hemolytic complement assays, complement fixing activity of about 19 S and greater was found in blister fluids of one patient with pemphigus and three of five patients with bullous pemphigoid. Control blister fluids, including experimentally induced blisters, lacked such activity. Complement fixing activity was apparent, however, in 6 of 10 pemphigus sera and in two of five bullous pemphigoid sera tested. The material present in both pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid appears to activate the classical complement pathway.", "contents": "Serum and blister fluid anticomplementary activity in pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid. Sucrose density gradient studies. By sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and standard hemolytic complement assays, complement fixing activity of about 19 S and greater was found in blister fluids of one patient with pemphigus and three of five patients with bullous pemphigoid. Control blister fluids, including experimentally induced blisters, lacked such activity. Complement fixing activity was apparent, however, in 6 of 10 pemphigus sera and in two of five bullous pemphigoid sera tested. The material present in both pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid appears to activate the classical complement pathway.", "PMID": 768993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2640", "title": "Functional imaging of lung ventilation using the concept of mean transit time.", "content": "This paper describes a new way of expressing local ventilation using a scintillation gamma camera interfaced to a digital computer. From the ratio of the first to the zeroth moment of the lung clearance curve for 13N gas, a mean transit time is calculated and displayed for different regions of the lung. Lung clearance curves following intravenously administered 13N solutions, or after equilibration with 13N gas, are measured during normal breathing. Describing regional ventilation by mean transit time during clearance uses all the counts in the lung clearance curve and the improvement in statistical accuracy compared with the height over area method using a Stewart-Hamilton equation is significant. In normal subjects the average mean transit time for clearance from the total lung field is t = (61 +/- 4) s, from the upper zone tuz = (64 +/- 4) s and from the lower zone tlz = (54 +/- 5) s. These results show uneven ventilation between regions of the normal lung in general agreement with that described by previous authors. In addition, the functional image gives the mean transit time for each cell of the 64 X 64 matrix of the computer display. The fractional error in mean transit time is 3% for an area of 2-2 cm2 corresponding to 12 cells in the display. This display provides a sensitive method, functionally and spatially, of investigating local differences in ventilation, including vertical and horizontal gradients in narrow strips of lung.", "contents": "Functional imaging of lung ventilation using the concept of mean transit time. This paper describes a new way of expressing local ventilation using a scintillation gamma camera interfaced to a digital computer. From the ratio of the first to the zeroth moment of the lung clearance curve for 13N gas, a mean transit time is calculated and displayed for different regions of the lung. Lung clearance curves following intravenously administered 13N solutions, or after equilibration with 13N gas, are measured during normal breathing. Describing regional ventilation by mean transit time during clearance uses all the counts in the lung clearance curve and the improvement in statistical accuracy compared with the height over area method using a Stewart-Hamilton equation is significant. In normal subjects the average mean transit time for clearance from the total lung field is t = (61 +/- 4) s, from the upper zone tuz = (64 +/- 4) s and from the lower zone tlz = (54 +/- 5) s. These results show uneven ventilation between regions of the normal lung in general agreement with that described by previous authors. In addition, the functional image gives the mean transit time for each cell of the 64 X 64 matrix of the computer display. The fractional error in mean transit time is 3% for an area of 2-2 cm2 corresponding to 12 cells in the display. This display provides a sensitive method, functionally and spatially, of investigating local differences in ventilation, including vertical and horizontal gradients in narrow strips of lung.", "PMID": 768999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2641", "title": "The free musculocutaneous flap.", "content": "We report the transfer of a free musculocutaneous compound flap, including the gracilis muscle, in one stage by microvascular surgery. The advantages of this free flap are discussed.", "contents": "The free musculocutaneous flap. We report the transfer of a free musculocutaneous compound flap, including the gracilis muscle, in one stage by microvascular surgery. The advantages of this free flap are discussed.", "PMID": 769005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2642", "title": "Thumb reconstruction in the severely burned hand.", "content": "The standard techniques have generally been adequate for thumb reconstruction in the severely burned hand. The basic principles of preservation of length, prevention of malposition and contracture by appropriate splinting, early motion, and early skin coverage are all applicable. The nature of the tissue changes wrought by the burn wound, however, frequently necessitates certain modifications in the approach to surgical reconstruction. We have described these and our methods used in handling 9 specific cases.", "contents": "Thumb reconstruction in the severely burned hand. The standard techniques have generally been adequate for thumb reconstruction in the severely burned hand. The basic principles of preservation of length, prevention of malposition and contracture by appropriate splinting, early motion, and early skin coverage are all applicable. The nature of the tissue changes wrought by the burn wound, however, frequently necessitates certain modifications in the approach to surgical reconstruction. We have described these and our methods used in handling 9 specific cases.", "PMID": 769006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2643", "title": "Free skin flap from the retroauricular region to the nose.", "content": "We present two new, one-stage methods for resurfacing a part of the face-- (1) the microvascular transfer of a free retroauricular flap, and (2) an island flap from the galea covered by a full-thickness skin graft from the retroauricular region. Both procedures provided the same good color match, without leaving a readily visible donor scar.", "contents": "Free skin flap from the retroauricular region to the nose. We present two new, one-stage methods for resurfacing a part of the face-- (1) the microvascular transfer of a free retroauricular flap, and (2) an island flap from the galea covered by a full-thickness skin graft from the retroauricular region. Both procedures provided the same good color match, without leaving a readily visible donor scar.", "PMID": 769007} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2644", "title": "[Subcutaneous phlebopathic calcifications].", "content": "A detailed history of 3 cases of subcutaneous calcifications. A review of the present therapeutic alternatives (other than surgery). A discussion of Selye's theory of calciphylaxis. Its application to one clinical case.", "contents": "[Subcutaneous phlebopathic calcifications]. A detailed history of 3 cases of subcutaneous calcifications. A review of the present therapeutic alternatives (other than surgery). A discussion of Selye's theory of calciphylaxis. Its application to one clinical case.", "PMID": 769001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2645", "title": "The hand sandwich: adjacent flaps from opposing body surfaces.", "content": "An anteriorly-based lateral chest flap gives volar coverage to the opposite denuded hand, while a flap from the adjacent inner arm gives dorsal coverage. While transferring the flaps, the donor sites are joined together to form a temporary chest-arm adhesion, which is separated later with skin grafting.", "contents": "The hand sandwich: adjacent flaps from opposing body surfaces. An anteriorly-based lateral chest flap gives volar coverage to the opposite denuded hand, while a flap from the adjacent inner arm gives dorsal coverage. While transferring the flaps, the donor sites are joined together to form a temporary chest-arm adhesion, which is separated later with skin grafting.", "PMID": 769008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2646", "title": "[Possible recourse to plastic surgery in the treatment of subcutaneous calcinosis].", "content": "The authors report three cases of subcutaneous calcinoses of the leg, one after burns, the other two after voluntary injection of essence of terpentine. The evolution and recurrences after tentative surgical treatment prove that excision is indicated when a calcareous plaque has led to cutaneous ulceration. This resection must be complete and may thus involve skin grafts or cover flaps.", "contents": "[Possible recourse to plastic surgery in the treatment of subcutaneous calcinosis]. The authors report three cases of subcutaneous calcinoses of the leg, one after burns, the other two after voluntary injection of essence of terpentine. The evolution and recurrences after tentative surgical treatment prove that excision is indicated when a calcareous plaque has led to cutaneous ulceration. This resection must be complete and may thus involve skin grafts or cover flaps.", "PMID": 769002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2647", "title": "Urate kinetics in hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency: their significance for the understanding of gout.", "content": "Urate production (miscible urate pool and turnover, daily production, glycine incorporation into urate) and urate excretion (24 hour urinary urate excretion on a purine free diet, renal clearances of urate and creatinine, per cent renal excretion of labelled urate, extra-renal elimination of urate) were measured in members of five families who demonstrated varying degrees of deficiency of the X-linked condition hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) deficiency. The hemizygous males, all of whom eventually developed symptoms, showed consistent overproduction of urate with a renal excretion of urate that varied from moderately to considerably increased. The nine heterozygotes, of whom seven were asymptomatic, also showed abnormalities of urate production, although all but two had normal serum urate concentrations. The one heterozygote who had developed gouty arthritis had the lowest renal excretory capacity for urate, whereas the one heterozygote who had developed an episode of renal colic had the highest urate clearance. In the heterozygotes with normal serum urate concentrations, the increase urate production was balanced by the renal excretion of urate. This demonstrates the importance of the relation between urate. This demonstrates the importance of the relation-between urate production and urate excretion in determining the clinical expression of abnormal urate metabolism.", "contents": "Urate kinetics in hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency: their significance for the understanding of gout. Urate production (miscible urate pool and turnover, daily production, glycine incorporation into urate) and urate excretion (24 hour urinary urate excretion on a purine free diet, renal clearances of urate and creatinine, per cent renal excretion of labelled urate, extra-renal elimination of urate) were measured in members of five families who demonstrated varying degrees of deficiency of the X-linked condition hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) deficiency. The hemizygous males, all of whom eventually developed symptoms, showed consistent overproduction of urate with a renal excretion of urate that varied from moderately to considerably increased. The nine heterozygotes, of whom seven were asymptomatic, also showed abnormalities of urate production, although all but two had normal serum urate concentrations. The one heterozygote who had developed gouty arthritis had the lowest renal excretory capacity for urate, whereas the one heterozygote who had developed an episode of renal colic had the highest urate clearance. In the heterozygotes with normal serum urate concentrations, the increase urate production was balanced by the renal excretion of urate. This demonstrates the importance of the relation between urate. This demonstrates the importance of the relation-between urate production and urate excretion in determining the clinical expression of abnormal urate metabolism.", "PMID": 769040} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2648", "title": "A study of the endocrine manifestations of hepatic cirrhosis.", "content": "The clinical features and hormonal abnormalities were surveyed in 117 men with cirrhosis of the liver. Compared with healthy men of similar ages, the patients had significantly lower metabolic clearance rates, plasma production rates and total and free levels of testosterone, reduced testosterone responses to human chorionic gonadotrophin stimulation, higher oestradiol, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone levels and higher binding capacities of sex steroid binding globulin. The peripheral conversion of testosterone to oestradiol was also found to be significantly increased. However, the metabolic clearance and plasma production rates of oestradiol were not significantly different from those of healthy men. Patients who were severely ill with liver failure and one with haemochromatosis had low levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone and sub-normal responses to clomiphene and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Higher plasma oestradiol levels were found in patients with gynaecomastia and spider naevi than in those without these signs. However, the clinical features of androgen deficiency--that is, testicular atrophy, impotence and loss of secondary sex hair--were only poorly related to the low testosterone levels, and production rates and longtitudinal studies indicated that the hormonal levels, endocrine features and severity of the liver disease could change independently. It is concluded that the clearance of oestradiol from plasma is not limited by liver disease in all patients, and that reduced degradation of oestrogens is not the initial event in the sequence leading to the hormonal abnormalities of cirrhosis. While gonadotrophin deficiency occurs with liver failure and in some patients with haemochromatosis, the more usual findings are of elevated gonadotrophin levels and a poor Leydig cell response to chorionic gonadotrophin. These suggest that the hypogonadism is primary in most patients with cirrhosis. The causes of the high oestradiol levels were not discovered. Increased peripheral conversion of precursors to oestradiol or increased testicular secretion of oestradiol are possibilities. The high binding capacities of sex steroid binding globulin were not significantly correlated with either the low testosterone or high oestradiol level and the cause of this abnormality remains uncertain. The low metabolic clearance rates of testosterone appeared to result from the increased plasma protein binding of testosterone. The discrepancies in the expected relationships between the hormone and clinical changes suggest that factors other than those studied are also involved in the genesis of the endocrine features of hepatic cirrhosis.", "contents": "A study of the endocrine manifestations of hepatic cirrhosis. The clinical features and hormonal abnormalities were surveyed in 117 men with cirrhosis of the liver. Compared with healthy men of similar ages, the patients had significantly lower metabolic clearance rates, plasma production rates and total and free levels of testosterone, reduced testosterone responses to human chorionic gonadotrophin stimulation, higher oestradiol, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone levels and higher binding capacities of sex steroid binding globulin. The peripheral conversion of testosterone to oestradiol was also found to be significantly increased. However, the metabolic clearance and plasma production rates of oestradiol were not significantly different from those of healthy men. Patients who were severely ill with liver failure and one with haemochromatosis had low levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone and sub-normal responses to clomiphene and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Higher plasma oestradiol levels were found in patients with gynaecomastia and spider naevi than in those without these signs. However, the clinical features of androgen deficiency--that is, testicular atrophy, impotence and loss of secondary sex hair--were only poorly related to the low testosterone levels, and production rates and longtitudinal studies indicated that the hormonal levels, endocrine features and severity of the liver disease could change independently. It is concluded that the clearance of oestradiol from plasma is not limited by liver disease in all patients, and that reduced degradation of oestrogens is not the initial event in the sequence leading to the hormonal abnormalities of cirrhosis. While gonadotrophin deficiency occurs with liver failure and in some patients with haemochromatosis, the more usual findings are of elevated gonadotrophin levels and a poor Leydig cell response to chorionic gonadotrophin. These suggest that the hypogonadism is primary in most patients with cirrhosis. The causes of the high oestradiol levels were not discovered. Increased peripheral conversion of precursors to oestradiol or increased testicular secretion of oestradiol are possibilities. The high binding capacities of sex steroid binding globulin were not significantly correlated with either the low testosterone or high oestradiol level and the cause of this abnormality remains uncertain. The low metabolic clearance rates of testosterone appeared to result from the increased plasma protein binding of testosterone. The discrepancies in the expected relationships between the hormone and clinical changes suggest that factors other than those studied are also involved in the genesis of the endocrine features of hepatic cirrhosis.", "PMID": 769039} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2649", "title": "Reflections on fifty years of publications on the history of general biology and special embryology.", "content": "The publications of fifty years (1925-1974) of the histroy of biology and embryology are surveyed. In America, the earliest background for work during this period was provided by the collectors, mainly physicians, of books into extensive private libraries. The collectors, for instance Osler, Cushing, and Fulton in this country and Geoffrey Keynes abroad, became expert technical bibliographers during the early part of the half-century under consideration. High standards for medical, thus biological history, insofar as these fields overlap, were also set earlier by Sudhoff's Institut f\u00fcr Geschichte der Medizin in Leipzig, and American historical studies benefited when Sigerist came from Leipzig to Baltimore in the early 1930's. Textbooks of medical history are omitted from discussion here, but a number of more or less general histories of biology published within the specified period are briefly evaluated. The discussion next turns to histories of embryology, general and special. Recent monographs on the classical embryologists, Wolff and von Baer, are enumerated, as are a number of biographies and autobiographies of important embryologists published here or abroad during our half-century. Then general histories of embryology are discussed, and finally some specialized ones. Needham, Roger, and Adelmann are singled out as the most important contributors to the history of embryology, in the West, during the period covered. Few of the contributors to the history of biology and medicine during the years of 1925 through 1974 were trained as historians while students. It is concluded that the History of Science Society has performed an important contribution in professionalizing the history of biology and embryology, but it is pointed out that a great new challenge faces it in the necessity to counteract anti-historical and anti-intellectual moods and movements of today.", "contents": "Reflections on fifty years of publications on the history of general biology and special embryology. The publications of fifty years (1925-1974) of the histroy of biology and embryology are surveyed. In America, the earliest background for work during this period was provided by the collectors, mainly physicians, of books into extensive private libraries. The collectors, for instance Osler, Cushing, and Fulton in this country and Geoffrey Keynes abroad, became expert technical bibliographers during the early part of the half-century under consideration. High standards for medical, thus biological history, insofar as these fields overlap, were also set earlier by Sudhoff's Institut f\u00fcr Geschichte der Medizin in Leipzig, and American historical studies benefited when Sigerist came from Leipzig to Baltimore in the early 1930's. Textbooks of medical history are omitted from discussion here, but a number of more or less general histories of biology published within the specified period are briefly evaluated. The discussion next turns to histories of embryology, general and special. Recent monographs on the classical embryologists, Wolff and von Baer, are enumerated, as are a number of biographies and autobiographies of important embryologists published here or abroad during our half-century. Then general histories of embryology are discussed, and finally some specialized ones. Needham, Roger, and Adelmann are singled out as the most important contributors to the history of embryology, in the West, during the period covered. Few of the contributors to the history of biology and medicine during the years of 1925 through 1974 were trained as historians while students. It is concluded that the History of Science Society has performed an important contribution in professionalizing the history of biology and embryology, but it is pointed out that a great new challenge faces it in the necessity to counteract anti-historical and anti-intellectual moods and movements of today.", "PMID": 769041} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2650", "title": "[Value of TPHA in the serological screening of lues].", "content": "In the present work, 21,400 not selected sera were tested with hemagglutination test (TPHA) and flocculation test (VDRL) with cardiolipin for screening of syphilis; sera that gave negative results against both tests showed remarkable agreement (97,81%). 468 sera gave positive results to least one of the tests employed in screening and were tested with the following procedures: fluorescent Treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA/ABS) test, complement fixation (by Kolmer, modified) with proteic (KP) and lipidic (KL) antigen; 100 of these sera were also tested with T. pallidum immobilizaiton (TPI) test. The agreement among the before mentioned tests and sera that gave positive results only to VDRL was significatively low; on the contrary, the agreement was remarkable in the case of those positive only to TPHA (99% with FTA/ABS, 83% with TPI, 52,5% with KP and 21,5% with KL). The results obtained in attesting sensitivity and specificity of TPHA indicate that it is a very valuable screening test, and suggest to the AA. to emphasize that TPHA/VDRL association a definitive conclusion in syphilis serological negativity.", "contents": "[Value of TPHA in the serological screening of lues]. In the present work, 21,400 not selected sera were tested with hemagglutination test (TPHA) and flocculation test (VDRL) with cardiolipin for screening of syphilis; sera that gave negative results against both tests showed remarkable agreement (97,81%). 468 sera gave positive results to least one of the tests employed in screening and were tested with the following procedures: fluorescent Treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA/ABS) test, complement fixation (by Kolmer, modified) with proteic (KP) and lipidic (KL) antigen; 100 of these sera were also tested with T. pallidum immobilizaiton (TPI) test. The agreement among the before mentioned tests and sera that gave positive results only to VDRL was significatively low; on the contrary, the agreement was remarkable in the case of those positive only to TPHA (99% with FTA/ABS, 83% with TPI, 52,5% with KP and 21,5% with KL). The results obtained in attesting sensitivity and specificity of TPHA indicate that it is a very valuable screening test, and suggest to the AA. to emphasize that TPHA/VDRL association a definitive conclusion in syphilis serological negativity.", "PMID": 769046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2651", "title": "[Abolition of capital punishment in public in England].", "content": "The Author, following a critical approach focussed on society's response to deviance and on the means of social control which society applies to defend itself from crime and criminals, confutes the thesis according to which the demise of public execution is generally considered as a step in the evolution of the humanitarian ideal of total abolition of the death penalty. By means of a detailed historical analysis of the socioeconomic and political climate which gave rise to the campagning for the demise of public execution in England, the Author gives evidence that such abolition cannot be seen as a linear descendant of a long line of criminal law reforms but rather as a successful manoeuvre to ensure the continuance of the use of the dealth penalty in order to reaffirm the power of the elite which represented itself as the moral guardian of society.", "contents": "[Abolition of capital punishment in public in England]. The Author, following a critical approach focussed on society's response to deviance and on the means of social control which society applies to defend itself from crime and criminals, confutes the thesis according to which the demise of public execution is generally considered as a step in the evolution of the humanitarian ideal of total abolition of the death penalty. By means of a detailed historical analysis of the socioeconomic and political climate which gave rise to the campagning for the demise of public execution in England, the Author gives evidence that such abolition cannot be seen as a linear descendant of a long line of criminal law reforms but rather as a successful manoeuvre to ensure the continuance of the use of the dealth penalty in order to reaffirm the power of the elite which represented itself as the moral guardian of society.", "PMID": 769045} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2652", "title": "Vaginally administered 16, 16-dimethyl-PGE2 for the induction of midtrimester abortion.", "content": "Thirty patients in the 13th-20th week of gestation underwent therapeutic abortion utilizing vaginally administered 16, 16-dimethyl-PGE2 (free acid) suppositories. The first 15 patients obtained individual doses in the range of 400-1200 mug given every three hours (mean total dose 4.2 mg). In the following 15 patients a fixed dose schedule was used (800 mug followed by 1000 mug every three hours; mean total dose 5.3 mg). All but one of the 30 patients aborted. The mean induction-abortion interval for all patients was 16.8 +/- 6.9 hours (mean +/- S.D.) With the fixed dose regime the success rate was 100% and the induction-abortion interval 16.0 +/- 5.9 hours. Because gastro-intestinal side effects were minimal, neither anti-emetic nor anti-diarrheic medication was required. A slight elevation of temperature was noted in five patients. The uterine response to the vaginal administration of this compound was characterized by a gradual increase in uterine tonus followed by sustained stimulation. The results are interpreted to suggest that the vaginal administration of 16, 16-dimethyl-PGE2 is a useful alternate method for the induction of second trimester abortion. Moreover, this compound seems to cause fewer gastro-intestinal side effects than other prostaglandins administered by the vaginal route at our department.", "contents": "Vaginally administered 16, 16-dimethyl-PGE2 for the induction of midtrimester abortion. Thirty patients in the 13th-20th week of gestation underwent therapeutic abortion utilizing vaginally administered 16, 16-dimethyl-PGE2 (free acid) suppositories. The first 15 patients obtained individual doses in the range of 400-1200 mug given every three hours (mean total dose 4.2 mg). In the following 15 patients a fixed dose schedule was used (800 mug followed by 1000 mug every three hours; mean total dose 5.3 mg). All but one of the 30 patients aborted. The mean induction-abortion interval for all patients was 16.8 +/- 6.9 hours (mean +/- S.D.) With the fixed dose regime the success rate was 100% and the induction-abortion interval 16.0 +/- 5.9 hours. Because gastro-intestinal side effects were minimal, neither anti-emetic nor anti-diarrheic medication was required. A slight elevation of temperature was noted in five patients. The uterine response to the vaginal administration of this compound was characterized by a gradual increase in uterine tonus followed by sustained stimulation. The results are interpreted to suggest that the vaginal administration of 16, 16-dimethyl-PGE2 is a useful alternate method for the induction of second trimester abortion. Moreover, this compound seems to cause fewer gastro-intestinal side effects than other prostaglandins administered by the vaginal route at our department.", "PMID": 769088} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2653", "title": "Determination of prostaglandin F2alpha and E2 contents in human cerebrospinal fluid by the radioisotope dilution method.", "content": "Prostaglandin F2alpha and E2 contents in human cerebrospinal fluid were determined by the radioisotope dilution method. The mean values of PGF2alpha and PGE2 of men were 9.8+/-0.87 ng/ml and 6.5+/-1.39 ng/ml, respectively. Those of women were 8.3+/-1.4 ng/ml and 6.9+/-1.72 ng/ml, respectively. The correlation between age and PG was significantly with PGE2 of men and with PGF2alpha of women.", "contents": "Determination of prostaglandin F2alpha and E2 contents in human cerebrospinal fluid by the radioisotope dilution method. Prostaglandin F2alpha and E2 contents in human cerebrospinal fluid were determined by the radioisotope dilution method. The mean values of PGF2alpha and PGE2 of men were 9.8+/-0.87 ng/ml and 6.5+/-1.39 ng/ml, respectively. Those of women were 8.3+/-1.4 ng/ml and 6.9+/-1.72 ng/ml, respectively. The correlation between age and PG was significantly with PGE2 of men and with PGF2alpha of women.", "PMID": 769089} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2654", "title": "Anticoagulants and cancer. A review.", "content": "Anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin, fibrinolysin and others) reduced incidence of cancer metastases by inhibiting the formation of a fibrin matrix indispensable for peripheral fixation of circulating cancer cells. Apart from their specific anticoagulant activity most of these substances interfere directly with cell growth and metabolism, stimulating also immunologic anticancer mechanism. In clinical cases, favourable results have been obtained in various forms of metastasizing cancer, and especially in Hodgkin's disease and leukemias, by combining anticoagulant and cytostatic treatment. The results observed in other forms of cancer, though promising, are still controversial. The potential dangers and side effects of anticoagulant treatment in cancer are discussed.", "contents": "Anticoagulants and cancer. A review. Anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin, fibrinolysin and others) reduced incidence of cancer metastases by inhibiting the formation of a fibrin matrix indispensable for peripheral fixation of circulating cancer cells. Apart from their specific anticoagulant activity most of these substances interfere directly with cell growth and metabolism, stimulating also immunologic anticancer mechanism. In clinical cases, favourable results have been obtained in various forms of metastasizing cancer, and especially in Hodgkin's disease and leukemias, by combining anticoagulant and cytostatic treatment. The results observed in other forms of cancer, though promising, are still controversial. The potential dangers and side effects of anticoagulant treatment in cancer are discussed.", "PMID": 769099} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2655", "title": "EEG and evoked potentials in the psychoses.", "content": "EEG and evoked potential (ER) findings in schizophrenic and affective psychoses were selectively reviewed. Both groups of psychoses appear to differ from normal in a number of EEG and ER characteristics; however, diagnostic specificity was suggested by relatively few findings. More encouraging result with respect to specificity have been obtained by subtyping the psychotic groups, e.g., process versus reactive schizophrenic, unipolar versus bipolar depression. Methodologic issues and directions for future research were discussed.", "contents": "EEG and evoked potentials in the psychoses. EEG and evoked potential (ER) findings in schizophrenic and affective psychoses were selectively reviewed. Both groups of psychoses appear to differ from normal in a number of EEG and ER characteristics; however, diagnostic specificity was suggested by relatively few findings. More encouraging result with respect to specificity have been obtained by subtyping the psychotic groups, e.g., process versus reactive schizophrenic, unipolar versus bipolar depression. Methodologic issues and directions for future research were discussed.", "PMID": 769112} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2656", "title": "Protection against acute toxicity of acetaldehyde in mice.", "content": "The ability of several compounds to protect against acetaldehyde-induced loss of righting reflex was studied in mice and compared with previously published results in rats. L-cysteine (3 mMoles/kg), L-ascorbic acid, DL-thioctic acid, or DL-homocysteine (2 mMoles/kg each) was administered orally 30 minutes prior to an intraperitoneal ED90 of acetaldehyde (415 mg/kg). Cysteine, ascorbate, and thioctic acid caused a statistically significant reduction in acetaldehyde-induced toxicity, while homocysteine afforded only little protection. These results are qualitatively, but not quantitatively, similar to those reported for rats.", "contents": "Protection against acute toxicity of acetaldehyde in mice. The ability of several compounds to protect against acetaldehyde-induced loss of righting reflex was studied in mice and compared with previously published results in rats. L-cysteine (3 mMoles/kg), L-ascorbic acid, DL-thioctic acid, or DL-homocysteine (2 mMoles/kg each) was administered orally 30 minutes prior to an intraperitoneal ED90 of acetaldehyde (415 mg/kg). Cysteine, ascorbate, and thioctic acid caused a statistically significant reduction in acetaldehyde-induced toxicity, while homocysteine afforded only little protection. These results are qualitatively, but not quantitatively, similar to those reported for rats.", "PMID": 769119} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2657", "title": "Tissue distribution of 14C-labeled ethylene disbromide in the guinea pig.", "content": "A study was undertaken to determine the tissue distribution of uniformly 14C-labeled ethylene dibromide in guinea pigs following intraperitoneal administration. Organs containing the greatest concentration of radioactivity per unit weight (kidneys, liver, adrenals, pancreas, and spleen) were the same organs in which pathologic changes have been reported by other investigators, indicating a direct correlation between tissue levels and target organ toxicity. The principal route of excretion was via the kidneys, 66% of the dose appearing in the urine within 72 hours of administration. Fecal excretion for the 72 hour period was relatively insignificant, representing less than 3% of the dose.", "contents": "Tissue distribution of 14C-labeled ethylene disbromide in the guinea pig. A study was undertaken to determine the tissue distribution of uniformly 14C-labeled ethylene dibromide in guinea pigs following intraperitoneal administration. Organs containing the greatest concentration of radioactivity per unit weight (kidneys, liver, adrenals, pancreas, and spleen) were the same organs in which pathologic changes have been reported by other investigators, indicating a direct correlation between tissue levels and target organ toxicity. The principal route of excretion was via the kidneys, 66% of the dose appearing in the urine within 72 hours of administration. Fecal excretion for the 72 hour period was relatively insignificant, representing less than 3% of the dose.", "PMID": 769120} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2658", "title": "Effect of isolation media on recovery of rough variants of Salmonella.", "content": "Preferential inhibition of rough variants of Salmonella was observed with tetrathionate and selenite-F broths and with Salmonella Shigella agar. These results suggest that rough strains of Salmonella may be more prevalent in nature than previously suspected.", "contents": "Effect of isolation media on recovery of rough variants of Salmonella. Preferential inhibition of rough variants of Salmonella was observed with tetrathionate and selenite-F broths and with Salmonella Shigella agar. These results suggest that rough strains of Salmonella may be more prevalent in nature than previously suspected.", "PMID": 769121} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2659", "title": "The specificity and sensitivity of the fluorescent antibody test for Mycobacterium johnei infection in abattoir and culled cattle.", "content": "In a series of 100 cattle in which there was no bacteriological or histopathological evidence of Mycobacterium johnei infection there were four positive reactions to the fluorescent antibody (FA) test with M johnei antigen and 20 to the complement fixation (CF) test. In a second series of 118 culled adult cattle M johnei infection was found in 26. The FA test was positive in 16 and the CF in 12 of those infected cattle. In 92 cattle with no evidence of M johnei infection the FA test was positive in seven and the CF test in 22.", "contents": "The specificity and sensitivity of the fluorescent antibody test for Mycobacterium johnei infection in abattoir and culled cattle. In a series of 100 cattle in which there was no bacteriological or histopathological evidence of Mycobacterium johnei infection there were four positive reactions to the fluorescent antibody (FA) test with M johnei antigen and 20 to the complement fixation (CF) test. In a second series of 118 culled adult cattle M johnei infection was found in 26. The FA test was positive in 16 and the CF in 12 of those infected cattle. In 92 cattle with no evidence of M johnei infection the FA test was positive in seven and the CF test in 22.", "PMID": 769122} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2660", "title": "The specificity and sensitivity of the fluorescent antibody test in cattle experimentally infected with Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium johnei.", "content": "In five calves experimentally infected with Mycobacterium avium and in 10 with M johnei it was shown that the serological response by the fluorescent antibody (FA) test was specific. The serological response in the M avium infected calves was transitory and lasted up to five months. The first evidence of a serological response with the FA test in the M johnei dosed calves occurred at four months, and all calves had reacted by nine months after dosing. At the 23 tests carried out between four and 32 months after dosing, when the experiment was terminated, an average of 5-8 animals was positive at any one test. Johne's disease was confirmed bacteriologically and histologically in six of the 10 calves though none had shown clinical signs.", "contents": "The specificity and sensitivity of the fluorescent antibody test in cattle experimentally infected with Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium johnei. In five calves experimentally infected with Mycobacterium avium and in 10 with M johnei it was shown that the serological response by the fluorescent antibody (FA) test was specific. The serological response in the M avium infected calves was transitory and lasted up to five months. The first evidence of a serological response with the FA test in the M johnei dosed calves occurred at four months, and all calves had reacted by nine months after dosing. At the 23 tests carried out between four and 32 months after dosing, when the experiment was terminated, an average of 5-8 animals was positive at any one test. Johne's disease was confirmed bacteriologically and histologically in six of the 10 calves though none had shown clinical signs.", "PMID": 769123} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2661", "title": "Metabolic fates of herbicides in animals.", "content": "Many general aspects of the subjects were covered by the two previous reviews. Important recent changes in handling harvested cereal grains include more bulk transportation--particularly containerisation,processing closer to the site of production, resistance topesticides in many granivorous insects and the alarmingly unpredictable cross-resistance spectra in some sppecies, and a hardening in the attitude of governments and the food industry to the use of pesticides. Pesticide manufacturers arecurrently restricting their involvement in the stored grain area. The market is small and unpredictable due to crossresistance. However, a number of interesting and potentially useful compounds have appeared, notable )(bio) resmethrin, pirimiphos-methyl, andDursban-methyl, which reflect attempts to provide somewhat morepersistent compounds under adverse storage conditionnnnns than ismalathion--currently the most widely-used control agent.Inevitably, there is interest also in alternative methods, of control, from the obvious physical methods (drying, cooling, air-tight storage)to use of pheromones, insect hormone anaogues, and larvicides, all of which may have some future potential...", "contents": "Metabolic fates of herbicides in animals. Many general aspects of the subjects were covered by the two previous reviews. Important recent changes in handling harvested cereal grains include more bulk transportation--particularly containerisation,processing closer to the site of production, resistance topesticides in many granivorous insects and the alarmingly unpredictable cross-resistance spectra in some sppecies, and a hardening in the attitude of governments and the food industry to the use of pesticides. Pesticide manufacturers arecurrently restricting their involvement in the stored grain area. The market is small and unpredictable due to crossresistance. However, a number of interesting and potentially useful compounds have appeared, notable )(bio) resmethrin, pirimiphos-methyl, andDursban-methyl, which reflect attempts to provide somewhat morepersistent compounds under adverse storage conditionnnnns than ismalathion--currently the most widely-used control agent.Inevitably, there is interest also in alternative methods, of control, from the obvious physical methods (drying, cooling, air-tight storage)to use of pheromones, insect hormone anaogues, and larvicides, all of which may have some future potential...", "PMID": 769125} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2662", "title": "Measurement of cardiac output by impedance cardiography in patients with myocardial infarction. Comparative evaluation of impedance and dye dilution methods.", "content": "The cardiac output was measured simultaneously by the impedance cardiography and dye dilution methods in 10 patients with acute myocardial infarction 2-3 weeks after admission to the Coronary Care Unit. The impedance cardiac output was on the average 9.7% higher than the dye dilution cardiac output. The reproducibility of impedance cardiac output 4.1%, compared with 5.1% for the dye dilution method. The study showed a satisfactory reliability of impedance in predicting the relative changed of cardiac output in response to tilting from the supine to the 30 degrees head-up position, to a 10 degrees head-down position, and to the intravenous administration of propranolol.", "contents": "Measurement of cardiac output by impedance cardiography in patients with myocardial infarction. Comparative evaluation of impedance and dye dilution methods. The cardiac output was measured simultaneously by the impedance cardiography and dye dilution methods in 10 patients with acute myocardial infarction 2-3 weeks after admission to the Coronary Care Unit. The impedance cardiac output was on the average 9.7% higher than the dye dilution cardiac output. The reproducibility of impedance cardiac output 4.1%, compared with 5.1% for the dye dilution method. The study showed a satisfactory reliability of impedance in predicting the relative changed of cardiac output in response to tilting from the supine to the 30 degrees head-up position, to a 10 degrees head-down position, and to the intravenous administration of propranolol.", "PMID": 769142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2663", "title": "Serum zinc and urinary zinc excretion after renal allotransplantation.", "content": "In nine kidney-transplanted patients, receiving prednisone as part of the immunosuppression, serum zinc and urinary zinc excretion were measured for a period of 5-7 weeks after the transplantation. Serum zinc decreased significantly from normal pretransplant values to subnormal vaues 1-5 days after the transplantation. Thereafter, the serum zinc rose again, and after 2-3 weeks, before start of reduction of prednisone, the serum zinc had risen to a level that was not significantly lower than the pretransplant level. Urinary zinc excretion was generally elevated, especially just after the transplantation. In patients with initially good kidney function function the zinc clearance to creatinine clearance ratio was significantly higher during the first week after the transplantation than in the rest of the observation period. Similar findings have been reported after major surgery, and no correlation between serum zinc and the corticosteroid dose was demonstrable. Therefore, in renal allotransplantation, no special supplementation of zinc seems necessary beyond what may be justified by the effect of the surgical trauma.", "contents": "Serum zinc and urinary zinc excretion after renal allotransplantation. In nine kidney-transplanted patients, receiving prednisone as part of the immunosuppression, serum zinc and urinary zinc excretion were measured for a period of 5-7 weeks after the transplantation. Serum zinc decreased significantly from normal pretransplant values to subnormal vaues 1-5 days after the transplantation. Thereafter, the serum zinc rose again, and after 2-3 weeks, before start of reduction of prednisone, the serum zinc had risen to a level that was not significantly lower than the pretransplant level. Urinary zinc excretion was generally elevated, especially just after the transplantation. In patients with initially good kidney function function the zinc clearance to creatinine clearance ratio was significantly higher during the first week after the transplantation than in the rest of the observation period. Similar findings have been reported after major surgery, and no correlation between serum zinc and the corticosteroid dose was demonstrable. Therefore, in renal allotransplantation, no special supplementation of zinc seems necessary beyond what may be justified by the effect of the surgical trauma.", "PMID": 769143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2664", "title": "Human granulocytopoietic colonies in diffusion chambers in mice: growth of colonies and the effect of host irradiation.", "content": "Normal human non-separated bone marrow cells were cultured in fibrin clots in diffusion chambers implanted intraperitoneally in mice, and harvested at different intervals by a previously described chamber centrifugation technique. This method demonstrates the presence of cell aggregates in the diffusion chambers. When the chambers are implanted in irradiated mice (450 R) and retransplantated into newly irradiated mice every seventh day, a continous increase in number of cells per granulocytopoietic aggregate is observed from day 8 to day 21. This is compatible with the view that the aggregate is observed from day 8 to day 21. This is compatible with the view that the aggregates are colonies. The term 'colony forming unit diffusion chamber' (CFUD) is suggested to denote the ancestor(s) of the colonies. However, formal proof that one colony is derived from one cell is lacking. Preirradiation of mice with 450 R significantly increases the number of neutrophilic granulocytopoietic colonies at day 14, provided the chambers are retransplantated to newly irradiated mice at day 7, indicating that the neutrophilic colony forming unit or its progeny is involved as at least one of the targets of the stimulating effect of host irradiation. In contrast, no effect of host irradiation on the numbers of eosinophilic colonies was observed.", "contents": "Human granulocytopoietic colonies in diffusion chambers in mice: growth of colonies and the effect of host irradiation. Normal human non-separated bone marrow cells were cultured in fibrin clots in diffusion chambers implanted intraperitoneally in mice, and harvested at different intervals by a previously described chamber centrifugation technique. This method demonstrates the presence of cell aggregates in the diffusion chambers. When the chambers are implanted in irradiated mice (450 R) and retransplantated into newly irradiated mice every seventh day, a continous increase in number of cells per granulocytopoietic aggregate is observed from day 8 to day 21. This is compatible with the view that the aggregate is observed from day 8 to day 21. This is compatible with the view that the aggregates are colonies. The term 'colony forming unit diffusion chamber' (CFUD) is suggested to denote the ancestor(s) of the colonies. However, formal proof that one colony is derived from one cell is lacking. Preirradiation of mice with 450 R significantly increases the number of neutrophilic granulocytopoietic colonies at day 14, provided the chambers are retransplantated to newly irradiated mice at day 7, indicating that the neutrophilic colony forming unit or its progeny is involved as at least one of the targets of the stimulating effect of host irradiation. In contrast, no effect of host irradiation on the numbers of eosinophilic colonies was observed.", "PMID": 769145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2665", "title": "Monoclonal B-lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with plasma cell myeloma. Relation to activity of the disease.", "content": "Antisera were produced in rabbits against idiotypic determinants of the myeloma protein from 3 patients with IgG-k myeloma. The antisera did neither cross-react nor react with normal immunoglobulin (Ig). Idiotypic Ig-structures were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence (IFL) on 70-94% of peripheral B-lymphocytes inuntreated patients. The total numbers of circulating B-lymphocytes were increased with a simultaneous decrease of T-lymphocytes. Only one of the patients had blood lymphocytes which stained for cytoplasmic Ig with idiotypic antiserum. The monoclonal lymphocyte population decreased gradually during treatment. Plasma cell counts in bone marrow, IgG concentration in serum and erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased simultaneously, whilt the haemoglobin concentration increased. Very few monoclonal lymphocytes were present during remission. Later, the monoclonal lymphocyte population began to increase in 2 of the patients in parallel with clinical signs indicating relapse. It is concluded that presence of monoclonal B-lymphocytes indicates dissemination of the disease and that they may belong to the malignant cell clone.", "contents": "Monoclonal B-lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with plasma cell myeloma. Relation to activity of the disease. Antisera were produced in rabbits against idiotypic determinants of the myeloma protein from 3 patients with IgG-k myeloma. The antisera did neither cross-react nor react with normal immunoglobulin (Ig). Idiotypic Ig-structures were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence (IFL) on 70-94% of peripheral B-lymphocytes inuntreated patients. The total numbers of circulating B-lymphocytes were increased with a simultaneous decrease of T-lymphocytes. Only one of the patients had blood lymphocytes which stained for cytoplasmic Ig with idiotypic antiserum. The monoclonal lymphocyte population decreased gradually during treatment. Plasma cell counts in bone marrow, IgG concentration in serum and erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased simultaneously, whilt the haemoglobin concentration increased. Very few monoclonal lymphocytes were present during remission. Later, the monoclonal lymphocyte population began to increase in 2 of the patients in parallel with clinical signs indicating relapse. It is concluded that presence of monoclonal B-lymphocytes indicates dissemination of the disease and that they may belong to the malignant cell clone.", "PMID": 769146} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2666", "title": "A trial of a phase-release aspirin preparation in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Thirty-six patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were treated in a double-blind cross-over study of phase-release aspirin tablets and aspirin B. P. tablest. Twenty-nine patients completed the study. The phase-release preparation given twice daily proved as effective as aspirin B.P. given four times daily. Better results were produced by the phase-release aspirin in respect of the degree and duration of morning stiffness, grip strength and joint size, although the differences did not reach the level of statistical significance. The E.S.R. was significantly reduced by the B. P. preparation but this result was thought to be due to an order effect in the weeks of therapy.", "contents": "A trial of a phase-release aspirin preparation in rheumatoid arthritis. Thirty-six patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were treated in a double-blind cross-over study of phase-release aspirin tablets and aspirin B. P. tablest. Twenty-nine patients completed the study. The phase-release preparation given twice daily proved as effective as aspirin B.P. given four times daily. Better results were produced by the phase-release aspirin in respect of the degree and duration of morning stiffness, grip strength and joint size, although the differences did not reach the level of statistical significance. The E.S.R. was significantly reduced by the B. P. preparation but this result was thought to be due to an order effect in the weeks of therapy.", "PMID": 769147} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2667", "title": "[Multiple sclerosis. Etiopathogenetic review].", "content": "This is a synthetic report about multiple sclerosis: there is described the neuropathology (by optic and electronic microscopy) of this disease, the changes in the protein metabolism, above all in basic protein content, in lipids, in enzymes of the plaques and of the apparently normal white and gray matter. There are afterwords described the relationship between viruses and multiple sclerosis, the probable action mechanism of the virus-determined demyelination, and the changes of the immunitary system (increase of gamma-globulins, serum myelotoxicity, lymphocitary changes).", "contents": "[Multiple sclerosis. Etiopathogenetic review]. This is a synthetic report about multiple sclerosis: there is described the neuropathology (by optic and electronic microscopy) of this disease, the changes in the protein metabolism, above all in basic protein content, in lipids, in enzymes of the plaques and of the apparently normal white and gray matter. There are afterwords described the relationship between viruses and multiple sclerosis, the probable action mechanism of the virus-determined demyelination, and the changes of the immunitary system (increase of gamma-globulins, serum myelotoxicity, lymphocitary changes).", "PMID": 769139} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2668", "title": "[Rejection of a kidney graft after pregnancy and delivery].", "content": "Eighteen months after cadaver kidney transplantation a 22-year-old woman was successfully delivered of a healthy female child. Onset of allograft rejection in the third trimenon was followed three weeks after delivery by progressive renal failure and resumption of regular dialysis treatment. Pregnancy risk factors after successful renal transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy are discussed.", "contents": "[Rejection of a kidney graft after pregnancy and delivery]. Eighteen months after cadaver kidney transplantation a 22-year-old woman was successfully delivered of a healthy female child. Onset of allograft rejection in the third trimenon was followed three weeks after delivery by progressive renal failure and resumption of regular dialysis treatment. Pregnancy risk factors after successful renal transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy are discussed.", "PMID": 769149} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2669", "title": "[Chronic juvenile kidney insufficiency. Results of a Swiss questionnaire].", "content": "From 1972 to 1974 a collaborative prospective study was undertaken to determine the incidence, causes and clinical course of chronic renal failure (CRF) in pediatric patients (age 1/2-16 years) in Switzerland. In addition, information concerning the occurrence of terminal CRF observed between 1967 and 1971 was obtained. CRF is defined as persistently elevated serum creatinine greater than 2 mg/100 ml. The small size of Switzerland (population 6.27 million) and the availability of specialized medical care favoured relative completeness of data. a) Non-terminal CRF. - Prevalence was 4.5 per million total population = 18.5 per million children (1/2-16 years old) (n = 28 at 31. 12. 1974). Causes: renal disease was acquired in 14% and congenital in 86% (hereditary nephropathies excluding polycystic kidneys 4%, polycystic kidneys 14%, hypoplasia 14%, urinary tract abnormalities 54%). Progression of CRF: mean time interval in which serum creatinine doubled was, in the group of acquired renal diseases, 8.3 months (n = 6); in hereditary nephropathies 14.3 months (n = 4); in the group of polycystic kidneys and hypoplasia 41.2 months (n = 6), and in patients with urinary tract abnormalities 35.8 months (n = 15). Body height was reduced in all groups as compared with normal children: 1.0 SDS (standard deviation scores) in acquired renal diseases (n = 9), 5.1 SDS in cystinosis (n = 2), 0.4 SDS in polycystic kidneys (n = 4), 1.6 SDS in hypoplasia (n = 5), and 2.3 SDS in urinary tract abnormalities (n = 16). b) Terminal CRF. - Mean yearly incidence (1967-1974, n = 68) was 1.36 per million total population = 5.6 per million children (1/2-16 years). Causes: In contrast to the situation in non-terminal CRF, acquired diseases were observed in 56% of all patients. Hereditary nephropathies were found in 12%, polycystic kidneys in 1.5%, hypoplasia in 4.5%, and urinary tract abnormalities in 26%. Between 1970 and 1972 , 7 of 21 patients, and during 1973/1974 13 of 16 pediatric patients, were treated by intermittent hemodialysis and renal transplantation. On 31. 12. 1974, 18 of these 20 treated patients were alive, and of these 14 had a functioning graft.", "contents": "[Chronic juvenile kidney insufficiency. Results of a Swiss questionnaire]. From 1972 to 1974 a collaborative prospective study was undertaken to determine the incidence, causes and clinical course of chronic renal failure (CRF) in pediatric patients (age 1/2-16 years) in Switzerland. In addition, information concerning the occurrence of terminal CRF observed between 1967 and 1971 was obtained. CRF is defined as persistently elevated serum creatinine greater than 2 mg/100 ml. The small size of Switzerland (population 6.27 million) and the availability of specialized medical care favoured relative completeness of data. a) Non-terminal CRF. - Prevalence was 4.5 per million total population = 18.5 per million children (1/2-16 years old) (n = 28 at 31. 12. 1974). Causes: renal disease was acquired in 14% and congenital in 86% (hereditary nephropathies excluding polycystic kidneys 4%, polycystic kidneys 14%, hypoplasia 14%, urinary tract abnormalities 54%). Progression of CRF: mean time interval in which serum creatinine doubled was, in the group of acquired renal diseases, 8.3 months (n = 6); in hereditary nephropathies 14.3 months (n = 4); in the group of polycystic kidneys and hypoplasia 41.2 months (n = 6), and in patients with urinary tract abnormalities 35.8 months (n = 15). Body height was reduced in all groups as compared with normal children: 1.0 SDS (standard deviation scores) in acquired renal diseases (n = 9), 5.1 SDS in cystinosis (n = 2), 0.4 SDS in polycystic kidneys (n = 4), 1.6 SDS in hypoplasia (n = 5), and 2.3 SDS in urinary tract abnormalities (n = 16). b) Terminal CRF. - Mean yearly incidence (1967-1974, n = 68) was 1.36 per million total population = 5.6 per million children (1/2-16 years). Causes: In contrast to the situation in non-terminal CRF, acquired diseases were observed in 56% of all patients. Hereditary nephropathies were found in 12%, polycystic kidneys in 1.5%, hypoplasia in 4.5%, and urinary tract abnormalities in 26%. Between 1970 and 1972 , 7 of 21 patients, and during 1973/1974 13 of 16 pediatric patients, were treated by intermittent hemodialysis and renal transplantation. On 31. 12. 1974, 18 of these 20 treated patients were alive, and of these 14 had a functioning graft.", "PMID": 769150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2670", "title": "[Around the sphincter: problems of continence in surgery of the large intestine].", "content": "Anatomy and physiology of anal continence and incontinence are described. The surgeon's first main task is the prevention of incontinence, e.g. in the treatment of the small and mobile carcinoma of the rectum, the wide pedunculated papilloma, the fistula in ano, haemorrhoids and anal fissure. The second main task is the reconstruction of continence of rectal prolapse, ectropion, third grade rupture of the perineum and perineal injuries. The possibilities for reconstruction, reinforcement and replacement of the sphincter are described.", "contents": "[Around the sphincter: problems of continence in surgery of the large intestine]. Anatomy and physiology of anal continence and incontinence are described. The surgeon's first main task is the prevention of incontinence, e.g. in the treatment of the small and mobile carcinoma of the rectum, the wide pedunculated papilloma, the fistula in ano, haemorrhoids and anal fissure. The second main task is the reconstruction of continence of rectal prolapse, ectropion, third grade rupture of the perineum and perineal injuries. The possibilities for reconstruction, reinforcement and replacement of the sphincter are described.", "PMID": 769151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2671", "title": "[Organ transplantations in intestinal tract surgery: history or future?].", "content": "In the case of three gastrointestinal organs - the esophagus, the stomach, and the colon - no indication for clinical transplantation is conceivable today or in future. On the other hand, experience with transplantation of the small bowel, the liver and the pancreas has already been gained, though up to now the results have been rather poor. Nevertheless, some clear indications exist which justify these transplantations in highly specialized centers. They include total loss, of the small bowel, multiple small bowel atresias, acute liver necrosis, congenital biliary atresia, Echinococcus alveolaris, in future some enzyme defects and finally, juvenile diabetes with nephropathy. Whether, and when, transplantation in these diseases becomes routine will depend on progress in immunology.", "contents": "[Organ transplantations in intestinal tract surgery: history or future?]. In the case of three gastrointestinal organs - the esophagus, the stomach, and the colon - no indication for clinical transplantation is conceivable today or in future. On the other hand, experience with transplantation of the small bowel, the liver and the pancreas has already been gained, though up to now the results have been rather poor. Nevertheless, some clear indications exist which justify these transplantations in highly specialized centers. They include total loss, of the small bowel, multiple small bowel atresias, acute liver necrosis, congenital biliary atresia, Echinococcus alveolaris, in future some enzyme defects and finally, juvenile diabetes with nephropathy. Whether, and when, transplantation in these diseases becomes routine will depend on progress in immunology.", "PMID": 769152} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2672", "title": "[Digestive complications and kidney transplantations].", "content": "A survey of 54 patients who had received one or two renal homografts revealed that 15 presented 18 types of serious digestive complications. A relation between immunosuppressive treatment and subsequent appearance of a complication is frequently encountered. Gastrointestinal bleeding constitutes a real danger for the transplant recipient. The importance of early detection of peptic ulcer and treatment by major surgery are stressed. Out of the 12 deaths registered among the total number of patients, 2 were caused by one of the digestive complications.", "contents": "[Digestive complications and kidney transplantations]. A survey of 54 patients who had received one or two renal homografts revealed that 15 presented 18 types of serious digestive complications. A relation between immunosuppressive treatment and subsequent appearance of a complication is frequently encountered. Gastrointestinal bleeding constitutes a real danger for the transplant recipient. The importance of early detection of peptic ulcer and treatment by major surgery are stressed. Out of the 12 deaths registered among the total number of patients, 2 were caused by one of the digestive complications.", "PMID": 769153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2673", "title": "[Direct bonding in orthodontics].", "content": "Composite materials have been used to attach orthodontic brackets on the conditioned enamel surface. A method of direct bonding with Enamelite of metal brackets with a mechanical retention on the basis is described. Clinical experience with the adhesive technique, its range of indication and possible failures are discussed in several case reports.", "contents": "[Direct bonding in orthodontics]. Composite materials have been used to attach orthodontic brackets on the conditioned enamel surface. A method of direct bonding with Enamelite of metal brackets with a mechanical retention on the basis is described. Clinical experience with the adhesive technique, its range of indication and possible failures are discussed in several case reports.", "PMID": 769154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2674", "title": "Effect of histamine H2-receptor blockade on gastric emptying and serum gastrin in man.", "content": "The effect of orally administered metiamide, a Histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on the rate of gastric emptying was assessed in 24 uncomplicated duodenal ulcer patients given a standard meal containing indium 113m D.T.P.A. chelate. Metiamide produced significant slowing of gastric emptying when compared with control studies performed on the same patients following oral administration of a placebo. In a further study the effect of metiamide on the serum gastrin response to a protein meal was assessed in seven healthy male volunteers. Paired experiments demonstrated that a significantly greater elevation of serum gastrin occurred after metiamide than after placebo. The delay in gastric emptying produced by metiamide may be mediated by an elevation of the serum gastrin concentration.", "contents": "Effect of histamine H2-receptor blockade on gastric emptying and serum gastrin in man. The effect of orally administered metiamide, a Histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on the rate of gastric emptying was assessed in 24 uncomplicated duodenal ulcer patients given a standard meal containing indium 113m D.T.P.A. chelate. Metiamide produced significant slowing of gastric emptying when compared with control studies performed on the same patients following oral administration of a placebo. In a further study the effect of metiamide on the serum gastrin response to a protein meal was assessed in seven healthy male volunteers. Paired experiments demonstrated that a significantly greater elevation of serum gastrin occurred after metiamide than after placebo. The delay in gastric emptying produced by metiamide may be mediated by an elevation of the serum gastrin concentration.", "PMID": 769156} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2675", "title": "Metal ions in enzymes using ammonia or amides.", "content": "In an attempt to understand the role of nickel in jack bean urease (1), we turned to a variety of other enzymes important in the utilization, production, or transfer of ammonia. We found several, including the L-histidine and L-phenylalanine ammonialyases and some enzymes that utilize glutamine or ammonia in amidotransferase reactions, all of which show evidence for the involvement of as yet unreported transition metal ions in their mechanism of action. We support the view that catalysis by metalloenzymes may be a reflection of the chemistry of the metal ion itself as a Lewis acid, and that perhaps too much emphasis has been placed on supposed special characteristics (such as strains, \"entasis\") of the enzyme-metal ion association. In this context, we have discussed the mechanism of catalysis of hydrolysis of specific substrates by carboxypeptidase A, and have returned to urease to examine the role of nickel in its mechanism of action.", "contents": "Metal ions in enzymes using ammonia or amides. In an attempt to understand the role of nickel in jack bean urease (1), we turned to a variety of other enzymes important in the utilization, production, or transfer of ammonia. We found several, including the L-histidine and L-phenylalanine ammonialyases and some enzymes that utilize glutamine or ammonia in amidotransferase reactions, all of which show evidence for the involvement of as yet unreported transition metal ions in their mechanism of action. We support the view that catalysis by metalloenzymes may be a reflection of the chemistry of the metal ion itself as a Lewis acid, and that perhaps too much emphasis has been placed on supposed special characteristics (such as strains, \"entasis\") of the enzyme-metal ion association. In this context, we have discussed the mechanism of catalysis of hydrolysis of specific substrates by carboxypeptidase A, and have returned to urease to examine the role of nickel in its mechanism of action.", "PMID": 769157} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2676", "title": "Phylogeny of DNA polymerase-beta.", "content": "Analyses of various organisms for DNA polymerase-beta activity show that the enzyme is widely distributed in cells from multicellular animals but absent in bacteria, plants, and protozoa. These results suggest that DNA polymerase-beta may have evolved with the development of metazoan forms. Further evolutionary changes of the enzyme protein may account for some of the minor differences in properties of the enzyme in various organisms.", "contents": "Phylogeny of DNA polymerase-beta. Analyses of various organisms for DNA polymerase-beta activity show that the enzyme is widely distributed in cells from multicellular animals but absent in bacteria, plants, and protozoa. These results suggest that DNA polymerase-beta may have evolved with the development of metazoan forms. Further evolutionary changes of the enzyme protein may account for some of the minor differences in properties of the enzyme in various organisms.", "PMID": 769158} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2677", "title": "Insulin-dependent diabetes: a disease of autoaggression.", "content": "Lymphocytes from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes demonstrated significant cytoadherence and cytotoxicity against human insulinoma cells in vitro as compared to lymphocytes from normals. Complement was not involved in insulinoma cell destruction. The findings suggest that insulin-dependent diabetes may be a disease of autoaggression.", "contents": "Insulin-dependent diabetes: a disease of autoaggression. Lymphocytes from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes demonstrated significant cytoadherence and cytotoxicity against human insulinoma cells in vitro as compared to lymphocytes from normals. Complement was not involved in insulinoma cell destruction. The findings suggest that insulin-dependent diabetes may be a disease of autoaggression.", "PMID": 769160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2678", "title": "Human babesiosis: reservoir in infection on Nantucket Island.", "content": "Examination of blood films from six species of rodents and lagomorphs on Nantucket Island disclosed infections with Babesia microti in all of five Microtus pennsylvanicus (field mice) and 31 of 39 Peromyscus leucopus (white-footed or deer mice). Six human cases of clinical babesiosis have recently been diagnosed on the island.", "contents": "Human babesiosis: reservoir in infection on Nantucket Island. Examination of blood films from six species of rodents and lagomorphs on Nantucket Island disclosed infections with Babesia microti in all of five Microtus pennsylvanicus (field mice) and 31 of 39 Peromyscus leucopus (white-footed or deer mice). Six human cases of clinical babesiosis have recently been diagnosed on the island.", "PMID": 769166} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2679", "title": "Lymphocele following renal transplantation: value of ultrasonography in diagnosis and follow-up studies.", "content": "The case of a perirenal lymphocele complicating renal homotransplantation and simulating early rejection is presented. Multiple aspirations of the lymphocele combined with open drainage resulted in cure and return of good renal function. Ultrasonography allowed identification of the lymphocele and an assessment of its response to treatment.", "contents": "Lymphocele following renal transplantation: value of ultrasonography in diagnosis and follow-up studies. The case of a perirenal lymphocele complicating renal homotransplantation and simulating early rejection is presented. Multiple aspirations of the lymphocele combined with open drainage resulted in cure and return of good renal function. Ultrasonography allowed identification of the lymphocele and an assessment of its response to treatment.", "PMID": 769167} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2680", "title": "Treatment of aseptic necrosis of the femoral head with Phemister-type bone grafts.", "content": "This study was performed in order to assess the success and failure of bone grafting in early aseptic necrosis of the hip. Ten patients (11 hips) with a minimum of two years follow-up were evaluated by radiographic and clinical parameters. Seven of the 11 hips had good or excellent results. The criteria for a successful result were proper patient selection and exact placement of the bone grafts. The Phemister bone grafts appear to be the treatment of choice in early aseptic necrosis of the femoral head.", "contents": "Treatment of aseptic necrosis of the femoral head with Phemister-type bone grafts. This study was performed in order to assess the success and failure of bone grafting in early aseptic necrosis of the hip. Ten patients (11 hips) with a minimum of two years follow-up were evaluated by radiographic and clinical parameters. Seven of the 11 hips had good or excellent results. The criteria for a successful result were proper patient selection and exact placement of the bone grafts. The Phemister bone grafts appear to be the treatment of choice in early aseptic necrosis of the femoral head.", "PMID": 769168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2681", "title": "Electroencephalographic findings in patients with mild Parkinson's disease treated with L-dopa and placebo.", "content": "The prognostic value of electroencephalograms in patients with early or mild Parkinson's disease treated with L-dopa is discussed. Fifteen patients with early or mild Parkinson's disease were studied clinically and electroencephalographically while receiving L-dopa or placebo treatment. Only a low incidence (four patients, 27%) of EEG abnormality was found. These patients showed only mild improvement: in three cases, the improvement followed an initial worsening in the first three months. Only one (13%) of the patients with a normal EEG became worse or failed to improve. The potential use of EED data in parkinsonism is discussed.", "contents": "Electroencephalographic findings in patients with mild Parkinson's disease treated with L-dopa and placebo. The prognostic value of electroencephalograms in patients with early or mild Parkinson's disease treated with L-dopa is discussed. Fifteen patients with early or mild Parkinson's disease were studied clinically and electroencephalographically while receiving L-dopa or placebo treatment. Only a low incidence (four patients, 27%) of EEG abnormality was found. These patients showed only mild improvement: in three cases, the improvement followed an initial worsening in the first three months. Only one (13%) of the patients with a normal EEG became worse or failed to improve. The potential use of EED data in parkinsonism is discussed.", "PMID": 769169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2682", "title": "The variant form of angina pectoris.", "content": "Variant angina pectoris, usually not precipitated by exertion or emotional stress, often is more severe and lasts longer than classic angina. The pain tends to recur at about the same time each day. Arrhythmias, usually ventricular, occur in about 50% of cases during the peak of pain. Electrocardiograms show a characteristic ST segment elevation during pain, which is in contrast to the ST segment depression of classic angina pectoris. Pain may be due, at least in some cases, to a temporary increase in tonus of a single, large, narrowed coronary artery. Chemical changes in the myocardium and plasma catecholamine changes differ from those occurring in classic angina pectoris. The course of the disease is highly variable but the prognosis must be regarded as grave, since single large vessel disease, present in most cases, is associated with severe myocardial ischemia. Patients with variant angina pectoris should be studied early with coronary arteriography and considered for coronary artery bypass surgery if appropriate.", "contents": "The variant form of angina pectoris. Variant angina pectoris, usually not precipitated by exertion or emotional stress, often is more severe and lasts longer than classic angina. The pain tends to recur at about the same time each day. Arrhythmias, usually ventricular, occur in about 50% of cases during the peak of pain. Electrocardiograms show a characteristic ST segment elevation during pain, which is in contrast to the ST segment depression of classic angina pectoris. Pain may be due, at least in some cases, to a temporary increase in tonus of a single, large, narrowed coronary artery. Chemical changes in the myocardium and plasma catecholamine changes differ from those occurring in classic angina pectoris. The course of the disease is highly variable but the prognosis must be regarded as grave, since single large vessel disease, present in most cases, is associated with severe myocardial ischemia. Patients with variant angina pectoris should be studied early with coronary arteriography and considered for coronary artery bypass surgery if appropriate.", "PMID": 769170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2683", "title": "Coagulation studies in falciparum and vivax malaria.", "content": "Coagulation factors and serum fibrin degradation products (FDP) were studied in 31 cases of acute falciparum malaria with severe complications, 13 cases without severe complications, and 6 cases of vivax malaria. Seven of 13 cases of acute falciparum infection with severe complications died and the coagulation studies were markedly changed and there were high levels of serum FDP. The degree of changes in coagulation and serum FDP varied with the severity of the symptoms and signs and there were virtually no changes in the cases of vivax malaria. It was speculated that changes might be the result rather than the cause of pathogenic processes in falciparum malaria.", "contents": "Coagulation studies in falciparum and vivax malaria. Coagulation factors and serum fibrin degradation products (FDP) were studied in 31 cases of acute falciparum malaria with severe complications, 13 cases without severe complications, and 6 cases of vivax malaria. Seven of 13 cases of acute falciparum infection with severe complications died and the coagulation studies were markedly changed and there were high levels of serum FDP. The degree of changes in coagulation and serum FDP varied with the severity of the symptoms and signs and there were virtually no changes in the cases of vivax malaria. It was speculated that changes might be the result rather than the cause of pathogenic processes in falciparum malaria.", "PMID": 769173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2684", "title": "Skin cover in extensive hand injuries.", "content": "The concept of 'axial-based' flaps has revolutionised the replacement of full-thickness defects of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the hand. The groin flap provides extensive skin replacement, and has the advantage of allowing considerable mobility of the hand, elbow and should during the period of attachment.", "contents": "Skin cover in extensive hand injuries. The concept of 'axial-based' flaps has revolutionised the replacement of full-thickness defects of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the hand. The groin flap provides extensive skin replacement, and has the advantage of allowing considerable mobility of the hand, elbow and should during the period of attachment.", "PMID": 769188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2685", "title": "Failure to demonstrate high concentrations of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone in the bovine pineal body.", "content": "Six in vitro experiments were conducted to study the effects of the incorporation into the culture system of 10 bovine pineal bodies (or a similar mass of bovine hypothalamic tissue) on the secretion of luteinising hormone (LH) from bovine adenohypophyseal tissue (anterior pituitary - AP). When hypothalamic tissue was incubated with AP tissue, an increased amount of LH was released into the medium but no marked increase in LH secretion was observed when pineal bodies were included in the AP culture system. Additionally, the amount of radio-immunologically active luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) contained in bovine pineal bodies was much less than that contained in an equivalent mass of hypothalamic tissue. Thus, present results do not support the concept that the pineal body contains comparatively large amounts of lhrh.", "contents": "Failure to demonstrate high concentrations of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone in the bovine pineal body. Six in vitro experiments were conducted to study the effects of the incorporation into the culture system of 10 bovine pineal bodies (or a similar mass of bovine hypothalamic tissue) on the secretion of luteinising hormone (LH) from bovine adenohypophyseal tissue (anterior pituitary - AP). When hypothalamic tissue was incubated with AP tissue, an increased amount of LH was released into the medium but no marked increase in LH secretion was observed when pineal bodies were included in the AP culture system. Additionally, the amount of radio-immunologically active luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) contained in bovine pineal bodies was much less than that contained in an equivalent mass of hypothalamic tissue. Thus, present results do not support the concept that the pineal body contains comparatively large amounts of lhrh.", "PMID": 769192} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2686", "title": "Gastric acid and serum gastrin secretion before and after bypass of the small intestine for morbid obesity.", "content": "Six obese patients undergoing end-to-side jejunoileal bypass had gastric acid output and serum gastrin measurements performed preoperatively and within three months postoperatively. Meat extract stimulated acid output was higher in obese than in normal patients. Following the bypass procedure, basal and meat extract stimulated acid output significantly decreased. Basal and meat extract stimulated serum gastrin levels did not change following bypass. These studies demonstrate that after a small intestinal bypass, acid output decreases. Gastrin plays no role in this change.", "contents": "Gastric acid and serum gastrin secretion before and after bypass of the small intestine for morbid obesity. Six obese patients undergoing end-to-side jejunoileal bypass had gastric acid output and serum gastrin measurements performed preoperatively and within three months postoperatively. Meat extract stimulated acid output was higher in obese than in normal patients. Following the bypass procedure, basal and meat extract stimulated acid output significantly decreased. Basal and meat extract stimulated serum gastrin levels did not change following bypass. These studies demonstrate that after a small intestinal bypass, acid output decreases. Gastrin plays no role in this change.", "PMID": 769199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2687", "title": "use of F(ab')2 fragment in experimental skin transplantation for burns.", "content": "In a series of experiments involving approximately 500 animals, burned rats were administered the F(ab')2 fragment of antidonor IgG to study the survival of incompatible skin allografts. No prolongation was noted when treatment consisted of antidonor F(ab')2 fragment alone. This was true whether the fragment was raised against donor spleen cells of donor skin, whether the skin allograft was partial or full thickness and whether the systemic treatment of the recipients was preceded by a period of incubation of the graft in F(ab')2 fragment or not. Significant prolongation of survival was noted when the fragment was raised against both donor and recipient histocompatibility antigen and when the donor skin was incubated in steroids as well as in F(ab')2 fragment prior to grafting. Additional findings included the confirmation of prolonged allograft survival by increasing burn size and the prolongation of allograft survival by the presence of intact eschar.", "contents": "use of F(ab')2 fragment in experimental skin transplantation for burns. In a series of experiments involving approximately 500 animals, burned rats were administered the F(ab')2 fragment of antidonor IgG to study the survival of incompatible skin allografts. No prolongation was noted when treatment consisted of antidonor F(ab')2 fragment alone. This was true whether the fragment was raised against donor spleen cells of donor skin, whether the skin allograft was partial or full thickness and whether the systemic treatment of the recipients was preceded by a period of incubation of the graft in F(ab')2 fragment or not. Significant prolongation of survival was noted when the fragment was raised against both donor and recipient histocompatibility antigen and when the donor skin was incubated in steroids as well as in F(ab')2 fragment prior to grafting. Additional findings included the confirmation of prolonged allograft survival by increasing burn size and the prolongation of allograft survival by the presence of intact eschar.", "PMID": 769200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2688", "title": "Experiences with the Linton-Nachlas and the Sengstaken-Blakemore tubes for bleeding esophageal varices.", "content": "A controlled clinical trial was begun to compare the effectiveness of the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube with that of the Linton-Nachlas tube in the emergency treatment of bleeding esophageal varices. The investigation was prematurely terminated after two lethal complications with the Linton-Nachlas tube. At that time, 28 patients with 42 bleeding episodes were included. Twenty-seven were treated with the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube, with bleeding being controlled in 20; 15 were treated with the Linton-Nachlas tube, with bleeding being controlled in six. No significant statistical difference was found between the two tubes, 0.05 less than p less than 0.1, but the results encourage the use of Sengstaken-Blakemore tube in preference to the Linton-Nachlas tube, except in patients with a hiatal hernia or bleeding from fundic varices.", "contents": "Experiences with the Linton-Nachlas and the Sengstaken-Blakemore tubes for bleeding esophageal varices. A controlled clinical trial was begun to compare the effectiveness of the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube with that of the Linton-Nachlas tube in the emergency treatment of bleeding esophageal varices. The investigation was prematurely terminated after two lethal complications with the Linton-Nachlas tube. At that time, 28 patients with 42 bleeding episodes were included. Twenty-seven were treated with the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube, with bleeding being controlled in 20; 15 were treated with the Linton-Nachlas tube, with bleeding being controlled in six. No significant statistical difference was found between the two tubes, 0.05 less than p less than 0.1, but the results encourage the use of Sengstaken-Blakemore tube in preference to the Linton-Nachlas tube, except in patients with a hiatal hernia or bleeding from fundic varices.", "PMID": 769201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2689", "title": "Abdominal hysterectomy in obese women.", "content": "During a 25 year period in a university hospital gynecology service, 300 obese women, weighing 200 pounds or more, underwent abdominal total hysterectomy. In comparison with nonobese controls, the overweight patients were more likely to have carcinoma of the endometrium, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Postoperatively, the most striking difference between the obese and nonobese groups was in the incidence of wound complications, with no significant difference in the occurrence of other disorders. The incidence of wound complications was 29 per cent with obesity, seven times that in patients of normal weight, and all types of wound disorders, except evisceration, occurred more frequently in obese patients. Among identifiable factors potentially responsible for wound infection were an increased incidence of diabetes, longer operating time and greater blood loss in overweight patients. The increased incidence of wound infection was responsible for greater febrile morbidity and the more frequent need for prolonged hospitalization. The mortality rate was 1 per cent in the obese group and zero per cent in the control group, a statistically insignificant difference. Since abdominal hysterectomy in obese women is associated with increased risk of morbidity, although not necessarily of mortality, obesity per se should rarely, if ever, contraindicate necessary surgical therapy. In situations in which surgical treatment is more elective, its complications should be borne in mind.", "contents": "Abdominal hysterectomy in obese women. During a 25 year period in a university hospital gynecology service, 300 obese women, weighing 200 pounds or more, underwent abdominal total hysterectomy. In comparison with nonobese controls, the overweight patients were more likely to have carcinoma of the endometrium, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Postoperatively, the most striking difference between the obese and nonobese groups was in the incidence of wound complications, with no significant difference in the occurrence of other disorders. The incidence of wound complications was 29 per cent with obesity, seven times that in patients of normal weight, and all types of wound disorders, except evisceration, occurred more frequently in obese patients. Among identifiable factors potentially responsible for wound infection were an increased incidence of diabetes, longer operating time and greater blood loss in overweight patients. The increased incidence of wound infection was responsible for greater febrile morbidity and the more frequent need for prolonged hospitalization. The mortality rate was 1 per cent in the obese group and zero per cent in the control group, a statistically insignificant difference. Since abdominal hysterectomy in obese women is associated with increased risk of morbidity, although not necessarily of mortality, obesity per se should rarely, if ever, contraindicate necessary surgical therapy. In situations in which surgical treatment is more elective, its complications should be borne in mind.", "PMID": 769202} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2690", "title": "An improved technique of excision and skin grafting for primary malignant melanomas.", "content": "A technique is described which decreases the cosmetic defomity associated with excision of primary melanomas and split thickness skin grafting. The incised skin edges are beveled peripherally and sutured to underlying muscle. A complete take of the graft is routine. There is a smooth transition from the cut skin edges to the skin grafted area that contrasts sharply with the cosmetically inferior cookie cutter defect resulting from conventional techniques.", "contents": "An improved technique of excision and skin grafting for primary malignant melanomas. A technique is described which decreases the cosmetic defomity associated with excision of primary melanomas and split thickness skin grafting. The incised skin edges are beveled peripherally and sutured to underlying muscle. A complete take of the graft is routine. There is a smooth transition from the cut skin edges to the skin grafted area that contrasts sharply with the cosmetically inferior cookie cutter defect resulting from conventional techniques.", "PMID": 769204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2691", "title": "Anterior cervical fusion using homologous bone grafts: a comparative study.", "content": "A comparative sutyd of homologous and autogenous bone grafts in Smith-Robinson type anterior cervical fusions reveals no significant difference between the two in clinical or radiographic results and no complications related to the use of the homologous grafts from the tissue bank.", "contents": "Anterior cervical fusion using homologous bone grafts: a comparative study. A comparative sutyd of homologous and autogenous bone grafts in Smith-Robinson type anterior cervical fusions reveals no significant difference between the two in clinical or radiographic results and no complications related to the use of the homologous grafts from the tissue bank.", "PMID": 769205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2692", "title": "Renal transplantation between HL-A haploidentical donor-recipient pairs: functional and morphological evaluation.", "content": "Fifty-nine recipients received renal allografts from an HL-A haploidentical family member. Immunogenicity of the incompatible haplotype was measured by skin grafts exchanged within each family when possible, and renal allograft recipients were assigned prospectively to two groups depending on the skin graft survival time (Group 2A greater than 15 days; Group 2B less than 15 days). If skin grafts could not be accomplished, the patients were place in an unclassified group, Group 2. Renal function at one and 2 years following engraftment did not differ between the two groups. Mixed lymphocyte stimulation of recipient lymphocytes by mitomycin-treated donor lymphocytes also was comparable in the groups. Histopathological evaluation by light, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy at least 6 months following allografting did not distinguish between the groups. The only differentiating characteristic was that Group 2A patients did not experience their primary rejection episode until an average of 18 days following transplantation, whereas Groups 2B and unclassified 2 had their initial primary rejection episode at average days 9 and 5, respectively. In our clinical program, matching for HL-A halotypes continues to be the best predictor for long-term renal function in consanguineous renal transplantation.", "contents": "Renal transplantation between HL-A haploidentical donor-recipient pairs: functional and morphological evaluation. Fifty-nine recipients received renal allografts from an HL-A haploidentical family member. Immunogenicity of the incompatible haplotype was measured by skin grafts exchanged within each family when possible, and renal allograft recipients were assigned prospectively to two groups depending on the skin graft survival time (Group 2A greater than 15 days; Group 2B less than 15 days). If skin grafts could not be accomplished, the patients were place in an unclassified group, Group 2. Renal function at one and 2 years following engraftment did not differ between the two groups. Mixed lymphocyte stimulation of recipient lymphocytes by mitomycin-treated donor lymphocytes also was comparable in the groups. Histopathological evaluation by light, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy at least 6 months following allografting did not distinguish between the groups. The only differentiating characteristic was that Group 2A patients did not experience their primary rejection episode until an average of 18 days following transplantation, whereas Groups 2B and unclassified 2 had their initial primary rejection episode at average days 9 and 5, respectively. In our clinical program, matching for HL-A halotypes continues to be the best predictor for long-term renal function in consanguineous renal transplantation.", "PMID": 769209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2693", "title": "Renal transplantation in patients with urinary tract abnormalities.", "content": "Patients with chronic renal failure and total diversion of the lower urinary tract have been considered poor transplant candidates, and post-transplant urinary diversion, i.e., Bricker loop, has been thought to be necessary. Our experience with nine patients clearly indicates that these patients are actually excellent transplant candidates and that post-transplant urinary diversion rarely is necessary. Ureteroneocystostomy of the allografted ureter was performed in seven patients with pretransplant total urinary diversion and all have completely normal bladder and renal function 10 to 66 months after transplantation; the two patients with Bricker loop procedures performed at transplantation died 7 months after transplantation of rejection and pancreatitis. The excellent results achieved with ureteroneocystostomy are attributed to (1) errors in diagnosis resulting in inappropriate bladder or ureteric surgery early in the course of the patient's disease; (2) confusion of immunologic of functional disorders with anatomic problems; (3) growth and development of the bladder, and (4) complete control of chronic bladder infection by pretransplant nephrectomy, ureterectomy, and antibiotics.", "contents": "Renal transplantation in patients with urinary tract abnormalities. Patients with chronic renal failure and total diversion of the lower urinary tract have been considered poor transplant candidates, and post-transplant urinary diversion, i.e., Bricker loop, has been thought to be necessary. Our experience with nine patients clearly indicates that these patients are actually excellent transplant candidates and that post-transplant urinary diversion rarely is necessary. Ureteroneocystostomy of the allografted ureter was performed in seven patients with pretransplant total urinary diversion and all have completely normal bladder and renal function 10 to 66 months after transplantation; the two patients with Bricker loop procedures performed at transplantation died 7 months after transplantation of rejection and pancreatitis. The excellent results achieved with ureteroneocystostomy are attributed to (1) errors in diagnosis resulting in inappropriate bladder or ureteric surgery early in the course of the patient's disease; (2) confusion of immunologic of functional disorders with anatomic problems; (3) growth and development of the bladder, and (4) complete control of chronic bladder infection by pretransplant nephrectomy, ureterectomy, and antibiotics.", "PMID": 769210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2694", "title": "Microvascular techniques for polar artery reconstruction in kidney transplants.", "content": "The complications of ureteral ischemia make revascularization of polar vessels attractive in cadaver and live-related transplants. Thirty-two patients underwent reconstruction of polar vessels of 1.2 to 2.5 mm, in diameter after revascularization of the major vessels as follows: (1) inferior epigastric artery to polar artery, ten patients - six cadaver transplants, four living-related transplants (The vessels are spatulated and sutured precisely by microvascular techniques with Nos. 7-0 or 8-0 Tevdek); (2) polar vessel with a patch of aorta to iliac artery, one patient - living relative donor; (3) polar artery to the main renal artery or branch, 17 patients - 14 cadaver transplants, three living-related transplants [A Waters \"MOX\"-100 machine is used with cryoprecipitated plasma (800 mg. of SoluMedrol and 80 U. of insulin added) for preservation.]; (4) autogenous saphenous vein graft, two patients - one child receiving on adult live-related kidney and one cadaver transplant with three arteries and a stenosis of the inferior polar vessel; (5) polar artery to vein patch in iliac artery, two patients - cadaver transplants. Follow-up was done by arteriography (18 patients), direct observation (two patients), and by use of ultrasound (one patient). The remaining 11 patients have exhibited no evidence of occlusion. Twenty of 21 patients exhibited patent vessels; one thrombosed at the time of the transplant operation. Long-term patency in those patients studied was 95%. We advocate small-vessel reconstruction in human renal transplantation, either during ex vivo preservation (workbench surgery) or at the time of transplantation.", "contents": "Microvascular techniques for polar artery reconstruction in kidney transplants. The complications of ureteral ischemia make revascularization of polar vessels attractive in cadaver and live-related transplants. Thirty-two patients underwent reconstruction of polar vessels of 1.2 to 2.5 mm, in diameter after revascularization of the major vessels as follows: (1) inferior epigastric artery to polar artery, ten patients - six cadaver transplants, four living-related transplants (The vessels are spatulated and sutured precisely by microvascular techniques with Nos. 7-0 or 8-0 Tevdek); (2) polar vessel with a patch of aorta to iliac artery, one patient - living relative donor; (3) polar artery to the main renal artery or branch, 17 patients - 14 cadaver transplants, three living-related transplants [A Waters \"MOX\"-100 machine is used with cryoprecipitated plasma (800 mg. of SoluMedrol and 80 U. of insulin added) for preservation.]; (4) autogenous saphenous vein graft, two patients - one child receiving on adult live-related kidney and one cadaver transplant with three arteries and a stenosis of the inferior polar vessel; (5) polar artery to vein patch in iliac artery, two patients - cadaver transplants. Follow-up was done by arteriography (18 patients), direct observation (two patients), and by use of ultrasound (one patient). The remaining 11 patients have exhibited no evidence of occlusion. Twenty of 21 patients exhibited patent vessels; one thrombosed at the time of the transplant operation. Long-term patency in those patients studied was 95%. We advocate small-vessel reconstruction in human renal transplantation, either during ex vivo preservation (workbench surgery) or at the time of transplantation.", "PMID": 769211} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2695", "title": "Sequential renal transplants: some surgical and immunological implications on management of the first homograft.", "content": "Experience with 35 second grafts included in a total number of 310 renal transplants was analyzed to identify factors associated with success. The 2 year life-table renal survival rate of sequential cadaveric grafts is 42 percent compared in 54 percent for primary cadaveric grafts. The 2 year life-table patient survival rate for the same group is 68 percent compared to 72 percent for single cadaveric homotransplants. Twenty-one of 30 patients tested in the interval between grafts developed cytotoxic antibodies to greater than 5 percent of a random panel of cells; 43 percent of these kidneys functioned at least one year; 65 percent functioned for one year or more if the cytotoxicity was 5 percent or less. If the first graft functioned greater than 3 months, the second had a 67 percent chance of functioning for one year; if less than 3 months, the second had a 45 percent one year function rate. Removal of the first transplant at time of second transplantation resulted in an 88 percent one year life-table survival rate of the second kidney in nine patients. Removal prior to second transplantation resulted in a 25 percent one year survival rate in 23 patients. To further evaluate this significant finding, data was obtained through the American College of Surgeons/National Institutes of Health (ACS/NIH) Organ Transplant Registry from five major transplant centers. Thirty-two patients had their first graft removed at time of second transplantation with a 52 percent one year life-table kidney survival rate vs. 29 percent if the first were removed more than 90 days prior to second grafting. Statistical analysis shows this to be significant at the 95 percent confidence level.", "contents": "Sequential renal transplants: some surgical and immunological implications on management of the first homograft. Experience with 35 second grafts included in a total number of 310 renal transplants was analyzed to identify factors associated with success. The 2 year life-table renal survival rate of sequential cadaveric grafts is 42 percent compared in 54 percent for primary cadaveric grafts. The 2 year life-table patient survival rate for the same group is 68 percent compared to 72 percent for single cadaveric homotransplants. Twenty-one of 30 patients tested in the interval between grafts developed cytotoxic antibodies to greater than 5 percent of a random panel of cells; 43 percent of these kidneys functioned at least one year; 65 percent functioned for one year or more if the cytotoxicity was 5 percent or less. If the first graft functioned greater than 3 months, the second had a 67 percent chance of functioning for one year; if less than 3 months, the second had a 45 percent one year function rate. Removal of the first transplant at time of second transplantation resulted in an 88 percent one year life-table survival rate of the second kidney in nine patients. Removal prior to second transplantation resulted in a 25 percent one year survival rate in 23 patients. To further evaluate this significant finding, data was obtained through the American College of Surgeons/National Institutes of Health (ACS/NIH) Organ Transplant Registry from five major transplant centers. Thirty-two patients had their first graft removed at time of second transplantation with a 52 percent one year life-table kidney survival rate vs. 29 percent if the first were removed more than 90 days prior to second grafting. Statistical analysis shows this to be significant at the 95 percent confidence level.", "PMID": 769212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2696", "title": "Cryptococcosis after renal transplantation: report of ten cases.", "content": "Ten cases of cryptococcosis have been identified in a 13 year experience with more than 650 renal transplants. Eight patients had meningitis, one patient had a cerebral granuloma, and in one patient the infection appeared to be limited to the lungs. The central nervous system infection often masqueraded as brain tumor and was not suspected initially. The most useful diagnostic test was cerebrospinal fluid examination including India ink preparation. Various ther apeutic regimens with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine were effective in suppressing the infection. A combination of low doses of amphotericin B, not affecting kidney function, with 5-fluorocytosine for at least 3 months was associated with remission of disease in five patients who still are alive, including three patients without recurrence for longer than one year. Five deaths 3 weeks to 4 years after the beginning of treatment were not due to cryptococcosis; death resulted from vascular disease and septiciemia in three of the four patients with known causes of death. Central nervous system cryptococcosis, with the exception of the rare cerebral granuloma, is associated with little inflammation. If early death from increased intracranial pressure or cerebral edema is prevented, prolonged therapy with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine may be expected to control the infection, even in immunosuppressed patients.", "contents": "Cryptococcosis after renal transplantation: report of ten cases. Ten cases of cryptococcosis have been identified in a 13 year experience with more than 650 renal transplants. Eight patients had meningitis, one patient had a cerebral granuloma, and in one patient the infection appeared to be limited to the lungs. The central nervous system infection often masqueraded as brain tumor and was not suspected initially. The most useful diagnostic test was cerebrospinal fluid examination including India ink preparation. Various ther apeutic regimens with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine were effective in suppressing the infection. A combination of low doses of amphotericin B, not affecting kidney function, with 5-fluorocytosine for at least 3 months was associated with remission of disease in five patients who still are alive, including three patients without recurrence for longer than one year. Five deaths 3 weeks to 4 years after the beginning of treatment were not due to cryptococcosis; death resulted from vascular disease and septiciemia in three of the four patients with known causes of death. Central nervous system cryptococcosis, with the exception of the rare cerebral granuloma, is associated with little inflammation. If early death from increased intracranial pressure or cerebral edema is prevented, prolonged therapy with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine may be expected to control the infection, even in immunosuppressed patients.", "PMID": 769213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2697", "title": "Cessation of immunosuppression after renal transplantation.", "content": "Five recipients of successful living related donor kidney transplants stopped azathioprine and prednisone against medical advice. Two recipients who were nonidentical by human leukocyte (HL-A) serotyping and mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) became uremic again after cessation if immunosuppression for periods of 2 and 6 months. Both patients died while refusing to reinstitute iunosuppression and their kidneys showed severe rejection histologically. Three recipients of MCL and HL-A identical kidneys were off azathioprine and prednisone for periods of 7, 12, and 30 months, respectively. None developed changes in renal function. Two patients currently are back on immunosuppression. The third recipient remains stable although off immunosuppression for 36 months; her cessation of immunosuppression was elicited by a mailed questionnaire sent to all recipients following detection of the first four. In addition to these five patients, three recipients of cadaver kidneys lost graft function after lapses in immunosuppression. This represents a 4% incidence of major lapses in immunosuppression (excluding known cessation during sepsis). The clinical outcome depended on degree of histocompatibility as best measured by MLC.", "contents": "Cessation of immunosuppression after renal transplantation. Five recipients of successful living related donor kidney transplants stopped azathioprine and prednisone against medical advice. Two recipients who were nonidentical by human leukocyte (HL-A) serotyping and mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) became uremic again after cessation if immunosuppression for periods of 2 and 6 months. Both patients died while refusing to reinstitute iunosuppression and their kidneys showed severe rejection histologically. Three recipients of MCL and HL-A identical kidneys were off azathioprine and prednisone for periods of 7, 12, and 30 months, respectively. None developed changes in renal function. Two patients currently are back on immunosuppression. The third recipient remains stable although off immunosuppression for 36 months; her cessation of immunosuppression was elicited by a mailed questionnaire sent to all recipients following detection of the first four. In addition to these five patients, three recipients of cadaver kidneys lost graft function after lapses in immunosuppression. This represents a 4% incidence of major lapses in immunosuppression (excluding known cessation during sepsis). The clinical outcome depended on degree of histocompatibility as best measured by MLC.", "PMID": 769214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2698", "title": "Stephen H. Watts: A disciple of Halsted.", "content": "Stephen Watts was one of Dr. William S. Halsted's 17 resident surgeons. He contributed much to experimental, clinical, and didactic surgery during his lifetime. Primarily, his experimental work was in vascular and transplant surgery modeled after Alexis Carrel's efforts. Clinically, he maintained the diversity and expertise propagated by Dr. Halsted. As a teacher he continued the education of young surgeons in the spirit of a true academician.", "contents": "Stephen H. Watts: A disciple of Halsted. Stephen Watts was one of Dr. William S. Halsted's 17 resident surgeons. He contributed much to experimental, clinical, and didactic surgery during his lifetime. Primarily, his experimental work was in vascular and transplant surgery modeled after Alexis Carrel's efforts. Clinically, he maintained the diversity and expertise propagated by Dr. Halsted. As a teacher he continued the education of young surgeons in the spirit of a true academician.", "PMID": 769215} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2699", "title": "Use of plasma protein fraction in preservation of cadaveric kidneys.", "content": "We have compared 23 cadaver kidneys preserved with cryoprecipitated plasma (CPP) with 23 consecutive cadaver kidneys preserved with plasma protein fractions (PPF). In both groups the MOX-100 Waters machine was used. The PPF solution does not contain any fibrinogen or gamma globulin. The harvesting characteristics of both groups were comparable. Pulsatile perfusion time in the PPF group was up to 46 hours and in the CPP group was up to 44 hours. In the PPF group, 20 kidneys achieved immediate function upon transplant (85 percent). Two underwent periods of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and one kidney never worked. In the CPP group, 18 kidneys achieved immediate function (78 percent). Two underwent periods of ATN and three never achieved satisfactory function. From this clinical experience, PPF is as effective as CPP for the preservation of kidneys up to 44 hours prior to transplant. The advantages of the PPF are easy availability, long shelf life, simple preparation, low cost, freedom from risk of hepatitis, and theoretical absence of antibody against the kidney. Graft and patient survival at 6 months showed no statistical difference.", "contents": "Use of plasma protein fraction in preservation of cadaveric kidneys. We have compared 23 cadaver kidneys preserved with cryoprecipitated plasma (CPP) with 23 consecutive cadaver kidneys preserved with plasma protein fractions (PPF). In both groups the MOX-100 Waters machine was used. The PPF solution does not contain any fibrinogen or gamma globulin. The harvesting characteristics of both groups were comparable. Pulsatile perfusion time in the PPF group was up to 46 hours and in the CPP group was up to 44 hours. In the PPF group, 20 kidneys achieved immediate function upon transplant (85 percent). Two underwent periods of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and one kidney never worked. In the CPP group, 18 kidneys achieved immediate function (78 percent). Two underwent periods of ATN and three never achieved satisfactory function. From this clinical experience, PPF is as effective as CPP for the preservation of kidneys up to 44 hours prior to transplant. The advantages of the PPF are easy availability, long shelf life, simple preparation, low cost, freedom from risk of hepatitis, and theoretical absence of antibody against the kidney. Graft and patient survival at 6 months showed no statistical difference.", "PMID": 769216} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2700", "title": "The adverse effect of high-dose steroids on renal autografts and homografts.", "content": "We observed that canine renal homografts preserved for 5 hours with hypothermic pulsatile perfusion to which large doses of methylprednisolone were added showed obliteration of glomerular capillary loops by eosinophilic proteinaceous material immediately after revascularization. The lesion progressed to focal necrosis at 24 hours and diffuse necrosis by 5 days. Urine formation was present 7.8 (+/- 3.2 S.D.) days in eight control kidneys not exposed to methylprednisolone, 5.8 (+/- 3.8 S.D.) in 11 organs perfused with 1.0 Gm. of methylprednisolone added, and 3.0 (+/- 2.9 S.D.) in eight with 2.0 Gm. of the drug in the standard cryoprecipitated canine plasma perfusate. Autografts treated with the larger dose also showed a similar but temporally more variable lesion. Two kidneys ceased functioning at 4 and 7 days, and six still were functioning at 14 days. Ninety-four percent of human renal homografts from living related donors were functioning at one month and 82 percent at one year in 88 patients who had rejection crises treated with one gram of methylprednisolone or less intravenously. In 32 human recipients of living related donor grafts receiving 40 mg. per kilogram of methylprednisolone intravenously from days one to 3 postoperatively and for rejection crises, 69 and 59 percent were functioning at one month and one year, respectively. From this data we conclude that exercise doses of methylprednisolone are inadvisable in renal transplantation.", "contents": "The adverse effect of high-dose steroids on renal autografts and homografts. We observed that canine renal homografts preserved for 5 hours with hypothermic pulsatile perfusion to which large doses of methylprednisolone were added showed obliteration of glomerular capillary loops by eosinophilic proteinaceous material immediately after revascularization. The lesion progressed to focal necrosis at 24 hours and diffuse necrosis by 5 days. Urine formation was present 7.8 (+/- 3.2 S.D.) days in eight control kidneys not exposed to methylprednisolone, 5.8 (+/- 3.8 S.D.) in 11 organs perfused with 1.0 Gm. of methylprednisolone added, and 3.0 (+/- 2.9 S.D.) in eight with 2.0 Gm. of the drug in the standard cryoprecipitated canine plasma perfusate. Autografts treated with the larger dose also showed a similar but temporally more variable lesion. Two kidneys ceased functioning at 4 and 7 days, and six still were functioning at 14 days. Ninety-four percent of human renal homografts from living related donors were functioning at one month and 82 percent at one year in 88 patients who had rejection crises treated with one gram of methylprednisolone or less intravenously. In 32 human recipients of living related donor grafts receiving 40 mg. per kilogram of methylprednisolone intravenously from days one to 3 postoperatively and for rejection crises, 69 and 59 percent were functioning at one month and one year, respectively. From this data we conclude that exercise doses of methylprednisolone are inadvisable in renal transplantation.", "PMID": 769217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2701", "title": "Perfusion time and the survival of cadaver transplants.", "content": "Perfusion of cadaver kidneys up to 48 hours did not adversely affect the long-term renal allotransplant function and did not result in an increased rate of rejection. In fact, cadaver kidneys perfused for longer periods of time had a slightly better functional survival rate than did kidneys perfused for shorter periods. From 100 perfused cadaver kidneys, we can conclude that the length of perfusion had little if any effect on the immunogenicity of the renal allograft in the immunosuppressed transplant patient.", "contents": "Perfusion time and the survival of cadaver transplants. Perfusion of cadaver kidneys up to 48 hours did not adversely affect the long-term renal allotransplant function and did not result in an increased rate of rejection. In fact, cadaver kidneys perfused for longer periods of time had a slightly better functional survival rate than did kidneys perfused for shorter periods. From 100 perfused cadaver kidneys, we can conclude that the length of perfusion had little if any effect on the immunogenicity of the renal allograft in the immunosuppressed transplant patient.", "PMID": 769218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2702", "title": "Possible active enhancement of a human cadaver renal allograft with antilymphocyte serum (ALS) and donor bone marrow: case report of an initial attempt.", "content": "Nonspecific immunosuppression of transplant patients frequently leads to complications which might be circumvented by inducing donor-specific immune unresponsiveness. Such specific immunosuppression has been produced experimentally, with use of donor antigen and antilymphocyte serum (ALS) for active enhancement. A case is presented in which the recipient of a cadaveric renal allograft (zero antigen match, cross-match negative) was given ALS (first 14 days after operation) and 11 X 10(9) donor bone marrow cells (twenty-fifth postoperative day) along with conventional doses of prednisone and Imuran in an attempt to produce donor-specific immune unresponsiveness. There were no rejection episodes, and serum creatinine remained less than 1.0 mg. per 100 ml. By the second month after transplantation there was no evidence for the persistence of donor erythrocytes or white cells. The conventional immunosuppressive agents were tapered and renal function was normal 8 months after transplantation, when the patient developed fatal peritonitis secondary to perforated sigmoid diverticulitis. At autopsy the renal allograft showed only minimal evidence of rejection. The present case illustrates an attempt to use ALS and donor bone marrow cells for active enhancement of a human cadaveric renal allograft. The infusion of stored donor marrow cells after transplantation is a particularly applicable technique for human cadaveric organ transplantation. The rejection-free course of this patient suggests that attempts to produce active enhancement clinically deserve further trial.", "contents": "Possible active enhancement of a human cadaver renal allograft with antilymphocyte serum (ALS) and donor bone marrow: case report of an initial attempt. Nonspecific immunosuppression of transplant patients frequently leads to complications which might be circumvented by inducing donor-specific immune unresponsiveness. Such specific immunosuppression has been produced experimentally, with use of donor antigen and antilymphocyte serum (ALS) for active enhancement. A case is presented in which the recipient of a cadaveric renal allograft (zero antigen match, cross-match negative) was given ALS (first 14 days after operation) and 11 X 10(9) donor bone marrow cells (twenty-fifth postoperative day) along with conventional doses of prednisone and Imuran in an attempt to produce donor-specific immune unresponsiveness. There were no rejection episodes, and serum creatinine remained less than 1.0 mg. per 100 ml. By the second month after transplantation there was no evidence for the persistence of donor erythrocytes or white cells. The conventional immunosuppressive agents were tapered and renal function was normal 8 months after transplantation, when the patient developed fatal peritonitis secondary to perforated sigmoid diverticulitis. At autopsy the renal allograft showed only minimal evidence of rejection. The present case illustrates an attempt to use ALS and donor bone marrow cells for active enhancement of a human cadaveric renal allograft. The infusion of stored donor marrow cells after transplantation is a particularly applicable technique for human cadaveric organ transplantation. The rejection-free course of this patient suggests that attempts to produce active enhancement clinically deserve further trial.", "PMID": 769219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2703", "title": "Total and active T cell dynamics in renal allograft recipients.", "content": "Serial determinations of human thymus-dependent (T) and bone marrow-dependent (B) peripheral blood lymphocytes were performed to detect changes in activity of these rosette-forming cells in five groups of patients: controls; chronic renal failure (CRF) patients; dialysis patients receiving pretransplant splenectomy; 5 days before transplant immunosuppression; and following 17 patient renal allograft implantations. Five cadaver recipients received ATG for 14 days. Patient follow-up was 27 to 215 days (M = 101) during which time four cadaver grafts were lost to rejection. Twenty clinical acute rejection (AR) episodes occurred. CRF patients had suppressed total T cells when compared to control patients (63.2 to 44.7 percent, P less than 0.01) without change in active T cells. Similarly, total T cells decreased in CRF patients following splenectomy (56.7 to 35.5 percent, P greater than 0.01), during prednisone-azathioprine immunosuppression (65.6 to 46.7 percent, P greater than 0.01), with no change in active T cells. Both active and total T cells declined profoundly during ATG administration, following allograft implantation, and during AR. Active and total T cells increased when ATG was discontinued, when AR subsided, and following transplant nephrectomy. B cell populations were suppressed in only the ATG group. These studies delineate that total T cells are influenced by many interventions and active T cells specifically reflect cellular-immune kinetics in renal allograft recipients.", "contents": "Total and active T cell dynamics in renal allograft recipients. Serial determinations of human thymus-dependent (T) and bone marrow-dependent (B) peripheral blood lymphocytes were performed to detect changes in activity of these rosette-forming cells in five groups of patients: controls; chronic renal failure (CRF) patients; dialysis patients receiving pretransplant splenectomy; 5 days before transplant immunosuppression; and following 17 patient renal allograft implantations. Five cadaver recipients received ATG for 14 days. Patient follow-up was 27 to 215 days (M = 101) during which time four cadaver grafts were lost to rejection. Twenty clinical acute rejection (AR) episodes occurred. CRF patients had suppressed total T cells when compared to control patients (63.2 to 44.7 percent, P less than 0.01) without change in active T cells. Similarly, total T cells decreased in CRF patients following splenectomy (56.7 to 35.5 percent, P greater than 0.01), during prednisone-azathioprine immunosuppression (65.6 to 46.7 percent, P greater than 0.01), with no change in active T cells. Both active and total T cells declined profoundly during ATG administration, following allograft implantation, and during AR. Active and total T cells increased when ATG was discontinued, when AR subsided, and following transplant nephrectomy. B cell populations were suppressed in only the ATG group. These studies delineate that total T cells are influenced by many interventions and active T cells specifically reflect cellular-immune kinetics in renal allograft recipients.", "PMID": 769220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2704", "title": "Monitoring and modulation of immune reactivity in human transplant recipients.", "content": "In this study parameters of humoral antibody (HA) and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) were measured before and after transplant in 44 renal transplant patients. The results indicated that, before transplant, CMI parameters but not HA measurements correlated with early graft rejection crises. In antithymocyte globulin (ATG)-treated patients, a striking loss of early rejection activity occurred which correlated with ablation of T cells in the peripheral blood. ATG-treated patients also had a marked loss of T cell reactivity, as measured by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) blastogenesis and these parameters also correlated with allograft reactivity. Concanavalin A (Con-A) reactivity, however, did not correlate well with early rejection activity. Triple drug therapy with ATG, but not prednisone-Imuran therapy, caused a marked fall of T cell levels and reactivity within hours of the first dose of ATG. None of the ATG-treated patients had irreversible or progressive rejection in the first month after transplant and only 32 percent of patients had rejections, of which more than 70 percent were Type I. A \"permissive\" level of T cells of about 20 percent of normal was associated with over 95 percent of acute rejection crises, whereas no correlation of a variety of humoral antibody parameters and rejection has been seen in our unit. These studies suggest a primary role of the T cell in early allograft reactivity and indicate that future immunosuppressive techniques for human transplantation should be directed toward effective monitoring and modulation of T cell levels and reactivity in the early post-transplant period.", "contents": "Monitoring and modulation of immune reactivity in human transplant recipients. In this study parameters of humoral antibody (HA) and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) were measured before and after transplant in 44 renal transplant patients. The results indicated that, before transplant, CMI parameters but not HA measurements correlated with early graft rejection crises. In antithymocyte globulin (ATG)-treated patients, a striking loss of early rejection activity occurred which correlated with ablation of T cells in the peripheral blood. ATG-treated patients also had a marked loss of T cell reactivity, as measured by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) blastogenesis and these parameters also correlated with allograft reactivity. Concanavalin A (Con-A) reactivity, however, did not correlate well with early rejection activity. Triple drug therapy with ATG, but not prednisone-Imuran therapy, caused a marked fall of T cell levels and reactivity within hours of the first dose of ATG. None of the ATG-treated patients had irreversible or progressive rejection in the first month after transplant and only 32 percent of patients had rejections, of which more than 70 percent were Type I. A \"permissive\" level of T cells of about 20 percent of normal was associated with over 95 percent of acute rejection crises, whereas no correlation of a variety of humoral antibody parameters and rejection has been seen in our unit. These studies suggest a primary role of the T cell in early allograft reactivity and indicate that future immunosuppressive techniques for human transplantation should be directed toward effective monitoring and modulation of T cell levels and reactivity in the early post-transplant period.", "PMID": 769221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2705", "title": "Forty-eight hour ice storage of kidneys: importance of cation content.", "content": "The importance of the cation content of flush solutions used for simple hypothermic storage has been investigated in a 48 hour canine kidney preservation model. Uniformly successful 48 hour storage was achieved with solution C2. However, inclusion of procaine (0.1 Gm. per 100 ml.) in the flushing solution as in C3 produced significant kidney damage. Without procaine, Sacks solution was no better than was C2 and the latter proved significantly superior to a sodium-based solution having identical anion content and osmolarity. The magnesium content of the sodium appeared to favorably influence the outcome of the kidney storage experiments.", "contents": "Forty-eight hour ice storage of kidneys: importance of cation content. The importance of the cation content of flush solutions used for simple hypothermic storage has been investigated in a 48 hour canine kidney preservation model. Uniformly successful 48 hour storage was achieved with solution C2. However, inclusion of procaine (0.1 Gm. per 100 ml.) in the flushing solution as in C3 produced significant kidney damage. Without procaine, Sacks solution was no better than was C2 and the latter proved significantly superior to a sodium-based solution having identical anion content and osmolarity. The magnesium content of the sodium appeared to favorably influence the outcome of the kidney storage experiments.", "PMID": 769222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2706", "title": "Perfusion-related injury in renal transplantation.", "content": "The implantation and one hour post-transplant renal biopsies from three types of allograft recipients were compared with a blind grading system: (1) 25 cadaver kidneys preserved by pulsatile perfusion, (2) seven cadaver kidneys preserved by simple hypothermia following electrolyte solution flush, (3) 18 kidneys from living-related donors. Significant lesions were found only in cadaver kidneys which had received pulsatile preservation. Microscopic findings were correlated with perfusing agent, length of perfusion and its characteristics, and subsequent clinical course of the patient. Perfusion-related injury was found to be morphologically identical to hyperacute rejection, although the lesion is produced by quite different mechanisms. Pulsatile preservation appears to be associated with a spectrum of mechanical endothelial injury ranging from minute breaks visible only ultrastructurally to areas of complete denudation baring the basement membrane. The exposed collagen activates the clotting sequence resulting in platelet and fibrin deposition, whereas in classical hyperacute rejection the triggering mechanism is cytotoxic recipient antibody. The extent of perfusion-related injury correlates well with length of preservation, quantity of fibrin deposited, and, most importantly, with both the immediate and long-term post-transplant failure rate. In some patients the injury appears to be produced by cytotoxic antibodies in the plasma perfusate, which combine with antigens in the kidney ex vivo. The Ag-Ab complex activates complement and coagulation sequences in vivo after reimplantation. Early results with albumin or purified plasma fraction perfusates suggest this portion of perfusion-related injury can be eliminated. Comparison of pre- and postimplantation biopsies of the kidneys preserved by simple hypothermia or by pulsatile preservation suggests that perfusion-related injury is much more common than is true hyperacute rejection mediated by recipient cytotoxic antibodies. We suggest that the term \"hyperacute rejection\" be reserved for situations where significant endothelial drainage has been excluded by preimplantation biopsy and where recipient cytotoxic antibodies can be proved.", "contents": "Perfusion-related injury in renal transplantation. The implantation and one hour post-transplant renal biopsies from three types of allograft recipients were compared with a blind grading system: (1) 25 cadaver kidneys preserved by pulsatile perfusion, (2) seven cadaver kidneys preserved by simple hypothermia following electrolyte solution flush, (3) 18 kidneys from living-related donors. Significant lesions were found only in cadaver kidneys which had received pulsatile preservation. Microscopic findings were correlated with perfusing agent, length of perfusion and its characteristics, and subsequent clinical course of the patient. Perfusion-related injury was found to be morphologically identical to hyperacute rejection, although the lesion is produced by quite different mechanisms. Pulsatile preservation appears to be associated with a spectrum of mechanical endothelial injury ranging from minute breaks visible only ultrastructurally to areas of complete denudation baring the basement membrane. The exposed collagen activates the clotting sequence resulting in platelet and fibrin deposition, whereas in classical hyperacute rejection the triggering mechanism is cytotoxic recipient antibody. The extent of perfusion-related injury correlates well with length of preservation, quantity of fibrin deposited, and, most importantly, with both the immediate and long-term post-transplant failure rate. In some patients the injury appears to be produced by cytotoxic antibodies in the plasma perfusate, which combine with antigens in the kidney ex vivo. The Ag-Ab complex activates complement and coagulation sequences in vivo after reimplantation. Early results with albumin or purified plasma fraction perfusates suggest this portion of perfusion-related injury can be eliminated. Comparison of pre- and postimplantation biopsies of the kidneys preserved by simple hypothermia or by pulsatile preservation suggests that perfusion-related injury is much more common than is true hyperacute rejection mediated by recipient cytotoxic antibodies. We suggest that the term \"hyperacute rejection\" be reserved for situations where significant endothelial drainage has been excluded by preimplantation biopsy and where recipient cytotoxic antibodies can be proved.", "PMID": 769223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2707", "title": "Practical considerations for the use of a pulmonary artery thermistor catheter.", "content": "The use of a pulmonary artery thermistor catheter for pressure measurement and thermodilution cardiac output determination was evaluated in 11 dogs. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure was a reliable index of left atrial pressure at end-expiratory pressures less than 10 cm. H2O. Fluctuations in pulmonary artery temperature occurred at a frequency equal to the respiratory rate and an amplitude of 0.010 to 0.086 degrees C. Changes in amplitude were associated with changes in ventilatory waveform, respiratory rate, and level of anesthesia. Intermittent and continuous positive-pressure ventilation generally dampened and reversed the pulmonary artery temperature pattern exhibited during spontaneous breathing. This suggested that when end expiration is used to time indicator injection, cardiac output will be underestimated during spontaneous breathing and overestimated during continuous or intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. When indicator was injected at the same point in the ventilatory cycle, successive values of cardiac output deviated from one another by 0.0 to 6.7 percent. Deviations as large as 14 percent resulted if sequential injections were out of phase by half a respiratory cycle. These deviations can be minimized by injecting indicator at the same point in the respiratory cycle, if it is not feasible to measure cardiac output during apnea. The clinical utility of a pulmonary artery thermistor catheter can be optimized through appreciation of its specific strengths and limitations.", "contents": "Practical considerations for the use of a pulmonary artery thermistor catheter. The use of a pulmonary artery thermistor catheter for pressure measurement and thermodilution cardiac output determination was evaluated in 11 dogs. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure was a reliable index of left atrial pressure at end-expiratory pressures less than 10 cm. H2O. Fluctuations in pulmonary artery temperature occurred at a frequency equal to the respiratory rate and an amplitude of 0.010 to 0.086 degrees C. Changes in amplitude were associated with changes in ventilatory waveform, respiratory rate, and level of anesthesia. Intermittent and continuous positive-pressure ventilation generally dampened and reversed the pulmonary artery temperature pattern exhibited during spontaneous breathing. This suggested that when end expiration is used to time indicator injection, cardiac output will be underestimated during spontaneous breathing and overestimated during continuous or intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. When indicator was injected at the same point in the ventilatory cycle, successive values of cardiac output deviated from one another by 0.0 to 6.7 percent. Deviations as large as 14 percent resulted if sequential injections were out of phase by half a respiratory cycle. These deviations can be minimized by injecting indicator at the same point in the respiratory cycle, if it is not feasible to measure cardiac output during apnea. The clinical utility of a pulmonary artery thermistor catheter can be optimized through appreciation of its specific strengths and limitations.", "PMID": 769224} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2708", "title": "Beta-adrenergic function in airways of healthy and asthmatic subjects.", "content": "We measured the short-term effects of beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol (0.2 mg/kg iv), followed by stimulation with salbutamol (200 mug inhaled), on specific airway conductance (SGaw) heart rate, and systemic blood pressure (BP) in 11 healthy subjects, and 11 symptom-free asthmatics with normal lung function values. Propranolol induced a significant bronchoconstrictor effect in both groups, stronger in asthmatics than in normals: mean SGaw decreased 34.6 +/- 25% against 9.4 +/- 9% (p less than 0.01). Six of the 11 asthmatics exhibited a more pronounced bronchoconstriction than the most responsive healthy subject. Large individual variations were seen in both groups although they were greater in the asthmatics. A similar rise in SGaw was produced by salbutamol in both groups. The decrease of heart rate provoked by propranolol was similar in the two groups, averaging 18.6%, with no further change after salbutamol. The blood pressure was slightly decreased by propranolol in both groups. The results indicate that normal subjects have a weak and variable bronchodilator beta-adrenergic activity. In most asthmatics beta-adrenergic tone appeared more pronounced. The individual differences in response to propranolol observed in both groups suggest that asthmatic patients differ quantitatively rather than qualitatively from healthy subjects with respect to beta-adrenergic receptor function. There was no association between clinical findings and the degree of bronchomotor effect of propranolol in the patients with asthma. This study does not support the view that airways of asthmatic patients have a decreased beta-adrengeric receptor function.", "contents": "Beta-adrenergic function in airways of healthy and asthmatic subjects. We measured the short-term effects of beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol (0.2 mg/kg iv), followed by stimulation with salbutamol (200 mug inhaled), on specific airway conductance (SGaw) heart rate, and systemic blood pressure (BP) in 11 healthy subjects, and 11 symptom-free asthmatics with normal lung function values. Propranolol induced a significant bronchoconstrictor effect in both groups, stronger in asthmatics than in normals: mean SGaw decreased 34.6 +/- 25% against 9.4 +/- 9% (p less than 0.01). Six of the 11 asthmatics exhibited a more pronounced bronchoconstriction than the most responsive healthy subject. Large individual variations were seen in both groups although they were greater in the asthmatics. A similar rise in SGaw was produced by salbutamol in both groups. The decrease of heart rate provoked by propranolol was similar in the two groups, averaging 18.6%, with no further change after salbutamol. The blood pressure was slightly decreased by propranolol in both groups. The results indicate that normal subjects have a weak and variable bronchodilator beta-adrenergic activity. In most asthmatics beta-adrenergic tone appeared more pronounced. The individual differences in response to propranolol observed in both groups suggest that asthmatic patients differ quantitatively rather than qualitatively from healthy subjects with respect to beta-adrenergic receptor function. There was no association between clinical findings and the degree of bronchomotor effect of propranolol in the patients with asthma. This study does not support the view that airways of asthmatic patients have a decreased beta-adrengeric receptor function.", "PMID": 769241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2709", "title": "No demonstrable effect of S-carboxymethylcysteine on clearance of secretions from the human lung.", "content": "The mucolytic efficacy of S-carboxymethylcysteine has been assessed in a double-blind crossover trial in 16 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis. No significant difference was found between drug and placebo after four or seven days' treatment in the rate of clearance of secretions from the lung. This was measured by external counting of previously inhaled polystyrene tracer particles tagged with technetium-99m (99mTc). Lateral scans across the right chest after inhaling the aerosol showed equal penetration of particles towards the periphery of the lung in drug and placebo runs; this indicated that the airways had not been cleared of mucus by the drug. There was no significant difference between drug and placebo runs in the number of coughs or the weight and radioactive content of sputum voided or raised at the end of the run by chest percussion and postural drainage. Ventilatory capacity was not significantly changed nor was there any subjective improvement in the patients as a result of taking the drug.", "contents": "No demonstrable effect of S-carboxymethylcysteine on clearance of secretions from the human lung. The mucolytic efficacy of S-carboxymethylcysteine has been assessed in a double-blind crossover trial in 16 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis. No significant difference was found between drug and placebo after four or seven days' treatment in the rate of clearance of secretions from the lung. This was measured by external counting of previously inhaled polystyrene tracer particles tagged with technetium-99m (99mTc). Lateral scans across the right chest after inhaling the aerosol showed equal penetration of particles towards the periphery of the lung in drug and placebo runs; this indicated that the airways had not been cleared of mucus by the drug. There was no significant difference between drug and placebo runs in the number of coughs or the weight and radioactive content of sputum voided or raised at the end of the run by chest percussion and postural drainage. Ventilatory capacity was not significantly changed nor was there any subjective improvement in the patients as a result of taking the drug.", "PMID": 769242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2710", "title": "Abnormalities of lung function in hay fever.", "content": "Twenty subjects with symptoms of hay fever were studied to see whether abnormalities could be detected in the function of small airways. The investigations included dynamic compliance at varying respiratory frequencies, closing capacity, residual volume, transfer factor, and maximal expiratory flow-volume curves. The tests were repeated in the winter when symptoms had resolved. Frequency dependence of compliance was found in eight subjects with symptoms (40%), closing capacities being abnormal in only two instances. Conventional pulmonary function tests, including expiratory flow rates at mid vital capacity, were within the predicted range of all subjects. When tests were repeated in the winter, frequency dependence of compliance was no longer present in subjects whose symptoms had resolved. The study suggests that reversible small airway abnormalities are present in a significant proportion of subjects with symptoms of hay fever and that such abnormalities are best detected by the measurement of dynamic compliance at varying respiratory frequencies.", "contents": "Abnormalities of lung function in hay fever. Twenty subjects with symptoms of hay fever were studied to see whether abnormalities could be detected in the function of small airways. The investigations included dynamic compliance at varying respiratory frequencies, closing capacity, residual volume, transfer factor, and maximal expiratory flow-volume curves. The tests were repeated in the winter when symptoms had resolved. Frequency dependence of compliance was found in eight subjects with symptoms (40%), closing capacities being abnormal in only two instances. Conventional pulmonary function tests, including expiratory flow rates at mid vital capacity, were within the predicted range of all subjects. When tests were repeated in the winter, frequency dependence of compliance was no longer present in subjects whose symptoms had resolved. The study suggests that reversible small airway abnormalities are present in a significant proportion of subjects with symptoms of hay fever and that such abnormalities are best detected by the measurement of dynamic compliance at varying respiratory frequencies.", "PMID": 769243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2711", "title": "[Rare localization of a reticulum-cell sarcoma in the clavicular epiphysis].", "content": "The unusual case of a reticulum cell sarcoma in the clavicular epiphysis gives occasion to discuss the problems of diagnosis and therapy of this tumor and to point out difficulties met with in the early identification of the clinical picture of this disease.", "contents": "[Rare localization of a reticulum-cell sarcoma in the clavicular epiphysis]. The unusual case of a reticulum cell sarcoma in the clavicular epiphysis gives occasion to discuss the problems of diagnosis and therapy of this tumor and to point out difficulties met with in the early identification of the clinical picture of this disease.", "PMID": 769253} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2712", "title": "Stimulation and inhibition of erythropoiesis in donors and hematopoietic effect in irradiated recipient.", "content": "Regeneration dynamics in bone marrow and spleen was studied in rats after irradiation of 800 R and transfusion of bone marrow cells from donors treated in different ways. Priority of the microenvironment of the recipient or of the information obtained in cell donors with respect to further hematopoietic cell differentiation was studied in irradiated recipients. Rats irradiated with 800 R were used as recipients in the experiments. The donors of marrow cells were the rats with stimulated or inhibited erythropoiesis. Stimulation of erythropoiesis was induced by bleeding and experimental polycythemia was provoked by packed erythrocytes. According to our results, it can be concluded that the processes of postirradiation hematopoiesis after transplantation of the bone marrow cells depend on the number and proliferative state of both donors and recipient stem cells, and microenvironment, not excluding the information introduced with the donor cell transplant.", "contents": "Stimulation and inhibition of erythropoiesis in donors and hematopoietic effect in irradiated recipient. Regeneration dynamics in bone marrow and spleen was studied in rats after irradiation of 800 R and transfusion of bone marrow cells from donors treated in different ways. Priority of the microenvironment of the recipient or of the information obtained in cell donors with respect to further hematopoietic cell differentiation was studied in irradiated recipients. Rats irradiated with 800 R were used as recipients in the experiments. The donors of marrow cells were the rats with stimulated or inhibited erythropoiesis. Stimulation of erythropoiesis was induced by bleeding and experimental polycythemia was provoked by packed erythrocytes. According to our results, it can be concluded that the processes of postirradiation hematopoiesis after transplantation of the bone marrow cells depend on the number and proliferative state of both donors and recipient stem cells, and microenvironment, not excluding the information introduced with the donor cell transplant.", "PMID": 769254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2713", "title": "Chloramphenicol antibody causing interference in antibody detection and identification tests.", "content": "Investigation of the serum of three patients with positive antibody detection tests demonstrated the cause in each to be an antibody against chloramphenicol, a bacteriostatic agent used in commercial red blood cell reagents. Washing of these red cells prior to use prevented agglutination. All three examples of anti-chloramphenicol antibody were IgM and were in low titer when tested at room temperature and 37 C in saline. Two of the antibodies bound complement. The possibility of an antibody to an ingredient of the commercial preservative solution should be considered if problems are encountered in tests with unwashed commercial red blood cell reagents.", "contents": "Chloramphenicol antibody causing interference in antibody detection and identification tests. Investigation of the serum of three patients with positive antibody detection tests demonstrated the cause in each to be an antibody against chloramphenicol, a bacteriostatic agent used in commercial red blood cell reagents. Washing of these red cells prior to use prevented agglutination. All three examples of anti-chloramphenicol antibody were IgM and were in low titer when tested at room temperature and 37 C in saline. Two of the antibodies bound complement. The possibility of an antibody to an ingredient of the commercial preservative solution should be considered if problems are encountered in tests with unwashed commercial red blood cell reagents.", "PMID": 769257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2714", "title": "Orthotopic heart transplantation in the pig: the pattern of rejection.", "content": "This paper describes the behavior of orthotopically allografted hearts in the pig. Rejection between littermate pigs varied from under 7 days to more than 5 mo in unimmunosuppressed animals.", "contents": "Orthotopic heart transplantation in the pig: the pattern of rejection. This paper describes the behavior of orthotopically allografted hearts in the pig. Rejection between littermate pigs varied from under 7 days to more than 5 mo in unimmunosuppressed animals.", "PMID": 769261} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2715", "title": "Cardiac transplantation: review of seven years' experience.", "content": "Over the past 7 years, the feasibility of human cardiac transplantation has been documented and proved to prolong useful human life. Ideal candidates are characterized by the relatively young vigorous patient who is otherwise healthy and optimistic about his long-term chances of survival. Survival statistics indicate over a 75% 1-year survival if the patient survived the first 3 months following transplantation, at which time the most severe rejection episodes occur. Allograft rejection in both acute and chronic form remain the single most challenging problem limiting the success of the transplant program. Despite this, there has been gradual improvement in survival statistics characterized by a 57% 1-year survival for the past 1 year. The early diagnosis of cardiac rejection has been facilitated by routine serial percutaneous transvenous endomyocardial biopsies of the right ventricle to confirm clinical evidence of rejection. Over 88% of patients have been vocationally and actively rehabilitated and the remaining 12% are not limited by cardiovascular function but by complications of immunosuppresive therapy. In conclusion, it appears that human cardiac transplantation has been successful and can be used to treat selected patients with end-stage cardiac disease.", "contents": "Cardiac transplantation: review of seven years' experience. Over the past 7 years, the feasibility of human cardiac transplantation has been documented and proved to prolong useful human life. Ideal candidates are characterized by the relatively young vigorous patient who is otherwise healthy and optimistic about his long-term chances of survival. Survival statistics indicate over a 75% 1-year survival if the patient survived the first 3 months following transplantation, at which time the most severe rejection episodes occur. Allograft rejection in both acute and chronic form remain the single most challenging problem limiting the success of the transplant program. Despite this, there has been gradual improvement in survival statistics characterized by a 57% 1-year survival for the past 1 year. The early diagnosis of cardiac rejection has been facilitated by routine serial percutaneous transvenous endomyocardial biopsies of the right ventricle to confirm clinical evidence of rejection. Over 88% of patients have been vocationally and actively rehabilitated and the remaining 12% are not limited by cardiovascular function but by complications of immunosuppresive therapy. In conclusion, it appears that human cardiac transplantation has been successful and can be used to treat selected patients with end-stage cardiac disease.", "PMID": 769266} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2716", "title": "The plasmodium berghei-infection in isogenic F1(C57B1 x DBA)-mice. II. Antibodies and antigens in the serum.", "content": "Using the fluorescent antibody technique it was possible to demonstrate antibodies in the sera of F1(C57B1 x DBA)-mice already during the first week of infection with Plasmodium berghei, strain K 173. These antibodies reached high titers during the second and third week, but, nevertheless, the animals died from the infection. Coincidently with the FAT-antibodies plasmodial antigens could be found in the sera of infected mice. The numbers of these antigens increased in the course of the infection. Finally up to seven could be precipitated by using a double diffusion technique in cellulose acetate membranes. Since antibodies directed against these antigens were only found in immune animals they must be different from the antibodies measured in the FAT. Comparison of the antigens found in the sera of infected animals with antigens prepared by physical desintegration of parasite material showed that in the sera antigens appeared which could not be demonstrated in the plasmodial extracts. If parasite material was phagocytized by macrophages in cell cultures in the culture supernatant also antigens appeared which could not be found in the plasmodial extracts. Similar antigens were found if isolated parasites were allowed to degrade without the action of phagocytic cells.", "contents": "The plasmodium berghei-infection in isogenic F1(C57B1 x DBA)-mice. II. Antibodies and antigens in the serum. Using the fluorescent antibody technique it was possible to demonstrate antibodies in the sera of F1(C57B1 x DBA)-mice already during the first week of infection with Plasmodium berghei, strain K 173. These antibodies reached high titers during the second and third week, but, nevertheless, the animals died from the infection. Coincidently with the FAT-antibodies plasmodial antigens could be found in the sera of infected mice. The numbers of these antigens increased in the course of the infection. Finally up to seven could be precipitated by using a double diffusion technique in cellulose acetate membranes. Since antibodies directed against these antigens were only found in immune animals they must be different from the antibodies measured in the FAT. Comparison of the antigens found in the sera of infected animals with antigens prepared by physical desintegration of parasite material showed that in the sera antigens appeared which could not be demonstrated in the plasmodial extracts. If parasite material was phagocytized by macrophages in cell cultures in the culture supernatant also antigens appeared which could not be found in the plasmodial extracts. Similar antigens were found if isolated parasites were allowed to degrade without the action of phagocytic cells.", "PMID": 769269} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2717", "title": "Plasmodium berghei: characteristics of a selected population of small free blood stage parasites.", "content": "The characteristics of a selected population of small blood stage parasites obtained by differential centrifugation of a population of P. berghei parasites freed by continuous flow sonication are described. About 10% of these free parasites are merozoites, many others are transitional forms having some merozoite characteristics. The parasite preparations are infectious and sufficiently resistant to incubation at 37 degrees C to be useful experimentally. Disc gel electrophoresis analysis indicates that these small parasites differ in composition from an unselected intraerythrocytic P. berghei population.", "contents": "Plasmodium berghei: characteristics of a selected population of small free blood stage parasites. The characteristics of a selected population of small blood stage parasites obtained by differential centrifugation of a population of P. berghei parasites freed by continuous flow sonication are described. About 10% of these free parasites are merozoites, many others are transitional forms having some merozoite characteristics. The parasite preparations are infectious and sufficiently resistant to incubation at 37 degrees C to be useful experimentally. Disc gel electrophoresis analysis indicates that these small parasites differ in composition from an unselected intraerythrocytic P. berghei population.", "PMID": 769270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2718", "title": "Distribution and prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti in various parts of Liberia.", "content": "A nightblood survey has been carried out in 82 localities situated in various parts of Liberia. A total of 8072 people have been examined for the presence of microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti and 403 (5.0%) have been found positive. However, the distribution of the disease was quite uneven. The infection was common in the coastal zone showing an average microfilaria prevalence of 9%, while in the forest belt among 5383 people living in rural areas only 109 (2.0%) were found to harbour microfilariae. In the savannah area out of 2198 people examined 209 (11.4%) persons were carriers of microvilariae.", "contents": "Distribution and prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti in various parts of Liberia. A nightblood survey has been carried out in 82 localities situated in various parts of Liberia. A total of 8072 people have been examined for the presence of microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti and 403 (5.0%) have been found positive. However, the distribution of the disease was quite uneven. The infection was common in the coastal zone showing an average microfilaria prevalence of 9%, while in the forest belt among 5383 people living in rural areas only 109 (2.0%) were found to harbour microfilariae. In the savannah area out of 2198 people examined 209 (11.4%) persons were carriers of microvilariae.", "PMID": 769271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2719", "title": "A Mycoplasma from chronic caprine pleuropneumonia in Kenya.", "content": "A new mycoplasma was isolated from cases of chronic caprine pleuropneumonia in Kenya. It belonged to the species Mycoplasma mycoides being a member of Al-Aubaidi's Group 8. When inoculated into goats and sheep the organism caused pleuropneumonia and local subcutaneous lesions. The pleuropneumonia was not contagious. In contrast the organism was non-pathogenic in cattle.", "contents": "A Mycoplasma from chronic caprine pleuropneumonia in Kenya. A new mycoplasma was isolated from cases of chronic caprine pleuropneumonia in Kenya. It belonged to the species Mycoplasma mycoides being a member of Al-Aubaidi's Group 8. When inoculated into goats and sheep the organism caused pleuropneumonia and local subcutaneous lesions. The pleuropneumonia was not contagious. In contrast the organism was non-pathogenic in cattle.", "PMID": 769273} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2720", "title": "[Effect of exogenous nucleic acids on the repopulation activity of deconserved bone marrow].", "content": "It is shown that exogenic nucleic acids (RNA, DNA) have a stimulating effect on the proliferative activity of the restored myelokaryocytes in the organism of the irradiated recipients. The stimulating effect depends on the type of nucleic acid, time of administration and dose of the preparation.", "contents": "[Effect of exogenous nucleic acids on the repopulation activity of deconserved bone marrow]. It is shown that exogenic nucleic acids (RNA, DNA) have a stimulating effect on the proliferative activity of the restored myelokaryocytes in the organism of the irradiated recipients. The stimulating effect depends on the type of nucleic acid, time of administration and dose of the preparation.", "PMID": 769272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2721", "title": "[Scintigraphic functional analysis with the gamma camera during renal perfusion (author's transl)].", "content": "The controlled progress of transplanted kidneys has already been useful. We have succeeded in finding a simple method to study the function of the renal parenchyma and the collecting system. This method was also applied to determine a flow volume relation during perfusion in comparison to impulse rates. In contrast the conventional parameters, which only describe a partial function of the organ, this simple method will deliver comprehensive information before transplantation.", "contents": "[Scintigraphic functional analysis with the gamma camera during renal perfusion (author's transl)]. The controlled progress of transplanted kidneys has already been useful. We have succeeded in finding a simple method to study the function of the renal parenchyma and the collecting system. This method was also applied to determine a flow volume relation during perfusion in comparison to impulse rates. In contrast the conventional parameters, which only describe a partial function of the organ, this simple method will deliver comprehensive information before transplantation.", "PMID": 769284} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2722", "title": "Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in long-term renal transplant patients.", "content": "Seventeen anephric patients who constituted the subjects of this study received renal allografts between the years 1969 to 1973. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism was evaluated in relation to either a normotensive or hypertensive clinical state in these subjects. Group I (Controls) were normotensive and on a normal diet; Group II were normotensive, on sodium restriction for five days, followed by saline infusion on the seventh day; and Group III were hypertensive, on similar sodium restriction for five days, followed by saline infusion on the seventh day. Glomerular filtration rates and levels of plasma renin and aldosterone, and the secretion rate of the latter were obtained on appropriate days. These studies confirm that an intact renin-angiotensin-aldosterone relationship exists in human renal transplant patients. The presence of high aldosterone secretion rate without hypertension is a new but unexplained finding. The lack of correlation of high aldosterone secretion rates in our normotensive and hypertensive patients suggests that aldosterone does not play a detectable or significant role in the pathogenesis of chronic or sustained transplant hypertension.", "contents": "Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in long-term renal transplant patients. Seventeen anephric patients who constituted the subjects of this study received renal allografts between the years 1969 to 1973. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism was evaluated in relation to either a normotensive or hypertensive clinical state in these subjects. Group I (Controls) were normotensive and on a normal diet; Group II were normotensive, on sodium restriction for five days, followed by saline infusion on the seventh day; and Group III were hypertensive, on similar sodium restriction for five days, followed by saline infusion on the seventh day. Glomerular filtration rates and levels of plasma renin and aldosterone, and the secretion rate of the latter were obtained on appropriate days. These studies confirm that an intact renin-angiotensin-aldosterone relationship exists in human renal transplant patients. The presence of high aldosterone secretion rate without hypertension is a new but unexplained finding. The lack of correlation of high aldosterone secretion rates in our normotensive and hypertensive patients suggests that aldosterone does not play a detectable or significant role in the pathogenesis of chronic or sustained transplant hypertension.", "PMID": 769285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2723", "title": "Nonstaphylococcal bacteria in renal cortical abcess.", "content": "Five cases of renal cortical abscess are presented, of which four yielded gram-negative pathogens. Along with a review of the recent literature, this suggests that nonstaphylococcal bacteria are a more common cause of this disease.", "contents": "Nonstaphylococcal bacteria in renal cortical abcess. Five cases of renal cortical abscess are presented, of which four yielded gram-negative pathogens. Along with a review of the recent literature, this suggests that nonstaphylococcal bacteria are a more common cause of this disease.", "PMID": 769286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2724", "title": "Sulfacytine in uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Double-blind comparison with sulfisoxazole.", "content": "A new sulfonamide, sulfacytine, was compared in a double-blind study with sulfisoxazole in 132 patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections. At the doses used, 1Gm. per day of sulfacytine of 4 Gm. per day sulfisoxazole, bacteriologic success (decrease of pathogenic organisms from greater than or equal to 100,000 to less than or equal to 1,000 per milliliter of urine) was demonstrated in approximately 90 per cent of the patients. Clinical success (subsidence of the symptoms, frequency of urination, and dysuria, and reduction of pyuria from greater than or equal to 10 to less than 10 white blood cells per high-power field) occurred in 85 to 90 per cent. Six patients in the sulfacytine group and 9 in the sulfisoxazole group reported adverse experiences. Drug was discontinued or administration interrupted because of adverse experiences in 4 sulfacytine patients and 6 sulfisoxazole patients. Laboratory values generally remained normal, but 1 patient in each medication group had decreases in white blood cells that might have been attributable to drug. On the basis of this study sulfacytine appears to be an effective drug for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections.", "contents": "Sulfacytine in uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Double-blind comparison with sulfisoxazole. A new sulfonamide, sulfacytine, was compared in a double-blind study with sulfisoxazole in 132 patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections. At the doses used, 1Gm. per day of sulfacytine of 4 Gm. per day sulfisoxazole, bacteriologic success (decrease of pathogenic organisms from greater than or equal to 100,000 to less than or equal to 1,000 per milliliter of urine) was demonstrated in approximately 90 per cent of the patients. Clinical success (subsidence of the symptoms, frequency of urination, and dysuria, and reduction of pyuria from greater than or equal to 10 to less than 10 white blood cells per high-power field) occurred in 85 to 90 per cent. Six patients in the sulfacytine group and 9 in the sulfisoxazole group reported adverse experiences. Drug was discontinued or administration interrupted because of adverse experiences in 4 sulfacytine patients and 6 sulfisoxazole patients. Laboratory values generally remained normal, but 1 patient in each medication group had decreases in white blood cells that might have been attributable to drug. On the basis of this study sulfacytine appears to be an effective drug for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections.", "PMID": 769287} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2725", "title": "Tuberculosis in wild badgers (Meles meles) in Gloucestershire: pathology.", "content": "The gross and histological appearances of the lesions of tuberculosis in 36 wild badgers found to be infected with Mycobacterium bovis are described. These badgers were examined over a period of two years during an investigation into the possible epidemiological association of tuberculosis in badgers and cattle. The possible significance of the lesions in transmission of M bovis to cattle and other badgers is discussed. The histological appearance of the lesions was considered to be indicative of a lesser hypersensitivity reaction than is seen in the bovine.", "contents": "Tuberculosis in wild badgers (Meles meles) in Gloucestershire: pathology. The gross and histological appearances of the lesions of tuberculosis in 36 wild badgers found to be infected with Mycobacterium bovis are described. These badgers were examined over a period of two years during an investigation into the possible epidemiological association of tuberculosis in badgers and cattle. The possible significance of the lesions in transmission of M bovis to cattle and other badgers is discussed. The histological appearance of the lesions was considered to be indicative of a lesser hypersensitivity reaction than is seen in the bovine.", "PMID": 769293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2726", "title": "Hatchery problems--a field report.", "content": "A long term investigational, advisory and monitoring exercise with a major hatchery emphasised the multi-disciplinary approach adopted by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) to raise the performance of the many aspects of chick production. These included an investigation of egg handling techniques from nest box to hatcher; the adoption by the hatchery of plastic setter trays; an improvement to incubator environment; an improvement in the overall hatchery hygiene programme and the introduction of a regular monitoring programme based on the examination of hatchery fluff. Collectively these improvements led to an improvement of approximately 10 per cent in hatchability over a two year period.", "contents": "Hatchery problems--a field report. A long term investigational, advisory and monitoring exercise with a major hatchery emphasised the multi-disciplinary approach adopted by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) to raise the performance of the many aspects of chick production. These included an investigation of egg handling techniques from nest box to hatcher; the adoption by the hatchery of plastic setter trays; an improvement to incubator environment; an improvement in the overall hatchery hygiene programme and the introduction of a regular monitoring programme based on the examination of hatchery fluff. Collectively these improvements led to an improvement of approximately 10 per cent in hatchability over a two year period.", "PMID": 769299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2727", "title": "Free, autologous, skin transplantation in the horse.", "content": "Seven pieces of autologous skin were transplanted onto freshly created, full thickness skin defects on the limbs and back of a one-year-old, male, piebald, Shetland pony. The transplantations were completed in two operative sessions, the transplants on the left side were done in the first session and the right side in the second. The sizes of the transplants varied from 20 sq cm to 2 sq cm and their thicknesses from whole skin to very thin, split skin. Donor sites were both rumps and the right side of the neck. Six of the seven grafts and two thirds of the remaining graft, were accepted. Both whole thickness transplants grew hair, whereas no hair growth was detected at the 26th and 16th week following surgery on the split thickness transplants placed on the left and right sides respectively. The full thickness donor sites healed by granulation, contraction and epithelialisation. Healing at the split skin donor sites was rapid and uneventfull, epithelialisation being completed within one week and hair growth manifest by one month.", "contents": "Free, autologous, skin transplantation in the horse. Seven pieces of autologous skin were transplanted onto freshly created, full thickness skin defects on the limbs and back of a one-year-old, male, piebald, Shetland pony. The transplantations were completed in two operative sessions, the transplants on the left side were done in the first session and the right side in the second. The sizes of the transplants varied from 20 sq cm to 2 sq cm and their thicknesses from whole skin to very thin, split skin. Donor sites were both rumps and the right side of the neck. Six of the seven grafts and two thirds of the remaining graft, were accepted. Both whole thickness transplants grew hair, whereas no hair growth was detected at the 26th and 16th week following surgery on the split thickness transplants placed on the left and right sides respectively. The full thickness donor sites healed by granulation, contraction and epithelialisation. Healing at the split skin donor sites was rapid and uneventfull, epithelialisation being completed within one week and hair growth manifest by one month.", "PMID": 769301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2728", "title": "An outbreak of S typhimurium in sheep and its consequences.", "content": "An outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium in an upland sheep flock was characterised by rapid spread and heavy mortalities in ewes and young lambs. Clinical signs included diarrhoea and abortion. Abomasitis was the most striking and consistent post mortem lesion. Vaccination was the only control method that was apparently successful. Infection also occurred in the cattle, farm personnel, and a dog. Following the outbreak, pasture contamination and excreting cattle provided a reservoir of infection so that contamination of water courses and sporadic cases occurred over a year later.", "contents": "An outbreak of S typhimurium in sheep and its consequences. An outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium in an upland sheep flock was characterised by rapid spread and heavy mortalities in ewes and young lambs. Clinical signs included diarrhoea and abortion. Abomasitis was the most striking and consistent post mortem lesion. Vaccination was the only control method that was apparently successful. Infection also occurred in the cattle, farm personnel, and a dog. Following the outbreak, pasture contamination and excreting cattle provided a reservoir of infection so that contamination of water courses and sporadic cases occurred over a year later.", "PMID": 769302} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2729", "title": "[Sensitivity of 30 strains of E. coli isolated from calves to chemotherapeutic agents].", "content": "Escherichia coli strains were isolated from calves and were biochemically and serologically identified in terms of their sensitivity to antibiotics. An exclusively high frequency of sensitivity was established to sulfonamides (100 per cent), tetracicline, erythromycin, oleandomycin (86.6 per cent) ampicillin, and streptomycin (70 per cent). Well expressed was their sensitivity to nitrofurans, canamycin, neomycin, and polymyxin. It was demonstrated through serial dilutions that there exists a high level of resistance to sulfanilamides, oleandomycin, erytromycin, tetracycline, streptomycin, chloramphenicol (more than 512 mug/cm3). The prevalence of such polyresistand E. coli strains in calves is the reason for concern in the district of Haskovo.", "contents": "[Sensitivity of 30 strains of E. coli isolated from calves to chemotherapeutic agents]. Escherichia coli strains were isolated from calves and were biochemically and serologically identified in terms of their sensitivity to antibiotics. An exclusively high frequency of sensitivity was established to sulfonamides (100 per cent), tetracicline, erythromycin, oleandomycin (86.6 per cent) ampicillin, and streptomycin (70 per cent). Well expressed was their sensitivity to nitrofurans, canamycin, neomycin, and polymyxin. It was demonstrated through serial dilutions that there exists a high level of resistance to sulfanilamides, oleandomycin, erytromycin, tetracycline, streptomycin, chloramphenicol (more than 512 mug/cm3). The prevalence of such polyresistand E. coli strains in calves is the reason for concern in the district of Haskovo.", "PMID": 769303} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2730", "title": "[Nutritive action of flavophospholipol and virginiamycin on broiler pullets].", "content": "Studied were some of the aspects of the antibiotic treatment with flavophospholipol (moenomycin) as the preparation flavomycin, and virginiamycin (staphylomycin) as the preparation escalin in a premix form as an animal formula. It was found that the antibiotics tested acted as nutrients: they had a positive effect on the growth and feed conversion. They raised the production of meat and improved the quality of the meat product in terms of higher protein and mineral contents. They also influenced favorably the deposition of cyanocobalamin in the liver, the RNA: DNA ratio in the liver and pancreas, and the content of blood proteins. These antibiotics did not lead to the retention of residual amounts in the muscles and viscera. Both preparations proved useful for the practice. Flavophospholipol is of interest thanks to its easier dosing and positive effect on the cyanocobalamin and ubichinon deposition in the liver and partly as its stimulative action.", "contents": "[Nutritive action of flavophospholipol and virginiamycin on broiler pullets]. Studied were some of the aspects of the antibiotic treatment with flavophospholipol (moenomycin) as the preparation flavomycin, and virginiamycin (staphylomycin) as the preparation escalin in a premix form as an animal formula. It was found that the antibiotics tested acted as nutrients: they had a positive effect on the growth and feed conversion. They raised the production of meat and improved the quality of the meat product in terms of higher protein and mineral contents. They also influenced favorably the deposition of cyanocobalamin in the liver, the RNA: DNA ratio in the liver and pancreas, and the content of blood proteins. These antibiotics did not lead to the retention of residual amounts in the muscles and viscera. Both preparations proved useful for the practice. Flavophospholipol is of interest thanks to its easier dosing and positive effect on the cyanocobalamin and ubichinon deposition in the liver and partly as its stimulative action.", "PMID": 769304} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2731", "title": "[Study of rapid methods for determining the biochemical properties of microorganisms. I].", "content": "Some express methods were tested comparatively in determining the biochemical properties of certain microorganisms in order to recommend the most effective of them to be used in the laboratory. Described is a disk method with which the term of cultivation is shortened by one to 5 hours, and the results obtained are clear and well distinctive. The data obtained are almost comparable with the results achieved using the methods provided in the Bulgarian State Standard. It is suggested to adopt the method referred to in the laboratory practice.", "contents": "[Study of rapid methods for determining the biochemical properties of microorganisms. I]. Some express methods were tested comparatively in determining the biochemical properties of certain microorganisms in order to recommend the most effective of them to be used in the laboratory. Described is a disk method with which the term of cultivation is shortened by one to 5 hours, and the results obtained are clear and well distinctive. The data obtained are almost comparable with the results achieved using the methods provided in the Bulgarian State Standard. It is suggested to adopt the method referred to in the laboratory practice.", "PMID": 769305} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2732", "title": "[Experimental abortions in mice and guinea pigs caused by Aspergillus fumigatus spores].", "content": "Experiments were carried out with a total of 82 laboratory animals including 56 mice and 26 guinea pigs. The possibility was tested to provoke abortions in them with the use of Aspergillus fumigatus spores introduced through the trachea, orally or vaginally. The mould was isolated on Chapek agar from an aborted bovine fetus. It was found that all three routes of infection lead to abortions setting in after three to five treatments on the 1st to 3rd day following the last introduction of spores. The pregnant mice and guinea pigs showed individual sensitivity to the infection.", "contents": "[Experimental abortions in mice and guinea pigs caused by Aspergillus fumigatus spores]. Experiments were carried out with a total of 82 laboratory animals including 56 mice and 26 guinea pigs. The possibility was tested to provoke abortions in them with the use of Aspergillus fumigatus spores introduced through the trachea, orally or vaginally. The mould was isolated on Chapek agar from an aborted bovine fetus. It was found that all three routes of infection lead to abortions setting in after three to five treatments on the 1st to 3rd day following the last introduction of spores. The pregnant mice and guinea pigs showed individual sensitivity to the infection.", "PMID": 769306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2733", "title": "[Stereotaxic amygdalo- and amygdalohippocampotomy in temporal epilepsy with manifest behavioral disorders].", "content": "Clinical results of stereotactical destruction in the amygdalar complex and, in certain cases, in the hippocampus show that this manipulation is very important for the correction of behavioral disorders in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. SEEG studies demonstrated that in cases of epilepsy with paroxysmal affective states an epileptical electrical activity can be demonstrated in the amygdalar complex. Our investigations also show that stereotactical operations for epilepsy are more effective for the control of behavioral and emotional disorders, than for seizures. It was suggested that a combination of classical (resection) and stereotactical methods gives a new possibility for the surgical treatment of severe forms of temporal lobe epilepsy.", "contents": "[Stereotaxic amygdalo- and amygdalohippocampotomy in temporal epilepsy with manifest behavioral disorders]. Clinical results of stereotactical destruction in the amygdalar complex and, in certain cases, in the hippocampus show that this manipulation is very important for the correction of behavioral disorders in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. SEEG studies demonstrated that in cases of epilepsy with paroxysmal affective states an epileptical electrical activity can be demonstrated in the amygdalar complex. Our investigations also show that stereotactical operations for epilepsy are more effective for the control of behavioral and emotional disorders, than for seizures. It was suggested that a combination of classical (resection) and stereotactical methods gives a new possibility for the surgical treatment of severe forms of temporal lobe epilepsy.", "PMID": 769332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2734", "title": "[Relation of antibody levels to Epstein-Barr virus to histological variant and clinical course of lymphogranulomatosis].", "content": "The indirect immunofluorescent test in fixed P3HR-1 cells showed the sera from patients with lymphogranulomatosis to contain high titers of humoral antibody to the capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus. Higher titers of antibody to EBV were associated with unfavourably running histological variants of lymphogranulomatosis. The lymphoid depletion variant was accompanied by high antibody titers to the virus and had a worse prognosis than the nodular-sclerotic variant with lower antibody titers but better prognosis. The level of antibody in lymphogranulomatosis was stable. No relationship between the antibody level and the stage and results of the therapy given was found. In sera from patients with reticulosarcoma and lymphosarcoma no significant rise of antibody titers to EBV was found as compared with a group of normal donors, while in acute leukosis there was a tend for a decline in antibody titers.", "contents": "[Relation of antibody levels to Epstein-Barr virus to histological variant and clinical course of lymphogranulomatosis]. The indirect immunofluorescent test in fixed P3HR-1 cells showed the sera from patients with lymphogranulomatosis to contain high titers of humoral antibody to the capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus. Higher titers of antibody to EBV were associated with unfavourably running histological variants of lymphogranulomatosis. The lymphoid depletion variant was accompanied by high antibody titers to the virus and had a worse prognosis than the nodular-sclerotic variant with lower antibody titers but better prognosis. The level of antibody in lymphogranulomatosis was stable. No relationship between the antibody level and the stage and results of the therapy given was found. In sera from patients with reticulosarcoma and lymphosarcoma no significant rise of antibody titers to EBV was found as compared with a group of normal donors, while in acute leukosis there was a tend for a decline in antibody titers.", "PMID": 769339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2735", "title": "[The mechanism of plaque production by enteroviruses under bentonite overlay. Relationship between plaque production and the dynamics of intracellular virus reproduction and membrane potential of the host cell].", "content": "The association of plaque production under bentonite overlay with the cycle of intracellular reproduction of enteroviruses and the dynamics of the membrane potential of infected cells was studied. It was shown that by the time of termination of the intracellular enterovirus reproduction cycle (4 1/2-5 hours postinfection) bentonite particles were torn away from the cell surface. At the same time the membrane potential of the host cell began to decline progressively. The data obtained explain the character of morphology of virus plaques under bentonite overlay.", "contents": "[The mechanism of plaque production by enteroviruses under bentonite overlay. Relationship between plaque production and the dynamics of intracellular virus reproduction and membrane potential of the host cell]. The association of plaque production under bentonite overlay with the cycle of intracellular reproduction of enteroviruses and the dynamics of the membrane potential of infected cells was studied. It was shown that by the time of termination of the intracellular enterovirus reproduction cycle (4 1/2-5 hours postinfection) bentonite particles were torn away from the cell surface. At the same time the membrane potential of the host cell began to decline progressively. The data obtained explain the character of morphology of virus plaques under bentonite overlay.", "PMID": 769340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2736", "title": "[The development of the radium division of the 1st gynaecology department into the radiotherapy department of the 1st and 2nd gynaecology departments, Vienna University (a review of the past 25 years) (author's transl)].", "content": "A historical review is presented of the foundation of the radium ward of the 1st Gynaecology Department of the University and its development into the Radiotherapy Department of the 1st and 2nd Gynaecology Departments of Vienna University. Altogether 8500 patients with gynaecological carcinomas were treated primarily by irradiation over this period and 75.000 post irradiation outpatient follow-up examinations were carried through. This report includes laudatory statements by Prof. Antoine, Prof. Gitsch and Prof. K\u00e4rcher on the 25th anniversary of the department.", "contents": "[The development of the radium division of the 1st gynaecology department into the radiotherapy department of the 1st and 2nd gynaecology departments, Vienna University (a review of the past 25 years) (author's transl)]. A historical review is presented of the foundation of the radium ward of the 1st Gynaecology Department of the University and its development into the Radiotherapy Department of the 1st and 2nd Gynaecology Departments of Vienna University. Altogether 8500 patients with gynaecological carcinomas were treated primarily by irradiation over this period and 75.000 post irradiation outpatient follow-up examinations were carried through. This report includes laudatory statements by Prof. Antoine, Prof. Gitsch and Prof. K\u00e4rcher on the 25th anniversary of the department.", "PMID": 769349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2737", "title": "[Detection of persistent infection of stable cell culture with an agent related to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus].", "content": "The presence of a persisting agent related to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus has been detected in a number of stable cell cultures of human and animal origin by means of the indirect immunofluorescence procedure.", "contents": "[Detection of persistent infection of stable cell culture with an agent related to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus]. The presence of a persisting agent related to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus has been detected in a number of stable cell cultures of human and animal origin by means of the indirect immunofluorescence procedure.", "PMID": 769341} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2738", "title": "[The development of gynaecological radiotherapy at the 1st department of obstetrics and gynaecology University of Vienna (a review of the past 25 years) (author's transl)].", "content": "The radiotherapy unit of the Ist Department of Gynaecology, University of Vienna, was founded 25 years ago and its direction was entrusted to me. The initial period was extremely strenuous and difficult, especially in view of the fact that in our country the radiotherapeutic specialist in general - and the specialist in gynaecological radiotherapy in particular - is confronted with many excellent, absolutely surgically-oriented colleagues. Hence, it was necessary to prove on the basis of our resultes over the years, that this form of therapy in gynaecology, all initial conditions being equal, is just as effective as surgery, or even the treatment of choice in certain forms of malignancy. As a measure of the success of radiotherapeutic managment in this field, it would not occur to any experienced gynaecologist today to treat, for instance, a case of vaginal carcinoma surgically or to be satisfied with mere tumorexcision in a case of carcinoma of the vulva. An attempt has been made in this paper to outline the different methods used in the treatment of various gynaecological tumours and to show that well-planned, individually-tailored, fractionated radium therapy, combined with conventional X-ray therapy brings therapeutic results, which compare favourably with the best in the world literature. A further improvement in the cure rate - at least in progressed cases - may be anticipated following the introduction of supervolt therapy. This report only deals with the contribution made in the course of treatment of more than 8500 cases of the radiotherapy unit of the Ist Department of Gynaecology, University of Vienna towards advancement of gynaecological radiotherapy.", "contents": "[The development of gynaecological radiotherapy at the 1st department of obstetrics and gynaecology University of Vienna (a review of the past 25 years) (author's transl)]. The radiotherapy unit of the Ist Department of Gynaecology, University of Vienna, was founded 25 years ago and its direction was entrusted to me. The initial period was extremely strenuous and difficult, especially in view of the fact that in our country the radiotherapeutic specialist in general - and the specialist in gynaecological radiotherapy in particular - is confronted with many excellent, absolutely surgically-oriented colleagues. Hence, it was necessary to prove on the basis of our resultes over the years, that this form of therapy in gynaecology, all initial conditions being equal, is just as effective as surgery, or even the treatment of choice in certain forms of malignancy. As a measure of the success of radiotherapeutic managment in this field, it would not occur to any experienced gynaecologist today to treat, for instance, a case of vaginal carcinoma surgically or to be satisfied with mere tumorexcision in a case of carcinoma of the vulva. An attempt has been made in this paper to outline the different methods used in the treatment of various gynaecological tumours and to show that well-planned, individually-tailored, fractionated radium therapy, combined with conventional X-ray therapy brings therapeutic results, which compare favourably with the best in the world literature. A further improvement in the cure rate - at least in progressed cases - may be anticipated following the introduction of supervolt therapy. This report only deals with the contribution made in the course of treatment of more than 8500 cases of the radiotherapy unit of the Ist Department of Gynaecology, University of Vienna towards advancement of gynaecological radiotherapy.", "PMID": 769350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2739", "title": "[Toxoplasmosis investigation of pregnant women and newborn infants (author's transl)].", "content": "In the serological screening of pregnant women for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis a positive test with low titre in the first trimester indicates almost with certainty a preconceptional infection. The probability that such a result derives from a very recent maternal infection leading to fetal infection is about 5 in 39,000. In view of the very high extra expenses involved and the unnecessary anxiety induced in many thousands of pregnant women and the sparse results the serological control of women showing positive tests with low or medium titre in the first trimester is not recommendable. There is no indication that preconceptional toxoplasma infection, especially the countless infections of longer standing with low titres, damage the fetus or lead to habitual abortion. Practically only H. Werner and his Berlin group, succeeded in isolating toxoplasma from abortion material of women not primarily infected during pregnancy but then in 20% of cases and in serologically-negative women also. The late importation of such opinions to Austria is deeply regrettable and should not be allowed to induce uncertainty in physicians and anxiety in our women. Accurate studies in very large numbers of preconceptionally-infected women did not reveal a single case of prenatal damage or congenital infection. Hence, the serological control of newborn infants of preconceptionally-infected women is not indicated. High titres (SF) detected during the first trimester indicate only a very low probability of damage to the fetus. Desmonts and Couvreur found not one infected infant amongst the offspring of 191 women with high titres at the beginning of pregnancy.", "contents": "[Toxoplasmosis investigation of pregnant women and newborn infants (author's transl)]. In the serological screening of pregnant women for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis a positive test with low titre in the first trimester indicates almost with certainty a preconceptional infection. The probability that such a result derives from a very recent maternal infection leading to fetal infection is about 5 in 39,000. In view of the very high extra expenses involved and the unnecessary anxiety induced in many thousands of pregnant women and the sparse results the serological control of women showing positive tests with low or medium titre in the first trimester is not recommendable. There is no indication that preconceptional toxoplasma infection, especially the countless infections of longer standing with low titres, damage the fetus or lead to habitual abortion. Practically only H. Werner and his Berlin group, succeeded in isolating toxoplasma from abortion material of women not primarily infected during pregnancy but then in 20% of cases and in serologically-negative women also. The late importation of such opinions to Austria is deeply regrettable and should not be allowed to induce uncertainty in physicians and anxiety in our women. Accurate studies in very large numbers of preconceptionally-infected women did not reveal a single case of prenatal damage or congenital infection. Hence, the serological control of newborn infants of preconceptionally-infected women is not indicated. High titres (SF) detected during the first trimester indicate only a very low probability of damage to the fetus. Desmonts and Couvreur found not one infected infant amongst the offspring of 191 women with high titres at the beginning of pregnancy.", "PMID": 769352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2740", "title": "[Prevention of stress reactions by influencing energy metabolism using the extracorporeal circulation as a model (author's transl)].", "content": "Following a brief discussion of the principles and pathophysiology of energy metabolism, the effects of high free fatty acid (FFA) levels upon the organism and the possibilities of preventing their accumulation are commented on. Furthermore, the question of whether extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is comparable to a stress situation is analysed. In a review of previous studies the concept is introduced that the prompt exogenous administration of adequate calories can inhibit the endogenous mobilization of energy in a stress situation. An attempt was already been made to demonstrate this point in relation to catecholamine excretion. The calories should primarily consist of easily-utilizable carbohydrates (concentrated glucose with high doses of insulin), a regimen enabling the administration also of fat emulsions as an additional source of calories even at an early stage. Patients with severe brain injuries received this treatment as from the first day of admission. Evidence that glucose metabolism impairment was successfully overcome after severe shock was obtained in 40 patients receiving glucose-insulin solutions. It was deduced from this study to prevent a stress reaction by the administration of an augmented dose of insulin before ECC. The blood levels of glucose, insulin, lipids (FFA, triglycerides, cholesterol) and heparin, as well as some routinely-determined parameters (coagulation, haematocrit, haemolysis, potassium) were studied in 31 adults undergoing open heart surgery for congenital or acquired diseases of the heart. The incidence of cardiac arrhythmias was also recorded. The metabolic influence of glucose-insulin administration on these parameters was studied in one group of the patients who received 250 ml of 33% glucose (82 g) along with 40 units of insulin-MC (24 U insulin/50 g glucose) over an average period of 80 minutes (0.9 g glucose/kg/h) before heparinization for the ECC, whereas the second group of patients served as controls. The following effects of the administration of insulin plus glucose before the period of ECC were demonstrated: Blood glucose levels were elevated throughout the infusion; within the period of ECC, however, these levels were similar to the control group. Insulin levels were distinctly elevated and remained significantly higher until after the ECC as compared with the controls. Hence, the stage of insulin suppression appears to be surpassed by these means.", "contents": "[Prevention of stress reactions by influencing energy metabolism using the extracorporeal circulation as a model (author's transl)]. Following a brief discussion of the principles and pathophysiology of energy metabolism, the effects of high free fatty acid (FFA) levels upon the organism and the possibilities of preventing their accumulation are commented on. Furthermore, the question of whether extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is comparable to a stress situation is analysed. In a review of previous studies the concept is introduced that the prompt exogenous administration of adequate calories can inhibit the endogenous mobilization of energy in a stress situation. An attempt was already been made to demonstrate this point in relation to catecholamine excretion. The calories should primarily consist of easily-utilizable carbohydrates (concentrated glucose with high doses of insulin), a regimen enabling the administration also of fat emulsions as an additional source of calories even at an early stage. Patients with severe brain injuries received this treatment as from the first day of admission. Evidence that glucose metabolism impairment was successfully overcome after severe shock was obtained in 40 patients receiving glucose-insulin solutions. It was deduced from this study to prevent a stress reaction by the administration of an augmented dose of insulin before ECC. The blood levels of glucose, insulin, lipids (FFA, triglycerides, cholesterol) and heparin, as well as some routinely-determined parameters (coagulation, haematocrit, haemolysis, potassium) were studied in 31 adults undergoing open heart surgery for congenital or acquired diseases of the heart. The incidence of cardiac arrhythmias was also recorded. The metabolic influence of glucose-insulin administration on these parameters was studied in one group of the patients who received 250 ml of 33% glucose (82 g) along with 40 units of insulin-MC (24 U insulin/50 g glucose) over an average period of 80 minutes (0.9 g glucose/kg/h) before heparinization for the ECC, whereas the second group of patients served as controls. The following effects of the administration of insulin plus glucose before the period of ECC were demonstrated: Blood glucose levels were elevated throughout the infusion; within the period of ECC, however, these levels were similar to the control group. Insulin levels were distinctly elevated and remained significantly higher until after the ECC as compared with the controls. Hence, the stage of insulin suppression appears to be surpassed by these means.", "PMID": 769353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2741", "title": "[Morphology of transplanted liver. an experimental study (author's transl)].", "content": "Experimental orthotopic livertransplantation is a very difficult procedure (Largiad\u00e9r). This is due to the difficult specific anatomy of the liver, the high sensibility of the liver against anoxia and the distrubance of blood coagulation during transplantation. This investigation demonstrates that ischemia does not only damage the livercells, but also the bile ducts. We could show that these changes on the bile ducts are responsible for a certain number of unsuccessfull results of livertransplantations. In basic experiments we could demonstrate that ischemia is the cause of bile duct changes. There is always a critical situation for the common bile duct, when we tie the hepatic artery and dissect simultaneously the common bile duct. To keep this changes to a minimum we pay attention to the following points: 1. Correct perfusion and cooling of the livertransplant. 2. Fast recirculation of the hepatic artery before performing portal anastomosis. 3. The dissection of the common bile duct near the duodenum to preserve collaterale vessels from the proprial hepatic artery considering the specific anatomy.", "contents": "[Morphology of transplanted liver. an experimental study (author's transl)]. Experimental orthotopic livertransplantation is a very difficult procedure (Largiad\u00e9r). This is due to the difficult specific anatomy of the liver, the high sensibility of the liver against anoxia and the distrubance of blood coagulation during transplantation. This investigation demonstrates that ischemia does not only damage the livercells, but also the bile ducts. We could show that these changes on the bile ducts are responsible for a certain number of unsuccessfull results of livertransplantations. In basic experiments we could demonstrate that ischemia is the cause of bile duct changes. There is always a critical situation for the common bile duct, when we tie the hepatic artery and dissect simultaneously the common bile duct. To keep this changes to a minimum we pay attention to the following points: 1. Correct perfusion and cooling of the livertransplant. 2. Fast recirculation of the hepatic artery before performing portal anastomosis. 3. The dissection of the common bile duct near the duodenum to preserve collaterale vessels from the proprial hepatic artery considering the specific anatomy.", "PMID": 769354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2742", "title": "[Effect of polyene macrolide antibiotics on normal and cell wall deficient Escherichia coli W1655F+ cells].", "content": "The polyene macrolide antibiotics are active against yeast, fungi, and other eukaryotic cells, but are with a few exceptions inactive against bacteria. The resistance of bacteria against these compounds is usually explained by the absence of sterols in their cells, the target sites of polyene antibiotics. However, in our experiments with mycotrienin, nystatin, tetramycin, lucenosmycin, rimocidin, filipin, lagosin, flavofungin, flavomycoin, antibiotic 2814P, antibiotic 5001P, and candicidin it was demonstrated that bacteria may be susceptible to polyene antibiotics, too, if the wall-less stable protoplast type L-form of E. coli W1655F+ is used. The measured growth inhibition concentrations were comparable with those of typical antibacterial antibiotics. Our experiments have shown that the normal rod form and the wall-less L-form of E. coli W1655F+ contain traces of sterols in nearly the same concentration range. This means that the selective sensitivity of the L-form cannot be explained by higher sterol content of these cells in comparison to the resistant normal rod form cells. We assume that the bacterial cell wall is responsible for the resistance of the normal rod form by masking internal target sites.", "contents": "[Effect of polyene macrolide antibiotics on normal and cell wall deficient Escherichia coli W1655F+ cells]. The polyene macrolide antibiotics are active against yeast, fungi, and other eukaryotic cells, but are with a few exceptions inactive against bacteria. The resistance of bacteria against these compounds is usually explained by the absence of sterols in their cells, the target sites of polyene antibiotics. However, in our experiments with mycotrienin, nystatin, tetramycin, lucenosmycin, rimocidin, filipin, lagosin, flavofungin, flavomycoin, antibiotic 2814P, antibiotic 5001P, and candicidin it was demonstrated that bacteria may be susceptible to polyene antibiotics, too, if the wall-less stable protoplast type L-form of E. coli W1655F+ is used. The measured growth inhibition concentrations were comparable with those of typical antibacterial antibiotics. Our experiments have shown that the normal rod form and the wall-less L-form of E. coli W1655F+ contain traces of sterols in nearly the same concentration range. This means that the selective sensitivity of the L-form cannot be explained by higher sterol content of these cells in comparison to the resistant normal rod form cells. We assume that the bacterial cell wall is responsible for the resistance of the normal rod form by masking internal target sites.", "PMID": 769363} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2743", "title": "[Virus-like particles in yeast protoplasts. I. Electron microscopic demonstration].", "content": "In ultrathin sections and negatively stained isolates from protoplasts of a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae showing abnormal morphology and degeneration phenomena the presence of virus-like particles within the cells could be demonstrated. The isometric particles have diameters of about 50 nm, the electron dense centre is surrounded by distinct envelope. Protoplastic containing up to 30,000 particles could be found. It could be demonstrated that there exists a correlation between the amount of particles and the degree of degeneration of the cellular substructure. Protoplasts with high titres of virus-like particles obviously undergo lysis. Plaque formation on agar plates could not be seen. It is concluded that the phenomena observed can be compared with cytopathological effects caused by viruses in other cell systems.", "contents": "[Virus-like particles in yeast protoplasts. I. Electron microscopic demonstration]. In ultrathin sections and negatively stained isolates from protoplasts of a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae showing abnormal morphology and degeneration phenomena the presence of virus-like particles within the cells could be demonstrated. The isometric particles have diameters of about 50 nm, the electron dense centre is surrounded by distinct envelope. Protoplastic containing up to 30,000 particles could be found. It could be demonstrated that there exists a correlation between the amount of particles and the degree of degeneration of the cellular substructure. Protoplasts with high titres of virus-like particles obviously undergo lysis. Plaque formation on agar plates could not be seen. It is concluded that the phenomena observed can be compared with cytopathological effects caused by viruses in other cell systems.", "PMID": 769364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2744", "title": "[The theoretical analysis of Fick's equation. On the centennial of the use of Fick's principle in physiology].", "content": "In the first section Adolf Fick's outstanding scientific performances are pointed out in their historical sequence, particularly the derivation of the laws of diffusion (1855) and the basic equation for determining the heart-minute-volume (Fm) by O2-absorption per time (V02) and arteriovenous O2-difference (AVD), known as Fick's Principle. The latter was derived theoretically in 1870 by Fick, but it found it practical employment by other investigators, in dog not before 1886 and in man not earlier than 1930. In the following two sections the universality of Fick's Principle is shown by explaining its internal relation 1. to Fick's first law of diffusion and 2. to the general law of solution. This is done by mathematical transformation of the relations (formulas)of the physical resp. the physiological standards (parameters). By analyzing the diffusion of a substance into a streaming fluid according to the first diffusion law, perfectly isomorphic equations to Fick's Principle (No. 7 and No. 9) are obtained by what Fick's formula as a determinant of the heart-minute-volume is just proved to be derivable from Fick's first diffusion law. Furthermore by transforming the trivial formula for the determination of substance concentration in a fluid provement is given, that Fick's Principle may be considered a variant of the solution theory. By this the internal relation of the so-called dilution respectively indicating methods depending on the Stewart-Hamilton-Principle to the original Fick's Principle is made visible. In the last section an attempt is made to produce a relation to 1. the so-called physical methods determining the minute volume which primarily are known as a measurement for stroke volume and frequency, and, besides that, 2. to Vierordt's equation, by which the heart-minute-volume is determinable from circulating blood volume and circulation time. This trial is made by equating the value of the minute volume given by Fick's Principle (VO2/AVD) with the product from stroke volume and beating frequency, and on the other hand by equating it with the quotient from circulating blood volume Qc and complete circulation time Tc (Qc/Tc). Finally, physiological arguments are derived from these relations, allowing an evaluation of the relative proportions in circulation adaption during muscular work of the magnitudes of changes in stroke volume, beating frequencies, or the O2-pulse.", "contents": "[The theoretical analysis of Fick's equation. On the centennial of the use of Fick's principle in physiology]. In the first section Adolf Fick's outstanding scientific performances are pointed out in their historical sequence, particularly the derivation of the laws of diffusion (1855) and the basic equation for determining the heart-minute-volume (Fm) by O2-absorption per time (V02) and arteriovenous O2-difference (AVD), known as Fick's Principle. The latter was derived theoretically in 1870 by Fick, but it found it practical employment by other investigators, in dog not before 1886 and in man not earlier than 1930. In the following two sections the universality of Fick's Principle is shown by explaining its internal relation 1. to Fick's first law of diffusion and 2. to the general law of solution. This is done by mathematical transformation of the relations (formulas)of the physical resp. the physiological standards (parameters). By analyzing the diffusion of a substance into a streaming fluid according to the first diffusion law, perfectly isomorphic equations to Fick's Principle (No. 7 and No. 9) are obtained by what Fick's formula as a determinant of the heart-minute-volume is just proved to be derivable from Fick's first diffusion law. Furthermore by transforming the trivial formula for the determination of substance concentration in a fluid provement is given, that Fick's Principle may be considered a variant of the solution theory. By this the internal relation of the so-called dilution respectively indicating methods depending on the Stewart-Hamilton-Principle to the original Fick's Principle is made visible. In the last section an attempt is made to produce a relation to 1. the so-called physical methods determining the minute volume which primarily are known as a measurement for stroke volume and frequency, and, besides that, 2. to Vierordt's equation, by which the heart-minute-volume is determinable from circulating blood volume and circulation time. This trial is made by equating the value of the minute volume given by Fick's Principle (VO2/AVD) with the product from stroke volume and beating frequency, and on the other hand by equating it with the quotient from circulating blood volume Qc and complete circulation time Tc (Qc/Tc). Finally, physiological arguments are derived from these relations, allowing an evaluation of the relative proportions in circulation adaption during muscular work of the magnitudes of changes in stroke volume, beating frequencies, or the O2-pulse.", "PMID": 769376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2745", "title": "[Results of the dye dilution technic in peripheral arteriovenous fistulas and hyperthyroidism].", "content": "Dye dilution curves (DDC) from 35 patients with arteriovenous fistulas and from 22 patients with hyperthyreoidism were performed and compared with results in 122 healthy subjects. In most cases Cardiogreen was injected into an antecubital vein during reactive hyperaemia. On the arterial side, dye concentrations were recorded by ear oximetry. The appearance time was shortened in most cases. During dilution time dye curves were interrupted by an early recirculation in hyperthyreoidism, whereas in 29 patients with haemodialysis fistulas this interruption was discrete and detectable only when compared with results after occlusion of the fistulas. Different shapes of dilution curves were observed: 1. in most cases DDC seemed to be normal or near normal, often with an accelerated indicator passage; 2. DDC with an interruption of the dilution limb by an early recirculation; 3. DDD, showing a hump of the dilution limb; 4. asymmetrical DDC or DDC with a flat shoulder of the dilution limb and without a recirculation wave. Patients with hyperthyreoidism and arteriovenous fistulas had no different shapes of dilution curves. The results are discussed with special reference to the DDC in patients with central left-to-right shunts.", "contents": "[Results of the dye dilution technic in peripheral arteriovenous fistulas and hyperthyroidism]. Dye dilution curves (DDC) from 35 patients with arteriovenous fistulas and from 22 patients with hyperthyreoidism were performed and compared with results in 122 healthy subjects. In most cases Cardiogreen was injected into an antecubital vein during reactive hyperaemia. On the arterial side, dye concentrations were recorded by ear oximetry. The appearance time was shortened in most cases. During dilution time dye curves were interrupted by an early recirculation in hyperthyreoidism, whereas in 29 patients with haemodialysis fistulas this interruption was discrete and detectable only when compared with results after occlusion of the fistulas. Different shapes of dilution curves were observed: 1. in most cases DDC seemed to be normal or near normal, often with an accelerated indicator passage; 2. DDC with an interruption of the dilution limb by an early recirculation; 3. DDD, showing a hump of the dilution limb; 4. asymmetrical DDC or DDC with a flat shoulder of the dilution limb and without a recirculation wave. Patients with hyperthyreoidism and arteriovenous fistulas had no different shapes of dilution curves. The results are discussed with special reference to the DDC in patients with central left-to-right shunts.", "PMID": 769377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2746", "title": "Studies on the feeding of larval Argas persicus Oken.", "content": "The development of the lesions caused by Argas persicus larvae while feeding on chickens, their natural hosts, was followed using histological techniques. Penetration of the skin by the mouthparts was accompanied by rapid lysis of the cells of the epidermis and dermis within 100 mum of the mouthparts. A foreign-body reaction developed within 2 mm of the attachment and was characterized by rapid dilation of blood vessels, emigration of leucocytes, particularly heterophil leucocytes (heterophils) into the tissues and oedema. Haemorrhage developed near to the mouthparts and within 2 h of the start of feeding, erythrocytes were seen in the gut caeca of the larvae. Whole blood provides the diet of the larva throughout the entire period of feeding and unlike the situation described with nymphal and adult. A. persicus the blood is lysed immediately after ingestion. By 30 h the extra-vascular heterophils had migrated to the mouthparts around which they formed a loose, superficial, collar. Further emigration of heterophils into the tissues then ceased, although some were present in the blood being ingested. It appears that the heterophils mask the mouthparts so that they are no longer recognised as foreign by the host and thus provide an example of the concept of adaptation tolerance. But the development of lymphocyte and monocyte infiltrations in the dermis close to the mouthparts indicates that the immunological response of the host to salivary secretions is not suppressed. Oedema which develops around the site of attachment further protects the larvae from the host's predations.", "contents": "Studies on the feeding of larval Argas persicus Oken. The development of the lesions caused by Argas persicus larvae while feeding on chickens, their natural hosts, was followed using histological techniques. Penetration of the skin by the mouthparts was accompanied by rapid lysis of the cells of the epidermis and dermis within 100 mum of the mouthparts. A foreign-body reaction developed within 2 mm of the attachment and was characterized by rapid dilation of blood vessels, emigration of leucocytes, particularly heterophil leucocytes (heterophils) into the tissues and oedema. Haemorrhage developed near to the mouthparts and within 2 h of the start of feeding, erythrocytes were seen in the gut caeca of the larvae. Whole blood provides the diet of the larva throughout the entire period of feeding and unlike the situation described with nymphal and adult. A. persicus the blood is lysed immediately after ingestion. By 30 h the extra-vascular heterophils had migrated to the mouthparts around which they formed a loose, superficial, collar. Further emigration of heterophils into the tissues then ceased, although some were present in the blood being ingested. It appears that the heterophils mask the mouthparts so that they are no longer recognised as foreign by the host and thus provide an example of the concept of adaptation tolerance. But the development of lymphocyte and monocyte infiltrations in the dermis close to the mouthparts indicates that the immunological response of the host to salivary secretions is not suppressed. Oedema which develops around the site of attachment further protects the larvae from the host's predations.", "PMID": 769378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2747", "title": "[Arthropodan vectors of human parasites: their pathology and defence reactions (author's transl)].", "content": "Many infectious diseases of man are transmitted by arthropods. It is not known whether the carriers were primarily susceptible or insusceptible as the cycle first came into existence. Similarly so little is understood, why some arthropods are suitable vectors and other close relatives are not suitable. Only the hypothesis that the agents are original parasites and not at all commensals or symbionts can reasonably explain the evolution of the cycles. It is shown by means of numerous examples how the vector can be damaged by the parasite. Some organs of the vector might become unfunctional, the reproduction rate might be lowered and the vector itself may die. On the other hand the vector has at its disposal defence mechanisms which are according to our present point of view limited to the midgut barrier and the hemolymph reactions. Both components of the system, the vector and the parasite together are capable of change under the influence of the other. For example through the high mortality of the susceptible part of a vector population the resistant and the tolerant individuals will be selected. On the contrary harmful parasites cannot transmit their genetic information when their virulence is so high that the vector will suffer death. Due to this the parasites succumb to a selection pressure and only the careful treatment of the vector is rewarding. Besides this rough pattern of actions and reactions exists also the possibility of developing finer adjustments, with the \"molecular mimikry\" as a well known example.", "contents": "[Arthropodan vectors of human parasites: their pathology and defence reactions (author's transl)]. Many infectious diseases of man are transmitted by arthropods. It is not known whether the carriers were primarily susceptible or insusceptible as the cycle first came into existence. Similarly so little is understood, why some arthropods are suitable vectors and other close relatives are not suitable. Only the hypothesis that the agents are original parasites and not at all commensals or symbionts can reasonably explain the evolution of the cycles. It is shown by means of numerous examples how the vector can be damaged by the parasite. Some organs of the vector might become unfunctional, the reproduction rate might be lowered and the vector itself may die. On the other hand the vector has at its disposal defence mechanisms which are according to our present point of view limited to the midgut barrier and the hemolymph reactions. Both components of the system, the vector and the parasite together are capable of change under the influence of the other. For example through the high mortality of the susceptible part of a vector population the resistant and the tolerant individuals will be selected. On the contrary harmful parasites cannot transmit their genetic information when their virulence is so high that the vector will suffer death. Due to this the parasites succumb to a selection pressure and only the careful treatment of the vector is rewarding. Besides this rough pattern of actions and reactions exists also the possibility of developing finer adjustments, with the \"molecular mimikry\" as a well known example.", "PMID": 769379} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2748", "title": "[Application of the modified mixed cell agglutination reaction (MCAR according to Davidsohn) in forensic serology; MCAR on adhesive tape (author's transl)].", "content": "In view of serological sensitivity, specificity and simple procedure of reaction pattern the modified mixed cell agglutination reaction (Davidsohn's MCAR) proved to be a very useful test for typing ABO isoantigens in forensic medicine. Its sensitivity surpasses in some cases, where very small amounts of isoantigens have to be detected, that of the absorption-elution reaction several thousand times. The capacity to demonstrate the localization of antigens seems to be more reliable than the original test method. The modified Davidsohn's MCAR (MCAR on adhesive tape) is expecially recommended when isoantigens which are localized on the surface of microscopic objects including fingerprints, dust, hairs, and histological sections, have to be determined. The usefulness of our modification in forensic medicine and the conditions which are essential for the application, are discussed.", "contents": "[Application of the modified mixed cell agglutination reaction (MCAR according to Davidsohn) in forensic serology; MCAR on adhesive tape (author's transl)]. In view of serological sensitivity, specificity and simple procedure of reaction pattern the modified mixed cell agglutination reaction (Davidsohn's MCAR) proved to be a very useful test for typing ABO isoantigens in forensic medicine. Its sensitivity surpasses in some cases, where very small amounts of isoantigens have to be detected, that of the absorption-elution reaction several thousand times. The capacity to demonstrate the localization of antigens seems to be more reliable than the original test method. The modified Davidsohn's MCAR (MCAR on adhesive tape) is expecially recommended when isoantigens which are localized on the surface of microscopic objects including fingerprints, dust, hairs, and histological sections, have to be determined. The usefulness of our modification in forensic medicine and the conditions which are essential for the application, are discussed.", "PMID": 769391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2749", "title": "Mechanization of a micro complement fixation test for the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis.", "content": "A description is given of a mechanized micro complement-fixation test for the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis. Besides a reduction in the quantity of reagents by using a microplate a considerable advantage of the test is the mechanization of actually all steps. Examination of large numbers of sera can be realized in a relatively short period of time. In order to test the sensitivity of the micro CF test comparative studies were carried out with the macro CF test and the immunofluorescence (IF) test on 549 human sera. The micro CF test proved to be more sensitive than the macro CF test. The results obtained with the micro CF test were in better agreement with the IF test than those obtained with the macro CF test.", "contents": "Mechanization of a micro complement fixation test for the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis. A description is given of a mechanized micro complement-fixation test for the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis. Besides a reduction in the quantity of reagents by using a microplate a considerable advantage of the test is the mechanization of actually all steps. Examination of large numbers of sera can be realized in a relatively short period of time. In order to test the sensitivity of the micro CF test comparative studies were carried out with the macro CF test and the immunofluorescence (IF) test on 549 human sera. The micro CF test proved to be more sensitive than the macro CF test. The results obtained with the micro CF test were in better agreement with the IF test than those obtained with the macro CF test.", "PMID": 769420} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2750", "title": "[Direct demonstration of Coxiella burnetii from air samples on slides coated with kraton 1107].", "content": "Inactivated Coxiella burnetti (strain Henzerling) was introduced into a sealed chamber in aerosol form and recovered on Kraton 1107-coated slides with the aid of slit samplers. Following auramine staining, the coxiellae could be demonstrated directly by microscopy. Under the experimental conditions chosen, the limits of demonstrability were initial Coxiella contents of 2.26 X 10(3) in 14 L or 3.6 X 10(5) in 1 m3 of air.", "contents": "[Direct demonstration of Coxiella burnetii from air samples on slides coated with kraton 1107]. Inactivated Coxiella burnetti (strain Henzerling) was introduced into a sealed chamber in aerosol form and recovered on Kraton 1107-coated slides with the aid of slit samplers. Following auramine staining, the coxiellae could be demonstrated directly by microscopy. Under the experimental conditions chosen, the limits of demonstrability were initial Coxiella contents of 2.26 X 10(3) in 14 L or 3.6 X 10(5) in 1 m3 of air.", "PMID": 769421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2751", "title": "[Comparison of diverse methods for the cultivation of anaerobians, with special reference to the GASPAK system].", "content": "The frequent presence of anaerobic bacteria in clinical specimens requires the use of adequate methods for their detection. The GASPAK system, following closely the experiences made by BREWER, meets these requirements and has the additional advantage of easier handling when compared with other methods. Hydrogen necessary for binding oxygen in the anaerobe-receptacle, is produced chemically from a sodium borohydride plate over which only a certain amount of water needs to be poured for activation. A bar containing citric acid and sodium bicarbonate releases carbon dioxide at the same time. Small palladium-coated aluminium balls act as a cold catalyst. The hydrogen-carbon dioxide developer is supplied in disposable bags (Fig. 1). A strip impregnated with methylene blue is used as indicator. This strip is used only once. The GASPAK system was examined and compared with the anaerobe-receptacle by FILDES and MCINTOSH where a pressure-bottle feeds the hydrogen into the system, and the vacuum-process by ZEISSLER. Growth of several anaerobians from fresh clinical specimens and from some defined strains was used in the test (Table 1-4). The highest rate of growth was achieved with the GASPAK-system so that - even if one bears in mind that the other two methods do not undergo enrichment by carbon dioxide - this method for the cultivation of anaerobians can be recommended for use in routine laboratories.", "contents": "[Comparison of diverse methods for the cultivation of anaerobians, with special reference to the GASPAK system]. The frequent presence of anaerobic bacteria in clinical specimens requires the use of adequate methods for their detection. The GASPAK system, following closely the experiences made by BREWER, meets these requirements and has the additional advantage of easier handling when compared with other methods. Hydrogen necessary for binding oxygen in the anaerobe-receptacle, is produced chemically from a sodium borohydride plate over which only a certain amount of water needs to be poured for activation. A bar containing citric acid and sodium bicarbonate releases carbon dioxide at the same time. Small palladium-coated aluminium balls act as a cold catalyst. The hydrogen-carbon dioxide developer is supplied in disposable bags (Fig. 1). A strip impregnated with methylene blue is used as indicator. This strip is used only once. The GASPAK system was examined and compared with the anaerobe-receptacle by FILDES and MCINTOSH where a pressure-bottle feeds the hydrogen into the system, and the vacuum-process by ZEISSLER. Growth of several anaerobians from fresh clinical specimens and from some defined strains was used in the test (Table 1-4). The highest rate of growth was achieved with the GASPAK-system so that - even if one bears in mind that the other two methods do not undergo enrichment by carbon dioxide - this method for the cultivation of anaerobians can be recommended for use in routine laboratories.", "PMID": 769422} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2752", "title": "IF-40. A new polystyrene microscope tray for immunofluorescent studies.", "content": "A polystyrene plate is described which was designed to replace microscope slides for routine immunofluorescent examinations. The plate has 40 flat indentations of 8 mm diameter. The plates can be sterilized and stored in plastic bags. They are well suited for drop preparations or application of cryostat slices of biopsy and necropsy material, and tissue cultures can be grown directly in the indentations. When compared with glass microscope slides, which have long been used for these purposes, the polystyrene plates offer a variety of advantages. Cells can be grown directly in the indentations without washing or pretreating the trays in any way. The indentations prohibit mixing of samples or reagents and enable the use of smaller quantities of reagents. Up to 40 samples can be worked up simultaneously on one plate, or a plate rack can be used for the processing of up to 400 samples at once. The use of a special stage enables easy microscoping of all 40 spots without further handling of the tray.", "contents": "IF-40. A new polystyrene microscope tray for immunofluorescent studies. A polystyrene plate is described which was designed to replace microscope slides for routine immunofluorescent examinations. The plate has 40 flat indentations of 8 mm diameter. The plates can be sterilized and stored in plastic bags. They are well suited for drop preparations or application of cryostat slices of biopsy and necropsy material, and tissue cultures can be grown directly in the indentations. When compared with glass microscope slides, which have long been used for these purposes, the polystyrene plates offer a variety of advantages. Cells can be grown directly in the indentations without washing or pretreating the trays in any way. The indentations prohibit mixing of samples or reagents and enable the use of smaller quantities of reagents. Up to 40 samples can be worked up simultaneously on one plate, or a plate rack can be used for the processing of up to 400 samples at once. The use of a special stage enables easy microscoping of all 40 spots without further handling of the tray.", "PMID": 769423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2753", "title": "[Different antibody tests (IgG, IgM) from children with chronical recurrent urinary tract infections (author's tranls)].", "content": "Different Antibody tests (IgG, IgM) were made from children with chronical and recurrent urinary tract infections with help of the indirect fluorescent method and were compared with the indirect hemagglutination test. The indirect hemagglutination gave absolutely higher antibody rest results, but the specifity of the immune fluorescence test is just as large. You can see the acute attacks of pyelonephritis in either the antibody response test or IHA test. It is quite important, in the beginning, to repeat the controlls of the antibody test, because the changes that could occure in the titer should be seen. The IgG antibody reactions rise slightly during the acute attacks of E. coli- and Enterococci reinfections.", "contents": "[Different antibody tests (IgG, IgM) from children with chronical recurrent urinary tract infections (author's tranls)]. Different Antibody tests (IgG, IgM) were made from children with chronical and recurrent urinary tract infections with help of the indirect fluorescent method and were compared with the indirect hemagglutination test. The indirect hemagglutination gave absolutely higher antibody rest results, but the specifity of the immune fluorescence test is just as large. You can see the acute attacks of pyelonephritis in either the antibody response test or IHA test. It is quite important, in the beginning, to repeat the controlls of the antibody test, because the changes that could occure in the titer should be seen. The IgG antibody reactions rise slightly during the acute attacks of E. coli- and Enterococci reinfections.", "PMID": 769424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2754", "title": "A paraffin baiting technique that enables a direct microscopic view of \"in situ\" morphology of Nocardia asteroides with the acid-fast or fluorescence staining procedures.", "content": "The paraffin slide culture technique has provided a means of greatly increasing the effectiveness of the paraffin baiting procedure in the identification of Nocardia asteroides. This has been accomplished with paraffin coated slides rather than the conventional paraffin coated rods, which allows for direct microscopic examination of the \"in situ\" growth because of its flat surface. This microscopic examination is further facilitated by staining with Kinyoun Acid-fast Stain, or combines three important elements necessary for the identification of Nocardia asteroides, namely; \"in situ\" morphology, acid-fastness and Auramine fluorescence. The conventional paraffin coated rod only shows the ability of Nocardia asteroides to utilize paraffin as a carbon source, and tells nothing about \"in situ\" morphology, acid-fastness, and fluorescence with Auramine Fluorochrome.", "contents": "A paraffin baiting technique that enables a direct microscopic view of \"in situ\" morphology of Nocardia asteroides with the acid-fast or fluorescence staining procedures. The paraffin slide culture technique has provided a means of greatly increasing the effectiveness of the paraffin baiting procedure in the identification of Nocardia asteroides. This has been accomplished with paraffin coated slides rather than the conventional paraffin coated rods, which allows for direct microscopic examination of the \"in situ\" growth because of its flat surface. This microscopic examination is further facilitated by staining with Kinyoun Acid-fast Stain, or combines three important elements necessary for the identification of Nocardia asteroides, namely; \"in situ\" morphology, acid-fastness and Auramine fluorescence. The conventional paraffin coated rod only shows the ability of Nocardia asteroides to utilize paraffin as a carbon source, and tells nothing about \"in situ\" morphology, acid-fastness, and fluorescence with Auramine Fluorochrome.", "PMID": 769425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2755", "title": "[Water disinfection by means of chlorine: killing of aggregate bacteria (author's transl)].", "content": "Rising water demands ask for an increasing utilization of more or less contaminated surface water that has to be chlorinated prior to treatment. Especially during periods of lake bloom, the desired disinfecting effect is not achieved in spite of high concentrations of chlorine present. This is due to a coating of bacterial surfaces by substances such as algal products having a protective effect as demonstrated in experimental studies by the authors. Bacteria in a central position within bacterial aggregates as e. g. formed by the addition of flocculants in the process of water treatment, are also protected against the action of chlorine. In cases of inadequate filter backwashing, such aggregates may penetrate into clean water. Accumulations of bacteria in the shape of widespread growth may also form on activated carbon filters, ion exchangers, at walls of tanks under unfavourable hydraulic concitions, and in stagnant parts of supply pipes. Curves depiciting the kill of dyspectic E. coli differentiated by O-agglutination and S. anatum were exhibiting longer survival periods as compared with non-aggregate bacteria. For organisms differentiated by H-agglutination, kill was between these values. The killing rate was found to be a function of the oxidation-reduction poteential. Furthermore, survival times for E. coli and S. anatum were found to be different. It has been confirmed by these experiments that chlorine concentrations as common in the practice of water works frequently do not suffice to kill bacteria within aggregates and that a colony count does not permit conclusions as to the bacterial count if bacterial aggregates are present.", "contents": "[Water disinfection by means of chlorine: killing of aggregate bacteria (author's transl)]. Rising water demands ask for an increasing utilization of more or less contaminated surface water that has to be chlorinated prior to treatment. Especially during periods of lake bloom, the desired disinfecting effect is not achieved in spite of high concentrations of chlorine present. This is due to a coating of bacterial surfaces by substances such as algal products having a protective effect as demonstrated in experimental studies by the authors. Bacteria in a central position within bacterial aggregates as e. g. formed by the addition of flocculants in the process of water treatment, are also protected against the action of chlorine. In cases of inadequate filter backwashing, such aggregates may penetrate into clean water. Accumulations of bacteria in the shape of widespread growth may also form on activated carbon filters, ion exchangers, at walls of tanks under unfavourable hydraulic concitions, and in stagnant parts of supply pipes. Curves depiciting the kill of dyspectic E. coli differentiated by O-agglutination and S. anatum were exhibiting longer survival periods as compared with non-aggregate bacteria. For organisms differentiated by H-agglutination, kill was between these values. The killing rate was found to be a function of the oxidation-reduction poteential. Furthermore, survival times for E. coli and S. anatum were found to be different. It has been confirmed by these experiments that chlorine concentrations as common in the practice of water works frequently do not suffice to kill bacteria within aggregates and that a colony count does not permit conclusions as to the bacterial count if bacterial aggregates are present.", "PMID": 769426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2756", "title": "[Several biological properties of the surface antigens of the agent of pseudotuberculosis].", "content": "Capsular substance and extracellular proteins of the causative agent of pseudotuberculosis caused in the organism of guinea pigs a specific immunological reconstruction with the accumulation in the blood of antibodies in low titres, chiefly of macroglobulin type. The blood sera of these animals failed to protect the mice from lethal pseudotuberculosis infection in experiments of passive protection. Surface antigens of pseudotuberculosis causative agents produced a sensitizing action on the guinea pig organism; this was shown in vitro with the macrophages of the abdominal cavity of these animals. Extracellular proteins decreased the completeness of phagocytosis by neutrophilic leukocytes (demonstrated in vitro with the donor blood leukocytes).", "contents": "[Several biological properties of the surface antigens of the agent of pseudotuberculosis]. Capsular substance and extracellular proteins of the causative agent of pseudotuberculosis caused in the organism of guinea pigs a specific immunological reconstruction with the accumulation in the blood of antibodies in low titres, chiefly of macroglobulin type. The blood sera of these animals failed to protect the mice from lethal pseudotuberculosis infection in experiments of passive protection. Surface antigens of pseudotuberculosis causative agents produced a sensitizing action on the guinea pig organism; this was shown in vitro with the macrophages of the abdominal cavity of these animals. Extracellular proteins decreased the completeness of phagocytosis by neutrophilic leukocytes (demonstrated in vitro with the donor blood leukocytes).", "PMID": 769431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2757", "title": "[Transduction of streptomycin resistance in group A streptococci by virulent streptococcal phage CA1].", "content": "The author studied the Smr transduction in hemolytic streptococci, group A, by the virulent CA1 phage. This phage differed from the A12 and A25 by the spectrum of lytic activity and was affiliated to them serologically. In comparable experiments CA1 phage exceeded A25 phage by the transducing activity. Phage CA1 transduced the cultures of various serological types. The efficiency of transduction depended on the multiplicity of the infection (the optimum--0.1--0.03), the age of the recipient culture (the optimum--1--2-day) and the time of phenotypical expression (the optimum--2--3 hours). It was possible to increase the frequency of transduction by one order with the aid of UV irradiation. Still a theoretically possible output of the transducers determined by calculation was not reached because of some abortiveness of the process.", "contents": "[Transduction of streptomycin resistance in group A streptococci by virulent streptococcal phage CA1]. The author studied the Smr transduction in hemolytic streptococci, group A, by the virulent CA1 phage. This phage differed from the A12 and A25 by the spectrum of lytic activity and was affiliated to them serologically. In comparable experiments CA1 phage exceeded A25 phage by the transducing activity. Phage CA1 transduced the cultures of various serological types. The efficiency of transduction depended on the multiplicity of the infection (the optimum--0.1--0.03), the age of the recipient culture (the optimum--1--2-day) and the time of phenotypical expression (the optimum--2--3 hours). It was possible to increase the frequency of transduction by one order with the aid of UV irradiation. Still a theoretically possible output of the transducers determined by calculation was not reached because of some abortiveness of the process.", "PMID": 769434} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2758", "title": "[Transfection of Escherichia coli using bacteriophage MS2 RNA].", "content": "The authors present materials for comparison of three methods of E. coli infection by the RNA of the MS2 bacteriophage. The cells accepted the RNA at the stage of spheroplasts (obtained with the aid of a lysozyme and EDTA) with the efficacy of up to 1.5 X 10(5) IC/mug of the RNA. Diethylpyrocarbonate was used as a transfection stimulant. The product of transfection was identical to the MS2 bacteriophage. The efficacy of transfection in the calcinated system and on the frozen-defrosted bacteria was lower than on the spheroplasts (10(2) IC/mug of the RNA) which was largely associated with the formation of \"latent infectious centres\". Formation of latent negative colonies was characteristic of bacteriophage MS2, but formation of these colonies was intensified when calcinated cells were used for transfection.", "contents": "[Transfection of Escherichia coli using bacteriophage MS2 RNA]. The authors present materials for comparison of three methods of E. coli infection by the RNA of the MS2 bacteriophage. The cells accepted the RNA at the stage of spheroplasts (obtained with the aid of a lysozyme and EDTA) with the efficacy of up to 1.5 X 10(5) IC/mug of the RNA. Diethylpyrocarbonate was used as a transfection stimulant. The product of transfection was identical to the MS2 bacteriophage. The efficacy of transfection in the calcinated system and on the frozen-defrosted bacteria was lower than on the spheroplasts (10(2) IC/mug of the RNA) which was largely associated with the formation of \"latent infectious centres\". Formation of latent negative colonies was characteristic of bacteriophage MS2, but formation of these colonies was intensified when calcinated cells were used for transfection.", "PMID": 769435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2759", "title": "[Increase in resistance to UV-light in E. coli bearing the Hly plasmid resistance].", "content": "Hly plasmide of wild type and its derepressive (by transmission) mutant communicated to the E. coli cells an increased resistance to the action of ultraviolet rays. Hly plasmide failed to compensate the defects associated with the excision and postreplicative DNA reparation or the reparative DNA synthesis. Hly plasmide increased the resistance to the ultraviolet light in the lon--mutant in which the ultraviolet irradiation disturbed the process of cell division. It is supposed that the resistance to the ultraviolet light connected with Hly plasmide was caused by the influence of the plasmide on some stages of cell division following the ultraviolet irradiation.", "contents": "[Increase in resistance to UV-light in E. coli bearing the Hly plasmid resistance]. Hly plasmide of wild type and its derepressive (by transmission) mutant communicated to the E. coli cells an increased resistance to the action of ultraviolet rays. Hly plasmide failed to compensate the defects associated with the excision and postreplicative DNA reparation or the reparative DNA synthesis. Hly plasmide increased the resistance to the ultraviolet light in the lon--mutant in which the ultraviolet irradiation disturbed the process of cell division. It is supposed that the resistance to the ultraviolet light connected with Hly plasmide was caused by the influence of the plasmide on some stages of cell division following the ultraviolet irradiation.", "PMID": 769436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2760", "title": "[Enteral immunization with attenuated representatives of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Report 3. Comparison of the immunogenicity of the Sm-d-mutants of E. coli and the killed vaccine].", "content": "The authors present the results of a comparative study of the immunogenicity of the living (Sm-d) and killed E. coli vaccine which, in determination by such methods as the Vidal test, passive hemagglutination test, bactericidal activity, establishment of passive and active defence, proved to be the same in both vaccines. However, with the aid of Rauss and Ketyi's method, modified by the authors (determination of nonsuceptibility in enteral infection of the animals with intestine sterilized with streptomycin) it was possible to reveal the capacity of the living vaccine to depress the growth and the activity (reproducible and statistically controlled) of E. coli administered into the organism of the immunized animal for the purpose of infection. They were discharged with the feces for a definite period in 90% of control animals and mice immunized with the killed vaccine; this occured in less than 10% of the animals immunized with the living vaccine.", "contents": "[Enteral immunization with attenuated representatives of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Report 3. Comparison of the immunogenicity of the Sm-d-mutants of E. coli and the killed vaccine]. The authors present the results of a comparative study of the immunogenicity of the living (Sm-d) and killed E. coli vaccine which, in determination by such methods as the Vidal test, passive hemagglutination test, bactericidal activity, establishment of passive and active defence, proved to be the same in both vaccines. However, with the aid of Rauss and Ketyi's method, modified by the authors (determination of nonsuceptibility in enteral infection of the animals with intestine sterilized with streptomycin) it was possible to reveal the capacity of the living vaccine to depress the growth and the activity (reproducible and statistically controlled) of E. coli administered into the organism of the immunized animal for the purpose of infection. They were discharged with the feces for a definite period in 90% of control animals and mice immunized with the killed vaccine; this occured in less than 10% of the animals immunized with the living vaccine.", "PMID": 769440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2761", "title": "[New methods of determination of the functional peculiarities of autoantibodies in various types of autoimmune reactions].", "content": "Anderson's method (with our modification of Jerne's method) was applied in experiments on 574 albino female mice; a study was made of the affinity of autoantibodies in three groups of animals: intact, gamma (Co60) irradiated in a dose of 600 r, and with stimulation of auto-immune reaction by injection of a complete adjuvant (0.05 ml subcutaneously) or injection of living E. coli cells (subcutaneously 300 million) or hemostimulation (subcutaneously 0.1--0.3 or 0.5 ml of homologous blood). The maximal autoantibody indices were obtained in the irradiated mice, the least -- in the intact animals. Apart from the plaque-formation inhibition phenomenon, there were observed two more phenomena; these were an immune erythrocyte adherence to the immunocompetent cells and a marked increase in the formation of plaques of autoimmune hemolysis in the preparation with addition of diluted (1:10) lysate of erythrocytes obtained from mice with the administration of an adjuvant or homologous blood.", "contents": "[New methods of determination of the functional peculiarities of autoantibodies in various types of autoimmune reactions]. Anderson's method (with our modification of Jerne's method) was applied in experiments on 574 albino female mice; a study was made of the affinity of autoantibodies in three groups of animals: intact, gamma (Co60) irradiated in a dose of 600 r, and with stimulation of auto-immune reaction by injection of a complete adjuvant (0.05 ml subcutaneously) or injection of living E. coli cells (subcutaneously 300 million) or hemostimulation (subcutaneously 0.1--0.3 or 0.5 ml of homologous blood). The maximal autoantibody indices were obtained in the irradiated mice, the least -- in the intact animals. Apart from the plaque-formation inhibition phenomenon, there were observed two more phenomena; these were an immune erythrocyte adherence to the immunocompetent cells and a marked increase in the formation of plaques of autoimmune hemolysis in the preparation with addition of diluted (1:10) lysate of erythrocytes obtained from mice with the administration of an adjuvant or homologous blood.", "PMID": 769441} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2762", "title": "[Role of circulating antibodies and cellular factors in the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus induced rejection of skin autotransplants].", "content": "It was found that rejection of the skin autotransplant in the staphylococcus-sensitized animals was accompanied by regular changes in the titres of auto- and staphylococcus antibodies indirectly pointing to the antibody fixation on the rejecting transplant or to their neutralization with the antigens of the perishing skin transplant. In experiments with passive reproduction of the state of rejection in the intact syngenous recipients it was shown that the decisive role in this process was played by the cell factors, but not by the blood serum. The mentioned facts pointed to the role played by allergy of delayed type in the pathogenesis of rejection of skin autotransplants induced with staphylococcus.", "contents": "[Role of circulating antibodies and cellular factors in the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus induced rejection of skin autotransplants]. It was found that rejection of the skin autotransplant in the staphylococcus-sensitized animals was accompanied by regular changes in the titres of auto- and staphylococcus antibodies indirectly pointing to the antibody fixation on the rejecting transplant or to their neutralization with the antigens of the perishing skin transplant. In experiments with passive reproduction of the state of rejection in the intact syngenous recipients it was shown that the decisive role in this process was played by the cell factors, but not by the blood serum. The mentioned facts pointed to the role played by allergy of delayed type in the pathogenesis of rejection of skin autotransplants induced with staphylococcus.", "PMID": 769442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2763", "title": "Histochemical localization of hydrochloric acid in the stomach of two teleost fishes.", "content": "The localization of hydrochloric acid in the gastric glands of Ophycephalus punctatus and Heteropneustes fossilis has been examined histochemically. The fishes were force-fed with the Prussian blue reagents in a test meal and the distribution of the precipitate was examined at regular intervals. Maximum amount of precipitate was observed in the lumen and at the mouth of the openings of the gastric glands 12 h after feeding in Ophiocephalus and at 18 h in Heteropneustes. Pepsinogen granules were distributed in all the cells lining the gastric glands. No histochemical difference was observed in the cells lining the gastric glands, and all the cells were capable of producing both HC1 and pepsinogen.", "contents": "Histochemical localization of hydrochloric acid in the stomach of two teleost fishes. The localization of hydrochloric acid in the gastric glands of Ophycephalus punctatus and Heteropneustes fossilis has been examined histochemically. The fishes were force-fed with the Prussian blue reagents in a test meal and the distribution of the precipitate was examined at regular intervals. Maximum amount of precipitate was observed in the lumen and at the mouth of the openings of the gastric glands 12 h after feeding in Ophiocephalus and at 18 h in Heteropneustes. Pepsinogen granules were distributed in all the cells lining the gastric glands. No histochemical difference was observed in the cells lining the gastric glands, and all the cells were capable of producing both HC1 and pepsinogen.", "PMID": 769452} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2764", "title": "Bacterial renal infection in rats produced by direct injection of bacteria into renal tissue--an experimental model.", "content": "A new method for producing an experimental model of renal infection in rats is described. It is based on a direct injection of a concentrated E. coli suspension either into both kidneys or only one of them. The method is simple and takes little time; the mortality of experimental animals is low. A focal acute purulent renal inflammation is elicited which tends to propagate towards the papilla. A significant renal infection persists at least over six weeks. The renal infection model is suitable for testing the antibacterial activities of drugs, as documented by the results of a therapeutical experiment with gentamicin and other agents.", "contents": "Bacterial renal infection in rats produced by direct injection of bacteria into renal tissue--an experimental model. A new method for producing an experimental model of renal infection in rats is described. It is based on a direct injection of a concentrated E. coli suspension either into both kidneys or only one of them. The method is simple and takes little time; the mortality of experimental animals is low. A focal acute purulent renal inflammation is elicited which tends to propagate towards the papilla. A significant renal infection persists at least over six weeks. The renal infection model is suitable for testing the antibacterial activities of drugs, as documented by the results of a therapeutical experiment with gentamicin and other agents.", "PMID": 769453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2765", "title": "[Relations between the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test and the rhodanide level in patients with malignant tumors, autoaggression diseases and after transplantation].", "content": "In patients with malignant tumors, autoaggression diseases and following transplantations the blood rhodanide level was found to increase; a correlation with the results of the MEM test was established.", "contents": "[Relations between the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test and the rhodanide level in patients with malignant tumors, autoaggression diseases and after transplantation]. In patients with malignant tumors, autoaggression diseases and following transplantations the blood rhodanide level was found to increase; a correlation with the results of the MEM test was established.", "PMID": 769454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2766", "title": "[Local treatment of burns. Panoplie and choice of therapies (author's transl)].", "content": "The author revuew the pros and cans of topical treatments among the most effective at this time. He reports the experience acquired with some at the Hospital St Pierre in Brussels. By comparison with the literature he attempts to define an ideal therapeutic scheme.", "contents": "[Local treatment of burns. Panoplie and choice of therapies (author's transl)]. The author revuew the pros and cans of topical treatments among the most effective at this time. He reports the experience acquired with some at the Hospital St Pierre in Brussels. By comparison with the literature he attempts to define an ideal therapeutic scheme.", "PMID": 769455} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2767", "title": "[A simplified technique of skin transplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "A simplified technique of skin transplantation is proposed: local anaesthesia of donor site; use of a regular razor-blade for skin harvesting and use of donor site for preservation of residual skin grafts.", "contents": "[A simplified technique of skin transplantation (author's transl)]. A simplified technique of skin transplantation is proposed: local anaesthesia of donor site; use of a regular razor-blade for skin harvesting and use of donor site for preservation of residual skin grafts.", "PMID": 769456} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2768", "title": "[Intraperitoneal sequestration of a radium loaded tube, following perforation of the uterus, and his surgical management (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors present a case of uterineperforation due to Radiumapplication and its surgical treatment: removal of the Radiumcontainer at laparotomy without postoperative complications.", "contents": "[Intraperitoneal sequestration of a radium loaded tube, following perforation of the uterus, and his surgical management (author's transl)]. The authors present a case of uterineperforation due to Radiumapplication and its surgical treatment: removal of the Radiumcontainer at laparotomy without postoperative complications.", "PMID": 769457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2769", "title": "[Bronchial carcinoma with positive mediastinoscopy. Review of 219 cases (author's transl)].", "content": "Mediastinoscopy was positive in 219 out of 605 cases of bronchial carcinoma (36.2%). The author analyses the age, sex, location of primitive tumor, histology, distribution of positive nodes and treatment used. Data on node involvement confirms the high malignity of the oat-cell carcinoma: though one of the rarest, this form accounts for 40% of mediastinal involvements. The data also confirm the lymphatic drainage of right side tumors (4% of crossing over) and the bilateral drainage of left side tumors (37% of crossing over). The proportion of involved nodes is 73%. In the 20 cases where surgical resection was performed this proportion is 58% and the involved nodes are largely located in the lower portion of the accessible mediastinum. Survival curves are drawn according to various parameters (location, histology, treatment). Review of the literature yields some general conclusions on the operability of bronchial carcinoma. According to belgian statistics bronchial carcinoma is the leading cause of death from cancer in the male. Probable survival for patients with positive mediastinoscopy is 7.5 months, extending from 4 months in untreated cases to 12 months after radio-chemotherapy. Prognosis was best in the 16 patients who survived the immediate postoperative period.", "contents": "[Bronchial carcinoma with positive mediastinoscopy. Review of 219 cases (author's transl)]. Mediastinoscopy was positive in 219 out of 605 cases of bronchial carcinoma (36.2%). The author analyses the age, sex, location of primitive tumor, histology, distribution of positive nodes and treatment used. Data on node involvement confirms the high malignity of the oat-cell carcinoma: though one of the rarest, this form accounts for 40% of mediastinal involvements. The data also confirm the lymphatic drainage of right side tumors (4% of crossing over) and the bilateral drainage of left side tumors (37% of crossing over). The proportion of involved nodes is 73%. In the 20 cases where surgical resection was performed this proportion is 58% and the involved nodes are largely located in the lower portion of the accessible mediastinum. Survival curves are drawn according to various parameters (location, histology, treatment). Review of the literature yields some general conclusions on the operability of bronchial carcinoma. According to belgian statistics bronchial carcinoma is the leading cause of death from cancer in the male. Probable survival for patients with positive mediastinoscopy is 7.5 months, extending from 4 months in untreated cases to 12 months after radio-chemotherapy. Prognosis was best in the 16 patients who survived the immediate postoperative period.", "PMID": 769458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2770", "title": "Pituitary LH and FSH secretion and responsiveness in women of old age.", "content": "The plasma concentrations and episodic fluctuations of immunoreactive FSH and LH as well as the pituitary sensitivity to LH-RH stimulation were evaluated in post-menopausal women. The subjects were divided into 4 groups according to age. Group 1: 60-70 years old (n = 11), group 2: 70-80 years old (n = 22), group 3: 80-90 years old (n = 31) and group 4: 90-100 years old (n = 8). Standards used in gonadotrophin radioimmuno-assays included the LER-907 preparation and a pooled post-menopausal serum. Since it was found that circulating gonadotrophins have an immunological pattern different from that shown by the pituitary preparation, the results were expressed in mIU/ml calculated accordingly to the immunological behavior of pooled post-menopausal sera. The mean (+/- SE) plasma levels of FSH (mIU/ml) were: group ): 105 +/- 9.5, group 2: 149.3 +/- 10.5, group 3: 124.8 +/- 7.1 and group 4: 149.4 +/- 25.3. The mean (+/- SE) plasma levels of LH (mIU/ml) were: group 1: 81.9 +/- 12.5, group 2: 95.4 +/- 9.9, group 3: 84.3 +/- 7.7 and group 4: 113.5 +/- 19.1. No statistically significant differences were observed among the 4 groups. One patient from each group was randomly selected in order to evaluate their LH and FSH episodic release as well as their pituitary responsiveness to exogenous stimulation. A pulsatile plasma pattern of gonadotrophin and a normal pituitary response to LH-RH injection were observed in the 4 patients studied. The results are interpreted as demonstrating that normal pituitary gonadotrophin function and pituitary reserve and responsiveness to exogenous stimulation are maintained in women of advanced age.", "contents": "Pituitary LH and FSH secretion and responsiveness in women of old age. The plasma concentrations and episodic fluctuations of immunoreactive FSH and LH as well as the pituitary sensitivity to LH-RH stimulation were evaluated in post-menopausal women. The subjects were divided into 4 groups according to age. Group 1: 60-70 years old (n = 11), group 2: 70-80 years old (n = 22), group 3: 80-90 years old (n = 31) and group 4: 90-100 years old (n = 8). Standards used in gonadotrophin radioimmuno-assays included the LER-907 preparation and a pooled post-menopausal serum. Since it was found that circulating gonadotrophins have an immunological pattern different from that shown by the pituitary preparation, the results were expressed in mIU/ml calculated accordingly to the immunological behavior of pooled post-menopausal sera. The mean (+/- SE) plasma levels of FSH (mIU/ml) were: group ): 105 +/- 9.5, group 2: 149.3 +/- 10.5, group 3: 124.8 +/- 7.1 and group 4: 149.4 +/- 25.3. The mean (+/- SE) plasma levels of LH (mIU/ml) were: group 1: 81.9 +/- 12.5, group 2: 95.4 +/- 9.9, group 3: 84.3 +/- 7.7 and group 4: 113.5 +/- 19.1. No statistically significant differences were observed among the 4 groups. One patient from each group was randomly selected in order to evaluate their LH and FSH episodic release as well as their pituitary responsiveness to exogenous stimulation. A pulsatile plasma pattern of gonadotrophin and a normal pituitary response to LH-RH injection were observed in the 4 patients studied. The results are interpreted as demonstrating that normal pituitary gonadotrophin function and pituitary reserve and responsiveness to exogenous stimulation are maintained in women of advanced age.", "PMID": 769465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2771", "title": "The effect of cyproterone acetate on the plasma gonadotrophin response to gonadotrophin releasing hormone.", "content": "Cyporterone acetate (100-150 mg daily) was administered to 8 male patients with excessive libido. Within 3 months a significant fall (P less than 0.02) in plasma testosterone was demonstrated. The plasma luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulatin hormone (FSH) responses to gonadotrophin releasing hormone (LH/FSH-RH) were also significantly impaired (P less than 0.05). A direct correlation between the resting plasma testosterone level and the LH response to LH/FSH-RH was demonstrated (r = 0.743). It is concluded that the fall inplasma testosterone levels in patients receiving cyproterone acetate may be attributed to suppression of LH release, rather than an antiandrogen effect on the testis or hypothalamus.", "contents": "The effect of cyproterone acetate on the plasma gonadotrophin response to gonadotrophin releasing hormone. Cyporterone acetate (100-150 mg daily) was administered to 8 male patients with excessive libido. Within 3 months a significant fall (P less than 0.02) in plasma testosterone was demonstrated. The plasma luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulatin hormone (FSH) responses to gonadotrophin releasing hormone (LH/FSH-RH) were also significantly impaired (P less than 0.05). A direct correlation between the resting plasma testosterone level and the LH response to LH/FSH-RH was demonstrated (r = 0.743). It is concluded that the fall inplasma testosterone levels in patients receiving cyproterone acetate may be attributed to suppression of LH release, rather than an antiandrogen effect on the testis or hypothalamus.", "PMID": 769466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2772", "title": "Determination of the specific blood flow of the liver by inhalation of radioactive rare gases.", "content": "The technique applying the inhalation of radioactive rare gase is a new method to determine the specific blood flow of the liver. After inhalation of 133Xe, the course of activity is registered above liver and spleen as well as in the exspirated air. The perfusion is calculated from the resulting wash-out curves. The average value in healthy persons is 91 +/- 15 ml/100 g min. The reproducibility is 5 +/- 1%. The xenon wash-out is delayed in cirrhotic livers; the blood flow is significantly decreased and amounts to an average of 45 ml/100 g min. A delayed wash-out of xenon was also found in major fatty livers due to the high affinity of xenon to fat. The dependence of the partition coefficient on the fat content was investigated by Kitani and Winkler in homogenized liver tissue of different fat content. The question arises whether these in vitro findings can be transferred to in vivo wash-out curves. We therefore carried out first investigations on patients of known content of fat of the liver, applying a 85MKr-133 Xe-double measurement. According to results which have been achieved up to now, sufficient accuracy can only be obtained up to a fat content of 10%.", "contents": "Determination of the specific blood flow of the liver by inhalation of radioactive rare gases. The technique applying the inhalation of radioactive rare gase is a new method to determine the specific blood flow of the liver. After inhalation of 133Xe, the course of activity is registered above liver and spleen as well as in the exspirated air. The perfusion is calculated from the resulting wash-out curves. The average value in healthy persons is 91 +/- 15 ml/100 g min. The reproducibility is 5 +/- 1%. The xenon wash-out is delayed in cirrhotic livers; the blood flow is significantly decreased and amounts to an average of 45 ml/100 g min. A delayed wash-out of xenon was also found in major fatty livers due to the high affinity of xenon to fat. The dependence of the partition coefficient on the fat content was investigated by Kitani and Winkler in homogenized liver tissue of different fat content. The question arises whether these in vitro findings can be transferred to in vivo wash-out curves. We therefore carried out first investigations on patients of known content of fat of the liver, applying a 85MKr-133 Xe-double measurement. According to results which have been achieved up to now, sufficient accuracy can only be obtained up to a fat content of 10%.", "PMID": 769469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2773", "title": "Hepatic blood flow and cardiac output after porta-caval anastomosis in the rat.", "content": "Investigations were performed in rats with portacaval anastomosis (PCA) in order to measure hepatic hemodynamics and cardiac output (CO) 3, 6, 14 and 28 days after operation under pentobarbitone anesthesia using the flow fraction distribution method (131I-MAA) of CO. The latter was calculated using Vierordt's principle from blood volume (BV) (125RIHSA-dilution method) and ICG-appearance time (ICG-AT) (ear-densitometry). Even 3 days after PCA CO was increased to 38.7 +/- 5.0 (SD) ml/min/100 g b.w. (normal 23.8), due to an increase of BV from 6.3 +/- 1.4 to 7.5 +/- 0.6 ml/100 g b.w. and a decrease of ICG-AT from 3.6 +/- 0.4 to 2.8 +/- 0.5 s. Arterial hepatic flow fraction of CO increased to 8.7 +/- 2.8% (control: 5.5 +/- 2.4%). Changes could be observed up to day 28. Hepatic blood flow per g liver tended to stabilize but was still decreased at day 28: 1.5 +/- 0.6 ml/min/g liver (control: 2.0 +/- 0.3). The typical hemodynamic changes in human liver cirrhosis can be reproduced by PCA alone. They are considered to be compensatory mechanisms for a reduced portal liver blood flow, which are not found to compensate completely.", "contents": "Hepatic blood flow and cardiac output after porta-caval anastomosis in the rat. Investigations were performed in rats with portacaval anastomosis (PCA) in order to measure hepatic hemodynamics and cardiac output (CO) 3, 6, 14 and 28 days after operation under pentobarbitone anesthesia using the flow fraction distribution method (131I-MAA) of CO. The latter was calculated using Vierordt's principle from blood volume (BV) (125RIHSA-dilution method) and ICG-appearance time (ICG-AT) (ear-densitometry). Even 3 days after PCA CO was increased to 38.7 +/- 5.0 (SD) ml/min/100 g b.w. (normal 23.8), due to an increase of BV from 6.3 +/- 1.4 to 7.5 +/- 0.6 ml/100 g b.w. and a decrease of ICG-AT from 3.6 +/- 0.4 to 2.8 +/- 0.5 s. Arterial hepatic flow fraction of CO increased to 8.7 +/- 2.8% (control: 5.5 +/- 2.4%). Changes could be observed up to day 28. Hepatic blood flow per g liver tended to stabilize but was still decreased at day 28: 1.5 +/- 0.6 ml/min/g liver (control: 2.0 +/- 0.3). The typical hemodynamic changes in human liver cirrhosis can be reproduced by PCA alone. They are considered to be compensatory mechanisms for a reduced portal liver blood flow, which are not found to compensate completely.", "PMID": 769471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2774", "title": "Studies of Escherichia coli O antigen specific antibodies in human milk, maternal serum and cord blood.", "content": "Studies of Escherichia coli O antigen specific antibodies in human milk, maternal serum and cord blood. Acta Paediatr Scand, 65:216, 1976.--The quantity and class specificity of E. coli O antibodies in human milk, maternal serum and cord blood was determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The predominant Ig-class of these antibodies in milk was IgA. The initially high levels of antibodies decreased 10-fold during the first days, but there seemed to be a fairly constant daily production of IgA antibodies during the first two months of the nursing period. There was no obvious decline in antibody content from morning to night or during a meal. The ratio milk antibody/serum antibody was very high for IgA, suggesting a local production. The ratios for the IgG were all less than 1, suggesting a restricted transfer from the serum. Ratios around 1 for IgM did not exclude some local production. In umbilical cord serum the amount of IgG E. coli O antibodies was higher than that in maternal serum. Small amounts of IgM and IgA antibodies was also demonstrated in some cases. In milk as well as in serum there were antibodies against a wide variety of E. coli O groups, not only to the actual E. coli strain dominating the mother's gut flora.", "contents": "Studies of Escherichia coli O antigen specific antibodies in human milk, maternal serum and cord blood. Studies of Escherichia coli O antigen specific antibodies in human milk, maternal serum and cord blood. Acta Paediatr Scand, 65:216, 1976.--The quantity and class specificity of E. coli O antibodies in human milk, maternal serum and cord blood was determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The predominant Ig-class of these antibodies in milk was IgA. The initially high levels of antibodies decreased 10-fold during the first days, but there seemed to be a fairly constant daily production of IgA antibodies during the first two months of the nursing period. There was no obvious decline in antibody content from morning to night or during a meal. The ratio milk antibody/serum antibody was very high for IgA, suggesting a local production. The ratios for the IgG were all less than 1, suggesting a restricted transfer from the serum. Ratios around 1 for IgM did not exclude some local production. In umbilical cord serum the amount of IgG E. coli O antibodies was higher than that in maternal serum. Small amounts of IgM and IgA antibodies was also demonstrated in some cases. In milk as well as in serum there were antibodies against a wide variety of E. coli O groups, not only to the actual E. coli strain dominating the mother's gut flora.", "PMID": 769481} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2775", "title": "Influence of maternal gut flora and colostral and cord serum antibodies on presence of Escherichia coli in faeces of the newborn infant.", "content": "From 29 healthy newborn infants and their mothers faecal, serum and milk specimens were obtained on several occasions from one to nine weeks after delivery. Predominant faecal E. coli were serotyped with regard to the O antigen and milk and serum were analysed for their content of E. coli O antibodies by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In five cases the babies acquired the same O serotype as was found in the stools of their mothers but in 12 out of 29 cases infant and mother never had any dominating faecal E. coli O type in common. There was no apparent correlation between the patterns of feeding and interchange of bacteria. Klebsiella/Enterobacter was the dominating facultative organism on at least one occasion in half the infants. The newborns received colostral IgA and transplacental circulating IgG antibodies against a great number of E. coli O serotypes. These antibodies did not prevent intestinal colonization, as judged from cultures of faeces.", "contents": "Influence of maternal gut flora and colostral and cord serum antibodies on presence of Escherichia coli in faeces of the newborn infant. From 29 healthy newborn infants and their mothers faecal, serum and milk specimens were obtained on several occasions from one to nine weeks after delivery. Predominant faecal E. coli were serotyped with regard to the O antigen and milk and serum were analysed for their content of E. coli O antibodies by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In five cases the babies acquired the same O serotype as was found in the stools of their mothers but in 12 out of 29 cases infant and mother never had any dominating faecal E. coli O type in common. There was no apparent correlation between the patterns of feeding and interchange of bacteria. Klebsiella/Enterobacter was the dominating facultative organism on at least one occasion in half the infants. The newborns received colostral IgA and transplacental circulating IgG antibodies against a great number of E. coli O serotypes. These antibodies did not prevent intestinal colonization, as judged from cultures of faeces.", "PMID": 769482} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2776", "title": "[A controlled double-blind crossover study of the efficacy of mepiprazol (EMD 16.923) and of diazepam in the treatment of neurotic disorders].", "content": "After a preliminary encouraging trial of mepiprazol (EMD 16.923) on 8 patients, a double-blind cross-over study of mepiprazol and diazepam was performed in order to compare their effect in the treatment of neurotic disorders, particularly on various forms of anxiety.", "contents": "[A controlled double-blind crossover study of the efficacy of mepiprazol (EMD 16.923) and of diazepam in the treatment of neurotic disorders]. After a preliminary encouraging trial of mepiprazol (EMD 16.923) on 8 patients, a double-blind cross-over study of mepiprazol and diazepam was performed in order to compare their effect in the treatment of neurotic disorders, particularly on various forms of anxiety.", "PMID": 769484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2777", "title": "The nitrobule tetrazolium (NBT) test in endemic benign (epidemic) nephropathy.", "content": "NBT test values in blood samples from 25 cases of endemic benign (epidemic) nephropathy (EBN) were high, i.e. more than 19% NBT-positive neutrophils, in 22 (88%) of the patients, intermediate, i.e. 13-19%, in two (8%) and normal in one patient (4%); in eight patients (32%) the NBT test values were 50% or more. The test values remained elevated, i.e. 13% or more, for more than one month after the onset of illness in three of ten patients on whom serial tests were performed. Among 18 patients with kidney diseases other than EBN and 16 with kidney transplant, high NBT test values, 20 and 22%, respectively, were found in two (5.9%), intermediate values in two and normal test values in 30 patients (88.2%). This paper is the first published report on NBT test values in cases of EBN. The test was rated to be of diagnostic value in patients in whom EBN might be suspected, highly elevated test values (larger than or equal to 50% NBT-positive neutrophils) lending support to the diagnosis.", "contents": "The nitrobule tetrazolium (NBT) test in endemic benign (epidemic) nephropathy. NBT test values in blood samples from 25 cases of endemic benign (epidemic) nephropathy (EBN) were high, i.e. more than 19% NBT-positive neutrophils, in 22 (88%) of the patients, intermediate, i.e. 13-19%, in two (8%) and normal in one patient (4%); in eight patients (32%) the NBT test values were 50% or more. The test values remained elevated, i.e. 13% or more, for more than one month after the onset of illness in three of ten patients on whom serial tests were performed. Among 18 patients with kidney diseases other than EBN and 16 with kidney transplant, high NBT test values, 20 and 22%, respectively, were found in two (5.9%), intermediate values in two and normal test values in 30 patients (88.2%). This paper is the first published report on NBT test values in cases of EBN. The test was rated to be of diagnostic value in patients in whom EBN might be suspected, highly elevated test values (larger than or equal to 50% NBT-positive neutrophils) lending support to the diagnosis.", "PMID": 769488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2778", "title": "A controlled clinical trial of the immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood in renal allotransplantation.", "content": "The immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood (ECIB) in renal allotransplantation (RAT) has been investigated in a controlled clinical trial. A series of 101 uremic patients undergoing intermittent hemodialysis in preparation for RAT were allocated randomly to two groups; a treated group +ECIB (n=55), and a control group 0-ECIB (n= 46). ECIB treatment was given in the form of a fixed dose, with a transit dose of 400 rad and a cumulative dose of approximately 50 000 rad, both before and after RAT. A selective long-term lymphocytopenia was usually obtained, with no effect on immunoglobulins, complements or plasma proteins. Erythrocyte count was reduced in the majority of cases, but this had no limiting effect on the implementation of treatment. The shortest survival times and most deaths occurred in the +ECIB group. The first rejection episode occurred later in the +ECIB group, but there was no difference between the groups in the number of rejections during the first two months or during the whole observation period. There were more cases with two or more rejection episodes in the +ECIB than in the 0-ECIB group. There was no difference in graft survival, but shortest patient survival and most deaths after RAT occurred in the +ECIB group. It must therefore be concluded that the immunosuppressive effect of ECIB has no practical clinical relevance in RAT, and that ECIB given in the manner described involves the possibility of side-effects so serious that the method cannot be recommended.", "contents": "A controlled clinical trial of the immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood in renal allotransplantation. The immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood (ECIB) in renal allotransplantation (RAT) has been investigated in a controlled clinical trial. A series of 101 uremic patients undergoing intermittent hemodialysis in preparation for RAT were allocated randomly to two groups; a treated group +ECIB (n=55), and a control group 0-ECIB (n= 46). ECIB treatment was given in the form of a fixed dose, with a transit dose of 400 rad and a cumulative dose of approximately 50 000 rad, both before and after RAT. A selective long-term lymphocytopenia was usually obtained, with no effect on immunoglobulins, complements or plasma proteins. Erythrocyte count was reduced in the majority of cases, but this had no limiting effect on the implementation of treatment. The shortest survival times and most deaths occurred in the +ECIB group. The first rejection episode occurred later in the +ECIB group, but there was no difference between the groups in the number of rejections during the first two months or during the whole observation period. There were more cases with two or more rejection episodes in the +ECIB than in the 0-ECIB group. There was no difference in graft survival, but shortest patient survival and most deaths after RAT occurred in the +ECIB group. It must therefore be concluded that the immunosuppressive effect of ECIB has no practical clinical relevance in RAT, and that ECIB given in the manner described involves the possibility of side-effects so serious that the method cannot be recommended.", "PMID": 769489} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2779", "title": "Clinical trial with amantadine and pemoline in elderly patients.", "content": "In a controlled clinical trial, amantadine 400 mg daily, 200 mg daily and 200 mg daily given with 20 mg of pemoline daily were compared with placebo in the treatment of elderly patients suffering from involutional cerebropathy characterized by psychomotor slowing down. The results showed that amantadine 400 mg daily was superior to placebo but was associated with a high incidence of side-effects (37 per cent), amantadine 200 mg daily was not superior to placebo but when pemolint 20 mg daily was added the combination was superior to placebo and few side-effects were reported.", "contents": "Clinical trial with amantadine and pemoline in elderly patients. In a controlled clinical trial, amantadine 400 mg daily, 200 mg daily and 200 mg daily given with 20 mg of pemoline daily were compared with placebo in the treatment of elderly patients suffering from involutional cerebropathy characterized by psychomotor slowing down. The results showed that amantadine 400 mg daily was superior to placebo but was associated with a high incidence of side-effects (37 per cent), amantadine 200 mg daily was not superior to placebo but when pemolint 20 mg daily was added the combination was superior to placebo and few side-effects were reported.", "PMID": 769506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2780", "title": "Kinetics of the reactive cell clones after immunosuppression and induction of tolerance: (1) inhibition of 19 S and 7 S plaque-forming cells in the primary and secondary immune response to sheep red blood cells by cyclophosphamide and 036.5122 (Asta).", "content": "The kinetics of the reactive cell clones after primary and secondary immunization with SRBC1) modified by cyclophosphamide and a newly synthesized cyclophosphamide analogue 036.5122 (Asta), have been studied. After primary immunization, both substances caused a severe and dose dependent depletion of 19 S PFC2). The 7 S PFC in the late primary response were only slightly inhibited by cyclophosphamide in low dose ranges, indicating, that sensitization could not be prevented by this substance. In contrast, 0.36.5122 was fully able to suppress 7 S PFC. Thus, treatment with 0.36.5122 after primary immunization can fully prevent the expression of the specific response. Experiments dealing with inhibition of a secondary immune response revealed that both test substances were able to strongly suppress the 19 S as well as the 7 S PFC. In general, 036.5122 demonstrates a higher suppressive potency, and the timing of its application for optimal suppression is less delicate than that of cyclophosphamide. 036.5122 was equally well inhibitory, whether given directly before or after antigenic challenge. The hypothesis is discussed, whether the immunosuppressive effect of 036.5122 given before antigenic challenge in the secondary immune response is due to cytotoxic damage of antigen reactive clones stimulated by persisting antigen.", "contents": "Kinetics of the reactive cell clones after immunosuppression and induction of tolerance: (1) inhibition of 19 S and 7 S plaque-forming cells in the primary and secondary immune response to sheep red blood cells by cyclophosphamide and 036.5122 (Asta). The kinetics of the reactive cell clones after primary and secondary immunization with SRBC1) modified by cyclophosphamide and a newly synthesized cyclophosphamide analogue 036.5122 (Asta), have been studied. After primary immunization, both substances caused a severe and dose dependent depletion of 19 S PFC2). The 7 S PFC in the late primary response were only slightly inhibited by cyclophosphamide in low dose ranges, indicating, that sensitization could not be prevented by this substance. In contrast, 0.36.5122 was fully able to suppress 7 S PFC. Thus, treatment with 0.36.5122 after primary immunization can fully prevent the expression of the specific response. Experiments dealing with inhibition of a secondary immune response revealed that both test substances were able to strongly suppress the 19 S as well as the 7 S PFC. In general, 036.5122 demonstrates a higher suppressive potency, and the timing of its application for optimal suppression is less delicate than that of cyclophosphamide. 036.5122 was equally well inhibitory, whether given directly before or after antigenic challenge. The hypothesis is discussed, whether the immunosuppressive effect of 036.5122 given before antigenic challenge in the secondary immune response is due to cytotoxic damage of antigen reactive clones stimulated by persisting antigen.", "PMID": 769507} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2781", "title": "Disaster at Buffalo Creek. Children of disaster: clinical observations at Buffalo Creek.", "content": "Most of the 224 children who were survivor-plaintiffs of the Buffalo Creek disaster were emotionally impaired by their experiences. The major factors contributing to this impairment were the child's developmental level at the time of the flood, his perceptions of the reactions of his family, and his direct exposures to the disaster. The author focuses on children under 12, describing their responses to fantasy-eliciting techniques and their observed behavior after the flood compared with developmental norms for their age and reports of their previous behavior. These children share a modified sense of reality, increased vulnerability to future stresses, altered senses of the power of the self, and early awareness of fragmentation and death. These factors could lead to \"after-trauma\" in later life if they cannot make the necessary adaptations and/or do not receive special help to deal with the traumas.", "contents": "Disaster at Buffalo Creek. Children of disaster: clinical observations at Buffalo Creek. Most of the 224 children who were survivor-plaintiffs of the Buffalo Creek disaster were emotionally impaired by their experiences. The major factors contributing to this impairment were the child's developmental level at the time of the flood, his perceptions of the reactions of his family, and his direct exposures to the disaster. The author focuses on children under 12, describing their responses to fantasy-eliciting techniques and their observed behavior after the flood compared with developmental norms for their age and reports of their previous behavior. These children share a modified sense of reality, increased vulnerability to future stresses, altered senses of the power of the self, and early awareness of fragmentation and death. These factors could lead to \"after-trauma\" in later life if they cannot make the necessary adaptations and/or do not receive special help to deal with the traumas.", "PMID": 769509} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2782", "title": "The effect of cycle length on cardiac refractory periods in the denervated human heart.", "content": "We have previously demonstrated that the transplanted human heart is functionally denervated. With the use of the extra stimulus technique during His bundle electrocardiography, refractory periods of the arterioventricular (A-V) conduction system were determined at several heart rates after pacing-induced changes in cycle length in eight patients who had previously undergone cardiac transplantation. Shortening of the cycle length was accompanied by a decrease in both the effective and functional refractory periods of the atrium. No consistent change in A-V nodal effective refractory period or functional refractory period could be demonstrated. Because A-V conduction was limited at shorter cycle lengths by the functional refractory periods of the atrium and A-V node, bundle branch refractory periods could be determined in three patients only at the longest cycle length studied. In four of the eight patients, atrial arrhythmias were produced at short cycle lengths with the introduction of early atrial extra stimuli. This may be due to a lack of vagal innervation of the atrium. These results contribute to our understanding of atrial arrhythmias.", "contents": "The effect of cycle length on cardiac refractory periods in the denervated human heart. We have previously demonstrated that the transplanted human heart is functionally denervated. With the use of the extra stimulus technique during His bundle electrocardiography, refractory periods of the arterioventricular (A-V) conduction system were determined at several heart rates after pacing-induced changes in cycle length in eight patients who had previously undergone cardiac transplantation. Shortening of the cycle length was accompanied by a decrease in both the effective and functional refractory periods of the atrium. No consistent change in A-V nodal effective refractory period or functional refractory period could be demonstrated. Because A-V conduction was limited at shorter cycle lengths by the functional refractory periods of the atrium and A-V node, bundle branch refractory periods could be determined in three patients only at the longest cycle length studied. In four of the eight patients, atrial arrhythmias were produced at short cycle lengths with the introduction of early atrial extra stimuli. This may be due to a lack of vagal innervation of the atrium. These results contribute to our understanding of atrial arrhythmias.", "PMID": 769517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2783", "title": "The catecholamines in essential hypertension.", "content": "The evidence for involvement of the catecholamines and their metabolites in essential hypertension is presented. Labile and established essential hypertension should be considered individually in this respect, although they may exist separately or together. Labile essential hypertension is more related to increased secretion as well as increased response to and decreased retention of epinephrine rather than norepinephrine, whereas established essential hypertension is more related to similar aspects of norepinephrine release and metabolism. Whether pure epinephrine hyperresponsiveness, abnormal metabolism, and secretion evolves into the pure norepinephrine hyperresponsiveness and abnormal metabolism of uncomplicated established essential hypertension can only be proved by long-term longitudinal study. Such investigation would also be required to identify the evolution of mixed types of the disease.", "contents": "The catecholamines in essential hypertension. The evidence for involvement of the catecholamines and their metabolites in essential hypertension is presented. Labile and established essential hypertension should be considered individually in this respect, although they may exist separately or together. Labile essential hypertension is more related to increased secretion as well as increased response to and decreased retention of epinephrine rather than norepinephrine, whereas established essential hypertension is more related to similar aspects of norepinephrine release and metabolism. Whether pure epinephrine hyperresponsiveness, abnormal metabolism, and secretion evolves into the pure norepinephrine hyperresponsiveness and abnormal metabolism of uncomplicated established essential hypertension can only be proved by long-term longitudinal study. Such investigation would also be required to identify the evolution of mixed types of the disease.", "PMID": 769518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2784", "title": "Quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography: detection and quantitation of left to right shunts.", "content": "In 105 patients defection and quantitation of left to right shunts was performed using quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography. The radionuclide angiocardiograms were acquired and analyzed by a gamma camera interfaced to a digital computer system. Pulmonary to systemic flow (Qp/As) ratios were calculated by analysis of pulmonary time-activity histograms using a gamma variate model. All patients were studied with cardiac catheterization, left ventricular angiocardiography and radionuclide angiocardiography. The radionuclide method allowed precise detection and quantitation of left to right shunts with a Qp/Qs ratio of 1.2 to 3.0. There was good agreement between the Ap/As ratio calculated by oximetry at cardiac catheterization and radionuclide angiocardiography (r = 0.94). The information gathered with this nontraumatic method appears sufficiently reliable to be used in the management of patients.", "contents": "Quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography: detection and quantitation of left to right shunts. In 105 patients defection and quantitation of left to right shunts was performed using quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography. The radionuclide angiocardiograms were acquired and analyzed by a gamma camera interfaced to a digital computer system. Pulmonary to systemic flow (Qp/As) ratios were calculated by analysis of pulmonary time-activity histograms using a gamma variate model. All patients were studied with cardiac catheterization, left ventricular angiocardiography and radionuclide angiocardiography. The radionuclide method allowed precise detection and quantitation of left to right shunts with a Qp/Qs ratio of 1.2 to 3.0. There was good agreement between the Ap/As ratio calculated by oximetry at cardiac catheterization and radionuclide angiocardiography (r = 0.94). The information gathered with this nontraumatic method appears sufficiently reliable to be used in the management of patients.", "PMID": 769525} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2785", "title": "Measurement of left ventricular mean circumferential fiber shortening velocity and systolic ejection rate by computerized radionuclide angiocardiography.", "content": "Recently attention has focused on ejection phase indexes as clinically relevant measures of left ventricular contractility. Using an Anger camera interfaced to a dedicated computer with injection of radionuclide (technetium 99m) into a wedged pulmonary arterial catheter we have developed a method for measuring left ventricular mean circumferential fiber shortening velocity and mean systolic ejection rate. For determination of mean fiber shortening velocity an area of interest coincident with the left ventricular minor axis is constructed and a time-activity curve obtained. In 31 atients radionuclide-determined values for mean fiber shortening velocity and mean systolic ejection rate correlated (r = 0.90, P less than 0.001 and r =0.98, P less than 0.001, respectively) with values for these indexes obtained from left cineventriculography. Left ventricular ejection fraction correlated with mean fiber shortening velocity and systolic ejection rate (r = 0.60, P less than 0.001 and r = 0.92, P less 0.001, respectively). No patient with a normal mean fiber shortening velocity or systolic ejection rate had a dimished ejection fraction. Because these radionuclide measurements do not require left heart catheterization, they can be frequently repeated.", "contents": "Measurement of left ventricular mean circumferential fiber shortening velocity and systolic ejection rate by computerized radionuclide angiocardiography. Recently attention has focused on ejection phase indexes as clinically relevant measures of left ventricular contractility. Using an Anger camera interfaced to a dedicated computer with injection of radionuclide (technetium 99m) into a wedged pulmonary arterial catheter we have developed a method for measuring left ventricular mean circumferential fiber shortening velocity and mean systolic ejection rate. For determination of mean fiber shortening velocity an area of interest coincident with the left ventricular minor axis is constructed and a time-activity curve obtained. In 31 atients radionuclide-determined values for mean fiber shortening velocity and mean systolic ejection rate correlated (r = 0.90, P less than 0.001 and r =0.98, P less than 0.001, respectively) with values for these indexes obtained from left cineventriculography. Left ventricular ejection fraction correlated with mean fiber shortening velocity and systolic ejection rate (r = 0.60, P less than 0.001 and r = 0.92, P less 0.001, respectively). No patient with a normal mean fiber shortening velocity or systolic ejection rate had a dimished ejection fraction. Because these radionuclide measurements do not require left heart catheterization, they can be frequently repeated.", "PMID": 769526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2786", "title": "Controlled treatment of primary hypertension with propranolol and spironolactone. A crossover study with special reference to initial plasma renin activity.", "content": "Twenty-seven patients with hypertension were randomly allocated to a 10 month crossover study. Treatment consisted of spironolactone (200 mg/day for 2 months), propranolol (320 mg/day for 2 months) and combined administration of both drugs at half the dosage. Between treatment periods placebo was given for 2 months. Fourteen patients were previously untreated. The average pretreatment blood pressure for the entire group was 188/114 +/- 16/7(mean +/- standard deviation) mm Hg supine and 188/118 +/- 20/9 mm Hg standing. Both spironolactone and propranolol reduced blood pressure significantly in both the supine and standing positions. Upright plasma renin activity was determined by radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I. The average initial level was 1.9 +/- 1.2 (range 0.4 to 5.0) ng/ml/hr. There was a close correlation between plasma renin activity and the effects of the drugs: With increasing renin level the response to propranolol was better whereas the opposite was true for spironolactone. The combination of spironolactone and propranolol decreased the blood pressure still further in the supine and standing positions, irrespective of initial plasma renin activity. All patients achieved a normal supine pressure. Blood pressure and plasma renin activity returned toward pretreatment values during placebo administration. It is concluded that pretreatment levels of plasma renin activity can predict the antihypertensive response to propranolol and spironolactone. The combination of the two drugs, which have different modes of action, will effectively reduce blood pressure in hypertension. The results support the concept that the renin-angiotensin-aldo-sterone system may be involved in primary hypertension.", "contents": "Controlled treatment of primary hypertension with propranolol and spironolactone. A crossover study with special reference to initial plasma renin activity. Twenty-seven patients with hypertension were randomly allocated to a 10 month crossover study. Treatment consisted of spironolactone (200 mg/day for 2 months), propranolol (320 mg/day for 2 months) and combined administration of both drugs at half the dosage. Between treatment periods placebo was given for 2 months. Fourteen patients were previously untreated. The average pretreatment blood pressure for the entire group was 188/114 +/- 16/7(mean +/- standard deviation) mm Hg supine and 188/118 +/- 20/9 mm Hg standing. Both spironolactone and propranolol reduced blood pressure significantly in both the supine and standing positions. Upright plasma renin activity was determined by radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I. The average initial level was 1.9 +/- 1.2 (range 0.4 to 5.0) ng/ml/hr. There was a close correlation between plasma renin activity and the effects of the drugs: With increasing renin level the response to propranolol was better whereas the opposite was true for spironolactone. The combination of spironolactone and propranolol decreased the blood pressure still further in the supine and standing positions, irrespective of initial plasma renin activity. All patients achieved a normal supine pressure. Blood pressure and plasma renin activity returned toward pretreatment values during placebo administration. It is concluded that pretreatment levels of plasma renin activity can predict the antihypertensive response to propranolol and spironolactone. The combination of the two drugs, which have different modes of action, will effectively reduce blood pressure in hypertension. The results support the concept that the renin-angiotensin-aldo-sterone system may be involved in primary hypertension.", "PMID": 769527} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2787", "title": "Mitochorial form in hepatic parenchymal cells in rats of several ages.", "content": "Slices of livers from neonatal, 7-day-old and adult rats were fixed in osmium tetroxide or a formaldehyde-osmium tetroxide sequence and processed for electron microscopy. Mitochondria from neonatal hepatic parenchymal cells are pleomorphic. Disc-shaped forms are common. In 7-day-old animals, cylinders are the most numerous single form, discs are present but smaller, and spherical forms increase in number. In the adult, mitochondria are predominantly cylindrical in form. The average volume of neonatal mitochondria is greater than that of 7-day-old or adult mitochondria.", "contents": "Mitochorial form in hepatic parenchymal cells in rats of several ages. Slices of livers from neonatal, 7-day-old and adult rats were fixed in osmium tetroxide or a formaldehyde-osmium tetroxide sequence and processed for electron microscopy. Mitochondria from neonatal hepatic parenchymal cells are pleomorphic. Disc-shaped forms are common. In 7-day-old animals, cylinders are the most numerous single form, discs are present but smaller, and spherical forms increase in number. In the adult, mitochondria are predominantly cylindrical in form. The average volume of neonatal mitochondria is greater than that of 7-day-old or adult mitochondria.", "PMID": 769528} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2788", "title": "The use of imprint technic for rapid diagnosis in postmortem examinations. A diagnostically rewarding procedure.", "content": "An imprint method used as a means to provide rapid diagnosis at the time of postmortem examination is described. Although this method is not new, it has hitherto received relatively little attention in this country. The method is simple and as reliable as the frozen-section method, yet less time-consuming. Experience has shown that this technic can be employed in the diagnosis of cancer as well as nonneoplastic diseases. It is the intent of this communication to emphasize the usefulness of the technic and its wide application in postmoretn material. Smears so prepared can be readily interpreted by the general pathologist.", "contents": "The use of imprint technic for rapid diagnosis in postmortem examinations. A diagnostically rewarding procedure. An imprint method used as a means to provide rapid diagnosis at the time of postmortem examination is described. Although this method is not new, it has hitherto received relatively little attention in this country. The method is simple and as reliable as the frozen-section method, yet less time-consuming. Experience has shown that this technic can be employed in the diagnosis of cancer as well as nonneoplastic diseases. It is the intent of this communication to emphasize the usefulness of the technic and its wide application in postmoretn material. Smears so prepared can be readily interpreted by the general pathologist.", "PMID": 769531} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2789", "title": "Semiquantitative determination of soluble fibrin monomer complexes by chromatography and serial-dilution protamine sulfate test.", "content": "Plasmas were prepared from blood obtained from rabbits and from healthy individuals and patients with thrombotic disorders. Gel filtration (Sepharose-4B) chromatography and the serial-dilution protamine sulfate (SDPS) test were performed on each sample. For healthy individuals and rabbits, a narrow fibrinogen peak was obtained on chromatogram and was associted with a negative SDPS test. After administration of thrombin or endotoxin to rabbits and in plasmas from patients with intravascular coagulation, major shifts to earlier effluent volumes occurred. These higher-molecular-weight derivatives corresponded to soluble fibrin monomer complexes (FM). Positive SDPS tests were found in these plasmas. There was a highly significant correlation between percentage area occupied by FM on chromatogram and SDPS test titer. It is concluded that the SDPS test is a reliable semiquantitative measure of FM that can be used clinically as well as in experimental animal models.", "contents": "Semiquantitative determination of soluble fibrin monomer complexes by chromatography and serial-dilution protamine sulfate test. Plasmas were prepared from blood obtained from rabbits and from healthy individuals and patients with thrombotic disorders. Gel filtration (Sepharose-4B) chromatography and the serial-dilution protamine sulfate (SDPS) test were performed on each sample. For healthy individuals and rabbits, a narrow fibrinogen peak was obtained on chromatogram and was associted with a negative SDPS test. After administration of thrombin or endotoxin to rabbits and in plasmas from patients with intravascular coagulation, major shifts to earlier effluent volumes occurred. These higher-molecular-weight derivatives corresponded to soluble fibrin monomer complexes (FM). Positive SDPS tests were found in these plasmas. There was a highly significant correlation between percentage area occupied by FM on chromatogram and SDPS test titer. It is concluded that the SDPS test is a reliable semiquantitative measure of FM that can be used clinically as well as in experimental animal models.", "PMID": 769532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2790", "title": "Hexachlorophene lesions in newborn infants.", "content": "Vacuolization of the white matter of the brain is produced by a number of disease entities and chemicals, including hexachlorophene. Brains of 135 stillborn infants and infants dying in the neonatal period were examined for vacuole formation in the white matter to determine if any hexachlorophene-like lesions could be found. A nonsignificant excess of vaculoes was found in infants bathed in hexachlorophene at birth compared with infants not bathed in it. Analysis of 11 brains for hexachlorophene showed that detectable levels were present in five, all of which showed vacuolization. None was detected in the remaining six, three of which also showed vacuolization. In two of these there was no hexachlorophene exposure.", "contents": "Hexachlorophene lesions in newborn infants. Vacuolization of the white matter of the brain is produced by a number of disease entities and chemicals, including hexachlorophene. Brains of 135 stillborn infants and infants dying in the neonatal period were examined for vacuole formation in the white matter to determine if any hexachlorophene-like lesions could be found. A nonsignificant excess of vaculoes was found in infants bathed in hexachlorophene at birth compared with infants not bathed in it. Analysis of 11 brains for hexachlorophene showed that detectable levels were present in five, all of which showed vacuolization. None was detected in the remaining six, three of which also showed vacuolization. In two of these there was no hexachlorophene exposure.", "PMID": 769534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2791", "title": "Streptococcal control in grade schools.", "content": "Streptococcal infection has been reduced by some school-centered programs. This controlled study evaluates the relative effectiveness and cost of four different school programs: (1) Each day, throat specimens from children with sore throats were cultured. (2) Each week, all children were inspected and specimens from those with signs of pharyngitis were cultured. (3) Specimens from all students were cultured once each month. (4) Same as protocol 3, but students with positive cultures were excluded from school until they began receiving therapy. Schools using protocols 1 and 4 had substantial reduction in streptococcal prevalence. The monthly \"all-student program\" was most economical in terms of volunteer time, classroom interruption time, and money. The school culturing program may have contributed to a significant decline of rheumatic fever in the county during the study.", "contents": "Streptococcal control in grade schools. Streptococcal infection has been reduced by some school-centered programs. This controlled study evaluates the relative effectiveness and cost of four different school programs: (1) Each day, throat specimens from children with sore throats were cultured. (2) Each week, all children were inspected and specimens from those with signs of pharyngitis were cultured. (3) Specimens from all students were cultured once each month. (4) Same as protocol 3, but students with positive cultures were excluded from school until they began receiving therapy. Schools using protocols 1 and 4 had substantial reduction in streptococcal prevalence. The monthly \"all-student program\" was most economical in terms of volunteer time, classroom interruption time, and money. The school culturing program may have contributed to a significant decline of rheumatic fever in the county during the study.", "PMID": 769535} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2792", "title": "Esophageal perforation in the neonate. A review of the literature.", "content": "The clinical and roentgenographic findings in traumatic esophageal perforation in the newborn are specific enough to enable a diagnosis to be made rapidly. A case of this entity is discussed and the literature on this subject is reviewed. This case demonstrates that the diagnosis can be strongly suspected from the findings on the chest roentgenogram and confirmed by performing an esophagram.", "contents": "Esophageal perforation in the neonate. A review of the literature. The clinical and roentgenographic findings in traumatic esophageal perforation in the newborn are specific enough to enable a diagnosis to be made rapidly. A case of this entity is discussed and the literature on this subject is reviewed. This case demonstrates that the diagnosis can be strongly suspected from the findings on the chest roentgenogram and confirmed by performing an esophagram.", "PMID": 769536} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2793", "title": "The epidemiology and natural history of streptococcal pyoderma: an endemic disease of the rural southern United States.", "content": "In order to study the natural history of endemic pyoderma, the host and environmental risk factors to infection, the immunologic response and the risk of acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) a prospective study was done between June 29 and December 13, 1970 in 444 black children aged 2-6 years attending project Headstart centers in Holmes County, Mississippi. The weekly prevalence of pyoderma was about 40-50% during July and August but decreased to 4% during the last week of the study. \"Pyoderma-type\" serotypes of group A streptococci were isolated from about 70% of the skin lesions and similar serotypes were also commonly isolated from the pharynx. The seasonal prevalence and T and M typing pattern of most of the pharyngeal isolates mirrored the skin isolates. Many of the streptococci appear to belong to previously unrecognized M-types and one strain has been designated provisional M type 67 by the International Subcommittee on Pneumococci and Streptococci. Staphylococci were also isolated commonly from the skin lesions, especially late in their evolution. Despite an 80% incidence of streptococcal pyoderma during the summer months, only 3 children (0.67%) developed AGN; all of these children had clinically mild disease. The risk of a major outbreak of AGN in populations like these is substantial. Surveillance for clusters of AGN is indicated and widespread benzathine penicillin prophylaxis should be used in the event of an outbreak. Also, further research to determine the long term prognosis of clinically mild AGN and to detect useful laboratory markers of nephritogenicity are indicated.", "contents": "The epidemiology and natural history of streptococcal pyoderma: an endemic disease of the rural southern United States. In order to study the natural history of endemic pyoderma, the host and environmental risk factors to infection, the immunologic response and the risk of acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) a prospective study was done between June 29 and December 13, 1970 in 444 black children aged 2-6 years attending project Headstart centers in Holmes County, Mississippi. The weekly prevalence of pyoderma was about 40-50% during July and August but decreased to 4% during the last week of the study. \"Pyoderma-type\" serotypes of group A streptococci were isolated from about 70% of the skin lesions and similar serotypes were also commonly isolated from the pharynx. The seasonal prevalence and T and M typing pattern of most of the pharyngeal isolates mirrored the skin isolates. Many of the streptococci appear to belong to previously unrecognized M-types and one strain has been designated provisional M type 67 by the International Subcommittee on Pneumococci and Streptococci. Staphylococci were also isolated commonly from the skin lesions, especially late in their evolution. Despite an 80% incidence of streptococcal pyoderma during the summer months, only 3 children (0.67%) developed AGN; all of these children had clinically mild disease. The risk of a major outbreak of AGN in populations like these is substantial. Surveillance for clusters of AGN is indicated and widespread benzathine penicillin prophylaxis should be used in the event of an outbreak. Also, further research to determine the long term prognosis of clinically mild AGN and to detect useful laboratory markers of nephritogenicity are indicated.", "PMID": 769539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2794", "title": "An epidemic of gastroenteritis traced to a contaminated public water supply.", "content": "Between January 1 and March 15, 1974, approximately 1200 cases of acute gastrointestinal illness occurred in Richmond Heights, Florida, a residential community of 6500 in south Dade County. Over one-third of all families in the area had at least one member affected. The findings of 10 culture-proven cases of shigellosis among those who became ill and clinical signs and symptoms in the others suggest that most of the other cases that were not cultured may have been shigellosis also. Epidemiologic investigation showed that consumption of tap water was associated with illness in the initial cases of affected families. Evaluation of the Richmond Heights public water supply disclosed numerous inadequacies in both design and operation. One of the wells providing water to the community was continuously contaminated with excessive levels of fecal coliforms from a nearby septic tank, and a breakdown in chlorination on January 14-15 caused approximately 1 million gallons of inadequately chlorinated water from the contaminated well to be distributed to the community 48 hours before the epidemic began. Correction of deficiencies in the water plant was undertaken by the utility company; the residents of Richmond Heights were instructed to boil their drinking water or to use commercially bottled water pending completion of corrective measures. A FUll scale study is planned for all similar public water supplies in Dade County.", "contents": "An epidemic of gastroenteritis traced to a contaminated public water supply. Between January 1 and March 15, 1974, approximately 1200 cases of acute gastrointestinal illness occurred in Richmond Heights, Florida, a residential community of 6500 in south Dade County. Over one-third of all families in the area had at least one member affected. The findings of 10 culture-proven cases of shigellosis among those who became ill and clinical signs and symptoms in the others suggest that most of the other cases that were not cultured may have been shigellosis also. Epidemiologic investigation showed that consumption of tap water was associated with illness in the initial cases of affected families. Evaluation of the Richmond Heights public water supply disclosed numerous inadequacies in both design and operation. One of the wells providing water to the community was continuously contaminated with excessive levels of fecal coliforms from a nearby septic tank, and a breakdown in chlorination on January 14-15 caused approximately 1 million gallons of inadequately chlorinated water from the contaminated well to be distributed to the community 48 hours before the epidemic began. Correction of deficiencies in the water plant was undertaken by the utility company; the residents of Richmond Heights were instructed to boil their drinking water or to use commercially bottled water pending completion of corrective measures. A FUll scale study is planned for all similar public water supplies in Dade County.", "PMID": 769540} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2795", "title": "American hospital pharmacy: a bicentennial perspective.", "content": "The history of American hospital pharmacy is reviewed. The development of hospital and health care, the evolution of medical and pharmaceutical sciences, and the growth of pharmacy as a profession are described as prologue to the development of hospital pharmacy. The early development of hospital pharmacy in the 1920s and 1930s, the contributions of Edward Spease and Harvey A. K. Whitney, and the necessity of hospital pharmacy services are discussed. The clinical pharmacy movement is reviewed in terms of its potential for changing the nature of pharmacy practice.", "contents": "American hospital pharmacy: a bicentennial perspective. The history of American hospital pharmacy is reviewed. The development of hospital and health care, the evolution of medical and pharmaceutical sciences, and the growth of pharmacy as a profession are described as prologue to the development of hospital pharmacy. The early development of hospital pharmacy in the 1920s and 1930s, the contributions of Edward Spease and Harvey A. K. Whitney, and the necessity of hospital pharmacy services are discussed. The clinical pharmacy movement is reviewed in terms of its potential for changing the nature of pharmacy practice.", "PMID": 769541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2796", "title": "Clinical use of digitalis glycosides.", "content": "The pharmacology of digitalis compounds is reviewed, and the clinical use of the cardiac glycosides is discussed with particular attention to the selection of patients for digitalis therapy and to a study of the usefulness of various methods to monitor digitalis therapy. The discussion includes pharmacokinetics, clinical considerations, and digitalis toxicity and its treatment. It is concluded that the digitalis glycosides remain the most useful and reliable drugs for producing a long-term increase in myocardial contractility. However, in view of the high frequency of toxicity, it is important to consider the possibility that these drugs may have been overused.", "contents": "Clinical use of digitalis glycosides. The pharmacology of digitalis compounds is reviewed, and the clinical use of the cardiac glycosides is discussed with particular attention to the selection of patients for digitalis therapy and to a study of the usefulness of various methods to monitor digitalis therapy. The discussion includes pharmacokinetics, clinical considerations, and digitalis toxicity and its treatment. It is concluded that the digitalis glycosides remain the most useful and reliable drugs for producing a long-term increase in myocardial contractility. However, in view of the high frequency of toxicity, it is important to consider the possibility that these drugs may have been overused.", "PMID": 769542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2797", "title": "Use of androgens in chronic renal failure patients on maintenance hemodialysis.", "content": "The etiology of anemia associated with chronic renal failure, and the advantages and disadvantages of its treatment with androgenic agents, are reviewed. Clinical trials with the following types of androgenic agents are reviewed: 17-alpha-alkylated androgens, testosterone esters, and 19-nortestosterone derivatives. The studies indicate that androgens stimulate erythropoiesis in chronic renal failure patients. However, because of the risk of serious adverse effects, the use of these agents should probably be restricted to those patients who have or may become symptomatic.", "contents": "Use of androgens in chronic renal failure patients on maintenance hemodialysis. The etiology of anemia associated with chronic renal failure, and the advantages and disadvantages of its treatment with androgenic agents, are reviewed. Clinical trials with the following types of androgenic agents are reviewed: 17-alpha-alkylated androgens, testosterone esters, and 19-nortestosterone derivatives. The studies indicate that androgens stimulate erythropoiesis in chronic renal failure patients. However, because of the risk of serious adverse effects, the use of these agents should probably be restricted to those patients who have or may become symptomatic.", "PMID": 769543} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2798", "title": "Chemotherapy of tuberculosis.", "content": "Drug treatment of tuberculosis is reviewed. Factors influencing the choice of antituberculosis agents and antituberculosis regimens are discussed. The advantages of two regimens are emphasized--isoniazid and ethambutol, and isoniazid and rifampin. Short-term and intermittent therapy, and retreatment of previous infections, are discussed. The toxicity of isoniazid, ethambutol, rifampin and streptomycin is summarized. Other topics are the use of second-line drugs (aminosalicylic acid, pyrazinamide, cycloserine and ethionamide), hospitalization of tuberculosis patients, chemoprophylaxis, follow-up of patients with isoniazid prophylaxis, and the use of corticosteroids.", "contents": "Chemotherapy of tuberculosis. Drug treatment of tuberculosis is reviewed. Factors influencing the choice of antituberculosis agents and antituberculosis regimens are discussed. The advantages of two regimens are emphasized--isoniazid and ethambutol, and isoniazid and rifampin. Short-term and intermittent therapy, and retreatment of previous infections, are discussed. The toxicity of isoniazid, ethambutol, rifampin and streptomycin is summarized. Other topics are the use of second-line drugs (aminosalicylic acid, pyrazinamide, cycloserine and ethionamide), hospitalization of tuberculosis patients, chemoprophylaxis, follow-up of patients with isoniazid prophylaxis, and the use of corticosteroids.", "PMID": 769544} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2799", "title": "Acute infectious arthritis. A review of patients with nongonococcal joint infections (with emphasis on therapy and prognosis).", "content": "The clinical course of 59 patients with acute nongonococcal septic arthritis has been reviewed with special emphasis on the changing bacterial spectrum in recent years. The results of treatment were dependent on various factors, including the specific microbial agent and host defenses. Treatment should include parenteral antibiotics and drainage with needle aspiration, except in hips which should be surgically drained. Successful therapy requires rapid initiation of treatment and ongoing assessment of adequacy of response.", "contents": "Acute infectious arthritis. A review of patients with nongonococcal joint infections (with emphasis on therapy and prognosis). The clinical course of 59 patients with acute nongonococcal septic arthritis has been reviewed with special emphasis on the changing bacterial spectrum in recent years. The results of treatment were dependent on various factors, including the specific microbial agent and host defenses. Treatment should include parenteral antibiotics and drainage with needle aspiration, except in hips which should be surgically drained. Successful therapy requires rapid initiation of treatment and ongoing assessment of adequacy of response.", "PMID": 769545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2800", "title": "Successful renal transplantation in Wegener's granulomatosis.", "content": "Two patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, who were in complete remission secondary to cyclophosphamide therapy but who had end-stage renal failure, were treated with renal transplantation. Neither patient has clinical evidence of recurrent glomerulonephritis 10 and 28 months after receiving the renal transplants. Cytotoxic therapy has been proved to be highly effective in inducing and maintaining remission in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis; thus increasingly larger numbers of patients will be seen who, despite being maintained in complete remission, will have markedly impaired renal function due to previous acute damage. Renal transplantation can now be considered an acceptable alternative form of therapy in such patients.", "contents": "Successful renal transplantation in Wegener's granulomatosis. Two patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, who were in complete remission secondary to cyclophosphamide therapy but who had end-stage renal failure, were treated with renal transplantation. Neither patient has clinical evidence of recurrent glomerulonephritis 10 and 28 months after receiving the renal transplants. Cytotoxic therapy has been proved to be highly effective in inducing and maintaining remission in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis; thus increasingly larger numbers of patients will be seen who, despite being maintained in complete remission, will have markedly impaired renal function due to previous acute damage. Renal transplantation can now be considered an acceptable alternative form of therapy in such patients.", "PMID": 769547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2801", "title": "Less frequently reported gram-negative fermentative rods.", "content": "The clinical significance and distinguishing characteristics of less frequently reported gram-negative fermentative rods (Pasteurella, Yersinia, Vibrio, Aeromonas and Plesiomonas, Enterobacter agglomerans, and Chromobacterium) are described. Increased awareness of these organisms, a knowledge of possible sites in which they cause infection, and identification criteria which will separate them from similar bacteria will prepare the clinical microbiologist for the isolation and identification of these \"unusual\" organisms.", "contents": "Less frequently reported gram-negative fermentative rods. The clinical significance and distinguishing characteristics of less frequently reported gram-negative fermentative rods (Pasteurella, Yersinia, Vibrio, Aeromonas and Plesiomonas, Enterobacter agglomerans, and Chromobacterium) are described. Increased awareness of these organisms, a knowledge of possible sites in which they cause infection, and identification criteria which will separate them from similar bacteria will prepare the clinical microbiologist for the isolation and identification of these \"unusual\" organisms.", "PMID": 769548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2802", "title": "Plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) during the periovulatory period and after LH-RH stimulation in women.", "content": "In three normally cycling women studied daily from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle, the levels of circulating norepinephrine showed a sharp rise preceding or concomitantly with the ovulatory LH surge. In two patients the norepinephrine peak took place 24 hr. previously to the LH rise and in the third one it occurred simultaneously. The simultaneous determination of ovarian hormones and norepinephrine showed no temporal correlation between this catecholamine and either estradiol or progesterone. On the other hand, after a single intravenous 100 mug dose of LH-RH, a significant rise in plasma norepinephrine, preceding the LH peak, was found in the four patients studied. The determination of norepinephrine at 3 minute intervals beginning one minute after LH-RH injection showed a significant rise in the amine levels ranging from 5 to 10 times in respect to basal values between 1 and 6 minutes after LH-RH stimulation. In these patients a second peak of norepinephrine occurred simultaneously with the maximal response of LH, which rose to peak levels after 18 minutes in one patient and after 24 minutes in the other. These findings are discussed with respect to the origin and role of increased amounts of plasma norepinephrine related to the LH surge.", "contents": "Plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) during the periovulatory period and after LH-RH stimulation in women. In three normally cycling women studied daily from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle, the levels of circulating norepinephrine showed a sharp rise preceding or concomitantly with the ovulatory LH surge. In two patients the norepinephrine peak took place 24 hr. previously to the LH rise and in the third one it occurred simultaneously. The simultaneous determination of ovarian hormones and norepinephrine showed no temporal correlation between this catecholamine and either estradiol or progesterone. On the other hand, after a single intravenous 100 mug dose of LH-RH, a significant rise in plasma norepinephrine, preceding the LH peak, was found in the four patients studied. The determination of norepinephrine at 3 minute intervals beginning one minute after LH-RH injection showed a significant rise in the amine levels ranging from 5 to 10 times in respect to basal values between 1 and 6 minutes after LH-RH stimulation. In these patients a second peak of norepinephrine occurred simultaneously with the maximal response of LH, which rose to peak levels after 18 minutes in one patient and after 24 minutes in the other. These findings are discussed with respect to the origin and role of increased amounts of plasma norepinephrine related to the LH surge.", "PMID": 769554} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2803", "title": "The influence of aspirin on the course of induced midtrimester abortion.", "content": "Prostaglandins appear to mediate the uterine contractions of abortion and labor, and aspirin has been shown to be an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective, and randomized study, aspirin was administered orally in doses of 600 mg. every 6 hours to patients undergoing induced midtrimester abortions with hyperosmolar urea and oxytocin augmentation. The mean injection-abortion interval was significantly prolonged by aspirin in nulliparous patients (aspirin 32.3 +/- 3.3 hr. vs. placebo 21.5 +/- 3.5 hr.) and no aspirin-treated nullipara aborted in less than 18 hours. There was no significant difference between treatment groups in the mean injection-abortion interval in the multiparous patients at the dose of aspirin used. The effectiveness of aspirin in the prolongation of the injection-abortion interval has potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of premature labor.", "contents": "The influence of aspirin on the course of induced midtrimester abortion. Prostaglandins appear to mediate the uterine contractions of abortion and labor, and aspirin has been shown to be an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective, and randomized study, aspirin was administered orally in doses of 600 mg. every 6 hours to patients undergoing induced midtrimester abortions with hyperosmolar urea and oxytocin augmentation. The mean injection-abortion interval was significantly prolonged by aspirin in nulliparous patients (aspirin 32.3 +/- 3.3 hr. vs. placebo 21.5 +/- 3.5 hr.) and no aspirin-treated nullipara aborted in less than 18 hours. There was no significant difference between treatment groups in the mean injection-abortion interval in the multiparous patients at the dose of aspirin used. The effectiveness of aspirin in the prolongation of the injection-abortion interval has potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of premature labor.", "PMID": 769555} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2804", "title": "Antibiotic treatment of parturient women colonized with group B streptococci.", "content": "A prospective study was conducted among third-trimester parturient women with cervical or urethral colonization with group B streptococci to determine the influence of antibiotic treatment on subsequent colonizations among their infants. Cultures were obtained from dry swabs inoculated directly onto selective blood agar media containing neomycin and naladixic acid. Seventy-four women were found to be colonized among 1,098 cultured (7%). A significant reduction in colonization was noted among mothers treated with ampicillin within three weeks of completion of therapy. This difference was no longer apparent at delivery. There was likewise no difference in the colonization rate of infants in the treatment and no-treatment groups. The data suggest that additional measures must be undertaken to prevent maternal recolonization.", "contents": "Antibiotic treatment of parturient women colonized with group B streptococci. A prospective study was conducted among third-trimester parturient women with cervical or urethral colonization with group B streptococci to determine the influence of antibiotic treatment on subsequent colonizations among their infants. Cultures were obtained from dry swabs inoculated directly onto selective blood agar media containing neomycin and naladixic acid. Seventy-four women were found to be colonized among 1,098 cultured (7%). A significant reduction in colonization was noted among mothers treated with ampicillin within three weeks of completion of therapy. This difference was no longer apparent at delivery. There was likewise no difference in the colonization rate of infants in the treatment and no-treatment groups. The data suggest that additional measures must be undertaken to prevent maternal recolonization.", "PMID": 769556} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2805", "title": "Tobramycin in chronic recurrent urinary tract infections.", "content": "A total of 32 adult patients of both sexes with chronic recurring urinary tract infections were treated with tobramycin in a daily dose of 1.2 mg/kg of body weight. They were randomly allocated to receive the drug at 8 or 12 hour intervals by intramuscular injection. The overall immediate disappearance of bacteriuria after therapy was 78.1 per cent; 15 days later, the cure rate dropped to 60 per cent. There was no difference between the two schedules tested. Tolerance to tobramycin was excellent. No reaction was recorded at the injection site; audiometry (performed in nine patients) and laboratory tests done prior to and after therapy did not reveal any hematologic, hepatic and/or renal toxicity, with one exception. In a patient with chronic renal failure (a patient with a solitary kidney infected with a pseudomonas sp.) there was a consistent elevation of blood urea in two separate courses of tobramycin, returning to normal within two weeks after stopping the therapy.", "contents": "Tobramycin in chronic recurrent urinary tract infections. A total of 32 adult patients of both sexes with chronic recurring urinary tract infections were treated with tobramycin in a daily dose of 1.2 mg/kg of body weight. They were randomly allocated to receive the drug at 8 or 12 hour intervals by intramuscular injection. The overall immediate disappearance of bacteriuria after therapy was 78.1 per cent; 15 days later, the cure rate dropped to 60 per cent. There was no difference between the two schedules tested. Tolerance to tobramycin was excellent. No reaction was recorded at the injection site; audiometry (performed in nine patients) and laboratory tests done prior to and after therapy did not reveal any hematologic, hepatic and/or renal toxicity, with one exception. In a patient with chronic renal failure (a patient with a solitary kidney infected with a pseudomonas sp.) there was a consistent elevation of blood urea in two separate courses of tobramycin, returning to normal within two weeks after stopping the therapy.", "PMID": 769550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2806", "title": "Case report. Failure of metronidazole in amebic liver abscess.", "content": "A 51-year-old man was treated with open surgical drainage and metronidazole for an amebic liver abscess. During therapy and while the original abscess was resolving, a second, noncontiguous amebic liver abscess developed. This second abscess eventually responded to emetine, chloroquine, and diodohydroxyquin therapy without surgical drainage. This unique case serves to document that new abscess may develop in the course of metronidazole therapy and illustrates the value of serial hepatoscanning in such patients.", "contents": "Case report. Failure of metronidazole in amebic liver abscess. A 51-year-old man was treated with open surgical drainage and metronidazole for an amebic liver abscess. During therapy and while the original abscess was resolving, a second, noncontiguous amebic liver abscess developed. This second abscess eventually responded to emetine, chloroquine, and diodohydroxyquin therapy without surgical drainage. This unique case serves to document that new abscess may develop in the course of metronidazole therapy and illustrates the value of serial hepatoscanning in such patients.", "PMID": 769551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2807", "title": "Changing indications for keratoplasty.", "content": "We conducted a clinical and pathologic review of 1,057 recipient corneal buttons on file at the Wilmer Institute, to assess the incidence of corneal conditions treated with keratoplasty, and how these have changed (1941-1973). Regrafting was the most frequent indication for keratoplasty in the last ten years in this series. Some corneal diseases, such as inflammatory conditions, decreased in relative importance as an indication for keratoplasty, while others such as aphakic bullous keratopathy (including vitreous touch) and Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy increased.", "contents": "Changing indications for keratoplasty. We conducted a clinical and pathologic review of 1,057 recipient corneal buttons on file at the Wilmer Institute, to assess the incidence of corneal conditions treated with keratoplasty, and how these have changed (1941-1973). Regrafting was the most frequent indication for keratoplasty in the last ten years in this series. Some corneal diseases, such as inflammatory conditions, decreased in relative importance as an indication for keratoplasty, while others such as aphakic bullous keratopathy (including vitreous touch) and Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy increased.", "PMID": 769559} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2808", "title": "Aminocaproic acid in the treatment of traumatic hyphema.", "content": "Of 59 patients with traumatic hyphema studied prospectively, 32 received aminocaproic acid, an antifibrinolytic agent, to prevent secondary hemorrhage. The remaining 27 patients received placebo in an identical manner. Of the aminocaproic acid-treated patients, only one (3%) rebled, while nine patients (33%) receiving placebo suffered secondary hemorrhage. The results of this study indicate a statistically significant reduction (P less than .01) in the incidence of rebleeding in patients treated with this drug.", "contents": "Aminocaproic acid in the treatment of traumatic hyphema. Of 59 patients with traumatic hyphema studied prospectively, 32 received aminocaproic acid, an antifibrinolytic agent, to prevent secondary hemorrhage. The remaining 27 patients received placebo in an identical manner. Of the aminocaproic acid-treated patients, only one (3%) rebled, while nine patients (33%) receiving placebo suffered secondary hemorrhage. The results of this study indicate a statistically significant reduction (P less than .01) in the incidence of rebleeding in patients treated with this drug.", "PMID": 769560} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2809", "title": "Direct bonding: a clinical study using an ultraviolet-sensitive adhesive system.", "content": "One hundred twenty-four metal and seventy-three plastic brackets were bonded with an ultraviolet-sensitive adhesive system to all available teeth width the exception of maxillary first molars, which were banded, of ten orthodontic patients. Following approximately 7 months of orthodontic treatment, the relative adhesion of metal and plastic brackets in maxillary and mandibular arches and on anterior and posterior teeth was clinically and statistically evaluated. Metal brackets bonded in both maxillary and mandibular arches maintained a 95 per cent success rate, while plastic brackets bonded in the maxillary arch exhibited an 89 per cent success rate during the 7-month treatment period. The direct bonding system and brackets utilized in this clinical study can be confidently used in conjunction with banded orthodontic appliances to obtain the maximum in benefits from both banding and direct bonding. It is recommended that bands be placed on maxillary and mandibular molars and on any other teeth located posteriorly in the dental arch where isolation during bonding may be difficult. Plastic brackets should be confined to maxillary anterior teeth to minimize wing breakage. Torque requirements with plastic brackets may be effected with torquing auxilliaries off round arch wires.", "contents": "Direct bonding: a clinical study using an ultraviolet-sensitive adhesive system. One hundred twenty-four metal and seventy-three plastic brackets were bonded with an ultraviolet-sensitive adhesive system to all available teeth width the exception of maxillary first molars, which were banded, of ten orthodontic patients. Following approximately 7 months of orthodontic treatment, the relative adhesion of metal and plastic brackets in maxillary and mandibular arches and on anterior and posterior teeth was clinically and statistically evaluated. Metal brackets bonded in both maxillary and mandibular arches maintained a 95 per cent success rate, while plastic brackets bonded in the maxillary arch exhibited an 89 per cent success rate during the 7-month treatment period. The direct bonding system and brackets utilized in this clinical study can be confidently used in conjunction with banded orthodontic appliances to obtain the maximum in benefits from both banding and direct bonding. It is recommended that bands be placed on maxillary and mandibular molars and on any other teeth located posteriorly in the dental arch where isolation during bonding may be difficult. Plastic brackets should be confined to maxillary anterior teeth to minimize wing breakage. Torque requirements with plastic brackets may be effected with torquing auxilliaries off round arch wires.", "PMID": 769561} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2810", "title": "The cytochemical demonstration of intracellular immunoglobulin. In neoplasms of lymphoreticular tissue.", "content": "An immunoglobulin-enzyme bridge technique has been employed for the selective localization of immunoglobulin-producing cells in spleen, lymph nodes, and lymphoreticular tumors fixed highly for optimal immunocytochemistry or processed routinely for surgical diagnosis. Immunostaining for immunoglobulin was encountered consistently in the specially fixed tissues and was observed in some of the surgical specimens in areas where presumably fixation was satisfactory. Many, but not all, of the tumor cells in histocytic lymphoma (reticulum cell sarcoma) of spleen and of brain stained for IgG, but none evidenced reactivity for IgM or IgA. In Hodgkin's tumors, the prevalence of IgG-reactive stromal immunocytes in or between tumor areas was greatest in the nodular sclerosing form of the disease, abundant in mixed cellular, and least in lymphocyte-predominant and lymphocyte-depleted types. Immunocytes showing reactivity for IgG greatly exceeded those staining for IgM or IgA. Hodgkin's tumor cells immunostained frequently for IgG, infrequently for IgM, not at all for IgA, and in one instance, stained for k but not for lambda light chains. Individual tumor cells failed to stain for more than one type of Ig or light chain. The proportion of Ig reactive vs. unstained tumor cells correlated with the prevalence of immunocytes in the different Hodgkin's categories. Reed-Sternberg cells differed in their fine structure in ways which possibly correspond with the presence or absence of Ig shown at the light microscope level. Tumor cells in Hodgkin's disease and reticulum cell sarcoma also disclosed argyrophilia and strong staining indicative of ribonucleic acid with a Schiff-methylene blue procedure.", "contents": "The cytochemical demonstration of intracellular immunoglobulin. In neoplasms of lymphoreticular tissue. An immunoglobulin-enzyme bridge technique has been employed for the selective localization of immunoglobulin-producing cells in spleen, lymph nodes, and lymphoreticular tumors fixed highly for optimal immunocytochemistry or processed routinely for surgical diagnosis. Immunostaining for immunoglobulin was encountered consistently in the specially fixed tissues and was observed in some of the surgical specimens in areas where presumably fixation was satisfactory. Many, but not all, of the tumor cells in histocytic lymphoma (reticulum cell sarcoma) of spleen and of brain stained for IgG, but none evidenced reactivity for IgM or IgA. In Hodgkin's tumors, the prevalence of IgG-reactive stromal immunocytes in or between tumor areas was greatest in the nodular sclerosing form of the disease, abundant in mixed cellular, and least in lymphocyte-predominant and lymphocyte-depleted types. Immunocytes showing reactivity for IgG greatly exceeded those staining for IgM or IgA. Hodgkin's tumor cells immunostained frequently for IgG, infrequently for IgM, not at all for IgA, and in one instance, stained for k but not for lambda light chains. Individual tumor cells failed to stain for more than one type of Ig or light chain. The proportion of Ig reactive vs. unstained tumor cells correlated with the prevalence of immunocytes in the different Hodgkin's categories. Reed-Sternberg cells differed in their fine structure in ways which possibly correspond with the presence or absence of Ig shown at the light microscope level. Tumor cells in Hodgkin's disease and reticulum cell sarcoma also disclosed argyrophilia and strong staining indicative of ribonucleic acid with a Schiff-methylene blue procedure.", "PMID": 769563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2811", "title": "Histological analysis of undecalcified thin sections of archeological bone.", "content": "Archeological bone often lends itself to histological analysis. Sections from bone samples approximately one thousand years old may show as much structural preservation as those only a few hundred years old; hence, it appears that the degree of preservation is not necessarily affected by time. Enough structure may be preserved to permit the diagnosis of metabolic disorders of bone which might go undetected by other methods. This type of analysis can be utilized to accept or reject individual remains suspected of being pathological on the basis of other less precise diagnostic techniques.", "contents": "Histological analysis of undecalcified thin sections of archeological bone. Archeological bone often lends itself to histological analysis. Sections from bone samples approximately one thousand years old may show as much structural preservation as those only a few hundred years old; hence, it appears that the degree of preservation is not necessarily affected by time. Enough structure may be preserved to permit the diagnosis of metabolic disorders of bone which might go undetected by other methods. This type of analysis can be utilized to accept or reject individual remains suspected of being pathological on the basis of other less precise diagnostic techniques.", "PMID": 769565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2812", "title": "The law and the expanding nursing role.", "content": "Nursing has moved through two major phases in licensure. From 1900 to 1938 basic registration acts were passed and amended. In 1938 the goal became mandatory licensure for all those who nursed for hire. This move was linked with the stratification of the nursing role to include both practical and registered nurses. The third and current phase in licensure began in 1971 with the Idaho revision of the nurse practice act; 30 states have now revised their nurse practice acts to facilitate role expansion for registered nurses. Several approaches are being used in these laws including mandating new board regulations, expanding the definitions of nursing; increasing the power of physicians to delegate, and mandating the use of standardized protocols to guide the practice of nurses who are accepting new responsibilities.", "contents": "The law and the expanding nursing role. Nursing has moved through two major phases in licensure. From 1900 to 1938 basic registration acts were passed and amended. In 1938 the goal became mandatory licensure for all those who nursed for hire. This move was linked with the stratification of the nursing role to include both practical and registered nurses. The third and current phase in licensure began in 1971 with the Idaho revision of the nurse practice act; 30 states have now revised their nurse practice acts to facilitate role expansion for registered nurses. Several approaches are being used in these laws including mandating new board regulations, expanding the definitions of nursing; increasing the power of physicians to delegate, and mandating the use of standardized protocols to guide the practice of nurses who are accepting new responsibilities.", "PMID": 769567} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2813", "title": "External peer review of skilled nursing care in Minnesota.", "content": "External peer review of each of the 8917 Medicaid patients in 228 Skilled Nursing Facilities in Minnesota demonstrated characteristics and needs of patients and produced documented recommendations for Medical Evaluation Studies to strengthen multiple aspects of treatment programs. As a whole, Medicaid patients were well placed and well cared for. However, wide variations were observed in individual facilities. Principal problem areas were those which prevail in all long term care facilities in this country: weakness of individualized treatment, weakness of restorative goal-oriented treatment, severe mental/emotional/behavioral disabilities, lack of strong leadership in medical and nursing professions, and weakness of psychosocial support programs.", "contents": "External peer review of skilled nursing care in Minnesota. External peer review of each of the 8917 Medicaid patients in 228 Skilled Nursing Facilities in Minnesota demonstrated characteristics and needs of patients and produced documented recommendations for Medical Evaluation Studies to strengthen multiple aspects of treatment programs. As a whole, Medicaid patients were well placed and well cared for. However, wide variations were observed in individual facilities. Principal problem areas were those which prevail in all long term care facilities in this country: weakness of individualized treatment, weakness of restorative goal-oriented treatment, severe mental/emotional/behavioral disabilities, lack of strong leadership in medical and nursing professions, and weakness of psychosocial support programs.", "PMID": 769568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2814", "title": "Transfusion malaria as a consequence of the 1974 war between Turkey and Greece--two cases.", "content": "Two cases of transfusion induced Plasmodium malariae malaria that occurred in August and September 1974 in New York City were direct results of the outbreak of war between Turkey and Greece on the island of Cyprus in July 1974. The cases could be traced to two Greek immigrants with latent infection (one being the longest ever recorded) who independently donated blood after solicitation for people in need living in the country of their ancestors. In view of current rules for donor acceptability, attention should be directed domestically towards careful surveillance for an increased occurrence of transfusion malaria.", "contents": "Transfusion malaria as a consequence of the 1974 war between Turkey and Greece--two cases. Two cases of transfusion induced Plasmodium malariae malaria that occurred in August and September 1974 in New York City were direct results of the outbreak of war between Turkey and Greece on the island of Cyprus in July 1974. The cases could be traced to two Greek immigrants with latent infection (one being the longest ever recorded) who independently donated blood after solicitation for people in need living in the country of their ancestors. In view of current rules for donor acceptability, attention should be directed domestically towards careful surveillance for an increased occurrence of transfusion malaria.", "PMID": 769569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2815", "title": "Chloroquine sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum in Ethiopia. II. Results of an in vitro test.", "content": "Field trials were performed in two areas of Ethiopia with the Rieckmann in vitro test for chloroquine sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum. Blood cultures from 82 test subjects showed growth of trophozoites to the schizont stage in control vials. Growth in test vials occurred in 21 cultures incubated with chloroquine at concentrations of 0.5 nanomoles or more per ml of blood. In vitro results confirm previous results obtained with an in vivo test.", "contents": "Chloroquine sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum in Ethiopia. II. Results of an in vitro test. Field trials were performed in two areas of Ethiopia with the Rieckmann in vitro test for chloroquine sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum. Blood cultures from 82 test subjects showed growth of trophozoites to the schizont stage in control vials. Growth in test vials occurred in 21 cultures incubated with chloroquine at concentrations of 0.5 nanomoles or more per ml of blood. In vitro results confirm previous results obtained with an in vivo test.", "PMID": 769570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2816", "title": "Febrile illnesses resulting in hospital admission: a bacteriological and serological study in Jakarta, Indonesia.", "content": "A study of 741 Indonesian patients with fever was carried out in order to determine what serious febrile illnesses are prevalent in Jakarta. All patients were hospitalized primarily because of fever and were studied by bacteriological and serological methods. Bacteremia due to Salmonella typhi (150 cases), S. enteritidis (36 cases), or both (2 cases) was common in both children and adults. One S. enteritidis isolate was chloramphenicol resistant. Serological evidence of Salmonella infection was found in 130 additional cases without bacteremia. Serological evidence of arbovirus infection (94 cases) was common in children. Malaria was found in 12 adults, most of whom were probably infected outside Jakarta. Little serological evidence was found for rickettsial, leptospiral, Brucella, Toxoplasma gondii or a number of other infections. Clinical signs and symptoms in the febrile patients studed were generally nonspecific, and laboratory results reported were very helpful in establishing more accurate diagnoses.", "contents": "Febrile illnesses resulting in hospital admission: a bacteriological and serological study in Jakarta, Indonesia. A study of 741 Indonesian patients with fever was carried out in order to determine what serious febrile illnesses are prevalent in Jakarta. All patients were hospitalized primarily because of fever and were studied by bacteriological and serological methods. Bacteremia due to Salmonella typhi (150 cases), S. enteritidis (36 cases), or both (2 cases) was common in both children and adults. One S. enteritidis isolate was chloramphenicol resistant. Serological evidence of Salmonella infection was found in 130 additional cases without bacteremia. Serological evidence of arbovirus infection (94 cases) was common in children. Malaria was found in 12 adults, most of whom were probably infected outside Jakarta. Little serological evidence was found for rickettsial, leptospiral, Brucella, Toxoplasma gondii or a number of other infections. Clinical signs and symptoms in the febrile patients studed were generally nonspecific, and laboratory results reported were very helpful in establishing more accurate diagnoses.", "PMID": 769571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2817", "title": "Single-dose therapy of Falciparum malaria using pyrimethamine in combination with diformyldapsone or sulfadoxine.", "content": "Patients with naturally acquired chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria were studied in Thailand. The fixed combination of pyrimethamine 75 mg and sulfadoxine 1,500 mg (adult dose) cured 85% of patients with an average pretreatment parasite count of 60,000 per mm(3). The fixed combination of pyrimethamine 50 mg and 800 mg diformyldapsone (DFD) cured 43% of patients with an average pretreatment parasite count of only 17,000 per mm(3). The difference in cure rates was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). Pyrimethamine alone was ineffective. Pyrimethamine-DFD, in the dose tested, was not sufficiently active for the treatment of established infections. Pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine did produce an acceptable cure rate but clinical improvement was often slow. We do not recommend that pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine be administered alone. Optimal results are obtained when a short course of quinine (2 to 6 days) is given until parasitemia has been eliminated, then a dose of pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine to assist in the radical cure of the falciparum infection. A modification to the W.H.O. classification is suggested. An RIII response (early treatment failure) is diagnosed if the patient's clinical condition and/or parsite density worsens within a few hours after administration of the test regimen; distinct improvement occurring within a few hours of the subsequent initiation of an intravenous infusion of quinine confirms the diagnosis of an RIII response. The RII response has been defined as marked reduction, but not clearance of asexual parasitemia. It is suggested that an RII response may be diagnosed before 7 days have elapsed.", "contents": "Single-dose therapy of Falciparum malaria using pyrimethamine in combination with diformyldapsone or sulfadoxine. Patients with naturally acquired chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria were studied in Thailand. The fixed combination of pyrimethamine 75 mg and sulfadoxine 1,500 mg (adult dose) cured 85% of patients with an average pretreatment parasite count of 60,000 per mm(3). The fixed combination of pyrimethamine 50 mg and 800 mg diformyldapsone (DFD) cured 43% of patients with an average pretreatment parasite count of only 17,000 per mm(3). The difference in cure rates was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). Pyrimethamine alone was ineffective. Pyrimethamine-DFD, in the dose tested, was not sufficiently active for the treatment of established infections. Pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine did produce an acceptable cure rate but clinical improvement was often slow. We do not recommend that pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine be administered alone. Optimal results are obtained when a short course of quinine (2 to 6 days) is given until parasitemia has been eliminated, then a dose of pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine to assist in the radical cure of the falciparum infection. A modification to the W.H.O. classification is suggested. An RIII response (early treatment failure) is diagnosed if the patient's clinical condition and/or parsite density worsens within a few hours after administration of the test regimen; distinct improvement occurring within a few hours of the subsequent initiation of an intravenous infusion of quinine confirms the diagnosis of an RIII response. The RII response has been defined as marked reduction, but not clearance of asexual parasitemia. It is suggested that an RII response may be diagnosed before 7 days have elapsed.", "PMID": 769572} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2818", "title": "The seroepidemiology of malaria in Middle America. III. Serologic assessment of localized Plasmodium falciparum epidemics.", "content": "Epidemiologic studies were done in two localities, one in Panama and one in El Salvador, where outbreaks of Plasmodium falciparum malaria occurred. The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) method was helpful in defining the intensity of the outbreaks, the species of parasite involved, and, through parallel surveys of adjacent localities, the localized character of outbreaks. In Escobal, Panama 71 (34%) of 211 persons examined were IFA-positive for P. falciparum, although only 1 positive blood film was seen in this survey. In Jocomontique, El Salvador, 15 (28%) of 53 persons examined were IFA-positive for P. falciparum; 6 persons were parasite-positive. In the Panama study a number of children with positive IFA titers at the time of the epidemic had reverted to negative 6 months later. This lability of titers, in children, probably resulting from very early treatment of their first infection and, thus, a very brief exposure to the parasite antigen, suggests the need for caution in interpreting such negative serologic findings. Serologic studies provide valuable information in malaria epidemics, but must be interpreted in association with other known epidemiologic factors in the area concerned.", "contents": "The seroepidemiology of malaria in Middle America. III. Serologic assessment of localized Plasmodium falciparum epidemics. Epidemiologic studies were done in two localities, one in Panama and one in El Salvador, where outbreaks of Plasmodium falciparum malaria occurred. The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) method was helpful in defining the intensity of the outbreaks, the species of parasite involved, and, through parallel surveys of adjacent localities, the localized character of outbreaks. In Escobal, Panama 71 (34%) of 211 persons examined were IFA-positive for P. falciparum, although only 1 positive blood film was seen in this survey. In Jocomontique, El Salvador, 15 (28%) of 53 persons examined were IFA-positive for P. falciparum; 6 persons were parasite-positive. In the Panama study a number of children with positive IFA titers at the time of the epidemic had reverted to negative 6 months later. This lability of titers, in children, probably resulting from very early treatment of their first infection and, thus, a very brief exposure to the parasite antigen, suggests the need for caution in interpreting such negative serologic findings. Serologic studies provide valuable information in malaria epidemics, but must be interpreted in association with other known epidemiologic factors in the area concerned.", "PMID": 769573} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2819", "title": "Chloroquine sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum in Ethiopia. I. Results of an in vivo test.", "content": "The in vivo response of Plasmodium falciparum to the WHO single test dose (10 mg/kg body weight) of chloroquine base was examined in Ethiopia at four localities where malaria was meso- or hyperendemic. Parasitemias cleared by the 3rd day after chloroquine administration in all of the 150 test subjects. No recrudescences were detected during the 6-day or 11-day follow-up periods. The value of the in vivo test was severely limited by the inability to quarantine subjects and follow them for the 28-day period recommended by the World Health Organization.", "contents": "Chloroquine sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum in Ethiopia. I. Results of an in vivo test. The in vivo response of Plasmodium falciparum to the WHO single test dose (10 mg/kg body weight) of chloroquine base was examined in Ethiopia at four localities where malaria was meso- or hyperendemic. Parasitemias cleared by the 3rd day after chloroquine administration in all of the 150 test subjects. No recrudescences were detected during the 6-day or 11-day follow-up periods. The value of the in vivo test was severely limited by the inability to quarantine subjects and follow them for the 28-day period recommended by the World Health Organization.", "PMID": 769574} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2820", "title": "Clinical manifestations of Bancroftian filariasis in a suburb of Calcutta, India.", "content": "Interviews and physical examinations for filarial disease were conducted in Howrah near Calcutta, West Bengal, India, in a study area where long term quantitative entomological studies have disclosed high intensity, year round exposure to Wuchereria bancrofti. Little elephantiasis or other serious filariasis-related disease was noted, but half the males over 20 years of age had genital lesions of various types. Ninety-two percent of households had at least one resident with microfilaremia or presumptive clinical evidence of filarial disease.", "contents": "Clinical manifestations of Bancroftian filariasis in a suburb of Calcutta, India. Interviews and physical examinations for filarial disease were conducted in Howrah near Calcutta, West Bengal, India, in a study area where long term quantitative entomological studies have disclosed high intensity, year round exposure to Wuchereria bancrofti. Little elephantiasis or other serious filariasis-related disease was noted, but half the males over 20 years of age had genital lesions of various types. Ninety-two percent of households had at least one resident with microfilaremia or presumptive clinical evidence of filarial disease.", "PMID": 769575} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2821", "title": "Malarial antibodies measured by the indirect hemagglutination test in West African children.", "content": "The indirect hemagglutination test with Plasmodium falciparum antigen was used to measure malarial antibodies in filter paper blood specimens from 527 West African children. A slight decline in antibodies was noted in 6- to 8-month-old children wh o had no malaria parasites in their blood smears. Children older than 10 months had similar antibody levels regardless of the presence or absence of demonstrated parasites in blood smears.", "contents": "Malarial antibodies measured by the indirect hemagglutination test in West African children. The indirect hemagglutination test with Plasmodium falciparum antigen was used to measure malarial antibodies in filter paper blood specimens from 527 West African children. A slight decline in antibodies was noted in 6- to 8-month-old children wh o had no malaria parasites in their blood smears. Children older than 10 months had similar antibody levels regardless of the presence or absence of demonstrated parasites in blood smears.", "PMID": 769576} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2822", "title": "A temporal relationship between reticuloendothelial system phagocytic alterations and antibody responses in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (NYU-2 strain).", "content": "Malaria-induced immunosuppression has been demonstrated in humans and experimental animals. The suppressed immune response has been suggested to be primarily humoral and not cellular in nature, since classical lymphocytic cell-mediated responses have been reported to be normal. Since previous results have demonstrated that an impairment in macrophage antigen processing may be a contributing factor in malaria-induced immunosuppression, the present studies were conducted to determine if the macrophage/reticuloendothelial system (RES) alteration occurs parallel to the course of the malarial infection and if the impairment in antibody formation is temporally related to the RES alteration. The present study has demonstrated that a profound impairment in splenic direct plaque forming cell (PFC) formation occurs in malaria-infected Balb/c mice which had been immunized with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) either 2 or 4 days after inoculation with Plasmodium berghei, NYU-2 strain. Serum hemagglutinin titers were significantly depressed in mice which received the SRBC 4 days post-inoculation; however, no alterations in antibody titers were observed in mice immunized with SRBC 2 days post-inoculation. Coincident with the depression of serum antibody titers at the day 4 immunization period was a profound increase in the vascular clearance of 51Cr-SRBC with an enhanced hepatic uptake of the 51Cr-SRBC and a decreased splenic localization of the labelled erythrocytes. It is suggested that a direct vascular exposure of the splenic lymphoid-macrophage elements to the parasite may be responsible for the initial early alterations in the PFC response while the impairment in serum antibody titers and splenic phagocytic activity may be a result of the pathological alterations occurring later in the infection, e.g., tissue anoxia, anemia, and hemolysis.", "contents": "A temporal relationship between reticuloendothelial system phagocytic alterations and antibody responses in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (NYU-2 strain). Malaria-induced immunosuppression has been demonstrated in humans and experimental animals. The suppressed immune response has been suggested to be primarily humoral and not cellular in nature, since classical lymphocytic cell-mediated responses have been reported to be normal. Since previous results have demonstrated that an impairment in macrophage antigen processing may be a contributing factor in malaria-induced immunosuppression, the present studies were conducted to determine if the macrophage/reticuloendothelial system (RES) alteration occurs parallel to the course of the malarial infection and if the impairment in antibody formation is temporally related to the RES alteration. The present study has demonstrated that a profound impairment in splenic direct plaque forming cell (PFC) formation occurs in malaria-infected Balb/c mice which had been immunized with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) either 2 or 4 days after inoculation with Plasmodium berghei, NYU-2 strain. Serum hemagglutinin titers were significantly depressed in mice which received the SRBC 4 days post-inoculation; however, no alterations in antibody titers were observed in mice immunized with SRBC 2 days post-inoculation. Coincident with the depression of serum antibody titers at the day 4 immunization period was a profound increase in the vascular clearance of 51Cr-SRBC with an enhanced hepatic uptake of the 51Cr-SRBC and a decreased splenic localization of the labelled erythrocytes. It is suggested that a direct vascular exposure of the splenic lymphoid-macrophage elements to the parasite may be responsible for the initial early alterations in the PFC response while the impairment in serum antibody titers and splenic phagocytic activity may be a result of the pathological alterations occurring later in the infection, e.g., tissue anoxia, anemia, and hemolysis.", "PMID": 769577} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2823", "title": "Bancroftian filariasis and membrane filters: are night surveys necessary?", "content": "Paired day and night blood specimens from 41 persons living in a hyperendemic Wuchereria bancrofti area of southwestern Ethiopia were examined for microfilariae by Nuclepore filter, thick film, and counting chamber techniques. Filtering techniques were so highly sensitive that more infected persons were identified by filtering day blood than by examining night blood by conventional methods. Increasing the volume of blood filtered from 1 ml to 5 ml increased the number of positives identified during the day. Filtering 5 ml of day blood obviated the need for examining night blood, even though a high proportion of infected persons had very low numbers of circulating microfilariae.", "contents": "Bancroftian filariasis and membrane filters: are night surveys necessary? Paired day and night blood specimens from 41 persons living in a hyperendemic Wuchereria bancrofti area of southwestern Ethiopia were examined for microfilariae by Nuclepore filter, thick film, and counting chamber techniques. Filtering techniques were so highly sensitive that more infected persons were identified by filtering day blood than by examining night blood by conventional methods. Increasing the volume of blood filtered from 1 ml to 5 ml increased the number of positives identified during the day. Filtering 5 ml of day blood obviated the need for examining night blood, even though a high proportion of infected persons had very low numbers of circulating microfilariae.", "PMID": 769578} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2824", "title": "Dipetalonema perstans and Mansonella ozzardi in Indians of southern Venezuela.", "content": "Microfilariae were observed in 25 of 187 blood leucocyte-culture preparations made for chromosome studies on 28 Piaroa and 159 Yanomama Indians living near the Brazilian border of Amazonas, Venezuela. Among the Yanomama, 17 (10.7%) were infected, all with Mansonella ozzardi. Among the Piaroa, 8 (28.6%) were infected--3 with M. ozzardi, 4 with Dipetalonema perstans, and 1 with both species.", "contents": "Dipetalonema perstans and Mansonella ozzardi in Indians of southern Venezuela. Microfilariae were observed in 25 of 187 blood leucocyte-culture preparations made for chromosome studies on 28 Piaroa and 159 Yanomama Indians living near the Brazilian border of Amazonas, Venezuela. Among the Yanomama, 17 (10.7%) were infected, all with Mansonella ozzardi. Among the Piaroa, 8 (28.6%) were infected--3 with M. ozzardi, 4 with Dipetalonema perstans, and 1 with both species.", "PMID": 769579} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2825", "title": "Study of the circumoval precipitate in Schistosomiasis japonica by immunofluorescent technic.", "content": "The 48-hour circumoval precipitates formed by infected human and rabbit sera on lyophilized Schistosoma japonicum eggs were stained with the corresponding fluorescein-labelled monospecific goat antisera for study under a fluorescent microscope. The three major Ig classes were found to participate in the formation of the precipitate, with major components being IgG and IgM; IgA participated least. IgE and C3 also contributed to the precipitate. The circumoval precipitate on S. japonicum eggs is therefore a complex of different immunoglobulins reactive with antigen(s) from the egg.", "contents": "Study of the circumoval precipitate in Schistosomiasis japonica by immunofluorescent technic. The 48-hour circumoval precipitates formed by infected human and rabbit sera on lyophilized Schistosoma japonicum eggs were stained with the corresponding fluorescein-labelled monospecific goat antisera for study under a fluorescent microscope. The three major Ig classes were found to participate in the formation of the precipitate, with major components being IgG and IgM; IgA participated least. IgE and C3 also contributed to the precipitate. The circumoval precipitate on S. japonicum eggs is therefore a complex of different immunoglobulins reactive with antigen(s) from the egg.", "PMID": 769580} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2826", "title": "Unusual abscesses in perforating colorectal cancer.", "content": "Perforating colorectal carcinomas may be complicated by abscess formation. If unchecked, the abscess may subsequently extend to a number of sites thus requiring emergency medical attention. The cases of five such patients treated at Massachusetts General Hospital are reported. Sepsis may spread in a short period of time over a considerable area in anatomic spaces such as the retroperitoneal space. Recognition of the source of abscess may be difficult. At times, the abscess may be accompanied by subcutaneous emphysema. Prompt diagnosis and elimination of the source of sepsis may be lifesaving.", "contents": "Unusual abscesses in perforating colorectal cancer. Perforating colorectal carcinomas may be complicated by abscess formation. If unchecked, the abscess may subsequently extend to a number of sites thus requiring emergency medical attention. The cases of five such patients treated at Massachusetts General Hospital are reported. Sepsis may spread in a short period of time over a considerable area in anatomic spaces such as the retroperitoneal space. Recognition of the source of abscess may be difficult. At times, the abscess may be accompanied by subcutaneous emphysema. Prompt diagnosis and elimination of the source of sepsis may be lifesaving.", "PMID": 769581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2827", "title": "Fatal complications of tracheotomy.", "content": "Thirty-six of 403 deaths after tracheotomy were direct complications of that procedure. Arterial hemorrhage caused three deaths, venous bleeding, seven. Airway obstruction resulted in six fatalities. Tracheoesophageal fistula caused five deaths. Eight deaths were due to infection and sepsis. Tension pneumothorax developed in one patient and the remaining six deaths were due to cardiopulmonary collapse. Many of the complications of tracheotomy can be avoided with accurate knowledge of anatomic variations, ideal operating conditions, proper technic, careful arterial and venous hemostasis, routine postoperative chest x-ray films, sterile suction technic, proper use of soft cuffed tracheotomy tubes, adequate humidification, and careful postoperative blood gas monitoring.", "contents": "Fatal complications of tracheotomy. Thirty-six of 403 deaths after tracheotomy were direct complications of that procedure. Arterial hemorrhage caused three deaths, venous bleeding, seven. Airway obstruction resulted in six fatalities. Tracheoesophageal fistula caused five deaths. Eight deaths were due to infection and sepsis. Tension pneumothorax developed in one patient and the remaining six deaths were due to cardiopulmonary collapse. Many of the complications of tracheotomy can be avoided with accurate knowledge of anatomic variations, ideal operating conditions, proper technic, careful arterial and venous hemostasis, routine postoperative chest x-ray films, sterile suction technic, proper use of soft cuffed tracheotomy tubes, adequate humidification, and careful postoperative blood gas monitoring.", "PMID": 769582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2828", "title": "Hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy.", "content": "Hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy is clearly associated with an increased incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although it is impossible to define the precise incidence of this entity, we believe that its occurrence will be seen more frequently with the increasing numbers of female patients who have successfully received renal transplants and with the routine determination of serum chemistries in the nontransplanted pregnant patient. A review of case reports since 1962 of women known to be hyperparathyroid during pregnancy revealed 80 per cent of these pregnancies to be complicated by neonatal tetany, death, or abortion. This review substantiates Ludwig's earlier report [1], which noted a 50 per cent incidence of neonatal complications despite the advances of prenatal and postnatal medical care. There have been only eight reported cases in which parathyroid resection was performed during pregnancy. Successful operation dramatically reduced the incidence of neonatal complications. An adaptive normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism occurs routinely during pregnancy. However, in the hypercalcemic hyperparathyroid pregnancy, transplacental passage of calcium leads to a profound hypercalcemia in the fetus. Since the fetal parathyroid glands are functionally responsive, parathyroid suppression is thought to occur in utero due to high calcium levels. This can lead to neonatal tetany or perhaps permanent neonatal hypoparathyroidism. When a patient presents with significant hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy, we suggest that an explorative parathyroid operation be performed during the second trimester of pregnancy. After delivery, the baby's course should be carefully monitored with frequent calcium determinations. Cow's milk or other formula feedings high in phosphate content should be avoided in favor of feedings with a calcium:phosphorus ratio similar to that of human milk.", "contents": "Hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy. Hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy is clearly associated with an increased incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although it is impossible to define the precise incidence of this entity, we believe that its occurrence will be seen more frequently with the increasing numbers of female patients who have successfully received renal transplants and with the routine determination of serum chemistries in the nontransplanted pregnant patient. A review of case reports since 1962 of women known to be hyperparathyroid during pregnancy revealed 80 per cent of these pregnancies to be complicated by neonatal tetany, death, or abortion. This review substantiates Ludwig's earlier report [1], which noted a 50 per cent incidence of neonatal complications despite the advances of prenatal and postnatal medical care. There have been only eight reported cases in which parathyroid resection was performed during pregnancy. Successful operation dramatically reduced the incidence of neonatal complications. An adaptive normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism occurs routinely during pregnancy. However, in the hypercalcemic hyperparathyroid pregnancy, transplacental passage of calcium leads to a profound hypercalcemia in the fetus. Since the fetal parathyroid glands are functionally responsive, parathyroid suppression is thought to occur in utero due to high calcium levels. This can lead to neonatal tetany or perhaps permanent neonatal hypoparathyroidism. When a patient presents with significant hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy, we suggest that an explorative parathyroid operation be performed during the second trimester of pregnancy. After delivery, the baby's course should be carefully monitored with frequent calcium determinations. Cow's milk or other formula feedings high in phosphate content should be avoided in favor of feedings with a calcium:phosphorus ratio similar to that of human milk.", "PMID": 769583} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2829", "title": "Cerebral hemodynamic crisis. Physiology, pathophysiology, and approach to therapy.", "content": "The physiology and pathophysiology of the cerebral circulation have been discussed in relation to treatment of the cerebral hemodynamic crisis. Data are presented to show how cerebral vascular resistance, the intracranial compartments, and brain metabolic demand may be manipulated to effect internal decompression and raise local perfusion pressures. It is quite apparent that irreversibility occurs rapidly in cases of complete ischemia and therapeutic success is often limited by this fact. Application of sound therapeutic principles will limit the extent of cellular destruction. Of particular importance to the general surgeon treating the multiply injured patient, is the effect of anesthesia on intracranial pressure in patients with compromised intracranial volume reserve.", "contents": "Cerebral hemodynamic crisis. Physiology, pathophysiology, and approach to therapy. The physiology and pathophysiology of the cerebral circulation have been discussed in relation to treatment of the cerebral hemodynamic crisis. Data are presented to show how cerebral vascular resistance, the intracranial compartments, and brain metabolic demand may be manipulated to effect internal decompression and raise local perfusion pressures. It is quite apparent that irreversibility occurs rapidly in cases of complete ischemia and therapeutic success is often limited by this fact. Application of sound therapeutic principles will limit the extent of cellular destruction. Of particular importance to the general surgeon treating the multiply injured patient, is the effect of anesthesia on intracranial pressure in patients with compromised intracranial volume reserve.", "PMID": 769584} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2830", "title": "Successful transplantation of ectopic kidneys from living related donors.", "content": "Two ectopic pelvic kidneys were transplanted from living donors into well matched recipients. Both kidneys have good function at two and four years post transplantation and there has been no evidence of infection post transplantation. Such kidneys can be utilized when there is no evidence of obstruction or infection in the donor and when the contralateral kidney is normal.", "contents": "Successful transplantation of ectopic kidneys from living related donors. Two ectopic pelvic kidneys were transplanted from living donors into well matched recipients. Both kidneys have good function at two and four years post transplantation and there has been no evidence of infection post transplantation. Such kidneys can be utilized when there is no evidence of obstruction or infection in the donor and when the contralateral kidney is normal.", "PMID": 769585} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2831", "title": "Gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to cytomegalovirus after renal transplantation. A case report and review of the problem.", "content": "Generalized cytomegalovirus infection was associated with massive and ultimately fatal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a renal allograft recepient and persisted even after subtotal gastric resection. The surgical specimen and the remaining stomach at autopsy revealed multiple superficial ulcerations with cytomegalic inclusion bodies within the gastric mucosa. Renal failure in the terminal stages of the patient's illness required hemodialysis but did not seem to be the sole result of allograft rejection, suggesting that the renal dysfunction may be caused by the systemic viral infection.", "contents": "Gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to cytomegalovirus after renal transplantation. A case report and review of the problem. Generalized cytomegalovirus infection was associated with massive and ultimately fatal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a renal allograft recepient and persisted even after subtotal gastric resection. The surgical specimen and the remaining stomach at autopsy revealed multiple superficial ulcerations with cytomegalic inclusion bodies within the gastric mucosa. Renal failure in the terminal stages of the patient's illness required hemodialysis but did not seem to be the sole result of allograft rejection, suggesting that the renal dysfunction may be caused by the systemic viral infection.", "PMID": 769586} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2832", "title": "A salvage technic for extruded arteriovenous shunts.", "content": "In view of the often prolonged periods of pretransplantation and chronic dialysis, every effort should be made to maintain existing arteriovenous shunts or fistulas and to salvage eroded ones when possible. The transposition of unwounded bipedicle flaps or small regional rotation advancement flaps over exposed cannulas is a surgical technic that can salvage eroded shunts and prevent their extrusion and removal.", "contents": "A salvage technic for extruded arteriovenous shunts. In view of the often prolonged periods of pretransplantation and chronic dialysis, every effort should be made to maintain existing arteriovenous shunts or fistulas and to salvage eroded ones when possible. The transposition of unwounded bipedicle flaps or small regional rotation advancement flaps over exposed cannulas is a surgical technic that can salvage eroded shunts and prevent their extrusion and removal.", "PMID": 769588} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2833", "title": "Dysrhythmias associated with oral surgery.", "content": "Seventy-eight fit adult patients undergoing minor oral surgery received one of three intravenous premedications or were unpremedicated. Cardiac rhythm was monitored during surgery. A significantly higher incidence of dysrhythmias was associated with intravenous atropine 0-3 mg/given prior to surgery. Droperidol 0-1 mg/kg did not act prophylactically as an anti-dysthythmic agent in comparison with the control group. A further trial of eighteen cases suggested that atropine 0-6 mg intramuscularly followed by controlled ventilation may be effective in preventing dysrhythmias.", "contents": "Dysrhythmias associated with oral surgery. Seventy-eight fit adult patients undergoing minor oral surgery received one of three intravenous premedications or were unpremedicated. Cardiac rhythm was monitored during surgery. A significantly higher incidence of dysrhythmias was associated with intravenous atropine 0-3 mg/given prior to surgery. Droperidol 0-1 mg/kg did not act prophylactically as an anti-dysthythmic agent in comparison with the control group. A further trial of eighteen cases suggested that atropine 0-6 mg intramuscularly followed by controlled ventilation may be effective in preventing dysrhythmias.", "PMID": 769595} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2834", "title": "Intermittent assisted ventilation. An assessment using the Retec breathing assistor.", "content": "A simple ventilator assistor was utilised in three of six patients after transthoracic repair of hiatus hernia. The device was found to be easy and convenient to use but in the pilot study produced no demonstrable improvement in respiratory function. At 10 days postoperation, the arterial oxygen tension had not risen to a preoperative level in five patients, and the FVC and FEVI were less than the values obtained before surgery in every patient.", "contents": "Intermittent assisted ventilation. An assessment using the Retec breathing assistor. A simple ventilator assistor was utilised in three of six patients after transthoracic repair of hiatus hernia. The device was found to be easy and convenient to use but in the pilot study produced no demonstrable improvement in respiratory function. At 10 days postoperation, the arterial oxygen tension had not risen to a preoperative level in five patients, and the FVC and FEVI were less than the values obtained before surgery in every patient.", "PMID": 769597} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2835", "title": "Thiopentone and suxamethonium crash induction. An assessment of the potential hazards.", "content": "A technique of 'crash induction' using thiopentone and suxamethonium with cricoid pressure was studied in 100 unselected patients at risk from vomiting or regurgitation. No episode of regurgitation occurred. There was difficulty with intubation due to poor relaxation in 7 patients and, in 61 cases, it was believed that there was some evidence of a potential hazard from raised intra-abdominal pressure other than due to fasciculation. Systolic blood pressure rose more than 20% in 19 patients, and fell more than 20% in 9 patients.", "contents": "Thiopentone and suxamethonium crash induction. An assessment of the potential hazards. A technique of 'crash induction' using thiopentone and suxamethonium with cricoid pressure was studied in 100 unselected patients at risk from vomiting or regurgitation. No episode of regurgitation occurred. There was difficulty with intubation due to poor relaxation in 7 patients and, in 61 cases, it was believed that there was some evidence of a potential hazard from raised intra-abdominal pressure other than due to fasciculation. Systolic blood pressure rose more than 20% in 19 patients, and fell more than 20% in 9 patients.", "PMID": 769596} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2836", "title": "Death in Bristol. An exchange of views between Augustin Prichard and John Snow.", "content": "An exchange of views is presented that took place in the British Medical Journal of 1858, between Augustin Prichard, a Bristol Surgeon, and John Snow, relating to an anaesthetic death that occurred in Bristol that year.", "contents": "Death in Bristol. An exchange of views between Augustin Prichard and John Snow. An exchange of views is presented that took place in the British Medical Journal of 1858, between Augustin Prichard, a Bristol Surgeon, and John Snow, relating to an anaesthetic death that occurred in Bristol that year.", "PMID": 769599} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2837", "title": "Intra-arterial pressure monitoring. An alternative technique using winged needles.", "content": "The use of 21 gauge winged needles for direct arterial pressure monitoring is described. The results obtained with this technique compare favourably with those obtained from direct cannulation of major vessels. The use of winged needles sometimes makes arterial cannulatiin possible when other, more conventional, methods may fail.", "contents": "Intra-arterial pressure monitoring. An alternative technique using winged needles. The use of 21 gauge winged needles for direct arterial pressure monitoring is described. The results obtained with this technique compare favourably with those obtained from direct cannulation of major vessels. The use of winged needles sometimes makes arterial cannulatiin possible when other, more conventional, methods may fail.", "PMID": 769598} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2838", "title": "Antagonism of neuromuscular blockade.", "content": "Although acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are accepted antagonists of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade, many basic questions are still unanswered. What is the relationship between receptor occupancy and adequate ventilation? What are the effects of changes in acid-base balance and temperature? What are the mechanisms of the various antibiotic-induced neuromuscular blockades, and what antagonizes them? This review is an attempt to summarize the known factors infuencing relaxant blocks and to identify the unknown factors. The need for further studies is obvious.", "contents": "Antagonism of neuromuscular blockade. Although acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are accepted antagonists of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade, many basic questions are still unanswered. What is the relationship between receptor occupancy and adequate ventilation? What are the effects of changes in acid-base balance and temperature? What are the mechanisms of the various antibiotic-induced neuromuscular blockades, and what antagonizes them? This review is an attempt to summarize the known factors infuencing relaxant blocks and to identify the unknown factors. The need for further studies is obvious.", "PMID": 769606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2839", "title": "Cardiovascular effects of cannabinol during oral surgery.", "content": "Fifty-five clinical trials were conducted to determine the cardiovascular combined effects of stressful oral surgery and systemic cannabinols. In a first study, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was given IV as a premedicant and compared with diazepam and with a placebo. A classic dose-related tachycardia followed THC injection. The peak heart rate response of patients premedicated with 0.044 mg/kg THC was 24.1% higher (p less than 0.05) than the peak effect for a nonsurgerized control group, suggesting a synergistic effect between THC and surgical stress. A predisposition to syncopal hypotension followed THC premedication, and antiarrhythmic effects were observed after large doses. The injection of local anesthetic preparations containing epinephrine did not alter THC cardiovascular response. An apparent drug interaction was observed, however, in a second study, in patients given general anesthesia within 72 hours after smoking marijuana. These patients demonstrated sustained abnormal postoperative tachycardia when compared with control nonsmokers, an effect which may have resulted from an interaction between stored cannabinol metabolites and atropine administered as part of the anesthetic technic. It was concluded that THC had no particular advantage over diazepam or placebo as a premedicant. Further, THC altered the patients' adaptivity to stress and interacted undesirably with other anesthetic medications.", "contents": "Cardiovascular effects of cannabinol during oral surgery. Fifty-five clinical trials were conducted to determine the cardiovascular combined effects of stressful oral surgery and systemic cannabinols. In a first study, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was given IV as a premedicant and compared with diazepam and with a placebo. A classic dose-related tachycardia followed THC injection. The peak heart rate response of patients premedicated with 0.044 mg/kg THC was 24.1% higher (p less than 0.05) than the peak effect for a nonsurgerized control group, suggesting a synergistic effect between THC and surgical stress. A predisposition to syncopal hypotension followed THC premedication, and antiarrhythmic effects were observed after large doses. The injection of local anesthetic preparations containing epinephrine did not alter THC cardiovascular response. An apparent drug interaction was observed, however, in a second study, in patients given general anesthesia within 72 hours after smoking marijuana. These patients demonstrated sustained abnormal postoperative tachycardia when compared with control nonsmokers, an effect which may have resulted from an interaction between stored cannabinol metabolites and atropine administered as part of the anesthetic technic. It was concluded that THC had no particular advantage over diazepam or placebo as a premedicant. Further, THC altered the patients' adaptivity to stress and interacted undesirably with other anesthetic medications.", "PMID": 769605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2840", "title": "Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin on cows with ovarian follicular cysts.", "content": "Ovarian follicular cysts of cattle were defined as follicular structures (larger than or equal to 2.5 cm, diameter) which persisted for 10 days or longer in the absence of functional luteal tissue. Thirty dairy cows with ovarian follicular cysts were allotted to 6 groups (5 cows per group) and each was given 0 (saline solution), 25, 50, 100, 150, or 250 mug of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by intramuscular (IM) injection. Samples of blood were collected before GnRH was injected (0 hour), at 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours, and at 1, 7, 11, 15, and 20 days after treatment. Five additional cows with follicular cysts were treated IM with 10,000 units of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and blood sample collections were made before treatment (0 hour) and on days 1, 7, 11, 15, and 20 after treatment. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration was not altered in cows given saline solution, but was increased significantly in cows given any of the doses of GnRH (in a dose-related manner). Peak LH responses occurred about 2 hours after GnRH was given, and by 4 hours LH was beginning to decrease. Serum progesterone concentrations increased by more than 2.0 ng/ml by day 11 after treatment in 18 of 20 cows treated with 50, 100, 150, or 250 mug of GnRH. Progesterone responses in these cows were greater (P less than 0.05) than in cows given saline solution or a 25-mug dose of GnRH. Mean progesterone response to the 4 large doses of GnRH was similar in magnitude and duration to serum progesterone changes during the leutal phase of the bovine estrous cycle. After cows were treated with HCG, serum progesterone values were similar to those in cows given GnRH (50 to 250 mug).", "contents": "Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin on cows with ovarian follicular cysts. Ovarian follicular cysts of cattle were defined as follicular structures (larger than or equal to 2.5 cm, diameter) which persisted for 10 days or longer in the absence of functional luteal tissue. Thirty dairy cows with ovarian follicular cysts were allotted to 6 groups (5 cows per group) and each was given 0 (saline solution), 25, 50, 100, 150, or 250 mug of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by intramuscular (IM) injection. Samples of blood were collected before GnRH was injected (0 hour), at 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours, and at 1, 7, 11, 15, and 20 days after treatment. Five additional cows with follicular cysts were treated IM with 10,000 units of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and blood sample collections were made before treatment (0 hour) and on days 1, 7, 11, 15, and 20 after treatment. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration was not altered in cows given saline solution, but was increased significantly in cows given any of the doses of GnRH (in a dose-related manner). Peak LH responses occurred about 2 hours after GnRH was given, and by 4 hours LH was beginning to decrease. Serum progesterone concentrations increased by more than 2.0 ng/ml by day 11 after treatment in 18 of 20 cows treated with 50, 100, 150, or 250 mug of GnRH. Progesterone responses in these cows were greater (P less than 0.05) than in cows given saline solution or a 25-mug dose of GnRH. Mean progesterone response to the 4 large doses of GnRH was similar in magnitude and duration to serum progesterone changes during the leutal phase of the bovine estrous cycle. After cows were treated with HCG, serum progesterone values were similar to those in cows given GnRH (50 to 250 mug).", "PMID": 769609} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2841", "title": "Local immune responses in the bovine fetus vaccinated in utero with Escherichia coli antigen.", "content": "Using specific immunofluorescent examinations, the local immune responses were studied in 14 calves prenatally vaccinated (10 to 50 days before birth) with Escherichia coli (O26:K60:NM) antigen or sterile saline solution. All calves were colostrum-deprived, were given oral doses of homologous organisms (killed or live), and were necropsied either at birth or within 12 days after birth. Immunofluorescent plasma cells were not seen in duodenum, jejunum, jejunal lymph nodes, ileum, ileal lymph node, or spleen of control calves prenatally vaccinated with sterile saline solution. All of these tissues, except ileal lymph node, from calves vaccinated in utero with E coli showed fluorescence. Jejunum, jejunal lymph node, and ileum had the greatest number of immunofluorescent plasma cells. There were more immunoglobulin G2-than immunoglobulin M-producing cells. The cells producing specific antibodies against E coli (1 calf studied) comprised approximately 33% of the total number of immunofluorescent cells.", "contents": "Local immune responses in the bovine fetus vaccinated in utero with Escherichia coli antigen. Using specific immunofluorescent examinations, the local immune responses were studied in 14 calves prenatally vaccinated (10 to 50 days before birth) with Escherichia coli (O26:K60:NM) antigen or sterile saline solution. All calves were colostrum-deprived, were given oral doses of homologous organisms (killed or live), and were necropsied either at birth or within 12 days after birth. Immunofluorescent plasma cells were not seen in duodenum, jejunum, jejunal lymph nodes, ileum, ileal lymph node, or spleen of control calves prenatally vaccinated with sterile saline solution. All of these tissues, except ileal lymph node, from calves vaccinated in utero with E coli showed fluorescence. Jejunum, jejunal lymph node, and ileum had the greatest number of immunofluorescent plasma cells. There were more immunoglobulin G2-than immunoglobulin M-producing cells. The cells producing specific antibodies against E coli (1 calf studied) comprised approximately 33% of the total number of immunofluorescent cells.", "PMID": 769610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2842", "title": "Effects of age and cold on pulmonary bacterial clearance in the young pig.", "content": "Young pigs (1, 6, 18, or 26 days of age) were exposed to an aerosol of a nonpathogenic strain of Escherichia coli and then held for a 3-hour clearance period in either a thermoneutral (32 C environmental temperature at 1 or 6 days of age, 24 C at 18 or 26 days of age) or a cold (6 C) environment. Pigs were then killed and pulmonary bacterial clearance was determined. There appeared to be an age dependent improvement in the capability of the pig to clear its lungs of the bacterial load. Cold appeared to inhibit pulmonary bacterial clearance, but this inhibitory effect became progressively less as the pigs became older. In a supplementary experiment conducted to assess the effect of age-within-litter (2 and 14 days of age) on pulmonary bacterial clearance, it was confirmed that young pigs were less able to clear nonpathogenic E coli from the lungs.", "contents": "Effects of age and cold on pulmonary bacterial clearance in the young pig. Young pigs (1, 6, 18, or 26 days of age) were exposed to an aerosol of a nonpathogenic strain of Escherichia coli and then held for a 3-hour clearance period in either a thermoneutral (32 C environmental temperature at 1 or 6 days of age, 24 C at 18 or 26 days of age) or a cold (6 C) environment. Pigs were then killed and pulmonary bacterial clearance was determined. There appeared to be an age dependent improvement in the capability of the pig to clear its lungs of the bacterial load. Cold appeared to inhibit pulmonary bacterial clearance, but this inhibitory effect became progressively less as the pigs became older. In a supplementary experiment conducted to assess the effect of age-within-litter (2 and 14 days of age) on pulmonary bacterial clearance, it was confirmed that young pigs were less able to clear nonpathogenic E coli from the lungs.", "PMID": 769611} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2843", "title": "T and B lymphocytes in porcine blood.", "content": "Two subpopulations of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of young, conventionally reared Tamworth pigs had the following cell-surface markers analogous to those of human lymphocytes; (1) T cells--receptor(s) for ovine and caprine erythrocytes, permitting spontaneous formation of rosettes and the presence of the thymus-derived antigen; and (2) B cells--membrane-associated immunoglobulin and receptor(s) for complement. The T cells could be identified by either the erythrocyte rosettes or the cytotoxicity test, and the B cells could be identified by either the erythrocyte-antibody-complement rosette test or the immunofluorescence test for surface immunoglobulin. Because of simplicity, the cytotoxicity and immunofluorescence tests are recommended. The cell losses in ficoll-diatrizoate gradient centrifugation were studied with 9 blood samples. Of the total T and B cells, 71.7% were in fraction 1, and 28.3% were in erythrocyte fraction 2. Recovery rates of total leukocytes varied widely in relation to leukocyte numbers present in the original blood; the range was between 52.6 and 93.8%. Moreover, evidence did not indicate that either T or B cells were selectively sedimented in fraction 2. Analysis of the lymphocyte-rich fractions (fraction 1) from 37 blood samples by ficoll-diatrizoate gradient centrifugation indicated the following: (1) Approximately 2.7 X 10(6) T cells and 0.9 X 10(6) B cells could be obtained in the fraction from 1 ml of peripheral blood; (2) T and B cell populations were independently distributed; hence, no definite ratio between T and B cells applied to an individual animal; (3) approximately 20% of the lymphocytes did not have markers as either T or B cells; and (4) an average of 26% cells were peroxidase-positive leukocytes, chiefly monocytes.", "contents": "T and B lymphocytes in porcine blood. Two subpopulations of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of young, conventionally reared Tamworth pigs had the following cell-surface markers analogous to those of human lymphocytes; (1) T cells--receptor(s) for ovine and caprine erythrocytes, permitting spontaneous formation of rosettes and the presence of the thymus-derived antigen; and (2) B cells--membrane-associated immunoglobulin and receptor(s) for complement. The T cells could be identified by either the erythrocyte rosettes or the cytotoxicity test, and the B cells could be identified by either the erythrocyte-antibody-complement rosette test or the immunofluorescence test for surface immunoglobulin. Because of simplicity, the cytotoxicity and immunofluorescence tests are recommended. The cell losses in ficoll-diatrizoate gradient centrifugation were studied with 9 blood samples. Of the total T and B cells, 71.7% were in fraction 1, and 28.3% were in erythrocyte fraction 2. Recovery rates of total leukocytes varied widely in relation to leukocyte numbers present in the original blood; the range was between 52.6 and 93.8%. Moreover, evidence did not indicate that either T or B cells were selectively sedimented in fraction 2. Analysis of the lymphocyte-rich fractions (fraction 1) from 37 blood samples by ficoll-diatrizoate gradient centrifugation indicated the following: (1) Approximately 2.7 X 10(6) T cells and 0.9 X 10(6) B cells could be obtained in the fraction from 1 ml of peripheral blood; (2) T and B cell populations were independently distributed; hence, no definite ratio between T and B cells applied to an individual animal; (3) approximately 20% of the lymphocytes did not have markers as either T or B cells; and (4) an average of 26% cells were peroxidase-positive leukocytes, chiefly monocytes.", "PMID": 769612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2844", "title": "Effect of resistance possessed by certain enteric microorganisms upon orally inoculated Salmonella.", "content": "Mice shedding aerobic gram-negative microorganisms with high levels of resistance to tetracycline were orally inoculated with Salmonella typhimurium. Levels of resistance of salmonella isolated from tissue were shown not to be increased and, in most instances, were lower than preinoculation levels.", "contents": "Effect of resistance possessed by certain enteric microorganisms upon orally inoculated Salmonella. Mice shedding aerobic gram-negative microorganisms with high levels of resistance to tetracycline were orally inoculated with Salmonella typhimurium. Levels of resistance of salmonella isolated from tissue were shown not to be increased and, in most instances, were lower than preinoculation levels.", "PMID": 769613} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2845", "title": "Sarcoid lymphocytes: spontaneous transformation and release of macrophage migration inhibition activity.", "content": "A group of 26 untreated patients with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis were studied. Multiple immunologic parameters were defined, including spontaneous morphologic lymphoblastic transformation, spontaneous production of macrophage inhibitory factor activity, 8-day cell culture lymphocyte count, phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphoblastic transformation, and cutaneous reactivity to a battery of recall antigens. The in vitro impairment of phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphoblastic transformation occurred only in patients with more disseminated disease (Group II). Cutaneous anergy did not correlate either with the degree of in vitro phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphoblastic transformation or with the extent and known duration of disease. The in vitro occurrence of enhanced spontaneous morphologic lymphoblastic transformation and spontaneous release of macrophage inhibitory factor activity were demonstrated, but these did not always occur in the same lymphocyte cultures and appeared to be independent parameters of immunologic activity. In conclusion, it is suggested that, contrary to the previously held view of general depression of delayed hypersensitivity in sarcoidosis, the immune apparatus of patients with sarcoidosis may be hyperreactive. Further, it proposed that determination of the macrophage migration index may prove valuable in evaluating the activity of the disease.", "contents": "Sarcoid lymphocytes: spontaneous transformation and release of macrophage migration inhibition activity. A group of 26 untreated patients with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis were studied. Multiple immunologic parameters were defined, including spontaneous morphologic lymphoblastic transformation, spontaneous production of macrophage inhibitory factor activity, 8-day cell culture lymphocyte count, phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphoblastic transformation, and cutaneous reactivity to a battery of recall antigens. The in vitro impairment of phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphoblastic transformation occurred only in patients with more disseminated disease (Group II). Cutaneous anergy did not correlate either with the degree of in vitro phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphoblastic transformation or with the extent and known duration of disease. The in vitro occurrence of enhanced spontaneous morphologic lymphoblastic transformation and spontaneous release of macrophage inhibitory factor activity were demonstrated, but these did not always occur in the same lymphocyte cultures and appeared to be independent parameters of immunologic activity. In conclusion, it is suggested that, contrary to the previously held view of general depression of delayed hypersensitivity in sarcoidosis, the immune apparatus of patients with sarcoidosis may be hyperreactive. Further, it proposed that determination of the macrophage migration index may prove valuable in evaluating the activity of the disease.", "PMID": 769614} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2846", "title": "Mechanism of uptake of strontium isotopes in aspergillus lesions.", "content": "Observations on experimental aspergillosis of chorioallantoic membranes confirmed that strontium-85 uptake in aspergillus lesions was directly due to infection by the fungus. Such uptake was not found in normal or in Toxoplasma gondii-infected control membranes. Further, the avidity of radionuclide uptake was proportional to the mycelial mass, as previously observed clinically. Investigations on 85Sr containing malt extract broth Aspergillus fumigatus cultures revealed that fungal hyphas did not contain the major proportion of radioactivity, but culture filtrates did, and suggested that a fungal metabolite may be responsible for radiostrontium binding. Subsequent radiochromatography of filtrates obtained from A. fumigatus cultures confirmed the existence of such a metabolite. Several clinical and laboratory observations support the concept that an aspergillus metabolite at foci of infection binds 85Sr and 87mSr.", "contents": "Mechanism of uptake of strontium isotopes in aspergillus lesions. Observations on experimental aspergillosis of chorioallantoic membranes confirmed that strontium-85 uptake in aspergillus lesions was directly due to infection by the fungus. Such uptake was not found in normal or in Toxoplasma gondii-infected control membranes. Further, the avidity of radionuclide uptake was proportional to the mycelial mass, as previously observed clinically. Investigations on 85Sr containing malt extract broth Aspergillus fumigatus cultures revealed that fungal hyphas did not contain the major proportion of radioactivity, but culture filtrates did, and suggested that a fungal metabolite may be responsible for radiostrontium binding. Subsequent radiochromatography of filtrates obtained from A. fumigatus cultures confirmed the existence of such a metabolite. Several clinical and laboratory observations support the concept that an aspergillus metabolite at foci of infection binds 85Sr and 87mSr.", "PMID": 769615} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2847", "title": "Renal transplantation: an analysis of operative complications.", "content": "Review of 112 renal transplants in 95 patients with end-stage renal disease revealed a wound infection rate of 18 percent. The incidence of infection was unquestionably greater if drains were placed in the wound. An 8.8 per cent incidence of pulmonary infection was represented by lung abscess, bronchopneumonia and necrotizing pneumonitis. Three deaths were attributable to fungal infections-candida sepsis, cryptococcal sepsis, and Nocardia brain abscess. In 14 per cent of this series vascular anastomotic complications occurred, and were attributable to stenosis, thrombosis, or hemorrhage. The complications of ureterovesical anastomosis include urinary fistulas and ureteral obstruction.", "contents": "Renal transplantation: an analysis of operative complications. Review of 112 renal transplants in 95 patients with end-stage renal disease revealed a wound infection rate of 18 percent. The incidence of infection was unquestionably greater if drains were placed in the wound. An 8.8 per cent incidence of pulmonary infection was represented by lung abscess, bronchopneumonia and necrotizing pneumonitis. Three deaths were attributable to fungal infections-candida sepsis, cryptococcal sepsis, and Nocardia brain abscess. In 14 per cent of this series vascular anastomotic complications occurred, and were attributable to stenosis, thrombosis, or hemorrhage. The complications of ureterovesical anastomosis include urinary fistulas and ureteral obstruction.", "PMID": 769618} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2848", "title": "Renovascular hypertension and acute aortic dissection in a patient with renal transplant.", "content": "The late results of renal transplantation are very encouraging. Apart from the more common complications, such as the rejection phenomenon and recurrent infections, occasionally renovascular hypertension may occur as a late complication. This is, to our knowledge, the first reported case of acute dissecting aortic aneurysm in a young man who had received a renal transplant six years earlier and later developed renovascular hypertension. All patients with renal transplant who develop severe hypertension which is refractory to medical management should be considered for renal arteriogaphy and correction of stenosis, if it is present.", "contents": "Renovascular hypertension and acute aortic dissection in a patient with renal transplant. The late results of renal transplantation are very encouraging. Apart from the more common complications, such as the rejection phenomenon and recurrent infections, occasionally renovascular hypertension may occur as a late complication. This is, to our knowledge, the first reported case of acute dissecting aortic aneurysm in a young man who had received a renal transplant six years earlier and later developed renovascular hypertension. All patients with renal transplant who develop severe hypertension which is refractory to medical management should be considered for renal arteriogaphy and correction of stenosis, if it is present.", "PMID": 769619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2849", "title": "Acalculous clonorchiasis obstructing the common 3ile duct: a case report and review of the literature.", "content": "Clonorchis sinensis has a minor incidence in Western countries and most commonly manifests as cholangiohepatitis with secondary bacterial infection. This parasite rarely obstructs the common bile duct without associated biliary stricture, stones or tumor. This paper documents the fourth reported case of acalculous C, sinensis biliary tract obstruction and reviews the world literature.", "contents": "Acalculous clonorchiasis obstructing the common 3ile duct: a case report and review of the literature. Clonorchis sinensis has a minor incidence in Western countries and most commonly manifests as cholangiohepatitis with secondary bacterial infection. This parasite rarely obstructs the common bile duct without associated biliary stricture, stones or tumor. This paper documents the fourth reported case of acalculous C, sinensis biliary tract obstruction and reviews the world literature.", "PMID": 769620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2850", "title": "Prescribing of chloramphenicol in ambulatory practice. An epidemiologic study among Tennessee Medicaid recipients.", "content": "During the 1-year period from July 1973 through June 1974, 1761 chloramphenicol prescriptions were written for 992 outpatients in the Tennessee Medicaid program. Sxi percent (250 of 3409) of participating physicians prescribed chloramphenicol; 20 physicians wrote 55% of the prescription. Both family practice and rural location were independently associated with increased rates of prescribing chloramphenicol for outpatients. Among rural family practitioners, 21% prescribed chloramphenicol. Physicians graduating since 1955 were as likely to have prescribed chloramphenicol as were earlier graduates. Almost half the adult patients received 6 grams or less, while 2 received more than 250 grams. Approximately half of the prescriptions were for treatment of upper respiratory infections. Most prescriptions were interdicted by good medical practice. Analysis of the prescribing of chloramphenicol (and perhaps other drugs) in ambulatory practice will help identify those physicians most in need or remedial medical education.", "contents": "Prescribing of chloramphenicol in ambulatory practice. An epidemiologic study among Tennessee Medicaid recipients. During the 1-year period from July 1973 through June 1974, 1761 chloramphenicol prescriptions were written for 992 outpatients in the Tennessee Medicaid program. Sxi percent (250 of 3409) of participating physicians prescribed chloramphenicol; 20 physicians wrote 55% of the prescription. Both family practice and rural location were independently associated with increased rates of prescribing chloramphenicol for outpatients. Among rural family practitioners, 21% prescribed chloramphenicol. Physicians graduating since 1955 were as likely to have prescribed chloramphenicol as were earlier graduates. Almost half the adult patients received 6 grams or less, while 2 received more than 250 grams. Approximately half of the prescriptions were for treatment of upper respiratory infections. Most prescriptions were interdicted by good medical practice. Analysis of the prescribing of chloramphenicol (and perhaps other drugs) in ambulatory practice will help identify those physicians most in need or remedial medical education.", "PMID": 769624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2851", "title": "Glucocorticosteroid therapy: mechanisms of action and clinical considerations.", "content": "The administration of glucocorticosteroids results in a wide range of effects on inflammatory and immunologically mediated disease processes. Glucocorticosteroids cause neutrophilic leukocytosis together with eosinopenia, monocytopenia, and lymphocytopenia. A principal mechanism whereby corticosteroids suppress inflammation is their impeding the access of neutrophils and monocytes to an inflammatory site. Granulocyte function is relatively refractory, whereas monocyte-macrophage function seems to be particularly sensitive to corticosteroids. Corticosteroid administration causes a transient lymphocytopenia of all detectable lymphocyte subpopulations, particularly the recirculating thymus-derived lymphocyte. The mechanism of this lymphocytopenia is probably a redistribution of circulating cells to other body compartments. There is considerable disagreement about the direct effects of corticosteroid administration on human lymphocyte function. The corticosteroid regimen should be adjusted to attain maximal therapeutic benefit with minimal adverse side effects. Often, alternate-day dosage regimens effectively maintain disease remission with minimization or lack of Cushingoid and infectious complications.", "contents": "Glucocorticosteroid therapy: mechanisms of action and clinical considerations. The administration of glucocorticosteroids results in a wide range of effects on inflammatory and immunologically mediated disease processes. Glucocorticosteroids cause neutrophilic leukocytosis together with eosinopenia, monocytopenia, and lymphocytopenia. A principal mechanism whereby corticosteroids suppress inflammation is their impeding the access of neutrophils and monocytes to an inflammatory site. Granulocyte function is relatively refractory, whereas monocyte-macrophage function seems to be particularly sensitive to corticosteroids. Corticosteroid administration causes a transient lymphocytopenia of all detectable lymphocyte subpopulations, particularly the recirculating thymus-derived lymphocyte. The mechanism of this lymphocytopenia is probably a redistribution of circulating cells to other body compartments. There is considerable disagreement about the direct effects of corticosteroid administration on human lymphocyte function. The corticosteroid regimen should be adjusted to attain maximal therapeutic benefit with minimal adverse side effects. Often, alternate-day dosage regimens effectively maintain disease remission with minimization or lack of Cushingoid and infectious complications.", "PMID": 769625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2852", "title": "Diastolic properties of the left ventricle.", "content": "Left ventricular pressure and volume during diastole reflect the interaction of ventricular elastic, viscous, and inertial properties, and the completeness of myocardial relazation. Myocardial relaxation may be impaired in the acutely ischemic ventricle, partly accounting for the abnormal diastolic pressure-volume relation in this condition. Altered elasticity of its wall can cause increased stiffness of the ventricular chamber, as in aortic stenosis, coronary heart disease, and infiltrative cardiomyopathies. In aortic stenosis, increased left ventricular stiffness results in an increase in pressure increment associated with left atrial contraction. Generation of such a high filling pressure is critical in maintaining adequate end diastolic sarcomere stretch in the left ventricle and probably accounts for the frequent deterioration of patients with aortic stenosis after development of atrial fibrillation or nodal rhythm. Many signs and symptoms of cardiac failure, previously attributed to impaired systolic performance, may be due to partly to altered diastolic properties of the ventricular chambers.", "contents": "Diastolic properties of the left ventricle. Left ventricular pressure and volume during diastole reflect the interaction of ventricular elastic, viscous, and inertial properties, and the completeness of myocardial relazation. Myocardial relaxation may be impaired in the acutely ischemic ventricle, partly accounting for the abnormal diastolic pressure-volume relation in this condition. Altered elasticity of its wall can cause increased stiffness of the ventricular chamber, as in aortic stenosis, coronary heart disease, and infiltrative cardiomyopathies. In aortic stenosis, increased left ventricular stiffness results in an increase in pressure increment associated with left atrial contraction. Generation of such a high filling pressure is critical in maintaining adequate end diastolic sarcomere stretch in the left ventricle and probably accounts for the frequent deterioration of patients with aortic stenosis after development of atrial fibrillation or nodal rhythm. Many signs and symptoms of cardiac failure, previously attributed to impaired systolic performance, may be due to partly to altered diastolic properties of the ventricular chambers.", "PMID": 769626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2853", "title": "Acupuncture for chronic shoulder pain. An experimental study with attention to the role of placebo and hypnotic susceptibility.", "content": "One half of 42 subjects treated for painful shoulders received classic acupuncture, and one half received a placebo in which the needles did not penetrate the skin. Half of each of these groups was treated in a positive setting to encourage the subject, and half in a negative setting designed to keep encouragement at a minimum. All patients were independently rated for susceptibility to hypnosis. Although range of motion did not improve, the majority of patients reported significant improvement in shoulder discomfort to a blind evaluator after treatment; placebo and acupuncture groups did not differ in this respect, however. The positive and negative settings did not affect treatment outcome. In all groups, those who were not rated as highly susceptible to hypnosis tended to fail to achieve the highest levels of relief, but such differences were not statistically significant.", "contents": "Acupuncture for chronic shoulder pain. An experimental study with attention to the role of placebo and hypnotic susceptibility. One half of 42 subjects treated for painful shoulders received classic acupuncture, and one half received a placebo in which the needles did not penetrate the skin. Half of each of these groups was treated in a positive setting to encourage the subject, and half in a negative setting designed to keep encouragement at a minimum. All patients were independently rated for susceptibility to hypnosis. Although range of motion did not improve, the majority of patients reported significant improvement in shoulder discomfort to a blind evaluator after treatment; placebo and acupuncture groups did not differ in this respect, however. The positive and negative settings did not affect treatment outcome. In all groups, those who were not rated as highly susceptible to hypnosis tended to fail to achieve the highest levels of relief, but such differences were not statistically significant.", "PMID": 769630} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2854", "title": "Leukotactic dystunction in sarcoidosis.", "content": "The leukotactic function of patients with sarcoidosis was studied. A defect was found in 19 of the 20 patients tested and was due to moderately elevated serum levels of the chemotactic factor inactivator. The chemotactic factor inactivator levels were not as high as those previously reported in patients with Hodgkin's disease or cirrhosis of the liver. The effect of the inactivator was irreversible and was directed toward all three of the chemotactic factors tested. The physicochemical characteristics of chemotactic factor inactivator in serum from sarcoid patients resembled in most respects the features of chemotactic factor inactivator in normal serum. As expected, the generation of chemotactic activity in some sarcoid serums by zymosan was impaired. The results of this study may relate to some of the reported defects in expression of immunity in sarcoid patients.", "contents": "Leukotactic dystunction in sarcoidosis. The leukotactic function of patients with sarcoidosis was studied. A defect was found in 19 of the 20 patients tested and was due to moderately elevated serum levels of the chemotactic factor inactivator. The chemotactic factor inactivator levels were not as high as those previously reported in patients with Hodgkin's disease or cirrhosis of the liver. The effect of the inactivator was irreversible and was directed toward all three of the chemotactic factors tested. The physicochemical characteristics of chemotactic factor inactivator in serum from sarcoid patients resembled in most respects the features of chemotactic factor inactivator in normal serum. As expected, the generation of chemotactic activity in some sarcoid serums by zymosan was impaired. The results of this study may relate to some of the reported defects in expression of immunity in sarcoid patients.", "PMID": 769631} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2855", "title": "Normal disposition of oxazepam in acute viral hepatitis and cirrhosis.", "content": "Oxazepam (Serax) is a tranquilizer-sedative of the benzodiazepine group that is predominantly metabolized to a pharmacologically inactive glucuronide and subsequently excreted by way of the kidneys. We administered this drug as a single oral dose to seven patients with acute viral hepatitis, to six with cirrhosis, and to age-matched control subjects. Elimination half-life (T1/2) and the apparent oral plasma clearance for the drug in patients with hepatitis and cirrhosis were comparable to values obtained in age-matched controls (P greater than 0.05). In addition, the apparent volume of distribution of oxazepam, its plasma binding, blood/plasma ratio, and the rate of urinary excretion of oxazepam, predominantly as the glucuronide, were comparable (p greater than 0.05) in the two groups of patients with liver disease and their respective controls. Unlike many other sedatives, oxazepam is eliminated normally in patients with parenchymal liver disease an therefore, on pharmacokinetic grounds, seems to be an excellent sedative for use in such persons.", "contents": "Normal disposition of oxazepam in acute viral hepatitis and cirrhosis. Oxazepam (Serax) is a tranquilizer-sedative of the benzodiazepine group that is predominantly metabolized to a pharmacologically inactive glucuronide and subsequently excreted by way of the kidneys. We administered this drug as a single oral dose to seven patients with acute viral hepatitis, to six with cirrhosis, and to age-matched control subjects. Elimination half-life (T1/2) and the apparent oral plasma clearance for the drug in patients with hepatitis and cirrhosis were comparable to values obtained in age-matched controls (P greater than 0.05). In addition, the apparent volume of distribution of oxazepam, its plasma binding, blood/plasma ratio, and the rate of urinary excretion of oxazepam, predominantly as the glucuronide, were comparable (p greater than 0.05) in the two groups of patients with liver disease and their respective controls. Unlike many other sedatives, oxazepam is eliminated normally in patients with parenchymal liver disease an therefore, on pharmacokinetic grounds, seems to be an excellent sedative for use in such persons.", "PMID": 769632} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2856", "title": "Acute hyperkalemia induced by hyperglycemia: hormonal mechanisms.", "content": "Two insulin-requiring diabetics with isolated hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism cpontaneously developed hyperkalemia that was aggravated whenever blood glucose concentration rose. Acute glucose infusions raised the serum potassium concentration in these patients with combined insulin and aldosterone deficiency but lowered, or did not change, the serum potassium concentration in normal subjects and in patients with either aldosterone or insulin deficiency alone. The paradoxical hyperkalemic response to glucose in patients with combined hormonal deficiency was blunted by prior administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate and abolished by prior administration of insulin. Our studies emphasize the crucial roles played by insulin and aldosterone in regulating the serum potassium concentration in man, and the need to avoid hyperglycemia in patients with combined insulin and aldosterone deficiency.", "contents": "Acute hyperkalemia induced by hyperglycemia: hormonal mechanisms. Two insulin-requiring diabetics with isolated hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism cpontaneously developed hyperkalemia that was aggravated whenever blood glucose concentration rose. Acute glucose infusions raised the serum potassium concentration in these patients with combined insulin and aldosterone deficiency but lowered, or did not change, the serum potassium concentration in normal subjects and in patients with either aldosterone or insulin deficiency alone. The paradoxical hyperkalemic response to glucose in patients with combined hormonal deficiency was blunted by prior administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate and abolished by prior administration of insulin. Our studies emphasize the crucial roles played by insulin and aldosterone in regulating the serum potassium concentration in man, and the need to avoid hyperglycemia in patients with combined insulin and aldosterone deficiency.", "PMID": 769633} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2857", "title": "Ionic mechanisms in excitation of photoreceptors.", "content": "Both measurements and rough theoretical calculations suggest that both sites in the plasma membrane where the dark current enters and the mechanism that produces the intracellular excitatory transmitter of rod vision operate via ionophoric mechanisms with very low specific conductivities and high ionic specificities properties similar to those of carriers in artificial and natural membranes.", "contents": "Ionic mechanisms in excitation of photoreceptors. Both measurements and rough theoretical calculations suggest that both sites in the plasma membrane where the dark current enters and the mechanism that produces the intracellular excitatory transmitter of rod vision operate via ionophoric mechanisms with very low specific conductivities and high ionic specificities properties similar to those of carriers in artificial and natural membranes.", "PMID": 769641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2858", "title": "Binding proteins and membrane transport.", "content": "The recent studies have clearly established two types of active transport systems. One type is membrane-bound and can be observed in membrane vesicles and the other type is osmotic-shock-sensitive and requires binding proteins to produce active transport. It appears that the membrane-bound systems derive cellular energy from the energy-rich membrane state which can be formed from respiration or ATP-hydrolysis, while the binding protein systems are more directly coupled to phosphate bond energy derived from glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation. The following conclusions concerning the role of the binding proteins are offered: 1. The binding proteins are present in relatively large amounts (approximately 10(-6) or 10%-5) M) and appear to reside in the periplasmic space. 2. They do not appear to be involved in solute translocation steps, although they cantain a second binding site that could interact with membrane components. 3. The binding proteins appear to increase the affinity of the transport system for the solute by interacting with a membrane component. This may substrate for the membrane transport system.", "contents": "Binding proteins and membrane transport. The recent studies have clearly established two types of active transport systems. One type is membrane-bound and can be observed in membrane vesicles and the other type is osmotic-shock-sensitive and requires binding proteins to produce active transport. It appears that the membrane-bound systems derive cellular energy from the energy-rich membrane state which can be formed from respiration or ATP-hydrolysis, while the binding protein systems are more directly coupled to phosphate bond energy derived from glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation. The following conclusions concerning the role of the binding proteins are offered: 1. The binding proteins are present in relatively large amounts (approximately 10(-6) or 10%-5) M) and appear to reside in the periplasmic space. 2. They do not appear to be involved in solute translocation steps, although they cantain a second binding site that could interact with membrane components. 3. The binding proteins appear to increase the affinity of the transport system for the solute by interacting with a membrane component. This may substrate for the membrane transport system.", "PMID": 769643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2859", "title": "[Denaturation and enzymatic proteolysis in vitro of protein fractions of soya flour].", "content": "Soya, in spite of its high nutritional value and moderate cost, possesses certain undesirable qualities which limit its use in animal and human nutrition. The amendment of these qualities has resulted in much work. In this study the effects of technological treatments on the properties of certain protein fractions capable of being produced industrially were observed. Three fractions were prepared from defatted soybean flour of the \"Harosoy 63\" variety: an acid-precipitated fraction, a cold-insoluble fraction at 0-3 degrees C, and a water-soluble fraction. The properties of the fractions were studied both before denaturation and after denaturation by either heat or alcohol. The degree of proteolysis of each fraction by two digestive enzymes, pepsin and trypsin, was measured by the increase of non-protein nitrogen as a function of time. Several methods were used for electrophoretic analysis. The results showed that the thermal treatment at 100 degrees C and the treatment with varying concentrations of ethanol (from 10 to 100 p. 100) modified electrophoretic diagrams and the solubility of the proteins in trichloracetic acid. Moderate, moist heating of the protein fractions (100 degrees C, 20 mn) before proteolysis by pepsin and trypsin, in general, favored proteolysis. The most marked effect observed was in the acid-precipitated fraction (in which Kunitz inhibitor was concentrated treated by trypsin. Heating the fractions beyond thirty minutes had a negative effect on proteolysis: the level of proteolysis was the same, or in some cases, lower than before denaturation, especially on subsequent treatment with pepsin. The effects of the ethanol treatment were different from that of heat: the proteolysis was accelerated only with the acid-precipitated fraction.", "contents": "[Denaturation and enzymatic proteolysis in vitro of protein fractions of soya flour]. Soya, in spite of its high nutritional value and moderate cost, possesses certain undesirable qualities which limit its use in animal and human nutrition. The amendment of these qualities has resulted in much work. In this study the effects of technological treatments on the properties of certain protein fractions capable of being produced industrially were observed. Three fractions were prepared from defatted soybean flour of the \"Harosoy 63\" variety: an acid-precipitated fraction, a cold-insoluble fraction at 0-3 degrees C, and a water-soluble fraction. The properties of the fractions were studied both before denaturation and after denaturation by either heat or alcohol. The degree of proteolysis of each fraction by two digestive enzymes, pepsin and trypsin, was measured by the increase of non-protein nitrogen as a function of time. Several methods were used for electrophoretic analysis. The results showed that the thermal treatment at 100 degrees C and the treatment with varying concentrations of ethanol (from 10 to 100 p. 100) modified electrophoretic diagrams and the solubility of the proteins in trichloracetic acid. Moderate, moist heating of the protein fractions (100 degrees C, 20 mn) before proteolysis by pepsin and trypsin, in general, favored proteolysis. The most marked effect observed was in the acid-precipitated fraction (in which Kunitz inhibitor was concentrated treated by trypsin. Heating the fractions beyond thirty minutes had a negative effect on proteolysis: the level of proteolysis was the same, or in some cases, lower than before denaturation, especially on subsequent treatment with pepsin. The effects of the ethanol treatment were different from that of heat: the proteolysis was accelerated only with the acid-precipitated fraction.", "PMID": 769645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2860", "title": "Human vitreous transplantation.", "content": "This lecture presents the experience in 200 implantations of human eye-bank vitreous through the pars plana of eyes with complicated retinal detachments. Though the success rate was modest, it shows that a large-bore instrument can be passed into the vitreous cavity of the eye with relative impunity and sets the stage for the present popular machine vitrectomy. In addition, the paper presents the author's experience with human vitreous transplantation by the 'open sky' transcorneal technique for otherwise hopeless vitreous opacities.", "contents": "Human vitreous transplantation. This lecture presents the experience in 200 implantations of human eye-bank vitreous through the pars plana of eyes with complicated retinal detachments. Though the success rate was modest, it shows that a large-bore instrument can be passed into the vitreous cavity of the eye with relative impunity and sets the stage for the present popular machine vitrectomy. In addition, the paper presents the author's experience with human vitreous transplantation by the 'open sky' transcorneal technique for otherwise hopeless vitreous opacities.", "PMID": 769647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2861", "title": "The role of the skin bank.", "content": "The use of a skin bank is discussed and various indications for the use of viable homografts and lyophilized skin as a temporary biological cover for open wounds are described.", "contents": "The role of the skin bank. The use of a skin bank is discussed and various indications for the use of viable homografts and lyophilized skin as a temporary biological cover for open wounds are described.", "PMID": 769648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2862", "title": "Neurotrophic relations.", "content": "Increasing evidence for the existence of neurotrophic (non-impulse) mechanisms, especially in nerve-muscle cell relations, has been discussed. Studies on axoplasmic transport, release of agents (other than transmitter) from the nerve, and possible transfer of macromolecules at the NMJ and on differentiation of impulse and non-impulse (neurotrophic) activities have advanced, but not solved, the basic questions. Progress has been slowed because often less than adequate indicators of neurotrophic functions have been used and because only a single neurotrophic agent was generally assumed. Neurotrophic actions are best understood as components of multiple regulation in the context of general intercellular relations. The analysis of neurotrophic regulations will become clear only after chemical definition of the neurotrophic agents. Until then, study of the differentiation and interaction of neuronal impulse and non-impulse activities is, and will remain, an important problem for an understanding of the plasticity of the NMJ and muscle.", "contents": "Neurotrophic relations. Increasing evidence for the existence of neurotrophic (non-impulse) mechanisms, especially in nerve-muscle cell relations, has been discussed. Studies on axoplasmic transport, release of agents (other than transmitter) from the nerve, and possible transfer of macromolecules at the NMJ and on differentiation of impulse and non-impulse (neurotrophic) activities have advanced, but not solved, the basic questions. Progress has been slowed because often less than adequate indicators of neurotrophic functions have been used and because only a single neurotrophic agent was generally assumed. Neurotrophic actions are best understood as components of multiple regulation in the context of general intercellular relations. The analysis of neurotrophic regulations will become clear only after chemical definition of the neurotrophic agents. Until then, study of the differentiation and interaction of neuronal impulse and non-impulse activities is, and will remain, an important problem for an understanding of the plasticity of the NMJ and muscle.", "PMID": 769654} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2863", "title": "Cerebral blood flow and brain function during hypotension and shock.", "content": "In conclusion, the reviewed results clearly suggest that vital functions of the brain -in spite of the well-developed autoregulatory mechanisms-are impaired during long-lasting hypovolemic and other shock conditions. The insufficiency of the cerebrocortical and hypothalamic regulatory mechanisms can contribute to the development of the irreversible shock. In other words, failure of the body suffering from shock to restore the homeostatic equilibrium can be attributed to the inadequacy of the central nervous servocontrol system. According to the available results, the regional cerebral microcirculatory defect develops through sludge formation. The unevenly distributed local brain damage could be the background of the functional impairment. The focal appearance suggest that, in addition to generalized (bloody borne) changes, local factors play an important role in the production of patchy ischemic areas in the brain.", "contents": "Cerebral blood flow and brain function during hypotension and shock. In conclusion, the reviewed results clearly suggest that vital functions of the brain -in spite of the well-developed autoregulatory mechanisms-are impaired during long-lasting hypovolemic and other shock conditions. The insufficiency of the cerebrocortical and hypothalamic regulatory mechanisms can contribute to the development of the irreversible shock. In other words, failure of the body suffering from shock to restore the homeostatic equilibrium can be attributed to the inadequacy of the central nervous servocontrol system. According to the available results, the regional cerebral microcirculatory defect develops through sludge formation. The unevenly distributed local brain damage could be the background of the functional impairment. The focal appearance suggest that, in addition to generalized (bloody borne) changes, local factors play an important role in the production of patchy ischemic areas in the brain.", "PMID": 769658} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2864", "title": "Distribution of R plasmids among the Q-antigen types of Escherichia coli isolated from various clinical sources.", "content": "A total of 655 Escherichia coli strains from various clinical sources were O-antigen typed, and the serological properties were correlated with R-plasmid carriage. Of the 655 strains, 224 were resistant to one or more antibiotics and 148 of these carried R plasmids. The distribution of O-antigen types among the susceptible strains was similar to that reported previously by others in England. The O-antigen types among the R(+) strains showed some similarities to those found in susceptible strains, but O-antigen types O8, O9, O17, O18 and, perhaps, O101 and O107 were more common in the R(+) than in the susceptible series. There is therefore some overlap between the O-antigen types of E. coli prevalent in R(+) strains from clinical cases and from human and animal fecal sources.", "contents": "Distribution of R plasmids among the Q-antigen types of Escherichia coli isolated from various clinical sources. A total of 655 Escherichia coli strains from various clinical sources were O-antigen typed, and the serological properties were correlated with R-plasmid carriage. Of the 655 strains, 224 were resistant to one or more antibiotics and 148 of these carried R plasmids. The distribution of O-antigen types among the susceptible strains was similar to that reported previously by others in England. The O-antigen types among the R(+) strains showed some similarities to those found in susceptible strains, but O-antigen types O8, O9, O17, O18 and, perhaps, O101 and O107 were more common in the R(+) than in the susceptible series. There is therefore some overlap between the O-antigen types of E. coli prevalent in R(+) strains from clinical cases and from human and animal fecal sources.", "PMID": 769666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2865", "title": "Susceptibility of Mycobacterium leprae to dapsone as a determinant of patient response to acedapsone.", "content": "In the course of a clinical trial of acedapsone therapy in 17 patients with lepromatous leprosy, the rate of response to therapy was measured by inoculation of mice with Mycobacterium leprae recovered from biopsy specimens of skin lesions obtained before treatment and at intervals of 4, 12, and 24 weeks after institution of treatment. The susceptibility of each isolate of M. leprae to dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone [DDS]) was measured by passaging organisms that had multiplied in mice to new groups of untreated mice and to mice treated with DDS incorporated in the mouse chow in concentrations of 10(-5), 3 x 10(-5), and 10(-4) g/100 ml. The rate of response to acedapsone therapy and the susceptibility of patient strains of M. leprae to DDS varied widely among patients. All isolates were inhibited from multiplication by treatment of mice with 10(-4) g of DDS per 100 ml; all but two isolates were susceptible to 3 x 10(-5) g of DDS per 100 ml; and 17 of 36 isolates, representing nine patient strains, were susceptible to 10(-5) g of DDS per 100 ml. Plasma levels of DDS measured in the mice administered these diets show that the minimal inhibitory concentration of DDS for M. leprae isolated from untreated patients is about 3 ng/ml. No relationship could be demonstrated between DDS susceptibility of pretreatment isolates of M. leprae and the rate at which patients responded to acedapsone therapy. Neither acedapsone treatment of patients nor DDS treatment of mice appeared to select genotypically more resistant M. leprae.", "contents": "Susceptibility of Mycobacterium leprae to dapsone as a determinant of patient response to acedapsone. In the course of a clinical trial of acedapsone therapy in 17 patients with lepromatous leprosy, the rate of response to therapy was measured by inoculation of mice with Mycobacterium leprae recovered from biopsy specimens of skin lesions obtained before treatment and at intervals of 4, 12, and 24 weeks after institution of treatment. The susceptibility of each isolate of M. leprae to dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone [DDS]) was measured by passaging organisms that had multiplied in mice to new groups of untreated mice and to mice treated with DDS incorporated in the mouse chow in concentrations of 10(-5), 3 x 10(-5), and 10(-4) g/100 ml. The rate of response to acedapsone therapy and the susceptibility of patient strains of M. leprae to DDS varied widely among patients. All isolates were inhibited from multiplication by treatment of mice with 10(-4) g of DDS per 100 ml; all but two isolates were susceptible to 3 x 10(-5) g of DDS per 100 ml; and 17 of 36 isolates, representing nine patient strains, were susceptible to 10(-5) g of DDS per 100 ml. Plasma levels of DDS measured in the mice administered these diets show that the minimal inhibitory concentration of DDS for M. leprae isolated from untreated patients is about 3 ng/ml. No relationship could be demonstrated between DDS susceptibility of pretreatment isolates of M. leprae and the rate at which patients responded to acedapsone therapy. Neither acedapsone treatment of patients nor DDS treatment of mice appeared to select genotypically more resistant M. leprae.", "PMID": 769667} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2866", "title": "Binding of N-substituted erythromycyclamines to ribosomes.", "content": "Several N-substituted erythromycylamines were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the binding of [(14)C]erythromycin to ribosomes. The association and dissociation constants for the binding of each compound to Escherichia coli ribosomes were determined. These studies have resulted in the development of three types of probes for topological studies of the erythromycin-binding site and the ribosome: the chemically reactive bromoacetamido, the photoreactive N-(2)-nitro-4-azidophenyl)glycinamido, and the fluorescent fluorescein isothiocyanate derivatives of 9(S)-erythromycylamine.", "contents": "Binding of N-substituted erythromycyclamines to ribosomes. Several N-substituted erythromycylamines were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the binding of [(14)C]erythromycin to ribosomes. The association and dissociation constants for the binding of each compound to Escherichia coli ribosomes were determined. These studies have resulted in the development of three types of probes for topological studies of the erythromycin-binding site and the ribosome: the chemically reactive bromoacetamido, the photoreactive N-(2)-nitro-4-azidophenyl)glycinamido, and the fluorescent fluorescein isothiocyanate derivatives of 9(S)-erythromycylamine.", "PMID": 769668} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2867", "title": "Inactivation of lambda phage infectivity and lambda deoxyribonucleic acid transfection by N-methyl-isatin beta-thiosemicarbazone-copper complexes.", "content": "The infectivity of intact lambda phage and transfection by lambda deoxyribonucleic acid were inactivated by exposure to the copper complexes of N-methyl-isatin beta-thiosemicarbazone, thiosemicarbazide, and semicarbazide, but not methyl-isatin. No inactivation was observed when these compounds were used in the absence of copper sulfate. This confirms our previous observation that the activity of N-methyl-isatin beta-thiosemicarbazone is mediated by its thiosemicarbazone moiety and that the presence of copper is required for action. This represents the first time, to our knowledge, that semicarbazide has been found to possess antiviral activity. It is clear that these compounds act directly on deoxyribonucleic acid; whether the compounds also act on proteins has not been determined.", "contents": "Inactivation of lambda phage infectivity and lambda deoxyribonucleic acid transfection by N-methyl-isatin beta-thiosemicarbazone-copper complexes. The infectivity of intact lambda phage and transfection by lambda deoxyribonucleic acid were inactivated by exposure to the copper complexes of N-methyl-isatin beta-thiosemicarbazone, thiosemicarbazide, and semicarbazide, but not methyl-isatin. No inactivation was observed when these compounds were used in the absence of copper sulfate. This confirms our previous observation that the activity of N-methyl-isatin beta-thiosemicarbazone is mediated by its thiosemicarbazone moiety and that the presence of copper is required for action. This represents the first time, to our knowledge, that semicarbazide has been found to possess antiviral activity. It is clear that these compounds act directly on deoxyribonucleic acid; whether the compounds also act on proteins has not been determined.", "PMID": 769669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2868", "title": "Effect of virginiamycin on the growth cycle of Bdellovibrio.", "content": "The two components of virginiamycin, virginiamycin M (VM) and virginiamycin S (VS), were used to explore the life cycle of symbiosis-dependent and -independent strains of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus during multiplication in a two-membered system with either living or heat-inactivated Escherichia coli or in axenic cultures. Relatively high concentrations of these inhibitors separately were required to stop growth under all the conditions, but the minimum inhibitory concentration of the single components was reduced 1,000-fold by the association of VM and VS. No dissociation between mass growth and cell division was observed with VM; VS specifically halted cell division without affecting the kinetics of macromolecules formation and overall growth. This effect on cell division was only obtained when the antibiotic was added during the first half of the multiplication cycle and was reversible at any time.", "contents": "Effect of virginiamycin on the growth cycle of Bdellovibrio. The two components of virginiamycin, virginiamycin M (VM) and virginiamycin S (VS), were used to explore the life cycle of symbiosis-dependent and -independent strains of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus during multiplication in a two-membered system with either living or heat-inactivated Escherichia coli or in axenic cultures. Relatively high concentrations of these inhibitors separately were required to stop growth under all the conditions, but the minimum inhibitory concentration of the single components was reduced 1,000-fold by the association of VM and VS. No dissociation between mass growth and cell division was observed with VM; VS specifically halted cell division without affecting the kinetics of macromolecules formation and overall growth. This effect on cell division was only obtained when the antibiotic was added during the first half of the multiplication cycle and was reversible at any time.", "PMID": 769670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2869", "title": "Chelocardin-inducible resistance in Escherichia coli bearing R plasmids.", "content": "Two plasmid-linked tetracycline resistance characters, tet A and tet B, were distinguishable in part, according to the level of resistance they conferred to minocycline (<3 mug/ml for tet A; >6 mug/ml for tet B). Escherichia coli K-12 strains that harbored the tet B character were also resistant to tetracycline but susceptible to chelocardin. In such tet B strains, subinhibitory concentrations of tetracycline could induce resistance to chelocardin as well as to otherwise inhibitory concentrations of tetracyclines. Chelocardin itself was ineffective as an inducer and therefore could be used to select constitutively resistant mutants. E. coli K-12 strains harboring the tet A character were also resistant to tetracycline and susceptible to chelocardin; tetracycline did not induce resistance to chelocardin in these strains.", "contents": "Chelocardin-inducible resistance in Escherichia coli bearing R plasmids. Two plasmid-linked tetracycline resistance characters, tet A and tet B, were distinguishable in part, according to the level of resistance they conferred to minocycline (<3 mug/ml for tet A; >6 mug/ml for tet B). Escherichia coli K-12 strains that harbored the tet B character were also resistant to tetracycline but susceptible to chelocardin. In such tet B strains, subinhibitory concentrations of tetracycline could induce resistance to chelocardin as well as to otherwise inhibitory concentrations of tetracyclines. Chelocardin itself was ineffective as an inducer and therefore could be used to select constitutively resistant mutants. E. coli K-12 strains harboring the tet A character were also resistant to tetracycline and susceptible to chelocardin; tetracycline did not induce resistance to chelocardin in these strains.", "PMID": 769671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2870", "title": "Inhibition of sporulation by cerulenin and its reversion by exogenous fatty acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae G2-2 was inhibited by the antibiotic cerulenin which is known to be a specific inhibitor of fatty acid and sterol synthesis. This inhibition was reversed by various fatty acids, especially by oleic acid (C(18:1)) and pentadecanoic acid (C(15:0)). Ergosterol showed only slight reversibility of this inhibition. When cerulenin was added to the sporulation medium later than 12 h after the start of incubation, the marked inhibition disappeared. When the fatty acid fraction extracted from the sporulated yeasts was added to the cells pretreated with cerulenin for more than 6 h, sporulation became evident 6 h after the fatty acid fraction addition. Therefore, sufficient synthesis of fatty acids required for sporulation was assumed to occur during the first 6 h in phase I of yeast sporulation.", "contents": "Inhibition of sporulation by cerulenin and its reversion by exogenous fatty acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae G2-2 was inhibited by the antibiotic cerulenin which is known to be a specific inhibitor of fatty acid and sterol synthesis. This inhibition was reversed by various fatty acids, especially by oleic acid (C(18:1)) and pentadecanoic acid (C(15:0)). Ergosterol showed only slight reversibility of this inhibition. When cerulenin was added to the sporulation medium later than 12 h after the start of incubation, the marked inhibition disappeared. When the fatty acid fraction extracted from the sporulated yeasts was added to the cells pretreated with cerulenin for more than 6 h, sporulation became evident 6 h after the fatty acid fraction addition. Therefore, sufficient synthesis of fatty acids required for sporulation was assumed to occur during the first 6 h in phase I of yeast sporulation.", "PMID": 769672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2871", "title": "R-factor-mediated resistance to sulfonamides by a plasmid-borne, drug-resistant dihydropteroate synthase.", "content": "Evidence was found for the existence of an episome-specified variant of the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase involved in folic acid formation. Since the plasmid-borne enzyme showed a decreased susceptibility for sulfonamide inhibition and was transferable together with resistance to this drug, it is proposed that diploidy for the target enzyme in some cases could be the mechanism of R-factor-mediated resistance to sulfonamides. Two types of evidence were obtained. One was the rescue from temperature sensitivity of bacterial mutants with a lesion in the chromosomal dihydropteroate synthase by the R factor R1dr19 mediating sulfonamide resistance. The other evidence was found by the determination of dihydropteroate forming activity in extracts from R(-) and R(+) bacteria. Cells harboring R1dr19 were found to contain an enzyme activity which was far less susceptible to sulfonamide inhibition than the corresponding activity from R(-) cells.", "contents": "R-factor-mediated resistance to sulfonamides by a plasmid-borne, drug-resistant dihydropteroate synthase. Evidence was found for the existence of an episome-specified variant of the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase involved in folic acid formation. Since the plasmid-borne enzyme showed a decreased susceptibility for sulfonamide inhibition and was transferable together with resistance to this drug, it is proposed that diploidy for the target enzyme in some cases could be the mechanism of R-factor-mediated resistance to sulfonamides. Two types of evidence were obtained. One was the rescue from temperature sensitivity of bacterial mutants with a lesion in the chromosomal dihydropteroate synthase by the R factor R1dr19 mediating sulfonamide resistance. The other evidence was found by the determination of dihydropteroate forming activity in extracts from R(-) and R(+) bacteria. Cells harboring R1dr19 were found to contain an enzyme activity which was far less susceptible to sulfonamide inhibition than the corresponding activity from R(-) cells.", "PMID": 769673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2872", "title": "Antibiotic resistance and Hly plasmids in serotypes of Escherichia coli associated with porcine enteric disease.", "content": "A total of 359 hemolytic Escherichia coli strains, representing eight pig pathogenic serotypes and isolated from pigs with enteric disease, was tested for transferable resistance to eight antibiotics. The co-transfer of plasmids controlling hemolysin production (Hly) with antibiotic resistance plasmids (R-factors) was evaluated. Transferable resistance to tetracycline, streptomycin, and/or sulfonamides was found in 47% of the total number of strains and 80% of the resistant ones. Chloramphenicol resistance was seldom seen. Co-transfer of Hly with R-factors occurred in 22.5% of the strains, generally to a degree excluding a genetic linkage. Stable coexistence of two R-factors in a cell was indicated by transfer patterns in 29 of the strains.", "contents": "Antibiotic resistance and Hly plasmids in serotypes of Escherichia coli associated with porcine enteric disease. A total of 359 hemolytic Escherichia coli strains, representing eight pig pathogenic serotypes and isolated from pigs with enteric disease, was tested for transferable resistance to eight antibiotics. The co-transfer of plasmids controlling hemolysin production (Hly) with antibiotic resistance plasmids (R-factors) was evaluated. Transferable resistance to tetracycline, streptomycin, and/or sulfonamides was found in 47% of the total number of strains and 80% of the resistant ones. Chloramphenicol resistance was seldom seen. Co-transfer of Hly with R-factors occurred in 22.5% of the strains, generally to a degree excluding a genetic linkage. Stable coexistence of two R-factors in a cell was indicated by transfer patterns in 29 of the strains.", "PMID": 769674} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2873", "title": "Elimination of resistance determinants from R-factor R1 by intercalative compounds.", "content": "Eighteen deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-complexing compounds, among them 15 intercalative substances, and, additionally, nalidixic acid eliminated with different frequencies four antibiotic resistance determinants from the R-factor R1, carried by Salmonella typhimurium. Eliminating concentrations did not inhibit growth of the bacteria. The most active compound was \"nitroacridine II\" {1-diethylamino-3-[(6-nitro-9-acridinyl)amino]propanol}. When 14 compounds which had been tested at a standard concentration of 10(-4) M were listed according to decreasing activities of elimination of the four resistance determinants, a nearly consistent activity sequence was revealed. Frequencies of elimination of the kanamycin resistance determinant correlated directly with the binding of compounds to DNA, i.e., with end points of their displacement of methyl green from the methyl green-DNA complex. We propose that the observed eliminations resulted from selective toxicity for plasmidic template DNA and inhibitions of R-factor replication.", "contents": "Elimination of resistance determinants from R-factor R1 by intercalative compounds. Eighteen deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-complexing compounds, among them 15 intercalative substances, and, additionally, nalidixic acid eliminated with different frequencies four antibiotic resistance determinants from the R-factor R1, carried by Salmonella typhimurium. Eliminating concentrations did not inhibit growth of the bacteria. The most active compound was \"nitroacridine II\" {1-diethylamino-3-[(6-nitro-9-acridinyl)amino]propanol}. When 14 compounds which had been tested at a standard concentration of 10(-4) M were listed according to decreasing activities of elimination of the four resistance determinants, a nearly consistent activity sequence was revealed. Frequencies of elimination of the kanamycin resistance determinant correlated directly with the binding of compounds to DNA, i.e., with end points of their displacement of methyl green from the methyl green-DNA complex. We propose that the observed eliminations resulted from selective toxicity for plasmidic template DNA and inhibitions of R-factor replication.", "PMID": 769675} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2874", "title": "Clinical and pharmacological studies of ticarcillin in gram-negative infections.", "content": "Twenty-seven patients with serious gram-negative infections were treated with ticarcillin in an average daily dosage of 237 mg/kg (range, 174 to 307 mg/kg). Ticarcillin was bactericidal for all infecting organisms in concentrations ranging from 31.2 to 125 mug/ml. Five of 8 patients (62%) with overwhelming Pseudomonas pneumonia were cured or improved, and 9 of 12 (75%) were cured of pneumonia caused by other gram-negative organisms. Of six extrapulmonary infections caused by Pseudomonas, five (83%) were cured or improved. In seven cases, the infecting organism reisolated during therapy was more resistant to ticarcillin than the primary isolate. The serum half-life of ticarcillin in three patients with renal failure was 11.2 +/- 1.0 h, and during hemodialysis it decreased to 6.3 +/- 1.8 h. There were two episodes of superinfection with resistant organisms. Thirteen patients (48%) manifested eosinophilia, one of whom had severe urticaria. Prolongation of bleeding time was attributable to ticarcillin in two patients. Ticarcillin appears to be effective for therapy of serious gram-negative infections in dosages 30 to 50% less than those recommended for carbenicillin.", "contents": "Clinical and pharmacological studies of ticarcillin in gram-negative infections. Twenty-seven patients with serious gram-negative infections were treated with ticarcillin in an average daily dosage of 237 mg/kg (range, 174 to 307 mg/kg). Ticarcillin was bactericidal for all infecting organisms in concentrations ranging from 31.2 to 125 mug/ml. Five of 8 patients (62%) with overwhelming Pseudomonas pneumonia were cured or improved, and 9 of 12 (75%) were cured of pneumonia caused by other gram-negative organisms. Of six extrapulmonary infections caused by Pseudomonas, five (83%) were cured or improved. In seven cases, the infecting organism reisolated during therapy was more resistant to ticarcillin than the primary isolate. The serum half-life of ticarcillin in three patients with renal failure was 11.2 +/- 1.0 h, and during hemodialysis it decreased to 6.3 +/- 1.8 h. There were two episodes of superinfection with resistant organisms. Thirteen patients (48%) manifested eosinophilia, one of whom had severe urticaria. Prolongation of bleeding time was attributable to ticarcillin in two patients. Ticarcillin appears to be effective for therapy of serious gram-negative infections in dosages 30 to 50% less than those recommended for carbenicillin.", "PMID": 769676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2875", "title": "Simple assay for 5-fluorocytosine in the presence of amphotericin B.", "content": "A simple method for the measurement of 5-fluorocytosine in the presence of amphotericin B is described. The antifungal activity of amphotericin B is abolished by heating serum at 100 C for 45 min. 5-Fluorocytosine is unaffected by this treatment, and serum levels can be subsequently assayed by either tube dilution or disk diffusion methods.", "contents": "Simple assay for 5-fluorocytosine in the presence of amphotericin B. A simple method for the measurement of 5-fluorocytosine in the presence of amphotericin B is described. The antifungal activity of amphotericin B is abolished by heating serum at 100 C for 45 min. 5-Fluorocytosine is unaffected by this treatment, and serum levels can be subsequently assayed by either tube dilution or disk diffusion methods.", "PMID": 769677} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2876", "title": "Suppressive activity of mefloquine in sporozoite-induced human malaria.", "content": "Mefloquine hydrochloride [WR 142,490; alpha-(2-piperidyl)-2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-quinolinemethanol hydrochloride] was tested for suppressive effect on sporozoite-induced malaria in nonimmune volunteers living in an area where malaria is not naturally transmitted. Single doses of 250 mg were given at weekly intervals, 500 mg at intervals of 2 weeks and 1,000 mg at intervals of 4 weeks, to men bitten by 10 to 15 mosquitoes heavily infected with a chloroquine- and pyrimethamine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. None of the individuals so treated developed infections during the period of drug delivery or during the follow-up period of 60 days. Doses of 250 or 500 mg produced no adverse reactions; mild epigastric discomfort occurred in all three men given 1,000 mg. Sporozoite-induced P. vivax infections were suppressed by single doses of 250 mg of mefloquine given at weekly intervals, but malaria developed after completion of the course. At treatment intervals longer than 1 week, vivax malaria was not suppressed.", "contents": "Suppressive activity of mefloquine in sporozoite-induced human malaria. Mefloquine hydrochloride [WR 142,490; alpha-(2-piperidyl)-2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-quinolinemethanol hydrochloride] was tested for suppressive effect on sporozoite-induced malaria in nonimmune volunteers living in an area where malaria is not naturally transmitted. Single doses of 250 mg were given at weekly intervals, 500 mg at intervals of 2 weeks and 1,000 mg at intervals of 4 weeks, to men bitten by 10 to 15 mosquitoes heavily infected with a chloroquine- and pyrimethamine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. None of the individuals so treated developed infections during the period of drug delivery or during the follow-up period of 60 days. Doses of 250 or 500 mg produced no adverse reactions; mild epigastric discomfort occurred in all three men given 1,000 mg. Sporozoite-induced P. vivax infections were suppressed by single doses of 250 mg of mefloquine given at weekly intervals, but malaria developed after completion of the course. At treatment intervals longer than 1 week, vivax malaria was not suppressed.", "PMID": 769678} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2877", "title": "In vitro studies of cefamandole.", "content": "Cefamandole is a new cephalosporin antibiotic that was tested in vitro against 540 clinical isolates of gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli. A concentration of 0.39 mug/ml inhibited 95% of the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. A concentration of 6.25 mug/ml inhibited over 90% of the isolates of Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli, 69% of the isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 31% of the isolates of indole-positive Proteus spp. and Enterobacter spp. It was active against most cephalothin-resistant isolates of E. coli but not of K. pneumoniae.", "contents": "In vitro studies of cefamandole. Cefamandole is a new cephalosporin antibiotic that was tested in vitro against 540 clinical isolates of gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli. A concentration of 0.39 mug/ml inhibited 95% of the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. A concentration of 6.25 mug/ml inhibited over 90% of the isolates of Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli, 69% of the isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 31% of the isolates of indole-positive Proteus spp. and Enterobacter spp. It was active against most cephalothin-resistant isolates of E. coli but not of K. pneumoniae.", "PMID": 769679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2878", "title": "Toxicity of nalidixic acid on candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Kluyveromyces lactis.", "content": "The antibacterial drug nalidixic acid (Nal) can suppress the growth of Candida albicans at levels of the drug normally found in urine. Growth suppression increases as drug levels are increased, and Nal also causes a similar proportional inhibition of the synthesis of all cellular macromolecules. However, growth temperature (25 versus 37 C) and the divalent cations Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) can increase C. albicans resistance to Nal. Also, nitrogen depletion of Candida shows that Nal-treated and untreated cells exhibit no difference in leucine uptake during readaptation to nitrogen. In Nal-treated, nitrogen-starved cells, ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) biosynthesis are less affected than in unstarved Nal-treated cells, but of the two nucleic acids DNA synthesis is the most affected. Nal-resistant strains of C. albicans exhibit a slight toxicity for macromolecular synthesis. Nal treatment of a synchronized population of Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in an increase in the culture mean doubling time of, at most, 20%, but Nal causes the loss of synchronous cell division. With a synchronized population of Kluyveromyces lactis, Nal causes an increase in the mean doubling time of upwards of 300%, with synchrony of cell division being maintained. It is known that S. cerevisiae asynchronously synthesizes mitochondrial DNA during the cell cycle, whereas with K. lactis it is synchronous. Thus, with C. albicans Nal toxicity is dependent both on the dose and the physiological state of the cell. Furthermore, Nal inhibits growth of yeast with synchronous mitochondrial DNA synthesis more adversely than yeast with asynchronous mitochondrial DNA synthesis.", "contents": "Toxicity of nalidixic acid on candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Kluyveromyces lactis. The antibacterial drug nalidixic acid (Nal) can suppress the growth of Candida albicans at levels of the drug normally found in urine. Growth suppression increases as drug levels are increased, and Nal also causes a similar proportional inhibition of the synthesis of all cellular macromolecules. However, growth temperature (25 versus 37 C) and the divalent cations Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) can increase C. albicans resistance to Nal. Also, nitrogen depletion of Candida shows that Nal-treated and untreated cells exhibit no difference in leucine uptake during readaptation to nitrogen. In Nal-treated, nitrogen-starved cells, ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) biosynthesis are less affected than in unstarved Nal-treated cells, but of the two nucleic acids DNA synthesis is the most affected. Nal-resistant strains of C. albicans exhibit a slight toxicity for macromolecular synthesis. Nal treatment of a synchronized population of Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in an increase in the culture mean doubling time of, at most, 20%, but Nal causes the loss of synchronous cell division. With a synchronized population of Kluyveromyces lactis, Nal causes an increase in the mean doubling time of upwards of 300%, with synchrony of cell division being maintained. It is known that S. cerevisiae asynchronously synthesizes mitochondrial DNA during the cell cycle, whereas with K. lactis it is synchronous. Thus, with C. albicans Nal toxicity is dependent both on the dose and the physiological state of the cell. Furthermore, Nal inhibits growth of yeast with synchronous mitochondrial DNA synthesis more adversely than yeast with asynchronous mitochondrial DNA synthesis.", "PMID": 769680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2879", "title": "Isolation and characterization of tetracycline resistance proteins from Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.", "content": "Immunoglobulin (adsorbed resistance antiserum) reacting specifically with antigens from tetracycline (Tc)-resistant Staphylcoccus aureus or Escherichia coli was produced by adsorbing immunoglobulin against cell envelopes of resistant strains with envelope extracts from the respective isogenic susceptible strains. Adsorbed resistance antiserum against S. aureus reacted with envelope extracts from 32 Tc-resistant strains and failed to react with similar extracts from 76 Tc-susceptible strains of S. aureus. An antigen (Tc resistance antigen [TRA]) found only in Tc-resistant strains was produced by adsorbing envelope extracts from these strains with immunoglobulin against envelopes from isogenic Tc-susceptible strains. On immunodiffusion no cross-reactivity between TRAs from S. aureus and E. coli was observed. The TRAs behaved as proteins. The molecular weight of TRA from S. aureus was determined to be 32,000 and from E. coli to be 50,000. Data obtained by preliminary amino acid analysis of the TRAs are presented.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of tetracycline resistance proteins from Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Immunoglobulin (adsorbed resistance antiserum) reacting specifically with antigens from tetracycline (Tc)-resistant Staphylcoccus aureus or Escherichia coli was produced by adsorbing immunoglobulin against cell envelopes of resistant strains with envelope extracts from the respective isogenic susceptible strains. Adsorbed resistance antiserum against S. aureus reacted with envelope extracts from 32 Tc-resistant strains and failed to react with similar extracts from 76 Tc-susceptible strains of S. aureus. An antigen (Tc resistance antigen [TRA]) found only in Tc-resistant strains was produced by adsorbing envelope extracts from these strains with immunoglobulin against envelopes from isogenic Tc-susceptible strains. On immunodiffusion no cross-reactivity between TRAs from S. aureus and E. coli was observed. The TRAs behaved as proteins. The molecular weight of TRA from S. aureus was determined to be 32,000 and from E. coli to be 50,000. Data obtained by preliminary amino acid analysis of the TRAs are presented.", "PMID": 769681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2880", "title": "Chemical nature of a substance isolated from a group B streptococcus causing the \"CAMP\" reaction.", "content": "A purification method for the \"CAMP\" factor is described. The purified preparation obtained is a peptide with a molecular weight of about 15 000. Amino acid analysis has shown that this peptide contains an appreciable amount of hydroxyproline.", "contents": "Chemical nature of a substance isolated from a group B streptococcus causing the \"CAMP\" reaction. A purification method for the \"CAMP\" factor is described. The purified preparation obtained is a peptide with a molecular weight of about 15 000. Amino acid analysis has shown that this peptide contains an appreciable amount of hydroxyproline.", "PMID": 769682} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2881", "title": "Metabolism of glycerol-3-phosphate and phospholipids in a temperature-sensitive lysis mutant of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Phospholipid metabolism in a temperature-sensitive lysis mutant of Escherichia coli has been investigated. The incorporation of 32P into the phospholipids of this mutant was negligible, not only at the non-permissive temperature, as was demonstrated earlier, but also at 30C. Furthermore, cultivation of the cells at the non-permissive temperature during 90 min, which is the time required to induce lysis, did not alter the amount of phospholipid per cell. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the enzymes involved in phospholipid biosynthesis are fully active at 42C. Lysis therefore is not directly caused by a defect in phospholipid synthesis. Evidence is presented that the low 32P incorporation is the result of a defective glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase which determines the turnover of the immediate lipid percursor, glycerol-3-phosphate.", "contents": "Metabolism of glycerol-3-phosphate and phospholipids in a temperature-sensitive lysis mutant of Escherichia coli. Phospholipid metabolism in a temperature-sensitive lysis mutant of Escherichia coli has been investigated. The incorporation of 32P into the phospholipids of this mutant was negligible, not only at the non-permissive temperature, as was demonstrated earlier, but also at 30C. Furthermore, cultivation of the cells at the non-permissive temperature during 90 min, which is the time required to induce lysis, did not alter the amount of phospholipid per cell. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the enzymes involved in phospholipid biosynthesis are fully active at 42C. Lysis therefore is not directly caused by a defect in phospholipid synthesis. Evidence is presented that the low 32P incorporation is the result of a defective glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase which determines the turnover of the immediate lipid percursor, glycerol-3-phosphate.", "PMID": 769683} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2882", "title": "Mating reaction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. VIII. Mating-type-specific substances responsible for sexual cell agglutination.", "content": "The agglutination factors of a and alpha mating types of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were solubilized from isolated cell-wall fractions by treatment with snail enzyme (Glusulase) and shown to be adsorbed specifically by cells of the opposite mating type, resulting in the loss of agglutinability of these cells. The agglutination factors of a and alpha types adsorbed by cells of the opposite mating type at pH 5.5 were eluted at pH 9.0. These factors were further purified on Sepharose 4B. From the elution pattern on Sepharose 4B, the molecular weights of the solubilized agglutination factors are estimated to be about one million. Thus purified agglutination factors contained carbohydrate and protein and were considerably resistant to heat treatment. Neutral protease of Bacillus subtilis inactivated both a and alpha type agglutination factors. Trypsin inactivated the alpha type agglutination factor only.", "contents": "Mating reaction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. VIII. Mating-type-specific substances responsible for sexual cell agglutination. The agglutination factors of a and alpha mating types of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were solubilized from isolated cell-wall fractions by treatment with snail enzyme (Glusulase) and shown to be adsorbed specifically by cells of the opposite mating type, resulting in the loss of agglutinability of these cells. The agglutination factors of a and alpha types adsorbed by cells of the opposite mating type at pH 5.5 were eluted at pH 9.0. These factors were further purified on Sepharose 4B. From the elution pattern on Sepharose 4B, the molecular weights of the solubilized agglutination factors are estimated to be about one million. Thus purified agglutination factors contained carbohydrate and protein and were considerably resistant to heat treatment. Neutral protease of Bacillus subtilis inactivated both a and alpha type agglutination factors. Trypsin inactivated the alpha type agglutination factor only.", "PMID": 769684} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2883", "title": "Method of determining topometric values of some structures of the human spinal cord.", "content": "A method of measuring the cross-section areas of some structures of the human spinal cord is described for the purpose of obtaining the coordinate values by means of simultaneously photographing the transverse section of the spinal cord, together with a microscopic objective square raster. The obtained coordinate values have been processed by means of a computer and represent the statistical model map of some structures of the human spinal cord. By means of the present method, the classic anatomical and topometrical figure of the spinal cord is converted to a coordinate system that may be defined mathematically.", "contents": "Method of determining topometric values of some structures of the human spinal cord. A method of measuring the cross-section areas of some structures of the human spinal cord is described for the purpose of obtaining the coordinate values by means of simultaneously photographing the transverse section of the spinal cord, together with a microscopic objective square raster. The obtained coordinate values have been processed by means of a computer and represent the statistical model map of some structures of the human spinal cord. By means of the present method, the classic anatomical and topometrical figure of the spinal cord is converted to a coordinate system that may be defined mathematically.", "PMID": 769687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2884", "title": "Effects of stereotactic lesions of the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum in man.", "content": "In a series of 50 patients, 94 stereotactic lesions involving different parts of the dentate nuclei of the cerebellum were performed. 47 patients exhibited various dyskinetic syndromes; among these, 7 were also affected by epilepsy. In 3 patients epileptic disorders were exclusively present. Favourable results were obtained in dystonic and dystonic-athetoid infantile syndromes, more than in spastic syndromes. Some interesting effects on the epilepsy and ocular motility are also noted.", "contents": "Effects of stereotactic lesions of the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum in man. In a series of 50 patients, 94 stereotactic lesions involving different parts of the dentate nuclei of the cerebellum were performed. 47 patients exhibited various dyskinetic syndromes; among these, 7 were also affected by epilepsy. In 3 patients epileptic disorders were exclusively present. Favourable results were obtained in dystonic and dystonic-athetoid infantile syndromes, more than in spastic syndromes. Some interesting effects on the epilepsy and ocular motility are also noted.", "PMID": 769688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2885", "title": "Tele-Autotomogram and Application of the Pneumoencephalographic Chair in Stereotactic Operations.", "content": "In order to obtain clearly demonstrated reference points in a preliminary air study for target calculations in stereotactic brain operations, a tele-autotomogram taken with the rotating pneumoencephalographic chair has been used with excellent results. By means of multiaxial rotations of the chair, tele-roentgenograms, including an autotomogram with a constant small magnification, can be obtained easily at any position of the patient with one floor X-ray tube. The same chair, modified to support the stereotactic base ring, can serve as an excellent stereotactic operating table with good maneuverability, offering wide adjustment of the patient's position suitable for various operative approaches. Simultaneously, it produces identical tele-roentgenograms with the same magnification as in the preliminary study, which economizes calculation time and avoids possible measurment error during stereotactic operations.", "contents": "Tele-Autotomogram and Application of the Pneumoencephalographic Chair in Stereotactic Operations. In order to obtain clearly demonstrated reference points in a preliminary air study for target calculations in stereotactic brain operations, a tele-autotomogram taken with the rotating pneumoencephalographic chair has been used with excellent results. By means of multiaxial rotations of the chair, tele-roentgenograms, including an autotomogram with a constant small magnification, can be obtained easily at any position of the patient with one floor X-ray tube. The same chair, modified to support the stereotactic base ring, can serve as an excellent stereotactic operating table with good maneuverability, offering wide adjustment of the patient's position suitable for various operative approaches. Simultaneously, it produces identical tele-roentgenograms with the same magnification as in the preliminary study, which economizes calculation time and avoids possible measurment error during stereotactic operations.", "PMID": 769689} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2886", "title": "Effects of stereotactic cingulumotomy on a sequential motor task in man.", "content": "The effect of bilateral cingulumotomy on sequential tapping behavior was investigated in 6 patients, Contrary to previous clinical studies and predictions derived from data on cingulate lesions in the rat, a consistent decrement in postoperative performance was not found. Temporal integration of behavior in man, as measured in terms of accuracy of sequential motor performance, does not appear to be critically dependent upon the integrity of the cingulum bundle at the level of interruption investigated in the present study.", "contents": "Effects of stereotactic cingulumotomy on a sequential motor task in man. The effect of bilateral cingulumotomy on sequential tapping behavior was investigated in 6 patients, Contrary to previous clinical studies and predictions derived from data on cingulate lesions in the rat, a consistent decrement in postoperative performance was not found. Temporal integration of behavior in man, as measured in terms of accuracy of sequential motor performance, does not appear to be critically dependent upon the integrity of the cingulum bundle at the level of interruption investigated in the present study.", "PMID": 769690} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2887", "title": "Clinical evaluation of clotrimazole. A broad-spectrum antifungal agent.", "content": "The efficacy and safety of the broad-spectrum, topically applied antifungal agent clotrimazole were evaluated in two double-blind, multicentric trials. Ten investigators reported on a total of 1,361 cases in which a 1% solution or a 1% cream formulation was compared with its respective vehicle. Clotrimazole was therapeutically effective, as confirmed by mycological cure (negative microscopy and culture) and clinical improvement, in tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis, pityriasis versicolor, and cutaneous candidasis. Furthermore, species identification established the efficacy of clotrimazole against Trichophyton rubrum, T mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum orbiculare), and Candida albicans. Safety was demonstrated by the low incidence of possibly drug-related adverse experiences, namely, 19 (2.7%) of 699 patients who were treated with clotrimazole, of whom four (0.6%) discontinued treatment.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of clotrimazole. A broad-spectrum antifungal agent. The efficacy and safety of the broad-spectrum, topically applied antifungal agent clotrimazole were evaluated in two double-blind, multicentric trials. Ten investigators reported on a total of 1,361 cases in which a 1% solution or a 1% cream formulation was compared with its respective vehicle. Clotrimazole was therapeutically effective, as confirmed by mycological cure (negative microscopy and culture) and clinical improvement, in tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis, pityriasis versicolor, and cutaneous candidasis. Furthermore, species identification established the efficacy of clotrimazole against Trichophyton rubrum, T mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum orbiculare), and Candida albicans. Safety was demonstrated by the low incidence of possibly drug-related adverse experiences, namely, 19 (2.7%) of 699 patients who were treated with clotrimazole, of whom four (0.6%) discontinued treatment.", "PMID": 769697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2888", "title": "Transcutaneous PO2 measurements in seriously ill newborn infants.", "content": "Continuous monitoring of oxygen tension using the transcutaneous electrode developed by Huch and co-workers was studied in severely ill newborn infants. Acceptable results were obtained despite the theoretical possibility that vasoconstriction might interfere with the method when used in the very ill. The reliability and clinical usefulness of the method is illustrated in 4 cases of severely ill newborn infants.", "contents": "Transcutaneous PO2 measurements in seriously ill newborn infants. Continuous monitoring of oxygen tension using the transcutaneous electrode developed by Huch and co-workers was studied in severely ill newborn infants. Acceptable results were obtained despite the theoretical possibility that vasoconstriction might interfere with the method when used in the very ill. The reliability and clinical usefulness of the method is illustrated in 4 cases of severely ill newborn infants.", "PMID": 769698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2889", "title": "Recurrent urinary tract infection in girls. Group with lower tract findings and a benign course.", "content": "A group of girls is described with recurrent urinary tract infections characterized by predominantly lower tract symptoms. Clinical, laboratory, and radiography findings during the period of follow-up are presented. Infection persisted in most patients over several years. Response to medical and surgical treatment was unsatisfactory. The mean interval between the initial and most recent radiological study was 6 1/2 years. No case of renal parenchymal scarring was seen.", "contents": "Recurrent urinary tract infection in girls. Group with lower tract findings and a benign course. A group of girls is described with recurrent urinary tract infections characterized by predominantly lower tract symptoms. Clinical, laboratory, and radiography findings during the period of follow-up are presented. Infection persisted in most patients over several years. Response to medical and surgical treatment was unsatisfactory. The mean interval between the initial and most recent radiological study was 6 1/2 years. No case of renal parenchymal scarring was seen.", "PMID": 769699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2890", "title": "Thoughts on treatment of strawberry naevi.", "content": "Published reports on the treatment of large strawberry naevi have been reviewed. It is suggested that they should normally be left untreated, and that corticosteroids, given for a short period only, should be reserved for massive naevi close to the eye, or interfering with respiration or suckling, or associated with thrombocytopenia. Serial colour photographs of one child illustrate the good result of inactivity.", "contents": "Thoughts on treatment of strawberry naevi. Published reports on the treatment of large strawberry naevi have been reviewed. It is suggested that they should normally be left untreated, and that corticosteroids, given for a short period only, should be reserved for massive naevi close to the eye, or interfering with respiration or suckling, or associated with thrombocytopenia. Serial colour photographs of one child illustrate the good result of inactivity.", "PMID": 769700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2891", "title": "Defective opsonization. A common immunity deficiency.", "content": "Serum opsonization of yeasts for phagocytosis by normal polymorphonuclear leucocytes was defective in 11 of 43 children with unexplained frequent infections. The children had a range of infections, largely bacterial, and only 3 had diarrhoea and rash in infancy. A similar defect in at least 6 of the 9 mothers of these children (of either sex), with normal function in the fathers, suggests that the defect was primary and was transmitted by an unusual form of dominant inheritance. Four of 72 healthy adults and 1 of 11 children with unrelated disease showed similar defective function, but the incidence of the defect in the patients with frequent infection was significantly greater than this. The defective function can be corrected, in vitro and in vivo, by normal plasma at concentrations too low to be effective alone. This suggests that there is a defective factor rather than an inhibitor, and that different factors are limiting in normal and in defective plasma. Sera from affected members of the same family do not correct each other, but defective sera from different families usually do.", "contents": "Defective opsonization. A common immunity deficiency. Serum opsonization of yeasts for phagocytosis by normal polymorphonuclear leucocytes was defective in 11 of 43 children with unexplained frequent infections. The children had a range of infections, largely bacterial, and only 3 had diarrhoea and rash in infancy. A similar defect in at least 6 of the 9 mothers of these children (of either sex), with normal function in the fathers, suggests that the defect was primary and was transmitted by an unusual form of dominant inheritance. Four of 72 healthy adults and 1 of 11 children with unrelated disease showed similar defective function, but the incidence of the defect in the patients with frequent infection was significantly greater than this. The defective function can be corrected, in vitro and in vivo, by normal plasma at concentrations too low to be effective alone. This suggests that there is a defective factor rather than an inhibitor, and that different factors are limiting in normal and in defective plasma. Sera from affected members of the same family do not correct each other, but defective sera from different families usually do.", "PMID": 769701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2892", "title": "[Lymphokine activity in mercury stimulated leucocyte cultures (author's transl)].", "content": "Blood-lymphocytes from 42 persons reacted, as expected, in the leucocyte-culture with an increased DNA-synthesis, measured by the uptake of tritiated thymidine during the last 16 h of a five days culture, if mercurybichloride was added at the onset of culture. The logarithms of the activity-indices were nearly symmetrically distributed. When the lymphokine-activity in the culture supernatants was studied with the indirect leucocyte-migration-test, using autologues leucocytes, there was a bimodal distribution of the logarithmic migrationindices with a high top in the negative area (migration-inhibition) and a lower one in the positive area (migration-stimulation). These phenomena had no detectable correlations to sex, age, or dermatosis of the patients.", "contents": "[Lymphokine activity in mercury stimulated leucocyte cultures (author's transl)]. Blood-lymphocytes from 42 persons reacted, as expected, in the leucocyte-culture with an increased DNA-synthesis, measured by the uptake of tritiated thymidine during the last 16 h of a five days culture, if mercurybichloride was added at the onset of culture. The logarithms of the activity-indices were nearly symmetrically distributed. When the lymphokine-activity in the culture supernatants was studied with the indirect leucocyte-migration-test, using autologues leucocytes, there was a bimodal distribution of the logarithmic migrationindices with a high top in the negative area (migration-inhibition) and a lower one in the positive area (migration-stimulation). These phenomena had no detectable correlations to sex, age, or dermatosis of the patients.", "PMID": 769702} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2893", "title": "Laboratory diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Prospective study of 85 patients.", "content": "Because early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is difficult increasingly important, we have assessed the value of laboratory investigation in 85 patients with knee effusions studied from presentation and followed for sufficiently long periods to allow a definite diagnosis. Histopathology on needle biopsy specimens narrowed the differential diagnosis to rheumatoid arthritis and closely related conditions even at an early stage of disease and also allowed recognition of other conditions which would not otherwise have been detected. Immunofluorescence on similar specimens further narrowed differential diagnosis since the presence of IgM was found to be very suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis. Other tests were of less value. It is concluded that laboratory investigation can improve diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in relatively early rheumatoid arthritis.", "contents": "Laboratory diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Prospective study of 85 patients. Because early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is difficult increasingly important, we have assessed the value of laboratory investigation in 85 patients with knee effusions studied from presentation and followed for sufficiently long periods to allow a definite diagnosis. Histopathology on needle biopsy specimens narrowed the differential diagnosis to rheumatoid arthritis and closely related conditions even at an early stage of disease and also allowed recognition of other conditions which would not otherwise have been detected. Immunofluorescence on similar specimens further narrowed differential diagnosis since the presence of IgM was found to be very suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis. Other tests were of less value. It is concluded that laboratory investigation can improve diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in relatively early rheumatoid arthritis.", "PMID": 769705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2894", "title": "Phenylbutazone and chromosomal damage.", "content": "Investigation of 44 paired test and control patients, all suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, following exposure to phenylbutazone (PBZ) and/or oxyphenbutazone (OPB), suggests that there is no significant increase in the level of chromosomal damage in lymphocytes. The control subjects comprised two series, one previously exposed to PBZ and/or OPB, but not for at least 1-5 years, and the other never exposed to PBZ or OPB. No significant difference in the level of chromosome damage was found between patients never exposed, previously exposed, or now receiving PBZ and/or OPB.", "contents": "Phenylbutazone and chromosomal damage. Investigation of 44 paired test and control patients, all suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, following exposure to phenylbutazone (PBZ) and/or oxyphenbutazone (OPB), suggests that there is no significant increase in the level of chromosomal damage in lymphocytes. The control subjects comprised two series, one previously exposed to PBZ and/or OPB, but not for at least 1-5 years, and the other never exposed to PBZ or OPB. No significant difference in the level of chromosome damage was found between patients never exposed, previously exposed, or now receiving PBZ and/or OPB.", "PMID": 769706} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2895", "title": "Synthetic D(-)penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis. Double-blind controlled study of a high and low dosage regimen.", "content": "Doses of 600 mg and 1200 mg of D(-)penicillamine daily were superior to a standard regimen of therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. The higher dose did not produce significantly greater therapeutic benefit in the group of patients so treated, although individual patients sometimes improved more. The frequency of rashes, blood dyscrasias, and withdrawals from the trial increased withe dosage. It is concluded that D(-)penicillamine is a useful treatment that the daily dose should be as low as possible, and that it should be increased at infrequent intervals only, with due regard to the likelihood of further improvement in relation to an increased risk of adverse reactions.", "contents": "Synthetic D(-)penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis. Double-blind controlled study of a high and low dosage regimen. Doses of 600 mg and 1200 mg of D(-)penicillamine daily were superior to a standard regimen of therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. The higher dose did not produce significantly greater therapeutic benefit in the group of patients so treated, although individual patients sometimes improved more. The frequency of rashes, blood dyscrasias, and withdrawals from the trial increased withe dosage. It is concluded that D(-)penicillamine is a useful treatment that the daily dose should be as low as possible, and that it should be increased at infrequent intervals only, with due regard to the likelihood of further improvement in relation to an increased risk of adverse reactions.", "PMID": 769707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2896", "title": "The biologic categorization of inhaled fiber glass dust. A critical review of pertinent studies and reports.", "content": "Data obtained from animal models of fiber glass pneumoconiosis in which the fiber glass dust was inhaled indicate that fiber glass dust is nonfibrogenic and should be classified as a nuisance-type dust. Fiber glass dust, when inhaled even in high concentrations during much of the animal's lifetime, does not stimulate the production of neoplastic tissue. Epidemiologic data and pathologic examination of the lungs of long-term fiber glass workers indicate that fiber glass dust evokes no recognizable anatomic or functional changes. The development of tumors in the chest and abdominal cavities of rats as a result of the implantation of mineral fibers of diverse composition, including glass, has no relevance to man. The implication derived from such experimental results in rats that inhaled glass fibers are potentially carcinogenic for man, is therefore an inappropriate extrapolation of misinterpreted data.", "contents": "The biologic categorization of inhaled fiber glass dust. A critical review of pertinent studies and reports. Data obtained from animal models of fiber glass pneumoconiosis in which the fiber glass dust was inhaled indicate that fiber glass dust is nonfibrogenic and should be classified as a nuisance-type dust. Fiber glass dust, when inhaled even in high concentrations during much of the animal's lifetime, does not stimulate the production of neoplastic tissue. Epidemiologic data and pathologic examination of the lungs of long-term fiber glass workers indicate that fiber glass dust evokes no recognizable anatomic or functional changes. The development of tumors in the chest and abdominal cavities of rats as a result of the implantation of mineral fibers of diverse composition, including glass, has no relevance to man. The implication derived from such experimental results in rats that inhaled glass fibers are potentially carcinogenic for man, is therefore an inappropriate extrapolation of misinterpreted data.", "PMID": 769704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2897", "title": "Hyperbasophilic immunoblasts in circulating blood in chronic inflammatory rheumatic and collagen diseases.", "content": "The number of large circulating hyperbasophilic mononuclear cells - referred to as hyperbasophilic immunoblasts (HBI)- is often increased in collagen disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and grossly reflects the degree of disease activity. In contrast, in psoriatic arthropathy the percentage of (HBI) is within the normal range. HBI are mainly involved in immune reactions and may provide a valuable routine test for the assessment of the latter in disease states and for the predicition of relapse in chronic collagen diseases. Immunofluorescent techniques applied to samples from active autoimmune diseases have shown that a number of HBI are Ig-producing B-blasts. Moreover, in a few cases these intracytoplasmic immunoglobulins exhibited a rheumatoid factor-like activity, a finding which promises to yield additional information on the immunopathogenesis of RA.", "contents": "Hyperbasophilic immunoblasts in circulating blood in chronic inflammatory rheumatic and collagen diseases. The number of large circulating hyperbasophilic mononuclear cells - referred to as hyperbasophilic immunoblasts (HBI)- is often increased in collagen disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and grossly reflects the degree of disease activity. In contrast, in psoriatic arthropathy the percentage of (HBI) is within the normal range. HBI are mainly involved in immune reactions and may provide a valuable routine test for the assessment of the latter in disease states and for the predicition of relapse in chronic collagen diseases. Immunofluorescent techniques applied to samples from active autoimmune diseases have shown that a number of HBI are Ig-producing B-blasts. Moreover, in a few cases these intracytoplasmic immunoglobulins exhibited a rheumatoid factor-like activity, a finding which promises to yield additional information on the immunopathogenesis of RA.", "PMID": 769708} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2898", "title": "Persistence of antigen in nonarthritic joints.", "content": "The presence of antigen, IgG and C3 was shown by radioautography and immunofluorescence in the collagenous tissues of the joints of animals injected intra-articularly with antigen after having been previously immunized with that antigen in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Since these joints were shown to be virtually free of inflammatory reactions, we suggest that the persistence of immune complexes activating complement cannot fully explain the chronicity of experimental allergic arthritis.", "contents": "Persistence of antigen in nonarthritic joints. The presence of antigen, IgG and C3 was shown by radioautography and immunofluorescence in the collagenous tissues of the joints of animals injected intra-articularly with antigen after having been previously immunized with that antigen in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Since these joints were shown to be virtually free of inflammatory reactions, we suggest that the persistence of immune complexes activating complement cannot fully explain the chronicity of experimental allergic arthritis.", "PMID": 769709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2899", "title": "Structure-biodegradability relationships in pyrethroid insecticides.", "content": "The metabolism of 20 pyrethroids has been examined to evaluate the contribution of detoxification in their selective action between insects and mammals. The studies utilized living houseflies, mice, or rats, or esterase and oxidase systems derived from these organisms. Pyrethroid-hydrolyzing esterases cleave the primary alcohol trans-substituted-cyclopropanecarboxylates much faster than the corresponding cis-isomers but are ineffective in hydrolyzing secondary alcohol esters. Microsomal enzymes oxidize the (+)-trans-chrysanthemate moiety at the trans-methyl group of the isobutenyl substituent and at one of the gem-dimethyl groups whereas the (+)-cis-isomer is attacked at either of the isobutenyl methyl groups. Products isomerized at C3 of the cyclopropane are also detected but only after ester cleavage and oxidation of an isobutenyl methyl group. Each alcohol moiety has its own unique sites for oxidation involving pentadienyl, allyl, benzylic methylene, and aromatic substituents. An enhancement of insecticidal activity is expected on replacement of the biodegradable groupings with substituents relatively resistant to metabolism but this may also increase the mammalian toxicity.", "contents": "Structure-biodegradability relationships in pyrethroid insecticides. The metabolism of 20 pyrethroids has been examined to evaluate the contribution of detoxification in their selective action between insects and mammals. The studies utilized living houseflies, mice, or rats, or esterase and oxidase systems derived from these organisms. Pyrethroid-hydrolyzing esterases cleave the primary alcohol trans-substituted-cyclopropanecarboxylates much faster than the corresponding cis-isomers but are ineffective in hydrolyzing secondary alcohol esters. Microsomal enzymes oxidize the (+)-trans-chrysanthemate moiety at the trans-methyl group of the isobutenyl substituent and at one of the gem-dimethyl groups whereas the (+)-cis-isomer is attacked at either of the isobutenyl methyl groups. Products isomerized at C3 of the cyclopropane are also detected but only after ester cleavage and oxidation of an isobutenyl methyl group. Each alcohol moiety has its own unique sites for oxidation involving pentadienyl, allyl, benzylic methylene, and aromatic substituents. An enhancement of insecticidal activity is expected on replacement of the biodegradable groupings with substituents relatively resistant to metabolism but this may also increase the mammalian toxicity.", "PMID": 769703} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2900", "title": "Elective and emergency surgery in renal transplant patients.", "content": "Additional operations were necessary in 67 (41%) of 162 renal allograft patients. General anesthesia was employed in all but 5 patients with no morbidity or mortality. All patients were immunosuppressed and no additional steroids were used before, during, or after the procedure. The source of the donor kidney made no difference in predicting if a recipient would require post-transplantation surgery or if an emergency or elective operation was required. Oerations were necessary to correct complications either directly related to the transplant procedure (71%), or medical problems of immunosuppression or uremia (21%). Nine patients (6%) required operations unrelated to transplantation. The data indicate that transplant patients frequently need additional procedures which are directly related to the transplant operation, immunosuppression, or metabolic alterations of their past uremic condition. Mortality is related to the degree of toxicity from the immunosuppressive therapy.", "contents": "Elective and emergency surgery in renal transplant patients. Additional operations were necessary in 67 (41%) of 162 renal allograft patients. General anesthesia was employed in all but 5 patients with no morbidity or mortality. All patients were immunosuppressed and no additional steroids were used before, during, or after the procedure. The source of the donor kidney made no difference in predicting if a recipient would require post-transplantation surgery or if an emergency or elective operation was required. Oerations were necessary to correct complications either directly related to the transplant procedure (71%), or medical problems of immunosuppression or uremia (21%). Nine patients (6%) required operations unrelated to transplantation. The data indicate that transplant patients frequently need additional procedures which are directly related to the transplant operation, immunosuppression, or metabolic alterations of their past uremic condition. Mortality is related to the degree of toxicity from the immunosuppressive therapy.", "PMID": 769711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2901", "title": "The surgical management of bacterial endocarditis: a review.", "content": "A total of 239 surgically treated patients with primary endocarditis were reviewed both from the literature and from our own experience. The age range was 10 to 74 years with a male to female ratio of 3:1. A wide variety of organisms was found. However, as a group, gram positive organisms predominate. The onset of congestive failure was the major indication for surgery. The aortic valve was predominantly involved with the mitral valve running a distant second. The hospital mortality rate was 20% and the late mortality rate was 6.7% with an overall mortality of 26.7%. The prognosis in infective endocarditis when congestive failure develops, even in the presence of antibiotic therapy, is poor (79-89% mortality). In view of this poor prognosis, an aggressive attitude with regard to early surgical intervention can greatly improve the outcome of valvular endocarditis.", "contents": "The surgical management of bacterial endocarditis: a review. A total of 239 surgically treated patients with primary endocarditis were reviewed both from the literature and from our own experience. The age range was 10 to 74 years with a male to female ratio of 3:1. A wide variety of organisms was found. However, as a group, gram positive organisms predominate. The onset of congestive failure was the major indication for surgery. The aortic valve was predominantly involved with the mitral valve running a distant second. The hospital mortality rate was 20% and the late mortality rate was 6.7% with an overall mortality of 26.7%. The prognosis in infective endocarditis when congestive failure develops, even in the presence of antibiotic therapy, is poor (79-89% mortality). In view of this poor prognosis, an aggressive attitude with regard to early surgical intervention can greatly improve the outcome of valvular endocarditis.", "PMID": 769712} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2902", "title": "Clamp for wire closure of sternum.", "content": "A modification of the Kocher clamp used for wire closure of the sternum is described. With the clamp applied securely to the individual strands, the wire can be readily twisted; the shorter length of the clamp allows the surgeon a much firmer grip on the wire and saves considerable time during closure.", "contents": "Clamp for wire closure of sternum. A modification of the Kocher clamp used for wire closure of the sternum is described. With the clamp applied securely to the individual strands, the wire can be readily twisted; the shorter length of the clamp allows the surgeon a much firmer grip on the wire and saves considerable time during closure.", "PMID": 769713} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2903", "title": "Immunology and lung cancer.", "content": "Carcinoma of the lung is the number one cancer killer in the United States. The overall cure rate is about 10%, and although resection is the best treatment available, five-year survival following operation is only 25%. Recent studies have shown that patients with lung cancer are immunosuppressed but that pulmonary tumors do contain tumor-associated antigens. Studies of other human tumors indicate that immunotherapy can augment tumor immunity and can be an effective surgical adjuvant. This communication reviews the basic principles of tumor immunology, with emphasis on the immunology of lung cancer, and discusses how these principles may be applied to the therapy of lung cancer.", "contents": "Immunology and lung cancer. Carcinoma of the lung is the number one cancer killer in the United States. The overall cure rate is about 10%, and although resection is the best treatment available, five-year survival following operation is only 25%. Recent studies have shown that patients with lung cancer are immunosuppressed but that pulmonary tumors do contain tumor-associated antigens. Studies of other human tumors indicate that immunotherapy can augment tumor immunity and can be an effective surgical adjuvant. This communication reviews the basic principles of tumor immunology, with emphasis on the immunology of lung cancer, and discusses how these principles may be applied to the therapy of lung cancer.", "PMID": 769714} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2904", "title": "Fever of unknown origin secondary to brewer's yeast ingestion.", "content": "A 68-year-old man with intermittent fever of unknown origin was found to have a systemic Saccharomyces infection, probably as a result of daily oral ingestion of the organism as brewer's yeast, a nutritional supplement. The case illustrates the potential dangers that may occur secondary to the oral ingestion of viable microorganisms, and the disease-producing potential of Saccharomyces is reaffirmed. Once again, a thorough and complete medical history was the key to resolving an unusual fever of unknown origin.", "contents": "Fever of unknown origin secondary to brewer's yeast ingestion. A 68-year-old man with intermittent fever of unknown origin was found to have a systemic Saccharomyces infection, probably as a result of daily oral ingestion of the organism as brewer's yeast, a nutritional supplement. The case illustrates the potential dangers that may occur secondary to the oral ingestion of viable microorganisms, and the disease-producing potential of Saccharomyces is reaffirmed. Once again, a thorough and complete medical history was the key to resolving an unusual fever of unknown origin.", "PMID": 769716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2905", "title": "[Identification and lesion of prelemniscal radiation in the surgical treatment of tremor].", "content": "In a group of 40 patients operated on for the relief of tremor using stereotaxic techniques, the radiological location and electrophysiological characteristics of the optimum target were studied. The optimum target was defined as the place where the minimal lesion produced by the insertion of a 1.5 mm diameter electrode produced immediate cessation of tremor in the contralateral extremities. It was found that the optimum target is located in the subthalamus. Within this area electrical stimulation did not elicit sensory of pyramidal responses, but increased the amplitude of tremor. The study of somatic evoked potentials produced by stimulation of contralateral median nerve confirmed that the area does not correspond to a specific sensory system (medial lemniscus). By recording multiple unit activity a spontaneous 5 cycle per second rhythmic pattern, similar to that described for the VL thalamic nucleus, was occasionally seen. Finally, through an IBM 1130 computer the radiological location of those electrodes in the target area was approximated to a line, representing a vector whose orientation in space could be compared with that of different anatomical structures, and corresponded to the prelemniscal radiation. We concluded that the target area herein described is part of a reticulothalamic system that conveys tremogrogenic impulses to the pyramidal system and from here to the periphery.", "contents": "[Identification and lesion of prelemniscal radiation in the surgical treatment of tremor]. In a group of 40 patients operated on for the relief of tremor using stereotaxic techniques, the radiological location and electrophysiological characteristics of the optimum target were studied. The optimum target was defined as the place where the minimal lesion produced by the insertion of a 1.5 mm diameter electrode produced immediate cessation of tremor in the contralateral extremities. It was found that the optimum target is located in the subthalamus. Within this area electrical stimulation did not elicit sensory of pyramidal responses, but increased the amplitude of tremor. The study of somatic evoked potentials produced by stimulation of contralateral median nerve confirmed that the area does not correspond to a specific sensory system (medial lemniscus). By recording multiple unit activity a spontaneous 5 cycle per second rhythmic pattern, similar to that described for the VL thalamic nucleus, was occasionally seen. Finally, through an IBM 1130 computer the radiological location of those electrodes in the target area was approximated to a line, representing a vector whose orientation in space could be compared with that of different anatomical structures, and corresponded to the prelemniscal radiation. We concluded that the target area herein described is part of a reticulothalamic system that conveys tremogrogenic impulses to the pyramidal system and from here to the periphery.", "PMID": 769717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2906", "title": "Long-acting luteinizing homone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) analogs in the treatment of female infertility.", "content": "Induction of ovulation in 20 infertile women was attempted by the use of two synthetic analogs of LH-RH, D-ALA6-Des-Gly10-ethylamide and D-Leu6-Des-Gly10-ethylamide. Ovulation was obtained in five out of the 16 in whom D-Leu6-Des-Gly10-LH-RH ethylamide was administered intramuscularly. Two of the five women received the LH-RH analog additioned of polysaturated gelatines as carrier medium. None of these women got pregnant. It is concluded that better therapeutic results might be expected when a suitable LH-RH vehicle allowing a gradual release of LH-RH analog is obtained.", "contents": "Long-acting luteinizing homone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) analogs in the treatment of female infertility. Induction of ovulation in 20 infertile women was attempted by the use of two synthetic analogs of LH-RH, D-ALA6-Des-Gly10-ethylamide and D-Leu6-Des-Gly10-ethylamide. Ovulation was obtained in five out of the 16 in whom D-Leu6-Des-Gly10-LH-RH ethylamide was administered intramuscularly. Two of the five women received the LH-RH analog additioned of polysaturated gelatines as carrier medium. None of these women got pregnant. It is concluded that better therapeutic results might be expected when a suitable LH-RH vehicle allowing a gradual release of LH-RH analog is obtained.", "PMID": 769718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2907", "title": "Induction and stabilization of synchrony in the cell division of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Escherichia coli strains B5 and B/r/l were grown under conditions of periodic glucose starvation in a minimal medium. Such conditions of growth give rise to two synchronous populations that are out of phase regarding their time of division, one dividing shortly after a new supply of fresh medium and the other at a later stage of the feeding cycle. Preferential selection of one of the two populations using heat treatment resulted in a homogeneous synchronized culture that exhibited in a non-limiting medium of a high degree of synchrony that was long lasting. Synchrony and its persistence could survive preservation of such a synchronized culture by freeze drying. An explanation of the synchrony persistence was put forward and the practical implications of these findings were discussed.", "contents": "Induction and stabilization of synchrony in the cell division of Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli strains B5 and B/r/l were grown under conditions of periodic glucose starvation in a minimal medium. Such conditions of growth give rise to two synchronous populations that are out of phase regarding their time of division, one dividing shortly after a new supply of fresh medium and the other at a later stage of the feeding cycle. Preferential selection of one of the two populations using heat treatment resulted in a homogeneous synchronized culture that exhibited in a non-limiting medium of a high degree of synchrony that was long lasting. Synchrony and its persistence could survive preservation of such a synchronized culture by freeze drying. An explanation of the synchrony persistence was put forward and the practical implications of these findings were discussed.", "PMID": 769719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2908", "title": "Free tryptophan pool and tryptophan biosynthetic enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The free tryptophan pool and the levels of two enzymes of tryptophan biosynthesis (anthranilate synthase and indoleglycerolphosphate synthase)have been determined in a wild type strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in mutants with altered regulatory properties.", "contents": "Free tryptophan pool and tryptophan biosynthetic enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The free tryptophan pool and the levels of two enzymes of tryptophan biosynthesis (anthranilate synthase and indoleglycerolphosphate synthase)have been determined in a wild type strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in mutants with altered regulatory properties.", "PMID": 769720} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2909", "title": "Levoamphetamine vs dextroamphetamine in minimal brain dysfunction. Replication, time response, and differential effect by diagnostic group and family rating.", "content": "Double-blind crossover randomized Latin square comparison of placebo, dextroamphetamine, and levoamphetamine in 31 consecutively diagnosed children with minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) replicated a smaller nonrandom study. Both isomers showed significantly more benefit than placebo but were not significantly different from each other. Dextroamphetamine showed a nonsignificant trend of superiority over levoamphetamine. Of 25 subjects who responded well to drugs, three responded only to levoamphetamine, five only to dextroamphetamine, and 17 to both. This study seems to confirm the efficacy of levoamphetamine in MBD. An unsocialized aggressive subgroup (308.4) showed a nonsignificant trend for levoamphetamine superiority, in contrast to the hyperkinetic (308.0) and overanxious (308.2) subgroups. Those who responded best to levoamphetamine tended (not significantly) to be from poorer functioning families. Parents' ratings, but not teachers' or psychiatrists' ratings, showed significant placebo effect.", "contents": "Levoamphetamine vs dextroamphetamine in minimal brain dysfunction. Replication, time response, and differential effect by diagnostic group and family rating. Double-blind crossover randomized Latin square comparison of placebo, dextroamphetamine, and levoamphetamine in 31 consecutively diagnosed children with minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) replicated a smaller nonrandom study. Both isomers showed significantly more benefit than placebo but were not significantly different from each other. Dextroamphetamine showed a nonsignificant trend of superiority over levoamphetamine. Of 25 subjects who responded well to drugs, three responded only to levoamphetamine, five only to dextroamphetamine, and 17 to both. This study seems to confirm the efficacy of levoamphetamine in MBD. An unsocialized aggressive subgroup (308.4) showed a nonsignificant trend for levoamphetamine superiority, in contrast to the hyperkinetic (308.0) and overanxious (308.2) subgroups. Those who responded best to levoamphetamine tended (not significantly) to be from poorer functioning families. Parents' ratings, but not teachers' or psychiatrists' ratings, showed significant placebo effect.", "PMID": 769721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2910", "title": "Methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and levamfetamine. Effects on schizophrenic symptoms.", "content": "Methylphenidate hydrochloride dextroamphetamine sulfate, and levamfetamine succinate have potential as pharmacologic tools for the indirect evaluation of the role of neurotransmitters in schizophrenia. In actively ill schizophrenic patients, methylphenidate administered intravenously causes a brief but clear intensification of preexisting psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions. In our study, methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and levamfetamine were administered in equimolar doses to schizophrenic patients. Methylphenidate was a more effective activator of symptoms than dextroamphetamine, which in turn was more effective than levamfetamine. Levodopa (L-dopa) given orally also reportedly produces a temporary worsening of schizophrenic symptoms. While these findings augment a body of information suggesting that dopamine and norepinephrine may play a role in the activation of schizophrenic symptoms, our findings with methylphenidate (reportedly weak in eliciting stereotyped behaviour in rat) and our review of the literature indicate complexities that remain to be resolved. There is some utility of the procedure for differential diagnosis and selective therapy, but this is still of occasional and limited potential.", "contents": "Methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and levamfetamine. Effects on schizophrenic symptoms. Methylphenidate hydrochloride dextroamphetamine sulfate, and levamfetamine succinate have potential as pharmacologic tools for the indirect evaluation of the role of neurotransmitters in schizophrenia. In actively ill schizophrenic patients, methylphenidate administered intravenously causes a brief but clear intensification of preexisting psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions. In our study, methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and levamfetamine were administered in equimolar doses to schizophrenic patients. Methylphenidate was a more effective activator of symptoms than dextroamphetamine, which in turn was more effective than levamfetamine. Levodopa (L-dopa) given orally also reportedly produces a temporary worsening of schizophrenic symptoms. While these findings augment a body of information suggesting that dopamine and norepinephrine may play a role in the activation of schizophrenic symptoms, our findings with methylphenidate (reportedly weak in eliciting stereotyped behaviour in rat) and our review of the literature indicate complexities that remain to be resolved. There is some utility of the procedure for differential diagnosis and selective therapy, but this is still of occasional and limited potential.", "PMID": 769722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2911", "title": "The effectiveness of group psychotherapy with children.", "content": "Review of empirical outcome research on children's activity, behavior modification, play, and verbal therapy groups reveals unconvincing evidence of their effectiveness. An approximately equivalent number of studies yielded generally positive, mixed, and null results. Little evidence of deterioration was found. On a comparative basis, the results tend to favor behavioral as opposed to other approaches. This article includes recommendations for improving the quality of the data base and increasing its potential for influencing practice.", "contents": "The effectiveness of group psychotherapy with children. Review of empirical outcome research on children's activity, behavior modification, play, and verbal therapy groups reveals unconvincing evidence of their effectiveness. An approximately equivalent number of studies yielded generally positive, mixed, and null results. Little evidence of deterioration was found. On a comparative basis, the results tend to favor behavioral as opposed to other approaches. This article includes recommendations for improving the quality of the data base and increasing its potential for influencing practice.", "PMID": 769723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2912", "title": "Prophylaxis of affective disorders. Current status of knowledge.", "content": "A review of all properly controlled studies clearly indicates that lithium carbonate is prophylactic for mania in bipolar patients; it is suggestive of prophylaxis for depression in both bipolar and unipolar patients. Studies are outlined that would clarify lithium carbonate's prophylactic effect for depression in these two patient groups. Continuation therapy with antidepressants reduces incidences of recurrence in unipolar depressives. The only controlled study indicates that tricyclic antidepressants may have prophylactic effect in unipolar patients. This finding needs confirmation. Data are insufficient for conclusions on prophylactic treatment for schizoaffective disorders.", "contents": "Prophylaxis of affective disorders. Current status of knowledge. A review of all properly controlled studies clearly indicates that lithium carbonate is prophylactic for mania in bipolar patients; it is suggestive of prophylaxis for depression in both bipolar and unipolar patients. Studies are outlined that would clarify lithium carbonate's prophylactic effect for depression in these two patient groups. Continuation therapy with antidepressants reduces incidences of recurrence in unipolar depressives. The only controlled study indicates that tricyclic antidepressants may have prophylactic effect in unipolar patients. This finding needs confirmation. Data are insufficient for conclusions on prophylactic treatment for schizoaffective disorders.", "PMID": 769724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2913", "title": "A multiple-dose, controlled study of phenelzine in depression-anxiety states.", "content": "In a double-blind, controlled experiment, 62 outpatients with symptoms of depression with anxiety were selected for treatment with phenelzine sulfate, 60 mg daily, phenelzine sulfate, 30 mg daily, or placebo for six weeks. Forty-nine patients (79%) completed the experiment. Phenelzine sulfate, 60 mg daily, was significantly more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms of both depression and anxiety. Phenelzine sulfate, 30 mg daily, did not differ from the placebo. Only phenelzine sulfate, 60 mg daily, resulted in a median inhibition of platelet monoamine oxidase that exceded 80%. The results confirm a previous study that found phenelzine to be effective in the treatment of outpatients with depressive-anxiety states. Drug dosage is an important variable influencing clinical outcome in this patient group.", "contents": "A multiple-dose, controlled study of phenelzine in depression-anxiety states. In a double-blind, controlled experiment, 62 outpatients with symptoms of depression with anxiety were selected for treatment with phenelzine sulfate, 60 mg daily, phenelzine sulfate, 30 mg daily, or placebo for six weeks. Forty-nine patients (79%) completed the experiment. Phenelzine sulfate, 60 mg daily, was significantly more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms of both depression and anxiety. Phenelzine sulfate, 30 mg daily, did not differ from the placebo. Only phenelzine sulfate, 60 mg daily, resulted in a median inhibition of platelet monoamine oxidase that exceded 80%. The results confirm a previous study that found phenelzine to be effective in the treatment of outpatients with depressive-anxiety states. Drug dosage is an important variable influencing clinical outcome in this patient group.", "PMID": 769725} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2914", "title": "Influence of imipramine on the circulatory system in the course of endogenous depressive syndromes. I. Evaluation of the basic parameters of the circulatory system.", "content": "In patients with endogenous depression, imipramine exerts a regulative effect in both directions on blood pressure and pulse rate, dependent on the starting levels. In a majority of patients treated with imipramine, after 14 days blood pressure dropped and pulse rate was slowed. Remission of endogenous depression was statistically significantly more frequent in patients treated with imipramine in whom pressure and pulse rate underwent normalization. Early appearance of these effects of imipramine in patients with endogenous depression seems to be a good prognostic index.", "contents": "Influence of imipramine on the circulatory system in the course of endogenous depressive syndromes. I. Evaluation of the basic parameters of the circulatory system. In patients with endogenous depression, imipramine exerts a regulative effect in both directions on blood pressure and pulse rate, dependent on the starting levels. In a majority of patients treated with imipramine, after 14 days blood pressure dropped and pulse rate was slowed. Remission of endogenous depression was statistically significantly more frequent in patients treated with imipramine in whom pressure and pulse rate underwent normalization. Early appearance of these effects of imipramine in patients with endogenous depression seems to be a good prognostic index.", "PMID": 769738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2915", "title": "Immunologic phenomena in experimental rodentiosis. I. Development of delayed skin reactions and peritoneal macrophage migration inhibition in guinea pigs infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.", "content": "Hypersensitivity in guinea pigs infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was studied by means of skin tests and the migration inhibition test using peritoneal macrophages. Delayed hypersensitivity developed in the course of rodentiosis. Intensity of delayed skin reactions and degree of migration inhibition of peritoneal macrophages in the presence of specific antigen were strictly correlated.", "contents": "Immunologic phenomena in experimental rodentiosis. I. Development of delayed skin reactions and peritoneal macrophage migration inhibition in guinea pigs infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Hypersensitivity in guinea pigs infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was studied by means of skin tests and the migration inhibition test using peritoneal macrophages. Delayed hypersensitivity developed in the course of rodentiosis. Intensity of delayed skin reactions and degree of migration inhibition of peritoneal macrophages in the presence of specific antigen were strictly correlated.", "PMID": 769739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2916", "title": "Immunologic phenomena in experimental rodentiosis. II. Cellular and humoral factors in immunity to infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.", "content": "Humoral and cellular mechanisms of immunity to infection with Y. pseudotuberculosis bacilli in mice were studied. Development of delayed hypersensitivity, measured by the footpad test and macrophage migration inhibition test, was significantly correlated with immunity, expressed by elimination of Y. pseudotuberculosis cells from the organs of infected mice. Passive transfer of hypersensitivity and immunity was possible only by using peritoneal cells, while specific serum was inactive in this respect. Macrophages from immunized animals were more active in limiting intracellular multiplication of rodentiosis macroorganisms than macrophages from sensitive animals. Immunity in rodentiosis appears to be associated mainly with activation of cellular mechanisms.", "contents": "Immunologic phenomena in experimental rodentiosis. II. Cellular and humoral factors in immunity to infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Humoral and cellular mechanisms of immunity to infection with Y. pseudotuberculosis bacilli in mice were studied. Development of delayed hypersensitivity, measured by the footpad test and macrophage migration inhibition test, was significantly correlated with immunity, expressed by elimination of Y. pseudotuberculosis cells from the organs of infected mice. Passive transfer of hypersensitivity and immunity was possible only by using peritoneal cells, while specific serum was inactive in this respect. Macrophages from immunized animals were more active in limiting intracellular multiplication of rodentiosis macroorganisms than macrophages from sensitive animals. Immunity in rodentiosis appears to be associated mainly with activation of cellular mechanisms.", "PMID": 769740} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2917", "title": "[Micromotor recording of writing pressure during intracerevral stimulation at stereotactic operations (author's transl)].", "content": "Eight cases of spastic torticollis were examined during the course of stereotactic operations with the writing pressure apparatus of Steinwachs while the ventrolateral thalamus was stimulated. When 50 stimuli per sec are given, the significant changes of motor function in writing are the following: slowing of writing speed, an increase in writing pressure, greater changes of pressure amplitude with tendences to parallel course. With 25 stimuli per sec, simular results may appear, but smaller amplitude changes and lowering of writing pressure may also occur. When 8 stimuli per sec are given, no changes of pressure patterns in writing were found. Three typical cases are described. It is concluded that the recording of fine pressure changes in writing may indicate alterations of cerebral motor regulations although specific changes for certain thalamic stimulus locations were lacking.", "contents": "[Micromotor recording of writing pressure during intracerevral stimulation at stereotactic operations (author's transl)]. Eight cases of spastic torticollis were examined during the course of stereotactic operations with the writing pressure apparatus of Steinwachs while the ventrolateral thalamus was stimulated. When 50 stimuli per sec are given, the significant changes of motor function in writing are the following: slowing of writing speed, an increase in writing pressure, greater changes of pressure amplitude with tendences to parallel course. With 25 stimuli per sec, simular results may appear, but smaller amplitude changes and lowering of writing pressure may also occur. When 8 stimuli per sec are given, no changes of pressure patterns in writing were found. Three typical cases are described. It is concluded that the recording of fine pressure changes in writing may indicate alterations of cerebral motor regulations although specific changes for certain thalamic stimulus locations were lacking.", "PMID": 769745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2918", "title": "The effect of air embolism on renal preservation.", "content": "Air embolism to the kidneys was induced in dogs during an ex vivo perfusion preservation period using cryoprecipitated plasma to demonstrate the effect of air embolism on the function of the preserved kidneys. A sharp decline in plasma flow rate was observed after air was infused, but the rate returned to the preembolism range in 60 minutes. Differences in posttransplant serum creatinine levels between the control and air embolism groups were not statistically significant. No deleterious effect was demonstrated on the final function of preserved kidneys by infusion of air. Three cadaver kidneys that accidentally sustained air embolism during the perfusion preservation period were transplanted. Although an initial period of acute tubular necrosis developed in these three kidneys, two kidneys regained good renal function and the third kidney was removed because of irreversible rejction. This study demonstrates that kidneys that sustain air embolism can be used for clinical transplantation.", "contents": "The effect of air embolism on renal preservation. Air embolism to the kidneys was induced in dogs during an ex vivo perfusion preservation period using cryoprecipitated plasma to demonstrate the effect of air embolism on the function of the preserved kidneys. A sharp decline in plasma flow rate was observed after air was infused, but the rate returned to the preembolism range in 60 minutes. Differences in posttransplant serum creatinine levels between the control and air embolism groups were not statistically significant. No deleterious effect was demonstrated on the final function of preserved kidneys by infusion of air. Three cadaver kidneys that accidentally sustained air embolism during the perfusion preservation period were transplanted. Although an initial period of acute tubular necrosis developed in these three kidneys, two kidneys regained good renal function and the third kidney was removed because of irreversible rejction. This study demonstrates that kidneys that sustain air embolism can be used for clinical transplantation.", "PMID": 769747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2919", "title": "In defense of the open wound.", "content": "In a case of bilateral five-finger Dupuytren contracture, one hand was treated by open excision of the contracutred fascia and shortened skin with application of skin graft. The opposite hand was treated by the \"open-palm\" technique for comparison. There was no observable difference in the ranges of motion at the end of the two months following surgery. The open-palm technique continues to be simple alternative for the advanced cases requiring extensive excision of the palmar fascia leaving wide gaps in the palmar skin.", "contents": "In defense of the open wound. In a case of bilateral five-finger Dupuytren contracture, one hand was treated by open excision of the contracutred fascia and shortened skin with application of skin graft. The opposite hand was treated by the \"open-palm\" technique for comparison. There was no observable difference in the ranges of motion at the end of the two months following surgery. The open-palm technique continues to be simple alternative for the advanced cases requiring extensive excision of the palmar fascia leaving wide gaps in the palmar skin.", "PMID": 769748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2920", "title": "Gastrointestinal complications after renal transplantation: predictive factors and morbidity.", "content": "In a ten-year study involving 109 renal transplant patients, 37 (34%) developed gastrointestinal complications. The immediate mortality from these complications was 27%. Three of four patients with erosive gastritis died. Five deaths occurred among 17 patients who developed ulcers after transplantation. Emergency surgery for ulcers resulted in two deaths. Patients with peptic ulcer disease, esophagitis, or bleeding before transplantation were much more likely to develop recurrences that patients not so affected. Peptic ulcer occurred notably more often in recipients whose kidneys came from cadavers than from related donors. Experience with gastrointestinal bleeding or its absence during a first transplant is a useful predictor of the results after a second transplant. The high recurrence rate and high mortality suggest that patients with ulcer disease demonstrated before kidney transplantation should either undergo elective surgery for ulcer disease or not be accepted for transplantation. Patients in whom ulcer disease develops after a kidney transplant shoud undergo early elective surgery.", "contents": "Gastrointestinal complications after renal transplantation: predictive factors and morbidity. In a ten-year study involving 109 renal transplant patients, 37 (34%) developed gastrointestinal complications. The immediate mortality from these complications was 27%. Three of four patients with erosive gastritis died. Five deaths occurred among 17 patients who developed ulcers after transplantation. Emergency surgery for ulcers resulted in two deaths. Patients with peptic ulcer disease, esophagitis, or bleeding before transplantation were much more likely to develop recurrences that patients not so affected. Peptic ulcer occurred notably more often in recipients whose kidneys came from cadavers than from related donors. Experience with gastrointestinal bleeding or its absence during a first transplant is a useful predictor of the results after a second transplant. The high recurrence rate and high mortality suggest that patients with ulcer disease demonstrated before kidney transplantation should either undergo elective surgery for ulcer disease or not be accepted for transplantation. Patients in whom ulcer disease develops after a kidney transplant shoud undergo early elective surgery.", "PMID": 769749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2921", "title": "Mycotic aneurysms in transplant patients.", "content": "Eight cases of mycotic aneurysm occurred in seven transplant patients. Perinephric wound infection involving the iliac arteries was the cause of at least seven aneurysms. Simple ligation of the iliac artery proximal and distal to the aneurysm without grafting was effective therapy in all but one patient with an aortic aneurysm who required an axillofemoral bypass graft prior to excision of the aneurysm. There were no instances of ischemia to the involved extremities, and only two patients died as a result of the aneurysm. This dangerous complication can be avoided by preventing wound infections. In established perinephric abscesses, the kidney should be removed and the wound kept as clean as possible in order to prevent this complication. Arteriograms may be useful in the early detection of these aneurysms, before they rupture.", "contents": "Mycotic aneurysms in transplant patients. Eight cases of mycotic aneurysm occurred in seven transplant patients. Perinephric wound infection involving the iliac arteries was the cause of at least seven aneurysms. Simple ligation of the iliac artery proximal and distal to the aneurysm without grafting was effective therapy in all but one patient with an aortic aneurysm who required an axillofemoral bypass graft prior to excision of the aneurysm. There were no instances of ischemia to the involved extremities, and only two patients died as a result of the aneurysm. This dangerous complication can be avoided by preventing wound infections. In established perinephric abscesses, the kidney should be removed and the wound kept as clean as possible in order to prevent this complication. Arteriograms may be useful in the early detection of these aneurysms, before they rupture.", "PMID": 769750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2922", "title": "Influence of operating room surface contamination on surgical wounds: a prospective study.", "content": "The influence of operating room contamination on wound infection rates in clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated, and septid procedures was studied by a prospective randomized study of 2,020 surgical wounds. Operating room surface contamination was assessed by the RODAC bacterial plate method. Control rooms uniformly received Wet-Vac cleaning between operations. Experimental rooms were not cleaned between consecutive clean operations, but were cleaned after contaminated operations. The difference in surface contamination between groups of experimental and control rooms was found to be significant at the P less than .05 level. Patients operated on in experimental and control rooms were followed up postoperatively to assess whether they experienced wound infection. No statistically significant differences in wound infection rates were found between experimental and control room operations as total groups, clean procedures, or operations of long duration.", "contents": "Influence of operating room surface contamination on surgical wounds: a prospective study. The influence of operating room contamination on wound infection rates in clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated, and septid procedures was studied by a prospective randomized study of 2,020 surgical wounds. Operating room surface contamination was assessed by the RODAC bacterial plate method. Control rooms uniformly received Wet-Vac cleaning between operations. Experimental rooms were not cleaned between consecutive clean operations, but were cleaned after contaminated operations. The difference in surface contamination between groups of experimental and control rooms was found to be significant at the P less than .05 level. Patients operated on in experimental and control rooms were followed up postoperatively to assess whether they experienced wound infection. No statistically significant differences in wound infection rates were found between experimental and control room operations as total groups, clean procedures, or operations of long duration.", "PMID": 769751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2923", "title": "[Mast cells in the laryngeal papillomatosis of the child].", "content": "Mast cells are probably involved in the immunitary phenomena thought to be responsible for the evolution of laryngeal papillomatosis in children, particularly as a consequence of the correlation between such cells and eosinophile granulocytes. A morphological study of 9 cases in subjects aged between 2 and 9 yr is reported. The mean number of mast cells in the various phases of the diseases was assessed. There was a significant decrease in mast cell numbers right from the first stages of the lesion to the terminal stage prior to regression.", "contents": "[Mast cells in the laryngeal papillomatosis of the child]. Mast cells are probably involved in the immunitary phenomena thought to be responsible for the evolution of laryngeal papillomatosis in children, particularly as a consequence of the correlation between such cells and eosinophile granulocytes. A morphological study of 9 cases in subjects aged between 2 and 9 yr is reported. The mean number of mast cells in the various phases of the diseases was assessed. There was a significant decrease in mast cell numbers right from the first stages of the lesion to the terminal stage prior to regression.", "PMID": 769746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2924", "title": "A rapid method for quantitative assay of poliovirus from water with the aid of the fluorescent antibody technique.", "content": "A method is described for the rapid quantitative demonstration of polioviruses in water with the aid of the fluorescent antibody technique. Identification of the virus is possible after 18--24 hours as compared to 3--5 days required with the plaque count method. Approximately 10 plaque forming units, concentrated from a volume of 40 liters of seeded tap water could be demonstrated by the rapid method. Positive cells were already seen after 6--9 hours; the results were, however, not sufficiently quantitative. The method also showed itself to be less susceptible to bacterial contamination than the current isolation methods. Its possible utilization as a rapid, primary test for viral contamination of potable water is discussed.", "contents": "A rapid method for quantitative assay of poliovirus from water with the aid of the fluorescent antibody technique. A method is described for the rapid quantitative demonstration of polioviruses in water with the aid of the fluorescent antibody technique. Identification of the virus is possible after 18--24 hours as compared to 3--5 days required with the plaque count method. Approximately 10 plaque forming units, concentrated from a volume of 40 liters of seeded tap water could be demonstrated by the rapid method. Positive cells were already seen after 6--9 hours; the results were, however, not sufficiently quantitative. The method also showed itself to be less susceptible to bacterial contamination than the current isolation methods. Its possible utilization as a rapid, primary test for viral contamination of potable water is discussed.", "PMID": 769752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2925", "title": "[Topography of the optic thalamus, caudate and lenticular nuclei of the human brain in frontal section (an anatomical-statistical study applied to stereotaxis)].", "content": "Topographic coordinates of the thalamus, caudate and lentiform nuclei of the human brain in relation to the medial-sagittal plane and inferior-medial part of the corpus callosum were studied in 70 preparations. The parameters under study are characterized by mean values of the variants and square deviations. Detailed tables of these values are given which may be employed in stereotaxical calculations for all coordinates, for men and women separately, for the right and left hemispheres, brachy- and mesencephaly. Statistically reliable differences of coordinates found for 3 of 13 parameters studied were not regular. The necessity to identify the above subgroups in topometrical investigations of the human brain is under doubt.", "contents": "[Topography of the optic thalamus, caudate and lenticular nuclei of the human brain in frontal section (an anatomical-statistical study applied to stereotaxis)]. Topographic coordinates of the thalamus, caudate and lentiform nuclei of the human brain in relation to the medial-sagittal plane and inferior-medial part of the corpus callosum were studied in 70 preparations. The parameters under study are characterized by mean values of the variants and square deviations. Detailed tables of these values are given which may be employed in stereotaxical calculations for all coordinates, for men and women separately, for the right and left hemispheres, brachy- and mesencephaly. Statistically reliable differences of coordinates found for 3 of 13 parameters studied were not regular. The necessity to identify the above subgroups in topometrical investigations of the human brain is under doubt.", "PMID": 769754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2926", "title": "[Morphologic and applied aspects of mitotic pathology].", "content": "The author presents a classification and descriptions of various forms of pathology of mitosis. Changes in the mitotic regimen following administration of some drugs and under the effect of extreme factors are considered. Data on changes in the number and character of pathological mitoses in viral infection and radiation damage are discussed. Particular attention is given to the analysis of shifts in the mitotic regimen in various benign and malignant hyperplasia. It is shown that malignization (precancer and cancer of the larynx, endometrium, cervix uteri and stomach) is characterized by a rise of the mitotic activity, detection of division in metaphase and by a drastic increase in the number of pathological mitoses. These indices are used in the differential diagnosis of neoplastic processes and for early detection of possible malignization pf precancer hyperplasia.", "contents": "[Morphologic and applied aspects of mitotic pathology]. The author presents a classification and descriptions of various forms of pathology of mitosis. Changes in the mitotic regimen following administration of some drugs and under the effect of extreme factors are considered. Data on changes in the number and character of pathological mitoses in viral infection and radiation damage are discussed. Particular attention is given to the analysis of shifts in the mitotic regimen in various benign and malignant hyperplasia. It is shown that malignization (precancer and cancer of the larynx, endometrium, cervix uteri and stomach) is characterized by a rise of the mitotic activity, detection of division in metaphase and by a drastic increase in the number of pathological mitoses. These indices are used in the differential diagnosis of neoplastic processes and for early detection of possible malignization pf precancer hyperplasia.", "PMID": 769755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2927", "title": "[Detection of antinuclear autoantibodies by the indirect Coon's method].", "content": "A variant of the indirect method of fluorescent antibodies for revealing antinuclear autoantibodies and simultaneously for identifying the tissue- and organ-specific autoantibodies is suggested. As substrate, cryostatic sections of the rat's liver, heart, kidney which were fixed for 3 minutes in 96 degrees ethanol were used. Detection of autoantibodies is performed with the use of pure labeled autoantibodies to human IgG. The method described makes it possible to obtain easily compared and reproducible results.", "contents": "[Detection of antinuclear autoantibodies by the indirect Coon's method]. A variant of the indirect method of fluorescent antibodies for revealing antinuclear autoantibodies and simultaneously for identifying the tissue- and organ-specific autoantibodies is suggested. As substrate, cryostatic sections of the rat's liver, heart, kidney which were fixed for 3 minutes in 96 degrees ethanol were used. Detection of autoantibodies is performed with the use of pure labeled autoantibodies to human IgG. The method described makes it possible to obtain easily compared and reproducible results.", "PMID": 769756} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2928", "title": "[Pathologic anatomy of experimental listeriosis].", "content": "The authors present a survey of the Soviet and foreign literature and findings of their own experimental studies. On the basis of these data the pathologo-anatomic picture of listerosis in laboratory animals (white mice, guinea-pigs and rabbits) is given in dynamics and histogenesis of focal changes in this disease in elucidated. The most typical feature of listerosis in animals is lesions of the kidney where focal changes in the form of granulems could be detected macroscopically at an early period and with great consistency. Several stages in its histogenesis may be discerned: I. focal necroses of hepatic cells associated with their invasion with lister Listeria; 2. appearance of cellular elements around the foci of necroses with subsequent formation of granulemas consisting mainly of leucocytes and lymphoid cells; 3. development of necrobiotic changes in the central areas of granulemas with concomitance of exudative processes; 4. organization of necrotic foci with subsequent scarring.", "contents": "[Pathologic anatomy of experimental listeriosis]. The authors present a survey of the Soviet and foreign literature and findings of their own experimental studies. On the basis of these data the pathologo-anatomic picture of listerosis in laboratory animals (white mice, guinea-pigs and rabbits) is given in dynamics and histogenesis of focal changes in this disease in elucidated. The most typical feature of listerosis in animals is lesions of the kidney where focal changes in the form of granulems could be detected macroscopically at an early period and with great consistency. Several stages in its histogenesis may be discerned: I. focal necroses of hepatic cells associated with their invasion with lister Listeria; 2. appearance of cellular elements around the foci of necroses with subsequent formation of granulemas consisting mainly of leucocytes and lymphoid cells; 3. development of necrobiotic changes in the central areas of granulemas with concomitance of exudative processes; 4. organization of necrotic foci with subsequent scarring.", "PMID": 769757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2929", "title": "[Intestinal localization of shigellae in dysentery and experimental shigellosis].", "content": "The investigation of 53 section cases of dysentery and 18 biopsy specimens of the large intestine in acute dysentery in children showed that intrapithelial distribution of Shigella was not always regular. In studies of experimental Shigellosis on isolated loops of the intestine 459 segments of the intestine of 51 rabbits were investigated. The results obtained showed that Shigella multiplied mainly in the lumen of the intestine. The increase in number of Shigella in enterocytes was by 8-9 orders lower than that in the content of the ligated segment, whereas the number of enterocytes with Shigella was many times less than the total number of damaged cells. This confirms the conclusion that intraepithelial multiplication of Shigella is of no considerable significance in pathogenesis of dysentery.", "contents": "[Intestinal localization of shigellae in dysentery and experimental shigellosis]. The investigation of 53 section cases of dysentery and 18 biopsy specimens of the large intestine in acute dysentery in children showed that intrapithelial distribution of Shigella was not always regular. In studies of experimental Shigellosis on isolated loops of the intestine 459 segments of the intestine of 51 rabbits were investigated. The results obtained showed that Shigella multiplied mainly in the lumen of the intestine. The increase in number of Shigella in enterocytes was by 8-9 orders lower than that in the content of the ligated segment, whereas the number of enterocytes with Shigella was many times less than the total number of damaged cells. This confirms the conclusion that intraepithelial multiplication of Shigella is of no considerable significance in pathogenesis of dysentery.", "PMID": 769758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2930", "title": "Familial neurological disease associated with spongiform encephalopathy.", "content": "In a family in whom susceptibility to neurological diseases was transmitted in autosomal dominant fashion, the diseases affecting different family members ranged from subacute and chronic dementias to various motor system abnormalities without dementia. The propositus suffered a typical clinical course of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Neuropathological observations revealed spongiform encephalopathy. A first cousin had a chronic dementia; no spongiform changes were present at autopsy. Both patients had PAS-positive, eosinophilic plaques throughout the brain. Muscle biopsy of the propositus revealed some changes suggestive of \"ragged-red\" myopathy. The heterogeneity of disease and the inheritance pattern in this family suggests that general susceptibility to neurological disease is a genetic trait.", "contents": "Familial neurological disease associated with spongiform encephalopathy. In a family in whom susceptibility to neurological diseases was transmitted in autosomal dominant fashion, the diseases affecting different family members ranged from subacute and chronic dementias to various motor system abnormalities without dementia. The propositus suffered a typical clinical course of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Neuropathological observations revealed spongiform encephalopathy. A first cousin had a chronic dementia; no spongiform changes were present at autopsy. Both patients had PAS-positive, eosinophilic plaques throughout the brain. Muscle biopsy of the propositus revealed some changes suggestive of \"ragged-red\" myopathy. The heterogeneity of disease and the inheritance pattern in this family suggests that general susceptibility to neurological disease is a genetic trait.", "PMID": 769760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2931", "title": "Myoclonus in Alzheimer disease. A confusing sign.", "content": "Myoclonus in association with dementia of later adult life has been considered almost pathognomonic of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. However, myoclonus may also be seen with Alzheimer disease, and when the myoclonus occurs as an early manifestation of Alzheimer disease, distinction from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease may prove difficult.", "contents": "Myoclonus in Alzheimer disease. A confusing sign. Myoclonus in association with dementia of later adult life has been considered almost pathognomonic of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. However, myoclonus may also be seen with Alzheimer disease, and when the myoclonus occurs as an early manifestation of Alzheimer disease, distinction from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease may prove difficult.", "PMID": 769761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2932", "title": "The properties of four dental cements.", "content": "Tests on 4 cements showed no significant difference in the retentive property of zinc phosphate and polycarboxylate cements but significant differences existed between these and two zinc oxide eugenol (modified) materials. Polycarboxylate cement was the only material which fractured partially or wholly within the cement film and the zinc oxide eugenol modifications mostly adhered to the inlay.", "contents": "The properties of four dental cements. Tests on 4 cements showed no significant difference in the retentive property of zinc phosphate and polycarboxylate cements but significant differences existed between these and two zinc oxide eugenol (modified) materials. Polycarboxylate cement was the only material which fractured partially or wholly within the cement film and the zinc oxide eugenol modifications mostly adhered to the inlay.", "PMID": 769762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2933", "title": "Bases for gold inlays and crown restorations.", "content": "Modified zinc oxide-eugenol and calcium hydroxide cements are frequently used as bases beneath restorations. Investigation reveals that the bond strength between different types of dement may be less than that between different consistencies of the same type of dental cement. In some clinical situations, the choice of the type of cement as a base forming material beneath inlays and crowns should be made bearing in mind the type of luting material to be used.", "contents": "Bases for gold inlays and crown restorations. Modified zinc oxide-eugenol and calcium hydroxide cements are frequently used as bases beneath restorations. Investigation reveals that the bond strength between different types of dement may be less than that between different consistencies of the same type of dental cement. In some clinical situations, the choice of the type of cement as a base forming material beneath inlays and crowns should be made bearing in mind the type of luting material to be used.", "PMID": 769763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2934", "title": "Turkey meningo-encephalitis: a general review.", "content": "Turkey meningo-encephalitis (TME), a neuro-paralytic disease of the adult turkey caused by an Arbovirus, was described in 1960 in Israel, and not yet reported elsewhere. The seasonal outbreaks caused a high morbidity and a mortality up to 80%. A tendency toward spread has been found in the last two years. The TME virus was attenuated sucessfully by adapting it to a new host, the Japanese quail, and a vaccine prepared with this attenuated virus is effective in immunizing turkeys to the disease.", "contents": "Turkey meningo-encephalitis: a general review. Turkey meningo-encephalitis (TME), a neuro-paralytic disease of the adult turkey caused by an Arbovirus, was described in 1960 in Israel, and not yet reported elsewhere. The seasonal outbreaks caused a high morbidity and a mortality up to 80%. A tendency toward spread has been found in the last two years. The TME virus was attenuated sucessfully by adapting it to a new host, the Japanese quail, and a vaccine prepared with this attenuated virus is effective in immunizing turkeys to the disease.", "PMID": 769768} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2935", "title": "Efficacy of pralidoxime iodide and obidoxime dichloride as antidotes in diazinon-poisoned goslings.", "content": "The antidotal efficacy of pralidoxime iodide and obidoxime dichloride was investigated in goslings poisoned by a supralethal dose of the organophosphorus insecticide diazinon. Various doses of both drugs were administered by intramuscular injection when the poisoned birds were unable to walk. Pralidoxime at 100 mg/kg brought about a complete and speedy clinical recovery. Fifty mg/kg induced recovery in 4 of 6 poisoned goslings, and 25 mg/kg successfully trated only 1 of 6 birds. Obidoxime at 25 mg/kg showed no therapeutic properties whereas 50 and 100 mg/kg delayed the death of some birds by several hours. At 100 mg/kg, all goslings had transient signs of intoxication, which precluded the use of this compound as an antidote at higher doses. The mode of action of these antidotes in diazinon-poisoned goslings is discussed.", "contents": "Efficacy of pralidoxime iodide and obidoxime dichloride as antidotes in diazinon-poisoned goslings. The antidotal efficacy of pralidoxime iodide and obidoxime dichloride was investigated in goslings poisoned by a supralethal dose of the organophosphorus insecticide diazinon. Various doses of both drugs were administered by intramuscular injection when the poisoned birds were unable to walk. Pralidoxime at 100 mg/kg brought about a complete and speedy clinical recovery. Fifty mg/kg induced recovery in 4 of 6 poisoned goslings, and 25 mg/kg successfully trated only 1 of 6 birds. Obidoxime at 25 mg/kg showed no therapeutic properties whereas 50 and 100 mg/kg delayed the death of some birds by several hours. At 100 mg/kg, all goslings had transient signs of intoxication, which precluded the use of this compound as an antidote at higher doses. The mode of action of these antidotes in diazinon-poisoned goslings is discussed.", "PMID": 769769} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2936", "title": "Double blind trial of L-dopa in chronic schizophrenia.", "content": "A double blind study in 28 patients with chronic schizophrenia was carried out comparing L-dopa (up to 1250 mgm daily) with placebo (both groups continuing to receive regular neuroleptic medication) over a six week period. Assessments by the psychiatrists and psychologist using Rockland and Pollin Rating Scale showed differential improvement of insignificant proportions but the nurse's ratings showed clearly significant improvement in the subject group.", "contents": "Double blind trial of L-dopa in chronic schizophrenia. A double blind study in 28 patients with chronic schizophrenia was carried out comparing L-dopa (up to 1250 mgm daily) with placebo (both groups continuing to receive regular neuroleptic medication) over a six week period. Assessments by the psychiatrists and psychologist using Rockland and Pollin Rating Scale showed differential improvement of insignificant proportions but the nurse's ratings showed clearly significant improvement in the subject group.", "PMID": 769772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2937", "title": "A clinical trial of electrosleep therapy with a psychiatric inpatient sample.", "content": "The study assessed the effectiveness of electrosleep therapy in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties in a small, heterogenous sample of psychiatric inpatients. A double-blind format was employed, one group receiving active treatment while the other received simulated treatment. The results showed active electrosleep to be no better than placebo in bettering quality of sleep or in lessening symptoms of depression or anxiety.", "contents": "A clinical trial of electrosleep therapy with a psychiatric inpatient sample. The study assessed the effectiveness of electrosleep therapy in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties in a small, heterogenous sample of psychiatric inpatients. A double-blind format was employed, one group receiving active treatment while the other received simulated treatment. The results showed active electrosleep to be no better than placebo in bettering quality of sleep or in lessening symptoms of depression or anxiety.", "PMID": 769773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2938", "title": "Isolation of Yersinia (Pasteurella) pseudotuberculosis from the Palm dove (Streptopelia senegalensis).", "content": "Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was isolated from a sick Palm dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) picked up near a turkey farm in Nir-Banim, Israel. Clean birds and a guinea pig inoculated with the isolate died of the infection, or were killed in extremis. Y. pseudotuberculosis showing the same cultural characteristics as the original isolate was recovered from these animals. This is the first reported case of this infection from Israel.", "contents": "Isolation of Yersinia (Pasteurella) pseudotuberculosis from the Palm dove (Streptopelia senegalensis). Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was isolated from a sick Palm dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) picked up near a turkey farm in Nir-Banim, Israel. Clean birds and a guinea pig inoculated with the isolate died of the infection, or were killed in extremis. Y. pseudotuberculosis showing the same cultural characteristics as the original isolate was recovered from these animals. This is the first reported case of this infection from Israel.", "PMID": 769770} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2939", "title": "Chicken dermatitis and loss of feathers from Candida albicans.", "content": "An epidemic of dermatitis affecting the skin of the back and thighs of chickens in Israel is described. The causal organism was shown to be Candida albicans.", "contents": "Chicken dermatitis and loss of feathers from Candida albicans. An epidemic of dermatitis affecting the skin of the back and thighs of chickens in Israel is described. The causal organism was shown to be Candida albicans.", "PMID": 769771} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2940", "title": "Air operations and circadian performance rhythms.", "content": "This paper reviews experimental results and pertinent data from the literature on circadian behavioural rhythms and their modifications through various factors. It relates them to the operation of aircrews \"round the clock\" and on transmeridian routes and discusses some possibilities of an appropriate scheduling.", "contents": "Air operations and circadian performance rhythms. This paper reviews experimental results and pertinent data from the literature on circadian behavioural rhythms and their modifications through various factors. It relates them to the operation of aircrews \"round the clock\" and on transmeridian routes and discusses some possibilities of an appropriate scheduling.", "PMID": 769776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2941", "title": "Heat stroke: a review.", "content": "Heat stroke is a complex clinical picture caused by extreme elevation of body temperature and is especially prevalent in hot climates. The danger of heat stroke has apparently always accompanied unacclimatized man on his way through arid zones, and was often the cause of man's fatal adventures in the desert. Large numbers of unacclimatized urban dwellers have suffered when the urban areas have been involved in heat waves. Heat stroke has also been a major problem in hot industrial environments. This paper is a review of pertinent literature on this subject.", "contents": "Heat stroke: a review. Heat stroke is a complex clinical picture caused by extreme elevation of body temperature and is especially prevalent in hot climates. The danger of heat stroke has apparently always accompanied unacclimatized man on his way through arid zones, and was often the cause of man's fatal adventures in the desert. Large numbers of unacclimatized urban dwellers have suffered when the urban areas have been involved in heat waves. Heat stroke has also been a major problem in hot industrial environments. This paper is a review of pertinent literature on this subject.", "PMID": 769777} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2942", "title": "Conversion of pepsinogen into pepsin is not a one-step process.", "content": "By incubation of pepsinogen with pepstatin at pH2.5, the first 'active' protein generated on activation is trapped in an inactive complex. The first activation peptide liberated has been identified as residues 1-16 from the pepsinogen sequence. This suggests a sequential mechanism rather than a one-step formation of pepsin.", "contents": "Conversion of pepsinogen into pepsin is not a one-step process. By incubation of pepsinogen with pepstatin at pH2.5, the first 'active' protein generated on activation is trapped in an inactive complex. The first activation peptide liberated has been identified as residues 1-16 from the pepsinogen sequence. This suggests a sequential mechanism rather than a one-step formation of pepsin.", "PMID": 769785} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2943", "title": "Editorial: Electrical activity and excitation-contraction coupling in mammalian ventricular muscle.", "content": "The modern view of the mammalian ventricular action potential is that Na-ions are responsible for depolarization, the plateau is maintained by an inward Ca current and repolarization is due to the inactivation of this inward Ca current against a background outward K current. The electrical activity spreads over the surface and T-tubules of the cell and the inflow of Ca-ions, and possibly also the electrical signal, cause, a further release of Ca from internal stores, the lateral cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). This released Ca, by triggering the splitting of ATP, induces contraction. The released Ca is pumped back into the longitudinal SR and, as the Ca concentration is reduced, relaxation occurs. The Ca in the longitudinal SR is transported back to the storage site in the cisternae. This completes the cycle, release, uptake, transport back to the releasing site. On the basis of this scheme, the action of various drugs is briefly discussed.", "contents": "Editorial: Electrical activity and excitation-contraction coupling in mammalian ventricular muscle. The modern view of the mammalian ventricular action potential is that Na-ions are responsible for depolarization, the plateau is maintained by an inward Ca current and repolarization is due to the inactivation of this inward Ca current against a background outward K current. The electrical activity spreads over the surface and T-tubules of the cell and the inflow of Ca-ions, and possibly also the electrical signal, cause, a further release of Ca from internal stores, the lateral cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). This released Ca, by triggering the splitting of ATP, induces contraction. The released Ca is pumped back into the longitudinal SR and, as the Ca concentration is reduced, relaxation occurs. The Ca in the longitudinal SR is transported back to the storage site in the cisternae. This completes the cycle, release, uptake, transport back to the releasing site. On the basis of this scheme, the action of various drugs is briefly discussed.", "PMID": 769778} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2944", "title": "Substrate-binding ability of Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase in relation to its protein composition.", "content": "Interaction between Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and its substrates, the nucleoside triphosphates, was studied by gel-filtration and dialysis-rate-measurement techniques. 2. The holoenzyme bound variable amounts of ATP and GTP. There was no correlation between substrate-binding ability and enzyme activity of different enzyme preparations. 3. The core enzyme bound a maximum of 0.1 mol of ATP/mol of enzyme. The dissociation constant of this interaction was of the order of 1 X 10(-5)M. The core enzyme did not bind GTP. 4. A protein of mol.wt. 60000, which was eluted in the first fraction during phosphocellulose column chromatography of the holoenzyme, bound appreciable amounts of ATP. The dissociation constant of this interaction was of the order of 3 X 10(-5)-5 X 10(-6)M. 5. Evidence presented shows that this protein, and not the sigma factor, is responsible for the observed variation in the ATP-binding ability of the holoenzyme.", "contents": "Substrate-binding ability of Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase in relation to its protein composition. Interaction between Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and its substrates, the nucleoside triphosphates, was studied by gel-filtration and dialysis-rate-measurement techniques. 2. The holoenzyme bound variable amounts of ATP and GTP. There was no correlation between substrate-binding ability and enzyme activity of different enzyme preparations. 3. The core enzyme bound a maximum of 0.1 mol of ATP/mol of enzyme. The dissociation constant of this interaction was of the order of 1 X 10(-5)M. The core enzyme did not bind GTP. 4. A protein of mol.wt. 60000, which was eluted in the first fraction during phosphocellulose column chromatography of the holoenzyme, bound appreciable amounts of ATP. The dissociation constant of this interaction was of the order of 3 X 10(-5)-5 X 10(-6)M. 5. Evidence presented shows that this protein, and not the sigma factor, is responsible for the observed variation in the ATP-binding ability of the holoenzyme.", "PMID": 769786} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2945", "title": "Analysis of enzyme induction in bacteria.", "content": "The theoretical relations between the induced initiation and accumulation of lac mRNA and its translation are derived, taking the kinetics of repressor-operator dissociation and enzyme maturation into account. These relations are used to evaluate observed data on lac induction and to estimate a number of parameters that characterize the transcription and translation of the beta-galactosidase gene in the bacterium Escherichia coli B/r growing at three different rates (0.7-2.1 doublings/h).", "contents": "Analysis of enzyme induction in bacteria. The theoretical relations between the induced initiation and accumulation of lac mRNA and its translation are derived, taking the kinetics of repressor-operator dissociation and enzyme maturation into account. These relations are used to evaluate observed data on lac induction and to estimate a number of parameters that characterize the transcription and translation of the beta-galactosidase gene in the bacterium Escherichia coli B/r growing at three different rates (0.7-2.1 doublings/h).", "PMID": 769787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2946", "title": "Gamma-ray spectrometry data collection and reduction by simple computing systems.", "content": "The review summarizes the present state of the involvement of relatively small computing devices in the collection and processing of gamma-ray spectrum data. An economic and utilitarian point of view has been chosen with regard to data collection in order to arrive at practically valuable conclusions in terms of feasibility of possible configurations with respect to their eventual application. A unified point of view has been adopted with regard to data processing by developing an information theoretical approach on a more or less intuitive level in an attempt to remove the largest part of the virtual disparity between the several processing methods described in the literature. A synoptical introduction to the most important mathematical methods has been incorporated, together with a detailed theoretical description of the concept gamma-ray spectrum. In accordance with modern requirements, the discussions are mainly oriented towards high-resolution semiconductor detector-type spectra. The critical evaluation of the processing methods reviewed is done with respect to a set of predefined criteria. Smoothing, peak detection, peak intensity determination, overlapping peak resolving and detection and upper limits are discussed in great detail. A preferred spectrum analysis method combining powerful data reduction properties with extreme simplicity and speed of operation is suggested. The general discussion is heavily oriented towards activation analysis application, but other disciplines making use of gamma-ray spectrometry will find the material presented equally useful. Final conclusions are given pointing to future developments and shifting their centre of gravity towards improving the quality of the measurements rather than expanding the use of tedious and sophisticated mathematical techniques requiring the limits of available computational power.", "contents": "Gamma-ray spectrometry data collection and reduction by simple computing systems. The review summarizes the present state of the involvement of relatively small computing devices in the collection and processing of gamma-ray spectrum data. An economic and utilitarian point of view has been chosen with regard to data collection in order to arrive at practically valuable conclusions in terms of feasibility of possible configurations with respect to their eventual application. A unified point of view has been adopted with regard to data processing by developing an information theoretical approach on a more or less intuitive level in an attempt to remove the largest part of the virtual disparity between the several processing methods described in the literature. A synoptical introduction to the most important mathematical methods has been incorporated, together with a detailed theoretical description of the concept gamma-ray spectrum. In accordance with modern requirements, the discussions are mainly oriented towards high-resolution semiconductor detector-type spectra. The critical evaluation of the processing methods reviewed is done with respect to a set of predefined criteria. Smoothing, peak detection, peak intensity determination, overlapping peak resolving and detection and upper limits are discussed in great detail. A preferred spectrum analysis method combining powerful data reduction properties with extreme simplicity and speed of operation is suggested. The general discussion is heavily oriented towards activation analysis application, but other disciplines making use of gamma-ray spectrometry will find the material presented equally useful. Final conclusions are given pointing to future developments and shifting their centre of gravity towards improving the quality of the measurements rather than expanding the use of tedious and sophisticated mathematical techniques requiring the limits of available computational power.", "PMID": 769794} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2947", "title": "[Electrophoretic mobility of peripheral lymphocytes and Hodgkin's erythrocytes. Correlation with some clinical, hematological and immunological parameters of the disease].", "content": "In 32 patients with Hodgkin's disease the electrophoretic mobility of peripheral blood lymphocytes and, at the same time, some clinical, hematological, and immunological parameters of the disease were determined. The mean mobility of lymphocytes was normal; nevertheless, the lymphocytic mobility of 8/32 patients was significantly decreased. No correlation with clinical, hematological, and immunological parameters of the disease was detected. However, the functional deficiency of hodgkinian T lymphocytes seems to play a role in their abnormal electrophoretic behaviour. In 9 out of these 32 patients the electrophoretic mobility of peripheral erythrocytes was also determined. The average mobility was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased. No correlation with clinical, hematological, and immunological parameters nor with electrophoretic mobility of lymphocytes was detected.", "contents": "[Electrophoretic mobility of peripheral lymphocytes and Hodgkin's erythrocytes. Correlation with some clinical, hematological and immunological parameters of the disease]. In 32 patients with Hodgkin's disease the electrophoretic mobility of peripheral blood lymphocytes and, at the same time, some clinical, hematological, and immunological parameters of the disease were determined. The mean mobility of lymphocytes was normal; nevertheless, the lymphocytic mobility of 8/32 patients was significantly decreased. No correlation with clinical, hematological, and immunological parameters of the disease was detected. However, the functional deficiency of hodgkinian T lymphocytes seems to play a role in their abnormal electrophoretic behaviour. In 9 out of these 32 patients the electrophoretic mobility of peripheral erythrocytes was also determined. The average mobility was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased. No correlation with clinical, hematological, and immunological parameters nor with electrophoretic mobility of lymphocytes was detected.", "PMID": 769799} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2948", "title": "Effects of E. coli O 127 endotoxin on regenerating rat liver.", "content": "The Authors investigated the effect produced by endotoxin upon regenerating rat liver. The animals were divided into three groups after hepatectomy. The first group of animals received physiological solution, the second group received 0.5 mg of E. coli endotoxin soon after hepatectomy and the last group received the same quantity of endotoxin 22 hours after hepatectomy. To estimate hepatic regeneration we used: percentage of liver regeneration and mitotic activity. It was noted that the percentage of hepatic regeneration and mitotic activity were higher in the two groups of treated animals than in the control group. Mitotic activity and hepatic regeneration were higher in the animals treated 22 hours after hepatectomy than in the animls of second group. These results lead us to conclude that E. coli O 127 endotoxin is mitogenic also in vivo.", "contents": "Effects of E. coli O 127 endotoxin on regenerating rat liver. The Authors investigated the effect produced by endotoxin upon regenerating rat liver. The animals were divided into three groups after hepatectomy. The first group of animals received physiological solution, the second group received 0.5 mg of E. coli endotoxin soon after hepatectomy and the last group received the same quantity of endotoxin 22 hours after hepatectomy. To estimate hepatic regeneration we used: percentage of liver regeneration and mitotic activity. It was noted that the percentage of hepatic regeneration and mitotic activity were higher in the two groups of treated animals than in the control group. Mitotic activity and hepatic regeneration were higher in the animals treated 22 hours after hepatectomy than in the animls of second group. These results lead us to conclude that E. coli O 127 endotoxin is mitogenic also in vivo.", "PMID": 769800} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2949", "title": "[Immunopathology of nephropathy secondary to anaphylactoid purpura].", "content": "With the purpose of contributing to the study of the pathogenesis of the nephropathy of anaphylactoid purpura (NPA), investigation was made of the presence and extension of immunoglobuline deposits, complement factors and fibrinogen in renal biopsies of 15 patients with NPA, correlating the findings with glomerular lesions seen at the light microscope. Fibrin and IgA deposits were found in all biopsies in mesangium, while C3 was detected only in 5 cases with potentially progressive lesions: 3 with PEEF, one with PEED and one with MP, being negative in PSF and PE cases, which are potentially reversible. The extension of deposits was diffuse or segmentary, without the existence of a precise correlation with the different morphological types. It is concluded that the immunopathologic pattern found in NPA is quite characteristics, different from that of postinfectious acute glomerulonephritis and that there seems to exist relation between findings of C3 with progression of the glomerular lesion.", "contents": "[Immunopathology of nephropathy secondary to anaphylactoid purpura]. With the purpose of contributing to the study of the pathogenesis of the nephropathy of anaphylactoid purpura (NPA), investigation was made of the presence and extension of immunoglobuline deposits, complement factors and fibrinogen in renal biopsies of 15 patients with NPA, correlating the findings with glomerular lesions seen at the light microscope. Fibrin and IgA deposits were found in all biopsies in mesangium, while C3 was detected only in 5 cases with potentially progressive lesions: 3 with PEEF, one with PEED and one with MP, being negative in PSF and PE cases, which are potentially reversible. The extension of deposits was diffuse or segmentary, without the existence of a precise correlation with the different morphological types. It is concluded that the immunopathologic pattern found in NPA is quite characteristics, different from that of postinfectious acute glomerulonephritis and that there seems to exist relation between findings of C3 with progression of the glomerular lesion.", "PMID": 769797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2950", "title": "[Simplification of methods for the study of beta hemolytic Streptococcus in faryngeal exudate].", "content": "A procedure of possible epidemiological application is described. The material is taken from pharynx in infants in an attempt to control the serious problem of rheumatic fever in our environment. The investigation is carried out in two steps: in the first, the samples are inoculated in a selective medium impregnated in filter paper strips, from where they are transferred to blood agar plates where 15 to 20 inoculations may be practiced; with this, unnecessary waste of individual plates is avoided, as done following conventional methods. The equipment may be easily adapted for direct takings.", "contents": "[Simplification of methods for the study of beta hemolytic Streptococcus in faryngeal exudate]. A procedure of possible epidemiological application is described. The material is taken from pharynx in infants in an attempt to control the serious problem of rheumatic fever in our environment. The investigation is carried out in two steps: in the first, the samples are inoculated in a selective medium impregnated in filter paper strips, from where they are transferred to blood agar plates where 15 to 20 inoculations may be practiced; with this, unnecessary waste of individual plates is avoided, as done following conventional methods. The equipment may be easily adapted for direct takings.", "PMID": 769798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2951", "title": "Prediction of inspired oxygen concentration within a circle anaesthetic system.", "content": "Fresh gas flows of nitrous oxide, oxygen and halothane at 6, 3, 2 and 1 litre/min were introduced into a circle absorber system. Spontaneous respiration and IPPV were studied and a regression of inspired on delivered oxygen concentration % was calculated. The difference between delivered and inspired oxygen concentration % was increased by decreasing the fresh gas flow and by decreasiing the proportion of oxygen in that flow, especially during IPPV. Circuits designed to allow a maximum overflow of alveolar gas provided a greater inspired oxygen concentration. The patients' height and weight were related to the scatter of inspired values observed at 1 litre/min of fresh gas flow with IPPV.", "contents": "Prediction of inspired oxygen concentration within a circle anaesthetic system. Fresh gas flows of nitrous oxide, oxygen and halothane at 6, 3, 2 and 1 litre/min were introduced into a circle absorber system. Spontaneous respiration and IPPV were studied and a regression of inspired on delivered oxygen concentration % was calculated. The difference between delivered and inspired oxygen concentration % was increased by decreasing the fresh gas flow and by decreasiing the proportion of oxygen in that flow, especially during IPPV. Circuits designed to allow a maximum overflow of alveolar gas provided a greater inspired oxygen concentration. The patients' height and weight were related to the scatter of inspired values observed at 1 litre/min of fresh gas flow with IPPV.", "PMID": 769810} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2952", "title": "Immunogenicity of a rat leukaemia of spontaneous origin (SAL).", "content": "The SAL rat leukaemia, which resembles acute myeloblastic leukaemia, appeared initially to be non-immunogenic since resistance to an i.p. challenge with as few as 100 cells could not be obtained using stimulation of the RES or by immunization with SAL cells exposed to x-rays, nitrogen mustard, iodoacetate or glutaraldehyde. However, immunization with SAL cells exposed to low doses of mitomycin-C slowed the growth of the challenge inoculum. Cells treated with high doses of mitomycin-C did not immunize. The results are interpreted in terms of rapid shedding of a tumour-specific antigen from the membrane of SAL cells.", "contents": "Immunogenicity of a rat leukaemia of spontaneous origin (SAL). The SAL rat leukaemia, which resembles acute myeloblastic leukaemia, appeared initially to be non-immunogenic since resistance to an i.p. challenge with as few as 100 cells could not be obtained using stimulation of the RES or by immunization with SAL cells exposed to x-rays, nitrogen mustard, iodoacetate or glutaraldehyde. However, immunization with SAL cells exposed to low doses of mitomycin-C slowed the growth of the challenge inoculum. Cells treated with high doses of mitomycin-C did not immunize. The results are interpreted in terms of rapid shedding of a tumour-specific antigen from the membrane of SAL cells.", "PMID": 769814} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2953", "title": "Cross reactivity of an alloantigen present on normal cells with the tumour-specific transplantation-type antigen of the acute myeloid leukaemia (SAL) of rats.", "content": "Resistance can be induced in the syngeneic host (August rats) to a myelogeneous leukaemia of spontaneous origin, called SAL, by immunization with allogeneic cells derived form both normal and malignant tissues obtained from the Hooded rat strain. Serological experiments support the conclusion that the antigen involved-referred to as \"Ho-SAL\"-has the properties of a tumour specific transplantation-type antigen for SAL cells but is a widely expressed alloantigen found in both normal and malignant cells derived from Hooded rats. Antisera to it can be raised in Wistar rats.", "contents": "Cross reactivity of an alloantigen present on normal cells with the tumour-specific transplantation-type antigen of the acute myeloid leukaemia (SAL) of rats. Resistance can be induced in the syngeneic host (August rats) to a myelogeneous leukaemia of spontaneous origin, called SAL, by immunization with allogeneic cells derived form both normal and malignant tissues obtained from the Hooded rat strain. Serological experiments support the conclusion that the antigen involved-referred to as \"Ho-SAL\"-has the properties of a tumour specific transplantation-type antigen for SAL cells but is a widely expressed alloantigen found in both normal and malignant cells derived from Hooded rats. Antisera to it can be raised in Wistar rats.", "PMID": 769815} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2954", "title": "Smooth muscle associated antigen in astrocytes and astrocytomata.", "content": "Four human and 4 rat astrocytomata and mammalian adult brain and spinal cord were examined by indirect immunofluorescence with human serum containing smooth muscle antibody. Cryostat sections of astrocytomata showed staining of the tumour cell cytoplasm and processes while in normal adult brain and spinal cord the entire astrocyte stained. Impression film and tissue culture monolayers of astrocytomata showed staining of cell processes and a fine, filamentous network in the cell body. The reaction with astrocytoma tumour cells was stronger than that with the corresponding normal astrocytes. Specificity of the staining reaction was established by its prevention on neutralization absorptions of the serum with extracts or homogeneous of smooth muscle. The presence of smooth muscle-associated antigen in astrocytes and astrocytomata is indicative of contractile protein providing a mechanism of cell movement in vivo.", "contents": "Smooth muscle associated antigen in astrocytes and astrocytomata. Four human and 4 rat astrocytomata and mammalian adult brain and spinal cord were examined by indirect immunofluorescence with human serum containing smooth muscle antibody. Cryostat sections of astrocytomata showed staining of the tumour cell cytoplasm and processes while in normal adult brain and spinal cord the entire astrocyte stained. Impression film and tissue culture monolayers of astrocytomata showed staining of cell processes and a fine, filamentous network in the cell body. The reaction with astrocytoma tumour cells was stronger than that with the corresponding normal astrocytes. Specificity of the staining reaction was established by its prevention on neutralization absorptions of the serum with extracts or homogeneous of smooth muscle. The presence of smooth muscle-associated antigen in astrocytes and astrocytomata is indicative of contractile protein providing a mechanism of cell movement in vivo.", "PMID": 769816} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2955", "title": "Pancreatic ischaemia; sensitivity and reversibility of the changes.", "content": "In the rat, pancreatic clamping producing warm ischaemic times ranging from 5 to 90 min gives rise to changes similar to those of an haemorrhagic pancreatitis. The severity of the changes is proportional to the time of ischaemia. After 1 to 1 1/2 h clamping 95 per cent of the glandular changes are reversible, and at 2 months the pancreas appears normal apart from localized areas of fibrosis. The islets of Langerhans remain morphologically normal even after 90 min ischaemia. The implications for islet cell transplantation are discussed.", "contents": "Pancreatic ischaemia; sensitivity and reversibility of the changes. In the rat, pancreatic clamping producing warm ischaemic times ranging from 5 to 90 min gives rise to changes similar to those of an haemorrhagic pancreatitis. The severity of the changes is proportional to the time of ischaemia. After 1 to 1 1/2 h clamping 95 per cent of the glandular changes are reversible, and at 2 months the pancreas appears normal apart from localized areas of fibrosis. The islets of Langerhans remain morphologically normal even after 90 min ischaemia. The implications for islet cell transplantation are discussed.", "PMID": 769818} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2956", "title": "Investigation of the effect of K antigen in Escherichia coli urinary tract infections by use of a mouse model.", "content": "Urinary infection could be produced in mice by the inoculation of Escherichia coli into the bladder, provided that sutures had first been inserted into the bladder wall to act as foreign bodies. While the bladder was almost always infected, thekidneys were involved less often. The frequency of kidney infection was directly proportional to the K antigen of the infecting strain of E. coli. The significance of K antigens in relation to host defence mechanisms and tissue invasion is discussed.", "contents": "Investigation of the effect of K antigen in Escherichia coli urinary tract infections by use of a mouse model. Urinary infection could be produced in mice by the inoculation of Escherichia coli into the bladder, provided that sutures had first been inserted into the bladder wall to act as foreign bodies. While the bladder was almost always infected, thekidneys were involved less often. The frequency of kidney infection was directly proportional to the K antigen of the infecting strain of E. coli. The significance of K antigens in relation to host defence mechanisms and tissue invasion is discussed.", "PMID": 769819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2957", "title": "The effect of cytotoxic drugs on neutrophil phagocytosis in vitro and in patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia.", "content": "The in vitro effects of a range of concentrations of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, actinomycin D, cytarabine and methotrexate on neutrophil phagocytosis of C. albicans was studied. The reduction in phagocytic index (PI) was inversely proportional to the dilution of the drug and there was some inhibition of phagocytosis at all dilutions of all drugs. In patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), in vivo experiments showed that remission chemotherapy of doxorubicin or daunorubicin together with cytosine arabinoside increasingly inhibited phagocytosis over the period studied. The importance of these findings in the chemotherapy of malignant disease and the possible mode of action of cytotoxic drugs are discussed.", "contents": "The effect of cytotoxic drugs on neutrophil phagocytosis in vitro and in patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia. The in vitro effects of a range of concentrations of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, actinomycin D, cytarabine and methotrexate on neutrophil phagocytosis of C. albicans was studied. The reduction in phagocytic index (PI) was inversely proportional to the dilution of the drug and there was some inhibition of phagocytosis at all dilutions of all drugs. In patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), in vivo experiments showed that remission chemotherapy of doxorubicin or daunorubicin together with cytosine arabinoside increasingly inhibited phagocytosis over the period studied. The importance of these findings in the chemotherapy of malignant disease and the possible mode of action of cytotoxic drugs are discussed.", "PMID": 769820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2958", "title": "Toward an understanding of the formylation of initiator tRNA methionine in prokaryotic protein synthesis. I. In vitro studies of the 30S and 70S ribosomal-tRNA complex.", "content": "Formation of the 30S-tRNA initiation complex of Escherichia coli with nonformylated initiator tRNA is stimulated by all three initiation factors and is messenger dependent, whereas the complex formation involving the 70S ribosomes is strongly inhibited by initiation factors when the nonformylated species is used. When the 30S-Met-tRNAfMet complex is first formed and the 50S ribosomal subunit added subsequently, there is no significant inhibition by initiation factors and the nonformylated initiator tRNA is puromycin reactive. This leads to the conclusion that the formylation of the methionyl initator tRNA is only obligatory when polypeptide synthesis is initiated by nondissociated 70S ribosomes.", "contents": "Toward an understanding of the formylation of initiator tRNA methionine in prokaryotic protein synthesis. I. In vitro studies of the 30S and 70S ribosomal-tRNA complex. Formation of the 30S-tRNA initiation complex of Escherichia coli with nonformylated initiator tRNA is stimulated by all three initiation factors and is messenger dependent, whereas the complex formation involving the 70S ribosomes is strongly inhibited by initiation factors when the nonformylated species is used. When the 30S-Met-tRNAfMet complex is first formed and the 50S ribosomal subunit added subsequently, there is no significant inhibition by initiation factors and the nonformylated initiator tRNA is puromycin reactive. This leads to the conclusion that the formylation of the methionyl initator tRNA is only obligatory when polypeptide synthesis is initiated by nondissociated 70S ribosomes.", "PMID": 769821} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2959", "title": "Toward an understanding of the formylation of initiator tRNA methionine in prokaryotic protein synthesis. II. A two-state model for the 70S ribosome.", "content": "The 70S ribosomes can select the proper initiator tRNA between Met-tRNAfMet and fMet-tRNAfMet. Experiments on binding and on formation of aminoacylpuromycin, as a function of magnesium, potassium, or initiation factors, suggest a two-state equilibrium for 70S particles, involving a minor, active conformation and a major one which is not readily active. The formyl group would act as a specific trigger to select the active conformation. Experimental results are interpreted following this simple model and equilibrium parameters, together with kinetic constants of the peptidyltransferase activity, are presented.", "contents": "Toward an understanding of the formylation of initiator tRNA methionine in prokaryotic protein synthesis. II. A two-state model for the 70S ribosome. The 70S ribosomes can select the proper initiator tRNA between Met-tRNAfMet and fMet-tRNAfMet. Experiments on binding and on formation of aminoacylpuromycin, as a function of magnesium, potassium, or initiation factors, suggest a two-state equilibrium for 70S particles, involving a minor, active conformation and a major one which is not readily active. The formyl group would act as a specific trigger to select the active conformation. Experimental results are interpreted following this simple model and equilibrium parameters, together with kinetic constants of the peptidyltransferase activity, are presented.", "PMID": 769822} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2960", "title": "Incorporation of noncomplementary nucleotides at high frequencies by ribodeoxyvirus DNA polymerases and Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I.", "content": "The fidelity of DNA synthesis with synthetic homopolymer templates by two ribodeoxyvirus DNA polymerases and E. coli DNA polymerase I was examined by nearest neighbor frequency analyses. The experiments were designed to favor the incorporation of noncomplementary nucleotides, and the reactions were carried out only for short periods of time. All incorporations were template dependent. The frequency of incorporation of noncomplementary nucleotides next to complementary nucleotides by all three of these DNA polymerases significantly varied, depending on the conditions, from almost none (less than 0.2%) to 100% of the incorporation of the complementary nucleotide. In general, there was more incorporation of noncomplementary nucleotides in the presence of Mn2+ than in the presence of Mg2+ and with ribohomopolymer templates than with deoxyribohomopolymer templates. With a heteropolymer RNA template, the infidelity of DNA synthesis by one of the ribodeoxyvirus DNA polymerases was also increased by the presence of Mn2+ in the DNA synthesizing reaction. These findings indicate that, under appropriate conditions, any DNA polymerase has the potential to make a significatn number of errors in DNA synthesis and that altered conditions for DNA polymerase action might play a role in spontaneous mutation.", "contents": "Incorporation of noncomplementary nucleotides at high frequencies by ribodeoxyvirus DNA polymerases and Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. The fidelity of DNA synthesis with synthetic homopolymer templates by two ribodeoxyvirus DNA polymerases and E. coli DNA polymerase I was examined by nearest neighbor frequency analyses. The experiments were designed to favor the incorporation of noncomplementary nucleotides, and the reactions were carried out only for short periods of time. All incorporations were template dependent. The frequency of incorporation of noncomplementary nucleotides next to complementary nucleotides by all three of these DNA polymerases significantly varied, depending on the conditions, from almost none (less than 0.2%) to 100% of the incorporation of the complementary nucleotide. In general, there was more incorporation of noncomplementary nucleotides in the presence of Mn2+ than in the presence of Mg2+ and with ribohomopolymer templates than with deoxyribohomopolymer templates. With a heteropolymer RNA template, the infidelity of DNA synthesis by one of the ribodeoxyvirus DNA polymerases was also increased by the presence of Mn2+ in the DNA synthesizing reaction. These findings indicate that, under appropriate conditions, any DNA polymerase has the potential to make a significatn number of errors in DNA synthesis and that altered conditions for DNA polymerase action might play a role in spontaneous mutation.", "PMID": 769823} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2961", "title": "The effect of cations and membrane permeability modifying agents on the dark kinetics of the photoelectric response in isolated chloroplasts.", "content": "The kinetics of the photoelectric response induced by saturating light pulses were studied in isolated chloroplasts of Peperomia metallica as a function of K+- and Mg2+-concentrations in the medium in the absence and presence of ionophores for K+ and divalent cations. The dark decay of the potential generated in the light is found to be accelerated upon an increase in K+- or Mg2+-concentrations in the presence of valinomycin and A23187. An acceleration of the decay phase in the flash-induced response is also observed immediately after preillumination of the chloroplast. It is concluded that the dark kinetics of the potential decay after short and long light exposures are controlled by two different processes with rate constants of about 20 and 0.2s-1, respectively.", "contents": "The effect of cations and membrane permeability modifying agents on the dark kinetics of the photoelectric response in isolated chloroplasts. The kinetics of the photoelectric response induced by saturating light pulses were studied in isolated chloroplasts of Peperomia metallica as a function of K+- and Mg2+-concentrations in the medium in the absence and presence of ionophores for K+ and divalent cations. The dark decay of the potential generated in the light is found to be accelerated upon an increase in K+- or Mg2+-concentrations in the presence of valinomycin and A23187. An acceleration of the decay phase in the flash-induced response is also observed immediately after preillumination of the chloroplast. It is concluded that the dark kinetics of the potential decay after short and long light exposures are controlled by two different processes with rate constants of about 20 and 0.2s-1, respectively.", "PMID": 769824} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2962", "title": "Characterization of a replication mutant of the bacteriocinogenic plasmid Clo DF13.", "content": "In a previous paper (Kool, A.J. and Nijkamp, H.J.J. (1974) J. Bacteriol. 120, 569--578) the isolation of a mutant of the bacteriocinogenic plasmid Clo DF13-Rep3, has been described. It was observed that cells harbouring the wild type plasmid synthesize more plasmid DNA cells harbouring the wild type plasmid. This paper deals with the characterization of the nature of this plasmid-specific mutation. The following properties of the Clo DF13-Rep3 mutant plasmid could be observed: 1. The plasmid-specific mutation did not lead to a significant change in the sedimentation value of Clo DF13 DNA. 2. The specific rate of Clo DF13-Rep3 DNA synthesis (expressed as the number of plasmid DNA molecules synthesized per min) is on average seven times the specific rate of wild type Clo DF13 DNA synthesis. 3. Also chromosomeless minicells, harbouring the Clo DF 13-Rep 3 plasmid, contain about seven times more plasmid DNA as wild type Clo DF13 harbouring minicells. 4. The replication time of the Clo DF13-Rep3 plasmid is approx. 90 s at 30 degrees C and does not differ significantly from the replication time of the wild type plasmid. 5. The Rep3 mutation did not alter the dependence of Clo DF13 plasmid replication on the dnaA and dnaC gene products. 6. The plasmid-specific mutation is cis-dominant over wild type. The data presented in this paper indicate that this mutant plasmid is not affected in the elongation but in the initiation of plasmid DNA replication.", "contents": "Characterization of a replication mutant of the bacteriocinogenic plasmid Clo DF13. In a previous paper (Kool, A.J. and Nijkamp, H.J.J. (1974) J. Bacteriol. 120, 569--578) the isolation of a mutant of the bacteriocinogenic plasmid Clo DF13-Rep3, has been described. It was observed that cells harbouring the wild type plasmid synthesize more plasmid DNA cells harbouring the wild type plasmid. This paper deals with the characterization of the nature of this plasmid-specific mutation. The following properties of the Clo DF13-Rep3 mutant plasmid could be observed: 1. The plasmid-specific mutation did not lead to a significant change in the sedimentation value of Clo DF13 DNA. 2. The specific rate of Clo DF13-Rep3 DNA synthesis (expressed as the number of plasmid DNA molecules synthesized per min) is on average seven times the specific rate of wild type Clo DF13 DNA synthesis. 3. Also chromosomeless minicells, harbouring the Clo DF 13-Rep 3 plasmid, contain about seven times more plasmid DNA as wild type Clo DF13 harbouring minicells. 4. The replication time of the Clo DF13-Rep3 plasmid is approx. 90 s at 30 degrees C and does not differ significantly from the replication time of the wild type plasmid. 5. The Rep3 mutation did not alter the dependence of Clo DF13 plasmid replication on the dnaA and dnaC gene products. 6. The plasmid-specific mutation is cis-dominant over wild type. The data presented in this paper indicate that this mutant plasmid is not affected in the elongation but in the initiation of plasmid DNA replication.", "PMID": 769825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2963", "title": "Methylated nucleosides in polyadenylate-containing yeast messenger ribonucleic acid.", "content": "Yeast messenger RNA was found to be methylated. A calculation of the specific methylation showed that the average yeast messenger RNA molecule contains only two methylated nucleosides which occur in one alkali stable oligonucleotide. Similar to other eukaryotic messengers, the 5' terminus of yeast messenger RNA is blocked by 7-methylguanosine, linked through a di- or triphosphate bridge to a ribosemethylated nucleoside. Contrary to the messengers of high eucaryotic organisms, no additional base methylated constituents were found.", "contents": "Methylated nucleosides in polyadenylate-containing yeast messenger ribonucleic acid. Yeast messenger RNA was found to be methylated. A calculation of the specific methylation showed that the average yeast messenger RNA molecule contains only two methylated nucleosides which occur in one alkali stable oligonucleotide. Similar to other eukaryotic messengers, the 5' terminus of yeast messenger RNA is blocked by 7-methylguanosine, linked through a di- or triphosphate bridge to a ribosemethylated nucleoside. Contrary to the messengers of high eucaryotic organisms, no additional base methylated constituents were found.", "PMID": 769826} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2964", "title": "Regulation of nitrate reductase at the transcriptional and translational levels in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli is induced by nitrate and derepressed by oxygen removal after a lag phase. Elimination of inducer, shift to aerobic conditions and addition of actinomycin D causes the decline in the rate of its synthesis, which eventually may stop. Kinetic analysis of the sensitivity of the biosynthetic process to oxygen, chloramphenicol, actinomycin D and rifampicin gave results which we interprete as evidence that oxygen (and possibly nitrate) affect simultaneously both the transcriptional and translational processes.", "contents": "Regulation of nitrate reductase at the transcriptional and translational levels in Escherichia coli. Nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli is induced by nitrate and derepressed by oxygen removal after a lag phase. Elimination of inducer, shift to aerobic conditions and addition of actinomycin D causes the decline in the rate of its synthesis, which eventually may stop. Kinetic analysis of the sensitivity of the biosynthetic process to oxygen, chloramphenicol, actinomycin D and rifampicin gave results which we interprete as evidence that oxygen (and possibly nitrate) affect simultaneously both the transcriptional and translational processes.", "PMID": 769827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2965", "title": "Kinetic processes in Escherichia coli membranes and cells. A laser photolysis study using derivatives of pyrene.", "content": "Pyrene and several derivatives of pyrene are used to investigate photo-induced kinetic processes in whole cells and membranes extracted from Escherichia coli. A mutant of E. coli was used which, under appropriate growth conditions, produced a complete or incomplete lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane. The pyrene derivatives used were: pyrene sulfonic acid, pyrene butyric acid and the ester of pyrene butyric acid and 10-hydroxydecanoic acid. The pyrene chromophore was excited by the ultraviolet pulse from a Q switch, frequency-doubled, ruby laser. The lifetimes of the pyrene fluorescence in the presence of the quenchers O2, thallous ion (T1+), I-and CH3NO2 were measured and tabulated as second order rate constants. For the most part the quenching rate constants were much lower than the corresponding values observed in simple nonviscous solution, e.g. ethanol. This is interpreted as being due to the location of the probe within the membrane. The membrane inhibits the movement of the quenchers to the excited state. Cell membranes containing complete lipopolysaccharide showed significantly lower quenching rates for the probes pyrene and pyrene sulfonic acid than cell membranes with incomplete lipopolysaccharide. From an amalysis of the kinetic data it is suggested that pyrene and pyrene sulfonic acid are located near and under lipopolysaccharide and close to membrane proteins. On the other hand, no effect of lipopolysaccharide composition was observed for the probes pyrene butyric acid and pyrene butyroyl decanoic acid. This may suggest that these probes are located primarily in the lipid part of the membrane. A simple model for the outer membrane of E. coli is suggested that accounts for the observed laser-induced kinetic processes.", "contents": "Kinetic processes in Escherichia coli membranes and cells. A laser photolysis study using derivatives of pyrene. Pyrene and several derivatives of pyrene are used to investigate photo-induced kinetic processes in whole cells and membranes extracted from Escherichia coli. A mutant of E. coli was used which, under appropriate growth conditions, produced a complete or incomplete lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane. The pyrene derivatives used were: pyrene sulfonic acid, pyrene butyric acid and the ester of pyrene butyric acid and 10-hydroxydecanoic acid. The pyrene chromophore was excited by the ultraviolet pulse from a Q switch, frequency-doubled, ruby laser. The lifetimes of the pyrene fluorescence in the presence of the quenchers O2, thallous ion (T1+), I-and CH3NO2 were measured and tabulated as second order rate constants. For the most part the quenching rate constants were much lower than the corresponding values observed in simple nonviscous solution, e.g. ethanol. This is interpreted as being due to the location of the probe within the membrane. The membrane inhibits the movement of the quenchers to the excited state. Cell membranes containing complete lipopolysaccharide showed significantly lower quenching rates for the probes pyrene and pyrene sulfonic acid than cell membranes with incomplete lipopolysaccharide. From an amalysis of the kinetic data it is suggested that pyrene and pyrene sulfonic acid are located near and under lipopolysaccharide and close to membrane proteins. On the other hand, no effect of lipopolysaccharide composition was observed for the probes pyrene butyric acid and pyrene butyroyl decanoic acid. This may suggest that these probes are located primarily in the lipid part of the membrane. A simple model for the outer membrane of E. coli is suggested that accounts for the observed laser-induced kinetic processes.", "PMID": 769828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2966", "title": "The altered fibrous form of vitreous collagen following solubilization with pepsin.", "content": "Collagen occurs in the extracellular matrix of the bovine vitreous as fibers which have a fairly uniform diameter of approximately 195 A and exhibit an indistinct axial periodicity. Following treatment with pepsin approximately three quarters of the collagen was rendered soluble and by gel electrophoresis and comparison with calf skin collagen was shown to be composed of alpha1 chains, a high molecular weight alpha chain component, beta, as well as other high order components. No alpha2 chains were detected. The amino acid composition of the pepsin soluble collagen was different from that of other collagens composed only of alpha1 chains which suggests that it is composed of either a distinct type or mixture of alpha chains. When fibers were reconstituted from the pepsin solubilized collagen they differed markedly from the native fibers and exhibited a pronounced axial periodicity (approximately 640 A) and had diameters up to 1500 A. The difference between the reconstituted and native fibers suggests that the presence of the peptides cleaved by pepsin may be one of the factors which determines the particular fibrous form of collagen in the bovine vitreous.", "contents": "The altered fibrous form of vitreous collagen following solubilization with pepsin. Collagen occurs in the extracellular matrix of the bovine vitreous as fibers which have a fairly uniform diameter of approximately 195 A and exhibit an indistinct axial periodicity. Following treatment with pepsin approximately three quarters of the collagen was rendered soluble and by gel electrophoresis and comparison with calf skin collagen was shown to be composed of alpha1 chains, a high molecular weight alpha chain component, beta, as well as other high order components. No alpha2 chains were detected. The amino acid composition of the pepsin soluble collagen was different from that of other collagens composed only of alpha1 chains which suggests that it is composed of either a distinct type or mixture of alpha chains. When fibers were reconstituted from the pepsin solubilized collagen they differed markedly from the native fibers and exhibited a pronounced axial periodicity (approximately 640 A) and had diameters up to 1500 A. The difference between the reconstituted and native fibers suggests that the presence of the peptides cleaved by pepsin may be one of the factors which determines the particular fibrous form of collagen in the bovine vitreous.", "PMID": 769829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2967", "title": "Amino acid sequence homology in 30 S ribosomal protein S19 from Bacillus stearothermophilus and Escherichia coli.", "content": "The amino therminal sequence of 30 S ribosomal protein S19 from Bacillus stearothermophilus has been determined. Comparison with the corresponding ribosomal protein from Escherichia coli reveals substantial sequence homology in the first thirty residues and provides further evidence for conservation of genetic information which specifies the primary structure of ribosomal proteins in these taxonomically dissimilar organisms.", "contents": "Amino acid sequence homology in 30 S ribosomal protein S19 from Bacillus stearothermophilus and Escherichia coli. The amino therminal sequence of 30 S ribosomal protein S19 from Bacillus stearothermophilus has been determined. Comparison with the corresponding ribosomal protein from Escherichia coli reveals substantial sequence homology in the first thirty residues and provides further evidence for conservation of genetic information which specifies the primary structure of ribosomal proteins in these taxonomically dissimilar organisms.", "PMID": 769830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2968", "title": "Membrane-associated reactions in ubiquinone biosynthesis. 2-Octaprenyl-3-methyl-5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone methyltransferase.", "content": "The O-methylation of 2-octaprenyl-3-methyl-5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone, which has been previously postulated to be the final reaction in the biosynthesis of ubiquinone was demonstrated in vitro using cell extracts of Escherichia coli. S-Adenosyl-L-methionine was active as the methyl donor for the reaction. The enzyme concerned, S-adenosyl-L-methionine: 2-octaprenyl-3-methyl-5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone-O-methyltransferase, was partially purified and shown to have a molecular weight of about 50 000 and to require a divalent metal and dithiothreitol for optimal activity in vitro. The methyltransferase was absent from extracts from ubiG- mutants suggesting that the ubiG gene is the structural gene coding for the methyltransferase. The enzyme, although not firmly membrane-bound, showed some affinity for the cell membrane in broken cell preparations and could utilize the benzoquinone substrate when the latter was free or bound to the cell membrane, with about equal efficiency. It is concluded that in vivo, the methyltransferase reaction probably occurs at the internal surface of the cytoplasmic membrane.", "contents": "Membrane-associated reactions in ubiquinone biosynthesis. 2-Octaprenyl-3-methyl-5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone methyltransferase. The O-methylation of 2-octaprenyl-3-methyl-5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone, which has been previously postulated to be the final reaction in the biosynthesis of ubiquinone was demonstrated in vitro using cell extracts of Escherichia coli. S-Adenosyl-L-methionine was active as the methyl donor for the reaction. The enzyme concerned, S-adenosyl-L-methionine: 2-octaprenyl-3-methyl-5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone-O-methyltransferase, was partially purified and shown to have a molecular weight of about 50 000 and to require a divalent metal and dithiothreitol for optimal activity in vitro. The methyltransferase was absent from extracts from ubiG- mutants suggesting that the ubiG gene is the structural gene coding for the methyltransferase. The enzyme, although not firmly membrane-bound, showed some affinity for the cell membrane in broken cell preparations and could utilize the benzoquinone substrate when the latter was free or bound to the cell membrane, with about equal efficiency. It is concluded that in vivo, the methyltransferase reaction probably occurs at the internal surface of the cytoplasmic membrane.", "PMID": 769831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2969", "title": "A gene controlling the synthesis of non specific alkaline phosphatase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Recessive mutants defective in the formation of non-specific alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) could be selected by staining colonies on a plate with p-nitrophenylphosphate after treatment with chloroform vapour. Since no complementation was observed among the nine mutants so far tested, all the mutations might occur in the same locus, phoH. The non-specific alkaline phosphatase was repressible, although a significant basal level of the enzyme activity was observed in the repressed condition.", "contents": "A gene controlling the synthesis of non specific alkaline phosphatase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Recessive mutants defective in the formation of non-specific alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) could be selected by staining colonies on a plate with p-nitrophenylphosphate after treatment with chloroform vapour. Since no complementation was observed among the nine mutants so far tested, all the mutations might occur in the same locus, phoH. The non-specific alkaline phosphatase was repressible, although a significant basal level of the enzyme activity was observed in the repressed condition.", "PMID": 769832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2970", "title": "Uridine phosphorylase from Escherichia coli. Kinetic properties and mechanism.", "content": "Type I and Type II uridine phosphorylases (uridine: orthophosphate ribosyltransferase EC 2.4.2.3) are distinguished by their pH optima (Krenitsky et al. (1965) J. Biol. Chem. 240, 1281-1286). A Type I enzyme was partially purified from Escherichia coli. The crossing pattern of the initial velocity analysis indicated that the catalytic mechanism involved the sequential addition of substrates to the enzyme. Product inhibition by uracil or by ribose 1-phosphate was linear competitive with uridine or with concentrations of phosphate below 3 mM. This indicated that the sequence of substrate addition was random rather than ordered. At concentrations of phosphate above 3 mM, product inhibition by uracil was complex. The random mechanism of this Type I enzyme contrasts with the ordered mechanism of a Type II enzyme from rat liver (Kraut, A. and Yamada, E.W. (1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 2021-2030).", "contents": "Uridine phosphorylase from Escherichia coli. Kinetic properties and mechanism. Type I and Type II uridine phosphorylases (uridine: orthophosphate ribosyltransferase EC 2.4.2.3) are distinguished by their pH optima (Krenitsky et al. (1965) J. Biol. Chem. 240, 1281-1286). A Type I enzyme was partially purified from Escherichia coli. The crossing pattern of the initial velocity analysis indicated that the catalytic mechanism involved the sequential addition of substrates to the enzyme. Product inhibition by uracil or by ribose 1-phosphate was linear competitive with uridine or with concentrations of phosphate below 3 mM. This indicated that the sequence of substrate addition was random rather than ordered. At concentrations of phosphate above 3 mM, product inhibition by uracil was complex. The random mechanism of this Type I enzyme contrasts with the ordered mechanism of a Type II enzyme from rat liver (Kraut, A. and Yamada, E.W. (1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 2021-2030).", "PMID": 769833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2971", "title": "Release of certain ribosomal proteins from 70-S Escherichia coli ribosomes by mild ribonuclease digestion.", "content": "A method for the release of some proteins from Escherichia coli (MRE 600)ribosomes is described, avoiding extraction with denaturing reagents. High-salt-washed, 70-S ribosomes were treated with pancreatic ribonuclease which led to the release of 12 proteins of the larger ribosomal subunit. Separation of released protein was first attempted by gel filtration and by fractionation with (NH4)2SO4. The number and type of the released proteins were identified by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The method should prove of use in the large scale purification of proteins L1, L7, and L25.", "contents": "Release of certain ribosomal proteins from 70-S Escherichia coli ribosomes by mild ribonuclease digestion. A method for the release of some proteins from Escherichia coli (MRE 600)ribosomes is described, avoiding extraction with denaturing reagents. High-salt-washed, 70-S ribosomes were treated with pancreatic ribonuclease which led to the release of 12 proteins of the larger ribosomal subunit. Separation of released protein was first attempted by gel filtration and by fractionation with (NH4)2SO4. The number and type of the released proteins were identified by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The method should prove of use in the large scale purification of proteins L1, L7, and L25.", "PMID": 769834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2972", "title": "Outer membrane of Salmonella typhimurium. Transmembrane diffusion of some hydrophobic substances.", "content": "The outer membrane, which is composed of lipopolysaccharide, phospholipids, and proteins, is a layer of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, and apparently acts as a penetration barrier for various substances. It had been shown by other workers that \"deep rough\" mutants of Salmonella typhimurium, whose lipopolysaccharides lack most of the saccharide chains, were much more sensitive than the wild type strain to certain antibiotics and dyes, but not to others. We found that the former group of agents are usually hydrophobic and the latter group mostly hydrophilic. All hydrophilic antibiotics had molecular weights lower than 650, and one of them was shown to diffuse through the outer membrane of 0 degrees C. In contrast, some hydrophobic antibiotics had molecular weights in excess of 1200, and the rate of diffusion of one of them was shown to be extremely dependent both on temperature and on the structure of lipopolysaccharide present. These data and results presented elsewhere suggest, but do not necessarily prove, that most hydrophilic antibiotics diffuse through aqueous pores, whereas hydrophobic antibiotics and dyes mainly penetrate by dissolving into the hydrocarbon interior of the out membrane. In contrast to the outer membrane of deep rough mutants, that of the wild type strain and less defective rough mutants was unusual among biological membranes in that it was practically impermeable to hydrophiobic agents. It is proposed that the difference in hydrophobic permeability between the two types of strains is due to radical differences in the organization of the outer membrane, more specifically to the presence or absence of exposed phospholipid bilayer regions.", "contents": "Outer membrane of Salmonella typhimurium. Transmembrane diffusion of some hydrophobic substances. The outer membrane, which is composed of lipopolysaccharide, phospholipids, and proteins, is a layer of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, and apparently acts as a penetration barrier for various substances. It had been shown by other workers that \"deep rough\" mutants of Salmonella typhimurium, whose lipopolysaccharides lack most of the saccharide chains, were much more sensitive than the wild type strain to certain antibiotics and dyes, but not to others. We found that the former group of agents are usually hydrophobic and the latter group mostly hydrophilic. All hydrophilic antibiotics had molecular weights lower than 650, and one of them was shown to diffuse through the outer membrane of 0 degrees C. In contrast, some hydrophobic antibiotics had molecular weights in excess of 1200, and the rate of diffusion of one of them was shown to be extremely dependent both on temperature and on the structure of lipopolysaccharide present. These data and results presented elsewhere suggest, but do not necessarily prove, that most hydrophilic antibiotics diffuse through aqueous pores, whereas hydrophobic antibiotics and dyes mainly penetrate by dissolving into the hydrocarbon interior of the out membrane. In contrast to the outer membrane of deep rough mutants, that of the wild type strain and less defective rough mutants was unusual among biological membranes in that it was practically impermeable to hydrophiobic agents. It is proposed that the difference in hydrophobic permeability between the two types of strains is due to radical differences in the organization of the outer membrane, more specifically to the presence or absence of exposed phospholipid bilayer regions.", "PMID": 769835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2973", "title": "Preparation of erythrocyte ghosts by a glycol-induced osmotic lysis under isoionic conditions.", "content": "A procedure has been developed for obtaining haemoglobin-free, erythrocyte ghosts under ionic conditions approximating that of the cell cytoplasm. Haemolysis was effected by incorporating glycol into cells suspended in the isoionic medium and then diluting with a large volume of glycol-free medium. The ghosts were of uniform spherical shape throughout the preparative procedure and were impermeable to macromolecules. Analysis of polypeptides by sodium dodecyl sulphate-gel electrophoresis at each stage of preparation and comparison with ghosts prepared under hypo-ionic conditions served to distinguish membrane components from those of cytoplasm.", "contents": "Preparation of erythrocyte ghosts by a glycol-induced osmotic lysis under isoionic conditions. A procedure has been developed for obtaining haemoglobin-free, erythrocyte ghosts under ionic conditions approximating that of the cell cytoplasm. Haemolysis was effected by incorporating glycol into cells suspended in the isoionic medium and then diluting with a large volume of glycol-free medium. The ghosts were of uniform spherical shape throughout the preparative procedure and were impermeable to macromolecules. Analysis of polypeptides by sodium dodecyl sulphate-gel electrophoresis at each stage of preparation and comparison with ghosts prepared under hypo-ionic conditions served to distinguish membrane components from those of cytoplasm.", "PMID": 769836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2974", "title": "Neutron scattering for the analysis of membranes.", "content": "The advantageous use of neutron scattering techniques for the determination of membrane structures is described. Constituents of biological membranes show much larger differences in their scattering factors for neutrons than for X-rays, permitting the assignment of chemical groups to features in the Fourier map. Deuteration of particular components further enhances this difference and can be used to phase neutron data similar to the heavy atom technique of protein crystallography. Methods of contrast enhancement using H2O and 2H2O exchange, as well as secific deuterations, are outlined with examples from studies of sciatic nerve myelin artificial membranes and retinal rod outer segments.", "contents": "Neutron scattering for the analysis of membranes. The advantageous use of neutron scattering techniques for the determination of membrane structures is described. Constituents of biological membranes show much larger differences in their scattering factors for neutrons than for X-rays, permitting the assignment of chemical groups to features in the Fourier map. Deuteration of particular components further enhances this difference and can be used to phase neutron data similar to the heavy atom technique of protein crystallography. Methods of contrast enhancement using H2O and 2H2O exchange, as well as secific deuterations, are outlined with examples from studies of sciatic nerve myelin artificial membranes and retinal rod outer segments.", "PMID": 769838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2975", "title": "Selenium and cancer: a review.", "content": "The essential trace element selenium retards the growth of certain chemically induced tumors in animals. The addition of subtoxic amounts of this element in form of selenite to the supply water lowers the incidence of spontaneous mammary tumors in female C3H mice significantly without affecting the health and life-span of the animals. Arsenic, a selenium antagonist, administered in form of arsenite in the supply water, also lowers the tumor incidence at dosage levels of 10 ppm, but those animals which develop spontaneous mammary tumors under these conditions demonstrate dramatically enhanced tumor growth rates. The results of initial epidemiological studies suggest that the human cancer mortality is lower in areas providing an adequate dietary intake of selenium as estimated from the selenium content in grains and forage crops in various regions of the United States, or the dietary selenium intakes as calculated from food consumption data in various countries.", "contents": "Selenium and cancer: a review. The essential trace element selenium retards the growth of certain chemically induced tumors in animals. The addition of subtoxic amounts of this element in form of selenite to the supply water lowers the incidence of spontaneous mammary tumors in female C3H mice significantly without affecting the health and life-span of the animals. Arsenic, a selenium antagonist, administered in form of arsenite in the supply water, also lowers the tumor incidence at dosage levels of 10 ppm, but those animals which develop spontaneous mammary tumors under these conditions demonstrate dramatically enhanced tumor growth rates. The results of initial epidemiological studies suggest that the human cancer mortality is lower in areas providing an adequate dietary intake of selenium as estimated from the selenium content in grains and forage crops in various regions of the United States, or the dietary selenium intakes as calculated from food consumption data in various countries.", "PMID": 769840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2976", "title": "Comparative study of the 16S RNA's of Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris.", "content": "We have studied the primary structure of 16S ribosomal RNA from Proteus vulgaris. The oligonucleotides containing methylated bases appeared to be the same as those of Escherichia coli, with one exception. We have also studied the base composition of the oligonucleotides obtained after T1 ribonuclease digestion of 16S RNA. On the basis both of their position on the fingerprint and of their pancreatic ribonuclease analyses, approximately 25 appeared to differ from those found in the E. coli T1 fingerprints. From the isolation of large fragments arising from the action of endogeneous endonucleases, we have concluded that the RNA sequences of both species are very similar. We have shown that the 5' and 3' extremities of 16S RNA are mostly conserved. It appears that the regions which are known to interact with ribosomal proteins in E. coli (particularly S8 and S15) are also less modified. It is noteworthy that the sequence modifications which have been observed are clustered and often correspond to regions of heterogeneity in E. coli 16S RNA.", "contents": "Comparative study of the 16S RNA's of Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris. We have studied the primary structure of 16S ribosomal RNA from Proteus vulgaris. The oligonucleotides containing methylated bases appeared to be the same as those of Escherichia coli, with one exception. We have also studied the base composition of the oligonucleotides obtained after T1 ribonuclease digestion of 16S RNA. On the basis both of their position on the fingerprint and of their pancreatic ribonuclease analyses, approximately 25 appeared to differ from those found in the E. coli T1 fingerprints. From the isolation of large fragments arising from the action of endogeneous endonucleases, we have concluded that the RNA sequences of both species are very similar. We have shown that the 5' and 3' extremities of 16S RNA are mostly conserved. It appears that the regions which are known to interact with ribosomal proteins in E. coli (particularly S8 and S15) are also less modified. It is noteworthy that the sequence modifications which have been observed are clustered and often correspond to regions of heterogeneity in E. coli 16S RNA.", "PMID": 769841} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2977", "title": "Sequence studies on the 5S RNA of Proteus vulgaris: comparison with 5S RNA of Escherichia coli.", "content": "We have studied the sequence of 5S ribosomal RNA of Proteus vulgaris. Although several doubts remain, it seems that no more than 8 per cent of the nucleotides differ from those of Escherichia coli 5S RNA. Of the ten bases differing from Escherichia coli 5S RNA sequence, three changes take place in one of the six positions which are known as intercistronic mutation points in Escherichia coli 5S RNA. We can conclude that they are \"hot spots\" of mutation.", "contents": "Sequence studies on the 5S RNA of Proteus vulgaris: comparison with 5S RNA of Escherichia coli. We have studied the sequence of 5S ribosomal RNA of Proteus vulgaris. Although several doubts remain, it seems that no more than 8 per cent of the nucleotides differ from those of Escherichia coli 5S RNA. Of the ten bases differing from Escherichia coli 5S RNA sequence, three changes take place in one of the six positions which are known as intercistronic mutation points in Escherichia coli 5S RNA. We can conclude that they are \"hot spots\" of mutation.", "PMID": 769842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2978", "title": "Development of bacteriophage Ha2, a phiX174 derivative, in Escherichia coli strains carrying a thermosensitive mutation in the dnaG gene.", "content": "Ha2 is a derivative of HaHb, a phiX174 mutant able to grow on several Escherichia coli K 12 strains which are insensitive to phiX174 wild type. Ha2 was isolated after nitrous acid mutagenesis and selected as being able to give large plaques in equal number at 42 degrees C as well as 30 degrees C when plated on Escherichia coli C and CR34. Hosts carrying a thermosensitive mutation at the dnaG locus are unable to support the replication and maturation of Ha2 at the restrictive temperature. The first steps of Ha2 development: attachment, eclipse and penetration, are not affected by the dnaG mutation. The viral DNA penetrates the cell as single-strands, which are probably attached to a viral protein component. The following steps of viral replication depend on the presence of an active dnaG gene product: no formation of parental RF; no synthesis and replication of progeny RF were observed in the mutant strains at 42 degrees C. The synthesis of viral single-stranded DNA as well as phage formation are lowered after a shift to the restrictive conditions, suggesting that the dnaG gene product is also involved at these stages.", "contents": "Development of bacteriophage Ha2, a phiX174 derivative, in Escherichia coli strains carrying a thermosensitive mutation in the dnaG gene. Ha2 is a derivative of HaHb, a phiX174 mutant able to grow on several Escherichia coli K 12 strains which are insensitive to phiX174 wild type. Ha2 was isolated after nitrous acid mutagenesis and selected as being able to give large plaques in equal number at 42 degrees C as well as 30 degrees C when plated on Escherichia coli C and CR34. Hosts carrying a thermosensitive mutation at the dnaG locus are unable to support the replication and maturation of Ha2 at the restrictive temperature. The first steps of Ha2 development: attachment, eclipse and penetration, are not affected by the dnaG mutation. The viral DNA penetrates the cell as single-strands, which are probably attached to a viral protein component. The following steps of viral replication depend on the presence of an active dnaG gene product: no formation of parental RF; no synthesis and replication of progeny RF were observed in the mutant strains at 42 degrees C. The synthesis of viral single-stranded DNA as well as phage formation are lowered after a shift to the restrictive conditions, suggesting that the dnaG gene product is also involved at these stages.", "PMID": 769843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2979", "title": "Rearrangement of mitochondrial DNA molecules during the differentiation of mitochondria in yeast. I.-Electron microscopic studies of size and shape.", "content": "Size and shape of purified mitochondrial DNA was analyzed by electron microscopy as a function of mitochondrial differentiation. The mitochondrial DNA was extracted at fourth growth stages corresponding to different steps of mitochondria repression and depression. It was heterogeneous both in form and length. The size of linear molecules ranged from 1 mu to 25 mu but most of the molecules could be assigned into four Gaussian subpopulations with mean lengths of 2.2 mu to 4.0 mu, 6.0 mu and 10.0 mu. The circular molecules were all open and sized varied from 0.5 mu to 10 mu. Their length repartition was congruent with a logarithmic Gaussian distribution. The relative proportion of the different classes of molecules changed according to the stage of the growth cycle: during the repression most of the mitochondrial DNA molecules were short: the population of 2.2 mu was predominant. The longest linear molecules were observed during derepression where the populations of 4.0 mu and 10.0 mu were only found as well as the highest proportion of circular molecules. At the stationary phase the mitochondrial DNA became short again and the circles disappeared completely. The mitochondrial DNA extracted from a cytoplasmic \"petite\" was composed of linear and circular molecules. The linear molecules ranged from 0.1 mu to 32 mu and most of them could be assigned to two subpopulations of 1.3 mu and 4.2 mu. The circular molecules which accounted for 11 percent had contour lengths of 0.7 mu and 1.5 mu. The physiological meaning of the change in the relative proportion of different classes of mitochondrial DNA is discussed.", "contents": "Rearrangement of mitochondrial DNA molecules during the differentiation of mitochondria in yeast. I.-Electron microscopic studies of size and shape. Size and shape of purified mitochondrial DNA was analyzed by electron microscopy as a function of mitochondrial differentiation. The mitochondrial DNA was extracted at fourth growth stages corresponding to different steps of mitochondria repression and depression. It was heterogeneous both in form and length. The size of linear molecules ranged from 1 mu to 25 mu but most of the molecules could be assigned into four Gaussian subpopulations with mean lengths of 2.2 mu to 4.0 mu, 6.0 mu and 10.0 mu. The circular molecules were all open and sized varied from 0.5 mu to 10 mu. Their length repartition was congruent with a logarithmic Gaussian distribution. The relative proportion of the different classes of molecules changed according to the stage of the growth cycle: during the repression most of the mitochondrial DNA molecules were short: the population of 2.2 mu was predominant. The longest linear molecules were observed during derepression where the populations of 4.0 mu and 10.0 mu were only found as well as the highest proportion of circular molecules. At the stationary phase the mitochondrial DNA became short again and the circles disappeared completely. The mitochondrial DNA extracted from a cytoplasmic \"petite\" was composed of linear and circular molecules. The linear molecules ranged from 0.1 mu to 32 mu and most of them could be assigned to two subpopulations of 1.3 mu and 4.2 mu. The circular molecules which accounted for 11 percent had contour lengths of 0.7 mu and 1.5 mu. The physiological meaning of the change in the relative proportion of different classes of mitochondrial DNA is discussed.", "PMID": 769844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2980", "title": "Rearrangement of mitochondrial DNA molecules during the differentiation of mitochondria in yeast. II. - Labelling studies of the precursor product relationship.", "content": "The length distribution in sucrose sedimentation gradient of the newly-synthesized pulse-labelled mitochondrial DNA has been established at an early stage of depression in wild type yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). This stage corresponded to the beginning of mitochondrial differentiation. The radioactive DNA was longer (mean lengths 5, 10 and 22-25 mu) than the preexisting cold DNA (mean length 6.5 mu with two shoulders at 4 mum and 10 mum and one minor peak at 2-2.5 mum). These date confirm that the mean size of the different length populations of linear yeast mitochondrial DNA are under physiological control. Chase experiments were undertaken as follows. The yeast cells were uniformly prelabelled under anaerobiosis. Therefore the mitochondrial DNA molecules were short. Respiratory adaptation was performed in a cold medium and the lengthening process was induced. The specific activities of the long molecules made up during the respiratory adaptation did mot markedly differ from that of prelabelled DNA (decrease of specific activity less than 18 per cent). Molecules as long as 40 mum were also recorded. This lengthening seems to proceed through a non reciprocal exchange of polynucleotide stretches between preexisting molecules. We call it rearrangement. It occurs during the differentiation of mitochondria. Much of the mitochondrial DNA is maintained whereas a small amount of DNA is synthesized. This hypothesis is favoured by recent genetical and physical studies on mitochondrial recombination in yeast.", "contents": "Rearrangement of mitochondrial DNA molecules during the differentiation of mitochondria in yeast. II. - Labelling studies of the precursor product relationship. The length distribution in sucrose sedimentation gradient of the newly-synthesized pulse-labelled mitochondrial DNA has been established at an early stage of depression in wild type yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). This stage corresponded to the beginning of mitochondrial differentiation. The radioactive DNA was longer (mean lengths 5, 10 and 22-25 mu) than the preexisting cold DNA (mean length 6.5 mu with two shoulders at 4 mum and 10 mum and one minor peak at 2-2.5 mum). These date confirm that the mean size of the different length populations of linear yeast mitochondrial DNA are under physiological control. Chase experiments were undertaken as follows. The yeast cells were uniformly prelabelled under anaerobiosis. Therefore the mitochondrial DNA molecules were short. Respiratory adaptation was performed in a cold medium and the lengthening process was induced. The specific activities of the long molecules made up during the respiratory adaptation did mot markedly differ from that of prelabelled DNA (decrease of specific activity less than 18 per cent). Molecules as long as 40 mum were also recorded. This lengthening seems to proceed through a non reciprocal exchange of polynucleotide stretches between preexisting molecules. We call it rearrangement. It occurs during the differentiation of mitochondria. Much of the mitochondrial DNA is maintained whereas a small amount of DNA is synthesized. This hypothesis is favoured by recent genetical and physical studies on mitochondrial recombination in yeast.", "PMID": 769845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2981", "title": "[Transamination of L-aspartate and L-phenylalanine in Escherichia coli K 12].", "content": "At least four separate enzymes are found to catalyze the transamination between phenylalanine and alpha-ketoglutarate in E. coli K 12, one of them being the aspartate aminotransferase. The Km of the latter enzyme for alpha-ketoglutarate is 0.3 or 0.035 mM according to the acceptor aminoacid being phenylalanine or aspartate respectively. The double specificity of aspartate aminotransferase in E. coli is however clearly shown by thermal inactivation studies using various effectors or different temperatures, and by the finding of an active transamination between aspartate and phenylpyruvate in the absence of ketoglutarate. This reaction shows the usual ping-pong type of mechanism, which implies that both substances are substrates for the same protein. Contrary to the phenylalanine-alpha-ketoglutarate reaction, which is probably of little importance in vivo when catalyzed by this enzyme, the direct ketoglutarate-free transamination between aspartate and the aromatic alpha-ketoacid is likely to represent a physiological function in regulating, at least partially, the balance between biosynthetic pathways for aromatic aminoacids and aspartate, for instance by maintaining similar ratios between the aminoacid and its ketoacid partner in both cases. For the sake of clarity it is proposed that the name \"transaminase A\", first devised by Rudman and Meister, be used for aspartate aminotransferase only, knowing that the specificity of this peculiar enzyme behaves as an accessory agent in the transamination of the aromatic compounds.", "contents": "[Transamination of L-aspartate and L-phenylalanine in Escherichia coli K 12]. At least four separate enzymes are found to catalyze the transamination between phenylalanine and alpha-ketoglutarate in E. coli K 12, one of them being the aspartate aminotransferase. The Km of the latter enzyme for alpha-ketoglutarate is 0.3 or 0.035 mM according to the acceptor aminoacid being phenylalanine or aspartate respectively. The double specificity of aspartate aminotransferase in E. coli is however clearly shown by thermal inactivation studies using various effectors or different temperatures, and by the finding of an active transamination between aspartate and phenylpyruvate in the absence of ketoglutarate. This reaction shows the usual ping-pong type of mechanism, which implies that both substances are substrates for the same protein. Contrary to the phenylalanine-alpha-ketoglutarate reaction, which is probably of little importance in vivo when catalyzed by this enzyme, the direct ketoglutarate-free transamination between aspartate and the aromatic alpha-ketoacid is likely to represent a physiological function in regulating, at least partially, the balance between biosynthetic pathways for aromatic aminoacids and aspartate, for instance by maintaining similar ratios between the aminoacid and its ketoacid partner in both cases. For the sake of clarity it is proposed that the name \"transaminase A\", first devised by Rudman and Meister, be used for aspartate aminotransferase only, knowing that the specificity of this peculiar enzyme behaves as an accessory agent in the transamination of the aromatic compounds.", "PMID": 769847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2982", "title": "Coding origin of isoaccepting tRNA in yeast mitochondria.", "content": "Valyl-, leucyl- and tyrosyl-tRNA of yeast mitochondria were fractionated by reversed phase chromatography. Each of the tRNA contained multiple isofunctional species. Some of them specifically hybridized to mitochondrial DNA from (see article) strain. These species were absent in a petite colonie mutant lacking mitochondrial DNA. Three valyl-, one leucyl- and one tyrosyl tRNA were found to be products of mitochondrial genes.", "contents": "Coding origin of isoaccepting tRNA in yeast mitochondria. Valyl-, leucyl- and tyrosyl-tRNA of yeast mitochondria were fractionated by reversed phase chromatography. Each of the tRNA contained multiple isofunctional species. Some of them specifically hybridized to mitochondrial DNA from (see article) strain. These species were absent in a petite colonie mutant lacking mitochondrial DNA. Three valyl-, one leucyl- and one tyrosyl tRNA were found to be products of mitochondrial genes.", "PMID": 769848} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2983", "title": "Histochemical changes in the blood cells of schizophrenic patients under pimozide treatment.", "content": "Chromatin structure and nucleohistone pattern were investigated histochemically in the neutrophils of 11 schizophrenics and 16 healthy controls. Compared to controls, all schizophrenic parents prior to medication showed a distinctly different histochemical pattern consisting of increased concentration and abnormal distribution of nucleohistones. This pattern has been attributed to an increase of arginine-rich histones in schizophrenics. Pimozide administration exerted a normalizing effect on the nucleohistone distribution pattern. These findings further support our view that genomic expression abnormalities may be related to schizophrenic illness.", "contents": "Histochemical changes in the blood cells of schizophrenic patients under pimozide treatment. Chromatin structure and nucleohistone pattern were investigated histochemically in the neutrophils of 11 schizophrenics and 16 healthy controls. Compared to controls, all schizophrenic parents prior to medication showed a distinctly different histochemical pattern consisting of increased concentration and abnormal distribution of nucleohistones. This pattern has been attributed to an increase of arginine-rich histones in schizophrenics. Pimozide administration exerted a normalizing effect on the nucleohistone distribution pattern. These findings further support our view that genomic expression abnormalities may be related to schizophrenic illness.", "PMID": 769850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2984", "title": "A new method for measuring simultaneously the phagocytic and bactericidal capacity of human leukocytes.", "content": "A new technique for simultaneously measuring the phagocytic and bactericidal capacity of human leukocytes is proposed. The method uses 14C labelled bacteria and is based on the principle that only viable intra-cellular bacteria incorporate 3H-thymidine. Phagocytosis is measured by the ratio intra-cellular 14C/extra and intra-cellular 14C and the bactericidal capacity of leukocytes by the difference between the 3H-thymidine incorporation of the ingested and non-ingested bacteria. Results in normal subjects and in a case of chronic granulomatous disease show the validity of the method which is easier and quicker than the methods previously used.", "contents": "A new method for measuring simultaneously the phagocytic and bactericidal capacity of human leukocytes. A new technique for simultaneously measuring the phagocytic and bactericidal capacity of human leukocytes is proposed. The method uses 14C labelled bacteria and is based on the principle that only viable intra-cellular bacteria incorporate 3H-thymidine. Phagocytosis is measured by the ratio intra-cellular 14C/extra and intra-cellular 14C and the bactericidal capacity of leukocytes by the difference between the 3H-thymidine incorporation of the ingested and non-ingested bacteria. Results in normal subjects and in a case of chronic granulomatous disease show the validity of the method which is easier and quicker than the methods previously used.", "PMID": 769857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2985", "title": "Sustained oscillations and threshold phenomena in an operon control circuit.", "content": "A genetic regulatory model involving a positive feedback (via induction) and a negative feedback (via catabolite repression) is analyzed and applied to the problem of the lac operon regulation in E. coli. Damped and sustained oscillations of the limit cycle type are found along with threshold phenomena corresponding to multiple limit cycles or to multiple steady states, for values of the parameters compatible with experimental data. A comparison with the observations of Knorre and Goodwin is outlined.", "contents": "Sustained oscillations and threshold phenomena in an operon control circuit. A genetic regulatory model involving a positive feedback (via induction) and a negative feedback (via catabolite repression) is analyzed and applied to the problem of the lac operon regulation in E. coli. Damped and sustained oscillations of the limit cycle type are found along with threshold phenomena corresponding to multiple limit cycles or to multiple steady states, for values of the parameters compatible with experimental data. A comparison with the observations of Knorre and Goodwin is outlined.", "PMID": 769858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2986", "title": "Factors affecting risks of congenital malformations. II. Effect of maternal diabetes on congenital malformations.", "content": "The effect of maternal diabetes on the risk of congenital malformations was investigated in 23,695 pregnancies of white mothers, inclucing 339 patients of the Joslin Clinic, and in 24,742 pregnancies of Negro mothers, drawn from the prospective Collaborative Perinatal Project. Of these, 372 mothers had gestational diabetes and 567 had overt diabetes (before and during pregnancy). Pregnancy outcomes studied included stillbirths and live births. Among core women (excluding the Joslin Clinic cases), the frequencies of diabetic pregnancies were 1.31% and 1.18% for white and Negro mothers, respectively; in both groups, approximately two thirds of these pregnancies had gestational diabetes. There was no increase in malformation risk in the pregnancies of mothers with gestational diabetes over that of nondiabetic mothers in either racial group. However, the risk of malformation for white mothers with overt diabetes was double that of nondiabetic mothers for both major and minor categories of malformations. The incidences of major and minor types of malformations in the pregnancies of white mothers with overt diabetes were 17.94% and 10.94%, respectively, compared to the corresponding incidences of 8.34% and 6.25% for the white nondiabetic group. In Negro mothers with overt diabetes, a smaller increase of risk was seen only in major malformations; the incidences were 13.64% and 8.45% for the diabetic and nondiabetic groups, respectively. The increased risks for malformations were distributed generally throughout the organ systems. Multiple malformations occurred more frequently in the overt diabetic than in the nondiabetic group, suggesting that maternal diabetes must act adversely an an early stage of fetal development. Two cases with the caudal regression syndrome were observed in children of diabetic mothers, whereas none was found among births from nondiabetic mothers. Insulin (or analog) therapy of diabetes neither decreased nor increased the risk of malformation in the fetus. However, duration of diabetes had a significant effect on the malformation risk: the longer the mother had the disease, the higher was the incidence of malformations in the fetus. Paternal diabetes did not contribute to increase in risk. These observations suggest that maternal diabetes per se, through its adverse effects on maternal metabolism, is the responsible factor for the increase of malformations in the offspring.", "contents": "Factors affecting risks of congenital malformations. II. Effect of maternal diabetes on congenital malformations. The effect of maternal diabetes on the risk of congenital malformations was investigated in 23,695 pregnancies of white mothers, inclucing 339 patients of the Joslin Clinic, and in 24,742 pregnancies of Negro mothers, drawn from the prospective Collaborative Perinatal Project. Of these, 372 mothers had gestational diabetes and 567 had overt diabetes (before and during pregnancy). Pregnancy outcomes studied included stillbirths and live births. Among core women (excluding the Joslin Clinic cases), the frequencies of diabetic pregnancies were 1.31% and 1.18% for white and Negro mothers, respectively; in both groups, approximately two thirds of these pregnancies had gestational diabetes. There was no increase in malformation risk in the pregnancies of mothers with gestational diabetes over that of nondiabetic mothers in either racial group. However, the risk of malformation for white mothers with overt diabetes was double that of nondiabetic mothers for both major and minor categories of malformations. The incidences of major and minor types of malformations in the pregnancies of white mothers with overt diabetes were 17.94% and 10.94%, respectively, compared to the corresponding incidences of 8.34% and 6.25% for the white nondiabetic group. In Negro mothers with overt diabetes, a smaller increase of risk was seen only in major malformations; the incidences were 13.64% and 8.45% for the diabetic and nondiabetic groups, respectively. The increased risks for malformations were distributed generally throughout the organ systems. Multiple malformations occurred more frequently in the overt diabetic than in the nondiabetic group, suggesting that maternal diabetes must act adversely an an early stage of fetal development. Two cases with the caudal regression syndrome were observed in children of diabetic mothers, whereas none was found among births from nondiabetic mothers. Insulin (or analog) therapy of diabetes neither decreased nor increased the risk of malformation in the fetus. However, duration of diabetes had a significant effect on the malformation risk: the longer the mother had the disease, the higher was the incidence of malformations in the fetus. Paternal diabetes did not contribute to increase in risk. These observations suggest that maternal diabetes per se, through its adverse effects on maternal metabolism, is the responsible factor for the increase of malformations in the offspring.", "PMID": 769859} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2987", "title": "[Morphological changes in the internal organs in chronic streptococcal infection].", "content": "A histological and histochemical study was made (for a period of from 24 hours to 27 weeks) of the internal organs of albino mice after a single intraperitoneal injection of the L-forms of beta-hemolytic streptococcus, group A. The following progressive pathological process (myocarditis, hepatitis, pyelonephritis) developed against an intense allergic background with a resultant systemic lesion of the tissues.", "contents": "[Morphological changes in the internal organs in chronic streptococcal infection]. A histological and histochemical study was made (for a period of from 24 hours to 27 weeks) of the internal organs of albino mice after a single intraperitoneal injection of the L-forms of beta-hemolytic streptococcus, group A. The following progressive pathological process (myocarditis, hepatitis, pyelonephritis) developed against an intense allergic background with a resultant systemic lesion of the tissues.", "PMID": 769860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2988", "title": "[Algorithm for distinction of EEG tracings by means of a computer].", "content": "The authors describe machine algorhythm for the drawing of two-dimensional histograms of the EEG in the amplitude-wave frequency coordinates constituting a curve. EEG in its coding is presented by the extremums with the fixation of the moments of their appearance. Usefulness of the algorhythm work is confirmed by examples.", "contents": "[Algorithm for distinction of EEG tracings by means of a computer]. The authors describe machine algorhythm for the drawing of two-dimensional histograms of the EEG in the amplitude-wave frequency coordinates constituting a curve. EEG in its coding is presented by the extremums with the fixation of the moments of their appearance. Usefulness of the algorhythm work is confirmed by examples.", "PMID": 769861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2989", "title": "[Isolation under the influence of tetracycline of L-forms of Menchikov's vibrio and the NAG vibrio and their biological properties].", "content": "Stable L-forms were for the first time obtained under the effect of tetracycline on the Mec thnikov vibrio and NAG vibrio. The process of conversion of the L-forms under the effect of tetracycline was the same as under the action of penicilline. Three types of the L-forms were obtained: stable tetracycline-resistant L-forms, stable tetracyclin-superresistant and tetracycline-dependent L-forms. Under the reversion of the unstable L-forms strains with a typical complex of biological properties and atypical revertants were obtained.", "contents": "[Isolation under the influence of tetracycline of L-forms of Menchikov's vibrio and the NAG vibrio and their biological properties]. Stable L-forms were for the first time obtained under the effect of tetracycline on the Mec thnikov vibrio and NAG vibrio. The process of conversion of the L-forms under the effect of tetracycline was the same as under the action of penicilline. Three types of the L-forms were obtained: stable tetracycline-resistant L-forms, stable tetracyclin-superresistant and tetracycline-dependent L-forms. Under the reversion of the unstable L-forms strains with a typical complex of biological properties and atypical revertants were obtained.", "PMID": 769862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2990", "title": "Chediak-Higashi syndrome: reversal of increased susceptibility to infection by bone marrow transplantation.", "content": "Transplantation of normal bone marrow to mice with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) resulted in normal granulopoiesis and a reversal of their increased susceptibility to challenge with intravenous Candida albicans. These findings suggest that (1) the leukocyte defect in CHS can be reversed by marrow transplantation and (2) the mechanism for increased susceptibility to infection in these animals is due to a bone-marrow-derived cellular defect. Because of similarities between murine and human CHS, bone marrow transplantation might be considered as a mode of therapy in selected cases of the human disease.", "contents": "Chediak-Higashi syndrome: reversal of increased susceptibility to infection by bone marrow transplantation. Transplantation of normal bone marrow to mice with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) resulted in normal granulopoiesis and a reversal of their increased susceptibility to challenge with intravenous Candida albicans. These findings suggest that (1) the leukocyte defect in CHS can be reversed by marrow transplantation and (2) the mechanism for increased susceptibility to infection in these animals is due to a bone-marrow-derived cellular defect. Because of similarities between murine and human CHS, bone marrow transplantation might be considered as a mode of therapy in selected cases of the human disease.", "PMID": 769863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2991", "title": "Treatment of advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with favorable histologies: preliminary results of a prospective trial.", "content": "From July 1971 to August 1975, 63 previously untreated patients with stage IV non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with favorable histologies were prospectively randomized to three treatment programs: cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone alone (CVP); split course CVP and total lymphoid irradiation (CVP-TLI); or single alkylating agent (SA) therapy. More than 95% of all patients responded to therapy, and pathologically documented complete remissions were achieved in 78.3% of CV, 65% OF CVP-TLI, and 55% of SA patients (p greater greater than 0.2). The actuarial probability of obtaining a complete remission was the same (greater than 80%) for SA patients as it was for those receiving CV or CVP-TLI, but the time required to achieve a complete remission was more prolonged for SA patients (up to 40 mo). Only six (14.3%) complete responders have relapsed; the others have remained relapse-free for periods of 1-35 mo. There have been no statistically significant differences noted among the groups in terms of the probability of disease-free survival or survival, and 82.7% of all patients are alive at 30 mo (84.6% CVP, 73% CVP-TLI, and 90% sa). all three treatment programs have thus been highly effective in achieving excellent responses and prolonged disease-free survivals in patients with stage IV non-Hodgkins lymphomas with favorable histologies. Over the 4-yr period of study, single agent therapy has been associated with as good or better overall survival when compared to the more aggressive treatment programs (CVP and CVP-TLI).", "contents": "Treatment of advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with favorable histologies: preliminary results of a prospective trial. From July 1971 to August 1975, 63 previously untreated patients with stage IV non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with favorable histologies were prospectively randomized to three treatment programs: cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone alone (CVP); split course CVP and total lymphoid irradiation (CVP-TLI); or single alkylating agent (SA) therapy. More than 95% of all patients responded to therapy, and pathologically documented complete remissions were achieved in 78.3% of CV, 65% OF CVP-TLI, and 55% of SA patients (p greater greater than 0.2). The actuarial probability of obtaining a complete remission was the same (greater than 80%) for SA patients as it was for those receiving CV or CVP-TLI, but the time required to achieve a complete remission was more prolonged for SA patients (up to 40 mo). Only six (14.3%) complete responders have relapsed; the others have remained relapse-free for periods of 1-35 mo. There have been no statistically significant differences noted among the groups in terms of the probability of disease-free survival or survival, and 82.7% of all patients are alive at 30 mo (84.6% CVP, 73% CVP-TLI, and 90% sa). all three treatment programs have thus been highly effective in achieving excellent responses and prolonged disease-free survivals in patients with stage IV non-Hodgkins lymphomas with favorable histologies. Over the 4-yr period of study, single agent therapy has been associated with as good or better overall survival when compared to the more aggressive treatment programs (CVP and CVP-TLI).", "PMID": 769864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2992", "title": "Specific release of neutrophillic- and eosinophilic-stimulating factors from sensitized lymphocytes.", "content": "Mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes recently have been shown to release colony-stimulating activity (CSA), a stimulator of granulopoiesis in vitro. Whether CSA release is a result of specific antigen-lymphocyte interactions has been investigated by determining the ability of spleen lymphocytes isolated from Trichinella spiralis and Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) infected mice to release CSA. Lymphocytes were incubated with different antigens to obtain conditioned media (CM). Conditioned media prepared from Trichinella-sensitized lymphocytes incubated with Trichinella antigen (CM-1) resulted in a fourfold increase in the number of colonies from murine marrow cultured in methylcellulose as compared to controls. The addition of Trichinella antigen to either nonsensitized or BCG-sensitized lymphocytes did not stimulate CSA release. Similar results were obtained with lymphocytes from BCG-infected mice. Liquid cultures stimulated with CM resulted in an increase in 3h-thymidine incorporation and cell numbers. Using CM-1 to stimulate marrow from Trichinella-infected mice resulted in a three- to fourfold increase in the number of eosinophils present after 4 days. All other CMs tested stimulated only neutrophil production...", "contents": "Specific release of neutrophillic- and eosinophilic-stimulating factors from sensitized lymphocytes. Mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes recently have been shown to release colony-stimulating activity (CSA), a stimulator of granulopoiesis in vitro. Whether CSA release is a result of specific antigen-lymphocyte interactions has been investigated by determining the ability of spleen lymphocytes isolated from Trichinella spiralis and Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) infected mice to release CSA. Lymphocytes were incubated with different antigens to obtain conditioned media (CM). Conditioned media prepared from Trichinella-sensitized lymphocytes incubated with Trichinella antigen (CM-1) resulted in a fourfold increase in the number of colonies from murine marrow cultured in methylcellulose as compared to controls. The addition of Trichinella antigen to either nonsensitized or BCG-sensitized lymphocytes did not stimulate CSA release. Similar results were obtained with lymphocytes from BCG-infected mice. Liquid cultures stimulated with CM resulted in an increase in 3h-thymidine incorporation and cell numbers. Using CM-1 to stimulate marrow from Trichinella-infected mice resulted in a three- to fourfold increase in the number of eosinophils present after 4 days. All other CMs tested stimulated only neutrophil production...", "PMID": 769865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2993", "title": "[Topography of the neurons producing LRF in primates].", "content": "Specifically immunoreactive perikarya have been found in the hypothalamus of normal monkeys, using antisera to synthetic LRF. These perikarya are mainly localized in the medio-basal hypothalamus. The majority of their axons form a \"tubero-infundibular LRF tract\", with a very complex preterminal pattern. Some specifically immunoreactive axons seem to belong to \"extra-hypophyseal LRF pathways\", having in part telencephalic or mesencephalic terminations.", "contents": "[Topography of the neurons producing LRF in primates]. Specifically immunoreactive perikarya have been found in the hypothalamus of normal monkeys, using antisera to synthetic LRF. These perikarya are mainly localized in the medio-basal hypothalamus. The majority of their axons form a \"tubero-infundibular LRF tract\", with a very complex preterminal pattern. Some specifically immunoreactive axons seem to belong to \"extra-hypophyseal LRF pathways\", having in part telencephalic or mesencephalic terminations.", "PMID": 769866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2994", "title": "[Evolution of the homotypic graft of the presumed cardiac area of the quail in the chick].", "content": "Employing quail cells as biological labelers, we could easily follow the evolution of the presumptive cardiac area of the quail in the chick blastoderm. If the embryos are operated on in stage 5, the cardiac area fuses completely to that of the host embryo forming a large part of the corresponding half in the definitive heart. On the other hand, in earlier stages the grafted cardiac area contributes only to the formation of island of cells in the resultant heart.", "contents": "[Evolution of the homotypic graft of the presumed cardiac area of the quail in the chick]. Employing quail cells as biological labelers, we could easily follow the evolution of the presumptive cardiac area of the quail in the chick blastoderm. If the embryos are operated on in stage 5, the cardiac area fuses completely to that of the host embryo forming a large part of the corresponding half in the definitive heart. On the other hand, in earlier stages the grafted cardiac area contributes only to the formation of island of cells in the resultant heart.", "PMID": 769867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2995", "title": "Brain concentrations of biogenic amine metabolites in acutely treated and ethanol-dependent rats.", "content": "1 Mass fragmentography was used to measure whole brain concentrations of some of the major metabolites of tyramine, octopamine, dopamine and noradrenaline in acutely treated and in ethanol-dependent rats. 2 Treatments with ethanol, either acutely or chronically, failed to alter significantly brain concentration of p-hydroxphenylacetic and p-hydroxymandelic acid (metabolites derived from tyramine and octopamine respectively). The effect on catecholamine metabolites was marked and therefore suggests that ethanol is selective in its effect on central metabolism of biogenic amines. 3 Acute ethanol treatment significantly increased brain concentration of homovanillic acid (HVA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG). Vanilmandelic acid (VMA) was not affected. All four metabolites (HVA, DOPAC, MHPG and VMA) were increased in the brains of rats rendered dependent on ethanol while still intoxicated (blood ethanol levels above 200 mg/dl). In ethanol-dependent rats undergoing ethanol withdrawal syndrome (no ethanol present in blood), the brain concentrations of HVA and DOPAC were normal while those of MHPG and VMA continued to be elevated. 4 From the decline in the concentrations of HVA and DOPAC after 50 mg pargyline/kg in control rats and rats acutely treated with ethanol, it was concluded that ethanol has no effect on the transport of phenolic acids across the blood brain barrier. 5 No reversal in the metabolism of catecholamines from an oxidative to a reductive pathway, analogous to that produced by ethanol in the periphery, could be established in the brain. 6 The increase in catecholamine metabolite concentrations after ethanol treatment, either acute or chronic, were interpreted as manifestations of increases catecholamine turnover.", "contents": "Brain concentrations of biogenic amine metabolites in acutely treated and ethanol-dependent rats. 1 Mass fragmentography was used to measure whole brain concentrations of some of the major metabolites of tyramine, octopamine, dopamine and noradrenaline in acutely treated and in ethanol-dependent rats. 2 Treatments with ethanol, either acutely or chronically, failed to alter significantly brain concentration of p-hydroxphenylacetic and p-hydroxymandelic acid (metabolites derived from tyramine and octopamine respectively). The effect on catecholamine metabolites was marked and therefore suggests that ethanol is selective in its effect on central metabolism of biogenic amines. 3 Acute ethanol treatment significantly increased brain concentration of homovanillic acid (HVA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG). Vanilmandelic acid (VMA) was not affected. All four metabolites (HVA, DOPAC, MHPG and VMA) were increased in the brains of rats rendered dependent on ethanol while still intoxicated (blood ethanol levels above 200 mg/dl). In ethanol-dependent rats undergoing ethanol withdrawal syndrome (no ethanol present in blood), the brain concentrations of HVA and DOPAC were normal while those of MHPG and VMA continued to be elevated. 4 From the decline in the concentrations of HVA and DOPAC after 50 mg pargyline/kg in control rats and rats acutely treated with ethanol, it was concluded that ethanol has no effect on the transport of phenolic acids across the blood brain barrier. 5 No reversal in the metabolism of catecholamines from an oxidative to a reductive pathway, analogous to that produced by ethanol in the periphery, could be established in the brain. 6 The increase in catecholamine metabolite concentrations after ethanol treatment, either acute or chronic, were interpreted as manifestations of increases catecholamine turnover.", "PMID": 769883} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2996", "title": "Evaluating signs and symptoms: comparison of structured interview ans clinical approaches.", "content": "Are research interview techniques adequate in assessing signs and symptoms? This question is investigated by obtaining two sets of interview schedule ratings on 49 patients, one by a research psychiatrist applying the interview and one by the patient's psychiatrist using all available information. The latter was considered a clinical standard with which a cross-sectional research interview could be contrasted. These two data sets were subjected to several types of analysis commonly undertaken with research interview ratings. Results indicated that the research interview adequately represents symptom data, but is seriously lacking in the assessment of observed behaviour. The effect of this difference depends on the goals of the study and the nature of the data analysis. If overall group findings are desired, or if analysis relies primarily on symptom data, results with a research interview may be similar to results based on a far more extensive evaluation. On the other hand, if conclusions are to be drawn on individual patients, or if data analysis relies heavily on observed behaviour, then data derived from research interviews are questionable.", "contents": "Evaluating signs and symptoms: comparison of structured interview ans clinical approaches. Are research interview techniques adequate in assessing signs and symptoms? This question is investigated by obtaining two sets of interview schedule ratings on 49 patients, one by a research psychiatrist applying the interview and one by the patient's psychiatrist using all available information. The latter was considered a clinical standard with which a cross-sectional research interview could be contrasted. These two data sets were subjected to several types of analysis commonly undertaken with research interview ratings. Results indicated that the research interview adequately represents symptom data, but is seriously lacking in the assessment of observed behaviour. The effect of this difference depends on the goals of the study and the nature of the data analysis. If overall group findings are desired, or if analysis relies primarily on symptom data, results with a research interview may be similar to results based on a far more extensive evaluation. On the other hand, if conclusions are to be drawn on individual patients, or if data analysis relies heavily on observed behaviour, then data derived from research interviews are questionable.", "PMID": 769884} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2997", "title": "The painful prostate.", "content": "A clinical diagnosis of chronic prostatitis was made on 105 adult males who were subsequently admitted and investigated by Stamey localisation techniques, psychological questionnaires, urine flow studies, cysto-urethroscopy and prostatic biopsy or transurethral prostatectomy. From the Stamey localisation studies and cultures of the tissue obtained at transurethral prostatectomy a diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis was made in 50%, of which half were Staphylococcus albus and half were well recognised urinary pathogens. Other significant pathology was found in 25% and, particularly of note, were 2 patients who presented with chronic cystitis (biopsy negative) and subsequently developed carcinoma of the bladder. Also in this group were 5 unsuspected strictures and 5 patients with poor flow rates but normal endoscopy. Investigations in the remaining 25% were all negative except for a significantly higher incidence of neuroticism when compared with the other groups and controls.", "contents": "The painful prostate. A clinical diagnosis of chronic prostatitis was made on 105 adult males who were subsequently admitted and investigated by Stamey localisation techniques, psychological questionnaires, urine flow studies, cysto-urethroscopy and prostatic biopsy or transurethral prostatectomy. From the Stamey localisation studies and cultures of the tissue obtained at transurethral prostatectomy a diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis was made in 50%, of which half were Staphylococcus albus and half were well recognised urinary pathogens. Other significant pathology was found in 25% and, particularly of note, were 2 patients who presented with chronic cystitis (biopsy negative) and subsequently developed carcinoma of the bladder. Also in this group were 5 unsuspected strictures and 5 patients with poor flow rates but normal endoscopy. Investigations in the remaining 25% were all negative except for a significantly higher incidence of neuroticism when compared with the other groups and controls.", "PMID": 769885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2998", "title": "Results of 250 consecutive cadaver kidney transplants.", "content": "The results of 250 cadaver kidney transplants performed at this hospital between May 1968 and December 1974 were analysed. A functioning transplant was defined strictly as one that maintained the recipient in good health with a serum creatinine below 442 mumol/1 (5 mg/100 ml) without any need for dialysis. The proportions of kidneys functioning after one, two, and three years were 40-4%, 33-9%, and 31-1% respectively, the corresponding survival rates of patients being 62-6%, 57-4%, and 43-8%. The primary failure rate overall was 21-6%, while the failure rates for first, second, and third transplants were 18-1%, 39-9%, and 66-7% respectively. Half of the primary failures were attributed to the use of cadaver kidneys with abnormal vasculature or long ischaemic times or originating from non-ventilated donors. Of the initially successful transplants 49% were subsequently lost due to rejection (53%) or death of the patient with a functioning transplant (46%), and of the secondary losses 58% occurred within three months of transplantation. HLA matching of donor and recipient for two or more antigens was associated with a significant increase in transplant survival--46% at three years as opposed to 9-5% at three years for kidneys with poorer matches.", "contents": "Results of 250 consecutive cadaver kidney transplants. The results of 250 cadaver kidney transplants performed at this hospital between May 1968 and December 1974 were analysed. A functioning transplant was defined strictly as one that maintained the recipient in good health with a serum creatinine below 442 mumol/1 (5 mg/100 ml) without any need for dialysis. The proportions of kidneys functioning after one, two, and three years were 40-4%, 33-9%, and 31-1% respectively, the corresponding survival rates of patients being 62-6%, 57-4%, and 43-8%. The primary failure rate overall was 21-6%, while the failure rates for first, second, and third transplants were 18-1%, 39-9%, and 66-7% respectively. Half of the primary failures were attributed to the use of cadaver kidneys with abnormal vasculature or long ischaemic times or originating from non-ventilated donors. Of the initially successful transplants 49% were subsequently lost due to rejection (53%) or death of the patient with a functioning transplant (46%), and of the secondary losses 58% occurred within three months of transplantation. HLA matching of donor and recipient for two or more antigens was associated with a significant increase in transplant survival--46% at three years as opposed to 9-5% at three years for kidneys with poorer matches.", "PMID": 769890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_2999", "title": "Streptokinase in central retinal vein occlusion: a controlled clinical trial.", "content": "Forty patients with central retinal vein occlusion were allocated at random either to a treatment group given streptokinase followed by anticoagulatns or to a control group given no specific treatment. The two groups, which were each of 20 patients, were broadly similar in respect of clinical and laboratory values and similar in their initial visual acuity. At follow-up (\"final\" vision) the visual acuity in the treated group was significantly better than in the untreated group. Only one treated patient developed thrombotic glaucoma compared with four controls. Streptokinase may, however, have been responsible for vitreous haemorrhage (and permanent loss of vision) in three patients and hence probably has only a limited role in the treatment of central retinal vein occlusion.", "contents": "Streptokinase in central retinal vein occlusion: a controlled clinical trial. Forty patients with central retinal vein occlusion were allocated at random either to a treatment group given streptokinase followed by anticoagulatns or to a control group given no specific treatment. The two groups, which were each of 20 patients, were broadly similar in respect of clinical and laboratory values and similar in their initial visual acuity. At follow-up (\"final\" vision) the visual acuity in the treated group was significantly better than in the untreated group. Only one treated patient developed thrombotic glaucoma compared with four controls. Streptokinase may, however, have been responsible for vitreous haemorrhage (and permanent loss of vision) in three patients and hence probably has only a limited role in the treatment of central retinal vein occlusion.", "PMID": 769891} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3000", "title": "Islet-cell, thyroid, and gastric autoantibodies in diabetic identical twins.", "content": "Sera from 54 pairs of identical twins, 29 discordant and 25 concordant for insulin-dependent diabetes, and 11 pairs of concordant non-insulin dependent identical twins were examined for pancreatic islet-cell antibodies (ICAs). ICAs were found in 10 of the 29 diabetic discordant and eight of the 50 concordant twins (difference not significant P greater than 0-05). Six out of nine twins tested within one year of onset of diabetes were positive, whereas nine out of 29 tested after one to 10 years and three out of 41 tested after 10 years were positive. Only one of the 22 non-insulin-dependent twins had ICAs. Repeat ICA testing in five pair of insulin-dependent twins and in the siblings of one pair showed that ICAs may be present in people with normal glucose tolerance' may precede clinical diabetes by several years; and may decline in titre or disappear with increasing duration of disease. Thyroid or gastric autoantibodies, or both, were found in 36 out of 108 insulin-dependent twins and three out of 22 non-insulin dependent twins (difference not significant P less than 0-05). Only four twins had both ICAs and thyrogastric antibodies. There were no significant associations between autoantibodies and HLA histocompatibility types. As ICAs are more common in the diabetic than the non-diabetic twins of the discordant pairs they must be associated with juvenile onset diabetes. ICAs may appear some years before the onset of diabetes, but their prevalence declines with increasing duration of diabetes. The factors determining the production of ICA differ from those for thyroid and gastric autoantibodies.", "contents": "Islet-cell, thyroid, and gastric autoantibodies in diabetic identical twins. Sera from 54 pairs of identical twins, 29 discordant and 25 concordant for insulin-dependent diabetes, and 11 pairs of concordant non-insulin dependent identical twins were examined for pancreatic islet-cell antibodies (ICAs). ICAs were found in 10 of the 29 diabetic discordant and eight of the 50 concordant twins (difference not significant P greater than 0-05). Six out of nine twins tested within one year of onset of diabetes were positive, whereas nine out of 29 tested after one to 10 years and three out of 41 tested after 10 years were positive. Only one of the 22 non-insulin-dependent twins had ICAs. Repeat ICA testing in five pair of insulin-dependent twins and in the siblings of one pair showed that ICAs may be present in people with normal glucose tolerance' may precede clinical diabetes by several years; and may decline in titre or disappear with increasing duration of disease. Thyroid or gastric autoantibodies, or both, were found in 36 out of 108 insulin-dependent twins and three out of 22 non-insulin dependent twins (difference not significant P less than 0-05). Only four twins had both ICAs and thyrogastric antibodies. There were no significant associations between autoantibodies and HLA histocompatibility types. As ICAs are more common in the diabetic than the non-diabetic twins of the discordant pairs they must be associated with juvenile onset diabetes. ICAs may appear some years before the onset of diabetes, but their prevalence declines with increasing duration of diabetes. The factors determining the production of ICA differ from those for thyroid and gastric autoantibodies.", "PMID": 769892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3001", "title": "T lymphocytes in kidney allograft recipients.", "content": "The spontaneous sheep erythrocyte (E) rosette test was used on 340 occasions to measure T cell levels in 28 renal allograft recipients. The E rosette counts were reduced by high-dose steroids but usually returned towards normal under maintenance treatment with azathioprine and low-dose prednisone. Unexpectedly, rejection crises were more often associated with a decrease in E rosettes before steroid treatment (12 cases) than with an increase in E rosettes (5 cases). Our results show the need for caution in using the E rosette test and more generally B and T cell markers for monitoring anti-graft immunity in renal allograft recipients.", "contents": "T lymphocytes in kidney allograft recipients. The spontaneous sheep erythrocyte (E) rosette test was used on 340 occasions to measure T cell levels in 28 renal allograft recipients. The E rosette counts were reduced by high-dose steroids but usually returned towards normal under maintenance treatment with azathioprine and low-dose prednisone. Unexpectedly, rejection crises were more often associated with a decrease in E rosettes before steroid treatment (12 cases) than with an increase in E rosettes (5 cases). Our results show the need for caution in using the E rosette test and more generally B and T cell markers for monitoring anti-graft immunity in renal allograft recipients.", "PMID": 769903} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3002", "title": "Causes of failure to harvest cadaver kidneys for transplantation.", "content": "Fifty-two possible donors of cadaver kidneys were referred to the Nuffield Transplantation Surgery Unit, Edinburgh, in 12 months. Only 12 (23%) yielded kidneys, while a further 12 were medically unsuitable as donors. Refusal by relatives to allow cadaver nephrectomy was the largest avoidable loss of potentially transplantable kidneys. A similar but unavoidable loss occurred through sudden death of the possible donor.", "contents": "Causes of failure to harvest cadaver kidneys for transplantation. Fifty-two possible donors of cadaver kidneys were referred to the Nuffield Transplantation Surgery Unit, Edinburgh, in 12 months. Only 12 (23%) yielded kidneys, while a further 12 were medically unsuitable as donors. Refusal by relatives to allow cadaver nephrectomy was the largest avoidable loss of potentially transplantable kidneys. A similar but unavoidable loss occurred through sudden death of the possible donor.", "PMID": 769904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3003", "title": "Therapeutic experience with fludrocortisone in diabetic postural hypotension.", "content": "Fourteen patients with diabetic postural hypotension were treated with fludrocortisone for a mean 12 months (range 6-30 months). The mean daily dose of fludrocortisone was 0.2 mg (range 0.1 mg-0.4 mg). Standing systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased significantly (P less than 0.001) after treatment with fludrocortisone and the postural hypotension decreased significantly (P less than 0.001). Thirteen patients noted considerable symptomatic improvement. Fludrocortisone should be used cautiously in patients with congestive cardiac failure or the nephrotic syndrome.", "contents": "Therapeutic experience with fludrocortisone in diabetic postural hypotension. Fourteen patients with diabetic postural hypotension were treated with fludrocortisone for a mean 12 months (range 6-30 months). The mean daily dose of fludrocortisone was 0.2 mg (range 0.1 mg-0.4 mg). Standing systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased significantly (P less than 0.001) after treatment with fludrocortisone and the postural hypotension decreased significantly (P less than 0.001). Thirteen patients noted considerable symptomatic improvement. Fludrocortisone should be used cautiously in patients with congestive cardiac failure or the nephrotic syndrome.", "PMID": 769906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3004", "title": "Role of the kidney in regulating plasma immunoreactive beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.", "content": "An analysis of the factors that influence the increase in plasma immunoreactive beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (beta-MSH) concentration in chronic renal failure showed that: (a) the increase correlated with the increase in serum creatinine concentrations; (b) beta-MSH was not cleared from the plasma by haemodialysis; (c) beta-MSH concentrations increased with length of time on dialysis and increased further after bilateral nephrectomy but there was no further increase with time; (d) beta-MSH levels decreased to normal after renal transplantation; and (e) beta-MSH was excreted in urine only when plasma levels rose to well above those of chronic renal failure (in Nelson's syndrome). These findings suggest that the kidney regulated plasma beta-MSH by a non-excretory mechanism and is the major site of beta-MSH metabolism.", "contents": "Role of the kidney in regulating plasma immunoreactive beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. An analysis of the factors that influence the increase in plasma immunoreactive beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (beta-MSH) concentration in chronic renal failure showed that: (a) the increase correlated with the increase in serum creatinine concentrations; (b) beta-MSH was not cleared from the plasma by haemodialysis; (c) beta-MSH concentrations increased with length of time on dialysis and increased further after bilateral nephrectomy but there was no further increase with time; (d) beta-MSH levels decreased to normal after renal transplantation; and (e) beta-MSH was excreted in urine only when plasma levels rose to well above those of chronic renal failure (in Nelson's syndrome). These findings suggest that the kidney regulated plasma beta-MSH by a non-excretory mechanism and is the major site of beta-MSH metabolism.", "PMID": 769907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3005", "title": "Demonstration of extracellular material at the surface of pathogenic T. pallidum cells.", "content": "Pathogenic T. pallidum cells possess and extracellular layer when observed in vivo and in vitro after exposure to ruthenium-red. The extracellular layer is partially removed from a pre-fixed cell by repeated washing in vitro. Non-pathogenic treponemes examined in this study do not possess an extracellular layer. It is hoped that the data presented herein will cause our colleagues to take another look at the methods and techniques used for preparing pathogenic T. pallidum cells for practical end-point objectives.", "contents": "Demonstration of extracellular material at the surface of pathogenic T. pallidum cells. Pathogenic T. pallidum cells possess and extracellular layer when observed in vivo and in vitro after exposure to ruthenium-red. The extracellular layer is partially removed from a pre-fixed cell by repeated washing in vitro. Non-pathogenic treponemes examined in this study do not possess an extracellular layer. It is hoped that the data presented herein will cause our colleagues to take another look at the methods and techniques used for preparing pathogenic T. pallidum cells for practical end-point objectives.", "PMID": 769911} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3006", "title": "Growth and subculture of pathogenic T. pallidum (Nichols strain) in BHK-21 cultured tissue cells.", "content": "The growth and nine subcultivations of the experimental Nichols strain of pathogenic Treponema pallidum were successfully accomplished in cultured baby hamster kidney tissue cells (BHK-21) using serum-free media. The number (motile and non-motile cells occurring extracellulary) of cell generations generally increased with each subcultivation, the largest increases (greater than 3-0) occurring in subcultures 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. Also, the number of motile cells decreased with each subcultivation. Virulent organisms were demonstrated in subcultures 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8, and their numbers estimated with the use of standards established by the animal inoculation titration of counted numbers of organisms freshly harvested from experimental infections; the estimated number of virulent organisms was higher than or equal to the counted cultivated treponemes injected, which may be attributable to uncounted virulent spirochaetes occurring intracellularly.", "contents": "Growth and subculture of pathogenic T. pallidum (Nichols strain) in BHK-21 cultured tissue cells. The growth and nine subcultivations of the experimental Nichols strain of pathogenic Treponema pallidum were successfully accomplished in cultured baby hamster kidney tissue cells (BHK-21) using serum-free media. The number (motile and non-motile cells occurring extracellulary) of cell generations generally increased with each subcultivation, the largest increases (greater than 3-0) occurring in subcultures 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. Also, the number of motile cells decreased with each subcultivation. Virulent organisms were demonstrated in subcultures 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8, and their numbers estimated with the use of standards established by the animal inoculation titration of counted numbers of organisms freshly harvested from experimental infections; the estimated number of virulent organisms was higher than or equal to the counted cultivated treponemes injected, which may be attributable to uncounted virulent spirochaetes occurring intracellularly.", "PMID": 769912} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3007", "title": "Two-day treatment of trichomoniasis in the female. Comparison of metronidazole and nimorazole.", "content": "A comparison has been made of the efficiency of a 2-day course of metronidazole (Flagyl) with that of a similar course of nimorazole (Naxogin) in the treatment of trichomoniasis. Of the 105 consecutive patients treated, 72 were finally included in the study (38 on metronidazole and 34 on nimorazole). Follow-up tests indicated an overall cure rate of 84-3 per cent. in those given Flagyl and 85-3 per cent. in those given Naxogin. Consorts were treated in just over 55 per cent. of cases in both groups. An attempt has been made to classify the recurrences as either 'primary' treatment failures or re-infections. Although both drugs were effective in the majority of cases, 'primary' treatment failure appeared to be commoner in the group receiving metronidazole. It is emphasized that the total dose of metronidazole was substantially lower than that recommended by the manufacturers.", "contents": "Two-day treatment of trichomoniasis in the female. Comparison of metronidazole and nimorazole. A comparison has been made of the efficiency of a 2-day course of metronidazole (Flagyl) with that of a similar course of nimorazole (Naxogin) in the treatment of trichomoniasis. Of the 105 consecutive patients treated, 72 were finally included in the study (38 on metronidazole and 34 on nimorazole). Follow-up tests indicated an overall cure rate of 84-3 per cent. in those given Flagyl and 85-3 per cent. in those given Naxogin. Consorts were treated in just over 55 per cent. of cases in both groups. An attempt has been made to classify the recurrences as either 'primary' treatment failures or re-infections. Although both drugs were effective in the majority of cases, 'primary' treatment failure appeared to be commoner in the group receiving metronidazole. It is emphasized that the total dose of metronidazole was substantially lower than that recommended by the manufacturers.", "PMID": 769913} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3008", "title": "Experimental syphilis vaccines in rabbits. I. Differential protection with an adjuvant spectrum.", "content": "This study shows that 1 per cent. glutaraldehyde fixation of unwashed Treponema pallidum, Nichols pathogen, preserves the integrity of the outer envelope as well as the ruthenium-red (RR) staining extracellular slime layer. Since other researchers wash their treponemal suspensions before preparing their vaccines, it is likely that the vaccine preparations used in this study contain antigens not tested elsewhere. In an attempt to eliminate the requirement of large numbers of injections to achieve any protection, the rabbits in this study were injected with glutaraldehyde-fixed T. pallidum (GFTP) only once, with or without one of a spectrum of adjuvants, and 5 months later were challenged intradermally or intratesticularly with freshly harvested pathogenic treponemes. Data of time of lesion appearance and severity of lesions reveal a differential protective effect of the various vaccine preparations when compared to the response of non-vaccinated controls. Vaccines which included phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or alumina C gel (ALC) as adjuvants provided some degree of protection, whereas vaccines which contained the adjuvants incomplete Freund's, zymosan, complete Freund's, polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid, or no adjuvant at all produced enhanced infections. The differential protection data indicate that various portions of the immune mechanism are either suppressed or are not stimulated by T. pallidum antigens alone, but can be made to respond with a minimum of vaccine injections.", "contents": "Experimental syphilis vaccines in rabbits. I. Differential protection with an adjuvant spectrum. This study shows that 1 per cent. glutaraldehyde fixation of unwashed Treponema pallidum, Nichols pathogen, preserves the integrity of the outer envelope as well as the ruthenium-red (RR) staining extracellular slime layer. Since other researchers wash their treponemal suspensions before preparing their vaccines, it is likely that the vaccine preparations used in this study contain antigens not tested elsewhere. In an attempt to eliminate the requirement of large numbers of injections to achieve any protection, the rabbits in this study were injected with glutaraldehyde-fixed T. pallidum (GFTP) only once, with or without one of a spectrum of adjuvants, and 5 months later were challenged intradermally or intratesticularly with freshly harvested pathogenic treponemes. Data of time of lesion appearance and severity of lesions reveal a differential protective effect of the various vaccine preparations when compared to the response of non-vaccinated controls. Vaccines which included phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or alumina C gel (ALC) as adjuvants provided some degree of protection, whereas vaccines which contained the adjuvants incomplete Freund's, zymosan, complete Freund's, polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid, or no adjuvant at all produced enhanced infections. The differential protection data indicate that various portions of the immune mechanism are either suppressed or are not stimulated by T. pallidum antigens alone, but can be made to respond with a minimum of vaccine injections.", "PMID": 769915} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3009", "title": "Ribosomal RNA: the message or matrix for ribosomal proteins.", "content": "The known nucleotide sequence of Escherichia coli 16S ribosomal RNA has been converted to amino acid sequences in all possible ways, and compared to known ribosomal protein sequences. The degree of similarity is precisely what one would expect by chance alone, providing additional evidence that ribosomal proteins cannot be coded for by ribosomal RNA.", "contents": "Ribosomal RNA: the message or matrix for ribosomal proteins. The known nucleotide sequence of Escherichia coli 16S ribosomal RNA has been converted to amino acid sequences in all possible ways, and compared to known ribosomal protein sequences. The degree of similarity is precisely what one would expect by chance alone, providing additional evidence that ribosomal proteins cannot be coded for by ribosomal RNA.", "PMID": 769922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3010", "title": "Relationship between ppGpp levels and rates of protein and RNA synthesis in Escherichia coli.", "content": "When amino acid starvation is ended in stringent (relA+) strains of escherichia coli, the rates of RNA and protein synthesis as well as their accumulation return to normal more slowly in spoT- PSTRAIns than in the spoT+ strains. The level of ppGpp accumulated declines more slowly in the spoT- strains than in the spoT+ strains. Thus, there is an inverse relationship between ppGpp levels and the rates of RNA and protein synthesis. The slow resumption of protein synthesis in the spoT- relA+ strains could therefore be explained in terms of the limited synthesis of mRNA species coding for the bulk of cellular proteins.", "contents": "Relationship between ppGpp levels and rates of protein and RNA synthesis in Escherichia coli. When amino acid starvation is ended in stringent (relA+) strains of escherichia coli, the rates of RNA and protein synthesis as well as their accumulation return to normal more slowly in spoT- PSTRAIns than in the spoT+ strains. The level of ppGpp accumulated declines more slowly in the spoT- strains than in the spoT+ strains. Thus, there is an inverse relationship between ppGpp levels and the rates of RNA and protein synthesis. The slow resumption of protein synthesis in the spoT- relA+ strains could therefore be explained in terms of the limited synthesis of mRNA species coding for the bulk of cellular proteins.", "PMID": 769923} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3011", "title": "The action of the ionophores, X-537A and A-23187, on smooth muscle.", "content": "The cation ionophore X-537A in the concentration range of 10(-6) to 3 X 10(-5) M produced contractions in the rat and guinea-pig vas deferens. No contractile effect was produced in either of the vasa deferentia preparations by the ionophore A-23187 in the concentration range of 10(-7) to 5 X 10(-5) M. In contrast, X-537A had no contractile effect on the guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle while A-23187 produced a dose and [Ca2+] dependent contraction. The contractile effect of X-537A in the vasa deferentia preparations is abolished by phenoxybenzamine or prior reserpine treatment and is therefore attributed to the release of norepinephrine. The effect of A-23187 in the intestinal smooth muslce is attributed to a direct Ca2+ transporting action since its contractile effect is unaffected by histamine, acetylcholine, or 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonists.", "contents": "The action of the ionophores, X-537A and A-23187, on smooth muscle. The cation ionophore X-537A in the concentration range of 10(-6) to 3 X 10(-5) M produced contractions in the rat and guinea-pig vas deferens. No contractile effect was produced in either of the vasa deferentia preparations by the ionophore A-23187 in the concentration range of 10(-7) to 5 X 10(-5) M. In contrast, X-537A had no contractile effect on the guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle while A-23187 produced a dose and [Ca2+] dependent contraction. The contractile effect of X-537A in the vasa deferentia preparations is abolished by phenoxybenzamine or prior reserpine treatment and is therefore attributed to the release of norepinephrine. The effect of A-23187 in the intestinal smooth muslce is attributed to a direct Ca2+ transporting action since its contractile effect is unaffected by histamine, acetylcholine, or 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonists.", "PMID": 769924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3012", "title": "Computer-aided diagnosis of gastroenterologic diseases in Sherbrooke: preliminary report.", "content": "To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a computer-aided-diagnosis system when implemented in different parts of the world, an automated system, which had established its reliability in Leeds, England, was transferred to Sherbrooke, Quebec. In this preliminary study two retrospective series, comprising 104 patients with acute abdominal pain and 101 patients with dyspepsia, were drawn from the files of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire in Sherbrooke. The history and physical-examination sheet was analyzed, coded and tested against the Leeds data base on a WANG 2200 computer, and the results were compared with the final Sherbrooke pathologic diagnosis. Overall the computer made a correct diagnosis in 78.8% of cases of acute abdominal pain and 70% of cases of dyspepsia. Computer diagnoses of appendicitis were correct in 97% of cases and the system recognized 91% of the actual appendicitis cases. Similar figures for cholecystitis were 91% and for peptic ulcer, 87%. However, the \"pick-up\" rate by the computer of pancreatitis was only 25%. It is concluded that geographical differences in disease presentation will probably not impair the validity of the computer method used in this study. A comparison of various diagnostic methods and levels of competence will await a prospective trial of this method.", "contents": "Computer-aided diagnosis of gastroenterologic diseases in Sherbrooke: preliminary report. To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a computer-aided-diagnosis system when implemented in different parts of the world, an automated system, which had established its reliability in Leeds, England, was transferred to Sherbrooke, Quebec. In this preliminary study two retrospective series, comprising 104 patients with acute abdominal pain and 101 patients with dyspepsia, were drawn from the files of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire in Sherbrooke. The history and physical-examination sheet was analyzed, coded and tested against the Leeds data base on a WANG 2200 computer, and the results were compared with the final Sherbrooke pathologic diagnosis. Overall the computer made a correct diagnosis in 78.8% of cases of acute abdominal pain and 70% of cases of dyspepsia. Computer diagnoses of appendicitis were correct in 97% of cases and the system recognized 91% of the actual appendicitis cases. Similar figures for cholecystitis were 91% and for peptic ulcer, 87%. However, the \"pick-up\" rate by the computer of pancreatitis was only 25%. It is concluded that geographical differences in disease presentation will probably not impair the validity of the computer method used in this study. A comparison of various diagnostic methods and levels of competence will await a prospective trial of this method.", "PMID": 769927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3013", "title": "The buccal smear: Reassessment of its usefulness.", "content": "Over a 7-year period 43 patients who underwent sex-chromatin and cytogenetic studies in the investigation of a disorder related to reproductive function were found to have abnormalities of the sex or autosomal chromosomes that could not have been detected by routine buccal smear. Therefore, testing for sex chromatin is of no value to the clinician, because full chromosome analysis must be performed irrespective of the findings from the buccal smear. However, the sex-chromatin test is an aid to the cytogeneticist in interpreting the chromosome analysis. In addition to those with amenorrhea and oligospermia or aspermia, persons with hypospadius and those to be treated with fertility drugs should undergo cytogenetic studies.", "contents": "The buccal smear: Reassessment of its usefulness. Over a 7-year period 43 patients who underwent sex-chromatin and cytogenetic studies in the investigation of a disorder related to reproductive function were found to have abnormalities of the sex or autosomal chromosomes that could not have been detected by routine buccal smear. Therefore, testing for sex chromatin is of no value to the clinician, because full chromosome analysis must be performed irrespective of the findings from the buccal smear. However, the sex-chromatin test is an aid to the cytogeneticist in interpreting the chromosome analysis. In addition to those with amenorrhea and oligospermia or aspermia, persons with hypospadius and those to be treated with fertility drugs should undergo cytogenetic studies.", "PMID": 769928} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3014", "title": "Results of a randomized study comparing DTIC with TIC mustard in malignant melanoma.", "content": "This prospective randomized Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) study (1071) was designed to compare a new and promising cytotoxic agent TIC Mustard (triazeno imidazole carboxamide mustard, NSC 82196) with DTIC (dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide, NSC 45388) in the treatment of inoperable melanoma. One hundred and seventy-eight patients were randomized to receive either DTIC (150 mg/m2/day X 5) or TIC Mustard (800 mg/m2/day X 5). Of this group 145 patients were evaluable for tumor response at the completion of the study. Objective responses were seen in 15/79 (19.0%) DTIC patients and 4/66 (6.1%) TIC Mustard patients. Adjustment of crude response rates yielded final response rates of 18.2% for DTIC patients and 5.8% for TIC Mustard. These differences were significant at the p less than or equal to .03 level. Median response duration was 15 weeks for the DTIC responders and 4 weeks for the TIC Mustard responders. Responders and nonresponders did not differ significantly in any of the standard prognostic categories. However, responders had a significantly longer median survival (47.5 weeks) compared to that for nonresponders (17.8 weeks). Toxicity was tolerable for either drug and no deaths were ascribed to either. We conclude that TIC Mustard has limited usefulness in the treatment of malignant melanoma and is less effective than DTIC.", "contents": "Results of a randomized study comparing DTIC with TIC mustard in malignant melanoma. This prospective randomized Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) study (1071) was designed to compare a new and promising cytotoxic agent TIC Mustard (triazeno imidazole carboxamide mustard, NSC 82196) with DTIC (dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide, NSC 45388) in the treatment of inoperable melanoma. One hundred and seventy-eight patients were randomized to receive either DTIC (150 mg/m2/day X 5) or TIC Mustard (800 mg/m2/day X 5). Of this group 145 patients were evaluable for tumor response at the completion of the study. Objective responses were seen in 15/79 (19.0%) DTIC patients and 4/66 (6.1%) TIC Mustard patients. Adjustment of crude response rates yielded final response rates of 18.2% for DTIC patients and 5.8% for TIC Mustard. These differences were significant at the p less than or equal to .03 level. Median response duration was 15 weeks for the DTIC responders and 4 weeks for the TIC Mustard responders. Responders and nonresponders did not differ significantly in any of the standard prognostic categories. However, responders had a significantly longer median survival (47.5 weeks) compared to that for nonresponders (17.8 weeks). Toxicity was tolerable for either drug and no deaths were ascribed to either. We conclude that TIC Mustard has limited usefulness in the treatment of malignant melanoma and is less effective than DTIC.", "PMID": 769936} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3015", "title": "Nonspecific immunotherapy by Corynebacterium parvum: phase I toxicity study in 12 patients with advanced cancer.", "content": "Corynebacterium parvum, a non-specific immunopotentiator, was administered intravenously to 12 patients with advanced cancer at 2, 3, and 4 mg/m2 dose levels in combination with radiation therapy. One dose of C. parvum was given every 7 days for a total of 4 doses in 21 days. Symptoms and signs developed by these patients for a period of 3 to 6 hours during and shortly after the i.v. infusion of the first dose of C. parvum were moderately severe in nine patients and mild in three patients. For the second, third, and fourth doses of C. parvum, patients had fewer and less intense reactions and were given their treatments on an outpatient basis. There was no added morbidity to the patients' tolerance to either palliative or radical dose levels of radiation therapy. Changes in renal, hepatic, hematologic, and immunologic functions were minimal. At the above dose levels, the use of C. parvum to stimulate the reticuloendothelial system in humans by the intravenous route can be safe and well tolerated provided the side effects are appreciated and symptomatic treatments administered.", "contents": "Nonspecific immunotherapy by Corynebacterium parvum: phase I toxicity study in 12 patients with advanced cancer. Corynebacterium parvum, a non-specific immunopotentiator, was administered intravenously to 12 patients with advanced cancer at 2, 3, and 4 mg/m2 dose levels in combination with radiation therapy. One dose of C. parvum was given every 7 days for a total of 4 doses in 21 days. Symptoms and signs developed by these patients for a period of 3 to 6 hours during and shortly after the i.v. infusion of the first dose of C. parvum were moderately severe in nine patients and mild in three patients. For the second, third, and fourth doses of C. parvum, patients had fewer and less intense reactions and were given their treatments on an outpatient basis. There was no added morbidity to the patients' tolerance to either palliative or radical dose levels of radiation therapy. Changes in renal, hepatic, hematologic, and immunologic functions were minimal. At the above dose levels, the use of C. parvum to stimulate the reticuloendothelial system in humans by the intravenous route can be safe and well tolerated provided the side effects are appreciated and symptomatic treatments administered.", "PMID": 769937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3016", "title": "Association of cadmium with renal cancer.", "content": "Sixty-four cases of renal cancer in white males were compared with controls (197 cases of nonmalignant diseases of the digestive system and 72 cases of colon cancer) for past exposures to cadmium. Controls were also white males, and were group-matched to the cases on age for the analyses. Data on the three main sources of exposure to cadmium--diet, cigarette smoking and occupation--were obtained by interview. The results showed a significant association of renal cancer with exposure to cadmium, and favored a synergistic effect between occupational exposure and smoking. The relative risk for men who both smoked and worked in high-risk occupations was more than four times that for men who did neither. The apparent synergism, however, suggests that the agent in cigarette smoke contributing to this association may not be cadmium.", "contents": "Association of cadmium with renal cancer. Sixty-four cases of renal cancer in white males were compared with controls (197 cases of nonmalignant diseases of the digestive system and 72 cases of colon cancer) for past exposures to cadmium. Controls were also white males, and were group-matched to the cases on age for the analyses. Data on the three main sources of exposure to cadmium--diet, cigarette smoking and occupation--were obtained by interview. The results showed a significant association of renal cancer with exposure to cadmium, and favored a synergistic effect between occupational exposure and smoking. The relative risk for men who both smoked and worked in high-risk occupations was more than four times that for men who did neither. The apparent synergism, however, suggests that the agent in cigarette smoke contributing to this association may not be cadmium.", "PMID": 769938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3017", "title": "Identification and subcellular localization of a sarcoma-associated antigen(s) in a human cell line.", "content": "The present investigation was designed to demonstrate and identify the subcellular localization of sarcoma-associated antigen(s) (TAA) in an established human neurogenic sarcoma line (T cell line). Indirect immunofluorescence was used to screen sera from patients with sarcoma, nonsarcoma neoplasias, and from presumably normal blood bank donors. The positive sera were submitted to a series of absorptions to remove possible nonspecific cross-reacting antibodies. The target cells were then studied with electron microscopy, utilizing the indirect immunoperoxidase technique to determine the subcellular localization of the sarcoma-associated antigen(s). Findings indicate that sarcoma-bearing patients have circulating antisarcoma antibodies directed to antigen(s) localized at the surface membrane of T cells. These antibodies pertain to the IgM or IgG immunoglobulin class. The exact nature of the sarcoma-associated antigen(s) identified in this study is not known at the present time. However, the results obtained strongly suggest that these substances may represent a new type of tumor-associated antigen(s).", "contents": "Identification and subcellular localization of a sarcoma-associated antigen(s) in a human cell line. The present investigation was designed to demonstrate and identify the subcellular localization of sarcoma-associated antigen(s) (TAA) in an established human neurogenic sarcoma line (T cell line). Indirect immunofluorescence was used to screen sera from patients with sarcoma, nonsarcoma neoplasias, and from presumably normal blood bank donors. The positive sera were submitted to a series of absorptions to remove possible nonspecific cross-reacting antibodies. The target cells were then studied with electron microscopy, utilizing the indirect immunoperoxidase technique to determine the subcellular localization of the sarcoma-associated antigen(s). Findings indicate that sarcoma-bearing patients have circulating antisarcoma antibodies directed to antigen(s) localized at the surface membrane of T cells. These antibodies pertain to the IgM or IgG immunoglobulin class. The exact nature of the sarcoma-associated antigen(s) identified in this study is not known at the present time. However, the results obtained strongly suggest that these substances may represent a new type of tumor-associated antigen(s).", "PMID": 769939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3018", "title": "Impairment of rosette-forming T lymphocytes in patients with primary intracranial tumors.", "content": "The percentage of T lymphocytes that form rosettes (RFC) with sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes), cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity, and in vitro lymphocyte transformation was measured in 15 patients with primary intracranial tumors. The ability of T lymphocytes to form E rosettes was significantly impaired. These patients also exhibited impaired ability to become sensitized to dinitrochlorobenzene and humoral suppression of PHA-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis. The hypothetical role of antibody(s) to possible shared antigenic determinants on brain and T cells is discussed.", "contents": "Impairment of rosette-forming T lymphocytes in patients with primary intracranial tumors. The percentage of T lymphocytes that form rosettes (RFC) with sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes), cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity, and in vitro lymphocyte transformation was measured in 15 patients with primary intracranial tumors. The ability of T lymphocytes to form E rosettes was significantly impaired. These patients also exhibited impaired ability to become sensitized to dinitrochlorobenzene and humoral suppression of PHA-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis. The hypothetical role of antibody(s) to possible shared antigenic determinants on brain and T cells is discussed.", "PMID": 769940} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3019", "title": "Malignant disease and tracheobronchial epithelial multinucleation.", "content": "Multinucleation of noncancerous ciliated tracheobronchial epithelial cells seen in smears from 412 patients suffering from malignant tumors originating from a wide variety of organs was found to be 2.03 times more frequent than in a control group without prediagnosed malignant disease, matched by age (decades), sex, and smoking habit (p less than 0.0005). Multinucleation involving at least 3% of cells was seen four times more frequently in patients with invasive tumors without known metastases than in controls. Excessive smoking habit in control females as well as site of origin and stage of tumor influenced statistical significance, otherwise unaffected by age, sex, and smoking habit in males. A prospective study is being planned in which incidence and degree of tracheobronchial epithelial multinucleation will be used in conjunction with biochemical tests for the diagnosis of occult cancer.", "contents": "Malignant disease and tracheobronchial epithelial multinucleation. Multinucleation of noncancerous ciliated tracheobronchial epithelial cells seen in smears from 412 patients suffering from malignant tumors originating from a wide variety of organs was found to be 2.03 times more frequent than in a control group without prediagnosed malignant disease, matched by age (decades), sex, and smoking habit (p less than 0.0005). Multinucleation involving at least 3% of cells was seen four times more frequently in patients with invasive tumors without known metastases than in controls. Excessive smoking habit in control females as well as site of origin and stage of tumor influenced statistical significance, otherwise unaffected by age, sex, and smoking habit in males. A prospective study is being planned in which incidence and degree of tracheobronchial epithelial multinucleation will be used in conjunction with biochemical tests for the diagnosis of occult cancer.", "PMID": 769941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3020", "title": "Monitoring of immunologic status of patients receiving BCG therapy for malignant disease.", "content": "BCG immunotherapy in a standard regime was administered by scarification to 26 selected patients with controlled malignant disease, 14 with lung cancer and 12 with melanoma. All were followed for 12 months after the first BCG administration or until death. During the first 3 months, when BCG was given weekly, immune reactivity as determined by skin tests and in vitro lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin and recall antigens was enhanced in all patients except those in whom recurrence or extension of malignancy subsequently occurred. Patients who had received prior radiation therapy for lung cancer also did not manifest significant immunoenhancement. During the following 9 months when BCG was administered at increasing intervals, immune responses were maintained except in those patients who experienced recurrence of malignancy, and those who discontinued BCG therapy. The response to PHA was predictive of a favorable clinical course during the following 9 months, and was significantly impaired in advance of the clinical recurrence of malignancy. Tests of cell-mediated immunity, particularly the in vitro response to HA, are valuable in assessing the efficacy of BCG immunotherapy, prognosticating clinical progress, and predicting the recurrence of malignancy.", "contents": "Monitoring of immunologic status of patients receiving BCG therapy for malignant disease. BCG immunotherapy in a standard regime was administered by scarification to 26 selected patients with controlled malignant disease, 14 with lung cancer and 12 with melanoma. All were followed for 12 months after the first BCG administration or until death. During the first 3 months, when BCG was given weekly, immune reactivity as determined by skin tests and in vitro lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin and recall antigens was enhanced in all patients except those in whom recurrence or extension of malignancy subsequently occurred. Patients who had received prior radiation therapy for lung cancer also did not manifest significant immunoenhancement. During the following 9 months when BCG was administered at increasing intervals, immune responses were maintained except in those patients who experienced recurrence of malignancy, and those who discontinued BCG therapy. The response to PHA was predictive of a favorable clinical course during the following 9 months, and was significantly impaired in advance of the clinical recurrence of malignancy. Tests of cell-mediated immunity, particularly the in vitro response to HA, are valuable in assessing the efficacy of BCG immunotherapy, prognosticating clinical progress, and predicting the recurrence of malignancy.", "PMID": 769946} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3021", "title": "Carcinoma arising in a branchial cleft cyst.", "content": "A patient is presented who was found to have invasive squamous cell carcinoma arising in the epithelial lining of a lateral cervical cyst which had been present for more than 40 years. Radical neck dissection was performed, and metastases were found in a single cervical lymph node. A critical review of cases of branchiogenic carcinoma reported over the past quarter-century yielded no more than three others which meet the criteria for diagnosis of this entity established by Martin, Morfit, and Ehrlich in 1950.", "contents": "Carcinoma arising in a branchial cleft cyst. A patient is presented who was found to have invasive squamous cell carcinoma arising in the epithelial lining of a lateral cervical cyst which had been present for more than 40 years. Radical neck dissection was performed, and metastases were found in a single cervical lymph node. A critical review of cases of branchiogenic carcinoma reported over the past quarter-century yielded no more than three others which meet the criteria for diagnosis of this entity established by Martin, Morfit, and Ehrlich in 1950.", "PMID": 769947} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3022", "title": "Combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271), cytosine arabinoside (NSC-63878), and methotrexate (NSC-740) in advanced solid tumors.", "content": "Forty patients with advanced solid tumors of diverse primary sites received a combination of cyclophosphamide (1 gm/m2), cytosine arabinoside (300 mg/m2), and methotrexate (80 mg/m2) given intermittently at 2-3-week intervals. Eight of the 40 patients received citrovorum factor rescue. The major limitation of therapy was suppression of bone marrow elements. Only minimal nonhematologic toxicity was encountered. Granulocytes appeared the most sensitive. The first course of treatment produced median nadir granulocyte and platelet counts of 1200 and 100,000 cells/mm3 respectively. Subsequent courses were tolerated with no evidence of increasing myelosuppression. Objective antitumor responses were noted in five of 16 patients with lung cancer and in eight of 14 women with breast cancer with a median duration of 8 months.", "contents": "Combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271), cytosine arabinoside (NSC-63878), and methotrexate (NSC-740) in advanced solid tumors. Forty patients with advanced solid tumors of diverse primary sites received a combination of cyclophosphamide (1 gm/m2), cytosine arabinoside (300 mg/m2), and methotrexate (80 mg/m2) given intermittently at 2-3-week intervals. Eight of the 40 patients received citrovorum factor rescue. The major limitation of therapy was suppression of bone marrow elements. Only minimal nonhematologic toxicity was encountered. Granulocytes appeared the most sensitive. The first course of treatment produced median nadir granulocyte and platelet counts of 1200 and 100,000 cells/mm3 respectively. Subsequent courses were tolerated with no evidence of increasing myelosuppression. Objective antitumor responses were noted in five of 16 patients with lung cancer and in eight of 14 women with breast cancer with a median duration of 8 months.", "PMID": 769948} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3023", "title": "Cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271) maintenance therapy after a second remission of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: comparative clinical trial (standard dose versus intermittent high dose versus cyclophosphamide plus cytosine arabinoside (NSC-63878)).", "content": "Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who had experienced only one relapse were reinduced into remission using a 6-week induction course of prednisone and vincristine. One hundred fifty-one children who achieved a second complete marrow remission were randomly assigned to one of three cyclophosphamide treatment groups for maintanence. Forty-one children received standard-dose cyclophosphamide (3 mg/kg/day), 55 received intermittent high-dose cyclophosphamide (10 mg/kg/day for 4 days out of 14), and 55 received a combination of oral cyclophosphamide (3 mg/kg/day) plus cytosine arabinoside (3 mg/kg/week im). The standard-dose cyclophosphamide regimen resulted in a remission maintenance time of 109 days and was the least toxic of the three maintenance regimens. Giving cyclophosphamide on an intermittent high-dose schedule or combining it with cytosine arabinoside did not increase the remission maintanence time (105 days).", "contents": "Cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271) maintenance therapy after a second remission of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: comparative clinical trial (standard dose versus intermittent high dose versus cyclophosphamide plus cytosine arabinoside (NSC-63878)). Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who had experienced only one relapse were reinduced into remission using a 6-week induction course of prednisone and vincristine. One hundred fifty-one children who achieved a second complete marrow remission were randomly assigned to one of three cyclophosphamide treatment groups for maintanence. Forty-one children received standard-dose cyclophosphamide (3 mg/kg/day), 55 received intermittent high-dose cyclophosphamide (10 mg/kg/day for 4 days out of 14), and 55 received a combination of oral cyclophosphamide (3 mg/kg/day) plus cytosine arabinoside (3 mg/kg/week im). The standard-dose cyclophosphamide regimen resulted in a remission maintenance time of 109 days and was the least toxic of the three maintenance regimens. Giving cyclophosphamide on an intermittent high-dose schedule or combining it with cytosine arabinoside did not increase the remission maintanence time (105 days).", "PMID": 769949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3024", "title": "Guanazole (NSC-1895)--a phase I clinical study.", "content": "Two dose schedules of guanazole were used in this phase I clinical study: intermittent prolonged 5-day infusion and intermittent iv bolus twice weekly. Ninety-seven treatment observations were analyzed for toxic effects resulting from the prolonged infusion and 42 from the twice-weekly bolus schedule. The main toxic effect was bone marrow suppressions, the frequency and severity of which were intensified by prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy and repetition of guanazole therapy. The leukocyte count was affected more than the platelet count. Partial responses were observed in four patients: two with lung carcinoma, one with prostate carcinoma, and one with melanoma. Further phase II clinical studies of guanazole are indicated.", "contents": "Guanazole (NSC-1895)--a phase I clinical study. Two dose schedules of guanazole were used in this phase I clinical study: intermittent prolonged 5-day infusion and intermittent iv bolus twice weekly. Ninety-seven treatment observations were analyzed for toxic effects resulting from the prolonged infusion and 42 from the twice-weekly bolus schedule. The main toxic effect was bone marrow suppressions, the frequency and severity of which were intensified by prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy and repetition of guanazole therapy. The leukocyte count was affected more than the platelet count. Partial responses were observed in four patients: two with lung carcinoma, one with prostate carcinoma, and one with melanoma. Further phase II clinical studies of guanazole are indicated.", "PMID": 769950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3025", "title": "Treatment of small cell carcinoma of the lung using methyl-CCNU (NSC-95441) combined with cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271) and vincristine (NSC-67574) in a 3-week schedule.", "content": "Twenty-six patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with a combination of methyl-CCNU (75 mg/m2 orally), cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m2iv), and vincristine (1.4 mg/m2iv) once every 3 weeks and followed for 2-56 weeks (mean, 24 weeks). An average of seven treatments were given per patient. Myelotoxicity was mild to moderate with no white blood cell count (wbc) less than 1000 cells/mm3 and no platelet count less than 25,000 cells/mm3. Six patients (23%) had a wbc of 1000-2000 cells/mm3 and two (8%) had a platelet count of 25,000-75,000 cells/mm3. Sixty-eight persons of the projected dose of methyl-CCNU was given. Fourteen of 22 patients with measurable disease (54%) responded. Of 14 patients who had received no prior treatment 64% responded with a median survival duration of 40 weeks. Complete responses occurred only in patients without prior radiation therapy or chemotherapy. We conclude that methyl-CCNU may be given with an acceptable level of toxicity in an every 3-week schedule and that the combination of cyclophosphamide, methyl-CCNU, and vincristine warrants further evaluation in the treatment of small cell carcinoma of the lung.", "contents": "Treatment of small cell carcinoma of the lung using methyl-CCNU (NSC-95441) combined with cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271) and vincristine (NSC-67574) in a 3-week schedule. Twenty-six patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with a combination of methyl-CCNU (75 mg/m2 orally), cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m2iv), and vincristine (1.4 mg/m2iv) once every 3 weeks and followed for 2-56 weeks (mean, 24 weeks). An average of seven treatments were given per patient. Myelotoxicity was mild to moderate with no white blood cell count (wbc) less than 1000 cells/mm3 and no platelet count less than 25,000 cells/mm3. Six patients (23%) had a wbc of 1000-2000 cells/mm3 and two (8%) had a platelet count of 25,000-75,000 cells/mm3. Sixty-eight persons of the projected dose of methyl-CCNU was given. Fourteen of 22 patients with measurable disease (54%) responded. Of 14 patients who had received no prior treatment 64% responded with a median survival duration of 40 weeks. Complete responses occurred only in patients without prior radiation therapy or chemotherapy. We conclude that methyl-CCNU may be given with an acceptable level of toxicity in an every 3-week schedule and that the combination of cyclophosphamide, methyl-CCNU, and vincristine warrants further evaluation in the treatment of small cell carcinoma of the lung.", "PMID": 769951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3026", "title": "Combination chemotherapy for acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia in adults.", "content": "Between January 1973 and February 1975, 77 adults with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia were treated with a combination of daunorubicin, cytosine arabinoside, 6-thioguanine, prednisone, and vincristine in university-affiliated and private institutions. After 31 patients were treated (regimen 1) the doses of all drugs were significantly increased (regimen 2). Regimes 1 and 2 yielded CR rates of 59% (17 of 29 patients) and 70% (32 of 46 patients) respectively. With regimens 2 the mean number of courses and the median number of days to CR decreased from 3 to 1.4 and from 46 to 29 respectively. Failure to achieve CR was due to persistent leukemia during regimen 1 and fatal infections during regimen 2. With regimen 2 ten of 20 patients (50%) greater than 50 years had CR compared to 22 of 26 patients (85%) less than 50 years. CR rates were similar in community and university institutions.", "contents": "Combination chemotherapy for acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia in adults. Between January 1973 and February 1975, 77 adults with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia were treated with a combination of daunorubicin, cytosine arabinoside, 6-thioguanine, prednisone, and vincristine in university-affiliated and private institutions. After 31 patients were treated (regimen 1) the doses of all drugs were significantly increased (regimen 2). Regimes 1 and 2 yielded CR rates of 59% (17 of 29 patients) and 70% (32 of 46 patients) respectively. With regimens 2 the mean number of courses and the median number of days to CR decreased from 3 to 1.4 and from 46 to 29 respectively. Failure to achieve CR was due to persistent leukemia during regimen 1 and fatal infections during regimen 2. With regimen 2 ten of 20 patients (50%) greater than 50 years had CR compared to 22 of 26 patients (85%) less than 50 years. CR rates were similar in community and university institutions.", "PMID": 769952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3027", "title": "Phase I study of corynebacterium parvum in patients with solid tumors.", "content": "Nineteen patients with various solid tumors were treated with Corynebacterium parvum for 10 consecutive days at doses ranging from 0.5 to 6 mg/m2. Major toxic effects included rigors and cyanosis, hypertension, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Toxicity was maximal during the first 3 days of treatment and decreased or even disappeared when, on subsequent days, increasing doses of the vaccine were given. Objective tumor regressions were observed in four patients.", "contents": "Phase I study of corynebacterium parvum in patients with solid tumors. Nineteen patients with various solid tumors were treated with Corynebacterium parvum for 10 consecutive days at doses ranging from 0.5 to 6 mg/m2. Major toxic effects included rigors and cyanosis, hypertension, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Toxicity was maximal during the first 3 days of treatment and decreased or even disappeared when, on subsequent days, increasing doses of the vaccine were given. Objective tumor regressions were observed in four patients.", "PMID": 769953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3028", "title": "Ultrastructure of lymphocyte tumor cell interaction with localization of cell-bound antibody by ferritin labeling.", "content": "Splenic lymphocytes derived from Walker carcinoma-bearing rats were harvested and incubated with Walker carcinoma cells growing in tissue culture. The sequence of events leading to target cell death was studied by phase microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The sensitized lymphocytes adhere to the tumor cells by multiple cytoplasmic appendages, but no ultrastructural changes are seen at this interface. After 1 hr these lymphocytes release cytoplasmic components consisting of membrane-lined vesicles, cell membranes, endoplasmic reticulum, and cytoplasmic material. This material adheres closely to the surface of the tumor cells and is subsequently seen within the cytoplasm of the tumor cell. The tumor cells then undergo degenerative changes and cell death occurs in 24 to 36 hr. The lymphocyte-derived material appears to contain immunoglobulin components as determined by specific ferritin labeling.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of lymphocyte tumor cell interaction with localization of cell-bound antibody by ferritin labeling. Splenic lymphocytes derived from Walker carcinoma-bearing rats were harvested and incubated with Walker carcinoma cells growing in tissue culture. The sequence of events leading to target cell death was studied by phase microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The sensitized lymphocytes adhere to the tumor cells by multiple cytoplasmic appendages, but no ultrastructural changes are seen at this interface. After 1 hr these lymphocytes release cytoplasmic components consisting of membrane-lined vesicles, cell membranes, endoplasmic reticulum, and cytoplasmic material. This material adheres closely to the surface of the tumor cells and is subsequently seen within the cytoplasm of the tumor cell. The tumor cells then undergo degenerative changes and cell death occurs in 24 to 36 hr. The lymphocyte-derived material appears to contain immunoglobulin components as determined by specific ferritin labeling.", "PMID": 769963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3029", "title": "The effect of Mycobacterium bovis (Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin) on macrophage random migration, chemotaxis, and pinocytosis.", "content": "Macrophage random migration, chemotactic responsiveness, and pinocytosis were studied in the guinea pig after Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) administration. Oil-induced peritoneal exudate cells were evaluated for random migration and chemotaxis in modified Boyden chambers. Pinocytosis was measured by the in vitro uptake of colloidal 198Au. There was a parallel increase in random migration and chemotaxis after an i.p. dose of 1.0 X 10(7) COLONY-FORMING UNIts of BCG. This was seen as early as Day 4, sustained through Day 21, and absent by Day 44. A number of different strains and preparations of BCG vaccine exerted a similar augmentation of macrophage mobility. In parallel assays, aliquots of macrophages from BCG-treated animals showed increased pinocytosis, first noted at Day 14, peaking at Day 28, and no longer measurable at Day 44. These alterations in macrophage function following BCG administration may in part contribute to the antitumor effect of BCG adjuvant therapy.", "contents": "The effect of Mycobacterium bovis (Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin) on macrophage random migration, chemotaxis, and pinocytosis. Macrophage random migration, chemotactic responsiveness, and pinocytosis were studied in the guinea pig after Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) administration. Oil-induced peritoneal exudate cells were evaluated for random migration and chemotaxis in modified Boyden chambers. Pinocytosis was measured by the in vitro uptake of colloidal 198Au. There was a parallel increase in random migration and chemotaxis after an i.p. dose of 1.0 X 10(7) COLONY-FORMING UNIts of BCG. This was seen as early as Day 4, sustained through Day 21, and absent by Day 44. A number of different strains and preparations of BCG vaccine exerted a similar augmentation of macrophage mobility. In parallel assays, aliquots of macrophages from BCG-treated animals showed increased pinocytosis, first noted at Day 14, peaking at Day 28, and no longer measurable at Day 44. These alterations in macrophage function following BCG administration may in part contribute to the antitumor effect of BCG adjuvant therapy.", "PMID": 769964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3030", "title": "Scanning electron microscopy of surface features of hamster embryo cells transformed in vitro by X-irradiation.", "content": "Scanning electron microscope studies were carried out on Syrian hamster embryo cells transformed in vitro by X-irradiation (300 rads) (X-ray transformed) and on normal nonirradiated and irradiated nontransformed controls. Transformed cells appeared in scanning electron microscopy as pleomorphic, thick cells piling up over each other and exhibiting extensive surface features consisting of microvilli, blebs, and ruffles. These surface structures were seen on single as well as on densely cultured transformed cells during both interphase and mitosis. The complex surface was observed shortly after transformation (on cells of a 20-day-old clone) and seems a permanent feature of the X-ray-transformed cells (present after 8 years in culture). All controls appeared by scanning electron microscopy as regular, flat, and smooth cells which grew in high-density cultures to seemingly contact-inhibited monolayers. During mitosis the normal cells (control, nontransformed) displayed surface excrescences similar to those of the transformed cells making the mitotic normal cells indistinguishable from transformed cells. The complex surface features in the normal cells were temporary and reversed back to characteristic smoothness upon reentrance into interphase.", "contents": "Scanning electron microscopy of surface features of hamster embryo cells transformed in vitro by X-irradiation. Scanning electron microscope studies were carried out on Syrian hamster embryo cells transformed in vitro by X-irradiation (300 rads) (X-ray transformed) and on normal nonirradiated and irradiated nontransformed controls. Transformed cells appeared in scanning electron microscopy as pleomorphic, thick cells piling up over each other and exhibiting extensive surface features consisting of microvilli, blebs, and ruffles. These surface structures were seen on single as well as on densely cultured transformed cells during both interphase and mitosis. The complex surface was observed shortly after transformation (on cells of a 20-day-old clone) and seems a permanent feature of the X-ray-transformed cells (present after 8 years in culture). All controls appeared by scanning electron microscopy as regular, flat, and smooth cells which grew in high-density cultures to seemingly contact-inhibited monolayers. During mitosis the normal cells (control, nontransformed) displayed surface excrescences similar to those of the transformed cells making the mitotic normal cells indistinguishable from transformed cells. The complex surface features in the normal cells were temporary and reversed back to characteristic smoothness upon reentrance into interphase.", "PMID": 769965} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3031", "title": "Autoantibodies and spleen cell-mediated cytotoxicity in adriamycin-induced myocardiopathy in rabbits.", "content": "Spleen cells from rabbits affected by adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy were specifically cytotoxic for rabbit embryonic heart cells in microcytotoxicity tests. The interactions between \"sensitized\" spleen cells and rabbit embryonic heart cells were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Sera from these rabbits were shown by immunofluoresence to contain antibodies reactive with rabbit embryonic heart, kidney, and muscle cells. Cytotoxic antibodies were not detected. These sera contained factors that enhanced the cytotoxicity mediated by \"sensitized\" spleen cells and made normal spleen cells capable of destroying targets. The detection of these factors and of cytotoxins was dependent on the method of target-effector cells treatment by serum.", "contents": "Autoantibodies and spleen cell-mediated cytotoxicity in adriamycin-induced myocardiopathy in rabbits. Spleen cells from rabbits affected by adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy were specifically cytotoxic for rabbit embryonic heart cells in microcytotoxicity tests. The interactions between \"sensitized\" spleen cells and rabbit embryonic heart cells were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Sera from these rabbits were shown by immunofluoresence to contain antibodies reactive with rabbit embryonic heart, kidney, and muscle cells. Cytotoxic antibodies were not detected. These sera contained factors that enhanced the cytotoxicity mediated by \"sensitized\" spleen cells and made normal spleen cells capable of destroying targets. The detection of these factors and of cytotoxins was dependent on the method of target-effector cells treatment by serum.", "PMID": 769966} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3032", "title": "Surgical treatment of malignant melanoma.", "content": "Surgery alone is incapable of curing most patients with malignant melanoma. Wide local excision and skin grafting are the most important factors in the local treatment of malignant melanoma. Regional lymph node dissection in selected patients with clinical stage I disease is useful in identifying those patients with positive lymph nodes suitable for studies of adjunctive treatments. Studies of the role of bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin in the treatment of primary malignant melanoma and stage II malignant melanoma are currently in progress in the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute.", "contents": "Surgical treatment of malignant melanoma. Surgery alone is incapable of curing most patients with malignant melanoma. Wide local excision and skin grafting are the most important factors in the local treatment of malignant melanoma. Regional lymph node dissection in selected patients with clinical stage I disease is useful in identifying those patients with positive lymph nodes suitable for studies of adjunctive treatments. Studies of the role of bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin in the treatment of primary malignant melanoma and stage II malignant melanoma are currently in progress in the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute.", "PMID": 769968} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3033", "title": "Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin immunotherapy in combination with DTIC (NSC-45388) for the treatment of malignant melanoma.", "content": "Combination studies of immunotherapy and DTIC chemotherapy for patients with malignant melanoma are described. At our institute the combination of bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) with DTIC, or DTIC plus methyl-CCNU, has resulted in augmentation of remissions in areas regional to BCG immunization, prolongation of chemotherapy-induced remissions, and significant prolongation of survival compared to the use of DTIC chemotherapy without immunotherapy. Data from other centers have shown that augmentation of remissions for melanoma patients occurred when BCG was combined with DTIC, vincristine, and allogeneic tumor cells. Finally, another study has shown that DTIC combined with BCG has prolonged the disease-free interval and survival in melanoma patients with regional lymph node metastases. The potential inhibition of DTIC metabolism by BCG or Corynebacterium parvum is discussed.", "contents": "Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin immunotherapy in combination with DTIC (NSC-45388) for the treatment of malignant melanoma. Combination studies of immunotherapy and DTIC chemotherapy for patients with malignant melanoma are described. At our institute the combination of bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) with DTIC, or DTIC plus methyl-CCNU, has resulted in augmentation of remissions in areas regional to BCG immunization, prolongation of chemotherapy-induced remissions, and significant prolongation of survival compared to the use of DTIC chemotherapy without immunotherapy. Data from other centers have shown that augmentation of remissions for melanoma patients occurred when BCG was combined with DTIC, vincristine, and allogeneic tumor cells. Finally, another study has shown that DTIC combined with BCG has prolonged the disease-free interval and survival in melanoma patients with regional lymph node metastases. The potential inhibition of DTIC metabolism by BCG or Corynebacterium parvum is discussed.", "PMID": 769970} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3034", "title": "Phase I evaluation of DTIC (NSC-45388) and other studies in malignant melanoma in the Central Oncology Group.", "content": "The major toxic effects of DTIC are nausea and vomiting, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. It is an effective drug in the treatment of malignant melanoma with better response rates in women than in men. The addition of other drugs to DTIC therapy does not produce a higher response rate. Preliminary results indicate that as an adjuvant to standard surgical therapy DTIC does not appear beneficial to patients with a high risk for recurrence.", "contents": "Phase I evaluation of DTIC (NSC-45388) and other studies in malignant melanoma in the Central Oncology Group. The major toxic effects of DTIC are nausea and vomiting, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. It is an effective drug in the treatment of malignant melanoma with better response rates in women than in men. The addition of other drugs to DTIC therapy does not produce a higher response rate. Preliminary results indicate that as an adjuvant to standard surgical therapy DTIC does not appear beneficial to patients with a high risk for recurrence.", "PMID": 769971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3035", "title": "DTIC (NSC-45388) studies in the southwest oncology group.", "content": "In a phase I study, the best antitumor/toxicity ratio for DTIC was reported to be at a dose of 250 mg/m2/day X 5 repeated at 28-day intervals. Nausea, vomiting, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia were the major toxic effects noted. The best responses were seen in disseminated melanoma (19%), various sarcomas (22%), and Hodgkin's disease. A subsequent phase II study in refractory lymphomas showed a response rate in Hodgkin's disease of 56%. In disseminated melanomas, DTIC was then combined with vincristine and BCNU and demonstrated a response rate of 23% which did not improve with the addition of chlorpromazine (23%). A response rate of 31% was seen with the combination of DTIC, BCNU, and hydroxyurea which did not improve with the addition of vincristine (30%). Responders had a more significant survival rate as compared to nonresponders.", "contents": "DTIC (NSC-45388) studies in the southwest oncology group. In a phase I study, the best antitumor/toxicity ratio for DTIC was reported to be at a dose of 250 mg/m2/day X 5 repeated at 28-day intervals. Nausea, vomiting, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia were the major toxic effects noted. The best responses were seen in disseminated melanoma (19%), various sarcomas (22%), and Hodgkin's disease. A subsequent phase II study in refractory lymphomas showed a response rate in Hodgkin's disease of 56%. In disseminated melanomas, DTIC was then combined with vincristine and BCNU and demonstrated a response rate of 23% which did not improve with the addition of chlorpromazine (23%). A response rate of 31% was seen with the combination of DTIC, BCNU, and hydroxyurea which did not improve with the addition of vincristine (30%). Responders had a more significant survival rate as compared to nonresponders.", "PMID": 769972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3036", "title": "Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group studies with DTIC (NSC-45388).", "content": "In four randomized controlled clinical trials with DTIC involving patiens with malignant melanoma, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group has seen a consistent objective response rate of 16%. A study of combinations of DTIC with two nitrosoureas indicated no additive effect. Survival and response were strongly correlated with sex, ambulatory status, and site of disease involvement. As secondary treatment DTIC was less effective, indicating only a 3% response rate. Survival benefit could be related to response. Among the ten largest contributors of patients, response rates varied from 3% to 40%. Similarly, while the overall response rate was not different for the combinations as compared to DTIC alone, the variation noted from study to study reflects the need for controlled randomized trials of chemotherapy for patients with malignant melanoma.", "contents": "Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group studies with DTIC (NSC-45388). In four randomized controlled clinical trials with DTIC involving patiens with malignant melanoma, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group has seen a consistent objective response rate of 16%. A study of combinations of DTIC with two nitrosoureas indicated no additive effect. Survival and response were strongly correlated with sex, ambulatory status, and site of disease involvement. As secondary treatment DTIC was less effective, indicating only a 3% response rate. Survival benefit could be related to response. Among the ten largest contributors of patients, response rates varied from 3% to 40%. Similarly, while the overall response rate was not different for the combinations as compared to DTIC alone, the variation noted from study to study reflects the need for controlled randomized trials of chemotherapy for patients with malignant melanoma.", "PMID": 769973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3037", "title": "Role of DTIC (NSC-45388) in the chemotherapy of sarcomas.", "content": "DTIC was one of the first of several new agents evaluated by the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and the M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute (MDAH) in the therapy of adult patients with metastatic sarcomas. It yielded an overall response rate of 17%. This is similar to that seen in a review of 138 patients who represent the total number reported in either published or unpublished data. The subsequent addition of DTIC to adriamycin in several studies carried out at the MDAH and in the SWOG has increased the complete and partial remission rate over that seen with adriamycin alone, and more importantly has increased remission duration and survival. DTIC is currently used in combination with adriamycin in the first-line therapy of patients with metastatic sarcomas and should be considered for patients who have relapsed on primary therapy not including DTIC.", "contents": "Role of DTIC (NSC-45388) in the chemotherapy of sarcomas. DTIC was one of the first of several new agents evaluated by the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and the M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute (MDAH) in the therapy of adult patients with metastatic sarcomas. It yielded an overall response rate of 17%. This is similar to that seen in a review of 138 patients who represent the total number reported in either published or unpublished data. The subsequent addition of DTIC to adriamycin in several studies carried out at the MDAH and in the SWOG has increased the complete and partial remission rate over that seen with adriamycin alone, and more importantly has increased remission duration and survival. DTIC is currently used in combination with adriamycin in the first-line therapy of patients with metastatic sarcomas and should be considered for patients who have relapsed on primary therapy not including DTIC.", "PMID": 769974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3038", "title": "Combination chemotherapy with DTIC (NSC-45388) in advanced malignant melanoma, soft tissue sarcomas, and Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "The results of three controlled studies with multiple-drug regimens which included DTIC are reported for advanced melanoma, soft tissue sarcomas, and Hodgkin's disease. In malignant melanoma, no statistical difference was observed between (a) DTIC, BCNU, and vincristine, and (b) DTIC, BCNU, and actinomycin D in terms of response rate, median duration of response, and survival. In sarcomas, the combination of adriamycin and DTIC produced a higher incidence of complete plus partial responders when compared to cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and methotrexate. However, no significant difference was seen in the median duration of response or survival. In Hodgkin's disease, a new four-drug combination including adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and DTIC (ABVD) produced an incidence of complete remissions and a median duration of response comparable to that achieved with mechlorethamine, vincristine (Oncovin), predinisone, and procarbazine (MOPP). Preliminary data indicate that ABVD is not cross resistant to MOPP. It is concluded that DTIC can be successfully and safely employed in combination with conventional agents in susceptible neoplastic diseases.", "contents": "Combination chemotherapy with DTIC (NSC-45388) in advanced malignant melanoma, soft tissue sarcomas, and Hodgkin's disease. The results of three controlled studies with multiple-drug regimens which included DTIC are reported for advanced melanoma, soft tissue sarcomas, and Hodgkin's disease. In malignant melanoma, no statistical difference was observed between (a) DTIC, BCNU, and vincristine, and (b) DTIC, BCNU, and actinomycin D in terms of response rate, median duration of response, and survival. In sarcomas, the combination of adriamycin and DTIC produced a higher incidence of complete plus partial responders when compared to cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and methotrexate. However, no significant difference was seen in the median duration of response or survival. In Hodgkin's disease, a new four-drug combination including adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and DTIC (ABVD) produced an incidence of complete remissions and a median duration of response comparable to that achieved with mechlorethamine, vincristine (Oncovin), predinisone, and procarbazine (MOPP). Preliminary data indicate that ABVD is not cross resistant to MOPP. It is concluded that DTIC can be successfully and safely employed in combination with conventional agents in susceptible neoplastic diseases.", "PMID": 769975} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3039", "title": "Methyl-CCNU (NSC-95441) in advanced colorectal carcinoma after failure of 5-fluorouracil (NSC-19893) therapy.", "content": "Twenty-seven patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma who had earlier failed to respond to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were given methyl-CCNU. Of the 21 patients who received methyl-CCNU alone, two (9.5%) responded partially with a mean duration of 28 weeks. Of the six patients who received methyl-CCNU and beta-TGdR, three had a partial response. There were no complete responses in either group. Response was not related to performance status, site of metastasis, or previous response to 5-FU treatment. It seems that the addition of beta-TGdR to methyl-CCNU might give better results after failure to previous 5-FU treatment. Hematologic toxicity was noted in 33% of the patients and gastrointestinal toxicity in 25%.", "contents": "Methyl-CCNU (NSC-95441) in advanced colorectal carcinoma after failure of 5-fluorouracil (NSC-19893) therapy. Twenty-seven patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma who had earlier failed to respond to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were given methyl-CCNU. Of the 21 patients who received methyl-CCNU alone, two (9.5%) responded partially with a mean duration of 28 weeks. Of the six patients who received methyl-CCNU and beta-TGdR, three had a partial response. There were no complete responses in either group. Response was not related to performance status, site of metastasis, or previous response to 5-FU treatment. It seems that the addition of beta-TGdR to methyl-CCNU might give better results after failure to previous 5-FU treatment. Hematologic toxicity was noted in 33% of the patients and gastrointestinal toxicity in 25%.", "PMID": 769977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3040", "title": "The ultrastructure of the cell types in the endocrine pancreas of the horse.", "content": "The islets of Langerhans of the equine pancreas were examined with the electron microscope after immersion or perfusion fixation. Five cell types could be distinguished after fixation by either technique: 1. A-cells, situated at the center of the islets, 2. B-cells, containing mostly \"pale granules\" and constituting the principal cell type of the periphery of the islets, 3. D-cells, also located mainly at the periphery of the islets, 4. G-cells, found at the edge of the islets and in the exocrine pancreas, and 5. S-cells, (small granule cells), which are relatively few in number and occur only in the islets. The function and age-dependent modifications of these cells are discussed. The formation of light and dark cells and of \"mixed cells\" are regarded as artifact, since cells of this type occur only under the condition of immersion fixation.", "contents": "The ultrastructure of the cell types in the endocrine pancreas of the horse. The islets of Langerhans of the equine pancreas were examined with the electron microscope after immersion or perfusion fixation. Five cell types could be distinguished after fixation by either technique: 1. A-cells, situated at the center of the islets, 2. B-cells, containing mostly \"pale granules\" and constituting the principal cell type of the periphery of the islets, 3. D-cells, also located mainly at the periphery of the islets, 4. G-cells, found at the edge of the islets and in the exocrine pancreas, and 5. S-cells, (small granule cells), which are relatively few in number and occur only in the islets. The function and age-dependent modifications of these cells are discussed. The formation of light and dark cells and of \"mixed cells\" are regarded as artifact, since cells of this type occur only under the condition of immersion fixation.", "PMID": 769989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3041", "title": "The gonadotropic cells in the pituitary of the black molly, Mollienisia latipinna, and other teleosts, identified by the immunofluorescence technique in normal and androgen-treated animals.", "content": "Using anti-carp-gonadotropic-gamma-globulin, the indirect immunofluorescence technique was applied to sections of the pituitary of 12 teleost species. From the investigated species, the Poeciliinae, and especially the black molly, showed a distinct localization of fluorescent cells in the mesoadenohypophysis. Strong fluorescence was observed in the ventralmost region, containing the presumed gonadotropic cells; weak fluorescence was observed in the dorsal region, in the presumed thyrotropic cells. The possibility of an unspecific reaction with TSH-cells in the latter region is discussed. Treatment of male black mollies for 38 days with methyltestosterone resulted in a loss of fluorescence in the ventral region of the meso-adenohypophysis, whereas there was no decrease of the fluorescence in the dorsal region. The results support the hypothesis that the ventral basophils in the mesoadenohypophysis produce gonadotropic hormone.", "contents": "The gonadotropic cells in the pituitary of the black molly, Mollienisia latipinna, and other teleosts, identified by the immunofluorescence technique in normal and androgen-treated animals. Using anti-carp-gonadotropic-gamma-globulin, the indirect immunofluorescence technique was applied to sections of the pituitary of 12 teleost species. From the investigated species, the Poeciliinae, and especially the black molly, showed a distinct localization of fluorescent cells in the mesoadenohypophysis. Strong fluorescence was observed in the ventralmost region, containing the presumed gonadotropic cells; weak fluorescence was observed in the dorsal region, in the presumed thyrotropic cells. The possibility of an unspecific reaction with TSH-cells in the latter region is discussed. Treatment of male black mollies for 38 days with methyltestosterone resulted in a loss of fluorescence in the ventral region of the meso-adenohypophysis, whereas there was no decrease of the fluorescence in the dorsal region. The results support the hypothesis that the ventral basophils in the mesoadenohypophysis produce gonadotropic hormone.", "PMID": 769990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3042", "title": "Transmission microscopy of freeze dried, unstained epiphyseal cartilage of the guinea pig.", "content": "The question of the initial mineralization in the epiphyseal plate has been investigated to date in specimens prepared by conventional electron microscopical techniques. As conventional techniques can produce artifacts, either a loss of mineral substance or a secondary nucleation, the mineralization process was investigated using freeze dried, vacuum embedded growth cartilage which was neither contrasted not stained and which had a very short contact with water. The prevailing theory that the first mineralization begins within extracellular matrix vesicles and that the mineralization outside these vesicles is a secondary process was confirmed. Mineralized matrix vesicles were found in the fully mineralized long septa down to the opening zone. In several cases a mineralization could be observed in those transverse septa in which organic substance was present between the cells. The typical radial arrangement of the apatitic needles and platelets in the matrix vesicles could be explained by the formation of a mineralization in an ionotropic gel, the orientation of the matrix macromolecules to be produced by a vectorial influx of calcium ions and phosphate groups coming from different directions. Thin strands of mineral substance with low contrast, which follow the direction of the longitudinal septum, were assumed to be the mineralized collagen fibrils. In several needles dot-like formations were seen and the distance between the middle of neighbouring dots was found to lie mainly in the range 30-56 A, while the lateral separation distance between the middle of closely packed parallel chains and needles was found to lie mainly in the range 30-42 A. Parallel periodic structures which could be visualized in apatitic chains and needles 20-40 A in diameter were assumed to be the 8.2 A-(100)-lattice planes of apatite, being an indication that these formations already possess criteria of the apatite lattice.", "contents": "Transmission microscopy of freeze dried, unstained epiphyseal cartilage of the guinea pig. The question of the initial mineralization in the epiphyseal plate has been investigated to date in specimens prepared by conventional electron microscopical techniques. As conventional techniques can produce artifacts, either a loss of mineral substance or a secondary nucleation, the mineralization process was investigated using freeze dried, vacuum embedded growth cartilage which was neither contrasted not stained and which had a very short contact with water. The prevailing theory that the first mineralization begins within extracellular matrix vesicles and that the mineralization outside these vesicles is a secondary process was confirmed. Mineralized matrix vesicles were found in the fully mineralized long septa down to the opening zone. In several cases a mineralization could be observed in those transverse septa in which organic substance was present between the cells. The typical radial arrangement of the apatitic needles and platelets in the matrix vesicles could be explained by the formation of a mineralization in an ionotropic gel, the orientation of the matrix macromolecules to be produced by a vectorial influx of calcium ions and phosphate groups coming from different directions. Thin strands of mineral substance with low contrast, which follow the direction of the longitudinal septum, were assumed to be the mineralized collagen fibrils. In several needles dot-like formations were seen and the distance between the middle of neighbouring dots was found to lie mainly in the range 30-56 A, while the lateral separation distance between the middle of closely packed parallel chains and needles was found to lie mainly in the range 30-42 A. Parallel periodic structures which could be visualized in apatitic chains and needles 20-40 A in diameter were assumed to be the 8.2 A-(100)-lattice planes of apatite, being an indication that these formations already possess criteria of the apatite lattice.", "PMID": 769991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3043", "title": "Some mechanisms operative in carcinogenesis a review.", "content": "Multiple factors contribute to the development of neoplasia. Sometimes a single agency can bring about a tumour if it has many different effects, but at other times a tumour arises more insidiously due to a succession of events [240,241] which by themselves may be innocent. Alterations in the genome of the cell are at the fore-front of our interest because they can be brought about by most of the carcinogenic agents we know. The cell can repair some such alterations but both forward and destructive mutations do appear. The roles of cell proliferation, cell differentiation, the immune mechanism and carcinogen-activating enzymes are beginning to be understood. The effects of dose, route of administration, and of other agents given at the same time [242-245] must not be lost sight of. Other factors no doubt will be added as we begin to look at the structure and function of cell-surface membranes [246-248], at host susceptibility genetics [26, 249], and at the generation of carcinogens inside the body [250,251]. We are only beginning to understand carcinogenesis. In no single instance do we as yet know how a tumour comes about in full details of molecular biology. It is possible that fully rational treatment of cancer will not be possible until we have such an understanding. Once a tumour becomes independent of carcinogenic factors, it continues to develop in a bizarre fashion which makes its study and treatment by all means other than surgery difficult.", "contents": "Some mechanisms operative in carcinogenesis a review. Multiple factors contribute to the development of neoplasia. Sometimes a single agency can bring about a tumour if it has many different effects, but at other times a tumour arises more insidiously due to a succession of events [240,241] which by themselves may be innocent. Alterations in the genome of the cell are at the fore-front of our interest because they can be brought about by most of the carcinogenic agents we know. The cell can repair some such alterations but both forward and destructive mutations do appear. The roles of cell proliferation, cell differentiation, the immune mechanism and carcinogen-activating enzymes are beginning to be understood. The effects of dose, route of administration, and of other agents given at the same time [242-245] must not be lost sight of. Other factors no doubt will be added as we begin to look at the structure and function of cell-surface membranes [246-248], at host susceptibility genetics [26, 249], and at the generation of carcinogens inside the body [250,251]. We are only beginning to understand carcinogenesis. In no single instance do we as yet know how a tumour comes about in full details of molecular biology. It is possible that fully rational treatment of cancer will not be possible until we have such an understanding. Once a tumour becomes independent of carcinogenic factors, it continues to develop in a bizarre fashion which makes its study and treatment by all means other than surgery difficult.", "PMID": 770010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3044", "title": "H2O2 generation during the redox cycle of mitomycin C and dna-bound mitomycin C.", "content": "Reduction of mitomycin C by NaBH4 or by NADPH in the presence of a cell extract followed by exposure to air results in the generation of H2O2. This phenomenon occurs not only with free mitomycin but also with mitomycin irreversibly bound to DNA. In view of these findings, the antibiotic activity of mitomycin was tested in two bacterial systems: a facultative aerobic bacterium grown in the presence or absence of oxygen and obligate anaerobic bacterium. No oxygen effect could be demonstrated in either case in the growth-inhibitory and bactericidal activity of the drug. Nevertheless, the H202 generating capacity of mitomycin-DNA complexes inside the nucleus may play a role in the drug-induced biological damage to the genetic material of cells.", "contents": "H2O2 generation during the redox cycle of mitomycin C and dna-bound mitomycin C. Reduction of mitomycin C by NaBH4 or by NADPH in the presence of a cell extract followed by exposure to air results in the generation of H2O2. This phenomenon occurs not only with free mitomycin but also with mitomycin irreversibly bound to DNA. In view of these findings, the antibiotic activity of mitomycin was tested in two bacterial systems: a facultative aerobic bacterium grown in the presence or absence of oxygen and obligate anaerobic bacterium. No oxygen effect could be demonstrated in either case in the growth-inhibitory and bactericidal activity of the drug. Nevertheless, the H202 generating capacity of mitomycin-DNA complexes inside the nucleus may play a role in the drug-induced biological damage to the genetic material of cells.", "PMID": 770011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3045", "title": "Early complications and late sequelae of induced abortion: a review of the literature.", "content": "An attempt to evaluate the recent literature on somatic complications of induced abortion shows that a great amount of data of widely varying quality has been collected. Many areas of research are still not covered in a way that permits valid conclusions to be drawn. Two important points emerge from the review: first, there is a need for uniform definitions of complications and some uniformity in the analysis of data collected; secondly, carefully selected control groups are needed in this kind of research. The areas most urgently requiring further study differ from country to country. From a global point of view, the existence or inexistence of significant late sequelae and the influence of the patient's health status on the complication rate seem to be of the highest priority.", "contents": "Early complications and late sequelae of induced abortion: a review of the literature. An attempt to evaluate the recent literature on somatic complications of induced abortion shows that a great amount of data of widely varying quality has been collected. Many areas of research are still not covered in a way that permits valid conclusions to be drawn. Two important points emerge from the review: first, there is a need for uniform definitions of complications and some uniformity in the analysis of data collected; secondly, carefully selected control groups are needed in this kind of research. The areas most urgently requiring further study differ from country to country. From a global point of view, the existence or inexistence of significant late sequelae and the influence of the patient's health status on the complication rate seem to be of the highest priority.", "PMID": 770027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3046", "title": "The relative risks of sterilization alone and in combination with abortion.", "content": "In recent years many authors have claimed that the combination of tubal sterilization and induced abortion carries too high a morbidity and that the two operations should preferrably be performed separately. As this standpoint has serious practical consequences for many women undergoing abortion, a review of the literature was undertaken to see whether there are any data supporting it. No direct comparison of the morbidity accompanying the combined procedure and the total morbidity from the two procedures performed with an interval could be found. Indirect evidence suggests that the effect of an interval between the operations-if any-is negligible compared with the influence upon morbidity of factors such as methods of sterilization and abortion, health status, and age. To gain direct information on the problem, a multicentre study has been designed by the Task Force on Sequelae and Complications of Induced Abortion. The outlines of this study are briefly described.", "contents": "The relative risks of sterilization alone and in combination with abortion. In recent years many authors have claimed that the combination of tubal sterilization and induced abortion carries too high a morbidity and that the two operations should preferrably be performed separately. As this standpoint has serious practical consequences for many women undergoing abortion, a review of the literature was undertaken to see whether there are any data supporting it. No direct comparison of the morbidity accompanying the combined procedure and the total morbidity from the two procedures performed with an interval could be found. Indirect evidence suggests that the effect of an interval between the operations-if any-is negligible compared with the influence upon morbidity of factors such as methods of sterilization and abortion, health status, and age. To gain direct information on the problem, a multicentre study has been designed by the Task Force on Sequelae and Complications of Induced Abortion. The outlines of this study are briefly described.", "PMID": 770028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3047", "title": "[Was the regression of leprosy also a function of the economic development in the XIV century? (author's transl)].", "content": "During century of expansion, the bread was regularly more costly and the labour cheapness for surpopulation. During the XIVth century, the weather was too rainy and more cold, the corn harvest was too much deficient, the mortality increased; ground no fertile was deserted: dearth and famine consecutive. The rats followed peasantry and giving the pest, from which depopulation increased. The wages growed to twice as much while the bread was reduced. Life come better and the leprosy was coming to reduce.", "contents": "[Was the regression of leprosy also a function of the economic development in the XIV century? (author's transl)]. During century of expansion, the bread was regularly more costly and the labour cheapness for surpopulation. During the XIVth century, the weather was too rainy and more cold, the corn harvest was too much deficient, the mortality increased; ground no fertile was deserted: dearth and famine consecutive. The rats followed peasantry and giving the pest, from which depopulation increased. The wages growed to twice as much while the bread was reduced. Life come better and the leprosy was coming to reduce.", "PMID": 770025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3048", "title": "[Bacteriological and epidemiological considerations on shigelloses in South Vietnam (1969-1973)].", "content": "During the period from 1969 to 1973, a rectal swabs from 13.943 diarrhea patients of all ages were examined by bacteriological surveys. From these specimens, 981 strains of Shigella were isolated. The most commonly encounted were Shigella flexneri 2. All of strains of Shigella isolated were highly resistant to Aureomycin, Tetracyclin, Terramycin, Novobiocin and Chloramphenicol. There has been an increase in the development of multiresistance of Shigella. Colimycin and Streptomycin were the most effective antibiotics. The greatest number of Shigella were isolated among children under 2 years and during the driest months (March, April, May, June).", "contents": "[Bacteriological and epidemiological considerations on shigelloses in South Vietnam (1969-1973)]. During the period from 1969 to 1973, a rectal swabs from 13.943 diarrhea patients of all ages were examined by bacteriological surveys. From these specimens, 981 strains of Shigella were isolated. The most commonly encounted were Shigella flexneri 2. All of strains of Shigella isolated were highly resistant to Aureomycin, Tetracyclin, Terramycin, Novobiocin and Chloramphenicol. There has been an increase in the development of multiresistance of Shigella. Colimycin and Streptomycin were the most effective antibiotics. The greatest number of Shigella were isolated among children under 2 years and during the driest months (March, April, May, June).", "PMID": 770024} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3049", "title": "Octopamine plasma levels and hepatic encephalopathy: a re-appraisal of the problem.", "content": "An investigation on the blood levels of octopamine was carried out on 70 adult individuals. There was a statistically significant correlation between the levels of octopamine and hepatic encephalopathy. Normal subjects had values below 1 ng/ml, while patients with grade 3 or grade 4 encephalopathy constantly showed values above 3.2 ng/ml. In these two groups the distribution was fairly homogeneous. Through the differences between cirrhotics without neurologic involvement and those with grade 1 or 2 hepatic encephalopathy displayed statistical significance, distribution of values in these groups was rather non-homogeneous. Octopamine levels paralleled variations in mental state in 3 out 4 cases. No difference was found between venous and arterial values. The reaction of transmethylation used in the assay of octopamine was constantly found to be inhibited by the presence of plasma. This inhibition is probably due to the presence of one or more beta-hydroxyphenylethanolamines other than octopamine.", "contents": "Octopamine plasma levels and hepatic encephalopathy: a re-appraisal of the problem. An investigation on the blood levels of octopamine was carried out on 70 adult individuals. There was a statistically significant correlation between the levels of octopamine and hepatic encephalopathy. Normal subjects had values below 1 ng/ml, while patients with grade 3 or grade 4 encephalopathy constantly showed values above 3.2 ng/ml. In these two groups the distribution was fairly homogeneous. Through the differences between cirrhotics without neurologic involvement and those with grade 1 or 2 hepatic encephalopathy displayed statistical significance, distribution of values in these groups was rather non-homogeneous. Octopamine levels paralleled variations in mental state in 3 out 4 cases. No difference was found between venous and arterial values. The reaction of transmethylation used in the assay of octopamine was constantly found to be inhibited by the presence of plasma. This inhibition is probably due to the presence of one or more beta-hydroxyphenylethanolamines other than octopamine.", "PMID": 770031} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3050", "title": "[Value of indirect immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of \"Trypanosoma gambiense\" trypanosomiasis. 46 cases (author's translation)].", "content": "Several indirect fluorescents reactions were performed on 46 trypanosomepositive specimens which had been confirmed by parasitologic diagnosis. 38 sera analysed before the commencement of treatment were found to have a G.M.R.T. equal to I:I, 350 and the titer of antibody was, in all cases, greater than I:320. In all cases in the first phase, the titer was I:640 or higher. Four cases were followed beyond the second month and their titers decreased slowly, becoming negative in the fifth month. In 12 cases in the second phase, the cerebrospinal fluid demonstrated fluorescent antibodies although 10 cases in the first phase were negative for these antibodies. Three cerebrospinal fluid were faintly positive and these corresponded to the second phase biologically. In the treatment of individuals (using the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for antibody) the I.F.A.T. permits the classification of the patient into one of the two phases and enables the clinician to follow the course of therapeutic effectiveness. In mass screening, apparently healthy individuals possessing a serum titer of I:640 or higher are shown to need definitive treatment for trypanosomiasis, while those with titers of I:320 are those who may either be treated with Lomidine or tested regularly for change in serum titer.", "contents": "[Value of indirect immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of \"Trypanosoma gambiense\" trypanosomiasis. 46 cases (author's translation)]. Several indirect fluorescents reactions were performed on 46 trypanosomepositive specimens which had been confirmed by parasitologic diagnosis. 38 sera analysed before the commencement of treatment were found to have a G.M.R.T. equal to I:I, 350 and the titer of antibody was, in all cases, greater than I:320. In all cases in the first phase, the titer was I:640 or higher. Four cases were followed beyond the second month and their titers decreased slowly, becoming negative in the fifth month. In 12 cases in the second phase, the cerebrospinal fluid demonstrated fluorescent antibodies although 10 cases in the first phase were negative for these antibodies. Three cerebrospinal fluid were faintly positive and these corresponded to the second phase biologically. In the treatment of individuals (using the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for antibody) the I.F.A.T. permits the classification of the patient into one of the two phases and enables the clinician to follow the course of therapeutic effectiveness. In mass screening, apparently healthy individuals possessing a serum titer of I:640 or higher are shown to need definitive treatment for trypanosomiasis, while those with titers of I:320 are those who may either be treated with Lomidine or tested regularly for change in serum titer.", "PMID": 770026} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3051", "title": "Autoantibodies to cardiac conducting tissue and their characterization by immunofluorescence.", "content": "(1) A new antibody has been found by immunofluorescence which reacts with cardiac conducting tissue using ox heart false tendons. It was detected in eight out of ninety-three cases of idiopathic heart block (8-6%), in one out of twenty-two cases of secondary heart block (4-5%) and in seven of 165 normal controls (4.2%), in titres varying from 1:10 to 1:40. Previous authors had indicated that this tissue might contain unique antigens. (2) Sera reacting with type I fibres in skeletal muscle (red zebra) were found to be of two varieties, one of which stained conducting fibres diffusely while it gave minimal staining of cardiac muscle; the other reacting with myofibrils in Purkinje cells and heart. (3) Some sera with high titre smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) reacted with conducting tissue together with skeletal and cardiac muscle, suggesting that the four tissues have at least one antigen in common. (4) Known non-organ specific antibodies behaved as expected on beef conducting fibres: striational fluorescence of myasthenia gravis sera reacted with the same patterns on Purkinje myofibrils; AMA and ANA produced IFL in expected locations; ribosomal antibodies reacted strongly, while LKM and reticulin antibodies showed no reactivity. (5) Although the incidence of specific Purkinje fibre antibodies was not significantly raised in idiopathic heart block, the clinical associations suggest that some cases might be related to autoimmunity possibly involving cell-mediated mechanisms as in polymyositis.", "contents": "Autoantibodies to cardiac conducting tissue and their characterization by immunofluorescence. (1) A new antibody has been found by immunofluorescence which reacts with cardiac conducting tissue using ox heart false tendons. It was detected in eight out of ninety-three cases of idiopathic heart block (8-6%), in one out of twenty-two cases of secondary heart block (4-5%) and in seven of 165 normal controls (4.2%), in titres varying from 1:10 to 1:40. Previous authors had indicated that this tissue might contain unique antigens. (2) Sera reacting with type I fibres in skeletal muscle (red zebra) were found to be of two varieties, one of which stained conducting fibres diffusely while it gave minimal staining of cardiac muscle; the other reacting with myofibrils in Purkinje cells and heart. (3) Some sera with high titre smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) reacted with conducting tissue together with skeletal and cardiac muscle, suggesting that the four tissues have at least one antigen in common. (4) Known non-organ specific antibodies behaved as expected on beef conducting fibres: striational fluorescence of myasthenia gravis sera reacted with the same patterns on Purkinje myofibrils; AMA and ANA produced IFL in expected locations; ribosomal antibodies reacted strongly, while LKM and reticulin antibodies showed no reactivity. (5) Although the incidence of specific Purkinje fibre antibodies was not significantly raised in idiopathic heart block, the clinical associations suggest that some cases might be related to autoimmunity possibly involving cell-mediated mechanisms as in polymyositis.", "PMID": 770032} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3052", "title": "The role of macrophages in the adjuvant effect on antibody production of Corynebacterium parvum.", "content": "Spleen cells from mice pre-treated with C. parvum gave an enhanced in vitro antibody response to SRBC, but not to DNP-POL. This enhancing activity was associated with the adherent, but not the non-adherent spleen cell population and was found to be radioresistant. It is concluded that macrophages are directly involved in the adjuvant effect of C. parvum and the possible mechanisms of action are discussed.", "contents": "The role of macrophages in the adjuvant effect on antibody production of Corynebacterium parvum. Spleen cells from mice pre-treated with C. parvum gave an enhanced in vitro antibody response to SRBC, but not to DNP-POL. This enhancing activity was associated with the adherent, but not the non-adherent spleen cell population and was found to be radioresistant. It is concluded that macrophages are directly involved in the adjuvant effect of C. parvum and the possible mechanisms of action are discussed.", "PMID": 770033} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3053", "title": "Prevalence of hypertension in a renal transplant population on alternate-day steroid therapy.", "content": "A study of the prevalence of hypertension in a group of renal transplant patients on alternate-day maintenance steroid therapy was conducted. Twenty-four percent of the transplant clinic population was hypertensive. The factors that were associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension were good graft function, bilateral nephrectomy of the patients' own diseased kidneys (although the majority of our patients without bilateral nephrectomy are normotensive), and use of a living related donor. We conclude that the prevalance of hypertension in transplant patients on alternate-day steroid therapy is low. In the presence of all these favorable factors, only 6% of allograft recipients were hypertensive.", "contents": "Prevalence of hypertension in a renal transplant population on alternate-day steroid therapy. A study of the prevalence of hypertension in a group of renal transplant patients on alternate-day maintenance steroid therapy was conducted. Twenty-four percent of the transplant clinic population was hypertensive. The factors that were associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension were good graft function, bilateral nephrectomy of the patients' own diseased kidneys (although the majority of our patients without bilateral nephrectomy are normotensive), and use of a living related donor. We conclude that the prevalance of hypertension in transplant patients on alternate-day steroid therapy is low. In the presence of all these favorable factors, only 6% of allograft recipients were hypertensive.", "PMID": 770034} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3054", "title": "Use of allogenous articular bone implants as substitutes for autotransplants in adult patients.", "content": "The series of 212 patients with transplanted articular ends of bones of different localization, and 16 patients with transplanted bone cartilaginous fragments are evaluated in terms of technical errors, complications, and 11-year follow-up results of organ allotransplantation. Special attention is focused on the indications and contraindications in the individual patient. Various kinds of osteotomy and schemes of transplant attachment and fixation are possible.", "contents": "Use of allogenous articular bone implants as substitutes for autotransplants in adult patients. The series of 212 patients with transplanted articular ends of bones of different localization, and 16 patients with transplanted bone cartilaginous fragments are evaluated in terms of technical errors, complications, and 11-year follow-up results of organ allotransplantation. Special attention is focused on the indications and contraindications in the individual patient. Various kinds of osteotomy and schemes of transplant attachment and fixation are possible.", "PMID": 770036} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3055", "title": "Antibiotic prophylaxis in orthopedic surgery.", "content": "Antimicrobial prophylaxis, to reduce the incidence of postoperative infections, has been a controversial subject. The administration of antibiotics just prior to and up to 3 hours after operation has been demonstrated to be effective in preventing experimental staphylococcal wound infection in animals. However, the use of prophylactic antibiotics in orthopedic surgery has been tested in appropriate clinical trials only in the treatment of fractured hip. In that setting, prophylactic antibiotics were found to be efficacious. Although used extensively in other procedures such as total hip replacement, statistically valid evidence of the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics has not been produced. Suggestions are offered for the conduct of clinical trials to study this important question.", "contents": "Antibiotic prophylaxis in orthopedic surgery. Antimicrobial prophylaxis, to reduce the incidence of postoperative infections, has been a controversial subject. The administration of antibiotics just prior to and up to 3 hours after operation has been demonstrated to be effective in preventing experimental staphylococcal wound infection in animals. However, the use of prophylactic antibiotics in orthopedic surgery has been tested in appropriate clinical trials only in the treatment of fractured hip. In that setting, prophylactic antibiotics were found to be efficacious. Although used extensively in other procedures such as total hip replacement, statistically valid evidence of the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics has not been produced. Suggestions are offered for the conduct of clinical trials to study this important question.", "PMID": 770037} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3056", "title": "Surgical treatment of chronic osteomyelitis complicating fractures; 6 year interim follow-up.", "content": "The loss to continued follow-up of 25 of the 50 patients with chronic osteomyelitis complicating fractures who were treated surgically during the period January 1969 to December 1971 as previously reported, compromises the value of even a 6-year follow-up study. The group of patients lost to follow-up had dry asymptomatic wounds when last examined. However, late recurrence of drainage in 4 patients with dry healed wounds for as long as 15 to 36 months (Procedure 1 in 3, Procedure 2 in 1) demonstrates the uncertainty of the end results of even the most exacting techniques and appropriate antibiotics for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.", "contents": "Surgical treatment of chronic osteomyelitis complicating fractures; 6 year interim follow-up. The loss to continued follow-up of 25 of the 50 patients with chronic osteomyelitis complicating fractures who were treated surgically during the period January 1969 to December 1971 as previously reported, compromises the value of even a 6-year follow-up study. The group of patients lost to follow-up had dry asymptomatic wounds when last examined. However, late recurrence of drainage in 4 patients with dry healed wounds for as long as 15 to 36 months (Procedure 1 in 3, Procedure 2 in 1) demonstrates the uncertainty of the end results of even the most exacting techniques and appropriate antibiotics for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.", "PMID": 770038} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3057", "title": "Hand injuries from sea urchin spines.", "content": "Sea urchin spine injury is usually a benign process that rarely comes to the attention of a physician. Aside from the transient episode of excruciating pain which responds dramatically to hot water soaks, there is usually no residual disability. As in any puncture wound, tetanus prophylaxis and observation for latent infection is advised. Complications arise, however, when spines are embedded over bony prominences, within joints, or in contact with nerves. Cases are reported herein of the latter two problems occurring in the hand. A case of a neuropathy associated with sea urchin injuries has not been previously reported in the literature. When such injuries necessitate exploration, aseptic surgical technique is required.", "contents": "Hand injuries from sea urchin spines. Sea urchin spine injury is usually a benign process that rarely comes to the attention of a physician. Aside from the transient episode of excruciating pain which responds dramatically to hot water soaks, there is usually no residual disability. As in any puncture wound, tetanus prophylaxis and observation for latent infection is advised. Complications arise, however, when spines are embedded over bony prominences, within joints, or in contact with nerves. Cases are reported herein of the latter two problems occurring in the hand. A case of a neuropathy associated with sea urchin injuries has not been previously reported in the literature. When such injuries necessitate exploration, aseptic surgical technique is required.", "PMID": 770039} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3058", "title": "The pathogenesis and long-term end results of pigmented villonodular synovitis.", "content": "Pigmented villonodular synovitis, bursitis and tenosynovitis may present a variable picture depended upon the site and whether they are localized or diffuse. In the localized form of the disease occurring in association with tendon sheaths, complete surgical excision should result in a cure. Local recurrences probably result from incomplete excision. The localized disease within the knee joint may represent a picture of internal derangement. Simple excision should result in complete cure. Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (DPVS) poses a diganostic and therapeutic problem. Where possible, complete synovectomy is indicated but the recurrence rate after such surgery is unfortunately quite high. Radiation therapy should probably be considered only in patients in whom lesions recur after surgical synovectomy. Despite three decades of study, the etiology and pathogenesis of the lesion remains obscure. It is apparent, however, that the lesion is not a neoplasm and probably represents an inflammatory process.", "contents": "The pathogenesis and long-term end results of pigmented villonodular synovitis. Pigmented villonodular synovitis, bursitis and tenosynovitis may present a variable picture depended upon the site and whether they are localized or diffuse. In the localized form of the disease occurring in association with tendon sheaths, complete surgical excision should result in a cure. Local recurrences probably result from incomplete excision. The localized disease within the knee joint may represent a picture of internal derangement. Simple excision should result in complete cure. Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (DPVS) poses a diganostic and therapeutic problem. Where possible, complete synovectomy is indicated but the recurrence rate after such surgery is unfortunately quite high. Radiation therapy should probably be considered only in patients in whom lesions recur after surgical synovectomy. Despite three decades of study, the etiology and pathogenesis of the lesion remains obscure. It is apparent, however, that the lesion is not a neoplasm and probably represents an inflammatory process.", "PMID": 770040} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3059", "title": "Thyroid hormone-like effects without thyrotoxicosis during one year's therapy with NA-DT3 for hypercholesterolemia.", "content": "A thyroid hormone analogue, sodium dextro-triiodothyronine (NaDT3), at a dosage of 1 mg/day for 1 or 2 yr, decreased serum cholesterol levels about 30% in 26 hyperlipidemic adults. There were less sustained decreases in the serum phospholipids, and occasional lowering of the serum triglycerides, but no effects on body weight, blood pressure, or pulse rate. Changes recognized as variable concomitants of spontaneous or induced thyrotoxicosis, such as transient increases in fasting blood glucose, calcium, and globulin, persistent rises in alkaline phosphatase, and nonsustained decreases in hematocrit are consonant with the fact that Na-DT3 exerts about one tenth of the thyroid hormone activity of LT3. These changes, however, appear to represent actions of iodinated amino acids apart from those effects that result in clinical thyrotoxicosis.", "contents": "Thyroid hormone-like effects without thyrotoxicosis during one year's therapy with NA-DT3 for hypercholesterolemia. A thyroid hormone analogue, sodium dextro-triiodothyronine (NaDT3), at a dosage of 1 mg/day for 1 or 2 yr, decreased serum cholesterol levels about 30% in 26 hyperlipidemic adults. There were less sustained decreases in the serum phospholipids, and occasional lowering of the serum triglycerides, but no effects on body weight, blood pressure, or pulse rate. Changes recognized as variable concomitants of spontaneous or induced thyrotoxicosis, such as transient increases in fasting blood glucose, calcium, and globulin, persistent rises in alkaline phosphatase, and nonsustained decreases in hematocrit are consonant with the fact that Na-DT3 exerts about one tenth of the thyroid hormone activity of LT3. These changes, however, appear to represent actions of iodinated amino acids apart from those effects that result in clinical thyrotoxicosis.", "PMID": 770045} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3060", "title": "Influence of magnesium and aluminum hydroxide mixture on chlordiazepoxide absorption.", "content": "Ten healthy male subjects ingested 25 mg of chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride (Librium) with 100 ml of water or with 100 ml of magnesium and aluminum hydroxide (Maalox) in a single-dose crossover study. Multiple venous blood samples drawn during the first 24 hr after each dose were assayed for concentrations of chlordiazepoxide and its major metabolite, desmethylchlordiazepoxide. The antacid prolonged the mean chlordiazepoxide absorption half-time from 11 to 24 min, and in 6 of 10 subjects delayed achievement of the peak blood concentration by from 0.5 to 3.0 hrs. The formation of desmethylclordiazepoxide was also slowed. The areas under the 24 hr blood concentration curve for chlordiazepoxide and for its metabolite were not influenced by the antacid. The apparent elimination half-life of chlordiazepoxide (8.4 and 8.2 hr) was not significantly affected. Administration of chlordiazepoxide with antacid reduces the rate of its absorption but does not alter the completeness of absorption or the apparent rate of elimination.", "contents": "Influence of magnesium and aluminum hydroxide mixture on chlordiazepoxide absorption. Ten healthy male subjects ingested 25 mg of chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride (Librium) with 100 ml of water or with 100 ml of magnesium and aluminum hydroxide (Maalox) in a single-dose crossover study. Multiple venous blood samples drawn during the first 24 hr after each dose were assayed for concentrations of chlordiazepoxide and its major metabolite, desmethylchlordiazepoxide. The antacid prolonged the mean chlordiazepoxide absorption half-time from 11 to 24 min, and in 6 of 10 subjects delayed achievement of the peak blood concentration by from 0.5 to 3.0 hrs. The formation of desmethylclordiazepoxide was also slowed. The areas under the 24 hr blood concentration curve for chlordiazepoxide and for its metabolite were not influenced by the antacid. The apparent elimination half-life of chlordiazepoxide (8.4 and 8.2 hr) was not significantly affected. Administration of chlordiazepoxide with antacid reduces the rate of its absorption but does not alter the completeness of absorption or the apparent rate of elimination.", "PMID": 770046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3061", "title": "Combination chemotherapy of adult acute lymphocytic leukemia.", "content": "Seventeen adults with previously untreated acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) received thioguanine, vincristine, dexamethasone, and pyrimethamine for remission induction. Nine patients (53%) achieved complete and 5 (30%) partial remissions. Once in complete remission patients were given two closely separated consolidation courses followed by monthly maintenance courses of the same regimen with the addition of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) every other month during maintenance therapy. The median duration of complete remission was 176 days (range 38 to 605). The median survival for all patients was 405 days (range 30 to 1,058+). Oral pyrimethamine and CCNU were used for their potential activity as prophylactics against meningeal leukemia. Dexamethasone was used instead of prednisone because of the potential enhancement of granulocyte mobilization by the former. Six patients (35%) developed meningeal leukemia while on initial induction or maintenance therapy, 5 within 6 months of diagnosis. Life-threatening infections occured in 10 patients (59%) during induction. Whereas the regimen effectively induced complete remission in about half of previously untreated adults with ALL, it was not effective in maintenance. The incidence of meningeal leukemia and infection during induction was high. Oral pyrimethamine was inadequate prophylaxis for meningeal leukemia; dexamethasone did not reduce the incidence of serious infection.", "contents": "Combination chemotherapy of adult acute lymphocytic leukemia. Seventeen adults with previously untreated acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) received thioguanine, vincristine, dexamethasone, and pyrimethamine for remission induction. Nine patients (53%) achieved complete and 5 (30%) partial remissions. Once in complete remission patients were given two closely separated consolidation courses followed by monthly maintenance courses of the same regimen with the addition of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) every other month during maintenance therapy. The median duration of complete remission was 176 days (range 38 to 605). The median survival for all patients was 405 days (range 30 to 1,058+). Oral pyrimethamine and CCNU were used for their potential activity as prophylactics against meningeal leukemia. Dexamethasone was used instead of prednisone because of the potential enhancement of granulocyte mobilization by the former. Six patients (35%) developed meningeal leukemia while on initial induction or maintenance therapy, 5 within 6 months of diagnosis. Life-threatening infections occured in 10 patients (59%) during induction. Whereas the regimen effectively induced complete remission in about half of previously untreated adults with ALL, it was not effective in maintenance. The incidence of meningeal leukemia and infection during induction was high. Oral pyrimethamine was inadequate prophylaxis for meningeal leukemia; dexamethasone did not reduce the incidence of serious infection.", "PMID": 770047} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3062", "title": "Influence of cannabidiol on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol effects.", "content": "Experiments investigating the possible interaction of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), two major components of marihuana, were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions in a double-blind manner. In one study, 15 male volunteers were given placebo or 25 mug/kg of THC together with either placebo or 150 mug/kg of CBD by inhalation of the smoke of a single cigarette. All four treatments were assigned to each subject according to a series of Latin-square designs. CBD significantly attenuated the subjective euphoria of THC. Psychomotor impairment due to THC was not significantly altered by the simultaneous administration of CBD, but a trend indicating a decrease in THC-like effects was observed after the combination. When administered alone CBD was inactive for all the parameters measured. In a second study, 8 male subjects were given CBD (0 or 150 mug/kg) by smoke inhalation 30 min before THC (0 or 25 mug/kg) in a second cigarette. In contrast to the simultaneous administration of both drugs, CBD pretreatment did not alter the effects of THC on the parameters observed.", "contents": "Influence of cannabidiol on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol effects. Experiments investigating the possible interaction of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), two major components of marihuana, were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions in a double-blind manner. In one study, 15 male volunteers were given placebo or 25 mug/kg of THC together with either placebo or 150 mug/kg of CBD by inhalation of the smoke of a single cigarette. All four treatments were assigned to each subject according to a series of Latin-square designs. CBD significantly attenuated the subjective euphoria of THC. Psychomotor impairment due to THC was not significantly altered by the simultaneous administration of CBD, but a trend indicating a decrease in THC-like effects was observed after the combination. When administered alone CBD was inactive for all the parameters measured. In a second study, 8 male subjects were given CBD (0 or 150 mug/kg) by smoke inhalation 30 min before THC (0 or 25 mug/kg) in a second cigarette. In contrast to the simultaneous administration of both drugs, CBD pretreatment did not alter the effects of THC on the parameters observed.", "PMID": 770048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3063", "title": "Plasma levels and antidepressive effect of imipramine.", "content": "The relationship between the antidepressive effect of imipramine and the plasma concentrations of imipramine and the active metabolite desipramine was studied in 24 patients suffering from endogenous depression. After a placebo period of 7 days, the patients received imipramine, 75 mg 3 times a day. The dose was reduced in patients with pronounced side effects. Blood samples for drug assay were drawn in the morning, 15 hr after the last drug intake. Imipramine and desipramine in plasma were assayed by quantitative in situ thin-layer chromatography. Individual variations in plasma concentration were 20- to 30-fold in both imipramine and desipramine. Severity of depression was assessed on the Hamilton Rating Scale (HRS). Eleven of 12 patients who responded satisfactorily to the treatment (HRS post-treatment score less than 8) had plasma concentration of imipramine greater than or equal to 45 mug/L, and desipramine greater than 75 mug/L, whereas the 12 patients not responding satisfactorily (post-treatment score on HRS greater than or equal to 8) all had concentrations of imipramine or desipramine or both below these limits.", "contents": "Plasma levels and antidepressive effect of imipramine. The relationship between the antidepressive effect of imipramine and the plasma concentrations of imipramine and the active metabolite desipramine was studied in 24 patients suffering from endogenous depression. After a placebo period of 7 days, the patients received imipramine, 75 mg 3 times a day. The dose was reduced in patients with pronounced side effects. Blood samples for drug assay were drawn in the morning, 15 hr after the last drug intake. Imipramine and desipramine in plasma were assayed by quantitative in situ thin-layer chromatography. Individual variations in plasma concentration were 20- to 30-fold in both imipramine and desipramine. Severity of depression was assessed on the Hamilton Rating Scale (HRS). Eleven of 12 patients who responded satisfactorily to the treatment (HRS post-treatment score less than 8) had plasma concentration of imipramine greater than or equal to 45 mug/L, and desipramine greater than 75 mug/L, whereas the 12 patients not responding satisfactorily (post-treatment score on HRS greater than or equal to 8) all had concentrations of imipramine or desipramine or both below these limits.", "PMID": 770049} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3064", "title": "Antihypertensive effectiveness of oxprenolol administered twice daily.", "content": "Oxprenolol, a beta-blocker, is an effective antihypertensive when administered 3 or 4 times daily. We evaluated the antihypertensive effect of oxprenololgiven twice daily (bid). The subjects were 15 ambulatory men whose standing diastolic blood pressure (BP) was at least 100 mm Hg after 3 wk of treatment with hydrochlorothiazide and oxprenolol placebo. Oxprenolol 40 mg twice daily was then substituted for the placebo. On subsequent weekly vists oxprenolol was titrated to 80 and 160 mg bid if the standing diastolic BP was greater than 90 mm Hg. BLood pressures on the last visit on placebo were compared to those on the last visit on oxprenolol. Standing BP declined from 145 +/- 4/108 +/- 1 to 130 +/- 4/98 +/- 4 on a mean dose of 256 mg of oxprenolol (p less than 0.001 syst.; p less than 0.01 diast.). Recumbent BP fell from 146 +/- 4/107 +/- 1 to 138 +/- 5/93 +/- 2 (p less than 0.06 syst.; p less than 0.01 diast.). During the final week, 13 of the 15 patients were admitted to the hospital for 24-hr monitoring of BP. The 24-hr BP readings showed a mean coefficient of variation of 6.6% recumbent and 7.2% standing. we conclude that bid oxprenolol will maintain 24 hr BP control in most patients.", "contents": "Antihypertensive effectiveness of oxprenolol administered twice daily. Oxprenolol, a beta-blocker, is an effective antihypertensive when administered 3 or 4 times daily. We evaluated the antihypertensive effect of oxprenololgiven twice daily (bid). The subjects were 15 ambulatory men whose standing diastolic blood pressure (BP) was at least 100 mm Hg after 3 wk of treatment with hydrochlorothiazide and oxprenolol placebo. Oxprenolol 40 mg twice daily was then substituted for the placebo. On subsequent weekly vists oxprenolol was titrated to 80 and 160 mg bid if the standing diastolic BP was greater than 90 mm Hg. BLood pressures on the last visit on placebo were compared to those on the last visit on oxprenolol. Standing BP declined from 145 +/- 4/108 +/- 1 to 130 +/- 4/98 +/- 4 on a mean dose of 256 mg of oxprenolol (p less than 0.001 syst.; p less than 0.01 diast.). Recumbent BP fell from 146 +/- 4/107 +/- 1 to 138 +/- 5/93 +/- 2 (p less than 0.06 syst.; p less than 0.01 diast.). During the final week, 13 of the 15 patients were admitted to the hospital for 24-hr monitoring of BP. The 24-hr BP readings showed a mean coefficient of variation of 6.6% recumbent and 7.2% standing. we conclude that bid oxprenolol will maintain 24 hr BP control in most patients.", "PMID": 770050} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3065", "title": "Oral and intramuscular phenytoin.", "content": "Twelve epileptic patients, after 1 wk on their previously established oral dose of phenytoin, were given a 50% larger dose intramuscularly for 1 wk after which they were put on an oral phenytoin regimen for 1 wk on a dose one-half the original oral dose. Plasma phenytoin levels did not show a sharp decrease in the intramuscular (im) nor a dangerous increase in the second oral phase. Those receiving drug once a day maintained remarkably stable levels. By the end of the im phase, patients receiving drug in multiple daily doses had some increase in plasma levels proportional to the dose increase. Seizure control was maintained equally well throughout all phases of the study. Except for local irritation at the site of injection, there were no adverse experiences. The data indicate that the dosage regimen described is suitable for patients on oral phenytoin who have to be transferred to im drug for short periods.", "contents": "Oral and intramuscular phenytoin. Twelve epileptic patients, after 1 wk on their previously established oral dose of phenytoin, were given a 50% larger dose intramuscularly for 1 wk after which they were put on an oral phenytoin regimen for 1 wk on a dose one-half the original oral dose. Plasma phenytoin levels did not show a sharp decrease in the intramuscular (im) nor a dangerous increase in the second oral phase. Those receiving drug once a day maintained remarkably stable levels. By the end of the im phase, patients receiving drug in multiple daily doses had some increase in plasma levels proportional to the dose increase. Seizure control was maintained equally well throughout all phases of the study. Except for local irritation at the site of injection, there were no adverse experiences. The data indicate that the dosage regimen described is suitable for patients on oral phenytoin who have to be transferred to im drug for short periods.", "PMID": 770051} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3066", "title": "Mammary augmentation--surgical techniques, evaluation of results, and complications.", "content": "Mammary augmentation is the procedure of choice in all forms of breast underdevelopment, atrophy or absence due to disease (subcutaneous or radical mastectomy), or trauma (burns of the thoracic region). Old reconstructive methods employing autogenous tissues have no substitute in special cases, but they are used less and less in favor of the new alloplastic materials (silicones) introduced as implants under the mammary gland. These implants have been shown to be permanently accepted by body tissues, the aesthetic results are good, and the operation is easier, faster, and less dangerous. Complications, however, do exist and the most frequent is the constriction of the fibrous envelope surrounding the implant. The etiology of this complication is still unknown. The patient should be advised of such a possibility. Circular incision of the fibrous envelope seems to be the best treatment for this complication. Silicone implants do not modify the physiology of the mammary gland and there is no reason to believe they have any influence on the incidence of breast cancer.", "contents": "Mammary augmentation--surgical techniques, evaluation of results, and complications. Mammary augmentation is the procedure of choice in all forms of breast underdevelopment, atrophy or absence due to disease (subcutaneous or radical mastectomy), or trauma (burns of the thoracic region). Old reconstructive methods employing autogenous tissues have no substitute in special cases, but they are used less and less in favor of the new alloplastic materials (silicones) introduced as implants under the mammary gland. These implants have been shown to be permanently accepted by body tissues, the aesthetic results are good, and the operation is easier, faster, and less dangerous. Complications, however, do exist and the most frequent is the constriction of the fibrous envelope surrounding the implant. The etiology of this complication is still unknown. The patient should be advised of such a possibility. Circular incision of the fibrous envelope seems to be the best treatment for this complication. Silicone implants do not modify the physiology of the mammary gland and there is no reason to believe they have any influence on the incidence of breast cancer.", "PMID": 770052} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3067", "title": "Ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases: significance of HL-A W27 histocompatibility antigen.", "content": "The HL-A W27 tissue antigen provides a laboratory tool that has already been of great use in explaining the clinical relationships and overlaps among the true seronegative arthritides. In addition, the W27 antigen is useful to the clinician in differential diagnosis and is becoming more readily available through various laboratories. Tissue typing can be done with a tube of blood sent to the laboratory. As and its variants are becoming better understood and thus will be better managed as a result of the recent developments in transplantation antigen typing.", "contents": "Ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases: significance of HL-A W27 histocompatibility antigen. The HL-A W27 tissue antigen provides a laboratory tool that has already been of great use in explaining the clinical relationships and overlaps among the true seronegative arthritides. In addition, the W27 antigen is useful to the clinician in differential diagnosis and is becoming more readily available through various laboratories. Tissue typing can be done with a tube of blood sent to the laboratory. As and its variants are becoming better understood and thus will be better managed as a result of the recent developments in transplantation antigen typing.", "PMID": 770063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3068", "title": "Malignant hyperpyrexia.", "content": "Malignant hyperpyrexia is a dangerous complication of general anesthesia occurring in individuals with an underlying disease of muscle. The essential clinical features of the syndrome are a drastic and sustained rise in body temperature, metabolic acidosis, and widespread muscular rigidity. The results of experiments on susceptible pigs and in vitro studies of human muscle have shown that all the clinical features of the syndrome can be explained by a raised level of calcium ions in the myoplasm. This is caused by a massive and sudden release of calcium into the myoplasm from the calcium-storing membranes in the muscle cell when exposed to general anesthetic agents. Two myopathies predisposing to malignant hyperpyrexia have been identified. One is usually subclinical, dominantly inherited, and manifested only by raised serum CPK levels. The other occurs in young boys with a number of physical abnormalities, whose relatives are unaffected. The serum CPK is a useful screening test in families in which malignant hyperpyrexia has occurred. Unfortunately, though, the serum CPK is not a specific test, and in doubtful cases the only unequivocal method of establishing susceptibility to malignant hyperpyrexia is to carry out an in vitro muscle test in which the muscle is exposed to caffeine, halothane, succinylcholine, and potassium chloride. Susceptible individuals should be given local, regional, or spinal anesthesia if an operation is needed. If this form of anesthesia is unsuitable, barbiturates such as thiopentone, tranquilizers such as diazepam, narcotics such as Pantopon, and neuroanaleptics such as fentanyl, nitrous oxide, d-tubocurarine, and althesin appear to be safe. By far the most important aspect of treatment is prophylaxis. Early diagnosis and immediate cessation of the offending anesthetic agents are the most important factors in trying to reduce the very high mortality of the syndrome.", "contents": "Malignant hyperpyrexia. Malignant hyperpyrexia is a dangerous complication of general anesthesia occurring in individuals with an underlying disease of muscle. The essential clinical features of the syndrome are a drastic and sustained rise in body temperature, metabolic acidosis, and widespread muscular rigidity. The results of experiments on susceptible pigs and in vitro studies of human muscle have shown that all the clinical features of the syndrome can be explained by a raised level of calcium ions in the myoplasm. This is caused by a massive and sudden release of calcium into the myoplasm from the calcium-storing membranes in the muscle cell when exposed to general anesthetic agents. Two myopathies predisposing to malignant hyperpyrexia have been identified. One is usually subclinical, dominantly inherited, and manifested only by raised serum CPK levels. The other occurs in young boys with a number of physical abnormalities, whose relatives are unaffected. The serum CPK is a useful screening test in families in which malignant hyperpyrexia has occurred. Unfortunately, though, the serum CPK is not a specific test, and in doubtful cases the only unequivocal method of establishing susceptibility to malignant hyperpyrexia is to carry out an in vitro muscle test in which the muscle is exposed to caffeine, halothane, succinylcholine, and potassium chloride. Susceptible individuals should be given local, regional, or spinal anesthesia if an operation is needed. If this form of anesthesia is unsuitable, barbiturates such as thiopentone, tranquilizers such as diazepam, narcotics such as Pantopon, and neuroanaleptics such as fentanyl, nitrous oxide, d-tubocurarine, and althesin appear to be safe. By far the most important aspect of treatment is prophylaxis. Early diagnosis and immediate cessation of the offending anesthetic agents are the most important factors in trying to reduce the very high mortality of the syndrome.", "PMID": 770064} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3069", "title": "Salmonellosis in Equidae: a study of 23 cases.", "content": "Salmonellosis in Equidae is a serious global problem. The prevalence may range from 0.36% to 27%. Probably 5% to 10% of the equine population in the U.S. is or has been infected. Over 40 serotypes of Salmonella have been cultured from Equidae. S. typhimurium (66.31%), S. enteritidis (9.6%), S. newport (5.16%) and S. heidelberg (4.89%) have been the most common equine isolates. The clinical and bacteriological studies of 23 naturally occurring infections in a large veterinary hospital were studied. Nine patients were infected with S. typhimurium, 8 with S. anatum, 1 with S. newport, 4 with dual serotype infections (3-S. typhimurium/S. anatum and 1 S. anatum/S. newington) and 1 untyped Salmonella. The roles of physical, surgical and environmental stress factors were analyzed. The fecal shedder state persisted for over 3 1/2 months. Feces of a foal contained 10(5) salmonella per gram. Salmonella were isolated from the feces of horses during and following antimicrobial therapy regimes. Supportive and symptomatic treatment as well as good nursing care are imperative in handling cases of equine salmonellosis.", "contents": "Salmonellosis in Equidae: a study of 23 cases. Salmonellosis in Equidae is a serious global problem. The prevalence may range from 0.36% to 27%. Probably 5% to 10% of the equine population in the U.S. is or has been infected. Over 40 serotypes of Salmonella have been cultured from Equidae. S. typhimurium (66.31%), S. enteritidis (9.6%), S. newport (5.16%) and S. heidelberg (4.89%) have been the most common equine isolates. The clinical and bacteriological studies of 23 naturally occurring infections in a large veterinary hospital were studied. Nine patients were infected with S. typhimurium, 8 with S. anatum, 1 with S. newport, 4 with dual serotype infections (3-S. typhimurium/S. anatum and 1 S. anatum/S. newington) and 1 untyped Salmonella. The roles of physical, surgical and environmental stress factors were analyzed. The fecal shedder state persisted for over 3 1/2 months. Feces of a foal contained 10(5) salmonella per gram. Salmonella were isolated from the feces of horses during and following antimicrobial therapy regimes. Supportive and symptomatic treatment as well as good nursing care are imperative in handling cases of equine salmonellosis.", "PMID": 770073} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3070", "title": "Hair follicle mites (Demodex spp.) of medical and veterinary concern.", "content": "A review is presented, including some new data, of the biology of ten species of hair follicle mites (Demodex spp.) of man and domestic animals. Major topics covered are taxonomy, host-parasite interactions, and problems in need of resolution. To this last, some information is provided on the question of species validity, the degree of host specificity and synhospitaly, population dynamics and incidence, transference and host behavior, pathogenesis and disease transmission, and control. A key is provided for species discrimination.", "contents": "Hair follicle mites (Demodex spp.) of medical and veterinary concern. A review is presented, including some new data, of the biology of ten species of hair follicle mites (Demodex spp.) of man and domestic animals. Major topics covered are taxonomy, host-parasite interactions, and problems in need of resolution. To this last, some information is provided on the question of species validity, the degree of host specificity and synhospitaly, population dynamics and incidence, transference and host behavior, pathogenesis and disease transmission, and control. A key is provided for species discrimination.", "PMID": 770074} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3071", "title": "The distribution and characterization of group B streptococci in New York State.", "content": "Group B streptococcal isolates from bovine mastitis were classified according to the Lancefield typing scheme. Three types were found in New York State dairy herds; Ia, II and III. The distribution within these types varies from area to area, however, on a state-wide basis Ia is the most prevalent (69.6%) followed by type II (16.7%) and type III (10.1%). Within a single herd one type predominants with only slight incidence of other types. Attempts to determine distinguishing characteristics between isolates of human and bovine origin resulted in no entirely consistent differences.", "contents": "The distribution and characterization of group B streptococci in New York State. Group B streptococcal isolates from bovine mastitis were classified according to the Lancefield typing scheme. Three types were found in New York State dairy herds; Ia, II and III. The distribution within these types varies from area to area, however, on a state-wide basis Ia is the most prevalent (69.6%) followed by type II (16.7%) and type III (10.1%). Within a single herd one type predominants with only slight incidence of other types. Attempts to determine distinguishing characteristics between isolates of human and bovine origin resulted in no entirely consistent differences.", "PMID": 770075} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3072", "title": "The pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of azapropazone - a review.", "content": "The pharmacology and pharmacokinetic properties of azapropazone, a new anti-inflammatory analgesic, are reviewed. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by standard in vivo and in vitro methods. The drug was shown to have definite activity with a potency approximately half that of phenylbutazone. Azapropazone was absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract in animals and man, although wide inter-species variation in pharmacokinetic properties was noted. In man, the biological half life was approximately 20 hours. Azapropazone is not extensively metabolised and most metabolites have been identified and assayed.", "contents": "The pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of azapropazone - a review. The pharmacology and pharmacokinetic properties of azapropazone, a new anti-inflammatory analgesic, are reviewed. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by standard in vivo and in vitro methods. The drug was shown to have definite activity with a potency approximately half that of phenylbutazone. Azapropazone was absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract in animals and man, although wide inter-species variation in pharmacokinetic properties was noted. In man, the biological half life was approximately 20 hours. Azapropazone is not extensively metabolised and most metabolites have been identified and assayed.", "PMID": 770078} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3073", "title": "Clinical assessment of azapropazone in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Azapropazone was investigated in a 2-week double-blind clinical out-patient trial against placebo in 23 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis. The drug was given at a dose of 1200 mg. per day before food. At this dose level the drug was shown to have an antirheumatic effect in terms of pain relief, articular tenderness and duration of morning stiffness.", "contents": "Clinical assessment of azapropazone in rheumatoid arthritis. Azapropazone was investigated in a 2-week double-blind clinical out-patient trial against placebo in 23 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis. The drug was given at a dose of 1200 mg. per day before food. At this dose level the drug was shown to have an antirheumatic effect in terms of pain relief, articular tenderness and duration of morning stiffness.", "PMID": 770079} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3074", "title": "An assessment of the therapeutic potential of azapropazone in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A trial to compare the therapeutic potential of 1200 mg. azapropazone daily with 3.9 g. aspirin daily was carried out in 108 out-patients with rheumatoid arthritis over a 14-day period. Analysis of results from the 85 patients with completed assessment data (49 on azapropazone; 36 on aspirin) showed that azapropazone was better than aspirin from the point of view of pain relief, number of days patients were withdrawn prematurely from the trial, and patient satisfaction with treatment. The differences, however, were not statistically significant. The authors compare the results obtained in this trial with those obtained previously from trials with 13 other antirheumatic drugs using the same method.", "contents": "An assessment of the therapeutic potential of azapropazone in rheumatoid arthritis. A trial to compare the therapeutic potential of 1200 mg. azapropazone daily with 3.9 g. aspirin daily was carried out in 108 out-patients with rheumatoid arthritis over a 14-day period. Analysis of results from the 85 patients with completed assessment data (49 on azapropazone; 36 on aspirin) showed that azapropazone was better than aspirin from the point of view of pain relief, number of days patients were withdrawn prematurely from the trial, and patient satisfaction with treatment. The differences, however, were not statistically significant. The authors compare the results obtained in this trial with those obtained previously from trials with 13 other antirheumatic drugs using the same method.", "PMID": 770080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3075", "title": "A comparative study of azapropazone and ibuprofen in the treatment of osteoarthrosis of the knee.", "content": "A double-blind crossover study in 41 patients with knee joint osteoarthrosis was carried out to compare the efficacy of 1200 mg. azapropazone per day with 1600 mg. ibuprofen per day. After an initial week on placebo, patients received one or other of the active medications for 2 weeks, then a 1-week placebo wash-out period before being crossed over to the alternative drug for a further 2 weeks. Objective assessments were made of knee joint movement, and of knee joint and thigh circumference. Patients made daily assessments of pain and a final overall assessment of preference for one or other treatment period. The results showed that azapropazone produced a significant improvement (p less than 0.05) in knee joint mobility over placebo, both active drugs were more effective than placebo (p less than 0.05) in providing pain relief, but that there was no significant difference between the two in these parameters. There was a highly significant patient preference, however, for azapropazone (p less than 0.01) compared to ibuprofen treatment periods. The most commonly reported side-effect with both drugs was dyspepsia, but in no case was it sufficiently severe to necessitate stopping treatment.", "contents": "A comparative study of azapropazone and ibuprofen in the treatment of osteoarthrosis of the knee. A double-blind crossover study in 41 patients with knee joint osteoarthrosis was carried out to compare the efficacy of 1200 mg. azapropazone per day with 1600 mg. ibuprofen per day. After an initial week on placebo, patients received one or other of the active medications for 2 weeks, then a 1-week placebo wash-out period before being crossed over to the alternative drug for a further 2 weeks. Objective assessments were made of knee joint movement, and of knee joint and thigh circumference. Patients made daily assessments of pain and a final overall assessment of preference for one or other treatment period. The results showed that azapropazone produced a significant improvement (p less than 0.05) in knee joint mobility over placebo, both active drugs were more effective than placebo (p less than 0.05) in providing pain relief, but that there was no significant difference between the two in these parameters. There was a highly significant patient preference, however, for azapropazone (p less than 0.01) compared to ibuprofen treatment periods. The most commonly reported side-effect with both drugs was dyspepsia, but in no case was it sufficiently severe to necessitate stopping treatment.", "PMID": 770081} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3076", "title": "A comparative pilot study of azapropazone and indomethacin in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and Reiter's disease.", "content": "A double-blind crossover study to compare 1200 mg. azapropazone per day with 100 mg. indomethacin per day was carried out on 34 patients with psoriatic arthritis and 16 patients with Reiter's disease. The same comparison was initiated in 8 additional patients but withdrawn in 3 cases because of side-effects to indomethacin, in 2 cases because of side-effects to azapropazone, and in the 3 remaining cases for other stated reasons. The results of the study showed no overall difference between the treatment results of azapropazone and indomethacin, but azapropazone seemed to be more effective in cases with psoriatic arthritis and indomethacin in cases with Reiter's disease. Indomethacin caused more side-effects than azapropazone. Neither drug seemed to influence the skin manifestations of either disease.", "contents": "A comparative pilot study of azapropazone and indomethacin in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and Reiter's disease. A double-blind crossover study to compare 1200 mg. azapropazone per day with 100 mg. indomethacin per day was carried out on 34 patients with psoriatic arthritis and 16 patients with Reiter's disease. The same comparison was initiated in 8 additional patients but withdrawn in 3 cases because of side-effects to indomethacin, in 2 cases because of side-effects to azapropazone, and in the 3 remaining cases for other stated reasons. The results of the study showed no overall difference between the treatment results of azapropazone and indomethacin, but azapropazone seemed to be more effective in cases with psoriatic arthritis and indomethacin in cases with Reiter's disease. Indomethacin caused more side-effects than azapropazone. Neither drug seemed to influence the skin manifestations of either disease.", "PMID": 770082} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3077", "title": "A comparative study of azapropazone and indomethacin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A double-blind crossover trial in 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was carried out to compare the clinical effectiveness of 800 mg. azapropazone per day with 100 mg. indomethacin per day. Blood plasma concentrations of azapropazone were also studied in 10 patients. Patients received both drugs for a 3-week period, the order of treatment being determined at random. Although there were no marked differences in any of the objective measurements, patients assessments of response to and preference for each drug treatment period suggested that azapropazone produced significant improvement compared to that with indomethacin. Plasma levels of azapropazone remained remarkably constant for each patient. Side-effects with both drugs were mild and transient, and there were no marked variations from normal in any of the laboratory parameters measured.", "contents": "A comparative study of azapropazone and indomethacin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind crossover trial in 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was carried out to compare the clinical effectiveness of 800 mg. azapropazone per day with 100 mg. indomethacin per day. Blood plasma concentrations of azapropazone were also studied in 10 patients. Patients received both drugs for a 3-week period, the order of treatment being determined at random. Although there were no marked differences in any of the objective measurements, patients assessments of response to and preference for each drug treatment period suggested that azapropazone produced significant improvement compared to that with indomethacin. Plasma levels of azapropazone remained remarkably constant for each patient. Side-effects with both drugs were mild and transient, and there were no marked variations from normal in any of the laboratory parameters measured.", "PMID": 770083} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3078", "title": "Prolonged treatment with azapropazone.", "content": "In an open study of 40 patients with chronic rheumatoid polyarthritis, azapropazone was given alone in daily doses between 1200 mg. and 1800 mg. over a period of 6 months. Six patients were withdrawn, 2 because of side-effects (1 with an allergic-type rash; 1 with ankle oedema) and 4 because azapropazone alone did not provide adequate control of their pain and discomfort. Objective assessments showed that 18 patients had a 'good' or 'very good' response to treatment, and a further 16 showed moderate improvement. These findings were supported by the patients' subjective assessment of the change in their condition from the start of the trial. In addition, 22 patients showed a significant decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate. There was no evidence of adverse effects on any of the haematological and biochemical parameters measured, and the incidence of side-effects was low.", "contents": "Prolonged treatment with azapropazone. In an open study of 40 patients with chronic rheumatoid polyarthritis, azapropazone was given alone in daily doses between 1200 mg. and 1800 mg. over a period of 6 months. Six patients were withdrawn, 2 because of side-effects (1 with an allergic-type rash; 1 with ankle oedema) and 4 because azapropazone alone did not provide adequate control of their pain and discomfort. Objective assessments showed that 18 patients had a 'good' or 'very good' response to treatment, and a further 16 showed moderate improvement. These findings were supported by the patients' subjective assessment of the change in their condition from the start of the trial. In addition, 22 patients showed a significant decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate. There was no evidence of adverse effects on any of the haematological and biochemical parameters measured, and the incidence of side-effects was low.", "PMID": 770084} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3079", "title": "Azapropazone - its place in the management of rheumatoid conditions.", "content": "The authors review the trials carried out on azapropazone in rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatoid conditions. They comment that in terms of efficacy azapropazone would appear to be a useful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic which compares favourably with other established antirheumatic agents against which it has been tested. Its main advantages are its low incidence of side-effects and the fact that in the majority of the trials reported azapropazone treatment was preferred by patients to that with other agents.", "contents": "Azapropazone - its place in the management of rheumatoid conditions. The authors review the trials carried out on azapropazone in rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatoid conditions. They comment that in terms of efficacy azapropazone would appear to be a useful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic which compares favourably with other established antirheumatic agents against which it has been tested. Its main advantages are its low incidence of side-effects and the fact that in the majority of the trials reported azapropazone treatment was preferred by patients to that with other agents.", "PMID": 770085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3080", "title": "A short-term double-blind trial of aerosol triamcinolone acetonide in steroid-dependent patients with severe asthma.", "content": "Twenty-five steroid-dependent severely asthmatic patients, ranging in age from 20 to 67 years, were hospitalized. Baseline laboratory and pulmonary function testing was followed by reduction of prednisone therapy to 5 mg daily and by entry into a randomized double-blind study of placebo vs active aerosol triamcinolone acetonide (300mug four times daily). In this four-week trial, aerosol triamcinolone acetonide further reversed airway obstruction and proved to be an effective substitute for large oral doses of steroids in steroid-dependent patients with severe asthma. No significant improvement occurred in the maximum midexpiratory flow or the maximum velocity of air flow after 50 percent or 75 percent of the vital capacity had been expelled. There was no significant difference in the frequency of untoward effects between the groups taking aerosol triamcinolone acetonide and its vehicle. No patient demonstrated any definite return of adrenal function.", "contents": "A short-term double-blind trial of aerosol triamcinolone acetonide in steroid-dependent patients with severe asthma. Twenty-five steroid-dependent severely asthmatic patients, ranging in age from 20 to 67 years, were hospitalized. Baseline laboratory and pulmonary function testing was followed by reduction of prednisone therapy to 5 mg daily and by entry into a randomized double-blind study of placebo vs active aerosol triamcinolone acetonide (300mug four times daily). In this four-week trial, aerosol triamcinolone acetonide further reversed airway obstruction and proved to be an effective substitute for large oral doses of steroids in steroid-dependent patients with severe asthma. No significant improvement occurred in the maximum midexpiratory flow or the maximum velocity of air flow after 50 percent or 75 percent of the vital capacity had been expelled. There was no significant difference in the frequency of untoward effects between the groups taking aerosol triamcinolone acetonide and its vehicle. No patient demonstrated any definite return of adrenal function.", "PMID": 770091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3081", "title": "Phagocytosis and cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.", "content": "The objective of this study was to determine if the phagocytic and intracellular killing capacity of peripheral granulocytes or an expression of cellular-mediated immunity, delayed cutaneous reactivity, as measurements of native and acquired immunity, might be risk factors associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Over 100 patients with a value for their forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) less than or equal to 70 percent of normal were carefully matched with healthy participants having an FEV1 greater than or equal to 86 percent of normal, and together they served as the study group. Phagocytosis and intracellular killing were normal in patients with COPD; however, these patients demonstrated a significant impairment in the ability of their peripheral leukocytes to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium. The delayed-hypertensitivity response rate and the degree of reactivity were similar in the two groups, except for the patients with COPD having a significantly greater degree of reactivity to Monilia albicans extract (\"canadin.\") This finding is thought to be a consequence of reduced mucociliary clearance rather than a risk factor. The significance of decreased resting and stimulated cells' reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium in patients with COPD is not clear.", "contents": "Phagocytosis and cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The objective of this study was to determine if the phagocytic and intracellular killing capacity of peripheral granulocytes or an expression of cellular-mediated immunity, delayed cutaneous reactivity, as measurements of native and acquired immunity, might be risk factors associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Over 100 patients with a value for their forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) less than or equal to 70 percent of normal were carefully matched with healthy participants having an FEV1 greater than or equal to 86 percent of normal, and together they served as the study group. Phagocytosis and intracellular killing were normal in patients with COPD; however, these patients demonstrated a significant impairment in the ability of their peripheral leukocytes to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium. The delayed-hypertensitivity response rate and the degree of reactivity were similar in the two groups, except for the patients with COPD having a significantly greater degree of reactivity to Monilia albicans extract (\"canadin.\") This finding is thought to be a consequence of reduced mucociliary clearance rather than a risk factor. The significance of decreased resting and stimulated cells' reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium in patients with COPD is not clear.", "PMID": 770092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3082", "title": "The psychosomatic approach to heart disease. A study in premodern medicine.", "content": "Prior to the discovery of the circulation of the blood and the advent of modern mind-body dualism, heart disease was conceived as invariably psychosomatic. Familiar vestiges of premodern theory are found in such expressions as \"bighearted,\" \"warmhearted,\" \"brokenhearted,\" and so on. The original medical meanings of such expressions are explained. The historical disappearance of the psychosomatic approach to cardiovascular disease is explained as a product of dualistic thinking and the mechanistic physiopathology it created. It is urged that contemporaries could profit from a return to a holistic view of the disease process.", "contents": "The psychosomatic approach to heart disease. A study in premodern medicine. Prior to the discovery of the circulation of the blood and the advent of modern mind-body dualism, heart disease was conceived as invariably psychosomatic. Familiar vestiges of premodern theory are found in such expressions as \"bighearted,\" \"warmhearted,\" \"brokenhearted,\" and so on. The original medical meanings of such expressions are explained. The historical disappearance of the psychosomatic approach to cardiovascular disease is explained as a product of dualistic thinking and the mechanistic physiopathology it created. It is urged that contemporaries could profit from a return to a holistic view of the disease process.", "PMID": 770093} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3083", "title": "[Identification of Group A streptococci from throats of school children in Northern Taiwan].", "content": "A total of 2,750 strains of beta-hemolytic streptococci was isolated from 10, 510 throat swabs collected from school children in the Taipei area. Most of them were classified as group A (61%) and group G (34%), and about 5% belonged to other groups or unclassified strains. 1, 772 strains of beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated from healthy school children, and 69 strains from sick school children were grouped by the Lancefield precipitin test, fluorescent antibody technique and/or bacitracin paper disk method. A satisfactory correlation (over 90%) was obtained by the latter 2 methods, when compared with the results of the Lancefield technique. The occurrance of false negative or false positive was only 1 or 5%, respectively.", "contents": "[Identification of Group A streptococci from throats of school children in Northern Taiwan]. A total of 2,750 strains of beta-hemolytic streptococci was isolated from 10, 510 throat swabs collected from school children in the Taipei area. Most of them were classified as group A (61%) and group G (34%), and about 5% belonged to other groups or unclassified strains. 1, 772 strains of beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated from healthy school children, and 69 strains from sick school children were grouped by the Lancefield precipitin test, fluorescent antibody technique and/or bacitracin paper disk method. A satisfactory correlation (over 90%) was obtained by the latter 2 methods, when compared with the results of the Lancefield technique. The occurrance of false negative or false positive was only 1 or 5%, respectively.", "PMID": 770094} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3084", "title": "Studies of native plants in Taiwan for lectin content.", "content": "The lectin content of some native plants in Taiwan was studied. The majority of the plants possessing lectin belonged to Leguminosae. Five lectins which are readily available were further studied for their hemagglutination titers, specificity, susceptibility to heat and proteolytic enzymes. The lectins of Ricinus communis had hemagglutination titer of 1:512 which was the highest among the five tested. All lectins were heat labile, destroyed by heating at 100 degrees C for 30 min, but resistant to trypsin and pepsin. The resistance was not due to the presence of any inhibitor in the crude extract, but possibly due to the special configuration of the lectin molecule or other unknow reasons. Among the five lectins only the lectin of Phaseolus vulgaris could not be inhibited by any of the carbohydrates tested. It seems that the lectin of Phaseolus vulgaris is nonspecific, or not specific for ABO blood group, or specific for other blood groups. The inhibiting activity of carbohydrates seems to be specific. The configuration of carbohydrates at carbon atom 2 and/or 4, the type of linkage (alpha or beta), or the carbon number where the linkage is formed seem to be important to the potency of carbohydrates to inhibit the activity of lectin.", "contents": "Studies of native plants in Taiwan for lectin content. The lectin content of some native plants in Taiwan was studied. The majority of the plants possessing lectin belonged to Leguminosae. Five lectins which are readily available were further studied for their hemagglutination titers, specificity, susceptibility to heat and proteolytic enzymes. The lectins of Ricinus communis had hemagglutination titer of 1:512 which was the highest among the five tested. All lectins were heat labile, destroyed by heating at 100 degrees C for 30 min, but resistant to trypsin and pepsin. The resistance was not due to the presence of any inhibitor in the crude extract, but possibly due to the special configuration of the lectin molecule or other unknow reasons. Among the five lectins only the lectin of Phaseolus vulgaris could not be inhibited by any of the carbohydrates tested. It seems that the lectin of Phaseolus vulgaris is nonspecific, or not specific for ABO blood group, or specific for other blood groups. The inhibiting activity of carbohydrates seems to be specific. The configuration of carbohydrates at carbon atom 2 and/or 4, the type of linkage (alpha or beta), or the carbon number where the linkage is formed seem to be important to the potency of carbohydrates to inhibit the activity of lectin.", "PMID": 770095} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3085", "title": "A congenital contribution to emotional response in early infancy and the preschool period.", "content": "Four follow-up studies carried out from the newborn period in three different laboratories have shown that a slow, low-magnitude reaction of the newborn to interruption of sucking is associated in later infancy and the preschool period with the expression of pleasurable emotional response. The basic test of the newborn's response varied slightly in the four studies, but essentially it consisted of establishing a baseline of infant behaviour during 30 to 120 seconds of sucking on a pacifier, then recording amount of (a) bodily activity, (b) crying, (c) the latency to either or both, in the 30- to 135-second period after removal of the nipple. The three aspects of the reaction are consistently intercorrelated, even when allowances are made for artifactual interdependence. Newborns who respond quickly to interruption of sucking also continue to cry and move a lot. Up to the first month a slow, low-magnitude reaction of the newborn is associated with a later low rate of smiling, but beyond the third month there is an inversion and the association is consistently with various manifestations of postive emotional expression.", "contents": "A congenital contribution to emotional response in early infancy and the preschool period. Four follow-up studies carried out from the newborn period in three different laboratories have shown that a slow, low-magnitude reaction of the newborn to interruption of sucking is associated in later infancy and the preschool period with the expression of pleasurable emotional response. The basic test of the newborn's response varied slightly in the four studies, but essentially it consisted of establishing a baseline of infant behaviour during 30 to 120 seconds of sucking on a pacifier, then recording amount of (a) bodily activity, (b) crying, (c) the latency to either or both, in the 30- to 135-second period after removal of the nipple. The three aspects of the reaction are consistently intercorrelated, even when allowances are made for artifactual interdependence. Newborns who respond quickly to interruption of sucking also continue to cry and move a lot. Up to the first month a slow, low-magnitude reaction of the newborn is associated with a later low rate of smiling, but beyond the third month there is an inversion and the association is consistently with various manifestations of postive emotional expression.", "PMID": 770101} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3086", "title": "Metabolism of radiolabeled insecticides in insects and related arthropods: a critical study of various techniques.", "content": "The metabolism of radiolabeled insecticides in insects and acarina is studied largely by coupling radiotracer techniques with analytical methods, such as TLC, paper and column chromatography, gel-permeation chromatography, and enzymatic assays. These techniques in various combinations yield both the identification and quantification of the metabolites. Other analytical methods such as gas chromatography or IR spectrometry may also be used to obtain additional support for identification of metabolites. In the absence of authentic chromatographic standards, however, NMR and mass spectrometry are necessary in the identification of the unknown compound. The quantity of the radiolabeled insecticide administered should be within the toxicological range of the insect. Therefore, the dosage-mortality response of the insect using unlabeled material should be determined. A dose should be selected that keeps insect mortality to a minimum in order to avoid complications in the computation of the balance data. The radiolabeled insecticide is usually applied topically to the insect. Alternately, the material may be administered by dipping in a solution containing the radiolabeled compound or by exposure to filter paper impregnated with radiolabeled material. Administration of the radiolabeled material by the oral route presents several problems. Sterile rearing conditions are mandatory to avoid contamination of treated diet with microorganisms. Some knowledge of the insect's feeding rhythm is desirable so that the labeled diet is given at peak feeding time. Synthetic diets should be adjusted to pH 7.0. These precautions minimize degradation of the insecticide in the diet prior to consumption by the insect. Precise doses of radiolabeled materials may be administered by injection. The technique is mainly useful in metabolism studies of intermediate materials resulting from the biotransformation of the parent compound.", "contents": "Metabolism of radiolabeled insecticides in insects and related arthropods: a critical study of various techniques. The metabolism of radiolabeled insecticides in insects and acarina is studied largely by coupling radiotracer techniques with analytical methods, such as TLC, paper and column chromatography, gel-permeation chromatography, and enzymatic assays. These techniques in various combinations yield both the identification and quantification of the metabolites. Other analytical methods such as gas chromatography or IR spectrometry may also be used to obtain additional support for identification of metabolites. In the absence of authentic chromatographic standards, however, NMR and mass spectrometry are necessary in the identification of the unknown compound. The quantity of the radiolabeled insecticide administered should be within the toxicological range of the insect. Therefore, the dosage-mortality response of the insect using unlabeled material should be determined. A dose should be selected that keeps insect mortality to a minimum in order to avoid complications in the computation of the balance data. The radiolabeled insecticide is usually applied topically to the insect. Alternately, the material may be administered by dipping in a solution containing the radiolabeled compound or by exposure to filter paper impregnated with radiolabeled material. Administration of the radiolabeled material by the oral route presents several problems. Sterile rearing conditions are mandatory to avoid contamination of treated diet with microorganisms. Some knowledge of the insect's feeding rhythm is desirable so that the labeled diet is given at peak feeding time. Synthetic diets should be adjusted to pH 7.0. These precautions minimize degradation of the insecticide in the diet prior to consumption by the insect. Precise doses of radiolabeled materials may be administered by injection. The technique is mainly useful in metabolism studies of intermediate materials resulting from the biotransformation of the parent compound.", "PMID": 770105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3087", "title": "Treatment of parkinsonism.", "content": "Although the mortality of Parkinsonism is negligible, it is one of the major causes of progressive and often pitiful disability in the elderly. Treatment of the condition, whether medical or surgical, is still only palliative. The successes and limitations of the various forms of treatment are discussed. Despite the spectacular gains which have been achieved during the past 25 years by sterotactic thalamotomy and treatment with levodopa, the patient's disabilities tend to progress slowly and the fundamental enigma of Parkinson's disease and of its cure still awaits solution.", "contents": "Treatment of parkinsonism. Although the mortality of Parkinsonism is negligible, it is one of the major causes of progressive and often pitiful disability in the elderly. Treatment of the condition, whether medical or surgical, is still only palliative. The successes and limitations of the various forms of treatment are discussed. Despite the spectacular gains which have been achieved during the past 25 years by sterotactic thalamotomy and treatment with levodopa, the patient's disabilities tend to progress slowly and the fundamental enigma of Parkinson's disease and of its cure still awaits solution.", "PMID": 770132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3088", "title": "Clinical use of immunosuppressive drugs: part I.", "content": "While immunosuppressive drugs are principally used in the treatment of malignant disease, their use in non-malignant disease and transplantation has become commonplace. The mechanisms of action of immunosuppressive agents differ. Alkylating agents react with nucleophilic centres of D, and rna. Folic acid antagonists prevnt the conversion of dihydrofolic acid to tetrahydrofolic acid. Antibiotics act in a variety of different ways; the alkaloids cause metaphase arrest. Cytarabine (cytosine arabinoside), methotrexate, hydroxyurea and thioguanine act during mitosis and the latter also acts during replication is not known...", "contents": "Clinical use of immunosuppressive drugs: part I. While immunosuppressive drugs are principally used in the treatment of malignant disease, their use in non-malignant disease and transplantation has become commonplace. The mechanisms of action of immunosuppressive agents differ. Alkylating agents react with nucleophilic centres of D, and rna. Folic acid antagonists prevnt the conversion of dihydrofolic acid to tetrahydrofolic acid. Antibiotics act in a variety of different ways; the alkaloids cause metaphase arrest. Cytarabine (cytosine arabinoside), methotrexate, hydroxyurea and thioguanine act during mitosis and the latter also acts during replication is not known...", "PMID": 770131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3089", "title": "[Methods for the macroscopic diagnosis of pulmonary emphysema].", "content": "The author examined 124 dead persons with clinicaly and anatomicaly diagnosed emphysema in order to prove and demonstrate the possibilities of the the existing methods for macroscopic diagnosis of the lung emphysema. The method of Gough and Wentworth, barium-sulfate method of Heard and simple original method for examination of the changes by a naked eye or with only a magnifying glass in fixed total lung sections were used and the results described. He constructed a special table and knife to cut the lung at equal sections. An inference was made that the method of Gough and Wentworth, although more complicated, revealed the best advantages. Both the impregnation method of Heard and the newly proposed method were very suitable for an examination of a very large number of lungs, since they assure enough information for the diagnosis, distribution and degree ofthe pathological process and allow current morfological classification of the disease.", "contents": "[Methods for the macroscopic diagnosis of pulmonary emphysema]. The author examined 124 dead persons with clinicaly and anatomicaly diagnosed emphysema in order to prove and demonstrate the possibilities of the the existing methods for macroscopic diagnosis of the lung emphysema. The method of Gough and Wentworth, barium-sulfate method of Heard and simple original method for examination of the changes by a naked eye or with only a magnifying glass in fixed total lung sections were used and the results described. He constructed a special table and knife to cut the lung at equal sections. An inference was made that the method of Gough and Wentworth, although more complicated, revealed the best advantages. Both the impregnation method of Heard and the newly proposed method were very suitable for an examination of a very large number of lungs, since they assure enough information for the diagnosis, distribution and degree ofthe pathological process and allow current morfological classification of the disease.", "PMID": 770141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3090", "title": "[Morphological changes in the endocrine pancreas of the rabbit after the administration of a Morus alba extract].", "content": "The authors examined the effect of an extract, obtained from the leaves of the plant Morus alba on beta-cells of the endocrine pancreas of a rabbit after subcutaneous and parenteral administration. The most manifested morphologic changes were observed after subcutaneous administration under the conditions of a chronic experiment. There were degranulation of beta-cells of the Langerhans islets of these animals developed at various degree and discovered by means of a light and electrone microscope.", "contents": "[Morphological changes in the endocrine pancreas of the rabbit after the administration of a Morus alba extract]. The authors examined the effect of an extract, obtained from the leaves of the plant Morus alba on beta-cells of the endocrine pancreas of a rabbit after subcutaneous and parenteral administration. The most manifested morphologic changes were observed after subcutaneous administration under the conditions of a chronic experiment. There were degranulation of beta-cells of the Langerhans islets of these animals developed at various degree and discovered by means of a light and electrone microscope.", "PMID": 770142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3091", "title": "[Study of the effect of centrophenoxine on experimental animals poisoned with chlordiazepoxide].", "content": "The author administered per os chlordiazepoxide in a toxic dose of 600 mg/kg of body weight/LD50 of chloridazenoxide for rats was 680 mg/kg of body weight in 20 white male rats, weighing 150 gm. Two hours later, on the background of advanced intoxication, manifested by adynamia ataxia, lateral position, somnolence reaching stupor, the author administered in half of the animals (10) per os centrophenaxine in a dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight. The signs of intoxication disappeared for 24 hours after treatment with centrophenoxine. Three of the control animals died, but in the remaining rats the intoxication worsened, but then slowly disappeared till the end of the fifth day. The obtained experimental data supported the observations of the clinical practice on the favourable effect of centrophenoxine in the treatment of acute poisonings with chlordiazepoxide.", "contents": "[Study of the effect of centrophenoxine on experimental animals poisoned with chlordiazepoxide]. The author administered per os chlordiazepoxide in a toxic dose of 600 mg/kg of body weight/LD50 of chloridazenoxide for rats was 680 mg/kg of body weight in 20 white male rats, weighing 150 gm. Two hours later, on the background of advanced intoxication, manifested by adynamia ataxia, lateral position, somnolence reaching stupor, the author administered in half of the animals (10) per os centrophenaxine in a dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight. The signs of intoxication disappeared for 24 hours after treatment with centrophenoxine. Three of the control animals died, but in the remaining rats the intoxication worsened, but then slowly disappeared till the end of the fifth day. The obtained experimental data supported the observations of the clinical practice on the favourable effect of centrophenoxine in the treatment of acute poisonings with chlordiazepoxide.", "PMID": 770143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3092", "title": "[Determination of antigens M and N in blood strains by an absorption-elution method].", "content": "The author examined blood spots with known M and N antigens lasting up to two years by means of method of absorption elution. Positive results were obtained in 99 samples. The method was very sensitive and filament with a length of 2 to 4 mm were sufficient for determination of antigents.", "contents": "[Determination of antigens M and N in blood strains by an absorption-elution method]. The author examined blood spots with known M and N antigens lasting up to two years by means of method of absorption elution. Positive results were obtained in 99 samples. The method was very sensitive and filament with a length of 2 to 4 mm were sufficient for determination of antigents.", "PMID": 770144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3093", "title": "[Various current trends in the study and interpretation of asphasic disorders].", "content": "This review of the present tendencies in aphasiology intends to put in evidence some features of to-day's aphasiology, in relation both to the methods used to study the language disturbances and to the concepts advanced to explain the clinical and experimental findings. From the methodological point of view, two important novelties are to be stressed : 1) the clinical approach is gradually substituted by a more strict experimental method ; 2) the pathology of language is to-day generally studied by means of linguistic methods, models and techniques. In the interpretation and classification of the aphasic troubles many tendencies are to be noted :--some Authors tend to classify the aphasic disorders on the ground of empirical criteria (such as the distinction between a \"fluent\" and a \"non-fluent\" form of aphasia) ;--other writers tend to classify the aphasic disturbances on the ground of linguistic, of neuro-anatomic, or of neuro-linguistic criteria. The results of a few experimental investigations on some dimensions of auditory language comprehension in aphasia are reported and the implication of these results on the concepts advanced by various Authors are discussed.", "contents": "[Various current trends in the study and interpretation of asphasic disorders]. This review of the present tendencies in aphasiology intends to put in evidence some features of to-day's aphasiology, in relation both to the methods used to study the language disturbances and to the concepts advanced to explain the clinical and experimental findings. From the methodological point of view, two important novelties are to be stressed : 1) the clinical approach is gradually substituted by a more strict experimental method ; 2) the pathology of language is to-day generally studied by means of linguistic methods, models and techniques. In the interpretation and classification of the aphasic troubles many tendencies are to be noted :--some Authors tend to classify the aphasic disorders on the ground of empirical criteria (such as the distinction between a \"fluent\" and a \"non-fluent\" form of aphasia) ;--other writers tend to classify the aphasic disturbances on the ground of linguistic, of neuro-anatomic, or of neuro-linguistic criteria. The results of a few experimental investigations on some dimensions of auditory language comprehension in aphasia are reported and the implication of these results on the concepts advanced by various Authors are discussed.", "PMID": 770149} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3094", "title": "[The clomipramine-lithium combination: controlled trial].", "content": "A controlled study on a pragmatic type was performed on 30 patients of both sex, all having recurrent depressions. The efficacy of Clomipramine plus Lithium Carbonate was compared to that of Clomipramine plus placebo. The control consisted in a double-blind study with random sampling of patients. Results were recorded by an independant observer using a rating scale and were analysed statistically. In spite of the bias which was observed it seems possible to conclude. The association of Clomipramine plus Lithium Carbonate has no greater global antidepressive efficacy as compared with Clomipramine plus placebo which means that Lithium does not potentialize nor antagonize the anti depressant effect of Clomipramine. In respect of the number of patients : bipolar depressions (10 cases) unipolar (20 cases) it has not been possible to study the results in these 2 sub groups.", "contents": "[The clomipramine-lithium combination: controlled trial]. A controlled study on a pragmatic type was performed on 30 patients of both sex, all having recurrent depressions. The efficacy of Clomipramine plus Lithium Carbonate was compared to that of Clomipramine plus placebo. The control consisted in a double-blind study with random sampling of patients. Results were recorded by an independant observer using a rating scale and were analysed statistically. In spite of the bias which was observed it seems possible to conclude. The association of Clomipramine plus Lithium Carbonate has no greater global antidepressive efficacy as compared with Clomipramine plus placebo which means that Lithium does not potentialize nor antagonize the anti depressant effect of Clomipramine. In respect of the number of patients : bipolar depressions (10 cases) unipolar (20 cases) it has not been possible to study the results in these 2 sub groups.", "PMID": 770150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3095", "title": "[Amitriptyline in psychiatric therapeutics. Apropos of 8 years of its use in hospital practice].", "content": "A hundred and thirty patients have been treated with Amitriptylin in the \"Clinique de Psychiatrie\" in Marseille during the last eight years. The review of the hundred cases for which the information are the most detailed show that Amitriptylin remains one of the most powerful, manageable and well-tolerated anti-depressant drugs available at the present time. Its therapeutic indications are numerous, but the best ones are proceeding from depressed states with high anxious participation in subjects of less that 60 years of age.", "contents": "[Amitriptyline in psychiatric therapeutics. Apropos of 8 years of its use in hospital practice]. A hundred and thirty patients have been treated with Amitriptylin in the \"Clinique de Psychiatrie\" in Marseille during the last eight years. The review of the hundred cases for which the information are the most detailed show that Amitriptylin remains one of the most powerful, manageable and well-tolerated anti-depressant drugs available at the present time. Its therapeutic indications are numerous, but the best ones are proceeding from depressed states with high anxious participation in subjects of less that 60 years of age.", "PMID": 770151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3096", "title": "[Study of the clinical effects of sulpiride and perphenazine in 82 schizophrenic patients by the double blind method].", "content": "Our clinical and statistical evaluation of Sulpiride and Perphenazine was carried out over a 10 week period, in 82 patients of both sexes, aged 20 to 56 years. All were chronic patients with a symptomatic profile of apathy, lack of initiative but with the personality relatively well preserved in 56 patients. The daily dosage varied from 300 to 1,200 mg Sulpiride orally and 12 to 48 mg Perphenazine. The effects of therapy have been received globally and individually at the beginning, 4th, 8th, and the end of the 10th week using the B.P.R.S. modified by the clinic of Neurology and Psychiatry of the University of Hiroshima. Using \"Armitage's Restricted Sequential Design\", there was no significant difference between the therapeutic effects of these 2 neuroleptics. However, Sulpiride appeared more beneficial following the review during the 8th week and the 4th week.", "contents": "[Study of the clinical effects of sulpiride and perphenazine in 82 schizophrenic patients by the double blind method]. Our clinical and statistical evaluation of Sulpiride and Perphenazine was carried out over a 10 week period, in 82 patients of both sexes, aged 20 to 56 years. All were chronic patients with a symptomatic profile of apathy, lack of initiative but with the personality relatively well preserved in 56 patients. The daily dosage varied from 300 to 1,200 mg Sulpiride orally and 12 to 48 mg Perphenazine. The effects of therapy have been received globally and individually at the beginning, 4th, 8th, and the end of the 10th week using the B.P.R.S. modified by the clinic of Neurology and Psychiatry of the University of Hiroshima. Using \"Armitage's Restricted Sequential Design\", there was no significant difference between the therapeutic effects of these 2 neuroleptics. However, Sulpiride appeared more beneficial following the review during the 8th week and the 4th week.", "PMID": 770152} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3097", "title": "Pituitary responsiveness to gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRH) in puerperium.", "content": "Administration of a single dose of Gondotrophin Releasing Factor (GnRF) failed to induce an increase in serum FSH immediately postpartum suggesting pituitary refractoriness. However, multiple injection of GnRF resulted in significant FSH increments but these were less than the FSH responses to a single injection of GnRF in normal menstruating women.", "contents": "Pituitary responsiveness to gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRH) in puerperium. Administration of a single dose of Gondotrophin Releasing Factor (GnRF) failed to induce an increase in serum FSH immediately postpartum suggesting pituitary refractoriness. However, multiple injection of GnRF resulted in significant FSH increments but these were less than the FSH responses to a single injection of GnRF in normal menstruating women.", "PMID": 770153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3098", "title": "The onset of puberty in the female rat: changes in plasma prolactin, gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), and hypothalamic LHRH content.", "content": "In order to study the sequence of hormonal changes that accompany the onset of puberty in the female rat, immature animals were sacrificed by decapitation between days 32 and 38, and plasma titers of gonadotropins, prolactin, and LHRH, and the hypothalamic content of LHRH were determined by specific radoimmunoassays (RIA). Animals were decapitated at 10:00 and 16:00 h throughout the pubertal period, the uterine weight was recorded, and the ovaries were inspected for signs of ovulation. Animals with the vagina closed were grouped according to the condition of the uterus as anestrus (A), early proestrus (EP) and late proetrus (LP), the uterus being unstimulated, dilated with some fluid, or ballooned, respectively. Vaginal opening was usually associated with ovulation and in most cases occurred at the end of the late proestrous phase. Animals were studied up to 3 days after vaginal opening and were grouped according to vaginal cytology. Uterine weight, taken as an index of estrogen secretion, was low during A, increased during EP, and reached a peak at LP, declining thereafter. Plasma LH and FSH were low from A until the afternoon of LP. At this time, uterine weight was maximal and both gonadotropins increased dramatically. The following morning (estrus), LH but not FSH, had returned to basal values. FSH returned to basal levels on the afternoon of estrus. Plasma prolactin was low in the morning during the entire period, but showed peaks on the afternoon, which reached a maximum at LP and declined thereafter following the pattern of changes in uterine weight. Plasma LHRH was uniformly low throughout the entire pubertal period, whereas hypothalamic LHRH content declined on the morning of estrus (day of vaginal opening). We suggest that the onset of puberty in the female rat is brought about by a gradual increase in estrogen secretion which, acting at the CNS-pituitary level, triggers a preovulatory proestrus-like surge of gonadotropins and prolactin.", "contents": "The onset of puberty in the female rat: changes in plasma prolactin, gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), and hypothalamic LHRH content. In order to study the sequence of hormonal changes that accompany the onset of puberty in the female rat, immature animals were sacrificed by decapitation between days 32 and 38, and plasma titers of gonadotropins, prolactin, and LHRH, and the hypothalamic content of LHRH were determined by specific radoimmunoassays (RIA). Animals were decapitated at 10:00 and 16:00 h throughout the pubertal period, the uterine weight was recorded, and the ovaries were inspected for signs of ovulation. Animals with the vagina closed were grouped according to the condition of the uterus as anestrus (A), early proestrus (EP) and late proetrus (LP), the uterus being unstimulated, dilated with some fluid, or ballooned, respectively. Vaginal opening was usually associated with ovulation and in most cases occurred at the end of the late proestrous phase. Animals were studied up to 3 days after vaginal opening and were grouped according to vaginal cytology. Uterine weight, taken as an index of estrogen secretion, was low during A, increased during EP, and reached a peak at LP, declining thereafter. Plasma LH and FSH were low from A until the afternoon of LP. At this time, uterine weight was maximal and both gonadotropins increased dramatically. The following morning (estrus), LH but not FSH, had returned to basal values. FSH returned to basal levels on the afternoon of estrus. Plasma prolactin was low in the morning during the entire period, but showed peaks on the afternoon, which reached a maximum at LP and declined thereafter following the pattern of changes in uterine weight. Plasma LHRH was uniformly low throughout the entire pubertal period, whereas hypothalamic LHRH content declined on the morning of estrus (day of vaginal opening). We suggest that the onset of puberty in the female rat is brought about by a gradual increase in estrogen secretion which, acting at the CNS-pituitary level, triggers a preovulatory proestrus-like surge of gonadotropins and prolactin.", "PMID": 770154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3099", "title": "The existence of a possible short-loop negative feedback action of LH in proestrous rats.", "content": "The responsiveness of the hypothalamus to electrochemical stimulation (ECS) and of the pituitary to lutenizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) was examined following either endogenous LH release or exogenous LH infusion on the afternoon of proestrus in rats that had received Nembutal to block the LH surge. In all animals, sequential jugular blood samples were taken and LH was determined by radioimmunoassay. Unilateral ECS of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) resulted in a peak plasma LH of 121.1 +/- 8.6 ng/ml 120 min after stimulation; ECS of the contralateral MPOA of the same animals at 200 min resulted in a peak plasma LH of 66.9 +/- 5.6 ng/ml or half that obtained following the first ECS. To eliminate a pituitary role in this phenomenon, 250 ng LHRH was given iv at 200 min following unilateral MPOA-ECS. The peak in plasma LH following LHRH (510.7 +/- 60 ng/ml) was not depressed and, in fact, was significantly greater than that obtained in response to LHRH without prior ECS-induced LH release (143.9 +/- 19.6 ng/ml). To compare the responses obtained following exogenous LH, purified rat LH (4 mug) was infused iv over 60 min. When plasma LH had returned to pre-infusion levels, an iv pulse of 250 ng LHRH was administered; the peak in plasma LH was similar to that obtained in response to LHRH in animals without prior LH infusion. Finally, in another group of LH-infused rats (4 mug/60 min), MPOA-ECS was performed, resulting in a plasma LH peak half that obtained without prior exogenous LH exposure. These studies suggest decreased hypothalamic sensitivity to stimulation on proestrus due to a negative feedback of either LH or LH-induced steroids.", "contents": "The existence of a possible short-loop negative feedback action of LH in proestrous rats. The responsiveness of the hypothalamus to electrochemical stimulation (ECS) and of the pituitary to lutenizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) was examined following either endogenous LH release or exogenous LH infusion on the afternoon of proestrus in rats that had received Nembutal to block the LH surge. In all animals, sequential jugular blood samples were taken and LH was determined by radioimmunoassay. Unilateral ECS of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) resulted in a peak plasma LH of 121.1 +/- 8.6 ng/ml 120 min after stimulation; ECS of the contralateral MPOA of the same animals at 200 min resulted in a peak plasma LH of 66.9 +/- 5.6 ng/ml or half that obtained following the first ECS. To eliminate a pituitary role in this phenomenon, 250 ng LHRH was given iv at 200 min following unilateral MPOA-ECS. The peak in plasma LH following LHRH (510.7 +/- 60 ng/ml) was not depressed and, in fact, was significantly greater than that obtained in response to LHRH without prior ECS-induced LH release (143.9 +/- 19.6 ng/ml). To compare the responses obtained following exogenous LH, purified rat LH (4 mug) was infused iv over 60 min. When plasma LH had returned to pre-infusion levels, an iv pulse of 250 ng LHRH was administered; the peak in plasma LH was similar to that obtained in response to LHRH in animals without prior LH infusion. Finally, in another group of LH-infused rats (4 mug/60 min), MPOA-ECS was performed, resulting in a plasma LH peak half that obtained without prior exogenous LH exposure. These studies suggest decreased hypothalamic sensitivity to stimulation on proestrus due to a negative feedback of either LH or LH-induced steroids.", "PMID": 770155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3100", "title": "The effect of surgical isolation of the hypothalamus on its luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone content.", "content": "The luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) content of the medical basal hypothalamus was determined by radioimmunoassay 10 days after the isolation of this region. Between 70 and 90% of the LHRH disappeared from the hypothalamus after the surgical procedure. Thus, it seems that most of the LHRH present in the medial basal hypothalamus arises from, or is controlled by, cells elsewhere in the brain.", "contents": "The effect of surgical isolation of the hypothalamus on its luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone content. The luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) content of the medical basal hypothalamus was determined by radioimmunoassay 10 days after the isolation of this region. Between 70 and 90% of the LHRH disappeared from the hypothalamus after the surgical procedure. Thus, it seems that most of the LHRH present in the medial basal hypothalamus arises from, or is controlled by, cells elsewhere in the brain.", "PMID": 770156} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3101", "title": "Effect of hypophysectomy on immunocytochemically demonstrated gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the rat brain.", "content": "The objective was to determine the effect of hypophysectomy on the store of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in certain parts of the brain as revealed by immunocytochemistry. The antiserum used was prepared against synthetic GnRH conjugated with limpet hemocyanin. No change was observed in the store of GnRH in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis or in the cephalic segment of the median eminence GnRH was depleted severely from the central and caudal (junction with the infundibular stem) segments of the median eminence. GnRH was not found in the axons of magnocellular neurons that regenerate during repair of the median eminence-pituitary stalk after hypophysectomy.", "contents": "Effect of hypophysectomy on immunocytochemically demonstrated gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the rat brain. The objective was to determine the effect of hypophysectomy on the store of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in certain parts of the brain as revealed by immunocytochemistry. The antiserum used was prepared against synthetic GnRH conjugated with limpet hemocyanin. No change was observed in the store of GnRH in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis or in the cephalic segment of the median eminence GnRH was depleted severely from the central and caudal (junction with the infundibular stem) segments of the median eminence. GnRH was not found in the axons of magnocellular neurons that regenerate during repair of the median eminence-pituitary stalk after hypophysectomy.", "PMID": 770157} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3102", "title": "Reduced luteinizing hormone release by synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in postpartum lactating rats.", "content": "The ability of the pituitary to release LH in response to synthetic LHRH was tested in lactating female rats on days 7 and 17 post partum, and compared with that of normal cycling female rats on diestrous day 2 (controls). Three consecutive injections of LHRH (100 ng/100 g BW, sc), each 50 min apart, were given to each rat and sequential blood samples were collected at 25-min intervals by cardiac puncture under light ether anesthesia. In all 3 groups, the 2nd and 3rd injections of LHRH produced much greater increases in serum concentrations of LH than the 1st injection. However, this self-priming effect of LHRH on LH response was markedly attenuated in the postpartum lactating rats (PPL), compared with the normal cycling female rats on diestrous day 2. Three consecutive injections of LHRH produced significantly less LH release in PPL rats than in normal cycling female rats on diestrous day 2. Both day 7 and day 17 PPL rats released equally small amounts of LH in response to LHRH administration. The total amount of LH released by anterior pituitaries (APs) during a 5 h incubation in medium-199, from day 7 or day 17 in PPL rats, was significantly less than that released by the APs from normal cycling female rats on diestrous day 2. APs from day 7 and day 17 PPL rats also released less LH in vitro in response to LHRH (50 ng) stimulation than APs from normal cycling female rats. When APs from normal cycling female rats on diestrous day 2 were incubated with LHRH, the increments in LH release were greater at the end of the 2nd and 3rd h than after the 1st h of incubation. However, such increments in LH release were relatively small when APs from day 7 or day 17 PPL rats were similarly incubated with LHRH.", "contents": "Reduced luteinizing hormone release by synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in postpartum lactating rats. The ability of the pituitary to release LH in response to synthetic LHRH was tested in lactating female rats on days 7 and 17 post partum, and compared with that of normal cycling female rats on diestrous day 2 (controls). Three consecutive injections of LHRH (100 ng/100 g BW, sc), each 50 min apart, were given to each rat and sequential blood samples were collected at 25-min intervals by cardiac puncture under light ether anesthesia. In all 3 groups, the 2nd and 3rd injections of LHRH produced much greater increases in serum concentrations of LH than the 1st injection. However, this self-priming effect of LHRH on LH response was markedly attenuated in the postpartum lactating rats (PPL), compared with the normal cycling female rats on diestrous day 2. Three consecutive injections of LHRH produced significantly less LH release in PPL rats than in normal cycling female rats on diestrous day 2. Both day 7 and day 17 PPL rats released equally small amounts of LH in response to LHRH administration. The total amount of LH released by anterior pituitaries (APs) during a 5 h incubation in medium-199, from day 7 or day 17 in PPL rats, was significantly less than that released by the APs from normal cycling female rats on diestrous day 2. APs from day 7 and day 17 PPL rats also released less LH in vitro in response to LHRH (50 ng) stimulation than APs from normal cycling female rats. When APs from normal cycling female rats on diestrous day 2 were incubated with LHRH, the increments in LH release were greater at the end of the 2nd and 3rd h than after the 1st h of incubation. However, such increments in LH release were relatively small when APs from day 7 or day 17 PPL rats were similarly incubated with LHRH.", "PMID": 770158} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3103", "title": "The therapeutic activity, post-treatment fertility and safety of prostaglandin F2alpha-Tham salt in clinically anoestrous mares: a review.", "content": "Of 275 mares receiving prostaglandin F2alpha-Tham salt for its luteolytic effect upon the corpus luteum, 231 (84 per cent) exhibited signs of oestrus (range 73-95 per cent). Some mares not exhibiting overt oestrus may, nevertheless, ovulate and post-treatment rectal palpation of mares apparently failing to respond is suggested in these cases. Of 210 mares for which subsequent history was available. 104 (49.5 per cent) became pregnant from breeding at the post-treatment oestrus that immediately followed the induced regression of the corpus luteum (range 42.2-55.5 per cent). Fertility is comparable at this oestrus to that of naturally occurring oestrus in Thoroughbred mares. Side effects with PGF2alpha-Tham are physiological responses to the prostaglandin and include various degrees of sweating, some hypermotility of the gastrointestinal tract, increased pulse and respiratory rates and, occasionally, abdominal discomfort. These signs only occur in a proportion of mares, are transitory in nature and are resolved without treatment. A brief review of a comprehensive toxicity study using 20-160 times the recommended dose level, daily for 8 days, concludes that PGF2alpha-Tham has a 20 times safety margin for a single injection.", "contents": "The therapeutic activity, post-treatment fertility and safety of prostaglandin F2alpha-Tham salt in clinically anoestrous mares: a review. Of 275 mares receiving prostaglandin F2alpha-Tham salt for its luteolytic effect upon the corpus luteum, 231 (84 per cent) exhibited signs of oestrus (range 73-95 per cent). Some mares not exhibiting overt oestrus may, nevertheless, ovulate and post-treatment rectal palpation of mares apparently failing to respond is suggested in these cases. Of 210 mares for which subsequent history was available. 104 (49.5 per cent) became pregnant from breeding at the post-treatment oestrus that immediately followed the induced regression of the corpus luteum (range 42.2-55.5 per cent). Fertility is comparable at this oestrus to that of naturally occurring oestrus in Thoroughbred mares. Side effects with PGF2alpha-Tham are physiological responses to the prostaglandin and include various degrees of sweating, some hypermotility of the gastrointestinal tract, increased pulse and respiratory rates and, occasionally, abdominal discomfort. These signs only occur in a proportion of mares, are transitory in nature and are resolved without treatment. A brief review of a comprehensive toxicity study using 20-160 times the recommended dose level, daily for 8 days, concludes that PGF2alpha-Tham has a 20 times safety margin for a single injection.", "PMID": 770159} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3104", "title": "The similarity between the primary structures of two non-histone chromosomal proteins.", "content": "A comparison has been made of two non-histone chromosomal proteins, high-mobility-group proteins 1 and 2. Peptides produced from the two proteins by various chemical and enzymic cleavages have been compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and peptide mapping. In addition the cysteine content, C-terminal sequences and amide content have been determined for both proteins. The results obtained, together with previous results, show that high-mobility-group proteins 1 and 2 have closely related primary structures, although obviously being different molecules. When analysed by isoelectric focusing both proteins exhibit complex banding patterns. In the case of high-mobility-group protein 1, this could be caused by aggregation, but with high-mobility-group protein 2 there are four distinctive subfractions focusing between pH 7.8 and 8.9.", "contents": "The similarity between the primary structures of two non-histone chromosomal proteins. A comparison has been made of two non-histone chromosomal proteins, high-mobility-group proteins 1 and 2. Peptides produced from the two proteins by various chemical and enzymic cleavages have been compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and peptide mapping. In addition the cysteine content, C-terminal sequences and amide content have been determined for both proteins. The results obtained, together with previous results, show that high-mobility-group proteins 1 and 2 have closely related primary structures, although obviously being different molecules. When analysed by isoelectric focusing both proteins exhibit complex banding patterns. In the case of high-mobility-group protein 1, this could be caused by aggregation, but with high-mobility-group protein 2 there are four distinctive subfractions focusing between pH 7.8 and 8.9.", "PMID": 770162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3105", "title": "Replication of Escherichia coli DNA in vitro: inhibition by oxolinic acid.", "content": "Oxolinic acid, a quinolone antibacterial agent, inhibits reversibly the ATP-dependent replicative DNA synthesis in permeable cell systems as well as in cellophane disk lysates. It is about 10-fold more active than the structurally related nalidixic acid. Both drugs have no effect on the ATP-independent DNA repair, but interfere to some extent with RNA synthesis in permeable cells. They appear to interact with the same target since spontaneous nalidixic-acid-resistant mutants of nalA phenotype are also resistant to oxolinic acid. Full sensitivity to oxolinic acid can be conferred to lysates from resistant cells by addition of extracts from sensitive cells.", "contents": "Replication of Escherichia coli DNA in vitro: inhibition by oxolinic acid. Oxolinic acid, a quinolone antibacterial agent, inhibits reversibly the ATP-dependent replicative DNA synthesis in permeable cell systems as well as in cellophane disk lysates. It is about 10-fold more active than the structurally related nalidixic acid. Both drugs have no effect on the ATP-independent DNA repair, but interfere to some extent with RNA synthesis in permeable cells. They appear to interact with the same target since spontaneous nalidixic-acid-resistant mutants of nalA phenotype are also resistant to oxolinic acid. Full sensitivity to oxolinic acid can be conferred to lysates from resistant cells by addition of extracts from sensitive cells.", "PMID": 770163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3106", "title": "A simple method for measuring specific radioactivities of ribonucleoside triphosphates using RNA polymerase.", "content": "We describe a method for the rapid, one-step determination of the specific radioactivity and pool size of ATP, UTP, CTP or GTP. Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and poly[d(A-T)] or poly[d(G-C)] are used to synthesize an alternating copolymer from a [3H]nucleoside triphosphate of unknown specific activity and a [14C]nucleoside triphosphate of known specific activity. The fact that [3H]nucleotide and [14C]nucleotide are incorporated into poly[r(A-U)] or poly[r(G-C)] in equimolar amounts, coupled with a knowledge of the [14C]nucleotide specific activity, permits calculation of the [3H]nucleotide specific activity. The requirement for direct knowledge of the [14C]nucleotide specific activity may be bypassed by an isotope dilution procedure. The pool size of a nucleoside triphosphate can be estimated either from isotope dilution data or by determining the fraction of [3H]nucleotide polymerized, dividing the number of counts 3H/min in the polymer by this fraction and by the [3H]nucleotide specific activity. The method was successfully applied to acid extracts made from sea urchin embryos labeled with a [3H]RNA precursor.", "contents": "A simple method for measuring specific radioactivities of ribonucleoside triphosphates using RNA polymerase. We describe a method for the rapid, one-step determination of the specific radioactivity and pool size of ATP, UTP, CTP or GTP. Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and poly[d(A-T)] or poly[d(G-C)] are used to synthesize an alternating copolymer from a [3H]nucleoside triphosphate of unknown specific activity and a [14C]nucleoside triphosphate of known specific activity. The fact that [3H]nucleotide and [14C]nucleotide are incorporated into poly[r(A-U)] or poly[r(G-C)] in equimolar amounts, coupled with a knowledge of the [14C]nucleotide specific activity, permits calculation of the [3H]nucleotide specific activity. The requirement for direct knowledge of the [14C]nucleotide specific activity may be bypassed by an isotope dilution procedure. The pool size of a nucleoside triphosphate can be estimated either from isotope dilution data or by determining the fraction of [3H]nucleotide polymerized, dividing the number of counts 3H/min in the polymer by this fraction and by the [3H]nucleotide specific activity. The method was successfully applied to acid extracts made from sea urchin embryos labeled with a [3H]RNA precursor.", "PMID": 770164} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3107", "title": "Isolation and analysis of the lipid A backbone. Lipid A structure of lipopolysaccharides from various bacterial groups.", "content": "A degradation procedure of lipopolysaccharides was worked out which allows the isolation of the reduced backbone of lipid A in a total yield of between 20 and 30%. This procedure was applied to lipopolysaccharides of S forms (Salmonella minnesota, Shigella flexneri 5b, Escherichia coli 086, E. coli 0111, Xanthomonas sinensis, Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa) and R mutants (Salmonella minnesota, Shigella flexneri, 5b, E. coli BB9 and E. coli EH 100). Chemical analysis, reaction with beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and application of methylation analysis revealed that the lipid A backbone of all strains contains beta 1', 6-linked glucosamine disaccharides carrying two phosphate groups, one in glycosidic and one in ester linkage, a structure, identified previously in the Salmonella minnesota Re mutant.", "contents": "Isolation and analysis of the lipid A backbone. Lipid A structure of lipopolysaccharides from various bacterial groups. A degradation procedure of lipopolysaccharides was worked out which allows the isolation of the reduced backbone of lipid A in a total yield of between 20 and 30%. This procedure was applied to lipopolysaccharides of S forms (Salmonella minnesota, Shigella flexneri 5b, Escherichia coli 086, E. coli 0111, Xanthomonas sinensis, Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa) and R mutants (Salmonella minnesota, Shigella flexneri, 5b, E. coli BB9 and E. coli EH 100). Chemical analysis, reaction with beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and application of methylation analysis revealed that the lipid A backbone of all strains contains beta 1', 6-linked glucosamine disaccharides carrying two phosphate groups, one in glycosidic and one in ester linkage, a structure, identified previously in the Salmonella minnesota Re mutant.", "PMID": 770165} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3108", "title": "Specific irreversible inhibition of enzymes concomitant to the oxidation of carbanionic enzyme-substrate intermediates by hexacyanoferrate (III).", "content": "Four different enzymes, class I fructose-1,6-biphosphate aldolase from rabbit muscle, class II fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase from yeast, transaldolase, and transketolase, are inactivated progressively in the presence of their specific substrates and hexacyanoferrate(III). The inactivation is strictly linked to the oxidation of the carbanionic enzyme-substrate intermediates of these enzymes reported previously [Healy, M. J. and Christen, P. (1973) Biochemistry, 12, 35]. However, the loss of activity is not due to the products of this oxidation, i.e. to hexacyanoferrate(II), or to the oxidation product of the substrate such as hydroxypyruvaldehyde phosphate in the case of aldolase [Healy, M. J. and Christen, P. (1972) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 94, 7911]. The inactivation is not reversed on removal of low-molecular-weight compounds by gel filtration or extensive dialysis indicating a covalent modification of the enzyme. The rate of inactivation obeys saturation kinetics with respect to substrate concentration. Hence, the modifying agent is a transiently reactive intermediate formed during the oxidation of the carbanionic enzyme-substrate intermediate by hexacyanoferrate(III).", "contents": "Specific irreversible inhibition of enzymes concomitant to the oxidation of carbanionic enzyme-substrate intermediates by hexacyanoferrate (III). Four different enzymes, class I fructose-1,6-biphosphate aldolase from rabbit muscle, class II fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase from yeast, transaldolase, and transketolase, are inactivated progressively in the presence of their specific substrates and hexacyanoferrate(III). The inactivation is strictly linked to the oxidation of the carbanionic enzyme-substrate intermediates of these enzymes reported previously [Healy, M. J. and Christen, P. (1973) Biochemistry, 12, 35]. However, the loss of activity is not due to the products of this oxidation, i.e. to hexacyanoferrate(II), or to the oxidation product of the substrate such as hydroxypyruvaldehyde phosphate in the case of aldolase [Healy, M. J. and Christen, P. (1972) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 94, 7911]. The inactivation is not reversed on removal of low-molecular-weight compounds by gel filtration or extensive dialysis indicating a covalent modification of the enzyme. The rate of inactivation obeys saturation kinetics with respect to substrate concentration. Hence, the modifying agent is a transiently reactive intermediate formed during the oxidation of the carbanionic enzyme-substrate intermediate by hexacyanoferrate(III).", "PMID": 770167} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3109", "title": "[Study of the lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli K12 CR34].", "content": "The structure of the lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli K12, strain CR34 has been investigated. The lipopolysaccharide contains D-galactose, D-glucose, D-glucosamine, L-glycero D-mannoheptose, 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate and lipid A. The core region does not contain D-glucosamine but contains galactose, glucose, and heptose in the molar ratios 1:3:6. Methylations were performed on the lipopolysaccharide and on the degraded polysaccharide obtained after acetic acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide. It was found that galactose is in terminal position partly in the form of galactopyranose, partly in the form of galactofuranose. A part of the heptose was found as unsubstituted heptofuranose. A mole of glucose was 1 leads to 2 linked and another mole of glucose was 1 leads to 6 linked. Periodate oxidation of the lipopolysaccharide followed by borohydride reduction eliminates galactose and only a part of glucose and of heptose. A mole of heptose gave mannose and thus it is unsubstituted in C6 and C7. One mole of glucose and one mole of heptose were not degraded by periodate oxidation.", "contents": "[Study of the lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli K12 CR34]. The structure of the lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli K12, strain CR34 has been investigated. The lipopolysaccharide contains D-galactose, D-glucose, D-glucosamine, L-glycero D-mannoheptose, 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate and lipid A. The core region does not contain D-glucosamine but contains galactose, glucose, and heptose in the molar ratios 1:3:6. Methylations were performed on the lipopolysaccharide and on the degraded polysaccharide obtained after acetic acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide. It was found that galactose is in terminal position partly in the form of galactopyranose, partly in the form of galactofuranose. A part of the heptose was found as unsubstituted heptofuranose. A mole of glucose was 1 leads to 2 linked and another mole of glucose was 1 leads to 6 linked. Periodate oxidation of the lipopolysaccharide followed by borohydride reduction eliminates galactose and only a part of glucose and of heptose. A mole of heptose gave mannose and thus it is unsubstituted in C6 and C7. One mole of glucose and one mole of heptose were not degraded by periodate oxidation.", "PMID": 770168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3110", "title": "The major proteins of the Escherichia coli outer cell-envelope membrane. Heterogeneity of protein I.", "content": "One of the major proteins of the Escherichia coli outer cell envelope membrane, protein I, can be separated electrophoretically into protein components Ia and Ib. Strain differences exist regarding presence or absence of component Ib and this component can selectively be lost by mutation to resistance against a phage. Both components Ia and Ib are further heterogeneous isoelectrically, and both together may contain at lease six separable isoelectric species. As judged by analysis of their cyanogen bromide fragments, Ia and Ib are almost identical concerning their primary structure; the difference (charge only or size and charge) was located in a part of the protein that does not correspond to the C-terminal or N-terminal regions. Components Ia and Ib thus represent essentially the same polypeptide and they may arise by a modification process in vitro or the existence of two almost identical genes.", "contents": "The major proteins of the Escherichia coli outer cell-envelope membrane. Heterogeneity of protein I. One of the major proteins of the Escherichia coli outer cell envelope membrane, protein I, can be separated electrophoretically into protein components Ia and Ib. Strain differences exist regarding presence or absence of component Ib and this component can selectively be lost by mutation to resistance against a phage. Both components Ia and Ib are further heterogeneous isoelectrically, and both together may contain at lease six separable isoelectric species. As judged by analysis of their cyanogen bromide fragments, Ia and Ib are almost identical concerning their primary structure; the difference (charge only or size and charge) was located in a part of the protein that does not correspond to the C-terminal or N-terminal regions. Components Ia and Ib thus represent essentially the same polypeptide and they may arise by a modification process in vitro or the existence of two almost identical genes.", "PMID": 770169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3111", "title": "The use of a cleavable crosslinking reagent to identify neighboring proteins in the 30-S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli.", "content": "A cleavable bifunctional reagent, dimethyl 3,3'-dithiobispropionimidate, has been used to crosslink proteins that occupy neighboring positions in the 30-S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli. The crosslinked proteins were identified, fully or partly, by their positions in two two-dimensional gel electrophoretic systems, one diagonal and the other quasi-diagonal, in which the complexes were cleaved after the first-dimensional run. It was found to be necessary to block the protein sulfhydryl groups in order to prevent artifactual disulfide crosslinking after extraction of the protein from ribosome. Eleven crosslinked complexes were detected. Four were fully identified: the triplet S4-S5-S8, and the pairs S2-S3, S4-S5, and S5-S8. In five others one component was identified unambiguously. No additional complexes were seen when the longer homologous butyro and capro reagents were used.", "contents": "The use of a cleavable crosslinking reagent to identify neighboring proteins in the 30-S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli. A cleavable bifunctional reagent, dimethyl 3,3'-dithiobispropionimidate, has been used to crosslink proteins that occupy neighboring positions in the 30-S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli. The crosslinked proteins were identified, fully or partly, by their positions in two two-dimensional gel electrophoretic systems, one diagonal and the other quasi-diagonal, in which the complexes were cleaved after the first-dimensional run. It was found to be necessary to block the protein sulfhydryl groups in order to prevent artifactual disulfide crosslinking after extraction of the protein from ribosome. Eleven crosslinked complexes were detected. Four were fully identified: the triplet S4-S5-S8, and the pairs S2-S3, S4-S5, and S5-S8. In five others one component was identified unambiguously. No additional complexes were seen when the longer homologous butyro and capro reagents were used.", "PMID": 770170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3112", "title": "Functional hybrid enzymes reconstituted from Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens RNA polymerase subunits.", "content": "RNA polymerase was isolated from Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens. The subunits of both enzymes were separated by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate sheets in the presence of urea. Under conditions favouring reconstitution of the RNA polymerases, stoichiometric amounts of the subunits were allowed to interact. Active hybrid enzymes were formed if corresponding subunits of both enzymes were mutually exchanged. The analysis of the RNA products synthesized showed that the reconstituted enzymes are able to recognize the promoters for transcription and the termination signals on the DNA template. The transcription products can serve as messengers for cell-free protein synthesis.", "contents": "Functional hybrid enzymes reconstituted from Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens RNA polymerase subunits. RNA polymerase was isolated from Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens. The subunits of both enzymes were separated by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate sheets in the presence of urea. Under conditions favouring reconstitution of the RNA polymerases, stoichiometric amounts of the subunits were allowed to interact. Active hybrid enzymes were formed if corresponding subunits of both enzymes were mutually exchanged. The analysis of the RNA products synthesized showed that the reconstituted enzymes are able to recognize the promoters for transcription and the termination signals on the DNA template. The transcription products can serve as messengers for cell-free protein synthesis.", "PMID": 770171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3113", "title": "Labelling of L-isoleucine tRNA ligase from Escherichia coli with L-isoleucyl-bromomethyl ketone.", "content": "L-Isoleucine: tRNA ligase from Escherichia coli could be irreversibly inactivated by L-isoleucyl-bromomethyl ketone but not by L-isoleucyl-chromethyl ketone. The inactivation rate exhibited a saturation concentration dependence typical for an affinity reagent. L-Isoleucine provided 100% protection against inactivation at saturating concentration, whereas ATP, AMP, and pyrophosphate offered partial protection and tRNAIle, no protection. The ligase was labelled in preparative scale with L-[14C]isoleucyl-bromethyl ketone. The molar ration of label incorporated to enzyme inactivated was close to unity. The protein was subsequently subjected to tryptic digestion and the radioactive peptide isolated and identified. The labelled amino acid proved to be the same cysteine previously reported as being labelled with N-[14C]ethylmaleimide [Kula, M.-R. (1974) FEBS Lett. 46, 130-133].", "contents": "Labelling of L-isoleucine tRNA ligase from Escherichia coli with L-isoleucyl-bromomethyl ketone. L-Isoleucine: tRNA ligase from Escherichia coli could be irreversibly inactivated by L-isoleucyl-bromomethyl ketone but not by L-isoleucyl-chromethyl ketone. The inactivation rate exhibited a saturation concentration dependence typical for an affinity reagent. L-Isoleucine provided 100% protection against inactivation at saturating concentration, whereas ATP, AMP, and pyrophosphate offered partial protection and tRNAIle, no protection. The ligase was labelled in preparative scale with L-[14C]isoleucyl-bromethyl ketone. The molar ration of label incorporated to enzyme inactivated was close to unity. The protein was subsequently subjected to tryptic digestion and the radioactive peptide isolated and identified. The labelled amino acid proved to be the same cysteine previously reported as being labelled with N-[14C]ethylmaleimide [Kula, M.-R. (1974) FEBS Lett. 46, 130-133].", "PMID": 770172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3114", "title": "Interactions of guanosine triphosphate analogues with elongation factor G of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that the GTP analogue guanosine 3'-diphosphate 5'-triphosphate (pppGpp) was almost without activity in the translocation reaction catalyzed by elongation factor G (EF-G), while it was fully active with elongation factor T (EF-T) and initiation factor 2 (IF-2). To assess the importance of the 3'-ribose hydroxyl itself in the translocation reaction, we examined polyphenylalamine synthesis and EF-G-dependent formation of N-acetylphenylalanylphenylalanylpuromycin (Ac-Phe2-puromycin) supported by 3'-deoxyguanosine 5'-triphosphate (3'dGTP) and 3'-deoxy-3'-aminoguanosine 5'-triphosphate (3'dNH2GTP). Like pppGpp, these nucleotides were similar to GTP in EF-T and IF-2dependent reactions. We also examined the ability of the dialcohol derived from GTP by periodate oxidation and borohydride reduction (rroGTP) and of ITP to support translocation. These compounds had shown significant, although reduced, activity with EF-T and IF-2. A spectrum of activity was found with these compounds in both poly(Phe) synthesis and Ac-Phe2-puromycin formation. All had significantly reduced activity relative to GTP, but all were significantly more active than pppGpp. A surprising finding was that the activities of all analogues relative to GTP were dependent on the reaction temperature in both poly(Phe) synthesis and Ac-Phe2-puromycin formation; these relative activities were significantly lower at 8 degrees C after than 37 degrees C. Furthermore, the extent of poly(Phe) synthesis with the analogues relative to GTP could be significantly affected by the amounts of EF-G and EF-T in the reaction mixture. Differences were minimized in the presence of rate-limiting EF-T and saturating EF-G and maximized in the presence of rate-limiting EF-G and saturating EF-T. This effect of reducing the level of EF-G in the reaction mixture thus mimicked the effect of lowering the incubation temperature, and a similar observation was made for Ac-Phe2-puromycin formation. GTP-supported formation of Ac-Phe2-puromycin at 8 degress C could be inhibited by 3'dNH2GTP, 3'dGTP, pppGpp, and ITP: these compounds were better inhibitors than they were substrates. Inhibition by other nucleotides was also noted. The GTP analogues were compared to GTP as substrates in EF-G-dependent reactions uncoupled from protein synthesis. Fusidic-acid-dependent binding of nucleotides to ribosomes and ribosome-dependent catalytic nucleotide hydrolysis were both examined, and the activity of the nucleotides as substrates in these ractions showed little correlation with their ability to support translocation.", "contents": "Interactions of guanosine triphosphate analogues with elongation factor G of Escherichia coli. Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that the GTP analogue guanosine 3'-diphosphate 5'-triphosphate (pppGpp) was almost without activity in the translocation reaction catalyzed by elongation factor G (EF-G), while it was fully active with elongation factor T (EF-T) and initiation factor 2 (IF-2). To assess the importance of the 3'-ribose hydroxyl itself in the translocation reaction, we examined polyphenylalamine synthesis and EF-G-dependent formation of N-acetylphenylalanylphenylalanylpuromycin (Ac-Phe2-puromycin) supported by 3'-deoxyguanosine 5'-triphosphate (3'dGTP) and 3'-deoxy-3'-aminoguanosine 5'-triphosphate (3'dNH2GTP). Like pppGpp, these nucleotides were similar to GTP in EF-T and IF-2dependent reactions. We also examined the ability of the dialcohol derived from GTP by periodate oxidation and borohydride reduction (rroGTP) and of ITP to support translocation. These compounds had shown significant, although reduced, activity with EF-T and IF-2. A spectrum of activity was found with these compounds in both poly(Phe) synthesis and Ac-Phe2-puromycin formation. All had significantly reduced activity relative to GTP, but all were significantly more active than pppGpp. A surprising finding was that the activities of all analogues relative to GTP were dependent on the reaction temperature in both poly(Phe) synthesis and Ac-Phe2-puromycin formation; these relative activities were significantly lower at 8 degrees C after than 37 degrees C. Furthermore, the extent of poly(Phe) synthesis with the analogues relative to GTP could be significantly affected by the amounts of EF-G and EF-T in the reaction mixture. Differences were minimized in the presence of rate-limiting EF-T and saturating EF-G and maximized in the presence of rate-limiting EF-G and saturating EF-T. This effect of reducing the level of EF-G in the reaction mixture thus mimicked the effect of lowering the incubation temperature, and a similar observation was made for Ac-Phe2-puromycin formation. GTP-supported formation of Ac-Phe2-puromycin at 8 degress C could be inhibited by 3'dNH2GTP, 3'dGTP, pppGpp, and ITP: these compounds were better inhibitors than they were substrates. Inhibition by other nucleotides was also noted. The GTP analogues were compared to GTP as substrates in EF-G-dependent reactions uncoupled from protein synthesis. Fusidic-acid-dependent binding of nucleotides to ribosomes and ribosome-dependent catalytic nucleotide hydrolysis were both examined, and the activity of the nucleotides as substrates in these ractions showed little correlation with their ability to support translocation.", "PMID": 770173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3115", "title": "Membrane hybridization by centrifugation analysed by lipid phase transitions and reconstitution of NADH-oxidase-activity.", "content": "A procedure is described to hybridize cytoplasmic membranes of Escherichia coli. The method involves high-speed contrifugation of two different vesicle preparations at 37 degrees C in the presence of cations such as spermine or Mg2+. The occurrence of hybridization is shown by the following experiments. Firstly, formation of a mixed lipis phase starting from two membranes having a different hydrocarbon chain composition in their phospholipids. Secondly, formation of a hybrid membrane having an intermediate lipid to protein ratio from two membrane fractions having different lipid to protein ratios. Thirdly, reconstitution of NADH oxidase activity by hybridization of two membrane fractions, one lacking active cytochromes and the other being deficient in quinones. It is proposed that hybridization occurs by fusion of vesicles during the tight association of collapsed vesicles under high centrifugal forces. This interpretation is supported by electron microscopy of the membrane pellets after centrifugation. However, lipid transfer as the mechanism of hybridization cannot be excluded and attempts to reconstitute active galactoside transport by complementation of beta-galactoside transport-deficient membranes and cytochrome-deficient membranes have been unsuccessful.", "contents": "Membrane hybridization by centrifugation analysed by lipid phase transitions and reconstitution of NADH-oxidase-activity. A procedure is described to hybridize cytoplasmic membranes of Escherichia coli. The method involves high-speed contrifugation of two different vesicle preparations at 37 degrees C in the presence of cations such as spermine or Mg2+. The occurrence of hybridization is shown by the following experiments. Firstly, formation of a mixed lipis phase starting from two membranes having a different hydrocarbon chain composition in their phospholipids. Secondly, formation of a hybrid membrane having an intermediate lipid to protein ratio from two membrane fractions having different lipid to protein ratios. Thirdly, reconstitution of NADH oxidase activity by hybridization of two membrane fractions, one lacking active cytochromes and the other being deficient in quinones. It is proposed that hybridization occurs by fusion of vesicles during the tight association of collapsed vesicles under high centrifugal forces. This interpretation is supported by electron microscopy of the membrane pellets after centrifugation. However, lipid transfer as the mechanism of hybridization cannot be excluded and attempts to reconstitute active galactoside transport by complementation of beta-galactoside transport-deficient membranes and cytochrome-deficient membranes have been unsuccessful.", "PMID": 770174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3116", "title": "Factors affecting the release of folded chromosomes from Escherichia coli.", "content": "1. The envelope-bound folded chromosome prepared by gentle lysis of Escherichia coli K 12 DG 75 cells in the presence of 1.0 M sodium chloride was found to be a non-specific complex of DNA strands entangled in vesicle-like envelope structures. This envelope remnant is still more or less rod-shaped. 2. Both the envelope-bound and the envelope-free folded chromosomes arise directly from intact cells. Even under extreme conditions of lysis, envelope-bound chromosomes cannot be converted into envelope-free nucleoids.", "contents": "Factors affecting the release of folded chromosomes from Escherichia coli. 1. The envelope-bound folded chromosome prepared by gentle lysis of Escherichia coli K 12 DG 75 cells in the presence of 1.0 M sodium chloride was found to be a non-specific complex of DNA strands entangled in vesicle-like envelope structures. This envelope remnant is still more or less rod-shaped. 2. Both the envelope-bound and the envelope-free folded chromosomes arise directly from intact cells. Even under extreme conditions of lysis, envelope-bound chromosomes cannot be converted into envelope-free nucleoids.", "PMID": 770175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3117", "title": "The study of DNA-RNA-polymerase complexes by kinetic formaldehyde method.", "content": "A modification of the kinetic formaldehyde method has been proposed providing a possibility for locally denatured regions (defects) formed in DNA preincubated with RNA polymerase (in the absence of nucleoside triphosphates) to be detected. This modification consists in a previous fixation of DNA-enzyme complex with small concentrations of formaldehyde, which do not induce formation of defects in DNA alone. The method has been calibrated under the conditions favourable to RNA synthesis. Studies of the effect of the fixation conditions on the number of defects in DNA interacting with RNA polymerase have shown that the number of defects is constant with formaldehyde fixation concentration between 0.05% and 0.3-0.5% and with fixation time between 2 min and 100 min. The dependence of the number of defects in DNA on RNA polymerase concentration at low ionic strength (0.05 M KCl) is presented by a curve with a plateau. From the initial linear part of the curve it has been found that the enzyme bound to DNA as a monomer. At the excess of the enzyme the mean number of nucleotide pairs between defects is 400-500. Increase of ionic strength results in decrease of the number of defects in DNA. The number of defects depends on temperature of preincubation of the complex. There were no defects in DNA at temperatures below 20 degrees C. At temperatures above 30 degrees C the number of defects reaches saturation. A sharp transition occurs in the range of temperatures between 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C. Analysis of the experimental and literature data, concerning the interaction of formaldehyde and amino acid methylol derivatives with DNA bases, leads to the conclusion that the mechanism of the formation of defects in helical DNA most likely consists in its unwinding or sharp weakening upon binding of RNA polymerase, prior to addition of formaldehyde.", "contents": "The study of DNA-RNA-polymerase complexes by kinetic formaldehyde method. A modification of the kinetic formaldehyde method has been proposed providing a possibility for locally denatured regions (defects) formed in DNA preincubated with RNA polymerase (in the absence of nucleoside triphosphates) to be detected. This modification consists in a previous fixation of DNA-enzyme complex with small concentrations of formaldehyde, which do not induce formation of defects in DNA alone. The method has been calibrated under the conditions favourable to RNA synthesis. Studies of the effect of the fixation conditions on the number of defects in DNA interacting with RNA polymerase have shown that the number of defects is constant with formaldehyde fixation concentration between 0.05% and 0.3-0.5% and with fixation time between 2 min and 100 min. The dependence of the number of defects in DNA on RNA polymerase concentration at low ionic strength (0.05 M KCl) is presented by a curve with a plateau. From the initial linear part of the curve it has been found that the enzyme bound to DNA as a monomer. At the excess of the enzyme the mean number of nucleotide pairs between defects is 400-500. Increase of ionic strength results in decrease of the number of defects in DNA. The number of defects depends on temperature of preincubation of the complex. There were no defects in DNA at temperatures below 20 degrees C. At temperatures above 30 degrees C the number of defects reaches saturation. A sharp transition occurs in the range of temperatures between 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C. Analysis of the experimental and literature data, concerning the interaction of formaldehyde and amino acid methylol derivatives with DNA bases, leads to the conclusion that the mechanism of the formation of defects in helical DNA most likely consists in its unwinding or sharp weakening upon binding of RNA polymerase, prior to addition of formaldehyde.", "PMID": 770176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3118", "title": "Dryander of Marburg's woodcut (the oldest transposition?)", "content": "A sixteenth century woodcut depicting atypical congenitally corrected transposition is described. The possibility that the artist saw an example of the condition is considered in the light of Galen's theory of the circulation.", "contents": "Dryander of Marburg's woodcut (the oldest transposition?). A sixteenth century woodcut depicting atypical congenitally corrected transposition is described. The possibility that the artist saw an example of the condition is considered in the light of Galen's theory of the circulation.", "PMID": 770178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3119", "title": "The morphogenesis of transposition of the great arteries, 1875-1975.", "content": "A century of embryological theory with respect to the morphogenesis of transposition is reviewed. The differing opinions are discussed in the light of experimental study, and a suggestion for further experimentation is outlined.", "contents": "The morphogenesis of transposition of the great arteries, 1875-1975. A century of embryological theory with respect to the morphogenesis of transposition is reviewed. The differing opinions are discussed in the light of experimental study, and a suggestion for further experimentation is outlined.", "PMID": 770179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3120", "title": "Recovery from aplastic anemia following attempted marrow transplantation.", "content": "A 23-year-old man with severe idiopathic aplastic anemia was prepared for marrow transplantation by the administration of cyclophosphamide (CY) 50 mg/kg on each of 4 days. He then received an intravenous infusion of 9.5 x 10(9) marrow cells from an HL-A matched and mixed leukocyte culture non-reactive sister. The graft was successfully established as shown by cytogenetic studies but was rejected after approximately 4 weeks. In preparation for a second transplant he was given procarbazine 12.5 mg/kg and goat antihuman thymocyte globulin (ATG) 7 mg/kg administered on alternate days for a total of 4 doses of each agent. At the end of this therapy his white blood cell count was noted to be going up and the second transplant was not carried out. Complete hematologic recovery of host type marrow ensued and persists now 20 months later. The various pathophysiologic mechanisms that may be involved are discussed.", "contents": "Recovery from aplastic anemia following attempted marrow transplantation. A 23-year-old man with severe idiopathic aplastic anemia was prepared for marrow transplantation by the administration of cyclophosphamide (CY) 50 mg/kg on each of 4 days. He then received an intravenous infusion of 9.5 x 10(9) marrow cells from an HL-A matched and mixed leukocyte culture non-reactive sister. The graft was successfully established as shown by cytogenetic studies but was rejected after approximately 4 weeks. In preparation for a second transplant he was given procarbazine 12.5 mg/kg and goat antihuman thymocyte globulin (ATG) 7 mg/kg administered on alternate days for a total of 4 doses of each agent. At the end of this therapy his white blood cell count was noted to be going up and the second transplant was not carried out. Complete hematologic recovery of host type marrow ensued and persists now 20 months later. The various pathophysiologic mechanisms that may be involved are discussed.", "PMID": 770181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3121", "title": "Animal models of diabetes and obesity, including the PBB/Ld mouse.", "content": "Diabetes mellitus occurs in many animals species. However, only a few have been utilized in systematic studies designed to answer unsolved problems associated with the disorder in man such as molecular basis, pathogenesis of the vascular and neural lesions, and the roles of diet, exercise and obesity. Among the animal models available, rodents have been studied most thoroughly for a number of reasons: a) short generation time (sexually mature at about 3 mo of age, gestation time 21 days) and life-span is approximately 3 yr; b) hyperglycemia and/or obesity is known to be inherited in several species; c) environmental factors can be controlled easily in the laboratory because of small size; and d) economic considerations. The better-known rodent diabetes/obesity syndromes may be categorized as follows: 1) hyperglycemic with ketoacidosis, nonobese (Chinese hamster, South African hamster); 2) hyperglycemic with insulin hypersecretion, moderate obesity and may develop ketoacidosis (diabetic mouse (db/db), spiny mouse, sand rat); and 3) less pronounced hyperglycemia with hyperinsulinemia, insulin \"resistance\" and marked obesity (obese (ob/ob), yellow (Ay) and New Zealand obese (NZO) mice, and the Zucker \"fatty\" rat). The PBB/Ld mouse, described here in detail for the first time, is a new strain of mouse that also fits into the latter category. Members of this strain following maturity develop an obesity that is characterized by increasing cellularity of adipose tissue, increased serum immunoreactive insulin, reduced glucose tolerance, fatty liver, and hyperlipidemia. Therefore, this strain of mouse represents another model for study of adult onset obesity.", "contents": "Animal models of diabetes and obesity, including the PBB/Ld mouse. Diabetes mellitus occurs in many animals species. However, only a few have been utilized in systematic studies designed to answer unsolved problems associated with the disorder in man such as molecular basis, pathogenesis of the vascular and neural lesions, and the roles of diet, exercise and obesity. Among the animal models available, rodents have been studied most thoroughly for a number of reasons: a) short generation time (sexually mature at about 3 mo of age, gestation time 21 days) and life-span is approximately 3 yr; b) hyperglycemia and/or obesity is known to be inherited in several species; c) environmental factors can be controlled easily in the laboratory because of small size; and d) economic considerations. The better-known rodent diabetes/obesity syndromes may be categorized as follows: 1) hyperglycemic with ketoacidosis, nonobese (Chinese hamster, South African hamster); 2) hyperglycemic with insulin hypersecretion, moderate obesity and may develop ketoacidosis (diabetic mouse (db/db), spiny mouse, sand rat); and 3) less pronounced hyperglycemia with hyperinsulinemia, insulin \"resistance\" and marked obesity (obese (ob/ob), yellow (Ay) and New Zealand obese (NZO) mice, and the Zucker \"fatty\" rat). The PBB/Ld mouse, described here in detail for the first time, is a new strain of mouse that also fits into the latter category. Members of this strain following maturity develop an obesity that is characterized by increasing cellularity of adipose tissue, increased serum immunoreactive insulin, reduced glucose tolerance, fatty liver, and hyperlipidemia. Therefore, this strain of mouse represents another model for study of adult onset obesity.", "PMID": 770197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3122", "title": "Maintenance of a constant brain extracellular potassium.", "content": "The development of potassium specific ion exchanger microelectrodes has enabled investigators to measure directly brain extracellular potassium ion activity. Although serum potassium in various species ranges between 3.5 and 6 mEq/l, brain extracellular potassium is maintained at a level close to 3 mEq/l independent of fluctuations in serum values. Despite this buffering of the internal brain environment by extracerebral changes, local variations in extracellular potassium occur in response to evoked neuronal activity, seizures, and spreading depression. Mechanisms involved in the maintenance of this ionic homeostasis in the brain include mediated transport at the level of the cerebral capillary and the choroid plexus epithelium. In addition, there are ouabain-sensitive clearance mechanisms presumably involving Na,K-ATPase that participate in the removal of excess potassium. The relative roles of simple diffusion, high glial cell conductance of potassium, and active ionic pumps in restoring basal potassium levels after activity are still controversial.", "contents": "Maintenance of a constant brain extracellular potassium. The development of potassium specific ion exchanger microelectrodes has enabled investigators to measure directly brain extracellular potassium ion activity. Although serum potassium in various species ranges between 3.5 and 6 mEq/l, brain extracellular potassium is maintained at a level close to 3 mEq/l independent of fluctuations in serum values. Despite this buffering of the internal brain environment by extracerebral changes, local variations in extracellular potassium occur in response to evoked neuronal activity, seizures, and spreading depression. Mechanisms involved in the maintenance of this ionic homeostasis in the brain include mediated transport at the level of the cerebral capillary and the choroid plexus epithelium. In addition, there are ouabain-sensitive clearance mechanisms presumably involving Na,K-ATPase that participate in the removal of excess potassium. The relative roles of simple diffusion, high glial cell conductance of potassium, and active ionic pumps in restoring basal potassium levels after activity are still controversial.", "PMID": 770198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3123", "title": "Change of potassium activity associated with membrane current flow.", "content": "Potassium-sensitive liquid ion exchanger microelectrodes are capable of recording fast concentration changes. Under suitable conditions, changes in extracellular potassium can be quantitatively measured during spike activity or voltage clamp pulses of exposed neurons. Comparison between transferred charge during outward current and the amount of extra potassium outside the cell reveals a deficit in net outward current, which is brought about by a long-lasting inward current. This inward current is facilitated by preceding depolarization and its appearance adds to a true inactivation of the potassium system. This is an example of how ion exchanger microelectrodes can be used to differentiate between time ionic fluxes underlying membrane currents. They are also useful in examining relations between neuronal activity and extracellular changes in potassium ion concentration in the central nervous system. Due to restricted diffusion in its extracellular space transient changes in potassium activity remain quite localized for considerable time. This makes it possible to identify discrete fields of activated neurons and to compare changes of neuronal excitability with variations of extracellular potassium activity.", "contents": "Change of potassium activity associated with membrane current flow. Potassium-sensitive liquid ion exchanger microelectrodes are capable of recording fast concentration changes. Under suitable conditions, changes in extracellular potassium can be quantitatively measured during spike activity or voltage clamp pulses of exposed neurons. Comparison between transferred charge during outward current and the amount of extra potassium outside the cell reveals a deficit in net outward current, which is brought about by a long-lasting inward current. This inward current is facilitated by preceding depolarization and its appearance adds to a true inactivation of the potassium system. This is an example of how ion exchanger microelectrodes can be used to differentiate between time ionic fluxes underlying membrane currents. They are also useful in examining relations between neuronal activity and extracellular changes in potassium ion concentration in the central nervous system. Due to restricted diffusion in its extracellular space transient changes in potassium activity remain quite localized for considerable time. This makes it possible to identify discrete fields of activated neurons and to compare changes of neuronal excitability with variations of extracellular potassium activity.", "PMID": 770199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3124", "title": "Events at the cardiac sarcolemma: localization and movement of contractile-dependent calcium.", "content": "At present there is a controversy about the appropriate model for excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling in mammalian heart muscle. There is an apparent conflict between the data derived from voltage clamp experiments and data derived from isotopic exchange studies. The maximum transsarcolemmal Ca influx as derived from voltage clamp studies is not more than 10 mumoles/kg wet weight heart per beat. This is barely enough to achieve 10% activation of contractile force. It has been proposed, therefore, that the remainder of the required Ca is derived from intracellular sites. However, ionic exchange studies, using specific E-C uncouplers such as lanthanum, indicate that the major source of coupling Ca is external to the sarcolemma. Its movement, during E-C coupling, would then have to be nonelectrogenic since influx of this quantity of Ca is not discerned with voltage clamp experiments. It is proposed that on excitation, Ca moves across the cardiac sarcolemma by two routes: 1) a small amount through a pore or channel and 2) a much larger amount via an electroneutral carrier. Movement through the pore would be electrogenic and therefore measurable with the voltage clamp whereas movement via the carrier would not be evident with the clamp. The model is consistent with the proposal that the immediate source of contractile-dependent Ca in mammalian heart is derived from sites external to the sarcolemmal (and T tubular) membrane.", "contents": "Events at the cardiac sarcolemma: localization and movement of contractile-dependent calcium. At present there is a controversy about the appropriate model for excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling in mammalian heart muscle. There is an apparent conflict between the data derived from voltage clamp experiments and data derived from isotopic exchange studies. The maximum transsarcolemmal Ca influx as derived from voltage clamp studies is not more than 10 mumoles/kg wet weight heart per beat. This is barely enough to achieve 10% activation of contractile force. It has been proposed, therefore, that the remainder of the required Ca is derived from intracellular sites. However, ionic exchange studies, using specific E-C uncouplers such as lanthanum, indicate that the major source of coupling Ca is external to the sarcolemma. Its movement, during E-C coupling, would then have to be nonelectrogenic since influx of this quantity of Ca is not discerned with voltage clamp experiments. It is proposed that on excitation, Ca moves across the cardiac sarcolemma by two routes: 1) a small amount through a pore or channel and 2) a much larger amount via an electroneutral carrier. Movement through the pore would be electrogenic and therefore measurable with the voltage clamp whereas movement via the carrier would not be evident with the clamp. The model is consistent with the proposal that the immediate source of contractile-dependent Ca in mammalian heart is derived from sites external to the sarcolemmal (and T tubular) membrane.", "PMID": 770200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3125", "title": "Excitation-contraction coupling--cardiac muscle events in the myofilament.", "content": "The interaction of myosin and actin is by intracellular Ca2+ concentration, which in turn is controlled by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In muscle--including cardiac muscle--of vertebrates, and some invertebrates, the site of Ca2+ control is in the thin, actin-containing filaments. These filaments contain tropomyosin and troponin; the latter is a complex of three subunits. When Ca2+ combines with troponin C, the Ca-binding subunit, a shift occurs in the position of tropomyosin that makes it possible for the myosin heads to bind to actin. This process is inhibited by a conformational change in troponin C, resulting in the release of the troponin complex from one of the binding sites on the thin filament. This process exhibits cooperative aspects which have been analyzed in terms of the Ca-binding process and the effect of Ca2+ on actomyosin ATPase activity.", "contents": "Excitation-contraction coupling--cardiac muscle events in the myofilament. The interaction of myosin and actin is by intracellular Ca2+ concentration, which in turn is controlled by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In muscle--including cardiac muscle--of vertebrates, and some invertebrates, the site of Ca2+ control is in the thin, actin-containing filaments. These filaments contain tropomyosin and troponin; the latter is a complex of three subunits. When Ca2+ combines with troponin C, the Ca-binding subunit, a shift occurs in the position of tropomyosin that makes it possible for the myosin heads to bind to actin. This process is inhibited by a conformational change in troponin C, resulting in the release of the troponin complex from one of the binding sites on the thin filament. This process exhibits cooperative aspects which have been analyzed in terms of the Ca-binding process and the effect of Ca2+ on actomyosin ATPase activity.", "PMID": 770201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3126", "title": "Ultrastructural aspects of activation and contraction of vascular smooth muscle.", "content": "Ultrastructural studies of potential intracellular calcium storage sites and of the organization of contractile proteins in vascular smooth muscle are reviewed. The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is a system of closed tubules present in every smooth muscle examined. The volume of the SR varies in different smooth muscles (from approximately 2.0 to 7.5% of cytoplasmic volume) and correlates with the ability of a given smooth muscle to contract in calcium-free media. The SR accumulates the divalent cation strontium and forms couplings with the surface membrane. Mitochondria are other potential sites of calcium accumulation in vascular smooth muscle, as indicated by the respiration supported accumulation of calcium (with a Km of approximately 17 muM) by isolated mitochondria and by the energy dependent accumulation of barium by mitochondria in situ. The presence of barium in mitochondrial granules in tissues contracted with barium and the presence of strontium and calcium in appropriately incubated preparations have been verified with electron probe microanalysis. Calcium has also been demonstrated in mitochondrial granules in frozen dried cardiac muscle sections and in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. This technique appears suitable for eventual quantitation of mitochondrial calcium content in vascular and other smooth muscles. Thin (actin, 50-80 A), thick (myosin, approximately 155 A), and intermediate (approximately 100 A) filaments are present in suitably fixed vascular smooth muscle. In rabbit portal anterior mesenteric vein intermediate high voltage stereo electron microscopy shows the myosin filaments to be tapered and approximately 2.2 mum long: significantly longer than the myosin filaments in vertebrate striated muscle. Actin filaments insert on dense bodies. The ultrastructural findings are compatible with physiological evidence suggesting the contributions of intracellular organelles to the regulation of cytoplasmic free calcium levels and the operation of a sliding filament mechanism of contraction in vertebrate smooth muscle.", "contents": "Ultrastructural aspects of activation and contraction of vascular smooth muscle. Ultrastructural studies of potential intracellular calcium storage sites and of the organization of contractile proteins in vascular smooth muscle are reviewed. The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is a system of closed tubules present in every smooth muscle examined. The volume of the SR varies in different smooth muscles (from approximately 2.0 to 7.5% of cytoplasmic volume) and correlates with the ability of a given smooth muscle to contract in calcium-free media. The SR accumulates the divalent cation strontium and forms couplings with the surface membrane. Mitochondria are other potential sites of calcium accumulation in vascular smooth muscle, as indicated by the respiration supported accumulation of calcium (with a Km of approximately 17 muM) by isolated mitochondria and by the energy dependent accumulation of barium by mitochondria in situ. The presence of barium in mitochondrial granules in tissues contracted with barium and the presence of strontium and calcium in appropriately incubated preparations have been verified with electron probe microanalysis. Calcium has also been demonstrated in mitochondrial granules in frozen dried cardiac muscle sections and in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. This technique appears suitable for eventual quantitation of mitochondrial calcium content in vascular and other smooth muscles. Thin (actin, 50-80 A), thick (myosin, approximately 155 A), and intermediate (approximately 100 A) filaments are present in suitably fixed vascular smooth muscle. In rabbit portal anterior mesenteric vein intermediate high voltage stereo electron microscopy shows the myosin filaments to be tapered and approximately 2.2 mum long: significantly longer than the myosin filaments in vertebrate striated muscle. Actin filaments insert on dense bodies. The ultrastructural findings are compatible with physiological evidence suggesting the contributions of intracellular organelles to the regulation of cytoplasmic free calcium levels and the operation of a sliding filament mechanism of contraction in vertebrate smooth muscle.", "PMID": 770202} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3127", "title": "Subcellular fractions of vascular smooth muscle exhibiting calcium transport properties.", "content": "Vascular smooth muscle relies on two general sources of activator calcium, one the extracellular fluid and the other intracellular sites in the coupling between stimulation at the external membrane and tension development. Electron microscopic studies have demonstrated at least two subcellular elements, mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum, that may participate in the release and/or sequestration of this activator calcium. In order to obtain quantitative answers to questions concerning the rates of calcium transport by these subcellular elements attempts to use differential centrifugation to obtain subcellular fractions from whole muscle homogenate have been reported. Mitochondrial enriched preparations have received little quantitative study as yet, although they possess active calcium uptake mechanisms. Nonmitochondrial preparations having active calcium uptake mechanisms have been found in a variety of smooth muscles. The method of preparation and properties of these nonmitochondrial preparations show a great deal of variation, indicating they are probably a heterogeneous mixture of sarcoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane. Some preliminary experiments on the effects of vasoactive agents and cyclic AMP on the calcium transport by these nonmitochondrial preparations have yielded conflicting results. Resolution of these problems awaits clear identification of the calcium transport mechanisms with their appropriate subcellular structure.", "contents": "Subcellular fractions of vascular smooth muscle exhibiting calcium transport properties. Vascular smooth muscle relies on two general sources of activator calcium, one the extracellular fluid and the other intracellular sites in the coupling between stimulation at the external membrane and tension development. Electron microscopic studies have demonstrated at least two subcellular elements, mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum, that may participate in the release and/or sequestration of this activator calcium. In order to obtain quantitative answers to questions concerning the rates of calcium transport by these subcellular elements attempts to use differential centrifugation to obtain subcellular fractions from whole muscle homogenate have been reported. Mitochondrial enriched preparations have received little quantitative study as yet, although they possess active calcium uptake mechanisms. Nonmitochondrial preparations having active calcium uptake mechanisms have been found in a variety of smooth muscles. The method of preparation and properties of these nonmitochondrial preparations show a great deal of variation, indicating they are probably a heterogeneous mixture of sarcoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane. Some preliminary experiments on the effects of vasoactive agents and cyclic AMP on the calcium transport by these nonmitochondrial preparations have yielded conflicting results. Resolution of these problems awaits clear identification of the calcium transport mechanisms with their appropriate subcellular structure.", "PMID": 770203} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3128", "title": "Nutrition and cancer.", "content": "There is increasing epidemiological evidence that nutrition plays a dominant role in the pathogenesis of several types of human cancers. There is considerable epidemiological evidence showing that alcoholism in part because of associated nutritional deficiencies, significantly increases the risk of smokers for cancer of the alimentary tract. There is also some suggestion that nutritional deficiencies may relate to cancers of the stomach, cervix, and thyroid. Of particular importance, and based on relatively new concepts, are data indicating that overnutrition significantly affects the development of certain cancers, including cancers of the colon and pancreas, kidney, breast, ovary endometrium, and prostate. Except for cancer of the endometrium, and kidney cancer in women, there is no significant relationship to obesity. Rather, the evidence suggests both epidemiologically and experimentally that the etiological factors relate to a high intake of fats and possibly other variables associated with high fat intake. While we are investigating the mechanistic nature of the epidemiological and experimental observations, the question that needs to be asked is whether it is not prudent for us to associate ourselves with the recommendation of our colleagues in the cardiovascular disease field who call on both individuals and the food industry to practice a \"Prudent Diet,\" i.e., one that is lower in total calories, total fat, saturated fats and cholesterol than is the present American diet.", "contents": "Nutrition and cancer. There is increasing epidemiological evidence that nutrition plays a dominant role in the pathogenesis of several types of human cancers. There is considerable epidemiological evidence showing that alcoholism in part because of associated nutritional deficiencies, significantly increases the risk of smokers for cancer of the alimentary tract. There is also some suggestion that nutritional deficiencies may relate to cancers of the stomach, cervix, and thyroid. Of particular importance, and based on relatively new concepts, are data indicating that overnutrition significantly affects the development of certain cancers, including cancers of the colon and pancreas, kidney, breast, ovary endometrium, and prostate. Except for cancer of the endometrium, and kidney cancer in women, there is no significant relationship to obesity. Rather, the evidence suggests both epidemiologically and experimentally that the etiological factors relate to a high intake of fats and possibly other variables associated with high fat intake. While we are investigating the mechanistic nature of the epidemiological and experimental observations, the question that needs to be asked is whether it is not prudent for us to associate ourselves with the recommendation of our colleagues in the cardiovascular disease field who call on both individuals and the food industry to practice a \"Prudent Diet,\" i.e., one that is lower in total calories, total fat, saturated fats and cholesterol than is the present American diet.", "PMID": 770204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3129", "title": "Carcinogens occurring naturally in foods.", "content": "Humans are susceptible to the carcinogenic action of a small group of organic and inorganic chemicals in certain industrial, medical, and social habit exposures. A larger number and wider variety of chemical carcinogens, primarily organic compounds, are known for experimental animals. Chemical carcinogens are also found among the metabolites of living cells. No common structure is evident among chemical carcinogens, and a majority of these agents are precarcinogens that require metabolic activation into reactive electrophilic ultimate carcinogens. These strong electrophiles combine covalently with nucleophilic sites in DNAs, RNAs, and proteins in target tissues. One or more of these adducts appear to initiate carcinogenesis. About 20 naturally occurring organic chemical carcinogens, primarily metabolites of green plants and fungi, are known; some occur in some human foods. Many other naturally chemical carcingens doubtless exist among the vast number of uncharacterized nonnutritive minor components of living systems, some of which are sources of human foods. The electrophilic forms of chemical carcinogens are mutagenic, and mammalian tissue-mediated mutagenicity assays appear promising in the detection of potential chemical carcinogens. These assays should serve at least as a prescreen for conventional lifetime tests in rodents for the carcinogenic activity of food components and contaminants. Epidemiological approaches appear necessary to evaluate the importance of the naturally occurring chemical carcinogens in the occurrence of human cancer.", "contents": "Carcinogens occurring naturally in foods. Humans are susceptible to the carcinogenic action of a small group of organic and inorganic chemicals in certain industrial, medical, and social habit exposures. A larger number and wider variety of chemical carcinogens, primarily organic compounds, are known for experimental animals. Chemical carcinogens are also found among the metabolites of living cells. No common structure is evident among chemical carcinogens, and a majority of these agents are precarcinogens that require metabolic activation into reactive electrophilic ultimate carcinogens. These strong electrophiles combine covalently with nucleophilic sites in DNAs, RNAs, and proteins in target tissues. One or more of these adducts appear to initiate carcinogenesis. About 20 naturally occurring organic chemical carcinogens, primarily metabolites of green plants and fungi, are known; some occur in some human foods. Many other naturally chemical carcingens doubtless exist among the vast number of uncharacterized nonnutritive minor components of living systems, some of which are sources of human foods. The electrophilic forms of chemical carcinogens are mutagenic, and mammalian tissue-mediated mutagenicity assays appear promising in the detection of potential chemical carcinogens. These assays should serve at least as a prescreen for conventional lifetime tests in rodents for the carcinogenic activity of food components and contaminants. Epidemiological approaches appear necessary to evaluate the importance of the naturally occurring chemical carcinogens in the occurrence of human cancer.", "PMID": 770205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3130", "title": "Prevention of chemical carcinogenesis by vitamin A and its synthetic analogs (retinoids).", "content": "An approach to chemoprevention of common forms of epithelial cancer, during the period of preneoplasia, is described. Vitamin A and its synthetic analogs (retinoids) are potent agents for control of cell differentiation in many epithelial tissues. Direct effects of retinoids on normal and preneoplastic cell differentiation can be measured in organ culture. In experimental animals, deficiency of dietary retinoids enhances susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis. Natural retinoids, fed at high dietary levels, have some ability to prevent chemical carcinogenesis in epithelial tissues of bronchi, trachea, stomach, uterus, and skin of experimental animals. However, natural retinoids have limited usefulness for chemoprevention of cancer because of inadequate tissue distribution and excessive toxicity. Synthetic retinoids have been made and shown to be more potent and less toxic for prevention of cancer in animals. Several structural modifications of the ring and terminal portions of the retinoid molecule have significant biological activity; modification of the side chain has been more difficult. The potential future usefulness of this approach to cancer prevention in man will depend on further synthetic modification of the retinoid molecule.", "contents": "Prevention of chemical carcinogenesis by vitamin A and its synthetic analogs (retinoids). An approach to chemoprevention of common forms of epithelial cancer, during the period of preneoplasia, is described. Vitamin A and its synthetic analogs (retinoids) are potent agents for control of cell differentiation in many epithelial tissues. Direct effects of retinoids on normal and preneoplastic cell differentiation can be measured in organ culture. In experimental animals, deficiency of dietary retinoids enhances susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis. Natural retinoids, fed at high dietary levels, have some ability to prevent chemical carcinogenesis in epithelial tissues of bronchi, trachea, stomach, uterus, and skin of experimental animals. However, natural retinoids have limited usefulness for chemoprevention of cancer because of inadequate tissue distribution and excessive toxicity. Synthetic retinoids have been made and shown to be more potent and less toxic for prevention of cancer in animals. Several structural modifications of the ring and terminal portions of the retinoid molecule have significant biological activity; modification of the side chain has been more difficult. The potential future usefulness of this approach to cancer prevention in man will depend on further synthetic modification of the retinoid molecule.", "PMID": 770206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3131", "title": "[Mitogenic activity of Brucella fractions on cultured lymphocytes].", "content": "LPS from smooth B. melitensis extracted by the phenol-water method has no mitogenic activity for lymphocytes of men or mice uninfected by brucellosis, in amounts that are not toxic in vitro for these cells. Mitogenic activities of other B. melitensis fractions are evidenced only in amounts 100-fold greater than an effective dose of LPS from E. coli. We interpret these findings as reflecting a virgin immune status against brucella antigens.", "contents": "[Mitogenic activity of Brucella fractions on cultured lymphocytes]. LPS from smooth B. melitensis extracted by the phenol-water method has no mitogenic activity for lymphocytes of men or mice uninfected by brucellosis, in amounts that are not toxic in vitro for these cells. Mitogenic activities of other B. melitensis fractions are evidenced only in amounts 100-fold greater than an effective dose of LPS from E. coli. We interpret these findings as reflecting a virgin immune status against brucella antigens.", "PMID": 770221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3132", "title": "[Postoperative bacterial endocarditis after cardiac prosthesis (author's transl)].", "content": "The infection of an endocardial prosthesis, either valvular or septal patch, is a frequent and dangerous post-operative complication. Eleven patients having postoperative endocarditis (9 on valve prosthesis and 2 on ventricular septal patch) are the subject of this paper. Six of the 7 infected \"early\" had Gram-negative bacteria in the blood cultures, while staphylococus aureus, streptococcus viridans and klebsiella pneumoniae were responsible for 3 of the 4 \"late\" infections. In 2 patients, one \"early\" and one \"late\" the causative bacteria were not identified. The definite prevalence of Gram-negative flora in post-operative endocarditis may have been facilitated by the routine use of antibiotics after open-heart surgery. Three of the 11 patients survived, one after replacement of the infected prosthesis and two after prolonged specific antibiotic treatment. On the basic of this experience, compared with other written reports, the authors propose to treat postoperative endocarditis medically for approximately 5 weeks, with full doses of specific antibiotics, reserving for surgical treatment only the cases of prosthetic malfunction, left atrial thrombosis, peripheral embolization and in those patients where the medical treatment fails.", "contents": "[Postoperative bacterial endocarditis after cardiac prosthesis (author's transl)]. The infection of an endocardial prosthesis, either valvular or septal patch, is a frequent and dangerous post-operative complication. Eleven patients having postoperative endocarditis (9 on valve prosthesis and 2 on ventricular septal patch) are the subject of this paper. Six of the 7 infected \"early\" had Gram-negative bacteria in the blood cultures, while staphylococus aureus, streptococcus viridans and klebsiella pneumoniae were responsible for 3 of the 4 \"late\" infections. In 2 patients, one \"early\" and one \"late\" the causative bacteria were not identified. The definite prevalence of Gram-negative flora in post-operative endocarditis may have been facilitated by the routine use of antibiotics after open-heart surgery. Three of the 11 patients survived, one after replacement of the infected prosthesis and two after prolonged specific antibiotic treatment. On the basic of this experience, compared with other written reports, the authors propose to treat postoperative endocarditis medically for approximately 5 weeks, with full doses of specific antibiotics, reserving for surgical treatment only the cases of prosthetic malfunction, left atrial thrombosis, peripheral embolization and in those patients where the medical treatment fails.", "PMID": 770223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3133", "title": "A prospective controlled trial of azathioprine in primary biliary cirrhosis.", "content": "Between 1968 and 1974, azathioprine has been used in a controlled prospective trial to treat patients with symptomatic but precirrhotic primary cirrhosis. Forty-five patients were admitted, of whom 22 were given azathioprine in a dose of 2 mg per kg of body weight. During the 1st year, serum aspartate transaminase levels showed a significant change in favor of the treated group, but improvement did not continue. Throughout the trial, serum alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin and immunoglobulin M values showed no significant change. Titers of serum mitochondrial antibodies tended to become negative more often in the treated than the untreated. Pruritus cannot be assessed objectively, but seemed less in the treated than in controls. Serial hepatic biopsy specimens showed the development of cirrhosis equally in the two groups. Survival, as judged by the life table method, was similar for the first 5 years of the trial. There was, however, a significant difference in favor of the treated group in the 6th year, although the number of patients available for assessment at that time was extremely small.", "contents": "A prospective controlled trial of azathioprine in primary biliary cirrhosis. Between 1968 and 1974, azathioprine has been used in a controlled prospective trial to treat patients with symptomatic but precirrhotic primary cirrhosis. Forty-five patients were admitted, of whom 22 were given azathioprine in a dose of 2 mg per kg of body weight. During the 1st year, serum aspartate transaminase levels showed a significant change in favor of the treated group, but improvement did not continue. Throughout the trial, serum alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin and immunoglobulin M values showed no significant change. Titers of serum mitochondrial antibodies tended to become negative more often in the treated than the untreated. Pruritus cannot be assessed objectively, but seemed less in the treated than in controls. Serial hepatic biopsy specimens showed the development of cirrhosis equally in the two groups. Survival, as judged by the life table method, was similar for the first 5 years of the trial. There was, however, a significant difference in favor of the treated group in the 6th year, although the number of patients available for assessment at that time was extremely small.", "PMID": 770224} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3134", "title": "Pepsin secretion, pepsinogen, and gastrin in \"Barrett's esophagus.\" Clinical and morphological characteristics.", "content": "Four cases of Barrett's esophagus are presented. Three cases presented with significant esophageal bleeding and one case presented with high esophageal stricture. Gastrointestinal panendoscopy was done in each case and multiple biopsies were taken. The biopsies were utilized for histomorphology, pepsinogen agar gel electrophoresis, and tissue gastrin assays. Tissue gastrin levels in esophageal mucosa were elevated in 2 cases when compared to controls with and without hiatus hernia. Pepsin and acid secretory studies were done by isolating the esophagus. Barrett's esophagus was shown to produce pepsin by both chemical studies (2 cases) and agar gel electrophoresis at pH 5.7 (3 cases), and was also shown to produce acid. The mucosa contained either cathepsin or cathepsin and pepsinogens in all cases. Nissen's fundoplication was performed in all of the patients. Of 3 patients who were bleeding, 2 who consented for this operation stopped bleeding after the operation. It is to be noted that the usual clinical treatment of antacids, bedrest, and raising the head end of the bed failed in all of the patients. The follow-up of 9 months to 3 years postoperatively has shown persistence of Barrett's mucosa with no evidence for any reversion to normal esophageal type.", "contents": "Pepsin secretion, pepsinogen, and gastrin in \"Barrett's esophagus.\" Clinical and morphological characteristics. Four cases of Barrett's esophagus are presented. Three cases presented with significant esophageal bleeding and one case presented with high esophageal stricture. Gastrointestinal panendoscopy was done in each case and multiple biopsies were taken. The biopsies were utilized for histomorphology, pepsinogen agar gel electrophoresis, and tissue gastrin assays. Tissue gastrin levels in esophageal mucosa were elevated in 2 cases when compared to controls with and without hiatus hernia. Pepsin and acid secretory studies were done by isolating the esophagus. Barrett's esophagus was shown to produce pepsin by both chemical studies (2 cases) and agar gel electrophoresis at pH 5.7 (3 cases), and was also shown to produce acid. The mucosa contained either cathepsin or cathepsin and pepsinogens in all cases. Nissen's fundoplication was performed in all of the patients. Of 3 patients who were bleeding, 2 who consented for this operation stopped bleeding after the operation. It is to be noted that the usual clinical treatment of antacids, bedrest, and raising the head end of the bed failed in all of the patients. The follow-up of 9 months to 3 years postoperatively has shown persistence of Barrett's mucosa with no evidence for any reversion to normal esophageal type.", "PMID": 770225} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3135", "title": "Comparison of methylated prostaglandin E2 analogues given orally in the inhibition of gastric responses to pentagastrin and peptone meal in man.", "content": "In 32 healthy male volunteers the effects on gastric secretion of three methyl analogues of prostaglandin (PG) E2 have been studied, namel, 15 (R) -15-methyl PGE2 methyl ester, 15 (S) -15-methyl PGE2 methyl ester, and 16, 16-dimethyl PGE2. Secretion was measured for 30 min and a PG analogue at doses ranging from 1.25 to 2.5 mug per kg or a placebo was administered. Gastric secretion was then stimulated either by an intravenous infusion of pentagastrin (2 mug per kg-hr) or by a peptone meal with acid secretion determined by intragastric titration technique. The tests were randomized and double blind. All three methyl PG analogues exhibited a profound and prolonged inhibitory action on gastric acid and pepsin secretion induced by pentagastrin. PG analogues caused almost complete inhibition of gastric acid response to a peptone meal accompanied by a significant reduction in the serum concentration of immunoassayable gastrin. Except with the highest dose of PG (S) -15-methyl PGE2 methyl ester, which caused abdominal discomfort and single episodes of diarrhea in some subjects, no symptoms or untoward biochemical effects were observed. It is concluded that these methylated PG analogues are very potent inhibitors of gastric acid and pepsin secretion stimulated by pentagastrin or a meal and may have clinical potential in the treatment of peptic ulcer.", "contents": "Comparison of methylated prostaglandin E2 analogues given orally in the inhibition of gastric responses to pentagastrin and peptone meal in man. In 32 healthy male volunteers the effects on gastric secretion of three methyl analogues of prostaglandin (PG) E2 have been studied, namel, 15 (R) -15-methyl PGE2 methyl ester, 15 (S) -15-methyl PGE2 methyl ester, and 16, 16-dimethyl PGE2. Secretion was measured for 30 min and a PG analogue at doses ranging from 1.25 to 2.5 mug per kg or a placebo was administered. Gastric secretion was then stimulated either by an intravenous infusion of pentagastrin (2 mug per kg-hr) or by a peptone meal with acid secretion determined by intragastric titration technique. The tests were randomized and double blind. All three methyl PG analogues exhibited a profound and prolonged inhibitory action on gastric acid and pepsin secretion induced by pentagastrin. PG analogues caused almost complete inhibition of gastric acid response to a peptone meal accompanied by a significant reduction in the serum concentration of immunoassayable gastrin. Except with the highest dose of PG (S) -15-methyl PGE2 methyl ester, which caused abdominal discomfort and single episodes of diarrhea in some subjects, no symptoms or untoward biochemical effects were observed. It is concluded that these methylated PG analogues are very potent inhibitors of gastric acid and pepsin secretion stimulated by pentagastrin or a meal and may have clinical potential in the treatment of peptic ulcer.", "PMID": 770226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3136", "title": "Terminal redundancy heterozygotes involving the first-step-transfer region of the bacteriophage T5 chromosome.", "content": "Individual progeny of two-factor crosses between A1am and A2am T5 phages give rise to bursts containing more than one type of plaque. The simplest explanation for these mixed bursts is that the A1 and A2 genes are located within the terminally repeated portion of the T5 genome and that the mixed bursts are made by \"terminal redundancy heterozygotes\". The observation of genetic heterozygosity means that the A1 and A2 genes are repeated intact. This implies that the terminal segments of T5 are genetically interchangeable.", "contents": "Terminal redundancy heterozygotes involving the first-step-transfer region of the bacteriophage T5 chromosome. Individual progeny of two-factor crosses between A1am and A2am T5 phages give rise to bursts containing more than one type of plaque. The simplest explanation for these mixed bursts is that the A1 and A2 genes are located within the terminally repeated portion of the T5 genome and that the mixed bursts are made by \"terminal redundancy heterozygotes\". The observation of genetic heterozygosity means that the A1 and A2 genes are repeated intact. This implies that the terminal segments of T5 are genetically interchangeable.", "PMID": 770228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3137", "title": "Deletions induced by heat treatment of E. coli K12 lysogenic for lambda prophages.", "content": "We have investigated the production of prophage deletions in heat-induced lambda lysogens of E. coli K12. Our results are indicative of a direct action of the heat-induced prophage in producing deletions. The temperature of 40 degrees used for the experiments may be critical to prove this effect. The phage function involved in deletion formation is not known.", "contents": "Deletions induced by heat treatment of E. coli K12 lysogenic for lambda prophages. We have investigated the production of prophage deletions in heat-induced lambda lysogens of E. coli K12. Our results are indicative of a direct action of the heat-induced prophage in producing deletions. The temperature of 40 degrees used for the experiments may be critical to prove this effect. The phage function involved in deletion formation is not known.", "PMID": 770229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3138", "title": "Regulation of mating and meiosis in yeast by the mating-type region.", "content": "A supposed sporulation-deficient mutation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is found to affect mating in haploids and in diploids, and to be inseparable from the mating-type locus by recombination. The mutation is regarded as a defective a allele and is designated a*. This is confirmed by its dominance relations in diploids, triploids, and tetraploids. Tetrad analysis of tetraploids and of their sporulating diploid progeny suggests the existence of an additional locus, RME, which regulates sporulation in yeast strains that can mate. Thus the recessive homozygous constitution rme/rm- enables the diploids a*/alpha, a/a*, and alpha/alpha to go through meiosis. Haploids carrying rme show apparent premeiotic DNA replication in sporulation conditions. This new regulatory locus is linked to the centromere of the mating-type chromosome, and its two alleles, rme and RME, are found among standard laboratory strains.", "contents": "Regulation of mating and meiosis in yeast by the mating-type region. A supposed sporulation-deficient mutation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is found to affect mating in haploids and in diploids, and to be inseparable from the mating-type locus by recombination. The mutation is regarded as a defective a allele and is designated a*. This is confirmed by its dominance relations in diploids, triploids, and tetraploids. Tetrad analysis of tetraploids and of their sporulating diploid progeny suggests the existence of an additional locus, RME, which regulates sporulation in yeast strains that can mate. Thus the recessive homozygous constitution rme/rm- enables the diploids a*/alpha, a/a*, and alpha/alpha to go through meiosis. Haploids carrying rme show apparent premeiotic DNA replication in sporulation conditions. This new regulatory locus is linked to the centromere of the mating-type chromosome, and its two alleles, rme and RME, are found among standard laboratory strains.", "PMID": 770230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3139", "title": "UV mutagenesis in radiation-sensitive strains of yeast.", "content": "The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae appears to possess a single mutagenic or \"error prony\" pathway for the repair of UV damage; rev1, rev2, rev3 (Lemontt 1971a), rad6, rad8, rad9 and rad18 (Lawrence et al. 1974; present results). Strains carrying rad6 are the most sensitive to the lethal effects of UV light in this group and double mutants carrying rad6 and either rev1, rev3, rad9 or rad18 are no more sensitive than this single mutant strain, rev3 rad6 doubl- mutant diploids failed to show any UV-induced reversion of the normally highly reversion of the normally highly revertible ochre allele cycl-9, even though a total of more than 2.5 X 10(9) viable cells was examined, suggesting that strains of this kind are entirely UV-immutable; spontaneous revertants could be recovered, however.-The rad6 and rev3 gene products would appear to be necessary for all kinds of mutagenic events at all sites within the genome, but the products of the other genes that act in the \"error-prone\" pathway have a more restricted role and are involved in the production of only some kinds of mutations. It is suggested that such selectivity arises from the interaction of some repair enzymes with specific nucleotide sequences.", "contents": "UV mutagenesis in radiation-sensitive strains of yeast. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae appears to possess a single mutagenic or \"error prony\" pathway for the repair of UV damage; rev1, rev2, rev3 (Lemontt 1971a), rad6, rad8, rad9 and rad18 (Lawrence et al. 1974; present results). Strains carrying rad6 are the most sensitive to the lethal effects of UV light in this group and double mutants carrying rad6 and either rev1, rev3, rad9 or rad18 are no more sensitive than this single mutant strain, rev3 rad6 doubl- mutant diploids failed to show any UV-induced reversion of the normally highly reversion of the normally highly revertible ochre allele cycl-9, even though a total of more than 2.5 X 10(9) viable cells was examined, suggesting that strains of this kind are entirely UV-immutable; spontaneous revertants could be recovered, however.-The rad6 and rev3 gene products would appear to be necessary for all kinds of mutagenic events at all sites within the genome, but the products of the other genes that act in the \"error-prone\" pathway have a more restricted role and are involved in the production of only some kinds of mutations. It is suggested that such selectivity arises from the interaction of some repair enzymes with specific nucleotide sequences.", "PMID": 770231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3140", "title": "Mutants of the killer plasmid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae dependent on chromosomal diploidy for expression and maintenance.", "content": "Mutants of the killer plasmid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been isolated that depend upon chromosomal diploidy for the expression of plasmid functions and for replication or maintenance of the plasmid itself. These mutants are not defective in any chromosomal gene needed for expression or replication of the killer plasmid.--Haploids carrying these mutant plasmids (called d for diploid-depen;ent) are either unable to kill or unable to resist being killed or both and show frequent loss of the plasmid. The wild-type phenotype (K+R+) is restored by mating the d plasmid-carrying strain with either (a) a wild-type sensitive strain which apparently has no killer plasmid; (b) a strain which has been cured of the killer plasmid by growth at elevated temperature; (c) a strain which has been cured of the plasmid by growth in the presence of cycloheximide; (d) a strain which has lost the plasmid because it carries a mutation in a chromosomal mak gene; or (e) a strain of the opposite mating type which carries the same d plasmid and has the same defective phenotype, indicating that the restoration of the normal phenotype is not due to recombination between plasmid genomes or complementation of plasmid or chromosomal genes.--Sporulation of the phenotypically K+R+ diploids formed in matings between d and wild-type nonkiller strains yields tetrads, all four of whose haploid spores are defective for killing or resistance or maintenance of the plasmid or a combination of these. Every defective phenotype may be found among the segregants of a single diploid clone carrying a d plasmid. These defective segregants resume the normal killer phenotype in the diploids formed when a second round of mating is performed, and the segregants from a second round of meiosis and sporulation are again defective.", "contents": "Mutants of the killer plasmid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae dependent on chromosomal diploidy for expression and maintenance. Mutants of the killer plasmid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been isolated that depend upon chromosomal diploidy for the expression of plasmid functions and for replication or maintenance of the plasmid itself. These mutants are not defective in any chromosomal gene needed for expression or replication of the killer plasmid.--Haploids carrying these mutant plasmids (called d for diploid-depen;ent) are either unable to kill or unable to resist being killed or both and show frequent loss of the plasmid. The wild-type phenotype (K+R+) is restored by mating the d plasmid-carrying strain with either (a) a wild-type sensitive strain which apparently has no killer plasmid; (b) a strain which has been cured of the killer plasmid by growth at elevated temperature; (c) a strain which has been cured of the plasmid by growth in the presence of cycloheximide; (d) a strain which has lost the plasmid because it carries a mutation in a chromosomal mak gene; or (e) a strain of the opposite mating type which carries the same d plasmid and has the same defective phenotype, indicating that the restoration of the normal phenotype is not due to recombination between plasmid genomes or complementation of plasmid or chromosomal genes.--Sporulation of the phenotypically K+R+ diploids formed in matings between d and wild-type nonkiller strains yields tetrads, all four of whose haploid spores are defective for killing or resistance or maintenance of the plasmid or a combination of these. Every defective phenotype may be found among the segregants of a single diploid clone carrying a d plasmid. These defective segregants resume the normal killer phenotype in the diploids formed when a second round of mating is performed, and the segregants from a second round of meiosis and sporulation are again defective.", "PMID": 770232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3141", "title": "Obesity and joint disease.", "content": "In male mice of strain C57Bl, obesity caused by intraperitoneal administration of aurothioglucose failed to alter the course of spontaneous osteoarthrosis. The distribution of osteoarthrosis of the knee joint and of spondylosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine was haphazard in regard to body weight, and levels of plasma and hepatic lipids. It is concluded that the arthrosis-promoting effects of fat-enriched diets are not mediated by the simultaneously occurring obesity.", "contents": "Obesity and joint disease. In male mice of strain C57Bl, obesity caused by intraperitoneal administration of aurothioglucose failed to alter the course of spontaneous osteoarthrosis. The distribution of osteoarthrosis of the knee joint and of spondylosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine was haphazard in regard to body weight, and levels of plasma and hepatic lipids. It is concluded that the arthrosis-promoting effects of fat-enriched diets are not mediated by the simultaneously occurring obesity.", "PMID": 770233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3142", "title": "The use of locally based triangular skin flaps for the repair of finger tip injuries.", "content": "This paper presents the results of a series of thirty-one finger tip injuries treated by local triangular advancement flaps. Criteria for selection of patients for this type of repair and several points of technique are discussed.", "contents": "The use of locally based triangular skin flaps for the repair of finger tip injuries. This paper presents the results of a series of thirty-one finger tip injuries treated by local triangular advancement flaps. Criteria for selection of patients for this type of repair and several points of technique are discussed.", "PMID": 770254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3143", "title": "The effect of bacterial adjuvants on Trypanosoma lewisi infections in rats.", "content": "The effect of Escherichia coli endotoxin, B.C.G. vaccine and Bordetella pertussis vaccine on the parasitemia of Trypanosoma lewisi was studied in rats. It was found that in general, B. pertussis administration resulted in higher and more prolonged parasitemias than normal. In contrast E. coli endotoxin tended to reduce both the intensity and duration of parasitemia. Possible reasons for this phenomenon are discussed.", "contents": "The effect of bacterial adjuvants on Trypanosoma lewisi infections in rats. The effect of Escherichia coli endotoxin, B.C.G. vaccine and Bordetella pertussis vaccine on the parasitemia of Trypanosoma lewisi was studied in rats. It was found that in general, B. pertussis administration resulted in higher and more prolonged parasitemias than normal. In contrast E. coli endotoxin tended to reduce both the intensity and duration of parasitemia. Possible reasons for this phenomenon are discussed.", "PMID": 770268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3144", "title": "Scanning micrographs of the first legs and gnathosoma of two species of Myobiidae (Acarina: Trombidiformes).", "content": "The structure of legs I and of gnathosoma in Radfordia lemnina (Koch, 1835) and Protomyobia claparedei (Poppe, 1896) is described on the basis of SEM micrographs.", "contents": "Scanning micrographs of the first legs and gnathosoma of two species of Myobiidae (Acarina: Trombidiformes). The structure of legs I and of gnathosoma in Radfordia lemnina (Koch, 1835) and Protomyobia claparedei (Poppe, 1896) is described on the basis of SEM micrographs.", "PMID": 770270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3145", "title": "[Studies on proteinuria following kidney transplantation].", "content": "The method of discontinuous micro-disc-electrophoresis was used to characterize the proteinuria after kidney transplantation in man for the early diagnosis of acute rejection crisis. By daily analysis of proteinuria the increase of albuminuria to more than 1 g per 24 h was found to be a sure sign of a beginning rejection crisis. In one third of our cases the rejection crisis could be recognized 7 days and in 80% 3 days before clinical onset. Besides increased albuminuria the appearance of low molecular weight proteins in urine and in 50% gamma globulinuria are further criteria for the rejection crisis. The described method is also very useful for the differential diagnosis of rejection crisis and inflammation in addition to cytological examination of the urine.", "contents": "[Studies on proteinuria following kidney transplantation]. The method of discontinuous micro-disc-electrophoresis was used to characterize the proteinuria after kidney transplantation in man for the early diagnosis of acute rejection crisis. By daily analysis of proteinuria the increase of albuminuria to more than 1 g per 24 h was found to be a sure sign of a beginning rejection crisis. In one third of our cases the rejection crisis could be recognized 7 days and in 80% 3 days before clinical onset. Besides increased albuminuria the appearance of low molecular weight proteins in urine and in 50% gamma globulinuria are further criteria for the rejection crisis. The described method is also very useful for the differential diagnosis of rejection crisis and inflammation in addition to cytological examination of the urine.", "PMID": 770295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3146", "title": "[Evidences for the somatosis hypothesis of schizophrenia (author's transl)].", "content": "The hypothesis of a hereditary mutative enzyme disturbance which becomes effective via biochemical, for peristatic influences susceptible cerebral mechanisms, is compatible with all findings. The evidences are stated. Schizophrenia is a predominantly hereditary disease. The findings of the family and twin research confirm this statement, in particular the difference of the concordance figures with monovular and binovular twins, furthermore the existence of substrate-close basic disturbances with their analogies to cerebro-organic symptomatology, the frequency and structure of pure residual syndromes and the results of clinical-encephalographic correlation examinations. Slightly marked internal brain atrophies which can be demonstrated by pneumo- and echoencephalogram can be correlated with the \"pure defect\" which is the most frequent residual syndrome of schizophrenic diseases. A geneticly conditioned cerebral enzyme defect can cause an atrophy in the region of the limbic system; however, a merely functional decompensation of a cerebral enzyme disturbance, without atrophy is imaginable in a part of the schizophrenia and cyclothymia. In certain active basic stages the EEG reveals abnormal rhythms (\"parenrhythmiae\"), which also allow a topical classification to functional structures of the limbic system. The non-characteristic organic \"pure potential reduction\" is irreversible, the typically schizophrenic syndromes potentially reversible. Basic disturbances and basic syndromes are in prodromes and outpost syndromes prior to manifestation of psychosis and after their remission the actually primary symptoms. The typically schizophrenic syndrome results from the amalgamation of the basal functional disturbance with the \"anthropological matrix\", partly provoked by - also non-specific - stress factors. The substrate-close basic symptoms: coenesthesias, perception disorders, zentral-vegetative dysregulations and cognitive primary disturbances can be seen as expression of a pathologically altered cerebral function in the region of the integrative system which is responsible for the regulation of the cerebral filter and protection processes.", "contents": "[Evidences for the somatosis hypothesis of schizophrenia (author's transl)]. The hypothesis of a hereditary mutative enzyme disturbance which becomes effective via biochemical, for peristatic influences susceptible cerebral mechanisms, is compatible with all findings. The evidences are stated. Schizophrenia is a predominantly hereditary disease. The findings of the family and twin research confirm this statement, in particular the difference of the concordance figures with monovular and binovular twins, furthermore the existence of substrate-close basic disturbances with their analogies to cerebro-organic symptomatology, the frequency and structure of pure residual syndromes and the results of clinical-encephalographic correlation examinations. Slightly marked internal brain atrophies which can be demonstrated by pneumo- and echoencephalogram can be correlated with the \"pure defect\" which is the most frequent residual syndrome of schizophrenic diseases. A geneticly conditioned cerebral enzyme defect can cause an atrophy in the region of the limbic system; however, a merely functional decompensation of a cerebral enzyme disturbance, without atrophy is imaginable in a part of the schizophrenia and cyclothymia. In certain active basic stages the EEG reveals abnormal rhythms (\"parenrhythmiae\"), which also allow a topical classification to functional structures of the limbic system. The non-characteristic organic \"pure potential reduction\" is irreversible, the typically schizophrenic syndromes potentially reversible. Basic disturbances and basic syndromes are in prodromes and outpost syndromes prior to manifestation of psychosis and after their remission the actually primary symptoms. The typically schizophrenic syndrome results from the amalgamation of the basal functional disturbance with the \"anthropological matrix\", partly provoked by - also non-specific - stress factors. The substrate-close basic symptoms: coenesthesias, perception disorders, zentral-vegetative dysregulations and cognitive primary disturbances can be seen as expression of a pathologically altered cerebral function in the region of the integrative system which is responsible for the regulation of the cerebral filter and protection processes.", "PMID": 770296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3147", "title": "[Radiation injury of the spinal cord].", "content": "The literature dealing with radiation myelopathy is reviewed. The following points are to be noticed:radiation myelopathy is a rare complication in the radiation therapy of extraspinal tumors, nevertheless the number of case reports is increasing during the last years; probably this is due to the increasing use of high energy therapy. Already a cord dose of 1000 rad may be dangerous; with an increasing dose the risk of radiation myelopathy is increasing too. Besides the total dose the incidence of radiation myelopathy depends on the rate of delivery, the over-all time of administration, the size of the individual fraction, the field size, the size of the volume irradiated, the type of irradiation, the use of hyperbaric oxygen and some other special conditions of radiation. But the incidence of radiation myelopathy depends not only on radiation technique but also on patients' variables. Individual variations in radiosensitivity are a well known fact; this may be partly due to an inherent biologic variation of response. Moreover the incidence of radiation myelopathy may be intensified by simultaneously existing diseases - above all by hypertension- and probably by some medicaments taken simultaneously. A dependence from age, sex, and the kind of the primary tumor seems not to exist. Radiation lesions of the cervical spinal cord have been reported much more frequently than lesions of the dorsal spinal cord; lesions of the lumbal spinal cord are a very rare event. There exist different conceptions of the pathogenesis: opinions differ as to whether the effect is primarily on the connective tissue and blood vessels or on nerve cells and their axons or if the different tissues are injured simultaneously; moreover an autoimmuno-hypothesis is discussed. The clinical signs of radiation myelopathy can be grouped into two major syndromes: the transient radiation myelopathy and the delayed or chronic radiation myelopathy, which usually develops gradually with a subsequent chronic progressive course but in some cases may occur acutely after the latent period; the course is not always progressive but may be undulating and remissions have been reported in some rare cases...", "contents": "[Radiation injury of the spinal cord]. The literature dealing with radiation myelopathy is reviewed. The following points are to be noticed:radiation myelopathy is a rare complication in the radiation therapy of extraspinal tumors, nevertheless the number of case reports is increasing during the last years; probably this is due to the increasing use of high energy therapy. Already a cord dose of 1000 rad may be dangerous; with an increasing dose the risk of radiation myelopathy is increasing too. Besides the total dose the incidence of radiation myelopathy depends on the rate of delivery, the over-all time of administration, the size of the individual fraction, the field size, the size of the volume irradiated, the type of irradiation, the use of hyperbaric oxygen and some other special conditions of radiation. But the incidence of radiation myelopathy depends not only on radiation technique but also on patients' variables. Individual variations in radiosensitivity are a well known fact; this may be partly due to an inherent biologic variation of response. Moreover the incidence of radiation myelopathy may be intensified by simultaneously existing diseases - above all by hypertension- and probably by some medicaments taken simultaneously. A dependence from age, sex, and the kind of the primary tumor seems not to exist. Radiation lesions of the cervical spinal cord have been reported much more frequently than lesions of the dorsal spinal cord; lesions of the lumbal spinal cord are a very rare event. There exist different conceptions of the pathogenesis: opinions differ as to whether the effect is primarily on the connective tissue and blood vessels or on nerve cells and their axons or if the different tissues are injured simultaneously; moreover an autoimmuno-hypothesis is discussed. The clinical signs of radiation myelopathy can be grouped into two major syndromes: the transient radiation myelopathy and the delayed or chronic radiation myelopathy, which usually develops gradually with a subsequent chronic progressive course but in some cases may occur acutely after the latent period; the course is not always progressive but may be undulating and remissions have been reported in some rare cases...", "PMID": 770297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3148", "title": "Clinical evaluation of a new sulfonylurea in maturity onset diabetes - glipizide (K-4024).", "content": "Glipizide, a new low dose sulfonylurea, was evaluated for its efficacy and toxicity in a double-blind controlled study. Forty adult-onset diabetics were treated with either chlorpropamide or glipizide. In ten out of twenty patients \"excellent\" to \"good\" control of hyperglycemia was achieved with glipizide and two patients evidenced \"fair\" control. In nine out of eighteen patients \"excellent\" to \"good\" control was achieved with chlorpropamide. Eight of the sixteen patients who were primary or secondary failures on the two drugs responded to glipizide and phenformin combination with \"excellent\" to \"good\" control. No therapeutic advantage was found in giving more than 25 mg/day glipizide in ten patients. Toxicity was low and side effects were uncommon over a period of 26 months.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of a new sulfonylurea in maturity onset diabetes - glipizide (K-4024). Glipizide, a new low dose sulfonylurea, was evaluated for its efficacy and toxicity in a double-blind controlled study. Forty adult-onset diabetics were treated with either chlorpropamide or glipizide. In ten out of twenty patients \"excellent\" to \"good\" control of hyperglycemia was achieved with glipizide and two patients evidenced \"fair\" control. In nine out of eighteen patients \"excellent\" to \"good\" control was achieved with chlorpropamide. Eight of the sixteen patients who were primary or secondary failures on the two drugs responded to glipizide and phenformin combination with \"excellent\" to \"good\" control. No therapeutic advantage was found in giving more than 25 mg/day glipizide in ten patients. Toxicity was low and side effects were uncommon over a period of 26 months.", "PMID": 770300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3149", "title": "Laboratory approaches to the identification of Enterobacteriaceae.", "content": "There are numerous approaches to the identification of the Enterobacteriaceae in the clinical laboratory. Accuracy in identifying organisms is related directly to the skill and experience of the user and to the number of tests inoculated. Many of the commercially available kits offer reproducibility, convenience, accuracy, and ease of storage, particularly for smaller hospital laboratories that have neither the facilities nor the expertise to prepare and exert quality control over microbiologic media. However, none of the kits offers the accuracy and few offer the flexibility available through the use of conventional media, the variety and duration of incubation of which are virtually unlimited. The proper use of any system requires training because accurate identification requires the concurrent examination of colonial morphology and biochemical reactions-manufacturer's flow charts, reaction tables, or printed recognition systems notwithstanding. Microbiologists should be wary of new systems before impartial evaluations have been performed and published in scientific journals; manufacturers' technical literature and salesmen's presentations are, for obvious reasons, seldom objective.", "contents": "Laboratory approaches to the identification of Enterobacteriaceae. There are numerous approaches to the identification of the Enterobacteriaceae in the clinical laboratory. Accuracy in identifying organisms is related directly to the skill and experience of the user and to the number of tests inoculated. Many of the commercially available kits offer reproducibility, convenience, accuracy, and ease of storage, particularly for smaller hospital laboratories that have neither the facilities nor the expertise to prepare and exert quality control over microbiologic media. However, none of the kits offers the accuracy and few offer the flexibility available through the use of conventional media, the variety and duration of incubation of which are virtually unlimited. The proper use of any system requires training because accurate identification requires the concurrent examination of colonial morphology and biochemical reactions-manufacturer's flow charts, reaction tables, or printed recognition systems notwithstanding. Microbiologists should be wary of new systems before impartial evaluations have been performed and published in scientific journals; manufacturers' technical literature and salesmen's presentations are, for obvious reasons, seldom objective.", "PMID": 770305} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3150", "title": "Isolation and identification of anaerobic bacteria.", "content": "Anaerobic bacteria make up a predominant part of the normal human flora. Adequate specimen collection must avoid contamination with this flora. Suitable methods include thoracentesis, transtracheal aspiration, needle and syringe aspiration of closed abscesses, and endocervical aspiration of intrauterine pus. Swabs are generally unsuitable. Sputum, voided urine, vaginal secretions, and specimens contaminated with feces are not cultured anaerobically. Specimens should be transported in an oxygen-free container. There are several efficient methods for culturing anaerobes, including the simple and inexpensive GasPak jar. The average clinical laboratory may not be able to afford the time, personnel, and equipment necessary for complete identification of all anaerobes isolated. However, the identification of certain ones, including Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium perfringens, is relatively simple. Primary emphasis should be placed on the rapid recognition of the presence of obligate anaerobes in a culture and the immediate reporting of all available information to the clinician. Subsequent reports can provide as complete an identification as is possible for each laboratory.", "contents": "Isolation and identification of anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria make up a predominant part of the normal human flora. Adequate specimen collection must avoid contamination with this flora. Suitable methods include thoracentesis, transtracheal aspiration, needle and syringe aspiration of closed abscesses, and endocervical aspiration of intrauterine pus. Swabs are generally unsuitable. Sputum, voided urine, vaginal secretions, and specimens contaminated with feces are not cultured anaerobically. Specimens should be transported in an oxygen-free container. There are several efficient methods for culturing anaerobes, including the simple and inexpensive GasPak jar. The average clinical laboratory may not be able to afford the time, personnel, and equipment necessary for complete identification of all anaerobes isolated. However, the identification of certain ones, including Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium perfringens, is relatively simple. Primary emphasis should be placed on the rapid recognition of the presence of obligate anaerobes in a culture and the immediate reporting of all available information to the clinician. Subsequent reports can provide as complete an identification as is possible for each laboratory.", "PMID": 770306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3151", "title": "Mechanical preparation of cells for chromosome studies.", "content": "A machine, performing hypotonic treatment and fixation of blood samples for chromosome analysis under standard conditions, is described. The machine has now handled specimens from 4,100 persons. 12 tubes are shaken at a rate of approximately 2,800/min, and simultaneously solutions for hypotonic treatment and fixation are added during 30-45 sec from a distribution chamber. The apparatus produces long, slender chromosomes suitable for staining by modern techniques which yield banded chromosomes.", "contents": "Mechanical preparation of cells for chromosome studies. A machine, performing hypotonic treatment and fixation of blood samples for chromosome analysis under standard conditions, is described. The machine has now handled specimens from 4,100 persons. 12 tubes are shaken at a rate of approximately 2,800/min, and simultaneously solutions for hypotonic treatment and fixation are added during 30-45 sec from a distribution chamber. The apparatus produces long, slender chromosomes suitable for staining by modern techniques which yield banded chromosomes.", "PMID": 770308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3152", "title": "Genetics of the +p9 syndrome.", "content": "An analysis of data about the +p9 syndrome revealed that this clinical entity may occur in some different genetic forms. The recurrence risk in cases with familial translocations is due to the type of meiotic segregation, 2:2 or 3:1. It was shown a nonrandomness of involvement of chromosomes 15 and 22 in translocations with chromosome number 9.", "contents": "Genetics of the +p9 syndrome. An analysis of data about the +p9 syndrome revealed that this clinical entity may occur in some different genetic forms. The recurrence risk in cases with familial translocations is due to the type of meiotic segregation, 2:2 or 3:1. It was shown a nonrandomness of involvement of chromosomes 15 and 22 in translocations with chromosome number 9.", "PMID": 770307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3153", "title": "Mitogenic and adjuvant activity of a methanol extraction residue (MER) of tubercle bacilli on mouse lymphoid cells in vitro.", "content": "The mitogenic and adjuvant effect in vitro of MER (methanol extracted residue of tubercle bacilli), on Balb/C and nu/nu immunocompetent cells was examined and compared with the effect of PPD, LPS, DS, PHA and ConA. MER activated DNA synthesis in spleen cells of Balb/C and nu/nu mice and in blood cultures of Balb/C. The stimulation of DNA synthesis by MER in spleen cells was not macrophage dependent. Bone marrow and 1ymph node cells were slightly stimulated while thymus cells were not affected. Both MER and PPD enhanced the in vitro immune response of Balb/C mice to SRBC and to TNP (trinitrophenyl) hapten. MER, LPS and PPD enhanced the immune response of nude spleen cells to SRBC in vitro.", "contents": "Mitogenic and adjuvant activity of a methanol extraction residue (MER) of tubercle bacilli on mouse lymphoid cells in vitro. The mitogenic and adjuvant effect in vitro of MER (methanol extracted residue of tubercle bacilli), on Balb/C and nu/nu immunocompetent cells was examined and compared with the effect of PPD, LPS, DS, PHA and ConA. MER activated DNA synthesis in spleen cells of Balb/C and nu/nu mice and in blood cultures of Balb/C. The stimulation of DNA synthesis by MER in spleen cells was not macrophage dependent. Bone marrow and 1ymph node cells were slightly stimulated while thymus cells were not affected. Both MER and PPD enhanced the in vitro immune response of Balb/C mice to SRBC and to TNP (trinitrophenyl) hapten. MER, LPS and PPD enhanced the immune response of nude spleen cells to SRBC in vitro.", "PMID": 770312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3154", "title": "On the physical-chemical effect of colostral antibody binding to Escherichia coli O 86.", "content": "Sensitization of Escherichia coli O 86 with colostrum or purified colostral sIgA antibody produces a physical-chemical change of the bacterial surface detectable as a change in partition in dextran-polyethylene glycol polymer two-phase systems. Sensitization with colostrum or sIgA reduces affinity for the dextran-rich phase. In contrast immune serum, IgG and complement increase the affinity for that phase. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that hydrophilic particles, e.g. certain strains of bacteria, are less liable to attachment to and phagocytosis by animal cells than hydrophobic particles, e.g. other bacterial strains. Sensitization with secretory IgA enhances the hydrophilicity thereby making possible an escape mechanism operating at the mucosal surfaces.", "contents": "On the physical-chemical effect of colostral antibody binding to Escherichia coli O 86. Sensitization of Escherichia coli O 86 with colostrum or purified colostral sIgA antibody produces a physical-chemical change of the bacterial surface detectable as a change in partition in dextran-polyethylene glycol polymer two-phase systems. Sensitization with colostrum or sIgA reduces affinity for the dextran-rich phase. In contrast immune serum, IgG and complement increase the affinity for that phase. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that hydrophilic particles, e.g. certain strains of bacteria, are less liable to attachment to and phagocytosis by animal cells than hydrophobic particles, e.g. other bacterial strains. Sensitization with secretory IgA enhances the hydrophilicity thereby making possible an escape mechanism operating at the mucosal surfaces.", "PMID": 770313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3155", "title": "Estimation of hapten-specific antibody-forming cell precursors in microcultures.", "content": "The immune response of mouse spleen cells to hapten-conjugated polymer of flagellin (DNP-POL, NIP-POL) was studied using a microculture system. When increasing numbers of spleen cells were added to a 'filler' cell system, negative feedback effects became apparent and resulted in the generation of progressively lower numbers of plaque-forming cells (PFC) per input cell. This feedback inhibition was shown to be antigen-specific and mediated by factors released into the culture medium. The effect precludes calculation of the frequency of PFC precursors in cultures containing spleen cells alone and complicates the analysis of tolerance using in vitro assay systems. The addition of small numbers of spleen cells to a constant number of thymocytes provided a system in which Poisson analysis could be used to determine the frequency of PFC precursors capable of being activated by hapten-POL conjugates. This system was used to estimate the frequency of anti-NIP-PFC precursors in CBA spleen cells.", "contents": "Estimation of hapten-specific antibody-forming cell precursors in microcultures. The immune response of mouse spleen cells to hapten-conjugated polymer of flagellin (DNP-POL, NIP-POL) was studied using a microculture system. When increasing numbers of spleen cells were added to a 'filler' cell system, negative feedback effects became apparent and resulted in the generation of progressively lower numbers of plaque-forming cells (PFC) per input cell. This feedback inhibition was shown to be antigen-specific and mediated by factors released into the culture medium. The effect precludes calculation of the frequency of PFC precursors in cultures containing spleen cells alone and complicates the analysis of tolerance using in vitro assay systems. The addition of small numbers of spleen cells to a constant number of thymocytes provided a system in which Poisson analysis could be used to determine the frequency of PFC precursors capable of being activated by hapten-POL conjugates. This system was used to estimate the frequency of anti-NIP-PFC precursors in CBA spleen cells.", "PMID": 770314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3156", "title": "Separation of the mitogenic and antigenic responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide.", "content": "An attempt was made to separate the antigenic and mitogenic properties of E. coli bacteria and bacterial lipopolysaccharide antigen inhibited the mitogenic response by the cultures but did not inhibit the induction of anti-LPS antibody or polyclonal antibody synthesis to SRBC. Dextran sulphate, acting as a B-cell mitogen, increased the mitogenic response in spleen cell cultures incubated with bacteria, but did not affect the production of anti-LPS antibody. Mild alkaline hydrolysis (0-1 N NaOH at 56 degrees) of LPS destroyed the mitogenic properties of the molecule, leaving the antigenic properties qualitatively intact. Harsher conditions of base hydrolysis destroyed both the mitogenic and antigenic properties of LPS, as determined by antigenicity in murine spleen cell cultures and haemagglutination inhibition tests.", "contents": "Separation of the mitogenic and antigenic responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. An attempt was made to separate the antigenic and mitogenic properties of E. coli bacteria and bacterial lipopolysaccharide antigen inhibited the mitogenic response by the cultures but did not inhibit the induction of anti-LPS antibody or polyclonal antibody synthesis to SRBC. Dextran sulphate, acting as a B-cell mitogen, increased the mitogenic response in spleen cell cultures incubated with bacteria, but did not affect the production of anti-LPS antibody. Mild alkaline hydrolysis (0-1 N NaOH at 56 degrees) of LPS destroyed the mitogenic properties of the molecule, leaving the antigenic properties qualitatively intact. Harsher conditions of base hydrolysis destroyed both the mitogenic and antigenic properties of LPS, as determined by antigenicity in murine spleen cell cultures and haemagglutination inhibition tests.", "PMID": 770315} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3157", "title": "Comparison of the immune response potential of newborn mice to T-dependent and T-independent synthetic polypeptides.", "content": "Newborn mice do not, in general, produce antibodies during the 1st week of life; this inability to respond immunologically has been attributed to lack of functional macrophages and T cells. To determine whether B cells of newborn mice are functionally mature and therefore capable of producing antibodies to thymus (T) independent antigens, the response of 1-9-day-old C3H/HeJ mice injected with a thymus-independent polypeptide, poly(DTyr,DGlu)-polyDPro- -polyDLys was compared to that of their littermates injected with a thymus-dependent immunogen, poly(LTyr,LGlu)-polyLPro- -polyLLys. No antibodies were detected in 1- or 2-day-old mice immunized with the T-dependent antigen, as revealed by haemagglutination and haemolytic plaque-forming cell assays, performed 6 days after injection of the antigen. Injection of 3-day-old animals with the thymus-dependent immunogen resulted in significant immune responses which increased with age. In contrast, 1- and 2-day-old mice responded to the T-independent immunogen with high antibody levels, however, in 3-day-old injected mice, the levels were lower. When 3-day-old nude mice were injected with this antigen, no decrease in the immune response was observed. Thus, newborn mice respond immunologically to a thymus-independent antigen injected at the first 2 days after birth and the antibody levels decrease with maturation of the thymus.", "contents": "Comparison of the immune response potential of newborn mice to T-dependent and T-independent synthetic polypeptides. Newborn mice do not, in general, produce antibodies during the 1st week of life; this inability to respond immunologically has been attributed to lack of functional macrophages and T cells. To determine whether B cells of newborn mice are functionally mature and therefore capable of producing antibodies to thymus (T) independent antigens, the response of 1-9-day-old C3H/HeJ mice injected with a thymus-independent polypeptide, poly(DTyr,DGlu)-polyDPro- -polyDLys was compared to that of their littermates injected with a thymus-dependent immunogen, poly(LTyr,LGlu)-polyLPro- -polyLLys. No antibodies were detected in 1- or 2-day-old mice immunized with the T-dependent antigen, as revealed by haemagglutination and haemolytic plaque-forming cell assays, performed 6 days after injection of the antigen. Injection of 3-day-old animals with the thymus-dependent immunogen resulted in significant immune responses which increased with age. In contrast, 1- and 2-day-old mice responded to the T-independent immunogen with high antibody levels, however, in 3-day-old injected mice, the levels were lower. When 3-day-old nude mice were injected with this antigen, no decrease in the immune response was observed. Thus, newborn mice respond immunologically to a thymus-independent antigen injected at the first 2 days after birth and the antibody levels decrease with maturation of the thymus.", "PMID": 770316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3158", "title": "Immunization by an insoluble fraction extracted from Brucella melitensis: immunological and chemical characterization of the active substances.", "content": "A peptidoglycan-containing fraction called fraction P.I. (phenol insoluble), extracted from Brucella melitensis and previously described by some of us, had immunogenic and protective properties and did not produce any allergic reactions. Since it is well known that bacterial peptidoglycans studied so far have immunoadjuvant properties, the isolation of the active factor(s) of Brucella was undertaken. By successive enzymatic and chemical treatments, a new, much more purified fraction, called \"4A\" (approximately 5% of fraction P.I.), is obtained, retaining the same properties as P.I. and giving better protection against infection by Brucella. Immunogenicity, immunoadjuvant activity, allergizing capacity, and specific and nonspecific protective effects of fractions P.I. and 4A are compared. Chemically, fraction 4A is constituted by a lipoprotein covalently linked to peptidoglycan and by a few (lipo)proteins that could be solubilized by hot sodium dodecyl sulfate. Intrinsic properties of peptidoglycan could not be studied, but it does not seem to be essential for the activity. In conclusion, fractions P.I. and 4A are not agglutinogenic and, since fraction 4A induces better protection against infection by Brucella, it could advantageously replace fraction P.I. as a vaccine for humans.", "contents": "Immunization by an insoluble fraction extracted from Brucella melitensis: immunological and chemical characterization of the active substances. A peptidoglycan-containing fraction called fraction P.I. (phenol insoluble), extracted from Brucella melitensis and previously described by some of us, had immunogenic and protective properties and did not produce any allergic reactions. Since it is well known that bacterial peptidoglycans studied so far have immunoadjuvant properties, the isolation of the active factor(s) of Brucella was undertaken. By successive enzymatic and chemical treatments, a new, much more purified fraction, called \"4A\" (approximately 5% of fraction P.I.), is obtained, retaining the same properties as P.I. and giving better protection against infection by Brucella. Immunogenicity, immunoadjuvant activity, allergizing capacity, and specific and nonspecific protective effects of fractions P.I. and 4A are compared. Chemically, fraction 4A is constituted by a lipoprotein covalently linked to peptidoglycan and by a few (lipo)proteins that could be solubilized by hot sodium dodecyl sulfate. Intrinsic properties of peptidoglycan could not be studied, but it does not seem to be essential for the activity. In conclusion, fractions P.I. and 4A are not agglutinogenic and, since fraction 4A induces better protection against infection by Brucella, it could advantageously replace fraction P.I. as a vaccine for humans.", "PMID": 770324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3159", "title": "Role of the rfa locus in the immunogenicity of common enterobacterial antigen.", "content": "Escherichia coli O14 is one of the few strains of Enterobacteriaceae which in the rabbit engender antibodies in high titers against the common enterobacterial antigen (CA). It is a rough strain that does not possess a specific side chain in its lipopolysaccharide structure (rfa+rfb-). An rfa mutant (rfa-rfb-) was isolated from this parental strain. Chemical analysis revealed the absence of one glucose and of one galactose molecule in the core polysaccharide of the mutant. The incomplete synthesis of the core was accompanied by loss of immunogenicity of CA. In the mutant, in contrast to the wild type, CA was not bound to the core; hence, the core lipopolysaccharide might exert immunosuppressive activity on CA. A protein fraction of normal rabbit serum was shown to destroy the erythrocyte-coating capacity of CA. This fraction also displayed immunosuppressive activity on free CA but not on CA bound to the core polysaccharide.", "contents": "Role of the rfa locus in the immunogenicity of common enterobacterial antigen. Escherichia coli O14 is one of the few strains of Enterobacteriaceae which in the rabbit engender antibodies in high titers against the common enterobacterial antigen (CA). It is a rough strain that does not possess a specific side chain in its lipopolysaccharide structure (rfa+rfb-). An rfa mutant (rfa-rfb-) was isolated from this parental strain. Chemical analysis revealed the absence of one glucose and of one galactose molecule in the core polysaccharide of the mutant. The incomplete synthesis of the core was accompanied by loss of immunogenicity of CA. In the mutant, in contrast to the wild type, CA was not bound to the core; hence, the core lipopolysaccharide might exert immunosuppressive activity on CA. A protein fraction of normal rabbit serum was shown to destroy the erythrocyte-coating capacity of CA. This fraction also displayed immunosuppressive activity on free CA but not on CA bound to the core polysaccharide.", "PMID": 770325} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3160", "title": "Effects of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infections in Microtus montanus on susceptibility to Ehrlich's tumors.", "content": "Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infections in the field vole Microtus montanus increased susceptibility to Ehrlich's tumor growth. Whereas uninfected voles were totally resistant to intraperitoneal Ehrlich's ascites tumor cell challenge, over 78% of the animals infected with the trypanosomes developed tumors after challenge. Likewise, when Ehrlich's ascites cells were injected subcutaneously to induce solid tumor formation, only 7% of uninfected controls developed tumors, whereas over 82% of trypanosome-infected animals exhibited malignancies after Ehrlich's cell challenge. Finally, when solid tumors grown in albino CD-1 mice were implanted subcutaneously into uninfected voles, the tumor mass rapidly diminished in size and could not be found when animals were examined 2 weeks postimplant. However, in trypanosome-infected voles, implanted tumors exhibited pronounced expansion, and viable, solid tumors were recovered from over 70% of the challenged voles at 2 weeks postimplant. The implications of trypanosome-induced immunosuppression, especially toward susceptibility to neoplastic growth, are discussed.", "contents": "Effects of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infections in Microtus montanus on susceptibility to Ehrlich's tumors. Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infections in the field vole Microtus montanus increased susceptibility to Ehrlich's tumor growth. Whereas uninfected voles were totally resistant to intraperitoneal Ehrlich's ascites tumor cell challenge, over 78% of the animals infected with the trypanosomes developed tumors after challenge. Likewise, when Ehrlich's ascites cells were injected subcutaneously to induce solid tumor formation, only 7% of uninfected controls developed tumors, whereas over 82% of trypanosome-infected animals exhibited malignancies after Ehrlich's cell challenge. Finally, when solid tumors grown in albino CD-1 mice were implanted subcutaneously into uninfected voles, the tumor mass rapidly diminished in size and could not be found when animals were examined 2 weeks postimplant. However, in trypanosome-infected voles, implanted tumors exhibited pronounced expansion, and viable, solid tumors were recovered from over 70% of the challenged voles at 2 weeks postimplant. The implications of trypanosome-induced immunosuppression, especially toward susceptibility to neoplastic growth, are discussed.", "PMID": 770326} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3161", "title": "Antigens of group A streptococci involved in passive hemagglutination reactions.", "content": "Antibodies to streptococcal extracellular products were detected in rabbit sera by passive hemagglutination tests as early as 1 week after intravenous injection of live group A streptococci (strain C203S). Using these antibodies in immunoadsorbent columns, we prepared an antigenic fraction from crude concentrates of streptococcal extracellular products. The specific activity of this fraction in sensitizing glutaraldehyde-treated erythrocytes for passive hemagglutination tests and in absorbing passive hemagglutination antibodies from immune sera was increased by 80-fold and at least 24-fold, respectively, as compared with crude extracellular products. The fraction has been found to contain at least three serologically active antigens, which are of considerable interest because: (i) they gave rise to early and consistent immune responses both in humans and in experimental animals; (ii) they appear so far to be produced only by beta-hemolytic streptococci; and (iii) antibodies to these antigens are present in high titers in patients with acute rheumatic fever. Our data suggest that passive hemagglutination antigens may be distinct from those extracellular enzymes and hemolysins ordinarily employed in streptococcal serological studies.", "contents": "Antigens of group A streptococci involved in passive hemagglutination reactions. Antibodies to streptococcal extracellular products were detected in rabbit sera by passive hemagglutination tests as early as 1 week after intravenous injection of live group A streptococci (strain C203S). Using these antibodies in immunoadsorbent columns, we prepared an antigenic fraction from crude concentrates of streptococcal extracellular products. The specific activity of this fraction in sensitizing glutaraldehyde-treated erythrocytes for passive hemagglutination tests and in absorbing passive hemagglutination antibodies from immune sera was increased by 80-fold and at least 24-fold, respectively, as compared with crude extracellular products. The fraction has been found to contain at least three serologically active antigens, which are of considerable interest because: (i) they gave rise to early and consistent immune responses both in humans and in experimental animals; (ii) they appear so far to be produced only by beta-hemolytic streptococci; and (iii) antibodies to these antigens are present in high titers in patients with acute rheumatic fever. Our data suggest that passive hemagglutination antigens may be distinct from those extracellular enzymes and hemolysins ordinarily employed in streptococcal serological studies.", "PMID": 770327} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3162", "title": "Effect of estradiol on immune competence: in vivo and in vitro studies.", "content": "The administration of a single dose of 2.5 mug of microcrystalline estradiol-17 beta from 1 day before and up until 3.5 days after the administration of 3 X 10(5) heat-killed Escherichia coli significantly increased numbers of splenic anti-E. coli antibody-producing cells in male mice sacrificed 4 days after receiving anitgen. Administration early in the proliferative phase of antibody production, i.e., 1 day before or 1 day after the antigen, appeared to increase numbers of antibody-producing cells more than when it was administered at a later time. When given 2 days before the antigen or 2 h before sacrifice no effect was observed. Spleen cells harvested from male animals injected 3 days before with 5 X 10(6) heat-killed E. coli were incubated for 24 h in vitro with estradiol in concentrations ranging from 5 pg to 20 ng/ml. With concentrations of 500 pg to 5,000 pg/ml, significant increases in antibody-producing cells occurred, whereas at concentrations of 20 ng/ml some decrease was observed. The increase in antibody-producing cells was blocked by a mitotic inhibitor. Significant changes in numbers of antibody-producing cells were not observed after a 2-h incubation period. Uptake of titrated thymidine was increased in thymic and spleen cells incubated for 24 h with 500 pg of estradiol per ml; a concentration of 20 ng/ml slightly (but insignificantly) decreased uptake. Findings suggest that estradiol, in concentrations that approximate physiological serum levels in females, enhances mitosis of immunocompetent cells. This phenomenon may have bearing on the better immunological responsiveness of females than males.", "contents": "Effect of estradiol on immune competence: in vivo and in vitro studies. The administration of a single dose of 2.5 mug of microcrystalline estradiol-17 beta from 1 day before and up until 3.5 days after the administration of 3 X 10(5) heat-killed Escherichia coli significantly increased numbers of splenic anti-E. coli antibody-producing cells in male mice sacrificed 4 days after receiving anitgen. Administration early in the proliferative phase of antibody production, i.e., 1 day before or 1 day after the antigen, appeared to increase numbers of antibody-producing cells more than when it was administered at a later time. When given 2 days before the antigen or 2 h before sacrifice no effect was observed. Spleen cells harvested from male animals injected 3 days before with 5 X 10(6) heat-killed E. coli were incubated for 24 h in vitro with estradiol in concentrations ranging from 5 pg to 20 ng/ml. With concentrations of 500 pg to 5,000 pg/ml, significant increases in antibody-producing cells occurred, whereas at concentrations of 20 ng/ml some decrease was observed. The increase in antibody-producing cells was blocked by a mitotic inhibitor. Significant changes in numbers of antibody-producing cells were not observed after a 2-h incubation period. Uptake of titrated thymidine was increased in thymic and spleen cells incubated for 24 h with 500 pg of estradiol per ml; a concentration of 20 ng/ml slightly (but insignificantly) decreased uptake. Findings suggest that estradiol, in concentrations that approximate physiological serum levels in females, enhances mitosis of immunocompetent cells. This phenomenon may have bearing on the better immunological responsiveness of females than males.", "PMID": 770328} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3163", "title": "Suppression of cell-mediated immunity after infection with attenuated rubella virus.", "content": "The effects of attenuated rubella virus infection upon cell-mediated immunity of human volunteers were studied. The volunteers received the vaccine either by nose drops or by the subcutaneous route. Changes in cell-mediated immunity in terms of delayed cutaneous sensitivity to recall antigens, phytohemagglutination stimulation, and spontaneous migration inhibitory factor-like activity were studied at various time periods after infection. Spontaneous migration inhibitory factor-like activity was studied on supernatants of the lymphocytes obtained from the volunteers and incubated for 72 h in the absence of any antigens. A significant proportion of the volunteers showed suppression of one or more parameters of cell-medicated immunity tested by week 2 of infection compared to the control; however, there was no correlation between suppression of the various parameters studied. No difference was noticed in the incidence of cell-mediated immunity suppression between nose drops and subcutaneous route groups.", "contents": "Suppression of cell-mediated immunity after infection with attenuated rubella virus. The effects of attenuated rubella virus infection upon cell-mediated immunity of human volunteers were studied. The volunteers received the vaccine either by nose drops or by the subcutaneous route. Changes in cell-mediated immunity in terms of delayed cutaneous sensitivity to recall antigens, phytohemagglutination stimulation, and spontaneous migration inhibitory factor-like activity were studied at various time periods after infection. Spontaneous migration inhibitory factor-like activity was studied on supernatants of the lymphocytes obtained from the volunteers and incubated for 72 h in the absence of any antigens. A significant proportion of the volunteers showed suppression of one or more parameters of cell-medicated immunity tested by week 2 of infection compared to the control; however, there was no correlation between suppression of the various parameters studied. No difference was noticed in the incidence of cell-mediated immunity suppression between nose drops and subcutaneous route groups.", "PMID": 770329} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3164", "title": "Systemic Mycobacterium lepraemurium infection in mice: differences in doubling time in liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and a method for measuring the proportion of viable organisms in an inoculum.", "content": "Counts of acid-fast bacilli were made on homogenates of whole liver, whole spleen, and two femurs of CBA mice killed at various time intervals after intravenous infection with Mycobacterium lepraemurium. The growth curves so obtained showed that the bacillus multiplied faster in bone marrow than in liver or spleen. No evidence of redistribution during the early part of infection was obtained. The time of appearance of significant numbers of bacilli (10(7)) in the bone marrow was used to make estimates of viability of M. lepraemurium suspensions. Several applications of the techniques described are discussed.", "contents": "Systemic Mycobacterium lepraemurium infection in mice: differences in doubling time in liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and a method for measuring the proportion of viable organisms in an inoculum. Counts of acid-fast bacilli were made on homogenates of whole liver, whole spleen, and two femurs of CBA mice killed at various time intervals after intravenous infection with Mycobacterium lepraemurium. The growth curves so obtained showed that the bacillus multiplied faster in bone marrow than in liver or spleen. No evidence of redistribution during the early part of infection was obtained. The time of appearance of significant numbers of bacilli (10(7)) in the bone marrow was used to make estimates of viability of M. lepraemurium suspensions. Several applications of the techniques described are discussed.", "PMID": 770330} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3165", "title": "Conditional virulence of a p-aminobenzoic acid-requiring mutant of Aspergillus fumigatus.", "content": "The induced auxotrophy for p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) resulted in a complete loss of virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus for normal as well as cortisone-treated mice. The PABA-requiring mutant of A. fumigatus survived in vivo for 4 to 7 days without causing any infection. However, it showed conditional virulence in animals receiving PABA in very small quantities. Repeated inoculations of the viable spores of the avirulent mutant strain gave favorable results in building immunity against intravenous challenge of the virulent strain. The immunogenicity of the PABA-requiring mutant was comparable with that of a wild strain of the fungus in agar gel double-diffusion tests using clinical and hyperimmune sera and in skin tests on patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.", "contents": "Conditional virulence of a p-aminobenzoic acid-requiring mutant of Aspergillus fumigatus. The induced auxotrophy for p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) resulted in a complete loss of virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus for normal as well as cortisone-treated mice. The PABA-requiring mutant of A. fumigatus survived in vivo for 4 to 7 days without causing any infection. However, it showed conditional virulence in animals receiving PABA in very small quantities. Repeated inoculations of the viable spores of the avirulent mutant strain gave favorable results in building immunity against intravenous challenge of the virulent strain. The immunogenicity of the PABA-requiring mutant was comparable with that of a wild strain of the fungus in agar gel double-diffusion tests using clinical and hyperimmune sera and in skin tests on patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.", "PMID": 770331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3166", "title": "Changes in lactoferrin, immunoglobulin G, bovine serum albumin, and alpha-lactalbumin during acute experimental and natural coliform mastitis in cows.", "content": "An experimentally induced Escherichia coli infection of a bovine mammary gland resulted in a 30-fold increase in lactoferrin (Lf) concentration in the mammary secretion by 90 h postinoculation and a 4-fold increase in total daily production of Lf by 264 h postinoculation in the infected quarter. A simultaneous rise and fall of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations occurred during the acute phase of the infection. Peak BSA and IgG levels were reached 36 h before peak Lf levels. BSA concentrations declined rapidly after the acute phase, whereas IgG and Lf levels remained elevated and decreased slowly as the infection subsided. A decline in alpha-lactalbumin concentration by 48 h postinoculation indicated decreased synthetic capability. The increased Lf production may be a result of a specific response of secretory tissue to inflammatory agents and thus the infectious process. Analogous changes in Lf, IgG, and BSA were observed during a natural coliform infection. Sephadex G-200 chromatography of mastitis skim milk showed that Lf approximated the monomer (molecular weight 77,100) early in infections progressed and abated, the apparent molecular weight of Lf increased to approximately that of the trimer and subsequently decreased to about 1.5 times that of the monomer.", "contents": "Changes in lactoferrin, immunoglobulin G, bovine serum albumin, and alpha-lactalbumin during acute experimental and natural coliform mastitis in cows. An experimentally induced Escherichia coli infection of a bovine mammary gland resulted in a 30-fold increase in lactoferrin (Lf) concentration in the mammary secretion by 90 h postinoculation and a 4-fold increase in total daily production of Lf by 264 h postinoculation in the infected quarter. A simultaneous rise and fall of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations occurred during the acute phase of the infection. Peak BSA and IgG levels were reached 36 h before peak Lf levels. BSA concentrations declined rapidly after the acute phase, whereas IgG and Lf levels remained elevated and decreased slowly as the infection subsided. A decline in alpha-lactalbumin concentration by 48 h postinoculation indicated decreased synthetic capability. The increased Lf production may be a result of a specific response of secretory tissue to inflammatory agents and thus the infectious process. Analogous changes in Lf, IgG, and BSA were observed during a natural coliform infection. Sephadex G-200 chromatography of mastitis skim milk showed that Lf approximated the monomer (molecular weight 77,100) early in infections progressed and abated, the apparent molecular weight of Lf increased to approximately that of the trimer and subsequently decreased to about 1.5 times that of the monomer.", "PMID": 770332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3167", "title": "Cutaneous granulomatous response to BCG cell walls with reference to cancer immunotherapy.", "content": "A chronic inflammatory response produced by cell walls of Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG associated with microscopic oil droplets (BCG CW-O) was studied with reference to the tumor-regressing ability of this preparation. When BCG CW-O was injected intradermally in the footpads of guinea pigs, intense inflammation developed at the site of injection and in the draining popliteal lymph node. This was characterized histologically as granulomatous inflammation. The intensity of the response was related to the dose of BCG CW-O. Cell walls without oil produced the same type of inflammation but much less in degree. Data are presented that demonstrate the immunological nature of this response and classify it as a cell-mediated immune reaction. Ramifications of this chronic inflammatory reaction occurring at the site of a tumor are discussed.", "contents": "Cutaneous granulomatous response to BCG cell walls with reference to cancer immunotherapy. A chronic inflammatory response produced by cell walls of Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG associated with microscopic oil droplets (BCG CW-O) was studied with reference to the tumor-regressing ability of this preparation. When BCG CW-O was injected intradermally in the footpads of guinea pigs, intense inflammation developed at the site of injection and in the draining popliteal lymph node. This was characterized histologically as granulomatous inflammation. The intensity of the response was related to the dose of BCG CW-O. Cell walls without oil produced the same type of inflammation but much less in degree. Data are presented that demonstrate the immunological nature of this response and classify it as a cell-mediated immune reaction. Ramifications of this chronic inflammatory reaction occurring at the site of a tumor are discussed.", "PMID": 770333} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3168", "title": "Restoration of T-cell responsiveness by thymosin: development of antituberculous resistance in BCG-infected animals.", "content": "T-cell-depleted (adult thymectomized, lethally irradiated, bone marrow-reconstituted [THXB]), sham-thymectomized (XB) and normal control mice were injected daily with 3 mg of calf thymosin for 16 days. On day 8 of the treatment, the mice, together with untreated controls, were infected intravenously with 4 X 10(6) viable Mycobacterium bovis (BCG Montreal). Growth of the BCG in the lungs and spleens was compared quantitatively for up to 100 days. Thymosin treatment reversed the progressive weight loss seen in BCG-infected THXB mice and prevented their death due to the ongoing mycobacteriosis that developed in the T-cell-depleted animal. There was a late-developing anti-mycobacterial response in the thymosin-treated THXB mice, which resulted in a progressive decline in viability for the lung and spleen populations over the 40- to 80-day period, when the corresponding counts for the untreated THXB mice remained relatively constant. The histopathology of the lung and the increased antibacterial activity seen in the thymosin-treated THXB mice correlated with decreased [3H]deoxyribonucleic acid levels seen in the lungs and spleen compared with that present in the T-cell-depleted controls.", "contents": "Restoration of T-cell responsiveness by thymosin: development of antituberculous resistance in BCG-infected animals. T-cell-depleted (adult thymectomized, lethally irradiated, bone marrow-reconstituted [THXB]), sham-thymectomized (XB) and normal control mice were injected daily with 3 mg of calf thymosin for 16 days. On day 8 of the treatment, the mice, together with untreated controls, were infected intravenously with 4 X 10(6) viable Mycobacterium bovis (BCG Montreal). Growth of the BCG in the lungs and spleens was compared quantitatively for up to 100 days. Thymosin treatment reversed the progressive weight loss seen in BCG-infected THXB mice and prevented their death due to the ongoing mycobacteriosis that developed in the T-cell-depleted animal. There was a late-developing anti-mycobacterial response in the thymosin-treated THXB mice, which resulted in a progressive decline in viability for the lung and spleen populations over the 40- to 80-day period, when the corresponding counts for the untreated THXB mice remained relatively constant. The histopathology of the lung and the increased antibacterial activity seen in the thymosin-treated THXB mice correlated with decreased [3H]deoxyribonucleic acid levels seen in the lungs and spleen compared with that present in the T-cell-depleted controls.", "PMID": 770334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3169", "title": "[Old and new data on diarrhetic diseases in childhood I. Etiology and pathophysiology].", "content": "Etiology and Pathophysiology. The present article is a comprehensive review of recent research results in the field of acute diarrhea. The most important new idea in contrast to older views is that almost all acute diarrheas are associated with a disturbance of intestinal bacterial homeostasis: overgrowth of the small intestine with apathogenic or pathogenic organisms is followed by changes in intestinal metabolism with increase in intestinal water and electrolyte secretion. Anaerobic organisms cause by enzymatic deconugation and dydroxylation of bile acids secretion of fluid into the small intestine and inhibition of fluid absorption from the large intestine. 10-OH-fatty acids, which are formed intraluminally by enzymatic hydroxylation of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids from the diet by similar anaerobic organisms, produce profuse secretion of fluid into the small intestine. The ability of numerous strains of E. coli to produce enterotoxin, which has a qualitatively similar action to cholera toxin, is now considered to be a major cause of infantile diarrhea. The separation of two completely different pathophysiologic mechanisms of E. Coli, the enterotoxic and the enteroinvasive action which are determined by extranuclear chromosomal material, is an important result of recent research. Overgrowth of the small intestine with different bacteria is followed by loss of actiivity of lactase, and later of all disaccharidases in the intestinal mucosa.", "contents": "[Old and new data on diarrhetic diseases in childhood I. Etiology and pathophysiology]. Etiology and Pathophysiology. The present article is a comprehensive review of recent research results in the field of acute diarrhea. The most important new idea in contrast to older views is that almost all acute diarrheas are associated with a disturbance of intestinal bacterial homeostasis: overgrowth of the small intestine with apathogenic or pathogenic organisms is followed by changes in intestinal metabolism with increase in intestinal water and electrolyte secretion. Anaerobic organisms cause by enzymatic deconugation and dydroxylation of bile acids secretion of fluid into the small intestine and inhibition of fluid absorption from the large intestine. 10-OH-fatty acids, which are formed intraluminally by enzymatic hydroxylation of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids from the diet by similar anaerobic organisms, produce profuse secretion of fluid into the small intestine. The ability of numerous strains of E. coli to produce enterotoxin, which has a qualitatively similar action to cholera toxin, is now considered to be a major cause of infantile diarrhea. The separation of two completely different pathophysiologic mechanisms of E. Coli, the enterotoxic and the enteroinvasive action which are determined by extranuclear chromosomal material, is an important result of recent research. Overgrowth of the small intestine with different bacteria is followed by loss of actiivity of lactase, and later of all disaccharidases in the intestinal mucosa.", "PMID": 770335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3170", "title": "Dermatologic radiotheraphy: selection of radiation qualities and treatment techniques.", "content": "The penetration of x-rays should be correlated the depth of the pathological process. The introduction of the \"half-value depth\" (D1/2) as a guidline in the selection of radiation qualities has greatly simplified cutaneous radiotherapy. Modern dermatologic x-ray units with beryllium windows operated between 10 and 50 (or 100 kV, offer the widest spectrum of radiation qualities suitable for dermatologic therapy, although older types of radiation equipment are still useful for most dermatology indications. Previous risks in dermatologic radiation therapy have been reduced to a large degree by the introduction of new sophisticated safety devices and by a deliberate reduction of unnecessary variations in the selection of physical factors. Beryllium window machine can be operated without changing milliamperage, target-skin distance or dose rate for different indications. The recommended standardization of physical factors offers a safer and easier alternative to previous techniques.", "contents": "Dermatologic radiotheraphy: selection of radiation qualities and treatment techniques. The penetration of x-rays should be correlated the depth of the pathological process. The introduction of the \"half-value depth\" (D1/2) as a guidline in the selection of radiation qualities has greatly simplified cutaneous radiotherapy. Modern dermatologic x-ray units with beryllium windows operated between 10 and 50 (or 100 kV, offer the widest spectrum of radiation qualities suitable for dermatologic therapy, although older types of radiation equipment are still useful for most dermatology indications. Previous risks in dermatologic radiation therapy have been reduced to a large degree by the introduction of new sophisticated safety devices and by a deliberate reduction of unnecessary variations in the selection of physical factors. Beryllium window machine can be operated without changing milliamperage, target-skin distance or dose rate for different indications. The recommended standardization of physical factors offers a safer and easier alternative to previous techniques.", "PMID": 770349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3171", "title": "William Farr: founder of modern concepts of surveillance.", "content": "Considerable confusion surrounds the use of the term surveillance in the context of public health but the principles underlying all uses are as old as epidemiology itself. William Farr has contributed more than anyone else to the development of these principles and to the demonstration of their value in practice on a large scale. This paper re-examines the basic tenets which guided him and the methods and techniques which he developed in the hope of reviving insights and resetting standards that modern epidemiologists might, with benefit, strive to emulate.", "contents": "William Farr: founder of modern concepts of surveillance. Considerable confusion surrounds the use of the term surveillance in the context of public health but the principles underlying all uses are as old as epidemiology itself. William Farr has contributed more than anyone else to the development of these principles and to the demonstration of their value in practice on a large scale. This paper re-examines the basic tenets which guided him and the methods and techniques which he developed in the hope of reviving insights and resetting standards that modern epidemiologists might, with benefit, strive to emulate.", "PMID": 770352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3172", "title": "Cancer surveillance with particular reference to the uses of mortality data.", "content": "Cancer surveillance serves several purposes related to prevention, control and treatment. Morbidity information from cancer registration and mortality data based on death certification complement each other and both are necessary for surveillance. In many respects mortality data are sufficiently accurate and specific to reveal major differences and trends. The importance of recognizing even small aggregations of rare tumours is stressed.", "contents": "Cancer surveillance with particular reference to the uses of mortality data. Cancer surveillance serves several purposes related to prevention, control and treatment. Morbidity information from cancer registration and mortality data based on death certification complement each other and both are necessary for surveillance. In many respects mortality data are sufficiently accurate and specific to reveal major differences and trends. The importance of recognizing even small aggregations of rare tumours is stressed.", "PMID": 770353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3173", "title": "Health surveillance and planning for health care in the Netherlands.", "content": "This paper begins by describing the historical background to health surveillance and planning in the Netherlands from their beginnings in the late Middle Ages. It goes on to discuss the present organization of health care and recent attempts to obtain more reliable and comprehensive information on which to base health care planning. The rudiments of a general health information system already exist and a feasibility study for establishing such a system on a regional basis has been proposed.", "contents": "Health surveillance and planning for health care in the Netherlands. This paper begins by describing the historical background to health surveillance and planning in the Netherlands from their beginnings in the late Middle Ages. It goes on to discuss the present organization of health care and recent attempts to obtain more reliable and comprehensive information on which to base health care planning. The rudiments of a general health information system already exist and a feasibility study for establishing such a system on a regional basis has been proposed.", "PMID": 770354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3174", "title": "The movement pattern of oral tardive dyskinesia in relation to anticholinergic and antidopaminergic treatment.", "content": "24 hospitalized psychiatric patients with neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia were treated with alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT), 4 g daily for 3 days, and biperiden, 12 mg daily for 3 weeks. The results were evaluated blindly by means of videotape technique. The frequency of tardive dyskinesia was significantly reduced by AMPT and significantly increased by biperiden. The amplitude was reduced by AMPT in ten cases, unchanged in 12 cases and increased in two cases. Biperiden significantly increased the amplitude. The duration of each separate tongue protrusion and/or mouth opening was significantly increased by AMPT and reduced or unchanged by biperiden. It is concluded that a reduced dopaminergic activity (pharmacological or organic) may constitute the primary pathogenetic background for tardive dyskinesia, but that dopaminergic hypersensitivity and/or cholinergic hypofunction is necessary before the hyperkinetic element of the movement disturbances can minifest itself.", "contents": "The movement pattern of oral tardive dyskinesia in relation to anticholinergic and antidopaminergic treatment. 24 hospitalized psychiatric patients with neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia were treated with alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT), 4 g daily for 3 days, and biperiden, 12 mg daily for 3 weeks. The results were evaluated blindly by means of videotape technique. The frequency of tardive dyskinesia was significantly reduced by AMPT and significantly increased by biperiden. The amplitude was reduced by AMPT in ten cases, unchanged in 12 cases and increased in two cases. Biperiden significantly increased the amplitude. The duration of each separate tongue protrusion and/or mouth opening was significantly increased by AMPT and reduced or unchanged by biperiden. It is concluded that a reduced dopaminergic activity (pharmacological or organic) may constitute the primary pathogenetic background for tardive dyskinesia, but that dopaminergic hypersensitivity and/or cholinergic hypofunction is necessary before the hyperkinetic element of the movement disturbances can minifest itself.", "PMID": 770362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3175", "title": "Application of the neuroleptic pimozide (ORAP-R 6238) for tranquilizer indications in a controlled study.", "content": "The effect of the neuroleptic pimozide at doses of 2 mg/day was compared with that of diazepam at doses of 3 x 5 mg. This double-blind study involved 50 outpatients with psychovegetative syndromes and anxiety neuroses. At these doses and under the described test conditions both preparations were virtually equally effective. Pimozide can therefore be considered an alternative preparation for 'genuine' tranquilizers. Above all, its application seems to be useful in patients that are prone to drug abuse, and therefore, a priori, endangered by habit formation.", "contents": "Application of the neuroleptic pimozide (ORAP-R 6238) for tranquilizer indications in a controlled study. The effect of the neuroleptic pimozide at doses of 2 mg/day was compared with that of diazepam at doses of 3 x 5 mg. This double-blind study involved 50 outpatients with psychovegetative syndromes and anxiety neuroses. At these doses and under the described test conditions both preparations were virtually equally effective. Pimozide can therefore be considered an alternative preparation for 'genuine' tranquilizers. Above all, its application seems to be useful in patients that are prone to drug abuse, and therefore, a priori, endangered by habit formation.", "PMID": 770363} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3176", "title": "Mianserin versus amitriptyline. A double-blind-trial evaluated by the AMP system.", "content": "Amitriptyline and mianserin were compared in a double-blind trial. Most of the depressive symptoms were influenced by both drugs, though quantitative and qualitative differences became evident. Amitriptyline predominantly influenced anxiety, despair and suicidal tendencies, while mianserin was particularly effective in psychomotor inhibition and the reduction of vegitative complaints. Mianserin did not show anticholinergic side effects.", "contents": "Mianserin versus amitriptyline. A double-blind-trial evaluated by the AMP system. Amitriptyline and mianserin were compared in a double-blind trial. Most of the depressive symptoms were influenced by both drugs, though quantitative and qualitative differences became evident. Amitriptyline predominantly influenced anxiety, despair and suicidal tendencies, while mianserin was particularly effective in psychomotor inhibition and the reduction of vegitative complaints. Mianserin did not show anticholinergic side effects.", "PMID": 770364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3177", "title": "5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and a MAOI (nialamide) in the treatment of depressions. A double-blind controlled study.", "content": "Through a controlled double-blind study in 30 hospitalized patients affected with endogenous depression, the antidepressant action of the combination of nialamide+l-5-HTP has been evaluated and compared with a control group which only received nialamide (+ placebo). The patients treated with nialamide + l-5-HTP achieved a fuller recovery than those who were treated with nialamide alone. The treatment with nialamide + l-5-HTP proved to have a shorter delay of onset. Side effects showed no marked differences except for the orthostatic hypotension which was less apparent in those patients treated with nialamide + l-5-HTP.", "contents": "5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and a MAOI (nialamide) in the treatment of depressions. A double-blind controlled study. Through a controlled double-blind study in 30 hospitalized patients affected with endogenous depression, the antidepressant action of the combination of nialamide+l-5-HTP has been evaluated and compared with a control group which only received nialamide (+ placebo). The patients treated with nialamide + l-5-HTP achieved a fuller recovery than those who were treated with nialamide alone. The treatment with nialamide + l-5-HTP proved to have a shorter delay of onset. Side effects showed no marked differences except for the orthostatic hypotension which was less apparent in those patients treated with nialamide + l-5-HTP.", "PMID": 770365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3178", "title": "Scanning electron microscopy of postoperative M-K and moist chamber-stored corneas.", "content": "In the present study, using the in vivo test situation which all corneal donor material must meet, we performed penetrating keratoplastics utilizing corneal tissue stored for five days in either M-K medium or conventional moist chambers. Cat corneas stored for five days in M-K medium had a higher incidence of postoperative graft clarity along with an intact endothelial cell layer as determined by scanning electron microscopy than corneas stored in a conventional moist chamber. The endothelium of corneas immediately after moist chamber storage revealed minimal surface alteration which contrasted to the more severely stressed endothelium immediately after M-K storage. However, the M-K stored endothelium survived the trauma of penetrating keratoplasty much better than cells stored in moist chambers.", "contents": "Scanning electron microscopy of postoperative M-K and moist chamber-stored corneas. In the present study, using the in vivo test situation which all corneal donor material must meet, we performed penetrating keratoplastics utilizing corneal tissue stored for five days in either M-K medium or conventional moist chambers. Cat corneas stored for five days in M-K medium had a higher incidence of postoperative graft clarity along with an intact endothelial cell layer as determined by scanning electron microscopy than corneas stored in a conventional moist chamber. The endothelium of corneas immediately after moist chamber storage revealed minimal surface alteration which contrasted to the more severely stressed endothelium immediately after M-K storage. However, the M-K stored endothelium survived the trauma of penetrating keratoplasty much better than cells stored in moist chambers.", "PMID": 770384} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3179", "title": "The effect of imidazole on the disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier in the rabbit eye.", "content": "The aqueous flare (AF) of an intact rabbit eye was measured by a photoelectrical instrument and the intraocular pressure by vibration tonometry. Prior treatment with imidazole given intraperitoneally noticeably inhibited the disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier in rabbit eyes induced by topical prostaglandin E2 (PGE)2, topical arachidonic acid (AA), infrared irradiation of the iris, endotoxin of Proteus mirabilis given intravenously, and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) given subcutaneously. Prior treatment with imidazole given topically had no effect on the disruption of the blood aqueous barrier caused by topical PGE2, topical AA, infrared irradiation of the iris, or endotoxin of P. mirabilis given intravenously, but facilitated and potentiated strongly the response to alpha-MSH given subcutaneously. Prior treatment with topical imidazole did not affect the histological changes of the anterior ciliary processes induced by alpha-MSH given subcutaneously.", "contents": "The effect of imidazole on the disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier in the rabbit eye. The aqueous flare (AF) of an intact rabbit eye was measured by a photoelectrical instrument and the intraocular pressure by vibration tonometry. Prior treatment with imidazole given intraperitoneally noticeably inhibited the disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier in rabbit eyes induced by topical prostaglandin E2 (PGE)2, topical arachidonic acid (AA), infrared irradiation of the iris, endotoxin of Proteus mirabilis given intravenously, and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) given subcutaneously. Prior treatment with imidazole given topically had no effect on the disruption of the blood aqueous barrier caused by topical PGE2, topical AA, infrared irradiation of the iris, or endotoxin of P. mirabilis given intravenously, but facilitated and potentiated strongly the response to alpha-MSH given subcutaneously. Prior treatment with topical imidazole did not affect the histological changes of the anterior ciliary processes induced by alpha-MSH given subcutaneously.", "PMID": 770385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3180", "title": "The nuclear envelope in the crystalline lens fiber cell.", "content": "Rabbit lenses which have been fixed, dehydrated, and dried by a critical-point drying method, can be fractured through the cytoplasm of the differentiating lens fibers, exposing the cell nuclei. The fracture, under these conditions, causes a complete separation of the two membranes of the nuclear envelope from one another, thus exposing entire membrane surfaces (those which line the perinuclear space). These surfaces are not seen in their entirety in typical freeze-fracture or freeze-etch preparations, and consequently have not been described previously. The exposed membrane surfaces which line the perinuclear space have numerous convex structures of approximately 1,000 A, and some larger more irregularly shaped structures. These appear to be fragments of the nuclear pore complexes. Differences in these structures between young fibers and those nearing completion of differentiation is suggested.", "contents": "The nuclear envelope in the crystalline lens fiber cell. Rabbit lenses which have been fixed, dehydrated, and dried by a critical-point drying method, can be fractured through the cytoplasm of the differentiating lens fibers, exposing the cell nuclei. The fracture, under these conditions, causes a complete separation of the two membranes of the nuclear envelope from one another, thus exposing entire membrane surfaces (those which line the perinuclear space). These surfaces are not seen in their entirety in typical freeze-fracture or freeze-etch preparations, and consequently have not been described previously. The exposed membrane surfaces which line the perinuclear space have numerous convex structures of approximately 1,000 A, and some larger more irregularly shaped structures. These appear to be fragments of the nuclear pore complexes. Differences in these structures between young fibers and those nearing completion of differentiation is suggested.", "PMID": 770388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3181", "title": "Nocardiosis in Israel. A report of five cases.", "content": "Five cases of Nocardia infection are briefly described, four due to Nocardia asteroides and one to N. brasiliensis. The latter represents the first reported case of N. brasiliensis infection in Israel. In three of the patients, the infections were associated with an underlying disease process and with prolonged high-dosage therapy with steroids and/or cytotoxic drugs. In the other two patients, the disease was spontaneous.", "contents": "Nocardiosis in Israel. A report of five cases. Five cases of Nocardia infection are briefly described, four due to Nocardia asteroides and one to N. brasiliensis. The latter represents the first reported case of N. brasiliensis infection in Israel. In three of the patients, the infections were associated with an underlying disease process and with prolonged high-dosage therapy with steroids and/or cytotoxic drugs. In the other two patients, the disease was spontaneous.", "PMID": 770393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3182", "title": "Evaluation of a computerized Bayesian model for diagnosis of renal cyst vs. tumor vs. normal variant from urogram information.", "content": "The diagnostic problem of cyst/tumor/normal variant raised on an excretory urogram leads to a decision to do needle aspiration or renal arteriography. This decision depends critically upon the probability distribution for the three diagnoses. A computerized Bayesian model of a uroradiologist's diagnostic process in solving the problem was developed. The model was based on subjective probabilities supplied by an experienced uroradiologist. The model was evaluated in terms of its ability to decrease the cost of further diagnosis regarding aspiration versus arteriography. The model's output was compared with decisions made by unaided radiologists viewing the same panel of 50 urogram test cases. Results indicate that the model does not improve upon the decisions made by a radiologist highly experienced with this diagnostic problem. However, the decisions made by unaided, less experienced radiologists result in greater cost than those of the model.", "contents": "Evaluation of a computerized Bayesian model for diagnosis of renal cyst vs. tumor vs. normal variant from urogram information. The diagnostic problem of cyst/tumor/normal variant raised on an excretory urogram leads to a decision to do needle aspiration or renal arteriography. This decision depends critically upon the probability distribution for the three diagnoses. A computerized Bayesian model of a uroradiologist's diagnostic process in solving the problem was developed. The model was based on subjective probabilities supplied by an experienced uroradiologist. The model was evaluated in terms of its ability to decrease the cost of further diagnosis regarding aspiration versus arteriography. The model's output was compared with decisions made by unaided radiologists viewing the same panel of 50 urogram test cases. Results indicate that the model does not improve upon the decisions made by a radiologist highly experienced with this diagnostic problem. However, the decisions made by unaided, less experienced radiologists result in greater cost than those of the model.", "PMID": 770389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3183", "title": "A computer program for the localization of small areas in roentgenological images.", "content": "A method and associated algorithm are presented which allow a simple and accurate determination to be made of the location of small symmetric areas presented in roentgenological images. The method utilizes an operator to visually spot object positions but eliminates the need for critical positoning accuracy on the operator's part. The rapidity of measurement allows results to be evaluated on-line. Parameters associated with the algorithm have been analyzed, and methods to facilitate an optimum choice for any particular experimental setup are presented.", "contents": "A computer program for the localization of small areas in roentgenological images. A method and associated algorithm are presented which allow a simple and accurate determination to be made of the location of small symmetric areas presented in roentgenological images. The method utilizes an operator to visually spot object positions but eliminates the need for critical positoning accuracy on the operator's part. The rapidity of measurement allows results to be evaluated on-line. Parameters associated with the algorithm have been analyzed, and methods to facilitate an optimum choice for any particular experimental setup are presented.", "PMID": 770390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3184", "title": "A modified membrana nictitians flap technique for the treatment of ulcerative keratitis in cattle.", "content": "A modified membrana nictitans flap technique was used successfully in 1,768 of 1,845 (95.8%) cattle with several types of ulcerative keratitis. The flap was easily applied and lasted 7 to 10 days.", "contents": "A modified membrana nictitians flap technique for the treatment of ulcerative keratitis in cattle. A modified membrana nictitans flap technique was used successfully in 1,768 of 1,845 (95.8%) cattle with several types of ulcerative keratitis. The flap was easily applied and lasted 7 to 10 days.", "PMID": 770403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3185", "title": "Enterocin, a new antibiotic taxonomy, isolation and characterization.", "content": "Enterocin is a new antibiotic isolated from cultures of two strains of Streptomyces, which were given the names Streptomyces candidus var. enterostaticus WS-8096 and variant M-127 of Streptomyces viridochromogenes. Its elementary analysis and mass spectroscopic measurement suggest the molecular formula is C22H20010. The ultraviolet absorption gave two maximal peaks at 250 nm and 283 nm in methanol. Enterocin has static activities against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and no activity against fungi and yeast.", "contents": "Enterocin, a new antibiotic taxonomy, isolation and characterization. Enterocin is a new antibiotic isolated from cultures of two strains of Streptomyces, which were given the names Streptomyces candidus var. enterostaticus WS-8096 and variant M-127 of Streptomyces viridochromogenes. Its elementary analysis and mass spectroscopic measurement suggest the molecular formula is C22H20010. The ultraviolet absorption gave two maximal peaks at 250 nm and 283 nm in methanol. Enterocin has static activities against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and no activity against fungi and yeast.", "PMID": 770404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3186", "title": "Identification of mycolutein and pulvomycin as aureothin and labilomycin respectively.", "content": "Two antibiotics isolated from a culture MA-2465 were identified as aureothin and labilomycin, the chemical structures of which had been reported previously. It was also concluded that mycolutein and pulvomycin isolated as antibiotics in 1955 and 1957 respectively are also identical with aureothin and labilomycin. A cursory study of MA-2465 indicates that it is distinctly different from the culture which was first observed to produce labilomycin and is probably different from the organism first noted to produce aureothin.", "contents": "Identification of mycolutein and pulvomycin as aureothin and labilomycin respectively. Two antibiotics isolated from a culture MA-2465 were identified as aureothin and labilomycin, the chemical structures of which had been reported previously. It was also concluded that mycolutein and pulvomycin isolated as antibiotics in 1955 and 1957 respectively are also identical with aureothin and labilomycin. A cursory study of MA-2465 indicates that it is distinctly different from the culture which was first observed to produce labilomycin and is probably different from the organism first noted to produce aureothin.", "PMID": 770405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3187", "title": "Antimycin A fermentation. I. Production and selection of strains.", "content": "Increase in antimycin A production was achieved through a parallel strain and medium improvement program: a 125-fold augmentation (75 to 9,500 mug/ml) was obtained. The selective system included antimycin A productivity, conidiation, sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, growth rate and yield, and absence of pigment and actinomycin D production. Among the original strains tested one natural isolate possessed high productivity and several of the above characteristics, and was selected for mutagenesis. Spontaneous and induced variability was then exploited in isolating high-producing strains. The first mutagen used was ultraviolet radiation; it was replaced by ethylenimine when it became no longer efficient in increasing variability. As new, high producers were isolated, the medium was modified to best suit their requirements for still higher productivity. The critical environmental factors were absence of phosphate and organic salts, concentration of the nitrogen source and ratio organic/inorganic nitrogen, ratio ammonium sulfate/calcium carbonate, and addition of slowly utilizable carbon sources, such as lactose and oil; optimum temperature and initial pH were 25 degrees C and 7.0. Aeration/agitation requirements of improved strains were high. Fermentation was characterized by abrupt pH changes which impaired rapid accumulation of the antibiotic. Antimycin A was produced during both the trophophase and idiophase.", "contents": "Antimycin A fermentation. I. Production and selection of strains. Increase in antimycin A production was achieved through a parallel strain and medium improvement program: a 125-fold augmentation (75 to 9,500 mug/ml) was obtained. The selective system included antimycin A productivity, conidiation, sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, growth rate and yield, and absence of pigment and actinomycin D production. Among the original strains tested one natural isolate possessed high productivity and several of the above characteristics, and was selected for mutagenesis. Spontaneous and induced variability was then exploited in isolating high-producing strains. The first mutagen used was ultraviolet radiation; it was replaced by ethylenimine when it became no longer efficient in increasing variability. As new, high producers were isolated, the medium was modified to best suit their requirements for still higher productivity. The critical environmental factors were absence of phosphate and organic salts, concentration of the nitrogen source and ratio organic/inorganic nitrogen, ratio ammonium sulfate/calcium carbonate, and addition of slowly utilizable carbon sources, such as lactose and oil; optimum temperature and initial pH were 25 degrees C and 7.0. Aeration/agitation requirements of improved strains were high. Fermentation was characterized by abrupt pH changes which impaired rapid accumulation of the antibiotic. Antimycin A was produced during both the trophophase and idiophase.", "PMID": 770406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3188", "title": "Translocation of a discrete piece of deoxyribonucleic acid carrying an amp gene between replicons in Eschericha coli.", "content": "A number of well-characterized R plasmids (R1drd 19. K1.R100-1, R46, R55-1, R64-11, R388, and R751) will mobilize an integrated amp gene from the chromosome of Escherichia coli K-12. R391 will not act in this way. The process involves recombination, and in each case the mobilizing plasmid acquires an additional piece of deoxyribonucleic acid of molecular weight 4 X 10(6). Acquisition of this deoxyribonucleic acid may impair the transfer properties of the recombinant plasmid in some cases. The process will occur in a recA background.", "contents": "Translocation of a discrete piece of deoxyribonucleic acid carrying an amp gene between replicons in Eschericha coli. A number of well-characterized R plasmids (R1drd 19. K1.R100-1, R46, R55-1, R64-11, R388, and R751) will mobilize an integrated amp gene from the chromosome of Escherichia coli K-12. R391 will not act in this way. The process involves recombination, and in each case the mobilizing plasmid acquires an additional piece of deoxyribonucleic acid of molecular weight 4 X 10(6). Acquisition of this deoxyribonucleic acid may impair the transfer properties of the recombinant plasmid in some cases. The process will occur in a recA background.", "PMID": 770415} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3189", "title": "Threonine deaminase from a nonsense mutant of Escherichia coli requiring isoleucine or pyridoxine: evidence for half-of-the-sites reactivity.", "content": "The mutant IP7 of Escherichia coli B requires isoleucine or pyridoxine for growth as a consequence of a mutation in the gene coding for biosynthetic threonine deaminase. The mutation of IP7 was shown to be of the nonsense type by the following data: (1) reversion to isoleucine prototrophy involves the formation of external suppression at a high frequency, as shown by transduction experiments; and (ii) the isoleucine requirement is suppressed by lysogenization with a phage carrying the amber suppressor su-3. Cell extracts of the mutant strain contain a low activity of threonine deaminase. The possibility that this activity is biodegradative was ruled out by kinetic experiments. The mutant threonine deaminase was purified to homogeneity by conventional procedures. The enzyme is a dimer of identical subunits of an approximate molecular weight of 43,000 (Grimminger and Feldner, 1974), whereas the wild-type enzyme is a tetramer of 50,000-dalton subunits (Calhoun et al., 1973; Grimminger et al., 1973). The mutant enzyme is not inhibited by isoleucine and does not bind isoleucine, as shown by equilibrium dialysis experiments. Pyridoxal phosphate enhances the maximum catalytic activity of the mutant enzyme by a factor of five, whereas the wild-type enzyme is not affected. In wild-type and mutant threonine deaminase the ratio of protein subunits and bound pyridoxal phosphate is 2:1. The activation of threonine deaminase from strain IP7 is due to a second coenzyme binding site, as shown by (i) spectrophotometric titration of the enzyme with pyridoxal phosphate and by (ii) measurement the pyridoxal phosphate content of the enzyme after sodium borohydride reduction of the protein. The observation of one pyridoxal phosphate binding site per peptide dimer in the wild-type enzyme and of two binding sites per dimer in the mutant strongly suggests that one of the potential sites in the wild-type enzyme is masked by allosteric effects. The factors responsible for the half-of-the-sites reactivity of the coenzyme sites appear to be nonoperative in the mutant protein.", "contents": "Threonine deaminase from a nonsense mutant of Escherichia coli requiring isoleucine or pyridoxine: evidence for half-of-the-sites reactivity. The mutant IP7 of Escherichia coli B requires isoleucine or pyridoxine for growth as a consequence of a mutation in the gene coding for biosynthetic threonine deaminase. The mutation of IP7 was shown to be of the nonsense type by the following data: (1) reversion to isoleucine prototrophy involves the formation of external suppression at a high frequency, as shown by transduction experiments; and (ii) the isoleucine requirement is suppressed by lysogenization with a phage carrying the amber suppressor su-3. Cell extracts of the mutant strain contain a low activity of threonine deaminase. The possibility that this activity is biodegradative was ruled out by kinetic experiments. The mutant threonine deaminase was purified to homogeneity by conventional procedures. The enzyme is a dimer of identical subunits of an approximate molecular weight of 43,000 (Grimminger and Feldner, 1974), whereas the wild-type enzyme is a tetramer of 50,000-dalton subunits (Calhoun et al., 1973; Grimminger et al., 1973). The mutant enzyme is not inhibited by isoleucine and does not bind isoleucine, as shown by equilibrium dialysis experiments. Pyridoxal phosphate enhances the maximum catalytic activity of the mutant enzyme by a factor of five, whereas the wild-type enzyme is not affected. In wild-type and mutant threonine deaminase the ratio of protein subunits and bound pyridoxal phosphate is 2:1. The activation of threonine deaminase from strain IP7 is due to a second coenzyme binding site, as shown by (i) spectrophotometric titration of the enzyme with pyridoxal phosphate and by (ii) measurement the pyridoxal phosphate content of the enzyme after sodium borohydride reduction of the protein. The observation of one pyridoxal phosphate binding site per peptide dimer in the wild-type enzyme and of two binding sites per dimer in the mutant strongly suggests that one of the potential sites in the wild-type enzyme is masked by allosteric effects. The factors responsible for the half-of-the-sites reactivity of the coenzyme sites appear to be nonoperative in the mutant protein.", "PMID": 770416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3190", "title": "Biosynthesis of membrane-bound nitrate reductase in Escherichia coli: evidence for a soluble precursor.", "content": "Membrane-bound nitrate reductase of Escherichia coli consists of three subunits designated as A, B, and C, with subunit C being the apoprotein of cytochrome b, A hemA mutant that cannot synthesize delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) produces a normal, stable, membrane-bound enzyme when grown with ALA. When grown without ALA, this mutant makes a reduced amount of membrane-bound enzyme that is unstable and contains no C subunit. Under the same growth conditions, this mutant accumulates a large amount of a soluble form of the enzyme in the cytoplasm. Accumulation of this cytoplasmic form begins immediately upon induction of the enzyme with nitrate. The cytoplasmic form is very similar to the soluble form of the enzyme obtained by alkaline heat extraction. It is a high-molecular-weight complex with a Strokes radius of 8.0 nm and consists of intact A and B subunits. When ALA is added to a culture growing without ALA, the cytoplasmic form of the enzyme is incorporated into the membrane in a stable form, coincident with the formation of functional cytochrome b. Reconstitution experiments indicate that subunit C is present in cultures grown without ALA but is reduced in amount or unstable. These results indicate that membrane-bound nitrate reductase is synthesized via a soluble precursor containing subunits A and B, which then binds to the membrane upon interaction with the third subunit, cytochrome b.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of membrane-bound nitrate reductase in Escherichia coli: evidence for a soluble precursor. Membrane-bound nitrate reductase of Escherichia coli consists of three subunits designated as A, B, and C, with subunit C being the apoprotein of cytochrome b, A hemA mutant that cannot synthesize delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) produces a normal, stable, membrane-bound enzyme when grown with ALA. When grown without ALA, this mutant makes a reduced amount of membrane-bound enzyme that is unstable and contains no C subunit. Under the same growth conditions, this mutant accumulates a large amount of a soluble form of the enzyme in the cytoplasm. Accumulation of this cytoplasmic form begins immediately upon induction of the enzyme with nitrate. The cytoplasmic form is very similar to the soluble form of the enzyme obtained by alkaline heat extraction. It is a high-molecular-weight complex with a Strokes radius of 8.0 nm and consists of intact A and B subunits. When ALA is added to a culture growing without ALA, the cytoplasmic form of the enzyme is incorporated into the membrane in a stable form, coincident with the formation of functional cytochrome b. Reconstitution experiments indicate that subunit C is present in cultures grown without ALA but is reduced in amount or unstable. These results indicate that membrane-bound nitrate reductase is synthesized via a soluble precursor containing subunits A and B, which then binds to the membrane upon interaction with the third subunit, cytochrome b.", "PMID": 770417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3191", "title": "Specific in vivo cleavage of D-serine deaminase and properties of tetrameric polypeptide aggregates of the fragments.", "content": "The primary D-serine deaminase (D-serine dehydratase, EC 4.2.1.14) of Escherichia coli K-12 is unstable within the cell. The protein, a single polypeptide chain, is cleaved at a lysine residue by a cellular proteolytic activity. Fragments containing the active site then aggregate into tetramers, which retain substrate affinity and show very low catalytic activity. Such degradations may represent an evolutionary mechanism for the generation of new enzymes.", "contents": "Specific in vivo cleavage of D-serine deaminase and properties of tetrameric polypeptide aggregates of the fragments. The primary D-serine deaminase (D-serine dehydratase, EC 4.2.1.14) of Escherichia coli K-12 is unstable within the cell. The protein, a single polypeptide chain, is cleaved at a lysine residue by a cellular proteolytic activity. Fragments containing the active site then aggregate into tetramers, which retain substrate affinity and show very low catalytic activity. Such degradations may represent an evolutionary mechanism for the generation of new enzymes.", "PMID": 770418} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3192", "title": "Inactivation of membrane transport in Escherichia coli by near-ultraviolet light.", "content": "Evidence is presented that near-ultraviolet (near-UV) light can alter galactoside transport in Escherichia coli in several independent ways. It can inactivate the permease system per se, it can interfere with metabolic energy production or transfer, and it can cause an increase in the generalized permeability of the membrane. Earlier publications suggested that near-UV destroys cofactors needed for electron transport and thus places a limitation on energy reserves. In agreement, we found that the active accumulation of [14C]thiomethyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside is decreased after irradiation by a larger factor than that due to action directly on the permease system. The effect on the latter was measured by the decrease in the rate of o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG) transport. As evidence that energy supplies for this \"downhill\" process did not become rate limiting after irradiation, we found that carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone did not stimulate ONPG transport of irradiated cells. Cells genetically deficient in functional permease or cells treated with formaldehyde still transport ONPG passively, although at much lower rates. With the use of such cells, it was found that high fluences (doses) made the cells leaky. Further evidence that the permease system and the metabolic energy system can be inactivated independently is also presented. It is shown that a photoproduct from the irradiation of chloramphenicol inactivates the permease system much more efficiently than the energy system. In addition, it is shown that thio-beta-D-digalactopyranoside protects the permease system, but not the energy system, both against direct inactivation by near-UV and against photosensitized inactivation in the presence of chloramphenicol.", "contents": "Inactivation of membrane transport in Escherichia coli by near-ultraviolet light. Evidence is presented that near-ultraviolet (near-UV) light can alter galactoside transport in Escherichia coli in several independent ways. It can inactivate the permease system per se, it can interfere with metabolic energy production or transfer, and it can cause an increase in the generalized permeability of the membrane. Earlier publications suggested that near-UV destroys cofactors needed for electron transport and thus places a limitation on energy reserves. In agreement, we found that the active accumulation of [14C]thiomethyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside is decreased after irradiation by a larger factor than that due to action directly on the permease system. The effect on the latter was measured by the decrease in the rate of o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG) transport. As evidence that energy supplies for this \"downhill\" process did not become rate limiting after irradiation, we found that carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone did not stimulate ONPG transport of irradiated cells. Cells genetically deficient in functional permease or cells treated with formaldehyde still transport ONPG passively, although at much lower rates. With the use of such cells, it was found that high fluences (doses) made the cells leaky. Further evidence that the permease system and the metabolic energy system can be inactivated independently is also presented. It is shown that a photoproduct from the irradiation of chloramphenicol inactivates the permease system much more efficiently than the energy system. In addition, it is shown that thio-beta-D-digalactopyranoside protects the permease system, but not the energy system, both against direct inactivation by near-UV and against photosensitized inactivation in the presence of chloramphenicol.", "PMID": 770419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3193", "title": "Escherichia coli mutants altered in murein lipoprotein.", "content": "Mutants with alterations in the structure, biosynthesis, or assembly of murein lipoprotein were selected by a procedure based on radiation suicide of wild-type organisms by [3H]arginine under conditions where the radioactive arginine was preferentially incorporated into lipoprotein. Further screening for the potential mutants among the survivors of [3H]arginine suicide was carried out by using a sensitive immunodiffusion test, followed by radioactive double-labeling experiments. Three mutants were obtained and partially characterized.", "contents": "Escherichia coli mutants altered in murein lipoprotein. Mutants with alterations in the structure, biosynthesis, or assembly of murein lipoprotein were selected by a procedure based on radiation suicide of wild-type organisms by [3H]arginine under conditions where the radioactive arginine was preferentially incorporated into lipoprotein. Further screening for the potential mutants among the survivors of [3H]arginine suicide was carried out by using a sensitive immunodiffusion test, followed by radioactive double-labeling experiments. Three mutants were obtained and partially characterized.", "PMID": 770420} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3194", "title": "Plasmid co-integrates of prophage lambda and R factor R100.", "content": "Single and tandem insertions of prophage lambda into R100 have been isolated. Insertions into the transfer genes, insertions into the transfer control gene finO, and insertions into regions that result in no detectable phenotypic change were found. From the last type, deletion mutants were isolated which established the sequence of antibiotic resistance genes as tet-cml-fus-str-sul-mer in R100. High frequency transducing phage preparations lambdamer, lambdasul str, and lambdasul str cml were also isolated from this type.", "contents": "Plasmid co-integrates of prophage lambda and R factor R100. Single and tandem insertions of prophage lambda into R100 have been isolated. Insertions into the transfer genes, insertions into the transfer control gene finO, and insertions into regions that result in no detectable phenotypic change were found. From the last type, deletion mutants were isolated which established the sequence of antibiotic resistance genes as tet-cml-fus-str-sul-mer in R100. High frequency transducing phage preparations lambdamer, lambdasul str, and lambdasul str cml were also isolated from this type.", "PMID": 770421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3195", "title": "Temperature dependence of mating-pair formation in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The temperature dependence of mating-pair formation by Escherichia coli has been studied from 2 to 45 C by means of a physical assay. No mating-pair formation was found below 24 C. Between 30 and 41 C pair formation increased very rapidly, followed by an equally sharp decline between 41 and 45 C. The results are interpreted in terms of the pilus adsorption process of recipient cells and pili production by donor cells.", "contents": "Temperature dependence of mating-pair formation in Escherichia coli. The temperature dependence of mating-pair formation by Escherichia coli has been studied from 2 to 45 C by means of a physical assay. No mating-pair formation was found below 24 C. Between 30 and 41 C pair formation increased very rapidly, followed by an equally sharp decline between 41 and 45 C. The results are interpreted in terms of the pilus adsorption process of recipient cells and pili production by donor cells.", "PMID": 770422} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3196", "title": "Effects of growth temperature on yield and maintenance during glucose-limited continuous culture of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The effects of growth temperature on the aerobic growth yield with respect to oxygen consumption (Y0-grams [dry weight] per gram-atom of O) and the rate of maintenance respiration (m0-milligram-atoms of O/gram [dry weight] per hour) are reported for Escherichia coli B cultivated continuously in the presence of oxygen with limiting glucose. During anaerobic continuous culture, YATP(max) (grams [dry weight] per mole of ATP corrected for maintenance) increases from 10.3 to 12.7 as the growth temperature is lowered from 37 to 25 C. Over this same range, Y0(max) (Y0 corrected for maintenance respiration) rises from 12.5 to 28.8 and remains at the higher value down to 17.5 C. From 37 to 32 C, m0 increases from 0.9 to 4.4 but then falls to 1.5 as the temperature is lowered to 17.5 C. The value of m0 sharply rises some 13-fold as the temperature is raised to 42 C without a significant change in the value of Y0(max). Changes of Y0(max) are consistent with a temperature-sensitive doubling of the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation, but the reasons for the changes of the rate of maintenance respiration are not known.", "contents": "Effects of growth temperature on yield and maintenance during glucose-limited continuous culture of Escherichia coli. The effects of growth temperature on the aerobic growth yield with respect to oxygen consumption (Y0-grams [dry weight] per gram-atom of O) and the rate of maintenance respiration (m0-milligram-atoms of O/gram [dry weight] per hour) are reported for Escherichia coli B cultivated continuously in the presence of oxygen with limiting glucose. During anaerobic continuous culture, YATP(max) (grams [dry weight] per mole of ATP corrected for maintenance) increases from 10.3 to 12.7 as the growth temperature is lowered from 37 to 25 C. Over this same range, Y0(max) (Y0 corrected for maintenance respiration) rises from 12.5 to 28.8 and remains at the higher value down to 17.5 C. From 37 to 32 C, m0 increases from 0.9 to 4.4 but then falls to 1.5 as the temperature is lowered to 17.5 C. The value of m0 sharply rises some 13-fold as the temperature is raised to 42 C without a significant change in the value of Y0(max). Changes of Y0(max) are consistent with a temperature-sensitive doubling of the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation, but the reasons for the changes of the rate of maintenance respiration are not known.", "PMID": 770423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3197", "title": "Role of iron deposition in Sphaerotilus discophorus.", "content": "Various physiological aspects of the process of iron deposition in Sphaerotilus discophorus were examined to elucidate its role. The values of iron/protein ratios suggested that a direct relationship existed between the iron concentration of the media and the magnitude of final iron deposition. Saturation of the organism's iron deposition system occurred at a 2.0 mM iron concentration, at a value of 0.6 mg of ferric ion per mg of cell protein. Laboratory data indicated that the strain's very low capacity for iron deposition observed at low external iron concentrations makes it unlikely that it is significant in limiting iron in the natural milieu. Under optimal iron concentrations, however, strain SS1 caused precipitation of iron (adsorbed to cellular material) in broth cultures, which was 10 to 100 times that mediated by some \"non-iron\" microorganisms. The strain's iron requirement, which was found to be between 0.003 and 0.02 mM, is commensurate with that of other microbes. One hundred micrograms of Mn(II) per ml and possibly 10 mug of either Co(II) or Ni(II) per ml could inhibit iron uptake in the deposition system. Sphaerotilus, when tested for its ability to withstand toxic concentrations of certain trace elements (Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Cd), demonstrated no exceptional resistance with respect to several other common microorganisms. Final cell yields were not affected by a varying iron concentration for Sphaerotilus growing under conditions of limiting carbon and nitrogen.", "contents": "Role of iron deposition in Sphaerotilus discophorus. Various physiological aspects of the process of iron deposition in Sphaerotilus discophorus were examined to elucidate its role. The values of iron/protein ratios suggested that a direct relationship existed between the iron concentration of the media and the magnitude of final iron deposition. Saturation of the organism's iron deposition system occurred at a 2.0 mM iron concentration, at a value of 0.6 mg of ferric ion per mg of cell protein. Laboratory data indicated that the strain's very low capacity for iron deposition observed at low external iron concentrations makes it unlikely that it is significant in limiting iron in the natural milieu. Under optimal iron concentrations, however, strain SS1 caused precipitation of iron (adsorbed to cellular material) in broth cultures, which was 10 to 100 times that mediated by some \"non-iron\" microorganisms. The strain's iron requirement, which was found to be between 0.003 and 0.02 mM, is commensurate with that of other microbes. One hundred micrograms of Mn(II) per ml and possibly 10 mug of either Co(II) or Ni(II) per ml could inhibit iron uptake in the deposition system. Sphaerotilus, when tested for its ability to withstand toxic concentrations of certain trace elements (Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Cd), demonstrated no exceptional resistance with respect to several other common microorganisms. Final cell yields were not affected by a varying iron concentration for Sphaerotilus growing under conditions of limiting carbon and nitrogen.", "PMID": 770424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3198", "title": "Regulation of purine utilization in bacteria. VI. Characterization of hypoxanthine and guanine uptake into isolated membrane vesicles from Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Uptake of hypoxanthine and guanine into isolated membrane vesicles of Salmonella typhimurium TR119 was stimulated by 5'-phosphoribosyl-1'-pyrophosphate (PRPP). For strain proAB47, a mutant that lacks guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, PRPP stimulated uptake of hypoxanthine into membrane vesicles. No PRPP-stimulated uptake of guanine was observed. For strain TR119, guanosine 5'-monophosphate and inosine 5'-monophosphate accumulated intravesicularly when guanine and hypoxanthine, respectively, were used with PRPP as transport substrates. For strain proAB47, IMP accumulated intravesicularly with hypoxanthine and PRPP as transport substrates. For strain TR119, hypoxanthine also accumulated when PRPP was absent. This free hypoxanthine uptake was completely inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, but the PRPP-stimulated uptake of hypoxanthine was inhibited only 20% by N-ethylmaleimide. Hypoxanthine and guanine phosphoribosyltransferase activity paralleled uptake activity in both strains. But, when proAB47 vesicles were sonically treated to release the enzymes, a three- to sixfold activation of phosphoribosyltransferase molecules occurred. Since proAB47 vessicles lack the guanine phsophoribosyltransferase gene product and since hypoxanthine effectively competes out the phosphoribosylation of guanine by proAB47 vesicles, it was postulated that the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase gains specificity for both guanine and hypoxanthine when released from the membrane. A group translocation as the major mechanism for the uptake of guanine and hypoxanthine was proposed.", "contents": "Regulation of purine utilization in bacteria. VI. Characterization of hypoxanthine and guanine uptake into isolated membrane vesicles from Salmonella typhimurium. Uptake of hypoxanthine and guanine into isolated membrane vesicles of Salmonella typhimurium TR119 was stimulated by 5'-phosphoribosyl-1'-pyrophosphate (PRPP). For strain proAB47, a mutant that lacks guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, PRPP stimulated uptake of hypoxanthine into membrane vesicles. No PRPP-stimulated uptake of guanine was observed. For strain TR119, guanosine 5'-monophosphate and inosine 5'-monophosphate accumulated intravesicularly when guanine and hypoxanthine, respectively, were used with PRPP as transport substrates. For strain proAB47, IMP accumulated intravesicularly with hypoxanthine and PRPP as transport substrates. For strain TR119, hypoxanthine also accumulated when PRPP was absent. This free hypoxanthine uptake was completely inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, but the PRPP-stimulated uptake of hypoxanthine was inhibited only 20% by N-ethylmaleimide. Hypoxanthine and guanine phosphoribosyltransferase activity paralleled uptake activity in both strains. But, when proAB47 vesicles were sonically treated to release the enzymes, a three- to sixfold activation of phosphoribosyltransferase molecules occurred. Since proAB47 vessicles lack the guanine phsophoribosyltransferase gene product and since hypoxanthine effectively competes out the phosphoribosylation of guanine by proAB47 vesicles, it was postulated that the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase gains specificity for both guanine and hypoxanthine when released from the membrane. A group translocation as the major mechanism for the uptake of guanine and hypoxanthine was proposed.", "PMID": 770425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3199", "title": "Dual regulation by arginine of the expression of the Escherichia coli argECBH operon.", "content": "The correlation between the level of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) specific for the argECBH gene cluster (argECBH mRNA) measured by ribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid (RNA-DNA) hybridization and the rates of synthesis of N-acetylornithine deacetylase (argE enzyme) and of argininosuccinate lyase (argH enzyme) of Escherichia coli strain K-12 were determined for steady-state growth with and without added L-arginine and during the transition periods between these two states. During the transient period after arginine removal (transient derepression), the synthesis of enzymes argE and argH was initially three to five times greater than the steady-state derepressed rate finally reached 50 min later. The level of argECHB mRNA correlated well both quantitatively and temporally with the rates of enzyme synthesis during this transition. The level of in vivo charged arginyl-transfer RNA (tRNAarg), monitored simultaneously, was initially only 5 to 10% and gradually increased to a final level of 80% after 45 min. During the transient period after arginine addition (transient repression), the rates of synthesis of enzymes argE and argH decreased to almost zero and gradually reached steady-state repressed rates after about 180 min. The argECBH mRNA level remained constant at the steady-state repressed level throughout transient repression, revealing a discontinuity between the level of this mRNA and rates of enzyme synthesis. A similar discrepancy was noted during the transition after ornithine addition. In vivo charged tRNAarg remained constant at 80% during this transition. After removal of arginine, the zero-level transient enzyme synthesis developed after only 7.5 min of arginine deprivation and was maximum after 30 min. The results suggest an accumulation of a molecule regulated by arginine that plays a role in transient repression. Our data indicate that arginyl-tRNA synthetase is not this molecule since its synthesis was unaffected by arginine. The ratios of steady-state argE and argH enzyme synthesis without arginine to that with arginine were 12 and 20, respectively, whereas the similar ratio for argECBH mRNA was 2 to 3. The repressed level of argECBH mRNA was not affected by attempts to repress or derepress the ppc+ gene (carried on the DNA used for hybridization), and the repressed level of argECBH mRNA was lowered about 50% in cells carrying an internal argBH deletion. These data taken together indicate the presence of an excess of untranslated argECBH mRNA during both transient and steady-state repression by arginine. Thus, a second regulatory mechanism, not yet defined, appears to play an important role in arginine regulation of enzyme synthesis.", "contents": "Dual regulation by arginine of the expression of the Escherichia coli argECBH operon. The correlation between the level of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) specific for the argECBH gene cluster (argECBH mRNA) measured by ribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid (RNA-DNA) hybridization and the rates of synthesis of N-acetylornithine deacetylase (argE enzyme) and of argininosuccinate lyase (argH enzyme) of Escherichia coli strain K-12 were determined for steady-state growth with and without added L-arginine and during the transition periods between these two states. During the transient period after arginine removal (transient derepression), the synthesis of enzymes argE and argH was initially three to five times greater than the steady-state derepressed rate finally reached 50 min later. The level of argECHB mRNA correlated well both quantitatively and temporally with the rates of enzyme synthesis during this transition. The level of in vivo charged arginyl-transfer RNA (tRNAarg), monitored simultaneously, was initially only 5 to 10% and gradually increased to a final level of 80% after 45 min. During the transient period after arginine addition (transient repression), the rates of synthesis of enzymes argE and argH decreased to almost zero and gradually reached steady-state repressed rates after about 180 min. The argECBH mRNA level remained constant at the steady-state repressed level throughout transient repression, revealing a discontinuity between the level of this mRNA and rates of enzyme synthesis. A similar discrepancy was noted during the transition after ornithine addition. In vivo charged tRNAarg remained constant at 80% during this transition. After removal of arginine, the zero-level transient enzyme synthesis developed after only 7.5 min of arginine deprivation and was maximum after 30 min. The results suggest an accumulation of a molecule regulated by arginine that plays a role in transient repression. Our data indicate that arginyl-tRNA synthetase is not this molecule since its synthesis was unaffected by arginine. The ratios of steady-state argE and argH enzyme synthesis without arginine to that with arginine were 12 and 20, respectively, whereas the similar ratio for argECBH mRNA was 2 to 3. The repressed level of argECBH mRNA was not affected by attempts to repress or derepress the ppc+ gene (carried on the DNA used for hybridization), and the repressed level of argECBH mRNA was lowered about 50% in cells carrying an internal argBH deletion. These data taken together indicate the presence of an excess of untranslated argECBH mRNA during both transient and steady-state repression by arginine. Thus, a second regulatory mechanism, not yet defined, appears to play an important role in arginine regulation of enzyme synthesis.", "PMID": 770426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3200", "title": "Effect of arginine on the stability and size of argECBH messenger ribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The chemical stability of argECBH messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) produced by Escherichia coli was found to be unaltered during steady-state repression by arginine. During extreme arginine deprivation, the increase in argECBH mRNA stability was related to general effects of amino acid starvation on mRNA stability. Thus a mechanism whereby argECBH gene expression is regulated by altering the decay rate of this mRNA is not consistent with our data. Sucrose gradient analysis followed by hybridization revealed that both heavy (14S) and light (8S) components of argECBH mRNA were produced by cells of E. coli K-12 grown without arginine, whereas predominantly light (8S) mRNA was produced by cells grown with arginine. A functional argR gene and the EC portion of the argECBH cluster were found essential for the arginine restriction of heavy-mRNA production. Experiments suggest that light argECBH mRNA did not arise from heavy message, and 8u% of both light and heavy mRNA was found bound to ribosomes. The data appear most consistent with the notion that a second site of control by arginine regulates the amounts of light and heavy arginine mRNA in the cell either by early termination of transcription or by endonucleolytic processing. Consideration of these data in conjunction with those of the accompanying report (Krzyzek and Rogers, 1976) permits the tentative conclusion that light argECBH mRNA is not translated into active enzymes and is thus responsible for the discrepancy between the high content of hybridizable mRNA and low rates of enzyme synthesis found during arginine repression.", "contents": "Effect of arginine on the stability and size of argECBH messenger ribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli. The chemical stability of argECBH messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) produced by Escherichia coli was found to be unaltered during steady-state repression by arginine. During extreme arginine deprivation, the increase in argECBH mRNA stability was related to general effects of amino acid starvation on mRNA stability. Thus a mechanism whereby argECBH gene expression is regulated by altering the decay rate of this mRNA is not consistent with our data. Sucrose gradient analysis followed by hybridization revealed that both heavy (14S) and light (8S) components of argECBH mRNA were produced by cells of E. coli K-12 grown without arginine, whereas predominantly light (8S) mRNA was produced by cells grown with arginine. A functional argR gene and the EC portion of the argECBH cluster were found essential for the arginine restriction of heavy-mRNA production. Experiments suggest that light argECBH mRNA did not arise from heavy message, and 8u% of both light and heavy mRNA was found bound to ribosomes. The data appear most consistent with the notion that a second site of control by arginine regulates the amounts of light and heavy arginine mRNA in the cell either by early termination of transcription or by endonucleolytic processing. Consideration of these data in conjunction with those of the accompanying report (Krzyzek and Rogers, 1976) permits the tentative conclusion that light argECBH mRNA is not translated into active enzymes and is thus responsible for the discrepancy between the high content of hybridizable mRNA and low rates of enzyme synthesis found during arginine repression.", "PMID": 770427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3201", "title": "Method for the isolation of Escherichia coli K-12 mutants deficient in essential genes.", "content": "We developed a general procedure for the induction and identification of mutations in chromosomal essential genes that are located in a diploid region of Escherichia coli K-12. The partial diploidy is conferred by an episome that is temperature sensitive for replication so that a mutant strain will form microcolonies at 42 C on complete media if an essential chromosomal gene in the diploid region is defective. Mutations identified by this procedure can be classified into cistrons by a complementation method devised for the purpose. To verify that the procedure works in practice, we fused an episome covering the rif region with an Ftslac+ and used the resulting temperature-sensitive episome to identify chromosomal mutations in essential functions near rif. As expected, a certain proportion of the mutations were in the rif gene, an essential gene that codes for the beta subunit of ribonucleic acid polymerase.", "contents": "Method for the isolation of Escherichia coli K-12 mutants deficient in essential genes. We developed a general procedure for the induction and identification of mutations in chromosomal essential genes that are located in a diploid region of Escherichia coli K-12. The partial diploidy is conferred by an episome that is temperature sensitive for replication so that a mutant strain will form microcolonies at 42 C on complete media if an essential chromosomal gene in the diploid region is defective. Mutations identified by this procedure can be classified into cistrons by a complementation method devised for the purpose. To verify that the procedure works in practice, we fused an episome covering the rif region with an Ftslac+ and used the resulting temperature-sensitive episome to identify chromosomal mutations in essential functions near rif. As expected, a certain proportion of the mutations were in the rif gene, an essential gene that codes for the beta subunit of ribonucleic acid polymerase.", "PMID": 770428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3202", "title": "Molecular nature of two beta-lactamase-specifying plasmids isolated from Haemophilus influenzae type b.", "content": "The molecular nature of two beta-lactamase-specifying plasmids isolated from two separate ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae type b strains was examined. A 30 X 10(6)-dalton (30-Mdal) plasmid (RSF007) had a copy number of approximately 3 per chromosomal equivalent and a mole fraction guanine plus cytosine content of 0.39. By heteroduplex analysis the 30-Mdal plasmid was found to contain the entire ampicillin translocation DNA segment (TnA) found on R factors of enteric origin. A 3.0-Mdal plasmid (RSF0885) was found as a multicopy pool of approximately 28 copies per chromosomal equivalent, had a mole fraction guanine plus cytosine content of 0.40, and contained only about one-third of the transposable TnA sequence. RSF007 and RSF0885 appeared to be unrelated plasmids in that they share base sequence homology only within the confines of the TnA segment. The 3.0-Mdal Haemophilus plasmid was used to transform E. coli to ampicillin resistance but was found to be unstable in this host in the absence of antibiotic. The possibility that R-plasmids arose in Haemophilus by the translocation of TnA from a donor R-factor onto an indigenous H. influenzae plasmid is discussed.", "contents": "Molecular nature of two beta-lactamase-specifying plasmids isolated from Haemophilus influenzae type b. The molecular nature of two beta-lactamase-specifying plasmids isolated from two separate ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae type b strains was examined. A 30 X 10(6)-dalton (30-Mdal) plasmid (RSF007) had a copy number of approximately 3 per chromosomal equivalent and a mole fraction guanine plus cytosine content of 0.39. By heteroduplex analysis the 30-Mdal plasmid was found to contain the entire ampicillin translocation DNA segment (TnA) found on R factors of enteric origin. A 3.0-Mdal plasmid (RSF0885) was found as a multicopy pool of approximately 28 copies per chromosomal equivalent, had a mole fraction guanine plus cytosine content of 0.40, and contained only about one-third of the transposable TnA sequence. RSF007 and RSF0885 appeared to be unrelated plasmids in that they share base sequence homology only within the confines of the TnA segment. The 3.0-Mdal Haemophilus plasmid was used to transform E. coli to ampicillin resistance but was found to be unstable in this host in the absence of antibiotic. The possibility that R-plasmids arose in Haemophilus by the translocation of TnA from a donor R-factor onto an indigenous H. influenzae plasmid is discussed.", "PMID": 770429} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3203", "title": "Characterization of a mini-ColC1 plasmid.", "content": "An in vitro constructed plasmid, pVH15, consisting of the entire genome of the plasmid ColE1, the tryptophan operon of Escherichia coli, and regions of the bacteriophage PHI80pt190, spontaneously gave rise in E. coli to a mini-ColE1 plasmid consisting of approximately one-half of the ColE1 genome and a small segment of phi80pt190 DNA. This mini-ColE1 plasmid, designated pVH51, has a molecular weight of approximately 2.1 X 10(6) and possesses a single EcoRI restriction site. Heteroduplex analyses showed that about 90% of the pVH51 plasmid hybridizes to about 50% of the ColE1 plasmid. Phenotypically, pVH51 did not produce colicin E1 but conferred immunity to this colicin. The number of mini-ColE1 plasmid molecules per cell was maintained at a four- to fivefold higher level than normal ColE1. A mini-ColE1 hybrid plasmid, designated pML21 and consisting of pVH51 and the kan fragment of plasmid pSC105 inserted at the EcoRI restriction site of mini-ColE1, was maintained at a lower copy number level than pVH51. As in the case of normal ColE1, both pVH51 and pML21 continued to replicate in the presence of chloramphenicol. The promotion of conjugal transfer of pVH51 and pML21 by a self-transmissible plasmid was greatly reduced compared with normal ColE1.", "contents": "Characterization of a mini-ColC1 plasmid. An in vitro constructed plasmid, pVH15, consisting of the entire genome of the plasmid ColE1, the tryptophan operon of Escherichia coli, and regions of the bacteriophage PHI80pt190, spontaneously gave rise in E. coli to a mini-ColE1 plasmid consisting of approximately one-half of the ColE1 genome and a small segment of phi80pt190 DNA. This mini-ColE1 plasmid, designated pVH51, has a molecular weight of approximately 2.1 X 10(6) and possesses a single EcoRI restriction site. Heteroduplex analyses showed that about 90% of the pVH51 plasmid hybridizes to about 50% of the ColE1 plasmid. Phenotypically, pVH51 did not produce colicin E1 but conferred immunity to this colicin. The number of mini-ColE1 plasmid molecules per cell was maintained at a four- to fivefold higher level than normal ColE1. A mini-ColE1 hybrid plasmid, designated pML21 and consisting of pVH51 and the kan fragment of plasmid pSC105 inserted at the EcoRI restriction site of mini-ColE1, was maintained at a lower copy number level than pVH51. As in the case of normal ColE1, both pVH51 and pML21 continued to replicate in the presence of chloramphenicol. The promotion of conjugal transfer of pVH51 and pML21 by a self-transmissible plasmid was greatly reduced compared with normal ColE1.", "PMID": 770430} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3204", "title": "Mode of replication of the conjugative R-plasmid RSF1040 in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Replicating deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules of plasmid RSF1040, a deletion mutant of the conjugative R plasmid R6K, appear in the electron microscope as partially supercoiled structures with two open circular branches of equal size, although open structures with three branches, two branching points and no supercoiled regions (theta structures) were also found at a lower frequency. The partially supercoiled molecules sediment more rapidly than native covalently closed circular DNA in neutral sucrose gradients and band at a position intermediate between covalently closed circular and open circular DNA in CsClethidium bromide gradients. Electron microscope measurements of the linear EcoRI-treated replicative intermediates indicate that replication can be initiated at two sites (origins) on the plasmid DNA molecule located at about 23% (alpha) and 39% (beta) of the total genome length from an EcoRI end designated arbitrarily as the \"left-hand\" end of the molecule. The overall replication of RSF1040 is asymmetrically bidirectional. Replication from the alpha origin proceeds first to the \"right\" to a unique termination site located some 55% of the total genome length from the left-hand end of the molecule. At this point replication proceeds from the alpha origin to the \"left\" (i.e., opposite to the original direction of replication) until replication of the molecule is completed. Replication also proceeds from the beta origin asymmetrically to the unique terminus site.", "contents": "Mode of replication of the conjugative R-plasmid RSF1040 in Escherichia coli. Replicating deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules of plasmid RSF1040, a deletion mutant of the conjugative R plasmid R6K, appear in the electron microscope as partially supercoiled structures with two open circular branches of equal size, although open structures with three branches, two branching points and no supercoiled regions (theta structures) were also found at a lower frequency. The partially supercoiled molecules sediment more rapidly than native covalently closed circular DNA in neutral sucrose gradients and band at a position intermediate between covalently closed circular and open circular DNA in CsClethidium bromide gradients. Electron microscope measurements of the linear EcoRI-treated replicative intermediates indicate that replication can be initiated at two sites (origins) on the plasmid DNA molecule located at about 23% (alpha) and 39% (beta) of the total genome length from an EcoRI end designated arbitrarily as the \"left-hand\" end of the molecule. The overall replication of RSF1040 is asymmetrically bidirectional. Replication from the alpha origin proceeds first to the \"right\" to a unique termination site located some 55% of the total genome length from the left-hand end of the molecule. At this point replication proceeds from the alpha origin to the \"left\" (i.e., opposite to the original direction of replication) until replication of the molecule is completed. Replication also proceeds from the beta origin asymmetrically to the unique terminus site.", "PMID": 770431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3205", "title": "Mode of insertion of lipopolysaccharide into the outer membrane of escherichia coli.", "content": "A mutant of Escherichia coli that lacks uridine 5'-diphosphate galactose-4-epimerase makes lipopolysaccharide with less carbohydrate than the parent, unless galactose is present during growth. Carbohydrate is dense, and the outer membrane, which contains lipopolysaccharide, was found to be denser when isolated from cells grown with galactose then when galactose was omitted. Cells given galactose after growth in its absence rapidly formed dense regions within the outer membrane that disappeared when galactose was removed. These results indicate that lipopolysaccharide enters the outer membrane nonrandomly at a minimum of 10 to 22 discrete \"insertion points.\" Isopycnic centrifugation provides a method for isolating these regions.", "contents": "Mode of insertion of lipopolysaccharide into the outer membrane of escherichia coli. A mutant of Escherichia coli that lacks uridine 5'-diphosphate galactose-4-epimerase makes lipopolysaccharide with less carbohydrate than the parent, unless galactose is present during growth. Carbohydrate is dense, and the outer membrane, which contains lipopolysaccharide, was found to be denser when isolated from cells grown with galactose then when galactose was omitted. Cells given galactose after growth in its absence rapidly formed dense regions within the outer membrane that disappeared when galactose was removed. These results indicate that lipopolysaccharide enters the outer membrane nonrandomly at a minimum of 10 to 22 discrete \"insertion points.\" Isopycnic centrifugation provides a method for isolating these regions.", "PMID": 770432} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3206", "title": "Formation of the formate-nitrate electron transport pathway from inactive components in Escherichia coli.", "content": "When Escherichia coli was grown on medium containing 10 mM tungstate the formation of active formate dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, and the complete formate-nitrate electron transport pathway was inhibited. Incubation of the tungstate-grown cells with 1 mM molybdate in the presence of chloramphenicol led to the rapid activation of both formate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase, and, after a considerable lag, the complete electron transport pathway. Protein bands which corresponded to formate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase were identified on polyacrylamide gels containing Triton X-100 after the activities were released from the membrane fraction and partially purified Cytochrome b1 was associated with the protein band corresponding to formate dehydrogenase but was not found elsewhere on the gels. When a similar fraction was prepared from cells grown on 10 mM tungstate, an inactive band corresponding to formate dehydrogenase was not observed on polyacrylamide gels; rather, a new faster migrating band was present. Cytochrome b1 was not associated with this band nor was it found anywhere else on the gels. This new band disappeared when the tungstate-grown cells were incubated with molybdate in the presence of chloramphenicol. The formate dehydrogenase activity which was formed, as well as a corresponding protein band, appeared at the original position on the gels. Cytochrome b1 was again associated with this band. The protein band which corresponded to nitrate reductase also was severely depressed in the tungstate-grown cells and a new faster migrating band appeared on the polyacrylamide gels. Upon activation of the nitrate reductase by incubation of the cells with molybdate, the new band diminished and protein reappeared at the original position. Most of the nitrate reductase activity which was formed appeared at the original position of nitrate reductase on gels although some was present at the position of the inactive band formed by tungstate-grown cells. Apparently, inactive forms of both formate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase accumulate during growth on tungstate which are electrophoretically distinct from the active enzymes. Activation by molybdate results in molecular changes which include the reassociation of cytochrome b1 with formate dehydrogenase and restoration of both enzymes to their original electrophoretic mobilities.", "contents": "Formation of the formate-nitrate electron transport pathway from inactive components in Escherichia coli. When Escherichia coli was grown on medium containing 10 mM tungstate the formation of active formate dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, and the complete formate-nitrate electron transport pathway was inhibited. Incubation of the tungstate-grown cells with 1 mM molybdate in the presence of chloramphenicol led to the rapid activation of both formate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase, and, after a considerable lag, the complete electron transport pathway. Protein bands which corresponded to formate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase were identified on polyacrylamide gels containing Triton X-100 after the activities were released from the membrane fraction and partially purified Cytochrome b1 was associated with the protein band corresponding to formate dehydrogenase but was not found elsewhere on the gels. When a similar fraction was prepared from cells grown on 10 mM tungstate, an inactive band corresponding to formate dehydrogenase was not observed on polyacrylamide gels; rather, a new faster migrating band was present. Cytochrome b1 was not associated with this band nor was it found anywhere else on the gels. This new band disappeared when the tungstate-grown cells were incubated with molybdate in the presence of chloramphenicol. The formate dehydrogenase activity which was formed, as well as a corresponding protein band, appeared at the original position on the gels. Cytochrome b1 was again associated with this band. The protein band which corresponded to nitrate reductase also was severely depressed in the tungstate-grown cells and a new faster migrating band appeared on the polyacrylamide gels. Upon activation of the nitrate reductase by incubation of the cells with molybdate, the new band diminished and protein reappeared at the original position. Most of the nitrate reductase activity which was formed appeared at the original position of nitrate reductase on gels although some was present at the position of the inactive band formed by tungstate-grown cells. Apparently, inactive forms of both formate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase accumulate during growth on tungstate which are electrophoretically distinct from the active enzymes. Activation by molybdate results in molecular changes which include the reassociation of cytochrome b1 with formate dehydrogenase and restoration of both enzymes to their original electrophoretic mobilities.", "PMID": 770433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3207", "title": "Essential genes in the metB-malB region of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "We isolated 25 independent mutants that are deficient in essential genes located in the metB-malB region of the Escherichia coli chromosome. The mutations were mapped within this region by using several F' factors and were also classified into 11 cistrons by complementation testing. There is clustering of mutations in essential genes within the metB-malB region.", "contents": "Essential genes in the metB-malB region of Escherichia coli K-12. We isolated 25 independent mutants that are deficient in essential genes located in the metB-malB region of the Escherichia coli chromosome. The mutations were mapped within this region by using several F' factors and were also classified into 11 cistrons by complementation testing. There is clustering of mutations in essential genes within the metB-malB region.", "PMID": 770434} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3208", "title": "Isolation and characterization of the specialized transducing bacteriophages phi80dargF and lambdah80cI857 dargF: specific cleavage of arginine transducing deoxyribonucleic acid by the endonucleases EcoRI and SmaR.", "content": "The directed transposition of argF to the tonB locus of the Escherichia coli chromosome and the subsequent isolation of the specialized transducing phage phi80dargF is described. The structure of this phage has been has been determined. A hybrid lambdah80cI857dargF phage has been constructed. Deoxyribonucleic acid isolated from these and their parent bacteriophages has been specifically cleaved by the endonucleases EcoRI and SmaR; the unique deoxyribonucleic acid fragments thus obtained have been resolved and analyzed by electrophoresis in agarose gel.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of the specialized transducing bacteriophages phi80dargF and lambdah80cI857 dargF: specific cleavage of arginine transducing deoxyribonucleic acid by the endonucleases EcoRI and SmaR. The directed transposition of argF to the tonB locus of the Escherichia coli chromosome and the subsequent isolation of the specialized transducing phage phi80dargF is described. The structure of this phage has been has been determined. A hybrid lambdah80cI857dargF phage has been constructed. Deoxyribonucleic acid isolated from these and their parent bacteriophages has been specifically cleaved by the endonucleases EcoRI and SmaR; the unique deoxyribonucleic acid fragments thus obtained have been resolved and analyzed by electrophoresis in agarose gel.", "PMID": 770435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3209", "title": "Relationship of structure to function in bacterial endotoxins. IX. Differences in the lipid moiety of endotoxic glycolipids.", "content": "Chemical, immunochemical, chromatographic, and endotoxic properties of five chromatographically pure glycolipids were compared. The preparations were extracted by chloroform-methanol from three Escherichia coli, one Salmonella minnesota, and one S. typhimurium Re heptoseless mutant strains. The local Shwartzman skin assay, the nonspecific resistance-enhancing effect, and the Limulus assays could not distinguish among the five glycolipids, all five being active in all three assays. Significant differences could be seen when the tumor resistance-enhancing effect of the glycolipids in mice was compared with the nonspecific TA3-Ha murine mammary adenocarcinoma growing in ascites form. Even greater variation was observed in the capacity of the preparations to enhance the nonspecific resistance of mice to virulent S. typhi 0901 infections. The data show that the five glycolipids are quite dissimilar in their biological effects. Similarly, thin-layer chromatography and molecular ratio determinations showed that differences exist in the chemical structure of the glycolipids. Accordingly, we claim that not only the polysaccharide but the lipid moiety as well may vary in various gram-negative endotoxin preparations.", "contents": "Relationship of structure to function in bacterial endotoxins. IX. Differences in the lipid moiety of endotoxic glycolipids. Chemical, immunochemical, chromatographic, and endotoxic properties of five chromatographically pure glycolipids were compared. The preparations were extracted by chloroform-methanol from three Escherichia coli, one Salmonella minnesota, and one S. typhimurium Re heptoseless mutant strains. The local Shwartzman skin assay, the nonspecific resistance-enhancing effect, and the Limulus assays could not distinguish among the five glycolipids, all five being active in all three assays. Significant differences could be seen when the tumor resistance-enhancing effect of the glycolipids in mice was compared with the nonspecific TA3-Ha murine mammary adenocarcinoma growing in ascites form. Even greater variation was observed in the capacity of the preparations to enhance the nonspecific resistance of mice to virulent S. typhi 0901 infections. The data show that the five glycolipids are quite dissimilar in their biological effects. Similarly, thin-layer chromatography and molecular ratio determinations showed that differences exist in the chemical structure of the glycolipids. Accordingly, we claim that not only the polysaccharide but the lipid moiety as well may vary in various gram-negative endotoxin preparations.", "PMID": 770436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3210", "title": "Ultrastructure of septal complex in Filobasidiella neoformans (Cryptococcus neoformans).", "content": "Electron microscopy of Filobasidiella neoformans, the perfect state of Cryptococcus neoformans, revealed basidiomycete doliporesepta between hyphal cells and also between clamp connections and adjacent cells. The pore-occluding material was a heterogeneous flattened plate with dark margins and a lighter center, as seen in the species of Filobasidium. Representative basidiomycete parenthesomes were lacking, and endoplasmic reticulum was seen in the dolipore region.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of septal complex in Filobasidiella neoformans (Cryptococcus neoformans). Electron microscopy of Filobasidiella neoformans, the perfect state of Cryptococcus neoformans, revealed basidiomycete doliporesepta between hyphal cells and also between clamp connections and adjacent cells. The pore-occluding material was a heterogeneous flattened plate with dark margins and a lighter center, as seen in the species of Filobasidium. Representative basidiomycete parenthesomes were lacking, and endoplasmic reticulum was seen in the dolipore region.", "PMID": 770437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3211", "title": "Isolation and genetic analysis of amber uvrA and uvrB mutants.", "content": "Genetic properties of amber uvrA and uvrB mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 are described. The isolation of three amber uvrA and two amber uvrB mutants indicates that the products of these genes are proteins.", "contents": "Isolation and genetic analysis of amber uvrA and uvrB mutants. Genetic properties of amber uvrA and uvrB mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 are described. The isolation of three amber uvrA and two amber uvrB mutants indicates that the products of these genes are proteins.", "PMID": 770438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3212", "title": "Methyl galactosidase activity: an alternative evolutionary destination for the ebgA0 gene.", "content": "Previous studies (Campbell et al., 1973; Hall and Hartl, 1974; Hall and Hartl, 1975) have shown that the ebgA0 gene, whose product does not hydrolyze lactose may evolve so that its product does hydrolyze lactose; i.e., lactase activity is one evolutionary destination of the ebgA0 gene. Beginning with a strain that synthesizes ebgA0 gene product constitutively and grows extremely slowly (doubling time, 30 to 50 h) on methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (MG), a derivative was selected capable of growth on MG at a moderate rate (doubling time, 5.9 h). Genetic evidence is presented showing that the gene that permits growth on MG is an allele of ebgA. A comparison among strains bearing several alleles of ebgA shows that the new allele, termed ebgAmg, synthesizes a product specific for MG and thus represents a true alternative evolutionary destination for the ebgA0 gene.", "contents": "Methyl galactosidase activity: an alternative evolutionary destination for the ebgA0 gene. Previous studies (Campbell et al., 1973; Hall and Hartl, 1974; Hall and Hartl, 1975) have shown that the ebgA0 gene, whose product does not hydrolyze lactose may evolve so that its product does hydrolyze lactose; i.e., lactase activity is one evolutionary destination of the ebgA0 gene. Beginning with a strain that synthesizes ebgA0 gene product constitutively and grows extremely slowly (doubling time, 30 to 50 h) on methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (MG), a derivative was selected capable of growth on MG at a moderate rate (doubling time, 5.9 h). Genetic evidence is presented showing that the gene that permits growth on MG is an allele of ebgA. A comparison among strains bearing several alleles of ebgA shows that the new allele, termed ebgAmg, synthesizes a product specific for MG and thus represents a true alternative evolutionary destination for the ebgA0 gene.", "PMID": 770439} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3213", "title": "Active subunits of Escherichia coli glutamate synthase.", "content": "The large and small subunits of Escherichia coli glutamate synthase were isolated. The small subunit catalyzes the NH(3)-dependent synthesis of glutamate. The large subunit exhibits glutaminase activity.", "contents": "Active subunits of Escherichia coli glutamate synthase. The large and small subunits of Escherichia coli glutamate synthase were isolated. The small subunit catalyzes the NH(3)-dependent synthesis of glutamate. The large subunit exhibits glutaminase activity.", "PMID": 770440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3214", "title": "Simplified method for interruption of conjugation in Escherichia coli.", "content": "A simplified procedure is described in which interruption of mating and recombinant selection both take place on plates containing selective medium plus nalidixic acid.", "contents": "Simplified method for interruption of conjugation in Escherichia coli. A simplified procedure is described in which interruption of mating and recombinant selection both take place on plates containing selective medium plus nalidixic acid.", "PMID": 770441} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3215", "title": "Threonine deaminase from Escherichia coli: feedback-hypersensitive enzyme from a genetic regulatory mutant.", "content": "A mutation, ilvA538, in the gene coding for the biosynthetic L-threonine deaminase of Escherichia coli K-12 has previously been demonstrated to have pleiotropic regulatory effects leading to low and invariant expression of some of the isoleucine-valine biosynthetic enzyme, and altered expression of the branched-chain aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Strain PS187, which carries the ilvA538 allele, has a partial growth requirement for L-isoleucine and is characterized by a sensitivity to growth inhibition by L-leucine. The experiments reported here demonstrate that the L-threonine deaminase produced by strain PS187 is hypersensitive to inhibition by the pathway end product L-isoleucine. In addition, L-leucine, which acts at relatively high concentrations in vitro as an inhibitor of L-threonine deaminase from the wild type, is a more potent inhibitor of the activity of the mutant enzyme. Forty-six derivatives of strain PS187 were isolated as spontaneous mutants resistant to the growth-inhibitory effects of L-leucine. Two of these, strains MSR14 and MSR16, produce an L-threonine deaminase that is more resistant than the wild type to L-isoleucine inhibition, and intermediate between the wild type and strain PS187 with respect to L-leucine inhibition. Strains MSR14 and MSR16 produce L-threonine deaminase and dihydroxyacid dehydrase, the ilvD gene product, at the low levels characteristic of the parent strain. Other L-leucine-resistant derivatives of strain PS187 produce higher levels of the feedback-hypersensitive L-threonine deaminase. Thus, the sensitivity to growth inhibition by L-leucine observed with strain PS187 appears to be related both to the hypersensitivity of L-threonine deaminase to inhibition of catalytic activity and to the low level of ilv gene expression. The results reported here indicated that L-threonine deaminase is structurally altered in strain PS187, and thus provide further support for the proposal that L-threonine deaminase participates as a genetic regulatory element for the expression of the branched-chain amino acid biosynthetic enzymes.", "contents": "Threonine deaminase from Escherichia coli: feedback-hypersensitive enzyme from a genetic regulatory mutant. A mutation, ilvA538, in the gene coding for the biosynthetic L-threonine deaminase of Escherichia coli K-12 has previously been demonstrated to have pleiotropic regulatory effects leading to low and invariant expression of some of the isoleucine-valine biosynthetic enzyme, and altered expression of the branched-chain aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Strain PS187, which carries the ilvA538 allele, has a partial growth requirement for L-isoleucine and is characterized by a sensitivity to growth inhibition by L-leucine. The experiments reported here demonstrate that the L-threonine deaminase produced by strain PS187 is hypersensitive to inhibition by the pathway end product L-isoleucine. In addition, L-leucine, which acts at relatively high concentrations in vitro as an inhibitor of L-threonine deaminase from the wild type, is a more potent inhibitor of the activity of the mutant enzyme. Forty-six derivatives of strain PS187 were isolated as spontaneous mutants resistant to the growth-inhibitory effects of L-leucine. Two of these, strains MSR14 and MSR16, produce an L-threonine deaminase that is more resistant than the wild type to L-isoleucine inhibition, and intermediate between the wild type and strain PS187 with respect to L-leucine inhibition. Strains MSR14 and MSR16 produce L-threonine deaminase and dihydroxyacid dehydrase, the ilvD gene product, at the low levels characteristic of the parent strain. Other L-leucine-resistant derivatives of strain PS187 produce higher levels of the feedback-hypersensitive L-threonine deaminase. Thus, the sensitivity to growth inhibition by L-leucine observed with strain PS187 appears to be related both to the hypersensitivity of L-threonine deaminase to inhibition of catalytic activity and to the low level of ilv gene expression. The results reported here indicated that L-threonine deaminase is structurally altered in strain PS187, and thus provide further support for the proposal that L-threonine deaminase participates as a genetic regulatory element for the expression of the branched-chain amino acid biosynthetic enzymes.", "PMID": 770442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3216", "title": "Comparative studies on membrane-associated, folded chromosomes from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Nuclear bodies were isolated from Escherichia coli spheroplasts by two different lysis procedures. Their lipid and protein content and the superhelix density was measured. The preparations differed mainly in respect to the amount of the attached membrane material, which seems to be an essential factor in maintaining the stability of the nuclear bodies. The superhelix density was found to be higher than that of naturally occurring, covalently closed, circular deoxyribonucleic acids. The influence of the preparative method on the superhelicity was comparatively small.", "contents": "Comparative studies on membrane-associated, folded chromosomes from Escherichia coli. Nuclear bodies were isolated from Escherichia coli spheroplasts by two different lysis procedures. Their lipid and protein content and the superhelix density was measured. The preparations differed mainly in respect to the amount of the attached membrane material, which seems to be an essential factor in maintaining the stability of the nuclear bodies. The superhelix density was found to be higher than that of naturally occurring, covalently closed, circular deoxyribonucleic acids. The influence of the preparative method on the superhelicity was comparatively small.", "PMID": 770443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3217", "title": "Mapping of two loci affecting the regulation of branched-chain amino acid transport in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Two mutant loci resulting in derepression of, respectively, the L-leucine-specific transport system (lstR) and both the leucine-specific and the general branched-chain amino acid transport LIV-I systems (livR) were mapped by conjugation and transduction. Both livR and lstR were found to be closely linked to aroA at min 20 on the Escherichia coli genetic map. The merodiploid livR+/livR displayed wild-type regulation of L-leucine transport, indicating that the livR product is a diffusible, negative controlling element for high-affinity leucine transport systems. Isogenic strains carrying lstR, livR, and wild-type transport alleles were compared for leucine uptake kinetic parameters and leucine-binding protein levels. The higher levels of leucine transport in the mutant strains under repressing conditions were generally due to increased high-affinity systems, which were accompanied by striking increases in the level of leucine-binding proteins.", "contents": "Mapping of two loci affecting the regulation of branched-chain amino acid transport in Escherichia coli K-12. Two mutant loci resulting in derepression of, respectively, the L-leucine-specific transport system (lstR) and both the leucine-specific and the general branched-chain amino acid transport LIV-I systems (livR) were mapped by conjugation and transduction. Both livR and lstR were found to be closely linked to aroA at min 20 on the Escherichia coli genetic map. The merodiploid livR+/livR displayed wild-type regulation of L-leucine transport, indicating that the livR product is a diffusible, negative controlling element for high-affinity leucine transport systems. Isogenic strains carrying lstR, livR, and wild-type transport alleles were compared for leucine uptake kinetic parameters and leucine-binding protein levels. The higher levels of leucine transport in the mutant strains under repressing conditions were generally due to increased high-affinity systems, which were accompanied by striking increases in the level of leucine-binding proteins.", "PMID": 770444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3218", "title": "Selective methylation: an incorrect hypothesis.", "content": "\"Selective methylation,\" a hypothesis proposed to explain the discrepancy found in the degree of methyl deficiency of transfer ribonucleic acid, cannot be explained on the basis of some biological phenomenon.", "contents": "Selective methylation: an incorrect hypothesis. \"Selective methylation,\" a hypothesis proposed to explain the discrepancy found in the degree of methyl deficiency of transfer ribonucleic acid, cannot be explained on the basis of some biological phenomenon.", "PMID": 770445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3219", "title": "Enzymatic analysis of C27 sterol-accumulating yeast strains.", "content": "Several strain of bakers' yeast that accumulate only C27 sterols were analyzed for sterol methyltransferase activity, with no activity being found. Cholesta-5,7,22,24-tetraene-3beta-ol, one of the mutants' sterol products, was found to be an unacceptable substrate for in vitro transmethylation.", "contents": "Enzymatic analysis of C27 sterol-accumulating yeast strains. Several strain of bakers' yeast that accumulate only C27 sterols were analyzed for sterol methyltransferase activity, with no activity being found. Cholesta-5,7,22,24-tetraene-3beta-ol, one of the mutants' sterol products, was found to be an unacceptable substrate for in vitro transmethylation.", "PMID": 770446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3220", "title": "Extragenic suppression of two ribosomal protein cistrons lying near the rif locus in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The experiments reported here involve temperature-sensitive mutations in two of five cistrons encoding 50S ribosomal proteins that lie near the rif locus in Escherichia coli. I selected spontaneous TS+ mutants able to grow at elevated temperatures in which the TS+ event takes place outside this tract of cistrons near rif. Six distinct classes of extragenic suppressors were found, five of which have been mapped. Two of these suppressors lie near 64 min, a region known to be rich in cistrons ribosomal proteins (Dennis and Nomura, 1975). The remaining three extragenic suppressors were located near 16.5, 47, and 86 min.", "contents": "Extragenic suppression of two ribosomal protein cistrons lying near the rif locus in Escherichia coli. The experiments reported here involve temperature-sensitive mutations in two of five cistrons encoding 50S ribosomal proteins that lie near the rif locus in Escherichia coli. I selected spontaneous TS+ mutants able to grow at elevated temperatures in which the TS+ event takes place outside this tract of cistrons near rif. Six distinct classes of extragenic suppressors were found, five of which have been mapped. Two of these suppressors lie near 64 min, a region known to be rich in cistrons ribosomal proteins (Dennis and Nomura, 1975). The remaining three extragenic suppressors were located near 16.5, 47, and 86 min.", "PMID": 770447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3221", "title": "Characterization of an Escherichia coli K-12 F-Con-mutant.", "content": "An Escherichia coli K-12 F-mutant defective in conjugation was isolated by means of a zygotic induction enrichment procedure. The recipient ability of the mutant was reduced about 50 times owing to a block in one of the first steps of the conjugation process. In the mutant, cell envelope alterations could not be observed. Sensitivity toward detergents, antibiotics, and phages was unaltered. The mutation appeared to be co-transducible with pyrD. The linkage order in the region of the mutation is origin KL 99-con-pyrD-aroA.", "contents": "Characterization of an Escherichia coli K-12 F-Con-mutant. An Escherichia coli K-12 F-mutant defective in conjugation was isolated by means of a zygotic induction enrichment procedure. The recipient ability of the mutant was reduced about 50 times owing to a block in one of the first steps of the conjugation process. In the mutant, cell envelope alterations could not be observed. Sensitivity toward detergents, antibiotics, and phages was unaltered. The mutation appeared to be co-transducible with pyrD. The linkage order in the region of the mutation is origin KL 99-con-pyrD-aroA.", "PMID": 770448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3222", "title": "Naturally occurring sites within the Shigella dysenteriae tryptophan operon severely limit tryptophan biosynthesis.", "content": "We investigated the structural, functional, and regulatory properties of the Shigella dysenteriae tryptophan (trp.) operon in transduction hybrids in which the cysB-trp-region of Escherichia coli is replaced by the corresponding region from S. dysenteriae. Tryptophan biosynthesis was largely blocked in the hybrids, although the order of the structural genes was identical with that of E. coli. Nutritional tests and enzyme assays revealed that the hybrids produced a defective anthranilate synthetase (ASase). Deletion mapping identified two distinct sites in trpE, each of which was partially responsible for the instability and low activity of ASase. We also discovered a pleiotropic site trpP (S) that maps outside the structural gene region and is closely linked to the S. dysenteriae trp operator. trpP (S) reduced the rate of trp messenger ribonucleic acid synthesis, and consequently trp enzyme levels, 10-fold relative to wild-type E. coli. In recombinants in which the structural genes of E coli were under the control of the S. dysenteriae promoter, enzyme levels were also reduced 10-fold. In some fast-growing revertants of the original hybrids, the rates of trp messenger ribonucleic acid synthesis and levels of tryptophan synthetase were restored to values characteristic of wild-type E.coli. Thus, the Trp auxotrophy associated with the S dysenteriae trp operon derives from the combination of a defective ASase and decreased expression of the entire operon imposed by trpP (S).", "contents": "Naturally occurring sites within the Shigella dysenteriae tryptophan operon severely limit tryptophan biosynthesis. We investigated the structural, functional, and regulatory properties of the Shigella dysenteriae tryptophan (trp.) operon in transduction hybrids in which the cysB-trp-region of Escherichia coli is replaced by the corresponding region from S. dysenteriae. Tryptophan biosynthesis was largely blocked in the hybrids, although the order of the structural genes was identical with that of E. coli. Nutritional tests and enzyme assays revealed that the hybrids produced a defective anthranilate synthetase (ASase). Deletion mapping identified two distinct sites in trpE, each of which was partially responsible for the instability and low activity of ASase. We also discovered a pleiotropic site trpP (S) that maps outside the structural gene region and is closely linked to the S. dysenteriae trp operator. trpP (S) reduced the rate of trp messenger ribonucleic acid synthesis, and consequently trp enzyme levels, 10-fold relative to wild-type E. coli. In recombinants in which the structural genes of E coli were under the control of the S. dysenteriae promoter, enzyme levels were also reduced 10-fold. In some fast-growing revertants of the original hybrids, the rates of trp messenger ribonucleic acid synthesis and levels of tryptophan synthetase were restored to values characteristic of wild-type E.coli. Thus, the Trp auxotrophy associated with the S dysenteriae trp operon derives from the combination of a defective ASase and decreased expression of the entire operon imposed by trpP (S).", "PMID": 770449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3223", "title": "Tryptophan operon regulation in interspecific hybrids of enteric bacteria.", "content": "We examined tryptophan regulation in merodiploid hybrids in which a plasmid carrying the trp operon of Escherichia was introduced into Trp mutants of other enteric genera, or in which a plasmid carrying the trpR+ (repressor) gene of E. coli was transfered into fully constitutive trpR mutants of other genera. In these hybrids the trp operon of one species is controlled by the repressor of a different species. Similar investigations were possible in transduction hybrids in which either the trp operon or the trpR+ locus of Shigella dysenteriae was introduced into E. coli. Our measurements of trp enzymes levels in repressed and nonrepressed cells indicate that Trp regulation is normal, with only minor quantitative variations, in hybrids between E coli and Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella aerogenes, Serratia marcescens, and Proteus mirabilis. Our results support the idea that a repressor-operator mechanism for regulating trp messenger ribonucleic acid production evolved in a common ancestor of the enteric bacteria, and that this repressor-operator recognition has been conversed during the evolutionary divergence of the Enterobacteriaceae.", "contents": "Tryptophan operon regulation in interspecific hybrids of enteric bacteria. We examined tryptophan regulation in merodiploid hybrids in which a plasmid carrying the trp operon of Escherichia was introduced into Trp mutants of other enteric genera, or in which a plasmid carrying the trpR+ (repressor) gene of E. coli was transfered into fully constitutive trpR mutants of other genera. In these hybrids the trp operon of one species is controlled by the repressor of a different species. Similar investigations were possible in transduction hybrids in which either the trp operon or the trpR+ locus of Shigella dysenteriae was introduced into E. coli. Our measurements of trp enzymes levels in repressed and nonrepressed cells indicate that Trp regulation is normal, with only minor quantitative variations, in hybrids between E coli and Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella aerogenes, Serratia marcescens, and Proteus mirabilis. Our results support the idea that a repressor-operator mechanism for regulating trp messenger ribonucleic acid production evolved in a common ancestor of the enteric bacteria, and that this repressor-operator recognition has been conversed during the evolutionary divergence of the Enterobacteriaceae.", "PMID": 770450} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3224", "title": "Kinetic studies of Bacillus polymyxa nitrogenase.", "content": "Nitrogenase from the facultative anaerobe Bacillus polymxa was separated into its component proteins, which were recombined in the ratio that produced optimal specific activity (125 to 175 nmol of C2H2 reduced/min per mg of total protein). The apparent Michaelis constants (Km)for the magnesium adenosine triphosphate complex, reducible substrates azide, acetylene, and N2 and the nonphysiological electron donor hydrosulfite (S2O42-) were determined to be 0.7, 0.7, 0.2, 0.06, and 0.03 MM, respectively. These apparent Km values are in reasonable agreement with those reported for the nitrogenases of Azotobacter vinelandii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Either a total lack of cooperativity between binding sites or a single binding site for reducible substrates is indicated by analysis of Hill plots. Hill plot slopes of approximately 1.7 suggest that multiple binding sites exist for both ATP and S2O42-.", "contents": "Kinetic studies of Bacillus polymyxa nitrogenase. Nitrogenase from the facultative anaerobe Bacillus polymxa was separated into its component proteins, which were recombined in the ratio that produced optimal specific activity (125 to 175 nmol of C2H2 reduced/min per mg of total protein). The apparent Michaelis constants (Km)for the magnesium adenosine triphosphate complex, reducible substrates azide, acetylene, and N2 and the nonphysiological electron donor hydrosulfite (S2O42-) were determined to be 0.7, 0.7, 0.2, 0.06, and 0.03 MM, respectively. These apparent Km values are in reasonable agreement with those reported for the nitrogenases of Azotobacter vinelandii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Either a total lack of cooperativity between binding sites or a single binding site for reducible substrates is indicated by analysis of Hill plots. Hill plot slopes of approximately 1.7 suggest that multiple binding sites exist for both ATP and S2O42-.", "PMID": 770451} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3225", "title": "Fatty acid transport by the lipophilic bacterium Nocardia asteroides.", "content": "Hexadecanoate was translocated in Nocardia asteroides by a constitutive transport system(s), which transported short, medium, and long-chain fatty acids. Inhibition of hexadenocanoate transport by homologues suggested that at least two systems are present: one specific for short-chain fatty acids and the other specific for medium- and long-chain fatty acids. Saturation kinetics typical of a carrier-mediated transport system (Kt = 870 muM)were observed, and concentration of fatty acids against a gradient was achieved. Inhibitor studies indicated that free sulfhydryl groups, a functional respiratory chain, and energy are required for translocation. Efflux of [14C]hexadecanoate in the presence of excess unlabeled hexadecanoate or 2,4-dinitrophenol and the cytoplasmic localization of acyl-coenzyme A synthetase (acid:coenzyme A ligase [adenosine monophosphate]; EC 6.2.1.3) (Calmes and Deal, 1973) are consistent with the hypothesis that fatty acids are transported and released intracellularly as free fatty acids.", "contents": "Fatty acid transport by the lipophilic bacterium Nocardia asteroides. Hexadecanoate was translocated in Nocardia asteroides by a constitutive transport system(s), which transported short, medium, and long-chain fatty acids. Inhibition of hexadenocanoate transport by homologues suggested that at least two systems are present: one specific for short-chain fatty acids and the other specific for medium- and long-chain fatty acids. Saturation kinetics typical of a carrier-mediated transport system (Kt = 870 muM)were observed, and concentration of fatty acids against a gradient was achieved. Inhibitor studies indicated that free sulfhydryl groups, a functional respiratory chain, and energy are required for translocation. Efflux of [14C]hexadecanoate in the presence of excess unlabeled hexadecanoate or 2,4-dinitrophenol and the cytoplasmic localization of acyl-coenzyme A synthetase (acid:coenzyme A ligase [adenosine monophosphate]; EC 6.2.1.3) (Calmes and Deal, 1973) are consistent with the hypothesis that fatty acids are transported and released intracellularly as free fatty acids.", "PMID": 770452} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3226", "title": "cheA, cheB, and cheC genes of Escherichia coli and their role in chemotaxis.", "content": "Motile but generally nonchemotatic (che) mutants of Escherichia coli were isolated by a simple screening method. A total of 172 independent mutants were examined, and four genes were defined on the basis of mapping and complemenvestigated by determining their null phenotypes with nonsense or bacteriophage Mu-induced mutations. The cheA and cheB products were essential in producing changes of swimming direction and flagellar rotation. The checC product appeared to be an essential component of the flagellum; however, specific mutational alterations of this component allowed flagellar assembly but prevented directional changes in swimming. Since some cheB mutants changed directions incessantly, this gene product may also serve to control the direction of flagellar rotation in response to chemoreceptor signals. Thus most or all of the common elements in the signalling process were involved in the generation and regulation of changes in the direction of flagellar rotation.", "contents": "cheA, cheB, and cheC genes of Escherichia coli and their role in chemotaxis. Motile but generally nonchemotatic (che) mutants of Escherichia coli were isolated by a simple screening method. A total of 172 independent mutants were examined, and four genes were defined on the basis of mapping and complemenvestigated by determining their null phenotypes with nonsense or bacteriophage Mu-induced mutations. The cheA and cheB products were essential in producing changes of swimming direction and flagellar rotation. The checC product appeared to be an essential component of the flagellum; however, specific mutational alterations of this component allowed flagellar assembly but prevented directional changes in swimming. Since some cheB mutants changed directions incessantly, this gene product may also serve to control the direction of flagellar rotation in response to chemoreceptor signals. Thus most or all of the common elements in the signalling process were involved in the generation and regulation of changes in the direction of flagellar rotation.", "PMID": 770453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3227", "title": "Germ tube formation from zonal rotor fractions of Candida albicans.", "content": "Homogenous cell populations of increasing cell volume may have been isolated from exponential and stationary culture of Candida albicans by centrifugation on a sucrose gradient. Observations of the yeast-mycelial transition using these populations showed the following. (i) No fraction from early logarithmic phase cells was unable to undergo morphological transition. (ii) The time of initiation of germ tube production was correlated with cell size in stationary-phase cultures. (iii) The rate of appearance of germ tubes was nearly identical in all fractions measured. (iv) Addition of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine to homogeneous cell populations decreased the time of initial appearance of germ tubes but did not affect the rate of appearance after initiation.", "contents": "Germ tube formation from zonal rotor fractions of Candida albicans. Homogenous cell populations of increasing cell volume may have been isolated from exponential and stationary culture of Candida albicans by centrifugation on a sucrose gradient. Observations of the yeast-mycelial transition using these populations showed the following. (i) No fraction from early logarithmic phase cells was unable to undergo morphological transition. (ii) The time of initiation of germ tube production was correlated with cell size in stationary-phase cultures. (iii) The rate of appearance of germ tubes was nearly identical in all fractions measured. (iv) Addition of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine to homogeneous cell populations decreased the time of initial appearance of germ tubes but did not affect the rate of appearance after initiation.", "PMID": 770454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3228", "title": "Thymidine uptake and utilization in Escherichia coli: a new gene controlling nucleoside transport.", "content": "A commonly used strain of Escherichia coli K-12 was shown to be deficient in the transport of a number of nucleosides, including thymidine. Thymidine incorporation was unaffected. Strain AB2497 exhibited a strikingly lower thymidine pulse-label incorporation at low (less than 1 mug/ml) thymidine concentrations than do many other strains. The deficiency appeared to be due to mutation in a single gene. This gene, which we designated nup (for nucleoside uptake), is located at 10 to 13 min on the E. coli linkage map. In nup+ strains, the transport of a given nucleoside was relatively insensitive to large excesses of other nucleosides but was competitively inhibited by the same nucleoside. Mutants deficient inthymidine kinase are deficient in thymidine uptake but normal in deoxyadenosine uptake. A two-step model for nucleoside transport is presented in which the first step, utilizing the nup gene product, is a nonspecific translocation of nucleoside to the interior of the cell. In the second step, the individual nucleosides are modified by cellular enzymes (e.g., nucleosides kinases) facilitate accumulation.", "contents": "Thymidine uptake and utilization in Escherichia coli: a new gene controlling nucleoside transport. A commonly used strain of Escherichia coli K-12 was shown to be deficient in the transport of a number of nucleosides, including thymidine. Thymidine incorporation was unaffected. Strain AB2497 exhibited a strikingly lower thymidine pulse-label incorporation at low (less than 1 mug/ml) thymidine concentrations than do many other strains. The deficiency appeared to be due to mutation in a single gene. This gene, which we designated nup (for nucleoside uptake), is located at 10 to 13 min on the E. coli linkage map. In nup+ strains, the transport of a given nucleoside was relatively insensitive to large excesses of other nucleosides but was competitively inhibited by the same nucleoside. Mutants deficient inthymidine kinase are deficient in thymidine uptake but normal in deoxyadenosine uptake. A two-step model for nucleoside transport is presented in which the first step, utilizing the nup gene product, is a nonspecific translocation of nucleoside to the interior of the cell. In the second step, the individual nucleosides are modified by cellular enzymes (e.g., nucleosides kinases) facilitate accumulation.", "PMID": 770455} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3229", "title": "Clo DF13 plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid-directed in vitro synthesis of biologically active cloacin DF13 and clo DF13 immunity protein.", "content": "Clo DF13 plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was used as a template to direct transcription and translation in a DNA-dependent cell-free system prepared from Escherichia coli. Analysis of the invitro products on sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gels revealed that Clo DF13 DNA directs the synthesis of at least 10 polypeptides ranging in molecular weight from approximately 7,000 to 70,000. Two of these polypeptides could be identified, with respect to their physiochemical and biological characteristics, as the products of the Clo DF13 genes coding for cloacin DF13 and Clo DF13 immunity protein. These results confirm previous findings, obtained which Clo DF13-harbouring minicells of E. coli, that the structural tenes for the latter proteins residue on the Clo DF13 genome.", "contents": "Clo DF13 plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid-directed in vitro synthesis of biologically active cloacin DF13 and clo DF13 immunity protein. Clo DF13 plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was used as a template to direct transcription and translation in a DNA-dependent cell-free system prepared from Escherichia coli. Analysis of the invitro products on sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gels revealed that Clo DF13 DNA directs the synthesis of at least 10 polypeptides ranging in molecular weight from approximately 7,000 to 70,000. Two of these polypeptides could be identified, with respect to their physiochemical and biological characteristics, as the products of the Clo DF13 genes coding for cloacin DF13 and Clo DF13 immunity protein. These results confirm previous findings, obtained which Clo DF13-harbouring minicells of E. coli, that the structural tenes for the latter proteins residue on the Clo DF13 genome.", "PMID": 770456} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3230", "title": "Initial characterization of Aspergillus nidulans mutants blocked in the nuclear replication cycle.", "content": "Several hundred temperature-sensitive mutants of Aspergillus nidulans were screened for ability of their conidia to produce germ tubes at the nonpermissive temperature while still remaining with the original single conidial nucleus.", "contents": "Initial characterization of Aspergillus nidulans mutants blocked in the nuclear replication cycle. Several hundred temperature-sensitive mutants of Aspergillus nidulans were screened for ability of their conidia to produce germ tubes at the nonpermissive temperature while still remaining with the original single conidial nucleus.", "PMID": 770457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3231", "title": "Determination of the execution points of mutations in the nuclear replication cycle of Aspergillus nidulans.", "content": "Cultures of nuclear replication cycle mutants of Aspergillus nidulans were transferred to the nonpermissive temperature, and the fraction of nuclei still able to reach mitosis was determined. For the determinations, benomyl [methyl-1(butylcarbomoyl)benzimidazolecarbamate] was added to trap nuclei in mitosis, and these were detected by staining with aceto-orcein. The assumptions and controls required to relate the experimentally determined fractions to the points where a mutation blocks the nuclear cycle are discussed. Nine genetically distinct mutants were tested. Two of these were blocked early in the cycle, two in the middle, and five close to, or during, mitosis.", "contents": "Determination of the execution points of mutations in the nuclear replication cycle of Aspergillus nidulans. Cultures of nuclear replication cycle mutants of Aspergillus nidulans were transferred to the nonpermissive temperature, and the fraction of nuclei still able to reach mitosis was determined. For the determinations, benomyl [methyl-1(butylcarbomoyl)benzimidazolecarbamate] was added to trap nuclei in mitosis, and these were detected by staining with aceto-orcein. The assumptions and controls required to relate the experimentally determined fractions to the points where a mutation blocks the nuclear cycle are discussed. Nine genetically distinct mutants were tested. Two of these were blocked early in the cycle, two in the middle, and five close to, or during, mitosis.", "PMID": 770458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3232", "title": "Periplasmic protein related to the sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport system of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of shock fluids of Escherichia coli K-12 revealed the presence of a periplasmic protein related to sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport (GLPT) that is under the regulation of glpR, the regulatory gene of the glp regulon. Mutants selected for their resistance to phosphonomycin and found to be defective in sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport either did not produce GLPT or produced it in reduced amounts. Other mutations exhibited no apparent effect of GLPT. Transductions of glpT+ nalA phage P1 into these mutants and selection for growth on sn-glycerol-3-phosphate revealed a 50% cotransduction frequency to nalA. Reversion of mutants taht did not produce GLPT to growth on sn-glycerol-3-phosphate resulted in strains that produce GLPT. This suggests a close relationship of GLPT to the glpT gene and to sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport. Attempts to demonstrate binding activity of GLPT in crude shock fluid towards sn-glycerol-3-phosphate have failed so far. However, all shock fluids, independent of their GLPT content, exhibited an enzymatic activity that hydrolyzes under the conditions of the binding assay, 30 to 60% of the sn-glycerol-3-phosphate to glycerol and inorganic orthophosphate.", "contents": "Periplasmic protein related to the sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport system of Escherichia coli. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of shock fluids of Escherichia coli K-12 revealed the presence of a periplasmic protein related to sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport (GLPT) that is under the regulation of glpR, the regulatory gene of the glp regulon. Mutants selected for their resistance to phosphonomycin and found to be defective in sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport either did not produce GLPT or produced it in reduced amounts. Other mutations exhibited no apparent effect of GLPT. Transductions of glpT+ nalA phage P1 into these mutants and selection for growth on sn-glycerol-3-phosphate revealed a 50% cotransduction frequency to nalA. Reversion of mutants taht did not produce GLPT to growth on sn-glycerol-3-phosphate resulted in strains that produce GLPT. This suggests a close relationship of GLPT to the glpT gene and to sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport. Attempts to demonstrate binding activity of GLPT in crude shock fluid towards sn-glycerol-3-phosphate have failed so far. However, all shock fluids, independent of their GLPT content, exhibited an enzymatic activity that hydrolyzes under the conditions of the binding assay, 30 to 60% of the sn-glycerol-3-phosphate to glycerol and inorganic orthophosphate.", "PMID": 770459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3233", "title": "Centrifugal separation of irradiated cultures of Escherichia coli cells into viable and nonviable populations.", "content": "Incubation of ultraviolet-irradiated Escherichia coli B/r cultures with 0.7% Triton X-100 resulted in a large decrease in turbidity. Under phase-contrast optics, most of the irradiated detergent-treated cells were smaller than normal and of low phase density; only a small percentage were normal or larger than normal and of normal phase density. Irradiated cells not treated with detergent showed fewer pronounced morphological changes. Irradiated cells treated with detergent lost large amounts of proteins and ribonucleic acid, but not of deoxyribonucleic acid. Such cultures could be separated by centrifugation into populations of (i) slowly sedimenting cells consisting of small, phase-light cells of low viability and (ii) large cells of normal phase density and high viability (100%). A similar separation was effected in gamma-irradiated cultures.", "contents": "Centrifugal separation of irradiated cultures of Escherichia coli cells into viable and nonviable populations. Incubation of ultraviolet-irradiated Escherichia coli B/r cultures with 0.7% Triton X-100 resulted in a large decrease in turbidity. Under phase-contrast optics, most of the irradiated detergent-treated cells were smaller than normal and of low phase density; only a small percentage were normal or larger than normal and of normal phase density. Irradiated cells not treated with detergent showed fewer pronounced morphological changes. Irradiated cells treated with detergent lost large amounts of proteins and ribonucleic acid, but not of deoxyribonucleic acid. Such cultures could be separated by centrifugation into populations of (i) slowly sedimenting cells consisting of small, phase-light cells of low viability and (ii) large cells of normal phase density and high viability (100%). A similar separation was effected in gamma-irradiated cultures.", "PMID": 770460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3234", "title": "Pyrimidine dimer excision in surviving and nonsurviving cells of ultraviolet-irradiated cultures of Escherichia coli.", "content": "We compared dimer excision in viable and nonviable cells fractions separated from Escherichia coli B/r cultures exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. For cells grown on minimal medium with glycerol as a carbon source, both fractions from the irradiated (20 J/m2, 5% survival) culture excised 60 to 70% of the thymine dimers from prelabeled DNA within 120 min. This percentage was, within experimental error, the same as that obtained from unseparated cultures. When isolated viable and nonviable populations were given a second UV exposure (20 J/m2) both types of cells were again able to excise dimers. The UV survival curve for the isolated viable population indicates that these cells are no more sensitive to radiation than exponentially growing cells not previously exposed to UV. The extent of dimer excision after UV irradiation was also the same in viable and nonviable cells separated from cultures grown on a glucose minimal medium in which both populations excised about 85% of the dimers within 120 min. These results show that the extent of removal of pyrimidine dimer from deoxyribonucleic acid is not precisely correlated with survival of repair-competent bacterial cells after exposure to UV light.", "contents": "Pyrimidine dimer excision in surviving and nonsurviving cells of ultraviolet-irradiated cultures of Escherichia coli. We compared dimer excision in viable and nonviable cells fractions separated from Escherichia coli B/r cultures exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. For cells grown on minimal medium with glycerol as a carbon source, both fractions from the irradiated (20 J/m2, 5% survival) culture excised 60 to 70% of the thymine dimers from prelabeled DNA within 120 min. This percentage was, within experimental error, the same as that obtained from unseparated cultures. When isolated viable and nonviable populations were given a second UV exposure (20 J/m2) both types of cells were again able to excise dimers. The UV survival curve for the isolated viable population indicates that these cells are no more sensitive to radiation than exponentially growing cells not previously exposed to UV. The extent of dimer excision after UV irradiation was also the same in viable and nonviable cells separated from cultures grown on a glucose minimal medium in which both populations excised about 85% of the dimers within 120 min. These results show that the extent of removal of pyrimidine dimer from deoxyribonucleic acid is not precisely correlated with survival of repair-competent bacterial cells after exposure to UV light.", "PMID": 770461} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3235", "title": "In vivo methylation by Escherichia coli K-12 mec+ deoxyribonucleic acid-cytosine methylase protects against in vitro cleavage by the RII restriction endonuclease (R. Eco RII).", "content": "We have analyzed the susceptibility of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of phage fd replicative form (RF) and of Escherichia coli to in vitro cleavage by purified RII restriction endonuclease (R. Eco RII). The results are summarized as follows: (i) fd, mec- RFI, isolated from infected E. coli K-12 mec- bacteria (a mutant strain lacking DNA-cytosine methylase activity), is cleaved into at least two fragments, whereas fd. mec+ RFI, isolated from the parental mec+ strain, is not cleaved. (ii) E. coli mec- DNA is extensively degraded, whereas mec+ DNA-cytosine methylase acts as an RII modification enzyme.", "contents": "In vivo methylation by Escherichia coli K-12 mec+ deoxyribonucleic acid-cytosine methylase protects against in vitro cleavage by the RII restriction endonuclease (R. Eco RII). We have analyzed the susceptibility of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of phage fd replicative form (RF) and of Escherichia coli to in vitro cleavage by purified RII restriction endonuclease (R. Eco RII). The results are summarized as follows: (i) fd, mec- RFI, isolated from infected E. coli K-12 mec- bacteria (a mutant strain lacking DNA-cytosine methylase activity), is cleaved into at least two fragments, whereas fd. mec+ RFI, isolated from the parental mec+ strain, is not cleaved. (ii) E. coli mec- DNA is extensively degraded, whereas mec+ DNA-cytosine methylase acts as an RII modification enzyme.", "PMID": 770462} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3236", "title": "Association-dissociation behavior and subunit structure of heat-released nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Nitrate reductase, released from the membrane fraction of Escherichia coli by a neutral heat treatment, was purified to homogeneity by gel filtration chromatography. The purified enzyme behaved as an associating-dissociating system, exhibiting concentration-dependent sedimentation constants which ranged from 24 S at high concentrations in the ultracentrifuge down to 10 S at low concentrations in sucrose gradients. The molecular weight determined at high concentrations by sedimentation equilibrium was 880,000 +/- 30,000. Large and small enzyme species were detected on polyacrylamide disc gels run with diluted samples of enzyme. The ratio of the two species was concentration-dependent and the dissociation was reversible. The purified enzyme appeared to be homogeneous and monodisperse in the ultracentrifuge, on sucrose gradients, during gel filtration on Bio-Gel and on polyacrylamide gels, but it had a heterogeneous subunit composition as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Enzyme species with different subunit compositions were partially resolved by gel filtration. The fractions with the highest specific activity contained subunits of 150,000 and 55,000 daltons in a ratio of approximately 1:1. Other fractions contained reduced amounts of the 55,000-dalton subunit and correspondingly increased amounts of 51,000-, 45,000-, and 10,000-dalton subunits, suggesting that the heterogeneity was the result of proteolytic degradation of the 55,000-dalton subunit. The enzyme contained approximately 12 non-heme irons, 12 acid-labile sulfides, 24 cysteine residues, and 1 molybdenum per 200,000 daltons.", "contents": "Association-dissociation behavior and subunit structure of heat-released nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli. Nitrate reductase, released from the membrane fraction of Escherichia coli by a neutral heat treatment, was purified to homogeneity by gel filtration chromatography. The purified enzyme behaved as an associating-dissociating system, exhibiting concentration-dependent sedimentation constants which ranged from 24 S at high concentrations in the ultracentrifuge down to 10 S at low concentrations in sucrose gradients. The molecular weight determined at high concentrations by sedimentation equilibrium was 880,000 +/- 30,000. Large and small enzyme species were detected on polyacrylamide disc gels run with diluted samples of enzyme. The ratio of the two species was concentration-dependent and the dissociation was reversible. The purified enzyme appeared to be homogeneous and monodisperse in the ultracentrifuge, on sucrose gradients, during gel filtration on Bio-Gel and on polyacrylamide gels, but it had a heterogeneous subunit composition as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Enzyme species with different subunit compositions were partially resolved by gel filtration. The fractions with the highest specific activity contained subunits of 150,000 and 55,000 daltons in a ratio of approximately 1:1. Other fractions contained reduced amounts of the 55,000-dalton subunit and correspondingly increased amounts of 51,000-, 45,000-, and 10,000-dalton subunits, suggesting that the heterogeneity was the result of proteolytic degradation of the 55,000-dalton subunit. The enzyme contained approximately 12 non-heme irons, 12 acid-labile sulfides, 24 cysteine residues, and 1 molybdenum per 200,000 daltons.", "PMID": 770463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3237", "title": "Mode of action of bottromycin A2. Release of aminoacyl- or peptidyl-tRNA from ribosomes.", "content": "Bottromycin A2 inhibited MS2 phage RNA-dependent protein synthesis as well as polyuridylic acid-(poly(U))- or polyadenylic acid (poly(A))-dependent polypeptide synthesis. When the ribosomal complex with N-acetyl-[14C]phenylalanyl-tRNA (N-acetyl-[14C]Phe-tRNA) at the A site was subjected to bottromycin A2, the release of N-acetyl-[14C]Phe-tRNA was observed while no release of N-acetyl-[14C]Phe-tRNA from the donor site was observed, indicating that the action of bottromycin A2 is specific to the A site of ribosomes. Due to bottromycin's capacity to release [14C]Phe-tRNA or N-acetyl-[14C]Phe-tRNA from the ribosomal acceptor site (A site), bottromycin A2 inhibited the nonenzymatic binding of N-acetyl-[14C]Phe-tRNA and elongation factor T (EF-T)-dependent binding if the concentration of EF-Tu-GTP-[14C]Phe-tRNA ternary complex was low. Our data are consistent with the possibility that the inhibition of overall polypeptide synthesis by bottromycin A2 is at least partly due to bottromycin A2's activity to release aminoacyl- or oligopeptidyl-tRNA from ribosomes. Among 10 antibiotics tested, bottromycin A2 and lincomycin released aminoacyl-tRNA from ribosomes.", "contents": "Mode of action of bottromycin A2. Release of aminoacyl- or peptidyl-tRNA from ribosomes. Bottromycin A2 inhibited MS2 phage RNA-dependent protein synthesis as well as polyuridylic acid-(poly(U))- or polyadenylic acid (poly(A))-dependent polypeptide synthesis. When the ribosomal complex with N-acetyl-[14C]phenylalanyl-tRNA (N-acetyl-[14C]Phe-tRNA) at the A site was subjected to bottromycin A2, the release of N-acetyl-[14C]Phe-tRNA was observed while no release of N-acetyl-[14C]Phe-tRNA from the donor site was observed, indicating that the action of bottromycin A2 is specific to the A site of ribosomes. Due to bottromycin's capacity to release [14C]Phe-tRNA or N-acetyl-[14C]Phe-tRNA from the ribosomal acceptor site (A site), bottromycin A2 inhibited the nonenzymatic binding of N-acetyl-[14C]Phe-tRNA and elongation factor T (EF-T)-dependent binding if the concentration of EF-Tu-GTP-[14C]Phe-tRNA ternary complex was low. Our data are consistent with the possibility that the inhibition of overall polypeptide synthesis by bottromycin A2 is at least partly due to bottromycin A2's activity to release aminoacyl- or oligopeptidyl-tRNA from ribosomes. Among 10 antibiotics tested, bottromycin A2 and lincomycin released aminoacyl-tRNA from ribosomes.", "PMID": 770464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3238", "title": "Transfer ribonucleic acid biosynthesis. Substrate specificity of ribonuclease P.", "content": "Bacteriophage T4 synthesizes proline and serine tRNA species which are derived from a common precursor RNA. The processing of this precursor RNA involves the replacement of a U-A-A terminus in serine tRNA by C-C-A prior to precursor cleavage. In the present work we have examined in detail the cleavage of T4 proline-serine precursor RNA by the previously identified ribonuclease P. Ribonuclease P accurately cleaves precursor RNA terminating in either C-C-A or U-A-A to generate the 5' termini characteristic of both mature tRNA species. These cleavages do not depend solely on the nucleotide sequence of the precursor RNA since isolated oligonucleotides spanning the cleavage sites are not substrates for the enzyme. Two types of experiments show that RNase P kinetically favors precursor RNA ending C-C-A over that ending U-A-A. Isolated preparations of precursor RNA containing the C-C-A sequence were cleaved more rapidly by RNase P than precursor RNA ending U-A-A. In addition, the serine tRNA generated by limited cleavage of a mixed population of precursor RNA ending C-C-A or U-A-A was enriched 3-fold in the C-A-A sequence relative to the starting material. Bacteriophage T4 proline-serine precursor RNA, in contrast to other tRNA precursors, accumulates in measurable amounts in wild type cells. This accumulation would appear to be a consequence of the requirement for the generation of the C-C-A sequence prior to RNase P cleavage. The enzymic specificity of RNase P in vitro therefore reflects the in vivo pathway for serine tRNA biosynthesis, where the C-C-A sequence is synthesized while the serine tRNA sequence is still a part of the large precursor RNA.", "contents": "Transfer ribonucleic acid biosynthesis. Substrate specificity of ribonuclease P. Bacteriophage T4 synthesizes proline and serine tRNA species which are derived from a common precursor RNA. The processing of this precursor RNA involves the replacement of a U-A-A terminus in serine tRNA by C-C-A prior to precursor cleavage. In the present work we have examined in detail the cleavage of T4 proline-serine precursor RNA by the previously identified ribonuclease P. Ribonuclease P accurately cleaves precursor RNA terminating in either C-C-A or U-A-A to generate the 5' termini characteristic of both mature tRNA species. These cleavages do not depend solely on the nucleotide sequence of the precursor RNA since isolated oligonucleotides spanning the cleavage sites are not substrates for the enzyme. Two types of experiments show that RNase P kinetically favors precursor RNA ending C-C-A over that ending U-A-A. Isolated preparations of precursor RNA containing the C-C-A sequence were cleaved more rapidly by RNase P than precursor RNA ending U-A-A. In addition, the serine tRNA generated by limited cleavage of a mixed population of precursor RNA ending C-C-A or U-A-A was enriched 3-fold in the C-A-A sequence relative to the starting material. Bacteriophage T4 proline-serine precursor RNA, in contrast to other tRNA precursors, accumulates in measurable amounts in wild type cells. This accumulation would appear to be a consequence of the requirement for the generation of the C-C-A sequence prior to RNase P cleavage. The enzymic specificity of RNase P in vitro therefore reflects the in vivo pathway for serine tRNA biosynthesis, where the C-C-A sequence is synthesized while the serine tRNA sequence is still a part of the large precursor RNA.", "PMID": 770465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3239", "title": "An antimutator deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase. I. Purification and properties of the enzyme.", "content": "The DNA polymerase induced by an antimutator T4 phage has been purified to apparent homogeneity and has been compared to the wild type polymerase. The mutant enzyme resembles the wild type in thermal stability, pH optimum, salt activation, divalent metal ion requirement, inhibition by a sulfhydryl reagent, and apparent affinity for DNA. However, the mutant enzyme differs from the wild type in its 8-fold higher 3'-exonuclease activity and in its decreased apparent affinity for deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. Inhibition studies indicate that the exonuclease of the mutant enzyme is more vulnerable to physical and chemical modification than its wild type counterpart.", "contents": "An antimutator deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase. I. Purification and properties of the enzyme. The DNA polymerase induced by an antimutator T4 phage has been purified to apparent homogeneity and has been compared to the wild type polymerase. The mutant enzyme resembles the wild type in thermal stability, pH optimum, salt activation, divalent metal ion requirement, inhibition by a sulfhydryl reagent, and apparent affinity for DNA. However, the mutant enzyme differs from the wild type in its 8-fold higher 3'-exonuclease activity and in its decreased apparent affinity for deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. Inhibition studies indicate that the exonuclease of the mutant enzyme is more vulnerable to physical and chemical modification than its wild type counterpart.", "PMID": 770466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3240", "title": "An antimutator deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase. II. In vitro and in vivo studies of its temperature sensitivity.", "content": "Upon infection of Escherichia coli with the temperature-sensitive bacteriophage T4 mutant, L141, at 43 degrees, DNA polymerase activity is induced, yet there is a marked decrease in DNA synthesis. Temperature shift experiments of infected cultures show dramatic changes in the rate of DNA synthesis, while the polymerase activity in extracts remains constant. Unlike most temperature-sensitive systems in which the lesion can be traced to an unstable enzyme, L141 provides a unique example in which the catalytic properties of the enzyme and the change in the nature of the template caused by the increased temperature combine to reduce the rate of DNA synthesis.", "contents": "An antimutator deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase. II. In vitro and in vivo studies of its temperature sensitivity. Upon infection of Escherichia coli with the temperature-sensitive bacteriophage T4 mutant, L141, at 43 degrees, DNA polymerase activity is induced, yet there is a marked decrease in DNA synthesis. Temperature shift experiments of infected cultures show dramatic changes in the rate of DNA synthesis, while the polymerase activity in extracts remains constant. Unlike most temperature-sensitive systems in which the lesion can be traced to an unstable enzyme, L141 provides a unique example in which the catalytic properties of the enzyme and the change in the nature of the template caused by the increased temperature combine to reduce the rate of DNA synthesis.", "PMID": 770467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3241", "title": "Factors affecting the acyl selectivities of acyltransferases in Escherichia coli.", "content": "In Escherichia coli the synthesis of phosphatidic acid from glycerophosphate involves first the intermediate formation of 1-acyl glycerophosphate. This reaction is catalyzed by the membrane-bound acyl-CoA(acyl-ACP):glycerophosphate acyltransferase. The 1-acylglycerophosphate is then converted to phosphatidic acid by acyl-CoA(acyl-ACP):1-acylglycerophosphate acyltransferase (Okuyama, H., and Wakil, S.J. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 5197-5205). In vitro both acyltransferases utilize various saturated and unsaturated acyl-CoAs at comparable rates, resulting in the incorporation of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids into position 1 as well as position 2 of the glycerophosphate moiety. Thus, the specificities of acyltransferase systems as compared with regard to the maximal velocities for various acyl-AoAs, do not explain the positional distribution of the individual fatty acid in phospholipid molecules. The selectivities of the acyltransferases for acyl-CoAs are variable depending upon the acceptor concentration. In the presence of both palmitoyl-CoA and oleoyl-CoA and at low concentrations of the acceptors comparable to those found in vivo, the acylation at position 1 of glycerophosphate by acyl-CoA:glycerophosphate acyltransferase showed higher preference for palmitate, whereas the acylation at position 2 by acyl-CoA:1-acylglycerophosphate acyltransferase showed higher selectivity for oleate. In the presence of saturating amounts of the acceptors, the acylation at position 1 or position 2 was less selective for the acyl-CoAs. The ratios of saturated acyl-CoA to unsaturated acyl-CoA also affect the ratios of the fatty acids incorporated in vitro into positions 1 and 2 of phosphatidic acid; relatively more palmitate was incorporated when the proportion of palmitoyl-CoA among the acyl donors was higher and vice versa. Thus, highly selective positioning of various acyl-CoAs observed at lower concentrations of the acceptors in phosphatidic acid synthesis in vitro helps to explain the selective distribution of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids at positions 1 and 2 of glycerophospholipids in the membranes. Another factor, the availability of acyl donors, affects the proportions of different molecular species of phosphatidic acid, which at least partly explains the variability of molecular species of phospholipids found in vivo.", "contents": "Factors affecting the acyl selectivities of acyltransferases in Escherichia coli. In Escherichia coli the synthesis of phosphatidic acid from glycerophosphate involves first the intermediate formation of 1-acyl glycerophosphate. This reaction is catalyzed by the membrane-bound acyl-CoA(acyl-ACP):glycerophosphate acyltransferase. The 1-acylglycerophosphate is then converted to phosphatidic acid by acyl-CoA(acyl-ACP):1-acylglycerophosphate acyltransferase (Okuyama, H., and Wakil, S.J. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 5197-5205). In vitro both acyltransferases utilize various saturated and unsaturated acyl-CoAs at comparable rates, resulting in the incorporation of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids into position 1 as well as position 2 of the glycerophosphate moiety. Thus, the specificities of acyltransferase systems as compared with regard to the maximal velocities for various acyl-AoAs, do not explain the positional distribution of the individual fatty acid in phospholipid molecules. The selectivities of the acyltransferases for acyl-CoAs are variable depending upon the acceptor concentration. In the presence of both palmitoyl-CoA and oleoyl-CoA and at low concentrations of the acceptors comparable to those found in vivo, the acylation at position 1 of glycerophosphate by acyl-CoA:glycerophosphate acyltransferase showed higher preference for palmitate, whereas the acylation at position 2 by acyl-CoA:1-acylglycerophosphate acyltransferase showed higher selectivity for oleate. In the presence of saturating amounts of the acceptors, the acylation at position 1 or position 2 was less selective for the acyl-CoAs. The ratios of saturated acyl-CoA to unsaturated acyl-CoA also affect the ratios of the fatty acids incorporated in vitro into positions 1 and 2 of phosphatidic acid; relatively more palmitate was incorporated when the proportion of palmitoyl-CoA among the acyl donors was higher and vice versa. Thus, highly selective positioning of various acyl-CoAs observed at lower concentrations of the acceptors in phosphatidic acid synthesis in vitro helps to explain the selective distribution of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids at positions 1 and 2 of glycerophospholipids in the membranes. Another factor, the availability of acyl donors, affects the proportions of different molecular species of phosphatidic acid, which at least partly explains the variability of molecular species of phospholipids found in vivo.", "PMID": 770468} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3242", "title": "Utilization of exogenous GDP-mannose for the synthesis of mannose-containing lipids and glycoproteins by oviduct cells.", "content": "Suspensions of oviduct cells were prepared by subjecting oviduct tissue to sequential incubations with EDTA, alpha-chymotrypsin, and crude collagenase, followed by a final incubation with EDTA. Cells isolated in this way incorporate mannose from exogenous GDP-mannose into mannosyl-lipid, oligosaccharide-lipid, and glycoprotein(s). Based on several criteria, the mannosyl-lipid is identical with mannosyl-phosphoryldolichol. Similarly, the oligosaccharide-lipid appears to be identical with the oligosaccharide-lipid synthesized in vitro (Lucas, J. J., Waechter, C. J., and Lennarz, W. J. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 1992-2002). In contrast, the glycoproteins are much lower in molecular weight than those labeled in cell-free preparations. Using intact oviduct cell suspensions it was found that: (a) exogenous GDP-mannose, not its breakdown products, serves as the direct mannosyl donor; (b) experiments using mixtures of known proportions of broken and intact cells, as well as studies with metabolic inhibitors, indicate that greater than 50% of the observed incorporation of mannose from GDP-mannose was catalyzed by enzymes associated with intact cells, rather than broken cells or membrane fragments; (c) incorporation of mannose from GDP-mannose into the mannosyl acceptors does not require energy and proceeds without significant uptake of GDP-mannose into trichloroacetic acid-soluble components of the cells; (d) under conditions where labeled guanosine incorporation into nucleic acids is readily detected, no incorporation of the guanosine moiety of [3H]GDP-mannose is observed. These results indicate that the enzymes catalyzing synthesis of lipid-linked intermediates involved in glycoprotein synthesis are not only associated with intracellular membranes, but with the plasma membrane as well.", "contents": "Utilization of exogenous GDP-mannose for the synthesis of mannose-containing lipids and glycoproteins by oviduct cells. Suspensions of oviduct cells were prepared by subjecting oviduct tissue to sequential incubations with EDTA, alpha-chymotrypsin, and crude collagenase, followed by a final incubation with EDTA. Cells isolated in this way incorporate mannose from exogenous GDP-mannose into mannosyl-lipid, oligosaccharide-lipid, and glycoprotein(s). Based on several criteria, the mannosyl-lipid is identical with mannosyl-phosphoryldolichol. Similarly, the oligosaccharide-lipid appears to be identical with the oligosaccharide-lipid synthesized in vitro (Lucas, J. J., Waechter, C. J., and Lennarz, W. J. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 1992-2002). In contrast, the glycoproteins are much lower in molecular weight than those labeled in cell-free preparations. Using intact oviduct cell suspensions it was found that: (a) exogenous GDP-mannose, not its breakdown products, serves as the direct mannosyl donor; (b) experiments using mixtures of known proportions of broken and intact cells, as well as studies with metabolic inhibitors, indicate that greater than 50% of the observed incorporation of mannose from GDP-mannose was catalyzed by enzymes associated with intact cells, rather than broken cells or membrane fragments; (c) incorporation of mannose from GDP-mannose into the mannosyl acceptors does not require energy and proceeds without significant uptake of GDP-mannose into trichloroacetic acid-soluble components of the cells; (d) under conditions where labeled guanosine incorporation into nucleic acids is readily detected, no incorporation of the guanosine moiety of [3H]GDP-mannose is observed. These results indicate that the enzymes catalyzing synthesis of lipid-linked intermediates involved in glycoprotein synthesis are not only associated with intracellular membranes, but with the plasma membrane as well.", "PMID": 770469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3243", "title": "Cr(III) complexes as active site probes of yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase.", "content": "The inert coordination complex of Cr(III) with PP1 (CrPP1) is not a substrate for yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase and does not inhibit the Mg2+-dependent activity of this enzyme. These results, when compared with the effects of CrPP1 on other enzymes and with the effects of other divalent metal ions on this enzyme, suggest that yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase binds substraather than the phosphate groups. Mg2+ partially protects against a slow inactivation of the enzyme by Cr(H2O)6(3)+; this exchange inert ion may provide a means of labeling the metal ion binding site of this enzyme.", "contents": "Cr(III) complexes as active site probes of yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase. The inert coordination complex of Cr(III) with PP1 (CrPP1) is not a substrate for yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase and does not inhibit the Mg2+-dependent activity of this enzyme. These results, when compared with the effects of CrPP1 on other enzymes and with the effects of other divalent metal ions on this enzyme, suggest that yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase binds substraather than the phosphate groups. Mg2+ partially protects against a slow inactivation of the enzyme by Cr(H2O)6(3)+; this exchange inert ion may provide a means of labeling the metal ion binding site of this enzyme.", "PMID": 770470} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3244", "title": "Function and structure in phage Qbeta RNA replicase. Association of EF-Tu-Ts with the other enzyme subunits.", "content": "Qbeta replicase is a complex of four nonidentical subunits readily dissociable into two subcomplexes: 30 S ribosomal protein S1 and the phage-coded polypeptide (Subunits I + II) and protein synthesis elongation factors EF-Tu and EF-Ts (Subunits III + IV). The affinity of the two subcomplexes for one another increases with increasing ionic strength. The enzyme is capable of initiation of RNA synthesis with synthetic templates only when in the low ionic strength conformation. Elongation of initiated polynucleotide chains is not affectedby ionic strength. Addition of Qbeta RNA to the enzyme also alters its quaternary structure: the EF-Tu-Ts cannot be covalently attached to the other enzyme subunits with bifunctional cross-linking reagents in the presence of RNA. This conformational change is not influenced by ionic strength. The addition of Qbeta RNA to the enzyme, does not result in the release of EF-Tu-Ts from the other enzyme subunits: whereas free EF-Tu-Ts binds GDP independently of salt concentration, this binding by Qbeta replicase is sensitive to high ionic strength and remains so in the presence of Qbeta RNA. Furthermore, RNA does not allow the release of EF-Ts from EF-Tu by GTP as measured by sensitivity of EF-Ts activity to N-ethylmaleimide.", "contents": "Function and structure in phage Qbeta RNA replicase. Association of EF-Tu-Ts with the other enzyme subunits. Qbeta replicase is a complex of four nonidentical subunits readily dissociable into two subcomplexes: 30 S ribosomal protein S1 and the phage-coded polypeptide (Subunits I + II) and protein synthesis elongation factors EF-Tu and EF-Ts (Subunits III + IV). The affinity of the two subcomplexes for one another increases with increasing ionic strength. The enzyme is capable of initiation of RNA synthesis with synthetic templates only when in the low ionic strength conformation. Elongation of initiated polynucleotide chains is not affectedby ionic strength. Addition of Qbeta RNA to the enzyme also alters its quaternary structure: the EF-Tu-Ts cannot be covalently attached to the other enzyme subunits with bifunctional cross-linking reagents in the presence of RNA. This conformational change is not influenced by ionic strength. The addition of Qbeta RNA to the enzyme, does not result in the release of EF-Tu-Ts from the other enzyme subunits: whereas free EF-Tu-Ts binds GDP independently of salt concentration, this binding by Qbeta replicase is sensitive to high ionic strength and remains so in the presence of Qbeta RNA. Furthermore, RNA does not allow the release of EF-Ts from EF-Tu by GTP as measured by sensitivity of EF-Ts activity to N-ethylmaleimide.", "PMID": 770471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3245", "title": "Structural and functional interdependence of the protomers of Escherichia coli K 12 tryptophanase during binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate.", "content": "It has been shown previously that the binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to Escherichia coli K 12 tryptophanase brings about an important conformational change of the protein. The way in which this structural change is transmitted from holoprotomers to apoprotomers is investigated here, using hybrid molecules (between apoprotomers and irreversibly saturated holoprotomers). It is shown that the binding of two or three coenzyme molecules per tetramer stabilizes the whole molecule against thermal inactivation and cold-induced dissociation. The change in conformation induced on an apoprotomer by the proximity of three holoprotomers is described, using three structural probes: the kinetics of binding of the cofactor and of 5'-phosphopyridoxyl-tryptophan (an analog of an intermediate in the catalytic reaction), and the reactivity of the essential cysteines. The kinetic anticooperatively in the binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is confirmed, some of its parameters are determined, and its mechanism is interpreted in relation to the coupling between the protomers.", "contents": "Structural and functional interdependence of the protomers of Escherichia coli K 12 tryptophanase during binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. It has been shown previously that the binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to Escherichia coli K 12 tryptophanase brings about an important conformational change of the protein. The way in which this structural change is transmitted from holoprotomers to apoprotomers is investigated here, using hybrid molecules (between apoprotomers and irreversibly saturated holoprotomers). It is shown that the binding of two or three coenzyme molecules per tetramer stabilizes the whole molecule against thermal inactivation and cold-induced dissociation. The change in conformation induced on an apoprotomer by the proximity of three holoprotomers is described, using three structural probes: the kinetics of binding of the cofactor and of 5'-phosphopyridoxyl-tryptophan (an analog of an intermediate in the catalytic reaction), and the reactivity of the essential cysteines. The kinetic anticooperatively in the binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is confirmed, some of its parameters are determined, and its mechanism is interpreted in relation to the coupling between the protomers.", "PMID": 770472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3246", "title": "The dissociated tryptophanase subunit is inactive.", "content": "The dissociation into dimers of apotryptophanase has been studied from two points of view: the nature of the interactions which govern the dimer-tetramer equilibrium and the effect of dissociation on the functional properties of the enzyme. It is shown that the order in which different anions are able to shift the dimer-tetramer equilibrium is that of the Hofmeister series, thus showing that the main contribution to the interaction between two dimers is of hydrophobic nature. It is also shown that, when dimeric apotryptophanase is incubated in the presence of its cofactor and substrate, the kinetics of appearance of active molecules is of second order in enzyme and is independent of the pyridoxal-P concentration; its rate constant has been determined (5-10(4) M-1 S-1). These results indicate that the reassociation of dimers into tetramers is the rate-limiting step in the appearance of enzymatic activity, and that the tryptophanase dimer is not functional.", "contents": "The dissociated tryptophanase subunit is inactive. The dissociation into dimers of apotryptophanase has been studied from two points of view: the nature of the interactions which govern the dimer-tetramer equilibrium and the effect of dissociation on the functional properties of the enzyme. It is shown that the order in which different anions are able to shift the dimer-tetramer equilibrium is that of the Hofmeister series, thus showing that the main contribution to the interaction between two dimers is of hydrophobic nature. It is also shown that, when dimeric apotryptophanase is incubated in the presence of its cofactor and substrate, the kinetics of appearance of active molecules is of second order in enzyme and is independent of the pyridoxal-P concentration; its rate constant has been determined (5-10(4) M-1 S-1). These results indicate that the reassociation of dimers into tetramers is the rate-limiting step in the appearance of enzymatic activity, and that the tryptophanase dimer is not functional.", "PMID": 770473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3247", "title": "Transition state analogs for thiamin pyrophosphate-dependent enzymes.", "content": "Many of the transition states that are formed from thiamin pyrophosphate in enzymic reactions are expected to have structures in which the thiazolium ring of thiamin pyrophosphate has lost most of its positive charge. We have synthesized thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate from the unphosphorylated compound. The sulphur-containing ring of thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate is uncharged, and thus the compound resembles these transition states. In agreement with the prediction from the transition state theory of reaction rates, thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate binds to Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (EC 1.2.7.1) much more strongly than thiamin pyrophosphate itself. An upper limit for the value of the dissociation constant, calculated from the extent of inactivation of the enzyme by a low concentration of thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate, is 5 X 10(-10) M at 3 degrees in 0.5 mM MgCl2/10 mM potassium phosphate, pH 6.6. The dissociation constant for thiamin pyrophosphate under similar conditions is about 10(-5) M. The kinetics of inactivation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate are first order with respect to both enzyme and thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate; the value of the second order rate constant is 5.7 X 10(5) M-1 min-1 at 3 degrees in 0.5 mM MgCl2/10 mM potassium phosphate, pH 6.6. An analysis of the decrease in the rates of inactivation caused by thiamin pyrophosphate indicates that thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate binds at the coenzyme sites. We have also synthesized thiamin thiothiazolone pyrophosphate and obtained very similar results with this compound.", "contents": "Transition state analogs for thiamin pyrophosphate-dependent enzymes. Many of the transition states that are formed from thiamin pyrophosphate in enzymic reactions are expected to have structures in which the thiazolium ring of thiamin pyrophosphate has lost most of its positive charge. We have synthesized thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate from the unphosphorylated compound. The sulphur-containing ring of thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate is uncharged, and thus the compound resembles these transition states. In agreement with the prediction from the transition state theory of reaction rates, thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate binds to Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (EC 1.2.7.1) much more strongly than thiamin pyrophosphate itself. An upper limit for the value of the dissociation constant, calculated from the extent of inactivation of the enzyme by a low concentration of thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate, is 5 X 10(-10) M at 3 degrees in 0.5 mM MgCl2/10 mM potassium phosphate, pH 6.6. The dissociation constant for thiamin pyrophosphate under similar conditions is about 10(-5) M. The kinetics of inactivation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate are first order with respect to both enzyme and thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate; the value of the second order rate constant is 5.7 X 10(5) M-1 min-1 at 3 degrees in 0.5 mM MgCl2/10 mM potassium phosphate, pH 6.6. An analysis of the decrease in the rates of inactivation caused by thiamin pyrophosphate indicates that thiamin thiazolone pyrophosphate binds at the coenzyme sites. We have also synthesized thiamin thiothiazolone pyrophosphate and obtained very similar results with this compound.", "PMID": 770474} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3248", "title": "Antibiotic-impregnated acrylic bone cement.", "content": "In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to study the antibacterial and mechanical properties of Simplex and Palacos acrylic bone cements utilized for the production of acrylic cement-antibiotic composites. Acrylic cement without antibiotic had no bacteriostatic effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas. Oxacillin, cefazolin, and gentamicin are stable in acrylic cement and are released in a microbiologically active form. The three antibiotics diffused from the Palacos in larger amounts daily and for a significantly longer time than from the Simplex. Mechanical tests demonstrated that admixture of antibiotics and acrylic cement had no influence on the compressive and diametral tension strengths of the cement. Bacteriostatic concentrations of oxacillin in wound hematomas were measured for fourteen days after implantation of an oxacillin-Simplex composite in dogs. High bactericidal concentrations of the antibiotic were measured in the surrounding bone for twenty-one days after implantation.", "contents": "Antibiotic-impregnated acrylic bone cement. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to study the antibacterial and mechanical properties of Simplex and Palacos acrylic bone cements utilized for the production of acrylic cement-antibiotic composites. Acrylic cement without antibiotic had no bacteriostatic effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas. Oxacillin, cefazolin, and gentamicin are stable in acrylic cement and are released in a microbiologically active form. The three antibiotics diffused from the Palacos in larger amounts daily and for a significantly longer time than from the Simplex. Mechanical tests demonstrated that admixture of antibiotics and acrylic cement had no influence on the compressive and diametral tension strengths of the cement. Bacteriostatic concentrations of oxacillin in wound hematomas were measured for fourteen days after implantation of an oxacillin-Simplex composite in dogs. High bactericidal concentrations of the antibiotic were measured in the surrounding bone for twenty-one days after implantation.", "PMID": 770477} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3249", "title": "The 1974 Gordon Richards Memorial Lecture: trends in the organization of cancer services.", "content": "The development of cancer programs and organizations in Canada is traced from their beginnings until the present time, and tribute is paid to our pioneers, of whom Dr. Richards was an outstanding example in this field. Although provinical cancer control measures vary, there is a marked similarity among some, so that they can be categorized into two or three patterns. The desirable requirements for the establishment and progressive development of cancer centres is described together with their relationship to increasing integration of teaching and research activities. An attempt is made to predict the future pattern of our \"cancer clinic\" system in which there will be increasing reliance on an interdisciplinary approach.", "contents": "The 1974 Gordon Richards Memorial Lecture: trends in the organization of cancer services. The development of cancer programs and organizations in Canada is traced from their beginnings until the present time, and tribute is paid to our pioneers, of whom Dr. Richards was an outstanding example in this field. Although provinical cancer control measures vary, there is a marked similarity among some, so that they can be categorized into two or three patterns. The desirable requirements for the establishment and progressive development of cancer centres is described together with their relationship to increasing integration of teaching and research activities. An attempt is made to predict the future pattern of our \"cancer clinic\" system in which there will be increasing reliance on an interdisciplinary approach.", "PMID": 770478} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3250", "title": "Malignant lymphoma of the testis.", "content": "Three cases of patients suffering from malignant lymphoma of the testicle are reported. The clinical aspects and characteristic pathological features are discussed. The evolution of lymphoma of the testicle differs from lymphomas in other sites and appears to be more agressive. It is recommended that a more extensive radiation therapy be applied because of frequent extra-nodal spread which is often excluded when using conventional fields. Chemotherapy provides long periods of remission in malignant lymphoma. This therapeutic weapon should be combined with radiation therapy for a better control of the disease.", "contents": "Malignant lymphoma of the testis. Three cases of patients suffering from malignant lymphoma of the testicle are reported. The clinical aspects and characteristic pathological features are discussed. The evolution of lymphoma of the testicle differs from lymphomas in other sites and appears to be more agressive. It is recommended that a more extensive radiation therapy be applied because of frequent extra-nodal spread which is often excluded when using conventional fields. Chemotherapy provides long periods of remission in malignant lymphoma. This therapeutic weapon should be combined with radiation therapy for a better control of the disease.", "PMID": 770479} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3251", "title": "Topographical differences in the distribution of surface coat components and intramembrane particles. A cytochemical and freeze-fracture study in culture forms of Trypanosoma cruzi.", "content": "A regional specialization of the cell surface of T. cruzi culture forms was found at the cytostome as a localized thick surface coat rich in carbohydrate-containing components. The prominent surface coat was located over a region of the plasma membrane where intramembranous particles were exceedingly low in number. In turn, the particle-poor region was related to specialized submembrane fibrils not present under other regions of the plasma membrane. The cystostome region provides a striking example of a stable regional differentiation of the plasma membrane, involving the outer surface, the membrane interior, and the underlying cytoplasm. In addition, independence of Con A receptors, colloidal iron binding sites, and ruthenium red-stainable surface components from membrane particles was demonstrated at the flagellar membrane.", "contents": "Topographical differences in the distribution of surface coat components and intramembrane particles. A cytochemical and freeze-fracture study in culture forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. A regional specialization of the cell surface of T. cruzi culture forms was found at the cytostome as a localized thick surface coat rich in carbohydrate-containing components. The prominent surface coat was located over a region of the plasma membrane where intramembranous particles were exceedingly low in number. In turn, the particle-poor region was related to specialized submembrane fibrils not present under other regions of the plasma membrane. The cystostome region provides a striking example of a stable regional differentiation of the plasma membrane, involving the outer surface, the membrane interior, and the underlying cytoplasm. In addition, independence of Con A receptors, colloidal iron binding sites, and ruthenium red-stainable surface components from membrane particles was demonstrated at the flagellar membrane.", "PMID": 770483} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3252", "title": "Identification of glucagon-producing cells (A cells) in dog gastric mucosa.", "content": "An immunocytochemical technique using specific antiglucagon serum reveals the presence of glucagon-containing cells situated exclusively in the oxyntic glandular mucosa of the dog stomach. Electron microscope examination of the mucosa demonstrated endocrine cells containing secretory granules with a round dense core surrounded by a clear halo, indistinguishable from secretory granules of pancreatic A cells. Like the alpha granules of pancreatic A cells, the granules of these gastric endocrine cells exhibited a peripheral distribution of silver grains after Grimelius silver staining. Moreover, the granules of these cells were found to be specifically labeled with reaction product, using the peroxidase immunocytochemical technique at the ultrastructural level. Accordingly, these cells were named gastric A cells. These data suggest that the gastric oxyntic mucosa contains cells indistinguishable cytologically, cytochemically, and immunocytochemically from pancreatic A cells. It is believed that gastric A cells are responsible for the secretion of the gastric glucagon.", "contents": "Identification of glucagon-producing cells (A cells) in dog gastric mucosa. An immunocytochemical technique using specific antiglucagon serum reveals the presence of glucagon-containing cells situated exclusively in the oxyntic glandular mucosa of the dog stomach. Electron microscope examination of the mucosa demonstrated endocrine cells containing secretory granules with a round dense core surrounded by a clear halo, indistinguishable from secretory granules of pancreatic A cells. Like the alpha granules of pancreatic A cells, the granules of these gastric endocrine cells exhibited a peripheral distribution of silver grains after Grimelius silver staining. Moreover, the granules of these cells were found to be specifically labeled with reaction product, using the peroxidase immunocytochemical technique at the ultrastructural level. Accordingly, these cells were named gastric A cells. These data suggest that the gastric oxyntic mucosa contains cells indistinguishable cytologically, cytochemically, and immunocytochemically from pancreatic A cells. It is believed that gastric A cells are responsible for the secretion of the gastric glucagon.", "PMID": 770482} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3253", "title": "Visualization of stimulated nerve endings by preferential calcium accumulation of mitochondria.", "content": "Calcium was detected by X-ray microanalysis in the mitochondria of electrically stimulated nerve endings. The phenomenon described here offers a simple means for identifying the stimulated nerve endings in the electron microscope and appears to be a promising new method for following spontaneous and drug-stimulated translocation of calcium in relation to the regulation of neurotransmitter release.", "contents": "Visualization of stimulated nerve endings by preferential calcium accumulation of mitochondria. Calcium was detected by X-ray microanalysis in the mitochondria of electrically stimulated nerve endings. The phenomenon described here offers a simple means for identifying the stimulated nerve endings in the electron microscope and appears to be a promising new method for following spontaneous and drug-stimulated translocation of calcium in relation to the regulation of neurotransmitter release.", "PMID": 770484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3254", "title": "Lymphoma with large intracavitary metastasis to the heart. Report of a case.", "content": "A case if reported of a 2 1/2-year-old boy with an extensive filtration of the retroperitoneum, mediastinum, and almost every organ of the body with a very primitive type of tumor identified as a poorly-differentiated mixed histiocyticlymphocytic lymphoma. The right atrium was completely filled with a large intracavitary metastasis which caused obstruction of the venous return to the heart with subsequent death.", "contents": "Lymphoma with large intracavitary metastasis to the heart. Report of a case. A case if reported of a 2 1/2-year-old boy with an extensive filtration of the retroperitoneum, mediastinum, and almost every organ of the body with a very primitive type of tumor identified as a poorly-differentiated mixed histiocyticlymphocytic lymphoma. The right atrium was completely filled with a large intracavitary metastasis which caused obstruction of the venous return to the heart with subsequent death.", "PMID": 770481} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3255", "title": "[Atheromatous stenosis and occlusion of the brachiocephalic arterial trunk. Apropos of 24 operated cases].", "content": "The author reports an unpublished series of 24 operated cases and considers the surgical problems raised by atheromatous stenosis and obstruction of the innominate artery. At present, excellent results may be obtained thanks to: 1) better precision of the indications, excluding patients with neurological complications undergoing aggravation or permanent neurological signs; 2) at present, operations by the cervical route should be performed when the state of the heart and lungs prevents direct surgery by sternotomy, which remains, however, the method of choice.", "contents": "[Atheromatous stenosis and occlusion of the brachiocephalic arterial trunk. Apropos of 24 operated cases]. The author reports an unpublished series of 24 operated cases and considers the surgical problems raised by atheromatous stenosis and obstruction of the innominate artery. At present, excellent results may be obtained thanks to: 1) better precision of the indications, excluding patients with neurological complications undergoing aggravation or permanent neurological signs; 2) at present, operations by the cervical route should be performed when the state of the heart and lungs prevents direct surgery by sternotomy, which remains, however, the method of choice.", "PMID": 770488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3256", "title": "[Wounds of the flexor tendons of the fingers at the level of the hand. Results of primary sutures].", "content": "The authors review in 100 patients, 182 wounds of flexor tendons of the fingers at the level of the hand emphasize the definite preponderance in young workers, their frequency which is all the greater as one moves away from the thumb, and approches the area of the fibrous pulleys, their common misdiagnosis, especially at the level of the thumb, their prognosis which is all the worse as one approaches the fifth finger and the areas of the pulleys. The poor results simply confirm their reputation of seriousness from an economic and social point of view. The technical problems raised by stiffening of the proximal interphalangeal joints and, above all, the formation of adhesions, are far from solved, it seems that an improvement in the results might be obtained if these wounds were repaired by specialised surgeons in a unit dealing exclusively with surgery of the hand which, under present conditions, is not always the case.", "contents": "[Wounds of the flexor tendons of the fingers at the level of the hand. Results of primary sutures]. The authors review in 100 patients, 182 wounds of flexor tendons of the fingers at the level of the hand emphasize the definite preponderance in young workers, their frequency which is all the greater as one moves away from the thumb, and approches the area of the fibrous pulleys, their common misdiagnosis, especially at the level of the thumb, their prognosis which is all the worse as one approaches the fifth finger and the areas of the pulleys. The poor results simply confirm their reputation of seriousness from an economic and social point of view. The technical problems raised by stiffening of the proximal interphalangeal joints and, above all, the formation of adhesions, are far from solved, it seems that an improvement in the results might be obtained if these wounds were repaired by specialised surgeons in a unit dealing exclusively with surgery of the hand which, under present conditions, is not always the case.", "PMID": 770489} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3257", "title": "Limitations of the FPD and ECD in atmospheric analysis: a review.", "content": "This paper reviews the use of electron capture and flame photometric detectors in ambient air measurements, with particular emphasis on the factors which may affect the sensitivity, precision, and accuracy of the analyses. The interference effects of oxygen, water, and other common constituents in air samples are discussed. In addition to those anomalies that are due to the nature of the analytical samples, certain limitations are imposed by the inherent response characteristics of the detectors. These notable difficulties and limitations are defined along with their potential consequences in atmospheric applications. The basic intent of the discussion is to warn environmental scientists, who use the ECD and FPD, that significant errors can occur in their results unless they adhere to the analytical requirements of the analysis. Therefore, it is necessary to validate the ECD and FPD measurement techniques for their appropriateness in each new analytical application.", "contents": "Limitations of the FPD and ECD in atmospheric analysis: a review. This paper reviews the use of electron capture and flame photometric detectors in ambient air measurements, with particular emphasis on the factors which may affect the sensitivity, precision, and accuracy of the analyses. The interference effects of oxygen, water, and other common constituents in air samples are discussed. In addition to those anomalies that are due to the nature of the analytical samples, certain limitations are imposed by the inherent response characteristics of the detectors. These notable difficulties and limitations are defined along with their potential consequences in atmospheric applications. The basic intent of the discussion is to warn environmental scientists, who use the ECD and FPD, that significant errors can occur in their results unless they adhere to the analytical requirements of the analysis. Therefore, it is necessary to validate the ECD and FPD measurement techniques for their appropriateness in each new analytical application.", "PMID": 770491} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3258", "title": "Gonadotropin output and response to LRH administration in congenital virilizing adrenal hyperplasia.", "content": "Three premenarchial, 2 primary amenorrheic, and 5 post-menarchial patients with congenital virilizing adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were examined, utilizing frequent blood sampling techniques and the administration of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) to determine whether a normal pattern of gonadotropin output occurs in CAH. Pulsatile gonadotropin output was not observed in premenarchial patients, but was seen in all who had had spontaneous menses. Bone age did not correlate with baseline or episodic gonadotropin output, or with response to LRH, but did reflect the past or present therapeutic control. The normal developmental progression of gonadotropin output was only documented in those patients who had been maintained at doses of suppressive glucocorticoids appropriate for body surface.", "contents": "Gonadotropin output and response to LRH administration in congenital virilizing adrenal hyperplasia. Three premenarchial, 2 primary amenorrheic, and 5 post-menarchial patients with congenital virilizing adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were examined, utilizing frequent blood sampling techniques and the administration of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) to determine whether a normal pattern of gonadotropin output occurs in CAH. Pulsatile gonadotropin output was not observed in premenarchial patients, but was seen in all who had had spontaneous menses. Bone age did not correlate with baseline or episodic gonadotropin output, or with response to LRH, but did reflect the past or present therapeutic control. The normal developmental progression of gonadotropin output was only documented in those patients who had been maintained at doses of suppressive glucocorticoids appropriate for body surface.", "PMID": 770494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3259", "title": "Demonstration of antibodies to testicular basement membrane by immunofluorescence in a patient with multiple primary endocrine deficiencies.", "content": "Circulating antibodies directed against testicular basement membrane and germinal cells are demonstrated in a patient with multiple primary endocrine gland deficiencies involving the thyroid, adrenals, testes, and pernicious anemia. Testicular biopsy revealed focal destruction of seminiferous tubules and interstitial fibrosis. The tubular basement membranes showed sharply positive immunofluorescence when stained with the patient's FITC conjugated gamma globulins.", "contents": "Demonstration of antibodies to testicular basement membrane by immunofluorescence in a patient with multiple primary endocrine deficiencies. Circulating antibodies directed against testicular basement membrane and germinal cells are demonstrated in a patient with multiple primary endocrine gland deficiencies involving the thyroid, adrenals, testes, and pernicious anemia. Testicular biopsy revealed focal destruction of seminiferous tubules and interstitial fibrosis. The tubular basement membranes showed sharply positive immunofluorescence when stained with the patient's FITC conjugated gamma globulins.", "PMID": 770495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3260", "title": "The functional changes of the pituitary gonadotrophs during the menstrual cycle.", "content": "Submaximal doses of LRF, administered over a period of several hours, either by repeated pulses (10 mug at 2 h intervals X 5) or by constant infusion (0.2 mug/min X 4 h), have permitted the assessment of changes in the releasable gonadotropin during the menstrual cycle. Quantitations in the acute releasable and ultimately releasable gonadotropins were made which represent, respectively, the sensitivity and reserve of the gonadotrophs. The functional expression of these two components of gonadotropin release exhibited profound changes during the menstrual cycle and were in synchrony with the cyclicity of ovarian steroid levels; during the early follicular phase, both sensitivity and reserve were at a minimum, but with increasing levels of E2, a preferential increase in reserve over sensitivity (P less than 0.005) was found. Although both sensitivity and reserve increased dramatically near the midcycle, the relative change in these two components was reversed from the late follicular phase to the midcycle surge. The presence of this phenomenon may be causally related to the development of a self-priming effect of LRF at this time, as evidenced by an augmentation of gonadotropin release to the 2nd pulse of LRF. Thus, a build-up in pituitary store consequent to the greater increase in reserve than in sensitivity, together with the appearance of the self-priming effect of LRF induced by progressively rising levels of E2, may constitute the essential dynamics required for the development of the midcycle gonadotropin surge. Pituitary sensitivity and reserve continued to be high during the early luteal phase but reduced progressively thereafter. In all studied, FSH responses were less obvious but showed remarkable parallelism to the pattern of LH responses. We have concluded that the functional capacity of the gonadotrophs exhibits a remarkable cyclic change and that the adenohypophysis represents a critical feedback site in the development of pre-ovulatory gonadotropin surge.", "contents": "The functional changes of the pituitary gonadotrophs during the menstrual cycle. Submaximal doses of LRF, administered over a period of several hours, either by repeated pulses (10 mug at 2 h intervals X 5) or by constant infusion (0.2 mug/min X 4 h), have permitted the assessment of changes in the releasable gonadotropin during the menstrual cycle. Quantitations in the acute releasable and ultimately releasable gonadotropins were made which represent, respectively, the sensitivity and reserve of the gonadotrophs. The functional expression of these two components of gonadotropin release exhibited profound changes during the menstrual cycle and were in synchrony with the cyclicity of ovarian steroid levels; during the early follicular phase, both sensitivity and reserve were at a minimum, but with increasing levels of E2, a preferential increase in reserve over sensitivity (P less than 0.005) was found. Although both sensitivity and reserve increased dramatically near the midcycle, the relative change in these two components was reversed from the late follicular phase to the midcycle surge. The presence of this phenomenon may be causally related to the development of a self-priming effect of LRF at this time, as evidenced by an augmentation of gonadotropin release to the 2nd pulse of LRF. Thus, a build-up in pituitary store consequent to the greater increase in reserve than in sensitivity, together with the appearance of the self-priming effect of LRF induced by progressively rising levels of E2, may constitute the essential dynamics required for the development of the midcycle gonadotropin surge. Pituitary sensitivity and reserve continued to be high during the early luteal phase but reduced progressively thereafter. In all studied, FSH responses were less obvious but showed remarkable parallelism to the pattern of LH responses. We have concluded that the functional capacity of the gonadotrophs exhibits a remarkable cyclic change and that the adenohypophysis represents a critical feedback site in the development of pre-ovulatory gonadotropin surge.", "PMID": 770496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3261", "title": "Medium-dependent inhibition of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius by sodium polyanetholsulfonate in blood culture media.", "content": "Of 13 species of anaerobic cocci, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius was the only species tested that was sensitive to 0.1% sodium polyanetholsulfonate (SPS). However, the sensitivity of P. anaerobius to SPS varied according to the media in which the cultures were grown. In supplemented peptone (B-D) and brain heart infusion media, most strain of P. anaerobius were not inhibited by SPS. Gelatin and proteose peptone were the medium components which were protective. The minimal inhibitory concentration of SPS for P. anaerobius was approximately 60-fold higher in media. However, the concentration of SPS required to neutralize the bactericidal properties of human serum was only four fold higher in media containing geltain. In a commerical medium containing SPS (0.03%) and gelatin (1.2%), SPS-sensitive strains of P. anaerobius were not inhibited by SPS, and the bactericdal action of human blood on Escherichia coli C and Serratia marcescens SM 29 was eliminated.", "contents": "Medium-dependent inhibition of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius by sodium polyanetholsulfonate in blood culture media. Of 13 species of anaerobic cocci, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius was the only species tested that was sensitive to 0.1% sodium polyanetholsulfonate (SPS). However, the sensitivity of P. anaerobius to SPS varied according to the media in which the cultures were grown. In supplemented peptone (B-D) and brain heart infusion media, most strain of P. anaerobius were not inhibited by SPS. Gelatin and proteose peptone were the medium components which were protective. The minimal inhibitory concentration of SPS for P. anaerobius was approximately 60-fold higher in media. However, the concentration of SPS required to neutralize the bactericidal properties of human serum was only four fold higher in media containing geltain. In a commerical medium containing SPS (0.03%) and gelatin (1.2%), SPS-sensitive strains of P. anaerobius were not inhibited by SPS, and the bactericdal action of human blood on Escherichia coli C and Serratia marcescens SM 29 was eliminated.", "PMID": 770497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3262", "title": "Analysis of cost and accuracy of alternative strategies for Enterobacteriaceae identification.", "content": "Analysis of the cost of time and material required for the diagnosis of Enterobacteriacea isolates indicated that a conventional 17-tube (20-test) setup costs $7.98 per isolated identified. Using the API 20E, a similar identification cost $3.02. A conventional 7-tube (10-test) setup cost $3.60, whereas the comparable cost by 30% while increasing the number of isolate identified correctly by 3%. Other strategres using the API 20E or a deoxyribounclease test were also evaluated for cost and accuracy.", "contents": "Analysis of cost and accuracy of alternative strategies for Enterobacteriaceae identification. Analysis of the cost of time and material required for the diagnosis of Enterobacteriacea isolates indicated that a conventional 17-tube (20-test) setup costs $7.98 per isolated identified. Using the API 20E, a similar identification cost $3.02. A conventional 7-tube (10-test) setup cost $3.60, whereas the comparable cost by 30% while increasing the number of isolate identified correctly by 3%. Other strategres using the API 20E or a deoxyribounclease test were also evaluated for cost and accuracy.", "PMID": 770498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3263", "title": "Clinical isolates of anaerobic gram-negative rods with a formate-fumarate energy metabolism: Bacteroides corrodens, Vibrio succionogenes, and unidentified strains.", "content": "Strains of anaerobic, gram-negative bacteria, isolated from human clinical specimens and from studies of human normal flora, that have energy metabolism similar to Vibrio succinogenes are described. Included are four human isolates of V. succinogenes, five similar strains of motile straight rods, three strains of Bacteroides corrodens, and two unidentified strains. All strains studied grew poorly in usual anaerobic broth media but produced good turbidity in overnight broth cultures in media containing fromate and fumarate, indicating that all have an energy metabolism similar to V. succinogenes: they gain energy by the transfer of electrons from formate or hydrogen to fumarate.", "contents": "Clinical isolates of anaerobic gram-negative rods with a formate-fumarate energy metabolism: Bacteroides corrodens, Vibrio succionogenes, and unidentified strains. Strains of anaerobic, gram-negative bacteria, isolated from human clinical specimens and from studies of human normal flora, that have energy metabolism similar to Vibrio succinogenes are described. Included are four human isolates of V. succinogenes, five similar strains of motile straight rods, three strains of Bacteroides corrodens, and two unidentified strains. All strains studied grew poorly in usual anaerobic broth media but produced good turbidity in overnight broth cultures in media containing fromate and fumarate, indicating that all have an energy metabolism similar to V. succinogenes: they gain energy by the transfer of electrons from formate or hydrogen to fumarate.", "PMID": 770499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3264", "title": "Fluorescent antibody test for the serological diagnosis of gonorrhea.", "content": "An indirect fluorescent antibody technique has been developed for the serological diagnosis of gonorrhea. The selected strain(s) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae possesses a heat-labile surface antigen (L-antigen). Sera are diluted 1:10, and an aliquot is hear inactivated at 59 C for 30 min. The treated and untreated aliquots are then examined for human immunoglobulin G anti-L-antigen. In a prelimiary study of 495 sera, 95% of those from women with a bacteriologically confirmed diagnosis of gorrhea and 87% of those from male patients were reactive in this test, whereas only 1.4% fo the sera from presumably normal individuals were reactive.", "contents": "Fluorescent antibody test for the serological diagnosis of gonorrhea. An indirect fluorescent antibody technique has been developed for the serological diagnosis of gonorrhea. The selected strain(s) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae possesses a heat-labile surface antigen (L-antigen). Sera are diluted 1:10, and an aliquot is hear inactivated at 59 C for 30 min. The treated and untreated aliquots are then examined for human immunoglobulin G anti-L-antigen. In a prelimiary study of 495 sera, 95% of those from women with a bacteriologically confirmed diagnosis of gorrhea and 87% of those from male patients were reactive in this test, whereas only 1.4% fo the sera from presumably normal individuals were reactive.", "PMID": 770500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3265", "title": "Simple method for immunofluorescent identification of mycoplasma colonies.", "content": "General purpose rubber stoppers proved to be a simple, rapid, and satisfactory method of transferring mycoplasma colonies from agar to microscope slides for immunofluorescence.", "contents": "Simple method for immunofluorescent identification of mycoplasma colonies. General purpose rubber stoppers proved to be a simple, rapid, and satisfactory method of transferring mycoplasma colonies from agar to microscope slides for immunofluorescence.", "PMID": 770501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3266", "title": "Duodenal isolation of Salmonella typhi by string capsule in acute typhoid fever.", "content": "Three of seven volunteers with acute typhoid fever had Salmonella typhi isolated from the duodenum using a string capsule device. The string capsule device provides a simple method for culturing S. typhi from the duodenal contents. Its possible use in typhoid carriers is discussed.", "contents": "Duodenal isolation of Salmonella typhi by string capsule in acute typhoid fever. Three of seven volunteers with acute typhoid fever had Salmonella typhi isolated from the duodenum using a string capsule device. The string capsule device provides a simple method for culturing S. typhi from the duodenal contents. Its possible use in typhoid carriers is discussed.", "PMID": 770502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3267", "title": "Use of CO2 for more rapid growth of the Nocardia species.", "content": "Growth of the Nocardia species is facilitated by use of 10% CO(2) for initial isolation from clinical material or from laboratory stock cultures.", "contents": "Use of CO2 for more rapid growth of the Nocardia species. Growth of the Nocardia species is facilitated by use of 10% CO(2) for initial isolation from clinical material or from laboratory stock cultures.", "PMID": 770503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3268", "title": "Survival of isolated human islets of Langerhans maintained in tissue culture.", "content": "Transplantation of human pancreatic islets to diabetic patients may require that donor islets be kept viable in vitro for extended time periods before transfer to the recipient. We have maintained isolated pancreatic islets obtained from the human cadaveric pancreas in tissue culture for 1-3 wk, after which we studied the structure and function of the islets. Electron micrographs of the cultured islets showed a satisfactory preservation of both beta-cells and alpha 2-cells. After culture for 1 wk, the islet oxygen uptake proceeded at a constant rate at a low glucose concentration (3.3 mM) and was significantly enhanced by raising the glucose concentration to 16.7 mM. Likewise, after culture for 1 wk, the islets responded with an increased insulin release when exposed to 16.7 mM glucose with or without added theophylline (10 mM). Islets cultured for 1-3 wk were able to incorporate [3H]leucine into proinsulin, as judged by gel filtration of acid-alcohol extracts. Glucagon release from the cultured islets was reduced significantly by 16.7 mM glucose alone, but stimulated by glucose (16.7 mM) plus theophylline (10 MM). It is concluded that viable pancreatic islets can be isolated from the pancreas of adult human donors and maintained in tissue culture for at least 1 wk without loss of the specific functions of the alpha 2- and beta-cells. It remains to be established whether such islets will survive and remain functionally competent after transplantation to human recipients.", "contents": "Survival of isolated human islets of Langerhans maintained in tissue culture. Transplantation of human pancreatic islets to diabetic patients may require that donor islets be kept viable in vitro for extended time periods before transfer to the recipient. We have maintained isolated pancreatic islets obtained from the human cadaveric pancreas in tissue culture for 1-3 wk, after which we studied the structure and function of the islets. Electron micrographs of the cultured islets showed a satisfactory preservation of both beta-cells and alpha 2-cells. After culture for 1 wk, the islet oxygen uptake proceeded at a constant rate at a low glucose concentration (3.3 mM) and was significantly enhanced by raising the glucose concentration to 16.7 mM. Likewise, after culture for 1 wk, the islets responded with an increased insulin release when exposed to 16.7 mM glucose with or without added theophylline (10 mM). Islets cultured for 1-3 wk were able to incorporate [3H]leucine into proinsulin, as judged by gel filtration of acid-alcohol extracts. Glucagon release from the cultured islets was reduced significantly by 16.7 mM glucose alone, but stimulated by glucose (16.7 mM) plus theophylline (10 MM). It is concluded that viable pancreatic islets can be isolated from the pancreas of adult human donors and maintained in tissue culture for at least 1 wk without loss of the specific functions of the alpha 2- and beta-cells. It remains to be established whether such islets will survive and remain functionally competent after transplantation to human recipients.", "PMID": 770504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3269", "title": "Differential diagnosis of psychiatric patients with the Minnesota Percepto-Diagnostic Test.", "content": "This study investigated whether normals, personality disorders, psychotics and organics could be differentiated by the Minnesota Percepto-Diagnostic Test. There were significant differences between all the groups except the psychotics and personality disorders. It appears that, in general, perceptual disturbance lies along a pathological continuum. Similar performances of psychotics and personality disorders were discussed.", "contents": "Differential diagnosis of psychiatric patients with the Minnesota Percepto-Diagnostic Test. This study investigated whether normals, personality disorders, psychotics and organics could be differentiated by the Minnesota Percepto-Diagnostic Test. There were significant differences between all the groups except the psychotics and personality disorders. It appears that, in general, perceptual disturbance lies along a pathological continuum. Similar performances of psychotics and personality disorders were discussed.", "PMID": 770506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3270", "title": "Characterization of the inappropriate gonadotropin secretion in polycystic ovary syndrome.", "content": "To evaluate gonadotropin release in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO), one or more of the following hypothalamic-pituitary function tests were performed on 24 patients with the syndrome. These tests included (a) the pulsatile pattern and day-to-day fluctuation of gonadotropin release; (b) effects of exogenous estrogen and antiestrogen (clomiphene) administration on gonadotropin release; and (c) pituitary responsiveness to maximal (150 mug) and submaximal (10 mug) luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LRF) injections. In 10 of the 14 patients sampled frequently (15 min) for 6 h, luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were elevated above the concentration seen in normal cycling women (except the LH surge). These high LH concentrations appeared to be maintained by and temporally related to the presence of exaggerated pulsatile LH release, either in the form of enhanced amplitude or increased frequency. In all subjects, levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were low or low normal, and a pulsatile pattern was not discernible. In four patients, daily sampling revealed marked day-to-day fluctuation of LH but not FSH. That the elevated LH levels were not related to a defect in the negative-feedback effect of estrogen was suggested by the appropriate fall of LH in four patients given an acute intravenous infusion of 17beta-estradiol. This infusion had no effect on FSH levels. In addition, clomiphene elicited rises of both LH and FSH that were comparable to the ones observed in normal women given the same treatment. The clomiphene study also suggested that the positive-feed-back mechanism of estrogen on LH release was intact when the preovulatory rises of 17beta-estradiol induced appropriate LH surges. The elevated LH levels appeared to be related to a heightened pituitary responsiveness to the LRF. This was found in the 11 and 2 patients given maximal (150 mug) and submaximal (10 mug) doses of LRF, respectively. The augmented pituitary sensitivity for LH release correlated with the basal levels of both estrone (P less than 0.025) and 17beta-estradiol (P less than 0.02). The net increase in FSH was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) in the PCO patients than the normal women with maximal doses of LRF. With the smaller dose study none of the injections had a discernible effect on FSH concentrations in either subject. The disparity between LH and FSH secretion could be explained by the preferential inhibitory action of estrogen on FSH release, coupled with a relative insensitivity of FSH release. These data indicate that in these PCO patients the abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary regulation of gonadotropin secretion was not an inherent defect but represented a functional derangement consequent to inappropriate estrogen feedback, which led to a vicious cycle of chronic anovulation and inappropriate gonadotropin secretion.", "contents": "Characterization of the inappropriate gonadotropin secretion in polycystic ovary syndrome. To evaluate gonadotropin release in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO), one or more of the following hypothalamic-pituitary function tests were performed on 24 patients with the syndrome. These tests included (a) the pulsatile pattern and day-to-day fluctuation of gonadotropin release; (b) effects of exogenous estrogen and antiestrogen (clomiphene) administration on gonadotropin release; and (c) pituitary responsiveness to maximal (150 mug) and submaximal (10 mug) luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LRF) injections. In 10 of the 14 patients sampled frequently (15 min) for 6 h, luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were elevated above the concentration seen in normal cycling women (except the LH surge). These high LH concentrations appeared to be maintained by and temporally related to the presence of exaggerated pulsatile LH release, either in the form of enhanced amplitude or increased frequency. In all subjects, levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were low or low normal, and a pulsatile pattern was not discernible. In four patients, daily sampling revealed marked day-to-day fluctuation of LH but not FSH. That the elevated LH levels were not related to a defect in the negative-feedback effect of estrogen was suggested by the appropriate fall of LH in four patients given an acute intravenous infusion of 17beta-estradiol. This infusion had no effect on FSH levels. In addition, clomiphene elicited rises of both LH and FSH that were comparable to the ones observed in normal women given the same treatment. The clomiphene study also suggested that the positive-feed-back mechanism of estrogen on LH release was intact when the preovulatory rises of 17beta-estradiol induced appropriate LH surges. The elevated LH levels appeared to be related to a heightened pituitary responsiveness to the LRF. This was found in the 11 and 2 patients given maximal (150 mug) and submaximal (10 mug) doses of LRF, respectively. The augmented pituitary sensitivity for LH release correlated with the basal levels of both estrone (P less than 0.025) and 17beta-estradiol (P less than 0.02). The net increase in FSH was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) in the PCO patients than the normal women with maximal doses of LRF. With the smaller dose study none of the injections had a discernible effect on FSH concentrations in either subject. The disparity between LH and FSH secretion could be explained by the preferential inhibitory action of estrogen on FSH release, coupled with a relative insensitivity of FSH release. These data indicate that in these PCO patients the abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary regulation of gonadotropin secretion was not an inherent defect but represented a functional derangement consequent to inappropriate estrogen feedback, which led to a vicious cycle of chronic anovulation and inappropriate gonadotropin secretion.", "PMID": 770505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3271", "title": "Judgments of educators and child-care personnel about appropriate treatment for mentally retarded or normal, overactive or withdrawn, boys.", "content": "Special educators and child-care personnel ranked the appropriateness of various psychological treatments for a boy described either as mentally retarded or of normal intelligence and whose behavior was described either as withdrawn or overactive. The predicted IQ level by behavior interaction was found only for drug treatment, which was ranked as relatively more appropriate for the retarded overactive child (p less than .05). Drug treatment and behavior modification were perceived as more appropriate for the overactive child (p less than .01, .05). Play therapy, family therapy, and no treatment were deemed more appropriate for the withdrawn child (p less than .05). Educators favored behavior modification and school consultation more than did child-care personnel (p less than .05).", "contents": "Judgments of educators and child-care personnel about appropriate treatment for mentally retarded or normal, overactive or withdrawn, boys. Special educators and child-care personnel ranked the appropriateness of various psychological treatments for a boy described either as mentally retarded or of normal intelligence and whose behavior was described either as withdrawn or overactive. The predicted IQ level by behavior interaction was found only for drug treatment, which was ranked as relatively more appropriate for the retarded overactive child (p less than .05). Drug treatment and behavior modification were perceived as more appropriate for the overactive child (p less than .01, .05). Play therapy, family therapy, and no treatment were deemed more appropriate for the withdrawn child (p less than .05). Educators favored behavior modification and school consultation more than did child-care personnel (p less than .05).", "PMID": 770507} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3272", "title": "Personality factors and drug effects in a controlled study of cyclazocine.", "content": "This paper investigated the relationship between measurable personality factors and level of effects shown to cyclazocine and placebo in a controlled study. An attempt also was made through case analysis to examine the association between dynamic aspects of personality and adverse drug effect. Hysteria scores on the MMPI were found to be related significantly to self-reported effects under both the drug and placebo conditions. Clinical observations were examined retrospectively for three cases with adverse reactions and cited to support a dynamic theory that associated drug reactivity to personality factors.", "contents": "Personality factors and drug effects in a controlled study of cyclazocine. This paper investigated the relationship between measurable personality factors and level of effects shown to cyclazocine and placebo in a controlled study. An attempt also was made through case analysis to examine the association between dynamic aspects of personality and adverse drug effect. Hysteria scores on the MMPI were found to be related significantly to self-reported effects under both the drug and placebo conditions. Clinical observations were examined retrospectively for three cases with adverse reactions and cited to support a dynamic theory that associated drug reactivity to personality factors.", "PMID": 770508} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3273", "title": "A pilot study of the short-term psychotropic effects of GPA 2640.", "content": "Thirty-two anxious nonpsychotic inpatients participated in a four-day, double-blind repeat crossover study of a new drug, GPA 2640, and placebo. Each treatment period lasted for one day, and the study lasted for four days. Twenty patients completed the study, and 28 completed two or three days. The doses were individually adjusted and mostly ranged between 1100 and 1300 mg daily. Several valid observer-rating and self-rating scales were used. There was a slight trend for GPA 2640 to yield somewhat lower anxiety scores on drug days than on placebo days, but none of the differences between rating and self-rating scores reached a significant level. A few patients reported a marked improvement in mood after two to four days, but the significance of this finding cannot be evaluated from this design. Two patients developed temporary paranoid delusions which may have been drug related. Two patients had raised SGOT levels after the study. There were no significant differences in vital signs between drug days and placebo days. The results signify that the drug has no immediate antianxiety effects (such as have been demonstrated with benzodiazepines in two previous studies utilizing the same design). This does not preclude the possibility of delayed anxiolytic effects or of other delayed psychotropic effects such as can be observed with antipsychotic drugs or antidepressants.", "contents": "A pilot study of the short-term psychotropic effects of GPA 2640. Thirty-two anxious nonpsychotic inpatients participated in a four-day, double-blind repeat crossover study of a new drug, GPA 2640, and placebo. Each treatment period lasted for one day, and the study lasted for four days. Twenty patients completed the study, and 28 completed two or three days. The doses were individually adjusted and mostly ranged between 1100 and 1300 mg daily. Several valid observer-rating and self-rating scales were used. There was a slight trend for GPA 2640 to yield somewhat lower anxiety scores on drug days than on placebo days, but none of the differences between rating and self-rating scores reached a significant level. A few patients reported a marked improvement in mood after two to four days, but the significance of this finding cannot be evaluated from this design. Two patients developed temporary paranoid delusions which may have been drug related. Two patients had raised SGOT levels after the study. There were no significant differences in vital signs between drug days and placebo days. The results signify that the drug has no immediate antianxiety effects (such as have been demonstrated with benzodiazepines in two previous studies utilizing the same design). This does not preclude the possibility of delayed anxiolytic effects or of other delayed psychotropic effects such as can be observed with antipsychotic drugs or antidepressants.", "PMID": 770509} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3274", "title": "Clinical and bacteriological evaluation of amikacin in severe gram-negative infections.", "content": "Amikacin was administered to 51 patients with serious Gram-negative infections. A favorable clinical outcome was observed in 32 patients (62 per cent). No major untoward effects were noted. The severity of the underlying disease and the site of the infection were important for the outcome. Urinary tract infections responded in 21 (78 per cent) out of 27 patients, but bronchopulmonary infections responded in only 3 out of 10 patients (30 per cent). The degree of antibacterial activity of the serum of the patients receiving amikacin was found to be related to the outcome. An activity greater than or equal to 1/8 was associated with 78 per cent of favorable responses and was found more often in patients receiving 1500 mg daily.", "contents": "Clinical and bacteriological evaluation of amikacin in severe gram-negative infections. Amikacin was administered to 51 patients with serious Gram-negative infections. A favorable clinical outcome was observed in 32 patients (62 per cent). No major untoward effects were noted. The severity of the underlying disease and the site of the infection were important for the outcome. Urinary tract infections responded in 21 (78 per cent) out of 27 patients, but bronchopulmonary infections responded in only 3 out of 10 patients (30 per cent). The degree of antibacterial activity of the serum of the patients receiving amikacin was found to be related to the outcome. An activity greater than or equal to 1/8 was associated with 78 per cent of favorable responses and was found more often in patients receiving 1500 mg daily.", "PMID": 770510} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3275", "title": "Rate of climbing fiber degeneration in rabbit cerebellum following parafloccular stalk and medullopontine lesions.", "content": "To resolve inconsistencies in experimental studies which use reduced silver methods to detect cerebellar climbing fiber sources within the brain stem, an evaluation of the temporal course of degeneration was undertaken. The paraflocculus of the rabbit is uniquely situated within the temporal bone and connects with the corpus cerebelli via a stalk passing through a bony foramen. A unilateral electrolytic lesion deafferented the paraflocculus without disturbing blood supply or causing damage (18 animals). Comparatively, another group of unilateral lesions was placed at the dorsolateral pontomedullary junction, adding significantly to the cortical area deafferented (12 animals). Animals of each group were killed at successively longer intervals commencing at 18 hours, and a modified Fink-Heimer impregnation process was applied to the cerebellar cortex and opposite-sided controls. In parafloccular lesions, degeneration was detected at 24 hours in the climbing fibers of the molecular layer. At successively longer intervals, degeneration became increasingly evident in granule layer and white matter. Subsequent to dorsolateral pontomedullary lesions, climbing fiber degeneration was first observed in the molecular layer at 24 hours and was clearly evident there at 36 hours. By 72 hours degeneration had reached the white matter, meanwhile disappearing in the molecular layer where it was first seen. Using techniques of Nauta-Fink-Heimer to display secondary climbing fiber degeneration in cerebellar cortex, it was found that too long post-operative intervals could preclude its detection, since in both groups of animals it commenced earlier and disappeared sooner in the molecular layer.", "contents": "Rate of climbing fiber degeneration in rabbit cerebellum following parafloccular stalk and medullopontine lesions. To resolve inconsistencies in experimental studies which use reduced silver methods to detect cerebellar climbing fiber sources within the brain stem, an evaluation of the temporal course of degeneration was undertaken. The paraflocculus of the rabbit is uniquely situated within the temporal bone and connects with the corpus cerebelli via a stalk passing through a bony foramen. A unilateral electrolytic lesion deafferented the paraflocculus without disturbing blood supply or causing damage (18 animals). Comparatively, another group of unilateral lesions was placed at the dorsolateral pontomedullary junction, adding significantly to the cortical area deafferented (12 animals). Animals of each group were killed at successively longer intervals commencing at 18 hours, and a modified Fink-Heimer impregnation process was applied to the cerebellar cortex and opposite-sided controls. In parafloccular lesions, degeneration was detected at 24 hours in the climbing fibers of the molecular layer. At successively longer intervals, degeneration became increasingly evident in granule layer and white matter. Subsequent to dorsolateral pontomedullary lesions, climbing fiber degeneration was first observed in the molecular layer at 24 hours and was clearly evident there at 36 hours. By 72 hours degeneration had reached the white matter, meanwhile disappearing in the molecular layer where it was first seen. Using techniques of Nauta-Fink-Heimer to display secondary climbing fiber degeneration in cerebellar cortex, it was found that too long post-operative intervals could preclude its detection, since in both groups of animals it commenced earlier and disappeared sooner in the molecular layer.", "PMID": 770515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3276", "title": "The effectiveness of diphenhydramine HCI in pediatric sleep disorders.", "content": "Fifty children with a variety of sleep disorders were studied in a placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of diphenydramine elixir given in a dosage of 1.0 mg/kg at bedtime. Sleep records measuring latency time, number of awakenings, and duration of sleep were compiled by the patient's parent. A global assessment as to the severity of sleep disturbance and the therapeutic effect of the medication and placebo was made on a weekly basis. Diphenhydramine was significantly better than placebo in reducing sleep latency time and the number of awakenings per night, while sleep duration was marginally increased. There were no essential differences between diphenhydramine and placebo in the other study parameters, i.e., restlessness, nightmares, and difficulty awakening. Diphenhydramine was judged to be more effective than placebo on the weekly global assessment. The results indicate that diphenhydramine is a safe, effective bedtime sleep aid for pediatric patients.", "contents": "The effectiveness of diphenhydramine HCI in pediatric sleep disorders. Fifty children with a variety of sleep disorders were studied in a placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of diphenydramine elixir given in a dosage of 1.0 mg/kg at bedtime. Sleep records measuring latency time, number of awakenings, and duration of sleep were compiled by the patient's parent. A global assessment as to the severity of sleep disturbance and the therapeutic effect of the medication and placebo was made on a weekly basis. Diphenhydramine was significantly better than placebo in reducing sleep latency time and the number of awakenings per night, while sleep duration was marginally increased. There were no essential differences between diphenhydramine and placebo in the other study parameters, i.e., restlessness, nightmares, and difficulty awakening. Diphenhydramine was judged to be more effective than placebo on the weekly global assessment. The results indicate that diphenhydramine is a safe, effective bedtime sleep aid for pediatric patients.", "PMID": 770511} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3277", "title": "Receptive fields of barrels in the somatosensory neocortex of the rat.", "content": "Peripheral receptive fields of \"barrels\" in the somatosensory neocortex (SmI) of rats were determined with microelectrope recording and anatomical techniques. A method of flattening each hemisphere prior to embedding was devised so that the organization of layer IV could be seen through the full extent of SmI on a single section. All of the barrels in the rat are located within layer IV of Smi. sinus hairs on the lateral and rostral face and furry buccal pad project to a continuous sheet of barrels in the head area of the contralateral SmI. The pattern of projections in this area indicates that each barrel receives information from one sinus hair. Large whisking vibrissae project to the largest cell-dense barrels and smaller non-whisking sinus hairs project to smaller barrels that are relatively cell-sparse. Barrels were also found outside of the head area in regions that receive projections from the forepaw and hindfoot. Receptive fields of these barrels are located on glabrous and hairy surfaces of the appendages that do not include any sinus hairs. Other parts of the body project to cell-dense areas of SmI that do not appear to contain barrels. Barrel subgroups and other somatotopic areas are separated by narrow barrel-free zones. As a result of this pattern of contrasting cell densities, an outline of the rat's body is delineated within layer IV.", "contents": "Receptive fields of barrels in the somatosensory neocortex of the rat. Peripheral receptive fields of \"barrels\" in the somatosensory neocortex (SmI) of rats were determined with microelectrope recording and anatomical techniques. A method of flattening each hemisphere prior to embedding was devised so that the organization of layer IV could be seen through the full extent of SmI on a single section. All of the barrels in the rat are located within layer IV of Smi. sinus hairs on the lateral and rostral face and furry buccal pad project to a continuous sheet of barrels in the head area of the contralateral SmI. The pattern of projections in this area indicates that each barrel receives information from one sinus hair. Large whisking vibrissae project to the largest cell-dense barrels and smaller non-whisking sinus hairs project to smaller barrels that are relatively cell-sparse. Barrels were also found outside of the head area in regions that receive projections from the forepaw and hindfoot. Receptive fields of these barrels are located on glabrous and hairy surfaces of the appendages that do not include any sinus hairs. Other parts of the body project to cell-dense areas of SmI that do not appear to contain barrels. Barrel subgroups and other somatotopic areas are separated by narrow barrel-free zones. As a result of this pattern of contrasting cell densities, an outline of the rat's body is delineated within layer IV.", "PMID": 770516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3278", "title": "A comparison between the amino acid compositions of 2 chymosin-sensitive polypeptides and C-terminal segments of kappa-casein.", "content": "Two distinct types of chymosin-sensitive polypeptide were found in the soluble fraction obtained when a solution of crude kappa-casein in 0-4 M-NaCl was adjusted to pH 3. One corresponded to a segment of kappa-casein comprising residues 94-169. The other was very similar to the section Gln77-Val169 in the protein, but contained a phosphate group plus isoleucine and glycine in the region between the N-terminus and the chymosin-sensitive bond. If these polypeptides form as a result of a specific cleavage of kappa-casein, the data indicate that there is a variant of this protein with a number of amino acid replacements on the N-terminal side of the chymosin-sensitive bond. The shorter polypeptide and kappa-casein are both rapidly cleaved by chymosin at pH 6-7 which suggests that the contribution of residues 1-93 to the sensitivity of the Phe-Met bond in kappa-casein is a minor one.", "contents": "A comparison between the amino acid compositions of 2 chymosin-sensitive polypeptides and C-terminal segments of kappa-casein. Two distinct types of chymosin-sensitive polypeptide were found in the soluble fraction obtained when a solution of crude kappa-casein in 0-4 M-NaCl was adjusted to pH 3. One corresponded to a segment of kappa-casein comprising residues 94-169. The other was very similar to the section Gln77-Val169 in the protein, but contained a phosphate group plus isoleucine and glycine in the region between the N-terminus and the chymosin-sensitive bond. If these polypeptides form as a result of a specific cleavage of kappa-casein, the data indicate that there is a variant of this protein with a number of amino acid replacements on the N-terminal side of the chymosin-sensitive bond. The shorter polypeptide and kappa-casein are both rapidly cleaved by chymosin at pH 6-7 which suggests that the contribution of residues 1-93 to the sensitivity of the Phe-Met bond in kappa-casein is a minor one.", "PMID": 770518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3279", "title": "Immunochemical, chromatographic, and milk-clotting activity measurements for quantification of milk-clotting enzymes in bovine rennets.", "content": "Monospecific rabbit antibodies were produced against bovine chymosin (rennin) and bovine pepsin A and used for quantitative measurements of these enzymes by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Bovine pepsin B was identified and measured quantitatively in tandem crossed immunoelectrophoresis, using a polyspecific antibody preparation. Chromatographically purified chymosin B and bovine pepsins A and B were used as standards. The contents of chymosin and bovine pepsin A were also determined by 2 forms of DEAE chromatography, and by an assay utilizing the ratio of milk-clotting activity at pH 6-0 and 6-5. Results obtained by measurements on 3 bovine rennets (calf rennet, adult bovine rennet, and a mixture of such types) by the different methods of analysis were in good agreement. The advantages of the immunochemical methods are direct and simultaneous identification and quantitation of enzymes.", "contents": "Immunochemical, chromatographic, and milk-clotting activity measurements for quantification of milk-clotting enzymes in bovine rennets. Monospecific rabbit antibodies were produced against bovine chymosin (rennin) and bovine pepsin A and used for quantitative measurements of these enzymes by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Bovine pepsin B was identified and measured quantitatively in tandem crossed immunoelectrophoresis, using a polyspecific antibody preparation. Chromatographically purified chymosin B and bovine pepsins A and B were used as standards. The contents of chymosin and bovine pepsin A were also determined by 2 forms of DEAE chromatography, and by an assay utilizing the ratio of milk-clotting activity at pH 6-0 and 6-5. Results obtained by measurements on 3 bovine rennets (calf rennet, adult bovine rennet, and a mixture of such types) by the different methods of analysis were in good agreement. The advantages of the immunochemical methods are direct and simultaneous identification and quantitation of enzymes.", "PMID": 770519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3280", "title": "A long-term study of penfluridol in chronic schizophrenia.", "content": "Penfluridol, a member of the novel diphenylbutylpiperidine class of antipsychotic drugs, is the first long-acting oral neuroleptic. The population of the present study consisted of 24 chronic schizophrenic patients (14 males, ten females) whose treatment with penfluridol was initiated in our previous open/double-blind trial lasting 32 weeks 1; mean age was 42.2 years and mean duration of illness, 15.4 years. During one additional year in an uncontrolled clinical study, penfluridol in the form of 20-mg capsuent procedures included BPRS, CGI, NOSIE, vital signs, and laboratory measurements. During this long-term treatment with penfluridol, the scores of a cluster of BPRS items that included emotional withdrawal, conceptual disorganization, motor retardation, uncooperativeness, and blunted affect showed a progressively significant improvement. This indicated that the Bleulerian primary symptoms in chronic schizophrenics can be improved by the long-term administration of this long-acting neuropleptic with concomitant betterment of social adaptation and activity. The percentage of failure was very low (four patients) and was marked by instability of psychopathology with periods of excitation. The incidence of extrapyramidal reactions necessitating the administration of an antiparkinsonian drug during the length of trial was 35 per cent. No serious effects nor significant laboratory test changes were observed.", "contents": "A long-term study of penfluridol in chronic schizophrenia. Penfluridol, a member of the novel diphenylbutylpiperidine class of antipsychotic drugs, is the first long-acting oral neuroleptic. The population of the present study consisted of 24 chronic schizophrenic patients (14 males, ten females) whose treatment with penfluridol was initiated in our previous open/double-blind trial lasting 32 weeks 1; mean age was 42.2 years and mean duration of illness, 15.4 years. During one additional year in an uncontrolled clinical study, penfluridol in the form of 20-mg capsuent procedures included BPRS, CGI, NOSIE, vital signs, and laboratory measurements. During this long-term treatment with penfluridol, the scores of a cluster of BPRS items that included emotional withdrawal, conceptual disorganization, motor retardation, uncooperativeness, and blunted affect showed a progressively significant improvement. This indicated that the Bleulerian primary symptoms in chronic schizophrenics can be improved by the long-term administration of this long-acting neuropleptic with concomitant betterment of social adaptation and activity. The percentage of failure was very low (four patients) and was marked by instability of psychopathology with periods of excitation. The incidence of extrapyramidal reactions necessitating the administration of an antiparkinsonian drug during the length of trial was 35 per cent. No serious effects nor significant laboratory test changes were observed.", "PMID": 770513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3281", "title": "An evaluation of papaverine in tardive dyskinesia.", "content": "An evaluation of papaverine was carried out in nine hospitalized chronic patients with moderate to servere tardive dyskinesia. Changes in movements were assessed on the Simpson and AIMS scales by two trained rates blind to the study design. Results showed a modest 20-25 per cent improvement in oral dyskinesia, but only two of the nine patients showed clinically obvious improvements in their movement disorders. No drug-induced side effects were found. The mechanism of pharmacologic action of papaverine in movement disorders needs to be clarified, but dopamine receptor blockade may be primarily involved.", "contents": "An evaluation of papaverine in tardive dyskinesia. An evaluation of papaverine was carried out in nine hospitalized chronic patients with moderate to servere tardive dyskinesia. Changes in movements were assessed on the Simpson and AIMS scales by two trained rates blind to the study design. Results showed a modest 20-25 per cent improvement in oral dyskinesia, but only two of the nine patients showed clinically obvious improvements in their movement disorders. No drug-induced side effects were found. The mechanism of pharmacologic action of papaverine in movement disorders needs to be clarified, but dopamine receptor blockade may be primarily involved.", "PMID": 770514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3282", "title": "Cariogenic flora: establishment, localization, and transmission.", "content": "The foregoing is a review of current information on various aspects of the development of the cariogenic flora and it illustrates some of the complexities involved. The multifactorial nature of dental caries makes it necessary to look at this disease in a special way. Etiologic forces represented by a complex bacterial flora and a variable dietary influence are in competition with resistance factors of the host, which include the immune system. This creates a situation where it is difficult to segregate individual aspects of the disease for study. One approach is to design study models that emphasize the factor under investigation in relation to other contributing factors. For example the currently used animal caries test models are deliberately exaggerated in terms of the cariogenic challenge applied. Very young animals are continuously exposed to a high sucrose diet and are infected with a high dosage of cariogenic organisms. The clinical counterpart of this model should use subjects with high caries activity, because it is reasonable to assume that etiologic factors are exaggerated in human populations where the disease is rampant. However, if the purpose is to study resistance factors such as immunity, it may be more profitable to investigate their influence in either animal or human models where the cariogenic challenge is reduced. This, in effect, proportionally increases the influence of a comparatively subtle factor such as immunity. Davies has made a similar point in relation to the influence of hereditary factors in dental caries. He states the belief that regions of low caries prevalence would be the most promising for epidemiological investigation of resistance factors. Investigations into the role of immunity in dental caries have not been too productive in the past. However, it now is possible to focus on selected target organisms and to apply recently acquired information about the immune system operating in the oral cavity. Detailed knowledge of the origins and development of the cariogenic flora and the mechanisms by which it is maintained in individuals and in populations should permit a rational attack on the problem.", "contents": "Cariogenic flora: establishment, localization, and transmission. The foregoing is a review of current information on various aspects of the development of the cariogenic flora and it illustrates some of the complexities involved. The multifactorial nature of dental caries makes it necessary to look at this disease in a special way. Etiologic forces represented by a complex bacterial flora and a variable dietary influence are in competition with resistance factors of the host, which include the immune system. This creates a situation where it is difficult to segregate individual aspects of the disease for study. One approach is to design study models that emphasize the factor under investigation in relation to other contributing factors. For example the currently used animal caries test models are deliberately exaggerated in terms of the cariogenic challenge applied. Very young animals are continuously exposed to a high sucrose diet and are infected with a high dosage of cariogenic organisms. The clinical counterpart of this model should use subjects with high caries activity, because it is reasonable to assume that etiologic factors are exaggerated in human populations where the disease is rampant. However, if the purpose is to study resistance factors such as immunity, it may be more profitable to investigate their influence in either animal or human models where the cariogenic challenge is reduced. This, in effect, proportionally increases the influence of a comparatively subtle factor such as immunity. Davies has made a similar point in relation to the influence of hereditary factors in dental caries. He states the belief that regions of low caries prevalence would be the most promising for epidemiological investigation of resistance factors. Investigations into the role of immunity in dental caries have not been too productive in the past. However, it now is possible to focus on selected target organisms and to apply recently acquired information about the immune system operating in the oral cavity. Detailed knowledge of the origins and development of the cariogenic flora and the mechanisms by which it is maintained in individuals and in populations should permit a rational attack on the problem.", "PMID": 770522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3283", "title": "Streptococcus mutans serotypes: some aspects of their identification, distribution, antigenic shifts, and relationship to caries.", "content": "For an immunologic point of view, several facts are worth consideration. S mutans can be separated into at least seven serotypes. Five of the types are based on antigens that may be specific for S mutans. One type, e, is related to the Lancefield group E streptocci, and one type, f, may lack an antigen that shows serological specificity. Analyses of plaque samples from individuals with a high caries activity have, in most instances, shown the presence of c, d, and possibly the g types. This does not necessarily mean that they are per se more cariogenic than the other types, but if all the serotypes cannot be combatted simultaneously, the c, d, and g types are an obvious first choice. S mutans strains do have antigens other than those used for serological identification, and it is not known which antigens can evoke antibodies with the highest protective capacity in humans. The phenomenon of antigenic shifts may make it possible for the bacteria to elude antibodies. However, the number of possible changes may be restricted. If certain antigens are of importance for the cariogenicity of S mutans, a change in their structure might result in a less cariogenic flora.", "contents": "Streptococcus mutans serotypes: some aspects of their identification, distribution, antigenic shifts, and relationship to caries. For an immunologic point of view, several facts are worth consideration. S mutans can be separated into at least seven serotypes. Five of the types are based on antigens that may be specific for S mutans. One type, e, is related to the Lancefield group E streptocci, and one type, f, may lack an antigen that shows serological specificity. Analyses of plaque samples from individuals with a high caries activity have, in most instances, shown the presence of c, d, and possibly the g types. This does not necessarily mean that they are per se more cariogenic than the other types, but if all the serotypes cannot be combatted simultaneously, the c, d, and g types are an obvious first choice. S mutans strains do have antigens other than those used for serological identification, and it is not known which antigens can evoke antibodies with the highest protective capacity in humans. The phenomenon of antigenic shifts may make it possible for the bacteria to elude antibodies. However, the number of possible changes may be restricted. If certain antigens are of importance for the cariogenicity of S mutans, a change in their structure might result in a less cariogenic flora.", "PMID": 770523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3284", "title": "Immunization experiments using the rodent caries model.", "content": "Taken together, the immunization experiments which have been performed in the rat caries model system appear to suggest a correlation between the presence of salivary antibody to S mutans and reductions in caries caused by these bacteria. However, the multifactorial nature of this disease does not permit at present the conclusion that the presence of this antibody is both necessary and sufficient to give rise to the demonstrated effects on pathogenesis. To clarify the role of salivary antibody, several refinements may be required in the current model. Immunization procedures that elicit only a local antibody response would both simplify interpretations of effects and would be more desirable for use as a vaccine. Such procedures might include intraductal installation of antigen in the parotid gland which has been demonstrated to result in this type of response. An additional refinement stems from the knowledge that the kinds of immunization procedures currently used stimulated both cellular immune and soluble antibody systems, potentially giving rise to a rather broad spectrum of immune responses. Therefore, it might be useful to study the effects on S mutans pathogenesis in rats in which certain of these responses have been repressed, for example, by thymectomy, antilymphocyte serum, and so on. Also, each of these approaches would be measurably enhanced by more sensitive techniques to monitor immunological events in the oral cavity. Refinements in the selection and use of relevant antigens of S mutans also are necessary to delineate the in vivo mechanism of immunological interference in the pathogenesis of cariogenic streptococci. Approaches involve the use of purified GTF antigens or cell surface antigens both in the investigation of these mechanisms in in vitro models using antibody specifically directed to these antigens and in rat immunization experiments using immunogenic preparations of these materials. In addition, alterations in the diet and challenge dosage of infecting cariogenic organisms might permit more sensitive detection of effects in vivo. Clearly, the evidence suggests immunological interference with S mutans pathogenesis in the rat model system. However, several gaps exist in our basic understanding of this interference and of the appropriate system in which to observe these effects. The potential significance of this phenomenon should spur efforts to fill these gaps to establish definitively the role of immunity as an ecological determinant in the oral cavity.", "contents": "Immunization experiments using the rodent caries model. Taken together, the immunization experiments which have been performed in the rat caries model system appear to suggest a correlation between the presence of salivary antibody to S mutans and reductions in caries caused by these bacteria. However, the multifactorial nature of this disease does not permit at present the conclusion that the presence of this antibody is both necessary and sufficient to give rise to the demonstrated effects on pathogenesis. To clarify the role of salivary antibody, several refinements may be required in the current model. Immunization procedures that elicit only a local antibody response would both simplify interpretations of effects and would be more desirable for use as a vaccine. Such procedures might include intraductal installation of antigen in the parotid gland which has been demonstrated to result in this type of response. An additional refinement stems from the knowledge that the kinds of immunization procedures currently used stimulated both cellular immune and soluble antibody systems, potentially giving rise to a rather broad spectrum of immune responses. Therefore, it might be useful to study the effects on S mutans pathogenesis in rats in which certain of these responses have been repressed, for example, by thymectomy, antilymphocyte serum, and so on. Also, each of these approaches would be measurably enhanced by more sensitive techniques to monitor immunological events in the oral cavity. Refinements in the selection and use of relevant antigens of S mutans also are necessary to delineate the in vivo mechanism of immunological interference in the pathogenesis of cariogenic streptococci. Approaches involve the use of purified GTF antigens or cell surface antigens both in the investigation of these mechanisms in in vitro models using antibody specifically directed to these antigens and in rat immunization experiments using immunogenic preparations of these materials. In addition, alterations in the diet and challenge dosage of infecting cariogenic organisms might permit more sensitive detection of effects in vivo. Clearly, the evidence suggests immunological interference with S mutans pathogenesis in the rat model system. However, several gaps exist in our basic understanding of this interference and of the appropriate system in which to observe these effects. The potential significance of this phenomenon should spur efforts to fill these gaps to establish definitively the role of immunity as an ecological determinant in the oral cavity.", "PMID": 770524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3285", "title": "Antigens in Streptococcus mutans cross reactive with human heart muscle.", "content": "An antigen that cross reacts with mammalian heart tissue has been shown to be present in several strains of S mutans. Inoculation of S mutans into rabbits elicited heart-reactive antibody as part of the immunologic response. This heart-reactive antibody was demonstrated to be tissue-specific in that it only bound heart and smooth muscle tissue. Similar results have been previously reported using group A streptococci. Adsorption studies using sarcolemmal sheaths, group A streptoccal membranes, and fractions of cariogenic streptococci demonstrated the presence of a similar antigen. The aforementioned fractions could remove heart-reactive antibody from both immune rabbit serums and serums from patients with acute rheumatic fever. These findings dictate the necessity for testing any future caries vaccine containing fractions of S mutans for the presence of this cross-reactive antigen to avoid a possible autoimmunization.", "contents": "Antigens in Streptococcus mutans cross reactive with human heart muscle. An antigen that cross reacts with mammalian heart tissue has been shown to be present in several strains of S mutans. Inoculation of S mutans into rabbits elicited heart-reactive antibody as part of the immunologic response. This heart-reactive antibody was demonstrated to be tissue-specific in that it only bound heart and smooth muscle tissue. Similar results have been previously reported using group A streptococci. Adsorption studies using sarcolemmal sheaths, group A streptoccal membranes, and fractions of cariogenic streptococci demonstrated the presence of a similar antigen. The aforementioned fractions could remove heart-reactive antibody from both immune rabbit serums and serums from patients with acute rheumatic fever. These findings dictate the necessity for testing any future caries vaccine containing fractions of S mutans for the presence of this cross-reactive antigen to avoid a possible autoimmunization.", "PMID": 770525} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3286", "title": "A comparison of polyglycolic acid (Dexon), nylon and silk sutures in skin surgery.", "content": "Synthetic polyglycolic acid (Dexon) sutures were compared with silk or nylon in 50 patients requiring skin surgery. After some practice, polyglycolic acid is an easily handled as nylon or silk. Skin reactions occurred in 50% of the patients sutured with nylon, in 10% of those sutured with polyglycolic acid, and in none sutured with silk. Wound healing was satisfactory in all cases.", "contents": "A comparison of polyglycolic acid (Dexon), nylon and silk sutures in skin surgery. Synthetic polyglycolic acid (Dexon) sutures were compared with silk or nylon in 50 patients requiring skin surgery. After some practice, polyglycolic acid is an easily handled as nylon or silk. Skin reactions occurred in 50% of the patients sutured with nylon, in 10% of those sutured with polyglycolic acid, and in none sutured with silk. Wound healing was satisfactory in all cases.", "PMID": 770528} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3287", "title": "Use of skin flaps in dermatologic surgery of the face.", "content": "Different flap techniques for plastic repair of defects are described, namely, local flaps (advancement, transposition and rotation flaps) and regional flaps. Such use of skin of similar structure and pigmentation gives excellent cosmetic results. The indications for using local or regional flaps depends on size and location of the defect. Total extirpation of cutaneous malignancy particularly by microscopically monitored serial excision is a prerequisite to reconstruction.", "contents": "Use of skin flaps in dermatologic surgery of the face. Different flap techniques for plastic repair of defects are described, namely, local flaps (advancement, transposition and rotation flaps) and regional flaps. Such use of skin of similar structure and pigmentation gives excellent cosmetic results. The indications for using local or regional flaps depends on size and location of the defect. Total extirpation of cutaneous malignancy particularly by microscopically monitored serial excision is a prerequisite to reconstruction.", "PMID": 770534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3288", "title": "Subcuticular skin closure--description of technique.", "content": "A technique of subcuticular wound closure is described in which both ends of a running suture are buried in the wound. Thus, there are no suture ends left on the skin. This method is only applicable to absorbable sutures.", "contents": "Subcuticular skin closure--description of technique. A technique of subcuticular wound closure is described in which both ends of a running suture are buried in the wound. Thus, there are no suture ends left on the skin. This method is only applicable to absorbable sutures.", "PMID": 770536} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3289", "title": "Betamethasone valerate compared by the oral and inhaled routes in childhood asthma.", "content": "The value of betamethasone valerate by inhalation in the prophylactic therapy of severe childhood asthma has been established. To determine whether the efficacy of this drug is due to a local or a systemic action a double-blind crossover study of 28 days' treatment with oral betamethasone valerate and 28 days' treatment with inhaled steroid was carried out in 10 asthmatic children. Daily doses used were 1 mg orally and 800 mug by inhalation. Nine patients had fewer symptoms, higher peak expiratory flow rates, and a lower bronchodilator requirement on inhaled than on oral therapy. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction was diminished on inhaled therapy. Five children requested early termination of the oral therapy period because of unacceptable symptoms. Nine parents stated a preference for the period of inhaled therapy. It is concluded that betamethasone valerate is highly effective by inhalation but that a comparable oral dose has no appreciable clinical effect.", "contents": "Betamethasone valerate compared by the oral and inhaled routes in childhood asthma. The value of betamethasone valerate by inhalation in the prophylactic therapy of severe childhood asthma has been established. To determine whether the efficacy of this drug is due to a local or a systemic action a double-blind crossover study of 28 days' treatment with oral betamethasone valerate and 28 days' treatment with inhaled steroid was carried out in 10 asthmatic children. Daily doses used were 1 mg orally and 800 mug by inhalation. Nine patients had fewer symptoms, higher peak expiratory flow rates, and a lower bronchodilator requirement on inhaled than on oral therapy. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction was diminished on inhaled therapy. Five children requested early termination of the oral therapy period because of unacceptable symptoms. Nine parents stated a preference for the period of inhaled therapy. It is concluded that betamethasone valerate is highly effective by inhalation but that a comparable oral dose has no appreciable clinical effect.", "PMID": 770551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3290", "title": "Refractory period to aspirin in a patient with aspirin-induced asthma.", "content": "Oral aspirin challenge was used to detect unrecognized aspirin intolerance in a select group of 50 asthmatic patients who denied aspirin intolerance. A double-blind protocol was used to further study those patients who reacted to initial graded aspirin challenge. In one patient the use of a double-blind protocol led to the serendipitous discovery of a 72-hr refractory period to the adverse effects of aspirin, after initial ingestion of aspirin resulted in respiratory and systemic symptoms.", "contents": "Refractory period to aspirin in a patient with aspirin-induced asthma. Oral aspirin challenge was used to detect unrecognized aspirin intolerance in a select group of 50 asthmatic patients who denied aspirin intolerance. A double-blind protocol was used to further study those patients who reacted to initial graded aspirin challenge. In one patient the use of a double-blind protocol led to the serendipitous discovery of a 72-hr refractory period to the adverse effects of aspirin, after initial ingestion of aspirin resulted in respiratory and systemic symptoms.", "PMID": 770552} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3291", "title": "General Washington and the patriot soldiers. They won a war with little food. A Bicentennial study.", "content": "The troops in the first action of the American Revolution in Massachusetts were well provisioned through the efforts of Joseph Trumbull of Connecticut, whom the Second Continental Congress appointed Commissary General, at General Washingtion's request. The ration, as ordered, would have provided-by today's standards-more calories, twice as much protein, and adequate minerals and vitamins, except possible vitamin A and ascorbic acid. Unfortunately, all items in the ration were seldom available to the soldiers. Each man was issued his ration and was responsible for cooking it. Trumbull held his post for two years, with little support from the Congress and no departmental organization. When the Army moved to New York, difficulties in provisioning the troops on the march began-and continued until 1781. Following the retreat to Morristown, New Jersey, in 1776, flour and beef, but little else, were available during the winter and into the following summer. Washington pleaded with the Congress for help with food supplies, but to no avail. Finally, Trumbull resigned. Thereafter, followed a series of four reorganizations of the commissariat by the Congress-each disastrously conceived-which brought no relief to the ill-fed soldiers, whose physical condition progressively worsened. Finally, a fifth reorganization in 1781 put into operation a contract plan of procuring food; no longer was it necessary for Washington to order impressment of food from farmers or for the troops to live off the land. The Continental Army \"starved, not because the country could not furnish the food, but becasue the people were unwilling to endure taxation and Congress did not understand the importance of administrative centralization; ...the greater part of the hardships\" were avoidable. Yes, General Washington and the patriot soldiers won the war with little food.", "contents": "General Washington and the patriot soldiers. They won a war with little food. A Bicentennial study. The troops in the first action of the American Revolution in Massachusetts were well provisioned through the efforts of Joseph Trumbull of Connecticut, whom the Second Continental Congress appointed Commissary General, at General Washingtion's request. The ration, as ordered, would have provided-by today's standards-more calories, twice as much protein, and adequate minerals and vitamins, except possible vitamin A and ascorbic acid. Unfortunately, all items in the ration were seldom available to the soldiers. Each man was issued his ration and was responsible for cooking it. Trumbull held his post for two years, with little support from the Congress and no departmental organization. When the Army moved to New York, difficulties in provisioning the troops on the march began-and continued until 1781. Following the retreat to Morristown, New Jersey, in 1776, flour and beef, but little else, were available during the winter and into the following summer. Washington pleaded with the Congress for help with food supplies, but to no avail. Finally, Trumbull resigned. Thereafter, followed a series of four reorganizations of the commissariat by the Congress-each disastrously conceived-which brought no relief to the ill-fed soldiers, whose physical condition progressively worsened. Finally, a fifth reorganization in 1781 put into operation a contract plan of procuring food; no longer was it necessary for Washington to order impressment of food from farmers or for the troops to live off the land. The Continental Army \"starved, not because the country could not furnish the food, but becasue the people were unwilling to endure taxation and Congress did not understand the importance of administrative centralization; ...the greater part of the hardships\" were avoidable. Yes, General Washington and the patriot soldiers won the war with little food.", "PMID": 770557} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3292", "title": "Primary lymphosarcoma of the breast: review of the literature on occurrence in elderly patients.", "content": "A case of primary lymphocytic lymphosarcoma of the breast in a 74-year-old woman is presented, together with a review of the literature on 23 cases of primary breast lymphosarcoma in patients aged 60 or older. In this age group, simple local excision or mastectomy is probably sufficient.", "contents": "Primary lymphosarcoma of the breast: review of the literature on occurrence in elderly patients. A case of primary lymphocytic lymphosarcoma of the breast in a 74-year-old woman is presented, together with a review of the literature on 23 cases of primary breast lymphosarcoma in patients aged 60 or older. In this age group, simple local excision or mastectomy is probably sufficient.", "PMID": 770558} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3293", "title": "Complex surveillance of Streptococcus pyogenes. III. Immunological characteristics of streptococcal resistance in blood and new aspects of type nonspecific protection.", "content": "The influence of nonspecific immunity factors in indifferent human blood on the resistance of M non-typable field streptococci and collection M strains in the absence of anti-M antibodies was studied. The experimental results indicate that primary resistance is conditioned on balanced equipment of the strain with M protein and the nonspecific cofactor receptor [R]. Disbalanced strains were strongly phagocytized, with participation by nonspecific opsonins (complement C3 and nonspecific cofactor), irrespective of their M protein content. M + R--disbalance (selected collection strains) and M--R + disbalance (field strains on artificial media) were observed. The M and R resistance factor equipment of the streptococci probably represents plus and minus variants in the diverse process of the asymptomatic dissemination and pathogenic activity of streptococci in the human population. The given results are manifestly related to the general manner of existence of streptococci, to questions of conditional pathogenicity and to the concept of nonspecific defence against streptococci.", "contents": "Complex surveillance of Streptococcus pyogenes. III. Immunological characteristics of streptococcal resistance in blood and new aspects of type nonspecific protection. The influence of nonspecific immunity factors in indifferent human blood on the resistance of M non-typable field streptococci and collection M strains in the absence of anti-M antibodies was studied. The experimental results indicate that primary resistance is conditioned on balanced equipment of the strain with M protein and the nonspecific cofactor receptor [R]. Disbalanced strains were strongly phagocytized, with participation by nonspecific opsonins (complement C3 and nonspecific cofactor), irrespective of their M protein content. M + R--disbalance (selected collection strains) and M--R + disbalance (field strains on artificial media) were observed. The M and R resistance factor equipment of the streptococci probably represents plus and minus variants in the diverse process of the asymptomatic dissemination and pathogenic activity of streptococci in the human population. The given results are manifestly related to the general manner of existence of streptococci, to questions of conditional pathogenicity and to the concept of nonspecific defence against streptococci.", "PMID": 772126} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3294", "title": "Comparison of methods for the isolation of genital mycoplasmas from men.", "content": "Two hundred nine men were studied to determine the optimal method of obtaining cultures for genital mycoplasma. Ureaplasma urealyticum (T-mycoplasmas) was isolated from 95 (45.5%) of the participants. Urethral cultures obtained by means of urethrogenital calcium alginate swabs identified 82 (86%) of the 95 colonized men. Urethral cultures taken with cotton-tipped applicators (76%) urine cultures (27%), and cultures of the coronal sulcus (24%) detected fewer colonized men. All men who were colonized with U. urealyticum were identified by one of the two urethral cultures. Mycoplasma hominis was recovered from 73 (34.9%) of the 209 men. Urethral cultures identified most of the circumcised men who were colonized with M. hominis (11 of 14; 79%). In contrast, cultures from the coronal sulcus detected most of the colonized uncircumcised men (49 of 59; 83%). More than 90% of the men who were colonized with M. hominis were identified by either urethral culture or culture of the coronal sulcus. A similar study was conducted among 143 normal college students yielded comparable results.", "contents": "Comparison of methods for the isolation of genital mycoplasmas from men. Two hundred nine men were studied to determine the optimal method of obtaining cultures for genital mycoplasma. Ureaplasma urealyticum (T-mycoplasmas) was isolated from 95 (45.5%) of the participants. Urethral cultures obtained by means of urethrogenital calcium alginate swabs identified 82 (86%) of the 95 colonized men. Urethral cultures taken with cotton-tipped applicators (76%) urine cultures (27%), and cultures of the coronal sulcus (24%) detected fewer colonized men. All men who were colonized with U. urealyticum were identified by one of the two urethral cultures. Mycoplasma hominis was recovered from 73 (34.9%) of the 209 men. Urethral cultures identified most of the circumcised men who were colonized with M. hominis (11 of 14; 79%). In contrast, cultures from the coronal sulcus detected most of the colonized uncircumcised men (49 of 59; 83%). More than 90% of the men who were colonized with M. hominis were identified by either urethral culture or culture of the coronal sulcus. A similar study was conducted among 143 normal college students yielded comparable results.", "PMID": 772129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3295", "title": "Nonspecific resistance to infection induced in mice by a water-soluble adjuvant derived from Mycobacterium smegmatis.", "content": "The effect of a nontoxic, water-soluble adjuvant (Neo-WSA) from delipidated cells of Mycobacterium smegmatis on the susceptibility of mice to infection with four challenge organisms was studied. An intravenous dose of 1 mg of Neo-WSA per mouse 24 hr before challenge enhanced resistance to infection with a fungus (Candida albicans), a gram-negative bacterium (Klebsiella pneumoniae), and a gram-positive bacterium (Streptococcus pneumoniae). Protection by Neo-WSA was not significant when the mice were challenged with a malarial parasite. Plasmodium berghei. When 1 mg of Neo-WSA was given intravenously to mice 10 min before challenge with C. albicans, protection was significant, but when the same dose was given two or six days prior to challenge, mice were not protected. The concentration of iron in serum had not changed significantly 1 or 24 hr after the intravenous injection of 1 mg of Neo-WSA. Thus Neo-WSA is capable of inducing nonspecific resistance to certain experimental infections in mice. The protection afforded by administration of Neo-WSA 10 min before challenge, the lack of protection afforded by administration of Neo-WSA six days before challenge, and the lack of significant change in the serum iron concentration clearly separate this compound from bacterial endotoxins, which are classical inducers of nonspecific resistance to infection.", "contents": "Nonspecific resistance to infection induced in mice by a water-soluble adjuvant derived from Mycobacterium smegmatis. The effect of a nontoxic, water-soluble adjuvant (Neo-WSA) from delipidated cells of Mycobacterium smegmatis on the susceptibility of mice to infection with four challenge organisms was studied. An intravenous dose of 1 mg of Neo-WSA per mouse 24 hr before challenge enhanced resistance to infection with a fungus (Candida albicans), a gram-negative bacterium (Klebsiella pneumoniae), and a gram-positive bacterium (Streptococcus pneumoniae). Protection by Neo-WSA was not significant when the mice were challenged with a malarial parasite. Plasmodium berghei. When 1 mg of Neo-WSA was given intravenously to mice 10 min before challenge with C. albicans, protection was significant, but when the same dose was given two or six days prior to challenge, mice were not protected. The concentration of iron in serum had not changed significantly 1 or 24 hr after the intravenous injection of 1 mg of Neo-WSA. Thus Neo-WSA is capable of inducing nonspecific resistance to certain experimental infections in mice. The protection afforded by administration of Neo-WSA 10 min before challenge, the lack of protection afforded by administration of Neo-WSA six days before challenge, and the lack of significant change in the serum iron concentration clearly separate this compound from bacterial endotoxins, which are classical inducers of nonspecific resistance to infection.", "PMID": 772130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3296", "title": "Delayed hypersensitivity to fungal antigens in mice. II. Characterization of the active component in immunogenic RNA extracts.", "content": "In a mouse model, cell-mediated immunity to Coccidioides immitis, as assayed by the delayed hypersensitivity skin test, was transferred with whole immunogenic RNA extract and its greater than 33S and 6S-13S sedimentation fractions. Both fractions were cleaved by RNase, but the products retained their transfer activity. The greater than 33S fraction of immunogenic RNA extract was inactivated by pronase, whereas the 6S-13S fraction was resistant to the proteolytic enzyme; however, after RNase treatment the latter fraction was sensitive to pronase. This finding suggests a protective role for RNA. Dialysis of immunogenic RNA extract yielded a dialysate with a ratio of absorbance at 260 nm to that at 280 nm (A260:A280) of 1.02. Similarly, the dialysis product of RNase-treated RNA is active and has an A260:A280 ratio of 1.34. The data indicate that at least part of the active moiety of immunogenic RNA extracts is an RNA-associated, pronase-labile peptide or nucleopeptide. Furthermore, it is possible that the dialyzable transfer factor may be the same peptide or nucleopeptide cleaved from immunogenic RNA during preparation of the transfer factor.", "contents": "Delayed hypersensitivity to fungal antigens in mice. II. Characterization of the active component in immunogenic RNA extracts. In a mouse model, cell-mediated immunity to Coccidioides immitis, as assayed by the delayed hypersensitivity skin test, was transferred with whole immunogenic RNA extract and its greater than 33S and 6S-13S sedimentation fractions. Both fractions were cleaved by RNase, but the products retained their transfer activity. The greater than 33S fraction of immunogenic RNA extract was inactivated by pronase, whereas the 6S-13S fraction was resistant to the proteolytic enzyme; however, after RNase treatment the latter fraction was sensitive to pronase. This finding suggests a protective role for RNA. Dialysis of immunogenic RNA extract yielded a dialysate with a ratio of absorbance at 260 nm to that at 280 nm (A260:A280) of 1.02. Similarly, the dialysis product of RNase-treated RNA is active and has an A260:A280 ratio of 1.34. The data indicate that at least part of the active moiety of immunogenic RNA extracts is an RNA-associated, pronase-labile peptide or nucleopeptide. Furthermore, it is possible that the dialyzable transfer factor may be the same peptide or nucleopeptide cleaved from immunogenic RNA during preparation of the transfer factor.", "PMID": 772131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3297", "title": "Resistance of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 to ampicillin and other antimicrobial agents: strains isolated during a dysentery outbreak in a hospital in Mexico City.", "content": "In June 1972, an epidemic of dysentery began in a hospital ward lodging 22 children with tuberculosis. Fifteen of them developed the disease and five children died. The age of the children ranged from five months to four years. A rectal swab culture taken from all hospitalized children three weeks after the initiation of the outbreak revealed Shigella dysenteriae type 1 in five of the patients (28%). The strains isolated were susceptible to cephalothin, gentamicin, kanamycin, colistin, trimethoprim, and nalidixic acid, but were resistant to ampicillin (greater than 5,000 mug/ml), chloramphenicol (300 mug/ml), streptomycin (400 mug/ml), tetracycline (100 mug/ml), and sulfadiazine (1,000 mug per disk). Transfer experiments to Escherichia coli K-12 indicated that these strains were infected with two different plasmids; one was responsible for resistance to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, streptomycin, and sulfonamides, and the other caused resistance to ampicillin. The epidemiological and clinical importance of these findings is emphasized.", "contents": "Resistance of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 to ampicillin and other antimicrobial agents: strains isolated during a dysentery outbreak in a hospital in Mexico City. In June 1972, an epidemic of dysentery began in a hospital ward lodging 22 children with tuberculosis. Fifteen of them developed the disease and five children died. The age of the children ranged from five months to four years. A rectal swab culture taken from all hospitalized children three weeks after the initiation of the outbreak revealed Shigella dysenteriae type 1 in five of the patients (28%). The strains isolated were susceptible to cephalothin, gentamicin, kanamycin, colistin, trimethoprim, and nalidixic acid, but were resistant to ampicillin (greater than 5,000 mug/ml), chloramphenicol (300 mug/ml), streptomycin (400 mug/ml), tetracycline (100 mug/ml), and sulfadiazine (1,000 mug per disk). Transfer experiments to Escherichia coli K-12 indicated that these strains were infected with two different plasmids; one was responsible for resistance to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, streptomycin, and sulfonamides, and the other caused resistance to ampicillin. The epidemiological and clinical importance of these findings is emphasized.", "PMID": 772132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3298", "title": "[Bonding strength between porcelain and gold alloys. (2) The effects of iron, indium and tin (author's transl)].", "content": "Ten kinds of alloys were prepared for testing by addition of 0-0.75 wt% iron, indium and tin (total amount 0.75 wt%) to base alloy, 88 Au-6 Pt-5 Pd-1 Ag. Opaque porcelain (Ceramco Inc.) was fused to these alloys according to the manufacturer's directions. The bonding strength was determined by the shear bond test that had been described in the preceding paper and the effects of the trace elements were examined.", "contents": "[Bonding strength between porcelain and gold alloys. (2) The effects of iron, indium and tin (author's transl)]. Ten kinds of alloys were prepared for testing by addition of 0-0.75 wt% iron, indium and tin (total amount 0.75 wt%) to base alloy, 88 Au-6 Pt-5 Pd-1 Ag. Opaque porcelain (Ceramco Inc.) was fused to these alloys according to the manufacturer's directions. The bonding strength was determined by the shear bond test that had been described in the preceding paper and the effects of the trace elements were examined.", "PMID": 772140} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3299", "title": "[Flow of molten metal in denture base in horizontal centrifugal casting procedure. (Part 1) Flow, inflow volume and casting time of molten metal passing through single aprue into disk type mold (author's transl)].", "content": "A pyrex glass plate was fitted at the bottom of casting ring, and disk type wax pattern (thickness. 0.43 mm) was put on the plate. Five types of sprueing were applied. Pure tin was casted using holizontal centrifugal casting machine. Flow of molten metal was filmed by the motor drive camera with the method of stroboscope. The results were summarized as follows. 1) When the sprue was attached at the center of the disk type mold vertically, moten metal flowed like a concentric circle at the early stage of casting. It was affected gradually by the direction of gravity and revolution, and it filled the mold from the lower part to the upper part. 2) When the sprue gate was attached to the side edge of the mold, and the sprue gate was placed to the forward and backward direction against the revolution direction, molten metal filled from lower part to the upper part. 3) When the sprue gate was placed against upper edge, molten metal flow was affected by the direction of gravity and revolution. When the sprue gate was placed against lower edge, molten metal filled quietry from the lower part to the upper part. 4) Inflow volume per unit time (inflow rate) was small at the early stage of casting. Inflow rate increased and became constant at the next stage. At the latter stage it became small again. 5) Inflow rate increased with the increase of area of sprue. 6) The time which was necessary to fill the volume of 1 cm (about 80% of the mold volume) became short with the increase of area of sprue. It was also influenced by the type of sprueing.", "contents": "[Flow of molten metal in denture base in horizontal centrifugal casting procedure. (Part 1) Flow, inflow volume and casting time of molten metal passing through single aprue into disk type mold (author's transl)]. A pyrex glass plate was fitted at the bottom of casting ring, and disk type wax pattern (thickness. 0.43 mm) was put on the plate. Five types of sprueing were applied. Pure tin was casted using holizontal centrifugal casting machine. Flow of molten metal was filmed by the motor drive camera with the method of stroboscope. The results were summarized as follows. 1) When the sprue was attached at the center of the disk type mold vertically, moten metal flowed like a concentric circle at the early stage of casting. It was affected gradually by the direction of gravity and revolution, and it filled the mold from the lower part to the upper part. 2) When the sprue gate was attached to the side edge of the mold, and the sprue gate was placed to the forward and backward direction against the revolution direction, molten metal filled from lower part to the upper part. 3) When the sprue gate was placed against upper edge, molten metal flow was affected by the direction of gravity and revolution. When the sprue gate was placed against lower edge, molten metal filled quietry from the lower part to the upper part. 4) Inflow volume per unit time (inflow rate) was small at the early stage of casting. Inflow rate increased and became constant at the next stage. At the latter stage it became small again. 5) Inflow rate increased with the increase of area of sprue. 6) The time which was necessary to fill the volume of 1 cm (about 80% of the mold volume) became short with the increase of area of sprue. It was also influenced by the type of sprueing.", "PMID": 772141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3300", "title": "[Mechanical studies on the dental bridges. (XI) Studies on the apportionment loads to be affected by the supporting conditions of two abutment teeth (author's transl)].", "content": "Abutment teeth have been treated as the elastic behavior at the supported conditions and apportionment loads are depended upon the elastic properties of the pontics and abutment teeth. So, this paper shows the apportionment loads of dental bridges and the dependence of the elastic constants of abutment teeth. Abutment teeth are rotated and sinked with digestive power on the pontics. So, the elastic constants of abutment teeth are given with k and K, which k, K are the sinked and rotated coefficients, which are expressed the elastic properties of these abutment teeth. Apportionment loads to be connected with the flexural rigidity of the pontics are calculated for two numerical examples (for the values of 3.6 x 10(3) kg-mm2 and 3.6 x 10(8) kg-mm2 of the concentrated and distributed loads).", "contents": "[Mechanical studies on the dental bridges. (XI) Studies on the apportionment loads to be affected by the supporting conditions of two abutment teeth (author's transl)]. Abutment teeth have been treated as the elastic behavior at the supported conditions and apportionment loads are depended upon the elastic properties of the pontics and abutment teeth. So, this paper shows the apportionment loads of dental bridges and the dependence of the elastic constants of abutment teeth. Abutment teeth are rotated and sinked with digestive power on the pontics. So, the elastic constants of abutment teeth are given with k and K, which k, K are the sinked and rotated coefficients, which are expressed the elastic properties of these abutment teeth. Apportionment loads to be connected with the flexural rigidity of the pontics are calculated for two numerical examples (for the values of 3.6 x 10(3) kg-mm2 and 3.6 x 10(8) kg-mm2 of the concentrated and distributed loads).", "PMID": 772142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3301", "title": "[Slip casting of stainless steel powder (author's transl)].", "content": "Slip casting of stainless steel powder (AISI type 316 L) was investigated as means of forming medical and dental porous restorations. This research was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the particle size and aging of casting slip and firing conditions. Bulk density was used as a measure of the degree of sintering. Water contents of casting bodies decreased with the particle size and its casting rates, bulk densities and bending strengths increased. Aging of slip decreased casting rates, water contents and bending strengths of the casts. The bulk densities of the sintered stainless steel increased with sintering time and temperature. The porosities of the materials decreased with the particle size and the elevating temperature. The bending strengths of the materials increased sharply with the decreasing particle size. The optical micrographs did not always show the uniform elimination of pores in the sintered. Aging of slip increased a little the bulk densities of the materials and decreased the porosity and the bending strength.", "contents": "[Slip casting of stainless steel powder (author's transl)]. Slip casting of stainless steel powder (AISI type 316 L) was investigated as means of forming medical and dental porous restorations. This research was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the particle size and aging of casting slip and firing conditions. Bulk density was used as a measure of the degree of sintering. Water contents of casting bodies decreased with the particle size and its casting rates, bulk densities and bending strengths increased. Aging of slip decreased casting rates, water contents and bending strengths of the casts. The bulk densities of the sintered stainless steel increased with sintering time and temperature. The porosities of the materials decreased with the particle size and the elevating temperature. The bending strengths of the materials increased sharply with the decreasing particle size. The optical micrographs did not always show the uniform elimination of pores in the sintered. Aging of slip increased a little the bulk densities of the materials and decreased the porosity and the bending strength.", "PMID": 772143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3302", "title": "Immunity to the group B streptococci: interaction of serum and macrophages with types Ia, Ib, and Ic.", "content": "The opsonization and phagocytosis of group B streptococci of types Ia, Ib, and Ic were studied in vitro by measuring the uptake of radioactivity by coverslip cultures of rabbit alevolar macrophages during incubation with radiolabeled, nonviable bacteria which had been exposed to rabbit serum. The uptake of counts per minute was quantitative, reproducible, and reversibly inhibited by cold, indicating that it was largely a measurement of phagocytic ingestion rather than of attachment of bacteria-immunoglobulin complexes to macrophage membranes. Moreover, suspended macrophages killed approximately 90% of viable streptococci in the presence of specific antiserum. The opsonic activity of immune serum was heat stable, and phagocytosis of streptococci was insignificant after incubation with normal serum and antiserum to some heterologous group B streptococci. By absorption studies, it was possible to identify the effect of antibodies to specific bacterial antigens. Phagocytosis of streptococci containing the corresponding antigens was maximal after opsonization with homologous or heterologous sera containing antibody to IaCHO, IbCHO, or Ibc protein. Phagocytosis of all three serotypes was intermediate when opsonization could be attributed to anti-IabcCHO. The opsonization of a specific group B streptococcus is complex and may involve two or more antigen-antibody systems.", "contents": "Immunity to the group B streptococci: interaction of serum and macrophages with types Ia, Ib, and Ic. The opsonization and phagocytosis of group B streptococci of types Ia, Ib, and Ic were studied in vitro by measuring the uptake of radioactivity by coverslip cultures of rabbit alevolar macrophages during incubation with radiolabeled, nonviable bacteria which had been exposed to rabbit serum. The uptake of counts per minute was quantitative, reproducible, and reversibly inhibited by cold, indicating that it was largely a measurement of phagocytic ingestion rather than of attachment of bacteria-immunoglobulin complexes to macrophage membranes. Moreover, suspended macrophages killed approximately 90% of viable streptococci in the presence of specific antiserum. The opsonic activity of immune serum was heat stable, and phagocytosis of streptococci was insignificant after incubation with normal serum and antiserum to some heterologous group B streptococci. By absorption studies, it was possible to identify the effect of antibodies to specific bacterial antigens. Phagocytosis of streptococci containing the corresponding antigens was maximal after opsonization with homologous or heterologous sera containing antibody to IaCHO, IbCHO, or Ibc protein. Phagocytosis of all three serotypes was intermediate when opsonization could be attributed to anti-IabcCHO. The opsonization of a specific group B streptococcus is complex and may involve two or more antigen-antibody systems.", "PMID": 772153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3303", "title": "Susceptibility of mice to group B coxsackie virus is influenced by the diabetic gene.", "content": "A positive correlation was found between genetic predisposition to diabetes in the mouse and susceptibility to group B Coxsackie virus in this host. Male mice of the inbred strain C57BL/Ks and the following genetic variants were used; mice homozygous for the autosomal recessive gene for diabetes (db/db), the phenotypically normal heterozygous (db/+), and the normal mice which lacked the diabetic gene (+/+). The mortality response of the +/+ mice to intraperitoneal inoculation with Coxsackie virus B4 differed from the response of the two genetic variants (db/db and db/+) derived from this strain. The db/+ variant was more susceptible to Coxsackie virus B4 than the parental background strain (+/+). The db/db variant was more susceptible than either of the other genotypes. Pathological findings of the pancreas of the three genotypes during the acute stage of infection closely paralleled the genotypically dependent susceptibility of the host.", "contents": "Susceptibility of mice to group B coxsackie virus is influenced by the diabetic gene. A positive correlation was found between genetic predisposition to diabetes in the mouse and susceptibility to group B Coxsackie virus in this host. Male mice of the inbred strain C57BL/Ks and the following genetic variants were used; mice homozygous for the autosomal recessive gene for diabetes (db/db), the phenotypically normal heterozygous (db/+), and the normal mice which lacked the diabetic gene (+/+). The mortality response of the +/+ mice to intraperitoneal inoculation with Coxsackie virus B4 differed from the response of the two genetic variants (db/db and db/+) derived from this strain. The db/+ variant was more susceptible to Coxsackie virus B4 than the parental background strain (+/+). The db/db variant was more susceptible than either of the other genotypes. Pathological findings of the pancreas of the three genotypes during the acute stage of infection closely paralleled the genotypically dependent susceptibility of the host.", "PMID": 772154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3304", "title": "Influence of embryonic estrogens on adult feather coloration in the duck Anas platyrhynchos.", "content": "Embryos of the Rouen duck were treated on day 11 to 18 with a single injection of estradiol benzoate in the air chamber. After hatching, skin grafts were exchanged between male ducklings that had been treated with estrogen in ovo and control males. The results showed that the skin of male embryos can be permanently feminized to the same extent as untreated female embryos simply by exposing embryonic male skin to female sex hormones during embryogenesis.", "contents": "Influence of embryonic estrogens on adult feather coloration in the duck Anas platyrhynchos. Embryos of the Rouen duck were treated on day 11 to 18 with a single injection of estradiol benzoate in the air chamber. After hatching, skin grafts were exchanged between male ducklings that had been treated with estrogen in ovo and control males. The results showed that the skin of male embryos can be permanently feminized to the same extent as untreated female embryos simply by exposing embryonic male skin to female sex hormones during embryogenesis.", "PMID": 772155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3305", "title": "Selective reinnervation in skin rotation grafts in Rana pipiens.", "content": "Skin rotation grafts were performed in Rana pipiens tadpoles producing misdirected reflexes in adult frogs. The pattern of innervation fields of dorsal and ventral rami of segmental nerves 3, 4, 5 and 6 were investigated by recording from the severed rami with suction electrodes. Innervation patterns of regenerated fields were influenced by graft borders and adjacent fields. Misdirected reflexes were found for ventral skin on the dorsal side only when innervated by ventral rami in a manner never seen in normal or sham operated animals. This suggested that selective reinnervation has occurred.", "contents": "Selective reinnervation in skin rotation grafts in Rana pipiens. Skin rotation grafts were performed in Rana pipiens tadpoles producing misdirected reflexes in adult frogs. The pattern of innervation fields of dorsal and ventral rami of segmental nerves 3, 4, 5 and 6 were investigated by recording from the severed rami with suction electrodes. Innervation patterns of regenerated fields were influenced by graft borders and adjacent fields. Misdirected reflexes were found for ventral skin on the dorsal side only when innervated by ventral rami in a manner never seen in normal or sham operated animals. This suggested that selective reinnervation has occurred.", "PMID": 772156} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3306", "title": "Radioimmunoassay technology in mass drug screening: an evaluation of an absorbent paper disk transport system.", "content": "These studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using urine-saturated paper disks in place of urine in the RIA system for drug abuse detection. Results with the disks are consistent with those using urine. A satisfactory procedure has been devised which provides reproducibility of results with no loss of sensitivity or specificity. Further, the procedure is essentially the same as the current procedure requiring urine except that a paper disk punched from a filter paper strip impregnated with urine is used. Complete flexibility is retained to switch from urine to disk. No new or additional equipment is required. It is envisioned that the urine would remain at the collection site and dried filter paper strips containing urine under test be shipped to toxicology laboratories. Sould the disk assay be positive, the urine specimen identified with that disk could then be shipped to the laboratory for confirmation by gas-liquid chromatography or other acceptable methods. The time and expense incurred in shipping large volumes of urine would thus be eliminated.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay technology in mass drug screening: an evaluation of an absorbent paper disk transport system. These studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using urine-saturated paper disks in place of urine in the RIA system for drug abuse detection. Results with the disks are consistent with those using urine. A satisfactory procedure has been devised which provides reproducibility of results with no loss of sensitivity or specificity. Further, the procedure is essentially the same as the current procedure requiring urine except that a paper disk punched from a filter paper strip impregnated with urine is used. Complete flexibility is retained to switch from urine to disk. No new or additional equipment is required. It is envisioned that the urine would remain at the collection site and dried filter paper strips containing urine under test be shipped to toxicology laboratories. Sould the disk assay be positive, the urine specimen identified with that disk could then be shipped to the laboratory for confirmation by gas-liquid chromatography or other acceptable methods. The time and expense incurred in shipping large volumes of urine would thus be eliminated.", "PMID": 772157} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3307", "title": "R factor-mediated resistance to ultraviolet light in strains of Escherichia coli deficient in known repair functions.", "content": "The expression of resistance to u.v. irradiation mediated by R factor R46 has been studied in strains deficient in excision repair and recombination repair. The R factor protected wild-type bacteria and also wild-type cells in which repair had been inhibited by the substitution of bromouracil for chromosomal thymine. It increased the survival of strains defective in the endonucleolytic (uvr), repolymerizing (pol) and joining (lig) stages of the excision repair process. Recombination deficient bacteria mutant at the recB or recC loci were protected by R46, but the R factor had little effect on the survival of a recA strain or a recA recB double mutant. R46 increased the survival of cells that had been treated with chloramphenicol before u.v. irradiation, but did not protect cultures treated with chloramphenciol after irradiation. It is concluded that R46 confers resistance to the lethal effects of u.v. irradiation by a mechanism that is independent of excision repair. Resistance appears to be mediated by an inducible gene product, which is possibly a nuclease and dependent on a functional host recA gene for expression.", "contents": "R factor-mediated resistance to ultraviolet light in strains of Escherichia coli deficient in known repair functions. The expression of resistance to u.v. irradiation mediated by R factor R46 has been studied in strains deficient in excision repair and recombination repair. The R factor protected wild-type bacteria and also wild-type cells in which repair had been inhibited by the substitution of bromouracil for chromosomal thymine. It increased the survival of strains defective in the endonucleolytic (uvr), repolymerizing (pol) and joining (lig) stages of the excision repair process. Recombination deficient bacteria mutant at the recB or recC loci were protected by R46, but the R factor had little effect on the survival of a recA strain or a recA recB double mutant. R46 increased the survival of cells that had been treated with chloramphenicol before u.v. irradiation, but did not protect cultures treated with chloramphenciol after irradiation. It is concluded that R46 confers resistance to the lethal effects of u.v. irradiation by a mechanism that is independent of excision repair. Resistance appears to be mediated by an inducible gene product, which is possibly a nuclease and dependent on a functional host recA gene for expression.", "PMID": 772160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3308", "title": "Derivation and properties of F-prime factors in Escherichia coli carrying nitrogen fixation genes from Klebsiella pneumoniae.", "content": "A His+ Nif+ Escherichia coli K12, Hfr strain (UNF43) was constructed by an intergeneric mating between a Klebsiella pneumoniae donor strain (HF3) and a his-HFR E. coli strain (SBI824) which transfers his as an early marker. An F-prime nif plasmid, FN39, carrying genes which correspond to the E. coli chromosomal region, metG gnd his shiA, but excluding purF and aroD, was isolated from UNF43. Translocation of carbenicillin resistance genes from a P-type R-factor, R68, to FN39 increased the stability of his and nif on the derivative F-prime, FN68. Sedimentation analysis of both F-primes in sucrose gradients revealed our covalently closed circular(CCC) DNA species of molecular weights 279 +/- 9, 136 +/- 3, 90 +/- 1 and 44 +/- 1 megadaltons. It is suggested that the two smallest CCC-DNA species are component replicons of the composite F-primes of molecular weight 136 +/- 3 megadaltons, and that the molecules of 279 +/- 9 megadaltons are CCC-dimers. FN68 was transferable in intergeneric matings to Klebsiella aerogenes, K. pneumoniae and Salmonella typhimurium but not to Proteus mirabilis; only carbenicillin resistance and sex factor activity were transferred to Erwinia herbicola. nif genes on FN68 were expressed in a Nif- mutant of K. pneumoniae and also in S. typhimurium, which in conventional tests is naturally non-nitrogen-fixing; expression of the his determinant of FN68 became temperature-sensitive in S. typhimurium.", "contents": "Derivation and properties of F-prime factors in Escherichia coli carrying nitrogen fixation genes from Klebsiella pneumoniae. A His+ Nif+ Escherichia coli K12, Hfr strain (UNF43) was constructed by an intergeneric mating between a Klebsiella pneumoniae donor strain (HF3) and a his-HFR E. coli strain (SBI824) which transfers his as an early marker. An F-prime nif plasmid, FN39, carrying genes which correspond to the E. coli chromosomal region, metG gnd his shiA, but excluding purF and aroD, was isolated from UNF43. Translocation of carbenicillin resistance genes from a P-type R-factor, R68, to FN39 increased the stability of his and nif on the derivative F-prime, FN68. Sedimentation analysis of both F-primes in sucrose gradients revealed our covalently closed circular(CCC) DNA species of molecular weights 279 +/- 9, 136 +/- 3, 90 +/- 1 and 44 +/- 1 megadaltons. It is suggested that the two smallest CCC-DNA species are component replicons of the composite F-primes of molecular weight 136 +/- 3 megadaltons, and that the molecules of 279 +/- 9 megadaltons are CCC-dimers. FN68 was transferable in intergeneric matings to Klebsiella aerogenes, K. pneumoniae and Salmonella typhimurium but not to Proteus mirabilis; only carbenicillin resistance and sex factor activity were transferred to Erwinia herbicola. nif genes on FN68 were expressed in a Nif- mutant of K. pneumoniae and also in S. typhimurium, which in conventional tests is naturally non-nitrogen-fixing; expression of the his determinant of FN68 became temperature-sensitive in S. typhimurium.", "PMID": 772161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3309", "title": "Genetic analysis of deletions of R100-1 that are both transfer-deficient and tetracycline-sensitive.", "content": "The extent of the deletions of five Tets Tra- mutants of R100-1 was determined by complementation experiments with wild-type and tra mutants of Flac. The presence or absence of the origin of transfer on the mutants was also investigated. Using the results, a tentative map of this region of the R factor was drawn: it was essentially similar to the analogous region of the E. coli K12 F factor, except that tet was located between traJ and traA. Some of the deletions had removed the promoter for the transfer operon. This allowed detection of the transcription of traC and distal genes from a weak, traJ-independent promoter. This is probably the Is2 promoter, since R100-1 carries and Is2 insertion sequence located immediately to the left of traC in the correct orientation. Since neither the transfer operon promoter nor the Is2 promoter seemed to be required for transcription of traI, it was concluded that, unlike the F factor, this was located in a separate operon.", "contents": "Genetic analysis of deletions of R100-1 that are both transfer-deficient and tetracycline-sensitive. The extent of the deletions of five Tets Tra- mutants of R100-1 was determined by complementation experiments with wild-type and tra mutants of Flac. The presence or absence of the origin of transfer on the mutants was also investigated. Using the results, a tentative map of this region of the R factor was drawn: it was essentially similar to the analogous region of the E. coli K12 F factor, except that tet was located between traJ and traA. Some of the deletions had removed the promoter for the transfer operon. This allowed detection of the transcription of traC and distal genes from a weak, traJ-independent promoter. This is probably the Is2 promoter, since R100-1 carries and Is2 insertion sequence located immediately to the left of traC in the correct orientation. Since neither the transfer operon promoter nor the Is2 promoter seemed to be required for transcription of traI, it was concluded that, unlike the F factor, this was located in a separate operon.", "PMID": 772162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3310", "title": "Intra-species tranduction with Proteus mirabilis high frequency transducing phages.", "content": "The properties of three additional Proteus mirabilis hosts for the high frequency transducing (HET) phages 5006MHFTkappa and 5006MHFTak are described. The phages transduce resistance to kanamycin and to ampicillin plus kanamycin, respectively, and were produced by ultraviolet induction of derivatives of P. mirabilis strain PM5006. Strain PM804 could not be shown to adsorb the phages although it yielded a few transductants. All transductants, even those produced at low multiplicities of phage input were lysogenic and segregated markers at high frequency. Ultraviolet induced phage lysates of these transductants transduced PM804 at higher frequencies and PM5006 at lower frequencies than the original phages. Strain PM804 or its derivatives did not adsorb phage from these lysates. Tranmission experiments through PM5006 of phage in the transductant lysates confirmed that PM804 had a host-controlled modification system which modified HFT phage from PM5006. That PM804 also possessed a restriction system was inferred from the greater numbers of transductants obtained with page which bore a compatible modification pattern. Strain N and a restrictionless mutant of it named NHI, adsorbed the HET phages avidly and failed to modify their host range. Transduction frequencies of the phage markers were about 10(-4)/p.f.u. adsorbed to strain NHI and only about tenfold lower to strain N which did not plate the phages. Tranductants also had the features of heterogenotes and those obtained at low multiplicites of infection were non-lysogenic. The latter transductants adsorbed homolgous phage while NHI transductants also plated the HFT lysates. Strain NHI, lysogenized by the parent phage 5006M, did not adsorb the HFT phages. These findings suggest that the HFT phages were most likely defective for lysogenic conversion to homologous phage non-adsorption. The postulated restriction enzymes of PM804 and strain N could not be shown to be thermolabile.", "contents": "Intra-species tranduction with Proteus mirabilis high frequency transducing phages. The properties of three additional Proteus mirabilis hosts for the high frequency transducing (HET) phages 5006MHFTkappa and 5006MHFTak are described. The phages transduce resistance to kanamycin and to ampicillin plus kanamycin, respectively, and were produced by ultraviolet induction of derivatives of P. mirabilis strain PM5006. Strain PM804 could not be shown to adsorb the phages although it yielded a few transductants. All transductants, even those produced at low multiplicities of phage input were lysogenic and segregated markers at high frequency. Ultraviolet induced phage lysates of these transductants transduced PM804 at higher frequencies and PM5006 at lower frequencies than the original phages. Strain PM804 or its derivatives did not adsorb phage from these lysates. Tranmission experiments through PM5006 of phage in the transductant lysates confirmed that PM804 had a host-controlled modification system which modified HFT phage from PM5006. That PM804 also possessed a restriction system was inferred from the greater numbers of transductants obtained with page which bore a compatible modification pattern. Strain N and a restrictionless mutant of it named NHI, adsorbed the HET phages avidly and failed to modify their host range. Transduction frequencies of the phage markers were about 10(-4)/p.f.u. adsorbed to strain NHI and only about tenfold lower to strain N which did not plate the phages. Tranductants also had the features of heterogenotes and those obtained at low multiplicites of infection were non-lysogenic. The latter transductants adsorbed homolgous phage while NHI transductants also plated the HFT lysates. Strain NHI, lysogenized by the parent phage 5006M, did not adsorb the HFT phages. These findings suggest that the HFT phages were most likely defective for lysogenic conversion to homologous phage non-adsorption. The postulated restriction enzymes of PM804 and strain N could not be shown to be thermolabile.", "PMID": 772163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3311", "title": "A taxonomic study of the genus Haemophilus, with the proposal of a new species.", "content": "A collection of 426 Haemophilus strains isolated from people with infectious diseases and from the normal flora of mucous membranes in humans and various animal species was studied in an attempt to revise and improve the taxonomy of the genus Haemophilus. The examinations included the determination of a number of biochemical and physiological properties, of which several had not previously been applied to the taxonomy of haemophili. The resulting data reavealed many hitherto unrecognized characters of taxonomic significance and several of the species can now be more accurately defined. The classification presented is supported by the DNA base composition of a large number of representative strains. A diagnostic key to the different taxa is presented. Haemophilus influenzae and H. parainfluenzae have been subdivided into a number of biotypes. It is possible to demonstrate a relationship between the individual biotypes of H. influenzae and the origin of the strains assigned to them. The results indicate that H. aegyptius, H. parahaemolyticus and H. paraphrohaemolyticus do not merit specific status. Four unnamed taxa of V-factor-dependent haemophili have been recognized. The name Haemophilus segnis is proposed for one of these taxa, which consists mainly of strains isolated from the human oral cavity. It is demonstrated that the name H. Ducreyi has been used for different groups of bacteria, and that only one of these groups can legitimately be assigned to the genus Haemophilus. Haemolytic V-factor-dependent strains from swine, previously included in H. parahaemolyticus, are significantly different from strains of human origin and should be named H. pleuropneumoniae. None of the strains from swine and fowls were haemin-dependent. The relationships of these strains to the species H. suis and H. gallinarum, and to H. parasuis and H. paragallinarum are discussed. Haemophilus piscium is shown not to belong to the genus Haemophilus. The taxonomic position of H. aphrophilus is uncertain and its possible relationship to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans requires further study. The positive correlation found between the ecology of the strains studied and their affiliation with the different taxa is discussed.", "contents": "A taxonomic study of the genus Haemophilus, with the proposal of a new species. A collection of 426 Haemophilus strains isolated from people with infectious diseases and from the normal flora of mucous membranes in humans and various animal species was studied in an attempt to revise and improve the taxonomy of the genus Haemophilus. The examinations included the determination of a number of biochemical and physiological properties, of which several had not previously been applied to the taxonomy of haemophili. The resulting data reavealed many hitherto unrecognized characters of taxonomic significance and several of the species can now be more accurately defined. The classification presented is supported by the DNA base composition of a large number of representative strains. A diagnostic key to the different taxa is presented. Haemophilus influenzae and H. parainfluenzae have been subdivided into a number of biotypes. It is possible to demonstrate a relationship between the individual biotypes of H. influenzae and the origin of the strains assigned to them. The results indicate that H. aegyptius, H. parahaemolyticus and H. paraphrohaemolyticus do not merit specific status. Four unnamed taxa of V-factor-dependent haemophili have been recognized. The name Haemophilus segnis is proposed for one of these taxa, which consists mainly of strains isolated from the human oral cavity. It is demonstrated that the name H. Ducreyi has been used for different groups of bacteria, and that only one of these groups can legitimately be assigned to the genus Haemophilus. Haemolytic V-factor-dependent strains from swine, previously included in H. parahaemolyticus, are significantly different from strains of human origin and should be named H. pleuropneumoniae. None of the strains from swine and fowls were haemin-dependent. The relationships of these strains to the species H. suis and H. gallinarum, and to H. parasuis and H. paragallinarum are discussed. Haemophilus piscium is shown not to belong to the genus Haemophilus. The taxonomic position of H. aphrophilus is uncertain and its possible relationship to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans requires further study. The positive correlation found between the ecology of the strains studied and their affiliation with the different taxa is discussed.", "PMID": 772168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3312", "title": "Studies on phage internal proteins: formation of internal protein - T2 DNA complexes in vivo.", "content": "Internal proteins, synthesized in T2-infected Escherichia coli B cells were recovered from bacterial membranes during the early stages of infection. Approx. 15 min after the onset of infection, T2 and T4 internal proteins were released from the bacterial membranes and sedimented along with newly synthesized phage DNA. Internal protein-DNA complexes were also obtained by chromatography on hydroxylapatite columns. Internal proteins were not released from bacterial membranes after infection with amber mutants defective in genes 21, 22 and 23. It has been suggested that these complexes are intermediates in T-even phage morphogenesis.", "contents": "Studies on phage internal proteins: formation of internal protein - T2 DNA complexes in vivo. Internal proteins, synthesized in T2-infected Escherichia coli B cells were recovered from bacterial membranes during the early stages of infection. Approx. 15 min after the onset of infection, T2 and T4 internal proteins were released from the bacterial membranes and sedimented along with newly synthesized phage DNA. Internal protein-DNA complexes were also obtained by chromatography on hydroxylapatite columns. Internal proteins were not released from bacterial membranes after infection with amber mutants defective in genes 21, 22 and 23. It has been suggested that these complexes are intermediates in T-even phage morphogenesis.", "PMID": 772169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3313", "title": "Effects of the phage P1 restriction system on coliphage phi W: degradation and complex formation of phage phi W DNA.", "content": "Growth of phages phi W and T7 was restricted in Escherichia coli lysogenic for phage P1. Only a fraction of the infected cells gave burst of phages. Cells permitting phage growth gave normal burst size. Host strains carrying P1 mutants with defective endonuclease gave no restriction of phages T7 and phi 3, the latter a host-range mutant of phi W. Degradation but not modification of parental phage DNA could be demonstrated. Although no DNA, RNA or protein was synthesized in phi W infected P1 lysogenic cells, the parental phage DNA was found in increasingly larger complexes during the course of infection. At early times after infection, parental phage DNA was found to sediment about twice as fast as mature phage DNA. At later times during the infection the parental phage DNA was recovered as a very rapidly sedimenting material. Such material was also found in alkaline sucrose gradient centrifugation after treatment of the cell extract with sodium dodecyl sulphate, pronase digestion and phenol extractions.", "contents": "Effects of the phage P1 restriction system on coliphage phi W: degradation and complex formation of phage phi W DNA. Growth of phages phi W and T7 was restricted in Escherichia coli lysogenic for phage P1. Only a fraction of the infected cells gave burst of phages. Cells permitting phage growth gave normal burst size. Host strains carrying P1 mutants with defective endonuclease gave no restriction of phages T7 and phi 3, the latter a host-range mutant of phi W. Degradation but not modification of parental phage DNA could be demonstrated. Although no DNA, RNA or protein was synthesized in phi W infected P1 lysogenic cells, the parental phage DNA was found in increasingly larger complexes during the course of infection. At early times after infection, parental phage DNA was found to sediment about twice as fast as mature phage DNA. At later times during the infection the parental phage DNA was recovered as a very rapidly sedimenting material. Such material was also found in alkaline sucrose gradient centrifugation after treatment of the cell extract with sodium dodecyl sulphate, pronase digestion and phenol extractions.", "PMID": 772170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3314", "title": "A comparative study of art expression of schizophrenic, unipolar depressive, and bipolar manic-depressive patients.", "content": "The literature on art productions from psychiatric patients consistently suggests that specific graphic characteristics distinguish among various major diagnostic groups. These hypothesized differences are summarized. Systematic collection of art productions as part of separate research programs studying affective psychoses and schizophrenia has enabled us to amass a collection of psychotic patients' drawings which are used in an attempt to evaluate these hypotheses empirically. Art sessions were held with 104 patients hospitalized for affective psychoses and with 62 patients hospitalized for acute schizophrenia at NIH's Clinical Center. Comparing these drawings across diagnostic groups revealed, to our surprise and contrary to extant hypotheses, considerable within-diagnostic group variability and between-group overlap. There were, nonetheless, some trends in the hypothesized directions. These differences, however, disappeared when comparisons were made on a subsample of age-matched patients. This discrepancy between this research and expectations based on the literature is discussed. Our studies indicate that pictorial characteristics are not closely associated with diagnosis. We have, however, found that individual patient's art productions, and their associations to the pictures, are of great value in arriving at a dynamic understanding of the patient, regardless of diagnosis.", "contents": "A comparative study of art expression of schizophrenic, unipolar depressive, and bipolar manic-depressive patients. The literature on art productions from psychiatric patients consistently suggests that specific graphic characteristics distinguish among various major diagnostic groups. These hypothesized differences are summarized. Systematic collection of art productions as part of separate research programs studying affective psychoses and schizophrenia has enabled us to amass a collection of psychotic patients' drawings which are used in an attempt to evaluate these hypotheses empirically. Art sessions were held with 104 patients hospitalized for affective psychoses and with 62 patients hospitalized for acute schizophrenia at NIH's Clinical Center. Comparing these drawings across diagnostic groups revealed, to our surprise and contrary to extant hypotheses, considerable within-diagnostic group variability and between-group overlap. There were, nonetheless, some trends in the hypothesized directions. These differences, however, disappeared when comparisons were made on a subsample of age-matched patients. This discrepancy between this research and expectations based on the literature is discussed. Our studies indicate that pictorial characteristics are not closely associated with diagnosis. We have, however, found that individual patient's art productions, and their associations to the pictures, are of great value in arriving at a dynamic understanding of the patient, regardless of diagnosis.", "PMID": 772171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3315", "title": "Post-detoxification drug treatment of anxiety and depression in alcohol addicts.", "content": "A study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of treating alcoholics after detoxification for the very commonly observed syndrome of anxiety, depression, and somatic complaints. Previous studies had indicated that these patients generally respond quite well to drug treatment with the phenothiazine class of drugs. However, a double blind placebo-controlled study of adequate size had not been undertaken. Forty-five comparably addicted male alcoholics with anxiety or mixed anxiety-depression from an inpatient alcohol treatment ward comprised the treatment group. Twenty-three patients received thioridazine treatment and 22 received placebo treatment in a double blind fashion after acute withdrawal from alcohol. Progress over a 4-week period was measured with standard rating instruments--the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (by physician) and the Zung and Lipman Self-Rating Scales. Both placebo and active medication groups improved symptomatically during the 4-week program. The thioridazine group had significantly better improvement in sleep disturbance (early, middle, and late insomnia) than the placebo group. There was also significantly better improvement in anxiety with thioridazine as compared with placebo. Interestingly, the placebo group had significantly better work and activity (as appraised by the ward physician) than the thioridazine group. The authors note that active drug effect might actually hamper some patients in their rehabilitative effort, especially if phenothiazines of the more sedating variety are used. Since alcohol rehabilitation generally utilizes a wide range of activities (such as didactic sessions, occupation therapy, group therapy), alertness and performance ability appear to be important factors in the rehabilitation program. Although thioridazine treatment for some patients with anxiety and insomnia would appear to be quite helpful, its blanket use for the post-detoxification anxiety-depression of the alcoholic might be detrimental for others and cannot be recommended as a routine treatment strategy in an alcohol rehabilitation program.", "contents": "Post-detoxification drug treatment of anxiety and depression in alcohol addicts. A study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of treating alcoholics after detoxification for the very commonly observed syndrome of anxiety, depression, and somatic complaints. Previous studies had indicated that these patients generally respond quite well to drug treatment with the phenothiazine class of drugs. However, a double blind placebo-controlled study of adequate size had not been undertaken. Forty-five comparably addicted male alcoholics with anxiety or mixed anxiety-depression from an inpatient alcohol treatment ward comprised the treatment group. Twenty-three patients received thioridazine treatment and 22 received placebo treatment in a double blind fashion after acute withdrawal from alcohol. Progress over a 4-week period was measured with standard rating instruments--the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (by physician) and the Zung and Lipman Self-Rating Scales. Both placebo and active medication groups improved symptomatically during the 4-week program. The thioridazine group had significantly better improvement in sleep disturbance (early, middle, and late insomnia) than the placebo group. There was also significantly better improvement in anxiety with thioridazine as compared with placebo. Interestingly, the placebo group had significantly better work and activity (as appraised by the ward physician) than the thioridazine group. The authors note that active drug effect might actually hamper some patients in their rehabilitative effort, especially if phenothiazines of the more sedating variety are used. Since alcohol rehabilitation generally utilizes a wide range of activities (such as didactic sessions, occupation therapy, group therapy), alertness and performance ability appear to be important factors in the rehabilitation program. Although thioridazine treatment for some patients with anxiety and insomnia would appear to be quite helpful, its blanket use for the post-detoxification anxiety-depression of the alcoholic might be detrimental for others and cannot be recommended as a routine treatment strategy in an alcohol rehabilitation program.", "PMID": 772172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3316", "title": "Two minute slope inhalation technique for cerebral blood flow measurement in man. 1. Method.", "content": "The two minute slope method of measuring cerebral blood flow (CBF) by inhalation of 133Xe is described. It requires the subject to remain still for only two minutes and is thus applicable to a wide variety of patients and to investigations involving brief physiological stimuli. The influence of extracerebral blood flow on CBF calculated by this method has been studied. Results from the two minute slope inhalation method using two minutes of data correlate well with those obtained by carotid injection using either two minutes or 10 minutes of data.", "contents": "Two minute slope inhalation technique for cerebral blood flow measurement in man. 1. Method. The two minute slope method of measuring cerebral blood flow (CBF) by inhalation of 133Xe is described. It requires the subject to remain still for only two minutes and is thus applicable to a wide variety of patients and to investigations involving brief physiological stimuli. The influence of extracerebral blood flow on CBF calculated by this method has been studied. Results from the two minute slope inhalation method using two minutes of data correlate well with those obtained by carotid injection using either two minutes or 10 minutes of data.", "PMID": 772173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3317", "title": "Two minute slope inhalation technique for cerebral blood flow measurement in man. 2. Clinical appraisal.", "content": "The two minute slope technique for measuring CBF was devised primarily to study the response of the cerebral circulation to physiological stimuli. In this paper, measurements of the precision of the technique when applied to various groups of people are described, and measurements on normal subjects of the global and regional CBF changes in response to hyperventilation and hypercapnia are presented. It is shown that CBF measured using this technique during percutaneous carotid compression may prove useful in the prediction of cerebral ischaemia in patients who are candidates for carotid ligation.", "contents": "Two minute slope inhalation technique for cerebral blood flow measurement in man. 2. Clinical appraisal. The two minute slope technique for measuring CBF was devised primarily to study the response of the cerebral circulation to physiological stimuli. In this paper, measurements of the precision of the technique when applied to various groups of people are described, and measurements on normal subjects of the global and regional CBF changes in response to hyperventilation and hypercapnia are presented. It is shown that CBF measured using this technique during percutaneous carotid compression may prove useful in the prediction of cerebral ischaemia in patients who are candidates for carotid ligation.", "PMID": 772174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3318", "title": "Bromocriptine treatment in Parkinson's disease.", "content": "Thirty-one patients with Parkinson's disease were treated with the ergot alkaloid bromocriptine, a drug which stimulates dopamine receptors. Bromocriptine had a slight therapeutic effect in patients on no other treatment and an additional effect in patients on levodopa. The mean optimum dosage of bromocriptine, established over a 12 week period, was 26 mg daily. In 20 patients bromocriptine was compared with placebo in a double-blind controlled trial. Active treatment caused a significant (P less than 0.02) reduction in total disability and akinesia scores. The least disabled patients showed the greatest response. Side-effects of bromocriptine--nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, and abnormal involuntary movements--were similar to nature to those of levodopa. In most normal subjects, bromocriptine causes an increase in plasma growth hormone concentration. This was determined in 20 patients with Parkinson's disease after 1-15 mg bromocriptine. Only a single patient showed an obvious increase up to 120 minutes after dosage. Bromocriptine was not effective treatment in two patients who had not previously responded to levodopa and replacement of this drug by bromocriptine in patients with end-of-dose akinesia after chronic levodopa treatment did not totally abolish response swings.", "contents": "Bromocriptine treatment in Parkinson's disease. Thirty-one patients with Parkinson's disease were treated with the ergot alkaloid bromocriptine, a drug which stimulates dopamine receptors. Bromocriptine had a slight therapeutic effect in patients on no other treatment and an additional effect in patients on levodopa. The mean optimum dosage of bromocriptine, established over a 12 week period, was 26 mg daily. In 20 patients bromocriptine was compared with placebo in a double-blind controlled trial. Active treatment caused a significant (P less than 0.02) reduction in total disability and akinesia scores. The least disabled patients showed the greatest response. Side-effects of bromocriptine--nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, and abnormal involuntary movements--were similar to nature to those of levodopa. In most normal subjects, bromocriptine causes an increase in plasma growth hormone concentration. This was determined in 20 patients with Parkinson's disease after 1-15 mg bromocriptine. Only a single patient showed an obvious increase up to 120 minutes after dosage. Bromocriptine was not effective treatment in two patients who had not previously responded to levodopa and replacement of this drug by bromocriptine in patients with end-of-dose akinesia after chronic levodopa treatment did not totally abolish response swings.", "PMID": 772175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3319", "title": "Multiple sclerosis and cell-mediated hypersensitivity to myelin A1 protein.", "content": "Cellular hypersensitivity to myelin basic (A1) protein was evaluated using the MIF assay in 246 subjects. Of 100 with multiple sclerosis positive results are seen in relationship to acute exacerbations of illness. Normal control subjects gave a mean value of 100 +/- 9% whereas patients studied within 4 weeks of onset of illness gave a result of 59 +/- 12.5%. A convalescent group studied between 5 and 12 weeks after an attack gave results of 86 +/- 22.2%. A chronic group gave a mean of 91 +/- 8.2%. Positive values were also seen in a number of other patients with central or peripheral nervous system disease especially those with \"autoimmune disease\". However, results of this study clearly establish a temporal relationship between in vitro evidence of hypersensitivity to A1 protein and clinical expression of disease.", "contents": "Multiple sclerosis and cell-mediated hypersensitivity to myelin A1 protein. Cellular hypersensitivity to myelin basic (A1) protein was evaluated using the MIF assay in 246 subjects. Of 100 with multiple sclerosis positive results are seen in relationship to acute exacerbations of illness. Normal control subjects gave a mean value of 100 +/- 9% whereas patients studied within 4 weeks of onset of illness gave a result of 59 +/- 12.5%. A convalescent group studied between 5 and 12 weeks after an attack gave results of 86 +/- 22.2%. A chronic group gave a mean of 91 +/- 8.2%. Positive values were also seen in a number of other patients with central or peripheral nervous system disease especially those with \"autoimmune disease\". However, results of this study clearly establish a temporal relationship between in vitro evidence of hypersensitivity to A1 protein and clinical expression of disease.", "PMID": 772176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3320", "title": "Studies to improve fixation of human nerves. V. Effect of temperature, fixative and CaCl2 on density of microtubules and neurofilaments.", "content": "Utilizing morphometry of electron micrographs of nerves of rat fixed with different schedules of fixation it was concluded that: irrespective of the fixative, fixation at low temperature is associated with markedly low densities of microtubules (MT) of myelinated and of unmyelinated fibers; of the various fixatives tested 2% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M cacodylate buffer without 0.025 M CaCl2 was associated with the highest density of MT of myelinated fibers and the addition of 0.025 M CaCl2 to a 2% glutaraldehyde fixative solution is associated with abnormally low densities of MT in myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. An effect of temperature, fixative and added CaCl2 on neurofilaments density was not demonstrated. Using the criterion of density of MT and assuming that these studies on rat nerves can be applied to biopsied nerve of man, fixation of human nerves should be at room or body temperature, and the fixative solution should not contain 0.025 M CaCl2.", "contents": "Studies to improve fixation of human nerves. V. Effect of temperature, fixative and CaCl2 on density of microtubules and neurofilaments. Utilizing morphometry of electron micrographs of nerves of rat fixed with different schedules of fixation it was concluded that: irrespective of the fixative, fixation at low temperature is associated with markedly low densities of microtubules (MT) of myelinated and of unmyelinated fibers; of the various fixatives tested 2% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M cacodylate buffer without 0.025 M CaCl2 was associated with the highest density of MT of myelinated fibers and the addition of 0.025 M CaCl2 to a 2% glutaraldehyde fixative solution is associated with abnormally low densities of MT in myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. An effect of temperature, fixative and added CaCl2 on neurofilaments density was not demonstrated. Using the criterion of density of MT and assuming that these studies on rat nerves can be applied to biopsied nerve of man, fixation of human nerves should be at room or body temperature, and the fixative solution should not contain 0.025 M CaCl2.", "PMID": 772177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3321", "title": "Juxtasellar hyperostosis of non-meningiomatous origin.", "content": "Seven patients are described who had juxtasellar hyperostosis with visual disturbance secondary to non-meningiomatous lesions. Two had chromophobe adenomas, one craniopharyngioma, one carcinoma of the sphenoid sinus, one a thrombosed aneurysm of the intracavernous portion of the internal carotid artery, one epidermoidoma of the orbit, and one chondroblastoma of the anterior clinoid process. The diagnosis of meningioma was entertained initially on the basis of hyperostosis plus visual impairment. Careful evaluation of hyperostosis is essential for correct diagnosis of meningioma, according to our experience. Suprasellar meningiomas almost invariably produce irregular hyperostosis of the planum sphenoidale, often associated with serration and blistering. Sphenoid meningioma, when it is sclerotic, always shows thickening or expansion of the sphenoid wings. Therefore, in the absence of typical meningiomatous hyperostosis, one can readily differentiate non-meningiomatous hyperostosis from true meningioma.", "contents": "Juxtasellar hyperostosis of non-meningiomatous origin. Seven patients are described who had juxtasellar hyperostosis with visual disturbance secondary to non-meningiomatous lesions. Two had chromophobe adenomas, one craniopharyngioma, one carcinoma of the sphenoid sinus, one a thrombosed aneurysm of the intracavernous portion of the internal carotid artery, one epidermoidoma of the orbit, and one chondroblastoma of the anterior clinoid process. The diagnosis of meningioma was entertained initially on the basis of hyperostosis plus visual impairment. Careful evaluation of hyperostosis is essential for correct diagnosis of meningioma, according to our experience. Suprasellar meningiomas almost invariably produce irregular hyperostosis of the planum sphenoidale, often associated with serration and blistering. Sphenoid meningioma, when it is sclerotic, always shows thickening or expansion of the sphenoid wings. Therefore, in the absence of typical meningiomatous hyperostosis, one can readily differentiate non-meningiomatous hyperostosis from true meningioma.", "PMID": 772178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3322", "title": "Long-distance transmission of digital scintillation camera signals.", "content": "A system is described for the long-distance transmission of digital positional information from a scintillation camera to a computer through a shielded multiple-twisted-pair cable. Data errors caused by noise induction along the cable are completely eliminated. The operation of the complete interface and its routine testing are described.", "contents": "Long-distance transmission of digital scintillation camera signals. A system is described for the long-distance transmission of digital positional information from a scintillation camera to a computer through a shielded multiple-twisted-pair cable. Data errors caused by noise induction along the cable are completely eliminated. The operation of the complete interface and its routine testing are described.", "PMID": 772181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3323", "title": "Masticatory function - a review of the literature. III. Masticatory performance and efficiency.", "content": "A review and evaluation of the literature on mastication has been undertaken. Part I discusses the form of the masticatory cycle in the natural and artificial dentitions, including the controversial question of whether tooth contact occurs during function. Part II reviews the literature concerning the speed of movement of the mandible, rate of chewing, and the forces developed in chewing. Part III describes masticatory efficiency and performance, the effect of food on masticatory function, and incorporates a summary of all these three papers.", "contents": "Masticatory function - a review of the literature. III. Masticatory performance and efficiency. A review and evaluation of the literature on mastication has been undertaken. Part I discusses the form of the masticatory cycle in the natural and artificial dentitions, including the controversial question of whether tooth contact occurs during function. Part II reviews the literature concerning the speed of movement of the mandible, rate of chewing, and the forces developed in chewing. Part III describes masticatory efficiency and performance, the effect of food on masticatory function, and incorporates a summary of all these three papers.", "PMID": 772184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3324", "title": "Antiarthritic properties and unique pharmacologic profile of a potential chrysotherapeutic agent: S K & F D-30162.", "content": "SK&F D-39162, a potential chrysotherapeutic agent, on oral administration was effective in suppressing the development of inflammatory lesions and 7S anti-sheep red blood cell antibody formation in adjuvant arthritic rats. Oral absorption of SK&F D-39162 was indicated by the presence of serum gold levels. In contrast to orally administered SK&F D-39162, gold sodium thiomalate administered intramuscularly at equivalent gold doses, appeared to be less effective in suppressing the primary and secondary lesions of adjuvant arthritis, produced relatively higher levels of gold in both serum and kidneys and produced marked toxicity. Other pharmacologic properties of SK&F D-39162 distinguishing it from gold sodium thiomalate which may have clinical significance include potent inhibitory activity on antibody-forming cells, immediate hypersensitivity reactions and extracellular release of lysosomal enzymes. In further contrast to gold sodium thiomalate, SK&F D-39162 is not a potent inhibitor of sulfhydryl group reactivity. In pharmacokinetic studies, the daily oral administration of SK&F D-39162 to normal rats produced greater stability of blood gold levels and less kidney gold accumulation than parenterally administered gold sodium thiomalate.", "contents": "Antiarthritic properties and unique pharmacologic profile of a potential chrysotherapeutic agent: S K & F D-30162. SK&F D-39162, a potential chrysotherapeutic agent, on oral administration was effective in suppressing the development of inflammatory lesions and 7S anti-sheep red blood cell antibody formation in adjuvant arthritic rats. Oral absorption of SK&F D-39162 was indicated by the presence of serum gold levels. In contrast to orally administered SK&F D-39162, gold sodium thiomalate administered intramuscularly at equivalent gold doses, appeared to be less effective in suppressing the primary and secondary lesions of adjuvant arthritis, produced relatively higher levels of gold in both serum and kidneys and produced marked toxicity. Other pharmacologic properties of SK&F D-39162 distinguishing it from gold sodium thiomalate which may have clinical significance include potent inhibitory activity on antibody-forming cells, immediate hypersensitivity reactions and extracellular release of lysosomal enzymes. In further contrast to gold sodium thiomalate, SK&F D-39162 is not a potent inhibitor of sulfhydryl group reactivity. In pharmacokinetic studies, the daily oral administration of SK&F D-39162 to normal rats produced greater stability of blood gold levels and less kidney gold accumulation than parenterally administered gold sodium thiomalate.", "PMID": 772185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3325", "title": "An analysis of the mechanism of local anesthetic inhibition of platelet aggregation and secretion.", "content": "Aggregation induced in human platelets by thrombin (TH), collagen (COLL) or the Ca++ ionophore, A23187, was blocked by dibucaine and tetracaine. COLL-induced aggregation was blocked at lower concentrations of anesthetics (0.01-0.5 mM) than TH- or A23187-induced aggregation (0.2-2.0 mM). The rate and magnitude of the release of adenosine diphosphate, Ca++ and serotonin was also decreased by anesthetics. Secretion due to COLL, but not to TH, required extracellular Ca++ and was accompanied by increased uptake of 45Ca which was inhibited by local anesthetics. A23187-induced secretion was partially dependent upon external Ca++ and was accompanied by increased 45Ca uptake. Anesthetics increased 45Ca uptake when added before, but not after, A23187. This effect can be explained by postulating that the anesthetics prevent the release of an internal pool of Ca++, thereby affecting the Ca++ gradient between platelet cytoplasm and extracellular fluid. Platelets degramulated, but not aggregated, by exposure to TH in the presence of ethylene glycol bis(beta--aminoethyl ether)-N, N'-tetraacetic acid and plasmin were isolated by sepharose gel filtration. Such platelets did not aggregate with COLL or TH, but did aggregate with A23187-an effect blocked by local anesthetics. Thus platelet aggregation and secretion are independent Ca++-requiring processes, each of which is inhibitable by local anesthetics, presumable by blocking Ca++ influx or the mobilization of intracellular Ca++ stores.", "contents": "An analysis of the mechanism of local anesthetic inhibition of platelet aggregation and secretion. Aggregation induced in human platelets by thrombin (TH), collagen (COLL) or the Ca++ ionophore, A23187, was blocked by dibucaine and tetracaine. COLL-induced aggregation was blocked at lower concentrations of anesthetics (0.01-0.5 mM) than TH- or A23187-induced aggregation (0.2-2.0 mM). The rate and magnitude of the release of adenosine diphosphate, Ca++ and serotonin was also decreased by anesthetics. Secretion due to COLL, but not to TH, required extracellular Ca++ and was accompanied by increased uptake of 45Ca which was inhibited by local anesthetics. A23187-induced secretion was partially dependent upon external Ca++ and was accompanied by increased 45Ca uptake. Anesthetics increased 45Ca uptake when added before, but not after, A23187. This effect can be explained by postulating that the anesthetics prevent the release of an internal pool of Ca++, thereby affecting the Ca++ gradient between platelet cytoplasm and extracellular fluid. Platelets degramulated, but not aggregated, by exposure to TH in the presence of ethylene glycol bis(beta--aminoethyl ether)-N, N'-tetraacetic acid and plasmin were isolated by sepharose gel filtration. Such platelets did not aggregate with COLL or TH, but did aggregate with A23187-an effect blocked by local anesthetics. Thus platelet aggregation and secretion are independent Ca++-requiring processes, each of which is inhibitable by local anesthetics, presumable by blocking Ca++ influx or the mobilization of intracellular Ca++ stores.", "PMID": 772186} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3326", "title": "[How the circannual sexual cycle of the malefield vole is determined (author's transl)].", "content": "Experiments were carried out on male field voles which have been captured in January. The resting sexual state of the animals at this time was determined by examination of the testis and of the genital tract during unilateral castration or by exploratory laparatomy. They were subsequently bred for 30 days in a climatic room, during which time they were fed on winter or spring grass, which has been preserved by freezing. 10 It was observed that a complete return to full sexual activity (from the winter resting state) could be produced by ad libitum winter feeding, provided that the minimum daily intake for each animal was 25 g of fresh forage (80% water content). This effect occured equally well, at constant temperature, in darkness and under natural lighting. The testicular development thus obtained was as important as the one which was observed in wild animals captured in the fields in March. 20 Neither the quality of the forages, nor variation in temperature or photoperiodism had any direct effect on the seasonal sexual cycle at critical periods winter and spring. 30 A caloric restriction of 25 to 35% in the ration inhibited the sexual development. 40 It is suggested that the circannual reproductive cycle of the vole is determined by the decrease in the quantity of food which is available in the fields in winter, and by its increase in spring. The water content of grass influences the intake.", "contents": "[How the circannual sexual cycle of the malefield vole is determined (author's transl)]. Experiments were carried out on male field voles which have been captured in January. The resting sexual state of the animals at this time was determined by examination of the testis and of the genital tract during unilateral castration or by exploratory laparatomy. They were subsequently bred for 30 days in a climatic room, during which time they were fed on winter or spring grass, which has been preserved by freezing. 10 It was observed that a complete return to full sexual activity (from the winter resting state) could be produced by ad libitum winter feeding, provided that the minimum daily intake for each animal was 25 g of fresh forage (80% water content). This effect occured equally well, at constant temperature, in darkness and under natural lighting. The testicular development thus obtained was as important as the one which was observed in wild animals captured in the fields in March. 20 Neither the quality of the forages, nor variation in temperature or photoperiodism had any direct effect on the seasonal sexual cycle at critical periods winter and spring. 30 A caloric restriction of 25 to 35% in the ration inhibited the sexual development. 40 It is suggested that the circannual reproductive cycle of the vole is determined by the decrease in the quantity of food which is available in the fields in winter, and by its increase in spring. The water content of grass influences the intake.", "PMID": 772187} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3327", "title": "Plasma and pituitary levels of LH in field voles, Microtus arvalis, reared under two different photoperiods.", "content": "10 Plasma LH levels were measured in voles reared under long (15 L: 9 D) or short (10 L: 14 D) light photoperiods by radioimmunoassay from a Rat LH-Anti Ovine LH system. 20 The number of animals exhibiting a detectable LH level (i.e. greater than 1 ng per ml) and the mean plasma LH values were higher for long days than for short days in spite of a very large variability between animals. 30 The sensitivity of the hypophysis towards LH. RH increased after gonadectomy, but is not controlled by the daily length of the light photoperiod even in the castrated animals.", "contents": "Plasma and pituitary levels of LH in field voles, Microtus arvalis, reared under two different photoperiods. 10 Plasma LH levels were measured in voles reared under long (15 L: 9 D) or short (10 L: 14 D) light photoperiods by radioimmunoassay from a Rat LH-Anti Ovine LH system. 20 The number of animals exhibiting a detectable LH level (i.e. greater than 1 ng per ml) and the mean plasma LH values were higher for long days than for short days in spite of a very large variability between animals. 30 The sensitivity of the hypophysis towards LH. RH increased after gonadectomy, but is not controlled by the daily length of the light photoperiod even in the castrated animals.", "PMID": 772188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3328", "title": "Detection of blood pressure in general practice screening or case finding?", "content": "An attempt has been made to show that there is still a need to evaluate screening for moderate hypertension (i.e. diastolic blood pressure equal or above 110 mm Hg). At present it has not been satisfactorily shown that treatment reduces mortality and morbidity. It is suggested that in the meantime individual general practitioners can be encouraged to find cases and that this method is probably the most suitable for identifying patients with diastolic blood pressure levels above 110 mm Hg (diastolic IV).In addition it has been indicated that at present we have little knowledge about how to make treatment acceptable and that this in itself needs further study. The question has also been raised as to who will do the work of screening and treating, and whether those earmarked to do this will find it acceptable. Finally, the need for accurate costing of the benefits and disadvantages before the wide-scale implementation of a screening service has been discussed.", "contents": "Detection of blood pressure in general practice screening or case finding? An attempt has been made to show that there is still a need to evaluate screening for moderate hypertension (i.e. diastolic blood pressure equal or above 110 mm Hg). At present it has not been satisfactorily shown that treatment reduces mortality and morbidity. It is suggested that in the meantime individual general practitioners can be encouraged to find cases and that this method is probably the most suitable for identifying patients with diastolic blood pressure levels above 110 mm Hg (diastolic IV).In addition it has been indicated that at present we have little knowledge about how to make treatment acceptable and that this in itself needs further study. The question has also been raised as to who will do the work of screening and treating, and whether those earmarked to do this will find it acceptable. Finally, the need for accurate costing of the benefits and disadvantages before the wide-scale implementation of a screening service has been discussed.", "PMID": 772197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3329", "title": "Reduction of serum cholesterol and blood pressure in hypertensive patients by behaviour modification.", "content": "In a pilot study, 14 pharmacologically treated hypertensive patients were given training in psychophysical relaxation exercises, reinforced by biofeedback instruments, for six weeks. The patients were asked to practise twice a day and also incorporate the exercises into everyday activities. In spite of their unchanged drug schedule, their mean blood pressure (B.P.) was reduced from 170.6/102.5 to 147.9/89.14 (P = < .001) while their mean (+/- S.D.) serum cholesterol level was reduced from 241.6 +/- 39.19 to 217.1 +/- 38.12 mg/100 ml (P = < .001). I believe the possibility of one therapy which can reduce two risk factors at the same time should be explored further in a controlled study.", "contents": "Reduction of serum cholesterol and blood pressure in hypertensive patients by behaviour modification. In a pilot study, 14 pharmacologically treated hypertensive patients were given training in psychophysical relaxation exercises, reinforced by biofeedback instruments, for six weeks. The patients were asked to practise twice a day and also incorporate the exercises into everyday activities. In spite of their unchanged drug schedule, their mean blood pressure (B.P.) was reduced from 170.6/102.5 to 147.9/89.14 (P = < .001) while their mean (+/- S.D.) serum cholesterol level was reduced from 241.6 +/- 39.19 to 217.1 +/- 38.12 mg/100 ml (P = < .001). I believe the possibility of one therapy which can reduce two risk factors at the same time should be explored further in a controlled study.", "PMID": 772198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3330", "title": "Structural and functional abnormalities in the sex organs of male offspring of mothers treated with diethylstilbestrol (DES).", "content": "The in utero effects of DES (Diethylstilbestrol) on the human male genital tract are reported in this follow-up study of male offspring of DES-treated mothers. Both anatomical and functional abnormalities were significantly greater in the DES-exposed males as compared to control males whose mothers were all participants in a prospective, randomized double blind study of the effects of DES on pregnancy at the Chicago Lying-in Hospital during the early 1950s. Epididymal cysts, hypotrophic testes and capsular induration of the testes were among the more common genital lesions found in 27% of 134 DES-exposed males as compared to a 7% incidence in 119 control males. Spermatozoa analyses revealed severely pathologic changes (Eliasson score greater than 10) in 29% of 28 DES-exposed males and 0% of 18 control males (with or without genital i.e., physical abnormalities). Abnormal findings on physical examination combined with sperm abnormalities (Eliasson score greater than or equal to 5) were found in 29% of DES-exposed males versus 0% of 18 control males. Cytologic examinations did not reveal malignant cells from the following materials: urines before and after prostatic massage or ejaculation, prostatic fluids and aspirates from epididymal cysts.", "contents": "Structural and functional abnormalities in the sex organs of male offspring of mothers treated with diethylstilbestrol (DES). The in utero effects of DES (Diethylstilbestrol) on the human male genital tract are reported in this follow-up study of male offspring of DES-treated mothers. Both anatomical and functional abnormalities were significantly greater in the DES-exposed males as compared to control males whose mothers were all participants in a prospective, randomized double blind study of the effects of DES on pregnancy at the Chicago Lying-in Hospital during the early 1950s. Epididymal cysts, hypotrophic testes and capsular induration of the testes were among the more common genital lesions found in 27% of 134 DES-exposed males as compared to a 7% incidence in 119 control males. Spermatozoa analyses revealed severely pathologic changes (Eliasson score greater than 10) in 29% of 28 DES-exposed males and 0% of 18 control males (with or without genital i.e., physical abnormalities). Abnormal findings on physical examination combined with sperm abnormalities (Eliasson score greater than or equal to 5) were found in 29% of DES-exposed males versus 0% of 18 control males. Cytologic examinations did not reveal malignant cells from the following materials: urines before and after prostatic massage or ejaculation, prostatic fluids and aspirates from epididymal cysts.", "PMID": 772199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3331", "title": "Endocoagulation: a new filed of endoscopic surgery.", "content": "Pelviscopy was predominantly concerned with diagnostic procedures until recent years. Modern electronically controlled coagulation instruments, such as the crocodile forceps and the point coagulator, permit the application of destructive heat without any risk of electric current within the abdominal cavity. The electronically regulated apparatus for these coagulation instruments is the Endo-Coagulator, which indicates the coagulation temperature optically and acoustically. The endocoagulation technique opens a new area of operative gynecology. In the field of sterility operations, adhesion cuttings and the treatment of endometriotic and juvenile ovarian cysts, the application of modern endocoagulation has reduced the frequency of laparotomy by about 30% to 40%.", "contents": "Endocoagulation: a new filed of endoscopic surgery. Pelviscopy was predominantly concerned with diagnostic procedures until recent years. Modern electronically controlled coagulation instruments, such as the crocodile forceps and the point coagulator, permit the application of destructive heat without any risk of electric current within the abdominal cavity. The electronically regulated apparatus for these coagulation instruments is the Endo-Coagulator, which indicates the coagulation temperature optically and acoustically. The endocoagulation technique opens a new area of operative gynecology. In the field of sterility operations, adhesion cuttings and the treatment of endometriotic and juvenile ovarian cysts, the application of modern endocoagulation has reduced the frequency of laparotomy by about 30% to 40%.", "PMID": 772200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3332", "title": "Recent advances in semen preservation.", "content": "While the horizons for cryobiology may be bright and granted, tremendous strides have been made in the area of artifical insemination(AI), it is evident that only dairy cattle AI with frozen semen has achieved industrial application. Beef cattle AI has been hampered by the lack of suitable techniques for oestrous control. However, with the advent of prostaglandin F2alpha, it may now be possible to make the genetic progress which has been accomplished through AI in dairy cattle. Genetic progress through AI is possible in all far species but the overriding influence has to be economic...", "contents": "Recent advances in semen preservation. While the horizons for cryobiology may be bright and granted, tremendous strides have been made in the area of artifical insemination(AI), it is evident that only dairy cattle AI with frozen semen has achieved industrial application. Beef cattle AI has been hampered by the lack of suitable techniques for oestrous control. However, with the advent of prostaglandin F2alpha, it may now be possible to make the genetic progress which has been accomplished through AI in dairy cattle. Genetic progress through AI is possible in all far species but the overriding influence has to be economic...", "PMID": 772206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3333", "title": "Gastric mucormycosis and moniliasis in an unimmunosuppressed pig following renal transplantation.", "content": "Gastric ulcers frequently complicate experimental surgery in the pig. This report concerns a super-infection of such an ulcer with fungi of the Mucor and Candida groups.", "contents": "Gastric mucormycosis and moniliasis in an unimmunosuppressed pig following renal transplantation. Gastric ulcers frequently complicate experimental surgery in the pig. This report concerns a super-infection of such an ulcer with fungi of the Mucor and Candida groups.", "PMID": 772209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3334", "title": "Structure-activity relationships in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.", "content": "Three analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) of the structure less than Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2, involving substitutions inpositions 1, 3, and 8 with nonprotein amino acids, have been synthesized by the solid-phase method. They are [pyro-L-alpha-(1-aminoadipic)]-LH-RH, [3-(2-naphthyl)-L-Ala3]-LH-RH, and [delta-N-i-Pr-L-Orn8]-LH-RH. Their LH-RH activities in vivo were 12.5, 51.8, and 3.7% that of LH-RH, respectively, in the assay using ovariectomized, estrogen- and progesterone-treated rats. In a test based upon subcutaneous injection into immature male rats, [3-(2-naphthyl)-Ala3]-LH-RH released 1.2 times as much LH and 0.8 times as much FSH as synthetic LH-RH.", "contents": "Structure-activity relationships in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Three analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) of the structure less than Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2, involving substitutions inpositions 1, 3, and 8 with nonprotein amino acids, have been synthesized by the solid-phase method. They are [pyro-L-alpha-(1-aminoadipic)]-LH-RH, [3-(2-naphthyl)-L-Ala3]-LH-RH, and [delta-N-i-Pr-L-Orn8]-LH-RH. Their LH-RH activities in vivo were 12.5, 51.8, and 3.7% that of LH-RH, respectively, in the assay using ovariectomized, estrogen- and progesterone-treated rats. In a test based upon subcutaneous injection into immature male rats, [3-(2-naphthyl)-Ala3]-LH-RH released 1.2 times as much LH and 0.8 times as much FSH as synthetic LH-RH.", "PMID": 772210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3335", "title": "3-Cyanocephems, and carbon-3 heterocyclic-substituted cephems via 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions.", "content": "The transformation is described of 3-formylcephem 1 into its oxime, substituted oximes, and substituted hydrazones and, thence, into the 3-cyano, 3-diazomethyl, and 3-oxonitrilomethyl derivatives. These reactive 1,3-dipoles undergo 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with various dipolarophiles to give C-3 heterocyclic-substituted cephems.", "contents": "3-Cyanocephems, and carbon-3 heterocyclic-substituted cephems via 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. The transformation is described of 3-formylcephem 1 into its oxime, substituted oximes, and substituted hydrazones and, thence, into the 3-cyano, 3-diazomethyl, and 3-oxonitrilomethyl derivatives. These reactive 1,3-dipoles undergo 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with various dipolarophiles to give C-3 heterocyclic-substituted cephems.", "PMID": 772211} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3336", "title": "Alterations in small-bowel microflora in acute intestinal obstruction.", "content": "Small-bowel content was examined bacteriologically whilst fresh and after storage for 24, 48, and 72 h in a modified Stuart's medium. There was little alteration in the viable count of individual intestinal organisms. For accurate quantitative analysis, 0-3 ml of intestinal content was enough. Specimens of small-bowel content were obtained by needle aspiration, and a qualitative and quantitative study was made of the microflora of patients with acute intestinal obstruction and of a control group of patients. Results in the control group confirmed the findings of the results of intubation studies by other workers, that a quantitative gradient of aerobic and anaerobic organisms exists from jejunum to distal ileum. In acute small-bowel obstruction and acute large-bowel obstruction there was a loss of the normal gradient and an increase in the absolute numbers of organisms present; this was particularly marked for anaerobic organisms in large-bowel obstruction.", "contents": "Alterations in small-bowel microflora in acute intestinal obstruction. Small-bowel content was examined bacteriologically whilst fresh and after storage for 24, 48, and 72 h in a modified Stuart's medium. There was little alteration in the viable count of individual intestinal organisms. For accurate quantitative analysis, 0-3 ml of intestinal content was enough. Specimens of small-bowel content were obtained by needle aspiration, and a qualitative and quantitative study was made of the microflora of patients with acute intestinal obstruction and of a control group of patients. Results in the control group confirmed the findings of the results of intubation studies by other workers, that a quantitative gradient of aerobic and anaerobic organisms exists from jejunum to distal ileum. In acute small-bowel obstruction and acute large-bowel obstruction there was a loss of the normal gradient and an increase in the absolute numbers of organisms present; this was particularly marked for anaerobic organisms in large-bowel obstruction.", "PMID": 772213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3337", "title": "Preparation of vascular endothelium for scanning electron microscopy: a comparison of the effects of perfusion and immersion fixation.", "content": "A comparison of currently used methods of tissue fixation for scanning electron microscopic study of vascular endothelium revealed that in situ fixation by intravascular perfusion is superior to immersion for the preservation of endothelial surface morphology.", "contents": "Preparation of vascular endothelium for scanning electron microscopy: a comparison of the effects of perfusion and immersion fixation. A comparison of currently used methods of tissue fixation for scanning electron microscopic study of vascular endothelium revealed that in situ fixation by intravascular perfusion is superior to immersion for the preservation of endothelial surface morphology.", "PMID": 772214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3338", "title": "Frequency of insertion-deletion, transversion, and transition in the evolution of 5S ribosomal RNA.", "content": "The problem of choosing an alignment of two or more nucleotide sequences is particularly difficult for nucleic acids, such as 5S ribosomal RNA, which do not code for protein and for which secondary structure is unknown. Given a set of 'costs' for the various types of replacement mutations and for base insertion or deletion, we present a dynamic programming algorithm which finds the optimal (least costly) alignment for a set of N sequences simultaneously, where each sequence is associated with one of the N tips of a given evolutionary tree. Concurrently, protosequences are constructed corresponding to the ancestral nodes of the tree. A version of this algorithm, modified to be computationally feasible, is implemented to align the sequences of 5S RNA from nine organisms. Complete sets of alignments and protosequence reconstructions are done for a large number of different configurations of mutation costs. Examination of the family of curbes of total replacements inferred versus the ratio of transitions/transversions inferred, each curve corresponding to a given number of insertions-deletions inferred, provides a method for estimating relative costs and relative frequencies for these different types of mutations.", "contents": "Frequency of insertion-deletion, transversion, and transition in the evolution of 5S ribosomal RNA. The problem of choosing an alignment of two or more nucleotide sequences is particularly difficult for nucleic acids, such as 5S ribosomal RNA, which do not code for protein and for which secondary structure is unknown. Given a set of 'costs' for the various types of replacement mutations and for base insertion or deletion, we present a dynamic programming algorithm which finds the optimal (least costly) alignment for a set of N sequences simultaneously, where each sequence is associated with one of the N tips of a given evolutionary tree. Concurrently, protosequences are constructed corresponding to the ancestral nodes of the tree. A version of this algorithm, modified to be computationally feasible, is implemented to align the sequences of 5S RNA from nine organisms. Complete sets of alignments and protosequence reconstructions are done for a large number of different configurations of mutation costs. Examination of the family of curbes of total replacements inferred versus the ratio of transitions/transversions inferred, each curve corresponding to a given number of insertions-deletions inferred, provides a method for estimating relative costs and relative frequencies for these different types of mutations.", "PMID": 772222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3339", "title": "The use of sex therapy in a patient with penile prosthesis.", "content": "An implantable penile prosthesis is being used for treatment of erectile organic impotence. A patient treated in this manner required additional therapy for the maladaptive processes in the relationship. Sex therapy including supportive psychotherapy, sex education, relationship therapy, and behavior modification was ultilized for the relationship. This therapy is compatible with the penile prosthesis and may be imperative for some patients", "contents": "The use of sex therapy in a patient with penile prosthesis. An implantable penile prosthesis is being used for treatment of erectile organic impotence. A patient treated in this manner required additional therapy for the maladaptive processes in the relationship. Sex therapy including supportive psychotherapy, sex education, relationship therapy, and behavior modification was ultilized for the relationship. This therapy is compatible with the penile prosthesis and may be imperative for some patients", "PMID": 772223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3340", "title": "Salvage of complicated open fractures by transfixation.", "content": "The use of a commercially available Reduction-Retention apparatus for transfixation of nine cases of open fractures with severe soft-tissue damage is reported. Seven patients are walking, two with drop foot braces. Two required amputations, one because of infection and the other because he had suffered severe vascular injury. These two are walking on protheses and are able to work. Of the other seven, five have returned to their previous occupations; one is receiving a disability pension and the other is awaiting further surgery. The problems and advantages of this method of treatment are discussed.", "contents": "Salvage of complicated open fractures by transfixation. The use of a commercially available Reduction-Retention apparatus for transfixation of nine cases of open fractures with severe soft-tissue damage is reported. Seven patients are walking, two with drop foot braces. Two required amputations, one because of infection and the other because he had suffered severe vascular injury. These two are walking on protheses and are able to work. Of the other seven, five have returned to their previous occupations; one is receiving a disability pension and the other is awaiting further surgery. The problems and advantages of this method of treatment are discussed.", "PMID": 772227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3341", "title": "Experience in the application of porcine xenografts to split-graft donor sites.", "content": "We have described our experience in the treatment of 336 donor sites with porcine xenografts. We have found this technique simple and quick for achieving rapid healing of these donor areas in burn patients, trauma patients, granulating ulcer patients, patients with carcinoma, patients with crossed-leg flap procedures, and other reconstructive surgery cases, and in practically all of these excellent healing occurred within an average of 12 days. The exceptions have been described. It is the authors' feeling that this modality of donor site care is of the greatest significance and a great advance over previous techniques. It minimizes the previously required care of these donor areas and significantly has reduced the associated pain and distress which skin-graft patients have suffered in the past. In the few instances in which the lyophilized porcine xenograft was used, it was our impression that these grafts did not adhere to the donor site as well and did not have the hemostatic effect of the fresh-refrigerated or fresh-frozen porcine xenografts.", "contents": "Experience in the application of porcine xenografts to split-graft donor sites. We have described our experience in the treatment of 336 donor sites with porcine xenografts. We have found this technique simple and quick for achieving rapid healing of these donor areas in burn patients, trauma patients, granulating ulcer patients, patients with carcinoma, patients with crossed-leg flap procedures, and other reconstructive surgery cases, and in practically all of these excellent healing occurred within an average of 12 days. The exceptions have been described. It is the authors' feeling that this modality of donor site care is of the greatest significance and a great advance over previous techniques. It minimizes the previously required care of these donor areas and significantly has reduced the associated pain and distress which skin-graft patients have suffered in the past. In the few instances in which the lyophilized porcine xenograft was used, it was our impression that these grafts did not adhere to the donor site as well and did not have the hemostatic effect of the fresh-refrigerated or fresh-frozen porcine xenografts.", "PMID": 772228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3342", "title": "Discontinuity of the spinous process on standard roentgenographs as an aid in the diagnosis of unstable fractures of the spine.", "content": "It has been observed that discontinuity in the outline of the spinous process on standard anteroposterior radiographs is a characteristic finding in some unstable spine fractures. Since the spinous processes are often not depicted clearly on lateral views of the trauma victim's spine, these are less reliable; however, if a transverse fracture through the spinous process at the level of, or adjacent to, an anterior compression fracture is demonstrable, this confirms the unstable nature of the injury. Recognition of this sign, when present, may eliminate excessive pretreatment manipulations in some patients who have sustained major trauma and are suspected of having unstable spine fractures.", "contents": "Discontinuity of the spinous process on standard roentgenographs as an aid in the diagnosis of unstable fractures of the spine. It has been observed that discontinuity in the outline of the spinous process on standard anteroposterior radiographs is a characteristic finding in some unstable spine fractures. Since the spinous processes are often not depicted clearly on lateral views of the trauma victim's spine, these are less reliable; however, if a transverse fracture through the spinous process at the level of, or adjacent to, an anterior compression fracture is demonstrable, this confirms the unstable nature of the injury. Recognition of this sign, when present, may eliminate excessive pretreatment manipulations in some patients who have sustained major trauma and are suspected of having unstable spine fractures.", "PMID": 772230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3343", "title": "Pseudomonas ulceration of the cornea following major total body burn: a clinical study.", "content": "If periorbital or facial areas are involved in burn injury, the eyes must be given prophylactic care. The importance of these cases is not to point out the danger of corneal injury as a direct result of thermal trauma; rather, it is to emphasize the seriousness of corneal abrasions and the danger of subsequent Pseudomonas infection during convalescence of the postburn patient. Once the corneal epithelium is damaged, ulceration rapidly occurs and when infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa presents one of the most difficult ophthalmologic situations. The convalescent burn patient is in jeopardy of corneal abrasion during general anesthesia for grafting or debridement. Neither of the patients who underwent anesthesia was noted to have corneal abrasion. Nor did either ectropion or lid contracture develop in the three patients described herein. Lid contracture may lead to corneal exposure and should be corrected by expeditious lid tarsorrhaphy. Once ulceration has occurred, as with these patients, corneal transplantation may be indicated.", "contents": "Pseudomonas ulceration of the cornea following major total body burn: a clinical study. If periorbital or facial areas are involved in burn injury, the eyes must be given prophylactic care. The importance of these cases is not to point out the danger of corneal injury as a direct result of thermal trauma; rather, it is to emphasize the seriousness of corneal abrasions and the danger of subsequent Pseudomonas infection during convalescence of the postburn patient. Once the corneal epithelium is damaged, ulceration rapidly occurs and when infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa presents one of the most difficult ophthalmologic situations. The convalescent burn patient is in jeopardy of corneal abrasion during general anesthesia for grafting or debridement. Neither of the patients who underwent anesthesia was noted to have corneal abrasion. Nor did either ectropion or lid contracture develop in the three patients described herein. Lid contracture may lead to corneal exposure and should be corrected by expeditious lid tarsorrhaphy. Once ulceration has occurred, as with these patients, corneal transplantation may be indicated.", "PMID": 772231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3344", "title": "Chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.", "content": "Following the discovery of four imported chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum infections in the Province of Yogyakarta (Island of Java) sensitivity tests were carried out in the Province of East Kalimantan Island of Borneo). Twenty subjects were given 25 mg. of chloroquine base per kilogram of body weight over three days. Two infections were found resistant at the RII level and a third at the RI level with early recrudescence on day 7. In the other 17 cases followed up to day 21, six were found again with asexual parasites between day 9 and day 14 and a seventh on day 21. These results confirm the presence of chloroquine resistance in P. falciparum in East Kalimantan and, together with previous findings, suggest a widespread distribution of chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria in this Province of Indonesia. It is particularly interesting to note that chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria has now been detected in almost all the area of dispersion of A. balabacensis.", "contents": "Chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Following the discovery of four imported chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum infections in the Province of Yogyakarta (Island of Java) sensitivity tests were carried out in the Province of East Kalimantan Island of Borneo). Twenty subjects were given 25 mg. of chloroquine base per kilogram of body weight over three days. Two infections were found resistant at the RII level and a third at the RI level with early recrudescence on day 7. In the other 17 cases followed up to day 21, six were found again with asexual parasites between day 9 and day 14 and a seventh on day 21. These results confirm the presence of chloroquine resistance in P. falciparum in East Kalimantan and, together with previous findings, suggest a widespread distribution of chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria in this Province of Indonesia. It is particularly interesting to note that chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria has now been detected in almost all the area of dispersion of A. balabacensis.", "PMID": 772235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3345", "title": "Urodynamics.", "content": "The urinary tract is a hydrodynamic system whose components are in precise balance with each other and whose functioning depends on mechanical equilibrium. Alteration of the delicate balance between bladder and urethra means dysfunction in voiding or continence. Of greatest clinical interest at present is the bladder-urethra matching mechanism, which controls normal or abnormal voiding or continence. Since the matching combination of bladder and urethra must obey the same hydrodynamic laws that govern all fluid systems, it is obvious that measurement of fluid quantities and fluid porperties should correlate with function and dysfunction in the system. Urodynamics is the art of developing standard fluid-mechanical techniques that will be useful in routine clinical evaluation. Increasing experience with diagnostic urodynamic tests nurtures non-invasive, precise diagnosis of voiding dysfunction. Inexpensive, readily available and convenient techniques have been developed and are in clinical use. We can look forward to many more.", "contents": "Urodynamics. The urinary tract is a hydrodynamic system whose components are in precise balance with each other and whose functioning depends on mechanical equilibrium. Alteration of the delicate balance between bladder and urethra means dysfunction in voiding or continence. Of greatest clinical interest at present is the bladder-urethra matching mechanism, which controls normal or abnormal voiding or continence. Since the matching combination of bladder and urethra must obey the same hydrodynamic laws that govern all fluid systems, it is obvious that measurement of fluid quantities and fluid porperties should correlate with function and dysfunction in the system. Urodynamics is the art of developing standard fluid-mechanical techniques that will be useful in routine clinical evaluation. Increasing experience with diagnostic urodynamic tests nurtures non-invasive, precise diagnosis of voiding dysfunction. Inexpensive, readily available and convenient techniques have been developed and are in clinical use. We can look forward to many more.", "PMID": 772236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3346", "title": "The antibacterial effect of the bladder surface: an electron microscopic study.", "content": "To explore an intrinsic bladder defense mechanism we examined interaction between Escherichia coli and bacterial size particles (polystyrene latex balls) and the vesical luminal surface by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The bacteria and the latex spheres were held in folds of the cellular luminal surface. Voiding (bladder contraction) resulted in the entrapment of a large number of bacteria and particles by these microplicae, with their apparent engulfment in vesicles below the cell surface. Some urine was probably contained in the folds and vesicles, thus reducing the volume of residual urine in the bladder. Since leukocytes were rarely seen in the model studied they presumably do not play an immediate role against acute infection in the normal bladder. These observations indicate that fixation of bacteria to the mucosa is 1 step in the mechanism whereby the normally functioning bladder resists infection.", "contents": "The antibacterial effect of the bladder surface: an electron microscopic study. To explore an intrinsic bladder defense mechanism we examined interaction between Escherichia coli and bacterial size particles (polystyrene latex balls) and the vesical luminal surface by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The bacteria and the latex spheres were held in folds of the cellular luminal surface. Voiding (bladder contraction) resulted in the entrapment of a large number of bacteria and particles by these microplicae, with their apparent engulfment in vesicles below the cell surface. Some urine was probably contained in the folds and vesicles, thus reducing the volume of residual urine in the bladder. Since leukocytes were rarely seen in the model studied they presumably do not play an immediate role against acute infection in the normal bladder. These observations indicate that fixation of bacteria to the mucosa is 1 step in the mechanism whereby the normally functioning bladder resists infection.", "PMID": 772237} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3347", "title": "Studies of introital colonization in women with recurrent urinary infections. IV. The role of local vaginal antibodies.", "content": "Immunoglobulins IgG and IgA were determined in 94 collections of vaginal fluid from 10 patients before, during and after 17 episodes of bacteriuria. The results were compared to 49 collections from 6 volunteer controls who had never had bacteriuria. The mean IgG concentration in patients (48 plus or minus 54 mg. per cent) was no different from controls (50 plus or minus 33 mg. per cent). IgA concentrations were 2.6 plus or minus 2.1 and 2.6 plus or minus 2.4 mg. per cent, respectively. Bacterial agglutination titers in vaginal fluid to Escherichia coli colonizing the vaginal vestibule of the patients were no different (7.7 plus or minus 9.8, reciprocal tube titer) than the titers to be predominant Escherichia coli cultured from the rectum of the controls (9.7 plus or minus 5.0). Longitudinal studies in patients failed to show any relationship between vaginal colonization with changing serotypes of Escherichia coli and agglutination titers in vaginal fluid.", "contents": "Studies of introital colonization in women with recurrent urinary infections. IV. The role of local vaginal antibodies. Immunoglobulins IgG and IgA were determined in 94 collections of vaginal fluid from 10 patients before, during and after 17 episodes of bacteriuria. The results were compared to 49 collections from 6 volunteer controls who had never had bacteriuria. The mean IgG concentration in patients (48 plus or minus 54 mg. per cent) was no different from controls (50 plus or minus 33 mg. per cent). IgA concentrations were 2.6 plus or minus 2.1 and 2.6 plus or minus 2.4 mg. per cent, respectively. Bacterial agglutination titers in vaginal fluid to Escherichia coli colonizing the vaginal vestibule of the patients were no different (7.7 plus or minus 9.8, reciprocal tube titer) than the titers to be predominant Escherichia coli cultured from the rectum of the controls (9.7 plus or minus 5.0). Longitudinal studies in patients failed to show any relationship between vaginal colonization with changing serotypes of Escherichia coli and agglutination titers in vaginal fluid.", "PMID": 772238} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3348", "title": "The influence of increased tubular hydrostatic pressure on renal function.", "content": "The effect of tubular obstruction on renal function has been understood poorly at the tubular level and from the clinical standpoint. In our review the evidence for a direct influence of hydrostatic pressure on tubular transport and glomerular filtration is examined. The data generated to date indicate a direct influence of hydrostatic pressure on tubular transport only at the level of the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct. With respect to glomerular filtration increased tubular pressure reduces the net driving force for filtration and reduces glomerular filtration rate in the absence of a compensatory increase in glomerular hydrostatic pressure. We next review physiological data concerning the mechanism of post-obstructive diuresis. Available information suggests 4 factors that play a significant role in the clinical syndrome of post-obstructive diuresis: 1) medullo-papillary washout, 2) decreased fractional and absolute salt and water reabsorption in the collecting duct, presumably secondary to direct influence of hydrostatic pressure on transport mechanisms, 3) osmotic diuresis secondary to retention of urea and other osmotic solutes during the period of obstruction and 4) prior salt and water administration in the absence of excretion, resulting in extracellular fluid volume expansion.", "contents": "The influence of increased tubular hydrostatic pressure on renal function. The effect of tubular obstruction on renal function has been understood poorly at the tubular level and from the clinical standpoint. In our review the evidence for a direct influence of hydrostatic pressure on tubular transport and glomerular filtration is examined. The data generated to date indicate a direct influence of hydrostatic pressure on tubular transport only at the level of the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct. With respect to glomerular filtration increased tubular pressure reduces the net driving force for filtration and reduces glomerular filtration rate in the absence of a compensatory increase in glomerular hydrostatic pressure. We next review physiological data concerning the mechanism of post-obstructive diuresis. Available information suggests 4 factors that play a significant role in the clinical syndrome of post-obstructive diuresis: 1) medullo-papillary washout, 2) decreased fractional and absolute salt and water reabsorption in the collecting duct, presumably secondary to direct influence of hydrostatic pressure on transport mechanisms, 3) osmotic diuresis secondary to retention of urea and other osmotic solutes during the period of obstruction and 4) prior salt and water administration in the absence of excretion, resulting in extracellular fluid volume expansion.", "PMID": 772239} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3349", "title": "Renal transplantation. Effect on the ischemic heart disease of essential malignant hypertension.", "content": "In 14 of 204 consecutive cadaveric renal allograft recipients, the primary diagnosis was essential hypertension. Four patients had manifest ischemic heart disease before transplantation. Three of these patients died within 31 months of transplantation from recurrent myocardial infarction, and the fourth experienced coronary insufficiency. Cadaveric renal transplantation does not prevent the progression of coronary artery disease in patients whose renal failure was due to essential hypertension. In the presence of angina or previous myocardial infarction, these patiemts may be better treated by maintenance hemodialysis.", "contents": "Renal transplantation. Effect on the ischemic heart disease of essential malignant hypertension. In 14 of 204 consecutive cadaveric renal allograft recipients, the primary diagnosis was essential hypertension. Four patients had manifest ischemic heart disease before transplantation. Three of these patients died within 31 months of transplantation from recurrent myocardial infarction, and the fourth experienced coronary insufficiency. Cadaveric renal transplantation does not prevent the progression of coronary artery disease in patients whose renal failure was due to essential hypertension. In the presence of angina or previous myocardial infarction, these patiemts may be better treated by maintenance hemodialysis.", "PMID": 772241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3350", "title": "[Experience in use of amoxicillin for treatment of acute cystitis (author's transl)].", "content": "Seventeen cases of acute simple cystitis were treated by oral administration of amoxicillin at a daily dose of 1.0 g (250 mg X 4 in a day) for consecutive 7 days, and the following results were obtained. 1. Amoxicillin was remarkably effective in 11 of total 17 cases, effective in 2, slightly effective in 2 and non-effective in 2. 2. In terms of effect against isolated bacteria, amoxicillin was remarkably effective against 6 of 11 strains of E. coli, effective against 2, slightly effective against 2 and non-effective against 1, remarkably effective against 2 of 3 strains of Proteus mirabilis and non-effective against 1, and remarkably effective against one strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis. 3. There was no severe side effect specially to be mentioned.", "contents": "[Experience in use of amoxicillin for treatment of acute cystitis (author's transl)]. Seventeen cases of acute simple cystitis were treated by oral administration of amoxicillin at a daily dose of 1.0 g (250 mg X 4 in a day) for consecutive 7 days, and the following results were obtained. 1. Amoxicillin was remarkably effective in 11 of total 17 cases, effective in 2, slightly effective in 2 and non-effective in 2. 2. In terms of effect against isolated bacteria, amoxicillin was remarkably effective against 6 of 11 strains of E. coli, effective against 2, slightly effective against 2 and non-effective against 1, remarkably effective against 2 of 3 strains of Proteus mirabilis and non-effective against 1, and remarkably effective against one strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis. 3. There was no severe side effect specially to be mentioned.", "PMID": 772243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3351", "title": "[Clinical studies with amoxicillin (Pasetocin) (author's transl)].", "content": "This paper describes briefly the results obtained with AMPC (Pasetocin) administered by oral route to 21 patients with infection of the respiratory tract. 1. There was no difference in therapeutic effect on infection of the respiratory tract between daily dosages of 1,000 mg and 750 mg (the former was orally given in 4 divided doses every 6 hours a day and the latter in 3 divided doses after meal). The response of the patients to AMPC was remarkable or satisfactory. 2. Acute aggravation symptoms associated with chronic infection of the respiratory tract showed similar improvement to single acute infection of the respiratory tract. 3. The patients presenting acute aggravation symptoms received treatment for chronic stage consisting of consecutive oral administration of AMPC (500 approximately 750 mg a day) and their prognosis was favorable. Side effects attributable to prolonged treatment were not noted. 4. The incidence of side effects can be reduced largely by rejecting form AMPC therapy the patients who are hypersensitive to drugs including penicillins.", "contents": "[Clinical studies with amoxicillin (Pasetocin) (author's transl)]. This paper describes briefly the results obtained with AMPC (Pasetocin) administered by oral route to 21 patients with infection of the respiratory tract. 1. There was no difference in therapeutic effect on infection of the respiratory tract between daily dosages of 1,000 mg and 750 mg (the former was orally given in 4 divided doses every 6 hours a day and the latter in 3 divided doses after meal). The response of the patients to AMPC was remarkable or satisfactory. 2. Acute aggravation symptoms associated with chronic infection of the respiratory tract showed similar improvement to single acute infection of the respiratory tract. 3. The patients presenting acute aggravation symptoms received treatment for chronic stage consisting of consecutive oral administration of AMPC (500 approximately 750 mg a day) and their prognosis was favorable. Side effects attributable to prolonged treatment were not noted. 4. The incidence of side effects can be reduced largely by rejecting form AMPC therapy the patients who are hypersensitive to drugs including penicillins.", "PMID": 772248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3352", "title": "Induction of phage production in the lysogenic Escherichia coli by hydroxyurea.", "content": "1) Hydroxyurea, a reversible DNA synthesis inhibitor, was used to study the mechanism of prophage lambda induction in Escherichia coli K12. Induction of prophage was judged on two criteria: increase of phage-producing cells and loss of colony-forming ability of the cells. 2) Hydroxyurea induced an increase of phage-producing cells only in lysogenic strains known to be inducible with ultraviolet irradiation for prophage development and not in strains such as E. coli K12 (lambdaind-) or E. coli K12 recA (lambda+). 3) When protein synthesis was inhibited, hydroxyurea did not increase phage-producing cells of lysogenic strains; it showed a bacteriocidal effect on lysogenic recA+ strains, but not on nonlysogenic strains. 4) The sensitivity of E. coli K12 recA to hydroxyurea was independent of whether or not the cells were lysogenic. 5) From the results it is suggested that certain steps leading to loss of colony-forming ability (i.e. prophage induction) do not require de novo protein synthesis but require the presence of the host recA+ gene.", "contents": "Induction of phage production in the lysogenic Escherichia coli by hydroxyurea. 1) Hydroxyurea, a reversible DNA synthesis inhibitor, was used to study the mechanism of prophage lambda induction in Escherichia coli K12. Induction of prophage was judged on two criteria: increase of phage-producing cells and loss of colony-forming ability of the cells. 2) Hydroxyurea induced an increase of phage-producing cells only in lysogenic strains known to be inducible with ultraviolet irradiation for prophage development and not in strains such as E. coli K12 (lambdaind-) or E. coli K12 recA (lambda+). 3) When protein synthesis was inhibited, hydroxyurea did not increase phage-producing cells of lysogenic strains; it showed a bacteriocidal effect on lysogenic recA+ strains, but not on nonlysogenic strains. 4) The sensitivity of E. coli K12 recA to hydroxyurea was independent of whether or not the cells were lysogenic. 5) From the results it is suggested that certain steps leading to loss of colony-forming ability (i.e. prophage induction) do not require de novo protein synthesis but require the presence of the host recA+ gene.", "PMID": 772254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3353", "title": "Skin reaction and macrophage migration inhibition tests for polysaccharides from Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans.", "content": "Guinea pigs sensitized with purified galactomannan from Aspergillus fumigatus and mannan from Candida albicans, each containing negligible quantities of nitrogen, were examined for their immunological responses against the corresponding polysaccharides with respect to the delayed-type skin reaction and the macrophage migration inhibition phenomenon. In both cases, the delayed-type skin reaction test and the macrophage migration inhibition test showed positive results. The reactivity was stronger in animals sensitized with polysaccharides in Freund's complete adjuvant than those sensitized with the same polysaccharides in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Polysaccharides chemically modified by partial acid degradation or by periodate oxidation were found to be completely incapable of eliciting such immune responses. These results are also discussed in relation to the antigenic determinant of the polysaccharides in such immune responses and the precipitin reaction previously observed by us and other investigators.", "contents": "Skin reaction and macrophage migration inhibition tests for polysaccharides from Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. Guinea pigs sensitized with purified galactomannan from Aspergillus fumigatus and mannan from Candida albicans, each containing negligible quantities of nitrogen, were examined for their immunological responses against the corresponding polysaccharides with respect to the delayed-type skin reaction and the macrophage migration inhibition phenomenon. In both cases, the delayed-type skin reaction test and the macrophage migration inhibition test showed positive results. The reactivity was stronger in animals sensitized with polysaccharides in Freund's complete adjuvant than those sensitized with the same polysaccharides in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Polysaccharides chemically modified by partial acid degradation or by periodate oxidation were found to be completely incapable of eliciting such immune responses. These results are also discussed in relation to the antigenic determinant of the polysaccharides in such immune responses and the precipitin reaction previously observed by us and other investigators.", "PMID": 772255} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3354", "title": "Mutants of Escherichia coli which block head formation of lambda.", "content": "Five mutants of Escherichia coli K12 (lam 24, lam 25, lam 26, lam 27 and lam 646) that block head formation of lambda are described. In vitro complementation tests and electron microscopy demonstrated that in these bacteria phage tails were produced normally, whereas head formation was abnormal, aberrant head-related structures being produced. In lysates prepared from lam 24, lam 25 and lam 26, monsters and empty heads without tail were the predominant structures, whereas in lysates from lam 27 and lam 646, petit lambda and empty heads were the most common structures. The five lam mutations were located in two regions on the bacterial chromosome; lam 24, lam 25 and lam 26 were near the dnaB gene and lam 27 and lam 27 and lam 646 near the lac gene. It was suggested that the former three mutants are new isolates that belong to GroE mutants, whereas the latter two comprise a new group of mutants. Analyses of phage mutants (ov mutants) that overcome the interference by the lam 646 mutation revealed that this mutation blocks normal expression of the gene E of lambda.", "contents": "Mutants of Escherichia coli which block head formation of lambda. Five mutants of Escherichia coli K12 (lam 24, lam 25, lam 26, lam 27 and lam 646) that block head formation of lambda are described. In vitro complementation tests and electron microscopy demonstrated that in these bacteria phage tails were produced normally, whereas head formation was abnormal, aberrant head-related structures being produced. In lysates prepared from lam 24, lam 25 and lam 26, monsters and empty heads without tail were the predominant structures, whereas in lysates from lam 27 and lam 646, petit lambda and empty heads were the most common structures. The five lam mutations were located in two regions on the bacterial chromosome; lam 24, lam 25 and lam 26 were near the dnaB gene and lam 27 and lam 27 and lam 646 near the lac gene. It was suggested that the former three mutants are new isolates that belong to GroE mutants, whereas the latter two comprise a new group of mutants. Analyses of phage mutants (ov mutants) that overcome the interference by the lam 646 mutation revealed that this mutation blocks normal expression of the gene E of lambda.", "PMID": 772256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3355", "title": "Isolation and properties of Escherichia coli mutants which are nonpermissive for the growth of phage lambda.", "content": "By selecting survivors of lambda phage infection, mutants of Escherichia coli K12 that block reproduction cycle of the phage have been isolated. Fourteen of these phage-tolerant mutants (lam mutants) were chosen and characterized biochemically and genetically. It was shown that these mutants were tolerant to infection by all the lambdoid phages, except for few cases, but they were susceptible to infection by a non-lambdoid temperate phage (phi299), P1 or T phages. The mutants can be divided into at least three groups: (1) A mutant (lam 16) strain that seems to block normal penetration of phage DNA: (2) Three mutant (lam 64, lam 67 and lam 71) strains that block an \"early\" step(s) of phage growth, including phage DNA synthesis: (3) Six mutant (lam 24, lam 25, lam 26, lam 27, lam 646 and lam 6) strains that block normal functioning of the gene E products and produce unusual head structures. Some lambdoid phages and lambda mutants that overcome the interference by the lam mutations have been obtained, and were used as tools for characterizing the host mutations. Two (lam 12 and lam 13) mutant strains and one (lam 1) mutant were inferred as affecting the expression of \"late\" genes, and early gene, respectively, by this test.", "contents": "Isolation and properties of Escherichia coli mutants which are nonpermissive for the growth of phage lambda. By selecting survivors of lambda phage infection, mutants of Escherichia coli K12 that block reproduction cycle of the phage have been isolated. Fourteen of these phage-tolerant mutants (lam mutants) were chosen and characterized biochemically and genetically. It was shown that these mutants were tolerant to infection by all the lambdoid phages, except for few cases, but they were susceptible to infection by a non-lambdoid temperate phage (phi299), P1 or T phages. The mutants can be divided into at least three groups: (1) A mutant (lam 16) strain that seems to block normal penetration of phage DNA: (2) Three mutant (lam 64, lam 67 and lam 71) strains that block an \"early\" step(s) of phage growth, including phage DNA synthesis: (3) Six mutant (lam 24, lam 25, lam 26, lam 27, lam 646 and lam 6) strains that block normal functioning of the gene E products and produce unusual head structures. Some lambdoid phages and lambda mutants that overcome the interference by the lam mutations have been obtained, and were used as tools for characterizing the host mutations. Two (lam 12 and lam 13) mutant strains and one (lam 1) mutant were inferred as affecting the expression of \"late\" genes, and early gene, respectively, by this test.", "PMID": 772257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3356", "title": "[Statistical analysis of cardiac rhythm with the use of moments of higher orders (asymetry and excess)].", "content": "The \"Minsk-22\" computer was used to study the rhythm of cardiac contractions. The R - R intervals of ECG tracings were studied in 1000 to 2000 cardiac cycles. The measurement of these intervals was performed automatically by means of a special device - intervalmeter. The data input was done from a punch tape. Mathematical analysis of the cardiac rhythm consisted in calculating the mathematical expectance, excess and asymmetry of the distribution of the R - R intervals of ECG. This method was employed for the analysis of the sinus rhythm in normal individuals and in patients with atherosclerosis and rheumatic heart diseases. The rhythm was recorded at rest and during functional tests (administration of nitroglycerine, or single breath holding at the peak of inspiration). The asymmetry of the R - R intervals distribution is an index that helps to reveal the dynamics of the transitory processes, being in this respect superior to the intervalgramme. The excess index permits to evaluate quantitatively the stability of the rhythm and the peculiarities of its regulation. Employment of the described methods of cardiac rhythm analysis is expedient for various functional tests and the assessment of the pharmacological effects.", "contents": "[Statistical analysis of cardiac rhythm with the use of moments of higher orders (asymetry and excess)]. The \"Minsk-22\" computer was used to study the rhythm of cardiac contractions. The R - R intervals of ECG tracings were studied in 1000 to 2000 cardiac cycles. The measurement of these intervals was performed automatically by means of a special device - intervalmeter. The data input was done from a punch tape. Mathematical analysis of the cardiac rhythm consisted in calculating the mathematical expectance, excess and asymmetry of the distribution of the R - R intervals of ECG. This method was employed for the analysis of the sinus rhythm in normal individuals and in patients with atherosclerosis and rheumatic heart diseases. The rhythm was recorded at rest and during functional tests (administration of nitroglycerine, or single breath holding at the peak of inspiration). The asymmetry of the R - R intervals distribution is an index that helps to reveal the dynamics of the transitory processes, being in this respect superior to the intervalgramme. The excess index permits to evaluate quantitatively the stability of the rhythm and the peculiarities of its regulation. Employment of the described methods of cardiac rhythm analysis is expedient for various functional tests and the assessment of the pharmacological effects.", "PMID": 772268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3357", "title": "[Algorhythm for automatic analysis of electrocardiograms in a special apparatus].", "content": "An algorhythm for an automatic analysis of the ECG by using a special device is proposed for the purpose of identifying patients suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system. The algorhythm is based on the utilization of simple electrocardiographic indications measured with sufficient accuracy on a real time scale (PQ, QRS, T1 configuration, amplitude of the R, S, T waves). With the algorhythm analysis of the ECG taken in patients with primary rheumatic heart disease, complicated mitral lesion, hypertensive disease, myocardialinfarction the ECG changes helped identify 70 per cent of the patients. The algorhythm proved highly effective in recognizing patients with ischemic heart disease. A correlation between the stages of the affection and the frequency of detected pathological ECG was established. The results of automatic evaluation were contrasted against the data subsequent to an ECG analysis made by the physician, both of these being in good accord.", "contents": "[Algorhythm for automatic analysis of electrocardiograms in a special apparatus]. An algorhythm for an automatic analysis of the ECG by using a special device is proposed for the purpose of identifying patients suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system. The algorhythm is based on the utilization of simple electrocardiographic indications measured with sufficient accuracy on a real time scale (PQ, QRS, T1 configuration, amplitude of the R, S, T waves). With the algorhythm analysis of the ECG taken in patients with primary rheumatic heart disease, complicated mitral lesion, hypertensive disease, myocardialinfarction the ECG changes helped identify 70 per cent of the patients. The algorhythm proved highly effective in recognizing patients with ischemic heart disease. A correlation between the stages of the affection and the frequency of detected pathological ECG was established. The results of automatic evaluation were contrasted against the data subsequent to an ECG analysis made by the physician, both of these being in good accord.", "PMID": 772269} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3358", "title": "[The influence of the renin-angiotensin system on autoregulation of renal blood flow and intrarenal hemodynamics (author's transl)].", "content": "The discussion of renal hemodynamics has to include three phenomena: the autoregulation of renal blood flow, the existence of different intrarenal perfusion compartments, and the intrarenal renin-angiotensin-system. The autoregulation of renal blood flow is characterized by the constancy of renal blood flow inspite of a wide range of renal perfusion pressure (70-220 mm Hg). This is due to the ability of the kidney to adjust vascular resistance to pressure changes. Renal perfusion is not homogenous but consists of different perfusion compartments which may be distinguished according to characteristic anatomy, function and innervation. Autoregulation of renal blood flow and distribution of intrarenal perfusion to different compartments are interdependent and are shown to be both under the control of an intrarenal \"local\" renin-angiotensin system.", "contents": "[The influence of the renin-angiotensin system on autoregulation of renal blood flow and intrarenal hemodynamics (author's transl)]. The discussion of renal hemodynamics has to include three phenomena: the autoregulation of renal blood flow, the existence of different intrarenal perfusion compartments, and the intrarenal renin-angiotensin-system. The autoregulation of renal blood flow is characterized by the constancy of renal blood flow inspite of a wide range of renal perfusion pressure (70-220 mm Hg). This is due to the ability of the kidney to adjust vascular resistance to pressure changes. Renal perfusion is not homogenous but consists of different perfusion compartments which may be distinguished according to characteristic anatomy, function and innervation. Autoregulation of renal blood flow and distribution of intrarenal perfusion to different compartments are interdependent and are shown to be both under the control of an intrarenal \"local\" renin-angiotensin system.", "PMID": 772295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3359", "title": "Salmonella typhimurium infection in guinea pigs: observations on monitoring and control.", "content": "A spontaneous outbreak of salmonellosis in a guinea pig colony was caused by Salmonella typhimurium. A simple, comprehensive monitoring procedure, consisting of mass fecal sampling, was developed. Using the monitoring system described, the disease was eliminated by: 1) removal of animals in pens in contact with Salmonella, and 2) strict hygienic procedures. It was not necessary to depopulate the colony in order to control the disease.", "contents": "Salmonella typhimurium infection in guinea pigs: observations on monitoring and control. A spontaneous outbreak of salmonellosis in a guinea pig colony was caused by Salmonella typhimurium. A simple, comprehensive monitoring procedure, consisting of mass fecal sampling, was developed. Using the monitoring system described, the disease was eliminated by: 1) removal of animals in pens in contact with Salmonella, and 2) strict hygienic procedures. It was not necessary to depopulate the colony in order to control the disease.", "PMID": 772307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3360", "title": "Chemotaxis in bacteria.", "content": "Bacterial chemotaxis, the movement of motile bacteria toward or away from chemicals, was discovered nearly a century ago by Engelmann (1) and Pfeffer (2,3). The subject was actively studied for about 50 years, but then there were very few reports until quite recently. For reviews of the literature up to about 1960, see Berg (4), Weibull (5), and Ziegler (6). The present review will restrict itself to the recent work on chemotaxis in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Some of this is also covered in Berg's review (4), and a review by Parkinson (7) should be consulted for a more complete treatment of the genetic aspects.", "contents": "Chemotaxis in bacteria. Bacterial chemotaxis, the movement of motile bacteria toward or away from chemicals, was discovered nearly a century ago by Engelmann (1) and Pfeffer (2,3). The subject was actively studied for about 50 years, but then there were very few reports until quite recently. For reviews of the literature up to about 1960, see Berg (4), Weibull (5), and Ziegler (6). The present review will restrict itself to the recent work on chemotaxis in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Some of this is also covered in Berg's review (4), and a review by Parkinson (7) should be consulted for a more complete treatment of the genetic aspects.", "PMID": 772314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3361", "title": "Studies of bacterial chemotaxis in defined concentration gradients. A model for chemotaxis toward L-serine.", "content": "The details of the chemotactic response of Salmonella typhimurium to gradients of L-serine have been examined in some detail. Two relatively macroscopic techniques have been employed to measure the bacterial response. These include measurements of the average velocity as the bacterial population moves toward attractants, and measurement of the upward-to-downward flux ratio, R, in the stable preformed attractant gradients. The dependence of the average velocity on gradient appears to be hyperbolic in nature, while the flux ratio depends linearly on the gradient. These data suggest a microscopic model for the dependence of bacterial behavior on the serine gradient. The model involves a linear dependence of the mean lifetime of a bacterial trajectory on the gradient for those bacteria moving toward higher attractant concentration. Those moving toward low concentrations of attractant do not change the mean duration of their trajectories, or the speed at which a given bacterium swims through the solution. This model generates the observed dependences of the average velocity and flux ratio on gradient. Interpretation of the experimental data suggests that a gradient which increases serine concentration by a factor of 2 in 10 mm is sufficient to double the average duration of a trajectory for a bacterium moving directly up the gradient. The concentration dependence of the chemotactic response to serine is more complicated. It suggests that more than one receptor of serine may be involved in determining chemotactic behavior to this attractant.", "contents": "Studies of bacterial chemotaxis in defined concentration gradients. A model for chemotaxis toward L-serine. The details of the chemotactic response of Salmonella typhimurium to gradients of L-serine have been examined in some detail. Two relatively macroscopic techniques have been employed to measure the bacterial response. These include measurements of the average velocity as the bacterial population moves toward attractants, and measurement of the upward-to-downward flux ratio, R, in the stable preformed attractant gradients. The dependence of the average velocity on gradient appears to be hyperbolic in nature, while the flux ratio depends linearly on the gradient. These data suggest a microscopic model for the dependence of bacterial behavior on the serine gradient. The model involves a linear dependence of the mean lifetime of a bacterial trajectory on the gradient for those bacteria moving toward higher attractant concentration. Those moving toward low concentrations of attractant do not change the mean duration of their trajectories, or the speed at which a given bacterium swims through the solution. This model generates the observed dependences of the average velocity and flux ratio on gradient. Interpretation of the experimental data suggests that a gradient which increases serine concentration by a factor of 2 in 10 mm is sufficient to double the average duration of a trajectory for a bacterium moving directly up the gradient. The concentration dependence of the chemotactic response to serine is more complicated. It suggests that more than one receptor of serine may be involved in determining chemotactic behavior to this attractant.", "PMID": 772315} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3362", "title": "Appearance of acetylcholine receptors in cultured myoblasts prior to fusion.", "content": "The development of the acetylcholine receptors in chick embryo myoblasts from 11-day old embryos was studied in vitro. Using the purified alpha-bungarotoxin labeled with radioactive iodide, a high concentration of acetylcholine receptors was found in the prefusing myoblasts; most of these receptors were located in the interior of the myoblasts. However, upon the completion of myoblasts fusion, the majority of the acetylcholine receptors appeared on the external cell surface of the myotubes.", "contents": "Appearance of acetylcholine receptors in cultured myoblasts prior to fusion. The development of the acetylcholine receptors in chick embryo myoblasts from 11-day old embryos was studied in vitro. Using the purified alpha-bungarotoxin labeled with radioactive iodide, a high concentration of acetylcholine receptors was found in the prefusing myoblasts; most of these receptors were located in the interior of the myoblasts. However, upon the completion of myoblasts fusion, the majority of the acetylcholine receptors appeared on the external cell surface of the myotubes.", "PMID": 772316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3363", "title": "Orthotopic canine heart transplantation: left ventricular contractility during chronic rejection.", "content": "Myocardial left ventricular contractility is assessed in 8 orthotopic heart-transplanted dogs during chronic rejection by a noninvasive method. The mean circumferential velocity of shortening (Vcf) is calculated from endocardial marker motion on cinefilms. A model for chronic rejection after cardiac transplantation was obtained by histocompatibility matching in DLA identical Beagle littermates. No immunosuppressive treatment was used. All dogs eventually died of chronic rejection; mean survival time was 112.5 days. LV contractility shows the following pattern: Chronic rejection causes an important contractility decrease (P less than 0.001) with two significant drops: (1) from the week preoperative to the first week after transplantation (P less than 0.02) and (2) from week terminal minus one to the terminal week (P less than 0.01). This study describes the technique and the changes in Vcf observed over a period of time in a predictable model.", "contents": "Orthotopic canine heart transplantation: left ventricular contractility during chronic rejection. Myocardial left ventricular contractility is assessed in 8 orthotopic heart-transplanted dogs during chronic rejection by a noninvasive method. The mean circumferential velocity of shortening (Vcf) is calculated from endocardial marker motion on cinefilms. A model for chronic rejection after cardiac transplantation was obtained by histocompatibility matching in DLA identical Beagle littermates. No immunosuppressive treatment was used. All dogs eventually died of chronic rejection; mean survival time was 112.5 days. LV contractility shows the following pattern: Chronic rejection causes an important contractility decrease (P less than 0.001) with two significant drops: (1) from the week preoperative to the first week after transplantation (P less than 0.02) and (2) from week terminal minus one to the terminal week (P less than 0.01). This study describes the technique and the changes in Vcf observed over a period of time in a predictable model.", "PMID": 772318} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3364", "title": "Technical considerations in cardiovascular surgery for neonates.", "content": "Cardiovascular surgical techniques used in neonatal patients demand that instruments of appropriate size and configuration be available. A specially designed set of small instruments has been developed to fulfill these needs.", "contents": "Technical considerations in cardiovascular surgery for neonates. Cardiovascular surgical techniques used in neonatal patients demand that instruments of appropriate size and configuration be available. A specially designed set of small instruments has been developed to fulfill these needs.", "PMID": 772319} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3365", "title": "Reduction of tension at the anastomosis following tracheal resection in puppies.", "content": "Inlying tracheal \"stay sutures\" and submandibular sutures to prevent cervical hyperextension were used separately and in concert to limit anastomotic tension following tracheal resection in puppies. Study of the degrees of stenosis in the mature dogs indicates the effectiveness of the principle.", "contents": "Reduction of tension at the anastomosis following tracheal resection in puppies. Inlying tracheal \"stay sutures\" and submandibular sutures to prevent cervical hyperextension were used separately and in concert to limit anastomotic tension following tracheal resection in puppies. Study of the degrees of stenosis in the mature dogs indicates the effectiveness of the principle.", "PMID": 772320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3366", "title": "The centineurogenic etiology of the respiratory distress syndrome. Protection afforded by anemia and pulmonary denervation against lung lesions of oxygen toxicity.", "content": "For beagles respiring 100 per cent oxygen at ambient pressure, anemia protected against the development of the lung lesions of oxygen toxicity. Similarly, unilateral pulmonary denervation was protective of the affected lung but not of the normally innervated, contralateral lung. This indicates that the lung lesions are triggered by the toxic effect of elevated PO2 at a remote site, most likely the sensitive central nervous system.", "contents": "The centineurogenic etiology of the respiratory distress syndrome. Protection afforded by anemia and pulmonary denervation against lung lesions of oxygen toxicity. For beagles respiring 100 per cent oxygen at ambient pressure, anemia protected against the development of the lung lesions of oxygen toxicity. Similarly, unilateral pulmonary denervation was protective of the affected lung but not of the normally innervated, contralateral lung. This indicates that the lung lesions are triggered by the toxic effect of elevated PO2 at a remote site, most likely the sensitive central nervous system.", "PMID": 772321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3367", "title": "An analysis of direct and indirect measurements of left atrial filling pressure.", "content": "Left ventricular function may be assessed by direct catheter measurements of left atrial pressure or by indirect measurements of pulmonary artery wedge pressure or pulmonary artery end-diastolic pressure. Controversy exists as to how closely the indirect measurements correlate with true left atrial pressure and to which is the most accurate. To clarify this probelm, we studied 43 patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures with cardiopulmonary bypass. Both left atrial catheters for direct measurement and Swan-Ganz catheters were placed at the time of surgery. All patients were monitored continuously for 48 hours and hourly measurements were recorded. The resultant 1,620 left atrial pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure figures and 1,860 left atrial pressure and pulmonary artery end-diastolic wedge pressure measurements were subjected to computer analysis. The following conclusions have been found: (1) Pulmonary artery wedge pressure is a better indirect measure of left atrial pressure than is pulmonary artery end-diastolic wedge pressure (pooled correlation coefficient 0.629); (2) direct left atrial pressure measurement is more reliable and has fewer complications than indirect measurements; (3) there is no consistent correlation between left atrial pressure and central venous pressure (pooled correlation coefficient 0.3). A discussion of our results and the problems associated with left atrial catheters and Swan-Ganz catheters is presented.", "contents": "An analysis of direct and indirect measurements of left atrial filling pressure. Left ventricular function may be assessed by direct catheter measurements of left atrial pressure or by indirect measurements of pulmonary artery wedge pressure or pulmonary artery end-diastolic pressure. Controversy exists as to how closely the indirect measurements correlate with true left atrial pressure and to which is the most accurate. To clarify this probelm, we studied 43 patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures with cardiopulmonary bypass. Both left atrial catheters for direct measurement and Swan-Ganz catheters were placed at the time of surgery. All patients were monitored continuously for 48 hours and hourly measurements were recorded. The resultant 1,620 left atrial pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure figures and 1,860 left atrial pressure and pulmonary artery end-diastolic wedge pressure measurements were subjected to computer analysis. The following conclusions have been found: (1) Pulmonary artery wedge pressure is a better indirect measure of left atrial pressure than is pulmonary artery end-diastolic wedge pressure (pooled correlation coefficient 0.629); (2) direct left atrial pressure measurement is more reliable and has fewer complications than indirect measurements; (3) there is no consistent correlation between left atrial pressure and central venous pressure (pooled correlation coefficient 0.3). A discussion of our results and the problems associated with left atrial catheters and Swan-Ganz catheters is presented.", "PMID": 772322} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3368", "title": "Operative treatment of active endocarditis.", "content": "During the past decade 44 patients with active endocarditis, defined as valvular infection requiring operative intervention before completion of a planned course of antibiotic therapy, have been treated at Stanford University Medical Center. Twenty-seven patients had infection of a native valve (primary endocarditis) and 17 had infection of a previously implanted intracardiac prosthesis. In 91 per cent of cases urgent valve replacement was dictated by rapid hemodynamic deterioration and in the remainder by recurrent macroemboli or persistent sepsis. Various species of Streptococcus were the most common organisms encountered, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. Unusual bacteria were mostly limited to patients with prosthetic infections; Candida was seen in both groups. Aortic valve replacement was required in 80 per cent of patients. Operative mortality rates were 30 per cent in the group with primary disease and 24 per cent in the group with disease of the prosthetic valve. Most deaths were attributable to multiple system complications generated preoperatively and were unrelated to duration of preoperative antibiotic administration. Five-year survival rates for operative survivors were 68 per cent (primary) and 54 per cent (prosthetic). This experience illustrates the potential therapeutic benefit of operative intervention during active infective endocarditis complicated by severe heart failure or other life-threatening events.", "contents": "Operative treatment of active endocarditis. During the past decade 44 patients with active endocarditis, defined as valvular infection requiring operative intervention before completion of a planned course of antibiotic therapy, have been treated at Stanford University Medical Center. Twenty-seven patients had infection of a native valve (primary endocarditis) and 17 had infection of a previously implanted intracardiac prosthesis. In 91 per cent of cases urgent valve replacement was dictated by rapid hemodynamic deterioration and in the remainder by recurrent macroemboli or persistent sepsis. Various species of Streptococcus were the most common organisms encountered, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. Unusual bacteria were mostly limited to patients with prosthetic infections; Candida was seen in both groups. Aortic valve replacement was required in 80 per cent of patients. Operative mortality rates were 30 per cent in the group with primary disease and 24 per cent in the group with disease of the prosthetic valve. Most deaths were attributable to multiple system complications generated preoperatively and were unrelated to duration of preoperative antibiotic administration. Five-year survival rates for operative survivors were 68 per cent (primary) and 54 per cent (prosthetic). This experience illustrates the potential therapeutic benefit of operative intervention during active infective endocarditis complicated by severe heart failure or other life-threatening events.", "PMID": 772323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3369", "title": "An analysis of potential physiological predictors of respiratory adequacy following cardiac surgery.", "content": "More than 50 potential physiological and clinical predictors of postoperative respiratory adequacy were examined in an attempt to identify those few variables which, singly or in combination, best predicted the outcome of the first trial of spontaneous respiration following cardiac surgery. This trial was initiated when patients seemed hemodynamically stable and relatively alert following surgery. Analysis of data from 124 patients identified the following useful predictors: forced vital capacity, total lung capacity, and maximal mid-expiratory flow rate from preoperative pulmonary function tests; resting cardiac index from preoperative cardiac catheterization; postoperative compliance and resistance measured by a computer-based monitoring system; postoperative vital capacity per kilogram, and maximum inspiratory force, measured at the bedside prior to the weaning trial. Stepwise linear discriminant analysis indicated that vital capacity per kilogram and maximum inspiratory force were the most useful predictors, the dividing line between successes and failures being represented by a vital capacity per kilogram of 15 ml. and a maximum inspiratory force of 28 cm. H2O. Mean values of successes were 18.3 +/- 7 ml. per kilogram and 30.7 +/- 9 cm. H2O and, for failures, 11.9 +/- 4 ml. per kilogram and 24.3 +/- 8.4 cm H2O. These physiological variables assess patient effort acting upon an abnormal pulmonary system. Measurements of passive pulmonary mechanics, cardiac function, and the measurement of arterial blood gases were suprisingly poor predictors.", "contents": "An analysis of potential physiological predictors of respiratory adequacy following cardiac surgery. More than 50 potential physiological and clinical predictors of postoperative respiratory adequacy were examined in an attempt to identify those few variables which, singly or in combination, best predicted the outcome of the first trial of spontaneous respiration following cardiac surgery. This trial was initiated when patients seemed hemodynamically stable and relatively alert following surgery. Analysis of data from 124 patients identified the following useful predictors: forced vital capacity, total lung capacity, and maximal mid-expiratory flow rate from preoperative pulmonary function tests; resting cardiac index from preoperative cardiac catheterization; postoperative compliance and resistance measured by a computer-based monitoring system; postoperative vital capacity per kilogram, and maximum inspiratory force, measured at the bedside prior to the weaning trial. Stepwise linear discriminant analysis indicated that vital capacity per kilogram and maximum inspiratory force were the most useful predictors, the dividing line between successes and failures being represented by a vital capacity per kilogram of 15 ml. and a maximum inspiratory force of 28 cm. H2O. Mean values of successes were 18.3 +/- 7 ml. per kilogram and 30.7 +/- 9 cm. H2O and, for failures, 11.9 +/- 4 ml. per kilogram and 24.3 +/- 8.4 cm H2O. These physiological variables assess patient effort acting upon an abnormal pulmonary system. Measurements of passive pulmonary mechanics, cardiac function, and the measurement of arterial blood gases were suprisingly poor predictors.", "PMID": 772324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3370", "title": "Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy.", "content": "Forteen cases of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy were reviewed retrospectively, and histologic material was examined by various staining and histochemical techniques. The predominant morphologic features were effacement of nodal architecture, microvascular proliferation, and a polymorphous cellular infiltrate of immunoblasts, plasma cells, lymphocytes, and eosinophils. Immunofluorescence studies suggested the presence of cells elaborating a variety of immune globulins with an unpredictable pattern. The clinical course and treatment varied, perhaps partly reflecting the initial spectrum of diagnoses made in these cases before angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy was defined. Because systemic infection appears to be a major factor in the deaths of these patients whose immune competence is uncertain, the usual chemotherapy for malignant lymphomas may be too vigorous for this condition. At present, the cause of the condition is unknown.", "contents": "Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. Forteen cases of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy were reviewed retrospectively, and histologic material was examined by various staining and histochemical techniques. The predominant morphologic features were effacement of nodal architecture, microvascular proliferation, and a polymorphous cellular infiltrate of immunoblasts, plasma cells, lymphocytes, and eosinophils. Immunofluorescence studies suggested the presence of cells elaborating a variety of immune globulins with an unpredictable pattern. The clinical course and treatment varied, perhaps partly reflecting the initial spectrum of diagnoses made in these cases before angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy was defined. Because systemic infection appears to be a major factor in the deaths of these patients whose immune competence is uncertain, the usual chemotherapy for malignant lymphomas may be too vigorous for this condition. At present, the cause of the condition is unknown.", "PMID": 772329} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3371", "title": "The thyroid and audition.", "content": "Hearing loss, both congenital and acquired, can be associated in a more than happenstance manner with disorders of almost every organ system; the thyroid gland being no exception. Although theliterature is replete with speculations and observations, complete understanding of the thyroid gland-auditory system relationship is lacking. Several known syndromes, seemingly unrelated except for the association of hearing loss and thyroid abnormalities, have been described and, from the standpoint of hearing loss, may be conveniently divided into four groups: 1. non-genetic congenital; 2. non-genetic acquired; 3. genetic congenital; and 4. genetic delayed.", "contents": "The thyroid and audition. Hearing loss, both congenital and acquired, can be associated in a more than happenstance manner with disorders of almost every organ system; the thyroid gland being no exception. Although theliterature is replete with speculations and observations, complete understanding of the thyroid gland-auditory system relationship is lacking. Several known syndromes, seemingly unrelated except for the association of hearing loss and thyroid abnormalities, have been described and, from the standpoint of hearing loss, may be conveniently divided into four groups: 1. non-genetic congenital; 2. non-genetic acquired; 3. genetic congenital; and 4. genetic delayed.", "PMID": 772338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3372", "title": "Surgical management of bilateral vocal cord paralysis.", "content": "Fifty-five patients with bilateral abductor paralysis of the vocal cords were managed surgically from 1957 to 1973. Initially, unilateral arytenoidectomy or arytenoidopexy was employed. If this was not satisfactory, a contralateral arytenoidectomy was performed 6 to 12 months later. If the patient's airway was still inadequate, then open unilateral submucous resection of the vocal cord was accomplished. Initial management was successful in 62 patient (34/55) of patients, and 50 to 55 patients (91 percent) were eventually decannulated. Failure of the arytenoidectomy appeared to be related to traumatic etiology of the bilateral paralysis presence of previous treatment, and technical problems of the procedure itself.", "contents": "Surgical management of bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Fifty-five patients with bilateral abductor paralysis of the vocal cords were managed surgically from 1957 to 1973. Initially, unilateral arytenoidectomy or arytenoidopexy was employed. If this was not satisfactory, a contralateral arytenoidectomy was performed 6 to 12 months later. If the patient's airway was still inadequate, then open unilateral submucous resection of the vocal cord was accomplished. Initial management was successful in 62 patient (34/55) of patients, and 50 to 55 patients (91 percent) were eventually decannulated. Failure of the arytenoidectomy appeared to be related to traumatic etiology of the bilateral paralysis presence of previous treatment, and technical problems of the procedure itself.", "PMID": 772339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3373", "title": "[Humoral and cellular immune phenomena in an acute viral hepatitis (author's transl)].", "content": "During the course of acute viral hepatitis A and B, several humoral and cellular immune phenomena have been observed, part of which is predominantly or even exclusively associated with hepatitis B: 1. Relative and absolute counts for T-lymphocytes depressed and for \"null\" -cells elevated; 2. mild elevation of serum globulin levels; 3. IgM augmentation occurring fastly, pronounced, and long lasting in typical cases; 4. IgG augmentation occurring later, less pronounced, and for a shorter period in typical cases; 5. autoantibodies to smooth muscles and mitochondria in low titers in some patients; 6. specific antibodies to \"e\" -antigen (early) and HB-Ag (later in the course) in part of the cases with hepatitis B; 7. immune complexes including HB-Ag, IgG and probably IgM (and IgA) as well as complement in some cases; 8. depressed levels of the fourth component of complement and - in cases complicated by \"allergic\" symptoms - of C3, C4, and total complement; 9. occurrence of activated lymphocytes (\"virocytes\") in peripheral blood; 10. enhanced spontaneous lymphocytic DNA-synthesis; 11. enchanced phytohaemagglutinin stimulation of lymphocytes; 12. mild lymphocyte proliferation to HB-Ag in part of the acute and convalescent cases of hepatitis B; 13. production of migration inhibition factor to liver specific protein (and HB-Ag) or lymphocytes in different percentages of patients with hepatitis B. Origin, diagnostic and prognostic importance, as well as pathogenetic revelance of the described immune phenomena are discussed.", "contents": "[Humoral and cellular immune phenomena in an acute viral hepatitis (author's transl)]. During the course of acute viral hepatitis A and B, several humoral and cellular immune phenomena have been observed, part of which is predominantly or even exclusively associated with hepatitis B: 1. Relative and absolute counts for T-lymphocytes depressed and for \"null\" -cells elevated; 2. mild elevation of serum globulin levels; 3. IgM augmentation occurring fastly, pronounced, and long lasting in typical cases; 4. IgG augmentation occurring later, less pronounced, and for a shorter period in typical cases; 5. autoantibodies to smooth muscles and mitochondria in low titers in some patients; 6. specific antibodies to \"e\" -antigen (early) and HB-Ag (later in the course) in part of the cases with hepatitis B; 7. immune complexes including HB-Ag, IgG and probably IgM (and IgA) as well as complement in some cases; 8. depressed levels of the fourth component of complement and - in cases complicated by \"allergic\" symptoms - of C3, C4, and total complement; 9. occurrence of activated lymphocytes (\"virocytes\") in peripheral blood; 10. enhanced spontaneous lymphocytic DNA-synthesis; 11. enchanced phytohaemagglutinin stimulation of lymphocytes; 12. mild lymphocyte proliferation to HB-Ag in part of the acute and convalescent cases of hepatitis B; 13. production of migration inhibition factor to liver specific protein (and HB-Ag) or lymphocytes in different percentages of patients with hepatitis B. Origin, diagnostic and prognostic importance, as well as pathogenetic revelance of the described immune phenomena are discussed.", "PMID": 772340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3374", "title": "Extraction of lipids from yeast.", "content": "Several methods for the extraction of lipids from intact yeast cells have been compared. Extraction of intact cells with methanol followed by methanol: benzene (1:1, v/v) and benzene resulted in the recovery of equal or greater amounts of polar and nonpolar lipids than obtained by other methods. A preparative method involving preincubation of cells with aqueous KOH followed by the treatment of the cellular residue as described above yielded slightly more steryl esters than was extracted from broken cell preparations.", "contents": "Extraction of lipids from yeast. Several methods for the extraction of lipids from intact yeast cells have been compared. Extraction of intact cells with methanol followed by methanol: benzene (1:1, v/v) and benzene resulted in the recovery of equal or greater amounts of polar and nonpolar lipids than obtained by other methods. A preparative method involving preincubation of cells with aqueous KOH followed by the treatment of the cellular residue as described above yielded slightly more steryl esters than was extracted from broken cell preparations.", "PMID": 772348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3375", "title": "Bound hydroxyproline excretion following gelatin loading in prolidase deficiency.", "content": "The excretion of peptide-bound hydroxyproline before and after gelatin loading was evaluated in two children with prolidase deficiency, two adult heterozygotes, and normal controls. On a low hydroxyproline diet, the patients with prolidase deficiency excreted 6.9 and 2.4 times more bound hydroxyproline than normal children. The bound hydroxyproline excretion for the heterozygotes was comparable to the adult controls. Children ingested 20 g of gelatin and adults 29 g. In the 24 hr following gelatin loading, the homozygotes excreted 14.4 and 17.3 times more of the ingested load of hydroxyproline than did normal children. This constituted 39% and 47% of the hydroxyproline ingested. Of the hydroxyproline excreted in 24 hr, 58%, and 61.4% was excreted in the first 6 hr. Over the 24 hr period, the normal children excreted 2.7% of the hydroxyproline ingested (97.8% in the first 6 hr). The heterozygotes excreted only slightly more than the adult controls. The normal adults excreted 6.0% of the ingested hydroxyproline (82.8% in the first 6 hr). In prolidase deficiency, large amounts of peptide-bound hydroxyproline can cross the intestinal wall unhydrolyzed. Prolidase appears to have an important role in normal hydrolysis of peptide-bound hydroxyproline.", "contents": "Bound hydroxyproline excretion following gelatin loading in prolidase deficiency. The excretion of peptide-bound hydroxyproline before and after gelatin loading was evaluated in two children with prolidase deficiency, two adult heterozygotes, and normal controls. On a low hydroxyproline diet, the patients with prolidase deficiency excreted 6.9 and 2.4 times more bound hydroxyproline than normal children. The bound hydroxyproline excretion for the heterozygotes was comparable to the adult controls. Children ingested 20 g of gelatin and adults 29 g. In the 24 hr following gelatin loading, the homozygotes excreted 14.4 and 17.3 times more of the ingested load of hydroxyproline than did normal children. This constituted 39% and 47% of the hydroxyproline ingested. Of the hydroxyproline excreted in 24 hr, 58%, and 61.4% was excreted in the first 6 hr. Over the 24 hr period, the normal children excreted 2.7% of the hydroxyproline ingested (97.8% in the first 6 hr). The heterozygotes excreted only slightly more than the adult controls. The normal adults excreted 6.0% of the ingested hydroxyproline (82.8% in the first 6 hr). In prolidase deficiency, large amounts of peptide-bound hydroxyproline can cross the intestinal wall unhydrolyzed. Prolidase appears to have an important role in normal hydrolysis of peptide-bound hydroxyproline.", "PMID": 772363} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3376", "title": "A review of recent developments in human fertility control.", "content": "Recent and significant developments in the field of fertility control are reviewed. Consideration is given to new aspects of existing methods, recent modifications to steroidal formulations and Intrauterine devices, increased utilization of older methods (abortion and sterilization) and evaluation of new fields (postcoital contraception, prostaglandins and immunological techniques). There is an increasing demand for better application of newly developed methods and a rational decision in the selection of appropriate methods.", "contents": "A review of recent developments in human fertility control. Recent and significant developments in the field of fertility control are reviewed. Consideration is given to new aspects of existing methods, recent modifications to steroidal formulations and Intrauterine devices, increased utilization of older methods (abortion and sterilization) and evaluation of new fields (postcoital contraception, prostaglandins and immunological techniques). There is an increasing demand for better application of newly developed methods and a rational decision in the selection of appropriate methods.", "PMID": 772370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3377", "title": "Instrumentation for cardiopulmonary bypass--past, present, and future.", "content": "Methods of extracorporeal circulation to permit intracardiac surgery still depend on the principles developed by John Gibbon in the early 1950s. This review traces Gibbon's early development, reviews the state of the art of instrumentation for extracorporeal circulation in the operating room today, and projects future changes in this instrumentation that will result in improvement in blood contact surfaces, automation and servo-regulation, and safety.", "contents": "Instrumentation for cardiopulmonary bypass--past, present, and future. Methods of extracorporeal circulation to permit intracardiac surgery still depend on the principles developed by John Gibbon in the early 1950s. This review traces Gibbon's early development, reviews the state of the art of instrumentation for extracorporeal circulation in the operating room today, and projects future changes in this instrumentation that will result in improvement in blood contact surfaces, automation and servo-regulation, and safety.", "PMID": 772367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3378", "title": "Perspectives in physiological monitoring.", "content": "Clinical monitoring systems that have been developed in response to the need to acquire patient physiological data have only recently been accepted as standard equipment in the operating room, and burgeoned into the variety of sophisticated patient-monitoring equipment available today. This article traces the history of the recognition of the importance of physiological data in diagnosing and treating disease, the inclusion of the four vital signs on patient charts, and the first instrumental recording of these signs, all of which occurred before 1900. The earliest operating room monitoring system, which was not developed until the mid 1940s, is described.", "contents": "Perspectives in physiological monitoring. Clinical monitoring systems that have been developed in response to the need to acquire patient physiological data have only recently been accepted as standard equipment in the operating room, and burgeoned into the variety of sophisticated patient-monitoring equipment available today. This article traces the history of the recognition of the importance of physiological data in diagnosing and treating disease, the inclusion of the four vital signs on patient charts, and the first instrumental recording of these signs, all of which occurred before 1900. The earliest operating room monitoring system, which was not developed until the mid 1940s, is described.", "PMID": 772369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3379", "title": "Current dangers and problems in the topical use of steroids.", "content": "The hazards of the topical use of steroids, especially the fluorinated steroids, are reviewed. Attention is drawn, especially to the site of application, the face and flexures. The masking of bacterial and fungal infection by topical corticosteroid preparations is mentioned, as are the possible dangers of using them in skin malignancy. The query is raised as to the value of topical use of antibiotics.", "contents": "Current dangers and problems in the topical use of steroids. The hazards of the topical use of steroids, especially the fluorinated steroids, are reviewed. Attention is drawn, especially to the site of application, the face and flexures. The masking of bacterial and fungal infection by topical corticosteroid preparations is mentioned, as are the possible dangers of using them in skin malignancy. The query is raised as to the value of topical use of antibiotics.", "PMID": 772378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3380", "title": "Eclectic relaxation therapy.", "content": "This paper introduces a new method that is designed to facilitate muscular relaxation, enhance direct sensory reality and increase self-control over mental processes. The procedure consists of six sessions and requires minimal therapist involvement, the therapy being presented in a group setting by tape recordings. The advantages of this technique are suggested and the principles used in its construction are defined.", "contents": "Eclectic relaxation therapy. This paper introduces a new method that is designed to facilitate muscular relaxation, enhance direct sensory reality and increase self-control over mental processes. The procedure consists of six sessions and requires minimal therapist involvement, the therapy being presented in a group setting by tape recordings. The advantages of this technique are suggested and the principles used in its construction are defined.", "PMID": 772379} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3381", "title": "Dialysis in the home.", "content": "Patients with impaired renal function require thorough evaluation at the time of diagnosis and careful supervision thereafter. If renal failure ensues, both dialysis and renal transplantation can be used to provide integrated and total care. The family physician has an important role to play in medical supervision of patients undertaking dialysis at home. Discussion and careful examination during routine visits can forestall complications and contribute to the patient's confidence and independence. There are few problems that cannot be sorted out by an interested family physician with support from the parent renal unit.", "contents": "Dialysis in the home. Patients with impaired renal function require thorough evaluation at the time of diagnosis and careful supervision thereafter. If renal failure ensues, both dialysis and renal transplantation can be used to provide integrated and total care. The family physician has an important role to play in medical supervision of patients undertaking dialysis at home. Discussion and careful examination during routine visits can forestall complications and contribute to the patient's confidence and independence. There are few problems that cannot be sorted out by an interested family physician with support from the parent renal unit.", "PMID": 772380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3382", "title": "Thrombosis after central venous cannulation.", "content": "A prospective investigation was undertaken to assess the incidence of thrombosis after central venous cannulation. There were 63 patients. The incidence of thrombus formation in the last 20 of our patients was 90%. In 13% of the 63 patients there were serious sequelae to thrombosis--pulmonary embolism, major vein occlusion and septicaemia. Factors responsible are discussed. Some are preventable whilst others need further research.", "contents": "Thrombosis after central venous cannulation. A prospective investigation was undertaken to assess the incidence of thrombosis after central venous cannulation. There were 63 patients. The incidence of thrombus formation in the last 20 of our patients was 90%. In 13% of the 63 patients there were serious sequelae to thrombosis--pulmonary embolism, major vein occlusion and septicaemia. Factors responsible are discussed. Some are preventable whilst others need further research.", "PMID": 772381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3383", "title": "Renal transplantation.", "content": "Kidney transplantation is now a very acceptable form of treatment of end-stage renal failure. About 50% of kidney grafts are still functioning after five years. If the kidney graft fails, and failure is usually due to rejection, patients are returned to dialysis for definitive treatment or to await another transplant. Although kidneys from living related donors offer the best chance of success, most kidneys in Australia are transplanted from cadavers. A shortage of cadaver kidneys necessitates a wait of 6 to 12 months for a transplant.", "contents": "Renal transplantation. Kidney transplantation is now a very acceptable form of treatment of end-stage renal failure. About 50% of kidney grafts are still functioning after five years. If the kidney graft fails, and failure is usually due to rejection, patients are returned to dialysis for definitive treatment or to await another transplant. Although kidneys from living related donors offer the best chance of success, most kidneys in Australia are transplanted from cadavers. A shortage of cadaver kidneys necessitates a wait of 6 to 12 months for a transplant.", "PMID": 772382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3384", "title": "[The effect of mesterolone in panmyelopathic anemia and anemia of renal failure].", "content": "A controlled randomized multicenter trial was carried out to examine the therapeutic value of the androgen mesterolone in aplastic anemia and anemia of renal failure. the drug was given in a dose of 2 mg/kg orally for 6 months. Control patients received no androgens but were otherwise similarily treated. 31 patients with aplastic anemia could be evaluated. No significant difference was found between androgen treated control cases in respect to bone marrow cellularity, improvement of peripheral blood cell counts or survival. In a group of 14 patients not being hemodialyzed with anemia from renal failure, 3 of the androgen treated and none of the control patients showed progressive and significant improvement of erythropoiesis; however, this was not a statistically significant difference when the both groups of patients were compared. The results do not suggest that the androgen mesterolone is of therapeutic value in the majority of adult patients with aplastic anemia. Possible reasons of the discrepancy to positive results reported in the literature are discussed.", "contents": "[The effect of mesterolone in panmyelopathic anemia and anemia of renal failure]. A controlled randomized multicenter trial was carried out to examine the therapeutic value of the androgen mesterolone in aplastic anemia and anemia of renal failure. the drug was given in a dose of 2 mg/kg orally for 6 months. Control patients received no androgens but were otherwise similarily treated. 31 patients with aplastic anemia could be evaluated. No significant difference was found between androgen treated control cases in respect to bone marrow cellularity, improvement of peripheral blood cell counts or survival. In a group of 14 patients not being hemodialyzed with anemia from renal failure, 3 of the androgen treated and none of the control patients showed progressive and significant improvement of erythropoiesis; however, this was not a statistically significant difference when the both groups of patients were compared. The results do not suggest that the androgen mesterolone is of therapeutic value in the majority of adult patients with aplastic anemia. Possible reasons of the discrepancy to positive results reported in the literature are discussed.", "PMID": 772394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3385", "title": "A relaxed mutant with an altered ribosomal protein L11.", "content": "Relaxed mutants of Escherichia coli have been isolated which have an altered electrophoretic mobility of ribosomal protein L11. It can be shown that reversion to stringency in one of these mutants occurs simultaneously with a reversion of L11 protein to tis normal mobility. The L11 structural gene, rplK, maping near rif, is carried by the bacteriophage lambdacI857S7drifd18, and is most likely identical with relC.", "contents": "A relaxed mutant with an altered ribosomal protein L11. Relaxed mutants of Escherichia coli have been isolated which have an altered electrophoretic mobility of ribosomal protein L11. It can be shown that reversion to stringency in one of these mutants occurs simultaneously with a reversion of L11 protein to tis normal mobility. The L11 structural gene, rplK, maping near rif, is carried by the bacteriophage lambdacI857S7drifd18, and is most likely identical with relC.", "PMID": 772409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3386", "title": "Isolation of transducing phage carrying rps T, the structural gene for ribosomal protein S20.", "content": "Lambda transducing phages carrying segments of the Escherichia coli chromosome in the dapB region have been isolated in their in vivo gene products analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. One of these phages, lambdaddapB-2, carries the structural genes for ribosomal protein S20 (rps T) and isoleucyltransfer RNA synthetase (ileS.) The most likely gene order is thr-rpsT-ileS-dapB-pyrA.", "contents": "Isolation of transducing phage carrying rps T, the structural gene for ribosomal protein S20. Lambda transducing phages carrying segments of the Escherichia coli chromosome in the dapB region have been isolated in their in vivo gene products analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. One of these phages, lambdaddapB-2, carries the structural genes for ribosomal protein S20 (rps T) and isoleucyltransfer RNA synthetase (ileS.) The most likely gene order is thr-rpsT-ileS-dapB-pyrA.", "PMID": 772410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3387", "title": "In vitro synthesis and repression of argininosuccinase in Escherichia coli K12; partial purification of the arginine repressor.", "content": "Phi80dargECBH DNA has been used to direct cell-free synthesis of argininosuccinase, the argH gene product in Escherichia coli K12. In vitro enzyme synthesis is sensitive to repression by partially purified preparations from an argR+ strain but not by corresponding preparations from an argR- strain. Using DNA-cellulose chromatography, approximately seventyfold purification of repressor has been obtained. The partially purified preparation represses argininosuccinase synthesis but has no effect on beta-galactosidase synthesis.", "contents": "In vitro synthesis and repression of argininosuccinase in Escherichia coli K12; partial purification of the arginine repressor. Phi80dargECBH DNA has been used to direct cell-free synthesis of argininosuccinase, the argH gene product in Escherichia coli K12. In vitro enzyme synthesis is sensitive to repression by partially purified preparations from an argR+ strain but not by corresponding preparations from an argR- strain. Using DNA-cellulose chromatography, approximately seventyfold purification of repressor has been obtained. The partially purified preparation represses argininosuccinase synthesis but has no effect on beta-galactosidase synthesis.", "PMID": 772411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3388", "title": "Recombination and hydroxyurea inhibition of DNA synthesis in yeast meiosis.", "content": "Hydroxyurea (HU) inhibits the premeiotic DNA replication and the meiotic events that followed, namely readiness, recombination commitment, haploidisation, sporulation commitment and ascus formation. Short incubations with HU (2-4 hrs) during the premeiotic replication (i.e. starting between 3 and 6.5 hrs in sporulation medium) allow the resumption of the replication at a normal rate following the removal of the drug. The other meiotic events are similarly delayed by the approximate length of the treatment. In these experiments, intragenic recombination in ade2 reached a higher level than in the controls (x 1.3-2.0 in one pair of heteroalleles and x 3.0-4.0 in another pair). The recombination response to short HU treatments was not observed for a pair of heteroalleles in ade2 that normally shows a high level of meiotic recombination (750 per 10(6) cells), nor was the response observed in a pair of heteroalleles in lys2. HU treatments have almost no effect on sporulating cells from 8 hrs onwards. At 7-7.5 hrs the meiotic cells are very sensitive to the drug and even short treatments cause cell death and massive DNA degradation.", "contents": "Recombination and hydroxyurea inhibition of DNA synthesis in yeast meiosis. Hydroxyurea (HU) inhibits the premeiotic DNA replication and the meiotic events that followed, namely readiness, recombination commitment, haploidisation, sporulation commitment and ascus formation. Short incubations with HU (2-4 hrs) during the premeiotic replication (i.e. starting between 3 and 6.5 hrs in sporulation medium) allow the resumption of the replication at a normal rate following the removal of the drug. The other meiotic events are similarly delayed by the approximate length of the treatment. In these experiments, intragenic recombination in ade2 reached a higher level than in the controls (x 1.3-2.0 in one pair of heteroalleles and x 3.0-4.0 in another pair). The recombination response to short HU treatments was not observed for a pair of heteroalleles in ade2 that normally shows a high level of meiotic recombination (750 per 10(6) cells), nor was the response observed in a pair of heteroalleles in lys2. HU treatments have almost no effect on sporulating cells from 8 hrs onwards. At 7-7.5 hrs the meiotic cells are very sensitive to the drug and even short treatments cause cell death and massive DNA degradation.", "PMID": 772412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3389", "title": "A yeast mutant defective in the processing of 27S r-RNA precursor.", "content": "Among a group of 31 ts- yeast mutants screened electrophoretically for heat-sensitive synthesis of each stable RNA species, only mutant ts351 failed to accumulate 25S RNA at 36 degrees C. Pulse-labeling experiments at 36 degrees C showed that 35S and 27S precursors RNA and mature 18S r-RNA molecules are synthetized by ts351 cells but that 25S and 5.8S RNA species are not made and new 60S ribosomal sub-units are not assembled. The mutant is blocked at a specific point in r-RNA processing: the cutting of 27S to form 25S and 5.8S r-RNA.", "contents": "A yeast mutant defective in the processing of 27S r-RNA precursor. Among a group of 31 ts- yeast mutants screened electrophoretically for heat-sensitive synthesis of each stable RNA species, only mutant ts351 failed to accumulate 25S RNA at 36 degrees C. Pulse-labeling experiments at 36 degrees C showed that 35S and 27S precursors RNA and mature 18S r-RNA molecules are synthetized by ts351 cells but that 25S and 5.8S RNA species are not made and new 60S ribosomal sub-units are not assembled. The mutant is blocked at a specific point in r-RNA processing: the cutting of 27S to form 25S and 5.8S r-RNA.", "PMID": 772413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3390", "title": "Mutagenic DNA repair in Escherichia coli. III. Requirement for a function of DNA polymerase III in ultraviolet-light mutagenesis.", "content": "The polC (= dnaE) temperature-sensitive DNA polymerase III mutation from Escherichia coli BT1026 has been transduced into E. coli WP2 (to give CM731) and WP2 uvr A (to give CM741). In excision-deficient CM741 UV-induced Trp+ mutations progressively lost their photoreversibility during post-irradiation incubation at 34 degrees. Immediately after transfer to 43 degrees, however, there was no further loss of reversibility although post-replication strand joining still occurred and uptake of 3H-thymidine into DNA continued for 20 to 30 min. In excision-proficient CM731, UV lesions capable of leading to Strr mutations disappeared during post-irradiation incubation at restrictive temperature and there was no increase in the number remaining after exposure to photoreversing light. In contrast, at permissive temperature, premutational lesions were not lost and became progressively converted into non-photoreverisble mutations. It is concluded that a function of the polC gene is necessary for error-prone repair to occur and that this function is defective at 43 degrees in the enzyme specified by the polC allele from BT1026. This function seems not to be essential for most post-replication or excision repair or for normal DNA replication and may be particularly involved in the insertion of incorrect bases during error-prone repair.", "contents": "Mutagenic DNA repair in Escherichia coli. III. Requirement for a function of DNA polymerase III in ultraviolet-light mutagenesis. The polC (= dnaE) temperature-sensitive DNA polymerase III mutation from Escherichia coli BT1026 has been transduced into E. coli WP2 (to give CM731) and WP2 uvr A (to give CM741). In excision-deficient CM741 UV-induced Trp+ mutations progressively lost their photoreversibility during post-irradiation incubation at 34 degrees. Immediately after transfer to 43 degrees, however, there was no further loss of reversibility although post-replication strand joining still occurred and uptake of 3H-thymidine into DNA continued for 20 to 30 min. In excision-proficient CM731, UV lesions capable of leading to Strr mutations disappeared during post-irradiation incubation at restrictive temperature and there was no increase in the number remaining after exposure to photoreversing light. In contrast, at permissive temperature, premutational lesions were not lost and became progressively converted into non-photoreverisble mutations. It is concluded that a function of the polC gene is necessary for error-prone repair to occur and that this function is defective at 43 degrees in the enzyme specified by the polC allele from BT1026. This function seems not to be essential for most post-replication or excision repair or for normal DNA replication and may be particularly involved in the insertion of incorrect bases during error-prone repair.", "PMID": 772414} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3391", "title": "Cooperative control of translational fidelity by ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli. III. A ram mutation in the structural gene for protein S5 (rpx E).", "content": "The effect on translational fidelity of a particular mutation in the gene coding for protein S5(rpxE) has been investigated. This mutation has the opposite effect of a restrictive strA mutation; in vivo, it relieves the restriction imposed by strA on the suppression of T4 nonsense mutants and results in hypersensitivity to streptomycin; in vitro, the presence of the altered S5 protein in 30S ribosomes results in increased intrinsic misreading. It is concluded that this mutation, ramC319, acts as a ribosomal ambiguity mutation similar to certain mutations of protein S4 (ramA).", "contents": "Cooperative control of translational fidelity by ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli. III. A ram mutation in the structural gene for protein S5 (rpx E). The effect on translational fidelity of a particular mutation in the gene coding for protein S5(rpxE) has been investigated. This mutation has the opposite effect of a restrictive strA mutation; in vivo, it relieves the restriction imposed by strA on the suppression of T4 nonsense mutants and results in hypersensitivity to streptomycin; in vitro, the presence of the altered S5 protein in 30S ribosomes results in increased intrinsic misreading. It is concluded that this mutation, ramC319, acts as a ribosomal ambiguity mutation similar to certain mutations of protein S4 (ramA).", "PMID": 772415} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3392", "title": "Dependence of transfection efficiency of calcium treated Escherichia coli cells on bacterial genotype and form of Lambda DNA.", "content": "The transfecting activity of linear lambda DNA is 100 times higher in calcium treated E. coli K12 (lambda i434) than in non-lysogenic strains: the levels of transfection are 1-2.10(7) and 1-2.10(5) infective centers per 1 mug of lambda DNA respectively. The high efficiency of lysogenic cells transfection is not due to the spontaneously liberated \"helper\" phage. Evidently, it is called forth by transfecting DNA-prophage recombination or/and by inhibition of nuclease activity in lysogenic cells. Both ring forms lambda DNA (supercoiled and open circles) show very low infectivity, if any, in calcinated cells.", "contents": "Dependence of transfection efficiency of calcium treated Escherichia coli cells on bacterial genotype and form of Lambda DNA. The transfecting activity of linear lambda DNA is 100 times higher in calcium treated E. coli K12 (lambda i434) than in non-lysogenic strains: the levels of transfection are 1-2.10(7) and 1-2.10(5) infective centers per 1 mug of lambda DNA respectively. The high efficiency of lysogenic cells transfection is not due to the spontaneously liberated \"helper\" phage. Evidently, it is called forth by transfecting DNA-prophage recombination or/and by inhibition of nuclease activity in lysogenic cells. Both ring forms lambda DNA (supercoiled and open circles) show very low infectivity, if any, in calcinated cells.", "PMID": 772416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3393", "title": "The synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine by mutants with defects in S-adenosylmethionine synthetase.", "content": "Some metK mutants of Salmonella typhimurium with constitutive methionine biosynthesis have no detectable S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthetase, the enzyme which converts methionine to SAM, the postulated corepressor of the methionine pathway. However, these mutants are not auxotrophic for SAM, an essential compound for many reactions.", "contents": "The synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine by mutants with defects in S-adenosylmethionine synthetase. Some metK mutants of Salmonella typhimurium with constitutive methionine biosynthesis have no detectable S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthetase, the enzyme which converts methionine to SAM, the postulated corepressor of the methionine pathway. However, these mutants are not auxotrophic for SAM, an essential compound for many reactions.", "PMID": 772417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3394", "title": "The role of thiol groups in nucleoside transport.", "content": "(1) The inactivation of various forms of nucleoside transport with reagents blocking thiol groups was studied in whole cells of E. coli B. No positive correlation between the efficiency of active transport and the extent or rate of inactivation could be demonstrated. (2) The most efficient constitutive nucleoside-transporting system was found to comprise a specific thiol component characterized by low rate of inactivation with N-ethylmaleimide; the less efficient inducible transport and the facilitated diffusion of guanosine require the integrity of another thiol component which is rapidly inactivated with N-ethylmaleimide. (3) The constitutive nucleoside-transporting system is completely inactivated with T4 phage, while other modes of nucleoside transport are much less affected. (4) Inactivation of constitutive transporting system in cells exposed to N-ethylmaleimide for a limited period of time continues long after the inhibitor has been removed, indicating storage of the inhibitor in some cellular compartment. Addition of dithiothreitol stops the inactivation immediately.", "contents": "The role of thiol groups in nucleoside transport. (1) The inactivation of various forms of nucleoside transport with reagents blocking thiol groups was studied in whole cells of E. coli B. No positive correlation between the efficiency of active transport and the extent or rate of inactivation could be demonstrated. (2) The most efficient constitutive nucleoside-transporting system was found to comprise a specific thiol component characterized by low rate of inactivation with N-ethylmaleimide; the less efficient inducible transport and the facilitated diffusion of guanosine require the integrity of another thiol component which is rapidly inactivated with N-ethylmaleimide. (3) The constitutive nucleoside-transporting system is completely inactivated with T4 phage, while other modes of nucleoside transport are much less affected. (4) Inactivation of constitutive transporting system in cells exposed to N-ethylmaleimide for a limited period of time continues long after the inhibitor has been removed, indicating storage of the inhibitor in some cellular compartment. Addition of dithiothreitol stops the inactivation immediately.", "PMID": 772419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3395", "title": "[Possibilities of species determination by immunofluorescence study of bone tissue].", "content": "By the aid of isocyanate-labelled anti-human-serum a new technique was worked out for the determination of the species-specificity of the bone tissue. The antigen-antibody reaction is labelled by the fluorchrom and visible in the UB-light.", "contents": "[Possibilities of species determination by immunofluorescence study of bone tissue]. By the aid of isocyanate-labelled anti-human-serum a new technique was worked out for the determination of the species-specificity of the bone tissue. The antigen-antibody reaction is labelled by the fluorchrom and visible in the UB-light.", "PMID": 772421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3396", "title": "Production of frameshift mutations in Salmonella by a light sensitive azide analog of ethidium.", "content": "Frameshift mutations have been produced in specific repair-negative Salmonella tester strains by photoaffinity labeling technique using ethidium azide. Reversions requiring a +1 addition or a -2 deletion were specially sensitive. Mutagenesis was reduced by the simultaneous addition of non-mutagenic ethidium bromide, and was prevented by photolysis of the azide prior to culture addition. Identical tester strains active in DNA excision repaire were not mutagenized by the azide. These results are consistent with the interpretation that photolysis of the bound ethidium analog converts the drug from its noncovalent mode of binding (presumably intercalation) to a covalent complex with consequent production of frameshift mutations. Such photoaffinity labeling by drugs which bind to DNA not only confirms the importance of covalent drug attachment for frameshift mutagenesis, but also provides powerful techniques for studying the molecular deatils of a variety of genetic mechanisms.", "contents": "Production of frameshift mutations in Salmonella by a light sensitive azide analog of ethidium. Frameshift mutations have been produced in specific repair-negative Salmonella tester strains by photoaffinity labeling technique using ethidium azide. Reversions requiring a +1 addition or a -2 deletion were specially sensitive. Mutagenesis was reduced by the simultaneous addition of non-mutagenic ethidium bromide, and was prevented by photolysis of the azide prior to culture addition. Identical tester strains active in DNA excision repaire were not mutagenized by the azide. These results are consistent with the interpretation that photolysis of the bound ethidium analog converts the drug from its noncovalent mode of binding (presumably intercalation) to a covalent complex with consequent production of frameshift mutations. Such photoaffinity labeling by drugs which bind to DNA not only confirms the importance of covalent drug attachment for frameshift mutagenesis, but also provides powerful techniques for studying the molecular deatils of a variety of genetic mechanisms.", "PMID": 772423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3397", "title": "Renin profiling in hypertension and its use in treatment with propranolol and chlorthalidone.", "content": "We compared methods of classifying hypertension according to plasma renin activity in 54 patients with essential hypertension and examined the validity of using these classifications to choose between two hypotensive drugs. A prospective, double-blind crossover study was used. Normal values for plasma renin activity were established from 111 control subjects. Plasma renin activity was related to race and inversely to age in hypertensive patients (P less than 0.05) but not in normal subjects. Three methods of classification correlated well but did not identify exactly the same renin-suppressed patients. Chlorthalidone produced a greater reduction in blood pressure and restored blood pressure to normal in a larger percentage of patients in both low-renin (59 per cent) and normal-renin (32 per cent) subgroups than propranolol (12 and 16 per cent). Renin determinations are of limited benefit in the choice of therapy for most patients with essential hypertension.", "contents": "Renin profiling in hypertension and its use in treatment with propranolol and chlorthalidone. We compared methods of classifying hypertension according to plasma renin activity in 54 patients with essential hypertension and examined the validity of using these classifications to choose between two hypotensive drugs. A prospective, double-blind crossover study was used. Normal values for plasma renin activity were established from 111 control subjects. Plasma renin activity was related to race and inversely to age in hypertensive patients (P less than 0.05) but not in normal subjects. Three methods of classification correlated well but did not identify exactly the same renin-suppressed patients. Chlorthalidone produced a greater reduction in blood pressure and restored blood pressure to normal in a larger percentage of patients in both low-renin (59 per cent) and normal-renin (32 per cent) subgroups than propranolol (12 and 16 per cent). Renin determinations are of limited benefit in the choice of therapy for most patients with essential hypertension.", "PMID": 772425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3398", "title": "Foreign medical graduates and Maryland Medicaid.", "content": "To determine whether foreign medical graduates provide a disproportionate share of medical care to the poor, Medicaid vendors in Maryland were compared with all licensed physicians in the State. Foreign medical graduates constitute 22 per cent of all physicians in Maryland but 36 per cent of the Medicaid vendors. In addition, of all the vendors for fiscal 1974, 94 per cent who were licensed in 1972 or 1973 were foreign medical graduates. This disproportional representation in the Medicaid program is concentrated in the specialties of general surgery, internal medicine and general practice. Thirty-two per cent of all foreign medical graduates in Maryland are board-certified physicians, but only 22 per cent of those who are Medicaid vendors are board certified. For United States medical graduates, 48 per cent of all physicians are board certified, but this figure increases to 52 per cent for the Medicaid vendors. Finally, representation of foreign medical graduates among Medicaid vendors tends to be highest in areas with the highest physician-to-population ratios and with the highest percentages of total Medicaid payments.", "contents": "Foreign medical graduates and Maryland Medicaid. To determine whether foreign medical graduates provide a disproportionate share of medical care to the poor, Medicaid vendors in Maryland were compared with all licensed physicians in the State. Foreign medical graduates constitute 22 per cent of all physicians in Maryland but 36 per cent of the Medicaid vendors. In addition, of all the vendors for fiscal 1974, 94 per cent who were licensed in 1972 or 1973 were foreign medical graduates. This disproportional representation in the Medicaid program is concentrated in the specialties of general surgery, internal medicine and general practice. Thirty-two per cent of all foreign medical graduates in Maryland are board-certified physicians, but only 22 per cent of those who are Medicaid vendors are board certified. For United States medical graduates, 48 per cent of all physicians are board certified, but this figure increases to 52 per cent for the Medicaid vendors. Finally, representation of foreign medical graduates among Medicaid vendors tends to be highest in areas with the highest physician-to-population ratios and with the highest percentages of total Medicaid payments.", "PMID": 772426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3399", "title": "Effect of psychoprophylaxis (Lamaze preparation) on labor and delivery in primiparas.", "content": "To investigate whether \"prepared-childbirth\" courses offer measurable physical advantages, we compared the labor and delivery characteristics of 129 primiparas who had completed ante-partum Lamaze-training psychoprophylaxis classes with an equal number of matched controls who had not. The former were given narcotics less frequently during labor (P less than 0.001), received conduction anesthesia less often (P less than 0.001), and had a higher frequency of spontaneous vaginal deliveries (P less than 0.001) than the control patients. However, these differences had no apparent effects on the length of labor, number or type of maternal complications, frequency of fetal distress, mean Apgar scored, or neonatal problems.", "contents": "Effect of psychoprophylaxis (Lamaze preparation) on labor and delivery in primiparas. To investigate whether \"prepared-childbirth\" courses offer measurable physical advantages, we compared the labor and delivery characteristics of 129 primiparas who had completed ante-partum Lamaze-training psychoprophylaxis classes with an equal number of matched controls who had not. The former were given narcotics less frequently during labor (P less than 0.001), received conduction anesthesia less often (P less than 0.001), and had a higher frequency of spontaneous vaginal deliveries (P less than 0.001) than the control patients. However, these differences had no apparent effects on the length of labor, number or type of maternal complications, frequency of fetal distress, mean Apgar scored, or neonatal problems.", "PMID": 772428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3400", "title": "Massive resection and allograft transplantation in the treatment of malignant bone tumors.", "content": "Nineteen massive resections and allograft transplantations have been performed for malignant or aggressive bone tumors. Allograft procurment technic uses freezing of the segment to decrease immunogenicity of the bony portion and glycinerization of the cartilage to maintain chondrocyte viability during freezing and thawing. Fifteen Fifteen of the patients have been followed for an average of almost two years and were evaluated for early results by serial follow-up studies, including clinical, laboratoy, x-ray and scan data. Despite numerous complications (related to both tumor and operation) none have metastases, local recurrence, or major functional impairment except for two whose grafts became infected. We conclude that, although still experimental, allograft replacement may in the future serve as an important approach to certain neoplastic conditions of bones and joints.", "contents": "Massive resection and allograft transplantation in the treatment of malignant bone tumors. Nineteen massive resections and allograft transplantations have been performed for malignant or aggressive bone tumors. Allograft procurment technic uses freezing of the segment to decrease immunogenicity of the bony portion and glycinerization of the cartilage to maintain chondrocyte viability during freezing and thawing. Fifteen Fifteen of the patients have been followed for an average of almost two years and were evaluated for early results by serial follow-up studies, including clinical, laboratoy, x-ray and scan data. Despite numerous complications (related to both tumor and operation) none have metastases, local recurrence, or major functional impairment except for two whose grafts became infected. We conclude that, although still experimental, allograft replacement may in the future serve as an important approach to certain neoplastic conditions of bones and joints.", "PMID": 772430} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3401", "title": "Travelers' diarrhea in Mexico. A prospective study of physicians and family members attending a congress.", "content": "We conducted a prospective study of travelers' diarrhea on 73 physicians and 48 family members attending a medical congress in Mexico City, in October, 1974. Fecal and blood specimens were collected before, during and after their visit and examined for enteric bacterial pathogens, viruses and parasites. In 59 (49 per cent) participants travelers' diarrhea developed. Median duration of illness was five days. Onset occurred a median of six days after arrival. An etiologic agent was found in 63 per cent of ill participants. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli of different, non-\"enteropathogenic\" serotypes was the most common cause; other responsible pathogens included salmonellae, invasive Esch. coli., shigellae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Giardia lamblia and the human reovirus-like agent. Consumption of salads containing raw vegetables was associated with enterotoxigenic Esch. coli infection (P = 0.014). Travelers' diarrhea in Mexico is a syndrome caused by a variety of pathogens, the most common of which is enterotoxigenic Esch. col.", "contents": "Travelers' diarrhea in Mexico. A prospective study of physicians and family members attending a congress. We conducted a prospective study of travelers' diarrhea on 73 physicians and 48 family members attending a medical congress in Mexico City, in October, 1974. Fecal and blood specimens were collected before, during and after their visit and examined for enteric bacterial pathogens, viruses and parasites. In 59 (49 per cent) participants travelers' diarrhea developed. Median duration of illness was five days. Onset occurred a median of six days after arrival. An etiologic agent was found in 63 per cent of ill participants. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli of different, non-\"enteropathogenic\" serotypes was the most common cause; other responsible pathogens included salmonellae, invasive Esch. coli., shigellae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Giardia lamblia and the human reovirus-like agent. Consumption of salads containing raw vegetables was associated with enterotoxigenic Esch. coli infection (P = 0.014). Travelers' diarrhea in Mexico is a syndrome caused by a variety of pathogens, the most common of which is enterotoxigenic Esch. col.", "PMID": 772435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3402", "title": "Nosocomial infections in a newborn intensive-care unit. Results of forty-one months of surveillance.", "content": "We detected a 24.6 per cent nosocomial infection rate (222 infections in 138 infants) among 904 infants hospitalized for over 48 hours in a regional newborn intensive-care during 41 months of surveillance. Surface infections accounted for 40.1 per cent of the total, pneumonia for 29.3 per cent, bacteremia for 14.0 per cent, surgical-wound infection for 8.1 per cent, urinary-tract infection for 4.5 per cent, and meningitis for 4.0 per cent. Staphylococcus aureus (47.3 per cent) and gram-negative enteric bacilli (45.1 per cent) were the most common organisms recovered. Nosocomial infection rates were significantly higher in infants with a birth weight less than 1500 g (P less than 0.001). The mortality rate in infants with any nosocomial infection was 33 per cent in contrast to 14 per cent in non-infected babies (P less than 0.001). Nosocomial infections are a major problem in newborn intensive-care units.", "contents": "Nosocomial infections in a newborn intensive-care unit. Results of forty-one months of surveillance. We detected a 24.6 per cent nosocomial infection rate (222 infections in 138 infants) among 904 infants hospitalized for over 48 hours in a regional newborn intensive-care during 41 months of surveillance. Surface infections accounted for 40.1 per cent of the total, pneumonia for 29.3 per cent, bacteremia for 14.0 per cent, surgical-wound infection for 8.1 per cent, urinary-tract infection for 4.5 per cent, and meningitis for 4.0 per cent. Staphylococcus aureus (47.3 per cent) and gram-negative enteric bacilli (45.1 per cent) were the most common organisms recovered. Nosocomial infection rates were significantly higher in infants with a birth weight less than 1500 g (P less than 0.001). The mortality rate in infants with any nosocomial infection was 33 per cent in contrast to 14 per cent in non-infected babies (P less than 0.001). Nosocomial infections are a major problem in newborn intensive-care units.", "PMID": 772436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3403", "title": "Hypertyraminemia in cirrhotic patients.", "content": "To evaluate the role of tyramine in hepatic disorders, we used a radioimmunoassay to study plasma concentration of tyramine in eight healthy subjects, 20 hospitalized patients without liver disease, and 13 cirrhotic patients of whom seven had hepatic encephalopathy. The effect of increasing dietary protein on tyramine level of cirrhotic patients was also assessed. No significant difference in plasma tyramine concentration was seen between normal subjects, 1.3 +/- 0.1 ng per milliliter (average +/- S.E.), hospitalized patients without hepatic disease (1.4 +/- 0.1 ng per milliliter) and cirrhotic patients without encephalopathy (2.7 +/- 0.5 ng per milliliter). However, the tyramine level in cirrhotic patients with encephalopathy, 6.4 +/- 0.1 ng per milliliter, was significantly (P less than 0.001) higher than in normal subjects or in cirrhotic patients without encephalopathy. Increasing dietary protein from 40 to 80 g per day raised fasting tyramine concentration by 30 to 70 per cent within three days in both encephalopathic and non-encephalopathic cirrhotic patients. Concentration of plasma tyramine in cirrhotic subjects was significantly correlated with that of plasma tyrosine (P less than 0.001).", "contents": "Hypertyraminemia in cirrhotic patients. To evaluate the role of tyramine in hepatic disorders, we used a radioimmunoassay to study plasma concentration of tyramine in eight healthy subjects, 20 hospitalized patients without liver disease, and 13 cirrhotic patients of whom seven had hepatic encephalopathy. The effect of increasing dietary protein on tyramine level of cirrhotic patients was also assessed. No significant difference in plasma tyramine concentration was seen between normal subjects, 1.3 +/- 0.1 ng per milliliter (average +/- S.E.), hospitalized patients without hepatic disease (1.4 +/- 0.1 ng per milliliter) and cirrhotic patients without encephalopathy (2.7 +/- 0.5 ng per milliliter). However, the tyramine level in cirrhotic patients with encephalopathy, 6.4 +/- 0.1 ng per milliliter, was significantly (P less than 0.001) higher than in normal subjects or in cirrhotic patients without encephalopathy. Increasing dietary protein from 40 to 80 g per day raised fasting tyramine concentration by 30 to 70 per cent within three days in both encephalopathic and non-encephalopathic cirrhotic patients. Concentration of plasma tyramine in cirrhotic subjects was significantly correlated with that of plasma tyrosine (P less than 0.001).", "PMID": 772438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3404", "title": "Evolution of secondary hyperparathyroidism after renal transplantation.", "content": "Parathormone levels were determined in 17 patients with functioning renal transplants. In 8 patients recently transplanted, very high serum levels of parathormone were found without obvious relation to the glomerular filtration rate. Hypophosphatemia was also present in these cases. In 9 other patients studied 2-7 years after transplantation the mean level of parathormone was lower than in the previous group but levels above normal were noted in half of the patients, some of which had perfect renal function and normal serum phosphorus. The response to induced hypercalcemia was used as a sensitive test to reveal abnormal responses even in cases which initially had normal peripheral levels of parathormone. From these results, tertiary hyperparathyroidism would appear to be rare although hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands can be demonstrated long after kidney transplantation, even when renal function is close to normal.", "contents": "Evolution of secondary hyperparathyroidism after renal transplantation. Parathormone levels were determined in 17 patients with functioning renal transplants. In 8 patients recently transplanted, very high serum levels of parathormone were found without obvious relation to the glomerular filtration rate. Hypophosphatemia was also present in these cases. In 9 other patients studied 2-7 years after transplantation the mean level of parathormone was lower than in the previous group but levels above normal were noted in half of the patients, some of which had perfect renal function and normal serum phosphorus. The response to induced hypercalcemia was used as a sensitive test to reveal abnormal responses even in cases which initially had normal peripheral levels of parathormone. From these results, tertiary hyperparathyroidism would appear to be rare although hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands can be demonstrated long after kidney transplantation, even when renal function is close to normal.", "PMID": 772458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3405", "title": "Classification and prognostic aspects of schizophrenia.", "content": "The relation between initial clinical symptomatology and long-term course of illness appears to be reliable. Prognostic models, as well as an experienced physician, can predict long-term risk of schizophrenic defects from a few items. The prognostic models also seem to be valid for international comparisons of prognosis. The improved prognosis of schizophrenia over the last 30 years is ascertained. The series of about 4,500 cases provides a sufficiently large number of patients for the analyses of well-defined subgroups. This has been done especially for schizophrenia, using the Leonhard classification.", "contents": "Classification and prognostic aspects of schizophrenia. The relation between initial clinical symptomatology and long-term course of illness appears to be reliable. Prognostic models, as well as an experienced physician, can predict long-term risk of schizophrenic defects from a few items. The prognostic models also seem to be valid for international comparisons of prognosis. The improved prognosis of schizophrenia over the last 30 years is ascertained. The series of about 4,500 cases provides a sufficiently large number of patients for the analyses of well-defined subgroups. This has been done especially for schizophrenia, using the Leonhard classification.", "PMID": 772459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3406", "title": "A study of congenital nystagmus: waveforms.", "content": "Eighteen patients with congenital nystagmus were studied with the techniques of electronystagmography and computer analysis. We found several complex wave forms of congenital nystagmus in the primary position of gaze above those of jerk and pendular nystagmus as defined clinically. An etiologic classification of motor fixation defect and sensory fixation defect nystagmus based on waveforms is not justified. Ocular tracking studies demonstrate that the smooth pursuit system is operational in congenital nystagmus and substantiate the belief that the fast component of jerk nystagmus is a corrective movement generated by the saccadic system. Patients with congenital nystagmus are able to produce voluntary saccades with normal velocity-amplitude relationships.", "contents": "A study of congenital nystagmus: waveforms. Eighteen patients with congenital nystagmus were studied with the techniques of electronystagmography and computer analysis. We found several complex wave forms of congenital nystagmus in the primary position of gaze above those of jerk and pendular nystagmus as defined clinically. An etiologic classification of motor fixation defect and sensory fixation defect nystagmus based on waveforms is not justified. Ocular tracking studies demonstrate that the smooth pursuit system is operational in congenital nystagmus and substantiate the belief that the fast component of jerk nystagmus is a corrective movement generated by the saccadic system. Patients with congenital nystagmus are able to produce voluntary saccades with normal velocity-amplitude relationships.", "PMID": 772460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3407", "title": "An evaluation of baclofen treatment for certain symptoms in patients with spinal cord lesions. A double-blind, cross-over study.", "content": "Baclofen (a gamma aminobutylic acid derivative) and a placebo were compared for their efficacy in relieving certain symptoms in patients with long-standing spinal cord lesions and \"spinal spasticity.\" In a double-blind, cross-over clinical investigation, 22 patients with chronic spinal cord disease were studied. Baclofen regularly alleviated involuntary flexor or extensor spasms and increased resistance to passive movement of the legs but did not alter strength, gait, stretch reflexes, or clonus. Side effects were mild and transient. This study demonstrates that (1) baclofen is useful for the treatment of flexor spasms and (2) in evaluating a new mode of therapy, one must consider selectively the response of individual components of such global syndromes as \"spasticity.\"", "contents": "An evaluation of baclofen treatment for certain symptoms in patients with spinal cord lesions. A double-blind, cross-over study. Baclofen (a gamma aminobutylic acid derivative) and a placebo were compared for their efficacy in relieving certain symptoms in patients with long-standing spinal cord lesions and \"spinal spasticity.\" In a double-blind, cross-over clinical investigation, 22 patients with chronic spinal cord disease were studied. Baclofen regularly alleviated involuntary flexor or extensor spasms and increased resistance to passive movement of the legs but did not alter strength, gait, stretch reflexes, or clonus. Side effects were mild and transient. This study demonstrates that (1) baclofen is useful for the treatment of flexor spasms and (2) in evaluating a new mode of therapy, one must consider selectively the response of individual components of such global syndromes as \"spasticity.\"", "PMID": 772461} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3408", "title": "[Technical aspects of experimental reimplantation of limbs in the dog].", "content": "Reimplantation of traumatically amputated limbs or their part is now carried out with increasing success due to the perfection of surgical techniques, especially in the case of microsurgery. Experimental perfection of such techniques is clearly the first step towards the clinical employement of reimplantation. Amputation and reimplantation of the hind leg in five dogs is reported. The first objective was the establishment of the reimplantation technique, whose salient features included: perfusion with dextran 40 and Trasylol, Kunster's centromedullary nail for osteosynthesis, microneurorrhaphy to bring together individual nerve funiculi, and vascular microsurgery based on previous experimental work. The immediate results show that the steps of the technique have now been established. Confirmation of their long-term validity, especially as far as functional recovery is now awaited.", "contents": "[Technical aspects of experimental reimplantation of limbs in the dog]. Reimplantation of traumatically amputated limbs or their part is now carried out with increasing success due to the perfection of surgical techniques, especially in the case of microsurgery. Experimental perfection of such techniques is clearly the first step towards the clinical employement of reimplantation. Amputation and reimplantation of the hind leg in five dogs is reported. The first objective was the establishment of the reimplantation technique, whose salient features included: perfusion with dextran 40 and Trasylol, Kunster's centromedullary nail for osteosynthesis, microneurorrhaphy to bring together individual nerve funiculi, and vascular microsurgery based on previous experimental work. The immediate results show that the steps of the technique have now been established. Confirmation of their long-term validity, especially as far as functional recovery is now awaited.", "PMID": 772473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3409", "title": "[Topical treatment of thrombophlebitis with feprazone and benzydamine. Controlled clinical study].", "content": "Topical anti-inflammatory management of superficial and deep phlebopathy with feprazone and benzidamine was compared in a double-blind test. Both drugs were active and well tolerated. Significantly less time was needed to obtain a cure with feprazone.", "contents": "[Topical treatment of thrombophlebitis with feprazone and benzydamine. Controlled clinical study]. Topical anti-inflammatory management of superficial and deep phlebopathy with feprazone and benzidamine was compared in a double-blind test. Both drugs were active and well tolerated. Significantly less time was needed to obtain a cure with feprazone.", "PMID": 772478} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3410", "title": "[Antigenic competition in rabbits submitted to skin allografts].", "content": "Antigenic competition was investigated in rabbits submitted to typhoid vaccine and skin allografts. While skin allografts were normally rejected, serum agglutinin responses to typhoid H and O antigens were lower than those of animals stimulated with thyphoid vaccine alone. It is concluded that the immune response to skin allograft resulted in antigenic competition for typhoid antigens.", "contents": "[Antigenic competition in rabbits submitted to skin allografts]. Antigenic competition was investigated in rabbits submitted to typhoid vaccine and skin allografts. While skin allografts were normally rejected, serum agglutinin responses to typhoid H and O antigens were lower than those of animals stimulated with thyphoid vaccine alone. It is concluded that the immune response to skin allograft resulted in antigenic competition for typhoid antigens.", "PMID": 772474} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3411", "title": "[Course of skin allografts in rabbits immunized by heterologous red blood cells].", "content": "Skin allografts were done in rabbits previously immunized with sheep red blood cells at 1-10 day intervals. Results showed that mean allograft survival was not delayed, nor was accelerated rejection observed. It is concluded that antigenic competition between sheep erythrocytes and skin allografts does not exist.", "contents": "[Course of skin allografts in rabbits immunized by heterologous red blood cells]. Skin allografts were done in rabbits previously immunized with sheep red blood cells at 1-10 day intervals. Results showed that mean allograft survival was not delayed, nor was accelerated rejection observed. It is concluded that antigenic competition between sheep erythrocytes and skin allografts does not exist.", "PMID": 772475} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3412", "title": "The current status of intrapartum fetal monitoring.", "content": "Intensive intrapartum fetal monitoring, using direct fetal EKG leads and intrauterine pressure sensing transducers, seems to add another level of care for the fetus. As with other laboratory aids or devices, fetal monitoring data should not be exclusively relied on in decision making processes. When used with other modern monitor aids, such as scalp pH, it can aid immensely in the management of both normal and complicated labors. When fetal heart rate patterns remain normal throughout labor there can be a high degree of confidence that the fetal outcome will be good. If abnormal patterns occur, however, great care should be taken in interpreting these data, and it should be combined with the overall status of the mother and the fetus, and used together with the clinical acumen of the physician in determining a method of approach to the management of intrapartum situations. Continuous monitoring techniques can and should be applied in the neonatal nursery for intensive neonatal management and care (79,80). As experience is gained in clinical fetal monitoring and as new techniques and methods become available, intensuve intrapartum fetal monitoring will become an increasingly important and significant technique for management of labor (4, 139).", "contents": "The current status of intrapartum fetal monitoring. Intensive intrapartum fetal monitoring, using direct fetal EKG leads and intrauterine pressure sensing transducers, seems to add another level of care for the fetus. As with other laboratory aids or devices, fetal monitoring data should not be exclusively relied on in decision making processes. When used with other modern monitor aids, such as scalp pH, it can aid immensely in the management of both normal and complicated labors. When fetal heart rate patterns remain normal throughout labor there can be a high degree of confidence that the fetal outcome will be good. If abnormal patterns occur, however, great care should be taken in interpreting these data, and it should be combined with the overall status of the mother and the fetus, and used together with the clinical acumen of the physician in determining a method of approach to the management of intrapartum situations. Continuous monitoring techniques can and should be applied in the neonatal nursery for intensive neonatal management and care (79,80). As experience is gained in clinical fetal monitoring and as new techniques and methods become available, intensuve intrapartum fetal monitoring will become an increasingly important and significant technique for management of labor (4, 139).", "PMID": 772506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3413", "title": "Herpes type-2 virus antigens in human cervical carcinoma.", "content": "Exfoliated cells from the cervices of 22 patients with histologically diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and from those of 24 control women were examined for herpes subtype 2 (HT-2) antigens by indirect immunofluorescence studies. This method demonstrated that cells from all the patients with carcinoma contained antigens related to HT-2 virus. In contrast, squamous cells from the cervices of 24 control women with no cervical disease and of 2 women with chronic cervicitis did not contain such HT-2 antigens. Although an etiologic role of HT-2 virus infection cannot yet be established, it is probable that such infection precedes neoplastic changes.", "contents": "Herpes type-2 virus antigens in human cervical carcinoma. Exfoliated cells from the cervices of 22 patients with histologically diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and from those of 24 control women were examined for herpes subtype 2 (HT-2) antigens by indirect immunofluorescence studies. This method demonstrated that cells from all the patients with carcinoma contained antigens related to HT-2 virus. In contrast, squamous cells from the cervices of 24 control women with no cervical disease and of 2 women with chronic cervicitis did not contain such HT-2 antigens. Although an etiologic role of HT-2 virus infection cannot yet be established, it is probable that such infection precedes neoplastic changes.", "PMID": 772507} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3414", "title": "Monozygotic twins discordant for urinary tract anomalies and presenting as hydramnios.", "content": "This report describes premature monozygotic twins, 1 of whom had an unusual clinical manifestation of a rare congenital anomaly, the other being normally developed. Hydramnios had been suspected during pregnancy and, because of the severity, amniocentesis was attempted. However, it became evident that the hugely distended abdomen did not indicate hydramnios, the pregnancy actually being complicated by oligohydramnios. Pulmonary hypoplasia was the cause of the immediate neonatal demise of 1 twin; the other expired after prolonged therapy for meconium aspiration. No similar cases have been reported in the literature which is reviewed briefly. Particular attention is given to discordant anomalies in monozygotic twins, the mode of their placentation, and the development of amnion nodosum.", "contents": "Monozygotic twins discordant for urinary tract anomalies and presenting as hydramnios. This report describes premature monozygotic twins, 1 of whom had an unusual clinical manifestation of a rare congenital anomaly, the other being normally developed. Hydramnios had been suspected during pregnancy and, because of the severity, amniocentesis was attempted. However, it became evident that the hugely distended abdomen did not indicate hydramnios, the pregnancy actually being complicated by oligohydramnios. Pulmonary hypoplasia was the cause of the immediate neonatal demise of 1 twin; the other expired after prolonged therapy for meconium aspiration. No similar cases have been reported in the literature which is reviewed briefly. Particular attention is given to discordant anomalies in monozygotic twins, the mode of their placentation, and the development of amnion nodosum.", "PMID": 772508} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3415", "title": "Prenatal diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract obstruction.", "content": "The diagnosis of possible duodenal atresia was made in a near-term fetus. The mother had developed polyhydramnios, and the fetus was found on sonography to have two communicating upper abdominal masses. It also failed to ingest contrast media after injection of radiopaque material into the amniotic sac. An esophageal atresia was found after delivery, in addition to the prenatally diagnosed duodenal atresia. The infant had a surgical repair 16 hours after delivery and survived.", "contents": "Prenatal diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract obstruction. The diagnosis of possible duodenal atresia was made in a near-term fetus. The mother had developed polyhydramnios, and the fetus was found on sonography to have two communicating upper abdominal masses. It also failed to ingest contrast media after injection of radiopaque material into the amniotic sac. An esophageal atresia was found after delivery, in addition to the prenatally diagnosed duodenal atresia. The infant had a surgical repair 16 hours after delivery and survived.", "PMID": 772509} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3416", "title": "Endometrial cancer: not a benign disease.", "content": "Endometrial cancer is by no means a benign disease. While many adequate treatment plans now exist for early endometrial cancer, the best method of treadtment of this disease has yet to be defined. The prognostic factors need further study and definition. Pelvic and aortic nodes are of more than passing significance in certain subsets of Stage 1 endometrial cancer, and there is much to be learned about the biologic behavior of apparent early endometrial cancer. Prospective studies may yield sufficient data to provide a solid base for further clinical therapeutic trials.", "contents": "Endometrial cancer: not a benign disease. Endometrial cancer is by no means a benign disease. While many adequate treatment plans now exist for early endometrial cancer, the best method of treadtment of this disease has yet to be defined. The prognostic factors need further study and definition. Pelvic and aortic nodes are of more than passing significance in certain subsets of Stage 1 endometrial cancer, and there is much to be learned about the biologic behavior of apparent early endometrial cancer. Prospective studies may yield sufficient data to provide a solid base for further clinical therapeutic trials.", "PMID": 772510} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3417", "title": "Keratoplasty and intraocular lenses.", "content": "The art and science of intraocular lens implantation surgery is expanding. Highly successful results with elderly uncomplicated cataract patients have led to cautious implantation surgery in patients with co-existing eye disease. The results of implantation surgery achieved in sixteen patients with combined corneal disease and cataract formation are analyzed. In twelve patients penetrating keratoplasy was performed prior to cataract removal and implantation surgery, performed simultaneous with or in combination with secondary implantation in previously aphakic eyes. Vitrectomy was avoided in all primary lens insertion procedures but was necessary in two secondary implantations without ontoward effect. In this entire group of twelve patients all grafts have remained clear, there was minimal tissue reaction and visual return was excellent. In those with pre-existing corneal disease not requiring keratoplasty including one instance of Fuch's Corneal Dystrophy, there was no change in corneal status as a result of implantation surgery.", "contents": "Keratoplasty and intraocular lenses. The art and science of intraocular lens implantation surgery is expanding. Highly successful results with elderly uncomplicated cataract patients have led to cautious implantation surgery in patients with co-existing eye disease. The results of implantation surgery achieved in sixteen patients with combined corneal disease and cataract formation are analyzed. In twelve patients penetrating keratoplasy was performed prior to cataract removal and implantation surgery, performed simultaneous with or in combination with secondary implantation in previously aphakic eyes. Vitrectomy was avoided in all primary lens insertion procedures but was necessary in two secondary implantations without ontoward effect. In this entire group of twelve patients all grafts have remained clear, there was minimal tissue reaction and visual return was excellent. In those with pre-existing corneal disease not requiring keratoplasty including one instance of Fuch's Corneal Dystrophy, there was no change in corneal status as a result of implantation surgery.", "PMID": 772512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3418", "title": "Tetanus: review of the literature and report of a case.", "content": "The clinical features, active and passive immunization schedules, and an approach to management of established tetanus are reviewed and discussed. A case of localized tetanus is presented in which the patient's initial complaint was inability to open the mouth. Prompt diagnosis and treatment contributed to a large extent to the patient's successful recovery.", "contents": "Tetanus: review of the literature and report of a case. The clinical features, active and passive immunization schedules, and an approach to management of established tetanus are reviewed and discussed. A case of localized tetanus is presented in which the patient's initial complaint was inability to open the mouth. Prompt diagnosis and treatment contributed to a large extent to the patient's successful recovery.", "PMID": 772513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3419", "title": "Clinical trials with bis-dioxopiperazine propane (ICRF 159; NSC 129, 943) in acute leukaemias.", "content": "Clinical experience is reported with bis-dioxopiperazine propane (ICRF 159) in 20 children with acute leukaemia in relapse. They were resistant to most of the generally used cytotoxic drugs. Despite the unfavourable selection of cases, two complete and seven incomplete remissions lasting from 1 to 6 months were obtained.", "contents": "Clinical trials with bis-dioxopiperazine propane (ICRF 159; NSC 129, 943) in acute leukaemias. Clinical experience is reported with bis-dioxopiperazine propane (ICRF 159) in 20 children with acute leukaemia in relapse. They were resistant to most of the generally used cytotoxic drugs. Despite the unfavourable selection of cases, two complete and seven incomplete remissions lasting from 1 to 6 months were obtained.", "PMID": 772517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3420", "title": "Transfer of drug resistance factor in Shigella sonnei isolated in Iran.", "content": "The pattern of drug resistance and incidence of R-factors were studied in Shigella sonnei strains isolated in Iran. Eighty-nine out of 172 strains (51.7%) were resistant to one or more drugs and multiple drug resistance was more common than single drug resistance. The most predominant pattern of resistance observed was (Tc, Cm, Sm, Su). By mixed cultivation, 85.7% of Shigella sonnei resistant strains isolated on the Central Plateau and 100% of the strains from the caspian littoral transferred at least a part of their resistance pattern to sensitive E. coli K12 F- (gamma). In this experiment, 67.1% of our resistant and 17% of our sensitive strains had colicinogenic properties. No such difference could be observed between R+ and sensitive strains isolated in the Caspian littoral.", "contents": "Transfer of drug resistance factor in Shigella sonnei isolated in Iran. The pattern of drug resistance and incidence of R-factors were studied in Shigella sonnei strains isolated in Iran. Eighty-nine out of 172 strains (51.7%) were resistant to one or more drugs and multiple drug resistance was more common than single drug resistance. The most predominant pattern of resistance observed was (Tc, Cm, Sm, Su). By mixed cultivation, 85.7% of Shigella sonnei resistant strains isolated on the Central Plateau and 100% of the strains from the caspian littoral transferred at least a part of their resistance pattern to sensitive E. coli K12 F- (gamma). In this experiment, 67.1% of our resistant and 17% of our sensitive strains had colicinogenic properties. No such difference could be observed between R+ and sensitive strains isolated in the Caspian littoral.", "PMID": 772518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3421", "title": "[Radioimmunoassay of human prolactin].", "content": "The radioimmunological dosage of human prolactin using the hormone as tracer and reference and an anti-prolactin antiserum is described. The labeling of human prolactin is carried out in the presence of a small quantity of chloramine T (10 mug). The purification of the labeled hormone is carried out by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 or by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimal incubation conditions were found using a first incubation of 40-48 hours at room temperatures followed by an incubation of 4 to 6 hours with cellulose-bound second antibody. The interference of serum proteins is small. There is no cross reaction with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), human placental lactogen (HPL) and human growth hormone (HGH). However, cross reaction with ovine, bovine and rat prolactin is found. These cross reactions are complete with endogenous human prolactin and hormone of different origin. Serum prolactin was determined in normal subjects and subjects treated with TRH and bromoergocryptine.", "contents": "[Radioimmunoassay of human prolactin]. The radioimmunological dosage of human prolactin using the hormone as tracer and reference and an anti-prolactin antiserum is described. The labeling of human prolactin is carried out in the presence of a small quantity of chloramine T (10 mug). The purification of the labeled hormone is carried out by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 or by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimal incubation conditions were found using a first incubation of 40-48 hours at room temperatures followed by an incubation of 4 to 6 hours with cellulose-bound second antibody. The interference of serum proteins is small. There is no cross reaction with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), human placental lactogen (HPL) and human growth hormone (HGH). However, cross reaction with ovine, bovine and rat prolactin is found. These cross reactions are complete with endogenous human prolactin and hormone of different origin. Serum prolactin was determined in normal subjects and subjects treated with TRH and bromoergocryptine.", "PMID": 772521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3422", "title": "[Prolactin and breast cancer].", "content": "In the animal, prolactin favours growth of breast tumours. Prolonged hyperprolactinemia occurring after the action of a carcinogenic agent increases the incidence of these tumours, but hyperprolactinemia, induced before the application of such an agent, reduces it. In women, there is also evidence in favour of the influence of prolactin on growth and on the incidence of breast carcinomas, but this evidence is still very indirect and sometimes contradictory. Serum levels of prolactin in women with carcinoma of the breast are identical to those observed in a female population of comparable age. In cases of generalised carcinoma, hysterectomy and ovariectomy induce remissions. These operations should be followed by a fall in prolactinemia. They also reduce the incidence of carcinoma of the breast in women. A full term pregnancy before the age of thirty years, apparently protects the mammary gland from the etiological agent. Now, in women, the secretion of prolactin is considerably increased during pregnancy.", "contents": "[Prolactin and breast cancer]. In the animal, prolactin favours growth of breast tumours. Prolonged hyperprolactinemia occurring after the action of a carcinogenic agent increases the incidence of these tumours, but hyperprolactinemia, induced before the application of such an agent, reduces it. In women, there is also evidence in favour of the influence of prolactin on growth and on the incidence of breast carcinomas, but this evidence is still very indirect and sometimes contradictory. Serum levels of prolactin in women with carcinoma of the breast are identical to those observed in a female population of comparable age. In cases of generalised carcinoma, hysterectomy and ovariectomy induce remissions. These operations should be followed by a fall in prolactinemia. They also reduce the incidence of carcinoma of the breast in women. A full term pregnancy before the age of thirty years, apparently protects the mammary gland from the etiological agent. Now, in women, the secretion of prolactin is considerably increased during pregnancy.", "PMID": 772522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3423", "title": "[Application of affinity chromatography to the study of renin].", "content": "Hog renal renin was measured by a radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I generated during the incubation of the enzyme with an excess of angiotensinogen. The fixation of renin on a sepharose-hexamethylenediamine-pepstatin gel has been studied: the saturation of a 1 ml column of gel is obtained with 900 Goldblatt units of renin. A 70 ml column processing several grams of protein has been used to purify renin by affinity chromatography: a 100 fold purification of renin is achieved in one step. Renin, before and after affinity chromatography, has been analysed by electrofocusing with a pH gradient from 3 to 10; the isoelectric points obtained are respectively 4.8 and 5.0.", "contents": "[Application of affinity chromatography to the study of renin]. Hog renal renin was measured by a radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I generated during the incubation of the enzyme with an excess of angiotensinogen. The fixation of renin on a sepharose-hexamethylenediamine-pepstatin gel has been studied: the saturation of a 1 ml column of gel is obtained with 900 Goldblatt units of renin. A 70 ml column processing several grams of protein has been used to purify renin by affinity chromatography: a 100 fold purification of renin is achieved in one step. Renin, before and after affinity chromatography, has been analysed by electrofocusing with a pH gradient from 3 to 10; the isoelectric points obtained are respectively 4.8 and 5.0.", "PMID": 772523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3424", "title": "[Heterogeneity of immunoreactive calcitonin in the plasma of patients with bone marrow cancer].", "content": "Plasma from patients with medullary carcinoma containing very high levels of immunoreactive calcitonin were fractionated by filtration on Sephadex gel. In all cases the elution gave four immunoreactive fractions. Two of these fractions correspond to the volume of elution of the monomere and of the dimere of human calcitonin. The two other fractions emerge at an elution volume corresponding to much higher molecular weights. After stimulation of calcitonin secretion in vivo, by dynamic tests, the fractions corresponding to the monomere and dimere increase more strongly than the two other fractions. Preliminary studies of secretion, in vitro, of calcitonin by medullary carcinoma tissue, show the presence in the incubate of four immunoreactive forms having the same elution characteristics as those found in the plasma. The significance of these results is discussed.", "contents": "[Heterogeneity of immunoreactive calcitonin in the plasma of patients with bone marrow cancer]. Plasma from patients with medullary carcinoma containing very high levels of immunoreactive calcitonin were fractionated by filtration on Sephadex gel. In all cases the elution gave four immunoreactive fractions. Two of these fractions correspond to the volume of elution of the monomere and of the dimere of human calcitonin. The two other fractions emerge at an elution volume corresponding to much higher molecular weights. After stimulation of calcitonin secretion in vivo, by dynamic tests, the fractions corresponding to the monomere and dimere increase more strongly than the two other fractions. Preliminary studies of secretion, in vitro, of calcitonin by medullary carcinoma tissue, show the presence in the incubate of four immunoreactive forms having the same elution characteristics as those found in the plasma. The significance of these results is discussed.", "PMID": 772524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3425", "title": "[The circulating forms of human calcitonin].", "content": "It is demonstrated for the first time that there are at least two forms of immunoreactive CT in serum: the first has the same physico-chemical properties as synthetic CT whereas the second one has a higher molecular weight than synthetic CT, close to the molecular weight of serum albumin. Such heterogeneity was found in the sera of normal subjects and in the sera of patients suffering from several diseases. Results suggest that the percentages of these two forms vary from one serum to another.", "contents": "[The circulating forms of human calcitonin]. It is demonstrated for the first time that there are at least two forms of immunoreactive CT in serum: the first has the same physico-chemical properties as synthetic CT whereas the second one has a higher molecular weight than synthetic CT, close to the molecular weight of serum albumin. Such heterogeneity was found in the sera of normal subjects and in the sera of patients suffering from several diseases. Results suggest that the percentages of these two forms vary from one serum to another.", "PMID": 772525} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3426", "title": "[Heterogeneity of human plasma parathormone].", "content": "The heterogeneity in the plasma of peptide hormones has been known for some time. The demonstration of various fragments of circulating parathormone was undertaken using two antisera, which permitted the authors to study: -- the plasma half-life of parathormone; -- the variations in parathormone levels during dynamic tests; -- the limits between normal and pathological levels. It was thus demonstrated that the antisera recognised, in one case, the terminal carboxyl fragment, in the other case, the terminal amino fragment.", "contents": "[Heterogeneity of human plasma parathormone]. The heterogeneity in the plasma of peptide hormones has been known for some time. The demonstration of various fragments of circulating parathormone was undertaken using two antisera, which permitted the authors to study: -- the plasma half-life of parathormone; -- the variations in parathormone levels during dynamic tests; -- the limits between normal and pathological levels. It was thus demonstrated that the antisera recognised, in one case, the terminal carboxyl fragment, in the other case, the terminal amino fragment.", "PMID": 772526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3427", "title": "[Radiolabeling (125I) with high specific activity of the 1-34 N-terminal derivative of bovine parathormone without loss of biological activity].", "content": "Radiolabelling of 1-34 N terminal synthetic biological active fragment of bovine parathormone (1-34 bPTH) with high specific activity and without loss of biological activity was studied. Chloramine T and lactoperoxydase methods were used. To assess biological activity of 125I 1-34 bPTH labelled fragment, we use their ability to activate renal cortical adenylate cyclase. Our results show that enzymatic labelling method preserved the biological activity. With the chloramine T method it is possible to keep the biological activity by using DMSO.", "contents": "[Radiolabeling (125I) with high specific activity of the 1-34 N-terminal derivative of bovine parathormone without loss of biological activity]. Radiolabelling of 1-34 N terminal synthetic biological active fragment of bovine parathormone (1-34 bPTH) with high specific activity and without loss of biological activity was studied. Chloramine T and lactoperoxydase methods were used. To assess biological activity of 125I 1-34 bPTH labelled fragment, we use their ability to activate renal cortical adenylate cyclase. Our results show that enzymatic labelling method preserved the biological activity. With the chloramine T method it is possible to keep the biological activity by using DMSO.", "PMID": 772527} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3428", "title": "[Heterogeneity of human growth hormone in cultures of pituitary adenomas].", "content": "Human growth hormone obtained from cell culture of pituitary adenomas cannot be distinguished from hormone extracted from normal pituitaries as far as the physical, chemical and immunologic characteristics are concerned. From a quantitative point of view the proportion of high molecular weight forms seems greater in the case of the extracted hormone and the intra-cellular hormone than in the case of the hormone secreted in the culture medium. From the biological point of view the hormone obtained from the culture medium seems more active \"in vivo\" than the extracted hormone. The preliminary results of a compartimental kinetic study suggest a system of two pools of growth hormone with different rates of use.", "contents": "[Heterogeneity of human growth hormone in cultures of pituitary adenomas]. Human growth hormone obtained from cell culture of pituitary adenomas cannot be distinguished from hormone extracted from normal pituitaries as far as the physical, chemical and immunologic characteristics are concerned. From a quantitative point of view the proportion of high molecular weight forms seems greater in the case of the extracted hormone and the intra-cellular hormone than in the case of the hormone secreted in the culture medium. From the biological point of view the hormone obtained from the culture medium seems more active \"in vivo\" than the extracted hormone. The preliminary results of a compartimental kinetic study suggest a system of two pools of growth hormone with different rates of use.", "PMID": 772529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3429", "title": "[Immuno-reactive insulin-like substances in the rat].", "content": "Chromatography on G50 or G100 sephadex column of rat plasma or serum divides up the insulin-like immunoreactive material into three peaks: monomere insulin, proinsulin and a fraction of molecular weight between 50 and 100,000. This fraction is virtually absent (less than 1%) from immunoreactive material extracted from the pancreas. Comparison of the results obtained by methods using double or simple antibodies (charcoal dextran) and study of fixation in vitro of labelled insulin, taken up by various plasma proteins, suggest that the high molecular weight material includes insulin more or less broken down and linked to proteins. Furthermore, when one uses a double antibody method, the alpha globulins and albumin in the rat present also an insulin-like reactivity. This disadvantage does not occur with the charcoal dextran method which is more specific.", "contents": "[Immuno-reactive insulin-like substances in the rat]. Chromatography on G50 or G100 sephadex column of rat plasma or serum divides up the insulin-like immunoreactive material into three peaks: monomere insulin, proinsulin and a fraction of molecular weight between 50 and 100,000. This fraction is virtually absent (less than 1%) from immunoreactive material extracted from the pancreas. Comparison of the results obtained by methods using double or simple antibodies (charcoal dextran) and study of fixation in vitro of labelled insulin, taken up by various plasma proteins, suggest that the high molecular weight material includes insulin more or less broken down and linked to proteins. Furthermore, when one uses a double antibody method, the alpha globulins and albumin in the rat present also an insulin-like reactivity. This disadvantage does not occur with the charcoal dextran method which is more specific.", "PMID": 772530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3430", "title": "[Chains A and B, circulating fractions of insulin].", "content": "Experimental hyperthyroidism in the dog, and clinical hyperthyroidism in man, were studied as activation models of insulin catabolism. Plasma insulin and its A and B chains, were estimated by radioimmunoassay in 8 dogs, before and after daily administration of 1 mg of thyroxine per animal. A and B chains rose quite definitely under treatment, whereas the increase in blood insulin was only slight. Blood sugar did not vary. Glucose tolerance tests during treatment, showed that A and B chains did not follow a curve parallel to insulin were situated during the test, at a higher level in dogs treated with thyroxine than in controls. The estimations carried out in man, confirmed the high levels of the A and B chains in hyperthyroidism. The use of certain anti-insulin antisera for radioimmunoassay of insulin demonstrated cross reactions with A or B chains. This phenomenon may be the cause of excessive evaluation of plasma insulin in subjects with levels of circulating chains A and B. Chains A and B in the blood seem to be a sign of the level of metabolic destruction of the insulin and not that of secretion.", "contents": "[Chains A and B, circulating fractions of insulin]. Experimental hyperthyroidism in the dog, and clinical hyperthyroidism in man, were studied as activation models of insulin catabolism. Plasma insulin and its A and B chains, were estimated by radioimmunoassay in 8 dogs, before and after daily administration of 1 mg of thyroxine per animal. A and B chains rose quite definitely under treatment, whereas the increase in blood insulin was only slight. Blood sugar did not vary. Glucose tolerance tests during treatment, showed that A and B chains did not follow a curve parallel to insulin were situated during the test, at a higher level in dogs treated with thyroxine than in controls. The estimations carried out in man, confirmed the high levels of the A and B chains in hyperthyroidism. The use of certain anti-insulin antisera for radioimmunoassay of insulin demonstrated cross reactions with A or B chains. This phenomenon may be the cause of excessive evaluation of plasma insulin in subjects with levels of circulating chains A and B. Chains A and B in the blood seem to be a sign of the level of metabolic destruction of the insulin and not that of secretion.", "PMID": 772531} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3431", "title": "[Preparation, characterization and control of antiserums].", "content": "The development of radio immunoassay and its application to the estimation of new substances (e.g. drugs, enzymes, viral antigens, etc.) will shed further light on the various problems which we have discussed in this introductory report. For each group of substances there will no doubt be special difficulties. If these technics have become very popular, this seems to be for two main reasons: the potential selection of individual immune response, and better understanding of the role of the parameters which control the various stages of radio-immunoassay. I am sure that the reports programmed here will provide an important contribution to advances in our knowledge in this promising field.", "contents": "[Preparation, characterization and control of antiserums]. The development of radio immunoassay and its application to the estimation of new substances (e.g. drugs, enzymes, viral antigens, etc.) will shed further light on the various problems which we have discussed in this introductory report. For each group of substances there will no doubt be special difficulties. If these technics have become very popular, this seems to be for two main reasons: the potential selection of individual immune response, and better understanding of the role of the parameters which control the various stages of radio-immunoassay. I am sure that the reports programmed here will provide an important contribution to advances in our knowledge in this promising field.", "PMID": 772532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3432", "title": "The production of antibodies for radioimmunoassay.", "content": "Three factors which affect the outcome of any immunisation schedule designed to produce antisera for radio-immunoassay, the antigen, the method of immunisation and the choice of animal are considered. Several factors concerning the nature of the antigen are dealt with, for example, the molecular size and immunogenicity of the antigen. It is noted that the larger polypeptide and proteins are sufficiently immunogenic to elicit a useful antibody response alone and that whilst substances with molecular weights of less than 2000 may produce a response alone they will probably produce a better one if they are conjugated (chemically coupled) to a much larger molecule. With the low molecular weight substances such as the thyroxine, steroid hormones, and drugs which are of much clinical interest to many people conjugation is essential. The availability and purity of the immunogen are considered, especially in cases where a minute amount of material has been produced following a long and tedious purification procedure. The necessity in such instances that workers are aware of the smallest amount of material that will produce a useful antibody response and also of the most effective method of immunisation is stressed. The method of immunisation is discussed including a consideration of the use of adjuvant and the route and timing of injections. It is noted that antisera showing the relevant properties for radio-immunoassay are rarely produced without emulsification of the immunogen in Freund's adjuvant although this is not an absolute requirement for antibody production. Data are presented comparing the intramuscular and multiple intradermal routes of injection. The results, however, fail to demonstrate any major advantage for either method although the latter may be more economical, producing high titre antisera with relatively small amounts of immunogen. Because of their convenience rabbits are generally the first choice of animal for raising antisera for radioimmunoassay although guinea pigs, chickens and sheep have been used successfully in many cases.", "contents": "The production of antibodies for radioimmunoassay. Three factors which affect the outcome of any immunisation schedule designed to produce antisera for radio-immunoassay, the antigen, the method of immunisation and the choice of animal are considered. Several factors concerning the nature of the antigen are dealt with, for example, the molecular size and immunogenicity of the antigen. It is noted that the larger polypeptide and proteins are sufficiently immunogenic to elicit a useful antibody response alone and that whilst substances with molecular weights of less than 2000 may produce a response alone they will probably produce a better one if they are conjugated (chemically coupled) to a much larger molecule. With the low molecular weight substances such as the thyroxine, steroid hormones, and drugs which are of much clinical interest to many people conjugation is essential. The availability and purity of the immunogen are considered, especially in cases where a minute amount of material has been produced following a long and tedious purification procedure. The necessity in such instances that workers are aware of the smallest amount of material that will produce a useful antibody response and also of the most effective method of immunisation is stressed. The method of immunisation is discussed including a consideration of the use of adjuvant and the route and timing of injections. It is noted that antisera showing the relevant properties for radio-immunoassay are rarely produced without emulsification of the immunogen in Freund's adjuvant although this is not an absolute requirement for antibody production. Data are presented comparing the intramuscular and multiple intradermal routes of injection. The results, however, fail to demonstrate any major advantage for either method although the latter may be more economical, producing high titre antisera with relatively small amounts of immunogen. Because of their convenience rabbits are generally the first choice of animal for raising antisera for radioimmunoassay although guinea pigs, chickens and sheep have been used successfully in many cases.", "PMID": 772533} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3433", "title": "Antiserum characteristics and assay quality.", "content": "On the basis of the experience derived from the setting up and standardization of different radioimmunoassay systems, this paper attempts to point out the role played by the characteristics of the antiserum in the optimization of the assay. In particular the antiserum heterogeneity, the rates of formation and dissociation of immunecomplexes, and the nature of the antigen-antibody bonds are taken into consideration as regards some implications on the extent of blank, the effect of separation procedures and the adequacy of preincubation techniques.", "contents": "Antiserum characteristics and assay quality. On the basis of the experience derived from the setting up and standardization of different radioimmunoassay systems, this paper attempts to point out the role played by the characteristics of the antiserum in the optimization of the assay. In particular the antiserum heterogeneity, the rates of formation and dissociation of immunecomplexes, and the nature of the antigen-antibody bonds are taken into consideration as regards some implications on the extent of blank, the effect of separation procedures and the adequacy of preincubation techniques.", "PMID": 772534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3434", "title": "[Effect of the conditions of coupling in testosterone-albumine conjugates on the quality of the antibodies produced in the rabbit].", "content": "In order to produce antibodies against small molecules as steroid hormones a necessary step in the preparation of the antigen includes a covalent linkage of the hapten to a \"carrier\" protein. Two coupling procedures (mixed anhydrid method and carbodiimide method) have been utilized in the preparation of testosterone conjugate linked in the C3 position. The same batches of testosterone (o-carboxy methyl) oxime and crystallized bovine serum albumine have been used. In the 2 different antigens the steroid/BSA molar ratio was identical (30). Antibodies have been raised in female New-Zealand rabbits. It is concluded that experimental conditions of covalent linkage influenced the antigenic potency of the conjugate used. Antibodies of considerably higher titer, capacity and affinity were obtained when the mixed anhydrid method was used. However the specificity of these antibodies did not appear to be influenced by the type of antigen used.", "contents": "[Effect of the conditions of coupling in testosterone-albumine conjugates on the quality of the antibodies produced in the rabbit]. In order to produce antibodies against small molecules as steroid hormones a necessary step in the preparation of the antigen includes a covalent linkage of the hapten to a \"carrier\" protein. Two coupling procedures (mixed anhydrid method and carbodiimide method) have been utilized in the preparation of testosterone conjugate linked in the C3 position. The same batches of testosterone (o-carboxy methyl) oxime and crystallized bovine serum albumine have been used. In the 2 different antigens the steroid/BSA molar ratio was identical (30). Antibodies have been raised in female New-Zealand rabbits. It is concluded that experimental conditions of covalent linkage influenced the antigenic potency of the conjugate used. Antibodies of considerably higher titer, capacity and affinity were obtained when the mixed anhydrid method was used. However the specificity of these antibodies did not appear to be influenced by the type of antigen used.", "PMID": 772535} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3435", "title": "Results of a comparative study on insulin radioimmunoassay in 36 Italian laboratories.", "content": "An interlaboratory study in which the insulin contents of five plasma samples were estimated in 36 italian laboratories was coordinated by the Istituto Superiore di Sanit\u00e0 (National Institute of Health) and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (National Research Council). A rather large between-laboratory variability resulted, though the ranking of samples according to their insulin concentrations was practically the same. A significant dependence of estimates on the method used was established. The analysis of data, aimed at defining the possible reasons of the assay variability, is reported and discussed.", "contents": "Results of a comparative study on insulin radioimmunoassay in 36 Italian laboratories. An interlaboratory study in which the insulin contents of five plasma samples were estimated in 36 italian laboratories was coordinated by the Istituto Superiore di Sanit\u00e0 (National Institute of Health) and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (National Research Council). A rather large between-laboratory variability resulted, though the ranking of samples according to their insulin concentrations was practically the same. A significant dependence of estimates on the method used was established. The analysis of data, aimed at defining the possible reasons of the assay variability, is reported and discussed.", "PMID": 772536} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3436", "title": "Reliability criteria for steroid radioimmunoassay.", "content": "The principle of radioimmunoassay has been applied to every hormonal steroid and many steroids without known biological activity. The validation of steroid radioimmunoassay requires the evaluation of reliability criteria. These criteria involve the degree of relative specificity of the assay, the sensitivity which dictates the volume of biological fluid required for accurate and precise measurement, and the precision and accuracy of the assay which should be evaluated in every batch of assays as quality control. The use of steroid radioimmunoassay in physiological and clinical studies requires prior validation of these assays by proper evaluation of the reliability criteria.", "contents": "Reliability criteria for steroid radioimmunoassay. The principle of radioimmunoassay has been applied to every hormonal steroid and many steroids without known biological activity. The validation of steroid radioimmunoassay requires the evaluation of reliability criteria. These criteria involve the degree of relative specificity of the assay, the sensitivity which dictates the volume of biological fluid required for accurate and precise measurement, and the precision and accuracy of the assay which should be evaluated in every batch of assays as quality control. The use of steroid radioimmunoassay in physiological and clinical studies requires prior validation of these assays by proper evaluation of the reliability criteria.", "PMID": 772537} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3437", "title": "The use of diatomite microcolumns for the chromatographic separation of steroids prior to radioimmunoassay.", "content": "Since most anti-steroid antibodies are not usually specific enough to permit direct radioimmunoassay of these compounds, chromatographic purification is required to achieve reliability. We have used Celite microcolumns for the separation of a wide range of steroids prior to radioimmunoassay. Depending on the polarity of the steroids to be separated, various mixtures of solvents are used as stationary and mobile phases. This system is rapid, easy, economical, and reliable.", "contents": "The use of diatomite microcolumns for the chromatographic separation of steroids prior to radioimmunoassay. Since most anti-steroid antibodies are not usually specific enough to permit direct radioimmunoassay of these compounds, chromatographic purification is required to achieve reliability. We have used Celite microcolumns for the separation of a wide range of steroids prior to radioimmunoassay. Depending on the polarity of the steroids to be separated, various mixtures of solvents are used as stationary and mobile phases. This system is rapid, easy, economical, and reliable.", "PMID": 772538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3438", "title": "[Radioimmunoassay of synthetic steroids].", "content": "The sensitivity of a radioimmunoassay depends on the intrinsic association constant of the interaction between ligand and antibody. Its specificity depends on the position of the chain which forms the link with the antigen. Thus, an antibody specific of estradiol has been obtained by coupling estradiol to albumin via a chain at position 7. For synthetic steroids the structure of which is sufficiency different from that of natural hormones, the requirements for a sensitive assay method not involving chromatography are simply maximum affinity and positioning of the couple at a site which does not undergo metabolic attack. These criteria were used to develop assays for R 2858 and R 2453 which obviate the need to administer radioactive product in clinical pharmacology. Cross-reaction with structural analogs may be used to assay competitors. Thus, R 2323 antibody, highly specific for endogenous steroids, may be used to assay other trienes such as R 1697 (trenbolone) and R 2010 (norgestrienone).", "contents": "[Radioimmunoassay of synthetic steroids]. The sensitivity of a radioimmunoassay depends on the intrinsic association constant of the interaction between ligand and antibody. Its specificity depends on the position of the chain which forms the link with the antigen. Thus, an antibody specific of estradiol has been obtained by coupling estradiol to albumin via a chain at position 7. For synthetic steroids the structure of which is sufficiency different from that of natural hormones, the requirements for a sensitive assay method not involving chromatography are simply maximum affinity and positioning of the couple at a site which does not undergo metabolic attack. These criteria were used to develop assays for R 2858 and R 2453 which obviate the need to administer radioactive product in clinical pharmacology. Cross-reaction with structural analogs may be used to assay competitors. Thus, R 2323 antibody, highly specific for endogenous steroids, may be used to assay other trienes such as R 1697 (trenbolone) and R 2010 (norgestrienone).", "PMID": 772539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3439", "title": "Use of (3H) and (125I) tracers in steroid radioimmunoassays.", "content": "The comparative use of 3H and 125I tracers in steroid radioimmunoassays will be discussed around the following points: 1. 3H. a) they can be purchased commercially and have a long shelf-life. b) Disadvantages: they may have reduced affinity for antibodies due to \"isotope effects\"; the counting of beta-emitters is more expensive and difficult; 3H tracers are not available for all steroids. 2. 125I. a) gamma-counting is cheaper, simpler and more precise; 125I tracers may have higher affinity for antibodies than unlabelled steroids; 125I can be used to label any steroid. b) Disadvantages: 125I tracers have a limited shelf-life (n.b. six months for 125I histamine tracers). The high affinity of some tracers will be a big disadvantage if the unlabelled steroid cannot compete effectively.", "contents": "Use of (3H) and (125I) tracers in steroid radioimmunoassays. The comparative use of 3H and 125I tracers in steroid radioimmunoassays will be discussed around the following points: 1. 3H. a) they can be purchased commercially and have a long shelf-life. b) Disadvantages: they may have reduced affinity for antibodies due to \"isotope effects\"; the counting of beta-emitters is more expensive and difficult; 3H tracers are not available for all steroids. 2. 125I. a) gamma-counting is cheaper, simpler and more precise; 125I tracers may have higher affinity for antibodies than unlabelled steroids; 125I can be used to label any steroid. b) Disadvantages: 125I tracers have a limited shelf-life (n.b. six months for 125I histamine tracers). The high affinity of some tracers will be a big disadvantage if the unlabelled steroid cannot compete effectively.", "PMID": 772540} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3440", "title": "[Radioimmunoassay of 18-hydroxy-11-desoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC). Preliminary studies].", "content": "An antiserum anti 18-OH-DOC-21-hemisuccinate-BSA was induced in the Rabbit. Its radioimmunological properties were studied. In this preliminary study, the classical reaction antigen-antibody was examined, principaly in the procedure for the separation of free antigen from antigen bound to antibody.", "contents": "[Radioimmunoassay of 18-hydroxy-11-desoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC). Preliminary studies]. An antiserum anti 18-OH-DOC-21-hemisuccinate-BSA was induced in the Rabbit. Its radioimmunological properties were studied. In this preliminary study, the classical reaction antigen-antibody was examined, principaly in the procedure for the separation of free antigen from antigen bound to antibody.", "PMID": 772541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3441", "title": "[A competitive radioisotope binding technic for the determination of prednisolone and of a new synthetic corticoid].", "content": "A competitive protein binding technique for the determination of plasma prednisolone in dexamethasone-treated men was found suitable for the estimation of plasma levels of a new non-steroidal compound having a chemical structure related to that of prednisolone. The method used allowed us to determine the time of appearance of this compound in the peripheral plasma after oral administration, the time of the peak and the apparent disappearance half-life which were comparable to that of prednisolone.", "contents": "[A competitive radioisotope binding technic for the determination of prednisolone and of a new synthetic corticoid]. A competitive protein binding technique for the determination of plasma prednisolone in dexamethasone-treated men was found suitable for the estimation of plasma levels of a new non-steroidal compound having a chemical structure related to that of prednisolone. The method used allowed us to determine the time of appearance of this compound in the peripheral plasma after oral administration, the time of the peak and the apparent disappearance half-life which were comparable to that of prednisolone.", "PMID": 772542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3442", "title": "[Effect of the steroid sex hormones on the LH and FSH responses to LHRH in the normal subject].", "content": "In man both basal gonadotrophin levels and the pituitary responses to LHRH remained relatively constant throughout life. In women the pituitary sensitivity varied in the menstrual cycle due to the typical cyclic variation of oestradiol and progesterone. The max delta LH increase to 100 mug LHRH was observed in the periovulatory period (183 +/- 41 mU/ml); it was also significantly higher in the luteal (49 +/- 7 mu/ml) than in the early follicular phase (18 +/- 3 mU/ml). The effect of exogenous sex steroid hormones taken as contraceptive drugs was then studied in 15 women. Significantly lower LH and FSH basal values as well as responses to LHRH were observed in 8 normal women under oral combined contraceptives. Conversely, in 7 women under oral sequential contraceptives, basal LH and FSH remained in the normal range. The LH-FSH responses were increased and delayed when these tests were performed during the period of estrogen treatment. Thus, with combined oral contraceptives, constant and high levels of estrogens and progesterone not only inhibit the LH peak, but also decrease the basal LH-FSH levels and responses to releasing hormone. Conversely, with sequential oral contraceptives, the low level of estradiol does not inhibit these responses and even enhances them. In menopausal women both basal and gonadotrophin responses to LHRH were increased indicating an important pituitary reserve. In menstruating women a significant estradiol increase is observed 2 and 4 hours after a 100 mug LHRH injection, both during the follicular and the luteal phases whereas progesterone increases only in the luteal phase. In men, testosterone was found to increase 4 hours after a 100 mug LHRH injection. These studies show that in normal subjects, sex steroid hormones are important regulators of the sensitivity of the pituitary responsiveness to releasing hormone.", "contents": "[Effect of the steroid sex hormones on the LH and FSH responses to LHRH in the normal subject]. In man both basal gonadotrophin levels and the pituitary responses to LHRH remained relatively constant throughout life. In women the pituitary sensitivity varied in the menstrual cycle due to the typical cyclic variation of oestradiol and progesterone. The max delta LH increase to 100 mug LHRH was observed in the periovulatory period (183 +/- 41 mU/ml); it was also significantly higher in the luteal (49 +/- 7 mu/ml) than in the early follicular phase (18 +/- 3 mU/ml). The effect of exogenous sex steroid hormones taken as contraceptive drugs was then studied in 15 women. Significantly lower LH and FSH basal values as well as responses to LHRH were observed in 8 normal women under oral combined contraceptives. Conversely, in 7 women under oral sequential contraceptives, basal LH and FSH remained in the normal range. The LH-FSH responses were increased and delayed when these tests were performed during the period of estrogen treatment. Thus, with combined oral contraceptives, constant and high levels of estrogens and progesterone not only inhibit the LH peak, but also decrease the basal LH-FSH levels and responses to releasing hormone. Conversely, with sequential oral contraceptives, the low level of estradiol does not inhibit these responses and even enhances them. In menopausal women both basal and gonadotrophin responses to LHRH were increased indicating an important pituitary reserve. In menstruating women a significant estradiol increase is observed 2 and 4 hours after a 100 mug LHRH injection, both during the follicular and the luteal phases whereas progesterone increases only in the luteal phase. In men, testosterone was found to increase 4 hours after a 100 mug LHRH injection. These studies show that in normal subjects, sex steroid hormones are important regulators of the sensitivity of the pituitary responsiveness to releasing hormone.", "PMID": 772543} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3443", "title": "[Serum IgE Statistical study of 2000 measurements].", "content": "In a statistical analysis of more than 2000 IgE estimations, the authors corroborate the importance of this determination for diagnosis of asthma, eczema and rhinitis. Serum IgE levels are also elevated in parasitic diseases, and may be elevated in some other cases in which there are several disorders, such as cirrhosis and leukemia.", "contents": "[Serum IgE Statistical study of 2000 measurements]. In a statistical analysis of more than 2000 IgE estimations, the authors corroborate the importance of this determination for diagnosis of asthma, eczema and rhinitis. Serum IgE levels are also elevated in parasitic diseases, and may be elevated in some other cases in which there are several disorders, such as cirrhosis and leukemia.", "PMID": 772545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3444", "title": "[The rat ventricular myocardium in chronic hypercapnia. Electron microscopic study].", "content": "An electron microscope study of the left ventricular myocardium from rat acclimatized to chronic hypercapnia was done in order to complete the preceding work concerning general effects of respiratory acidosis. After 15 and 30 days of the acclimatation to 8% CO2 no lesions of the myocardium could be found. The results of the morphometric analysis indicated, however, discrete modifications of heart ultrastructure similar to those found before in hypoxic and failing hearts: namely a decrease of mitochondrial mean diameter and a non significant decrease of mitochondrial fractional volume. The latter was accompanied by a significant decrease of myofibrillar mass. The presence of cellular oedema seems to be suggested by an increase of fractional volume of the cytosol. The mechanism of these changes is not easy to explain. Further work will be necessary to make a choice between two possibilities: (1) depressed contractility related to some direct effect of high pCO2 and (2) tissue hypoxia secondary to local effects of the former.", "contents": "[The rat ventricular myocardium in chronic hypercapnia. Electron microscopic study]. An electron microscope study of the left ventricular myocardium from rat acclimatized to chronic hypercapnia was done in order to complete the preceding work concerning general effects of respiratory acidosis. After 15 and 30 days of the acclimatation to 8% CO2 no lesions of the myocardium could be found. The results of the morphometric analysis indicated, however, discrete modifications of heart ultrastructure similar to those found before in hypoxic and failing hearts: namely a decrease of mitochondrial mean diameter and a non significant decrease of mitochondrial fractional volume. The latter was accompanied by a significant decrease of myofibrillar mass. The presence of cellular oedema seems to be suggested by an increase of fractional volume of the cytosol. The mechanism of these changes is not easy to explain. Further work will be necessary to make a choice between two possibilities: (1) depressed contractility related to some direct effect of high pCO2 and (2) tissue hypoxia secondary to local effects of the former.", "PMID": 772546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3445", "title": "[An attempt at correlation between the numbers of intra-hepatic immunocytes and levels of serum immunoglobulins during the course of various liver diseases].", "content": "Liver samples from 71 patients with various liver diseases were obtained by needle-biopsy and examined by the direct fluorescent antibody technique. Immunocytes reacting with specific conjugated anti-IgG, A, M sera were counted. An attempt to correlate i-munocytochemical observations with Ig-levels was performed but remained statistically non valid. Nevertheless, graphic comparison of data in the three homogeneous investigated groups (steatosis, cirrhosis, hepatitis) might support the view that intra-hepatic immunocytes contribute partially to enhance the serum immunoglobulin levels in liver diseases.", "contents": "[An attempt at correlation between the numbers of intra-hepatic immunocytes and levels of serum immunoglobulins during the course of various liver diseases]. Liver samples from 71 patients with various liver diseases were obtained by needle-biopsy and examined by the direct fluorescent antibody technique. Immunocytes reacting with specific conjugated anti-IgG, A, M sera were counted. An attempt to correlate i-munocytochemical observations with Ig-levels was performed but remained statistically non valid. Nevertheless, graphic comparison of data in the three homogeneous investigated groups (steatosis, cirrhosis, hepatitis) might support the view that intra-hepatic immunocytes contribute partially to enhance the serum immunoglobulin levels in liver diseases.", "PMID": 772547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3446", "title": "[Contribution to the study of aortic hetero-transplants by means of electron microscopy].", "content": "In this study the ultrastructure of aortic valves of the pig, fixed immediately upon removal from the animal is compared with that of grafts treated to suppress immune responses as well as grafts treated to suppress immune responses as well as grafts which had to be replaced upon deterioration after implantation in humans. Fresh pig valves are lined by an endothelium forming a continuous barrier between the valvular tissue and the surrounding medium and which acts as a selective filter. Aortic valves consist essentially of bundles of collagen fibres interspersed with elastic fibres. They are synthesized by sever fibroblasts located in this connective tissue network. The agents used in treatment destroy the endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Furthermore, the connective network does not remain fully intact; modifications occur in both the collagen fibres and the \"ground substance\". Modifications observed in deteriorated implants, though of similar appearance, are more profound; collagen fibers are thus more or less calcified. Cells which sometimes invade the implanted tissues belong to the macrophagic series and they produce enzymes which contribute to the degradation of heterografts easily accessible to enzymatic attack. It therefore, seems that treatment of the aortic valves cannot prevent antigenic reactions in the host and, furthermore, cannot confer sufficient resistance on implants to protect them from degradation which are sometimes incompatible with their proper functioning.", "contents": "[Contribution to the study of aortic hetero-transplants by means of electron microscopy]. In this study the ultrastructure of aortic valves of the pig, fixed immediately upon removal from the animal is compared with that of grafts treated to suppress immune responses as well as grafts treated to suppress immune responses as well as grafts which had to be replaced upon deterioration after implantation in humans. Fresh pig valves are lined by an endothelium forming a continuous barrier between the valvular tissue and the surrounding medium and which acts as a selective filter. Aortic valves consist essentially of bundles of collagen fibres interspersed with elastic fibres. They are synthesized by sever fibroblasts located in this connective tissue network. The agents used in treatment destroy the endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Furthermore, the connective network does not remain fully intact; modifications occur in both the collagen fibres and the \"ground substance\". Modifications observed in deteriorated implants, though of similar appearance, are more profound; collagen fibers are thus more or less calcified. Cells which sometimes invade the implanted tissues belong to the macrophagic series and they produce enzymes which contribute to the degradation of heterografts easily accessible to enzymatic attack. It therefore, seems that treatment of the aortic valves cannot prevent antigenic reactions in the host and, furthermore, cannot confer sufficient resistance on implants to protect them from degradation which are sometimes incompatible with their proper functioning.", "PMID": 772548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3447", "title": "[Effect of prostaglandin PGE1 on blood and tissue lipids in rabbit experimental arteriosclerosis].", "content": "Although the effects of prostaglandins (namely PGE) on lipolysis are well known, there are few data about their action on the various serum lipids (cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides). We have no information about the action of these products on experimental atherosclerosis and the arterial lipids. In the present work, we found in rabbits fed an hyperlipidemic diet, or receiving adrenalin injections, or a sequential atherogenic treatment for a long course, that the treatment by PGE1 induces a decrease of the serum lipids, mainly in animals fed an hyperlipidemic diet. In the same experiment, we found also a decrease of the cholesterol level in aorta and in the connective tissue of sub-cutaneous granulomas. The interest of these findings is discussed in the light of present known data about the effect of prostaglandins on lipid metabolism.", "contents": "[Effect of prostaglandin PGE1 on blood and tissue lipids in rabbit experimental arteriosclerosis]. Although the effects of prostaglandins (namely PGE) on lipolysis are well known, there are few data about their action on the various serum lipids (cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides). We have no information about the action of these products on experimental atherosclerosis and the arterial lipids. In the present work, we found in rabbits fed an hyperlipidemic diet, or receiving adrenalin injections, or a sequential atherogenic treatment for a long course, that the treatment by PGE1 induces a decrease of the serum lipids, mainly in animals fed an hyperlipidemic diet. In the same experiment, we found also a decrease of the cholesterol level in aorta and in the connective tissue of sub-cutaneous granulomas. The interest of these findings is discussed in the light of present known data about the effect of prostaglandins on lipid metabolism.", "PMID": 772549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3448", "title": "[Culture of human bone marrow. Counts of colony forming granulocytes and macrophages in 100 patients without hematologic diseases].", "content": "Bone marrow suspensions from non hematologic patients have been cultured in methyl cellulose, with conditioned medium prepared with normal peripheral blood cells. The granulocytic-monocytic colony forming cell (G-CFC) can give rise to colonies, which were counted on the 14th day. The mean G-CFC number is 38 +/- 26 when 2.10(5) cells are cultured. The striking disparity from one patient to an other cannot be explained by the culture conditions, nor by the clinical status. There is no sex difference; older patients have a significant reduction of the colony numbers compared to younger patients.", "contents": "[Culture of human bone marrow. Counts of colony forming granulocytes and macrophages in 100 patients without hematologic diseases]. Bone marrow suspensions from non hematologic patients have been cultured in methyl cellulose, with conditioned medium prepared with normal peripheral blood cells. The granulocytic-monocytic colony forming cell (G-CFC) can give rise to colonies, which were counted on the 14th day. The mean G-CFC number is 38 +/- 26 when 2.10(5) cells are cultured. The striking disparity from one patient to an other cannot be explained by the culture conditions, nor by the clinical status. There is no sex difference; older patients have a significant reduction of the colony numbers compared to younger patients.", "PMID": 772550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3449", "title": "[Effect of minocycline on Candida albicans. \"In vitro\" study: comparison with tetracycline].", "content": "The action of minocycline has been studied in comparison with tetracycline on 52 strains of \"C. albicans\" by M.I.C. on Agar medium and by the dellophane transfer. A fungistatic activity was observed above 4 mug/ml, and a fungicidal activity above 1000 mug/ml, whereas tetracycline \"in vitro\" proved to be ineffective.", "contents": "[Effect of minocycline on Candida albicans. \"In vitro\" study: comparison with tetracycline]. The action of minocycline has been studied in comparison with tetracycline on 52 strains of \"C. albicans\" by M.I.C. on Agar medium and by the dellophane transfer. A fungistatic activity was observed above 4 mug/ml, and a fungicidal activity above 1000 mug/ml, whereas tetracycline \"in vitro\" proved to be ineffective.", "PMID": 772551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3450", "title": "[Real time processing of data from a clinical biochemistry laboratory by means of a computer system].", "content": "Our experience on the use, for several years, of an off line data processing system, has permitted the development of a more advanced system. The basis of the new system is implantation in the laboratory of a minicomputer, linked secondarily to a large computer. The introduction of viewing apparatus favours the development of conversational procedures essential for this application. The organisation of work stands, which varies with the type of blood investigation carried out, whether automatic, semi-automatic or manual, and depends on the use of specialised terminal, e.g. key-board, screen or printing machine, was particularly studied. Simpler procedures were also fully studied, for a routine laboratory must continue to function if the computer breaks down.", "contents": "[Real time processing of data from a clinical biochemistry laboratory by means of a computer system]. Our experience on the use, for several years, of an off line data processing system, has permitted the development of a more advanced system. The basis of the new system is implantation in the laboratory of a minicomputer, linked secondarily to a large computer. The introduction of viewing apparatus favours the development of conversational procedures essential for this application. The organisation of work stands, which varies with the type of blood investigation carried out, whether automatic, semi-automatic or manual, and depends on the use of specialised terminal, e.g. key-board, screen or printing machine, was particularly studied. Simpler procedures were also fully studied, for a routine laboratory must continue to function if the computer breaks down.", "PMID": 772552} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3451", "title": "[Molecular evolution].", "content": "The molecular evolution is considered in several protein families. It can be studied with the data of an entirely known structure, like in hemoglobin or cytochrome, or of only partial structural data, as for proteases or immunoglobulins. In the case of isozymes the study of physico-chemical and kinetic properties is more indirect. Finally, it is shown that the molecular mechanisms are always the same, happening probably at the same frequency, the differences being due to a variable selection by molecular constraints and adaptation to the environment.", "contents": "[Molecular evolution]. The molecular evolution is considered in several protein families. It can be studied with the data of an entirely known structure, like in hemoglobin or cytochrome, or of only partial structural data, as for proteases or immunoglobulins. In the case of isozymes the study of physico-chemical and kinetic properties is more indirect. Finally, it is shown that the molecular mechanisms are always the same, happening probably at the same frequency, the differences being due to a variable selection by molecular constraints and adaptation to the environment.", "PMID": 772553} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3452", "title": "[Continuous study of rapidly fluctuating parameters in the study of glucoregulation].", "content": "Continuous monitoring of a parameter is the more necessary the more fluctuant the studied parameter. Dosage upon discontinuously gained blood samples leads to a higher rate of interpretative errors. Our method of continuous investigation achieves a precise objectivation of the glycemia/insulinemia relationship; the automation assures a perfect comparability of the results.", "contents": "[Continuous study of rapidly fluctuating parameters in the study of glucoregulation]. Continuous monitoring of a parameter is the more necessary the more fluctuant the studied parameter. Dosage upon discontinuously gained blood samples leads to a higher rate of interpretative errors. Our method of continuous investigation achieves a precise objectivation of the glycemia/insulinemia relationship; the automation assures a perfect comparability of the results.", "PMID": 772554} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3453", "title": "The suppression of factor VIII antibodies in haemophilia.", "content": "Three severely affected haemophiliacs who had developed antibodies to factor VIII are described in whom the administration of cyclophosphamide was thought to have prevented reappearance of the antibody after factor VIII infusion. Some of the possible causes which might have led to the favourable outcome in these and three other, previously reported, patients in whom the antibody, which was raised at the time of IS therapy, dropped to zero and failed to reappear, are discussed. It is suggested that immunosuppressive therapy was effective in these patients as it was given during or soon after the primary immune response. As the antibody response becomes increasingly well established, so the chances of successful immunosuppressive therapy recede.", "contents": "The suppression of factor VIII antibodies in haemophilia. Three severely affected haemophiliacs who had developed antibodies to factor VIII are described in whom the administration of cyclophosphamide was thought to have prevented reappearance of the antibody after factor VIII infusion. Some of the possible causes which might have led to the favourable outcome in these and three other, previously reported, patients in whom the antibody, which was raised at the time of IS therapy, dropped to zero and failed to reappear, are discussed. It is suggested that immunosuppressive therapy was effective in these patients as it was given during or soon after the primary immune response. As the antibody response becomes increasingly well established, so the chances of successful immunosuppressive therapy recede.", "PMID": 772555} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3454", "title": "[Medical treatment of hemophilic hemarthrosis and surgical prospects].", "content": "The treatment of acute hemarthrosis as utilized by eighteen hemophilic centers in different towns from France was presented. The amount of F.VIII infused, the use of cortisone and analgesic drugs, immobilisation and rehabilitation were discussed by each center. Discrepancies from one center to another appeared except for one point: the amount of F.VIII to be infused and the interest of early infusion. The interest of orthopedic surgery in the evolution of hemophilic arthropathies was developed.", "contents": "[Medical treatment of hemophilic hemarthrosis and surgical prospects]. The treatment of acute hemarthrosis as utilized by eighteen hemophilic centers in different towns from France was presented. The amount of F.VIII infused, the use of cortisone and analgesic drugs, immobilisation and rehabilitation were discussed by each center. Discrepancies from one center to another appeared except for one point: the amount of F.VIII to be infused and the interest of early infusion. The interest of orthopedic surgery in the evolution of hemophilic arthropathies was developed.", "PMID": 772556} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3455", "title": "[Treatment of hemophilic arthropathies by medical synoviorthesis].", "content": "The effects of medical synoviorthesis were studied by the authors in the haemophiliac. The use of radioisotopes was limited in view of the young age of the patients but a good result was achieved for the 5 elbows treated and for the 4 knees (yttrium 90) the results were 2 good, 1 fair and 1 failure. Osmic acid was injected in 44 knees. The results were good and fair in 51% of 39 knees. The results can be improved by a second injection. Synoviorthesis should be kept for joints with very few destructions because of the danger of worsening the osteocartilaginous lesions, specially with osmic acid.", "contents": "[Treatment of hemophilic arthropathies by medical synoviorthesis]. The effects of medical synoviorthesis were studied by the authors in the haemophiliac. The use of radioisotopes was limited in view of the young age of the patients but a good result was achieved for the 5 elbows treated and for the 4 knees (yttrium 90) the results were 2 good, 1 fair and 1 failure. Osmic acid was injected in 44 knees. The results were good and fair in 51% of 39 knees. The results can be improved by a second injection. Synoviorthesis should be kept for joints with very few destructions because of the danger of worsening the osteocartilaginous lesions, specially with osmic acid.", "PMID": 772557} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3456", "title": "Interaction of platelets with purified macromolecules of the arterial wall.", "content": "A method is described for the study of the interaction between human blood platelets and intercellular matrix macromolecules of connective tissues such as those found in the sub-endothelium. The method is based on the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the elution pattern of a platelet suspension from a mixed Sepharose 2B-fibrous protein column containing standardized amounts of fibrous proteins such as elastin or structural glycoprotein-microfibrils (SGP-MF). No interaction could be demonstrated with this method between platelets and SGP-MF but there was a very distinct interaction between platelets and elastin fibers. This could be confirmed by direct microscopical demonstration of platelet clusters around elastin fibers in cryostat sections of the affinity column.", "contents": "Interaction of platelets with purified macromolecules of the arterial wall. A method is described for the study of the interaction between human blood platelets and intercellular matrix macromolecules of connective tissues such as those found in the sub-endothelium. The method is based on the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the elution pattern of a platelet suspension from a mixed Sepharose 2B-fibrous protein column containing standardized amounts of fibrous proteins such as elastin or structural glycoprotein-microfibrils (SGP-MF). No interaction could be demonstrated with this method between platelets and SGP-MF but there was a very distinct interaction between platelets and elastin fibers. This could be confirmed by direct microscopical demonstration of platelet clusters around elastin fibers in cryostat sections of the affinity column.", "PMID": 772558} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3457", "title": "Physical and chemical properties of normal and haemophilic factor VIII.", "content": "This review summarizes the physical and chemical properties of normal factor VIII (antihaemophilic factor). Special attention is given to the different subunits of this molecule, obtained after dissociation by beta-mercaptoethanol, high or low ionic strength. Present points of controversy are outlined. A description is given of the role of factor VIII in coagulation, as it is presently understood. The studies of the physical and chemical properties of haemophilic factor VIII also are reviewed; the molecular defect of haemophilic factor VIII remains to be identified.", "contents": "Physical and chemical properties of normal and haemophilic factor VIII. This review summarizes the physical and chemical properties of normal factor VIII (antihaemophilic factor). Special attention is given to the different subunits of this molecule, obtained after dissociation by beta-mercaptoethanol, high or low ionic strength. Present points of controversy are outlined. A description is given of the role of factor VIII in coagulation, as it is presently understood. The studies of the physical and chemical properties of haemophilic factor VIII also are reviewed; the molecular defect of haemophilic factor VIII remains to be identified.", "PMID": 772559} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3458", "title": "Role of adrenergic stimulation in the fibrinolytic activation induced by histamine shock.", "content": "Comparison, in the dog, of the fibrinolytic response to adrenaline and histamine in presence of adrenergic blocking agents, suggests that adrenergic stimulation plays only a minor role in the mobilization of plasminogen activators during histamine shock.", "contents": "Role of adrenergic stimulation in the fibrinolytic activation induced by histamine shock. Comparison, in the dog, of the fibrinolytic response to adrenaline and histamine in presence of adrenergic blocking agents, suggests that adrenergic stimulation plays only a minor role in the mobilization of plasminogen activators during histamine shock.", "PMID": 772560} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3459", "title": "High prekallikrein levels during pregnancy.", "content": "Prekallikrein levels are significantly increased during pregnancy. The increase is neither due to an excess of Hageman factor or of an activator, nor to the decrease of an inhibitor.", "contents": "High prekallikrein levels during pregnancy. Prekallikrein levels are significantly increased during pregnancy. The increase is neither due to an excess of Hageman factor or of an activator, nor to the decrease of an inhibitor.", "PMID": 772561} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3460", "title": "[Search for blast cells in the blood following transplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "The appearance of transformed lymphocytes in the circulating blood of transplanted patients may easily be followed by examination of blood smears. There is a significant relationship between the number of peripheral lymphoblasts and the course of the graft. The reliability and specificity of the test are discussed.", "contents": "[Search for blast cells in the blood following transplantation (author's transl)]. The appearance of transformed lymphocytes in the circulating blood of transplanted patients may easily be followed by examination of blood smears. There is a significant relationship between the number of peripheral lymphoblasts and the course of the graft. The reliability and specificity of the test are discussed.", "PMID": 772562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3461", "title": "[Biliary elimination of metampicillin. Experimental and clinical study (author's transl)].", "content": "Under the conditions of the isolated rabbit liver perfusion, metampicillin was found to be excreted at a high rate in the biliary tract : bile contains 46,5% of the administered dose. Hepatic uptake of metampicillin seems to be early and marked. In man, the biliary elimination of this antibiotic varies according to the route of administration. Only moderate biliary levels of metampicillin were obtained after oral administration ; on the contrary, extremly high biliary concentrations were found when antibiotic was injected intravenously. When parenteraly administered, metampicillin appears to be a particularly suitable penicillin for the treatment of biliary tract infections.", "contents": "[Biliary elimination of metampicillin. Experimental and clinical study (author's transl)]. Under the conditions of the isolated rabbit liver perfusion, metampicillin was found to be excreted at a high rate in the biliary tract : bile contains 46,5% of the administered dose. Hepatic uptake of metampicillin seems to be early and marked. In man, the biliary elimination of this antibiotic varies according to the route of administration. Only moderate biliary levels of metampicillin were obtained after oral administration ; on the contrary, extremly high biliary concentrations were found when antibiotic was injected intravenously. When parenteraly administered, metampicillin appears to be a particularly suitable penicillin for the treatment of biliary tract infections.", "PMID": 772563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3462", "title": "[Swift preparation of hemoglobin free ghosts of human red cells (author's transl)].", "content": "Ghosts are adsorbed on extemporaneously formed tricalcium phosphate precipitate in lytic medium. They are free of hemoglobin and chemical characteristics are in good agreement with those obtained by Dodge (3) and Hanahan (5).", "contents": "[Swift preparation of hemoglobin free ghosts of human red cells (author's transl)]. Ghosts are adsorbed on extemporaneously formed tricalcium phosphate precipitate in lytic medium. They are free of hemoglobin and chemical characteristics are in good agreement with those obtained by Dodge (3) and Hanahan (5).", "PMID": 772564} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3463", "title": "[Continuous photometric determination of total circulating blood saturation \"in vitro\" (author's transl)].", "content": "A methodology is described, entirely based on common commercial components with minor modifications, and allowing one to determine in vitro the saturation of whole blood in a photometric cell.", "contents": "[Continuous photometric determination of total circulating blood saturation \"in vitro\" (author's transl)]. A methodology is described, entirely based on common commercial components with minor modifications, and allowing one to determine in vitro the saturation of whole blood in a photometric cell.", "PMID": 772565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3464", "title": "[Study of the radioimmunological and physicochemical properties of anti-aldosterone and anti-desoxycorticosterone antisera (author's transl)].", "content": "Study of the radioimmunological and physico-chemical properties of three anti-aldosterone antisera permitted practical conclusions to be drawn. By its high degree of specificity, anti-aldosterone-3-oxime-BSA is the most useful antiserum for the clinical assay of aldosterone. The principal advantage of this antiserum is that it allows both urinary and blood aldosterone radioimmunoassay without the necessity of including a chromatographic step. This work also includes the study of two anti-desoxy-cortico-sterone antisera.", "contents": "[Study of the radioimmunological and physicochemical properties of anti-aldosterone and anti-desoxycorticosterone antisera (author's transl)]. Study of the radioimmunological and physico-chemical properties of three anti-aldosterone antisera permitted practical conclusions to be drawn. By its high degree of specificity, anti-aldosterone-3-oxime-BSA is the most useful antiserum for the clinical assay of aldosterone. The principal advantage of this antiserum is that it allows both urinary and blood aldosterone radioimmunoassay without the necessity of including a chromatographic step. This work also includes the study of two anti-desoxy-cortico-sterone antisera.", "PMID": 772566} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3465", "title": "[Iso-hormones : molecular forms of human chorionic somatomammotropin (HCS) (author's transl)].", "content": "The chorionic somatomammotropin hormone extracted from the human placenta exists in several molecular forms: Analytical electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel permits separation of a highly anodic migration form : form 1 and another form migrating slightly faster than albumin : form 2. These two forms are active as measured by radioactive immunological analysis, form 2 being about 25 times more active than form 1. The two forms are mutually interconvertible. The two forms may also be separated by filtration on Sephadex G-50. However, they do not differ in molecular weight, they have the same coefficient of apparent diffusion, measured by analytic ultracentrifugation. Glutaraldehyde and 8 M urea do not modify their electrophoretic or chromatographic behaviour. On the other hand, the two forms differ in their tertiary structure, with the modification depending on the greater or lesser degree of oxidation of the intra-chain disulfide groups. The two forms also exist in placental culture media and the incorporation of tritiated leucine occurs preferably in form 1, The physiological significance of the two hormone pools is not clarified.", "contents": "[Iso-hormones : molecular forms of human chorionic somatomammotropin (HCS) (author's transl)]. The chorionic somatomammotropin hormone extracted from the human placenta exists in several molecular forms: Analytical electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel permits separation of a highly anodic migration form : form 1 and another form migrating slightly faster than albumin : form 2. These two forms are active as measured by radioactive immunological analysis, form 2 being about 25 times more active than form 1. The two forms are mutually interconvertible. The two forms may also be separated by filtration on Sephadex G-50. However, they do not differ in molecular weight, they have the same coefficient of apparent diffusion, measured by analytic ultracentrifugation. Glutaraldehyde and 8 M urea do not modify their electrophoretic or chromatographic behaviour. On the other hand, the two forms differ in their tertiary structure, with the modification depending on the greater or lesser degree of oxidation of the intra-chain disulfide groups. The two forms also exist in placental culture media and the incorporation of tritiated leucine occurs preferably in form 1, The physiological significance of the two hormone pools is not clarified.", "PMID": 772568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3466", "title": "[Regulation mechanisms of the activity of T lymphocytes. Applications to infective and tumoral pathology. I. Delayed hypersensitivity and humoral response (author's transl)].", "content": "Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) develops in the absence of an adjuvant when mice are injected with an apropriate dose of Sheep Red Blood Cells (SRBC). Increasing the dose of SRBC reduces and eventually abolished all evidence of DTH and no further sensitisation can be achieved even with the optimal subcutaneously injected dose, except in splenectomised mice in whom the development of DTH is not suppressed, even by massive doses of SRBC. This is also the case in mice treated with cyclophosphamide (CY) which suppresses selectively the antibody response. Hence the suppression of T cell activity measured as DTH cannot be due to antigen as such. The serum of blocked animals partially inhibits the induction and expression of DTH, and its blocking activity increase substantially after partial absorption. Absorbed serum did not inhibit in vivo the proliferative response nor the number of plaque forming cells to SRBC in peripheral lymph nodes, it increases the hemagglutinating titer of circulating specific antibody even though DTH is totally suppressed. It seems that the products of the interaction between antigens and antibodies block the activated T cells which mediate DTH without interfering with helper cells.", "contents": "[Regulation mechanisms of the activity of T lymphocytes. Applications to infective and tumoral pathology. I. Delayed hypersensitivity and humoral response (author's transl)]. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) develops in the absence of an adjuvant when mice are injected with an apropriate dose of Sheep Red Blood Cells (SRBC). Increasing the dose of SRBC reduces and eventually abolished all evidence of DTH and no further sensitisation can be achieved even with the optimal subcutaneously injected dose, except in splenectomised mice in whom the development of DTH is not suppressed, even by massive doses of SRBC. This is also the case in mice treated with cyclophosphamide (CY) which suppresses selectively the antibody response. Hence the suppression of T cell activity measured as DTH cannot be due to antigen as such. The serum of blocked animals partially inhibits the induction and expression of DTH, and its blocking activity increase substantially after partial absorption. Absorbed serum did not inhibit in vivo the proliferative response nor the number of plaque forming cells to SRBC in peripheral lymph nodes, it increases the hemagglutinating titer of circulating specific antibody even though DTH is totally suppressed. It seems that the products of the interaction between antigens and antibodies block the activated T cells which mediate DTH without interfering with helper cells.", "PMID": 772569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3467", "title": "[Epoxy embedding of bone-marrow biopsies for light microscopy and histopathologic use (author's transl)].", "content": "A routine method of epoxy embedding of bone-marrow and other tissues for light microscopy is described. Undecalcified bone specimens obtained from the sternum or iliac crest using trephine biopsy are fixed in formalin, deshydrated in acetone, embedded in a Kushida's low-viscosity epoxy resin medium. The samples are cut using a carbide-edged knife in a rotary microtome or a glass knife in a Sorval JB4 microtome. After fixing sections to slide with Neoprene and removal of the embedding medium with sodium methoxide and acetone, the staining with usual histological procedures is quite easy. A simple and rapid technique is outlined for staining these sections with Giemsa. The resolution, compared with routine parafin sections, is improved.", "contents": "[Epoxy embedding of bone-marrow biopsies for light microscopy and histopathologic use (author's transl)]. A routine method of epoxy embedding of bone-marrow and other tissues for light microscopy is described. Undecalcified bone specimens obtained from the sternum or iliac crest using trephine biopsy are fixed in formalin, deshydrated in acetone, embedded in a Kushida's low-viscosity epoxy resin medium. The samples are cut using a carbide-edged knife in a rotary microtome or a glass knife in a Sorval JB4 microtome. After fixing sections to slide with Neoprene and removal of the embedding medium with sodium methoxide and acetone, the staining with usual histological procedures is quite easy. A simple and rapid technique is outlined for staining these sections with Giemsa. The resolution, compared with routine parafin sections, is improved.", "PMID": 772570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3468", "title": "[Presence of soluble red cell antigens in antilymphocyte serum or in serum of normal rabbits absorbed with sheep red cells (author's transl)].", "content": "The treatment of Wistar rats with normal rabbit sera or rabbit anti-Rat lymphocyte sera preabsorbed with sheep red blood cells induces variable degrees of immunisation against these erythrocytes. This phenomenon is due to transfer of soluble erythrocyte antigen released during the absorption procedure.", "contents": "[Presence of soluble red cell antigens in antilymphocyte serum or in serum of normal rabbits absorbed with sheep red cells (author's transl)]. The treatment of Wistar rats with normal rabbit sera or rabbit anti-Rat lymphocyte sera preabsorbed with sheep red blood cells induces variable degrees of immunisation against these erythrocytes. This phenomenon is due to transfer of soluble erythrocyte antigen released during the absorption procedure.", "PMID": 772571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3469", "title": "The effects of methylphenidate on the soft neurological signs of hyperactive children.", "content": "The neurological examination of many hyperactive children reveals the presence of abnormal neurological signs. Of 40 hyperactive children who had three or more neurological abnormalities on an initial neurological evaluation, 29 (72.5%) showed marked improvement or complete resolution of the neurological signs following treatment with methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) for 60 days. The administration of placebo did not change appreciably the neurological status of 20 hyperactive children. Improvement in behavior, which was ascertained by the use of Conners' Abbreviated Teacher Rating Scale, did not always correspond with resolution of the abnormal neurological signs. This finding suggests that methylphenidate affects behavioral and motoric functions separately and independently. Repeat neurological assessment, looking for resolution of abnormal neurological signs, should be included as part of the follow-up medical examination in treated hyperactive children. Coupled with other objective and subjective test information, improvement of the neurological status provides supportive evidence of overall improvement in the hyperactive child who is receiving drug therapy.", "contents": "The effects of methylphenidate on the soft neurological signs of hyperactive children. The neurological examination of many hyperactive children reveals the presence of abnormal neurological signs. Of 40 hyperactive children who had three or more neurological abnormalities on an initial neurological evaluation, 29 (72.5%) showed marked improvement or complete resolution of the neurological signs following treatment with methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) for 60 days. The administration of placebo did not change appreciably the neurological status of 20 hyperactive children. Improvement in behavior, which was ascertained by the use of Conners' Abbreviated Teacher Rating Scale, did not always correspond with resolution of the abnormal neurological signs. This finding suggests that methylphenidate affects behavioral and motoric functions separately and independently. Repeat neurological assessment, looking for resolution of abnormal neurological signs, should be included as part of the follow-up medical examination in treated hyperactive children. Coupled with other objective and subjective test information, improvement of the neurological status provides supportive evidence of overall improvement in the hyperactive child who is receiving drug therapy.", "PMID": 772581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3470", "title": "Echocardiography: its role in the severely ill infant.", "content": "Echocardiography is a noninvasive diagnostic tool which has the capacity to provide reliable information on cardiac anatomy and function without risk or discomfort to the patient. The quality and quantity of information obtained in any given study is highly dependent upon the skill of the examiner. The anatomic and physiologic data obtained through its use in the severely ill infant allows immediate separation of infants with serious anatomic cardiovascular defects from those with conditions simulating heart disease. In some cardiac defects the echographic findings are specific enough to allow an accurate diagnosis.", "contents": "Echocardiography: its role in the severely ill infant. Echocardiography is a noninvasive diagnostic tool which has the capacity to provide reliable information on cardiac anatomy and function without risk or discomfort to the patient. The quality and quantity of information obtained in any given study is highly dependent upon the skill of the examiner. The anatomic and physiologic data obtained through its use in the severely ill infant allows immediate separation of infants with serious anatomic cardiovascular defects from those with conditions simulating heart disease. In some cardiac defects the echographic findings are specific enough to allow an accurate diagnosis.", "PMID": 772582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3471", "title": "Clinical features and pathophysiology of polycystic kidney disease in man.", "content": "Adult polycystic kidney disease is recognized as the traditional form of cystic kidney disease in man. It was the first described. It is the best studied. It is the most common among adults, affecting roughly one of every 500 persons. It accounts for renal failure in some 5% of patients coming to renal transplantation and ranks third as a cause of end-stage renal disease. Its cause(s) and prevention (other than genetic control through counseling) remain unknown, although some evidence of a preliminary nature is beginning to accumulate.", "contents": "Clinical features and pathophysiology of polycystic kidney disease in man. Adult polycystic kidney disease is recognized as the traditional form of cystic kidney disease in man. It was the first described. It is the best studied. It is the most common among adults, affecting roughly one of every 500 persons. It accounts for renal failure in some 5% of patients coming to renal transplantation and ranks third as a cause of end-stage renal disease. Its cause(s) and prevention (other than genetic control through counseling) remain unknown, although some evidence of a preliminary nature is beginning to accumulate.", "PMID": 772585} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3472", "title": "[The effects of somatostatin in acromegaly].", "content": "Somatostatine is the hypothalamic factor which inhibits the secretion of growth hormone. The administration of a synthetic form decreased growth hormone levels by 50 to 75% in 5 acromegalic patients. The action is rapid but the effect is not prolonged. Prolactin was reduced in only case with galactorrhea. Thyreostimulin, as well as gastrin, are unaffected. Plasma insulin levels, and to a lesser extent those of glucagon, are decreased by somatostatine which causes no variation in either cortisol or blood glucose. Somatostatine, by correcting the pathological secretion of hormone, opens the way to medical treatment of acromegaly.", "contents": "[The effects of somatostatin in acromegaly]. Somatostatine is the hypothalamic factor which inhibits the secretion of growth hormone. The administration of a synthetic form decreased growth hormone levels by 50 to 75% in 5 acromegalic patients. The action is rapid but the effect is not prolonged. Prolactin was reduced in only case with galactorrhea. Thyreostimulin, as well as gastrin, are unaffected. Plasma insulin levels, and to a lesser extent those of glucagon, are decreased by somatostatine which causes no variation in either cortisol or blood glucose. Somatostatine, by correcting the pathological secretion of hormone, opens the way to medical treatment of acromegaly.", "PMID": 772591} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3473", "title": "[Objective results of lumbar sympathectomy. Statistical study, based on vascular function tests].", "content": "A series of 100 unselected patients who had undergone low lumbar sympathectomy were studied using vascular function tests (digital plethysmography, hyperaemia test, rheography, measurement of segmental pressures and dynamic tests, walking tolerance on a conveyor belt, Strandness test). Statistical study of the results obtained showed that, above all, isolated lesions of atherosclerotic origin gave excellent results. Increase in walking tolerance and circulatory flow (rheographic quotient) were the only statistically valid parameters. Prediction of the effects of lumbar sympathectomy by Hillestad's hyperaemia test was confirmed. There were many failures amongst the other cases (diffuse lesions, leg artery involvement, diabetic type lesions). Lumbar sympathectomy is hence justified only in the presence of femoral lesions and in association with reconstructive aorto-iliac surgery in all cases when the distal bed consists of the deep femoral only.", "contents": "[Objective results of lumbar sympathectomy. Statistical study, based on vascular function tests]. A series of 100 unselected patients who had undergone low lumbar sympathectomy were studied using vascular function tests (digital plethysmography, hyperaemia test, rheography, measurement of segmental pressures and dynamic tests, walking tolerance on a conveyor belt, Strandness test). Statistical study of the results obtained showed that, above all, isolated lesions of atherosclerotic origin gave excellent results. Increase in walking tolerance and circulatory flow (rheographic quotient) were the only statistically valid parameters. Prediction of the effects of lumbar sympathectomy by Hillestad's hyperaemia test was confirmed. There were many failures amongst the other cases (diffuse lesions, leg artery involvement, diabetic type lesions). Lumbar sympathectomy is hence justified only in the presence of femoral lesions and in association with reconstructive aorto-iliac surgery in all cases when the distal bed consists of the deep femoral only.", "PMID": 772592} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3474", "title": "[Treatment of hyaline membrane disease with the plasminogen urokinase combination].", "content": "The authors present the results obtained using a therapeutic combinaison of plasminogen-urokinase in vivo in 14 premature infants suffering from respiratory distress. 86 % survived, a considerable improvement over classical survival rates. In addition it appeared that the duration of oxygen therapy was shorter, secondary to limitation of extension of the disease.", "contents": "[Treatment of hyaline membrane disease with the plasminogen urokinase combination]. The authors present the results obtained using a therapeutic combinaison of plasminogen-urokinase in vivo in 14 premature infants suffering from respiratory distress. 86 % survived, a considerable improvement over classical survival rates. In addition it appeared that the duration of oxygen therapy was shorter, secondary to limitation of extension of the disease.", "PMID": 772595} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3475", "title": "[Influence of the administration of levamisole on the reactivity of T-lymphocytes in advanced cancer patients].", "content": "The effects of levamisole were studied by evaluating T-cell responsiveness to a low dose of PHA on 31 advanced cancer volunteers. Treatment consisted in a 3-time a week oral administration of 150 mg of levamisole, actual time of observation is comprized between 10 and 31 months: 14 out of 31 treated metastatic cases of various solid tumours are still alive. In a group of 25 untreated patients, mean survival times were 65 days for men and 48 days for women. An increase of the responsiveness to a low dose of PHA was associated with survival, while death occurred when T-cells were unable to respond to the stimulatory activity of levamisole. These preliminary data confirm the paramount importance of cellular immunity in controlling neoplasias. They suggest a possibility to augment the life-span of cancer patients if an impaired cellular immunity machinery could be restored by the direct and indirect (hormonal) actions of levamisole, evidencing these mechanisms were still potentially functionning. They suggest also a monitoring of anti-tumoral immunity by evaluating the magnitude of T-cell response following levamisole administration.", "contents": "[Influence of the administration of levamisole on the reactivity of T-lymphocytes in advanced cancer patients]. The effects of levamisole were studied by evaluating T-cell responsiveness to a low dose of PHA on 31 advanced cancer volunteers. Treatment consisted in a 3-time a week oral administration of 150 mg of levamisole, actual time of observation is comprized between 10 and 31 months: 14 out of 31 treated metastatic cases of various solid tumours are still alive. In a group of 25 untreated patients, mean survival times were 65 days for men and 48 days for women. An increase of the responsiveness to a low dose of PHA was associated with survival, while death occurred when T-cells were unable to respond to the stimulatory activity of levamisole. These preliminary data confirm the paramount importance of cellular immunity in controlling neoplasias. They suggest a possibility to augment the life-span of cancer patients if an impaired cellular immunity machinery could be restored by the direct and indirect (hormonal) actions of levamisole, evidencing these mechanisms were still potentially functionning. They suggest also a monitoring of anti-tumoral immunity by evaluating the magnitude of T-cell response following levamisole administration.", "PMID": 772602} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3476", "title": "Managing respiratory distress syndrome in adults.", "content": "Respiratory distress syndrome in adults may be produced by any of a number of causes resulting in similar pathophysiologic changes and having identical therapeutic implications. The most important factors in treatment are early recognition and early institution of therapy.", "contents": "Managing respiratory distress syndrome in adults. Respiratory distress syndrome in adults may be produced by any of a number of causes resulting in similar pathophysiologic changes and having identical therapeutic implications. The most important factors in treatment are early recognition and early institution of therapy.", "PMID": 772641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3477", "title": "Intermittent positive-pressure breathing. A critical appraisal.", "content": "There are relatively few valid indications for the use of intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB). It is of limited or no value as prophylaxis of postoperative pulmonary problems (pneumonia, atelectasis) or as a means of delivering aerosol medications or treating stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In these situations, IPPB has few if any advantages over voluntary hyperventilation or deep breathing.", "contents": "Intermittent positive-pressure breathing. A critical appraisal. There are relatively few valid indications for the use of intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB). It is of limited or no value as prophylaxis of postoperative pulmonary problems (pneumonia, atelectasis) or as a means of delivering aerosol medications or treating stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In these situations, IPPB has few if any advantages over voluntary hyperventilation or deep breathing.", "PMID": 772642} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3478", "title": "Secondary metabolic encephalopathy. Diagnosis and treatment.", "content": "Secondary metabolic encephalopathy is a diffuse disorder of the brain caused by an extracerebral process. Underlying causes include oxygen deprivation, systemic metabolic disease, and drug intoxication. Symptoms and signs usually suggest a generalized disturbance of brain function: alterations in the level of consciousness; diffuse and, occasionally, focal motor abnormalities; and seizures. Electroencephalography in most instances gives evidence of generalized neuronal disturbance. Early diagnosis is important because encephalopathy secondary to an extracerebral process is potentially reversible. Treatment is directed toward reversal or control of the underlying process, supportive care, and prevention of complications such as infection, electrolyte imbalance, and cerebral edema.", "contents": "Secondary metabolic encephalopathy. Diagnosis and treatment. Secondary metabolic encephalopathy is a diffuse disorder of the brain caused by an extracerebral process. Underlying causes include oxygen deprivation, systemic metabolic disease, and drug intoxication. Symptoms and signs usually suggest a generalized disturbance of brain function: alterations in the level of consciousness; diffuse and, occasionally, focal motor abnormalities; and seizures. Electroencephalography in most instances gives evidence of generalized neuronal disturbance. Early diagnosis is important because encephalopathy secondary to an extracerebral process is potentially reversible. Treatment is directed toward reversal or control of the underlying process, supportive care, and prevention of complications such as infection, electrolyte imbalance, and cerebral edema.", "PMID": 772643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3479", "title": "Preventing pulmonary embolism with heparin in low doses.", "content": "The introduction of low-dose heparin prophylaxis of thrombosis in deep leg veins represents a major advance in clinical medicine. It approaches an ideal form of prophylaxis in that it can be given easily to large numbers of patients at risk, requires no monitoring, is relatively safe, and, used widely, should save many lives. Conservative estimates are that 5,000 postoperative deaths and a comparable number of medical deaths can be avoided in the United States alone. Further inroads on this important problem will require additional developments, some of which are well under way.", "contents": "Preventing pulmonary embolism with heparin in low doses. The introduction of low-dose heparin prophylaxis of thrombosis in deep leg veins represents a major advance in clinical medicine. It approaches an ideal form of prophylaxis in that it can be given easily to large numbers of patients at risk, requires no monitoring, is relatively safe, and, used widely, should save many lives. Conservative estimates are that 5,000 postoperative deaths and a comparable number of medical deaths can be avoided in the United States alone. Further inroads on this important problem will require additional developments, some of which are well under way.", "PMID": 772644} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3480", "title": "[Pleural and pulmonary biopsies. Special morphologic technics].", "content": "Several special techniques can be fruitfully used but only in well defined cases by pathologists familiar with them and after a discussion with the clinician and the surgeon.", "contents": "[Pleural and pulmonary biopsies. Special morphologic technics]. Several special techniques can be fruitfully used but only in well defined cases by pathologists familiar with them and after a discussion with the clinician and the surgeon.", "PMID": 772649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3481", "title": "Deglycyrrhizinized liquorice in the treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer. A retrospective endoscopic survey of 32 patients.", "content": "Endoscopic examination in 32 cases of chronic duodenal ulceration treated with deglycyrrhizinized liquorice tablets showed that healing of the ulceration had occurred and in the majority the mucosa appeared normal. For optimum effect it appears to be important that the preparation in adequate dosage should be well chewed and swallowed on an empty stomach in the ambulant patient.", "contents": "Deglycyrrhizinized liquorice in the treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer. A retrospective endoscopic survey of 32 patients. Endoscopic examination in 32 cases of chronic duodenal ulceration treated with deglycyrrhizinized liquorice tablets showed that healing of the ulceration had occurred and in the majority the mucosa appeared normal. For optimum effect it appears to be important that the preparation in adequate dosage should be well chewed and swallowed on an empty stomach in the ambulant patient.", "PMID": 772652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3482", "title": "Xanthinol nicotinate in peripheral vascular disease.", "content": "In a double-blind control of xanthinol nicotinate ('Complamin'; 'Complamex') in patients with severe progressive obliterative vascular disease, 25 of 33 patients who completed the trial were helped significantly by the drug, as shown by both clinical and laboratory findings. Placebo helped in 4 of 33 patients. The difference is significant (p less than 0-001). These are the results for the trial period only. The results of follow-up for 6 to 30 months are available in 18 patients: 14 of these still had appreciable help from the drug, which was continued in maintenance doses. It should be noted that 3 of 6 diabetics were no longer helped after 6 months, and that only 3 of a total of 7 patients under the age of 50 were helped; however 3 of the 4 not helped were diabetics under the age of 50. Special caution was indicated in the use of the drug in patients who have ischaemic heart disease in addition to their peripheral arterial disease. Side-effects were common, particularly a severe prolonged flush shortly after taking a dose of the drug; many patients helped by it accepted this side-effect if it occurred. Xanthinol nicotinate reduced whole-blood viscosity and cholesterol and fibrinogen in about half of the patients helped. This is a useful drug for about half the patients in whom surgery is not indicated or is contraindicated.", "contents": "Xanthinol nicotinate in peripheral vascular disease. In a double-blind control of xanthinol nicotinate ('Complamin'; 'Complamex') in patients with severe progressive obliterative vascular disease, 25 of 33 patients who completed the trial were helped significantly by the drug, as shown by both clinical and laboratory findings. Placebo helped in 4 of 33 patients. The difference is significant (p less than 0-001). These are the results for the trial period only. The results of follow-up for 6 to 30 months are available in 18 patients: 14 of these still had appreciable help from the drug, which was continued in maintenance doses. It should be noted that 3 of 6 diabetics were no longer helped after 6 months, and that only 3 of a total of 7 patients under the age of 50 were helped; however 3 of the 4 not helped were diabetics under the age of 50. Special caution was indicated in the use of the drug in patients who have ischaemic heart disease in addition to their peripheral arterial disease. Side-effects were common, particularly a severe prolonged flush shortly after taking a dose of the drug; many patients helped by it accepted this side-effect if it occurred. Xanthinol nicotinate reduced whole-blood viscosity and cholesterol and fibrinogen in about half of the patients helped. This is a useful drug for about half the patients in whom surgery is not indicated or is contraindicated.", "PMID": 772653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3483", "title": "Common problems in blood transfusion.", "content": "Prpgress and expansion in transfusion of blood and its products continue. Some common problems are discussed. Certain topical subjects are presented in detail and a new process is outlined for augmenting cryoprecipitate factor VIII activity which could ease the current short supply.", "contents": "Common problems in blood transfusion. Prpgress and expansion in transfusion of blood and its products continue. Some common problems are discussed. Certain topical subjects are presented in detail and a new process is outlined for augmenting cryoprecipitate factor VIII activity which could ease the current short supply.", "PMID": 772656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3484", "title": "A new beta-adrenergic blocking drug in hypertension. A report from the General Practitioner Research Group.", "content": "It was concluded that acebutolol alone, in the doses given over the periods for which it was used, produced a modest hypotensive effect, which was not quite so great as that produced by bendrofluazide alone, although the differences are not statistically significant. On the other hand, the combination of the two drugs produced both a more rapid and more effective hypotensive action, which was more than might be expected by simple summation of the effects of the two drugs together. It would be seen that, in view of the virtual absence of side-effects, the combination of acebutolol with bendrofluazide may be particularly effective in the treatment of hypertension.", "contents": "A new beta-adrenergic blocking drug in hypertension. A report from the General Practitioner Research Group. It was concluded that acebutolol alone, in the doses given over the periods for which it was used, produced a modest hypotensive effect, which was not quite so great as that produced by bendrofluazide alone, although the differences are not statistically significant. On the other hand, the combination of the two drugs produced both a more rapid and more effective hypotensive action, which was more than might be expected by simple summation of the effects of the two drugs together. It would be seen that, in view of the virtual absence of side-effects, the combination of acebutolol with bendrofluazide may be particularly effective in the treatment of hypertension.", "PMID": 772659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3485", "title": "The objective measurement of mental performance in cerebrovascular disease. A double-blind controlled study, using a graded-release preparation of isoxsuprine.", "content": "An automatically controlled learned task was used to assess objectively the mental performance of a number of geriatric patients with cerebrovascular disease. The effect on the performance of the patients during treatment with isoxsuprine hydrochloride in a sustained-release presentation (\"Duvadilan Retard\") was measured during a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of sixteen weeks' duration. There was a significant difference in the improvement in performance between the treated and untreated groups; by the end of the trial, the treated group having statistically significantly better scores (P = 0.047 two-tailed tests).", "contents": "The objective measurement of mental performance in cerebrovascular disease. A double-blind controlled study, using a graded-release preparation of isoxsuprine. An automatically controlled learned task was used to assess objectively the mental performance of a number of geriatric patients with cerebrovascular disease. The effect on the performance of the patients during treatment with isoxsuprine hydrochloride in a sustained-release presentation (\"Duvadilan Retard\") was measured during a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of sixteen weeks' duration. There was a significant difference in the improvement in performance between the treated and untreated groups; by the end of the trial, the treated group having statistically significantly better scores (P = 0.047 two-tailed tests).", "PMID": 772660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3486", "title": "Trial of an oral antigen against upper respiratory-tract infection. Results in the second year (1973-74).", "content": "A double-blind trial in two randomly structured groups of boarders (44 girls and 66 boys) aged 7 to 13 years was undertaken in two Bristrol schools. Dosage was 1 ml a day of fluid (antigen or placebo) orally for the first four weeks of the autumn term, absenteeism being the main parameter measured, using a structured recording code. There was a highly significant difference in the number of days lost from upper respiratory-tract infection in the treated as opposed to the placebo group (x2 = 40-00 P less than 0-001 (v = 1). The number of colds was also significantly lower in the treated group (x2 = 8-05 P less than 0-005 (V less than i)).", "contents": "Trial of an oral antigen against upper respiratory-tract infection. Results in the second year (1973-74). A double-blind trial in two randomly structured groups of boarders (44 girls and 66 boys) aged 7 to 13 years was undertaken in two Bristrol schools. Dosage was 1 ml a day of fluid (antigen or placebo) orally for the first four weeks of the autumn term, absenteeism being the main parameter measured, using a structured recording code. There was a highly significant difference in the number of days lost from upper respiratory-tract infection in the treated as opposed to the placebo group (x2 = 40-00 P less than 0-001 (v = 1). The number of colds was also significantly lower in the treated group (x2 = 8-05 P less than 0-005 (V less than i)).", "PMID": 772665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3487", "title": "[The development of pediatric gynaecology in Poland (author's transl)].", "content": "In view of the world-wide tendency to isolate adolescent medicine covering the period of puberty new problems arise for the gynaecologists. Pediatric gynaecology in Poland owes its growth to prof. Rudolf Peter from Prague (Tschechoslovakia), because it was under the guidance of prof. Peter and his followers at the clinic of Prague University that our gynaecologists extended their knowledge of the biological differences of the childhood. Since 1955 a regular gynaecological care for children and adolescence has been developed in Poland on the basis of general health care and MCH service. In Poland there are mainly out-patient departments of pediatric gynaecology, run by the gynaecological Clinics of Medical Academies and Hospitals. At the moment there are 52 pediatric gynaecological units in Poland. In the Medical Academies, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, research work on the physiology and pathology of puberty in girls is beeing carried out. The Pediatric Gynaecological Section of the National Gynaecological Society has organized two national symposia in 1969 and in 1972, devoted to gynaecological problems and functional disorders occuring during childhood and puberty. The last Symposium was attended by Professor Robert Contamin, the President of International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology. In June 1972 Polish gynaecologists attended the First International Symposium on Pediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology held in France (Bordeaux). The Polish translation of R. Peter and K. Vesely \"Kindergy\u00e4kologie\" was published in 1970. The Gynaecoligical Department of the Medical Academy in L\u00f3d\u017a provides a training centre for gynaecologists in child and adolescent gynaecology.", "contents": "[The development of pediatric gynaecology in Poland (author's transl)]. In view of the world-wide tendency to isolate adolescent medicine covering the period of puberty new problems arise for the gynaecologists. Pediatric gynaecology in Poland owes its growth to prof. Rudolf Peter from Prague (Tschechoslovakia), because it was under the guidance of prof. Peter and his followers at the clinic of Prague University that our gynaecologists extended their knowledge of the biological differences of the childhood. Since 1955 a regular gynaecological care for children and adolescence has been developed in Poland on the basis of general health care and MCH service. In Poland there are mainly out-patient departments of pediatric gynaecology, run by the gynaecological Clinics of Medical Academies and Hospitals. At the moment there are 52 pediatric gynaecological units in Poland. In the Medical Academies, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, research work on the physiology and pathology of puberty in girls is beeing carried out. The Pediatric Gynaecological Section of the National Gynaecological Society has organized two national symposia in 1969 and in 1972, devoted to gynaecological problems and functional disorders occuring during childhood and puberty. The last Symposium was attended by Professor Robert Contamin, the President of International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology. In June 1972 Polish gynaecologists attended the First International Symposium on Pediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology held in France (Bordeaux). The Polish translation of R. Peter and K. Vesely \"Kindergy\u00e4kologie\" was published in 1970. The Gynaecoligical Department of the Medical Academy in L\u00f3d\u017a provides a training centre for gynaecologists in child and adolescent gynaecology.", "PMID": 772671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3488", "title": "Molecular structure of yeast RNA polymerase III: demonstration of the tripartite transcriptive system in lower eukaryotes.", "content": "Homogeneous RNA polymerase III (RNA nucleotidyltransferase III) has been obtained from yeast. The subunit composition of the enzyme was examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The enzyme is composed of 12 putative subunits with molecular weights 160,000, 128,000, 82,000, 41,000, 40,500, 37,000, 34,000, 28,000, 24,000, 20,000, 14,500, and 11,000. The high-molecular-weight subunits and several of the smaller subunits of yeast RNA polymerase III are clearly different from those of enzymes I and II, indicating a distinct molecular structure. However, the molecular weights of some of the small subunits (41,000, 28,000, 24,000, and 14,500) appear to be identical to those of polymerases I and II. Thus, it is possible that the three classes of enzymes in yeast have some common subunits. As in other eukaryotes, yeast polymerase II is inhibited by relatively low concentrations of alpha-amanitin; however, contrary to what has been found in higher eukaryotes, yeast polymerase III is resistant (up to 2 mg/ml) to alpha-amanitin, while yeast polymerase I is sensitive to high concentrations of the drug (50% inhibition at 0.3 mg/ml). These results establish the existence of RNA polymerase III in yeast and provide a structural basis for the discrimination of the three functional polymerases in eukaryotes.", "contents": "Molecular structure of yeast RNA polymerase III: demonstration of the tripartite transcriptive system in lower eukaryotes. Homogeneous RNA polymerase III (RNA nucleotidyltransferase III) has been obtained from yeast. The subunit composition of the enzyme was examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The enzyme is composed of 12 putative subunits with molecular weights 160,000, 128,000, 82,000, 41,000, 40,500, 37,000, 34,000, 28,000, 24,000, 20,000, 14,500, and 11,000. The high-molecular-weight subunits and several of the smaller subunits of yeast RNA polymerase III are clearly different from those of enzymes I and II, indicating a distinct molecular structure. However, the molecular weights of some of the small subunits (41,000, 28,000, 24,000, and 14,500) appear to be identical to those of polymerases I and II. Thus, it is possible that the three classes of enzymes in yeast have some common subunits. As in other eukaryotes, yeast polymerase II is inhibited by relatively low concentrations of alpha-amanitin; however, contrary to what has been found in higher eukaryotes, yeast polymerase III is resistant (up to 2 mg/ml) to alpha-amanitin, while yeast polymerase I is sensitive to high concentrations of the drug (50% inhibition at 0.3 mg/ml). These results establish the existence of RNA polymerase III in yeast and provide a structural basis for the discrimination of the three functional polymerases in eukaryotes.", "PMID": 772675} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3489", "title": "[Double blind crossover study of pseudoephedrine and triprolidine alone and in combination in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (author's transl)].", "content": "In a double-blind crossover trial of pseudoephedrine 60 mg. and triprolidine 2.5 mg. alone and in combination, on 40 volunteers suffering from allergic rhinitis, both drugs were found superior to placebo in reducing the effects of allergic rhinitis and were of equal efficacy. The combination tablet was consistently better than either drug in several of the assessments and was the treatment which the subjects, as a whole, preferred. Side effects were not a problem with any of the medications.", "contents": "[Double blind crossover study of pseudoephedrine and triprolidine alone and in combination in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (author's transl)]. In a double-blind crossover trial of pseudoephedrine 60 mg. and triprolidine 2.5 mg. alone and in combination, on 40 volunteers suffering from allergic rhinitis, both drugs were found superior to placebo in reducing the effects of allergic rhinitis and were of equal efficacy. The combination tablet was consistently better than either drug in several of the assessments and was the treatment which the subjects, as a whole, preferred. Side effects were not a problem with any of the medications.", "PMID": 772669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3490", "title": "Transcription in yeast: alpha-amanitin sensitivity and other properties which distinguish between RNA polymerases I and III.", "content": "Three peaks of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase) activity are resolved by chromatography of a sonicated yeast cell extract on DEAE-Sephadex. The enzymes, which are named RNA polymerases I, II, and III in order of elution, show similar catalytic properties to the vertebrate class I, class II, and class III RNA polymerases, respectively. Yeast RNA polymerase III is readily distinguished from yeast polymerase I by its biphasic amnonium sulfate activation profile with native DNA templates, greater enzymatic activity with poly[d(I-C)] than with native salmon sperm DNA, and distinctive chromatographic elution positions from DEAE-cellulose (0.12 M ammonium sulfate) compared with DEAE-Sephadex (0.32 M ammonium sulfate). The three yeast RNA polymerases also show significant differences in alpha-amanitin inhibition. RNA polymerase II is the most sensitive (50% inhibition at 1.0 mug of alpha-amanitin per ml). Contrary to the results for vertebrate systems, yeast polymerase I can be completely inhibited by alpha-amanitin at high concentrations (50% inhibition at 600 mug/ml) while yeast RNA polymerase II BEGINS TO SHOW SIGNIFICANT INHIBITION ONLY AT CONCENTRATIONS EXCEEDING 1 MG/ML. Therefore, yeast RNA polymerases I and III show a pattern of alpha-amanitin sensitivity that is the reverse of that seen for the analogous vertebrate RNA polymerases.", "contents": "Transcription in yeast: alpha-amanitin sensitivity and other properties which distinguish between RNA polymerases I and III. Three peaks of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase) activity are resolved by chromatography of a sonicated yeast cell extract on DEAE-Sephadex. The enzymes, which are named RNA polymerases I, II, and III in order of elution, show similar catalytic properties to the vertebrate class I, class II, and class III RNA polymerases, respectively. Yeast RNA polymerase III is readily distinguished from yeast polymerase I by its biphasic amnonium sulfate activation profile with native DNA templates, greater enzymatic activity with poly[d(I-C)] than with native salmon sperm DNA, and distinctive chromatographic elution positions from DEAE-cellulose (0.12 M ammonium sulfate) compared with DEAE-Sephadex (0.32 M ammonium sulfate). The three yeast RNA polymerases also show significant differences in alpha-amanitin inhibition. RNA polymerase II is the most sensitive (50% inhibition at 1.0 mug of alpha-amanitin per ml). Contrary to the results for vertebrate systems, yeast polymerase I can be completely inhibited by alpha-amanitin at high concentrations (50% inhibition at 600 mug/ml) while yeast RNA polymerase II BEGINS TO SHOW SIGNIFICANT INHIBITION ONLY AT CONCENTRATIONS EXCEEDING 1 MG/ML. Therefore, yeast RNA polymerases I and III show a pattern of alpha-amanitin sensitivity that is the reverse of that seen for the analogous vertebrate RNA polymerases.", "PMID": 772676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3491", "title": "Involvement of escherichia coli dnaZ gene product in DNA elongation in vitro.", "content": "E. coli dnaZ gene product is required for conversion of phiX174, fd, and ST-1 single-stranded phage DNAs to duplex DNAs in vitro. This protein has been purified about 5000-fold. It functions in the elongation of RNA- or DNA-primed single-stranded DNA that is catalyzed by DNA polymerase III(DNA nucleotidyltransferase; deoxynucleosidetriphosphate: DNA deoxynucleotidyltransferase; EC 2.7.7.7) in conjunctions with two other E. coli protein preparations referred to as DNA elongation factors I and III. It also functions in similar reactions catalyzed by DNA polymerase II in combination with E. coli DNA binding protein and DNA elongation factors I and III.", "contents": "Involvement of escherichia coli dnaZ gene product in DNA elongation in vitro. E. coli dnaZ gene product is required for conversion of phiX174, fd, and ST-1 single-stranded phage DNAs to duplex DNAs in vitro. This protein has been purified about 5000-fold. It functions in the elongation of RNA- or DNA-primed single-stranded DNA that is catalyzed by DNA polymerase III(DNA nucleotidyltransferase; deoxynucleosidetriphosphate: DNA deoxynucleotidyltransferase; EC 2.7.7.7) in conjunctions with two other E. coli protein preparations referred to as DNA elongation factors I and III. It also functions in similar reactions catalyzed by DNA polymerase II in combination with E. coli DNA binding protein and DNA elongation factors I and III.", "PMID": 772677} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3492", "title": "Variant forms of mitochondrial translation products in yeast: evidence for location of determinants on mitochondrial DNA.", "content": "Products of mitochondrial protein synthesis in yeast have been labeled in vivo with 35SO42-. More than 20 polypeptide species fulfilling the criteria of mitochondrial translation products have been detected by analysis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-exponential polyacrylamide slab gels. A comparison of mitochondrial translation products in two wild-type strains has revealed variant forms of some polypeptide species which show genetic behavior consistent with the location of their structural genes on mtDNA. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of performing genetic analysis on putative gene products of mtDNA in wild-type yeast by direct examination of the segregation and recombination behavior of specific polypeptide species.", "contents": "Variant forms of mitochondrial translation products in yeast: evidence for location of determinants on mitochondrial DNA. Products of mitochondrial protein synthesis in yeast have been labeled in vivo with 35SO42-. More than 20 polypeptide species fulfilling the criteria of mitochondrial translation products have been detected by analysis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-exponential polyacrylamide slab gels. A comparison of mitochondrial translation products in two wild-type strains has revealed variant forms of some polypeptide species which show genetic behavior consistent with the location of their structural genes on mtDNA. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of performing genetic analysis on putative gene products of mtDNA in wild-type yeast by direct examination of the segregation and recombination behavior of specific polypeptide species.", "PMID": 772678} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3493", "title": "Double-stranded RNA in chromatin transcripts formed by exogenous RNA polymerase.", "content": "RNA transcribed in vitro at low ionic strength, from either rat liver chromatin or DNA, contains a significant amount of structure resistant to RNase in high salt buffer. This is observed with rat liver (form B polymerase) as well as with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase; nucleoside triphosphate: RNA nucleotidyltransferase; EC 2.7.7.6). Treatment with RNases specific for either double-stranded or hybrid RNA indicates that resistance to RNase is due to the presence of double-stranded RNA sequences. Denaturation kinetics in the presence or absence of RNase suggest that these sequences are formed by intramolecular base pairing. Their mean length is about 20 to 30 nucleotides, but 15-20% are more than 100 nucleotides long. They contain 60-65% G-C base pairs. The proportion of double-stranded segments is higher in chromatin transcripts than in DNA-templated RNA, and is higher with homologous RNA polymerase than with the bacterial enzyme. On the other hand, chromatin endogenous RNA polymerase, which is unable to initiate transcription, does not synthesize double-stranded RNA. The problem of the location of these sequences is discussed; preliminary results suggest that the 5' end of the RNA transcripts could be enriched in complementary sequences.", "contents": "Double-stranded RNA in chromatin transcripts formed by exogenous RNA polymerase. RNA transcribed in vitro at low ionic strength, from either rat liver chromatin or DNA, contains a significant amount of structure resistant to RNase in high salt buffer. This is observed with rat liver (form B polymerase) as well as with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase; nucleoside triphosphate: RNA nucleotidyltransferase; EC 2.7.7.6). Treatment with RNases specific for either double-stranded or hybrid RNA indicates that resistance to RNase is due to the presence of double-stranded RNA sequences. Denaturation kinetics in the presence or absence of RNase suggest that these sequences are formed by intramolecular base pairing. Their mean length is about 20 to 30 nucleotides, but 15-20% are more than 100 nucleotides long. They contain 60-65% G-C base pairs. The proportion of double-stranded segments is higher in chromatin transcripts than in DNA-templated RNA, and is higher with homologous RNA polymerase than with the bacterial enzyme. On the other hand, chromatin endogenous RNA polymerase, which is unable to initiate transcription, does not synthesize double-stranded RNA. The problem of the location of these sequences is discussed; preliminary results suggest that the 5' end of the RNA transcripts could be enriched in complementary sequences.", "PMID": 772679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3494", "title": "Asymmetric orientation of phage M13 coat protein in Escherichia coli cytoplasmic membranes and in synthetic lipid vesicles.", "content": "At each stage of infection, the major coat protein of coliphage M13 binds to the E. coli cytoplasmic membrane with its antigenic site exposed to the cell exterior [Wickner, W. (1975) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 72, 4749-4753]. This antigenic site is now shown to be at the amino-terminus of the protein. The amino-terminus of M13 coat protein is also found exclusively on the outside of dilauroyl or dimyristoyl lecithin vesicles, formed with coat protein by the cholate dilution technique [Racker, E., et al. (1975) FEBS Lett. 57, 14-18] near the lipid phase transition temperature. The basic carboxyterminus of the coat protein is exclusively on the inside of these vesicles. Vesicles of M13 coat protein and dimyristoyl lecithin when formed below the lipid phase transition temperature have both ends of the coat protein exposed to the vesicle exterior. The asymmetry of a membrane protein can, therefore, be established in the absence of other proteins and of lipid asymmetry; it depends on the physical state of the lipid phase. The factors which cause asymmetry in this model system may affect the distribution of proteins in biological membranes.", "contents": "Asymmetric orientation of phage M13 coat protein in Escherichia coli cytoplasmic membranes and in synthetic lipid vesicles. At each stage of infection, the major coat protein of coliphage M13 binds to the E. coli cytoplasmic membrane with its antigenic site exposed to the cell exterior [Wickner, W. (1975) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 72, 4749-4753]. This antigenic site is now shown to be at the amino-terminus of the protein. The amino-terminus of M13 coat protein is also found exclusively on the outside of dilauroyl or dimyristoyl lecithin vesicles, formed with coat protein by the cholate dilution technique [Racker, E., et al. (1975) FEBS Lett. 57, 14-18] near the lipid phase transition temperature. The basic carboxyterminus of the coat protein is exclusively on the inside of these vesicles. Vesicles of M13 coat protein and dimyristoyl lecithin when formed below the lipid phase transition temperature have both ends of the coat protein exposed to the vesicle exterior. The asymmetry of a membrane protein can, therefore, be established in the absence of other proteins and of lipid asymmetry; it depends on the physical state of the lipid phase. The factors which cause asymmetry in this model system may affect the distribution of proteins in biological membranes.", "PMID": 772680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3495", "title": "Effect of rifampin, clofazimine, and B1912 on the viability of Mycobacterium leprae in established mouse footpad infection.", "content": "Continuous dietary administration of rifampin to mice with an established Mycobacterium leprae footpad infection reduced the bacillary solid ratio, with an estimated survival half-life of 5-6 days. In rifampin-treated immunosuppressed animals the survival half-life of solid bacilli, in the absence of host immunity, was 12-13 days. Clofazimine and B1912 produced a significant effect on solid ratio only after a lag period of apparently 100 days. The rate of action was considerably slower than that of rifampin. Intermittent (once monthly) administration of both drugs produced effects similar to those of continuous administration.", "contents": "Effect of rifampin, clofazimine, and B1912 on the viability of Mycobacterium leprae in established mouse footpad infection. Continuous dietary administration of rifampin to mice with an established Mycobacterium leprae footpad infection reduced the bacillary solid ratio, with an estimated survival half-life of 5-6 days. In rifampin-treated immunosuppressed animals the survival half-life of solid bacilli, in the absence of host immunity, was 12-13 days. Clofazimine and B1912 produced a significant effect on solid ratio only after a lag period of apparently 100 days. The rate of action was considerably slower than that of rifampin. Intermittent (once monthly) administration of both drugs produced effects similar to those of continuous administration.", "PMID": 772686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3496", "title": "Inhibition of macrophage migration by normal guinea pig intestinal secretions.", "content": "The incubation fluid from 24-hr cultures of normal guinea pig small intestines was found to contain activity capable of inhibiting the migration of normal guinea pig peritoneal macrophages. Each of three different culture fluids showed macrophage inhibitory activity in the 25,000-55,000 mol wt range when subjected to Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. One of these three preparations also contained inhibitory activity in the excluded volume. The low molecular weight activity was nondialyzable and heat stable to 56 degrees for 30 min. It was destroyed by boiling for 1 hr, and its activity was reversed by 10(-4)M epinephrine. Based upon these properties it is suggested that this activity was due to migration inhibitory factor (MIF). The high molecular weight inhibitor was stable to heating and its activity was not reversed by epinephrine. This material was most likely endotoxin. The presence of MIF, which may be associated with T-cell activity in the intestine, suggests that cell-mediated immunity (CMI) could play a role in local protection against gut infections. Furthermore, its presence in normal intestinal secretions suggests that some MIF-producing cells are always being stimulated by normal flora. The question is thus raised whether further specific stimulation of local CMI in the gut could be successful.", "contents": "Inhibition of macrophage migration by normal guinea pig intestinal secretions. The incubation fluid from 24-hr cultures of normal guinea pig small intestines was found to contain activity capable of inhibiting the migration of normal guinea pig peritoneal macrophages. Each of three different culture fluids showed macrophage inhibitory activity in the 25,000-55,000 mol wt range when subjected to Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. One of these three preparations also contained inhibitory activity in the excluded volume. The low molecular weight activity was nondialyzable and heat stable to 56 degrees for 30 min. It was destroyed by boiling for 1 hr, and its activity was reversed by 10(-4)M epinephrine. Based upon these properties it is suggested that this activity was due to migration inhibitory factor (MIF). The high molecular weight inhibitor was stable to heating and its activity was not reversed by epinephrine. This material was most likely endotoxin. The presence of MIF, which may be associated with T-cell activity in the intestine, suggests that cell-mediated immunity (CMI) could play a role in local protection against gut infections. Furthermore, its presence in normal intestinal secretions suggests that some MIF-producing cells are always being stimulated by normal flora. The question is thus raised whether further specific stimulation of local CMI in the gut could be successful.", "PMID": 772687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3497", "title": "Adrenergic activity and gastric secretion.", "content": "Isoproterenol infusions depress pentagastrin (PG)-stimulated secretion of acid and pepsin from both gastric fistulae and denervated (Heidenhain) pouches in conscious dogs. It was not found to do so if methacholine replaced gastrin. Propranolol reversed the isoproterenol depression of PG stimulation but had no effect on isoproterenol plus methacholine except on the fistula where both acid and pepsin were depressed. It is felt that PG and methacholine act by differing mechanisms both on chief and parietal cells.", "contents": "Adrenergic activity and gastric secretion. Isoproterenol infusions depress pentagastrin (PG)-stimulated secretion of acid and pepsin from both gastric fistulae and denervated (Heidenhain) pouches in conscious dogs. It was not found to do so if methacholine replaced gastrin. Propranolol reversed the isoproterenol depression of PG stimulation but had no effect on isoproterenol plus methacholine except on the fistula where both acid and pepsin were depressed. It is felt that PG and methacholine act by differing mechanisms both on chief and parietal cells.", "PMID": 772688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3498", "title": "Effect of melatonin on the luteinizing hormone release induced by clomiphene and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.", "content": "The effect of melatonin on the LH-release response after the administration of synthetic LH-RH and clomiphene citrate was investigated in adult male rats. The sc administration of melatonin (1 mg/day) for 6 days produced a significant decrease in serum LH levels and in seminal vesicles and ventral prostate weights. On the other hand, the daily injection of 0.01 mg/100 g of body weight of clomiphene citrate during 6 days significantly stimulated LH levels and the weights of the accessory sex glands. Simultaneous treatment with melatonin and clomiphene produced an inhibitory effect similar to that obtained with melatonin alone. Neither pretreatment with melatonin alone. Neither pretreatment with melatonin (1 mg/day, sc for 6 days) nor its simultaneous iv administration (500 mug) with 75 ng of LH-RH modified the LH-release in response to the hypothalamic hormone. The fact that melatonin was able to suppress the effect of clomiphene, which is probably exerted at the hypothalamic level, but not the actiion of LH-RH on the pituitary, appears to indicate that the hypothalamus may be the site involved in the inhibitory effect of the pineal principle on the reproductive function.", "contents": "Effect of melatonin on the luteinizing hormone release induced by clomiphene and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. The effect of melatonin on the LH-release response after the administration of synthetic LH-RH and clomiphene citrate was investigated in adult male rats. The sc administration of melatonin (1 mg/day) for 6 days produced a significant decrease in serum LH levels and in seminal vesicles and ventral prostate weights. On the other hand, the daily injection of 0.01 mg/100 g of body weight of clomiphene citrate during 6 days significantly stimulated LH levels and the weights of the accessory sex glands. Simultaneous treatment with melatonin and clomiphene produced an inhibitory effect similar to that obtained with melatonin alone. Neither pretreatment with melatonin alone. Neither pretreatment with melatonin (1 mg/day, sc for 6 days) nor its simultaneous iv administration (500 mug) with 75 ng of LH-RH modified the LH-release in response to the hypothalamic hormone. The fact that melatonin was able to suppress the effect of clomiphene, which is probably exerted at the hypothalamic level, but not the actiion of LH-RH on the pituitary, appears to indicate that the hypothalamus may be the site involved in the inhibitory effect of the pineal principle on the reproductive function.", "PMID": 772689} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3499", "title": "Fast-neutron irradiation of mouse embryos in the pronuclear zygote stage: mortality curves and neoplastic diseases in 30-day postnatal survivors.", "content": "Mouse embryos in the pronuclear zygote stage were either irradiated in utero with a dose of 15 rad of fast neutrons or were sham-irradiated. Those animals that survived at least 30 days after birth were observed until their natural death. We investigated the percentage incidence and mean age at death for each of the principal neoplastic diseases seen on postmortem examination and also cumulative mortality distributions. No statistically significant differences were found between irradiated and sham-irradiated mice of the same sex.", "contents": "Fast-neutron irradiation of mouse embryos in the pronuclear zygote stage: mortality curves and neoplastic diseases in 30-day postnatal survivors. Mouse embryos in the pronuclear zygote stage were either irradiated in utero with a dose of 15 rad of fast neutrons or were sham-irradiated. Those animals that survived at least 30 days after birth were observed until their natural death. We investigated the percentage incidence and mean age at death for each of the principal neoplastic diseases seen on postmortem examination and also cumulative mortality distributions. No statistically significant differences were found between irradiated and sham-irradiated mice of the same sex.", "PMID": 772690} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3500", "title": "Regression of corpora lutea in the rabbit after injection of a gonadotropin-releasing peptide.", "content": "We have shown that a potent agonist of the luteinizing hormone injected on either Day 11 of pseudopregnancy of Day 15 of pregnancy causes luteinization of ovarian follicles and a rapid regression of functional corpora lutea. Serum levels of progesterone declined markedly within 3 days of peptide injection in pregnant animals. In the presence of regressing corpora lutea, fetal resorption occurs which can be prevented by estradiol (500 ng, twice a day) or progesterone. Daily levels of estradiol below 4 mug did not maintain either corpora lutea weight or fetal survival, whereas 4 mug of the steroid maintained corpora lutea weight, but not pregnancy.", "contents": "Regression of corpora lutea in the rabbit after injection of a gonadotropin-releasing peptide. We have shown that a potent agonist of the luteinizing hormone injected on either Day 11 of pseudopregnancy of Day 15 of pregnancy causes luteinization of ovarian follicles and a rapid regression of functional corpora lutea. Serum levels of progesterone declined markedly within 3 days of peptide injection in pregnant animals. In the presence of regressing corpora lutea, fetal resorption occurs which can be prevented by estradiol (500 ng, twice a day) or progesterone. Daily levels of estradiol below 4 mug did not maintain either corpora lutea weight or fetal survival, whereas 4 mug of the steroid maintained corpora lutea weight, but not pregnancy.", "PMID": 772691} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3501", "title": "Impaired thymic regeneration in lethally irradiated mice given bone marrow from aged donors.", "content": "Mice were given a lethal dose of whole-body gamma radiation and injected with 10(5) or 10(6) marrow cells from 10- to 143-week-old syngeneic donors. Nine days later, colony-forming units (CFU) were counted in the spleens of mice given 10(5) cells, and 21 days after irradiation, spleen and thymus weights were determined in the recipients of 10(6) cells. It was found that there were no significant changes with age in marrow CFU or in the ability of marrow cells to repopulate host spleens. In contrast, thymic regeneration was significantly impaired when the recipients received marrow cells from donors 117 weeks of age or older. These observations suggest that with aging there is a decrease in marrow T-cell progenitors and/or a decline in their proliferative capacity.", "contents": "Impaired thymic regeneration in lethally irradiated mice given bone marrow from aged donors. Mice were given a lethal dose of whole-body gamma radiation and injected with 10(5) or 10(6) marrow cells from 10- to 143-week-old syngeneic donors. Nine days later, colony-forming units (CFU) were counted in the spleens of mice given 10(5) cells, and 21 days after irradiation, spleen and thymus weights were determined in the recipients of 10(6) cells. It was found that there were no significant changes with age in marrow CFU or in the ability of marrow cells to repopulate host spleens. In contrast, thymic regeneration was significantly impaired when the recipients received marrow cells from donors 117 weeks of age or older. These observations suggest that with aging there is a decrease in marrow T-cell progenitors and/or a decline in their proliferative capacity.", "PMID": 772692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3502", "title": "Delayed implantation caused by administration of sheep immunogamma globulin against LHRH in the rat.", "content": "The effect of the administration of sheep anti-LHRH gamma globulin (anti-LHRH-G) on implantation of fertilized ova was investigated in rats. Daily injections of 1 ml of anti-LHRH-G from Days 1 through 7 of pregnancy uniformly inhibited implantation of fertilized ova on Day 8, but viable sites, though considerably smaller in size than in control rats, became distinguishable on Day 14 in most rats. In some of these rats resorption of fetuses occurred, and others delivered pups 7-8 days after term. When the rats were given anti-LHRH-G from Days 3 through 5, the implantation was delayed by 5 days, but the gestation was not terminated. A single injection of 1 ml of anti-LHRH-G on Day 4 inhibited implantation on Day 8, but injection on Day 3 or 5 did not. The delayed implantation by anti-LHRH-G injected on Day 4 was nullified by concomitant administration of 2 sc injections of 1 mug of LHRH, or a single dose of 1 mug of estradiol. The data indicate that the hypothalamic LHRH is essentail on Day 4 of pregnancy for timely implantation of fertilized ova, probably by maintaining LH and, consequently, estrogen secretion.", "contents": "Delayed implantation caused by administration of sheep immunogamma globulin against LHRH in the rat. The effect of the administration of sheep anti-LHRH gamma globulin (anti-LHRH-G) on implantation of fertilized ova was investigated in rats. Daily injections of 1 ml of anti-LHRH-G from Days 1 through 7 of pregnancy uniformly inhibited implantation of fertilized ova on Day 8, but viable sites, though considerably smaller in size than in control rats, became distinguishable on Day 14 in most rats. In some of these rats resorption of fetuses occurred, and others delivered pups 7-8 days after term. When the rats were given anti-LHRH-G from Days 3 through 5, the implantation was delayed by 5 days, but the gestation was not terminated. A single injection of 1 ml of anti-LHRH-G on Day 4 inhibited implantation on Day 8, but injection on Day 3 or 5 did not. The delayed implantation by anti-LHRH-G injected on Day 4 was nullified by concomitant administration of 2 sc injections of 1 mug of LHRH, or a single dose of 1 mug of estradiol. The data indicate that the hypothalamic LHRH is essentail on Day 4 of pregnancy for timely implantation of fertilized ova, probably by maintaining LH and, consequently, estrogen secretion.", "PMID": 772693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3503", "title": "Use of the immobility reflex (\"animal hypnosis\") in neuropharmacological studies.", "content": "The immobility reflex (IR), a reversible, involuntary, immobility response in certain species is advocated as a uniquely useful assay system for testing of psychoactive drugs. One of the two potential areas of application is that measures of IR duration or arousal threshold serve to screen drugs to help establish drug classification, relative potency, and degree of extrapyramidal side effects. Drugs can also be tested for their neural target sites and modes of action of recording electrographic responses in various brain areas during IR. Electrographic activity (EEG, averaged evoked responses, multiple-unit activity) is relatively stable, artifact-free, and less influenced by behavioral feedback and other variables that are problems with alternative experimental preparations. The reversibility of the IR offers the advantages of chronic studies (evaluation of long-term effects, replication of results, and dose-response testing in which each animal can serve as his own control). Results from both areas of application would ultimately need cross-checking by other methods to rule out interactions of IR and the independent variable being tested. Further possible interactions in long-term studies include potential interactions between the degree of tolerance developed to repeated IR trials and to repeateddrug administration.", "contents": "Use of the immobility reflex (\"animal hypnosis\") in neuropharmacological studies. The immobility reflex (IR), a reversible, involuntary, immobility response in certain species is advocated as a uniquely useful assay system for testing of psychoactive drugs. One of the two potential areas of application is that measures of IR duration or arousal threshold serve to screen drugs to help establish drug classification, relative potency, and degree of extrapyramidal side effects. Drugs can also be tested for their neural target sites and modes of action of recording electrographic responses in various brain areas during IR. Electrographic activity (EEG, averaged evoked responses, multiple-unit activity) is relatively stable, artifact-free, and less influenced by behavioral feedback and other variables that are problems with alternative experimental preparations. The reversibility of the IR offers the advantages of chronic studies (evaluation of long-term effects, replication of results, and dose-response testing in which each animal can serve as his own control). Results from both areas of application would ultimately need cross-checking by other methods to rule out interactions of IR and the independent variable being tested. Further possible interactions in long-term studies include potential interactions between the degree of tolerance developed to repeated IR trials and to repeateddrug administration.", "PMID": 772697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3504", "title": "Body temperature responses at different ambient temperatures following injections of prostaglandin E1 and noradrenaline into the brain.", "content": "Since prostaglandins of the E series have been implicated in the production of fever by pyrogens, we have applied them directly to the anterior-hypothalamic preoptic area of uunanesthetized rats at various ambient temperatures. In this paper we have determined accurately the region of the brain of the rat from which temperature responses can be produced by local injection. In addition we present evidence to suggest that the responses to local injections of PGE1 are relatively unaffected by environmental temperatures, whereas those in response to injections of noradrenaline are influenced by ambient temperature. These results are discussed in light of similar findings with respect to the response to pyrogens in that it is relatively unaltered by ambient temperature. This work lends further support to the hypothesis that pyrogens act in the hypothalamus by releasing prostaglandins.", "contents": "Body temperature responses at different ambient temperatures following injections of prostaglandin E1 and noradrenaline into the brain. Since prostaglandins of the E series have been implicated in the production of fever by pyrogens, we have applied them directly to the anterior-hypothalamic preoptic area of uunanesthetized rats at various ambient temperatures. In this paper we have determined accurately the region of the brain of the rat from which temperature responses can be produced by local injection. In addition we present evidence to suggest that the responses to local injections of PGE1 are relatively unaffected by environmental temperatures, whereas those in response to injections of noradrenaline are influenced by ambient temperature. These results are discussed in light of similar findings with respect to the response to pyrogens in that it is relatively unaltered by ambient temperature. This work lends further support to the hypothesis that pyrogens act in the hypothalamus by releasing prostaglandins.", "PMID": 772698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3505", "title": "Effects of pemoline on hyperactive boys.", "content": "Thirty boys rated as hyperactive by their teachers and parents received penoline or placebo in a double blind design. A variety of measures were taken during the nine week blind period. Behavior ratings were made on the Conners scale at 4 time intervals showing that a significant improvement in the drug group was observed by the teachers, but no significant change occurred in the ratings by the parents and physician. No toxic or grossly abnormal results were obtained from pediatric examinations which included blood, urine and stool samples as well as height, weight and cardiovascular data. Psychological tests, including the WISC, yielded no significant findings over the 9 weeks although initial differences existed between the drug and placebo groups. These measures were also administered during the 18 month long-term phase for 14 of the children which led to the conclusion that penoline is an effective agent for improving the general behavior and school performance of some of the hyperactive boys.", "contents": "Effects of pemoline on hyperactive boys. Thirty boys rated as hyperactive by their teachers and parents received penoline or placebo in a double blind design. A variety of measures were taken during the nine week blind period. Behavior ratings were made on the Conners scale at 4 time intervals showing that a significant improvement in the drug group was observed by the teachers, but no significant change occurred in the ratings by the parents and physician. No toxic or grossly abnormal results were obtained from pediatric examinations which included blood, urine and stool samples as well as height, weight and cardiovascular data. Psychological tests, including the WISC, yielded no significant findings over the 9 weeks although initial differences existed between the drug and placebo groups. These measures were also administered during the 18 month long-term phase for 14 of the children which led to the conclusion that penoline is an effective agent for improving the general behavior and school performance of some of the hyperactive boys.", "PMID": 772696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3506", "title": "[Space-occupying cerebral process as a clinical misdiagnosis in subacute spongioid encephalopathy (Jakob-Creutzfeldt syndrome). Clinical-morphological report on 3 cases].", "content": "This is a report on three cases of subacute spongioid encephalopathy (Jakob-Creutzfeldt syndrome) where an extended cerebral process had been diagnosed clinically. However, a final and correct diagnosis could not be established until after the postmortem examination. The patients were 1 woman and 2 men; the duration of disease was between 5 weeks and 2 1/2 years. In 2 of the patients, initial pseudoneurasthenic complaints were followed, in the further course of disease, by manifestations of an organic psychosyndrome accompanied by neurological and, moreparticularly, coordination disorders. The neuropathological conditions manifested themselves especially in the frontal and occipital cortices as spongioid states, astroglial changes, ganglion-cell failures and pathobioses.", "contents": "[Space-occupying cerebral process as a clinical misdiagnosis in subacute spongioid encephalopathy (Jakob-Creutzfeldt syndrome). Clinical-morphological report on 3 cases]. This is a report on three cases of subacute spongioid encephalopathy (Jakob-Creutzfeldt syndrome) where an extended cerebral process had been diagnosed clinically. However, a final and correct diagnosis could not be established until after the postmortem examination. The patients were 1 woman and 2 men; the duration of disease was between 5 weeks and 2 1/2 years. In 2 of the patients, initial pseudoneurasthenic complaints were followed, in the further course of disease, by manifestations of an organic psychosyndrome accompanied by neurological and, moreparticularly, coordination disorders. The neuropathological conditions manifested themselves especially in the frontal and occipital cortices as spongioid states, astroglial changes, ganglion-cell failures and pathobioses.", "PMID": 772728} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3507", "title": "[FSH, LH and testosterone evaluation in healthy males from pre-puberty to senile age. Study in basic conditions and after stimulation with Gn-RH].", "content": "The secretion values of the two seric gonadotropins and of plasmatic Testosterone have been estimated in a casuistry of normal males, 114 subjects, subdivided in groups of 8 to 95 years of age. Our investigation allowed to compare hormonal levels in the different ages; in particular, the pattern in senescence appeared greatly interesting. In one part of this casuistry, we have estimated the response to the intravenous administration of Gn-RH. The test showed a positive gonadotropic response in all ages, with some differences between FSH and LH, and induced no significant change in testosterone secretion. Among the results which have been obtained, it appears that physiologic hypogonadism of the elderly is a primary phenomenon, not hypophysodependent.", "contents": "[FSH, LH and testosterone evaluation in healthy males from pre-puberty to senile age. Study in basic conditions and after stimulation with Gn-RH]. The secretion values of the two seric gonadotropins and of plasmatic Testosterone have been estimated in a casuistry of normal males, 114 subjects, subdivided in groups of 8 to 95 years of age. Our investigation allowed to compare hormonal levels in the different ages; in particular, the pattern in senescence appeared greatly interesting. In one part of this casuistry, we have estimated the response to the intravenous administration of Gn-RH. The test showed a positive gonadotropic response in all ages, with some differences between FSH and LH, and induced no significant change in testosterone secretion. Among the results which have been obtained, it appears that physiologic hypogonadism of the elderly is a primary phenomenon, not hypophysodependent.", "PMID": 772737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3508", "title": "Computed tomography in the diagnosis of posterior fossa lesions.", "content": "A series of 3,500 cases examined by computed tomography (CT) of the head were reviewed to identify patients who had symptoms and signs suggestive of neurologic disease in the posterior fossa. Three hundred forty eight such cases (about 10%) were found, and the scans were reviewed to determine the character of lesions that could be detected and the accuracy of the neuroradiologic diagnosis. Overall, 16 errors were made (4.6%), of which 13 were false negatives and 3 were false positives. False negatives included nine tumors, two infarcts, and two arteriovenous malformations. Four of the tumors and the two arteriovenous malformations were small and caused no visible alterations in density even when analyzed retrospectively. In the remaining seven cases, specific findings either were overlooked or were obscured by artifacts, and, therefore, the diagnosis was not made. The three false positive diagnoses were made through a misinterpretation of density changes that were artifactual. No changes in the intracranial absorption coefficients were detected in 109 cases. Abnormal changes were evident in 226 cases in which structural lesions were subsequently found. Many of the lesions had a characteristic appearance, but in certain clinical situations, which include searches for metastatic disease, acoustic neuromas, meningiomas aneurysms of the basilar artery, and arteriovenous malformations, the injection of intravenous contrast medium was helpful, or even essential, for diagnostic success. The prominence of clinical signs and symptoms is not always an accurate index to the presence of structural alteration of the posterior fossa. We believe, therefore, that this portion of the cranium should be included in every CT study.", "contents": "Computed tomography in the diagnosis of posterior fossa lesions. A series of 3,500 cases examined by computed tomography (CT) of the head were reviewed to identify patients who had symptoms and signs suggestive of neurologic disease in the posterior fossa. Three hundred forty eight such cases (about 10%) were found, and the scans were reviewed to determine the character of lesions that could be detected and the accuracy of the neuroradiologic diagnosis. Overall, 16 errors were made (4.6%), of which 13 were false negatives and 3 were false positives. False negatives included nine tumors, two infarcts, and two arteriovenous malformations. Four of the tumors and the two arteriovenous malformations were small and caused no visible alterations in density even when analyzed retrospectively. In the remaining seven cases, specific findings either were overlooked or were obscured by artifacts, and, therefore, the diagnosis was not made. The three false positive diagnoses were made through a misinterpretation of density changes that were artifactual. No changes in the intracranial absorption coefficients were detected in 109 cases. Abnormal changes were evident in 226 cases in which structural lesions were subsequently found. Many of the lesions had a characteristic appearance, but in certain clinical situations, which include searches for metastatic disease, acoustic neuromas, meningiomas aneurysms of the basilar artery, and arteriovenous malformations, the injection of intravenous contrast medium was helpful, or even essential, for diagnostic success. The prominence of clinical signs and symptoms is not always an accurate index to the presence of structural alteration of the posterior fossa. We believe, therefore, that this portion of the cranium should be included in every CT study.", "PMID": 772745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3509", "title": "Initial clinical experience with computerized tomography of the body.", "content": "Computerized tomography of the body, now possible with an instrument that can complete a scan rapidly enough to permit patients to suspend respiration, adds an important new dimension to radiologic diagnosis. Cross-sectional antomy is uniquely reconstructed to provide accurate diagnostic information for various disorders throughout the body.", "contents": "Initial clinical experience with computerized tomography of the body. Computerized tomography of the body, now possible with an instrument that can complete a scan rapidly enough to permit patients to suspend respiration, adds an important new dimension to radiologic diagnosis. Cross-sectional antomy is uniquely reconstructed to provide accurate diagnostic information for various disorders throughout the body.", "PMID": 772746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3510", "title": "Urinary tract tomography.", "content": "The application of the priniciples of linear tomography to enhance the visualization of the kidneys during excretory urography represents a major advancement in the quality of excretory urography. The ability to visualize the renal parenchyma and renal outlines on tomograms has resulted in a significant increase in the detection of renal masses, parenchymal scars, and adrenal tumors. The use of tomography may also contribute significantly to the evaluation of patients with various other urinary tract diseases. It has been our practice during the past 5 years to obtain linear tomograms as a routine procedure during excretory urography in all adults and in selected pediatric patients. We believe that tomograms of the kidneys represent an important part of the excretory urogram and should be done as a routine procedure.", "contents": "Urinary tract tomography. The application of the priniciples of linear tomography to enhance the visualization of the kidneys during excretory urography represents a major advancement in the quality of excretory urography. The ability to visualize the renal parenchyma and renal outlines on tomograms has resulted in a significant increase in the detection of renal masses, parenchymal scars, and adrenal tumors. The use of tomography may also contribute significantly to the evaluation of patients with various other urinary tract diseases. It has been our practice during the past 5 years to obtain linear tomograms as a routine procedure during excretory urography in all adults and in selected pediatric patients. We believe that tomograms of the kidneys represent an important part of the excretory urogram and should be done as a routine procedure.", "PMID": 772747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3511", "title": "Physical and dosimetric aspects of diagnostic geometrical and computer-assisted tomographic procedures.", "content": "Tomographic systems offer potential for visualizing sections of the body that are ambiguously imaged by \"flat\" detection systems. Effective utilization involves the synergistic combining of various considerations, including appropriate motion, contrast, and extent of the anatomic region of interest; cost-benefit considerations; assurance of correct electromechanical operation; and benefit-risk analysis of patient exposure.", "contents": "Physical and dosimetric aspects of diagnostic geometrical and computer-assisted tomographic procedures. Tomographic systems offer potential for visualizing sections of the body that are ambiguously imaged by \"flat\" detection systems. Effective utilization involves the synergistic combining of various considerations, including appropriate motion, contrast, and extent of the anatomic region of interest; cost-benefit considerations; assurance of correct electromechanical operation; and benefit-risk analysis of patient exposure.", "PMID": 772748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3512", "title": "The Johns Hopkins radiology reporting system.", "content": "Radiologists can comprehensively report diagnostic radiographs by computer with a speed approaching that of dictation. This is the main mode of radiographic reporting used at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Support functions include information storage, retrieval, statistics, and billing. Costs are comparable to stenography. The system can be run from a large time-sharing computer or dedicated minicomputer. A commercial stand-alone version will soon be available.", "contents": "The Johns Hopkins radiology reporting system. Radiologists can comprehensively report diagnostic radiographs by computer with a speed approaching that of dictation. This is the main mode of radiographic reporting used at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Support functions include information storage, retrieval, statistics, and billing. Costs are comparable to stenography. The system can be run from a large time-sharing computer or dedicated minicomputer. A commercial stand-alone version will soon be available.", "PMID": 772749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3513", "title": "Dose-time fractionation study in patients with mycosis fungoides and lymphoma cutis.", "content": "Single and multiple dose-time fractionation schemes were investigated in patients with mycosis fungoides and lymphoma cutis. The single dose response shows that the disease-free interval is dose dependent. Remission rates are similar when the same total dose is given in either single treatments or multiple daily fractions. Weekly dose fractionation schemes are superior to daily regimes for lymphoma cutis. Changes in tumor volume reduction following single doses to lymphoma cutis indicate that the mean lethal dose (DO) is 90 rads and the extrapolation number (N) is less than 2. These findings are discussed in relation to the reoxygenation process and the cell cycle distribution of the tumor cell population.", "contents": "Dose-time fractionation study in patients with mycosis fungoides and lymphoma cutis. Single and multiple dose-time fractionation schemes were investigated in patients with mycosis fungoides and lymphoma cutis. The single dose response shows that the disease-free interval is dose dependent. Remission rates are similar when the same total dose is given in either single treatments or multiple daily fractions. Weekly dose fractionation schemes are superior to daily regimes for lymphoma cutis. Changes in tumor volume reduction following single doses to lymphoma cutis indicate that the mean lethal dose (DO) is 90 rads and the extrapolation number (N) is less than 2. These findings are discussed in relation to the reoxygenation process and the cell cycle distribution of the tumor cell population.", "PMID": 772750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3514", "title": "Site of the in vivo stimulatory effect of prostaglandins on LH release.", "content": "A possible direct effect of prostaglandins E1 and E2 (PGE1 and PGE2) on luteinizing hormone (LH) release at the pituitary level was studied in vitro using anterior pituitary cells in primary culture, a system approximately 10-fold more sensitive to stimulation of LH release than previously used hemipituitaries. No effect of PGE1 or PGE2 could be detected on the time course of basal or LH-RH-stimulated LH release or on the LH responsiveness to LH-RH. This absence of a direct effect of PGEs at the pituitary level on LH release was confirmed by in vivo experiments using female rats under Surital anesthesia in the afternoon of proestrus. After intravenous injection, under these conditions, 15(S)-15-methyl PGE2 was 3-5 times more potent than PGE2 to increase plasma LH levels while PGE1 had about 50% the potency of PGE2. Injection of sheep anti-LH-RH serum one hour before PGE1 or PGE2 injection not only lowered basal plasma LH levels but prevented the rise induced by PGEs. These data indicate clearly that the increased plasma LH levels observed after in vivo PGE injection are secondary to a stimulation of LH-RH release while PGEs do not appear to have a significant effect on LH release at the pituitary level.", "contents": "Site of the in vivo stimulatory effect of prostaglandins on LH release. A possible direct effect of prostaglandins E1 and E2 (PGE1 and PGE2) on luteinizing hormone (LH) release at the pituitary level was studied in vitro using anterior pituitary cells in primary culture, a system approximately 10-fold more sensitive to stimulation of LH release than previously used hemipituitaries. No effect of PGE1 or PGE2 could be detected on the time course of basal or LH-RH-stimulated LH release or on the LH responsiveness to LH-RH. This absence of a direct effect of PGEs at the pituitary level on LH release was confirmed by in vivo experiments using female rats under Surital anesthesia in the afternoon of proestrus. After intravenous injection, under these conditions, 15(S)-15-methyl PGE2 was 3-5 times more potent than PGE2 to increase plasma LH levels while PGE1 had about 50% the potency of PGE2. Injection of sheep anti-LH-RH serum one hour before PGE1 or PGE2 injection not only lowered basal plasma LH levels but prevented the rise induced by PGEs. These data indicate clearly that the increased plasma LH levels observed after in vivo PGE injection are secondary to a stimulation of LH-RH release while PGEs do not appear to have a significant effect on LH release at the pituitary level.", "PMID": 772758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3515", "title": "Quantifications of the major urinary metabolite of the E prostaglandins by mass spectrometry: evaluation of the method's application to clinical studies.", "content": "Measurement of 7alpha-hydroxy-5,11-diketotetranoprostane-1,16-dioic acid, (PGE-M), the major urinary metabolite of prostaglandin E1 and E2 in man provides a useful indicator to monitor prostaglandin biosynthesis. For quantitative analysis of this prostaglandin metabolite and the stable-isotope dilution techniqe of selected ion monitoring (SIM) is employed using gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The preparation of the bis(D3-methyloxime), bis-methyl ester of PGE-M containing a tritium tracer in position 2 which was used as internal standard for the SIM method is described. The synthesis of this internal standard includes the biosynthetic conversion of 11-hydroxy-9,15-diketoprostanoic acid to PGE-M by the rabbit. The intra-assay coefficient of variation of this SIM method ranged between 4.0 to 6.7 percent. The recovery of authentic, underivatized PGE-M added to urine was 93 +/- 3% (mean +/- SEM, n=17). The levels of PGE-M excreted in urine were higher (p less than 0.001) in males than in females (15.2 +/- 1.9 mug/24 hours (n=24) and 3.3 +/- 0.3 mug/24 hours (n=17), respectively. These levels were in close agreement with values published previously. No significant difference in excretion of PGE-M between the sexes was observed in the pre-pubertal age-grou (male: 2.9 +/- 0.8 mug/24 hours, n=5; female: 3.1 +/- 0.9 mug/24 hours, n=5) or in the age-group of 45-80 years (male: 9.3 +/- 1.1 mug/24 hours, n=21; female: 7.3 +/- 0.9 mug/24 hours, n=12). The amount of PGE-M excreted decreased significantly after administration of indomethacin or acetyl salicylic acid in therapeutic doses. The concomitant reduction of the urinary excretion of PGE-M (68 to 85% decrease) and prostaglandin E (73 to 100% decrease) after indomethacin treatment in each case (n=8) is evidence that a diminished urinary PGE-M output reflects a decrease in prostaglandin E biosynthesis.", "contents": "Quantifications of the major urinary metabolite of the E prostaglandins by mass spectrometry: evaluation of the method's application to clinical studies. Measurement of 7alpha-hydroxy-5,11-diketotetranoprostane-1,16-dioic acid, (PGE-M), the major urinary metabolite of prostaglandin E1 and E2 in man provides a useful indicator to monitor prostaglandin biosynthesis. For quantitative analysis of this prostaglandin metabolite and the stable-isotope dilution techniqe of selected ion monitoring (SIM) is employed using gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The preparation of the bis(D3-methyloxime), bis-methyl ester of PGE-M containing a tritium tracer in position 2 which was used as internal standard for the SIM method is described. The synthesis of this internal standard includes the biosynthetic conversion of 11-hydroxy-9,15-diketoprostanoic acid to PGE-M by the rabbit. The intra-assay coefficient of variation of this SIM method ranged between 4.0 to 6.7 percent. The recovery of authentic, underivatized PGE-M added to urine was 93 +/- 3% (mean +/- SEM, n=17). The levels of PGE-M excreted in urine were higher (p less than 0.001) in males than in females (15.2 +/- 1.9 mug/24 hours (n=24) and 3.3 +/- 0.3 mug/24 hours (n=17), respectively. These levels were in close agreement with values published previously. No significant difference in excretion of PGE-M between the sexes was observed in the pre-pubertal age-grou (male: 2.9 +/- 0.8 mug/24 hours, n=5; female: 3.1 +/- 0.9 mug/24 hours, n=5) or in the age-group of 45-80 years (male: 9.3 +/- 1.1 mug/24 hours, n=21; female: 7.3 +/- 0.9 mug/24 hours, n=12). The amount of PGE-M excreted decreased significantly after administration of indomethacin or acetyl salicylic acid in therapeutic doses. The concomitant reduction of the urinary excretion of PGE-M (68 to 85% decrease) and prostaglandin E (73 to 100% decrease) after indomethacin treatment in each case (n=8) is evidence that a diminished urinary PGE-M output reflects a decrease in prostaglandin E biosynthesis.", "PMID": 772759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3516", "title": "Spina bifida, exencephaly, and cranial bleb produced in hamsters by the solanum alkaloid solasodine.", "content": "Solasodine, one of the spirosolone structured solanum alkaloids, was gavaged to hamsters at 1184 - 1628 mg/kg once on the 7th or 8th day of gestation. About one-third of all litters from surviving, pregnant dams had one or more deformed offspring. There were 50 abnormals among 727 offspring from 84 dams at sacrifice. Abnormalities included 9 spina bifida, 13 major exencephaly, 25 cranial bleb, 2 hare lip, and 1 anophthalmic types. There were 5 abnormals among 1948 total offspring from 192 control dams. Malformation incidence in controls was 1/10 that in solasodine-gavaged animals. Solasodine gavage also resulted in a large increase in resorptions. Spina bifidas had a protuberance of the skin and other soft tissue in the dorsal mid-line of the lumbosacral region of the fetus. Exencephalics had a prominent dorsocranial defect that fully exposed the brain. Cranial blebs consisted of a soft protuberance of the skin in the mid-line of the interparietal region. The solasodine analogs tomatidine and diosgenin were not teratogenic at dose levels twice as high as the teratogenic dose of solasodine.", "contents": "Spina bifida, exencephaly, and cranial bleb produced in hamsters by the solanum alkaloid solasodine. Solasodine, one of the spirosolone structured solanum alkaloids, was gavaged to hamsters at 1184 - 1628 mg/kg once on the 7th or 8th day of gestation. About one-third of all litters from surviving, pregnant dams had one or more deformed offspring. There were 50 abnormals among 727 offspring from 84 dams at sacrifice. Abnormalities included 9 spina bifida, 13 major exencephaly, 25 cranial bleb, 2 hare lip, and 1 anophthalmic types. There were 5 abnormals among 1948 total offspring from 192 control dams. Malformation incidence in controls was 1/10 that in solasodine-gavaged animals. Solasodine gavage also resulted in a large increase in resorptions. Spina bifidas had a protuberance of the skin and other soft tissue in the dorsal mid-line of the lumbosacral region of the fetus. Exencephalics had a prominent dorsocranial defect that fully exposed the brain. Cranial blebs consisted of a soft protuberance of the skin in the mid-line of the interparietal region. The solasodine analogs tomatidine and diosgenin were not teratogenic at dose levels twice as high as the teratogenic dose of solasodine.", "PMID": 772770} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3517", "title": "Laboratory trials with inactivated vaccines against Escherichia coli (O78 K80) infection in fowls.", "content": "Laboratory trials made with five inactivated (O78 K80) Escherichia coli vaccines showed that the greatest degree of protection against an intramuscular challenge with the homologous strain was obtained with an alum precipitated vaccine. This vaccine was equally effective when administered by the subcutaneous, intramuscular or intraperitoneal route. Maximal protection, persisting for at least six weeks, was obtained by inoculating chicks at three weeks of age with a dose of approximately 1-5 X 10(9) cells in 0.5 ml. Some degree of protection was obtained, however, in chicks vaccinated earlier. There was no evidence that this vaccine provided any cross protection against other pathogenic serotypes of E coli. No adverse effect was noted on growth rate or carcase quality in the chicks vaccinated. Immunological studies showed that protection was not related to the production of O and K serum agglutinins.", "contents": "Laboratory trials with inactivated vaccines against Escherichia coli (O78 K80) infection in fowls. Laboratory trials made with five inactivated (O78 K80) Escherichia coli vaccines showed that the greatest degree of protection against an intramuscular challenge with the homologous strain was obtained with an alum precipitated vaccine. This vaccine was equally effective when administered by the subcutaneous, intramuscular or intraperitoneal route. Maximal protection, persisting for at least six weeks, was obtained by inoculating chicks at three weeks of age with a dose of approximately 1-5 X 10(9) cells in 0.5 ml. Some degree of protection was obtained, however, in chicks vaccinated earlier. There was no evidence that this vaccine provided any cross protection against other pathogenic serotypes of E coli. No adverse effect was noted on growth rate or carcase quality in the chicks vaccinated. Immunological studies showed that protection was not related to the production of O and K serum agglutinins.", "PMID": 772771} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3518", "title": "Comparative studies on the use of 5-fluorouracil in two different media as a selective agent for isolation of Leptospira.", "content": "Incorporation of 5-fluorouracil at concentrations of 100-150 mug/ml in Korthof's medium was found to be effective in inhibiting staphylococci and Escherichia coli without adversely affecting leptospiral growth when cultures were incubated at 30 degrees C or at room temperature (15-22 degrees C). No growth was detected in cultures incubated at 37 degrees C. it was concluded that Korthof's medium containing 5-fluorouracil at these concentrations forms a useful selective medium for the isolation of leptospires when incubated at appropriate temperatures.", "contents": "Comparative studies on the use of 5-fluorouracil in two different media as a selective agent for isolation of Leptospira. Incorporation of 5-fluorouracil at concentrations of 100-150 mug/ml in Korthof's medium was found to be effective in inhibiting staphylococci and Escherichia coli without adversely affecting leptospiral growth when cultures were incubated at 30 degrees C or at room temperature (15-22 degrees C). No growth was detected in cultures incubated at 37 degrees C. it was concluded that Korthof's medium containing 5-fluorouracil at these concentrations forms a useful selective medium for the isolation of leptospires when incubated at appropriate temperatures.", "PMID": 772772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3519", "title": "Virulence of established vaccine strains and artificially passaged field strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp mycoides.", "content": "The virulence of Mycoplasma mycoides for mice, which appears to parallel virulence for cattle, was assessed in respect of four vaccine strains well known for their use in the control of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. The T1 strain was slightly more virulent than V5, and both were much more virulent than F and KH3J, which could not be distinguished from each other. There was no significant difference between cultures of the T1 strain supplied by three different vaccine-producing laboratories, The mousevirulence test was also used to study the effect of serial passage in artificial systems on virulent field strains of M mycoides; two such strains underwent no appreciable change in virulence during many passages in chick embryos or in mice, although the same strains, and two others, were readily attenuated by repeated subculture in broth. With one strain of M mycoides there was evidence that the total number of subcultures in broth over a given period was more important than the duration of each subculture.", "contents": "Virulence of established vaccine strains and artificially passaged field strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp mycoides. The virulence of Mycoplasma mycoides for mice, which appears to parallel virulence for cattle, was assessed in respect of four vaccine strains well known for their use in the control of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. The T1 strain was slightly more virulent than V5, and both were much more virulent than F and KH3J, which could not be distinguished from each other. There was no significant difference between cultures of the T1 strain supplied by three different vaccine-producing laboratories, The mousevirulence test was also used to study the effect of serial passage in artificial systems on virulent field strains of M mycoides; two such strains underwent no appreciable change in virulence during many passages in chick embryos or in mice, although the same strains, and two others, were readily attenuated by repeated subculture in broth. With one strain of M mycoides there was evidence that the total number of subcultures in broth over a given period was more important than the duration of each subculture.", "PMID": 772773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3520", "title": "[Cyclical chemotherapy of myeloma with cell synchronization: therapeutic trial. Apropos of 13 cases].", "content": "The authors report the results obtained from the treatment of 13 cases of myeloma by cyclic chemotherapy (melphalan) applied after cellular synchronization with vincristine. The clinical results (maximum 2 years after treatment) were good in 11 cases out of 13. The following laboratory values quickly returned to normal: sedimentation and calcaemia, but there was little change in the immunoglobulins.", "contents": "[Cyclical chemotherapy of myeloma with cell synchronization: therapeutic trial. Apropos of 13 cases]. The authors report the results obtained from the treatment of 13 cases of myeloma by cyclic chemotherapy (melphalan) applied after cellular synchronization with vincristine. The clinical results (maximum 2 years after treatment) were good in 11 cases out of 13. The following laboratory values quickly returned to normal: sedimentation and calcaemia, but there was little change in the immunoglobulins.", "PMID": 772787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3521", "title": "Properties, variants, and applications of the immunoradiometric assay method.", "content": "The immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and 2-site IRMA techniques employ purified radioactive antibodies to convert soluble antigens into a directly detectable complex. Unreacted labelled antibody is discarded by reaction with solid-phase antigen (IRMA), or by a preliminary insolubilization of the unknown antigen using solid-phase antibody (2-site IRMA). The preparation and properties of antigen-immunoadsorbent, solid-phase antibody, and purified radioactive antibodies are discussed. Analysis of the dose-response curve and problems in dose-interpolation are similar in IRMA and 2-site IRMA, and different from radioimmunoassay and other competitive-binding assay systems. The most significant assay variables include: exchange of radioactive antibody in IRMA reaction 2, stability and reactivity of the solid-phase antibody, washing the solid-phase, non-specific interference by serum proteins, and a paradoxical fall in tube radioactivity at high dose (2-site IRMA) (the 'high-dose hook effect'). 2-site IRMA has advantages in specificity (by using separate antibodies directed to 2 different antigen sites), sensitivity and assay range (because of the low zero dose-response). Assay variants include: alternative antibody labels, various solid-phase antibody preparations (including immunological 'spacer-arms'), non-immunological insolubilization of antigen, univalent radioactive antibodies, repeated immunological extractions of unknown antigen, and non-immunological separations in IRMA reaction 2. Both IRMA and 2-site IRMA have been adapted to the use of labelled anti-IgG as an additional 'universal' reagent, thereby avoiding the necessity for the preparation of radioactive antibodies specific for the unknown antigen. These techniques have been applied to the assay of a great variety of antigens and will be especially appropriate for automation.", "contents": "Properties, variants, and applications of the immunoradiometric assay method. The immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and 2-site IRMA techniques employ purified radioactive antibodies to convert soluble antigens into a directly detectable complex. Unreacted labelled antibody is discarded by reaction with solid-phase antigen (IRMA), or by a preliminary insolubilization of the unknown antigen using solid-phase antibody (2-site IRMA). The preparation and properties of antigen-immunoadsorbent, solid-phase antibody, and purified radioactive antibodies are discussed. Analysis of the dose-response curve and problems in dose-interpolation are similar in IRMA and 2-site IRMA, and different from radioimmunoassay and other competitive-binding assay systems. The most significant assay variables include: exchange of radioactive antibody in IRMA reaction 2, stability and reactivity of the solid-phase antibody, washing the solid-phase, non-specific interference by serum proteins, and a paradoxical fall in tube radioactivity at high dose (2-site IRMA) (the 'high-dose hook effect'). 2-site IRMA has advantages in specificity (by using separate antibodies directed to 2 different antigen sites), sensitivity and assay range (because of the low zero dose-response). Assay variants include: alternative antibody labels, various solid-phase antibody preparations (including immunological 'spacer-arms'), non-immunological insolubilization of antigen, univalent radioactive antibodies, repeated immunological extractions of unknown antigen, and non-immunological separations in IRMA reaction 2. Both IRMA and 2-site IRMA have been adapted to the use of labelled anti-IgG as an additional 'universal' reagent, thereby avoiding the necessity for the preparation of radioactive antibodies specific for the unknown antigen. These techniques have been applied to the assay of a great variety of antigens and will be especially appropriate for automation.", "PMID": 772782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3522", "title": "The role of immunological factors in the treatment of cancer.", "content": "Evidence has accumulated in the last 15 years that many experimentally-induced tumours in animals carry a tumour-specific transplantation-type antigen (TSTA) in their plasma membrane and that the tumour-bearing host responds to the TSTAs with the production of antibodies and cytotoxic mononuclear cells. In man the situation is not yet clear but there are indications that a similar situation may apply in many human malignancies. These findings have led to a resurgence in interest in the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of malignant disease, but as yet there is no clear evidence from properly controlled clinical trials that immunotherapy is the treatment of choice for any tumour. At present clinical immunotherapy constitutes a field for careful investigation but it cannot be considered a proven modality of treatment. At present its use must be confined to controlled studies in which benefit or possible harm can be determined. When giving immunotherapy it is necessary to monitor carefully the specific immune reaction of the host against the tumour. Further progress in immunotherapy requires a better understanding of why tumour cells succeed in vivo to escape destruction by the immune responses of the host. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning the nature of TSTAs, the effect of the immune response to TSTAs on metastatic spread and the mechanisms of escape with special reference to the role which circulating soluble TSTA plays in 'neutralizing' the action of cytotoxic cells and antibodies. It is stressed that there is no support for the hypothesis of a 'blocking antibody'. Finally the different types of immunotherapy which have been developed in animal systems are described and possible clinical applications are discussed.", "contents": "The role of immunological factors in the treatment of cancer. Evidence has accumulated in the last 15 years that many experimentally-induced tumours in animals carry a tumour-specific transplantation-type antigen (TSTA) in their plasma membrane and that the tumour-bearing host responds to the TSTAs with the production of antibodies and cytotoxic mononuclear cells. In man the situation is not yet clear but there are indications that a similar situation may apply in many human malignancies. These findings have led to a resurgence in interest in the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of malignant disease, but as yet there is no clear evidence from properly controlled clinical trials that immunotherapy is the treatment of choice for any tumour. At present clinical immunotherapy constitutes a field for careful investigation but it cannot be considered a proven modality of treatment. At present its use must be confined to controlled studies in which benefit or possible harm can be determined. When giving immunotherapy it is necessary to monitor carefully the specific immune reaction of the host against the tumour. Further progress in immunotherapy requires a better understanding of why tumour cells succeed in vivo to escape destruction by the immune responses of the host. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning the nature of TSTAs, the effect of the immune response to TSTAs on metastatic spread and the mechanisms of escape with special reference to the role which circulating soluble TSTA plays in 'neutralizing' the action of cytotoxic cells and antibodies. It is stressed that there is no support for the hypothesis of a 'blocking antibody'. Finally the different types of immunotherapy which have been developed in animal systems are described and possible clinical applications are discussed.", "PMID": 772781} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3523", "title": "[Paget's disease and surgery].", "content": "Paget's disease may in some cases require recourse to surgery: (1) Fractures of bones in patients with the disease mend normally but slowly. Orthopaedic treatment is satisfactory, except for the femur where osteosynthesis is necessary. (2) Severe deformation of the lower limbs should be corrected by osteotomy when it is responsible for serious disablement. With a simple and sure technique functional improvement can be assured. (3) Coxopathy associated with Paget's disease sometimes involves sufficient invalidity to justify total arthroplasty. (4) Malignant degeneration, usually determined by biopsy, is beyond any therapeutic treatment.", "contents": "[Paget's disease and surgery]. Paget's disease may in some cases require recourse to surgery: (1) Fractures of bones in patients with the disease mend normally but slowly. Orthopaedic treatment is satisfactory, except for the femur where osteosynthesis is necessary. (2) Severe deformation of the lower limbs should be corrected by osteotomy when it is responsible for serious disablement. With a simple and sure technique functional improvement can be assured. (3) Coxopathy associated with Paget's disease sometimes involves sufficient invalidity to justify total arthroplasty. (4) Malignant degeneration, usually determined by biopsy, is beyond any therapeutic treatment.", "PMID": 772788} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3524", "title": "The immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood evaluated by blast transformation and membrane immune fluorescence tests.", "content": "The immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood was investigated by in vitro blast transformation tests on circulating lymphocytes and on lymphocytes isolated from lymph nodes and by B-lymphocyte counts before, during, and after the treatment. Two consecutive patient series, from a controlled clinical trial of the effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood on the course of kidney transplantation, were studied. B-cell depeltion was found to be relatively larger than the total lymphocyte depletion. In vitro transformation tests on both circulating and lymph node lymphocytes showed large individual variations. There were no characteristic correlations between the results of these tests or with the number of circulating lymphocytes. Nor were there any characteristic changes in these tests during treatment. These results, together with previous experience, seem to contraindicate the value of irradiation of the blood as an immunosuppressive treatment.", "contents": "The immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood evaluated by blast transformation and membrane immune fluorescence tests. The immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood was investigated by in vitro blast transformation tests on circulating lymphocytes and on lymphocytes isolated from lymph nodes and by B-lymphocyte counts before, during, and after the treatment. Two consecutive patient series, from a controlled clinical trial of the effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood on the course of kidney transplantation, were studied. B-cell depeltion was found to be relatively larger than the total lymphocyte depletion. In vitro transformation tests on both circulating and lymph node lymphocytes showed large individual variations. There were no characteristic correlations between the results of these tests or with the number of circulating lymphocytes. Nor were there any characteristic changes in these tests during treatment. These results, together with previous experience, seem to contraindicate the value of irradiation of the blood as an immunosuppressive treatment.", "PMID": 772791} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3525", "title": "The interaction of nonmitogenic and mitogenic lectins with T lymphocytes: association of cellular receptor sites.", "content": "The relationship between the surface receptors on neuraminidase-treated human blood lymphocytes for the mitogenic lectins Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin (La), concanavalin A (Con A) and soy bean agglutinin (SBA) and the non-mitogenic lectin Helix pomatia A hemagglutinin (HP) was investigated. Two different techniques, co-capping with different fluorochrome-labeled lectins and cell binding-inhibition experiments with 125I-labeled lectins, were used. The results demonstrated that the nonmitogenic lectin HP and the mitogenic lectins SBA, La and Con A bind either to the same macromolecule (s) or to different but physically linked macromolecules on the surface of human T lymphocytes. In contrast, only part of beta2-microglobulin (beta2-m) or beta2-m-bearing complexes, appear to be physically linked to the lectin receptor complex(es). On the lectin-binding substance(s) at least two saccharide structures were recognized, one of which binds both HP and SBA and another which binds SBA and La (and probably also Con A) but not HP.", "contents": "The interaction of nonmitogenic and mitogenic lectins with T lymphocytes: association of cellular receptor sites. The relationship between the surface receptors on neuraminidase-treated human blood lymphocytes for the mitogenic lectins Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin (La), concanavalin A (Con A) and soy bean agglutinin (SBA) and the non-mitogenic lectin Helix pomatia A hemagglutinin (HP) was investigated. Two different techniques, co-capping with different fluorochrome-labeled lectins and cell binding-inhibition experiments with 125I-labeled lectins, were used. The results demonstrated that the nonmitogenic lectin HP and the mitogenic lectins SBA, La and Con A bind either to the same macromolecule (s) or to different but physically linked macromolecules on the surface of human T lymphocytes. In contrast, only part of beta2-microglobulin (beta2-m) or beta2-m-bearing complexes, appear to be physically linked to the lectin receptor complex(es). On the lectin-binding substance(s) at least two saccharide structures were recognized, one of which binds both HP and SBA and another which binds SBA and La (and probably also Con A) but not HP.", "PMID": 772792} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3526", "title": "Intraventricular treatment of Serratia marcescens meningitis with gentamicin. Pharmacokinetic studies of gentamicin concentration in one case.", "content": "A neurosurgical patient with postoperative meningitis caused by Serratia marcescens was treated with intraventricular as well as intramuscular gentamicin. Gentamicin concentration in serum and CSF was determined at different times after the administration. Serratia marcescens could not be isolated from CSF after 3 days of therapy. Determination of gentamicin concentrations in CSF showed that gentamicin should not be given intraventricularly more than once a day to avoid accumulation of the drug. No adverse effect was noticed although the CSF concentration reached 450 mug/ml.", "contents": "Intraventricular treatment of Serratia marcescens meningitis with gentamicin. Pharmacokinetic studies of gentamicin concentration in one case. A neurosurgical patient with postoperative meningitis caused by Serratia marcescens was treated with intraventricular as well as intramuscular gentamicin. Gentamicin concentration in serum and CSF was determined at different times after the administration. Serratia marcescens could not be isolated from CSF after 3 days of therapy. Determination of gentamicin concentrations in CSF showed that gentamicin should not be given intraventricularly more than once a day to avoid accumulation of the drug. No adverse effect was noticed although the CSF concentration reached 450 mug/ml.", "PMID": 772794} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3527", "title": "Antibodies of surface antigens of lymphocytes and lymphoblastoid cells in cold-agglutinin-positive sera from patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.", "content": "IgM antibodies reacting in the cold with surface antigens of normal human blood lymphocytes were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence (IFL) in cold-agglutinin-positive sera from 21 patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection. Twenty to fifty per cent of the lymphocytes were stained. MP sera reacted also with 75%-100% of cells from two lymphoblastoid cell lines and one Burkitt lymphoma line and with about 80% of peripheral blood lymphocytes from one patient with chronic lymphatic leukaemia. The IFL reaction was negative with cells from leukaemic lymphoid T-cell line (Molt-4). Lymphocyte fractionation experiments gave no evidence of a selective reactivity of MP sera and B or T lymphocytes of peripheral blood. Removal of cold agglutinins from the MP sera by absorption with human O erythrocytes significantly reduced the IFL reactivity with lymphocytes and lymphoblastoid cells, indicating the presence of I antigen on these cells. Furthermore, lymphoblastoid cells but not Molt lymphoid cells absorbed out most of the cold erythroagglutinins.", "contents": "Antibodies of surface antigens of lymphocytes and lymphoblastoid cells in cold-agglutinin-positive sera from patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. IgM antibodies reacting in the cold with surface antigens of normal human blood lymphocytes were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence (IFL) in cold-agglutinin-positive sera from 21 patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection. Twenty to fifty per cent of the lymphocytes were stained. MP sera reacted also with 75%-100% of cells from two lymphoblastoid cell lines and one Burkitt lymphoma line and with about 80% of peripheral blood lymphocytes from one patient with chronic lymphatic leukaemia. The IFL reaction was negative with cells from leukaemic lymphoid T-cell line (Molt-4). Lymphocyte fractionation experiments gave no evidence of a selective reactivity of MP sera and B or T lymphocytes of peripheral blood. Removal of cold agglutinins from the MP sera by absorption with human O erythrocytes significantly reduced the IFL reactivity with lymphocytes and lymphoblastoid cells, indicating the presence of I antigen on these cells. Furthermore, lymphoblastoid cells but not Molt lymphoid cells absorbed out most of the cold erythroagglutinins.", "PMID": 772793} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3528", "title": "Multiple lymphonodular cryptococcosis, cured by 5-fluorocytosine.", "content": "A 5-year-old boy was admitted with an acute febrile illness and painful and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. A chest X-ray showed right tracheobronchial lymph nodes. A lymph node biopsy demonstrated a tuberculoid appearance, with epitheloid cells, giant cells, and also necrotic zones. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated both in culture and after animal inoculation. While amphotericin B was not tolerated by the patient, the oral administration of 5-fluorocytosine resulted in a rapid recovery.", "contents": "Multiple lymphonodular cryptococcosis, cured by 5-fluorocytosine. A 5-year-old boy was admitted with an acute febrile illness and painful and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. A chest X-ray showed right tracheobronchial lymph nodes. A lymph node biopsy demonstrated a tuberculoid appearance, with epitheloid cells, giant cells, and also necrotic zones. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated both in culture and after animal inoculation. While amphotericin B was not tolerated by the patient, the oral administration of 5-fluorocytosine resulted in a rapid recovery.", "PMID": 772795} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3529", "title": "Morphogenesis and pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases. VIII. Cellularization of lung interlobular areas as a preliminary phase of peribronchovascular fibrosis.", "content": "An experimental investigation of the lung interlobular areas was performed by elicitation of rabbits with antigens (aspergillar and human-serum proteins) administered in aerosols or intramuscularly in Freund's adjuvant. The cell accumulations in the interlobular areas developed irrespective of the antigen, duration of exposure and route of administration. The cells accumulated (reticulo-lymphoid, plasma cells, eosinocytes) were counted and the areal surface measured. The total cell count and the proportion of plasma cells appeared to be related to time, dose and antigenicity of the proteins administered. Fibrillogenesis was also observed between cells in the interlobular areas during prolonged administration of antigens, pointing out the importance of the interlobular lesions in chronic lung processes.", "contents": "Morphogenesis and pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases. VIII. Cellularization of lung interlobular areas as a preliminary phase of peribronchovascular fibrosis. An experimental investigation of the lung interlobular areas was performed by elicitation of rabbits with antigens (aspergillar and human-serum proteins) administered in aerosols or intramuscularly in Freund's adjuvant. The cell accumulations in the interlobular areas developed irrespective of the antigen, duration of exposure and route of administration. The cells accumulated (reticulo-lymphoid, plasma cells, eosinocytes) were counted and the areal surface measured. The total cell count and the proportion of plasma cells appeared to be related to time, dose and antigenicity of the proteins administered. Fibrillogenesis was also observed between cells in the interlobular areas during prolonged administration of antigens, pointing out the importance of the interlobular lesions in chronic lung processes.", "PMID": 772786} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3530", "title": "[The application of relaxation in hospital geriatrics].", "content": "On a three years base experience in the geriatric department of Geneva's university psychiatric clinic, the paper studies among practical problems encountered in the application in institutional geriatry of relaxation, those related to therapists' training and to the nature of therapy control established for them and their patients. Problems pertaining to the management of the cure according to the method of J. de Ajuriaguerra amd M. Cahen are viewed, and the position of relaxation in the post-graduate psychiatric training defined. The study also mentions the influence of relaxation applied to the aged patient on his human environment in and out of the hospital. These notes are complementary to those already presented on the indications of relaxation in geriatry, the way body is preceived by the aged patient through relaxation, and it's consequences on the adjustment of an aging person.", "contents": "[The application of relaxation in hospital geriatrics]. On a three years base experience in the geriatric department of Geneva's university psychiatric clinic, the paper studies among practical problems encountered in the application in institutional geriatry of relaxation, those related to therapists' training and to the nature of therapy control established for them and their patients. Problems pertaining to the management of the cure according to the method of J. de Ajuriaguerra amd M. Cahen are viewed, and the position of relaxation in the post-graduate psychiatric training defined. The study also mentions the influence of relaxation applied to the aged patient on his human environment in and out of the hospital. These notes are complementary to those already presented on the indications of relaxation in geriatry, the way body is preceived by the aged patient through relaxation, and it's consequences on the adjustment of an aging person.", "PMID": 772796} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3531", "title": "[\"Senile\" chronic pancreatitis; a new nosologic entity? Studies in 38 cases. Indications of a vascular origin and relationship to the primarily painless chronic pancreatitis].", "content": "47 of 170 cases of chronic pancreatitis observed and controlled in the last 12 years in this department were of unknown etiology (idiopathic form). The age distribution of these 47 cases showed 2 peaks, a \"juvenile\" group of 9 cases (average age 29 years) and a \"senile\" group of 38 cases (average age 62 years). Idiopathic \"senile\" chronic pancreatitis (ISCP) is characterized by advanced age at the time of first manifestation (95% over 50 years), a prevalence of males (81%), a high incidence of calcifications (60%) and a rather benign, often painles course (74%). Clinically there is some overlap between ISCP and painless chronic pancreatitis (PSCP). In contrast to PSCP, ISCP seems, however, to comprise a homogeneous group of patients as far as etiology is concerned, and typical episodes of pancreatitis occurred in about 25% of cases with ISCP. Ther is an unusually high incidence of signs of arteriopathy associated with ISCP. Arteritis of the lower limbs and/or coronary heart disease was detected in 42% of cases, 14 of 17 deaths were due to cardiovascular disease and arteriosclerotic risk factors were found in 87% of the patients. In our experience ISCP seems to be a special form of chronic pancreatitis which can be differentiated from alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis and from the other forms with rare causes. Furthermore, our findings suggest that a vascular factor is of importance in causing ISCP.", "contents": "[\"Senile\" chronic pancreatitis; a new nosologic entity? Studies in 38 cases. Indications of a vascular origin and relationship to the primarily painless chronic pancreatitis]. 47 of 170 cases of chronic pancreatitis observed and controlled in the last 12 years in this department were of unknown etiology (idiopathic form). The age distribution of these 47 cases showed 2 peaks, a \"juvenile\" group of 9 cases (average age 29 years) and a \"senile\" group of 38 cases (average age 62 years). Idiopathic \"senile\" chronic pancreatitis (ISCP) is characterized by advanced age at the time of first manifestation (95% over 50 years), a prevalence of males (81%), a high incidence of calcifications (60%) and a rather benign, often painles course (74%). Clinically there is some overlap between ISCP and painless chronic pancreatitis (PSCP). In contrast to PSCP, ISCP seems, however, to comprise a homogeneous group of patients as far as etiology is concerned, and typical episodes of pancreatitis occurred in about 25% of cases with ISCP. Ther is an unusually high incidence of signs of arteriopathy associated with ISCP. Arteritis of the lower limbs and/or coronary heart disease was detected in 42% of cases, 14 of 17 deaths were due to cardiovascular disease and arteriosclerotic risk factors were found in 87% of the patients. In our experience ISCP seems to be a special form of chronic pancreatitis which can be differentiated from alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis and from the other forms with rare causes. Furthermore, our findings suggest that a vascular factor is of importance in causing ISCP.", "PMID": 772803} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3532", "title": "The prevalence of ampicillin, cephalosporin and sulphonamide resistance amongst urinary tract pathogens.", "content": "A total of 2,031 clinical isolates of Gram negative bacilli was obtained from hospitals in 4 centres and these cultures were tested for resistance to ampicillin, cephazolin and sulphonamide. Ampicillin and sulphonamide resistance in outpatients ranged from 15 to 28 per cent of E. coli strains and 4 to 11 per cent of Proteus mirabilis strains. Resistance to cephazolin in outpatients ranged from 0 to 3 per cent of E. coli and 0 to 6 per cent of Proteus mirabilis. Resistance patterns for E. coli, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella strains isolated from inpatients were much higher and varied widely. These patterns are presented and the reasons for these variations discussed.", "contents": "The prevalence of ampicillin, cephalosporin and sulphonamide resistance amongst urinary tract pathogens. A total of 2,031 clinical isolates of Gram negative bacilli was obtained from hospitals in 4 centres and these cultures were tested for resistance to ampicillin, cephazolin and sulphonamide. Ampicillin and sulphonamide resistance in outpatients ranged from 15 to 28 per cent of E. coli strains and 4 to 11 per cent of Proteus mirabilis strains. Resistance to cephazolin in outpatients ranged from 0 to 3 per cent of E. coli and 0 to 6 per cent of Proteus mirabilis. Resistance patterns for E. coli, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella strains isolated from inpatients were much higher and varied widely. These patterns are presented and the reasons for these variations discussed.", "PMID": 772807} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3533", "title": "Beta-lactamase resistance of cephazolin and other cephalosporins.", "content": "The turbidities of cultures of bacterial were monitored continuously at 37 degrees C. in a biophotometer. In the early phase of logarithmic growth, at approximately 2 X 10(7) organisms per ml., antibiotic was added. A strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) that was ampicillim-resistant, but cephaloridine-sensitive, produced beta-lactamase rapidly as shown by the breakdown of a chromogenic cephalosporin. The E. coli was lysed by cephaloridine 15 minutes after the addition of the antibiotic, but, even with a concentration 8-fold greater than the MIC, after 3.5 hours the antibiotic was not detectable in the culture medium and the strain had recommenced logarithmic growth. In the presence of a concentration of cephazolin 4-fold greater than the MIC the E. coli lysed after 30 minutes and did not recommence growth 6 hours, indicating much slower destruction of the antibiotic, presumably due to the greater beta-lactamase resistance of cephazolin. Similar results were obtained with other E. coli and a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.", "contents": "Beta-lactamase resistance of cephazolin and other cephalosporins. The turbidities of cultures of bacterial were monitored continuously at 37 degrees C. in a biophotometer. In the early phase of logarithmic growth, at approximately 2 X 10(7) organisms per ml., antibiotic was added. A strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) that was ampicillim-resistant, but cephaloridine-sensitive, produced beta-lactamase rapidly as shown by the breakdown of a chromogenic cephalosporin. The E. coli was lysed by cephaloridine 15 minutes after the addition of the antibiotic, but, even with a concentration 8-fold greater than the MIC, after 3.5 hours the antibiotic was not detectable in the culture medium and the strain had recommenced logarithmic growth. In the presence of a concentration of cephazolin 4-fold greater than the MIC the E. coli lysed after 30 minutes and did not recommence growth 6 hours, indicating much slower destruction of the antibiotic, presumably due to the greater beta-lactamase resistance of cephazolin. Similar results were obtained with other E. coli and a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.", "PMID": 772808} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3534", "title": "Cephazolin: a comparison to ampicillin in respiratory and urinary infections with dosage regulation by a nomogram.", "content": "Cephazolin sodium was shown to be as effective as ampicillin in the treatment of respiratory and urinary system infections in patients who were infected with susceptible organisms and had a much less troublesome side reaction rate of hypersensitivity type. In addition, it was found that predictable blood levels of cephazolin could be obtained in patients with renal failure when dosage was regulated according to a nomogram calculated from the patient's serum half-life based on clearance of creatinine.", "contents": "Cephazolin: a comparison to ampicillin in respiratory and urinary infections with dosage regulation by a nomogram. Cephazolin sodium was shown to be as effective as ampicillin in the treatment of respiratory and urinary system infections in patients who were infected with susceptible organisms and had a much less troublesome side reaction rate of hypersensitivity type. In addition, it was found that predictable blood levels of cephazolin could be obtained in patients with renal failure when dosage was regulated according to a nomogram calculated from the patient's serum half-life based on clearance of creatinine.", "PMID": 772809} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3535", "title": "Low dose, long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with azathioprine.", "content": "Sixteen patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis which had been present for longer than two years, representing anatomic stages II-IV, were treated with azathioprine in doses of 50 to 175 mg/day. They were followed up for up to six years. Using the criterion of ability to work, 93% of the patients improved markedly during the time observed. Complement levels were low before treatment and tended to stabilize within the normal range as the disease became less active. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) fell during therapy but changes in ESR did not correlate well with the patients' clinical states. Titers of rheumatoid agglutinins showed little change after as long as six years of therapy. When all patients were stable a double-blind cross-over study, using a placebo tablet, was instituted. Fifteen of 16 patients had a marked exacerbation of disease activity after receiving placebo for three to eight weeks. When azathioprine was reinstituted, gradual improvement again occurred so that all patients were back to their asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic state within seven months.", "contents": "Low dose, long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with azathioprine. Sixteen patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis which had been present for longer than two years, representing anatomic stages II-IV, were treated with azathioprine in doses of 50 to 175 mg/day. They were followed up for up to six years. Using the criterion of ability to work, 93% of the patients improved markedly during the time observed. Complement levels were low before treatment and tended to stabilize within the normal range as the disease became less active. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) fell during therapy but changes in ESR did not correlate well with the patients' clinical states. Titers of rheumatoid agglutinins showed little change after as long as six years of therapy. When all patients were stable a double-blind cross-over study, using a placebo tablet, was instituted. Fifteen of 16 patients had a marked exacerbation of disease activity after receiving placebo for three to eight weeks. When azathioprine was reinstituted, gradual improvement again occurred so that all patients were back to their asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic state within seven months.", "PMID": 772817} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3536", "title": "Interrelationships between platelets and coagulation in the pathogenesis of venous thrombosis.", "content": "The relationship between platelets and coagulation in the pathogenesis of venous thrombosis is reviewed. Platelet coagulant activities, coagulation factors and platelet numbers were measured pre- and postoperatively in patients who underwent hip surgery. About 50% of patients developed venous thrombosis. No significant pre-operative differences were observed in platelet coagulant activities between the group of patients who developed thrombosis and the group who did not. However, platelet counts and coagulation activities were significantly higher postoperatively in patients with thrombosis. The postoperative increase in platelet activity preceded venographically observable thrombosis. The author concludes that in patients with thrombosis there may be an increase of young platelets which are 'hyperactive' and which may trigger thrombosis in areas of stasis. It is not impossible that the increased platelet coagulation activity was the result rather than the cause of thrombosis. However, the temporal sequence of effects observed militate against this possibility.", "contents": "Interrelationships between platelets and coagulation in the pathogenesis of venous thrombosis. The relationship between platelets and coagulation in the pathogenesis of venous thrombosis is reviewed. Platelet coagulant activities, coagulation factors and platelet numbers were measured pre- and postoperatively in patients who underwent hip surgery. About 50% of patients developed venous thrombosis. No significant pre-operative differences were observed in platelet coagulant activities between the group of patients who developed thrombosis and the group who did not. However, platelet counts and coagulation activities were significantly higher postoperatively in patients with thrombosis. The postoperative increase in platelet activity preceded venographically observable thrombosis. The author concludes that in patients with thrombosis there may be an increase of young platelets which are 'hyperactive' and which may trigger thrombosis in areas of stasis. It is not impossible that the increased platelet coagulation activity was the result rather than the cause of thrombosis. However, the temporal sequence of effects observed militate against this possibility.", "PMID": 772825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3537", "title": "Prolonged rupture of fetal membranes and neonatal infections.", "content": "Fifty-one babies with prolonged rupture of fetal membranes (longer than 24 hours) were studied for evidence of latent infection. Cord blood was taken from all babies for a full blood count and blood culture. Gastric aspirates were collected and vernix swabs were taken immediately after delivery. Microscopy, culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests were done on the appropriate specimens. Each baby had a thorough medical examination immediately after birth, and 3 and 7 days afterwards. After the initial investigation they were allocated to a treatment (penicillin 50 000 U/kg/d and kanamycin 10 mg/kg/d) or a non-treatment group by randomised card selection. Six patients became infected, as was shown by a positive blood culture, while 4 of the 6 had clinical signs of infection as well. These infants were treated with penicillin and kanamycin, and all did well. None of the remaining babies showed any signs of infection. There were no deaths. Blood culture was found to correlate well with clinical infections, and many be used as a guide to latent infection and treatment.", "contents": "Prolonged rupture of fetal membranes and neonatal infections. Fifty-one babies with prolonged rupture of fetal membranes (longer than 24 hours) were studied for evidence of latent infection. Cord blood was taken from all babies for a full blood count and blood culture. Gastric aspirates were collected and vernix swabs were taken immediately after delivery. Microscopy, culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests were done on the appropriate specimens. Each baby had a thorough medical examination immediately after birth, and 3 and 7 days afterwards. After the initial investigation they were allocated to a treatment (penicillin 50 000 U/kg/d and kanamycin 10 mg/kg/d) or a non-treatment group by randomised card selection. Six patients became infected, as was shown by a positive blood culture, while 4 of the 6 had clinical signs of infection as well. These infants were treated with penicillin and kanamycin, and all did well. None of the remaining babies showed any signs of infection. There were no deaths. Blood culture was found to correlate well with clinical infections, and many be used as a guide to latent infection and treatment.", "PMID": 772827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3538", "title": "Bone marrow reconstitution using a block grafting technique.", "content": "Experiments in rabbits with radiation-induced bone marrow aplasia have demonstrated that intramedullary block grafting is a feasible procedure. This technique requires surgical interference and offers no advantage over intravenous reconstitution. We therefore suggest that it has no value in therapeutic bone marrow transplantation.", "contents": "Bone marrow reconstitution using a block grafting technique. Experiments in rabbits with radiation-induced bone marrow aplasia have demonstrated that intramedullary block grafting is a feasible procedure. This technique requires surgical interference and offers no advantage over intravenous reconstitution. We therefore suggest that it has no value in therapeutic bone marrow transplantation.", "PMID": 772828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3539", "title": "Oxprenolol and propranolol in anxiety states. A double-blind comparative study.", "content": "The efficacy of oxprenolol (Trasicor) and propranolol in controlling anxiety was compared in a double-blind study of patients with anxiety and tension. Efficacy was assessed by the investigator with the aid of a psychiatric rating scale consisting of 19 items, bythe patients using visual analogue scales, and by the investigator's and the patients' over-all assessments. Tolerance to the drugs was evaluated by over-all assessment and by means of a checklist of signs and symptoms which emerged during treatment. Little difference in the efficacy of the two drugs was observed. Both were effective in the treatment of anxiety and tension. In general, oxprenolol was significantly better tolerated than propranolol. Evidence of the intrinsic sympathomimetic activity of oxprenolol emerged during the course of the study or, alternatively, evidence that propranolol had a greater cardiac-depressant effect.", "contents": "Oxprenolol and propranolol in anxiety states. A double-blind comparative study. The efficacy of oxprenolol (Trasicor) and propranolol in controlling anxiety was compared in a double-blind study of patients with anxiety and tension. Efficacy was assessed by the investigator with the aid of a psychiatric rating scale consisting of 19 items, bythe patients using visual analogue scales, and by the investigator's and the patients' over-all assessments. Tolerance to the drugs was evaluated by over-all assessment and by means of a checklist of signs and symptoms which emerged during treatment. Little difference in the efficacy of the two drugs was observed. Both were effective in the treatment of anxiety and tension. In general, oxprenolol was significantly better tolerated than propranolol. Evidence of the intrinsic sympathomimetic activity of oxprenolol emerged during the course of the study or, alternatively, evidence that propranolol had a greater cardiac-depressant effect.", "PMID": 772831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3540", "title": "[Study of various aspects of the pathogenesis of Candida albicans infections].", "content": "Nutritional competition between Candida albicans and 6 bacteria frequently found in the gastro-intestinal tract, together with the influence of the bacterial supernatant on yeast growth were studied. Our results showed that the amount of available carbohydrates in vitro was an important growth factor. Three of the 6 carbohydrates enhanced growth. The hypothesis of an antifungal substance produced by bacteria cannot be excluded though a 10% concentration of bacterial supernatant had no inhibitory effect on fungal growth and germination. In the presence of bacteria, the percentage of germ tube formation was markedly reduced in horse serum after 4 h incubation at 37 degrees C.", "contents": "[Study of various aspects of the pathogenesis of Candida albicans infections]. Nutritional competition between Candida albicans and 6 bacteria frequently found in the gastro-intestinal tract, together with the influence of the bacterial supernatant on yeast growth were studied. Our results showed that the amount of available carbohydrates in vitro was an important growth factor. Three of the 6 carbohydrates enhanced growth. The hypothesis of an antifungal substance produced by bacteria cannot be excluded though a 10% concentration of bacterial supernatant had no inhibitory effect on fungal growth and germination. In the presence of bacteria, the percentage of germ tube formation was markedly reduced in horse serum after 4 h incubation at 37 degrees C.", "PMID": 772837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3541", "title": "Cryptococcus neoformans of saprophytic origin.", "content": "Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated on 276 occasions as follows: from pigeon faeces, 159 (45%) of 349 samples; pigeon crops, 39 (50%) of 80 crops; from drinking water, 37 (74%) of 50 samples; from the atmosphere, 3 strains in a contaminated loft. It was also recovered from 38 (19%) of 200 samples of canary faeces. It is possible that C. neoformans survives in the crop of pigeons and occasionally passes to the faeces where it multiplies. The factors influencing its presence are: the irregular cleaning of lofts, overcrowding and air-pollution from poor ventilation.", "contents": "Cryptococcus neoformans of saprophytic origin. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated on 276 occasions as follows: from pigeon faeces, 159 (45%) of 349 samples; pigeon crops, 39 (50%) of 80 crops; from drinking water, 37 (74%) of 50 samples; from the atmosphere, 3 strains in a contaminated loft. It was also recovered from 38 (19%) of 200 samples of canary faeces. It is possible that C. neoformans survives in the crop of pigeons and occasionally passes to the faeces where it multiplies. The factors influencing its presence are: the irregular cleaning of lofts, overcrowding and air-pollution from poor ventilation.", "PMID": 772838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3542", "title": "The relative susceptibility of New Zealand black and CBA mice to infection with opportunistic fungal pathogens.", "content": "The susceptibility of ageing New Zealand Black (NZB) mice to infection with a number of opportunistic fungi and yeasts wsd compared with that of similarly aged mice of the CBA strain. The NZB mice showed a greater susceptibility to lethal infection with Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans than did those of the CBA strain. Both mouse strains showed similar susceptibility to lethal infection by Allescheria boydii, Absidia corymbifera, Mucor pusillus and Rhizopus oryzae. The clinical and histopathological characteristics of the infections produced by Allesch boydii, Asp. fumigatus, Abs. corymbifera, M. pusillus and R. oryzae were similar for both mouse strains. In contrast C. albicans and Crypto. neoformans produced much more severe infections in NZB mice than in CBA mice. These results suggested that T-lymphocyte dependent immune processes played a major role in resistance to C. albicans and Crypto. neoformans but not to Abs. corymbifera, Allesch. boydii, Asp. fumigatus, M. pusillus or R. oryzae.", "contents": "The relative susceptibility of New Zealand black and CBA mice to infection with opportunistic fungal pathogens. The susceptibility of ageing New Zealand Black (NZB) mice to infection with a number of opportunistic fungi and yeasts wsd compared with that of similarly aged mice of the CBA strain. The NZB mice showed a greater susceptibility to lethal infection with Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans than did those of the CBA strain. Both mouse strains showed similar susceptibility to lethal infection by Allescheria boydii, Absidia corymbifera, Mucor pusillus and Rhizopus oryzae. The clinical and histopathological characteristics of the infections produced by Allesch boydii, Asp. fumigatus, Abs. corymbifera, M. pusillus and R. oryzae were similar for both mouse strains. In contrast C. albicans and Crypto. neoformans produced much more severe infections in NZB mice than in CBA mice. These results suggested that T-lymphocyte dependent immune processes played a major role in resistance to C. albicans and Crypto. neoformans but not to Abs. corymbifera, Allesch. boydii, Asp. fumigatus, M. pusillus or R. oryzae.", "PMID": 772839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3543", "title": "Effect of antibodies on the respiration and morphology of Candida Albicans.", "content": "Respirometry was used to study the effect of antibodies to Candida albicans on the gowth of this species in vitro. Blastospore suspensions were pre-incubated with rabbit hyperimmune and normal serum and rabbit antibody and normal gamma globulin at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes. They were then inoculated into respirometer flasks containing a semi-synthetic medium and oxygen consumption was measured at 27 degrees C. Rabbit antiserum to C. albicans serotype A inhibited the growth, as measured by O2 consumption, of serotyped A and B strains of C. albicans. The amount of inhibition appeared to be related to the prevention or retardation of germ tube formation. The growth of blastospores incubated with normal rabbit serum was filamentous, whereas, blastospores incubated with antiserum remained in the yeast phase. Inhibition of O2 consumption and retardation of germ tube formation was also demonstrated with the purified gamma-globulin fraction of the antiserum.", "contents": "Effect of antibodies on the respiration and morphology of Candida Albicans. Respirometry was used to study the effect of antibodies to Candida albicans on the gowth of this species in vitro. Blastospore suspensions were pre-incubated with rabbit hyperimmune and normal serum and rabbit antibody and normal gamma globulin at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes. They were then inoculated into respirometer flasks containing a semi-synthetic medium and oxygen consumption was measured at 27 degrees C. Rabbit antiserum to C. albicans serotype A inhibited the growth, as measured by O2 consumption, of serotyped A and B strains of C. albicans. The amount of inhibition appeared to be related to the prevention or retardation of germ tube formation. The growth of blastospores incubated with normal rabbit serum was filamentous, whereas, blastospores incubated with antiserum remained in the yeast phase. Inhibition of O2 consumption and retardation of germ tube formation was also demonstrated with the purified gamma-globulin fraction of the antiserum.", "PMID": 772840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3544", "title": "Primary excision and prompt grafting as routine therapy for the treatment of thermal burns in children.", "content": "There is much evidence that the most important factor in the successful treatment of skin destruction after thermal injury is to remove dead tissue and promptly close the wound. While the exact methods employed to achieve this goal may vary, in the cases reported here three basic methods were used: (1) simple excision of burn eschar with immediate closure with autograft for small and medium-sized burns; (2) excision and immediate wound closure with autograft supplemented by allograft, with replacement of allograft by autograft before extensive allograft rejection, for large burns; and (3) immunosuppression and temporary skin transplantation for massive third degree burns. All have markedly decreased hospital stay and complications, and in large and massive burns mortality was substantially reduced.", "contents": "Primary excision and prompt grafting as routine therapy for the treatment of thermal burns in children. There is much evidence that the most important factor in the successful treatment of skin destruction after thermal injury is to remove dead tissue and promptly close the wound. While the exact methods employed to achieve this goal may vary, in the cases reported here three basic methods were used: (1) simple excision of burn eschar with immediate closure with autograft for small and medium-sized burns; (2) excision and immediate wound closure with autograft supplemented by allograft, with replacement of allograft by autograft before extensive allograft rejection, for large burns; and (3) immunosuppression and temporary skin transplantation for massive third degree burns. All have markedly decreased hospital stay and complications, and in large and massive burns mortality was substantially reduced.", "PMID": 772845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3545", "title": "Surgical radiation therapy with vicryl-125I absorbable sutures.", "content": "A convenient method of interstitial radiation therapy can be quickly and easily accomplished using absorbable Vicryl-125I sutures which offer these general advantages: long shelf life, 60 day half-life; low energy, 28 kilo electron volts, permitting patients to leave the hospital; good geometric and anatomic distribution of 125I seeds which remain in place after implantation; less radiation exposure to the operating and attending personnel due to this low energy plus the reduced exposure time provided by quick implantation; removal unnecessary, reducing exposure time; implantation using minor surgical equipment; dosage determination easily calculated; hospitalization, from the standpoint of radioactivity, unnecessary.", "contents": "Surgical radiation therapy with vicryl-125I absorbable sutures. A convenient method of interstitial radiation therapy can be quickly and easily accomplished using absorbable Vicryl-125I sutures which offer these general advantages: long shelf life, 60 day half-life; low energy, 28 kilo electron volts, permitting patients to leave the hospital; good geometric and anatomic distribution of 125I seeds which remain in place after implantation; less radiation exposure to the operating and attending personnel due to this low energy plus the reduced exposure time provided by quick implantation; removal unnecessary, reducing exposure time; implantation using minor surgical equipment; dosage determination easily calculated; hospitalization, from the standpoint of radioactivity, unnecessary.", "PMID": 772846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3546", "title": "Effects of preventive antibiotics on neutrophil phagocytosis as measured by the nitroblue tetrazolium dye test.", "content": "White blood cell counts and nitroblue tetrazolium dye tests were performed in three groups of dogs before and after the injection of Escherichia coli using colistimethate sodium and cephalothin sodium in the second and third groups, respectively, prior to the induction of sepsis. The response was a diminished white blood count and increased nitroblue tetrazolium dye test percentage in all groups. When antibiotic administration was performed prior to the induction of sepsis, the increase in the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction dye test was much more evident despite the overwhelming dose of bacteria given, suggesting that antibiotics given preoperatively will prevent the toxic effects of bacteria on the neutrophil and will enhance the phagocytic activity of the neutrophil.", "contents": "Effects of preventive antibiotics on neutrophil phagocytosis as measured by the nitroblue tetrazolium dye test. White blood cell counts and nitroblue tetrazolium dye tests were performed in three groups of dogs before and after the injection of Escherichia coli using colistimethate sodium and cephalothin sodium in the second and third groups, respectively, prior to the induction of sepsis. The response was a diminished white blood count and increased nitroblue tetrazolium dye test percentage in all groups. When antibiotic administration was performed prior to the induction of sepsis, the increase in the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction dye test was much more evident despite the overwhelming dose of bacteria given, suggesting that antibiotics given preoperatively will prevent the toxic effects of bacteria on the neutrophil and will enhance the phagocytic activity of the neutrophil.", "PMID": 772847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3547", "title": "Direct effect of endotoxin on the gastric mucosal microcirculation and electrical gradient.", "content": "The effects of intra-arterial infusion of E. coli endotoxin at 1.0 mg. per minute on the gastric total and mucosal blood flows, electrical potential difference, and ionic fluxes across the gastric mucosa were studied in an exteriorized, chambered preparation of canine fundic stomach. Gamma-labelled microsphere technique was used in addition to venous drainage and plasma aminopyrine clearance for the measurement of total and mucosal blood flow, respectively. In spite of normal systemic blood pressure throughout the experiment, E. coli endotoxin infusion caused a significant decrease in total gastric blood flow and in the fractional distribution of flow to the mucosae. There was no significant arteriovenous shunting of microspheres. Significant reduction in potential difference and hydrogen-ion back diffusion also was noted after endotoxin infusion, possibly as a consequence of reduced mucosal blood flow. The results indicate that significant gastric mucosal ischemia can occur and may represent a mechanism in the development of gastric erosions in endotoxemia, even in the absence of systemic hypotension.", "contents": "Direct effect of endotoxin on the gastric mucosal microcirculation and electrical gradient. The effects of intra-arterial infusion of E. coli endotoxin at 1.0 mg. per minute on the gastric total and mucosal blood flows, electrical potential difference, and ionic fluxes across the gastric mucosa were studied in an exteriorized, chambered preparation of canine fundic stomach. Gamma-labelled microsphere technique was used in addition to venous drainage and plasma aminopyrine clearance for the measurement of total and mucosal blood flow, respectively. In spite of normal systemic blood pressure throughout the experiment, E. coli endotoxin infusion caused a significant decrease in total gastric blood flow and in the fractional distribution of flow to the mucosae. There was no significant arteriovenous shunting of microspheres. Significant reduction in potential difference and hydrogen-ion back diffusion also was noted after endotoxin infusion, possibly as a consequence of reduced mucosal blood flow. The results indicate that significant gastric mucosal ischemia can occur and may represent a mechanism in the development of gastric erosions in endotoxemia, even in the absence of systemic hypotension.", "PMID": 772857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3548", "title": "[E. coli enterotoxicosis in unweaned piglets. I. Some concepts (author's transl)].", "content": "In a brief review, attention is drawn to a number of findings on infections with enteropathogenic E. coli in suckling piglets: serological typinge K88 antigen, colonisation, enterotoxin production and enterosorption, absence of symptoms of inflammation in the bowel wall and significance of the various immunoglobulin classes. The term E. coli enterotoxicosis used to designate the disease is preferred to terms such as E. coli diarrhoea, E. coli enteritis and (enterotoxic) colibacillosis.", "contents": "[E. coli enterotoxicosis in unweaned piglets. I. Some concepts (author's transl)]. In a brief review, attention is drawn to a number of findings on infections with enteropathogenic E. coli in suckling piglets: serological typinge K88 antigen, colonisation, enterotoxin production and enterosorption, absence of symptoms of inflammation in the bowel wall and significance of the various immunoglobulin classes. The term E. coli enterotoxicosis used to designate the disease is preferred to terms such as E. coli diarrhoea, E. coli enteritis and (enterotoxic) colibacillosis.", "PMID": 772876} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3549", "title": "[E. coli enterotoxicosis in unweaned piglets. II. Preparation and preventive administration of immunoglobulins (author's transl)].", "content": "Laboratory and field trials were made of an immunoglobulin prepared from sows hyperimmunized with E. coli O149:K91,K88. Of the three methods of inoculation (oral, intramuscular and intraperitoneal) used in laboratory trials in specific pathogen-free (SPF) piglets, oral administration was found to result in the lowest concentration of immunoglobulin in the serum of the piglets. There was little difference between the concentration of immunoglobulin in the serum of the piglets following intramuscular administration and that following intrperitoneal administration. Oral and intraperitoneal inoculation of preparations of immunoglobulin were adopted in three herds in which enterotoxaemia caused by E. coli O149:K91,K88 was a recurrent problem. It can be concluded from these experiments that administration of immunoglobulins does offer some, but definitely inadequate, protection as a preventive measure in enterotoxaemia due to E. coli.", "contents": "[E. coli enterotoxicosis in unweaned piglets. II. Preparation and preventive administration of immunoglobulins (author's transl)]. Laboratory and field trials were made of an immunoglobulin prepared from sows hyperimmunized with E. coli O149:K91,K88. Of the three methods of inoculation (oral, intramuscular and intraperitoneal) used in laboratory trials in specific pathogen-free (SPF) piglets, oral administration was found to result in the lowest concentration of immunoglobulin in the serum of the piglets. There was little difference between the concentration of immunoglobulin in the serum of the piglets following intramuscular administration and that following intrperitoneal administration. Oral and intraperitoneal inoculation of preparations of immunoglobulin were adopted in three herds in which enterotoxaemia caused by E. coli O149:K91,K88 was a recurrent problem. It can be concluded from these experiments that administration of immunoglobulins does offer some, but definitely inadequate, protection as a preventive measure in enterotoxaemia due to E. coli.", "PMID": 772877} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3550", "title": "[E. coli enterotoxicosis in unweaned piglets. III. Preparation and use of vaccines in enterotoxaemia due to E. coli in newborn piglets in the Netherlands].", "content": "The preparation of a number of E. coli vaccines designed to prevent enterotoxicosis due to E. coli in young piglets is discussed. The results of laboratory experiments concerned with the production of haemagglutinating antibodies in pigs following inoculation of this vaccine are reported. This oil-adjuvant vaccine (OAV) was used in the field in thirty-one herds in which enterotoxicosis due to E. coli was a recurrent problem. It is concluded from serological and clinical observations that the use of this vaccine is advisable on farms on which enterotoxicosis due to E. coli occurs in young piglets.", "contents": "[E. coli enterotoxicosis in unweaned piglets. III. Preparation and use of vaccines in enterotoxaemia due to E. coli in newborn piglets in the Netherlands]. The preparation of a number of E. coli vaccines designed to prevent enterotoxicosis due to E. coli in young piglets is discussed. The results of laboratory experiments concerned with the production of haemagglutinating antibodies in pigs following inoculation of this vaccine are reported. This oil-adjuvant vaccine (OAV) was used in the field in thirty-one herds in which enterotoxicosis due to E. coli was a recurrent problem. It is concluded from serological and clinical observations that the use of this vaccine is advisable on farms on which enterotoxicosis due to E. coli occurs in young piglets.", "PMID": 772878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3551", "title": "[E. coli enterotoxicosis in unweaned piglets. IV. Evaluation of results obtained on using an adjuvant vaccine in the field (author's transl)].", "content": "The results obtained on using an adjuvant vaccine against enterotoxaemia caused by E. coli in suckling piglets are discussed on the basis of an inquiry conducted among a number of veterinary practitioners. The vaccine contains the OK groups O138:K81,K88, O141:K85ab and O149:K91,K88 and is administered parenterally to the dams during the latter half of gestation. The inquiry which covered 4,000 sows on fifty-five farms showed that, as regards diarrhoea during the first week of life, morbidity in the offspring of vaccinated sows decreased from 83 per cent to 6 per cent and that mortality dropped from 23 per cent to 0.3 per cent. Clinical results were slightly less satisfactory where diarrhoea during the second and third weeks of life was concerned. The importance of serological typing prior to vaccination is stressed. Abortion occurred in 0.5 per cent of the vaccinated sows within three days after vaccination. The question is raised whether there is a relationship between this vaccination and abortion.", "contents": "[E. coli enterotoxicosis in unweaned piglets. IV. Evaluation of results obtained on using an adjuvant vaccine in the field (author's transl)]. The results obtained on using an adjuvant vaccine against enterotoxaemia caused by E. coli in suckling piglets are discussed on the basis of an inquiry conducted among a number of veterinary practitioners. The vaccine contains the OK groups O138:K81,K88, O141:K85ab and O149:K91,K88 and is administered parenterally to the dams during the latter half of gestation. The inquiry which covered 4,000 sows on fifty-five farms showed that, as regards diarrhoea during the first week of life, morbidity in the offspring of vaccinated sows decreased from 83 per cent to 6 per cent and that mortality dropped from 23 per cent to 0.3 per cent. Clinical results were slightly less satisfactory where diarrhoea during the second and third weeks of life was concerned. The importance of serological typing prior to vaccination is stressed. Abortion occurred in 0.5 per cent of the vaccinated sows within three days after vaccination. The question is raised whether there is a relationship between this vaccination and abortion.", "PMID": 772879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3552", "title": "Pharmacologic analysis of positive chronotropic and inotropic responses to octopamine.", "content": "Effects of octopamine on sinus rate and atrial contractility were investigated using the isolated atrium preparation of the dog which perfused with heparinized arterial blood led from a support dog. When octopamine, dopamine or norepinephrine was administered into the cannulated sinus node artery, positive chronotropic and inotropic responses were dose-relatedly induced from 0.1 mug, 0.1 mug or 0.01 mug, respectively. The D.R.50 values (dose ratio at 50% maximum response) of octopamine, dopamine and norepinephrine are roughly 30-100: 30:1, respectively. The duration of action of octopamine was longest. Effects induced by octopamine were blocked by an adrenergic beta-blocking agent, alprenolol. Desmethyl-imipramine treatment significantly suppressed octopamine-induced effects but rather enhanced norepinephrine-induced ones. Octopamine-induced effects were not influenced by tetrodotoxin which blocked those induced by nicotine. From these results, it is concluded that positive chronotropic and inotropic responses to octopamine are mainly due to a tyramine-like action.", "contents": "Pharmacologic analysis of positive chronotropic and inotropic responses to octopamine. Effects of octopamine on sinus rate and atrial contractility were investigated using the isolated atrium preparation of the dog which perfused with heparinized arterial blood led from a support dog. When octopamine, dopamine or norepinephrine was administered into the cannulated sinus node artery, positive chronotropic and inotropic responses were dose-relatedly induced from 0.1 mug, 0.1 mug or 0.01 mug, respectively. The D.R.50 values (dose ratio at 50% maximum response) of octopamine, dopamine and norepinephrine are roughly 30-100: 30:1, respectively. The duration of action of octopamine was longest. Effects induced by octopamine were blocked by an adrenergic beta-blocking agent, alprenolol. Desmethyl-imipramine treatment significantly suppressed octopamine-induced effects but rather enhanced norepinephrine-induced ones. Octopamine-induced effects were not influenced by tetrodotoxin which blocked those induced by nicotine. From these results, it is concluded that positive chronotropic and inotropic responses to octopamine are mainly due to a tyramine-like action.", "PMID": 772882} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3553", "title": "Dynamic changes of serum LH and FSH during pregnancy and puerperium.", "content": "Changes of serum LH (HCG) and FSH, and their response to LH-RH during pregnancy and puerperium were studied by radioimmunoassay. There was little change in serum FSH level due to progression of pregnancy, and the serum FSH level of pregnant women was almost unchanged after injection of LH-RH. Serum LH (HCG) which decreased rapidly after delivery returned at about 15 days after parturition, and FSH which remained at a low level during pregnancy returned to the levels in the follicular phase of the normal women at about 20 days after delivery. The alteration in the response to LH-RH in puerperal period was as follows: First FSH began to respond about 10 days after delivery, and one month after parturition both LH and FSH showed remarkable response in comparison with that in the normal non-pregnant period. Beyond the second postpartal month, the response of FSH returned to approximately the same level as that in the normal non-pregnant period, but the response of LH was still marked when compared with that in the non-pregnant period. There were no differences in the response to LH-RH between the nursing and non-nursing women.", "contents": "Dynamic changes of serum LH and FSH during pregnancy and puerperium. Changes of serum LH (HCG) and FSH, and their response to LH-RH during pregnancy and puerperium were studied by radioimmunoassay. There was little change in serum FSH level due to progression of pregnancy, and the serum FSH level of pregnant women was almost unchanged after injection of LH-RH. Serum LH (HCG) which decreased rapidly after delivery returned at about 15 days after parturition, and FSH which remained at a low level during pregnancy returned to the levels in the follicular phase of the normal women at about 20 days after delivery. The alteration in the response to LH-RH in puerperal period was as follows: First FSH began to respond about 10 days after delivery, and one month after parturition both LH and FSH showed remarkable response in comparison with that in the normal non-pregnant period. Beyond the second postpartal month, the response of FSH returned to approximately the same level as that in the normal non-pregnant period, but the response of LH was still marked when compared with that in the non-pregnant period. There were no differences in the response to LH-RH between the nursing and non-nursing women.", "PMID": 772883} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3554", "title": "Histamine changes in Plasmodium falciparum malaria.", "content": "Histamine, serum complement factor 3 (C'3) and platelets were studied in 33 Plasmodium falciparum patients. Elevation of histamine level in the blood was found during acute infection but was more marked in the group of patients with systemic complications. A correlation between histamine changes, clinical complications, reduction of C'3 and degree of thrombocytopenia was observed. The possible role of histamine in the development of complications in P. falciparum infection and the possible release of this substance through the activation of complement system and immune destruction of platelets were discussed.", "contents": "Histamine changes in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Histamine, serum complement factor 3 (C'3) and platelets were studied in 33 Plasmodium falciparum patients. Elevation of histamine level in the blood was found during acute infection but was more marked in the group of patients with systemic complications. A correlation between histamine changes, clinical complications, reduction of C'3 and degree of thrombocytopenia was observed. The possible role of histamine in the development of complications in P. falciparum infection and the possible release of this substance through the activation of complement system and immune destruction of platelets were discussed.", "PMID": 772896} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3555", "title": "XIII. Cerebral circulation and metabolism in stroke. Cerebral circulation and metabolism in stroke study group.", "content": "An understanding of the cerebral circulation is so fundamental to comprehension of the pathogenesis of stroke that cerebral blood flow and metabolism merit review in this series of reports. The authors recognize that the research described here is very technical in nature and may appear to have little practical application to clinical medicine. Nevertheless, these matters are basic to the development of precise methods for the measurement of regional cerebral blood flow in man which could be used to monitor the therapy of stroke with greater success than is possible at present.", "contents": "XIII. Cerebral circulation and metabolism in stroke. Cerebral circulation and metabolism in stroke study group. An understanding of the cerebral circulation is so fundamental to comprehension of the pathogenesis of stroke that cerebral blood flow and metabolism merit review in this series of reports. The authors recognize that the research described here is very technical in nature and may appear to have little practical application to clinical medicine. Nevertheless, these matters are basic to the development of precise methods for the measurement of regional cerebral blood flow in man which could be used to monitor the therapy of stroke with greater success than is possible at present.", "PMID": 772892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3556", "title": "[Cellular immunity in two familial cases of thyroid carcinoma (author's transl)].", "content": "Cellular immunity in two brothers with thyroid carcinoma in a family presenting pathological thyroid changes is investigated. In these brothers a low PHA lymphocyte blast-transformation and an elevated number of surface membrane Ig bearing lymphocytes were observed. These data are discussed in relation to the question of immunological defects which frequently are present in carcinoma patients.", "contents": "[Cellular immunity in two familial cases of thyroid carcinoma (author's transl)]. Cellular immunity in two brothers with thyroid carcinoma in a family presenting pathological thyroid changes is investigated. In these brothers a low PHA lymphocyte blast-transformation and an elevated number of surface membrane Ig bearing lymphocytes were observed. These data are discussed in relation to the question of immunological defects which frequently are present in carcinoma patients.", "PMID": 772897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3557", "title": "Adjustable nonimplantable electrical stimulators for correction of urinary incontinence.", "content": "Investigations of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the closing muscles in the lower urinary tract using nonimplantable electrical stimulators have reached the final stage. The optimal stimuli parameters were chosen on the basis of neurophysiological studies of the urinary tract and urodynamic measurements of mechanical response to electrical stimulation. According to these findings, two electronic systems for FES have been developed. An adjustable system for stimulation of the urethral closing mechanism using vaginal or anal plugs. The external unit of the stimulator contains a generator producing square-wave pulses. The vaginal and anal plugs are from Vitalograph Ltd, and Cardiac Recorders Ltd., commercial tipes redesigned to suit our needs. Frequency and duration of the pulses can be individually adjusted for each patient. An automatic integrated adjustable system for stimulation of the urethral closing mechanism built into a vaginal plug. This stimulator is based on completely new design principles. It has the form of a cylinder with hemispherical ends. Both the electronic unit and battery supply are located within. The system is completely automatic and is started by placing the stimulator in the vagina. Both systems mentioned were constructed for curing stress incontinence, post-operative incontinence, enuresis and in some cases for use in incontinent paraplegics. Clinical evaluation has given satisfactory results for both types of stimulators in the above-mentioned patients. They are simple to use and instructions can be given in an urologist's prescription. Permanent or intermittent application is possible.", "contents": "Adjustable nonimplantable electrical stimulators for correction of urinary incontinence. Investigations of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the closing muscles in the lower urinary tract using nonimplantable electrical stimulators have reached the final stage. The optimal stimuli parameters were chosen on the basis of neurophysiological studies of the urinary tract and urodynamic measurements of mechanical response to electrical stimulation. According to these findings, two electronic systems for FES have been developed. An adjustable system for stimulation of the urethral closing mechanism using vaginal or anal plugs. The external unit of the stimulator contains a generator producing square-wave pulses. The vaginal and anal plugs are from Vitalograph Ltd, and Cardiac Recorders Ltd., commercial tipes redesigned to suit our needs. Frequency and duration of the pulses can be individually adjusted for each patient. An automatic integrated adjustable system for stimulation of the urethral closing mechanism built into a vaginal plug. This stimulator is based on completely new design principles. It has the form of a cylinder with hemispherical ends. Both the electronic unit and battery supply are located within. The system is completely automatic and is started by placing the stimulator in the vagina. Both systems mentioned were constructed for curing stress incontinence, post-operative incontinence, enuresis and in some cases for use in incontinent paraplegics. Clinical evaluation has given satisfactory results for both types of stimulators in the above-mentioned patients. They are simple to use and instructions can be given in an urologist's prescription. Permanent or intermittent application is possible.", "PMID": 772909} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3558", "title": "EMG-patterns of pelvic floor muscles with surface electrodes.", "content": "On reviewing the literature most authors were found to have used needle electrodes for recording muscle potentials of pelvic floor muscles. We used for the first time a vaginal tampon electrode to record potentials of musculus levator ani in females and the same electrode to record potentials of the external anal sphincter. Recording with surface electrodes is especially recommendable for repetitive investigations for follow-up studies in outpatients and children. EMG patterns of pelvic floor muscles with vaginal tampon electrodes are comparable with those derived by needle electrode. EMG criteria of diagrams in upper motor neuron lesion, lower motor neuron lesion and with irritable bladders are discussed and explained.", "contents": "EMG-patterns of pelvic floor muscles with surface electrodes. On reviewing the literature most authors were found to have used needle electrodes for recording muscle potentials of pelvic floor muscles. We used for the first time a vaginal tampon electrode to record potentials of musculus levator ani in females and the same electrode to record potentials of the external anal sphincter. Recording with surface electrodes is especially recommendable for repetitive investigations for follow-up studies in outpatients and children. EMG patterns of pelvic floor muscles with vaginal tampon electrodes are comparable with those derived by needle electrode. EMG criteria of diagrams in upper motor neuron lesion, lower motor neuron lesion and with irritable bladders are discussed and explained.", "PMID": 772910} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3559", "title": "[The treatment of locally confined prostatic carcinoma: radiotherapy versus total prostatectomy (author's transl)].", "content": "Recent data show that carcinoma of the prostate is not radioresistant. But not all prostatic cancers are radiosensitive. All information available in the literature on histologically proven local destruction of prostatic cancer tissue, all survival data and reported complications after radiation treatment are reviewed and discussed. The results of radical surgical treatment from various authors but mainly from the series of Belt and Schr\u00f6der are used for comparison. From these data it is evident that total prostatectomy of stage B and C tumors is superior to radiation therapy as far as local eradication of tumor goes. Five- and ten-year actuarial survival rates are about identical for stage B disease but favor total prostatectomy in stage C patients. Sexual impotence, the most important lasting complication of total prostatectomy, is present in 23-47% of patients after radiotherapy. Urinary incontinence is not known after irradiation but reported after surgery. Long term damage of the lower urinary tract, the gastrointestinal system, or the lymphatics was reported in 2-24% of patients after radiotherapy. The indication for radiation treatment in stage D patients is very questionable. Exact surgical staging by iliac and obturator lymphadenectomy is desirable to rule out stage D disease in locally confined tumors. Radiation treatment is indicated in patients who are not willing to undergo surgery, who are unwilling to accept sexual impotence, or who are poor candidates for surgery from other reasons.", "contents": "[The treatment of locally confined prostatic carcinoma: radiotherapy versus total prostatectomy (author's transl)]. Recent data show that carcinoma of the prostate is not radioresistant. But not all prostatic cancers are radiosensitive. All information available in the literature on histologically proven local destruction of prostatic cancer tissue, all survival data and reported complications after radiation treatment are reviewed and discussed. The results of radical surgical treatment from various authors but mainly from the series of Belt and Schr\u00f6der are used for comparison. From these data it is evident that total prostatectomy of stage B and C tumors is superior to radiation therapy as far as local eradication of tumor goes. Five- and ten-year actuarial survival rates are about identical for stage B disease but favor total prostatectomy in stage C patients. Sexual impotence, the most important lasting complication of total prostatectomy, is present in 23-47% of patients after radiotherapy. Urinary incontinence is not known after irradiation but reported after surgery. Long term damage of the lower urinary tract, the gastrointestinal system, or the lymphatics was reported in 2-24% of patients after radiotherapy. The indication for radiation treatment in stage D patients is very questionable. Exact surgical staging by iliac and obturator lymphadenectomy is desirable to rule out stage D disease in locally confined tumors. Radiation treatment is indicated in patients who are not willing to undergo surgery, who are unwilling to accept sexual impotence, or who are poor candidates for surgery from other reasons.", "PMID": 772913} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3560", "title": "Aggressive management of genitourinary complications of renal transplantation.", "content": "In the course of 184 renal transplantations performed in St. Louis since 1963, twenty-six minor and twenty-three major complications have occurred. As a result of these complications four kidneys have been lost and 1 patient has died. Aggressive therapy has been utilized in the management of all but two of the major complications and is associated with one death and the loss of two kidneys. On the basis of these results intensive therapy for genitourinary complications is encouraged, and the principles of therapy are discussed.", "contents": "Aggressive management of genitourinary complications of renal transplantation. In the course of 184 renal transplantations performed in St. Louis since 1963, twenty-six minor and twenty-three major complications have occurred. As a result of these complications four kidneys have been lost and 1 patient has died. Aggressive therapy has been utilized in the management of all but two of the major complications and is associated with one death and the loss of two kidneys. On the basis of these results intensive therapy for genitourinary complications is encouraged, and the principles of therapy are discussed.", "PMID": 772914} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3561", "title": "Emergency cadaveric donor en bloc nephrectomy by in-corpora perfusion technique.", "content": "A rapid and safe technique of donor nephrectomy using in-corpora perfusion is described. This technique has the advantages of minimizing the warm ischemic time, avoiding damage to the accessory renal arteries, as well as providing aortic cuffs for small pediatric donor renal arteries.", "contents": "Emergency cadaveric donor en bloc nephrectomy by in-corpora perfusion technique. A rapid and safe technique of donor nephrectomy using in-corpora perfusion is described. This technique has the advantages of minimizing the warm ischemic time, avoiding damage to the accessory renal arteries, as well as providing aortic cuffs for small pediatric donor renal arteries.", "PMID": 772915} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3562", "title": "Abnormalities of bladder innervation in diabetes mellitus.", "content": "Electrophysiologic evaluation of the neural pathways involved in bladder and urethral function is described in 30 patients with diabetes mellitus. The study showed decreased conduction velocities in patients with the detrusor reflex as well as in detrusor areflexia. The findings indicated that diabetic vesical dysfunction is principally the result of segmental demyelination in the peripheral nerve supply to the detrusor muscle and urethra.", "contents": "Abnormalities of bladder innervation in diabetes mellitus. Electrophysiologic evaluation of the neural pathways involved in bladder and urethral function is described in 30 patients with diabetes mellitus. The study showed decreased conduction velocities in patients with the detrusor reflex as well as in detrusor areflexia. The findings indicated that diabetic vesical dysfunction is principally the result of segmental demyelination in the peripheral nerve supply to the detrusor muscle and urethra.", "PMID": 772918} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3563", "title": "Prevention of lethal pseudomonas bacteremia with epimerase-deficient E. coli antiserum.", "content": "All of these experiments demonstrate that despite many microbiologic differences between Pseudomonas and the enteric rods, there is a close immunologic relationship between their endotoxin cores. These studies also show that by genetic manipulation we can unmask a protective antigen for preparing antiserum with a broad range of activity, even in the face of neutropenia. Production of potent human J5 antiserum is a safe, simple procedure, making it possible to consider endotoxin core antibody treatment of all Gram negative bacteremia in patients regardless of the causative organism.", "contents": "Prevention of lethal pseudomonas bacteremia with epimerase-deficient E. coli antiserum. All of these experiments demonstrate that despite many microbiologic differences between Pseudomonas and the enteric rods, there is a close immunologic relationship between their endotoxin cores. These studies also show that by genetic manipulation we can unmask a protective antigen for preparing antiserum with a broad range of activity, even in the face of neutropenia. Production of potent human J5 antiserum is a safe, simple procedure, making it possible to consider endotoxin core antibody treatment of all Gram negative bacteremia in patients regardless of the causative organism.", "PMID": 772922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3564", "title": "[Stimulating effect of autotransplantation of preserved bone marrow on hematopoiesis].", "content": "In a given communication, the results of transplantation of autologous bone marrow, preserved at -50 degrees in the medium 199, added 10% low-molecular polyvinylpyrrolidone, are reported. Fourty two patients with pulmonary cancer of stage III and IV after pathohistological studies were subjected to chemoradiation therapy. The study of peripheral blood, the sternum and iliac bone needle biopsy specimens following this therapy has evidenced an inhibition of bone marrow hemopoiesis and of megakaryocytic growth, in particular. Autotransplantation of the preserved bone marrow against the background of inhibited hemopoiesis results in a nearly complete restoration of the bone marrow hemopoiesis.", "contents": "[Stimulating effect of autotransplantation of preserved bone marrow on hematopoiesis]. In a given communication, the results of transplantation of autologous bone marrow, preserved at -50 degrees in the medium 199, added 10% low-molecular polyvinylpyrrolidone, are reported. Fourty two patients with pulmonary cancer of stage III and IV after pathohistological studies were subjected to chemoradiation therapy. The study of peripheral blood, the sternum and iliac bone needle biopsy specimens following this therapy has evidenced an inhibition of bone marrow hemopoiesis and of megakaryocytic growth, in particular. Autotransplantation of the preserved bone marrow against the background of inhibited hemopoiesis results in a nearly complete restoration of the bone marrow hemopoiesis.", "PMID": 772940} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3565", "title": "[Primary multiple tumors in women treated for cancer of the cervix uteri].", "content": "Observations of primary multiple tumors in patients with cervical cancer, treated during the period of 1946--1970, are analysed. It was found that the number of patients with multiple tumors increased considerably as compared with the period of 1926--1947. Most frequently, the second malignant tumor was observed in the internal genitalia, mammary gland and digestive tract.", "contents": "[Primary multiple tumors in women treated for cancer of the cervix uteri]. Observations of primary multiple tumors in patients with cervical cancer, treated during the period of 1946--1970, are analysed. It was found that the number of patients with multiple tumors increased considerably as compared with the period of 1926--1947. Most frequently, the second malignant tumor was observed in the internal genitalia, mammary gland and digestive tract.", "PMID": 772963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3566", "title": "[Clinical trial of the preparation Caved S in treating peptic ulcer].", "content": "The observations upon the therapeutic effect of Caved S preparation are reported, being a combination of deglycyrrhizinated liquorice, alkalizing substances and vagolytic drugs. The clinical trial of the medicine reveals it to be with a quick effect on the subjective complaints good tolerance and no manifested disturbances on water and electrolyte balance. It is suitable for the treatment of patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers. Ulcer niche roentgenologically is healed in 37,5% of the patients with gastric ulcer and in 33% in the patients with duodenal ulcer. Endoscopically, the niche is healed in 25% of the patients with gastric ulcer and in 28,5%--with duodenal ulcer. The medicine is with no effect in cases of gastric callous ulcer, as well as with pyloric stenosis.", "contents": "[Clinical trial of the preparation Caved S in treating peptic ulcer]. The observations upon the therapeutic effect of Caved S preparation are reported, being a combination of deglycyrrhizinated liquorice, alkalizing substances and vagolytic drugs. The clinical trial of the medicine reveals it to be with a quick effect on the subjective complaints good tolerance and no manifested disturbances on water and electrolyte balance. It is suitable for the treatment of patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers. Ulcer niche roentgenologically is healed in 37,5% of the patients with gastric ulcer and in 33% in the patients with duodenal ulcer. Endoscopically, the niche is healed in 25% of the patients with gastric ulcer and in 28,5%--with duodenal ulcer. The medicine is with no effect in cases of gastric callous ulcer, as well as with pyloric stenosis.", "PMID": 772969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3567", "title": "[Clinical trial of the Bulgarian digitalis preparation, Digilanide C used intravenously].", "content": "The Bulgarian digitalis preparation Digilanid C for venous application has a satisc factory effect on the majority of the patients (67 per cent) with light and moderate chronic cardia insufficiency and espically in case of tachycardia in auricular fibrillation. The comparison of the results between the group of 46 patients, treated with Digilanid C and the control group of 20 patients treated with Isolanid (Richter) do not reveal essential differences in the major part of the results obtained.", "contents": "[Clinical trial of the Bulgarian digitalis preparation, Digilanide C used intravenously]. The Bulgarian digitalis preparation Digilanid C for venous application has a satisc factory effect on the majority of the patients (67 per cent) with light and moderate chronic cardia insufficiency and espically in case of tachycardia in auricular fibrillation. The comparison of the results between the group of 46 patients, treated with Digilanid C and the control group of 20 patients treated with Isolanid (Richter) do not reveal essential differences in the major part of the results obtained.", "PMID": 772973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3568", "title": "[Clinical studies of beta-methyl-digoxin in patients with cardiac decompensation].", "content": "The results are reported from the observations on the activity of the semi-synthetic preparation beta-Methyl-Digoxin in 60 patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency. The conclusions are based on the data, obtained by a series of clinical and instrumental examinations, electro- and balistocardiography included, measurements of venous pressure, etc. The high efficiency and good tolerance of the preparation is stressed upon. It is stressed to be especially suitable for the treatment of patients with bradycardic form of chronic heart decompensation as well as in the treatment of cardiac cirrhosis.", "contents": "[Clinical studies of beta-methyl-digoxin in patients with cardiac decompensation]. The results are reported from the observations on the activity of the semi-synthetic preparation beta-Methyl-Digoxin in 60 patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency. The conclusions are based on the data, obtained by a series of clinical and instrumental examinations, electro- and balistocardiography included, measurements of venous pressure, etc. The high efficiency and good tolerance of the preparation is stressed upon. It is stressed to be especially suitable for the treatment of patients with bradycardic form of chronic heart decompensation as well as in the treatment of cardiac cirrhosis.", "PMID": 772974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3569", "title": "[Comparative clinical studies of the effectiveness of the most frequently used antibiotics in the period of 1961-1970].", "content": "The results from the treatment of 1086 patients, treated at the Therapeutic Clinic, HMI- Sofia were followed up for the period 1961-1970 incld. Acute bacterial and vuris-bacterial pneumonias were found in 318 patients, 475 of the patients were with exacerbated chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, with exacerbated chronic pyelo-nephritis -216 patients and with exacerbated chronic cholecystitis and cholangiohepatitis --92 patients. The effect of the treatment was determined according to a three-stage scale \"good\" with complete clinical healing (in acute pneumonia), with \"improvement\"--with complete clinical remission (in chronic infections) and \"without effect\". Clinical and paraclinical indices were used as criteria in the determination of the effectiveness. The data are statistically processed according to the method of variation analysis. In patients with acute pneumonia the- best effectiveness was manifested by tetraolean (88,7 per cent), tetracylins (77,8 per cent), chloramphenicol (76,8 per cent), penicillin (72,5 per cent), the combination penicillin-streptomycin (71,9 per cent); in patients with exacerbated chronic bronchitis--tetraolean (88,0 per cent), chloramphenicol (73,2 per cent), tetracylins (65,3 per cent); in patients with exacerbated chronic pyelonephritis - chloramphenicol (65,5 per cent); in patients with exacerbated chronic cholecystitis and cholecysto-cholangiohepatitis-tetraolean (70,7 per cent), tetracyclins (66,7 per cent), chloramphenicol (66,1 per cent).", "contents": "[Comparative clinical studies of the effectiveness of the most frequently used antibiotics in the period of 1961-1970]. The results from the treatment of 1086 patients, treated at the Therapeutic Clinic, HMI- Sofia were followed up for the period 1961-1970 incld. Acute bacterial and vuris-bacterial pneumonias were found in 318 patients, 475 of the patients were with exacerbated chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, with exacerbated chronic pyelo-nephritis -216 patients and with exacerbated chronic cholecystitis and cholangiohepatitis --92 patients. The effect of the treatment was determined according to a three-stage scale \"good\" with complete clinical healing (in acute pneumonia), with \"improvement\"--with complete clinical remission (in chronic infections) and \"without effect\". Clinical and paraclinical indices were used as criteria in the determination of the effectiveness. The data are statistically processed according to the method of variation analysis. In patients with acute pneumonia the- best effectiveness was manifested by tetraolean (88,7 per cent), tetracylins (77,8 per cent), chloramphenicol (76,8 per cent), penicillin (72,5 per cent), the combination penicillin-streptomycin (71,9 per cent); in patients with exacerbated chronic bronchitis--tetraolean (88,0 per cent), chloramphenicol (73,2 per cent), tetracylins (65,3 per cent); in patients with exacerbated chronic pyelonephritis - chloramphenicol (65,5 per cent); in patients with exacerbated chronic cholecystitis and cholecysto-cholangiohepatitis-tetraolean (70,7 per cent), tetracyclins (66,7 per cent), chloramphenicol (66,1 per cent).", "PMID": 772978} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3570", "title": "[Clinical evaluation of tetraaolean: comparative studies with tetracycline].", "content": "The results from the comparative clinical studies on the effectiveness of tetraolean and tetracycline are summed up about 1672 patients with acute and exacerbated infections of the respiratory organs (1036 patient, treated by ten teams, working on the theme given in advance \"Comparative clinical studies between tetraolean and tetracyclin in acute pneumonia\", 164 patients with postgrippe viral-bacterial pneumonia, treated during the grippe epidemy 1972/1973 and 445 patient treated at the Therapeutic Clinic, Sofia during 1967-1972). The total results reveal that, according to the adopted objective indices, the therapeutic effect of tetraolean is with a statistically significant superiority over tetracyclin. The beneficial results obtained in the treatment of 14 patients with endocarditis lenta are also reported. The mechanisms of that superior effect, defined as \"clinical synergism\" are discussed.", "contents": "[Clinical evaluation of tetraaolean: comparative studies with tetracycline]. The results from the comparative clinical studies on the effectiveness of tetraolean and tetracycline are summed up about 1672 patients with acute and exacerbated infections of the respiratory organs (1036 patient, treated by ten teams, working on the theme given in advance \"Comparative clinical studies between tetraolean and tetracyclin in acute pneumonia\", 164 patients with postgrippe viral-bacterial pneumonia, treated during the grippe epidemy 1972/1973 and 445 patient treated at the Therapeutic Clinic, Sofia during 1967-1972). The total results reveal that, according to the adopted objective indices, the therapeutic effect of tetraolean is with a statistically significant superiority over tetracyclin. The beneficial results obtained in the treatment of 14 patients with endocarditis lenta are also reported. The mechanisms of that superior effect, defined as \"clinical synergism\" are discussed.", "PMID": 772979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3571", "title": "Gallstones.", "content": "Cholesterol saturation of bile has a primary role in the pathogenesis of gallstone formation. Predisposing factors should be considered. The characteristic features of biliary colic are important to keep in mind, as well as the fact that a history of fatty food intolerance is not of value in the diagnosis of gallstones. The technique of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is useful for the diagnosis of bile duct stones in jaundiced patients and in patients with a strong clinical history, but in whom findings on oral and intravenous cholangiograms are within normal limits. Improved techniques of operative cholangiography to diminish the incidence of retained gallstones have been developed. Also, choledochoscopy provides a remarkable technique for diagnosis and choledocholithotomy. The dissolution of gallstones with chenodeoxycholic acid is an experimental procedure. This bile acid is thought to act by increasing the chenodeoxycholic acid pool size and decreasing cholesterol synthesis and secretion, thereby reversing the defects responsible for gallstone formation.", "contents": "Gallstones. Cholesterol saturation of bile has a primary role in the pathogenesis of gallstone formation. Predisposing factors should be considered. The characteristic features of biliary colic are important to keep in mind, as well as the fact that a history of fatty food intolerance is not of value in the diagnosis of gallstones. The technique of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is useful for the diagnosis of bile duct stones in jaundiced patients and in patients with a strong clinical history, but in whom findings on oral and intravenous cholangiograms are within normal limits. Improved techniques of operative cholangiography to diminish the incidence of retained gallstones have been developed. Also, choledochoscopy provides a remarkable technique for diagnosis and choledocholithotomy. The dissolution of gallstones with chenodeoxycholic acid is an experimental procedure. This bile acid is thought to act by increasing the chenodeoxycholic acid pool size and decreasing cholesterol synthesis and secretion, thereby reversing the defects responsible for gallstone formation.", "PMID": 772986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3572", "title": "[Diabetes mellitus and control of protein biosynthesis in rat liver (author's transl)].", "content": "Protein synthesis of liver risobosmes is markedly reduced in diabetes mellitus. This finding is well correlated with the protein catabolic state of insulin deficiency in general and with the reduction of protein synthesis by muscle ribosomes in particular. However, with regard to the mechanism of the amino acid incorporation by muscle ribosomes there is indication for an additional participation of transcription in the diabetes-induced reduction of protein synthesis by liver ribosomes. There is support for the hypothesis of an additional effect of diabetes on ribosomal wash proteins and on synthesis of ribosomal ribonucleic acids with consecutive reduction of conformation of ribosomal subunits or binding of ribosomal subunits to template RNA respectively.", "contents": "[Diabetes mellitus and control of protein biosynthesis in rat liver (author's transl)]. Protein synthesis of liver risobosmes is markedly reduced in diabetes mellitus. This finding is well correlated with the protein catabolic state of insulin deficiency in general and with the reduction of protein synthesis by muscle ribosomes in particular. However, with regard to the mechanism of the amino acid incorporation by muscle ribosomes there is indication for an additional participation of transcription in the diabetes-induced reduction of protein synthesis by liver ribosomes. There is support for the hypothesis of an additional effect of diabetes on ribosomal wash proteins and on synthesis of ribosomal ribonucleic acids with consecutive reduction of conformation of ribosomal subunits or binding of ribosomal subunits to template RNA respectively.", "PMID": 773000} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3573", "title": "[Problems of infections following renal transplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "Infections arising as a complication of immunosuppressive therapy were analyzed in more than 40 renal transplant patients. Bacterial infections were observed in 78.0%, viral in 68.3% and mycotic infections in 56.3% of cases seen during a 3-year investigation. Infection was the cause of death in 5 out of 8 cases with fatal complications. Bacterial infections of the lungs were amongst the gravest post-transplant complications. Hepatitis B, herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus were the most common viral infections. Simultaneous bacterial, viral and Candida albicans infections--so-called \"triple infections\"--with a very poor prognosis were diagnosed in 25% of the investigated cases. The data show that after cadaveric kidney transplantation special emphasis should be laid on careful prophylaxis of infections and diagnostic measures for the early recognition of possible infections arising as a complication of immunosuppressive therapy.", "contents": "[Problems of infections following renal transplantation (author's transl)]. Infections arising as a complication of immunosuppressive therapy were analyzed in more than 40 renal transplant patients. Bacterial infections were observed in 78.0%, viral in 68.3% and mycotic infections in 56.3% of cases seen during a 3-year investigation. Infection was the cause of death in 5 out of 8 cases with fatal complications. Bacterial infections of the lungs were amongst the gravest post-transplant complications. Hepatitis B, herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus were the most common viral infections. Simultaneous bacterial, viral and Candida albicans infections--so-called \"triple infections\"--with a very poor prognosis were diagnosed in 25% of the investigated cases. The data show that after cadaveric kidney transplantation special emphasis should be laid on careful prophylaxis of infections and diagnostic measures for the early recognition of possible infections arising as a complication of immunosuppressive therapy.", "PMID": 773001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3574", "title": "[Historical report on the situation of the \"fight against tuberculosis\" in the town of Halle, Germany, 1899 (author's transl)].", "content": "In 1896 the so-called \"Department X\" of the \"Association for Public Welfare\" was founded and turned to be the first organisation of the \"fight against consumption\" in the town of Halle. Under the guidance of PUTTER and REINEBOTH a first dispensary for tuberculous patients was established and became the prototype of similar institutions in Germany and other countries.", "contents": "[Historical report on the situation of the \"fight against tuberculosis\" in the town of Halle, Germany, 1899 (author's transl)]. In 1896 the so-called \"Department X\" of the \"Association for Public Welfare\" was founded and turned to be the first organisation of the \"fight against consumption\" in the town of Halle. Under the guidance of PUTTER and REINEBOTH a first dispensary for tuberculous patients was established and became the prototype of similar institutions in Germany and other countries.", "PMID": 773005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3575", "title": "[Immunopathological phenomenona in liver diseases].", "content": "More than 400 patients with acute and chronic liver diseases as well as non-hepatic diseases (control group) were examined for the existence of antibodies against mitochondria, smooth musculature and cytoblasts with the help of the immunofluorescence-serological method. The proof of the hepatitis-B antigen was carried out by means of the transmigration-electrophoresis. Auto-antibodytitres larger than 1 : 160 (limiting titres) could be established only in the chronically aggressive hepatitides and the chronically destructing non-purulent cholangitides. Whilst in the chronically destructing non-purulent cholangitides dominate high mitochondrial antibody-titres, in the chronically aggressive hepatitides the antibodies against smooth musculature and/or cytoblasts are dominating. When the hepatitis-B-antigen was present in all groups of diagnosis auto-antibody titres of 1 : 160 were not transgressed. The kind of the antibody-spectrum and the size of the antibody-titres seem to be suitable for the differential diagnosis. High mitochondrial antibody-titres in women are suspicious of a chronically destructing non-purulent cholangitis. High titres of antinuclear antibodies or such ones against smooth musculature might be a reference to the so-called auto-immune form of the chronically aggressive hepatitis. For a still better differentiation of the chronic liver diseases the determination of these antibodies seems to be valuable.", "contents": "[Immunopathological phenomenona in liver diseases]. More than 400 patients with acute and chronic liver diseases as well as non-hepatic diseases (control group) were examined for the existence of antibodies against mitochondria, smooth musculature and cytoblasts with the help of the immunofluorescence-serological method. The proof of the hepatitis-B antigen was carried out by means of the transmigration-electrophoresis. Auto-antibodytitres larger than 1 : 160 (limiting titres) could be established only in the chronically aggressive hepatitides and the chronically destructing non-purulent cholangitides. Whilst in the chronically destructing non-purulent cholangitides dominate high mitochondrial antibody-titres, in the chronically aggressive hepatitides the antibodies against smooth musculature and/or cytoblasts are dominating. When the hepatitis-B-antigen was present in all groups of diagnosis auto-antibody titres of 1 : 160 were not transgressed. The kind of the antibody-spectrum and the size of the antibody-titres seem to be suitable for the differential diagnosis. High mitochondrial antibody-titres in women are suspicious of a chronically destructing non-purulent cholangitis. High titres of antinuclear antibodies or such ones against smooth musculature might be a reference to the so-called auto-immune form of the chronically aggressive hepatitis. For a still better differentiation of the chronic liver diseases the determination of these antibodies seems to be valuable.", "PMID": 773009} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3576", "title": "[Immunodiagnostic methods in lupus erythematosus disseminatus].", "content": "In 27 patients with lupus erythematodes diseminatus the determinations of the LE-cells according to the macromethod (Zimmer and Hargraves) and the micromethod (Mudrik and co-workers) were compared with the demonstration of antinuclear factors according to the indirect immunofluorescence and immune enzyme technique. The sensitiveness of the two last-mentioned immunomorphological methods is somewhat larger. In these cases the size of the titre of the antinuclear factor almost always correlates positively with the number of the LE-cells. For the purpose of the initial diagnostics and the judgment of the course a morphological method cannot be renounced, since in the acute episode a high consumption of the antinuclear factor the immunological methods negatively correlate with the number of the LE-cells. The immune enzyme technique is to be recommended on account of the smaller expenditure, permanence of the preparations and high sensitiveness as alternative method of the immunofluorescence technique. In the micromethod the large variation is opposite to the advantage of the slight quantity of blood and to an always existing evaluability. Investigations of the lymphocytes of patients with lupus erythematodes disseminatus by means of the lymphocyte transformation test and the determination of the B-cells with the help of the direct immune peroxidase technique refer to the close pathogenetic connections of cellular and humoral immune reactions in this disease.", "contents": "[Immunodiagnostic methods in lupus erythematosus disseminatus]. In 27 patients with lupus erythematodes diseminatus the determinations of the LE-cells according to the macromethod (Zimmer and Hargraves) and the micromethod (Mudrik and co-workers) were compared with the demonstration of antinuclear factors according to the indirect immunofluorescence and immune enzyme technique. The sensitiveness of the two last-mentioned immunomorphological methods is somewhat larger. In these cases the size of the titre of the antinuclear factor almost always correlates positively with the number of the LE-cells. For the purpose of the initial diagnostics and the judgment of the course a morphological method cannot be renounced, since in the acute episode a high consumption of the antinuclear factor the immunological methods negatively correlate with the number of the LE-cells. The immune enzyme technique is to be recommended on account of the smaller expenditure, permanence of the preparations and high sensitiveness as alternative method of the immunofluorescence technique. In the micromethod the large variation is opposite to the advantage of the slight quantity of blood and to an always existing evaluability. Investigations of the lymphocytes of patients with lupus erythematodes disseminatus by means of the lymphocyte transformation test and the determination of the B-cells with the help of the direct immune peroxidase technique refer to the close pathogenetic connections of cellular and humoral immune reactions in this disease.", "PMID": 773010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3577", "title": "[Technic for the presentation and evaluation of pathognostically significant erythrocyte changes].", "content": "In this paper is described in all details a method of staining and evaluation of blood smears which was originally proposed by Clara Fonti and was revised by the authors. With the help of this method characteristic changes of the erythrocytes can be demonstrated. The changes are depending on growth processes. Without exception they appear in an increased range in the growth of malignant tumours.", "contents": "[Technic for the presentation and evaluation of pathognostically significant erythrocyte changes]. In this paper is described in all details a method of staining and evaluation of blood smears which was originally proposed by Clara Fonti and was revised by the authors. With the help of this method characteristic changes of the erythrocytes can be demonstrated. The changes are depending on growth processes. Without exception they appear in an increased range in the growth of malignant tumours.", "PMID": 773011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3578", "title": "[Progress in pancreatic X-ray diagnosis in the last 30 years].", "content": "Proceeding from the pre-war state of the radiology of the pancreas in temporary order those investigations are discussed which essentially furthered the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases. The pneumopancreatotomography allowed the first direct proof of the pancreas; it has essentially enriched the anatomic conceptions. 10 to 15 years ago the splenoportography was the most evident examination of vessels. Today it is substituted by the coeliaco-mesentericography which in the venous phase delivers a splenoportogram and which allows to prove tumours rich in vessels with sufficient certainty. The investigation of the duodenum in hypotension improves the diagnostic of space-demanding processes on the surface of the head of the pancreas. The main value of scintigraphy consists in the exclusion of pancreatic diseases. The main value of scintigraphy consists in the exclusion of pancreatic diseases. The endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticography allows to shift the operative phase into the preoperative phase. Trijodated contrast remedies and developments concerning the technics of the apparatuses resulted in essential advantages. The pancreatic space which was empty 30 years ago is very much detected nowadays, though a contrast remedy which can be secreted by the pancreas needs still the detection.", "contents": "[Progress in pancreatic X-ray diagnosis in the last 30 years]. Proceeding from the pre-war state of the radiology of the pancreas in temporary order those investigations are discussed which essentially furthered the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases. The pneumopancreatotomography allowed the first direct proof of the pancreas; it has essentially enriched the anatomic conceptions. 10 to 15 years ago the splenoportography was the most evident examination of vessels. Today it is substituted by the coeliaco-mesentericography which in the venous phase delivers a splenoportogram and which allows to prove tumours rich in vessels with sufficient certainty. The investigation of the duodenum in hypotension improves the diagnostic of space-demanding processes on the surface of the head of the pancreas. The main value of scintigraphy consists in the exclusion of pancreatic diseases. The main value of scintigraphy consists in the exclusion of pancreatic diseases. The endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticography allows to shift the operative phase into the preoperative phase. Trijodated contrast remedies and developments concerning the technics of the apparatuses resulted in essential advantages. The pancreatic space which was empty 30 years ago is very much detected nowadays, though a contrast remedy which can be secreted by the pancreas needs still the detection.", "PMID": 773013} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3579", "title": "[Breath-analysis tests in gastroenetrological diagnosis].", "content": "The introduction of a simple method for analysis of 14CO2 in breath allowed a more widely application of breath-tests in the diagnosis of gastroenterological diseases. During a breath-test a 14C-labelled compound is administered orally and 14CO2 is subsequently measured in breath by discontinuous samplings of 14CO2 by virtue of a trapping solution (hyamine hydroxide). Most helpful tests in gastroenterology are the 14C-glycyl-cholate breath test for detecting increased deconjugation of bile acids due to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or bile acid malabsorption in ileal resection or Crohn's disease of the ileum, the 14C-lactose breath test in lactase deficiency, whereas the 14C-tripalmitin test seems less helpful in the diagnosis of fat malabsorption. A 14C-aminopyrine breath test may turn out to be a simple and valuable liver function test. Oral loading tests with breath analysis of H2 have shown to be helpful in the diagnosis of carbohydrate malabsorption, determination of intestinal transit time and intestinal gas production. Due to technical reasons (gas-chromatographie analysis) H2-breath analysis is still limited to research centers. Despite low radiation doses after oral administration of 14C-labelled compounds oral loading tests with H2- or 13C-analysis might be preferable in the future.", "contents": "[Breath-analysis tests in gastroenetrological diagnosis]. The introduction of a simple method for analysis of 14CO2 in breath allowed a more widely application of breath-tests in the diagnosis of gastroenterological diseases. During a breath-test a 14C-labelled compound is administered orally and 14CO2 is subsequently measured in breath by discontinuous samplings of 14CO2 by virtue of a trapping solution (hyamine hydroxide). Most helpful tests in gastroenterology are the 14C-glycyl-cholate breath test for detecting increased deconjugation of bile acids due to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or bile acid malabsorption in ileal resection or Crohn's disease of the ileum, the 14C-lactose breath test in lactase deficiency, whereas the 14C-tripalmitin test seems less helpful in the diagnosis of fat malabsorption. A 14C-aminopyrine breath test may turn out to be a simple and valuable liver function test. Oral loading tests with breath analysis of H2 have shown to be helpful in the diagnosis of carbohydrate malabsorption, determination of intestinal transit time and intestinal gas production. Due to technical reasons (gas-chromatographie analysis) H2-breath analysis is still limited to research centers. Despite low radiation doses after oral administration of 14C-labelled compounds oral loading tests with H2- or 13C-analysis might be preferable in the future.", "PMID": 773014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3580", "title": "[Hormonal limitation of lactation (author's transl)].", "content": "A doubleblind study comparing the limitation of lactation and absence of side effects of the oral estrogen Quinestrol with an injected drug. The main point was limitation of lactation immediately following delivery up to the first period. Table 1 shows an analysis of results. The oral drug was better and called \"very good\" only in the immediate postpartum time. There was no significant difference in the second phase up to the first postpartum period. The interval between delivery and first period was 8 - 9 weeks s. table 2. There was no difference in the intensity of the first perio\" s. table 3.", "contents": "[Hormonal limitation of lactation (author's transl)]. A doubleblind study comparing the limitation of lactation and absence of side effects of the oral estrogen Quinestrol with an injected drug. The main point was limitation of lactation immediately following delivery up to the first period. Table 1 shows an analysis of results. The oral drug was better and called \"very good\" only in the immediate postpartum time. There was no significant difference in the second phase up to the first postpartum period. The interval between delivery and first period was 8 - 9 weeks s. table 2. There was no difference in the intensity of the first perio\" s. table 3.", "PMID": 773016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3581", "title": "Antenatal diagnosis by means of ultrasound in the rare case of foetal parasitic tumor.", "content": "A case of hydramnion is presented. Antenatal diagnosis of a tumor in the sacral region of the foetus was made by means of ultrasound, while the roentgen investigation gave a negative result. Postnatal confirmation of the ultrasound diagnosis was subsequently obtained and a detailed patho-histological description of an abnormal foetus is given.", "contents": "Antenatal diagnosis by means of ultrasound in the rare case of foetal parasitic tumor. A case of hydramnion is presented. Antenatal diagnosis of a tumor in the sacral region of the foetus was made by means of ultrasound, while the roentgen investigation gave a negative result. Postnatal confirmation of the ultrasound diagnosis was subsequently obtained and a detailed patho-histological description of an abnormal foetus is given.", "PMID": 773017} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3582", "title": "[A simple method for measuring the surface areas of membranes in histology demonstrated on the calf hypophysis].", "content": "The work carried out with the hypophysis of three calves to demonstrate that a sharp border line does not exist between Adeno- and Neurohypophysis. The result of these experiments show that on the average 57,1% of border line is of connective tissure and the remaining area lacks this type of membrane. In the border area lacking connective tissue, basophil Adeno-Hypophysis cells play an important role in transporting the secretion from Adeno- to Neurohypophysis. The basophil infiltration in the pars posterior are in the form of spread branches which could distinctly be seen; The infiltrating cells are in group or in the form of solid line rather than the isolated form, while the single cells could be noticed around the formers. These cells penetrate only a short distance in Neurohypophysis. The basophil Adenohypophysis cells lose their shape and original charakteristic gradually as they farther infiltrate in, and finally dissolved and considered as a holocrine secretion.", "contents": "[A simple method for measuring the surface areas of membranes in histology demonstrated on the calf hypophysis]. The work carried out with the hypophysis of three calves to demonstrate that a sharp border line does not exist between Adeno- and Neurohypophysis. The result of these experiments show that on the average 57,1% of border line is of connective tissure and the remaining area lacks this type of membrane. In the border area lacking connective tissue, basophil Adeno-Hypophysis cells play an important role in transporting the secretion from Adeno- to Neurohypophysis. The basophil infiltration in the pars posterior are in the form of spread branches which could distinctly be seen; The infiltrating cells are in group or in the form of solid line rather than the isolated form, while the single cells could be noticed around the formers. These cells penetrate only a short distance in Neurohypophysis. The basophil Adenohypophysis cells lose their shape and original charakteristic gradually as they farther infiltrate in, and finally dissolved and considered as a holocrine secretion.", "PMID": 773018} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3583", "title": "[Polysaccharide additives in foods rich in proteins. i Sample preparation for estimation, especially in fresh cheese (author's transl)].", "content": "Published procedures for the isolation of polysaccharides from foods rich in proteins, especially fresh cheese, proved not very useful for the concentration in question (0,01--0.2%). We, instead, propose the following sample preparation: 1. Removal of lipids by an ethanol--ethyl ether--petrol ether mixture; 2. complete hydrolysis of proteins with pepsin, pronase E and a mixture of aminopeptidase M and prolidase; 3. separation of the polysaccharides from the low molecular substances and from enzyme residues by gel filtration on Biogel P-2; 4. concentration of the polysaccharides containing fraction by freeze drying, ultrafiltration or evaporation. --The method was tested with quarg and double cream fresh cheese, it can, however, be adopted to use in other products.", "contents": "[Polysaccharide additives in foods rich in proteins. i Sample preparation for estimation, especially in fresh cheese (author's transl)]. Published procedures for the isolation of polysaccharides from foods rich in proteins, especially fresh cheese, proved not very useful for the concentration in question (0,01--0.2%). We, instead, propose the following sample preparation: 1. Removal of lipids by an ethanol--ethyl ether--petrol ether mixture; 2. complete hydrolysis of proteins with pepsin, pronase E and a mixture of aminopeptidase M and prolidase; 3. separation of the polysaccharides from the low molecular substances and from enzyme residues by gel filtration on Biogel P-2; 4. concentration of the polysaccharides containing fraction by freeze drying, ultrafiltration or evaporation. --The method was tested with quarg and double cream fresh cheese, it can, however, be adopted to use in other products.", "PMID": 773033} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3584", "title": "A modification of anti-streptolysin-O-test.", "content": "In this short communication, we have suggested a simple and economic method of performing ASOT. It is a simpler method than that previously recommended by the Wellcome Reagents Limited, in their pamphlet. It requires only 0.05 ml. of the patient's serum and also smaller quantities of all reagents. This reduces the cost of each investigation considerably.", "contents": "A modification of anti-streptolysin-O-test. In this short communication, we have suggested a simple and economic method of performing ASOT. It is a simpler method than that previously recommended by the Wellcome Reagents Limited, in their pamphlet. It requires only 0.05 ml. of the patient's serum and also smaller quantities of all reagents. This reduces the cost of each investigation considerably.", "PMID": 773032} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3585", "title": "[Evaluation of phenylalkanoic acid derivatives in the management of rheumatic diseases as well as various explanations on the doctrine of clinical research technics].", "content": "The pharmacology and toxicology of the phenylalkanoic derivatives are discussed with particular reference to Ibuprofen. Clinical trials of Ibuprofen are reviewed and their methodology assessed. A more rational approach to anti-inflammatory drug evaluation is suggested and the need for closer international co-operation in establishing a standardized approach to clinical trial methodology is emphasised.", "contents": "[Evaluation of phenylalkanoic acid derivatives in the management of rheumatic diseases as well as various explanations on the doctrine of clinical research technics]. The pharmacology and toxicology of the phenylalkanoic derivatives are discussed with particular reference to Ibuprofen. Clinical trials of Ibuprofen are reviewed and their methodology assessed. A more rational approach to anti-inflammatory drug evaluation is suggested and the need for closer international co-operation in establishing a standardized approach to clinical trial methodology is emphasised.", "PMID": 773034} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3586", "title": "[Guidelines for synovial cytology].", "content": "Certain technical requirements have to be satisfied when synovial fluid is submitted for evaluation. This is to enable examination of the cell morphology and the polysaccharide and lipoid histochemistry of the cells and the dried liquid phase. The cell physiology should be considered when evaluating the cytogramme. Morphological and histochemical examination of the background indicate which biochemical estimations of the liquid phase are needed, and thus represent added diagnostic tools for evaluation of joint diseases. Cytolysis, cell involution and substrate condensation are discussed in detail.", "contents": "[Guidelines for synovial cytology]. Certain technical requirements have to be satisfied when synovial fluid is submitted for evaluation. This is to enable examination of the cell morphology and the polysaccharide and lipoid histochemistry of the cells and the dried liquid phase. The cell physiology should be considered when evaluating the cytogramme. Morphological and histochemical examination of the background indicate which biochemical estimations of the liquid phase are needed, and thus represent added diagnostic tools for evaluation of joint diseases. Cytolysis, cell involution and substrate condensation are discussed in detail.", "PMID": 773035} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3587", "title": "[Studies on the influence of psychological factors on the immune system: the result of infantile stimulation on the disease course in neonatal mice with bacterial infection].", "content": "NMRI mice of both sexes were, from the first to the tenth day of life, either stimulated by means of handling, or sensorically, or not stimulated at all (the control group). On the tenth day of life, they were separated from their mothers, inoculated intraperitoneally with E.coli O 111 and subsequently subjected to a total deprivation of food and water. The handling-group animals died significantly (1% level) faster than did the sensorically stimulated and the non-treated control group animals. No significant differences could be found in the mortality rates of the last two mentioned groups. After subdividing the animals into five weight classes, a comparative analysis of the three groups showed that the differences in mortality were independent of body weight. The significance of these first animal experiment data on the influence of early experience on the course of infectious diseases in childhood is discussed.", "contents": "[Studies on the influence of psychological factors on the immune system: the result of infantile stimulation on the disease course in neonatal mice with bacterial infection]. NMRI mice of both sexes were, from the first to the tenth day of life, either stimulated by means of handling, or sensorically, or not stimulated at all (the control group). On the tenth day of life, they were separated from their mothers, inoculated intraperitoneally with E.coli O 111 and subsequently subjected to a total deprivation of food and water. The handling-group animals died significantly (1% level) faster than did the sensorically stimulated and the non-treated control group animals. No significant differences could be found in the mortality rates of the last two mentioned groups. After subdividing the animals into five weight classes, a comparative analysis of the three groups showed that the differences in mortality were independent of body weight. The significance of these first animal experiment data on the influence of early experience on the course of infectious diseases in childhood is discussed.", "PMID": 773038} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3588", "title": "[Sanitary-index significance of enterococci in the study of household articles].", "content": "A total of 670 washings from various household articles were studied in creches and kindergartens for fecal contamination with the aid of two bacteriological tests (coli and enterococal titres); the degree of their contamination with enterococci and E. coli differed. Strongly contaminated objects (diapers, swaddling tables) were revealed with equal frequency by both tests, but objects assessed as moderately contaminated were more frequently revealed by the enterococcus test (P less than 0.05) than by colimetry. Criteria of evaluation of the quality of washings by the data of enterococcometry are suggested.", "contents": "[Sanitary-index significance of enterococci in the study of household articles]. A total of 670 washings from various household articles were studied in creches and kindergartens for fecal contamination with the aid of two bacteriological tests (coli and enterococal titres); the degree of their contamination with enterococci and E. coli differed. Strongly contaminated objects (diapers, swaddling tables) were revealed with equal frequency by both tests, but objects assessed as moderately contaminated were more frequently revealed by the enterococcus test (P less than 0.05) than by colimetry. Criteria of evaluation of the quality of washings by the data of enterococcometry are suggested.", "PMID": 773055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3589", "title": "[New principles for obtaining protective antigens from deep cutlures of enterobacteria].", "content": "A model of S. typhi submerged culture was used; application of the principle of sparing extraction of surface protective antigens by the action of sublethal concentrations of two damaging agents differing by the mechanism of inhibition of the processes of vital activity of the microorganisms was founded. The principle is based on regularities characteristic of cells of bacterial pupulations: a) nonhomogeneity of individual cells of the population by the resistance to the damaging agents, and b) independence of distribution in the population cells of resistance to different damaging agents. The following typhoid antigens were obtained by combined action of sublethal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0.25%) and formalin (0.1%): antigens with a full antigenic structure (inducing formation of O-, Vi- and H-antibodies), of low toxicity (V50 - 0.65+/-19 mg) and highly immunogenic (AU50- 0.45+/-0.25 mug) in experiments on mice.", "contents": "[New principles for obtaining protective antigens from deep cutlures of enterobacteria]. A model of S. typhi submerged culture was used; application of the principle of sparing extraction of surface protective antigens by the action of sublethal concentrations of two damaging agents differing by the mechanism of inhibition of the processes of vital activity of the microorganisms was founded. The principle is based on regularities characteristic of cells of bacterial pupulations: a) nonhomogeneity of individual cells of the population by the resistance to the damaging agents, and b) independence of distribution in the population cells of resistance to different damaging agents. The following typhoid antigens were obtained by combined action of sublethal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0.25%) and formalin (0.1%): antigens with a full antigenic structure (inducing formation of O-, Vi- and H-antibodies), of low toxicity (V50 - 0.65+/-19 mg) and highly immunogenic (AU50- 0.45+/-0.25 mug) in experiments on mice.", "PMID": 773058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3590", "title": "[Study of mutants of Salmonella typhimurium with altered sensitivity to the antibiotic fusidin].", "content": "S. typhimurium mutants with altered sensitivity to fusidic acid (more resistant or more sensitive than the original culture) were selected. The mutants studied changed some of their properties (morphology, antigenic structure, and biochemical activity). They were characterized by a lower growth rate and probably by some alterations in the envelope cell structures- Some mutants acquired cross resistance or sensitivity to other antibiotics. As the mutants were selected by increased resistance or sensitivity to fusidic acid which affected the translocation factor G of the ribosome cycle, such pleiotropic changes of their properties could be due to some alterations in the G-factor itself.", "contents": "[Study of mutants of Salmonella typhimurium with altered sensitivity to the antibiotic fusidin]. S. typhimurium mutants with altered sensitivity to fusidic acid (more resistant or more sensitive than the original culture) were selected. The mutants studied changed some of their properties (morphology, antigenic structure, and biochemical activity). They were characterized by a lower growth rate and probably by some alterations in the envelope cell structures- Some mutants acquired cross resistance or sensitivity to other antibiotics. As the mutants were selected by increased resistance or sensitivity to fusidic acid which affected the translocation factor G of the ribosome cycle, such pleiotropic changes of their properties could be due to some alterations in the G-factor itself.", "PMID": 773059} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3591", "title": "[So-called mucoid forms of vibrio cholerae].", "content": "The authors present materials indicating that examination of nonagglutinating vibrios in the agglutination reaction with cholera sera after boiling, according to Sakazaki recommendation (1971), did not provide recognition of mucoid forms of cholera vibrio and its differentiation from cholera-like vibrios of other serological groups. It is suggested that one should take into consideration morphological peculiarities of the culture, stability of agglutination with cholera O-serum and the results of reaction of antibody adsorption in identification of cholera vibrios in the mucoid form.", "contents": "[So-called mucoid forms of vibrio cholerae]. The authors present materials indicating that examination of nonagglutinating vibrios in the agglutination reaction with cholera sera after boiling, according to Sakazaki recommendation (1971), did not provide recognition of mucoid forms of cholera vibrio and its differentiation from cholera-like vibrios of other serological groups. It is suggested that one should take into consideration morphological peculiarities of the culture, stability of agglutination with cholera O-serum and the results of reaction of antibody adsorption in identification of cholera vibrios in the mucoid form.", "PMID": 773060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3592", "title": "[Data on the identification of staphylococci of hospital origin. Report 2. Method of biological typing of S. epidermis].", "content": "In accordance with the principles of numerical taxonomy the authors elaborated a new method of biological typing of S. epidermidis strains of hospital origin based on the use of 5 tests (gelatinase, hemolysis, lecithinase, phosphatase, lysozyme). The suggested scheme includes 5 biotypes. In typing 690 S. epidermidis strains it was revealed that 47.5% belonged to biotype 1,14.4% - to type 2,11.2% - to type 3,7.7% - to type 4,14.5% - to type 5, and 4.7% were nontyping strains. The suggested scheme permitted better differentiation of the cultures under study than methods of biological typing suggested earlier by foreign authors. The new scheme requires wide approbation.", "contents": "[Data on the identification of staphylococci of hospital origin. Report 2. Method of biological typing of S. epidermis]. In accordance with the principles of numerical taxonomy the authors elaborated a new method of biological typing of S. epidermidis strains of hospital origin based on the use of 5 tests (gelatinase, hemolysis, lecithinase, phosphatase, lysozyme). The suggested scheme includes 5 biotypes. In typing 690 S. epidermidis strains it was revealed that 47.5% belonged to biotype 1,14.4% - to type 2,11.2% - to type 3,7.7% - to type 4,14.5% - to type 5, and 4.7% were nontyping strains. The suggested scheme permitted better differentiation of the cultures under study than methods of biological typing suggested earlier by foreign authors. The new scheme requires wide approbation.", "PMID": 773061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3593", "title": "[The dynamics of the registration of neurosyphilis according to autopsy findings over a forty year period (1933-1972)].", "content": "The material of dissections obtained from 4 large mental hospitals of Moscow and the Kashchenko mental hospital speaks in favour of the fact that there is a steady drop and lethality from neurosyphilis, the absence of tabes dorsalis during the past 40 years, of meningo-encephalitis and of a significant reduction of cases with tabo-paralysis and brain gummas.", "contents": "[The dynamics of the registration of neurosyphilis according to autopsy findings over a forty year period (1933-1972)]. The material of dissections obtained from 4 large mental hospitals of Moscow and the Kashchenko mental hospital speaks in favour of the fact that there is a steady drop and lethality from neurosyphilis, the absence of tabes dorsalis during the past 40 years, of meningo-encephalitis and of a significant reduction of cases with tabo-paralysis and brain gummas.", "PMID": 773065} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3594", "title": "Polyglycolic acid (Dexon) versus silk for fascial closure of abdominal incisions.", "content": "Suture-granulomas were previously found in 6% of patients subjected to colorectal surgery. It was therefore investigated whether the use of polyglycolic acid (Dexon) instead of silk for fascial closure of abdominal incisions would reduce the rate of granulomas without an accompanying increase in rate of wound dehiscences. The two sutures were evaluated in a triple blind, randomized trial, using the paired sample principle in patients subjected to elective gastrointestinal surgery. One gram of Pentrexyl powder was applied to the subfascial space in all the patients and the wounds were examined 10 days, 1 and 3 months after the operations. The trial was terminated when a closed sequential analysis had shown a significantly higher rate of dehiscences after closure with silk (12/163) than after closure with polyglycolic acid (1/163). Seven patients had granulomas after silk and one after polyglycolic acid at that time. Postoperative wound infections occurred in 7 patients after silk and 8 after polyglycolic acid. It is concluced that the use of polyglycolic acid (Dexon) nearly eliminates the risk of suture-granulomas, without increasing the risk of wound dehiscences; on the contrary, the rate of dehiscences was lower after polyglycolic acid.", "contents": "Polyglycolic acid (Dexon) versus silk for fascial closure of abdominal incisions. Suture-granulomas were previously found in 6% of patients subjected to colorectal surgery. It was therefore investigated whether the use of polyglycolic acid (Dexon) instead of silk for fascial closure of abdominal incisions would reduce the rate of granulomas without an accompanying increase in rate of wound dehiscences. The two sutures were evaluated in a triple blind, randomized trial, using the paired sample principle in patients subjected to elective gastrointestinal surgery. One gram of Pentrexyl powder was applied to the subfascial space in all the patients and the wounds were examined 10 days, 1 and 3 months after the operations. The trial was terminated when a closed sequential analysis had shown a significantly higher rate of dehiscences after closure with silk (12/163) than after closure with polyglycolic acid (1/163). Seven patients had granulomas after silk and one after polyglycolic acid at that time. Postoperative wound infections occurred in 7 patients after silk and 8 after polyglycolic acid. It is concluced that the use of polyglycolic acid (Dexon) nearly eliminates the risk of suture-granulomas, without increasing the risk of wound dehiscences; on the contrary, the rate of dehiscences was lower after polyglycolic acid.", "PMID": 773068} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3595", "title": "The effect of respiratory frequency on pulmonary function during artificial ventilation. A review.", "content": "This is a review of previous studies on the effects of variations between 12 and 24 breaths per minute in ventilation frequency during artificial ventilation, minute ventilation being constant. The total material consisted of 66 healthy subjects investigated under anaesthesia with artificial ventilation and 43 patients investigated during prolonged respiratory treatment. An increase in ventilation frequency resulted in an increased ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT) and in diminished alveolar ventilation with a subsequent elevation of Paco2. The pressures in airways and alveoli were lowered. The dynamic compliance both of the lungs and of the chest wall was diminished and inspiratory resistance was slightly reduced. Intrapulmonary gas distribution was unaffected. Cardiac output was increased, as was venous admixture. Pao2 was slightly reduced. The more efficient gas exchange occurring at a low ventilation frequency makes this setting preferable in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, whereas a high ventilation frequency, by improving cardiac output, may be advantageous in patients with circulatory failure.", "contents": "The effect of respiratory frequency on pulmonary function during artificial ventilation. A review. This is a review of previous studies on the effects of variations between 12 and 24 breaths per minute in ventilation frequency during artificial ventilation, minute ventilation being constant. The total material consisted of 66 healthy subjects investigated under anaesthesia with artificial ventilation and 43 patients investigated during prolonged respiratory treatment. An increase in ventilation frequency resulted in an increased ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT) and in diminished alveolar ventilation with a subsequent elevation of Paco2. The pressures in airways and alveoli were lowered. The dynamic compliance both of the lungs and of the chest wall was diminished and inspiratory resistance was slightly reduced. Intrapulmonary gas distribution was unaffected. Cardiac output was increased, as was venous admixture. Pao2 was slightly reduced. The more efficient gas exchange occurring at a low ventilation frequency makes this setting preferable in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, whereas a high ventilation frequency, by improving cardiac output, may be advantageous in patients with circulatory failure.", "PMID": 773076} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3596", "title": "Clinical trial of piracetam in disorders of consciousness due to head injury.", "content": "The authors first remind some toxicological and some pharmacological properties of piracetam (Nootropil), then present the results of a test giving evidence of the presence of this drug in the cerebrospinal fluid after intravenous administration to man. In a double blind study, the activity of piracetam is tested on 31 patients suffering from coma after head injury. Only 27 patients without intracranial space occupying lesions are taken into account. Methods and results are described. Piracetam, although showing no activity on mortality, improves the level of consciousness.", "contents": "Clinical trial of piracetam in disorders of consciousness due to head injury. The authors first remind some toxicological and some pharmacological properties of piracetam (Nootropil), then present the results of a test giving evidence of the presence of this drug in the cerebrospinal fluid after intravenous administration to man. In a double blind study, the activity of piracetam is tested on 31 patients suffering from coma after head injury. Only 27 patients without intracranial space occupying lesions are taken into account. Methods and results are described. Piracetam, although showing no activity on mortality, improves the level of consciousness.", "PMID": 773078} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3597", "title": "Microscopic observations on the interaction of heavy meromyosin-S-1 and actin in myofibrils.", "content": "The binding of the proteolytic myosin fragment, HMM-S-1, to the non-overlapping part of actin filaments in intact myofibrils can be demonstrated under the phase contrast microscope as a contrast reversal of striation. The same effect can be seen on ghost myofibrils (after myosin extraction) where the whole length of the I-filaments is bare. HMM-S-1-loaded ghost myofibrils contracted upon addition of ATP in agrement with the recent report of Oplatka et al. (1974a, b) but under the same conditions ghost myofibrils not treated with HMM-S-1) also contracted. If the ghosts were prepared under conditions more favourable to myosin extraction, contraction became nil or negligible even when we loaded then ghosts with S-1. Thus we attribute the effect described by Oplatka's group to a small numer of residual myosin filaments in the ghosts.", "contents": "Microscopic observations on the interaction of heavy meromyosin-S-1 and actin in myofibrils. The binding of the proteolytic myosin fragment, HMM-S-1, to the non-overlapping part of actin filaments in intact myofibrils can be demonstrated under the phase contrast microscope as a contrast reversal of striation. The same effect can be seen on ghost myofibrils (after myosin extraction) where the whole length of the I-filaments is bare. HMM-S-1-loaded ghost myofibrils contracted upon addition of ATP in agrement with the recent report of Oplatka et al. (1974a, b) but under the same conditions ghost myofibrils not treated with HMM-S-1) also contracted. If the ghosts were prepared under conditions more favourable to myosin extraction, contraction became nil or negligible even when we loaded then ghosts with S-1. Thus we attribute the effect described by Oplatka's group to a small numer of residual myosin filaments in the ghosts.", "PMID": 773079} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3598", "title": "Effect of CB 154 (2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine) on paralysis agitans compared with Madopar in a double-blind, cross-over trial.", "content": "Twenty patients with paralysis agitans took part in a double-blind, cross-over investigation of CB 154 (2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine) and Madopar (L-Dopa + benserazid (a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor), dose ratio 4:1). Each treatment phase lasted for 8 weeks. Modapar was found to be significantly superior to CB 154 in the treatment of the Parkinson state as a whole (Webster total score) and the individual symptoms of hypokinesia, rigidity and tremor. Compared with pretreatment score, CB 154 had a weak, but significant effect on tremor, but not on the Webster total score, hypokinesia and rigidity. The effect of CB 154, however, varied: four patients preferred CB 154 to Madopar on account of its satisfactory therapeutic effect and fewer side-effects (\"on-off\" phenomena, hyperkinesia, psychiatric complications); other patients showed neither therapeutic effect nor side-effects of CB 154, which in some cases may be related to too low a dose-level of CB 154 (median 30 mg daily, range 20-60 mg). In the four cases first mentioned which showed a good effect of CB 154, the ratio between the dose of CB 154 and the dose of L-Dopa (in Madopar) was 3.5-10 mg/100 mg, i.e. in certain cases it must be assumed that the maximum dose of CB 154 lies around 120 mg daily.", "contents": "Effect of CB 154 (2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine) on paralysis agitans compared with Madopar in a double-blind, cross-over trial. Twenty patients with paralysis agitans took part in a double-blind, cross-over investigation of CB 154 (2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine) and Madopar (L-Dopa + benserazid (a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor), dose ratio 4:1). Each treatment phase lasted for 8 weeks. Modapar was found to be significantly superior to CB 154 in the treatment of the Parkinson state as a whole (Webster total score) and the individual symptoms of hypokinesia, rigidity and tremor. Compared with pretreatment score, CB 154 had a weak, but significant effect on tremor, but not on the Webster total score, hypokinesia and rigidity. The effect of CB 154, however, varied: four patients preferred CB 154 to Madopar on account of its satisfactory therapeutic effect and fewer side-effects (\"on-off\" phenomena, hyperkinesia, psychiatric complications); other patients showed neither therapeutic effect nor side-effects of CB 154, which in some cases may be related to too low a dose-level of CB 154 (median 30 mg daily, range 20-60 mg). In the four cases first mentioned which showed a good effect of CB 154, the ratio between the dose of CB 154 and the dose of L-Dopa (in Madopar) was 3.5-10 mg/100 mg, i.e. in certain cases it must be assumed that the maximum dose of CB 154 lies around 120 mg daily.", "PMID": 773080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3599", "title": "Short-term clinical trial of phopranolol in racemic form (Inderal), D-propranolol and placebo in migraine.", "content": "Propranolol penetrates the blood brain barrier, whereas mainly the racemic form, Inderal, possesses beta-receptor blocking properties. A comparison between d-propranolol and Inderal might therefore indicate the relative importance of the beta blocking properties and possible \"central\" effects mediated by propranolol and of importance in migraine prophylaxis. The effects of propranolol in racemic form (Inderal) 40 mg q.i.d., d-propranolol 40 mg q.i.d. and placebo were compared in 20 migraine patients. Inderal as well as d-propranolol were significantly superior to placebo. Inderal seemed to be more effective than d-propranolol, but the difference was not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05). The results indicate that beta-receptor blocking properties, but possibly also properties other than the beta-blocking ones, may be of importance for the anti-migraine effect of propranolol.", "contents": "Short-term clinical trial of phopranolol in racemic form (Inderal), D-propranolol and placebo in migraine. Propranolol penetrates the blood brain barrier, whereas mainly the racemic form, Inderal, possesses beta-receptor blocking properties. A comparison between d-propranolol and Inderal might therefore indicate the relative importance of the beta blocking properties and possible \"central\" effects mediated by propranolol and of importance in migraine prophylaxis. The effects of propranolol in racemic form (Inderal) 40 mg q.i.d., d-propranolol 40 mg q.i.d. and placebo were compared in 20 migraine patients. Inderal as well as d-propranolol were significantly superior to placebo. Inderal seemed to be more effective than d-propranolol, but the difference was not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05). The results indicate that beta-receptor blocking properties, but possibly also properties other than the beta-blocking ones, may be of importance for the anti-migraine effect of propranolol.", "PMID": 773081} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3600", "title": "Clonidine (Catapresan)-double-blind study after long-term treatment with the drug in migraine.", "content": "A double-blind, cross-over study with clonidine (Catapresan) and placebo was carried out in 29 patients with migraine, who had received clonidine during a 4 to 32 months pre-test period (mean 10 months) and who appeared to have benefited from the treatment. Clonidine and placebo were given for 7 weeks each, but only the last 5 weeks in each period were used for the statistical evaluation. In the entire material, clonidine was significantly superior to placebo. In nine of the patients, however, various other factors might have influenced the attack frequency and severity. If these nine patients were excluded, no statistically significant difference between clonidine and placebo was found.", "contents": "Clonidine (Catapresan)-double-blind study after long-term treatment with the drug in migraine. A double-blind, cross-over study with clonidine (Catapresan) and placebo was carried out in 29 patients with migraine, who had received clonidine during a 4 to 32 months pre-test period (mean 10 months) and who appeared to have benefited from the treatment. Clonidine and placebo were given for 7 weeks each, but only the last 5 weeks in each period were used for the statistical evaluation. In the entire material, clonidine was significantly superior to placebo. In nine of the patients, however, various other factors might have influenced the attack frequency and severity. If these nine patients were excluded, no statistically significant difference between clonidine and placebo was found.", "PMID": 773082} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3601", "title": "Localization of phenobarbital in mouse central system by immunofluorescence.", "content": "Utilizing antibarbiturate serum in an indirect immunofluorescence system, phenobarbital has been detected in the central nervous system of mice given an overdose of drugs. Localizaiton was primarily within neurons of the limbic system, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, cervical spinal cord and trigeminal ganglion. The technic may be of value in acquiring additional information about the barbiturates as well as being of value to the forensic pathologist.", "contents": "Localization of phenobarbital in mouse central system by immunofluorescence. Utilizing antibarbiturate serum in an indirect immunofluorescence system, phenobarbital has been detected in the central nervous system of mice given an overdose of drugs. Localizaiton was primarily within neurons of the limbic system, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, cervical spinal cord and trigeminal ganglion. The technic may be of value in acquiring additional information about the barbiturates as well as being of value to the forensic pathologist.", "PMID": 773083} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3602", "title": "Computer tomography of the brain in multiple sclerosis. A radiological study of 110 patients with special reference to demonstration of cerebral plaques.", "content": "The brains of 110 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were examined by computer tomography (CT) with the fine matrix EMI scanner. In 41 cases (37 per cent) areas of low X-ray attenuation were demonstrated with elective location in the white matter around the anterior and posterior horns of the lateral ventricles. These areas are postulated to represent the well-known large periventricular plaques in MS. Contrast enhancement provided no further informattion. Cerebral plaques were concomitant to ventricular enlargement and/or cortical atrophy. Cerebral atrophy without demonstration of plaques was found in 50 cases (45 per cent) and only 19 patients (17 per cent) had normal CT scans. No difference was demonstrated between duration of disease or age at onset in plaque cases, atrophy cases and patients with normal EMI scans. The postulate regarding the nature of the low absorption areas in CT still awaits the verdict of future brain autopsies.", "contents": "Computer tomography of the brain in multiple sclerosis. A radiological study of 110 patients with special reference to demonstration of cerebral plaques. The brains of 110 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were examined by computer tomography (CT) with the fine matrix EMI scanner. In 41 cases (37 per cent) areas of low X-ray attenuation were demonstrated with elective location in the white matter around the anterior and posterior horns of the lateral ventricles. These areas are postulated to represent the well-known large periventricular plaques in MS. Contrast enhancement provided no further informattion. Cerebral plaques were concomitant to ventricular enlargement and/or cortical atrophy. Cerebral atrophy without demonstration of plaques was found in 50 cases (45 per cent) and only 19 patients (17 per cent) had normal CT scans. No difference was demonstrated between duration of disease or age at onset in plaque cases, atrophy cases and patients with normal EMI scans. The postulate regarding the nature of the low absorption areas in CT still awaits the verdict of future brain autopsies.", "PMID": 773084} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3603", "title": "Denture stomatitis. Effects of chlorhexidine and amphotericin B on the mycotic flora.", "content": "In 100 patients with denture stomatitis cultures and direct smears were used to evaluate 5 treatments, including sucking of chlorhexidine, amphotericin B or placebo tablets combined with denture soaking in 0.2% chlorhexidine or water. After 14 days of treatment the amphotericin B lozenges had brought about a significant reduction in the quantity of fungus on the oral mucosa, whereas they barely affected the large amount present on the fitting surface of the upper denture. Denture immersion in chlorhexidine significantly reduced the number of organisms both on the mucous membrane and on the denture. It therefore seems at least as important to treat the denture as the patient in denture stomatitis. Fourteen days after withdrawal of the drugs the mycotic flora was largely re-established.", "contents": "Denture stomatitis. Effects of chlorhexidine and amphotericin B on the mycotic flora. In 100 patients with denture stomatitis cultures and direct smears were used to evaluate 5 treatments, including sucking of chlorhexidine, amphotericin B or placebo tablets combined with denture soaking in 0.2% chlorhexidine or water. After 14 days of treatment the amphotericin B lozenges had brought about a significant reduction in the quantity of fungus on the oral mucosa, whereas they barely affected the large amount present on the fitting surface of the upper denture. Denture immersion in chlorhexidine significantly reduced the number of organisms both on the mucous membrane and on the denture. It therefore seems at least as important to treat the denture as the patient in denture stomatitis. Fourteen days after withdrawal of the drugs the mycotic flora was largely re-established.", "PMID": 773085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3604", "title": "Denture stomatitis. The clinical effects of chlorhexidine and amphotericin B.", "content": "The clinical effects of an antibacterial substance with antifungal activity (chlorhexidine) and specific antimycotic (amphotericin B) in denture stomatitis were studied in 100 patients. Five 14-day regimens of chlorhexidine, amphotericin B or placebo lozenges combined with denture immersion in 0.2% chlorhexidine or water were tested. The efficiency of amphotericin B and chlorhexidine was comparable. This indicates that chlorhexidine has a considerable antifungal effect in the oral cavity and, further, that fungi are the responsible micro-organism in denture stomatitis rather than bacteria. Chlorhexidine frequently discloured the dentures. A high incidence of local and general predisposing factors to denture stomatitis, as well as of relapse 14 days after treatment, was observed.", "contents": "Denture stomatitis. The clinical effects of chlorhexidine and amphotericin B. The clinical effects of an antibacterial substance with antifungal activity (chlorhexidine) and specific antimycotic (amphotericin B) in denture stomatitis were studied in 100 patients. Five 14-day regimens of chlorhexidine, amphotericin B or placebo lozenges combined with denture immersion in 0.2% chlorhexidine or water were tested. The efficiency of amphotericin B and chlorhexidine was comparable. This indicates that chlorhexidine has a considerable antifungal effect in the oral cavity and, further, that fungi are the responsible micro-organism in denture stomatitis rather than bacteria. Chlorhexidine frequently discloured the dentures. A high incidence of local and general predisposing factors to denture stomatitis, as well as of relapse 14 days after treatment, was observed.", "PMID": 773086} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3605", "title": "Occurrence of lymphocytotoxic lymphocytes and antibodies after corneal transplantation.", "content": "Twentyfive recipients of penetrating corneal grafts were investigated for the presence in the peripheral blood of cytotoxic lymphocytes by the Direct Cell Mediated Lympholysis (Direct CML) test as well as for lymphocytotoxic antibodies. Eight patients presented a positive Direct CML. Six of these patients have shown clinical signs of graft rejection, while two patients had a clinically uncomplicated course. Only one of the 25 patients had lymphocytotoxic antibodies. This patient showed a negative Direct CML, and a clinically uncomplicated course.. The findings seem to imply that recipients of corneal grafts can be immunized by their grafts and that cytotoxic lymphocytes in peripheral blood appear frequently in those patients showing graft rejection.", "contents": "Occurrence of lymphocytotoxic lymphocytes and antibodies after corneal transplantation. Twentyfive recipients of penetrating corneal grafts were investigated for the presence in the peripheral blood of cytotoxic lymphocytes by the Direct Cell Mediated Lympholysis (Direct CML) test as well as for lymphocytotoxic antibodies. Eight patients presented a positive Direct CML. Six of these patients have shown clinical signs of graft rejection, while two patients had a clinically uncomplicated course. Only one of the 25 patients had lymphocytotoxic antibodies. This patient showed a negative Direct CML, and a clinically uncomplicated course.. The findings seem to imply that recipients of corneal grafts can be immunized by their grafts and that cytotoxic lymphocytes in peripheral blood appear frequently in those patients showing graft rejection.", "PMID": 773088} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3606", "title": "The calcaneal osteotomy of Dwyer: an indication for Kiel bone.", "content": "Kiel bone has been used with uniformly good results as a bone graft in 15 cases of Dwyer's calcaneal osteotomy. It is suggested that Kiel bone is indicated for this operation in preference to autogenous bone.", "contents": "The calcaneal osteotomy of Dwyer: an indication for Kiel bone. Kiel bone has been used with uniformly good results as a bone graft in 15 cases of Dwyer's calcaneal osteotomy. It is suggested that Kiel bone is indicated for this operation in preference to autogenous bone.", "PMID": 773090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3607", "title": "Peripheral nerve injuries of the upper extremity. Sensory return of 137 neurorrhaphies.", "content": "The results of sensory recovery of 137 neurorrhaphies of the upper extremity in 96 patients are reviewed. There were 85 primary and 52 secondary repairs. Various factors influencing the results and an evaluation based on the 2-point discrimination test are presented. Secondary repair within 3 months in the hand area gives better results than primary repair.", "contents": "Peripheral nerve injuries of the upper extremity. Sensory return of 137 neurorrhaphies. The results of sensory recovery of 137 neurorrhaphies of the upper extremity in 96 patients are reviewed. There were 85 primary and 52 secondary repairs. Various factors influencing the results and an evaluation based on the 2-point discrimination test are presented. Secondary repair within 3 months in the hand area gives better results than primary repair.", "PMID": 773091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3608", "title": "[Reconstruction of the pharynx after pharyngectomy].", "content": "Forty-five patients in whom a pharyngo-laryngectomy was carried out are described; in 21, the pharynx was reconstructed by gastric transposition and in 24 by primary reconstruction with a medially based cased flap. Minor complications, such as stenosis and fistulae occurred more often after the skin flap operation and the stay of the patient in hospital in this group was considerably longer compared to those patients having the pharyngeal replacement with the transposed stomach. However, the two year survival after skin flap reconstruction was 50% as against only 10% after reconstruction with the stomach.", "contents": "[Reconstruction of the pharynx after pharyngectomy]. Forty-five patients in whom a pharyngo-laryngectomy was carried out are described; in 21, the pharynx was reconstructed by gastric transposition and in 24 by primary reconstruction with a medially based cased flap. Minor complications, such as stenosis and fistulae occurred more often after the skin flap operation and the stay of the patient in hospital in this group was considerably longer compared to those patients having the pharyngeal replacement with the transposed stomach. However, the two year survival after skin flap reconstruction was 50% as against only 10% after reconstruction with the stomach.", "PMID": 773094} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3609", "title": "Retraction of the delto-pectoral flap. Clinical observations and the design of an experimental model.", "content": "The human delto-pectoral flap retracts markedly across its breadth, but remains the same length after elevation. This unindirectional retraction declines with age. Flaps in a similar position on the pig running in the same direction behave in a similar fashion, suggesting that such flaps are a suitable animal model for the study of this property.", "contents": "Retraction of the delto-pectoral flap. Clinical observations and the design of an experimental model. The human delto-pectoral flap retracts markedly across its breadth, but remains the same length after elevation. This unindirectional retraction declines with age. Flaps in a similar position on the pig running in the same direction behave in a similar fashion, suggesting that such flaps are a suitable animal model for the study of this property.", "PMID": 773092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3610", "title": "Intravesical transurethral electrotherapy in meningomyelocele patients.", "content": "The results in 100 patients of intravesical transurethral electrotherapy in the treatment of bladder paresis and micturition defects due to meningomyelocele are reported. Positive results were attained in 71 patients. The method and the physiological development of controlled micturition are discussed.", "contents": "Intravesical transurethral electrotherapy in meningomyelocele patients. The results in 100 patients of intravesical transurethral electrotherapy in the treatment of bladder paresis and micturition defects due to meningomyelocele are reported. Positive results were attained in 71 patients. The method and the physiological development of controlled micturition are discussed.", "PMID": 773096} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3611", "title": "Skulls with facial clefts. Experimental surgery on the facial skeleton.", "content": "Skulls of adult, unoperated patients with facial clefts show additional anomalies specific for the type of cleft. In an experimental study we demonstrated that similar anomalies develop in rabbits with clefts that are artificially made in the fourth week after birth. Some surgical methods (Veau, primary osteoplasty) for correction of facial clefts are compared with regard to their effect upon later growth of the skull of young rabbits. The importance of experimental surgery preceding the introduction of new surgical techniques on the growing skull and its facial skeleton in particular is stressed.", "contents": "Skulls with facial clefts. Experimental surgery on the facial skeleton. Skulls of adult, unoperated patients with facial clefts show additional anomalies specific for the type of cleft. In an experimental study we demonstrated that similar anomalies develop in rabbits with clefts that are artificially made in the fourth week after birth. Some surgical methods (Veau, primary osteoplasty) for correction of facial clefts are compared with regard to their effect upon later growth of the skull of young rabbits. The importance of experimental surgery preceding the introduction of new surgical techniques on the growing skull and its facial skeleton in particular is stressed.", "PMID": 773093} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3612", "title": "Potency of purified tuberculin determined by the shock method on hamsters.", "content": "Two lots of purified protein derivative of tuberculin with different potencies determined by skin tests on guinea pigs, were examined for their capacity to induce shock in hamsters sensitized with BCG. Groups of hamsters were injected with varying doses of a highly potent strain of BCG grown in Dubos fluid medium. 4-5 weeks later two groups of animals sensitized with corresponding doses were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg of each lot of tuberculin. 12 of the 20 hamsters given the strong tuberculin died, while all those given the weak tuberculin survived. An attempt was made to evaluate the mutual potency of the two lots of tuberculin by injecting groups of sensitized animals with 1 mg strong or 4 mg weak tuberculin. The difference in the number of deaths from shock in the two groups was not significant.", "contents": "Potency of purified tuberculin determined by the shock method on hamsters. Two lots of purified protein derivative of tuberculin with different potencies determined by skin tests on guinea pigs, were examined for their capacity to induce shock in hamsters sensitized with BCG. Groups of hamsters were injected with varying doses of a highly potent strain of BCG grown in Dubos fluid medium. 4-5 weeks later two groups of animals sensitized with corresponding doses were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg of each lot of tuberculin. 12 of the 20 hamsters given the strong tuberculin died, while all those given the weak tuberculin survived. An attempt was made to evaluate the mutual potency of the two lots of tuberculin by injecting groups of sensitized animals with 1 mg strong or 4 mg weak tuberculin. The difference in the number of deaths from shock in the two groups was not significant.", "PMID": 773097} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3613", "title": "The effect of phenylbutazone and chloramphenicol on phagocytosis of radiolabelled Candida albicans by human monocytes cultured in vitro.", "content": "The effect of phenylbutazone and chloramphenicol on the function of blood monocytes cultured in vitro was studied. Both drugs had an inhibitory effect on the engulfment stage of phagocytosis. While a moderate effect only of chloramphenicol on digestion of engulfed yeast particles was found, phenylbutazone caused a marked reduction of the digestion of engulfed particles. Concomitant with this reduction of digestive ability, the lysosomes showed no morphological alterations as observed in control cultures without drug addition, indicating a lack of fusion between the engulged particles and lysosomes in the presence of phenylbutazone.", "contents": "The effect of phenylbutazone and chloramphenicol on phagocytosis of radiolabelled Candida albicans by human monocytes cultured in vitro. The effect of phenylbutazone and chloramphenicol on the function of blood monocytes cultured in vitro was studied. Both drugs had an inhibitory effect on the engulfment stage of phagocytosis. While a moderate effect only of chloramphenicol on digestion of engulfed yeast particles was found, phenylbutazone caused a marked reduction of the digestion of engulfed particles. Concomitant with this reduction of digestive ability, the lysosomes showed no morphological alterations as observed in control cultures without drug addition, indicating a lack of fusion between the engulged particles and lysosomes in the presence of phenylbutazone.", "PMID": 773098} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3614", "title": "Isolation of C1q-binding immune complexes by affinity chromatography and desorption with a diaminoalkyl compound.", "content": "The applicability of affinity chromatography to the isolation of C1q-binding immune complexes (IC) in sera was explored. Purified human C1q was covalently coupled to agarose or adsorbed to IgG-agarose resins. Sera containing preformed virus-antibody complexes or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sera were passed through the columns and C1q-bound IC, eluted off with 1,4-diaminobutan at mild basic conditions, were analysed by immunodiffusion, crossed immunoelectrophoresis, gel filtration and electron microscopy. Under conditions of antibody treatment which caused almost 100% inhibition of virus plaque formation, about 30% of formed 14C-labelled equine arteritis virus-antibody complexes was bound specifically to and desorbed from C1q-IgG agarose columns. Studies with RA-sera indicated the presence of both IgM-IgI and intermediate size IgG, C1q-binding, complexes in 3 out of 5 tested seropositive sera. In two sera only intermediate size IC were demonstrable. The results obtained in these two IC model systems suggested that the described methods could be useful for isolation of C1q-binding IC in general.", "contents": "Isolation of C1q-binding immune complexes by affinity chromatography and desorption with a diaminoalkyl compound. The applicability of affinity chromatography to the isolation of C1q-binding immune complexes (IC) in sera was explored. Purified human C1q was covalently coupled to agarose or adsorbed to IgG-agarose resins. Sera containing preformed virus-antibody complexes or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sera were passed through the columns and C1q-bound IC, eluted off with 1,4-diaminobutan at mild basic conditions, were analysed by immunodiffusion, crossed immunoelectrophoresis, gel filtration and electron microscopy. Under conditions of antibody treatment which caused almost 100% inhibition of virus plaque formation, about 30% of formed 14C-labelled equine arteritis virus-antibody complexes was bound specifically to and desorbed from C1q-IgG agarose columns. Studies with RA-sera indicated the presence of both IgM-IgI and intermediate size IgG, C1q-binding, complexes in 3 out of 5 tested seropositive sera. In two sera only intermediate size IC were demonstrable. The results obtained in these two IC model systems suggested that the described methods could be useful for isolation of C1q-binding IC in general.", "PMID": 773099} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3615", "title": "Elimination of ingested 32P-labelled E. coli from rat polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). Evaluation of a method.", "content": "A method to be used for in vitro assay of the elimination of ingested 32P-labelled E. coli from rat PMN monolayers has been evaluated. The rate of expulsion of bacterial label from phagocytes into the extracellular medium was found to range between 40 and 50% of the total uptake 180 min after termination of ingestion. Serum enhanced the cellular uptake of bacteria, but did not affect the rate of elimination. Disintegration of the phagocytes was not found to be a problem.", "contents": "Elimination of ingested 32P-labelled E. coli from rat polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). Evaluation of a method. A method to be used for in vitro assay of the elimination of ingested 32P-labelled E. coli from rat PMN monolayers has been evaluated. The rate of expulsion of bacterial label from phagocytes into the extracellular medium was found to range between 40 and 50% of the total uptake 180 min after termination of ingestion. Serum enhanced the cellular uptake of bacteria, but did not affect the rate of elimination. Disintegration of the phagocytes was not found to be a problem.", "PMID": 773100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3616", "title": "Influence of hydrocortisone on uptake and elimination of 32P-labelled E. coli by rat polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in vitro.", "content": "Hydrocortisone was tested for inhibition of uptake and of elimination of E. coli by monolayers of rat peritoneal PMN. 32P was used as label of the bacteria and their degradation products eliminated from the phagocytes. The cellular uptake was reduced by hydrocortisone (1-2 mg per ml) both in the presence and absence of serum, while the elimination of bacterial label was reduced by 0.5 mg per ml and higher concentrations of the drug.", "contents": "Influence of hydrocortisone on uptake and elimination of 32P-labelled E. coli by rat polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in vitro. Hydrocortisone was tested for inhibition of uptake and of elimination of E. coli by monolayers of rat peritoneal PMN. 32P was used as label of the bacteria and their degradation products eliminated from the phagocytes. The cellular uptake was reduced by hydrocortisone (1-2 mg per ml) both in the presence and absence of serum, while the elimination of bacterial label was reduced by 0.5 mg per ml and higher concentrations of the drug.", "PMID": 773101} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3617", "title": "Studies on the Treponema pallidum immobilizing activity in normal human serum. 2. Serum factors participating in the normal immobilization reaction.", "content": "The T. pallidum immobilization reaction to be achieved by unheated normal serum was found to be complement dependent and the results presented suggested that complement was activated via the classical pathway. Besides complement, an immobilizing antibody of the IgM class was necessary for the immobilization reaction to occur. Lysozyme exerted an enhancing effect on the normal serum immobilization reaction.", "contents": "Studies on the Treponema pallidum immobilizing activity in normal human serum. 2. Serum factors participating in the normal immobilization reaction. The T. pallidum immobilization reaction to be achieved by unheated normal serum was found to be complement dependent and the results presented suggested that complement was activated via the classical pathway. Besides complement, an immobilizing antibody of the IgM class was necessary for the immobilization reaction to occur. Lysozyme exerted an enhancing effect on the normal serum immobilization reaction.", "PMID": 773102} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3618", "title": "Studies on the Treponema pallidum immobilizing activity in normal human serum. 3. The kinetics of immobilization reaction of normal and immune sera.", "content": "The influence of immobilizing antibody, complement and lysozyme, on the T. pallidum immobilization reactions of normal and immune sera was studied. Lysozyme shortened the lag periods and increased the reaction rates of the reactions of normal and immune sera. At high concentrations of added lysozyme, variations in the concentrations of immobilizing antibody and complement, within a wide range, did not further influence the kinetics of the two reactions. Preincubation with lysozyme did not influence the treponemes in the following immune serum immobiliation reaction provided the lysozyme was removed before the addition of antibody and complement. Normal serum was found to immobilize T. pallidum more rapidly than immune serum. This was seen also if the reaction mixtures were almost identical, the only differences being the immobilizing IgM antibody involved in the normal and the IgG antibody involved in the immune serum reaction.", "contents": "Studies on the Treponema pallidum immobilizing activity in normal human serum. 3. The kinetics of immobilization reaction of normal and immune sera. The influence of immobilizing antibody, complement and lysozyme, on the T. pallidum immobilization reactions of normal and immune sera was studied. Lysozyme shortened the lag periods and increased the reaction rates of the reactions of normal and immune sera. At high concentrations of added lysozyme, variations in the concentrations of immobilizing antibody and complement, within a wide range, did not further influence the kinetics of the two reactions. Preincubation with lysozyme did not influence the treponemes in the following immune serum immobiliation reaction provided the lysozyme was removed before the addition of antibody and complement. Normal serum was found to immobilize T. pallidum more rapidly than immune serum. This was seen also if the reaction mixtures were almost identical, the only differences being the immobilizing IgM antibody involved in the normal and the IgG antibody involved in the immune serum reaction.", "PMID": 773103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3619", "title": "Interaction of streptococci with the Fc fragment of IgG.", "content": "The capacity of human IgG to interact with beta-haemolytic streptococci was studied in order to localize the site of interaction on the IgG molecule. The reactivity of different proteolytic fragments of IgG with streptococci group A, type M 1 and type M 56, group C and group G, was investigated by measuring their inhibitory effect on the uptake of 125I labelled IgG myeloma protein by the streptococci. Equivalent molar amounts of Fc fragment and undigested IgG inhibited the uptake of 125I labelled IgG myeloma protein equally well while only slight inhibition was obtained by F(ab')2 preparations. No reactivity was found with IgM, Fab or chymotrypsin produced fragment Fc', of IgG. The reactivity of IgG with the streptococci was localized to the Fc fragment. Since the Fc' fragment was non-reactive, the CH2 domain was probably carrying the IgG structures involved in the interaction with streptococci.", "contents": "Interaction of streptococci with the Fc fragment of IgG. The capacity of human IgG to interact with beta-haemolytic streptococci was studied in order to localize the site of interaction on the IgG molecule. The reactivity of different proteolytic fragments of IgG with streptococci group A, type M 1 and type M 56, group C and group G, was investigated by measuring their inhibitory effect on the uptake of 125I labelled IgG myeloma protein by the streptococci. Equivalent molar amounts of Fc fragment and undigested IgG inhibited the uptake of 125I labelled IgG myeloma protein equally well while only slight inhibition was obtained by F(ab')2 preparations. No reactivity was found with IgM, Fab or chymotrypsin produced fragment Fc', of IgG. The reactivity of IgG with the streptococci was localized to the Fc fragment. Since the Fc' fragment was non-reactive, the CH2 domain was probably carrying the IgG structures involved in the interaction with streptococci.", "PMID": 773104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3620", "title": "Rat intestinal glycoprotein lowering bactericidal activity of serum on 32P-labelled E. coli.", "content": "A glycoprotein fraction, by which the 32P-releasing activity of serum on labelled E. coli is lowered, was isolated from caecum content of germfree rats. The glycoprotein contained 83.1% sulphate, and 16.1% protein. The molecular weight ranged from 3.2 X 10(5) to 2.4 X 10(6), and the iso-electric point from pH 0.9 to 3.0. Physiologically, it may play a role in the interaction(s) between the host and its intestinal flora.", "contents": "Rat intestinal glycoprotein lowering bactericidal activity of serum on 32P-labelled E. coli. A glycoprotein fraction, by which the 32P-releasing activity of serum on labelled E. coli is lowered, was isolated from caecum content of germfree rats. The glycoprotein contained 83.1% sulphate, and 16.1% protein. The molecular weight ranged from 3.2 X 10(5) to 2.4 X 10(6), and the iso-electric point from pH 0.9 to 3.0. Physiologically, it may play a role in the interaction(s) between the host and its intestinal flora.", "PMID": 773105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3621", "title": "Photographic subtraction. II. Technical aspects and method.", "content": "Technical aspects of photographic subtraction of original films in black and white and blue and white (Medichrome) under standard development conditions available in any roentgen unit are described. The adjustment necessary to control the gamma-value of the masking film takes advantage of the capacity of some graphic films to respond with different gamma-values on variation of the color of the exposure light.", "contents": "Photographic subtraction. II. Technical aspects and method. Technical aspects of photographic subtraction of original films in black and white and blue and white (Medichrome) under standard development conditions available in any roentgen unit are described. The adjustment necessary to control the gamma-value of the masking film takes advantage of the capacity of some graphic films to respond with different gamma-values on variation of the color of the exposure light.", "PMID": 773109} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3622", "title": "Distribution of immunoglobulin-containing cells in human bone marrow and lymphoid tissues.", "content": "Cell suspensions of human bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes and palatine tonsils have been investigated for the presence of intracellular immunoglobulins by a direct immunofluorescence technique, using monospecific antisera against human Ig heavy chains alpha, mu and gamma and light chains kappa and lambda. Serum Ig levels were determined and the number of positive cells was compared with the concentration and calculated synthetic rate of serum Ig in each individual. The 28 patients studied covered a wide range of diagnoses and included those with normal as well as pathologically decreased or increased serum Ig levels. There was a high correlation between the calculated synthetic rate of each Ig class and the percentage of cells positive for the same Ig class in the bone marrow but not in the spleen, lymph nodes or tonsils. The Ig-containing cells constituted a much larger proportion of the total lymphoid cell population in the bone marrow than in the peripheral lymphoid organs. The estimated total number of Ig-containing cells was also much larger in the bone marrow than in the other organs investigated. It is concluded that in man the bone marrow is the major site of serum Ig synthesis and that the average synthetic rate per cell is the same regardless which of the three major Ig classes is produced. The role played by different lymphoid organs in humoral immunity is discussed in the light of the present results and reported data regarding lymphocyte and plasma cell kinetics in mammals.", "contents": "Distribution of immunoglobulin-containing cells in human bone marrow and lymphoid tissues. Cell suspensions of human bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes and palatine tonsils have been investigated for the presence of intracellular immunoglobulins by a direct immunofluorescence technique, using monospecific antisera against human Ig heavy chains alpha, mu and gamma and light chains kappa and lambda. Serum Ig levels were determined and the number of positive cells was compared with the concentration and calculated synthetic rate of serum Ig in each individual. The 28 patients studied covered a wide range of diagnoses and included those with normal as well as pathologically decreased or increased serum Ig levels. There was a high correlation between the calculated synthetic rate of each Ig class and the percentage of cells positive for the same Ig class in the bone marrow but not in the spleen, lymph nodes or tonsils. The Ig-containing cells constituted a much larger proportion of the total lymphoid cell population in the bone marrow than in the peripheral lymphoid organs. The estimated total number of Ig-containing cells was also much larger in the bone marrow than in the other organs investigated. It is concluded that in man the bone marrow is the major site of serum Ig synthesis and that the average synthetic rate per cell is the same regardless which of the three major Ig classes is produced. The role played by different lymphoid organs in humoral immunity is discussed in the light of the present results and reported data regarding lymphocyte and plasma cell kinetics in mammals.", "PMID": 773111} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3623", "title": "Cellular events involved in the true primary immune response of splenocytes in vitro.", "content": "An antibody response showing characteristics of a \"true\" primary response was readily induced in vitro with splenocytes from normal non-immunized animals cultured with strongly immunogenic Vibrio cholerae somatic antigens. Prior studies have shown that the response to vibrios in intact animals appeared to be a true primary response since no pre-existing antibody forming cells were present in non-immunized animals and the antigen induced response, following a lag of two days, resulted thereafter in a rapid stepwise increase in the number of specific PFCs, reaching a peak at 12 to 14 days. Using the Marbrook culture system for antibody formation a readily detected immunocyte response to vibrios was induced with splenocytes from normal non-immunized animals. No background antibody forming cells developed to the organisms without addition of vibrios in vitro. After in vitro immunization with 10(6) bacteria significant numbers of IgM PFCs appeared with a peak response on days 7 to 8. Splenocyte cultures from mice primed earlier with vibrios developed a marked secondary response, with appearance of both IgM and IgG PFCs. Large numbers of both classes of PFCs developed, with peak responses on days 6 to 7, similar to the \"primary\" response to sheep erythrocytes. However, significant numbers of PFCs to vibrios developed in cultures of vibrio-primed cultures even in the absence of vibrios during the 12 day culture period. The availability of a completely in vitro model system to induce a true primary immune response without the complication of pre-existing background antibody forming cells will be of value for further studies concerning various cellular pathways and interactions during the immune response to small amounts of strongly immunogenic bacterial antigens.", "contents": "Cellular events involved in the true primary immune response of splenocytes in vitro. An antibody response showing characteristics of a \"true\" primary response was readily induced in vitro with splenocytes from normal non-immunized animals cultured with strongly immunogenic Vibrio cholerae somatic antigens. Prior studies have shown that the response to vibrios in intact animals appeared to be a true primary response since no pre-existing antibody forming cells were present in non-immunized animals and the antigen induced response, following a lag of two days, resulted thereafter in a rapid stepwise increase in the number of specific PFCs, reaching a peak at 12 to 14 days. Using the Marbrook culture system for antibody formation a readily detected immunocyte response to vibrios was induced with splenocytes from normal non-immunized animals. No background antibody forming cells developed to the organisms without addition of vibrios in vitro. After in vitro immunization with 10(6) bacteria significant numbers of IgM PFCs appeared with a peak response on days 7 to 8. Splenocyte cultures from mice primed earlier with vibrios developed a marked secondary response, with appearance of both IgM and IgG PFCs. Large numbers of both classes of PFCs developed, with peak responses on days 6 to 7, similar to the \"primary\" response to sheep erythrocytes. However, significant numbers of PFCs to vibrios developed in cultures of vibrio-primed cultures even in the absence of vibrios during the 12 day culture period. The availability of a completely in vitro model system to induce a true primary immune response without the complication of pre-existing background antibody forming cells will be of value for further studies concerning various cellular pathways and interactions during the immune response to small amounts of strongly immunogenic bacterial antigens.", "PMID": 773113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3624", "title": "Regulation of immune balance by thymosin: potential role in the development of suppressor T-cells.", "content": "Studies in a variety of animal and human models indicate that thymosin plays a role in the differentiation of a number of T-cell subpopulations. The hypothesis presented is that a normal immune balance depends heavily upon the presence of thymosin-activated suppressor or regulator T-cells. A major thrust in our present research program is to determine whether or not the various disorders discussed here are causally related to abnormal thymosin production by the thymus gland. We are also assessing in animal models the potential value of thymsin in the treatment of specific autoimmune diseases. This information may yield new insights for the management of autoimmune type disorders such as SLE. Results from clinical trials to date suggest that thymosin will have a role in boosting the immune responses of patients with specific thymic malfunctions and may indeed exert an influence via the production of suppressor or regulator T-cells.", "contents": "Regulation of immune balance by thymosin: potential role in the development of suppressor T-cells. Studies in a variety of animal and human models indicate that thymosin plays a role in the differentiation of a number of T-cell subpopulations. The hypothesis presented is that a normal immune balance depends heavily upon the presence of thymosin-activated suppressor or regulator T-cells. A major thrust in our present research program is to determine whether or not the various disorders discussed here are causally related to abnormal thymosin production by the thymus gland. We are also assessing in animal models the potential value of thymsin in the treatment of specific autoimmune diseases. This information may yield new insights for the management of autoimmune type disorders such as SLE. Results from clinical trials to date suggest that thymosin will have a role in boosting the immune responses of patients with specific thymic malfunctions and may indeed exert an influence via the production of suppressor or regulator T-cells.", "PMID": 773116} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3625", "title": "Cell interaction in B/W mice: a reversible defect at the T-cell level.", "content": "The anti-SRBC PFC response of old B/W mice can be restored by adding specifically activated T cells or primed spleen cells in vitro as well as by injecting LPS and SRBC in vivo. Since nonresponsive old B/W bone marrow and thymocytes cooperated in a normal manner upon adoptive transfer, this suggested that the lack of response to SRBC in the intact animal was due to a block in T cell activation and not due to intrinsic defects in lymphoid cells necessary to initiate a response. The block in T cell activation might be mediated by a suppressor cell found in old B/W spleens and it was hypothesized that this suppressor might also lead to a loss of self-tolerance.", "contents": "Cell interaction in B/W mice: a reversible defect at the T-cell level. The anti-SRBC PFC response of old B/W mice can be restored by adding specifically activated T cells or primed spleen cells in vitro as well as by injecting LPS and SRBC in vivo. Since nonresponsive old B/W bone marrow and thymocytes cooperated in a normal manner upon adoptive transfer, this suggested that the lack of response to SRBC in the intact animal was due to a block in T cell activation and not due to intrinsic defects in lymphoid cells necessary to initiate a response. The block in T cell activation might be mediated by a suppressor cell found in old B/W spleens and it was hypothesized that this suppressor might also lead to a loss of self-tolerance.", "PMID": 773118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3626", "title": "Restriction by H-2 gene complex of the transfer of delayed type hypersensitivity in mice.", "content": "Preliminary results suggest that the I-A region of the major histocompatibility complex restricts the ability of sensitized lymphoid cells to transfer a state of DTH to the specific antigen in normal mouse recipients.", "contents": "Restriction by H-2 gene complex of the transfer of delayed type hypersensitivity in mice. Preliminary results suggest that the I-A region of the major histocompatibility complex restricts the ability of sensitized lymphoid cells to transfer a state of DTH to the specific antigen in normal mouse recipients.", "PMID": 773124} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3627", "title": "The presence of cells expressing immune-complex receptors in non-lymphoid murine tumors.", "content": "In this study we demonstrated that cells lodging in tumors have the capacity to fix antibody or immune complexes in vivo and in vitro. Although some of the fixation is probably by host, at least in one system studied, tumor cells, per se, were found to exhibit immune complex fixation.", "contents": "The presence of cells expressing immune-complex receptors in non-lymphoid murine tumors. In this study we demonstrated that cells lodging in tumors have the capacity to fix antibody or immune complexes in vivo and in vitro. Although some of the fixation is probably by host, at least in one system studied, tumor cells, per se, were found to exhibit immune complex fixation.", "PMID": 773125} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3628", "title": "Cell selection in the thymus of mice treated with escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS).", "content": "The present data indicate that injection of LPS induces a decrease in thymus weight with selection of thymocytes more efficient in killer and helper activities. It has been reported (12) that two T-cell types may cooperate in the GVH reaction: the effector T1 and the amplifier T2. The maturation from T1 to T2 occurs mainly in the periphery, whereas immature cortex thymocytes differentiate to T1 within the thymus (13). Our results, showing an LPS-dependent enhancement of thymocyte killing activity, suggest that LPS selects thymocytes mostly of the T1 type. LPS-treated thymocytes are more efficient in the reconstitution of the anti-SRBC response. These data can be explained considering that LPS, like cortisone (14), enriches the thymus with more immunocompetent helper cells. Alternatively it may be suggested that LPS selects in the thymus cell populations characterized by high proliferative activity. Unpublished observations showing that LPS-treatment in vivo increases the in vitro response of thymocytes to Con-A are consistent with this interpretation.", "contents": "Cell selection in the thymus of mice treated with escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The present data indicate that injection of LPS induces a decrease in thymus weight with selection of thymocytes more efficient in killer and helper activities. It has been reported (12) that two T-cell types may cooperate in the GVH reaction: the effector T1 and the amplifier T2. The maturation from T1 to T2 occurs mainly in the periphery, whereas immature cortex thymocytes differentiate to T1 within the thymus (13). Our results, showing an LPS-dependent enhancement of thymocyte killing activity, suggest that LPS selects thymocytes mostly of the T1 type. LPS-treated thymocytes are more efficient in the reconstitution of the anti-SRBC response. These data can be explained considering that LPS, like cortisone (14), enriches the thymus with more immunocompetent helper cells. Alternatively it may be suggested that LPS selects in the thymus cell populations characterized by high proliferative activity. Unpublished observations showing that LPS-treatment in vivo increases the in vitro response of thymocytes to Con-A are consistent with this interpretation.", "PMID": 773131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3629", "title": "Congenital hypoplastic anemia.", "content": "CHA, a rare failure of erythrogenesis in infancy and childhood, has been re-examined on the basis of a review of 42 cases of our own and 133 others. Although the disease may have its onset late in gestation, severe anemia usually is not found at birth but, in 75% of cases, becomes apparent within the first 4 months. Associated congenital anomalies include abnormal thumbs, webbed neck and growth retardation. Treatment with corticosteroids as soon as the diagnosis is established induces a remission in 80% of patients. Thereafter, this therapy may need to be continued, often at an extremely low dosage level, sometimes intermittently, for many years before the hemoglobin value maintains itself without medication. Spontaneous remission has occurred in a few cases after years of transfusions. Although it has long been considered that the disease was a failure of normal erythrogenesis manifest by a normocytic normochromic anemia, more exact measurements reveal that the anemia is macrocytic, with MCV usually ranging between 100 and 115 mu3. Other abnormalities of the red cells are present; in general, these resemble characteristics of fetal erythrocytes rather than normal adult cells. These red cell changes may persist even after the patient has been in remission for years, thus representing a permanent abnormality in erythrogenesis.", "contents": "Congenital hypoplastic anemia. CHA, a rare failure of erythrogenesis in infancy and childhood, has been re-examined on the basis of a review of 42 cases of our own and 133 others. Although the disease may have its onset late in gestation, severe anemia usually is not found at birth but, in 75% of cases, becomes apparent within the first 4 months. Associated congenital anomalies include abnormal thumbs, webbed neck and growth retardation. Treatment with corticosteroids as soon as the diagnosis is established induces a remission in 80% of patients. Thereafter, this therapy may need to be continued, often at an extremely low dosage level, sometimes intermittently, for many years before the hemoglobin value maintains itself without medication. Spontaneous remission has occurred in a few cases after years of transfusions. Although it has long been considered that the disease was a failure of normal erythrogenesis manifest by a normocytic normochromic anemia, more exact measurements reveal that the anemia is macrocytic, with MCV usually ranging between 100 and 115 mu3. Other abnormalities of the red cells are present; in general, these resemble characteristics of fetal erythrocytes rather than normal adult cells. These red cell changes may persist even after the patient has been in remission for years, thus representing a permanent abnormality in erythrogenesis.", "PMID": 773132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3630", "title": "Mechanism of hypotensive effect during betaadrenergic blockade in hypertensive patients.", "content": "The mechanism of the hypotensive effect during beta-adrenergic blockade in hypertension was studied in 38 patients with renal or essential hypertension using the new cardioselective beta blocker, Tenormin. During 5 weeks hospitalization the patients received first a placebo for 5 to 12 days, then a 75 mg. dose of Tenormin was given daily for 1 week, and thereafter the dose was doubled weekly as necessary up to 600 mg. daily. The blood pressure decreased from 180 +/- 26.2/118. \"/- 13.6 mm. Hg on placebo to 151 +/-25.5/96 +/-13.8 mm. Hg during the final hospitalization period on Tenormin (600 mg. daily). Six patients developed fluid retention and as this occurred blood pressure control was lost. A subsequent follow-up on an outpatient basis of 15 of the patients showed that when the active drug was replaced by a placebo blood pressure rose again, confirming that the initial fall in blood pressure was a genuine effect. Multistage bicycle ergometer exercise tests were performed at weekly intervals to test the degree of beta blockade and indicated that this was nearly complete when a dose of 600 mg. per day was used. A significant correlation between the hypotensive effect and the degree of beta blockade, assessed by exercise tachycardia, was observed. A slight but statistically significant decrease (26 per cent) was observed in the plasma renin concentration, measured recumbent in the morning. This decrease was, however, not correlated with the hypotensive effect of the drug. Although the cardiac output decreased significantly (from 5.5 +/-1.7 to 4.3 +/- 1.1 L per minute, p less than 0.001), no correlation was found in individual patients between the cardiac output and the blood pressure decrease. On the other hand, for the total group of catheterized patients (n = 28) the calculated total peripheral resistance did not change significantly. Yet a significant correlation was found between the changes in total resistance and the hypotensive effect. This suggests that the reaction of the peripheral vessels rather than the cardiac output decrease determines whether the drug will produce a major decrease of blood pressure in patients with hypertension.", "contents": "Mechanism of hypotensive effect during betaadrenergic blockade in hypertensive patients. The mechanism of the hypotensive effect during beta-adrenergic blockade in hypertension was studied in 38 patients with renal or essential hypertension using the new cardioselective beta blocker, Tenormin. During 5 weeks hospitalization the patients received first a placebo for 5 to 12 days, then a 75 mg. dose of Tenormin was given daily for 1 week, and thereafter the dose was doubled weekly as necessary up to 600 mg. daily. The blood pressure decreased from 180 +/- 26.2/118. \"/- 13.6 mm. Hg on placebo to 151 +/-25.5/96 +/-13.8 mm. Hg during the final hospitalization period on Tenormin (600 mg. daily). Six patients developed fluid retention and as this occurred blood pressure control was lost. A subsequent follow-up on an outpatient basis of 15 of the patients showed that when the active drug was replaced by a placebo blood pressure rose again, confirming that the initial fall in blood pressure was a genuine effect. Multistage bicycle ergometer exercise tests were performed at weekly intervals to test the degree of beta blockade and indicated that this was nearly complete when a dose of 600 mg. per day was used. A significant correlation between the hypotensive effect and the degree of beta blockade, assessed by exercise tachycardia, was observed. A slight but statistically significant decrease (26 per cent) was observed in the plasma renin concentration, measured recumbent in the morning. This decrease was, however, not correlated with the hypotensive effect of the drug. Although the cardiac output decreased significantly (from 5.5 +/-1.7 to 4.3 +/- 1.1 L per minute, p less than 0.001), no correlation was found in individual patients between the cardiac output and the blood pressure decrease. On the other hand, for the total group of catheterized patients (n = 28) the calculated total peripheral resistance did not change significantly. Yet a significant correlation was found between the changes in total resistance and the hypotensive effect. This suggests that the reaction of the peripheral vessels rather than the cardiac output decrease determines whether the drug will produce a major decrease of blood pressure in patients with hypertension.", "PMID": 773142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3631", "title": "Evaluation of total IgE in diverse allergosis. Comparative study with other techniques. Part II.", "content": "A total of 181 allergic patients were studied and classified according to the causal antigen, 92 patients were sensitized to the mixed grass pollen, 55 to house dust, 28 to Candida albicans, 31 patients with egg allergy and 25 with milk allergy. All of them presented strong positivity to anamnesis, intracutaneous tests and exposition tests. In all of them the serum total IgE was determined using the radioimmunoassay (RIST) and the antigen specific IgG, following Boyden's passive hemagglutination technique. In 31 patients with pollinosis, 55 with house dust allergy and 25 with sensitization to Candida albicans, the determination of the antigen specific IgG was also carried out following the quantitative precipitation method. The results showed a greater reliability on the hemagglutination as opposed to the determination of total IgE with grass pollen. The hemagglutination was positive in 90.20% and the total IgE was increased in 59.78% of the cases. In patients with house dust allergy the total IgE was elevated in 69.08% of the cases and the hemagglutination was increased in 60.71% of the cases. In those cases of sensitivity to Candida albicans, the total IgE presented higher values in 63.84% of the cases, while the hemagglutination was increased in 21.43% of the cases. In egg allergy,, the IgE was increased in 56.83% of the cases and the hemagglutination in 87.09% of all of the 31 cases studied. In the cases of milk allergy the IgE presented increases in 32% of the cases and the hemagglutination gave higher titers in 56% of all of the 25 cases studied. The results make evident that the hemagglutination should be included in the rutinary diagnosis of allergic diseases as well as the determination of total IgE or antigen specific IgE.", "contents": "Evaluation of total IgE in diverse allergosis. Comparative study with other techniques. Part II. A total of 181 allergic patients were studied and classified according to the causal antigen, 92 patients were sensitized to the mixed grass pollen, 55 to house dust, 28 to Candida albicans, 31 patients with egg allergy and 25 with milk allergy. All of them presented strong positivity to anamnesis, intracutaneous tests and exposition tests. In all of them the serum total IgE was determined using the radioimmunoassay (RIST) and the antigen specific IgG, following Boyden's passive hemagglutination technique. In 31 patients with pollinosis, 55 with house dust allergy and 25 with sensitization to Candida albicans, the determination of the antigen specific IgG was also carried out following the quantitative precipitation method. The results showed a greater reliability on the hemagglutination as opposed to the determination of total IgE with grass pollen. The hemagglutination was positive in 90.20% and the total IgE was increased in 59.78% of the cases. In patients with house dust allergy the total IgE was elevated in 69.08% of the cases and the hemagglutination was increased in 60.71% of the cases. In those cases of sensitivity to Candida albicans, the total IgE presented higher values in 63.84% of the cases, while the hemagglutination was increased in 21.43% of the cases. In egg allergy,, the IgE was increased in 56.83% of the cases and the hemagglutination in 87.09% of all of the 31 cases studied. In the cases of milk allergy the IgE presented increases in 32% of the cases and the hemagglutination gave higher titers in 56% of all of the 25 cases studied. The results make evident that the hemagglutination should be included in the rutinary diagnosis of allergic diseases as well as the determination of total IgE or antigen specific IgE.", "PMID": 773140} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3632", "title": "Effect of digitalis on skeletal muscle in man.", "content": "Although an inotropic effect of digitalis on skeletal muscle has been demonstrated in animals, it has not been shown in man. Digitalis, in previous studies, has failed to improve voluntary exercise performance. In this investigation the strength of nerve-stimulated involuntary thumb adduction was measured before, during and after infusion of ouabain into the brachial artery. With this experimental design, the many uncontrolled factors that govern ordinary exercise tolerance were avoided. Large doses of ouabain (0.5 mg) produced significant augmentation of peak strength of thumb adduction whereas smaller doses (75 mug) more likely to reach the thumb during systemic digitalization produced only suggestive increases in peak contraction strength. In patients previously digitalized for heart failure, the large doses of ouabain did not significantly change contractility. The findings suggest that skeletal muscle is less sensitive than cardiac muscle to ouabain, and that systemic digitalization has a minor effect on skeletal muscle. When the differences between skeletal and cardiac muscle in excitation-contraction coupling are considered, the reduced effect of ouabain on skeletal muscle contraction is compatible with cell membrane locus of action in both tissues.", "contents": "Effect of digitalis on skeletal muscle in man. Although an inotropic effect of digitalis on skeletal muscle has been demonstrated in animals, it has not been shown in man. Digitalis, in previous studies, has failed to improve voluntary exercise performance. In this investigation the strength of nerve-stimulated involuntary thumb adduction was measured before, during and after infusion of ouabain into the brachial artery. With this experimental design, the many uncontrolled factors that govern ordinary exercise tolerance were avoided. Large doses of ouabain (0.5 mg) produced significant augmentation of peak strength of thumb adduction whereas smaller doses (75 mug) more likely to reach the thumb during systemic digitalization produced only suggestive increases in peak contraction strength. In patients previously digitalized for heart failure, the large doses of ouabain did not significantly change contractility. The findings suggest that skeletal muscle is less sensitive than cardiac muscle to ouabain, and that systemic digitalization has a minor effect on skeletal muscle. When the differences between skeletal and cardiac muscle in excitation-contraction coupling are considered, the reduced effect of ouabain on skeletal muscle contraction is compatible with cell membrane locus of action in both tissues.", "PMID": 773159} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3633", "title": "Electrophysiologic effects of procainamide in subtherapeutic to therapeutic doses on human atrioventricular conduction system.", "content": "The effects of single intravenous infusions of 50 to 400 mg of procainamide on the functional properties of the atrioventricular (A-V) conduction system were studied in 36 patients and correlated with plasma concentrations. A 50 mg dose of procainamide resulted in a plasma concentration of less than 1.0 mug/ml and produced no electrophysiologic changes. Doses of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg resulted in progresively increasing plasma concentrations (1.2, 1.8, 3.5 and 4.2 mug/ml, respectively). The effects of procainamide on the sinus rate were variable and not dose-related. The effects of doses of up to 300 mg on A-V nodal conduction were variable and not dose-related. Only in a dose of 400 mg did procainamide prolong A-V nodal conduction in six of seven patients. Whereas 100 mg had no effect on His-Purkinje system conduction, doses of 200, 300 and 400 mg prolonged His-Purkinje system conduction time by 6, 8 and 9 msec, respectively. Dose-related increases in atrial refractoriness started with a dose of 200 mg and became statistically significant with doses of 300 and 400 mg. The effects of procainamide on A-V nodal functional refractoriness were variable and not dose-related, but in doses of 100 to 400 mg, procainamide produced significant and progressively dose-related increases in His-Purkinje system refractoriness. Suppression of some types of ventricular arrhythmia by small doses of this drug may be explained by changes in refractoriness of the His-Purkinje system produced by doses of procainamide as small as 100 mg.", "contents": "Electrophysiologic effects of procainamide in subtherapeutic to therapeutic doses on human atrioventricular conduction system. The effects of single intravenous infusions of 50 to 400 mg of procainamide on the functional properties of the atrioventricular (A-V) conduction system were studied in 36 patients and correlated with plasma concentrations. A 50 mg dose of procainamide resulted in a plasma concentration of less than 1.0 mug/ml and produced no electrophysiologic changes. Doses of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg resulted in progresively increasing plasma concentrations (1.2, 1.8, 3.5 and 4.2 mug/ml, respectively). The effects of procainamide on the sinus rate were variable and not dose-related. The effects of doses of up to 300 mg on A-V nodal conduction were variable and not dose-related. Only in a dose of 400 mg did procainamide prolong A-V nodal conduction in six of seven patients. Whereas 100 mg had no effect on His-Purkinje system conduction, doses of 200, 300 and 400 mg prolonged His-Purkinje system conduction time by 6, 8 and 9 msec, respectively. Dose-related increases in atrial refractoriness started with a dose of 200 mg and became statistically significant with doses of 300 and 400 mg. The effects of procainamide on A-V nodal functional refractoriness were variable and not dose-related, but in doses of 100 to 400 mg, procainamide produced significant and progressively dose-related increases in His-Purkinje system refractoriness. Suppression of some types of ventricular arrhythmia by small doses of this drug may be explained by changes in refractoriness of the His-Purkinje system produced by doses of procainamide as small as 100 mg.", "PMID": 773160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3634", "title": "Intraatrial conduction disturbances: vectorcardiographic patterns.", "content": "Frank P loop vectorcardiograms were recorded in 30 normal subjects and in 40 patients who had intraatrial conduction disturbances alone or in association with cardiac disease. High magnification of the P loop (0.1 mv = 3 cm) permitted accurate measurement of the P loop duration, magnitude and direction. High-frequency recordings allowed optimal evaluation of the notches, bites and conduction delays in the PsE loop. Four vectorcardiographic patterns have been selected as counterparts of the four types of enlarged P waves seen in electrocardiograms of patients with atrial conduction disturbances. When intraatrial conduction disturbances coexisted with left atrial enlargment, the PsE loop was larger and smoother. The role of partial or complete block in the specific internodal or interatrial pathways is discussed. High magnification, high-frequency vectorcardiography of the P loop seems to be the best available method for determing a specific pattern of intraatrial conduction disturbance.", "contents": "Intraatrial conduction disturbances: vectorcardiographic patterns. Frank P loop vectorcardiograms were recorded in 30 normal subjects and in 40 patients who had intraatrial conduction disturbances alone or in association with cardiac disease. High magnification of the P loop (0.1 mv = 3 cm) permitted accurate measurement of the P loop duration, magnitude and direction. High-frequency recordings allowed optimal evaluation of the notches, bites and conduction delays in the PsE loop. Four vectorcardiographic patterns have been selected as counterparts of the four types of enlarged P waves seen in electrocardiograms of patients with atrial conduction disturbances. When intraatrial conduction disturbances coexisted with left atrial enlargment, the PsE loop was larger and smoother. The role of partial or complete block in the specific internodal or interatrial pathways is discussed. High magnification, high-frequency vectorcardiography of the P loop seems to be the best available method for determing a specific pattern of intraatrial conduction disturbance.", "PMID": 773161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3635", "title": "Usefulness of systolic time intervals in coronary artery disease.", "content": "This review summarizes current knowledge concerning the value of systolic time intervals in coronary artery disease. Although the usual pattern of prolongation of the preejection period (PEP) and shortening of the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) characteristic of left ventricular failure is seen in acute myocardial infarction, the systolic time intervals (as well as all other measures) are profoundly influenced by adrenergic hyperactivity characteristics of this disorder. Adrenergic stimulation normally shortens both the PEP and LVET indexes and decreases the PEP/LVET ratio. The degree of shortening of electromechanical systole (QS2) is directed related to the excessive adrenergic tone. Patients with the greatest systolic time interval abnormalities have a poorer prognosis, a greater incidence of congestive heart failure and more abnormalities of directly measured indexes of left ventricular performance. The systolic time intervals are useful for assessing left ventricular performance in chronic coronary artery disease as well. In chronic coronary artery disease the PEP/LVET ratio and angiographically determined left ventricular ejection fraction are closely correlated ( r = -0.76), but the level of this correlation is less than that in other forms of left ventricular disease. The left ventricular ejection time index is prolonged after exercise in patients with angina pectoris when compared with findings in normal subjects. Failure of the ischemic ventricle to respond to adrenergic stimulation is the most likely mechanism. Addition of the postexercise left ventricular ejection time to standard treadmill stress testing identifies a significant number of patients (23 percent) who would have had false negative results by electrocardiographic criteria alone. In addition, this index provides confirmatory evidence in those with apparently positive electrocardiographic test data. The systolic time intervals have been useful in assessing both medical and surgical therapy in coronary artery disease. The test can be performed repeatedly and provides a measure of both left ventricular performance and extent of adrenergic hyperactivity. Thus, evaluation of therapy represents the most useful future application of systolic time intervals.", "contents": "Usefulness of systolic time intervals in coronary artery disease. This review summarizes current knowledge concerning the value of systolic time intervals in coronary artery disease. Although the usual pattern of prolongation of the preejection period (PEP) and shortening of the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) characteristic of left ventricular failure is seen in acute myocardial infarction, the systolic time intervals (as well as all other measures) are profoundly influenced by adrenergic hyperactivity characteristics of this disorder. Adrenergic stimulation normally shortens both the PEP and LVET indexes and decreases the PEP/LVET ratio. The degree of shortening of electromechanical systole (QS2) is directed related to the excessive adrenergic tone. Patients with the greatest systolic time interval abnormalities have a poorer prognosis, a greater incidence of congestive heart failure and more abnormalities of directly measured indexes of left ventricular performance. The systolic time intervals are useful for assessing left ventricular performance in chronic coronary artery disease as well. In chronic coronary artery disease the PEP/LVET ratio and angiographically determined left ventricular ejection fraction are closely correlated ( r = -0.76), but the level of this correlation is less than that in other forms of left ventricular disease. The left ventricular ejection time index is prolonged after exercise in patients with angina pectoris when compared with findings in normal subjects. Failure of the ischemic ventricle to respond to adrenergic stimulation is the most likely mechanism. Addition of the postexercise left ventricular ejection time to standard treadmill stress testing identifies a significant number of patients (23 percent) who would have had false negative results by electrocardiographic criteria alone. In addition, this index provides confirmatory evidence in those with apparently positive electrocardiographic test data. The systolic time intervals have been useful in assessing both medical and surgical therapy in coronary artery disease. The test can be performed repeatedly and provides a measure of both left ventricular performance and extent of adrenergic hyperactivity. Thus, evaluation of therapy represents the most useful future application of systolic time intervals.", "PMID": 773162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3636", "title": "Definition of dietary fiber and hypotheses that it is a protective factor in certain diseases.", "content": "Crude fiber (CF) is the residue of plant food left after extraction by dilute acid followed by dilute alkali. Dietary fiber (DF), a new term, is the residue of plant food resistant to hydrolysis by human alimentary enzymes. DF is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin; these constituents are not reported in food tables. For instance, whole wheatmeal has DF about 11%, CF about 2%. It is suggested that a new term, dietary fiber complex (DFC), should include all substances of DF plus all chemical compounds naturally associated with, and concentrated around, these structural polymers. CF supplies from starchy staples, wheat and potato, in England and Wales were probably stationary from 1770 to 1860, fell greatly from 1860 to 1910, rose during food controls in 1942 to 1953, and declined slightly from 1954 to 1970. It is postulated that fiber is a protective factor against certain colonic disorders, such as diverticular disease, and certain metabolic diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. These three diseases had changing trends of mortality rates in England during the food control years. Westernization of African diets is accompanied by a large fall in CF from starchy foods and vegetables and an increased prevalence of the same three diseases.", "contents": "Definition of dietary fiber and hypotheses that it is a protective factor in certain diseases. Crude fiber (CF) is the residue of plant food left after extraction by dilute acid followed by dilute alkali. Dietary fiber (DF), a new term, is the residue of plant food resistant to hydrolysis by human alimentary enzymes. DF is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin; these constituents are not reported in food tables. For instance, whole wheatmeal has DF about 11%, CF about 2%. It is suggested that a new term, dietary fiber complex (DFC), should include all substances of DF plus all chemical compounds naturally associated with, and concentrated around, these structural polymers. CF supplies from starchy staples, wheat and potato, in England and Wales were probably stationary from 1770 to 1860, fell greatly from 1860 to 1910, rose during food controls in 1942 to 1953, and declined slightly from 1954 to 1970. It is postulated that fiber is a protective factor against certain colonic disorders, such as diverticular disease, and certain metabolic diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. These three diseases had changing trends of mortality rates in England during the food control years. Westernization of African diets is accompanied by a large fall in CF from starchy foods and vegetables and an increased prevalence of the same three diseases.", "PMID": 773166} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3637", "title": "Essential fatty acid requirements in infancy.", "content": "The infant's requirements for essential fatty acids (EFA) have been calculated by different workers from the same limited number of observations which depended on the use of butterfat, linoleic acid, and its esters as the source of EFA. The linoleic acid content of the butterfat employed was determined by a method of known not to be specific for the biologically active linoleic acid (cis cisC18:2omega6). The assay reported (3.3%) is about double that (1+01.6%) usually anticipated. If the butterfat used was actually of average linoleic acid content, then estimates of requirements are about twice the true values. In some tests, linoleic acid or its esters were used rather than fat or triglycerides. In other tests the total fat content of the diet was very low, and the tocopherol content of the diet was not controlled. All of these factors could adversely affect linoleic acid utilization and so exaggerate EFA requirements. If minimum EFA needs are as high as those suggested (1.0%) of cal), deficiency should be commoner than it in fact is. For the reasons noted above it is believed that the minimum requirements for EFA have been set far too high and are in fact less than 0.5% of cal, so that a daily allowance of 65 mg/100 cal (about 0.6% cal) should provide an ample margin of safety.", "contents": "Essential fatty acid requirements in infancy. The infant's requirements for essential fatty acids (EFA) have been calculated by different workers from the same limited number of observations which depended on the use of butterfat, linoleic acid, and its esters as the source of EFA. The linoleic acid content of the butterfat employed was determined by a method of known not to be specific for the biologically active linoleic acid (cis cisC18:2omega6). The assay reported (3.3%) is about double that (1+01.6%) usually anticipated. If the butterfat used was actually of average linoleic acid content, then estimates of requirements are about twice the true values. In some tests, linoleic acid or its esters were used rather than fat or triglycerides. In other tests the total fat content of the diet was very low, and the tocopherol content of the diet was not controlled. All of these factors could adversely affect linoleic acid utilization and so exaggerate EFA requirements. If minimum EFA needs are as high as those suggested (1.0%) of cal), deficiency should be commoner than it in fact is. For the reasons noted above it is believed that the minimum requirements for EFA have been set far too high and are in fact less than 0.5% of cal, so that a daily allowance of 65 mg/100 cal (about 0.6% cal) should provide an ample margin of safety.", "PMID": 773167} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3638", "title": "Vitamin E: a reexamination.", "content": "An attempt is made to place into proper perspective the relative values of the eight natural forms of vitamin E and the epimers of the synthetic products with regard to their biological activities. Since differences in activities reported are mostly in a function of different rates of biological turnover, feeding a non-alpha-tocopherol compound three times a day would be expected to give a different biological value than if the total were fed once a week or together with alpha-tocopherol. An analysis of data to support an increase in the current RDA for vitamin E is presented. Recent developments on the prolongation of blood clotting time by vitamin E are interpreted from the viewpoint that alpha-tocopherol is oxidized to tocopherylquinone, which is an inhibitor of vitamin K.", "contents": "Vitamin E: a reexamination. An attempt is made to place into proper perspective the relative values of the eight natural forms of vitamin E and the epimers of the synthetic products with regard to their biological activities. Since differences in activities reported are mostly in a function of different rates of biological turnover, feeding a non-alpha-tocopherol compound three times a day would be expected to give a different biological value than if the total were fed once a week or together with alpha-tocopherol. An analysis of data to support an increase in the current RDA for vitamin E is presented. Recent developments on the prolongation of blood clotting time by vitamin E are interpreted from the viewpoint that alpha-tocopherol is oxidized to tocopherylquinone, which is an inhibitor of vitamin K.", "PMID": 773168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3639", "title": "Detection of methionine in pernicious anemia megaloblasts and other types of erythroid precursors.", "content": "Utilizing a bacterial-agar overlay technic incorporating the methionine-requiring bacterium Leukonostoc mesenteroides, little or no bacterial growth was seen surrounding the megaloblasts and proerythroblasts of eight patients who had severe untreated pernicious anemia. Similarly, scant bacterial growth was observed in five cases of chronic erythremic myelosis (DiGuglielmo syndrome). Heavy bacterial growth, indicating ample amounts of methionine, was seen in two cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and in two cases of severe untreated folate-deficiency anemia. The results are consistent with the \"methyltetrahydrofolate trap\" hypothesis in pernicious anemia, in which a defect in the methylcobalamin-dependent methyltransferase leads to reduced amounts of methionine. These studies also suggest that a similar methyltransferase defect does not occur in folate deficiency or autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The generation of methionine, as estimated by the present technic, may also be defective in chronic erythremic myelosis.", "contents": "Detection of methionine in pernicious anemia megaloblasts and other types of erythroid precursors. Utilizing a bacterial-agar overlay technic incorporating the methionine-requiring bacterium Leukonostoc mesenteroides, little or no bacterial growth was seen surrounding the megaloblasts and proerythroblasts of eight patients who had severe untreated pernicious anemia. Similarly, scant bacterial growth was observed in five cases of chronic erythremic myelosis (DiGuglielmo syndrome). Heavy bacterial growth, indicating ample amounts of methionine, was seen in two cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and in two cases of severe untreated folate-deficiency anemia. The results are consistent with the \"methyltetrahydrofolate trap\" hypothesis in pernicious anemia, in which a defect in the methylcobalamin-dependent methyltransferase leads to reduced amounts of methionine. These studies also suggest that a similar methyltransferase defect does not occur in folate deficiency or autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The generation of methionine, as estimated by the present technic, may also be defective in chronic erythremic myelosis.", "PMID": 773170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3640", "title": "Mania in childhood: case studies and literature review.", "content": "Criteria for mania in children have been established on the basis of criteria for mania in adults. Mania in children is an episodic disorder characterized by marked irritability and agitation, a considerable increase in activity level, push of speech, sleep disturbances, distractability, and noticeable mood instability that persists for longer than one month. Euphoria is frequently present in children with mania and is manifested as an adamant denial of any illness or problem. Previous reports have not stressed the characteristic appearance of depressive symptoms, such as hopelessness and helplessness, crying spells, death wishes, and beliefs of persecution, all of which can occur during the manic episode in children.", "contents": "Mania in childhood: case studies and literature review. Criteria for mania in children have been established on the basis of criteria for mania in adults. Mania in children is an episodic disorder characterized by marked irritability and agitation, a considerable increase in activity level, push of speech, sleep disturbances, distractability, and noticeable mood instability that persists for longer than one month. Euphoria is frequently present in children with mania and is manifested as an adamant denial of any illness or problem. Previous reports have not stressed the characteristic appearance of depressive symptoms, such as hopelessness and helplessness, crying spells, death wishes, and beliefs of persecution, all of which can occur during the manic episode in children.", "PMID": 773171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3641", "title": "Neonatal pneumopericardium.", "content": "Six cases of pneumopericardium in neonates with hyaline membrane disease were observed during a six-month period. Five babies were receiving positive inspiratory or expiratory pressure or both. All but one had other extra-alveolar air collections. In three cases, sudden decrease in PaO2 was the only recorded sign that led to diagnosis. Pericardial aspiration was performed in four babies; one died and three either survived or died later of unrelated disease. One neonate was not treated and died of other causes. Treatment was delayed in the sixth infant; the pneumopericardium disappeared spontaneously but soon reappeared and contributed to a fatal outcome, although a drainage catheter was inserted. This experience and review of other authors' observations suggest that prompt drainage by catheter and continuous suction is indicated.", "contents": "Neonatal pneumopericardium. Six cases of pneumopericardium in neonates with hyaline membrane disease were observed during a six-month period. Five babies were receiving positive inspiratory or expiratory pressure or both. All but one had other extra-alveolar air collections. In three cases, sudden decrease in PaO2 was the only recorded sign that led to diagnosis. Pericardial aspiration was performed in four babies; one died and three either survived or died later of unrelated disease. One neonate was not treated and died of other causes. Treatment was delayed in the sixth infant; the pneumopericardium disappeared spontaneously but soon reappeared and contributed to a fatal outcome, although a drainage catheter was inserted. This experience and review of other authors' observations suggest that prompt drainage by catheter and continuous suction is indicated.", "PMID": 773172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3642", "title": "Fatal disseminated BCG infection. An investigation of the immunodeficiency.", "content": "A 2-year-old boy had a fatal disseminated BCG infection. Immunologic assessment showed a normal humoral response and normal numbers of E rosettes, normal thymus weight and histological features, but an abnormal response of lymphocytes in vitro and negative skin tests. Histological examination showed the presence of Gram-negative acid-fast bacilli within the macrophages. The possible mechanisms of immunodeficiency in this patient are discussed.", "contents": "Fatal disseminated BCG infection. An investigation of the immunodeficiency. A 2-year-old boy had a fatal disseminated BCG infection. Immunologic assessment showed a normal humoral response and normal numbers of E rosettes, normal thymus weight and histological features, but an abnormal response of lymphocytes in vitro and negative skin tests. Histological examination showed the presence of Gram-negative acid-fast bacilli within the macrophages. The possible mechanisms of immunodeficiency in this patient are discussed.", "PMID": 773173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3643", "title": "Suture granulomas simulating tumors: a preventable postgastrectomy complication.", "content": "Suture granulomas can occur after gastric surgery with nonabsorbable suture material. They are usually an asymptomatic, incidental finding on post-surgical x-ray studies, but have to be recognized because their radiological appearance may mimic gastric neoplasms and therefore may lead to unnecessary reoperations. Four cases of suture granulomas are presented, their diagnostic criteria outlined, and a plea is made for the use of a new completely absorbable suture material which could eliminate the occurrence of suture granulomas as well as the other known complications related to nonabsorable sutures, such as suture-line ulcers, abscesses, and adhesions.", "contents": "Suture granulomas simulating tumors: a preventable postgastrectomy complication. Suture granulomas can occur after gastric surgery with nonabsorbable suture material. They are usually an asymptomatic, incidental finding on post-surgical x-ray studies, but have to be recognized because their radiological appearance may mimic gastric neoplasms and therefore may lead to unnecessary reoperations. Four cases of suture granulomas are presented, their diagnostic criteria outlined, and a plea is made for the use of a new completely absorbable suture material which could eliminate the occurrence of suture granulomas as well as the other known complications related to nonabsorable sutures, such as suture-line ulcers, abscesses, and adhesions.", "PMID": 773174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3644", "title": "A new look at the protection of hemoglobin AS and AC genotypes against plasmodium falciparum infection: a census tract approach.", "content": "A total of 4,097 randomly selected children under 5 years in Accra, Ghana were investigated for Hb type, malarial parasite species, and parasite density. Even though malarial infection rates in this metropolitan population were lower as compared to holoendemic areas, the differential survival of Hb S carriers was confirmed. In addition, similar but less pronounced survival effects were seen in Hb C heterozygotes. Hb S carriers had the highest infection rates. More females than males were infected. Individuals with a moderate parasite count (less than 50,000/ml) were seen more commonly amoung AS and AC individuals as compared to AA controls. It is postulated that heterozygotes have a better immunological defense against the deleterious effects of P. falciparum infection because persistent parasitemia stimulates antibody production.", "contents": "A new look at the protection of hemoglobin AS and AC genotypes against plasmodium falciparum infection: a census tract approach. A total of 4,097 randomly selected children under 5 years in Accra, Ghana were investigated for Hb type, malarial parasite species, and parasite density. Even though malarial infection rates in this metropolitan population were lower as compared to holoendemic areas, the differential survival of Hb S carriers was confirmed. In addition, similar but less pronounced survival effects were seen in Hb C heterozygotes. Hb S carriers had the highest infection rates. More females than males were infected. Individuals with a moderate parasite count (less than 50,000/ml) were seen more commonly amoung AS and AC individuals as compared to AA controls. It is postulated that heterozygotes have a better immunological defense against the deleterious effects of P. falciparum infection because persistent parasitemia stimulates antibody production.", "PMID": 773175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3645", "title": "Clinical pharmacy: the past, present and future.", "content": "Clinical pharmacy is discussed in terms of its historical basis, current status and future trends. Topics covered include the origins and current scope of clinical pharmacy practice, controversial issues in clinical pharmacy practice and education, and the quest for quality in clinical pharmacy practice.", "contents": "Clinical pharmacy: the past, present and future. Clinical pharmacy is discussed in terms of its historical basis, current status and future trends. Topics covered include the origins and current scope of clinical pharmacy practice, controversial issues in clinical pharmacy practice and education, and the quest for quality in clinical pharmacy practice.", "PMID": 773176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3646", "title": "Rabies immune globulin (human) in the prevention of rabies.", "content": "The development of rabies immune globulin of human origin is discussed. Antirabies serum of equine origin when used in conjunction with rabies vaccine, enhances significantly the chances of survival after a severe bite by a rabid animal. However, those who receive the equine serum may develop serum sickness or even anaphylaxis. To circumvent this risk, while preserving the benefit, many workers have attempted to develop rabies immune globulin of human origin. Success was impeded by the difficulty in obtaining rabies immune plasma with the needed antibody level. Despite this and other obstacles, production of the human globulin on a scale sufficient to satisfy clinical needs has been finally realized. At the appropriate dosage, this globulin was demonstrated to interfere minimally, if at all, with the expression of active immunity induced by vaccination.", "contents": "Rabies immune globulin (human) in the prevention of rabies. The development of rabies immune globulin of human origin is discussed. Antirabies serum of equine origin when used in conjunction with rabies vaccine, enhances significantly the chances of survival after a severe bite by a rabid animal. However, those who receive the equine serum may develop serum sickness or even anaphylaxis. To circumvent this risk, while preserving the benefit, many workers have attempted to develop rabies immune globulin of human origin. Success was impeded by the difficulty in obtaining rabies immune plasma with the needed antibody level. Despite this and other obstacles, production of the human globulin on a scale sufficient to satisfy clinical needs has been finally realized. At the appropriate dosage, this globulin was demonstrated to interfere minimally, if at all, with the expression of active immunity induced by vaccination.", "PMID": 773177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3647", "title": "Pharmacist involvement as a member of a renal transplant team.", "content": "A renal transplant service is described in which the pharmacist attends daily rounds, monitors drug dosage and conducts a medication instruction program aimed at improving patient compliance. A renal transplant handbook was developed to provide the patient with pharmacy, nursing and dietary instructions. Prior to patient discharge, the pharmacist provides a final medication consultation. As an active member of a renal transplant team, the pharmacist serves as a valuable source of drug information to medical personnel and patients.", "contents": "Pharmacist involvement as a member of a renal transplant team. A renal transplant service is described in which the pharmacist attends daily rounds, monitors drug dosage and conducts a medication instruction program aimed at improving patient compliance. A renal transplant handbook was developed to provide the patient with pharmacy, nursing and dietary instructions. Prior to patient discharge, the pharmacist provides a final medication consultation. As an active member of a renal transplant team, the pharmacist serves as a valuable source of drug information to medical personnel and patients.", "PMID": 773178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3648", "title": "Current drug therapy--barbiturates.", "content": "The following aspects of barbiturate therapy are reviewed: chemistry and stability of the agents; mechanism of action; pharmacology; absorption, distribution. metabolism and excretion; uses; cautions; drug interactions; laboratory test interferences; acute toxicity; chronic toxicity; and dosage.", "contents": "Current drug therapy--barbiturates. The following aspects of barbiturate therapy are reviewed: chemistry and stability of the agents; mechanism of action; pharmacology; absorption, distribution. metabolism and excretion; uses; cautions; drug interactions; laboratory test interferences; acute toxicity; chronic toxicity; and dosage.", "PMID": 773179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3649", "title": "An evaluation of the teratogenicity of certain antinauseant drugs.", "content": "In a large, prospective, observational study of pregnancy and child development, the antinauseant drugs prescribed to gravides for nausea and vomiting in the first 84 days of pregnancy were evaluated for their teratogenic potential. The severe congenital anomaly rates per 100 liveborn children and ther perinatal death rates of this group did not differ from the rates of the group with untreated nausea and vomiting. There was no indication that the phenothiazine derivatives, specifically the prochlorperazine derivative, as well as meclizine, cylizine, and Bendectin were associated with teratogenicity. The trimethobenzamide drug gave a slight suggestion of an excess of severe congenital anomalies.", "contents": "An evaluation of the teratogenicity of certain antinauseant drugs. In a large, prospective, observational study of pregnancy and child development, the antinauseant drugs prescribed to gravides for nausea and vomiting in the first 84 days of pregnancy were evaluated for their teratogenic potential. The severe congenital anomaly rates per 100 liveborn children and ther perinatal death rates of this group did not differ from the rates of the group with untreated nausea and vomiting. There was no indication that the phenothiazine derivatives, specifically the prochlorperazine derivative, as well as meclizine, cylizine, and Bendectin were associated with teratogenicity. The trimethobenzamide drug gave a slight suggestion of an excess of severe congenital anomalies.", "PMID": 773181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3650", "title": "Beta-lactam antibiotics alone or in combination with gentamicin for therapy of gram-negative bacillary infections in neutropenic patients.", "content": "This study was initiated to determine whether antibiotic combinations are superior to single antibiotics for the treatment of gram-negative bacillary infections in neutropenic patients. Twenty-six patients with Pseudomonas and Proteus infections received either carbenicillin or carbenicillin, plus gentamicin. The cure rates were 83 and 93 per cent, respectively. Twenty-three patients with infections caused by other gram-negative bacilli received either cephalothin plus gentamicin. The cure rates were 64 and 67 per cent, respectively. Superinfection occurred in 26 per cent of the patients who received a single antibiotic compared to 15 per cent of the patients who received a combination. Four of the 26 patients who received gentamicin developed transient azotemia. Combination therapy may be superior to single antibiotic therapy, but this study demonstrated no statistically significant differences.", "contents": "Beta-lactam antibiotics alone or in combination with gentamicin for therapy of gram-negative bacillary infections in neutropenic patients. This study was initiated to determine whether antibiotic combinations are superior to single antibiotics for the treatment of gram-negative bacillary infections in neutropenic patients. Twenty-six patients with Pseudomonas and Proteus infections received either carbenicillin or carbenicillin, plus gentamicin. The cure rates were 83 and 93 per cent, respectively. Twenty-three patients with infections caused by other gram-negative bacilli received either cephalothin plus gentamicin. The cure rates were 64 and 67 per cent, respectively. Superinfection occurred in 26 per cent of the patients who received a single antibiotic compared to 15 per cent of the patients who received a combination. Four of the 26 patients who received gentamicin developed transient azotemia. Combination therapy may be superior to single antibiotic therapy, but this study demonstrated no statistically significant differences.", "PMID": 773180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3651", "title": "Proteus species isolated from human eyes.", "content": "Of 34 species of Proteus isolated from human eyes, 29 (85%) were P. mirabilis and five (15%) were P. morganii. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity studies showed that gentamicin best controlled both P. mirabilis and P. morganii of all the antibiotics tested. In vivo tests on experimental Proteus infections of rabbit coreas, treated with gentamicin and tobramycin, yielded comparable clinical results, but gentamicin was more effective in eliminating the organism from the experimental lesions.", "contents": "Proteus species isolated from human eyes. Of 34 species of Proteus isolated from human eyes, 29 (85%) were P. mirabilis and five (15%) were P. morganii. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity studies showed that gentamicin best controlled both P. mirabilis and P. morganii of all the antibiotics tested. In vivo tests on experimental Proteus infections of rabbit coreas, treated with gentamicin and tobramycin, yielded comparable clinical results, but gentamicin was more effective in eliminating the organism from the experimental lesions.", "PMID": 773185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3652", "title": "Surgically uprighting and grafting mandibular second molars.", "content": "A two-year follow-up was made of twenty-one impacted, mesially inclined mandibular molars which were surgically uprighted and splinted with autogenous bone grafts. There were two instances of follicular cysts in the adjacent impacted third molars and two instances of supereruption of uprighted teeth. With these exceptions, all uprightings were successful according to the criteria of continued root growth, normality of pulp chambers, normal periodontium, and normal contiguous structures.", "contents": "Surgically uprighting and grafting mandibular second molars. A two-year follow-up was made of twenty-one impacted, mesially inclined mandibular molars which were surgically uprighted and splinted with autogenous bone grafts. There were two instances of follicular cysts in the adjacent impacted third molars and two instances of supereruption of uprighted teeth. With these exceptions, all uprightings were successful according to the criteria of continued root growth, normality of pulp chambers, normal periodontium, and normal contiguous structures.", "PMID": 773187} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3653", "title": "Mononuclear cell turnover in chronic inflammation: studies on tritiated thymidine-labeled cells in blood, tuberculin traps, and dermal BCG lesions of rabbits.", "content": "Rabbits were injected intradermally in multiple sites with BCG. Four days after the BCG injection, they were injected intravenously with a single pulse of tritiated thymidine (3H-TdR) at various times thereafter, the BCG lesions were biopsied and evaluated for 3H-TdR-labeled mononuclear cells (MN). Periodically, Old Tuberculin (OT) was injected intradermally, creating MN traps which were biopsied and evaluated 1 day after their onset. 3H-TdR-labeled cells were also evaluated in samples of blood. During the first 8 days after the 3H-TdR pulse, the labeled MNs represent short-lived cells, i.e., recently dividing monocytes and lymphocytes. During this time, the percentage of labeled MNs in the blood, in the traps, and in the BCG lesions rose and fell together. This result suggests that the majority of the MNs in the BCG lesions had a turnover rate of about a week. By 12 days and afterward, the percentage of MNs labeled by 3H-TdR in the blood was higher than that in the BCG lesions which was in turn higher than that in the traps. At this time the circulating MN population probably contained labeled long-lived lymphocytes that did not enter inflammatory sites (the traps) as readily as the short-lived lymphocytes. The labeled MNs remaining in the BCG lesions probably did not divide and dilute out their 3H-TdR label as readily as those that were trapped from the bone marrow via the blood. The percentage of MNs labeled with 3H-TdR in the traps had decreased to about one-fifteenth of its peak value by 12 days, suggesting that the bone marrow's supply of labeled MNs was depleted at this time, except for the few cells labeled as a result of 3H-TdR reutilization.", "contents": "Mononuclear cell turnover in chronic inflammation: studies on tritiated thymidine-labeled cells in blood, tuberculin traps, and dermal BCG lesions of rabbits. Rabbits were injected intradermally in multiple sites with BCG. Four days after the BCG injection, they were injected intravenously with a single pulse of tritiated thymidine (3H-TdR) at various times thereafter, the BCG lesions were biopsied and evaluated for 3H-TdR-labeled mononuclear cells (MN). Periodically, Old Tuberculin (OT) was injected intradermally, creating MN traps which were biopsied and evaluated 1 day after their onset. 3H-TdR-labeled cells were also evaluated in samples of blood. During the first 8 days after the 3H-TdR pulse, the labeled MNs represent short-lived cells, i.e., recently dividing monocytes and lymphocytes. During this time, the percentage of labeled MNs in the blood, in the traps, and in the BCG lesions rose and fell together. This result suggests that the majority of the MNs in the BCG lesions had a turnover rate of about a week. By 12 days and afterward, the percentage of MNs labeled by 3H-TdR in the blood was higher than that in the BCG lesions which was in turn higher than that in the traps. At this time the circulating MN population probably contained labeled long-lived lymphocytes that did not enter inflammatory sites (the traps) as readily as the short-lived lymphocytes. The labeled MNs remaining in the BCG lesions probably did not divide and dilute out their 3H-TdR label as readily as those that were trapped from the bone marrow via the blood. The percentage of MNs labeled with 3H-TdR in the traps had decreased to about one-fifteenth of its peak value by 12 days, suggesting that the bone marrow's supply of labeled MNs was depleted at this time, except for the few cells labeled as a result of 3H-TdR reutilization.", "PMID": 773192} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3654", "title": "Rosette formation of human erythrocytes on canine transmissible venereal sarcoma cells.", "content": "Human erythrocytes have been shown to form spontaneous rosettes on nonlymphoid canine transmissible venereal sarcoma cells. The tumor cell would attach on glass surface, and morphologic studies by both electron microscopy and light microscopy on Giemsa-stained rosetting tumor cells showed that they could be differentiated from the rosetting T lymphocytes in the tumor.", "contents": "Rosette formation of human erythrocytes on canine transmissible venereal sarcoma cells. Human erythrocytes have been shown to form spontaneous rosettes on nonlymphoid canine transmissible venereal sarcoma cells. The tumor cell would attach on glass surface, and morphologic studies by both electron microscopy and light microscopy on Giemsa-stained rosetting tumor cells showed that they could be differentiated from the rosetting T lymphocytes in the tumor.", "PMID": 773193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3655", "title": "Effects of Ritalin on underachieving children: a replication.", "content": "Effects of Ritalin upon scholastic achievement of 18 academically deficient children were studied, in an attempt to validate findings of an earlier study of similar design. Results, in keeping with the previous research, indicate that while Ritalin affects behavior, it does not enhance learning, and may in fact mask academic problems. It is urged that the drug be used sparingly and critically, and only in conjunction with other modes of intervention.", "contents": "Effects of Ritalin on underachieving children: a replication. Effects of Ritalin upon scholastic achievement of 18 academically deficient children were studied, in an attempt to validate findings of an earlier study of similar design. Results, in keeping with the previous research, indicate that while Ritalin affects behavior, it does not enhance learning, and may in fact mask academic problems. It is urged that the drug be used sparingly and critically, and only in conjunction with other modes of intervention.", "PMID": 773195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3656", "title": "Organic factors in hyperkinesis: a critical evaluation.", "content": "The role of organic factors in childhood hyperkinesis is evaluated, with a focus on electroencephalographic, neurological, biochemical, pregnancy and birth, and genetic research. Evidence that the majority of hyperkinetic children suffer from organic dysfunction is found to be minimal. This conclusion is discussed, and guidelines for future research are offered.", "contents": "Organic factors in hyperkinesis: a critical evaluation. The role of organic factors in childhood hyperkinesis is evaluated, with a focus on electroencephalographic, neurological, biochemical, pregnancy and birth, and genetic research. Evidence that the majority of hyperkinetic children suffer from organic dysfunction is found to be minimal. This conclusion is discussed, and guidelines for future research are offered.", "PMID": 773196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3657", "title": "Effect of methylprednisolone on myocardial preservation during coronary artery surgery.", "content": "It has been proposed that a single preoperative dose of a corticosteroid may protect the myocardium from ischemic injury during open heart surgery. To test this hypothesis, a prospective, randomized, double blind study was carried out in ninety-five patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery using intermittent ischemic arrest with systemic and local hypothermia. Half the patients received 2 gm (approximately 30 mg/kg) of methylprednisolone 2 hours prior to the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass and the other half received a placebo. Postoperative electrocardiograms and blood levels of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) were compared in the two groups. No apparent difference was noted in the number of patients with significantly elevated levels of CPK, LDH, or SGOT or in the number with positive isoenzyme patterns of CPK and LDH. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the mean values of CPK, LDH, or SGOT between the two groups. The number of patients with electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial injury (10 per cent) was the same in both groups and no difference was noted in (1) the ease with which patients could be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass, (2) postoperative arrhythmias, (3) postoperative bleeding, (4) postoperative respiratory insufficiency, and (5) length of hospital stay. It is concluded that a single preoperative dose of 2 gm of methylprednisolone offers no demonstrable protection to the myocardium from the effects of ischemia during coronary artery bypass surgery.", "contents": "Effect of methylprednisolone on myocardial preservation during coronary artery surgery. It has been proposed that a single preoperative dose of a corticosteroid may protect the myocardium from ischemic injury during open heart surgery. To test this hypothesis, a prospective, randomized, double blind study was carried out in ninety-five patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery using intermittent ischemic arrest with systemic and local hypothermia. Half the patients received 2 gm (approximately 30 mg/kg) of methylprednisolone 2 hours prior to the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass and the other half received a placebo. Postoperative electrocardiograms and blood levels of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) were compared in the two groups. No apparent difference was noted in the number of patients with significantly elevated levels of CPK, LDH, or SGOT or in the number with positive isoenzyme patterns of CPK and LDH. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the mean values of CPK, LDH, or SGOT between the two groups. The number of patients with electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial injury (10 per cent) was the same in both groups and no difference was noted in (1) the ease with which patients could be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass, (2) postoperative arrhythmias, (3) postoperative bleeding, (4) postoperative respiratory insufficiency, and (5) length of hospital stay. It is concluded that a single preoperative dose of 2 gm of methylprednisolone offers no demonstrable protection to the myocardium from the effects of ischemia during coronary artery bypass surgery.", "PMID": 773198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3658", "title": "Regional program for kidney preservation and transplantation in New England.", "content": "From July 1972 to March 1975, 431 cadaver kidneys were harvested and preserved by continuous pulsatile perfusion with cryoprecipitated human plasma. Forty-eight per cent of the transplanted kidneys were considered to have immediate function, another 48 per cent demonstrated acute tubular necrosis, and 4 per cent were classified as nonfunctioning. There was no difference in the incidence of acute tubular necrosis in relation to the total preservation time. There was a significant difference in the survival of primary cadaver grafts at six months and one year between the kidneys that demonstrated immediate function and those with acute tubular necrosis.", "contents": "Regional program for kidney preservation and transplantation in New England. From July 1972 to March 1975, 431 cadaver kidneys were harvested and preserved by continuous pulsatile perfusion with cryoprecipitated human plasma. Forty-eight per cent of the transplanted kidneys were considered to have immediate function, another 48 per cent demonstrated acute tubular necrosis, and 4 per cent were classified as nonfunctioning. There was no difference in the incidence of acute tubular necrosis in relation to the total preservation time. There was a significant difference in the survival of primary cadaver grafts at six months and one year between the kidneys that demonstrated immediate function and those with acute tubular necrosis.", "PMID": 773199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3659", "title": "Abdominal incision and closure. A systems approach.", "content": "The application of systems analysis and flow charting technics to abdominal incision and closure allow a complete display of objectives and alternatives. A route of alternatives has been chosen and supported by the best available principles in the surgical literature. The choices include an unconventional large bite monofilament continuous one-layer closure of the abdominal aponeurosis as well as several less commonly used principles to minimize the risk of wound infection. The process of graphic display of objectives and alternatives in a surgical procedure or disorder allows one to more sharply focus on alternatives at different steps and more rigidly support them by careful analysis of past experience or review of the literature.", "contents": "Abdominal incision and closure. A systems approach. The application of systems analysis and flow charting technics to abdominal incision and closure allow a complete display of objectives and alternatives. A route of alternatives has been chosen and supported by the best available principles in the surgical literature. The choices include an unconventional large bite monofilament continuous one-layer closure of the abdominal aponeurosis as well as several less commonly used principles to minimize the risk of wound infection. The process of graphic display of objectives and alternatives in a surgical procedure or disorder allows one to more sharply focus on alternatives at different steps and more rigidly support them by careful analysis of past experience or review of the literature.", "PMID": 773200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3660", "title": "Experimental fibroplasia in the rabbit vitreous. Effects of hyaluronidase and implantation of autologous dermal tissue.", "content": "Intravitreal implantation of dermal connective tissue in rabbits caused a fibroplasia resulting in vitreous retraction, retinal detachment, and traction of nervous tissue from the optic nerve into the vitreous space. Following implantation into eyes with an intact vitreous the incidence of retinal detachment was low (2 eyes of 12). When the hyaluronic acid of the vitreous was degraded by hyaluronidase prior to implantation, 9 eyes of 12 developed a progressive detachment of the retina, usually within one or two months. Intravitreal fibroplasia was found to be an important pathogenic factor causing deteachment of the retina.", "contents": "Experimental fibroplasia in the rabbit vitreous. Effects of hyaluronidase and implantation of autologous dermal tissue. Intravitreal implantation of dermal connective tissue in rabbits caused a fibroplasia resulting in vitreous retraction, retinal detachment, and traction of nervous tissue from the optic nerve into the vitreous space. Following implantation into eyes with an intact vitreous the incidence of retinal detachment was low (2 eyes of 12). When the hyaluronic acid of the vitreous was degraded by hyaluronidase prior to implantation, 9 eyes of 12 developed a progressive detachment of the retina, usually within one or two months. Intravitreal fibroplasia was found to be an important pathogenic factor causing deteachment of the retina.", "PMID": 773203} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3661", "title": "The adequacy of oxygenation during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.", "content": "A series of experiments with eight dogs was carried out to determine the efficiency of oxygenation during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. High oxygen tensions very near to normal levels were found in most dogs, and this was attributed mainly to normal lung function previous to cardiac arrest.", "contents": "The adequacy of oxygenation during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. A series of experiments with eight dogs was carried out to determine the efficiency of oxygenation during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. High oxygen tensions very near to normal levels were found in most dogs, and this was attributed mainly to normal lung function previous to cardiac arrest.", "PMID": 773207} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3662", "title": "[Current methods for investigation of the lymphatic system (author's transl)].", "content": "Investigation of the lymphatic system attracts an ever increasing interest not only of scientists working in the theoretical field but also of clinicians. Therefore it is no wonder that numerous methods for the study of the lymphatic system have been proposed. The present article surveys a great number of these methods, and particular emphasis is given to the work that has been and is being carried out in the Soviet Union. It is shown that a detailed knowledge of the lymphatic system is essential if a holistic view of the structure and function of a particular organ is to be obtained.", "contents": "[Current methods for investigation of the lymphatic system (author's transl)]. Investigation of the lymphatic system attracts an ever increasing interest not only of scientists working in the theoretical field but also of clinicians. Therefore it is no wonder that numerous methods for the study of the lymphatic system have been proposed. The present article surveys a great number of these methods, and particular emphasis is given to the work that has been and is being carried out in the Soviet Union. It is shown that a detailed knowledge of the lymphatic system is essential if a holistic view of the structure and function of a particular organ is to be obtained.", "PMID": 773214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3663", "title": "Cytologic features of bone marrow in normal and mastitic cows.", "content": "Rib bone marrow was aspirated from normal cows and from cows with experimentally induced or naturally acquired mastitis. Nucleated cell counts in marrow films were made on the basis of differentiation of 500 cells. The myeloid/erythroid ratio was less than 1.0 in normal cows and generally greater than 1.0 in mastitic cows. The marrow reserve of mature neutrophils was nearly depleted in response to experimentally induced Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis (4th postinoculation day) or in an acute flare-up of naturally acquired Str agalactiae mastitis. A dose of 0.05 mg of Escherichia coli endotoxin, introduced into a single, normal, lactating quarter produced similar results within 8 hours. Concurrently, with depletion of marrow reserves of mature neutrophils, a neutropenia with left shift developed in the blood, and immature granulocytes increased in the marrow. The intensification of granulopoiesis returned the marrow reserves to normal or above normal within a period of 4 to 5 days, thereby reestablishing homeostasis.", "contents": "Cytologic features of bone marrow in normal and mastitic cows. Rib bone marrow was aspirated from normal cows and from cows with experimentally induced or naturally acquired mastitis. Nucleated cell counts in marrow films were made on the basis of differentiation of 500 cells. The myeloid/erythroid ratio was less than 1.0 in normal cows and generally greater than 1.0 in mastitic cows. The marrow reserve of mature neutrophils was nearly depleted in response to experimentally induced Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis (4th postinoculation day) or in an acute flare-up of naturally acquired Str agalactiae mastitis. A dose of 0.05 mg of Escherichia coli endotoxin, introduced into a single, normal, lactating quarter produced similar results within 8 hours. Concurrently, with depletion of marrow reserves of mature neutrophils, a neutropenia with left shift developed in the blood, and immature granulocytes increased in the marrow. The intensification of granulopoiesis returned the marrow reserves to normal or above normal within a period of 4 to 5 days, thereby reestablishing homeostasis.", "PMID": 773222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3664", "title": "Bactericidal activity of bovine neonatal serums for selected coliform bacteria in relation to total protein and immunoglobulin G1 and immunoglobulin M concentrations.", "content": "Bactericidal activity for a serum-sensitive Aerobacter aerogenes strain was associated with antibodies present in immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and immunoglobulin M (IgM), with the greatest activity on a weight basis in IgM. Activity in immunoglobulin G2 was absent. A total of 118 serums were prepared from blood collected from neonatal calves on farms experiencing unusually high mortality from diarrhea. The serums were allotted to 4 groups on the basis of total serum protein concentrations as follows: group I=7.0 to 9.5 g/dl, group II=6.00 to 6.98 g/dl, group III=5.00 to 5.90 g/dl, and group IV=3.9 to 4.9 g/dl. Bactericidal activity for the serum-sensitive aerobacter strain was distributed approximately equally throughout the 4 groups. Activity for 3 strains of Escherichia coli was minimal to absent. Concentrations of IgG1 and IgM were determined in 82 of the serums. Concentrations of IgG1 ranged from 0 to 54.2 mg/ml, with overlapping among the 4 groups. Concentrations of IgM could not be determined in serums with concentrations greater than 1.6 mg/ml. However, bactericidal activity did not correlate with the immunoglobulin concentrations, since activity was present to the same degree in serums with small concentrations of immunoglobulins compared with serums with as much as threefold larger concentrations.", "contents": "Bactericidal activity of bovine neonatal serums for selected coliform bacteria in relation to total protein and immunoglobulin G1 and immunoglobulin M concentrations. Bactericidal activity for a serum-sensitive Aerobacter aerogenes strain was associated with antibodies present in immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and immunoglobulin M (IgM), with the greatest activity on a weight basis in IgM. Activity in immunoglobulin G2 was absent. A total of 118 serums were prepared from blood collected from neonatal calves on farms experiencing unusually high mortality from diarrhea. The serums were allotted to 4 groups on the basis of total serum protein concentrations as follows: group I=7.0 to 9.5 g/dl, group II=6.00 to 6.98 g/dl, group III=5.00 to 5.90 g/dl, and group IV=3.9 to 4.9 g/dl. Bactericidal activity for the serum-sensitive aerobacter strain was distributed approximately equally throughout the 4 groups. Activity for 3 strains of Escherichia coli was minimal to absent. Concentrations of IgG1 and IgM were determined in 82 of the serums. Concentrations of IgG1 ranged from 0 to 54.2 mg/ml, with overlapping among the 4 groups. Concentrations of IgM could not be determined in serums with concentrations greater than 1.6 mg/ml. However, bactericidal activity did not correlate with the immunoglobulin concentrations, since activity was present to the same degree in serums with small concentrations of immunoglobulins compared with serums with as much as threefold larger concentrations.", "PMID": 773223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3665", "title": "In vitro and in vivo transfer of drug resistance for Salmonella and Escherichia coli strains in turkeys.", "content": "In vitro and in vivo transfers of antibiotic drug resistance were observed when isolates of multi-resistant Salmonella saint-paul and Escherichia coli donors were mated with multi-sensitive E coli and Salmonella typhimurium recipients, respectively. For in vivo studies, day-old turkey poults were used. Drug resistances were transferred either alone or in various combinations. In vitro, transfer was more frequent from E coli to S typhimurium; in vivo, transfer was more often observed from S saint-paul to E coli. Transfer occurred in vivo within 3 or 6 days after the recipient strain was given to poults previously infected with donor bacteria. In some instances, phage typing of S typhimurium indicated a change after transfer of drug resistance from E coli to S typhimurium. The criteria for in vivo transfer of drug resistance were discussed, and the implications of a change in phage type were noted.", "contents": "In vitro and in vivo transfer of drug resistance for Salmonella and Escherichia coli strains in turkeys. In vitro and in vivo transfers of antibiotic drug resistance were observed when isolates of multi-resistant Salmonella saint-paul and Escherichia coli donors were mated with multi-sensitive E coli and Salmonella typhimurium recipients, respectively. For in vivo studies, day-old turkey poults were used. Drug resistances were transferred either alone or in various combinations. In vitro, transfer was more frequent from E coli to S typhimurium; in vivo, transfer was more often observed from S saint-paul to E coli. Transfer occurred in vivo within 3 or 6 days after the recipient strain was given to poults previously infected with donor bacteria. In some instances, phage typing of S typhimurium indicated a change after transfer of drug resistance from E coli to S typhimurium. The criteria for in vivo transfer of drug resistance were discussed, and the implications of a change in phage type were noted.", "PMID": 773224} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3666", "title": "A fluorescent antibody technique for identification of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae colonies.", "content": "Fluorescent antibody staining of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae colonies is difficult because the colonies wash from the agar. Airdrying of the colonies grown on solid medium-overlayed glass microscope slides fixed the colonies in place, so that fluorescent antibody stain could be readily accomplished. Apparent loss or alteration of antigenicity did not result from the air-drying process. The technique is useful for the identification of M hyopneumoniae isolates.", "contents": "A fluorescent antibody technique for identification of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae colonies. Fluorescent antibody staining of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae colonies is difficult because the colonies wash from the agar. Airdrying of the colonies grown on solid medium-overlayed glass microscope slides fixed the colonies in place, so that fluorescent antibody stain could be readily accomplished. Apparent loss or alteration of antigenicity did not result from the air-drying process. The technique is useful for the identification of M hyopneumoniae isolates.", "PMID": 773225} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3667", "title": "Computer analysis of the single-breath nitrogen washout curve.", "content": "A computerized system has been developed to analyze the parameters that can be derived from the nitrogen washout curve. Analog signals for air flow, volume, and nitrogen concentration are entered either on-line or off-line into a 24,000 mini-computer. The program calculates vital capacity, total lung capacity, and residual volume, as well as the slope of phase III, closing volume in liters, total lung capacity, residual volume, closing capacity, closing volume/vital capacity ratio, and closing capacity/total lung capacity ratio. Validation tests showed excellent correlation between hand- and computer-calculated values of closing volume(r=0.864), vital capacity (r=0.997), total lung capacity (r=0.991), and slope of phase III (R=0.926). We concluded that the computerized system for analysis of the expired nitrogen washout curve is as reliable as hand calculations and is immeasurably faster.", "contents": "Computer analysis of the single-breath nitrogen washout curve. A computerized system has been developed to analyze the parameters that can be derived from the nitrogen washout curve. Analog signals for air flow, volume, and nitrogen concentration are entered either on-line or off-line into a 24,000 mini-computer. The program calculates vital capacity, total lung capacity, and residual volume, as well as the slope of phase III, closing volume in liters, total lung capacity, residual volume, closing capacity, closing volume/vital capacity ratio, and closing capacity/total lung capacity ratio. Validation tests showed excellent correlation between hand- and computer-calculated values of closing volume(r=0.864), vital capacity (r=0.997), total lung capacity (r=0.991), and slope of phase III (R=0.926). We concluded that the computerized system for analysis of the expired nitrogen washout curve is as reliable as hand calculations and is immeasurably faster.", "PMID": 773226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3668", "title": "Necrotizing fasciitis in narcotic addicts.", "content": "In its early stages necrotizing fasciitis may mimic an uncomplicated cellulitis, with erythema and only mild swelling and minimal pain. The combination of physical findings in a patient with a current history of drug addiction should arouse suspicion of an underlying fasciitis. An aggressive diagnostic approach including incisional biopsy, visual inspection of the underlying subcutaneous tissue, fasica and muscle, along with a Gram stain is suggested. Extensive and frequent debridement, appropriate antibiotics and physical therapy remain the essentials of treatment. A patient is discussed in whom a delay in diagnosis lead to near-fatal sepsis.", "contents": "Necrotizing fasciitis in narcotic addicts. In its early stages necrotizing fasciitis may mimic an uncomplicated cellulitis, with erythema and only mild swelling and minimal pain. The combination of physical findings in a patient with a current history of drug addiction should arouse suspicion of an underlying fasciitis. An aggressive diagnostic approach including incisional biopsy, visual inspection of the underlying subcutaneous tissue, fasica and muscle, along with a Gram stain is suggested. Extensive and frequent debridement, appropriate antibiotics and physical therapy remain the essentials of treatment. A patient is discussed in whom a delay in diagnosis lead to near-fatal sepsis.", "PMID": 773230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3669", "title": "Hernioplasty using the hernial sac in repair of inguinal hernia.", "content": "Hernioplasty with use of the hernial sac appears to offer advantages over operations previously used to repair large defects in the posterior wall of the inguinal canal. This operation was performed on 66 patients without recurrence of the lesion in the 55 patients for whom follow-up data are available.", "contents": "Hernioplasty using the hernial sac in repair of inguinal hernia. Hernioplasty with use of the hernial sac appears to offer advantages over operations previously used to repair large defects in the posterior wall of the inguinal canal. This operation was performed on 66 patients without recurrence of the lesion in the 55 patients for whom follow-up data are available.", "PMID": 773231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3670", "title": "Pleural aspergillosis: a case report.", "content": "The first case of pleural aspergillosis on either American continent since 1958 is reported. The recent literature is reviewed. The pleura is infected by aspergillus through bronchopleural or pleurocutaneous communication. Surgical removal of aspergillus infected pleura is the cornerstone of therapy.", "contents": "Pleural aspergillosis: a case report. The first case of pleural aspergillosis on either American continent since 1958 is reported. The recent literature is reviewed. The pleura is infected by aspergillus through bronchopleural or pleurocutaneous communication. Surgical removal of aspergillus infected pleura is the cornerstone of therapy.", "PMID": 773232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3671", "title": "Treatment of pelvic lymphoceles after renal transplantation by intraperitoneal marsupialization.", "content": "Pelvic lymphoceles following renal transplantation occurred in five of 70 recipients and were treated by intraperitoneal marsupialization. There were no complications other than one recurrence, which was successfully managed by a second marsupialization procedure. Intraperitoneal marsupialization avoids the prolonged wound drainage of external drainage methods, and appears to be the treatment of choice for large pelvic lymphoceles.", "contents": "Treatment of pelvic lymphoceles after renal transplantation by intraperitoneal marsupialization. Pelvic lymphoceles following renal transplantation occurred in five of 70 recipients and were treated by intraperitoneal marsupialization. There were no complications other than one recurrence, which was successfully managed by a second marsupialization procedure. Intraperitoneal marsupialization avoids the prolonged wound drainage of external drainage methods, and appears to be the treatment of choice for large pelvic lymphoceles.", "PMID": 773233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3672", "title": "Renal transplant arterial stenosis: amelioration of hypertension and improvement of transplant function after revascularization.", "content": "Two of 70 patients treated for a minimum of six months after renal transplantation developed main arterial stenosis to the allograft. Both underwent transplant revascularization and had follow-up at least six months to document lasting benefit. Amelioration of hypertension and improvement of transplant function proved statistically significant. Collateral vessels were not identified on pre-revascularization arteriographic studies. It is suggested that loss of the potential to develop protective collateral channels to transplanted kidneys mandates aggressive evaluation when hypertension and deteriorating renal function occur in the late follow-up period after renal transplantation. In such instances, arteriography and renin determinations may identify salvagable renal allografts, obviating necessity of subsequent retransplantation.", "contents": "Renal transplant arterial stenosis: amelioration of hypertension and improvement of transplant function after revascularization. Two of 70 patients treated for a minimum of six months after renal transplantation developed main arterial stenosis to the allograft. Both underwent transplant revascularization and had follow-up at least six months to document lasting benefit. Amelioration of hypertension and improvement of transplant function proved statistically significant. Collateral vessels were not identified on pre-revascularization arteriographic studies. It is suggested that loss of the potential to develop protective collateral channels to transplanted kidneys mandates aggressive evaluation when hypertension and deteriorating renal function occur in the late follow-up period after renal transplantation. In such instances, arteriography and renin determinations may identify salvagable renal allografts, obviating necessity of subsequent retransplantation.", "PMID": 773234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3673", "title": "Bilateral tube thoracostomy to preclude fatal tension pneumothorax in patients with acute respiratory insufficiency.", "content": "Two patients with acute respiratory insufficiency requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation are described. Both patients developed fatal unilateral tension pneumothoracies after the respiratory insufficiency appeared to be improving. The pneumothorax in each patient appeared to be the result of high inspiratory pressures resulting from high tidal volumes and positive end expiratory pressure. Currently, we recommend bilateral chest tube thoracostomies for those patients with inspiratory pressures greater than 40 cm H2O as a prophylaxis against this fatal complication.", "contents": "Bilateral tube thoracostomy to preclude fatal tension pneumothorax in patients with acute respiratory insufficiency. Two patients with acute respiratory insufficiency requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation are described. Both patients developed fatal unilateral tension pneumothoracies after the respiratory insufficiency appeared to be improving. The pneumothorax in each patient appeared to be the result of high inspiratory pressures resulting from high tidal volumes and positive end expiratory pressure. Currently, we recommend bilateral chest tube thoracostomies for those patients with inspiratory pressures greater than 40 cm H2O as a prophylaxis against this fatal complication.", "PMID": 773235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3674", "title": "Intraoperative evaluation of the lens during penetrating keratoplasty.", "content": "The decision to extract the lens at the time of penetrating keratoplasty often depends upon the surgeon's philosophy regarding the efficacy of one-stage versus two-stage procedures, because the status of the lens in a patient with visually disabling corneal disease frequently cannot be determined before the operation. The commonly employed techniques for evaluating the clarity of the lens intraoperatively are prone to inaccuracies and often depend upon pupil size. Because a combined procedure may entail a more complicated postoperative course, some surgeons elect not to extract the lens at the time of keratoplasty. This will necessitate a second procedure which might ultimately compromise a successful corneal graft, as well as allow the possibility that some cataractous lenses may become progressively intumescent during the postoperative period and endanger the clarity of the transplant. It is, therefore, important to have a method to more accurately evaluate the status of the lens in patients with opaque corneas. The application of the coaxially-illuminated operating microscope to visualize fundus details after the corneal button has been removed permits a better estimation of the lens clarity.", "contents": "Intraoperative evaluation of the lens during penetrating keratoplasty. The decision to extract the lens at the time of penetrating keratoplasty often depends upon the surgeon's philosophy regarding the efficacy of one-stage versus two-stage procedures, because the status of the lens in a patient with visually disabling corneal disease frequently cannot be determined before the operation. The commonly employed techniques for evaluating the clarity of the lens intraoperatively are prone to inaccuracies and often depend upon pupil size. Because a combined procedure may entail a more complicated postoperative course, some surgeons elect not to extract the lens at the time of keratoplasty. This will necessitate a second procedure which might ultimately compromise a successful corneal graft, as well as allow the possibility that some cataractous lenses may become progressively intumescent during the postoperative period and endanger the clarity of the transplant. It is, therefore, important to have a method to more accurately evaluate the status of the lens in patients with opaque corneas. The application of the coaxially-illuminated operating microscope to visualize fundus details after the corneal button has been removed permits a better estimation of the lens clarity.", "PMID": 773240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3675", "title": "Penetrating keratoplasty in acute herpetic corneal performations.", "content": "Central corneal perforations have traditionally been managed by conjunctival flaps, tissue adhesives, soft contact lenses, corneal patches and other conservative measures for the immediate preservation of the eye. An alternative method of treatment is immediate penetrating keratoplasty. We present the result of immediate keratoplasty for 25 eyes referred with acute central corneal perforations, 20 of herpetic origin and 5 with a chemical burn or dry eye syndrome. In all cases, the eye was successfully preserved. Twelve of 20 grafts (60%) for herpetic perforation went on to eventual clear grafts as opposed to 1 of 5 grafts (20%) in the dry eye or chemically burned patients. Significant complications encountered included cataract formation, secondary glaucoma and persistent epithelial defects; however, these should not preclude eventual restoration of good visual acuity. Penetrating keratoplasty in acutely inflamed and perforated eyes used to lead to angle closure and secondary glaucoma in a considerable number of cases, sometimes progressing to total disaster. We have shown that if enough corticosteroids are given immediately postoperatively, the risk for angle closure is not significant.", "contents": "Penetrating keratoplasty in acute herpetic corneal performations. Central corneal perforations have traditionally been managed by conjunctival flaps, tissue adhesives, soft contact lenses, corneal patches and other conservative measures for the immediate preservation of the eye. An alternative method of treatment is immediate penetrating keratoplasty. We present the result of immediate keratoplasty for 25 eyes referred with acute central corneal perforations, 20 of herpetic origin and 5 with a chemical burn or dry eye syndrome. In all cases, the eye was successfully preserved. Twelve of 20 grafts (60%) for herpetic perforation went on to eventual clear grafts as opposed to 1 of 5 grafts (20%) in the dry eye or chemically burned patients. Significant complications encountered included cataract formation, secondary glaucoma and persistent epithelial defects; however, these should not preclude eventual restoration of good visual acuity. Penetrating keratoplasty in acutely inflamed and perforated eyes used to lead to angle closure and secondary glaucoma in a considerable number of cases, sometimes progressing to total disaster. We have shown that if enough corticosteroids are given immediately postoperatively, the risk for angle closure is not significant.", "PMID": 773241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3676", "title": "Human transfer factor in the treatment of guinea pig keratitis.", "content": "The local and systemic administration of human transfer factor to guinea pigs with herpetic keratitis or Candida albicans keratitis failed to alter the clinical or microbial course of the animals' disease.", "contents": "Human transfer factor in the treatment of guinea pig keratitis. The local and systemic administration of human transfer factor to guinea pigs with herpetic keratitis or Candida albicans keratitis failed to alter the clinical or microbial course of the animals' disease.", "PMID": 773242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3677", "title": "Short-stay surgery (Shouldice technique) for repair of inguinal hernia.", "content": "Short-stay surgery for inguinal hernia repair using the Shouldice technique, with local anaesthesia in the great majority of cases, has achieved a recurrence rate of less than 1% in the repair of both primary and recurrent inguinal hernia. A personal series of 14 982 consecutive inguinal herniorrhaphies performed during a 21-year period with an overall recurrence rate of 0.6%, using the Shouldice technique exclusively, is documented and discussed in some detail. The results suggest that the adoption of these methods on a national scale would result in a saving to the economy of many millions of pounds.", "contents": "Short-stay surgery (Shouldice technique) for repair of inguinal hernia. Short-stay surgery for inguinal hernia repair using the Shouldice technique, with local anaesthesia in the great majority of cases, has achieved a recurrence rate of less than 1% in the repair of both primary and recurrent inguinal hernia. A personal series of 14 982 consecutive inguinal herniorrhaphies performed during a 21-year period with an overall recurrence rate of 0.6%, using the Shouldice technique exclusively, is documented and discussed in some detail. The results suggest that the adoption of these methods on a national scale would result in a saving to the economy of many millions of pounds.", "PMID": 773247} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3678", "title": "Repair of chest wall defects after irradiation for breast cancer.", "content": "A simple technique using a contralateral deltopectoral flap is described for the immediate repair of defects of the chest wall resulting from excision of radionecrosis or persistent tumour after radiotherapy. Successful use in 3 consecutive cases has shown that the deltopectoral flap may be rotated through a full 180 degrees without compromise of blood supply and that primary healing may be obtained.", "contents": "Repair of chest wall defects after irradiation for breast cancer. A simple technique using a contralateral deltopectoral flap is described for the immediate repair of defects of the chest wall resulting from excision of radionecrosis or persistent tumour after radiotherapy. Successful use in 3 consecutive cases has shown that the deltopectoral flap may be rotated through a full 180 degrees without compromise of blood supply and that primary healing may be obtained.", "PMID": 773248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3679", "title": "Cholesterol granuloma involving the temporal bone.", "content": "The cholesterol granuloma does not represent an independent clinical or pathological entity, rather it is a term used for the description of a tissue response of the temporal bone, to the presence of a particular foreign body, i.e., cholesterol crystals. Three factors are considered to play an important role in its development: 1) interference with drainage, 2) hemorrhage, and 3) obstruction of ventilation. The cause of the initial hemorrhage may be a hemorrhagic inflammation or diathesis, a trauma or some other form of vascular disorder. Interference with air exchange and clearance can be caused by: tubal blockage, persistent mesenchyme, polypoid changes, scar formations, tympanosclerosis, cholesteatoma, etc. The cholesterol granuloma may develop in any portion of the pneumatic system of the temporal bone and it can be associated with a variety of middle ear disorders. Its principal precursor is the chronic middle ear effusion or serous otitis media. Its clinical expression and hallmark is the \"idiopathic hemototympanum,\" the dark bluish discoloration of the tympanic membrane. Osteitis and bone erosion are manifestations of an unusual, more advanced stage. Resorption of bone, in a rare instance, may lead to extensive destruction of the temporal bone.", "contents": "Cholesterol granuloma involving the temporal bone. The cholesterol granuloma does not represent an independent clinical or pathological entity, rather it is a term used for the description of a tissue response of the temporal bone, to the presence of a particular foreign body, i.e., cholesterol crystals. Three factors are considered to play an important role in its development: 1) interference with drainage, 2) hemorrhage, and 3) obstruction of ventilation. The cause of the initial hemorrhage may be a hemorrhagic inflammation or diathesis, a trauma or some other form of vascular disorder. Interference with air exchange and clearance can be caused by: tubal blockage, persistent mesenchyme, polypoid changes, scar formations, tympanosclerosis, cholesteatoma, etc. The cholesterol granuloma may develop in any portion of the pneumatic system of the temporal bone and it can be associated with a variety of middle ear disorders. Its principal precursor is the chronic middle ear effusion or serous otitis media. Its clinical expression and hallmark is the \"idiopathic hemototympanum,\" the dark bluish discoloration of the tympanic membrane. Osteitis and bone erosion are manifestations of an unusual, more advanced stage. Resorption of bone, in a rare instance, may lead to extensive destruction of the temporal bone.", "PMID": 773243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3680", "title": "Duodenoplasty with proximal gastric vagotomy.", "content": "To permit proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage in patients with gross duodenal narrowing a simple longitudinal incision, sutured transversely, has been found to be simple and safe. Early follow-up results have been satisfactory.", "contents": "Duodenoplasty with proximal gastric vagotomy. To permit proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage in patients with gross duodenal narrowing a simple longitudinal incision, sutured transversely, has been found to be simple and safe. Early follow-up results have been satisfactory.", "PMID": 773249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3681", "title": "Middle ear effusions: definitions.", "content": "Evolution of nomenclature used in middle ear effusions for the last hundred years is researched and followed. It is concluded that in the light of present knowledge the term sero-mucous otitis media is the most appropriate for the nonpurulent effusions here under discussion.", "contents": "Middle ear effusions: definitions. Evolution of nomenclature used in middle ear effusions for the last hundred years is researched and followed. It is concluded that in the light of present knowledge the term sero-mucous otitis media is the most appropriate for the nonpurulent effusions here under discussion.", "PMID": 773244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3682", "title": "Biological mediators of inflammation im middle ear effusions.", "content": "Four biological mediators of inflammation have been found in middle ear effusions from patients with otitis media with effusion. They are chemotactic factor(s), macrophage inhibition factor(s), activated complement and prostaglandins. The potential role of these mediators has been discussed in relation to their potential for maintaining inflammation in the middle ear cleft after Eustachian tube dysfunction.", "contents": "Biological mediators of inflammation im middle ear effusions. Four biological mediators of inflammation have been found in middle ear effusions from patients with otitis media with effusion. They are chemotactic factor(s), macrophage inhibition factor(s), activated complement and prostaglandins. The potential role of these mediators has been discussed in relation to their potential for maintaining inflammation in the middle ear cleft after Eustachian tube dysfunction.", "PMID": 773246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3683", "title": "Identification of allergic factors in middle ear effusions.", "content": "Allergic factors are important, but not the only etiologic force in middle ear effusion. Nor do bacterial and viral infections, nasopharyngeal mass lesions, neuromuscular or regional anatomic abnormalities rank as sole etiologic factors. Some children have multiple components to their problem that requires specific identification before a workable approach to management can be tailored for each of them. Identification and management of allergic factors requires special skills and a greater commitment of time. Yet the marked increase in total yield when allergic techniques are added to the armamentarium of the otolaryngologist make these factors both worthwhile and satisfying.", "contents": "Identification of allergic factors in middle ear effusions. Allergic factors are important, but not the only etiologic force in middle ear effusion. Nor do bacterial and viral infections, nasopharyngeal mass lesions, neuromuscular or regional anatomic abnormalities rank as sole etiologic factors. Some children have multiple components to their problem that requires specific identification before a workable approach to management can be tailored for each of them. Identification and management of allergic factors requires special skills and a greater commitment of time. Yet the marked increase in total yield when allergic techniques are added to the armamentarium of the otolaryngologist make these factors both worthwhile and satisfying.", "PMID": 773245} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3684", "title": "[Effect of prodigiozan on the course of candidiasis of the oral mucosa clinically and in an experiment].", "content": "The effect of various doses of prodigiozan on Candida infection was studied under experimental and clinical conditions. Hamsters and guinea pigs were used in the experiments. Prodigiozan was administered intramuscularly to the hamsters in doses of 100 gamma/kg of the body weight 1 hour before the infection and intracutaneously to the guinea pigs in doses of 50 gamma/kg 2 days before the infection. The results showed that the drug accelerated the recovery of the animals. In complex therapy of a group of 22 patients with candidosis of the mouth mucosa of various localization prodigiozan was administered thrice in doses of 50 gamma/kg. This provided faster elimination of the pathological process.", "contents": "[Effect of prodigiozan on the course of candidiasis of the oral mucosa clinically and in an experiment]. The effect of various doses of prodigiozan on Candida infection was studied under experimental and clinical conditions. Hamsters and guinea pigs were used in the experiments. Prodigiozan was administered intramuscularly to the hamsters in doses of 100 gamma/kg of the body weight 1 hour before the infection and intracutaneously to the guinea pigs in doses of 50 gamma/kg 2 days before the infection. The results showed that the drug accelerated the recovery of the animals. In complex therapy of a group of 22 patients with candidosis of the mouth mucosa of various localization prodigiozan was administered thrice in doses of 50 gamma/kg. This provided faster elimination of the pathological process.", "PMID": 773279} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3685", "title": "[Characteristics of the interaction of the A-factor with mutant 1439 of Act. streptomycini in the biosynthesis of streptomycin].", "content": "Some peculiar properties of A-factor using by mutant 1439 of Act. streptomycini were studied. It was found that A-factor was most intensively used for biosynthesis of streptomycin when it was added during inoculation. When A-factor was added to a I- or 2-day culture it was required in 10 times higher amounts and its high non-specific adsorption by the mycelium was observed. Interaction of A-factor with the mycelium providing restoration of the biosynthetic process was very rapid on a short-term contat of the I-day culture with A-factor. Transformations occurring under the effect of A-factor and leading to formation of streptomycin took place mainly inside the cells. Changes in the life cycle induced by A-factor developed under different conditions as compared to those promoting streptomycin biosynthesis.", "contents": "[Characteristics of the interaction of the A-factor with mutant 1439 of Act. streptomycini in the biosynthesis of streptomycin]. Some peculiar properties of A-factor using by mutant 1439 of Act. streptomycini were studied. It was found that A-factor was most intensively used for biosynthesis of streptomycin when it was added during inoculation. When A-factor was added to a I- or 2-day culture it was required in 10 times higher amounts and its high non-specific adsorption by the mycelium was observed. Interaction of A-factor with the mycelium providing restoration of the biosynthetic process was very rapid on a short-term contat of the I-day culture with A-factor. Transformations occurring under the effect of A-factor and leading to formation of streptomycin took place mainly inside the cells. Changes in the life cycle induced by A-factor developed under different conditions as compared to those promoting streptomycin biosynthesis.", "PMID": 773281} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3686", "title": "[Effect of certain factors on the determination of the biological activity of amphotericin B].", "content": "Sensitivity of the test-microbe to amphotericin B was studied. It was shown that composition of the nutrient medium, the innoculum amount and preincubation may significantly change the conditions of determination of the test-microbe sensitivity to amphotericin B and affect the accuracy of the microbiological method of determination of the antibiotic activity. The size of the inhibition growth zones of the test-microbe at amphotericin B concentrations within 0.06 to 1000 gamma/ml were measured. The angle of the dose response curve was the least at amphotericin B concentrations within 0.06 to 1.0 gamma/ml. Therefore, they were most suitable for plotting the standard curves. The population growth character of a number of test-cultures was investigated. A new test-culture, i.e., C. scotti Tul-I was proposed as one being most sensitive to amphotericin B, having prolong lag-phase of the population growth, forming even growth and clear inhibition zones.", "contents": "[Effect of certain factors on the determination of the biological activity of amphotericin B]. Sensitivity of the test-microbe to amphotericin B was studied. It was shown that composition of the nutrient medium, the innoculum amount and preincubation may significantly change the conditions of determination of the test-microbe sensitivity to amphotericin B and affect the accuracy of the microbiological method of determination of the antibiotic activity. The size of the inhibition growth zones of the test-microbe at amphotericin B concentrations within 0.06 to 1000 gamma/ml were measured. The angle of the dose response curve was the least at amphotericin B concentrations within 0.06 to 1.0 gamma/ml. Therefore, they were most suitable for plotting the standard curves. The population growth character of a number of test-cultures was investigated. A new test-culture, i.e., C. scotti Tul-I was proposed as one being most sensitive to amphotericin B, having prolong lag-phase of the population growth, forming even growth and clear inhibition zones.", "PMID": 773282} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3687", "title": "[Suppresion of the R-factor transduction transmission of antibiotic resistance markers in E. coli by distamycin A].", "content": "Some mechanisms of inhibition by distamycin A of transduction of antibiotic resistance markers of R-factors (RI drd and R222) with the moderate phage PI kc in E. coli were studied. The kinetics of the transduction of the R-factor markers was investigated in comparison with the stages of interaction of PI kc phage particles with bacterial cells of E. coli K-12 carrying the R-factors such as RI and R222 -- phage PI kc -- E. coli C6000. Later the effect of distamycin A on transduction of the above R-factors was studied using the same system. It was shown that distamycin A in concentrations of 75 gamma/ml suppressed the transduction of the R-markers when added to the transduction mixture simultaneously with the phage. The transduction rate decreased 15 times if the drug was added 5 minutes after beginning of the phage contact with the recipient culture. Addition of distamycin A at the 20th minute of the experiment induced no inhibition of the transduction of the R-factor markers. Preliminary 18-hour exposure to distamycin A of the recipient culture and phagolysates possessing transduction capacity resulted in decreased rates of the transduction of the antibiotic resistance markers 35 to 40 times. No inhibitory effect of distamycin A on the process of phenotypic manifestation of the antibiotic resistance markers of the R-factors was noted. The experiments showed that distamycin A affected the early stages of interaction of the transducing particles with the recipient culture, possibly the process of penetration of the transducing DNA of the R-factors into the cells of the recipient culture.", "contents": "[Suppresion of the R-factor transduction transmission of antibiotic resistance markers in E. coli by distamycin A]. Some mechanisms of inhibition by distamycin A of transduction of antibiotic resistance markers of R-factors (RI drd and R222) with the moderate phage PI kc in E. coli were studied. The kinetics of the transduction of the R-factor markers was investigated in comparison with the stages of interaction of PI kc phage particles with bacterial cells of E. coli K-12 carrying the R-factors such as RI and R222 -- phage PI kc -- E. coli C6000. Later the effect of distamycin A on transduction of the above R-factors was studied using the same system. It was shown that distamycin A in concentrations of 75 gamma/ml suppressed the transduction of the R-markers when added to the transduction mixture simultaneously with the phage. The transduction rate decreased 15 times if the drug was added 5 minutes after beginning of the phage contact with the recipient culture. Addition of distamycin A at the 20th minute of the experiment induced no inhibition of the transduction of the R-factor markers. Preliminary 18-hour exposure to distamycin A of the recipient culture and phagolysates possessing transduction capacity resulted in decreased rates of the transduction of the antibiotic resistance markers 35 to 40 times. No inhibitory effect of distamycin A on the process of phenotypic manifestation of the antibiotic resistance markers of the R-factors was noted. The experiments showed that distamycin A affected the early stages of interaction of the transducing particles with the recipient culture, possibly the process of penetration of the transducing DNA of the R-factors into the cells of the recipient culture.", "PMID": 773283} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3688", "title": "[Resistance to nalidixic acid in tetracycline-resistant mutants of E. coli].", "content": "The studies on the effect of nalidixic acid (negram) on the synthesis of DNA and determination of its minimal inhibitory concentrations revealed a regular decrease in the sensitivity levels to negram of the tetracycline resistant mutants selected on media with tetracycline. Heterogene ty of the tetracycline resistant mutants to EDTA showed that one of the causes of insensitivity of the mutants to negram was a change in the surface structures of the microbial cell.", "contents": "[Resistance to nalidixic acid in tetracycline-resistant mutants of E. coli]. The studies on the effect of nalidixic acid (negram) on the synthesis of DNA and determination of its minimal inhibitory concentrations revealed a regular decrease in the sensitivity levels to negram of the tetracycline resistant mutants selected on media with tetracycline. Heterogene ty of the tetracycline resistant mutants to EDTA showed that one of the causes of insensitivity of the mutants to negram was a change in the surface structures of the microbial cell.", "PMID": 773284} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3689", "title": "[Biochemical processes in the leukocytes which phagocytize antibiotic--sensitive and antibiotic-resistant bacteria].", "content": "Biochemical activity of the guinea pig leucocytes phagocyting live antibiotic sensitive and resistant bacteria was studied in vitro. The results of the study showed that the leucocytes which had absorbed live Staph. aureus and E. coli sensitive and resistant to be benzylpenicillin and levomycetin respectively differed in increased contents of nucleic acids. The increase was due to higher contents of RNA. The activity of dehydrogenases, acid and alkaline phosphatases was markedly inhibited. The use of oxygen and lipase activity did not differ from the control in the experiments with phagocytosis of both Staph. aureus and E. coli. The activity of peroxidase and catalase in the experiments with phagocytosis of E. coli did not differ from the control, while in the experiments with phagocytosis of Staph. aureus it increased. The data testified to the fact that the enzymatic activity of the phagocytes changed when they absorbed the objects of phagocytosis, the changes in the biochemical activity being dependent on the nature of the antigen and its state.", "contents": "[Biochemical processes in the leukocytes which phagocytize antibiotic--sensitive and antibiotic-resistant bacteria]. Biochemical activity of the guinea pig leucocytes phagocyting live antibiotic sensitive and resistant bacteria was studied in vitro. The results of the study showed that the leucocytes which had absorbed live Staph. aureus and E. coli sensitive and resistant to be benzylpenicillin and levomycetin respectively differed in increased contents of nucleic acids. The increase was due to higher contents of RNA. The activity of dehydrogenases, acid and alkaline phosphatases was markedly inhibited. The use of oxygen and lipase activity did not differ from the control in the experiments with phagocytosis of both Staph. aureus and E. coli. The activity of peroxidase and catalase in the experiments with phagocytosis of E. coli did not differ from the control, while in the experiments with phagocytosis of Staph. aureus it increased. The data testified to the fact that the enzymatic activity of the phagocytes changed when they absorbed the objects of phagocytosis, the changes in the biochemical activity being dependent on the nature of the antigen and its state.", "PMID": 773285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3690", "title": "[Microflora of the pus of lactation mastitis patients and its sensitivity to a series of antibiotics].", "content": "The etiological picture of lactation mastitis and sensitivity of its causative agent to some antibiotics were studied. Mostly microbial associations were isolated from the patients. Pathogenic staphylococci typed mainly by the phages of group I predominated among the isolates. In addition the strains of Proteus, Pseudomonas, E. coli and others were isolated from the pus of the mastitis cases. Sensitivity of the microflora to some antibiotics was studied. It was found that most of the causative agents of the postnatal mastitis possessed multiple resistance. They were mainly resistant to benzylpenicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, oleandomycin and sensitive to oxacillin, methicillin, kanamycin and rifampicin. It was shown that during the patients stay under tha stationary conditions the postoperative wound were infected for the second time with hospital microbial strains.", "contents": "[Microflora of the pus of lactation mastitis patients and its sensitivity to a series of antibiotics]. The etiological picture of lactation mastitis and sensitivity of its causative agent to some antibiotics were studied. Mostly microbial associations were isolated from the patients. Pathogenic staphylococci typed mainly by the phages of group I predominated among the isolates. In addition the strains of Proteus, Pseudomonas, E. coli and others were isolated from the pus of the mastitis cases. Sensitivity of the microflora to some antibiotics was studied. It was found that most of the causative agents of the postnatal mastitis possessed multiple resistance. They were mainly resistant to benzylpenicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, oleandomycin and sensitive to oxacillin, methicillin, kanamycin and rifampicin. It was shown that during the patients stay under tha stationary conditions the postoperative wound were infected for the second time with hospital microbial strains.", "PMID": 773286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3691", "title": "Transduction of various R factors by Plkc phage.", "content": "Transduction of R-factors with phage Rlkc was studied. Six of the R-factors controlled resistance to single antibacterial drugs, such as tetracycline, levomycetin, ampicillin, neomycin, streptomycin and nitrofurans. When the donor strains produced bacteriocins, treatment of the transducing lysates with trypsine increased the yield of the R+-transductants. Transduction of the resistance determinants was not in most cases accompanied with lysogenization of the recipient cells. It was confirmed that transduction with phage Rlkc provided division of the R-factors into 2 groups, i. e. those with the resistance determinants possessing transferability after transduction and those with the determinants possessing no such ability. It was supposed that one of the causes of the R+-transductant inability to transferance of the resistance determinants on conjugation was their intergration into the recipient chromosomes on transduction.", "contents": "Transduction of various R factors by Plkc phage. Transduction of R-factors with phage Rlkc was studied. Six of the R-factors controlled resistance to single antibacterial drugs, such as tetracycline, levomycetin, ampicillin, neomycin, streptomycin and nitrofurans. When the donor strains produced bacteriocins, treatment of the transducing lysates with trypsine increased the yield of the R+-transductants. Transduction of the resistance determinants was not in most cases accompanied with lysogenization of the recipient cells. It was confirmed that transduction with phage Rlkc provided division of the R-factors into 2 groups, i. e. those with the resistance determinants possessing transferability after transduction and those with the determinants possessing no such ability. It was supposed that one of the causes of the R+-transductant inability to transferance of the resistance determinants on conjugation was their intergration into the recipient chromosomes on transduction.", "PMID": 773287} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3692", "title": "[Isolation of new species of the genus Actinomadura on selective media with rubomycin].", "content": "In the screening programme of organisms producing new antibiotics on selective media with rubomycin (5, 10, 20 gamma/ml) 4 unusual actinomyceteus cultures forming short, straight, hook-like and monospiral spore chains on the aerial mycelium were isolated. The study of the composition of the cell walls showed that they contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and madurose, a differentiating sugar. On the basis of the morphological structure and composition of the cell walls the isolates were classified as belonging to Actinomadura. Comparison of the isolates with the species of Actinomadura described in the literature showed that the isolates were new species of the genera, i.e. Am. roseola sp. nov., Am, aurantiaca sp. nov., Am. vinacea sp. nov. and Am. livida sp. nov.", "contents": "[Isolation of new species of the genus Actinomadura on selective media with rubomycin]. In the screening programme of organisms producing new antibiotics on selective media with rubomycin (5, 10, 20 gamma/ml) 4 unusual actinomyceteus cultures forming short, straight, hook-like and monospiral spore chains on the aerial mycelium were isolated. The study of the composition of the cell walls showed that they contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and madurose, a differentiating sugar. On the basis of the morphological structure and composition of the cell walls the isolates were classified as belonging to Actinomadura. Comparison of the isolates with the species of Actinomadura described in the literature showed that the isolates were new species of the genera, i.e. Am. roseola sp. nov., Am, aurantiaca sp. nov., Am. vinacea sp. nov. and Am. livida sp. nov.", "PMID": 773288} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3693", "title": "[Variability in Act. circulatus var. monomycini induced by N-5-nitroso-N-methylbiuret].", "content": "The effect of N-5-nitrozo-N-methylbiuret (NMB) on various features of Act. circulatus var. monomycini, an organism producing monomycin was studied. It was found that the lethal effect of NMB depended on the exposure time, prolongation of which resulted in increased numbers of the plus variants, morphological and auxotrophic mutations and reverses into the populations of the monomycin-producing organism. An increase in the temperature of the treatment had an effect on the frequency of morphological and auxotrophic mutations inducing an increase in the number of the first and some decrease in the number of the second. The fact of specificity in formation of the vitamin B6-deficient auxotrophic mutants of the same type was of special interest. This was probably associated with genetic peculiar properties of the culture. It was supposed that the genes controlling biosynthesis of vitamin B6 were localized on the actinomycete plasmids, elimination of which under the effect of NMB resulted in blocking of vitamin B6 synthesis which in its turn impaired the reactions of transaminations participating in formation of monomycin.", "contents": "[Variability in Act. circulatus var. monomycini induced by N-5-nitroso-N-methylbiuret]. The effect of N-5-nitrozo-N-methylbiuret (NMB) on various features of Act. circulatus var. monomycini, an organism producing monomycin was studied. It was found that the lethal effect of NMB depended on the exposure time, prolongation of which resulted in increased numbers of the plus variants, morphological and auxotrophic mutations and reverses into the populations of the monomycin-producing organism. An increase in the temperature of the treatment had an effect on the frequency of morphological and auxotrophic mutations inducing an increase in the number of the first and some decrease in the number of the second. The fact of specificity in formation of the vitamin B6-deficient auxotrophic mutants of the same type was of special interest. This was probably associated with genetic peculiar properties of the culture. It was supposed that the genes controlling biosynthesis of vitamin B6 were localized on the actinomycete plasmids, elimination of which under the effect of NMB resulted in blocking of vitamin B6 synthesis which in its turn impaired the reactions of transaminations participating in formation of monomycin.", "PMID": 773289} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3694", "title": "[Observations on the sensitivity to antibiotics of the Shigella isolated from patients in 1966-1973].", "content": "Sensitivity to levomycetin, streptomycin, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, monomycin, neomycin and erythromycin of 3766 strains of Shigella isolated from dysentery patients within 1966-1973 was determined with the method of standard discs. The strains proved to be resistant to tetracycline (94.3-99.4 per cent), streptomycin (85.1-94.9 per cent) and levomycetin (69-93.1 percent). By present the dysentery bacilli have preserved their sensitivity to monomycin (88.2 per cent) and neomycin (98.2 per cent). Cultures insensitive or slightly sensitive to erythromycin predominated. Strains with multiple resistance amounted to 79 per cent, including 82.5 per cent of Shigella Sonne, 51.8 per cent of Shigella Flexneri and 35.9 percent of Newcastle bacteria.", "contents": "[Observations on the sensitivity to antibiotics of the Shigella isolated from patients in 1966-1973]. Sensitivity to levomycetin, streptomycin, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, monomycin, neomycin and erythromycin of 3766 strains of Shigella isolated from dysentery patients within 1966-1973 was determined with the method of standard discs. The strains proved to be resistant to tetracycline (94.3-99.4 per cent), streptomycin (85.1-94.9 per cent) and levomycetin (69-93.1 percent). By present the dysentery bacilli have preserved their sensitivity to monomycin (88.2 per cent) and neomycin (98.2 per cent). Cultures insensitive or slightly sensitive to erythromycin predominated. Strains with multiple resistance amounted to 79 per cent, including 82.5 per cent of Shigella Sonne, 51.8 per cent of Shigella Flexneri and 35.9 percent of Newcastle bacteria.", "PMID": 773290} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3695", "title": "[Change in the immunoreactivity of white rats immunized with a Candida albicans vaccine during the use of antibiotics].", "content": "The experiment was carried out with 252 albino rats of Wistar line immunized with Candida albicans vaccine under conditions of treatment with tetracycline, streptomycin and penicillin in doses of 40000-50000 Units/kg body weight. In the first part of the experiment the animals were immunized with a single dose of dead carpuscular vaccine and treated with the antibiotics for 10 days. In the second part of the experiment the animals were immunized 3 times, and 2nd and 3rd immunizations being with live cultures of C. albicans and the antibiotics were used for 20 days. The results of the experimental showed that repeated administrations of the antibiotics to the albino rats during immunization decreased the animal immune reactivity and aggravated the experimental candidosis: the rate of semination with the fungus increased and excretion of the fungus from the organism decreased.", "contents": "[Change in the immunoreactivity of white rats immunized with a Candida albicans vaccine during the use of antibiotics]. The experiment was carried out with 252 albino rats of Wistar line immunized with Candida albicans vaccine under conditions of treatment with tetracycline, streptomycin and penicillin in doses of 40000-50000 Units/kg body weight. In the first part of the experiment the animals were immunized with a single dose of dead carpuscular vaccine and treated with the antibiotics for 10 days. In the second part of the experiment the animals were immunized 3 times, and 2nd and 3rd immunizations being with live cultures of C. albicans and the antibiotics were used for 20 days. The results of the experimental showed that repeated administrations of the antibiotics to the albino rats during immunization decreased the animal immune reactivity and aggravated the experimental candidosis: the rate of semination with the fungus increased and excretion of the fungus from the organism decreased.", "PMID": 773291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3696", "title": "[Method of isolating spontaneous variants of actinomycete cultures, producers of antibiotics].", "content": "The necessity of taking into account the specific characteristics of the colony differentiation for isolation of spontaneous variants of the initial culture with the method of monospore plating was shown on the examples of the geliomycin-producing culture Actinomyces chromogenes var. trienicus 141-18. It was found that the population density of the colonies had a significant effect on the differentiation rate during the subsequent stages and completeness of the culture development. The less was the population density, the longer was the period of the colony complete development. Definite levels of the colony organization (fractionation of morphogenesis) corresponded to different dilutions of the monospore suspension providing definite population densities of the colonies on the plates. On the basis of the data on the colony differentiation compared with the data on the population density effect upon differentiation it was possible to determine without mistake stable variants on the plates at any dilution of the monospore culture, i.e. with any population density of the colony.", "contents": "[Method of isolating spontaneous variants of actinomycete cultures, producers of antibiotics]. The necessity of taking into account the specific characteristics of the colony differentiation for isolation of spontaneous variants of the initial culture with the method of monospore plating was shown on the examples of the geliomycin-producing culture Actinomyces chromogenes var. trienicus 141-18. It was found that the population density of the colonies had a significant effect on the differentiation rate during the subsequent stages and completeness of the culture development. The less was the population density, the longer was the period of the colony complete development. Definite levels of the colony organization (fractionation of morphogenesis) corresponded to different dilutions of the monospore suspension providing definite population densities of the colonies on the plates. On the basis of the data on the colony differentiation compared with the data on the population density effect upon differentiation it was possible to determine without mistake stable variants on the plates at any dilution of the monospore culture, i.e. with any population density of the colony.", "PMID": 773292} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3697", "title": "[Effect of proteolytic enzymes on the antimicrobial activity of antibiotics].", "content": "The results of the studies on the effect of chemotripsin on the antimicrobial activity of monomycin against laboratory cultures, such as Staph. aureus 209 P, E. coli M38 and Streptococcus zymogenes and 20 clinical strains isolated from patients with purulent peritonitis are presented. The studies were performed with the method of two-fold serial dilutions. It was found that chemotripsin decreased 3.2.10-2.6.10(5) times the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and the bactericidal concentration of monomycin. The presence of fibrin in the medium inhibited 4-128 times the antibacterial effect of monomycin. The potentiating effect of chemotripsin on monomycin could be explained by both a better \"contact\" of the antibiotic with the microbes and an direct increase in the antibiotic sensitivity of the microbial cells. Combination of monomycin with chemotripsin provided the use of decreased doses of the antibiotic. It is an effective means of overcoming the antibiotic resistance in pathogenic microbes.", "contents": "[Effect of proteolytic enzymes on the antimicrobial activity of antibiotics]. The results of the studies on the effect of chemotripsin on the antimicrobial activity of monomycin against laboratory cultures, such as Staph. aureus 209 P, E. coli M38 and Streptococcus zymogenes and 20 clinical strains isolated from patients with purulent peritonitis are presented. The studies were performed with the method of two-fold serial dilutions. It was found that chemotripsin decreased 3.2.10-2.6.10(5) times the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and the bactericidal concentration of monomycin. The presence of fibrin in the medium inhibited 4-128 times the antibacterial effect of monomycin. The potentiating effect of chemotripsin on monomycin could be explained by both a better \"contact\" of the antibiotic with the microbes and an direct increase in the antibiotic sensitivity of the microbial cells. Combination of monomycin with chemotripsin provided the use of decreased doses of the antibiotic. It is an effective means of overcoming the antibiotic resistance in pathogenic microbes.", "PMID": 773293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3698", "title": "Inhibition of peptidoglycan cross-linking in growing cells of Escherichia coli by penicillins and cephalosporins, and its prevention by R factor-mediated beta-lactamase.", "content": "The degree of peptidoglycan cross-linking has been studied in growing cells of a Dap(-) Lys(-) auxotroph of Escherichia coli K-12 by following the incorporation of [(3)H]diaminopimelic acid into the lysozyme digestion products of crude, isolated peptidoglycan. The percentage of inhibition of cross-linking increases with increasing concentrations of penicillin G, cephaloridine, and cefuroxime. When the R factor R1drd 19 was introduced into the strain by conjugation, it was found that the type IIIa, beta-lactamase specified by the plasmid was able to protect the cross-linking target against inhibition by penicillin G but not against cephaloridine, even though the beta-lactamase hydrolyzes this substrate 50% faster than penicillin G. Cefuroxime, which is completely resistant to hydrolysis by the type IIIa beta-lactamase, inhibited the peptidoglycan cross-linking target in both the R(+) and R(-) variants of the assay strain. A mutant plasmid, R1drd19amp2, which specified no type IIIa beta-lactamase synthesis, could not provide protection of the cross-linking target against penicillin G. The significance of these results, in relation to the ability of the antibiotics to pass the permeability barrier of the bacterial envelope, is discussed.", "contents": "Inhibition of peptidoglycan cross-linking in growing cells of Escherichia coli by penicillins and cephalosporins, and its prevention by R factor-mediated beta-lactamase. The degree of peptidoglycan cross-linking has been studied in growing cells of a Dap(-) Lys(-) auxotroph of Escherichia coli K-12 by following the incorporation of [(3)H]diaminopimelic acid into the lysozyme digestion products of crude, isolated peptidoglycan. The percentage of inhibition of cross-linking increases with increasing concentrations of penicillin G, cephaloridine, and cefuroxime. When the R factor R1drd 19 was introduced into the strain by conjugation, it was found that the type IIIa, beta-lactamase specified by the plasmid was able to protect the cross-linking target against inhibition by penicillin G but not against cephaloridine, even though the beta-lactamase hydrolyzes this substrate 50% faster than penicillin G. Cefuroxime, which is completely resistant to hydrolysis by the type IIIa beta-lactamase, inhibited the peptidoglycan cross-linking target in both the R(+) and R(-) variants of the assay strain. A mutant plasmid, R1drd19amp2, which specified no type IIIa beta-lactamase synthesis, could not provide protection of the cross-linking target against penicillin G. The significance of these results, in relation to the ability of the antibiotics to pass the permeability barrier of the bacterial envelope, is discussed.", "PMID": 773294} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3699", "title": "Evaluation of antibiotic efficacy using electron microscopy: morphological effects of guanylureido cephalosporin, BL-P1654, and carbenicillin on Escherichia coli.", "content": "Early response of Escherichia coli to minimal inhibitory concentrations of 112883, BL-P1654, and carbenicillin was determined by [(14)C]leucine uptake and scanning electron microscopy morphology studies. [(14)C]leucine uptake was inhibited later by carbenicillin than by BL-P1654 or 112883. Cellular swelling at 30 min, septal region swelling, and lysis were the progressive morphological changes with BL-P1654 and 112883. Carbenicillin-treated cells showed septal region swelling, beaded chains, and lysis.", "contents": "Evaluation of antibiotic efficacy using electron microscopy: morphological effects of guanylureido cephalosporin, BL-P1654, and carbenicillin on Escherichia coli. Early response of Escherichia coli to minimal inhibitory concentrations of 112883, BL-P1654, and carbenicillin was determined by [(14)C]leucine uptake and scanning electron microscopy morphology studies. [(14)C]leucine uptake was inhibited later by carbenicillin than by BL-P1654 or 112883. Cellular swelling at 30 min, septal region swelling, and lysis were the progressive morphological changes with BL-P1654 and 112883. Carbenicillin-treated cells showed septal region swelling, beaded chains, and lysis.", "PMID": 773295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3700", "title": "Synergy in the antimicrobial action of penicillin and beta-chloro-D-alanine in vitro.", "content": "beta-Chloro-d-alanine and penicillin G acted on early and late steps, respectively, in the biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall. In combination these compounds showed a synergistic effect on the growth of Salmonella typhimurium and of Escherichia coli in vitro.", "contents": "Synergy in the antimicrobial action of penicillin and beta-chloro-D-alanine in vitro. beta-Chloro-d-alanine and penicillin G acted on early and late steps, respectively, in the biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall. In combination these compounds showed a synergistic effect on the growth of Salmonella typhimurium and of Escherichia coli in vitro.", "PMID": 773296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3701", "title": "Killing of Torulopsis glabrata by Saccharomyces cerevisiae killer factor.", "content": "The Saccharomyces cerevisiae killer factor glycoproteins killed the pathogen Torulopsis glabrata by a mechanism involving membrane damage. Some other yeast species were unaffected by these glycoprotein toxins.", "contents": "Killing of Torulopsis glabrata by Saccharomyces cerevisiae killer factor. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae killer factor glycoproteins killed the pathogen Torulopsis glabrata by a mechanism involving membrane damage. Some other yeast species were unaffected by these glycoprotein toxins.", "PMID": 773297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3702", "title": "Mode of action of the polyene antibiotic candicidin: binding factors in the wall of Candida albicans.", "content": "The polyene antibiotic candicidin produces a rapid efflux of K(+) ions from a suspension of Candida albicans. Onset of K(+) leakage depends on the culture age, stationary-phase yeasts leaking K(+) more slowly than exponential-phase yeasts. The time taken for potassium leakage to begin represents the time taken by the antibiotic to cross the cell wall and produce membrane damage. It was shown that there were factors in the cell wall of C. albicans that increased their total binding capacity and their affinity for candicidin during growth. An attempt was made to relate changes in the lipid content of the yeast cell with the increased time taken to produce membrane damage.", "contents": "Mode of action of the polyene antibiotic candicidin: binding factors in the wall of Candida albicans. The polyene antibiotic candicidin produces a rapid efflux of K(+) ions from a suspension of Candida albicans. Onset of K(+) leakage depends on the culture age, stationary-phase yeasts leaking K(+) more slowly than exponential-phase yeasts. The time taken for potassium leakage to begin represents the time taken by the antibiotic to cross the cell wall and produce membrane damage. It was shown that there were factors in the cell wall of C. albicans that increased their total binding capacity and their affinity for candicidin during growth. An attempt was made to relate changes in the lipid content of the yeast cell with the increased time taken to produce membrane damage.", "PMID": 773298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3703", "title": "Nystatin-induced potassium efflux from Saccharomyces cerevisiae measured by flame photometry: a potential bioassay approach.", "content": "A potential bioassay method for nystatin has been developed based on the ability of this antibiotic to bring out dose-related potassium ion efflux from susceptible cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, such extracellular potassium ion concentration being measured by flame photometry.", "contents": "Nystatin-induced potassium efflux from Saccharomyces cerevisiae measured by flame photometry: a potential bioassay approach. A potential bioassay method for nystatin has been developed based on the ability of this antibiotic to bring out dose-related potassium ion efflux from susceptible cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, such extracellular potassium ion concentration being measured by flame photometry.", "PMID": 773299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3704", "title": "Bactericidal action of dapsone against Mycobacterium leprae in mice.", "content": "Dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone), incorporated into the mouse chow in a concentration of 0.1 g/100 g of diet, was administered for 1 week to mice in which Mycobacterium leprae had multiplied to the level of 10(6) organisms/footpad. M. leprae were harvested from these and also from control mice, diluted serially, and inoculated into additional mice. The organisms recovered from untreated mice multiplied in passage with a mean doubling time of 12.2 days, and 35% or more of the inoculated organisms were viable, i.e., capable of infecting mice. Growth curves of M. leprae recovered from dapsone-treated animals lagged behind those of organisms from control animals by an average of 78 days, equivalent to 98.8% killing. Foot-by-foot harvests showed that only 0.2% of the M. leprae recovered from treated mice were viable, suggesting that treatment of mice with dapsone had been accompanied by killing of 99.4% of the viable M. leprae.", "contents": "Bactericidal action of dapsone against Mycobacterium leprae in mice. Dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone), incorporated into the mouse chow in a concentration of 0.1 g/100 g of diet, was administered for 1 week to mice in which Mycobacterium leprae had multiplied to the level of 10(6) organisms/footpad. M. leprae were harvested from these and also from control mice, diluted serially, and inoculated into additional mice. The organisms recovered from untreated mice multiplied in passage with a mean doubling time of 12.2 days, and 35% or more of the inoculated organisms were viable, i.e., capable of infecting mice. Growth curves of M. leprae recovered from dapsone-treated animals lagged behind those of organisms from control animals by an average of 78 days, equivalent to 98.8% killing. Foot-by-foot harvests showed that only 0.2% of the M. leprae recovered from treated mice were viable, suggesting that treatment of mice with dapsone had been accompanied by killing of 99.4% of the viable M. leprae.", "PMID": 773300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3705", "title": "Safety of the bolus administration of gentamicin.", "content": "A study was done to assess the safety of gentamicin administration by a bolus method. A total of 63 patients were randomly treated with intravenous gentamicin by bolus administration (3 to 5 min) and by slow infusion (2 h). Serum gentamicin levels were measured. Renal and audiovestibular function were monitored. Pure-tone audiometry was performed at the beginning, on day 3, and at the end of therapy. The study revealed that the bolus administration was safe and nontoxic.", "contents": "Safety of the bolus administration of gentamicin. A study was done to assess the safety of gentamicin administration by a bolus method. A total of 63 patients were randomly treated with intravenous gentamicin by bolus administration (3 to 5 min) and by slow infusion (2 h). Serum gentamicin levels were measured. Renal and audiovestibular function were monitored. Pure-tone audiometry was performed at the beginning, on day 3, and at the end of therapy. The study revealed that the bolus administration was safe and nontoxic.", "PMID": 773301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3706", "title": "Sensitization of colicin K-treated bacteria by sodium dodecyl sulfate: presence of free colicin in colicin K-treated cultures of Escherichia coli.", "content": "A method of assaying colicin K is described. It makes use of two properties of sodium dodecyl sulfate to protect bacteria against colicin action and to dissolve those bacteria on which colicin K had started its action. By this method, the kinetics of bacterial killing by colicin K have been measured directly in the treated culture without intervening dilution. The kinetics are exponential with time and are a function of the colicin multiplicity, as described previously, but do not reach a final plateau. At any time during colicin treatment, free colicin is found in the medium. Procedures that eliminate or destroy this free colicin, such as centrifugation and resuspension of the treated bacteria in a fresh medium, or addition of trypsin or sodium dodecyl sulfate to the treated culture stop bacterial killing.", "contents": "Sensitization of colicin K-treated bacteria by sodium dodecyl sulfate: presence of free colicin in colicin K-treated cultures of Escherichia coli. A method of assaying colicin K is described. It makes use of two properties of sodium dodecyl sulfate to protect bacteria against colicin action and to dissolve those bacteria on which colicin K had started its action. By this method, the kinetics of bacterial killing by colicin K have been measured directly in the treated culture without intervening dilution. The kinetics are exponential with time and are a function of the colicin multiplicity, as described previously, but do not reach a final plateau. At any time during colicin treatment, free colicin is found in the medium. Procedures that eliminate or destroy this free colicin, such as centrifugation and resuspension of the treated bacteria in a fresh medium, or addition of trypsin or sodium dodecyl sulfate to the treated culture stop bacterial killing.", "PMID": 773302} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3707", "title": "Penicillin-induced lysis of Escherichia coli in medium that does not support sustained growth.", "content": "Exponentially growing cells of an Escherichia coli auxotroph that are washed and resuspended in buffer containing a carbon source undergo sufficient growth to render them susceptible to penicillin-induced lysis, even in the absence of the required metabolite. This lysis is probably responsible for the reduction in intracellular enzyme activity previously attributed to a direct effect of penicillin upon the enzyme.", "contents": "Penicillin-induced lysis of Escherichia coli in medium that does not support sustained growth. Exponentially growing cells of an Escherichia coli auxotroph that are washed and resuspended in buffer containing a carbon source undergo sufficient growth to render them susceptible to penicillin-induced lysis, even in the absence of the required metabolite. This lysis is probably responsible for the reduction in intracellular enzyme activity previously attributed to a direct effect of penicillin upon the enzyme.", "PMID": 773303} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3708", "title": "Substitute for agar in solid media for common usages in microbiology.", "content": "The potassium salt of carrageenan was found to be an adequate replacement for agar in solid bacteriological media. The common microbial genetic techniques, such as purifying colonies by streaking, replication tests, and titration of cultures, were carried out sucessfully with a number of mutant strains of Escherichia coli.", "contents": "Substitute for agar in solid media for common usages in microbiology. The potassium salt of carrageenan was found to be an adequate replacement for agar in solid bacteriological media. The common microbial genetic techniques, such as purifying colonies by streaking, replication tests, and titration of cultures, were carried out sucessfully with a number of mutant strains of Escherichia coli.", "PMID": 773304} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3709", "title": "Evaluation of an automated fluorescent antibody procedure for detection of Salmonella in foods and feeds.", "content": "A prototype automated system using fluorescent antibody (FA) was evaluated for rapid detection of salmonellae in foods. Samples were enriched in selenite cystine and tetrathionate broths. After incubation, both were transferred into fresh selenite cystine for a 4-h \"post-enrichment\" to dilute possible background fluorescence from product. These cultures were then analyzed automatically, and results were compared with those obtained by the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Initially, 167 samples of milk powder, dried yeast, and imported frog legs were examined. The AOAC and automated FA methods correlated well with all samples but frog legs. Difficulty with the latter was caused by procedural and mechanical problems coupled with high numbers of competing microorganisms in post-enrichment cultures. Modification of procedure and partial redesign of equipment corrected these difficulties, and excellent correlation was obtained with another 116 frog leg samples. All 89 AOAC-confirmed positives were also detected by the automated FA method, and there were only 4% false FA positives. The system shows potential for screening products for salmonellae; however, all positives should be confirmed by manual biochemical and serological methods.", "contents": "Evaluation of an automated fluorescent antibody procedure for detection of Salmonella in foods and feeds. A prototype automated system using fluorescent antibody (FA) was evaluated for rapid detection of salmonellae in foods. Samples were enriched in selenite cystine and tetrathionate broths. After incubation, both were transferred into fresh selenite cystine for a 4-h \"post-enrichment\" to dilute possible background fluorescence from product. These cultures were then analyzed automatically, and results were compared with those obtained by the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Initially, 167 samples of milk powder, dried yeast, and imported frog legs were examined. The AOAC and automated FA methods correlated well with all samples but frog legs. Difficulty with the latter was caused by procedural and mechanical problems coupled with high numbers of competing microorganisms in post-enrichment cultures. Modification of procedure and partial redesign of equipment corrected these difficulties, and excellent correlation was obtained with another 116 frog leg samples. All 89 AOAC-confirmed positives were also detected by the automated FA method, and there were only 4% false FA positives. The system shows potential for screening products for salmonellae; however, all positives should be confirmed by manual biochemical and serological methods.", "PMID": 773305} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3710", "title": "Toxicity and mutagenicity of 2,4,-6-trinitrotoluene and its microbial metabolites.", "content": "TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) of explosive grade is highly toxic to marine forms that included fresh water unicellular green algae (Selenastrum capricornutum), tidepool copepods (Tigriopus californicus), and oyster larvae (Crassostrea gigas), and mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium. On the basis of mutagenic assays carried out with a set of histidine-requiring strains of the bacterium, TNT was detected as a frameshift mutagen that significantly accelerates the reversion rate of a frameshift tester, TA-98. In contrast, the major microbial metabolites of TNT appeared to be nontoxic and nonmutagenic.", "contents": "Toxicity and mutagenicity of 2,4,-6-trinitrotoluene and its microbial metabolites. TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) of explosive grade is highly toxic to marine forms that included fresh water unicellular green algae (Selenastrum capricornutum), tidepool copepods (Tigriopus californicus), and oyster larvae (Crassostrea gigas), and mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium. On the basis of mutagenic assays carried out with a set of histidine-requiring strains of the bacterium, TNT was detected as a frameshift mutagen that significantly accelerates the reversion rate of a frameshift tester, TA-98. In contrast, the major microbial metabolites of TNT appeared to be nontoxic and nonmutagenic.", "PMID": 773306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3711", "title": "Continuously variable amplitude contrast microscopy for the detection and study of microorganisms in soil.", "content": "A new type of phase microscope was used to detect and observe the microflora in soil and to differentiate cells and spores from soil debris. This microscope provides a continuous variation in the amplitude ratios between undeviated and deviated beams of light, and the microbial cells, spores, and debris in soil change in appearance to a differing degree in response to the changes in amplitude ratio.", "contents": "Continuously variable amplitude contrast microscopy for the detection and study of microorganisms in soil. A new type of phase microscope was used to detect and observe the microflora in soil and to differentiate cells and spores from soil debris. This microscope provides a continuous variation in the amplitude ratios between undeviated and deviated beams of light, and the microbial cells, spores, and debris in soil change in appearance to a differing degree in response to the changes in amplitude ratio.", "PMID": 773307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3712", "title": "Selective isolation of Neisseria sicca from the human oral cavity on eosin methylene blue agar.", "content": "Strains of Neisseria sicca and N. mucosa, but not N. perflava, N. subflava, N. flava, or N. flavescens were found to grow on eosin methylene blue agar. The distribution of N. sicca on the tongue dorsum, the gingival crevice area, and the coronal surfaces of teeth of humans was determined using this medium. N. sicca averaged about 5% of the total cultivable organisms of the tongues of 14 subjects examined, but it was present in only trace quantities in dental plaque on the coronal surfaces of teeth or in the gingival crevice area.", "contents": "Selective isolation of Neisseria sicca from the human oral cavity on eosin methylene blue agar. Strains of Neisseria sicca and N. mucosa, but not N. perflava, N. subflava, N. flava, or N. flavescens were found to grow on eosin methylene blue agar. The distribution of N. sicca on the tongue dorsum, the gingival crevice area, and the coronal surfaces of teeth of humans was determined using this medium. N. sicca averaged about 5% of the total cultivable organisms of the tongues of 14 subjects examined, but it was present in only trace quantities in dental plaque on the coronal surfaces of teeth or in the gingival crevice area.", "PMID": 773308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3713", "title": "Gluconate zinc in acrodermatitis enteropathica.", "content": "Two children with characteristic findings of acrodermatitis enteropathica were found to have low serum zinc levels prior to therapy. Treatment with zinc gluconate in low dosages resulted in an increase in serum zinc levels and clinical improvement. All family members studied had low serum zinc levels. In addition, we noted a change of hair color to red and excessive drooling just prior to exacerbations in these two patients. The hair color returned to normal with remission.", "contents": "Gluconate zinc in acrodermatitis enteropathica. Two children with characteristic findings of acrodermatitis enteropathica were found to have low serum zinc levels prior to therapy. Treatment with zinc gluconate in low dosages resulted in an increase in serum zinc levels and clinical improvement. All family members studied had low serum zinc levels. In addition, we noted a change of hair color to red and excessive drooling just prior to exacerbations in these two patients. The hair color returned to normal with remission.", "PMID": 773310} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3714", "title": "Immunologic response to A and B erythrocytic antigen.", "content": "Immunologic response to A and B erythrocytic antigen stimulation was studied in patients with pemphigus, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and in normal subjects. Patients with pemphigus and normal subjects demonstrated a similar specific response (isohemagglutinins). A comparison between patients with pemphigus and SLE showed higher titers in the latter. Intercellular antibody titers increased after stimulation; corresponding titers were unaffected by isohemagglutinin absorption. Direct immunofluorescent studies showed IgG deposits in the intercellular spaces of the skin of the patients with pemphigus. However, C3 was found in the same sites in only three cases of pemphigus erythematosus. Immunofluorescent studies for IgG at the basal membrane were positive in only two cases of pemphigus erythematosus. Immunologic response of patients with pemphigus was similar to that of controls; however, it differed from that of patients with SLE.", "contents": "Immunologic response to A and B erythrocytic antigen. Immunologic response to A and B erythrocytic antigen stimulation was studied in patients with pemphigus, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and in normal subjects. Patients with pemphigus and normal subjects demonstrated a similar specific response (isohemagglutinins). A comparison between patients with pemphigus and SLE showed higher titers in the latter. Intercellular antibody titers increased after stimulation; corresponding titers were unaffected by isohemagglutinin absorption. Direct immunofluorescent studies showed IgG deposits in the intercellular spaces of the skin of the patients with pemphigus. However, C3 was found in the same sites in only three cases of pemphigus erythematosus. Immunofluorescent studies for IgG at the basal membrane were positive in only two cases of pemphigus erythematosus. Immunologic response of patients with pemphigus was similar to that of controls; however, it differed from that of patients with SLE.", "PMID": 773311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3715", "title": "The natural history of the perforated duodenal ulcer treated by suture plication.", "content": "This retrospective study of 174 patients with proven duodenal ulcer perforation was undertaken to delineate the natural history of those patients primarily managed by suture plication. During this 25-year period, 122 patients (70%) were treated with suture plication and 52 (30%) underwent a definitive procedure. There were 13 deaths in the overall group (7.4%) of which the mortality was 6.5% in the plicated group and 9.6% in the definitive group. Of the 122 patients treated with suture plication, 48% either 1) died of ulcer complications later, 2) required reoperation for ulcer disease, or 3) were under active treatment for ulcer symptoms. The reperforation rate in the entire series was 9% and the reoperation rate 32%. Suture plication is a time-honored, life-saving procedure, however, definitive surgery is a superior form of long-term management of the perforated duodenal ulcer patient.", "contents": "The natural history of the perforated duodenal ulcer treated by suture plication. This retrospective study of 174 patients with proven duodenal ulcer perforation was undertaken to delineate the natural history of those patients primarily managed by suture plication. During this 25-year period, 122 patients (70%) were treated with suture plication and 52 (30%) underwent a definitive procedure. There were 13 deaths in the overall group (7.4%) of which the mortality was 6.5% in the plicated group and 9.6% in the definitive group. Of the 122 patients treated with suture plication, 48% either 1) died of ulcer complications later, 2) required reoperation for ulcer disease, or 3) were under active treatment for ulcer symptoms. The reperforation rate in the entire series was 9% and the reoperation rate 32%. Suture plication is a time-honored, life-saving procedure, however, definitive surgery is a superior form of long-term management of the perforated duodenal ulcer patient.", "PMID": 773315} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3716", "title": "Comparative studies on the laboratory diagnosis of experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection in sheep.", "content": "Comparative studies on the laboratory diagnosis of sheep experimentally infected with T. congolense were carried out by parasitological and serological methods during a period of 53 weeks. Trypanosomes were most numerous in the first weeks after inoculation, when they were detectable by all three parasitological tests: the wet mount preparation, the haematocrit centrifuge technique, and the mouse inoculation test. In the later stages of the infection, trypanosomes were observed intermittently by the HCT until 34 weeks, and were detected by the mouse inoculation throughout the experimental period. The immunolysis test andthe complement fixation test showed positive reactions starting from two weeks up to 30-35 weeks and 40-45 weeks respectively, while the titres of the indirect fluorescent antibody test and the non-specific immunoconglutination tests persisted at a high level throughout the infection. The effect of a trypanocidal drug was best detected by the IK test.", "contents": "Comparative studies on the laboratory diagnosis of experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection in sheep. Comparative studies on the laboratory diagnosis of sheep experimentally infected with T. congolense were carried out by parasitological and serological methods during a period of 53 weeks. Trypanosomes were most numerous in the first weeks after inoculation, when they were detectable by all three parasitological tests: the wet mount preparation, the haematocrit centrifuge technique, and the mouse inoculation test. In the later stages of the infection, trypanosomes were observed intermittently by the HCT until 34 weeks, and were detected by the mouse inoculation throughout the experimental period. The immunolysis test andthe complement fixation test showed positive reactions starting from two weeks up to 30-35 weeks and 40-45 weeks respectively, while the titres of the indirect fluorescent antibody test and the non-specific immunoconglutination tests persisted at a high level throughout the infection. The effect of a trypanocidal drug was best detected by the IK test.", "PMID": 773317} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3717", "title": "Residual right-to-left shunt following repair of atrial septal defect.", "content": "Information about 5 patients with residual right-to-left shunts following repair of an atrial septal defect is presented. In each patient the defect was located low in the atrial septum adjacent to the inferior vena cava. During operation, either the eustachian valve of the inferior vena cava had been mistaken for the lower margin of the defect or the lower portion of the defect was not closed; blood flow was then diverted from the inferior vena cava into the left atrium. To prevent this occurrence, the inferior margin of the atrial septal defect should be closed first.", "contents": "Residual right-to-left shunt following repair of atrial septal defect. Information about 5 patients with residual right-to-left shunts following repair of an atrial septal defect is presented. In each patient the defect was located low in the atrial septum adjacent to the inferior vena cava. During operation, either the eustachian valve of the inferior vena cava had been mistaken for the lower margin of the defect or the lower portion of the defect was not closed; blood flow was then diverted from the inferior vena cava into the left atrium. To prevent this occurrence, the inferior margin of the atrial septal defect should be closed first.", "PMID": 773318} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3718", "title": "Technique for using soft, flexible catheter stents in aortocoronary vein bypass operations.", "content": "A technique using soft, flexible catheter stents in performing coronary vein bypass surgery is presented which makes small vessel anastomoses easy and assures accuracy of suture placement with clear identification of the vessel lumen and an anastomosis without stenosis. It provides an essentially bloodless field without having to cross-clamp the aorta. The technique has been used to our complete satisfaction in all patients since we first started vein bypass operations in 1970. A review of the last 205 elective aortocoronary bypass grafts in 100 consecutive patients using this technique reveals a mortality of only 1% and an operative and postoperative myocardial infarction rate of 5%. About half the patients had left ventricular dysfunction with elevated end-distolic pressures, and 68% had had previous myocardial infarctions. Seventy percent of the patients are at present asymptomatic, 24% are improved, and only 4% show no improvement over their preoperative status during follow-up of one to three and one-half years.", "contents": "Technique for using soft, flexible catheter stents in aortocoronary vein bypass operations. A technique using soft, flexible catheter stents in performing coronary vein bypass surgery is presented which makes small vessel anastomoses easy and assures accuracy of suture placement with clear identification of the vessel lumen and an anastomosis without stenosis. It provides an essentially bloodless field without having to cross-clamp the aorta. The technique has been used to our complete satisfaction in all patients since we first started vein bypass operations in 1970. A review of the last 205 elective aortocoronary bypass grafts in 100 consecutive patients using this technique reveals a mortality of only 1% and an operative and postoperative myocardial infarction rate of 5%. About half the patients had left ventricular dysfunction with elevated end-distolic pressures, and 68% had had previous myocardial infarctions. Seventy percent of the patients are at present asymptomatic, 24% are improved, and only 4% show no improvement over their preoperative status during follow-up of one to three and one-half years.", "PMID": 773319} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3719", "title": "Bullet emboli to the pulmonary artery: a report of 2 patients and review of the literature.", "content": "Bullet embolization to the pulmonary artery is a rare event. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with 2 patients and to review the 15 patients reported in the literature, with special emphasis on a rather peculiar complication that has occurred in 4 of the 9 patients who underwent bullet embolectomy: dislodgment of the missile during the surgical procedure and migration to the down-side lung, for which a second thoracotomy was required in 3 of those patients. The usual untoward effects of foreign bodies in the vascular system were seen in this series: embolization with thrombosis, sepsis, erosion and hemorrhage, and vascular occlusion with infarction. This review suggests that operative removal of a bullet in the pulmonary artery is necessary. The operation is safe and uncomplicated if precautions are taken to prevent the missile from migrating during manipulation of the lung.", "contents": "Bullet emboli to the pulmonary artery: a report of 2 patients and review of the literature. Bullet embolization to the pulmonary artery is a rare event. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with 2 patients and to review the 15 patients reported in the literature, with special emphasis on a rather peculiar complication that has occurred in 4 of the 9 patients who underwent bullet embolectomy: dislodgment of the missile during the surgical procedure and migration to the down-side lung, for which a second thoracotomy was required in 3 of those patients. The usual untoward effects of foreign bodies in the vascular system were seen in this series: embolization with thrombosis, sepsis, erosion and hemorrhage, and vascular occlusion with infarction. This review suggests that operative removal of a bullet in the pulmonary artery is necessary. The operation is safe and uncomplicated if precautions are taken to prevent the missile from migrating during manipulation of the lung.", "PMID": 773320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3720", "title": "Cinemicroscopy of hyperacute pulmonary rejection.", "content": "Rejection processes were studied in xenografts and allotransplants of cat or dog lungs to dogs. Cinemicroscopy of the microcirculation in untreated animals showed almost immediate sludging, cellular aggregation, reduced vascular caliber, diminished blood flow, and rapid development of perivascular edema. The principal mechanisms of the extremely rapid xenograft rejection include capillary and arteriolar obstruction due to cellular aggregation. Pretreatment with heparin was virtually valueless, while methylprednisolone offered temporary protection.", "contents": "Cinemicroscopy of hyperacute pulmonary rejection. Rejection processes were studied in xenografts and allotransplants of cat or dog lungs to dogs. Cinemicroscopy of the microcirculation in untreated animals showed almost immediate sludging, cellular aggregation, reduced vascular caliber, diminished blood flow, and rapid development of perivascular edema. The principal mechanisms of the extremely rapid xenograft rejection include capillary and arteriolar obstruction due to cellular aggregation. Pretreatment with heparin was virtually valueless, while methylprednisolone offered temporary protection.", "PMID": 773321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3721", "title": "The application of a semiautomated postoperative care program in a community hospital: early results.", "content": "The clinical involvement of computer technology in medical center environment has been successfully utilized in the postoperative care of patients following open intracardiac operations. This report describes the initial experience in a community hospital with the adaptation and evaluation of such a system in the postoperative care of critically ill patients. The early experience with this noncomputerized system suggests the clinical usefulness of the approach, the potential increase in manpower utilization, and the greater utilization of the nursing staff in true patient care. The early results of the study do not indicate that this approach to patient care is necessarily economically feasible or technically applicable in all community hospitals.", "contents": "The application of a semiautomated postoperative care program in a community hospital: early results. The clinical involvement of computer technology in medical center environment has been successfully utilized in the postoperative care of patients following open intracardiac operations. This report describes the initial experience in a community hospital with the adaptation and evaluation of such a system in the postoperative care of critically ill patients. The early experience with this noncomputerized system suggests the clinical usefulness of the approach, the potential increase in manpower utilization, and the greater utilization of the nursing staff in true patient care. The early results of the study do not indicate that this approach to patient care is necessarily economically feasible or technically applicable in all community hospitals.", "PMID": 773323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3722", "title": "Total rupture of the left main bronchus successfully repaired nine years after injury.", "content": "A patient who sustained a traumatic rupture of the left main bronchus that was successfully repaired nine years later is presented, and reference is made to reports of similar instances in which operation has been performed more than five years after injury. Pulmonary function following operation improved progressively and proved the delayed repair to have been a reasonable decision.", "contents": "Total rupture of the left main bronchus successfully repaired nine years after injury. A patient who sustained a traumatic rupture of the left main bronchus that was successfully repaired nine years later is presented, and reference is made to reports of similar instances in which operation has been performed more than five years after injury. Pulmonary function following operation improved progressively and proved the delayed repair to have been a reasonable decision.", "PMID": 773324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3723", "title": "Immunology and thoracic surgery.", "content": "This report reviews the current status of three types of diseases in which knowledge of immunology is changing the practice of thoracic surgery. Evidence is presented for myasthenia gravis being an autoimmune disease. Thymectomy is widely considered to be the therapy of choice for patients with generalized myasthenia regardless of age or sex. Opportunistic pulmonary infections of unusual types are being encountered frequently in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs for organ transplantation or malignancy. The important role of bronchial brushing and open lung biopsy is stressed. Immunotherapy of several types is currently being investigated experimentally and clinically and promises to change therapy for bronchogenic and esophageal neoplasms.", "contents": "Immunology and thoracic surgery. This report reviews the current status of three types of diseases in which knowledge of immunology is changing the practice of thoracic surgery. Evidence is presented for myasthenia gravis being an autoimmune disease. Thymectomy is widely considered to be the therapy of choice for patients with generalized myasthenia regardless of age or sex. Opportunistic pulmonary infections of unusual types are being encountered frequently in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs for organ transplantation or malignancy. The important role of bronchial brushing and open lung biopsy is stressed. Immunotherapy of several types is currently being investigated experimentally and clinically and promises to change therapy for bronchogenic and esophageal neoplasms.", "PMID": 773325} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3724", "title": "[Hyaline membrane disease. Results of treatment using continuous positive pressure of the airways, with or without ventilatory assistance].", "content": "Eighty cases of hyaline membrane disease were treated with continuous positive pressure at the respiratory tract level. In 35 cases, the method of the bag was used. Failure occurring in 33% of the cases required assisted respiration. In 45 cases, patients were intubated and in 43 of these mechanical ventilation was used. In spite of the severity of these clinical types, the survival rate was around 90%. It is concluded that there is evidence for early continuous positive pressure.", "contents": "[Hyaline membrane disease. Results of treatment using continuous positive pressure of the airways, with or without ventilatory assistance]. Eighty cases of hyaline membrane disease were treated with continuous positive pressure at the respiratory tract level. In 35 cases, the method of the bag was used. Failure occurring in 33% of the cases required assisted respiration. In 45 cases, patients were intubated and in 43 of these mechanical ventilation was used. In spite of the severity of these clinical types, the survival rate was around 90%. It is concluded that there is evidence for early continuous positive pressure.", "PMID": 773332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3725", "title": "Macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test in malignant gynaecological diseases.", "content": "All patients examined [52] with malignant disease of the female genital tract showed lymphocyte reactions to encephalitogenic factor (EF) of more than 10% as measured by the macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test and its modification (MOD-MEM). Whilst 13 patients with non-malignant disease of the genital tract and 30 normals showed lymphocyte reaction to EF of less than 6%, 4 patients with nonmalignant gynaecological disease gave values above the 10% limit. The lymphocyte reactions of this latter group of patients were discussed with respect to their previous clinical histories. Some of the malignant cases were carcinoma of the cervix in situ so that the MEM test would appear to be of value in the early diagnosis of cancer. The need for caution in the interpretation of results is discussed as well as further possible applications of the technique.", "contents": "Macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test in malignant gynaecological diseases. All patients examined [52] with malignant disease of the female genital tract showed lymphocyte reactions to encephalitogenic factor (EF) of more than 10% as measured by the macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test and its modification (MOD-MEM). Whilst 13 patients with non-malignant disease of the genital tract and 30 normals showed lymphocyte reaction to EF of less than 6%, 4 patients with nonmalignant gynaecological disease gave values above the 10% limit. The lymphocyte reactions of this latter group of patients were discussed with respect to their previous clinical histories. Some of the malignant cases were carcinoma of the cervix in situ so that the MEM test would appear to be of value in the early diagnosis of cancer. The need for caution in the interpretation of results is discussed as well as further possible applications of the technique.", "PMID": 773334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3726", "title": "Feto-maternal relationship in normal pregnancy in mixed lymphocyte cultures.", "content": "In eight wife-husband pairs during the whole pregnancy the reactivity of lymphocytes to PHA, to lymphocytes of unrelated donor and to lymphocytes of husband was studied. No statistically significant differences were found in reactivity of wife's and husband's lymphocytes. In eleven women at delivery a statistically significant decline of MLC reaction to lymphocytes of own and unrelated newborn was found, while the reactivity to PHA and to lymphocytes of unrelated adult donor remained unchanged. Similarly, the lymphocytes of eleven newborn infants reacted statistical significantly less to lymphocytes of own mother and unrelated mother, while the reaction to PHA and to lymphocytes of unrelated donor was well expressed.", "contents": "Feto-maternal relationship in normal pregnancy in mixed lymphocyte cultures. In eight wife-husband pairs during the whole pregnancy the reactivity of lymphocytes to PHA, to lymphocytes of unrelated donor and to lymphocytes of husband was studied. No statistically significant differences were found in reactivity of wife's and husband's lymphocytes. In eleven women at delivery a statistically significant decline of MLC reaction to lymphocytes of own and unrelated newborn was found, while the reactivity to PHA and to lymphocytes of unrelated adult donor remained unchanged. Similarly, the lymphocytes of eleven newborn infants reacted statistical significantly less to lymphocytes of own mother and unrelated mother, while the reaction to PHA and to lymphocytes of unrelated donor was well expressed.", "PMID": 773335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3727", "title": "Pott and the path to prevention.", "content": "Two hundred years ago, Percival Pott, a London surgeon, recognized that chimney sweeps were particulary liable to develop scrotal cancer and attributed the disease to exposure to soot. By so doing, he described the first environmental cause of cancer and started the chain of events that led to the first experimental production of cancer, the first synthesis of a carcinogen, and the first isolation of a carcinogen from a natural substance. Following these laboratory successes, the main object of cancer research has been to discover the fundamental characteristics of the cancer cell and the mechanism of the cancer cell and the mechanism of its production and relativly few investigations have studied the conditions under which cancer is produced in man. Recently, however, it has been recognized that we can often prevent cancer by modifying the conditions of life without detailed knowledge of the mechanism of carcinogenesis. All but a few rare cancers vary in incidence with place or time or with both and nearly all this variation can be shown to be environmental in origin. We already know enough to prevent most cancers of the mouth, oesophagus, larynx, lung, bladder, and skin in W. Europe and N. America, most cancers of the mouth in Asia, and most liver cancers in Africa. We have clues to the causation of cancer of the cervix uteri, breast, and colon and we should learn how to prevent all these cancers before long. Many new hazards could be prevented by controlling the introduction of new carcinogenic chemicals into the environment while others could be detected quickly by improved methods of epidemiological enquiry. But even so, acute clinical observers, like Pott, will continue to be needed for many years.", "contents": "Pott and the path to prevention. Two hundred years ago, Percival Pott, a London surgeon, recognized that chimney sweeps were particulary liable to develop scrotal cancer and attributed the disease to exposure to soot. By so doing, he described the first environmental cause of cancer and started the chain of events that led to the first experimental production of cancer, the first synthesis of a carcinogen, and the first isolation of a carcinogen from a natural substance. Following these laboratory successes, the main object of cancer research has been to discover the fundamental characteristics of the cancer cell and the mechanism of the cancer cell and the mechanism of its production and relativly few investigations have studied the conditions under which cancer is produced in man. Recently, however, it has been recognized that we can often prevent cancer by modifying the conditions of life without detailed knowledge of the mechanism of carcinogenesis. All but a few rare cancers vary in incidence with place or time or with both and nearly all this variation can be shown to be environmental in origin. We already know enough to prevent most cancers of the mouth, oesophagus, larynx, lung, bladder, and skin in W. Europe and N. America, most cancers of the mouth in Asia, and most liver cancers in Africa. We have clues to the causation of cancer of the cervix uteri, breast, and colon and we should learn how to prevent all these cancers before long. Many new hazards could be prevented by controlling the introduction of new carcinogenic chemicals into the environment while others could be detected quickly by improved methods of epidemiological enquiry. But even so, acute clinical observers, like Pott, will continue to be needed for many years.", "PMID": 773336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3728", "title": "[Detection of immuno-stimulation in mice by a new low molecular substance (author's transl)].", "content": "With Jerne's plaque technique it was possible to verify that a new compound, termed BA 1, features pronounced immuno-stimulating properties. After single-shot i. v. application of 150 mg/kg body weight this immuno-stimulating action can be demonstrated by way of a significant increase of the plaque numbers compared to untreated controls in healthy mice and, in a somewhat diminished form, also in mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Furthermore, it has been shown that the plaque test proves to be suitable as parameter to describe the defense status in tumor-bearing animals as, in the case of Ehrlich carcinomas, there is a distinct negative correlation between plaque numbers and age or mass of the tumor.", "contents": "[Detection of immuno-stimulation in mice by a new low molecular substance (author's transl)]. With Jerne's plaque technique it was possible to verify that a new compound, termed BA 1, features pronounced immuno-stimulating properties. After single-shot i. v. application of 150 mg/kg body weight this immuno-stimulating action can be demonstrated by way of a significant increase of the plaque numbers compared to untreated controls in healthy mice and, in a somewhat diminished form, also in mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Furthermore, it has been shown that the plaque test proves to be suitable as parameter to describe the defense status in tumor-bearing animals as, in the case of Ehrlich carcinomas, there is a distinct negative correlation between plaque numbers and age or mass of the tumor.", "PMID": 773337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3729", "title": "Jejunoileal bypass and nutritional liver injury.", "content": "Jejunoileal bypass operation may be an experimental model of nutritional liver injury in man. The similarity of the bypass-induced hepatic histopathologic features to those of alchoholic liver disease raises the question of a common pathway in alcoholic and in postoperative (bypass) liver diseases.", "contents": "Jejunoileal bypass and nutritional liver injury. Jejunoileal bypass operation may be an experimental model of nutritional liver injury in man. The similarity of the bypass-induced hepatic histopathologic features to those of alchoholic liver disease raises the question of a common pathway in alcoholic and in postoperative (bypass) liver diseases.", "PMID": 773338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3730", "title": "Immunoglobulin E. Current status and clinical laboratory applications.", "content": "Reaginic antibodies belong to IgE, which represents a distinct immunoglobulin class. Human IgE binds with basophil granulocytes and mast cells through the Fc portion of the molecules and mediates the release of chemical mediators that cause allergic symptoms. The initial step of the reaginic hypersensitivity reaction is probably the bridging of cell-bound IgE antibody by antigen. The reaction appears to initiate enzymatic sequences that lead to the release of chemical mediators. Measurement by radioimmunoassay of IgE and IgG antibodies in ragweed-sensitive hay fever patients has revealed immunologic effects of hyposensitization treatment. Experimental models for the immunotherapy in inbred mice strongly suggest that the major immunological effect would be depression of helper function of antigen-specific T cells. The results suggest logical approaches to improve the effect of the treatment.", "contents": "Immunoglobulin E. Current status and clinical laboratory applications. Reaginic antibodies belong to IgE, which represents a distinct immunoglobulin class. Human IgE binds with basophil granulocytes and mast cells through the Fc portion of the molecules and mediates the release of chemical mediators that cause allergic symptoms. The initial step of the reaginic hypersensitivity reaction is probably the bridging of cell-bound IgE antibody by antigen. The reaction appears to initiate enzymatic sequences that lead to the release of chemical mediators. Measurement by radioimmunoassay of IgE and IgG antibodies in ragweed-sensitive hay fever patients has revealed immunologic effects of hyposensitization treatment. Experimental models for the immunotherapy in inbred mice strongly suggest that the major immunological effect would be depression of helper function of antigen-specific T cells. The results suggest logical approaches to improve the effect of the treatment.", "PMID": 773339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3731", "title": "Group rehabilitation of vascular surgery patients.", "content": "This paper describes a continuing weekly therapy group for vascular surgery amputees. Group goals include (1) assisting amputees with feeling of helplessness, isolation, and depression; (2) facilitating staff awareness of psychosocial factors in each patients' rehabilitation; (3) integrating ward management with physiatric treatment; (4) mobilizing patient's coping skills; and (5) motivating patients to participate in rehabilitation of other amputees. Group meetings emphasize ventilative, mutual-support approaches, rarely including conventional psychotherapeutic techniques. Members exchange technical information concerning prostheses, operations and amputee life, as well as coping techniques in a general hospital social system. Patient choices as to what to discuss are described.", "contents": "Group rehabilitation of vascular surgery patients. This paper describes a continuing weekly therapy group for vascular surgery amputees. Group goals include (1) assisting amputees with feeling of helplessness, isolation, and depression; (2) facilitating staff awareness of psychosocial factors in each patients' rehabilitation; (3) integrating ward management with physiatric treatment; (4) mobilizing patient's coping skills; and (5) motivating patients to participate in rehabilitation of other amputees. Group meetings emphasize ventilative, mutual-support approaches, rarely including conventional psychotherapeutic techniques. Members exchange technical information concerning prostheses, operations and amputee life, as well as coping techniques in a general hospital social system. Patient choices as to what to discuss are described.", "PMID": 773341} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3732", "title": "[Isolation of immune serums against antigens of the aorta for immunomorphological study of experimental atherosclerosis].", "content": "A possibility is shown of obtaining sufficiently pure antigens (collagen, elastin, structural grycoproteids), with the help of a preparative chemical method, from the wall of aortas of rabbits, both healthy and \"diseased\", i.e. with atherosclerosis. Immunomorphological analysis showed that the immune sera obtained against antigens indicated above reacted only with structures of the affected vessels, no interaction with the wall of normal aortas being noted.", "contents": "[Isolation of immune serums against antigens of the aorta for immunomorphological study of experimental atherosclerosis]. A possibility is shown of obtaining sufficiently pure antigens (collagen, elastin, structural grycoproteids), with the help of a preparative chemical method, from the wall of aortas of rabbits, both healthy and \"diseased\", i.e. with atherosclerosis. Immunomorphological analysis showed that the immune sera obtained against antigens indicated above reacted only with structures of the affected vessels, no interaction with the wall of normal aortas being noted.", "PMID": 773346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3733", "title": "[Electrolytic decalcificator of bone tissue].", "content": "The elctrolytic method considerably reduces the time of decalcification of the bone tissue and adds to the improvement of the quality of histological preparations. The use of plastics facilitates the solution of technological problems associated with manufacturing of electrolytic plants.", "contents": "[Electrolytic decalcificator of bone tissue]. The elctrolytic method considerably reduces the time of decalcification of the bone tissue and adds to the improvement of the quality of histological preparations. The use of plastics facilitates the solution of technological problems associated with manufacturing of electrolytic plants.", "PMID": 773347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3734", "title": "[Spontaneous ruptures of allotransplants of human cadaveric kidneys].", "content": "On the basis of morphological data it was established that spontaneous ruptures of allotransplanted kidneys of man were connected mainly with juxtamedullar shunting of their blood flow; Impairment of the blood flow was apparently caused both by immune and nonimmune endogenous humoral factors. The pathomorphological picture in spontaneous ruptures of transplants differed from structural changes observed in traumatic damage of the kidney.", "contents": "[Spontaneous ruptures of allotransplants of human cadaveric kidneys]. On the basis of morphological data it was established that spontaneous ruptures of allotransplanted kidneys of man were connected mainly with juxtamedullar shunting of their blood flow; Impairment of the blood flow was apparently caused both by immune and nonimmune endogenous humoral factors. The pathomorphological picture in spontaneous ruptures of transplants differed from structural changes observed in traumatic damage of the kidney.", "PMID": 773349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3735", "title": "Reconstruction after mandibulectomy for cancer.", "content": "Reconstruction after mandbulectomy for cancer presents a major problem in head and neck surgery. This study reports the experiences with a planned staged method of reconstruction that aims at both cosmetic and functional rehabilitation and that is based on a close cooperation between surgeon and prosthodontist. Stabilization of the remaining mandibular fragments by means of intermaxillary fixation at the time the tumor is resected, delayed bone grafting, and preprosthetic surgery to allow the use of a functional denture are the high points of the method. The results in 58 patients are discussed.", "contents": "Reconstruction after mandibulectomy for cancer. Reconstruction after mandbulectomy for cancer presents a major problem in head and neck surgery. This study reports the experiences with a planned staged method of reconstruction that aims at both cosmetic and functional rehabilitation and that is based on a close cooperation between surgeon and prosthodontist. Stabilization of the remaining mandibular fragments by means of intermaxillary fixation at the time the tumor is resected, delayed bone grafting, and preprosthetic surgery to allow the use of a functional denture are the high points of the method. The results in 58 patients are discussed.", "PMID": 773356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3736", "title": "Early bone conduction hearing aid devices.", "content": "The concept of bone conduction hearing is old. By the 16th century the conduction of sound by a rod or the staff of a spear was reported by a number of writers; however, these writers considered these phenomena as a curiosity rather than having practical value. In the 17th century, John Bulwer and George Sibscota, both interested in the deaf and their education, applied the bone conduction phenomenon as an aid to defective hearing. Soon, independent reports from Germany, France, and Italy also described bone conduction rod devices as aids to impaired hearing. In 1879, the Audiphone, a hearing fan that operated by bone conduction, was patented. The invention of the Audiphone triggered the development and sale of a number of similar devices that had considerable popularity until the invention of the carbon-electric hearing aid in the early 1900s.", "contents": "Early bone conduction hearing aid devices. The concept of bone conduction hearing is old. By the 16th century the conduction of sound by a rod or the staff of a spear was reported by a number of writers; however, these writers considered these phenomena as a curiosity rather than having practical value. In the 17th century, John Bulwer and George Sibscota, both interested in the deaf and their education, applied the bone conduction phenomenon as an aid to defective hearing. Soon, independent reports from Germany, France, and Italy also described bone conduction rod devices as aids to impaired hearing. In 1879, the Audiphone, a hearing fan that operated by bone conduction, was patented. The invention of the Audiphone triggered the development and sale of a number of similar devices that had considerable popularity until the invention of the carbon-electric hearing aid in the early 1900s.", "PMID": 773357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3737", "title": "[Surgery of the tongue and floor of the mouth (author's transl)].", "content": "Most carcinomas of the oral tongue and floor of the mouth are presently treated surgically, often combined with pre- or postopervative irradiation. The treatment plan is mainly determined by the primary site and the local and regional extension, desirable are general rules on the basis of the TNM classification. The indications and principles of the most important operative procedures are discussed: Local excision, partial glossectomy, excision of the floor of the mouth with marginal mandibulectomy, composite resection. Operations for removal of the primary and radical neck dissection with preservation of the mandible (e.g. the pull-through procedure) are rarely advised. A radical neck dissection is indicated in each carcinoma of the oral tongue or floor of the mouth with palpable lymph nodes. If no nodes are palpable, an elective neck dissection is advised in view of the high frequency of clinically occult lymph node metastases (between 23 and 43%). Reconstructive measures following radical tongue and floor of the mouth operations are required for regaining a motility of the remaining tongue, for reconstruction of the floor of the mouth and for replacement of the mandible.", "contents": "[Surgery of the tongue and floor of the mouth (author's transl)]. Most carcinomas of the oral tongue and floor of the mouth are presently treated surgically, often combined with pre- or postopervative irradiation. The treatment plan is mainly determined by the primary site and the local and regional extension, desirable are general rules on the basis of the TNM classification. The indications and principles of the most important operative procedures are discussed: Local excision, partial glossectomy, excision of the floor of the mouth with marginal mandibulectomy, composite resection. Operations for removal of the primary and radical neck dissection with preservation of the mandible (e.g. the pull-through procedure) are rarely advised. A radical neck dissection is indicated in each carcinoma of the oral tongue or floor of the mouth with palpable lymph nodes. If no nodes are palpable, an elective neck dissection is advised in view of the high frequency of clinically occult lymph node metastases (between 23 and 43%). Reconstructive measures following radical tongue and floor of the mouth operations are required for regaining a motility of the remaining tongue, for reconstruction of the floor of the mouth and for replacement of the mandible.", "PMID": 773358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3738", "title": "Mutants of Salmonella typhimurium deficient in DNA polymerase I: further characterization and genetic analysis.", "content": "Tests with a plasmid-borne ochre suppressor (sup-812) and a chromosomal amber suppressor (supD501) revealed that one of three mutants of S. typhimurium deficient in DNA polymerase I was an amber mutant. Assays performed on crude extracts established that derivatives of this mutant (designated polA3) carrying ochre and amber suppressors had about 13 to 20% respectively of the enzyme activity found in the wild-type parent. The unsuppressed mutant showed less than 1% of the wild-type level of activity. Other properties of the polA3 mutant that were also partially or in some cases completely reversed by the sup-812 and supD501 suppressors included: u.v. sensitivity, methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) sensitivity, reduced ability to effect host-cell reactivation of u.v.-irradiated or MMS-treated bacteriophages, inability to maintain the (Col El) plasmid, and reduced ability to plate the phage mutant P22 c2 hpi-308. Mapping by P1-mediated transduction showed that all three polA mutations lie between metE and rha on the S. typhimurium chromosome, and that the polA mutation is cotransduced with metE at a frequency of 20% and with rha at a frequency of 8%.", "contents": "Mutants of Salmonella typhimurium deficient in DNA polymerase I: further characterization and genetic analysis. Tests with a plasmid-borne ochre suppressor (sup-812) and a chromosomal amber suppressor (supD501) revealed that one of three mutants of S. typhimurium deficient in DNA polymerase I was an amber mutant. Assays performed on crude extracts established that derivatives of this mutant (designated polA3) carrying ochre and amber suppressors had about 13 to 20% respectively of the enzyme activity found in the wild-type parent. The unsuppressed mutant showed less than 1% of the wild-type level of activity. Other properties of the polA3 mutant that were also partially or in some cases completely reversed by the sup-812 and supD501 suppressors included: u.v. sensitivity, methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) sensitivity, reduced ability to effect host-cell reactivation of u.v.-irradiated or MMS-treated bacteriophages, inability to maintain the (Col El) plasmid, and reduced ability to plate the phage mutant P22 c2 hpi-308. Mapping by P1-mediated transduction showed that all three polA mutations lie between metE and rha on the S. typhimurium chromosome, and that the polA mutation is cotransduced with metE at a frequency of 20% and with rha at a frequency of 8%.", "PMID": 773359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3739", "title": "A history of the events which culminated in the first faculty of Veterinary Science in Australia.", "content": "A few years ago the University did not cater for properly training the men who would have to conduct the industries of the country. During the past 7 years, however, it had established Schools of Agriculture, Education, Mining Engineering, and had made proper provision for the training of chemists and dentists. The last, and in some respects the greatest step, was the establishment of a School of Veterinary Medicine in connection with the University.", "contents": "A history of the events which culminated in the first faculty of Veterinary Science in Australia. A few years ago the University did not cater for properly training the men who would have to conduct the industries of the country. During the past 7 years, however, it had established Schools of Agriculture, Education, Mining Engineering, and had made proper provision for the training of chemists and dentists. The last, and in some respects the greatest step, was the establishment of a School of Veterinary Medicine in connection with the University.", "PMID": 773360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3740", "title": "Left-handedness in twins: incidence and patterns of performance in an adolescent sample.", "content": "Data on handedness and cognitive performance in an adolescent sample of same-sex twins were collected, and questions about incidence of left-handedness in twins and the relation between handedness and cognitive performance were considered. Same-sex twins have been found to have a higher incidence of left-handedness than that usually reported in the general population. There is a high incidence of handedness discordance (one twin right-handed and his cotwin left-handed) in both monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs. In this sample, males and Blacks had particularly high rates of left-handedness. Among the monozygotic and dizygotic discordant pairs, quite different patterns of cognitive performance were found. On the Raven Progressive Matrices, the Columbia Test of Mental Maturity, and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, the left-handers did better than their right-handed cotwins in the monozygotic pairs and the right-handers did better than their left-handed cotwins in the dizygotic pairs. Within subjects, no signficant differences were found for superiority of spatial or verbal abilities for either right-handers or left-handers. No general statements can be made about the performance of left-handed twins, since performance differs according to zygosity and handedness of cotwin configurations.", "contents": "Left-handedness in twins: incidence and patterns of performance in an adolescent sample. Data on handedness and cognitive performance in an adolescent sample of same-sex twins were collected, and questions about incidence of left-handedness in twins and the relation between handedness and cognitive performance were considered. Same-sex twins have been found to have a higher incidence of left-handedness than that usually reported in the general population. There is a high incidence of handedness discordance (one twin right-handed and his cotwin left-handed) in both monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs. In this sample, males and Blacks had particularly high rates of left-handedness. Among the monozygotic and dizygotic discordant pairs, quite different patterns of cognitive performance were found. On the Raven Progressive Matrices, the Columbia Test of Mental Maturity, and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, the left-handers did better than their right-handed cotwins in the monozygotic pairs and the right-handers did better than their left-handed cotwins in the dizygotic pairs. Within subjects, no signficant differences were found for superiority of spatial or verbal abilities for either right-handers or left-handers. No general statements can be made about the performance of left-handed twins, since performance differs according to zygosity and handedness of cotwin configurations.", "PMID": 773368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3741", "title": "Treatment of spontaneous angina pectoris with beta blocking agents. A clinical, electrocardiographic, and haemodynamic appraisal.", "content": "Propranolol and practolol were tested in patients with repeated daily occurrence of spontaneous angina. Twenty-one showed ST segment depression (type I) and 15 ST segment elevation (type II) during angina. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated in subjective (number of reported episodes of pain) and objective terms (number of episodes of electrocardiographic abnormalities documented during periods of continuous recording): practolol was fully effective in 42 per cent and propranolol in 38 per cent of type I cases; in type II angina 73 per cent of the cases fully responded to propranolol, none of the patients in this group given practolol improved. The study also showed that: (a) the effects on angina are strictly dose-dependent, and optimal results are achieved at individualized doses; (b) within the same subject the response may be preferential to one beta-blocker as opposed to the other; (c) propranolol is more effective in type II angina; (d) the occurrence of heart failure is uncommon even with high doses of beta blockers;(e) the relief of angina is due to prevention of ischaemia and not to a placebo or anaesthetic effect; (f) the prevention of ischaemia is not adequately explained by reduction of the mechanical effort and the oxygen need of the myocardium; (g) the antianginal effect is possibly dissociated from the beta blockade of the heart. The hypothesis that beta-blocking agents influence the conronary vasomotion is discussed.", "contents": "Treatment of spontaneous angina pectoris with beta blocking agents. A clinical, electrocardiographic, and haemodynamic appraisal. Propranolol and practolol were tested in patients with repeated daily occurrence of spontaneous angina. Twenty-one showed ST segment depression (type I) and 15 ST segment elevation (type II) during angina. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated in subjective (number of reported episodes of pain) and objective terms (number of episodes of electrocardiographic abnormalities documented during periods of continuous recording): practolol was fully effective in 42 per cent and propranolol in 38 per cent of type I cases; in type II angina 73 per cent of the cases fully responded to propranolol, none of the patients in this group given practolol improved. The study also showed that: (a) the effects on angina are strictly dose-dependent, and optimal results are achieved at individualized doses; (b) within the same subject the response may be preferential to one beta-blocker as opposed to the other; (c) propranolol is more effective in type II angina; (d) the occurrence of heart failure is uncommon even with high doses of beta blockers;(e) the relief of angina is due to prevention of ischaemia and not to a placebo or anaesthetic effect; (f) the prevention of ischaemia is not adequately explained by reduction of the mechanical effort and the oxygen need of the myocardium; (g) the antianginal effect is possibly dissociated from the beta blockade of the heart. The hypothesis that beta-blocking agents influence the conronary vasomotion is discussed.", "PMID": 773391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3742", "title": "Comparative efficacy of short-acting and long-acting quinidine for maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical conversion of atrial fibrillation.", "content": "Forty patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, apparently unrelated to any overt heart disease, were randomly allocated to two groups after restoration of sinus rhythm by direct current shock. The patients in group A were given 4 daily doses of quinidine polygalacturonate, while those in group B were given 2 daily doses of a long-acting quinidine preparation, quinidine arabogalactan sulphate. The percentage of early relapses (within the first month following DC shock) was not significantly different in the two groups: 44-4% in group A and 35% in group B (P greater than 0-50). On the other hand, there were fewer late relapses with long-acting quinidine. After 18 months of treatment, 27-8% of patient in group A remained in sinus rhythm, compared with 61% in group B (P less than 0-05). The average amount of quinidine actually ingested by the patients in group A was smaller than that in group B. However, this could not entirely account for the difference observed in the incidence of relapse since with short-acting quinidine the proportion of patients remaining in sinu rhythm was similar whether the dose was decreased or not. The incidence of gastrointestinal side-effects was the same in the two groups and there were no seriou complications that could be attributed to treatment. It is concluded that long-acting quinidine preparations are more effective than conventional quinidine in preventing late relapses of atrial fibrillation.", "contents": "Comparative efficacy of short-acting and long-acting quinidine for maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical conversion of atrial fibrillation. Forty patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, apparently unrelated to any overt heart disease, were randomly allocated to two groups after restoration of sinus rhythm by direct current shock. The patients in group A were given 4 daily doses of quinidine polygalacturonate, while those in group B were given 2 daily doses of a long-acting quinidine preparation, quinidine arabogalactan sulphate. The percentage of early relapses (within the first month following DC shock) was not significantly different in the two groups: 44-4% in group A and 35% in group B (P greater than 0-50). On the other hand, there were fewer late relapses with long-acting quinidine. After 18 months of treatment, 27-8% of patient in group A remained in sinus rhythm, compared with 61% in group B (P less than 0-05). The average amount of quinidine actually ingested by the patients in group A was smaller than that in group B. However, this could not entirely account for the difference observed in the incidence of relapse since with short-acting quinidine the proportion of patients remaining in sinu rhythm was similar whether the dose was decreased or not. The incidence of gastrointestinal side-effects was the same in the two groups and there were no seriou complications that could be attributed to treatment. It is concluded that long-acting quinidine preparations are more effective than conventional quinidine in preventing late relapses of atrial fibrillation.", "PMID": 773392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3743", "title": "A critique of the evidence for active host defence against cancer, based on personal studies of 27 murine tumours of spontaneous origin.", "content": "Extensive experience with isotransplants of 27 different tumours (leukaemias, sarcomata, carcinomata), all of strictly spontaneous origin in laboratory bred mice of low cancer strains CBA/Ht and WHT/Ht, has revealed no evidence of tumour immunogenicity. Of approximately 20,000 maintenance transplants, none failed and none regressed; of almost 10,000 carefully observed tumours arising from small or minimal inocula of tumour cells, none spontaneously regressed. The number of injected viable tumour cells required to give a 50% probability of successful transplantation (the TD50) ranged from approximately 1 cell to greater than 10,000 cells among the 27 tumours; high TD50 values, which were dramatically reduced by various procedures having no immunological significance, did not signify active \"resistance\" of the hosts. In the case of all of 7 randomly selected tumours, prior \"immunization\" of recipients with homologous lethally irradiated cells increased their tumour receptivity. Several experiments using various tumours failed to give evidence that immunity could be non-specifically induced or that a massive preponderance of lymphocytes from specifically sensitized mice could inhibit tumour transplantation or growth in vivo; no trace of \"resistance\" to tumour was adopted by isogeneic recipients of lymphocytes from regional nodes of tumour bearers. A limited review of the recent literature on tumour immunity shows that practically all the animal data presented in support of a general theory of tumour immunogenicity or to provide a basis for active clinical immunotherapy have been obtained from transplanted tumour systems which entail artefactual immunity associated with viral or chemical induction of the tumours or their allogeneic transplantation. It is suggested that isotransplants of spontaneously arising tumours are the only appropriate models of human cancer and that any genuine rapport between the animal laboratory and the clinic requires their exclusive use.", "contents": "A critique of the evidence for active host defence against cancer, based on personal studies of 27 murine tumours of spontaneous origin. Extensive experience with isotransplants of 27 different tumours (leukaemias, sarcomata, carcinomata), all of strictly spontaneous origin in laboratory bred mice of low cancer strains CBA/Ht and WHT/Ht, has revealed no evidence of tumour immunogenicity. Of approximately 20,000 maintenance transplants, none failed and none regressed; of almost 10,000 carefully observed tumours arising from small or minimal inocula of tumour cells, none spontaneously regressed. The number of injected viable tumour cells required to give a 50% probability of successful transplantation (the TD50) ranged from approximately 1 cell to greater than 10,000 cells among the 27 tumours; high TD50 values, which were dramatically reduced by various procedures having no immunological significance, did not signify active \"resistance\" of the hosts. In the case of all of 7 randomly selected tumours, prior \"immunization\" of recipients with homologous lethally irradiated cells increased their tumour receptivity. Several experiments using various tumours failed to give evidence that immunity could be non-specifically induced or that a massive preponderance of lymphocytes from specifically sensitized mice could inhibit tumour transplantation or growth in vivo; no trace of \"resistance\" to tumour was adopted by isogeneic recipients of lymphocytes from regional nodes of tumour bearers. A limited review of the recent literature on tumour immunity shows that practically all the animal data presented in support of a general theory of tumour immunogenicity or to provide a basis for active clinical immunotherapy have been obtained from transplanted tumour systems which entail artefactual immunity associated with viral or chemical induction of the tumours or their allogeneic transplantation. It is suggested that isotransplants of spontaneously arising tumours are the only appropriate models of human cancer and that any genuine rapport between the animal laboratory and the clinic requires their exclusive use.", "PMID": 773395} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3744", "title": "Cellular localization of immunoglobulin within human maglignant melanomata.", "content": "The presence of antibody in patients with malignant melanoma is well established if one examines the serum. In this report we have attempted to identify antibody within solid tumours showing that they are rarely present in any appreciable quantity on the surface of tumour cells but can be seen frequently on a number of different types of host cell within the tumours. This is discussed in the light of the role of antibody in the circulation and the possibility of antibody behaving as a blocking factor in vivo.", "contents": "Cellular localization of immunoglobulin within human maglignant melanomata. The presence of antibody in patients with malignant melanoma is well established if one examines the serum. In this report we have attempted to identify antibody within solid tumours showing that they are rarely present in any appreciable quantity on the surface of tumour cells but can be seen frequently on a number of different types of host cell within the tumours. This is discussed in the light of the role of antibody in the circulation and the possibility of antibody behaving as a blocking factor in vivo.", "PMID": 773396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3745", "title": "Characterization of cytotoxic spleen cells and effects of serum factors in a syngeneic rat tumour system.", "content": "Splenocytes from inbred Wistar rats bearing a syngeneic squamous cell carcinoma (Spl) were fractionated by several techniques to characterize the lymphoid cells cytotoxic to the tumour in vitro. The anti-tumour cytotoxicity is presumably mediated primarily by T lymphocytes because it was greatly reduced by removal of T lymphocytes with heterologous anti-T serum plus complement but not by removal of other cell types. Cytotoxicity could be blocked at the tumour cell but not at the effector cell by sera taken late in tumour growth. Sera taken earlier in tumour growth could induce cytolysis of tumour cells by normal splenocytes but only if the tumour cells were treated with serum and washed before addition of the effector cells. Although splenocytes from normal and tumour-bearing rats were equally effective at lysing antibody-coated target cells it is unlikely that this mechanism is important in vivo as sera from early in tumour growth onwards contained factors (immune complexes?) which inhibited antibody-induced lymphocytolysis.", "contents": "Characterization of cytotoxic spleen cells and effects of serum factors in a syngeneic rat tumour system. Splenocytes from inbred Wistar rats bearing a syngeneic squamous cell carcinoma (Spl) were fractionated by several techniques to characterize the lymphoid cells cytotoxic to the tumour in vitro. The anti-tumour cytotoxicity is presumably mediated primarily by T lymphocytes because it was greatly reduced by removal of T lymphocytes with heterologous anti-T serum plus complement but not by removal of other cell types. Cytotoxicity could be blocked at the tumour cell but not at the effector cell by sera taken late in tumour growth. Sera taken earlier in tumour growth could induce cytolysis of tumour cells by normal splenocytes but only if the tumour cells were treated with serum and washed before addition of the effector cells. Although splenocytes from normal and tumour-bearing rats were equally effective at lysing antibody-coated target cells it is unlikely that this mechanism is important in vivo as sera from early in tumour growth onwards contained factors (immune complexes?) which inhibited antibody-induced lymphocytolysis.", "PMID": 773397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3746", "title": "Anti-streptococcal antibodies reacting with brain tissue. I. Immunofluourescent studies.", "content": "Serum JD from a 14-year old girl with Sydenhams chorea contained antibodies which gave immunofluorescent staining of the limiting membrane of the brain, ependymal tissue and fibrous astrocytes. These antibodies could be completely absorbed by Str. pyogenes type 24 (NCTC 8305) but only partially if at all by type 6 matt (NCTC 8302) or type 6 glossy (NCTC 8709). In contrast, staining by the same serum of the choroid plexus, the periphery of hepatocytes, the periphery of the cells of the gastric mucosa, and tubules in the kidney could be absorbed out by the type 6 matt and type 24 strains (but not by the type 6 glossy or Staph. aureus NCTC 6571). A rabbit anti-streptococcal serum (3/74) raised against disintegrated washed cells of Str. pyogenes type 24 stained and the same structures in the brain to high titre, but not the choroid plexus and not the other structures stained by serum JD. These staining reactions of 3/74 could be absorbed out by Str. pyogenes type 24 but not by Str. pyogenes type 6 matt or type 6 glossy. None of these staining patterns given by serum JD or by 3/74 could be absorbed by human uterine smooth muscle. Serum 3/74 stained heart muscle but this reaction could be absorbed without affecting the brain staining reactions. Sera from 4 other patients with Sydenham's chorea were found to give staining of the ependyma and the limiting membrane, 2 only very weakly.", "contents": "Anti-streptococcal antibodies reacting with brain tissue. I. Immunofluourescent studies. Serum JD from a 14-year old girl with Sydenhams chorea contained antibodies which gave immunofluorescent staining of the limiting membrane of the brain, ependymal tissue and fibrous astrocytes. These antibodies could be completely absorbed by Str. pyogenes type 24 (NCTC 8305) but only partially if at all by type 6 matt (NCTC 8302) or type 6 glossy (NCTC 8709). In contrast, staining by the same serum of the choroid plexus, the periphery of hepatocytes, the periphery of the cells of the gastric mucosa, and tubules in the kidney could be absorbed out by the type 6 matt and type 24 strains (but not by the type 6 glossy or Staph. aureus NCTC 6571). A rabbit anti-streptococcal serum (3/74) raised against disintegrated washed cells of Str. pyogenes type 24 stained and the same structures in the brain to high titre, but not the choroid plexus and not the other structures stained by serum JD. These staining reactions of 3/74 could be absorbed out by Str. pyogenes type 24 but not by Str. pyogenes type 6 matt or type 6 glossy. None of these staining patterns given by serum JD or by 3/74 could be absorbed by human uterine smooth muscle. Serum 3/74 stained heart muscle but this reaction could be absorbed without affecting the brain staining reactions. Sera from 4 other patients with Sydenham's chorea were found to give staining of the ependyma and the limiting membrane, 2 only very weakly.", "PMID": 773398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3747", "title": "Luminal surface of distended arteries by scanning electron microscopy: eliminating configurational and technical artefacts.", "content": "Perfusion fixation at physiological pressures, careful tissue handling, adequate drying and reduced beam exposure time eliminated many of the intimal surface projections, ridges and bridges which have been taken for normal structures on scanning electron microscopy. In the normal distended vessel, ovoid endothelial nuclei bulged into the lumen with their major axes aligned in the direction of flow: adjacent cell margins overlapped consistently in the direction of flow, with each cell overlapping the edge of its downstream neighbour. Regular longitudinal furrows associated with undulations of the internal elastin lamina were entirely eliminated from elastic arteries when distending pressures exceeded diastolic levels during fixation.", "contents": "Luminal surface of distended arteries by scanning electron microscopy: eliminating configurational and technical artefacts. Perfusion fixation at physiological pressures, careful tissue handling, adequate drying and reduced beam exposure time eliminated many of the intimal surface projections, ridges and bridges which have been taken for normal structures on scanning electron microscopy. In the normal distended vessel, ovoid endothelial nuclei bulged into the lumen with their major axes aligned in the direction of flow: adjacent cell margins overlapped consistently in the direction of flow, with each cell overlapping the edge of its downstream neighbour. Regular longitudinal furrows associated with undulations of the internal elastin lamina were entirely eliminated from elastic arteries when distending pressures exceeded diastolic levels during fixation.", "PMID": 773399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3748", "title": "The prelymphatic pathways of the brain as revealed by cervical lymphatic obstruction and the passage of particles.", "content": "Light and electron microscopy was used to examine portions of the brain, the circle of Willis, and the internal carotid arteries of normal cats and rabbits, of sham-operated ones, and of those whose cervical lymphatics had been ligated. Carbon was injected into the cerebral cortex of some lymphoedematous animals. It was found that lymphatic ligation produced oedema of the brain, and a dilatation of the prelymphatic spaces around the vessels. Carbon was traced in these from the injection site, around the minor and major vessels, in the adventitia of the internal carotid artery, entering lymphatics adjacent to it, and finally in the draining lymph nodes. The oedema and dilated spaces were not present in the control animals. This was taken to indicate that there is a continuous system of non-endothelialized spaces and potential spaces-the prelymphatics-draining the brain into the cervical lymphatics. The protein in these spaces appeared to be increased if the lymph-oedema had lasted three weeks as compared to 24 hours, indicating that one of the major roles of this system is the removal of protein.", "contents": "The prelymphatic pathways of the brain as revealed by cervical lymphatic obstruction and the passage of particles. Light and electron microscopy was used to examine portions of the brain, the circle of Willis, and the internal carotid arteries of normal cats and rabbits, of sham-operated ones, and of those whose cervical lymphatics had been ligated. Carbon was injected into the cerebral cortex of some lymphoedematous animals. It was found that lymphatic ligation produced oedema of the brain, and a dilatation of the prelymphatic spaces around the vessels. Carbon was traced in these from the injection site, around the minor and major vessels, in the adventitia of the internal carotid artery, entering lymphatics adjacent to it, and finally in the draining lymph nodes. The oedema and dilated spaces were not present in the control animals. This was taken to indicate that there is a continuous system of non-endothelialized spaces and potential spaces-the prelymphatics-draining the brain into the cervical lymphatics. The protein in these spaces appeared to be increased if the lymph-oedema had lasted three weeks as compared to 24 hours, indicating that one of the major roles of this system is the removal of protein.", "PMID": 773400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3749", "title": "Evidence for the multiplication of hepatitis B virus in \"oval cell\" culture originated from human embryonic liver.", "content": "Growth conditions fof human oval cells (immature hepatocytes),evidence of hepatitis B (HB) antigen synthesis in oval cells as revealed by immunofluorescent staining and successful passage of such an agent in the culture fluid up to the 4th passage are described. The results have been proved to be readily reproducible with different inocula. The oval cells used in these experiments were defined as small round cells, with scant cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei and small nucleoli, vitally stained with indocyanine green and synthesizing alpha-foetoprotein but no albumin.", "contents": "Evidence for the multiplication of hepatitis B virus in \"oval cell\" culture originated from human embryonic liver. Growth conditions fof human oval cells (immature hepatocytes),evidence of hepatitis B (HB) antigen synthesis in oval cells as revealed by immunofluorescent staining and successful passage of such an agent in the culture fluid up to the 4th passage are described. The results have been proved to be readily reproducible with different inocula. The oval cells used in these experiments were defined as small round cells, with scant cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei and small nucleoli, vitally stained with indocyanine green and synthesizing alpha-foetoprotein but no albumin.", "PMID": 773401} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3750", "title": "The action of iron on local Klebsiella infection of the skin of the guinea-pig and its relation to the decisive period in primary infective lesions.", "content": "The infectivity of 16 strains of Klebsiella spp. and its modification by systemic and local ferric iron were tested in the skin of the guinea-pig. The in vivo proliferation of 11 strains was enhanced in varying degrees by Fe+++ (E + strains); 5 strains (Eo) were not enhanceable even by large doses of Fe+++. Of 10 strains examined in detail, 6 were E + and 4 were E0. Guinea-pig and human sera were consistently bacteriostatic for E + strains and bactericidal for Eo strains. Both Fe+++ and microbial iron-chelators abolished the bacteriostasis of E + strains but did not affect the lethal effect on Eo strains. Both effects were diminished by heating the sera to 56 degrees for 30 min and by the anticomplementary substance Liquoid; neither appeared to be due to specific antibody. Virulence, as measured in the skin and by intravenous injection, was roughly associated with degree of enhanceability by iron, the EO strains being among the least virulent. The volume of plasma exudate entering the skin during the first 5 h was sufficient to kill a large proportion of the infecting doses of Eo strains and to inhibit the growth of infecting doses of E + strains. Enhancement of the latter by Fe+++ is predominantly the result of inhibition of the non-specific bacteriostasis exerted by the extravascular plasma. Lesions by E + strains aged 4 h or more are insusceptible to systemic Fe+++ and only moderately susceptible to large doses of local Fe+++. The insusceptibility appears to be due to segregation of the infecting bacilli within exudate leucocytes. Klebsiella infections accordingly provide another example of an initial decisive period of action of the antibacterial defences-in this case non-specific and humoral-which cease to be locally effective after the first few hours. Besides enhancing lesions due to E + strains, systemic Fe+++ has an opposite, apparently anti-inflammatory action on klebsiella lesions, slightly decreasing their size. It was evident with all the strains tested, whether dead or alive, but not in E + lesions in circumstances when they were susceptible to enhancement by the Fe+++.", "contents": "The action of iron on local Klebsiella infection of the skin of the guinea-pig and its relation to the decisive period in primary infective lesions. The infectivity of 16 strains of Klebsiella spp. and its modification by systemic and local ferric iron were tested in the skin of the guinea-pig. The in vivo proliferation of 11 strains was enhanced in varying degrees by Fe+++ (E + strains); 5 strains (Eo) were not enhanceable even by large doses of Fe+++. Of 10 strains examined in detail, 6 were E + and 4 were E0. Guinea-pig and human sera were consistently bacteriostatic for E + strains and bactericidal for Eo strains. Both Fe+++ and microbial iron-chelators abolished the bacteriostasis of E + strains but did not affect the lethal effect on Eo strains. Both effects were diminished by heating the sera to 56 degrees for 30 min and by the anticomplementary substance Liquoid; neither appeared to be due to specific antibody. Virulence, as measured in the skin and by intravenous injection, was roughly associated with degree of enhanceability by iron, the EO strains being among the least virulent. The volume of plasma exudate entering the skin during the first 5 h was sufficient to kill a large proportion of the infecting doses of Eo strains and to inhibit the growth of infecting doses of E + strains. Enhancement of the latter by Fe+++ is predominantly the result of inhibition of the non-specific bacteriostasis exerted by the extravascular plasma. Lesions by E + strains aged 4 h or more are insusceptible to systemic Fe+++ and only moderately susceptible to large doses of local Fe+++. The insusceptibility appears to be due to segregation of the infecting bacilli within exudate leucocytes. Klebsiella infections accordingly provide another example of an initial decisive period of action of the antibacterial defences-in this case non-specific and humoral-which cease to be locally effective after the first few hours. Besides enhancing lesions due to E + strains, systemic Fe+++ has an opposite, apparently anti-inflammatory action on klebsiella lesions, slightly decreasing their size. It was evident with all the strains tested, whether dead or alive, but not in E + lesions in circumstances when they were susceptible to enhancement by the Fe+++.", "PMID": 773402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3751", "title": "Immunoglobulin and complement bearing polymorphonuclear leukocytes in allergic contact dermatitis and psoriasis vulgaris.", "content": "Immunofluorescence techniques were used to demonstrate the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) and complement (C) bearing polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) in specimens of skin from the lesions of ten patients with allergic contact dermatitis and of ten with psoriasis vulgaris. The distribution patterns of these Ig- and C-coated cells in the peripheral blood of the twenty patients were also studied. Ten normal healthy controls were included. In cases of allergic contact dermatitis, IgD was the predominant class of Ig on the PMNL. The percentage of C-bearing PMNL were also significantly increased, suggesting that both molecules might be present on the cell memebrane of these cells at the same time. In psoriasis vulgaris, the predominant class of Ig on the PMNL was IgG. The percentage of PMNL coated with C were not signficantly raised. These results suggest that in allergic contact dermatitis the PMNL can be coated with both Ig and C which may render them cytophilic; they also show that in psoriasis vulgaris PMNL can bind Ig. In the ten healthy controls, it was possible to distinguish between those PMNL which are and those which are not bearing immunoglobulin.", "contents": "Immunoglobulin and complement bearing polymorphonuclear leukocytes in allergic contact dermatitis and psoriasis vulgaris. Immunofluorescence techniques were used to demonstrate the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) and complement (C) bearing polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) in specimens of skin from the lesions of ten patients with allergic contact dermatitis and of ten with psoriasis vulgaris. The distribution patterns of these Ig- and C-coated cells in the peripheral blood of the twenty patients were also studied. Ten normal healthy controls were included. In cases of allergic contact dermatitis, IgD was the predominant class of Ig on the PMNL. The percentage of C-bearing PMNL were also significantly increased, suggesting that both molecules might be present on the cell memebrane of these cells at the same time. In psoriasis vulgaris, the predominant class of Ig on the PMNL was IgG. The percentage of PMNL coated with C were not signficantly raised. These results suggest that in allergic contact dermatitis the PMNL can be coated with both Ig and C which may render them cytophilic; they also show that in psoriasis vulgaris PMNL can bind Ig. In the ten healthy controls, it was possible to distinguish between those PMNL which are and those which are not bearing immunoglobulin.", "PMID": 773403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3752", "title": "Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid associated with practolol therapy.", "content": "The clinical and laboratory findings in a case of serious cicatricial blistering of the ocular mucous membrane were comparable with those found in cicatricial pemphigoid (ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid).", "contents": "Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid associated with practolol therapy. The clinical and laboratory findings in a case of serious cicatricial blistering of the ocular mucous membrane were comparable with those found in cicatricial pemphigoid (ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid).", "PMID": 773404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3753", "title": "Secondary skin cancer in nineteenth-century Britain.", "content": "Clinico-pathological data on secondary skin cancer are of current interest. This paper therefore reviews such data with special reference to nineteenth-century Britain. The old authors were interested in such diverse aspects of the problem of skin secondaries as the mode of invasion, the forms of presentation, the patterns of distribution, clinical diagnosis, microscopic diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Although skin secondaries were of serious prognostic import, all cases showing them were not hopeless.", "contents": "Secondary skin cancer in nineteenth-century Britain. Clinico-pathological data on secondary skin cancer are of current interest. This paper therefore reviews such data with special reference to nineteenth-century Britain. The old authors were interested in such diverse aspects of the problem of skin secondaries as the mode of invasion, the forms of presentation, the patterns of distribution, clinical diagnosis, microscopic diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Although skin secondaries were of serious prognostic import, all cases showing them were not hopeless.", "PMID": 773405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3754", "title": "Clinical response of dermatitis herpetiformis skin lesions to a gluten-free diet.", "content": "Patients with dermatitis herpetiformis have been studied prospectively for 2 years to assess the effect of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on control of the skin lesions. Daily requirements for oral medication with sulphapyridine or dapsone were reduced by GFD treatment and if complete clinical remission of the skin disease occurred, it was maintained while the diet was strictly observed. However, complete remission did not occur significantly more often in GFD-treated patients than in patients taking a normal diet. Many of the latter group exhibited variation in their drug dose requirements during the period of study. GFD treatment seems desirable for the majority of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, not only to correct the intestinal abnormality but also to minimize the dose of drugs necessary to control the skin lesions.", "contents": "Clinical response of dermatitis herpetiformis skin lesions to a gluten-free diet. Patients with dermatitis herpetiformis have been studied prospectively for 2 years to assess the effect of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on control of the skin lesions. Daily requirements for oral medication with sulphapyridine or dapsone were reduced by GFD treatment and if complete clinical remission of the skin disease occurred, it was maintained while the diet was strictly observed. However, complete remission did not occur significantly more often in GFD-treated patients than in patients taking a normal diet. Many of the latter group exhibited variation in their drug dose requirements during the period of study. GFD treatment seems desirable for the majority of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, not only to correct the intestinal abnormality but also to minimize the dose of drugs necessary to control the skin lesions.", "PMID": 773406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3755", "title": "Ultrasonic methods for sampling human skin micro-organisms.", "content": "Methods of sampling the microflora of human skin by means of a generator of ultrasonic impulses were compared with the standard washing method in which the skin surface is rubbed manually. The ultrasonic method, at a power setting of 50 W or more, gave essentially similar results to those obtained by the standard method but removed fewer corneocytes.", "contents": "Ultrasonic methods for sampling human skin micro-organisms. Methods of sampling the microflora of human skin by means of a generator of ultrasonic impulses were compared with the standard washing method in which the skin surface is rubbed manually. The ultrasonic method, at a power setting of 50 W or more, gave essentially similar results to those obtained by the standard method but removed fewer corneocytes.", "PMID": 773407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3756", "title": "Melanoma cytoplasmic humoral antibody test. A diagnostic adjunct.", "content": "Detecting a high titre of antibody directed against the cytoplasm of malignant melanoma cells can help: To diagnose pigmented skin lesions with awkward histopathological signs. The test is positive in about half of the early primary malignant melanomas and in all actively regressing halo naevi. It is negative in benign juvenile melanoma. To prognosticate and provide a continuing assessment of the course of the disease in patients with known malignant melanoma. The test becomes negative when malignant melanoma metastasizes. To alert patients in danger, such as those who have extensive pigmented naevi or have a family history of malignant melanoma, of the supervention of the disease.", "contents": "Melanoma cytoplasmic humoral antibody test. A diagnostic adjunct. Detecting a high titre of antibody directed against the cytoplasm of malignant melanoma cells can help: To diagnose pigmented skin lesions with awkward histopathological signs. The test is positive in about half of the early primary malignant melanomas and in all actively regressing halo naevi. It is negative in benign juvenile melanoma. To prognosticate and provide a continuing assessment of the course of the disease in patients with known malignant melanoma. The test becomes negative when malignant melanoma metastasizes. To alert patients in danger, such as those who have extensive pigmented naevi or have a family history of malignant melanoma, of the supervention of the disease.", "PMID": 773408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3757", "title": "Electron microscopy of ancient Egyptian skin.", "content": "Sections of skin were examined by electron microscopy from the sole of the foot of a 14-year-old Egyptian, who died 3200 years ago and was preserved naturally by desiccation. Remarkable ultrastructural preservation of the epidermal cells and their components was found.", "contents": "Electron microscopy of ancient Egyptian skin. Sections of skin were examined by electron microscopy from the sole of the foot of a 14-year-old Egyptian, who died 3200 years ago and was preserved naturally by desiccation. Remarkable ultrastructural preservation of the epidermal cells and their components was found.", "PMID": 773409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3758", "title": "The clinical assessment of topical corticosteroid activity.", "content": "Glucocorticoid-induced vasoconstriction of human skin has provided a useful guide to topical anti-inflammatory activity. The concentration and base in which a steroid is used influence this activity, and traditional greasy ointments are probably the most effective vehicles. Confirmation of clinical effectiveness should be by double-blind comparison in patients with bilateral skin lesions. Psoriasis provides a more discriminating test of steroidal activity than eczema; the use of occlusive dressings may mask differences between compounds. Short-term trials are informative but in patients with chronic diseases, longer studies should also be done.", "contents": "The clinical assessment of topical corticosteroid activity. Glucocorticoid-induced vasoconstriction of human skin has provided a useful guide to topical anti-inflammatory activity. The concentration and base in which a steroid is used influence this activity, and traditional greasy ointments are probably the most effective vehicles. Confirmation of clinical effectiveness should be by double-blind comparison in patients with bilateral skin lesions. Psoriasis provides a more discriminating test of steroidal activity than eczema; the use of occlusive dressings may mask differences between compounds. Short-term trials are informative but in patients with chronic diseases, longer studies should also be done.", "PMID": 773412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3759", "title": "The treatment of vitiligo with topical corticosteroids. Light and electronmicroscopic studies.", "content": "Twenty patients with lesions of vitiligo were treated either with 0.I% betamethasone valerate (BV) or with 0.05% clobetasol propionate (CP) creams and similar control areas with placebo preparations. After 3 months of treatment three of the ten patients treated with BV showed a significant amount of repigmentation only in the steroid-treated areas. Only one of the ten patients treated with CP showed partial repigmentation. Using both light and electron microscopy, histological studies of biopsies taken from control- and steroid-treated areas showed a marked repopulation with functional melanocytes in the repigmenting vitiliginous skin. The melanocytes in these steroid-treated repigmented areas were more dendritic and dopa-positive and, unlike melanocytes in the pigmented margins of untreated areas of vitiligo, contained many melanosomes of normal size, shape and melanization. It appears that both topical corticosteroids are of use for the treatment of selected patients with vitiligo and can induce repigmentation of the skin.", "contents": "The treatment of vitiligo with topical corticosteroids. Light and electronmicroscopic studies. Twenty patients with lesions of vitiligo were treated either with 0.I% betamethasone valerate (BV) or with 0.05% clobetasol propionate (CP) creams and similar control areas with placebo preparations. After 3 months of treatment three of the ten patients treated with BV showed a significant amount of repigmentation only in the steroid-treated areas. Only one of the ten patients treated with CP showed partial repigmentation. Using both light and electron microscopy, histological studies of biopsies taken from control- and steroid-treated areas showed a marked repopulation with functional melanocytes in the repigmenting vitiliginous skin. The melanocytes in these steroid-treated repigmented areas were more dendritic and dopa-positive and, unlike melanocytes in the pigmented margins of untreated areas of vitiligo, contained many melanosomes of normal size, shape and melanization. It appears that both topical corticosteroids are of use for the treatment of selected patients with vitiligo and can induce repigmentation of the skin.", "PMID": 773413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3760", "title": "The response of psoriasis to betamethasone valerate and clobetasol propionate. A 6-month controlled study.", "content": "Twelve patients with symmetrical psoriasis were studied for a period of 6 months. Clobetasol propionate 0-05% ointment was applied to the lesions on one side and betamethasone valerate 0-1% ointment to those on the other side as a double-blind controlled trial of these two treatments. All the patients showed a relative improvement on the side treated with clobetasol propionate. Clobetasol propionate-treated lesions tended to clear for longer than the corresponding betamethasone valerate treated lesions. The condition of five of the patients was better at the end of the study period than at the beginning.", "contents": "The response of psoriasis to betamethasone valerate and clobetasol propionate. A 6-month controlled study. Twelve patients with symmetrical psoriasis were studied for a period of 6 months. Clobetasol propionate 0-05% ointment was applied to the lesions on one side and betamethasone valerate 0-1% ointment to those on the other side as a double-blind controlled trial of these two treatments. All the patients showed a relative improvement on the side treated with clobetasol propionate. Clobetasol propionate-treated lesions tended to clear for longer than the corresponding betamethasone valerate treated lesions. The condition of five of the patients was better at the end of the study period than at the beginning.", "PMID": 773414} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3761", "title": "Lymphocyte response to blood transfusion in man: a comparison of different preparations of blood.", "content": "The appearance of atypical lymphocytes in post-transfusion blood, their incorporation of tritiated thymidine in tissue culture and the elimination of cytotoxic antibody production, have been used as markers to show that frozen red cells are the least immunogenic when compared with dextran sedimented blood and whole blood donations. The absence of atypical lymphocytes and failure to produce lymphocytotoxic antibodies after transfusion of frozen cells is highly significant (P is less than 0.001) when compared with whole blood donations.", "contents": "Lymphocyte response to blood transfusion in man: a comparison of different preparations of blood. The appearance of atypical lymphocytes in post-transfusion blood, their incorporation of tritiated thymidine in tissue culture and the elimination of cytotoxic antibody production, have been used as markers to show that frozen red cells are the least immunogenic when compared with dextran sedimented blood and whole blood donations. The absence of atypical lymphocytes and failure to produce lymphocytotoxic antibodies after transfusion of frozen cells is highly significant (P is less than 0.001) when compared with whole blood donations.", "PMID": 773415} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3762", "title": "Prophylaxis in haemophilia: a double-blind controlled trial.", "content": "A double-blind controlled trial of prophylactic factor VIII therapy has been carried out on nine severe haemophiliacs at the Lord Mayor Treloar College. Infusions were given once weekly and calculated to give a post-infusion plasma concentration of at least 0.25 I.U./ml of factor VIII. This regime reduced the overall bleeding frequency by 15%. The bleeding frequency in the first 3 days post-infusion was reduced by 66%. A moderate overall reduction in morbidity was also achieved. It is calculated that to reduce the incidence of bleeding in severe haemophiliacs by 15% would require a 73% increased usage of therapeutic materials. More than twice this amount of material is likely to be needed to reduce the bleeding frequency of the same group by 66%.", "contents": "Prophylaxis in haemophilia: a double-blind controlled trial. A double-blind controlled trial of prophylactic factor VIII therapy has been carried out on nine severe haemophiliacs at the Lord Mayor Treloar College. Infusions were given once weekly and calculated to give a post-infusion plasma concentration of at least 0.25 I.U./ml of factor VIII. This regime reduced the overall bleeding frequency by 15%. The bleeding frequency in the first 3 days post-infusion was reduced by 66%. A moderate overall reduction in morbidity was also achieved. It is calculated that to reduce the incidence of bleeding in severe haemophiliacs by 15% would require a 73% increased usage of therapeutic materials. More than twice this amount of material is likely to be needed to reduce the bleeding frequency of the same group by 66%.", "PMID": 773416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3763", "title": "An evaluation of the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) test in patients with secondary amenorrhoea.", "content": "An analysis of the gonadotrophin response to an intravenous injection of LH-RH (50 mug) has been undertaken in 41 patients with secondary amenorrhoea. Thirty-five of the patients were free of any recognizable pathology to account for their amenorrhoea and apparently had a dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. In these patients, the gonadotrophin response to LH-RH was highly variable. There was in general a correlation between baseline plasma LH or FSH levels and their respective increments. There was no correlation, however, between basal oestrogen levels and gonadotrophin increments except in the case of those patients whose basal levels of plasma FSH were higher than those of LH and in those patients whose body weight was less than the ideal for the population. It appears that the gonadotrophin response to a single injection of LH-RH in the majority of patients with secondary amenorrhoea of unknown origin is too variable to be of use either as a diagnostic or prognostic tool.", "contents": "An evaluation of the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) test in patients with secondary amenorrhoea. An analysis of the gonadotrophin response to an intravenous injection of LH-RH (50 mug) has been undertaken in 41 patients with secondary amenorrhoea. Thirty-five of the patients were free of any recognizable pathology to account for their amenorrhoea and apparently had a dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. In these patients, the gonadotrophin response to LH-RH was highly variable. There was in general a correlation between baseline plasma LH or FSH levels and their respective increments. There was no correlation, however, between basal oestrogen levels and gonadotrophin increments except in the case of those patients whose basal levels of plasma FSH were higher than those of LH and in those patients whose body weight was less than the ideal for the population. It appears that the gonadotrophin response to a single injection of LH-RH in the majority of patients with secondary amenorrhoea of unknown origin is too variable to be of use either as a diagnostic or prognostic tool.", "PMID": 773418} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3764", "title": "Radiation-induced immune changes in patients with cancer of the cervix.", "content": "Immunological methods were used to estimate the therapeutic effect of irradiation and its influence on the immune capacity of patients with cervical cancer. Patients were examined during and following radiotherapy by means of lymphocyte counts, lymphocytic response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), and the depressive effect of their sera on the response of normal lymphocytes PHA stimulation. Lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte responses during radiotherapy were depressed to 20 to 50 per cent and 10 to 33 per cent respectively of the values found before treatment. Lymphopenia and depressed T-cell function persisted for years in many patients. The highest values for both lymphocyte counts and reactivities were found in those patients who had unexpectedly good responses to radiotherapy. The immunodepressive effect of patients' sera on normal lymphocyte reactivity decreased and disappeared during therapy and was not present in previously treated patients showing a good prognosis, whereas it showed no change or even increased during therapy in patients with a poor prognosis. The results suggest that not only does immune capacity influence the effect of radiation and the prognosis of the patient, but also that study of the serum-depressive effect could give important information about both the dosage and therapeutic effects of irradiation.", "contents": "Radiation-induced immune changes in patients with cancer of the cervix. Immunological methods were used to estimate the therapeutic effect of irradiation and its influence on the immune capacity of patients with cervical cancer. Patients were examined during and following radiotherapy by means of lymphocyte counts, lymphocytic response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), and the depressive effect of their sera on the response of normal lymphocytes PHA stimulation. Lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte responses during radiotherapy were depressed to 20 to 50 per cent and 10 to 33 per cent respectively of the values found before treatment. Lymphopenia and depressed T-cell function persisted for years in many patients. The highest values for both lymphocyte counts and reactivities were found in those patients who had unexpectedly good responses to radiotherapy. The immunodepressive effect of patients' sera on normal lymphocyte reactivity decreased and disappeared during therapy and was not present in previously treated patients showing a good prognosis, whereas it showed no change or even increased during therapy in patients with a poor prognosis. The results suggest that not only does immune capacity influence the effect of radiation and the prognosis of the patient, but also that study of the serum-depressive effect could give important information about both the dosage and therapeutic effects of irradiation.", "PMID": 773419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3765", "title": "Treatment of Behcet's disease with chlorambucil.", "content": "Five patients with Behcet's disease in the active and progressive stages were treated with chlorambucil (Leukeran). In all aptients a long-lasting remission was obtained, the ocular lesions did not progress and the vision did not deteriorate. Follow-up varied between 10 and 24 months. Results were encouraging and the form of treatment with chlorambucil and small doses of corticosteroids was superior to other forms of therapy.", "contents": "Treatment of Behcet's disease with chlorambucil. Five patients with Behcet's disease in the active and progressive stages were treated with chlorambucil (Leukeran). In all aptients a long-lasting remission was obtained, the ocular lesions did not progress and the vision did not deteriorate. Follow-up varied between 10 and 24 months. Results were encouraging and the form of treatment with chlorambucil and small doses of corticosteroids was superior to other forms of therapy.", "PMID": 773421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3766", "title": "Nocardia asteroides keratitis. A case report.", "content": "An 11-year-old girl developed a corneal ulcer five days after sustaining a corneal abrasion from a fishline sinker. After more than three weeks, the epithelial defect had closed, but superficial stromal opacities in a ring-like distribution had not cleared on topical gentamicin, prednisolone 1% and atropine. Several scrapings disclosed the presence of branching hyphae on smear, eventually identified as Nocardia asteroides by culture. Although sensitivity studies suggested that subconjunctival ampicillin and hourly sodium sulphacetamide would constitute effective treatment, resolution was only partial on this regimen. Only when penicillin G drops were added did the cornea clear maximally and the epithelium heal.", "contents": "Nocardia asteroides keratitis. A case report. An 11-year-old girl developed a corneal ulcer five days after sustaining a corneal abrasion from a fishline sinker. After more than three weeks, the epithelial defect had closed, but superficial stromal opacities in a ring-like distribution had not cleared on topical gentamicin, prednisolone 1% and atropine. Several scrapings disclosed the presence of branching hyphae on smear, eventually identified as Nocardia asteroides by culture. Although sensitivity studies suggested that subconjunctival ampicillin and hourly sodium sulphacetamide would constitute effective treatment, resolution was only partial on this regimen. Only when penicillin G drops were added did the cornea clear maximally and the epithelium heal.", "PMID": 773422} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3767", "title": "Production of high levels of phosphorylated F1 histone by zinc chloride.", "content": "Methods have been sought to perturb the level of phosphohistones. ZnCl2 (10 mM) exhibits histone phosphate phosphatase in vivo in HTC cells and leads to hyperphysiological levels of F1 phosphohistone. Treatment of tissue culture cells with this concentration of ZnCl2 leads to a reduction in medium pH to 6.4. Control experiments have indicated that HTC cells grow efficiently at this pH and that the reduction of pH does not produce the hyperphosphorylated state per se. The optimum conditions for the ZnCl2 effect are described. That the effect of ZnCl2 on the heterogeneity of F1 histone is due to an effect on phosphorylation was demonstrated by the observation that the entire effect is abolished by treatment with alkaline phosphatase. The site of phosphorylation is in the carboxy-terminal end of the F1 molecule. The inhibitory effect of ZnCl2 on F3 phosphorylation in metaphase cells is also described.", "contents": "Production of high levels of phosphorylated F1 histone by zinc chloride. Methods have been sought to perturb the level of phosphohistones. ZnCl2 (10 mM) exhibits histone phosphate phosphatase in vivo in HTC cells and leads to hyperphysiological levels of F1 phosphohistone. Treatment of tissue culture cells with this concentration of ZnCl2 leads to a reduction in medium pH to 6.4. Control experiments have indicated that HTC cells grow efficiently at this pH and that the reduction of pH does not produce the hyperphosphorylated state per se. The optimum conditions for the ZnCl2 effect are described. That the effect of ZnCl2 on the heterogeneity of F1 histone is due to an effect on phosphorylation was demonstrated by the observation that the entire effect is abolished by treatment with alkaline phosphatase. The site of phosphorylation is in the carboxy-terminal end of the F1 molecule. The inhibitory effect of ZnCl2 on F3 phosphorylation in metaphase cells is also described.", "PMID": 773424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3768", "title": "Peptidoglycan biosynthesis in a thermosensitive division mutant of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Peptidoglycan biosynthesis during a bacterial division cycle was investigated in the thermosensitive division mutant Escherichia coli PAT 84 Synchronous cell division of this organism was initiated by a shift down from restrictive to permissive growth temperature. Cells harvested at different times after a shift down of temperature served as representatives of the various stages during cell division. These cells were made permeable to peptidoglycan nucleotide-sugar precursors by pretreatment with ether and were found capable of catalyzing the polymerization of externally added precursors as well as the covalent attachment of the newly synthesized peptidoglycan strands to those preexisting in the cell wall. Differences were observed in the rats of peptidoglycan synthesis and in the extent of peptide side-chain corss-linkage at the various stages of division. Nonseptate filaments, formed at the restrictive temperature, incorporated significantly more peptidoglycan which was more cross-linked than in normally dividing cells grown at the permissive temperature. Quantitative analyses of the carboxypeptidase and transpeptidase reactions in cells at different stages of division were performed and the inhibitory effect of a number of beta-lactam antibiotics was investigated. Of special significance was the finding that low doses of penicillin or growth at restrictive temperature, which did not affect transpeptidation, partially inhibited the carboxypeptidase activity. This inhibition was paralleled by an increase in incorporation of newly synthesized peptidoglycan into the preexisting cell wall. We therefore propose that carboxypeptidase activity regulates the availability of peptidoglycan precursor(s) for attachment to the preexisting peptidoglycan by transpepidation.", "contents": "Peptidoglycan biosynthesis in a thermosensitive division mutant of Escherichia coli. Peptidoglycan biosynthesis during a bacterial division cycle was investigated in the thermosensitive division mutant Escherichia coli PAT 84 Synchronous cell division of this organism was initiated by a shift down from restrictive to permissive growth temperature. Cells harvested at different times after a shift down of temperature served as representatives of the various stages during cell division. These cells were made permeable to peptidoglycan nucleotide-sugar precursors by pretreatment with ether and were found capable of catalyzing the polymerization of externally added precursors as well as the covalent attachment of the newly synthesized peptidoglycan strands to those preexisting in the cell wall. Differences were observed in the rats of peptidoglycan synthesis and in the extent of peptide side-chain corss-linkage at the various stages of division. Nonseptate filaments, formed at the restrictive temperature, incorporated significantly more peptidoglycan which was more cross-linked than in normally dividing cells grown at the permissive temperature. Quantitative analyses of the carboxypeptidase and transpeptidase reactions in cells at different stages of division were performed and the inhibitory effect of a number of beta-lactam antibiotics was investigated. Of special significance was the finding that low doses of penicillin or growth at restrictive temperature, which did not affect transpeptidation, partially inhibited the carboxypeptidase activity. This inhibition was paralleled by an increase in incorporation of newly synthesized peptidoglycan into the preexisting cell wall. We therefore propose that carboxypeptidase activity regulates the availability of peptidoglycan precursor(s) for attachment to the preexisting peptidoglycan by transpepidation.", "PMID": 773425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3769", "title": "Unique phenylalanine transfer ribonucleic acids in relaxed control Escherichia coli: genetic origin and some functional properties.", "content": "Inhibition of protein synthesis in relaxed control E. coli results in the formation of chromatographically unique isoacceptor species of phenylalanine tRNA. The genetic origin and some functional properties of the major unique species of tRNA (Phe) produced during leucine starvation were investigated. RNA:DNA hybridization analyses revealed that the normally occurring and major unique species of tRNA (Phe) are generated from DNA sequences which are identical or closely related and that there may be only one such sequence in the E. coli chromosome. Results from 32P pulse-chase experiments revealed that the unique tRNA (Phe) can be converted to a chromatographically normal form upon resumption of cell growth in fully supplemented medium. These findings, taken with earlier results which indicate that the unique species is not derived from preexisting, normally occurring species, indicate that the unique tRNA(Phe) is a modification-deficient form of the normal species. Comparative studies of the unique and normal phenylalanine tRNAs revealed that the unique species is aminoacylated at a much lower rate than the normal species and is only about 60% as efficient in a tRNA-dependent, poly(U)-directed protein synthesizing system.", "contents": "Unique phenylalanine transfer ribonucleic acids in relaxed control Escherichia coli: genetic origin and some functional properties. Inhibition of protein synthesis in relaxed control E. coli results in the formation of chromatographically unique isoacceptor species of phenylalanine tRNA. The genetic origin and some functional properties of the major unique species of tRNA (Phe) produced during leucine starvation were investigated. RNA:DNA hybridization analyses revealed that the normally occurring and major unique species of tRNA (Phe) are generated from DNA sequences which are identical or closely related and that there may be only one such sequence in the E. coli chromosome. Results from 32P pulse-chase experiments revealed that the unique tRNA (Phe) can be converted to a chromatographically normal form upon resumption of cell growth in fully supplemented medium. These findings, taken with earlier results which indicate that the unique species is not derived from preexisting, normally occurring species, indicate that the unique tRNA(Phe) is a modification-deficient form of the normal species. Comparative studies of the unique and normal phenylalanine tRNAs revealed that the unique species is aminoacylated at a much lower rate than the normal species and is only about 60% as efficient in a tRNA-dependent, poly(U)-directed protein synthesizing system.", "PMID": 773426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3770", "title": "Thermal unfolding of yeast glycine transfer RNA.", "content": "In the present investigations the molecular unfolding of yeast tRNA(Gly) has been studied by a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, melting techniques, and relaxation kinetics. From these studies the following pathway of unfolding was found. In a coupled melting transition the tertiary, the DHU, and the anticodon structure are disrupted. This is followed by the melting of the acceptor arm, while the T psi C arm, which only contains G-C pairs, melts out last. Interestingly, during the first melting transition a new structure not belonging to the original cloverleaf structure is formed. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the melting transitions were determined and are discussed in relation to earlier work. The present nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments as well as earlier studies show that the ring current calculations based on the cloverleaf structure provide a good first-order interpretation of the NMR spectra of tRNA.", "contents": "Thermal unfolding of yeast glycine transfer RNA. In the present investigations the molecular unfolding of yeast tRNA(Gly) has been studied by a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, melting techniques, and relaxation kinetics. From these studies the following pathway of unfolding was found. In a coupled melting transition the tertiary, the DHU, and the anticodon structure are disrupted. This is followed by the melting of the acceptor arm, while the T psi C arm, which only contains G-C pairs, melts out last. Interestingly, during the first melting transition a new structure not belonging to the original cloverleaf structure is formed. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the melting transitions were determined and are discussed in relation to earlier work. The present nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments as well as earlier studies show that the ring current calculations based on the cloverleaf structure provide a good first-order interpretation of the NMR spectra of tRNA.", "PMID": 773427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3771", "title": "A study of secondary and tertiary solution structure of yeast tRNA(Asp) by nuclear magnetic resonance. Assignment of G.U ring NH and hydrogen-bonded base pair proton resonances.", "content": "The 270-MHz spectra of yeast tRNA(Asp) in H2O solutions containing Mg2+ show clearly resolved resonances in the region from -15 to -9.5 ppm. Resonances between -15 and -11.5 ppm from the hydrogen-bonded protons of the acceptor stem and anticodon arm decrease in intensity with increasing temperature and disappear by 75 degrees C. Simultansously, four well-resolved resonances between -11.2 and -10.3 ppm also decrease in intensity and disappear. Because of this behavior and their positions these resonances have been assigned to the four ring NH protons of G.U base pairs 5 and 30 in the acceptor stem and anticodon arm which are thereby shown not to be hydrogen bonded by normal Watson-Crick hydrogen bonds. The five G.C base pair resonances of the T psi C arm remain visible above 70 degrees C after all other resonances have disappeared. The high-temperature tRNA spectrum agrees well with that of the isolated T psi C hairpin and CCA half-molecule fragments, each of which contains the same five hydrogen-bonded proton resonances. The root-mean-square error between the observed and calculated resonance positions for the hydrogen-bonded base pair protons of these three arms is 0.19 ppm. The dihydrouridine stem is expected to have two A.U Watson-Crick base pairs and no B.C base pairs. However, it does not contribute any hydrogen-bonded resonances to the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum below -11.5 ppm. This suggests that even at 35 degrees C this helix is not hydrogen bonded in a normal manner. In the region below -11.4 ppm there are three additional proton resonances melting earlier than the rest which cannot be assigned to a particular helix of the cloverleaf. We suggest that these resonances arise from hydrogen-bonded protons involved in stabilizing tertiary structure.", "contents": "A study of secondary and tertiary solution structure of yeast tRNA(Asp) by nuclear magnetic resonance. Assignment of G.U ring NH and hydrogen-bonded base pair proton resonances. The 270-MHz spectra of yeast tRNA(Asp) in H2O solutions containing Mg2+ show clearly resolved resonances in the region from -15 to -9.5 ppm. Resonances between -15 and -11.5 ppm from the hydrogen-bonded protons of the acceptor stem and anticodon arm decrease in intensity with increasing temperature and disappear by 75 degrees C. Simultansously, four well-resolved resonances between -11.2 and -10.3 ppm also decrease in intensity and disappear. Because of this behavior and their positions these resonances have been assigned to the four ring NH protons of G.U base pairs 5 and 30 in the acceptor stem and anticodon arm which are thereby shown not to be hydrogen bonded by normal Watson-Crick hydrogen bonds. The five G.C base pair resonances of the T psi C arm remain visible above 70 degrees C after all other resonances have disappeared. The high-temperature tRNA spectrum agrees well with that of the isolated T psi C hairpin and CCA half-molecule fragments, each of which contains the same five hydrogen-bonded proton resonances. The root-mean-square error between the observed and calculated resonance positions for the hydrogen-bonded base pair protons of these three arms is 0.19 ppm. The dihydrouridine stem is expected to have two A.U Watson-Crick base pairs and no B.C base pairs. However, it does not contribute any hydrogen-bonded resonances to the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum below -11.5 ppm. This suggests that even at 35 degrees C this helix is not hydrogen bonded in a normal manner. In the region below -11.4 ppm there are three additional proton resonances melting earlier than the rest which cannot be assigned to a particular helix of the cloverleaf. We suggest that these resonances arise from hydrogen-bonded protons involved in stabilizing tertiary structure.", "PMID": 773428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3772", "title": "Isotope effects and structure-reactivity correlations in the yeast alcohol dehydrogenase reaction. A study of the enzyme-catalyzed oxidation of aromatic alcohols.", "content": "Steady-state kinetic parameters for the yeast alcohol dehydrogenase catalyzed oxidation of a series of parasubstituted benzyl alcohols-1, 1-h2 and -1, 1-d2 by NAD+ are reported. Catalytic constants have been found to be characterized by large deuterium isotope effects: kH/kD=4.8, p-Br; 4.2, p-Cl; 3, 4, p-H; 4, 2, p-CH3; 3, 2, p-CH3O. The observed isotope effects on k(cat)/K(A), K(A), and K(B), where K(A) and K(B) are Michaelis constants for NAD+ and alcohol, indicate a borderline rapid equilibrium-steady-state kinetic mechanism involving the random addition of substrate and coenzyme to enzyme. With the exception of p-CH3 and possible p-CH3O substituted benzyl alcohol, k(cat) is concluded to represent a single, rate-limiting hydrogen transfer step. A multiple linear regression analysis of the combined data for benzaldehyde reduction (Klinman, J.P. (1972), J. Biol. Chem. 247, 7977-7987, expanded to include p-CH(CH3) 2-substituted benzaldehyde) and benzyl alcohol oxidation has been carried out to determine the contribution of electronic, hydrophobic, and steric effects to k(cat) and substrate binding. Benzaldehyde binding is concluded to depend on electronic substituent effects as previously reported [log 1/K(ald)=(-0.92 +/- 0.18)sigma+-(0.80 +/- 0.067)], whereas benzyl alcohol binding correlates with substrate hydrophobicity [(log 1/K(alc)=(0.60 +/- 0.14) log P -(1.2 +/- 0.12)]. In the case of benzyl alcohol oxidation, k(cat) is independent of electronic and steric effects; the best of seven equations indicates a small negative dependence of k(cat) on hydrophobicity, which is within experimental error or zero [log k(o)=(-0.075 +/- 0.25) log P -(0.65 +/- 0.19)]. Data for benzaldehyde reduction are correlated at the 99% significance level by a single variable equation [(log k(R)=(2.1 +/- 0.37) sigma+-(0.093 +/- 0.14)] and a two variable equation [(log k(R)=(1.9 +/- 0.33) sigma+ + (0.46 +/- 0.20) log P-(0.46 +/- 0.20)]; these equations indicate (a) a large dependence on electronic substituent as reported previously and (b) a possible role for hydrophobic factors in facilitating catalysis. As the result of the observed hydrophobic substituent effects, different ground-state interactions are suggested for the binding of benzaldehydes and benzyl alcohols. Electronic substituent effects lead to the conclusion that there is little or no change in charge at C-1 of substrate at the transition state, relative to alcohol in the ground state. The significance of these effects to the detailed properties of the hydrogen transfer step is discussed.", "contents": "Isotope effects and structure-reactivity correlations in the yeast alcohol dehydrogenase reaction. A study of the enzyme-catalyzed oxidation of aromatic alcohols. Steady-state kinetic parameters for the yeast alcohol dehydrogenase catalyzed oxidation of a series of parasubstituted benzyl alcohols-1, 1-h2 and -1, 1-d2 by NAD+ are reported. Catalytic constants have been found to be characterized by large deuterium isotope effects: kH/kD=4.8, p-Br; 4.2, p-Cl; 3, 4, p-H; 4, 2, p-CH3; 3, 2, p-CH3O. The observed isotope effects on k(cat)/K(A), K(A), and K(B), where K(A) and K(B) are Michaelis constants for NAD+ and alcohol, indicate a borderline rapid equilibrium-steady-state kinetic mechanism involving the random addition of substrate and coenzyme to enzyme. With the exception of p-CH3 and possible p-CH3O substituted benzyl alcohol, k(cat) is concluded to represent a single, rate-limiting hydrogen transfer step. A multiple linear regression analysis of the combined data for benzaldehyde reduction (Klinman, J.P. (1972), J. Biol. Chem. 247, 7977-7987, expanded to include p-CH(CH3) 2-substituted benzaldehyde) and benzyl alcohol oxidation has been carried out to determine the contribution of electronic, hydrophobic, and steric effects to k(cat) and substrate binding. Benzaldehyde binding is concluded to depend on electronic substituent effects as previously reported [log 1/K(ald)=(-0.92 +/- 0.18)sigma+-(0.80 +/- 0.067)], whereas benzyl alcohol binding correlates with substrate hydrophobicity [(log 1/K(alc)=(0.60 +/- 0.14) log P -(1.2 +/- 0.12)]. In the case of benzyl alcohol oxidation, k(cat) is independent of electronic and steric effects; the best of seven equations indicates a small negative dependence of k(cat) on hydrophobicity, which is within experimental error or zero [log k(o)=(-0.075 +/- 0.25) log P -(0.65 +/- 0.19)]. Data for benzaldehyde reduction are correlated at the 99% significance level by a single variable equation [(log k(R)=(2.1 +/- 0.37) sigma+-(0.093 +/- 0.14)] and a two variable equation [(log k(R)=(1.9 +/- 0.33) sigma+ + (0.46 +/- 0.20) log P-(0.46 +/- 0.20)]; these equations indicate (a) a large dependence on electronic substituent as reported previously and (b) a possible role for hydrophobic factors in facilitating catalysis. As the result of the observed hydrophobic substituent effects, different ground-state interactions are suggested for the binding of benzaldehydes and benzyl alcohols. Electronic substituent effects lead to the conclusion that there is little or no change in charge at C-1 of substrate at the transition state, relative to alcohol in the ground state. The significance of these effects to the detailed properties of the hydrogen transfer step is discussed.", "PMID": 773429} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3773", "title": "Freeze etch morphology of outer membrane mutants of Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "Freeze etching showed that the loss of each of the major outer membrane proteins b, c or d in mutants of Escherichia coki K12 does not influence the morphology of fracture faces of the outer membrane. Mutants that possess a heptose-deficient lipopolysaccharide and which in addition are deficient in one or more major outer membrane proteins exhibit a reduction in the number of intramembranous particles of the outer membrane. Moreover it was shown that lipid phase transitions induce a lateral lipid protein separation in the outer membrane, similar to that found in the cytoplasmic membrane.", "contents": "Freeze etch morphology of outer membrane mutants of Escherichia coli K12. Freeze etching showed that the loss of each of the major outer membrane proteins b, c or d in mutants of Escherichia coki K12 does not influence the morphology of fracture faces of the outer membrane. Mutants that possess a heptose-deficient lipopolysaccharide and which in addition are deficient in one or more major outer membrane proteins exhibit a reduction in the number of intramembranous particles of the outer membrane. Moreover it was shown that lipid phase transitions induce a lateral lipid protein separation in the outer membrane, similar to that found in the cytoplasmic membrane.", "PMID": 773430} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3774", "title": "Temperature-sensitive formation of the phospholipid molecular species in Escherichia coli membranes.", "content": "Phospholipids in the membranes of Escherichia coli grown at 37 degrees C are composed of different proportions of molecular species than are those at 17 degrees C. The 1,2-disaturated and 1-saturated-2-unsaturated molecular species increased at 37 degrees C, but the 1,2-diunsaturated species increased at 17 degrees C. When the growth temperature was lowered from 37 to 17 degrees C during the middle exponential growth phase, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol composed of proportions of molecular species similar to those found at 17 degrees C were immediately synthesized. By using various membranes composed of different compositions of the phospholipid molecular species, the temperature-sensitive formation of the phospholipid molecular species was found to be independent of the composition of the membrane phospholipids and to be dependent on changes in the specificities of membrane-bound sn-glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase against the acyl-CoAs, due to temperature changes.", "contents": "Temperature-sensitive formation of the phospholipid molecular species in Escherichia coli membranes. Phospholipids in the membranes of Escherichia coli grown at 37 degrees C are composed of different proportions of molecular species than are those at 17 degrees C. The 1,2-disaturated and 1-saturated-2-unsaturated molecular species increased at 37 degrees C, but the 1,2-diunsaturated species increased at 17 degrees C. When the growth temperature was lowered from 37 to 17 degrees C during the middle exponential growth phase, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol composed of proportions of molecular species similar to those found at 17 degrees C were immediately synthesized. By using various membranes composed of different compositions of the phospholipid molecular species, the temperature-sensitive formation of the phospholipid molecular species was found to be independent of the composition of the membrane phospholipids and to be dependent on changes in the specificities of membrane-bound sn-glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase against the acyl-CoAs, due to temperature changes.", "PMID": 773431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3775", "title": "In vitro repair of radiation-induced strand breaks in DNA.", "content": "DNA, gamma-irradiated in vitro or in isolated thymocytes was treated with several enzymes to achieve repair of the radiation-induced single strand braks. Whereas an incubation with polynucleotide ligase can join only 25% of the single strand breaks, a combined treatemnt with exonuclease III (EC 3.1.4.1), DNA polymerase I (EC 2.7.7.7), and polynucleotide ligase leads to repair of 80% of the breaks. For this in vitro repair the exonuclease III has to remove several, probably damaged, nucleotides from the 3'-terminal producing a single-stranded gap, which will be filled in by DNA polymerase I and joined by ligase. Tests for successful rejoining of the strand breaks were performed by showing the loss of primer 3'-OH sites for DNA polymerase I, by the resistance of incorporated nucleotides in the gap to removal by a second exonuclease III treatment, and by strand break determination in the analytical ultracentrifuge. 20% of the radiation-induced strand breaks will not be repaired by this combined treatment possibly due to an incomplete binding of the ligase on the 5'-terminals and/or an incomplete removal of the damaged 3'-terminals by exonuclease III.", "contents": "In vitro repair of radiation-induced strand breaks in DNA. DNA, gamma-irradiated in vitro or in isolated thymocytes was treated with several enzymes to achieve repair of the radiation-induced single strand braks. Whereas an incubation with polynucleotide ligase can join only 25% of the single strand breaks, a combined treatemnt with exonuclease III (EC 3.1.4.1), DNA polymerase I (EC 2.7.7.7), and polynucleotide ligase leads to repair of 80% of the breaks. For this in vitro repair the exonuclease III has to remove several, probably damaged, nucleotides from the 3'-terminal producing a single-stranded gap, which will be filled in by DNA polymerase I and joined by ligase. Tests for successful rejoining of the strand breaks were performed by showing the loss of primer 3'-OH sites for DNA polymerase I, by the resistance of incorporated nucleotides in the gap to removal by a second exonuclease III treatment, and by strand break determination in the analytical ultracentrifuge. 20% of the radiation-induced strand breaks will not be repaired by this combined treatment possibly due to an incomplete binding of the ligase on the 5'-terminals and/or an incomplete removal of the damaged 3'-terminals by exonuclease III.", "PMID": 773432} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3776", "title": "Specific cleavages of pure tRNAs by plumbous ions.", "content": "After renaturation some pure tRNAs were submitted to the action of lead acetate 1 . 10(-3) M at pH 7.3 and at 37 degrees C in the presence of either 1 M or 0.5 M NaCl. These tRNAs were specifically cleaved by Pb2+. The exact cleavage points were determined by analysing the oligonucleotides obtained from three yeast tRNAs. In 1 M NaCl, tRNA(Phe) is cleaved after the hUp17 and partially cleaved after Cp73. In 0.5 M NaCl, there are cleaveages after hUp16, hUp17 as well as a partial one after pGP1. In 1 M NaCl tRNA(Asp) is not cleaved, whereas in 0.5 M NaCl 50% of the molecules are cleaved in the anticodon region after Up35, 14% after hUp19 and 6% after hUp16. In 1 M NaCl tRNA(Val) is cleaved in the hU loop: 40% after hUp16 and 60% after CP17. The action of lead on five other pure tRNAs was studied on the analytical scale only, by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They could be classified into two familites, one cleaved mainly in the hU loop, the other in the anticodon loop. The minimal concentrations of Pb2+ required for cleavage were determined for several tRNAs, the most sensitive of which, yeast tRNA(Val), being still cleaved with a concentration of 5 . 10(-6) M in 0.15 M NaCl. Although the cleavage often occurs after hUp, poly (hU) is less sensitive than poly(U). This and other results indicate that cleavages depend more on the conformation than the sequence of the polynucleotide chain, bends in the tertiary structure being lead-sensitive sites. Finally, the amino acid acceptance activities of cleaved tRNA(Phe) and tRNA(Asp) were determined.", "contents": "Specific cleavages of pure tRNAs by plumbous ions. After renaturation some pure tRNAs were submitted to the action of lead acetate 1 . 10(-3) M at pH 7.3 and at 37 degrees C in the presence of either 1 M or 0.5 M NaCl. These tRNAs were specifically cleaved by Pb2+. The exact cleavage points were determined by analysing the oligonucleotides obtained from three yeast tRNAs. In 1 M NaCl, tRNA(Phe) is cleaved after the hUp17 and partially cleaved after Cp73. In 0.5 M NaCl, there are cleaveages after hUp16, hUp17 as well as a partial one after pGP1. In 1 M NaCl tRNA(Asp) is not cleaved, whereas in 0.5 M NaCl 50% of the molecules are cleaved in the anticodon region after Up35, 14% after hUp19 and 6% after hUp16. In 1 M NaCl tRNA(Val) is cleaved in the hU loop: 40% after hUp16 and 60% after CP17. The action of lead on five other pure tRNAs was studied on the analytical scale only, by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They could be classified into two familites, one cleaved mainly in the hU loop, the other in the anticodon loop. The minimal concentrations of Pb2+ required for cleavage were determined for several tRNAs, the most sensitive of which, yeast tRNA(Val), being still cleaved with a concentration of 5 . 10(-6) M in 0.15 M NaCl. Although the cleavage often occurs after hUp, poly (hU) is less sensitive than poly(U). This and other results indicate that cleavages depend more on the conformation than the sequence of the polynucleotide chain, bends in the tertiary structure being lead-sensitive sites. Finally, the amino acid acceptance activities of cleaved tRNA(Phe) and tRNA(Asp) were determined.", "PMID": 773433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3777", "title": "The binding of lac repressor and the catabolite gene activator protein to halogen-substituted analogues of poly[d(A-T)].", "content": "We have measured the binding of two regulatory proteins to the complete halogen-substituted series of poly[d(A-T)] analogues. Both the lac repressor and the catabolite gene activator protein were found to bind more strongly to all of the halogen-substituted DNAs than they do to poly[d(A-T)]. For both proteins, the order of binding preference is poly[d(A-ioU)] is greater than poly[d(A-brU)] is greater than or equal to poly[d(A-clU)] is greater than poly[d(A-flU)] is greater than poly[d(A-T)]. Quantitative data on the binding of these proteins to poly[d(A-U)] is also given. The significance of these results for the mechanism of protein-DNA interaction is discussed. This is the first report that an activator protein binds more strongly to a halogen-substituted DNA; we discuss this result with regard to the mechanism of action of bromodeoxyruidine and other halogen-substituted base analogues on the inhibition and induction of differentiation in eucaryotic cells.", "contents": "The binding of lac repressor and the catabolite gene activator protein to halogen-substituted analogues of poly[d(A-T)]. We have measured the binding of two regulatory proteins to the complete halogen-substituted series of poly[d(A-T)] analogues. Both the lac repressor and the catabolite gene activator protein were found to bind more strongly to all of the halogen-substituted DNAs than they do to poly[d(A-T)]. For both proteins, the order of binding preference is poly[d(A-ioU)] is greater than poly[d(A-brU)] is greater than or equal to poly[d(A-clU)] is greater than poly[d(A-flU)] is greater than poly[d(A-T)]. Quantitative data on the binding of these proteins to poly[d(A-U)] is also given. The significance of these results for the mechanism of protein-DNA interaction is discussed. This is the first report that an activator protein binds more strongly to a halogen-substituted DNA; we discuss this result with regard to the mechanism of action of bromodeoxyruidine and other halogen-substituted base analogues on the inhibition and induction of differentiation in eucaryotic cells.", "PMID": 773434} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3778", "title": "The effect of thioketo substitution on uracil-2-aminopurine and uracil-2, 6-diaminopurine interactions in polynucleotides.", "content": "The existence of the complexes poly[r(s4U)] . poly[r(n2h6A] and poly-[r(s4U)] . poly[r(n2A)] was demonstrated by means of spectrophotometric titration and sedimentation veolicty analysis. According to the absorption-temperature profiles thioketo substitution of poly[r(U)] . poly[r(n2h6A)] led to stabilisation of the helical structure, thus implying that the 4-thioketo group does not participate in s4U . n2h6A base pairing. In the case of poly[r(s4U)] . poly[r(n2A)] drastic destabilistaion of the helical structure by thioketo substitution was observed. This indicates that the thioketo substituents participate in s4U .n2A base pairing.", "contents": "The effect of thioketo substitution on uracil-2-aminopurine and uracil-2, 6-diaminopurine interactions in polynucleotides. The existence of the complexes poly[r(s4U)] . poly[r(n2h6A] and poly-[r(s4U)] . poly[r(n2A)] was demonstrated by means of spectrophotometric titration and sedimentation veolicty analysis. According to the absorption-temperature profiles thioketo substitution of poly[r(U)] . poly[r(n2h6A)] led to stabilisation of the helical structure, thus implying that the 4-thioketo group does not participate in s4U . n2h6A base pairing. In the case of poly[r(s4U)] . poly[r(n2A)] drastic destabilistaion of the helical structure by thioketo substitution was observed. This indicates that the thioketo substituents participate in s4U .n2A base pairing.", "PMID": 773435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3779", "title": "The role of energy-generating processes in the degradation of guanosine tetrophosphate, ppGpp, in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The effect of energy limitation on the intracellular level of guanosine 5'-diphosphate, 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) was investigated. Glucose exhaustion, as well as uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, evokes an immediate increase in the ppGpp concentration. This increase is a consequence of a lowered degradation rate of the nucleotide. The level of ppGpp, which determines the rate of ribosomal RNA synthesis, is thus subject to a double control system: amino acyl-tRNA availability governs the rate of synthesis while energy metabolism governs the rate of degradation.", "contents": "The role of energy-generating processes in the degradation of guanosine tetrophosphate, ppGpp, in Escherichia coli. The effect of energy limitation on the intracellular level of guanosine 5'-diphosphate, 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) was investigated. Glucose exhaustion, as well as uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, evokes an immediate increase in the ppGpp concentration. This increase is a consequence of a lowered degradation rate of the nucleotide. The level of ppGpp, which determines the rate of ribosomal RNA synthesis, is thus subject to a double control system: amino acyl-tRNA availability governs the rate of synthesis while energy metabolism governs the rate of degradation.", "PMID": 773436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3780", "title": "Peptides isolated from Enterobacter nuclease as potential polyamine binding sites.", "content": "The Enterobacter nuclease, which cleaves RNA between the 3'-phosphate group of cytidylic acid and the 5'-hydroxyl group of adenylic acid, has been shown to be affected by the polyamines, spermidine, spermine and putrescine. These substances enhance the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme against both poly(C) and yeast RNA. Sperimidine and spermine also reverse the inhibition of the enzyme by the ordered polynucleotides, apparently by removing them from the surface of the enzyme. Treatment of poly(G)-bound peptides (obtained from tryptic digests of poly(G)-bound nuclease) with an excess of spermidine resulted in the isolation of spermidine-bound peptides. Purification of these peptides through ion-exchange chromatography resulted in the isolation of three spermidine-bound peptides which consisted of 17 residues (6 amino acids), 19 residues (10 amino acids), and 12 residues (9 amino acids). The binding ratio of spermidine to peptides varied from 1:1 to 3:1.", "contents": "Peptides isolated from Enterobacter nuclease as potential polyamine binding sites. The Enterobacter nuclease, which cleaves RNA between the 3'-phosphate group of cytidylic acid and the 5'-hydroxyl group of adenylic acid, has been shown to be affected by the polyamines, spermidine, spermine and putrescine. These substances enhance the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme against both poly(C) and yeast RNA. Sperimidine and spermine also reverse the inhibition of the enzyme by the ordered polynucleotides, apparently by removing them from the surface of the enzyme. Treatment of poly(G)-bound peptides (obtained from tryptic digests of poly(G)-bound nuclease) with an excess of spermidine resulted in the isolation of spermidine-bound peptides. Purification of these peptides through ion-exchange chromatography resulted in the isolation of three spermidine-bound peptides which consisted of 17 residues (6 amino acids), 19 residues (10 amino acids), and 12 residues (9 amino acids). The binding ratio of spermidine to peptides varied from 1:1 to 3:1.", "PMID": 773437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3781", "title": "The similarities of ribosomal and basic chromosomal proteins from fungi.", "content": "We have compared the physical and chemical properties of yeast and fungal ribosomal proteins with those of higher eukaryotic histones. We have found that acidic urea gel electrophoresis, sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis or chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose columns failed to distinguish ribosomal proteins from histones. The majority of the ribosomal proteins did not adsorb to an amberlite CG-50 column in the presence of 8% guanidine hydrochloride. Histones quantitatively adsorbed to an amberlite CG-50 column in the presence of 8% guanidine hydrochloride. A small number of fungal acid-soluble nuclear proteins, which coelectrophoresed with histones, were identified in a presumed nucleolar and nuclear membrane fraction. This fraction contained large amounts of RNA and small amounts of DNA. It is suggested that contamination of yeast and fungal chromosome preparations by a small number of ribosomal proteins can occur. Furthermore, several commonly employed criteria did not distinguish contaminating ribosomal proteins from authentic histones.", "contents": "The similarities of ribosomal and basic chromosomal proteins from fungi. We have compared the physical and chemical properties of yeast and fungal ribosomal proteins with those of higher eukaryotic histones. We have found that acidic urea gel electrophoresis, sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis or chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose columns failed to distinguish ribosomal proteins from histones. The majority of the ribosomal proteins did not adsorb to an amberlite CG-50 column in the presence of 8% guanidine hydrochloride. Histones quantitatively adsorbed to an amberlite CG-50 column in the presence of 8% guanidine hydrochloride. A small number of fungal acid-soluble nuclear proteins, which coelectrophoresed with histones, were identified in a presumed nucleolar and nuclear membrane fraction. This fraction contained large amounts of RNA and small amounts of DNA. It is suggested that contamination of yeast and fungal chromosome preparations by a small number of ribosomal proteins can occur. Furthermore, several commonly employed criteria did not distinguish contaminating ribosomal proteins from authentic histones.", "PMID": 773438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3782", "title": "Transplantation versus prosthetic replacement of the heart.", "content": "The cardiac allograft has a far superior clinical record than the mechanical device or artificial heart. Further efforts in two-staged cardiac replacement are encouraged using, initially, an orthotopic total replacement of the nonfunctioning heart and, later, substitution by a cardiac allograft. Orthotopic cardiac replacement with a mechanical device offers promise, but elective clinical application may be delayed for many years.", "contents": "Transplantation versus prosthetic replacement of the heart. The cardiac allograft has a far superior clinical record than the mechanical device or artificial heart. Further efforts in two-staged cardiac replacement are encouraged using, initially, an orthotopic total replacement of the nonfunctioning heart and, later, substitution by a cardiac allograft. Orthotopic cardiac replacement with a mechanical device offers promise, but elective clinical application may be delayed for many years.", "PMID": 773440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3783", "title": "Human tumour xenografts.", "content": "The historical development, and more recent advances in the use of xenografts of human tumours as potential models for the study of human cancer are described and discussed. The practicality of the various systems available are critically reviewed, as well as their potential application in the field of experimental chemotherapy. Emphasis is given to the fact that over two decades of research effort has hardly produced any results of clinical relevance, often because workers have been too carried away with their technical achievements to appreciate the rules of experimental chemotherapy. The role of human tumour xenografts in the study of human cancer is appreciated, but the development of newer syngeneic, differentiated animal models may lessen their importance in the field of experimental chemotherapy.", "contents": "Human tumour xenografts. The historical development, and more recent advances in the use of xenografts of human tumours as potential models for the study of human cancer are described and discussed. The practicality of the various systems available are critically reviewed, as well as their potential application in the field of experimental chemotherapy. Emphasis is given to the fact that over two decades of research effort has hardly produced any results of clinical relevance, often because workers have been too carried away with their technical achievements to appreciate the rules of experimental chemotherapy. The role of human tumour xenografts in the study of human cancer is appreciated, but the development of newer syngeneic, differentiated animal models may lessen their importance in the field of experimental chemotherapy.", "PMID": 773441} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3784", "title": "\"Xenogeneic resistance\" to rat bone marrow transplantation. III. Maturation age, and abrogation with cyclophosphamide, Corynebacterium parvum and fractionated irradiation.", "content": "Lethally irradiated C57 Bl/6 mice and (C57 X A) F1 hybrids fail to accept doses of rat bone marrow cells (5 X 10(6)) which give confluent splenic repopulation in \"non-resistant\" strains of mice. This phenomenon has been termed \"xenogeneic resistance\" (XR). XR in (C57 X A) F1 mice can be overridden by a very large inoculum of rat bone marrow (26 X 10(6) cells). XR is not manifest in mice of a resistant strain at ages of 18 days or younger, but is manifest at ages of 22 days and older. XR can be abrogated by agents as varied as: 1) cyclophosphamide, which abrogates XR in a dose dependent manner when given 1 hr prior to lethal irradiation and bone marrow transplantation 2) C. parvum, which abrogates resistance when given 7 days prior to lethal irradiation and bone marrow transplantation, and 3) Fractionated irradiation, which, while capable of abrogating XR, is much less potent than either cyclophosphamide or C. parvum.", "contents": "\"Xenogeneic resistance\" to rat bone marrow transplantation. III. Maturation age, and abrogation with cyclophosphamide, Corynebacterium parvum and fractionated irradiation. Lethally irradiated C57 Bl/6 mice and (C57 X A) F1 hybrids fail to accept doses of rat bone marrow cells (5 X 10(6)) which give confluent splenic repopulation in \"non-resistant\" strains of mice. This phenomenon has been termed \"xenogeneic resistance\" (XR). XR in (C57 X A) F1 mice can be overridden by a very large inoculum of rat bone marrow (26 X 10(6) cells). XR is not manifest in mice of a resistant strain at ages of 18 days or younger, but is manifest at ages of 22 days and older. XR can be abrogated by agents as varied as: 1) cyclophosphamide, which abrogates XR in a dose dependent manner when given 1 hr prior to lethal irradiation and bone marrow transplantation 2) C. parvum, which abrogates resistance when given 7 days prior to lethal irradiation and bone marrow transplantation, and 3) Fractionated irradiation, which, while capable of abrogating XR, is much less potent than either cyclophosphamide or C. parvum.", "PMID": 773442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3785", "title": "Inhibition of transplanted sarcomas mediated by BCG in rats with a defined immunological deficit.", "content": "Experiments were undertaken to test the hypothesis that a major component of BCG contact-induced inhibition of syngeneic tumour growth in rats is not dependent on the participation of thymus-processed (T) cells. Hosts were deprived of T cells by thymectomy followed by either lethal irradiation (850 rad) and bone marrow reconstitution, or repeated whole body irradiation to a total dose of 1,000 rad. After 6 weeks had elapsed to allow for bone marrow restitution, rats were challenged with trypsinized sarcoma cells admixed with Glaxo strain BCG. For sarcoma P7, host T-cell deprivation did not significantly diminish the capacity of BCG to prevent the progressive development of this neoplasm from an inoculum of one million cells. Under similar conditions, the incidence of sarcoma CC5 development in maximally deprived hosts was significantly greater (7/19) than in normal controls (1/16) (P is less than 0.05), but the majority of rats (58%) did not succomb to tumour outgrowth. In the case of a third neoplasm--a spontaneously metastasizing fibrosarcoma (P8)--the effect of BCG on primary tumour development was comparable in normal and deprived recipients and was limited to temporary arrest as distinct from complete inhibition. Assessment of the influence of BCG on lung metastases was more complex since the extent of metastatic disease from subcutaneous tumour cells alone was greater in deprived rats than in normal rats. It is concluded that T-cell participation is not a major requirement for BCG contact-induced inhibition in this system and some implications for the mechanism of action are discussed.", "contents": "Inhibition of transplanted sarcomas mediated by BCG in rats with a defined immunological deficit. Experiments were undertaken to test the hypothesis that a major component of BCG contact-induced inhibition of syngeneic tumour growth in rats is not dependent on the participation of thymus-processed (T) cells. Hosts were deprived of T cells by thymectomy followed by either lethal irradiation (850 rad) and bone marrow reconstitution, or repeated whole body irradiation to a total dose of 1,000 rad. After 6 weeks had elapsed to allow for bone marrow restitution, rats were challenged with trypsinized sarcoma cells admixed with Glaxo strain BCG. For sarcoma P7, host T-cell deprivation did not significantly diminish the capacity of BCG to prevent the progressive development of this neoplasm from an inoculum of one million cells. Under similar conditions, the incidence of sarcoma CC5 development in maximally deprived hosts was significantly greater (7/19) than in normal controls (1/16) (P is less than 0.05), but the majority of rats (58%) did not succomb to tumour outgrowth. In the case of a third neoplasm--a spontaneously metastasizing fibrosarcoma (P8)--the effect of BCG on primary tumour development was comparable in normal and deprived recipients and was limited to temporary arrest as distinct from complete inhibition. Assessment of the influence of BCG on lung metastases was more complex since the extent of metastatic disease from subcutaneous tumour cells alone was greater in deprived rats than in normal rats. It is concluded that T-cell participation is not a major requirement for BCG contact-induced inhibition in this system and some implications for the mechanism of action are discussed.", "PMID": 773443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3786", "title": "[Pharmacokinetic characteristics of a massive dose of furosemide in acute kidney failure].", "content": "A pharmacokinetic study with high doses of frusemide has been performed in nine patients with acute tubulopathy, treated by hemodialysis. The patients were studied between 6 and 28 days after the beginning of the disease. Renal function was normal before the episode of acute renal shutdown. The diuretic effect of frusemide was closely related to creatinine clearance (Ccr): no effect in anuric cases, moderate effect if Ccr was lower than 10 ml/mn, marked effect if Ccr was higher than 10 ml/mn. no direct relationship could be demonstrated between drug plasma level and natriuresis. Frusemide half-life in plasma was short even in anuric patients, suggesting the existence of an extra renal excretion and/or inactivation pathway. Hence toxic side effects due to drug accumulation should not appear in the recommended 1 g/day regimen.", "contents": "[Pharmacokinetic characteristics of a massive dose of furosemide in acute kidney failure]. A pharmacokinetic study with high doses of frusemide has been performed in nine patients with acute tubulopathy, treated by hemodialysis. The patients were studied between 6 and 28 days after the beginning of the disease. Renal function was normal before the episode of acute renal shutdown. The diuretic effect of frusemide was closely related to creatinine clearance (Ccr): no effect in anuric cases, moderate effect if Ccr was lower than 10 ml/mn, marked effect if Ccr was higher than 10 ml/mn. no direct relationship could be demonstrated between drug plasma level and natriuresis. Frusemide half-life in plasma was short even in anuric patients, suggesting the existence of an extra renal excretion and/or inactivation pathway. Hence toxic side effects due to drug accumulation should not appear in the recommended 1 g/day regimen.", "PMID": 773444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3787", "title": "Influence of salts and gelatin on disintegration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by freeze-pressing.", "content": "The disintegration by freeze-pressing of a low concentration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae suspended in aqueous solutions of gelatin and different salts has been studied at different temperatures. In the freeze-pressing process deionized water and salt solutions flow in pulses, whereas samples with increasing concentrations of gelatin or cells tend to flow more smoothly. This smooth flow enhances the disruption efficiency particularly at lower temperatures, which seems to be of great practical importance. The addition of salts also promotes disintegration. The presence of both gelatin and salts works antagonistically on disintegration presumably because of different modes of action at disruption of cells.", "contents": "Influence of salts and gelatin on disintegration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by freeze-pressing. The disintegration by freeze-pressing of a low concentration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae suspended in aqueous solutions of gelatin and different salts has been studied at different temperatures. In the freeze-pressing process deionized water and salt solutions flow in pulses, whereas samples with increasing concentrations of gelatin or cells tend to flow more smoothly. This smooth flow enhances the disruption efficiency particularly at lower temperatures, which seems to be of great practical importance. The addition of salts also promotes disintegration. The presence of both gelatin and salts works antagonistically on disintegration presumably because of different modes of action at disruption of cells.", "PMID": 773446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3788", "title": "Cell inactivation by ultrasound.", "content": "Cell survival curves have been obtained for Escherichia coli B (E. coli B) after the sonication of suspensions of the bacteria with continuous wave ultrasound at a fixed frequency of 2 MHZ between peak intensities of 8.7 and 2.25 W cm-2. It was found that under suitable conditions the survival curves were reproducible and it also was found that there was a clear relationship between the rate of inactivation and the peak acoustic intensity of the ultrasound. There appeared to be a lower threshold of peak intensity below which no inactivation was observed.", "contents": "Cell inactivation by ultrasound. Cell survival curves have been obtained for Escherichia coli B (E. coli B) after the sonication of suspensions of the bacteria with continuous wave ultrasound at a fixed frequency of 2 MHZ between peak intensities of 8.7 and 2.25 W cm-2. It was found that under suitable conditions the survival curves were reproducible and it also was found that there was a clear relationship between the rate of inactivation and the peak acoustic intensity of the ultrasound. There appeared to be a lower threshold of peak intensity below which no inactivation was observed.", "PMID": 773447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3789", "title": "Dynamics of mixed cultures of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium shermanii.", "content": "The mixed culture of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium shermanii grown anaerobically in glucose minimal medium exhibits features typical of a commensal interaction even though a number of complicating factors, such as a large maintenance requirement of L. plantarum and inhibition of growth of P. shermanii at low pH, are present. A simple mathematical model of the system is presented and is shown to reproduce rather well some of the features of the continuous mixed culture system in both steady-state and transient situations.", "contents": "Dynamics of mixed cultures of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium shermanii. The mixed culture of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium shermanii grown anaerobically in glucose minimal medium exhibits features typical of a commensal interaction even though a number of complicating factors, such as a large maintenance requirement of L. plantarum and inhibition of growth of P. shermanii at low pH, are present. A simple mathematical model of the system is presented and is shown to reproduce rather well some of the features of the continuous mixed culture system in both steady-state and transient situations.", "PMID": 773448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3790", "title": "The kinetics of protein salting-out: precipitation of yeast enzymes by ammonium sulfate.", "content": "Protein solubility can be adequately represented by the classical Cohn equation for the salting-out of alcohol dehydrogenase and fumarase from clarified yeast homogenate with ammonium sulfate. However, the constant beta in this equation is a function of the contacting procedure employed. The kinetics of continuous salting-out were similar for alcohol dehydrogenase and fumarase. The overall rate equation for precipitation had a variable order which was high initially, up to 3.1, but approached unity on completion of precipitation. This was followed by a partial resolution stage which was first order with respect to the concentration driving force. Precipitate particle size was estimated as 0.5 to 5 mum with continuous flow precipitation producing the largest particles.", "contents": "The kinetics of protein salting-out: precipitation of yeast enzymes by ammonium sulfate. Protein solubility can be adequately represented by the classical Cohn equation for the salting-out of alcohol dehydrogenase and fumarase from clarified yeast homogenate with ammonium sulfate. However, the constant beta in this equation is a function of the contacting procedure employed. The kinetics of continuous salting-out were similar for alcohol dehydrogenase and fumarase. The overall rate equation for precipitation had a variable order which was high initially, up to 3.1, but approached unity on completion of precipitation. This was followed by a partial resolution stage which was first order with respect to the concentration driving force. Precipitate particle size was estimated as 0.5 to 5 mum with continuous flow precipitation producing the largest particles.", "PMID": 773449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3791", "title": "Yield and maintenance relations of yeast growth in the chemostat at superoptimal temperatures.", "content": "A model is proposed that accounts for the decreases in yield which occur in chemostat cultures of mesophilic yeasts at superoptimal growth temperatures. Two yield depressing effects were identified, one due to increased maintenance requirements by the viable fraction of the population, the other due to energy substrate dissipation by the nonviable function. The two effects are functions of the dilution rate, as is the fraction of nonviable cells. Experimental results were obtained on the yield, maintenance, and dissipation of energy substrate in a glucose-limited chemostat culture of a respiration-deficient mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 39 degrees C. The rates of glucose utilization for maintenance and for dissipation constituted, respectively, 33-28% and 15-9% of the total glucose utilization rate over the range of dilution rates tested (0.038-0.064 hr-1), while the yield varied over this range from 0.066-0.085 g of biomass (dry wt) per gram of glucose.", "contents": "Yield and maintenance relations of yeast growth in the chemostat at superoptimal temperatures. A model is proposed that accounts for the decreases in yield which occur in chemostat cultures of mesophilic yeasts at superoptimal growth temperatures. Two yield depressing effects were identified, one due to increased maintenance requirements by the viable fraction of the population, the other due to energy substrate dissipation by the nonviable function. The two effects are functions of the dilution rate, as is the fraction of nonviable cells. Experimental results were obtained on the yield, maintenance, and dissipation of energy substrate in a glucose-limited chemostat culture of a respiration-deficient mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 39 degrees C. The rates of glucose utilization for maintenance and for dissipation constituted, respectively, 33-28% and 15-9% of the total glucose utilization rate over the range of dilution rates tested (0.038-0.064 hr-1), while the yield varied over this range from 0.066-0.085 g of biomass (dry wt) per gram of glucose.", "PMID": 773450} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3792", "title": "Pilot scale exponential growth of Escherichia coli W to high cell concentration with temperature variation.", "content": "An efficient method to grow Escherichia coli W to high cell concentrations on the pilot scale is described and discussed. The method involves growth linked introduction of glucose and ammonia to the culture, sparging with oxygen, and maintenance of aerobic conditions by gradually decreasing the temperature in the culture in order to keep the oxygen demand within the limits of the capacity of supply. Under these conditions the linear rate of cell mass production is actually the result of exponential growth with a gradually decreasing growth-rate constant. About 10 kg packed cells were produced in a 50 liter working-volume fermentor in one run of 13 hr. The concentration of the cells at the end of the growth was about 47 g dry cells/liter. The expenditure for nutrients was minimal and the controls were of simple automatic nature. From the determined yield constants for glucose, nitrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen it may be inferred that the cells grown by this method are similar to those grown exponentially at constant temperature.", "contents": "Pilot scale exponential growth of Escherichia coli W to high cell concentration with temperature variation. An efficient method to grow Escherichia coli W to high cell concentrations on the pilot scale is described and discussed. The method involves growth linked introduction of glucose and ammonia to the culture, sparging with oxygen, and maintenance of aerobic conditions by gradually decreasing the temperature in the culture in order to keep the oxygen demand within the limits of the capacity of supply. Under these conditions the linear rate of cell mass production is actually the result of exponential growth with a gradually decreasing growth-rate constant. About 10 kg packed cells were produced in a 50 liter working-volume fermentor in one run of 13 hr. The concentration of the cells at the end of the growth was about 47 g dry cells/liter. The expenditure for nutrients was minimal and the controls were of simple automatic nature. From the determined yield constants for glucose, nitrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen it may be inferred that the cells grown by this method are similar to those grown exponentially at constant temperature.", "PMID": 773451} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3793", "title": "Optimal control of a semibatch fermentation.", "content": "This work is concerned with the optimization study of the semibatch fermentation by which an amino acid is produced. The particular fermentation studied is the synthesis of lysine by the auxotrophic mutant. Applying Green's theorem to the maximization problem was proposed, and it succeeded in determining the feed rate of the substrate that maximized the production rate of the desired product.", "contents": "Optimal control of a semibatch fermentation. This work is concerned with the optimization study of the semibatch fermentation by which an amino acid is produced. The particular fermentation studied is the synthesis of lysine by the auxotrophic mutant. Applying Green's theorem to the maximization problem was proposed, and it succeeded in determining the feed rate of the substrate that maximized the production rate of the desired product.", "PMID": 773452} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3794", "title": "Influence of cell concentration, temperature, and press performance on flow characteristics and disintegration in the freeze-pressing of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with the X-press.", "content": "The pressure required for initiation of flow when freeze-pressing with the X-press is related to the phase boundaries of water, particularly those between ice I and liquid even at temperatures around -25 degrees C and lower. Widening the orifice of the pressure chamber to diameters larger than 2.5 mm leads to lower pressures and less extensive cell disintegration. Pressing Saccharomyces cerevisiae slowly with the aid of a manual hydraulic jack at -25 degrees C produces a disintegration of 60-75% irrespective of cell concentration. Pressing at -35 degrees C shows no clear differences. Pressing more rapidly with the aid of a motor-driven hydraulic press produces a similar extent of disruption of diluted cell suspensions (5.4 mg/g) as slow pressing. However, freeze-pressing a paste of baker's yeast (270 mg/g) increases the degree of disintegration. Under these conditions the disintegration is further enhanced by a lower temperature, -35 degrees C, and by a high velocity of flow through the orifice, such that more than 95% of the S. cerevisiae is disrupted by one pressing at less than 2 X 10(8) Pa. Mechanisms for flow through the X-press are suggested and discussed in relation to the phase diagram of water.", "contents": "Influence of cell concentration, temperature, and press performance on flow characteristics and disintegration in the freeze-pressing of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with the X-press. The pressure required for initiation of flow when freeze-pressing with the X-press is related to the phase boundaries of water, particularly those between ice I and liquid even at temperatures around -25 degrees C and lower. Widening the orifice of the pressure chamber to diameters larger than 2.5 mm leads to lower pressures and less extensive cell disintegration. Pressing Saccharomyces cerevisiae slowly with the aid of a manual hydraulic jack at -25 degrees C produces a disintegration of 60-75% irrespective of cell concentration. Pressing at -35 degrees C shows no clear differences. Pressing more rapidly with the aid of a motor-driven hydraulic press produces a similar extent of disruption of diluted cell suspensions (5.4 mg/g) as slow pressing. However, freeze-pressing a paste of baker's yeast (270 mg/g) increases the degree of disintegration. Under these conditions the disintegration is further enhanced by a lower temperature, -35 degrees C, and by a high velocity of flow through the orifice, such that more than 95% of the S. cerevisiae is disrupted by one pressing at less than 2 X 10(8) Pa. Mechanisms for flow through the X-press are suggested and discussed in relation to the phase diagram of water.", "PMID": 773453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3795", "title": "[Elimination of allogeneic inhibition and change in the differentiation of mouse bone marrow colony forming cells exposed to syngeneic lymphocytes].", "content": "A mixture of the bone marrow cells and lymphocytes of the lymph nodes of C57BL mice was injected intravenously to A X C57BL mice irradiated in a dose of 850 R. It appeared that under the effect of syngenous lymphocytes of C57BL mice the colony-forming cells (CFC) of the bone marrow of the F1 hybrid mice proliferated as if they were in the syngenous organisms. Along with the restoration of the number of CFC capable of forming colonies in a genetically foreign organism these cells, under the effect of lymphocytes, altered the direction of differentiation which was characterized by increase in the number of granulocytic colonies. This process was accompanied by the development of the blast transformation reaction and hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue of the recipient spleen.", "contents": "[Elimination of allogeneic inhibition and change in the differentiation of mouse bone marrow colony forming cells exposed to syngeneic lymphocytes]. A mixture of the bone marrow cells and lymphocytes of the lymph nodes of C57BL mice was injected intravenously to A X C57BL mice irradiated in a dose of 850 R. It appeared that under the effect of syngenous lymphocytes of C57BL mice the colony-forming cells (CFC) of the bone marrow of the F1 hybrid mice proliferated as if they were in the syngenous organisms. Along with the restoration of the number of CFC capable of forming colonies in a genetically foreign organism these cells, under the effect of lymphocytes, altered the direction of differentiation which was characterized by increase in the number of granulocytic colonies. This process was accompanied by the development of the blast transformation reaction and hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue of the recipient spleen.", "PMID": 773455} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3796", "title": "[Development of immune tolerance to microbial and cross-reacting tissue antigens in mice].", "content": "C. albicans vaccine was administered to newborn mice (CC57BR). A tolerance to the microbial antigen was thus obtained which depressed the reaction of rejection of the C3H mice skin allograft. Tolerant mice displayed a reduction of the number of lymphoid cells reacting with the microbial and tissue antigen of the donor in the reactions of immunoadhesion and blasttransformation; there was also seen a reduction of the cytotoxic activity to the fibroblasts of C3H mice. The tolerance to the microbial and cross reacting transplantation antigens was pased by the spleen cells to syngenous recipients irradiated in a dose of 700 R.", "contents": "[Development of immune tolerance to microbial and cross-reacting tissue antigens in mice]. C. albicans vaccine was administered to newborn mice (CC57BR). A tolerance to the microbial antigen was thus obtained which depressed the reaction of rejection of the C3H mice skin allograft. Tolerant mice displayed a reduction of the number of lymphoid cells reacting with the microbial and tissue antigen of the donor in the reactions of immunoadhesion and blasttransformation; there was also seen a reduction of the cytotoxic activity to the fibroblasts of C3H mice. The tolerance to the microbial and cross reacting transplantation antigens was pased by the spleen cells to syngenous recipients irradiated in a dose of 700 R.", "PMID": 773456} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3797", "title": "Sex difference and the influence of endotoxin and hypertransfusion in spleen colony formation.", "content": "Lethally whole-body irradiated mice upon receiving a relatively small quanity of marrow cells show a distinct sex difference in ability to support colony formation in spleen and cell proliferation in femoral marrow. The difference should be defined with reference to the organ in question. Female mice manifest more efficient splenic haematopoiesis while among the males myeloid haematopoiesis, as measured by 59Fe and 125IUdR incorporation, seems to be greater. Endotoxin treatment and hypertransfusion exert profound influences, interacting with the sex-hormonal status of the animal.", "contents": "Sex difference and the influence of endotoxin and hypertransfusion in spleen colony formation. Lethally whole-body irradiated mice upon receiving a relatively small quanity of marrow cells show a distinct sex difference in ability to support colony formation in spleen and cell proliferation in femoral marrow. The difference should be defined with reference to the organ in question. Female mice manifest more efficient splenic haematopoiesis while among the males myeloid haematopoiesis, as measured by 59Fe and 125IUdR incorporation, seems to be greater. Endotoxin treatment and hypertransfusion exert profound influences, interacting with the sex-hormonal status of the animal.", "PMID": 773458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3798", "title": "The siting of comparable skin flaps in pigs.", "content": "The mean surviving length of flaps of the same size on the pig's abdomen was measured; there was a statistically significant difference in the surviving length of flaps based side by side, whereas the difference in surviving lengths of flaps based opposite to each other was not significant. It is suggested that flaps used for comparison in experiments on pigs should be based opposite each other and not adjacent.", "contents": "The siting of comparable skin flaps in pigs. The mean surviving length of flaps of the same size on the pig's abdomen was measured; there was a statistically significant difference in the surviving length of flaps based side by side, whereas the difference in surviving lengths of flaps based opposite to each other was not significant. It is suggested that flaps used for comparison in experiments on pigs should be based opposite each other and not adjacent.", "PMID": 773467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3799", "title": "Proximal and distal releasing incisions for the treatment of flexion contracture of the popliteal region.", "content": "Proximal and distal releasing incisions and skin grafting have been found to be useful as an alternative procedure to the standard transverse incision for dealing with flexion contractures of the popliteal region. In this region important structures underlying the deep fascia may readily be exposed when the deep fascia itself is involved in the scar process and is cut across during the release. Chronic ulcer formation in the centre of hypertrophic scar contracture is a fairly frequent accompanying feature. Proximal and distal release incisions help solve the problem by providing protection for the deep vessels, nerves and tendons, without jeopardising the take of a skin graft.", "contents": "Proximal and distal releasing incisions for the treatment of flexion contracture of the popliteal region. Proximal and distal releasing incisions and skin grafting have been found to be useful as an alternative procedure to the standard transverse incision for dealing with flexion contractures of the popliteal region. In this region important structures underlying the deep fascia may readily be exposed when the deep fascia itself is involved in the scar process and is cut across during the release. Chronic ulcer formation in the centre of hypertrophic scar contracture is a fairly frequent accompanying feature. Proximal and distal release incisions help solve the problem by providing protection for the deep vessels, nerves and tendons, without jeopardising the take of a skin graft.", "PMID": 773471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3800", "title": "Hypnosis in pedicle graft surgery.", "content": "The use of hypnotherapy to modify the reactions of 13 patients undergoing pedicle flap operations is described. The morale and mental approach of these patients was improved. Premedication and hypnotic drug requirements were reduced to nil following hypnotic training. Analgesic medication was also reduced, not being required at all following nearly two-thirds of the operations.", "contents": "Hypnosis in pedicle graft surgery. The use of hypnotherapy to modify the reactions of 13 patients undergoing pedicle flap operations is described. The morale and mental approach of these patients was improved. Premedication and hypnotic drug requirements were reduced to nil following hypnotic training. Analgesic medication was also reduced, not being required at all following nearly two-thirds of the operations.", "PMID": 773476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3801", "title": "Ileal urinary diversion in patients with Renal transplants.", "content": "Ileal urinary diversion has been carried out on 8 occasions in 7/215 kidney transplant patients. In six instances the diversion was required either because the bladder had previously been removed or there was gross abnormality of the outflow tract: in 2 it was successfully employed to deal with difficult post-transplantation urinary fistulae. 4 patients died: 3 within 2 months and 1 at 9 months after the operation. Infection with organisms indistinguishable from those cultured from the ileal loop, was a common complication and, although there were other significant factors which contributed to the mortality, retrospective consideration suggests that energetic prophylactic antibacterial therapy should be instituted when kidney transplantation with ileal urinary diversion is undertaken.", "contents": "Ileal urinary diversion in patients with Renal transplants. Ileal urinary diversion has been carried out on 8 occasions in 7/215 kidney transplant patients. In six instances the diversion was required either because the bladder had previously been removed or there was gross abnormality of the outflow tract: in 2 it was successfully employed to deal with difficult post-transplantation urinary fistulae. 4 patients died: 3 within 2 months and 1 at 9 months after the operation. Infection with organisms indistinguishable from those cultured from the ileal loop, was a common complication and, although there were other significant factors which contributed to the mortality, retrospective consideration suggests that energetic prophylactic antibacterial therapy should be instituted when kidney transplantation with ileal urinary diversion is undertaken.", "PMID": 773480} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3802", "title": "A comparison between suction and corrugated drainage after simple mastectomy: a report of a controlled trial.", "content": "A randomized prospective trial of closed suction wound drainage compared with corrugated wound drainage after simple mastectomy for early breast cancer (lesion confined to the breast and without skin ulceration) is reported. Fifty-one patients were admitted to the study and there was no difference between the two groups with respect to local complications such as ifection, skin necrosis and collection under flaps and wound healing. Dressings require to be performed significantly less frequently with suction as opposed to corrugated drainage and suction drains were removed significantly sooner than corrugated drains. It is concluded that closed suction wound drainage should be used after simple mastectomy.", "contents": "A comparison between suction and corrugated drainage after simple mastectomy: a report of a controlled trial. A randomized prospective trial of closed suction wound drainage compared with corrugated wound drainage after simple mastectomy for early breast cancer (lesion confined to the breast and without skin ulceration) is reported. Fifty-one patients were admitted to the study and there was no difference between the two groups with respect to local complications such as ifection, skin necrosis and collection under flaps and wound healing. Dressings require to be performed significantly less frequently with suction as opposed to corrugated drainage and suction drains were removed significantly sooner than corrugated drains. It is concluded that closed suction wound drainage should be used after simple mastectomy.", "PMID": 773481} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3803", "title": "Surgical research in the United Kingdom: past, present and future.", "content": "The history of surgical research in the United Kingdom leading to the foundation of the Surgical Research Society (SRS) is briefly reviewed. The tendency of the SRS has been to become increasingly rigorous, reductionist and a forum for work which is not only a high standard but also largely completed. This has had both good and potentially bad effects. Surgeons should realize that their major involvements in research will lie in the relatively untidy field of clinical science, and it is hoped that this view will continue to influence the activities of the SRS.", "contents": "Surgical research in the United Kingdom: past, present and future. The history of surgical research in the United Kingdom leading to the foundation of the Surgical Research Society (SRS) is briefly reviewed. The tendency of the SRS has been to become increasingly rigorous, reductionist and a forum for work which is not only a high standard but also largely completed. This has had both good and potentially bad effects. Surgeons should realize that their major involvements in research will lie in the relatively untidy field of clinical science, and it is hoped that this view will continue to influence the activities of the SRS.", "PMID": 773482} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3804", "title": "Benign obstruction of subclavian and axillary veins possibly due to filariasis.", "content": "This paper analyses the clinical features of 8 patients with post-thrombotic obstruction of the subclavian and axillary veins demonstrated by phlebography. The classic physical signs of swelling of the arm with dilated superficial collateral veins were seen. The causes of thrombotic obstruction are discussed and the precipitating cause in this study was possibly filariasis.", "contents": "Benign obstruction of subclavian and axillary veins possibly due to filariasis. This paper analyses the clinical features of 8 patients with post-thrombotic obstruction of the subclavian and axillary veins demonstrated by phlebography. The classic physical signs of swelling of the arm with dilated superficial collateral veins were seen. The causes of thrombotic obstruction are discussed and the precipitating cause in this study was possibly filariasis.", "PMID": 773483} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3805", "title": "A controlled trial of intraperitoneal noxytiolin in perforated appendicitis.", "content": "A controlled trial of intraperitoneal noxytiolin (Noxiflex) solution in patients with peritonitis due to perforated appendicitis is reported. No significant difference was found in the incidence of complications between the treated and a control group, raising doubts as to whether this substance is of value when used intraperitoneally in peritonitis.", "contents": "A controlled trial of intraperitoneal noxytiolin in perforated appendicitis. A controlled trial of intraperitoneal noxytiolin (Noxiflex) solution in patients with peritonitis due to perforated appendicitis is reported. No significant difference was found in the incidence of complications between the treated and a control group, raising doubts as to whether this substance is of value when used intraperitoneally in peritonitis.", "PMID": 773484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3806", "title": "Trial of combination of guanethidine and oxprenolol in hypertension.", "content": "Thirteen hypertensive patients entered a double-blind crossover trial of guanethidine and oxprenolol in combination. In nine patients who completed the trial there was an additive effect on blood pressure, but the combination had a smaller effect on heart rate than was expected from the individual effects, and side effects were not increased. During treatment with oxprenolol the plasma potassium concentration rose from 3.6 mmol (mEq)/1 to 3.9 mmol (mEq)/1. No correlation was found between the plasma oxprenolol concentration and changes in blood pressure or response to injected isoprenaline, but measurements of plasma oxprenolol concentrations were of value in determining compliance with the protocol.", "contents": "Trial of combination of guanethidine and oxprenolol in hypertension. Thirteen hypertensive patients entered a double-blind crossover trial of guanethidine and oxprenolol in combination. In nine patients who completed the trial there was an additive effect on blood pressure, but the combination had a smaller effect on heart rate than was expected from the individual effects, and side effects were not increased. During treatment with oxprenolol the plasma potassium concentration rose from 3.6 mmol (mEq)/1 to 3.9 mmol (mEq)/1. No correlation was found between the plasma oxprenolol concentration and changes in blood pressure or response to injected isoprenaline, but measurements of plasma oxprenolol concentrations were of value in determining compliance with the protocol.", "PMID": 773486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3807", "title": "Bran tablets and diverticular disease.", "content": "Three treatments for patients with symptomatic diverticular disease were compared in a crossover trial. Neither a high-roughage diet (HRD) nor Normacol plus an antispasmodic were as effective as bran tablets, which produced a significant increase in daily stool weight and a decrease in the intestinal transit time. An abnormal rapid electrical rhythm in colonic smooth muscle was found initially in 80% of the patients, but the incidence was reduced by each treatment after one month; it was present in only 40% of patients after treatment with bran tablets. Only bran significantly reduced a high percentage motility to within normal limits. Bran proved to be the most effective treatment, not only in improving the symptoms in patients with diverticular disease but also in returning to normal the abnormal pathophysiological changes. Bran tablets were both convenient and acceptable as well as effective.", "contents": "Bran tablets and diverticular disease. Three treatments for patients with symptomatic diverticular disease were compared in a crossover trial. Neither a high-roughage diet (HRD) nor Normacol plus an antispasmodic were as effective as bran tablets, which produced a significant increase in daily stool weight and a decrease in the intestinal transit time. An abnormal rapid electrical rhythm in colonic smooth muscle was found initially in 80% of the patients, but the incidence was reduced by each treatment after one month; it was present in only 40% of patients after treatment with bran tablets. Only bran significantly reduced a high percentage motility to within normal limits. Bran proved to be the most effective treatment, not only in improving the symptoms in patients with diverticular disease but also in returning to normal the abnormal pathophysiological changes. Bran tablets were both convenient and acceptable as well as effective.", "PMID": 773493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3808", "title": "Once-daily dosing with Atenolol in patients with mild or moderate hypertension.", "content": "Because of the difficulties patients have in adhering to their drug regimens a trial was performed in which patients with essential hypertension were given, in random order and for four weeks each, three different doses of atenolol to be taken once daily. Atenolol effectively decreased lying and standing blood pressures, and there was no difference between the effects of the three doses. The simplicity of the regimen, as well as atenolol's freedom from troublesome side effects, should be valuable in helping patients adhere to long-term treatment.", "contents": "Once-daily dosing with Atenolol in patients with mild or moderate hypertension. Because of the difficulties patients have in adhering to their drug regimens a trial was performed in which patients with essential hypertension were given, in random order and for four weeks each, three different doses of atenolol to be taken once daily. Atenolol effectively decreased lying and standing blood pressures, and there was no difference between the effects of the three doses. The simplicity of the regimen, as well as atenolol's freedom from troublesome side effects, should be valuable in helping patients adhere to long-term treatment.", "PMID": 773494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3809", "title": "Prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis with dipyridamole and aspirin.", "content": "One hundred and sixty patients have been studied in a controlled trial of two drugs which have been in combination to prevent postoperative-deep-vein thrombosis. Both the drugs, dipyridamole (Persantin) and aspirin, were given by mouth from the evening before operation and for seven days after operation. The radioactive fibrinogen test was used to diagnose thrombosis. Of the 85 patients in the control group 24 developed thrombosis (28%). Twelve out of 85 patients (14%) in the test group were found to have thrombosis. Similar significant differences in incidence were found in the various subgroups.", "contents": "Prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis with dipyridamole and aspirin. One hundred and sixty patients have been studied in a controlled trial of two drugs which have been in combination to prevent postoperative-deep-vein thrombosis. Both the drugs, dipyridamole (Persantin) and aspirin, were given by mouth from the evening before operation and for seven days after operation. The radioactive fibrinogen test was used to diagnose thrombosis. Of the 85 patients in the control group 24 developed thrombosis (28%). Twelve out of 85 patients (14%) in the test group were found to have thrombosis. Similar significant differences in incidence were found in the various subgroups.", "PMID": 773495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3810", "title": "Management of early cancer of the breast. Report on an international multicentre trial supported by the Cancer Research Campaign.", "content": "In the largest controlled clinical study so far undertaken on the management of early cancer of the breast in women the results of a radical regimen (simple mastectomy and radiotherapy) were compared with those of a conservative policy (simple mastectomy alone). The study included enough patients (2268) to ensure that small but significant differences between the two treatments would emerge. With a five-year follow-up there was no evidence that routine postoperative radiotherapy was harmful or that it conferred further benefit as regards survival or distant recurrence. Radiotherapy did, however, reduce the incidence of local recurrence. Neither form of treatment can counter occult disease far from the breast that is present at the time of initial treatment, which probably accounts for the high death rate from breast cancer, but the results of the study would support the view that conservative primary treatment and subsequent adjuvant chemotherapy may be the treatment of choice in future.", "contents": "Management of early cancer of the breast. Report on an international multicentre trial supported by the Cancer Research Campaign. In the largest controlled clinical study so far undertaken on the management of early cancer of the breast in women the results of a radical regimen (simple mastectomy and radiotherapy) were compared with those of a conservative policy (simple mastectomy alone). The study included enough patients (2268) to ensure that small but significant differences between the two treatments would emerge. With a five-year follow-up there was no evidence that routine postoperative radiotherapy was harmful or that it conferred further benefit as regards survival or distant recurrence. Radiotherapy did, however, reduce the incidence of local recurrence. Neither form of treatment can counter occult disease far from the breast that is present at the time of initial treatment, which probably accounts for the high death rate from breast cancer, but the results of the study would support the view that conservative primary treatment and subsequent adjuvant chemotherapy may be the treatment of choice in future.", "PMID": 773497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3811", "title": "Combined alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blockade with labetalol in hypertension.", "content": "The antihypertensive effect of labetalol, a new alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor inhibiting agent, was studied in 20 patients in a double-blind crossover trial. A dose of 300 mg daily reduced blood pressure only moderately in the supine position, though in the sitting and standing positions the effect was more pronounced. A dose of 600 mg daily produced statistically significant and clinically relevant reductions in blood pressure in all positions studied. The effect on heart rate was small and of significance only in reducing the heart rate increment due to a change in posture. Side effects were mild: only one patient complained of postural dizziness with the higher dose. We conclude that labetalol is useful in the treatment of mild and moderately severe hypertension.", "contents": "Combined alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blockade with labetalol in hypertension. The antihypertensive effect of labetalol, a new alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor inhibiting agent, was studied in 20 patients in a double-blind crossover trial. A dose of 300 mg daily reduced blood pressure only moderately in the supine position, though in the sitting and standing positions the effect was more pronounced. A dose of 600 mg daily produced statistically significant and clinically relevant reductions in blood pressure in all positions studied. The effect on heart rate was small and of significance only in reducing the heart rate increment due to a change in posture. Side effects were mild: only one patient complained of postural dizziness with the higher dose. We conclude that labetalol is useful in the treatment of mild and moderately severe hypertension.", "PMID": 773498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3812", "title": "Four new anti-inflammatory drugs: responses and variations.", "content": "Ninety patients with rheumatoid arthritis completed a double-blind crossover trial comparing fenoprofen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen. Fenoprofen and naproxen were slightly more effective than the other two drugs but there were striking individual variations in response. Groups of patients could be identified who preferred each of the four drugs. The commonest side effects were those related to the upper gastrointestinal tract; these showed individual variation and seldom occurred with more than one or two of the drugs. Side effects were least common with ibuprofen and naproxen. Since naproxen combined greater effectiveness with a lower incidence of side effects it must be regarded as the first choice among these drugs. It may be necessary to try several drugs before finding the right one for a particular patient.", "contents": "Four new anti-inflammatory drugs: responses and variations. Ninety patients with rheumatoid arthritis completed a double-blind crossover trial comparing fenoprofen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen. Fenoprofen and naproxen were slightly more effective than the other two drugs but there were striking individual variations in response. Groups of patients could be identified who preferred each of the four drugs. The commonest side effects were those related to the upper gastrointestinal tract; these showed individual variation and seldom occurred with more than one or two of the drugs. Side effects were least common with ibuprofen and naproxen. Since naproxen combined greater effectiveness with a lower incidence of side effects it must be regarded as the first choice among these drugs. It may be necessary to try several drugs before finding the right one for a particular patient.", "PMID": 773499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3813", "title": "Azathioprine and penicillamine in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled trial.", "content": "Sixty-five patients, 33 receiving azathioprine and 32 receiving penicillamine, took part in a one-year, single-blind external-observer trial designed to compare the efficacy and toxicity of these two drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. By six months there was a significantly greater rise in haemoglobin and fall in erythrocyte sedimentation rate among those receiving penicillamine, and by one year this difference remained only in the increase in haemoglobin levels. Fifteen patients, 10 on azathioprine and 5 on penicillamine, had to stop treatment because of side effects; 90 single side effects occurred, 48 in those on penicillamine and 42 in those on azathioprine. After one year both drugs were similar in efficacy and toxicity, but longer-term trials are needed. Both drugs were effective.", "contents": "Azathioprine and penicillamine in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled trial. Sixty-five patients, 33 receiving azathioprine and 32 receiving penicillamine, took part in a one-year, single-blind external-observer trial designed to compare the efficacy and toxicity of these two drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. By six months there was a significantly greater rise in haemoglobin and fall in erythrocyte sedimentation rate among those receiving penicillamine, and by one year this difference remained only in the increase in haemoglobin levels. Fifteen patients, 10 on azathioprine and 5 on penicillamine, had to stop treatment because of side effects; 90 single side effects occurred, 48 in those on penicillamine and 42 in those on azathioprine. After one year both drugs were similar in efficacy and toxicity, but longer-term trials are needed. Both drugs were effective.", "PMID": 773500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3814", "title": "A controlled comparison of flupenthixol and amitriptyline in depressed outpatients.", "content": "Sixty depressed outpatients were allocated to treatment with either amitriptyline (75-225 mg/day) or flupenthixol (1-5-4-5 mg/day) in flexible dosage for six weeks under double-blind procedures. Various objective and subjective assessments were carried out before and after one, three, and six weeks of treatment. Twenty-three patients completed the course of amitriptyline and 28 the course of flupenthixol. Almost all variables improved significantly over time, irrespective of drug. On most ratings there were no significant differences between the two drugs, but the trends favoured flupenthixol. In particular, flupenthixol lessened anxiety scores more than amitriptyline. Unwanted effects were few and not troublesome except in two patients receiving amitriptyline. Flupenthixol, in low dosage, is a useful alternative antidepressant for depressed outpatients.", "contents": "A controlled comparison of flupenthixol and amitriptyline in depressed outpatients. Sixty depressed outpatients were allocated to treatment with either amitriptyline (75-225 mg/day) or flupenthixol (1-5-4-5 mg/day) in flexible dosage for six weeks under double-blind procedures. Various objective and subjective assessments were carried out before and after one, three, and six weeks of treatment. Twenty-three patients completed the course of amitriptyline and 28 the course of flupenthixol. Almost all variables improved significantly over time, irrespective of drug. On most ratings there were no significant differences between the two drugs, but the trends favoured flupenthixol. In particular, flupenthixol lessened anxiety scores more than amitriptyline. Unwanted effects were few and not troublesome except in two patients receiving amitriptyline. Flupenthixol, in low dosage, is a useful alternative antidepressant for depressed outpatients.", "PMID": 773506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3815", "title": "Controlled trial of oxygen in uncomplicated myocardial infarction.", "content": "Two-hundred consecutive patients thought to have suffered a myocardial infarction were admitted to a randomised, double-blind controlled trial of oxygen or air administered by MC mask throughout the first 24 hours in hospital. Forty-three patients in whom myocardial infarction was not subsequently confirmed were excluded from the analysis. The remaining air and oxygen groups were comparable except for a significantly higher PaO2 and serum aspartate aminotransferase level in the oxygen group. There was no significant difference in mortality, incidence of arrhythmias, use of analgesics, or systolic time intervals between the two groups, although a higher incidence of sinus tachycardia was found in those given oxygen. There appears to be no evidence of benefit from the routine administration of oxygen in uncomplicated myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Controlled trial of oxygen in uncomplicated myocardial infarction. Two-hundred consecutive patients thought to have suffered a myocardial infarction were admitted to a randomised, double-blind controlled trial of oxygen or air administered by MC mask throughout the first 24 hours in hospital. Forty-three patients in whom myocardial infarction was not subsequently confirmed were excluded from the analysis. The remaining air and oxygen groups were comparable except for a significantly higher PaO2 and serum aspartate aminotransferase level in the oxygen group. There was no significant difference in mortality, incidence of arrhythmias, use of analgesics, or systolic time intervals between the two groups, although a higher incidence of sinus tachycardia was found in those given oxygen. There appears to be no evidence of benefit from the routine administration of oxygen in uncomplicated myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 773507} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3816", "title": "Bacterial glutaminase in treatment of acute leukaemia.", "content": "A glutaminase-asparaginase enzyme from Achromobacter sp has antitumour activity in vitro and in animals. Glutaminase was administered in doses of 3500-20 000 IU/m2 body surface area/day to six patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and three patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The enzyme had a blood half life of 80 minutes but depletion of blood glutamine persisted for 12 hours after single doses. Seven patients, including four (two with AML and two with ALL) resistant to asparaginase, received repeated doses of glutaminase. Antileukaemic effects were observed in all seven; one elderly patient developed metabolic acidosis. Study of this new antileukaemic agent in patients with acute leukaemia at an earlier stage of their disease is now justified.", "contents": "Bacterial glutaminase in treatment of acute leukaemia. A glutaminase-asparaginase enzyme from Achromobacter sp has antitumour activity in vitro and in animals. Glutaminase was administered in doses of 3500-20 000 IU/m2 body surface area/day to six patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and three patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The enzyme had a blood half life of 80 minutes but depletion of blood glutamine persisted for 12 hours after single doses. Seven patients, including four (two with AML and two with ALL) resistant to asparaginase, received repeated doses of glutaminase. Antileukaemic effects were observed in all seven; one elderly patient developed metabolic acidosis. Study of this new antileukaemic agent in patients with acute leukaemia at an earlier stage of their disease is now justified.", "PMID": 773514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3817", "title": "Functional landscapes of the dominant hemisphere.", "content": "There is abundant evidence that in non-anoxic brain tissue the blood flow is controlled mainly by the functional activity of the neurons. This enables the use of regional blood flow measurements for the localization and quantitation of events in the human brain which correlate to normal and abnormal mental activity. Measurements of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) by means of the 133Xe clearance technique have been demonstrated that the activity distribution in the normal resting brain shows a typical \"landscape\", with the highest activities in the premotor and frontal regions and the lowest in temporal and parietal ones. The resting pattern is readily changed by voluntary motor activity which gives a rolandic-postrolandic activity peak and by sensory stimulation which activates rolandic and prerolandic structures especially. Speech and reading activates the upper, anterior and posterior speech cortices, as well as the face, tongue and mouth area. Problem solving also activates premotor and frontal regions especially and, if visual activity is involved, the occipital pole is also activated. These normal patterns confirm by and large well known aspects of the functional anatomy of the human dominant hemisphere.", "contents": "Functional landscapes of the dominant hemisphere. There is abundant evidence that in non-anoxic brain tissue the blood flow is controlled mainly by the functional activity of the neurons. This enables the use of regional blood flow measurements for the localization and quantitation of events in the human brain which correlate to normal and abnormal mental activity. Measurements of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) by means of the 133Xe clearance technique have been demonstrated that the activity distribution in the normal resting brain shows a typical \"landscape\", with the highest activities in the premotor and frontal regions and the lowest in temporal and parietal ones. The resting pattern is readily changed by voluntary motor activity which gives a rolandic-postrolandic activity peak and by sensory stimulation which activates rolandic and prerolandic structures especially. Speech and reading activates the upper, anterior and posterior speech cortices, as well as the face, tongue and mouth area. Problem solving also activates premotor and frontal regions especially and, if visual activity is involved, the occipital pole is also activated. These normal patterns confirm by and large well known aspects of the functional anatomy of the human dominant hemisphere.", "PMID": 773518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3818", "title": "Blood-brain barrier studies in the rat: an indicator dilution technique with tracer sodium as an internal standard for estimation of extracerebral contamination.", "content": "(1)The single injection-indicator dilution method of Crone was adapted for use in the rat. A bolus containing a non-diffusible reference tracer and the test tracer was injected into the internal carotid artery. Simultaneously venous blood was sampled from the confluence of sinuses. It proved necessary to take special steps to avoid extracerebral contamination of the samples. Therefore the extracerebral branches of the carotid tree on both sides were ligated, and the venous sampling was done without suction. Results obtained in animals prepared surgically in different ways were compared. (2) 24Na+ was used to assess the degree of extracerebral contamination, the transcapillary loss of 24Na+ being a sensitive measure since the permeability of cerebral capillaries for sodium is about 4-5% that of muscle. (3) The transcapillary fractional loss, extraction E, was determined in this preparation with minimal extracerebral contamination. ENA+ was 2.9%, Eglucose was 12.5% at normal blood glucose levels whilst the net glucose extraction (calculated from arterio-venous difference) was about 10%. (4) It is concluded that extracerebral contamination is an important pitfall in indicator dilution studies on the brain. Use of 24Na+ as an indicator of extracerebral contamination is therefore recommendable.", "contents": "Blood-brain barrier studies in the rat: an indicator dilution technique with tracer sodium as an internal standard for estimation of extracerebral contamination. (1)The single injection-indicator dilution method of Crone was adapted for use in the rat. A bolus containing a non-diffusible reference tracer and the test tracer was injected into the internal carotid artery. Simultaneously venous blood was sampled from the confluence of sinuses. It proved necessary to take special steps to avoid extracerebral contamination of the samples. Therefore the extracerebral branches of the carotid tree on both sides were ligated, and the venous sampling was done without suction. Results obtained in animals prepared surgically in different ways were compared. (2) 24Na+ was used to assess the degree of extracerebral contamination, the transcapillary loss of 24Na+ being a sensitive measure since the permeability of cerebral capillaries for sodium is about 4-5% that of muscle. (3) The transcapillary fractional loss, extraction E, was determined in this preparation with minimal extracerebral contamination. ENA+ was 2.9%, Eglucose was 12.5% at normal blood glucose levels whilst the net glucose extraction (calculated from arterio-venous difference) was about 10%. (4) It is concluded that extracerebral contamination is an important pitfall in indicator dilution studies on the brain. Use of 24Na+ as an indicator of extracerebral contamination is therefore recommendable.", "PMID": 773519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3819", "title": "Progress in understanding and treating Parkinson's disease.", "content": "This review evaluates the long-term results of Levodopa therapy in Parkinson's disease upon quality of life, prolongation of survival and excess mortality. It also focuses on recent and new therapeutic approaches: Levodopa in combindation with a Dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor or MAO-B inhibitor, dopamine agonists and an active tripeptide: L-prolyl-L-leucylglycine amide (MIF-I). It ends by looking at new avenues of etiological research in Parkinson's disease which may indicate specific accelerated ageing of catecholaminergic (pigmented) neuronal systems.", "contents": "Progress in understanding and treating Parkinson's disease. This review evaluates the long-term results of Levodopa therapy in Parkinson's disease upon quality of life, prolongation of survival and excess mortality. It also focuses on recent and new therapeutic approaches: Levodopa in combindation with a Dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor or MAO-B inhibitor, dopamine agonists and an active tripeptide: L-prolyl-L-leucylglycine amide (MIF-I). It ends by looking at new avenues of etiological research in Parkinson's disease which may indicate specific accelerated ageing of catecholaminergic (pigmented) neuronal systems.", "PMID": 773522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3820", "title": "Tinea cruris: diagnostic confusion due to isolation of Candida albicans alone.", "content": "The diagnostic importance of the isolation of Candida albicans from a skin lesion is often uncertain. In a 68-year-old man from whose lesions only C. albicans was originally isolated Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum were also isolated when the growth of the yeast was inhibited in a selective medium. The use of this selective medium, casamino acids erythritol albumin agar, ensures the proper interpretation of the significance of the presence of C. albicans in skin lesions.", "contents": "Tinea cruris: diagnostic confusion due to isolation of Candida albicans alone. The diagnostic importance of the isolation of Candida albicans from a skin lesion is often uncertain. In a 68-year-old man from whose lesions only C. albicans was originally isolated Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum were also isolated when the growth of the yeast was inhibited in a selective medium. The use of this selective medium, casamino acids erythritol albumin agar, ensures the proper interpretation of the significance of the presence of C. albicans in skin lesions.", "PMID": 773524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3821", "title": "Similarities of surface characteristics of neoplastic well-differentiated lymphocytes from solid tissues and from peripheral blood.", "content": "Cells from spleens and lymph nodes infiltrated with neoplastic well-differentiated lymphocytes (WDLT) were investigated for the presence of receptors for unsensitized sheep red blood cells, complement (IgM EAC), and antigen-antibody complexes, as well as for the presence of surface immunoglobulins. In addition, the cells were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface markers and ultrastructure of WDLT cells were compared with those of cells obtained from peripheral blood of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Like the CLL populations, most WDLT samples showed a low percentage of unsensitized sheep red blood cell-binding cells and a concomitantly high percentage of IgM EAC-binding cells. Furthermore, a substantial number of WDLT cells in several instances showed a lower binding affinity for IgM EAC than normal lymphocytes, as demonstrated by the poor attachment of the IgM EAC reagent to the WDLT cells in suspension and to frozen tissue sections. Weak IgM EAC binding capacity was demonstrated in the CLL cells as well. WDLT and CLL cells bound the IgG EA complex only when certain sensitive techniques were applied (pelleting). A variable percentage of cells with surface immunoglobulins was found among WDLT and DLL populations. However, accurate counting of surface immunoglobulin-bearing neoplastic cells was very difficult in most cases due to the extremely faint surface fluorescence as compared to normal. SEM did not reveal specific changes in WDLT or CLL cells that would permit their identification as neoplastic lymphocytes. No major differences were found between WDLT and CLL cells and no correlation could be established between SEM appearances and surface markers. As previously observed with other cell populations, the conditions under which the cells were manipulated before fixation (in particular the environmental temperature) seemed to play a major role in the final SEM appearance of both WDLT and CLL cells. The results of our studies indicate that WDLT cells represent a population of B-cells whose surface properties are very similar to those of circulating CLL cells. The poor capacity of WDLT cells and CLL cells to bind IGM EAC or to stain with fluorescein-conjugated antihuman immunoglobulin suggests low density or poor affinity of the surface receptors. In this regard, these neoplastic cells are different from those of follicular lymphomas, also of B-cell origin.", "contents": "Similarities of surface characteristics of neoplastic well-differentiated lymphocytes from solid tissues and from peripheral blood. Cells from spleens and lymph nodes infiltrated with neoplastic well-differentiated lymphocytes (WDLT) were investigated for the presence of receptors for unsensitized sheep red blood cells, complement (IgM EAC), and antigen-antibody complexes, as well as for the presence of surface immunoglobulins. In addition, the cells were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface markers and ultrastructure of WDLT cells were compared with those of cells obtained from peripheral blood of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Like the CLL populations, most WDLT samples showed a low percentage of unsensitized sheep red blood cell-binding cells and a concomitantly high percentage of IgM EAC-binding cells. Furthermore, a substantial number of WDLT cells in several instances showed a lower binding affinity for IgM EAC than normal lymphocytes, as demonstrated by the poor attachment of the IgM EAC reagent to the WDLT cells in suspension and to frozen tissue sections. Weak IgM EAC binding capacity was demonstrated in the CLL cells as well. WDLT and CLL cells bound the IgG EA complex only when certain sensitive techniques were applied (pelleting). A variable percentage of cells with surface immunoglobulins was found among WDLT and DLL populations. However, accurate counting of surface immunoglobulin-bearing neoplastic cells was very difficult in most cases due to the extremely faint surface fluorescence as compared to normal. SEM did not reveal specific changes in WDLT or CLL cells that would permit their identification as neoplastic lymphocytes. No major differences were found between WDLT and CLL cells and no correlation could be established between SEM appearances and surface markers. As previously observed with other cell populations, the conditions under which the cells were manipulated before fixation (in particular the environmental temperature) seemed to play a major role in the final SEM appearance of both WDLT and CLL cells. The results of our studies indicate that WDLT cells represent a population of B-cells whose surface properties are very similar to those of circulating CLL cells. The poor capacity of WDLT cells and CLL cells to bind IGM EAC or to stain with fluorescein-conjugated antihuman immunoglobulin suggests low density or poor affinity of the surface receptors. In this regard, these neoplastic cells are different from those of follicular lymphomas, also of B-cell origin.", "PMID": 773529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3822", "title": "Treatment of the mouse Lewis tumor by the association of radiotherapy and immunotherapy with Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin.", "content": "Three groups of 6 to 8-week-old male mice with transplanted C57BL/6 X DBA/2F1 tumor were irradiated by a single dose of 60Co localized on the tumor in association with i.p. injections of lyophilized Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin. When the animals were sacrificed, tumor parameters (weight, surface area, and volume) were determined. Lung metastases were counted using a binocular magnifying glass. When Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin injections were begun the day after the irradiation, tumor growth and the number of lung metastases were significantly decreased in comparison with the control group (p less than 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the control group, which received radiotherapy alone, and the groups in which Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin treatment was started after the 4th day postirradiation. This emphasizes the importance of timing in combined radioimmunological treatment.", "contents": "Treatment of the mouse Lewis tumor by the association of radiotherapy and immunotherapy with Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin. Three groups of 6 to 8-week-old male mice with transplanted C57BL/6 X DBA/2F1 tumor were irradiated by a single dose of 60Co localized on the tumor in association with i.p. injections of lyophilized Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin. When the animals were sacrificed, tumor parameters (weight, surface area, and volume) were determined. Lung metastases were counted using a binocular magnifying glass. When Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin injections were begun the day after the irradiation, tumor growth and the number of lung metastases were significantly decreased in comparison with the control group (p less than 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the control group, which received radiotherapy alone, and the groups in which Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin treatment was started after the 4th day postirradiation. This emphasizes the importance of timing in combined radioimmunological treatment.", "PMID": 773530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3823", "title": "The effects of cancer chemotherapeutic agents on normal hematopoietic precursor cells: a review.", "content": "The effects of antineoplastic agents, singly or in combination, on normal hematopoietic precursor cells have been reviewed. Following a description of the assays used (e.g., spleen colony, in vitro colony, repopulating ability), the dose response and/or time response for each drug are presented by species and by assay as available. The schedule of drug administration, the time of the assay, and the proliferative state of the target population are the most important determinants. Alkylating agents, antitumor antibiotics, and 5-fluorouracil have exponential dose survival curves. \"Phase-specific\" agents such as antimetabolites, Vinca alkaloids, and ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors have plateaus in their dose survival curves, although the level of this plateau is different for different agents. Most drugs are more effective against rapidly proliferating cells although busulfan is less effective. Direct interspecies comparisons are possible with some of the clonogenic assays, which may allow prediction of the magnitude of human hematological toxicity for new agents or combinations.", "contents": "The effects of cancer chemotherapeutic agents on normal hematopoietic precursor cells: a review. The effects of antineoplastic agents, singly or in combination, on normal hematopoietic precursor cells have been reviewed. Following a description of the assays used (e.g., spleen colony, in vitro colony, repopulating ability), the dose response and/or time response for each drug are presented by species and by assay as available. The schedule of drug administration, the time of the assay, and the proliferative state of the target population are the most important determinants. Alkylating agents, antitumor antibiotics, and 5-fluorouracil have exponential dose survival curves. \"Phase-specific\" agents such as antimetabolites, Vinca alkaloids, and ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors have plateaus in their dose survival curves, although the level of this plateau is different for different agents. Most drugs are more effective against rapidly proliferating cells although busulfan is less effective. Direct interspecies comparisons are possible with some of the clonogenic assays, which may allow prediction of the magnitude of human hematological toxicity for new agents or combinations.", "PMID": 773531} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3824", "title": "Endotoxin enhancement of plasma cell tumor development in mice given injections of mineral oil.", "content": "Bacterial endotoxins administered to BALB/c mice given i.p. mineral oil cause an increased incidence of plasma cell tumors, compared with mice given either oil or antigens alone, or oil plus antigen other than endotoxin. Endotoxin in ng doses was more effective than in mug doses.", "contents": "Endotoxin enhancement of plasma cell tumor development in mice given injections of mineral oil. Bacterial endotoxins administered to BALB/c mice given i.p. mineral oil cause an increased incidence of plasma cell tumors, compared with mice given either oil or antigens alone, or oil plus antigen other than endotoxin. Endotoxin in ng doses was more effective than in mug doses.", "PMID": 773532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3825", "title": "Relationship between activity and amino sugar stereochemistry of daunorubicin and adriamycin derivatives.", "content": "The effects of 4'-epi-daunorubicin, 4'-epi-adriamycin, and the corresponding beta anomers on the in vitro activity of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and RNA polymerase were determined and compared with the effects of the parent compounds. The observed effects parallel the cytotoxic activities, assayed by inhibition of mouse embryo fibroblast proliferation, and the inhibitory activities on DNA synthesis in cultured cells. The data indicate that the inverted configuration at position 1 of the amino sugar results in a markedly reduced biological activity. This conclusion is also substantiated by the data obtained with the beta anomer of adriamycin. A preliminary investigation on the binding properties of these derivatives suggests that the inverted configuration at C-1' produces a significant decrease in the binding to DNA. In contrast, epimerization at position 4' did not produce any significant change in activity. The relationship between biological and biochemical activity and DNA binding properties of the tested compounds are discussed with particularly reference to antitumor activity.", "contents": "Relationship between activity and amino sugar stereochemistry of daunorubicin and adriamycin derivatives. The effects of 4'-epi-daunorubicin, 4'-epi-adriamycin, and the corresponding beta anomers on the in vitro activity of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and RNA polymerase were determined and compared with the effects of the parent compounds. The observed effects parallel the cytotoxic activities, assayed by inhibition of mouse embryo fibroblast proliferation, and the inhibitory activities on DNA synthesis in cultured cells. The data indicate that the inverted configuration at position 1 of the amino sugar results in a markedly reduced biological activity. This conclusion is also substantiated by the data obtained with the beta anomer of adriamycin. A preliminary investigation on the binding properties of these derivatives suggests that the inverted configuration at C-1' produces a significant decrease in the binding to DNA. In contrast, epimerization at position 4' did not produce any significant change in activity. The relationship between biological and biochemical activity and DNA binding properties of the tested compounds are discussed with particularly reference to antitumor activity.", "PMID": 773533} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3826", "title": "Immune response to an allogeneic progressively growing solid tumor.", "content": "A C57BL/6 (B6) methylcholanthrene-induced solid tumor grows progressively in BALB/c mice. The BALB/c mice fail to develop in their spleens cytotoxic lymphocytes directed against the histocompatibility (H-) antigens of the tumor. A B6 skin graft is rejected normally by mice with the progressively growing B6 tumor and skin graft rejection has no influence on the growth of the tumor. Tissue culture-carried tumor cells work satisfactorily as target cells in a 51Cr release assay with effector lymphocytes immunized against B6 H-antigens, but the tumor cells will not work as an immunogen for H-antigens for an in vitro immunization. \"Fresh\" tumor cells removed from their in vivo environment and separated on a discontinuous bovine serum albumin gradient also work as target cells. The conclusion is drawn that the host cytotoxic lymphocyte response against the tumor, as defined by a short-term 51Cr release assay, suffers from both sensitization and effector stage defects that probably do not involve serum factors or suppressor cells.", "contents": "Immune response to an allogeneic progressively growing solid tumor. A C57BL/6 (B6) methylcholanthrene-induced solid tumor grows progressively in BALB/c mice. The BALB/c mice fail to develop in their spleens cytotoxic lymphocytes directed against the histocompatibility (H-) antigens of the tumor. A B6 skin graft is rejected normally by mice with the progressively growing B6 tumor and skin graft rejection has no influence on the growth of the tumor. Tissue culture-carried tumor cells work satisfactorily as target cells in a 51Cr release assay with effector lymphocytes immunized against B6 H-antigens, but the tumor cells will not work as an immunogen for H-antigens for an in vitro immunization. \"Fresh\" tumor cells removed from their in vivo environment and separated on a discontinuous bovine serum albumin gradient also work as target cells. The conclusion is drawn that the host cytotoxic lymphocyte response against the tumor, as defined by a short-term 51Cr release assay, suffers from both sensitization and effector stage defects that probably do not involve serum factors or suppressor cells.", "PMID": 773534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3827", "title": "Influence of castration followed by administration of LH-RH on the ultrastructure of rat pinealocytes.", "content": "The ultrastructure of adult male rat pinealocytes was studied after orchidectomy and orchidectomy followed by LH-RH administration. Castration causes an increased development of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus as well as an increase in the number of lipid droplets and lysosomes. The changes after orchidectomy followed by LH-RH administration were more marked than after castration alone. The ultrastructural features observed after castration can be interpreted as a morphological equivalent of increased protein synthesis. The observations reported appear to indicate mutual interaction between the pineal organ and the hypothalamo-hypophyseo-gonadal system. A working hypothesis is put forward implying the presence of a negative feedback mechanism between the pineal and the adenohypophysis.", "contents": "Influence of castration followed by administration of LH-RH on the ultrastructure of rat pinealocytes. The ultrastructure of adult male rat pinealocytes was studied after orchidectomy and orchidectomy followed by LH-RH administration. Castration causes an increased development of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus as well as an increase in the number of lipid droplets and lysosomes. The changes after orchidectomy followed by LH-RH administration were more marked than after castration alone. The ultrastructural features observed after castration can be interpreted as a morphological equivalent of increased protein synthesis. The observations reported appear to indicate mutual interaction between the pineal organ and the hypothalamo-hypophyseo-gonadal system. A working hypothesis is put forward implying the presence of a negative feedback mechanism between the pineal and the adenohypophysis.", "PMID": 773540} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3828", "title": "The lateral photoreceptor of the barnacle, Balanus eburneus: quantitative morphology and fine structure.", "content": "The lateral eye of the barnacle, Balanus eburneus, fixed in highly concentrated osmium is a lens-shaped body of approximately 250 mum in diameter and about 75 mum thick. It contains three photoreceptor cells which occupy about 42% of its volume. The photoreceptor cells are irregularly shaped and extend countless dendritic processes which bear rhabdomeres at their ends. Individual rhabdomeres come into contact with rhabdomeres originating from dendrites of the same or of one of the other visual cells. Thirteen per cent of the volume of the photoreceptor cells is taken up by the rhabdomeres. The membranes of the rhabdomeric microvilli contain globular subunits which suggest a 70 A spacing of rhodopsin molecules. There are two kinds of glial cells. One kind, type A glial cells, makes contact with the fibrous capsule of the photoreceptor. The other kind, type B glial cells, is associated with the photoreceptor cells and extends countless tiny cytoplasmic extensions which interdigitate with similar extensions of the receptor cells. There are approximately 95 type B glial cells and 130 type A glial cells in the receptor. The cytoplasm of the photoreceptor cells contains countless small Golgi fields, mitochondria, microtubules, multivesicular and multilamellar bodies. The extracellular space of the photoreceptor is less than 0.1% of its total volume.", "contents": "The lateral photoreceptor of the barnacle, Balanus eburneus: quantitative morphology and fine structure. The lateral eye of the barnacle, Balanus eburneus, fixed in highly concentrated osmium is a lens-shaped body of approximately 250 mum in diameter and about 75 mum thick. It contains three photoreceptor cells which occupy about 42% of its volume. The photoreceptor cells are irregularly shaped and extend countless dendritic processes which bear rhabdomeres at their ends. Individual rhabdomeres come into contact with rhabdomeres originating from dendrites of the same or of one of the other visual cells. Thirteen per cent of the volume of the photoreceptor cells is taken up by the rhabdomeres. The membranes of the rhabdomeric microvilli contain globular subunits which suggest a 70 A spacing of rhodopsin molecules. There are two kinds of glial cells. One kind, type A glial cells, makes contact with the fibrous capsule of the photoreceptor. The other kind, type B glial cells, is associated with the photoreceptor cells and extends countless tiny cytoplasmic extensions which interdigitate with similar extensions of the receptor cells. There are approximately 95 type B glial cells and 130 type A glial cells in the receptor. The cytoplasm of the photoreceptor cells contains countless small Golgi fields, mitochondria, microtubules, multivesicular and multilamellar bodies. The extracellular space of the photoreceptor is less than 0.1% of its total volume.", "PMID": 773541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3829", "title": "The induction of filamentous growth in Escherichia coli by ruthenium and palladium complexes.", "content": "Cis-chloroammine complexes of platinum have been shown to induce several biological effects. These include induction of filamentous growth in Escherichia coli as well as induction of phage production from lysogenic strains of Escherichia coli. Cis-chloroammine complexes of platinum have also been proven effective as a treatment for several animal tumors. In general, the effectiveness of such compounds is determined by a combination of an internal polar nature coupled with an overall electrical neutrality. We have extended these studies to include other complexes of the group VIII elements. In the research reported here, complexes of ruthenium were shown to induce filamentous growth in E. coli. Cis-Ru(NH3)3Cl3 produced this effect at a concentration of 6 mug/ml, comparable to the required concentration of cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 for the same effect. The charged complex, K2RuCl5 - H2O, induced filamentous growth but a significantly higher concentration of this ruthenium complex was necessary. Several palladium complexes were also tested. They proved to be toxic at relatively high concentrations and had no effect at lower concentrations. The proposed mechanism of action of the platinum complexes is the hydrolysis of two cis-chloride ligands followed by binding to DNA which reduces the synthesis of new DNA. The kinetic data on hydrolysis, the required cis-chloride ligands, electrical neutrality, and the selective action on various bacteria indicate that ruthenium and platinum interact by a similar mechanism.", "contents": "The induction of filamentous growth in Escherichia coli by ruthenium and palladium complexes. Cis-chloroammine complexes of platinum have been shown to induce several biological effects. These include induction of filamentous growth in Escherichia coli as well as induction of phage production from lysogenic strains of Escherichia coli. Cis-chloroammine complexes of platinum have also been proven effective as a treatment for several animal tumors. In general, the effectiveness of such compounds is determined by a combination of an internal polar nature coupled with an overall electrical neutrality. We have extended these studies to include other complexes of the group VIII elements. In the research reported here, complexes of ruthenium were shown to induce filamentous growth in E. coli. Cis-Ru(NH3)3Cl3 produced this effect at a concentration of 6 mug/ml, comparable to the required concentration of cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 for the same effect. The charged complex, K2RuCl5 - H2O, induced filamentous growth but a significantly higher concentration of this ruthenium complex was necessary. Several palladium complexes were also tested. They proved to be toxic at relatively high concentrations and had no effect at lower concentrations. The proposed mechanism of action of the platinum complexes is the hydrolysis of two cis-chloride ligands followed by binding to DNA which reduces the synthesis of new DNA. The kinetic data on hydrolysis, the required cis-chloride ligands, electrical neutrality, and the selective action on various bacteria indicate that ruthenium and platinum interact by a similar mechanism.", "PMID": 773562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3830", "title": "Arterial and venous angiotensin II in normal subjects. Relation to plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration, and response to posture and volume changes.", "content": "Plasma renin activity, arterial and venous angiotensin II (A II) concentrations, and plasma aldosterone concentration were measured in 16 normal subjects (mean age = 34 years) after 8 hours of recumbency, following 2 hours of ambulation, and again 30 minutes after administration of furosemide intravenously. Measurements were obtained during periods of sodium restriction and again during sodium surfeit. Both arterial and venous A II exhibited a 3-fold increase from low values of 8.8 +/- 2.5 and 8.6 +/- 2.5 pg/ml of plasma, respectively, during recumbency on high sodium intake to values of 23.9 +/- 4.1 and 26.5 +/- 6.2 pg/ml, respectively, following intravenous furosemide during sodium restriction. Corresponding values for aldosterone exhibited a 5-fold rise from 5.6 ng/100 ml to 32.0 ng/100 ml, whereas plasma renin activity (PRA) measured by an in vitro assay exhibited a 20-fold rise from 0.6 +/- 0.2 ng of angiotensin I (AI) generated per ml per hour to 13.1 ng/ml per hour. Despite the disparity in the magnitude of these increases, significant correlations were identified between all four of the measured parameters, indicating a major role of the renin-angiotensin system in regulating aldosterone output in response to volume and posture-related stimuli. Values of arterial and venous immunoreactive A II were closely correlated ( r = +0.72, P less than 0.005), but significant differences were demonstrated between low and high salt periods, suggesting that changes in metabolism of A II in the peripheral circulation may occur during sodium restriction.", "contents": "Arterial and venous angiotensin II in normal subjects. Relation to plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration, and response to posture and volume changes. Plasma renin activity, arterial and venous angiotensin II (A II) concentrations, and plasma aldosterone concentration were measured in 16 normal subjects (mean age = 34 years) after 8 hours of recumbency, following 2 hours of ambulation, and again 30 minutes after administration of furosemide intravenously. Measurements were obtained during periods of sodium restriction and again during sodium surfeit. Both arterial and venous A II exhibited a 3-fold increase from low values of 8.8 +/- 2.5 and 8.6 +/- 2.5 pg/ml of plasma, respectively, during recumbency on high sodium intake to values of 23.9 +/- 4.1 and 26.5 +/- 6.2 pg/ml, respectively, following intravenous furosemide during sodium restriction. Corresponding values for aldosterone exhibited a 5-fold rise from 5.6 ng/100 ml to 32.0 ng/100 ml, whereas plasma renin activity (PRA) measured by an in vitro assay exhibited a 20-fold rise from 0.6 +/- 0.2 ng of angiotensin I (AI) generated per ml per hour to 13.1 ng/ml per hour. Despite the disparity in the magnitude of these increases, significant correlations were identified between all four of the measured parameters, indicating a major role of the renin-angiotensin system in regulating aldosterone output in response to volume and posture-related stimuli. Values of arterial and venous immunoreactive A II were closely correlated ( r = +0.72, P less than 0.005), but significant differences were demonstrated between low and high salt periods, suggesting that changes in metabolism of A II in the peripheral circulation may occur during sodium restriction.", "PMID": 773568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3831", "title": "The relevance of peripheral baroreceptors and chemoreceptors to regulation of cerebral blood flow in the cat.", "content": "The contribution of neural vasomotor reflexes to the control of cerebral blood flow (CBF) was investigated in 30 cats lightly anesthetized with pentobarbital. CBF was measured both by kinetic analysis and by the intial slope technique of the washout curve of a bolus of 133Xe. Autoregulation (10 cats) and responsiveness to alteration in arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) (10 cats) and arterial PO2 (Pao2) (five cats) were assessed both before and after bilateral intracranial division of the 9th and 10th nerves. In an additional group (five cats), related changes in CBF to alteration of PaCO2 were recorded before and after unilateral section of the 7th and 8th nerves. Autoregulation was preserve after division of the 9th and 10th nerves and there was no significant change in the PaCO2 response curves. Section of the 7th and 8th cranial nerves did not produce conclusive results in the small number of cats studied. A conclusion that the facial nerves are not dominant in responses to hypercapnia seems justified, but a modulating role for these nerves is possible. These studies do not exclude a physiological role for these nerves in the autoregulation of CBF, but do indicate that the cerebral vascular bed apparently is capable of functioning normally after their division.", "contents": "The relevance of peripheral baroreceptors and chemoreceptors to regulation of cerebral blood flow in the cat. The contribution of neural vasomotor reflexes to the control of cerebral blood flow (CBF) was investigated in 30 cats lightly anesthetized with pentobarbital. CBF was measured both by kinetic analysis and by the intial slope technique of the washout curve of a bolus of 133Xe. Autoregulation (10 cats) and responsiveness to alteration in arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) (10 cats) and arterial PO2 (Pao2) (five cats) were assessed both before and after bilateral intracranial division of the 9th and 10th nerves. In an additional group (five cats), related changes in CBF to alteration of PaCO2 were recorded before and after unilateral section of the 7th and 8th nerves. Autoregulation was preserve after division of the 9th and 10th nerves and there was no significant change in the PaCO2 response curves. Section of the 7th and 8th cranial nerves did not produce conclusive results in the small number of cats studied. A conclusion that the facial nerves are not dominant in responses to hypercapnia seems justified, but a modulating role for these nerves is possible. These studies do not exclude a physiological role for these nerves in the autoregulation of CBF, but do indicate that the cerebral vascular bed apparently is capable of functioning normally after their division.", "PMID": 773569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3832", "title": "Role of heart and lung receptors with nonmedullated vagal afferents in circulatory control.", "content": "Vagal afferents from the cardiopulmonary region exert a tonic inhibition on the vasomotor center. This is demonstrated by constriction of systemic resistance and splanchnic capacitance vessels and by increased output of renin when the vagi are cut or blocked. In dogs, removal or selective denervation of organs showed that receptors in the lungs, the atria, and the ventricles each are responsible for the vasomotor inhibition. That this inhibition is due to nonmedullated vagal afferents (C fibers) was demonstrated by selective cooling of the vagi, anodal block of medullated afferents, and selective electrical stimulation of medullated and nonmedullated fibers. In the open-chest cat the discharge frequency of individual C fibers is sparse and irregular (mean, 1.4 impulses/sec) but increases to 10 or more impulses/sec with moderate increases in cardiac filling pressure and exhibits cardiac rhythmicity or is continuous throughout the cardiac cycle. The inhibition of sympathetic vasomotor outflow effected through the cardiopulmonary receptors is inversely related to that exerted by the arterial baroreceptors. The former receptors have less influence on the muscle circulation than the latter, but have an equal or greater effect on the renal circulation. In summary, receptors in the heart and lungs with nonmedullated vagal afferents are an important component of the integrated neural control of the circulation.", "contents": "Role of heart and lung receptors with nonmedullated vagal afferents in circulatory control. Vagal afferents from the cardiopulmonary region exert a tonic inhibition on the vasomotor center. This is demonstrated by constriction of systemic resistance and splanchnic capacitance vessels and by increased output of renin when the vagi are cut or blocked. In dogs, removal or selective denervation of organs showed that receptors in the lungs, the atria, and the ventricles each are responsible for the vasomotor inhibition. That this inhibition is due to nonmedullated vagal afferents (C fibers) was demonstrated by selective cooling of the vagi, anodal block of medullated afferents, and selective electrical stimulation of medullated and nonmedullated fibers. In the open-chest cat the discharge frequency of individual C fibers is sparse and irregular (mean, 1.4 impulses/sec) but increases to 10 or more impulses/sec with moderate increases in cardiac filling pressure and exhibits cardiac rhythmicity or is continuous throughout the cardiac cycle. The inhibition of sympathetic vasomotor outflow effected through the cardiopulmonary receptors is inversely related to that exerted by the arterial baroreceptors. The former receptors have less influence on the muscle circulation than the latter, but have an equal or greater effect on the renal circulation. In summary, receptors in the heart and lungs with nonmedullated vagal afferents are an important component of the integrated neural control of the circulation.", "PMID": 773570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3833", "title": "Hemodynamic role of extracellular fluid in hypertension.", "content": "Plasma volume is usually lower in patients with essential hypertension than in normal subjects. Normal or expanded plasma volume in some hypertensive patients may respect either a specific hypervolemic subset of the disease or the upper end of a continuum of volume values. Difficulties in defining these groups stem from the small numbers of subjects studied, from the need for a reliable reference index for volume measurements, and from the multiple factors which may affect intravascular volume. Differences in plasma volume cap influence choice of antihypertensive therapy; patients with expanded volume tend also to have slightly exchangeable sodium and greater extracellular fluid (ECF) volume and to respond well to diuretic therapy. There is also some evidence that low plasma renin activity is more frequent among hypervolemic patients. Essential hypertensives as a group have low plasma to interstitial fluid volume ratio (PV/IF), indicating that ECF distribution between the intravascular and interstitial compartments is shifted toward the latter. This is probably related to altered capillary filtration pressure due to increased venous resistance. Hypovolemic essential hypertensives have significantly lower (P less than 0.01) PV/IF ratio than hypervolemic, but whether this is related to differences in neural venous tone is only speculative. Hemodynamic studies revealed no difference in cardiac output between hypertensive patients with contracted blood volume and those with hypervolemia; total peripheral resistance was even higher in the latter, suggesting that \"vasoconstriction\" is not different between the two groups. It is widely believed that the relationship between ECF expansion and hypertension depends on the development of hypervolemia, increased cardiac output, and subsequent rise in total peripheral resistance reducing volume expansion and normalizing systemic flow while maintaining a high blood pressure. This sequence of events has been demonstrated in some human and experimental forms of hypertension but not in all. Metyrapone-induced hypertension in dogs could be sustained for up to 6 weeks by increased output with no evidence of \"autoregulation\" developing, and similar observations were reported in some anephric patients. Complementing these findings are observations of elevated cardiac output in some patients with long-standing essential hypertension or primary aldosteronism. It is therefore suggested that the spectrum of hemodynamic changes associated with volume disturbances in hypertension is too wide to be forced under one hypothesis alone and that neurogenic and other factors may play an important role in that complex relationship.", "contents": "Hemodynamic role of extracellular fluid in hypertension. Plasma volume is usually lower in patients with essential hypertension than in normal subjects. Normal or expanded plasma volume in some hypertensive patients may respect either a specific hypervolemic subset of the disease or the upper end of a continuum of volume values. Difficulties in defining these groups stem from the small numbers of subjects studied, from the need for a reliable reference index for volume measurements, and from the multiple factors which may affect intravascular volume. Differences in plasma volume cap influence choice of antihypertensive therapy; patients with expanded volume tend also to have slightly exchangeable sodium and greater extracellular fluid (ECF) volume and to respond well to diuretic therapy. There is also some evidence that low plasma renin activity is more frequent among hypervolemic patients. Essential hypertensives as a group have low plasma to interstitial fluid volume ratio (PV/IF), indicating that ECF distribution between the intravascular and interstitial compartments is shifted toward the latter. This is probably related to altered capillary filtration pressure due to increased venous resistance. Hypovolemic essential hypertensives have significantly lower (P less than 0.01) PV/IF ratio than hypervolemic, but whether this is related to differences in neural venous tone is only speculative. Hemodynamic studies revealed no difference in cardiac output between hypertensive patients with contracted blood volume and those with hypervolemia; total peripheral resistance was even higher in the latter, suggesting that \"vasoconstriction\" is not different between the two groups. It is widely believed that the relationship between ECF expansion and hypertension depends on the development of hypervolemia, increased cardiac output, and subsequent rise in total peripheral resistance reducing volume expansion and normalizing systemic flow while maintaining a high blood pressure. This sequence of events has been demonstrated in some human and experimental forms of hypertension but not in all. Metyrapone-induced hypertension in dogs could be sustained for up to 6 weeks by increased output with no evidence of \"autoregulation\" developing, and similar observations were reported in some anephric patients. Complementing these findings are observations of elevated cardiac output in some patients with long-standing essential hypertension or primary aldosteronism. It is therefore suggested that the spectrum of hemodynamic changes associated with volume disturbances in hypertension is too wide to be forced under one hypothesis alone and that neurogenic and other factors may play an important role in that complex relationship.", "PMID": 773571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3834", "title": "Measurement of circulating thyroid microsomal antibodies by the tanned red cell haemagglutination technique: its usefulness in the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid diseases.", "content": "Thyroid-microsomal antibodies were quantitated by a new technique utilizing tanned sheep red blood cells coated with human thyroid microsomal antigens. This haemagglutination assay (MCHA) correlated with the immunofluorescent antibody (FAB) but not with the thyroglobulin haemagglutination antibodies (TGHA) assay. Of forty-one patients with Hasmimoto's thyroiditis, thirty-nine (95%) were MCHA but only twenty-four (59%) TGHA positive. Titres were similar for the hypothyroid and euthyroid patients. Patients less than 20 years of age had either negative (50%) or low titre (less than 1:160) TGHA but 100% positive MCHA at titres greater than 1:1280. Of twenty-one patients with Graves' disease eighteen (86%) were MCHA and six (29%) TGHA positive. Of thirty-two patients without thyroid disease eleven (34%) were MCHA and/or TGHA positive. On the basis of family history and associated abnormalities, in eight of eleven, positive antibodies may have been due to subclinical Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Fourteen subjects of a control group (10%) were MCHA positive. Seven of ten examined had goitres. MCHA is a simple and quantitative test, useful in the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid diseases.", "contents": "Measurement of circulating thyroid microsomal antibodies by the tanned red cell haemagglutination technique: its usefulness in the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Thyroid-microsomal antibodies were quantitated by a new technique utilizing tanned sheep red blood cells coated with human thyroid microsomal antigens. This haemagglutination assay (MCHA) correlated with the immunofluorescent antibody (FAB) but not with the thyroglobulin haemagglutination antibodies (TGHA) assay. Of forty-one patients with Hasmimoto's thyroiditis, thirty-nine (95%) were MCHA but only twenty-four (59%) TGHA positive. Titres were similar for the hypothyroid and euthyroid patients. Patients less than 20 years of age had either negative (50%) or low titre (less than 1:160) TGHA but 100% positive MCHA at titres greater than 1:1280. Of twenty-one patients with Graves' disease eighteen (86%) were MCHA and six (29%) TGHA positive. Of thirty-two patients without thyroid disease eleven (34%) were MCHA and/or TGHA positive. On the basis of family history and associated abnormalities, in eight of eleven, positive antibodies may have been due to subclinical Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Fourteen subjects of a control group (10%) were MCHA positive. Seven of ten examined had goitres. MCHA is a simple and quantitative test, useful in the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid diseases.", "PMID": 773572} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3835", "title": "Luteinizing hormone secretion in patients presenting with post-oral contraceptive amenorrhoea: evidence for a hypothalamic feedback abnormality.", "content": "Twenty-four patients who presented with amenorrhoea after discontinuing oral contraceptives were studied. In fourteen patients underlying conditions were present which could account for the amenorrhoea. Two patients were pregnant, two had premature ovarian failure and four polycystic ovarian disease. Pituitary tumours were present in three patients, and in another three radiological abnormalities of the pituitary fossa suggested the presence of an intrasellar tumour. Basal serum luteinizing hormone levels reliably differentiated ovarian from hypothalamic or pituitary lesions. Varied patterns of serum LH response to clomiphene were present in the patients with post-oral contraceptive amenorrhoea or pituitary lesions. Most patients showed normal hormone response patterns, with a secondary LH peak, but in others a partial response only was seen. In the latter group, who responded normally to exogenous gonadotrophin releasing hormone, no secondary LH peak occurred despite normal oestradiol responses. This suggests an abnormality of the positive feedback system for oestrogens. Subsequent stimulation with clomiphene produced normal LH responses in these patients showing that the abnormality was reversible. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that post-oral contraceptive amenorrhoea is the result of continuing suppression of normal hypothalamic pituitary feedback systems after the sex steroids have been stopped. The different patterns of hormone response to clomiphene suggest varying degrees of feedback abnormality, and in some patients the positive feedback mechanism only is impaired.", "contents": "Luteinizing hormone secretion in patients presenting with post-oral contraceptive amenorrhoea: evidence for a hypothalamic feedback abnormality. Twenty-four patients who presented with amenorrhoea after discontinuing oral contraceptives were studied. In fourteen patients underlying conditions were present which could account for the amenorrhoea. Two patients were pregnant, two had premature ovarian failure and four polycystic ovarian disease. Pituitary tumours were present in three patients, and in another three radiological abnormalities of the pituitary fossa suggested the presence of an intrasellar tumour. Basal serum luteinizing hormone levels reliably differentiated ovarian from hypothalamic or pituitary lesions. Varied patterns of serum LH response to clomiphene were present in the patients with post-oral contraceptive amenorrhoea or pituitary lesions. Most patients showed normal hormone response patterns, with a secondary LH peak, but in others a partial response only was seen. In the latter group, who responded normally to exogenous gonadotrophin releasing hormone, no secondary LH peak occurred despite normal oestradiol responses. This suggests an abnormality of the positive feedback system for oestrogens. Subsequent stimulation with clomiphene produced normal LH responses in these patients showing that the abnormality was reversible. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that post-oral contraceptive amenorrhoea is the result of continuing suppression of normal hypothalamic pituitary feedback systems after the sex steroids have been stopped. The different patterns of hormone response to clomiphene suggest varying degrees of feedback abnormality, and in some patients the positive feedback mechanism only is impaired.", "PMID": 773573} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3836", "title": "Modulation of pituitary responsiveness to exogenous LHRH by an oestrogenic and an anti-oestrogenic compound in the normal male.", "content": "The effect of clomiphene (100 mg daily for 10 days) and ethinyl oestradiol (100 mug daily for 10 days) on the gonadotrophin response to synthetic LHRH has been investigated in two groups of five normal males. A third group of five men served as control group. LHRH, 25 mug, was injected intravenously on days 0, 4, 7 and 10 and the response of serum LH and FSH was monitored by radioimmunoassay. In contrast to the wide inter-individual variation of the response pattern, the intra-individual variation of the response to LHRH in the control group was small. Clomiphene induced a significant elevation of the baseline levels of LH and FSH after a few days of treatment; the pituitary responsiveness to LHRH, however, was significantly reduced. Oestrogen treatment resulted in a uniform suppression of both basal gonadotrophin levels and pituitary responsiveness. The decreased gonadotrophin response to LHRH during clomiphene treatment is thought to be caused by a relative and temporary pituitary depletion of the releasable gonadotrophin content. Although the suppression of LH and FSH response during oestrogen treatment may point to a direct inhibitory effect of oestrogen on pituitary gonadotrophin release, an indirect hypothalamic pathway, through suppression of endogenous LHRH, cannot be ruled out.", "contents": "Modulation of pituitary responsiveness to exogenous LHRH by an oestrogenic and an anti-oestrogenic compound in the normal male. The effect of clomiphene (100 mg daily for 10 days) and ethinyl oestradiol (100 mug daily for 10 days) on the gonadotrophin response to synthetic LHRH has been investigated in two groups of five normal males. A third group of five men served as control group. LHRH, 25 mug, was injected intravenously on days 0, 4, 7 and 10 and the response of serum LH and FSH was monitored by radioimmunoassay. In contrast to the wide inter-individual variation of the response pattern, the intra-individual variation of the response to LHRH in the control group was small. Clomiphene induced a significant elevation of the baseline levels of LH and FSH after a few days of treatment; the pituitary responsiveness to LHRH, however, was significantly reduced. Oestrogen treatment resulted in a uniform suppression of both basal gonadotrophin levels and pituitary responsiveness. The decreased gonadotrophin response to LHRH during clomiphene treatment is thought to be caused by a relative and temporary pituitary depletion of the releasable gonadotrophin content. Although the suppression of LH and FSH response during oestrogen treatment may point to a direct inhibitory effect of oestrogen on pituitary gonadotrophin release, an indirect hypothalamic pathway, through suppression of endogenous LHRH, cannot be ruled out.", "PMID": 773574} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3837", "title": "Immunofluorescence test for IgM rubella antibodies in whole serum after absorption with anti-gammaFc.", "content": "A technique for detecting IgM rubella antibodies by immunofluorescence was developed. Total serum IgG was removed by prior immunoabsorption with anti-gammaFc. This prevents interference by rheumatoid factors in the serum. The test appeared sensitive and specific in sera of rubella convalescents and infants with congenital rubella.", "contents": "Immunofluorescence test for IgM rubella antibodies in whole serum after absorption with anti-gammaFc. A technique for detecting IgM rubella antibodies by immunofluorescence was developed. Total serum IgG was removed by prior immunoabsorption with anti-gammaFc. This prevents interference by rheumatoid factors in the serum. The test appeared sensitive and specific in sera of rubella convalescents and infants with congenital rubella.", "PMID": 773577} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3838", "title": "Production of leucocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) and macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) by PHA-stimulated lymphocytes.", "content": "Supernatants from human mononuclear cells cultured with PHA inhibited the migration of both human polymorphonuclear leucocytes and guinea-pig peritoneal exudate cells, but not human mononuclear cells. Using ultrafiltration it was shown that these supernatants contained two inhibiting factors, the one with a molecular weight of 15,000-50,000 inhibited only guinea-pig peritoneal exudate cells (MIF), whereas the fraction containing molecules of a size between 50,000 and 75,000 specifically inhibited the migration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (LIF). The polymorphonuclear leucocyte inhibiting activity was heat labile. It is suggested that the leucocyte migration inhibition test is dependent upon the production of a lymphokine (LIF) which acts specifically on polymorphonuclear leucocytes causing their inhibition of migration.", "contents": "Production of leucocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) and macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) by PHA-stimulated lymphocytes. Supernatants from human mononuclear cells cultured with PHA inhibited the migration of both human polymorphonuclear leucocytes and guinea-pig peritoneal exudate cells, but not human mononuclear cells. Using ultrafiltration it was shown that these supernatants contained two inhibiting factors, the one with a molecular weight of 15,000-50,000 inhibited only guinea-pig peritoneal exudate cells (MIF), whereas the fraction containing molecules of a size between 50,000 and 75,000 specifically inhibited the migration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (LIF). The polymorphonuclear leucocyte inhibiting activity was heat labile. It is suggested that the leucocyte migration inhibition test is dependent upon the production of a lymphokine (LIF) which acts specifically on polymorphonuclear leucocytes causing their inhibition of migration.", "PMID": 773578} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3839", "title": "Antiarrhythmic effects of a lidocaine congener, tocainide, 2-amino-2',6'-propionoxylidide, in man.", "content": "Eight patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) were given single oral doses of 2-amino-2', 6'-propionoxylidide hydrochloride (APX), a lidocaine congener, to investigate the drug's efficacy, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics. Of the 7 patients receiving more than 100 mg, 5 demonstrated at least 60% reduction in PVCs in the 5-hour period following one of the doses; the responsiveness to APX was similar to that observed when intravenous lidocaine was given to the same patients. There were side effects of transient dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea in 3 patients 20 to 30 min after doses of 400 to 800 mg; slightly smaller doses in 2 of these patients retained efficacy without side effects. There were no effects on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, or the electrocardiogram of normally conducted beats. Laboratory values remained within normal limits, although the hemoglobin level and hematocrit showed a small but significant fall probably related to repeated blood sampling during the study. Drug plasma levels at 1 and 2 hr after administration and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve were proportional to dose, and the drug disappeared with a mean elimination half-life of 14.7 +/- 1.7 hr (mean +/- SD). Plasma levels resulting in suppression of PVCs ranged from 1 to 5 mug/ml. A mean of 39.7 +/- 12.4% of an orally administered dose was recovered unchanged in 48-hr urine collections. Comparison of the present results with those previously obtained after intravenous administration of APX indicates that oral bioavailability of the drug was essentially complete. APX appears to be a promising orally effective antiarrhythmic drug with suitable pharmacokinetic characteristics to warrant studies designed to establish dosage regimens for chronic therapy.", "contents": "Antiarrhythmic effects of a lidocaine congener, tocainide, 2-amino-2',6'-propionoxylidide, in man. Eight patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) were given single oral doses of 2-amino-2', 6'-propionoxylidide hydrochloride (APX), a lidocaine congener, to investigate the drug's efficacy, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics. Of the 7 patients receiving more than 100 mg, 5 demonstrated at least 60% reduction in PVCs in the 5-hour period following one of the doses; the responsiveness to APX was similar to that observed when intravenous lidocaine was given to the same patients. There were side effects of transient dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea in 3 patients 20 to 30 min after doses of 400 to 800 mg; slightly smaller doses in 2 of these patients retained efficacy without side effects. There were no effects on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, or the electrocardiogram of normally conducted beats. Laboratory values remained within normal limits, although the hemoglobin level and hematocrit showed a small but significant fall probably related to repeated blood sampling during the study. Drug plasma levels at 1 and 2 hr after administration and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve were proportional to dose, and the drug disappeared with a mean elimination half-life of 14.7 +/- 1.7 hr (mean +/- SD). Plasma levels resulting in suppression of PVCs ranged from 1 to 5 mug/ml. A mean of 39.7 +/- 12.4% of an orally administered dose was recovered unchanged in 48-hr urine collections. Comparison of the present results with those previously obtained after intravenous administration of APX indicates that oral bioavailability of the drug was essentially complete. APX appears to be a promising orally effective antiarrhythmic drug with suitable pharmacokinetic characteristics to warrant studies designed to establish dosage regimens for chronic therapy.", "PMID": 773580} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3840", "title": "Antitussive activity of diphenhydramine in chronic cough.", "content": "A double-blind crossover study was conducted to evaluate the antitussive effectiveness of diphenhydramine (DPH) in chornic coughs related to bronchitis, at doses of 25 and 50 mg every 4 hr for four doses. Both 25- and 50-mg doses caused a statistically and clinically significant reduction in frequency of coughs, compared to placebo. The most frequently reported side effect was drowsiness, principally at the 50-mg dose level. There was little or no apparent correlation between antitussive effectiveness and incidence of drowsiness, however, suggesting that the two effects were pharmacologically unrelated.", "contents": "Antitussive activity of diphenhydramine in chronic cough. A double-blind crossover study was conducted to evaluate the antitussive effectiveness of diphenhydramine (DPH) in chornic coughs related to bronchitis, at doses of 25 and 50 mg every 4 hr for four doses. Both 25- and 50-mg doses caused a statistically and clinically significant reduction in frequency of coughs, compared to placebo. The most frequently reported side effect was drowsiness, principally at the 50-mg dose level. There was little or no apparent correlation between antitussive effectiveness and incidence of drowsiness, however, suggesting that the two effects were pharmacologically unrelated.", "PMID": 773581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3841", "title": "Quinine disposition during malaria and during induced fever.", "content": "Quinine disposition was studied in 5 subjects before and during an experimentally induced infection with a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum and in 2 individuals before and during artificially induced fever. Plasma quinine levels were determined by both a benzene extraction method (QB), which measures principally unmetabolized quinine, and a metaphosphoric acid precipitation method (QMPA), which measures quinine and quinine metabolites. The ratio QB/QMPA in plasma was used to estimate the extent of metabolism of quinine. In all individuals plasma levels of quinien and QB/QMPA ratios were increased during malaria, suggesting impaired hepatic metabolism of quinine. The changes observed during malaria were not due to altered renal excretion of quinine. In 2 subjects in whom fever was artificially induced there were similar changes in quinine metabolism. These observations suggest that quinine dosage should be modified during the initial period of treatment, when symptoms and fever are greatest, in acute falciparum malaria.", "contents": "Quinine disposition during malaria and during induced fever. Quinine disposition was studied in 5 subjects before and during an experimentally induced infection with a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum and in 2 individuals before and during artificially induced fever. Plasma quinine levels were determined by both a benzene extraction method (QB), which measures principally unmetabolized quinine, and a metaphosphoric acid precipitation method (QMPA), which measures quinine and quinine metabolites. The ratio QB/QMPA in plasma was used to estimate the extent of metabolism of quinine. In all individuals plasma levels of quinien and QB/QMPA ratios were increased during malaria, suggesting impaired hepatic metabolism of quinine. The changes observed during malaria were not due to altered renal excretion of quinine. In 2 subjects in whom fever was artificially induced there were similar changes in quinine metabolism. These observations suggest that quinine dosage should be modified during the initial period of treatment, when symptoms and fever are greatest, in acute falciparum malaria.", "PMID": 773582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3842", "title": "Variations between individuals and populations in the acetylation of isoniazid and its significance for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.", "content": "Isoniazid is the most effective and widely used antituberculosis drug. The metabolism of isoniazid is noninducible and the primary metabolic route determining the rate at which isoniazid is eliminated from the body is acetylation. There are large diffrences between individuals in the rates at which isoniazid and certain other hydrazides and some sulfonamides are acetylated. The acetylation of isoniazid is inherited in a simple Mendelian fashion, individuals being either slow, heterozygous rapid, or homozygous rapid acetylators. Improved methods of discriminating between the different phenotypes have recently been described that are also more convenient to use. The proportion of slow acetylators among Japanese and Eskimos is about 10%; among Chinese about 20%; among Caucasians, Negroes, and South Indians about 60%. The results of a series of meticulously controlled clinical trials carried out in India, East Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Czechoslovakia, and Britain have shown the isoniazid acetylator status of tuberculosis patients treated with isoniazid-containing regimens is of no prognostic significance when treatment is given on daily basis. It may, however, be of significance when twice-weekly regimens are employed, especially in circumstances in which only a short period of initial daily chemotherapy is given, and where the companion drug employed during the twice-weekly continuation phase is relatively weak. The acetylator phenotype is, however, extremely important in once-weekly treatment, rapid acetylators always having fared considerably worse than slow acetylators on all the regimens evaluated so far. Experimental studies of the action of isoniazid against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro and in vivo have enabled these findings to be understood.", "contents": "Variations between individuals and populations in the acetylation of isoniazid and its significance for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Isoniazid is the most effective and widely used antituberculosis drug. The metabolism of isoniazid is noninducible and the primary metabolic route determining the rate at which isoniazid is eliminated from the body is acetylation. There are large diffrences between individuals in the rates at which isoniazid and certain other hydrazides and some sulfonamides are acetylated. The acetylation of isoniazid is inherited in a simple Mendelian fashion, individuals being either slow, heterozygous rapid, or homozygous rapid acetylators. Improved methods of discriminating between the different phenotypes have recently been described that are also more convenient to use. The proportion of slow acetylators among Japanese and Eskimos is about 10%; among Chinese about 20%; among Caucasians, Negroes, and South Indians about 60%. The results of a series of meticulously controlled clinical trials carried out in India, East Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Czechoslovakia, and Britain have shown the isoniazid acetylator status of tuberculosis patients treated with isoniazid-containing regimens is of no prognostic significance when treatment is given on daily basis. It may, however, be of significance when twice-weekly regimens are employed, especially in circumstances in which only a short period of initial daily chemotherapy is given, and where the companion drug employed during the twice-weekly continuation phase is relatively weak. The acetylator phenotype is, however, extremely important in once-weekly treatment, rapid acetylators always having fared considerably worse than slow acetylators on all the regimens evaluated so far. Experimental studies of the action of isoniazid against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro and in vivo have enabled these findings to be understood.", "PMID": 773583} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3843", "title": "Guanabenz effects on blood pressure and noninvasive parameters of cardiac performance in patients with hypertension.", "content": "Guanabenz (2,6 dichlorobenzylidene amino guanidine acetate) is a new antihypertensive whose mechanism of action appears to involve both central alpha adrenergic stimulation leading to suppression of sympathetic nervous system activity from bulbar vasoconstriction centers as well as peripheral adrenergic neuron blockade. In this study, the drug was shown to produce a statistically and clinically significant decrease in blood pressure during a 4-wk placebo-controlled double-blind study. For three additional months continued efficacy and safety were shown under open conditions in 17 hypertensive patients. Mild sedation occurred, but there were no postural hypotension, tachycardia, evidence of sodium retention, gastrointestinal disturbances, or electrocardiographic (ECB) abnormalities. Noninvasive parameters of cardiac performance in 10 patients after single doses of guanabenz showed no significant changes. Although the numbers of patients were relatively small, the data suggest that this new drug may be a useful antihypertensive agent that warrants further investigation.", "contents": "Guanabenz effects on blood pressure and noninvasive parameters of cardiac performance in patients with hypertension. Guanabenz (2,6 dichlorobenzylidene amino guanidine acetate) is a new antihypertensive whose mechanism of action appears to involve both central alpha adrenergic stimulation leading to suppression of sympathetic nervous system activity from bulbar vasoconstriction centers as well as peripheral adrenergic neuron blockade. In this study, the drug was shown to produce a statistically and clinically significant decrease in blood pressure during a 4-wk placebo-controlled double-blind study. For three additional months continued efficacy and safety were shown under open conditions in 17 hypertensive patients. Mild sedation occurred, but there were no postural hypotension, tachycardia, evidence of sodium retention, gastrointestinal disturbances, or electrocardiographic (ECB) abnormalities. Noninvasive parameters of cardiac performance in 10 patients after single doses of guanabenz showed no significant changes. Although the numbers of patients were relatively small, the data suggest that this new drug may be a useful antihypertensive agent that warrants further investigation.", "PMID": 773584} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3844", "title": "Naltrexone: physiological and psychological effects of single doses.", "content": "An ascending series of single doses of the narcotic antagonist naltrexone, ranging from 20 to 160 mg, was administered to 8 abstinent former addicts in order to assess agonistic activity and any toxic side effects. There was little alteration of normal body function. Significant, but small, changes in sublingual temperature (0.4 degrees F decrease), and diastolic blood pressure (1.7 mm Hg increase) were induced. Among the battery of tests assessing behavioral or mood-feeling variables, only 2 showed significant between-condition effects: facilitated performance on the Cross-out Test (attention and perception), and a dose-related decrease in Morphine-Benzedrine Group (MBG) scores of the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI) (mild euphoria). On the whole, subjects had few subjective reactions or unpleasant side effects. Naltrexone appears to be a safe, nontoxic medication in the dosage range examined.", "contents": "Naltrexone: physiological and psychological effects of single doses. An ascending series of single doses of the narcotic antagonist naltrexone, ranging from 20 to 160 mg, was administered to 8 abstinent former addicts in order to assess agonistic activity and any toxic side effects. There was little alteration of normal body function. Significant, but small, changes in sublingual temperature (0.4 degrees F decrease), and diastolic blood pressure (1.7 mm Hg increase) were induced. Among the battery of tests assessing behavioral or mood-feeling variables, only 2 showed significant between-condition effects: facilitated performance on the Cross-out Test (attention and perception), and a dose-related decrease in Morphine-Benzedrine Group (MBG) scores of the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI) (mild euphoria). On the whole, subjects had few subjective reactions or unpleasant side effects. Naltrexone appears to be a safe, nontoxic medication in the dosage range examined.", "PMID": 773586} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3845", "title": "Amitriptyline plasma levels and therapeutic response.", "content": "Eighteen depressed outpatients were treated for 6 wk with amitriptyline. Clinical improvement was monitored using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale administered by two psychiatrists blind to the tricyclic used for treatment, dosage, and plasma levels. Amitriptyline and its desmethyl metabolite, notriptyline, were assayed twice weekly by gas chromatography-mass fragmentography. For the 17 patients having total tricyclic plasma levels between 0 and 250 ng/ml, there was a negative correlation between the Hamilton score and the mean total tricyclic level (p less than 0.01) and amitriptyline level (p less than 0.005). The mean nortriptyline level did not significantly correlate with the Hamilton score. The 10 patients having mean total tricyclic levels above 95 ng/ml had lower median Hamilton scores at week 3 (p less than 0.025) and at week 6 (p less than 0.0025) than those whose tricyclics were lower. The percentage of recovered patients increases significantly as the plasma levels rise to 250 ng/ml, the maximum plasma level considered in this study.", "contents": "Amitriptyline plasma levels and therapeutic response. Eighteen depressed outpatients were treated for 6 wk with amitriptyline. Clinical improvement was monitored using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale administered by two psychiatrists blind to the tricyclic used for treatment, dosage, and plasma levels. Amitriptyline and its desmethyl metabolite, notriptyline, were assayed twice weekly by gas chromatography-mass fragmentography. For the 17 patients having total tricyclic plasma levels between 0 and 250 ng/ml, there was a negative correlation between the Hamilton score and the mean total tricyclic level (p less than 0.01) and amitriptyline level (p less than 0.005). The mean nortriptyline level did not significantly correlate with the Hamilton score. The 10 patients having mean total tricyclic levels above 95 ng/ml had lower median Hamilton scores at week 3 (p less than 0.025) and at week 6 (p less than 0.0025) than those whose tricyclics were lower. The percentage of recovered patients increases significantly as the plasma levels rise to 250 ng/ml, the maximum plasma level considered in this study.", "PMID": 773587} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3846", "title": "The interaction between halofenate and propranolol.", "content": "The effect of halofenate on beta adrenergic blockade by propranolol was studied in 4 subjects during chronic drug administration in a randomized, double-blind study. The plasma propranolol concentration was significantly lower during treatment with halofenate than with placebo. The reduction in propranolol levels correlated with a decrease in beta adrenergic blockade. The mechanism for the decrease in plasma concentration has not been determined.", "contents": "The interaction between halofenate and propranolol. The effect of halofenate on beta adrenergic blockade by propranolol was studied in 4 subjects during chronic drug administration in a randomized, double-blind study. The plasma propranolol concentration was significantly lower during treatment with halofenate than with placebo. The reduction in propranolol levels correlated with a decrease in beta adrenergic blockade. The mechanism for the decrease in plasma concentration has not been determined.", "PMID": 773588} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3847", "title": "Pharmacokinetics and hemodialyzability of cefazolin in uremic patients.", "content": "Cefazolin may be used in azotemic patients at reduced dosage as suggested by others. Although hemodialysis removes some of the drug, therapeutic levels are maintained throughout dialysis after a single intravenous dose of 500 mg. Imperfect transport from blood to dialysate is related to protein binding but varies with the degree of azotemia. Small amounts of cefazolin may be administered to patients during dialysis by addition to dialysate.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics and hemodialyzability of cefazolin in uremic patients. Cefazolin may be used in azotemic patients at reduced dosage as suggested by others. Although hemodialysis removes some of the drug, therapeutic levels are maintained throughout dialysis after a single intravenous dose of 500 mg. Imperfect transport from blood to dialysate is related to protein binding but varies with the degree of azotemia. Small amounts of cefazolin may be administered to patients during dialysis by addition to dialysate.", "PMID": 773590} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3848", "title": "Clinical comparison of adriamycin and a combination of methyl-CCNU and imidazole carboxamide in disseminated malignant melanoma.", "content": "The effects of adriamycin were compared to a combination program of methyl-CCNU and imidozole carboxamide (DTIC) in 44 patients with disseminated malignant melanoma. There were objective clinical responses in 6 of 21 patients with the combination of DTIC and methyl-CCNU who received this program as primary treatment and none in 23 patients receiving adriamycin as primary treatment. Secondary responses were not observed with either treatment regimen. Toxicity with the combination program included leukocyte depression (less than 3,000/cu mm) in 25% and platelet depression (less than 100,000/cu mm) in 40% compared to 52% leukocyte depression and 16% platelet depression after adriamycin. There were no responses after the combination treatment program in the absence of myelosuppression. There was nausea and vomiting in virtually all patients, which was moderately severe in one third of the patients receiving the combination and in only 10% of those receiving adriamycin. Alopecia developed in all who received adriamycin but in only 15% of the combination treatment group. The combination treatment response of 28% was of the same order as most response rates previously reported in this disease. This randomized controlled clinical trail found adriamycin without clinical benefit and not worthy of further trial in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma.", "contents": "Clinical comparison of adriamycin and a combination of methyl-CCNU and imidazole carboxamide in disseminated malignant melanoma. The effects of adriamycin were compared to a combination program of methyl-CCNU and imidozole carboxamide (DTIC) in 44 patients with disseminated malignant melanoma. There were objective clinical responses in 6 of 21 patients with the combination of DTIC and methyl-CCNU who received this program as primary treatment and none in 23 patients receiving adriamycin as primary treatment. Secondary responses were not observed with either treatment regimen. Toxicity with the combination program included leukocyte depression (less than 3,000/cu mm) in 25% and platelet depression (less than 100,000/cu mm) in 40% compared to 52% leukocyte depression and 16% platelet depression after adriamycin. There were no responses after the combination treatment program in the absence of myelosuppression. There was nausea and vomiting in virtually all patients, which was moderately severe in one third of the patients receiving the combination and in only 10% of those receiving adriamycin. Alopecia developed in all who received adriamycin but in only 15% of the combination treatment group. The combination treatment response of 28% was of the same order as most response rates previously reported in this disease. This randomized controlled clinical trail found adriamycin without clinical benefit and not worthy of further trial in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma.", "PMID": 773589} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3849", "title": "A replica plating method for CHO cells using nylon cloth.", "content": "A new technique of replica plating for CHO cells has been developed in which the pattern of colonies growing in a tissue culture plate is reproduced on a nylon cloth. The efficiency of replica plating onto the nylon cloth is affected by the colony size and the time of cloth-to-plate contact. Maximum replica plating efficiency (80-90%) occurs using 5- to 6-day-old colonies and a contact time of 4 h. The method easily allows 10(4) colonies to be examined for mutant phenotypes. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated by isolation of a clone deficient in activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.", "contents": "A replica plating method for CHO cells using nylon cloth. A new technique of replica plating for CHO cells has been developed in which the pattern of colonies growing in a tissue culture plate is reproduced on a nylon cloth. The efficiency of replica plating onto the nylon cloth is affected by the colony size and the time of cloth-to-plate contact. Maximum replica plating efficiency (80-90%) occurs using 5- to 6-day-old colonies and a contact time of 4 h. The method easily allows 10(4) colonies to be examined for mutant phenotypes. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated by isolation of a clone deficient in activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.", "PMID": 773600} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3850", "title": "Methacycline compared with ampicillin in acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. A double-blind crossover study.", "content": "In order to objectively document the accepted clinical efficacy of ampicillin in treating bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of methacycline, a double-blind crossover study was designed. Twenty patients with chronic bronchial disease were treated for two separate acute bacterial exacerbations, once with 2 gm of ampicillin daily, and once with 600 mg of methacycline daily, for 14 days. There were a few significant differences when comparing the efficacy of the antimicrobials. For example, the daily volume of sputum significantly went from 35.6 ml initially to 20.5 ml at the end of treatment with methacycline, and from 37.4 to 18.0 ml with ampicillin. Sputum neutrophils excreted per day went from 446 to 147 million with methacycline and from 433 to 94 million with ampicillin. Gram-positive diplococci and cocci on gram stains of sputum significantly decreased form 10.6 to 3.3 with methacycline and from 16.8 to 2.1 with ampicillin. This investigation objectively documents with accepted clinical efficacy of ampicillin and proves methacycline to be an equally effective agent.", "contents": "Methacycline compared with ampicillin in acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. A double-blind crossover study. In order to objectively document the accepted clinical efficacy of ampicillin in treating bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of methacycline, a double-blind crossover study was designed. Twenty patients with chronic bronchial disease were treated for two separate acute bacterial exacerbations, once with 2 gm of ampicillin daily, and once with 600 mg of methacycline daily, for 14 days. There were a few significant differences when comparing the efficacy of the antimicrobials. For example, the daily volume of sputum significantly went from 35.6 ml initially to 20.5 ml at the end of treatment with methacycline, and from 37.4 to 18.0 ml with ampicillin. Sputum neutrophils excreted per day went from 446 to 147 million with methacycline and from 433 to 94 million with ampicillin. Gram-positive diplococci and cocci on gram stains of sputum significantly decreased form 10.6 to 3.3 with methacycline and from 16.8 to 2.1 with ampicillin. This investigation objectively documents with accepted clinical efficacy of ampicillin and proves methacycline to be an equally effective agent.", "PMID": 773601} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3851", "title": "Continuous positive airway pressure without tracheal intubation in spontaneously breathing patients.", "content": "Indications for the use of therapy with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in spontaneously breathing patients are increasing in number. The value of this technique without tracheal intubation was investigated in 14 patients with acute respiratory distress. In most patients (eight patients, or 57 percent) the technique was successful, as evidenced by avoidance of the necessity for tracheal intubation and improvements in clinical appearance, arterial oxygen pressure, and chest x-ray films. Complications were observed in three patients, but these necessitated discontinuation of therapy in only one. The use of this technique allows avoidance of endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, with their attendant risks.", "contents": "Continuous positive airway pressure without tracheal intubation in spontaneously breathing patients. Indications for the use of therapy with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in spontaneously breathing patients are increasing in number. The value of this technique without tracheal intubation was investigated in 14 patients with acute respiratory distress. In most patients (eight patients, or 57 percent) the technique was successful, as evidenced by avoidance of the necessity for tracheal intubation and improvements in clinical appearance, arterial oxygen pressure, and chest x-ray films. Complications were observed in three patients, but these necessitated discontinuation of therapy in only one. The use of this technique allows avoidance of endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, with their attendant risks.", "PMID": 773602} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3852", "title": "Metabolic studies with 5-fluorocytosine-6-14C in mouse, rat, rabbit, dog and man.", "content": "Metabolism of 5-fluorocytosine-6-14C (5-FC) was studied in mice, rats, rabbits and dogs after oral and subcutaneous, single and repeated administration. In the urines of all species, intact 5-FC accounted for more than 90% of the total radioactivity at any time of the various treatment schedules. The average proportion of the urinary metabolites was around 5% in dogs, 3% in rabbits, 2.5% in rats, and 2% in mice of the total radioactivity. At repeated dosage, there was an increase of metabolites in mice but a decrease in rats treated subcutaneously. Neither increase nor decrease was observed in rabbits (treated orally) and dogs. Two metabolites were identified, alpha-fluoro-beta-ureido-propionic acid (FUPA) and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine, the latter occurring mainly after oral treatment. These compounds represent probably that part of 5-FC which was deaminated to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or directly to 5-fluorodihydrouracil. FUPA was the only metabolite found in the urines collected from 4 out of 5 human volunteers during the first 12 h after single oral administration of 3.5 g of the radiolabelled drug. Its maximum proportion was 1.1% of the total radioactivity. No metabolites were detected in the urine neither of the 5th volunteer nor in those of 3 mycosis patients who were given the radioactive dose after they had received regular chemotherapy with unlabelled 5-FC (150 mg/kg/day) for at least 2 weeks. The sensitivity threshold of the method was 0.1-0.4% of the total radioactivity. One of the patients had developed thrombocytopenia which was probably due to 5-FC chemotherapy. The symptoms of 5-FC intolerance were in most of the examined species similar to those observed with 5-FU [9]. However, no quantitative correlation between proportion of metabolites and 5-FC toxicity is apparent except that man is the species in which both metabolism and toxicity are the lowest. It has not been proved yet that 5-FC intolerance occurring in a small percentage of patients receiving 5-FC chemotherapy (mainly leukopenia, thrombocytopenia) results in fact from conversion to 5-FU.", "contents": "Metabolic studies with 5-fluorocytosine-6-14C in mouse, rat, rabbit, dog and man. Metabolism of 5-fluorocytosine-6-14C (5-FC) was studied in mice, rats, rabbits and dogs after oral and subcutaneous, single and repeated administration. In the urines of all species, intact 5-FC accounted for more than 90% of the total radioactivity at any time of the various treatment schedules. The average proportion of the urinary metabolites was around 5% in dogs, 3% in rabbits, 2.5% in rats, and 2% in mice of the total radioactivity. At repeated dosage, there was an increase of metabolites in mice but a decrease in rats treated subcutaneously. Neither increase nor decrease was observed in rabbits (treated orally) and dogs. Two metabolites were identified, alpha-fluoro-beta-ureido-propionic acid (FUPA) and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine, the latter occurring mainly after oral treatment. These compounds represent probably that part of 5-FC which was deaminated to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or directly to 5-fluorodihydrouracil. FUPA was the only metabolite found in the urines collected from 4 out of 5 human volunteers during the first 12 h after single oral administration of 3.5 g of the radiolabelled drug. Its maximum proportion was 1.1% of the total radioactivity. No metabolites were detected in the urine neither of the 5th volunteer nor in those of 3 mycosis patients who were given the radioactive dose after they had received regular chemotherapy with unlabelled 5-FC (150 mg/kg/day) for at least 2 weeks. The sensitivity threshold of the method was 0.1-0.4% of the total radioactivity. One of the patients had developed thrombocytopenia which was probably due to 5-FC chemotherapy. The symptoms of 5-FC intolerance were in most of the examined species similar to those observed with 5-FU [9]. However, no quantitative correlation between proportion of metabolites and 5-FC toxicity is apparent except that man is the species in which both metabolism and toxicity are the lowest. It has not been proved yet that 5-FC intolerance occurring in a small percentage of patients receiving 5-FC chemotherapy (mainly leukopenia, thrombocytopenia) results in fact from conversion to 5-FU.", "PMID": 773604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3853", "title": "Cyclacillin: microbiological and pharmacological properties and use in chemotherapy of infection - a critical appraisal.", "content": "The pharmacological and microbiological properties of cyclacillin were discussed and its usefulness in the management of a variety of infections was reviewed. The antibacterial spectrum and clinical utility of this agent generally parallels that of ampicillin, but there are minor differences in specificity with regard to individual microorganisms. The in vitro activity of cyclacillin against gram-negative pathogens varies greatly, the results fluctuating in accordance with the composition of the assay medium of method. The drug has demonstrated excellent therapeutic effectiveness against experimental infections produced by both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens, thus making questionable a prediction of therapeutic effectiveness from in vitro susceptibility tests alone. Cyclacillin is more resistant to beta-lactamase hydrolysis than ampicillin, is much better absorbed when given by mouth and, as a result, the levels reached in the blood and in the urine are considerably higher than those obtained with the same dose of ampicillin. Cyclacillin produces fewer and milder side-effects than ampicillin.", "contents": "Cyclacillin: microbiological and pharmacological properties and use in chemotherapy of infection - a critical appraisal. The pharmacological and microbiological properties of cyclacillin were discussed and its usefulness in the management of a variety of infections was reviewed. The antibacterial spectrum and clinical utility of this agent generally parallels that of ampicillin, but there are minor differences in specificity with regard to individual microorganisms. The in vitro activity of cyclacillin against gram-negative pathogens varies greatly, the results fluctuating in accordance with the composition of the assay medium of method. The drug has demonstrated excellent therapeutic effectiveness against experimental infections produced by both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens, thus making questionable a prediction of therapeutic effectiveness from in vitro susceptibility tests alone. Cyclacillin is more resistant to beta-lactamase hydrolysis than ampicillin, is much better absorbed when given by mouth and, as a result, the levels reached in the blood and in the urine are considerably higher than those obtained with the same dose of ampicillin. Cyclacillin produces fewer and milder side-effects than ampicillin.", "PMID": 773605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3854", "title": "Amide Penicillin Wy-12,556: therapeutic activity in animals subjected to repeated bacterial infection.", "content": "Amide penicillin Wy-12,556 and DBED penicillin were studied for their antibacterial effect in CD-1 mice repeatedly infected with Streptococcus pyogenes C203 and/or Staphylococcus aureus Smith. Animals infected with S. aureus Smith failed to show a difference between the therapeutic activity of DBED penicillin and Wy-12,556. Wy-12,556 was significantly more effective than DBED penicillin in protecting the animals challenged repeatedly with S. pyogenes C203. Wy-12,556 provoked a positive transient chemotactic response in uninfected mice. 24 h after intraperitoneal challenge the exudate showed a high neutrophilic count.", "contents": "Amide Penicillin Wy-12,556: therapeutic activity in animals subjected to repeated bacterial infection. Amide penicillin Wy-12,556 and DBED penicillin were studied for their antibacterial effect in CD-1 mice repeatedly infected with Streptococcus pyogenes C203 and/or Staphylococcus aureus Smith. Animals infected with S. aureus Smith failed to show a difference between the therapeutic activity of DBED penicillin and Wy-12,556. Wy-12,556 was significantly more effective than DBED penicillin in protecting the animals challenged repeatedly with S. pyogenes C203. Wy-12,556 provoked a positive transient chemotactic response in uninfected mice. 24 h after intraperitoneal challenge the exudate showed a high neutrophilic count.", "PMID": 773606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3855", "title": "Tumors of the optic nerve.", "content": "This is a review of primary and secondary tumors of the optic nerve. The emphasis is an optic nerve gliomas and meningiomas. Optic nerve gliomas are slowly growing astrocytic neoplasms of the anterior visual pathways, the majority of which occur within the first two decades of life, with equal sex incidence in about 1 of 200,000 patients presenting with eye complaints. The incidence is greater in neurofibromatosis. The typical presentation is visual impairment in a verbal pre-school child with optic canal enlargement and optic atrophy. An intraorbital location of the tumor leads to axial, irreducible, non-pulsatile proptosis. An intracranial location may disturb hypothalamic and pituitary function and produce hydrocephalus. Ocular findings may also include limited motility on a mechanical-restrictive basis, a pupillary relative afferent defect, nystagmus, and variable, non-specific visual field defects. Roentgenographic studies may show concentric unilateral enlargement of the optic canal with preservation of a well corticated margin, a fossa under the anterior clinoid process in continuity with the optic canal ('J'-shaped sella), and findings of increased intracranial pressure. On pathologic examination the tumor is a smooth, fusiform, intradural enlargement of the optic nerve. Histologically there is proliferation of elongated (pilocytic) astrocytes in reticulated patterns with intervening microcystic spaces containing mucosubstance and surrounding reactive hyperplasia of the arachnoid. Mitoses are not found. The diagnosis is clinical X-ray studies and brain scan should be performed. The differential diagnosis is that of unilateral proptosis in a child and includes acute ethmoiditis, hyperthyrobidism, craniostenosis, other neoplasms, Hand-Schuller-Christian disease, and orbital hemorrhage due to trauma. Surgical resection is performed in cases with unilateral optic nerve involvement, the surgical approach being determined by tumor location. Bilateral or chiasmal cases are treated with radiotherapy when progression occurs. Malignant optic nerve gliomas and optic nerve hyperplasia are also discussed. Optic nerve meningiomas arise from the nerve sheath and are to be distinguished from orbital meningiomas arising from ectopic arachnoidal cells or those secondarily involving the orbit by extension from adjacent sites. Up to 80% of orbital meningiomas occur in females, in two age peaks, 25% in the first decade, and the rest in the 5th decade. Meningiomas present with visual loss and may produce proptosis, papilledema and/or optic atrophy, retinal striae, opticociliary shunts, limitation of extra-ocular movements, and lid edema, Signs of von Recklinghausen's disease should be sought. X-rays are the mainstay of diagnosis. Orbital meningiomas are composed of cells in sheets or in whorls with some spindle shaped cells. Calcifications are typical. Usually the dura is penetrated and the orbit invaded. Primary orbital meningiomas are locally infiltrating but do not metastasize. Complete local excision en bloc is recommended...", "contents": "Tumors of the optic nerve. This is a review of primary and secondary tumors of the optic nerve. The emphasis is an optic nerve gliomas and meningiomas. Optic nerve gliomas are slowly growing astrocytic neoplasms of the anterior visual pathways, the majority of which occur within the first two decades of life, with equal sex incidence in about 1 of 200,000 patients presenting with eye complaints. The incidence is greater in neurofibromatosis. The typical presentation is visual impairment in a verbal pre-school child with optic canal enlargement and optic atrophy. An intraorbital location of the tumor leads to axial, irreducible, non-pulsatile proptosis. An intracranial location may disturb hypothalamic and pituitary function and produce hydrocephalus. Ocular findings may also include limited motility on a mechanical-restrictive basis, a pupillary relative afferent defect, nystagmus, and variable, non-specific visual field defects. Roentgenographic studies may show concentric unilateral enlargement of the optic canal with preservation of a well corticated margin, a fossa under the anterior clinoid process in continuity with the optic canal ('J'-shaped sella), and findings of increased intracranial pressure. On pathologic examination the tumor is a smooth, fusiform, intradural enlargement of the optic nerve. Histologically there is proliferation of elongated (pilocytic) astrocytes in reticulated patterns with intervening microcystic spaces containing mucosubstance and surrounding reactive hyperplasia of the arachnoid. Mitoses are not found. The diagnosis is clinical X-ray studies and brain scan should be performed. The differential diagnosis is that of unilateral proptosis in a child and includes acute ethmoiditis, hyperthyrobidism, craniostenosis, other neoplasms, Hand-Schuller-Christian disease, and orbital hemorrhage due to trauma. Surgical resection is performed in cases with unilateral optic nerve involvement, the surgical approach being determined by tumor location. Bilateral or chiasmal cases are treated with radiotherapy when progression occurs. Malignant optic nerve gliomas and optic nerve hyperplasia are also discussed. Optic nerve meningiomas arise from the nerve sheath and are to be distinguished from orbital meningiomas arising from ectopic arachnoidal cells or those secondarily involving the orbit by extension from adjacent sites. Up to 80% of orbital meningiomas occur in females, in two age peaks, 25% in the first decade, and the rest in the 5th decade. Meningiomas present with visual loss and may produce proptosis, papilledema and/or optic atrophy, retinal striae, opticociliary shunts, limitation of extra-ocular movements, and lid edema, Signs of von Recklinghausen's disease should be sought. X-rays are the mainstay of diagnosis. Orbital meningiomas are composed of cells in sheets or in whorls with some spindle shaped cells. Calcifications are typical. Usually the dura is penetrated and the orbit invaded. Primary orbital meningiomas are locally infiltrating but do not metastasize. Complete local excision en bloc is recommended...", "PMID": 773617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3856", "title": "[Influence of glucose infusions on proinsulin and insulin syntheses in the islands of langerhans in the rat].", "content": "Experiments on RNA synthesis and the observation of an increased secretion of proinsulin during stimulated synthesis of insulin in islets of Langerhans in vitro led to the supposition that insulin synthesis in vivo may be increased to a higher extent than synthesis in vitro. This investigation evaluates the effect of long time infusions of glucose on the synthesis of proinsulin and insulin in islets of Langerhans from the rat. The following results were obtained: 1. the rate of synthesis of proinsulin and insulin increased due to glucose infusions by a factor of 2 after 6 hours and by a factor of 4 after 24 hours; 2. prolonged infusion led to a decrease of insulin synthesis and serum insulin concentrations; 3. the turnover of proinsulin into insulin remained unaffected by the glucose infusion; 4. a specific stimulatory effect on the synthesis of one of the two insulins of the rat was not observed. The conclusion was made, that glucose in vivo stimulates enzyme induction, followed by increased RNA synthesis and mitotic activity. These combined factors lead to an increased insulin synthesis.", "contents": "[Influence of glucose infusions on proinsulin and insulin syntheses in the islands of langerhans in the rat]. Experiments on RNA synthesis and the observation of an increased secretion of proinsulin during stimulated synthesis of insulin in islets of Langerhans in vitro led to the supposition that insulin synthesis in vivo may be increased to a higher extent than synthesis in vitro. This investigation evaluates the effect of long time infusions of glucose on the synthesis of proinsulin and insulin in islets of Langerhans from the rat. The following results were obtained: 1. the rate of synthesis of proinsulin and insulin increased due to glucose infusions by a factor of 2 after 6 hours and by a factor of 4 after 24 hours; 2. prolonged infusion led to a decrease of insulin synthesis and serum insulin concentrations; 3. the turnover of proinsulin into insulin remained unaffected by the glucose infusion; 4. a specific stimulatory effect on the synthesis of one of the two insulins of the rat was not observed. The conclusion was made, that glucose in vivo stimulates enzyme induction, followed by increased RNA synthesis and mitotic activity. These combined factors lead to an increased insulin synthesis.", "PMID": 773638} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3857", "title": "The verification of neurones in the pancreas of spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus).", "content": "The statement that up to now no neural elements could be identified in the islets of Langerhans with the aid of electron microscopy led us to reinvestigate this question of innervation of the pancreas in spiny mice using light microscopy. Single nerve cells as well as nerve fibre bundles could be found in the interlobular connective tissue of the pancreas. By constrast, we could observe neither nerve cells nor nerve fibres in the islets of Langerhans. Extrainsular neuroinsular complexes could not be found either.", "contents": "The verification of neurones in the pancreas of spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus). The statement that up to now no neural elements could be identified in the islets of Langerhans with the aid of electron microscopy led us to reinvestigate this question of innervation of the pancreas in spiny mice using light microscopy. Single nerve cells as well as nerve fibre bundles could be found in the interlobular connective tissue of the pancreas. By constrast, we could observe neither nerve cells nor nerve fibres in the islets of Langerhans. Extrainsular neuroinsular complexes could not be found either.", "PMID": 773639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3858", "title": "Transport of pyrimidine nucleosides in cells of Escherichia coli K 12.", "content": "1. The transport of pyrimidine mucleosides into cells of Escherichis coli has been investigated in mutant strains which cannot metabolize these nucleosides. Such cells transport and concentrate purimidine mucleosides several hindredfold. 2. The transport is inhibited by energy poisons and by sulfhydryl reagents. 3. Pyrimidine mucleosides compete mutually for transport. Adenosine is also a strong competitor while guanosine and inosine are weak competitors. 4. The rate of pyrimidine mucleoside transport is shown to be under control of the cytR and deoR gene products, which are also known to regulate the synthesis of nucleoside-catabolizing enzymes. The transport system is repressed by growth on glucose, as is the synthesis of the enzymes.", "contents": "Transport of pyrimidine nucleosides in cells of Escherichia coli K 12. 1. The transport of pyrimidine mucleosides into cells of Escherichis coli has been investigated in mutant strains which cannot metabolize these nucleosides. Such cells transport and concentrate purimidine mucleosides several hindredfold. 2. The transport is inhibited by energy poisons and by sulfhydryl reagents. 3. Pyrimidine mucleosides compete mutually for transport. Adenosine is also a strong competitor while guanosine and inosine are weak competitors. 4. The rate of pyrimidine mucleoside transport is shown to be under control of the cytR and deoR gene products, which are also known to regulate the synthesis of nucleoside-catabolizing enzymes. The transport system is repressed by growth on glucose, as is the synthesis of the enzymes.", "PMID": 773649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3859", "title": "Autologous marrow recovery following allogeneic marrow transplantation in a patient with severe aplastic anemia.", "content": "A 45-year-old woman with severe idiopathic marrow failure was prepared for marrow transplantation by administration of cyclophosphamide (cy) 50 mg/kg on each of four successive days. She then received an intravenous infusion of 20 X 10(9) nucleated marrow cells from an HL-A matched and mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) non-reactive sister. There was evidence for minimal marrow recovery in 1-2 months and a second marrow infusion was carried out 69 days after the first without additional immunosuppression. There was a continued slow recovery of peripheral blood counts with complete reconstitution of erythropoiesis, return of the white blood cell count to between 3 and 4000/mm3, with 50% granulocytes, and platelets to 60--70,000/mm3, 11 months after the initial grafting attempt. Red cell antigens and gamma globulin allotypes were of recipient type. The MLC and the indirect cell mediated lympholysis (CML) test became positive possibly indicating cellular sensitization to non HL-A antigens. This report of a patient with severe marrow failure documents autologous recovery of marrow function after receiving a large dose of cy and allogeneic marrow. The implications of this are discussed.", "contents": "Autologous marrow recovery following allogeneic marrow transplantation in a patient with severe aplastic anemia. A 45-year-old woman with severe idiopathic marrow failure was prepared for marrow transplantation by administration of cyclophosphamide (cy) 50 mg/kg on each of four successive days. She then received an intravenous infusion of 20 X 10(9) nucleated marrow cells from an HL-A matched and mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) non-reactive sister. There was evidence for minimal marrow recovery in 1-2 months and a second marrow infusion was carried out 69 days after the first without additional immunosuppression. There was a continued slow recovery of peripheral blood counts with complete reconstitution of erythropoiesis, return of the white blood cell count to between 3 and 4000/mm3, with 50% granulocytes, and platelets to 60--70,000/mm3, 11 months after the initial grafting attempt. Red cell antigens and gamma globulin allotypes were of recipient type. The MLC and the indirect cell mediated lympholysis (CML) test became positive possibly indicating cellular sensitization to non HL-A antigens. This report of a patient with severe marrow failure documents autologous recovery of marrow function after receiving a large dose of cy and allogeneic marrow. The implications of this are discussed.", "PMID": 773651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3860", "title": "Modification of hemopoietic stem cells of BALB/c mice by Rauscher leukemia virus.", "content": "Bone marrow and spleen from Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) infected BALB/c mice were tested for proliferative activity at various time intervals after infection using the spleen colony assay. Both bone marrow and spleen derived colonies showed a modified maturation behavior. The erythroid colonies were classified into three consecutive stages of maturation according to morphologic criteria. Both bone marrow and spleen derived erythroid colonies exhibited a retardation of maturation upon RLV infection of the donor mice; the spleen derived erythroid colonies showed the most severe changes. RLV itself could not mimic this phenomenon; moreover it was shown by immunofluorescence that only low amounts of RLV were present in the spleen colonies. It is therefore suggested that RLV modifies part of the stem cell compartment leading to a prolonged cycle time of proerythroblasts and hence to a retardation of colony growth.", "contents": "Modification of hemopoietic stem cells of BALB/c mice by Rauscher leukemia virus. Bone marrow and spleen from Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) infected BALB/c mice were tested for proliferative activity at various time intervals after infection using the spleen colony assay. Both bone marrow and spleen derived colonies showed a modified maturation behavior. The erythroid colonies were classified into three consecutive stages of maturation according to morphologic criteria. Both bone marrow and spleen derived erythroid colonies exhibited a retardation of maturation upon RLV infection of the donor mice; the spleen derived erythroid colonies showed the most severe changes. RLV itself could not mimic this phenomenon; moreover it was shown by immunofluorescence that only low amounts of RLV were present in the spleen colonies. It is therefore suggested that RLV modifies part of the stem cell compartment leading to a prolonged cycle time of proerythroblasts and hence to a retardation of colony growth.", "PMID": 773652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3861", "title": "The reversal of glucose repressed prodigiosin production in Serratia marcescens by the cyclic 3'5'-adenosine monophosphate inhibitor theophylline.", "content": "Glucose was found to cause severe repression of prodigiosin production in Serratia marcescens and a dose related partial reversal was demonstrated by theophylline. It is suggested that this reversal is due to the inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase and the concomitant increase in cellular cAMP concentration.", "contents": "The reversal of glucose repressed prodigiosin production in Serratia marcescens by the cyclic 3'5'-adenosine monophosphate inhibitor theophylline. Glucose was found to cause severe repression of prodigiosin production in Serratia marcescens and a dose related partial reversal was demonstrated by theophylline. It is suggested that this reversal is due to the inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase and the concomitant increase in cellular cAMP concentration.", "PMID": 773661} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3862", "title": "Inhibition of prodigiosin formation in Serratia marcescens by adenosine triphosphate.", "content": "ATP, inorganic phosphate and ribose inhibited prodigiosin formation in Serratia marcescens, but adenine did not. ATP was not hydrolyzed by the organism during the experiment.", "contents": "Inhibition of prodigiosin formation in Serratia marcescens by adenosine triphosphate. ATP, inorganic phosphate and ribose inhibited prodigiosin formation in Serratia marcescens, but adenine did not. ATP was not hydrolyzed by the organism during the experiment.", "PMID": 773662} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3863", "title": "Antibody-induced formation of caps in Toxoplasma gondii.", "content": "Trophozoites of Toxoplasma gondii from mouse peritoneal exudate move their surface membrane antigens towards one pole of the cell when incubated with antibodies. The phenomenon may be induced in up to 50% of incubated parasites. It is prevented by some metabolic inhibitors and low temperatures (0-4 degrees C). These properties do not change in parasites subpassaged after repeated incubation with antibodies.", "contents": "Antibody-induced formation of caps in Toxoplasma gondii. Trophozoites of Toxoplasma gondii from mouse peritoneal exudate move their surface membrane antigens towards one pole of the cell when incubated with antibodies. The phenomenon may be induced in up to 50% of incubated parasites. It is prevented by some metabolic inhibitors and low temperatures (0-4 degrees C). These properties do not change in parasites subpassaged after repeated incubation with antibodies.", "PMID": 773663} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3864", "title": "Differences in susceptibility of tissues to revascularization studied in ectopic implants.", "content": "The survival rate of implanted marrow is reduced when the tissue is transferred from one site to another within the first 24 hours but not more than 48 hours after the initial implantation. Splenic implants can be transferred at any time after implantation without affecting the survival rate. The observation suggests a difference in the sensitivity of the two tissues to the avascular period that they experience prior to initiation of angiogenesis.", "contents": "Differences in susceptibility of tissues to revascularization studied in ectopic implants. The survival rate of implanted marrow is reduced when the tissue is transferred from one site to another within the first 24 hours but not more than 48 hours after the initial implantation. Splenic implants can be transferred at any time after implantation without affecting the survival rate. The observation suggests a difference in the sensitivity of the two tissues to the avascular period that they experience prior to initiation of angiogenesis.", "PMID": 773664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3865", "title": "Induction of immunological memory in mice by RNA extract.", "content": "RNA extract isolated from spleens of mice immunized with lipopolysaccharide from E. coli induced an immunological memory in normal mice. Application of small amounts of corresponding antigen provoked a specific secondary immune response in RNA primed mice.", "contents": "Induction of immunological memory in mice by RNA extract. RNA extract isolated from spleens of mice immunized with lipopolysaccharide from E. coli induced an immunological memory in normal mice. Application of small amounts of corresponding antigen provoked a specific secondary immune response in RNA primed mice.", "PMID": 773665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3866", "title": "Evidence for a selective cytotoxic effect of carrageenan on cells of the immune system in vivo and in vitro.", "content": "Carrageenan suppressed antibody production to sheep erythrocytes in the mouse only when injected together with or 24 h prior to antigen. Pretreatment of sensitized spleen cell cultures with carrageenan reduced the degree of stimulation obtained using antigen but not PHA.", "contents": "Evidence for a selective cytotoxic effect of carrageenan on cells of the immune system in vivo and in vitro. Carrageenan suppressed antibody production to sheep erythrocytes in the mouse only when injected together with or 24 h prior to antigen. Pretreatment of sensitized spleen cell cultures with carrageenan reduced the degree of stimulation obtained using antigen but not PHA.", "PMID": 773666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3867", "title": "Stimulation by ATP of protein initiation in a prokaryotic organism, B. stearothermophilus.", "content": "In contrast to E. coli ribosomes, with B. stearothermophilus ribosomes initiation complex formation is stimulated by ATP as well as GTP, but maximum stimulation occurs when both the nucleotides are present; and their terminal phosphate must be hydrolysable. In the presence of ATP and GTP, B. stearothermophilus ribosomes synthesize a highly phosphorylated guanine derivative, ppGpp, and the role of ATP in initiation might be related to this synthesis. We discarded the role of ATP as being trivial and corresponding solely to the well-known effect on eukaryotic systems.", "contents": "Stimulation by ATP of protein initiation in a prokaryotic organism, B. stearothermophilus. In contrast to E. coli ribosomes, with B. stearothermophilus ribosomes initiation complex formation is stimulated by ATP as well as GTP, but maximum stimulation occurs when both the nucleotides are present; and their terminal phosphate must be hydrolysable. In the presence of ATP and GTP, B. stearothermophilus ribosomes synthesize a highly phosphorylated guanine derivative, ppGpp, and the role of ATP in initiation might be related to this synthesis. We discarded the role of ATP as being trivial and corresponding solely to the well-known effect on eukaryotic systems.", "PMID": 773681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3868", "title": "Tissue pressures and fluid dynamics of the lungs.", "content": "A pressure more negative than pleural surface pressure has to be applied to water on the pleural surface to keep it from being absorbed; yet, there is a thin layer of liquid in the pleural space under normal physiological conditions. How is the pressure of the liquid related to the pressure on the surface of the pleural membranes? There is evidence that the liquid pressure might be less than the surface pressure, and the balance is achieved by points of contact between the pleural membranes with tissue deformation forces. If it is possible for liquid and surface pressure to be different in the intrapleural space, the same mechanisms might be active within the lung tissue. Information about the tissue pressures can be estimated by determining the pressures acting on the outer surfaces of intrapulmonary vessels. There is evidence that some vessels of the lungs have a surface pressure close to alveolar pressure (alveolar vessels) and others have a surface pressure that falls relative to pleural pressure as alveolar pressure is increased relative to pleural pressure (extra-alveolar vessels). There appears to be a complete dissociation between the surface pressures and the liquid pressure surrounding the pulmonary blood vessels. These observations provide strong support for the concept that the pressure of liquid within tissue need not be the same as the tissue pressure.", "contents": "Tissue pressures and fluid dynamics of the lungs. A pressure more negative than pleural surface pressure has to be applied to water on the pleural surface to keep it from being absorbed; yet, there is a thin layer of liquid in the pleural space under normal physiological conditions. How is the pressure of the liquid related to the pressure on the surface of the pleural membranes? There is evidence that the liquid pressure might be less than the surface pressure, and the balance is achieved by points of contact between the pleural membranes with tissue deformation forces. If it is possible for liquid and surface pressure to be different in the intrapleural space, the same mechanisms might be active within the lung tissue. Information about the tissue pressures can be estimated by determining the pressures acting on the outer surfaces of intrapulmonary vessels. There is evidence that some vessels of the lungs have a surface pressure close to alveolar pressure (alveolar vessels) and others have a surface pressure that falls relative to pleural pressure as alveolar pressure is increased relative to pleural pressure (extra-alveolar vessels). There appears to be a complete dissociation between the surface pressures and the liquid pressure surrounding the pulmonary blood vessels. These observations provide strong support for the concept that the pressure of liquid within tissue need not be the same as the tissue pressure.", "PMID": 773704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3869", "title": "Cellular immunity to lymphocyte antigens in human infertility.", "content": "The leukocyte migration test was used to detect cellular immunity to HL-A antigens present on the husband's lymphocytes and spermatozoa in a group of fertile and infertile couples. Approximately 50% of the married female population appear to be sensitized. There was no difference between the fertile and infertile groups in the frequency of positive results, but a greater number of migration indices were below 0.7 and 0.6 in the infertile group. It is suggested that sperm cells are the most likely cause of immunization.", "contents": "Cellular immunity to lymphocyte antigens in human infertility. The leukocyte migration test was used to detect cellular immunity to HL-A antigens present on the husband's lymphocytes and spermatozoa in a group of fertile and infertile couples. Approximately 50% of the married female population appear to be sensitized. There was no difference between the fertile and infertile groups in the frequency of positive results, but a greater number of migration indices were below 0.7 and 0.6 in the infertile group. It is suggested that sperm cells are the most likely cause of immunization.", "PMID": 773711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3870", "title": "Effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on fetal survival in pregnant rabbits.", "content": "The effect of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) on ovulation, implantation, and fetal survival rate was tested in pregnant rabbits. Single doses ranging from 2 to 900 mug, injected intravenously on the 3rd, 5th, or 6th postmating day, did not prevent implantation. Following the intravenous infusion of 20 to 200 mug of LH-RH on day 10 of pregnancy, the fetal survival rate was comparable to that of control rabbits laparotomized at the same stage of pregnancy. However, after repeated doses of 100 mug of LH-RH injected subcutaneously in a delaying vehicle either once or twice daily between the 8th and 13th days of gestation, multiple ovulations and severe luteolysis of original corpora lutea occurred, and fetal survival to term was highly variable. The results suggest that, depending on the dosage administered, LH-RH may either interrupt pregnancy by luteolysis or support fetal survival by stimulating luteotropic activity.", "contents": "Effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on fetal survival in pregnant rabbits. The effect of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) on ovulation, implantation, and fetal survival rate was tested in pregnant rabbits. Single doses ranging from 2 to 900 mug, injected intravenously on the 3rd, 5th, or 6th postmating day, did not prevent implantation. Following the intravenous infusion of 20 to 200 mug of LH-RH on day 10 of pregnancy, the fetal survival rate was comparable to that of control rabbits laparotomized at the same stage of pregnancy. However, after repeated doses of 100 mug of LH-RH injected subcutaneously in a delaying vehicle either once or twice daily between the 8th and 13th days of gestation, multiple ovulations and severe luteolysis of original corpora lutea occurred, and fetal survival to term was highly variable. The results suggest that, depending on the dosage administered, LH-RH may either interrupt pregnancy by luteolysis or support fetal survival by stimulating luteotropic activity.", "PMID": 773712} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3871", "title": "Peripheral blood lymphocyte distribution in scleroderma.", "content": "Determination in peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes performed in progressive systemic scleroderma (8 patients); dermatomyositis (5 patients); and inflammatory or mesenchymal scleroderma ('mixed' connective tissue disease) (5 patients) demonstrated a marked increase in peripheral B cells with T cell depression in patients with mesenchymal scleroderma. Patients with progressive systemic scleroderma and dermatomyositis demonstrated also a peripheral T depression, but no consistent changes in B cell population were found. The clear relationship between a B lymphocyte increase and elevated immunoglobulins, antinuclear and antiribonucleoprotein antibody and positive direct immunofluorescence of skin (basal membrane and blood vessels) defines inflammatory or mesenchymal scleroderma in which a disturbance in humoral immunity is involved. B lymphocyte determination can help to measure these changes in immunoreactivity.", "contents": "Peripheral blood lymphocyte distribution in scleroderma. Determination in peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes performed in progressive systemic scleroderma (8 patients); dermatomyositis (5 patients); and inflammatory or mesenchymal scleroderma ('mixed' connective tissue disease) (5 patients) demonstrated a marked increase in peripheral B cells with T cell depression in patients with mesenchymal scleroderma. Patients with progressive systemic scleroderma and dermatomyositis demonstrated also a peripheral T depression, but no consistent changes in B cell population were found. The clear relationship between a B lymphocyte increase and elevated immunoglobulins, antinuclear and antiribonucleoprotein antibody and positive direct immunofluorescence of skin (basal membrane and blood vessels) defines inflammatory or mesenchymal scleroderma in which a disturbance in humoral immunity is involved. B lymphocyte determination can help to measure these changes in immunoreactivity.", "PMID": 773715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3872", "title": "Glucose tolerance and insulin release, a mathematical approach I. Assay of the beta-cell response after oral glucose loading.", "content": "From the dose-response relations between glucose and insulin after oral glucose loading, a reproducible parameter for beta-cell response was deduced. The main advantage of this parameter -corrected insulin response, defined as CIR = I- 100/G(G-70)- lies in it independence from the initial or reached glucose level.", "contents": "Glucose tolerance and insulin release, a mathematical approach I. Assay of the beta-cell response after oral glucose loading. From the dose-response relations between glucose and insulin after oral glucose loading, a reproducible parameter for beta-cell response was deduced. The main advantage of this parameter -corrected insulin response, defined as CIR = I- 100/G(G-70)- lies in it independence from the initial or reached glucose level.", "PMID": 773721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3873", "title": "Glucose tolerance and insulin release, a mathematical approach. II. Approximation of the peripheral insulin resistance after oral glucose loading.", "content": "A parameter of peripheral insulin activity (A = 10(4)/IpGp) can be obtained after oral glucose loading by simple calcuation using insulin and glucose levels at the glucose peak. In combination with a glucose-independent parameter of beta-cell function (CIR = 100. I/G(G-70) a parameter of glucose tolerance (GT = A-CIR) is defined. The parameters allow one to separate the contributions of beta-cell function and peripheral insulin resistance to the glucose tolerance observed after glucose loading. Examples, based on the literature and our own work, illustrate the increase of A and GT by cortisone acetate premedication as well as long-term oral contraceptive medication.", "contents": "Glucose tolerance and insulin release, a mathematical approach. II. Approximation of the peripheral insulin resistance after oral glucose loading. A parameter of peripheral insulin activity (A = 10(4)/IpGp) can be obtained after oral glucose loading by simple calcuation using insulin and glucose levels at the glucose peak. In combination with a glucose-independent parameter of beta-cell function (CIR = 100. I/G(G-70) a parameter of glucose tolerance (GT = A-CIR) is defined. The parameters allow one to separate the contributions of beta-cell function and peripheral insulin resistance to the glucose tolerance observed after glucose loading. Examples, based on the literature and our own work, illustrate the increase of A and GT by cortisone acetate premedication as well as long-term oral contraceptive medication.", "PMID": 773722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3874", "title": "Vascular reactivity to angiotensin II and to norepinephrine in diabetic subjects.", "content": "Vascular responsiveness to infused angiotensin II and to norepinephrine was determined in 14 normal subjects and two groups of diabetic subjects, 16 with no clinically detectable diabetic complications and 14 with diabetic retinopathy but no clinical evidence of nephropathy. All were maintained on a 100-mEq. -Na- 100-mEq. -K diet. Serum electrolytes, 24-hour urinary sodium, creatinine clearance, and plasma renin activity did not differ significantly among the groups. Group mean baseline diastolic pressure in those with retinopathy was higher than in normal subjects but no significantly different from that of uncomplicated diabetics. The pressor dose of angiotensin II (ng./kg./min. to increase diastolic blood pressure 20 mm. Hg) for each group respectively was 11.5 +/-0.9, 12.9+/- 1.3, and 8.3 +/- 1.3, and the slope of the dose-response curve (mm. Hg rise in blood pressure resulting from the infusion of 1 ng./kg./min. following the initial increment in blood pressure) was 2.0 +/-0.2, 1.6+/-0.2, 3.3+/- 0.6. For norepinephrine, the pressor doses were 163 +/- 24, 212+/-21, and123 +/- 11 and slopes were 0.17 +/- 0.03, 0.13 +/- 0.02, and 0.20 +/-0.02. Neither diabetic group differed significantly from normal subjects. Diabetics with retinopathy were more sensitive to angiotensin II, pressor dose (P less than 0.059) and slope (P less than 0.02), and to norepinephrine, pressor dose (P less than 0.006) and slope (P =0.05) than those without complications. These data suggest that vascular reactivity is enhanced in diabetics with retinopathy.", "contents": "Vascular reactivity to angiotensin II and to norepinephrine in diabetic subjects. Vascular responsiveness to infused angiotensin II and to norepinephrine was determined in 14 normal subjects and two groups of diabetic subjects, 16 with no clinically detectable diabetic complications and 14 with diabetic retinopathy but no clinical evidence of nephropathy. All were maintained on a 100-mEq. -Na- 100-mEq. -K diet. Serum electrolytes, 24-hour urinary sodium, creatinine clearance, and plasma renin activity did not differ significantly among the groups. Group mean baseline diastolic pressure in those with retinopathy was higher than in normal subjects but no significantly different from that of uncomplicated diabetics. The pressor dose of angiotensin II (ng./kg./min. to increase diastolic blood pressure 20 mm. Hg) for each group respectively was 11.5 +/-0.9, 12.9+/- 1.3, and 8.3 +/- 1.3, and the slope of the dose-response curve (mm. Hg rise in blood pressure resulting from the infusion of 1 ng./kg./min. following the initial increment in blood pressure) was 2.0 +/-0.2, 1.6+/-0.2, 3.3+/- 0.6. For norepinephrine, the pressor doses were 163 +/- 24, 212+/-21, and123 +/- 11 and slopes were 0.17 +/- 0.03, 0.13 +/- 0.02, and 0.20 +/-0.02. Neither diabetic group differed significantly from normal subjects. Diabetics with retinopathy were more sensitive to angiotensin II, pressor dose (P less than 0.059) and slope (P less than 0.02), and to norepinephrine, pressor dose (P less than 0.006) and slope (P =0.05) than those without complications. These data suggest that vascular reactivity is enhanced in diabetics with retinopathy.", "PMID": 773723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3875", "title": "Further studies on the metabolism of D-glucose anomers in pancreatic islets.", "content": "The alpha and beta anomers of commercially available D-(5-3H) glucose were separated by miniaturized Hudson-Dale procedures based on precipitation with acetic acid. Reflectometric measurements of the reactivity with matrix-bound glucose oxidase showed that the preparations were about 90 per cent pure with respect to anomeric composition. Nonradioactive anomers separated by the same procedures were analyzed by optic polarimetry and gas chromatography. The preparations were about 90 per cent pure with respect to anomeric composition and produced no peaks but D-glucose on trimethylsilylation and chromatography. Microdissected pancreatic islets of noninbred ob/ob-mice exhibited a linear production of 3H2O for three to nine minutes when incubated with 6 mM alpha-D-(5-3H) glucose, beta-D-(5-3H) glucose, or D-(5-3H) glucose in anomeric equilibrium; the three glucose preparations did not differ in their rate of conversion to 3H2O. The rate of 3H2O production increased with glucose concentration (3-21 mM) during incubations for three minutes and, again, there was no evidence for the metabolic activity's being dependent on the anomeric composition of the labeled sugar. When microdissected islets were perifused without glucose and suddenly exposed to 5-6 mM alpha-D-glucose or beta-D-glucose, the concentration of glucose-6-phosphate rose within five minutes and did not differ significantly between experiments with alpha-D-glucose and beta-D-glucose. In the same perifusion experiments, only alpha-D-glucose caused a pronounced stimulation of insulin secretion, the difference from beta-D-glucose being significant. The results indicate that the recognition of glucose as an insulin secretagogue does not only involve metabolism by glucose-6-phosphate. The possible roles of the sorbitol pathway and of hypothetical regulatory sites for the glucose molecule (\"receptors\") are briefly discussed.", "contents": "Further studies on the metabolism of D-glucose anomers in pancreatic islets. The alpha and beta anomers of commercially available D-(5-3H) glucose were separated by miniaturized Hudson-Dale procedures based on precipitation with acetic acid. Reflectometric measurements of the reactivity with matrix-bound glucose oxidase showed that the preparations were about 90 per cent pure with respect to anomeric composition. Nonradioactive anomers separated by the same procedures were analyzed by optic polarimetry and gas chromatography. The preparations were about 90 per cent pure with respect to anomeric composition and produced no peaks but D-glucose on trimethylsilylation and chromatography. Microdissected pancreatic islets of noninbred ob/ob-mice exhibited a linear production of 3H2O for three to nine minutes when incubated with 6 mM alpha-D-(5-3H) glucose, beta-D-(5-3H) glucose, or D-(5-3H) glucose in anomeric equilibrium; the three glucose preparations did not differ in their rate of conversion to 3H2O. The rate of 3H2O production increased with glucose concentration (3-21 mM) during incubations for three minutes and, again, there was no evidence for the metabolic activity's being dependent on the anomeric composition of the labeled sugar. When microdissected islets were perifused without glucose and suddenly exposed to 5-6 mM alpha-D-glucose or beta-D-glucose, the concentration of glucose-6-phosphate rose within five minutes and did not differ significantly between experiments with alpha-D-glucose and beta-D-glucose. In the same perifusion experiments, only alpha-D-glucose caused a pronounced stimulation of insulin secretion, the difference from beta-D-glucose being significant. The results indicate that the recognition of glucose as an insulin secretagogue does not only involve metabolism by glucose-6-phosphate. The possible roles of the sorbitol pathway and of hypothetical regulatory sites for the glucose molecule (\"receptors\") are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 773724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3876", "title": "The kinetics of beta-granule formation: a morphometric study.", "content": "The rate of formation of beta-granules in mouse islet cells has been studied by morphometry using experimental conditions in which insulin secretion is known to be blocked. The number of beta-granules in a cell is increased by 120%, 45 minutes after a continued glucose stimulus of 16.7 mM. The implications of the results are discussed with respect to the construction of kinetic models for the secretion of insulin by exocytosis.", "contents": "The kinetics of beta-granule formation: a morphometric study. The rate of formation of beta-granules in mouse islet cells has been studied by morphometry using experimental conditions in which insulin secretion is known to be blocked. The number of beta-granules in a cell is increased by 120%, 45 minutes after a continued glucose stimulus of 16.7 mM. The implications of the results are discussed with respect to the construction of kinetic models for the secretion of insulin by exocytosis.", "PMID": 773726} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3877", "title": "Isolation and long term preservation of pancreatic islets from mouse, rat and guinea pig.", "content": "This paper reports techniques for the isolation and long term preservation of pancreatic islets from the mouse, rat and guinea pig. Islets have been isolated using a modification of a free hand microdisection procedure described by Hellerstr\u00f6m in 1964 [1]. Isolated islets have been subjected to three preservation systems and their viability following storage assessed by light microscopy of sections stained with Gomor's aldehyde fuchsin [2] and by measuring the insulin release from islets in vitro in response to a glucose stimulus. The systems were: a) Simple cold storage in Hank's balanced salt solution at 4 degrees C. Following 15 h cold storage, histological and functional survival was 100%. This dropped to 10% at 48 h. There were no survivors following 72 h storage. b) Sub zero cell storage. In Group I (freezing rate 1 degrees C/min) histological survival was 35% and functional survival 20%. In Group II (freezing rate 5 degreees C/min with 24 h culture period after rewarming) histological survival was approximately 87% and functional survival 75%. c) Organ Culture. Islets from the guinea pig, rat and mouse showed minimal morphologic damage when cultured for 21 days in a simple organ culture system. At 28 days, histological survial was approximately 30%. Following organ culture we were unable to correlate histological and functional survival.", "contents": "Isolation and long term preservation of pancreatic islets from mouse, rat and guinea pig. This paper reports techniques for the isolation and long term preservation of pancreatic islets from the mouse, rat and guinea pig. Islets have been isolated using a modification of a free hand microdisection procedure described by Hellerstr\u00f6m in 1964 [1]. Isolated islets have been subjected to three preservation systems and their viability following storage assessed by light microscopy of sections stained with Gomor's aldehyde fuchsin [2] and by measuring the insulin release from islets in vitro in response to a glucose stimulus. The systems were: a) Simple cold storage in Hank's balanced salt solution at 4 degrees C. Following 15 h cold storage, histological and functional survival was 100%. This dropped to 10% at 48 h. There were no survivors following 72 h storage. b) Sub zero cell storage. In Group I (freezing rate 1 degrees C/min) histological survival was 35% and functional survival 20%. In Group II (freezing rate 5 degreees C/min with 24 h culture period after rewarming) histological survival was approximately 87% and functional survival 75%. c) Organ Culture. Islets from the guinea pig, rat and mouse showed minimal morphologic damage when cultured for 21 days in a simple organ culture system. At 28 days, histological survial was approximately 30%. Following organ culture we were unable to correlate histological and functional survival.", "PMID": 773727} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3878", "title": "High concentration of somatostatin immunoreactivity in chicken pancreas.", "content": "Extracts of discrete lobes of chicken pancreas were assayed for somatostatin (SRIF), insulin and glucagon immunoreactivity. The distribution of hormone concentration was correlated appropriately with the known distribution of A, B, and D-cells. Concentrations of all three hormones were highest in the splenic lobe. The glucagon content of the ventral and dorsal lobes was low. Evidence is presented that the SRIF-like material in the pancreatic extracts is very similar to synthetic cyclic SRIF; parallel immunoassay displacement curves and similar chromatographic elution profiles were obtained. The SRIF concentration in chicken pancreas is 21 times higher than that found in the rat. Chicken pancreas may provide a useful model for studies of somatostatin physiology.", "contents": "High concentration of somatostatin immunoreactivity in chicken pancreas. Extracts of discrete lobes of chicken pancreas were assayed for somatostatin (SRIF), insulin and glucagon immunoreactivity. The distribution of hormone concentration was correlated appropriately with the known distribution of A, B, and D-cells. Concentrations of all three hormones were highest in the splenic lobe. The glucagon content of the ventral and dorsal lobes was low. Evidence is presented that the SRIF-like material in the pancreatic extracts is very similar to synthetic cyclic SRIF; parallel immunoassay displacement curves and similar chromatographic elution profiles were obtained. The SRIF concentration in chicken pancreas is 21 times higher than that found in the rat. Chicken pancreas may provide a useful model for studies of somatostatin physiology.", "PMID": 773728} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3879", "title": "Polyploidy in the pancreas of the normal and diabetic mutant mouse.", "content": "The DNA content of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic nuclei of normal C57BL/KsJ and diabetic mutant C57BL/Ks-db/db mice was measured by Feulgen microdensitometry. The exocrine and endocrine pancreatic nuclei of the 4-week-old normal, 12-week-old normal, and 4-week-old (prehyperglycaemic) diabetic mutant mice contained diploid and tetraploid cells, while the 12-week-old (established hyperglycaemic) mutant contained diploid, tetraploid, and octaploid nuclei. The polyploidy in the endocrine pancreas of all these mice was confined to the B-cells, while the A-cells were always diploid.", "contents": "Polyploidy in the pancreas of the normal and diabetic mutant mouse. The DNA content of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic nuclei of normal C57BL/KsJ and diabetic mutant C57BL/Ks-db/db mice was measured by Feulgen microdensitometry. The exocrine and endocrine pancreatic nuclei of the 4-week-old normal, 12-week-old normal, and 4-week-old (prehyperglycaemic) diabetic mutant mice contained diploid and tetraploid cells, while the 12-week-old (established hyperglycaemic) mutant contained diploid, tetraploid, and octaploid nuclei. The polyploidy in the endocrine pancreas of all these mice was confined to the B-cells, while the A-cells were always diploid.", "PMID": 773729} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3880", "title": "The ultrastructure of polyploid B-cells in the islets of normal mice.", "content": "Light and electron microscopic studies of diploid, tetraploid and octaploid B-cells in the islets of normal C57BL/KsJ mice revealed that polyploid cells were characterized by a wider range of granulated states than diploid B-cells. The maximum granule densities were similar for polyploid and diploid cells; however, some polyploid cells were almost devoid of granules, while the least granulated diploid cells contained intermediate granule densities. The tetraploid cell also appeared to be characterized by an increased mitochondrial stage which suggests compensation for the greater degree of degranulation. These observations were confirmed by morphometric analysis. Two interpretations of the apparent polyploidy are discussed; that polyploid B-cells may be more responsive to insulin releasing stimuli than diploid B-cells and that tetraploid cells may only be diploid cells in the G2 phase of the mitotic cycle.", "contents": "The ultrastructure of polyploid B-cells in the islets of normal mice. Light and electron microscopic studies of diploid, tetraploid and octaploid B-cells in the islets of normal C57BL/KsJ mice revealed that polyploid cells were characterized by a wider range of granulated states than diploid B-cells. The maximum granule densities were similar for polyploid and diploid cells; however, some polyploid cells were almost devoid of granules, while the least granulated diploid cells contained intermediate granule densities. The tetraploid cell also appeared to be characterized by an increased mitochondrial stage which suggests compensation for the greater degree of degranulation. These observations were confirmed by morphometric analysis. Two interpretations of the apparent polyploidy are discussed; that polyploid B-cells may be more responsive to insulin releasing stimuli than diploid B-cells and that tetraploid cells may only be diploid cells in the G2 phase of the mitotic cycle.", "PMID": 773730} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3881", "title": "Carcinogenic effect of 1-butyl-1-nitrosourea on female Sprague-Dawley rats.", "content": "Carcinogenic effect of a single oral administration of 300 or 200 mg/kg body weight of 1-butyl-1-nitrosourea (BNU) and continuous oral administration of 400 ppm solution of BNU in the drinking water for 5, 10, 15, and 20 weeks to female SD rats was studied. In addition, the number of spleen cells capable of forming plaques (PFC) against primary immunization with sheep red blood cells was investigated in various stages of the animal experiments. With a single oral administration of BNU, tumors developed in 31/50 (62%) rats between the 25th and 75th week. They were most frequently seen in the mammary gland (40%), followed by the stomach (10%), kidneys (8%), and ovary (8%). Leukemia was found in 8%. No dose-effect relationship was observed in these 2 experimental groups. On the other hand, tumors developed in 67/77 (88%) of the rats that received BNU in their drinking water. The incidence of tumors was highest in leukemia (61%), followed by mammary tumors (26%), intestinal tumors (12%), and ear duct tumors (8%). There was a dose-effect relationship among the 4 groups in the latent period and target organs for tumor development. Although the PFC count of the rats receiving BNU for 5 weeks recovered gradually to about 50% of the control level at the end of the 25th experimental week, it remained less than 10% of the control level for the whole experimental period in those receiving BNU longer than 10 weeks. Therefore, it was apparent that the tumors developed, proliferated, and finally killed the host rats in highly immunosuppressive state.", "contents": "Carcinogenic effect of 1-butyl-1-nitrosourea on female Sprague-Dawley rats. Carcinogenic effect of a single oral administration of 300 or 200 mg/kg body weight of 1-butyl-1-nitrosourea (BNU) and continuous oral administration of 400 ppm solution of BNU in the drinking water for 5, 10, 15, and 20 weeks to female SD rats was studied. In addition, the number of spleen cells capable of forming plaques (PFC) against primary immunization with sheep red blood cells was investigated in various stages of the animal experiments. With a single oral administration of BNU, tumors developed in 31/50 (62%) rats between the 25th and 75th week. They were most frequently seen in the mammary gland (40%), followed by the stomach (10%), kidneys (8%), and ovary (8%). Leukemia was found in 8%. No dose-effect relationship was observed in these 2 experimental groups. On the other hand, tumors developed in 67/77 (88%) of the rats that received BNU in their drinking water. The incidence of tumors was highest in leukemia (61%), followed by mammary tumors (26%), intestinal tumors (12%), and ear duct tumors (8%). There was a dose-effect relationship among the 4 groups in the latent period and target organs for tumor development. Although the PFC count of the rats receiving BNU for 5 weeks recovered gradually to about 50% of the control level at the end of the 25th experimental week, it remained less than 10% of the control level for the whole experimental period in those receiving BNU longer than 10 weeks. Therefore, it was apparent that the tumors developed, proliferated, and finally killed the host rats in highly immunosuppressive state.", "PMID": 773731} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3882", "title": "Inhibition of tumor growth in vivo and in vitro by macrophages from rats treated with a streptococcal preparation, OK-432.", "content": "The role of macrophages from rats treated with a streptococcal preparation (OK-432) for inhibition of syngeneic tumor growth was examined both in vivo and in vitro. Treatment of rats with OK-432 intraperitoneally resulted in a transient inhibition of ascites tumor growth and concomitant increase in survival time. Peritoneal exudate cells from these rats completely suppressed tumor growth when admixed with tumor cells and transferred subcutaneously to syngeneic recipient rats. No such effect was observed with tumor cells from saline-treated control rats. The macrophages were responsible for the neutralization of tumor growth, since the removal of adherent cells from peritoneal exudate cells of rats treated with OK-432 resulted in the abrogation of their antitumor activity. To further investigate the antitumor activity of macrophages, an in vitro cytotoxicity assay was carried out on several tumor cell lines. A complete target cell destruction was brought about by macrophages from the rats treated with OK-432 but not from the control animals. The tumor cytotoxicity mediated by macrophages activated with OK-432 was regarded as non-specific because they could damage all the target cell lines tested.", "contents": "Inhibition of tumor growth in vivo and in vitro by macrophages from rats treated with a streptococcal preparation, OK-432. The role of macrophages from rats treated with a streptococcal preparation (OK-432) for inhibition of syngeneic tumor growth was examined both in vivo and in vitro. Treatment of rats with OK-432 intraperitoneally resulted in a transient inhibition of ascites tumor growth and concomitant increase in survival time. Peritoneal exudate cells from these rats completely suppressed tumor growth when admixed with tumor cells and transferred subcutaneously to syngeneic recipient rats. No such effect was observed with tumor cells from saline-treated control rats. The macrophages were responsible for the neutralization of tumor growth, since the removal of adherent cells from peritoneal exudate cells of rats treated with OK-432 resulted in the abrogation of their antitumor activity. To further investigate the antitumor activity of macrophages, an in vitro cytotoxicity assay was carried out on several tumor cell lines. A complete target cell destruction was brought about by macrophages from the rats treated with OK-432 but not from the control animals. The tumor cytotoxicity mediated by macrophages activated with OK-432 was regarded as non-specific because they could damage all the target cell lines tested.", "PMID": 773733} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3883", "title": "Effect of protein-bound polysaccharide preparation, PS-K, on the immune response of mice to sheep red blood cells.", "content": "The protein-bound polysaccharide preparation, PS-K, was found to potentiate the production of hemolytic plaque-forming cells of spleen and serum hemagglutinin in C57BL/6 mice, when they were immunized with a low dose of sheep red blood cells. PS-K was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 150 mg/kg daily for 5 days. Ten days later, the mice were immunized with either 4 X 10(8) or 1 X 10(7) sheep red blood cells. Both the number of plaque-forming cells in their spleen and the amount of serum hemagglutinin were significantly higher in the PS-K treated mice when 1 X10(7) sheep red blood cells were used as an immunizing dose.", "contents": "Effect of protein-bound polysaccharide preparation, PS-K, on the immune response of mice to sheep red blood cells. The protein-bound polysaccharide preparation, PS-K, was found to potentiate the production of hemolytic plaque-forming cells of spleen and serum hemagglutinin in C57BL/6 mice, when they were immunized with a low dose of sheep red blood cells. PS-K was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 150 mg/kg daily for 5 days. Ten days later, the mice were immunized with either 4 X 10(8) or 1 X 10(7) sheep red blood cells. Both the number of plaque-forming cells in their spleen and the amount of serum hemagglutinin were significantly higher in the PS-K treated mice when 1 X10(7) sheep red blood cells were used as an immunizing dose.", "PMID": 773734} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3884", "title": "Loperamide: a new antidiarrheal agent in the treatment of chronic diarrhea.", "content": "Twenty-seven patients with chronic diarrhea due to Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, short bowel syndrome, and idiopathic (functional) causes participated in a multiphase study (open, double blind, and long term open) of loperamide HCl, a new single entity, oral antidiarrheal agent. In the open phase of the study, loperamide effectively relieved symptoms of diarrhea in 21 of 27 patients. The average number of stools dropped from eight in the initial relapse period to two stools after 1 month of treatment (P = 0.0001). Efficacy was confirmed in the double blind and long term open phases of the study. Four patients who were not relieved while on therapy had discontinued the drug because of abdominal cramping. No other side effects attributable to the drug were observed. Loperamide has been found to be a safe and effective agent for the treatment of chronic diarrhea.", "contents": "Loperamide: a new antidiarrheal agent in the treatment of chronic diarrhea. Twenty-seven patients with chronic diarrhea due to Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, short bowel syndrome, and idiopathic (functional) causes participated in a multiphase study (open, double blind, and long term open) of loperamide HCl, a new single entity, oral antidiarrheal agent. In the open phase of the study, loperamide effectively relieved symptoms of diarrhea in 21 of 27 patients. The average number of stools dropped from eight in the initial relapse period to two stools after 1 month of treatment (P = 0.0001). Efficacy was confirmed in the double blind and long term open phases of the study. Four patients who were not relieved while on therapy had discontinued the drug because of abdominal cramping. No other side effects attributable to the drug were observed. Loperamide has been found to be a safe and effective agent for the treatment of chronic diarrhea.", "PMID": 773735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3885", "title": "A double blind crossover comparison of loperamide with diphenoxylate in the symptomatic treatment of chronic diarrhea.", "content": "Loperamide, a novel antidiarrheal agent, was compared with diphenoxylate in a double blind crossover study of 23 patients with chronic diarrhea of various etiologies. Both agents were found to be capable of controlling or greatly reducing chronic diarrhea. Loperamide was superior to diphenoxylate in its abiltiy to decrease the frequency and improve the consistency of the stools, even at a 2.5-fold lower dose level.", "contents": "A double blind crossover comparison of loperamide with diphenoxylate in the symptomatic treatment of chronic diarrhea. Loperamide, a novel antidiarrheal agent, was compared with diphenoxylate in a double blind crossover study of 23 patients with chronic diarrhea of various etiologies. Both agents were found to be capable of controlling or greatly reducing chronic diarrhea. Loperamide was superior to diphenoxylate in its abiltiy to decrease the frequency and improve the consistency of the stools, even at a 2.5-fold lower dose level.", "PMID": 773736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3886", "title": "Contamination of the small intestine by enterotoxigenic coliform bacteria among the rural population of Haiti.", "content": "Coliform bacteria were isolated by either aerobic or anaerobic culture techniques from aspirates of the proximal small intestine of 4 of 5 Haitians with tropical sprue, but not from any of 10 well nourished Haitians who had milder gastrointestinal complaints and abnormalities. Klebsiella (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella ozaenae) was cultured from the jejunal aspirates of 2 sprue patients and Escherichiae coli from the other 2. Fifteen colonies of coliform bacteria cultured from each aspirate were specifically identified by their biotype. In three instances, every colony in each aspirate was the same; In three instances, every colony in each aspirate was the same; in the fourth aspirate, two biotypes of E. coli were present, one of which grew under both aerobic and anaerobic culture conditions and another which grew only under anaerobic conditions on initial isolation. A randomly selected strain of each of the five coliform biotypes isolated was examined for enterotoxigenicity by determining the effect of variously prepared cell-free preparations on water transport in the rat jejunum using standard marker perfusion techniques. Every strain tested was toxigenic; one produced only a heat-stable toxin, one produced a heat-labile toxin only, and three elaborated both forms of enterotoxin. These observations indicate that most Haitians with tropical sprue have colonization of the proximal small intestine by a specific strain of enterotoxigenic coliform bacteria, but such is not the case among Haitians who have milder intestinal abnormalities.", "contents": "Contamination of the small intestine by enterotoxigenic coliform bacteria among the rural population of Haiti. Coliform bacteria were isolated by either aerobic or anaerobic culture techniques from aspirates of the proximal small intestine of 4 of 5 Haitians with tropical sprue, but not from any of 10 well nourished Haitians who had milder gastrointestinal complaints and abnormalities. Klebsiella (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella ozaenae) was cultured from the jejunal aspirates of 2 sprue patients and Escherichiae coli from the other 2. Fifteen colonies of coliform bacteria cultured from each aspirate were specifically identified by their biotype. In three instances, every colony in each aspirate was the same; In three instances, every colony in each aspirate was the same; in the fourth aspirate, two biotypes of E. coli were present, one of which grew under both aerobic and anaerobic culture conditions and another which grew only under anaerobic conditions on initial isolation. A randomly selected strain of each of the five coliform biotypes isolated was examined for enterotoxigenicity by determining the effect of variously prepared cell-free preparations on water transport in the rat jejunum using standard marker perfusion techniques. Every strain tested was toxigenic; one produced only a heat-stable toxin, one produced a heat-labile toxin only, and three elaborated both forms of enterotoxin. These observations indicate that most Haitians with tropical sprue have colonization of the proximal small intestine by a specific strain of enterotoxigenic coliform bacteria, but such is not the case among Haitians who have milder intestinal abnormalities.", "PMID": 773737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3887", "title": "Overwhelming watery diarrhea associated with a cryptosporidium in an immunosuppressed patient.", "content": "A 39-year-old man with severe bullous pemphigoid developed overwhelming diarrhea after 5 weeks' treatment with 150 mg of cyclophosphamide and 60 mg of prednisolone daily. Jejunal and ileal biopsies showed severe mucosal injury and tiny 2- to 4-mu organisms on the epithelial surfaces. Similar organisms were seen in smears of jejunal fluid. Electron microscopic examination of jejunal biopsies showed these spherical bodies to be trophozoites, schizonts, microgametocytes, and macrogametocytes typical of the genus Cryptosporidium. Diarrhea resolved 2 weeks after discontinuation of cyclophosphamide and coincided with disappearance of Cryptosporidia from the jejunal biopsies. Immunosuppression may have predisposed this patient to cryptosporidial diarrhea. Cryptosporidiosis is another infection which can be diagnosed by small bowel biopsy. When immunosuppressed patients develop severe diarrhea, opportunistic infection with this and other organisms should be considered as the possible cause.", "contents": "Overwhelming watery diarrhea associated with a cryptosporidium in an immunosuppressed patient. A 39-year-old man with severe bullous pemphigoid developed overwhelming diarrhea after 5 weeks' treatment with 150 mg of cyclophosphamide and 60 mg of prednisolone daily. Jejunal and ileal biopsies showed severe mucosal injury and tiny 2- to 4-mu organisms on the epithelial surfaces. Similar organisms were seen in smears of jejunal fluid. Electron microscopic examination of jejunal biopsies showed these spherical bodies to be trophozoites, schizonts, microgametocytes, and macrogametocytes typical of the genus Cryptosporidium. Diarrhea resolved 2 weeks after discontinuation of cyclophosphamide and coincided with disappearance of Cryptosporidia from the jejunal biopsies. Immunosuppression may have predisposed this patient to cryptosporidial diarrhea. Cryptosporidiosis is another infection which can be diagnosed by small bowel biopsy. When immunosuppressed patients develop severe diarrhea, opportunistic infection with this and other organisms should be considered as the possible cause.", "PMID": 773738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3888", "title": "[Balantidium coli infection of the female genitals (author's transl)].", "content": "Two cases of therapy-resistant fluorine are reported in which Balantidium coli from the class of the cilia (Ciliophora, Ciliata, Infusoria) was identified. After a personal experiment, the Balantidia must be considered extremely pathogenic. In international literature, no further indication of a ciliata infection of the female genitals was found.", "contents": "[Balantidium coli infection of the female genitals (author's transl)]. Two cases of therapy-resistant fluorine are reported in which Balantidium coli from the class of the cilia (Ciliophora, Ciliata, Infusoria) was identified. After a personal experiment, the Balantidia must be considered extremely pathogenic. In international literature, no further indication of a ciliata infection of the female genitals was found.", "PMID": 773739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3889", "title": "Lambda cin-1, a new mutation which enhances lysogenization by bacteriophage lambda, and the genetic structure of the lambda cy region.", "content": "Seven lambda cy mutants have been mapped within a small region located approximately halfway between the rightward boundary of the imm434 region and the lambda cII gene. The seven mutants lie at four sites separated by a total distance of about 12 nucleotide pairs, as estimated from recombination frequencies. Six of the seven mutants lie on the right side of the cy fine structure map, spanning a total distance of about 3-5 nucleotide pairs. Lying approximately 11-21 nucleotide pairs to the left of the leftmost cy mutant is a newly described mutation called cin-1, for c independent. The cin-1 mutation allows some lysogenization when coupled with any cy, cII or cIII mutant, but not when coupled with a defective cI gene. The cin-1 mutation, like cy mutants, has a cis-dominant action upon the cI gene in mixed infections. The observation that gammaimm434 cin-1-cy2001 lysogenizes efficiently, but not gammaimm434 cin-1 cy2001 cII68 nor any other gammaimm434 cin-1 cy derivative, is interpreted to mean that all of the cy mutants on the right side of the cy fine structure map inactivate a binding site for cII/cIII function, but that cy2001, the single mutant on the left side of the cy fine structure map, does not inactivate that binding site.", "contents": "Lambda cin-1, a new mutation which enhances lysogenization by bacteriophage lambda, and the genetic structure of the lambda cy region. Seven lambda cy mutants have been mapped within a small region located approximately halfway between the rightward boundary of the imm434 region and the lambda cII gene. The seven mutants lie at four sites separated by a total distance of about 12 nucleotide pairs, as estimated from recombination frequencies. Six of the seven mutants lie on the right side of the cy fine structure map, spanning a total distance of about 3-5 nucleotide pairs. Lying approximately 11-21 nucleotide pairs to the left of the leftmost cy mutant is a newly described mutation called cin-1, for c independent. The cin-1 mutation allows some lysogenization when coupled with any cy, cII or cIII mutant, but not when coupled with a defective cI gene. The cin-1 mutation, like cy mutants, has a cis-dominant action upon the cI gene in mixed infections. The observation that gammaimm434 cin-1-cy2001 lysogenizes efficiently, but not gammaimm434 cin-1 cy2001 cII68 nor any other gammaimm434 cin-1 cy derivative, is interpreted to mean that all of the cy mutants on the right side of the cy fine structure map inactivate a binding site for cII/cIII function, but that cy2001, the single mutant on the left side of the cy fine structure map, does not inactivate that binding site.", "PMID": 773742} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3890", "title": "Two chromosomal genes required for killing expression in killer strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The killer character of yeast is determined by a 1.4 X 10(6) molecular weight double-stranded RNA plasmid and at least 12 chromosomal genes. Wild-type strains of yeast that carry this plasmid (killers) secret a toxin which is lethal only to strains not carrying this plasmid (sensitives).--We have isolated 28 independent recessive chromosomal mutants of a killer strain that have lost the ability to secrete an active toxin but remain resistant to the effects of the toxin and continue to carry the complete cytoplasmic killer genome. These mutants define two complementation groups, kex1 and kex2. Kex1 is located on chromosome VII between ade5 and lys5. Kex2 is located on chromosome XIV, but it does not show meiotic linkage to any gene previously located on this chromosome.--When the killer plasmid of kex1 or kex2 strains is eliminated by curing with heat or cycloheximide, the strains become sensitive to killing. The mutant phenotype reappears among the meiotic segregants in a cross with a normal killer. Thus, the kex phenotype does not require an alteration of the killer plasmid.--Kex1 and kex2 strains each contain near-normal levels of the 1.4 x 10(6) molecular weight double-stranded RNA, whose presence is correlated with the presence of the killer genome.", "contents": "Two chromosomal genes required for killing expression in killer strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The killer character of yeast is determined by a 1.4 X 10(6) molecular weight double-stranded RNA plasmid and at least 12 chromosomal genes. Wild-type strains of yeast that carry this plasmid (killers) secret a toxin which is lethal only to strains not carrying this plasmid (sensitives).--We have isolated 28 independent recessive chromosomal mutants of a killer strain that have lost the ability to secrete an active toxin but remain resistant to the effects of the toxin and continue to carry the complete cytoplasmic killer genome. These mutants define two complementation groups, kex1 and kex2. Kex1 is located on chromosome VII between ade5 and lys5. Kex2 is located on chromosome XIV, but it does not show meiotic linkage to any gene previously located on this chromosome.--When the killer plasmid of kex1 or kex2 strains is eliminated by curing with heat or cycloheximide, the strains become sensitive to killing. The mutant phenotype reappears among the meiotic segregants in a cross with a normal killer. Thus, the kex phenotype does not require an alteration of the killer plasmid.--Kex1 and kex2 strains each contain near-normal levels of the 1.4 x 10(6) molecular weight double-stranded RNA, whose presence is correlated with the presence of the killer genome.", "PMID": 773743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3891", "title": "Substrate-specific enzyme variation in natural populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura.", "content": "By using a number of different alcohols as substrates, eight alcohol dehydrogenase loci were discovered in Drosophila pseudoobscura. Each of these loci can take more than one substrate. Several of these loci differed in their tissue specificities and activity patterns during development. The genic variation in natural populations was studied at four of these loci and three of them were polymorphic. A quantitative study of substrate-specific differences among alleles of the same locus produced negative results. This result appears to be typical of most studies done on this aspect. From this it was concluded that the substrate specificity of enzymes is not an important factor in determining the greater amount of genic variation at Group II loci than at Group I loci, as proposed by KOJIMA, GILLESPIE and TOBARI (1970). There are several observations which suggest a different explanation for the differences in the genic variability at Group I and Group II loci: (1) There are, on an average, more isozyme loci (loci with similar substrate specificity) for enzymes in Group II than in Group I; (2) The null alleles are far more common at Group II loci than at Group I loci; (3) There is significant heterogeneity in the number of alleles and the heterozygosities at loci within each of these two groups of enzymes; (4) Relatively higher levels of genic variation are observed at Group II loci even in populations which appear to be living in homogeneous environments; and (5) Some loci (e.g. esterases) are highly polymorphic in most species investigated by gel electrophoresis techniques. Based on these general observations, it is proposed that (1) the substrate-specific differences are between isozyme loci and not between alleles of a given locus, and (2) neutral alleles are proportionately far more common at loci at Group II than at loci in Group I, because the former is under less selection constraint than the latter.", "contents": "Substrate-specific enzyme variation in natural populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura. By using a number of different alcohols as substrates, eight alcohol dehydrogenase loci were discovered in Drosophila pseudoobscura. Each of these loci can take more than one substrate. Several of these loci differed in their tissue specificities and activity patterns during development. The genic variation in natural populations was studied at four of these loci and three of them were polymorphic. A quantitative study of substrate-specific differences among alleles of the same locus produced negative results. This result appears to be typical of most studies done on this aspect. From this it was concluded that the substrate specificity of enzymes is not an important factor in determining the greater amount of genic variation at Group II loci than at Group I loci, as proposed by KOJIMA, GILLESPIE and TOBARI (1970). There are several observations which suggest a different explanation for the differences in the genic variability at Group I and Group II loci: (1) There are, on an average, more isozyme loci (loci with similar substrate specificity) for enzymes in Group II than in Group I; (2) The null alleles are far more common at Group II loci than at Group I loci; (3) There is significant heterogeneity in the number of alleles and the heterozygosities at loci within each of these two groups of enzymes; (4) Relatively higher levels of genic variation are observed at Group II loci even in populations which appear to be living in homogeneous environments; and (5) Some loci (e.g. esterases) are highly polymorphic in most species investigated by gel electrophoresis techniques. Based on these general observations, it is proposed that (1) the substrate-specific differences are between isozyme loci and not between alleles of a given locus, and (2) neutral alleles are proportionately far more common at loci at Group II than at loci in Group I, because the former is under less selection constraint than the latter.", "PMID": 773744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3892", "title": "Mitotic crossing over and nondisjunction in translocation heterozygotes of Aspergillus.", "content": "To analyze mitotic recombination in translocation heterozygotes of A. nidulans two sets of well-marked diploids were constructed, homo- or heterozygous for the reciprocal translocations T1 (IL;VIIR) or T2 (IL;VIIR) and heterozygous for selective markers on IL. It was found that from all translocation heterozygotes some of the expected mitotic crossover types could be selected. Such crossovers are monosomic for one translocated segment and trisomic for the other and recovery depends on the relative viabilities of these unbalanced types. The obtained segregants show characteristically reduced growth rates and conidiation dependent on sizes and types of mono- and trisomic segments, and all spontaneously produce normal diploid sectors. Such secondary diploid types either arose in one step of compensating crossing over in the other involved arm, or--more conspicously--in two steps of non-disjunction via a trisomic intermediate.--In both of the analyzed translocations the segments translocated to IL were extremely long, while those translocatated from IL were relatively short. The break in I for T1 (I;VII) was located distal to the main selective marker in IL, while that of T2 (1;VIII) had been mapped proximal but closely linked to it. Therefore, as expected, the selected primary crossover from the two diploids with T2 (I;VIII) in coupling or in repulsion to the selective marker, showed the same chromosomal imbalance and poor growth. These could however be distinguished visually because they spontaneously produced different trisomic intermediates in the next step, in accordance with the different arrangement of the aneuploid segments. On the other hand, from diploids heterozygous for T1 (I;VII) mitotic crossovers could only be selected when the selective markers were in coupling with the translocation; these crossovers were relatively well-growing and produced frequent secondary segregants of the expected trisomic, 2n + VII, type. For both translocations it was impossible to recover the reciprocal crossover types (which would be trisomic for the distal segments of I and monosomic for most of groups VII or VIII) presumably because these were too inviable to form conidia.--In addition to the selected segregants of expected types a variety of unexpected ones were isolated. The conditions of selection used favour visual detection of aneuploid types, even if these produce only a few conidial heads and are not at a selective advantage. For T2 (I;VIII) these \"non-selected\" unbalanced segregants were mainly \"reciprocal\" crossovers of the same phenotype and imbalance as the selected ones. For T1 (I;VII) two quite different types were obtained, both possibly originating with loss of the small VII-I translocation chromosome. One was isolated when the selective marker in repulsion to T1 (I;VII) was used and, without being homo- or hemizygous for the selective marker, it produced stable sectors homozygous for this marker...", "contents": "Mitotic crossing over and nondisjunction in translocation heterozygotes of Aspergillus. To analyze mitotic recombination in translocation heterozygotes of A. nidulans two sets of well-marked diploids were constructed, homo- or heterozygous for the reciprocal translocations T1 (IL;VIIR) or T2 (IL;VIIR) and heterozygous for selective markers on IL. It was found that from all translocation heterozygotes some of the expected mitotic crossover types could be selected. Such crossovers are monosomic for one translocated segment and trisomic for the other and recovery depends on the relative viabilities of these unbalanced types. The obtained segregants show characteristically reduced growth rates and conidiation dependent on sizes and types of mono- and trisomic segments, and all spontaneously produce normal diploid sectors. Such secondary diploid types either arose in one step of compensating crossing over in the other involved arm, or--more conspicously--in two steps of non-disjunction via a trisomic intermediate.--In both of the analyzed translocations the segments translocated to IL were extremely long, while those translocatated from IL were relatively short. The break in I for T1 (I;VII) was located distal to the main selective marker in IL, while that of T2 (1;VIII) had been mapped proximal but closely linked to it. Therefore, as expected, the selected primary crossover from the two diploids with T2 (I;VIII) in coupling or in repulsion to the selective marker, showed the same chromosomal imbalance and poor growth. These could however be distinguished visually because they spontaneously produced different trisomic intermediates in the next step, in accordance with the different arrangement of the aneuploid segments. On the other hand, from diploids heterozygous for T1 (I;VII) mitotic crossovers could only be selected when the selective markers were in coupling with the translocation; these crossovers were relatively well-growing and produced frequent secondary segregants of the expected trisomic, 2n + VII, type. For both translocations it was impossible to recover the reciprocal crossover types (which would be trisomic for the distal segments of I and monosomic for most of groups VII or VIII) presumably because these were too inviable to form conidia.--In addition to the selected segregants of expected types a variety of unexpected ones were isolated. The conditions of selection used favour visual detection of aneuploid types, even if these produce only a few conidial heads and are not at a selective advantage. For T2 (I;VIII) these \"non-selected\" unbalanced segregants were mainly \"reciprocal\" crossovers of the same phenotype and imbalance as the selected ones. For T1 (I;VII) two quite different types were obtained, both possibly originating with loss of the small VII-I translocation chromosome. One was isolated when the selective marker in repulsion to T1 (I;VII) was used and, without being homo- or hemizygous for the selective marker, it produced stable sectors homozygous for this marker...", "PMID": 773747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3893", "title": "Mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae resistant to the alpha mating-type factor.", "content": "Mutants that are resistant to alpha-factor have been isolated from a mating-type haploid strains of yeast by direct selection on agar medium containing partially purified alpha-factor. All resistant mutants isolated were found to be sterile. They were characterized and compared with mutants previously isolated as non-mating. Among 93 able to mate at low frequency and to sporulate, none showed linkage to the mating-type locus. The results support the hypothesis that the response to alpha-factor by cells of mating-type a is essential for mating.", "contents": "Mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae resistant to the alpha mating-type factor. Mutants that are resistant to alpha-factor have been isolated from a mating-type haploid strains of yeast by direct selection on agar medium containing partially purified alpha-factor. All resistant mutants isolated were found to be sterile. They were characterized and compared with mutants previously isolated as non-mating. Among 93 able to mate at low frequency and to sporulate, none showed linkage to the mating-type locus. The results support the hypothesis that the response to alpha-factor by cells of mating-type a is essential for mating.", "PMID": 773748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3894", "title": "Genetic analysis of petite mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: transmissional types.", "content": "We have studied a number of petite [rho-] mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae induced in a wild-type strain of mitochondrial genotype [ome- CHL(R) ERY(S) OLI(S) (1, 2, 3) PAR(S)] by Berenil and ethidium bromide, all of which have retained two mitochondrial genetic markers, [CHL(R)] and [ERY(S)], but have lost all other known markers. Though stable in their ability to retain these markers in their genome, these mutants vary widely among themselves in suppressiveness and in the extent to which the markers are transmitted on crossing to a common wild-type tested strain. In appropriate crosses all of the strains examined in this study demonstrate mitochondrial polarity, and thus have also retained the [ome-] locus in a functional form; however, five different transmissional types were obtained, several of them quite unusual, particularly among the strains originally induced by Berenil. One of the most interesting types is the one that appears to reverse the parental genotypes with [CHL(R) ERY(S)] predominating over [CHL(S) ERY(R)] in the diploid [rho+] progeny, rather than the reverse, which is characteristic of analogous crosses with [rho+] or other petites. Mutants in this class also exhibited low or no suppressiveness. Since all of the petites reported here are derived from the same wild-type parent, and so have the same nuclear background, we have interpreted the transmissional differences as being due to different intramolecular arrangements of largely common retained sequences.", "contents": "Genetic analysis of petite mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: transmissional types. We have studied a number of petite [rho-] mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae induced in a wild-type strain of mitochondrial genotype [ome- CHL(R) ERY(S) OLI(S) (1, 2, 3) PAR(S)] by Berenil and ethidium bromide, all of which have retained two mitochondrial genetic markers, [CHL(R)] and [ERY(S)], but have lost all other known markers. Though stable in their ability to retain these markers in their genome, these mutants vary widely among themselves in suppressiveness and in the extent to which the markers are transmitted on crossing to a common wild-type tested strain. In appropriate crosses all of the strains examined in this study demonstrate mitochondrial polarity, and thus have also retained the [ome-] locus in a functional form; however, five different transmissional types were obtained, several of them quite unusual, particularly among the strains originally induced by Berenil. One of the most interesting types is the one that appears to reverse the parental genotypes with [CHL(R) ERY(S)] predominating over [CHL(S) ERY(R)] in the diploid [rho+] progeny, rather than the reverse, which is characteristic of analogous crosses with [rho+] or other petites. Mutants in this class also exhibited low or no suppressiveness. Since all of the petites reported here are derived from the same wild-type parent, and so have the same nuclear background, we have interpreted the transmissional differences as being due to different intramolecular arrangements of largely common retained sequences.", "PMID": 773749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3895", "title": "On the nature of cis-acting regulatory proteins and genetic organization in bacteriophage: the example of gene Q of bacteriophage lambda.", "content": "We note the existence of a \"partially cis-acting\" regulatory protein of bacteriophage lambda: the product of the phage Q gene. We suggest that there may be a complete spectrum from \"all cis\" to \"all trans\" for such regulatory proteins. This behavior might arise because a DNA-binding protein either acts at a nearby (cis) site soon after synthesis or becomes \"lost\" for its trans activity on another genome through nonspecific interactions with DNA. Our proposed explanation provides one evolutionary basis for the linkage of genes for regulatory proteins and the sites at which such proteins act; it also suggests a possible rationale for the \"metabolic instability\" of certain regulatory proteins.", "contents": "On the nature of cis-acting regulatory proteins and genetic organization in bacteriophage: the example of gene Q of bacteriophage lambda. We note the existence of a \"partially cis-acting\" regulatory protein of bacteriophage lambda: the product of the phage Q gene. We suggest that there may be a complete spectrum from \"all cis\" to \"all trans\" for such regulatory proteins. This behavior might arise because a DNA-binding protein either acts at a nearby (cis) site soon after synthesis or becomes \"lost\" for its trans activity on another genome through nonspecific interactions with DNA. Our proposed explanation provides one evolutionary basis for the linkage of genes for regulatory proteins and the sites at which such proteins act; it also suggests a possible rationale for the \"metabolic instability\" of certain regulatory proteins.", "PMID": 773751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3896", "title": "[An analysis of small differences between mice of lines C57BL/10 and 129 with regard to the chief system of tissue compatibility, H-2].", "content": "The differences in the H-2 system between mice of the C57BL/10 (H-2b) and 129 (H-2bc) were studied in crosses B10.D (H-2d) or recombinant strains R106 (KbSbDda), R107 (KbSbDd) and R101 (KdSdDb) with strains 129 or B10.129 (6M). Most skin grafts from the strain C57BL/10 were rapidly rejected in the F1 hybrids derived from the crosses with strains B10.D2, R106 and R107, thus indicating to the effect of the relatively strong H-locus either in the D region or in the Tla region of H-2b. Chronic responses were observed in the F1 hybrids derived from crosses with the strains R101 and R103, indicating to the weak effect of another locus. However all the skin grafts survived in the F1 hybrids with the strain HTG (KdSdDb). This weak H gene is apparently located to the left of the crossover in the recombinants R101 and R103, but to the right of the crossover in the HTG, i. e. between the loci Slp and H-2D. The new locus is tentatively designated as H-2W.", "contents": "[An analysis of small differences between mice of lines C57BL/10 and 129 with regard to the chief system of tissue compatibility, H-2]. The differences in the H-2 system between mice of the C57BL/10 (H-2b) and 129 (H-2bc) were studied in crosses B10.D (H-2d) or recombinant strains R106 (KbSbDda), R107 (KbSbDd) and R101 (KdSdDb) with strains 129 or B10.129 (6M). Most skin grafts from the strain C57BL/10 were rapidly rejected in the F1 hybrids derived from the crosses with strains B10.D2, R106 and R107, thus indicating to the effect of the relatively strong H-locus either in the D region or in the Tla region of H-2b. Chronic responses were observed in the F1 hybrids derived from crosses with the strains R101 and R103, indicating to the weak effect of another locus. However all the skin grafts survived in the F1 hybrids with the strain HTG (KdSdDb). This weak H gene is apparently located to the left of the crossover in the recombinants R101 and R103, but to the right of the crossover in the HTG, i. e. between the loci Slp and H-2D. The new locus is tentatively designated as H-2W.", "PMID": 773752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3897", "title": "[Isolation and characteristics of UV-resistant revertants of recA-strains of Escherichia coli K-12].", "content": "The paper presents the results of a study of UV-resistant revertants of some recA strains induced by different mutagens. It is shown that some of produced revertants differ from original recA strains in some properties. It is established that all UV-resistant revertant fall into three phenotypic groups on their recombination proficiency in crosses with different donor strains (Hfr C, Hfr 3.0SO, F' W1655) and in their sensitivity to UV and gamma-rays. It is concluded that all UVr revertants are rec A+ and carried mutations either in the same recA gene (true reversion or intragenic suppression) or in genes closely linked with recA.", "contents": "[Isolation and characteristics of UV-resistant revertants of recA-strains of Escherichia coli K-12]. The paper presents the results of a study of UV-resistant revertants of some recA strains induced by different mutagens. It is shown that some of produced revertants differ from original recA strains in some properties. It is established that all UV-resistant revertant fall into three phenotypic groups on their recombination proficiency in crosses with different donor strains (Hfr C, Hfr 3.0SO, F' W1655) and in their sensitivity to UV and gamma-rays. It is concluded that all UVr revertants are rec A+ and carried mutations either in the same recA gene (true reversion or intragenic suppression) or in genes closely linked with recA.", "PMID": 773753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3898", "title": "[Cyclic rearrangements in the incomplete genome of T4D phage transferred into a cell during a injections of DNA].", "content": "The genome structure of phage T4 chromosome fragments obtained by the method of DNA interrupted injection is studied directly. Anfragment population is shown by homogeneous in sizes. The fragment sizes are proved to the indentical to sizes. The fragment sizes are proved to be identical to sizes expected from the method conditions. The individual fragment genomes are shown to be cyclic gene permutations uniformly distributed on the map of physical distances between genes. The results suggest that any genetic marker has equal probabilities to be situated at the different distances from the individual particle of chromosome ends in a T4 D particles population.", "contents": "[Cyclic rearrangements in the incomplete genome of T4D phage transferred into a cell during a injections of DNA]. The genome structure of phage T4 chromosome fragments obtained by the method of DNA interrupted injection is studied directly. Anfragment population is shown by homogeneous in sizes. The fragment sizes are proved to the indentical to sizes. The fragment sizes are proved to be identical to sizes expected from the method conditions. The individual fragment genomes are shown to be cyclic gene permutations uniformly distributed on the map of physical distances between genes. The results suggest that any genetic marker has equal probabilities to be situated at the different distances from the individual particle of chromosome ends in a T4 D particles population.", "PMID": 773754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3899", "title": "[The mutagenic effect of new chemical substances. III. The mutagenic effect of several hydroxylamine derivatives].", "content": "The mutagenic effect of 21 new hydroxylamine derivatives was studied on biochemical mutants of Escherichia coli P-678 and Actinomyces rimosus 222. The Iver--Szybalsky method was used for the preliminary selection of mutagens. Dose-effect curves were plotted for the most efficient mutagens. Among the compounds studied 4 hydroxylamine derivatives were observed to have a mutagenic effect. The most efficient among them proved to be 0-(4-metoxybenzyl)-hydroxylamine and 0-(gamma-chlorocrotyl) hydroxylamine that induced reversions in the threonine locus of E. coli P-678 and in the lysine locus of Act. rimosus 222, being more efficient than hydroxylamine, the generally known mutagen. The dependence of the mutagenic activity of the compounds studied on their chemical structure is investigated.", "contents": "[The mutagenic effect of new chemical substances. III. The mutagenic effect of several hydroxylamine derivatives]. The mutagenic effect of 21 new hydroxylamine derivatives was studied on biochemical mutants of Escherichia coli P-678 and Actinomyces rimosus 222. The Iver--Szybalsky method was used for the preliminary selection of mutagens. Dose-effect curves were plotted for the most efficient mutagens. Among the compounds studied 4 hydroxylamine derivatives were observed to have a mutagenic effect. The most efficient among them proved to be 0-(4-metoxybenzyl)-hydroxylamine and 0-(gamma-chlorocrotyl) hydroxylamine that induced reversions in the threonine locus of E. coli P-678 and in the lysine locus of Act. rimosus 222, being more efficient than hydroxylamine, the generally known mutagen. The dependence of the mutagenic activity of the compounds studied on their chemical structure is investigated.", "PMID": 773755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3900", "title": "[A genetic and physiologic study of mutations of T4 phage suppressing the lysis defect of gene stII mutants].", "content": "A new gene rVI phage T4B is found. Mutations rVI belong to the class of r-mutations of T4B. Mutations rVI do not show the lysis inhibition after superinfection and determine the r-morphology of plaques on Escherichia coli CR63 lawn. Mutations rVI are gene-specific suppressors of stII lysis defect, but do not suppress the e lysis defect. Alleles rVI and rVI+ are co-dominated with regard to the ability to suppress the stII lysis defect. The suggest the stoichiometric character of rVI gene function. Mutations rVI increase the permeability of infected cells before the lysis. The gene rVI located between the genes 56 and 39 on the T4B genetic map, close to the gene 56. The still mutations described earlier (Krylov, Yankovsky, 1973) suppress the lysis defect of the am z25 mutant in the gene e. The suppression is manifested when infected bacteria develope only in the liquid media.", "contents": "[A genetic and physiologic study of mutations of T4 phage suppressing the lysis defect of gene stII mutants]. A new gene rVI phage T4B is found. Mutations rVI belong to the class of r-mutations of T4B. Mutations rVI do not show the lysis inhibition after superinfection and determine the r-morphology of plaques on Escherichia coli CR63 lawn. Mutations rVI are gene-specific suppressors of stII lysis defect, but do not suppress the e lysis defect. Alleles rVI and rVI+ are co-dominated with regard to the ability to suppress the stII lysis defect. The suggest the stoichiometric character of rVI gene function. Mutations rVI increase the permeability of infected cells before the lysis. The gene rVI located between the genes 56 and 39 on the T4B genetic map, close to the gene 56. The still mutations described earlier (Krylov, Yankovsky, 1973) suppress the lysis defect of the am z25 mutant in the gene e. The suppression is manifested when infected bacteria develope only in the liquid media.", "PMID": 773757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3901", "title": "[The influence of several prophages on the genetic behavior of Flexner dysentery bacteria].", "content": "In conjugation experiments of Escherichia coli K-12 Hfr strains and converted clones of Shigella flexneri var. y(-:3,4) that had acquired the capacity to synthesize type of antigens IV or V it is confirmed that the locus linked to lac-pro region in Sh. flexneri chromosome called Tp locus is a site of an attachment of prophages responsible for certain type specific antigens. Lac+ hybrids of the clone converted by phage IV lost the type specific antigen IV with the frequency comparable with the loss of the aforementioned antigen by wild strains of Sh. flexneri ser 4 in similar experiments carried out previously (90,8% and 97% respectively). Lac+ hybrids of the clones converted by phage V did not lose the type antigen that corresponded to the behaviour of wild strains of serotype 5b (V: 7,8) with double lysogenicity. It was shown that the clones converted by the aforementioned phage V had acquired an immunity not only to phage V, but to phage 7,8 as well. An independent segregation of immunity to phages V and 7,8 in lac+ hybrids of the converted clone was observed. It indicates that donor strain NTCC 595/52 carries two prophages, V and \"defect\" 7,8 (not expressing factor 7,8). A maintenance of antigen V observed in lac+ hybrids of the converted clone in this case confirms previous suggestions that an attachment of prophage 7,8 creates a state of some inhomology in this region disturbing the recombination process. The converting phage V isolated from the strain NTCC 595/52 is probably recombinant. An analysis of the hybrid classes allows to suggest the following approximate order of markers of the prophage on the chromosome of the converted clone: aV--imm V--imm 7,8--lac.", "contents": "[The influence of several prophages on the genetic behavior of Flexner dysentery bacteria]. In conjugation experiments of Escherichia coli K-12 Hfr strains and converted clones of Shigella flexneri var. y(-:3,4) that had acquired the capacity to synthesize type of antigens IV or V it is confirmed that the locus linked to lac-pro region in Sh. flexneri chromosome called Tp locus is a site of an attachment of prophages responsible for certain type specific antigens. Lac+ hybrids of the clone converted by phage IV lost the type specific antigen IV with the frequency comparable with the loss of the aforementioned antigen by wild strains of Sh. flexneri ser 4 in similar experiments carried out previously (90,8% and 97% respectively). Lac+ hybrids of the clones converted by phage V did not lose the type antigen that corresponded to the behaviour of wild strains of serotype 5b (V: 7,8) with double lysogenicity. It was shown that the clones converted by the aforementioned phage V had acquired an immunity not only to phage V, but to phage 7,8 as well. An independent segregation of immunity to phages V and 7,8 in lac+ hybrids of the converted clone was observed. It indicates that donor strain NTCC 595/52 carries two prophages, V and \"defect\" 7,8 (not expressing factor 7,8). A maintenance of antigen V observed in lac+ hybrids of the converted clone in this case confirms previous suggestions that an attachment of prophage 7,8 creates a state of some inhomology in this region disturbing the recombination process. The converting phage V isolated from the strain NTCC 595/52 is probably recombinant. An analysis of the hybrid classes allows to suggest the following approximate order of markers of the prophage on the chromosome of the converted clone: aV--imm V--imm 7,8--lac.", "PMID": 773758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3902", "title": "[The role of vegetative and reparative DNA synthesis in correcting single-strand breaks arising upon exposure of Escherichia coli to gamma rays].", "content": "It is shown that thymine starvation stops the growth of auxotrophic cultures at the moment of combining Okazaki fragments. Amino acid starvation prevents the mitosis in cells where DNA replication has completed. Therefore, it is easy to synchronize bacterial cells and to preserve them in two different states: when the chromosome is doubled or when the cells just divided and the chromosomes is single. The postirradiation repair, studied by measuring the number of single strand breaks, is going on with the same efficiency both in wild type cells and in different repair mutants. This suggests that sister chromatide exchange does not participate in postirradiation repair, especially in that affected by the rec-system. Some data are obtained that different pools of precursors are used by the cell in case of the repair synthesis of DNA and of vegetative replication.", "contents": "[The role of vegetative and reparative DNA synthesis in correcting single-strand breaks arising upon exposure of Escherichia coli to gamma rays]. It is shown that thymine starvation stops the growth of auxotrophic cultures at the moment of combining Okazaki fragments. Amino acid starvation prevents the mitosis in cells where DNA replication has completed. Therefore, it is easy to synchronize bacterial cells and to preserve them in two different states: when the chromosome is doubled or when the cells just divided and the chromosomes is single. The postirradiation repair, studied by measuring the number of single strand breaks, is going on with the same efficiency both in wild type cells and in different repair mutants. This suggests that sister chromatide exchange does not participate in postirradiation repair, especially in that affected by the rec-system. Some data are obtained that different pools of precursors are used by the cell in case of the repair synthesis of DNA and of vegetative replication.", "PMID": 773759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3903", "title": "[A change in the activity of the beta-phenylpropionic acid conversion enzyme in Escherichia coli under the influence of transmissive plasmids of Salmonella heidelberg].", "content": "The activity of the enzyme of the conversion of beta-phenylpropionic acid was studied in the strains of Escherichia coli serotypes 055:K59:H2 and O111:K58:H2 used as recipients via transmission of R- and Col-plasmids by conjugation in vitro. The activity of this enzyme was determined by modified method of Ben Hamida [3]. The wild type strain of Salmonella heidelberg carrying ColIb plasmid and preliminary obtained R1-19 plasmid from E. coli J 5-3 was used as a donor. The activity of the enzyme of conversion of beta-phenylpropionic acid in recombinants carrying R1-19ColIb plasmids was 3-5 times lower as compared with the original recipient. The colour reaction drived under the growth of original bacterial strains in the nutrient broth agar contained beta-phenylpropionic acid at the final concentration of 20 mg% was completely inhibited with that recombinants. The activity of this enzyme in recombinants carrying only R1-19 or ColIb plasmid remains unchanged.", "contents": "[A change in the activity of the beta-phenylpropionic acid conversion enzyme in Escherichia coli under the influence of transmissive plasmids of Salmonella heidelberg]. The activity of the enzyme of the conversion of beta-phenylpropionic acid was studied in the strains of Escherichia coli serotypes 055:K59:H2 and O111:K58:H2 used as recipients via transmission of R- and Col-plasmids by conjugation in vitro. The activity of this enzyme was determined by modified method of Ben Hamida [3]. The wild type strain of Salmonella heidelberg carrying ColIb plasmid and preliminary obtained R1-19 plasmid from E. coli J 5-3 was used as a donor. The activity of the enzyme of conversion of beta-phenylpropionic acid in recombinants carrying R1-19ColIb plasmids was 3-5 times lower as compared with the original recipient. The colour reaction drived under the growth of original bacterial strains in the nutrient broth agar contained beta-phenylpropionic acid at the final concentration of 20 mg% was completely inhibited with that recombinants. The activity of this enzyme in recombinants carrying only R1-19 or ColIb plasmid remains unchanged.", "PMID": 773760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3904", "title": "[The effect of DNA isolated from different sources and different physico-chemical conditions on Candida tropicalis strain D-2 his-].", "content": "Mutagenic effect of DNA, isolated from Escherichia coli, Actinomyces olivaceus and calf thymus, on hystidine-deficient strain of Candida tropicalis D-2 is demonstrated.", "contents": "[The effect of DNA isolated from different sources and different physico-chemical conditions on Candida tropicalis strain D-2 his-]. Mutagenic effect of DNA, isolated from Escherichia coli, Actinomyces olivaceus and calf thymus, on hystidine-deficient strain of Candida tropicalis D-2 is demonstrated.", "PMID": 773761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3905", "title": "[The influence of adenine, adenosine and adenylic nucleotides on the mutagenic action of hydroxylamine].", "content": "The effect of some adenyl precurosors of DNA synthesis on the mutagenic activity oh hydroxylamine (HA) is studied. It is shown that the addition of adenine to a suspension of Escherichia coli Bcells increases the yield of mutants by more than two times as compared with HA alone. The effects of adenosine, AMP and dAMP are somewhat different. It is suggested that the increase of the HAmutagenic effect produced by the addition of adenine may be due to:1) the excess of the amount of adenylic precursors of DNA synthesis over guanilic ones, which promotes the erroneous base-pairing during the replication of the HA modified template; 2) the modification of adenylic precursors by HA into N6-oxy-dATP, and their incorporation into DNA. The mutagenic effect of N6-hydroxyadenosine, the product of the adenine modification by HA, in E. coli Bpur- was studied. The experiments showed that N6-hydroxyadenosine induced about 1% of mutations, a relatively low lethal effect (the cell survival was 80%), and provided a high mutagenic action of this compound.", "contents": "[The influence of adenine, adenosine and adenylic nucleotides on the mutagenic action of hydroxylamine]. The effect of some adenyl precurosors of DNA synthesis on the mutagenic activity oh hydroxylamine (HA) is studied. It is shown that the addition of adenine to a suspension of Escherichia coli Bcells increases the yield of mutants by more than two times as compared with HA alone. The effects of adenosine, AMP and dAMP are somewhat different. It is suggested that the increase of the HAmutagenic effect produced by the addition of adenine may be due to:1) the excess of the amount of adenylic precursors of DNA synthesis over guanilic ones, which promotes the erroneous base-pairing during the replication of the HA modified template; 2) the modification of adenylic precursors by HA into N6-oxy-dATP, and their incorporation into DNA. The mutagenic effect of N6-hydroxyadenosine, the product of the adenine modification by HA, in E. coli Bpur- was studied. The experiments showed that N6-hydroxyadenosine induced about 1% of mutations, a relatively low lethal effect (the cell survival was 80%), and provided a high mutagenic action of this compound.", "PMID": 773762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3906", "title": "[The influence of bacterial genes recB, recA, exr and polA on T4 phage DNA transfection of lysozyme spheroplasts of Escherichia coli].", "content": "The transfection efficiency of T4 phage DNA of Escherichia coli spheroplasts, carrying mutations in four genes, involved in recombination and reparation (recB, recA, exr, polA), is studied. RecB- and recA- mutations increased the phage yield during transfection, and exr- and polA- mutations decreased it. RecA- mutation is suggested to influence on spheroplasts membrane state, resulting in more efficient replication of transfecting phage DNA.", "contents": "[The influence of bacterial genes recB, recA, exr and polA on T4 phage DNA transfection of lysozyme spheroplasts of Escherichia coli]. The transfection efficiency of T4 phage DNA of Escherichia coli spheroplasts, carrying mutations in four genes, involved in recombination and reparation (recB, recA, exr, polA), is studied. RecB- and recA- mutations increased the phage yield during transfection, and exr- and polA- mutations decreased it. RecA- mutation is suggested to influence on spheroplasts membrane state, resulting in more efficient replication of transfecting phage DNA.", "PMID": 773763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3907", "title": "[Revertants of recA-strains of Escherichia coli K-12].", "content": "The paper presents the results of a study of revertants of strains AB2463 recA13, AB2465 rec15, No 41 rec16. It is shown that revertants are characterized as intermediate strains between recA and rec+ (on the level of recB, recC strains) on their recombination proficiency in crosses with Hfr, sensitivity to UV and gamma-rays and in F-heterogenote formed cultures on their capacity of the formation of recombinants between episome and chromosome and the capacity to chromosome mobilization. In the same time revertants do not differ from rec+ in the frequency of spontaneous and UV-induction of prophage constitution of recombinants formed in crosses, and in the synthesis of beta-galactosidase in postconjugation period. It is found that the mutations studied are mapped apparently in recA gene.", "contents": "[Revertants of recA-strains of Escherichia coli K-12]. The paper presents the results of a study of revertants of strains AB2463 recA13, AB2465 rec15, No 41 rec16. It is shown that revertants are characterized as intermediate strains between recA and rec+ (on the level of recB, recC strains) on their recombination proficiency in crosses with Hfr, sensitivity to UV and gamma-rays and in F-heterogenote formed cultures on their capacity of the formation of recombinants between episome and chromosome and the capacity to chromosome mobilization. In the same time revertants do not differ from rec+ in the frequency of spontaneous and UV-induction of prophage constitution of recombinants formed in crosses, and in the synthesis of beta-galactosidase in postconjugation period. It is found that the mutations studied are mapped apparently in recA gene.", "PMID": 773764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3908", "title": "Gastric lesion in dermatitis herpetiformis.", "content": "Five of 33 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) were found to have gastric parietal cell antibody in their sera, whereas it was not found in 30 healthy controls of comparable age distribution. Fifteen of the patients with DH underwent further studies to investigate the histological and functional state of their gastric mucosa. Atrophic gastritis was found in all five patients whose sera contained gastric parietal cell antibody and in three of 11 patients with no antibody in their sera. In addition, there was marked impairment of acid secretion in the DH group as a whole, but, apart from one patient with overt pernicious anaemia (PA), there was no evidence of malabsorption of B12.", "contents": "Gastric lesion in dermatitis herpetiformis. Five of 33 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) were found to have gastric parietal cell antibody in their sera, whereas it was not found in 30 healthy controls of comparable age distribution. Fifteen of the patients with DH underwent further studies to investigate the histological and functional state of their gastric mucosa. Atrophic gastritis was found in all five patients whose sera contained gastric parietal cell antibody and in three of 11 patients with no antibody in their sera. In addition, there was marked impairment of acid secretion in the DH group as a whole, but, apart from one patient with overt pernicious anaemia (PA), there was no evidence of malabsorption of B12.", "PMID": 773783} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3909", "title": "Alcohol and absorption from the small intestine. 1. Impairment of absorption from the small intestine in alcoholics.", "content": "An absorption screen was performed in 10 chronic alcoholic patients within a few days of admission due to an acute alcoholic episode. Impaired absorption of d-Xylose was noted in three patients and low leucocyte ascorbic acid and serum folate levels in five. No abnormality was detected in jejunal histology. The absorption of water and electrolytes from the jejunum was studied in these patients using a triple-lumen tube perfusion system. The mean rate of absorption of water in the alcoholic subjects (50-0 +/- 2-3 ml/h) was significantly lower (P less than 0-001) than the mean value in 14 healthy control subjects (205 +/- 15-9 ml/h). A significant reduction of Na+ and Cl-absorption was also demonstrated in the alcoholic subjects. These results indicate that patients with acute-on-chronic alcoholism may have a function impairment of water and electrolyte absorption from the jejunum. This may, in part, account for some of the nutritional deficiencies in such patients and for symptoms such as diarrhoea which may be present.", "contents": "Alcohol and absorption from the small intestine. 1. Impairment of absorption from the small intestine in alcoholics. An absorption screen was performed in 10 chronic alcoholic patients within a few days of admission due to an acute alcoholic episode. Impaired absorption of d-Xylose was noted in three patients and low leucocyte ascorbic acid and serum folate levels in five. No abnormality was detected in jejunal histology. The absorption of water and electrolytes from the jejunum was studied in these patients using a triple-lumen tube perfusion system. The mean rate of absorption of water in the alcoholic subjects (50-0 +/- 2-3 ml/h) was significantly lower (P less than 0-001) than the mean value in 14 healthy control subjects (205 +/- 15-9 ml/h). A significant reduction of Na+ and Cl-absorption was also demonstrated in the alcoholic subjects. These results indicate that patients with acute-on-chronic alcoholism may have a function impairment of water and electrolyte absorption from the jejunum. This may, in part, account for some of the nutritional deficiencies in such patients and for symptoms such as diarrhoea which may be present.", "PMID": 773785} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3910", "title": "Impairment of jejunal absorption rate of carnosine by glycylglycine in man in vivo.", "content": "Using a double-lumen tube jejunal perfusion system in vivo, the mutual effects of carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) and glycylglycine on their respective absorption rates have been studied in six Zambian African adults. Data on the effect of the constituent amino-acids of carnosine on glycylglycine absorption rate have similarly been obtained. The solutions infused in each subject contained (A) carnosine (50 mmol l.-1), (B) carnosine (50 mmol l.-1) and glycylglycine (50 mmol l.-1), (C) glycylglycine (50 mmol l.-1), and (D) glycylglycine (50 mmol l.-1), L-histidine (50 mmol l.-1) and beta-alanine (50 mmol l.-1). Glycylglycine produced a significant impairment in the mean rate of histidine absorption from carnosine (P less than 0-01). However, carnosine did not have a significant effect on the mean rate of glycine absorption from glycylglycine. Mean rate of histidine absorption from solution D was significantly higher than that from solution A (P less than 0-01). Mean rate of glycine absorption from glycylglycine was not significantly different during infusion of solutions B, C, and D. The results are consistent with the concept that carnosine on glycylglycine is probably because the affinity of mechanism; the lack of influence of carnosine on glycylglycine is probably because the affinity of carnosine for the dipeptide uptake mechanism is relatively low. A gross difference has been shown between mean absorption rate of histidine from free L-histidine (solution D) (25-8 mmol h-1) and when it is given in the form of carnosine in the presence of another dipeptide (solution B) (8-7 mmol h-1); that emphasizes the complexity of amino acid and peptide interaction during absorption, which must be important in nutrition.", "contents": "Impairment of jejunal absorption rate of carnosine by glycylglycine in man in vivo. Using a double-lumen tube jejunal perfusion system in vivo, the mutual effects of carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) and glycylglycine on their respective absorption rates have been studied in six Zambian African adults. Data on the effect of the constituent amino-acids of carnosine on glycylglycine absorption rate have similarly been obtained. The solutions infused in each subject contained (A) carnosine (50 mmol l.-1), (B) carnosine (50 mmol l.-1) and glycylglycine (50 mmol l.-1), (C) glycylglycine (50 mmol l.-1), and (D) glycylglycine (50 mmol l.-1), L-histidine (50 mmol l.-1) and beta-alanine (50 mmol l.-1). Glycylglycine produced a significant impairment in the mean rate of histidine absorption from carnosine (P less than 0-01). However, carnosine did not have a significant effect on the mean rate of glycine absorption from glycylglycine. Mean rate of histidine absorption from solution D was significantly higher than that from solution A (P less than 0-01). Mean rate of glycine absorption from glycylglycine was not significantly different during infusion of solutions B, C, and D. The results are consistent with the concept that carnosine on glycylglycine is probably because the affinity of mechanism; the lack of influence of carnosine on glycylglycine is probably because the affinity of carnosine for the dipeptide uptake mechanism is relatively low. A gross difference has been shown between mean absorption rate of histidine from free L-histidine (solution D) (25-8 mmol h-1) and when it is given in the form of carnosine in the presence of another dipeptide (solution B) (8-7 mmol h-1); that emphasizes the complexity of amino acid and peptide interaction during absorption, which must be important in nutrition.", "PMID": 773786} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3911", "title": "Fibreoptic endoscopy and the use of the Sengstaken tube in acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension and varices.", "content": "The value of emergency upper gastrointestinal fibre-endoscopy, followed where required by the use of a modified Sengstaken tube, was studied during 84 episodes of acute bleeding in 75 patients who had evidence of portal hypertension with varices. The portal hypertension was due to alcoholic cirrhosis in 80% and to cryptogenic cirrhosis in 9% of the patients. By definition, varices were present in all patients, but in only 66% of episodes were the varices the cause of the bleed. The correct diagnosis of the source of bleeding was made at endoscopy in 89%. A Boyce modification of the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was passed in 73% of the episodes of variceal bleeding. It effectively stopped the bleeding primarily in 85% of patients but was successful as a final definitive measure only in 46%. Furthermore, only 40% of the patients in whom the tube was passed, survived. Mortality rate could be related to the severity of the bleed and to hepatocellular dysfunction. Survival increased from 23% in those patients with jaundice, ascites, and encephalopathy on admission to 92% in those without these manifestations. The in-hospital survival rate was 52% in patients bleeding from varices and 64% in those bleeding from other causes, with an overall survival rate of 56%, indicating the poor prognosis in cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, irrespective of the cause.", "contents": "Fibreoptic endoscopy and the use of the Sengstaken tube in acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension and varices. The value of emergency upper gastrointestinal fibre-endoscopy, followed where required by the use of a modified Sengstaken tube, was studied during 84 episodes of acute bleeding in 75 patients who had evidence of portal hypertension with varices. The portal hypertension was due to alcoholic cirrhosis in 80% and to cryptogenic cirrhosis in 9% of the patients. By definition, varices were present in all patients, but in only 66% of episodes were the varices the cause of the bleed. The correct diagnosis of the source of bleeding was made at endoscopy in 89%. A Boyce modification of the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was passed in 73% of the episodes of variceal bleeding. It effectively stopped the bleeding primarily in 85% of patients but was successful as a final definitive measure only in 46%. Furthermore, only 40% of the patients in whom the tube was passed, survived. Mortality rate could be related to the severity of the bleed and to hepatocellular dysfunction. Survival increased from 23% in those patients with jaundice, ascites, and encephalopathy on admission to 92% in those without these manifestations. The in-hospital survival rate was 52% in patients bleeding from varices and 64% in those bleeding from other causes, with an overall survival rate of 56%, indicating the poor prognosis in cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, irrespective of the cause.", "PMID": 773787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3912", "title": "Continuous monitoring of the effect of pentagastrin on gastric emptying of solid food in man.", "content": "By continuous monitoring of a solid meal labelled with a radiopharmaceutical it has been possible to determine the effects of drugs on gastric emptying and motility during a single study. Predictably hyoscine delayed, and bethanechol increased, the rate of gastric emptying. Pentagastrin initially produced marked antral activity resulting in a physiological stricture and subsequent delay in the overall rate of gastric emptying. Fundal motility was unaffected though reflux from the antrum occurred.", "contents": "Continuous monitoring of the effect of pentagastrin on gastric emptying of solid food in man. By continuous monitoring of a solid meal labelled with a radiopharmaceutical it has been possible to determine the effects of drugs on gastric emptying and motility during a single study. Predictably hyoscine delayed, and bethanechol increased, the rate of gastric emptying. Pentagastrin initially produced marked antral activity resulting in a physiological stricture and subsequent delay in the overall rate of gastric emptying. Fundal motility was unaffected though reflux from the antrum occurred.", "PMID": 773788} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3913", "title": "Induction of pyloric hypertrophy by pentagastrin. An animal model for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.", "content": "Administration of pentagastrin in depot form to 20 pregnant bitches produced pyloric hypertrophy in about 28% and gastroduodenal ulceration in about 16% of their pups. The two lesions were not necessarily found in the same individuals. Histological appearances of the pylorus in affected pups closely resembled those of human infantile pyloric stenosis.", "contents": "Induction of pyloric hypertrophy by pentagastrin. An animal model for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Administration of pentagastrin in depot form to 20 pregnant bitches produced pyloric hypertrophy in about 28% and gastroduodenal ulceration in about 16% of their pups. The two lesions were not necessarily found in the same individuals. Histological appearances of the pylorus in affected pups closely resembled those of human infantile pyloric stenosis.", "PMID": 773789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3914", "title": "Determination of liver volume by the use of a gamma camera connected with 1600 or 4096 channel analyser in diffuse liver diseases.", "content": "A method of in vivo calculation of liver volume using a gamma camera and a 1600 or 4096 channel analyser is described. Topographically, the maximum thickness giving the highest counts in matrix data in the right anterior oblique projection is measured as the maximum breadth in the right posterior oblique projection. Then the total counts given by the liver can be transformed to the volume. The necropsy criteria indicated that the errors were between --11-9 +/- 14-7% in 13 cases by the use of 198Au-colloid. In 20 selected normal control subjects, the mean of measured liver volumes was 779 +/- 99 cm3/m2 of surface area. The volumetric calculation using 99mTc-Sn-colloid or 99mTc-phytate was compared with 198Au-colloid in the same patients. The results with 99mTc-Sn-colloid were well correlated with those with 198Au-colloid, but the results with 99mTc-phytate and 198Au-colloid were almost equal. It was concluded that, excluding rare severe cases of liver cirrhosis, liver volume can be measured with reasonable accuracy.", "contents": "Determination of liver volume by the use of a gamma camera connected with 1600 or 4096 channel analyser in diffuse liver diseases. A method of in vivo calculation of liver volume using a gamma camera and a 1600 or 4096 channel analyser is described. Topographically, the maximum thickness giving the highest counts in matrix data in the right anterior oblique projection is measured as the maximum breadth in the right posterior oblique projection. Then the total counts given by the liver can be transformed to the volume. The necropsy criteria indicated that the errors were between --11-9 +/- 14-7% in 13 cases by the use of 198Au-colloid. In 20 selected normal control subjects, the mean of measured liver volumes was 779 +/- 99 cm3/m2 of surface area. The volumetric calculation using 99mTc-Sn-colloid or 99mTc-phytate was compared with 198Au-colloid in the same patients. The results with 99mTc-Sn-colloid were well correlated with those with 198Au-colloid, but the results with 99mTc-phytate and 198Au-colloid were almost equal. It was concluded that, excluding rare severe cases of liver cirrhosis, liver volume can be measured with reasonable accuracy.", "PMID": 773790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3915", "title": "Relationship between bile acid malabsorption and pancreatic insufficiency in cystic fibrosis.", "content": "Bile acid loss (mg/m2 24h) in the stools of 43 cystic fibrosis (CF) children with pancreatic insufficiency was 751-1 +/- 48-3, while that of six without clinical evidence of pancreatic disease (133-4 +/- 15-9) did not differ from values in 25 controls (109-8 +/- 9-8). There was a good correlation between the degree of bile acid (BA) and fat sequestration. Concomitant changes in bile acid and fat loss were observed in the one group of six patients studied on and off pancreatic enzymes as well as in a second group of seven children treated with pancreatic supplements and maintained on a normal diet followed by a low fat diet supplemented with medium chain triglycerides. Administration of NA bicarbonate led to a significant decrease in fat loss (15-8 +/- 2-7 leads to 10-3 +/- 1-9) without any simultaneous change in bile acid excretion (533-1 +/- 58-3 leads to 500-4 +/- 58-6). Qualitative bile acid patterns in controls, in infants after an ileal resection, and in patients with CF or with coeliac disease showed that the percentage of primary BA followed closely the total amount excreted except in situations where antibiotics were administered. The exact mechanism for the increased loss of BA in CF is unknown. It is found in all age groups and is related to the presence and degree of pancreatic insufficiency. The possibility that unhydrolysed triglycerides may interfere with the intestinal absorption of bile acid needs further confirmation.", "contents": "Relationship between bile acid malabsorption and pancreatic insufficiency in cystic fibrosis. Bile acid loss (mg/m2 24h) in the stools of 43 cystic fibrosis (CF) children with pancreatic insufficiency was 751-1 +/- 48-3, while that of six without clinical evidence of pancreatic disease (133-4 +/- 15-9) did not differ from values in 25 controls (109-8 +/- 9-8). There was a good correlation between the degree of bile acid (BA) and fat sequestration. Concomitant changes in bile acid and fat loss were observed in the one group of six patients studied on and off pancreatic enzymes as well as in a second group of seven children treated with pancreatic supplements and maintained on a normal diet followed by a low fat diet supplemented with medium chain triglycerides. Administration of NA bicarbonate led to a significant decrease in fat loss (15-8 +/- 2-7 leads to 10-3 +/- 1-9) without any simultaneous change in bile acid excretion (533-1 +/- 58-3 leads to 500-4 +/- 58-6). Qualitative bile acid patterns in controls, in infants after an ileal resection, and in patients with CF or with coeliac disease showed that the percentage of primary BA followed closely the total amount excreted except in situations where antibiotics were administered. The exact mechanism for the increased loss of BA in CF is unknown. It is found in all age groups and is related to the presence and degree of pancreatic insufficiency. The possibility that unhydrolysed triglycerides may interfere with the intestinal absorption of bile acid needs further confirmation.", "PMID": 773791} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3916", "title": "Serum lysozyme levels in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.", "content": "Serum lysozyme levels were determined in healthy volunteers, patients with Crohn's disease, and patients with ulcerative colitis. The mean concentration in Crohn's disease was significantly greater than in the other groups. In patients with Crohn's disease, as well as in patients with ulcerative colitis, the lysozyme levels correlated with the severity of the disease process and with the extent of the lesions: the more severe the disease and the more extensive the involvement, the higher the lysozyme levels. However, the lysozyme values of the different groups overlapped considerably. Our results indicate that lysozyme determinations have only limited discriminative value for the diagnosis of Crohn's disease and for determining the severity and the extent of the disease process in the individual patient.", "contents": "Serum lysozyme levels in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Serum lysozyme levels were determined in healthy volunteers, patients with Crohn's disease, and patients with ulcerative colitis. The mean concentration in Crohn's disease was significantly greater than in the other groups. In patients with Crohn's disease, as well as in patients with ulcerative colitis, the lysozyme levels correlated with the severity of the disease process and with the extent of the lesions: the more severe the disease and the more extensive the involvement, the higher the lysozyme levels. However, the lysozyme values of the different groups overlapped considerably. Our results indicate that lysozyme determinations have only limited discriminative value for the diagnosis of Crohn's disease and for determining the severity and the extent of the disease process in the individual patient.", "PMID": 773792} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3917", "title": "Influence of autonomic nerves on the internal and sphincter in man.", "content": "The internal and sphincter receives its parasympathetic nerve supply from the sacral outflow and its sympathetic supply from the thoracicolumbar outflow of the spinal cord. In order to investigate the influence of the tonic discharge of these nerves, eight healthy subjects receiving high spinal anaesthesia (T 6-T 12) and five receiving low spinal anaesthesia (L 5-S 1) were examined. Continuous recordings of anal pressure and electromyographic activity from the external sphincter were obtained during rest and during expansion of the ampulla recti by means of an air-filled balloon. The results were compared with those obtained in an earlier study from 10 subjects with a bilateral pudendal block which paralysed the striated sphincter muscles without affecting the autonomic nerve supply to the internal sphincter. Anal pressure at rest decreased significantly more with high spinal anaesthesia (32 +/- 3-2 mm Hg) than with low (11 +/- 7-1 mm Hg) or with pudendal block (10 +/- 3-9 mm Hg) and the relaxations of the internal sphincter induced by rectal distension were somewhat smaller with high spinal anaesthesia. However, the remaining anal pressure at maximal relaxation, induced by a substantial rectal distension, was essentially the same with the three forms of anaesthesia. It is concluded that, at rest, there is a tonic excitatory sympathetic discharge to the internal anal sphincter in man. However, this seems to be without excitatory effect when the sphincter is relaxed after a substantial rectal distension. Furthermore, the results indicate that at rest there is no tonic parasympathetic discharge affecting the sphincter tone.", "contents": "Influence of autonomic nerves on the internal and sphincter in man. The internal and sphincter receives its parasympathetic nerve supply from the sacral outflow and its sympathetic supply from the thoracicolumbar outflow of the spinal cord. In order to investigate the influence of the tonic discharge of these nerves, eight healthy subjects receiving high spinal anaesthesia (T 6-T 12) and five receiving low spinal anaesthesia (L 5-S 1) were examined. Continuous recordings of anal pressure and electromyographic activity from the external sphincter were obtained during rest and during expansion of the ampulla recti by means of an air-filled balloon. The results were compared with those obtained in an earlier study from 10 subjects with a bilateral pudendal block which paralysed the striated sphincter muscles without affecting the autonomic nerve supply to the internal sphincter. Anal pressure at rest decreased significantly more with high spinal anaesthesia (32 +/- 3-2 mm Hg) than with low (11 +/- 7-1 mm Hg) or with pudendal block (10 +/- 3-9 mm Hg) and the relaxations of the internal sphincter induced by rectal distension were somewhat smaller with high spinal anaesthesia. However, the remaining anal pressure at maximal relaxation, induced by a substantial rectal distension, was essentially the same with the three forms of anaesthesia. It is concluded that, at rest, there is a tonic excitatory sympathetic discharge to the internal anal sphincter in man. However, this seems to be without excitatory effect when the sphincter is relaxed after a substantial rectal distension. Furthermore, the results indicate that at rest there is no tonic parasympathetic discharge affecting the sphincter tone.", "PMID": 773793} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3918", "title": "[Sulpiride in the management of gastroduodenal ulcers. A comparative double-blind study].", "content": "Sulpiride (Dogmatil) is a new type of drug acting on the hypothalamus resulting in a physiological increase in amplitude and frequency of gastric motor activity, reduction of signs of abnormal activity and pyloric spasm and an increase in the rate of gastric emptying. Gastric secretion is for all practical purposes unchanged, either in quantity or in acid content. The effects of Sulpiride on the duodenum are similar through some hypotony may be seen. The motor effects of Sulpiride do not relate to its effectiveness in treatment of gastroduodenal ulceration and experiments have shown that this activity can be explained by the reduction of capillary vaso-constriction in local blood circulation at the site of experimentally-induced ulcers, producing a vaso-dilatation assisting healing. This study objectively evaluates the activity of Sulpiride in gastro-duodenal ulcers. 64 patients were studied under strict criteria and acute hemorragic, multiple or abnormally situated ulcers as well as those associated with other infections were eliminated. The dosage was uniform, two ampoules daily of 100 mgs i.m. of Sulpiride or placebo for 12 days, followed by 3 capsules daily of 50 mgs of Sulpiride or placebo for 48 days. No other treatment was given and no dietery restrictions were imposed, though alcohol and Aspirin and similar drugs were restricted. Of the 64 patients, 26 (18 men, 8 women, aged from 21 to 80 years) had gastric ulcers, 14 were treated with Sulpiride, 12 with placebo. 38 cases (29 men and 9 women, aged between 21 and 70 years) had duodenal ulcers, 18 were treated with Sulpiride, 20 with placebo. Full clinical, biological, radiological and endoscopic tests were carried out and a full questionnaire was completed. Highly significant differences in favour of Sulpiride were shown in both gastric and duodenal ulcer cases, maximum from the 20th day than less significative radiological results appeared. Similar remarks apply to endoscopic results. Sulpiride was extremely well tolerated, though amenorrhea (1) or galactorrhea (2) were noted without causing inconvenience to the patient. The author believes that the clinical effectiveness of Sulpiride in the treatment of gastro-duodenal ulcers is incontestable showing maximum results in ambulatory patients from the 20th day. A large number of patients would probably have produced statistically significant differences in radiological and endoscopic evidence of healing.", "contents": "[Sulpiride in the management of gastroduodenal ulcers. A comparative double-blind study]. Sulpiride (Dogmatil) is a new type of drug acting on the hypothalamus resulting in a physiological increase in amplitude and frequency of gastric motor activity, reduction of signs of abnormal activity and pyloric spasm and an increase in the rate of gastric emptying. Gastric secretion is for all practical purposes unchanged, either in quantity or in acid content. The effects of Sulpiride on the duodenum are similar through some hypotony may be seen. The motor effects of Sulpiride do not relate to its effectiveness in treatment of gastroduodenal ulceration and experiments have shown that this activity can be explained by the reduction of capillary vaso-constriction in local blood circulation at the site of experimentally-induced ulcers, producing a vaso-dilatation assisting healing. This study objectively evaluates the activity of Sulpiride in gastro-duodenal ulcers. 64 patients were studied under strict criteria and acute hemorragic, multiple or abnormally situated ulcers as well as those associated with other infections were eliminated. The dosage was uniform, two ampoules daily of 100 mgs i.m. of Sulpiride or placebo for 12 days, followed by 3 capsules daily of 50 mgs of Sulpiride or placebo for 48 days. No other treatment was given and no dietery restrictions were imposed, though alcohol and Aspirin and similar drugs were restricted. Of the 64 patients, 26 (18 men, 8 women, aged from 21 to 80 years) had gastric ulcers, 14 were treated with Sulpiride, 12 with placebo. 38 cases (29 men and 9 women, aged between 21 and 70 years) had duodenal ulcers, 18 were treated with Sulpiride, 20 with placebo. Full clinical, biological, radiological and endoscopic tests were carried out and a full questionnaire was completed. Highly significant differences in favour of Sulpiride were shown in both gastric and duodenal ulcer cases, maximum from the 20th day than less significative radiological results appeared. Similar remarks apply to endoscopic results. Sulpiride was extremely well tolerated, though amenorrhea (1) or galactorrhea (2) were noted without causing inconvenience to the patient. The author believes that the clinical effectiveness of Sulpiride in the treatment of gastro-duodenal ulcers is incontestable showing maximum results in ambulatory patients from the 20th day. A large number of patients would probably have produced statistically significant differences in radiological and endoscopic evidence of healing.", "PMID": 773801} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3919", "title": "Serum insulin changes in arteriosclerotic breeder female rats versus non-arteriosclerotic virgin rats.", "content": "Immunoreactive serum insulin (IRI), glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), and corticosterone (Cmpd. B) were measured in non-arteriosclerotic virgin versus arteriosclerotic, breeder female rats exhibiting normal 4-day cycles. In the arteriosclerotic breeder females, the normal increase in IRI during proestrus and estrus did not occur. The IRI levels during these times were comparable to the minimal levels found during metestrus in the non-arteriosclerotic virgin rats and were even lower than the IRI levels or ovariectomized rats. Since both young and old non-arteriosclerotic virgin rats had similar IRI patterns, the lack of cyclic insulin change in the arteriosclerotic breeder rats is not considered to be age-related. Instead, these changes are ascribed to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal hyperactivity associated with repeated reproductive activity and the development of arteriosclerosis.", "contents": "Serum insulin changes in arteriosclerotic breeder female rats versus non-arteriosclerotic virgin rats. Immunoreactive serum insulin (IRI), glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), and corticosterone (Cmpd. B) were measured in non-arteriosclerotic virgin versus arteriosclerotic, breeder female rats exhibiting normal 4-day cycles. In the arteriosclerotic breeder females, the normal increase in IRI during proestrus and estrus did not occur. The IRI levels during these times were comparable to the minimal levels found during metestrus in the non-arteriosclerotic virgin rats and were even lower than the IRI levels or ovariectomized rats. Since both young and old non-arteriosclerotic virgin rats had similar IRI patterns, the lack of cyclic insulin change in the arteriosclerotic breeder rats is not considered to be age-related. Instead, these changes are ascribed to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal hyperactivity associated with repeated reproductive activity and the development of arteriosclerosis.", "PMID": 773805} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3920", "title": "Therapy-orientated diagnosis of secondary amenorrhoea.", "content": "A programme for investigation of secondary amenorrhoea is described, which is based upon a functional classification of the endocrine causes of anovulation. All diagnostic enquiries not directly yielding a therapeutic dividend are excluded from this protocol. Three main categories of amenorrhoea are recognised: primary ovarian disease, hyperprolactinaemia and disorders of gonadotrophin secretion. There are subdivisions of each category, each with its own special diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Initial investigations take 6 weeks to complete and include measurements of follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin, pituitary radiology and assessment of oestrogen production and of the response to clomiphene. The results of analysis of 75 consecutive cases of amenorrhoea and of 18 patients treated for infertility are presented and a cost benefit analysis applied.", "contents": "Therapy-orientated diagnosis of secondary amenorrhoea. A programme for investigation of secondary amenorrhoea is described, which is based upon a functional classification of the endocrine causes of anovulation. All diagnostic enquiries not directly yielding a therapeutic dividend are excluded from this protocol. Three main categories of amenorrhoea are recognised: primary ovarian disease, hyperprolactinaemia and disorders of gonadotrophin secretion. There are subdivisions of each category, each with its own special diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Initial investigations take 6 weeks to complete and include measurements of follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin, pituitary radiology and assessment of oestrogen production and of the response to clomiphene. The results of analysis of 75 consecutive cases of amenorrhoea and of 18 patients treated for infertility are presented and a cost benefit analysis applied.", "PMID": 773806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3921", "title": "Cell mediated immunity and the inflammatory system.", "content": "In this review we have considered the evidence for the existence of lymphokines and have focused on the specific mechanisms by which lymphokines modify the behavior of the various inflammatory cells. These mechanisms are based for the most part on in vitro observations. We have therefore discussed in detail data that document an in vivo role for various lymphokines. This evidence is based on experiments falling into two broad categories: the identification of lymphokines in tissue extracts and serum, and the demonstration of various biologic activities of exogenous lymphokines administered locally or systemically. The details of these kinds of experiments have been presented throughout the preceding discussion. The demonstration of lymphokines in vivo adds a new dimension to our ability to study human disease. The detection of migration inhibition factor in serum, for example, is technically simpler than studies of lymphocyte reactivity in patients with altered cellular immunity. Migration inhibition factor has already been found in the serum in several clinical settings, as described. The capacity of exogenous lymphokines for suppressing manifestations of delayed hypersensitivity may provide an explanation for the altered immunoreactivity often observed in some of those diseases. A final comment is in order regarding the significance of lymphokine production in the overall biologic scheme of things. In previous sections we noted that although activation of lymphocytes for lymphokine production by specific antigen is a property of T cells, B cells may be so activated nonspecifically by certain mitogens. Moreover, it has been shown that migration inhibition factor, or substances with similar biologic and physicochemical properties, may be found in certain replicating cultures of nonlymphoid cells. Also, we have recently shown that migration inhibitory activity, as well as certain other lymphokine-like activities such as macrophage and lymphocyte chemotaxis, may appear following the in vitro or in vivo infection of nonlymphoid as well as lymphoid cells by certain viruses. All these results suggest that lymphokine production, rather than \"merely\" representing an effector mechanism for cell mediated immunity and for certain kinds of helper functions in antibody synthesis, represents a general biologic phenomenon that may play a role in various aspects of host defense. Thus, such mediator substances should be more properly called \"cytokines.\" Lymphokines represent a restricted set of cytokines made by one class of cells (lymphocytes) activated in certain unique ways. In this view the lmyphocyte has acquired some specialized means for triggering such production, not available to other cells.", "contents": "Cell mediated immunity and the inflammatory system. In this review we have considered the evidence for the existence of lymphokines and have focused on the specific mechanisms by which lymphokines modify the behavior of the various inflammatory cells. These mechanisms are based for the most part on in vitro observations. We have therefore discussed in detail data that document an in vivo role for various lymphokines. This evidence is based on experiments falling into two broad categories: the identification of lymphokines in tissue extracts and serum, and the demonstration of various biologic activities of exogenous lymphokines administered locally or systemically. The details of these kinds of experiments have been presented throughout the preceding discussion. The demonstration of lymphokines in vivo adds a new dimension to our ability to study human disease. The detection of migration inhibition factor in serum, for example, is technically simpler than studies of lymphocyte reactivity in patients with altered cellular immunity. Migration inhibition factor has already been found in the serum in several clinical settings, as described. The capacity of exogenous lymphokines for suppressing manifestations of delayed hypersensitivity may provide an explanation for the altered immunoreactivity often observed in some of those diseases. A final comment is in order regarding the significance of lymphokine production in the overall biologic scheme of things. In previous sections we noted that although activation of lymphocytes for lymphokine production by specific antigen is a property of T cells, B cells may be so activated nonspecifically by certain mitogens. Moreover, it has been shown that migration inhibition factor, or substances with similar biologic and physicochemical properties, may be found in certain replicating cultures of nonlymphoid cells. Also, we have recently shown that migration inhibitory activity, as well as certain other lymphokine-like activities such as macrophage and lymphocyte chemotaxis, may appear following the in vitro or in vivo infection of nonlymphoid as well as lymphoid cells by certain viruses. All these results suggest that lymphokine production, rather than \"merely\" representing an effector mechanism for cell mediated immunity and for certain kinds of helper functions in antibody synthesis, represents a general biologic phenomenon that may play a role in various aspects of host defense. Thus, such mediator substances should be more properly called \"cytokines.\" Lymphokines represent a restricted set of cytokines made by one class of cells (lymphocytes) activated in certain unique ways. In this view the lmyphocyte has acquired some specialized means for triggering such production, not available to other cells.", "PMID": 773808} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3922", "title": "Current taxonomy and identification of nonfermentative gram negative bacilli.", "content": "In recent years significant advances have been made in the characterization and taxonomy of nonfermentative bacilli as well as in the recognition of their pathogenic potential for man. In addition, certain other infrequently isolated bacteria that may be fermentative have been recognized, and improved methods for their identification have been developed. This discussion attempts to present a practical approach to the identification of these micro-organisms in the clinical microbiology laboratory.", "contents": "Current taxonomy and identification of nonfermentative gram negative bacilli. In recent years significant advances have been made in the characterization and taxonomy of nonfermentative bacilli as well as in the recognition of their pathogenic potential for man. In addition, certain other infrequently isolated bacteria that may be fermentative have been recognized, and improved methods for their identification have been developed. This discussion attempts to present a practical approach to the identification of these micro-organisms in the clinical microbiology laboratory.", "PMID": 773809} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3923", "title": "Specimen collection and transport.", "content": "The approach to the collection and transport of meaningful and accurate microbiologic specimens depends upon the nature of the suspected infectious entity and upon the location of the pathogenic process, as well as the possession of appropriate instrumentation and containers. New information and newly developed collection-transport materials have improved the potential for the successful collection and isolation of pathogenic micro-organisms.", "contents": "Specimen collection and transport. The approach to the collection and transport of meaningful and accurate microbiologic specimens depends upon the nature of the suspected infectious entity and upon the location of the pathogenic process, as well as the possession of appropriate instrumentation and containers. New information and newly developed collection-transport materials have improved the potential for the successful collection and isolation of pathogenic micro-organisms.", "PMID": 773810} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3924", "title": "Depression of the plaque-forming cells to sheep red blood cells by the new-born larvae of Trichinella spiralis.", "content": "The number of plaque-forming cells (PFC) per spleen is reduced in mice experimentally infected with 200 Trichinella larvae at 14 and 28 days after infection, whereas no difference is shown at days 7 and 56. The worms of the three different phases of the life cycle of Trichinella have been isolated and kept alive in vitro at 37 degrees in the inner compartment of a Marbrook chamber. The outer compartment of the chamber contained normal spleen cells and sheep erythrocytes. After 4 days, the spleen cells were removed and assayed for PFC. The results indicate that the new-born larvae are capable of producing substances which can diffuse through a Millipore filter and affect the spleen cells forming antibody to sheep erythrocytes. The suppression of antibody to sheep red blood cells in mice infected with Trichinella is a transitory phenomenon and can be related to the migrating phase of the life cycle of the parasite.", "contents": "Depression of the plaque-forming cells to sheep red blood cells by the new-born larvae of Trichinella spiralis. The number of plaque-forming cells (PFC) per spleen is reduced in mice experimentally infected with 200 Trichinella larvae at 14 and 28 days after infection, whereas no difference is shown at days 7 and 56. The worms of the three different phases of the life cycle of Trichinella have been isolated and kept alive in vitro at 37 degrees in the inner compartment of a Marbrook chamber. The outer compartment of the chamber contained normal spleen cells and sheep erythrocytes. After 4 days, the spleen cells were removed and assayed for PFC. The results indicate that the new-born larvae are capable of producing substances which can diffuse through a Millipore filter and affect the spleen cells forming antibody to sheep erythrocytes. The suppression of antibody to sheep red blood cells in mice infected with Trichinella is a transitory phenomenon and can be related to the migrating phase of the life cycle of the parasite.", "PMID": 773811} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3925", "title": "Induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity with BCG-associated proteins.", "content": "Microgram quantities of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and hen egg albumin (OA) associate spontaneously with living BCG in aqueous suspension. The association is stable insofar as bound protein cannot be readily dissociated from the organism by repeated washing. Association of BSA or OA is dependent upon the concentration of specific protein or competing protein in the incubation mixture, pH and the amount of protein already bound to the organisms. Washed BCG \"complexes\" containing either BSA or OA are potent inducers of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). The same soluble proteins are far less effective inducers of DTH, even when injected with BCG. The capacity of OA-BCG complexes to provoke a cell-mediated response seems to be related, at least in part, to \"stabilization\" of the antigen on an appropriate carrier and its concentration at the site of BCG injection.", "contents": "Induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity with BCG-associated proteins. Microgram quantities of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and hen egg albumin (OA) associate spontaneously with living BCG in aqueous suspension. The association is stable insofar as bound protein cannot be readily dissociated from the organism by repeated washing. Association of BSA or OA is dependent upon the concentration of specific protein or competing protein in the incubation mixture, pH and the amount of protein already bound to the organisms. Washed BCG \"complexes\" containing either BSA or OA are potent inducers of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). The same soluble proteins are far less effective inducers of DTH, even when injected with BCG. The capacity of OA-BCG complexes to provoke a cell-mediated response seems to be related, at least in part, to \"stabilization\" of the antigen on an appropriate carrier and its concentration at the site of BCG injection.", "PMID": 773812} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3926", "title": "Increased survival in calves of Escherichia coli K-12 carrying an Ent plasmid.", "content": "Escherichia coli K-12 strains with and without an Ent plasmid were fed to calves, and the survival of each was monitored by viable bacterial counts of the feces. The E. coli K-12 strain carrying the Ent plasmid survived in the calves at significantly higher levels and for a longer period of time than the E. coli F(-) stain.", "contents": "Increased survival in calves of Escherichia coli K-12 carrying an Ent plasmid. Escherichia coli K-12 strains with and without an Ent plasmid were fed to calves, and the survival of each was monitored by viable bacterial counts of the feces. The E. coli K-12 strain carrying the Ent plasmid survived in the calves at significantly higher levels and for a longer period of time than the E. coli F(-) stain.", "PMID": 773819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3927", "title": "Effect of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) on the multiunit activity of the arcuate nucleus in the proestrous rats.", "content": "Multiple Unit Activity (MUA) of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus as indicated by discriminated spikes with window setting between 18-30 uV, the integrated MUA and the cortical EEG of the urethane anaesthetized rats on the proestrous day was recorded with the help of a polygraph. Infusion of LH-RH in the 3rd ventricle markedly increased the arcuate nucleus MUA. The effect started within minutes of infusion, peak came after 20-30 minutes and the activity remained increased for 3-4 hours. Saline infusion in the 3rd ventricle was ineffective. Feedback action of CSF-LH-RH to the arcuate nucleus for the regulation of LH-RH is suggested.", "contents": "Effect of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) on the multiunit activity of the arcuate nucleus in the proestrous rats. Multiple Unit Activity (MUA) of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus as indicated by discriminated spikes with window setting between 18-30 uV, the integrated MUA and the cortical EEG of the urethane anaesthetized rats on the proestrous day was recorded with the help of a polygraph. Infusion of LH-RH in the 3rd ventricle markedly increased the arcuate nucleus MUA. The effect started within minutes of infusion, peak came after 20-30 minutes and the activity remained increased for 3-4 hours. Saline infusion in the 3rd ventricle was ineffective. Feedback action of CSF-LH-RH to the arcuate nucleus for the regulation of LH-RH is suggested.", "PMID": 773817} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3928", "title": "Antibacterial activity in colostrum and milk associated with protection of piglets against enteric disease caused by K88-positive Escherichia coli.", "content": "Piglets suckled by dams that had been vaccinated with K88 antigen were significantly more resistant to deaths caused by neonatal diarrhea after challenge with a large dose of a K88-positive enteropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli than piglets suckled by control dams. The factors most likely to be involved in protection of the piglets were investigated by comparing the antibacterial activities of serum and mammary secretions from the two groups of dams. Vaccination stimulated the production of K88 antibodies, which were associated with anti-adhesive activity directed against the adhesive properties of the K88 antigen, and of O8 antibodies; the latter antibodies were attributed to traces of O8 antigen in the vaccine. Neutralizing activity against heat-labile enterotoxin was present in several dams before vaccination but was not stimulated by bacteriostatic activities were similar in serum and mammary secretions from both groups of dams and appeared to play no significant role in the protective after parturition were atrributed to exposure of the dams to the challenge strain excreted by the piglets. It was concluded that neutralization of the adhesive properties of K88 antigen by K88 antibodies in colostrum and in milk contributed significantly to the protection of piglets from vaccinated dams. However, the contribution of antibacterial activities associated with the greater levels of O8 antibodies in colstrum from the vaccinated group cannot be entirely excluded.", "contents": "Antibacterial activity in colostrum and milk associated with protection of piglets against enteric disease caused by K88-positive Escherichia coli. Piglets suckled by dams that had been vaccinated with K88 antigen were significantly more resistant to deaths caused by neonatal diarrhea after challenge with a large dose of a K88-positive enteropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli than piglets suckled by control dams. The factors most likely to be involved in protection of the piglets were investigated by comparing the antibacterial activities of serum and mammary secretions from the two groups of dams. Vaccination stimulated the production of K88 antibodies, which were associated with anti-adhesive activity directed against the adhesive properties of the K88 antigen, and of O8 antibodies; the latter antibodies were attributed to traces of O8 antigen in the vaccine. Neutralizing activity against heat-labile enterotoxin was present in several dams before vaccination but was not stimulated by bacteriostatic activities were similar in serum and mammary secretions from both groups of dams and appeared to play no significant role in the protective after parturition were atrributed to exposure of the dams to the challenge strain excreted by the piglets. It was concluded that neutralization of the adhesive properties of K88 antigen by K88 antibodies in colostrum and in milk contributed significantly to the protection of piglets from vaccinated dams. However, the contribution of antibacterial activities associated with the greater levels of O8 antibodies in colstrum from the vaccinated group cannot be entirely excluded.", "PMID": 773820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3929", "title": "Virulent Treponema pallidum: aerobe or anaerobe.", "content": "Substrate degradation and protein synthesis served as indicators of metabolism in virulent Treponema pallidum. Opitmal metabolic activity in these spirochetes was observed at 10 to 20% O2 concentrations, with markedly reduced activity at higher or lower O2 levels or under anaerobiosis; alternate functioning electron acceptors that might substitute for O2 were not found. Carbon monoxide and cyanide at concentrations that inactivate cytochrome oxidase were not effective metabolic poisons for T. pallidum, although Micrococcus lutea, a strict aerobe with cytochrome-dependent respiration, was inhibited under similar experimental conditions. Motility of virulent T. pallidum was vigorous in the presence of O2 and sluggish or inhibited in its absence, reinforcing the role of O2 in T. pallidum metabolism.", "contents": "Virulent Treponema pallidum: aerobe or anaerobe. Substrate degradation and protein synthesis served as indicators of metabolism in virulent Treponema pallidum. Opitmal metabolic activity in these spirochetes was observed at 10 to 20% O2 concentrations, with markedly reduced activity at higher or lower O2 levels or under anaerobiosis; alternate functioning electron acceptors that might substitute for O2 were not found. Carbon monoxide and cyanide at concentrations that inactivate cytochrome oxidase were not effective metabolic poisons for T. pallidum, although Micrococcus lutea, a strict aerobe with cytochrome-dependent respiration, was inhibited under similar experimental conditions. Motility of virulent T. pallidum was vigorous in the presence of O2 and sluggish or inhibited in its absence, reinforcing the role of O2 in T. pallidum metabolism.", "PMID": 773821} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3930", "title": "The role of nerves in the production of cardiac arrest during surgical anaesthesia.", "content": "The role of cardiac nerves in the production of cardiac arrest during surgical anaesthesia on coronary ligated hypoxic heart has been studied. When atropinished coronary ligated dogs were exposed to hypoxia the terminal event was a cardiac asystole in 88% of the dogs. In propranolol treated dogs, or in dogs where sympathetic ganglia upto T6 were bilaterally removed earlier, coronary ligation and hypoxia produced ventricular extrasystoles, ventricular tachycardia and repeated sinus arrest followed by ventricular fibrillation. The possibility of the origin of arrythmia from the damaged myocardium, and the presence of an intact vagus in the production of ventricular fibrillation has been discussed.", "contents": "The role of nerves in the production of cardiac arrest during surgical anaesthesia. The role of cardiac nerves in the production of cardiac arrest during surgical anaesthesia on coronary ligated hypoxic heart has been studied. When atropinished coronary ligated dogs were exposed to hypoxia the terminal event was a cardiac asystole in 88% of the dogs. In propranolol treated dogs, or in dogs where sympathetic ganglia upto T6 were bilaterally removed earlier, coronary ligation and hypoxia produced ventricular extrasystoles, ventricular tachycardia and repeated sinus arrest followed by ventricular fibrillation. The possibility of the origin of arrythmia from the damaged myocardium, and the presence of an intact vagus in the production of ventricular fibrillation has been discussed.", "PMID": 773818} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3931", "title": "Failure of endotoxin to increase nonspecific resistance to infection of lipopolysaccharide low-responder mice.", "content": "In vitro and in vivo responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and various other bacterial immunostimulants were compared in c3H/He low-responder mice. The principal findings were as follows. (i) Their splenic lymphocytes were stimulated by various gram-negative mitogens such as an Escherichia coli peptidoglycan, a detoxified derivative of LPS, and even endotoxins extracted by trichloroacetic acid that are known to contain protein; spleen cells of these mice were also transformed by two other B-cell mitogens extracted from acid-fast organisms. (ii) Their macrophages were refractory to LPS and weakly responsive to a mycobacterial prepartion. (iii) LPS failed to elicit nonspecific resistance in these mice against Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. (iv) Endotoxin extracted by trichloroacetic acid and a mycobacterial preparation that could increase nonspecific resistance to infection in other strains did not protect C3H/He mice against a challenge by K. pneumoniae, although both prepartions could evoke nonspecific responses of B cells in this low-responder subline.", "contents": "Failure of endotoxin to increase nonspecific resistance to infection of lipopolysaccharide low-responder mice. In vitro and in vivo responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and various other bacterial immunostimulants were compared in c3H/He low-responder mice. The principal findings were as follows. (i) Their splenic lymphocytes were stimulated by various gram-negative mitogens such as an Escherichia coli peptidoglycan, a detoxified derivative of LPS, and even endotoxins extracted by trichloroacetic acid that are known to contain protein; spleen cells of these mice were also transformed by two other B-cell mitogens extracted from acid-fast organisms. (ii) Their macrophages were refractory to LPS and weakly responsive to a mycobacterial prepartion. (iii) LPS failed to elicit nonspecific resistance in these mice against Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. (iv) Endotoxin extracted by trichloroacetic acid and a mycobacterial preparation that could increase nonspecific resistance to infection in other strains did not protect C3H/He mice against a challenge by K. pneumoniae, although both prepartions could evoke nonspecific responses of B cells in this low-responder subline.", "PMID": 773822} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3932", "title": "Inhibitory action of D-galactose on phagocyte metabolism and function.", "content": "To account for enhanced susceptibility to infection among galactosemics, the acute effects of D-galactose on metabolic and functional activities of phagocytic cells in vitro were investigated. Human and guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) when incubated in medium containing 30 mM galactose displayed substantially less killing of Escherichia coli than when incubated in medium with 5 mM glucose. Impaired bactericidal activity was dependent upon galactose concentration but could be partially averted by supplementing the galactose-containing medium with 15 mM glucose. Phagocytic activities of guinea pig PMN and peritoneal macrophages were assayed by following ingestion of 32P-labeled E. coli and were also depressed by elevated galactose. Galactose was readily epimerized to glucose by resting PMN, and this conversion was stimulated by phagocytosis. Incubation of macrophages in the presence of galactose resulted in depletion of intracellular levels of adenosine 5' -triphosphate as well as other metabolities.", "contents": "Inhibitory action of D-galactose on phagocyte metabolism and function. To account for enhanced susceptibility to infection among galactosemics, the acute effects of D-galactose on metabolic and functional activities of phagocytic cells in vitro were investigated. Human and guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) when incubated in medium containing 30 mM galactose displayed substantially less killing of Escherichia coli than when incubated in medium with 5 mM glucose. Impaired bactericidal activity was dependent upon galactose concentration but could be partially averted by supplementing the galactose-containing medium with 15 mM glucose. Phagocytic activities of guinea pig PMN and peritoneal macrophages were assayed by following ingestion of 32P-labeled E. coli and were also depressed by elevated galactose. Galactose was readily epimerized to glucose by resting PMN, and this conversion was stimulated by phagocytosis. Incubation of macrophages in the presence of galactose resulted in depletion of intracellular levels of adenosine 5' -triphosphate as well as other metabolities.", "PMID": 773823} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3933", "title": "Serum chemotactic inhibitory activity: heat activation of chemotactic inhibition.", "content": "Serum chemotactic inhibitory activity (CIA) was studied in 46 patients with various systemic diseases, using a system consisting of normal human leukocytes as indicator cells and 10% fresh normal serum as a control chemotactic attractant. It was shown, as previously reported, that an association exists between CIA and skin test anergy. Heat treatment of sera at 56 C for 30 min increased both the incidence and the degree of chemotactic inhibition observed in these patients. The effects of heat treatment of sera containing CIA on other chemotactic attractants (C3a, bacteria-derived chemotactic factor (BF), and casein) are shown. Before heat treatment, some sera suppressed chemotaxis mediated by BF in the absence of suppression of normal serum-mediated chemotaxis, indicating the possible involvement of more than one system of inhibition. Multiple systems were further supported by data indicating that room temperature incubation resulted in a loss of CIA as measured by normal serum-mediated chemotoxis with no apparent decrease in the inhibition of BF -mediated chemotaxis. Separation of sera containing CIA by Sephadex G-200 showed chemotactic inhibitory activity to be increased in both the void volume region. Experiments showed that heat treating before separation resulted in similar increases in both peaks, implying the presence of an antagonist to CIA. Experiments demonstrating that sera containing CIA do not suppress casein-mediated chemotaxis by means of an irreversible inactivation of chemotactic factor are included along with experiments demonstrating a cellular mode of action. The possible presence of two systems of chemotactic inhibition, one acting directly upon chemotactic factors and one interacting with the responding cell, are discussed.", "contents": "Serum chemotactic inhibitory activity: heat activation of chemotactic inhibition. Serum chemotactic inhibitory activity (CIA) was studied in 46 patients with various systemic diseases, using a system consisting of normal human leukocytes as indicator cells and 10% fresh normal serum as a control chemotactic attractant. It was shown, as previously reported, that an association exists between CIA and skin test anergy. Heat treatment of sera at 56 C for 30 min increased both the incidence and the degree of chemotactic inhibition observed in these patients. The effects of heat treatment of sera containing CIA on other chemotactic attractants (C3a, bacteria-derived chemotactic factor (BF), and casein) are shown. Before heat treatment, some sera suppressed chemotaxis mediated by BF in the absence of suppression of normal serum-mediated chemotaxis, indicating the possible involvement of more than one system of inhibition. Multiple systems were further supported by data indicating that room temperature incubation resulted in a loss of CIA as measured by normal serum-mediated chemotoxis with no apparent decrease in the inhibition of BF -mediated chemotaxis. Separation of sera containing CIA by Sephadex G-200 showed chemotactic inhibitory activity to be increased in both the void volume region. Experiments showed that heat treating before separation resulted in similar increases in both peaks, implying the presence of an antagonist to CIA. Experiments demonstrating that sera containing CIA do not suppress casein-mediated chemotaxis by means of an irreversible inactivation of chemotactic factor are included along with experiments demonstrating a cellular mode of action. The possible presence of two systems of chemotactic inhibition, one acting directly upon chemotactic factors and one interacting with the responding cell, are discussed.", "PMID": 773824} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3934", "title": "In vivo and in virto cellular responses to cytoplasmic and cell wall antigens of Histoplasma capsulatum in artificially immunized or infected guinea pigs.", "content": "Guinea pigs were infected with different doses of yeasts of Histoplasma capsulatum or artifically immunized with several concentrations of unextracted yeast cell walls, and then tested in vivo and in vitro for cell-mediated responses to various subcellular fractions of the fungus. Three types of cell-mediated responses were measured, viz., skin test activity, production of migration inhibition factor, and lymphocyte transformation. Positive cutaneous reactions were elicited in animals immunized with 100 or 1,000 mug of cell walls when such animals were skin-tested with cell wall glycoprotein of soluble cytoplasmic substances, whereas animals immunized with 2,000 mug of cell walls did not react significantly greater than unsensitized animals when skin-tested with the same antigens. Histoplasmin did not elicit cutaneous sensitivity in guinea pigs infected with the smallest inoculum, 6 X 10(5) yeast cells, or in animals immunized with cell walls, regardless of the concentration of cell walls used as immunogen. However, hypersensitivity to H. capsulatum could be detected with cytoplasmic substances in animals infected with 6X 10(5). In guinea pigs infected with larger doses, i.e., 10 X 10(7), 15 X10(7), or 20 X 10(7), hypersensitivity could be detected with histoplasmin, cell wall glycoprotein, a ribosome-rich fraction, and soluble cytoplasmic substances. Both cell wall glycoprotein and soluble cytoplasmic substances were functional in migration inhibition factor assays with peritoneal exudate cells from animals immunized with 100 or 1,000 mug of cell walls. The transformation of lymphocytes from infected and artificially immunized guinea pigs in the presence of cell wall glycoprotein and soluble cytoplasmic substances was variable and unpredictable, the lymphocytes from some animls within a given group transforming and those from other animals showing no evidence of stimulation. Moreover, the level of stimulation could not be correlated with the degree of dermal hypersensitivity. These findings suggest that cell wall glycoprotein, and the fractions containing ribosomes and soluble cytoplasmic substances, could be useful antigens in assays for cellular immunity, and warrant further investigation with respect to specificity and active components.", "contents": "In vivo and in virto cellular responses to cytoplasmic and cell wall antigens of Histoplasma capsulatum in artificially immunized or infected guinea pigs. Guinea pigs were infected with different doses of yeasts of Histoplasma capsulatum or artifically immunized with several concentrations of unextracted yeast cell walls, and then tested in vivo and in vitro for cell-mediated responses to various subcellular fractions of the fungus. Three types of cell-mediated responses were measured, viz., skin test activity, production of migration inhibition factor, and lymphocyte transformation. Positive cutaneous reactions were elicited in animals immunized with 100 or 1,000 mug of cell walls when such animals were skin-tested with cell wall glycoprotein of soluble cytoplasmic substances, whereas animals immunized with 2,000 mug of cell walls did not react significantly greater than unsensitized animals when skin-tested with the same antigens. Histoplasmin did not elicit cutaneous sensitivity in guinea pigs infected with the smallest inoculum, 6 X 10(5) yeast cells, or in animals immunized with cell walls, regardless of the concentration of cell walls used as immunogen. However, hypersensitivity to H. capsulatum could be detected with cytoplasmic substances in animals infected with 6X 10(5). In guinea pigs infected with larger doses, i.e., 10 X 10(7), 15 X10(7), or 20 X 10(7), hypersensitivity could be detected with histoplasmin, cell wall glycoprotein, a ribosome-rich fraction, and soluble cytoplasmic substances. Both cell wall glycoprotein and soluble cytoplasmic substances were functional in migration inhibition factor assays with peritoneal exudate cells from animals immunized with 100 or 1,000 mug of cell walls. The transformation of lymphocytes from infected and artificially immunized guinea pigs in the presence of cell wall glycoprotein and soluble cytoplasmic substances was variable and unpredictable, the lymphocytes from some animls within a given group transforming and those from other animals showing no evidence of stimulation. Moreover, the level of stimulation could not be correlated with the degree of dermal hypersensitivity. These findings suggest that cell wall glycoprotein, and the fractions containing ribosomes and soluble cytoplasmic substances, could be useful antigens in assays for cellular immunity, and warrant further investigation with respect to specificity and active components.", "PMID": 773825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3935", "title": "Relationship of cellular potential hemolysin in group A streptococci to extracellular streptolysin S.", "content": "The relationship of streptolysin S (SLS) and a cellular potential hemolysin (PH) activatable by sonication was examined in strain C203S (a known high producer of SLS), its SLS(-) mutant (C203U), and in 20 other group A streptococci of various M and T serotypes. All strains shown to form SLS (ribobycleic acid (RNA)-core SLS) contained PH. The two strains lacking PH were the only ones that did not produce SLS In strain C203S, formation of SLS bycells incubated with RNA-core for 60 min at 47 C in a nongrowth basal medium (Bernheimer's basal medium) was followed by a marked decrease (99.6% loss) of PH titer. Without stimulation of SLS production by addition of RNA-sore, the same incubation resulted in a progressive but less marked fall (38.8%loss in 60 min) of PH titer: these cells produced disproportionately low titers of SLS on subsequent addition of RNA-core. This effect of prior incubation in Bernheimer's basal medium on SLS titer was partially nullified by use of fresh medium after 30 min, but not after 60 min, and did not occur during 60 min of incubation at OC. These results provide additional evidence for a precursor-product relationship between PH and SLS. They also suggest that a medium factor (or factors) is utilized or destroyed at 37 C and that this factor is essential to both the stability of PH and its efficient conversion to SLS.", "contents": "Relationship of cellular potential hemolysin in group A streptococci to extracellular streptolysin S. The relationship of streptolysin S (SLS) and a cellular potential hemolysin (PH) activatable by sonication was examined in strain C203S (a known high producer of SLS), its SLS(-) mutant (C203U), and in 20 other group A streptococci of various M and T serotypes. All strains shown to form SLS (ribobycleic acid (RNA)-core SLS) contained PH. The two strains lacking PH were the only ones that did not produce SLS In strain C203S, formation of SLS bycells incubated with RNA-core for 60 min at 47 C in a nongrowth basal medium (Bernheimer's basal medium) was followed by a marked decrease (99.6% loss) of PH titer. Without stimulation of SLS production by addition of RNA-sore, the same incubation resulted in a progressive but less marked fall (38.8%loss in 60 min) of PH titer: these cells produced disproportionately low titers of SLS on subsequent addition of RNA-core. This effect of prior incubation in Bernheimer's basal medium on SLS titer was partially nullified by use of fresh medium after 30 min, but not after 60 min, and did not occur during 60 min of incubation at OC. These results provide additional evidence for a precursor-product relationship between PH and SLS. They also suggest that a medium factor (or factors) is utilized or destroyed at 37 C and that this factor is essential to both the stability of PH and its efficient conversion to SLS.", "PMID": 773826} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3936", "title": "Erythrocyte antinuclear antibodies in sera of chickens hyperimmunized with group A streptococcal vaccine.", "content": "Chickens hyperimmunized with group A streptococcal vaccine often synthesize high levels of antibody to group A streptococcal carbohydrate (SACHO). Indirect immunofluorescent analysis revealed that sera of these chickens also contain antinuclear antibodies capable of reacting with chicken erythrocyte nuclei (EANA) at titers up to 2,560. Removal of the anti-SACHO antibodies from hyperimmune serum did not significantly reduce EANA titers, indicating that anti-SACHO antibodies are not responsible for the EANA reactions. The time course for antibody development as well as the immunoglobulin class distribution of EANA and anti-SACHO antibodies were very similar. Localization of EANA activity to Fab fragments indicated that the immunfluorescent reaction represents an antigen-antibody reaction. Findings point out an important consequence of using chicken immunoglobulin Y in immunofluorescent assays. The purified Fc fragment of immunoglobulin Y is cytophilic for the substrate when tested at high concentrations, which suggests that some cytophilic immunoglobulins are involved in the reaction.", "contents": "Erythrocyte antinuclear antibodies in sera of chickens hyperimmunized with group A streptococcal vaccine. Chickens hyperimmunized with group A streptococcal vaccine often synthesize high levels of antibody to group A streptococcal carbohydrate (SACHO). Indirect immunofluorescent analysis revealed that sera of these chickens also contain antinuclear antibodies capable of reacting with chicken erythrocyte nuclei (EANA) at titers up to 2,560. Removal of the anti-SACHO antibodies from hyperimmune serum did not significantly reduce EANA titers, indicating that anti-SACHO antibodies are not responsible for the EANA reactions. The time course for antibody development as well as the immunoglobulin class distribution of EANA and anti-SACHO antibodies were very similar. Localization of EANA activity to Fab fragments indicated that the immunfluorescent reaction represents an antigen-antibody reaction. Findings point out an important consequence of using chicken immunoglobulin Y in immunofluorescent assays. The purified Fc fragment of immunoglobulin Y is cytophilic for the substrate when tested at high concentrations, which suggests that some cytophilic immunoglobulins are involved in the reaction.", "PMID": 773827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3937", "title": "Antigenicity of converting phages obtained from Clostridium botulinum types C and D.", "content": "Phage conversion of toxigenicity in Clostridium botulinum types C and D was accomplished by using nontoxigenic strains and phages purified from plaques. Although the morphology of the converting phages seemed to be the same, they were divided into three groups on the basis of their conversion spectrum. The first group consists of phages obtained from toxogenic strains C-Stockholm and C-468. The second group consists of phages from strains D-1873 and C-203. The third group consists of phages from strains D-South African and D-4947. These converting phages were also classified into the same three groups by a neutralization test with specific antiphage sera. Cross-neutralization, however, was observed between phages belonging to group 1 and group 2,by both the neutralization test of converting ability and by a plaque experiment in which the surviving rates of phages were calculated after treatment with each antiphage serum. The antigenic differences among these converting phages should probably comprise one of the reasons for the existence of the specific infection spectrum in C. botulinum types C and D.", "contents": "Antigenicity of converting phages obtained from Clostridium botulinum types C and D. Phage conversion of toxigenicity in Clostridium botulinum types C and D was accomplished by using nontoxigenic strains and phages purified from plaques. Although the morphology of the converting phages seemed to be the same, they were divided into three groups on the basis of their conversion spectrum. The first group consists of phages obtained from toxogenic strains C-Stockholm and C-468. The second group consists of phages from strains D-1873 and C-203. The third group consists of phages from strains D-South African and D-4947. These converting phages were also classified into the same three groups by a neutralization test with specific antiphage sera. Cross-neutralization, however, was observed between phages belonging to group 1 and group 2,by both the neutralization test of converting ability and by a plaque experiment in which the surviving rates of phages were calculated after treatment with each antiphage serum. The antigenic differences among these converting phages should probably comprise one of the reasons for the existence of the specific infection spectrum in C. botulinum types C and D.", "PMID": 773828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3938", "title": "Spontaneous interaction in vitro between lymphocytes and syngeneic peritoneal macrophages of mice.", "content": "Ficoll-purified lymphocytes (peritoneal, splenic, or thymic) and macrophages (peritoneal) from Toxoplasma-immune and normal female NMRI mice were used. Suspensions of washed cells were made in medium 199 containing 20% heat-inactivated normal calf serum. Sixty minutes after the adherence of 10(5) macrophages to cover slips in Leighton tubes, lymphocytes were added in various concentrations. The mixed cellular population was then incubated at 37 C. Eighteen hours later, most of the lymphocytes were firmly attached to macrophages to form rosettes. This cellular interaction, which was temperature, cell ratio, and time dependent, occurred in the absence of any particular antigenic stimulation. Morever, the reaction was cytotoxic only for adhered lymphocytes as judged by staining with 0.2% trypan blue. Splenic and thymic lymphocytes were bound in significantly greater number than peritoneal lymphocytes. Incubation of macrophages for more than 48 h at 37 C before the addition of fresh lymphocytes markedly reduced rosette formation. Treatment of macrophages and lymphocytes with mouse anti-immunoglobulin did not affect the reaction. The labeling of lymphocytes with fluorescent anti-mouse sera and the use of nude NMRI mice showed that both B and T cells can form spontaneous rosettes with syngeneic peritoneal macrophages.", "contents": "Spontaneous interaction in vitro between lymphocytes and syngeneic peritoneal macrophages of mice. Ficoll-purified lymphocytes (peritoneal, splenic, or thymic) and macrophages (peritoneal) from Toxoplasma-immune and normal female NMRI mice were used. Suspensions of washed cells were made in medium 199 containing 20% heat-inactivated normal calf serum. Sixty minutes after the adherence of 10(5) macrophages to cover slips in Leighton tubes, lymphocytes were added in various concentrations. The mixed cellular population was then incubated at 37 C. Eighteen hours later, most of the lymphocytes were firmly attached to macrophages to form rosettes. This cellular interaction, which was temperature, cell ratio, and time dependent, occurred in the absence of any particular antigenic stimulation. Morever, the reaction was cytotoxic only for adhered lymphocytes as judged by staining with 0.2% trypan blue. Splenic and thymic lymphocytes were bound in significantly greater number than peritoneal lymphocytes. Incubation of macrophages for more than 48 h at 37 C before the addition of fresh lymphocytes markedly reduced rosette formation. Treatment of macrophages and lymphocytes with mouse anti-immunoglobulin did not affect the reaction. The labeling of lymphocytes with fluorescent anti-mouse sera and the use of nude NMRI mice showed that both B and T cells can form spontaneous rosettes with syngeneic peritoneal macrophages.", "PMID": 773829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3939", "title": "T antigen of Streptococcus pyogenes: isolation and purification.", "content": "A T antigen preparation free of trypsin was obtained by application of CNBr-Sepharose linked to pure trypsin. Purification on an ion exchange chromatography column results in an electrophoretically homogeneous preparation of T protein.", "contents": "T antigen of Streptococcus pyogenes: isolation and purification. A T antigen preparation free of trypsin was obtained by application of CNBr-Sepharose linked to pure trypsin. Purification on an ion exchange chromatography column results in an electrophoretically homogeneous preparation of T protein.", "PMID": 773830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3940", "title": "Experimental group B streptococcal infections in mice: hematogenous virulence and mucosal colonization.", "content": "A group B streptococcus recovered from a blood specimen from a neonate with sepsis was used to evaluate the use of mice for studies characterizing the hematogenous virulence and the asymptomatic mucosal colonization of the vagina or of the respiratory tract by these bacteria. When injected intravenously, the 50% lethal dose for mice was 10(6); however, as few as 10(2) organisms produced septic deaths. In mice undergoing water diuresis, bacteriuria and pyelonephritis were not produced after direct bladder inoculation of the streptococci. Asymptomatic vaginal colonizations that persisted for 12 days were produced in both pregnant and virgin mice. Vaginal colonization before delivery did not result in transmission of infection to litters or in protection against subsequent oropharyngeal colonization in the suckling mice. In mice born of nonexposed mothers, oropharyngeal colonization was produced in both suckling and 3-week-old weaned mice. Whereas infection persisted for 14 days in all suckling mice, clearance occurred in over 50% of the weaned mice by day 14. The use of mice for studies on the virulence of the group B streptococci as well as for studies on the pathogenesis of disease by virulent strains is discussed.", "contents": "Experimental group B streptococcal infections in mice: hematogenous virulence and mucosal colonization. A group B streptococcus recovered from a blood specimen from a neonate with sepsis was used to evaluate the use of mice for studies characterizing the hematogenous virulence and the asymptomatic mucosal colonization of the vagina or of the respiratory tract by these bacteria. When injected intravenously, the 50% lethal dose for mice was 10(6); however, as few as 10(2) organisms produced septic deaths. In mice undergoing water diuresis, bacteriuria and pyelonephritis were not produced after direct bladder inoculation of the streptococci. Asymptomatic vaginal colonizations that persisted for 12 days were produced in both pregnant and virgin mice. Vaginal colonization before delivery did not result in transmission of infection to litters or in protection against subsequent oropharyngeal colonization in the suckling mice. In mice born of nonexposed mothers, oropharyngeal colonization was produced in both suckling and 3-week-old weaned mice. Whereas infection persisted for 14 days in all suckling mice, clearance occurred in over 50% of the weaned mice by day 14. The use of mice for studies on the virulence of the group B streptococci as well as for studies on the pathogenesis of disease by virulent strains is discussed.", "PMID": 773831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3941", "title": "Detection of the K99 antigen by means of agglutination and immunoelectrophoresis in Escherichia coli isolates from calves and its correlation with entertoxigenicity.", "content": "The common antigen of calf enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli, recently established as the K99 antigen, was studied by means of the slide agglutination test and immunoelectrophoresis. Specific antisera were obtained by absorption of crude antisera with ultrasonicates of autologous cells grown at 18C or by injection into rabbits of the purifies K99 antigen obtained by preparative electrophoresis. The K99 antigen was usually undetectable in calf enterotoxigenic E. coli cultures with capsular K antigens of the A variety grown at 37C on commercially available nutrient agar plates designed for the isolation of Enterobacteriaceae, but was rapidly detectable when grown on a buffered semi-synthetic medium at pH 7.5 (Minca medium). An alternative procedure for the isolation and identification of calf entertosigenic E. coli strains from feces, using the Minca medium, is proposed. K99 was found in 70 of 74 strains of E. coli, the enterotixigenicity of which was established in the ligated gut test in calves. None of the 20 cultures negative in the ligated gut test possessed K99 antigen. The K99 antigen is therefore probably a useful diagnostic tool for the identification of calf enterotixigenic E. coli strains, taking into account that K99 and enterotoxigenicity are controlled by different plasmids.", "contents": "Detection of the K99 antigen by means of agglutination and immunoelectrophoresis in Escherichia coli isolates from calves and its correlation with entertoxigenicity. The common antigen of calf enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli, recently established as the K99 antigen, was studied by means of the slide agglutination test and immunoelectrophoresis. Specific antisera were obtained by absorption of crude antisera with ultrasonicates of autologous cells grown at 18C or by injection into rabbits of the purifies K99 antigen obtained by preparative electrophoresis. The K99 antigen was usually undetectable in calf enterotoxigenic E. coli cultures with capsular K antigens of the A variety grown at 37C on commercially available nutrient agar plates designed for the isolation of Enterobacteriaceae, but was rapidly detectable when grown on a buffered semi-synthetic medium at pH 7.5 (Minca medium). An alternative procedure for the isolation and identification of calf entertosigenic E. coli strains from feces, using the Minca medium, is proposed. K99 was found in 70 of 74 strains of E. coli, the enterotixigenicity of which was established in the ligated gut test in calves. None of the 20 cultures negative in the ligated gut test possessed K99 antigen. The K99 antigen is therefore probably a useful diagnostic tool for the identification of calf enterotixigenic E. coli strains, taking into account that K99 and enterotoxigenicity are controlled by different plasmids.", "PMID": 773832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3942", "title": "Immunity to syphilis: passive transfer in rabbits using serial doses of immune serum.", "content": "The influence of prolonged treatment with serial doses of immune serum initiated either 2 or 48 h before intracutaneous challenge with Treponema pallidum on the subsequent appearance and development of lesions was studied. Whereas treatment with large doses of immune serum initiated 48 h before treponemal challenge caused a delay of 9 to 20 days in the onset of lesions and marked suppression of lesion development. Treatment initiated 2 h before treponemal challenge failed to delay the onset of lesions and only moderately suppressed their development. Lesion development was suppressed as long as treatment was continued. The significance of the results is discussed.", "contents": "Immunity to syphilis: passive transfer in rabbits using serial doses of immune serum. The influence of prolonged treatment with serial doses of immune serum initiated either 2 or 48 h before intracutaneous challenge with Treponema pallidum on the subsequent appearance and development of lesions was studied. Whereas treatment with large doses of immune serum initiated 48 h before treponemal challenge caused a delay of 9 to 20 days in the onset of lesions and marked suppression of lesion development. Treatment initiated 2 h before treponemal challenge failed to delay the onset of lesions and only moderately suppressed their development. Lesion development was suppressed as long as treatment was continued. The significance of the results is discussed.", "PMID": 773833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3943", "title": "Effects of a streptococcal lipoteichoic acid on host responses in mice.", "content": "A teichoic acid (TA) extracted from Streptococcus pyogenes 1-RP41 was previously shown to be an immunosuppressant under certain conditions (Miller and Jackson, 1973). The TA has now been shown to be a lipoteichoic acid composed of 40% glycerol, 20% alanine, 13% phosphorus, and 8% glucose, with a variable content of fatty acids. Teh presence of the polyglycerol phosphate backbone and fatty acid was required for maximum immunosuppression of the primary immunoglobulin M response to sheep cells. A complex, nonlinear, time-dependent dosage relationship in suppression of the anti-sheep erythrocyte response in mice was observed. TA depressed the anamnestic response to sheep cells in the mouse and could affect this response whether administered before the primary antigen challenge or immediately before the secondary challenge. In distinct contrast, TA enhanced antibody production to Escherichia coli O55:B5 lipopolysaccharide when assessed by counting plaque-forming cells or measuring antilipopolysaccharide serum titers. The TA failed to stimulate a large uptake of [3H]TdR by murine spleen cells; however, it significantly enhanced the clearance of carbon by the reticuloendothelial system.", "contents": "Effects of a streptococcal lipoteichoic acid on host responses in mice. A teichoic acid (TA) extracted from Streptococcus pyogenes 1-RP41 was previously shown to be an immunosuppressant under certain conditions (Miller and Jackson, 1973). The TA has now been shown to be a lipoteichoic acid composed of 40% glycerol, 20% alanine, 13% phosphorus, and 8% glucose, with a variable content of fatty acids. Teh presence of the polyglycerol phosphate backbone and fatty acid was required for maximum immunosuppression of the primary immunoglobulin M response to sheep cells. A complex, nonlinear, time-dependent dosage relationship in suppression of the anti-sheep erythrocyte response in mice was observed. TA depressed the anamnestic response to sheep cells in the mouse and could affect this response whether administered before the primary antigen challenge or immediately before the secondary challenge. In distinct contrast, TA enhanced antibody production to Escherichia coli O55:B5 lipopolysaccharide when assessed by counting plaque-forming cells or measuring antilipopolysaccharide serum titers. The TA failed to stimulate a large uptake of [3H]TdR by murine spleen cells; however, it significantly enhanced the clearance of carbon by the reticuloendothelial system.", "PMID": 773834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3944", "title": "Autoimmunity induced in rabbits by rinderpest virus.", "content": "During rinderpest virus infection in rabbits, 19S cold hemagglutinating antibody against rabbit erythrocytes and 7S anti-nuclear antibody, which reacts with the nuclei and/or the nuclear membranes in immunofluorescent staining, were demonstrated. Virus infection that affected the thymus-dependent immune functions was speculated to act as a trigger for the production of these two autoantibodies.", "contents": "Autoimmunity induced in rabbits by rinderpest virus. During rinderpest virus infection in rabbits, 19S cold hemagglutinating antibody against rabbit erythrocytes and 7S anti-nuclear antibody, which reacts with the nuclei and/or the nuclear membranes in immunofluorescent staining, were demonstrated. Virus infection that affected the thymus-dependent immune functions was speculated to act as a trigger for the production of these two autoantibodies.", "PMID": 773835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3945", "title": "Degradation of 14C-labeled streptococcal cell walls by egg white lysozyme and lysosomal enzymes.", "content": "The resistance of native and trypsin-treated [14C] glucose-labeled cell walls to degradation by lysozyme and human lysosomal enzymes was confirmed. In contrast, chemically N-acetylated cell walls undergo significant degradation by these enzymes in the pH range of 4.5 to 5.5 without prior removal of the group-specific carbohydrate. N-acetylation after removal of the group A carbohydrate by formamide extraction renders the cell walls considerably more susceptible to these enzymes than by formamaide extraction alone. It appears, therefore, that unless N-acetylation can occur in vivo, streptococcal cell walls are minimally degraded, if at all, by human peripheral blood leukocytes or lysozyme. Examination of leukocyte extracts from normal subjects and patients with post-streptococcal syndromes revealed no qualitative differences in ability to dissolve streptococcal cell walls.", "contents": "Degradation of 14C-labeled streptococcal cell walls by egg white lysozyme and lysosomal enzymes. The resistance of native and trypsin-treated [14C] glucose-labeled cell walls to degradation by lysozyme and human lysosomal enzymes was confirmed. In contrast, chemically N-acetylated cell walls undergo significant degradation by these enzymes in the pH range of 4.5 to 5.5 without prior removal of the group-specific carbohydrate. N-acetylation after removal of the group A carbohydrate by formamide extraction renders the cell walls considerably more susceptible to these enzymes than by formamaide extraction alone. It appears, therefore, that unless N-acetylation can occur in vivo, streptococcal cell walls are minimally degraded, if at all, by human peripheral blood leukocytes or lysozyme. Examination of leukocyte extracts from normal subjects and patients with post-streptococcal syndromes revealed no qualitative differences in ability to dissolve streptococcal cell walls.", "PMID": 773836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3946", "title": "Nocardia asteroides and Nocardia brasiliensis infections in mice.", "content": "A model for Nocardia asteroides and Nocardia brasiliensis infections in Swiss white mice has been established without the addition to the inocula of any form of adjuvant. Serial histopathological studies revealed that these two actinomycetes cause lesions that are quite different in their features. An acute suppurative abscess characterizes the lesions of N. asteroides. In the case of N. brasiliensis infections a granuloma is produced in which a striking feature is the presence of large numbers of foam-laden macrophages, although occasional exceptions to this pattern were noted. Electron microscopic studies demonstrated that these macrophages contain within their cytoplasm organisms in varying stages of degeneration. Repeated mortality studies in mice failed to demonstrate differences in mortality rates produced by N. asteroides and N. brasiliensis. Thus, despite relatively trivial biochemical and antigenic differences between these two species of Nocardia, the local pathogenic response is quite different. The presence in the \"brasiliensis lesion\" of foamy macrophages with intracellular organisms is reminiscent of the histopathological features of lepromatous leprosy and of disseminated Myocobacterium bovis infection when this occurs in the immune suppressed situation. It is possible that N. brasiliensis infection produces a depression of cellular immunity that modifies the local host response to the organism.", "contents": "Nocardia asteroides and Nocardia brasiliensis infections in mice. A model for Nocardia asteroides and Nocardia brasiliensis infections in Swiss white mice has been established without the addition to the inocula of any form of adjuvant. Serial histopathological studies revealed that these two actinomycetes cause lesions that are quite different in their features. An acute suppurative abscess characterizes the lesions of N. asteroides. In the case of N. brasiliensis infections a granuloma is produced in which a striking feature is the presence of large numbers of foam-laden macrophages, although occasional exceptions to this pattern were noted. Electron microscopic studies demonstrated that these macrophages contain within their cytoplasm organisms in varying stages of degeneration. Repeated mortality studies in mice failed to demonstrate differences in mortality rates produced by N. asteroides and N. brasiliensis. Thus, despite relatively trivial biochemical and antigenic differences between these two species of Nocardia, the local pathogenic response is quite different. The presence in the \"brasiliensis lesion\" of foamy macrophages with intracellular organisms is reminiscent of the histopathological features of lepromatous leprosy and of disseminated Myocobacterium bovis infection when this occurs in the immune suppressed situation. It is possible that N. brasiliensis infection produces a depression of cellular immunity that modifies the local host response to the organism.", "PMID": 773837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3947", "title": "Salmonellosis in mice: immunization experiments with salmonella-escherichia coli hybrids.", "content": "Mice vaccinated with Escherichia coli hybrids experesing Salmonella O antigens were protected against lethal challenge doses of Salmonella strains. Counts of challenge bacteria in mouse organs revealed that a live hybrid vaccine was slightly more efficient than an acetone-killed vaccine.", "contents": "Salmonellosis in mice: immunization experiments with salmonella-escherichia coli hybrids. Mice vaccinated with Escherichia coli hybrids experesing Salmonella O antigens were protected against lethal challenge doses of Salmonella strains. Counts of challenge bacteria in mouse organs revealed that a live hybrid vaccine was slightly more efficient than an acetone-killed vaccine.", "PMID": 773838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3948", "title": "Mitogenic factor as an in vitro correlate of delayed hypersensitivity in the guinea pig.", "content": "The relationship of mitogenic factor (MF) to delayed hypersensitivity was examined in the guinea pig. MF was readily produced in vitro by blood leucocytes from animals sensitized with Keyhole limpet haemocyanin in Freund's complete adjuvant. Such animals exhibited delayed skin reactions and macrophage migration inhibition. Treatment with cyclophosphamide markedly reduced serum antibody but caused no diminution of MF or delayed skin reactions. A migration inhibition response was observed 10, but not 20, days after sensitization by means of incomplete adjuvant.", "contents": "Mitogenic factor as an in vitro correlate of delayed hypersensitivity in the guinea pig. The relationship of mitogenic factor (MF) to delayed hypersensitivity was examined in the guinea pig. MF was readily produced in vitro by blood leucocytes from animals sensitized with Keyhole limpet haemocyanin in Freund's complete adjuvant. Such animals exhibited delayed skin reactions and macrophage migration inhibition. Treatment with cyclophosphamide markedly reduced serum antibody but caused no diminution of MF or delayed skin reactions. A migration inhibition response was observed 10, but not 20, days after sensitization by means of incomplete adjuvant.", "PMID": 773840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3949", "title": "Production of migration inhibitory factor and blast cell transformation by cord blood lymphocytes.", "content": "Cord blood lymphocytes from 29 normal infants of 28-41 weeks gestational age were tested for blast cell transformation and migration inhibitory factor (MIF) production. Cultures were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) for transformation; with purified PHA, soluble and insoluble concanavalin A as well as PPD for MIF production. 3H-thymidine incorporation by cord blood and by adult lymphocytes were similar in magnitude after PHA stimulation, but differed significantly after PPD stimulation, with negligible increased incorporation by the former and marked increased incorporation by the adult lymphocytes. With the exception of PPD, the stimulating agents used led to MIF production by cord blood lymphocytes. No dissociation was observed between proliferative response and MIF production. Both functions seem to be fully developed at birth.", "contents": "Production of migration inhibitory factor and blast cell transformation by cord blood lymphocytes. Cord blood lymphocytes from 29 normal infants of 28-41 weeks gestational age were tested for blast cell transformation and migration inhibitory factor (MIF) production. Cultures were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) for transformation; with purified PHA, soluble and insoluble concanavalin A as well as PPD for MIF production. 3H-thymidine incorporation by cord blood and by adult lymphocytes were similar in magnitude after PHA stimulation, but differed significantly after PPD stimulation, with negligible increased incorporation by the former and marked increased incorporation by the adult lymphocytes. With the exception of PPD, the stimulating agents used led to MIF production by cord blood lymphocytes. No dissociation was observed between proliferative response and MIF production. Both functions seem to be fully developed at birth.", "PMID": 773841} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3950", "title": "Subclass typing of IgG antibodies formed by grass pollen-allergic patients during immunotherapy.", "content": "The subclasses of IgG antibodies formed by grass pollen-allergic patients during immunotherapy were investigated by using a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and a quantitative immunofluorescence method known as the defined antigen substrate spheres (DASS) system. By the use of rabbit antisera directed against the subclasses of IgG, the specificity of which was checked in the passive hemagglutination and immunofluorescence techniques, it was shown that a relatively high proportion of the grass pollen-specific antibodies belonged to the IgG4 subclass. Apart from the high binding activity of IgG4 which increased during treatment, a moderate binding activity of the other subclasses was also found. Binding of all subclasses increased slightly in the pollen season and could be specifically blocked by perincubation with soluble grass pollen extract. The results of the IgG4 binding, determined in vitro with the DASS system, and the blocking activity of the sera, determined in vivo by skin tests are suggestive for a relation between these activities. Also in the group of patients with a low IgE-RAST score, the skin reactivity decreased as the IgG4 binding activity increased.", "contents": "Subclass typing of IgG antibodies formed by grass pollen-allergic patients during immunotherapy. The subclasses of IgG antibodies formed by grass pollen-allergic patients during immunotherapy were investigated by using a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and a quantitative immunofluorescence method known as the defined antigen substrate spheres (DASS) system. By the use of rabbit antisera directed against the subclasses of IgG, the specificity of which was checked in the passive hemagglutination and immunofluorescence techniques, it was shown that a relatively high proportion of the grass pollen-specific antibodies belonged to the IgG4 subclass. Apart from the high binding activity of IgG4 which increased during treatment, a moderate binding activity of the other subclasses was also found. Binding of all subclasses increased slightly in the pollen season and could be specifically blocked by perincubation with soluble grass pollen extract. The results of the IgG4 binding, determined in vitro with the DASS system, and the blocking activity of the sera, determined in vivo by skin tests are suggestive for a relation between these activities. Also in the group of patients with a low IgE-RAST score, the skin reactivity decreased as the IgG4 binding activity increased.", "PMID": 773842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3951", "title": "Detection of IgG antibodies against pigeon intestinal mucosa antigens in pigeon breeders' sera using the immunofluorescent technique.", "content": "The serum of 102 pigeon breeders was examined for circulating IgG antibodies against antigens localized in pigeon intestine by the indirect immunofluorescent technique. 15 symptomatic breeders with a positive response to inhalation challenge had antibodies against mucosa tissue. The majority of asymptomatic breeders demonstrated either a fluorescence of intestinal excrements combined with a weak fluorescence of mucosa tissue or had no detectable antibodies in their serum. By the indirect immunofluorescence, antibodies were found more frequently than by immunoprecipitin reactions in agar.", "contents": "Detection of IgG antibodies against pigeon intestinal mucosa antigens in pigeon breeders' sera using the immunofluorescent technique. The serum of 102 pigeon breeders was examined for circulating IgG antibodies against antigens localized in pigeon intestine by the indirect immunofluorescent technique. 15 symptomatic breeders with a positive response to inhalation challenge had antibodies against mucosa tissue. The majority of asymptomatic breeders demonstrated either a fluorescence of intestinal excrements combined with a weak fluorescence of mucosa tissue or had no detectable antibodies in their serum. By the indirect immunofluorescence, antibodies were found more frequently than by immunoprecipitin reactions in agar.", "PMID": 773843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3952", "title": "Nonspecific immunosuppression induced in mice with killed Pasteurella haemolytica in Freund's complete adjuvant.", "content": "Killed Pasteurella haemolytica type I in combination with Freund's complete adjuvant, induced suppression of murine primary response to SRBC. The suppression could be adoptively transferred with spleen cells depleted of T or B lymphocytes and was best expressed when viable cells were transferred. Some normal rabbit serum has the ability to nullify immunosuppressive effects of the transferred cells.", "contents": "Nonspecific immunosuppression induced in mice with killed Pasteurella haemolytica in Freund's complete adjuvant. Killed Pasteurella haemolytica type I in combination with Freund's complete adjuvant, induced suppression of murine primary response to SRBC. The suppression could be adoptively transferred with spleen cells depleted of T or B lymphocytes and was best expressed when viable cells were transferred. Some normal rabbit serum has the ability to nullify immunosuppressive effects of the transferred cells.", "PMID": 773844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3953", "title": "Anaphylactoid responses of two types of genetically different rats to horse serum and yeast.", "content": "Rats selectively bred for non-reactivity to clinical dextran (NR rats) fail to exhibit the anaphylactoid reaction to systemic baker's yeast or horse serum. Rats which respond with an anaphylactoid reaction to clinical dextran (R rats) react to baker's yeast but do not react to horse serum. The widespread oedema produced in R rats by systemic baker's yeast provides yet another clear method of differentiating them from NR rats.", "contents": "Anaphylactoid responses of two types of genetically different rats to horse serum and yeast. Rats selectively bred for non-reactivity to clinical dextran (NR rats) fail to exhibit the anaphylactoid reaction to systemic baker's yeast or horse serum. Rats which respond with an anaphylactoid reaction to clinical dextran (R rats) react to baker's yeast but do not react to horse serum. The widespread oedema produced in R rats by systemic baker's yeast provides yet another clear method of differentiating them from NR rats.", "PMID": 773845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3954", "title": "Dynamic decision models for clinical diagnosis.", "content": "A unified approach to clinical decision-making is presented. This combines partially observable Markovian decision processes (Markov or semi-Markov) with cause-effect models as a probabilistic representation of the diagnostic process. Pattern recognition techniques are used in a first stage of system state identification. This new class of dynamic models has a direct application to medical diagnosis and treatment and specific physiological examples are emphasised. The methodology is given for combining the patient state of health, the clinician's state of knowledge of the cause-effect representation from the observation space (measurements), feature selection using pattern recognition techniques and, finally, the treatment decisions with which to restore the patient to a more desirable state of health. A cost functional for the decision process has then to be optimised according to some pre-assigned objective function (social return from the patient state of health or treatment cost for the patient), when the process has an infinite time horizon.", "contents": "Dynamic decision models for clinical diagnosis. A unified approach to clinical decision-making is presented. This combines partially observable Markovian decision processes (Markov or semi-Markov) with cause-effect models as a probabilistic representation of the diagnostic process. Pattern recognition techniques are used in a first stage of system state identification. This new class of dynamic models has a direct application to medical diagnosis and treatment and specific physiological examples are emphasised. The methodology is given for combining the patient state of health, the clinician's state of knowledge of the cause-effect representation from the observation space (measurements), feature selection using pattern recognition techniques and, finally, the treatment decisions with which to restore the patient to a more desirable state of health. A cost functional for the decision process has then to be optimised according to some pre-assigned objective function (social return from the patient state of health or treatment cost for the patient), when the process has an infinite time horizon.", "PMID": 773846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3955", "title": "Epidemiological studies in psychosomatic medicine.", "content": "The epidemiological triad of host, agent and environment used conceptually in infectious disease may serve as a model for psychosomatic disorders, despite the involvement of many more variables. There are major problems with diagnosis and measurement, however, and the term \"psychosomatic\" has several meanings. The two main senses are \"specific\" psychosomatic disorders and an ecological view of illness. The association between psychiatric and physical disorder has been examined in a variety of settings and the findings have suggested that there is a positive relationship. Despite considerable methodological and sampling difficulties in epidemiological research into psychosomatic illness, recent efforts have been made to overcome these. The results of ecological studies appear to be more consistent that those dealing with \"specific\" psychosomatic disorders and suggest that man has a general psychophysical propensity to disease. Although physical and mental illness do seem to be intimately linked, the reasons for \"vulnerability\" to illness and \"clustering\" of illness are obscure. The clarification of these areas appears to be the main task ahead for epidemiology in the field of psychosomatic medicine.", "contents": "Epidemiological studies in psychosomatic medicine. The epidemiological triad of host, agent and environment used conceptually in infectious disease may serve as a model for psychosomatic disorders, despite the involvement of many more variables. There are major problems with diagnosis and measurement, however, and the term \"psychosomatic\" has several meanings. The two main senses are \"specific\" psychosomatic disorders and an ecological view of illness. The association between psychiatric and physical disorder has been examined in a variety of settings and the findings have suggested that there is a positive relationship. Despite considerable methodological and sampling difficulties in epidemiological research into psychosomatic illness, recent efforts have been made to overcome these. The results of ecological studies appear to be more consistent that those dealing with \"specific\" psychosomatic disorders and suggest that man has a general psychophysical propensity to disease. Although physical and mental illness do seem to be intimately linked, the reasons for \"vulnerability\" to illness and \"clustering\" of illness are obscure. The clarification of these areas appears to be the main task ahead for epidemiology in the field of psychosomatic medicine.", "PMID": 773850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3956", "title": "Epidemiological studies of life change and illness.", "content": "Currently popular methodologies in life changes and illness research are presented in some detail. Selected examples of epidemiological studies utilizing these methodololgies are briefly reviewed. Examples of both retrospective and prospective investigations of life change and illness are given. Discussed in the chapter are the author's views as to limitations of the epidemiologic method and probable directions of future research in efforts to clarify etiologic mechanisms along the pathway between subjects' recent life changes and their subsequent susceptibility to illness.", "contents": "Epidemiological studies of life change and illness. Currently popular methodologies in life changes and illness research are presented in some detail. Selected examples of epidemiological studies utilizing these methodololgies are briefly reviewed. Examples of both retrospective and prospective investigations of life change and illness are given. Discussed in the chapter are the author's views as to limitations of the epidemiologic method and probable directions of future research in efforts to clarify etiologic mechanisms along the pathway between subjects' recent life changes and their subsequent susceptibility to illness.", "PMID": 773851} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3957", "title": "Psychophysiological responses to the urban environment.", "content": "The relationship of urbanization to bodily changes and chronic disease is examined. Urban stress, as defined principally by one of its components, crowding, is examined in its role in the development of high blood pressure as well as in the modification of behavior and bodily function. Several sources of data are presented including those from animal studies, observations in man and some new data collected by the authors. The concept of information overload, the effects of noise on performance and on chronic disease, the psychophysiological effects of driving in traffic and the behavioral and bodily effects of crowding in man and animals are all presented. This paper intends to give the reader an overview of the complexity of the relationship of urban stress to behavioral changes and chronic disease. This relationship is described, and its multiple components, both in the environment and the nervous system, are enumerated.", "contents": "Psychophysiological responses to the urban environment. The relationship of urbanization to bodily changes and chronic disease is examined. Urban stress, as defined principally by one of its components, crowding, is examined in its role in the development of high blood pressure as well as in the modification of behavior and bodily function. Several sources of data are presented including those from animal studies, observations in man and some new data collected by the authors. The concept of information overload, the effects of noise on performance and on chronic disease, the psychophysiological effects of driving in traffic and the behavioral and bodily effects of crowding in man and animals are all presented. This paper intends to give the reader an overview of the complexity of the relationship of urban stress to behavioral changes and chronic disease. This relationship is described, and its multiple components, both in the environment and the nervous system, are enumerated.", "PMID": 773852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3958", "title": "Psychosomatic research today: a clinician's overview.", "content": "Emphasis is placed on the opportunities and importance, at this time, of continuing with clinically oriented psychosomatic research. For instance, the multidimensional studies of sleep and of depression are beginning to throw new light on psychosomatic processes, and so too are the studies of life events and illness. Short-term prospective clinical investigations provide an attractive framework for such work and they can be complementary to long-term survey studies investigating relationships between constitutional characteristics including personality, and social conditions and disease. There are some useful new tools for measureing psychological characteristics.", "contents": "Psychosomatic research today: a clinician's overview. Emphasis is placed on the opportunities and importance, at this time, of continuing with clinically oriented psychosomatic research. For instance, the multidimensional studies of sleep and of depression are beginning to throw new light on psychosomatic processes, and so too are the studies of life events and illness. Short-term prospective clinical investigations provide an attractive framework for such work and they can be complementary to long-term survey studies investigating relationships between constitutional characteristics including personality, and social conditions and disease. There are some useful new tools for measureing psychological characteristics.", "PMID": 773853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3959", "title": "Psychiatry and medical progress: therapeutic considerations.", "content": "Advances in medical technology have spurred interest in psychosocial adaptation to newer procedures, such as cardiac operations, chronic hemodialysis and renal renal transplantation. In spite of this interest, investigators have paid little attention to psychotherapeutic measures involved in the care of patients undergoing these procedures. This presentation reviews the available work in this area and brings together common themes related to the preparation and psychological treatment of these patients. These themes center around the importance of a continuous relationship with the patient which begins in the preoperative and pretreatment phase, the value of exploring in a nonthreatening fashion conflicts and fears aroused by the procedure, the need to counteract the non-human and impersonal aspects associated with medical progress, and the role of psychiatrist as the mediator between the patient and those involved in his care.", "contents": "Psychiatry and medical progress: therapeutic considerations. Advances in medical technology have spurred interest in psychosocial adaptation to newer procedures, such as cardiac operations, chronic hemodialysis and renal renal transplantation. In spite of this interest, investigators have paid little attention to psychotherapeutic measures involved in the care of patients undergoing these procedures. This presentation reviews the available work in this area and brings together common themes related to the preparation and psychological treatment of these patients. These themes center around the importance of a continuous relationship with the patient which begins in the preoperative and pretreatment phase, the value of exploring in a nonthreatening fashion conflicts and fears aroused by the procedure, the need to counteract the non-human and impersonal aspects associated with medical progress, and the role of psychiatrist as the mediator between the patient and those involved in his care.", "PMID": 773854} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3960", "title": "Operant conditioning-based behavior modification: one approach to treating somatic disorders.", "content": "The applicability of behavior modification as a process for treating somatic difficulties is examined within the framework of measurement, modification, and evaluation. Illustrations of this process are presented throughout. In particular, the last section of the paper gives an example of a currently operative and multifaceted approach to the problem of obesity. Among the topics considered herein are the use of behavioral contracts that specify ameliorative weight reduction practices and the assessment as well as manipulation of eating speed.", "contents": "Operant conditioning-based behavior modification: one approach to treating somatic disorders. The applicability of behavior modification as a process for treating somatic difficulties is examined within the framework of measurement, modification, and evaluation. Illustrations of this process are presented throughout. In particular, the last section of the paper gives an example of a currently operative and multifaceted approach to the problem of obesity. Among the topics considered herein are the use of behavioral contracts that specify ameliorative weight reduction practices and the assessment as well as manipulation of eating speed.", "PMID": 773855} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3961", "title": "Psychotropic drugs in somatic disorders.", "content": "Current trends in the employment of psychotropic medication in somatic illness are considered, and some of the theoretical issues raised by this practice are explored. While much further clinical investigation is needed, a review is made of currently available knowledge regarding psychopharmacotherapy in specific clinical settings: pain, delirium, ischemic heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, dermatological illness, and in renal, hepatic and pulmonary insufficiency.", "contents": "Psychotropic drugs in somatic disorders. Current trends in the employment of psychotropic medication in somatic illness are considered, and some of the theoretical issues raised by this practice are explored. While much further clinical investigation is needed, a review is made of currently available knowledge regarding psychopharmacotherapy in specific clinical settings: pain, delirium, ischemic heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, dermatological illness, and in renal, hepatic and pulmonary insufficiency.", "PMID": 773856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3962", "title": "Consultation-liaison psychiatry: a psychosomatic service in the general hospital.", "content": "Consultation psychiatry, an outgrowth of the tenets of psychosomatic medicine that followed the departure from mental-hospital psychiatry to the general-hospital-based psychiatric units, is similar to those consultation services in other specialties available on medical-surgical wards. Its primary aim is to interpret the psychosocial phenomena of health and illness and to redirect the physician from disease- to patient-orientation and to a comprehensive approach. Its functions are diagnostic-therapeutic, instructional and research directed. The psychosomatic orientation is a sine qua non in the understanding of the psychosocial meaning of physical illness, its effect on psychic disability, the psychosocial adjustment of the patient and his family and his ability to adapt to illness and the hospital. An essential feature is the evaluation of the doctor-patient relationship, especially when severe illness requires serious interventions, including the consultation and its reciprocal effect upon the doctor-patient relationship. Liaison activity consists of interpretive-therapeutic mediation between the patient and the therapeutic team when strain endangers their satisfactory cooperation. The therapeutic activity must be short-term and so construed as not to interfere with the primary treatment. The instructional aspect is for the sake of the usual recipients of the service, as well as residents and students. Teaching the interview techniques, especially to students, should demonstrate the holistic approach, comprehensive diagnosis and the need of avoiding orthodox one-sidedness. This paper reviews briefly the scope and role of consultation psychiatry, compares its North American model with its status elsewhere and explores the resistances to it.", "contents": "Consultation-liaison psychiatry: a psychosomatic service in the general hospital. Consultation psychiatry, an outgrowth of the tenets of psychosomatic medicine that followed the departure from mental-hospital psychiatry to the general-hospital-based psychiatric units, is similar to those consultation services in other specialties available on medical-surgical wards. Its primary aim is to interpret the psychosocial phenomena of health and illness and to redirect the physician from disease- to patient-orientation and to a comprehensive approach. Its functions are diagnostic-therapeutic, instructional and research directed. The psychosomatic orientation is a sine qua non in the understanding of the psychosocial meaning of physical illness, its effect on psychic disability, the psychosocial adjustment of the patient and his family and his ability to adapt to illness and the hospital. An essential feature is the evaluation of the doctor-patient relationship, especially when severe illness requires serious interventions, including the consultation and its reciprocal effect upon the doctor-patient relationship. Liaison activity consists of interpretive-therapeutic mediation between the patient and the therapeutic team when strain endangers their satisfactory cooperation. The therapeutic activity must be short-term and so construed as not to interfere with the primary treatment. The instructional aspect is for the sake of the usual recipients of the service, as well as residents and students. Teaching the interview techniques, especially to students, should demonstrate the holistic approach, comprehensive diagnosis and the need of avoiding orthodox one-sidedness. This paper reviews briefly the scope and role of consultation psychiatry, compares its North American model with its status elsewhere and explores the resistances to it.", "PMID": 773857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3963", "title": "Clinical psychosomatic research.", "content": "Psychosomatic medicine embrances the influence of psychological factors on the development and course of diverse physical symptoms. Reasons are given why it is recognized that physical morbidity is influenced by such factors, with illustrations from the authors' research on acute ischemic heart disease, peptic ulcer and bronchial asthma. The nature of the psychological factors can be elucidated with the use of recently developed psychometric tests; these relate particularly to mood disturbance, either attributable to affective disorder or prominent personality traits. To insure that samples studied are representative of the disease or symptom being considered, and that all relevant variables are taken into account, the research approach usually necessitates a multidisciplinary team.", "contents": "Clinical psychosomatic research. Psychosomatic medicine embrances the influence of psychological factors on the development and course of diverse physical symptoms. Reasons are given why it is recognized that physical morbidity is influenced by such factors, with illustrations from the authors' research on acute ischemic heart disease, peptic ulcer and bronchial asthma. The nature of the psychological factors can be elucidated with the use of recently developed psychometric tests; these relate particularly to mood disturbance, either attributable to affective disorder or prominent personality traits. To insure that samples studied are representative of the disease or symptom being considered, and that all relevant variables are taken into account, the research approach usually necessitates a multidisciplinary team.", "PMID": 773858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3964", "title": "Management and care of the dying patient.", "content": "The recent widespread interest in the problems of the dying patient is reviewed, and the dynamics of the psychological process involved in dying are discussed. Recommendations for the management of the dying patient are presented, with special attention to the issues of 1) truth telling, 2) the essential features patients request themselves in their own care and management, and 3) the unique and individualized goals of treatment.", "contents": "Management and care of the dying patient. The recent widespread interest in the problems of the dying patient is reviewed, and the dynamics of the psychological process involved in dying are discussed. Recommendations for the management of the dying patient are presented, with special attention to the issues of 1) truth telling, 2) the essential features patients request themselves in their own care and management, and 3) the unique and individualized goals of treatment.", "PMID": 773859} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3965", "title": "Electroencephalographic correlates of verbally induced stress in man.", "content": "This article is a review of some of the sparse investigation of EEG concomitants of verbally induced stress. The difficulties encountered in good experimental design in this formidable area, which may account for the paucity of work, are discussed. A recent experiment in which spectral analysis of EEG played a prominent role, with spectral estimators selected as correlated with stressful questions, is presented in some detail. Autonomic measurements provided the stress indicators. The value of animal experiments for psychiatry in the investigation of stress is briefly examined.", "contents": "Electroencephalographic correlates of verbally induced stress in man. This article is a review of some of the sparse investigation of EEG concomitants of verbally induced stress. The difficulties encountered in good experimental design in this formidable area, which may account for the paucity of work, are discussed. A recent experiment in which spectral analysis of EEG played a prominent role, with spectral estimators selected as correlated with stressful questions, is presented in some detail. Autonomic measurements provided the stress indicators. The value of animal experiments for psychiatry in the investigation of stress is briefly examined.", "PMID": 773860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3966", "title": "Some problems in the teaching of psychosomatic medicine.", "content": "The part that social and emotional life plays in the response to stress and the course of illness has been recognized for ages. But the obstacles to the teaching of a \"psychosomatic approach\" to health and disease persist. This paper explores briefly the attitudinal, definitional, historical and structural factors which present as problems in attempts to teach a psychosomatic approach to medical diagnosis and practice. If there is a body of knowledge rightfully called psychosomatic medicine, and if it is important to appreciate, understand and utilize the psychosomatic approach in everyday clinical work with the whole patient, then new ways must be explored to accomplish this task. Suggestions are offered towards this objective.", "contents": "Some problems in the teaching of psychosomatic medicine. The part that social and emotional life plays in the response to stress and the course of illness has been recognized for ages. But the obstacles to the teaching of a \"psychosomatic approach\" to health and disease persist. This paper explores briefly the attitudinal, definitional, historical and structural factors which present as problems in attempts to teach a psychosomatic approach to medical diagnosis and practice. If there is a body of knowledge rightfully called psychosomatic medicine, and if it is important to appreciate, understand and utilize the psychosomatic approach in everyday clinical work with the whole patient, then new ways must be explored to accomplish this task. Suggestions are offered towards this objective.", "PMID": 773861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3967", "title": "Nocturnal psychophysiological correlates of somatic conditions and sleep disorders.", "content": "Modern sleep research studies have provided the practicing physician with considerable new information concerning the basic psychophysiology of sleep, the effects of medical conditions on sleep and the role of maturational and emotional factors in producing certain sleep disorders. Medical and psychiatric disorders, sleep disorders and drug-induced sleep stage alterations are studied in the sleep laboratory using the same techniques developed to analyze sleep patterns in normal subjects. After initial sleep laboratory adaptation, a profile of the sleep characteristics of various clinical conditions is obtained. This profile can be compared to sleep profiles of normal subjects as well as to the effects on sleep of subsequent experimental or therapeutic procedures. Various studies have shown that coronary artery, duodenal ulcer and nocturnal headache patients experience angina, increased gastric acid secretion and migraine or cluster headaches, respectively during REM sleep. Adult nocturnal asthamtic episodes occur out of all sleep stages while attacks of dyspnea in asthmatic children occur in all stages except stage 4 sleep. Hypothyroid patients show decreases in stages 3 and 4 sleep, while in hyperthyroid patients the percentage of time spent in stages 3 and 4 sleep is markedly increased. Enuretic episodes occur predominantly in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Sleepwalking and night terror episodes occur exclusively out of NREM sleep, particularly from stages 3 and 4 sleep. Most child somnambulists and children with night terrors \"outgrow\" this disorder, suggesting a delayed maturation of the central nervous system. Stimulant drugs are effective in the treatment of the sleep attacks of narcolepsy and in treating certain cases of hypersomnia, while imipramine is an effective treatment for the auxillary symptoms of narcolepsy. Psychological disturbances are frequent in adult somnambulism and night terrors as well as in hypersomnia and insomnia. Proper pharmacologic treatment to provide symptomatic relief for insomnia is recommended to enhance the psychotherapeutic process.", "contents": "Nocturnal psychophysiological correlates of somatic conditions and sleep disorders. Modern sleep research studies have provided the practicing physician with considerable new information concerning the basic psychophysiology of sleep, the effects of medical conditions on sleep and the role of maturational and emotional factors in producing certain sleep disorders. Medical and psychiatric disorders, sleep disorders and drug-induced sleep stage alterations are studied in the sleep laboratory using the same techniques developed to analyze sleep patterns in normal subjects. After initial sleep laboratory adaptation, a profile of the sleep characteristics of various clinical conditions is obtained. This profile can be compared to sleep profiles of normal subjects as well as to the effects on sleep of subsequent experimental or therapeutic procedures. Various studies have shown that coronary artery, duodenal ulcer and nocturnal headache patients experience angina, increased gastric acid secretion and migraine or cluster headaches, respectively during REM sleep. Adult nocturnal asthamtic episodes occur out of all sleep stages while attacks of dyspnea in asthmatic children occur in all stages except stage 4 sleep. Hypothyroid patients show decreases in stages 3 and 4 sleep, while in hyperthyroid patients the percentage of time spent in stages 3 and 4 sleep is markedly increased. Enuretic episodes occur predominantly in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Sleepwalking and night terror episodes occur exclusively out of NREM sleep, particularly from stages 3 and 4 sleep. Most child somnambulists and children with night terrors \"outgrow\" this disorder, suggesting a delayed maturation of the central nervous system. Stimulant drugs are effective in the treatment of the sleep attacks of narcolepsy and in treating certain cases of hypersomnia, while imipramine is an effective treatment for the auxillary symptoms of narcolepsy. Psychological disturbances are frequent in adult somnambulism and night terrors as well as in hypersomnia and insomnia. Proper pharmacologic treatment to provide symptomatic relief for insomnia is recommended to enhance the psychotherapeutic process.", "PMID": 773862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3968", "title": "Hypnosis as a treatment method in psychosomatic medicine.", "content": "Recent research findings are used to illustrate the areas of uncertainty and controversy in the understanding of hypnosis. Despite similarities, hypnosis is presented as more than and different from relaxation, suggestibility, and the placebo response. An overview of the clinical use of hypnosis includes the three main methods of application, namely: relaxation or mild hypnosis, symptom removal, and hypnotherapy. A few brief case reports are included. As a means of narrowing the gap between laboratory research and clinical experience, the author recommends the assessment of hypnotizability in all patients treated with hypnosis.", "contents": "Hypnosis as a treatment method in psychosomatic medicine. Recent research findings are used to illustrate the areas of uncertainty and controversy in the understanding of hypnosis. Despite similarities, hypnosis is presented as more than and different from relaxation, suggestibility, and the placebo response. An overview of the clinical use of hypnosis includes the three main methods of application, namely: relaxation or mild hypnosis, symptom removal, and hypnotherapy. A few brief case reports are included. As a means of narrowing the gap between laboratory research and clinical experience, the author recommends the assessment of hypnotizability in all patients treated with hypnosis.", "PMID": 773863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3969", "title": "The relaxation response: psychophysiologic aspects and clinical applications.", "content": "It is hypothesized that situations requiring continous behavioral adjustment activate an integrated, hypothalamic response, the emergency reaction. The frequent elicitation of the physiologic changes associated with the emergency reaction has been implicated in the development of diseases such as hypertension. Prevention and treatment of these diseases may be through the use of the relaxation response, an integrated hypothalamic response whose physiologic changes appear to be the counterpart of the emergency reaction. This article describes the basic elements of techniques which elicit the relaxation response and discusses the results of clinical investigations which employ the relaxation response as a therapeutic intervention.", "contents": "The relaxation response: psychophysiologic aspects and clinical applications. It is hypothesized that situations requiring continous behavioral adjustment activate an integrated, hypothalamic response, the emergency reaction. The frequent elicitation of the physiologic changes associated with the emergency reaction has been implicated in the development of diseases such as hypertension. Prevention and treatment of these diseases may be through the use of the relaxation response, an integrated hypothalamic response whose physiologic changes appear to be the counterpart of the emergency reaction. This article describes the basic elements of techniques which elicit the relaxation response and discusses the results of clinical investigations which employ the relaxation response as a therapeutic intervention.", "PMID": 773864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3970", "title": "Therapy-resistant depressions: biochemical and pharmacological considerations.", "content": "Two statements are presented here: 1) antidepressants increase the amount of MA at the central receptors, and 2) antidepressants are effective in some, but quite ineffective in other patients, even if they belong to the same diagnostic category. Three questions result from these statements: 1) Does a central MA deficiency occur in depressive patients? 2) If so, is this disorder present in only a proportion of the patients? 3) If so, can this explain the apparent selectivity of antidepressants in the sense that particularly MA-deficient patients benefit from this type of therapy? A tentative answer is given to these three questions. In depressive patients the cerebral MA turnover can be diminished. These disorders do not occur in all patients but seem to be confined to certain categories of depression. Diminution or non-diminution of the central MA turnover is a (not the) factor which determines whether antidepressant medication will succeed or fail. The theoretical and practical implications of these answers are discussed.", "contents": "Therapy-resistant depressions: biochemical and pharmacological considerations. Two statements are presented here: 1) antidepressants increase the amount of MA at the central receptors, and 2) antidepressants are effective in some, but quite ineffective in other patients, even if they belong to the same diagnostic category. Three questions result from these statements: 1) Does a central MA deficiency occur in depressive patients? 2) If so, is this disorder present in only a proportion of the patients? 3) If so, can this explain the apparent selectivity of antidepressants in the sense that particularly MA-deficient patients benefit from this type of therapy? A tentative answer is given to these three questions. In depressive patients the cerebral MA turnover can be diminished. These disorders do not occur in all patients but seem to be confined to certain categories of depression. Diminution or non-diminution of the central MA turnover is a (not the) factor which determines whether antidepressant medication will succeed or fail. The theoretical and practical implications of these answers are discussed.", "PMID": 773865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3971", "title": "DNA breakage, repair and lethality after 125I decay in rec+ and recA strains of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Iodine-125 decays by electron capture and is known to cause extensive molecular fragmentation via the Augur effect. 125I was incorporated into the DNA of exponentially-growing E. coli K12 AB2487, a recA mutant, and E. coli K12 AB2497, the corresponding rec+ strain, as 5-iododeoxyuridine (IUdR), an analogue of thymidine. Radioactive bacteria were stored at - 196 degrees C, and samples were periodically assayed for loss of viability and for the induction of double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA. Each 125I decay in the DNA of either strain induces one DSB, i.e. alpha(DSB) = 1.0. For the recA strain, alpha(lethal) = 0.9 and for the rec+ strain, 0.4. Assays for biological repair of DSBs, involving incubation of thawed samples in growth-medium at 37 degrees C before the extraction of DNA, demonstrate significant repair of 125I-induced DSBs by rec+ cells but none by recA cells. For small numbers of decays, there is approximately a 1:1 correlation, for either strain, between lethal decays and post-incubation residual DSBs. Comparison with data for larger numbers of decays indicates that a typical rec+ cell can repair no more than three to four DSBs per completed genome (2.5 x 10(9) daltons).", "contents": "DNA breakage, repair and lethality after 125I decay in rec+ and recA strains of Escherichia coli. Iodine-125 decays by electron capture and is known to cause extensive molecular fragmentation via the Augur effect. 125I was incorporated into the DNA of exponentially-growing E. coli K12 AB2487, a recA mutant, and E. coli K12 AB2497, the corresponding rec+ strain, as 5-iododeoxyuridine (IUdR), an analogue of thymidine. Radioactive bacteria were stored at - 196 degrees C, and samples were periodically assayed for loss of viability and for the induction of double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA. Each 125I decay in the DNA of either strain induces one DSB, i.e. alpha(DSB) = 1.0. For the recA strain, alpha(lethal) = 0.9 and for the rec+ strain, 0.4. Assays for biological repair of DSBs, involving incubation of thawed samples in growth-medium at 37 degrees C before the extraction of DNA, demonstrate significant repair of 125I-induced DSBs by rec+ cells but none by recA cells. For small numbers of decays, there is approximately a 1:1 correlation, for either strain, between lethal decays and post-incubation residual DSBs. Comparison with data for larger numbers of decays indicates that a typical rec+ cell can repair no more than three to four DSBs per completed genome (2.5 x 10(9) daltons).", "PMID": 773870} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3972", "title": "Production and rejoining of single-strand breaks in DNA of Escherichia coli cells after exposure to gamma-rays in the presence of iodoacetic acid under oxic and anoxic conditions.", "content": "The presence of iodoacetic acid (IAA, 10(4) M) during exposure of Escherichia coli cells to 25 krad gamma-radiation under anoxia resulted in a greater number of radiation-induced single-strand scissions in DNA. The single-strand breaks produced under oxic conditions of irradiation, however, were only marginally increased when IAA was present during irradiation. Although cells irradiated under anoxic or oxic condition and those irradiated under anoxic condition in the presence of IAA were capable of rejoining single-strand breaks produced in DNA, those irradiated under oxic condition in the presence of IAA had lost this capacity.", "contents": "Production and rejoining of single-strand breaks in DNA of Escherichia coli cells after exposure to gamma-rays in the presence of iodoacetic acid under oxic and anoxic conditions. The presence of iodoacetic acid (IAA, 10(4) M) during exposure of Escherichia coli cells to 25 krad gamma-radiation under anoxia resulted in a greater number of radiation-induced single-strand scissions in DNA. The single-strand breaks produced under oxic conditions of irradiation, however, were only marginally increased when IAA was present during irradiation. Although cells irradiated under anoxic or oxic condition and those irradiated under anoxic condition in the presence of IAA were capable of rejoining single-strand breaks produced in DNA, those irradiated under oxic condition in the presence of IAA had lost this capacity.", "PMID": 773873} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3973", "title": "Lethality and double-strand scissions from 14C decay in the DNA of micro-organisms.", "content": "14C-2-thymidine was incorporated into the DNA of E. coli B/r and of coliphage T4. The labelled organisms were stored for several years at -196 degrees C. Both were periodically assayed for loss of viability, and the coliphage also for the appearance of double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA. E. coli B/r exhibited a survival curve with a substantial initial shoulder, extrapolation number 5-2 +/- 2-3, and a final exponential portion corresponding to a lethal efficiency per 14C decay per 2-5 X 10(9) daltons of DNA, of 0-009 +/- 0-002. For coliphage T4, our best estimate for the lethal efficiency per 14C decay is 0-03 +/- 0-04, and that for the DNA breakage efficiency is -0-002 +/- 0-004. The large standard errors result from the very small number of 14C decays occurring in each phage. These results suggest that 14C decay in the DNA of micro-organisms does not cause DSBs but does cause potentially lethal damage to the thymine bases in which decay occurs, and that wild-type E. coli can repair a large number of such DNA lesions.", "contents": "Lethality and double-strand scissions from 14C decay in the DNA of micro-organisms. 14C-2-thymidine was incorporated into the DNA of E. coli B/r and of coliphage T4. The labelled organisms were stored for several years at -196 degrees C. Both were periodically assayed for loss of viability, and the coliphage also for the appearance of double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA. E. coli B/r exhibited a survival curve with a substantial initial shoulder, extrapolation number 5-2 +/- 2-3, and a final exponential portion corresponding to a lethal efficiency per 14C decay per 2-5 X 10(9) daltons of DNA, of 0-009 +/- 0-002. For coliphage T4, our best estimate for the lethal efficiency per 14C decay is 0-03 +/- 0-04, and that for the DNA breakage efficiency is -0-002 +/- 0-004. The large standard errors result from the very small number of 14C decays occurring in each phage. These results suggest that 14C decay in the DNA of micro-organisms does not cause DSBs but does cause potentially lethal damage to the thymine bases in which decay occurs, and that wild-type E. coli can repair a large number of such DNA lesions.", "PMID": 773874} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3974", "title": "Medical and surgical management of corneal thinnings and perforations.", "content": "The primary objective of treatment of a thin cornea is to maintain the integrity of the anterior chamber and to control the ocular inflammation. Available methods of therapy range from simple medical means, through soft contact lenses and tarsorrhaphy, to conjunctival flaps and keratoplasty. Once perforation has occurred, if the anterior chamber has not reformed in two to three days despite patching, soft contact lenses or adhesives should be tried; if not successful, the more complicated procedures such as glued-on hard contact lens, a blow-out patch graft, or penetrating keratoplasty must be undertaken to restore the integrity of the eye.", "contents": "Medical and surgical management of corneal thinnings and perforations. The primary objective of treatment of a thin cornea is to maintain the integrity of the anterior chamber and to control the ocular inflammation. Available methods of therapy range from simple medical means, through soft contact lenses and tarsorrhaphy, to conjunctival flaps and keratoplasty. Once perforation has occurred, if the anterior chamber has not reformed in two to three days despite patching, soft contact lenses or adhesives should be tried; if not successful, the more complicated procedures such as glued-on hard contact lens, a blow-out patch graft, or penetrating keratoplasty must be undertaken to restore the integrity of the eye.", "PMID": 773879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3975", "title": "Penetrating keratoplasty for herpetic keratitis: decision-making and management.", "content": "The outlook for keratoplasty in herpetic keratitis has improved significantly over the past decade. While only two out of three grafts in vascularized and regrafted eyes and in eyes with active disease are clear after two years, in quiet eyes with no significant vascularization, the success rate exceeds 80 percent. The significant factor in the improved results, in both favorable and unfavorable cases, is the improvement in surgical technique, involving the operating microscope, the 10-0 nylon suture, and the increased understanding of the pathophysiology of corneal grafting, which has resulted in more sophisticated postoperative care. In our experience, the routine use of high levels of topical steroids in the immediate postoperative period, followed by a rapid tapering of these medications, has been particularly successful.", "contents": "Penetrating keratoplasty for herpetic keratitis: decision-making and management. The outlook for keratoplasty in herpetic keratitis has improved significantly over the past decade. While only two out of three grafts in vascularized and regrafted eyes and in eyes with active disease are clear after two years, in quiet eyes with no significant vascularization, the success rate exceeds 80 percent. The significant factor in the improved results, in both favorable and unfavorable cases, is the improvement in surgical technique, involving the operating microscope, the 10-0 nylon suture, and the increased understanding of the pathophysiology of corneal grafting, which has resulted in more sophisticated postoperative care. In our experience, the routine use of high levels of topical steroids in the immediate postoperative period, followed by a rapid tapering of these medications, has been particularly successful.", "PMID": 773880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3976", "title": "Rubella.", "content": "Experience with the vaccine can be summarized as follows: There were minimal problems with neuralgia and neuropathy as a result of the vaccine; vaccinated children were not a significant source of infection to the pregnant woman; the duration of immunity is similar to that obtained with natural rubella virus, but with lower antibody levels; and reinfection is more common with vaccination, but apparently no viremia develops. Several studies were reported regarding inadvertent vaccination in women who were pregnant at the time of vaccination. In one series [7], 19 pregnant women who were vaccinated were studied. Ten went to term and delivered normal babies and 9 aborted, 8 induced and 1 spontaneously. In one induced abortion, virus was demonstrable in fetal tissue including, notably, in the eye. Another case of CRS was diagnosed in utero amniocentesis [12], and the fetus was aborted at 12 weeks' gestation. Another evaluation of reinfection during pregnancy [1] confirmed that this was of little risk to the fetus, as there was no apparent viremia. In summary, then, in one ophthalmological generation, from Gregg until the present time, we have experienced the recognition, the observation, and, essentially, the conquest of the congenital rubella syndrome. However, if vaccination programs are not assiduously continued, we can expect a renewed upsurge of this difficult problem.", "contents": "Rubella. Experience with the vaccine can be summarized as follows: There were minimal problems with neuralgia and neuropathy as a result of the vaccine; vaccinated children were not a significant source of infection to the pregnant woman; the duration of immunity is similar to that obtained with natural rubella virus, but with lower antibody levels; and reinfection is more common with vaccination, but apparently no viremia develops. Several studies were reported regarding inadvertent vaccination in women who were pregnant at the time of vaccination. In one series [7], 19 pregnant women who were vaccinated were studied. Ten went to term and delivered normal babies and 9 aborted, 8 induced and 1 spontaneously. In one induced abortion, virus was demonstrable in fetal tissue including, notably, in the eye. Another case of CRS was diagnosed in utero amniocentesis [12], and the fetus was aborted at 12 weeks' gestation. Another evaluation of reinfection during pregnancy [1] confirmed that this was of little risk to the fetus, as there was no apparent viremia. In summary, then, in one ophthalmological generation, from Gregg until the present time, we have experienced the recognition, the observation, and, essentially, the conquest of the congenital rubella syndrome. However, if vaccination programs are not assiduously continued, we can expect a renewed upsurge of this difficult problem.", "PMID": 773881} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3977", "title": "Surgical management of vertebral-basilar insufficiency.", "content": "The authors report treatment of 251 lesions of the major branches of the aortic arch and the vertebral artery in 172 patients. A detailed account is given of the lesions observed (34 lesions of the innominate artery, 93 of the subclavian artery and 119 of the vertebral arteries), the technics used and the indications for surgery. Use of the cervical approach seems to be justified in order to adapt the extent of surgery to the patient's condition. This accounts for the low mortality rate of 1.5%.", "contents": "Surgical management of vertebral-basilar insufficiency. The authors report treatment of 251 lesions of the major branches of the aortic arch and the vertebral artery in 172 patients. A detailed account is given of the lesions observed (34 lesions of the innominate artery, 93 of the subclavian artery and 119 of the vertebral arteries), the technics used and the indications for surgery. Use of the cervical approach seems to be justified in order to adapt the extent of surgery to the patient's condition. This accounts for the low mortality rate of 1.5%.", "PMID": 773885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3978", "title": "[Findings and significance of spermatozoa agglomeration in the semen].", "content": "Agglomeration of spermatozoa (pseudo-autagglutination, clumping of spermatozoa) is distinguished from agglutination in immunological processes by the coarse meshwork of the spermatozoa clumps and the central inclusion of epithelia, leukocytes, residual bodies, spermatozoa with persisting cytoplasmatic droplets, as well as parts of viscous seminal plasma. In 658 semen samples of out-patients with barried marriage, spermatozoa agglomerations were seen in 13.4% of the samples immediately after liquefaction while in additional 6.7%, they were found up to three hours later. The agglomeration phenomenon is typical but not specific of the so-called vegetative congestion syndrome, appearing concomitant with high spermatozoa counts, normal rate of spermatozoa motility and morphology, as well as an increase in residual bodies and spermatozoa with persisting cytoplasmatic droplets. Next to congestion syndrome, spermatozoa agglomerations may also result from post-inflammatory disturbances of epididymal or accessory gland function whereas in florid stages of inflammation, they are rarely observed. As the congestion syndrome may give rise to male infertility in some cases, andrologists should be acquainted with its clinical and spermatological symptoms with special regard to therapy.", "contents": "[Findings and significance of spermatozoa agglomeration in the semen]. Agglomeration of spermatozoa (pseudo-autagglutination, clumping of spermatozoa) is distinguished from agglutination in immunological processes by the coarse meshwork of the spermatozoa clumps and the central inclusion of epithelia, leukocytes, residual bodies, spermatozoa with persisting cytoplasmatic droplets, as well as parts of viscous seminal plasma. In 658 semen samples of out-patients with barried marriage, spermatozoa agglomerations were seen in 13.4% of the samples immediately after liquefaction while in additional 6.7%, they were found up to three hours later. The agglomeration phenomenon is typical but not specific of the so-called vegetative congestion syndrome, appearing concomitant with high spermatozoa counts, normal rate of spermatozoa motility and morphology, as well as an increase in residual bodies and spermatozoa with persisting cytoplasmatic droplets. Next to congestion syndrome, spermatozoa agglomerations may also result from post-inflammatory disturbances of epididymal or accessory gland function whereas in florid stages of inflammation, they are rarely observed. As the congestion syndrome may give rise to male infertility in some cases, andrologists should be acquainted with its clinical and spermatological symptoms with special regard to therapy.", "PMID": 773900} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3979", "title": "Mycoplasma and L-forms: occurrence in bacterial cultures.", "content": "The mycoplasma and the L-forms of bacteria have been associated since the time of their discovery. Their similar biological properties have raised questions concerning their common origin. Observations made over a number of years have shown the appearance of mycoplasma in L-form cultures of several bacterial species. The origin of these mycoplasma cultures remains unknown. Recent research suggests the possibility of phylogenetic relationships between mycoplasma and bacteria or their derived L-forms.", "contents": "Mycoplasma and L-forms: occurrence in bacterial cultures. The mycoplasma and the L-forms of bacteria have been associated since the time of their discovery. Their similar biological properties have raised questions concerning their common origin. Observations made over a number of years have shown the appearance of mycoplasma in L-form cultures of several bacterial species. The origin of these mycoplasma cultures remains unknown. Recent research suggests the possibility of phylogenetic relationships between mycoplasma and bacteria or their derived L-forms.", "PMID": 773901} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3980", "title": "[Therapy of facial hemangioma].", "content": "Indication, advantages and disadvantages of 5 methods for the treatment of hemangiomas of the face are discussed.", "contents": "[Therapy of facial hemangioma]. Indication, advantages and disadvantages of 5 methods for the treatment of hemangiomas of the face are discussed.", "PMID": 773905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3981", "title": "[100 consecutive colonic resections with single layer sutures and early radiologic postoperative controls].", "content": "A prospective study concerning 100 consecutive cases of colonic resections and anastomosis with single layer sutures is reported where radiological controls 10-12 days postoperatively had been carried out. An anastomotic insufficency was recognized clinically in 15%; in 6% a small leakage was only detectable radiologically. 50% of all anastomotic deficencies were seen in cases with preexisting perforation peritonitis or ileus, especially if an emergency resection had been necessary due to septic complications. 3 out of the 7 deaths were connected with dehiscence in the suture line.", "contents": "[100 consecutive colonic resections with single layer sutures and early radiologic postoperative controls]. A prospective study concerning 100 consecutive cases of colonic resections and anastomosis with single layer sutures is reported where radiological controls 10-12 days postoperatively had been carried out. An anastomotic insufficency was recognized clinically in 15%; in 6% a small leakage was only detectable radiologically. 50% of all anastomotic deficencies were seen in cases with preexisting perforation peritonitis or ileus, especially if an emergency resection had been necessary due to septic complications. 3 out of the 7 deaths were connected with dehiscence in the suture line.", "PMID": 773906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3982", "title": "Inhibition of plaque growth with taurolin, vantocil and amine fluoride.", "content": "16 dental students rinsed daily with a placebo solution, Taurolin 2% (formaldehyde releasing antimicrobial), Vantocil 0.1% (polybiguanide), and with amine fluoride 0.025%. Depression of plaque growth assess with the Sulcular Plaque Index was 50.6, 40.2 and 21.5%, respectively.", "contents": "Inhibition of plaque growth with taurolin, vantocil and amine fluoride. 16 dental students rinsed daily with a placebo solution, Taurolin 2% (formaldehyde releasing antimicrobial), Vantocil 0.1% (polybiguanide), and with amine fluoride 0.025%. Depression of plaque growth assess with the Sulcular Plaque Index was 50.6, 40.2 and 21.5%, respectively.", "PMID": 773907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3983", "title": "Cholorate toxicity in Aspergillus nidulans: the selection and characterisation of chlorate resistant mutants.", "content": "Mutation in at least ten genes can result in chlorate reistance in Aspergillus nidulans. Mutation in seven of these genes also results in the inability to use nitrate as nitrogen source. The various classes of resistant mutant obtained occur in different proportions, depending on whether or not a mutagenic treatment is employed, and also on which nitrogen source is used for selection. The prinicipal effect of mutagen arises because mutations in the niaD gene, the nitrate reductase structural gene, are relatively much commoner when no mutagen is used than after treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. This may be connected with the finding that deletions involving the niaD gene are relatively more common among samples of spontaneous niaD mutants. Some of these deletions extend to the neighbouring niiA gene, the structural gene for nitrite reductase. The selection procedures used were designed to avoid bias in favour of any particular chlorate resistant phenotype. Even if biases existed however, these could not account for the variation found from nitrogren source to nitrogen source in the proportions of certain resistant classes having apparently identical chlorate resistance phenotypes.", "contents": "Cholorate toxicity in Aspergillus nidulans: the selection and characterisation of chlorate resistant mutants. Mutation in at least ten genes can result in chlorate reistance in Aspergillus nidulans. Mutation in seven of these genes also results in the inability to use nitrate as nitrogen source. The various classes of resistant mutant obtained occur in different proportions, depending on whether or not a mutagenic treatment is employed, and also on which nitrogen source is used for selection. The prinicipal effect of mutagen arises because mutations in the niaD gene, the nitrate reductase structural gene, are relatively much commoner when no mutagen is used than after treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. This may be connected with the finding that deletions involving the niaD gene are relatively more common among samples of spontaneous niaD mutants. Some of these deletions extend to the neighbouring niiA gene, the structural gene for nitrite reductase. The selection procedures used were designed to avoid bias in favour of any particular chlorate resistant phenotype. Even if biases existed however, these could not account for the variation found from nitrogren source to nitrogen source in the proportions of certain resistant classes having apparently identical chlorate resistance phenotypes.", "PMID": 773908} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3984", "title": "The variable refractivity of the protein or polypeptide hormone-producing cells showing a unique luminescence in the dark-field microscope.", "content": "When cryostat sections of endocrine tissue were examined in a dark-field microscope, a brillant granular luminescence was revealed in the endocrine cells thought to be concerned with protein or polypeptide horome production. The sections were prepared from fresh materials either frozen in a cryostat chamber at --25 degrees C, in dry ice-acetone, or fixed in formalin-calcium for 24 hr. The neurosecretory substance in the hypothalamus and the posterior lobe of the pituitary showed a blue luminescence; the acidophil cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary, orange; basophile cell, green or blue; intermediate lobe cells, no luminescence; thyroid C cells, white-blue; pancreatic A cells, blue; B cells, orange; adrenomedullary cells, greenish blue; enterochromatin cells, green; and other endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract, blue or orange. After tearing and spreading the pituitary and hypothalamus with a pair of needles on a glass slide, and examining the teased specimen by dark-field microscopy, various cells of different lumunescent colours became apparent in the anterior lobe of the pituitary, a blue fluorescent substance in the posterior lobe, and neurosecretory cells bodies in the hypothalamus. The different colours appear to be inherent in the granules of living tissues.", "contents": "The variable refractivity of the protein or polypeptide hormone-producing cells showing a unique luminescence in the dark-field microscope. When cryostat sections of endocrine tissue were examined in a dark-field microscope, a brillant granular luminescence was revealed in the endocrine cells thought to be concerned with protein or polypeptide horome production. The sections were prepared from fresh materials either frozen in a cryostat chamber at --25 degrees C, in dry ice-acetone, or fixed in formalin-calcium for 24 hr. The neurosecretory substance in the hypothalamus and the posterior lobe of the pituitary showed a blue luminescence; the acidophil cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary, orange; basophile cell, green or blue; intermediate lobe cells, no luminescence; thyroid C cells, white-blue; pancreatic A cells, blue; B cells, orange; adrenomedullary cells, greenish blue; enterochromatin cells, green; and other endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract, blue or orange. After tearing and spreading the pituitary and hypothalamus with a pair of needles on a glass slide, and examining the teased specimen by dark-field microscopy, various cells of different lumunescent colours became apparent in the anterior lobe of the pituitary, a blue fluorescent substance in the posterior lobe, and neurosecretory cells bodies in the hypothalamus. The different colours appear to be inherent in the granules of living tissues.", "PMID": 773909} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3985", "title": "Origin and early evolution of transition element enzymes.", "content": "In this paper we speculate on the origin and early evolution of transition element enzymes. Iron, molybdenum, and zinc, the most abundant transition elements in seawater, presumably complexed with compounds accumulated in the primeval sea in the course of chemical evolution forming compounds with subsequently evolved to form proenzymes or early enzymes with low activity and broad specificity. Iron complexes may be regarded as precursors of electron transfer enzymes, molybdenum complexes as precursors of enzymes involved in the metabolism of small molecules, and zinc complexes as precursors of hydrolytic and transferring enzymes, including enzymes participating in the metabolism of macromolecules and information transfer. The different iron, molybdenum, and zinc enzymes found in bacteria including Clostridium may then have arisen through specialization by increases in the enzyme specificity of these proenzymes. Copper would have been incorporated as an enzyme constituent after the elevation of environmental redox potential, probably due to the accumulation of atmospheric oxygen.", "contents": "Origin and early evolution of transition element enzymes. In this paper we speculate on the origin and early evolution of transition element enzymes. Iron, molybdenum, and zinc, the most abundant transition elements in seawater, presumably complexed with compounds accumulated in the primeval sea in the course of chemical evolution forming compounds with subsequently evolved to form proenzymes or early enzymes with low activity and broad specificity. Iron complexes may be regarded as precursors of electron transfer enzymes, molybdenum complexes as precursors of enzymes involved in the metabolism of small molecules, and zinc complexes as precursors of hydrolytic and transferring enzymes, including enzymes participating in the metabolism of macromolecules and information transfer. The different iron, molybdenum, and zinc enzymes found in bacteria including Clostridium may then have arisen through specialization by increases in the enzyme specificity of these proenzymes. Copper would have been incorporated as an enzyme constituent after the elevation of environmental redox potential, probably due to the accumulation of atmospheric oxygen.", "PMID": 773920} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3986", "title": "R17 RNA replicase. V. Rifamycin sensitivity of R17 RNA synthesis in vivo.", "content": "The effect of rifamycin on R14 phage growth in vivo was examined using rifamycin sensitive and resistant strains of E. coli as host cells. The following conclusions were obtained: (1) There is a time lag between the addition of rifamycin to the culture and the initiation of inhibitory action by the drug. At 25 mug rifamycin per ml, this time lag is approximately 30 min. At 50 mug per ml, it takes 10 min to exert 90% inhibition of RNA synthesis in both infected and non-infected cultures. (2) The rifamycin sensitive stage for R17 growth is the first 20 min of its infectious cycle during which time the synthesis of phage components, but not the assembly, takes place. (3) Of the phage component synthesis, RNA synthesis is definitely sensitive to rifamycin in contrast to the other RNA phage systems. Of the four phage specific RNA's, progeny plus strand synthesis is trongly inhibited. The synthesis of replicating forms is also sensitive to rifamycin, but their suppression appears to be incomplete.", "contents": "R17 RNA replicase. V. Rifamycin sensitivity of R17 RNA synthesis in vivo. The effect of rifamycin on R14 phage growth in vivo was examined using rifamycin sensitive and resistant strains of E. coli as host cells. The following conclusions were obtained: (1) There is a time lag between the addition of rifamycin to the culture and the initiation of inhibitory action by the drug. At 25 mug rifamycin per ml, this time lag is approximately 30 min. At 50 mug per ml, it takes 10 min to exert 90% inhibition of RNA synthesis in both infected and non-infected cultures. (2) The rifamycin sensitive stage for R17 growth is the first 20 min of its infectious cycle during which time the synthesis of phage components, but not the assembly, takes place. (3) Of the phage component synthesis, RNA synthesis is definitely sensitive to rifamycin in contrast to the other RNA phage systems. Of the four phage specific RNA's, progeny plus strand synthesis is trongly inhibited. The synthesis of replicating forms is also sensitive to rifamycin, but their suppression appears to be incomplete.", "PMID": 773921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3987", "title": "R17 RNA replicase. VI. A large scale preparation of R17 template RNA.", "content": "A new procedure for R17 RNA preparation was devised using a 300 liters fermenter. The key factor in processing such a large quantity is the purification of phage particles prior to RNA extraction. The method involves the preparation of 250 liters of crude lysate, condensation of phage particles by the partition method, purification by DEAE-cellulose column, and removal of adherent proteins by a series of high-salt washes. The method permits preparation of approximately 3 g of phage particles free of ribosomal fragments and RNase. Phage RNA extracted in gram quantities using conventional methods often contain phenol. Thus repeated extraction of R17 RNA with salt-alcohol mixture is required.", "contents": "R17 RNA replicase. VI. A large scale preparation of R17 template RNA. A new procedure for R17 RNA preparation was devised using a 300 liters fermenter. The key factor in processing such a large quantity is the purification of phage particles prior to RNA extraction. The method involves the preparation of 250 liters of crude lysate, condensation of phage particles by the partition method, purification by DEAE-cellulose column, and removal of adherent proteins by a series of high-salt washes. The method permits preparation of approximately 3 g of phage particles free of ribosomal fragments and RNase. Phage RNA extracted in gram quantities using conventional methods often contain phenol. Thus repeated extraction of R17 RNA with salt-alcohol mixture is required.", "PMID": 773922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3988", "title": "Fluorescence polarization studies on the local conformation of yeast tRNA.", "content": "The effects of temperature and guanidine hydrochloride (GuHC1) on the fluorescence polarization of Y base in partially purified yeast phenylalanine tRNA (p.p.tRNAPhe) and in acriflavine conjugates of crude yeast tRNA were investigated to elucidate the stability of the conformation at the 3'-CpCpA terminus and the anticodon loop of tRNA. The results can be summarized as follows: (1) The kinetic unit of the internal rotational motion near Y base in the anticodon loop of p.p.tRNAPhe seems to be independent of the temperature over the range 5--60degrees. Accelerated depolarization is observed in the 3'-CpCpA terminus at temperatures over 30degrees. This suggests that a change occurs in the native conformation of the 3'-CpCpA-acriflavine terminus at temperatures over 30degrees. (2) The fluorescence polarization of Y base in p.p.t-RNAPhe is not affected by the addition of GuHC1 up to 6 M, while that of acriflavine conjugated to the 3'-CpCpA terminus decreases markedly in the presence of 0.8 M GuHC1 reflecting the disruption of the native conformation. These results indicate that the local conformation near Y base is stable, but that of the amino acid acceptor terminus is not.", "contents": "Fluorescence polarization studies on the local conformation of yeast tRNA. The effects of temperature and guanidine hydrochloride (GuHC1) on the fluorescence polarization of Y base in partially purified yeast phenylalanine tRNA (p.p.tRNAPhe) and in acriflavine conjugates of crude yeast tRNA were investigated to elucidate the stability of the conformation at the 3'-CpCpA terminus and the anticodon loop of tRNA. The results can be summarized as follows: (1) The kinetic unit of the internal rotational motion near Y base in the anticodon loop of p.p.tRNAPhe seems to be independent of the temperature over the range 5--60degrees. Accelerated depolarization is observed in the 3'-CpCpA terminus at temperatures over 30degrees. This suggests that a change occurs in the native conformation of the 3'-CpCpA-acriflavine terminus at temperatures over 30degrees. (2) The fluorescence polarization of Y base in p.p.t-RNAPhe is not affected by the addition of GuHC1 up to 6 M, while that of acriflavine conjugated to the 3'-CpCpA terminus decreases markedly in the presence of 0.8 M GuHC1 reflecting the disruption of the native conformation. These results indicate that the local conformation near Y base is stable, but that of the amino acid acceptor terminus is not.", "PMID": 773923} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3989", "title": "Studies on ribosomal ribonucleic acid from yeast. III. Secondary structure of 18 and 26S yeast ribosomal RNA's and their complex: circular dichroism and infrared analyses.", "content": "Circular dichroism (CD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopic analyses were performed of 26 and 18S yeast ribosomal RNA's (rRNA) and their specific complex, 30S RNA. The molecular ellipticity coefficients [thota] of 18, 26, and 30S rRNA's were 2.72, 2.63, and 2.65X10(4) degree-cm2/decimole at 264 nm, respectively. The base-pairing contents of 18, 26, and 30S rna's determined by iC), and 70% (32% AU, 38% GC), respectively. These results suggest that 18 and 26S rRNA have very similar secondary structures, and that 30S rna may have a slightly higher base-pairing content than the estimated sum of those of 18 and 26S rRNA's. The biological significance of this phenomenon is discussed in this report.", "contents": "Studies on ribosomal ribonucleic acid from yeast. III. Secondary structure of 18 and 26S yeast ribosomal RNA's and their complex: circular dichroism and infrared analyses. Circular dichroism (CD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopic analyses were performed of 26 and 18S yeast ribosomal RNA's (rRNA) and their specific complex, 30S RNA. The molecular ellipticity coefficients [thota] of 18, 26, and 30S rRNA's were 2.72, 2.63, and 2.65X10(4) degree-cm2/decimole at 264 nm, respectively. The base-pairing contents of 18, 26, and 30S rna's determined by iC), and 70% (32% AU, 38% GC), respectively. These results suggest that 18 and 26S rRNA have very similar secondary structures, and that 30S rna may have a slightly higher base-pairing content than the estimated sum of those of 18 and 26S rRNA's. The biological significance of this phenomenon is discussed in this report.", "PMID": 773924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3990", "title": "Effects of asparagusate and lipoate on enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and related metabolic pathways.", "content": "1. The effects of lipoate and asparagusate on animal and plant enzymes of the TCA cycle and related metabolic pathways were studied. 2. Lipoate inhibited bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase [EC 1.4.1.3]. The inhibition may play a role in metabolic regulation. 3. Asparagusate inhibited lipoyl dehydrogenase [EC 1.6.4.3] from asparagus and lettuce competitively with respect to lipoate. Asparagusate had practically no effects on other asparagus enzymes. 4. Asparagusate strongly inhibited lipoyl dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase [EC 1.1.1.42] from animal sources, in competition with the corresponding substrate. 5. Asparagusate and lipoate also inhibited yeast glutamate dehydrogenase. 6. Based upon kinetic studies, the mode of these inhibitions is discussed.", "contents": "Effects of asparagusate and lipoate on enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and related metabolic pathways. 1. The effects of lipoate and asparagusate on animal and plant enzymes of the TCA cycle and related metabolic pathways were studied. 2. Lipoate inhibited bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase [EC 1.4.1.3]. The inhibition may play a role in metabolic regulation. 3. Asparagusate inhibited lipoyl dehydrogenase [EC 1.6.4.3] from asparagus and lettuce competitively with respect to lipoate. Asparagusate had practically no effects on other asparagus enzymes. 4. Asparagusate strongly inhibited lipoyl dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase [EC 1.1.1.42] from animal sources, in competition with the corresponding substrate. 5. Asparagusate and lipoate also inhibited yeast glutamate dehydrogenase. 6. Based upon kinetic studies, the mode of these inhibitions is discussed.", "PMID": 773925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3991", "title": "Peptic peptides from the beta polypeptide chain of AII component of chicken hemoglobin.", "content": "The aminoethylated beta polypeptide chain of AII component from chicken hemoglobin was digested with pepsin [EC 3.4.23.1] and the resulting peptides were separated and purified by gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and paper chromatography. The amino acid composition and partial sequence of the peptic peptides were studied. From the results thus obtained, the primary structure of the beta polypeptide chain was established, taking account of the amino acid sequences of the tryptic peptides previously reported.", "contents": "Peptic peptides from the beta polypeptide chain of AII component of chicken hemoglobin. The aminoethylated beta polypeptide chain of AII component from chicken hemoglobin was digested with pepsin [EC 3.4.23.1] and the resulting peptides were separated and purified by gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and paper chromatography. The amino acid composition and partial sequence of the peptic peptides were studied. From the results thus obtained, the primary structure of the beta polypeptide chain was established, taking account of the amino acid sequences of the tryptic peptides previously reported.", "PMID": 773926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3992", "title": "Application of the enzymic electric cell method to the activity assay of NAD-linked dehydrogenases.", "content": "An enzymic electric cell was constructed with a saturated calomel electrode (cathode) and an enzymic electrode (anode) which consisted of a glassy carbon electrode and a mixture containing an NAD-linked dehydrogenase, NAD+, Nomethylphenazonium methosulfate and a substrate, and the short-circuit current of the cell was measured...", "contents": "Application of the enzymic electric cell method to the activity assay of NAD-linked dehydrogenases. An enzymic electric cell was constructed with a saturated calomel electrode (cathode) and an enzymic electrode (anode) which consisted of a glassy carbon electrode and a mixture containing an NAD-linked dehydrogenase, NAD+, Nomethylphenazonium methosulfate and a substrate, and the short-circuit current of the cell was measured...", "PMID": 773927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3993", "title": "Dessociation and reconstitution of colicin E3 and immunity substance complex.", "content": "It has recently been found that so-called native colicin E3, which has been used for studies of its mode of action, is a complex of two kinds of proteins. The complex could be dissociated into the two components in SDS. These components were isolated by gel filtration of 1% SDS followed by treatment with Sowex-2 to remove bounds SDS. One component, characterized by its low molecular weight, prevented colicin E3-induced inhibition of poly(U)-dependent protein synthesis and was designated as immunity substance. The other component (protein A), which was of high molecular weight, had 100-fold higher in vitro ribosome-inactivating activity than native colicin E3, but had lower bacteriocidal activity. Colicin E3 was reconstituted from the two isolated protein components. The reconstituted colicin E3, when compared with protein A, showed a decrease in in vitro activity (inhibition of poly(U)-dependent protein synthesis), but had higher bacteriocidal activity in vivo. Thus complex formation of protein A with immunity substance should play and important role in the bacteriocidal action, but protein A itself might inactivate ribosomes in the interior of the sensitive cells.", "contents": "Dessociation and reconstitution of colicin E3 and immunity substance complex. It has recently been found that so-called native colicin E3, which has been used for studies of its mode of action, is a complex of two kinds of proteins. The complex could be dissociated into the two components in SDS. These components were isolated by gel filtration of 1% SDS followed by treatment with Sowex-2 to remove bounds SDS. One component, characterized by its low molecular weight, prevented colicin E3-induced inhibition of poly(U)-dependent protein synthesis and was designated as immunity substance. The other component (protein A), which was of high molecular weight, had 100-fold higher in vitro ribosome-inactivating activity than native colicin E3, but had lower bacteriocidal activity. Colicin E3 was reconstituted from the two isolated protein components. The reconstituted colicin E3, when compared with protein A, showed a decrease in in vitro activity (inhibition of poly(U)-dependent protein synthesis), but had higher bacteriocidal activity in vivo. Thus complex formation of protein A with immunity substance should play and important role in the bacteriocidal action, but protein A itself might inactivate ribosomes in the interior of the sensitive cells.", "PMID": 773928} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3994", "title": "Endonuclease II of Escherichia coli is exonuclease III.", "content": "Exonuclease III, a phosphatase-exonuclease specific for bihelical DNA, wn the preparation was endonuclease II, an activity specific for DNA that has been partially depurinated by treatment with methyl methanesulfonate. The two activities, which could not be separated by electrophoresis, by sedimentation, or by gel filtration, were associated with a single monomeric protein of 28,000 daltons. To explain how a relatively small protein could have such diverse activities, it is proposed that one site on the enzyme can recognize interstrand spaces created either by depurination or by spontaneous terminal unwinding of a DNA duplex.", "contents": "Endonuclease II of Escherichia coli is exonuclease III. Exonuclease III, a phosphatase-exonuclease specific for bihelical DNA, wn the preparation was endonuclease II, an activity specific for DNA that has been partially depurinated by treatment with methyl methanesulfonate. The two activities, which could not be separated by electrophoresis, by sedimentation, or by gel filtration, were associated with a single monomeric protein of 28,000 daltons. To explain how a relatively small protein could have such diverse activities, it is proposed that one site on the enzyme can recognize interstrand spaces created either by depurination or by spontaneous terminal unwinding of a DNA duplex.", "PMID": 773929} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3995", "title": "Site-specific interaction of Qbeta host factor and ribosomal protein S1 with Qbeta and R17 bacteriophage RNAs.", "content": "We have studied the interaction of the host factor (HF) required for bacteriophage Qbeta RNA replication and of ribosomal protein S1, a subunit of Qbeta replicase, with Qbeta and R17 RNA. Both proteins bind to both Qbeta and R17 RNA; HF has a higher affinity than S1 for these phages RNAs. HF binds to a single site in R17 RNA located in the replicase cistron, and to two sites of Qbeta RNA, one of which is located approximately 60 nucleotides from the 6' end of Qbeta RNA. The three HF binding sites all have portions rich in adenylate residues; all are bound by HF when contained in oligonucleotides which are predicted to exist only in single-stranded form. S1 selects a single site in Qbeta RNA, also near the 6' end, but binds to a large number of sites in R17 RNA. These results suggest that HF and possibly S1, through their interaction with the 3'-terminal region of Qbeta RNA, are directly involved in the recognition of the 6' end of Qbeta RNA by Qbeta replicase. Under conditions where specific protein-R1M RNA complexes are formed, we have also tested host factor and S1 for cistron-specific interference with ribosome binding to R17 RNA. Although S1 and HF lower the efficiency of initiation complex formation as described previously, we detect no discrimination against any particular cistron. We therefore conclude that translational interference exhibited by the two proteins probably reflects simply their high affinity for RNA and certain defined polynucleotides.", "contents": "Site-specific interaction of Qbeta host factor and ribosomal protein S1 with Qbeta and R17 bacteriophage RNAs. We have studied the interaction of the host factor (HF) required for bacteriophage Qbeta RNA replication and of ribosomal protein S1, a subunit of Qbeta replicase, with Qbeta and R17 RNA. Both proteins bind to both Qbeta and R17 RNA; HF has a higher affinity than S1 for these phages RNAs. HF binds to a single site in R17 RNA located in the replicase cistron, and to two sites of Qbeta RNA, one of which is located approximately 60 nucleotides from the 6' end of Qbeta RNA. The three HF binding sites all have portions rich in adenylate residues; all are bound by HF when contained in oligonucleotides which are predicted to exist only in single-stranded form. S1 selects a single site in Qbeta RNA, also near the 6' end, but binds to a large number of sites in R17 RNA. These results suggest that HF and possibly S1, through their interaction with the 3'-terminal region of Qbeta RNA, are directly involved in the recognition of the 6' end of Qbeta RNA by Qbeta replicase. Under conditions where specific protein-R1M RNA complexes are formed, we have also tested host factor and S1 for cistron-specific interference with ribosome binding to R17 RNA. Although S1 and HF lower the efficiency of initiation complex formation as described previously, we detect no discrimination against any particular cistron. We therefore conclude that translational interference exhibited by the two proteins probably reflects simply their high affinity for RNA and certain defined polynucleotides.", "PMID": 773930} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3996", "title": "Effect of estrogen on gene expression in the chick oviduct.", "content": "Hen oviduct RNA polymerase II and Escherichia coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme and core enzyme were used to study the initiation of RNA synthesis on chromatin. In either the presence or absence of estrogenic stimulation, changes in the level of oviduct chromatin initiation sites as measured in the presence of either homologous or heterologous polymerases followed a similar pattern. Comparison of the initiation sited utilized by these enzymes on chick oviduct chromatin indicated that these enzymes compete with each other for the same initiation regions. In contrast to chromatin, however, the majority of the initiation sites on DNA which are utilized by the oviduct RNA polymerase II are different from those utilized by E. coli holoenzyem. These results suggest that chromatin proteins are involved in the selection of initiation sites on chromatin for RNA polymerases. The in vitro transcripts of these RNA polymerases on stimulated chick oviduct chromatin were analyzed by hybridization to a cDNA probe transcribed from ovalbumin mRNA. The relative concentration of ovalbumin sequences transcribed by these three polymerases was 4:1.5:1 for oviduct RNA polymerase II, E. coli core enzyme, and holoenzyme respectively. Therefore, the efficiency of transcribing a specific gene appears to depend on the interaction between RNA polymerase and chromosomal elements in the initiation region.", "contents": "Effect of estrogen on gene expression in the chick oviduct. Hen oviduct RNA polymerase II and Escherichia coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme and core enzyme were used to study the initiation of RNA synthesis on chromatin. In either the presence or absence of estrogenic stimulation, changes in the level of oviduct chromatin initiation sites as measured in the presence of either homologous or heterologous polymerases followed a similar pattern. Comparison of the initiation sited utilized by these enzymes on chick oviduct chromatin indicated that these enzymes compete with each other for the same initiation regions. In contrast to chromatin, however, the majority of the initiation sites on DNA which are utilized by the oviduct RNA polymerase II are different from those utilized by E. coli holoenzyem. These results suggest that chromatin proteins are involved in the selection of initiation sites on chromatin for RNA polymerases. The in vitro transcripts of these RNA polymerases on stimulated chick oviduct chromatin were analyzed by hybridization to a cDNA probe transcribed from ovalbumin mRNA. The relative concentration of ovalbumin sequences transcribed by these three polymerases was 4:1.5:1 for oviduct RNA polymerase II, E. coli core enzyme, and holoenzyme respectively. Therefore, the efficiency of transcribing a specific gene appears to depend on the interaction between RNA polymerase and chromosomal elements in the initiation region.", "PMID": 773931} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3997", "title": "A reaction mechanism from steady state kinetic studies for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase from Salmonella typhimurium LT-2.", "content": "It has been determined from steady state kinetic studies using the sulfide ion selective electrode that O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase catalyzes a Bi Bi Ping Pong reaction between O-acetyl-L-serine and sulfide. Both O-acetyl-L-serine (OAS) and sulfide exhibit strong competitive substrate inhibition. A fit of all the data to the equation for the mechanism yields KOAS = 0.149 +/- 0.059 mM and KIOAS = 46.91 +/- 10.06 mM for O-acetyl-L-serine and KS2- = 0.066 +/- 0.004 mM and KIS2- = 0.013 +/- 0.006 mM for sulfide. Product inhibition studies varying either substrate at changing fixed levels of cysteine demonstrate that cysteine combines with enzyme at two places along the reaction sequence to produce inhibition with KiCys = 1.048 +/- 0.048 mM and KICys = 11.4 +/- 0.5 mM. Relatively high concentrations of acetate are required to produce inhibition and at least part of the acetate inhibition is due to ionic strength. However, the ability of acetate to reverse the spectral shift produced from the binding of O-acetyl-L-serine to enzyme and the isotope exchange between [14C]acetate and O-acetyl-L-serine does demonstrate that the O-acetyl-L-serine to acetate half-reaction is reversible. There is some doubt as to the specificity of acetate as a product inhibitor, since propionate can also be used to reverse the spectral shift. Spectral studies using ths spectral shift produced from binding O-acetyl-L-serine to enzyme confirms the assignment of a ping-pong mechanism since the spectral intermediate produced is alpha-aminoacrylic acid in Schiff base with pyridoxal phosphate and, therefore, the acetyl moiety has been beta eliminated. Isotope exchange has been demonstrated for both the O-acetyl-L-serine to acetate and sulfide to cysteine half-reactions which also confirms a ping-pong mechanism.", "contents": "A reaction mechanism from steady state kinetic studies for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase from Salmonella typhimurium LT-2. It has been determined from steady state kinetic studies using the sulfide ion selective electrode that O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase catalyzes a Bi Bi Ping Pong reaction between O-acetyl-L-serine and sulfide. Both O-acetyl-L-serine (OAS) and sulfide exhibit strong competitive substrate inhibition. A fit of all the data to the equation for the mechanism yields KOAS = 0.149 +/- 0.059 mM and KIOAS = 46.91 +/- 10.06 mM for O-acetyl-L-serine and KS2- = 0.066 +/- 0.004 mM and KIS2- = 0.013 +/- 0.006 mM for sulfide. Product inhibition studies varying either substrate at changing fixed levels of cysteine demonstrate that cysteine combines with enzyme at two places along the reaction sequence to produce inhibition with KiCys = 1.048 +/- 0.048 mM and KICys = 11.4 +/- 0.5 mM. Relatively high concentrations of acetate are required to produce inhibition and at least part of the acetate inhibition is due to ionic strength. However, the ability of acetate to reverse the spectral shift produced from the binding of O-acetyl-L-serine to enzyme and the isotope exchange between [14C]acetate and O-acetyl-L-serine does demonstrate that the O-acetyl-L-serine to acetate half-reaction is reversible. There is some doubt as to the specificity of acetate as a product inhibitor, since propionate can also be used to reverse the spectral shift. Spectral studies using ths spectral shift produced from binding O-acetyl-L-serine to enzyme confirms the assignment of a ping-pong mechanism since the spectral intermediate produced is alpha-aminoacrylic acid in Schiff base with pyridoxal phosphate and, therefore, the acetyl moiety has been beta eliminated. Isotope exchange has been demonstrated for both the O-acetyl-L-serine to acetate and sulfide to cysteine half-reactions which also confirms a ping-pong mechanism.", "PMID": 773932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3998", "title": "Characterization of DNA polymerase induced by bacteriophage T5 with DNA containing single strand breaks.", "content": "DNA polymerase induced by bacteriophage T5 was purified and characterized using mainly circular duplex DNA of bacteriophage PM2 with single strand breaks formed by DNase I action. A purification procedure is described which has consistently yielded DNA polymerase preparations with only one detectable protein band after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of either native protein in Tris-glyase preparations utilized both denatured DNA and nicked DNA as primer-templates, although at 37 degrees the activity with denatured DNA was much greater. Polymerase activities with both kinds of primer-templates were shown to be associated with one phage-induced protein. DNA synthesis with nicked DNA as primer-template increased with increasing numbers of single strand breaks. Essentially all such breaks were repairable by ligase. Alkaline sucrose gradient centrifugation showed that synthesis occurred with the strand which had a single strand break as a primer yielding DNA longer than one phage DNA unit length. Newly synthesized DNA was covalently linked to the primer strand. Thus the synthesis very likely occurred by strand displacement; this is supported by electron micrographs shown in the Appendix.", "contents": "Characterization of DNA polymerase induced by bacteriophage T5 with DNA containing single strand breaks. DNA polymerase induced by bacteriophage T5 was purified and characterized using mainly circular duplex DNA of bacteriophage PM2 with single strand breaks formed by DNase I action. A purification procedure is described which has consistently yielded DNA polymerase preparations with only one detectable protein band after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of either native protein in Tris-glyase preparations utilized both denatured DNA and nicked DNA as primer-templates, although at 37 degrees the activity with denatured DNA was much greater. Polymerase activities with both kinds of primer-templates were shown to be associated with one phage-induced protein. DNA synthesis with nicked DNA as primer-template increased with increasing numbers of single strand breaks. Essentially all such breaks were repairable by ligase. Alkaline sucrose gradient centrifugation showed that synthesis occurred with the strand which had a single strand break as a primer yielding DNA longer than one phage DNA unit length. Newly synthesized DNA was covalently linked to the primer strand. Thus the synthesis very likely occurred by strand displacement; this is supported by electron micrographs shown in the Appendix.", "PMID": 773933} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_3999", "title": "Outer membrane of Salmonella. Isolation of protein complex that produces transmembrane channels.", "content": "Salmonella typhimurium outer membrane protein complexes can be reconstituted with lipopolysaccharide and phospholipids into membrane vesicles. These vesicles are permeable to a variety of low molecular weight compounds, but not to oligo- and polysaccharides of molecular weight higher than 700. A protein complex participating in selective membrane permeability can be isolated by gel filtration in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The active fractions contain three major protein species. The Braun lipoprotein is not associated with this subset of outer membrane proteins.", "contents": "Outer membrane of Salmonella. Isolation of protein complex that produces transmembrane channels. Salmonella typhimurium outer membrane protein complexes can be reconstituted with lipopolysaccharide and phospholipids into membrane vesicles. These vesicles are permeable to a variety of low molecular weight compounds, but not to oligo- and polysaccharides of molecular weight higher than 700. A protein complex participating in selective membrane permeability can be isolated by gel filtration in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The active fractions contain three major protein species. The Braun lipoprotein is not associated with this subset of outer membrane proteins.", "PMID": 773934} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4000", "title": "Methylated, blocked 5' termini of yeast mRNA.", "content": "mRNAs of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have modified 5' termini similar but not identical with those present in the higher eukaryotes. Poly(A)-containing RNA isolated from spheroplasts or from polysomes of cells labeled with [methyl-3H]methoionine or 32Pi contain methylated, blocked 5'-terminal structures of composition: m7G(5')pppAp and m7G(5')pppGp, occurring in a relative distribution of 75% and 25%, respectively. Furthermore there is no N6-methyladenosine nor any other methylated nucleoside in the entire molecule of poly(A)-containing RNA. Experiments with a mutant, temperature-sensitive for the transport of mRNA to cytoplasm, suggest that the methylation and addition of the blocking group take place in the nucleus and that the genetic lesion in the mutant does not affect these mechanisms.", "contents": "Methylated, blocked 5' termini of yeast mRNA. mRNAs of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have modified 5' termini similar but not identical with those present in the higher eukaryotes. Poly(A)-containing RNA isolated from spheroplasts or from polysomes of cells labeled with [methyl-3H]methoionine or 32Pi contain methylated, blocked 5'-terminal structures of composition: m7G(5')pppAp and m7G(5')pppGp, occurring in a relative distribution of 75% and 25%, respectively. Furthermore there is no N6-methyladenosine nor any other methylated nucleoside in the entire molecule of poly(A)-containing RNA. Experiments with a mutant, temperature-sensitive for the transport of mRNA to cytoplasm, suggest that the methylation and addition of the blocking group take place in the nucleus and that the genetic lesion in the mutant does not affect these mechanisms.", "PMID": 773935} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4001", "title": "Subunit and chemical composition of citrate lyase from Klebsiella pneumoniae.", "content": "Citrate lyase from Klebsiella pneumoniae (previously called Klebsiella aerogenes) is shown by amino acid sequencing techniques to contain equimolar amounts of three nonidentical subunits. Together with the molecular weight of the enzyme, this finding is interpreted to indicate that there are 6 mol of each of these subunits per mol of native enzyme. A partial amino acid sequence of each of the three subunits is presented. The pure enzyme with a specific activity of 73 units/mg of dry protein has an absorbance index (E1% 1 cm at 278 nm) of 6.2. The amino acid composition of the native enzyme is presented. In addition, the amounts of adenine, phosphate, taurine (from cysteamine), and \"ribose,\" present as a bound cofactor of unknown structure, have been estimated. A comparison of amino acid compositions and the partial amino acid sequences of two of the subunits reveals some resemblance between them.", "contents": "Subunit and chemical composition of citrate lyase from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Citrate lyase from Klebsiella pneumoniae (previously called Klebsiella aerogenes) is shown by amino acid sequencing techniques to contain equimolar amounts of three nonidentical subunits. Together with the molecular weight of the enzyme, this finding is interpreted to indicate that there are 6 mol of each of these subunits per mol of native enzyme. A partial amino acid sequence of each of the three subunits is presented. The pure enzyme with a specific activity of 73 units/mg of dry protein has an absorbance index (E1% 1 cm at 278 nm) of 6.2. The amino acid composition of the native enzyme is presented. In addition, the amounts of adenine, phosphate, taurine (from cysteamine), and \"ribose,\" present as a bound cofactor of unknown structure, have been estimated. A comparison of amino acid compositions and the partial amino acid sequences of two of the subunits reveals some resemblance between them.", "PMID": 773936} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4002", "title": "Synthesis of human placental lactogen and human chorionic gonadotropin by polyribosomes and messenger RNA's from early and full term placentas.", "content": "Synthesis of human placental lactogen (hPL) and of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by membrane-bound and free polyribosomes from early and from full term human placentas was investigated by in vitro release of the nascent hormone peptides, followed by immunoprecipitation and electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate gels, and by specific binding of 125I-labeled hPL antibody to nascent peptide chains. In addition, messenger RNA'S Were extracted from total, free, and membrane-bound placental polyribosomes and their capacities for hPL and hCG synthesis were measured in a heterologous cell-free system prepared from wheat germ. Membrane-bound polyribosomes from full term placentas were several times more active in the synthesis of both peptide hormones than were free polyribosomes. By binding 125I-labeled hPL antibody to nascent chains on the polyribosomes, it was determined that hPL is made by clusters of seven to nine ribosomes. About 8% of the nascent peptide chains released by incubation of polyribosomes from full term placentas was accounted for by hPL, and 2% by hCG. In contrast, no chains of hPL were released by polyribosomes from 10-week placentas, whereas 11% of the total released chains were accounted for by hCG. When messenger RNAs prepared from the polyribosomes of 20- and 40-week placentas were used to stimulate protein synthesis in a wheat germ system, hPL accounted for 0.4 and 2%, respectively, of total protein synthesis, while hCG was 8 and 2%, respectively. This confirmed the relative proportions observed for nascent chains on the polyribosomes of early and late placentas. Unexpectedly, translation of mRNA from free polyribosomes yielded as much hPL and two-thirds as much hCG as did translation of mRNA from bound polyribosomes. We conclude, that the decreased blood levels of hCG and increased blood levels of hPL with advancing gestational age reflect the relative in vitro rates of synthesis of these hormones by placental polyribosomes, the abundance of which is determined by availability of their respective messenger RNAs at different times in gestation.", "contents": "Synthesis of human placental lactogen and human chorionic gonadotropin by polyribosomes and messenger RNA's from early and full term placentas. Synthesis of human placental lactogen (hPL) and of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by membrane-bound and free polyribosomes from early and from full term human placentas was investigated by in vitro release of the nascent hormone peptides, followed by immunoprecipitation and electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate gels, and by specific binding of 125I-labeled hPL antibody to nascent peptide chains. In addition, messenger RNA'S Were extracted from total, free, and membrane-bound placental polyribosomes and their capacities for hPL and hCG synthesis were measured in a heterologous cell-free system prepared from wheat germ. Membrane-bound polyribosomes from full term placentas were several times more active in the synthesis of both peptide hormones than were free polyribosomes. By binding 125I-labeled hPL antibody to nascent chains on the polyribosomes, it was determined that hPL is made by clusters of seven to nine ribosomes. About 8% of the nascent peptide chains released by incubation of polyribosomes from full term placentas was accounted for by hPL, and 2% by hCG. In contrast, no chains of hPL were released by polyribosomes from 10-week placentas, whereas 11% of the total released chains were accounted for by hCG. When messenger RNAs prepared from the polyribosomes of 20- and 40-week placentas were used to stimulate protein synthesis in a wheat germ system, hPL accounted for 0.4 and 2%, respectively, of total protein synthesis, while hCG was 8 and 2%, respectively. This confirmed the relative proportions observed for nascent chains on the polyribosomes of early and late placentas. Unexpectedly, translation of mRNA from free polyribosomes yielded as much hPL and two-thirds as much hCG as did translation of mRNA from bound polyribosomes. We conclude, that the decreased blood levels of hCG and increased blood levels of hPL with advancing gestational age reflect the relative in vitro rates of synthesis of these hormones by placental polyribosomes, the abundance of which is determined by availability of their respective messenger RNAs at different times in gestation.", "PMID": 773937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4003", "title": "Roles of individual mgl gene products in the beta-methylgalactoside transport system of Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "Previous findings showed that galactose-binding protein defective mutants (mgl B-,A+,C+) of Escherichia coli K12 are still capable of growth on methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside, while mgl A- and mgl C- mutants are not. When assayed by previous methods, none of these mutants exhibited methylgalactoside transport system activity. In this study, we present a modified assay developed for measuring low levels of transport. Using this assay, we found that mgl B-,A+,C+ mutants defective in galactose-binding protein accumulate methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside up to six times the concentration gradient while mgl A- and mgl C- mutants failed to accumulate this substrate. Similar results were obtained using D-glyceryl-beta-D-galactopyranoside, another substrate of the methylgalactoside transport system. In contrast, all sugars tested which are not substrates of this system were transported equally by all mgl- mutants. The kinetic parameters of transport in mgl B- mutants were compared to those of the isogenic mgl+ strain which accumulates methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside against a 10,000-fold concentration gradient. The apparent Km of methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside influx was 1,000 times greater in mgl B- than in mgl+ strains. In contrast, there was no significant difference between these strains in either the Vmax of substrate influx or the rate of substrate exit. D-Galactose competitively inhibited methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside influx into both mgl B- and mgl+ strains; the Ki of inhibition in mgl B- cells was 2,000-fold greater than that in mgl+ cells.", "contents": "Roles of individual mgl gene products in the beta-methylgalactoside transport system of Escherichia coli K12. Previous findings showed that galactose-binding protein defective mutants (mgl B-,A+,C+) of Escherichia coli K12 are still capable of growth on methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside, while mgl A- and mgl C- mutants are not. When assayed by previous methods, none of these mutants exhibited methylgalactoside transport system activity. In this study, we present a modified assay developed for measuring low levels of transport. Using this assay, we found that mgl B-,A+,C+ mutants defective in galactose-binding protein accumulate methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside up to six times the concentration gradient while mgl A- and mgl C- mutants failed to accumulate this substrate. Similar results were obtained using D-glyceryl-beta-D-galactopyranoside, another substrate of the methylgalactoside transport system. In contrast, all sugars tested which are not substrates of this system were transported equally by all mgl- mutants. The kinetic parameters of transport in mgl B- mutants were compared to those of the isogenic mgl+ strain which accumulates methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside against a 10,000-fold concentration gradient. The apparent Km of methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside influx was 1,000 times greater in mgl B- than in mgl+ strains. In contrast, there was no significant difference between these strains in either the Vmax of substrate influx or the rate of substrate exit. D-Galactose competitively inhibited methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside influx into both mgl B- and mgl+ strains; the Ki of inhibition in mgl B- cells was 2,000-fold greater than that in mgl+ cells.", "PMID": 773938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4004", "title": "Dead or alive: the problem of in vitro tissue mechanics.", "content": "Extensive studies have been made of the biomechanical properties of tissues in vitro. The majority of experiments demonstrate a \"preconditioning\" effect. This effect is associated with the differences between in vivo and in vitro conditions. Failure to utilize initial or isochronal data may lead to erroneous conclusions. Objective criteria would permit comparison between experiments.", "contents": "Dead or alive: the problem of in vitro tissue mechanics. Extensive studies have been made of the biomechanical properties of tissues in vitro. The majority of experiments demonstrate a \"preconditioning\" effect. This effect is associated with the differences between in vivo and in vitro conditions. Failure to utilize initial or isochronal data may lead to erroneous conclusions. Objective criteria would permit comparison between experiments.", "PMID": 773939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4005", "title": "Maintenance of aseptic barriers in the conventional operating room: general principles.", "content": "Contamination of operative wounds during surgery occurs primarily through contact and secondarily through the airborne route. Inspection and maintenance of air-handling equipment is essential, with special reference to air intakes, filters, humidifiers, and exhaust systems. Doors should remain closed to maintain positive pressure. Surgical attire for all personnel must provide for complete coverage of hair and arms. Intensive interim cleaning of all horizontal sufaces between operations is essential. The infection rate is proportional to the duration of the operation and the number of personnel in the room, and inversely proportional to the air changes per hour.", "contents": "Maintenance of aseptic barriers in the conventional operating room: general principles. Contamination of operative wounds during surgery occurs primarily through contact and secondarily through the airborne route. Inspection and maintenance of air-handling equipment is essential, with special reference to air intakes, filters, humidifiers, and exhaust systems. Doors should remain closed to maintain positive pressure. Surgical attire for all personnel must provide for complete coverage of hair and arms. Intensive interim cleaning of all horizontal sufaces between operations is essential. The infection rate is proportional to the duration of the operation and the number of personnel in the room, and inversely proportional to the air changes per hour.", "PMID": 773940} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4006", "title": "Prevention of infection in the treatment of one thousand and twenty-five open fractures of long bones: retrospective and prospective analyses.", "content": "In 673 open fractures of long bones (tibia and fibula, femur, radius and ulna, and humerus) treated from 1955 to 1968 at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and analyzed retrospectively, the infection rate was 12 per cent from 1955 to 1960 and 5 per cent from 1961 to 1968. In a prospective study from 1969 to 1973, 352 patients were managed as follows: d\u00e9bridement and copious irrigation, primary closure for Type I and II fractures and secondary closure for Type III fractures, no primary internal fixation except in the presence of associated vascular injuries, cultures of all wounds, and oxacillin-ampicillin before surgery and for three days postoperatively. In 158 of the patients in the prospective study the initial wound cultures revealed bacterial growth in 70.3 per cent and the infection rate was 2.5 per cent. Sensitivity studies suggested that cephalosporin is currently the prophylactic antibiotic of choice. For the Type III open fractures (severe soft-tissue injury, segmental fracture, or traumatic amputation), the infection rates were 44 per cent in the retrospective study and 9 per cent in the prospective study.", "contents": "Prevention of infection in the treatment of one thousand and twenty-five open fractures of long bones: retrospective and prospective analyses. In 673 open fractures of long bones (tibia and fibula, femur, radius and ulna, and humerus) treated from 1955 to 1968 at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and analyzed retrospectively, the infection rate was 12 per cent from 1955 to 1960 and 5 per cent from 1961 to 1968. In a prospective study from 1969 to 1973, 352 patients were managed as follows: d\u00e9bridement and copious irrigation, primary closure for Type I and II fractures and secondary closure for Type III fractures, no primary internal fixation except in the presence of associated vascular injuries, cultures of all wounds, and oxacillin-ampicillin before surgery and for three days postoperatively. In 158 of the patients in the prospective study the initial wound cultures revealed bacterial growth in 70.3 per cent and the infection rate was 2.5 per cent. Sensitivity studies suggested that cephalosporin is currently the prophylactic antibiotic of choice. For the Type III open fractures (severe soft-tissue injury, segmental fracture, or traumatic amputation), the infection rates were 44 per cent in the retrospective study and 9 per cent in the prospective study.", "PMID": 773941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4007", "title": "A highly ordered ring of membrane-associated filaments in budding yeast.", "content": "In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a highly ordered ring of 10-nm filaments is intimately associated with the plasma membrane within the neck of the bud. The ring is formed during early bud emergence and disappears when cytokinesis begins.", "contents": "A highly ordered ring of membrane-associated filaments in budding yeast. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a highly ordered ring of 10-nm filaments is intimately associated with the plasma membrane within the neck of the bud. The ring is formed during early bud emergence and disappears when cytokinesis begins.", "PMID": 773946} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4008", "title": "Glucagon metabolism in man, studies on the metabolic clearance rate and the plasma acute disappearance time of glucagon in normal and diabetic subjects.", "content": "To investigate further the \"hyperglucagonaemia\" of diabetes mellitus, the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) and acute disappearance time (t1/2) of unlabelled pancreatic glucagon were estimated in 9 normal subjects and 7 insulin-dependent diabetics, using a constant infusion technique. The mean MCR (+/-SE) was similar for both groups (control: 9.0 +/- 0.6; diabetics: 11.4 +/- 1.0 ml/kg/min). The MCR was not influenced by the concentration of glucagon at the time of plateau, and the exogenous hormone appeared to be handled similarly to endogenous glucagon. On the other hand, t1/2 calculated from the fractional decay rate of glucagon from plateau was significantly prolonged in the diabetics (t1/2 6.6 +/- 0.5 min) compared with the control group (t1/2 4.8 +/- 0.2 min, P less than 0.01). Furthermore, there was no correlation between MCR and t1/2, for the control, diabetic, or combined group. It therefore appears that the MCR of glucagon is similar in normal and diabetic subjects. However, since the acute disappearance time (t1/2) of glucagon is not identical in these two groups, it appears that the kinetics of the overall in vivo metabolism of pancreatic glucagon are not similar in diabetic and control subjects.", "contents": "Glucagon metabolism in man, studies on the metabolic clearance rate and the plasma acute disappearance time of glucagon in normal and diabetic subjects. To investigate further the \"hyperglucagonaemia\" of diabetes mellitus, the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) and acute disappearance time (t1/2) of unlabelled pancreatic glucagon were estimated in 9 normal subjects and 7 insulin-dependent diabetics, using a constant infusion technique. The mean MCR (+/-SE) was similar for both groups (control: 9.0 +/- 0.6; diabetics: 11.4 +/- 1.0 ml/kg/min). The MCR was not influenced by the concentration of glucagon at the time of plateau, and the exogenous hormone appeared to be handled similarly to endogenous glucagon. On the other hand, t1/2 calculated from the fractional decay rate of glucagon from plateau was significantly prolonged in the diabetics (t1/2 6.6 +/- 0.5 min) compared with the control group (t1/2 4.8 +/- 0.2 min, P less than 0.01). Furthermore, there was no correlation between MCR and t1/2, for the control, diabetic, or combined group. It therefore appears that the MCR of glucagon is similar in normal and diabetic subjects. However, since the acute disappearance time (t1/2) of glucagon is not identical in these two groups, it appears that the kinetics of the overall in vivo metabolism of pancreatic glucagon are not similar in diabetic and control subjects.", "PMID": 773949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4009", "title": "Surgical management of vertebral-basilar insufficiency.", "content": "The authors report 251 cases of lesions of the major branches of the aortic arch and the vertebral artery in 172 patients. A detailed account is given of the observed lesions (34 lesions of the innominate artery, 93 of the subclavian artery and 119 of the vertebral arteries), the techniques used and the indications for surgery. The use of the cervical approach seems to be justified in order to adapt the extent of cure to the patient's condition and accounts for the low mortality rate of 1.5%.", "contents": "Surgical management of vertebral-basilar insufficiency. The authors report 251 cases of lesions of the major branches of the aortic arch and the vertebral artery in 172 patients. A detailed account is given of the observed lesions (34 lesions of the innominate artery, 93 of the subclavian artery and 119 of the vertebral arteries), the techniques used and the indications for surgery. The use of the cervical approach seems to be justified in order to adapt the extent of cure to the patient's condition and accounts for the low mortality rate of 1.5%.", "PMID": 773945} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4010", "title": "Effects of somatostatin on basal levels of plasma growth hormone and insulin in acromegalics: dose-response studies and attempted total growth hormone suppression.", "content": "Somatostatin 5, 10, and 25 mug and saline were given as a 2 min bolus injection to 6 acromegalic patients in basal conditions. A significant dose-response relationship could be demonstrated between somatostatin and the suppressions of plasma growth hormone and insulin. The lowest somatostatin dose tested exerted a significant suppression of both hormones. Insulin suppression after the bolus injection lasted for 15 minutes, while the suppression of growth hormone was maintained for 30-50 minutes. In order to obtain total suppression of the elevated plasma growth hormone levels in acromegalics, 3 patients received 50, 250, and 500 mug of somatostatin as bolus injections at time 0, 90, and 180 minutes, 2 patients received 50 mug of somatostatin as bolus injections 4 times with an interval of 20 minutes between each injection, and finally 3 patients received a large dose of somatostatin, 3000 mug given as an infusion over 2 hours. The single injections of somatostatin were not followed by a satisfactory growth hormone suppression. In the infusion experiments, the average plasma growth hormone level was suppressed only 65%, resulting in individual plasma growth hormone plateaus of 20, 14, and 3.6 ng/ml. Only the lowest of these plateaus would be acceptable from a clinical point of view.", "contents": "Effects of somatostatin on basal levels of plasma growth hormone and insulin in acromegalics: dose-response studies and attempted total growth hormone suppression. Somatostatin 5, 10, and 25 mug and saline were given as a 2 min bolus injection to 6 acromegalic patients in basal conditions. A significant dose-response relationship could be demonstrated between somatostatin and the suppressions of plasma growth hormone and insulin. The lowest somatostatin dose tested exerted a significant suppression of both hormones. Insulin suppression after the bolus injection lasted for 15 minutes, while the suppression of growth hormone was maintained for 30-50 minutes. In order to obtain total suppression of the elevated plasma growth hormone levels in acromegalics, 3 patients received 50, 250, and 500 mug of somatostatin as bolus injections at time 0, 90, and 180 minutes, 2 patients received 50 mug of somatostatin as bolus injections 4 times with an interval of 20 minutes between each injection, and finally 3 patients received a large dose of somatostatin, 3000 mug given as an infusion over 2 hours. The single injections of somatostatin were not followed by a satisfactory growth hormone suppression. In the infusion experiments, the average plasma growth hormone level was suppressed only 65%, resulting in individual plasma growth hormone plateaus of 20, 14, and 3.6 ng/ml. Only the lowest of these plateaus would be acceptable from a clinical point of view.", "PMID": 773950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4011", "title": "Human mixed somatotrophic and lactotrophic pituitary adenomas.", "content": "Six patients with acromegaly at examination were found to have pituitary adenomas composed of cells that secreted GH and PRL. This was demonstrated by the elevated serum hormone concentrations, by immunoperoxidase staining of 5 specimens, and by electron microscopic examination of 4. Ultrastructural characteristics, described in detail, suggest that these adenomas were mixed adenomas consisting of 2 well-defined, distinct cell types, each secreting one hormone. By immunoperoxidase staining some cells were found to contain immunoreactive growth hormone, other cells immunoreactive prolactin. No cells were detected exhibiting immunostaining for both growth hormone and prolactin. Eelctron microscopy, consistent with the results of immunostaining, revealed the presence of two distinct cell types, distinguishable from each other by their characteristic fine structural features. No intermediate forms were noted. Thus there was no evidence to suggest that one cell type might transform to the other. Present findings seem to indicate that mixed adenomas secreting growth hormone as well as prolactin and consisting of somatotrophs as well as lactotrophs do occur in the human pituitary gland. Although all the results obtained so far suggest that these tumors are composed of two distinct cell types and thus can be interpreted as representing real mixed adenomas, further work is required to establish whether or not they derive from one common progenitor.", "contents": "Human mixed somatotrophic and lactotrophic pituitary adenomas. Six patients with acromegaly at examination were found to have pituitary adenomas composed of cells that secreted GH and PRL. This was demonstrated by the elevated serum hormone concentrations, by immunoperoxidase staining of 5 specimens, and by electron microscopic examination of 4. Ultrastructural characteristics, described in detail, suggest that these adenomas were mixed adenomas consisting of 2 well-defined, distinct cell types, each secreting one hormone. By immunoperoxidase staining some cells were found to contain immunoreactive growth hormone, other cells immunoreactive prolactin. No cells were detected exhibiting immunostaining for both growth hormone and prolactin. Eelctron microscopy, consistent with the results of immunostaining, revealed the presence of two distinct cell types, distinguishable from each other by their characteristic fine structural features. No intermediate forms were noted. Thus there was no evidence to suggest that one cell type might transform to the other. Present findings seem to indicate that mixed adenomas secreting growth hormone as well as prolactin and consisting of somatotrophs as well as lactotrophs do occur in the human pituitary gland. Although all the results obtained so far suggest that these tumors are composed of two distinct cell types and thus can be interpreted as representing real mixed adenomas, further work is required to establish whether or not they derive from one common progenitor.", "PMID": 773951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4012", "title": "Dexamethasone suppression of serum T3 and T4.", "content": "Dexamethasone (2 mg q6h for 48 h) decreased serum T3 in normal and athyreotic subjects, and decreased T4 in normal subjects. Dexamethasone probably alters secretion and peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones.", "contents": "Dexamethasone suppression of serum T3 and T4. Dexamethasone (2 mg q6h for 48 h) decreased serum T3 in normal and athyreotic subjects, and decreased T4 in normal subjects. Dexamethasone probably alters secretion and peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones.", "PMID": 773952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4013", "title": "Diet-induced alterations of hGH secretion in man.", "content": "Studies were designed to determine whether variations in diet composition could modify the secretion of human growth hormone. Eight men and seven women ingested experimental diets for 10-12 days. Each experimental diet was preceded by a control diet for five days. Experimental diets studied in men were a) 2300 calorie, 80% carbohydrate (8 men); b) 2300 calorie, 75% high-fat (7 men); c) 2300 calorie, 70% high-protein (5 men); d) 3600 calorie, \"control\" (40% carbohydrate, 40% fat, 20% protein) (5 men); and e) 3600 calorie, 80% high-carbohydrate (5 men). A control diet and a high-carbohydrate (5 men). A control diet and a high-carbohydrate diet at the 2300 calorie level were studied in women. Each diet study was terminated by a 72 hour fast. Serum samples were collected hourly for 24 hours after each control period, on the eigth, ninth, or tenth day of each study, and during the final day of each fast. High-carbohydrate diets at the 2300 calorie level caused a significant decrease of growth hormone values in serum in each of eight men (sign test of significance, P less than .01). The mean figures were likewise significantly decreased. Isocaloric diets of high fat and high protein did not alter growth hormone concentrations in serum. A high-caloric diet similar to the control diet in composition was without effect on growth hormone secretion in men; however, a high-carbohydrate diet at the higher caloric level again depressed growth hormone values in plasma. On the third day of a 72 hour fast, growth hormone values in serum increased 287% in men, from a mean control serum concentration of 4.4 +/- 0.8 ng/ml to 11.9 +/- 5.0 ng/ml (P less than .01). Women, unlike men, had no significant decrease in growth hormone concentrations in serum over a 24 hour period after the high-carbohydrate diet, and the increase after starvation was significantly less than that in men, achieving significance only when evaluated by paired analysis. Growth hormone values in serum after the infusion of arginine followed a similar pattern, i.e., decreased after high carbohydrate but unaffected by other diets in men; high carbohydrate diets did not alter the growth hormone response of women to arginine.", "contents": "Diet-induced alterations of hGH secretion in man. Studies were designed to determine whether variations in diet composition could modify the secretion of human growth hormone. Eight men and seven women ingested experimental diets for 10-12 days. Each experimental diet was preceded by a control diet for five days. Experimental diets studied in men were a) 2300 calorie, 80% carbohydrate (8 men); b) 2300 calorie, 75% high-fat (7 men); c) 2300 calorie, 70% high-protein (5 men); d) 3600 calorie, \"control\" (40% carbohydrate, 40% fat, 20% protein) (5 men); and e) 3600 calorie, 80% high-carbohydrate (5 men). A control diet and a high-carbohydrate (5 men). A control diet and a high-carbohydrate diet at the 2300 calorie level were studied in women. Each diet study was terminated by a 72 hour fast. Serum samples were collected hourly for 24 hours after each control period, on the eigth, ninth, or tenth day of each study, and during the final day of each fast. High-carbohydrate diets at the 2300 calorie level caused a significant decrease of growth hormone values in serum in each of eight men (sign test of significance, P less than .01). The mean figures were likewise significantly decreased. Isocaloric diets of high fat and high protein did not alter growth hormone concentrations in serum. A high-caloric diet similar to the control diet in composition was without effect on growth hormone secretion in men; however, a high-carbohydrate diet at the higher caloric level again depressed growth hormone values in plasma. On the third day of a 72 hour fast, growth hormone values in serum increased 287% in men, from a mean control serum concentration of 4.4 +/- 0.8 ng/ml to 11.9 +/- 5.0 ng/ml (P less than .01). Women, unlike men, had no significant decrease in growth hormone concentrations in serum over a 24 hour period after the high-carbohydrate diet, and the increase after starvation was significantly less than that in men, achieving significance only when evaluated by paired analysis. Growth hormone values in serum after the infusion of arginine followed a similar pattern, i.e., decreased after high carbohydrate but unaffected by other diets in men; high carbohydrate diets did not alter the growth hormone response of women to arginine.", "PMID": 773953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4014", "title": "Recovery of yeast from vented blood culture bottles.", "content": "Rates of isolation of yeasts from blood cultures were significantly enhanced by venting vacuum blood culture bottles in studies of both stimulated and patients' blood cultures; however, the time interval to detection of positivity of yeasts in the clinical studies was significantly (P less than 0.01) shorter in a vented bottle with biphasic brain heart infusion medium than in a vented bottle with soybean-casein digest broth. The mean time intervals to detection of positivity were 2.6 days in the former and 5.2 days in the latter.", "contents": "Recovery of yeast from vented blood culture bottles. Rates of isolation of yeasts from blood cultures were significantly enhanced by venting vacuum blood culture bottles in studies of both stimulated and patients' blood cultures; however, the time interval to detection of positivity of yeasts in the clinical studies was significantly (P less than 0.01) shorter in a vented bottle with biphasic brain heart infusion medium than in a vented bottle with soybean-casein digest broth. The mean time intervals to detection of positivity were 2.6 days in the former and 5.2 days in the latter.", "PMID": 773954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4015", "title": "Unclassified, lactose-fermenting, urease-producing member of the family Enterobacteriaceae resembling Escherichia coli.", "content": "Eight strains of an unclassified, oxidase-negative, lactose-fermenting, urease-producing, gram-negative bacillus were isolated from clinical material. With the exception of urease production, the biochemical characteristics of these organisms resembled those of Escherichia coli.", "contents": "Unclassified, lactose-fermenting, urease-producing member of the family Enterobacteriaceae resembling Escherichia coli. Eight strains of an unclassified, oxidase-negative, lactose-fermenting, urease-producing, gram-negative bacillus were isolated from clinical material. With the exception of urease production, the biochemical characteristics of these organisms resembled those of Escherichia coli.", "PMID": 773955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4016", "title": "Effect of cetylpyridinium chloride on pathogenic fungi and Nocardia asteroides in sputum.", "content": "The effect of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) on pathogenic fungi and Nocardia asteroides was studied. Sputa seeded with each of 11 organisms (Aspergillus flavus; Aspergillus fumigatus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Candida albicans, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Geotrichum candidum, Histoplasma capsulatum; Nocardia asteroides, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and Sporothrix schenckii) were treated with CPC and kept for 2, 5 and 9 days. The CPC reagent used (0.5% CPC and 0.5% sodium chloride) is one the Mycobacteriolgoy Branch at the Center for Disease Control added to sputa before shipping them to laboratories for recovery of mycobacteria. None of the organisms tested survived this treatment, and none was recovered on mycological or mycobacteriological media. Seeded sputa containing these organisms were also tested with a second CPC reagent (0.02% CPC and 0.5% sodium chloride) and held for 2, 5 and 9 days. A few colonies of A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and N. asteroides were recovered from these samples. Neither the morphology of the fungi nor their stainability by the fluorescent antibody method was affected by treatment with the reagent containing 0.5% CPC. However, the background material in smears from the 0.5% CPC-treated samples retained the conjugate, and this made weakly fluorescing organisms more difficult to detect. The 0.5% CPC treatment did not alter the morphology of N. asteroides or its ability to be stained with Kinyoun acid-fast stain.", "contents": "Effect of cetylpyridinium chloride on pathogenic fungi and Nocardia asteroides in sputum. The effect of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) on pathogenic fungi and Nocardia asteroides was studied. Sputa seeded with each of 11 organisms (Aspergillus flavus; Aspergillus fumigatus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Candida albicans, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Geotrichum candidum, Histoplasma capsulatum; Nocardia asteroides, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and Sporothrix schenckii) were treated with CPC and kept for 2, 5 and 9 days. The CPC reagent used (0.5% CPC and 0.5% sodium chloride) is one the Mycobacteriolgoy Branch at the Center for Disease Control added to sputa before shipping them to laboratories for recovery of mycobacteria. None of the organisms tested survived this treatment, and none was recovered on mycological or mycobacteriological media. Seeded sputa containing these organisms were also tested with a second CPC reagent (0.02% CPC and 0.5% sodium chloride) and held for 2, 5 and 9 days. A few colonies of A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and N. asteroides were recovered from these samples. Neither the morphology of the fungi nor their stainability by the fluorescent antibody method was affected by treatment with the reagent containing 0.5% CPC. However, the background material in smears from the 0.5% CPC-treated samples retained the conjugate, and this made weakly fluorescing organisms more difficult to detect. The 0.5% CPC treatment did not alter the morphology of N. asteroides or its ability to be stained with Kinyoun acid-fast stain.", "PMID": 773957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4017", "title": "Possibility of diagnosing meningitis by gas chromatography: cryptococcal meningitis.", "content": "Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from eight patients with cryptococcal meningitis, from ten patients with viral meningitis, and from four control patients without meningitis were analyzed by electron-capture gas-liquid chromatography (EC-GLC). All cryptococcal specimens had similar EC-GLC profiles, and these differed from those of the controls. Viral EC-GLC patterns were different from those obtained with specimens from the patients with cryptococcal infection and from the controls. In addition, specimens from patients with various types of viral infections gave profiles that differed from each other. Two normal CSFs were inoculated with Cryptococcus neoformans; aliquots of these cultures showed an EC-GLC pattern very similar to that seen in CSF of patients with cryptococcal meningitis. The EC-GLC procedure is rapid, reproducible, and easy to perform and may hold promise as an additional aid in the diagnosis of cryptococcal infection.", "contents": "Possibility of diagnosing meningitis by gas chromatography: cryptococcal meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from eight patients with cryptococcal meningitis, from ten patients with viral meningitis, and from four control patients without meningitis were analyzed by electron-capture gas-liquid chromatography (EC-GLC). All cryptococcal specimens had similar EC-GLC profiles, and these differed from those of the controls. Viral EC-GLC patterns were different from those obtained with specimens from the patients with cryptococcal infection and from the controls. In addition, specimens from patients with various types of viral infections gave profiles that differed from each other. Two normal CSFs were inoculated with Cryptococcus neoformans; aliquots of these cultures showed an EC-GLC pattern very similar to that seen in CSF of patients with cryptococcal meningitis. The EC-GLC procedure is rapid, reproducible, and easy to perform and may hold promise as an additional aid in the diagnosis of cryptococcal infection.", "PMID": 773956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4018", "title": "Rapid recognition of group B streptococci by pigment production and counterimmunoelectrophoresis.", "content": "Streptococci from clinical isolates were studied for their ability to produce pigment in stab cultures in Columbia agar. Serological grouping of these organisms was done by counterimmunoelectrophoresis using Burroughs-Wellcome antisera. In this group of isolates, 66 of the 68 organisms grouped as B by serological testing produced pigment in the Columbia agar stab cultures. Pigment was not produced by any of the other 36 streptococci studied (11 group A, 9 group C, 4 group D, and 12 nongroupable). The use of the Columbia agar stab culture is recommended as a rapid and simple test for recognition of group B streptococci. The counterimmunoelectrophoresis test is also suggested as a convenient, rapid, and sensitive method for grouping the streptococci.", "contents": "Rapid recognition of group B streptococci by pigment production and counterimmunoelectrophoresis. Streptococci from clinical isolates were studied for their ability to produce pigment in stab cultures in Columbia agar. Serological grouping of these organisms was done by counterimmunoelectrophoresis using Burroughs-Wellcome antisera. In this group of isolates, 66 of the 68 organisms grouped as B by serological testing produced pigment in the Columbia agar stab cultures. Pigment was not produced by any of the other 36 streptococci studied (11 group A, 9 group C, 4 group D, and 12 nongroupable). The use of the Columbia agar stab culture is recommended as a rapid and simple test for recognition of group B streptococci. The counterimmunoelectrophoresis test is also suggested as a convenient, rapid, and sensitive method for grouping the streptococci.", "PMID": 773958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4019", "title": "Modification of the Minitek Miniaturized Differentiation System for characterization of anaerobic bacteria.", "content": "The Minitek Miniaturized System (BBL) was modified for characterization of anaerobic bacteria. The modified system and the conventional Center for Disease Control method were used to test a variety of anaerobic bacteria, and results were compared. Tests performed by both techniques were indole and H2S production, esculin hydrolysis, nitrate reduction, and fermentation of glucose, mannitol, lactose, sucrose, maltose, salicin, glycerol, xylose, arabinose, mannose, rhamnose, and trehalose. The manufacturer's recommended procedure for the Minitek system was modified by using a new suspension medium (Lombard-Dowell broth) and an inoculum equivalent to the density of a McFarland no. 5 nephelometer standard. The Minitek results, recorded after 48 h, agreed satisfactorily with the conventional test results, usually recorded after 5 to 7 days of incubation. In the examination of 80 strains representing 22 different species or subspecies of anaerobic bacteria, with 16 biochemical tests performed in triplicate, 93.8% of the Minitek test results agreed with those of the corresponding conventional tests. Only tests for indole, H2S, and nitrate reduction gave less than 90% agreement. It was concluded that the modified Minitek system is a suitable substitute for the more expensive and time-consuming conventional procedure for determining carbohydrate fermentation and esculin hydrolysis by anaerobes. This system, when used in conjunction with other tests, can effectively aid in the definitive identification of commonly isolated anaerobes.", "contents": "Modification of the Minitek Miniaturized Differentiation System for characterization of anaerobic bacteria. The Minitek Miniaturized System (BBL) was modified for characterization of anaerobic bacteria. The modified system and the conventional Center for Disease Control method were used to test a variety of anaerobic bacteria, and results were compared. Tests performed by both techniques were indole and H2S production, esculin hydrolysis, nitrate reduction, and fermentation of glucose, mannitol, lactose, sucrose, maltose, salicin, glycerol, xylose, arabinose, mannose, rhamnose, and trehalose. The manufacturer's recommended procedure for the Minitek system was modified by using a new suspension medium (Lombard-Dowell broth) and an inoculum equivalent to the density of a McFarland no. 5 nephelometer standard. The Minitek results, recorded after 48 h, agreed satisfactorily with the conventional test results, usually recorded after 5 to 7 days of incubation. In the examination of 80 strains representing 22 different species or subspecies of anaerobic bacteria, with 16 biochemical tests performed in triplicate, 93.8% of the Minitek test results agreed with those of the corresponding conventional tests. Only tests for indole, H2S, and nitrate reduction gave less than 90% agreement. It was concluded that the modified Minitek system is a suitable substitute for the more expensive and time-consuming conventional procedure for determining carbohydrate fermentation and esculin hydrolysis by anaerobes. This system, when used in conjunction with other tests, can effectively aid in the definitive identification of commonly isolated anaerobes.", "PMID": 773959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4020", "title": "Rapid fermentation testing of anaerobic bacteria.", "content": "Rapid tests for glucose, maltose, lactose, sucrose, and starch fermentation were performed on 112 strains of anaerobic bacteria. The tests were incubated under aerobic conditions, and results were read within 4 h. An overall correlation of 89% was achieved between the rapid tests and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute method.", "contents": "Rapid fermentation testing of anaerobic bacteria. Rapid tests for glucose, maltose, lactose, sucrose, and starch fermentation were performed on 112 strains of anaerobic bacteria. The tests were incubated under aerobic conditions, and results were read within 4 h. An overall correlation of 89% was achieved between the rapid tests and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute method.", "PMID": 773960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4021", "title": "Acceleration of tetrazolium reduction by bacteria.", "content": "Conditions were assessed which would permit more rapid recognition of bacterial growth than has been previously reported using tetrazolium salts. Microtitration trays were used. 2-(p-Iodophenyl)-3(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride is rapidly reduced by respiring cells in tissue homogenates but is more toxic than other tetrazoliums when added to growing bacterial cultures. Phenazine methosulfate (PMS), an intermediate electron carrier, potentiates tetrazolium reduction. Growth was readily detected by the addition of these compounds after 3 to 4 h of incubation in Schaedler broth. The final concentration prior to addition to tray wells was 1.0 mg/ml for 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride and 0.06 mg/ml for PMS. Addition of 0.5 to 0.8 g of agar per liter of broth enhanced subsequent tetrazolium reduction.", "contents": "Acceleration of tetrazolium reduction by bacteria. Conditions were assessed which would permit more rapid recognition of bacterial growth than has been previously reported using tetrazolium salts. Microtitration trays were used. 2-(p-Iodophenyl)-3(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride is rapidly reduced by respiring cells in tissue homogenates but is more toxic than other tetrazoliums when added to growing bacterial cultures. Phenazine methosulfate (PMS), an intermediate electron carrier, potentiates tetrazolium reduction. Growth was readily detected by the addition of these compounds after 3 to 4 h of incubation in Schaedler broth. The final concentration prior to addition to tray wells was 1.0 mg/ml for 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride and 0.06 mg/ml for PMS. Addition of 0.5 to 0.8 g of agar per liter of broth enhanced subsequent tetrazolium reduction.", "PMID": 773961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4022", "title": "Differentiation of Proteus mirabilis by bacteriophage typing and the Dienes reaction.", "content": "A provisional typing schema based on sensitivity to 23 bacteriophages has been established for Proteus mirabilis. Seventy-three bacteriophages were isolated on strains of P. mirabilis (64), P. vulgaris (1), P. morganii (7), and P. rettgeri (1), but those isolated on P. mirabilis were the most useful in differentiating other strains of . mirabilis. From the 73 phages studied, the best 23 were chosen by computer analysis for the provisional system, which was then used to study P. mirabilis infections in a 500-bed general hospital. All patient isolates for 19 months were saved and then compared by bacteriophage typing and the Dienes reaction in a retrospective study. There was evidence for only three instances of cross-infection or -colonization during this time. Bacteriophage typing was very sensitive in differentiating strains, since 200 strains were differentiated into 113 different lysis patterns and 94% were typable. The Dienes reaction was useful at times but often gave reactions that were difficult to read or that changed when the tests were repeated. The bacteriophages described by Schmidt and Jeffries were also evaluated and proved useful in combination with ours. The value of bacteriophage typing was clearly established, and work toward a standardized schema for P. mirabilis should continue.", "contents": "Differentiation of Proteus mirabilis by bacteriophage typing and the Dienes reaction. A provisional typing schema based on sensitivity to 23 bacteriophages has been established for Proteus mirabilis. Seventy-three bacteriophages were isolated on strains of P. mirabilis (64), P. vulgaris (1), P. morganii (7), and P. rettgeri (1), but those isolated on P. mirabilis were the most useful in differentiating other strains of . mirabilis. From the 73 phages studied, the best 23 were chosen by computer analysis for the provisional system, which was then used to study P. mirabilis infections in a 500-bed general hospital. All patient isolates for 19 months were saved and then compared by bacteriophage typing and the Dienes reaction in a retrospective study. There was evidence for only three instances of cross-infection or -colonization during this time. Bacteriophage typing was very sensitive in differentiating strains, since 200 strains were differentiated into 113 different lysis patterns and 94% were typable. The Dienes reaction was useful at times but often gave reactions that were difficult to read or that changed when the tests were repeated. The bacteriophages described by Schmidt and Jeffries were also evaluated and proved useful in combination with ours. The value of bacteriophage typing was clearly established, and work toward a standardized schema for P. mirabilis should continue.", "PMID": 773962} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4023", "title": "Clinical cholera caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.", "content": "A woman returning from Mexico was hospitalized as an emergency patient with hypovolemic shock due to dirrheal disease of less than 1-day duration. Her clinical course was similar to that of severe cholera--she excreted greater than 60 liters of stool and urine in a 4-day period. The etiological agent was a non-enteropathogenic serotype but enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli (063:NM). The patient responded both agglutinating and antitoxic antibodies against this strain and its enterotoxin. An \"enteropathogenic serotype,\" 0111:B4, was also isolated but this finding had no etiological significance.", "contents": "Clinical cholera caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. A woman returning from Mexico was hospitalized as an emergency patient with hypovolemic shock due to dirrheal disease of less than 1-day duration. Her clinical course was similar to that of severe cholera--she excreted greater than 60 liters of stool and urine in a 4-day period. The etiological agent was a non-enteropathogenic serotype but enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli (063:NM). The patient responded both agglutinating and antitoxic antibodies against this strain and its enterotoxin. An \"enteropathogenic serotype,\" 0111:B4, was also isolated but this finding had no etiological significance.", "PMID": 773963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4024", "title": "Significance of the isolation of Clostridium welchii from routine blood cultures.", "content": "Clostridium welchii has been demonstrated in approximately 20% of contact plates taken from the antecubital fossa of 185 inpatients and outpatients and healthy staff. The highest incidence was in a group of 40 very ill patients. The isolation of the organism from blood cultures is not always of clinical significance. Skin preparation as at present practised is often inadequate to remove the spores when contamination is relatively heavy, for example, in bedridden patients.", "contents": "Significance of the isolation of Clostridium welchii from routine blood cultures. Clostridium welchii has been demonstrated in approximately 20% of contact plates taken from the antecubital fossa of 185 inpatients and outpatients and healthy staff. The highest incidence was in a group of 40 very ill patients. The isolation of the organism from blood cultures is not always of clinical significance. Skin preparation as at present practised is often inadequate to remove the spores when contamination is relatively heavy, for example, in bedridden patients.", "PMID": 773964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4025", "title": "Validation and standardization of Kveim test suspensions prepared from two human sarcoid spleens.", "content": "Single lots of a Chase-Siltzbach type I Kveim test material from each of two sarcoid spleens and designated lot 5 of spleen K12 and lot 1 of spleen K13 have been validated alongside a single lot (lot 10) of a 'standard' suspension provided by Dr L. E. Siltzbach and prepared identically from the spleen of patient J (SPLEEN J) in New York. Additionally, a half-dilution of lot 5, K12, was included in this comparison. The reactivity of each suspension was assessed among patients with active and inactive sarcoidosis. The selectivity of each suspension for sarcoidosis was assessed similarly by comparison with results in patients with active and quiescent pulmonary parenchymal tuberculosis and in healthy subjects. All patients were closely matched and two Kveim tests were made in each subject according to a prearranged statistical design. The reactivity of the K12, K12 1/2 dilution, and K13 suspensions among patients with active and inactive sarcoidosis was closely similar to that with the 'standard' S10 suspension and in accordance with the expected proportions of reactions in patients at different stages of sarcoidosis. The K12, K13, and 'standard' S10 suspensions yielded a negligible proportion of positive reactions among patients with active and quiescent pulmonary tuberculosis and among healthy subjects: thus, as judged by these tests each suspension showed a high degree of selectivity for sarcoidosis. The results of this validation study are discussed in relation to the results of other studies in which lots 5 and 14 of K12 and early and late batches of a suspension prepared from another sarcoid spleen at the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories designated CSL and provided by Dr T.H. Hurley in Melbourne were employed. Using lot 5 of K12 positive reactions were found in an appreciable proportion of patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and tuberculous lymphadenitis. A closely similar rate of positive reactions was encountered among patients with Crohn's disease following tests with batch 0025 of CSL suspension and with another lot (lot 14) derived from spleen K12. A close concordance of results was obtained with lot 5(K12) and with batch 0042 CSL among patients with ulcerative colitis, but at a lower rate of reactivity. We conclude that positive reactions also occur in some diseases other than sarcoidosis and consider that the difficulties in determining the criteria for an acceptable test suspension become increasingly apparent as additional Kveim tests are made with one particular lot and with seqential lots of material from a 'validated' tissue source.", "contents": "Validation and standardization of Kveim test suspensions prepared from two human sarcoid spleens. Single lots of a Chase-Siltzbach type I Kveim test material from each of two sarcoid spleens and designated lot 5 of spleen K12 and lot 1 of spleen K13 have been validated alongside a single lot (lot 10) of a 'standard' suspension provided by Dr L. E. Siltzbach and prepared identically from the spleen of patient J (SPLEEN J) in New York. Additionally, a half-dilution of lot 5, K12, was included in this comparison. The reactivity of each suspension was assessed among patients with active and inactive sarcoidosis. The selectivity of each suspension for sarcoidosis was assessed similarly by comparison with results in patients with active and quiescent pulmonary parenchymal tuberculosis and in healthy subjects. All patients were closely matched and two Kveim tests were made in each subject according to a prearranged statistical design. The reactivity of the K12, K12 1/2 dilution, and K13 suspensions among patients with active and inactive sarcoidosis was closely similar to that with the 'standard' S10 suspension and in accordance with the expected proportions of reactions in patients at different stages of sarcoidosis. The K12, K13, and 'standard' S10 suspensions yielded a negligible proportion of positive reactions among patients with active and quiescent pulmonary tuberculosis and among healthy subjects: thus, as judged by these tests each suspension showed a high degree of selectivity for sarcoidosis. The results of this validation study are discussed in relation to the results of other studies in which lots 5 and 14 of K12 and early and late batches of a suspension prepared from another sarcoid spleen at the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories designated CSL and provided by Dr T.H. Hurley in Melbourne were employed. Using lot 5 of K12 positive reactions were found in an appreciable proportion of patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and tuberculous lymphadenitis. A closely similar rate of positive reactions was encountered among patients with Crohn's disease following tests with batch 0025 of CSL suspension and with another lot (lot 14) derived from spleen K12. A close concordance of results was obtained with lot 5(K12) and with batch 0042 CSL among patients with ulcerative colitis, but at a lower rate of reactivity. We conclude that positive reactions also occur in some diseases other than sarcoidosis and consider that the difficulties in determining the criteria for an acceptable test suspension become increasingly apparent as additional Kveim tests are made with one particular lot and with seqential lots of material from a 'validated' tissue source.", "PMID": 773965} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4026", "title": "Localization of prolactin in chromophobe pituitary adenomas: study of human necropsy material by immunoperoxidase technique.", "content": "In order to identify prolactin-producing tumours in human pituitary glands, 45 chromophobe adenomas, obtained from unselected necropsies, have been studied by various staining procedures including the immunoperoxidase technique for the demonstration of prolactin. The presence of immunoreactive prolactin was revealed in the cytoplasm of the tumour cells in six cases (13%), indicating that the occurrence of prolactin-producing adenomas is not rare. No correlations were established between tumours and clinical history. Two adenomas were detected in female and four in male patients. The age of the patients at necropsy ranged from 28 to 75 years. Three adenomas were associated with disseminated carcinoma, two with fatal liver disease, and one with diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and pyelonephritis. Manifest endocrine symptoms were not disclosed, and endocrine investigations, including measurements of blood prolactin levels, were not undertaken. Thus, direct evidence is lacking as to whether or not these tumours were actively secreting prolactin. In the non-tumorous parts of the anterior lobes the number of prolactin cells was decreased in two cases, suggesting that prolactin released from the adenoma cells suppressed prolactin production in the non-tumorous pituitary. However, the number of prolactin cells of the non-tumorous adenohypophysis seemed to be unchanged in two and increased in another two cases. The present findings conclusively proved the existence of the prolactin-producing adenomas as a distinct entity. These tumours do not stain with acid or basic dyes, they are PAS or thionin negative, and do not contain immunoreactive growth hormone. Thus, by conventional staining procedures they are indistinguishable from other chromophobe adenoma types. Herlant's erythrosin and Brookes' carmoisine methods, claimed spedifically to stain prolactin cells, failed to provide reliable results, hence their use cannot be recommended in tumour identification. Immunoperoxidase staining of prolactin is the only technique which conclusively reveals the presence of immunoreactive prolactin in the cytoplasm of the tumour cells and permits diagnosis. It is proposed that this technique be introduced in pituitary morphological studies. Its application may lead to a better understanding of problems related to prolactin-producing tumours and their secretory activity.", "contents": "Localization of prolactin in chromophobe pituitary adenomas: study of human necropsy material by immunoperoxidase technique. In order to identify prolactin-producing tumours in human pituitary glands, 45 chromophobe adenomas, obtained from unselected necropsies, have been studied by various staining procedures including the immunoperoxidase technique for the demonstration of prolactin. The presence of immunoreactive prolactin was revealed in the cytoplasm of the tumour cells in six cases (13%), indicating that the occurrence of prolactin-producing adenomas is not rare. No correlations were established between tumours and clinical history. Two adenomas were detected in female and four in male patients. The age of the patients at necropsy ranged from 28 to 75 years. Three adenomas were associated with disseminated carcinoma, two with fatal liver disease, and one with diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and pyelonephritis. Manifest endocrine symptoms were not disclosed, and endocrine investigations, including measurements of blood prolactin levels, were not undertaken. Thus, direct evidence is lacking as to whether or not these tumours were actively secreting prolactin. In the non-tumorous parts of the anterior lobes the number of prolactin cells was decreased in two cases, suggesting that prolactin released from the adenoma cells suppressed prolactin production in the non-tumorous pituitary. However, the number of prolactin cells of the non-tumorous adenohypophysis seemed to be unchanged in two and increased in another two cases. The present findings conclusively proved the existence of the prolactin-producing adenomas as a distinct entity. These tumours do not stain with acid or basic dyes, they are PAS or thionin negative, and do not contain immunoreactive growth hormone. Thus, by conventional staining procedures they are indistinguishable from other chromophobe adenoma types. Herlant's erythrosin and Brookes' carmoisine methods, claimed spedifically to stain prolactin cells, failed to provide reliable results, hence their use cannot be recommended in tumour identification. Immunoperoxidase staining of prolactin is the only technique which conclusively reveals the presence of immunoreactive prolactin in the cytoplasm of the tumour cells and permits diagnosis. It is proposed that this technique be introduced in pituitary morphological studies. Its application may lead to a better understanding of problems related to prolactin-producing tumours and their secretory activity.", "PMID": 773966} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4027", "title": "A simple technique for observing germ tube formation in Candida albicans.", "content": "Candida albicans is identified in most laboratories by the rapid formation of germ tubes when it is grown in human serum (Taschdjian et al, 1960). Demonstration of the production of germ tubes on solid media, 1% bactopeptone in 2% agar (Joshi and Gavin, 1974), and the appearance of other yeasts on a variety of carbohydrate media (Joshi et al, 1975) has led to the development of a simple technique for observing germ tube production.", "contents": "A simple technique for observing germ tube formation in Candida albicans. Candida albicans is identified in most laboratories by the rapid formation of germ tubes when it is grown in human serum (Taschdjian et al, 1960). Demonstration of the production of germ tubes on solid media, 1% bactopeptone in 2% agar (Joshi and Gavin, 1974), and the appearance of other yeasts on a variety of carbohydrate media (Joshi et al, 1975) has led to the development of a simple technique for observing germ tube production.", "PMID": 773967} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4028", "title": "Fine structure of synaptic vesicles in two types of nerve terminals in crayfish stretch receptor organs: influence of fixation methods.", "content": "Crayfish stretch receptor organs were used. The standard procedure consisted of primary fixation with a 1.6% glutaraldehyde solution containing either buffer which was 60% hyposmotic or buffer which was isosmotic with the physiological solution (440 milliosmols), washing with isosmotic buffer, and postfixation with an isosmotic 1% osmium tetroxide solution. Under these conditions, we encountered two types of nerve terminals; small-vesicle terminals (SVTs) containing small elongated vesicles (300 approximately 330 A) and large-vesicle terminals (LVTs) containing larger round vesicles (430 A). Their location and physiological evidence suggest that SVTs and LVTs are inhibitory and excitatory, respectively. A hyperosmotic primary fixation solution due to increased glutaraldehyde concentration gave results similar to the standard procedures, while a hyperosmotic primary fixation solution due to increased buffer concentration caused shrinkage of the nerve terminal. A hyperosmotic buffer wash produced elongation of vesicles in SVTs and LVTs, while washing with hypoosmotic buffer rendered vesicles in both types round. Direct fixation with isosmotic osmium tetroxide yielded less elongated vesicles in SVTs and irregularly round vesicles in LVTs. However, under all conditions, vesicles in SVTs were smaller than those in LVTs. These results suggest that the consistent morphological difference in vesicles between SVTs and LVTs is size rather than shape, and it is important to standardize the osmolarity of primary fixation and washing solutions when discussing the differences of vesicle shape in various kinds of synapses.", "contents": "Fine structure of synaptic vesicles in two types of nerve terminals in crayfish stretch receptor organs: influence of fixation methods. Crayfish stretch receptor organs were used. The standard procedure consisted of primary fixation with a 1.6% glutaraldehyde solution containing either buffer which was 60% hyposmotic or buffer which was isosmotic with the physiological solution (440 milliosmols), washing with isosmotic buffer, and postfixation with an isosmotic 1% osmium tetroxide solution. Under these conditions, we encountered two types of nerve terminals; small-vesicle terminals (SVTs) containing small elongated vesicles (300 approximately 330 A) and large-vesicle terminals (LVTs) containing larger round vesicles (430 A). Their location and physiological evidence suggest that SVTs and LVTs are inhibitory and excitatory, respectively. A hyperosmotic primary fixation solution due to increased glutaraldehyde concentration gave results similar to the standard procedures, while a hyperosmotic primary fixation solution due to increased buffer concentration caused shrinkage of the nerve terminal. A hyperosmotic buffer wash produced elongation of vesicles in SVTs and LVTs, while washing with hypoosmotic buffer rendered vesicles in both types round. Direct fixation with isosmotic osmium tetroxide yielded less elongated vesicles in SVTs and irregularly round vesicles in LVTs. However, under all conditions, vesicles in SVTs were smaller than those in LVTs. These results suggest that the consistent morphological difference in vesicles between SVTs and LVTs is size rather than shape, and it is important to standardize the osmolarity of primary fixation and washing solutions when discussing the differences of vesicle shape in various kinds of synapses.", "PMID": 773968} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4029", "title": "Isolation of kappa-casein-like proteins from milks of various species.", "content": "Kappa-Casein-like proteins were isolated from the milks of cow, goat, reindeer, horse, rat, and rabbit. When treated with rennin, all of the isolated kappa-casein components yielded para-kappa-casein-like bands on gel electrophoresis. The rate of cleavage of these components with rennin was determined by measuring material soluble in trichloroacetic acid (macropeptide). The curves were characteristic of a limited, specific attack by rennin on these proteins. The goat and reindeer kappa-caseins were nearly as bovine kappa-casein, but the cleavage of horse, rat, and rabbit kappa-casein-like components was much slower.", "contents": "Isolation of kappa-casein-like proteins from milks of various species. Kappa-Casein-like proteins were isolated from the milks of cow, goat, reindeer, horse, rat, and rabbit. When treated with rennin, all of the isolated kappa-casein components yielded para-kappa-casein-like bands on gel electrophoresis. The rate of cleavage of these components with rennin was determined by measuring material soluble in trichloroacetic acid (macropeptide). The curves were characteristic of a limited, specific attack by rennin on these proteins. The goat and reindeer kappa-caseins were nearly as bovine kappa-casein, but the cleavage of horse, rat, and rabbit kappa-casein-like components was much slower.", "PMID": 773973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4030", "title": "Enhanced fluoride uptake in enamel with a fluoride-impregnated prophylactic cup.", "content": "A series of in vitro studies have been performed to study the release of tin and fluoride from an experimental prophylactic cup and the influence of this release on the fluoride content of enamel. It has been found that the release of fluoride from the prophy cup during a simulated prophylaxis results in a significant increase in the fluoride content of the treated enamel. It has also been observed that in those instances in which the fluoride-containing paste has a pH of less than about 3.8 this effect is partially additive to the increase in the fluoride content of enamel associated with the use of fluoride-containing prophylactic pastes. Collectively, these findings suggest that this prophylactic cup merits further investigation as a practical means of increasing the value of the prophylaxis phase of a multiple-fluoride treatment program for the partial control of dental caries.", "contents": "Enhanced fluoride uptake in enamel with a fluoride-impregnated prophylactic cup. A series of in vitro studies have been performed to study the release of tin and fluoride from an experimental prophylactic cup and the influence of this release on the fluoride content of enamel. It has been found that the release of fluoride from the prophy cup during a simulated prophylaxis results in a significant increase in the fluoride content of the treated enamel. It has also been observed that in those instances in which the fluoride-containing paste has a pH of less than about 3.8 this effect is partially additive to the increase in the fluoride content of enamel associated with the use of fluoride-containing prophylactic pastes. Collectively, these findings suggest that this prophylactic cup merits further investigation as a practical means of increasing the value of the prophylaxis phase of a multiple-fluoride treatment program for the partial control of dental caries.", "PMID": 773990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4031", "title": "Studies on hypoxia: XI. Long-term effects on the epiphyseal plate--a histomeric and radioautographic study.", "content": "Rats were exposed to hypoxia for one week. The mean thickness of epiphyseal plates form control rats was 430 micrometers (mum) which was reduced to 313 mum in hypoxic rats. Radioautographic incorporation of 3H-phenylalaine by connective tissue cells in hypoxic rats was reduced up to 38% in control rats.", "contents": "Studies on hypoxia: XI. Long-term effects on the epiphyseal plate--a histomeric and radioautographic study. Rats were exposed to hypoxia for one week. The mean thickness of epiphyseal plates form control rats was 430 micrometers (mum) which was reduced to 313 mum in hypoxic rats. Radioautographic incorporation of 3H-phenylalaine by connective tissue cells in hypoxic rats was reduced up to 38% in control rats.", "PMID": 773991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4032", "title": "Adherence of ceramic coatings on chromium-cobalt structures.", "content": "A method has been developed for the consistent adherence of flame-sprayed ceramic coatings to Vitallium. The critical step involves etching the metal by the anodic polarization technique. This procedure allows complex geometrics to be corroded evenly, and, by suitable choice of etching solution and conditions, enables any metal to be substituted. The bond is capable of sustaining more severe deflections than are experienced during intraoral function. Despite the number of cracks generated during testing, the ceramic layer remains intact. The ceramic-metal bond is mechanical. The corroded surface provides greater surface area, thus permitting a number of retention sites. Analysis of the ceramic microstructure finds it to be suitable for tissue ingrowth.", "contents": "Adherence of ceramic coatings on chromium-cobalt structures. A method has been developed for the consistent adherence of flame-sprayed ceramic coatings to Vitallium. The critical step involves etching the metal by the anodic polarization technique. This procedure allows complex geometrics to be corroded evenly, and, by suitable choice of etching solution and conditions, enables any metal to be substituted. The bond is capable of sustaining more severe deflections than are experienced during intraoral function. Despite the number of cracks generated during testing, the ceramic layer remains intact. The ceramic-metal bond is mechanical. The corroded surface provides greater surface area, thus permitting a number of retention sites. Analysis of the ceramic microstructure finds it to be suitable for tissue ingrowth.", "PMID": 773989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4033", "title": "Computer-generated profile of 846 endodontic cases.", "content": "Endodontic patient registration, evaluation, and initial treatment information have been collected and incorporated into an automated evaluation system. The potential of the system has been demonstrated with the generation of a profile report that reflects subjective and objective pulp testing responses and the initial treatment of 846 patients.", "contents": "Computer-generated profile of 846 endodontic cases. Endodontic patient registration, evaluation, and initial treatment information have been collected and incorporated into an automated evaluation system. The potential of the system has been demonstrated with the generation of a profile report that reflects subjective and objective pulp testing responses and the initial treatment of 846 patients.", "PMID": 773995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4034", "title": "New method of bone preparation for collagen fiber orientation studies by means of scanning electron microscopy.", "content": "A sample preparation technique was developed for observing the orientation of collagen fibers in the lamellas of human osteonic bone by means of scanning electron microscopy. Scanning electron micrographs of these fiber orientations are given in the text.", "contents": "New method of bone preparation for collagen fiber orientation studies by means of scanning electron microscopy. A sample preparation technique was developed for observing the orientation of collagen fibers in the lamellas of human osteonic bone by means of scanning electron microscopy. Scanning electron micrographs of these fiber orientations are given in the text.", "PMID": 773992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4035", "title": "Electron microscope comparison of freeze-substitution and conventional chemical fixation of undecalificied human dentin.", "content": "Within the stated limits of cell fine structure preservation and within the observed anatomical limits specified in the Results and Discussion sections, a freeze-substitution method using an ethylene glycol-Hank's solution eutectic mixture with a glutaraldehyde additive can be used to effectively prepare undecalcified human dentin for electron microscopy. The ultrastructual appearance of the odontoblast cell body and the odontoblastic process subjected to freeze-substitution differs from that seen with conventional chemical fixation. Artifacts produced by freeze-substitution differ in appearance and frequency of occurrence from those produced by glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide sequential double fixation. The cellular component of dentin shows greater structural preservation of protein when it is subjected to freeze-substitution that when it is prepared by conventional chemical fixation. The absence of ice crystal defects in the odontoblastic process in calcified dentin and the presence of ice crystal defects in the odontoblast cell body suggest that intracellular water in the odontoblastic process in the calcified dentin may exist in a more highly structured state than intracellular water in the odontoblast cell body. If intracellular water exists in a more highly structured state in the odontoblastic process of the calcified dentin than in the cell body, the ratio of protein molecules to cytoplasmic volume may be greater in the odontoblastic process than in the cell body. After glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide sequential double fixation, the use of graded alcohol dehydration obtained cell fine structure preservation and artifact control superior to that obtained by use of ethylene glycol cryodehydration. Further refinements of the freeze-substitution technique, as it applies to the preparation of undecalcified human dentin, are necessary to increase the amount of cellular preservation, to decrease the number of ice crystal artifacts, and to improve the overall quality of cell fine structure preservation.", "contents": "Electron microscope comparison of freeze-substitution and conventional chemical fixation of undecalificied human dentin. Within the stated limits of cell fine structure preservation and within the observed anatomical limits specified in the Results and Discussion sections, a freeze-substitution method using an ethylene glycol-Hank's solution eutectic mixture with a glutaraldehyde additive can be used to effectively prepare undecalcified human dentin for electron microscopy. The ultrastructual appearance of the odontoblast cell body and the odontoblastic process subjected to freeze-substitution differs from that seen with conventional chemical fixation. Artifacts produced by freeze-substitution differ in appearance and frequency of occurrence from those produced by glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide sequential double fixation. The cellular component of dentin shows greater structural preservation of protein when it is subjected to freeze-substitution that when it is prepared by conventional chemical fixation. The absence of ice crystal defects in the odontoblastic process in calcified dentin and the presence of ice crystal defects in the odontoblast cell body suggest that intracellular water in the odontoblastic process in the calcified dentin may exist in a more highly structured state than intracellular water in the odontoblast cell body. If intracellular water exists in a more highly structured state in the odontoblastic process of the calcified dentin than in the cell body, the ratio of protein molecules to cytoplasmic volume may be greater in the odontoblastic process than in the cell body. After glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide sequential double fixation, the use of graded alcohol dehydration obtained cell fine structure preservation and artifact control superior to that obtained by use of ethylene glycol cryodehydration. Further refinements of the freeze-substitution technique, as it applies to the preparation of undecalcified human dentin, are necessary to increase the amount of cellular preservation, to decrease the number of ice crystal artifacts, and to improve the overall quality of cell fine structure preservation.", "PMID": 773993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4036", "title": "The Pupil Evaluation Inventory. A sociometric technique for assessing children's social behavior.", "content": "The Pupil Evaluation Inventory was developed to assess peer ratings of the behavior of male and female children in grades one through nine. Three homogeneous and stable factors emerged from a factor analyss: Aggression, Withdrawal and Likeability. High interrater agreement between male and female raters, stability of factorial structure, high internal consistency, and moderate concurrent validity were found across sex and grade levels. Test-retest reliability was high for a separate sample of third and sixth graders. There was a tendency for higher internal consistency and teacher-peer correlations for the Aggression factor.", "contents": "The Pupil Evaluation Inventory. A sociometric technique for assessing children's social behavior. The Pupil Evaluation Inventory was developed to assess peer ratings of the behavior of male and female children in grades one through nine. Three homogeneous and stable factors emerged from a factor analyss: Aggression, Withdrawal and Likeability. High interrater agreement between male and female raters, stability of factorial structure, high internal consistency, and moderate concurrent validity were found across sex and grade levels. Test-retest reliability was high for a separate sample of third and sixth graders. There was a tendency for higher internal consistency and teacher-peer correlations for the Aggression factor.", "PMID": 773996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4037", "title": "Adhesion of orthodontic cements to human enamel.", "content": "The tensile bonding characteristics of five orthodontic cements to etched human enamel with and without a silane primer after storage for 1, 7, and 30 days in artificial saliva at 37 C were compared. The scatter of the data was probably due to the wide variation of surface morphology of etched human enamel. Cement L, a composite resin cement, was significantly stronger than the other cements tested. Cement D, a polycarboxylate cement, was significantly the weakest cement tested. Cements U, O, and N-B were of relatively equal bond strengths. Of the direct-bonding systems commercially available, the N-B system had the fastest setting time. The silane primer used in the research decreased the bond strength of cement O; however, it significantly increased the bond strength of cement L. Storage in artificial saliva at 37 C for 30 days decreased the mean bond strengths of most of the orthodontic cements with and without a silane primer. The exceptions were cement N-B without a silane primer and cements O and D with silane primer.", "contents": "Adhesion of orthodontic cements to human enamel. The tensile bonding characteristics of five orthodontic cements to etched human enamel with and without a silane primer after storage for 1, 7, and 30 days in artificial saliva at 37 C were compared. The scatter of the data was probably due to the wide variation of surface morphology of etched human enamel. Cement L, a composite resin cement, was significantly stronger than the other cements tested. Cement D, a polycarboxylate cement, was significantly the weakest cement tested. Cements U, O, and N-B were of relatively equal bond strengths. Of the direct-bonding systems commercially available, the N-B system had the fastest setting time. The silane primer used in the research decreased the bond strength of cement O; however, it significantly increased the bond strength of cement L. Storage in artificial saliva at 37 C for 30 days decreased the mean bond strengths of most of the orthodontic cements with and without a silane primer. The exceptions were cement N-B without a silane primer and cements O and D with silane primer.", "PMID": 773994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4038", "title": "Caffeine in the \"sundown syndrome.\" Report of negative results.", "content": "This paper reports the results of a double blind study in patients with senile dementia to determine if the quality and quantity of sleep could be changed with various amounts of caffeine. Twelve patients with dementia were studied in a nursing home setting. Patients were medication free for a month prior to the study. Four treatments were given in a double blind technique. These included an uncaffeinated liquid and coffee with various amounts of caffeine. Measurements checked included sleep induction time, quality of sleep, total length of sleep, time awake during the night, and a global rating. No significant differences were noted between the noncaffeinated placebo and the coffee containing various amounts of caffeine.", "contents": "Caffeine in the \"sundown syndrome.\" Report of negative results. This paper reports the results of a double blind study in patients with senile dementia to determine if the quality and quantity of sleep could be changed with various amounts of caffeine. Twelve patients with dementia were studied in a nursing home setting. Patients were medication free for a month prior to the study. Four treatments were given in a double blind technique. These included an uncaffeinated liquid and coffee with various amounts of caffeine. Measurements checked included sleep induction time, quality of sleep, total length of sleep, time awake during the night, and a global rating. No significant differences were noted between the noncaffeinated placebo and the coffee containing various amounts of caffeine.", "PMID": 774004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4039", "title": "The stereotype of \"old.\" A review and alternative approach.", "content": "Within the literature, a negative stereotype of \"old\" has been emphasized which, it has been argued, is important for self-concept in late life. This paper questions the validity of this argument and presents an alternative model more congruent with extant data. Forty-seven reports of research on stereotypes of old age were analyzed. It was found that 21 studies utilized older persons in the sample, and half of these were based on institutionalized or indigent aged. A positive stereotype of old age was reported in several studies. Thus, the assumption that the aged accept a negative stereotype of old age may not be valid. An alternative theoretical model is presented. From the framework of cognitive dissonance theory, it is argued that the acceptance of a negative or positive stereotype by the aged is related to objective indicators of old age, the subjective definition of self, and self-concept.", "contents": "The stereotype of \"old.\" A review and alternative approach. Within the literature, a negative stereotype of \"old\" has been emphasized which, it has been argued, is important for self-concept in late life. This paper questions the validity of this argument and presents an alternative model more congruent with extant data. Forty-seven reports of research on stereotypes of old age were analyzed. It was found that 21 studies utilized older persons in the sample, and half of these were based on institutionalized or indigent aged. A positive stereotype of old age was reported in several studies. Thus, the assumption that the aged accept a negative stereotype of old age may not be valid. An alternative theoretical model is presented. From the framework of cognitive dissonance theory, it is argued that the acceptance of a negative or positive stereotype by the aged is related to objective indicators of old age, the subjective definition of self, and self-concept.", "PMID": 774005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4040", "title": "A bibliography of doctoral dissertations on aging from American institutions of higher learning, 1973-1975.", "content": "This bibliography acts as the fifth supplement to the original title which covered 1934-1969. The supplements will include all titles of earlier years which were found after the original bibliography was published, Journal of Gerontology, 1971, 26, 391-422. Due to the nature of bibliographic control in regard to doctoral disserations, each supplement will try to cover the academic year rather than the physical year. This means that a dissertation issued in 1970 may be either in the original bibliography or in the supplements. The arrangement of the supplement is similar to the original bibliography.", "contents": "A bibliography of doctoral dissertations on aging from American institutions of higher learning, 1973-1975. This bibliography acts as the fifth supplement to the original title which covered 1934-1969. The supplements will include all titles of earlier years which were found after the original bibliography was published, Journal of Gerontology, 1971, 26, 391-422. Due to the nature of bibliographic control in regard to doctoral disserations, each supplement will try to cover the academic year rather than the physical year. This means that a dissertation issued in 1970 may be either in the original bibliography or in the supplements. The arrangement of the supplement is similar to the original bibliography.", "PMID": 774006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4041", "title": "Infusion of donor lymphocytes into stable canine radiation chimeras: implications for mechanism of transplantation tolerance.", "content": "Canine radiation chimeras were used to investigate further mechanism(s) responsible for maintaining the stable chimeric state. Chimeras were studied 7 to 46 months after 1200 R total body irradiation and transplantation of marrow from a littermate donor matched at the major histocompatibility complex. An attempt was made to perturb the stable chimeric state by infusion of large numbers (0.6 to 13.7 x 10(8)/kg) of donor peripheral blood lymphocytes into each respective chimera. Two groups were studied: donors in Group A were normal; donors in Group B had been specifically sensitized against minor histocompatibility antigens of the chimera by repeated skin grafts. None of the nine chimeras in Group A developed significant clinical or histologic evidence of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) after donor lymphocyte infusion. Eight of the 12 chimeras in Group B, however, developed GVHD which was transient in three and fatal in five. The results in Group A are not consistent with classical theories of tolerance, i.e., elimination or inactivation of potentially reactive cell clones, but suggest the presence of an active mechanism suppressing recognition of host antigens by the infused donor lymphocytes and development of GVHD. The results in Group B indicate that this mechanism can be overcome by infusion of sensitized donor cells. In an attempt to elucidate the nature of this postulated active mechanism, the cytotoxicity of donor lymphocytes for fibroblasts of the chimera and the presence or absence of serum-blocking factors were assessed in vitro by using a cellular inhibition (CI) assay. The presence of serum-blocking factors did not protect against the development of significant GVHD in two chimeras (fatal in one). GVHD did not occur in four other chimeras after infusion of cytotoxic donor lymphocytes despite the absence of serum-blocking factors. These and previous results suggest that serum-blocking factors are not the mechanisms suppressing the development of GVHD in canine radiation chimeras, and raise the possibility that a suppressor cell population may be responsible for preventing GVHD.", "contents": "Infusion of donor lymphocytes into stable canine radiation chimeras: implications for mechanism of transplantation tolerance. Canine radiation chimeras were used to investigate further mechanism(s) responsible for maintaining the stable chimeric state. Chimeras were studied 7 to 46 months after 1200 R total body irradiation and transplantation of marrow from a littermate donor matched at the major histocompatibility complex. An attempt was made to perturb the stable chimeric state by infusion of large numbers (0.6 to 13.7 x 10(8)/kg) of donor peripheral blood lymphocytes into each respective chimera. Two groups were studied: donors in Group A were normal; donors in Group B had been specifically sensitized against minor histocompatibility antigens of the chimera by repeated skin grafts. None of the nine chimeras in Group A developed significant clinical or histologic evidence of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) after donor lymphocyte infusion. Eight of the 12 chimeras in Group B, however, developed GVHD which was transient in three and fatal in five. The results in Group A are not consistent with classical theories of tolerance, i.e., elimination or inactivation of potentially reactive cell clones, but suggest the presence of an active mechanism suppressing recognition of host antigens by the infused donor lymphocytes and development of GVHD. The results in Group B indicate that this mechanism can be overcome by infusion of sensitized donor cells. In an attempt to elucidate the nature of this postulated active mechanism, the cytotoxicity of donor lymphocytes for fibroblasts of the chimera and the presence or absence of serum-blocking factors were assessed in vitro by using a cellular inhibition (CI) assay. The presence of serum-blocking factors did not protect against the development of significant GVHD in two chimeras (fatal in one). GVHD did not occur in four other chimeras after infusion of cytotoxic donor lymphocytes despite the absence of serum-blocking factors. These and previous results suggest that serum-blocking factors are not the mechanisms suppressing the development of GVHD in canine radiation chimeras, and raise the possibility that a suppressor cell population may be responsible for preventing GVHD.", "PMID": 774975} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4042", "title": "Effect of lipopolysaccharide on the induction of tolerance to polymerized flagellin.", "content": "The effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the induction of tolerance to the T-independent polymerized flagellar protein (POL) of Salmonella adelaide strain SW1338 was studied in vitro. In contrast to published results with T-dependent antigens, LPS failed to prevent or reverse tolerance induction to POL under conditions in which tolerance was reversible by other means. Moreover, the addition of high doses of LPS to slightly supra-immunogenic concentrations of POL augmented-tolerance induction. These results suggest that the mitogenic properties of LPS are insufficient to convert a tolerogenic dose of POL into an immunogenic one and, therefore, that LPS may act only on T-dependent B cell responses. Since both POL (1338) and LPS are T-independent, mitogenic and so-called \"polyclonal B cell activators,\" these data have implications for signal discrimination in the immune response.", "contents": "Effect of lipopolysaccharide on the induction of tolerance to polymerized flagellin. The effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the induction of tolerance to the T-independent polymerized flagellar protein (POL) of Salmonella adelaide strain SW1338 was studied in vitro. In contrast to published results with T-dependent antigens, LPS failed to prevent or reverse tolerance induction to POL under conditions in which tolerance was reversible by other means. Moreover, the addition of high doses of LPS to slightly supra-immunogenic concentrations of POL augmented-tolerance induction. These results suggest that the mitogenic properties of LPS are insufficient to convert a tolerogenic dose of POL into an immunogenic one and, therefore, that LPS may act only on T-dependent B cell responses. Since both POL (1338) and LPS are T-independent, mitogenic and so-called \"polyclonal B cell activators,\" these data have implications for signal discrimination in the immune response.", "PMID": 774976} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4043", "title": "Preparation and effects of an anti-B cell serum.", "content": "An heterologous antiserum specific for bone marrow-derived cells (B cells) was prepared by immunizing rabbits with lymph node cells from nude mice. After absorption with mouse red blood and thymus cells, the antiserum killed a population of cells from various lymphoid organs and the cytotoxic effects were inversely related to those of anti-theta antibody. When bone marrow or spleen cells were treated with the antiserum and guinea pig complement before transfer into irradiated mice, the number of plaque-forming cells was greatly reduced in the spleen of the recipient. Pretreatment of thymus cells with the antiserum in a similar way resulted in no inhibition of hemolytic plaque. When spleen cells from mice previously immunized with sheep red blood cells were treated with the antiserum and complement, the formation of hemolytic plaque was not affected. These findings indicated that the antiserum was specific for B cells and that the number of antigenic determinants on B cells to which the antiserum reacted decreases during differentiation into antibody-forming cells.", "contents": "Preparation and effects of an anti-B cell serum. An heterologous antiserum specific for bone marrow-derived cells (B cells) was prepared by immunizing rabbits with lymph node cells from nude mice. After absorption with mouse red blood and thymus cells, the antiserum killed a population of cells from various lymphoid organs and the cytotoxic effects were inversely related to those of anti-theta antibody. When bone marrow or spleen cells were treated with the antiserum and guinea pig complement before transfer into irradiated mice, the number of plaque-forming cells was greatly reduced in the spleen of the recipient. Pretreatment of thymus cells with the antiserum in a similar way resulted in no inhibition of hemolytic plaque. When spleen cells from mice previously immunized with sheep red blood cells were treated with the antiserum and complement, the formation of hemolytic plaque was not affected. These findings indicated that the antiserum was specific for B cells and that the number of antigenic determinants on B cells to which the antiserum reacted decreases during differentiation into antibody-forming cells.", "PMID": 774977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4044", "title": "An in vitro assay for T cell immunity to malaria in mice.", "content": "After infection with a nonlethal strain of murine malaria (17XNL Plasmodium berghei yoelli), BALB/c mice are then resistant to a lethal strain (17XL P.b. yoelli). BALB/c mice were infected with 17XNL, anc challenged 3 weeks later, after clearing their parasitemias, with 17XL. Three weeks thereafter, spleen cells from such immune animals were used to define an early peaking T-dependent (anti-theta sensitive) antigen-specific proliferative response when incubated in vitro with 17XL infected RBC, or a saline soluble 17XL antigen preparation. T dependent responsiveness of spleen cells from uninoculated control animals to the 17XL antigen preparation was also observed, but demonstrated a much different (delayed) kinetics from that observed with immune cells.", "contents": "An in vitro assay for T cell immunity to malaria in mice. After infection with a nonlethal strain of murine malaria (17XNL Plasmodium berghei yoelli), BALB/c mice are then resistant to a lethal strain (17XL P.b. yoelli). BALB/c mice were infected with 17XNL, anc challenged 3 weeks later, after clearing their parasitemias, with 17XL. Three weeks thereafter, spleen cells from such immune animals were used to define an early peaking T-dependent (anti-theta sensitive) antigen-specific proliferative response when incubated in vitro with 17XL infected RBC, or a saline soluble 17XL antigen preparation. T dependent responsiveness of spleen cells from uninoculated control animals to the 17XL antigen preparation was also observed, but demonstrated a much different (delayed) kinetics from that observed with immune cells.", "PMID": 774978} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4045", "title": "Local immunization in the mammary glands of the rabbit.", "content": "The effects of a local immunization with bovine serum albumin in the left mammary glands of the rabbit have been compared with those of an intramuscular (i.m.) immunization. The ability of several tissues to synthesize antibodies was studied in vitro with or without in vitro antigenic stimulation, and the antibody class in the plasmocytes of these tissues was determined by immunofluorescence. After i.m. immunization, the serum antibodies synthesized by the spleen and the lymph nodes pass into the milk by transudation; there is no antibody synthesis in the mammary glands. After immunization in the left mammary glands, there is antibody synthesis in the left mammary glands and also in the spleen and lymph nodes. In the mammary glands in the antibodies belong essentially to the IgG class and are synthesized by the plasmocytes that infiltrate the granulation tissue around the injection sites. The fragments of the immunized glands are capable of an in vitro secondary response analogous to that made by the spleen and lymph nodes. Thus the local immunization of the mammary glands does not stimulate the secretory immunologic system but elicits an antibody synthesis in the granuloma as in any other tissue. This local immunization also provokes a traffic of sensitized cells to the same lymphoid tissues as an i.m. immunization does.", "contents": "Local immunization in the mammary glands of the rabbit. The effects of a local immunization with bovine serum albumin in the left mammary glands of the rabbit have been compared with those of an intramuscular (i.m.) immunization. The ability of several tissues to synthesize antibodies was studied in vitro with or without in vitro antigenic stimulation, and the antibody class in the plasmocytes of these tissues was determined by immunofluorescence. After i.m. immunization, the serum antibodies synthesized by the spleen and the lymph nodes pass into the milk by transudation; there is no antibody synthesis in the mammary glands. After immunization in the left mammary glands, there is antibody synthesis in the left mammary glands and also in the spleen and lymph nodes. In the mammary glands in the antibodies belong essentially to the IgG class and are synthesized by the plasmocytes that infiltrate the granulation tissue around the injection sites. The fragments of the immunized glands are capable of an in vitro secondary response analogous to that made by the spleen and lymph nodes. Thus the local immunization of the mammary glands does not stimulate the secretory immunologic system but elicits an antibody synthesis in the granuloma as in any other tissue. This local immunization also provokes a traffic of sensitized cells to the same lymphoid tissues as an i.m. immunization does.", "PMID": 774979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4046", "title": "An enzyme-linked procedure for the detection and estimation of surface receptors on cells.", "content": "An enzyme immunoassay procedure has been developed for the visualization and estimation of lymphocyte surface receptors. beta-Galactosidase (beta-gal'ase) was covalently linked to sheep anti-rabbit immunoglobulin (SARIg), to ovalbumin (OA), and to adenosine (A). Exposure of rabbit peripheral lymphocytes to SARIg-beta-gal'ase and subsequent incubation with the fluorogenic substrate fluorescein-beta-digalactopyranoside allowed visualization of B cells by fluorescence microscopy. Treatment with each of the above beta-gal'ase conjugates and incubation with another fluorogenic substrate, 4-methyl-beta-D-umbelliferylgalactopyranoside, made possible the estimation of the various receptors by spectro fluorimetry. Procedures used for enrichment of T and B cell populations could be monitored. Among the findings was that immunoglobulin-bearing cells (presumably B cells) formed rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. The quantitative procedure was used to study lymphocyte population changes during immunization with an A-O A conjugate. An increase in the binding of A-beta-gal'ase, SARIg-beta-gal'ase, and OA-beta-gal'ase by peripheral lymphocytes occurred repeatedly 6 to 8 days after immunization but lasted only a few days despite a continued high circulating antibody titer. These results are consistent with the possibility that immunization induces migration of lymphocytes into the circulation from bone marrow and/or thymus.", "contents": "An enzyme-linked procedure for the detection and estimation of surface receptors on cells. An enzyme immunoassay procedure has been developed for the visualization and estimation of lymphocyte surface receptors. beta-Galactosidase (beta-gal'ase) was covalently linked to sheep anti-rabbit immunoglobulin (SARIg), to ovalbumin (OA), and to adenosine (A). Exposure of rabbit peripheral lymphocytes to SARIg-beta-gal'ase and subsequent incubation with the fluorogenic substrate fluorescein-beta-digalactopyranoside allowed visualization of B cells by fluorescence microscopy. Treatment with each of the above beta-gal'ase conjugates and incubation with another fluorogenic substrate, 4-methyl-beta-D-umbelliferylgalactopyranoside, made possible the estimation of the various receptors by spectro fluorimetry. Procedures used for enrichment of T and B cell populations could be monitored. Among the findings was that immunoglobulin-bearing cells (presumably B cells) formed rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. The quantitative procedure was used to study lymphocyte population changes during immunization with an A-O A conjugate. An increase in the binding of A-beta-gal'ase, SARIg-beta-gal'ase, and OA-beta-gal'ase by peripheral lymphocytes occurred repeatedly 6 to 8 days after immunization but lasted only a few days despite a continued high circulating antibody titer. These results are consistent with the possibility that immunization induces migration of lymphocytes into the circulation from bone marrow and/or thymus.", "PMID": 774980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4047", "title": "Specific removal of bovine serum albumin (BSA) antibodies in vivo by extracorporeal circulation over BSA immobilized on nylon microcapsules.", "content": "Studies were undertaken to determine whether BSA, once immobilized on activated nylon microspheres, would be capable of specifically removing circulating BSA antibody in vitro and in vivo in an extracorporeal circulation system in dogs. Nylon microspheres were prepared and, after gentle hydrolysis and glutaraldehyde treatment, demonstrated a retention of up to 34.5 mg of BSA. In vitro studies showed that BSA immobilized on microspheres removed a significant percentage of BSA-binding activity. For in vivo studies, an extracorporeal circulation system was established and mongrel dogs were then injected with anti-BSA and anti-HSA antibodies. After an equilibration period, BSA microspheres were introduced into the extracorporeal circulation system. After the insertion of BSA microcapsules, serum exhibited a sharp reduction in BSA binding over the next 15 min, with a more gradual diminution over the ensuing 60 to 90 min. There was no significant reduction in anti-HSA binding over the same time frame. This effect could not be attributed to release of BSA from the microspheres since no 125I-BSA was detected in the serum or organs of the dogs at the conclusion of the experiments. After extracorporeal circulation over nylon microspheres, there were only minimal changes in the host's hematocrit or leukocyte counts and no significant thrombotic material or cellular debris was recoverable on the capsules. These data suggest that antigen immobilized on nylon microspheres may specifically withdraw circulating antibodies in vivo with minimal release of its antigenic material and little alteration in the host's hematologic status.", "contents": "Specific removal of bovine serum albumin (BSA) antibodies in vivo by extracorporeal circulation over BSA immobilized on nylon microcapsules. Studies were undertaken to determine whether BSA, once immobilized on activated nylon microspheres, would be capable of specifically removing circulating BSA antibody in vitro and in vivo in an extracorporeal circulation system in dogs. Nylon microspheres were prepared and, after gentle hydrolysis and glutaraldehyde treatment, demonstrated a retention of up to 34.5 mg of BSA. In vitro studies showed that BSA immobilized on microspheres removed a significant percentage of BSA-binding activity. For in vivo studies, an extracorporeal circulation system was established and mongrel dogs were then injected with anti-BSA and anti-HSA antibodies. After an equilibration period, BSA microspheres were introduced into the extracorporeal circulation system. After the insertion of BSA microcapsules, serum exhibited a sharp reduction in BSA binding over the next 15 min, with a more gradual diminution over the ensuing 60 to 90 min. There was no significant reduction in anti-HSA binding over the same time frame. This effect could not be attributed to release of BSA from the microspheres since no 125I-BSA was detected in the serum or organs of the dogs at the conclusion of the experiments. After extracorporeal circulation over nylon microspheres, there were only minimal changes in the host's hematocrit or leukocyte counts and no significant thrombotic material or cellular debris was recoverable on the capsules. These data suggest that antigen immobilized on nylon microspheres may specifically withdraw circulating antibodies in vivo with minimal release of its antigenic material and little alteration in the host's hematologic status.", "PMID": 774981} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4048", "title": "Trypsin increases in vitro antibody synthesis and substitutes for helper T cells.", "content": "Trypsin, a neutral protease, enhanced the direct plaque response of T cell-suffiecient mouse spleen cell cultures to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and significantly increased the number of spontaneous PFC against SRBC in cultures without antigen. Moreover, trypsin proved to be able to substitute for T cells in nu/nu spleen cell cultures stimulated with SRBC. Its restorative capacity in this type of response was comparable to the one of lipopolysaccharide. Restoration of antibody synthesis in T cell-deprived cultures could not be explained by enzymatic alteration of SRBC. The data are discussed in terms of a possible role of hydrolytic enzymes released by accessory cells during the induction of an antibody response.", "contents": "Trypsin increases in vitro antibody synthesis and substitutes for helper T cells. Trypsin, a neutral protease, enhanced the direct plaque response of T cell-suffiecient mouse spleen cell cultures to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and significantly increased the number of spontaneous PFC against SRBC in cultures without antigen. Moreover, trypsin proved to be able to substitute for T cells in nu/nu spleen cell cultures stimulated with SRBC. Its restorative capacity in this type of response was comparable to the one of lipopolysaccharide. Restoration of antibody synthesis in T cell-deprived cultures could not be explained by enzymatic alteration of SRBC. The data are discussed in terms of a possible role of hydrolytic enzymes released by accessory cells during the induction of an antibody response.", "PMID": 774982} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4049", "title": "The effects of antigen dose and adjuvant on the antibody response; amplification of restricted B cell clones.", "content": "Anti-DNP antibody production in inbred strain 2 guinea pigs immunized with chemically defined DNP-oligolysines was enhanced by increasing the antigen dose or employing more potent adjuvants. However, the increase in antibody titer was not accompanied by an increase in antibody heterogeneity. Only a small number of anti-DNP antibody-producing B lymphocyte clones were triggered to produce antibody, regardless of the antigen dose or the adjuvant used for immunization or the resulting specific antibody titer. This restricted response occurred despirte the capacity of these animals to synthesize a large number of distinct anti-DNP antibodies and of DNP-oligolysines to bind all these antibodies. These observations are inconsistent with the hypothesis that adjuvant and increased antigen dose enhance antibody titer by recruitment of more diverse precursor B cells (clonal recruitment), but support the hypothesis that adjuvant and increased antigen dose act by enhancing the expansion of a restricted few B lymphocyte clones (clonal expansion).", "contents": "The effects of antigen dose and adjuvant on the antibody response; amplification of restricted B cell clones. Anti-DNP antibody production in inbred strain 2 guinea pigs immunized with chemically defined DNP-oligolysines was enhanced by increasing the antigen dose or employing more potent adjuvants. However, the increase in antibody titer was not accompanied by an increase in antibody heterogeneity. Only a small number of anti-DNP antibody-producing B lymphocyte clones were triggered to produce antibody, regardless of the antigen dose or the adjuvant used for immunization or the resulting specific antibody titer. This restricted response occurred despirte the capacity of these animals to synthesize a large number of distinct anti-DNP antibodies and of DNP-oligolysines to bind all these antibodies. These observations are inconsistent with the hypothesis that adjuvant and increased antigen dose enhance antibody titer by recruitment of more diverse precursor B cells (clonal recruitment), but support the hypothesis that adjuvant and increased antigen dose act by enhancing the expansion of a restricted few B lymphocyte clones (clonal expansion).", "PMID": 774983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4050", "title": "Augmentation of cell-mediated cytotoxicity against syngeneic Gross virus-induced lymphoma in rats by phytohemagglutinin and endotoxin.", "content": "Normal W/Fu rat spleen cells cultured for 1 day with mitogenic concentrations of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or with a wide range of concentrations of endotoxin (LPS) exerted cytotoxic activity against the syngeneic Gross virus-induced lymphoma, (C58NT)D, and also against other tumor cells in a 4-hr 51Cr release assay. This activity did not involve release of detectable lymphotoxins, nor did it require the presence of additional mitogen in the media during the cytotoxicity assay. The cytotoxic activity induced by PHA was dependent on the presence of T cells while the activity induced by LPS was not dependent on T cells and appeared to require the presence of macrophages. Both PHA and LPS also augmented the cytotoxic activity of spleen cells immune against (C58NT)D tumor cells. With submitogenic concentrations of PHA, only specific cytotoxicity against (C58NT)D cells was augmented. In contrast, LPS and mitogenic concentrations of PHA caused nonspecific augmentation. Mitogenic concentrations of PHA and LPS also augmented the antibody-dependent cytotoxicity of normal W/Fu rat spleen cells against (C58NT)D cells in the presence of syngeneic anti-serum.", "contents": "Augmentation of cell-mediated cytotoxicity against syngeneic Gross virus-induced lymphoma in rats by phytohemagglutinin and endotoxin. Normal W/Fu rat spleen cells cultured for 1 day with mitogenic concentrations of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or with a wide range of concentrations of endotoxin (LPS) exerted cytotoxic activity against the syngeneic Gross virus-induced lymphoma, (C58NT)D, and also against other tumor cells in a 4-hr 51Cr release assay. This activity did not involve release of detectable lymphotoxins, nor did it require the presence of additional mitogen in the media during the cytotoxicity assay. The cytotoxic activity induced by PHA was dependent on the presence of T cells while the activity induced by LPS was not dependent on T cells and appeared to require the presence of macrophages. Both PHA and LPS also augmented the cytotoxic activity of spleen cells immune against (C58NT)D tumor cells. With submitogenic concentrations of PHA, only specific cytotoxicity against (C58NT)D cells was augmented. In contrast, LPS and mitogenic concentrations of PHA caused nonspecific augmentation. Mitogenic concentrations of PHA and LPS also augmented the antibody-dependent cytotoxicity of normal W/Fu rat spleen cells against (C58NT)D cells in the presence of syngeneic anti-serum.", "PMID": 774985} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4051", "title": "Enzyme-linked immunoassay: conjugation of the Fab' fragment of rabbit IgG with beta-D-galactosidase from E. coli and its use for immunoassay.", "content": "1. A method for the conjugation of the Fab' fragment of rabbit IgG with beta-D-galactosidase from Escherichia coli is described. The method consists of two main steps: treatment of the Fab' fragments containing sulfhydryl groups with excess N,N'-o-phenylenedimaleimide, to introduce maleimide residues into the fragments, and then incubation of the dimaleimide-treated Fab' fragments with beta-D-galactosidase, which also contains sulfhydryl groups, to form the rabbit Fab'-beta-D-galactosidase complex. More than 90% of the enzyme used can be converted to the Fab'-enzyme complex, and the complex is readily separated from free Fab' fragments by chromatography on a Sepharose 6B column. 2. The application of the rabbit Fab'-beta-D-galactosidase complex for immunoassay of macromolecular antigens is shown by measuring human IgG by the sandwich method. The rabbit (anti-human IgG) IgG-coupled Sepharose 4B is incubated with human IgG and then with the rabbit (anti-human IgG) Fab'-enzyme complex, and the enzyme activity bound to the Sepharose is measured. In this way it is possible to determine as little as 0.3 fmoles of human IgG.", "contents": "Enzyme-linked immunoassay: conjugation of the Fab' fragment of rabbit IgG with beta-D-galactosidase from E. coli and its use for immunoassay. 1. A method for the conjugation of the Fab' fragment of rabbit IgG with beta-D-galactosidase from Escherichia coli is described. The method consists of two main steps: treatment of the Fab' fragments containing sulfhydryl groups with excess N,N'-o-phenylenedimaleimide, to introduce maleimide residues into the fragments, and then incubation of the dimaleimide-treated Fab' fragments with beta-D-galactosidase, which also contains sulfhydryl groups, to form the rabbit Fab'-beta-D-galactosidase complex. More than 90% of the enzyme used can be converted to the Fab'-enzyme complex, and the complex is readily separated from free Fab' fragments by chromatography on a Sepharose 6B column. 2. The application of the rabbit Fab'-beta-D-galactosidase complex for immunoassay of macromolecular antigens is shown by measuring human IgG by the sandwich method. The rabbit (anti-human IgG) IgG-coupled Sepharose 4B is incubated with human IgG and then with the rabbit (anti-human IgG) Fab'-enzyme complex, and the enzyme activity bound to the Sepharose is measured. In this way it is possible to determine as little as 0.3 fmoles of human IgG.", "PMID": 774986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4052", "title": "Macrophage requirement for the in vitro response to TNP Ficoll: a thymic independent antigen.", "content": "The in vitro antibody-forming cell response of mouse spleen cells to the thymic independent synthetic polymer, TNP-Ficoll, was found to require the presence of either macrophages or 2-mercaptoethanol. The TNP-Ficoll response and that to the thymic dependent antigen, sheep erythrocytes, demonstrated the same degree of macrophage dependence. However, macrophage-depleted spleen cells which did not produce plaque-forming cells responded normally to T and B cell mitogens. Comparison of the antibody-forming cell response of macrophage-depleted spleen cells in the presence and absence of 2-mercaptoethanol indicated that either macrophages function 10 to 100 times more efficiently in its presence or that 2-mercaptoethanol partially replaces the function of macrophages.", "contents": "Macrophage requirement for the in vitro response to TNP Ficoll: a thymic independent antigen. The in vitro antibody-forming cell response of mouse spleen cells to the thymic independent synthetic polymer, TNP-Ficoll, was found to require the presence of either macrophages or 2-mercaptoethanol. The TNP-Ficoll response and that to the thymic dependent antigen, sheep erythrocytes, demonstrated the same degree of macrophage dependence. However, macrophage-depleted spleen cells which did not produce plaque-forming cells responded normally to T and B cell mitogens. Comparison of the antibody-forming cell response of macrophage-depleted spleen cells in the presence and absence of 2-mercaptoethanol indicated that either macrophages function 10 to 100 times more efficiently in its presence or that 2-mercaptoethanol partially replaces the function of macrophages.", "PMID": 774987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4053", "title": "Effects of BCG on lymphocyte trapping.", "content": "The effects of Bacillus-Calmette Guerin (BCG) administration upon lymphocyte traffic was studied in BALB/cJ mice. Intravenous or subcutaneous injection of BCG resulted in increased localization (trapping) of 51Cr-labeled syngeneic lymphocytes in the spleen or draining nodes. BCG-induced splenic trapping was biphasic, occurring 1 to 2 days after BCG injection, and reappearing 3 weeks later. Trapping in draining lymph nodes persisted and increased during the 24 days of study. These results are in contrast to those obtained with SRBC, where trapping was evident only within the first few days of antigen injection. Additional studies revealed that prior injection of BCG influencdd the ensuing magnitude of SRBC-induced trapping. Intravenous administration of BCG suppressed SRBC-induced splenic trapping; both intravenous and subcutaneous injection of BCG enhanced trapping to SRBC in the draining lymph nodes. These studies suggest that one mechanism for potentiation of immune responses by BCG may operate via BCG's effects upon regulation of lymphocyte traffic to the lymphoid tissues.", "contents": "Effects of BCG on lymphocyte trapping. The effects of Bacillus-Calmette Guerin (BCG) administration upon lymphocyte traffic was studied in BALB/cJ mice. Intravenous or subcutaneous injection of BCG resulted in increased localization (trapping) of 51Cr-labeled syngeneic lymphocytes in the spleen or draining nodes. BCG-induced splenic trapping was biphasic, occurring 1 to 2 days after BCG injection, and reappearing 3 weeks later. Trapping in draining lymph nodes persisted and increased during the 24 days of study. These results are in contrast to those obtained with SRBC, where trapping was evident only within the first few days of antigen injection. Additional studies revealed that prior injection of BCG influencdd the ensuing magnitude of SRBC-induced trapping. Intravenous administration of BCG suppressed SRBC-induced splenic trapping; both intravenous and subcutaneous injection of BCG enhanced trapping to SRBC in the draining lymph nodes. These studies suggest that one mechanism for potentiation of immune responses by BCG may operate via BCG's effects upon regulation of lymphocyte traffic to the lymphoid tissues.", "PMID": 774988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4054", "title": "Antibodies to the triplet codons AAA, AAC, and AUG: reactions with nucleic acids.", "content": "Antibodies specific for the trinucleotide codons AAA, AUG, and AAC were examined for their reactions with nucleic acids. Anti-AUG and anti-AAC precipitated denatured DNA. Anti-AAA did not, and moreover, the binding of a tritiated AAA derivative to anti-AAA was not inhibited by denatured DNA. Radioligand-binding studies showed that anti-AAA was highly specific for the triplet sequence, some cross-reactions occurring with di-A and tetra-A but little with A and poly(A). The anti-codons did not precipitate whole yeast RNA, but binding could be demonstrated with Escherichia coli 3H-rRNA. Anti-AAC and anti-AUG (but not anti-AAA) bound E. coli 14C-tRNA. Anti-AUG was found to inhibit protein synthesis in an in vitro system in which rabbit reticulocyte mRNA was being translated. Inhibition was abolished by absorption of the antibody with AUG-RSA. The results of these and previous experiments (reference 1) are interpreted to indicate that antibodies can recognize trinucleotide sequences but not with absolute specificity, and it is suggested that antibodies to longer nucleotide sequences might show specificity comparable to that shown by antibodies to polysaccharide and peptide sequences.", "contents": "Antibodies to the triplet codons AAA, AAC, and AUG: reactions with nucleic acids. Antibodies specific for the trinucleotide codons AAA, AUG, and AAC were examined for their reactions with nucleic acids. Anti-AUG and anti-AAC precipitated denatured DNA. Anti-AAA did not, and moreover, the binding of a tritiated AAA derivative to anti-AAA was not inhibited by denatured DNA. Radioligand-binding studies showed that anti-AAA was highly specific for the triplet sequence, some cross-reactions occurring with di-A and tetra-A but little with A and poly(A). The anti-codons did not precipitate whole yeast RNA, but binding could be demonstrated with Escherichia coli 3H-rRNA. Anti-AAC and anti-AUG (but not anti-AAA) bound E. coli 14C-tRNA. Anti-AUG was found to inhibit protein synthesis in an in vitro system in which rabbit reticulocyte mRNA was being translated. Inhibition was abolished by absorption of the antibody with AUG-RSA. The results of these and previous experiments (reference 1) are interpreted to indicate that antibodies can recognize trinucleotide sequences but not with absolute specificity, and it is suggested that antibodies to longer nucleotide sequences might show specificity comparable to that shown by antibodies to polysaccharide and peptide sequences.", "PMID": 774989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4055", "title": "Structural features and biologic properties of fragments obtained by limited proteolysis of C3.", "content": "Limited proteolysis of the third component of human complement (C3) was performed by using trypsin and streptococcal proteinase and the digests were analyzed for biologic activity. Incubation of C3 with trypsin for 1 min yielded a peptide with smooth muscle-contracting activity but no chemotactic activity, whereas the digest obtained after 15 min of incubation had only chemotactic activity. The conversion of muscle contracting to chemotactic activity could be correlated with the time course of trypsin hydrolysis. Hydrolysis of C3 with streptococcal proteinase gave a digest demonstrating only chemotactic activity. Each digest was resolved on a Sephadex G-100 column and the fractions containing biologic activities were characterized. The amino acid composition of the trypsin fragments, despite having different biologic activities, was remarkably similar, although differences in NH2-terminal amino acids were demonstrable. The fragments obtained by digestion of C3 with the streptococcal proteinase had an amino acid composition different from the trypsin fragments and displayed marked heterogeneity of NH2-terminal residues. These results suggest that slight alterations in the primary structure of C3 fragments may yield significant changes in their biologic activities and that the structural requirements for chemotactic activity are not confined to a single peptide species.", "contents": "Structural features and biologic properties of fragments obtained by limited proteolysis of C3. Limited proteolysis of the third component of human complement (C3) was performed by using trypsin and streptococcal proteinase and the digests were analyzed for biologic activity. Incubation of C3 with trypsin for 1 min yielded a peptide with smooth muscle-contracting activity but no chemotactic activity, whereas the digest obtained after 15 min of incubation had only chemotactic activity. The conversion of muscle contracting to chemotactic activity could be correlated with the time course of trypsin hydrolysis. Hydrolysis of C3 with streptococcal proteinase gave a digest demonstrating only chemotactic activity. Each digest was resolved on a Sephadex G-100 column and the fractions containing biologic activities were characterized. The amino acid composition of the trypsin fragments, despite having different biologic activities, was remarkably similar, although differences in NH2-terminal amino acids were demonstrable. The fragments obtained by digestion of C3 with the streptococcal proteinase had an amino acid composition different from the trypsin fragments and displayed marked heterogeneity of NH2-terminal residues. These results suggest that slight alterations in the primary structure of C3 fragments may yield significant changes in their biologic activities and that the structural requirements for chemotactic activity are not confined to a single peptide species.", "PMID": 774990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4056", "title": "Electrophoretic mobility of human lymphocytes purified by nylon wool columns and spontaneous sheep red blood cells rosetting techniques correlation with immunofluorescence.", "content": "Cell electrophoresis allows separation of normal human lymphocytes into two principal groups which are a function of their relative rates of migration. In 42 healthy adults, 19.9% of the lymphocytes have a slower migration rate, and 80.1%, a faster migration rate than the reference speed (1 mum - sec-1 - cm). Two methods are used for the selection of the lymphocytic populations: spontaneous rosetting with sheeps red blood cells, a property of T-lymphocytes, and adherence to nylon wool columns, which preferentially selects B-lymphocytes. The cells which do not form spontaneous rosettes, but adhere to nylon wool columns show mainly slow migration. Cells which do not adhere to nylon columns show a faster migration rate. These findings affirm the T-nature of the rapidly migrating lymphocytes, and the B-nature of the slow-migrating lymphocytes. Results by the immunofluorescence technique confirm this.", "contents": "Electrophoretic mobility of human lymphocytes purified by nylon wool columns and spontaneous sheep red blood cells rosetting techniques correlation with immunofluorescence. Cell electrophoresis allows separation of normal human lymphocytes into two principal groups which are a function of their relative rates of migration. In 42 healthy adults, 19.9% of the lymphocytes have a slower migration rate, and 80.1%, a faster migration rate than the reference speed (1 mum - sec-1 - cm). Two methods are used for the selection of the lymphocytic populations: spontaneous rosetting with sheeps red blood cells, a property of T-lymphocytes, and adherence to nylon wool columns, which preferentially selects B-lymphocytes. The cells which do not form spontaneous rosettes, but adhere to nylon wool columns show mainly slow migration. Cells which do not adhere to nylon columns show a faster migration rate. These findings affirm the T-nature of the rapidly migrating lymphocytes, and the B-nature of the slow-migrating lymphocytes. Results by the immunofluorescence technique confirm this.", "PMID": 774991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4057", "title": "Failure of Farr test in detecting IgM response to dinitrophenyl in mice.", "content": "In mouse serum the ammonium sulphate technique does not detect the immune response to the haptenic determinant DNP on polysaccharide, nor the early stage of the primary response to DNP on protein. Specific anti-DNP antibodies are easily detected, in the same sera, by the phage neutralization technique. This failure of the Farr test seems to be related to its inability to measure adequately mouse anti-DNP 19S antibodies.", "contents": "Failure of Farr test in detecting IgM response to dinitrophenyl in mice. In mouse serum the ammonium sulphate technique does not detect the immune response to the haptenic determinant DNP on polysaccharide, nor the early stage of the primary response to DNP on protein. Specific anti-DNP antibodies are easily detected, in the same sera, by the phage neutralization technique. This failure of the Farr test seems to be related to its inability to measure adequately mouse anti-DNP 19S antibodies.", "PMID": 774992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4058", "title": "A simplified procedure for in vitro immunization of dispersed spleen cell cultures.", "content": "Dispersed spleen cell suspensions from normal mice were immunized with sheep erythrocytes in flat bottom vial tubes containing a relatively small amount of tissue culture medium fortified with a 'nutrient cocktail'. The magnitude of the number of antibody plaque forming cells appearing in such tube cultures was equivalent or greater than that obtained in Marbrook vessels in the Mishell--Dutton system. Omission of the nutrient cocktail on the day of culture initiation, or the use of round bottom vials, resulted in much lower PFC responses.", "contents": "A simplified procedure for in vitro immunization of dispersed spleen cell cultures. Dispersed spleen cell suspensions from normal mice were immunized with sheep erythrocytes in flat bottom vial tubes containing a relatively small amount of tissue culture medium fortified with a 'nutrient cocktail'. The magnitude of the number of antibody plaque forming cells appearing in such tube cultures was equivalent or greater than that obtained in Marbrook vessels in the Mishell--Dutton system. Omission of the nutrient cocktail on the day of culture initiation, or the use of round bottom vials, resulted in much lower PFC responses.", "PMID": 774993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4059", "title": "Use of 125I-labelled albumin for the detection and measurement of delayed-hypersensitivity reactions in the mouse.", "content": "Accumulation of 125I-labelled albumin in the mouse hind foot has been used to measure reactions of delayed hypersensitivity in the mouse. The assay is technically simple and permits use of groups of 10 or more animals. Its sensitivity and reproducibility have been demonstrated by comparing sensitized with non-sensitized animals in two antigen systems (P.P.D. and an extract of Trypanosoma cruzi).", "contents": "Use of 125I-labelled albumin for the detection and measurement of delayed-hypersensitivity reactions in the mouse. Accumulation of 125I-labelled albumin in the mouse hind foot has been used to measure reactions of delayed hypersensitivity in the mouse. The assay is technically simple and permits use of groups of 10 or more animals. Its sensitivity and reproducibility have been demonstrated by comparing sensitized with non-sensitized animals in two antigen systems (P.P.D. and an extract of Trypanosoma cruzi).", "PMID": 774994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4060", "title": "The role of Langerhans cells in allergic contact hypersensitivity. A review of findings in man and guinea pigs.", "content": "Evidence in favor of a role for Langerhans cells in contact allergic hypersensitivity reactions has been reviewed. This includes mononuclear cell to Langerhans cell apposition and damage to some Langerhans cells at sites of specific challenge to a variety of contact allergens. Such apposition occurs in actively sensitized patients and guinea pigs and in passively sensitized guinea pigs. In addition, in passively sensitized guinea pigs Langerhans cells circulate in dermal vessels resembling lymphatics and are much increased in the dermis after challenge with the contact allergen. These observations, together with the existing knowledge that Langerhans cells occur in the lymph nodes and thymus, suggest that these cells may be involved not only in contact allergic reactions but also in other immunologic reactions, particularly in cell-mediated reactions in the skin.", "contents": "The role of Langerhans cells in allergic contact hypersensitivity. A review of findings in man and guinea pigs. Evidence in favor of a role for Langerhans cells in contact allergic hypersensitivity reactions has been reviewed. This includes mononuclear cell to Langerhans cell apposition and damage to some Langerhans cells at sites of specific challenge to a variety of contact allergens. Such apposition occurs in actively sensitized patients and guinea pigs and in passively sensitized guinea pigs. In addition, in passively sensitized guinea pigs Langerhans cells circulate in dermal vessels resembling lymphatics and are much increased in the dermis after challenge with the contact allergen. These observations, together with the existing knowledge that Langerhans cells occur in the lymph nodes and thymus, suggest that these cells may be involved not only in contact allergic reactions but also in other immunologic reactions, particularly in cell-mediated reactions in the skin.", "PMID": 774995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4061", "title": "Genesis of the sweat:plasma urea concentration gradient.", "content": "Experiments with 14C-labeled urea in human volunteers show that urea is sequestered in the epidermis, where it turns over more slowly than in general body water. Sequestered urea, presumed to be concentrated through insensible evaporation of water, is the source of the excess urea found in sweat. Physiologic and clinical implications of the existence of this urea pool are discussed.", "contents": "Genesis of the sweat:plasma urea concentration gradient. Experiments with 14C-labeled urea in human volunteers show that urea is sequestered in the epidermis, where it turns over more slowly than in general body water. Sequestered urea, presumed to be concentrated through insensible evaporation of water, is the source of the excess urea found in sweat. Physiologic and clinical implications of the existence of this urea pool are discussed.", "PMID": 774996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4062", "title": "Preservation of specific fluorescence by sealing with nail polish.", "content": "Semipermanent mounting media and postfixation of immunofluorescence (IF) slides in alcohol have been effective in preserving specific fluorescence (SF). In the present study the efficacy of such mounting was compared with a simpler technique of sealing the routinely mounted IF slides with nail polish. Frozen sections of skin lesions of systemic lupus erythematosus and lichen planus, and patients' sera known to have pemphigus or pemphigoid antibodies were used for IF procedures. SF was equally detectable with both techniques for over 8 months. Control slides similarly processed but not sealed lost most of their SF within a few weeks.", "contents": "Preservation of specific fluorescence by sealing with nail polish. Semipermanent mounting media and postfixation of immunofluorescence (IF) slides in alcohol have been effective in preserving specific fluorescence (SF). In the present study the efficacy of such mounting was compared with a simpler technique of sealing the routinely mounted IF slides with nail polish. Frozen sections of skin lesions of systemic lupus erythematosus and lichen planus, and patients' sera known to have pemphigus or pemphigoid antibodies were used for IF procedures. SF was equally detectable with both techniques for over 8 months. Control slides similarly processed but not sealed lost most of their SF within a few weeks.", "PMID": 774997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4063", "title": "Experimental model of severe renal hypertension.", "content": "A simple technique is described for producing severe reproducible renal hypertension in the rat. Total ligation of the aorta between the renal arteries and just below the origin of the superior mesenteric artery resulted in sustained systolic and diastolic pressures in 90 per cent of 170 rats studied. Arterial pressure is then measured in the conscious unrestrained rat through a carotid cannula inserted no more than 48 hours before measurements are made. The mean arterial pressure increases to a peak of 180 mm. Hg at day 5 and then remains at a plateau of 160 mm. Hg through the 40 days of the study. Plasma renin increases to a peak at 5 days but returns to baseline at 30 days despite the persistence of severe hypertension. Infarction of the left kidney below the aortic constriction results in no increase in pressure or plasma renin. Infarctions of the right kidney by emboli originating from the indwelling carotid cannula are associated with greater increases in blood pressure and plasma renin than the standard preparation. Prolonged carotid cannulation must be avoided in order to prevent such emboli. This simple technique for producing renal hypertension allows studies on the pathogenesis of hypertension with an excellent degree of reproducibility and reliability.", "contents": "Experimental model of severe renal hypertension. A simple technique is described for producing severe reproducible renal hypertension in the rat. Total ligation of the aorta between the renal arteries and just below the origin of the superior mesenteric artery resulted in sustained systolic and diastolic pressures in 90 per cent of 170 rats studied. Arterial pressure is then measured in the conscious unrestrained rat through a carotid cannula inserted no more than 48 hours before measurements are made. The mean arterial pressure increases to a peak of 180 mm. Hg at day 5 and then remains at a plateau of 160 mm. Hg through the 40 days of the study. Plasma renin increases to a peak at 5 days but returns to baseline at 30 days despite the persistence of severe hypertension. Infarction of the left kidney below the aortic constriction results in no increase in pressure or plasma renin. Infarctions of the right kidney by emboli originating from the indwelling carotid cannula are associated with greater increases in blood pressure and plasma renin than the standard preparation. Prolonged carotid cannulation must be avoided in order to prevent such emboli. This simple technique for producing renal hypertension allows studies on the pathogenesis of hypertension with an excellent degree of reproducibility and reliability.", "PMID": 775002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4064", "title": "Determinants of variation between Fick and indicator dilution estimates of cardiac output during diagnostic catheterization. Fick vs. dye cardiac outputs.", "content": "Simultaneous Fick and duplicate dye cardiac outputs were done in 105 patients with various cardiovascular diseases during routine cardiac catheterization. Dye was injected into the pulmonary artery and sampled from the brachial artery. Nineteen patients had mitral and/or aortic valvular regurgitation. Eighty-four per cent of the duplicate dye cardiac outputs agreed within 10 per cent variation from the line of identity, and 98 per cent were within 25 per cent. There was no systematic difference between the Fick and dye methods. Seventy-five per cent agree within 20 per cent variation from the line of identity. However, individual variation ranged from -27 to +58 per cent. There was, also, no systematic difference between Fick and dye methods either with low cardiac index or valvular regurgitation. Variation between the two methods was less with low cardiac index and greater with higher cardiac index. The variation was not increased in the presence of valvular regurgitation. The variation in the two methods could partly be explained by errors in the measurement of arteriovenous oxygen difference and oxygen consumption. When the injection is made into the pulmonary artery and sampled from the brachial artery, dye outputs are valid irrespective of the level of resting cardiac index and valvular regurgitation as long as there are enough points to draw a straight line from semilogarithmic trace of the descending limb.", "contents": "Determinants of variation between Fick and indicator dilution estimates of cardiac output during diagnostic catheterization. Fick vs. dye cardiac outputs. Simultaneous Fick and duplicate dye cardiac outputs were done in 105 patients with various cardiovascular diseases during routine cardiac catheterization. Dye was injected into the pulmonary artery and sampled from the brachial artery. Nineteen patients had mitral and/or aortic valvular regurgitation. Eighty-four per cent of the duplicate dye cardiac outputs agreed within 10 per cent variation from the line of identity, and 98 per cent were within 25 per cent. There was no systematic difference between the Fick and dye methods. Seventy-five per cent agree within 20 per cent variation from the line of identity. However, individual variation ranged from -27 to +58 per cent. There was, also, no systematic difference between Fick and dye methods either with low cardiac index or valvular regurgitation. Variation between the two methods was less with low cardiac index and greater with higher cardiac index. The variation was not increased in the presence of valvular regurgitation. The variation in the two methods could partly be explained by errors in the measurement of arteriovenous oxygen difference and oxygen consumption. When the injection is made into the pulmonary artery and sampled from the brachial artery, dye outputs are valid irrespective of the level of resting cardiac index and valvular regurgitation as long as there are enough points to draw a straight line from semilogarithmic trace of the descending limb.", "PMID": 775003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4065", "title": "Plasma post-heparin lipolytic activity and triglyceride clearance in uremic and hemodialysis patients and renal allograft recipients.", "content": "In order to study mechanisms in the pathogenesis of hypertriglyceridemia in uremia, maintenance hemodialysis, and post-renal transplantation, plasma post-heparin lipolytic acitivity was measured and the kinetics of triglyceride removal were determined during infusions of triglyceride in patients from each of these groups and in healthy control subjects. In addition, plasma lipolytic activity was measured both during the course of a single hemodialysis treatment and in response to daily hemodialysis over a five-day period. The mean serum triglyceride level was significantly elevated and the mean plasma post-heparin lipolytic activity significantly reduced in all three groups. Post-heparin lipolytic activity in transplant recipients with a normal serum creatinine concentration was not significantly different from that in control subjects. Those transplant recipients with mildly impaired graft function had levels of post-heparin lipolytic activity comparable to those in patients with end-stage renal failure. Triglyceride clearance was significantly reduced in both the transplant recipients and in the uremic patients. During a single hemodialysis treatment with systemic heparinization plasma lipolytic activity decreased after the first hour. With daily hemodialysis, predialysis post-heparin lipolytic activity progressively declined after the second day. It is concluded that reduced post-heparin lipolytic activity and decreased triglyceride clearance contribute to the hypertriglyceridemia seen not only in uremic patients and in patients on maintenance hemodialysis but also in renal allograft recipients. Diminished lipolytic activity in hemodialysis patients may be in part due to heparin-induced depletion.", "contents": "Plasma post-heparin lipolytic activity and triglyceride clearance in uremic and hemodialysis patients and renal allograft recipients. In order to study mechanisms in the pathogenesis of hypertriglyceridemia in uremia, maintenance hemodialysis, and post-renal transplantation, plasma post-heparin lipolytic acitivity was measured and the kinetics of triglyceride removal were determined during infusions of triglyceride in patients from each of these groups and in healthy control subjects. In addition, plasma lipolytic activity was measured both during the course of a single hemodialysis treatment and in response to daily hemodialysis over a five-day period. The mean serum triglyceride level was significantly elevated and the mean plasma post-heparin lipolytic activity significantly reduced in all three groups. Post-heparin lipolytic activity in transplant recipients with a normal serum creatinine concentration was not significantly different from that in control subjects. Those transplant recipients with mildly impaired graft function had levels of post-heparin lipolytic activity comparable to those in patients with end-stage renal failure. Triglyceride clearance was significantly reduced in both the transplant recipients and in the uremic patients. During a single hemodialysis treatment with systemic heparinization plasma lipolytic activity decreased after the first hour. With daily hemodialysis, predialysis post-heparin lipolytic activity progressively declined after the second day. It is concluded that reduced post-heparin lipolytic activity and decreased triglyceride clearance contribute to the hypertriglyceridemia seen not only in uremic patients and in patients on maintenance hemodialysis but also in renal allograft recipients. Diminished lipolytic activity in hemodialysis patients may be in part due to heparin-induced depletion.", "PMID": 775004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4066", "title": "Absorption of cholesterol by the gallbladder.", "content": "To study whether cholesterol is absorbed by the gallbladder, we instilled from 1 to 300 nmoles of [4-14C]cholesterol dissolved in 1 ml of guinea pig bile into the in situ guinea pig gallbladder. The bile used in these experiments contained 7 mumole/ml bile acid, 27 nmole/ml lecithin, and 8 nmol/ml cholesterol. To this bile, we added the radioactive cholesterol, from 0 to 1 mumole/ml egg lecithin, and 100 mug/ml of bromosulfophthalein, a nonabsorbable marker. After 1 nmole [4-14C]cholesterol was instilled in bile without added lecithin, 77 +/- 8% of the radioactivity was demonstrated to be in the gallbladder wall 6 hours later. The proportion of cholesterol absorbed by the gallbladder decreased as the concentration of added lecithin or bile salts was increased. Radioautography showed radioactivity in the mucosa, and subcellular fractionation of homogenized cells by centrifugation showed cholesterol in the mitochondrial (23 +/- 4%) and microsomal (18 +/- 4%) fractions. Studies on specific activity suggested that there was net absorption of cholesterol and not merely an exchange of cholesterol in the contents for cholesterol in the wall. This study presents evidence that significant quantities of cholesterol but not cholesterol ester can be absorbed by the guinea pig gallbladder. We also found that the absorbed cholesterol can be converted to cholesterol ester and the relevance of these findings to cholesterosis in man are discussed.", "contents": "Absorption of cholesterol by the gallbladder. To study whether cholesterol is absorbed by the gallbladder, we instilled from 1 to 300 nmoles of [4-14C]cholesterol dissolved in 1 ml of guinea pig bile into the in situ guinea pig gallbladder. The bile used in these experiments contained 7 mumole/ml bile acid, 27 nmole/ml lecithin, and 8 nmol/ml cholesterol. To this bile, we added the radioactive cholesterol, from 0 to 1 mumole/ml egg lecithin, and 100 mug/ml of bromosulfophthalein, a nonabsorbable marker. After 1 nmole [4-14C]cholesterol was instilled in bile without added lecithin, 77 +/- 8% of the radioactivity was demonstrated to be in the gallbladder wall 6 hours later. The proportion of cholesterol absorbed by the gallbladder decreased as the concentration of added lecithin or bile salts was increased. Radioautography showed radioactivity in the mucosa, and subcellular fractionation of homogenized cells by centrifugation showed cholesterol in the mitochondrial (23 +/- 4%) and microsomal (18 +/- 4%) fractions. Studies on specific activity suggested that there was net absorption of cholesterol and not merely an exchange of cholesterol in the contents for cholesterol in the wall. This study presents evidence that significant quantities of cholesterol but not cholesterol ester can be absorbed by the guinea pig gallbladder. We also found that the absorbed cholesterol can be converted to cholesterol ester and the relevance of these findings to cholesterosis in man are discussed.", "PMID": 775005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4067", "title": "The pituitary response to exogenous luteinizing hormone releasing factor in steroid-treated gonadectomized rats.", "content": "Rats gonadectomized 1-2 months previously were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone and 50 ng/100 g body weight of a synthetic decapeptide gonadotrophin releasing factor (LH-RF) injected intravenously. Palsma concentrations of LH and FSH were determined by radioimmunoassay in samples taken before and at intervals up to 60 min after injection of LH-RF. The pituitary response was evaluated by determining the maximal increment in plasma gonadotrophin concentrations and by estimating the area under the plasma gonadotrophin concentration curves. In both males and females the pituitary response was increased in animals given 20 mug oestradiol benzoate 3 days earlier. Progesterone (2-5 mg) had no effect on the response measured 4 h later in oil-treated rats, male or female. In oestrogen-primed rats progesterone administration produced a significantly increased response in females that was not seen if sodium pentobarbitone was given at the time of progesterone injection. In oestrogen-primed males progesterone produced some increase in sensitivity but less than was seen in females. Both in males and in females that had received androgen on day 4 of postnatal life sodium pentobarbitone had no effect on the responses of oestrogen plus progesterone-treated rats to LH-RF. When two injections of LH-RF were given 60 min apart, the second response was greater than the first in animals, both male and female, that had been primed with oestrogen. The second response was no greater than the first in oil-treated females. The results suggest that oestrogen can increase pituitary sensitivity of LH-RF in both male and female rats and that LH-RF itself can increase pituitary sensitivity to a second injection of LH-RF in both male and female rats if they have received oestrogen. It is suggested that the differences between the pituitary responses of females and males after oestrogen plus progesterone treatment and the major differences in gonadotrophin secretion reported previously (Brown-Grant, 1974) may be accounted for on the basis of there being a relatively slight increase in endogenous LH-RF secretion with a consequent marked rise in pituitary responsiveness in female but not in male rats.", "contents": "The pituitary response to exogenous luteinizing hormone releasing factor in steroid-treated gonadectomized rats. Rats gonadectomized 1-2 months previously were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone and 50 ng/100 g body weight of a synthetic decapeptide gonadotrophin releasing factor (LH-RF) injected intravenously. Palsma concentrations of LH and FSH were determined by radioimmunoassay in samples taken before and at intervals up to 60 min after injection of LH-RF. The pituitary response was evaluated by determining the maximal increment in plasma gonadotrophin concentrations and by estimating the area under the plasma gonadotrophin concentration curves. In both males and females the pituitary response was increased in animals given 20 mug oestradiol benzoate 3 days earlier. Progesterone (2-5 mg) had no effect on the response measured 4 h later in oil-treated rats, male or female. In oestrogen-primed rats progesterone administration produced a significantly increased response in females that was not seen if sodium pentobarbitone was given at the time of progesterone injection. In oestrogen-primed males progesterone produced some increase in sensitivity but less than was seen in females. Both in males and in females that had received androgen on day 4 of postnatal life sodium pentobarbitone had no effect on the responses of oestrogen plus progesterone-treated rats to LH-RF. When two injections of LH-RF were given 60 min apart, the second response was greater than the first in animals, both male and female, that had been primed with oestrogen. The second response was no greater than the first in oil-treated females. The results suggest that oestrogen can increase pituitary sensitivity of LH-RF in both male and female rats and that LH-RF itself can increase pituitary sensitivity to a second injection of LH-RF in both male and female rats if they have received oestrogen. It is suggested that the differences between the pituitary responses of females and males after oestrogen plus progesterone treatment and the major differences in gonadotrophin secretion reported previously (Brown-Grant, 1974) may be accounted for on the basis of there being a relatively slight increase in endogenous LH-RF secretion with a consequent marked rise in pituitary responsiveness in female but not in male rats.", "PMID": 775006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4068", "title": "The formation of the gonadal ridge in Xenopus laevis. III. The behaviour of isolated primordial germ cells in vitro.", "content": "Previous studies have described the morphology, including the ultrastructure, of primordial germ cells (PGCs), and the cells with which they associate to form the gonadal ridge, in Xenopus laevis. In order to test their capacity for active movement we have studied single, isolated PGCs in vitro. Time-lapse studies of these cells reveal that they are motile, using broad cytoplasmic processes. The fact that these cells are very large and easy to manipulate in vitro makes them an attractive subject of study, particularly with respect to the mechanism of their movement and the surface phenomena which guide them to the site of the gonadal ridge.", "contents": "The formation of the gonadal ridge in Xenopus laevis. III. The behaviour of isolated primordial germ cells in vitro. Previous studies have described the morphology, including the ultrastructure, of primordial germ cells (PGCs), and the cells with which they associate to form the gonadal ridge, in Xenopus laevis. In order to test their capacity for active movement we have studied single, isolated PGCs in vitro. Time-lapse studies of these cells reveal that they are motile, using broad cytoplasmic processes. The fact that these cells are very large and easy to manipulate in vitro makes them an attractive subject of study, particularly with respect to the mechanism of their movement and the surface phenomena which guide them to the site of the gonadal ridge.", "PMID": 775008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4069", "title": "The nature and distribution of serologically detectable alloantigens on the preimplantation mouse embryo.", "content": "The nature and distribution of surface alloantigens on preimplantation mouse embryos has been examined by immunofluorescence. Non-H-2 alloantigens were detected at all stages examined, from the 2-cell to the 4 1/2-day blastocyst. Cleaving blastomeres, inner cell mass cells and cells of the primary trophectoderm were all positive. In F1 embryos maternal non-H-2 alloantigens were detectable at all stages, whereas paternal antigens first became evident at the 6- to 8-cell stage. No convincing evidence of the presence of alloantigens associated with the H-2 haplotype was found at any stage or on any cell type, suggesting that if these antigens are present they are in low quantity or are masked.", "contents": "The nature and distribution of serologically detectable alloantigens on the preimplantation mouse embryo. The nature and distribution of surface alloantigens on preimplantation mouse embryos has been examined by immunofluorescence. Non-H-2 alloantigens were detected at all stages examined, from the 2-cell to the 4 1/2-day blastocyst. Cleaving blastomeres, inner cell mass cells and cells of the primary trophectoderm were all positive. In F1 embryos maternal non-H-2 alloantigens were detectable at all stages, whereas paternal antigens first became evident at the 6- to 8-cell stage. No convincing evidence of the presence of alloantigens associated with the H-2 haplotype was found at any stage or on any cell type, suggesting that if these antigens are present they are in low quantity or are masked.", "PMID": 775009} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4070", "title": "The behavior of skin grafts incompatible with respect to skin alloantigens on mice rendered tolerant at birth with lymphoid cells.", "content": "It has been reported that lethally irradiated adult B6 mice restored with (A X B6) hemopoietic cells subsequently reject adult A-strain skin grafts because they are not tolerant of A-strain skin-specific (Sk) antigens. This thesis has been confirmed by a series of experiments conducted on neonatally treated animals. Thus sublethally irradiated neonatal B6 mice, inoculated with (A X B6) lymphoid cells, permanently accept these cells while subsequently rejecting adult strain A skin grafts. Further evidence that the destruction of these grafts results from the reaction of the host to Sk antigens, is provided by the fact that similarly treated recipients often permanently accept neonatal A-strain skin. Such grafts usually induce tolerance of adult A-strain skin grafts.", "contents": "The behavior of skin grafts incompatible with respect to skin alloantigens on mice rendered tolerant at birth with lymphoid cells. It has been reported that lethally irradiated adult B6 mice restored with (A X B6) hemopoietic cells subsequently reject adult A-strain skin grafts because they are not tolerant of A-strain skin-specific (Sk) antigens. This thesis has been confirmed by a series of experiments conducted on neonatally treated animals. Thus sublethally irradiated neonatal B6 mice, inoculated with (A X B6) lymphoid cells, permanently accept these cells while subsequently rejecting adult strain A skin grafts. Further evidence that the destruction of these grafts results from the reaction of the host to Sk antigens, is provided by the fact that similarly treated recipients often permanently accept neonatal A-strain skin. Such grafts usually induce tolerance of adult A-strain skin grafts.", "PMID": 775011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4071", "title": "Trypanosoma cruzi: mechanism of entry and intracellular fate in mammalian cells.", "content": "The mode of entry and intracellular fate of epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi in cultured cells was studied. Electron microscopic observations indicated the uptake by phagocytosis of both forms into mouse peritoneal macrophages and of trypomastigotes and transition forms into other cultured cell types. In each instance the organisms were initially surrounded by a plasma membrane-derived phagosome. Trypsin and chymotrypsin treatment of the macrophages completely abolished attachment and ingestion of both forms, indicating that protease-sensitive structures on the macrophage plasma membrane mediate ingestion. The macrophage Fc or C3b receptors were not essential for uptake of T. cruzi in the conditions used. Cytochalasin B inhibited ingestion but not the attachment of both forms by macrophages. Epimastigotes were not taken up by HeLa, L cells, and calf embryo fibroblasts. In macrophages, epimastigotes were killed and digested within phagolysosomes. In contrast, trypomastigotes and transition forms escaped from the phagocytic vacuole and then multiplied in the cytoplasmic matrix. Amastigotes released from infected cells exhibited properties similar to those of trypomastigotes and were able to enter all cell types studied and multiply intracellularly.", "contents": "Trypanosoma cruzi: mechanism of entry and intracellular fate in mammalian cells. The mode of entry and intracellular fate of epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi in cultured cells was studied. Electron microscopic observations indicated the uptake by phagocytosis of both forms into mouse peritoneal macrophages and of trypomastigotes and transition forms into other cultured cell types. In each instance the organisms were initially surrounded by a plasma membrane-derived phagosome. Trypsin and chymotrypsin treatment of the macrophages completely abolished attachment and ingestion of both forms, indicating that protease-sensitive structures on the macrophage plasma membrane mediate ingestion. The macrophage Fc or C3b receptors were not essential for uptake of T. cruzi in the conditions used. Cytochalasin B inhibited ingestion but not the attachment of both forms by macrophages. Epimastigotes were not taken up by HeLa, L cells, and calf embryo fibroblasts. In macrophages, epimastigotes were killed and digested within phagolysosomes. In contrast, trypomastigotes and transition forms escaped from the phagocytic vacuole and then multiplied in the cytoplasmic matrix. Amastigotes released from infected cells exhibited properties similar to those of trypomastigotes and were able to enter all cell types studied and multiply intracellularly.", "PMID": 775012} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4072", "title": "Spleen cells from animals tolerant to a thymus-dependent antigen can be activated by lipopolysaccharide to synthesize antibodies against the tolerogen.", "content": "Immunological tolerance was induced in adult mice by the injection of 5 mg of deaggregated hapten-protein conjugate. The tolerant state was confirmed 4-19 days later by the failure of such animals to mount an immune response against an aggregated form of the same thymus-dependent hapten-protein conjugate as well as by the inability of spleen cells from tolerant animals to respond to a thymus-independent hapten-carrier conjugate. Even though the animals were fully tolerant, their spleen cells were activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro to produce normal numbers of plaque-forming cells against the hapten. The finding that spleen cells from tolerant animals could be activated by LPS into synthesis of antibodies against the tolerogen indicates that tolerance to thymus-dependent antigens does not affect B cells, but presumably only T cells. It is suggested that the only stringent test for the existence of B-cell tolerance is the inability of polyclonal B-cell activators to activate antibody synthesis against the tolerogen. The findings make it unlikely that B-cell tolerance to autologous thymus-dependent antigens exists and further indicate that such antigens cannot deliver activating or tolerogenic signals to B cells, although they are competent to combine with and block the Ig receptors.", "contents": "Spleen cells from animals tolerant to a thymus-dependent antigen can be activated by lipopolysaccharide to synthesize antibodies against the tolerogen. Immunological tolerance was induced in adult mice by the injection of 5 mg of deaggregated hapten-protein conjugate. The tolerant state was confirmed 4-19 days later by the failure of such animals to mount an immune response against an aggregated form of the same thymus-dependent hapten-protein conjugate as well as by the inability of spleen cells from tolerant animals to respond to a thymus-independent hapten-carrier conjugate. Even though the animals were fully tolerant, their spleen cells were activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro to produce normal numbers of plaque-forming cells against the hapten. The finding that spleen cells from tolerant animals could be activated by LPS into synthesis of antibodies against the tolerogen indicates that tolerance to thymus-dependent antigens does not affect B cells, but presumably only T cells. It is suggested that the only stringent test for the existence of B-cell tolerance is the inability of polyclonal B-cell activators to activate antibody synthesis against the tolerogen. The findings make it unlikely that B-cell tolerance to autologous thymus-dependent antigens exists and further indicate that such antigens cannot deliver activating or tolerogenic signals to B cells, although they are competent to combine with and block the Ig receptors.", "PMID": 775013} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4073", "title": "Histocompatibility antigens controlled by the I region of the murine H-2 complex. I. Mapping of H-2A and H-2C loci.", "content": "Skin grafts were reciprocally exchanged in pairs of congenic lines identical in all genes except those located in the central portion of the H-2 complex. Seven such lines were tested: 6R, B10.AQR, A.TL, A.TH, 7R, 9R, and B10.HTT. In all donor-recipient combinations at least some grafts were rejected. In combinations differing at the IA subregion (and other central H-2 regions or subregions), all first-set grafts were rejected within 3 wk after transplantation, and all second-set grafts were rejected within 10 days. In combinations differing at the IC subregion (and other central regions, but not at the IA subregion) between 60 and 100% of first-set grafts were rejected, but some grafts survived for over 100 days. Most of the second-set grafts were rejected within 1 mo after grafting. This behavior of skin grafts indicated the presence of two histocompatibility loci in the I region, a strong one and a weak one. This conclusion was confirmed by genetic mapping which placed the strong locus in the IA subregion and the weak locus in the IC subregion. We designate the former locus H-2A and the latter H-2C. The same strain combinations used for the skin grafting were also used for determination of the capacity of I-region antigens to function as targets in the in vitro cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity (CML) assay. Spleen cells from mice presensitized in vivo by skin grafting were restimulated in vitro and tested against 51Cr-labeled concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide blasts. The testing revealed the presence in the I region of two loci coding for CML-target antigens. The two loci comapped with the H-2A and H-2C loci and were most likely identical to them. As in the skin grafting test, in the CML test, the H-2A antigens evoked stronger response than the H-2C antigens. Rejection of skin grafts across the H-2A and H-2C loci was accompanied by the production of Ia antibodies. Direct cytotoxic and absorption tests with Ia antibodies directed against antigens coded for by the IC subregion revealed the presence of IaC antigens on epidermal cells. We suggest that the products of Ia loci might function as transplantation antigens.", "contents": "Histocompatibility antigens controlled by the I region of the murine H-2 complex. I. Mapping of H-2A and H-2C loci. Skin grafts were reciprocally exchanged in pairs of congenic lines identical in all genes except those located in the central portion of the H-2 complex. Seven such lines were tested: 6R, B10.AQR, A.TL, A.TH, 7R, 9R, and B10.HTT. In all donor-recipient combinations at least some grafts were rejected. In combinations differing at the IA subregion (and other central H-2 regions or subregions), all first-set grafts were rejected within 3 wk after transplantation, and all second-set grafts were rejected within 10 days. In combinations differing at the IC subregion (and other central regions, but not at the IA subregion) between 60 and 100% of first-set grafts were rejected, but some grafts survived for over 100 days. Most of the second-set grafts were rejected within 1 mo after grafting. This behavior of skin grafts indicated the presence of two histocompatibility loci in the I region, a strong one and a weak one. This conclusion was confirmed by genetic mapping which placed the strong locus in the IA subregion and the weak locus in the IC subregion. We designate the former locus H-2A and the latter H-2C. The same strain combinations used for the skin grafting were also used for determination of the capacity of I-region antigens to function as targets in the in vitro cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity (CML) assay. Spleen cells from mice presensitized in vivo by skin grafting were restimulated in vitro and tested against 51Cr-labeled concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide blasts. The testing revealed the presence in the I region of two loci coding for CML-target antigens. The two loci comapped with the H-2A and H-2C loci and were most likely identical to them. As in the skin grafting test, in the CML test, the H-2A antigens evoked stronger response than the H-2C antigens. Rejection of skin grafts across the H-2A and H-2C loci was accompanied by the production of Ia antibodies. Direct cytotoxic and absorption tests with Ia antibodies directed against antigens coded for by the IC subregion revealed the presence of IaC antigens on epidermal cells. We suggest that the products of Ia loci might function as transplantation antigens.", "PMID": 775014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4074", "title": "Transduction of bacteriocin determinants in group A streptococci.", "content": "Determinants of streptococcin A-FF22 (SA) production and host cell immunity have been transduced to three serologically distinct Group A streptococci. Streptomycin resistance markers were not cotransducible with bacteriocin determinants. SA+ transductants of strains unrelated to the parent SA+ strain were unstable but SA+ transductants of a spontaneous SA- derivative of the parent appeared to be stable.", "contents": "Transduction of bacteriocin determinants in group A streptococci. Determinants of streptococcin A-FF22 (SA) production and host cell immunity have been transduced to three serologically distinct Group A streptococci. Streptomycin resistance markers were not cotransducible with bacteriocin determinants. SA+ transductants of strains unrelated to the parent SA+ strain were unstable but SA+ transductants of a spontaneous SA- derivative of the parent appeared to be stable.", "PMID": 775015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4075", "title": "A computer analysis of the Schreber Memoirs.", "content": "With the aid of a computerized system for content analysis, WORDS, the complete Schreber Memoirs was subjected to various multivariate reduction techniques in order to investigate the major content themes of this document. The findings included the prevalence of somatic concerns throughout the Memoirs, clear references to persecutory ideas and to Schreber's assumption of a redemptive role, complex encapsulated concerns about Schreber's relationship with God, a lack of any close relationship between sexuality and sexual transformation either to themes of castration or procreation, and the fact that neither sun, God, nor Flechsig was significantly associated with clusters concerning gender, sexuality, or castration. These findings are discussed in relation to psychodynamic interpretations furnished by prior investigators who employed different research methods.", "contents": "A computer analysis of the Schreber Memoirs. With the aid of a computerized system for content analysis, WORDS, the complete Schreber Memoirs was subjected to various multivariate reduction techniques in order to investigate the major content themes of this document. The findings included the prevalence of somatic concerns throughout the Memoirs, clear references to persecutory ideas and to Schreber's assumption of a redemptive role, complex encapsulated concerns about Schreber's relationship with God, a lack of any close relationship between sexuality and sexual transformation either to themes of castration or procreation, and the fact that neither sun, God, nor Flechsig was significantly associated with clusters concerning gender, sexuality, or castration. These findings are discussed in relation to psychodynamic interpretations furnished by prior investigators who employed different research methods.", "PMID": 775016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4076", "title": "Data on the absence of axon terminals of medial preoptic area neurons in the surface zone of the median eminence.", "content": "In order to investigate whether neurons of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) project to the surface zone (zona palisadica) of the median eminence (ME) and proximal part of the pituitary stalk, an electrolytic lesion or a frontal cut was placed in the pre- and suprachiasmatic region of the rat hypothalamus and the mentioned zone examined under the electron microscope. Degenerated nerve profiles were not observed int the zona palisadica following a lesion restricted to the MPOA or after a frontal cut at the posterior border of the MPOA. Altered elements were seen only in those cases in which the posterior part of the suprachiasmatic region was destroyed. The present data indicate that neurons of the MPOA do not terminate in the zona palisadica of the ME but presumably end on the nerve cells of the medial basal hypothalamus.", "contents": "Data on the absence of axon terminals of medial preoptic area neurons in the surface zone of the median eminence. In order to investigate whether neurons of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) project to the surface zone (zona palisadica) of the median eminence (ME) and proximal part of the pituitary stalk, an electrolytic lesion or a frontal cut was placed in the pre- and suprachiasmatic region of the rat hypothalamus and the mentioned zone examined under the electron microscope. Degenerated nerve profiles were not observed int the zona palisadica following a lesion restricted to the MPOA or after a frontal cut at the posterior border of the MPOA. Altered elements were seen only in those cases in which the posterior part of the suprachiasmatic region was destroyed. The present data indicate that neurons of the MPOA do not terminate in the zona palisadica of the ME but presumably end on the nerve cells of the medial basal hypothalamus.", "PMID": 775022} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4077", "title": "On the role of dopamine in the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa.", "content": "Based on a review of the pathophysiology of the major symptoms of anorexia nervosa, it was suggested that increased activity of dopamine at central dopamine receptors plays a role in the pathophysiology of this disorder. Although dopamine receptor site hypersensitivity, or synthesis, of a false transmitter could account for this, a defect in negative feedback control mechanisms is more consistent with the known characteristics of anorexia nervosa. The possible role of pure dopamine antagonists in symptomatic treatment and of dopamine agonists in reversing this disorder was discussed.", "contents": "On the role of dopamine in the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa. Based on a review of the pathophysiology of the major symptoms of anorexia nervosa, it was suggested that increased activity of dopamine at central dopamine receptors plays a role in the pathophysiology of this disorder. Although dopamine receptor site hypersensitivity, or synthesis, of a false transmitter could account for this, a defect in negative feedback control mechanisms is more consistent with the known characteristics of anorexia nervosa. The possible role of pure dopamine antagonists in symptomatic treatment and of dopamine agonists in reversing this disorder was discussed.", "PMID": 775021} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4078", "title": "[Human peripheral neurolymphomatosis (reticuloendothelial polyradiculoneuritis)].", "content": "This is the clinico-pathological report of a case of reticulo-endotheliosis of the nervous system in a 53-year-old white female. She had a history of transient facial palsy followed 6 months later by progressive weakness, paresthesiae and severe pain in both lower limbs. Clinical examination revealed signs of sensory and motor polyradiculoneuritis with involvement of the oculomotor, facial and trigeminal cranial nerves. She died 10 months after the onset because of bronchopneumonia. Pathological findings in the nervous system were limited to the cranial and spinal roots and ganglia. Histopathological examination showed intense infiltration by lymphocytes, histiocytes, plasmocytes and macrophages and a large amount of reticulin. The left oculomotor nerve, both Gasserian ganglia, the right trigeminal nerve and the lumbosacral nerves and ganglia were particularly involved. The previous literature on human peripheral neurolymphomatosis is reviewed and its differential diagnosis from Marek's disease, sarcomas, leukaemic polyradiculoneuritis, sarcoidosis and Hodgkin's disease of the nervous system is discussed. The importance of recognizing this variety of polyradiculoneuritis, and methods of treating it are emphasized.", "contents": "[Human peripheral neurolymphomatosis (reticuloendothelial polyradiculoneuritis)]. This is the clinico-pathological report of a case of reticulo-endotheliosis of the nervous system in a 53-year-old white female. She had a history of transient facial palsy followed 6 months later by progressive weakness, paresthesiae and severe pain in both lower limbs. Clinical examination revealed signs of sensory and motor polyradiculoneuritis with involvement of the oculomotor, facial and trigeminal cranial nerves. She died 10 months after the onset because of bronchopneumonia. Pathological findings in the nervous system were limited to the cranial and spinal roots and ganglia. Histopathological examination showed intense infiltration by lymphocytes, histiocytes, plasmocytes and macrophages and a large amount of reticulin. The left oculomotor nerve, both Gasserian ganglia, the right trigeminal nerve and the lumbosacral nerves and ganglia were particularly involved. The previous literature on human peripheral neurolymphomatosis is reviewed and its differential diagnosis from Marek's disease, sarcomas, leukaemic polyradiculoneuritis, sarcoidosis and Hodgkin's disease of the nervous system is discussed. The importance of recognizing this variety of polyradiculoneuritis, and methods of treating it are emphasized.", "PMID": 775023} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4079", "title": "Repair of denuded cranial bone by bone splitting and free-skin grafting.", "content": "As an alternative to the use of pedicled skin flaps for the repair of large defects of the scalp with denuded cranial bone, we recommend splitting of the bone and exposure of the diplo\u00eb. The diplo\u00eb is then covered with a free-skin graft, either immediately or after the formation of granulation tissue. The method is simple; it does not cause undue discomfort to the patient and does not detract from the chance of success if a more elaborate reconstructive procedure should be required later.", "contents": "Repair of denuded cranial bone by bone splitting and free-skin grafting. As an alternative to the use of pedicled skin flaps for the repair of large defects of the scalp with denuded cranial bone, we recommend splitting of the bone and exposure of the diplo\u00eb. The diplo\u00eb is then covered with a free-skin graft, either immediately or after the formation of granulation tissue. The method is simple; it does not cause undue discomfort to the patient and does not detract from the chance of success if a more elaborate reconstructive procedure should be required later.", "PMID": 775025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4080", "title": "Minicomputer enhancement of scintillation camera images using fast Fourier transform techniques.", "content": "Minicomputer methods were developed to enhance lesions in scintillation camera images. This study was directed towards improving the diagnostic quality of liver images. A PDP-12 digital computer was interfaced to a Pho/Gamma HP III scintillation camera and programmed to carry out two-dimensional frequency-domain analysis and processing as an on-line operation. A two-dimensional frequency spectrum is produced. An interactive program allows the operator to construct graphically a frequency-domain filter and apply it to the data matrix. The filter is optimized using the image of a known phantom and then applied unchanged to the clincial liver image. An inverse Fourier transform produces an enhances image in the spatial domain. Significant enhancement of both phantom and liver images has been obtained.", "contents": "Minicomputer enhancement of scintillation camera images using fast Fourier transform techniques. Minicomputer methods were developed to enhance lesions in scintillation camera images. This study was directed towards improving the diagnostic quality of liver images. A PDP-12 digital computer was interfaced to a Pho/Gamma HP III scintillation camera and programmed to carry out two-dimensional frequency-domain analysis and processing as an on-line operation. A two-dimensional frequency spectrum is produced. An interactive program allows the operator to construct graphically a frequency-domain filter and apply it to the data matrix. The filter is optimized using the image of a known phantom and then applied unchanged to the clincial liver image. An inverse Fourier transform produces an enhances image in the spatial domain. Significant enhancement of both phantom and liver images has been obtained.", "PMID": 775028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4081", "title": "Subtotal reconstruction of the hemimandible with an autogenous cancellous bone and marrow graft.", "content": "The use of an autogenous cancellous bone and marrow graft for subtotal reconstruction of the mandible is illustrated with a case report. The rationale of the treatment plan and the operative technique are discussed. Three years of postreconstruction follow-up examinations show good results with this technique.", "contents": "Subtotal reconstruction of the hemimandible with an autogenous cancellous bone and marrow graft. The use of an autogenous cancellous bone and marrow graft for subtotal reconstruction of the mandible is illustrated with a case report. The rationale of the treatment plan and the operative technique are discussed. Three years of postreconstruction follow-up examinations show good results with this technique.", "PMID": 775033} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4082", "title": "Split-thickness skin grafts transplanted over exposed maxillary bone in dogs.", "content": "Studies in five dogs showed that skin grafts over decorticated bone became viable after two weeks; skin grafts over nondecorticated bone were necrotic and sloughed. After eight weeks, the grafts on the decoritcated areas were well vascularized; peripheral epithelial migration had almost completely closed the defects in the nondecorticated sites.", "contents": "Split-thickness skin grafts transplanted over exposed maxillary bone in dogs. Studies in five dogs showed that skin grafts over decorticated bone became viable after two weeks; skin grafts over nondecorticated bone were necrotic and sloughed. After eight weeks, the grafts on the decoritcated areas were well vascularized; peripheral epithelial migration had almost completely closed the defects in the nondecorticated sites.", "PMID": 775034} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4083", "title": "Alcian blue method for the museum display of squamous metaplasia in the larynx.", "content": "The Alcian blue method is described as an alternative to the use of pyronin for the immediate post-mortem demonstration of squamous in the larynx. Alcian blue-stained specimens can be stored for prolonged periods in 4 per cent formaldehyde in normal saline without loss of contrast and used as wet specimens for teaching purposes. Alcian blue-stained larynges showing squamous metaplasia can be permanently mounted for museum display in either Kaiserling's or Wentworth's fluids.", "contents": "Alcian blue method for the museum display of squamous metaplasia in the larynx. The Alcian blue method is described as an alternative to the use of pyronin for the immediate post-mortem demonstration of squamous in the larynx. Alcian blue-stained specimens can be stored for prolonged periods in 4 per cent formaldehyde in normal saline without loss of contrast and used as wet specimens for teaching purposes. Alcian blue-stained larynges showing squamous metaplasia can be permanently mounted for museum display in either Kaiserling's or Wentworth's fluids.", "PMID": 775036} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4084", "title": "Immuno-histological observations upon the development of reticulum cell sarcoma in the mouse.", "content": "Detailed observations were made of the development of \"reticulum cell sarcoma\" in four strains of laboratory mice: SJL/J, NZB, PBA and (BALB/C X A)F1 hybrids injected with parental (BALB/C) spleen cells. Morphological evidence of a florid B cell immune response was present in all four strains, and was succeeded by a phase of atypical lymphoid hyperplasia, prior to the appearance of malignant neoplasms in lymph-nodes or spleen. These neoplasms correspond to descriptions of \"reticulum cell sarcoma\" of the mouse. The demonstration, by immunoperoxidase methods, of immunoglobulin within a proportion of these \"malignant reticulum cells\" reinforces the opinion, based on the morphological evidence of hyperplasia progressing to neoplasia, that the \"reticulum cell sarcoma\" of the mouse is B lymphocyte derived.", "contents": "Immuno-histological observations upon the development of reticulum cell sarcoma in the mouse. Detailed observations were made of the development of \"reticulum cell sarcoma\" in four strains of laboratory mice: SJL/J, NZB, PBA and (BALB/C X A)F1 hybrids injected with parental (BALB/C) spleen cells. Morphological evidence of a florid B cell immune response was present in all four strains, and was succeeded by a phase of atypical lymphoid hyperplasia, prior to the appearance of malignant neoplasms in lymph-nodes or spleen. These neoplasms correspond to descriptions of \"reticulum cell sarcoma\" of the mouse. The demonstration, by immunoperoxidase methods, of immunoglobulin within a proportion of these \"malignant reticulum cells\" reinforces the opinion, based on the morphological evidence of hyperplasia progressing to neoplasia, that the \"reticulum cell sarcoma\" of the mouse is B lymphocyte derived.", "PMID": 775037} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4085", "title": "Serious group A streptococcal diseases in children.", "content": "The illnesses of 40 patients with diagnoses of septicemia, cellulitis with bacteremia, pneumonia empyema, and meningitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, Group A, are described. Twenty-five of 27 patients (93%) without underlying disease survived, whereas only seven of 13 children (54%) with underlying disease survived. Nine of the 25 patients who were otherwise normal and who survived these infections had prolonged, complicated illnesses. Four of these patients, and one who died, had septicemia without a focus of infection at the time of admission. Streptococcus pyogenes, Group A, although very sensitive to penicillin G and other antibiotics, can cause both severe and rapidly progressive disease in children.", "contents": "Serious group A streptococcal diseases in children. The illnesses of 40 patients with diagnoses of septicemia, cellulitis with bacteremia, pneumonia empyema, and meningitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, Group A, are described. Twenty-five of 27 patients (93%) without underlying disease survived, whereas only seven of 13 children (54%) with underlying disease survived. Nine of the 25 patients who were otherwise normal and who survived these infections had prolonged, complicated illnesses. Four of these patients, and one who died, had septicemia without a focus of infection at the time of admission. Streptococcus pyogenes, Group A, although very sensitive to penicillin G and other antibiotics, can cause both severe and rapidly progressive disease in children.", "PMID": 775044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4086", "title": "The effect of visual feedback and self-scaling on plaque control behavior.", "content": "Psychological factors are involved in inducing patients to practice the plaque control necessary for periodontal health. It is suggested that oral hygiene behavior can be modified by increasing visual feedback by means of optical devices, and by giving patients the task of scaling their own teeth. The optical devices used for intraoral inspection must be specifically designed for this task. A pilot study was undertaken to test the modification in plaque control behavior in patients using a specially-designed optical system and performing self-scaling. Twelve patients participated in the study; six were given optical devices and taught self-scaling and plaque control, whereas the other six acted as controls, received a scaling from a hygienist, and were taught plaque control. All subjects received 3 hours of chairside time. Before treatment both groups had mean PHP indiced (plaque) of 3.2. Five months after the completion of treatment, the experimental group had a mean PHP index of 0.7, whereas the control group had a score of 1.9. The patients performing self-scaling demonstrated that they could remove supragingival calculus and extrinsic stains as effectively as a trained hygienist.", "contents": "The effect of visual feedback and self-scaling on plaque control behavior. Psychological factors are involved in inducing patients to practice the plaque control necessary for periodontal health. It is suggested that oral hygiene behavior can be modified by increasing visual feedback by means of optical devices, and by giving patients the task of scaling their own teeth. The optical devices used for intraoral inspection must be specifically designed for this task. A pilot study was undertaken to test the modification in plaque control behavior in patients using a specially-designed optical system and performing self-scaling. Twelve patients participated in the study; six were given optical devices and taught self-scaling and plaque control, whereas the other six acted as controls, received a scaling from a hygienist, and were taught plaque control. All subjects received 3 hours of chairside time. Before treatment both groups had mean PHP indiced (plaque) of 3.2. Five months after the completion of treatment, the experimental group had a mean PHP index of 0.7, whereas the control group had a score of 1.9. The patients performing self-scaling demonstrated that they could remove supragingival calculus and extrinsic stains as effectively as a trained hygienist.", "PMID": 775046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4087", "title": "Osseous autografts. III. Comparison of osseous coagulum-bone blend implants with open curetage.", "content": "A clinical investigation was undertaken to compare regeneration of osseous defects following either osseous coagulum-bone blend grafts or open debridement procedures. Seventy-five sites in 28 patients were treated by the two procedures. The average fill in the 37 intraosseous defects treated by graft procedures (initial average depth = 4.22 mm, S.D. 1.73) was 2.98 mm, S.D. 1.44. The average fill in the 38 intraosseous lesions treated by open debridement procedure (initial average depth = 3.03 mm, S.D.0.80) was 0.66 mm, S.D. 0.80. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P greater than 0.01) in fill patterns between the bone blend and open debridement responses in favor of graft treated sites. Therefore greater levels of osseous regeneration apparently took place in our cases following osseous coagulum-bone blend autogenous graft procedures than following open debridement procedures in all types of defects studies.", "contents": "Osseous autografts. III. Comparison of osseous coagulum-bone blend implants with open curetage. A clinical investigation was undertaken to compare regeneration of osseous defects following either osseous coagulum-bone blend grafts or open debridement procedures. Seventy-five sites in 28 patients were treated by the two procedures. The average fill in the 37 intraosseous defects treated by graft procedures (initial average depth = 4.22 mm, S.D. 1.73) was 2.98 mm, S.D. 1.44. The average fill in the 38 intraosseous lesions treated by open debridement procedure (initial average depth = 3.03 mm, S.D.0.80) was 0.66 mm, S.D. 0.80. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P greater than 0.01) in fill patterns between the bone blend and open debridement responses in favor of graft treated sites. Therefore greater levels of osseous regeneration apparently took place in our cases following osseous coagulum-bone blend autogenous graft procedures than following open debridement procedures in all types of defects studies.", "PMID": 775049} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4088", "title": "Evaluation of Mannich bases and related compounds as inhibitors of mitochondrial function in yeast and inhibition of blood platelet aggregation, blood clotting, and in vitro metabolism of 5-dimethylamino-1-phenyl-1-penten-3-one hydrochloride.", "content": "Dimethylamino-1-phenyl-1-penten-3-one hydrochloride (Ia) and 32 analogs were tested for inhibition of respiratory-dependent growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Thirteen of the 33 compounds tested appeared to affect mitochondrial function, since the inhibition of respiratory-dependent growth was statistically greater than the inhibition of growth on fermentable energy sources. Inhibition of mitochondrial function in yeast and growth inhibition of an in vitro culture of human epidermoid carcinoma (KB) were positively correlated since 83% of the compounds tested either had mitochondrial-inhibiting properties and significant activity in the KB test or were inactive in both tests. Similarly, 78% of compounds tested showed murine toxicity and mitochondrial inhibition or had no effect on murine toxicity and yeast mitochondrial function. Injection of Ia into rats resulted in the appearance of blood in the urine and feces. Compound Ia inhibited adenosine diphosphate and collagen-induced aggregation of rat platelets but had no effect on blood clotting. TLC, following incubation of Ia with a rat liver extract, showed that the structure of Ia was not enzymatically modified and indicated activity per se on platelet aggregation and mitochondrial function.", "contents": "Evaluation of Mannich bases and related compounds as inhibitors of mitochondrial function in yeast and inhibition of blood platelet aggregation, blood clotting, and in vitro metabolism of 5-dimethylamino-1-phenyl-1-penten-3-one hydrochloride. Dimethylamino-1-phenyl-1-penten-3-one hydrochloride (Ia) and 32 analogs were tested for inhibition of respiratory-dependent growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Thirteen of the 33 compounds tested appeared to affect mitochondrial function, since the inhibition of respiratory-dependent growth was statistically greater than the inhibition of growth on fermentable energy sources. Inhibition of mitochondrial function in yeast and growth inhibition of an in vitro culture of human epidermoid carcinoma (KB) were positively correlated since 83% of the compounds tested either had mitochondrial-inhibiting properties and significant activity in the KB test or were inactive in both tests. Similarly, 78% of compounds tested showed murine toxicity and mitochondrial inhibition or had no effect on murine toxicity and yeast mitochondrial function. Injection of Ia into rats resulted in the appearance of blood in the urine and feces. Compound Ia inhibited adenosine diphosphate and collagen-induced aggregation of rat platelets but had no effect on blood clotting. TLC, following incubation of Ia with a rat liver extract, showed that the structure of Ia was not enzymatically modified and indicated activity per se on platelet aggregation and mitochondrial function.", "PMID": 775052} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4089", "title": "Evaluation of 2-benzylidenecyclohexanones and 2,6-bis(benzylidene)cyclohexanones for antitumor and cytotoxic activity and as inhibitors of mitochondrial function in yeast: metabolism studies of (E)-2-benzylidenecyclohexanone.", "content": "Some 2-benzylidenecyclohexanones, 2,6-bis(benzylidene)cyclohexanones, and related compounds were evaluated for antitumor and cytotoxic activities; (E)-2-benzylidenecyclohexanone (Ia) was shown to have significant cytotoxic properties and a potent inhibitory effect on yeast mitochondria. After intraperitoneal injection of Ia, unchanged drug and a metabolite, tentatively identified as 2-(p-hydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanol, were found in the urine. No metabolites were found in the feces. Oral administration of Ia afforded three unidentified metabolites in the urine and three unidentified metabolites in the feces.", "contents": "Evaluation of 2-benzylidenecyclohexanones and 2,6-bis(benzylidene)cyclohexanones for antitumor and cytotoxic activity and as inhibitors of mitochondrial function in yeast: metabolism studies of (E)-2-benzylidenecyclohexanone. Some 2-benzylidenecyclohexanones, 2,6-bis(benzylidene)cyclohexanones, and related compounds were evaluated for antitumor and cytotoxic activities; (E)-2-benzylidenecyclohexanone (Ia) was shown to have significant cytotoxic properties and a potent inhibitory effect on yeast mitochondria. After intraperitoneal injection of Ia, unchanged drug and a metabolite, tentatively identified as 2-(p-hydroxybenzyl)cyclohexanol, were found in the urine. No metabolites were found in the feces. Oral administration of Ia afforded three unidentified metabolites in the urine and three unidentified metabolites in the feces.", "PMID": 775053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4090", "title": "Antimalarials V: aminobenzothiazoles.", "content": "Four mono- and dialkylated 4-aminobenzothiazoles (VII-X) were prepared as analogs of potent causal prophylactic drugs in the 8-aminoquinoline series. Compounds VII and VIII were toxic at 80 mg/kg in the chick; IX was inactive at 640 mg/kg. In a sporozoite-induced mouse test system, X was inactive at 30 mg/kg and toxic at 480 mg/kg. None of the compounds was active as a suppressive drug.", "contents": "Antimalarials V: aminobenzothiazoles. Four mono- and dialkylated 4-aminobenzothiazoles (VII-X) were prepared as analogs of potent causal prophylactic drugs in the 8-aminoquinoline series. Compounds VII and VIII were toxic at 80 mg/kg in the chick; IX was inactive at 640 mg/kg. In a sporozoite-induced mouse test system, X was inactive at 30 mg/kg and toxic at 480 mg/kg. None of the compounds was active as a suppressive drug.", "PMID": 775054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4091", "title": "The cortical visual areas of the sheep.", "content": "1. A stereotaxic method for the sheep brain is described. 2. At its widest part the primary visual area (Visual I) of each hemisphere extends approximately 20 mm anteroposteriorly and, when unfolded, approximately 35 mm from side to side. It occupies both walls of the lateral sulcus, and extends medially to the medial wall of the hemisphere and to the depth of the ectolateral sulcus laterally. 3. The most lateral part of the primary visual area includes 10-15 degrees of the ipsilateral field; the contralateral field is represented to 135 degrees from the mid line. 4. Visual II also includes a strip of ipsilateral representation on its medial edge and extends to the supra-sylvian sulcus on the lateral surface of the brain. The furthest lateral representation recorded was 130 degrees lateral. 5. Most of both visual areas is concerned with the area centralis and the visual streak. The remainder of the retina has very little cortical representation. 6. Most cells in Visual I are simple with orientational and sometimes directional sensitivity. Some complex and hypercomplex cells have been seen in Visual I, and these predominate in Visual II. Receptive field sizes from 0-25 to 10 degree were found. Within 15 degrees of the vertical meridian, binocular cells are common in both Visual I and II.", "contents": "The cortical visual areas of the sheep. 1. A stereotaxic method for the sheep brain is described. 2. At its widest part the primary visual area (Visual I) of each hemisphere extends approximately 20 mm anteroposteriorly and, when unfolded, approximately 35 mm from side to side. It occupies both walls of the lateral sulcus, and extends medially to the medial wall of the hemisphere and to the depth of the ectolateral sulcus laterally. 3. The most lateral part of the primary visual area includes 10-15 degrees of the ipsilateral field; the contralateral field is represented to 135 degrees from the mid line. 4. Visual II also includes a strip of ipsilateral representation on its medial edge and extends to the supra-sylvian sulcus on the lateral surface of the brain. The furthest lateral representation recorded was 130 degrees lateral. 5. Most of both visual areas is concerned with the area centralis and the visual streak. The remainder of the retina has very little cortical representation. 6. Most cells in Visual I are simple with orientational and sometimes directional sensitivity. Some complex and hypercomplex cells have been seen in Visual I, and these predominate in Visual II. Receptive field sizes from 0-25 to 10 degree were found. Within 15 degrees of the vertical meridian, binocular cells are common in both Visual I and II.", "PMID": 775055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4092", "title": "Prolonged inactivation of cortical pyramidal tract neurones in cats by distension of the carotid sinus.", "content": "1. We have investigated the effects of stimulating carotid sinus baroreceptors upon the activity of single cortical pyramidal tract cells (PT-cells) in anaesthetized cats.2. Extracellular potentials were recorded from PT-cells, which were driven orthodromically (1/sec) by stimulating thalamic nuclei (N. ventralis lateralis, N. ventralis posterolateralis) or afferent nerves in the contra-lateral forepaw. Baroreceptors were stimulated by inflating small balloons placed in the bifurcations of one or both common carotid arteries.3. Distension of the carotid sinus caused a prolonged depression of the orthodromically evoked discharge of eighteen of thirty-two PT-cells, the effect ranging from a 15% reduction in firing to complete cessation of activity (average reduction, 39%). The depression of firing outlasted the period of balloon inflation by an average of 85 sec; in some experiments inhibition persisted for as long as 2-3 min.4. Inflation of the balloon caused a reflex fall in arterial pressure (mean decrease, 29 mmHg), pressure reverting to the control level as soon as the balloon was deflated. Single fibre recording from the carotid sinus nerve confirmed that stimulation was confined to baroreceptors and that carotid chemoreceptors were unaffected by balloon distension.5. Depression of PT-cell activity could not be explained simply by a fall in cerebral blood flow resulting from the reflex fall in arterial blood pressure. When a comparable or greater degree of hypotension was produced by bleeding or peripheral vagal stimulation, PT-cell firing fell in a third of experiments but reverted immediately to the control level when arterial pressure was restored. Thus some factor other than a decrease in cerebral perfusion pressure was responsible for the prolonged inhibition evoked by carotid sinus distension.6. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that baroreceptor input to the reticular formation exerts an ascending influence on cortical mechanisms, with prolonged inhibitory effects comparable to those previously demonstrated at spinal level.", "contents": "Prolonged inactivation of cortical pyramidal tract neurones in cats by distension of the carotid sinus. 1. We have investigated the effects of stimulating carotid sinus baroreceptors upon the activity of single cortical pyramidal tract cells (PT-cells) in anaesthetized cats.2. Extracellular potentials were recorded from PT-cells, which were driven orthodromically (1/sec) by stimulating thalamic nuclei (N. ventralis lateralis, N. ventralis posterolateralis) or afferent nerves in the contra-lateral forepaw. Baroreceptors were stimulated by inflating small balloons placed in the bifurcations of one or both common carotid arteries.3. Distension of the carotid sinus caused a prolonged depression of the orthodromically evoked discharge of eighteen of thirty-two PT-cells, the effect ranging from a 15% reduction in firing to complete cessation of activity (average reduction, 39%). The depression of firing outlasted the period of balloon inflation by an average of 85 sec; in some experiments inhibition persisted for as long as 2-3 min.4. Inflation of the balloon caused a reflex fall in arterial pressure (mean decrease, 29 mmHg), pressure reverting to the control level as soon as the balloon was deflated. Single fibre recording from the carotid sinus nerve confirmed that stimulation was confined to baroreceptors and that carotid chemoreceptors were unaffected by balloon distension.5. Depression of PT-cell activity could not be explained simply by a fall in cerebral blood flow resulting from the reflex fall in arterial blood pressure. When a comparable or greater degree of hypotension was produced by bleeding or peripheral vagal stimulation, PT-cell firing fell in a third of experiments but reverted immediately to the control level when arterial pressure was restored. Thus some factor other than a decrease in cerebral perfusion pressure was responsible for the prolonged inhibition evoked by carotid sinus distension.6. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that baroreceptor input to the reticular formation exerts an ascending influence on cortical mechanisms, with prolonged inhibitory effects comparable to those previously demonstrated at spinal level.", "PMID": 775056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4093", "title": "Measurement of personality traits and their relation to patient satisfaction with complete dentures.", "content": "1. There was a high incidence of the personality traits of hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, and manifest anxiety in the 70 complete denture patients of this study. 2. Most patients in this study were satisfied with the complete dentures received. 3. There was no significant relationship between the personality traits of hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, and manifest anxiety and the degree of patient satisfaction with dentures. 4. There was no significant relationship between the personality traits of hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, and manifest anxiety and the techinical quality of dentures. 5. There was no significant relationship between the technical quality of complete dentures and the degree of patient satisfaction with the same dentures.", "contents": "Measurement of personality traits and their relation to patient satisfaction with complete dentures. 1. There was a high incidence of the personality traits of hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, and manifest anxiety in the 70 complete denture patients of this study. 2. Most patients in this study were satisfied with the complete dentures received. 3. There was no significant relationship between the personality traits of hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, and manifest anxiety and the degree of patient satisfaction with dentures. 4. There was no significant relationship between the personality traits of hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, and manifest anxiety and the techinical quality of dentures. 5. There was no significant relationship between the technical quality of complete dentures and the degree of patient satisfaction with the same dentures.", "PMID": 775057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4094", "title": "Bone-titanium implant response to mechanical stress.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature and strength of any bond which may develop between alveolar bone and titanium allow implants. Implants were placed in a previously prepared edentulous region in the mandibles of dogs. The implants were conical in shape with circumferential grooves to provide axial retention. Five months later the implants were rotated. No indication was found of an adhesive bond being broken.", "contents": "Bone-titanium implant response to mechanical stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature and strength of any bond which may develop between alveolar bone and titanium allow implants. Implants were placed in a previously prepared edentulous region in the mandibles of dogs. The implants were conical in shape with circumferential grooves to provide axial retention. Five months later the implants were rotated. No indication was found of an adhesive bond being broken.", "PMID": 775060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4095", "title": "Edentulous gnathologic recordings utilizing \"vacustatics\".", "content": "Securing clutches to edentulous ridges by vacustatics for a pantographic recording is useful for effecting a desirable result. This technique is a possible answer for those edentulous patients with occlusal problems who have never known comfort while wearing dentures. A procedure has been described utilizing a modification of the vacustatic technique to obtain accurate pantographic recordings on edentulous patients. These recordings enable the dentist to develop a gnathologic-oriented occlusion for the problem denture patient in an attempt to eliminate destructive loading forces on the residual ridges.", "contents": "Edentulous gnathologic recordings utilizing \"vacustatics\". Securing clutches to edentulous ridges by vacustatics for a pantographic recording is useful for effecting a desirable result. This technique is a possible answer for those edentulous patients with occlusal problems who have never known comfort while wearing dentures. A procedure has been described utilizing a modification of the vacustatic technique to obtain accurate pantographic recordings on edentulous patients. These recordings enable the dentist to develop a gnathologic-oriented occlusion for the problem denture patient in an attempt to eliminate destructive loading forces on the residual ridges.", "PMID": 775062} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4096", "title": "Strain-dependent thermosensitivity influencing intracellular differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi in cell culture.", "content": "Temperature strongly influenced morphogenesis of intracellular trypomastigotes in cell culture infected with 2 different strains of T. cruzi. With the Gilmar strain the amastigote-to-trypomastigote differentiation readily occurred at 33 and 37 C, whereas the CL strain differentiation took place at 33C but was inhibited at 37 C. The possiblity of this selective thermosensitivity resulting from mutational adaptation of the parasite is discussed.", "contents": "Strain-dependent thermosensitivity influencing intracellular differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi in cell culture. Temperature strongly influenced morphogenesis of intracellular trypomastigotes in cell culture infected with 2 different strains of T. cruzi. With the Gilmar strain the amastigote-to-trypomastigote differentiation readily occurred at 33 and 37 C, whereas the CL strain differentiation took place at 33C but was inhibited at 37 C. The possiblity of this selective thermosensitivity resulting from mutational adaptation of the parasite is discussed.", "PMID": 775065} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4097", "title": "Comparative kinetics of arginine and lysine transport by epimastigotes and trypomastigotes from two strains of Trypanosoma cruzi.", "content": "Three-day-old cultures of Y and MR strains of Trypanosoma cruzi ahd a higher rate of lysine and arginine uptake than 10-day cultures. Amino acid uptake by cells of the MR strain was consistently higher than that of the Y strain. Flagellates separated on DEAE-cellulose columns have normal structure, motility, and infectivity; they have the higher rates of lysine and arginine uptake than the original 3- and 10-day cultures. In addition passage through DEAE-cellulose columns modified the kinetic behavior of amino acid transport systems in the flagellate membranes.", "contents": "Comparative kinetics of arginine and lysine transport by epimastigotes and trypomastigotes from two strains of Trypanosoma cruzi. Three-day-old cultures of Y and MR strains of Trypanosoma cruzi ahd a higher rate of lysine and arginine uptake than 10-day cultures. Amino acid uptake by cells of the MR strain was consistently higher than that of the Y strain. Flagellates separated on DEAE-cellulose columns have normal structure, motility, and infectivity; they have the higher rates of lysine and arginine uptake than the original 3- and 10-day cultures. In addition passage through DEAE-cellulose columns modified the kinetic behavior of amino acid transport systems in the flagellate membranes.", "PMID": 775066} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4098", "title": "Studies on the release of gonadotrophins during the superfusion of isolated rat pituitaries in a continuous flow system.", "content": "A continuous flow system has been developed to study the endocrine functions of isolated organs. The procedure has been used to investigate the effect of a synthetic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) upon the anterior pituitary gland of the adult male rat. A Radiometer blood gas/pH analyser was used to monitor the pH and partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the perfusion medium. A series of six experiments with four pituitaries per flask established that the rate of gonadotrophin release under basal conditions was 646 +/- 301 (S.D.) ng LH/ml and 404 +/- 124 (S.D.) ng FSH/ml. The duration and intensity of the response to Gn-RH was assessed by measuring the areas under the curves according to the trapezoidal rule. A significant increase in the release of FSH and LH was obtained by the administration of 250 ng Gn-RH/ml medium, and dose-response curves were produced for up to 10 mug/ml.", "contents": "Studies on the release of gonadotrophins during the superfusion of isolated rat pituitaries in a continuous flow system. A continuous flow system has been developed to study the endocrine functions of isolated organs. The procedure has been used to investigate the effect of a synthetic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) upon the anterior pituitary gland of the adult male rat. A Radiometer blood gas/pH analyser was used to monitor the pH and partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the perfusion medium. A series of six experiments with four pituitaries per flask established that the rate of gonadotrophin release under basal conditions was 646 +/- 301 (S.D.) ng LH/ml and 404 +/- 124 (S.D.) ng FSH/ml. The duration and intensity of the response to Gn-RH was assessed by measuring the areas under the curves according to the trapezoidal rule. A significant increase in the release of FSH and LH was obtained by the administration of 250 ng Gn-RH/ml medium, and dose-response curves were produced for up to 10 mug/ml.", "PMID": 775070} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4099", "title": "Pregnancy-specific antigens in the sheep: application to the diagnosis of pregnancy.", "content": "Antisera to 14-day-old sheep embryos were raised in rabbits and used to detect antigens specific to pregnancy by immunofluorescent staining and haemagglutination. Non-specific antibodies were removed by repeated absorptions of the antisera with homogenates of liver and kidney from non-pregnant ewes. The pregnancy-specific antigens were detected using immunofluorescence in the embryo, myometrium, maternal blood and CL as early as Day 8. No fluorescence was detected in pituitary, hypothalamus, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle or endometrium of pregnant ewes, or in any tissues of non-pregnant ewes. Haemagglutination occurred when a 1:8 dilution of rabbit anti-sheep embryo sera was added to blood obtained from ewes between Days 6 and 50 of pregnancy, but not when added to blood from non-pregnant ewes, rams and wethers or from pregnant mares, sows and cows. The immunological activity was removed from the anti-sheep embryo sera by absorption with homogenates of 14-day-old sheep embryo or pregnant uterus, or erythrocytes from Day 14 pregnant ewes, confirming that the antigens were specific to pregnancy. The presence of these antigens provides a basis for a haemagglutination test for pregnancy from Day 6 after mating and may be involved in the maternal recognition of pregnancy in the ewe.", "contents": "Pregnancy-specific antigens in the sheep: application to the diagnosis of pregnancy. Antisera to 14-day-old sheep embryos were raised in rabbits and used to detect antigens specific to pregnancy by immunofluorescent staining and haemagglutination. Non-specific antibodies were removed by repeated absorptions of the antisera with homogenates of liver and kidney from non-pregnant ewes. The pregnancy-specific antigens were detected using immunofluorescence in the embryo, myometrium, maternal blood and CL as early as Day 8. No fluorescence was detected in pituitary, hypothalamus, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle or endometrium of pregnant ewes, or in any tissues of non-pregnant ewes. Haemagglutination occurred when a 1:8 dilution of rabbit anti-sheep embryo sera was added to blood obtained from ewes between Days 6 and 50 of pregnancy, but not when added to blood from non-pregnant ewes, rams and wethers or from pregnant mares, sows and cows. The immunological activity was removed from the anti-sheep embryo sera by absorption with homogenates of 14-day-old sheep embryo or pregnant uterus, or erythrocytes from Day 14 pregnant ewes, confirming that the antigens were specific to pregnancy. The presence of these antigens provides a basis for a haemagglutination test for pregnancy from Day 6 after mating and may be involved in the maternal recognition of pregnancy in the ewe.", "PMID": 775071} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4100", "title": "Regulation of gonadotrophin secretion in rams from birth to sexual maturity. II. Response of the pituitary-testicular axis to LH-RH infusion.", "content": "The response of the pituitary-testicular axis to LH-RH infusion was investigated in rams from birth to sexual maturity. During early postnatal life ram lambs were responsive to LH-RH stimulation and heightened pituitary sensitivity was observed in rams aged 2-3 months. It is suggested that a change in sensitivity of the pituitary-testicular axis occurs at this time and perhaps represents the time of initiation of the pubertal process.", "contents": "Regulation of gonadotrophin secretion in rams from birth to sexual maturity. II. Response of the pituitary-testicular axis to LH-RH infusion. The response of the pituitary-testicular axis to LH-RH infusion was investigated in rams from birth to sexual maturity. During early postnatal life ram lambs were responsive to LH-RH stimulation and heightened pituitary sensitivity was observed in rams aged 2-3 months. It is suggested that a change in sensitivity of the pituitary-testicular axis occurs at this time and perhaps represents the time of initiation of the pubertal process.", "PMID": 775072} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4101", "title": "Pregnancy blocking in the vole, Microtus agrestis. I. Effect of the social environment.", "content": "Pregnancy failed in a high proportion of newly mated Microtus agrestis females when they were exposed to a strange male between 48 and 72 hr after mating with a stud male. This effect of the strange male was testosterone dependent. Direct contact with the strange male was normally necessary, and even a single barrier of wire mesh between the female and strange male prevented the male from exerting his pregnancy-blocking effect. The results suggest that the stimuli mediating pregnancy blocking in the vole may differ from those operative in the mouse.", "contents": "Pregnancy blocking in the vole, Microtus agrestis. I. Effect of the social environment. Pregnancy failed in a high proportion of newly mated Microtus agrestis females when they were exposed to a strange male between 48 and 72 hr after mating with a stud male. This effect of the strange male was testosterone dependent. Direct contact with the strange male was normally necessary, and even a single barrier of wire mesh between the female and strange male prevented the male from exerting his pregnancy-blocking effect. The results suggest that the stimuli mediating pregnancy blocking in the vole may differ from those operative in the mouse.", "PMID": 775073} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4102", "title": "Pregnancy blocking in the vole, Microtus agrestis. II. Ovarian, uterine and vaginal changes.", "content": "Pregnancy blocking in M. agrestis was associated with a rapid degeneration of CL, growth of follicles, a loss of embryos and return of the uterus to its non-pregnant state, and a return to cornified vaginal smears. These results are discussed in relation to the proposal that the immediate cause of pregnancy block is a failure of prolactin secretion resulting in a failure of CL function.", "contents": "Pregnancy blocking in the vole, Microtus agrestis. II. Ovarian, uterine and vaginal changes. Pregnancy blocking in M. agrestis was associated with a rapid degeneration of CL, growth of follicles, a loss of embryos and return of the uterus to its non-pregnant state, and a return to cornified vaginal smears. These results are discussed in relation to the proposal that the immediate cause of pregnancy block is a failure of prolactin secretion resulting in a failure of CL function.", "PMID": 775074} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4103", "title": "Changes in total nitrogen, lipoproteins and amino acids in epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa of bulls treated orally with ethylene dibromide.", "content": "Protein changes in epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa were studied in bulls treated orally on alternate days with a total of 10 doses (each of 4 mg/kg body weight) of ethylene dibromide. No significant changes were found in the total nitrogen, amino acid or lipoprotein contents of the spermatozoa collected either from the epididymis 1 day after the last dose, or from ejaculates 9-13 days after the end of the treatment. Significant changes were found in the percentage composition of amino acids of the sperm proteins and lipoproteins but the changes differed in the caput, cauda and ejaculated spermatozoa.", "contents": "Changes in total nitrogen, lipoproteins and amino acids in epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa of bulls treated orally with ethylene dibromide. Protein changes in epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa were studied in bulls treated orally on alternate days with a total of 10 doses (each of 4 mg/kg body weight) of ethylene dibromide. No significant changes were found in the total nitrogen, amino acid or lipoprotein contents of the spermatozoa collected either from the epididymis 1 day after the last dose, or from ejaculates 9-13 days after the end of the treatment. Significant changes were found in the percentage composition of amino acids of the sperm proteins and lipoproteins but the changes differed in the caput, cauda and ejaculated spermatozoa.", "PMID": 775080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4104", "title": "Double-blind study of Naproxen in osteoarthritis of the knee joint.", "content": "To determine the effectiveness of naproxen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, a double-blind cross-over study against placebo was carried out on 61 patients. Statistically significant positive therapeutic effects were observed, including analgesia, increased mobility, decrease in joint swelling and improvement in activities of daily living. Side effects were infrequent, mild and disappeared rapidly.", "contents": "Double-blind study of Naproxen in osteoarthritis of the knee joint. To determine the effectiveness of naproxen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint, a double-blind cross-over study against placebo was carried out on 61 patients. Statistically significant positive therapeutic effects were observed, including analgesia, increased mobility, decrease in joint swelling and improvement in activities of daily living. Side effects were infrequent, mild and disappeared rapidly.", "PMID": 775086} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4105", "title": "Urinary fibrin split products in lupus nephritis.", "content": "Antigen-antibody interaction and fibrin deposition at the glomerular basement membrane can release activators that ultimately convert fibrin into degradation products of varying molecular size. Thus, increased urinary fibrinogen/fibrin split products (FSP) might be expected in active lupus nephritis. A longitudinal study was done on 27 patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis. Those patients who were persistent FSP excretors were found to be at a significantly greater risk of progressive nephritis and renal death than those who were FSP negative. It is suggested that FSP excretion in lupus nephritis, particularly on a continued basis and despite normalization of other renal disease parameters, is a grave prognostic sign.", "contents": "Urinary fibrin split products in lupus nephritis. Antigen-antibody interaction and fibrin deposition at the glomerular basement membrane can release activators that ultimately convert fibrin into degradation products of varying molecular size. Thus, increased urinary fibrinogen/fibrin split products (FSP) might be expected in active lupus nephritis. A longitudinal study was done on 27 patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis. Those patients who were persistent FSP excretors were found to be at a significantly greater risk of progressive nephritis and renal death than those who were FSP negative. It is suggested that FSP excretion in lupus nephritis, particularly on a continued basis and despite normalization of other renal disease parameters, is a grave prognostic sign.", "PMID": 775087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4106", "title": "Antimalarial activity of some novel derivatives of 2,4-diamino-5(p-chlorophenyl)-6-ethylpyrimidine (pyrimethamine).", "content": "Thirteen new analogs of 2,4-diamino-5(p-chlorophenyl)-6-ethylpyrimidine (Daraprim, pyrimethamine) in which the alph position of the 6-ethyl substituent was modified were prepared. The respective oxygens analogs (ketals, ketone, alcohol), the dimethyl hydrazone, and the nitrone displayed activities in the range of 1/4 to 1/16 that of pyrimethamine toward Plasmodium berghei in mice. The therapeutic ratios of some of these compounds may be slightly better than that of pyrimethamine.", "contents": "Antimalarial activity of some novel derivatives of 2,4-diamino-5(p-chlorophenyl)-6-ethylpyrimidine (pyrimethamine). Thirteen new analogs of 2,4-diamino-5(p-chlorophenyl)-6-ethylpyrimidine (Daraprim, pyrimethamine) in which the alph position of the 6-ethyl substituent was modified were prepared. The respective oxygens analogs (ketals, ketone, alcohol), the dimethyl hydrazone, and the nitrone displayed activities in the range of 1/4 to 1/16 that of pyrimethamine toward Plasmodium berghei in mice. The therapeutic ratios of some of these compounds may be slightly better than that of pyrimethamine.", "PMID": 775088} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4107", "title": "The inherent paradox of clinical trials in psychiatry.", "content": "The authors sum up the central issue of ethics in the conduct of controlled clinical trials in these two paradoxes: 'first, it is unethical to use treatment the efficacy of which has not been examined scientifically; second, it is also unethical to examine the efficacy of treatment scientifically.' In this paper they set out to demonstrate how these antithetical statements apply in controlled trials conducted in psychiatric patients. In such trials the problem of obtaining informed consent may be acute, but in these patients giving 'informed' consent might contribute to a further exacerbation of the illness. Nevertheless the problem cannot be evaded, and scientific judgments must be applied to treatment for it to be sound and improved for the further benefit of patients. These problems in the case of psychiatric controlled trials are a part of the methodology, and in Germany a new drug law has been drafted to attempt to clarify the issue. The authors briefly discuss its application, and its consequences if such a law were enacted. British psychiatrists have exactly the same problems to face but so far no attempts have been made to establish a legal framework.", "contents": "The inherent paradox of clinical trials in psychiatry. The authors sum up the central issue of ethics in the conduct of controlled clinical trials in these two paradoxes: 'first, it is unethical to use treatment the efficacy of which has not been examined scientifically; second, it is also unethical to examine the efficacy of treatment scientifically.' In this paper they set out to demonstrate how these antithetical statements apply in controlled trials conducted in psychiatric patients. In such trials the problem of obtaining informed consent may be acute, but in these patients giving 'informed' consent might contribute to a further exacerbation of the illness. Nevertheless the problem cannot be evaded, and scientific judgments must be applied to treatment for it to be sound and improved for the further benefit of patients. These problems in the case of psychiatric controlled trials are a part of the methodology, and in Germany a new drug law has been drafted to attempt to clarify the issue. The authors briefly discuss its application, and its consequences if such a law were enacted. British psychiatrists have exactly the same problems to face but so far no attempts have been made to establish a legal framework.", "PMID": 775089} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4108", "title": "The ethics of clinical trials.", "content": "In summary, the discussion by Professors Helmchen and M\u00fcller-Oerlinghausen of the morality of clinical trials has emphasized a point that is frequently overlooked. It is an essential to consider those situations in which it might be unethical not to conduct a trial as it is to be concerned about the ways in which trials might restrict the rights of the individuals taking part in them. They and I have dealt mainly with the first of these two issues because it has been relatively neglected. The second is, of course, equally important and has rightly received much attention. Both matters deserve further public discussion.", "contents": "The ethics of clinical trials. In summary, the discussion by Professors Helmchen and M\u00fcller-Oerlinghausen of the morality of clinical trials has emphasized a point that is frequently overlooked. It is an essential to consider those situations in which it might be unethical not to conduct a trial as it is to be concerned about the ways in which trials might restrict the rights of the individuals taking part in them. They and I have dealt mainly with the first of these two issues because it has been relatively neglected. The second is, of course, equally important and has rightly received much attention. Both matters deserve further public discussion.", "PMID": 775090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4109", "title": "Polymorphic acetylation of nitrazepam.", "content": "Nitrazepam is metabolized in part by nitro-reduction to an amine followed by acetylation. This acetylation step has been shown to be under the control of the same genetic polymorphism as sulphamethazine (syn: sulphadimidine).", "contents": "Polymorphic acetylation of nitrazepam. Nitrazepam is metabolized in part by nitro-reduction to an amine followed by acetylation. This acetylation step has been shown to be under the control of the same genetic polymorphism as sulphamethazine (syn: sulphadimidine).", "PMID": 775091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4110", "title": "Congenital malformations of the central nervous system in spontaneous abortions.", "content": "A study of 2620 pregnancies ending in spontaneous abortion revealed a CNS defect in 3.6% of embryos and fetuses, and 3% of all complete conceptuses. The type of malformation observed varied with the gestational age at expulsion, encephaloceles being predominant in earlier specimens, while more typical anencephalus and spina bifida were more common among later abortions. Chromosome abnormalities were found in 40% of abortuses with CNS defects, but were almost entirely confined to those which were still at the embryonic stage of development. 53% of the latter were chromosomally abnormal, which is the same as the proportion found among embryos without a CNS malformation. Using published life-tables of recognized pregnancies it was estimated that the prevalence of anencephalus, spina bifida, or related malformation (other than hydrocephalus), without a chromosome anomaly, is 5.3 per thousand conceptuses at the beginning of the eighth week of gestation. By comparing this with the prevalence in total births, it was further estimated that only 24% of these are born alive, with 54% aborting spontaneously and 22% being stillborn.", "contents": "Congenital malformations of the central nervous system in spontaneous abortions. A study of 2620 pregnancies ending in spontaneous abortion revealed a CNS defect in 3.6% of embryos and fetuses, and 3% of all complete conceptuses. The type of malformation observed varied with the gestational age at expulsion, encephaloceles being predominant in earlier specimens, while more typical anencephalus and spina bifida were more common among later abortions. Chromosome abnormalities were found in 40% of abortuses with CNS defects, but were almost entirely confined to those which were still at the embryonic stage of development. 53% of the latter were chromosomally abnormal, which is the same as the proportion found among embryos without a CNS malformation. Using published life-tables of recognized pregnancies it was estimated that the prevalence of anencephalus, spina bifida, or related malformation (other than hydrocephalus), without a chromosome anomaly, is 5.3 per thousand conceptuses at the beginning of the eighth week of gestation. By comparing this with the prevalence in total births, it was further estimated that only 24% of these are born alive, with 54% aborting spontaneously and 22% being stillborn.", "PMID": 775092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4111", "title": "Stereo photomicrography of Golgi preparations.", "content": "Photomicrographs of thick sections taken with reciprocal, lateral illumination in a compound microscope produce stereo-pairs. The method is particularly useful with thick celloidin sections of nervous tissue impregnated with the Golgi selective silver technique.", "contents": "Stereo photomicrography of Golgi preparations. Photomicrographs of thick sections taken with reciprocal, lateral illumination in a compound microscope produce stereo-pairs. The method is particularly useful with thick celloidin sections of nervous tissue impregnated with the Golgi selective silver technique.", "PMID": 775095} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4112", "title": "A method of embedding tissue culture preparations in situ for transmission electron microscopy.", "content": "A method for embedding tissue culture preparations, grown on Millipore filters, in Araldite is described. Accurate light microscopic localization of areas suitable for ultrathin sectioning is possible. The plane of sectioning relative to the Millipore filter can be varied to suit individual experimental needs.", "contents": "A method of embedding tissue culture preparations in situ for transmission electron microscopy. A method for embedding tissue culture preparations, grown on Millipore filters, in Araldite is described. Accurate light microscopic localization of areas suitable for ultrathin sectioning is possible. The plane of sectioning relative to the Millipore filter can be varied to suit individual experimental needs.", "PMID": 775096} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4113", "title": "Environmental health aspects of fungicides. I. Dithiocarbamtes.", "content": "A variety of dithiocarbamate fungicides, as well as their principal trace impurities, and metabolic or chemical degradation products are reviewed. Major focus is on their chemical and toxicological features (primarily carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic), use patterns, and residues. The compounds discussed include (1) ethylene bis(dithiocarbamated) (maneb, zineb, nabam), (2) dithiocarbamates (febram, ziram), and (\"3) thiuram disulfate (thiram) and ethylene thiourea.", "contents": "Environmental health aspects of fungicides. I. Dithiocarbamtes. A variety of dithiocarbamate fungicides, as well as their principal trace impurities, and metabolic or chemical degradation products are reviewed. Major focus is on their chemical and toxicological features (primarily carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic), use patterns, and residues. The compounds discussed include (1) ethylene bis(dithiocarbamated) (maneb, zineb, nabam), (2) dithiocarbamates (febram, ziram), and (\"3) thiuram disulfate (thiram) and ethylene thiourea.", "PMID": 775114} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4114", "title": "The centrineurogenic etiology of the respiratory distress syndrome: protection by unilateral chronic pulmonary denervation in hemorrhagic shock.", "content": "Anemic beagles were subjected to 40 mm Hg hemorrhagic shock for 2 hours, which uniformly induced the pulmonary lesions of the \"respiratory distress syndrome\" (RDS) bilaterally in all six controls. For six subjects with complete denervation of the left lung 2 months previously, the shock regimen induced the lesions in the normally innervated right lungs; all reimplanted, denervated left lungs remained anatomically intact. This is presented as additional evidence for a centrineurogenic etiology for RDS.", "contents": "The centrineurogenic etiology of the respiratory distress syndrome: protection by unilateral chronic pulmonary denervation in hemorrhagic shock. Anemic beagles were subjected to 40 mm Hg hemorrhagic shock for 2 hours, which uniformly induced the pulmonary lesions of the \"respiratory distress syndrome\" (RDS) bilaterally in all six controls. For six subjects with complete denervation of the left lung 2 months previously, the shock regimen induced the lesions in the normally innervated right lungs; all reimplanted, denervated left lungs remained anatomically intact. This is presented as additional evidence for a centrineurogenic etiology for RDS.", "PMID": 775115} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4115", "title": "Penetrating trauma of colon, cava, and cord.", "content": "A case is presented of a young police officer shot in the abdomen, sustaining injuries to colon, cava, and cord. Each injury was surgically managed in what was felt to be an appropriate manner, with early antibiotic therapy. As complications developed, aggressive measures were taken to correct them, with some success as far as pulmonary and renal failure were concerned, but with complete inability to reverse the meningitis and cerebritis caused by E. coli, and leading to a fatal outcome.", "contents": "Penetrating trauma of colon, cava, and cord. A case is presented of a young police officer shot in the abdomen, sustaining injuries to colon, cava, and cord. Each injury was surgically managed in what was felt to be an appropriate manner, with early antibiotic therapy. As complications developed, aggressive measures were taken to correct them, with some success as far as pulmonary and renal failure were concerned, but with complete inability to reverse the meningitis and cerebritis caused by E. coli, and leading to a fatal outcome.", "PMID": 775116} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4116", "title": "Relation between Salmonella typhimurium biotypes and drug resistance, Teheran, Iran (1962-1973).", "content": "According to the procedure of Cordano (1971), the identification of biotypes of 118 strains of Salmonella typhimurium isolated from stools or rectal swabs of patients with sporadic cases of diarrhoea on the Central Plateau during the period 1962-1973 revealed that: From 118 S. typhimurium, 65 (55-1%) were biotype \"d\", 50 (42-4%) were \"a\" and three (2-5%) were \"b\". The predominant biotype was \"d\", followed by the \"a\" biotype, and \"b\" was rarely encountered. Biotype \"d\" has existed since 1965, and after that date has increased. Biotype \"a\" existed from the beginning of the study, but has decreased during the period 1962-1973. Sensitivity tests were performed according to Bauer (1966). Biotypes \"d\" and \"a\" showed a high degree of resistance to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, triple-sulfa, ampicillin, furazolidone, kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, cephalothin and co-trimoxazole. All isolated biotypes \"d\" were multiple drug-resistant, while some of the strains of biotype \"a\" were resistant and some sensitive. All three biotypes \"b\" were sensitive to all drugs examined. Resistance to drugs for biotypes \"d\" and \"a\" increased with time. The predominant pattern of resistance for all biotypes was found to be resistance to eight drugs: tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, triple-sulfa, ampicillin, kanamycin, neomycin and paromomycin (Tc, Cm, Sm, Su, Am, K, N, Par). Considering the relationship between resistance pattern and biotypes, the predominant pattern in biotype \"d\" was resistance to eight drugs (Tc, Cm, Sm, Su, Am, K, N, Par) (47-7%), and in biotype \"a\" was resistance to nine drugs, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, triple-sulfa, ampicillin, furazolidone, kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin (Tc, Cm, Sm, Su, Am, Fx, K, N, Par) (28%).", "contents": "Relation between Salmonella typhimurium biotypes and drug resistance, Teheran, Iran (1962-1973). According to the procedure of Cordano (1971), the identification of biotypes of 118 strains of Salmonella typhimurium isolated from stools or rectal swabs of patients with sporadic cases of diarrhoea on the Central Plateau during the period 1962-1973 revealed that: From 118 S. typhimurium, 65 (55-1%) were biotype \"d\", 50 (42-4%) were \"a\" and three (2-5%) were \"b\". The predominant biotype was \"d\", followed by the \"a\" biotype, and \"b\" was rarely encountered. Biotype \"d\" has existed since 1965, and after that date has increased. Biotype \"a\" existed from the beginning of the study, but has decreased during the period 1962-1973. Sensitivity tests were performed according to Bauer (1966). Biotypes \"d\" and \"a\" showed a high degree of resistance to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, triple-sulfa, ampicillin, furazolidone, kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, cephalothin and co-trimoxazole. All isolated biotypes \"d\" were multiple drug-resistant, while some of the strains of biotype \"a\" were resistant and some sensitive. All three biotypes \"b\" were sensitive to all drugs examined. Resistance to drugs for biotypes \"d\" and \"a\" increased with time. The predominant pattern of resistance for all biotypes was found to be resistance to eight drugs: tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, triple-sulfa, ampicillin, kanamycin, neomycin and paromomycin (Tc, Cm, Sm, Su, Am, K, N, Par). Considering the relationship between resistance pattern and biotypes, the predominant pattern in biotype \"d\" was resistance to eight drugs (Tc, Cm, Sm, Su, Am, K, N, Par) (47-7%), and in biotype \"a\" was resistance to nine drugs, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, triple-sulfa, ampicillin, furazolidone, kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin (Tc, Cm, Sm, Su, Am, Fx, K, N, Par) (28%).", "PMID": 775118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4117", "title": "Chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria from Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea).", "content": "A strain of Plasmodium falciparum, transmitted in Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea) was isolated in 1974 and sent to the University of Maryland for characterization in nonimmune volunteers. At Maryland the Indonesia (Whit.) strain, as it has been designated, was transmitted to colonized Anopheles stephensi. Prophylactically, it was not suppressed by proguanil hydrochloride 100 mg. daily. Curatively, parasitaemia was not cleared by treatment with 1-5 g. (base) in three days of chloroquine or amodiaquine (RII responses), nor by treatment with 150 mg. of pyrimethamine in three days (RIII), and some resistance was also shown to quinine. A single dose of 1-5 g. of mefloquine (WR 142,490) produced radical cure in the two patients treated with this new 4-quinolinemethanol compound.", "contents": "Chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria from Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea). A strain of Plasmodium falciparum, transmitted in Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea) was isolated in 1974 and sent to the University of Maryland for characterization in nonimmune volunteers. At Maryland the Indonesia (Whit.) strain, as it has been designated, was transmitted to colonized Anopheles stephensi. Prophylactically, it was not suppressed by proguanil hydrochloride 100 mg. daily. Curatively, parasitaemia was not cleared by treatment with 1-5 g. (base) in three days of chloroquine or amodiaquine (RII responses), nor by treatment with 150 mg. of pyrimethamine in three days (RIII), and some resistance was also shown to quinine. A single dose of 1-5 g. of mefloquine (WR 142,490) produced radical cure in the two patients treated with this new 4-quinolinemethanol compound.", "PMID": 775119} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4118", "title": "Serial histomorphometric and histochemical bone biopsy studies in dialysis and transplantation.", "content": "A serial bone biopsy longitudinal study has been undertaken to asses the effects of Dialysis and Transplantation on uremic osteodystrophy. The clinical material consists of: normal (24 cases, 61 biopsies), patients with moderate renal failure on free diet (50 c., 61 b.), patients on Low Protein Diet (146 c., 251 b.), patients on Regular Dialysis Treatment (114 c., 256 b.), patients submitted to Transplantation (50 c., 84 b.). A significant correlation has been documented between duration of low protein diet and bone changes. In long-term dialysis patients remarkable differences have been found in \"late\" dialysis starting time (mean value of creatinine clearance at the beginning of treatment 2.04 +/- 1.7) in respect to \"early\" starting-time (mean value 13.1 +/- 3.9). In late group bone histomorphometry showed quite evident signs of secondary hyperparathyroidism and hyperosteoidism which remarkably worsened 3-4 years after dialysis. The aminoacids composition of the bone showed an increase in the total amount of aminoacids during dialysis, expecially for proline, hydroxyproline and glycine. In early group both basic values and progression rate of bone lesions were less severe. In transplanted patients with good renal function (serum creatinine less than 1.4 mg%) bone histomorphometric analysis showed a rather rapid disappearance of uremic bone lesions. A significant correlation was found between serum PTH, renal function and bone histology. On some occasions signs of secondary hyperparathyroidism were documented even after 16 months. A good correlation between inactive bone surfaces and immunosuppressive regimen was found.", "contents": "Serial histomorphometric and histochemical bone biopsy studies in dialysis and transplantation. A serial bone biopsy longitudinal study has been undertaken to asses the effects of Dialysis and Transplantation on uremic osteodystrophy. The clinical material consists of: normal (24 cases, 61 biopsies), patients with moderate renal failure on free diet (50 c., 61 b.), patients on Low Protein Diet (146 c., 251 b.), patients on Regular Dialysis Treatment (114 c., 256 b.), patients submitted to Transplantation (50 c., 84 b.). A significant correlation has been documented between duration of low protein diet and bone changes. In long-term dialysis patients remarkable differences have been found in \"late\" dialysis starting time (mean value of creatinine clearance at the beginning of treatment 2.04 +/- 1.7) in respect to \"early\" starting-time (mean value 13.1 +/- 3.9). In late group bone histomorphometry showed quite evident signs of secondary hyperparathyroidism and hyperosteoidism which remarkably worsened 3-4 years after dialysis. The aminoacids composition of the bone showed an increase in the total amount of aminoacids during dialysis, expecially for proline, hydroxyproline and glycine. In early group both basic values and progression rate of bone lesions were less severe. In transplanted patients with good renal function (serum creatinine less than 1.4 mg%) bone histomorphometric analysis showed a rather rapid disappearance of uremic bone lesions. A significant correlation was found between serum PTH, renal function and bone histology. On some occasions signs of secondary hyperparathyroidism were documented even after 16 months. A good correlation between inactive bone surfaces and immunosuppressive regimen was found.", "PMID": 775124} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4119", "title": "Bacteriophage phiX174 single-stranded viral DNA synthesis in temperature-sensitive dnaB and dna C mutants of Escherichia coli.", "content": "We asked if phiX174 single-stranded DNA synthesis could reinitiate at the nonpermissive temperature in dnaB and dnaC temperature-sensitive host mutants. The rates of single-stranded DNA synthesis were measured after the removal of chlorampheicol that had been added at various times after infection to specifically stop this stage of phiX174 DNA synthesis. Reinitiation was not defective in either mutant host. Our data suggested that the reinitiation of the single-stranded stage of phiX174 DNA synthesis in these experiments was analogous to the normal initiation of this stage of phiX174 DNA synthesis in infections without chloramphenicol. Assuming this to be the case, we conclude that the host cell dnaB and dnaC proteins are not essential for the normal initiation of the single-stranded synthesis stage of phiX174 DNA synthesis. In related experiments we observed that in the dnaC mutant host at the permissive temperature, phiX174 replicative form DNA synthesis continued at its initial rate even during the single-stranded DNA synthesis stage. This indicates that these two stages of phiX174 DNA synthesis are not necessarily mutually exclusive.", "contents": "Bacteriophage phiX174 single-stranded viral DNA synthesis in temperature-sensitive dnaB and dna C mutants of Escherichia coli. We asked if phiX174 single-stranded DNA synthesis could reinitiate at the nonpermissive temperature in dnaB and dnaC temperature-sensitive host mutants. The rates of single-stranded DNA synthesis were measured after the removal of chlorampheicol that had been added at various times after infection to specifically stop this stage of phiX174 DNA synthesis. Reinitiation was not defective in either mutant host. Our data suggested that the reinitiation of the single-stranded stage of phiX174 DNA synthesis in these experiments was analogous to the normal initiation of this stage of phiX174 DNA synthesis in infections without chloramphenicol. Assuming this to be the case, we conclude that the host cell dnaB and dnaC proteins are not essential for the normal initiation of the single-stranded synthesis stage of phiX174 DNA synthesis. In related experiments we observed that in the dnaC mutant host at the permissive temperature, phiX174 replicative form DNA synthesis continued at its initial rate even during the single-stranded DNA synthesis stage. This indicates that these two stages of phiX174 DNA synthesis are not necessarily mutually exclusive.", "PMID": 775125} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4120", "title": "Lysogenization of Escherichia coli by bacteriophage Lambda: complementary activity of the host's DNA polymerase I and ligase and bacteriophage replication proteins Q and P.", "content": "When bacteriophage lambda DNA replication is blocked by mutation in phage genes O or P, the efficiency of lysogenization drops to a very low value unless high multiplicities of infecting phage are used. Our results show that even at high multiplicity, lambda O or P mutants cannot efficiently lysogenize some hosts that are defective in either DNA polymerase I or DNA ligase. Covalent closure of infecting DNA molecules, a preliminary step for insertion according to Campbell's model and an obvious candidate for this lysogenization defect, appears to occur normally under our conditions. In addition, prophage excision as measured by the frequency of curing O- and P- lysogens seemed normal when tested in the poll- strain. These results suggest that the Escherichia coli enzymes DNA polymerase I and ligase, and phage proteins O and P, are able to provide some complementary activity whose function is required specifically for prophage integration.", "contents": "Lysogenization of Escherichia coli by bacteriophage Lambda: complementary activity of the host's DNA polymerase I and ligase and bacteriophage replication proteins Q and P. When bacteriophage lambda DNA replication is blocked by mutation in phage genes O or P, the efficiency of lysogenization drops to a very low value unless high multiplicities of infecting phage are used. Our results show that even at high multiplicity, lambda O or P mutants cannot efficiently lysogenize some hosts that are defective in either DNA polymerase I or DNA ligase. Covalent closure of infecting DNA molecules, a preliminary step for insertion according to Campbell's model and an obvious candidate for this lysogenization defect, appears to occur normally under our conditions. In addition, prophage excision as measured by the frequency of curing O- and P- lysogens seemed normal when tested in the poll- strain. These results suggest that the Escherichia coli enzymes DNA polymerase I and ligase, and phage proteins O and P, are able to provide some complementary activity whose function is required specifically for prophage integration.", "PMID": 775126} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4121", "title": "Identification of the gene controlling the synthesis of the major bacteriophage T5 membrane protein.", "content": "After infection of Escherichia coli B by bacteriophage T5, a major new protein species, as indicated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, appears in the cells' membranes. Phage mutants with amber mutations in the first-step-transfer portion of their DNA have been tested for their ability to induce membrane protein synthesis after they infect E. coli B. We have found that phage with mutations in the Al gene of T5 do not induce the synthesis of the T5-specific major membrane protein, whereas phage that are mutant in the A2 gene do induce its synthesis. We conclude that gene Al must function normally for T5-specific membrane protein biosynthesis to occur and that only the first 8% (first-step-transfer piece) of the DNA need be present in the cell for synthesis to occur.", "contents": "Identification of the gene controlling the synthesis of the major bacteriophage T5 membrane protein. After infection of Escherichia coli B by bacteriophage T5, a major new protein species, as indicated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, appears in the cells' membranes. Phage mutants with amber mutations in the first-step-transfer portion of their DNA have been tested for their ability to induce membrane protein synthesis after they infect E. coli B. We have found that phage with mutations in the Al gene of T5 do not induce the synthesis of the T5-specific major membrane protein, whereas phage that are mutant in the A2 gene do induce its synthesis. We conclude that gene Al must function normally for T5-specific membrane protein biosynthesis to occur and that only the first 8% (first-step-transfer piece) of the DNA need be present in the cell for synthesis to occur.", "PMID": 775127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4122", "title": "Function of gene 49 of bacteriophage T4. II. Analysis of intracellular development and the structure of very fast-sedimenting DNA.", "content": "With the exception of mutants in gene 49, all mutants in phage T4 defective in the process of head filling accumulate a normal replicative DNA intermediate of 200S. Mutants in gene 49 produce a very fast-sedimenting (VFS) DNA with s values of greater than 1,000S. The intracellular development of the VFS-DNA generated in gene 49-defective phage-infected cells was followed by sedimentation analysis of crude lysates on neutral sucrose gradients. It was observed that the production of a 200S replicative intermediate is one step in the development of VFS-DNA. After restoring permissive conditions the development of the VFS-DNA can be reversed, but the 200S form is not regenerated under these conditions. The process of head filling can take place from the VFS-DNA under permissive conditions. From the absence of other components in the VFS-DNA complexes, its high resistance to shearing, its resistance against the attack of the single-strand-specific nuclease S1, and from its appearance in the electron microscope, a complex structure of tightly packed DNA is inferred. The demonstration by the electron microscope of branched DNA structures sometimes closely related to partially filled heads is taken in support of the idea that the process of head filling in gene 49-defective phage-infected cells is blocked by some steric hindrance in the DNA. In light of these results, the role of gene 49 is discussed as a control function for the clearance of these structures. A fixation procedure for cross-linking of gene 49-defective heads to the VFS-DNA allowed us to study progressive stages in the process of head filling. Electron microscopic evidence is presented which suggests that during the initial events the DNA accumulates in the vertexes of the head.", "contents": "Function of gene 49 of bacteriophage T4. II. Analysis of intracellular development and the structure of very fast-sedimenting DNA. With the exception of mutants in gene 49, all mutants in phage T4 defective in the process of head filling accumulate a normal replicative DNA intermediate of 200S. Mutants in gene 49 produce a very fast-sedimenting (VFS) DNA with s values of greater than 1,000S. The intracellular development of the VFS-DNA generated in gene 49-defective phage-infected cells was followed by sedimentation analysis of crude lysates on neutral sucrose gradients. It was observed that the production of a 200S replicative intermediate is one step in the development of VFS-DNA. After restoring permissive conditions the development of the VFS-DNA can be reversed, but the 200S form is not regenerated under these conditions. The process of head filling can take place from the VFS-DNA under permissive conditions. From the absence of other components in the VFS-DNA complexes, its high resistance to shearing, its resistance against the attack of the single-strand-specific nuclease S1, and from its appearance in the electron microscope, a complex structure of tightly packed DNA is inferred. The demonstration by the electron microscope of branched DNA structures sometimes closely related to partially filled heads is taken in support of the idea that the process of head filling in gene 49-defective phage-infected cells is blocked by some steric hindrance in the DNA. In light of these results, the role of gene 49 is discussed as a control function for the clearance of these structures. A fixation procedure for cross-linking of gene 49-defective heads to the VFS-DNA allowed us to study progressive stages in the process of head filling. Electron microscopic evidence is presented which suggests that during the initial events the DNA accumulates in the vertexes of the head.", "PMID": 775128} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4123", "title": "Strain selection during serial passage of Trichoplusia in nuclear polyhedrosis virus.", "content": "Two strains of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) of Trichoplusia ni were isolated on the basis of plaque morphology. They are designated as MP (having greater than 30 polyhedra per nucleus) and FP (having fewer than 10 polyhedra per nucleus). Serial, undiluted passage of plaque, purified MP nonoccluded. Virus (NOV) in tissue culture led to the production of the FP phenotype detectable at passage 9. With continued serial, undiluted passage, FP became the predominant strain. Comparative growth curves showed that FP NOV are released faster than MP NOV. MP morphology was not observed after 14 serial, undiluted passages of plaque-purified FP. By the plaque neutralization assay, NOV from both strains of virus was neutralized by the homologus and heterologous antisera. The FP phenotype was observed when FP virus was grown in culture at 17, 22, and 27 C. Hence, the FP phenotype was not considered to be the result of temperature-inhibited crystallization of polyhedrin under standard tissue culture conditions. The NOV of both strains killed insects when injected directly into the hemocoele of T. ni larvae. Only MP inclusion bodies were virulent per os. The FP inclusion bodies fed to cabbage looper larvae did not kill, and no infectious agent could be detected in the hemolymph. Electron micrographs of MP polyhedra showed bundles of nucleocapsids of normal length within the polyhedra, whereas FP polyhedra contained heterogeneous, electron-dense material, which could account for their lack of pathogenicity.", "contents": "Strain selection during serial passage of Trichoplusia in nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Two strains of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) of Trichoplusia ni were isolated on the basis of plaque morphology. They are designated as MP (having greater than 30 polyhedra per nucleus) and FP (having fewer than 10 polyhedra per nucleus). Serial, undiluted passage of plaque, purified MP nonoccluded. Virus (NOV) in tissue culture led to the production of the FP phenotype detectable at passage 9. With continued serial, undiluted passage, FP became the predominant strain. Comparative growth curves showed that FP NOV are released faster than MP NOV. MP morphology was not observed after 14 serial, undiluted passages of plaque-purified FP. By the plaque neutralization assay, NOV from both strains of virus was neutralized by the homologus and heterologous antisera. The FP phenotype was observed when FP virus was grown in culture at 17, 22, and 27 C. Hence, the FP phenotype was not considered to be the result of temperature-inhibited crystallization of polyhedrin under standard tissue culture conditions. The NOV of both strains killed insects when injected directly into the hemocoele of T. ni larvae. Only MP inclusion bodies were virulent per os. The FP inclusion bodies fed to cabbage looper larvae did not kill, and no infectious agent could be detected in the hemolymph. Electron micrographs of MP polyhedra showed bundles of nucleocapsids of normal length within the polyhedra, whereas FP polyhedra contained heterogeneous, electron-dense material, which could account for their lack of pathogenicity.", "PMID": 775129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4124", "title": "Translation of T7 RNA in vitro without cleavage by RNase III.", "content": "T7 early mRNA's are generated from a high-molecular-weight precursor RNA by site-specific RNase III cleavage. When T7 DNA is transcribed in vitro by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, the transcript is a large, single-piece RNA equivalent to the in vivo precursor RNA. The T7 RNA synthesized in vitro can be translated as a polycistronic messenger without cleavage by RNase III. All T7 early proteins are synthesized in an RNase III-free, protein-synthesizing system directed by the uncleaved T7 RNA.", "contents": "Translation of T7 RNA in vitro without cleavage by RNase III. T7 early mRNA's are generated from a high-molecular-weight precursor RNA by site-specific RNase III cleavage. When T7 DNA is transcribed in vitro by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, the transcript is a large, single-piece RNA equivalent to the in vivo precursor RNA. The T7 RNA synthesized in vitro can be translated as a polycistronic messenger without cleavage by RNase III. All T7 early proteins are synthesized in an RNase III-free, protein-synthesizing system directed by the uncleaved T7 RNA.", "PMID": 775130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4125", "title": "Novel replicative properties of a capsid mutant of bacteriophage phi chi 174.", "content": "A capsid mutant of bacteriophage phi chi 174 demonstrates altered requirements for the conversion of viral single-stranded DNA to double-stranded replicative form DNA. In the presence of puromycin at 42 C, wild-type phi chi 174 is unable to complete this replicative event, whereas phi chi ahb is able to do so. Furthermore, in contrast to wild-type phi chi 174, formation of phi chi ahb parental replicative form DNA is sensitive to rifampin under certain experimental conditions. These data suggest that the mutant capsid proteins of phi chi ahb influence the biosynthesis of phi chi ahb complementary strand DNA.", "contents": "Novel replicative properties of a capsid mutant of bacteriophage phi chi 174. A capsid mutant of bacteriophage phi chi 174 demonstrates altered requirements for the conversion of viral single-stranded DNA to double-stranded replicative form DNA. In the presence of puromycin at 42 C, wild-type phi chi 174 is unable to complete this replicative event, whereas phi chi ahb is able to do so. Furthermore, in contrast to wild-type phi chi 174, formation of phi chi ahb parental replicative form DNA is sensitive to rifampin under certain experimental conditions. These data suggest that the mutant capsid proteins of phi chi ahb influence the biosynthesis of phi chi ahb complementary strand DNA.", "PMID": 775131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4126", "title": "Function of gene 49 of bacteriophage T4. I. Isolation and biochemical characterization of very fast-sedimenting DNA.", "content": "Very fast-sedimenting DNA was isolated from cells after infection with gene 49 defective phage T4. This DNA appeared membrane bound throughout the time after infection and could be isolated either in the membrane-bound form (M-DNA) or free of membrane (released DNA) depending on the lysis procedure. Released DNA formed complexes of marked stability with sedimentation velocities between 1,400S and 2,100S. These complexes did not seem to contain material other than DNA. This was concluded from the results of RNA, protein, and membrane labeling experiments and density analysis. In addition, these complexes were resistant against treatment with n-butanol, phenol. chloroform-methanol, sodium dodecyl sulfate, Sarkosyl, Pronase, RNase, or lysozyme. The observation that more then 90% of the purified very fast-sedimenting DNA is retrapped by magnesium-Sarkosyl crystals (M-band) suggests that the M-band technique may not be sufficient as a test for DNA-membrane attachment.", "contents": "Function of gene 49 of bacteriophage T4. I. Isolation and biochemical characterization of very fast-sedimenting DNA. Very fast-sedimenting DNA was isolated from cells after infection with gene 49 defective phage T4. This DNA appeared membrane bound throughout the time after infection and could be isolated either in the membrane-bound form (M-DNA) or free of membrane (released DNA) depending on the lysis procedure. Released DNA formed complexes of marked stability with sedimentation velocities between 1,400S and 2,100S. These complexes did not seem to contain material other than DNA. This was concluded from the results of RNA, protein, and membrane labeling experiments and density analysis. In addition, these complexes were resistant against treatment with n-butanol, phenol. chloroform-methanol, sodium dodecyl sulfate, Sarkosyl, Pronase, RNase, or lysozyme. The observation that more then 90% of the purified very fast-sedimenting DNA is retrapped by magnesium-Sarkosyl crystals (M-band) suggests that the M-band technique may not be sufficient as a test for DNA-membrane attachment.", "PMID": 775132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4127", "title": "Neurology of micturition.", "content": "The understanding, diagnosis and management of neurologic dysfunction of the bladder have undergone considerable changes during the last 2 decades. These changes were the result of animal experimentation into physiology and pharmacology and the accelerated use of biomedical engineering technology. The implementation of these advances will require physician re-education in the neurology of micturition.", "contents": "Neurology of micturition. The understanding, diagnosis and management of neurologic dysfunction of the bladder have undergone considerable changes during the last 2 decades. These changes were the result of animal experimentation into physiology and pharmacology and the accelerated use of biomedical engineering technology. The implementation of these advances will require physician re-education in the neurology of micturition.", "PMID": 775133} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4128", "title": "The effects of long-term alternate-day steroids on parameters of adrenal function in renal transplant patients.", "content": "Urinary androgen fractions, with other parameters of adrenal function, were assessed in renal transplant patients on long-term alternate-day steroid therapy. Urinary 17-ketosteroids and plasma cortisol values were low normal or slightly reduced in female patients and normal in male patients. In female patients the following urinary androgen fractions were depressed to less than the normal range: androsterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, etiocholanolone and 11-ketoetiocholanolone; 11-hydroxyetiocholanolone was not detectable. In male patients dehydroepiandrosterone and 11-ketoetiocholanolone were depressed to less than the normal range. Adrenal scan using 131I-19-cholesterol failed to image the adrenal glands in 5 of 7 patients studied, confirming the lack of an adrenocorticotropic hormone effect, with corresponding depression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. These studies demonstrate the value of fractionating urinary 17-ketosteroids in assessing adrenal reserve and are a more sensitive index of adrenal suppression than the total 17-ketosteroids alone.", "contents": "The effects of long-term alternate-day steroids on parameters of adrenal function in renal transplant patients. Urinary androgen fractions, with other parameters of adrenal function, were assessed in renal transplant patients on long-term alternate-day steroid therapy. Urinary 17-ketosteroids and plasma cortisol values were low normal or slightly reduced in female patients and normal in male patients. In female patients the following urinary androgen fractions were depressed to less than the normal range: androsterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, etiocholanolone and 11-ketoetiocholanolone; 11-hydroxyetiocholanolone was not detectable. In male patients dehydroepiandrosterone and 11-ketoetiocholanolone were depressed to less than the normal range. Adrenal scan using 131I-19-cholesterol failed to image the adrenal glands in 5 of 7 patients studied, confirming the lack of an adrenocorticotropic hormone effect, with corresponding depression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. These studies demonstrate the value of fractionating urinary 17-ketosteroids in assessing adrenal reserve and are a more sensitive index of adrenal suppression than the total 17-ketosteroids alone.", "PMID": 775134} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4129", "title": "Renal transplantation in patients with urologic abnormalities.", "content": "Of patients undergoing renal transplantation during a recent 18-month period 42 per cent had significant urologic abnormalities. A thorough pre-transplant evaluation is especially critical in these patients. Massive reflux is an indication for pre-transplantation nephroureterectomy. Reconstructive operations provided a functional bladder in some patients who had previously undergone urinary diversion. Other patients required formation of intestinal conduits. Suggestions for the management of transurethral prostatectomy in patients with renal failure are outlined. Patients with a variety of abnormalities of the urinary tract had a transplantation success rate comparable to that of azotemic patients with normal urinary systems.", "contents": "Renal transplantation in patients with urologic abnormalities. Of patients undergoing renal transplantation during a recent 18-month period 42 per cent had significant urologic abnormalities. A thorough pre-transplant evaluation is especially critical in these patients. Massive reflux is an indication for pre-transplantation nephroureterectomy. Reconstructive operations provided a functional bladder in some patients who had previously undergone urinary diversion. Other patients required formation of intestinal conduits. Suggestions for the management of transurethral prostatectomy in patients with renal failure are outlined. Patients with a variety of abnormalities of the urinary tract had a transplantation success rate comparable to that of azotemic patients with normal urinary systems.", "PMID": 775135} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4130", "title": "Foreign body migration from the bladder.", "content": "Because of the unusual route 2 cases of foreign body migration from the bladder are reported. In 1 case a thermometer was inserted into the bladder and penetrated into the peritoneal cavity. In the other case a thermometer penetrated from the bladder into the prevesical space. These penetrations occurred without any obvious manifestations after the thermometers were inserted into the bladder.", "contents": "Foreign body migration from the bladder. Because of the unusual route 2 cases of foreign body migration from the bladder are reported. In 1 case a thermometer was inserted into the bladder and penetrated into the peritoneal cavity. In the other case a thermometer penetrated from the bladder into the prevesical space. These penetrations occurred without any obvious manifestations after the thermometers were inserted into the bladder.", "PMID": 775136} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4131", "title": "Tumor eradication by radiofrequency therapy. Responses in 21 patients.", "content": "Tumor blood flow, measured by an isotope dilution technique, is only 2% to 15% of that of the surrounding tissue. This sluggish circulation differentiates cancer from normal tissue and forms the basis for a new therapy that entails the transfer of radiofrequency (RF) energy for heating tissues locally. The heated tissue is cooled by the circulation of blood, which carries away the heat. Impaired perfusion, as in cancers, impedes cooling. Heating by RF elevated the temperatures of animal and human cancers by 5 to 9.5 C above that of healthy tissue. The heat eradicated the animal cancers without destruction of normal tissue. Radiofrequency therapy produced tissue necrosis or substantial regression of cancer in 21 patients.", "contents": "Tumor eradication by radiofrequency therapy. Responses in 21 patients. Tumor blood flow, measured by an isotope dilution technique, is only 2% to 15% of that of the surrounding tissue. This sluggish circulation differentiates cancer from normal tissue and forms the basis for a new therapy that entails the transfer of radiofrequency (RF) energy for heating tissues locally. The heated tissue is cooled by the circulation of blood, which carries away the heat. Impaired perfusion, as in cancers, impedes cooling. Heating by RF elevated the temperatures of animal and human cancers by 5 to 9.5 C above that of healthy tissue. The heat eradicated the animal cancers without destruction of normal tissue. Radiofrequency therapy produced tissue necrosis or substantial regression of cancer in 21 patients.", "PMID": 775137} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4132", "title": "[Revaluation of gentamicin in laboratory and clinical studies (author's transl)].", "content": "The MIC of gentamicin and other antibiotics against clinical isolates was determined, and the following sensitivity distribution was obtained. a) Against 54 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, GM had the lowest MIC, followed by TOB, DKB, BB-K8 in order. The distribution range of 0.1-6.25 mug/ml was noted with GM. The peak of MIC was 1.56 mug/ml. b) Against 54 strains of E. coli, the lowest MIC was obtained with GM, and 53 strains (98%) were in the range of 0.4-6.25 mug/ml. The peak of MIC was 3.12 mug/ml. GM was followed by TOB, CL, DKB in order of superiority. c) Against 27 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, GM and TOB had the lowest MIC, showing the peak of MIC of 0.8 mug/ml. No significance difference was noted between GM and TOB. GM and TOB were followed by DKB, CL, BB-K8 in order of superiority. d) Against 27 strains of Proteus, GM had the lowest MIC, followed by TOB, DKB and BB-K8 in order. But the peak was 6.25 mug/ml even in GM. The activity of antibiotics against Klebsiella pneumoniae was generally low. e) Against 54 strains of Pseudomonas, the peak of MIC of GM was 3.12 mug/ml and 49 strains (91%) were in the range of 1.56-12.5 mug/ml. Whereas TOB had the peak value of 0.8 mug/ml and 49 strains (91%) were in the range of 0.4-3.12 mug/ml. TOB was followed by DKB, GM, BB-K8 in order of superiority.", "contents": "[Revaluation of gentamicin in laboratory and clinical studies (author's transl)]. The MIC of gentamicin and other antibiotics against clinical isolates was determined, and the following sensitivity distribution was obtained. a) Against 54 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, GM had the lowest MIC, followed by TOB, DKB, BB-K8 in order. The distribution range of 0.1-6.25 mug/ml was noted with GM. The peak of MIC was 1.56 mug/ml. b) Against 54 strains of E. coli, the lowest MIC was obtained with GM, and 53 strains (98%) were in the range of 0.4-6.25 mug/ml. The peak of MIC was 3.12 mug/ml. GM was followed by TOB, CL, DKB in order of superiority. c) Against 27 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, GM and TOB had the lowest MIC, showing the peak of MIC of 0.8 mug/ml. No significance difference was noted between GM and TOB. GM and TOB were followed by DKB, CL, BB-K8 in order of superiority. d) Against 27 strains of Proteus, GM had the lowest MIC, followed by TOB, DKB and BB-K8 in order. But the peak was 6.25 mug/ml even in GM. The activity of antibiotics against Klebsiella pneumoniae was generally low. e) Against 54 strains of Pseudomonas, the peak of MIC of GM was 3.12 mug/ml and 49 strains (91%) were in the range of 1.56-12.5 mug/ml. Whereas TOB had the peak value of 0.8 mug/ml and 49 strains (91%) were in the range of 0.4-3.12 mug/ml. TOB was followed by DKB, GM, BB-K8 in order of superiority.", "PMID": 775143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4133", "title": "Clinical experience with gentamicin in complicated urinary tract infections (author's transl).", "content": "Gentamicin 40 mg was intramuscularly admininistered two times daily to 15 patients with complicated urinary tract infections. The results are as follows 1. The clinical efficacy of gentamicin was excellent in 12 cases (80.0%), good in 2 cases (13.3%) and null in 1 case (6.7%). The effective rate was 93.3%. 2. Bacteria disappeared in 16 strains (84.2%), colonized in 3 strains (15.8%) out of 19 isolates. 3. BUN, GOT and GPT values were determined before and after GM administration, and no significant abnormal finding attributable to GM was observed in this clinical study.", "contents": "Clinical experience with gentamicin in complicated urinary tract infections (author's transl). Gentamicin 40 mg was intramuscularly admininistered two times daily to 15 patients with complicated urinary tract infections. The results are as follows 1. The clinical efficacy of gentamicin was excellent in 12 cases (80.0%), good in 2 cases (13.3%) and null in 1 case (6.7%). The effective rate was 93.3%. 2. Bacteria disappeared in 16 strains (84.2%), colonized in 3 strains (15.8%) out of 19 isolates. 3. BUN, GOT and GPT values were determined before and after GM administration, and no significant abnormal finding attributable to GM was observed in this clinical study.", "PMID": 775144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4134", "title": "[Double-blind studies of the effect of ampicillin-cloxacillin (Rectocillin) on acute otorhinolaryngological infections (author's transl)].", "content": "Patients with acute otitis media, tonsillitis and upper respiratory tract infections were divided into 2 groups and treated with ampicillin-cloxacillin (Rectocillin) 1 g/day or ampicillin (AB-PC) 1 g/day, respectively. The therapeutic effect and side effect of these two drugs were studied comparatively by double blind tests. The effective rate in the Rectocillin group was 85.1%, and that in the AB-PC group was 86.7%. There was no significant difference in the therapeutic effect between two drugs. Ten cases in the Rectocillin group and 4 cases in the AB-PC group complained of disorders supposedly due to administration of these drugs. Such side effects in the former group were all gastrointestinal disorders, but in the latter, 2 cases of eruption, one case of headache and one case of gastrointestinal disorder.", "contents": "[Double-blind studies of the effect of ampicillin-cloxacillin (Rectocillin) on acute otorhinolaryngological infections (author's transl)]. Patients with acute otitis media, tonsillitis and upper respiratory tract infections were divided into 2 groups and treated with ampicillin-cloxacillin (Rectocillin) 1 g/day or ampicillin (AB-PC) 1 g/day, respectively. The therapeutic effect and side effect of these two drugs were studied comparatively by double blind tests. The effective rate in the Rectocillin group was 85.1%, and that in the AB-PC group was 86.7%. There was no significant difference in the therapeutic effect between two drugs. Ten cases in the Rectocillin group and 4 cases in the AB-PC group complained of disorders supposedly due to administration of these drugs. Such side effects in the former group were all gastrointestinal disorders, but in the latter, 2 cases of eruption, one case of headache and one case of gastrointestinal disorder.", "PMID": 775145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4135", "title": "Eliminatory action of glycine on drug resistance of Escherichia coli K12 harboring an R factor.", "content": "Glycine, known to inhibit the synthesis of a peptidoglycan component of the bacterial cell wall, was effective in eliminating drug resistance of Escherichia coli K12 JE2100 strain harboring theR100-1 factor although in lower frequencies than that of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The action of glycine was found to be less effective on the same R factor in JE177 strain, and not effective on the F factor in W6. Infection of R factors from R+ cells to R- cells was found to take place in the glycine broth as efficiently as in broth without glycine. This might result in lowering the apparent efficiency of the action of glycine on those plasmids. The segregation patterns of drug-susceptible clones obtained by the glycine treatment were different from those obtained after the SDS treatment. These results coupled with other evidences suggest that the mode of action of glycine on R+ cells maybe different from those of other curing agents and may involve mechanisms other than selection of R- or drug susceptible segregantsthat are present in R+ culture.", "contents": "Eliminatory action of glycine on drug resistance of Escherichia coli K12 harboring an R factor. Glycine, known to inhibit the synthesis of a peptidoglycan component of the bacterial cell wall, was effective in eliminating drug resistance of Escherichia coli K12 JE2100 strain harboring theR100-1 factor although in lower frequencies than that of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The action of glycine was found to be less effective on the same R factor in JE177 strain, and not effective on the F factor in W6. Infection of R factors from R+ cells to R- cells was found to take place in the glycine broth as efficiently as in broth without glycine. This might result in lowering the apparent efficiency of the action of glycine on those plasmids. The segregation patterns of drug-susceptible clones obtained by the glycine treatment were different from those obtained after the SDS treatment. These results coupled with other evidences suggest that the mode of action of glycine on R+ cells maybe different from those of other curing agents and may involve mechanisms other than selection of R- or drug susceptible segregantsthat are present in R+ culture.", "PMID": 775149} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4136", "title": "Characterization of background anti-trinitrophenyl plaque-forming cells observed in several strains of mice.", "content": "Normal mice have a large number of background anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP) antibody-forming cells (AFC) in their spleens (about 40-50 anti-TNP PFC/10(6) cells). We investigated this among several mouse strains, i.e., C57BL/6, C3H/He, Balb/c, ddd, and ICR mice, and found that all strains had a similar number of anti-TNP PFC (plaque-forming cells). Developmental aspects of background anti-TNP PFC in the ontogenic process were also investigated. The number of anti-TNP PFC increased logari thmically during the first few days of age, reached a peak on the 13th day and attained a constant value within 30 days. Neonatal thymectomy did not decrease the number of background anti-TNP PFC but such treatment decreased the anti-TNP PFC response to TNP-HRBC (horse red blood cells) immunization. Germ-free ICR mice had a number of background anti -TNP PFC similar to that of conventional ICR mice. Avidity of background anti-TNP PFC was compared among mice of several ages and it was shown that there were no differences among them. These results suggest that the occurrence of these background anti-TNP PFC is not elicited by the immune response but by the natural maturation of precursors of ACF without antigenic stimulation.", "contents": "Characterization of background anti-trinitrophenyl plaque-forming cells observed in several strains of mice. Normal mice have a large number of background anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP) antibody-forming cells (AFC) in their spleens (about 40-50 anti-TNP PFC/10(6) cells). We investigated this among several mouse strains, i.e., C57BL/6, C3H/He, Balb/c, ddd, and ICR mice, and found that all strains had a similar number of anti-TNP PFC (plaque-forming cells). Developmental aspects of background anti-TNP PFC in the ontogenic process were also investigated. The number of anti-TNP PFC increased logari thmically during the first few days of age, reached a peak on the 13th day and attained a constant value within 30 days. Neonatal thymectomy did not decrease the number of background anti-TNP PFC but such treatment decreased the anti-TNP PFC response to TNP-HRBC (horse red blood cells) immunization. Germ-free ICR mice had a number of background anti -TNP PFC similar to that of conventional ICR mice. Avidity of background anti-TNP PFC was compared among mice of several ages and it was shown that there were no differences among them. These results suggest that the occurrence of these background anti-TNP PFC is not elicited by the immune response but by the natural maturation of precursors of ACF without antigenic stimulation.", "PMID": 775150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4137", "title": "Immunosuppressive effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on antibody response.", "content": "Injection of endotoxins (bacterial lipopolysaccharide: LPS) several days prior to immunization causes the suppression of antibody response. The supressive effects of several kinds of LPS preparations on the plaque-forming cell (PFC) antibody response in the spleen of mice were examined after immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Glycolipids obtained from heptoseless mutants(Reform) of salmonella or its lipid A preparation coupled artificially with bovine serum albumin (BSA) are capable, like LPSobtained from a wild type (S form) strain, of inducing suppressionson of the PFC response, while alkaline-detoxified LPS can not. The refractory periods of the PFC response induced by LPS injection last only a few days. However, the use of cyclophosphamide (CY) together with LPS can extend the refractory periods of antigenic stimulation for several weeks. Injections of LPS andCY can also induce unresponsive states of OH agglutinin antibody response to antigenic stimulation with formalin-killed organisms of Escherichia coli or Salmonella enteritidis (presumably both thymus-independent antigens). These unresponsive states induced by LPS and CY are easily terminated by a transfer of syngeneic bone marrow cells but not by thymocyte transfer.", "contents": "Immunosuppressive effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on antibody response. Injection of endotoxins (bacterial lipopolysaccharide: LPS) several days prior to immunization causes the suppression of antibody response. The supressive effects of several kinds of LPS preparations on the plaque-forming cell (PFC) antibody response in the spleen of mice were examined after immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Glycolipids obtained from heptoseless mutants(Reform) of salmonella or its lipid A preparation coupled artificially with bovine serum albumin (BSA) are capable, like LPSobtained from a wild type (S form) strain, of inducing suppressionson of the PFC response, while alkaline-detoxified LPS can not. The refractory periods of the PFC response induced by LPS injection last only a few days. However, the use of cyclophosphamide (CY) together with LPS can extend the refractory periods of antigenic stimulation for several weeks. Injections of LPS andCY can also induce unresponsive states of OH agglutinin antibody response to antigenic stimulation with formalin-killed organisms of Escherichia coli or Salmonella enteritidis (presumably both thymus-independent antigens). These unresponsive states induced by LPS and CY are easily terminated by a transfer of syngeneic bone marrow cells but not by thymocyte transfer.", "PMID": 775151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4138", "title": "Infection rate of simple suturing.", "content": "Four hundred consecutive patients with superficial lacerations participated in a study of infection rate of lacerations sutured in an emergency department. Of these, 322 (85%) returned for suture removal. An infection rate of 5% was noted. Reported incidence of infection among the 68 (17%) non-returnees was 5.8%.", "contents": "Infection rate of simple suturing. Four hundred consecutive patients with superficial lacerations participated in a study of infection rate of lacerations sutured in an emergency department. Of these, 322 (85%) returned for suture removal. An infection rate of 5% was noted. Reported incidence of infection among the 68 (17%) non-returnees was 5.8%.", "PMID": 775154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4139", "title": "Poliomyelitis and the sources of useful knowledge.", "content": "Dr. Richard Ross during his introduction observed that Dr. Bodian made three contributions to the study of poliomyelitis which laid the groundwork essential to the ultimate triumph over the disease by immunization. The first was the identification of three types of poliovirus. This was absolutely basic to the development of a vaccine. The second was the identification of the viremia which occurred before the paralysis began and thus, indicated how it would be possible for an immune response to be effective. The third important contribution was the demonstration that immunity could be developed in primates with very low antibody levels.", "contents": "Poliomyelitis and the sources of useful knowledge. Dr. Richard Ross during his introduction observed that Dr. Bodian made three contributions to the study of poliomyelitis which laid the groundwork essential to the ultimate triumph over the disease by immunization. The first was the identification of three types of poliovirus. This was absolutely basic to the development of a vaccine. The second was the identification of the viremia which occurred before the paralysis began and thus, indicated how it would be possible for an immune response to be effective. The third important contribution was the demonstration that immunity could be developed in primates with very low antibody levels.", "PMID": 775168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4140", "title": "[The polemics on strabogenesis between A. v. Graefe and F. C. Donders (author's transl)].", "content": "In the literature of their time one can read of a divergence of views between A. v. Graefe and F. C. Donders concerning strabogenesis. The conception of A. v. Graefe was criticized by Donders as \"a somewhat obscure explanation\". On the other hand A. v. Graefe could not accept Donders' view that hypermetropia in itself can cause convergent strabismus. The polemics has its actuality - in somewhat changed from - even nowadays.", "contents": "[The polemics on strabogenesis between A. v. Graefe and F. C. Donders (author's transl)]. In the literature of their time one can read of a divergence of views between A. v. Graefe and F. C. Donders concerning strabogenesis. The conception of A. v. Graefe was criticized by Donders as \"a somewhat obscure explanation\". On the other hand A. v. Graefe could not accept Donders' view that hypermetropia in itself can cause convergent strabismus. The polemics has its actuality - in somewhat changed from - even nowadays.", "PMID": 775177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4141", "title": "[The mode of action and technique of trabeculectomy. II. Technique of trabeculectomy (author's transl)].", "content": "The technique of trabeculectomy is presented as it has been done in 370 eyes at the University Eye Clinic in Graz. Possible mistake are pointed out. The knowledge of the mechanism of this operation enables us to prevent a hypotony and to create the best conditions for the incorporation of veins and lymphatic vessels in the surgic area.", "contents": "[The mode of action and technique of trabeculectomy. II. Technique of trabeculectomy (author's transl)]. The technique of trabeculectomy is presented as it has been done in 370 eyes at the University Eye Clinic in Graz. Possible mistake are pointed out. The knowledge of the mechanism of this operation enables us to prevent a hypotony and to create the best conditions for the incorporation of veins and lymphatic vessels in the surgic area.", "PMID": 775178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4142", "title": "[One year's experience with pilocarpin-ocusert in the therapy of glaucoma (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors report on their own treatment results with the drug carrier Ocusert (Federal Rep. of Germany: Chemie Grunenthal). Furthermore the effect on the IOP and the compatibility including the accomodative myopia is discussed. The effect on IOP was approximately equal to Pilocarpine 2% four times daily. The accommodation myopia was significanly less than using Pilocarpin drops. A short time after insertion the conjuntiva was irritated but the irritation faded within a short time.", "contents": "[One year's experience with pilocarpin-ocusert in the therapy of glaucoma (author's transl)]. The authors report on their own treatment results with the drug carrier Ocusert (Federal Rep. of Germany: Chemie Grunenthal). Furthermore the effect on the IOP and the compatibility including the accomodative myopia is discussed. The effect on IOP was approximately equal to Pilocarpine 2% four times daily. The accommodation myopia was significanly less than using Pilocarpin drops. A short time after insertion the conjuntiva was irritated but the irritation faded within a short time.", "PMID": 775179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4143", "title": "[Heterotopic corneal transplantation in the treatment of conjuctival sac insufficience (author's transl)].", "content": "To reform the conjunctival sac in cases of symblepharon or when the globe is not present, various procedures and materials are used. The cornea showed itself to be suitable material for covering areas which are left naked after removing corneal adhesions. Heterotopic corneal transplantation leads to good results in the treatment of clinical and thermic burns and also in insufficience of the conjunctival sac in cases of anophthalmia. The procedure allows the simultaneous transplantation of several corneae. The operation can be repeated when necessary. The author has applied this procedure in eight cases with good results.", "contents": "[Heterotopic corneal transplantation in the treatment of conjuctival sac insufficience (author's transl)]. To reform the conjunctival sac in cases of symblepharon or when the globe is not present, various procedures and materials are used. The cornea showed itself to be suitable material for covering areas which are left naked after removing corneal adhesions. Heterotopic corneal transplantation leads to good results in the treatment of clinical and thermic burns and also in insufficience of the conjunctival sac in cases of anophthalmia. The procedure allows the simultaneous transplantation of several corneae. The operation can be repeated when necessary. The author has applied this procedure in eight cases with good results.", "PMID": 775180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4144", "title": "Impairment of granulocyte function in juvenile diabetes.", "content": "Granulocyte function of 10 diabetic children has been investigated. At the time of testing the diabetes was in poor control. Five children were retested one week later after adjustment of diet and insulin dose. In contrast to some reports we did not find a phagocytic defect in the ingestion of particles, but the capacity of intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus was impaired. Chemotaxis was also reduced whereas the NBT-index and intracellular killing of Candida albicans were normal. Better control of the diabetes led to an improvement of bactericidal killing capacity.", "contents": "Impairment of granulocyte function in juvenile diabetes. Granulocyte function of 10 diabetic children has been investigated. At the time of testing the diabetes was in poor control. Five children were retested one week later after adjustment of diet and insulin dose. In contrast to some reports we did not find a phagocytic defect in the ingestion of particles, but the capacity of intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus was impaired. Chemotaxis was also reduced whereas the NBT-index and intracellular killing of Candida albicans were normal. Better control of the diabetes led to an improvement of bactericidal killing capacity.", "PMID": 775181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4145", "title": "[Template activity of chromatin and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase III during postnatal development (author's transl)].", "content": "The template-activity of chromatin isolated from liver nuclei of developing rats increases sharply at birth and decreases remarkable until the 10th day. Between the 10th and the 40th day a slow increase was shown in template activity of chromatin tested with purified E.-coli RNA-polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6). We correlated these findings with changes of RNA-polymerase III-activity in rat liver during development.", "contents": "[Template activity of chromatin and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase III during postnatal development (author's transl)]. The template-activity of chromatin isolated from liver nuclei of developing rats increases sharply at birth and decreases remarkable until the 10th day. Between the 10th and the 40th day a slow increase was shown in template activity of chromatin tested with purified E.-coli RNA-polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6). We correlated these findings with changes of RNA-polymerase III-activity in rat liver during development.", "PMID": 775182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4146", "title": "Advances in automation for experimental pathology.", "content": "The establishment of the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), Jefferson, AR, to study long term effects of low doses of potentially toxic substances, including carcinogens, resulted in the initiation of chronic experiments requiring histophatologic studies of large numbers of animals. Processing the tissues and recording and analyzing the massive amount of pathologic data from these studies required innovative automated technics. The result was a unique computerized pathology data system of NCTR. The system encompasses the development of training programs for necropsy techincians, histology technicians, and pathology tissue screeners; the use of automated equipment for processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining tissue; the use of prelabeled cassettes, slides, and pathology forms; the use of mark-sensitive forms for the collection of gross and microscopic findings; the use of data collection terminals for animal identification, animal weights, and organ weights; the collection of gross and microscopic data on a Mod Comp III minicomputer; and the storage, analysis, and generation of pathology reports and tables over a data link from an IBM 370-158 computer. Some of the features of this system may be applicable in other toxicology laboratories and medical pathology departments.", "contents": "Advances in automation for experimental pathology. The establishment of the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), Jefferson, AR, to study long term effects of low doses of potentially toxic substances, including carcinogens, resulted in the initiation of chronic experiments requiring histophatologic studies of large numbers of animals. Processing the tissues and recording and analyzing the massive amount of pathologic data from these studies required innovative automated technics. The result was a unique computerized pathology data system of NCTR. The system encompasses the development of training programs for necropsy techincians, histology technicians, and pathology tissue screeners; the use of automated equipment for processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining tissue; the use of prelabeled cassettes, slides, and pathology forms; the use of mark-sensitive forms for the collection of gross and microscopic findings; the use of data collection terminals for animal identification, animal weights, and organ weights; the collection of gross and microscopic data on a Mod Comp III minicomputer; and the storage, analysis, and generation of pathology reports and tables over a data link from an IBM 370-158 computer. Some of the features of this system may be applicable in other toxicology laboratories and medical pathology departments.", "PMID": 775190} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4147", "title": "Bacterial mastitis in guinea pigs.", "content": "Necropsy of 37 guinea pigs revealed mastitis to be the primary cause of death in 70% of these animals. Epidemiologic study failed to establish correlation between age, parity, or litter size and the onset of mastitis. The disease did not appear to be contagious. Although mastitis frequently developed during lactation, survivability of offspring was unaffected. The agent most consistently isolated from affected mammary glands was Escherichia coli (17 of 37). Other isolates in decreasing order of occurrence were Klebsiella pneumaniae (6 of 37), Streptoccus zooepidemicus (2 of 37), and Proteus sp (1 of 37). The etiologic agent of 111 cases was undetermined.", "contents": "Bacterial mastitis in guinea pigs. Necropsy of 37 guinea pigs revealed mastitis to be the primary cause of death in 70% of these animals. Epidemiologic study failed to establish correlation between age, parity, or litter size and the onset of mastitis. The disease did not appear to be contagious. Although mastitis frequently developed during lactation, survivability of offspring was unaffected. The agent most consistently isolated from affected mammary glands was Escherichia coli (17 of 37). Other isolates in decreasing order of occurrence were Klebsiella pneumaniae (6 of 37), Streptoccus zooepidemicus (2 of 37), and Proteus sp (1 of 37). The etiologic agent of 111 cases was undetermined.", "PMID": 775191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4148", "title": "Breeding and reproduction of fifteen wild rodents maintained as laboratory colonies.", "content": "Data on reproduction and production were presented for laboratory colonies of Microtus pennsylvanicus tananaensis, M oeconomus macfarlani, M o operarius, M mirurus, M abbreviatus, Lemmus lemmus, L sibiricus trimucronatus, Dicrostonyx stevensoni, Clethrionomys rutilus, Peromyscus maniculatus borealis, P m bairdii, Baiomys taylori, Calomys ducilla, C callosus, Acomys cahirinus. Litter size varied from 2.0 in A cahirinus to 5.5 in C callosus. Infant (neonatal) and juvenile losses through the end of the first month ranged from 9% in C callosus to 45% in M o operarius. Young successfully weaned per female ranged from 3.4 in L sibericus to 15.2 in P m bairdii. The number of young weaned per female per month, which may be the most useful measure of production, ranged from 0.6 in A cahirinus to 2.6 in C ducilla. The most common 21-da interval between litters confirms postpartum estrus and mating, and a 21-da gestation in most cricetids.", "contents": "Breeding and reproduction of fifteen wild rodents maintained as laboratory colonies. Data on reproduction and production were presented for laboratory colonies of Microtus pennsylvanicus tananaensis, M oeconomus macfarlani, M o operarius, M mirurus, M abbreviatus, Lemmus lemmus, L sibiricus trimucronatus, Dicrostonyx stevensoni, Clethrionomys rutilus, Peromyscus maniculatus borealis, P m bairdii, Baiomys taylori, Calomys ducilla, C callosus, Acomys cahirinus. Litter size varied from 2.0 in A cahirinus to 5.5 in C callosus. Infant (neonatal) and juvenile losses through the end of the first month ranged from 9% in C callosus to 45% in M o operarius. Young successfully weaned per female ranged from 3.4 in L sibericus to 15.2 in P m bairdii. The number of young weaned per female per month, which may be the most useful measure of production, ranged from 0.6 in A cahirinus to 2.6 in C ducilla. The most common 21-da interval between litters confirms postpartum estrus and mating, and a 21-da gestation in most cricetids.", "PMID": 775192} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4149", "title": "Use of the golden hamster in toxicology.", "content": "The choice of an appropriate species and strain of laboratory animal is one of the toxicologist's major concerns. The biochemical, anatomical, and other characteristics of the golden hamster which make it a valuable though limited tool in toxicologic research were reviewed. The effects of organochloride insecticides on rats, mice, and hamsters were compared. These substances can be classified into 3 groups based on the hamster's sensitivity to acute toxic effects. The hamster is so insensitive to DDT and its immediate metabolites, DDD and DDE, that an LD50 cannot be established, whereas the hamster's sensitivity to other organochlorides varies when compared with mouse and rat sensitivity. The long-term effects of sub-lethal doses of organochloride insecticides on biochemical pathways were evaluated, particularly on liver function. The details of the induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes in the hamster and in the rat were also explored.", "contents": "Use of the golden hamster in toxicology. The choice of an appropriate species and strain of laboratory animal is one of the toxicologist's major concerns. The biochemical, anatomical, and other characteristics of the golden hamster which make it a valuable though limited tool in toxicologic research were reviewed. The effects of organochloride insecticides on rats, mice, and hamsters were compared. These substances can be classified into 3 groups based on the hamster's sensitivity to acute toxic effects. The hamster is so insensitive to DDT and its immediate metabolites, DDD and DDE, that an LD50 cannot be established, whereas the hamster's sensitivity to other organochlorides varies when compared with mouse and rat sensitivity. The long-term effects of sub-lethal doses of organochloride insecticides on biochemical pathways were evaluated, particularly on liver function. The details of the induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes in the hamster and in the rat were also explored.", "PMID": 775193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4150", "title": "The hamster as a model for experimental pulmonary emphysema.", "content": "The Syrian hamster was chosen as an animal model for experimental studies of papain aerosol-induced emphysema. The extent of the developed lesions correlated with concentration of papain and progressed with time following exposure. The same correlations of dose and time were similar to those found in man and were evaluated physiologically and histologically. The intratracheal administration of alpha1-antitrypsin prior to exposure to the single dose of papain aerosol prevented the development of lesions, whereas systemic administration of alpha1-antitrypsin did not.", "contents": "The hamster as a model for experimental pulmonary emphysema. The Syrian hamster was chosen as an animal model for experimental studies of papain aerosol-induced emphysema. The extent of the developed lesions correlated with concentration of papain and progressed with time following exposure. The same correlations of dose and time were similar to those found in man and were evaluated physiologically and histologically. The intratracheal administration of alpha1-antitrypsin prior to exposure to the single dose of papain aerosol prevented the development of lesions, whereas systemic administration of alpha1-antitrypsin did not.", "PMID": 775194} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4151", "title": "Function of external respiration after experimental lung autotransplantation.", "content": "The function of external respiration was studied by way of a dynamic observation of 15 animals whose course was uneventful following autotransplantation of the left lung. The longest follow-up period was 4 years. The following studies were conducted: spirography, bronchospirography, functional tests with the right (intact) lung excluded from respiration, bronchopneumotachygraphy, electromyography of the intercostal muscles, and analyses of blood gases and acid-base balance. During the early hours and days after left lung autotransplantation, hyperventilation and gas exchange decrease were observed in the operated lung, along with arterial and venous hypoxemia and signs of metabolic acidosis. With the right (intact) lung excluded and only the autograft breathing, a considerable reduction of oxygen saturation of the peripheral arterial blood was observed, which indicated the low compensatory capacity of the autotransplanted lung. Restoration and normalization of ventilation and gas exchange, blood gases, and acid-base balance were noted within 8 days after left lung autotransplantation. The compensatory capacity of the lung autograft, as shown by the test with the right (intact) lung excluded, was restored within the first 2 months after surgery. Following lung autotransplantation, in the absence of the Hering-Breuer reflex, the adaptative reactions of the external respiration apparatus are provided by the reflexes from the proprioreceptors of the breathing muscles of the thoracic wall and by humoral factors that acquire a leading role in the regulation of respiratory mechanisms. After removal of the right (intact) lung in the late postoperative period, the left lung autograft supports normal vital functions of the body (with the longest follow-up being 3 1/4 years). This convincingly proves that the organ's function and structure have been restored.", "contents": "Function of external respiration after experimental lung autotransplantation. The function of external respiration was studied by way of a dynamic observation of 15 animals whose course was uneventful following autotransplantation of the left lung. The longest follow-up period was 4 years. The following studies were conducted: spirography, bronchospirography, functional tests with the right (intact) lung excluded from respiration, bronchopneumotachygraphy, electromyography of the intercostal muscles, and analyses of blood gases and acid-base balance. During the early hours and days after left lung autotransplantation, hyperventilation and gas exchange decrease were observed in the operated lung, along with arterial and venous hypoxemia and signs of metabolic acidosis. With the right (intact) lung excluded and only the autograft breathing, a considerable reduction of oxygen saturation of the peripheral arterial blood was observed, which indicated the low compensatory capacity of the autotransplanted lung. Restoration and normalization of ventilation and gas exchange, blood gases, and acid-base balance were noted within 8 days after left lung autotransplantation. The compensatory capacity of the lung autograft, as shown by the test with the right (intact) lung excluded, was restored within the first 2 months after surgery. Following lung autotransplantation, in the absence of the Hering-Breuer reflex, the adaptative reactions of the external respiration apparatus are provided by the reflexes from the proprioreceptors of the breathing muscles of the thoracic wall and by humoral factors that acquire a leading role in the regulation of respiratory mechanisms. After removal of the right (intact) lung in the late postoperative period, the left lung autograft supports normal vital functions of the body (with the longest follow-up being 3 1/4 years). This convincingly proves that the organ's function and structure have been restored.", "PMID": 775198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4152", "title": "Resection of aortic arch aneurysm: a simplified technique.", "content": "Aortic arch aneurysm has long been considered one of the most serious diseases in the circulatory system, and its resection is associated with great technical difficulties and hazardous consequences. Temporary shunts created with multiple graft anastomoses, deep hypothermia, progressive insertion of the graft, and cardiopulmonary bypass have been used to facilitate resection of the aneurysm at this vital segment of aorta. However, all of these techniques have certain disadvantages. To circumvent these disadvantages, we are proposing a simplified technique of external shunting combined with a permanent bypass graft. This method was used successfully in resection of a syphilitic aneurysm of the transverse aortic arch. The new technique is simple and easy to set up, and it greatly facilitates resection and graft replacement of the aneurysm. Because it does not require a pump oxygenator for bypass, it eliminates the postoperative blood coagulation problem. This technique is considered to be applicable in resection of aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta as well.", "contents": "Resection of aortic arch aneurysm: a simplified technique. Aortic arch aneurysm has long been considered one of the most serious diseases in the circulatory system, and its resection is associated with great technical difficulties and hazardous consequences. Temporary shunts created with multiple graft anastomoses, deep hypothermia, progressive insertion of the graft, and cardiopulmonary bypass have been used to facilitate resection of the aneurysm at this vital segment of aorta. However, all of these techniques have certain disadvantages. To circumvent these disadvantages, we are proposing a simplified technique of external shunting combined with a permanent bypass graft. This method was used successfully in resection of a syphilitic aneurysm of the transverse aortic arch. The new technique is simple and easy to set up, and it greatly facilitates resection and graft replacement of the aneurysm. Because it does not require a pump oxygenator for bypass, it eliminates the postoperative blood coagulation problem. This technique is considered to be applicable in resection of aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta as well.", "PMID": 775199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4153", "title": "Snaring of a Swan-Ganz catheter.", "content": "Insertion of a Swan-Ganz catheter for measurement of pulmonary artery and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures is common for operative management of patients with borderline left ventricular function, particularly patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The transatrial course of the catheter may allow it to lie against the lateral and anterior walls of the right atrium, where it can be caught in a suture used to control bleeding. This report documents such a complication of cardiac surgery: A Swan-Ganz line was caught by a right atrial suture. The tip of the Swan-Ganz catheter was in the distal right pulmonary artery, so that the usual means of removal with a loop-snare catheter was impossible. Instead, a Teflon sleeve, inserted percutaneously was used to stabilize the right atrium while gentle traction was used to break the catheter at its point of entrapment. In this manner, the proximal portion of the catheter was removed. The distal segment of the catheter then was removed with a biopsy forceps inserted percutaneously through the femoral vein.", "contents": "Snaring of a Swan-Ganz catheter. Insertion of a Swan-Ganz catheter for measurement of pulmonary artery and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures is common for operative management of patients with borderline left ventricular function, particularly patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The transatrial course of the catheter may allow it to lie against the lateral and anterior walls of the right atrium, where it can be caught in a suture used to control bleeding. This report documents such a complication of cardiac surgery: A Swan-Ganz line was caught by a right atrial suture. The tip of the Swan-Ganz catheter was in the distal right pulmonary artery, so that the usual means of removal with a loop-snare catheter was impossible. Instead, a Teflon sleeve, inserted percutaneously was used to stabilize the right atrium while gentle traction was used to break the catheter at its point of entrapment. In this manner, the proximal portion of the catheter was removed. The distal segment of the catheter then was removed with a biopsy forceps inserted percutaneously through the femoral vein.", "PMID": 775200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4154", "title": "Transfer factor: a potential agent for cancer therapy.", "content": "This review has attempted to describe the characteristics of transfer factor which make it a very attractive potential agent for immunotherapy. Preliminary observations suggest that it may be capable of modifying resistance to a variety of diseases including cancer but considerable progress in basic knowledge regarding this agent is crucial to its successful application in clinical disease states. Fortunately, a sizable number of interested and dedicated investigators are exploring these difficult problems and their success may lead to new approaches in immunotherapy.", "contents": "Transfer factor: a potential agent for cancer therapy. This review has attempted to describe the characteristics of transfer factor which make it a very attractive potential agent for immunotherapy. Preliminary observations suggest that it may be capable of modifying resistance to a variety of diseases including cancer but considerable progress in basic knowledge regarding this agent is crucial to its successful application in clinical disease states. Fortunately, a sizable number of interested and dedicated investigators are exploring these difficult problems and their success may lead to new approaches in immunotherapy.", "PMID": 775210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4155", "title": "The biology of cadmium.", "content": "Industrial exposure to large amounts of cadmium is known to be toxic to man; however, the low levels of cadmium in water, food, and air to which everyone is continually exposed have no obvious effects. During childhood and adolescence, ingestion and inhalation of cadmium are responsible for the average American accumulating about 30 mg of cadmium in his body, with the highest concentration being in the kidney. It has been suggested on the basis of two observations that elevated renal cadmium might be associated with essential hypertension: (1) Hypertensives have been reported to have higher renal cadmium concentrations than normotensives. (2) Long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium has reproducibly caused mild hypertension in animals. Finally, increased levels of cadmium have been found in lungs and other tissues of emphysematous subjects.", "contents": "The biology of cadmium. Industrial exposure to large amounts of cadmium is known to be toxic to man; however, the low levels of cadmium in water, food, and air to which everyone is continually exposed have no obvious effects. During childhood and adolescence, ingestion and inhalation of cadmium are responsible for the average American accumulating about 30 mg of cadmium in his body, with the highest concentration being in the kidney. It has been suggested on the basis of two observations that elevated renal cadmium might be associated with essential hypertension: (1) Hypertensives have been reported to have higher renal cadmium concentrations than normotensives. (2) Long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium has reproducibly caused mild hypertension in animals. Finally, increased levels of cadmium have been found in lungs and other tissues of emphysematous subjects.", "PMID": 775217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4156", "title": "Phenylpropanoid constituents of essential oils.", "content": "While the major constituents of essential oils are generally mono- and sesquiterpenes, in certain plant families or genera phenylpropanoid compounds are also found in the essential oil, sometimes as the main component. A survey is given of the distribution of these substances, as well as of their structural properties and biochemical origin. In particular, cinnamic acid not only occurs in some cases as a constituent of essential oils, but together with p-hydroxycinnamic acid is the most important metabolic intermediate in the pathways leading to the volatile phenylpropanoids found in these essential oils. These compounds are mostly phenolics, and often occur as their non-volatile glycosides. However, after enzymatic cleavage, which happens frequently during catabolic or postmortal processes, the resulting aglycones, which are not normally components of the essential oil, act as the carriers of flavors and fragrances. These compounds too are included in the survey.", "contents": "Phenylpropanoid constituents of essential oils. While the major constituents of essential oils are generally mono- and sesquiterpenes, in certain plant families or genera phenylpropanoid compounds are also found in the essential oil, sometimes as the main component. A survey is given of the distribution of these substances, as well as of their structural properties and biochemical origin. In particular, cinnamic acid not only occurs in some cases as a constituent of essential oils, but together with p-hydroxycinnamic acid is the most important metabolic intermediate in the pathways leading to the volatile phenylpropanoids found in these essential oils. These compounds are mostly phenolics, and often occur as their non-volatile glycosides. However, after enzymatic cleavage, which happens frequently during catabolic or postmortal processes, the resulting aglycones, which are not normally components of the essential oil, act as the carriers of flavors and fragrances. These compounds too are included in the survey.", "PMID": 775232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4157", "title": "Antimicrobial agents from higher plants. Additional alkaloids and antimicrobial agents from Thalictrum rugosum.", "content": "Further study of mother-liquors from ethanolic extracts of Thalictrum rugosum resulted in the identification or partial characterization of 10 alkaloids, bringing the total to 17 characterized in our work on this plant. Five of the new alkaloids were active in vitro against microorganisms. Structures, based upon spectroscopic properties and chemical transformations, are proposed for a new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid named thalrugosaminine, and a protopine alkaloid named protothalipine. A phenanthrene base (thaliglucinone), an aporphine (thalphenine), and three protoberberine bases (columbamine, thalifendine and deoxythalidastine) were identified; three very minor bases of unknown identify were partially characterized.", "contents": "Antimicrobial agents from higher plants. Additional alkaloids and antimicrobial agents from Thalictrum rugosum. Further study of mother-liquors from ethanolic extracts of Thalictrum rugosum resulted in the identification or partial characterization of 10 alkaloids, bringing the total to 17 characterized in our work on this plant. Five of the new alkaloids were active in vitro against microorganisms. Structures, based upon spectroscopic properties and chemical transformations, are proposed for a new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid named thalrugosaminine, and a protopine alkaloid named protothalipine. A phenanthrene base (thaliglucinone), an aporphine (thalphenine), and three protoberberine bases (columbamine, thalifendine and deoxythalidastine) were identified; three very minor bases of unknown identify were partially characterized.", "PMID": 775233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4158", "title": "Relapsing polychondritis: prospective study of 23 patients and a review of the literature.", "content": "Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is not a totally rare rheumatic disease. We have seen 23 patients from 1960-1975, and there are now a total of 159 reported cases, which form the basis of this study. RP occurs equally in both sexes, and has a maximum frequency in the fourth decade. 2) Empirically defined diagnostic criteria are proposed, to include the most common clinical features: a) Bilateral auricular chondritis b) Nonerosive sero-negative inflammatory polyarthritis c) nasal chondritis d) Ocular inflammation e) Respiratory tract chondritis f) Audiovestibular damage The diagnosis is based primarly upon the unique clinical features, and is quite certain if three or more criteria are present together with histologic confirmation. 3) Fifty percent of patients present with either auricular chondritis or the arthropathy of RP; but with prolonged follow-up, a majority of patients develop four or more of the above mentioned criteria. 4) Approximately 30 percent of patients have a preceding or coexistent rheumatic or autoimmune disease, which can lead to initial diagnostic confusion. 5) Laboratory and radiographic investigations help mainly to rule out other diagnostic possibilities, with no characteristic abnormalities being present in a majority of patients. 6) On follow-up, three-fourths of our patients required chronic corticosteroid therapy with an average dose of 25 mg per day of prednisone. Corticosteroids decrease the frequency, duration, and severity of flares, but do not stop disease progression in severe cases. 7) The mortality rate has been 30 percent in our series and 22 percent in the other 136 reported cases. Of the 29 cases where the cause of death was known, 17 were from respiratory tract involvement and 9 from cardiac valvular or vasculitic involvement, emphasizing the need to search for critical involvement of either of these organ systems in each patient. 8) Detailed reports of selected cases are presented to illustrate the clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and to demonstrate the need for careful prolonged follow-up. 9) Although the etiology remains unknown, there is a frequent association with, and clinical similarity to, other rheumatic diseases. 10) Careful clinicopathological study of our 23 patients leads us to postulate an underying systemic vascultis as an important pathologic mechanism in RP.", "contents": "Relapsing polychondritis: prospective study of 23 patients and a review of the literature. Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is not a totally rare rheumatic disease. We have seen 23 patients from 1960-1975, and there are now a total of 159 reported cases, which form the basis of this study. RP occurs equally in both sexes, and has a maximum frequency in the fourth decade. 2) Empirically defined diagnostic criteria are proposed, to include the most common clinical features: a) Bilateral auricular chondritis b) Nonerosive sero-negative inflammatory polyarthritis c) nasal chondritis d) Ocular inflammation e) Respiratory tract chondritis f) Audiovestibular damage The diagnosis is based primarly upon the unique clinical features, and is quite certain if three or more criteria are present together with histologic confirmation. 3) Fifty percent of patients present with either auricular chondritis or the arthropathy of RP; but with prolonged follow-up, a majority of patients develop four or more of the above mentioned criteria. 4) Approximately 30 percent of patients have a preceding or coexistent rheumatic or autoimmune disease, which can lead to initial diagnostic confusion. 5) Laboratory and radiographic investigations help mainly to rule out other diagnostic possibilities, with no characteristic abnormalities being present in a majority of patients. 6) On follow-up, three-fourths of our patients required chronic corticosteroid therapy with an average dose of 25 mg per day of prednisone. Corticosteroids decrease the frequency, duration, and severity of flares, but do not stop disease progression in severe cases. 7) The mortality rate has been 30 percent in our series and 22 percent in the other 136 reported cases. Of the 29 cases where the cause of death was known, 17 were from respiratory tract involvement and 9 from cardiac valvular or vasculitic involvement, emphasizing the need to search for critical involvement of either of these organ systems in each patient. 8) Detailed reports of selected cases are presented to illustrate the clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and to demonstrate the need for careful prolonged follow-up. 9) Although the etiology remains unknown, there is a frequent association with, and clinical similarity to, other rheumatic diseases. 10) Careful clinicopathological study of our 23 patients leads us to postulate an underying systemic vascultis as an important pathologic mechanism in RP.", "PMID": 775252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4159", "title": "Hyperinsulinism in endotoxin shock dogs.", "content": "Extreme hyperinsulinism was observed in endotoxin-shock dogs made hyperglycemic by glucose infusion. Qualitatively (at least in terms of gel filtration characteristics), the insulin secreted under these conditions was normal. Hyperinsulinism was not observed in endotoxin-shock dogs not given glucose. Thus hyperinsulinism does not explain the hypoglycemia so frequently observed in endotoxin-treated dogs. Hyperinsulinsm could not be impaired degradation of insulin as disappearance of labeled insulin as well as cold insulin was comparable in control and endotoxin-treated animals. An adrenergic mechanism (either beta receptor stimulation or postadrenergic hyperresponsiveness of the beta cells) probably does not explain the hyperinsulinism observed in endotoxin-shock dogs given glucose as beta blockade failed to inhibit the hyperinsulinsm. Hyperinsulinism was not observed in endotoxin-shock dogs given tolbuamide. A tenfold rise in plasma IRG was observed in endotoxin-treated dogs whether glucose was infused or not. The persistently low IRI levels in endotoxin-treated dogs not given glucose suggest that hyperresponsiveness of the beta cell to glucagon was not present in these animals. Extreme hyperinsulinsm in response to induced hyperglycemia in endotoxin-shock dogs is unexplained. Hyperresponsiveness of the beta cell to glucose during endotoxin shock seems likely.", "contents": "Hyperinsulinism in endotoxin shock dogs. Extreme hyperinsulinism was observed in endotoxin-shock dogs made hyperglycemic by glucose infusion. Qualitatively (at least in terms of gel filtration characteristics), the insulin secreted under these conditions was normal. Hyperinsulinism was not observed in endotoxin-shock dogs not given glucose. Thus hyperinsulinism does not explain the hypoglycemia so frequently observed in endotoxin-treated dogs. Hyperinsulinsm could not be impaired degradation of insulin as disappearance of labeled insulin as well as cold insulin was comparable in control and endotoxin-treated animals. An adrenergic mechanism (either beta receptor stimulation or postadrenergic hyperresponsiveness of the beta cells) probably does not explain the hyperinsulinism observed in endotoxin-shock dogs given glucose as beta blockade failed to inhibit the hyperinsulinsm. Hyperinsulinism was not observed in endotoxin-shock dogs given tolbuamide. A tenfold rise in plasma IRG was observed in endotoxin-treated dogs whether glucose was infused or not. The persistently low IRI levels in endotoxin-treated dogs not given glucose suggest that hyperresponsiveness of the beta cell to glucagon was not present in these animals. Extreme hyperinsulinsm in response to induced hyperglycemia in endotoxin-shock dogs is unexplained. Hyperresponsiveness of the beta cell to glucose during endotoxin shock seems likely.", "PMID": 775254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4160", "title": "[Relation of acetoin and valine in Enterobacteriaceae cultures on media with glucose and glycerin].", "content": "The ratio between acetoin and valine produced by the cultures of the family Enterobacteriaceae changes upon the addition of glucose and glycerol or their mixture to a defined medium. The experiments were carried out with 12 strains of Aerobacter aerogenes and 2 strains of Aerobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens. The highest yield of acetoin was found on the medium with glucose (12.5--13.0 g/litre); the maximum accumulation of valine was registered on the medium with glucose and glycerol (1.8--4.8 g/litre). The presence of glycerol in the medium decreased the production of acetoin by 27--85 percent compared to that on the glucose-mineral medium.", "contents": "[Relation of acetoin and valine in Enterobacteriaceae cultures on media with glucose and glycerin]. The ratio between acetoin and valine produced by the cultures of the family Enterobacteriaceae changes upon the addition of glucose and glycerol or their mixture to a defined medium. The experiments were carried out with 12 strains of Aerobacter aerogenes and 2 strains of Aerobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens. The highest yield of acetoin was found on the medium with glucose (12.5--13.0 g/litre); the maximum accumulation of valine was registered on the medium with glucose and glycerol (1.8--4.8 g/litre). The presence of glycerol in the medium decreased the production of acetoin by 27--85 percent compared to that on the glucose-mineral medium.", "PMID": 775256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4161", "title": "[Function of surface membrane structures in Thiobacillus thiooxidans].", "content": "The function of the surface membrane structures was studied with cytochemical techniques on ultrathin sections of Thiobacillus thiooxidans. The transport of elementary sulphur inside the cell involves the surface membrane structures, while oxidation of the sulphur to sulphuric acid takes place on the outer surface of the cytoplasmic membrane. The surface membrane structures are supposed also to participate in the primary dissolution of elementary sulphur at the site of contact of the cells with the mineral.", "contents": "[Function of surface membrane structures in Thiobacillus thiooxidans]. The function of the surface membrane structures was studied with cytochemical techniques on ultrathin sections of Thiobacillus thiooxidans. The transport of elementary sulphur inside the cell involves the surface membrane structures, while oxidation of the sulphur to sulphuric acid takes place on the outer surface of the cytoplasmic membrane. The surface membrane structures are supposed also to participate in the primary dissolution of elementary sulphur at the site of contact of the cells with the mineral.", "PMID": 775257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4162", "title": "[New data on the karyology of formation of L forms of Proteus vulgaris].", "content": "The growth and development of the Proteus vulgaris culture as well as the process of formation of its L-forms were studied following the Pitzurra method on slides covered with an agar layer. The latter were kept upon inoculation in a vertical position in a moist chamber at 37 degrees C. On fixed and stained after Giemza preparations, it was possible to follow the consecutive stages of the cytoplasmic \"hernia\" formation due to the local disruption of the bacillary cell wall. It was easy to disern the penetration of the nucleoid into this evagination. The growth of the formed cytoplast was followed by multiple reduplication of the nucleoid which ultimately grew out into a scalloped ribbon whose length served to estimate the ploidy of the developing speroplast. Gigantic individuals with massive nuclei were observed. The ploidy of such nuclei could reach 2000--4000 haploid units. The data of light microscopy were confirmed by electronograms of the ultrathin sections of the L-forms of Proteus vulgaris. Frame-by-frame microcinematography of the multiplying Proteus cells grown in the Fonbrun oil chamber and photographed with the aid of the Peshkoff loop-hole objectives has made it possible to register the division of the nuclear apparatus of bacillary forms. On penicillin-containing media, it was easy to observe the formation of the cytoplasmic \"hernia\", the penetration into it of the nuceloid, and its successive multiplication in the growing cytoplast to form a massive nucleal mass.", "contents": "[New data on the karyology of formation of L forms of Proteus vulgaris]. The growth and development of the Proteus vulgaris culture as well as the process of formation of its L-forms were studied following the Pitzurra method on slides covered with an agar layer. The latter were kept upon inoculation in a vertical position in a moist chamber at 37 degrees C. On fixed and stained after Giemza preparations, it was possible to follow the consecutive stages of the cytoplasmic \"hernia\" formation due to the local disruption of the bacillary cell wall. It was easy to disern the penetration of the nucleoid into this evagination. The growth of the formed cytoplast was followed by multiple reduplication of the nucleoid which ultimately grew out into a scalloped ribbon whose length served to estimate the ploidy of the developing speroplast. Gigantic individuals with massive nuclei were observed. The ploidy of such nuclei could reach 2000--4000 haploid units. The data of light microscopy were confirmed by electronograms of the ultrathin sections of the L-forms of Proteus vulgaris. Frame-by-frame microcinematography of the multiplying Proteus cells grown in the Fonbrun oil chamber and photographed with the aid of the Peshkoff loop-hole objectives has made it possible to register the division of the nuclear apparatus of bacillary forms. On penicillin-containing media, it was easy to observe the formation of the cytoplasmic \"hernia\", the penetration into it of the nuceloid, and its successive multiplication in the growing cytoplast to form a massive nucleal mass.", "PMID": 775258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4163", "title": "[Application of the method of capillary microscopy to determing the total population and biomass of microorganisms in seas and oceans].", "content": "The total number and biomass of microorganisms in samples of sea water were determined by direct counting in capillaries by Perfiliev and Gabe after preliminary concentration of water by filtering it through membrane filters. Reliability of the figures obtained upon concentration of diluted bacterial suspensions (10(3) to 10(5) cells/ml) was checked with dilutions of the cell suspension of Bacterium parvulum. The total number of the microorganisms was determined in 22 samples of sea water fixed with 4 to 5 per cent formalin, and deviations for each capillary were calculated.", "contents": "[Application of the method of capillary microscopy to determing the total population and biomass of microorganisms in seas and oceans]. The total number and biomass of microorganisms in samples of sea water were determined by direct counting in capillaries by Perfiliev and Gabe after preliminary concentration of water by filtering it through membrane filters. Reliability of the figures obtained upon concentration of diluted bacterial suspensions (10(3) to 10(5) cells/ml) was checked with dilutions of the cell suspension of Bacterium parvulum. The total number of the microorganisms was determined in 22 samples of sea water fixed with 4 to 5 per cent formalin, and deviations for each capillary were calculated.", "PMID": 775259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4164", "title": "AN 448 Sandoz (Mazindol) in the treatment of obesity.", "content": "The clinical value of a new anorectic agent, AN 448 Sandoz (mazindol) has been assessed in a double-blind trial against placebo in 50 obese patients. Over the 12 weeks of the trial, mazindol was shown to be an effective adjunct to carbohydrate restriction in weight reduction.", "contents": "AN 448 Sandoz (Mazindol) in the treatment of obesity. The clinical value of a new anorectic agent, AN 448 Sandoz (mazindol) has been assessed in a double-blind trial against placebo in 50 obese patients. Over the 12 weeks of the trial, mazindol was shown to be an effective adjunct to carbohydrate restriction in weight reduction.", "PMID": 775265} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4165", "title": "Three score and ten.", "content": "Excluding infant and child mortality, the average \"natural\" life span seems to be about 70 years. It has remained so for several thousand years. It shows little sign of change. Hard work and stress appear to increase rather than decrease longevity.", "contents": "Three score and ten. Excluding infant and child mortality, the average \"natural\" life span seems to be about 70 years. It has remained so for several thousand years. It shows little sign of change. Hard work and stress appear to increase rather than decrease longevity.", "PMID": 775266} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4166", "title": "Mass single layer closure of abdominal wounds.", "content": "A prospective study to evaluate the technique of mass single layer closure of abdominal wounds is presented. This consists of 616 cases operated upon in one hospital, and includes a large variety of procedures performed in a diverse group of patients, the majority of whom were elderly. Complete wound breakdown occurred in two patients (0.3%) and partial wound breakdown occurred in two patients (0.3%)--a total incidence of 0.6%.", "contents": "Mass single layer closure of abdominal wounds. A prospective study to evaluate the technique of mass single layer closure of abdominal wounds is presented. This consists of 616 cases operated upon in one hospital, and includes a large variety of procedures performed in a diverse group of patients, the majority of whom were elderly. Complete wound breakdown occurred in two patients (0.3%) and partial wound breakdown occurred in two patients (0.3%)--a total incidence of 0.6%.", "PMID": 775271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4167", "title": "[The efficacy of Piracetam on the mental functional capacity of chronic alcoholics (author's transl)].", "content": "Piracetam, 1-pyrrolidone acetamid, was tested in 40 chronic alcoholics with a more or less marked psycho-organic syndrome by means of psychological tests. It was a double-blind-cross-over study. Statistical analysis of the results showed that Piracetam improves the energo-functional capacity of the cortex i.e. the basal functions of the cortical cells such as activating capacity, vital dynamic, flexibility, intellectual reactivity and stress tolerance. Apart from the overall improvement we also observed an improvement of specific cerebral performances which is however unimportant in comparison with the greneralized effect.", "contents": "[The efficacy of Piracetam on the mental functional capacity of chronic alcoholics (author's transl)]. Piracetam, 1-pyrrolidone acetamid, was tested in 40 chronic alcoholics with a more or less marked psycho-organic syndrome by means of psychological tests. It was a double-blind-cross-over study. Statistical analysis of the results showed that Piracetam improves the energo-functional capacity of the cortex i.e. the basal functions of the cortical cells such as activating capacity, vital dynamic, flexibility, intellectual reactivity and stress tolerance. Apart from the overall improvement we also observed an improvement of specific cerebral performances which is however unimportant in comparison with the greneralized effect.", "PMID": 775275} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4168", "title": "Reversion of the gal3 mutation of Escherichia coli: partial deletion of the insertion sequence.", "content": "The gal3 mutation of E. coli is an insertion of a DNA sequence, 1,100 base pairs in length, into the operator-promoter region of the galactose operon. This mutation reverts spontaneously to gal+ by excision of the insertion to produce stable, inducible revertants, or by tandem duplications of the gal operon to produce unstable, constitutive revertants. The nature of a third class of revertants, which are stable and constitutive, is the subject of the present study. The stable, constitutive class of revertants included approximately 30% of all gal+ revertants obtained from a gal3 (lambda) strain. Although the constitutive reversions could be transduced by lambda, the efficiency was found to be extremely poor and the rare transductants which did appear seemed to originate from abnormal transducing particles. It was concluded that these reversions were not normally packaged by lambda. In order to facilitate the packaging of these reversions, the chlD-pgl region was deleted from the parent gal3 (lambda) strain. Unexpectedly, the gal3 mutation in the majority of these deletions reverted to produce stable, constitutive reversions exclusively. The explanation proposed was that the chlL-pgl deletions had also removed part of the gal operator-promoter. These revertants were not considered to be true representatives of the stable, constitutive class. The specificity of deletion end-points at the insertion was found only in the gal3 (lambda) strain, and not in gal+, gal+(lambda), or gal3 strains. Moreover, the frequency of spontaneous chlD-pgl deletions increased 10- to 15-fold in presence of the gal3 insertions. A lambdagal phage bearing a true stable, constitutive reversion (galc200) was isolated from the revertant strain by subsequent deletion of the chlD-pgl segment (delta31). Electron micrographs of lambdagal+ and lambdac200 delta31(chlD pgl) DNA heteroduplexes were interpreted to indicate that the stable, constitutive reversion had arisen by a deletion of 3/4 of the gal3 insertion sequence. The main conclusions are: (i) the stable, constitutive reversions of gal3 can arise by partial deletions of the insertion sequence, apparently by elimination of the nucleotide sequence which causes polarity; (ii) the chlD-pgl deletions may exhibit preferential termination at the right extremity of the gal3 insertion in presence of prophage lambda; and (iii) the gal3 insertion appears to inhibit the production of lambdagal particles by providing a nucleotide sequence which is recognized and degraded by a specific endonuclease. It is suggested that inhibition of transducing particle formation by gal3 and the preferred termination of deletions at gal3 might represent related phenomena.", "contents": "Reversion of the gal3 mutation of Escherichia coli: partial deletion of the insertion sequence. The gal3 mutation of E. coli is an insertion of a DNA sequence, 1,100 base pairs in length, into the operator-promoter region of the galactose operon. This mutation reverts spontaneously to gal+ by excision of the insertion to produce stable, inducible revertants, or by tandem duplications of the gal operon to produce unstable, constitutive revertants. The nature of a third class of revertants, which are stable and constitutive, is the subject of the present study. The stable, constitutive class of revertants included approximately 30% of all gal+ revertants obtained from a gal3 (lambda) strain. Although the constitutive reversions could be transduced by lambda, the efficiency was found to be extremely poor and the rare transductants which did appear seemed to originate from abnormal transducing particles. It was concluded that these reversions were not normally packaged by lambda. In order to facilitate the packaging of these reversions, the chlD-pgl region was deleted from the parent gal3 (lambda) strain. Unexpectedly, the gal3 mutation in the majority of these deletions reverted to produce stable, constitutive reversions exclusively. The explanation proposed was that the chlL-pgl deletions had also removed part of the gal operator-promoter. These revertants were not considered to be true representatives of the stable, constitutive class. The specificity of deletion end-points at the insertion was found only in the gal3 (lambda) strain, and not in gal+, gal+(lambda), or gal3 strains. Moreover, the frequency of spontaneous chlD-pgl deletions increased 10- to 15-fold in presence of the gal3 insertions. A lambdagal phage bearing a true stable, constitutive reversion (galc200) was isolated from the revertant strain by subsequent deletion of the chlD-pgl segment (delta31). Electron micrographs of lambdagal+ and lambdac200 delta31(chlD pgl) DNA heteroduplexes were interpreted to indicate that the stable, constitutive reversion had arisen by a deletion of 3/4 of the gal3 insertion sequence. The main conclusions are: (i) the stable, constitutive reversions of gal3 can arise by partial deletions of the insertion sequence, apparently by elimination of the nucleotide sequence which causes polarity; (ii) the chlD-pgl deletions may exhibit preferential termination at the right extremity of the gal3 insertion in presence of prophage lambda; and (iii) the gal3 insertion appears to inhibit the production of lambdagal particles by providing a nucleotide sequence which is recognized and degraded by a specific endonuclease. It is suggested that inhibition of transducing particle formation by gal3 and the preferred termination of deletions at gal3 might represent related phenomena.", "PMID": 775285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4169", "title": "Alterations in mitochondrial DNA of yeast which accompany genetically and environmentally controlled changes in rho- mutability.", "content": "Alterations in the physical characteristics of mitochondrial DNA accompanied increased spontaneous mutability to cytoplasmic respiratory-deficiency in yeast. Two systems were used to modify mutation rates, one physiological, the other genetic. Cells in log phase were shown to be more mutable than cells in stationary phase, and glucose-repressed cells were shown to be more mutable than unrepressed cells. A nuclear gene which acts as a mitochondrial mutator was found to increase spontaneous mutation rate by a factor of ten. An increase in endogenous formation of G+G-rich fragments of mt-DNA accompanied a physiological state conducive to higher mutability, and it is proposed that increased in vivo digestion of A+T-rich regions is involved in these alterations. Greater nuclease(s) activity accompanied the presence of the mutator gene, and it is proposed that this gene is concerned with the regulation of nuclease activity or with repair mechanisms.", "contents": "Alterations in mitochondrial DNA of yeast which accompany genetically and environmentally controlled changes in rho- mutability. Alterations in the physical characteristics of mitochondrial DNA accompanied increased spontaneous mutability to cytoplasmic respiratory-deficiency in yeast. Two systems were used to modify mutation rates, one physiological, the other genetic. Cells in log phase were shown to be more mutable than cells in stationary phase, and glucose-repressed cells were shown to be more mutable than unrepressed cells. A nuclear gene which acts as a mitochondrial mutator was found to increase spontaneous mutation rate by a factor of ten. An increase in endogenous formation of G+G-rich fragments of mt-DNA accompanied a physiological state conducive to higher mutability, and it is proposed that increased in vivo digestion of A+T-rich regions is involved in these alterations. Greater nuclease(s) activity accompanied the presence of the mutator gene, and it is proposed that this gene is concerned with the regulation of nuclease activity or with repair mechanisms.", "PMID": 775286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4170", "title": "The effect of dose and time on the induction of genetic alterations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by aminoacridines in the presence and absence of visible light irradiation in comparison with the dose-effect-curves of mutagens with other type of action.", "content": "Aminoacridines induce frameshift mutations and are photodynamically active, depending on whether visible light is absent or present. Therefore, a test system which allows to compare quantitatively the genetic effects of aminoacridines irradiated or unirradiated by visible light ought to be susceptible to the different DNA alterations which can be induced by these substances. For this reason in most experiments mitotic gene conversion and only in some selected experiments reverse mutation was chosen as the indicator of genetic activity. In contrast to mutation systems mitotic gene conversion has never shown a response specific to only some types of mutagens. The three aminoacridine derivatives used-acridine orange (AO), proflavine (PF), and acridine yellow (AY)-were successful in the induction of convertants at two different loci. No locus-specificity could be observed. The time-dependent induction of convertants proceeds quickly but soon reaches-especially after treatment without light-a saturation point. The dose/effect-curve after treatment in the dark has a slope increasing with increasing concentration. Irradiation with visible light results in a dose/effect-curve consisting of three parts. Af first the increase of convertants is nearly linear extending one (AY) to three (AO) orders of magnitude. After a saturation effect begins at the point at which an effectiveness of the acridines in the dark is apparent. At high concentrations an induction of convertants can again be observed which is nearly the same as that after treatment in the dark. To determine whether the dose/effect-curves obtained for gene conversion refer to similar curves for gene mutations after treatment with AO at the same locus not only gene conversions but also reverse mutations were scored for. AO-treatment in the dark is ineffective in inducing reverse mutations. Irradiation with visible light results in a dose/effect-curve beeing parallel only in its first part to the dose/effect-curve obtained for gene conversion, while in its second part a mutation frequency decline can be observed. Comparing the dose/effect-curves of AO resulting from the induction of gene conversion and gene mutation, and taking into account that no mutants can be induced by AO-treatment in the dark, the increase in convertants at high acridine-concentrations can be explained as an addition of light-dependent and light-independent effects. That means, in mutation systems at low concentrations of aminoacridines irradiation with visible light should cause transitions, transversions and microlesions, at intermediate concentrations frameshift lesions should begin to appear, and at very high concentrations nearly exclusively frameshift lesions should occur. The dose/effect-curves of aminoacridines compared with those of other mutagens are very complex. The dose/effect-curves of the mutagens of other type of action tested are linear in a double logarithmic scale, and parallel for induced gene conversion and induced gene mutation...", "contents": "The effect of dose and time on the induction of genetic alterations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by aminoacridines in the presence and absence of visible light irradiation in comparison with the dose-effect-curves of mutagens with other type of action. Aminoacridines induce frameshift mutations and are photodynamically active, depending on whether visible light is absent or present. Therefore, a test system which allows to compare quantitatively the genetic effects of aminoacridines irradiated or unirradiated by visible light ought to be susceptible to the different DNA alterations which can be induced by these substances. For this reason in most experiments mitotic gene conversion and only in some selected experiments reverse mutation was chosen as the indicator of genetic activity. In contrast to mutation systems mitotic gene conversion has never shown a response specific to only some types of mutagens. The three aminoacridine derivatives used-acridine orange (AO), proflavine (PF), and acridine yellow (AY)-were successful in the induction of convertants at two different loci. No locus-specificity could be observed. The time-dependent induction of convertants proceeds quickly but soon reaches-especially after treatment without light-a saturation point. The dose/effect-curve after treatment in the dark has a slope increasing with increasing concentration. Irradiation with visible light results in a dose/effect-curve consisting of three parts. Af first the increase of convertants is nearly linear extending one (AY) to three (AO) orders of magnitude. After a saturation effect begins at the point at which an effectiveness of the acridines in the dark is apparent. At high concentrations an induction of convertants can again be observed which is nearly the same as that after treatment in the dark. To determine whether the dose/effect-curves obtained for gene conversion refer to similar curves for gene mutations after treatment with AO at the same locus not only gene conversions but also reverse mutations were scored for. AO-treatment in the dark is ineffective in inducing reverse mutations. Irradiation with visible light results in a dose/effect-curve beeing parallel only in its first part to the dose/effect-curve obtained for gene conversion, while in its second part a mutation frequency decline can be observed. Comparing the dose/effect-curves of AO resulting from the induction of gene conversion and gene mutation, and taking into account that no mutants can be induced by AO-treatment in the dark, the increase in convertants at high acridine-concentrations can be explained as an addition of light-dependent and light-independent effects. That means, in mutation systems at low concentrations of aminoacridines irradiation with visible light should cause transitions, transversions and microlesions, at intermediate concentrations frameshift lesions should begin to appear, and at very high concentrations nearly exclusively frameshift lesions should occur. The dose/effect-curves of aminoacridines compared with those of other mutagens are very complex. The dose/effect-curves of the mutagens of other type of action tested are linear in a double logarithmic scale, and parallel for induced gene conversion and induced gene mutation...", "PMID": 775287} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4171", "title": "Detection of ribonucleic acids which are larger than 30S precursor ribosomal RNA in RNase III deficient E. coli cells.", "content": "1. New high molecular weight RNA species have been found in an RNase III deficient mutant of E. coli. These RNA's were very minor but stable components of the cells, and their molecular weights, which range from 3-5.5 million daltons, are higher than that of 30S precursor ribosomal RNA. In these respects these RNAs are similar to the 2.5 M RNA reported previously (Yuki and Wittmann, 1974). 2. A method to analyse minor RNA components is described. A linear relationship between logarithms of molecular weights and logarithms of distance moved in 1.5-7.5% polyacrylamide concentration gradient gels is also described in this report. 3. DNA species whose molecular weights ranged from 1.8 to 5.5 million daltons and also a species of 8 million daltons are described. two techniques commonly used to identify RNA, viz. DNase treatment and labeling with radioactive uridine, are discussed in connection with these DNAs. 4. The determination of the molecular weight of 30S precursor ribosomal RNA is discussed and it is suggested that this RNA is heterogenous, consisting of two species of molecular weight 1.8 million daltons and 2.0 million daltons, respectively.", "contents": "Detection of ribonucleic acids which are larger than 30S precursor ribosomal RNA in RNase III deficient E. coli cells. 1. New high molecular weight RNA species have been found in an RNase III deficient mutant of E. coli. These RNA's were very minor but stable components of the cells, and their molecular weights, which range from 3-5.5 million daltons, are higher than that of 30S precursor ribosomal RNA. In these respects these RNAs are similar to the 2.5 M RNA reported previously (Yuki and Wittmann, 1974). 2. A method to analyse minor RNA components is described. A linear relationship between logarithms of molecular weights and logarithms of distance moved in 1.5-7.5% polyacrylamide concentration gradient gels is also described in this report. 3. DNA species whose molecular weights ranged from 1.8 to 5.5 million daltons and also a species of 8 million daltons are described. two techniques commonly used to identify RNA, viz. DNase treatment and labeling with radioactive uridine, are discussed in connection with these DNAs. 4. The determination of the molecular weight of 30S precursor ribosomal RNA is discussed and it is suggested that this RNA is heterogenous, consisting of two species of molecular weight 1.8 million daltons and 2.0 million daltons, respectively.", "PMID": 775288} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4172", "title": "Mutants of the Clo DF13 plasmid in Escherichia coli with a decreased bacteriocinogenic activity.", "content": "Three Clo DF13 mutant plasmids (designated as clp03, clp05 and clp21) that show a decreased cloacin activity were isolated. The decreased cloacin activity was not due to a reduced number of Clo DF13 copies per cell. The cloacins produced by the clp03 and the clp21 mutant plasmids have a strongly decreased killing activity in vivo in comparison with the wild type cloacin and the cloacin of the clp05 mutant plasmid. Furthermore no lacunae could be observed from clp03 or clp21 harbouring strains, while strains harbouring the clp05 plasmid showed a 50-100 times decreased frequency of lacunae. In addition the clp05 mutant showed a decreased rate of RNA synthesis in clp05 harbouring Escherichia coli minicells. No complementation between the three mutant plasmids was observed. We suggest that the clp03 and clp21 mutations are located in the gene coding for the cloacin. Since the cloacin produced by the clp05 mutant plasmid has retained all the known wild type cloacin activities, the reduced inhibition zone in the stab test is probably caused by a mutation affecting the expression of the cloacin gene. The nature of this mutation is discussed.", "contents": "Mutants of the Clo DF13 plasmid in Escherichia coli with a decreased bacteriocinogenic activity. Three Clo DF13 mutant plasmids (designated as clp03, clp05 and clp21) that show a decreased cloacin activity were isolated. The decreased cloacin activity was not due to a reduced number of Clo DF13 copies per cell. The cloacins produced by the clp03 and the clp21 mutant plasmids have a strongly decreased killing activity in vivo in comparison with the wild type cloacin and the cloacin of the clp05 mutant plasmid. Furthermore no lacunae could be observed from clp03 or clp21 harbouring strains, while strains harbouring the clp05 plasmid showed a 50-100 times decreased frequency of lacunae. In addition the clp05 mutant showed a decreased rate of RNA synthesis in clp05 harbouring Escherichia coli minicells. No complementation between the three mutant plasmids was observed. We suggest that the clp03 and clp21 mutations are located in the gene coding for the cloacin. Since the cloacin produced by the clp05 mutant plasmid has retained all the known wild type cloacin activities, the reduced inhibition zone in the stab test is probably caused by a mutation affecting the expression of the cloacin gene. The nature of this mutation is discussed.", "PMID": 775289} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4173", "title": "Plasmids controlling synthesis of hemolysin in Escherichia coli. II. Polynucleotide sequence relationship among hemolytic plasmids.", "content": "Plasmids of three different sizes, designated as plasmid A (mw: 65 X 10(6), plasmid B (mw: 41 X 10(6) and plasmid C (mw: 32 X 10(6) respectively, have been isolated from various hemolytic wild-type strains of E. coli. DNA-DNA hybridization was performed to determine their relationship. The wild-type strain, PM167a, harbours plasmids of all three sizes. Hybridization studies indicate that all three plasmids share extented sequence homologies but that plasmid A is not composed of plasmids B and C. Hybridization between plasmids of the donor strain and those of appropriate transconjugants demonstrates that in some cases plasmids with identical size are not longer completely homologous in their nucleotide sequences. This indicates that despite their defined sizes these plasmids are not stable genetic entities, but rather they undergo frequently recombination and dissociation during conjugation. In one particular transconjugant strain, K12-PM152/1, a plasmid D was found which is a stable recombined molecule of plasmids B and C of the original strain. Plasmids of size B found as the only extrachromosomal elements in a hemolytic wild-type strain (P224) and two transconjugant strains (e.g. K12-CM20 and K12-PM167/1) share extended nucleotide sequence homologies but are not identical. Little sequence homology was observed between two different hemolytic plasmids and the F and the Col Ib plasmids suggesting that the former do not belong to either the F-like or the I-like group of plasmids. Another hemolytic plasmid is F-like based on its sequence homologies with the F factor.", "contents": "Plasmids controlling synthesis of hemolysin in Escherichia coli. II. Polynucleotide sequence relationship among hemolytic plasmids. Plasmids of three different sizes, designated as plasmid A (mw: 65 X 10(6), plasmid B (mw: 41 X 10(6) and plasmid C (mw: 32 X 10(6) respectively, have been isolated from various hemolytic wild-type strains of E. coli. DNA-DNA hybridization was performed to determine their relationship. The wild-type strain, PM167a, harbours plasmids of all three sizes. Hybridization studies indicate that all three plasmids share extented sequence homologies but that plasmid A is not composed of plasmids B and C. Hybridization between plasmids of the donor strain and those of appropriate transconjugants demonstrates that in some cases plasmids with identical size are not longer completely homologous in their nucleotide sequences. This indicates that despite their defined sizes these plasmids are not stable genetic entities, but rather they undergo frequently recombination and dissociation during conjugation. In one particular transconjugant strain, K12-PM152/1, a plasmid D was found which is a stable recombined molecule of plasmids B and C of the original strain. Plasmids of size B found as the only extrachromosomal elements in a hemolytic wild-type strain (P224) and two transconjugant strains (e.g. K12-CM20 and K12-PM167/1) share extended nucleotide sequence homologies but are not identical. Little sequence homology was observed between two different hemolytic plasmids and the F and the Col Ib plasmids suggesting that the former do not belong to either the F-like or the I-like group of plasmids. Another hemolytic plasmid is F-like based on its sequence homologies with the F factor.", "PMID": 775290} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4174", "title": "Consequences of losing ribonuclease III on the Escherichia coli cell.", "content": "An isogenic pair of Escherichia coli strains, one carrying an rnc+ and the other an rnc- allele (a mutation which reduces the level of ribonuclease III), was compared. The rnc- strain fails to grow at very elevated temperatures (for E. coli) while the rnc+ strain does grow exponentially. Assaying the residual RNase III like activity in extracts of the rnc- strain at different pHs and at different temperatures suggested that this residual RNase III like activity is not due to RNase III. This raised the possibility that the rnc- strain is devoid of any RNase III activity in the cell. Comparing the decay of newly synthesized RNA and functional decay of beta-galactosidase mRNA in such strains revealed that in both strains these parameters proceed in similar rates, which suggests that RNase III is not involved in the metabolism of mRNA. During carbon starvation preexisting total RNA, as well as 23S and 16S rRNA, decay faster in the rnc- strain, thus eliminating the possibility that RNase III is the endoribonuclease which initiates the decay of rRNA during starvation (Kaplan and Apirion, 1975a).", "contents": "Consequences of losing ribonuclease III on the Escherichia coli cell. An isogenic pair of Escherichia coli strains, one carrying an rnc+ and the other an rnc- allele (a mutation which reduces the level of ribonuclease III), was compared. The rnc- strain fails to grow at very elevated temperatures (for E. coli) while the rnc+ strain does grow exponentially. Assaying the residual RNase III like activity in extracts of the rnc- strain at different pHs and at different temperatures suggested that this residual RNase III like activity is not due to RNase III. This raised the possibility that the rnc- strain is devoid of any RNase III activity in the cell. Comparing the decay of newly synthesized RNA and functional decay of beta-galactosidase mRNA in such strains revealed that in both strains these parameters proceed in similar rates, which suggests that RNase III is not involved in the metabolism of mRNA. During carbon starvation preexisting total RNA, as well as 23S and 16S rRNA, decay faster in the rnc- strain, thus eliminating the possibility that RNase III is the endoribonuclease which initiates the decay of rRNA during starvation (Kaplan and Apirion, 1975a).", "PMID": 775291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4175", "title": "Site c27 in phage P22 and control of the pathway to lysogeny.", "content": "Phage P22 mutation c27 defines a site required for establishment , but not maintenance of repressor synthesis. This study confirms that P22 c27 is able to synthesize repressor if active repressor is present. An interaction involving gene products of c1 and c3 and the site c27 retards expression of the lytic genes of P22. Mutations in gene c1 eliminate the retardation of lytic gene expression, but c27 does not alleviate the retardation. These results are used to construct a model that postulates that binding of c1 and c3 products to DNA at or near c27 is sufficient to cause retardation of lytic gene expression. The functioning of c27 is contrasted to that of the analogous cy mutants of lambda. The effect of the c27 mutation upon alleviation of \"cl repression\" was studied in a partial revertant of Salmonella typhimurium Pox-1 in which c1 repression is exaggerated. The higher frequency of lysogenization seen in the mutant host is related to enhanced cl repression.", "contents": "Site c27 in phage P22 and control of the pathway to lysogeny. Phage P22 mutation c27 defines a site required for establishment , but not maintenance of repressor synthesis. This study confirms that P22 c27 is able to synthesize repressor if active repressor is present. An interaction involving gene products of c1 and c3 and the site c27 retards expression of the lytic genes of P22. Mutations in gene c1 eliminate the retardation of lytic gene expression, but c27 does not alleviate the retardation. These results are used to construct a model that postulates that binding of c1 and c3 products to DNA at or near c27 is sufficient to cause retardation of lytic gene expression. The functioning of c27 is contrasted to that of the analogous cy mutants of lambda. The effect of the c27 mutation upon alleviation of \"cl repression\" was studied in a partial revertant of Salmonella typhimurium Pox-1 in which c1 repression is exaggerated. The higher frequency of lysogenization seen in the mutant host is related to enhanced cl repression.", "PMID": 775292} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4176", "title": "Identification of components of the streptomycin-binding center of E. coli MRE 600 ribosomes by photo-affinity labelling.", "content": "The [H3]-labelled photo-activated analog of streptomycin (photo-Sm) is obtained as a result of the streptomycin reaction with 2-nitro, 4-azidobenzoylhydrazide and subsequent reduction with NaBH34. The analog retains the functional activity of the initial antibiotic as judged by two criteria: (1) it binds only to the 30S subparticle of ribosomes and (2) it inhibits the factor-free (\"non-enzymatic\") PCMB-stimulated polyU-dependent system of translation (Gavrilova and Spirin, 1971). After irradiation of the reaction mixture containing photo-Sm and either the 30S or 50S subparticles of ribosomes under similar conditions, the analog covalently binds chiefly to the 30S subparticle. Irradiation of the photo-Sm mixture with whole 70S ribosomes leads to a uniform distribution of a covalently bound label among the subparticles. A comparison of the effects obtained allows the conclusion that the analog is located on the interface of the ribosomal subparticles. In the 30S subparticle the photo-Sm attacks mainly the protein component (more than 95% of all the covalently bound label). The proteins labelled by photo-reaction are identified as S7 (main), S14 (additional) and S16/S17 (minor).", "contents": "Identification of components of the streptomycin-binding center of E. coli MRE 600 ribosomes by photo-affinity labelling. The [H3]-labelled photo-activated analog of streptomycin (photo-Sm) is obtained as a result of the streptomycin reaction with 2-nitro, 4-azidobenzoylhydrazide and subsequent reduction with NaBH34. The analog retains the functional activity of the initial antibiotic as judged by two criteria: (1) it binds only to the 30S subparticle of ribosomes and (2) it inhibits the factor-free (\"non-enzymatic\") PCMB-stimulated polyU-dependent system of translation (Gavrilova and Spirin, 1971). After irradiation of the reaction mixture containing photo-Sm and either the 30S or 50S subparticles of ribosomes under similar conditions, the analog covalently binds chiefly to the 30S subparticle. Irradiation of the photo-Sm mixture with whole 70S ribosomes leads to a uniform distribution of a covalently bound label among the subparticles. A comparison of the effects obtained allows the conclusion that the analog is located on the interface of the ribosomal subparticles. In the 30S subparticle the photo-Sm attacks mainly the protein component (more than 95% of all the covalently bound label). The proteins labelled by photo-reaction are identified as S7 (main), S14 (additional) and S16/S17 (minor).", "PMID": 775293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4177", "title": "Mutational properties of supP amber-ochre supersuppressors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Mutational properties of the supP amber-ochre supersuppressor locus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are described. They are consistent with the proposition that the supP locus encodes a protein.", "contents": "Mutational properties of supP amber-ochre supersuppressors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutational properties of the supP amber-ochre supersuppressor locus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are described. They are consistent with the proposition that the supP locus encodes a protein.", "PMID": 775294} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4178", "title": "The maintenance affinities of KLF-1 proximal F merogenotes in Escherichia coli.", "content": "In conjugation with donor strains carrying proximal F merogenotes of KLF-1 type about 100-fold lower frequency of Leu+ or Lac+ recombinants was found. The determination of the level of beta-galactosidase synthesis during the initial period of mating indicated that the transfer process of plasmid DNA was not impaired. Among the recombinants selected a large fraction have not expressed the plasmic fertility functions. This phenomenon was found to be replicon specific and was observed only with proximal F merogenotes but not with classical F'lac and F'ORF-1 elements or R1-19 plasmid. The expression of KLF-1 plasmid functions in the cell seems to be affected by a chromosomal gene of the proximal F merogenote closely linked to leu marker.", "contents": "The maintenance affinities of KLF-1 proximal F merogenotes in Escherichia coli. In conjugation with donor strains carrying proximal F merogenotes of KLF-1 type about 100-fold lower frequency of Leu+ or Lac+ recombinants was found. The determination of the level of beta-galactosidase synthesis during the initial period of mating indicated that the transfer process of plasmid DNA was not impaired. Among the recombinants selected a large fraction have not expressed the plasmic fertility functions. This phenomenon was found to be replicon specific and was observed only with proximal F merogenotes but not with classical F'lac and F'ORF-1 elements or R1-19 plasmid. The expression of KLF-1 plasmid functions in the cell seems to be affected by a chromosomal gene of the proximal F merogenote closely linked to leu marker.", "PMID": 775295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4179", "title": "Genetic and biochemical studies of phosphomannose isomerase deficient mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Three mannose-negative mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been isolated. These mutants showed growth inhibition when mannose was added to a growth medium containing glycerol or fructose. Crosses between wild type mutants showed segregation of 2+/2-. Crosses between the mutants themselves showed that they were closely linked. Two mutants (XM3 and D2) showed characteristics of allelic structural alteration of phosphomannoseisomerase. Mutant D4 had a deficiency of phosphomannoseisomerase activity, but with a normal thermostability. Revertants from D4 had a normal thermostability.", "contents": "Genetic and biochemical studies of phosphomannose isomerase deficient mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Three mannose-negative mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been isolated. These mutants showed growth inhibition when mannose was added to a growth medium containing glycerol or fructose. Crosses between wild type mutants showed segregation of 2+/2-. Crosses between the mutants themselves showed that they were closely linked. Two mutants (XM3 and D2) showed characteristics of allelic structural alteration of phosphomannoseisomerase. Mutant D4 had a deficiency of phosphomannoseisomerase activity, but with a normal thermostability. Revertants from D4 had a normal thermostability.", "PMID": 775296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4180", "title": "Factors affecting petite induction and the recovery of respiratory competence in yeast cells exposed to ethidium bromide.", "content": "When growing cultures of S. cerevisiae are treated with high concentrations of ethidium bromide (greater than 50 mug/ml), three phases of petite induction may be observed: I. the majority of cells are rapidly converted to petite, II. subsequently a large proportion of cells recover the ability to form respiratory competent clones, and III. slow, irreversible conversion of all cells to petite. The extent of recovery of respiratory competence observed is dependent on the strain of S. cerevisiae employed and the temperature and the carbon source used in the growth medium. The effects of 100 mug/ml ethidium bromide are also produced by 10 mug/ml ethidium bromide in the presence of the detergent, sodium dodecyl sulphate, and recovery is also observed when cells are treated with 10 mug/ml ethidium bromide under starvation conditions. Genetic analysis of strain differences indicates that a number of nuclear genes influence petite induction by ethidium bromide. In one strain, S288C, petite induction by 100 mug/ml ethidium bromide is extremely slow under certain conditions. Mitochondria isolated from from S288C lack the ethidium bromide stimulated nuclease activity found in D243-4A, a strain which shows triphasic kinetics of petite formation. This enzyme may, therefore, be responsible for the initial phase of rapid petite formation.", "contents": "Factors affecting petite induction and the recovery of respiratory competence in yeast cells exposed to ethidium bromide. When growing cultures of S. cerevisiae are treated with high concentrations of ethidium bromide (greater than 50 mug/ml), three phases of petite induction may be observed: I. the majority of cells are rapidly converted to petite, II. subsequently a large proportion of cells recover the ability to form respiratory competent clones, and III. slow, irreversible conversion of all cells to petite. The extent of recovery of respiratory competence observed is dependent on the strain of S. cerevisiae employed and the temperature and the carbon source used in the growth medium. The effects of 100 mug/ml ethidium bromide are also produced by 10 mug/ml ethidium bromide in the presence of the detergent, sodium dodecyl sulphate, and recovery is also observed when cells are treated with 10 mug/ml ethidium bromide under starvation conditions. Genetic analysis of strain differences indicates that a number of nuclear genes influence petite induction by ethidium bromide. In one strain, S288C, petite induction by 100 mug/ml ethidium bromide is extremely slow under certain conditions. Mitochondria isolated from from S288C lack the ethidium bromide stimulated nuclease activity found in D243-4A, a strain which shows triphasic kinetics of petite formation. This enzyme may, therefore, be responsible for the initial phase of rapid petite formation.", "PMID": 775297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4181", "title": "Molecular and genetic events accompanying petite induction and recovery of respiratory competence induced by ethidium bromide.", "content": "The treatment of yeast cells with high levels of ethidium bromide causes a rapid induction of respiratory deficient mutants followed by a period of recovery to respiratory competence in 60 to 70% of the cells. Prolonged exposure then results in a final irreversible phase of petite formation. Sucrose gradient sedimentation analysis of 3H-adenine labelled mtDNA indicates that limited fragmentation (to about 16-18S) occurs during the initial phase of petite induction followed by a reassembly of the fragments during the period corresponding to the recovery of respiratory competence. The reassembly is associated with an ethidium bromide insensitive incorporation of 3H-adenine into mtDNA at a level consistent with repair synthesis. Genetic analyses, based on the transmission of five markers carried on the mtDNA of \"repaired rho+\" clones, suggests that reassembly occurs with a high degree of fidelity, though in two of a total of twenty five clones differences in marker transmission frequency were observed which could possibly reflect an altered gene order. In addition, a description is given of the marked changes in the suppressive nature of the treated cells and the temporary reduction in the capacity for marker transmission seen to accompany the transitory fragmentation of the mtDNA. The final phase of petite induction is an energy dependent degradation of the mtDNA to produce a rho degrees culture.", "contents": "Molecular and genetic events accompanying petite induction and recovery of respiratory competence induced by ethidium bromide. The treatment of yeast cells with high levels of ethidium bromide causes a rapid induction of respiratory deficient mutants followed by a period of recovery to respiratory competence in 60 to 70% of the cells. Prolonged exposure then results in a final irreversible phase of petite formation. Sucrose gradient sedimentation analysis of 3H-adenine labelled mtDNA indicates that limited fragmentation (to about 16-18S) occurs during the initial phase of petite induction followed by a reassembly of the fragments during the period corresponding to the recovery of respiratory competence. The reassembly is associated with an ethidium bromide insensitive incorporation of 3H-adenine into mtDNA at a level consistent with repair synthesis. Genetic analyses, based on the transmission of five markers carried on the mtDNA of \"repaired rho+\" clones, suggests that reassembly occurs with a high degree of fidelity, though in two of a total of twenty five clones differences in marker transmission frequency were observed which could possibly reflect an altered gene order. In addition, a description is given of the marked changes in the suppressive nature of the treated cells and the temporary reduction in the capacity for marker transmission seen to accompany the transitory fragmentation of the mtDNA. The final phase of petite induction is an energy dependent degradation of the mtDNA to produce a rho degrees culture.", "PMID": 775298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4182", "title": "Some physiological alteration associated with pleiotropic cross resistance and collateral sensitivity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "A mutant strain (2-20) isolated by growth on medium containing oligomycin and cycloheximide was also found to be cross resistant to antimyicn, cerulenin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, triethyltin and triphenylmethylphosphonium bromide, but collaterally sensitive to dequalinium chloride, gentamycin, neomycin, paromomycin and thiolutin. Growth of 2-20, compared to the parental strain and 2 complete revertants, under a variety of environmental conditions revealed that strain 2-20 had an enhanced sensitivity to increased osmolality, elevated pH, and high temperature; in addition, strain 2-20 was unable to polymerize aminoimidazole ribotide at 37 degrees C as shown by the failure to develop a red colony in the presence of ade 2. Four complex solid media (glucose--KCI, galactose, ethanol, ethanol--KCI, Table 1) unable to sustain the growth of strain 2-20 were arbitrarily chosen to monitor cellular growth under different physiological conditions. Tetrad analysis indicated that the complex phenotype (cross resistance, collateral sensitivity, inablity to polymerize aminoimidazole ribotide, absence of growth under adverse physiological conditions) was inherited by an allele of a locus previously shown to result in a permeability barrier of the plasma membrane to chloramphenicol. 582 of 640 subclones used to isolate revertants of 2-20, under four different physiological conditions, were observed to produce a complete revertant of the complex phenotype. It is proposed that the pleiotropic phenotype could result from an alteration of the plasma membrane and mitochondrial inner membrane by a single nuclear gene mutation.", "contents": "Some physiological alteration associated with pleiotropic cross resistance and collateral sensitivity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A mutant strain (2-20) isolated by growth on medium containing oligomycin and cycloheximide was also found to be cross resistant to antimyicn, cerulenin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, triethyltin and triphenylmethylphosphonium bromide, but collaterally sensitive to dequalinium chloride, gentamycin, neomycin, paromomycin and thiolutin. Growth of 2-20, compared to the parental strain and 2 complete revertants, under a variety of environmental conditions revealed that strain 2-20 had an enhanced sensitivity to increased osmolality, elevated pH, and high temperature; in addition, strain 2-20 was unable to polymerize aminoimidazole ribotide at 37 degrees C as shown by the failure to develop a red colony in the presence of ade 2. Four complex solid media (glucose--KCI, galactose, ethanol, ethanol--KCI, Table 1) unable to sustain the growth of strain 2-20 were arbitrarily chosen to monitor cellular growth under different physiological conditions. Tetrad analysis indicated that the complex phenotype (cross resistance, collateral sensitivity, inablity to polymerize aminoimidazole ribotide, absence of growth under adverse physiological conditions) was inherited by an allele of a locus previously shown to result in a permeability barrier of the plasma membrane to chloramphenicol. 582 of 640 subclones used to isolate revertants of 2-20, under four different physiological conditions, were observed to produce a complete revertant of the complex phenotype. It is proposed that the pleiotropic phenotype could result from an alteration of the plasma membrane and mitochondrial inner membrane by a single nuclear gene mutation.", "PMID": 775299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4183", "title": "Cytoplasmic inheritance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: comparison of zygotic mitochondrial inheritance patterns.", "content": "Mitochondrial movements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) zygotes were monitored with phase-contrast microscopy and compared to known mitochondrial inheritance systems. The mitochondria of Sc were convincingly identified by integrated use of phase-contrast, cytochemical and electron microscopic observations. Mitochondria in Sc appear to move by saltatory jumps, which appear to be oriented towards movement of mitochondria into developing buds. Tracking of mitochondria of different genotypes was made possible by positive identification of each mitochondrial population before zygosis, and by the low degree of mixing (less than 10%) of mitochondrial populations before first bud septation. A grande by grande cross demonstrated equal numbers of mitochondria from each haploid moving into the first zygotic bud. A grande by neutral petite cross gave a 2:1 ratio of grande to petite mitochondria. However, a grande by suppressive petite cross gave equal numbers of grande and petite mitochondria. Using drug resistance systems, a comparison was made of highly biased (97%) and moderately biased (71%) chloramphenicol resistant inheritance patterns. In both cases, the ratios of drug resistant to sensitive mitochondria were 1:1. When numbers of mitochondria moving into an individual bud were compared to the phenotypic content of the clone of that bud, no model could be constructed which could predict the latter from the former. The data indicate (with the exception of the neutral petite by grande cross) that the numbers of each mitochondrial type \"inserted\" into the first zygotic bud are equal, regardless of the degree of asymmetry of inheritance of mitochondrial markers.", "contents": "Cytoplasmic inheritance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: comparison of zygotic mitochondrial inheritance patterns. Mitochondrial movements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) zygotes were monitored with phase-contrast microscopy and compared to known mitochondrial inheritance systems. The mitochondria of Sc were convincingly identified by integrated use of phase-contrast, cytochemical and electron microscopic observations. Mitochondria in Sc appear to move by saltatory jumps, which appear to be oriented towards movement of mitochondria into developing buds. Tracking of mitochondria of different genotypes was made possible by positive identification of each mitochondrial population before zygosis, and by the low degree of mixing (less than 10%) of mitochondrial populations before first bud septation. A grande by grande cross demonstrated equal numbers of mitochondria from each haploid moving into the first zygotic bud. A grande by neutral petite cross gave a 2:1 ratio of grande to petite mitochondria. However, a grande by suppressive petite cross gave equal numbers of grande and petite mitochondria. Using drug resistance systems, a comparison was made of highly biased (97%) and moderately biased (71%) chloramphenicol resistant inheritance patterns. In both cases, the ratios of drug resistant to sensitive mitochondria were 1:1. When numbers of mitochondria moving into an individual bud were compared to the phenotypic content of the clone of that bud, no model could be constructed which could predict the latter from the former. The data indicate (with the exception of the neutral petite by grande cross) that the numbers of each mitochondrial type \"inserted\" into the first zygotic bud are equal, regardless of the degree of asymmetry of inheritance of mitochondrial markers.", "PMID": 775300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4184", "title": "Macromolecule synthesis in a mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae inhibited by S-adenosyimethionine.", "content": "Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 83384-B3 carries the sai-1 mutation which confers sensitivity to S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). It was shown that the mutant is impermeable to precursors of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein during inhibition by SAM (0.2 mM). Inhibition of uptake of adenine and uracil was nearly complete 3 h after growth in the presence of SAM and the uptake of leucine was at least 10-fold lower. The incorporation of 3H-adenine into ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA and heterodisperse RNA, believed to be messenger, was reduced 10-fold when measured after 1 h inhibition. The inhibition of growth was completely reversed by methionine (2.0 mM) in cells previously exposed to SAM for 90 min. The polysome content in cells inhibited by SAM was 25% less than the control after 4 h inhibition. Ribosome synthesis increased only about 40% in the presence of SAM and about 5-fold in the control over an 8 h period. All classes of RNA were synthesized during inhibition.", "contents": "Macromolecule synthesis in a mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae inhibited by S-adenosyimethionine. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 83384-B3 carries the sai-1 mutation which confers sensitivity to S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). It was shown that the mutant is impermeable to precursors of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein during inhibition by SAM (0.2 mM). Inhibition of uptake of adenine and uracil was nearly complete 3 h after growth in the presence of SAM and the uptake of leucine was at least 10-fold lower. The incorporation of 3H-adenine into ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA and heterodisperse RNA, believed to be messenger, was reduced 10-fold when measured after 1 h inhibition. The inhibition of growth was completely reversed by methionine (2.0 mM) in cells previously exposed to SAM for 90 min. The polysome content in cells inhibited by SAM was 25% less than the control after 4 h inhibition. Ribosome synthesis increased only about 40% in the presence of SAM and about 5-fold in the control over an 8 h period. All classes of RNA were synthesized during inhibition.", "PMID": 775301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4185", "title": "Characterization of the antibiotic resistance plasmid ERL1 from Streptococcus pyogenes.", "content": "The streptococcal plasmid ERL1 determining inducible resistance to erythromycin, lincomycin, and staphylomycin S was isolated by dye-buoyant density centrifugation and shown to have a molecular weight of about 17.5 Mdal, as revealed by sedimentation through neutral sucrose gradients. In SM60 cells entering the stationary phase its covalently closed circular form was present to the extent of 5 copies per chromosomal genome equivalent, ERL1 was subject to the DNA restriction and modification mechanism discovered in strain 56188. It did not appear to exercise restriction of phage DNA but mediated a partial release of the restricted growth of A25.", "contents": "Characterization of the antibiotic resistance plasmid ERL1 from Streptococcus pyogenes. The streptococcal plasmid ERL1 determining inducible resistance to erythromycin, lincomycin, and staphylomycin S was isolated by dye-buoyant density centrifugation and shown to have a molecular weight of about 17.5 Mdal, as revealed by sedimentation through neutral sucrose gradients. In SM60 cells entering the stationary phase its covalently closed circular form was present to the extent of 5 copies per chromosomal genome equivalent, ERL1 was subject to the DNA restriction and modification mechanism discovered in strain 56188. It did not appear to exercise restriction of phage DNA but mediated a partial release of the restricted growth of A25.", "PMID": 775302} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4186", "title": "Analysis of the proteins synthesized in ultraviolet light-irradiated Escherichia coli following infection with the bacteriophages lambdadrifd 18 and lambdadfus-3.", "content": "The presence of EF-Tu, RNA polymerase subunit alpha, and EF-G on the lambdadfus-3 genome and EF-Tu, ribosomal proteins L7/L12, and RNA polymerase subunit beta on the lambdadrifd 18 genome has been confirmed using a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique sensitive to changes in isoelectric point and molecular weight. In this system two EF-Tu gene products could not be resolved. Following infection of ultraviolet light-irradiated Escherichia coli with either lambdadfus-3 or lambdadrifd18, the EF-Tu gene, tufA, near 65 minutes on the genetic map is expressed as 3-4 copies per EF-G molecule. The EF-Tu gene, tufB, near 79 minutes on the genetic map, is expressed at about one-third of this rate. alpha is expressed as 1 copy per EF-G molecule, beta as 0.14 per EF-G molecule and L7/L12 as 2.5 per EF-G. These figures compare well with the relative amounts found in exponentially-growing cells, in which the ratio of EF-Tu to EF-G is approximately 5. Almost 90% of the total number of proteins (calculated on a molecular weight basis) which theoretically can be encoded on the lambdadrifd18 have been identified on the two-dimensional gel.", "contents": "Analysis of the proteins synthesized in ultraviolet light-irradiated Escherichia coli following infection with the bacteriophages lambdadrifd 18 and lambdadfus-3. The presence of EF-Tu, RNA polymerase subunit alpha, and EF-G on the lambdadfus-3 genome and EF-Tu, ribosomal proteins L7/L12, and RNA polymerase subunit beta on the lambdadrifd 18 genome has been confirmed using a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique sensitive to changes in isoelectric point and molecular weight. In this system two EF-Tu gene products could not be resolved. Following infection of ultraviolet light-irradiated Escherichia coli with either lambdadfus-3 or lambdadrifd18, the EF-Tu gene, tufA, near 65 minutes on the genetic map is expressed as 3-4 copies per EF-G molecule. The EF-Tu gene, tufB, near 79 minutes on the genetic map, is expressed at about one-third of this rate. alpha is expressed as 1 copy per EF-G molecule, beta as 0.14 per EF-G molecule and L7/L12 as 2.5 per EF-G. These figures compare well with the relative amounts found in exponentially-growing cells, in which the ratio of EF-Tu to EF-G is approximately 5. Almost 90% of the total number of proteins (calculated on a molecular weight basis) which theoretically can be encoded on the lambdadrifd18 have been identified on the two-dimensional gel.", "PMID": 775303} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4187", "title": "Mutagenesis of plasmid DNA with hydroxylamine: isolation of mutants of multi-copy plasmids.", "content": "An investigation of in vitro mutagenesis of plasmid DNA with hydroxylamine is described. The treated plasmid DNA was used to transform Escherichia coli K12. Mutants of the plasmid NTP3, which codes for resistance to ampicillin and sulphonamides, were isolated and characterised. They were classified according to the reduction in level of their beta-lactamase activity. Hydroxylamine-induced mutants of NTP14 were also isolated. This plasmid codes for ampicillin resistance, synthesis of colicin E1, and the EcoRI restriction and modification enzymes. One class of mutants is lethal to the host strain at temperatures above 33 degrees C, but carrier strains grow well at 28 degrees C. There is evidence that these mutants code for a temperature-sensitive EcoRI modification activity: the lethal effect probably results from the cleavage of the host-cell DNA by the restriction enzyme at non-permissive temperatures. The possible genetic uses of the mutant plasmids for the production of hybrid plasmids in the bacterial cell are discussed.", "contents": "Mutagenesis of plasmid DNA with hydroxylamine: isolation of mutants of multi-copy plasmids. An investigation of in vitro mutagenesis of plasmid DNA with hydroxylamine is described. The treated plasmid DNA was used to transform Escherichia coli K12. Mutants of the plasmid NTP3, which codes for resistance to ampicillin and sulphonamides, were isolated and characterised. They were classified according to the reduction in level of their beta-lactamase activity. Hydroxylamine-induced mutants of NTP14 were also isolated. This plasmid codes for ampicillin resistance, synthesis of colicin E1, and the EcoRI restriction and modification enzymes. One class of mutants is lethal to the host strain at temperatures above 33 degrees C, but carrier strains grow well at 28 degrees C. There is evidence that these mutants code for a temperature-sensitive EcoRI modification activity: the lethal effect probably results from the cleavage of the host-cell DNA by the restriction enzyme at non-permissive temperatures. The possible genetic uses of the mutant plasmids for the production of hybrid plasmids in the bacterial cell are discussed.", "PMID": 775304} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4188", "title": "Transformation in E. coli K12: relation of linkage to distance between markers.", "content": "E. coli K12 transformants, selected as leu+ or pyrA+ transformants, were analysed for inheritance of some closely linked unselected markers. Based on the observation that the number of recombinants which require, besides an integration event, one or more crossing-over events was negligible, a simple mapping function was deduced. The function L= e-kd, which directly relates observed linkage of an unselected marker and the relative distance of that unselected marker to the selected marker, gave a consistent interpretation of the experimental results.", "contents": "Transformation in E. coli K12: relation of linkage to distance between markers. E. coli K12 transformants, selected as leu+ or pyrA+ transformants, were analysed for inheritance of some closely linked unselected markers. Based on the observation that the number of recombinants which require, besides an integration event, one or more crossing-over events was negligible, a simple mapping function was deduced. The function L= e-kd, which directly relates observed linkage of an unselected marker and the relative distance of that unselected marker to the selected marker, gave a consistent interpretation of the experimental results.", "PMID": 775305} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4189", "title": "Identification of a mutation within the structural gene for the a subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of E. coli.", "content": "An E. coli mutant rpoA109 unable to support the growth of phage P2 produces DNA-dependent RNA polymerase with an altered alpha subunit. Histidine is substituted for leucine in one tryptic peptide from the mutant alpha subunit. The existence of only one rpoA gene within the E. coli chromosome is indicated.", "contents": "Identification of a mutation within the structural gene for the a subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of E. coli. An E. coli mutant rpoA109 unable to support the growth of phage P2 produces DNA-dependent RNA polymerase with an altered alpha subunit. Histidine is substituted for leucine in one tryptic peptide from the mutant alpha subunit. The existence of only one rpoA gene within the E. coli chromosome is indicated.", "PMID": 775306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4190", "title": "Occurrence of a regulatory deficiency in purine biosynthesis among pur A mutants of Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "A defect in the repression of the de novo purine biosynthetic enzymes was detected among purA mutants of Salmonella typhimurium. We suggest that the defect is caused by an altered purine regulation gene (purR) which affects the response level of at least five of the de novo enzymes to repression by excess adenine. Thus the unlinked genes controlling these enzymes constitute a regulation controlled wholly or in part by a purR gene product. The regulation of the guanine operon is regulated by some other mechanism independent of purR.", "contents": "Occurrence of a regulatory deficiency in purine biosynthesis among pur A mutants of Salmonella typhimurium. A defect in the repression of the de novo purine biosynthetic enzymes was detected among purA mutants of Salmonella typhimurium. We suggest that the defect is caused by an altered purine regulation gene (purR) which affects the response level of at least five of the de novo enzymes to repression by excess adenine. Thus the unlinked genes controlling these enzymes constitute a regulation controlled wholly or in part by a purR gene product. The regulation of the guanine operon is regulated by some other mechanism independent of purR.", "PMID": 775307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4191", "title": "Haemoprotein formation in yeast. II. Isolation of catalase regulatory mutants.", "content": "A procedure was described for the isolation of mutants affected in the regulation of catalase activity. Two such mutants, cgr 1 and cgr 2 were obtained. Both of them show catalase activity that is resistant to repression by glucose, but is sensitive to anoxia to the same extent as the wild type.", "contents": "Haemoprotein formation in yeast. II. Isolation of catalase regulatory mutants. A procedure was described for the isolation of mutants affected in the regulation of catalase activity. Two such mutants, cgr 1 and cgr 2 were obtained. Both of them show catalase activity that is resistant to repression by glucose, but is sensitive to anoxia to the same extent as the wild type.", "PMID": 775308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4192", "title": "A bacterial RNA polymerase mutant that renders lambda growth independent of the N and cro functions at 42 degrees C.", "content": "We describe a bacterial RNA polymerase mutation, rif 501, which confers rifampicin resistance and thermosensitivity to E. coli K 12. The purified RNA polymerase enzyme from rif 501 bacteria shows increased heatsensitivity in vitro at 51 degrees C. However, in vivo, at 42 degrees C the non-permissive temperature, mutant bacteria continue to grow and to synthesize RNA for 90 min. On a lawn of the mutant bacteria, at 40-41 degrees C, phage lambda forms clear plaques (LycA phenotype); this is probably due to an enhancement of cro function; we surmise that at 42 degrees C the transcription originating from the pR (but not from the pL) promoter on the lamdba genome becomes N-independent and less sensitive to the absence of the cro product. We discuss the possibility that both the N and cro proteins of phage lambda interact directly with the bacterial RNA polymerase. These observations indicate that the loss of viability of the rif 501 mutant at the restrictive temperature is not a consequence of an immediate inactivation of RNA polymerase; rather we feel it is due to a modification of the activity of RNA polymerase, leading to a disruption of the cellular regulation.", "contents": "A bacterial RNA polymerase mutant that renders lambda growth independent of the N and cro functions at 42 degrees C. We describe a bacterial RNA polymerase mutation, rif 501, which confers rifampicin resistance and thermosensitivity to E. coli K 12. The purified RNA polymerase enzyme from rif 501 bacteria shows increased heatsensitivity in vitro at 51 degrees C. However, in vivo, at 42 degrees C the non-permissive temperature, mutant bacteria continue to grow and to synthesize RNA for 90 min. On a lawn of the mutant bacteria, at 40-41 degrees C, phage lambda forms clear plaques (LycA phenotype); this is probably due to an enhancement of cro function; we surmise that at 42 degrees C the transcription originating from the pR (but not from the pL) promoter on the lamdba genome becomes N-independent and less sensitive to the absence of the cro product. We discuss the possibility that both the N and cro proteins of phage lambda interact directly with the bacterial RNA polymerase. These observations indicate that the loss of viability of the rif 501 mutant at the restrictive temperature is not a consequence of an immediate inactivation of RNA polymerase; rather we feel it is due to a modification of the activity of RNA polymerase, leading to a disruption of the cellular regulation.", "PMID": 775309} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4193", "title": "Glyceraldehyde 3-p dehydrogenase, glycerate 3-P kinase and enolase mutants of Escherichia coli: genetic studies.", "content": "The genetic loci for two enzymes of glycolysis have been established by transductional crosses. The eno locus, likely to be the structural gene for enolase maps in the 52-minute region of the Escherichia coli chromosome. A structural determinant for glycerate 3-P kinase (pgk) is located near serA. The map order is speB-pgk-serA-lysA-argA-eno-cysC. In the 35-minute region maps a locus affecting the structure of glyceraldehyde 3-P dehydrogenase.", "contents": "Glyceraldehyde 3-p dehydrogenase, glycerate 3-P kinase and enolase mutants of Escherichia coli: genetic studies. The genetic loci for two enzymes of glycolysis have been established by transductional crosses. The eno locus, likely to be the structural gene for enolase maps in the 52-minute region of the Escherichia coli chromosome. A structural determinant for glycerate 3-P kinase (pgk) is located near serA. The map order is speB-pgk-serA-lysA-argA-eno-cysC. In the 35-minute region maps a locus affecting the structure of glyceraldehyde 3-P dehydrogenase.", "PMID": 775311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4194", "title": "Deletion mapping of mitochondrial transfer RNA genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by means of cytoplasmic petite mutants.", "content": "Mitochondrial transfer RNA genes have been ordered relative to the position of five mitochondrial drug resistance markers, namely, chloramphenicol (C),1 erythromycin (E), oligomycin I and II (OI, OII), and paromomycin (P). Forty-six petite yeast clones that were genetically characterized with respect to these markers were used for a study of these relationships. Different regions of the mitochondrial genome are deleted in these individual mutants, resulting in variable loss of genetic markers. Mitochondrial DNA was isolated from each mutant strain and hybridized with eleven individual mitochondrial transfer RNAs. The following results were obtained: i) Of the seven petite clones that retained C, E, and P resistance markers (but not O1 or O11), four carried all eleven transfer RNA genes examined; the other three clones lost several transfer RNA genes, probably by secondary internal deletion; ii) Prolyl and valyl transfer RNA genes were located close to the P marker, whereas the histidyl transfer RNA gene was close to the C marker; iii) Except for a glutamyl transfer RNA gene that was loosely associated with the O1 region, no other transfer RNA genes were found in petite clones retaining only the O1 and/or the OII markers; and iv) Two distinct mitochondrial genes were found for glutamyl transfer RNA, they were not homologous in DNA sequence and were located at two separate loci. The data indicate that the petite mitochondrial genome is the result of a primary deletion followed by successive additional deletions. Thus an unequivocal gene arrangement cannot be readily established by deletion mapping with petite mutants alone. Nevertheless, we have derived a tentative circular map of the yeast mitochondrial genome from the data; the map indicates that all but one of the transfer RNA genes are found between the C and P markers without forming a tight cluster. The following arrangement is suggested: -P-pro-val-ile-(phe, ala, tyr, asp)-glu2- (lys-leu)-his-C-E-O1-glu1-OII-P-.", "contents": "Deletion mapping of mitochondrial transfer RNA genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by means of cytoplasmic petite mutants. Mitochondrial transfer RNA genes have been ordered relative to the position of five mitochondrial drug resistance markers, namely, chloramphenicol (C),1 erythromycin (E), oligomycin I and II (OI, OII), and paromomycin (P). Forty-six petite yeast clones that were genetically characterized with respect to these markers were used for a study of these relationships. Different regions of the mitochondrial genome are deleted in these individual mutants, resulting in variable loss of genetic markers. Mitochondrial DNA was isolated from each mutant strain and hybridized with eleven individual mitochondrial transfer RNAs. The following results were obtained: i) Of the seven petite clones that retained C, E, and P resistance markers (but not O1 or O11), four carried all eleven transfer RNA genes examined; the other three clones lost several transfer RNA genes, probably by secondary internal deletion; ii) Prolyl and valyl transfer RNA genes were located close to the P marker, whereas the histidyl transfer RNA gene was close to the C marker; iii) Except for a glutamyl transfer RNA gene that was loosely associated with the O1 region, no other transfer RNA genes were found in petite clones retaining only the O1 and/or the OII markers; and iv) Two distinct mitochondrial genes were found for glutamyl transfer RNA, they were not homologous in DNA sequence and were located at two separate loci. The data indicate that the petite mitochondrial genome is the result of a primary deletion followed by successive additional deletions. Thus an unequivocal gene arrangement cannot be readily established by deletion mapping with petite mutants alone. Nevertheless, we have derived a tentative circular map of the yeast mitochondrial genome from the data; the map indicates that all but one of the transfer RNA genes are found between the C and P markers without forming a tight cluster. The following arrangement is suggested: -P-pro-val-ile-(phe, ala, tyr, asp)-glu2- (lys-leu)-his-C-E-O1-glu1-OII-P-.", "PMID": 775312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4195", "title": "Defective prophages of bacteriophage Mu.", "content": "A method is described for the isolation of thermoinducible defective Mu lysogens. Four of these defective lysogens were studied more extensively. By marker-rescue experiments it was shown that the strain harbouring the smallest defective prophage contains the immunity gene cts and the genes A and B; the strain with the largest defective prophage still contains all the known essential genes of Mu, A to S (see Fig. 1). After induction at 43 degrees C all the defective lysogens are killed, whereas no lysis occurs. Although in all the thermoinducible defective lysogens the A and B gene products could be demonstrated by complementation, these gene products are not responsible for the killing of the host, suggesting the presence of another unknown early gene product of Mu. The level of complementation of a mutation in gene A is reduced by the presence in the cell of another defective Mu prophage containing the \"G\" beta part of Mu. This effect on A gene complementation is markedly enhanced when the defective prophage, containing the \"G\" beta part, is located on an episome instead of on the chromosome. Complementation of late genes by a defective prophage located on the chromosome, is extremely low or undetectable. A stimulation of complementation by a factor of 10 to 40 was found when the same defective prophage was situated on a F' factor. A possible explanation for this \"episome\" effect will be discussed.", "contents": "Defective prophages of bacteriophage Mu. A method is described for the isolation of thermoinducible defective Mu lysogens. Four of these defective lysogens were studied more extensively. By marker-rescue experiments it was shown that the strain harbouring the smallest defective prophage contains the immunity gene cts and the genes A and B; the strain with the largest defective prophage still contains all the known essential genes of Mu, A to S (see Fig. 1). After induction at 43 degrees C all the defective lysogens are killed, whereas no lysis occurs. Although in all the thermoinducible defective lysogens the A and B gene products could be demonstrated by complementation, these gene products are not responsible for the killing of the host, suggesting the presence of another unknown early gene product of Mu. The level of complementation of a mutation in gene A is reduced by the presence in the cell of another defective Mu prophage containing the \"G\" beta part of Mu. This effect on A gene complementation is markedly enhanced when the defective prophage, containing the \"G\" beta part, is located on an episome instead of on the chromosome. Complementation of late genes by a defective prophage located on the chromosome, is extremely low or undetectable. A stimulation of complementation by a factor of 10 to 40 was found when the same defective prophage was situated on a F' factor. A possible explanation for this \"episome\" effect will be discussed.", "PMID": 775313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4196", "title": "Thiolutin resistant mutants of Escherichia coli are they RNA chain initiation mutants?", "content": "Four mutants of Escherichia coli KL16 resistant to the antibiotic Thiolutin have been isolated. This drug was earlier reported to be an inhibitor of RNA chain elongation. The first mutant, TLrI, is resistant only in rich or partially rich media: it can, however, grow in minimal medium containing the drug with a very long doubling time. The other mutants TLrII, TLrIIIa and TLrIIIb are resistant in rich as well as minimal media. beta-galactosidase could not be induced in TLrI and TLrII in the presence of thiolutin whereas the enzyme is constitutively synthesised in TLrIIIa and TLrIIIb irrespective of the drug. The mutants do not support the development of phage T4 in presence of the drug, if the drug is added along with the phage, but \"escape\" the inhibition if phage development is allowed to proceed for some time before the addition of the drug. The time of this escape is characteristic of the mutant. Even in a sensitive strain, T7 growth escapes inhibition very soon after infection, around the time the phage-specific RNA polymerase is synthesized. In the parent strain the kinetics of inhibition of beta-galactosidase induction resembles more the inhibition caused by rifampicin than by streptolydigin. It is proposed that thiolutin could be an inhibitor of RNA chain initiation and resistance might be due to mutation in the subunit(s)/factor(s) involved in initiation.", "contents": "Thiolutin resistant mutants of Escherichia coli are they RNA chain initiation mutants? Four mutants of Escherichia coli KL16 resistant to the antibiotic Thiolutin have been isolated. This drug was earlier reported to be an inhibitor of RNA chain elongation. The first mutant, TLrI, is resistant only in rich or partially rich media: it can, however, grow in minimal medium containing the drug with a very long doubling time. The other mutants TLrII, TLrIIIa and TLrIIIb are resistant in rich as well as minimal media. beta-galactosidase could not be induced in TLrI and TLrII in the presence of thiolutin whereas the enzyme is constitutively synthesised in TLrIIIa and TLrIIIb irrespective of the drug. The mutants do not support the development of phage T4 in presence of the drug, if the drug is added along with the phage, but \"escape\" the inhibition if phage development is allowed to proceed for some time before the addition of the drug. The time of this escape is characteristic of the mutant. Even in a sensitive strain, T7 growth escapes inhibition very soon after infection, around the time the phage-specific RNA polymerase is synthesized. In the parent strain the kinetics of inhibition of beta-galactosidase induction resembles more the inhibition caused by rifampicin than by streptolydigin. It is proposed that thiolutin could be an inhibitor of RNA chain initiation and resistance might be due to mutation in the subunit(s)/factor(s) involved in initiation.", "PMID": 775314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4197", "title": "Stabilization and size of araC protein.", "content": "AraC protein from Escherichia coli has been further stabilized and characterized. pH is a critical variable in conferring stability. araC protein has a sedimentation coefficient of 4.0 +/- 0.2s on standardized 5%-20% glycerol gradients. Its isoelectric point is at a pH of 7.1.", "contents": "Stabilization and size of araC protein. AraC protein from Escherichia coli has been further stabilized and characterized. pH is a critical variable in conferring stability. araC protein has a sedimentation coefficient of 4.0 +/- 0.2s on standardized 5%-20% glycerol gradients. Its isoelectric point is at a pH of 7.1.", "PMID": 775315} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4198", "title": "Studies on allosteric phenomena in glycogen phosphorylase b.", "content": "This article attempts to trace, from a personal point of view, the history of discoveries of allosteric phenomena in phosphorylase b and the later development of systematic attempts to fit the data into comprehensive theoretical models. Work from our own laboratory is emphasized, but we try to integrate this into the results from other investigators and show their contributions to our ideas and experiments. Finally, some recent unpublished data is presented together with some conclusions and predictions from a new hypothesis. The discoveries by Carl and Gerty Cori of the activation of phosphorylase by AMP, the inhibition of glucose and the enzymatic interconversion of two forms fo the enzyme with different control properties helped lay the foundations of our present understanding of allosteric mechanisms. The later discovery of the oligomeric nature of phosphorylase and its relationship to AMP binding served as a basis for many years of research into the structure-function relationships of phosphorylase and other enzymes. Data showing that AMP lowers the entropy of activation is discussed with respect to the role of the nucleotide and its binding close to the active site. The discovery of the control of phosphorylase b by common metabolites and the impetus this gave to the intensive kinetic studies of the last ten years, wherein fitting to theoretical models has been a common feature, is reviewed.", "contents": "Studies on allosteric phenomena in glycogen phosphorylase b. This article attempts to trace, from a personal point of view, the history of discoveries of allosteric phenomena in phosphorylase b and the later development of systematic attempts to fit the data into comprehensive theoretical models. Work from our own laboratory is emphasized, but we try to integrate this into the results from other investigators and show their contributions to our ideas and experiments. Finally, some recent unpublished data is presented together with some conclusions and predictions from a new hypothesis. The discoveries by Carl and Gerty Cori of the activation of phosphorylase by AMP, the inhibition of glucose and the enzymatic interconversion of two forms fo the enzyme with different control properties helped lay the foundations of our present understanding of allosteric mechanisms. The later discovery of the oligomeric nature of phosphorylase and its relationship to AMP binding served as a basis for many years of research into the structure-function relationships of phosphorylase and other enzymes. Data showing that AMP lowers the entropy of activation is discussed with respect to the role of the nucleotide and its binding close to the active site. The discovery of the control of phosphorylase b by common metabolites and the impetus this gave to the intensive kinetic studies of the last ten years, wherein fitting to theoretical models has been a common feature, is reviewed.", "PMID": 775316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4199", "title": "A form of elongation factor G insensitive to N-ethyl-maleimide.", "content": "Treatment of elongation factor G (EF-G) with the thiol reagent N-ethylmaleimide only partially inhibits (10 to 70%) the activity of the factor in (a) guanosine nucleotide-EF-G-ribosome complex formation, (b) uncoupled ribosome-dependent GTP hydrolysis, and (c) polypeptide synthesis. Moreover, a similar treatment of the factor with N-[3H]ethylmaleimide does not lead to 3H-label being associated with a GDP-EF-G-ribosome-fusidic acid complex. Thus, the results indicate the presence in EF-G preparations of a form of the factor that does not react with N-ethylmaleimide.", "contents": "A form of elongation factor G insensitive to N-ethyl-maleimide. Treatment of elongation factor G (EF-G) with the thiol reagent N-ethylmaleimide only partially inhibits (10 to 70%) the activity of the factor in (a) guanosine nucleotide-EF-G-ribosome complex formation, (b) uncoupled ribosome-dependent GTP hydrolysis, and (c) polypeptide synthesis. Moreover, a similar treatment of the factor with N-[3H]ethylmaleimide does not lead to 3H-label being associated with a GDP-EF-G-ribosome-fusidic acid complex. Thus, the results indicate the presence in EF-G preparations of a form of the factor that does not react with N-ethylmaleimide.", "PMID": 775317} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4200", "title": "A study of possible mechanisms of the RNA-polymerase involement in mutagenesis in phage T4.", "content": "Spontaneous and induced mutation frequencies of phage T4 have been measured in Escherichia coli strains containing altered RNA-polymerase. In the strain E. coli rif-r stl-r, with double RNA-polymerase mutation, spontaneous reversion rates were increased in different mutants of phage T4. The study of base analogues mutagenesis in rUV mutants of phage T4 has shown that the introduction of RNA-polymerase mutations did not increase reversion rates in a mutant of frame-shift type but enhanced the rate of mutagenesis in phage mutants with lesions of transition type.", "contents": "A study of possible mechanisms of the RNA-polymerase involement in mutagenesis in phage T4. Spontaneous and induced mutation frequencies of phage T4 have been measured in Escherichia coli strains containing altered RNA-polymerase. In the strain E. coli rif-r stl-r, with double RNA-polymerase mutation, spontaneous reversion rates were increased in different mutants of phage T4. The study of base analogues mutagenesis in rUV mutants of phage T4 has shown that the introduction of RNA-polymerase mutations did not increase reversion rates in a mutant of frame-shift type but enhanced the rate of mutagenesis in phage mutants with lesions of transition type.", "PMID": 775319} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4201", "title": "Reaction of nitrosamines in the Udenfriend system: principal products and biological activity.", "content": "Reaction of diethylnitrosamine in the non-enzymatic, ascorbic acid-dependent, hydroxylating system of Udenfriend yielded N-nitroso-2-(ethylamino)-ethanol as the major product extracted into methylene chloride. The major product derived from nitrosopiperidine in the same system was N-nitroso-4-piperidone. These products, however, were mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535 only when activated by a rat liver microsomal preparation.", "contents": "Reaction of nitrosamines in the Udenfriend system: principal products and biological activity. Reaction of diethylnitrosamine in the non-enzymatic, ascorbic acid-dependent, hydroxylating system of Udenfriend yielded N-nitroso-2-(ethylamino)-ethanol as the major product extracted into methylene chloride. The major product derived from nitrosopiperidine in the same system was N-nitroso-4-piperidone. These products, however, were mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535 only when activated by a rat liver microsomal preparation.", "PMID": 775321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4202", "title": "Genetic effects of formaldehyde in yeast. II. Influence of ploidly and of mutations affecting radiosensitivity on its lethal effect.", "content": "Haploid and diploid cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have the same sensitivity to formaldehyde, exponentially growing cells being more sensitive than stationary phase cells for both degrees of ploidy. Strains defective (rad 1-3) or with a reduced capacity (p-, cytoplasmic respiratory deficient mutants) in excision repair of ultraviolet-induced pyrimidine dimers show a greater sensitivity to formaldehyde than the corresponding wild type. A mutant defective in radiation-induced gene conversion (rec5) shows the same sensitivity as the wild-type strain. It appears that the excision-repair system plays an important role, especially in stationary phase cells, in repairing a fraction of formaldehyde-induced lesions.", "contents": "Genetic effects of formaldehyde in yeast. II. Influence of ploidly and of mutations affecting radiosensitivity on its lethal effect. Haploid and diploid cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have the same sensitivity to formaldehyde, exponentially growing cells being more sensitive than stationary phase cells for both degrees of ploidy. Strains defective (rad 1-3) or with a reduced capacity (p-, cytoplasmic respiratory deficient mutants) in excision repair of ultraviolet-induced pyrimidine dimers show a greater sensitivity to formaldehyde than the corresponding wild type. A mutant defective in radiation-induced gene conversion (rec5) shows the same sensitivity as the wild-type strain. It appears that the excision-repair system plays an important role, especially in stationary phase cells, in repairing a fraction of formaldehyde-induced lesions.", "PMID": 775322} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4203", "title": "Yeast mutants resistant to basic fuchsin: a genetic approach to the integration of nuclear and mitochondrial information.", "content": "In yeast, basic fuchsin both inhibits mitochondrial functions and is a potent mutagen for the mitochondrial genome. A genetic analysis of two mutants resistant to the dye indicate that: (1) resistance is specified by a nuclear gene; (2) the onset of resistance in sensitive cells is controlled by the mitochondrial genome; and (3) sensitive mitochondrial structures can be carried over for many cell generations in the presence of a resistant nuclear genotype.", "contents": "Yeast mutants resistant to basic fuchsin: a genetic approach to the integration of nuclear and mitochondrial information. In yeast, basic fuchsin both inhibits mitochondrial functions and is a potent mutagen for the mitochondrial genome. A genetic analysis of two mutants resistant to the dye indicate that: (1) resistance is specified by a nuclear gene; (2) the onset of resistance in sensitive cells is controlled by the mitochondrial genome; and (3) sensitive mitochondrial structures can be carried over for many cell generations in the presence of a resistant nuclear genotype.", "PMID": 775323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4204", "title": "Induced mutagenesis in bacteriophage T4 growing in strains of E. coli with altered RNA-polymerase.", "content": "Enhanced reversion frequencies of T4 r mutants in E. coli strains with altered RNA polymerase have been obtained. The results reported have confirmed previous data on the effect of RNA-polymerase on the process of mutagenesis [2]. No such effect has been found in the course of studies of the recombination process.", "contents": "Induced mutagenesis in bacteriophage T4 growing in strains of E. coli with altered RNA-polymerase. Enhanced reversion frequencies of T4 r mutants in E. coli strains with altered RNA polymerase have been obtained. The results reported have confirmed previous data on the effect of RNA-polymerase on the process of mutagenesis [2]. No such effect has been found in the course of studies of the recombination process.", "PMID": 775324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4205", "title": "Suppression of dimethylnitrosamine mutagenicity by nitrososarcosine and other nitrosamines.", "content": "Nitrososarcosine, not mutagenic itself in the host-mediated assay using Salmonella typhimurium G46 as indicator organism, lowered the mutant frequency produced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). Mutant frequency was significantly depressed when 1.0 g/kg nitrososarcosine was administered by gavage 0.5--2.0 h prior to intramuscular injection of 500 mg/kg DMN. Doses of nitrososarcosine as low as 37.2 mg/kg administered 45 min prior to dimethylnitrosamine treatment produced statistically significant reduction of mutant frequency. Dimethylnitrosamine, diethylnitrosamine and dibutylnitrosamine (500 mg/kg) also partially suppressed the mutant frequency produced by 500 mg/kg DMN when administered 45 min prior to dmn. diethylnitrosamine and dibutylnitrosamine were not found to be mutagenic in this test system.", "contents": "Suppression of dimethylnitrosamine mutagenicity by nitrososarcosine and other nitrosamines. Nitrososarcosine, not mutagenic itself in the host-mediated assay using Salmonella typhimurium G46 as indicator organism, lowered the mutant frequency produced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). Mutant frequency was significantly depressed when 1.0 g/kg nitrososarcosine was administered by gavage 0.5--2.0 h prior to intramuscular injection of 500 mg/kg DMN. Doses of nitrososarcosine as low as 37.2 mg/kg administered 45 min prior to dimethylnitrosamine treatment produced statistically significant reduction of mutant frequency. Dimethylnitrosamine, diethylnitrosamine and dibutylnitrosamine (500 mg/kg) also partially suppressed the mutant frequency produced by 500 mg/kg DMN when administered 45 min prior to dmn. diethylnitrosamine and dibutylnitrosamine were not found to be mutagenic in this test system.", "PMID": 775326} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4206", "title": "Proposed mechanisms of propranolol's antihypertensive effect in essential hypertension.", "content": "We studied the antihypertensive effect of propranolol alone and in combination with diuretics in 13 patients with high, 18 with normal and nine with low-renin essential hypertension whose blood-pressure response to diuretics was previously established. Propranolol (160 mg daily) significantly lowered mean arterial pressure in high-renin (129 +/- 2.6 to 114 +/- 2.1 mm Hg) and normal-renin (131 +/- 2.7 to 119 +/- 3.5 mm Hg) patients but not in low-renin patients. A positive correlation (r = 0.36, P less than 0.05) between fall in pressure and fall in plasma renin activity occurred at this dose when the whole group was considered. An antihypertensive effect occurred in both high-renin and low-renin hypertension during large-dose (320 to 960 mg daily) propranolol therapy. This effect was independent of changes in plasma renin activity. The antihypertensive effects of propranolol and diuretics were additive in normal-renin and high-renin hypertension. These data suggest that propranolol's pressure-lowering activity is due to both renin-dependent and renin-independent effects.", "contents": "Proposed mechanisms of propranolol's antihypertensive effect in essential hypertension. We studied the antihypertensive effect of propranolol alone and in combination with diuretics in 13 patients with high, 18 with normal and nine with low-renin essential hypertension whose blood-pressure response to diuretics was previously established. Propranolol (160 mg daily) significantly lowered mean arterial pressure in high-renin (129 +/- 2.6 to 114 +/- 2.1 mm Hg) and normal-renin (131 +/- 2.7 to 119 +/- 3.5 mm Hg) patients but not in low-renin patients. A positive correlation (r = 0.36, P less than 0.05) between fall in pressure and fall in plasma renin activity occurred at this dose when the whole group was considered. An antihypertensive effect occurred in both high-renin and low-renin hypertension during large-dose (320 to 960 mg daily) propranolol therapy. This effect was independent of changes in plasma renin activity. The antihypertensive effects of propranolol and diuretics were additive in normal-renin and high-renin hypertension. These data suggest that propranolol's pressure-lowering activity is due to both renin-dependent and renin-independent effects.", "PMID": 775330} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4207", "title": "Randomized clinical trials. Perspectives on some recent ideas.", "content": "In spite of the controversy over the role of randomized clinical trials in medical research, the rationale underlying such trials remains persuasive as compared to recent suggestions for alternative non-randomized studies such as those relying on the use of historical controls and adjustment technics. Others have suggested that recent statistical innovations for improving clinical trials, including adaptive allocation of treatment to patients and sequential stopping procedures, are underutilized. These innovations, though theoretically interesting, are not easily adapted to large-scale, complex medical trials in which there may be multiple end points and delayed response times. Ethical considerations suggest that randomized trials are more suitable than uncontrolled experimentation in protecting the interests of patients. Randomized clinical trials remain the most reliable method for evaluating the efficacy of therapies.", "contents": "Randomized clinical trials. Perspectives on some recent ideas. In spite of the controversy over the role of randomized clinical trials in medical research, the rationale underlying such trials remains persuasive as compared to recent suggestions for alternative non-randomized studies such as those relying on the use of historical controls and adjustment technics. Others have suggested that recent statistical innovations for improving clinical trials, including adaptive allocation of treatment to patients and sequential stopping procedures, are underutilized. These innovations, though theoretically interesting, are not easily adapted to large-scale, complex medical trials in which there may be multiple end points and delayed response times. Ethical considerations suggest that randomized trials are more suitable than uncontrolled experimentation in protecting the interests of patients. Randomized clinical trials remain the most reliable method for evaluating the efficacy of therapies.", "PMID": 775331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4208", "title": "Leukemic reticuloendotheliosis. A failure of monocyte production.", "content": "In five cases of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis studied, profound monocytopenia was demonstrable. In 48 normal subjects, monocyte counts ranged from 215 to 921 per cubic millimeter, whereas in the five patients with leukemic reticuloendotheliosis, the counts ranged from 0 to 17 per cubic millimeter. The properties of the \"hairy\" cell are consistent with those of an incompletely developed monocyte. The susceptibility to infection, characteristics of these patients, may result from a lack of normal monocytes in blood and tissues.", "contents": "Leukemic reticuloendotheliosis. A failure of monocyte production. In five cases of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis studied, profound monocytopenia was demonstrable. In 48 normal subjects, monocyte counts ranged from 215 to 921 per cubic millimeter, whereas in the five patients with leukemic reticuloendotheliosis, the counts ranged from 0 to 17 per cubic millimeter. The properties of the \"hairy\" cell are consistent with those of an incompletely developed monocyte. The susceptibility to infection, characteristics of these patients, may result from a lack of normal monocytes in blood and tissues.", "PMID": 775335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4209", "title": "Abundance and membrane association of elongation factor Tu in E. coli.", "content": "Elongation factor Tu is present in a fourfold excess over the amount seemingly involved in protein synthesis. It is identical to a major protein which we have found associated with the plasma membrane. The possibility of a specific role in that location is considered.", "contents": "Abundance and membrane association of elongation factor Tu in E. coli. Elongation factor Tu is present in a fourfold excess over the amount seemingly involved in protein synthesis. It is identical to a major protein which we have found associated with the plasma membrane. The possibility of a specific role in that location is considered.", "PMID": 775340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4210", "title": "Short term screening tests for carcinogens.", "content": "There are now short term tests with a high predictive value for mammalian carcinogens. Many of them are based on the ability to detect damage to DNA in bacteria or mammalian cells after metabolic activation by microsomal enzymes. Their introduction will enable provisional safety assessments to be made for the many thousands of industrial and environmental chemicals for which long-term animal testing cannot at present be considered.", "contents": "Short term screening tests for carcinogens. There are now short term tests with a high predictive value for mammalian carcinogens. Many of them are based on the ability to detect damage to DNA in bacteria or mammalian cells after metabolic activation by microsomal enzymes. Their introduction will enable provisional safety assessments to be made for the many thousands of industrial and environmental chemicals for which long-term animal testing cannot at present be considered.", "PMID": 775342} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4211", "title": "Study on the mechanism of interference between Friend leukemia and Sindbis viruses in tissue culture.", "content": "Some mechanisms of interference developing in BALB/c mouse embryo fibroblast culture (MEC) infected with Friend leukemia virus (FLV) and 48 hours later superinfected with Sindbis virus (SV) was studied. In FLV-infected cells the amount of SV antigen formed was 2-3 times lower than in SV monoinfection, as indicated by immunofluorescence and cytofluorimetry. Electron microscopic examination showed that in mixed infection the number of newly formed SV particles decreased markedly (by 90%) despite the presence of compact aggregates of viral nucleocapsids in the cytoplasm. When the cells were initially infected with arbovirus and then superinfected with FLV, formation of virus antigen and virions of both viruses was not disturbed. Pre-treatment of cell monolayer with dactinomycin (0.2 mug/ml) blocked interferon production in MEC culture and inhibited interference between FLV and SV. It is assumed that interference between FLV and SV is associated with known mechanisms of interferon action as well as with disturbance of the stage of SV particles assembly and their release from the cell. Due to incomplete cycle of SV reproduction interrupted at the stage of ribonucleoprotein formation, productive type of its interaction with MEC cells is disturbed.", "contents": "Study on the mechanism of interference between Friend leukemia and Sindbis viruses in tissue culture. Some mechanisms of interference developing in BALB/c mouse embryo fibroblast culture (MEC) infected with Friend leukemia virus (FLV) and 48 hours later superinfected with Sindbis virus (SV) was studied. In FLV-infected cells the amount of SV antigen formed was 2-3 times lower than in SV monoinfection, as indicated by immunofluorescence and cytofluorimetry. Electron microscopic examination showed that in mixed infection the number of newly formed SV particles decreased markedly (by 90%) despite the presence of compact aggregates of viral nucleocapsids in the cytoplasm. When the cells were initially infected with arbovirus and then superinfected with FLV, formation of virus antigen and virions of both viruses was not disturbed. Pre-treatment of cell monolayer with dactinomycin (0.2 mug/ml) blocked interferon production in MEC culture and inhibited interference between FLV and SV. It is assumed that interference between FLV and SV is associated with known mechanisms of interferon action as well as with disturbance of the stage of SV particles assembly and their release from the cell. Due to incomplete cycle of SV reproduction interrupted at the stage of ribonucleoprotein formation, productive type of its interaction with MEC cells is disturbed.", "PMID": 775350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4212", "title": "Sexual impotence: a double-blind study of LHRH nasal spray versus placebo.", "content": "A double-blind study comparing application of 1.0 mg LHRH nasal spray per day against a placebo was performed in a group of 20 sexually impotent patients in whom no clinical endocrinological pathology was evident. After a 2-week placebo-spray period, LHRH was given for 4 weeks. A 2-week placebo-spray period followed. A better therapeutic effect was seen in the LHRH as opposed to the placebo group (p = 0.024) 4-6 weeks after cessation of LHRH medication. After 4 weeks of LHRH medication there were no changes in basal LH/FSH levels or in the LH response after administration of 25 mug LHRH. The FSH response was, however, significantly lower.", "contents": "Sexual impotence: a double-blind study of LHRH nasal spray versus placebo. A double-blind study comparing application of 1.0 mg LHRH nasal spray per day against a placebo was performed in a group of 20 sexually impotent patients in whom no clinical endocrinological pathology was evident. After a 2-week placebo-spray period, LHRH was given for 4 weeks. A 2-week placebo-spray period followed. A better therapeutic effect was seen in the LHRH as opposed to the placebo group (p = 0.024) 4-6 weeks after cessation of LHRH medication. After 4 weeks of LHRH medication there were no changes in basal LH/FSH levels or in the LH response after administration of 25 mug LHRH. The FSH response was, however, significantly lower.", "PMID": 775358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4213", "title": "The common pathophysiology of monaminergic psychoses: a new hypothesis.", "content": "Several recent data indicate the blood-brain transport of amino acids as a critical factor in the synthesis of monoamines. The complex, peripheral and central regulation of TP transport plays an essential role sine TP-hydroxylase is not a saturated enzyme. The hydroxylated derivatives 5-HTP and dopa are probably transported into the brain by similar mechanisms as their precursors TP and tyrosine, respectively. The maic-depressive patients show an increased uptake of administered L-5-HTP in the depressive phase, whereas L-dopa uptake is enhanced in the manic phase. Heuristically, we propose a biochemical model of manic-depressive psychosis in which an increased TP uptake causes alternation in the balance of monoaminergic system activity. Depression is possibly characterized by a hyperserotonergic and a relative hypocatecholaminergic activity. In contrast, mania is possibly determined by a hypercatecholaminergic (NA and DA) and a relative hyposerotonergic activity. The data offered by the physiology of monoamines, the semeiology and the biological alterations of the manic-depressive psychosis, as well as the monoaminergic and the electrolyte theory of manic-depressive psychosis. A diminution of the transport of TP with consequent increase of that of tyrosine represents a possible biochemical model of schizophrenia which may be well explained by a hyposerotonergic-hyperdopaminergic activity, with or without noradrenergic insufficiency. This model is compatible with our knowledge on the monoamine physiology, the biological alterations of schizophrenia, the therapeutical results as well as with the classical clinical notions (typology, intermediate syndromes and crossed heritance).", "contents": "The common pathophysiology of monaminergic psychoses: a new hypothesis. Several recent data indicate the blood-brain transport of amino acids as a critical factor in the synthesis of monoamines. The complex, peripheral and central regulation of TP transport plays an essential role sine TP-hydroxylase is not a saturated enzyme. The hydroxylated derivatives 5-HTP and dopa are probably transported into the brain by similar mechanisms as their precursors TP and tyrosine, respectively. The maic-depressive patients show an increased uptake of administered L-5-HTP in the depressive phase, whereas L-dopa uptake is enhanced in the manic phase. Heuristically, we propose a biochemical model of manic-depressive psychosis in which an increased TP uptake causes alternation in the balance of monoaminergic system activity. Depression is possibly characterized by a hyperserotonergic and a relative hypocatecholaminergic activity. In contrast, mania is possibly determined by a hypercatecholaminergic (NA and DA) and a relative hyposerotonergic activity. The data offered by the physiology of monoamines, the semeiology and the biological alterations of the manic-depressive psychosis, as well as the monoaminergic and the electrolyte theory of manic-depressive psychosis. A diminution of the transport of TP with consequent increase of that of tyrosine represents a possible biochemical model of schizophrenia which may be well explained by a hyposerotonergic-hyperdopaminergic activity, with or without noradrenergic insufficiency. This model is compatible with our knowledge on the monoamine physiology, the biological alterations of schizophrenia, the therapeutical results as well as with the classical clinical notions (typology, intermediate syndromes and crossed heritance).", "PMID": 775359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4214", "title": "The impact of health policy on access to medical care.", "content": "This article presents national data on a social-indicator-type measure of access to medical care, prior to and after the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in the United States. The analyses confirm that the access of the poor, especially those with a regular source of medical care did improve, relative to the non-poor, between 1963 and 1970. Access for middle-class and low-income persons with no usual doctor and the high-income with a regular family physician declined considerably over this period, however. One explanation of these findings proffered is that after Medicare and Medicaid were introduced, providers may have begun to ration the number of visits by the \"well-to-do\" to accommodate the influx of low-income patients with newly acquired purchasing power and a backlog of unmet need. Many poor with no previously established source of care continued to experience barriers to entry. Much more sophisticated analyses are required to test this and other propositions suggested here, however.", "contents": "The impact of health policy on access to medical care. This article presents national data on a social-indicator-type measure of access to medical care, prior to and after the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in the United States. The analyses confirm that the access of the poor, especially those with a regular source of medical care did improve, relative to the non-poor, between 1963 and 1970. Access for middle-class and low-income persons with no usual doctor and the high-income with a regular family physician declined considerably over this period, however. One explanation of these findings proffered is that after Medicare and Medicaid were introduced, providers may have begun to ration the number of visits by the \"well-to-do\" to accommodate the influx of low-income patients with newly acquired purchasing power and a backlog of unmet need. Many poor with no previously established source of care continued to experience barriers to entry. Much more sophisticated analyses are required to test this and other propositions suggested here, however.", "PMID": 775361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4215", "title": "[Reinterventions for immediate obliterations in aorto-iliac and femoro-popliteal reconstructions].", "content": "The reasons for immediate failure in aorto-iliac and femoropopliteal surgery are examined in the light of personal experience. Technical errors are the most common cause of such failure. Ways in which the flow can be re-established during a second operation are also explained and the need for urgency is stressed.", "contents": "[Reinterventions for immediate obliterations in aorto-iliac and femoro-popliteal reconstructions]. The reasons for immediate failure in aorto-iliac and femoropopliteal surgery are examined in the light of personal experience. Technical errors are the most common cause of such failure. Ways in which the flow can be re-established during a second operation are also explained and the need for urgency is stressed.", "PMID": 775363} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4216", "title": "The hypothalamus as a regulator of reproductive function.", "content": "In this review of the role of the hypothalamus as a regulator of reproductive function we have presented a short history of the important anatomical and physiological findings, the structure and properties of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and its function and mode of action in the reproductive process. The latest clinical studies have been presented and we have discussed the therapeutic and diagnostic applications of GnRH. Although the progress in the last few years has been relatively enormous, research on the physiological and clinical implications of these discoveries has probably only now reached its peak and it was thus felt that the time was ripe to write this summary.", "contents": "The hypothalamus as a regulator of reproductive function. In this review of the role of the hypothalamus as a regulator of reproductive function we have presented a short history of the important anatomical and physiological findings, the structure and properties of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and its function and mode of action in the reproductive process. The latest clinical studies have been presented and we have discussed the therapeutic and diagnostic applications of GnRH. Although the progress in the last few years has been relatively enormous, research on the physiological and clinical implications of these discoveries has probably only now reached its peak and it was thus felt that the time was ripe to write this summary.", "PMID": 775368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4217", "title": "Psychological implications in temporomandibular pain and dysfunction.", "content": "1. Although psychological factors are an important etiological component in producing and perpetuating TMJ disorders a comprehensive view of the problem can be best understood through the concept of multifactorial etiology. 2. Psychological factors operative in TMJ disorders cannot be understood within any single frame of reference. It is appropriate to examine emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal relationships in parallel, not as dichotomous concepts. 3. The symptom complex defined in this review as \"TMJ disorders\" is the musculoskeletal component of a larger group of microtraumatic signs and symptoms, all of which are manifestations of a generalized injury-producing activity termed dysfunction. 4. More explicit diagnoses need to be identified if definitional problems involving TMJ disorders are to be overcome. 5. Classical psychoanalytic conceptualization of the etiology of TMJ disorders has not been systematically examined, but has been widely accepted and found clinically useful by some therapists. 6. Clinical impressions notwithstanding, there is little evidence to indicate that TMJ disorders are correlated with one specific personality trait. Perhaps more definitive assessments will reveal uniform personality characteristics in subclasses of TMJ patients. 7. Emotional factors (e.g., anxiety, fear, frustration, and anger) play a significant role in the etiology of TMJ disorders, in that they elicit muscular tension and oral habits. Although it would appear unlikely that emotionally induced muscle activity is a \"necessary\" factor, it is probable that it will be found a \"sufficient\" cause for TMJ disorders. 8. Learning principles, should not be considered as an alternative etiological position but should be viewed as a framework upon which any psychological theory of etiology must be based. 9. The presence of chronic pain in TMJ patients may be of as much clinical significance in the prognosis as the physical findings associated with the disorder itself. 10. The potential placebo effect resulting from any treatment, coupled with other nonspecific effects of the doctor's attitudes, remains a powerful tool that can be utilized in treating TMJ disorders. A vital ingredient in the placebo effect is the quality of the doctor-patient relationship. 11. Patient evaluation should not only include a) a search for the immediate organic stimulus or biomechanical disturbance, but also b) an assessment of situational or chronic anxiety and other emotional factors and c) an observation of interpersonal styles of behavior commonly associated with the chronically sick patient. 12. Unilateral etiological views of TMJ disorders and rigid treatment approaches need modification. Treatment involving simultaneous dental and psychological approaches appears to have more promise.", "contents": "Psychological implications in temporomandibular pain and dysfunction. 1. Although psychological factors are an important etiological component in producing and perpetuating TMJ disorders a comprehensive view of the problem can be best understood through the concept of multifactorial etiology. 2. Psychological factors operative in TMJ disorders cannot be understood within any single frame of reference. It is appropriate to examine emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal relationships in parallel, not as dichotomous concepts. 3. The symptom complex defined in this review as \"TMJ disorders\" is the musculoskeletal component of a larger group of microtraumatic signs and symptoms, all of which are manifestations of a generalized injury-producing activity termed dysfunction. 4. More explicit diagnoses need to be identified if definitional problems involving TMJ disorders are to be overcome. 5. Classical psychoanalytic conceptualization of the etiology of TMJ disorders has not been systematically examined, but has been widely accepted and found clinically useful by some therapists. 6. Clinical impressions notwithstanding, there is little evidence to indicate that TMJ disorders are correlated with one specific personality trait. Perhaps more definitive assessments will reveal uniform personality characteristics in subclasses of TMJ patients. 7. Emotional factors (e.g., anxiety, fear, frustration, and anger) play a significant role in the etiology of TMJ disorders, in that they elicit muscular tension and oral habits. Although it would appear unlikely that emotionally induced muscle activity is a \"necessary\" factor, it is probable that it will be found a \"sufficient\" cause for TMJ disorders. 8. Learning principles, should not be considered as an alternative etiological position but should be viewed as a framework upon which any psychological theory of etiology must be based. 9. The presence of chronic pain in TMJ patients may be of as much clinical significance in the prognosis as the physical findings associated with the disorder itself. 10. The potential placebo effect resulting from any treatment, coupled with other nonspecific effects of the doctor's attitudes, remains a powerful tool that can be utilized in treating TMJ disorders. A vital ingredient in the placebo effect is the quality of the doctor-patient relationship. 11. Patient evaluation should not only include a) a search for the immediate organic stimulus or biomechanical disturbance, but also b) an assessment of situational or chronic anxiety and other emotional factors and c) an observation of interpersonal styles of behavior commonly associated with the chronically sick patient. 12. Unilateral etiological views of TMJ disorders and rigid treatment approaches need modification. Treatment involving simultaneous dental and psychological approaches appears to have more promise.", "PMID": 775369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4218", "title": "Neurophysiologic studies of temporomandibular joint dysfunction.", "content": "An attempt has been made to relate clinical thinking to available experimental evidence of the physiological background to temporomandibular joint dysfunction. There is little or no evidence that the condition results from displacement of the mandibular condyles. The contention that muscle hyperactivity is a primary cause receives some experimental support, but there is no clear evidence that malocclusion of the teeth leads, through reflex mechanisms, to maintained hyperactivity. Instead there is an increasing weight of evidence that hyperactivity of jaw closing muscles may originate in the central nervous system. It is concluded that such centrally induced activity may be sufficient to cause muscle damage, which leads to disturbed function, local pain and tenderness and to pain referred to adjacent structures.", "contents": "Neurophysiologic studies of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. An attempt has been made to relate clinical thinking to available experimental evidence of the physiological background to temporomandibular joint dysfunction. There is little or no evidence that the condition results from displacement of the mandibular condyles. The contention that muscle hyperactivity is a primary cause receives some experimental support, but there is no clear evidence that malocclusion of the teeth leads, through reflex mechanisms, to maintained hyperactivity. Instead there is an increasing weight of evidence that hyperactivity of jaw closing muscles may originate in the central nervous system. It is concluded that such centrally induced activity may be sufficient to cause muscle damage, which leads to disturbed function, local pain and tenderness and to pain referred to adjacent structures.", "PMID": 775370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4219", "title": "Epidemiological surveys of dysfunction of the masticatory system.", "content": "Findings in epidemiologic studies referred to in this review appear to warrant the following conclusions: 1. Symptoms of dysfunction of the masticatory system are very common in unselected materials - much more common than hitherto assumed. This implies that dentists in the future must interest themselves more than hitherto for diagnosis and treatment of functional disturbances of the masticatory system in general practice. 2. There are no differences in frequency of dysfunction between men and women in the general population. Why women dominate in patient materials has not been convincingly explained in the literature. 3. Symptoms of mandibular dysfunction have been found in perons in all age groups. The slight differences as to age distribution reported, indicate more frequent symptoms in old individuals than in young ones. 4. No predominant etiologic factor of dysfunction of the masticatory system has been found in the population studies. Various factors are obviously involved in the etiology of functional disorders. A certain correlation between the degree of dysfunction and the general state of health and the number of residual teeth has, however, been demonstrated. Besides occlusal disturbances and psyhic factors the general health therefore should be observed as an important variable in mandilular dysfunction. 5. In order to faciliate future comparisons between different materials and interpretation of results it is necessary to use the same dignostic criteria and to collect data by reference to suitalbe induces permitting assessment of the prevalence of different symptoms with their severity. 6. With the aid of a generally accepted dysfunction index it should be possible further to elucidate the still many obscure aspects of the etiology and further course of dysfunctional diseases of the masticatory system in clinical materials and population studies. 7. More epidemiologic research of different populations is necessary to increase our knowledge in this field.", "contents": "Epidemiological surveys of dysfunction of the masticatory system. Findings in epidemiologic studies referred to in this review appear to warrant the following conclusions: 1. Symptoms of dysfunction of the masticatory system are very common in unselected materials - much more common than hitherto assumed. This implies that dentists in the future must interest themselves more than hitherto for diagnosis and treatment of functional disturbances of the masticatory system in general practice. 2. There are no differences in frequency of dysfunction between men and women in the general population. Why women dominate in patient materials has not been convincingly explained in the literature. 3. Symptoms of mandibular dysfunction have been found in perons in all age groups. The slight differences as to age distribution reported, indicate more frequent symptoms in old individuals than in young ones. 4. No predominant etiologic factor of dysfunction of the masticatory system has been found in the population studies. Various factors are obviously involved in the etiology of functional disorders. A certain correlation between the degree of dysfunction and the general state of health and the number of residual teeth has, however, been demonstrated. Besides occlusal disturbances and psyhic factors the general health therefore should be observed as an important variable in mandilular dysfunction. 5. In order to faciliate future comparisons between different materials and interpretation of results it is necessary to use the same dignostic criteria and to collect data by reference to suitalbe induces permitting assessment of the prevalence of different symptoms with their severity. 6. With the aid of a generally accepted dysfunction index it should be possible further to elucidate the still many obscure aspects of the etiology and further course of dysfunctional diseases of the masticatory system in clinical materials and population studies. 7. More epidemiologic research of different populations is necessary to increase our knowledge in this field.", "PMID": 775371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4220", "title": "Use of meditative state for hypnotic induction in the practice of endodontics.", "content": "Thirty-five patients who were referred for endodontic therapy were used in a study involving the use of a meditative state for hypnotic induction. Induction was by the use of relaxation, and the silent repetition of a simple word while the patient's eyes were closed. Deepening of hypnosis was by suggestion of whole-body numbness or \"glove\" anesthesia, orally directed. Supplemental local anesthesia was used in some cases. The method proved to be rapid, easily learned, and well accepted. It was effective for varying degrees of analgesia as well as sedation, anti-anxiety, saliva control, and bleeding control. It also improved the patient's image of dentistry in general and endodontics specifically.", "contents": "Use of meditative state for hypnotic induction in the practice of endodontics. Thirty-five patients who were referred for endodontic therapy were used in a study involving the use of a meditative state for hypnotic induction. Induction was by the use of relaxation, and the silent repetition of a simple word while the patient's eyes were closed. Deepening of hypnosis was by suggestion of whole-body numbness or \"glove\" anesthesia, orally directed. Supplemental local anesthesia was used in some cases. The method proved to be rapid, easily learned, and well accepted. It was effective for varying degrees of analgesia as well as sedation, anti-anxiety, saliva control, and bleeding control. It also improved the patient's image of dentistry in general and endodontics specifically.", "PMID": 775373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4221", "title": "[Immunosuppressive agents and infection (author's transl)].", "content": "Immunosuppressive agents often cause severe infection sometimes due to organisms rarely encountered in other circumstances. Virus and parasitic infections, together with tuberculosis and salmonella may be particularly frequent during treatments which depress. T lymphocytes. Gram positive bacterial infections are mainly caused by substances inducing cell B immune deficeincy. In the light of this data, verified both by animal experiments and clinical experience, it is important to determine the target cell of the main immunodepressive agents used in clinical medicine. Azathioprine and antilymphocyte serum act mainly on T lymphocytes whereas alkylating agent are at least as active on B lymphocytes as on T lymphocytes. The mode of action of corticosteroids is particularly obscure. T cells appear, on the whole, to be resistant to corticosteroids, whereas monocytes and macrophages are very sensitive.", "contents": "[Immunosuppressive agents and infection (author's transl)]. Immunosuppressive agents often cause severe infection sometimes due to organisms rarely encountered in other circumstances. Virus and parasitic infections, together with tuberculosis and salmonella may be particularly frequent during treatments which depress. T lymphocytes. Gram positive bacterial infections are mainly caused by substances inducing cell B immune deficeincy. In the light of this data, verified both by animal experiments and clinical experience, it is important to determine the target cell of the main immunodepressive agents used in clinical medicine. Azathioprine and antilymphocyte serum act mainly on T lymphocytes whereas alkylating agent are at least as active on B lymphocytes as on T lymphocytes. The mode of action of corticosteroids is particularly obscure. T cells appear, on the whole, to be resistant to corticosteroids, whereas monocytes and macrophages are very sensitive.", "PMID": 775405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4222", "title": "[Pathophysiology of infectious diseases in immunosuppressive therapy (author's transl)].", "content": "The frequency and the nature of infections due to immunosuppressive therapy is well established now, but the pathophysiology of these infections is not very well known. Immunosuppressive effect itself, other secondary effects, and frequently the preexisting disease, decrease host resistance to infection. With some examples, it is attempted to link the nature of infectious diseases observed in the immunosuppressive therapy, to the effect of these drugs on host resistance to infections. The decrease of antiinfectious cellular immunity is one of the more important factors which may explain the frequency and severity of infectious diseases in these conditions.", "contents": "[Pathophysiology of infectious diseases in immunosuppressive therapy (author's transl)]. The frequency and the nature of infections due to immunosuppressive therapy is well established now, but the pathophysiology of these infections is not very well known. Immunosuppressive effect itself, other secondary effects, and frequently the preexisting disease, decrease host resistance to infection. With some examples, it is attempted to link the nature of infectious diseases observed in the immunosuppressive therapy, to the effect of these drugs on host resistance to infections. The decrease of antiinfectious cellular immunity is one of the more important factors which may explain the frequency and severity of infectious diseases in these conditions.", "PMID": 775406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4223", "title": "[Indications and choice of antibacterial treatment in patients receiving immunosuppressive agents and antimitotic drugs (author's transl)].", "content": "Bacterial infections are the most common cause of death in patients with malignant blood diseases. After recalling the main bacteria responsible and the factors which predispose patients to infection, the authors consider various forms of treatment, including antibiotic therapy, transfusions of white blood cells, gammaglobulins, etc., and prophlyactic measures, such as antibiotics by mouth, isolation in a sterile ward, etc., which have been proposed for some years. During renal grafts, infective complications are also very frequenct. Their prevention is essential for on this, to a large extent, depends the success of the transplantation.", "contents": "[Indications and choice of antibacterial treatment in patients receiving immunosuppressive agents and antimitotic drugs (author's transl)]. Bacterial infections are the most common cause of death in patients with malignant blood diseases. After recalling the main bacteria responsible and the factors which predispose patients to infection, the authors consider various forms of treatment, including antibiotic therapy, transfusions of white blood cells, gammaglobulins, etc., and prophlyactic measures, such as antibiotics by mouth, isolation in a sterile ward, etc., which have been proposed for some years. During renal grafts, infective complications are also very frequenct. Their prevention is essential for on this, to a large extent, depends the success of the transplantation.", "PMID": 775407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4224", "title": "[A simple method for evaluation of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in amniotic fluid. Variation in normal and abnormal pregnancies (138 cases) (author's transl)].", "content": "The determination of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in amniotic fluid is a useful index for assessing fetal pulmonary maturity. The authors propose a simple and specific method : the amniotic lipids are extracted and thin layer chromatography is carried out in an acetic acid containing medium. The L/S ratio was studied and discussed in 138 normal and pathological cases.", "contents": "[A simple method for evaluation of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in amniotic fluid. Variation in normal and abnormal pregnancies (138 cases) (author's transl)]. The determination of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in amniotic fluid is a useful index for assessing fetal pulmonary maturity. The authors propose a simple and specific method : the amniotic lipids are extracted and thin layer chromatography is carried out in an acetic acid containing medium. The L/S ratio was studied and discussed in 138 normal and pathological cases.", "PMID": 775408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4225", "title": "[New opportunist infection due to a Bacillus. A case of bacteremia with Bacillus licheniformis].", "content": "The authors report a case of bacteriemia with Bacillus licheniformis in a pregnant woman with coagulation disorders (acute fibrinolysis). Eight blood cultures were positive. Recovery rapidly occurred. The origin of this affection is discussed : a venous mode of entry is possible, either by the use of contaminated infusion fluid, or following several catheterizations.", "contents": "[New opportunist infection due to a Bacillus. A case of bacteremia with Bacillus licheniformis]. The authors report a case of bacteriemia with Bacillus licheniformis in a pregnant woman with coagulation disorders (acute fibrinolysis). Eight blood cultures were positive. Recovery rapidly occurred. The origin of this affection is discussed : a venous mode of entry is possible, either by the use of contaminated infusion fluid, or following several catheterizations.", "PMID": 775409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4226", "title": "[Fungal and parasitic infections during immunosupressive treatment (author's transl)].", "content": "Deep visceral fungus infections, induced by occasional pathogens, have caused a new class of diseases, and occupy a more and more important place among the complications due to immunosuppressive agents. The experience of the Mycology Unit of the Pasteur Institute, where recent techniques of mycological and immunological diagnosis of these fungus infections are used, is reported here. 24 patients submitted to corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive treatments, including 6 renal transplants and one liver transplant, developed deep visceral infection with septicemia due to Candida, in a series of 106 cases of deep candidiasis due to massive antibiotic treatment diagnosed over the last few years. The mycological, immunological and therapeutic data obtained after treatment with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine are reported here. 8 cases of meningeal, pulmonary and bony and cutaneous cryptococcosis, occurring after corticotherapy (6 cases), radiotherapy (1 case) and renal transplantation (one case), are presented together with the favourable results (6 cures out of 8) obtained with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine, eight alone or in association. The authors also report 2 cases of aspergillosis, one in the lung, occurring in a case of renal transplantation who was given, at an early stage, amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine, thanks to rapid laboratory diagnosis, and another case in a heart transplant with pulmonary and cerebral localisations from which the patient died. The literature on these fungus infections, together with the mucormycoses, nocardioses and other fungus and antinomycosal complications are reported, together with parasitic infections the severity of which is emphasized in renal transplants, in particular P. carinii pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, strongyloidiasis and other parasitic diseases.", "contents": "[Fungal and parasitic infections during immunosupressive treatment (author's transl)]. Deep visceral fungus infections, induced by occasional pathogens, have caused a new class of diseases, and occupy a more and more important place among the complications due to immunosuppressive agents. The experience of the Mycology Unit of the Pasteur Institute, where recent techniques of mycological and immunological diagnosis of these fungus infections are used, is reported here. 24 patients submitted to corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive treatments, including 6 renal transplants and one liver transplant, developed deep visceral infection with septicemia due to Candida, in a series of 106 cases of deep candidiasis due to massive antibiotic treatment diagnosed over the last few years. The mycological, immunological and therapeutic data obtained after treatment with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine are reported here. 8 cases of meningeal, pulmonary and bony and cutaneous cryptococcosis, occurring after corticotherapy (6 cases), radiotherapy (1 case) and renal transplantation (one case), are presented together with the favourable results (6 cures out of 8) obtained with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine, eight alone or in association. The authors also report 2 cases of aspergillosis, one in the lung, occurring in a case of renal transplantation who was given, at an early stage, amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine, thanks to rapid laboratory diagnosis, and another case in a heart transplant with pulmonary and cerebral localisations from which the patient died. The literature on these fungus infections, together with the mucormycoses, nocardioses and other fungus and antinomycosal complications are reported, together with parasitic infections the severity of which is emphasized in renal transplants, in particular P. carinii pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, strongyloidiasis and other parasitic diseases.", "PMID": 775410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4227", "title": "Characterization of two H2S-producing, multiple drug-resistant isolates of Escherichia coli from clinical urine specimens.", "content": "Two H2S producing, multiple drug-resistant variants of Escherichia coli were isolated from clinical urine specimens. Both isolates transferred, eleven resistance determinants to recipient strains of E. coli K 12 and nine r-determinants to Klebsiella pneumoniae recipients; in no instance was transfer of the 'curing'-refractory H2S marker demonstrable.", "contents": "Characterization of two H2S-producing, multiple drug-resistant isolates of Escherichia coli from clinical urine specimens. Two H2S producing, multiple drug-resistant variants of Escherichia coli were isolated from clinical urine specimens. Both isolates transferred, eleven resistance determinants to recipient strains of E. coli K 12 and nine r-determinants to Klebsiella pneumoniae recipients; in no instance was transfer of the 'curing'-refractory H2S marker demonstrable.", "PMID": 775411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4228", "title": "Responses of disturbed adolescent on the Kahn Test of Symbol Arrangement.", "content": "Responses to the Kahn Test of Symbol Arrangement (KTSA)by 22 adolescents in residential treatment center and 22 adolescents living at home were examined for differential reactions in 6 scoring classifications. The disturbed group did not differ in the relationships of objects in their arrangements, in objects liked and disliked, or in numbers of objects grouped by category. Reasons given for their arrangements by several members of the disturbed group held pathological implications, and significant differences were found between the two groups in the directional consistency in their arrangements. The kinds of objects sorted into good, bad, and hate by both boys and girls in the disturbed group differed significantly from the norms. It was concluded that level of symbolization, consistency in arranging, and the kinds of objects sorted into the categories should be useful in the assessment and treatment of adolescent problems.", "contents": "Responses of disturbed adolescent on the Kahn Test of Symbol Arrangement. Responses to the Kahn Test of Symbol Arrangement (KTSA)by 22 adolescents in residential treatment center and 22 adolescents living at home were examined for differential reactions in 6 scoring classifications. The disturbed group did not differ in the relationships of objects in their arrangements, in objects liked and disliked, or in numbers of objects grouped by category. Reasons given for their arrangements by several members of the disturbed group held pathological implications, and significant differences were found between the two groups in the directional consistency in their arrangements. The kinds of objects sorted into good, bad, and hate by both boys and girls in the disturbed group differed significantly from the norms. It was concluded that level of symbolization, consistency in arranging, and the kinds of objects sorted into the categories should be useful in the assessment and treatment of adolescent problems.", "PMID": 775424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4229", "title": "Note on the relationship between introversion-extraversion, field-dependence-independence and accuracy of visual target detection.", "content": "49 soldier-observers viewed 40 slides in which a stimulus soldier was identically posed in a constant background [corrected] but a different viewing distance (175, 200, 225, 2508 and 275 ft.) and viewing angles (14 degrees and 21 degrees, left and right) from the observer. Accuracy of target detection was compared with viewers' scores on the Hidden Shapes Test and the Maudsley Personality Inventory. Field-dependence-independence and extraversion-introversion were determined to be separately and jointly related to accuracy of target detection. The major effects were attributable to the notably poorer perfromance of Ss characterized of field-dependent extraverts.", "contents": "Note on the relationship between introversion-extraversion, field-dependence-independence and accuracy of visual target detection. 49 soldier-observers viewed 40 slides in which a stimulus soldier was identically posed in a constant background [corrected] but a different viewing distance (175, 200, 225, 2508 and 275 ft.) and viewing angles (14 degrees and 21 degrees, left and right) from the observer. Accuracy of target detection was compared with viewers' scores on the Hidden Shapes Test and the Maudsley Personality Inventory. Field-dependence-independence and extraversion-introversion were determined to be separately and jointly related to accuracy of target detection. The major effects were attributable to the notably poorer perfromance of Ss characterized of field-dependent extraverts.", "PMID": 775426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4230", "title": "Effects of race and sex on field dependence-independence in children.", "content": "Field dependence-independence is a possible social-psychological variable which contributes to inter-ethnic group differences. 40 Grade 6 children equally divided by race (Negro and white) and by sex were administered the Embedded-figures Test. High scores, indicating field dependence, of the black girls accounted for most of the significant differences due to race and sex.", "contents": "Effects of race and sex on field dependence-independence in children. Field dependence-independence is a possible social-psychological variable which contributes to inter-ethnic group differences. 40 Grade 6 children equally divided by race (Negro and white) and by sex were administered the Embedded-figures Test. High scores, indicating field dependence, of the black girls accounted for most of the significant differences due to race and sex.", "PMID": 775427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4231", "title": "Formal operations and field independence in a heterogeneous sample.", "content": "25 sixth grade students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds were administered two Piagetian formal operational tasks (bending rods and balance beam) and a test of field independence. A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient of .92 (p less than .001) was found between the two formal operational tasks. Correlation between the formal operational tasks and field independence were .81 and .77 (p less than .001) respectively. These values support the hypothesis of a unified stage of formal reasoning and also support the hypothesis that a degree of field independence is required for the development of formal stage reasoning.", "contents": "Formal operations and field independence in a heterogeneous sample. 25 sixth grade students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds were administered two Piagetian formal operational tasks (bending rods and balance beam) and a test of field independence. A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient of .92 (p less than .001) was found between the two formal operational tasks. Correlation between the formal operational tasks and field independence were .81 and .77 (p less than .001) respectively. These values support the hypothesis of a unified stage of formal reasoning and also support the hypothesis that a degree of field independence is required for the development of formal stage reasoning.", "PMID": 775428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4232", "title": "[Occurrence and distribution of drug resistant enterobacteria in extra enteral habitats (author's transl)].", "content": "In the period 1971-73 various extra enteral habitats have been examined for the occurrence of resistant E. coli. Of 172 isolates of E. coli from retail butcher's meat products 9.9% were resistant and 3.5% R+ E. coli. Of 203 isolates of E. coli from bakery products 7.9% were resistant and 3.5% R+ E. coli. Of 52 isolates of E. coli from freshly killed carcases of chickens 40.4% contained weak non-transferable monoresistance against sulphonamides (Table I). Of 92 isolates of E. coli from seawater receiving human sewage 15.2% were resistant and 4.4% R+ E. coli (Table III). All but one samples of sewage and crude sludge contained resistant E. coli of which 11% harboured R factors (Table II). Of 117 Salmonella isolates from human sewage 11.1% were resistant and in 4.2% resistance were transferable (Table VI). Quantitative examinations of untreated and treated sewage did not indicate any selective reduction of resistant E. coli compared to sensitive (Table IV). However, more di- and multiresistant E. coli were found in sewage than in seawater (Fig. 1). The food hygienic implications of resistant E. coli are discussed.", "contents": "[Occurrence and distribution of drug resistant enterobacteria in extra enteral habitats (author's transl)]. In the period 1971-73 various extra enteral habitats have been examined for the occurrence of resistant E. coli. Of 172 isolates of E. coli from retail butcher's meat products 9.9% were resistant and 3.5% R+ E. coli. Of 203 isolates of E. coli from bakery products 7.9% were resistant and 3.5% R+ E. coli. Of 52 isolates of E. coli from freshly killed carcases of chickens 40.4% contained weak non-transferable monoresistance against sulphonamides (Table I). Of 92 isolates of E. coli from seawater receiving human sewage 15.2% were resistant and 4.4% R+ E. coli (Table III). All but one samples of sewage and crude sludge contained resistant E. coli of which 11% harboured R factors (Table II). Of 117 Salmonella isolates from human sewage 11.1% were resistant and in 4.2% resistance were transferable (Table VI). Quantitative examinations of untreated and treated sewage did not indicate any selective reduction of resistant E. coli compared to sensitive (Table IV). However, more di- and multiresistant E. coli were found in sewage than in seawater (Fig. 1). The food hygienic implications of resistant E. coli are discussed.", "PMID": 775430} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4233", "title": "[The association of myasthenia and disseminated lupus erythematosus. 2 cases].", "content": "Two cases of the association myasthenia/systemic lupus erythematosus are described. This association is rare but of particular interest from a pathogenic point of view. The discussion includes the suggestion of an immunological disturbance which might be the common denominator of the two disorders. Recent data concerning the role of the thymus and of \"suppressor\" T cells support such a hypothesis.", "contents": "[The association of myasthenia and disseminated lupus erythematosus. 2 cases]. Two cases of the association myasthenia/systemic lupus erythematosus are described. This association is rare but of particular interest from a pathogenic point of view. The discussion includes the suggestion of an immunological disturbance which might be the common denominator of the two disorders. Recent data concerning the role of the thymus and of \"suppressor\" T cells support such a hypothesis.", "PMID": 775436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4234", "title": "Role of modified nucleosides in tRNA: effect of modification of the 2-thiouridine derivative located at the 5'-end of the anticodon of yeast transfer RNA Lys2.", "content": "Yeast tRNA Lys2 codes preferentially for AAA and contains a 2-thiouridine derivative (U) at the 5'-position of the anticodon. Removal of the 2-thio group from U by treatment with CNBr did not affect the amino acid accepting activity of the modified tRNA Lys2. CNBr treated tRNA Lys2 was active in protein synthesis but with a much reduced efficiency. Although the modified tRNA Lys2 was recognized by elongation factor (EF) T, the EFT dependent binding to ribosomes to tRNA Lys2 (CNBr) was markedly decreased.", "contents": "Role of modified nucleosides in tRNA: effect of modification of the 2-thiouridine derivative located at the 5'-end of the anticodon of yeast transfer RNA Lys2. Yeast tRNA Lys2 codes preferentially for AAA and contains a 2-thiouridine derivative (U) at the 5'-position of the anticodon. Removal of the 2-thio group from U by treatment with CNBr did not affect the amino acid accepting activity of the modified tRNA Lys2. CNBr treated tRNA Lys2 was active in protein synthesis but with a much reduced efficiency. Although the modified tRNA Lys2 was recognized by elongation factor (EF) T, the EFT dependent binding to ribosomes to tRNA Lys2 (CNBr) was markedly decreased.", "PMID": 775440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4235", "title": "Synthesis of DNA complementary to the mRNAs for milk proteins by E. coli DNA polymerase I.", "content": "E.Coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow subfragment) was used for the synthesis of complementary DNA with the mRNAs for rabbit milk proteins as templates. The cDNA formed, contained 200 nucleotides and represented about 20% of the mRNA template. The cDNA was hybridized specifically to the mRNA templates. The Klenow subfragment of the E.Coli DNA polymerase I was as efficient as the avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase in the synthesis of cDNA. The mean size of the cDNA fragments obtained with the Klenow enzyme proved to be 70% of the value obtained with the AMV reverse transcriptase and at least twice the value generally obtained with the complete E.Coli DNA polymerase I. The cDNA was used for the detection and the quantification of the mRNA template in various RNA fractions.", "contents": "Synthesis of DNA complementary to the mRNAs for milk proteins by E. coli DNA polymerase I. E.Coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow subfragment) was used for the synthesis of complementary DNA with the mRNAs for rabbit milk proteins as templates. The cDNA formed, contained 200 nucleotides and represented about 20% of the mRNA template. The cDNA was hybridized specifically to the mRNA templates. The Klenow subfragment of the E.Coli DNA polymerase I was as efficient as the avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase in the synthesis of cDNA. The mean size of the cDNA fragments obtained with the Klenow enzyme proved to be 70% of the value obtained with the AMV reverse transcriptase and at least twice the value generally obtained with the complete E.Coli DNA polymerase I. The cDNA was used for the detection and the quantification of the mRNA template in various RNA fractions.", "PMID": 775441} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4236", "title": "Studies of DNA bound RNA molecules isolated from nucleoids of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Methods are developed for studying RNA molecules bound directly to DNA in bacterial nucleoids. It is found that among the 1000-3000 nascent RNA chains that normally are attached to the DNA via their associated RNA polymerase molecules, 74 +/- 14 chains per nucleoid can be bound differently. These chains unlike the other nascent RNAs remained bound to the DNA after the chromosome was deproteinized and sheared. Sensitive assays using radioactive labels detected no RNA polymerase involved in the RNA-DNA linkage. The linkage was stable at low temperatures, but the RNA separated from the DNA at high temperature. The bound RNA molecules were heterodisperse (weight average length 1200 bases). Pulse-chase experiments and studies of the fate of these RNA molecules in rifampicin treated cells demonstrated that they are nascent RNAs, degraded or released from the DNA in vivo with kinetics similar to that of the total nascent RNA. Hybridization analyses showed that the chains are composed at least in part of nascent rRNA and known mRNA molecules. Some, but not more than 5% of the bound chains, contained sequences of about 300 nucleotides in length, bound to the DNA in an RNase resistant form.", "contents": "Studies of DNA bound RNA molecules isolated from nucleoids of Escherichia coli. Methods are developed for studying RNA molecules bound directly to DNA in bacterial nucleoids. It is found that among the 1000-3000 nascent RNA chains that normally are attached to the DNA via their associated RNA polymerase molecules, 74 +/- 14 chains per nucleoid can be bound differently. These chains unlike the other nascent RNAs remained bound to the DNA after the chromosome was deproteinized and sheared. Sensitive assays using radioactive labels detected no RNA polymerase involved in the RNA-DNA linkage. The linkage was stable at low temperatures, but the RNA separated from the DNA at high temperature. The bound RNA molecules were heterodisperse (weight average length 1200 bases). Pulse-chase experiments and studies of the fate of these RNA molecules in rifampicin treated cells demonstrated that they are nascent RNAs, degraded or released from the DNA in vivo with kinetics similar to that of the total nascent RNA. Hybridization analyses showed that the chains are composed at least in part of nascent rRNA and known mRNA molecules. Some, but not more than 5% of the bound chains, contained sequences of about 300 nucleotides in length, bound to the DNA in an RNase resistant form.", "PMID": 775442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4237", "title": "Enzymatic synthesis of duplex circular phiX174 DNA containing phosphoramidate bonds in the (-) strand.", "content": "Duplex circular phiX174 DNA (RF I) containing some phosphoramidate links in the backbone chain of the (-) strand was synthesized by reaction of 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate, dCTP, dGTP, and 3H-dATP with DNA polymerase I and DNA ligase (T4) on a (+) strand phiX174 amber 3 DNA template. The yield of duplex DNA was higher when dTTP was included along with the amino analog in the initial reaction system or was added late in the synthesis. RF I DNA was observed as a rapidly sedimenting species in an alkaline sucrose gradient, and the presence of phosphoramidate linkages was demonstrated by the unusual lability of the duplex DNA in a weakly acidic solution.", "contents": "Enzymatic synthesis of duplex circular phiX174 DNA containing phosphoramidate bonds in the (-) strand. Duplex circular phiX174 DNA (RF I) containing some phosphoramidate links in the backbone chain of the (-) strand was synthesized by reaction of 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate, dCTP, dGTP, and 3H-dATP with DNA polymerase I and DNA ligase (T4) on a (+) strand phiX174 amber 3 DNA template. The yield of duplex DNA was higher when dTTP was included along with the amino analog in the initial reaction system or was added late in the synthesis. RF I DNA was observed as a rapidly sedimenting species in an alkaline sucrose gradient, and the presence of phosphoramidate linkages was demonstrated by the unusual lability of the duplex DNA in a weakly acidic solution.", "PMID": 775443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4238", "title": "Atomic coordinates and molecular conformation of yeast phenylalanyl tRNA. An independent investigation.", "content": "The atomic coordinates of yeast tRNA(Phe) in the monoclinic crystal form have been determined by an independent analysis from a model built into a 3 A MIR map. The overall molecular structure is found to be in agreement with those reported for the same crystal form by Ladner et al. (1975) and for the orthorhombic form by Quigley et al. (1975) and Kim et al. (1975). However, significant differences between any two of the four models are found in certain local regions of the molecule. The structure is analyzed in terms of the nucleotide stereochemistry and internucleotide phosphodiesters. A striking observation is that the majority of the nucleotide moieties occur in the conformation preferred by the constituent mononucleotides themselves. The internucleotide P-O bonds afford the primary source of flexibility for the folding of the polynucleotide backbone while the sugar pucker and C(4')-C(5') torsions provide the secondary source of flexibility.", "contents": "Atomic coordinates and molecular conformation of yeast phenylalanyl tRNA. An independent investigation. The atomic coordinates of yeast tRNA(Phe) in the monoclinic crystal form have been determined by an independent analysis from a model built into a 3 A MIR map. The overall molecular structure is found to be in agreement with those reported for the same crystal form by Ladner et al. (1975) and for the orthorhombic form by Quigley et al. (1975) and Kim et al. (1975). However, significant differences between any two of the four models are found in certain local regions of the molecule. The structure is analyzed in terms of the nucleotide stereochemistry and internucleotide phosphodiesters. A striking observation is that the majority of the nucleotide moieties occur in the conformation preferred by the constituent mononucleotides themselves. The internucleotide P-O bonds afford the primary source of flexibility for the folding of the polynucleotide backbone while the sugar pucker and C(4')-C(5') torsions provide the secondary source of flexibility.", "PMID": 775444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4239", "title": "Terminal labeling and addition of homopolymer tracts to duplex DNA fragments by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase.", "content": "Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, which requires a single-stranded DNA primer under the usual assay conditions, can be made to accept double-stranded DNA as primer for the addition of either rNMP or dNMP, if Mg+2 ion is replaced by Co+2 ion. The priming efficiency in the presence of Co+2 ion with respect to initial rate tested with 2 single-stranded primer, is 5-6 fold higher than that observed with Mg+2 ion. In the presence of Co+2 ion, the primer specificity is altered so that all forms of duplex DNA molecules can be labeled at their unique 3'-ends regardless of whether such ends are staggered or even. Thus, using ribonucleotide incorporation, we have for the first time employed this reaction for sequence analysis of duplex DNA fragments generated by restriction endonuclease cleavages. Furthermore, by using Co+2 ion, it is possible to add a long homopolymer tract of deoxyribonucleotides to the 3'-terminus of double-stranded DNA. Therefore, without prior treatment with lambda exonuclease to expose the 3' terminus as single-stranded primer, this reaction now permits insertion of homopolymer tails at the 3'-ends of all types of DNA molecules for the purpose of in vitro construction of recombinant DNA.", "contents": "Terminal labeling and addition of homopolymer tracts to duplex DNA fragments by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, which requires a single-stranded DNA primer under the usual assay conditions, can be made to accept double-stranded DNA as primer for the addition of either rNMP or dNMP, if Mg+2 ion is replaced by Co+2 ion. The priming efficiency in the presence of Co+2 ion with respect to initial rate tested with 2 single-stranded primer, is 5-6 fold higher than that observed with Mg+2 ion. In the presence of Co+2 ion, the primer specificity is altered so that all forms of duplex DNA molecules can be labeled at their unique 3'-ends regardless of whether such ends are staggered or even. Thus, using ribonucleotide incorporation, we have for the first time employed this reaction for sequence analysis of duplex DNA fragments generated by restriction endonuclease cleavages. Furthermore, by using Co+2 ion, it is possible to add a long homopolymer tract of deoxyribonucleotides to the 3'-terminus of double-stranded DNA. Therefore, without prior treatment with lambda exonuclease to expose the 3' terminus as single-stranded primer, this reaction now permits insertion of homopolymer tails at the 3'-ends of all types of DNA molecules for the purpose of in vitro construction of recombinant DNA.", "PMID": 775445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4240", "title": "Patterns of E. coli leucine tRNA isoacceptors following bacteriophage MS2 infection.", "content": "The RNA extracted from MS2 phage particles can accept radioactive leucine and serine in the presence of tRNA activating enzymes. Leucine acceptance is due to the presence of E. coli leucine tRNA that binds very tightly to the virus particle. RPC-5 column chromatography shows that the pattern of virus associated leucyl-tRNA isoacceptors is different from that of normal E. coli leucyl-tRNA. It is also different from the pattern of host leucyl-tRNA isoacceptors found in E. coli lysate following MS2 phage infection. The RPC-5 pattern of the latter tRNA shows several new peaks of leucine tRNA isoacceptors. The possibility that these tRNAs are some modified forms of normal leucine tRNA isoacceptors is suggested.", "contents": "Patterns of E. coli leucine tRNA isoacceptors following bacteriophage MS2 infection. The RNA extracted from MS2 phage particles can accept radioactive leucine and serine in the presence of tRNA activating enzymes. Leucine acceptance is due to the presence of E. coli leucine tRNA that binds very tightly to the virus particle. RPC-5 column chromatography shows that the pattern of virus associated leucyl-tRNA isoacceptors is different from that of normal E. coli leucyl-tRNA. It is also different from the pattern of host leucyl-tRNA isoacceptors found in E. coli lysate following MS2 phage infection. The RPC-5 pattern of the latter tRNA shows several new peaks of leucine tRNA isoacceptors. The possibility that these tRNAs are some modified forms of normal leucine tRNA isoacceptors is suggested.", "PMID": 775446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4241", "title": "Anticodon conformation and accessibility in wild-type and suppressor tryptophan tRNA from E. coli.", "content": "The association between Trp-tRNA and Pro-tRNA, which have complementary anticodon sequences, has been used as a probe of anticodon conformation. It is unaffected, however, by the base change in the D-stem present in UGA-suppressor Trp-tRNA. This does not support the hypothesis that UGA suppression depends upon a conformational change induced in the anticodon. The stable denatured form of wild-type Trp-tRNA no longer interacts with Pro-tRNA; the structure of the anticodon region must therefore be quite different in the denatured form.", "contents": "Anticodon conformation and accessibility in wild-type and suppressor tryptophan tRNA from E. coli. The association between Trp-tRNA and Pro-tRNA, which have complementary anticodon sequences, has been used as a probe of anticodon conformation. It is unaffected, however, by the base change in the D-stem present in UGA-suppressor Trp-tRNA. This does not support the hypothesis that UGA suppression depends upon a conformational change induced in the anticodon. The stable denatured form of wild-type Trp-tRNA no longer interacts with Pro-tRNA; the structure of the anticodon region must therefore be quite different in the denatured form.", "PMID": 775447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4242", "title": "[Function of the pancreatic insular apparatus in growth retardation].", "content": "Function of the insular apparatus of the pancreas was studied in 12 healthy children and in 86 patients with growth retardation. The content of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) in the blood serum was examined with the aid of sets for radioimmunological determination on fasting stomach and in dynamics during the standard glucose-tolerance test. Investigations carried out showed the changes in insulin secretion in the patients with growth retardation to be in different direction; these changes were independent of the form of nanism. Normal IRI curves were revealed in 36.1%, and pathological ones--in 63.9% of the patients with growth retardation. Four types were distinguished among the pathological curves; they were hyposecretory (10.5%), torpid (15.1%), hypersecretory (30.2%), paradoxic (8.1%). The established disturbances in the function of the insular apparatus of the pancreas could serve as one of the pathogenetic moments causing or aggravating the growth retardation.", "contents": "[Function of the pancreatic insular apparatus in growth retardation]. Function of the insular apparatus of the pancreas was studied in 12 healthy children and in 86 patients with growth retardation. The content of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) in the blood serum was examined with the aid of sets for radioimmunological determination on fasting stomach and in dynamics during the standard glucose-tolerance test. Investigations carried out showed the changes in insulin secretion in the patients with growth retardation to be in different direction; these changes were independent of the form of nanism. Normal IRI curves were revealed in 36.1%, and pathological ones--in 63.9% of the patients with growth retardation. Four types were distinguished among the pathological curves; they were hyposecretory (10.5%), torpid (15.1%), hypersecretory (30.2%), paradoxic (8.1%). The established disturbances in the function of the insular apparatus of the pancreas could serve as one of the pathogenetic moments causing or aggravating the growth retardation.", "PMID": 775483} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4243", "title": "[Changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and in the structure of the fatty tissue and pancreatic insular apparatus of rats under conditions of prolonged overeating].", "content": "Prolonged overfeeding of rats with a highly caloric mixed food led in the majority of the animals to a more intensive increase in body weight and of fat dep\u00f4t than in control animals given conventional laboratory diet. Rats with adiposity caused by prolonged overfeeding displayed disturbances of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism expressed in elevation of blood sugar level on fasting stomach, a fall of glucose tolerance and of insulin sensitivity, and also in increase of blood insulin activity and of free fatty acids and blood triglycerides on fasting stomach. The number of fat cells in the adipose tissue remained unchanged, but their volume increased. In the animals with adiposity the relative area of the islar tissue of the pancreas and the mass of beta-cells increased significantly; the count of the islar cells in the glandular parenchyma increased as well.", "contents": "[Changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and in the structure of the fatty tissue and pancreatic insular apparatus of rats under conditions of prolonged overeating]. Prolonged overfeeding of rats with a highly caloric mixed food led in the majority of the animals to a more intensive increase in body weight and of fat dep\u00f4t than in control animals given conventional laboratory diet. Rats with adiposity caused by prolonged overfeeding displayed disturbances of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism expressed in elevation of blood sugar level on fasting stomach, a fall of glucose tolerance and of insulin sensitivity, and also in increase of blood insulin activity and of free fatty acids and blood triglycerides on fasting stomach. The number of fat cells in the adipose tissue remained unchanged, but their volume increased. In the animals with adiposity the relative area of the islar tissue of the pancreas and the mass of beta-cells increased significantly; the count of the islar cells in the glandular parenchyma increased as well.", "PMID": 775484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4244", "title": "[Method for the intavital of the isolated pancreatic islands of Langerhans in rats].", "content": "The authors describe a method of vital detection and isolation of individual islands of Langerhans in rats. This method is based on the capacity of the beta-cells of the islands to accumulate the stain during life. Since the stain (0.05% neutral red solution) is harmless and it is rapidly eliminated by the cells this method permits vital marking on the surface of the pancreas of individual islands and their distinguishment under steroscopic microscope; these islands can be isolated from the surrounding parenchyma of the pancreas with the aid of a microknife. Thus obtained islands of the pancreas could be used as material for experiments with implantation and for other experimental studies.", "contents": "[Method for the intavital of the isolated pancreatic islands of Langerhans in rats]. The authors describe a method of vital detection and isolation of individual islands of Langerhans in rats. This method is based on the capacity of the beta-cells of the islands to accumulate the stain during life. Since the stain (0.05% neutral red solution) is harmless and it is rapidly eliminated by the cells this method permits vital marking on the surface of the pancreas of individual islands and their distinguishment under steroscopic microscope; these islands can be isolated from the surrounding parenchyma of the pancreas with the aid of a microknife. Thus obtained islands of the pancreas could be used as material for experiments with implantation and for other experimental studies.", "PMID": 775485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4245", "title": "Membrane penicillinase of Bacillus licheniformis 749/C:sequence and possible repeated tetrapeptide structure of the phospholipopeptide region.", "content": "The membrane penicillinase (EC 3.5.2.6; penicillin amido-beta-lactamhydrolase) of Bacillus licheniforis 749/C, which appears to be an intermediate in the formation of the exoenzyme, is a phospholipoprotein that carries an NH2-terminal chain of 24 amino acids (only serine, glycine, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, and glutamine) and a phosphatidylserine that is not present in the exoenzyme.", "contents": "Membrane penicillinase of Bacillus licheniformis 749/C:sequence and possible repeated tetrapeptide structure of the phospholipopeptide region. The membrane penicillinase (EC 3.5.2.6; penicillin amido-beta-lactamhydrolase) of Bacillus licheniforis 749/C, which appears to be an intermediate in the formation of the exoenzyme, is a phospholipoprotein that carries an NH2-terminal chain of 24 amino acids (only serine, glycine, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, and glutamine) and a phosphatidylserine that is not present in the exoenzyme.", "PMID": 775489} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4246", "title": "Functional genetic expression of eukaryotic DNA in Escherichia coli.", "content": "We have isolated a segment of DNA from the eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) as a viable molecular hybrid of bacteriophage lambda DNA which, when integrated into the chromosome of an E. coli histidine auxotroph, allows this bacterium to grow in the absence of histidine. The nonrevertable, histidine auxotroph lacks the enzymatic activity of imidazole glycerol phosphate (IGP) dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.19). From genetic experiments, we conclude that expression of the segment of yeast DNA results in the production of a diffusible substance and that transcription necessary for the complementation is most likely initiated from the segment of eukaryotic DNA.", "contents": "Functional genetic expression of eukaryotic DNA in Escherichia coli. We have isolated a segment of DNA from the eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) as a viable molecular hybrid of bacteriophage lambda DNA which, when integrated into the chromosome of an E. coli histidine auxotroph, allows this bacterium to grow in the absence of histidine. The nonrevertable, histidine auxotroph lacks the enzymatic activity of imidazole glycerol phosphate (IGP) dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.19). From genetic experiments, we conclude that expression of the segment of yeast DNA results in the production of a diffusible substance and that transcription necessary for the complementation is most likely initiated from the segment of eukaryotic DNA.", "PMID": 775490} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4247", "title": "Synthesis of an R plasmid protein associated with tetracycline resistance is negatively regulated.", "content": "Synthesis of proteins encoded by the R222 plasmid was observed in a DNA-directed cell-free system and the products were compared to those plasmid proteins synthesized in Escherichia coli minicells. A greater number of plasmid-specified proteins was detected in the in vitro system than in the minicell, suggesting the presence of control factors for plasmid gene expression in the minicell. Synthesis of a newly detected plasmid protein (TET protein) is induced by tetracycline in minicells containing tetracycline-resistant plasmids, including R222, and this induced synthesis correlates with induced host resistance to the drug. This TET protein was synthesized in vitro from R222 DNA in the absence of tetracycline, indicating that no positive regulatory role for tetracycline is required for the protein's synthesis. TET proteon synthesis was inhibited in vitro when cell-free extracts prepared from cells containing the R222 plasmid were used.", "contents": "Synthesis of an R plasmid protein associated with tetracycline resistance is negatively regulated. Synthesis of proteins encoded by the R222 plasmid was observed in a DNA-directed cell-free system and the products were compared to those plasmid proteins synthesized in Escherichia coli minicells. A greater number of plasmid-specified proteins was detected in the in vitro system than in the minicell, suggesting the presence of control factors for plasmid gene expression in the minicell. Synthesis of a newly detected plasmid protein (TET protein) is induced by tetracycline in minicells containing tetracycline-resistant plasmids, including R222, and this induced synthesis correlates with induced host resistance to the drug. This TET protein was synthesized in vitro from R222 DNA in the absence of tetracycline, indicating that no positive regulatory role for tetracycline is required for the protein's synthesis. TET proteon synthesis was inhibited in vitro when cell-free extracts prepared from cells containing the R222 plasmid were used.", "PMID": 775491} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4248", "title": "Electron microscopy of gene regulation: the L-arabinose operon.", "content": "Unlike normal cells, malignant rat and two simian virus 40-transformed human cell lines can neither grow nor survive in B12- and folate-supplemented media in which methionine is replaced by homocysteine. Yet three lines of evidence indicate that the malignant and transformed cells synthesize large amounts of methionine endogenously through the reaction catalyzed by 5-methyltetrahydropterolyl-L-glutamate: L-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.13). (1) The activities of this methyltransferase were comparable in extracts of malignant and normal cells. (2) The uptake of radioactive label from [5-14C]methyltetrahydropteroyl-L-glutamic acid (5-Me-H4PteGlu) was at least as great in the malignant cells as in the normals and was nearly totally dependent on the addition of homocysteine, the methyl acceptor; furthermore, 59-84% of the label incorporated by cells was recovered as methionine.", "contents": "Electron microscopy of gene regulation: the L-arabinose operon. Unlike normal cells, malignant rat and two simian virus 40-transformed human cell lines can neither grow nor survive in B12- and folate-supplemented media in which methionine is replaced by homocysteine. Yet three lines of evidence indicate that the malignant and transformed cells synthesize large amounts of methionine endogenously through the reaction catalyzed by 5-methyltetrahydropterolyl-L-glutamate: L-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.13). (1) The activities of this methyltransferase were comparable in extracts of malignant and normal cells. (2) The uptake of radioactive label from [5-14C]methyltetrahydropteroyl-L-glutamic acid (5-Me-H4PteGlu) was at least as great in the malignant cells as in the normals and was nearly totally dependent on the addition of homocysteine, the methyl acceptor; furthermore, 59-84% of the label incorporated by cells was recovered as methionine.", "PMID": 775492} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4249", "title": "Coordinate regulation of the synthesis of eukaryotic ribosomal proteins.", "content": "We have developed a method of r the direct measurement, in eukaryotic cells, of the synthesis of ribosomal proteins, irrespective of the synthesis of ribosomes. In this way the synthesis of ribosomal proteins has been examined in mutant strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which are unable to synthesize ribosomes under nonpermissive conditions. The results suggest that the synthesis of more than 40 ribosomal proteins is under coordinate control. Under nonpermissive conditions,the synthesis of each h protein declines exponentially to a basal level which is 10-20% fo normal. The kinetics of that decline suggest that an early, if not primary, result of the nonpermissive conditions is the cessation of production of new mRNA for eac of the ribosomal proteins. The coordinate regulation appears not to be influenced directly by the rate of transcription of ribosomal precursor RNA.", "contents": "Coordinate regulation of the synthesis of eukaryotic ribosomal proteins. We have developed a method of r the direct measurement, in eukaryotic cells, of the synthesis of ribosomal proteins, irrespective of the synthesis of ribosomes. In this way the synthesis of ribosomal proteins has been examined in mutant strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which are unable to synthesize ribosomes under nonpermissive conditions. The results suggest that the synthesis of more than 40 ribosomal proteins is under coordinate control. Under nonpermissive conditions,the synthesis of each h protein declines exponentially to a basal level which is 10-20% fo normal. The kinetics of that decline suggest that an early, if not primary, result of the nonpermissive conditions is the cessation of production of new mRNA for eac of the ribosomal proteins. The coordinate regulation appears not to be influenced directly by the rate of transcription of ribosomal precursor RNA.", "PMID": 775493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4250", "title": "Control of cell division in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by methionyl-tRNA.", "content": "We suggest that two events are necessary for an asynchronous population of cells to undergo arrest in the GI phase of the cell cycle upon nutrient starvation. First, passage through GI must be prevented by a deficiency of some metabolic intermediate. Since this intermediate may act indirectly to arrest division, we designate it the \"signal\". We have found three conditions under which Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells arrest division in GI: sulfate starvation of a prototroph, methionine starvation of an auxotroph, or a shift of a conditional methionyl-tRNA synthetase mutant [L-methionine: tRNA Met ligase (AMP-forming), EC 6.1.1.10] to a restrictive condition. We interpret these results to indicate that the signal for sulfate starvation in S. cerevisiae is generated near the end of the sulfate assimilation pathway (at or beyond the formation of mehtionyl-tRNA). As a unifying hypothesis, we propose that the signal for all nutrients is generated at the level of protein biosynthesis.", "contents": "Control of cell division in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by methionyl-tRNA. We suggest that two events are necessary for an asynchronous population of cells to undergo arrest in the GI phase of the cell cycle upon nutrient starvation. First, passage through GI must be prevented by a deficiency of some metabolic intermediate. Since this intermediate may act indirectly to arrest division, we designate it the \"signal\". We have found three conditions under which Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells arrest division in GI: sulfate starvation of a prototroph, methionine starvation of an auxotroph, or a shift of a conditional methionyl-tRNA synthetase mutant [L-methionine: tRNA Met ligase (AMP-forming), EC 6.1.1.10] to a restrictive condition. We interpret these results to indicate that the signal for sulfate starvation in S. cerevisiae is generated near the end of the sulfate assimilation pathway (at or beyond the formation of mehtionyl-tRNA). As a unifying hypothesis, we propose that the signal for all nutrients is generated at the level of protein biosynthesis.", "PMID": 775494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4251", "title": "A mutant of Escherichia coli with an altered elongation factor Tu.", "content": "A previously isolated mutant of E. coli K12 HAK 88 [Kuwano, M., Endo, h & yamamoto, M. (1972) J. Bacteriol, 112, 1150-1156], contains a new protein that in two-dimensional gel electropherorgrams has the same molecular weight as normal elongation factor Tu, but whose isoelectric point is altered approximately 0.1 pH unit in the acidic direction. Peptide mapping, purification properties and the ratio of leucyl plus isoleucyl to methionyl plus cysteinyl residues of the normal elongation factor Tu protein and the new protein show a close similarity between the two. The mutation causing the altered electrophoretic mobility is located between argH and rif (79 min on the E. coli genetic map). These biochemical and genetic data indicate that strain HAK 88 has a mutationally altered tufB gene.", "contents": "A mutant of Escherichia coli with an altered elongation factor Tu. A previously isolated mutant of E. coli K12 HAK 88 [Kuwano, M., Endo, h & yamamoto, M. (1972) J. Bacteriol, 112, 1150-1156], contains a new protein that in two-dimensional gel electropherorgrams has the same molecular weight as normal elongation factor Tu, but whose isoelectric point is altered approximately 0.1 pH unit in the acidic direction. Peptide mapping, purification properties and the ratio of leucyl plus isoleucyl to methionyl plus cysteinyl residues of the normal elongation factor Tu protein and the new protein show a close similarity between the two. The mutation causing the altered electrophoretic mobility is located between argH and rif (79 min on the E. coli genetic map). These biochemical and genetic data indicate that strain HAK 88 has a mutationally altered tufB gene.", "PMID": 775495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4252", "title": "Central factors in the control of insulin and glucagon secretion.", "content": "A complete system for neural regulation of insulin and glucagon secretion from the ventral hypothalamus to the autonomic cholinergic and adrenergic nerves of the endocrine pancreas is described. Both physiologic and pathophysiologic states of altered metabolism can be partly explained by activation of this neural system. Direct hypothalamic humoral control of the endocrine pancreas has been evaluated by studies of the hypothalamic hormone somatostatin, or somatotrophin release inhibiting factor (SRIF). Somatostatin has been shown to inhibit pancreatic glucagon and insulin secretion when infused into the pancreatic artery of intact dogs in vivo in the absence of a change of systemic glucose concentration. Although less inhibition is observed when the same amount of hormone is infused intraportally, the potency of somatostatin when given directly into the liver suggests extrapancreatic effects as well as direct pancreatic effects on insulin and glucagon secretion.", "contents": "Central factors in the control of insulin and glucagon secretion. A complete system for neural regulation of insulin and glucagon secretion from the ventral hypothalamus to the autonomic cholinergic and adrenergic nerves of the endocrine pancreas is described. Both physiologic and pathophysiologic states of altered metabolism can be partly explained by activation of this neural system. Direct hypothalamic humoral control of the endocrine pancreas has been evaluated by studies of the hypothalamic hormone somatostatin, or somatotrophin release inhibiting factor (SRIF). Somatostatin has been shown to inhibit pancreatic glucagon and insulin secretion when infused into the pancreatic artery of intact dogs in vivo in the absence of a change of systemic glucose concentration. Although less inhibition is observed when the same amount of hormone is infused intraportally, the potency of somatostatin when given directly into the liver suggests extrapancreatic effects as well as direct pancreatic effects on insulin and glucagon secretion.", "PMID": 775499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4253", "title": "Developing physical therapy fee schedules based on Social Security Amendments of 1972.", "content": "Implications of the requirements related to the documentation and justification of the cost of physical therapy services are considered. These implications include 1) the cost components of physical therapy services, 2) the development of fee schedules, and 3) reimbursement requirements of third-party payers. The development of a fee schedule based on a sampling of the prevailing rates in two San Francisco Bay area counties is presented. The relationship between cost accounting, community standards, and the \"prevailing rate\" as defined by Medicare is documented. Public Law 92-603 and its ramifications for physical therapy fees and salaries are discussed.", "contents": "Developing physical therapy fee schedules based on Social Security Amendments of 1972. Implications of the requirements related to the documentation and justification of the cost of physical therapy services are considered. These implications include 1) the cost components of physical therapy services, 2) the development of fee schedules, and 3) reimbursement requirements of third-party payers. The development of a fee schedule based on a sampling of the prevailing rates in two San Francisco Bay area counties is presented. The relationship between cost accounting, community standards, and the \"prevailing rate\" as defined by Medicare is documented. Public Law 92-603 and its ramifications for physical therapy fees and salaries are discussed.", "PMID": 775501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4254", "title": "The bridge flap for reconstruction of a full-thickness defect of the upper lip.", "content": "We describe a repair that preserves the vermilion border of the upper lip, after a full-thickness excision of a tumor of the upper lip which did not require excision of this structure. A bridge flap technique was employed, similar to the Cutler-Beard technique of eyelid reconstruction.", "contents": "The bridge flap for reconstruction of a full-thickness defect of the upper lip. We describe a repair that preserves the vermilion border of the upper lip, after a full-thickness excision of a tumor of the upper lip which did not require excision of this structure. A bridge flap technique was employed, similar to the Cutler-Beard technique of eyelid reconstruction.", "PMID": 775502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4255", "title": "Laryngeal reconstruction by free flap transfer.", "content": "In the two cases reported herein, a laryngeal cavity was successfully reconstructed with a free flap, using microvascular anastomoses. The revascularized free flap contributed significantly to the maintenance of a patent airway and to the reproduction of an appreciable voice. Our experiences with these laryngeal reconstructions encourage us to try to expand the application of free flaps for reconstructions after head and neck cancer surgery.", "contents": "Laryngeal reconstruction by free flap transfer. In the two cases reported herein, a laryngeal cavity was successfully reconstructed with a free flap, using microvascular anastomoses. The revascularized free flap contributed significantly to the maintenance of a patent airway and to the reproduction of an appreciable voice. Our experiences with these laryngeal reconstructions encourage us to try to expand the application of free flaps for reconstructions after head and neck cancer surgery.", "PMID": 775509} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4256", "title": "Defining the malignant potential of the giant pigmented nevus.", "content": "An unusual giant pigmented nevus, containing lymphocytic infiltrates and apparent muscle invasion, but without the presence of melanoma, is described in detail--including its related immunological parameters. The controversy concerning the malignant potential of giant pigmented nevi, and the paradoxes that are encountered clinically, are discussed.", "contents": "Defining the malignant potential of the giant pigmented nevus. An unusual giant pigmented nevus, containing lymphocytic infiltrates and apparent muscle invasion, but without the presence of melanoma, is described in detail--including its related immunological parameters. The controversy concerning the malignant potential of giant pigmented nevi, and the paradoxes that are encountered clinically, are discussed.", "PMID": 775510} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4257", "title": "Long-term study of reactions to various silicone breast implants in rabbits.", "content": "A long-term study of the fixation and the encapsulation of soft alloplastic implants in rabbits was done-with examination of the capsules at one, 6, 12, and 18 months. No evidence of hematoma, infection, or carcinogenesis was observed. The type of filling in the prosthesis had no demonstrable effect on the encapsulation. The mobility of the prostheses correlated directly with the capsules evoked by plain silicone, perforated silicone-backed, Dacron-backed, and polyurethane-covered prostheses (in order of decreasing mobility). A patch on the base of a given prosthesis did not influence the amount or character of the capsule formed around the remainder of that prosthesis. The results of this study are discussed in the light of past information, to point out the need for further basic research on these problems.", "contents": "Long-term study of reactions to various silicone breast implants in rabbits. A long-term study of the fixation and the encapsulation of soft alloplastic implants in rabbits was done-with examination of the capsules at one, 6, 12, and 18 months. No evidence of hematoma, infection, or carcinogenesis was observed. The type of filling in the prosthesis had no demonstrable effect on the encapsulation. The mobility of the prostheses correlated directly with the capsules evoked by plain silicone, perforated silicone-backed, Dacron-backed, and polyurethane-covered prostheses (in order of decreasing mobility). A patch on the base of a given prosthesis did not influence the amount or character of the capsule formed around the remainder of that prosthesis. The results of this study are discussed in the light of past information, to point out the need for further basic research on these problems.", "PMID": 775511} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4258", "title": "Lack of effect of skin cycle on survival of experimental skin flaps in rats.", "content": "Skin flaps were raised in 83 rats. In 58 of them the skin cycle was determined before the flap was raised, and in 25 of them the flap was raised without regard to cycle. There was no significant difference in the surviving length of flaps raised in early anagen, midanagen, telogen, or in randomly selected animals.", "contents": "Lack of effect of skin cycle on survival of experimental skin flaps in rats. Skin flaps were raised in 83 rats. In 58 of them the skin cycle was determined before the flap was raised, and in 25 of them the flap was raised without regard to cycle. There was no significant difference in the surviving length of flaps raised in early anagen, midanagen, telogen, or in randomly selected animals.", "PMID": 775512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4259", "title": "A migrating cervical mass. Case report.", "content": "An asymptomatic migration of a foreign body from the axilla to the neck was diagnosed mistakenly as an infected thyroglossal duct sinus. Cure was effected by removal.", "contents": "A migrating cervical mass. Case report. An asymptomatic migration of a foreign body from the axilla to the neck was diagnosed mistakenly as an infected thyroglossal duct sinus. Cure was effected by removal.", "PMID": 775513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4260", "title": "Repair of nostril defect with a contralateral nasolabial flap.", "content": "Two consecutive cases of nasal reconstruction, using a contralateral nasolabial flap for lining and a scalping forehead flap for cover, are reported. The procedure has been useful in repairing defects from large nasal lesions extending to the cheek, ones which preclude the use of a flap from the homolateral nasolabial fold. We have used this technique in two patients, without loss of any portion of such a flap and without the persistence of any hole in the nasal septum.", "contents": "Repair of nostril defect with a contralateral nasolabial flap. Two consecutive cases of nasal reconstruction, using a contralateral nasolabial flap for lining and a scalping forehead flap for cover, are reported. The procedure has been useful in repairing defects from large nasal lesions extending to the cheek, ones which preclude the use of a flap from the homolateral nasolabial fold. We have used this technique in two patients, without loss of any portion of such a flap and without the persistence of any hole in the nasal septum.", "PMID": 775515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4261", "title": "Fourteen free groin flap transfers.", "content": "We present 14 free flap transfers, 9 of which were completely successful (74 percent), two of which were partial successes (14 percent), and 3 of which were failures (22 percent). All the 5 cases involving free flaps to the head and neck region were successful. In the 9 cases involving free flap transfer to an extremity, 4 were completely successful (44 percent), two were partially successful (22 percent), and 3 were failures (34 percent). Many factors determine the success or failure of free flap transfer, but two that seem most significant are (1) the technical expertise and experience of the surgeon, and (2) the quality of the vasculaturein the recipient bed.", "contents": "Fourteen free groin flap transfers. We present 14 free flap transfers, 9 of which were completely successful (74 percent), two of which were partial successes (14 percent), and 3 of which were failures (22 percent). All the 5 cases involving free flaps to the head and neck region were successful. In the 9 cases involving free flap transfer to an extremity, 4 were completely successful (44 percent), two were partially successful (22 percent), and 3 were failures (34 percent). Many factors determine the success or failure of free flap transfer, but two that seem most significant are (1) the technical expertise and experience of the surgeon, and (2) the quality of the vasculaturein the recipient bed.", "PMID": 775516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4262", "title": "Ten free flap transfers: use of intra-arterial dye injection to outline a flap exactly.", "content": "Ten free skin flap transfers, with microvascular anastomose, were performed by our service since July 4, 1973. The donor site most frequently used for this purpose was the groin flap. In one case a free auxillary flap based on the external mammary artery was used. We discuss the advantages of using an intra-arterial injection of patent-blue dye to outline the maximal area supplied by the donor site vessels.", "contents": "Ten free flap transfers: use of intra-arterial dye injection to outline a flap exactly. Ten free skin flap transfers, with microvascular anastomose, were performed by our service since July 4, 1973. The donor site most frequently used for this purpose was the groin flap. In one case a free auxillary flap based on the external mammary artery was used. We discuss the advantages of using an intra-arterial injection of patent-blue dye to outline the maximal area supplied by the donor site vessels.", "PMID": 775517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4263", "title": "Reconstructive rhinoplasty for the lower two-thirds of the nose.", "content": "A general format has been developed and used for reconstruction of the lower two-thirds of the nose in patients retaining some septum who have a low forehead. The lining above the alae comes from strategic local flaps, while the alar lining and most of the columella are produced by a pair of nasolabial flaps. Support is provided by the residual septum (sometimes advance), and by a later costal chondroperichondrial hinge graft. The cover comes from a \"headless\" gull-shaped, forehead flap.", "contents": "Reconstructive rhinoplasty for the lower two-thirds of the nose. A general format has been developed and used for reconstruction of the lower two-thirds of the nose in patients retaining some septum who have a low forehead. The lining above the alae comes from strategic local flaps, while the alar lining and most of the columella are produced by a pair of nasolabial flaps. Support is provided by the residual septum (sometimes advance), and by a later costal chondroperichondrial hinge graft. The cover comes from a \"headless\" gull-shaped, forehead flap.", "PMID": 775518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4264", "title": "Peripheral circulation in arterial hypertension.", "content": "The underlying causes of hypertensive disease remain unclear. This article has attempted to highlight potential dysfunctions in arterial pressure regulation which could either initiate or sustain the hypertensive process. As has been suggested innumerable times hypertension must certainly be a multifactorial abnormality. The current state of knowledge about control of the peripheral circulation in high arterial pressure reinforces the view that interactions between neurogenic, myogenic, humoral, and structural factors are probably disrupted when hypertension appears.", "contents": "Peripheral circulation in arterial hypertension. The underlying causes of hypertensive disease remain unclear. This article has attempted to highlight potential dysfunctions in arterial pressure regulation which could either initiate or sustain the hypertensive process. As has been suggested innumerable times hypertension must certainly be a multifactorial abnormality. The current state of knowledge about control of the peripheral circulation in high arterial pressure reinforces the view that interactions between neurogenic, myogenic, humoral, and structural factors are probably disrupted when hypertension appears.", "PMID": 775530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4265", "title": "Evaluation of myocardial infarction with enzymatic indices.", "content": "The severity of myocardial damage appears to be a common denominator contributing to electrophysiologic derangements, impaired ventricular function, and prognosis after myocardial infarction. Physiologically based models of processes affecting appearance and disappearance of CPK from the circulation may improve predictions and estimates of infarct size. Elevation of serum MB CPK isoenzyme activity appears to be a highly sensitive and specific indicator of myocardial injury. Despite the limitations discussed, recently developed enzymatic methods for detection, projection, and quantification of infarct dize have demonstrated that the extent of myocardial injury may be limited in selected patients by appropriate therapeutic measures. Further investigation may help to define the intervals between the onset of infarction and implementation of therapeutic maneuvers during which myocardial protection is possible, and may help to identify and differentiate inter ventions which salvage myocardium, those which improve cardiac performance without altering infarct size, and those which augment cardiac injury despite improving hemodynamics. Thus, in conjunction with electrophysiologic, radioisotopic, and hemodynamic techniques, enzymatic estimates and projection of infarct size should facilitate increased understanding of factors influencing the evolution of infarction and hasten development of effective therapeutic interventions designed to reduce myocardial damage.", "contents": "Evaluation of myocardial infarction with enzymatic indices. The severity of myocardial damage appears to be a common denominator contributing to electrophysiologic derangements, impaired ventricular function, and prognosis after myocardial infarction. Physiologically based models of processes affecting appearance and disappearance of CPK from the circulation may improve predictions and estimates of infarct size. Elevation of serum MB CPK isoenzyme activity appears to be a highly sensitive and specific indicator of myocardial injury. Despite the limitations discussed, recently developed enzymatic methods for detection, projection, and quantification of infarct dize have demonstrated that the extent of myocardial injury may be limited in selected patients by appropriate therapeutic measures. Further investigation may help to define the intervals between the onset of infarction and implementation of therapeutic maneuvers during which myocardial protection is possible, and may help to identify and differentiate inter ventions which salvage myocardium, those which improve cardiac performance without altering infarct size, and those which augment cardiac injury despite improving hemodynamics. Thus, in conjunction with electrophysiologic, radioisotopic, and hemodynamic techniques, enzymatic estimates and projection of infarct size should facilitate increased understanding of factors influencing the evolution of infarction and hasten development of effective therapeutic interventions designed to reduce myocardial damage.", "PMID": 775531} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4266", "title": "Animal inhalation studies with tobacco smoke.", "content": "An outline is given of the techniques that have been used for exposure of small and large experimental animals to tobacco smoke. The effects of tabacco smoke inhalation on a wide range of biological systems have been investigated, and some important published studies have been noted. Much early work on tobacco smoke was equivocal because of the unsatisfactory exposure techniques, and the poor quality of animals used. Exposure techniques, particularly for small animals, are improving and more recent publications indicate an increased awareness of the special problems of working with tobacco smoke. At this time, however, exposure techniques anty of different tobacco smokes are essentially at the mid-development stage.", "contents": "Animal inhalation studies with tobacco smoke. An outline is given of the techniques that have been used for exposure of small and large experimental animals to tobacco smoke. The effects of tabacco smoke inhalation on a wide range of biological systems have been investigated, and some important published studies have been noted. Much early work on tobacco smoke was equivocal because of the unsatisfactory exposure techniques, and the poor quality of animals used. Exposure techniques, particularly for small animals, are improving and more recent publications indicate an increased awareness of the special problems of working with tobacco smoke. At this time, however, exposure techniques anty of different tobacco smokes are essentially at the mid-development stage.", "PMID": 775574} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4267", "title": "[Early isotopic synoviorthesis during rheumatoid polyarthritis (RP)].", "content": "The authors report the results of 1258 chemical synovectomies carried out in subjects with rheumatoid polyarthritis on joints at Steinbrocker stage I and of 470 chemical synovectomies carried out during the first year of evolution of rheumatoid polyarthritis. Comparison with the results of chemical synovectomy carried out later demonstrate the superiority of early chemical synovectomy.", "contents": "[Early isotopic synoviorthesis during rheumatoid polyarthritis (RP)]. The authors report the results of 1258 chemical synovectomies carried out in subjects with rheumatoid polyarthritis on joints at Steinbrocker stage I and of 470 chemical synovectomies carried out during the first year of evolution of rheumatoid polyarthritis. Comparison with the results of chemical synovectomy carried out later demonstrate the superiority of early chemical synovectomy.", "PMID": 775605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4268", "title": "Serum amylase activity and renal amylase activity clearance in patients with severely impaired renal function and in patients treated with renal allotransplantation.", "content": "Serum amylase activity was measured in 29 nondialysed patients with severe renal failure, in 24 uraemic patients treated with chronic haemodialysis, and in 29 patients treated with renal allotransplantation. Simultaneous measurement of renal amylase activity clearance (CAm) and creatinine clearance (CCr) was performed in 25 patients with severe renal failure and in 19 transplanted patients. Serum amylase activity was elevated in all three groups. CAm was significantly correlated to CCr both in the group with severe renal failure and in the transplanted group. Unlike in the group of transplanted patients, the ratio CAm/CCr was significantly increased in patients with severe impaired renal function. It is concluded that the elevation of serum amylase activity in patients with impaired renal function is primarily due to decreased glomerular filtration rate. The value of CAm/CCr for diagnosing acute pancreatitis is doubtful in patients with severe renal disease.", "contents": "Serum amylase activity and renal amylase activity clearance in patients with severely impaired renal function and in patients treated with renal allotransplantation. Serum amylase activity was measured in 29 nondialysed patients with severe renal failure, in 24 uraemic patients treated with chronic haemodialysis, and in 29 patients treated with renal allotransplantation. Simultaneous measurement of renal amylase activity clearance (CAm) and creatinine clearance (CCr) was performed in 25 patients with severe renal failure and in 19 transplanted patients. Serum amylase activity was elevated in all three groups. CAm was significantly correlated to CCr both in the group with severe renal failure and in the transplanted group. Unlike in the group of transplanted patients, the ratio CAm/CCr was significantly increased in patients with severe impaired renal function. It is concluded that the elevation of serum amylase activity in patients with impaired renal function is primarily due to decreased glomerular filtration rate. The value of CAm/CCr for diagnosing acute pancreatitis is doubtful in patients with severe renal disease.", "PMID": 775610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4269", "title": "Oxypurine excretion during kidney preservation: an indicator of ischaemic damage.", "content": "The loss of 5'-adenine nucleotides in ischaemic kidney tissue is related to the postischaemic survival of the organ. It has previously been demonstrated that the catabolism of 5'-adenine nucleotides in ischaemic tissue can be evaluated indirectly by the washout of the final products: hypoxanthine, xanthine, and inosine. The present study indicates a relationship between postischaemic renal function and the duration of normothermic ischaemia. It further demonstrates a linear correlation between the duration of normothermic ischaemia and the quantity of hypoxanthine/xanthine recovered from the perfusate. Thus the method may be used for the evaluation of possible renal grafts.", "contents": "Oxypurine excretion during kidney preservation: an indicator of ischaemic damage. The loss of 5'-adenine nucleotides in ischaemic kidney tissue is related to the postischaemic survival of the organ. It has previously been demonstrated that the catabolism of 5'-adenine nucleotides in ischaemic tissue can be evaluated indirectly by the washout of the final products: hypoxanthine, xanthine, and inosine. The present study indicates a relationship between postischaemic renal function and the duration of normothermic ischaemia. It further demonstrates a linear correlation between the duration of normothermic ischaemia and the quantity of hypoxanthine/xanthine recovered from the perfusate. Thus the method may be used for the evaluation of possible renal grafts.", "PMID": 775611} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4270", "title": "Susceptibility of the liver and biliary tract to anaerobic infection in extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction. III. Possible synergistic effect between anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. An experimental study in rabbits.", "content": "The pathogenicity of single anaerobic, single aerobic, and mixed anaerobic and aerobic bacterial inocula was studied in 3 groups of 12 rabbits with biliary tract obstruction. B. fragilis, ss. fragilis and E. coli serotype 01: K1: H7 were used. The investigation was made 7 days after bacterial inoculation and included bacteriological studies of the liver and bile as well as studies of liver function and morphology of the liver and biliary tract. Inoculation of 10(5)-10(6) E. coli did not cause biliary tract infection, liver abscesses or death. Inoculation of 10(9) B. fragilis caused biliary tract infection in 83% and liver abscesses in 17% of the animals inoculated, without any mortality. Combined inoculation with B. fragilis and E. coli in reduced doses significantly increased mortality (42%) and frequency of liver abscesses in surviving animals (86%). All abscesses, however, yielded pure culture of B. fragilis only. 84% of the animals inoculated with B. fragilis alone or with B. fragilis in combination with E. coli developed biliary tract infection with B. fragilis, the bile yielding from 10(7)-10(9) B. fragilis per ml, gallbladder bile yielding significantly higher bacterial counts than common duct bile. E coli was never recovered from bile in surviving animals but from both bile and blood in animals not surviving the experimental period.", "contents": "Susceptibility of the liver and biliary tract to anaerobic infection in extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction. III. Possible synergistic effect between anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. An experimental study in rabbits. The pathogenicity of single anaerobic, single aerobic, and mixed anaerobic and aerobic bacterial inocula was studied in 3 groups of 12 rabbits with biliary tract obstruction. B. fragilis, ss. fragilis and E. coli serotype 01: K1: H7 were used. The investigation was made 7 days after bacterial inoculation and included bacteriological studies of the liver and bile as well as studies of liver function and morphology of the liver and biliary tract. Inoculation of 10(5)-10(6) E. coli did not cause biliary tract infection, liver abscesses or death. Inoculation of 10(9) B. fragilis caused biliary tract infection in 83% and liver abscesses in 17% of the animals inoculated, without any mortality. Combined inoculation with B. fragilis and E. coli in reduced doses significantly increased mortality (42%) and frequency of liver abscesses in surviving animals (86%). All abscesses, however, yielded pure culture of B. fragilis only. 84% of the animals inoculated with B. fragilis alone or with B. fragilis in combination with E. coli developed biliary tract infection with B. fragilis, the bile yielding from 10(7)-10(9) B. fragilis per ml, gallbladder bile yielding significantly higher bacterial counts than common duct bile. E coli was never recovered from bile in surviving animals but from both bile and blood in animals not surviving the experimental period.", "PMID": 775613} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4271", "title": "Colon perforation in renal transplant patients.", "content": "Six patients with spontaneous colonic perforation after cadaveric kidney transplantation are described. Five perforations occurred in a diverticulum of the sigmoid colon, while one was at the suture line after a colotomy performed 5 months previously. Four patients died. Clinical diagnosis was difficult, but on x-ray examination free air in the abdominal cavity was found in 3 patients. Explorative laparotomy should be performed promptly when the diagnosis is suspected. All patients above the age of 4o should be screened with a barium enema prior to transplantation.", "contents": "Colon perforation in renal transplant patients. Six patients with spontaneous colonic perforation after cadaveric kidney transplantation are described. Five perforations occurred in a diverticulum of the sigmoid colon, while one was at the suture line after a colotomy performed 5 months previously. Four patients died. Clinical diagnosis was difficult, but on x-ray examination free air in the abdominal cavity was found in 3 patients. Explorative laparotomy should be performed promptly when the diagnosis is suspected. All patients above the age of 4o should be screened with a barium enema prior to transplantation.", "PMID": 775614} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4272", "title": "Alcoholic hepatitis superimposed on cirrhosis. Clinical significance and effect of long-term prednisone treatment.", "content": "Of 483 patients with biopsy-verified cirrhosis who entered the controlled trial of prednisone treatment conducted by the Copenhagen Study Group for Liver Diseases, 99 had alcoholic hepatitis as defined by morphological criteria in the initial biopsy. The maximum period of observation varied from 5 to 12 years. The survival of prednisone-treated patients (median survival time 38 months) and placebo-treated patients (median survival time 34 months) with alcoholic hepatitis did not differ significantly. This was also true for each of the two subgroups comprising mild and severe cases respectively. The presence of morphologically defined alcoholic hepatitis was postively correlated with the daily consumption of alcohol but poorly correlated with the clinical syndrome usually attributed to alcoholic hepatitis.", "contents": "Alcoholic hepatitis superimposed on cirrhosis. Clinical significance and effect of long-term prednisone treatment. Of 483 patients with biopsy-verified cirrhosis who entered the controlled trial of prednisone treatment conducted by the Copenhagen Study Group for Liver Diseases, 99 had alcoholic hepatitis as defined by morphological criteria in the initial biopsy. The maximum period of observation varied from 5 to 12 years. The survival of prednisone-treated patients (median survival time 38 months) and placebo-treated patients (median survival time 34 months) with alcoholic hepatitis did not differ significantly. This was also true for each of the two subgroups comprising mild and severe cases respectively. The presence of morphologically defined alcoholic hepatitis was postively correlated with the daily consumption of alcohol but poorly correlated with the clinical syndrome usually attributed to alcoholic hepatitis.", "PMID": 775615} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4273", "title": "Bacterial density in laparotomy wounds during gastro-instestinal operations.", "content": "Operation wounds were sampled quantitatively for aerobic bacteria in 56 patients by the velvet pad rinse technique in a prospective, randomised study of abdominal operations (1) truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty, (2) gastric or (3) colo-rectal operations, and (4) exploratory laparotomy. On entering the peritoneal cavity and prior to incision of the gastro-intestinal tract the bacterial density in the wounds did not differ significantly between these four types of operations, the median being 5.4X10(-1) viable counts/cm2 (range 0.7-135.8). In all series of operations the median bacterial density was increased prior to closure of the wounds, significantly so after colo-retal operations, being 21.3X10(-1) viable counts/cm2 (range 1.1-144.4), caused by a rise in density of aerobic intestinal species, especially Escherichia coli. Regardless of type of operation, all wounds were contaminated during operation by aerobic commensals of the skin and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, in particular by Staphylococcus epidermidis, this species not differing significiantly in density from the beginning to the end of operation. This same study revealed that within the operation wound, sites of low or even zero bacterial density were close to sites with a high density. It is suggested that postoperative wound infection is closely related to the density of the different species of bacteria present in the operation wound at closure.", "contents": "Bacterial density in laparotomy wounds during gastro-instestinal operations. Operation wounds were sampled quantitatively for aerobic bacteria in 56 patients by the velvet pad rinse technique in a prospective, randomised study of abdominal operations (1) truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty, (2) gastric or (3) colo-rectal operations, and (4) exploratory laparotomy. On entering the peritoneal cavity and prior to incision of the gastro-intestinal tract the bacterial density in the wounds did not differ significantly between these four types of operations, the median being 5.4X10(-1) viable counts/cm2 (range 0.7-135.8). In all series of operations the median bacterial density was increased prior to closure of the wounds, significantly so after colo-retal operations, being 21.3X10(-1) viable counts/cm2 (range 1.1-144.4), caused by a rise in density of aerobic intestinal species, especially Escherichia coli. Regardless of type of operation, all wounds were contaminated during operation by aerobic commensals of the skin and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, in particular by Staphylococcus epidermidis, this species not differing significiantly in density from the beginning to the end of operation. This same study revealed that within the operation wound, sites of low or even zero bacterial density were close to sites with a high density. It is suggested that postoperative wound infection is closely related to the density of the different species of bacteria present in the operation wound at closure.", "PMID": 775616} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4274", "title": "The effect of experimental heterotopic pancreatic allotransplantation on the insulin response to oral glucose administration.", "content": "Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed in 6 healthly, unimmunosuppressed pigs before and after heterotopic pancreatic transplantation and total pancreatectomy. Mean survival time after grafting was 55 days. Mean basal concentrations of glucose and insulin in serum were significantly higher after grafting and total pancreatectomy (p less than 0.01), but the insulin-to-glucose ratio was unaffected. The tolerance to oral glucose decreased after grafting and total pancreatectomy (p less than 0.01), even though the insulin levels in serum during OGTT were higher tp less than 0.01). This finding was also reflected in the insulinogenic index, which was almost twice as large after transplantation (p less than 0.01) as before. The decreased oral glucose tolerance might be explained by drainage of the transplanted pancreas into the systemic circulation instead of the portal vein.", "contents": "The effect of experimental heterotopic pancreatic allotransplantation on the insulin response to oral glucose administration. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed in 6 healthly, unimmunosuppressed pigs before and after heterotopic pancreatic transplantation and total pancreatectomy. Mean survival time after grafting was 55 days. Mean basal concentrations of glucose and insulin in serum were significantly higher after grafting and total pancreatectomy (p less than 0.01), but the insulin-to-glucose ratio was unaffected. The tolerance to oral glucose decreased after grafting and total pancreatectomy (p less than 0.01), even though the insulin levels in serum during OGTT were higher tp less than 0.01). This finding was also reflected in the insulinogenic index, which was almost twice as large after transplantation (p less than 0.01) as before. The decreased oral glucose tolerance might be explained by drainage of the transplanted pancreas into the systemic circulation instead of the portal vein.", "PMID": 775617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4275", "title": "Transferable and non-transferable drug resistance in enteric bacteria from hospital and from general practice.", "content": "Drug resistance to 8 different antibiotics in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from different hospitals and two groups of general practitioners was studied. Escherichia coli dominated among the 632 strains investigated. Drug resistance was found in 62% of the 512 hospital strains and in 38% of the 120 strains from general practice. Multiple resistance was common especially in strains from hospital. R factors was found in 23% of the 317 drug-resistant strains from hospital and in 11% of the 46 drug-resistant strains from general practice. Resistance to streptomycin, sulphonamide and tetracycline either alone or in combinations were the most common traits transferred.", "contents": "Transferable and non-transferable drug resistance in enteric bacteria from hospital and from general practice. Drug resistance to 8 different antibiotics in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from different hospitals and two groups of general practitioners was studied. Escherichia coli dominated among the 632 strains investigated. Drug resistance was found in 62% of the 512 hospital strains and in 38% of the 120 strains from general practice. Multiple resistance was common especially in strains from hospital. R factors was found in 23% of the 317 drug-resistant strains from hospital and in 11% of the 46 drug-resistant strains from general practice. Resistance to streptomycin, sulphonamide and tetracycline either alone or in combinations were the most common traits transferred.", "PMID": 775619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4276", "title": "Determination of varicella immunity by the indirect immunofluorescence test in urgent clinical situations.", "content": "Certain categories of patients run an increased medical risk when exposed to varicella. Newborns lacking maternal immunity, immunosuppressed leukemic children or children with other immunodeficient disorders may gain a decisive benefit by administration of e.g. interferon or of specific immunoglobulin against varicella. An indirect immunofluorescence (IF) method has been used to estimate varicella. An indirect immunofluorescence (IF) method has been used to estimate varicella immunity. Of 51 heavily exposed women denying earlier varicella, 39 were found to be immune by the test and none of those contracted varicella, whereas 9 out of the 12 non-immune women fell ill. 14/48 immunosuppressed children were found to be seropositive and none of these contracted varicella, whereas 13 mild or subclinical cases occurred among the 34 seronegative children. The same test revealed that 175/182 (96%) young adults in Sweden were immune. The indirect IF test is considered a rapid, simple and reliable method for estimating varicella immunity.", "contents": "Determination of varicella immunity by the indirect immunofluorescence test in urgent clinical situations. Certain categories of patients run an increased medical risk when exposed to varicella. Newborns lacking maternal immunity, immunosuppressed leukemic children or children with other immunodeficient disorders may gain a decisive benefit by administration of e.g. interferon or of specific immunoglobulin against varicella. An indirect immunofluorescence (IF) method has been used to estimate varicella. An indirect immunofluorescence (IF) method has been used to estimate varicella immunity. Of 51 heavily exposed women denying earlier varicella, 39 were found to be immune by the test and none of those contracted varicella, whereas 9 out of the 12 non-immune women fell ill. 14/48 immunosuppressed children were found to be seropositive and none of these contracted varicella, whereas 13 mild or subclinical cases occurred among the 34 seronegative children. The same test revealed that 175/182 (96%) young adults in Sweden were immune. The indirect IF test is considered a rapid, simple and reliable method for estimating varicella immunity.", "PMID": 775620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4277", "title": "The persistence of group B streptococci in families.", "content": "Four years ago the relative occurrence of group B streptococci was studied in a group of 118 term pregnant women of which 17 were B-streptococcal carriers. Of these, 15 were investigated in connection with the delivery. 11 of these women were reexamined 45-50 months after delivery together with their families. A high frequency of positive cultures without symptoms (50%) was found in this small group of women and their husbands compared with male and female control groups. Persistence seems to be common, a fact to be remembered in subsequent pregnancies.", "contents": "The persistence of group B streptococci in families. Four years ago the relative occurrence of group B streptococci was studied in a group of 118 term pregnant women of which 17 were B-streptococcal carriers. Of these, 15 were investigated in connection with the delivery. 11 of these women were reexamined 45-50 months after delivery together with their families. A high frequency of positive cultures without symptoms (50%) was found in this small group of women and their husbands compared with male and female control groups. Persistence seems to be common, a fact to be remembered in subsequent pregnancies.", "PMID": 775622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4278", "title": "A retrospective study of the occurrence of beta-haemolytic streptococci of various Lancefield groups in routine cultures from the County of Uppsala.", "content": "During the months October to December of the years 1971-1974 the incidence of beta-haemolytic streptococci of the Lancefield groups, A, B, C and G from patients in the County of Uppsala was studied. The proportion of culture positive patients increased during the period studied from 7.2% to 13.7%. The increase was not only due to group A. In cultures from the respiratory tract the finding of group A streptococci increased from 4.1% to 10.7% and group C from 0.1% to 1.6%, while group B and G streptococci remained constant. In cultures from wound infections the percentage of patients culture positive for group A streptococci increased from 6.2% to 8.7%, group B from 0.8% to 1.9%, and group G from 0.5% to 0.9%, while group C remained constant. During the same months of the years 1972 to 1974 the frequency of sera with an antistreptolysin O titre of more than 1 000 U/ml increased from 0.6% t0 2.3% in the same region. A clinical study of scarlet fever and pharyngotonsillitis at the Department of Infectious Diseases showed a similar trend concerning group A streptococcal infections. These results stress the great importance of group A beta-haemolytic streptocci in human infections and indicate that the recent interest in non-group A infections should be continued.", "contents": "A retrospective study of the occurrence of beta-haemolytic streptococci of various Lancefield groups in routine cultures from the County of Uppsala. During the months October to December of the years 1971-1974 the incidence of beta-haemolytic streptococci of the Lancefield groups, A, B, C and G from patients in the County of Uppsala was studied. The proportion of culture positive patients increased during the period studied from 7.2% to 13.7%. The increase was not only due to group A. In cultures from the respiratory tract the finding of group A streptococci increased from 4.1% to 10.7% and group C from 0.1% to 1.6%, while group B and G streptococci remained constant. In cultures from wound infections the percentage of patients culture positive for group A streptococci increased from 6.2% to 8.7%, group B from 0.8% to 1.9%, and group G from 0.5% to 0.9%, while group C remained constant. During the same months of the years 1972 to 1974 the frequency of sera with an antistreptolysin O titre of more than 1 000 U/ml increased from 0.6% t0 2.3% in the same region. A clinical study of scarlet fever and pharyngotonsillitis at the Department of Infectious Diseases showed a similar trend concerning group A streptococcal infections. These results stress the great importance of group A beta-haemolytic streptocci in human infections and indicate that the recent interest in non-group A infections should be continued.", "PMID": 775623} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4279", "title": "The determination of fibrinolytic degradation products in concentrated urine after renal transplantation.", "content": "Fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) were determined in concentrated as well as unconcentrated urine in 29 patients undergoing renal transplantation. When determined in unconcentrated urine, FDP was found for 3-4 weeks after an uneventful transplantation, compared with 12 weeks when determined in concentrated urine. After acute rejection episodes FDP was found in unconcentrated urine, but remained in the concentrated urine for 8 weeks longer when concentrated urine was used for determination. In early chronic rejection and glomerulonephritis, FDP appeared as a sign of glomerular lesion in concentrated urine before it was found in unconcentrated urine. It was concljded that the presence of FDP in concentrated urine is a diagnostic tool of value particular in detecting early glomerular lesions caused by chronic rejection or glomerulonephritis.", "contents": "The determination of fibrinolytic degradation products in concentrated urine after renal transplantation. Fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) were determined in concentrated as well as unconcentrated urine in 29 patients undergoing renal transplantation. When determined in unconcentrated urine, FDP was found for 3-4 weeks after an uneventful transplantation, compared with 12 weeks when determined in concentrated urine. After acute rejection episodes FDP was found in unconcentrated urine, but remained in the concentrated urine for 8 weeks longer when concentrated urine was used for determination. In early chronic rejection and glomerulonephritis, FDP appeared as a sign of glomerular lesion in concentrated urine before it was found in unconcentrated urine. It was concljded that the presence of FDP in concentrated urine is a diagnostic tool of value particular in detecting early glomerular lesions caused by chronic rejection or glomerulonephritis.", "PMID": 775625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4280", "title": "Lymphocele: an important post-transplantation complication.", "content": "Four cases of perirenal lymphocele after transplantation are reported. The possible aetiology, symptoms, and diagnosis of this uncommon complication are discussed. Careful dissection and ligation of perivascular lymph vessels during transplantation are recommended.", "contents": "Lymphocele: an important post-transplantation complication. Four cases of perirenal lymphocele after transplantation are reported. The possible aetiology, symptoms, and diagnosis of this uncommon complication are discussed. Careful dissection and ligation of perivascular lymph vessels during transplantation are recommended.", "PMID": 775626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4281", "title": "Pulmonary vein flow pattern in man during thoracotomy.", "content": "Pulmonary vein flow (PVF) pattern was traced with an electromagnetic flowmeter in 10 patients with normal hearts undergoing operations for pulmonary diseases. Instantaneous pulmonary artery flow, ECG, pulmonary artery pressure and left atrial pressure were recorded simultaneously. The pulsatile flow patterns obtained ocrresponded well to those previously found in dogs, and were remarkably similar to caval flow pattern. A constant and inverse relationship between the contour of the right atrial pressure andthe PVF pattern was found. In 3 patients, PVF was reversed by atrial systole; otherwise the flow was forward throughout the cardiac cycle. The influence of positive pressure ventilation was small, consisting of a slight initial inspiratory increase followed by a decrease during the latter half of inspiration.", "contents": "Pulmonary vein flow pattern in man during thoracotomy. Pulmonary vein flow (PVF) pattern was traced with an electromagnetic flowmeter in 10 patients with normal hearts undergoing operations for pulmonary diseases. Instantaneous pulmonary artery flow, ECG, pulmonary artery pressure and left atrial pressure were recorded simultaneously. The pulsatile flow patterns obtained ocrresponded well to those previously found in dogs, and were remarkably similar to caval flow pattern. A constant and inverse relationship between the contour of the right atrial pressure andthe PVF pattern was found. In 3 patients, PVF was reversed by atrial systole; otherwise the flow was forward throughout the cardiac cycle. The influence of positive pressure ventilation was small, consisting of a slight initial inspiratory increase followed by a decrease during the latter half of inspiration.", "PMID": 775627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4282", "title": "Donor-circulation as cardiopulmonary bypass in experimental heart transplantation.", "content": "Heart transplantation was performed on 21 mongrel dogs using donor-circulation of another, bigger dog, instead of the heart-lung machine. All the dogs survived the operation. They showed a moderate metabolic acidosis, which was more related to a reduced blood flow of the recipient than to inadequate oxygenation capacity of the pump dog during transplantation, and which was corrected by administration of bicarbonate after the procedure. The technique was superior to disposable oxygenators in reducing the expense of the operation and providing a more gentle perfusion.", "contents": "Donor-circulation as cardiopulmonary bypass in experimental heart transplantation. Heart transplantation was performed on 21 mongrel dogs using donor-circulation of another, bigger dog, instead of the heart-lung machine. All the dogs survived the operation. They showed a moderate metabolic acidosis, which was more related to a reduced blood flow of the recipient than to inadequate oxygenation capacity of the pump dog during transplantation, and which was corrected by administration of bicarbonate after the procedure. The technique was superior to disposable oxygenators in reducing the expense of the operation and providing a more gentle perfusion.", "PMID": 775628} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4283", "title": "Peroperative measurements of blood flow and pressure in occlusion and/or stenosis of the subclavian artery and the brachiocephalic trunk.", "content": "Preoperative haemodynamic studies were performed in 60 out of 64 patients operated upon for occlusive disease of the subclavian artery. The pressure differences over the occlusive lesion were recorded in 53 patients. Blood flow was studied in 56 patients with the aid of electromagnetic flowmetry. The average mean pressure difference was 30 mmHg in 6 patients with occlusion of the brachiocephalic trunk and 20 mmHg in 20 patients with left subclavian artery occlusion. In 3 patients with right subclavian occlusion it was 17 mmHg. The highest individual mean pressure differences were found in patients with multiple occlusive lesions in extracranial cephalic arteries. Stenoses of the brachiocephalic trunk and the subclavian arteries in general caused a lower average mean pressure difference than the occlusions. Vertebral blood flow in cases of occlusion of the proximal part of the subclavian artery was usually reversed.", "contents": "Peroperative measurements of blood flow and pressure in occlusion and/or stenosis of the subclavian artery and the brachiocephalic trunk. Preoperative haemodynamic studies were performed in 60 out of 64 patients operated upon for occlusive disease of the subclavian artery. The pressure differences over the occlusive lesion were recorded in 53 patients. Blood flow was studied in 56 patients with the aid of electromagnetic flowmetry. The average mean pressure difference was 30 mmHg in 6 patients with occlusion of the brachiocephalic trunk and 20 mmHg in 20 patients with left subclavian artery occlusion. In 3 patients with right subclavian occlusion it was 17 mmHg. The highest individual mean pressure differences were found in patients with multiple occlusive lesions in extracranial cephalic arteries. Stenoses of the brachiocephalic trunk and the subclavian arteries in general caused a lower average mean pressure difference than the occlusions. Vertebral blood flow in cases of occlusion of the proximal part of the subclavian artery was usually reversed.", "PMID": 775629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4284", "title": "[Studies on the retention capability of push-button attachments].", "content": "Of nine pushbutton attachments the force was determined which is necessary for separating the elements from each other, from unused state and in regular intervals up to 44000 times. The initial forces were between 3150 p and 775 p. It appears that forces between 400 and 1000 p should be sufficient for the anchorage of partial dentures. It is suggested that the retentive forces of such retentive elements be standardized. In extracoronal attachments, the use of two abutments soldered together is recommended.", "contents": "[Studies on the retention capability of push-button attachments]. Of nine pushbutton attachments the force was determined which is necessary for separating the elements from each other, from unused state and in regular intervals up to 44000 times. The initial forces were between 3150 p and 775 p. It appears that forces between 400 and 1000 p should be sufficient for the anchorage of partial dentures. It is suggested that the retentive forces of such retentive elements be standardized. In extracoronal attachments, the use of two abutments soldered together is recommended.", "PMID": 775631} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4285", "title": "Human pancreatic islets in culture: effects of supplementing the medium with homologous and heterologous serum.", "content": "Islets of Langerhans, isolated from the human fetal pancreas and cultured in media supplemented with serums from human umbilical cord or adult donors, remained intact, free-floating, and functional for 2 to 5 months. Substitution of fetal calf serum for the human serum usually resulted in attachment of islets, monolayer formation, and relatively early (3 weeks) functional arrest.", "contents": "Human pancreatic islets in culture: effects of supplementing the medium with homologous and heterologous serum. Islets of Langerhans, isolated from the human fetal pancreas and cultured in media supplemented with serums from human umbilical cord or adult donors, remained intact, free-floating, and functional for 2 to 5 months. Substitution of fetal calf serum for the human serum usually resulted in attachment of islets, monolayer formation, and relatively early (3 weeks) functional arrest.", "PMID": 775637} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4286", "title": "Direct evidence for a bone marrow origin of the alveolar macrophage in man.", "content": "Alveolar macrophages were obtained from 23 patients who had received marrow transplants for hematologic disorders. The presence of a Y body in macrophages of male origin was demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy. In those patients with a marrow donor of opposite sex the alveolar macrophages were shown to be of donor origin. The disappearance with time of host macrophages indicates a life-span, under the conditions, of approximately 81 days.", "contents": "Direct evidence for a bone marrow origin of the alveolar macrophage in man. Alveolar macrophages were obtained from 23 patients who had received marrow transplants for hematologic disorders. The presence of a Y body in macrophages of male origin was demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy. In those patients with a marrow donor of opposite sex the alveolar macrophages were shown to be of donor origin. The disappearance with time of host macrophages indicates a life-span, under the conditions, of approximately 81 days.", "PMID": 775638} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4287", "title": "Evaluation of transcendental meditation as a method of reducing stress.", "content": "Transcendental meditation is said to induce in its practitioners an altered state of consciousness resulting in relief of stress, an increased sense of awareness, and a sense of well-being. Release of catecholamines has been associated widely with stress and lends itself to quantitation. Plasma epinephrine and norephinephrine, as well as lactate, were measured in 12 volunteers before, during, and after meditation. Values were compared with those obtained from controls matched for sex and age who rested instead of meditating. Essentially the same results were obtained for the two groups, which suggests that meditation does not induce a unique metabolic state but is seen biochemically as a resting state.", "contents": "Evaluation of transcendental meditation as a method of reducing stress. Transcendental meditation is said to induce in its practitioners an altered state of consciousness resulting in relief of stress, an increased sense of awareness, and a sense of well-being. Release of catecholamines has been associated widely with stress and lends itself to quantitation. Plasma epinephrine and norephinephrine, as well as lactate, were measured in 12 volunteers before, during, and after meditation. Values were compared with those obtained from controls matched for sex and age who rested instead of meditating. Essentially the same results were obtained for the two groups, which suggests that meditation does not induce a unique metabolic state but is seen biochemically as a resting state.", "PMID": 775639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4288", "title": "Leeuwenkoek's observation of bacteria.", "content": "A form of dark-field illumination was produced that allows bacteria in aqueous suspension to be observed with both a Leeuwenhoek microsocope and a compound microscope without a condenser. Possibly, this illumination was Leeuwenhoek's \"particular method of observing\" bacteria.", "contents": "Leeuwenkoek's observation of bacteria. A form of dark-field illumination was produced that allows bacteria in aqueous suspension to be observed with both a Leeuwenhoek microsocope and a compound microscope without a condenser. Possibly, this illumination was Leeuwenhoek's \"particular method of observing\" bacteria.", "PMID": 775640} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4289", "title": "Estimation of blood flow with radioactive tracers.", "content": "The techniques of tracer dilution in the circulation, and of tracer uptake by and washout from an orgen, may be described using expressions that are general and are not dependent on specific models such as exponentials. The expressions have been applied to the measurement of cardiac output using impulse and constant rate injection techniques. Further expressions have been given for estimating organ blood flow from inflow/outflow concentration-time curves, and from the distribution of deposited tracer. Some problems with respect to the use of deposition techniques as they are ordinarily applied to the estimation of regional blood flow must be considered, particularly when there are capillary beds in series or where there is countercurrent diffusional shunting of diffusible tracers between inflow and outflow. This review deals with these various aspects of tracer theory as they relate to the measurement of blood flow.", "contents": "Estimation of blood flow with radioactive tracers. The techniques of tracer dilution in the circulation, and of tracer uptake by and washout from an orgen, may be described using expressions that are general and are not dependent on specific models such as exponentials. The expressions have been applied to the measurement of cardiac output using impulse and constant rate injection techniques. Further expressions have been given for estimating organ blood flow from inflow/outflow concentration-time curves, and from the distribution of deposited tracer. Some problems with respect to the use of deposition techniques as they are ordinarily applied to the estimation of regional blood flow must be considered, particularly when there are capillary beds in series or where there is countercurrent diffusional shunting of diffusible tracers between inflow and outflow. This review deals with these various aspects of tracer theory as they relate to the measurement of blood flow.", "PMID": 775641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4290", "title": "Evaluation of perfusion with the 81Rb-81mKr generator.", "content": "The development of the 81Rb-81mKr generator-delivery system has made available an ultrashort (13-sec) half-life radionuclide for continuous, constant-rate delivery as a gas, or as an isotonic, nonionic solution in 5% dextrose and water. This system has been evaluated and applied to the scintigraphic imaging of various organs and anatomic regions by intravenous and intraarterial infusion and by inhalation and deglutition. This diffusible, noble gas is inert chemically and biologically. When the gas is administered intraarterially, the volume of tissue being perfused may be defined with the scintillation camera. The 13-sec half-life is of a similar magnitude to the rate of capillary exchange, producing a heterogeneous image with steady-state administration in which the intensity of detectable radioactivity is proprotional to the time of diffusion into the tissue. This system appears capable of defining the rate of capillary exchange and the moment-to-moment changes brought about by vasoactive stimuli in specific organs.", "contents": "Evaluation of perfusion with the 81Rb-81mKr generator. The development of the 81Rb-81mKr generator-delivery system has made available an ultrashort (13-sec) half-life radionuclide for continuous, constant-rate delivery as a gas, or as an isotonic, nonionic solution in 5% dextrose and water. This system has been evaluated and applied to the scintigraphic imaging of various organs and anatomic regions by intravenous and intraarterial infusion and by inhalation and deglutition. This diffusible, noble gas is inert chemically and biologically. When the gas is administered intraarterially, the volume of tissue being perfused may be defined with the scintillation camera. The 13-sec half-life is of a similar magnitude to the rate of capillary exchange, producing a heterogeneous image with steady-state administration in which the intensity of detectable radioactivity is proprotional to the time of diffusion into the tissue. This system appears capable of defining the rate of capillary exchange and the moment-to-moment changes brought about by vasoactive stimuli in specific organs.", "PMID": 775642} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4291", "title": "Radionuclide angiography.", "content": "Radionuclide angiography is an established, widely used diagnostic tool. It is safe, easy to perform, and the low patient radiation dose makes frequent follow-up studies feasible. High-quality scintiscans have contributed to the widespread clinical acceptance of the procedure. The areas of application include virtually every organ of the body. In the brain, abnormalities in cerebral perfusion may be detected with this technique. Hepatic and renal tumors can be differentiated from cysts with radionuclide angiography. Its application to cardiology is achieving rapid growth and acceptance in both congenital and acquired heart disease.", "contents": "Radionuclide angiography. Radionuclide angiography is an established, widely used diagnostic tool. It is safe, easy to perform, and the low patient radiation dose makes frequent follow-up studies feasible. High-quality scintiscans have contributed to the widespread clinical acceptance of the procedure. The areas of application include virtually every organ of the body. In the brain, abnormalities in cerebral perfusion may be detected with this technique. Hepatic and renal tumors can be differentiated from cysts with radionuclide angiography. Its application to cardiology is achieving rapid growth and acceptance in both congenital and acquired heart disease.", "PMID": 775643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4292", "title": "Eikenella corrodens osteomyelitis, arthritis, and cellulitis of the hand.", "content": "Eikenella corrodens was isolated from an orally contaminated hand wound which resulted in cellulitis, osteomyelitis, and arthritis. E corrodens is a gram-negative, microaerophilic bacillus which only lately has received attention as a possible pathogen. The organism grows characteristically as small, corroding, or pitting colonies on blood agar. It typically requires hemin or blood for reliable aerobic growth. Oral contamination of wounds predisposes to infection with E. corrodens. The management of these infections includes treatment with an effective antibiotic and surgical debridement. Because it is gram-negative, microaerophilic, and often difficult to isolate, infections caused by E corrodens may mimic those caused by gram-negative obligate anaerobes. However, E corrodens is resistant to clindamycin and lincomycin and sensitive to most other commonly used antimicrobial agents.", "contents": "Eikenella corrodens osteomyelitis, arthritis, and cellulitis of the hand. Eikenella corrodens was isolated from an orally contaminated hand wound which resulted in cellulitis, osteomyelitis, and arthritis. E corrodens is a gram-negative, microaerophilic bacillus which only lately has received attention as a possible pathogen. The organism grows characteristically as small, corroding, or pitting colonies on blood agar. It typically requires hemin or blood for reliable aerobic growth. Oral contamination of wounds predisposes to infection with E. corrodens. The management of these infections includes treatment with an effective antibiotic and surgical debridement. Because it is gram-negative, microaerophilic, and often difficult to isolate, infections caused by E corrodens may mimic those caused by gram-negative obligate anaerobes. However, E corrodens is resistant to clindamycin and lincomycin and sensitive to most other commonly used antimicrobial agents.", "PMID": 775650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4293", "title": "Naloxone in the parturient and her infant.", "content": "Eighteen women in labor received analgesia with moderately large total doses of meperidien. Various doses of naloxone (8, 12, 18, 27, 40, or 60mug/kg of body weight) were given intravenously to the mothers before delivery in an attempt to find the dose that would prevent neonatal narcotic depression. Maternal and neonatal blood gas values, Apgar scores, and postnatal neurobehavioral examinations were used to assess the effects. Infants born of mothers who had received neither meperidine, promethazine, nor naloxone served as controls. After the naloxone injection, the mothers showed an improvement in consciousness and blood gas values. When the study infants, as a group, were compared with control infants, there was very little difference in blood gas values or neurobehavioral examination. Infants in the groups receiving naloxone in doses of 18, 27, and 40mug/kg compared most favorably with the control infants, indicating that naloxone may be effective in preventing neonatal narcotic depression.", "contents": "Naloxone in the parturient and her infant. Eighteen women in labor received analgesia with moderately large total doses of meperidien. Various doses of naloxone (8, 12, 18, 27, 40, or 60mug/kg of body weight) were given intravenously to the mothers before delivery in an attempt to find the dose that would prevent neonatal narcotic depression. Maternal and neonatal blood gas values, Apgar scores, and postnatal neurobehavioral examinations were used to assess the effects. Infants born of mothers who had received neither meperidine, promethazine, nor naloxone served as controls. After the naloxone injection, the mothers showed an improvement in consciousness and blood gas values. When the study infants, as a group, were compared with control infants, there was very little difference in blood gas values or neurobehavioral examination. Infants in the groups receiving naloxone in doses of 18, 27, and 40mug/kg compared most favorably with the control infants, indicating that naloxone may be effective in preventing neonatal narcotic depression.", "PMID": 775651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4294", "title": "Increased frequency of chloroquine resistant P. falciparum on a rubber estate in Peninsular Malaysia during two years of systematic chloroquine treatment.", "content": "Chloroquine pressure was applied over a 22 month period on a somewhat isolated, malarious rubber estate by examination of residents at 4-week intervals and treatment of parasitaemias with chloroquine. During this time the monthly attack rate for P. falciparum rose four-fold to an average of nearly 18% per month, while that of P. vivax remained relatively constant at about 8%. Eight in vivo chloroquine resistance studies, which allowed both detection of late recrudescing R-I resistance and estimation of the risk of reinfection, showed an apparent rise in the drug resistance rate, from 12% to 20% prior to the study to the range of 40-50%. Virtually all resistance encountered was R-I in nature. There was no convincing evidence of chloroquine resistance among 148 tested P. vivax infections.", "contents": "Increased frequency of chloroquine resistant P. falciparum on a rubber estate in Peninsular Malaysia during two years of systematic chloroquine treatment. Chloroquine pressure was applied over a 22 month period on a somewhat isolated, malarious rubber estate by examination of residents at 4-week intervals and treatment of parasitaemias with chloroquine. During this time the monthly attack rate for P. falciparum rose four-fold to an average of nearly 18% per month, while that of P. vivax remained relatively constant at about 8%. Eight in vivo chloroquine resistance studies, which allowed both detection of late recrudescing R-I resistance and estimation of the risk of reinfection, showed an apparent rise in the drug resistance rate, from 12% to 20% prior to the study to the range of 40-50%. Virtually all resistance encountered was R-I in nature. There was no convincing evidence of chloroquine resistance among 148 tested P. vivax infections.", "PMID": 775652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4295", "title": "The differentiation of brugia malayi, B. pahangi, B. tupaiae and Wuchereria bancrofti.", "content": "During studies on filariasis in Thailand, attempts were made to differentiate Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia spp. by morphological characteristics, as well as by vector species.", "contents": "The differentiation of brugia malayi, B. pahangi, B. tupaiae and Wuchereria bancrofti. During studies on filariasis in Thailand, attempts were made to differentiate Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia spp. by morphological characteristics, as well as by vector species.", "PMID": 775653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4296", "title": "Circumcision and 'uncircumcision'.", "content": "The origin of circumcision is shrouded in antiquity. Mummies, 6 000 years old, have been reported to show evidence of circumcision but the first definite account appears in Genesis, chapter 17. Many nations practise it as a rite, the time of its performance varying from soon after birth to early manhood. Antiochus Epiphanes prohibited it in Palestine and the introduction of Greek gymnasia where nudity was the practice, led to many seeking to become uncircumcised. Celsus has described such an operation which appears to have been successful. In Rome under Hadrian and in 16th century Spain a heavy funnel-shaped copper tube fitting was used as another method of restoring the prepuce. The debate concerning the value of circumcision has continued up until the present day.", "contents": "Circumcision and 'uncircumcision'. The origin of circumcision is shrouded in antiquity. Mummies, 6 000 years old, have been reported to show evidence of circumcision but the first definite account appears in Genesis, chapter 17. Many nations practise it as a rite, the time of its performance varying from soon after birth to early manhood. Antiochus Epiphanes prohibited it in Palestine and the introduction of Greek gymnasia where nudity was the practice, led to many seeking to become uncircumcised. Celsus has described such an operation which appears to have been successful. In Rome under Hadrian and in 16th century Spain a heavy funnel-shaped copper tube fitting was used as another method of restoring the prepuce. The debate concerning the value of circumcision has continued up until the present day.", "PMID": 775659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4297", "title": "Lipomata of the central nervous system.", "content": "The radiological features and some clinical aspects of lipomata of the central nervous system are discussed, with examples of the different sites of involvement.", "contents": "Lipomata of the central nervous system. The radiological features and some clinical aspects of lipomata of the central nervous system are discussed, with examples of the different sites of involvement.", "PMID": 775660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4298", "title": "Herpes gestationis.", "content": "A case report of herpes gestationis is presented. The incidence, classification, aetiology, natural history, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of the disease are briefly discussed. The picture presented by the patient is classical of the disease, and her obstetric history of repeated abortion and stillbirths belies the modern concept of favourable fetal prognosis.", "contents": "Herpes gestationis. A case report of herpes gestationis is presented. The incidence, classification, aetiology, natural history, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of the disease are briefly discussed. The picture presented by the patient is classical of the disease, and her obstetric history of repeated abortion and stillbirths belies the modern concept of favourable fetal prognosis.", "PMID": 775662} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4299", "title": "Reconstruction of defects of the mandible.", "content": "A series of 14 mandibular reconstruction in 13 patients with chips of autogenous, cancellous bone and marrow supported by a titanium mesh tray is presented. The mandibular defects were the results either of operation for carcinoma of the tongue and the floor of the mouth or trauma. Satisfactory rehabilitation was accomplished in 11 patients. The advantages of this technique are ease of accomplishment, ability to replace long and awkardly shaped segments, less shrinkage due to bone resorption, and shorter intermaxillary fixation.", "contents": "Reconstruction of defects of the mandible. A series of 14 mandibular reconstruction in 13 patients with chips of autogenous, cancellous bone and marrow supported by a titanium mesh tray is presented. The mandibular defects were the results either of operation for carcinoma of the tongue and the floor of the mouth or trauma. Satisfactory rehabilitation was accomplished in 11 patients. The advantages of this technique are ease of accomplishment, ability to replace long and awkardly shaped segments, less shrinkage due to bone resorption, and shorter intermaxillary fixation.", "PMID": 775665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4300", "title": "Immunological enhancement of renal allografts by antireceptor antibody.", "content": "Lewis (L) rats treated with donor antigen [Lewis Brown-Norway (LBN) spleen cells] and antidonor antibody (L anti-BN serum) produce L anti-(L anti-BN) antibody that reaches peak titers 10 days later. The antiantibody functions as an antibody against cell-surface receptor molecules on Lewis recognition lymphocytes for BN antigen. LBN kidneys grafted at the time of peak antireceptor titer are not rejected and function indefinitely. Homeostasis of enhanced kidneys in long-term graft recipients was evaluted by four sets of experiments with the following results: (1) adoptive transfer of spleen cells from long-term recipients causes fatal graft-vs.-host disease in LBN and LDA hosts; (2) adoptive transfer of spleen cells from long-term recipients to new, otherwise untreated Lewis recipients of LBN kidneys delays rejection and prolongs recipient survival; (3) adoptive transfer of sensitized spleen cells to long-term recipients causes no apparent injury to enhanced LBN kidneys; (4) splenectomy in long-term recipients did not lead to deterioration of enhanced kidneys. It appears that long-term recipients maintain a delicate balance of effector and suppressor cells with respect to donor antigens.", "contents": "Immunological enhancement of renal allografts by antireceptor antibody. Lewis (L) rats treated with donor antigen [Lewis Brown-Norway (LBN) spleen cells] and antidonor antibody (L anti-BN serum) produce L anti-(L anti-BN) antibody that reaches peak titers 10 days later. The antiantibody functions as an antibody against cell-surface receptor molecules on Lewis recognition lymphocytes for BN antigen. LBN kidneys grafted at the time of peak antireceptor titer are not rejected and function indefinitely. Homeostasis of enhanced kidneys in long-term graft recipients was evaluted by four sets of experiments with the following results: (1) adoptive transfer of spleen cells from long-term recipients causes fatal graft-vs.-host disease in LBN and LDA hosts; (2) adoptive transfer of spleen cells from long-term recipients to new, otherwise untreated Lewis recipients of LBN kidneys delays rejection and prolongs recipient survival; (3) adoptive transfer of sensitized spleen cells to long-term recipients causes no apparent injury to enhanced LBN kidneys; (4) splenectomy in long-term recipients did not lead to deterioration of enhanced kidneys. It appears that long-term recipients maintain a delicate balance of effector and suppressor cells with respect to donor antigens.", "PMID": 775667} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4301", "title": "A heterophile system in human renal transplantation. VI. Biologic effect of heterophile (HT-A) and nonheterophile (HL-A) compatibility on allograft survival.", "content": "A series of 79 selected renal allografts has been studied to determine the biologic importance of the heterophile (HT-A) locus and the relative effects of HT-A and nonheterophile (HL-A) loci on allograft survival. The results demonstrate that HT-A and HL-A compatibility together yield poor results, whereas HT-A and HL-A incompatibility together yield poor results. HT-A incompatibility with any serologically determined HL-A incompatibilities give a one year allograft survival of 34%, and with two or more HL-A incompatibilities the one year survival rate is only 22%. Compatibility at one locus with incompatibility at the other yields intermediate results. Thus incompatibilities at both loci seem cumulative. The chief difference in the effect of incompatibility of the two loci is that HT-A incompatibility is decisive early, whereas HL-A effects are seen later. The HT-A system appears to be a major determinant of renal allografts success which needs to be taken into account in compatibility testing.", "contents": "A heterophile system in human renal transplantation. VI. Biologic effect of heterophile (HT-A) and nonheterophile (HL-A) compatibility on allograft survival. A series of 79 selected renal allografts has been studied to determine the biologic importance of the heterophile (HT-A) locus and the relative effects of HT-A and nonheterophile (HL-A) loci on allograft survival. The results demonstrate that HT-A and HL-A compatibility together yield poor results, whereas HT-A and HL-A incompatibility together yield poor results. HT-A incompatibility with any serologically determined HL-A incompatibilities give a one year allograft survival of 34%, and with two or more HL-A incompatibilities the one year survival rate is only 22%. Compatibility at one locus with incompatibility at the other yields intermediate results. Thus incompatibilities at both loci seem cumulative. The chief difference in the effect of incompatibility of the two loci is that HT-A incompatibility is decisive early, whereas HL-A effects are seen later. The HT-A system appears to be a major determinant of renal allografts success which needs to be taken into account in compatibility testing.", "PMID": 775668} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4302", "title": "The detection and evaluation of migration stimulatory factor in renal allograft recipients.", "content": "Seventy-one recipients of related donor renal allografts were tested for cellular immunity with the direct migration inhibition factor assay. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of their responses in the assay. It was shown that all patients whose lymphocytes stimulated macrophage migration in vitro experienced more benign clinical courses than did those patients whose lymphocytes inhibited macrophage migration in vitro. The significance of a correlation between in vitro macrophage stimulation and clinical course is discussed.", "contents": "The detection and evaluation of migration stimulatory factor in renal allograft recipients. Seventy-one recipients of related donor renal allografts were tested for cellular immunity with the direct migration inhibition factor assay. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of their responses in the assay. It was shown that all patients whose lymphocytes stimulated macrophage migration in vitro experienced more benign clinical courses than did those patients whose lymphocytes inhibited macrophage migration in vitro. The significance of a correlation between in vitro macrophage stimulation and clinical course is discussed.", "PMID": 775669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4303", "title": "[Epidemiological studies on salmonella in a certain area (\"Walcheren project\"). II. Presence of salmonella in the mesenteric lymph nodes and rectal contents of normal pigs slaughtered in Walcheren (author's transl].", "content": "During a period of twelve months, all pigs slaughtered on the former Isle of Walcheren were examined for the presence of Salmonella in the mesenteric lymph nodes and rectal contents. Salmonella was detected in 22.3% of 7,756 animals studied. Fifty different serotypes were isolated, two of these (S. menhaden and S. mikawasima) being isolated for the first time in the Netherlands. Data on the farms was collected, a differentiation being made between the type of farm (breeding, breeding and fattening, and fattening farms), the type of feed (pellets, pellets plus meal and meal) and the number of fattening pigs on each farm. The results show that there is a slight difference in the proportion of pigs responding positively to pellet rather than meal feeding, viz. 20.9% against 23.7%. A striking feature consists in the fact that this difference is much larger in favour of pellet feeding on the smaller farms (up to one hundred fattening pigs), viz. 12.9% against 21.0%. Another finding was that the average number of serotypes isolated on farms on which pellets were fed was smaller than that on farms on which meal was fed.", "contents": "[Epidemiological studies on salmonella in a certain area (\"Walcheren project\"). II. Presence of salmonella in the mesenteric lymph nodes and rectal contents of normal pigs slaughtered in Walcheren (author's transl]. During a period of twelve months, all pigs slaughtered on the former Isle of Walcheren were examined for the presence of Salmonella in the mesenteric lymph nodes and rectal contents. Salmonella was detected in 22.3% of 7,756 animals studied. Fifty different serotypes were isolated, two of these (S. menhaden and S. mikawasima) being isolated for the first time in the Netherlands. Data on the farms was collected, a differentiation being made between the type of farm (breeding, breeding and fattening, and fattening farms), the type of feed (pellets, pellets plus meal and meal) and the number of fattening pigs on each farm. The results show that there is a slight difference in the proportion of pigs responding positively to pellet rather than meal feeding, viz. 20.9% against 23.7%. A striking feature consists in the fact that this difference is much larger in favour of pellet feeding on the smaller farms (up to one hundred fattening pigs), viz. 12.9% against 21.0%. Another finding was that the average number of serotypes isolated on farms on which pellets were fed was smaller than that on farms on which meal was fed.", "PMID": 775680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4304", "title": "[Annual review of serotypes of E. coli isolated from various lesions in poultry and their sensitivity to drugs in vitro (author's transl)].", "content": "550 Strains of E. coli, isolated from poultry, were typed. In addition, their sensitivity to various drugs was tested. A wide variety of serotypes was found to be present. Approximately 50% of the isolated strains of E. coli were found to be resistant to the tetracyclines, streptomycin and sulphafurazole. Chloramphenicol, neomycin and furazolidone usually were effective.", "contents": "[Annual review of serotypes of E. coli isolated from various lesions in poultry and their sensitivity to drugs in vitro (author's transl)]. 550 Strains of E. coli, isolated from poultry, were typed. In addition, their sensitivity to various drugs was tested. A wide variety of serotypes was found to be present. Approximately 50% of the isolated strains of E. coli were found to be resistant to the tetracyclines, streptomycin and sulphafurazole. Chloramphenicol, neomycin and furazolidone usually were effective.", "PMID": 775681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4305", "title": "[Determination of intravascular and extravascular lung water after open heart surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "Total lung water (169 measurements) and intravascular lung volume (72 measurements) were determined postoperatively on 11 patients with aortic or mitral valve prostheses, by means of thermodilution (diffusable) and cardiogreen (non-diffusable). No loss of heat from the lungs occurred after injection into the trunk of the pulmonary artery and recordings in the left atrium. The admixture of the tracers was satisfactory. The extravascular volume was found to be higher than that measured by other authors, presumably owing to the greater efficacy of the thermodilution technique as compared to the use of tritiated water.", "contents": "[Determination of intravascular and extravascular lung water after open heart surgery (author's transl)]. Total lung water (169 measurements) and intravascular lung volume (72 measurements) were determined postoperatively on 11 patients with aortic or mitral valve prostheses, by means of thermodilution (diffusable) and cardiogreen (non-diffusable). No loss of heat from the lungs occurred after injection into the trunk of the pulmonary artery and recordings in the left atrium. The admixture of the tracers was satisfactory. The extravascular volume was found to be higher than that measured by other authors, presumably owing to the greater efficacy of the thermodilution technique as compared to the use of tritiated water.", "PMID": 775682} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4306", "title": "Production of specific antisera to human B lymphocytes.", "content": "Antisera have been prepared, in mice and rabbits, to membrane and sub-membrane fractions of human B lymphocyte derived lymphoid lines. Antisera to a protein subfraction were, after only minimal absorption, specific for human peripheral B lymphocytes, monocytes and B cell derived lymphoid lines. The antigen(s) recognised by these antisera were not the same as the previously described B-cell markers; immunoglobulin, Fc receptor, complement receptor and Ia antigens. The antigen(s) could not be removed from cells by lysostrip with anti- beta2 microglobulin.", "contents": "Production of specific antisera to human B lymphocytes. Antisera have been prepared, in mice and rabbits, to membrane and sub-membrane fractions of human B lymphocyte derived lymphoid lines. Antisera to a protein subfraction were, after only minimal absorption, specific for human peripheral B lymphocytes, monocytes and B cell derived lymphoid lines. The antigen(s) recognised by these antisera were not the same as the previously described B-cell markers; immunoglobulin, Fc receptor, complement receptor and Ia antigens. The antigen(s) could not be removed from cells by lysostrip with anti- beta2 microglobulin.", "PMID": 775683} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4307", "title": "Cost comparison haemodialysis and renal transplantation.", "content": "It is generally accepted that renal transplantation as a routine therapy for terminal stage renal patients has various medical advantages over chronic haemodialysis. A comparison of costs of both types of treatment clearly demonstrates a considerable difference also in favour of the former. This comparison is based on patient data from the Leyden University Hospital and on the tarrifs agreed upon by the Dutch Public Health Insurance Companies for haemodialysis treatment in 1973. (In this article only cost of center dialysis has been compared with cost of transplantation. In Holland, so far, no comparable data on the cost of home dialysis are available.) Renal transplantation, including 12 months of post-operative care, requires some Dfl. 45,000 (or + 18,000) whereas one year of chronic center haemodialysis cost Dfl. 65,000 (or + 26,000). The cost of treatment of a patient with a well-functioning graft in the second and following years normally does not exceed Dfl. 8,000 (or + 3,200) per year. These figures demonstrate the enormous economic advantage of transplantation as compared to chronic center haemodialysis, and that together with the medical advantages of transplantation should be sufficient reason to promote transplantation.", "contents": "Cost comparison haemodialysis and renal transplantation. It is generally accepted that renal transplantation as a routine therapy for terminal stage renal patients has various medical advantages over chronic haemodialysis. A comparison of costs of both types of treatment clearly demonstrates a considerable difference also in favour of the former. This comparison is based on patient data from the Leyden University Hospital and on the tarrifs agreed upon by the Dutch Public Health Insurance Companies for haemodialysis treatment in 1973. (In this article only cost of center dialysis has been compared with cost of transplantation. In Holland, so far, no comparable data on the cost of home dialysis are available.) Renal transplantation, including 12 months of post-operative care, requires some Dfl. 45,000 (or + 18,000) whereas one year of chronic center haemodialysis cost Dfl. 65,000 (or + 26,000). The cost of treatment of a patient with a well-functioning graft in the second and following years normally does not exceed Dfl. 8,000 (or + 3,200) per year. These figures demonstrate the enormous economic advantage of transplantation as compared to chronic center haemodialysis, and that together with the medical advantages of transplantation should be sufficient reason to promote transplantation.", "PMID": 775684} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4308", "title": "[A forty-year survey of radiation therapy of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma].", "content": "Dueing the last forty years, 295 patients with carcinoma of the nasopharynx were admitted to our department. Dur to retarded discovery, the total five-year survival rate amounts to only 15.5% of all patients admitted. In 48.5%, the first symptom was a swelling of the lymphatic ganglions at the neck. Squamous cell carcinoma with 44.2% ranges at the first place followed by retotheliosarcoma with 11% and lympho-epithelioma with 6.4%. Three periods of therapy are confronted. During the first one, brachyradium and teleradium were used; during the second, brachyradium and telecobalt; during the third period, telecobalt and high-energy electrons were employed. Most important, after all, is not the ionization technique but the stage with a 47.1% five-year survival rate in T1N0 as compared to T2N0 with 28.6% and T1N1 with 19.4%. Lympho-epitheliomas with a five-year survival rate of 38.6% offer the best prognosis in contradistinction to sarcomas with 25% and squamous cell carcinomas with 15.04%. At the moment, investigations are going on to verify if afterloading techniques using 60Co are preferable to conventional irradiation techniques.", "contents": "[A forty-year survey of radiation therapy of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma]. Dueing the last forty years, 295 patients with carcinoma of the nasopharynx were admitted to our department. Dur to retarded discovery, the total five-year survival rate amounts to only 15.5% of all patients admitted. In 48.5%, the first symptom was a swelling of the lymphatic ganglions at the neck. Squamous cell carcinoma with 44.2% ranges at the first place followed by retotheliosarcoma with 11% and lympho-epithelioma with 6.4%. Three periods of therapy are confronted. During the first one, brachyradium and teleradium were used; during the second, brachyradium and telecobalt; during the third period, telecobalt and high-energy electrons were employed. Most important, after all, is not the ionization technique but the stage with a 47.1% five-year survival rate in T1N0 as compared to T2N0 with 28.6% and T1N1 with 19.4%. Lympho-epitheliomas with a five-year survival rate of 38.6% offer the best prognosis in contradistinction to sarcomas with 25% and squamous cell carcinomas with 15.04%. At the moment, investigations are going on to verify if afterloading techniques using 60Co are preferable to conventional irradiation techniques.", "PMID": 775687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4309", "title": "Stimulation of the estrogen synthesizing system of the immature rat ovary by exogenous and endogenous gonadotropins.", "content": "Immature rat ovaries increase their secretion of estradiol (E2) when stimulated by gonadotropins but only after a lag period of several hours. Once established, estrogen secretion can be maintained, or increased, by the continued presence of gonadotropin. A combination of ovine FSH+LH given at 2 hr intervals stimulated the estrogen synthesizing system (ESS) of the ovary and serum E2 showed a pronounced rise between 16 and 20 hrs after the initial injection. When given every 2 hrs for 5 doses (0-8 hrs) serum E2 was undetectable. However, it was increased if 20 IU PMS was injected at the time of the last dose of FSH+LH. Endogenous FSH+LH, increased by hourly injections of LH-releasing hormone for a period of 8 hrs, stimulated the ESS: serum E2 increased at the expected when this treatment was followed by an injection of PMS. Anti-PMS antiserum given 12 hrs after PMS, prevented the expected rise in serum E2 at 24 hrs. However, FSH, LH or a combination of the two given every 2 hrs beginning at the time of the anti-PMS produced an increase in E2 secretion; the combination was more effective than either hormone alone. These results are consistent with the interpretation that a combined FSH-LH action is responsible for induction fo the ESS in the immature rat ovary. The combination of homones is also very effective in maintaining estrogen secretion but some function appears possible with FSH or LH alone.", "contents": "Stimulation of the estrogen synthesizing system of the immature rat ovary by exogenous and endogenous gonadotropins. Immature rat ovaries increase their secretion of estradiol (E2) when stimulated by gonadotropins but only after a lag period of several hours. Once established, estrogen secretion can be maintained, or increased, by the continued presence of gonadotropin. A combination of ovine FSH+LH given at 2 hr intervals stimulated the estrogen synthesizing system (ESS) of the ovary and serum E2 showed a pronounced rise between 16 and 20 hrs after the initial injection. When given every 2 hrs for 5 doses (0-8 hrs) serum E2 was undetectable. However, it was increased if 20 IU PMS was injected at the time of the last dose of FSH+LH. Endogenous FSH+LH, increased by hourly injections of LH-releasing hormone for a period of 8 hrs, stimulated the ESS: serum E2 increased at the expected when this treatment was followed by an injection of PMS. Anti-PMS antiserum given 12 hrs after PMS, prevented the expected rise in serum E2 at 24 hrs. However, FSH, LH or a combination of the two given every 2 hrs beginning at the time of the anti-PMS produced an increase in E2 secretion; the combination was more effective than either hormone alone. These results are consistent with the interpretation that a combined FSH-LH action is responsible for induction fo the ESS in the immature rat ovary. The combination of homones is also very effective in maintaining estrogen secretion but some function appears possible with FSH or LH alone.", "PMID": 775688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4310", "title": "The United States National Family Planning Program, 1968-74.", "content": "In the United States, there are currently an estimated 30 million women at risk of unwanted pregnancy; of these, more than 12 million low-and marginal-income women aged 20-44 and adolescents of all incomes appear to be in need of subsidized family planning services. A family planning delivery system capable of serving approximately one-half of these women has been rapidly organized: the clinic program has grown from 900,000 clients in 1968 to 3.4 million in 1974, and the private sector is assumed to be providing care for 3 million more. The allocation of federal funds, the enactment of supportive policies and laws, and the organization of a specialized and centralized agency in the federal government have been factors in the initiation and expansion of family planning services.", "contents": "The United States National Family Planning Program, 1968-74. In the United States, there are currently an estimated 30 million women at risk of unwanted pregnancy; of these, more than 12 million low-and marginal-income women aged 20-44 and adolescents of all incomes appear to be in need of subsidized family planning services. A family planning delivery system capable of serving approximately one-half of these women has been rapidly organized: the clinic program has grown from 900,000 clients in 1968 to 3.4 million in 1974, and the private sector is assumed to be providing care for 3 million more. The allocation of federal funds, the enactment of supportive policies and laws, and the organization of a specialized and centralized agency in the federal government have been factors in the initiation and expansion of family planning services.", "PMID": 775689} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4311", "title": "The Arruga suture for retinal detachment 17 years on.", "content": "A brief description is given of the experience gained in the use of the 'Arruga suture' method in 64 eyes out of a total of 356 operated on for retinal detachment. The encouraging results in those eyes in which the method was used as a primary procedure and the absence of complications suggest that the 'Arruga suture' should be considered in selected cases of retinal detachment--particularly in cases of aphakic detachment.", "contents": "The Arruga suture for retinal detachment 17 years on. A brief description is given of the experience gained in the use of the 'Arruga suture' method in 64 eyes out of a total of 356 operated on for retinal detachment. The encouraging results in those eyes in which the method was used as a primary procedure and the absence of complications suggest that the 'Arruga suture' should be considered in selected cases of retinal detachment--particularly in cases of aphakic detachment.", "PMID": 775693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4312", "title": "Out-patient cataract surgery.", "content": "A randomized prospective study of 100 consecutive cataract operations was designed to ascertain the need for hospitalization for this procedure. The results clearly indicate that immediate ambulation and discharge of the cataract patient do not detract from the very high success rate of this operation. The random nature of this study adds strong support to those surveys that have similarly concluded that hospitalization and postoperative restrictions are not necessary for the great majority of cataract patients.", "contents": "Out-patient cataract surgery. A randomized prospective study of 100 consecutive cataract operations was designed to ascertain the need for hospitalization for this procedure. The results clearly indicate that immediate ambulation and discharge of the cataract patient do not detract from the very high success rate of this operation. The random nature of this study adds strong support to those surveys that have similarly concluded that hospitalization and postoperative restrictions are not necessary for the great majority of cataract patients.", "PMID": 775694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4313", "title": "Herpes simplex keratitis and keratoconus in the atopic patient. A clinical and immunological study.", "content": "Selected case histories indicate that there is good evidence that atopic disease is associated with severe primary and recurrent ocular herpes. The salient features of the syndrome are that the disease is often bilateral, that recurrences are more frequent, and that the corneal epithelium is often slow to regenerate after disease. Therapeutic difficulties may be encountered because atopic eye disease requires anti-inflammatory therapy which is contraindicated in epithelial herpes. Keratoplasty in herpetic disease in the presence of vascularization or atopic eye disease should be avoided, as an augmented homograft reaction is also an occasional complication. Screening of patients for serum immunoglobulins and cellular immunity using in vitro lymphocyte transformation and macrophage migration inhibition tests, failed to reveal any group evidence of immune deficit, but there was evidence of this in some individuals. The most serious management problems occurred in the presence of raised IgE levels. In a group of patients with keratoconus, IgE was raised in 17 per cent, and there was a depression of IgA in 8 per cent. A knowledge of the serum innumoglobulin levels can be of help in the management of the keratoconus patient in the postoperative period after keratoplasty.", "contents": "Herpes simplex keratitis and keratoconus in the atopic patient. A clinical and immunological study. Selected case histories indicate that there is good evidence that atopic disease is associated with severe primary and recurrent ocular herpes. The salient features of the syndrome are that the disease is often bilateral, that recurrences are more frequent, and that the corneal epithelium is often slow to regenerate after disease. Therapeutic difficulties may be encountered because atopic eye disease requires anti-inflammatory therapy which is contraindicated in epithelial herpes. Keratoplasty in herpetic disease in the presence of vascularization or atopic eye disease should be avoided, as an augmented homograft reaction is also an occasional complication. Screening of patients for serum immunoglobulins and cellular immunity using in vitro lymphocyte transformation and macrophage migration inhibition tests, failed to reveal any group evidence of immune deficit, but there was evidence of this in some individuals. The most serious management problems occurred in the presence of raised IgE levels. In a group of patients with keratoconus, IgE was raised in 17 per cent, and there was a depression of IgA in 8 per cent. A knowledge of the serum innumoglobulin levels can be of help in the management of the keratoconus patient in the postoperative period after keratoplasty.", "PMID": 775699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4314", "title": "Humoral antibody and cell-mediated cytotoxicity responses of mice to rat skin xenografts.", "content": "Aspects of both the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses of mice to rat skin xenografts were studied sequentially and quantitated. Antirat lymphocytotoxic and hemagglutinating antibodies were first detectable at 7 and 6 days, respectively, after primary grafting and their appearance in serum corresponded to the time of graft rejection. Lymphocytotoxic titers were low after primary grafting but increased greater than 4-fold after secondary grafting. Cytotoxicity of mouse spleen and axillary lymph node cells for 51Cr-labeled rat lymphocyte target cells was first detectable 5 days after primary grafting but was quite low showing a peak of only 7% specific 51Cr release 6 days after grafting. In contrast, the cytotoxicity of mouse spleen and lymph node cells for allogeneic target cells after primary skin allografting was significantly greater. It is suggested that the magnitude of the cell-mediated immune response to skin xenografts is less than the response to allografts and that the quicker and more vigorous rejection of skin xenografts is due to a larger participation of humoral antibody in the rejection process.", "contents": "Humoral antibody and cell-mediated cytotoxicity responses of mice to rat skin xenografts. Aspects of both the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses of mice to rat skin xenografts were studied sequentially and quantitated. Antirat lymphocytotoxic and hemagglutinating antibodies were first detectable at 7 and 6 days, respectively, after primary grafting and their appearance in serum corresponded to the time of graft rejection. Lymphocytotoxic titers were low after primary grafting but increased greater than 4-fold after secondary grafting. Cytotoxicity of mouse spleen and axillary lymph node cells for 51Cr-labeled rat lymphocyte target cells was first detectable 5 days after primary grafting but was quite low showing a peak of only 7% specific 51Cr release 6 days after grafting. In contrast, the cytotoxicity of mouse spleen and lymph node cells for allogeneic target cells after primary skin allografting was significantly greater. It is suggested that the magnitude of the cell-mediated immune response to skin xenografts is less than the response to allografts and that the quicker and more vigorous rejection of skin xenografts is due to a larger participation of humoral antibody in the rejection process.", "PMID": 775701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4315", "title": "Lymphocytotoxic antibody detection and crossmatching for renal transplantation.", "content": "Sera of 134 recipients awaiting first renal transplants have been tested for cytotoxic antibody by three methods in order to assess the different techniques, and various factors in the techniques have been investigated. The use of only one technique would have failed to detect some of the antibodies found in the sera of 35 patients and it was necessary to use both a 37 C test and the NIH 20 C technique in order to demonstrate them. Results on 402 serial samples from 108 patients indicate the importance, because of fluctuation in antibody levels. of using more than one sample, i.e., previous sample in addition to a fresh specimen from any patient when crossmatching prior to renal transplantation. Lymphocyte suspensions from 44 of 118 cadaver donors were found to be unsatisfactory for accurate cytotoxic crossmatching due to a high background of dead cells. DNase renders such suspensions suitable for use and should be used in such cases. It is felt that if more than one technique were generally used, improved detection of cytotoxic activity would result and would help to resolve present conflicting opinions about the effects of cytotoxic antibody on graft survival. Results are given of 19 patients who had formed cytotoxic antibody prior to renal transplantation in the Unit. Eighteen of these have surviving grafts.", "contents": "Lymphocytotoxic antibody detection and crossmatching for renal transplantation. Sera of 134 recipients awaiting first renal transplants have been tested for cytotoxic antibody by three methods in order to assess the different techniques, and various factors in the techniques have been investigated. The use of only one technique would have failed to detect some of the antibodies found in the sera of 35 patients and it was necessary to use both a 37 C test and the NIH 20 C technique in order to demonstrate them. Results on 402 serial samples from 108 patients indicate the importance, because of fluctuation in antibody levels. of using more than one sample, i.e., previous sample in addition to a fresh specimen from any patient when crossmatching prior to renal transplantation. Lymphocyte suspensions from 44 of 118 cadaver donors were found to be unsatisfactory for accurate cytotoxic crossmatching due to a high background of dead cells. DNase renders such suspensions suitable for use and should be used in such cases. It is felt that if more than one technique were generally used, improved detection of cytotoxic activity would result and would help to resolve present conflicting opinions about the effects of cytotoxic antibody on graft survival. Results are given of 19 patients who had formed cytotoxic antibody prior to renal transplantation in the Unit. Eighteen of these have surviving grafts.", "PMID": 775702} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4316", "title": "Successful kidney trasnplant in patient with positive crossmatch due to autoantibodies.", "content": "Prior to kidney transplantation a young woman was found to have lymphocytotoxic antibodies to an HLA/mixed lymphocyte culture identical sib donor. The serum killed 75% of the lymphocytes at 22 C but was unreactive at 37 C. At room temperature it was cytotoxic for many lymphocytes of a random panel and also reacted with the recipient's own cells. Complement was required for cytotoxicity. Absorption with lymphocytes but not with platelets abolished the reaction. The antibodies disappeared spontaneously and the transplant was performed. There was no evidence of rejection and at 6 months the kidney is in excellent condition. Cold-reactive lymphocyte specific autoantibodies causing a positive crossmatch could be distinguished from anti-HLA antibodies and did not preclude a successful kidney transplant.", "contents": "Successful kidney trasnplant in patient with positive crossmatch due to autoantibodies. Prior to kidney transplantation a young woman was found to have lymphocytotoxic antibodies to an HLA/mixed lymphocyte culture identical sib donor. The serum killed 75% of the lymphocytes at 22 C but was unreactive at 37 C. At room temperature it was cytotoxic for many lymphocytes of a random panel and also reacted with the recipient's own cells. Complement was required for cytotoxicity. Absorption with lymphocytes but not with platelets abolished the reaction. The antibodies disappeared spontaneously and the transplant was performed. There was no evidence of rejection and at 6 months the kidney is in excellent condition. Cold-reactive lymphocyte specific autoantibodies causing a positive crossmatch could be distinguished from anti-HLA antibodies and did not preclude a successful kidney transplant.", "PMID": 775703} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4317", "title": "Differential survivals of F1 hybrid allografts in parental recipients.", "content": "Differential survival times of various organ allografts in the rat across the same histocompatiblity barrier were studied by transplanting the kidney, heart, intestine, pancreas, and skin from (BN X Le)F1 hybrid donors to Lewis recipients. Some (one-third) of the kidney grafted rats survived for a prolonged period of time (32-72 days, plus one rat surviving over 9 months), whereas all other organs and skin were promptly rejected between 7 and 21 days. Possible factors responsible for the prolonged kidney survival are discussed; the reason for this was not clear but was not related to the period of operative ischemia or postoperative blood-urea-nitrogen, nor were animals tolerant to donor antigen as evidenced by the popliteal lymph node weight assay and signs of mild rejection on histology of grafted kidneys. A hypothesis of autoenhancing mechanism is presented.", "contents": "Differential survivals of F1 hybrid allografts in parental recipients. Differential survival times of various organ allografts in the rat across the same histocompatiblity barrier were studied by transplanting the kidney, heart, intestine, pancreas, and skin from (BN X Le)F1 hybrid donors to Lewis recipients. Some (one-third) of the kidney grafted rats survived for a prolonged period of time (32-72 days, plus one rat surviving over 9 months), whereas all other organs and skin were promptly rejected between 7 and 21 days. Possible factors responsible for the prolonged kidney survival are discussed; the reason for this was not clear but was not related to the period of operative ischemia or postoperative blood-urea-nitrogen, nor were animals tolerant to donor antigen as evidenced by the popliteal lymph node weight assay and signs of mild rejection on histology of grafted kidneys. A hypothesis of autoenhancing mechanism is presented.", "PMID": 775704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4318", "title": "Prolongation of rat heart allograft survival by a synthetic progestogen (melengestrol acetate) and ara-cytidine acylates.", "content": "Immunosuppressive effects of newly developed synthetic progestins, melengestrol acetate (MGA), and three pyrimidine analogs, ara-cytidine (Ara-C), Ara-C 5'-benzoate and octanoate, were investigated on the heart allograft survival in the rat. MGA at the dose of 25 mg/kg given every 3rd day starting 1 day before the grafting through day 20 prolonged the graft survival significantly without toxic effects (80.2 +/- 40.2 days versus control 7.0 +/- 0.1 days). The high dose (50 mg/kg/day) was more effective (137.4 +/- 26.6 days) but a high incidence of multiple abscesses (37%) was also noted. The other three agents were either highly toxic or not immunosuppressive.", "contents": "Prolongation of rat heart allograft survival by a synthetic progestogen (melengestrol acetate) and ara-cytidine acylates. Immunosuppressive effects of newly developed synthetic progestins, melengestrol acetate (MGA), and three pyrimidine analogs, ara-cytidine (Ara-C), Ara-C 5'-benzoate and octanoate, were investigated on the heart allograft survival in the rat. MGA at the dose of 25 mg/kg given every 3rd day starting 1 day before the grafting through day 20 prolonged the graft survival significantly without toxic effects (80.2 +/- 40.2 days versus control 7.0 +/- 0.1 days). The high dose (50 mg/kg/day) was more effective (137.4 +/- 26.6 days) but a high incidence of multiple abscesses (37%) was also noted. The other three agents were either highly toxic or not immunosuppressive.", "PMID": 775705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4319", "title": "A comparison of the survival of H-Y incompatible ear, tail, and body skin grafts.", "content": "In the H-Y incompatible C57BL/6 male to female system, both tail and ear skin grafts were found to persist longer than body (thorax) skin grafts of the same size and shape. Ear skin grafts of long standing did not affect the survival of subsequent body skin grafts but, in one case, a long-term tail skin graft prolonged the survival of a subsequent body skin gratf, both transplants persisting throughout the life of the host. Whereas ear skin grafts from which cartilage was removed were invariably rejected, several ear skin grafts with cartilage intact survived permanently.", "contents": "A comparison of the survival of H-Y incompatible ear, tail, and body skin grafts. In the H-Y incompatible C57BL/6 male to female system, both tail and ear skin grafts were found to persist longer than body (thorax) skin grafts of the same size and shape. Ear skin grafts of long standing did not affect the survival of subsequent body skin grafts but, in one case, a long-term tail skin graft prolonged the survival of a subsequent body skin gratf, both transplants persisting throughout the life of the host. Whereas ear skin grafts from which cartilage was removed were invariably rejected, several ear skin grafts with cartilage intact survived permanently.", "PMID": 775706} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4320", "title": "[Use of the ORIM-1 microscope for determining the thickness of paraffin sections].", "content": "On measuring the thickness of paraffin sections with the help of the \"OPIM-1\" microscope the error for sections of optimal thickness 5--10 mkm was no more than 3%.", "contents": "[Use of the ORIM-1 microscope for determining the thickness of paraffin sections]. On measuring the thickness of paraffin sections with the help of the \"OPIM-1\" microscope the error for sections of optimal thickness 5--10 mkm was no more than 3%.", "PMID": 775709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4321", "title": "[Use of aluminum foil baths for embedding biological materials in epoxide resins].", "content": "The baths intended for embedding the biological material into epoxide resins are made of aluminium foil, 0.1 mm thick, cut in the form of rectangles (13 X 18 mm). The rectangular foil plates are placed on a soft microporous rubber separator 30--40 mm thick and by means of a form with the base equal to 5 X 10 mm the baths are pressed down by 4 mm deep. The baths are stuck to the paper stripes by rubber cement to ensure easy handling and numeration. In the process of embedding and polymerization the paper stripes having the baths are placed in the exsiccator with P2O5 and thermostate on special aluminium stands.", "contents": "[Use of aluminum foil baths for embedding biological materials in epoxide resins]. The baths intended for embedding the biological material into epoxide resins are made of aluminium foil, 0.1 mm thick, cut in the form of rectangles (13 X 18 mm). The rectangular foil plates are placed on a soft microporous rubber separator 30--40 mm thick and by means of a form with the base equal to 5 X 10 mm the baths are pressed down by 4 mm deep. The baths are stuck to the paper stripes by rubber cement to ensure easy handling and numeration. In the process of embedding and polymerization the paper stripes having the baths are placed in the exsiccator with P2O5 and thermostate on special aluminium stands.", "PMID": 775710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4322", "title": "Embryologic basis for lower ureteral anomalies: a hypothesis.", "content": "A hypothesis for the embryogenesis of lower ureteral anomalies invokes variations in location and number of ureteral buds on the mesonephric duct. Such vagaries determine the length of the common nephric duct and the time of meeting of the ureteral bud (or buds) with the urogenital sinus. These factors in turn affect the density of the mesenchymal tissue and its mass in relation to the adjoining structures and, ultimately, the musculature of the trigone as well as the level of the ureteral hiatus and the musculature of the bladder base. Primary reflux, ureteral ectopy, ureteral duplication, ureterocele, functional ureteral obstruction, and congenital strictures are viewed and possibly explained in the light of the embryonal variations mentioned.", "contents": "Embryologic basis for lower ureteral anomalies: a hypothesis. A hypothesis for the embryogenesis of lower ureteral anomalies invokes variations in location and number of ureteral buds on the mesonephric duct. Such vagaries determine the length of the common nephric duct and the time of meeting of the ureteral bud (or buds) with the urogenital sinus. These factors in turn affect the density of the mesenchymal tissue and its mass in relation to the adjoining structures and, ultimately, the musculature of the trigone as well as the level of the ureteral hiatus and the musculature of the bladder base. Primary reflux, ureteral ectopy, ureteral duplication, ureterocele, functional ureteral obstruction, and congenital strictures are viewed and possibly explained in the light of the embryonal variations mentioned.", "PMID": 775715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4323", "title": "Internal marsupialization of lymphoceles after renal transplantation.", "content": "A technique of internal marsupialization of lymphoceles after renal transplantation in selected cases is described. This technique allows complete marsupialization of retrorenal lymphoceles not amenable to external marsupialization. It also can be carried out during concomitant intraperitoneal surgical procedures.", "contents": "Internal marsupialization of lymphoceles after renal transplantation. A technique of internal marsupialization of lymphoceles after renal transplantation in selected cases is described. This technique allows complete marsupialization of retrorenal lymphoceles not amenable to external marsupialization. It also can be carried out during concomitant intraperitoneal surgical procedures.", "PMID": 775716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4324", "title": "[Further trial of clinical diagnostic index for the malignancy diagnosis of mammary nodules. (author's transl)].", "content": "The results of a further trial of a clinical dianostic index (CDI) for ill-defined mammary nodules, based on the algebrical results of positive numerical values (for a suspect feature), or negative numerical values (for non suspect feature), attributed to 10 characteristic semeiological features, previously described, are reported. 222 nodules were clinically examined, all subsequently subjected to mammography and 188 of them to thermography; they were then operated and examined histologically. Of 106 malignant nodules the accuracy of the CDI was 88.6% with 4.7% false negatives; for mammography 65% with 21.7% false negatives; for termography (out of 87 cases) 66.6 with 21% false negatives. The accuracy in 116 benign nodules was 45.6% for the CDI, 32.7% for mammography and 29.7% for termography (out of 101 cases). In three cases of malignant nodules in women below 35 years of age, all three examinations gave negative results. The relations between the diagnostic errors of the three examinations, as well as the dimensions and histo-type of the nodules are also considered. It may be concluded, that the CDI is a simple rapid and highly accurate clinical investigation for early diagnosis of mammary carcinoma.", "contents": "[Further trial of clinical diagnostic index for the malignancy diagnosis of mammary nodules. (author's transl)]. The results of a further trial of a clinical dianostic index (CDI) for ill-defined mammary nodules, based on the algebrical results of positive numerical values (for a suspect feature), or negative numerical values (for non suspect feature), attributed to 10 characteristic semeiological features, previously described, are reported. 222 nodules were clinically examined, all subsequently subjected to mammography and 188 of them to thermography; they were then operated and examined histologically. Of 106 malignant nodules the accuracy of the CDI was 88.6% with 4.7% false negatives; for mammography 65% with 21.7% false negatives; for termography (out of 87 cases) 66.6 with 21% false negatives. The accuracy in 116 benign nodules was 45.6% for the CDI, 32.7% for mammography and 29.7% for termography (out of 101 cases). In three cases of malignant nodules in women below 35 years of age, all three examinations gave negative results. The relations between the diagnostic errors of the three examinations, as well as the dimensions and histo-type of the nodules are also considered. It may be concluded, that the CDI is a simple rapid and highly accurate clinical investigation for early diagnosis of mammary carcinoma.", "PMID": 775711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4325", "title": "[Replacement of the bladder with isolated intestinal loop].", "content": "Based on the experience with 98 operations performed for replacement of the urinary bladder with an isolated intestinal segment, it was demonstrated that the most frequent complications were peritonitis, inflammation of the lung that develop mainly with the postoperative paresis of the digestive tract in the background. Therefore, a complex of prophylactic and therapeutic measures for the postoperative intestinal paresis is recommended, the technic of surgical intervention being described in detail. A comparison of the results of surgery, taking into account the mode of the urine outflow in cystectomy, enabled to consider cystectomy with replacement of the bladder with an intestinal graft as the method of choice.", "contents": "[Replacement of the bladder with isolated intestinal loop]. Based on the experience with 98 operations performed for replacement of the urinary bladder with an isolated intestinal segment, it was demonstrated that the most frequent complications were peritonitis, inflammation of the lung that develop mainly with the postoperative paresis of the digestive tract in the background. Therefore, a complex of prophylactic and therapeutic measures for the postoperative intestinal paresis is recommended, the technic of surgical intervention being described in detail. A comparison of the results of surgery, taking into account the mode of the urine outflow in cystectomy, enabled to consider cystectomy with replacement of the bladder with an intestinal graft as the method of choice.", "PMID": 775734} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4326", "title": "[Incompetence of duodenal stump sutures after stomach resection in ulcer disease].", "content": "Among 356 gastric resections of the Billroth 11 type performed for ulcerous disease there were 11 cases of suture incompetency of the duodenal stump (3.1%). This complication was mainly caused by technical difficulties arising in operations under complicated anatomical conditions and tactical errors of a surgeon in selection of the technic of the stump suturing. The treatment of the duodenal stump suture incompetency consisted in urgent relaparotomy with a tramponade and drainage at the site of incompetency and application of a complex of conservative measures. During the first days after relaparotomy a drainage is connected into a pump-aspirator. In case of complicated duodenal ulcers resection with the aim of \"ulcer exclusion\" seems to be rational.", "contents": "[Incompetence of duodenal stump sutures after stomach resection in ulcer disease]. Among 356 gastric resections of the Billroth 11 type performed for ulcerous disease there were 11 cases of suture incompetency of the duodenal stump (3.1%). This complication was mainly caused by technical difficulties arising in operations under complicated anatomical conditions and tactical errors of a surgeon in selection of the technic of the stump suturing. The treatment of the duodenal stump suture incompetency consisted in urgent relaparotomy with a tramponade and drainage at the site of incompetency and application of a complex of conservative measures. During the first days after relaparotomy a drainage is connected into a pump-aspirator. In case of complicated duodenal ulcers resection with the aim of \"ulcer exclusion\" seems to be rational.", "PMID": 775735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4327", "title": "[Results of hetero-osteosynthesis in treatment of injuries of the crural bones].", "content": "The early and late results of secure heteroosteosynthesis in patients with fresh open and closed fractures and pseudarthrosis of crural bones are discussed. The most favourable results were gained in treatment of closed injuries of crural bones-80.25% of good and excellent issues. Observations for up to 6 years period over patients have demonstrated persistant functional issues with restoration of the anatomical form of the injured extremity and complete rehabilitation of the capacity for work in patients operated upon.", "contents": "[Results of hetero-osteosynthesis in treatment of injuries of the crural bones]. The early and late results of secure heteroosteosynthesis in patients with fresh open and closed fractures and pseudarthrosis of crural bones are discussed. The most favourable results were gained in treatment of closed injuries of crural bones-80.25% of good and excellent issues. Observations for up to 6 years period over patients have demonstrated persistant functional issues with restoration of the anatomical form of the injured extremity and complete rehabilitation of the capacity for work in patients operated upon.", "PMID": 775738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4328", "title": "[Surgical treatment of injuries of large blood vessels of the limbs].", "content": "In treatment of 50 patients with injuries of large vessels of limbs the authors have employed all kinds of vascular plasty, including lateral and circular sutures, putting of a patch on the vascular wall, replacement of an arterial defect with an autovenous graft. Autovenous plasty employed in various modifications in 21 cases is felt to be the method of choice in operations on injured arteries in cases of an extensive damage of soft tissues of limbs and open fractures. The results of the treatment are described.", "contents": "[Surgical treatment of injuries of large blood vessels of the limbs]. In treatment of 50 patients with injuries of large vessels of limbs the authors have employed all kinds of vascular plasty, including lateral and circular sutures, putting of a patch on the vascular wall, replacement of an arterial defect with an autovenous graft. Autovenous plasty employed in various modifications in 21 cases is felt to be the method of choice in operations on injured arteries in cases of an extensive damage of soft tissues of limbs and open fractures. The results of the treatment are described.", "PMID": 775737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4329", "title": "[Treatment of injuries of the tendons of digital flexors].", "content": "An experience with functional and physical and physical therapy employed postoperatively in 525 patients with injuries of 752 digital flexor tendons is reported. A primary suture on flexor tendons after the V.I. Rozov technic within the boundaries of the synovial-aponeurotic sheath was put on 252 fingers in 183 patients. Homoplasty of digital flexor tendons was performed in 342 patients (500 fingers), terms of the injury being from 2 months to 15 years. Studies of late results in 382 patients on 535 fingers enabled to conclude that along with an operative procedure one should provide the conditions for an early functioning of the muscle and operated tendon per se. Therapeutic exercises associated with massage, physical and labour therapy seem to be a decisive factor in the complex of postoperative measures.", "contents": "[Treatment of injuries of the tendons of digital flexors]. An experience with functional and physical and physical therapy employed postoperatively in 525 patients with injuries of 752 digital flexor tendons is reported. A primary suture on flexor tendons after the V.I. Rozov technic within the boundaries of the synovial-aponeurotic sheath was put on 252 fingers in 183 patients. Homoplasty of digital flexor tendons was performed in 342 patients (500 fingers), terms of the injury being from 2 months to 15 years. Studies of late results in 382 patients on 535 fingers enabled to conclude that along with an operative procedure one should provide the conditions for an early functioning of the muscle and operated tendon per se. Therapeutic exercises associated with massage, physical and labour therapy seem to be a decisive factor in the complex of postoperative measures.", "PMID": 775739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4330", "title": "[One-row suture in construction of biliodigestive anastomoses].", "content": "An experience with the construction of 138 anastomoses between the external bile ducts and the duodenum is analysed. The anastomoses were constructed in 47 patients with two-raw and in 91--with one-raw sutures. A partial nonhermeticity of the suture line was observed as seldom both in cases with one-raw and two-raw sutures. In constructing anastomoses one-raw suture is felt to be more preferable, since the formation of stoma with a one-raw suture is felt to be more preferable, since the formation of stoma with a one-raw suture simplifies the procedure.", "contents": "[One-row suture in construction of biliodigestive anastomoses]. An experience with the construction of 138 anastomoses between the external bile ducts and the duodenum is analysed. The anastomoses were constructed in 47 patients with two-raw and in 91--with one-raw sutures. A partial nonhermeticity of the suture line was observed as seldom both in cases with one-raw and two-raw sutures. In constructing anastomoses one-raw suture is felt to be more preferable, since the formation of stoma with a one-raw suture is felt to be more preferable, since the formation of stoma with a one-raw suture simplifies the procedure.", "PMID": 775744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4331", "title": "[Method of treatment of pancreatic stump after its resection].", "content": "Based on anatomical studies and clinical observations the authors concluded that a mechanic suture and subsequent closure of the pancreatic stump with an absominal graft covering the gland, or that procured from the transverse colon mesentery seemed to be an optimum procedure in pancreatic resection.", "contents": "[Method of treatment of pancreatic stump after its resection]. Based on anatomical studies and clinical observations the authors concluded that a mechanic suture and subsequent closure of the pancreatic stump with an absominal graft covering the gland, or that procured from the transverse colon mesentery seemed to be an optimum procedure in pancreatic resection.", "PMID": 775745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4332", "title": "[Primary plastic surgery of skin defects with delto-pectoral flap after resection of disseminated neck tumors].", "content": "In the paper, the authors report their experience with the use of deltopectoral fat-cutaneous grafts for primary reconstruction of jugular skin defects after the combined therapy for malignant tumors. The technic of procurement of such grafts is described. The results of the plasty performed in 20 patients are reported. Favourable results were noted in 19 patients.", "contents": "[Primary plastic surgery of skin defects with delto-pectoral flap after resection of disseminated neck tumors]. In the paper, the authors report their experience with the use of deltopectoral fat-cutaneous grafts for primary reconstruction of jugular skin defects after the combined therapy for malignant tumors. The technic of procurement of such grafts is described. The results of the plasty performed in 20 patients are reported. Favourable results were noted in 19 patients.", "PMID": 775746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4333", "title": "[Dermatoplasty in treatment of late radiation injuries of the skin].", "content": "An account should be taken of regional blood and lymph circulation in selecting the method of cutiplasty in surgical therapy of advanced radiation injuries of skin. A well-grounded choice of cutiplasty enables one to improve the results of the treatment and to shorten its duration.", "contents": "[Dermatoplasty in treatment of late radiation injuries of the skin]. An account should be taken of regional blood and lymph circulation in selecting the method of cutiplasty in surgical therapy of advanced radiation injuries of skin. A well-grounded choice of cutiplasty enables one to improve the results of the treatment and to shorten its duration.", "PMID": 775747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4334", "title": "[Evaluation of survival of the pedicle flap by polarographic method].", "content": "The data obtained by the authors allowed the use of a polarographic study of pO2 in the pedicled graft tissue as an adjunct method of determining the graft patency. This method may be especially valuable in cases of a complicated period after suturing the graft to a defect, when considerable difficulties arise as to finding the optimum terms for a safe incision of the feeding pedicle.", "contents": "[Evaluation of survival of the pedicle flap by polarographic method]. The data obtained by the authors allowed the use of a polarographic study of pO2 in the pedicled graft tissue as an adjunct method of determining the graft patency. This method may be especially valuable in cases of a complicated period after suturing the graft to a defect, when considerable difficulties arise as to finding the optimum terms for a safe incision of the feeding pedicle.", "PMID": 775748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4335", "title": "The role of vasoactive agents in shock therapy.", "content": "Vasoactive agents may have vasoconstrictor, vasodilator, cardiac stimulatory, or combined effects on the cardiovascular system. The intensity or degree of therapeutic effect differs with each agent. Table 1 provides a relative ranking of each discussed compound's effect regarding its ability to produce one or more of the listed effects. The effects of vasoconstrictor drugs such as methoxamine, phenylephrine, and norepinephrine have been generally unfavorable in shock because of the inhibition of tissue perfusion which results from their use. Debate still exists, however, and these agents have been shown to provide some benefit in selected cases. The rationale that shock results at least in part because of intense vasoconstriction has led to the usage of vasodilators in therapy. Currently isoproterenol, a beta adrenergic stimulating agent, is being used to elicit vasodilation in lieu of alpha blockage because the alpha blocking drugs phenoxybenzamine and chlorpromazine have longer, more irreversible effects. The merit of isoproterenol has to be evaluated in light light of its cardiac stimulatory effect. With the current antishock drugs, those which possess cardiac stimulatory effects seem to be most effective with the exception of those with alpha stimulatory properties. The importance of cardiac stimulation in treating shock is related to the fact that in many forms of shock a decrease in cardiac function is evident. Drugs which effect increases in cardiac performance will increase cardiac output and tissue perfusion. The increased excitability of the heart caused by many of the drugs is a drawback, but compounds such as dopamine seem to have less excitatory effect than does isoproterenol. It may be that vasoconstriction, vasodilation, and cardiac stimulation are all contributory to the alleviation of shock. However, it is important to remember that the use of vasoactive agents must be reserved for those deteriorating shock states in which primary and secondary factors responsible for the initial state have been adequately controlled and only when appropriate methods for judging hemodynamic performance have been instituted.", "contents": "The role of vasoactive agents in shock therapy. Vasoactive agents may have vasoconstrictor, vasodilator, cardiac stimulatory, or combined effects on the cardiovascular system. The intensity or degree of therapeutic effect differs with each agent. Table 1 provides a relative ranking of each discussed compound's effect regarding its ability to produce one or more of the listed effects. The effects of vasoconstrictor drugs such as methoxamine, phenylephrine, and norepinephrine have been generally unfavorable in shock because of the inhibition of tissue perfusion which results from their use. Debate still exists, however, and these agents have been shown to provide some benefit in selected cases. The rationale that shock results at least in part because of intense vasoconstriction has led to the usage of vasodilators in therapy. Currently isoproterenol, a beta adrenergic stimulating agent, is being used to elicit vasodilation in lieu of alpha blockage because the alpha blocking drugs phenoxybenzamine and chlorpromazine have longer, more irreversible effects. The merit of isoproterenol has to be evaluated in light light of its cardiac stimulatory effect. With the current antishock drugs, those which possess cardiac stimulatory effects seem to be most effective with the exception of those with alpha stimulatory properties. The importance of cardiac stimulation in treating shock is related to the fact that in many forms of shock a decrease in cardiac function is evident. Drugs which effect increases in cardiac performance will increase cardiac output and tissue perfusion. The increased excitability of the heart caused by many of the drugs is a drawback, but compounds such as dopamine seem to have less excitatory effect than does isoproterenol. It may be that vasoconstriction, vasodilation, and cardiac stimulation are all contributory to the alleviation of shock. However, it is important to remember that the use of vasoactive agents must be reserved for those deteriorating shock states in which primary and secondary factors responsible for the initial state have been adequately controlled and only when appropriate methods for judging hemodynamic performance have been instituted.", "PMID": 775751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4336", "title": "Salmonellosis in calves due to lactose fermenting Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "A lactose fermenting strain of Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from two calves which died during an outbreak of acute enteritis. The organism was biochemically typical in all other respects. In one calf, uncomplicated by treatment before death, the autopsy findings were those of a severe fibrinous enteritis which was reproduced in another calf dosed orally with culture. Attention is drawn to scattered reports of lactose fermenting salmonelle causing morbidity and mortality in calves and man.", "contents": "Salmonellosis in calves due to lactose fermenting Salmonella typhimurium. A lactose fermenting strain of Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from two calves which died during an outbreak of acute enteritis. The organism was biochemically typical in all other respects. In one calf, uncomplicated by treatment before death, the autopsy findings were those of a severe fibrinous enteritis which was reproduced in another calf dosed orally with culture. Attention is drawn to scattered reports of lactose fermenting salmonelle causing morbidity and mortality in calves and man.", "PMID": 775752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4337", "title": "Nutrition and bone disease in the dog and cat.", "content": "The most commonly encountered nutritional bone disease is nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. This is primarily of importance in the dog but is occasionally seen in kittens, particularly of the Siamese breed, and is often associated with the feeding of owner compiled, meat-rich diets. Classic rickets is now a rare clinical entity. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy is regularly seen in the larger breeds of dog and the aetiology remains obscure. Hypervitaminosis A associated with liver-rich diets is often encountered in the cat. Hypovitaminosis A has been described but its true clinical significance is unknown.", "contents": "Nutrition and bone disease in the dog and cat. The most commonly encountered nutritional bone disease is nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. This is primarily of importance in the dog but is occasionally seen in kittens, particularly of the Siamese breed, and is often associated with the feeding of owner compiled, meat-rich diets. Classic rickets is now a rare clinical entity. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy is regularly seen in the larger breeds of dog and the aetiology remains obscure. Hypervitaminosis A associated with liver-rich diets is often encountered in the cat. Hypovitaminosis A has been described but its true clinical significance is unknown.", "PMID": 775753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4338", "title": "[Comparative study of the protective qualities of some protease inhibitors in the drying of Cl. oedematiens type B toxin].", "content": "A comparative study was carried out on the lethal properties of dry toxins of Clostridium oedematiens Type B obtained by means of salting cultural Seitz-filtrates, containing or lacking protease inhibitors, being dried for 24 and 48 hours at 37 degrees C. It was found that when ammonium sulfate was used for salting, the dry toxins from such filtrates, containing 0.0001 gram% specific soya inhibitor, showed 2 to 300 times higher toxicity than those containing no inhibitor. The addition of 3 per cent normal horse serum to the cultural filtrates of Clostridium oedematiens Type B favoured the production of dry toxins of higher lethal properties. The decrease in the lethal properties of a dry toxin without inhibitor was found to be in a positive correlation with the drying term and the residual moisture of the toxin. When a protease inhibitor was employed the drying term had no effect on the activity of the dry toxins.", "contents": "[Comparative study of the protective qualities of some protease inhibitors in the drying of Cl. oedematiens type B toxin]. A comparative study was carried out on the lethal properties of dry toxins of Clostridium oedematiens Type B obtained by means of salting cultural Seitz-filtrates, containing or lacking protease inhibitors, being dried for 24 and 48 hours at 37 degrees C. It was found that when ammonium sulfate was used for salting, the dry toxins from such filtrates, containing 0.0001 gram% specific soya inhibitor, showed 2 to 300 times higher toxicity than those containing no inhibitor. The addition of 3 per cent normal horse serum to the cultural filtrates of Clostridium oedematiens Type B favoured the production of dry toxins of higher lethal properties. The decrease in the lethal properties of a dry toxin without inhibitor was found to be in a positive correlation with the drying term and the residual moisture of the toxin. When a protease inhibitor was employed the drying term had no effect on the activity of the dry toxins.", "PMID": 775763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4339", "title": "[Hypoglycemic mediastinal tumor].", "content": "A very rarely met case of extrapancreatic hypoglycemic tumor is described, localized in the anterior mediastinum, histologically- a reticulosarcoma. The tumor advanced very rapidly till the exitus. The frequent hypoglycemic crises and comae, when the blood sugar reached to 50 mg% mere overcome by glucose solutions.", "contents": "[Hypoglycemic mediastinal tumor]. A very rarely met case of extrapancreatic hypoglycemic tumor is described, localized in the anterior mediastinum, histologically- a reticulosarcoma. The tumor advanced very rapidly till the exitus. The frequent hypoglycemic crises and comae, when the blood sugar reached to 50 mg% mere overcome by glucose solutions.", "PMID": 775785} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4340", "title": "[131-I capture by the thyroid gland during and after stopping thyrostatic treatment in thyrotoxicosis].", "content": "The accumulation of 131J in the thyroid gland was investigate in dynamics in 31 patients with thyrotoxicosis, treated with mercaptoimidazol (timidazol) for an average of 16 months. The patients were clinically euthyroid, with normal values of the basal metabolism, PBI, PBI131 AND TOTAL THYROXIN IN SERUM. The 131J captation, investigated in the course of a maintaining treatment without discontinuation of thyrostatics, show elevated percentages (55.4 per cent by the 6th hour, 61.3 per cent by the 24th hour), being within the norm only in eight patients. Its average values are significantly lower up to the 6th month post treatment discontinuation and closrm, with only 13 above the norm. Only three of them (10 per cent) developed recidivations till the end of the 9th month after e treatment. The authors concluded that thyrostatics, in maintaining doses, do not block thyroid gland 131J cumulation which in the majority of the cases persisted to be elevated a long time after the discontinuation. Its complete normalization in the later stages speak, most probably, for the development of a lasting remission of thyrotoxicosis.", "contents": "[131-I capture by the thyroid gland during and after stopping thyrostatic treatment in thyrotoxicosis]. The accumulation of 131J in the thyroid gland was investigate in dynamics in 31 patients with thyrotoxicosis, treated with mercaptoimidazol (timidazol) for an average of 16 months. The patients were clinically euthyroid, with normal values of the basal metabolism, PBI, PBI131 AND TOTAL THYROXIN IN SERUM. The 131J captation, investigated in the course of a maintaining treatment without discontinuation of thyrostatics, show elevated percentages (55.4 per cent by the 6th hour, 61.3 per cent by the 24th hour), being within the norm only in eight patients. Its average values are significantly lower up to the 6th month post treatment discontinuation and closrm, with only 13 above the norm. Only three of them (10 per cent) developed recidivations till the end of the 9th month after e treatment. The authors concluded that thyrostatics, in maintaining doses, do not block thyroid gland 131J cumulation which in the majority of the cases persisted to be elevated a long time after the discontinuation. Its complete normalization in the later stages speak, most probably, for the development of a lasting remission of thyrotoxicosis.", "PMID": 775786} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4341", "title": "[Possibility of determining the species of cultured cells by the method of membrane immunofluorescence].", "content": "Different cell cultures were studied in order to determine their species appurtenance by the method of indirect membrane immunofluorescence. A continuous line of rat fibroblast cells previously regarled to be a line of rat derivation was found to belong to primate species. The experimental results show that this method may be used not only for determination of the species appurtenance of in vitro propagated cells but also for detection of additional antigens not associated with their species-specificity.", "contents": "[Possibility of determining the species of cultured cells by the method of membrane immunofluorescence]. Different cell cultures were studied in order to determine their species appurtenance by the method of indirect membrane immunofluorescence. A continuous line of rat fibroblast cells previously regarled to be a line of rat derivation was found to belong to primate species. The experimental results show that this method may be used not only for determination of the species appurtenance of in vitro propagated cells but also for detection of additional antigens not associated with their species-specificity.", "PMID": 775782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4342", "title": "Treatment of trichomonal vaginitis with single dose tinidazole (Fasigyn).", "content": "A new trichomonacidal agent, Tinidazole, (Fasigyn) has been used in a single oral dose of 2 g in 24 patients with very good results. An over-all cure rate of 100% (6 patients) was achieved in in-patients and of 94% 23 out of 24 patients in out-patients. The failures may be attributed to recurrence due to concomitant bacterial infection or to re-infection by a male partner. This regime is therefore strongly recommended as the treatment of choice for Trichomonal vaginalis infection.", "contents": "Treatment of trichomonal vaginitis with single dose tinidazole (Fasigyn). A new trichomonacidal agent, Tinidazole, (Fasigyn) has been used in a single oral dose of 2 g in 24 patients with very good results. An over-all cure rate of 100% (6 patients) was achieved in in-patients and of 94% 23 out of 24 patients in out-patients. The failures may be attributed to recurrence due to concomitant bacterial infection or to re-infection by a male partner. This regime is therefore strongly recommended as the treatment of choice for Trichomonal vaginalis infection.", "PMID": 775789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4343", "title": "Toxigenic Escherichia coli and childhood diarrhea.", "content": "Stool specimens were examined from 40 children with diarrhea who were under three years of age to determine the incidence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in endemic diarrhea. Heat-labile E. coli enterotoxin was assayed in the very sensitive and reproducible cultured adrenal tumor cell system. Toxigenic E. coli were isolated from only one stool specimen and in this case infection with Shigella dysenteriae was also present. None of the eight classic enteropathogenic E. coli isolates were positive in the adrenal assay. This study suggests that heat-labile enterotoxin-producing E. coli are not an important cause of endemic childhood diarrhea in Southern California.", "contents": "Toxigenic Escherichia coli and childhood diarrhea. Stool specimens were examined from 40 children with diarrhea who were under three years of age to determine the incidence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in endemic diarrhea. Heat-labile E. coli enterotoxin was assayed in the very sensitive and reproducible cultured adrenal tumor cell system. Toxigenic E. coli were isolated from only one stool specimen and in this case infection with Shigella dysenteriae was also present. None of the eight classic enteropathogenic E. coli isolates were positive in the adrenal assay. This study suggests that heat-labile enterotoxin-producing E. coli are not an important cause of endemic childhood diarrhea in Southern California.", "PMID": 775792} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4344", "title": "[Local therapy of extensive severe burns: an illustrative review (author's transl)].", "content": "Apart from improvements in general management, the implementation of modern local therapy of burns, including topical chemotherapy and early surgical coverage of the burned surface, has significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality of severely burned patients. Furthermore, the average time of hospitalization has decreased (for example: 3rd degree burn, 60% of body surface involved, hospitalization in 1953: 11 months; in 1974: 5 1/2 months) and the rehabilitation period has also been shortened. This paper deals with current management at this department in respect to the local treatment of extensive 3rd degree burns. Special consideration is given to the different possibilities of wound closure and their indications, to therapeutic problems inherent in the special localization of certain burns and to the importance of physical therapy for early rehabilitation. In severe burns additional injuries should be considered and excluded by careful examination.", "contents": "[Local therapy of extensive severe burns: an illustrative review (author's transl)]. Apart from improvements in general management, the implementation of modern local therapy of burns, including topical chemotherapy and early surgical coverage of the burned surface, has significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality of severely burned patients. Furthermore, the average time of hospitalization has decreased (for example: 3rd degree burn, 60% of body surface involved, hospitalization in 1953: 11 months; in 1974: 5 1/2 months) and the rehabilitation period has also been shortened. This paper deals with current management at this department in respect to the local treatment of extensive 3rd degree burns. Special consideration is given to the different possibilities of wound closure and their indications, to therapeutic problems inherent in the special localization of certain burns and to the importance of physical therapy for early rehabilitation. In severe burns additional injuries should be considered and excluded by careful examination.", "PMID": 775796} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4345", "title": "[The isoenzyme pattern of serum alkaline phosphatase in patients on intermittent haemodialysis and kidney transplant recipients (author's transl)].", "content": "The total activity and the isoenzyme fractions of alkaline phosphatase were determined in the serum of 15 patients on intermittent haemodialysis and 32 kidney transplant recipients. The isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatase were separated by polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. It was apparent that the increased activity of serum alkaline phosphatase in these patients was not limited to a distinct isoenzyme fraction. 5 of the 15 dialysis patients and 19 (59%) of the 32 kidney transplant patients showed a bone-type isoenzyme pattern. The possible causes for the presence of a bone-type alkaline phosphatase pattern are discussed. The fractionation of alkaline phosphatase gives a valuable indication as to the organ of origin of the particular fraction and is also of diagnostic value when the total activity of alkaline phosphatase lies within the normal range.", "contents": "[The isoenzyme pattern of serum alkaline phosphatase in patients on intermittent haemodialysis and kidney transplant recipients (author's transl)]. The total activity and the isoenzyme fractions of alkaline phosphatase were determined in the serum of 15 patients on intermittent haemodialysis and 32 kidney transplant recipients. The isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatase were separated by polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. It was apparent that the increased activity of serum alkaline phosphatase in these patients was not limited to a distinct isoenzyme fraction. 5 of the 15 dialysis patients and 19 (59%) of the 32 kidney transplant patients showed a bone-type isoenzyme pattern. The possible causes for the presence of a bone-type alkaline phosphatase pattern are discussed. The fractionation of alkaline phosphatase gives a valuable indication as to the organ of origin of the particular fraction and is also of diagnostic value when the total activity of alkaline phosphatase lies within the normal range.", "PMID": 775797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4346", "title": "[Disturbances of lipid metabolism following renal transplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "The serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and the lipoprotein electrophoretic pattern were investigated in 33 kidney transplant recipients. These patients showed elevated serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in comparison with a group of healthy control subjects. Lipoprotein electrophoresis showed a predomination of types II a, II b and IV, according to Frederickson. The causes of the disturbances in lipid metabolism are discussed. There is a definite risk of cardiovascular disease in kidney transplant patients as a consequence of the altered lipid metabolism.", "contents": "[Disturbances of lipid metabolism following renal transplantation (author's transl)]. The serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and the lipoprotein electrophoretic pattern were investigated in 33 kidney transplant recipients. These patients showed elevated serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in comparison with a group of healthy control subjects. Lipoprotein electrophoresis showed a predomination of types II a, II b and IV, according to Frederickson. The causes of the disturbances in lipid metabolism are discussed. There is a definite risk of cardiovascular disease in kidney transplant patients as a consequence of the altered lipid metabolism.", "PMID": 775798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4347", "title": "[Some aspects of biological membranes: concepts and techniques (author's transl)].", "content": "Some of the abundant data on the structure of biological membranes are compiled in this short review, with particular emphasis on morphological techniques. The \"fluid mosaic\" model of biological membranes has rapidly gained importance as the fundamental concept. According to this model, protein particles swim in a lipid bilayer, whose molecules are ordered with their hydrophilic end outside and their hydrophobic tail inside the membrane. Proteins are spatially stabilized and actively moved by a submembranous net of fibrillar proteins. Information about the orientation of protein molecules within the bilayer is obtained by protein labelling with membrane impermeable compounds and subsequent gel-electrophoretic separation of the solubilized components. Freeze etching brings to light intramembranous particles which are probably segments of the membrane proteins that stand out from the plane of the split hydrophobic membrane interface. By this method the morphology of cell contacts, for example, can be analyzed and comprehended at a supramolecular level. Special techniques such as observation of both matching sites of the split membrane halves or deep etching (whereby the actual surface of membrane is exposed) may provide further valuable contributions to the rapidly expanding field of membranology.", "contents": "[Some aspects of biological membranes: concepts and techniques (author's transl)]. Some of the abundant data on the structure of biological membranes are compiled in this short review, with particular emphasis on morphological techniques. The \"fluid mosaic\" model of biological membranes has rapidly gained importance as the fundamental concept. According to this model, protein particles swim in a lipid bilayer, whose molecules are ordered with their hydrophilic end outside and their hydrophobic tail inside the membrane. Proteins are spatially stabilized and actively moved by a submembranous net of fibrillar proteins. Information about the orientation of protein molecules within the bilayer is obtained by protein labelling with membrane impermeable compounds and subsequent gel-electrophoretic separation of the solubilized components. Freeze etching brings to light intramembranous particles which are probably segments of the membrane proteins that stand out from the plane of the split hydrophobic membrane interface. By this method the morphology of cell contacts, for example, can be analyzed and comprehended at a supramolecular level. Special techniques such as observation of both matching sites of the split membrane halves or deep etching (whereby the actual surface of membrane is exposed) may provide further valuable contributions to the rapidly expanding field of membranology.", "PMID": 775799} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4348", "title": "[New methods in cytogenetic diagnosis (author's transl)].", "content": "Several different methods for identifying human chromosomes were developed over the past years. These methods include fluorescence techniques using quinacrine mustard, acridine orange or Hoechst 33 258 and special methods using Giemsa staining. Studies on replication of chromosomes were greatly improved by using BUdR labelling.", "contents": "[New methods in cytogenetic diagnosis (author's transl)]. Several different methods for identifying human chromosomes were developed over the past years. These methods include fluorescence techniques using quinacrine mustard, acridine orange or Hoechst 33 258 and special methods using Giemsa staining. Studies on replication of chromosomes were greatly improved by using BUdR labelling.", "PMID": 775800} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4349", "title": "[Heterologous fibrinogen for tissue adhesion. immunological and histological investigations (author's transl)].", "content": "The immunological reactions of heterologous fibrin were investigated in a sensitive experimental system. In 10 rabbits autologous full-thickness skin grafts were glued with bovine fibrinogen cryoprecipitate. 5 of these animals had been immunized against this adhesive before transplantation. In a control group the graft was fixed with homologous fibrinogen cryoprecipitate. Examination of the sera of the animals for antibodies against fibrinogen was performed before immunization, 1 day prior to and 14 days after skin grafting. 14 days after skin adhesion all grafted areas were examined by histological methods. In the group without preoperative immunization antibodies were found against fibrinogen. The skin graft healed in this series in the same manner as in the sham group. In the series with preoperative immunization the glued skin graft was discharged early and the healing procedure of the defect was retarded.", "contents": "[Heterologous fibrinogen for tissue adhesion. immunological and histological investigations (author's transl)]. The immunological reactions of heterologous fibrin were investigated in a sensitive experimental system. In 10 rabbits autologous full-thickness skin grafts were glued with bovine fibrinogen cryoprecipitate. 5 of these animals had been immunized against this adhesive before transplantation. In a control group the graft was fixed with homologous fibrinogen cryoprecipitate. Examination of the sera of the animals for antibodies against fibrinogen was performed before immunization, 1 day prior to and 14 days after skin grafting. 14 days after skin adhesion all grafted areas were examined by histological methods. In the group without preoperative immunization antibodies were found against fibrinogen. The skin graft healed in this series in the same manner as in the sham group. In the series with preoperative immunization the glued skin graft was discharged early and the healing procedure of the defect was retarded.", "PMID": 775801} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4350", "title": "[Lung functions after single-lung homotransplantation in dogs (author's transl)].", "content": "Unilateral homotransplantation of the lung was performed in ten healthy mongrel dogs. Assessment of pulmonary function was obtained immediately after transplantation ten days and four weeks postoperatively. A conventional endotracheal tube was used for measurement of total lung function. A special tube was deviced for bronchospirometric measurements in dogs. A moderate increase of tidal volume and marked increase of respiratory rate and minute ventilation could be noted immediately after transplantation. Oxygen consumption was not changed significantly. There was a marked decrease in arterial pO2-level following transplantation, which was improved during the follow-up studies and found within normal limits at the tenth postoperative day. Bronchospirometry immediately following transplantation revealed equal ventilation values of both lungs, but oxygen consumption of the transplant was reduced 50% compared to the recipient's own lung. On the tenth postoperative day ventilatory function of the transplant was found close to that of the recipients own lung. Oxygen consumption in respiratory equivalent at this time averaged two thirds of the animal's own lung. Four weeks following transplantation no further significant change of respiratory function could be noted.", "contents": "[Lung functions after single-lung homotransplantation in dogs (author's transl)]. Unilateral homotransplantation of the lung was performed in ten healthy mongrel dogs. Assessment of pulmonary function was obtained immediately after transplantation ten days and four weeks postoperatively. A conventional endotracheal tube was used for measurement of total lung function. A special tube was deviced for bronchospirometric measurements in dogs. A moderate increase of tidal volume and marked increase of respiratory rate and minute ventilation could be noted immediately after transplantation. Oxygen consumption was not changed significantly. There was a marked decrease in arterial pO2-level following transplantation, which was improved during the follow-up studies and found within normal limits at the tenth postoperative day. Bronchospirometry immediately following transplantation revealed equal ventilation values of both lungs, but oxygen consumption of the transplant was reduced 50% compared to the recipient's own lung. On the tenth postoperative day ventilatory function of the transplant was found close to that of the recipients own lung. Oxygen consumption in respiratory equivalent at this time averaged two thirds of the animal's own lung. Four weeks following transplantation no further significant change of respiratory function could be noted.", "PMID": 775802} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4351", "title": "[Kinetoplast of the flagellate crithidia luciliae: a suitable substrate for the detection of antibodies to native, double-stranded DNA in the indirect immuno-fluorescence test (author's transl)].", "content": "Sera from 29 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 60 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, 34 of myasthenia gravis (MG), 10 of scleroderma and 20 control sera were investigated for the occurrence of antibodies to native, double-stranded (ds) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). An immunofluorescence procedure recently elaborated by Aarden and coworkers, which utilizes the kinetoplast of the hemoflagellate Crithidia luciliae as substrate, was employed. In this kinetoplast, native, ds-DNA is concentrated as a single large network. Antibodies reacting with kinetoplasts were restricted to the SLE group, with the exception of one MG serum which also exhibited a distinct kinetoplast fluorescence. The antibody activity of the SLE sera could be completely inhibited by small amounts of DNA and abolished by deoxyribonuclease treatment of the substrate. These findings underline the specificity of the test system for anti-ds-DNA antibodies and the high disease-specificity of these antibodies for SLE. With respect to its ease and speed of performance this highly reliable and specific flagellate test surpasses other known tests for the detection of anti-ds-DNA antibodies.", "contents": "[Kinetoplast of the flagellate crithidia luciliae: a suitable substrate for the detection of antibodies to native, double-stranded DNA in the indirect immuno-fluorescence test (author's transl)]. Sera from 29 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 60 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, 34 of myasthenia gravis (MG), 10 of scleroderma and 20 control sera were investigated for the occurrence of antibodies to native, double-stranded (ds) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). An immunofluorescence procedure recently elaborated by Aarden and coworkers, which utilizes the kinetoplast of the hemoflagellate Crithidia luciliae as substrate, was employed. In this kinetoplast, native, ds-DNA is concentrated as a single large network. Antibodies reacting with kinetoplasts were restricted to the SLE group, with the exception of one MG serum which also exhibited a distinct kinetoplast fluorescence. The antibody activity of the SLE sera could be completely inhibited by small amounts of DNA and abolished by deoxyribonuclease treatment of the substrate. These findings underline the specificity of the test system for anti-ds-DNA antibodies and the high disease-specificity of these antibodies for SLE. With respect to its ease and speed of performance this highly reliable and specific flagellate test surpasses other known tests for the detection of anti-ds-DNA antibodies.", "PMID": 775803} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4352", "title": "[Extracorporeal lung perfusion in experimental canine lung transplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "The present paper describes a simple method for the extracorporeal hypothermic perfusion of isolated lungs during the experimental lung transplantation in the dog. Two different solutions were used: sodium chloride-solution and Dextran-electrolyte-solution. The temperature of the perfused lung falls to 14 degrees C. The water-content is significantly increased by using the sodium chloride-solution, it is slightly increased after perfusion with Dextran-electrolyte solution. The total phospholipid-content is decreased in lungs perfused with sodium chloride-solution, it is significantly increased in lungs perfused with Dextran-electrolyte-solution.", "contents": "[Extracorporeal lung perfusion in experimental canine lung transplantation (author's transl)]. The present paper describes a simple method for the extracorporeal hypothermic perfusion of isolated lungs during the experimental lung transplantation in the dog. Two different solutions were used: sodium chloride-solution and Dextran-electrolyte-solution. The temperature of the perfused lung falls to 14 degrees C. The water-content is significantly increased by using the sodium chloride-solution, it is slightly increased after perfusion with Dextran-electrolyte solution. The total phospholipid-content is decreased in lungs perfused with sodium chloride-solution, it is significantly increased in lungs perfused with Dextran-electrolyte-solution.", "PMID": 775814} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4353", "title": "[Bilateral abscessing coil-pneumonia with aspergillus-superinfection and unknown metastasing bronchial carcinoma (author's transl)].", "content": "A report on a 43-years old patient who fell ill with a bilateral abscessing coli-pneumonia with secondary aspergillus settlement. After a 10-week treatment with a continuous progression of the lung lesions the patient died of a respiratory insufficiency. At autopsy a multilocular metastasing squamous cell carcinoma has been found in both upper lobes of the lungs as the primary disease.", "contents": "[Bilateral abscessing coil-pneumonia with aspergillus-superinfection and unknown metastasing bronchial carcinoma (author's transl)]. A report on a 43-years old patient who fell ill with a bilateral abscessing coli-pneumonia with secondary aspergillus settlement. After a 10-week treatment with a continuous progression of the lung lesions the patient died of a respiratory insufficiency. At autopsy a multilocular metastasing squamous cell carcinoma has been found in both upper lobes of the lungs as the primary disease.", "PMID": 775815} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4354", "title": "[The so-called \"benign gonoccocal sepsis\"].", "content": "Five female patients with benign gonococcal sepsis were seen during the second half of 1974. All cases presented the typical clinical triad of fever, arthralgias and characteristic skin lesions, the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of which could be best classified as superficial vasculitis. Skin biopsies were taken from 3 patients and the histopathological findings are discussed in detail. Genital symptoms were slight or absent, and only very few gonococci could be detected in stained smears from genital sites. However, Neisseria gonorrhoeae could be cultured without difficulty from the genitourinary tract in all cases, while cultures from blood and skin lesions were sterile. In fresh pustules gonococci could be demonstrated by immunofluorescence in 2 cases. The complement-fixation-test is regarded as a useful supplementary diagnostic procedure.", "contents": "[The so-called \"benign gonoccocal sepsis\"]. Five female patients with benign gonococcal sepsis were seen during the second half of 1974. All cases presented the typical clinical triad of fever, arthralgias and characteristic skin lesions, the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of which could be best classified as superficial vasculitis. Skin biopsies were taken from 3 patients and the histopathological findings are discussed in detail. Genital symptoms were slight or absent, and only very few gonococci could be detected in stained smears from genital sites. However, Neisseria gonorrhoeae could be cultured without difficulty from the genitourinary tract in all cases, while cultures from blood and skin lesions were sterile. In fresh pustules gonococci could be demonstrated by immunofluorescence in 2 cases. The complement-fixation-test is regarded as a useful supplementary diagnostic procedure.", "PMID": 775819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4355", "title": "[Comparative studies on the detection of Y-chromatin in native and formalin-fixed tissue or organ material (author's transl)].", "content": "Frequency of detectable Y-bodies in interphase nuclei after mepacrin staining of paraffin embedded formalin-fixed tissue was compared with those of cryostat sections of the native material and organ smears with and without formalin fixing. In formalin fixed smears from males 42--70% of investigated cells showed the Y-body. Sections of formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded male organs demonstrated in 12--24% of their cells the typical fluorescence for the Y-chromatin. High significantly less fluorescent Y-like bodies were found in smears and sections of all proofed organs from women prepared in the same manner. Mepacrin staining in combination with investigation of Barr-bodies permits a fast determination of sex of both organ smears and sections, too.", "contents": "[Comparative studies on the detection of Y-chromatin in native and formalin-fixed tissue or organ material (author's transl)]. Frequency of detectable Y-bodies in interphase nuclei after mepacrin staining of paraffin embedded formalin-fixed tissue was compared with those of cryostat sections of the native material and organ smears with and without formalin fixing. In formalin fixed smears from males 42--70% of investigated cells showed the Y-body. Sections of formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded male organs demonstrated in 12--24% of their cells the typical fluorescence for the Y-chromatin. High significantly less fluorescent Y-like bodies were found in smears and sections of all proofed organs from women prepared in the same manner. Mepacrin staining in combination with investigation of Barr-bodies permits a fast determination of sex of both organ smears and sections, too.", "PMID": 775860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4356", "title": "Influence of E. COLI POLysaccharide on the interaction of E. coli K+ and K- with polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro.", "content": "Both a K+ strain and a K- strain of E. coli withstand phagocytic killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and do not stimulate the respiratory burst, that accompanies phagocytosis in these cells, as compared with E. coli J 53 which are extensively and rapidly killed and stimulate the respiration of leukocytes. Both K+ and K- E. coli become readily phagocytosable after removal of their polysaccharide by heat treatment and are able to stimulate oxygen consumption by PMN. Heat treated E. coli J 53 stimulate the oxygen uptake of PMN less than live E. coli J 53. The polysaccharide extracted from either K+ or K- E. coli inhibits both phagocytosis of and the respiration stimulated by all the three heat-treated strains used. Instead the polysaccharide extracted from the phagocytosable strain J 53 stimulates the oxygen consumption of PMN exposed to the heat treated K- strain or heat treated J 53 itself.", "contents": "Influence of E. COLI POLysaccharide on the interaction of E. coli K+ and K- with polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro. Both a K+ strain and a K- strain of E. coli withstand phagocytic killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and do not stimulate the respiratory burst, that accompanies phagocytosis in these cells, as compared with E. coli J 53 which are extensively and rapidly killed and stimulate the respiration of leukocytes. Both K+ and K- E. coli become readily phagocytosable after removal of their polysaccharide by heat treatment and are able to stimulate oxygen consumption by PMN. Heat treated E. coli J 53 stimulate the oxygen uptake of PMN less than live E. coli J 53. The polysaccharide extracted from either K+ or K- E. coli inhibits both phagocytosis of and the respiration stimulated by all the three heat-treated strains used. Instead the polysaccharide extracted from the phagocytosable strain J 53 stimulates the oxygen consumption of PMN exposed to the heat treated K- strain or heat treated J 53 itself.", "PMID": 775863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4357", "title": "[The fecal flora of man. IV. Communication: Comparison of the newly developed method with the old conventional method for the analysis of intestinal flora (author's transl)].", "content": "The results of 42 fecal flora analysis of healthy adult men were compared by using a newly developed method and an old conventional method. Statistical estimate indicate, that with the new method the total counts and the counts of bifidobacteria, catenabacteria (eubacteria and anaerobic lactobacilli), peptostreptococci, and clostridia (except Cl. perfringens) as well as the occurences of peptostreptococci and spirillaceae were significant higher than with the use of the old method. On the other hand the counts and occurences of bifidobacteria, veillonellae, Cl. perfringens, Megasphaerae and aerobes were similar with both method. With the new method the total counts of feces of healthy adult men nubmered 1-2 X 10(11) per g wet weight, and fastidious anaerobes, such as bacteroides, catenabacteria and peptostreptococci, were always occurred as predominant flora. The results suggest that the conventional anaerobic jar method is inadequate for the isolation of fastidiuos anaerobes and indicate that the use of modified medium 10 in combination with strict anaerobic technique is necessary for the analysis of fecal flora.", "contents": "[The fecal flora of man. IV. Communication: Comparison of the newly developed method with the old conventional method for the analysis of intestinal flora (author's transl)]. The results of 42 fecal flora analysis of healthy adult men were compared by using a newly developed method and an old conventional method. Statistical estimate indicate, that with the new method the total counts and the counts of bifidobacteria, catenabacteria (eubacteria and anaerobic lactobacilli), peptostreptococci, and clostridia (except Cl. perfringens) as well as the occurences of peptostreptococci and spirillaceae were significant higher than with the use of the old method. On the other hand the counts and occurences of bifidobacteria, veillonellae, Cl. perfringens, Megasphaerae and aerobes were similar with both method. With the new method the total counts of feces of healthy adult men nubmered 1-2 X 10(11) per g wet weight, and fastidious anaerobes, such as bacteroides, catenabacteria and peptostreptococci, were always occurred as predominant flora. The results suggest that the conventional anaerobic jar method is inadequate for the isolation of fastidiuos anaerobes and indicate that the use of modified medium 10 in combination with strict anaerobic technique is necessary for the analysis of fecal flora.", "PMID": 775864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4358", "title": "[Comparative studies on the antimicrobial activity of alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes (author's transl)].", "content": "A number of alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes were tested under standardized conditions for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeast, fungi, spores and mycobacteria. It was found that the germistatic activity of the unbranched compounds is some what better than that of the branched ones. The germicidal activity is significantly depending on the structure of the aldehydes, alpha-alkyl substituted compounds showing the best results. Compounds with high activity and a broad activity spectrum are 2-ethyl-hexen-2al, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-hexen-2-al and 2-propyl-hepten-2-al, these compounds are specially active against spores and mycobacteria.", "contents": "[Comparative studies on the antimicrobial activity of alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes (author's transl)]. A number of alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes were tested under standardized conditions for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeast, fungi, spores and mycobacteria. It was found that the germistatic activity of the unbranched compounds is some what better than that of the branched ones. The germicidal activity is significantly depending on the structure of the aldehydes, alpha-alkyl substituted compounds showing the best results. Compounds with high activity and a broad activity spectrum are 2-ethyl-hexen-2al, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-hexen-2-al and 2-propyl-hepten-2-al, these compounds are specially active against spores and mycobacteria.", "PMID": 775865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4359", "title": "Changes in blood coagulation due to pancreas transplantation in dogs.", "content": "Blood coagulation was studied in the course of 11 pancreatectomies and 7 pancreas transplantations. Comparison of the postoperative changes in the fibrinogen level suggests the important role of the normal pancreas in fibrinogen generation. Investigation of the indices of the coagulation and fibrinolytic system revealed in the post-transplantation period a shift in the activity of the coagulation indices towards hypercoagulability. The increased fibrinogen level, the inhibited fibrinolysis and the elevated activity of the coagulation factors are assumed to be responsible for the high incidence of thrombotic complications associated with transplantation of the pancreas.", "contents": "Changes in blood coagulation due to pancreas transplantation in dogs. Blood coagulation was studied in the course of 11 pancreatectomies and 7 pancreas transplantations. Comparison of the postoperative changes in the fibrinogen level suggests the important role of the normal pancreas in fibrinogen generation. Investigation of the indices of the coagulation and fibrinolytic system revealed in the post-transplantation period a shift in the activity of the coagulation indices towards hypercoagulability. The increased fibrinogen level, the inhibited fibrinolysis and the elevated activity of the coagulation factors are assumed to be responsible for the high incidence of thrombotic complications associated with transplantation of the pancreas.", "PMID": 775866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4360", "title": "[Management of experimental heart injuries].", "content": "Treatment of 28 stabbed heart wounds in 15 dogs was done with traditional suturing or by means of an adhesive and Surgicel. The combination of Surgicel with adhesive ensured adequate closure of the wound and healing. The method is recommended for the treatment of human heart injuries in certain cases.", "contents": "[Management of experimental heart injuries]. Treatment of 28 stabbed heart wounds in 15 dogs was done with traditional suturing or by means of an adhesive and Surgicel. The combination of Surgicel with adhesive ensured adequate closure of the wound and healing. The method is recommended for the treatment of human heart injuries in certain cases.", "PMID": 775867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4361", "title": "[Enzyme-histochemical studies of ischemic damage to the pancreaticoduodenal graft ready for transplantation in the dog].", "content": "The ischaemic lesion of the pancreaticoduodenal graft prepared for transplantation was studied by enzyme histochemical methods. Estimation of lactate dehydrogenase, non-specific acid and alkaline phosphatases and esterases and of glucose-6-phosphatase pancreas. While in the pancreas, lesions due to warm ischaemia will appear after one hour, the same can be observed in the duodenum after 30 minutes and in both organs the lesions progress rapidly. Lesions resulting from cold effects appear in the pancreas after three hours and remain unchanged for 15 to 18 hours, while in the duodenum they will appear after one hour and deteriorate considerably after three hours. Continuous perfusion for more than 30 minutes or the glucose perfusion test performed after cold ischaemia of more than two hours duration considerably affected the enzymes of the organs.", "contents": "[Enzyme-histochemical studies of ischemic damage to the pancreaticoduodenal graft ready for transplantation in the dog]. The ischaemic lesion of the pancreaticoduodenal graft prepared for transplantation was studied by enzyme histochemical methods. Estimation of lactate dehydrogenase, non-specific acid and alkaline phosphatases and esterases and of glucose-6-phosphatase pancreas. While in the pancreas, lesions due to warm ischaemia will appear after one hour, the same can be observed in the duodenum after 30 minutes and in both organs the lesions progress rapidly. Lesions resulting from cold effects appear in the pancreas after three hours and remain unchanged for 15 to 18 hours, while in the duodenum they will appear after one hour and deteriorate considerably after three hours. Continuous perfusion for more than 30 minutes or the glucose perfusion test performed after cold ischaemia of more than two hours duration considerably affected the enzymes of the organs.", "PMID": 775868} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4362", "title": "Modulation of pituitary responses to synthetic LH-RH by gonadal steroids in women with secondary amenorrhoea.", "content": "LH-RH stimulation tests were performed on two successive days in 25 women with secondary amenorrhoea of probable hypothalamic origin by intravenous injection of 150 mug of synthetic LH-RH. The patients were selected by exclusion of definite pituitary or ovarian disease and in the absence of clinical or laboratory evidence of androgen excess. Five women received successive LH-RH stimulation tests only without administration of steroid hormone. Twenty women were treated with gonadal steroids in addition to the double LH-RH stimulation test by intramuscular injection of the steroid 4 h after the first LH-RH injection. Of these 20, 9 received oestradiol (Oe2), 5 received progesterone (P) and 6 received Oe2 + P. Gonadotrophin responses to LH-RH in successive tests without steroid were not significantly different. Oe2 or P alone each produced suppression of LH and FSH responses to LH-RH in the second test as compared to the first. Combined Oe2 + P produced augmentation or suppression of the second gonadotrophin responses depending on the dose of Oe2 administered. The results demonstrate a direct effect of oestrogen or progesterone alone and in combination on the pituitary responsiveness to LH-RH. The effect of the combined steroids can be modified by variation in the oestrogen: progesterone ratio.", "contents": "Modulation of pituitary responses to synthetic LH-RH by gonadal steroids in women with secondary amenorrhoea. LH-RH stimulation tests were performed on two successive days in 25 women with secondary amenorrhoea of probable hypothalamic origin by intravenous injection of 150 mug of synthetic LH-RH. The patients were selected by exclusion of definite pituitary or ovarian disease and in the absence of clinical or laboratory evidence of androgen excess. Five women received successive LH-RH stimulation tests only without administration of steroid hormone. Twenty women were treated with gonadal steroids in addition to the double LH-RH stimulation test by intramuscular injection of the steroid 4 h after the first LH-RH injection. Of these 20, 9 received oestradiol (Oe2), 5 received progesterone (P) and 6 received Oe2 + P. Gonadotrophin responses to LH-RH in successive tests without steroid were not significantly different. Oe2 or P alone each produced suppression of LH and FSH responses to LH-RH in the second test as compared to the first. Combined Oe2 + P produced augmentation or suppression of the second gonadotrophin responses depending on the dose of Oe2 administered. The results demonstrate a direct effect of oestrogen or progesterone alone and in combination on the pituitary responsiveness to LH-RH. The effect of the combined steroids can be modified by variation in the oestrogen: progesterone ratio.", "PMID": 775872} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4363", "title": "Secretin-induced insulin response. I. Cubital insulin concentration in normal, obese and pancreatectomized patients, including portal insulin concentration in normals after secretin.", "content": "Intravenous injection of the gastro-intestinal hormone secretin elicits an increase in the insulin concentration in the cubital vein. In 10 normal weight non-diabetics and 10 obese non-diabetics the latter group gave a hypernormal insulin response. By the simultaneous determination of the insulin concentration in the cubital and portal veins and also by an investigation of 2 pancreatectomized patients, it was demonstrated that an increase in the cubital insulin concentration following intravenous injection of secretin was due to an altered secretion from the pancreas and not to an altered elimination of insulin.", "contents": "Secretin-induced insulin response. I. Cubital insulin concentration in normal, obese and pancreatectomized patients, including portal insulin concentration in normals after secretin. Intravenous injection of the gastro-intestinal hormone secretin elicits an increase in the insulin concentration in the cubital vein. In 10 normal weight non-diabetics and 10 obese non-diabetics the latter group gave a hypernormal insulin response. By the simultaneous determination of the insulin concentration in the cubital and portal veins and also by an investigation of 2 pancreatectomized patients, it was demonstrated that an increase in the cubital insulin concentration following intravenous injection of secretin was due to an altered secretion from the pancreas and not to an altered elimination of insulin.", "PMID": 775873} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4364", "title": "Secretin-induced insulin response. II. Dose-response relation.", "content": "Twenty-four patients--5 normals, 5 obese subjects, 9 normal weight maturity-onset diabetics and 5 obese maturity-onset diabetics--were subjected to stimulation with the gastro-intestinal hormone secretin (GIH, Stockholm, Sweden). Secretin was administered by rapid intravenous injection 6 times every 30 min in doses increasing from 0.9-90 pmol/kg body weight. Radioimmunological insulin assay and blood glucose determination were carried out. The secretin-induced maximum insulin response rose in all groups with increasing doses. D50 (16 pmol/kg body weight) was identical in all 4 groups. Thus, the diabetic B cells exhibited the same sensitivity to secretin as the normals. Obese subjects already showed a significant insulin response after 0.9 pmol secretin/kg, whereas the response of normal weight subjects did not rise until the dose was 3.6 pmol/kg. This, combined with the normal D50, indicates an increased B cell mass in obese subjects.", "contents": "Secretin-induced insulin response. II. Dose-response relation. Twenty-four patients--5 normals, 5 obese subjects, 9 normal weight maturity-onset diabetics and 5 obese maturity-onset diabetics--were subjected to stimulation with the gastro-intestinal hormone secretin (GIH, Stockholm, Sweden). Secretin was administered by rapid intravenous injection 6 times every 30 min in doses increasing from 0.9-90 pmol/kg body weight. Radioimmunological insulin assay and blood glucose determination were carried out. The secretin-induced maximum insulin response rose in all groups with increasing doses. D50 (16 pmol/kg body weight) was identical in all 4 groups. Thus, the diabetic B cells exhibited the same sensitivity to secretin as the normals. Obese subjects already showed a significant insulin response after 0.9 pmol secretin/kg, whereas the response of normal weight subjects did not rise until the dose was 3.6 pmol/kg. This, combined with the normal D50, indicates an increased B cell mass in obese subjects.", "PMID": 775874} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4365", "title": "Long-term effects of a low extracellular glucose concentration on glucose metabolism and insulin biosynthesis and release of mouse pancreatic islets maintained in tissue culture.", "content": "In order to study the long-term effects of a low extracellular glucose concentration on the metabolism and insulin production of the pancreatic B-cells a tissue culture system was applied in which isolated mouse pancreatic islets were maintained for 1 week in vitro at a glucose concentration of 0.6 mg/ml. Short-term experiments at the end of the culture period showed that both the oxygen uptake and the glucose oxidation were depressed but could be stimulated by increasing the glucose concentration of the incubation medium. Although incorporation of [3H]leucine into proinsulin and insulin was markedly depressed it could still be enhanced by increasing the glucose concentration of the incubation medium. By contrast, the insulin release could not be stimulated with glucose alone but with glucose plus theophylline a subnormal stimulation was achieved. The insulin response to glucose was, however, maintained when the glucose concentration of the culture medium was equal to or above 0.75 mg/ml. Similarly, the glucose sensitivity of the low-glucose cultured B-cells could be restored by raising the glucose concentration of the culture medium to 1.1 or 3.0 mg/ml during the last 2 days of culture. The results suggest that the insulin biosynthesis remains sensitive to glucose even when islets have been previously exposed to a low-glucose concentration for a prolonged period of time. The observations also support the view that the impaired insulin release in response to glucose observed during fasting reflects a lack of glycaemic stimulus to the B-cell.", "contents": "Long-term effects of a low extracellular glucose concentration on glucose metabolism and insulin biosynthesis and release of mouse pancreatic islets maintained in tissue culture. In order to study the long-term effects of a low extracellular glucose concentration on the metabolism and insulin production of the pancreatic B-cells a tissue culture system was applied in which isolated mouse pancreatic islets were maintained for 1 week in vitro at a glucose concentration of 0.6 mg/ml. Short-term experiments at the end of the culture period showed that both the oxygen uptake and the glucose oxidation were depressed but could be stimulated by increasing the glucose concentration of the incubation medium. Although incorporation of [3H]leucine into proinsulin and insulin was markedly depressed it could still be enhanced by increasing the glucose concentration of the incubation medium. By contrast, the insulin release could not be stimulated with glucose alone but with glucose plus theophylline a subnormal stimulation was achieved. The insulin response to glucose was, however, maintained when the glucose concentration of the culture medium was equal to or above 0.75 mg/ml. Similarly, the glucose sensitivity of the low-glucose cultured B-cells could be restored by raising the glucose concentration of the culture medium to 1.1 or 3.0 mg/ml during the last 2 days of culture. The results suggest that the insulin biosynthesis remains sensitive to glucose even when islets have been previously exposed to a low-glucose concentration for a prolonged period of time. The observations also support the view that the impaired insulin release in response to glucose observed during fasting reflects a lack of glycaemic stimulus to the B-cell.", "PMID": 775875} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4366", "title": "Toxoplasma cysts in vaginal smears.", "content": "Toxoplasma cysts in vaginal smears in women have been found. Exact identification of these cysts is of the greatest importance in order to avoid false positive diagnosis for cancer. From the epidemiological point of view, this finding supports the theory of transmission from cysts located in the female genital tract.", "contents": "Toxoplasma cysts in vaginal smears. Toxoplasma cysts in vaginal smears in women have been found. Exact identification of these cysts is of the greatest importance in order to avoid false positive diagnosis for cancer. From the epidemiological point of view, this finding supports the theory of transmission from cysts located in the female genital tract.", "PMID": 775871} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4367", "title": "Response to pentagastrin in Man. IV. Dose-response characteristics.", "content": "An analysis has been made of the gastric response of 7 individuals to a set of 5 dose rates of pentagastrin, given on different days or in sequence on the same day, in order to identify constraints on the use of secretory data in determining 'kinetic constants', such as ED50 or CMR. It has been shown that errors arise from the use of near-threshold doses of pentagastrin; too short periods of stimulation, and variant responses to pentagastrin. We conclude that values of ED50 are best considered as only qualitative, rather than quantitative, indices of sensitivity to pentagastrin.", "contents": "Response to pentagastrin in Man. IV. Dose-response characteristics. An analysis has been made of the gastric response of 7 individuals to a set of 5 dose rates of pentagastrin, given on different days or in sequence on the same day, in order to identify constraints on the use of secretory data in determining 'kinetic constants', such as ED50 or CMR. It has been shown that errors arise from the use of near-threshold doses of pentagastrin; too short periods of stimulation, and variant responses to pentagastrin. We conclude that values of ED50 are best considered as only qualitative, rather than quantitative, indices of sensitivity to pentagastrin.", "PMID": 775876} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4368", "title": "The role of calcium in pancreatic secretion and disease.", "content": "Calcium enters the pancreatic juice from two sources, one fraction associated with enzyme protein and another small fraction presumably by diffusion. The calcium concentration in pancreatic juice is lower than in plasma. It decreases with high flow rates and increases asymptotically to plasma concentration with low rates. In chronic pancreatitis calcium concentration is raised in the secretin-stimulated juice. After pancreozymin in moderate chronic pancreatitis it is low but in severe stages of the disease it is high signalling total dissociation from the entrance of enzyme protein, which is very low in these cases. Hypercalcemia stimulates enzyme secretion in the pancreas, hypocalcemia inhibits it. Calcium is essential for intracellular processes associated with secretion, the exact place in the sequence of \"stimulus-secretion-coupling\" still being unknown. Calcitonin as one of the hormones which regulates calcium homeostasis, inhibits secretion of enzymes but not of fluid and bicarbonate. The action of the parathyroid hormone on the exocrine pancreas is unknown. In primary hyperparathyroidism with chronic hypercalcemia acute and chronic pancreatitis occur 10 to 20 times more frequently than in the general population. In acute pancreatitis of whatever origin hypocalcemia is atypical feature of the disease indicating bad prognosis. The mechanism of its development is still unclear. In chronic pancreatitis the forming of calcified stones in the ducts is typical in cases associated with alcoholism, with protein malnutrition and with primary hyperparathyroidism. But it occurs also in cases with unknown etiology signalling a more general pathophysiological phenomenon. The calcium salts form a precipitate on protein plugs in the juice, which have been observed even in early stages of the disease in the small and larger ducts of the gland.", "contents": "The role of calcium in pancreatic secretion and disease. Calcium enters the pancreatic juice from two sources, one fraction associated with enzyme protein and another small fraction presumably by diffusion. The calcium concentration in pancreatic juice is lower than in plasma. It decreases with high flow rates and increases asymptotically to plasma concentration with low rates. In chronic pancreatitis calcium concentration is raised in the secretin-stimulated juice. After pancreozymin in moderate chronic pancreatitis it is low but in severe stages of the disease it is high signalling total dissociation from the entrance of enzyme protein, which is very low in these cases. Hypercalcemia stimulates enzyme secretion in the pancreas, hypocalcemia inhibits it. Calcium is essential for intracellular processes associated with secretion, the exact place in the sequence of \"stimulus-secretion-coupling\" still being unknown. Calcitonin as one of the hormones which regulates calcium homeostasis, inhibits secretion of enzymes but not of fluid and bicarbonate. The action of the parathyroid hormone on the exocrine pancreas is unknown. In primary hyperparathyroidism with chronic hypercalcemia acute and chronic pancreatitis occur 10 to 20 times more frequently than in the general population. In acute pancreatitis of whatever origin hypocalcemia is atypical feature of the disease indicating bad prognosis. The mechanism of its development is still unclear. In chronic pancreatitis the forming of calcified stones in the ducts is typical in cases associated with alcoholism, with protein malnutrition and with primary hyperparathyroidism. But it occurs also in cases with unknown etiology signalling a more general pathophysiological phenomenon. The calcium salts form a precipitate on protein plugs in the juice, which have been observed even in early stages of the disease in the small and larger ducts of the gland.", "PMID": 775877} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4369", "title": "[Ascites in patients under chronic hemodialysis].", "content": "In this collaborative study 9 cases of intractable ascites in chronic hemodialysis patients are evaluated. Six patients died within 14, two more within 18 months after onset of ascites. Possible causes of the pathogenesis (repeated fluid overload, hydrostatic and oncotic pressure flux forces, alteration of membrane permeability) are discussed. Renal homograft transplantation seems to be the only successful treatment.", "contents": "[Ascites in patients under chronic hemodialysis]. In this collaborative study 9 cases of intractable ascites in chronic hemodialysis patients are evaluated. Six patients died within 14, two more within 18 months after onset of ascites. Possible causes of the pathogenesis (repeated fluid overload, hydrostatic and oncotic pressure flux forces, alteration of membrane permeability) are discussed. Renal homograft transplantation seems to be the only successful treatment.", "PMID": 775878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4370", "title": "Ultrastructure of cells of Treponema pertenue obtained from experimentally infected hamsters.", "content": "Cells of Treponema pertenue Gauthier obtained by elution from skin lesions and lymph nodes of experimentally infected hamsters were studied in the electron microscope by means of negative staining. The cells were also examined in thin secions of skin biopsies and lymph nodes. Fimbriae were observed on the negatively stained cells. Until now fimbriae have not been demonstrated on negatively stained cells of other species of Treponema, but at present only one straon of T. pertenue has been studied in our laboratory. Otherwise, the ultrastructure of the T. pertenue cells was found to be very similar, if not identical to, the substructural details observed in cells of T. pallidum and T. cuniculi. In thin sections of skin biopsies, treponemes were observed in the intercellular spaces between cells of the stratum basale and the stratum spinosum layers of the epidermis.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of cells of Treponema pertenue obtained from experimentally infected hamsters. Cells of Treponema pertenue Gauthier obtained by elution from skin lesions and lymph nodes of experimentally infected hamsters were studied in the electron microscope by means of negative staining. The cells were also examined in thin secions of skin biopsies and lymph nodes. Fimbriae were observed on the negatively stained cells. Until now fimbriae have not been demonstrated on negatively stained cells of other species of Treponema, but at present only one straon of T. pertenue has been studied in our laboratory. Otherwise, the ultrastructure of the T. pertenue cells was found to be very similar, if not identical to, the substructural details observed in cells of T. pallidum and T. cuniculi. In thin sections of skin biopsies, treponemes were observed in the intercellular spaces between cells of the stratum basale and the stratum spinosum layers of the epidermis.", "PMID": 775884} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4371", "title": "Comparison of the agglutination and the co-agglutination techniques in T-tying of Streptococcus pyogenes.", "content": "A comparison of two different methods in T-typing 200 Norwegian group A strains is reported. The traditional agglutination technique was compared with the co-agglutination method of Christensen and co-workers. Fifty-five strains could not be typed by either method. The typing results for 128 of the strains were in agreement. The most common T types were the folloiwng: 1, 4, 8, 12, 13, 28, and strains belonging to the T pattern 5/11/12/27/44.", "contents": "Comparison of the agglutination and the co-agglutination techniques in T-tying of Streptococcus pyogenes. A comparison of two different methods in T-typing 200 Norwegian group A strains is reported. The traditional agglutination technique was compared with the co-agglutination method of Christensen and co-workers. Fifty-five strains could not be typed by either method. The typing results for 128 of the strains were in agreement. The most common T types were the folloiwng: 1, 4, 8, 12, 13, 28, and strains belonging to the T pattern 5/11/12/27/44.", "PMID": 775885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4372", "title": "Flaming of biopsy specimens for bacteriological culture: surface sterilization and effect on bacteria in the underlying tissue.", "content": "The effect of flaming (i.e. dipping biopsy specimens in alcohol and igniting them by drawing them rapidly through an open flame) on the reduction of bacterial surface contamination and on true bacterial concentrations in underlying tissue was investigated in different sizes of liver biopsy specimens in an experimental model suitable for quantitative and statistical calculations. Different degrees of surface contamination and of bacterial concentrations in underlying tissue were examined after a varying number of flaming procedures, the study comprising a total of 400 biopsy specimens. The flaming procedure repeated three times was able to eradicate a surface contamination of up to 10(4) E. coli per biopsy specimen, whereas a contamination of 10(6) E. coli per biopsy specimen was reduced to only 10(3) E. coli. Undesirable reduction in the true bacterial concentrations in tissue did not invalidate the method from a quantitative bacteriological point of view, since the median reduction in bacteria per gram tissue in biopsy specimens of 1 cm3 size did not exceed a factor of 3 after three repeated flamings. It is concluded that in regard to surface sterilization the method is unreliable as a routine in postmortem bacteriological studies.", "contents": "Flaming of biopsy specimens for bacteriological culture: surface sterilization and effect on bacteria in the underlying tissue. The effect of flaming (i.e. dipping biopsy specimens in alcohol and igniting them by drawing them rapidly through an open flame) on the reduction of bacterial surface contamination and on true bacterial concentrations in underlying tissue was investigated in different sizes of liver biopsy specimens in an experimental model suitable for quantitative and statistical calculations. Different degrees of surface contamination and of bacterial concentrations in underlying tissue were examined after a varying number of flaming procedures, the study comprising a total of 400 biopsy specimens. The flaming procedure repeated three times was able to eradicate a surface contamination of up to 10(4) E. coli per biopsy specimen, whereas a contamination of 10(6) E. coli per biopsy specimen was reduced to only 10(3) E. coli. Undesirable reduction in the true bacterial concentrations in tissue did not invalidate the method from a quantitative bacteriological point of view, since the median reduction in bacteria per gram tissue in biopsy specimens of 1 cm3 size did not exceed a factor of 3 after three repeated flamings. It is concluded that in regard to surface sterilization the method is unreliable as a routine in postmortem bacteriological studies.", "PMID": 775886} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4373", "title": "Grouping of beta-haemolytic streptococci by using coagglutination, precipitation or bacitracin sensitivity.", "content": "This study was made to compare coagglutination to precipitin test in grouping beta-haemolytic streptococci from clinical specimens and to investigate the accuracy of the bacitracin test in identification of group A streptococci. Results of grouping 126 strains with coagglutination and precipitation were identical in all except two cases. These two strains were nongroupable with precipitation but appeared as group B and C by coagglutination. When the distribution of group A, B, C and G streptococci in various clinical sources was investigated it was found that group B strains were the most frequently (41 per cent) isolated streptococci and even in isolates from pharyngeal swabs their proportion was 33 per cent. The accuracy of the bacitracin test in identification of group A streptococci was unsatisfactory as 26/62 (42 per cent) strains reported as group A by using this test were in fact group B, C or G streptococci. One of the reasons for this high number of false positives appeared to be the medium used for the preparation of the blood agar plates. In view of the frequent occurrence of non-A-streptococci in clinical specimens and high incidence of false positive in the bacitracin test it is suggested that this test should be replaced by a more efficient method of serological grouping.", "contents": "Grouping of beta-haemolytic streptococci by using coagglutination, precipitation or bacitracin sensitivity. This study was made to compare coagglutination to precipitin test in grouping beta-haemolytic streptococci from clinical specimens and to investigate the accuracy of the bacitracin test in identification of group A streptococci. Results of grouping 126 strains with coagglutination and precipitation were identical in all except two cases. These two strains were nongroupable with precipitation but appeared as group B and C by coagglutination. When the distribution of group A, B, C and G streptococci in various clinical sources was investigated it was found that group B strains were the most frequently (41 per cent) isolated streptococci and even in isolates from pharyngeal swabs their proportion was 33 per cent. The accuracy of the bacitracin test in identification of group A streptococci was unsatisfactory as 26/62 (42 per cent) strains reported as group A by using this test were in fact group B, C or G streptococci. One of the reasons for this high number of false positives appeared to be the medium used for the preparation of the blood agar plates. In view of the frequent occurrence of non-A-streptococci in clinical specimens and high incidence of false positive in the bacitracin test it is suggested that this test should be replaced by a more efficient method of serological grouping.", "PMID": 775887} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4374", "title": "Thioridazine in the treatment of depressive patients.", "content": "In a double-blind study of 44 depressive in-patients, treatment with placebo appeared to give equally good results as did treatment with thioridazine. Both treatment procedures permitted the additional prescription of chlordiazepoxide when the patient's condition indicated the need for anxiety reduction. The use of chlordiazepoxide was more frequently necessary with treatment with placebo than with treatment with thioridazine.", "contents": "Thioridazine in the treatment of depressive patients. In a double-blind study of 44 depressive in-patients, treatment with placebo appeared to give equally good results as did treatment with thioridazine. Both treatment procedures permitted the additional prescription of chlordiazepoxide when the patient's condition indicated the need for anxiety reduction. The use of chlordiazepoxide was more frequently necessary with treatment with placebo than with treatment with thioridazine.", "PMID": 775889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4375", "title": "Magnification angiography in the evaluation of transplanted kidneys.", "content": "Conventional and magnification angiography were performed on 34 occasions in 31 patients with renal allografts. The differential diagnosis between acute rejection and tubular necrosis was uncertain. In chronic rejection, where vascular abnormalities dominate, the diagnosis was easier. The magnification angiography demonstrated the small intrarenal arteries to better advantage, resulting in a more accurate assessment of the condition.", "contents": "Magnification angiography in the evaluation of transplanted kidneys. Conventional and magnification angiography were performed on 34 occasions in 31 patients with renal allografts. The differential diagnosis between acute rejection and tubular necrosis was uncertain. In chronic rejection, where vascular abnormalities dominate, the diagnosis was easier. The magnification angiography demonstrated the small intrarenal arteries to better advantage, resulting in a more accurate assessment of the condition.", "PMID": 775890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4376", "title": "In vivo and in vitro selection of mitogen responsive lymphocytes in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.", "content": "The in vitro mitogen response of blood lymphoid cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia was observed to be low compared to lymphocytes from healthy subjects. However, highly responsive cells could be separated from the blood of such patients by a buoyant density centrifugation technique and such reactive cells were found to be enriched by treating the patients with chemotherapy or splenic irradiation.", "contents": "In vivo and in vitro selection of mitogen responsive lymphocytes in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The in vitro mitogen response of blood lymphoid cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia was observed to be low compared to lymphocytes from healthy subjects. However, highly responsive cells could be separated from the blood of such patients by a buoyant density centrifugation technique and such reactive cells were found to be enriched by treating the patients with chemotherapy or splenic irradiation.", "PMID": 775891} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4377", "title": "Excretion of metabolites of biogenic amines in patients with irradiated brain tumours.", "content": "The metabolities of biogenic amines were determined in the 24-hour urine samples of patients submitted to surgical removal of a malignant brain tumour and subsequently to telecobalt therapy of the corresponding head region. A significant increase in the excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), vanillinmandelic acid (VMA) as well as of free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol (MHPG) during the period of irradiation was found. This increase is presumably the result of radiation induced release of their parent amines from the brain; in the case of VMA the secondary response of the peripheral sympathetic system might occur.", "contents": "Excretion of metabolites of biogenic amines in patients with irradiated brain tumours. The metabolities of biogenic amines were determined in the 24-hour urine samples of patients submitted to surgical removal of a malignant brain tumour and subsequently to telecobalt therapy of the corresponding head region. A significant increase in the excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), vanillinmandelic acid (VMA) as well as of free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol (MHPG) during the period of irradiation was found. This increase is presumably the result of radiation induced release of their parent amines from the brain; in the case of VMA the secondary response of the peripheral sympathetic system might occur.", "PMID": 775892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4378", "title": "Immunofluorescent demonstration of the presence of protein HC on the surface of human lymphocytes.", "content": "Indirect immunofluorescence was used to demonstrate the presence of protein HC on the surface of a large percentage of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Protein HC is a recently described charge heterogeneous, complex-forming glycoprotein normally present in human plasma, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. The synthesis of protein HC by lymphocytes was indicated by the removal of the glycoprotein from the cell surfaces on trypsinization of the cells followed by the reappearance of the protein on continued cultivation of the cells.", "contents": "Immunofluorescent demonstration of the presence of protein HC on the surface of human lymphocytes. Indirect immunofluorescence was used to demonstrate the presence of protein HC on the surface of a large percentage of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Protein HC is a recently described charge heterogeneous, complex-forming glycoprotein normally present in human plasma, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. The synthesis of protein HC by lymphocytes was indicated by the removal of the glycoprotein from the cell surfaces on trypsinization of the cells followed by the reappearance of the protein on continued cultivation of the cells.", "PMID": 775893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4379", "title": "Effect of 16, 16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 methyl ester on gastric secretion induced by pentagastrin and pepton meal in man.", "content": "In 14 healthy male volunteers the effect of 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 methyl ester (PG/D) on gastric secretion have been studied. Gastric secretion was stimulated by an intravenous infusion of pentagastrin (2 mug/kg/h) with gastric juice collected by aspiration or by a pepton meal with acid secretion determined by intragastric titration technique. Intragastrical administration of PG(D) resulted in a strong decrease of gastric acid and pepsin secretion in tests with pentagastrin. PG(D) caused almost complete inhibition of gastric acid response to a pepton meal accompanied by a marked decline of pepsin concentration in the gastric juice as well as significant reduction in the serum level of immunoassayable gastrin. No side effects were noted during or in succeeding 24 hours after administration of PG(D).", "contents": "Effect of 16, 16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 methyl ester on gastric secretion induced by pentagastrin and pepton meal in man. In 14 healthy male volunteers the effect of 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 methyl ester (PG/D) on gastric secretion have been studied. Gastric secretion was stimulated by an intravenous infusion of pentagastrin (2 mug/kg/h) with gastric juice collected by aspiration or by a pepton meal with acid secretion determined by intragastric titration technique. Intragastrical administration of PG(D) resulted in a strong decrease of gastric acid and pepsin secretion in tests with pentagastrin. PG(D) caused almost complete inhibition of gastric acid response to a pepton meal accompanied by a marked decline of pepsin concentration in the gastric juice as well as significant reduction in the serum level of immunoassayable gastrin. No side effects were noted during or in succeeding 24 hours after administration of PG(D).", "PMID": 775888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4380", "title": "Ceruloplasmin: the copper transport protein with essential oxidase activity.", "content": "Ceruloplasmin, the blue copper-protein of vertebrate plasma, has been reviewed mainly from a functional point of view. However we have surveyed the chemistry and state copper in the molecule because of the implications of the recent data of Ryden (13,28). His observations suggest that unless special precautions are taken in the isolation of ceruloplasmin degradation, probably proteolytic, produces fragments of various sizes. When isolated, these fragments appear to be held together by noncovalent interactions. Comparison of their catalytic and spectral properties reveals no significant differences from a single homogeneous species of molecular weight of 134,000 isolated by Ryden's methods. On the other hand, the homogeneous molecule may differ in properties highly sensitive to conformation and three-dimensional parameters. Three types of copper atoms have been identified in ceruloplasmin, but their amino acid environment is still unknown. Ceruloplasmin possesses significant oxidase activity towards Fe(II) and numerous aromatic amines and phenols. Its ferroxidase activity has led to the discovery that it is a molecular link between copper and iron metabolism. Ceruloplasmin mobilizes iron into the plasma from iron storage cells in the liver. An equally important duty is that ceruloplasmin, after its rapid biosynthesis in the liver, serves as a major copper transport vehicle, comparable to transferrin. Evidence is accumulating that the copper atoms of ceruloplasmin are a prerequisite for copper utilization in the biosynthesis of cytochrome oxidase and other copper proteins. The ability of ceruloplasmin to release copper at specific cellular sites may be related to its broad substrate spectrum of biological reducing agents. A possible third role of ceruloplasmin is as a contributor to the regulation of the balance of biogenic amines through its oxidase action on the epinephrine and the hydroxyindole series. Thus ceruloplasmin is a copper-protein with several important functions, all of which are directly related to its oxidase activity.", "contents": "Ceruloplasmin: the copper transport protein with essential oxidase activity. Ceruloplasmin, the blue copper-protein of vertebrate plasma, has been reviewed mainly from a functional point of view. However we have surveyed the chemistry and state copper in the molecule because of the implications of the recent data of Ryden (13,28). His observations suggest that unless special precautions are taken in the isolation of ceruloplasmin degradation, probably proteolytic, produces fragments of various sizes. When isolated, these fragments appear to be held together by noncovalent interactions. Comparison of their catalytic and spectral properties reveals no significant differences from a single homogeneous species of molecular weight of 134,000 isolated by Ryden's methods. On the other hand, the homogeneous molecule may differ in properties highly sensitive to conformation and three-dimensional parameters. Three types of copper atoms have been identified in ceruloplasmin, but their amino acid environment is still unknown. Ceruloplasmin possesses significant oxidase activity towards Fe(II) and numerous aromatic amines and phenols. Its ferroxidase activity has led to the discovery that it is a molecular link between copper and iron metabolism. Ceruloplasmin mobilizes iron into the plasma from iron storage cells in the liver. An equally important duty is that ceruloplasmin, after its rapid biosynthesis in the liver, serves as a major copper transport vehicle, comparable to transferrin. Evidence is accumulating that the copper atoms of ceruloplasmin are a prerequisite for copper utilization in the biosynthesis of cytochrome oxidase and other copper proteins. The ability of ceruloplasmin to release copper at specific cellular sites may be related to its broad substrate spectrum of biological reducing agents. A possible third role of ceruloplasmin is as a contributor to the regulation of the balance of biogenic amines through its oxidase action on the epinephrine and the hydroxyindole series. Thus ceruloplasmin is a copper-protein with several important functions, all of which are directly related to its oxidase activity.", "PMID": 775938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4381", "title": "Alcoholic hepatitis.", "content": "Alcoholic hepatitis is the precursor of cirrhosis. Susceptibility is independent of amount and duration of ethanol intake or of diet. Centrilobular hyalin, the key morphologic abnormality, sensitizes lymphocytes to secrete factors which may account (in part) for necrosis, liver cell destruction, increased collagen synthesis and development of cirrhosis. Diagnosis may be facilitated by detection of alcoholic hyalin antigen (AHAg) and antibody (AHAb) in serum of patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Treatment requires abstinence. Steroids have not reduced mortality rates. Measures to improve immunologic reactivity may be helpful. Persons unable to abstain should be enrolled in a surveillance group.", "contents": "Alcoholic hepatitis. Alcoholic hepatitis is the precursor of cirrhosis. Susceptibility is independent of amount and duration of ethanol intake or of diet. Centrilobular hyalin, the key morphologic abnormality, sensitizes lymphocytes to secrete factors which may account (in part) for necrosis, liver cell destruction, increased collagen synthesis and development of cirrhosis. Diagnosis may be facilitated by detection of alcoholic hyalin antigen (AHAg) and antibody (AHAb) in serum of patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Treatment requires abstinence. Steroids have not reduced mortality rates. Measures to improve immunologic reactivity may be helpful. Persons unable to abstain should be enrolled in a surveillance group.", "PMID": 775953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4382", "title": "The effect of intravenous digoxin on the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in acute myocardial infarction in man.", "content": "Patients with acute myocardial infarction were allocated to two groups according to a double blind-system of radomization. The patients (n = 18) in one of the groups received digoxin intravenously as an injection of 0.01 mg. per kilogram of body weight during 10 minutes. The patients in the other group (n = 15) received saline and served as controls. A continuous ECG record was obtained from each patient during 1 hour preceding the administration of digoxin or saline and was continued for 3 hours following the injection. No antiarrhythmic treatment was given during the time of the study. Based on the continuous ECG, calculations were made of the relative incidence of patients with different types of ventricular tachyarrhythmias during the period of observation as well as the percentage of arrhythmia-containing 1 minute intervals observed during this period. There was no statistical difference between the incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in the two groups in the 1 hour period preceding drug injection. The administration of digoxin and saline did not change the incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and there was also no statistically significant difference between the two groups as regards the incidence of patients showing different types of ventricular tachyarrhythmias during the 3 hour period following drug administration, Considering the 1-minute intervals, those without any ventricular premature contractions were less in the digoxin group (92 per cent) than in the saline group (88 per cent; p less than 0.001). Serum levels of digoxin at the end of the observation period were well above what is considered the minimum therapeutic level and in three patients the level approached or reached the toxic range. In these three patients there was still no increased incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. It is concluded that patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by incipient left ventricular failure do not show an increased sensitivity to an ordinary dose of digoxin as measured by the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia.", "contents": "The effect of intravenous digoxin on the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in acute myocardial infarction in man. Patients with acute myocardial infarction were allocated to two groups according to a double blind-system of radomization. The patients (n = 18) in one of the groups received digoxin intravenously as an injection of 0.01 mg. per kilogram of body weight during 10 minutes. The patients in the other group (n = 15) received saline and served as controls. A continuous ECG record was obtained from each patient during 1 hour preceding the administration of digoxin or saline and was continued for 3 hours following the injection. No antiarrhythmic treatment was given during the time of the study. Based on the continuous ECG, calculations were made of the relative incidence of patients with different types of ventricular tachyarrhythmias during the period of observation as well as the percentage of arrhythmia-containing 1 minute intervals observed during this period. There was no statistical difference between the incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in the two groups in the 1 hour period preceding drug injection. The administration of digoxin and saline did not change the incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and there was also no statistically significant difference between the two groups as regards the incidence of patients showing different types of ventricular tachyarrhythmias during the 3 hour period following drug administration, Considering the 1-minute intervals, those without any ventricular premature contractions were less in the digoxin group (92 per cent) than in the saline group (88 per cent; p less than 0.001). Serum levels of digoxin at the end of the observation period were well above what is considered the minimum therapeutic level and in three patients the level approached or reached the toxic range. In these three patients there was still no increased incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. It is concluded that patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by incipient left ventricular failure do not show an increased sensitivity to an ordinary dose of digoxin as measured by the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia.", "PMID": 775954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4383", "title": "[Hypersensitivity to \"Candida albicans\" and other fungi in patients with chronic urticaria].", "content": "Considering the high incidence of chronic urticaria among female patients and the frequent difficulty in identifying the etiologic factor of factors the author decided to investigate the possible role of Candida albicans and other yeasts usually found as contaminants in certain foods and beverages or purposely cultivated for industrial products, as the sensitizing agents leading to the clinical picture of chronic urticaria. One hundred female patients with urticaria which had persisted for more than 6 weeks were selected and investigated, disregarding those with dermographism or cholinergic and cold urticaria. Aside from a careful history and laboratory tests to complement the physical examination that could rule out chronic bacterial infectious foci, intestinal parasitic infestation and thyroid disorders, intradermal skin tests with standard doses of Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other common environmental and food allergens were done. The patients' age ranged from 4 to 70 years. The skin tests sites were examined for Type I reactions at 15 and 20 minutes; for Type III reactions at 8 and 12 hours; and for Type IV reactions at 48 and 72 hours. When tested with Candida albicans antigen, 35% had Type I/III reactions and 60% presented Type IV reaction. When Saccharomyces cerevisiae antigen was used for testing, 29% had Type I/III reactions and none presented Type IV. Forty-nine of the sixty patients who presented Type IV reaction to Candida albicans had in the past significant vaginal discharge (or vaginal symptoms: burning, itching) that obliged the patients to consult a gynecologist, but only ten had stained smears and cultures from the vaginal secretions and four were told to have a monilia vaginal infection confirmed by the microbiological tests, although forty of them received Nistatin therapy at the time of the gynecological complaints. At the time the patients were seen by the allergist, complaining about urticaria, only four had symptoms and signs of monilia infection and were confirmed by culture: one presented oral moniliasis following broad-spectrum antibiotic, two had vaginal moniliasis developing right after their menstrual period; one had intestinal and cutaneous manifestations (perineal and crural) developing also after broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. All the four patients had exacerbation of the urticaria while undergoing the monilia infection. After 1-2 weeks of elimination diet, each patient was challenged with yeasts-containing foods (bread, buns, sausages, beer, wines, grapes, cheese, vinegar, tomato catsup). Twenty-five patients (71%) of the group who positively reacted with a Type I/III reaction when tested with Candida antigen, showed a positive provocation test (reappearance of urticaria) and twenty patients (69%) of the group who reacted with Saccharomyces had a positive challenge test...", "contents": "[Hypersensitivity to \"Candida albicans\" and other fungi in patients with chronic urticaria]. Considering the high incidence of chronic urticaria among female patients and the frequent difficulty in identifying the etiologic factor of factors the author decided to investigate the possible role of Candida albicans and other yeasts usually found as contaminants in certain foods and beverages or purposely cultivated for industrial products, as the sensitizing agents leading to the clinical picture of chronic urticaria. One hundred female patients with urticaria which had persisted for more than 6 weeks were selected and investigated, disregarding those with dermographism or cholinergic and cold urticaria. Aside from a careful history and laboratory tests to complement the physical examination that could rule out chronic bacterial infectious foci, intestinal parasitic infestation and thyroid disorders, intradermal skin tests with standard doses of Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other common environmental and food allergens were done. The patients' age ranged from 4 to 70 years. The skin tests sites were examined for Type I reactions at 15 and 20 minutes; for Type III reactions at 8 and 12 hours; and for Type IV reactions at 48 and 72 hours. When tested with Candida albicans antigen, 35% had Type I/III reactions and 60% presented Type IV reaction. When Saccharomyces cerevisiae antigen was used for testing, 29% had Type I/III reactions and none presented Type IV. Forty-nine of the sixty patients who presented Type IV reaction to Candida albicans had in the past significant vaginal discharge (or vaginal symptoms: burning, itching) that obliged the patients to consult a gynecologist, but only ten had stained smears and cultures from the vaginal secretions and four were told to have a monilia vaginal infection confirmed by the microbiological tests, although forty of them received Nistatin therapy at the time of the gynecological complaints. At the time the patients were seen by the allergist, complaining about urticaria, only four had symptoms and signs of monilia infection and were confirmed by culture: one presented oral moniliasis following broad-spectrum antibiotic, two had vaginal moniliasis developing right after their menstrual period; one had intestinal and cutaneous manifestations (perineal and crural) developing also after broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. All the four patients had exacerbation of the urticaria while undergoing the monilia infection. After 1-2 weeks of elimination diet, each patient was challenged with yeasts-containing foods (bread, buns, sausages, beer, wines, grapes, cheese, vinegar, tomato catsup). Twenty-five patients (71%) of the group who positively reacted with a Type I/III reaction when tested with Candida antigen, showed a positive provocation test (reappearance of urticaria) and twenty patients (69%) of the group who reacted with Saccharomyces had a positive challenge test...", "PMID": 775952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4384", "title": "Left ventricular bypass using a cardiac allograft: hemodynamic studies.", "content": "Human allograft bypass of the failing left ventricle is an efficient and practical way of effecting short-term improvement in the overall hemodynamic status of patients. It is suggested that controlled sequential pacing of the donor heart would improve the overall hemodynamic result and better preserve function of the bypassed ventricle. Simultaneous bypass of the right ventricle might prevent the acute right heart failure seen during serious ventricular arrhythmias occurring in the recipient heart. Future indications for the technique in modified form could include severe biventricular failure and acute reversible forms of heart failure.", "contents": "Left ventricular bypass using a cardiac allograft: hemodynamic studies. Human allograft bypass of the failing left ventricle is an efficient and practical way of effecting short-term improvement in the overall hemodynamic status of patients. It is suggested that controlled sequential pacing of the donor heart would improve the overall hemodynamic result and better preserve function of the bypassed ventricle. Simultaneous bypass of the right ventricle might prevent the acute right heart failure seen during serious ventricular arrhythmias occurring in the recipient heart. Future indications for the technique in modified form could include severe biventricular failure and acute reversible forms of heart failure.", "PMID": 775961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4385", "title": "Coronary bypass surgery after renal transplantation.", "content": "Aortocoronary bypass surgery was performed in three patients with incapacitating angina pectoris who had previously had successful renal transplantation. All patients had initial symptomatic improvement. Although two have mild angina pectoris, there is objective improvement in their exercise tolerance and in ischemic ST-T changes on treadmill exercise testing. One patient, who also had resection of a left ventricular aneurysm, remains free of angina but is symptomatic from congestive heart failure. There were no postoperative complications. To our knowledge, these three cases are the first in which aortocoronary bypass surgery has been performed successfully in patients who have had renal transplantation. Anticipated problems with infection in view of the immunosuppressive therapy and renal problems postoperatively were not encountered.", "contents": "Coronary bypass surgery after renal transplantation. Aortocoronary bypass surgery was performed in three patients with incapacitating angina pectoris who had previously had successful renal transplantation. All patients had initial symptomatic improvement. Although two have mild angina pectoris, there is objective improvement in their exercise tolerance and in ischemic ST-T changes on treadmill exercise testing. One patient, who also had resection of a left ventricular aneurysm, remains free of angina but is symptomatic from congestive heart failure. There were no postoperative complications. To our knowledge, these three cases are the first in which aortocoronary bypass surgery has been performed successfully in patients who have had renal transplantation. Anticipated problems with infection in view of the immunosuppressive therapy and renal problems postoperatively were not encountered.", "PMID": 775963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4386", "title": "Home culturing program for children with recurrent bacteriuria.", "content": "One hundred forty-one children were selected from a clinic for children with recurrent bacteriuria to participate in a home culturing program. The parent was taught to employ a semiquantitative method to test the child's urine for bacteria. The degree and persistence of bacteriuria as detected by the parent strongly correlated with results obtained in the clinic, although there was a significant incidence of false-positive results as detected by the parent. Home culturing proved to be an inexpensive, reliable technique for following up children with recurrent urinary tract infections.", "contents": "Home culturing program for children with recurrent bacteriuria. One hundred forty-one children were selected from a clinic for children with recurrent bacteriuria to participate in a home culturing program. The parent was taught to employ a semiquantitative method to test the child's urine for bacteria. The degree and persistence of bacteriuria as detected by the parent strongly correlated with results obtained in the clinic, although there was a significant incidence of false-positive results as detected by the parent. Home culturing proved to be an inexpensive, reliable technique for following up children with recurrent urinary tract infections.", "PMID": 775965} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4387", "title": "The incompetent pyloric sphincter. Bile and mucosal ulceration.", "content": "The patient with gastric ulcer (GU) has abnormal reflux of bile-containing duodenal contents into the stomach. Antral gastritis is prominently associated with GU and is more extensive with severe reflux and with ulcer chronicity and probably when bile salts are accompanied by other constituents of duodenal fluids. Smoking is significantly associated with GU, and it produces reflux in normal subjects and in patients with duodenal ulcer, which in turn is commonly associated with GU. Reflux has not been shown to precede either the gastritis or the gastric ulcer and probably persists despite ulcer healing. The pyloric spincter in the patient with GU probably contracts subnormally to endogenous or exogenous secretin or CCK. This can be explained by associated hypergastrinemia since antral acidification improves the response. Because the pylorus may be usually open, abnormal reflux may be related as much or more to disturbances of other gastroduodenal functions known to control the movement of chyme through what may be a relatively passive pyloric zone. Speculation from animal models implicates bile reflux in aspirin-induced and shock-related gastric ulceration and assigns to bile a possible explanation, in part at least, for the apparent therapeutic efficacy of a carbenoxalone derivative and an antipepsin agent. Similar speculation warrants a search in the patient with GU for abnormalities of gastroduodenal peristalsis-related electric activity and for impaired release of secretin, possibly from antral cells of production. Possible abnormal purinergic inhibition of the gastric fundus and pylorus also warrants further study.", "contents": "The incompetent pyloric sphincter. Bile and mucosal ulceration. The patient with gastric ulcer (GU) has abnormal reflux of bile-containing duodenal contents into the stomach. Antral gastritis is prominently associated with GU and is more extensive with severe reflux and with ulcer chronicity and probably when bile salts are accompanied by other constituents of duodenal fluids. Smoking is significantly associated with GU, and it produces reflux in normal subjects and in patients with duodenal ulcer, which in turn is commonly associated with GU. Reflux has not been shown to precede either the gastritis or the gastric ulcer and probably persists despite ulcer healing. The pyloric spincter in the patient with GU probably contracts subnormally to endogenous or exogenous secretin or CCK. This can be explained by associated hypergastrinemia since antral acidification improves the response. Because the pylorus may be usually open, abnormal reflux may be related as much or more to disturbances of other gastroduodenal functions known to control the movement of chyme through what may be a relatively passive pyloric zone. Speculation from animal models implicates bile reflux in aspirin-induced and shock-related gastric ulceration and assigns to bile a possible explanation, in part at least, for the apparent therapeutic efficacy of a carbenoxalone derivative and an antipepsin agent. Similar speculation warrants a search in the patient with GU for abnormalities of gastroduodenal peristalsis-related electric activity and for impaired release of secretin, possibly from antral cells of production. Possible abnormal purinergic inhibition of the gastric fundus and pylorus also warrants further study.", "PMID": 775971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4388", "title": "99mTc-tagged chicken liver as a marker of solid food in the human stomach.", "content": "Past measurement of gastric emptying of solid food in man has depended on external counting of surface-absorbed isotopes without verification that isotopic labels remain attached to solid food in the stomach. In this study chicken liver was isotopically labeled with 99mTc incorporated uniformly and intracellularly throughout the liver substance. In vitro studies showed less than 10% loss of 99mTc from liver incubated with pepsin HC1. By contrast, up to 90% of 51Cr absorbed to scrambled eggs became detached under similar conditions. In feeding experiments less than 10% of 99mTc was liberated from fed 99mTc liver, while significantly more 51Cr became detached from egg under identical intragastric conditions. We conclude that 99mTc-tagged chicken liver is an adequate marker of the rate of emptying of solid food and appears to be more reliable than 51Cr-labeled scrambled eggs from which 51Cr dissociates in the stomach.", "contents": "99mTc-tagged chicken liver as a marker of solid food in the human stomach. Past measurement of gastric emptying of solid food in man has depended on external counting of surface-absorbed isotopes without verification that isotopic labels remain attached to solid food in the stomach. In this study chicken liver was isotopically labeled with 99mTc incorporated uniformly and intracellularly throughout the liver substance. In vitro studies showed less than 10% loss of 99mTc from liver incubated with pepsin HC1. By contrast, up to 90% of 51Cr absorbed to scrambled eggs became detached under similar conditions. In feeding experiments less than 10% of 99mTc was liberated from fed 99mTc liver, while significantly more 51Cr became detached from egg under identical intragastric conditions. We conclude that 99mTc-tagged chicken liver is an adequate marker of the rate of emptying of solid food and appears to be more reliable than 51Cr-labeled scrambled eggs from which 51Cr dissociates in the stomach.", "PMID": 775976} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4389", "title": "Primary upper small-intestinal lymphomal A report of 40 cases fron Iran.", "content": "Primary upper small-intestinal lymphoma (PUSIL) has now been recognized as a distinct clinical entity with a distinct geographic distribution. Herewith are presented 40 cases of PUSIL seen at Pahlavi University Hospitals in Southern Iran. The investigation reveals the lymphoma to be predominantly a disease of those under 30 and males; the major complaints and physical findings point to an intraabdominal disease. An exception has been clubbing and osteoarthropathy. Special features of PUSIL include: (1) protein loss into the gastrointestinal tract leading to hypoalbuminemia and edema; (2) an antibiotic-responsive diarrhea and steatorrhea; and (3) an associated abnormal heavy-chain protein. The study further stresses the importance of peroral small-intestinal biopsy and the pathologic features of this condition.", "contents": "Primary upper small-intestinal lymphomal A report of 40 cases fron Iran. Primary upper small-intestinal lymphoma (PUSIL) has now been recognized as a distinct clinical entity with a distinct geographic distribution. Herewith are presented 40 cases of PUSIL seen at Pahlavi University Hospitals in Southern Iran. The investigation reveals the lymphoma to be predominantly a disease of those under 30 and males; the major complaints and physical findings point to an intraabdominal disease. An exception has been clubbing and osteoarthropathy. Special features of PUSIL include: (1) protein loss into the gastrointestinal tract leading to hypoalbuminemia and edema; (2) an antibiotic-responsive diarrhea and steatorrhea; and (3) an associated abnormal heavy-chain protein. The study further stresses the importance of peroral small-intestinal biopsy and the pathologic features of this condition.", "PMID": 775977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4390", "title": "Use of pharmacokinetic principles in drug therapy: a suggested topic outline and reading list.", "content": "A suggested topic outline on pharmacokinetic principles in drug therapy, complete with a bibliography of articles demonstrating important principles and applications, is provided for practitioners interested in implementing inservice continuing education programs. The outline follows that for a course required of all B.S. and Pharm.D. students in the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Wayne State University. The bibliography of readings is current through 1975 but is not intended to be comprehensive.", "contents": "Use of pharmacokinetic principles in drug therapy: a suggested topic outline and reading list. A suggested topic outline on pharmacokinetic principles in drug therapy, complete with a bibliography of articles demonstrating important principles and applications, is provided for practitioners interested in implementing inservice continuing education programs. The outline follows that for a course required of all B.S. and Pharm.D. students in the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Wayne State University. The bibliography of readings is current through 1975 but is not intended to be comprehensive.", "PMID": 775982} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4391", "title": "Flow diagrams for processing urine cultures.", "content": "A protocol is presented for the processing of clean voided urine specimens, indwelling and nonindwelling catheter specimens, and special specimens, e.g., suprapubic aspirations, ureteral and kidney specimens, etc. Flow diagrams were developed which allow all urine cultures to be processed in a consistent and efficient manner. Criteria have been established to indicate when definitive identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing are necessary.", "contents": "Flow diagrams for processing urine cultures. A protocol is presented for the processing of clean voided urine specimens, indwelling and nonindwelling catheter specimens, and special specimens, e.g., suprapubic aspirations, ureteral and kidney specimens, etc. Flow diagrams were developed which allow all urine cultures to be processed in a consistent and efficient manner. Criteria have been established to indicate when definitive identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing are necessary.", "PMID": 775983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4392", "title": "Impact of cephalosporin prophylaxis on conization-vaginal hysterectomy morbidity.", "content": "A prospective, randomized, double-blind evaluation of Loridine-Keflex prophylaxis in a homogeneous group of 32 patients undergoing sequential cervical conization and vaginal hysterectomy is reported. There was no infectious or febrile morbidity in the 18 oatuebts receuvubg abtubuitucs, Morbidity occurred in six of 14 patients receiving placebos (P is less than 0.05). Antibiotic prophylaxis and conization-hysterectomy morbidity are discussed.", "contents": "Impact of cephalosporin prophylaxis on conization-vaginal hysterectomy morbidity. A prospective, randomized, double-blind evaluation of Loridine-Keflex prophylaxis in a homogeneous group of 32 patients undergoing sequential cervical conization and vaginal hysterectomy is reported. There was no infectious or febrile morbidity in the 18 oatuebts receuvubg abtubuitucs, Morbidity occurred in six of 14 patients receiving placebos (P is less than 0.05). Antibiotic prophylaxis and conization-hysterectomy morbidity are discussed.", "PMID": 775990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4393", "title": "A study of blood coagulation parameters.", "content": "The object of this study was to determine the presence or absence of abnormalities in a variety of blood coagulation parameters in women on contraceptive medication. A prospective double-blind study involving a control group with a total study enrollment of 211 women during a 29 month period was established. Although research has not proved that changes in coagulation parameters will cause abnormal clotting in normal patients, a pattern appears to be developing involving antithrombin III determinations. Corresponding patterns do not appear to be developing in the other blood coagulation parameters.", "contents": "A study of blood coagulation parameters. The object of this study was to determine the presence or absence of abnormalities in a variety of blood coagulation parameters in women on contraceptive medication. A prospective double-blind study involving a control group with a total study enrollment of 211 women during a 29 month period was established. Although research has not proved that changes in coagulation parameters will cause abnormal clotting in normal patients, a pattern appears to be developing involving antithrombin III determinations. Corresponding patterns do not appear to be developing in the other blood coagulation parameters.", "PMID": 775991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4394", "title": "A critical evaluation of the Schiller test in patients before conization.", "content": "The results of the Schiller test were recorded in 87 patients before conization and in 100 healthy control women having normal cytologic examinations. Large proportions of quadrants with iodine-unstained areas were found in both the experimental and the control series. In the 87 patients, the histologic examination of the cone specimens revealed false positive Schiller tests in 32 per cent of the patients with unstained quadrants, and false negative tests in 60 per cent of the patients with iodine-stained quadrants. The Schiller test proved to be unreliable in detecting or rejecting dysplasia or carcinoma in situ at the surgical margin of the conization specimens.", "contents": "A critical evaluation of the Schiller test in patients before conization. The results of the Schiller test were recorded in 87 patients before conization and in 100 healthy control women having normal cytologic examinations. Large proportions of quadrants with iodine-unstained areas were found in both the experimental and the control series. In the 87 patients, the histologic examination of the cone specimens revealed false positive Schiller tests in 32 per cent of the patients with unstained quadrants, and false negative tests in 60 per cent of the patients with iodine-stained quadrants. The Schiller test proved to be unreliable in detecting or rejecting dysplasia or carcinoma in situ at the surgical margin of the conization specimens.", "PMID": 775993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4395", "title": "The induction of ovulation.", "content": "A treatment plan utilizing placebo, cyclical steroid therapy, clomiphene citrate, and human pituitary gonadotropin is outlined for the induction of ovulation in carefully selected potentially fertile women. Such a plan minimizes any risk with the potentially hazardous ovulatory stimulants. A total of 220 patients with secondary amenorrhea were studied and an etiologic basis for the condition was found in 98 (45 per cent). Of the 220, 190 were found suitable for the induction of ovulation, and together with 145 patients with oligomenorrhea and 17 patients with anovulation, entered the treatment plan. Ovulation was successfully induced in 351 of the 352 (99.5 per cent) and pregnancy in 218 (61.9 per cent). The success rates for the agents in the various conditions are presented and discussed.", "contents": "The induction of ovulation. A treatment plan utilizing placebo, cyclical steroid therapy, clomiphene citrate, and human pituitary gonadotropin is outlined for the induction of ovulation in carefully selected potentially fertile women. Such a plan minimizes any risk with the potentially hazardous ovulatory stimulants. A total of 220 patients with secondary amenorrhea were studied and an etiologic basis for the condition was found in 98 (45 per cent). Of the 220, 190 were found suitable for the induction of ovulation, and together with 145 patients with oligomenorrhea and 17 patients with anovulation, entered the treatment plan. Ovulation was successfully induced in 351 of the 352 (99.5 per cent) and pregnancy in 218 (61.9 per cent). The success rates for the agents in the various conditions are presented and discussed.", "PMID": 775994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4396", "title": "A new corneal trephine.", "content": "A new corneal trephine, using suction and disposable razor blades, comprised two cones, one revolving inside the other. A slide mechanism was attached to the inner cone that inclined a disposable razor blade either vertically or at 20 degrees, assuring clear view of either side of the incision and more accurate centering. The effective diameter of the cut was varied continuously from 8.5 to 2.0 mm.", "contents": "A new corneal trephine. A new corneal trephine, using suction and disposable razor blades, comprised two cones, one revolving inside the other. A slide mechanism was attached to the inner cone that inclined a disposable razor blade either vertically or at 20 degrees, assuring clear view of either side of the incision and more accurate centering. The effective diameter of the cut was varied continuously from 8.5 to 2.0 mm.", "PMID": 775996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4397", "title": "Cryopreserved endothelial cell survival in vivo.", "content": "We observed the endothelium of a cryopreserved penetrating corneal transplant with the clinical specular microscope at intervals from one day to two months after keratoplasty. An intact endothelial mosaic was observed at each examination, documenting the survival of cryopreserved endothelial cells after penetrating keratoplasty in humans.", "contents": "Cryopreserved endothelial cell survival in vivo. We observed the endothelium of a cryopreserved penetrating corneal transplant with the clinical specular microscope at intervals from one day to two months after keratoplasty. An intact endothelial mosaic was observed at each examination, documenting the survival of cryopreserved endothelial cells after penetrating keratoplasty in humans.", "PMID": 775997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4398", "title": "In vitro astrocytic differentiation from embryoid bodies of an experimental mouse testicular teratoma.", "content": "Astrocytic differentiation in monolayer cultures of ascitic embryoid bodies from the experimental teratoma OTT-6050 was studied by conventional light microscopy and by indirect immunofluorescence with antisera to glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein, a protein specific for astorcytes. Primitive neuroepithelial cells were identified in 24-hour cultures. Within 72 hours, two cell types diverged. One cell type, with a flattened epithelial morphology in early cultures, demonstrated delicate GFA protein-positive fibrils within 48 hours. In later cultures, this type progressively displayed more typical stellate astrocytic features, with denser, more compact GFA protein-positive fluorescence in the perinuclear cytoplasm and cell processes. As indicated by GFA protein expression, the appearance of astrocytes of typical morphology therefore was preceded by biochemical differentiation. The second cell type, interpreted as neuroblastic, failed to demonstrate GFA protein and had a small perikaryon with slender bipolar processes that were argyrophilic with Bodian's protargol in late cultures. Divergent neuroepithelial differentiation occurred within mitotically active cell populations and proceeded without apparent tissue relationships to other germ layer derivatives.", "contents": "In vitro astrocytic differentiation from embryoid bodies of an experimental mouse testicular teratoma. Astrocytic differentiation in monolayer cultures of ascitic embryoid bodies from the experimental teratoma OTT-6050 was studied by conventional light microscopy and by indirect immunofluorescence with antisera to glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein, a protein specific for astorcytes. Primitive neuroepithelial cells were identified in 24-hour cultures. Within 72 hours, two cell types diverged. One cell type, with a flattened epithelial morphology in early cultures, demonstrated delicate GFA protein-positive fibrils within 48 hours. In later cultures, this type progressively displayed more typical stellate astrocytic features, with denser, more compact GFA protein-positive fluorescence in the perinuclear cytoplasm and cell processes. As indicated by GFA protein expression, the appearance of astrocytes of typical morphology therefore was preceded by biochemical differentiation. The second cell type, interpreted as neuroblastic, failed to demonstrate GFA protein and had a small perikaryon with slender bipolar processes that were argyrophilic with Bodian's protargol in late cultures. Divergent neuroepithelial differentiation occurred within mitotically active cell populations and proceeded without apparent tissue relationships to other germ layer derivatives.", "PMID": 776002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4399", "title": "Interstitial nephritis. A brief review.", "content": "Interstitial nephritis is a common condition, which in spite of a relatively constant pathologic picture has different etiologic agents and pathogenetic mechanisms. Failure to appreciate this, particularly in the chronic group, has led to considerable confusion and has been largely responsible for the overdiagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis. Although we are still largely ignorant of the causes of interstitial nephritis, it is now possible to define many of them. While experimental studies have not made spectacular contributions to our understanding, an attempt is now being made to develop appropriate models, and we hope these will enable us to still further clarify our understanding of other entities.", "contents": "Interstitial nephritis. A brief review. Interstitial nephritis is a common condition, which in spite of a relatively constant pathologic picture has different etiologic agents and pathogenetic mechanisms. Failure to appreciate this, particularly in the chronic group, has led to considerable confusion and has been largely responsible for the overdiagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis. Although we are still largely ignorant of the causes of interstitial nephritis, it is now possible to define many of them. While experimental studies have not made spectacular contributions to our understanding, an attempt is now being made to develop appropriate models, and we hope these will enable us to still further clarify our understanding of other entities.", "PMID": 776003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4400", "title": "Factor VIII synthesis: hepatic and renal allografts in swine with von Willebrand's disease.", "content": "Transplantation experiments were utilized to study the possible sites of synthesis of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and factor VIII (F VIII) activities. Three normal kidney and two normal liver allografts were implanted into five swine with von Willebrand's disease (vWD) that survived for 1,6, and 7, and 4 and 9 days, respectively. The correction of the multiple hemostatic defects of vWD by organ transplantation was evaluated using the F VIII procoagulant activity, bleeding time, and platelet aggregating factor (PAF) levels; i.e., vWF levels. Normal kidney allografts produced no changes in the bleeding times or increases in F VIII or PAF. Transfusions for surgical hemostasis produced transient increases in F VIII and PAF. In animals receiving normal liver allografts, the levels of F VIII exceeded 100%, PAF was increased, and sustained correction of the bleeding time and maintenance of hemostasis was observed. These data suggest that the kidney is incapable of synthesizing either the vWF or the F VIII and that cells contained in the liver, possibly the endothelial cells, are one of the sites of synthesis of these factors.", "contents": "Factor VIII synthesis: hepatic and renal allografts in swine with von Willebrand's disease. Transplantation experiments were utilized to study the possible sites of synthesis of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and factor VIII (F VIII) activities. Three normal kidney and two normal liver allografts were implanted into five swine with von Willebrand's disease (vWD) that survived for 1,6, and 7, and 4 and 9 days, respectively. The correction of the multiple hemostatic defects of vWD by organ transplantation was evaluated using the F VIII procoagulant activity, bleeding time, and platelet aggregating factor (PAF) levels; i.e., vWF levels. Normal kidney allografts produced no changes in the bleeding times or increases in F VIII or PAF. Transfusions for surgical hemostasis produced transient increases in F VIII and PAF. In animals receiving normal liver allografts, the levels of F VIII exceeded 100%, PAF was increased, and sustained correction of the bleeding time and maintenance of hemostasis was observed. These data suggest that the kidney is incapable of synthesizing either the vWF or the F VIII and that cells contained in the liver, possibly the endothelial cells, are one of the sites of synthesis of these factors.", "PMID": 776006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4401", "title": "Cocaine, kindling, and psychosis.", "content": "The authors review the evidence that repetitive administration of central nervous system stimulants and other compounds may be associated with progressively increasing effects on pathological behavior and seizures rather than tolerance. They suggest that the progressive effects of these compounds may be related to electrical kindling, a phenomenon in which repetitive subthreshold stimulation of the limbic system is eventually associated with major motor seizures. They review the studies supporting a pharmacological kindling mechansim and suggest a kindling model for psychological stimuli that combines neurophysiological, biochemical, and psychological perspectives.", "contents": "Cocaine, kindling, and psychosis. The authors review the evidence that repetitive administration of central nervous system stimulants and other compounds may be associated with progressively increasing effects on pathological behavior and seizures rather than tolerance. They suggest that the progressive effects of these compounds may be related to electrical kindling, a phenomenon in which repetitive subthreshold stimulation of the limbic system is eventually associated with major motor seizures. They review the studies supporting a pharmacological kindling mechansim and suggest a kindling model for psychological stimuli that combines neurophysiological, biochemical, and psychological perspectives.", "PMID": 776007} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4402", "title": "EPSDT- one quarter million screenings in Michigan.", "content": "Since the spring of 1973, Michigan's EPSDT program has screened more than 300,000 children. The Department of Social Services contracted with the Department of Public Health to design the screening and referral parts of the program; in turn the Department of Public Health contracts with local health departments to do screening with one or more teams composed of a nurse, two technicians, and a clerk. The 72 teams screen 10,000 clients each month. More than one-half of these clients are referred for diagnosis and treatment. The highest percentage (27 per cent) of referral is for dental care; the second highest (26 per cent) is for immunization. Participation in the program of state and local social services departments, local health departments, and all groups of health providers has been excellent. There continues to be a high no-show for screening and a moderate no-show rate to providers for diagnosis and treatment. Evaluation of the program elements is needed.", "contents": "EPSDT- one quarter million screenings in Michigan. Since the spring of 1973, Michigan's EPSDT program has screened more than 300,000 children. The Department of Social Services contracted with the Department of Public Health to design the screening and referral parts of the program; in turn the Department of Public Health contracts with local health departments to do screening with one or more teams composed of a nurse, two technicians, and a clerk. The 72 teams screen 10,000 clients each month. More than one-half of these clients are referred for diagnosis and treatment. The highest percentage (27 per cent) of referral is for dental care; the second highest (26 per cent) is for immunization. Participation in the program of state and local social services departments, local health departments, and all groups of health providers has been excellent. There continues to be a high no-show for screening and a moderate no-show rate to providers for diagnosis and treatment. Evaluation of the program elements is needed.", "PMID": 776008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4403", "title": "Bovine carotid heterograft for segmental ureteral substitution.", "content": "Substitution of segments of traumatized or diseased ureter has been attempted often with little success. The ideal ureteral subsitute has yet to be found, and experiments with the newer biologically inert prosthetic materials such as the bovine carotid artery heterograft are warranted.", "contents": "Bovine carotid heterograft for segmental ureteral substitution. Substitution of segments of traumatized or diseased ureter has been attempted often with little success. The ideal ureteral subsitute has yet to be found, and experiments with the newer biologically inert prosthetic materials such as the bovine carotid artery heterograft are warranted.", "PMID": 776010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4404", "title": "Urinary lysosomal enzymes for detection of acute renal allograft rejection.", "content": "Six patients who received renal transplants were closely monitored to compare the sensitivity of urine levels of beta-galactosidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase with conventional clinical and laboratory parameters in the detection of impending rejection. A rapid (60 minute), simple, accurate fluorometric assay was used to measure activities of both enzymes. Eighty per cent of ten rejection episodes were accompanied by a two- to sixfold increase in enzyme release. Parallel changes in serum creatinine levels and urinary volume occurred in six rejection episodes, but in two episodes, elevated urinary enzyme levels were observed two and four days prior to clinical evidence of rejection. It is concluded that urinary lysosomal enzyme measurements by fluorometric assay are valuable indicators of acute renal rejection, particularly when the diagnosis is not clearly established by conventional criteria that show only minimal changes. Continuing studies in a large group of renal transplant recipients are under way to evaluate the validity of this conclusion and to determine whether enzyme measurements, will, indeed, be indicative of early rejection.", "contents": "Urinary lysosomal enzymes for detection of acute renal allograft rejection. Six patients who received renal transplants were closely monitored to compare the sensitivity of urine levels of beta-galactosidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase with conventional clinical and laboratory parameters in the detection of impending rejection. A rapid (60 minute), simple, accurate fluorometric assay was used to measure activities of both enzymes. Eighty per cent of ten rejection episodes were accompanied by a two- to sixfold increase in enzyme release. Parallel changes in serum creatinine levels and urinary volume occurred in six rejection episodes, but in two episodes, elevated urinary enzyme levels were observed two and four days prior to clinical evidence of rejection. It is concluded that urinary lysosomal enzyme measurements by fluorometric assay are valuable indicators of acute renal rejection, particularly when the diagnosis is not clearly established by conventional criteria that show only minimal changes. Continuing studies in a large group of renal transplant recipients are under way to evaluate the validity of this conclusion and to determine whether enzyme measurements, will, indeed, be indicative of early rejection.", "PMID": 776011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4405", "title": "The practice of surgery in the fourteenth century.", "content": "Henri de Mondeville details a method of wound healing that emphasizes early debridement and primary closure. In Guy de Chauliac's advice on the treatment of groin hernias, he demonstrates an early if unsophisticated understanding of the principles of high ligation of the sac and repair of the direct defect.", "contents": "The practice of surgery in the fourteenth century. Henri de Mondeville details a method of wound healing that emphasizes early debridement and primary closure. In Guy de Chauliac's advice on the treatment of groin hernias, he demonstrates an early if unsophisticated understanding of the principles of high ligation of the sac and repair of the direct defect.", "PMID": 776012} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4406", "title": "Orthotopic renal homotransplantation in a patient with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava.", "content": "Complete thrombosis of the infrarenal vena cava and the entire iliac venous system is a unique circumstance in a candidate for renal allotransplantation. This condition was created in a patient by the previous use of an inferior vena cava clip. The patient received a kidney transplant in the orthotopic intra-abdominal position, using his own renal vein for renovenous anastomosis. The usual method of urinary drainage was also modified. This approach to transplantation should be considered in the presence of partial clotting or occlusion in the distal vena cava or iliac venous system.", "contents": "Orthotopic renal homotransplantation in a patient with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava. Complete thrombosis of the infrarenal vena cava and the entire iliac venous system is a unique circumstance in a candidate for renal allotransplantation. This condition was created in a patient by the previous use of an inferior vena cava clip. The patient received a kidney transplant in the orthotopic intra-abdominal position, using his own renal vein for renovenous anastomosis. The usual method of urinary drainage was also modified. This approach to transplantation should be considered in the presence of partial clotting or occlusion in the distal vena cava or iliac venous system.", "PMID": 776014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4407", "title": "Use of the bipedicle flap in radical neck dissection for head and neck cancer.", "content": "Many advantages of the bipedicle flap have become obvious in our large volume of head and neck surgery, especially in patients who have received radiation therapy. Not once has carotid blowout occurred after utilization of this type of incision.", "contents": "Use of the bipedicle flap in radical neck dissection for head and neck cancer. Many advantages of the bipedicle flap have become obvious in our large volume of head and neck surgery, especially in patients who have received radiation therapy. Not once has carotid blowout occurred after utilization of this type of incision.", "PMID": 776015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4408", "title": "Intermittent positive pressure ventilation in infants and children. The Long term effects in 74 survivors.", "content": "Seventy-four infants and children surviving after more than 12 hours IPPV are discussed with reference to long-term physical and mental development.", "contents": "Intermittent positive pressure ventilation in infants and children. The Long term effects in 74 survivors. Seventy-four infants and children surviving after more than 12 hours IPPV are discussed with reference to long-term physical and mental development.", "PMID": 776025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4409", "title": "Psychiatric problems in intensive care. Five patients with acute confusional states and depression.", "content": "Five case histories are presented of patients with multiple trauma or severe infection, who developed psychiatric symptoms after an initially favourable response to intensive therapy. Alterations in the level of consciousness and behavioural pattern were observed, associated with the presence of acute depression, possibly primarily endogenous in origin. Following intravenous Clomipramine administration, considerable improvement was noted in all five patients, regarding both the depressive state and the clouding of consciousness. The importance of recognising psychiatric disorder in severly ill patients in an intensive therapy environment is stressed.", "contents": "Psychiatric problems in intensive care. Five patients with acute confusional states and depression. Five case histories are presented of patients with multiple trauma or severe infection, who developed psychiatric symptoms after an initially favourable response to intensive therapy. Alterations in the level of consciousness and behavioural pattern were observed, associated with the presence of acute depression, possibly primarily endogenous in origin. Following intravenous Clomipramine administration, considerable improvement was noted in all five patients, regarding both the depressive state and the clouding of consciousness. The importance of recognising psychiatric disorder in severly ill patients in an intensive therapy environment is stressed.", "PMID": 776026} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4410", "title": "Continuous positive airway pressure. The collection of expired gases.", "content": "A low dead space, low resistance, non-rebreathing valve is described. When used with a constant pressure source it enables the expired gases of patients being managed on CPAP to be collected for physiological analysis. It also functions as a collect valve during normal spontaneous respiration and during IPPV.", "contents": "Continuous positive airway pressure. The collection of expired gases. A low dead space, low resistance, non-rebreathing valve is described. When used with a constant pressure source it enables the expired gases of patients being managed on CPAP to be collected for physiological analysis. It also functions as a collect valve during normal spontaneous respiration and during IPPV.", "PMID": 776027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4411", "title": "PEPP and the Bird ventilator. Application of a positive end expiratory pressure plateau to the Bird ventilator for assisted and controlled ventilation.", "content": "A device is described with which the PEPP may be used with the Bird ventilator (mark 7 or 8) during assisted and/or controlled ventilation. Advantages over other currently available systems providing PEPP are discussed and these include ease of use, cheapness, versatility and safety.", "contents": "PEPP and the Bird ventilator. Application of a positive end expiratory pressure plateau to the Bird ventilator for assisted and controlled ventilation. A device is described with which the PEPP may be used with the Bird ventilator (mark 7 or 8) during assisted and/or controlled ventilation. Advantages over other currently available systems providing PEPP are discussed and these include ease of use, cheapness, versatility and safety.", "PMID": 776028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4412", "title": "[Studies on the structure of thalamo-cortical projection neurons and interneurons in the Corpus geniculatum laterale pars dorsalis of albino rats after different histological treatments].", "content": "1. In the dorsal part of the lateral geniculate body of the albino rat (Wistar strain) the identification of relay neurons and interneurons has been carried out and the findings in Golgi and Nissl preparations were compared with those in the semithinn sections and in the electron microscopic preparations. 2. The effect of different histolical treatments (perfused by Karnovsky's fluid and embedded in micropal; immersed or perfused by Bouin's fluid, formalin or glutaraldehyde and embedded in celloidine or paraffin) in the structure of the relay neurons and the interneurons in combination with the Nissl method is described. 3. Following immersion the cytoplasm of the relay neurons is relatively broad and has a rough structure in the extreme case (glutaraldehyde) it is vacuolized due to hypoxie or anoxie. In these preparations we could not extimate dark neurons. 4. Following perfusion the cytoplasm of the relay neurons has a fine structure and is more narrow than following fixation by immersion. Furthermore the cell nucleus is enlarged. 5. The identification of interneurons is possible to a high degree of security only after fixation with one of the both aldehydes according to the well-known criteria. When Bouin's fluid is applied the chromatin particle at the nucleolus as one of the important discriminators is not represented. 6. In the single groups the relay neurons were characterized by quantitative parameters. As statistical method of calculation the paired comparison is used. The findings about the semithinn sections are regarded as the standard values because this material is expected to give the most reliable equivalent picture. 7. In 9 out of 12 cases the diameter of the cell soma is smaller and in 3 cases larger than the standard value. 3 values (perfused by Bouin's fluid and embedded in paraffin; immersed by formalin and embedded in celloidine; immersed by glutaraldehyde and embedded in celloidine) do not present remarkable deviation from the standard value. 8. Amongst the diameters of the nuclei only one value is larger than the standard value. 7 values do not significantly differ from the standard value, among them the values of meterial perfused by Bouin's fluid and embedded in paraffin and also immersed by formalin and embedded in celloidine. 9. All the quotientes from soma diameter and nucleus diameter are significantly different to the standard value. The difference between the values of immersion by Bouin's fluid and the standard value is the smallest one. 10. Although the values of soma diameter and nucleus diameter of the mateiral following perfusion by Bouin's fluid and embedding in paraffin as well as following immersion by formalin and embedding incelloidine are not significantly different to the standard value, we prefer immersion by formalin and embedding in celloidine because it is the most suitable method solving the special problems concerning the identification of relay neurons and interneurons in Nissl preparations and the metrical comparisons with findings in Golgi investigations.", "contents": "[Studies on the structure of thalamo-cortical projection neurons and interneurons in the Corpus geniculatum laterale pars dorsalis of albino rats after different histological treatments]. 1. In the dorsal part of the lateral geniculate body of the albino rat (Wistar strain) the identification of relay neurons and interneurons has been carried out and the findings in Golgi and Nissl preparations were compared with those in the semithinn sections and in the electron microscopic preparations. 2. The effect of different histolical treatments (perfused by Karnovsky's fluid and embedded in micropal; immersed or perfused by Bouin's fluid, formalin or glutaraldehyde and embedded in celloidine or paraffin) in the structure of the relay neurons and the interneurons in combination with the Nissl method is described. 3. Following immersion the cytoplasm of the relay neurons is relatively broad and has a rough structure in the extreme case (glutaraldehyde) it is vacuolized due to hypoxie or anoxie. In these preparations we could not extimate dark neurons. 4. Following perfusion the cytoplasm of the relay neurons has a fine structure and is more narrow than following fixation by immersion. Furthermore the cell nucleus is enlarged. 5. The identification of interneurons is possible to a high degree of security only after fixation with one of the both aldehydes according to the well-known criteria. When Bouin's fluid is applied the chromatin particle at the nucleolus as one of the important discriminators is not represented. 6. In the single groups the relay neurons were characterized by quantitative parameters. As statistical method of calculation the paired comparison is used. The findings about the semithinn sections are regarded as the standard values because this material is expected to give the most reliable equivalent picture. 7. In 9 out of 12 cases the diameter of the cell soma is smaller and in 3 cases larger than the standard value. 3 values (perfused by Bouin's fluid and embedded in paraffin; immersed by formalin and embedded in celloidine; immersed by glutaraldehyde and embedded in celloidine) do not present remarkable deviation from the standard value. 8. Amongst the diameters of the nuclei only one value is larger than the standard value. 7 values do not significantly differ from the standard value, among them the values of meterial perfused by Bouin's fluid and embedded in paraffin and also immersed by formalin and embedded in celloidine. 9. All the quotientes from soma diameter and nucleus diameter are significantly different to the standard value. The difference between the values of immersion by Bouin's fluid and the standard value is the smallest one. 10. Although the values of soma diameter and nucleus diameter of the mateiral following perfusion by Bouin's fluid and embedding in paraffin as well as following immersion by formalin and embedding incelloidine are not significantly different to the standard value, we prefer immersion by formalin and embedding in celloidine because it is the most suitable method solving the special problems concerning the identification of relay neurons and interneurons in Nissl preparations and the metrical comparisons with findings in Golgi investigations.", "PMID": 776035} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4413", "title": "Transplantation of the fetal rat pancreas: quantitative morphological analysis of islet tissue growth.", "content": "When pancreases from fetal rats were transplanted beneath the kidney capsule of isologous normal adult recipients, continued growth and differentiation of the endocrine portion of the pancreas occurred. While limited amounts of acinar tissues were identifiable in the early transplant period (7 days), such cells were absent in long term transplants (14 and 21 days). In contrast, while few definitive islet beta cells were present at the time of transplantation, following 21 days at the kidney site large circumscribed islets comprised of heavily granulated beta cells in association with duct epithelial cells predominated. Mitotic figures were seen in both these cell populations. Total islet mass had increased over 20-fold during the transplantation period. Similar results were observed if fetal pancreases were grown in organ culture for ten days prior to transplantation. Continued islet and duct cell growth, as evidenced by mitotic figures and an increase in absolute islet cell mass was obtained in such cultured explants when transplanted to either isogenic or allogenic recipients. These observations support the hypothesis that fetal pancreas may be the best source of donor material for transplantation to diabetic recipients, in part due to the continued growth and differentiation of the islet tissue during the transplantation period.", "contents": "Transplantation of the fetal rat pancreas: quantitative morphological analysis of islet tissue growth. When pancreases from fetal rats were transplanted beneath the kidney capsule of isologous normal adult recipients, continued growth and differentiation of the endocrine portion of the pancreas occurred. While limited amounts of acinar tissues were identifiable in the early transplant period (7 days), such cells were absent in long term transplants (14 and 21 days). In contrast, while few definitive islet beta cells were present at the time of transplantation, following 21 days at the kidney site large circumscribed islets comprised of heavily granulated beta cells in association with duct epithelial cells predominated. Mitotic figures were seen in both these cell populations. Total islet mass had increased over 20-fold during the transplantation period. Similar results were observed if fetal pancreases were grown in organ culture for ten days prior to transplantation. Continued islet and duct cell growth, as evidenced by mitotic figures and an increase in absolute islet cell mass was obtained in such cultured explants when transplanted to either isogenic or allogenic recipients. These observations support the hypothesis that fetal pancreas may be the best source of donor material for transplantation to diabetic recipients, in part due to the continued growth and differentiation of the islet tissue during the transplantation period.", "PMID": 776036} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4414", "title": "Tooth attrition and the temporomandibular joint.", "content": "1. It is thought the differences shown to exist between the unworn sample and the worn sample would have been clearer if the criteria for the classification of worn had been more severe. Examination of the ranges of measurements would make one suspect some subjects suffered dental attrition to a degree that no enamel was left on the occlusal surfaces of the third molars without showing damage elsewhere. The author did not feel competent to assess third molars that had not only lost all their occlusal enamel but also one mm of dentin, so was unable to make his worn classification more stringent. Again the reader is reminded that broeken down or \"worn out\" dentitions were specifically excluded from the samples...", "contents": "Tooth attrition and the temporomandibular joint. 1. It is thought the differences shown to exist between the unworn sample and the worn sample would have been clearer if the criteria for the classification of worn had been more severe. Examination of the ranges of measurements would make one suspect some subjects suffered dental attrition to a degree that no enamel was left on the occlusal surfaces of the third molars without showing damage elsewhere. The author did not feel competent to assess third molars that had not only lost all their occlusal enamel but also one mm of dentin, so was unable to make his worn classification more stringent. Again the reader is reminded that broeken down or \"worn out\" dentitions were specifically excluded from the samples...", "PMID": 776043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4415", "title": "A comparative study of some dental cements used in orthodontics.", "content": "It is suggested that decalcification occurring beneath orthodontic bands is, among other factors, related to the tensile bond strength of the cement to the enamel surface, its marginal leakage at the enamel-cement interface, and its solubility and and disintegration. Under the laboratory conditions described in this study the composite cement exhibited the greatest tensile bond strength to both enamel and band material. The composite cement also displayed no marginal leakage at the enamel-cement interface and showed no solubility or disintegration under the experimental conditions. It could therefore be anticipated that, of the four cements evaluated in this study, the composite cement would have the greatest potential for eliminating pathologic enamel decalcification occurring beneath orthodontic bands.", "contents": "A comparative study of some dental cements used in orthodontics. It is suggested that decalcification occurring beneath orthodontic bands is, among other factors, related to the tensile bond strength of the cement to the enamel surface, its marginal leakage at the enamel-cement interface, and its solubility and and disintegration. Under the laboratory conditions described in this study the composite cement exhibited the greatest tensile bond strength to both enamel and band material. The composite cement also displayed no marginal leakage at the enamel-cement interface and showed no solubility or disintegration under the experimental conditions. It could therefore be anticipated that, of the four cements evaluated in this study, the composite cement would have the greatest potential for eliminating pathologic enamel decalcification occurring beneath orthodontic bands.", "PMID": 776044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4416", "title": "Butorphanol and morphine: a double-blind comparison of their parenteral analgesic activity.", "content": "The analgesic effects of butorphanol tartrate and morphine sulfate were compared in 127 patients judged to have moderate to severe pain following major operations. The study was double-blind, and the drugs were given IM at several dosage levels. Scores for pain intensity and relief, as well as pain-intensity difference, were determined at 30, 60 and 120 minutes after medication, then were analyzed by a parallel-line assay method in a modified computer program. The analysis indicated butorphanol tartrate to be 7 times as potent as morphine sulfate. Peak analgesic effects were obtained at 60 minutes with both drugs. Side effects were minimal in degree and incidence. Neither butorphanol nor morphine induced any changes in blood pressure, pulse rate, or respiratory rate. These data, along with those from studies elsewhere, suggest that butorphanol is a safe, potent, and effective analgesic agents, with probably a low potential for inducing drug dependence.", "contents": "Butorphanol and morphine: a double-blind comparison of their parenteral analgesic activity. The analgesic effects of butorphanol tartrate and morphine sulfate were compared in 127 patients judged to have moderate to severe pain following major operations. The study was double-blind, and the drugs were given IM at several dosage levels. Scores for pain intensity and relief, as well as pain-intensity difference, were determined at 30, 60 and 120 minutes after medication, then were analyzed by a parallel-line assay method in a modified computer program. The analysis indicated butorphanol tartrate to be 7 times as potent as morphine sulfate. Peak analgesic effects were obtained at 60 minutes with both drugs. Side effects were minimal in degree and incidence. Neither butorphanol nor morphine induced any changes in blood pressure, pulse rate, or respiratory rate. These data, along with those from studies elsewhere, suggest that butorphanol is a safe, potent, and effective analgesic agents, with probably a low potential for inducing drug dependence.", "PMID": 776040} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4417", "title": "[Statistical evaluation of biochemical data by the method of discrimination analysis. Selection of the discriminant biochemical variables. Attempted biochemical discrimination of intrahepatic cholestasis, extrahepatic obstruction and liver cancer].", "content": "An original method of statistical treatment of biological data is proposed. It permits satisfactory biochemical classification of 322 patients divided up into 3 groups : intrahepatic cholestasis (235 patients), extrahepatic obstruction (44 patients) and carcinoma of the liver (43 patients). On the basis of 32 tests, it was possible to define discriminating areas permitting satisfactory diagnosis in 95 per cent of published cases. The reduction in the number of tests necessary for diagnosis was considered. The selection technic used was original to the extent that it dose not require, like most methods used today, the determination of better individual discriminators, but the establishment of a better discriminating subunit, obtained from the initial subunit composed of a group of variables. From the 32 parameters contained in the standard liver function tests, a search for a better discriminating subunit consisting of the best four tests, permitted the authors to select a group of 10 tests : bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, 5-nucleotidase, Thymolturbidity, Cetavlon test, serum albumin, total LDH, TGP (ALAT), OCT, GLDH, of which the discriminating value remains very satisfactory.", "contents": "[Statistical evaluation of biochemical data by the method of discrimination analysis. Selection of the discriminant biochemical variables. Attempted biochemical discrimination of intrahepatic cholestasis, extrahepatic obstruction and liver cancer]. An original method of statistical treatment of biological data is proposed. It permits satisfactory biochemical classification of 322 patients divided up into 3 groups : intrahepatic cholestasis (235 patients), extrahepatic obstruction (44 patients) and carcinoma of the liver (43 patients). On the basis of 32 tests, it was possible to define discriminating areas permitting satisfactory diagnosis in 95 per cent of published cases. The reduction in the number of tests necessary for diagnosis was considered. The selection technic used was original to the extent that it dose not require, like most methods used today, the determination of better individual discriminators, but the establishment of a better discriminating subunit, obtained from the initial subunit composed of a group of variables. From the 32 parameters contained in the standard liver function tests, a search for a better discriminating subunit consisting of the best four tests, permitted the authors to select a group of 10 tests : bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, 5-nucleotidase, Thymolturbidity, Cetavlon test, serum albumin, total LDH, TGP (ALAT), OCT, GLDH, of which the discriminating value remains very satisfactory.", "PMID": 776046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4418", "title": "[Criteria and validity of continuous measurement of pO2 and pCO2 in man].", "content": "After description of a method of continuous measurement of partial pressure of blood gases, the authors describe the technical difficulties : behaviour of the electrodes, problems associated with continuous measurement, and emphasise the influence of the method on the results, e.g. heparinisation, blood flow rate, quantity of blood consumed. The results obtained under suitable physiological conditions show the difficulty of interpretation of continuous measurement of gaseous parameters and show interest in short but significant function tests.", "contents": "[Criteria and validity of continuous measurement of pO2 and pCO2 in man]. After description of a method of continuous measurement of partial pressure of blood gases, the authors describe the technical difficulties : behaviour of the electrodes, problems associated with continuous measurement, and emphasise the influence of the method on the results, e.g. heparinisation, blood flow rate, quantity of blood consumed. The results obtained under suitable physiological conditions show the difficulty of interpretation of continuous measurement of gaseous parameters and show interest in short but significant function tests.", "PMID": 776047} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4419", "title": "Clinical pharmacology of oxolinic acid in young dairy calves.", "content": "The in vitro sensitivity to oxolinic acid shown by pathogenic gram-negative bacterial isolates from young calves with diarrhea, pneumonia, and septicemia was investigated by the bute dilution method. Minimal bactericidal concentrations of the drug for 65.5% of the isolates were less than or equal to 1.56 mug/ml and for 90%, less than or equal to 6.25 mug/ml. Cross resistance between oxolinic acid and chloramphenicol, streptomycin, neomycin, colistin, ampicillin, gentamicin, and oxytetracycline was not observed. Oxolinic acid was orally administered to a group of calves at dose levels of 12.5 to 57.0 mg/kg, and sodium oxolinate was intramuscularly injected in another group of calves at dose levels of 12.5 and 20 mg/kg. In the 1st group, oxolinic acid was detected in blood serum 15 minutes later; peak serum concentrations averaged 25 mug/ml at 10 hours after treatment with 50 mg of the drug/kg and 3 mug/ml at 7 hours, with 12.5 mg of the drug/kg. In the 2nd group, the dose level of 20 mg of sodium oxolinate/kg resulted in mean peak serum concentration of 4 mug/ml, observed 1 hour after the drug was injected. The half-life of the drugs in serum was approximately 3.5 hours after they were orally or intramuscularly given. These investigations indicate that oxolinic acid could be used in the treatment of the common calf diseases.", "contents": "Clinical pharmacology of oxolinic acid in young dairy calves. The in vitro sensitivity to oxolinic acid shown by pathogenic gram-negative bacterial isolates from young calves with diarrhea, pneumonia, and septicemia was investigated by the bute dilution method. Minimal bactericidal concentrations of the drug for 65.5% of the isolates were less than or equal to 1.56 mug/ml and for 90%, less than or equal to 6.25 mug/ml. Cross resistance between oxolinic acid and chloramphenicol, streptomycin, neomycin, colistin, ampicillin, gentamicin, and oxytetracycline was not observed. Oxolinic acid was orally administered to a group of calves at dose levels of 12.5 to 57.0 mg/kg, and sodium oxolinate was intramuscularly injected in another group of calves at dose levels of 12.5 and 20 mg/kg. In the 1st group, oxolinic acid was detected in blood serum 15 minutes later; peak serum concentrations averaged 25 mug/ml at 10 hours after treatment with 50 mg of the drug/kg and 3 mug/ml at 7 hours, with 12.5 mg of the drug/kg. In the 2nd group, the dose level of 20 mg of sodium oxolinate/kg resulted in mean peak serum concentration of 4 mug/ml, observed 1 hour after the drug was injected. The half-life of the drugs in serum was approximately 3.5 hours after they were orally or intramuscularly given. These investigations indicate that oxolinic acid could be used in the treatment of the common calf diseases.", "PMID": 776048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4420", "title": "Effect of lincomycin on prevalence, duration, and quantity of Salmonella typhimurium excreted by swine.", "content": "Thirty-one swine (7.5 kg live wt) were fed diets which contained 0 or 110 mg of lincomycin/kg. These pigs were then inoculated with a nalidixic acid-resistant strain of Salmonella typhimurium and monitored for 56 days thereafter to determine (1) the quantity of S typhimurium shed in the feces, (2) the length of time the organism was shed, and (3) the number of swine which shed the organism for the 56-day period after exposure. Addition of lincomycin to diets did not alter these 3 criteria from those obtained in S typhimurium-exposed nontreated swine when results for nontreated and treated swine were compared. In addition, the sensitivity of the S typhimurium strain to 8 antibiotics, 1 nitrofuran, and 1 sulfonamide was not affected by in vivo exposure to lincomycin for 39 days. Lincomycin did not produce adverse effects in either inoculated or noninoculated pigs.", "contents": "Effect of lincomycin on prevalence, duration, and quantity of Salmonella typhimurium excreted by swine. Thirty-one swine (7.5 kg live wt) were fed diets which contained 0 or 110 mg of lincomycin/kg. These pigs were then inoculated with a nalidixic acid-resistant strain of Salmonella typhimurium and monitored for 56 days thereafter to determine (1) the quantity of S typhimurium shed in the feces, (2) the length of time the organism was shed, and (3) the number of swine which shed the organism for the 56-day period after exposure. Addition of lincomycin to diets did not alter these 3 criteria from those obtained in S typhimurium-exposed nontreated swine when results for nontreated and treated swine were compared. In addition, the sensitivity of the S typhimurium strain to 8 antibiotics, 1 nitrofuran, and 1 sulfonamide was not affected by in vivo exposure to lincomycin for 39 days. Lincomycin did not produce adverse effects in either inoculated or noninoculated pigs.", "PMID": 776049} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4421", "title": "Sensitivity of Escherichia coli after exposure to lincomycin in vitro and in vivo.", "content": "Exposure of 10 Escherichia coli isolates in vitro to a concentration of lincomycin found in the intestine of swine fed the maximun concentration recommended in feed did not significantly affect sensitivity to 8 antibiotics, 1 nitrofuran, and 1 sulfonamide when compared with sensitivity of E coli isolates not exposed to lincomycin. Changes in sensitivity, on the basis of Kirby-Bauer interpretation, did occasionally occur; however, these alterations were in zonal sizes, which were marginal for designation as sensitive, intermediate, or resistant. These same fluctuations were observed in E coli not exposed to lincomycin. Exposure of E coli to lincomycin in the intestinal tract of swine for 34 days did not alter sensitivity of E coli to tetracycline, dihydrostreptomycin, spectinomycin, lincomycin, or triple sulfa. The results indicated that addition of lincomycin to the feed did not appear to promote resistance transfer in E coli.", "contents": "Sensitivity of Escherichia coli after exposure to lincomycin in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of 10 Escherichia coli isolates in vitro to a concentration of lincomycin found in the intestine of swine fed the maximun concentration recommended in feed did not significantly affect sensitivity to 8 antibiotics, 1 nitrofuran, and 1 sulfonamide when compared with sensitivity of E coli isolates not exposed to lincomycin. Changes in sensitivity, on the basis of Kirby-Bauer interpretation, did occasionally occur; however, these alterations were in zonal sizes, which were marginal for designation as sensitive, intermediate, or resistant. These same fluctuations were observed in E coli not exposed to lincomycin. Exposure of E coli to lincomycin in the intestinal tract of swine for 34 days did not alter sensitivity of E coli to tetracycline, dihydrostreptomycin, spectinomycin, lincomycin, or triple sulfa. The results indicated that addition of lincomycin to the feed did not appear to promote resistance transfer in E coli.", "PMID": 776050} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4422", "title": "The multipartite genome of brome mosaic virus: aspects of in vitro translation and RNA structure.", "content": "The multipartite nature of the brome mosaic virus genome is described. Particular attention is given to the translation of the RNAs in cell-free extracts, from dry wheat seed embryos and commercial wheat germ. Such studies have demonstrated that the smallest RNA is a monocistronic message for coat protein. This cistron is also carried on the intermediate sized RNA, which also codes for a larger protein, of unknown function. Translation of the larger RNAs 1 and 2 is compared, incell-free extracts of wheat embryo and wheat germ. There is evidence that these RNAs may also be monocistronic messages for large polypeptides (molecular weight 100,000), indicating that there are few non-translatable regions on these RNAs. Some recent nucleotide sequence studies are described, including the ribosome binding site of the coat protein cistron, and the 3' termini of all four RNAs, which appear to be identical, at least over a region of 150 nucleotides.", "contents": "The multipartite genome of brome mosaic virus: aspects of in vitro translation and RNA structure. The multipartite nature of the brome mosaic virus genome is described. Particular attention is given to the translation of the RNAs in cell-free extracts, from dry wheat seed embryos and commercial wheat germ. Such studies have demonstrated that the smallest RNA is a monocistronic message for coat protein. This cistron is also carried on the intermediate sized RNA, which also codes for a larger protein, of unknown function. Translation of the larger RNAs 1 and 2 is compared, incell-free extracts of wheat embryo and wheat germ. There is evidence that these RNAs may also be monocistronic messages for large polypeptides (molecular weight 100,000), indicating that there are few non-translatable regions on these RNAs. Some recent nucleotide sequence studies are described, including the ribosome binding site of the coat protein cistron, and the 3' termini of all four RNAs, which appear to be identical, at least over a region of 150 nucleotides.", "PMID": 776056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4423", "title": "Statistical resolution of genetic heterogeneity in familial disease.", "content": "If a disease can be split into two or more groups on any criterion (clinical, biochemical, physiological or statistical) then the grouping can be tested to establish if genetically independent forms of the disease have been identified. The data required are simply the frequencies of the two disease groups in relatives of probands for each of the disease groups. A systematic search for such distinct groups is proposed in searches for genetic heterogeneity in familial diseases. In disease forms with overlapping, correlated genetic liabilities, the method of Falconer (1967) can be used to estimate the genetic correlation. However, when the groupings of the disease are confounded (such as one form precluding the other as in early and late onset diabetes) Falconer's method will be biased. Special methods of analysis to estimate the genetic parameters have been developed and are presented here. However, even when the groupings are confounded the Falconer method still gives reasonable estimates of the genetic correlation, in that they are unlikely to seriously mislead the investigator in the analysis and interpretation of observed data. In practice Falconer's simple method may be preferred to the more complex methods developed here because it involves fewer assumptions and can be applied over a wider range of circumstances.", "contents": "Statistical resolution of genetic heterogeneity in familial disease. If a disease can be split into two or more groups on any criterion (clinical, biochemical, physiological or statistical) then the grouping can be tested to establish if genetically independent forms of the disease have been identified. The data required are simply the frequencies of the two disease groups in relatives of probands for each of the disease groups. A systematic search for such distinct groups is proposed in searches for genetic heterogeneity in familial diseases. In disease forms with overlapping, correlated genetic liabilities, the method of Falconer (1967) can be used to estimate the genetic correlation. However, when the groupings of the disease are confounded (such as one form precluding the other as in early and late onset diabetes) Falconer's method will be biased. Special methods of analysis to estimate the genetic parameters have been developed and are presented here. However, even when the groupings are confounded the Falconer method still gives reasonable estimates of the genetic correlation, in that they are unlikely to seriously mislead the investigator in the analysis and interpretation of observed data. In practice Falconer's simple method may be preferred to the more complex methods developed here because it involves fewer assumptions and can be applied over a wider range of circumstances.", "PMID": 776063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4424", "title": "[Helminths of birds and mammals from Israel. VI. The taxonomy and ecology of Trichostrongylid Nematodes (author's transl)].", "content": "Thirteen species of trichostronglyloid nematodes have so far been recorded from wild birds and mammals in Israel and surrounding territories. Three species were found in birds: Amidostomum fulicae (Rudolphi, 1819) in Fulica atra L., 1758, A. acutum (Lundahl, 1848) in Anas crecca L., 1758 AND Amidostomum sp. in Ceryle rudis L., 1758. Ten species, 3 of which are new, were found in small mammals: Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Giles, 1892) in Hystrix indica Kerr, 1792; Tenorastrongylus josephi n. sp. in Mus musculus L., 1758; Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Travassos, 1914) in Rattus norvegicus Berk, 1796 and Rattus rattus L., 1758; Nippostrongylus witenbergi Greenberg, 1972, in Nesokia indica Gray et Hardw., 1832; Heligmonina nevoi n. sp. in Spalax ehrenbergi, Nehring, 1898; Boreostrongylus seurati (Travassos et Darriba, 1929) in Gerbillus allenbyi Thomas, 1918, G. pyramidum Geoffrey, 1825, G. (Dipodillus) dasyurus, Meriones sacramenti Thomas, 1922 and M. tristrami Thomas, 1892; Boreostrongylus minutus (Dujardin, 1845) in Microtus guentheri Danford et Alsen, 1880; Heligmosomoides polygyrus polygyrus (Dujardin, 1845) in Apodemus mystacinus Danf. et Alst., 1877 and A. sylvaticus L., 1758; Suncinema witenbergi n. sp. in Crocidura russula Herm., 1780. Ecologic and zoogeographic relationships are discussed.", "contents": "[Helminths of birds and mammals from Israel. VI. The taxonomy and ecology of Trichostrongylid Nematodes (author's transl)]. Thirteen species of trichostronglyloid nematodes have so far been recorded from wild birds and mammals in Israel and surrounding territories. Three species were found in birds: Amidostomum fulicae (Rudolphi, 1819) in Fulica atra L., 1758, A. acutum (Lundahl, 1848) in Anas crecca L., 1758 AND Amidostomum sp. in Ceryle rudis L., 1758. Ten species, 3 of which are new, were found in small mammals: Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Giles, 1892) in Hystrix indica Kerr, 1792; Tenorastrongylus josephi n. sp. in Mus musculus L., 1758; Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Travassos, 1914) in Rattus norvegicus Berk, 1796 and Rattus rattus L., 1758; Nippostrongylus witenbergi Greenberg, 1972, in Nesokia indica Gray et Hardw., 1832; Heligmonina nevoi n. sp. in Spalax ehrenbergi, Nehring, 1898; Boreostrongylus seurati (Travassos et Darriba, 1929) in Gerbillus allenbyi Thomas, 1918, G. pyramidum Geoffrey, 1825, G. (Dipodillus) dasyurus, Meriones sacramenti Thomas, 1922 and M. tristrami Thomas, 1892; Boreostrongylus minutus (Dujardin, 1845) in Microtus guentheri Danford et Alsen, 1880; Heligmosomoides polygyrus polygyrus (Dujardin, 1845) in Apodemus mystacinus Danf. et Alst., 1877 and A. sylvaticus L., 1758; Suncinema witenbergi n. sp. in Crocidura russula Herm., 1780. Ecologic and zoogeographic relationships are discussed.", "PMID": 776059} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4425", "title": "Racial variations in the incidence of congenital malformations.", "content": "Racial variation in the incidence of several common congenital malformations has been studied in Atlanta, Georgia. The white-to-black incidence ratios were substantially different from unity for single defects, while approximate equality of rates was noted for multiple defects. Amongst the specific malformations for which familial data were available, affected first- and second-degree relatives were found only in the families of probands with single defects. It is postulated that these findings may indicate a more prominent function of the environment in the genesis of multiple malformations than is the case for single defects, the occurrence of which may be more strongly affected by non-sporadic genetic factors.", "contents": "Racial variations in the incidence of congenital malformations. Racial variation in the incidence of several common congenital malformations has been studied in Atlanta, Georgia. The white-to-black incidence ratios were substantially different from unity for single defects, while approximate equality of rates was noted for multiple defects. Amongst the specific malformations for which familial data were available, affected first- and second-degree relatives were found only in the families of probands with single defects. It is postulated that these findings may indicate a more prominent function of the environment in the genesis of multiple malformations than is the case for single defects, the occurrence of which may be more strongly affected by non-sporadic genetic factors.", "PMID": 776064} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4426", "title": "[Thermotolerance of the Candida. Relationships with ecology, pathology and taxonomy (author's transl)].", "content": "An investigation on the maximum temperature of growth is reported on 477 strains of Candida, 23 species and 1 variety, including species actually not identied as Candida, but well known under that generic name in medical and veterinary mycology. C. pseudotropicalis is the most thermotolerante species (49 degrees), C. albicans coming only in second position (42 degrees -48 degrees); the less thermotolerante species is C. humicola (29 degrees), but the less thermotolerante strain is a C. sake (26 degrees -32 degrees). The relationships between the maximum temperature of growth and the ecology, the pathology and the taxonomy are discuted. In the group C. krusei a linkage between the maximum temperature and the utilisation of a sugar has been established, auguring a more close relation between the thermic characteristic and the enzymologic equipment of a yeast.", "contents": "[Thermotolerance of the Candida. Relationships with ecology, pathology and taxonomy (author's transl)]. An investigation on the maximum temperature of growth is reported on 477 strains of Candida, 23 species and 1 variety, including species actually not identied as Candida, but well known under that generic name in medical and veterinary mycology. C. pseudotropicalis is the most thermotolerante species (49 degrees), C. albicans coming only in second position (42 degrees -48 degrees); the less thermotolerante species is C. humicola (29 degrees), but the less thermotolerante strain is a C. sake (26 degrees -32 degrees). The relationships between the maximum temperature of growth and the ecology, the pathology and the taxonomy are discuted. In the group C. krusei a linkage between the maximum temperature and the utilisation of a sugar has been established, auguring a more close relation between the thermic characteristic and the enzymologic equipment of a yeast.", "PMID": 776060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4427", "title": "[Search for antibiotic antimetabolites].", "content": "Special media have been developed during the past years, which provided detection of new antibiotics with the properties of antimetabolites produced by microorganisms. Antimetabolites of amino acids, vitamins and nucleic acids were found among the antimetabolite antibiotics. The antimetabolites of nucleic acids with an antitumor activity were most interesting. This group of the compounds included 5-asacytidin and antibiotic 1719 identical to azotomycin.", "contents": "[Search for antibiotic antimetabolites]. Special media have been developed during the past years, which provided detection of new antibiotics with the properties of antimetabolites produced by microorganisms. Antimetabolites of amino acids, vitamins and nucleic acids were found among the antimetabolite antibiotics. The antimetabolites of nucleic acids with an antitumor activity were most interesting. This group of the compounds included 5-asacytidin and antibiotic 1719 identical to azotomycin.", "PMID": 776066} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4428", "title": "[Resistance of acylase-forming strains of E. coli to penicillin].", "content": "The role of penicillinacylase in resistance to penicillin of various strains of E. coli differing in the levels of acylase produced was investigated. All the strains produced simultaneously acylase and beta-lactamase. A preparation of pure acylase and an antiacylase immune serum were used in the experiments. The sensitivity testing was accompanied by chromatography of the culture broth with a purpose of finding penicillin inactivation products. A principle possibility of increasing the culture resistance to penicillin under the action of acylase was found. However, in testing the strain sensitivity with a method of serial dilutions the conditions for synthesis and action of acylase were unfavorable. Therefore, the main factor of the culture resistance to penicillin was beta-lactamase and not acylase.", "contents": "[Resistance of acylase-forming strains of E. coli to penicillin]. The role of penicillinacylase in resistance to penicillin of various strains of E. coli differing in the levels of acylase produced was investigated. All the strains produced simultaneously acylase and beta-lactamase. A preparation of pure acylase and an antiacylase immune serum were used in the experiments. The sensitivity testing was accompanied by chromatography of the culture broth with a purpose of finding penicillin inactivation products. A principle possibility of increasing the culture resistance to penicillin under the action of acylase was found. However, in testing the strain sensitivity with a method of serial dilutions the conditions for synthesis and action of acylase were unfavorable. Therefore, the main factor of the culture resistance to penicillin was beta-lactamase and not acylase.", "PMID": 776067} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4429", "title": "[Tetracycline and the primary immune response].", "content": "The effect of tetracycline on proliferation of plate- and rossette-forming cells in the spleen and mesenterial lymph nodes of rats in case of the primary immune response with respect to the sheep erythrocytes was studied using the methods of Jerne, Notta and Zaalberg. It was found that tetracycline acted as an inhibitor when it was administered 48 hours before introduction of the antigen. When they were administered simultaneously its inhibiting effect decreased. When tetracycline was injected 24 hours after the antigen administration it had induced stimulation of immunogenesis. The inhibiting effect of the antibiotic was more pronounced with respect to the plate-forming cells and less pronounced with respect to the rossette-forming cells. The inhibiting effect of the antibiotic was lower in the mesenterial lymph nodes than in the spleen. The problem of independent antibody genesis in the lymph nodes is discussed.", "contents": "[Tetracycline and the primary immune response]. The effect of tetracycline on proliferation of plate- and rossette-forming cells in the spleen and mesenterial lymph nodes of rats in case of the primary immune response with respect to the sheep erythrocytes was studied using the methods of Jerne, Notta and Zaalberg. It was found that tetracycline acted as an inhibitor when it was administered 48 hours before introduction of the antigen. When they were administered simultaneously its inhibiting effect decreased. When tetracycline was injected 24 hours after the antigen administration it had induced stimulation of immunogenesis. The inhibiting effect of the antibiotic was more pronounced with respect to the plate-forming cells and less pronounced with respect to the rossette-forming cells. The inhibiting effect of the antibiotic was lower in the mesenterial lymph nodes than in the spleen. The problem of independent antibody genesis in the lymph nodes is discussed.", "PMID": 776068} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4430", "title": "[Random immunoglobulin. I. Use of chaotropicions and fluorescence quenching for quantitating the non-specific adsorption in the interaction of human IgG with rhodamine B].", "content": "It is shown that, when excited in the visible range, fluorescence of the dye may be either quenched or enhanced, from its initial value Fo, by addition of increasing \"normal\" immunoglobulin (IgGH7 S), depending if the solution is \"non-chaotropic \" (NaF 0,1 M) or \"chaotropic\" KI 1 M). Let F be the fluorescence obtained at concentration P in protein, then the plot of the quantity P.F/(FO-F)against the quantity P.F/(FO-F) gives a straight line; the zero ordinate of this is the inverse of the non-specific interaction equilibrium constant. Quenching of fluorescence by increase of temperature, and by increase of concentration of salt (KI) are also quantitatively dealed upon in order to testify that this non-specific interaction is of the \"adsorption\" type. Concentration of dye is 10-6M; concentration of protein is varied from 0,05 % to 0,5 %.", "contents": "[Random immunoglobulin. I. Use of chaotropicions and fluorescence quenching for quantitating the non-specific adsorption in the interaction of human IgG with rhodamine B]. It is shown that, when excited in the visible range, fluorescence of the dye may be either quenched or enhanced, from its initial value Fo, by addition of increasing \"normal\" immunoglobulin (IgGH7 S), depending if the solution is \"non-chaotropic \" (NaF 0,1 M) or \"chaotropic\" KI 1 M). Let F be the fluorescence obtained at concentration P in protein, then the plot of the quantity P.F/(FO-F)against the quantity P.F/(FO-F) gives a straight line; the zero ordinate of this is the inverse of the non-specific interaction equilibrium constant. Quenching of fluorescence by increase of temperature, and by increase of concentration of salt (KI) are also quantitatively dealed upon in order to testify that this non-specific interaction is of the \"adsorption\" type. Concentration of dye is 10-6M; concentration of protein is varied from 0,05 % to 0,5 %.", "PMID": 776065} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4431", "title": "[Comparison of the efficacy of 3 methods of testing for the sterility of eye ointments with antibiotics].", "content": "Efficiency of 3 methods for testing sterility of antibiotic ophthalmic ointments was compared. During storage of antibiotic ophthalmic ointments infected with bacteria some \"self-sterilization\" takes place mainly due to death of the antibiotic sensitive bacteria. The results of determination of the ointment non-sterility depends on the level of their bacterial loading, sensitivity of the cultures to the antibiotic and time of the culture contact with the antibiotic in the ointment before its testing. The method of the ointment solution in isopropylmiristate filtration through a membrane filter followed by washing of the filter from the antibiotic and its placing into a thioglycol medium proved to be most effective for determination of bacterial admixtures in antibiotic ointments.", "contents": "[Comparison of the efficacy of 3 methods of testing for the sterility of eye ointments with antibiotics]. Efficiency of 3 methods for testing sterility of antibiotic ophthalmic ointments was compared. During storage of antibiotic ophthalmic ointments infected with bacteria some \"self-sterilization\" takes place mainly due to death of the antibiotic sensitive bacteria. The results of determination of the ointment non-sterility depends on the level of their bacterial loading, sensitivity of the cultures to the antibiotic and time of the culture contact with the antibiotic in the ointment before its testing. The method of the ointment solution in isopropylmiristate filtration through a membrane filter followed by washing of the filter from the antibiotic and its placing into a thioglycol medium proved to be most effective for determination of bacterial admixtures in antibiotic ointments.", "PMID": 776070} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4432", "title": "[Tetracycline resistance and cell-free systems of protein and polypeptide synthesis].", "content": "Acellular systems of synthesis of polyphenylalanin containing the supernatant fraction from E. coli B and ribosomes from an oxytetracycline sensitive strain of E. coli and strains resistant to that antibiotic were almost equally sensitive to oxytetracycline. The supernatant fraction from the cells of E. coli 241, a resistant strain absorbing significant amounts of oxytetracycline lowered the inhibiting effect of oxytetracycline in the acellular systems of protein synthesis (with an endogenic matrix). No fermentative inactivation of oxytetracycline by that fraction was found with both the biological and radiochromatographic methods.", "contents": "[Tetracycline resistance and cell-free systems of protein and polypeptide synthesis]. Acellular systems of synthesis of polyphenylalanin containing the supernatant fraction from E. coli B and ribosomes from an oxytetracycline sensitive strain of E. coli and strains resistant to that antibiotic were almost equally sensitive to oxytetracycline. The supernatant fraction from the cells of E. coli 241, a resistant strain absorbing significant amounts of oxytetracycline lowered the inhibiting effect of oxytetracycline in the acellular systems of protein synthesis (with an endogenic matrix). No fermentative inactivation of oxytetracycline by that fraction was found with both the biological and radiochromatographic methods.", "PMID": 776071} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4433", "title": "[Use of media with antibiotics for isolating resistant forms of the cholera vibrios].", "content": "Higher stability of resistance to tetracycline in the polyresistant strain of V. eltor under conditions of macroorganism as compared to nutrient media was found experimentally. To increase isolation of the resistant forms of the cholera vibrio it was recommended to use agar with tetracycline or other antibiotics depending on the particular case in addition to the routine media.", "contents": "[Use of media with antibiotics for isolating resistant forms of the cholera vibrios]. Higher stability of resistance to tetracycline in the polyresistant strain of V. eltor under conditions of macroorganism as compared to nutrient media was found experimentally. To increase isolation of the resistant forms of the cholera vibrio it was recommended to use agar with tetracycline or other antibiotics depending on the particular case in addition to the routine media.", "PMID": 776072} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4434", "title": "[Study of the effect of rifampicin on certain immunological and protective reactions of the body].", "content": "The effect of rifampicin on formation of hemagglutinins in mice in response to administration of sheep erythrocytes was studied. The experiments showed that rifampicin administered orally in doses 10-25 times higher than the therapeutic ones did not suppress formation of the antibodies and protective mechanisms of the organism. The antibiotic did not lower the absorbing capacity of the cells by the reticuloendothelial system and the rate of phagocytosis by the leucocytes of the peritoneal exudate in mice. Rifampicin had no effect as well on adaptation of a skin homotransplant in the animals.", "contents": "[Study of the effect of rifampicin on certain immunological and protective reactions of the body]. The effect of rifampicin on formation of hemagglutinins in mice in response to administration of sheep erythrocytes was studied. The experiments showed that rifampicin administered orally in doses 10-25 times higher than the therapeutic ones did not suppress formation of the antibodies and protective mechanisms of the organism. The antibiotic did not lower the absorbing capacity of the cells by the reticuloendothelial system and the rate of phagocytosis by the leucocytes of the peritoneal exudate in mice. Rifampicin had no effect as well on adaptation of a skin homotransplant in the animals.", "PMID": 776073} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4435", "title": "[Study of the growth patterns of Act. antibioticus and the biosynthesis of oleandomycin].", "content": "The study of some regularities of the oleandomycin-producing organism growth during the first stage of cultivation showed that an increase in the ammount of starch in the medium from 2 to 10 per cent promoted the growth and its specific rate. When the organism was cultivated on media with 2--6 per cent of starch, addition of ammonium sulfate in a concentration of 0.25--0.5 per cent was favourable for its growth. When the amount of starch was 8--10 per cent, ammonium sulfate in a concentration of 0.25--1.5 per cent had almost no effect on the growth and its specific rate. It was found that an increase in the amount of starch in the medium without ammonium sulfate promoted the mycelium growth and oleandomycin biosynthesis by 20 per cent, the time of cultivation being prolongated. Ammonium sulfate significantly stimulated the mycelium growth and decreased biosynthesis of oleandomycin. Additional introduction of starch solution in a concentration of 1 or 2 per cent during the first hours of the culture growth (24 hours) on the medium with 2 per cent of starch stimulated the growth, its specific rate and biosynthesis of oleandomycin by 20--30 per cent and the cultivation time increased. Simulataneous addition of starch and ammonium sulfate to the culture during the first hours of the growth (24 hours) decreased the biosynthesis of oleandomycin. The maximum respiration rate of the culture in flasks was registered in 24 hours, then it was followed by a decrease. Addition of starch and ammonium sulfate during the cultivation process, i.e. in 24, 48 and 72 hours increased every time the rate of the organism respiration.", "contents": "[Study of the growth patterns of Act. antibioticus and the biosynthesis of oleandomycin]. The study of some regularities of the oleandomycin-producing organism growth during the first stage of cultivation showed that an increase in the ammount of starch in the medium from 2 to 10 per cent promoted the growth and its specific rate. When the organism was cultivated on media with 2--6 per cent of starch, addition of ammonium sulfate in a concentration of 0.25--0.5 per cent was favourable for its growth. When the amount of starch was 8--10 per cent, ammonium sulfate in a concentration of 0.25--1.5 per cent had almost no effect on the growth and its specific rate. It was found that an increase in the amount of starch in the medium without ammonium sulfate promoted the mycelium growth and oleandomycin biosynthesis by 20 per cent, the time of cultivation being prolongated. Ammonium sulfate significantly stimulated the mycelium growth and decreased biosynthesis of oleandomycin. Additional introduction of starch solution in a concentration of 1 or 2 per cent during the first hours of the culture growth (24 hours) on the medium with 2 per cent of starch stimulated the growth, its specific rate and biosynthesis of oleandomycin by 20--30 per cent and the cultivation time increased. Simulataneous addition of starch and ammonium sulfate to the culture during the first hours of the growth (24 hours) decreased the biosynthesis of oleandomycin. The maximum respiration rate of the culture in flasks was registered in 24 hours, then it was followed by a decrease. Addition of starch and ammonium sulfate during the cultivation process, i.e. in 24, 48 and 72 hours increased every time the rate of the organism respiration.", "PMID": 776074} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4436", "title": "[Effect of antimicrobial preparations on thermogenesis in yeast-like fungi and in staphylococcus].", "content": "The results of the investigation of the effect of various concentrations of levorin and decamethoxin on the curves of thermogenesis in cultures of Candida albicans 688 and Staph. aureus 209 are presented in the paper. It was found that the above drugs in the concentration ranges within 0.0001--1 gamma/ml had different inhibitory effect on thermoproduction in the microorganisms. In the presence of higher concentrations of the drugs, i.e. above 1 gamma/ml thermoproduction practically ceased. It is supposed that determination of the levels of thermoprocesses in the presence of antimicrobial drugs provided predistination of the state of the biochemical reactions in the microorganisms at various stages of their cultivation.", "contents": "[Effect of antimicrobial preparations on thermogenesis in yeast-like fungi and in staphylococcus]. The results of the investigation of the effect of various concentrations of levorin and decamethoxin on the curves of thermogenesis in cultures of Candida albicans 688 and Staph. aureus 209 are presented in the paper. It was found that the above drugs in the concentration ranges within 0.0001--1 gamma/ml had different inhibitory effect on thermoproduction in the microorganisms. In the presence of higher concentrations of the drugs, i.e. above 1 gamma/ml thermoproduction practically ceased. It is supposed that determination of the levels of thermoprocesses in the presence of antimicrobial drugs provided predistination of the state of the biochemical reactions in the microorganisms at various stages of their cultivation.", "PMID": 776075} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4437", "title": "[Pharmacokinetic characteristics and the chemotherapeutic effectiveness of a 2% ditetracycline-erythromycin eye ointment].", "content": "The study of the antibacterial activity of ditetracycline combination with erythromycin (ratio 1 : 1) showed that the effect of the antibiotics increased with respect to most of Staphylococcus and Coli bacteria. The chemotherapeutic effect of the ointment in treatment of experimental staphylococcal conjunctivitis of rabbits was also studied. The clinical signs of the disease disappeared earlier than in the experiments with the use of ditetracycline and erythromycin ointments alone. The experiments with the rabbits revealed a prolonged effect of the ointment: ditetracycline and erythromycin in therapeutic concentrations were detected in the conjunctiva and cornea after a single application for 24--48 and 8 hours respectively.", "contents": "[Pharmacokinetic characteristics and the chemotherapeutic effectiveness of a 2% ditetracycline-erythromycin eye ointment]. The study of the antibacterial activity of ditetracycline combination with erythromycin (ratio 1 : 1) showed that the effect of the antibiotics increased with respect to most of Staphylococcus and Coli bacteria. The chemotherapeutic effect of the ointment in treatment of experimental staphylococcal conjunctivitis of rabbits was also studied. The clinical signs of the disease disappeared earlier than in the experiments with the use of ditetracycline and erythromycin ointments alone. The experiments with the rabbits revealed a prolonged effect of the ointment: ditetracycline and erythromycin in therapeutic concentrations were detected in the conjunctiva and cornea after a single application for 24--48 and 8 hours respectively.", "PMID": 776076} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4438", "title": "[Study of the mechanism of action of minocycline and of certain other tetracycline group compounds].", "content": "It was shown that the mechanism of action of minocycline on intact cells of E. coli was similar to that of oxytetracycline, i.e. specific inhibition of protein synthesis. In acellular systems of synthesis of polyphenylalanine with ribosomes from tetracycline sensitive and resistant strains of E. coli, minocycline and oxytetracycline had close inhibiting activity. Therefore, the highest antimicrobic activity of minocycline was due as compred to oxytetracycline to some advantages at the stage of penetration into the microbial cell and not at the stage the protein synthesis. 4-Epi-oxytetracycline and beta-apo-oxytetracycline possessing competing properties with respect to oxytetracycline at the stage of penetration through the cell membrane did not, however, suppress the synthesis of polyphenylalanine in the acellular system isolated from the sensitive strain of E. coli.", "contents": "[Study of the mechanism of action of minocycline and of certain other tetracycline group compounds]. It was shown that the mechanism of action of minocycline on intact cells of E. coli was similar to that of oxytetracycline, i.e. specific inhibition of protein synthesis. In acellular systems of synthesis of polyphenylalanine with ribosomes from tetracycline sensitive and resistant strains of E. coli, minocycline and oxytetracycline had close inhibiting activity. Therefore, the highest antimicrobic activity of minocycline was due as compred to oxytetracycline to some advantages at the stage of penetration into the microbial cell and not at the stage the protein synthesis. 4-Epi-oxytetracycline and beta-apo-oxytetracycline possessing competing properties with respect to oxytetracycline at the stage of penetration through the cell membrane did not, however, suppress the synthesis of polyphenylalanine in the acellular system isolated from the sensitive strain of E. coli.", "PMID": 776077} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4439", "title": "[Antigenic properties of 1-asparaginases isolated from different species and strains of bacteria].", "content": "Immunological relation of L-aspariginase isolated from different strains of E. coli and Ervinia carotovera was investigated by the method of specific neutralization of the asparaginase effect on asparagin in the presence of immune antiasparaginase serum and the method of microprecipitation in agar. It was found that there was immunological relation between asparaginases of different strains of the same microbial species. At the same time common antigens were absent in asparaginases synthesized by different bacterial species.", "contents": "[Antigenic properties of 1-asparaginases isolated from different species and strains of bacteria]. Immunological relation of L-aspariginase isolated from different strains of E. coli and Ervinia carotovera was investigated by the method of specific neutralization of the asparaginase effect on asparagin in the presence of immune antiasparaginase serum and the method of microprecipitation in agar. It was found that there was immunological relation between asparaginases of different strains of the same microbial species. At the same time common antigens were absent in asparaginases synthesized by different bacterial species.", "PMID": 776078} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4440", "title": "[Effectiveness of capsules of the sodium salt of dicloxacillin in bronchopulmonary diseases].", "content": "Efficiency of sodium dicloxacillin in the form of capsules prepared at the All-Union Research Institute of Antibiotics was studied in treatment of 23 patients with acute pneumonia (mainly of staphylococcal etiology) and 16 patients with chronic pneumonia at the stage of exacerbation. High therapeutic effect of dicloxacillin in treatment of acute pneumonia in a daily dose of 4--5 gm was found. Satisfactory results were obtained with combined use of dicloxacillin and benzylpenicillin. In treatment of chronic pneumonia dicloxacillin was less effective. No toxic effect of dicloxacillin on the parenchymatose organs and peripheral blood was registered.", "contents": "[Effectiveness of capsules of the sodium salt of dicloxacillin in bronchopulmonary diseases]. Efficiency of sodium dicloxacillin in the form of capsules prepared at the All-Union Research Institute of Antibiotics was studied in treatment of 23 patients with acute pneumonia (mainly of staphylococcal etiology) and 16 patients with chronic pneumonia at the stage of exacerbation. High therapeutic effect of dicloxacillin in treatment of acute pneumonia in a daily dose of 4--5 gm was found. Satisfactory results were obtained with combined use of dicloxacillin and benzylpenicillin. In treatment of chronic pneumonia dicloxacillin was less effective. No toxic effect of dicloxacillin on the parenchymatose organs and peripheral blood was registered.", "PMID": 776079} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4441", "title": "[Polyamines in microorganisms sensitive and resistant to antibiotics].", "content": "Intracellular contents of polyamine dancyl derivatives were determined by the method of thin-layer chromatography in Coli and typhoid fever bacteria sensitive to antibiotics and their variants resistant to streptomycin, levomycetin, chlortetracyline and neomycin. Increased levels of spermidine and putrescin in the antibiotic resistant cultures were found. The increased levels of the polyamines correlated with changes in the content of nucleic acids. It is supposed that the increase in the content of the polyamines in the antibiotic resistant bacteria was the result of accumulation of nucleic acids by them.", "contents": "[Polyamines in microorganisms sensitive and resistant to antibiotics]. Intracellular contents of polyamine dancyl derivatives were determined by the method of thin-layer chromatography in Coli and typhoid fever bacteria sensitive to antibiotics and their variants resistant to streptomycin, levomycetin, chlortetracyline and neomycin. Increased levels of spermidine and putrescin in the antibiotic resistant cultures were found. The increased levels of the polyamines correlated with changes in the content of nucleic acids. It is supposed that the increase in the content of the polyamines in the antibiotic resistant bacteria was the result of accumulation of nucleic acids by them.", "PMID": 776080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4442", "title": "[Method for the microbiological determination of the type and concentration of antibiotics in combinations].", "content": "A microbiological procedure for determination of the group and concentration of antibiotics in combinations was developed. The method was based on the use of a collection of recombinants of test-microbes with episomal resistance (R-factor) to various antibiotics and their combinations. The collection of the test-cultures including 31 recombinant strains of E. coli obtained through conjugation provided determination of the concentration and group of any antibiotic in combination with the method of serial dilutions or agar diffusion. The antibiotics were the following: tetracyclines, levomycetin (chloramphenicol), streptomycin, aminoglycosides (kanamycin, neomycin, monomycin), penicillinase sensitive penicillins (ampicillin, carbenicillin, benzylpenicillin). The ranges of the research may be widened by including recombinants with episome resistance to other antibiotics or test-microbes with other species sensitivity to antibiotics into the collection. The procedure may be of use in experimental studies, clinical trials and screening of new antibiotics.", "contents": "[Method for the microbiological determination of the type and concentration of antibiotics in combinations]. A microbiological procedure for determination of the group and concentration of antibiotics in combinations was developed. The method was based on the use of a collection of recombinants of test-microbes with episomal resistance (R-factor) to various antibiotics and their combinations. The collection of the test-cultures including 31 recombinant strains of E. coli obtained through conjugation provided determination of the concentration and group of any antibiotic in combination with the method of serial dilutions or agar diffusion. The antibiotics were the following: tetracyclines, levomycetin (chloramphenicol), streptomycin, aminoglycosides (kanamycin, neomycin, monomycin), penicillinase sensitive penicillins (ampicillin, carbenicillin, benzylpenicillin). The ranges of the research may be widened by including recombinants with episome resistance to other antibiotics or test-microbes with other species sensitivity to antibiotics into the collection. The procedure may be of use in experimental studies, clinical trials and screening of new antibiotics.", "PMID": 776081} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4443", "title": "[Antibiotic sensitivity of the Salmonella isolated from humans ill with salmonellosis in 1967-1974].", "content": "Sensitivity to levomycetin, streptomycin, chlortetracycline, oxtetracycline, tetracycline, neomycin, monomycin and erythromycin of 548 fresh isolates of Salmonella of 32 serotypes of the main groups A, B, C, D and E was studied. The cultures were isolated from salmonellosis patients within 1967-1974. Sensitivity to neomycin, monomycin, levomycetin and streptomycin was found respectively in 96.9, 91.1, 76.5 and 74.8 per cent of the cultures. High sensitivity of the cultures was observed only to levomycetin (15.1 per cent). With respect to tetracyclines the isolates were mainly resistant (24.2-47.2 per cent) or low sensitive (25-26.5 per cent). 70.3 per cent of the strains were resistant to erythromycin and 24.1 per cent were of low sensitivity. The causative agents of typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever A and B were more sensitive to levomycetin and tetracycline as compared to other Salmonella. A polyvalent Salmonella bacteriophage lyzed from 94.2 to 100 per cent of the Salmonella cultures tested.", "contents": "[Antibiotic sensitivity of the Salmonella isolated from humans ill with salmonellosis in 1967-1974]. Sensitivity to levomycetin, streptomycin, chlortetracycline, oxtetracycline, tetracycline, neomycin, monomycin and erythromycin of 548 fresh isolates of Salmonella of 32 serotypes of the main groups A, B, C, D and E was studied. The cultures were isolated from salmonellosis patients within 1967-1974. Sensitivity to neomycin, monomycin, levomycetin and streptomycin was found respectively in 96.9, 91.1, 76.5 and 74.8 per cent of the cultures. High sensitivity of the cultures was observed only to levomycetin (15.1 per cent). With respect to tetracyclines the isolates were mainly resistant (24.2-47.2 per cent) or low sensitive (25-26.5 per cent). 70.3 per cent of the strains were resistant to erythromycin and 24.1 per cent were of low sensitivity. The causative agents of typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever A and B were more sensitive to levomycetin and tetracycline as compared to other Salmonella. A polyvalent Salmonella bacteriophage lyzed from 94.2 to 100 per cent of the Salmonella cultures tested.", "PMID": 776082} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4444", "title": "Salmonella in horses: a source of contamination of horsemeat in a packing plant under federal inspection.", "content": "Cecal samples from 270 slaughter horses revealed that 41 samples (15.1%) contained Salmonella. Of 233 horsemeat samples tested, Salmonella was isolated from 62 samples, or 26.6%. Only 2 of 158 human stool specimens from the plant workers revealed Salmonella. Predominant serotypes isolated from the horsemeat were Salmonella enteritidis Good and Anatum, whereas the serotypes Agona and Derby predominated the horse cecal isolates. Preliminary data indicate that the high percentage of meat contamination is surface contamination due to poor slaughtering technique.", "contents": "Salmonella in horses: a source of contamination of horsemeat in a packing plant under federal inspection. Cecal samples from 270 slaughter horses revealed that 41 samples (15.1%) contained Salmonella. Of 233 horsemeat samples tested, Salmonella was isolated from 62 samples, or 26.6%. Only 2 of 158 human stool specimens from the plant workers revealed Salmonella. Predominant serotypes isolated from the horsemeat were Salmonella enteritidis Good and Anatum, whereas the serotypes Agona and Derby predominated the horse cecal isolates. Preliminary data indicate that the high percentage of meat contamination is surface contamination due to poor slaughtering technique.", "PMID": 776084} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4445", "title": "Incidence of Salmonella spp., Clostridium botulinum, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in an estuary.", "content": "A study of the incidence of Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus-like organisms, and clostridium botulinum in samples collected at five stations located in the Upper Chesapeake Bay, a major estuary on the Atlantic Coast of the United States, was conducted in December 1973 through December 1974. C. botulinum types B and E were detected in 12.3% of the total sediment samples examined. V. parahaemolyticus was recovered from 10.4% of a total of 86 water, sediment, and suspended sediment samples. Of 131 samples examined for the presence of Salmonella spp., approximately 3% were found to be positive for serologically confirmed Salmonella isolates. Shellfish examined during the investigation were also found to be free of enteric pathogens. The low frequency of occurrence of V. parahaemolyticus was attributed to the low salinities encountered at the sites included in the study. A low incidence of Salmonella spp. in the Upper Chesapeake Bay samples was found, whereas the distribution of C. botulinum appeared to be both random and autochthonous. A strong relationship between presence of potential pathogens and other generally accepted microbiological indicators of pollution was not observed.", "contents": "Incidence of Salmonella spp., Clostridium botulinum, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in an estuary. A study of the incidence of Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus-like organisms, and clostridium botulinum in samples collected at five stations located in the Upper Chesapeake Bay, a major estuary on the Atlantic Coast of the United States, was conducted in December 1973 through December 1974. C. botulinum types B and E were detected in 12.3% of the total sediment samples examined. V. parahaemolyticus was recovered from 10.4% of a total of 86 water, sediment, and suspended sediment samples. Of 131 samples examined for the presence of Salmonella spp., approximately 3% were found to be positive for serologically confirmed Salmonella isolates. Shellfish examined during the investigation were also found to be free of enteric pathogens. The low frequency of occurrence of V. parahaemolyticus was attributed to the low salinities encountered at the sites included in the study. A low incidence of Salmonella spp. in the Upper Chesapeake Bay samples was found, whereas the distribution of C. botulinum appeared to be both random and autochthonous. A strong relationship between presence of potential pathogens and other generally accepted microbiological indicators of pollution was not observed.", "PMID": 776085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4446", "title": "Role of bacteria and protozoa in the removal of Escherichia coli from estuarine waters.", "content": "The removal of Escherichia coli from estuarine water was investigated. The survival of E. coli was dependent on the presence of protozoan predators and not on the presence of lytic bacteria. When indigenous protozoa were removed from estuarine water by filtration, the destruction of coliform populations was negligible. In studies designed to prevent the growth of indigenous bacterial populations without affecting protozoan populations, coliform destruction was significant.", "contents": "Role of bacteria and protozoa in the removal of Escherichia coli from estuarine waters. The removal of Escherichia coli from estuarine water was investigated. The survival of E. coli was dependent on the presence of protozoan predators and not on the presence of lytic bacteria. When indigenous protozoa were removed from estuarine water by filtration, the destruction of coliform populations was negligible. In studies designed to prevent the growth of indigenous bacterial populations without affecting protozoan populations, coliform destruction was significant.", "PMID": 776086} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4447", "title": "One-tube oxidation-fermentation methods: limitations posed by atypical fermentative reactions.", "content": "Atypical fermentation in the two-tube method of Hugh and Leifson (1953), whereby acid was produced in the sealed tube but not in the open tube, was determined to be the result of a preferential metabolism of peptone over the reactant carbohydrate. These atypical fermentations are only partially detected by one-tube oxidation-fermentation methods, and as such they constitute a source of limitation to the routine use of these abbreviated techniques for oxidative-fermentation determinations.", "contents": "One-tube oxidation-fermentation methods: limitations posed by atypical fermentative reactions. Atypical fermentation in the two-tube method of Hugh and Leifson (1953), whereby acid was produced in the sealed tube but not in the open tube, was determined to be the result of a preferential metabolism of peptone over the reactant carbohydrate. These atypical fermentations are only partially detected by one-tube oxidation-fermentation methods, and as such they constitute a source of limitation to the routine use of these abbreviated techniques for oxidative-fermentation determinations.", "PMID": 776087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4448", "title": "Comparison of enrichment procedures for fluorescent antibody and cultural detection of salmonellae in raw meat and poultry.", "content": "No advantage was shown in preenriching raw meat samples for detecting salmonellae by fluorescent antibodies or culture. Trypticase soy-tryptose (Edwards and Ewing, 1972) was equal to or better than selenite-cystine as a postenrichment broth.", "contents": "Comparison of enrichment procedures for fluorescent antibody and cultural detection of salmonellae in raw meat and poultry. No advantage was shown in preenriching raw meat samples for detecting salmonellae by fluorescent antibodies or culture. Trypticase soy-tryptose (Edwards and Ewing, 1972) was equal to or better than selenite-cystine as a postenrichment broth.", "PMID": 776088} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4449", "title": "Betamethasone dipropionate cream for the treatment of psoriasis. A collaborative evaluation.", "content": "A double-blind, controlled study was performed in which eight investigators treated a total of 180 psoriasis patients with either betamethasone dipropionate cream or fluocinolone acetonide cream for four weeks. Betamethasone dipropionate cream was clearly superior to the control preparation in the degree of improvement effected and rapidity of action.", "contents": "Betamethasone dipropionate cream for the treatment of psoriasis. A collaborative evaluation. A double-blind, controlled study was performed in which eight investigators treated a total of 180 psoriasis patients with either betamethasone dipropionate cream or fluocinolone acetonide cream for four weeks. Betamethasone dipropionate cream was clearly superior to the control preparation in the degree of improvement effected and rapidity of action.", "PMID": 776090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4450", "title": "Treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica with zinc sulfate.", "content": "Control of a case of acrodermatitis enteropathica was achieved initially after three months of treatment with diiodohydroxyquin (Diodoquin). Reexacerbation of acrodermatitis enteropathica was noted two months after diiodohydroxyquin was discontinued. Treatment with zinc sulfate was substituted and resulted in dramatic and complete resolution of disease within 48 hours.", "contents": "Treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica with zinc sulfate. Control of a case of acrodermatitis enteropathica was achieved initially after three months of treatment with diiodohydroxyquin (Diodoquin). Reexacerbation of acrodermatitis enteropathica was noted two months after diiodohydroxyquin was discontinued. Treatment with zinc sulfate was substituted and resulted in dramatic and complete resolution of disease within 48 hours.", "PMID": 776091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4451", "title": "[1st experiences on the protective effect of Limulus polyphemus amebocyte lysate in the endotoxic shock in the rat].", "content": "The injection in the peritoneum of Limulus amebocyte lysate at the same time of inoculation of lethal dose of E. coli LPS is able to protect the rats against endotoxin lethality.", "contents": "[1st experiences on the protective effect of Limulus polyphemus amebocyte lysate in the endotoxic shock in the rat]. The injection in the peritoneum of Limulus amebocyte lysate at the same time of inoculation of lethal dose of E. coli LPS is able to protect the rats against endotoxin lethality.", "PMID": 776094} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4452", "title": "[Characteristics of the Salmonella and Shigella strains isolated from diarrhea patients during antibiotic therapy].", "content": "Drug resistant strains of Salmonella and Shigella were isolated from diarrhoeic children during antibiotic treatment. Two strains of Sh. flexneri serotype 2a, resistant to sulfonamides, streptomycin,chloramphenicol, and tetracyclines, were able to transfer \"en bloc\" their resistances to E. coli K12.", "contents": "[Characteristics of the Salmonella and Shigella strains isolated from diarrhea patients during antibiotic therapy]. Drug resistant strains of Salmonella and Shigella were isolated from diarrhoeic children during antibiotic treatment. Two strains of Sh. flexneri serotype 2a, resistant to sulfonamides, streptomycin,chloramphenicol, and tetracyclines, were able to transfer \"en bloc\" their resistances to E. coli K12.", "PMID": 776095} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4453", "title": "Retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients undergoing related living donor renal transplantation.", "content": "One hundred consecutive patients receiving related donor kidneys were analyzed in regards to graft and patient survival, morbidity, mortality, histocompatibility and rehabilitation. The average followup was 3 years and 2 months with a minimum post transplant evaluation of one year. Donor morbidity was minimal and the mortality nil. Recipient mortality was 17%, all of which occurred after the first two post transplant months. The most serious life threatening complications after transplantation were due to infection. The greatest morbidity was secondary to aseptic necrosis. The overall graft survival at one year was 94%, 2 years--87%, 3 years--81% and 4 and 5 years--72%. Separation of patients according to tissue typing revealed 95% of recipients with A and B matched kidneys to be alive 5 years later compared to 55% of patients receiving C and D matched kidneys. Rehabilitation was good to excellent in 76% of the living patients and poor in only 4%. These results suggest related donor renal transplantation to be the treatment of choice for patients with chronic renal failure excluding only those individuals who are exceptionally high risks in terms of morbidity and mortality.", "contents": "Retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients undergoing related living donor renal transplantation. One hundred consecutive patients receiving related donor kidneys were analyzed in regards to graft and patient survival, morbidity, mortality, histocompatibility and rehabilitation. The average followup was 3 years and 2 months with a minimum post transplant evaluation of one year. Donor morbidity was minimal and the mortality nil. Recipient mortality was 17%, all of which occurred after the first two post transplant months. The most serious life threatening complications after transplantation were due to infection. The greatest morbidity was secondary to aseptic necrosis. The overall graft survival at one year was 94%, 2 years--87%, 3 years--81% and 4 and 5 years--72%. Separation of patients according to tissue typing revealed 95% of recipients with A and B matched kidneys to be alive 5 years later compared to 55% of patients receiving C and D matched kidneys. Rehabilitation was good to excellent in 76% of the living patients and poor in only 4%. These results suggest related donor renal transplantation to be the treatment of choice for patients with chronic renal failure excluding only those individuals who are exceptionally high risks in terms of morbidity and mortality.", "PMID": 776105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4454", "title": "The treatment of hemangiomas: with special reference to the role of steroid therapy.", "content": "Hemangiomas are the most common of all human birth defects. The author has reviewed a 25-year personal experience with treatment of over 1000 patients with a variety of common and rare developmental vascular anomalies. Attention is given to a more useful clinical classification of these disorders. The classification is intended to be helpful in estimating prognosis of the lesions and as a guide to the choice of therapy. Many treatment modalities are evaluated--some successful and some quite disappointing. Surgical excision, irradiation, CO2 freezing, sclerosing agents, cauterization, steroid therapy and watchful waiting are among the treatment methods evaluated. High dose--short course Prednisone therapy has proved to be a major new addition to the treatment of massive juvenile capillary hemangiomas. Numerous misconceptions have appeared in the medical literature. These are noted and a philosophic basis for present day management is suggested for each type angioma. The roles of growth, resolution, histologic picture and sense of deformity are considered in viewing the surgeon's approach to these difficult and challenging problems. Some evidence and speculations are offered as to the etiology, neurogenic influences and physiological dynamics of the various hemangiomas.", "contents": "The treatment of hemangiomas: with special reference to the role of steroid therapy. Hemangiomas are the most common of all human birth defects. The author has reviewed a 25-year personal experience with treatment of over 1000 patients with a variety of common and rare developmental vascular anomalies. Attention is given to a more useful clinical classification of these disorders. The classification is intended to be helpful in estimating prognosis of the lesions and as a guide to the choice of therapy. Many treatment modalities are evaluated--some successful and some quite disappointing. Surgical excision, irradiation, CO2 freezing, sclerosing agents, cauterization, steroid therapy and watchful waiting are among the treatment methods evaluated. High dose--short course Prednisone therapy has proved to be a major new addition to the treatment of massive juvenile capillary hemangiomas. Numerous misconceptions have appeared in the medical literature. These are noted and a philosophic basis for present day management is suggested for each type angioma. The roles of growth, resolution, histologic picture and sense of deformity are considered in viewing the surgeon's approach to these difficult and challenging problems. Some evidence and speculations are offered as to the etiology, neurogenic influences and physiological dynamics of the various hemangiomas.", "PMID": 776106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4455", "title": "Critical analysis of treatment of stage II and stage III melanoma patients with immunotherapy.", "content": "Over the past 8 years, 244 patients with Stage II or III melanoma have been treated by cutaneous injection of a crude acellular homogenate of allogeneic melanoma cells (V-I) or a more concentrated fraction (V-II), followed in most patients by exchanges of WBC between paired partners. Patients with Stage III disease exhibited an overall response rate of 24% and prolongation of survival compared with control data. Stage II patients also had prolonged survival and reduced rate of recurrence over historic peers' data. Breakdown of subgroup data revealed that V-II plus exchange of WBC is similar to V-I plus exchange or V-II alone. However, recent experience of LTF suggests a higher response rate than in either V-I or V-II groups, particularly when autochthonous tumor is used for cross-immunization. The most meaningful immunologic data resulted from analysis of DNCB and MIF data. Patients negative to DNCB rarely respond to immunotherapy. A positive pretreatment MIF or positive conversion following treatment correlates with response, whereas, conversion of positive to negative predicts poor clinical performance.", "contents": "Critical analysis of treatment of stage II and stage III melanoma patients with immunotherapy. Over the past 8 years, 244 patients with Stage II or III melanoma have been treated by cutaneous injection of a crude acellular homogenate of allogeneic melanoma cells (V-I) or a more concentrated fraction (V-II), followed in most patients by exchanges of WBC between paired partners. Patients with Stage III disease exhibited an overall response rate of 24% and prolongation of survival compared with control data. Stage II patients also had prolonged survival and reduced rate of recurrence over historic peers' data. Breakdown of subgroup data revealed that V-II plus exchange of WBC is similar to V-I plus exchange or V-II alone. However, recent experience of LTF suggests a higher response rate than in either V-I or V-II groups, particularly when autochthonous tumor is used for cross-immunization. The most meaningful immunologic data resulted from analysis of DNCB and MIF data. Patients negative to DNCB rarely respond to immunotherapy. A positive pretreatment MIF or positive conversion following treatment correlates with response, whereas, conversion of positive to negative predicts poor clinical performance.", "PMID": 776107} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4456", "title": "Canine lung allograft lymphatic alterations.", "content": "Lymphatic obstruction has not been emphasized as a feature of lung allograft rejection. However, accumulation of fluid and cellular infiltrate, aggravated by lymph stasis, results in impaired lung function. In this study, lung specimens were recovered at varying times up to 133 days after either reimplantation (7 dogs) or allografting (29 dogs). Azathioprine and prednisone were administered to 17 allograft recipients. The presence of abnormally dilated perivascular, peribronchiolar, and subpleural lymphatic channels was a consistent histological finding, most striking in specimens recovered from untreated allograft recipient dogs. Attenuated lymphatic alterations were noted in immunosuppressed allograft recipients. In these animals the pulmonary lymphatics seemed to be ineffectual in clearing the allograft of the accumulating cellular infiltrates and fluid during rejection.", "contents": "Canine lung allograft lymphatic alterations. Lymphatic obstruction has not been emphasized as a feature of lung allograft rejection. However, accumulation of fluid and cellular infiltrate, aggravated by lymph stasis, results in impaired lung function. In this study, lung specimens were recovered at varying times up to 133 days after either reimplantation (7 dogs) or allografting (29 dogs). Azathioprine and prednisone were administered to 17 allograft recipients. The presence of abnormally dilated perivascular, peribronchiolar, and subpleural lymphatic channels was a consistent histological finding, most striking in specimens recovered from untreated allograft recipient dogs. Attenuated lymphatic alterations were noted in immunosuppressed allograft recipients. In these animals the pulmonary lymphatics seemed to be ineffectual in clearing the allograft of the accumulating cellular infiltrates and fluid during rejection.", "PMID": 776108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4457", "title": "Transthoracic approach for Pott's disease.", "content": "Spinal tuberculosis with paraplegia, although decreasing in incidence, remains a problem in certain sections of the United States and in most underdeveloped nations. Evacuations of the tuberculous abscess, debridement of necrotic bone, and fusion of the anterior spine are maneuvers performed increasingly by thoracic surgeons. Twenty-two patients with Pott's disease and symptoms of back pain, gibbous deformity, and neurological deficit underwent thoracotomy. Nine were paraplegic prior to operation. Postoperatively, spinal fusion occurred in all cases. All paraplegic patients can walk now, and 17 of the 22 treated operatively have been completely rehabilitated and are in school or working. The average hospital stay was 2.4 months. There was 1 operative death. Medical treatment for Pott's disease consisted of bed rest and chemotherapy and resulted in progressive neurological deficit in 2 patients with an average hospital stay of 2.2 years. We believe operative treatment offers two distinct advantages: excellent reversal of even long-standing paraplegia and markedly shortened hospital stay.", "contents": "Transthoracic approach for Pott's disease. Spinal tuberculosis with paraplegia, although decreasing in incidence, remains a problem in certain sections of the United States and in most underdeveloped nations. Evacuations of the tuberculous abscess, debridement of necrotic bone, and fusion of the anterior spine are maneuvers performed increasingly by thoracic surgeons. Twenty-two patients with Pott's disease and symptoms of back pain, gibbous deformity, and neurological deficit underwent thoracotomy. Nine were paraplegic prior to operation. Postoperatively, spinal fusion occurred in all cases. All paraplegic patients can walk now, and 17 of the 22 treated operatively have been completely rehabilitated and are in school or working. The average hospital stay was 2.4 months. There was 1 operative death. Medical treatment for Pott's disease consisted of bed rest and chemotherapy and resulted in progressive neurological deficit in 2 patients with an average hospital stay of 2.2 years. We believe operative treatment offers two distinct advantages: excellent reversal of even long-standing paraplegia and markedly shortened hospital stay.", "PMID": 776109} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4458", "title": "Factors affecting the frequency infection in renal transplant recipients.", "content": "A retrospective review of 149 patients receiving 162 renal transplants showed that 83% of these patients developed one or more infections during a follow-up period averaging one year. In 32 (73%) of 44 deaths, infection was an important contributing cause. In only four (9%) of the deaths were the patients free of infection at the time of death. The Klebsiella-Enterobacter group was the most common agent causing pneumonitis and sepsis. Cryptococcus neoformans caused seven of 11 cases of meningitis. Pseudomonas was the most frequent agent associated with infections documented during postmortem examinations. In a short-term controlled study comparing daily and alternate daily therapy with prednisone, the alternate daily group had significantly (P less than .05) more infections per patient, especially in patients who had no evidence of rejection (P less than .025).", "contents": "Factors affecting the frequency infection in renal transplant recipients. A retrospective review of 149 patients receiving 162 renal transplants showed that 83% of these patients developed one or more infections during a follow-up period averaging one year. In 32 (73%) of 44 deaths, infection was an important contributing cause. In only four (9%) of the deaths were the patients free of infection at the time of death. The Klebsiella-Enterobacter group was the most common agent causing pneumonitis and sepsis. Cryptococcus neoformans caused seven of 11 cases of meningitis. Pseudomonas was the most frequent agent associated with infections documented during postmortem examinations. In a short-term controlled study comparing daily and alternate daily therapy with prednisone, the alternate daily group had significantly (P less than .05) more infections per patient, especially in patients who had no evidence of rejection (P less than .025).", "PMID": 776110} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4459", "title": "Mating reaction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. IX. Regulation of sexual cell agglutinability of a type cells by a sex factor produced by alpha type cells.", "content": "A diffusible sex-specific substance called alpha substance-I (alphaS-I) was isolated from culture filtrate of alpha type strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The isolated alphaS-I, an oligopeptide, induced sexual cell agglutinability in inducible alpha type strains and enhanced the agglutinability in constitutive a type strains. The induction of sexual agglutinability was detected in 30 min and reached maximum in 90 min, when 0.2 mug/ml of alphaS-I was added to inducible a type cells. The a type-specific factor responsible for sexual cell agglutination, called a type agglutination factor (aAF), was shown to be produced during the induction or the enhancement of agglutinability of a type cells by alphaS-I. The aAF produced in response to alphaS-I was not different in the susceptibility to proteolytic enzymes and disulfide-cleaving agents from those produced constitutively in the absence of alphaS-I.", "contents": "Mating reaction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. IX. Regulation of sexual cell agglutinability of a type cells by a sex factor produced by alpha type cells. A diffusible sex-specific substance called alpha substance-I (alphaS-I) was isolated from culture filtrate of alpha type strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The isolated alphaS-I, an oligopeptide, induced sexual cell agglutinability in inducible alpha type strains and enhanced the agglutinability in constitutive a type strains. The induction of sexual agglutinability was detected in 30 min and reached maximum in 90 min, when 0.2 mug/ml of alphaS-I was added to inducible a type cells. The a type-specific factor responsible for sexual cell agglutination, called a type agglutination factor (aAF), was shown to be produced during the induction or the enhancement of agglutinability of a type cells by alphaS-I. The aAF produced in response to alphaS-I was not different in the susceptibility to proteolytic enzymes and disulfide-cleaving agents from those produced constitutively in the absence of alphaS-I.", "PMID": 776112} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4460", "title": "Promotion of sporulation by caffeine pretreatment in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. II. Changes in ribonuclease activity during sporulation.", "content": "Changes in RNase activity during sporulation of a homothallic diploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were measured in caffeine-treated and non-treated cells. 1. In caffeine-treated cells soon after the transfer to the sporulation medium a significant increase in RNase activity was observed; in control cells the rise of RNase activity was less and started after a lag period of 5 h. The final activity of RNase activity was about twice as high in caffeine-treated cells as in control cells. 2. Increase in RNase activity during sporulation was sensitive to cycloheximide in control cells, but insensitive in caffeine-treated cells. 3. RNases from vegetative cells and from sporulating ones are different in their Km values. Relation of the changes in RNase activity to premeiotic DNA synthesis is discussed.", "contents": "Promotion of sporulation by caffeine pretreatment in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. II. Changes in ribonuclease activity during sporulation. Changes in RNase activity during sporulation of a homothallic diploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were measured in caffeine-treated and non-treated cells. 1. In caffeine-treated cells soon after the transfer to the sporulation medium a significant increase in RNase activity was observed; in control cells the rise of RNase activity was less and started after a lag period of 5 h. The final activity of RNase activity was about twice as high in caffeine-treated cells as in control cells. 2. Increase in RNase activity during sporulation was sensitive to cycloheximide in control cells, but insensitive in caffeine-treated cells. 3. RNases from vegetative cells and from sporulating ones are different in their Km values. Relation of the changes in RNase activity to premeiotic DNA synthesis is discussed.", "PMID": 776113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4461", "title": "Biosynthesis of sulphur amino acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae II. Analysis of suplhite-producing strains.", "content": "A number of strains of Saccharomyces which produce sulphite by sulphate reduction were examined from an enzymatic and genetic point of view. There are a number of mechanisms that regulate this activity. All of these mechanisms involve the sulphite-reducing activity. In the strains examined, reduced function as a result of mutation in the Sr-locus (affecting H2S-NADP oxidoreductase EC 1.8.1.2), repression of biosynthesis of the enzyme because of a mutation below the specific locus, and inhibition of the enzyme by endogenous factors were found to be responsible. The production of sulphite can also be connected with a complex state of heterozygosity. It is probably this multiplicity of biochemical and genetic mechanisms that accounts for the frequency with which the production of sulphite is observed in wild strains in nature.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of sulphur amino acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae II. Analysis of suplhite-producing strains. A number of strains of Saccharomyces which produce sulphite by sulphate reduction were examined from an enzymatic and genetic point of view. There are a number of mechanisms that regulate this activity. All of these mechanisms involve the sulphite-reducing activity. In the strains examined, reduced function as a result of mutation in the Sr-locus (affecting H2S-NADP oxidoreductase EC 1.8.1.2), repression of biosynthesis of the enzyme because of a mutation below the specific locus, and inhibition of the enzyme by endogenous factors were found to be responsible. The production of sulphite can also be connected with a complex state of heterozygosity. It is probably this multiplicity of biochemical and genetic mechanisms that accounts for the frequency with which the production of sulphite is observed in wild strains in nature.", "PMID": 776114} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4462", "title": "[Experimental infection of guinea pigs with Clamydia. 2. Fluorescent antibody examinations].", "content": "The direct fluorescent antibody technique was applied to blood smears and organ impression smears from guinea-pigs killed at various times during 13 weeks following nasal infection with a bovine strain of Chlamydia. Antigen inclusions were demonstrated one hour after infection in blood granulocytes, after 3 hours in most of the organs examined and after 6-12 hours in all the organs. Antigen was present throughout the period of observation in blood smears and samples from nasal mucosa, trachea, lung, small intestine, spleen and liver. It seemed that polymorphonuclear granulocytes played an important part in the pathogenesis of generalized chlamydial infection. In the case of intranasal inoculation, the nasal mucosa was evidently the site of the initial infection and proliferation of the agent, and the origin of primary chlamydaemia. For the initiation and maintenance of the secondary period of blood infection, the lungs and trachea were the principal site of multiplication of the agent; spleen, intestinal mucosa and CNS were also involved to a lesser extent. The antigen content of lung, trachea, nasal mucosa and spleen at each stage of infection was generally correlated with the extent and intensity of the inflammatory reaction.", "contents": "[Experimental infection of guinea pigs with Clamydia. 2. Fluorescent antibody examinations]. The direct fluorescent antibody technique was applied to blood smears and organ impression smears from guinea-pigs killed at various times during 13 weeks following nasal infection with a bovine strain of Chlamydia. Antigen inclusions were demonstrated one hour after infection in blood granulocytes, after 3 hours in most of the organs examined and after 6-12 hours in all the organs. Antigen was present throughout the period of observation in blood smears and samples from nasal mucosa, trachea, lung, small intestine, spleen and liver. It seemed that polymorphonuclear granulocytes played an important part in the pathogenesis of generalized chlamydial infection. In the case of intranasal inoculation, the nasal mucosa was evidently the site of the initial infection and proliferation of the agent, and the origin of primary chlamydaemia. For the initiation and maintenance of the secondary period of blood infection, the lungs and trachea were the principal site of multiplication of the agent; spleen, intestinal mucosa and CNS were also involved to a lesser extent. The antigen content of lung, trachea, nasal mucosa and spleen at each stage of infection was generally correlated with the extent and intensity of the inflammatory reaction.", "PMID": 776118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4463", "title": "Population shift in drug resistant and sensitive Escherichia coli during antibiotic treatment of children with diarrhea.", "content": "Changes in composition of Escherichia coli were followed during antibiotic therapy of nin children with acute diarrhea. In five cases enteropathogenic serotypes of E. coli were multiple-drug resistant, and in four other this feature characterized nonpathogenic E. coli strains. The results point to the importance of choice of the drugs effective not only against pathogenic serotypes, but also against nonpathogenic ones, and uselessness and even harmfulness of chemotherapy \"in blindly\".", "contents": "Population shift in drug resistant and sensitive Escherichia coli during antibiotic treatment of children with diarrhea. Changes in composition of Escherichia coli were followed during antibiotic therapy of nin children with acute diarrhea. In five cases enteropathogenic serotypes of E. coli were multiple-drug resistant, and in four other this feature characterized nonpathogenic E. coli strains. The results point to the importance of choice of the drugs effective not only against pathogenic serotypes, but also against nonpathogenic ones, and uselessness and even harmfulness of chemotherapy \"in blindly\".", "PMID": 776119} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4464", "title": "Studies on the combined action of phosphonomycin with streptomycin, penicillin G and ampicillin.", "content": "Using the serial dilution method in solid media, sensitivity of isolated strains of S. aureus and E. coli to phosphonomycin, streptomycin, penicillin G and ampicillin, and the effect of combined action of phosphonomycin with these antibiotics were studied. Against S. aureus strains, phosphonomycin in combination with penicillin G showed synergistic action more often than in combination with streptomycin. On the other hand, against E. coli strains the combination of phosphonomycin with streptomycin and ampicillin was similarly synergistic. The findings suggest the possibility of clinical applications of combined therapy with phosphonomycin and antibiotics of the beta-lactam and aminoglycoside groups.", "contents": "Studies on the combined action of phosphonomycin with streptomycin, penicillin G and ampicillin. Using the serial dilution method in solid media, sensitivity of isolated strains of S. aureus and E. coli to phosphonomycin, streptomycin, penicillin G and ampicillin, and the effect of combined action of phosphonomycin with these antibiotics were studied. Against S. aureus strains, phosphonomycin in combination with penicillin G showed synergistic action more often than in combination with streptomycin. On the other hand, against E. coli strains the combination of phosphonomycin with streptomycin and ampicillin was similarly synergistic. The findings suggest the possibility of clinical applications of combined therapy with phosphonomycin and antibiotics of the beta-lactam and aminoglycoside groups.", "PMID": 776120} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4465", "title": "Studies on the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory action of L-asparaginase.", "content": "The influence of L-asparaginase (Crasnitin) on cellular reactions in the course of immunologically specific and nonspecific processes was studied. The preparation exerted particularly strong inhibitory action on the appearance of hemolysin-producing cells (Jerne's test) and on formation of rosette forms. A somewhat weaker effect on nonspecific inflammatory reactions, by the xylene and granulation tests, was noted. It was concluded that L-asparaginase depresses cellular reactions regardless of their immunologic component, but that immunologic reactions are more sensitive to this drug. It was established that L-asparaginase acts on bursal and thymus-dependent lymphocytes and, moreover, influences the hyperemic and proliferative reactions that accompany immunologically nonspecific processes.", "contents": "Studies on the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory action of L-asparaginase. The influence of L-asparaginase (Crasnitin) on cellular reactions in the course of immunologically specific and nonspecific processes was studied. The preparation exerted particularly strong inhibitory action on the appearance of hemolysin-producing cells (Jerne's test) and on formation of rosette forms. A somewhat weaker effect on nonspecific inflammatory reactions, by the xylene and granulation tests, was noted. It was concluded that L-asparaginase depresses cellular reactions regardless of their immunologic component, but that immunologic reactions are more sensitive to this drug. It was established that L-asparaginase acts on bursal and thymus-dependent lymphocytes and, moreover, influences the hyperemic and proliferative reactions that accompany immunologically nonspecific processes.", "PMID": 776121} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4466", "title": "Dantrolene sodium: long-term effects in patients with muscle spasticity.", "content": "Seventy-seven patients with muscle spasticity secondary to central nervous system pathology were treated with dantrolene sodium for periods of up to two years. The drug was effective in reducing muscle spasms, clonus, muscle tone, and the force of muscle contraction elicited by Achilles tendon tap and tibial nerve stimulation, but improvement of function was seen less often. The incidence of side-effects was considerable, and poses a problem regarding patient acceptance of drug treatment.", "contents": "Dantrolene sodium: long-term effects in patients with muscle spasticity. Seventy-seven patients with muscle spasticity secondary to central nervous system pathology were treated with dantrolene sodium for periods of up to two years. The drug was effective in reducing muscle spasms, clonus, muscle tone, and the force of muscle contraction elicited by Achilles tendon tap and tibial nerve stimulation, but improvement of function was seen less often. The incidence of side-effects was considerable, and poses a problem regarding patient acceptance of drug treatment.", "PMID": 776122} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4467", "title": "BCG immunotherapy in patients with malignant melanoma.", "content": "Twenty-one patients with malignant melanoma received immunotherapy with BCG. Thirteen patients had adjuvant immunotherapy on a monthly schedule. Of these, eight with regional lymph node metastases (stage III) had been treated by lymphadenectomy. Two of the stage III patients had tumor recurrences within one year, while six are alive and free of melanoma at a median interval of 22 months. The remaining five patients (stage I or II) had level 4 or 5 (Clark classification) primary lesions. Their average tumor-free survival has been 18 months, but there was one regional recurrence in six months. Eight patients received intralesional treatment with BCG. The extent of local response correlated inversely to the stage of their disease. Higher doses of BCG or multiple simultaneous injections into the same lesion did not produce complete resolution of nodules in patients with far-advanced melanoma. In none was the course altered by intralesional therapy.", "contents": "BCG immunotherapy in patients with malignant melanoma. Twenty-one patients with malignant melanoma received immunotherapy with BCG. Thirteen patients had adjuvant immunotherapy on a monthly schedule. Of these, eight with regional lymph node metastases (stage III) had been treated by lymphadenectomy. Two of the stage III patients had tumor recurrences within one year, while six are alive and free of melanoma at a median interval of 22 months. The remaining five patients (stage I or II) had level 4 or 5 (Clark classification) primary lesions. Their average tumor-free survival has been 18 months, but there was one regional recurrence in six months. Eight patients received intralesional treatment with BCG. The extent of local response correlated inversely to the stage of their disease. Higher doses of BCG or multiple simultaneous injections into the same lesion did not produce complete resolution of nodules in patients with far-advanced melanoma. In none was the course altered by intralesional therapy.", "PMID": 776125} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4468", "title": "[Several methodologic problems of evolutionary histology in light of the findings of molecular genetics].", "content": "The paper elucidates certain methodological problems of evolutionary histology. The principal attention is given to the necessary synthesis of modern molecular biology and genetics and evolutionary histology. Modern data on the levels of the organization of the living matter and their significance for the rightness of the A.A. Zavarzin's theory of parallel lines in the tissue evolution are presented. The hypothesis of an application of the theory of parallel lines in the hereditary variability by N.I. Vavilov to the analysis of regularities of the tissue evolution is set forth. The hypothesis is proposed that mutation changes of similar genes in representatives of different types of animals underlie the regularities of the tissue evolution discovered by A.A. Zavarzin, and epigenomic changes of regulation systems occurring most frequently in the process of ontogenesis of organisms lie in the basis of the divergent evolution of tissues after N.G. Chlopin.", "contents": "[Several methodologic problems of evolutionary histology in light of the findings of molecular genetics]. The paper elucidates certain methodological problems of evolutionary histology. The principal attention is given to the necessary synthesis of modern molecular biology and genetics and evolutionary histology. Modern data on the levels of the organization of the living matter and their significance for the rightness of the A.A. Zavarzin's theory of parallel lines in the tissue evolution are presented. The hypothesis of an application of the theory of parallel lines in the hereditary variability by N.I. Vavilov to the analysis of regularities of the tissue evolution is set forth. The hypothesis is proposed that mutation changes of similar genes in representatives of different types of animals underlie the regularities of the tissue evolution discovered by A.A. Zavarzin, and epigenomic changes of regulation systems occurring most frequently in the process of ontogenesis of organisms lie in the basis of the divergent evolution of tissues after N.G. Chlopin.", "PMID": 776130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4469", "title": "[The evolutionary principle in histology].", "content": "The A.A. Zavarzin's law of parallel lines in tissue evolution showing the appearance of a common tissue organization pattern is the major regularity of the cellular development of animals in phylogenesis. It carries out the metabolism principally similar in all animals in their interaction with the environment. The A.A. Zavarzin's law of parallel lines is also the main regularity of the evolution of tissue interrelations bringing about the principal processes of metabolism. The tissue evolution as well as the evolution of the organism is under the influence of factors of heredity, variability and natural selection. These factors however have an influence mediated by the organism evolution. The precess of cephalization represents a fairly important manifestation of the evolution of animals. The theory of general histogenesis reflects the main regularity of the cellular development in ontogenesis of man and animals. Being a further development of the conception of the A.A. Zavarzin's tissue evolution this theory shows the development of the animal cellular structure as a single general process of histogenesis, beginning with a zigote and continuing till the end of the organism life. The integration, heterochronia and determination manifest themselves in this process of differentiation of cells, tissues and intertissue relations.", "contents": "[The evolutionary principle in histology]. The A.A. Zavarzin's law of parallel lines in tissue evolution showing the appearance of a common tissue organization pattern is the major regularity of the cellular development of animals in phylogenesis. It carries out the metabolism principally similar in all animals in their interaction with the environment. The A.A. Zavarzin's law of parallel lines is also the main regularity of the evolution of tissue interrelations bringing about the principal processes of metabolism. The tissue evolution as well as the evolution of the organism is under the influence of factors of heredity, variability and natural selection. These factors however have an influence mediated by the organism evolution. The precess of cephalization represents a fairly important manifestation of the evolution of animals. The theory of general histogenesis reflects the main regularity of the cellular development in ontogenesis of man and animals. Being a further development of the conception of the A.A. Zavarzin's tissue evolution this theory shows the development of the animal cellular structure as a single general process of histogenesis, beginning with a zigote and continuing till the end of the organism life. The integration, heterochronia and determination manifest themselves in this process of differentiation of cells, tissues and intertissue relations.", "PMID": 776131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4470", "title": "[The morphology of the endocrine portion of the amphibian pancreas].", "content": "It has been shown that the endocrinous part of the pancreas in amphibia is formed of A-, B- and D-cells. B-cells are always disposed around sinusoid capillaries, while A- and D-cells lie on the islet periphery and often have no contact with capillaries. In addition to islets in the pancreas there are remnants of the so-called \"external\" epithelium which is represented by solitary B-cells, located in the wall of small excretory ducts. In the periinsular zone there are numerous acino-islets of A-, B- and D-types among which B-cells are prevailing.", "contents": "[The morphology of the endocrine portion of the amphibian pancreas]. It has been shown that the endocrinous part of the pancreas in amphibia is formed of A-, B- and D-cells. B-cells are always disposed around sinusoid capillaries, while A- and D-cells lie on the islet periphery and often have no contact with capillaries. In addition to islets in the pancreas there are remnants of the so-called \"external\" epithelium which is represented by solitary B-cells, located in the wall of small excretory ducts. In the periinsular zone there are numerous acino-islets of A-, B- and D-types among which B-cells are prevailing.", "PMID": 776132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4471", "title": "[An electron microscopic study of the interaction between salmonellae and the epithelium of rat ileum].", "content": "Electron-microscopy studies of the interaction between salmonellas and the epithelium of the ileum in rats showed that the microbes penetrated into enterocytes of rats in crypts. This is, apparently, associated with the absence of manifested glycocalix on the plasmatic membrane of microvilli of the crypt cells. Salmonellas penetrated into cells, as it seems, during the rupture of the apical plasmatic membrane. The salmonellas found in the prismatic cells showed no signs of degeneration nor digestion. Organells of the epithelial cells in the intraepithelial localization of salmonellas did not undergo any essential changes.", "contents": "[An electron microscopic study of the interaction between salmonellae and the epithelium of rat ileum]. Electron-microscopy studies of the interaction between salmonellas and the epithelium of the ileum in rats showed that the microbes penetrated into enterocytes of rats in crypts. This is, apparently, associated with the absence of manifested glycocalix on the plasmatic membrane of microvilli of the crypt cells. Salmonellas penetrated into cells, as it seems, during the rupture of the apical plasmatic membrane. The salmonellas found in the prismatic cells showed no signs of degeneration nor digestion. Organells of the epithelial cells in the intraepithelial localization of salmonellas did not undergo any essential changes.", "PMID": 776143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4472", "title": "[Morphologic features of lymph and blood circulation in lymph nodes in leukemia].", "content": "In studies of the lymphatic microcirculation bed in 300 neck and mesenterian lymph nodes taken from 27 patients who had died of systemic diseases, its transformation into lymphatic channels histogenetically connected with various processes in the nodes, was established. The rearrangement of the lymphatic microcirculation bed of the node developed concomitantly with that of the blood circulation bed. In the process of their transformation it seems possible to single out three phases with characteristic stereomorphological (macro-microscopic) and pathomorphological changes - compensation, decompensation and reduction. In reduction of the lymphatic microcirculatory bed around the lymph nodes, as manifestation of compensation, there were formed collaterals. Due to chronic congestion of the lymph, non-affected lymph nodes drastically dilatated and in their walls developed secondary changes in the form, of hyperthophy, varicosis sclerosis and hyalinosis. In the affected lymphatic vessels infiltrative-destructive processes developed.", "contents": "[Morphologic features of lymph and blood circulation in lymph nodes in leukemia]. In studies of the lymphatic microcirculation bed in 300 neck and mesenterian lymph nodes taken from 27 patients who had died of systemic diseases, its transformation into lymphatic channels histogenetically connected with various processes in the nodes, was established. The rearrangement of the lymphatic microcirculation bed of the node developed concomitantly with that of the blood circulation bed. In the process of their transformation it seems possible to single out three phases with characteristic stereomorphological (macro-microscopic) and pathomorphological changes - compensation, decompensation and reduction. In reduction of the lymphatic microcirculatory bed around the lymph nodes, as manifestation of compensation, there were formed collaterals. Due to chronic congestion of the lymph, non-affected lymph nodes drastically dilatated and in their walls developed secondary changes in the form, of hyperthophy, varicosis sclerosis and hyalinosis. In the affected lymphatic vessels infiltrative-destructive processes developed.", "PMID": 776144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4473", "title": "[Spot marking of photo-optic preparations intended for ultratomy].", "content": "The possibility of a highly precise spot marking of those areas of the tissue which are of interest for the investigator of the group and individual cells revealed during the photo-optic investigation of preparations, is of particular importance for their subsequent ultrastructural studies. However, the markers used new for marking photo-optic preparations, whose effect is based on the principle of delineation and of the area concerned, suffer a number of shortcomings, one of them being the impossibility to variate while marking the geometrical form of the mark on the preparation and to apply to it simultaneously more than one mark. In combined photo-optic and electron-microscopy studies of preparations it would be invaluable to apply a highly precise spot marker capable of applying simultaneously to the preparation two marks differing from each other by their geometrical form. In this case, the process of formation of \"pyramid\" would have been considerably easier for the investigator during the preparation of the specimen for ultratomy. Exactly this kind of a highly precise spot universal marker based on the principle of stamping has been designed and used by the author.", "contents": "[Spot marking of photo-optic preparations intended for ultratomy]. The possibility of a highly precise spot marking of those areas of the tissue which are of interest for the investigator of the group and individual cells revealed during the photo-optic investigation of preparations, is of particular importance for their subsequent ultrastructural studies. However, the markers used new for marking photo-optic preparations, whose effect is based on the principle of delineation and of the area concerned, suffer a number of shortcomings, one of them being the impossibility to variate while marking the geometrical form of the mark on the preparation and to apply to it simultaneously more than one mark. In combined photo-optic and electron-microscopy studies of preparations it would be invaluable to apply a highly precise spot marker capable of applying simultaneously to the preparation two marks differing from each other by their geometrical form. In this case, the process of formation of \"pyramid\" would have been considerably easier for the investigator during the preparation of the specimen for ultratomy. Exactly this kind of a highly precise spot universal marker based on the principle of stamping has been designed and used by the author.", "PMID": 776145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4474", "title": "[New classification of tumor lesions of the hematopoietic and lymphatic tissues and use of these classifications in prosector practice].", "content": "The author presents a review of the world medical literature reports on the latest classifications of tumours of the hemopoietic and lymphatic tissues, based on new concepts of the hemopoiesis system. Changes in the interpretation of the meaning of such terms as \"reticular cell\", \"reticulosis\", reticulosarcoma\", \"hemocytoblastosis\", and others are discussed. A contraversial nature of many new concepts and incompleatness of the discussion concerning the problem are emphasized. The author is one of the opinion that it would be better to abstain from the use of new classifications and from alterations in terms in practical work of pathologists before the appearance of a unified international classification of the tumours in question. Further studies of new theoretical aspects of the problem and continuation of detailed morphological, including histochemical, immunomorphological and other investigations of the substrate of tumour lesions of the hemopoietic and lymphatic tissues are recommended.", "contents": "[New classification of tumor lesions of the hematopoietic and lymphatic tissues and use of these classifications in prosector practice]. The author presents a review of the world medical literature reports on the latest classifications of tumours of the hemopoietic and lymphatic tissues, based on new concepts of the hemopoiesis system. Changes in the interpretation of the meaning of such terms as \"reticular cell\", \"reticulosis\", reticulosarcoma\", \"hemocytoblastosis\", and others are discussed. A contraversial nature of many new concepts and incompleatness of the discussion concerning the problem are emphasized. The author is one of the opinion that it would be better to abstain from the use of new classifications and from alterations in terms in practical work of pathologists before the appearance of a unified international classification of the tumours in question. Further studies of new theoretical aspects of the problem and continuation of detailed morphological, including histochemical, immunomorphological and other investigations of the substrate of tumour lesions of the hemopoietic and lymphatic tissues are recommended.", "PMID": 776147} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4475", "title": "[Reeducation and spontaneous recovery of motor function in lesions of the nervous central system].", "content": "A review is made of the current concepts on the several techniques (kinesitherapy programs) used with the purpose of recovering motor impairments caused by damage of the central nervous system. In this way data are gathered for the discussion and explanation of the intricate mechanisms involved in reeducation and recovery of the motor ability.", "contents": "[Reeducation and spontaneous recovery of motor function in lesions of the nervous central system]. A review is made of the current concepts on the several techniques (kinesitherapy programs) used with the purpose of recovering motor impairments caused by damage of the central nervous system. In this way data are gathered for the discussion and explanation of the intricate mechanisms involved in reeducation and recovery of the motor ability.", "PMID": 776151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4476", "title": "[Pyrrolidine acetamide as an auxiliary drug in the treatment of cerebral palsy].", "content": "Twenty children, with the diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) and under classical, physiotherapeutical and pedagogical, treatment, received piracetam (pyrrolidine acetamide) as an auxiliary drug. The goal was to better spasticity, learning and nervous instability problems aiming at better results of over-all treatment of CP. The group that received the drug has been compared to a control group of 20 children treated by the customary treatment only. The comparison showed favourable results for the medicated group. The drug was administered in the dose of 80 mg/kg/day during 10 weeks. The criteria for evaluation have been psychological, clinical, physiotherapeutical and pedagogical. The drug has been given in a new form of presentation: 6% solution for oral use.", "contents": "[Pyrrolidine acetamide as an auxiliary drug in the treatment of cerebral palsy]. Twenty children, with the diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) and under classical, physiotherapeutical and pedagogical, treatment, received piracetam (pyrrolidine acetamide) as an auxiliary drug. The goal was to better spasticity, learning and nervous instability problems aiming at better results of over-all treatment of CP. The group that received the drug has been compared to a control group of 20 children treated by the customary treatment only. The comparison showed favourable results for the medicated group. The drug was administered in the dose of 80 mg/kg/day during 10 weeks. The criteria for evaluation have been psychological, clinical, physiotherapeutical and pedagogical. The drug has been given in a new form of presentation: 6% solution for oral use.", "PMID": 776152} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4477", "title": "Baseball implant. A method of secondary insertion of an intraorbital implant.", "content": "A surgical technique for secondary emplacement of an orbital implant is described in which a spherical implant encased in a scleral homograft is placed in the orbit through a transconjuctival incision and sutured to the superior part of the periosteum.", "contents": "Baseball implant. A method of secondary insertion of an intraorbital implant. A surgical technique for secondary emplacement of an orbital implant is described in which a spherical implant encased in a scleral homograft is placed in the orbit through a transconjuctival incision and sutured to the superior part of the periosteum.", "PMID": 776153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4478", "title": "Herpes simplex of the epiglottis.", "content": "Herpes simplex commonly affects only the lips and oral cavity. We report a case of a herpetic lesion that appeared to be a carcinoma localized to the epiglottis. The lesion resolved spontaneously within a month. The diagnostic value of viral culture, serological testing, and immunofluorescence, as well as histopathological evaluation is assessed, and a brief review of upper-respiratory tract herpetic disease is presented.", "contents": "Herpes simplex of the epiglottis. Herpes simplex commonly affects only the lips and oral cavity. We report a case of a herpetic lesion that appeared to be a carcinoma localized to the epiglottis. The lesion resolved spontaneously within a month. The diagnostic value of viral culture, serological testing, and immunofluorescence, as well as histopathological evaluation is assessed, and a brief review of upper-respiratory tract herpetic disease is presented.", "PMID": 776155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4479", "title": "Paravertebral lumbar myelomeningocele: a report of three cases.", "content": "Three cases of lateral myelomeningocele in the lumbar region are reported because of their rarity. It is stressed that in these laterally placed cystic swellings spinal dysplastic conditions should be also considered. The literature is briefly reviewed.", "contents": "Paravertebral lumbar myelomeningocele: a report of three cases. Three cases of lateral myelomeningocele in the lumbar region are reported because of their rarity. It is stressed that in these laterally placed cystic swellings spinal dysplastic conditions should be also considered. The literature is briefly reviewed.", "PMID": 776158} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4480", "title": "[Functional significance of the columnar structure of the stratum corneum and its occurrence on free autologous skin grafts].", "content": "The morphological presentation of the stratum corneum and simultaneously measurements of the alkali resistance and alkali neutralization time of the skin have been carried out in 26 guinea pigs. Whereas we could not demonstrate any association between the alkali neutralization time and the structure of the stratum corneum, a significantly better alkali resistance of the skin could be found when the columnar structure of the stratum corneum was most pronounced. The structure of the stratum corneum on full thickness skin autografts was also compared to that of normal skin in 26 animals. The columnar structure can be just as well pronounced on grafts as on normal skin. Significant differences between graft and normal skin could not be demonstrated but random samples showed that a disturbance in the columnar structure occurred more often in the grafts.", "contents": "[Functional significance of the columnar structure of the stratum corneum and its occurrence on free autologous skin grafts]. The morphological presentation of the stratum corneum and simultaneously measurements of the alkali resistance and alkali neutralization time of the skin have been carried out in 26 guinea pigs. Whereas we could not demonstrate any association between the alkali neutralization time and the structure of the stratum corneum, a significantly better alkali resistance of the skin could be found when the columnar structure of the stratum corneum was most pronounced. The structure of the stratum corneum on full thickness skin autografts was also compared to that of normal skin in 26 animals. The columnar structure can be just as well pronounced on grafts as on normal skin. Significant differences between graft and normal skin could not be demonstrated but random samples showed that a disturbance in the columnar structure occurred more often in the grafts.", "PMID": 776169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4481", "title": "Hormonal control of Luteal 20alpha-Hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and delta5-3beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase during luteolysis in the pregnant rat.", "content": "Treatment of pregnant rats with human chorionic gonadotrophin, luteotrophin (luteinizing hormone), luteotrophin-releasing hormone, prostaglandin F2alpha, aminoglutethimide, or by foetoplacental removal or hysterectomy achieved a common multiple-response pattern, namely increased activity of luteal 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase with decreased activity of delta5-3beta-hydroxy steriod dehydrogenase and release of delta4-3-oxo steroids in vitro. 2. Similar effects of foetoplacental removal are noted in pregnant mice. 3. Gonadotrophin induced lower activities of 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, except at the very end of pregnancy, and partly inhibited the induction caused by foetoplacental removal. 4. The results suggest that existence of a placental factor that restrains these changes until the end of normal pregnancy, which is produced in amounts proportional to the number of placentae and is conveyed to the ovary via the blood. 5. This factor was not replaced by prolactin. 6. It is argued that neither placental lactogen nor pituitary luteotrophin participate in the induction of 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase at late pregnancy in the rat. 7. Aminoglutethimide induced 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase only in late pregnancy. This was partly reversed by progesterone, wholly reversed by progesterone plus oestrogen, and did not involve the pituitary.", "contents": "Hormonal control of Luteal 20alpha-Hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and delta5-3beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase during luteolysis in the pregnant rat. Treatment of pregnant rats with human chorionic gonadotrophin, luteotrophin (luteinizing hormone), luteotrophin-releasing hormone, prostaglandin F2alpha, aminoglutethimide, or by foetoplacental removal or hysterectomy achieved a common multiple-response pattern, namely increased activity of luteal 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase with decreased activity of delta5-3beta-hydroxy steriod dehydrogenase and release of delta4-3-oxo steroids in vitro. 2. Similar effects of foetoplacental removal are noted in pregnant mice. 3. Gonadotrophin induced lower activities of 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, except at the very end of pregnancy, and partly inhibited the induction caused by foetoplacental removal. 4. The results suggest that existence of a placental factor that restrains these changes until the end of normal pregnancy, which is produced in amounts proportional to the number of placentae and is conveyed to the ovary via the blood. 5. This factor was not replaced by prolactin. 6. It is argued that neither placental lactogen nor pituitary luteotrophin participate in the induction of 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase at late pregnancy in the rat. 7. Aminoglutethimide induced 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase only in late pregnancy. This was partly reversed by progesterone, wholly reversed by progesterone plus oestrogen, and did not involve the pituitary.", "PMID": 776170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4482", "title": "The pentose cycle and insulin release in isolated mouse pancreatic islets during starvation.", "content": "When islets from mice were incubated with 16.7 mM-glucose, previous starvation for 48 h decreased the rate of insulin release by approx. 50% and glucose utilization was decreased by approx. 35%. The maximally extractable activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase was diminished by 28% after starvation. The formation of 14CO2 from both [1-14C]glucose was, however, higher than the rate of oxidation of [6-14C]-glucose in islets from both fed and starved mice. The fraction of glucose utilized that was oxidized (specific 14CO2 yield) ranged from one-fifth to one-third and was higher in islets from starved mice with both [1-14C]glucose and [6-14C]glucose as substrate. The contribution of pentose-cycle oxidation to total glucose metabolism was small (3% in the fed state and 4% in the starved state). The absolute rates of glucose carbon metabolism via the pentose-cycle oxidation to total glucose metabolism was small (3% in the fed state and 4% in the starved state). The absolute rates of glucose carbon metabolism via the pentose cycle and the turnover of NADPH in this pathway were identical in islets from fed and starved animals. After incubation at 16.7 mM-glucose for 30 min the contents of glucose (6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate were both unchanged by starvation. It is concluded that there is no correlation between the decreased sensitivity of the insulin secretory mechanism during starvation and the metabolism of glucose via the pentose cycle, the islet content of glucose 6-phosphate or 6-phosphogluconate.", "contents": "The pentose cycle and insulin release in isolated mouse pancreatic islets during starvation. When islets from mice were incubated with 16.7 mM-glucose, previous starvation for 48 h decreased the rate of insulin release by approx. 50% and glucose utilization was decreased by approx. 35%. The maximally extractable activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase was diminished by 28% after starvation. The formation of 14CO2 from both [1-14C]glucose was, however, higher than the rate of oxidation of [6-14C]-glucose in islets from both fed and starved mice. The fraction of glucose utilized that was oxidized (specific 14CO2 yield) ranged from one-fifth to one-third and was higher in islets from starved mice with both [1-14C]glucose and [6-14C]glucose as substrate. The contribution of pentose-cycle oxidation to total glucose metabolism was small (3% in the fed state and 4% in the starved state). The absolute rates of glucose carbon metabolism via the pentose-cycle oxidation to total glucose metabolism was small (3% in the fed state and 4% in the starved state). The absolute rates of glucose carbon metabolism via the pentose cycle and the turnover of NADPH in this pathway were identical in islets from fed and starved animals. After incubation at 16.7 mM-glucose for 30 min the contents of glucose (6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate were both unchanged by starvation. It is concluded that there is no correlation between the decreased sensitivity of the insulin secretory mechanism during starvation and the metabolism of glucose via the pentose cycle, the islet content of glucose 6-phosphate or 6-phosphogluconate.", "PMID": 776171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4483", "title": "Functional anaerobic electron transport linked to the reduction of nitrate and fumarate in membranes from Escherichia coli as demonstrated by quenching of atebrin fluorescence.", "content": "Measurements were made of energy-dependent quenching of atebrin fluorescence in membrane particles prepared from Escherichia coli grown anaerobically with glycerol as carbon source in the presence of either nitrate or fumarate. It is concluded that this technique can be used to study the functional organization of the anaerobic proton-translocating electron-transport chains that use nitrate or fumarate as terminal electron acceptor.", "contents": "Functional anaerobic electron transport linked to the reduction of nitrate and fumarate in membranes from Escherichia coli as demonstrated by quenching of atebrin fluorescence. Measurements were made of energy-dependent quenching of atebrin fluorescence in membrane particles prepared from Escherichia coli grown anaerobically with glycerol as carbon source in the presence of either nitrate or fumarate. It is concluded that this technique can be used to study the functional organization of the anaerobic proton-translocating electron-transport chains that use nitrate or fumarate as terminal electron acceptor.", "PMID": 776172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4484", "title": "The metabolism of lipids in mouse pancreatic islets. The oxidation of fatty acids and ketone bodies.", "content": "The rate of oxidation of 14C-labelled fatty acids and of ketone bodies was measured in isolated pancreatic islets of obese-hyperglycaemic mice (ob/ob). The following main observations were made. 1. Octanoate, palmitate and oleate were all converted into CO2 by the pancreatic islets. Octanoate was oxidized with the highest rate followed by palmitate and oleate. 2. The rate of oxidation of 0.7 mM-palmitate was 3.1 pmol/h per mug drug weight. This was decreased by 50% in the presence of 16.7 mM-glucose. The rate of palmitate oxidation was also inhibited by 2-bromostearate. The palmitate oxidation showed a concentration-dependent increase, which was most marked between 0.25 and 1.0 mM. 3. Octanoate (5 mM) had no effect on the rate of oxidation of 3.3 mM- glucose. 4. Acetoacetate (5 mM) and D-3-hydroxybutyrate (5 mM) were oxidized at rates of 5.9 and 5.4 pmol/h per mug dry weight respectively. These rates were less than 10% of those found in kidney-cortex slices. The magnitude of the oxidation rates found for fatty acids and for ketone bodies suggest that these substrates represent important metabolic fuels for the pancreatic B-cells.", "contents": "The metabolism of lipids in mouse pancreatic islets. The oxidation of fatty acids and ketone bodies. The rate of oxidation of 14C-labelled fatty acids and of ketone bodies was measured in isolated pancreatic islets of obese-hyperglycaemic mice (ob/ob). The following main observations were made. 1. Octanoate, palmitate and oleate were all converted into CO2 by the pancreatic islets. Octanoate was oxidized with the highest rate followed by palmitate and oleate. 2. The rate of oxidation of 0.7 mM-palmitate was 3.1 pmol/h per mug drug weight. This was decreased by 50% in the presence of 16.7 mM-glucose. The rate of palmitate oxidation was also inhibited by 2-bromostearate. The palmitate oxidation showed a concentration-dependent increase, which was most marked between 0.25 and 1.0 mM. 3. Octanoate (5 mM) had no effect on the rate of oxidation of 3.3 mM- glucose. 4. Acetoacetate (5 mM) and D-3-hydroxybutyrate (5 mM) were oxidized at rates of 5.9 and 5.4 pmol/h per mug dry weight respectively. These rates were less than 10% of those found in kidney-cortex slices. The magnitude of the oxidation rates found for fatty acids and for ketone bodies suggest that these substrates represent important metabolic fuels for the pancreatic B-cells.", "PMID": 776173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4485", "title": "The association of yeast phosphoglycerate kinase (EC 2.7.2.3).", "content": "1. A mol.wt. of 40030 +/- 830 has been estimated for phosphoglycerate kinase in concentrations less than 0.1 g/100 cm3 comparing favourably with expected values from X-ray diffraction measurements by 10% lower than the previously reported molecular weights made at higher concentrations. 2. The so20w, was estimated to be 3.12(+/-0.02)x10(-13)s and the coefficient had a low concentration dependency giving a g value (concentration-dependency) of 2.3 +/- 1.6cm3 .g-1. This agrees with previous qualitative observations. 3. By using fluctuation-intensity spectroscopy, the D20,w was estimated to be 7.4(+/-0.2)x10(-11)m2.s-1, and this was indistinguishable from the D20,w calculated from ultracentrifuge results. The water of hydration was estimated to be 0.46 g/g of protein. 4. It is inferred from the estimates that phosphoglycerate kinase associates with an interaction coefficient at 20 degrees C for monomer/dimer of between 10 and 12 cm3.g-1. 5. The ratio of molecular asymmetry (a/b) was estimated to be 2.5+/-0.2 from the values of D20,w and water of hydration. This compares favourably with the ratio from the overall dimensions estimated from X-ray diffraction measurements.", "contents": "The association of yeast phosphoglycerate kinase (EC 2.7.2.3). 1. A mol.wt. of 40030 +/- 830 has been estimated for phosphoglycerate kinase in concentrations less than 0.1 g/100 cm3 comparing favourably with expected values from X-ray diffraction measurements by 10% lower than the previously reported molecular weights made at higher concentrations. 2. The so20w, was estimated to be 3.12(+/-0.02)x10(-13)s and the coefficient had a low concentration dependency giving a g value (concentration-dependency) of 2.3 +/- 1.6cm3 .g-1. This agrees with previous qualitative observations. 3. By using fluctuation-intensity spectroscopy, the D20,w was estimated to be 7.4(+/-0.2)x10(-11)m2.s-1, and this was indistinguishable from the D20,w calculated from ultracentrifuge results. The water of hydration was estimated to be 0.46 g/g of protein. 4. It is inferred from the estimates that phosphoglycerate kinase associates with an interaction coefficient at 20 degrees C for monomer/dimer of between 10 and 12 cm3.g-1. 5. The ratio of molecular asymmetry (a/b) was estimated to be 2.5+/-0.2 from the values of D20,w and water of hydration. This compares favourably with the ratio from the overall dimensions estimated from X-ray diffraction measurements.", "PMID": 776174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4486", "title": "The extraction and purification of a cysteine transfer ribonucleic acid from baker's yeast.", "content": "1. A modification of the RPC 1 system of A.D. Kelmers, G.D. Novelli & M.P. Stulberg (1965) (J. Biol. Chem. 240, 3979-3983) is described in which the support medium is a Celite of narrow range particle size treated with dichlorodimethylsilane. 2. By using this system an apparently pure preparation of tRNA Cys was isolated from baker's yeast tRNA. 3. This preparation accepted at least 60% of the theoretical quantity of [3-14C]cysteine in a conventional assay and failed to accept isoleucine, phenylalanine, proline, serine or tyrosine. 4. A theoretical countercurrent-distribution curve calculated by assuming a distribution coefficient K of 2.03 was in excellent agreement with the profiles of E260 and cysteine-acceptor ability after 537 transfers in the 1.85 M-phosphate/formamide/propan-2-ol system of C.M. Connelly & B.P. Doctor (1965) (J. Biol. Chem. 241, 715-719). 5. Chromatography of tRNA Cys on Bio-Gel P100 polyacrylamide beads afforded two components one of which was far less efficient than the other in accepting cysteine. The base compositions of the two were similar.", "contents": "The extraction and purification of a cysteine transfer ribonucleic acid from baker's yeast. 1. A modification of the RPC 1 system of A.D. Kelmers, G.D. Novelli & M.P. Stulberg (1965) (J. Biol. Chem. 240, 3979-3983) is described in which the support medium is a Celite of narrow range particle size treated with dichlorodimethylsilane. 2. By using this system an apparently pure preparation of tRNA Cys was isolated from baker's yeast tRNA. 3. This preparation accepted at least 60% of the theoretical quantity of [3-14C]cysteine in a conventional assay and failed to accept isoleucine, phenylalanine, proline, serine or tyrosine. 4. A theoretical countercurrent-distribution curve calculated by assuming a distribution coefficient K of 2.03 was in excellent agreement with the profiles of E260 and cysteine-acceptor ability after 537 transfers in the 1.85 M-phosphate/formamide/propan-2-ol system of C.M. Connelly & B.P. Doctor (1965) (J. Biol. Chem. 241, 715-719). 5. Chromatography of tRNA Cys on Bio-Gel P100 polyacrylamide beads afforded two components one of which was far less efficient than the other in accepting cysteine. The base compositions of the two were similar.", "PMID": 776175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4487", "title": "Acrolein, an irreversible active-site-directed inhibitor of deoxyribose 5-phosphate aldolase?", "content": "The enzyme deoxyribose 5-phosphate aldolase was irreversibly inactivated by the substrate analogue acrolein with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.324 min-1 and a Ki (apparent) of 2.7 x 10(-4) m. No inactivation was observed after prolonged incubation with the epoxide analogues glycidol phosphate and glycidaldehyde. It is suggested that the acrolein is first activated by forming a Schiff base with the enzyme active-site lysine residue and it is the activated inhibitor that reacts with a suitable-active-site nucleophile.", "contents": "Acrolein, an irreversible active-site-directed inhibitor of deoxyribose 5-phosphate aldolase? The enzyme deoxyribose 5-phosphate aldolase was irreversibly inactivated by the substrate analogue acrolein with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.324 min-1 and a Ki (apparent) of 2.7 x 10(-4) m. No inactivation was observed after prolonged incubation with the epoxide analogues glycidol phosphate and glycidaldehyde. It is suggested that the acrolein is first activated by forming a Schiff base with the enzyme active-site lysine residue and it is the activated inhibitor that reacts with a suitable-active-site nucleophile.", "PMID": 776176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4488", "title": "A rapid immunological procedure for the isolation of hormonally sensitive rat fat-cell plasma membrane.", "content": "1. A rapid method for the isolation of hormonally sensitive rat fat-cell plasma membranes was developed by using immunological techniques. 2. Rabbit anti-(rat erythrocyte) sera were raised and shown to cross-react with isolated rat fat-cells. 3. Isolated rat fat-cells were coated with rabbit anti-(rat erythrocyte) antibodies, homogenized and the homogenate made to react with an immunoadsorbent prepared by covalently coupling donkey anti-(rabbit globulin) antibodies to aminocellulose. Uptake of plasma membrane on to the immunoadsorbent was monitored by assaying the enzymes adenylate cyclase and 5'-nucleotidase and an immunological marker consisting of a 125I-labelled anti-(immunoglobulin G)-anti-cell antibody complex bound to the cells before fractionation. Contamination of the plasma-membrane preparation by other subcellular fractions was also investigated. 4. By using this technique, a method was developed allowing 25-40% recovery of plasma membrane from fat-cell homogenates within 30 min of homogenization. 5. Adenylate cyclase in the isolated plasma-membrane preparation was stimulated by 5 mum-adrenaline.", "contents": "A rapid immunological procedure for the isolation of hormonally sensitive rat fat-cell plasma membrane. 1. A rapid method for the isolation of hormonally sensitive rat fat-cell plasma membranes was developed by using immunological techniques. 2. Rabbit anti-(rat erythrocyte) sera were raised and shown to cross-react with isolated rat fat-cells. 3. Isolated rat fat-cells were coated with rabbit anti-(rat erythrocyte) antibodies, homogenized and the homogenate made to react with an immunoadsorbent prepared by covalently coupling donkey anti-(rabbit globulin) antibodies to aminocellulose. Uptake of plasma membrane on to the immunoadsorbent was monitored by assaying the enzymes adenylate cyclase and 5'-nucleotidase and an immunological marker consisting of a 125I-labelled anti-(immunoglobulin G)-anti-cell antibody complex bound to the cells before fractionation. Contamination of the plasma-membrane preparation by other subcellular fractions was also investigated. 4. By using this technique, a method was developed allowing 25-40% recovery of plasma membrane from fat-cell homogenates within 30 min of homogenization. 5. Adenylate cyclase in the isolated plasma-membrane preparation was stimulated by 5 mum-adrenaline.", "PMID": 776177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4489", "title": "Membrane attachment of folded chromosome of Escherichia coli.", "content": "By fractionation of the envelope part of membrane-associated folded chromosomes it is shown that only the outer membrane is bound to the DNA. Experiments with the M-band technique suggest the presence of attachment points for the membrane also in membrane-released folded chromosomes.", "contents": "Membrane attachment of folded chromosome of Escherichia coli. By fractionation of the envelope part of membrane-associated folded chromosomes it is shown that only the outer membrane is bound to the DNA. Experiments with the M-band technique suggest the presence of attachment points for the membrane also in membrane-released folded chromosomes.", "PMID": 776178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4490", "title": "Serial 3 orthogonal lead electrocardiographic abnormalities after pulmonary embolism. Computer assisted study.", "content": "The 3 orthogonal lead electrocardiogram has been evaluated with computer assisted interpretation in 20 patients with acute pulmonary embolism confirmed by pulmonary angiography. Initial 3-lead electrocardiographic abnormalities were found to be at least as helpful as the 12-lead electrocardiogram in supporting the clinical diagnosis. In addition, however, sequential changes in both the maximum QRS and T vector orientations in frontal and transverse planes were more often apparent than any sequential changes in the 12-lead electrocardiogram. While no specific 3 lead electrocardiographic criterion for pulmonary embolism could be determined, this technique was more helpful than conventional methods in following serial electrocardiographic changes in patients with this condition.", "contents": "Serial 3 orthogonal lead electrocardiographic abnormalities after pulmonary embolism. Computer assisted study. The 3 orthogonal lead electrocardiogram has been evaluated with computer assisted interpretation in 20 patients with acute pulmonary embolism confirmed by pulmonary angiography. Initial 3-lead electrocardiographic abnormalities were found to be at least as helpful as the 12-lead electrocardiogram in supporting the clinical diagnosis. In addition, however, sequential changes in both the maximum QRS and T vector orientations in frontal and transverse planes were more often apparent than any sequential changes in the 12-lead electrocardiogram. While no specific 3 lead electrocardiographic criterion for pulmonary embolism could be determined, this technique was more helpful than conventional methods in following serial electrocardiographic changes in patients with this condition.", "PMID": 776191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4491", "title": "Prolonged recovery after diazepam sedation: the influence of food, charcoal ingestion and injection rate on the effects of intravenous diazepam.", "content": "Thirteen subjects received diazepam 0.3 mg/kg i.v. twice with a 2-week interval between the doses. In seven subjects who had eaten at 3 h after the injection, reactive skills in a choice reaction test were impaired significantly (P less than 0.05) and there was a 20% increase in the serum diazepam concentrations at 5 h. When the meal was eaten at 7 h, a 50% increase (P less than 0.01) in the serum diazepam concentration was not associated with a significant impairment in psychomotor skills. In a second group of six subjects charcoal ingestion failed to hasten the clearance of diazepam from serum, and did not affect recovery of co-ordinative skills. In a third group of 12 subjects receiving diazepam 0.15 mg/kg i.v. twice at an interval of 2 weeks, the rapid injection of diazepam resulted in a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) degree of drooping of the upper eyelid and in a greater incidence of amnesia to abdominal pinching. The subjects also experienced more pain in the arm during the faster injection (P less than 0.01). Late effects on psychomotor skills were similar with both rates of injection. The results suggest that the remobilization of diazepam from its storage site after food intake induces a late impairment of psychomotor skills, especially if the food is eaten within less than 5 h after the injection. A rapid i.v. injection of diazepam induces greater sedative and amnesic effects than a slow injection of the same dose, but the slow injection of a greater dose is preferable because of the possibility of thrombophlebitis after rapid injection.", "contents": "Prolonged recovery after diazepam sedation: the influence of food, charcoal ingestion and injection rate on the effects of intravenous diazepam. Thirteen subjects received diazepam 0.3 mg/kg i.v. twice with a 2-week interval between the doses. In seven subjects who had eaten at 3 h after the injection, reactive skills in a choice reaction test were impaired significantly (P less than 0.05) and there was a 20% increase in the serum diazepam concentrations at 5 h. When the meal was eaten at 7 h, a 50% increase (P less than 0.01) in the serum diazepam concentration was not associated with a significant impairment in psychomotor skills. In a second group of six subjects charcoal ingestion failed to hasten the clearance of diazepam from serum, and did not affect recovery of co-ordinative skills. In a third group of 12 subjects receiving diazepam 0.15 mg/kg i.v. twice at an interval of 2 weeks, the rapid injection of diazepam resulted in a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) degree of drooping of the upper eyelid and in a greater incidence of amnesia to abdominal pinching. The subjects also experienced more pain in the arm during the faster injection (P less than 0.01). Late effects on psychomotor skills were similar with both rates of injection. The results suggest that the remobilization of diazepam from its storage site after food intake induces a late impairment of psychomotor skills, especially if the food is eaten within less than 5 h after the injection. A rapid i.v. injection of diazepam induces greater sedative and amnesic effects than a slow injection of the same dose, but the slow injection of a greater dose is preferable because of the possibility of thrombophlebitis after rapid injection.", "PMID": 776193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4492", "title": "Intradermal study of a new local anaesthetic agent aptocaine.", "content": "In a double-blind trial in 28 human volunteers, a new local anaesthetic agent, aptocaine, was compared intradermally at 1, 2 and 3% concentrations with lignocaine 2% and bupivacaine 0.5%. In a second trial in 27 subjects, 1% aptocaine was compared with mepivacaine and prilocaine, both 1, 2 and 3%. In terms of activity as determined by area of anaesthesia, and of duration of action, aptocaine was similar to mepivacaine and more active and long-lasting than lignocaine and prilocaine. By this route aptocaine also appeared longer-lasting than bupivacaine. Duration of action was unaffected by concentration. Aptocaine had marked vasoconstrictor activity, which was maximal at 1%. These local anaesthetic properties suggest that aptocaine merits clinical trials, especially in dentistry.", "contents": "Intradermal study of a new local anaesthetic agent aptocaine. In a double-blind trial in 28 human volunteers, a new local anaesthetic agent, aptocaine, was compared intradermally at 1, 2 and 3% concentrations with lignocaine 2% and bupivacaine 0.5%. In a second trial in 27 subjects, 1% aptocaine was compared with mepivacaine and prilocaine, both 1, 2 and 3%. In terms of activity as determined by area of anaesthesia, and of duration of action, aptocaine was similar to mepivacaine and more active and long-lasting than lignocaine and prilocaine. By this route aptocaine also appeared longer-lasting than bupivacaine. Duration of action was unaffected by concentration. Aptocaine had marked vasoconstrictor activity, which was maximal at 1%. These local anaesthetic properties suggest that aptocaine merits clinical trials, especially in dentistry.", "PMID": 776194} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4493", "title": "The adrenergic response to surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass, as measured by plasma and urinary catecholamine concentrations.", "content": "Plasma and urinary catecholamine concentrations have been measured in 13 patients undergoing cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass. The large and progressive increase in plasma catecholamines during bypass reported in previous studies has not been confirmed, and this may be a result of improvements in surgical, anaesthetic and perfusion techniques. The interpretation of urinary findings was complicated by the finding of a positive correlation between catecholamine excretion and urine flow-rate. The findings suggest the need to modify current concepts of the adrenergic response to cardiac surgery and bypass, and question the validity of measuring the urinary catecholamine concentration as an index of stress in these circumstances.", "contents": "The adrenergic response to surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass, as measured by plasma and urinary catecholamine concentrations. Plasma and urinary catecholamine concentrations have been measured in 13 patients undergoing cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass. The large and progressive increase in plasma catecholamines during bypass reported in previous studies has not been confirmed, and this may be a result of improvements in surgical, anaesthetic and perfusion techniques. The interpretation of urinary findings was complicated by the finding of a positive correlation between catecholamine excretion and urine flow-rate. The findings suggest the need to modify current concepts of the adrenergic response to cardiac surgery and bypass, and question the validity of measuring the urinary catecholamine concentration as an index of stress in these circumstances.", "PMID": 776195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4494", "title": "Ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants.", "content": "Twenty-four neonates at 25-34 weeks' gestation with a weight range of 570-1530 g underwent ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The infants had mild to severe respiratory distress syndrome at birth and later developed signs of heart failure as a result of left-to-right shunting through a PDA. Surgical closure of the PDA was performed within 2-31 days after birth. In the period before operation the heart rate was monitored constantly and the arterial blood-gases were assessed frequently. The trachea was intubated and respiration was controlled with a ventilator. Surgery was performed under controlled ventilation and no anaesthesia was used. Care was taken not to overventilate the lungs. Nine infants died. Death was associated with higher peak inspiratory ventilator pressures at the time of operation and with complications occurring during or after the operation. The most common complication was tension pneumomediastinum which appears to be related to excessive ventilator pressures during surgery.", "contents": "Ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants. Twenty-four neonates at 25-34 weeks' gestation with a weight range of 570-1530 g underwent ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The infants had mild to severe respiratory distress syndrome at birth and later developed signs of heart failure as a result of left-to-right shunting through a PDA. Surgical closure of the PDA was performed within 2-31 days after birth. In the period before operation the heart rate was monitored constantly and the arterial blood-gases were assessed frequently. The trachea was intubated and respiration was controlled with a ventilator. Surgery was performed under controlled ventilation and no anaesthesia was used. Care was taken not to overventilate the lungs. Nine infants died. Death was associated with higher peak inspiratory ventilator pressures at the time of operation and with complications occurring during or after the operation. The most common complication was tension pneumomediastinum which appears to be related to excessive ventilator pressures during surgery.", "PMID": 776196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4495", "title": "Subanaesthetic dosage of Althesin as a sedative for conservative dentistry. A controlled trial.", "content": "A randomized partial cross-over clinical trial of two intravenous techniques for outpatient conservative dentistry was performed in 61 patients. Subanaesthetic incremental doses of Althesin were used at 52 sessions and a single sedative dose of diazepam at 45 sessions. Each technique produced similar cardiovascular and respiratory changes. With Althesin, recovery after operation was more rapid and there was some evidence of a stronger anxiolytic effect and of less frequent and less severe thrombophlebitis. In contrast, Althesin was sometimes associated with jaw tremor or shivering and was less frequently mentioned by those patients who expressed a strong preference for one of the two techniques.", "contents": "Subanaesthetic dosage of Althesin as a sedative for conservative dentistry. A controlled trial. A randomized partial cross-over clinical trial of two intravenous techniques for outpatient conservative dentistry was performed in 61 patients. Subanaesthetic incremental doses of Althesin were used at 52 sessions and a single sedative dose of diazepam at 45 sessions. Each technique produced similar cardiovascular and respiratory changes. With Althesin, recovery after operation was more rapid and there was some evidence of a stronger anxiolytic effect and of less frequent and less severe thrombophlebitis. In contrast, Althesin was sometimes associated with jaw tremor or shivering and was less frequently mentioned by those patients who expressed a strong preference for one of the two techniques.", "PMID": 776197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4496", "title": "Neutrophil function in lymphoreticular malignancy.", "content": "Neutrophil function has been assessed in 62 patients with lymphoreticular malignancy by means of the NBT test and an in vitro micro-organism killing technique. Normal or enhanced phagocytosis was found, the greatest enhancement being found in patients with disseminated disease (in the absence of infections). Candicidal capacity alone was depressed in 7 patients but 4 of these showed depressed cell-mediated immunity to Candida antigen. Splenectomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy did not alter phagocytic function.", "contents": "Neutrophil function in lymphoreticular malignancy. Neutrophil function has been assessed in 62 patients with lymphoreticular malignancy by means of the NBT test and an in vitro micro-organism killing technique. Normal or enhanced phagocytosis was found, the greatest enhancement being found in patients with disseminated disease (in the absence of infections). Candicidal capacity alone was depressed in 7 patients but 4 of these showed depressed cell-mediated immunity to Candida antigen. Splenectomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy did not alter phagocytic function.", "PMID": 776198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4497", "title": "Severe hereditary haemolytic anaemica in dogs treated by marrow trasplantation.", "content": "Severe hereditary haemolytic anaemia related to pyruvate kinase deficiency occurs in Basenji dogs homozygous for this autosomal recessive defect. In the current study, three anaemic dogs were treated by total body irradiation and marrow transplantation from non-anaemic histocompatible littermates with resultant complete correction of their haemolytic anaemia. The possible use of marrow transplantation for life-threatening haemolytic anaemias in man is discussed.", "contents": "Severe hereditary haemolytic anaemica in dogs treated by marrow trasplantation. Severe hereditary haemolytic anaemia related to pyruvate kinase deficiency occurs in Basenji dogs homozygous for this autosomal recessive defect. In the current study, three anaemic dogs were treated by total body irradiation and marrow transplantation from non-anaemic histocompatible littermates with resultant complete correction of their haemolytic anaemia. The possible use of marrow transplantation for life-threatening haemolytic anaemias in man is discussed.", "PMID": 776206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4498", "title": "The clinical diagnosis of major congenital abnormalities of the fetal central nervous system.", "content": "During the ten years between 1965 and 1974, 207 infants with a major congenital abnormality of the central nervous system were born at Mill Road Maternity Hospital, Liverpool; open neural tube defects occurred in 92 per cent of cases. Only cases of anencephaly were frequently diagnosed clinically before labour and this was rarely so for spina bifida alone. Only 11 patients (5-3 per cent) had previously been delivered of an affected infant. The routine screening of pregnant patients is briefly discussed.", "contents": "The clinical diagnosis of major congenital abnormalities of the fetal central nervous system. During the ten years between 1965 and 1974, 207 infants with a major congenital abnormality of the central nervous system were born at Mill Road Maternity Hospital, Liverpool; open neural tube defects occurred in 92 per cent of cases. Only cases of anencephaly were frequently diagnosed clinically before labour and this was rarely so for spina bifida alone. Only 11 patients (5-3 per cent) had previously been delivered of an affected infant. The routine screening of pregnant patients is briefly discussed.", "PMID": 776207} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4499", "title": "Hormonal patterns in conceptual cycles and early pregnancy.", "content": "Androstenedione, testosterone, progesterone and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in plasma and total oestrogens, luteinizing hormone (LH) and HCG in urine were measured in five women during conceptual cycles and in early pregnancy. There were increased levels in plasma and urine of all the hormones measured between 12 to 48 days after ovulation except progesterone. The concentration of this hormone in plasma decreased during this time. The possible sources of these hormones in early pregnancy are discussed.", "contents": "Hormonal patterns in conceptual cycles and early pregnancy. Androstenedione, testosterone, progesterone and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in plasma and total oestrogens, luteinizing hormone (LH) and HCG in urine were measured in five women during conceptual cycles and in early pregnancy. There were increased levels in plasma and urine of all the hormones measured between 12 to 48 days after ovulation except progesterone. The concentration of this hormone in plasma decreased during this time. The possible sources of these hormones in early pregnancy are discussed.", "PMID": 776208} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4500", "title": "Single extra-amniotic injection of prostaglandins in viscous gel to induce abortion.", "content": "A single extra-amniotic injection of prostaglandin (PG) E2 or F2alpha in a highly viscous gel was administered to 230 patients to induce abortion between 9 and 24 weeks gestation. PGE2 doses of 1-0, 1-5, 2-0 or 3-0 mg induced abortion within 24 hours in 30 per cent, 75 per cent, 76 per cent and 70 per cent of patients respectively. The incidence of gastrointestinal side-effects was dose dependent, being 20 per cent, 35 per cent, 45 per cent and 70 per cent in the respective groups. A 10-0 Pmg dose of PGF2alpha induced abortion within 24 hours in 66 per cent of patients and 45 per cent had gastrointestinal side-effects. Abortion was more often complete with PGE2 (76 per cent) than with PGF2alpha (36 per cent). Immediate withdrawal of the catheter following PG administration did not influence induction-abortion intervals or 24-hour abortion success rates. This technique significantly reduced individual patient care and minimized the potential risk of intrauterine sepsis associated with extra-amniotic techniques requiring repeated or continuous PG administration.", "contents": "Single extra-amniotic injection of prostaglandins in viscous gel to induce abortion. A single extra-amniotic injection of prostaglandin (PG) E2 or F2alpha in a highly viscous gel was administered to 230 patients to induce abortion between 9 and 24 weeks gestation. PGE2 doses of 1-0, 1-5, 2-0 or 3-0 mg induced abortion within 24 hours in 30 per cent, 75 per cent, 76 per cent and 70 per cent of patients respectively. The incidence of gastrointestinal side-effects was dose dependent, being 20 per cent, 35 per cent, 45 per cent and 70 per cent in the respective groups. A 10-0 Pmg dose of PGF2alpha induced abortion within 24 hours in 66 per cent of patients and 45 per cent had gastrointestinal side-effects. Abortion was more often complete with PGE2 (76 per cent) than with PGF2alpha (36 per cent). Immediate withdrawal of the catheter following PG administration did not influence induction-abortion intervals or 24-hour abortion success rates. This technique significantly reduced individual patient care and minimized the potential risk of intrauterine sepsis associated with extra-amniotic techniques requiring repeated or continuous PG administration.", "PMID": 776209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4501", "title": "Surgical correction of trachomatous cicatricial entropion.", "content": "A modified version of Wies's operation for the correction of cicatricial entropion is described, the most important modification being a different plane for the incision through the eyelid. The possible complications and their prevention are discussed.", "contents": "Surgical correction of trachomatous cicatricial entropion. A modified version of Wies's operation for the correction of cicatricial entropion is described, the most important modification being a different plane for the incision through the eyelid. The possible complications and their prevention are discussed.", "PMID": 776210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4502", "title": "Fitting contact lenses after keratoplasty.", "content": "Even when a clear corneal graft results from keratoplasty spectacles or contact lenses may still be needed for reasonable vision. In a series of patients treated at the contact lens department, Moorfields Eye Hospital, a transparent graft and functional improvement resulted in about 90 per cent of cases. One hundred of these successful cases are reviewed and the problems of achieving a reasonable visual acuity for the patients discussed. Of those who are needed a visual aid 41 preferred a corneal contact lens. The particular difficulties of fitting these are reviewed and the need for a flexible procedure to meet the varying circumstances emphasized. The methods adopted in the cases under review are described. In the 100 eyes visual acuities of 6/6 were attained in 29, 6/9 in 36, and 6/12 in 17.", "contents": "Fitting contact lenses after keratoplasty. Even when a clear corneal graft results from keratoplasty spectacles or contact lenses may still be needed for reasonable vision. In a series of patients treated at the contact lens department, Moorfields Eye Hospital, a transparent graft and functional improvement resulted in about 90 per cent of cases. One hundred of these successful cases are reviewed and the problems of achieving a reasonable visual acuity for the patients discussed. Of those who are needed a visual aid 41 preferred a corneal contact lens. The particular difficulties of fitting these are reviewed and the need for a flexible procedure to meet the varying circumstances emphasized. The methods adopted in the cases under review are described. In the 100 eyes visual acuities of 6/6 were attained in 29, 6/9 in 36, and 6/12 in 17.", "PMID": 776211} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4503", "title": "Interaction specificity of the anthracyclines with deoxyribonucleic acid.", "content": "The interaction specificity of salmon sperm DNA with various derivatives of daunorubicin has been studied. The results of binding, viscometric, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), flow dichroism, DNA template inhibition, rates of dissociation, and circular dichroism studies are found to be consistent with an intercalation mode of binding of the anthracycline ring as has been shown by other investigators. Moreover, it is observed that (i) strength of binding, (ii) the ease of dissociation of DNA-anthracycline complexes, and (iii) the degree of inhibition of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase are dependent on the presence of the amino sugar moiety of daunoseamine. The results are consistent with specific H bonding of the amino group of the sugar moiety with DNA as has been suggested earlier by Pigram et al. (Pigram, W.J., Fuller, W., and Hamilton, L.D. (1972), Nature (London), New Biol. 235, 17). Peptide derivatives substituted at the amino sugar function of daunorubicin lower the affinity of the drug to DNA and presumably interfere with the \"full insertion\" of the anthracycline drugs between base pairs of DNA. The significance of these findings in relation to the biological efficacy of daunorubicin and related derivatives as antileukemic agents is discussed.", "contents": "Interaction specificity of the anthracyclines with deoxyribonucleic acid. The interaction specificity of salmon sperm DNA with various derivatives of daunorubicin has been studied. The results of binding, viscometric, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), flow dichroism, DNA template inhibition, rates of dissociation, and circular dichroism studies are found to be consistent with an intercalation mode of binding of the anthracycline ring as has been shown by other investigators. Moreover, it is observed that (i) strength of binding, (ii) the ease of dissociation of DNA-anthracycline complexes, and (iii) the degree of inhibition of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase are dependent on the presence of the amino sugar moiety of daunoseamine. The results are consistent with specific H bonding of the amino group of the sugar moiety with DNA as has been suggested earlier by Pigram et al. (Pigram, W.J., Fuller, W., and Hamilton, L.D. (1972), Nature (London), New Biol. 235, 17). Peptide derivatives substituted at the amino sugar function of daunorubicin lower the affinity of the drug to DNA and presumably interfere with the \"full insertion\" of the anthracycline drugs between base pairs of DNA. The significance of these findings in relation to the biological efficacy of daunorubicin and related derivatives as antileukemic agents is discussed.", "PMID": 776212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4504", "title": "Control of ribonucleic acid synthesis in eukaryotes. 2. The effect of protein synthesis on the activities of nuclear and total DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in yeast.", "content": "A thermosensitive conditional yeast mutant (ts-187) which suppresses protein synthesis at the nonpermissive temperature (36 degrees C) also suppresses RNA synthesis. The effect of temperature on the mutant is similar to the addition of cycloheximide--it inhibits the incorporation of labeled precursors into RNA in both whole cells and isolated nuclei. The effect of temperature is selective for the RNA polymerases bound to the nuclear template but not for the total RNA polymerases. Thus, the specific activities and total amounts of RNA polymerase species extracted and assayed with exogenous DNA template are similar in the ts-187 cultured at 23 degrees C and at 36 degrees C. On the contrary, the nuclear polymerases, i.e., RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei, are dramatically inhibited in cells cultured at 36 degrees C. When amino acid starved ts-187 cells are transferred to 36 degrees C, release from the inhibtion of RNA synthesis is observed. As with the addition of cycloheximide, this relaxation is observed in cells but not in isolated nuclei. The parental strain, A364A, which responds by stimulating instead of inhibiting protein synthesis when the temperature is increased to 36 degrees C, also exhibits an inhibition in the incorporation of labeled precursor into RNA as well as reducing RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei. However, these are transitory inhibitions and afterward there is reinitiation of both processes. Reinitiation of RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei is similar to the relaxed phenomenon and it is called \"nuclear relaxation\". This relaxation can only be obtained if protein synthesis is not inhibited; however, cellular relaxation occurs in the absence of protein synthesis. The repression of the nuclear RNA polymerase activities which starvation and inhibition of protein synthesis produce appears to be due to a restriction in the nuclear DNA template. This notion is supported by the fact that a net diminution of these nuclear enzyme activities is observed in spheroplasts cultured under starving conditions. Studies of the four main ribonucleotide pools indicate that stringency and inhibition of protein synthesis (ts-187 cultured at 36 degrees C) produce an increase in UTP and CTP pools. This is consistent with the concept that stringency and inhibition of protein synthesis affect the rate of utilization rather than the synthesis of these ribonucleotide residues. In the A364A and ts-187 yeast strains, the conversion of uracil but not of uridine into the UTP and CTP is inhibited when there is inhibition of the nuclear RNA polymerases. This indicates that the uracil phosphoribosyltransferase but not the uridine-cytidine kinase is allosterically inhibited by UTP and CTP in yeast. The feedback inhibition in the metabolic pathway of the base explains why relaxation cannot be detected when uracil instead of uridine is used as the labeled RNA precursor.", "contents": "Control of ribonucleic acid synthesis in eukaryotes. 2. The effect of protein synthesis on the activities of nuclear and total DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in yeast. A thermosensitive conditional yeast mutant (ts-187) which suppresses protein synthesis at the nonpermissive temperature (36 degrees C) also suppresses RNA synthesis. The effect of temperature on the mutant is similar to the addition of cycloheximide--it inhibits the incorporation of labeled precursors into RNA in both whole cells and isolated nuclei. The effect of temperature is selective for the RNA polymerases bound to the nuclear template but not for the total RNA polymerases. Thus, the specific activities and total amounts of RNA polymerase species extracted and assayed with exogenous DNA template are similar in the ts-187 cultured at 23 degrees C and at 36 degrees C. On the contrary, the nuclear polymerases, i.e., RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei, are dramatically inhibited in cells cultured at 36 degrees C. When amino acid starved ts-187 cells are transferred to 36 degrees C, release from the inhibtion of RNA synthesis is observed. As with the addition of cycloheximide, this relaxation is observed in cells but not in isolated nuclei. The parental strain, A364A, which responds by stimulating instead of inhibiting protein synthesis when the temperature is increased to 36 degrees C, also exhibits an inhibition in the incorporation of labeled precursor into RNA as well as reducing RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei. However, these are transitory inhibitions and afterward there is reinitiation of both processes. Reinitiation of RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei is similar to the relaxed phenomenon and it is called \"nuclear relaxation\". This relaxation can only be obtained if protein synthesis is not inhibited; however, cellular relaxation occurs in the absence of protein synthesis. The repression of the nuclear RNA polymerase activities which starvation and inhibition of protein synthesis produce appears to be due to a restriction in the nuclear DNA template. This notion is supported by the fact that a net diminution of these nuclear enzyme activities is observed in spheroplasts cultured under starving conditions. Studies of the four main ribonucleotide pools indicate that stringency and inhibition of protein synthesis (ts-187 cultured at 36 degrees C) produce an increase in UTP and CTP pools. This is consistent with the concept that stringency and inhibition of protein synthesis affect the rate of utilization rather than the synthesis of these ribonucleotide residues. In the A364A and ts-187 yeast strains, the conversion of uracil but not of uridine into the UTP and CTP is inhibited when there is inhibition of the nuclear RNA polymerases. This indicates that the uracil phosphoribosyltransferase but not the uridine-cytidine kinase is allosterically inhibited by UTP and CTP in yeast. The feedback inhibition in the metabolic pathway of the base explains why relaxation cannot be detected when uracil instead of uridine is used as the labeled RNA precursor.", "PMID": 776213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4505", "title": "Control of ribonucleic acid synthesis in eukaryotes. 3. The effect of cycloheximide and edeine on rna synthesis in yeast.", "content": "The addition of cycloheximide to a thermosensitive conditional yeast mutant (ts-187) before and after transfer to the nonpermissive temperature (36 degrees C) for initiation of protein synthesis produces the uncoupling of the RNA and protein synthetic machineries. Since the drug can produce this relaxation in the presence and absence of protein synthesis, it is concluded that the coupling of protein and RNA synthesis, which a temperature shift produces, is not exclusively related to the inhibition of protein synthesis. Support for this assumption has been obtained using the parental (A364A) strain. Transferring this strain to 36 degrees C produces inhibition of RNA synthesis in the presence of stimulation of protein synthesis. Furthermore, cycloheximide and edeine prevent this inhibtion of RNA synthesis that temperature shift produces. It is, therefore, postulated that this inhibition of RNA synthesis results from the synthesis or activation of a factor(s) elicited by the increase in temperature whose function is to repress the transcriptional apparatus. Cycloheximide or edeine can prevent the function of this repressor-like factor by binding to the factor or by preventing its synthesis. The fact that inhibition of protein synthesis either by cycloheximide action or temperature shift in ts-187 produces inhibition of RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei indicates that, in addition to the aforementioned repressor, other factor(s) having a promoter function may exist. Since a slight inhibition of protein synthesis produces nuclear template restrictions, it is postulated that the promoter-like factor(s) is a polypeptide different from the RNA polymerase and, at least in yeast, has a high turnover.", "contents": "Control of ribonucleic acid synthesis in eukaryotes. 3. The effect of cycloheximide and edeine on rna synthesis in yeast. The addition of cycloheximide to a thermosensitive conditional yeast mutant (ts-187) before and after transfer to the nonpermissive temperature (36 degrees C) for initiation of protein synthesis produces the uncoupling of the RNA and protein synthetic machineries. Since the drug can produce this relaxation in the presence and absence of protein synthesis, it is concluded that the coupling of protein and RNA synthesis, which a temperature shift produces, is not exclusively related to the inhibition of protein synthesis. Support for this assumption has been obtained using the parental (A364A) strain. Transferring this strain to 36 degrees C produces inhibition of RNA synthesis in the presence of stimulation of protein synthesis. Furthermore, cycloheximide and edeine prevent this inhibtion of RNA synthesis that temperature shift produces. It is, therefore, postulated that this inhibition of RNA synthesis results from the synthesis or activation of a factor(s) elicited by the increase in temperature whose function is to repress the transcriptional apparatus. Cycloheximide or edeine can prevent the function of this repressor-like factor by binding to the factor or by preventing its synthesis. The fact that inhibition of protein synthesis either by cycloheximide action or temperature shift in ts-187 produces inhibition of RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei indicates that, in addition to the aforementioned repressor, other factor(s) having a promoter function may exist. Since a slight inhibition of protein synthesis produces nuclear template restrictions, it is postulated that the promoter-like factor(s) is a polypeptide different from the RNA polymerase and, at least in yeast, has a high turnover.", "PMID": 776214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4506", "title": "Affinity labeling of Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase with 5-formyl-l-(alpha-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil 5'-triphosphate.", "content": "5-Formyl-1-(alpha-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil 5'=triphosphate has been used to affinity label E. coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. It is a noncompetitive inhibitor of the enzyme with Ki=0.54 mM. A short preincubation of the enzyme and alpha-fo5UTP is required to achieve maximum inhibition, and the entent of the inhibition is dependent upon the alpha-fo5UTP concentration. When a preincubation mixture of alpha-fo5UTP/enzyme is diluted, the enzyme regains activity with time showing that the inhibition is reversible, presumably occurring by Schiff base formation between an amino group on the enzyme and the formyl group. Upon sodium borohydride reduction of an enzyme/alpha-fo5UTP preincubation mixture the enzyme is irreversibly inhibited. alpha-fo5UTP is more effective in inhibiting the enzyme than alpha-fo5U, and the inhibition is decreased by the presence of ATP, UTP, or GTP in the preincubation mixture, suggesting that inhibition is occurring at a triphosphate binding site. The stoichiometry of binding of alpha-fo5UTP to the enzyme was determined using the gamma-32P-labeled derivative. After a 20-s preincubation of enzyme/alpha-fo5UTP followed by NaBH4 reduction the stoichiometry of binding was 1.1:1 (alpha-fo5UTP bound: inactivated enzyme), and this rose to 2.42:1 after a 10-min preincubation. After a 20-s preincubation the [gamma-32P]-alpha-fo5UTP was shown to be located on the beta subunit of RNA polymerase by cellulose acetate electrophoresis in 6 M urea.", "contents": "Affinity labeling of Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase with 5-formyl-l-(alpha-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil 5'-triphosphate. 5-Formyl-1-(alpha-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil 5'=triphosphate has been used to affinity label E. coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. It is a noncompetitive inhibitor of the enzyme with Ki=0.54 mM. A short preincubation of the enzyme and alpha-fo5UTP is required to achieve maximum inhibition, and the entent of the inhibition is dependent upon the alpha-fo5UTP concentration. When a preincubation mixture of alpha-fo5UTP/enzyme is diluted, the enzyme regains activity with time showing that the inhibition is reversible, presumably occurring by Schiff base formation between an amino group on the enzyme and the formyl group. Upon sodium borohydride reduction of an enzyme/alpha-fo5UTP preincubation mixture the enzyme is irreversibly inhibited. alpha-fo5UTP is more effective in inhibiting the enzyme than alpha-fo5U, and the inhibition is decreased by the presence of ATP, UTP, or GTP in the preincubation mixture, suggesting that inhibition is occurring at a triphosphate binding site. The stoichiometry of binding of alpha-fo5UTP to the enzyme was determined using the gamma-32P-labeled derivative. After a 20-s preincubation of enzyme/alpha-fo5UTP followed by NaBH4 reduction the stoichiometry of binding was 1.1:1 (alpha-fo5UTP bound: inactivated enzyme), and this rose to 2.42:1 after a 10-min preincubation. After a 20-s preincubation the [gamma-32P]-alpha-fo5UTP was shown to be located on the beta subunit of RNA polymerase by cellulose acetate electrophoresis in 6 M urea.", "PMID": 776215} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4507", "title": "4-Thiouridine, a built-in probe for structural changes in transfer RNA.", "content": "The luminescence of an aqueous solution of 4-thiouridine was compared with its emission when forming part of the polynucleotide chain of tRNA. In both cases excitation into the last absorption band at 335 nm yields a weak emission in the 520--550 nm region. However, while in aqueous solution this emission has a lifetime of approximately 240 ns, it increases in native tRNA to tau congruent to 6.6 mus. Oxygen and Cl- ions quench the thiouridine emission efficiently in aqueous solution while Na+ and Mg2+ ions have no influence on it. On the other hand thiouridine which forms part of a tRNA molecule is quite insensitive to Cl- ions and to O2 while its emission is greatly enhanced by Na+ and Mg2+ ions. From these salt effects as well as from data on the temperature dependence of the emission yield and the decay curve, it is concluded that the site of the thiouridine residue is very well protected within the tertiary structure of tRNA. Both permanent changes in the secondary and in the tertiary structures of the polynucleotide as well as dynamic conformation changes can be observed by following the emission characteristics of its thiouridine residue.", "contents": "4-Thiouridine, a built-in probe for structural changes in transfer RNA. The luminescence of an aqueous solution of 4-thiouridine was compared with its emission when forming part of the polynucleotide chain of tRNA. In both cases excitation into the last absorption band at 335 nm yields a weak emission in the 520--550 nm region. However, while in aqueous solution this emission has a lifetime of approximately 240 ns, it increases in native tRNA to tau congruent to 6.6 mus. Oxygen and Cl- ions quench the thiouridine emission efficiently in aqueous solution while Na+ and Mg2+ ions have no influence on it. On the other hand thiouridine which forms part of a tRNA molecule is quite insensitive to Cl- ions and to O2 while its emission is greatly enhanced by Na+ and Mg2+ ions. From these salt effects as well as from data on the temperature dependence of the emission yield and the decay curve, it is concluded that the site of the thiouridine residue is very well protected within the tertiary structure of tRNA. Both permanent changes in the secondary and in the tertiary structures of the polynucleotide as well as dynamic conformation changes can be observed by following the emission characteristics of its thiouridine residue.", "PMID": 776216} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4508", "title": "Spatial relationship of the sigma subunit and the rifampicin binding site in RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli.", "content": "sigma subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase is known to stimulate specific RNA chain initiation. Rifampicin, an inhibitor of RNA chain initiation, binds to a single site on the beta subunit of RNA polymerase. We have used the fluorescence energy transfer technique to deduce proximity relationships of sigma subunit and rifampicin binding site on the enzyme. Isolated sigma subunit was covalently labeled with fluorescent donors in two ways: specific labeling of a single sulfhydryl residue with N-(iodoacetylaminoethyl)-5-naphthylamine-1-sulfonate (1,5-I-AENS) and nonspecific labeling on the surface of the protein with dansyl chloride (Dns-Cl) adsorbed on Celite. The labeled sigma subunits were biologically active and formed a stoichiometric complex with core polymerase. The efficiency of energy transfer was obtained from the fluorescence intensity and the excited-state lifetime of the sigma-labeled holoenzyme in the presence and absence of rifampicin, which served as an energy acceptor. The transfer efficiency (2%) from AENS to rifampicin placed AENS somewhere between 42 and 85 A away from the rifampicin binding site. The rotational mobility of the donor was determined by nanosecond fluorescence depolarization spectroscopy, while the acceptor orientation was assumed to be fixed at some unknown angle. The efficiency measured for energy transfer from Dns to rifampicin was 10% in the presence of 0.2 M KCl. The distance from the surface of sigma subunit to the rifampicin binding site was calculated to be 27--38 A for a model having a randomly distributed and oriented array of donors on the surface of a spherical sigma subunit of 31-A radius. Our results indicate that rifampicin does not inhibit the initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase through a direct interaction with sigma subunit. In addition, energy transfer measurements under low salt conditions suggest that in RNA polymerase dimer the two rifampicin binding sites are symmetric with respect to each sigma subunit.", "contents": "Spatial relationship of the sigma subunit and the rifampicin binding site in RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli. sigma subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase is known to stimulate specific RNA chain initiation. Rifampicin, an inhibitor of RNA chain initiation, binds to a single site on the beta subunit of RNA polymerase. We have used the fluorescence energy transfer technique to deduce proximity relationships of sigma subunit and rifampicin binding site on the enzyme. Isolated sigma subunit was covalently labeled with fluorescent donors in two ways: specific labeling of a single sulfhydryl residue with N-(iodoacetylaminoethyl)-5-naphthylamine-1-sulfonate (1,5-I-AENS) and nonspecific labeling on the surface of the protein with dansyl chloride (Dns-Cl) adsorbed on Celite. The labeled sigma subunits were biologically active and formed a stoichiometric complex with core polymerase. The efficiency of energy transfer was obtained from the fluorescence intensity and the excited-state lifetime of the sigma-labeled holoenzyme in the presence and absence of rifampicin, which served as an energy acceptor. The transfer efficiency (2%) from AENS to rifampicin placed AENS somewhere between 42 and 85 A away from the rifampicin binding site. The rotational mobility of the donor was determined by nanosecond fluorescence depolarization spectroscopy, while the acceptor orientation was assumed to be fixed at some unknown angle. The efficiency measured for energy transfer from Dns to rifampicin was 10% in the presence of 0.2 M KCl. The distance from the surface of sigma subunit to the rifampicin binding site was calculated to be 27--38 A for a model having a randomly distributed and oriented array of donors on the surface of a spherical sigma subunit of 31-A radius. Our results indicate that rifampicin does not inhibit the initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase through a direct interaction with sigma subunit. In addition, energy transfer measurements under low salt conditions suggest that in RNA polymerase dimer the two rifampicin binding sites are symmetric with respect to each sigma subunit.", "PMID": 776217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4509", "title": "Physicochemical and kinetic properties of iodinated yeast 3-phosphoglycerate kinase.", "content": "The present studies have established that there is a critical tyrosyl residue in yeast 3-phosphoglycerate kinase. The iodination of this enzyme results in an inactivation following first-order kinetics. The extent of the modification is limited to only one tyrosyl residue. The monoiodotyrosine formation which leads to inactivation of the enzyme does not induce any significant conformational change as evidenced by hydrogen exchange and optical rotatory dispersion. The role of this tyrosine in the action of the yeast 3-phosphoglycerate kinase is studied. An effective protection against inactivation is observed with 3-phosphoglycerate, and the characteristic spectral effect of 3-phosphoglycerate binding cannot be detected in the modified enzyme. It is concluded that the essential tyrosyl residue may play a role in substrate binding.", "contents": "Physicochemical and kinetic properties of iodinated yeast 3-phosphoglycerate kinase. The present studies have established that there is a critical tyrosyl residue in yeast 3-phosphoglycerate kinase. The iodination of this enzyme results in an inactivation following first-order kinetics. The extent of the modification is limited to only one tyrosyl residue. The monoiodotyrosine formation which leads to inactivation of the enzyme does not induce any significant conformational change as evidenced by hydrogen exchange and optical rotatory dispersion. The role of this tyrosine in the action of the yeast 3-phosphoglycerate kinase is studied. An effective protection against inactivation is observed with 3-phosphoglycerate, and the characteristic spectral effect of 3-phosphoglycerate binding cannot be detected in the modified enzyme. It is concluded that the essential tyrosyl residue may play a role in substrate binding.", "PMID": 776218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4510", "title": "Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate: isomeric composition, kinetics, and substrate specificity for the aldolases.", "content": "13C NMR shows fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate to contain respectively 4.1 and 2.0% keto isomer at room temperature. The lower value for fructose 1,6-bisphosphate can be attributed to the electron-withdrawing effect of the C-1 phosphate. Measurements of the ring-opening rates of the alpha and beta anomers of fructose, 1,6-bisphosphate by an NMR line-broadening technique show them to be about 8 and 35 S-1, respectively, at pH 7.2, and 25degreesC. The value for the predominant beta anomer is threefold greater than the turnover rate of muscle aldolase so that, if the kinetic properties of the keto form were favorable, the reaction could proceed entirely through the keto form in solution. The kinetic properties of a fructose 1,6-bisphosphate(keto) analogue, 5-deoxyfructose, 1,6-bisphosphate, in the muscle aldolase reaction are more favorable (Vmax = 2.6, Km = 0.11 X 10(-6) M) than those of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate total (Vmax = 1, Km = 2.3 X 10(-6)M), giving a value of Vmax/Km that is 56 times greater for the 5-deoxy analogue. At the 2.0% concentration of the keto form this is sufficient to account for the steady-state rate and requires that the beta form, present at 40 times greater concentration, contributes little to the cleavage rate. With yeast aldolase the cleavage rate can be explained by the rapid spontaneous ring opening and reaction of the keto form with the enzyme. In view of the high rate of ring opening and the excellent properties of the keto form, previous rapid kinetic studies favoring action of cyclic forms may require reevaluation.", "contents": "Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate: isomeric composition, kinetics, and substrate specificity for the aldolases. 13C NMR shows fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate to contain respectively 4.1 and 2.0% keto isomer at room temperature. The lower value for fructose 1,6-bisphosphate can be attributed to the electron-withdrawing effect of the C-1 phosphate. Measurements of the ring-opening rates of the alpha and beta anomers of fructose, 1,6-bisphosphate by an NMR line-broadening technique show them to be about 8 and 35 S-1, respectively, at pH 7.2, and 25degreesC. The value for the predominant beta anomer is threefold greater than the turnover rate of muscle aldolase so that, if the kinetic properties of the keto form were favorable, the reaction could proceed entirely through the keto form in solution. The kinetic properties of a fructose 1,6-bisphosphate(keto) analogue, 5-deoxyfructose, 1,6-bisphosphate, in the muscle aldolase reaction are more favorable (Vmax = 2.6, Km = 0.11 X 10(-6) M) than those of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate total (Vmax = 1, Km = 2.3 X 10(-6)M), giving a value of Vmax/Km that is 56 times greater for the 5-deoxy analogue. At the 2.0% concentration of the keto form this is sufficient to account for the steady-state rate and requires that the beta form, present at 40 times greater concentration, contributes little to the cleavage rate. With yeast aldolase the cleavage rate can be explained by the rapid spontaneous ring opening and reaction of the keto form with the enzyme. In view of the high rate of ring opening and the excellent properties of the keto form, previous rapid kinetic studies favoring action of cyclic forms may require reevaluation.", "PMID": 776219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4511", "title": "Properties of a major protein released from Escherichia coli by osmotic shock.", "content": "A large fraction of a constitutively synthesized polypeptide, comprising 5% of the total Escherichia coli protein, is released when plasmolysed cells are subjected to osmotic shock into ice-cold water. Since the protein is not liberated by the conversion of cells to spheroplasts, it is not a typical periplasmic protein. A complex pattern of association with the cell envelope indicates that it is bound to this structure in vivo. Its susceptibility to trypsin and its interaction with specific antibodies vary with the type of preparations used. Based on these observations, we postulate a peripheral location at the inner surface of the plasma membrane. The protein has been purified to homogeneity from osmotic shock fluid. It has a mass of 44 000 daltons. Some of its physical and chemical properties have been investigated. Most remarkable are its strongly aggregating and adhesive characteristics and its precipitation by vinblastine and calcium ions. These unusual properties, its presumed location, and the observation that it is present in large amounts (approximately 70 000 molecules per cell) suggest a structural role for this protein.", "contents": "Properties of a major protein released from Escherichia coli by osmotic shock. A large fraction of a constitutively synthesized polypeptide, comprising 5% of the total Escherichia coli protein, is released when plasmolysed cells are subjected to osmotic shock into ice-cold water. Since the protein is not liberated by the conversion of cells to spheroplasts, it is not a typical periplasmic protein. A complex pattern of association with the cell envelope indicates that it is bound to this structure in vivo. Its susceptibility to trypsin and its interaction with specific antibodies vary with the type of preparations used. Based on these observations, we postulate a peripheral location at the inner surface of the plasma membrane. The protein has been purified to homogeneity from osmotic shock fluid. It has a mass of 44 000 daltons. Some of its physical and chemical properties have been investigated. Most remarkable are its strongly aggregating and adhesive characteristics and its precipitation by vinblastine and calcium ions. These unusual properties, its presumed location, and the observation that it is present in large amounts (approximately 70 000 molecules per cell) suggest a structural role for this protein.", "PMID": 776220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4512", "title": "Codon-dependent rearrangement of the three-dimensional structure of phenylalanine tRNA, exposing the T-psi-C-G sequence for binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit.", "content": "Codon-anticodon interaction induces an allosteric rearrangement of the three-dimensional structure of Phe-tRNAPhe that exposes the T-psi-C-G sequence for binding to the C-G-A-A sequence of the 5S rRNA within the 50S ribosomal subunit. The conformational change in the tRNAPhe structure was followed by the binding of C-G-[3H]A-[3H]A to the T-psi-C-G sequence, as measured by equilibrium dialysis at 10 mM Mg2+. C-G-A-A (14 pmol) was bound to tRNAPhe in the complete system containing elongation factor Tu-GTP-Phe-tRNA-(uridylyl-3',5')7-uridine-30S ribosomes (100 pmol). At a Mg2+ concentration lower than 5 mM the rearrangement was dependent on elongation factor-Tu, whereas GTP could be replaced by guanylyl imidodiphosphonate. In the absence of elongation factor-Tu-GTP a sigmoidal C-G-A-A binding curve with respect to Mg2+ concentration was obtained, showing half-saturation at 6 mM Mg2+. To achieve the change in the tRNAPhe structure in the absence of 30S ribosomes, a twofold higher concentration of (uridylyl-3',5')7-uridine had to be used. A sigmoidal curve was obtained again when the Mg2+ dependence of the C-G-A-A binding was followed, with 12 pmol of C-G-A-A being bound to 200 pmol of Phe-tRNA. Since T-psi-C-G exposure should influence the binding of Phe-tRNA to 70S ribosomes, Phe-tRNA binding to 70S ribosomes was examined. In the \"nonenzymatic\" binding (i.e., no elongation factor-Tu-GTP) of Phe-tRNA a sigmoidal Mg2+ dependence was found, whereas the \"enzymatic\" binding (elongation factor-Tu-GTP present) showed a hyperbolic curve. With 30S ribosomes as controls, only hyperbolic binding curves were found. The Mg2+ dependence of AA-tRNA binding thus reflects the rearrangement of the tRNA structure.", "contents": "Codon-dependent rearrangement of the three-dimensional structure of phenylalanine tRNA, exposing the T-psi-C-G sequence for binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit. Codon-anticodon interaction induces an allosteric rearrangement of the three-dimensional structure of Phe-tRNAPhe that exposes the T-psi-C-G sequence for binding to the C-G-A-A sequence of the 5S rRNA within the 50S ribosomal subunit. The conformational change in the tRNAPhe structure was followed by the binding of C-G-[3H]A-[3H]A to the T-psi-C-G sequence, as measured by equilibrium dialysis at 10 mM Mg2+. C-G-A-A (14 pmol) was bound to tRNAPhe in the complete system containing elongation factor Tu-GTP-Phe-tRNA-(uridylyl-3',5')7-uridine-30S ribosomes (100 pmol). At a Mg2+ concentration lower than 5 mM the rearrangement was dependent on elongation factor-Tu, whereas GTP could be replaced by guanylyl imidodiphosphonate. In the absence of elongation factor-Tu-GTP a sigmoidal C-G-A-A binding curve with respect to Mg2+ concentration was obtained, showing half-saturation at 6 mM Mg2+. To achieve the change in the tRNAPhe structure in the absence of 30S ribosomes, a twofold higher concentration of (uridylyl-3',5')7-uridine had to be used. A sigmoidal curve was obtained again when the Mg2+ dependence of the C-G-A-A binding was followed, with 12 pmol of C-G-A-A being bound to 200 pmol of Phe-tRNA. Since T-psi-C-G exposure should influence the binding of Phe-tRNA to 70S ribosomes, Phe-tRNA binding to 70S ribosomes was examined. In the \"nonenzymatic\" binding (i.e., no elongation factor-Tu-GTP) of Phe-tRNA a sigmoidal Mg2+ dependence was found, whereas the \"enzymatic\" binding (elongation factor-Tu-GTP present) showed a hyperbolic curve. With 30S ribosomes as controls, only hyperbolic binding curves were found. The Mg2+ dependence of AA-tRNA binding thus reflects the rearrangement of the tRNA structure.", "PMID": 776221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4513", "title": "Biosynthesis of yeast mannan. Independent formation of two carbohydrate moieties in the mannoprotein molecule.", "content": "The formation of two distinct types of carbohydrates moieties, beta-elminable saccharides attached to serine and/or threonine and of the polysaccharide portion of yeast mannan-protein was investigated using the particulate mannan synthetase from Saccharomcyes cerevisiae and GDP-[U-14C]mannose as mannosyl donor. The accumulated evidence obtained by following the kinetics of mannose incorporation into the different carbohydrate portions of mannoprotein, kinetics of thermal denaturation of enzymes responsible for their synthesis and by \"pulse-chase\" experiment where the change in the distribution of incorporated radioactivity was followed between the two carbohydrate moieties strongly suggests that the two carbohydrate portions in yeast mannoprotein are being synthesized independently, most probably by different sets of enzymes. At the same time, the obtained data show the beta-eliminable saccharides attached to serine and threonine in the peptide do not serve as precursors in the formation of polysaccharide part of mannoprotein.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of yeast mannan. Independent formation of two carbohydrate moieties in the mannoprotein molecule. The formation of two distinct types of carbohydrates moieties, beta-elminable saccharides attached to serine and/or threonine and of the polysaccharide portion of yeast mannan-protein was investigated using the particulate mannan synthetase from Saccharomcyes cerevisiae and GDP-[U-14C]mannose as mannosyl donor. The accumulated evidence obtained by following the kinetics of mannose incorporation into the different carbohydrate portions of mannoprotein, kinetics of thermal denaturation of enzymes responsible for their synthesis and by \"pulse-chase\" experiment where the change in the distribution of incorporated radioactivity was followed between the two carbohydrate moieties strongly suggests that the two carbohydrate portions in yeast mannoprotein are being synthesized independently, most probably by different sets of enzymes. At the same time, the obtained data show the beta-eliminable saccharides attached to serine and threonine in the peptide do not serve as precursors in the formation of polysaccharide part of mannoprotein.", "PMID": 776222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4514", "title": "Ascorbate-independent carotenoid de-epoxidation in intact spinach chloroplasts.", "content": "Slow (greater 1 s) light-induced absorbance changes in the 475-5300 nm spectral region were examined in Type A chloroplasts from spinach. The most prominent absorption change occurred at 505 nm. The difference spectrum for this light-induced increase, its absence in osmotically shocked chloroplasts and restoration by ascorbate, and its sensitivity to dithiothreitol indicate that the absorption change is due to carotenoid de-epoxidatiion. The reaction in intact chloroplasts is characterized by its independence of exogenous ascorbate and a rate constant 3- to 8-fold higher than that reported previously for chloroplasts supplemented with ascorbate. The relevance of carotenoid de-epoxidation to other photosynthetic processes was examined by comparing their sensitivities to dithiothreitol. Levels of dithiothreitol that eliminate the 505 nm shift are without effect on saturated rates of CO2 fixation and do not appreciably inhibit fluorescence quenching. We conclude that carotenoid de-epoxidation is not directly involved in the reactions of photosynthesis or in the regulation of excitation allocation between the photosystems.", "contents": "Ascorbate-independent carotenoid de-epoxidation in intact spinach chloroplasts. Slow (greater 1 s) light-induced absorbance changes in the 475-5300 nm spectral region were examined in Type A chloroplasts from spinach. The most prominent absorption change occurred at 505 nm. The difference spectrum for this light-induced increase, its absence in osmotically shocked chloroplasts and restoration by ascorbate, and its sensitivity to dithiothreitol indicate that the absorption change is due to carotenoid de-epoxidatiion. The reaction in intact chloroplasts is characterized by its independence of exogenous ascorbate and a rate constant 3- to 8-fold higher than that reported previously for chloroplasts supplemented with ascorbate. The relevance of carotenoid de-epoxidation to other photosynthetic processes was examined by comparing their sensitivities to dithiothreitol. Levels of dithiothreitol that eliminate the 505 nm shift are without effect on saturated rates of CO2 fixation and do not appreciably inhibit fluorescence quenching. We conclude that carotenoid de-epoxidation is not directly involved in the reactions of photosynthesis or in the regulation of excitation allocation between the photosystems.", "PMID": 776223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4515", "title": "Sugar transport and potassium permeability in yeast plasma membrane vesicles.", "content": "Plasma membrane vesicles were isolated from homogenised yeast cells by filtration, differential centrifugation and aggregation of the mitochondrial vesicles at pH 4. As judged by biochemical, cell electrophoretic and electron microscopic criteria a pure plasma membrane vesicle preparation was obtained. The surface charge density of the plasma membrane vesicles is similar to that of intact yeast cells with an isoelectric point below pH 3. The mitochondrial vesicles have a higher negative surface charge density in the alkaline pH range. Their isoelectric point is near pH 4.5, where aggregation is maximal. The yield of vesicles sealed to K+ was maximal at pH 4 and accounted for about one third of the total vesicle volume. The plasma membrane vesicles demonstrate osmotic behaviour, they shrink in NaCl solutions when loosing K+. As in intact yeast cells the entry and exit of sugars like glucose or galactose in plasma membrane vesicles is inhibited by UO22+. Counter transport in plasma membrane vesicles with glucose and mannose and iso-counter transport with glucose suggests that a mobile carrier for sugar transport exists in the plasma membrane. After galactose pathway induction in the yeast cells and subsequent preparation of plasma membrane vesicles the uptake of galactose into the vesicles increased by almost 100% over the control value without galactose induction. This increase is explained by the formation of a specific galactose carrier in the plasma membrane.", "contents": "Sugar transport and potassium permeability in yeast plasma membrane vesicles. Plasma membrane vesicles were isolated from homogenised yeast cells by filtration, differential centrifugation and aggregation of the mitochondrial vesicles at pH 4. As judged by biochemical, cell electrophoretic and electron microscopic criteria a pure plasma membrane vesicle preparation was obtained. The surface charge density of the plasma membrane vesicles is similar to that of intact yeast cells with an isoelectric point below pH 3. The mitochondrial vesicles have a higher negative surface charge density in the alkaline pH range. Their isoelectric point is near pH 4.5, where aggregation is maximal. The yield of vesicles sealed to K+ was maximal at pH 4 and accounted for about one third of the total vesicle volume. The plasma membrane vesicles demonstrate osmotic behaviour, they shrink in NaCl solutions when loosing K+. As in intact yeast cells the entry and exit of sugars like glucose or galactose in plasma membrane vesicles is inhibited by UO22+. Counter transport in plasma membrane vesicles with glucose and mannose and iso-counter transport with glucose suggests that a mobile carrier for sugar transport exists in the plasma membrane. After galactose pathway induction in the yeast cells and subsequent preparation of plasma membrane vesicles the uptake of galactose into the vesicles increased by almost 100% over the control value without galactose induction. This increase is explained by the formation of a specific galactose carrier in the plasma membrane.", "PMID": 776224} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4516", "title": "tRNA methyltransferases from rat liver. Differences in response of partially purified enzymes to polyamines and inorganic salts.", "content": "Three tRNA methyltransferases, purified from rat liver, have been compared for their activity in the presence of various amines and Mg2+. The enzymes differ with respect to the ion which permits maximal activity; they also differ with respect to the concentration of a given ion necessary for maximal activity. The methyltransferase which forms N2-methylguanine in the region between the dihydrouridine loop and the acceptor stem (2mG I), when assayed using purified tRNA as substrate, shows high activity with 3--5 mM sperimidine or 20 mM putrescine and significantly lower rates of methylation with 200--350 mM ammonium acetate or 1--10 mM magnesium acetate. The enzyme responsible for forming N2-methylguanine between the dihydrouridine and anticodon loops (2mG II) works well in the presence of 0.2--0.5 mM spermidine, 10 mM putrescine or 200--300 mM ammonium acetate and shows slightly lower activity with 1 mM magnesium acetate. The optimal conditions for assaying 1-adenine methyltransferase (1mA) with purified tRNAs are either 200--300 mM ammonium acetate or 30 mM putrescine; spermidine is slightly less effective and magnesium acetate permits less than 25% of maximal activity. The addition of 10 mM Mg2+, in combination with polyamines or NH4+, depresses slightly the activity of the guanine methyltransferases but completely abolishes the polyamine or ammonium-stimulated activity of the adenine methyltransferase. When unfractionated (Escherichia coli) tRNA is used as substrate, the concentrations of polyamines required for optimal methyltransferase activity are increased but the patterns of response of the three enzymes do not differ significantly from those obtained with purified tRNA substrates. Based on the studies with these three enzymes, unfractionated tRNA and 40 mM putrescine should provide the most reliable system for detecting methylating activity if the nature of the tRNA methyltransferase is unknown.", "contents": "tRNA methyltransferases from rat liver. Differences in response of partially purified enzymes to polyamines and inorganic salts. Three tRNA methyltransferases, purified from rat liver, have been compared for their activity in the presence of various amines and Mg2+. The enzymes differ with respect to the ion which permits maximal activity; they also differ with respect to the concentration of a given ion necessary for maximal activity. The methyltransferase which forms N2-methylguanine in the region between the dihydrouridine loop and the acceptor stem (2mG I), when assayed using purified tRNA as substrate, shows high activity with 3--5 mM sperimidine or 20 mM putrescine and significantly lower rates of methylation with 200--350 mM ammonium acetate or 1--10 mM magnesium acetate. The enzyme responsible for forming N2-methylguanine between the dihydrouridine and anticodon loops (2mG II) works well in the presence of 0.2--0.5 mM spermidine, 10 mM putrescine or 200--300 mM ammonium acetate and shows slightly lower activity with 1 mM magnesium acetate. The optimal conditions for assaying 1-adenine methyltransferase (1mA) with purified tRNAs are either 200--300 mM ammonium acetate or 30 mM putrescine; spermidine is slightly less effective and magnesium acetate permits less than 25% of maximal activity. The addition of 10 mM Mg2+, in combination with polyamines or NH4+, depresses slightly the activity of the guanine methyltransferases but completely abolishes the polyamine or ammonium-stimulated activity of the adenine methyltransferase. When unfractionated (Escherichia coli) tRNA is used as substrate, the concentrations of polyamines required for optimal methyltransferase activity are increased but the patterns of response of the three enzymes do not differ significantly from those obtained with purified tRNA substrates. Based on the studies with these three enzymes, unfractionated tRNA and 40 mM putrescine should provide the most reliable system for detecting methylating activity if the nature of the tRNA methyltransferase is unknown.", "PMID": 776226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4517", "title": "Reversible envelope effects during and after killing of Escherichia coli w by a highly-purified rabbit polymorpho-nuclear leukocyte fraction.", "content": "The effects of a highly-purified, potently bactericidal fraction from rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes on the envelope of Escherichia coli (W) have been examined. This leukocyte fraction has equally enriched bactericidal, permeability-increasing and phospholipase A2 activities, and is essentially devoid of lysozyme, myeloperoxidase and protease activities (Weiss, J., Franson, R.C., Beckerdite, S., Schmeidler, K. and Elsbach, P. (1975) J. Clin. Invest. 55, 33-42). Rapid killing of E. coli by this fraction is accompanied by two almost immediate alterations in the bacterial envelope: (1) a discrete increase in envelope permeability (measured by inhibition of bacterial leucine incorporation by normally impermeant actinomycin D), and, (2) hydrolysis of 14C-labeled fatty acid-prelabeled E. coli phospholipids. Both envelope effects are promptly reversed during further incubation at 37 degrees C, But not at 0 degrees C, with 40 mM Mg2+. Reversal is also produced by Ca2+ (40 mM) and trypsin (200 mug/ml), but 200 mM K+ causes only partial recovery and Na+ and hyperosmolar sucrose are ineffective. Upon addition of Mg2+, phospholipid degradation ceases abruptly and the labeled products of hydrolysis (free fatty acids and lysocompounds) disappear with a corresponding reaccumulation of radioactive diacylphosphatides. The time course of resynthesis of phospholipids coincides with that of restoration of the permeability barrier. Higher concentrations of the leukocyte fraction and prolonged incubation increase both the extent of phospholipid degradation and the time required for reversal of both envelope effects. These findings suggest that both the initiation of the increased permeability and its reversal are linked to respectively the breakdown and resynthesis of major E. coli membrane phospholipids, and thus depend on the fact that the biochemical apparatus of E. coli remains capable of biosynthesis despite loss of viability. Treatment of E. coli, exposed to the leukocyte fraction, with albumin results in extracellular sequestration of the products of hydrolysis and also restores the permeability barrier to actinomycin D, suggesting that the accumulation of lytic products of lipid hydrolysis within the bacterial envelope, rather than the loss of phospholipids per se, causes increased permeability Whereas the effects on the envelope are reversible as long as 2 h after nearly complete loss of ability to multiply by E. coli, the effect on bacterial multiplication is irreversible within 5 min.", "contents": "Reversible envelope effects during and after killing of Escherichia coli w by a highly-purified rabbit polymorpho-nuclear leukocyte fraction. The effects of a highly-purified, potently bactericidal fraction from rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes on the envelope of Escherichia coli (W) have been examined. This leukocyte fraction has equally enriched bactericidal, permeability-increasing and phospholipase A2 activities, and is essentially devoid of lysozyme, myeloperoxidase and protease activities (Weiss, J., Franson, R.C., Beckerdite, S., Schmeidler, K. and Elsbach, P. (1975) J. Clin. Invest. 55, 33-42). Rapid killing of E. coli by this fraction is accompanied by two almost immediate alterations in the bacterial envelope: (1) a discrete increase in envelope permeability (measured by inhibition of bacterial leucine incorporation by normally impermeant actinomycin D), and, (2) hydrolysis of 14C-labeled fatty acid-prelabeled E. coli phospholipids. Both envelope effects are promptly reversed during further incubation at 37 degrees C, But not at 0 degrees C, with 40 mM Mg2+. Reversal is also produced by Ca2+ (40 mM) and trypsin (200 mug/ml), but 200 mM K+ causes only partial recovery and Na+ and hyperosmolar sucrose are ineffective. Upon addition of Mg2+, phospholipid degradation ceases abruptly and the labeled products of hydrolysis (free fatty acids and lysocompounds) disappear with a corresponding reaccumulation of radioactive diacylphosphatides. The time course of resynthesis of phospholipids coincides with that of restoration of the permeability barrier. Higher concentrations of the leukocyte fraction and prolonged incubation increase both the extent of phospholipid degradation and the time required for reversal of both envelope effects. These findings suggest that both the initiation of the increased permeability and its reversal are linked to respectively the breakdown and resynthesis of major E. coli membrane phospholipids, and thus depend on the fact that the biochemical apparatus of E. coli remains capable of biosynthesis despite loss of viability. Treatment of E. coli, exposed to the leukocyte fraction, with albumin results in extracellular sequestration of the products of hydrolysis and also restores the permeability barrier to actinomycin D, suggesting that the accumulation of lytic products of lipid hydrolysis within the bacterial envelope, rather than the loss of phospholipids per se, causes increased permeability Whereas the effects on the envelope are reversible as long as 2 h after nearly complete loss of ability to multiply by E. coli, the effect on bacterial multiplication is irreversible within 5 min.", "PMID": 776227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4518", "title": "Relationship between efflux of ionic calcium and phosphorus during excitation of pancreatic islets with glucose.", "content": "Simultaneous rates of [32P]orthophosphate and 45Ca2+ efflux from prelabeled rat pancreatic islets have been evaluated to assess whether these ions move in concert throughout all phases of \"stimulus-secretion coupling\". Perifusion with stimulatory concentrations of glucose elicited immediate but transitory increases in 32P outflow accompanied by initial retardations and subsequent augmentations in net 45Ca2+ outflows. These monophasic 32P and biphasic 45Ca2+ responses to secretory stimulation were abolished completely by membrane stabilization with tetracaine. However, certain manipulations enabled individual components to be modified separately. During stimulation with glucose, inhibition of insulin release by Ni2+ abolished the late increases in 45Ca2+ outflow without affecting the initial retentions of 45Ca2+ or the increased releases of 32P. Under basal conditions, the ionophore A23187 \"triggered\" increased releases of 45Ca2+ and insulin without prior retentions of 45Ca2+ or enhancements of 32P efflux. Thus, the immediate retardations of 45Ca2+ outflow and heightened efflux of 32P may reflect early events in stimulus-secretion coupling which can be dissociated from the augmented release of 45Ca2+ accompanying activated emiocytosis.", "contents": "Relationship between efflux of ionic calcium and phosphorus during excitation of pancreatic islets with glucose. Simultaneous rates of [32P]orthophosphate and 45Ca2+ efflux from prelabeled rat pancreatic islets have been evaluated to assess whether these ions move in concert throughout all phases of \"stimulus-secretion coupling\". Perifusion with stimulatory concentrations of glucose elicited immediate but transitory increases in 32P outflow accompanied by initial retardations and subsequent augmentations in net 45Ca2+ outflows. These monophasic 32P and biphasic 45Ca2+ responses to secretory stimulation were abolished completely by membrane stabilization with tetracaine. However, certain manipulations enabled individual components to be modified separately. During stimulation with glucose, inhibition of insulin release by Ni2+ abolished the late increases in 45Ca2+ outflow without affecting the initial retentions of 45Ca2+ or the increased releases of 32P. Under basal conditions, the ionophore A23187 \"triggered\" increased releases of 45Ca2+ and insulin without prior retentions of 45Ca2+ or enhancements of 32P efflux. Thus, the immediate retardations of 45Ca2+ outflow and heightened efflux of 32P may reflect early events in stimulus-secretion coupling which can be dissociated from the augmented release of 45Ca2+ accompanying activated emiocytosis.", "PMID": 776228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4519", "title": "Effect of the lipid composition of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri and phosphatidylcholine vesicles upon the action of polyene antibiotics.", "content": "(1) The effects of filipin and amphotericin methyl ester upon the K+ efflux from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri and egg lecithin sonicated vesicles were investigated. Both the nature of the sterol and the composition of the membranes affected the sensitivity to each polyene antibiotic. (2) M. mycoides subsp. capri containing ergosterol was much more sensitive to amphotericin methyl ester than cells containing cholesterol. Cholesterol-containing cells were about twice as sensitive to filipin as the ergosterol-containing cells. These results were confirmed with phosphatidylcholine vesicles. (3) At 2 degrees C the filipin sensitivity of M. mycoides subsp. capri was independent of the membrane cholesterol content and the sensitivity towards amphotericin methyl ester decreased when the membrane cholesterol content was increased, in contrast to the results at 20 degrees C. (4) At 2 degrees C, sterol-free egg lecithin vesicles became very sensitive to both filipin and amphotericin methyl ester and the presence of cholesterol in the vesicles did not increase the sensitivity further. At high concentrations of cholesterol (greater than 30 mol%), the polyene antibiotic sensitivity, particularly towards amphotericin methyl ester, was greatly reduced.", "contents": "Effect of the lipid composition of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri and phosphatidylcholine vesicles upon the action of polyene antibiotics. (1) The effects of filipin and amphotericin methyl ester upon the K+ efflux from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri and egg lecithin sonicated vesicles were investigated. Both the nature of the sterol and the composition of the membranes affected the sensitivity to each polyene antibiotic. (2) M. mycoides subsp. capri containing ergosterol was much more sensitive to amphotericin methyl ester than cells containing cholesterol. Cholesterol-containing cells were about twice as sensitive to filipin as the ergosterol-containing cells. These results were confirmed with phosphatidylcholine vesicles. (3) At 2 degrees C the filipin sensitivity of M. mycoides subsp. capri was independent of the membrane cholesterol content and the sensitivity towards amphotericin methyl ester decreased when the membrane cholesterol content was increased, in contrast to the results at 20 degrees C. (4) At 2 degrees C, sterol-free egg lecithin vesicles became very sensitive to both filipin and amphotericin methyl ester and the presence of cholesterol in the vesicles did not increase the sensitivity further. At high concentrations of cholesterol (greater than 30 mol%), the polyene antibiotic sensitivity, particularly towards amphotericin methyl ester, was greatly reduced.", "PMID": 776229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4520", "title": "Complete amino acid sequence of the heme-binding core in bakers' yeast cytochrome b2 (L-(+)-lactate dehydrogenase).", "content": "We are reporting here an analysis of the chymotryptic peptides obtained from the tryptic heme-binding fragment of flavocytochrome b2 (cytochrome b2 core). These results completely establish the sequence of the 96 residue-long fragment, for which preliminary evidence has been published before [24]. We also report full experimental details concerning the automatic degradation, the specific cleavages at the unique arginine and methionine residues, and the analysis of the tryptic peptides. In addition, it is shown that the main heme-binding fragment resulting from cytochrome b2 proteolysis by yeast proteases has an additional glutamic acid residue at the C-terminal end relative to the main tryptic heme-binding fragment. The slight sequence modifications presented here (amide groups and insertion of a lysine residue after position 71) do not substantially modify the comparison with liver microsomal cytochrome b5. A new sequence alignment is proposed for the two proteins, and a few structural considerations are presented, based on the inspection of calf liver cytochrome b5 three-dimensional model [50,51].", "contents": "Complete amino acid sequence of the heme-binding core in bakers' yeast cytochrome b2 (L-(+)-lactate dehydrogenase). We are reporting here an analysis of the chymotryptic peptides obtained from the tryptic heme-binding fragment of flavocytochrome b2 (cytochrome b2 core). These results completely establish the sequence of the 96 residue-long fragment, for which preliminary evidence has been published before [24]. We also report full experimental details concerning the automatic degradation, the specific cleavages at the unique arginine and methionine residues, and the analysis of the tryptic peptides. In addition, it is shown that the main heme-binding fragment resulting from cytochrome b2 proteolysis by yeast proteases has an additional glutamic acid residue at the C-terminal end relative to the main tryptic heme-binding fragment. The slight sequence modifications presented here (amide groups and insertion of a lysine residue after position 71) do not substantially modify the comparison with liver microsomal cytochrome b5. A new sequence alignment is proposed for the two proteins, and a few structural considerations are presented, based on the inspection of calf liver cytochrome b5 three-dimensional model [50,51].", "PMID": 776230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4521", "title": "[Structure of a pepsin fragment containing the functionally important aspartic acid residue].", "content": "The structure of B-5 fragment obtained under degradation of pig pepsin by cyanogen bromide is determined. B-5 fragment is a central part of pepsin molecule and it contains 46 amino acids, including a functionally important aspartic residue of the active site of the enzyme. Amino acid sequence of B-5 fragment was established by means of sequenator analysis and of studying the structure of peptides isolated from B-5 fragments.", "contents": "[Structure of a pepsin fragment containing the functionally important aspartic acid residue]. The structure of B-5 fragment obtained under degradation of pig pepsin by cyanogen bromide is determined. B-5 fragment is a central part of pepsin molecule and it contains 46 amino acids, including a functionally important aspartic residue of the active site of the enzyme. Amino acid sequence of B-5 fragment was established by means of sequenator analysis and of studying the structure of peptides isolated from B-5 fragments.", "PMID": 776231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4522", "title": "[Functions of bacteriophage T4 rII genes. Preparatory isolation and several properties of rIIB protein].", "content": "A method of preparative isolation of membrane rIIB protein from bacteriophage T4 is worked out. Conditions are found to maximal rIIB protein accumulation in membranes of E. coli cells infected with bacteriophage T4. The membrane isolation by ultracentrifugation is substituted with their sedimentation from polyethyleneglycol solutions by low-speed centrifugation. A fraction, enriched with rIIB protein, is obtained using the treatment of cell walls with detergents. Preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate was used for further rIIB protein purification. The method described can be applied for the purification and preparative isolation of memorane and poor-soluble proteins. The problem on location and ufunctioning of rIIB protein is discussed.", "contents": "[Functions of bacteriophage T4 rII genes. Preparatory isolation and several properties of rIIB protein]. A method of preparative isolation of membrane rIIB protein from bacteriophage T4 is worked out. Conditions are found to maximal rIIB protein accumulation in membranes of E. coli cells infected with bacteriophage T4. The membrane isolation by ultracentrifugation is substituted with their sedimentation from polyethyleneglycol solutions by low-speed centrifugation. A fraction, enriched with rIIB protein, is obtained using the treatment of cell walls with detergents. Preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate was used for further rIIB protein purification. The method described can be applied for the purification and preparative isolation of memorane and poor-soluble proteins. The problem on location and ufunctioning of rIIB protein is discussed.", "PMID": 776232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4523", "title": "[Trypsin peptides of the polyhedral protein from the B. mori virus of nuclear polyhedrosis].", "content": "Amino acid composition, partial or complete sequence of 43 tryptic peptides of pelyhedral protein of nuclear polyhedrosis virus is investigated. These peptides include 327 amino acid residues. There are 28 peptides with unique sequences containing 240 amino acid residues. It conforms to polypeptide chain molecular weight ca. 28000 and coincides with earlier reported data on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.", "contents": "[Trypsin peptides of the polyhedral protein from the B. mori virus of nuclear polyhedrosis]. Amino acid composition, partial or complete sequence of 43 tryptic peptides of pelyhedral protein of nuclear polyhedrosis virus is investigated. These peptides include 327 amino acid residues. There are 28 peptides with unique sequences containing 240 amino acid residues. It conforms to polypeptide chain molecular weight ca. 28000 and coincides with earlier reported data on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.", "PMID": 776233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4524", "title": "[Biospecific chromatography of chymosin].", "content": "Chromatography of commercial rennet was studied on biospecific sorbents obtained by means of coupling of activated Sepharose 4B with epsilon-aminocapronyl-D-phenylalanine methyl ester and amide, epsilon-aminocapronyl-L-phenylalanyl-D-phenylalanine methyl ester, gramicidin S and N-2,4-dinitrophenylhexamethylenediamine. A mixture of two similar on their specificity enzymes chymosin and bovine pepsin was isolated from rennet by the chromatography on these sorbents. The individual enzymes might be isolated by chromatography on immobilized ribonuclease at pH 3,0, or by means of electrofocusing in pH gradient 4-6. Coloured inhibitor of acid proteases, N-diazoacetyl-N'-2,4-dinitrophenyl-ethylenediamine (DDE) is found to inactivate chymosin at pH 5,6 in the presence of Cu2+,one residue of the inhibitor being attached to the enzyme molecule. Unlike pig pepsin, chymosin is not inhibited with DDE at pH 4,7 and at the enzyme:DDE:Cu2+ ratio being 1:40:40. a synthesis of peptide sorbents is described.", "contents": "[Biospecific chromatography of chymosin]. Chromatography of commercial rennet was studied on biospecific sorbents obtained by means of coupling of activated Sepharose 4B with epsilon-aminocapronyl-D-phenylalanine methyl ester and amide, epsilon-aminocapronyl-L-phenylalanyl-D-phenylalanine methyl ester, gramicidin S and N-2,4-dinitrophenylhexamethylenediamine. A mixture of two similar on their specificity enzymes chymosin and bovine pepsin was isolated from rennet by the chromatography on these sorbents. The individual enzymes might be isolated by chromatography on immobilized ribonuclease at pH 3,0, or by means of electrofocusing in pH gradient 4-6. Coloured inhibitor of acid proteases, N-diazoacetyl-N'-2,4-dinitrophenyl-ethylenediamine (DDE) is found to inactivate chymosin at pH 5,6 in the presence of Cu2+,one residue of the inhibitor being attached to the enzyme molecule. Unlike pig pepsin, chymosin is not inhibited with DDE at pH 4,7 and at the enzyme:DDE:Cu2+ ratio being 1:40:40. a synthesis of peptide sorbents is described.", "PMID": 776234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4525", "title": "[Modification of the method of extracting DNA-polymerase from E. coli].", "content": "Described earlier method of isolation of E. coli DNA-polymerase is modified. In order to decrease the possible effect of proteases on DNA-polymerase, the time of autolysis was shortened. An additional stage of precipitation by ammonium sulfate of 65-80% of saturation was introduced. Chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 revealed 4 fractions exhibiting DNA-polymerase activity. It is established that combination of certain DNA-polymerase fractions, belonging to different peaks, significantly intensifies the enzyme activity. It may be due to the formation of enzymic complexes.", "contents": "[Modification of the method of extracting DNA-polymerase from E. coli]. Described earlier method of isolation of E. coli DNA-polymerase is modified. In order to decrease the possible effect of proteases on DNA-polymerase, the time of autolysis was shortened. An additional stage of precipitation by ammonium sulfate of 65-80% of saturation was introduced. Chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 revealed 4 fractions exhibiting DNA-polymerase activity. It is established that combination of certain DNA-polymerase fractions, belonging to different peaks, significantly intensifies the enzyme activity. It may be due to the formation of enzymic complexes.", "PMID": 776235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4526", "title": "[Inhibition of bacterial agmatinase by several aliphatic diamines].", "content": "About 10 amino derivatives, capable to inhibit agmatinase of Proteus vulgaris, are found. Hexamethylenediamine was found to possess the highest inhibitory effect among diamines, the inhibitory constant being 2.5 mM. The substitution of an amino group for methyl one in a diamine increased its inhibitory effect. The presence of carboxyl group in the molecule of a reagent resulted in a complete elimination of the inhibitory effect (putrescine-ornithine and cadaverine-lysine pairs were tested). The degree of inhibition was found to be pH-dependent. A supposition is made on hydrophobic character of substrate binding by the enzyme.", "contents": "[Inhibition of bacterial agmatinase by several aliphatic diamines]. About 10 amino derivatives, capable to inhibit agmatinase of Proteus vulgaris, are found. Hexamethylenediamine was found to possess the highest inhibitory effect among diamines, the inhibitory constant being 2.5 mM. The substitution of an amino group for methyl one in a diamine increased its inhibitory effect. The presence of carboxyl group in the molecule of a reagent resulted in a complete elimination of the inhibitory effect (putrescine-ornithine and cadaverine-lysine pairs were tested). The degree of inhibition was found to be pH-dependent. A supposition is made on hydrophobic character of substrate binding by the enzyme.", "PMID": 776236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4527", "title": "Immune rejection of tumor cells: in vivo significance of anti-tumor in vitro immune reactions.", "content": "The mechanism of immune tumor rejection remains poorly understood. The respective roles of antibodies, macrophages, cytolytic T cells (CTL) and that of \"K\" cells or any other cell which could be involved in antibody dependant cell mediated cytotoxicity are still unknown. It is probable that the CTL play some role in tumor rejection but the \"in vivo\" relevance of the other, \"in vitro\" detected phenomena, is less clear. The correlations between \"in vivo\" tumor rejection and \"in vitro\" detected reactions are very difficult to establish, specially for the following two reasons: a) the different methods used in vitro do not explore identical phenomena ; b) some of them provide both specific and non-specific reactions.", "contents": "Immune rejection of tumor cells: in vivo significance of anti-tumor in vitro immune reactions. The mechanism of immune tumor rejection remains poorly understood. The respective roles of antibodies, macrophages, cytolytic T cells (CTL) and that of \"K\" cells or any other cell which could be involved in antibody dependant cell mediated cytotoxicity are still unknown. It is probable that the CTL play some role in tumor rejection but the \"in vivo\" relevance of the other, \"in vitro\" detected phenomena, is less clear. The correlations between \"in vivo\" tumor rejection and \"in vitro\" detected reactions are very difficult to establish, specially for the following two reasons: a) the different methods used in vitro do not explore identical phenomena ; b) some of them provide both specific and non-specific reactions.", "PMID": 776239} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4528", "title": "[Diastolic reinforecement by intra-aortic balloon. Critical review of temorary mechanical ventricular assistance technic].", "content": "The treatment of the cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction has been drastically improved by the progress in temporary mechanical cardiovascular support. The improvement of the synchronous assist device, such as the intra aortic balloon, associated with the progress in the monitoring of the patients, in the surgical treatment of myocardial insufficiency and ventricular abnormalities such as ventricular septal defect and mitral insufficiency, has changed the seroius prognosis in patients. A review of some theretical, physiological and clinical problems are discussed in this paper.", "contents": "[Diastolic reinforecement by intra-aortic balloon. Critical review of temorary mechanical ventricular assistance technic]. The treatment of the cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction has been drastically improved by the progress in temporary mechanical cardiovascular support. The improvement of the synchronous assist device, such as the intra aortic balloon, associated with the progress in the monitoring of the patients, in the surgical treatment of myocardial insufficiency and ventricular abnormalities such as ventricular septal defect and mitral insufficiency, has changed the seroius prognosis in patients. A review of some theretical, physiological and clinical problems are discussed in this paper.", "PMID": 776240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4529", "title": "[Influence of allogeneic thymocytes on radioleukemogenesis in AKR-T1ALD mice].", "content": "When AKR mice are irradiated with a sub-lethal dose (4 times 175 R), thymic lymphosarcomas (L.S.) occur earlier than in controls. This accelerated leukaemogenesis is not inhibited by syngenic restoration with bone marrow cells (BM). Using the AKR/T1ALD substrain which bears 38 chromosomes with 1 metacentric markers, it has been shown that AKR radio-chimaeras restored by T1ALD BM developed two kinds of L.S. : (i) early (radiation-induced) L.S. originating mainly from host cells surviving irradiation and (ii) late L.S from donor cells. The present experiments were investigate the potential influence of normal allogenic thymic cells, with or without syngeneic B.M., on the incidence, latency and origin of LS appearing in irradiated AKR recipients. Adding C3H allogenic thymic cells to syngenic B.M. increases the percentage of early L.S. whose latencies are unchanged. Besides, when C3H thymic cells are injected to irradiated controls without syngenic B.M. cells, L.S. are seen to occurr significantly earlier than in just the irradiated animals alone. In radio-chimaeras restored by allogenic thymic cells and syngenic B.M., except in one case, all the L.S. were seen to originate from B.M. cells. The interpretation of these results depends on the possible role of allogenic thymic cells on host cells surviving the irradiation, or the exogeneous B.M. In the first case, allogenic thymocytes could induce a graft versus host reaction increasing the post-irradiation depletion of lymphoid system and hastening thymic endoregeneration which is supposed to be the first step towards leukaemogenesis. The second hypothesis, which seems the most likely, would be that C1H thymic cells could selectively act on host cells surviving irradiation and enhance the differentiation of haemopoietic precursors at the expense of the lymphoid cells. Alternatively the thymic cells may co-operate with exogenic B.M., and stimulate their differentiation thus triggering them out of a stage whereby they could become a selective target for the Gross virus.", "contents": "[Influence of allogeneic thymocytes on radioleukemogenesis in AKR-T1ALD mice]. When AKR mice are irradiated with a sub-lethal dose (4 times 175 R), thymic lymphosarcomas (L.S.) occur earlier than in controls. This accelerated leukaemogenesis is not inhibited by syngenic restoration with bone marrow cells (BM). Using the AKR/T1ALD substrain which bears 38 chromosomes with 1 metacentric markers, it has been shown that AKR radio-chimaeras restored by T1ALD BM developed two kinds of L.S. : (i) early (radiation-induced) L.S. originating mainly from host cells surviving irradiation and (ii) late L.S from donor cells. The present experiments were investigate the potential influence of normal allogenic thymic cells, with or without syngeneic B.M., on the incidence, latency and origin of LS appearing in irradiated AKR recipients. Adding C3H allogenic thymic cells to syngenic B.M. increases the percentage of early L.S. whose latencies are unchanged. Besides, when C3H thymic cells are injected to irradiated controls without syngenic B.M. cells, L.S. are seen to occurr significantly earlier than in just the irradiated animals alone. In radio-chimaeras restored by allogenic thymic cells and syngenic B.M., except in one case, all the L.S. were seen to originate from B.M. cells. The interpretation of these results depends on the possible role of allogenic thymic cells on host cells surviving the irradiation, or the exogeneous B.M. In the first case, allogenic thymocytes could induce a graft versus host reaction increasing the post-irradiation depletion of lymphoid system and hastening thymic endoregeneration which is supposed to be the first step towards leukaemogenesis. The second hypothesis, which seems the most likely, would be that C1H thymic cells could selectively act on host cells surviving irradiation and enhance the differentiation of haemopoietic precursors at the expense of the lymphoid cells. Alternatively the thymic cells may co-operate with exogenic B.M., and stimulate their differentiation thus triggering them out of a stage whereby they could become a selective target for the Gross virus.", "PMID": 776241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4530", "title": "Evaluation of carrageenan as an immunosuppressive agent and mediator of intravascular coagulation.", "content": "Carrageenan suppressed antibody responses to SRBC in mice and rats, measured in terms of splenic IgM PFC production. The effect, in mice, was dependent on dose and on the temporal relationship between treatment and antigen administration. Carrageenan was found to alter the time course of the PFC response and also to produce disseminated intravascular coagulation. Some correlation between the observed effects and the use of chemically distinct carrageenans was found. The possible mode of action of carrageenan is discussed in the light of these, and other findings.", "contents": "Evaluation of carrageenan as an immunosuppressive agent and mediator of intravascular coagulation. Carrageenan suppressed antibody responses to SRBC in mice and rats, measured in terms of splenic IgM PFC production. The effect, in mice, was dependent on dose and on the temporal relationship between treatment and antigen administration. Carrageenan was found to alter the time course of the PFC response and also to produce disseminated intravascular coagulation. Some correlation between the observed effects and the use of chemically distinct carrageenans was found. The possible mode of action of carrageenan is discussed in the light of these, and other findings.", "PMID": 776242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4531", "title": "Relationship between Hassall's corpuscles and thymocytes fate in guinea-pig foetus.", "content": "The development and structure of the Hassall's corpuscles are studied with the light and electron microscope in 53 guinea-pig foetuses from 30 to 58 days gestation. The different stages of their life cycle are described. Prior to the appearance of Hassall's corpuscles, no medullary lymphocytes can be found in the early medulla. Hassall's corpuscles are seen initially between 35-42 days gestation. They are surrounded by large and medium-size lymphocytes, while medullary lymphocytes are in close contact with the \"external cells\" which exhibit cytoplasmic characteristics of a secretory function. The data reported in this paper suggest that Hassall's corpuscles are not the only sites of lymphoid cells destruction but are also \"privileged\" areas for maturation of medullary lymphocytes at least for the guinea-pig.", "contents": "Relationship between Hassall's corpuscles and thymocytes fate in guinea-pig foetus. The development and structure of the Hassall's corpuscles are studied with the light and electron microscope in 53 guinea-pig foetuses from 30 to 58 days gestation. The different stages of their life cycle are described. Prior to the appearance of Hassall's corpuscles, no medullary lymphocytes can be found in the early medulla. Hassall's corpuscles are seen initially between 35-42 days gestation. They are surrounded by large and medium-size lymphocytes, while medullary lymphocytes are in close contact with the \"external cells\" which exhibit cytoplasmic characteristics of a secretory function. The data reported in this paper suggest that Hassall's corpuscles are not the only sites of lymphoid cells destruction but are also \"privileged\" areas for maturation of medullary lymphocytes at least for the guinea-pig.", "PMID": 776243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4532", "title": "Assessment of ophthalmologic, endocrinologic and genetic findings in the Bardet-Biedl syndrome.", "content": "There is a great degree of heterogeneity of ophthalmologic and endocrinologic manifestations among patients with the Bardet-Biedl syndrome. The similarity of the atypical forms of retinitis pigmentosa and cone-rod degeneration indicates that definitive functional and electrophysical retinal work-ups should be performed on young patients with this syndrome. Since many cases of delayed puberty occur, the diagnosis of hypogonadism should be deferred until age 15. Segregation analysis on a large study of Bardet-Biedl syndrome in Switzerland differs from that expected with simple autosomal recessive inheritance. Excess affected males and deficient consanguinity are also documented. The occurrence of other family members with incomplete forms of the syndrome is noted in many reports in the literature. The authors propose that consideration be given to the hypothesis that the Bardet-Biedl syndrome may be transmitted by polygenic inheritance, since this would be compatible with features of the syndrome mentioned above.", "contents": "Assessment of ophthalmologic, endocrinologic and genetic findings in the Bardet-Biedl syndrome. There is a great degree of heterogeneity of ophthalmologic and endocrinologic manifestations among patients with the Bardet-Biedl syndrome. The similarity of the atypical forms of retinitis pigmentosa and cone-rod degeneration indicates that definitive functional and electrophysical retinal work-ups should be performed on young patients with this syndrome. Since many cases of delayed puberty occur, the diagnosis of hypogonadism should be deferred until age 15. Segregation analysis on a large study of Bardet-Biedl syndrome in Switzerland differs from that expected with simple autosomal recessive inheritance. Excess affected males and deficient consanguinity are also documented. The occurrence of other family members with incomplete forms of the syndrome is noted in many reports in the literature. The authors propose that consideration be given to the hypothesis that the Bardet-Biedl syndrome may be transmitted by polygenic inheritance, since this would be compatible with features of the syndrome mentioned above.", "PMID": 776244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4533", "title": "Clinical and radiographic variations in hemifacial microsomia.", "content": "Variations expressed clinically and radiographically in hemifacial microsomia preclude classifying all the abnormalities as coming from the first and second branchial arches. Anatomic structures arising from the branchial arches are directly involved but the final expression results from the combined impact of the primary anatomic defect and the secondary effects on contiguous structures. The deformities resulting from the latter are probably due to abnormal neuromuscular function.", "contents": "Clinical and radiographic variations in hemifacial microsomia. Variations expressed clinically and radiographically in hemifacial microsomia preclude classifying all the abnormalities as coming from the first and second branchial arches. Anatomic structures arising from the branchial arches are directly involved but the final expression results from the combined impact of the primary anatomic defect and the secondary effects on contiguous structures. The deformities resulting from the latter are probably due to abnormal neuromuscular function.", "PMID": 776245} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4534", "title": "[Restoration of the osteogenic properties of bone marrow following irradiation according to the findings of heterotopic transplantation].", "content": "It was found that bone marrow obtained from the tibium or the femur (locally irradiated with 2000 R) and transplanted subcapsularly into the kidney of mice of the same strain 0-4 months after the irradiation was always resorpted. As to the bone marrow from the nonirradiated bones of the same donors--it always possessed osteogenic potencies. Stroma of the irradiated limb was defective ang failed to regenerate at the expense of repopulation of the stroma elements from the nonirradiated sections. Analogous conclusions were drawn on the basis of the experimental results with repeated irradiation of mice with the shielded extremity. In difference to the hemopoietic, stromal elements were incapable of repopulation (according to the data of heterotopic transplantation).", "contents": "[Restoration of the osteogenic properties of bone marrow following irradiation according to the findings of heterotopic transplantation]. It was found that bone marrow obtained from the tibium or the femur (locally irradiated with 2000 R) and transplanted subcapsularly into the kidney of mice of the same strain 0-4 months after the irradiation was always resorpted. As to the bone marrow from the nonirradiated bones of the same donors--it always possessed osteogenic potencies. Stroma of the irradiated limb was defective ang failed to regenerate at the expense of repopulation of the stroma elements from the nonirradiated sections. Analogous conclusions were drawn on the basis of the experimental results with repeated irradiation of mice with the shielded extremity. In difference to the hemopoietic, stromal elements were incapable of repopulation (according to the data of heterotopic transplantation).", "PMID": 776248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4535", "title": "[Study of the dynamics of lymphocyte receptor affinity for hapten in the process of the primary immune response].", "content": "The affinity of the lymphocyte receptors for DNP-determinants was studied by free hapten inhibition of rosette-forming cells. The avidity of the antigen-binding lymphoid cells was found to increase with the advance of time after the immunization. The results suggest that an increase in the cellular avidity during the immune response depended on both the affinity of the gamma-globulin receptors and their concentration on the cell surface.", "contents": "[Study of the dynamics of lymphocyte receptor affinity for hapten in the process of the primary immune response]. The affinity of the lymphocyte receptors for DNP-determinants was studied by free hapten inhibition of rosette-forming cells. The avidity of the antigen-binding lymphoid cells was found to increase with the advance of time after the immunization. The results suggest that an increase in the cellular avidity during the immune response depended on both the affinity of the gamma-globulin receptors and their concentration on the cell surface.", "PMID": 776250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4536", "title": "[Correlation between cytotoxic lymphocytes and cells that synthesize the macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the H-2 system].", "content": "High immunological specificity of the direct and indirect macrophage migration inhibition tests was demonstrated in the H-2 system. The capacity of immune lymphocytes for the MIF production was revealed under their incubation with splenic cells of the congenic or recombinant strains of mice sharing particular private or public H-2 specificities with the donor strains. Selective removal of cytotoxic fraction of lymphocytes resulting from their absorption on the corresponding target cells failed to reduce the capacity of the non-adherent cell population for the MIF production. A fraction of the MIF-producing lymphocytes was found to adhere to the target cells and thereafter to be eluated with the cytotoxic lymphocytes. MIF-producing and target-destroying T-lymphocyte populations are supposed to have antigen-binding receptors differing in their affinity and structural arrangement on the cell surface.", "contents": "[Correlation between cytotoxic lymphocytes and cells that synthesize the macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the H-2 system]. High immunological specificity of the direct and indirect macrophage migration inhibition tests was demonstrated in the H-2 system. The capacity of immune lymphocytes for the MIF production was revealed under their incubation with splenic cells of the congenic or recombinant strains of mice sharing particular private or public H-2 specificities with the donor strains. Selective removal of cytotoxic fraction of lymphocytes resulting from their absorption on the corresponding target cells failed to reduce the capacity of the non-adherent cell population for the MIF production. A fraction of the MIF-producing lymphocytes was found to adhere to the target cells and thereafter to be eluated with the cytotoxic lymphocytes. MIF-producing and target-destroying T-lymphocyte populations are supposed to have antigen-binding receptors differing in their affinity and structural arrangement on the cell surface.", "PMID": 776251} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4537", "title": "[Quantitative analysis of the ultrastructure of tumor tissue cell cultures].", "content": "Morphometry was applied to the study of the fine structure of the mitochondria, ergastoplasma and polyribosomal apparatus of the cells of the primary and continuous cultures of the tumour tissues. Both among the primary and among the continuous cultures there can be found marked differences in the fine structure of the cells of individual strains. However, as a whole these groups displayed a significant difference by organization of the cytoplasmic protein-synthesizing apparatus. Of the continuous cultures characteristic is a more reduced ergastoplasm and more marked polyribosomal apparatus. It can be supposed that for the tumour cells cultivation on glass served as a factor promoting a further reconstruction of the protein-synthesizing apparatus on the synthesis of the substrates necessary for the growth and multiplication of the cell mass.", "contents": "[Quantitative analysis of the ultrastructure of tumor tissue cell cultures]. Morphometry was applied to the study of the fine structure of the mitochondria, ergastoplasma and polyribosomal apparatus of the cells of the primary and continuous cultures of the tumour tissues. Both among the primary and among the continuous cultures there can be found marked differences in the fine structure of the cells of individual strains. However, as a whole these groups displayed a significant difference by organization of the cytoplasmic protein-synthesizing apparatus. Of the continuous cultures characteristic is a more reduced ergastoplasm and more marked polyribosomal apparatus. It can be supposed that for the tumour cells cultivation on glass served as a factor promoting a further reconstruction of the protein-synthesizing apparatus on the synthesis of the substrates necessary for the growth and multiplication of the cell mass.", "PMID": 776252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4538", "title": "[Morphofunctional changes in the cat pancreas after resection of the jejunum].", "content": "Experiments with resection of the jejunum were carried out in male cats. Changes in the structure of the exocrine and endocrine portion of the organ were studied histologically. Amylase and lipase activity and sugar content were determined in the blood. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia were discovered in the acinar portion of the gland in the course of 1 to 14 days of the experiment; in the endocrine portion it was present for 7 to 30 days. On the 21st, 30th and 180th days of the experiment an atrophic process was observed in the acinar cells; in the island cells it was seen on the 180th day only. The function of the exocrine portion of the pancreas was disturbed on the 2nd-21st days of the experiment, while that of the endocrine portion-on the 7th day only.", "contents": "[Morphofunctional changes in the cat pancreas after resection of the jejunum]. Experiments with resection of the jejunum were carried out in male cats. Changes in the structure of the exocrine and endocrine portion of the organ were studied histologically. Amylase and lipase activity and sugar content were determined in the blood. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia were discovered in the acinar portion of the gland in the course of 1 to 14 days of the experiment; in the endocrine portion it was present for 7 to 30 days. On the 21st, 30th and 180th days of the experiment an atrophic process was observed in the acinar cells; in the island cells it was seen on the 180th day only. The function of the exocrine portion of the pancreas was disturbed on the 2nd-21st days of the experiment, while that of the endocrine portion-on the 7th day only.", "PMID": 776253} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4539", "title": "[Localization of antigens in common (cross-reacting) with Neisseria perflava and Klebsiella pneumoniae in the tissues of the human bronchopulmonary tract].", "content": "An attempt was made of detecting antigenic similarity beyween the fraction of microsomes of the tissues of human broncho-pulmonary apparatus and the cells of microbes of human respiratory tract. Cross reactions of antimocrosomal sera were studied in the complement fixation test with Neisseria perflava and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Fixation of antibacterial antibodies and antibodies against the microsomal fraction of the lung tissues was studied on the sections of the lung tissues ahd human bronchi. The presence in the microsomal fraction of tissues of human bronchopulmonary apparatus of the antigens cross reacting with antimicrobial sera was demonstrated.", "contents": "[Localization of antigens in common (cross-reacting) with Neisseria perflava and Klebsiella pneumoniae in the tissues of the human bronchopulmonary tract]. An attempt was made of detecting antigenic similarity beyween the fraction of microsomes of the tissues of human broncho-pulmonary apparatus and the cells of microbes of human respiratory tract. Cross reactions of antimocrosomal sera were studied in the complement fixation test with Neisseria perflava and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Fixation of antibacterial antibodies and antibodies against the microsomal fraction of the lung tissues was studied on the sections of the lung tissues ahd human bronchi. The presence in the microsomal fraction of tissues of human bronchopulmonary apparatus of the antigens cross reacting with antimicrobial sera was demonstrated.", "PMID": 776254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4540", "title": "[Distribution of a cross-reacting antigen common to epithelium and group A streptococci in human and animal tissues].", "content": "With the aid of pure antibodies to polysaccharide of streptococcus, of group A, there was revealed by the method of indirect immunofluorescence with the use of pure antibodies to rabbit immunoglobulins (labeled with fluoresceine isothiocianate) localization of the cross-reacting antigen common for streptococcus and tissues of man and animals in the cells of surface epithelium of the ectodermal origin (the skin, salivary ducts, oral mucosa, esophagus, inferior portion of the rectum, uterine cervix, and the elements of the thymus epithelium). Detection of the cross-reacting antigen was of interest in connection with the study of the mechanisms of development of chronic pathological processes in man associated with streptococcus infection and investigation of the structure, function and pathology of the thymus.", "contents": "[Distribution of a cross-reacting antigen common to epithelium and group A streptococci in human and animal tissues]. With the aid of pure antibodies to polysaccharide of streptococcus, of group A, there was revealed by the method of indirect immunofluorescence with the use of pure antibodies to rabbit immunoglobulins (labeled with fluoresceine isothiocianate) localization of the cross-reacting antigen common for streptococcus and tissues of man and animals in the cells of surface epithelium of the ectodermal origin (the skin, salivary ducts, oral mucosa, esophagus, inferior portion of the rectum, uterine cervix, and the elements of the thymus epithelium). Detection of the cross-reacting antigen was of interest in connection with the study of the mechanisms of development of chronic pathological processes in man associated with streptococcus infection and investigation of the structure, function and pathology of the thymus.", "PMID": 776255} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4541", "title": "[The relationship between hemopoiesis and osteogenesis in several species of rodents].", "content": "Differentiation of the bone marrow transplants of rats, guinea pigs and dwarf hamsters placed under renal capsule of irradiated mice was studied. Active osteogenesis occurred in the transplants of rats and guinea pigs; as to hemopoiesis-it was irregular in rats and was arrested in guinea pigs. On the contrary, in the transplants of dwarf hamsters an intensive hemopoiesis was maintained and osteogenic capacity of the stroma was poor. It is supposed that the bone tissue in some rodent species was not a prerequisite for normal maintenance of myeloid hemopoiesis, while in others-primary bone stroma formation was necessary for the subsequent functioning of hemopoietic tissue.", "contents": "[The relationship between hemopoiesis and osteogenesis in several species of rodents]. Differentiation of the bone marrow transplants of rats, guinea pigs and dwarf hamsters placed under renal capsule of irradiated mice was studied. Active osteogenesis occurred in the transplants of rats and guinea pigs; as to hemopoiesis-it was irregular in rats and was arrested in guinea pigs. On the contrary, in the transplants of dwarf hamsters an intensive hemopoiesis was maintained and osteogenic capacity of the stroma was poor. It is supposed that the bone tissue in some rodent species was not a prerequisite for normal maintenance of myeloid hemopoiesis, while in others-primary bone stroma formation was necessary for the subsequent functioning of hemopoietic tissue.", "PMID": 776256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4542", "title": "[Mechanism of changes in lymphocyte dehydrogenase activity during heart transplantation].", "content": "A study was made of the activity of succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and of the alpha-glycerophosphoric dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH) in the peripheral blood lymphocytes and the transplant myocardium in the CBA mice in transplantation to them of the heart of newborn C57BL/6 mice into the pinna, subcutaneously. It appeared that the (see article) ratio in the myocardium and the lymphocytes of intact animals and also in the recipients of the isolinear transplant of the heart was greater than 1, but in allogenous transplantation this ratio became less than 1 on account of alpha-GPDH activation in the blood lymphocytes, which preceded the inversion in the transplant myocardium. It is supposed that the mentioned phenomenon was associated with the development of the immunological conflict.", "contents": "[Mechanism of changes in lymphocyte dehydrogenase activity during heart transplantation]. A study was made of the activity of succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and of the alpha-glycerophosphoric dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH) in the peripheral blood lymphocytes and the transplant myocardium in the CBA mice in transplantation to them of the heart of newborn C57BL/6 mice into the pinna, subcutaneously. It appeared that the (see article) ratio in the myocardium and the lymphocytes of intact animals and also in the recipients of the isolinear transplant of the heart was greater than 1, but in allogenous transplantation this ratio became less than 1 on account of alpha-GPDH activation in the blood lymphocytes, which preceded the inversion in the transplant myocardium. It is supposed that the mentioned phenomenon was associated with the development of the immunological conflict.", "PMID": 776257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4543", "title": "[Nature and mechanism of plaque formation (vesiculocytosis)].", "content": "According to N. N. Klemparskaya the process of plaque formation in the peripheral blood was the result of erythrocyte hemolysis by autohemolysins released by immunocompetent mononuclears--lymphocytes and plasma cells. However, such interpretation was not confirmed in investigation of the mentioned process. Plaque staining, cinemicrography and other methods showed plaque formation to occur on account of drawing apart the erythrocytes, not their hemolysis, by the substances which was released from the cells as a result of destructive processes with vesicle formation (vesiculocytosis). No vital activity or division of these cells was observed in the blood preparations. Polynuclears -- chiefly neutrophils, not mononuclears, served as the plaque-forming cells.", "contents": "[Nature and mechanism of plaque formation (vesiculocytosis)]. According to N. N. Klemparskaya the process of plaque formation in the peripheral blood was the result of erythrocyte hemolysis by autohemolysins released by immunocompetent mononuclears--lymphocytes and plasma cells. However, such interpretation was not confirmed in investigation of the mentioned process. Plaque staining, cinemicrography and other methods showed plaque formation to occur on account of drawing apart the erythrocytes, not their hemolysis, by the substances which was released from the cells as a result of destructive processes with vesicle formation (vesiculocytosis). No vital activity or division of these cells was observed in the blood preparations. Polynuclears -- chiefly neutrophils, not mononuclears, served as the plaque-forming cells.", "PMID": 776258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4544", "title": "[Growth inhibition of embryonic tissues transplanted to syngeneic newborn recipients].", "content": "Skin grafts of embryos and teratomas formed after the transplantation of ground tissues of embryos (18-20 day and 12-14-day) to neonatal syngeneic recipients were studied; it appeared that their growth was considerably delayed in comparison with analogous transplants in adult recipients. It is supposed that the organism of embryos and neonates has factors controlling the growth of embryonic tissues.", "contents": "[Growth inhibition of embryonic tissues transplanted to syngeneic newborn recipients]. Skin grafts of embryos and teratomas formed after the transplantation of ground tissues of embryos (18-20 day and 12-14-day) to neonatal syngeneic recipients were studied; it appeared that their growth was considerably delayed in comparison with analogous transplants in adult recipients. It is supposed that the organism of embryos and neonates has factors controlling the growth of embryonic tissues.", "PMID": 776259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4545", "title": "[Functional anatomy of the superfical temporal blood vessels].", "content": "Functional study on superficial temporal vessels. These vessels appear to have a board territory on--the horizontal part of the scalp--the superior lateral face--the anterior and superior half of the external ear The terminal part of these vessels and the rich anastomotic system is particularly studied. This system passes the middle line; the anastomoses are in the fascia superficilialis. Secondly there is a sub-dermal plexual formation which is in a parallel direction to the vessels. Practical consequences can be found--in neuro-surgery--in plastic-surgery--and in the new surgery of cutaneous transfer with micro-anastomoses of the vessels.", "contents": "[Functional anatomy of the superfical temporal blood vessels]. Functional study on superficial temporal vessels. These vessels appear to have a board territory on--the horizontal part of the scalp--the superior lateral face--the anterior and superior half of the external ear The terminal part of these vessels and the rich anastomotic system is particularly studied. This system passes the middle line; the anastomoses are in the fascia superficilialis. Secondly there is a sub-dermal plexual formation which is in a parallel direction to the vessels. Practical consequences can be found--in neuro-surgery--in plastic-surgery--and in the new surgery of cutaneous transfer with micro-anastomoses of the vessels.", "PMID": 776262} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4546", "title": "An experiment in teaching MEDLINE.", "content": "The design and implementation of an experimental MEDLINE module at Case Western Reserve University School of Library Science is described. The module places MEDLINE within the context of multiple data bases and networking operations andis embedded in a course in health science communications. The module consists of eight weeks of lectures, demonstrations, videotapes, and exercises on terminals.", "contents": "An experiment in teaching MEDLINE. The design and implementation of an experimental MEDLINE module at Case Western Reserve University School of Library Science is described. The module places MEDLINE within the context of multiple data bases and networking operations andis embedded in a course in health science communications. The module consists of eight weeks of lectures, demonstrations, videotapes, and exercises on terminals.", "PMID": 776284} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4547", "title": "Ilse Bry--a tribute.", "content": "The late Ilse Bry made numerous contributions to health science librarianship in the roles of scholar and librarian. Her professional interests lay in the literature and bibliography of the behavioral sciences; she served as Librarian of the New York Psychoanalytic Institute and later became the library associate in charge of the New York University Psychiatric Library. Upon leaving active librarianship Ilse Bry continued to work as a meticulous bibliographer and as Editor of the Mental Health Book Review Index.", "contents": "Ilse Bry--a tribute. The late Ilse Bry made numerous contributions to health science librarianship in the roles of scholar and librarian. Her professional interests lay in the literature and bibliography of the behavioral sciences; she served as Librarian of the New York Psychoanalytic Institute and later became the library associate in charge of the New York University Psychiatric Library. Upon leaving active librarianship Ilse Bry continued to work as a meticulous bibliographer and as Editor of the Mental Health Book Review Index.", "PMID": 776285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4548", "title": "Clinical application study of externally powered upper-limb prosthetics systems: the VA elbow, the VA hand, and the VA/NU myoelectric hand systems.", "content": "The results have been presented of a 2-year survey designed to determine whether external power systems offer a significant contribution to the needs of the upper-limb amputee or whether they represent novelties duplicating the functions of conventional mechanical components. The following conclusions have been drawn: 1. External power does offer advantages to the arm amputee. Myoelectric control, especially combined with a self-suspending socket, offers an otherwise normal partial forearm amputee better function without the necessity of a harness. External power, especially for the short partial or total arm amputee and others with limited excursion, brings increased function with less effort. For these patients the advantages of such components as the electric elbow outweigh the recent disadvantages. 2. The components evaluated in this Study are not without limitations. Maintenance requirements of the VA Elbow were excessive. The VA Elbow should not be prescribed for patients who do heavy work with their prostheses because the flexspline may break. Regarding such concerns as lack of sensory feedback, noise, weight, and flexion/extension speed, the advantages of each unit must be weighed against the disadvantages with preference to the individual amputee. 3. The endoskeletal forearm with soft cover is an advantage because of its lightness and cosmesis. 4. Because of the many malfunctions attributed to prosthetist errors, the need is evident for thorough specialized education in the field of external power. A few centralized fabrication facilities may be desirable as opposed to fabrication by many facilities with limited experience. Modular components that are interchangeable and field repairable would be desirable. The systems should be fitted, installed and repaired only by trained prosthetists who have successfully completed a course in externally powered upper-limb prostheses. All members of the Clinic Team should be thoroughly educated in external power as it is related to prosthetics. 5. Many malfunctions were due to patient misuse. Patients, too, after careful selection must be given thorough training in the care and use of externally powered components, including the limitations and capabilities of these devices. 6. Finally, and most important, the Clinic Team must be recognized as the focal point for the selection of patients and prescription of devices. Each patient must be carefully screened for information such as occupation, motivation, prosthesis use (as opposed to wear), ability to learn and follow through with instructions (charging batteries, etc.), and most importantly, the benefits that external power can offer.", "contents": "Clinical application study of externally powered upper-limb prosthetics systems: the VA elbow, the VA hand, and the VA/NU myoelectric hand systems. The results have been presented of a 2-year survey designed to determine whether external power systems offer a significant contribution to the needs of the upper-limb amputee or whether they represent novelties duplicating the functions of conventional mechanical components. The following conclusions have been drawn: 1. External power does offer advantages to the arm amputee. Myoelectric control, especially combined with a self-suspending socket, offers an otherwise normal partial forearm amputee better function without the necessity of a harness. External power, especially for the short partial or total arm amputee and others with limited excursion, brings increased function with less effort. For these patients the advantages of such components as the electric elbow outweigh the recent disadvantages. 2. The components evaluated in this Study are not without limitations. Maintenance requirements of the VA Elbow were excessive. The VA Elbow should not be prescribed for patients who do heavy work with their prostheses because the flexspline may break. Regarding such concerns as lack of sensory feedback, noise, weight, and flexion/extension speed, the advantages of each unit must be weighed against the disadvantages with preference to the individual amputee. 3. The endoskeletal forearm with soft cover is an advantage because of its lightness and cosmesis. 4. Because of the many malfunctions attributed to prosthetist errors, the need is evident for thorough specialized education in the field of external power. A few centralized fabrication facilities may be desirable as opposed to fabrication by many facilities with limited experience. Modular components that are interchangeable and field repairable would be desirable. The systems should be fitted, installed and repaired only by trained prosthetists who have successfully completed a course in externally powered upper-limb prostheses. All members of the Clinic Team should be thoroughly educated in external power as it is related to prosthetics. 5. Many malfunctions were due to patient misuse. Patients, too, after careful selection must be given thorough training in the care and use of externally powered components, including the limitations and capabilities of these devices. 6. Finally, and most important, the Clinic Team must be recognized as the focal point for the selection of patients and prescription of devices. Each patient must be carefully screened for information such as occupation, motivation, prosthesis use (as opposed to wear), ability to learn and follow through with instructions (charging batteries, etc.), and most importantly, the benefits that external power can offer.", "PMID": 776301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4549", "title": "The indirect deltopectoral flap.", "content": "A method of indirect transfer of the deltopectoral flap is described to repair craniofacial defects out of reach of the conventional direct flap.", "contents": "The indirect deltopectoral flap. A method of indirect transfer of the deltopectoral flap is described to repair craniofacial defects out of reach of the conventional direct flap.", "PMID": 776303} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4550", "title": "Improved repairs in 100 cases of penile hypospadias.", "content": "A technique of hypospadias repair is detailed which combines the most desirable features of the methods of Byars and Cloutier. In 100 consecutive repairs performed personally the occurrence of fistulas was only 5 per cent.", "contents": "Improved repairs in 100 cases of penile hypospadias. A technique of hypospadias repair is detailed which combines the most desirable features of the methods of Byars and Cloutier. In 100 consecutive repairs performed personally the occurrence of fistulas was only 5 per cent.", "PMID": 776306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4551", "title": "Unlined repairs of defects following oral cancer ablation.", "content": "A technique is described in which unlined skin flaps are used after excision of malignant oral lesions. Mucosal defects are sealed with a rubber diaphragm. The method can be used when the defect is confined to the mucosa or when full-thickness cheek is involved. In the latter case, the forehead flap is preferred because of its good blood supply. Trismus has not been a problem so long as physiotherapy is carried out immediately after reconstruction.", "contents": "Unlined repairs of defects following oral cancer ablation. A technique is described in which unlined skin flaps are used after excision of malignant oral lesions. Mucosal defects are sealed with a rubber diaphragm. The method can be used when the defect is confined to the mucosa or when full-thickness cheek is involved. In the latter case, the forehead flap is preferred because of its good blood supply. Trismus has not been a problem so long as physiotherapy is carried out immediately after reconstruction.", "PMID": 776307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4552", "title": "Reconstruction of the central mandible with a single block of iliac bone.", "content": "A reconstruction of the central mandible is described using a single carved segment of iliac bone. The design of the graft takes into account the forces acting upon the remaining mandibular remnants and the need to provide absolutely rigid fixation until bony union is achieved.", "contents": "Reconstruction of the central mandible with a single block of iliac bone. A reconstruction of the central mandible is described using a single carved segment of iliac bone. The design of the graft takes into account the forces acting upon the remaining mandibular remnants and the need to provide absolutely rigid fixation until bony union is achieved.", "PMID": 776310} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4553", "title": "A controlled trial of phenothiazine withdrawal in chronic schizophrenic patients.", "content": "Phenothiazine drugs were withdrawn from 17 chronic schizophrenic in-patients, with a control group of 14 patients remaining on active medication. The trial was conducted under double blind conditions over a period of 42 weeks with weekly assessment of the patients by ward nurses. Of the placebo group 35% relapsed, relapse being related to the level of previous active medication.", "contents": "A controlled trial of phenothiazine withdrawal in chronic schizophrenic patients. Phenothiazine drugs were withdrawn from 17 chronic schizophrenic in-patients, with a control group of 14 patients remaining on active medication. The trial was conducted under double blind conditions over a period of 42 weeks with weekly assessment of the patients by ward nurses. Of the placebo group 35% relapsed, relapse being related to the level of previous active medication.", "PMID": 776312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4554", "title": "A double-blind comparison of lithium carbonate and maprotiline in the prophylaxis of the affective disorders.", "content": "A double-blind prospective study was carried out comparing the prophylactic effect of maprotiline and lithium carbonate over a period of one year in patients suffering from recurrent affective disorders. The average Affective Morbidity Index was lower, but not significantly so, in patients treated with lithium. A further analysis, based on dividing patients into those with no affective morbidity and those who showed some affective morbidity during the study, demonstrated lithium carbonate to be significantly superior to maprotiline both in the group as a whole and in unipolar depressives. A correlation between high plasma maprotiline concentration and low morbidity was observed and was in line with an earlier report. A highly significant negative correlation (r=-0-97; p less than 0-001) was found between plasma maprotiline concentration and body weight. Although the results showed lithium carbonate to be superior to maprotiline in the study, it should be emphasized that the plasma levels of lithium were constantly monitored and maintained at what is considered to be its optimum concentration, whereas the maprotiline treated patients were kept on a fixed dosage regime irrespective of plasma levels.", "contents": "A double-blind comparison of lithium carbonate and maprotiline in the prophylaxis of the affective disorders. A double-blind prospective study was carried out comparing the prophylactic effect of maprotiline and lithium carbonate over a period of one year in patients suffering from recurrent affective disorders. The average Affective Morbidity Index was lower, but not significantly so, in patients treated with lithium. A further analysis, based on dividing patients into those with no affective morbidity and those who showed some affective morbidity during the study, demonstrated lithium carbonate to be significantly superior to maprotiline both in the group as a whole and in unipolar depressives. A correlation between high plasma maprotiline concentration and low morbidity was observed and was in line with an earlier report. A highly significant negative correlation (r=-0-97; p less than 0-001) was found between plasma maprotiline concentration and body weight. Although the results showed lithium carbonate to be superior to maprotiline in the study, it should be emphasized that the plasma levels of lithium were constantly monitored and maintained at what is considered to be its optimum concentration, whereas the maprotiline treated patients were kept on a fixed dosage regime irrespective of plasma levels.", "PMID": 776313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4555", "title": "Efficacy and side effects of nitrazepam and thioridazine as sleeping aids in psychogeriatric in-patients.", "content": "The efficacy and side effects of 10 mg of nitrazepam and 25 mg of thioridazine as sleeping aids were measured in 20 psychogeriatric in-patients during the 14th night and morning of drug administration. The trial used a double blind, cross-over design. The effect of nitrazepam was slightly faster than that of thioridazine. After thioridazine, but not after nitrazepam, the patients slept significantly longer than after placebo. Nitrazepam, but not thioridazine, significantly impaired patients' abilities to move and to conduct everyday activities. It is concluded that thioridazine is a suitable sleeping aid for psychogeriatric patients, but that nitrazepam should be avoided.", "contents": "Efficacy and side effects of nitrazepam and thioridazine as sleeping aids in psychogeriatric in-patients. The efficacy and side effects of 10 mg of nitrazepam and 25 mg of thioridazine as sleeping aids were measured in 20 psychogeriatric in-patients during the 14th night and morning of drug administration. The trial used a double blind, cross-over design. The effect of nitrazepam was slightly faster than that of thioridazine. After thioridazine, but not after nitrazepam, the patients slept significantly longer than after placebo. Nitrazepam, but not thioridazine, significantly impaired patients' abilities to move and to conduct everyday activities. It is concluded that thioridazine is a suitable sleeping aid for psychogeriatric patients, but that nitrazepam should be avoided.", "PMID": 776314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4556", "title": "Developmental defects in the cranial vault.", "content": "The parietal bone seems to be the target for a number of different developmental conditions of the calvaria some of which are congenital whilst others develop in later life. The characteristic radiological patterns of a number of these lesions are described and illustrated, and an attempt is made to correlate the pathology with alterations in bone growth.", "contents": "Developmental defects in the cranial vault. The parietal bone seems to be the target for a number of different developmental conditions of the calvaria some of which are congenital whilst others develop in later life. The characteristic radiological patterns of a number of these lesions are described and illustrated, and an attempt is made to correlate the pathology with alterations in bone growth.", "PMID": 776315} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4557", "title": "A clinical trial of Amipaque in lumbar myelography.", "content": "Three hundred lumbar myelographies using a new water-soluble, non-electrolytic contrast medium, Amipaque, were assessed with reference to: 1) the correlation between radiological and operative diagnosis; 2) the side-effects during and after the myelography. Myelograms of the same reliability as those obtained with other water-soluble contrast media were obtained. However, arachnoiditis as sequelae to previous myelography with oil-soluble and earlier water-soluble contrast media prevented the correct evaluation in some cases. Spinal anaesthesia was not necessary. There was no case of muscle spasms or other serious complication. Eight patients who were re-examined with Amipaque more than two months later revealed no evidence of arachnoiditis as sequelae to the first Amipaque myelography.", "contents": "A clinical trial of Amipaque in lumbar myelography. Three hundred lumbar myelographies using a new water-soluble, non-electrolytic contrast medium, Amipaque, were assessed with reference to: 1) the correlation between radiological and operative diagnosis; 2) the side-effects during and after the myelography. Myelograms of the same reliability as those obtained with other water-soluble contrast media were obtained. However, arachnoiditis as sequelae to previous myelography with oil-soluble and earlier water-soluble contrast media prevented the correct evaluation in some cases. Spinal anaesthesia was not necessary. There was no case of muscle spasms or other serious complication. Eight patients who were re-examined with Amipaque more than two months later revealed no evidence of arachnoiditis as sequelae to the first Amipaque myelography.", "PMID": 776316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4558", "title": "Craniopharyngioma: based on 160 cases.", "content": "This paper is the outcome of an extensive retrospective study of the clinical and radiological manifestations of a large number of craniopharyngiomas from five leading neuroscience centres in the U.K. The literature about this tumour has been reviewed with particular reference to its origin and radiological manifestations.", "contents": "Craniopharyngioma: based on 160 cases. This paper is the outcome of an extensive retrospective study of the clinical and radiological manifestations of a large number of craniopharyngiomas from five leading neuroscience centres in the U.K. The literature about this tumour has been reviewed with particular reference to its origin and radiological manifestations.", "PMID": 776317} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4559", "title": "Computerized tomography and angiography in subarachnoid haemorrhage.", "content": "Our study of 100 multiple aneurysm cases show that 66 survivied the initial danger period either with surgery, or by conservative treatment. Of these only one may have died subsequently from bleeding from an incidental aneurysm, during a continuing follow-up period now averaging more than seven years. In a separate series of 75 patients presenting clinically with subarachnoid haemorrhage it was possible to lateralize or approximately localize the site of bleeding by CAT in 56; 31 were from aneurysms and 13 from arteriovenous malformations. In the remaining 19 cases CAT was unhelpful in indicating the site of haemorrhage; 12 had aneurysms; no cause was found in the remainder. CAT was more valuable in localization in the seven days following the haemorrhage (86 per cent) than later (34 per cent). The low risk of bleeding from incidental aneurysms makes us feel that treatment confined to the lesion which is responsible for the subarachnoid haemorrhage is not an unreasonable policy in the large majority of these patients. Detailed angiographic study of the site of haemorrhage is performed, but once this has been achieved, more extensive angiography is not routine, but is determined by the requirements of the surgery directed at the site of haemorrhage.", "contents": "Computerized tomography and angiography in subarachnoid haemorrhage. Our study of 100 multiple aneurysm cases show that 66 survivied the initial danger period either with surgery, or by conservative treatment. Of these only one may have died subsequently from bleeding from an incidental aneurysm, during a continuing follow-up period now averaging more than seven years. In a separate series of 75 patients presenting clinically with subarachnoid haemorrhage it was possible to lateralize or approximately localize the site of bleeding by CAT in 56; 31 were from aneurysms and 13 from arteriovenous malformations. In the remaining 19 cases CAT was unhelpful in indicating the site of haemorrhage; 12 had aneurysms; no cause was found in the remainder. CAT was more valuable in localization in the seven days following the haemorrhage (86 per cent) than later (34 per cent). The low risk of bleeding from incidental aneurysms makes us feel that treatment confined to the lesion which is responsible for the subarachnoid haemorrhage is not an unreasonable policy in the large majority of these patients. Detailed angiographic study of the site of haemorrhage is performed, but once this has been achieved, more extensive angiography is not routine, but is determined by the requirements of the surgery directed at the site of haemorrhage.", "PMID": 776318} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4560", "title": "A quantitative assessment of femoral head activity using 99Tcm -polyphosphate and a computer data collection system.", "content": "Abnormal femoral head activity in Legg-Calve-Perthes' disease has been measured using 99Tcm -polyphosphate and a gamma camera/computer data collection system. A reference point on the data matrix, which is unaffected by the diease, is used for deriving comparative uptake ratios in each femoral head. The reference point remains unaltered after surgical procedures or short intervals between follow-up studies. Early abnormality can be measured in both unilateral and bilateral femoral head pathology.", "contents": "A quantitative assessment of femoral head activity using 99Tcm -polyphosphate and a computer data collection system. Abnormal femoral head activity in Legg-Calve-Perthes' disease has been measured using 99Tcm -polyphosphate and a gamma camera/computer data collection system. A reference point on the data matrix, which is unaffected by the diease, is used for deriving comparative uptake ratios in each femoral head. The reference point remains unaltered after surgical procedures or short intervals between follow-up studies. Early abnormality can be measured in both unilateral and bilateral femoral head pathology.", "PMID": 776319} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4561", "title": "A controlled trial of drainage after cholecystectomy.", "content": "A prospective controlled trial of drainage after cholecystectomy has been carried out. In a consecutive series of 143 patients undergoing cholecystectomy, 50 patients were randomly allocated to a drainage group and a further 50 patients to a non-drainage group. The remaining 43 patients were drained electively because the common bile duct was explored or because of infection or incomplete haemostasis. There was no significant difference in the incidence of wound infection or other complications between the drainage and the non-drainage groups. The duration of postoperative pyrexia, the number of analgesic injections and the length of postoperative hospital stay were the same in both the randomized groups. One patient in the randomized drainage group had a reactionary haemorrhage from the drain site requiring transfusion. There was no mortality but one patient in the elective drainage group had to be re-explored for a subhepatic abscess. Three patients in this group drained bile from the drain for 3-9 days but all had a T tube in place. This trial fails to demonstrate any advantage or disadvantage in draining the gallbladder bed after cholecystectomy.", "contents": "A controlled trial of drainage after cholecystectomy. A prospective controlled trial of drainage after cholecystectomy has been carried out. In a consecutive series of 143 patients undergoing cholecystectomy, 50 patients were randomly allocated to a drainage group and a further 50 patients to a non-drainage group. The remaining 43 patients were drained electively because the common bile duct was explored or because of infection or incomplete haemostasis. There was no significant difference in the incidence of wound infection or other complications between the drainage and the non-drainage groups. The duration of postoperative pyrexia, the number of analgesic injections and the length of postoperative hospital stay were the same in both the randomized groups. One patient in the randomized drainage group had a reactionary haemorrhage from the drain site requiring transfusion. There was no mortality but one patient in the elective drainage group had to be re-explored for a subhepatic abscess. Three patients in this group drained bile from the drain for 3-9 days but all had a T tube in place. This trial fails to demonstrate any advantage or disadvantage in draining the gallbladder bed after cholecystectomy.", "PMID": 776322} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4562", "title": "Splenogonadal fusion.", "content": "The fusion between splenic tissue and the left gonad or the derivatives of the left mesonephros is a rare congenital anomaly first described in detail by Pommer in 1887/9 and divided into two forms by Putschar and Manion in 1956. In the first or continuous type a cord of splenic or fibrous tissue connects the spleen and the gonadalmesonephric structures. In the second type the fused splenomesonephric structures have lost continuity with the main spleen. An example of the continuous form is presented and the previous reports are briefly reviewed.", "contents": "Splenogonadal fusion. The fusion between splenic tissue and the left gonad or the derivatives of the left mesonephros is a rare congenital anomaly first described in detail by Pommer in 1887/9 and divided into two forms by Putschar and Manion in 1956. In the first or continuous type a cord of splenic or fibrous tissue connects the spleen and the gonadalmesonephric structures. In the second type the fused splenomesonephric structures have lost continuity with the main spleen. An example of the continuous form is presented and the previous reports are briefly reviewed.", "PMID": 776323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4563", "title": "Primary suture of the perineal wound following rectal excision for adenocarcinoma.", "content": "A statistical analysis of the correlations between a number of factors, including age, tumour pathology and surgical management, and the results of primary suture of the perineum after excision of the rectum for adenocarcinoma in 63 males is presented. An unsuccessful outcome was related to the extent of the dissection either necessitated by advanced tumour or resulting from excision of the coccyx. A successful result was associated with small tumours and preoperative antibacterial treatment. Topical antibacterial treatments, topical mercuric perchloride and the drainage route did not appear to affect the outcome.", "contents": "Primary suture of the perineal wound following rectal excision for adenocarcinoma. A statistical analysis of the correlations between a number of factors, including age, tumour pathology and surgical management, and the results of primary suture of the perineum after excision of the rectum for adenocarcinoma in 63 males is presented. An unsuccessful outcome was related to the extent of the dissection either necessitated by advanced tumour or resulting from excision of the coccyx. A successful result was associated with small tumours and preoperative antibacterial treatment. Topical antibacterial treatments, topical mercuric perchloride and the drainage route did not appear to affect the outcome.", "PMID": 776324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4564", "title": "Effect of plastic skin and wound drapes on the density of bacteria in operation wounds.", "content": "Operation wounds were sampled quantitatively by the velvet pad rinse technique to determine the effect of impervious plastic skin and wound drapes on the density of bacteria. A controlled trial (clean operations) revealed no significant difference between the bacterial density of herniotomy wounds for which the skin had been covered with adhesive plastic drapes, and the bacterial density of wounds in which skin drapes had not been used. The bacterial density in the wounds did not differ significantly from that on the adjacent skin; both densities were slightly higher at the end of operation than at the beginning. Within the operation wound, sites of low bacterial density were close to sites with a high density. Staphylococcus epidermidis predominated, while Staphylococcus aureus occurred only once; intestinal species were not isolated. In another controlled trial (potentially contaminated operations) plastic wound drapes gave an equally high reduction in bacterial density before closure of laparotomy wounds after either truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty or gastric and colorectal operations. The reduction in the density of intestinal species was close to 100 per cent and did not differ significantly from that of alpha-haemolytic streptococci, the density of this species being significantly more reduced than that of staphylococci, diphteroids and bacilli. It is concluded that plastic skin drapes were without influence on the species and density of bacteria in operation wounds. Plastic wound drapes, on the other hand, considerably reduced not only exogenous but in particular endogenous bacteria, which otherwise would have remained in the operation wounds.", "contents": "Effect of plastic skin and wound drapes on the density of bacteria in operation wounds. Operation wounds were sampled quantitatively by the velvet pad rinse technique to determine the effect of impervious plastic skin and wound drapes on the density of bacteria. A controlled trial (clean operations) revealed no significant difference between the bacterial density of herniotomy wounds for which the skin had been covered with adhesive plastic drapes, and the bacterial density of wounds in which skin drapes had not been used. The bacterial density in the wounds did not differ significantly from that on the adjacent skin; both densities were slightly higher at the end of operation than at the beginning. Within the operation wound, sites of low bacterial density were close to sites with a high density. Staphylococcus epidermidis predominated, while Staphylococcus aureus occurred only once; intestinal species were not isolated. In another controlled trial (potentially contaminated operations) plastic wound drapes gave an equally high reduction in bacterial density before closure of laparotomy wounds after either truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty or gastric and colorectal operations. The reduction in the density of intestinal species was close to 100 per cent and did not differ significantly from that of alpha-haemolytic streptococci, the density of this species being significantly more reduced than that of staphylococci, diphteroids and bacilli. It is concluded that plastic skin drapes were without influence on the species and density of bacteria in operation wounds. Plastic wound drapes, on the other hand, considerably reduced not only exogenous but in particular endogenous bacteria, which otherwise would have remained in the operation wounds.", "PMID": 776325} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4565", "title": "Assessment of wound contamination during surgery: a preliminary report comparing vertical laminar flow and conventional theatre systems.", "content": "As part of an on-going trial comparing wound infection in \"ultra-clean\" air and conventional theatres, wound contamination is assessed by a simple wash-out technique. The importance of wound contamination in relation to subsequent wound infection is emphasized. The wash-out technique used is simple to perform and minimizes the risk of contamination. The preliminary results confirm that cleaner air does result in less contaminated wounds.", "contents": "Assessment of wound contamination during surgery: a preliminary report comparing vertical laminar flow and conventional theatre systems. As part of an on-going trial comparing wound infection in \"ultra-clean\" air and conventional theatres, wound contamination is assessed by a simple wash-out technique. The importance of wound contamination in relation to subsequent wound infection is emphasized. The wash-out technique used is simple to perform and minimizes the risk of contamination. The preliminary results confirm that cleaner air does result in less contaminated wounds.", "PMID": 776326} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4566", "title": "The treatment of acute abscesses by incision, curettage and primary suture under antibiotic cover.", "content": "One hundred and fifty consecutive acute abscesses have been treated by incision, curettage and primary suture under antibiotic cover. The antibiotic used in this series was lincomycin 600 mg i.m. with premedication and clindamycin 150 mg 6-hourly for 4 days postoperatively (children and infants received smaller doses). Similar results for the rate of healing were achieved in all groups of abscesses. A case is made for the use of the technique of incision, currettage and primary suture with antibiotic covere for acute abscesses as an alternative to conventional methods of treatment.", "contents": "The treatment of acute abscesses by incision, curettage and primary suture under antibiotic cover. One hundred and fifty consecutive acute abscesses have been treated by incision, curettage and primary suture under antibiotic cover. The antibiotic used in this series was lincomycin 600 mg i.m. with premedication and clindamycin 150 mg 6-hourly for 4 days postoperatively (children and infants received smaller doses). Similar results for the rate of healing were achieved in all groups of abscesses. A case is made for the use of the technique of incision, currettage and primary suture with antibiotic covere for acute abscesses as an alternative to conventional methods of treatment.", "PMID": 776327} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4567", "title": "Talampicillin: a new derivative of ampicillin.", "content": "Talampicillin is a thiazolide carboxylic ester of ampicillin and is hydrolysed in the intestinal mucosa to release free ampicillin. The mean peak serum concentration of ampicillin occurred one hour after a dose of talampicillin and was about twice that attained by an equivalent dose of ampicillin. The presence of food in the stomach reduced and delayed the peak blood levels but did not affect the total amount of antibiotic absorbed or the urinary recovery. Talampicillin had less effect on the faecal flora in volunteers than ampicillin, and no overgrowth with Candida spp or Staphylococcus aureus was seen. Thirty-eight out of 47 urinary infections were eradicated by a seven-day course of talampicillin.", "contents": "Talampicillin: a new derivative of ampicillin. Talampicillin is a thiazolide carboxylic ester of ampicillin and is hydrolysed in the intestinal mucosa to release free ampicillin. The mean peak serum concentration of ampicillin occurred one hour after a dose of talampicillin and was about twice that attained by an equivalent dose of ampicillin. The presence of food in the stomach reduced and delayed the peak blood levels but did not affect the total amount of antibiotic absorbed or the urinary recovery. Talampicillin had less effect on the faecal flora in volunteers than ampicillin, and no overgrowth with Candida spp or Staphylococcus aureus was seen. Thirty-eight out of 47 urinary infections were eradicated by a seven-day course of talampicillin.", "PMID": 776328} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4568", "title": "Immune response to HBsAg and the spectrum of liver lesions in HBsAg-positive patients with chronic renal disease.", "content": "Evidence of chronic hepatitis was found on histological examination in nine out of 15 patients positive for hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) who had either chronic renal failure or a functioning renal transplant. Cirrhosis had already developed in three of the patients, who deteriorated rapidly and died. Liver biopsies from the remaining 12 patients showed the features of chronic aggressive hepatitis in two, chronic persistent hepatitis in four, and minor histological lesions in six. The persistence of HBsAg in patients with renal failure or in those receiving immunosuppressive drugs after a transplant must indicate some impairment of the normal immune response to hepatitis-B viral antigens. Nevertheless, cellular or humoral immunity to HBsAg was detected in all eight patients with chronic hepatitis tested compared with only one out of five with minimal liver lesions, which suggests that the severity of the liver damage may be directly related to the degree of immunocompetence.", "contents": "Immune response to HBsAg and the spectrum of liver lesions in HBsAg-positive patients with chronic renal disease. Evidence of chronic hepatitis was found on histological examination in nine out of 15 patients positive for hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) who had either chronic renal failure or a functioning renal transplant. Cirrhosis had already developed in three of the patients, who deteriorated rapidly and died. Liver biopsies from the remaining 12 patients showed the features of chronic aggressive hepatitis in two, chronic persistent hepatitis in four, and minor histological lesions in six. The persistence of HBsAg in patients with renal failure or in those receiving immunosuppressive drugs after a transplant must indicate some impairment of the normal immune response to hepatitis-B viral antigens. Nevertheless, cellular or humoral immunity to HBsAg was detected in all eight patients with chronic hepatitis tested compared with only one out of five with minimal liver lesions, which suggests that the severity of the liver damage may be directly related to the degree of immunocompetence.", "PMID": 776335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4569", "title": "Cows' milk protein intolerance: a possible association with gastroenteritis, lactose intolerance, and IgA deficiency.", "content": "Twenty-five children with cows' milk protein intolerance were studied. Twenty had presented with an illness clinically indistinguishable from infantile gastroenteritis; an enteropathogenic Escherichia coli was isolated from the stools in two children, and in six another member of the family simultaneously developed acute diarrhoea and vomiting. Twenty-three children had lactose intolerance secondary to cows' milk protein intolerance. Eight out of 20 children were found to be partially IgA deficient. An acute attack of gastroenteritis, in damaging the small mucosa, may act as a triggering mechanism in cows' milk protein intolerance, and a deficiency in IgA may be a predisposing factor in so far as it allows the patient to become sensitised to foreign protein.", "contents": "Cows' milk protein intolerance: a possible association with gastroenteritis, lactose intolerance, and IgA deficiency. Twenty-five children with cows' milk protein intolerance were studied. Twenty had presented with an illness clinically indistinguishable from infantile gastroenteritis; an enteropathogenic Escherichia coli was isolated from the stools in two children, and in six another member of the family simultaneously developed acute diarrhoea and vomiting. Twenty-three children had lactose intolerance secondary to cows' milk protein intolerance. Eight out of 20 children were found to be partially IgA deficient. An acute attack of gastroenteritis, in damaging the small mucosa, may act as a triggering mechanism in cows' milk protein intolerance, and a deficiency in IgA may be a predisposing factor in so far as it allows the patient to become sensitised to foreign protein.", "PMID": 776336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4570", "title": "HLA-linked genes and islet-cell antibodies in diabetes mellitus.", "content": "In a random series of 139 insulin-dependent diabetics aged 30 or under at the onset of disease islet-cell antibody (ICA) was detected in 33 cases (24%). In 27 patients who had had diabetes for less than one year 16 (59%) had ICA. Only one out of 51 patients with maturity onset diabetes who were not dependent on insulin were positive for ICA. Four out of 19 patients with late onset insulin-dependent diabetes had ICA. There was no association between the presence of ICA and any particular HLA phenotype. Within families containing two or more HLA haploidentical siblings with juvenile onset diabetes ICA was a variable finding both in its occurrence and in its relation to the duration of disease. A possible mode of action for the HLA-linked gene may be to permit a rapid immunological destructive process, possibly associated with viral infection.", "contents": "HLA-linked genes and islet-cell antibodies in diabetes mellitus. In a random series of 139 insulin-dependent diabetics aged 30 or under at the onset of disease islet-cell antibody (ICA) was detected in 33 cases (24%). In 27 patients who had had diabetes for less than one year 16 (59%) had ICA. Only one out of 51 patients with maturity onset diabetes who were not dependent on insulin were positive for ICA. Four out of 19 patients with late onset insulin-dependent diabetes had ICA. There was no association between the presence of ICA and any particular HLA phenotype. Within families containing two or more HLA haploidentical siblings with juvenile onset diabetes ICA was a variable finding both in its occurrence and in its relation to the duration of disease. A possible mode of action for the HLA-linked gene may be to permit a rapid immunological destructive process, possibly associated with viral infection.", "PMID": 776343} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4571", "title": "Assessment of a test of renal viability.", "content": "A test of renal viability using the uptake of 125I-iodohippurate by kidney biopsy specimens has been developed. It is applicable to all kidneys irrespective of the method of storage. The uptake of 125I-iodohippurate in experimental kidneys correlated well with warm or cold ischaemia time and subsequent renal function. The test was used for human cadaver kidneys offered for transplantation and there was good correlation between iodohippurate uptake and warm ischaemic time. With this test, prediction of renal function was accurate in 85% of human cadaver kidneys transplanted. Pulsatile perfusion had no effect on cadaver kidneys as measured by this test.", "contents": "Assessment of a test of renal viability. A test of renal viability using the uptake of 125I-iodohippurate by kidney biopsy specimens has been developed. It is applicable to all kidneys irrespective of the method of storage. The uptake of 125I-iodohippurate in experimental kidneys correlated well with warm or cold ischaemia time and subsequent renal function. The test was used for human cadaver kidneys offered for transplantation and there was good correlation between iodohippurate uptake and warm ischaemic time. With this test, prediction of renal function was accurate in 85% of human cadaver kidneys transplanted. Pulsatile perfusion had no effect on cadaver kidneys as measured by this test.", "PMID": 776347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4572", "title": "Comparison of prothrombin complex concentrate and vitamin K1 in oral anticoagulant reversal.", "content": "A randomised clinical trial was undertaken to compare the value of a factor II, IX, and X concentrate (Prothromplex) with intravenous vitamin K1 (2-5 mg) in reversing an overdose of oral anticoagulants. Rapid partial correction of the prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and the clotting factor assays were observed with the concentrate, but these changes were not always sustained. In contrast vitamin K1 did not show any great effect at two hours but at 24 hours there was always over-correction despite the conservative dosage, prothrombin times being shorter than the therapeutic range. The prothrombin complex concentrate provides a quicker, more controlled but less sustained method of reversing the coumarin defect than vitamin K1. But there remains a significant risk of hepatitis even with a preparation for which strenuous efforts have been made to minimise this risk by screening for hepatitis B virus. The risk should be carefully considered before such concentrates are infused in non-urgent conditions.", "contents": "Comparison of prothrombin complex concentrate and vitamin K1 in oral anticoagulant reversal. A randomised clinical trial was undertaken to compare the value of a factor II, IX, and X concentrate (Prothromplex) with intravenous vitamin K1 (2-5 mg) in reversing an overdose of oral anticoagulants. Rapid partial correction of the prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and the clotting factor assays were observed with the concentrate, but these changes were not always sustained. In contrast vitamin K1 did not show any great effect at two hours but at 24 hours there was always over-correction despite the conservative dosage, prothrombin times being shorter than the therapeutic range. The prothrombin complex concentrate provides a quicker, more controlled but less sustained method of reversing the coumarin defect than vitamin K1. But there remains a significant risk of hepatitis even with a preparation for which strenuous efforts have been made to minimise this risk by screening for hepatitis B virus. The risk should be carefully considered before such concentrates are infused in non-urgent conditions.", "PMID": 776348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4573", "title": "Methyldopa and propranolol or practolol in moderate hypertension.", "content": "The effect of a low dose of methyldopa combined with (a) a non-selective and (b) a selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist was studied in a double-blind crossover trial in 24 carefully selected patients with moderate hypertension (mean initial lying blood pressure 189/117 mm Hg). Each patient received methyldopa 750 mg/day, propranolol 240 mg/day, practolol 600 mg/day, methyldopa 750 mg/day combined with propranolol 240 mg/day, methyldopa 750 mg/day combined with practolol 600 mg/day, and placebo for four weeks each according to a random sequence. After four weeks of therapy the most effective treatment, methyldopa combined with propranolol, reduced lying and standing blood pressures by 36-5/21-4 mm Hg and 44-7/25 mm Hg respectively. Thic combination had similar effects to those of the combination of methyldopa with the cardioselective agent practolol except that it reduced lying diastolic pressure further. The combination was more effective than either treatment alone. No significant differences were found between the effects of propranolol, practolol, or methyldopa at the doses used.", "contents": "Methyldopa and propranolol or practolol in moderate hypertension. The effect of a low dose of methyldopa combined with (a) a non-selective and (b) a selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist was studied in a double-blind crossover trial in 24 carefully selected patients with moderate hypertension (mean initial lying blood pressure 189/117 mm Hg). Each patient received methyldopa 750 mg/day, propranolol 240 mg/day, practolol 600 mg/day, methyldopa 750 mg/day combined with propranolol 240 mg/day, methyldopa 750 mg/day combined with practolol 600 mg/day, and placebo for four weeks each according to a random sequence. After four weeks of therapy the most effective treatment, methyldopa combined with propranolol, reduced lying and standing blood pressures by 36-5/21-4 mm Hg and 44-7/25 mm Hg respectively. Thic combination had similar effects to those of the combination of methyldopa with the cardioselective agent practolol except that it reduced lying diastolic pressure further. The combination was more effective than either treatment alone. No significant differences were found between the effects of propranolol, practolol, or methyldopa at the doses used.", "PMID": 776350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4574", "title": "Propranolol in hypertension: a dose-response study.", "content": "The effect of propranolol was studied in a double-blind crossover trial in 24 carefully selected hypertensive outpatients. Each patient received propranolol 60 mg/day, 120 mg/day, 240 mg/day, and placebo for four weeks each according to a randomised sequence. Propranolol 60 mg/day was no better than placebo in reducing blood pressure. The effects of propranolol 120 mg/day and 240 mg/day were not significantly different. Both doses reduced lying blood pressure by about 20/10 mm Hg from an initial level of 173/104 mm Hg. No difference was detected between the effects of the different doses of propranolol and placebo on weight or on the occurrence of adverse reactions.", "contents": "Propranolol in hypertension: a dose-response study. The effect of propranolol was studied in a double-blind crossover trial in 24 carefully selected hypertensive outpatients. Each patient received propranolol 60 mg/day, 120 mg/day, 240 mg/day, and placebo for four weeks each according to a randomised sequence. Propranolol 60 mg/day was no better than placebo in reducing blood pressure. The effects of propranolol 120 mg/day and 240 mg/day were not significantly different. Both doses reduced lying blood pressure by about 20/10 mm Hg from an initial level of 173/104 mm Hg. No difference was detected between the effects of the different doses of propranolol and placebo on weight or on the occurrence of adverse reactions.", "PMID": 776351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4575", "title": "Value of the indirect immunofluorescence test in the diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis.", "content": "An indirect immunofluorescence test was used to determine the titre of serum antibodies to Candida albicans in 300 female patients. Titres from 1:4 to 1:6 were detected in 85 uninfected subjects and nineteen subjects with gonococcal infection. Titres from 1:4 to 1:16 were also detected in 166 of 169 patients found to be harbouring C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, or C. tropicalis in the digestive tract, genital tract, or both, without overt clinical infection. Titres from 1:32 to 1:128 were detected in one of four patients with vaginal candidiasis as compared with eleven of 23 patients with vaginal candidiasis who were also harbouring C. albicans or C. parapsilosis in the digestive tract. It is emphasized that titres of less than 1:32 did not preclude vaginal candidiasis.", "contents": "Value of the indirect immunofluorescence test in the diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis. An indirect immunofluorescence test was used to determine the titre of serum antibodies to Candida albicans in 300 female patients. Titres from 1:4 to 1:6 were detected in 85 uninfected subjects and nineteen subjects with gonococcal infection. Titres from 1:4 to 1:16 were also detected in 166 of 169 patients found to be harbouring C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, or C. tropicalis in the digestive tract, genital tract, or both, without overt clinical infection. Titres from 1:32 to 1:128 were detected in one of four patients with vaginal candidiasis as compared with eleven of 23 patients with vaginal candidiasis who were also harbouring C. albicans or C. parapsilosis in the digestive tract. It is emphasized that titres of less than 1:32 did not preclude vaginal candidiasis.", "PMID": 776355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4576", "title": "Donovanosis in Papua New Guinea.", "content": "Clinical and epidemiological observations on 87 cases of donovanosis seen at Port Moresby General Hospital are presented, with detailed reports of three cases in which the disease was more severe. The circumstances of infection described were consistent with venereal transmission. Chloramphenicol and gentamicin were effective in curing the disease, while streptomycin was found to be ineffective in a number of cases tested. Complement-fixation tests with Donovania antigen revealed the presence of antibodies in all but one of 23 cases tested, and in nine out of fourteen other patients who on clinical grounds were suspected of having donovanosis but were negative by smear test. The complement-fixation test with Klebsiella antigen was found to be highly specific for donovanosis, but less sensitive than the test using Donovania antigen. The intracellular location of Donovania in tissue and the presence of antibodies which are apparently not protective suggest that cell-mediated immunity may be important in defence against Donovania infection.", "contents": "Donovanosis in Papua New Guinea. Clinical and epidemiological observations on 87 cases of donovanosis seen at Port Moresby General Hospital are presented, with detailed reports of three cases in which the disease was more severe. The circumstances of infection described were consistent with venereal transmission. Chloramphenicol and gentamicin were effective in curing the disease, while streptomycin was found to be ineffective in a number of cases tested. Complement-fixation tests with Donovania antigen revealed the presence of antibodies in all but one of 23 cases tested, and in nine out of fourteen other patients who on clinical grounds were suspected of having donovanosis but were negative by smear test. The complement-fixation test with Klebsiella antigen was found to be highly specific for donovanosis, but less sensitive than the test using Donovania antigen. The intracellular location of Donovania in tissue and the presence of antibodies which are apparently not protective suggest that cell-mediated immunity may be important in defence against Donovania infection.", "PMID": 776356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4577", "title": "The locus coeruleus: a cytoarchitectonic, Golgi and immunohistochemical study in the albino rat.", "content": "The locus coeruleus of the adult albino rat is a clearly delimited nucleus in Nissl-stained preparations. It is surrounded by an extensive, relatively neuron-free neuropil which is not stained in reduced silver and Luxol fast blue preparations. Most if not all locus coeruleus neurons contain the enzyme dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and are thus presumably adrenergic. Two general classes of medium-sized neuron were found in the locus coeruleus in Nissl- and DBH-stained material: multipolar and somewhat smaller fusiform cells. The nucleus was divided into dorsal and ventral parts cytoarchitectonically; the two are distinguished in that (a) fusiform rather than multipolar cells predominate in the dorsal division, (b) cells in the dorsal division are more densely packed, and (c) a majority of the cells in the dorsal division are aligned obliquely in a dorsolateral to ventromedial orientation when viewed in the frontal plane, and longitudinally (anteroposteriorly) when viewed in the horizontal and sagittal planes. The locus coeruleus contains an estimated 1643 +/- 21 neurons (+/- S.E.M.; N=12) as determined in Nissl-stained paraffin sections, and 1439 +/- 29 neurons (+/- S.E.M.; N=6) as determined in DBH-stained frozen sections. The latter estimate is less reliable because of some uncertainty about section thickness. The ventral division of the locus coeruleus has an estimated 210 +/- 11 neurons (+/- S.E.M.; N=6). In Golgi-Cox material counterstained with cresyl violet most locus coeruleus neurons could also be classified as multipolar or fusiform, the latter being somewhat smaller. Typically, both types of neuron have relatively long thin dendrites which branch once or twice and extend well beyond the limits of the nucleus into surrounding neuropil and nuclear areas, particularly the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve and pontine central gray. Spines, consisting of a thin stalk of variable length with a small bulb at the end or just a thin stalk, were scattered infrequently but regularly along all dendrites and a majority of the somata of both classes. Very thin locally ramifying axon-like plexuses were impregnated in several locus coeruleus neurons, as were larger (about 3 mum diameter) projecting axons. Only about 0.07% of the locus coeruleus neurons were impregnated in the Golgi-Cox material although a wide range of impregnation times and ages was used.", "contents": "The locus coeruleus: a cytoarchitectonic, Golgi and immunohistochemical study in the albino rat. The locus coeruleus of the adult albino rat is a clearly delimited nucleus in Nissl-stained preparations. It is surrounded by an extensive, relatively neuron-free neuropil which is not stained in reduced silver and Luxol fast blue preparations. Most if not all locus coeruleus neurons contain the enzyme dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and are thus presumably adrenergic. Two general classes of medium-sized neuron were found in the locus coeruleus in Nissl- and DBH-stained material: multipolar and somewhat smaller fusiform cells. The nucleus was divided into dorsal and ventral parts cytoarchitectonically; the two are distinguished in that (a) fusiform rather than multipolar cells predominate in the dorsal division, (b) cells in the dorsal division are more densely packed, and (c) a majority of the cells in the dorsal division are aligned obliquely in a dorsolateral to ventromedial orientation when viewed in the frontal plane, and longitudinally (anteroposteriorly) when viewed in the horizontal and sagittal planes. The locus coeruleus contains an estimated 1643 +/- 21 neurons (+/- S.E.M.; N=12) as determined in Nissl-stained paraffin sections, and 1439 +/- 29 neurons (+/- S.E.M.; N=6) as determined in DBH-stained frozen sections. The latter estimate is less reliable because of some uncertainty about section thickness. The ventral division of the locus coeruleus has an estimated 210 +/- 11 neurons (+/- S.E.M.; N=6). In Golgi-Cox material counterstained with cresyl violet most locus coeruleus neurons could also be classified as multipolar or fusiform, the latter being somewhat smaller. Typically, both types of neuron have relatively long thin dendrites which branch once or twice and extend well beyond the limits of the nucleus into surrounding neuropil and nuclear areas, particularly the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve and pontine central gray. Spines, consisting of a thin stalk of variable length with a small bulb at the end or just a thin stalk, were scattered infrequently but regularly along all dendrites and a majority of the somata of both classes. Very thin locally ramifying axon-like plexuses were impregnated in several locus coeruleus neurons, as were larger (about 3 mum diameter) projecting axons. Only about 0.07% of the locus coeruleus neurons were impregnated in the Golgi-Cox material although a wide range of impregnation times and ages was used.", "PMID": 776360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4578", "title": "Protein binding and subunit association activity in particles reconstituted from Escherichia coli MRE600 50S ribosomal components.", "content": "Reconstituted 37S and 48S ribonucleoprotein particles were constructed by incubating Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA with total 50S ribosomal proteins by a sequential incubation method. By comparing the protein compositions of the two types of particles, the proteins that bind to 37S complexes to form 48S particles have been determined. Although only 48S particles could associate with 30S subunits, isolated 37S reconstituted particles could do so if incubated with exogenous 50S proteins. The proteins that bind under these conditions and confer upon particles the ability to associate are L2, L11, L15, L18, and L25. The involvement of these proteins in 5S RNA binding is discussed.", "contents": "Protein binding and subunit association activity in particles reconstituted from Escherichia coli MRE600 50S ribosomal components. Reconstituted 37S and 48S ribonucleoprotein particles were constructed by incubating Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA with total 50S ribosomal proteins by a sequential incubation method. By comparing the protein compositions of the two types of particles, the proteins that bind to 37S complexes to form 48S particles have been determined. Although only 48S particles could associate with 30S subunits, isolated 37S reconstituted particles could do so if incubated with exogenous 50S proteins. The proteins that bind under these conditions and confer upon particles the ability to associate are L2, L11, L15, L18, and L25. The involvement of these proteins in 5S RNA binding is discussed.", "PMID": 776368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4579", "title": "Utilization of dietary nucleic acid purines for nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis in the mouse.", "content": "Three preparations of radioactive yeast nucleic acids were fed to mice. One was labeled predominantly in the guanine moiety, one was labeled predominantly in the adenine moiety, and in one adenine and guanine were labeled equally. Most of the nucleic acid purines produced by digestion were excreted in the urine. However, a small amount was utilized for nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis in the mouse tissues. Small intestine, liver and skeletal muscle contained most of the purines that were retained in the tissues. Dietary nucleic acid adenine appeared to be utilized somewhat more efficiently than was dietary nucleic acid guanine.", "contents": "Utilization of dietary nucleic acid purines for nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis in the mouse. Three preparations of radioactive yeast nucleic acids were fed to mice. One was labeled predominantly in the guanine moiety, one was labeled predominantly in the adenine moiety, and in one adenine and guanine were labeled equally. Most of the nucleic acid purines produced by digestion were excreted in the urine. However, a small amount was utilized for nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis in the mouse tissues. Small intestine, liver and skeletal muscle contained most of the purines that were retained in the tissues. Dietary nucleic acid adenine appeared to be utilized somewhat more efficiently than was dietary nucleic acid guanine.", "PMID": 776369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4580", "title": "Binding of methylmercuric hydroxide by 4-thiouridine of N-formylmethionyl-tRNA from Escherichia coli.", "content": "The binding of methylmercuric hydroxide to N-formylmethionyl-tRNA of Escherichia coli has been studied. In the absence of magnesium ions, methylmercury binds strongly to 4-thiouridine in the eighth position from the 5' end: the dissociation constant is (1.0 +/- 0.2) X 10(-5) M, and the forward and reverse rate constants for binding are (5.3 +/- 0.5) X 10(4) M-1S-1 and 0.38 +/- 0.02S-1, respectively. The presence of Mg2+ prevents this binding, presumably through some conformational change induced in the structure of N-formylmethionyl-tRNA.", "contents": "Binding of methylmercuric hydroxide by 4-thiouridine of N-formylmethionyl-tRNA from Escherichia coli. The binding of methylmercuric hydroxide to N-formylmethionyl-tRNA of Escherichia coli has been studied. In the absence of magnesium ions, methylmercury binds strongly to 4-thiouridine in the eighth position from the 5' end: the dissociation constant is (1.0 +/- 0.2) X 10(-5) M, and the forward and reverse rate constants for binding are (5.3 +/- 0.5) X 10(4) M-1S-1 and 0.38 +/- 0.02S-1, respectively. The presence of Mg2+ prevents this binding, presumably through some conformational change induced in the structure of N-formylmethionyl-tRNA.", "PMID": 776370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4581", "title": "Norepinephrine thermogenesis in seasonally acclimatized and cold acclimated red-backed voles in Alaska.", "content": "The calorigenic response (millilitres O2 per gram pre hour) to injected norepinephrine (NE) was compared as an index of nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) in the following groups of the Alaska red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus): (1) summer, (2) fall acclimatized, (3) winter acclimatized, (4) 20 degrees C acclimated and (5) 5 degrees C acclimated. The metabolic response was tested at thermoneutrality (25 degrees C) and during cold exposure (5 degrees C). Winter acclimatized voles showed a significantly greater metabolic response to NE than summer voles at both 25 degrees C and 5 degrees C. In summer or winter voles the total metabolic rate after NE (Mne) was similar at 25 degrees C and 5 degrees C but the fraction of the total caused by exogenous NE was lower at 5 degrees C. Thus, thermogenesis during cold exposure and resulting from exogenous NE appear to be based on the same mechanism, and NE has thermoregulatory significance in these voles. The magnitude of the NE response in winter voles was comparable to he highest values reported for bats and exceeded levels reported for other adult small mammal species. Summer acclimatized voles and those acclimatized to 20 degrees C in the laboratory were comparable in their response to NE but winter acclimatized voles were significantly more sensitive to NE than voles acclimated to 5 degrees C. The seasonal winter peak in MNE coincided with peaks previously found for maximum metabolic capacity (MMAX), maximum brown fat, and the period of coldest temperature in December-January. the ratio of MNE to Mmax was similar throughout the year. The results suggest that small arctic-subarctic rodents have a greater capacity for NE stimulated NST than rodents from temperate latitudes probably because they are acclimatized to colder seasonal condtions.", "contents": "Norepinephrine thermogenesis in seasonally acclimatized and cold acclimated red-backed voles in Alaska. The calorigenic response (millilitres O2 per gram pre hour) to injected norepinephrine (NE) was compared as an index of nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) in the following groups of the Alaska red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus): (1) summer, (2) fall acclimatized, (3) winter acclimatized, (4) 20 degrees C acclimated and (5) 5 degrees C acclimated. The metabolic response was tested at thermoneutrality (25 degrees C) and during cold exposure (5 degrees C). Winter acclimatized voles showed a significantly greater metabolic response to NE than summer voles at both 25 degrees C and 5 degrees C. In summer or winter voles the total metabolic rate after NE (Mne) was similar at 25 degrees C and 5 degrees C but the fraction of the total caused by exogenous NE was lower at 5 degrees C. Thus, thermogenesis during cold exposure and resulting from exogenous NE appear to be based on the same mechanism, and NE has thermoregulatory significance in these voles. The magnitude of the NE response in winter voles was comparable to he highest values reported for bats and exceeded levels reported for other adult small mammal species. Summer acclimatized voles and those acclimatized to 20 degrees C in the laboratory were comparable in their response to NE but winter acclimatized voles were significantly more sensitive to NE than voles acclimated to 5 degrees C. The seasonal winter peak in MNE coincided with peaks previously found for maximum metabolic capacity (MMAX), maximum brown fat, and the period of coldest temperature in December-January. the ratio of MNE to Mmax was similar throughout the year. The results suggest that small arctic-subarctic rodents have a greater capacity for NE stimulated NST than rodents from temperate latitudes probably because they are acclimatized to colder seasonal condtions.", "PMID": 776371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4582", "title": "Study on the efficiency of four procedures for enumerating coliforms in water.", "content": "Four coliform estimation procedures were compared as to their ability to enumerate coliform bacteria (oxidase-negative lactose fermenters) from sewage, effluent, and various fresh waters in the lower Great Lakes Region of Canada. Two of the procedures used and which are cited in the American Public Health Association (APHA) Standard Methods were a most probable number (MPN) technique using lauryltryptose broth (LST) and brilliant green bile 2% broth (BGB), and a membrane filtration (MF) technique using m Endo agar LES. The other two procedures were an MPN technique using Parhad chemically defined synthetic medium (PCDS) and BGB developed for Indian fresh waters and an MF (mC agar) technique developed for seawater. Data indicate that within the survey area, maximum population estimates were achieved by the MF procedure using m Endo agar LES and that each procedure was selective for different genera of the Enterobacteriaceae. Discussions concerning standard versus reference procedures are presented.", "contents": "Study on the efficiency of four procedures for enumerating coliforms in water. Four coliform estimation procedures were compared as to their ability to enumerate coliform bacteria (oxidase-negative lactose fermenters) from sewage, effluent, and various fresh waters in the lower Great Lakes Region of Canada. Two of the procedures used and which are cited in the American Public Health Association (APHA) Standard Methods were a most probable number (MPN) technique using lauryltryptose broth (LST) and brilliant green bile 2% broth (BGB), and a membrane filtration (MF) technique using m Endo agar LES. The other two procedures were an MPN technique using Parhad chemically defined synthetic medium (PCDS) and BGB developed for Indian fresh waters and an MF (mC agar) technique developed for seawater. Data indicate that within the survey area, maximum population estimates were achieved by the MF procedure using m Endo agar LES and that each procedure was selective for different genera of the Enterobacteriaceae. Discussions concerning standard versus reference procedures are presented.", "PMID": 776372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4583", "title": "Phleomycin-stimulated solubilization of deoxyribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli. II. Inhibition of solubilization by bacteriophage T4.", "content": "Phleomycin-stimulated solubilization of Escherichia coli DNA is inhibited by infecting the cells with mutants of bacteriophage T4 before treatment with the antibiotic, inhibition requiring phage-specified protein synthesis. Two different modes of inhibition can be differentiated by infecting with mutants which are defective in an early state (gene den A-; endonuclease II-independent inhibition) or a late stage (gene 46-; endonuclease II-dependent inhibition) of phage-directed degradation of host DNA. Endonuclease II-independent inhibition results from interference with phleomycin-induced release of host DNA from the cytoplasmic membrane. In the presence of endonuclease II, the host DNA is converted to fragments, with average molecular weights of 10(6) daltons, the further degradation of which is not promoted by continuous exposure of the cells to phleomycin.", "contents": "Phleomycin-stimulated solubilization of deoxyribonucleic acid in Escherichia coli. II. Inhibition of solubilization by bacteriophage T4. Phleomycin-stimulated solubilization of Escherichia coli DNA is inhibited by infecting the cells with mutants of bacteriophage T4 before treatment with the antibiotic, inhibition requiring phage-specified protein synthesis. Two different modes of inhibition can be differentiated by infecting with mutants which are defective in an early state (gene den A-; endonuclease II-independent inhibition) or a late stage (gene 46-; endonuclease II-dependent inhibition) of phage-directed degradation of host DNA. Endonuclease II-independent inhibition results from interference with phleomycin-induced release of host DNA from the cytoplasmic membrane. In the presence of endonuclease II, the host DNA is converted to fragments, with average molecular weights of 10(6) daltons, the further degradation of which is not promoted by continuous exposure of the cells to phleomycin.", "PMID": 776373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4584", "title": "Prodiginine (prodigiosin-like) pigments from Streptomyces and other aerobic Actinomycetes.", "content": "About 95 microorganisms, mainly streptomycetes, were examined for prodiginine pigments. The test methods, including some media for stimulating pigment production, are given. All nine strains which produced prodiginine pigments were characterized and the pigments identified. The results were used to propose structures for five prodigiosin-like pigments from actinomycetes reported in the literature between 1947 and 1964. Streptoverticillium sp. 26-1 furnished good yields of butylcycloheptylprodiginine (I), whose antimicrobial activity is given.", "contents": "Prodiginine (prodigiosin-like) pigments from Streptomyces and other aerobic Actinomycetes. About 95 microorganisms, mainly streptomycetes, were examined for prodiginine pigments. The test methods, including some media for stimulating pigment production, are given. All nine strains which produced prodiginine pigments were characterized and the pigments identified. The results were used to propose structures for five prodigiosin-like pigments from actinomycetes reported in the literature between 1947 and 1964. Streptoverticillium sp. 26-1 furnished good yields of butylcycloheptylprodiginine (I), whose antimicrobial activity is given.", "PMID": 776374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4585", "title": "Role of lipopolysaccharide in adsorption of coliphage T4D to Escherichia coli B.", "content": "Coliphage T4D was strongly adsorbed to intact lipopolysaccharides and alkaline and lipase-treated lipopolysaccharides from cells of Escherichia coli B, but was not so adsorbed to heat-treated cells. In contrast, coliphage T2h was not adsorbed to lipopolysaccharides and the heat-treated cells. Acid hydrolysate of lipopolysaccharides strongly inhibited the adsorption of phage T4D to acetone and ether-treated cells. The adsorption of phage T4D to the acetone and ether-treated cells was markedly inhibited by authentic D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, alpha-methyl-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminide, alpha-methyl-D-glucoside, and D-maltose. Authentic D-glucose and E,L-2,6-diaminopimelic acid also showed similar activity. These compounds did not affect the adsorption of phage T2h to the acetone- and ether-treated cells. Concanavalin A and wheat-germ agglutinin inhibited phage T4D adsorption to the acetone and ether-treated cells probably by blocking the phage-receptor sites on the cell wall. The blocking by concanavalin A and by wheat-germ agglutinin was reversed by alpha-methyl-D-glucoside and by alpha-methyl-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminide, respectively. Results suggested the possibility that coliphage T4D requires N-acetyl-D-glucosaminyl-glucose or glucosyl-D-glucosamine residues of the core of lipopolysaccharides for the initial attachment to the cell wall of Escherichia coli B.", "contents": "Role of lipopolysaccharide in adsorption of coliphage T4D to Escherichia coli B. Coliphage T4D was strongly adsorbed to intact lipopolysaccharides and alkaline and lipase-treated lipopolysaccharides from cells of Escherichia coli B, but was not so adsorbed to heat-treated cells. In contrast, coliphage T2h was not adsorbed to lipopolysaccharides and the heat-treated cells. Acid hydrolysate of lipopolysaccharides strongly inhibited the adsorption of phage T4D to acetone and ether-treated cells. The adsorption of phage T4D to the acetone and ether-treated cells was markedly inhibited by authentic D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, alpha-methyl-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminide, alpha-methyl-D-glucoside, and D-maltose. Authentic D-glucose and E,L-2,6-diaminopimelic acid also showed similar activity. These compounds did not affect the adsorption of phage T2h to the acetone- and ether-treated cells. Concanavalin A and wheat-germ agglutinin inhibited phage T4D adsorption to the acetone and ether-treated cells probably by blocking the phage-receptor sites on the cell wall. The blocking by concanavalin A and by wheat-germ agglutinin was reversed by alpha-methyl-D-glucoside and by alpha-methyl-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminide, respectively. Results suggested the possibility that coliphage T4D requires N-acetyl-D-glucosaminyl-glucose or glucosyl-D-glucosamine residues of the core of lipopolysaccharides for the initial attachment to the cell wall of Escherichia coli B.", "PMID": 776375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4586", "title": "[Hemodynamic features of cardiac rejection].", "content": "The object of this investigation was to demonstrate the hemodynamic features of cardiac rejection. The postoperative functional evolution of a homogeneous group of unmodified homografts was compared with that of a group of autografts studied by the same protocol. On the 4th postoperative day, a significant decrease was observed initially in the maximum systolic output, the maximum systolic rate index, the mean systolic ejection rate and also in the strength, work and, especially, acceleration of the left ventricles of the homografts. In the terminal phase, the abnormalities already present in these parameters worsened; there was a large decrease in cardiac output, in the stroke volume, in the voltage of the electrocardiogram, and a slowdown in cardiac emptying. During terminal heart failure, the aortic pressure became depressed and the central venous pressure increased rapidly. The hemodynamic reaction following the homoplastic graft was totally different after the 4th day. The comparison of the results obtained from these two experimental groups established that the functional cardiac failure described for the homoplastic transplant represents the hemodynamic expression of acute rejection.", "contents": "[Hemodynamic features of cardiac rejection]. The object of this investigation was to demonstrate the hemodynamic features of cardiac rejection. The postoperative functional evolution of a homogeneous group of unmodified homografts was compared with that of a group of autografts studied by the same protocol. On the 4th postoperative day, a significant decrease was observed initially in the maximum systolic output, the maximum systolic rate index, the mean systolic ejection rate and also in the strength, work and, especially, acceleration of the left ventricles of the homografts. In the terminal phase, the abnormalities already present in these parameters worsened; there was a large decrease in cardiac output, in the stroke volume, in the voltage of the electrocardiogram, and a slowdown in cardiac emptying. During terminal heart failure, the aortic pressure became depressed and the central venous pressure increased rapidly. The hemodynamic reaction following the homoplastic graft was totally different after the 4th day. The comparison of the results obtained from these two experimental groups established that the functional cardiac failure described for the homoplastic transplant represents the hemodynamic expression of acute rejection.", "PMID": 776377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4587", "title": "Laryngotracheobronchitis: 2 years' experience with racemic epinephrine.", "content": "A relatively new form of treatment of laryngotracheobronchitis, administration of racemic epinephrine by intermittent positive-pressure breathing, was begun in 1973 in the pediatric unit of a large community hospital. A review of 2 years' experience with this treatment, compared with the experience of the 3 years prior to its introduction, has shown that it has reduced significantly the necessity for tracheostomy, to nearly zero, and the duration of hospital stay. A total of 119 children (33.15% of those admitted) received this treatment, the average number of treatments required being 1.8. There were no important complications of treatment and no deaths.", "contents": "Laryngotracheobronchitis: 2 years' experience with racemic epinephrine. A relatively new form of treatment of laryngotracheobronchitis, administration of racemic epinephrine by intermittent positive-pressure breathing, was begun in 1973 in the pediatric unit of a large community hospital. A review of 2 years' experience with this treatment, compared with the experience of the 3 years prior to its introduction, has shown that it has reduced significantly the necessity for tracheostomy, to nearly zero, and the duration of hospital stay. A total of 119 children (33.15% of those admitted) received this treatment, the average number of treatments required being 1.8. There were no important complications of treatment and no deaths.", "PMID": 776385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4588", "title": "The ultrastructural morphology of gynecologic neoplasms.", "content": "Our knowledge of the morphology and pathogenesis of malignant neoplasms of the female genital tract has traditionally depended heavily on their light microscopic characteristics. The introduction of transmission, and most recently, scanning electron microscopy, into the field of gynecologic pathology has resulted in a considerable improvement in the diagnosis of genital cancers that are difficult to classify and has provided valuable information for a better understanding of their subcellular dynamics and pathogenetic development. This paper describes and illustrates the ultrastructural alterations that are considered specific for the most common malignant and potentially malignant neoplasms of the genital system in this context. The value of electron microscopy in the morphologic study of genital cancers warrants its increased use in routine diagnostic pathology, as well as further evaluation of it in basic research in this challenging area of investigation.", "contents": "The ultrastructural morphology of gynecologic neoplasms. Our knowledge of the morphology and pathogenesis of malignant neoplasms of the female genital tract has traditionally depended heavily on their light microscopic characteristics. The introduction of transmission, and most recently, scanning electron microscopy, into the field of gynecologic pathology has resulted in a considerable improvement in the diagnosis of genital cancers that are difficult to classify and has provided valuable information for a better understanding of their subcellular dynamics and pathogenetic development. This paper describes and illustrates the ultrastructural alterations that are considered specific for the most common malignant and potentially malignant neoplasms of the genital system in this context. The value of electron microscopy in the morphologic study of genital cancers warrants its increased use in routine diagnostic pathology, as well as further evaluation of it in basic research in this challenging area of investigation.", "PMID": 776389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4589", "title": "Perspectives on research in gynecologic oncology.", "content": "Gynecologic cancers present unusual opportunities to explore the fruits of well-designed clinical trials to assess the value of existing treatment using a combined modality approach soon after diagnosis. Cancers of the ovary and uterus have well-defined, familiar natural histories. Pathways of spread are clear and reasons for treatment failure are often blatantly obvious. In the case of ovarian cancer, regional treatment with surgery and radiotherapy has been relatively ineffective and generally has not improved the survival statistics in the last two decades. Spread of tumor cells widely throughout the abdominal cavity outside radiation or surgical fields, even in patients with apparently early disease, is the obvious reason. Studies are underway to assess the impact of long-term postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with L-phenylalanine mustard, an alkylating agent effective in patients with advanced disease, in early stages of ovarian cancer following surgery and or x-irradiation. The search is on for more effective drugs, or combinations of drugs, that could subsequently serve as more effective adjuvant treatments. In carcinoma of the uterine cervix, chemotherapy as an adjunct to surgery and/or radiotherapy in patients with localized, or locally inoperable disease has been poorly evaluated; little data are available and the value of many established drugs in patients with metastatic cervical cancer is undermined. Some recent evidence suggests the use of hydroxyurea, a drug that by itself is not effective in controlling tumor, may enhance the effect of radiotherapy in patients with Stage II disease. Uterine fundal cancer is often successfully treated by surgery alone. The data for the use of pre- or postoperative radiotherapy are open to considerable question. While the relative nontoxic progesterone compounds are effective in a small but significant fraction of patients with advanced uterine cancer, no properly designed clinical trial has truly evaluated their role as postoperative adjuncts in patients who have resectable tumor but a definite high risk of recurrence. Systemic chemotherapy has been rarely used with any consistency against this tumor but, even so, some chemotherapeutic leads, such as the use of adriamycin, are worthy of exploration. The absence of useful information on systemic treatment of gynecologic malignancies can be traced to the excessive rigid compartmentalization of medical practice. Only recently have investigators of all persuasions begun to explore and exploit some of the therapeutic opportunities, which have been available for some time.", "contents": "Perspectives on research in gynecologic oncology. Gynecologic cancers present unusual opportunities to explore the fruits of well-designed clinical trials to assess the value of existing treatment using a combined modality approach soon after diagnosis. Cancers of the ovary and uterus have well-defined, familiar natural histories. Pathways of spread are clear and reasons for treatment failure are often blatantly obvious. In the case of ovarian cancer, regional treatment with surgery and radiotherapy has been relatively ineffective and generally has not improved the survival statistics in the last two decades. Spread of tumor cells widely throughout the abdominal cavity outside radiation or surgical fields, even in patients with apparently early disease, is the obvious reason. Studies are underway to assess the impact of long-term postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with L-phenylalanine mustard, an alkylating agent effective in patients with advanced disease, in early stages of ovarian cancer following surgery and or x-irradiation. The search is on for more effective drugs, or combinations of drugs, that could subsequently serve as more effective adjuvant treatments. In carcinoma of the uterine cervix, chemotherapy as an adjunct to surgery and/or radiotherapy in patients with localized, or locally inoperable disease has been poorly evaluated; little data are available and the value of many established drugs in patients with metastatic cervical cancer is undermined. Some recent evidence suggests the use of hydroxyurea, a drug that by itself is not effective in controlling tumor, may enhance the effect of radiotherapy in patients with Stage II disease. Uterine fundal cancer is often successfully treated by surgery alone. The data for the use of pre- or postoperative radiotherapy are open to considerable question. While the relative nontoxic progesterone compounds are effective in a small but significant fraction of patients with advanced uterine cancer, no properly designed clinical trial has truly evaluated their role as postoperative adjuncts in patients who have resectable tumor but a definite high risk of recurrence. Systemic chemotherapy has been rarely used with any consistency against this tumor but, even so, some chemotherapeutic leads, such as the use of adriamycin, are worthy of exploration. The absence of useful information on systemic treatment of gynecologic malignancies can be traced to the excessive rigid compartmentalization of medical practice. Only recently have investigators of all persuasions begun to explore and exploit some of the therapeutic opportunities, which have been available for some time.", "PMID": 776390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4590", "title": "Overview of tumor immunology in gynecologic oncology.", "content": "Highlights of recent advances in the field of gynecologic tumor immunology are presented in an effort to demonstrate that at least some cancers of the female genitalia evoke an immune response that can be quantitated in the laboratory. The overview will discuss investigations into the various in vitro assays of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. The concept of clinical testing of delayed hypersensitivity reactions as it relates to the clinical outcome of the patients with malignancy is presented. Along this line, preliminary studies at our own institution are reviewed in an attempt to establish a rough correlation between patients with a healthy outcome and patients with a strong immunologic index as manifested by skin testing. A progress report on the isolation of tumor-associated antigens in cancer of the cervix and ovary is presented. The prevalence of carcinoembryonic antigen in the plasma of patients with gynecological malignancy is then discussed. Finally, approaches to immunotherapy are discussed, with a suggestion as to future directions.", "contents": "Overview of tumor immunology in gynecologic oncology. Highlights of recent advances in the field of gynecologic tumor immunology are presented in an effort to demonstrate that at least some cancers of the female genitalia evoke an immune response that can be quantitated in the laboratory. The overview will discuss investigations into the various in vitro assays of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. The concept of clinical testing of delayed hypersensitivity reactions as it relates to the clinical outcome of the patients with malignancy is presented. Along this line, preliminary studies at our own institution are reviewed in an attempt to establish a rough correlation between patients with a healthy outcome and patients with a strong immunologic index as manifested by skin testing. A progress report on the isolation of tumor-associated antigens in cancer of the cervix and ovary is presented. The prevalence of carcinoembryonic antigen in the plasma of patients with gynecological malignancy is then discussed. Finally, approaches to immunotherapy are discussed, with a suggestion as to future directions.", "PMID": 776391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4591", "title": "Purification of soluble human melanoma-associated antigens.", "content": "Soluble extracts of melanoma specimens were prepared by 3 M KCl extraction. Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to these antigens were noted in 25 of 39 melanoma patients and 7 of 30 patients with other neoplasms. Only 4 of 34 melanoma patients reacted to an extract of autologous muscle. Maximum reactivity to these antigens occurred at 24 hr and was demonstrated histologically by skin biopsy. Chromatography on Sephadex G-150 resulted in two fractions that elicited delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in melanoma patients. These fractions were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The first region of the Sephadex 1 gel reacted in 8 of 13 melanoma patients and only 1 of 7 patients with other neoplasms. Some activity was found in other regions of the gel. Skin test activity was confined to the second polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis region of the Sephadex II gel, to which 7 of 9 melanoma patients reacted compared with 1 of 7 patients with other tumors. Recovery of antigenic activity in excess of the total present in the original extract after partial purification indicated that inhibitors of delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions present in the crude KCl extract were removed. A 20-fold increase in antigenic activity per unit protein was achieved.", "contents": "Purification of soluble human melanoma-associated antigens. Soluble extracts of melanoma specimens were prepared by 3 M KCl extraction. Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to these antigens were noted in 25 of 39 melanoma patients and 7 of 30 patients with other neoplasms. Only 4 of 34 melanoma patients reacted to an extract of autologous muscle. Maximum reactivity to these antigens occurred at 24 hr and was demonstrated histologically by skin biopsy. Chromatography on Sephadex G-150 resulted in two fractions that elicited delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in melanoma patients. These fractions were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The first region of the Sephadex 1 gel reacted in 8 of 13 melanoma patients and only 1 of 7 patients with other neoplasms. Some activity was found in other regions of the gel. Skin test activity was confined to the second polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis region of the Sephadex II gel, to which 7 of 9 melanoma patients reacted compared with 1 of 7 patients with other tumors. Recovery of antigenic activity in excess of the total present in the original extract after partial purification indicated that inhibitors of delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions present in the crude KCl extract were removed. A 20-fold increase in antigenic activity per unit protein was achieved.", "PMID": 776393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4592", "title": "Precursor lesions for liver cancer in humans.", "content": "Our knowledge of the cellular changes that lead to liver cell carcinoma in humans is limited by proper and necessary ethical restriction on clinical research. We know rather more about risk factors, the most important of which is cirrhosis, it seems that both the causative agent and the time of duration of the cirrhotic process are relevent to the magnitude of this risk. According to present knowledge, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, alcoholism, naturally occurring carcinogens, drugs, and the hepatitis B virus seem to carry the greatest risk of cancer developing in a cirrhotic patient. Cirrhosis, however, is not an essential prerequisite, and some or possibly all of these agents can also induce cancer without cirrhosis. Bile duct carcinoma commonly follows infestation with liver flukes. Cirrhosis is usually absent but duct epithelial hyperplasia is present prior to the development of cancer. Many cellular changes have been observed in patients and among populations considered to be at risk from liver cancer. Of these, liver cell dysplasia is the most striking and studies of its prevalence, natural history, and association with cirrhosis suggest that it is a precancerous change.", "contents": "Precursor lesions for liver cancer in humans. Our knowledge of the cellular changes that lead to liver cell carcinoma in humans is limited by proper and necessary ethical restriction on clinical research. We know rather more about risk factors, the most important of which is cirrhosis, it seems that both the causative agent and the time of duration of the cirrhotic process are relevent to the magnitude of this risk. According to present knowledge, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, alcoholism, naturally occurring carcinogens, drugs, and the hepatitis B virus seem to carry the greatest risk of cancer developing in a cirrhotic patient. Cirrhosis, however, is not an essential prerequisite, and some or possibly all of these agents can also induce cancer without cirrhosis. Bile duct carcinoma commonly follows infestation with liver flukes. Cirrhosis is usually absent but duct epithelial hyperplasia is present prior to the development of cancer. Many cellular changes have been observed in patients and among populations considered to be at risk from liver cancer. Of these, liver cell dysplasia is the most striking and studies of its prevalence, natural history, and association with cirrhosis suggest that it is a precancerous change.", "PMID": 776394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4593", "title": "Structural, antigenic, and biological characteristics of precancerous mastopathy.", "content": "A biologically significant relationship between precancerous mastopathy (PCM), in situ carcinoma (ISC), and invasive breast carcinoma is evidenced by the following: (a) PCM and ISC are commonly associated with each other and with invasive breast cancer; (b) Stage O PCM and ISC are both associated with an increased risk of subsequent breast cancer; (c) patients with Stage O PCM and ISC are more similar to invasive breast cancer patients than to patients with normotypic breast lesions in regard to family history of breast cancer and parity characteristics; (d) PCM and ISC resemble invasive breast cancers and differ from normotypic mammary epithelium in regard to epithelial cell-lymphoreticuloendothelial relationships; (e) PCM and, particularly, ISC are associated with distinctive immunogenic components; (f) prognostically significant immunogens of invasive breast cancer tissues are related to and antigenically similar to immunogenic components of associated ISC; (g) immunogenic cancers (ISC and invasive) from different patients are antigenically similar to one another; (h) immunogenic cancers (ISC and invasive) from different patients are antigenically similar to some component of murine mammary tumor virus.", "contents": "Structural, antigenic, and biological characteristics of precancerous mastopathy. A biologically significant relationship between precancerous mastopathy (PCM), in situ carcinoma (ISC), and invasive breast carcinoma is evidenced by the following: (a) PCM and ISC are commonly associated with each other and with invasive breast cancer; (b) Stage O PCM and ISC are both associated with an increased risk of subsequent breast cancer; (c) patients with Stage O PCM and ISC are more similar to invasive breast cancer patients than to patients with normotypic breast lesions in regard to family history of breast cancer and parity characteristics; (d) PCM and ISC resemble invasive breast cancers and differ from normotypic mammary epithelium in regard to epithelial cell-lymphoreticuloendothelial relationships; (e) PCM and, particularly, ISC are associated with distinctive immunogenic components; (f) prognostically significant immunogens of invasive breast cancer tissues are related to and antigenically similar to immunogenic components of associated ISC; (g) immunogenic cancers (ISC and invasive) from different patients are antigenically similar to one another; (h) immunogenic cancers (ISC and invasive) from different patients are antigenically similar to some component of murine mammary tumor virus.", "PMID": 776395} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4594", "title": "The role of the spleen in the repopulation of the haemopoietic system of heavily-irradiated mice.", "content": "The respective role of the spleen or of the bone marrow in the regeneration of the haemopoietic progenitor compartment of heavily-irradiated mice has been investigated. Splenectomy was used to this end in animals injected with exogenous isogenic cells or regenerating from endogenous spleen or marrow cells. Analysis of the data as a function of time shows that the presence of the spleen affects marrow CFU repopulation only at the early post-irradiation stages. The expansion of the marrow progenitor pool proceeds, however, rather independently of the spleen and marrow CFU remain eventually as the main source of haemopoietic cells in the surviving mice. Thus the reaction of the spleen may be envisaged as a fast, important but transient contribution to the overall haemopoietic function of heavily-irradiated animals.", "contents": "The role of the spleen in the repopulation of the haemopoietic system of heavily-irradiated mice. The respective role of the spleen or of the bone marrow in the regeneration of the haemopoietic progenitor compartment of heavily-irradiated mice has been investigated. Splenectomy was used to this end in animals injected with exogenous isogenic cells or regenerating from endogenous spleen or marrow cells. Analysis of the data as a function of time shows that the presence of the spleen affects marrow CFU repopulation only at the early post-irradiation stages. The expansion of the marrow progenitor pool proceeds, however, rather independently of the spleen and marrow CFU remain eventually as the main source of haemopoietic cells in the surviving mice. Thus the reaction of the spleen may be envisaged as a fast, important but transient contribution to the overall haemopoietic function of heavily-irradiated animals.", "PMID": 776406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4595", "title": "A fast and accurate method for calculating Engelberg's synchronization index.", "content": "A method is described which makes a fast and accurate calculation of Engelberg's synchronization index possible. The calculation is only based on the growth curve for the synchronous and the corresponding asynchronous population, and makes it unnecessary to calculate the curve for the normalized rate of cell division.", "contents": "A fast and accurate method for calculating Engelberg's synchronization index. A method is described which makes a fast and accurate calculation of Engelberg's synchronization index possible. The calculation is only based on the growth curve for the synchronous and the corresponding asynchronous population, and makes it unnecessary to calculate the curve for the normalized rate of cell division.", "PMID": 776407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4596", "title": "Immunofluorescence studies on gonadotropin releasing hormone (GRH) in the fore-brain and the neurohypophysis of the green frog, Rana esculenta L.", "content": "Using antibodies against mammalian LH-RH, the double antibody-immunofluorecence technique has been applied to serial cross sections of the brains of adult Rana esculenta. Immunoreactive material was found in perikarya of an unpaired nucleus in front of the preoptic recess. The axons of these perikarya also contain fluorescing material. They form a single bundle which passes under the preoptic recess, than splits into two tracts, one on either side of the optic chiasm. The two tracts reunite just before entering the median eminence. The axons end near the capillaries in the outer zone of the median eminence. The possibility of two separate centres for the stimulation of gonadotropic activity in the brains of anurans is discussed.", "contents": "Immunofluorescence studies on gonadotropin releasing hormone (GRH) in the fore-brain and the neurohypophysis of the green frog, Rana esculenta L. Using antibodies against mammalian LH-RH, the double antibody-immunofluorecence technique has been applied to serial cross sections of the brains of adult Rana esculenta. Immunoreactive material was found in perikarya of an unpaired nucleus in front of the preoptic recess. The axons of these perikarya also contain fluorescing material. They form a single bundle which passes under the preoptic recess, than splits into two tracts, one on either side of the optic chiasm. The two tracts reunite just before entering the median eminence. The axons end near the capillaries in the outer zone of the median eminence. The possibility of two separate centres for the stimulation of gonadotropic activity in the brains of anurans is discussed.", "PMID": 776409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4597", "title": "Demonstration of the tuberoinfundibular tract of the cat: fluorescence histochemistry and electron microscopy.", "content": "The distribution of dopaminergic nerve cells in the cat hypothalamus, particularly in the arcuate and periventricular nuclei, and the projections of their axons were studied by fluorescence and electron microscopy after electrothermic coagulation. The majority of these perikarya were located in the arcuate nucleus and the periventricular nucleus dorsocaudal to the optic chiasma. Large lesions caused a wide and diffuse depletion of dopamine fluorescence within the external layer; small lesions caused ipsilateral partial depletion of the dopamine fluorescence. Electron microscopic observations in animals with a lesioned arcuate nucleus revealed that in the external layer degenerating nerve terminals are engulfed by glial processess. In some cases nerve fibers had entirely disappeared and a heavy reactive proliferation of glial processes was observed. Persistence of the form of the median eminence in spite of the extensive degeneration of its nervous elements is considered to depend upon this glial proliferation.", "contents": "Demonstration of the tuberoinfundibular tract of the cat: fluorescence histochemistry and electron microscopy. The distribution of dopaminergic nerve cells in the cat hypothalamus, particularly in the arcuate and periventricular nuclei, and the projections of their axons were studied by fluorescence and electron microscopy after electrothermic coagulation. The majority of these perikarya were located in the arcuate nucleus and the periventricular nucleus dorsocaudal to the optic chiasma. Large lesions caused a wide and diffuse depletion of dopamine fluorescence within the external layer; small lesions caused ipsilateral partial depletion of the dopamine fluorescence. Electron microscopic observations in animals with a lesioned arcuate nucleus revealed that in the external layer degenerating nerve terminals are engulfed by glial processess. In some cases nerve fibers had entirely disappeared and a heavy reactive proliferation of glial processes was observed. Persistence of the form of the median eminence in spite of the extensive degeneration of its nervous elements is considered to depend upon this glial proliferation.", "PMID": 776408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4598", "title": "Non-diffusional distribution of radioactivity in the rat median eminence after intraventricular injection of 3H-LH-RH.", "content": "The distribution of radioactivity in the rat hypothalamus after intraventricular injection of tritiated luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was studied by autoradiography and compared with that expected from Fick's second law which defines the character of ordinary diffusion. The results suggest that LH-RH penetrates through the ependyma and thin subependymal layer in the median eminence and into the suprachiasmatic area by ordinary diffusion. By contrast, concentration of radioactivity in outer layers of the median eminence is increased and, therefore, can not be explained by the diffusion law. In this region incorporation of radioactivity into cell bodies was demonstrated. In the subependymal layer of the median eminence a few rows of silver grains seemingly located in cellular processes were also observed. The diffusion coefficient in the periventricular zone was lower than that in the deeper tissue. It is suggested that the ependymal-subependymal complex of the third and lateral ventricles acts as passive membrane towards LH-RH contained in the cerebrospinal fluid. The significance of this mechanism for the intrahypothalamic transport of RH's is discussed.", "contents": "Non-diffusional distribution of radioactivity in the rat median eminence after intraventricular injection of 3H-LH-RH. The distribution of radioactivity in the rat hypothalamus after intraventricular injection of tritiated luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was studied by autoradiography and compared with that expected from Fick's second law which defines the character of ordinary diffusion. The results suggest that LH-RH penetrates through the ependyma and thin subependymal layer in the median eminence and into the suprachiasmatic area by ordinary diffusion. By contrast, concentration of radioactivity in outer layers of the median eminence is increased and, therefore, can not be explained by the diffusion law. In this region incorporation of radioactivity into cell bodies was demonstrated. In the subependymal layer of the median eminence a few rows of silver grains seemingly located in cellular processes were also observed. The diffusion coefficient in the periventricular zone was lower than that in the deeper tissue. It is suggested that the ependymal-subependymal complex of the third and lateral ventricles acts as passive membrane towards LH-RH contained in the cerebrospinal fluid. The significance of this mechanism for the intrahypothalamic transport of RH's is discussed.", "PMID": 776410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4599", "title": "Selection of retainers in lower overlay denture-in relation to the abutment tooth mobility--(a laboratory study).", "content": "This study was done to evaluate the art of retaining the lower sub/complete, overlay denture, in relation to the abutment tooth mobility while the force was applied to the denture. The lower overlay denture was placed on a simulated model which was constructed of methylmethacrylate and silicone rubber. The author developed and used the special devices for measuring the tooth mobility. Results obtained were as follows: 1. When a force is applied directly to the abutment, the tooth mobility, i.e. the lateral excursion of the tooth, is markedly reduced according to the favorable ratio of the clinical crown to the root length. Splinting by the bar is effective to reduce the lateral excursion. 2. When a force is applied to the denture indirectly to the abutment tooth, the lateral excursion changes greatly according to the retainer selected. 3. The clasp retainer shows the greatest change in the lateral excursion against every loading on the denture. 4. All three types of bar attachment show the least value of lateral excursion.", "contents": "Selection of retainers in lower overlay denture-in relation to the abutment tooth mobility--(a laboratory study). This study was done to evaluate the art of retaining the lower sub/complete, overlay denture, in relation to the abutment tooth mobility while the force was applied to the denture. The lower overlay denture was placed on a simulated model which was constructed of methylmethacrylate and silicone rubber. The author developed and used the special devices for measuring the tooth mobility. Results obtained were as follows: 1. When a force is applied directly to the abutment, the tooth mobility, i.e. the lateral excursion of the tooth, is markedly reduced according to the favorable ratio of the clinical crown to the root length. Splinting by the bar is effective to reduce the lateral excursion. 2. When a force is applied to the denture indirectly to the abutment tooth, the lateral excursion changes greatly according to the retainer selected. 3. The clasp retainer shows the greatest change in the lateral excursion against every loading on the denture. 4. All three types of bar attachment show the least value of lateral excursion.", "PMID": 776431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4600", "title": "An analysis of stress distribution in the free-end saddles on the mandibular model.", "content": "This experiment was designed to investigate and evaluate the characteristic behavior of mandibular free-end saddle removable partial denture using various retainers. The abutment tooth displacement and saddle movement were measured while a known vertical force was applied on the saddle. Fifteen different types of free-end saddle dentures were tested, using four various types of prefabricated attachments. Strain-measuring devices were used to measure the extent of abutment tooth displacement and saddle movement. The findings were as follows: 1) The force transmitted to the abutment tooth and the residual ridge were affected by (a) the selection of direct retainers, (b) splinting of abutment teeth, and use of indirect retainers, and (c) the variation in size and shape of the occlusal table on the saddle. 2) The influences by direct retainers a) With use of a resilient joint, the stress was heavily loaded on the residual ridge directly under the direction of force. b) With the joint incorporating the vertical rock-preventing device, a heavy proportion of lateral force was transmitted to the abutment tooth. 3) Both the lateral stress on the abutment tooth and movement of the saddle were reduced more effectively by use of indirect retainers than by splinting of abutment teeth. 4) By reduction of the occlusal area in bucco-lingual dimension, the denture saddle was better stabilized and the lateral stress on the abutment tooth was reduced effectively.", "contents": "An analysis of stress distribution in the free-end saddles on the mandibular model. This experiment was designed to investigate and evaluate the characteristic behavior of mandibular free-end saddle removable partial denture using various retainers. The abutment tooth displacement and saddle movement were measured while a known vertical force was applied on the saddle. Fifteen different types of free-end saddle dentures were tested, using four various types of prefabricated attachments. Strain-measuring devices were used to measure the extent of abutment tooth displacement and saddle movement. The findings were as follows: 1) The force transmitted to the abutment tooth and the residual ridge were affected by (a) the selection of direct retainers, (b) splinting of abutment teeth, and use of indirect retainers, and (c) the variation in size and shape of the occlusal table on the saddle. 2) The influences by direct retainers a) With use of a resilient joint, the stress was heavily loaded on the residual ridge directly under the direction of force. b) With the joint incorporating the vertical rock-preventing device, a heavy proportion of lateral force was transmitted to the abutment tooth. 3) Both the lateral stress on the abutment tooth and movement of the saddle were reduced more effectively by use of indirect retainers than by splinting of abutment teeth. 4) By reduction of the occlusal area in bucco-lingual dimension, the denture saddle was better stabilized and the lateral stress on the abutment tooth was reduced effectively.", "PMID": 776432} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4601", "title": "Studies on mechanical properties of denture base material laminated with organic fiber reinforced plastics. Part I. Basic consideration of hybrid construction.", "content": "Acrylic resin is widely used as a denture base material, but the upper complete denture fails often during use. Therefore, the denture base made from acrylic resin should be reinforced in some way. Therefore, as a new method of reinforcement on the denture base, the authors devised a method to improve the strength and rigidity by laminating the palatal surface of the denture base with an organic fiber reinforced plastic, the so-called canap\u00e9 construction. In this paper, as the basic experiment, the flexural strength, fatigue strength and the modulus of elasticity in bending of reinforced acrylic resin by the canap\u00e9 construction were investigated. As the results, the flexural and fatigue strength are improved respectively 160% and 130% compared to the denture base acrylic resin. And the modulus of elasticity in bending is improved 80%. Therefore, it is considered that this new combination of materials using the canap\u00e9 construction might be sufficiently applied to the denture base.", "contents": "Studies on mechanical properties of denture base material laminated with organic fiber reinforced plastics. Part I. Basic consideration of hybrid construction. Acrylic resin is widely used as a denture base material, but the upper complete denture fails often during use. Therefore, the denture base made from acrylic resin should be reinforced in some way. Therefore, as a new method of reinforcement on the denture base, the authors devised a method to improve the strength and rigidity by laminating the palatal surface of the denture base with an organic fiber reinforced plastic, the so-called canap\u00e9 construction. In this paper, as the basic experiment, the flexural strength, fatigue strength and the modulus of elasticity in bending of reinforced acrylic resin by the canap\u00e9 construction were investigated. As the results, the flexural and fatigue strength are improved respectively 160% and 130% compared to the denture base acrylic resin. And the modulus of elasticity in bending is improved 80%. Therefore, it is considered that this new combination of materials using the canap\u00e9 construction might be sufficiently applied to the denture base.", "PMID": 776433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4602", "title": "The color of gingiva studied by visual color matching. Part II. Kind, location, and personal difference in color of gingiva.", "content": "A replica of natural gingival color can be fabricated in a prosthesis. A precise record of gingival color helps to follow-up oral and systemic diseases. A healthy gingival color according to the \"Periodontal Workshop Committee I\" is 'pink' but no indication is given for color variations by age or position. For more precise definition, therefore, gingival color was examined in the maxillary and mandibular anterior regions by visual color matching using standard color chips after Munsell's system. Gingival color was measured in 60 subjects, in 18 locations around the anterior teeth. 1. The gingival color varies in Hue from 10 RP to 2.5 YR, being mainly between 2.5 R and 5 R; in Value from 4 to 8, maximum between 6 and 7.5; and in Chroma from 1.5 to 7, mainly from 4 to 5. 2. No difference in gingival color is recognized between the male and female, or between left and right sides of the jaw. 3. Gingival color varies with the position of papillary, marginal, and attached gingivae, and the parts corresponding to different teeth have different colors. 4. The gingival color of young persons, differs markedly from that of older people. In all the parts, red Hue is more tinged with purple in the old than in the young; Value is higher in the young; and Chroma is higher in the old.", "contents": "The color of gingiva studied by visual color matching. Part II. Kind, location, and personal difference in color of gingiva. A replica of natural gingival color can be fabricated in a prosthesis. A precise record of gingival color helps to follow-up oral and systemic diseases. A healthy gingival color according to the \"Periodontal Workshop Committee I\" is 'pink' but no indication is given for color variations by age or position. For more precise definition, therefore, gingival color was examined in the maxillary and mandibular anterior regions by visual color matching using standard color chips after Munsell's system. Gingival color was measured in 60 subjects, in 18 locations around the anterior teeth. 1. The gingival color varies in Hue from 10 RP to 2.5 YR, being mainly between 2.5 R and 5 R; in Value from 4 to 8, maximum between 6 and 7.5; and in Chroma from 1.5 to 7, mainly from 4 to 5. 2. No difference in gingival color is recognized between the male and female, or between left and right sides of the jaw. 3. Gingival color varies with the position of papillary, marginal, and attached gingivae, and the parts corresponding to different teeth have different colors. 4. The gingival color of young persons, differs markedly from that of older people. In all the parts, red Hue is more tinged with purple in the old than in the young; Value is higher in the young; and Chroma is higher in the old.", "PMID": 776434} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4603", "title": "Continuous determination of beat to beat stroke volume from aortic pressure pulses in the dog.", "content": "Present methods for measurement of stroke volume from the aortic pressure pulse are not suitable for beat-to-beat determinations during non-steady state conditions because these methods assume that each systolic ejection is equal to the peripheral runoff during the same beat. We have tested a new method which allows determination of an aortic pressure-volume conversion factor over a wide range of pressures during transient changes in stroke volume and infusions of vasoactive drugs in 6 dogs with chronically implanted aortic electromagnetic flowmeters. Each aortic diastolic pressure decay is approximated by an exponential the time constant of which is used to calculate the pressure loss during systole due to blood flow into the periphery. The total increment in aortic pressure due to systolic ejection, if there were no flow from the aorta during systole, then is calculated. The total systolic increment (delta PSV) is assumed to describe the pressure-volume characteristics during systole and is related to stroke volume by a constant multiplier that is derived from the indicator-dilution measurements of cardiac output. The values for beat-to-beat variations that were determined by use of the aortic electromagnetic flowmeter and by this aortic pressure pulse method were found to be within the range of measurement errors of stroke volume determined from individual aortic electromagnetic flow pulses.", "contents": "Continuous determination of beat to beat stroke volume from aortic pressure pulses in the dog. Present methods for measurement of stroke volume from the aortic pressure pulse are not suitable for beat-to-beat determinations during non-steady state conditions because these methods assume that each systolic ejection is equal to the peripheral runoff during the same beat. We have tested a new method which allows determination of an aortic pressure-volume conversion factor over a wide range of pressures during transient changes in stroke volume and infusions of vasoactive drugs in 6 dogs with chronically implanted aortic electromagnetic flowmeters. Each aortic diastolic pressure decay is approximated by an exponential the time constant of which is used to calculate the pressure loss during systole due to blood flow into the periphery. The total increment in aortic pressure due to systolic ejection, if there were no flow from the aorta during systole, then is calculated. The total systolic increment (delta PSV) is assumed to describe the pressure-volume characteristics during systole and is related to stroke volume by a constant multiplier that is derived from the indicator-dilution measurements of cardiac output. The values for beat-to-beat variations that were determined by use of the aortic electromagnetic flowmeter and by this aortic pressure pulse method were found to be within the range of measurement errors of stroke volume determined from individual aortic electromagnetic flow pulses.", "PMID": 776435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4604", "title": "External detection and visualization of myocardial ischemia with 11C-substrates in vitro and in vivo.", "content": "To characterize externally detectable changes in myocardial metabolism of free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose associated with ischemia, isovolumically beating rabbit hearts were perfused under conditions of selected flows with cyclotron-produced, short-lived (t1/2 - 20.4 minutes), 11C-labeled isotopes of glucose and FFA. Tension-time index decreased 83% and lactate production increased from 0.5 +/- 1.9 (SE) to 5.3 +/- 2.1 mumol/min per g of dry weight reflecting myocardial ischemia after flow was reduced from 20 to 5 ml/min. After 30 minutes of low flow the myocardial accumulation of 11C-octanoate, expressed as the extraction fraction, declined from 56 +/- 15% to 30 +/- 3%, reflecting metabolic suppression of FFA extraction during low flow. Effects attributable exclusively to prolonged residence time were excluded. Similar results were obtained with 11C-palmitate. The myocardial avidity for 11C-palmitate was demonstrable by rectilinear whole body scanning in dogs given 5 mCi of the agent intravenously. Diminished 11C-palmitate uptake in zones of myocardium rendered ischemic for 20 minutes prior to reflow in intact dogs was delineated by electrocardiographically gated positron-emission transaxial computer reconstruction tomography. Thus, diminished 11C-FFA extraction, externally detectable, accompanies decreased perfusion in isolated perfused hearts, and decreased 11C-FFA uptake reflecting myocardial ischemia in vivo can be evaluated noninvasively by positron-emission transaxial tomography.", "contents": "External detection and visualization of myocardial ischemia with 11C-substrates in vitro and in vivo. To characterize externally detectable changes in myocardial metabolism of free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose associated with ischemia, isovolumically beating rabbit hearts were perfused under conditions of selected flows with cyclotron-produced, short-lived (t1/2 - 20.4 minutes), 11C-labeled isotopes of glucose and FFA. Tension-time index decreased 83% and lactate production increased from 0.5 +/- 1.9 (SE) to 5.3 +/- 2.1 mumol/min per g of dry weight reflecting myocardial ischemia after flow was reduced from 20 to 5 ml/min. After 30 minutes of low flow the myocardial accumulation of 11C-octanoate, expressed as the extraction fraction, declined from 56 +/- 15% to 30 +/- 3%, reflecting metabolic suppression of FFA extraction during low flow. Effects attributable exclusively to prolonged residence time were excluded. Similar results were obtained with 11C-palmitate. The myocardial avidity for 11C-palmitate was demonstrable by rectilinear whole body scanning in dogs given 5 mCi of the agent intravenously. Diminished 11C-palmitate uptake in zones of myocardium rendered ischemic for 20 minutes prior to reflow in intact dogs was delineated by electrocardiographically gated positron-emission transaxial computer reconstruction tomography. Thus, diminished 11C-FFA extraction, externally detectable, accompanies decreased perfusion in isolated perfused hearts, and decreased 11C-FFA uptake reflecting myocardial ischemia in vivo can be evaluated noninvasively by positron-emission transaxial tomography.", "PMID": 776436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4605", "title": "Turbulent blood flow in the ascending aorta of humans with normal and diseased aortic valves.", "content": "Turbulent blood flow may contribute to a variety of pathophysiological effects. Because of its postulated importance, this study was undertaken to determine whether turbulent flow does in fact occur in the human body. In 15 persons (seven normal, seven aortic valvular disease, one prosthetic aortic valve), point velocity was measured in the ascending aorta with a hot-film anemometer probe. In one normal individual with a high cardiac output, turbulent flow occurred above the aortic valve during peak flow which corresponded to a peak Reynolds number of 10,000. In the other six normal subjects (peak Reynolds numbers of 5,700-8,900), flow was highly disturbed during peak ejection. Each of the subjects with aortic valvular disease and the subject with a prosthetic aortic valve showed turbulent flow during nearly the entire period of ejection, with Fourier components of velocity of significant magnitude up to 320 Hz (the maximum frequency we could evaluate with the equipment available). The turbulence energy density was higher in subjects with abnormal valves (3.2-14.6 ergs/cm3), than in normal subjects (0.6-2.9 ergs/cm3). In subjects with aortic stenosis, turbulence was observed throughout the ascending aorta and in the innominate artery. In others, the turbulence dissipated more proximally. The results of this study indicate that turbulent flow can occur in the ascending aorta of subjects with normal cardiac function; and it occurs consistently in the ascending aorta of individuals with abnormal aortic valves.", "contents": "Turbulent blood flow in the ascending aorta of humans with normal and diseased aortic valves. Turbulent blood flow may contribute to a variety of pathophysiological effects. Because of its postulated importance, this study was undertaken to determine whether turbulent flow does in fact occur in the human body. In 15 persons (seven normal, seven aortic valvular disease, one prosthetic aortic valve), point velocity was measured in the ascending aorta with a hot-film anemometer probe. In one normal individual with a high cardiac output, turbulent flow occurred above the aortic valve during peak flow which corresponded to a peak Reynolds number of 10,000. In the other six normal subjects (peak Reynolds numbers of 5,700-8,900), flow was highly disturbed during peak ejection. Each of the subjects with aortic valvular disease and the subject with a prosthetic aortic valve showed turbulent flow during nearly the entire period of ejection, with Fourier components of velocity of significant magnitude up to 320 Hz (the maximum frequency we could evaluate with the equipment available). The turbulence energy density was higher in subjects with abnormal valves (3.2-14.6 ergs/cm3), than in normal subjects (0.6-2.9 ergs/cm3). In subjects with aortic stenosis, turbulence was observed throughout the ascending aorta and in the innominate artery. In others, the turbulence dissipated more proximally. The results of this study indicate that turbulent flow can occur in the ascending aorta of subjects with normal cardiac function; and it occurs consistently in the ascending aorta of individuals with abnormal aortic valves.", "PMID": 776437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4606", "title": "The mechanisms of supraventricular tachycardia in children.", "content": "The mechanisms of supraventricular tachycardia were investigated in 35 children. Intracardiac electrograms including His bundle potentials were recorded. Atrial pacing and single premature atrial stimuli were performed in the right atrium. Tachycardia was observed and the mechanism elucidated in 33 patients. The atrial activation sequence during tachycardia, including high right atrium, low lateral right atrium, low septal right atrium, and left atrium, together with the ability to initiate or terminate the tachycardia with premature stimuli, were keys to defining the mechanisms. The observed mechanisms included atrioventricular (A-V) node reentry (8), sino atrial node re-entry (5), re-entry through manifest or concealed lateral anomalous pathway (8), re-entry through A-V node bypasses (3), and atrial (7) and junctional (2) ectopic focuses. The frequency of the various mechanisms of SVT is more varied in children than adults, with ectopic mechanisms being more common in children.", "contents": "The mechanisms of supraventricular tachycardia in children. The mechanisms of supraventricular tachycardia were investigated in 35 children. Intracardiac electrograms including His bundle potentials were recorded. Atrial pacing and single premature atrial stimuli were performed in the right atrium. Tachycardia was observed and the mechanism elucidated in 33 patients. The atrial activation sequence during tachycardia, including high right atrium, low lateral right atrium, low septal right atrium, and left atrium, together with the ability to initiate or terminate the tachycardia with premature stimuli, were keys to defining the mechanisms. The observed mechanisms included atrioventricular (A-V) node reentry (8), sino atrial node re-entry (5), re-entry through manifest or concealed lateral anomalous pathway (8), re-entry through A-V node bypasses (3), and atrial (7) and junctional (2) ectopic focuses. The frequency of the various mechanisms of SVT is more varied in children than adults, with ectopic mechanisms being more common in children.", "PMID": 776438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4607", "title": "Anatomic causes of pulmonary stenosis in complete transposition.", "content": "Among 166 specimens with classical complete transposition, pulmonary or subpulmonary stenosis was present in 22 cases. The bases for obstruction were pulmonary valvular stenosis (one case), membranous subpulmonary stenosis (nine cases), anomalous attachment of the mitral valve to the ventricular septum (five cases) and combinations of causes (seven cases). Conditions contributing to combinations of causes included the above, in addition to accessory mitral or pulmonary valvular tissue and herniation of a tricuspid valvular pouch through a related ventricular septal defect. In addition to the 166 cases mentioned, our collection contained six cases of atypical complete transposition characterized by a conus being present in the each ventricel. In three of these six, subpulmonary stenosis was present and caused by a narrow inlet to the left ventricular conus.", "contents": "Anatomic causes of pulmonary stenosis in complete transposition. Among 166 specimens with classical complete transposition, pulmonary or subpulmonary stenosis was present in 22 cases. The bases for obstruction were pulmonary valvular stenosis (one case), membranous subpulmonary stenosis (nine cases), anomalous attachment of the mitral valve to the ventricular septum (five cases) and combinations of causes (seven cases). Conditions contributing to combinations of causes included the above, in addition to accessory mitral or pulmonary valvular tissue and herniation of a tricuspid valvular pouch through a related ventricular septal defect. In addition to the 166 cases mentioned, our collection contained six cases of atypical complete transposition characterized by a conus being present in the each ventricel. In three of these six, subpulmonary stenosis was present and caused by a narrow inlet to the left ventricular conus.", "PMID": 776439} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4608", "title": "Mitral valve prolapse.", "content": "For half a century the systolic click and late systolic murmur lay dormant as innocent auscultatory curiosities. The thirteen years since Barlow related these phenomena to mitral leaflet prolapse have witnessed an astonishing information explosion. We have sought to bring together the accumulated data in this review. An Historical Perspective traces the evolution from the now abandoned \"pericardial\" or \"extracardiac\" phases, through the leafletchordal phase (redundancy), the myocardial phase (segmental left ventricular contraction abnormalities), to the anular phase (dilatation and faulty systolic contraction). Functional Anatomy is dealt with in terms of pathology, pathophysiology, hemodynamics, angiocardiography, echocardiography, and physical and pharmacological interventions. Clinical Manifestations are concerned with prevalence, natural history, symptoms, physical signs, electrocardiographic abnormalities and roentgen fingings. The four Major Complications- sudden death, infective endocarditis, spontaneous rupture of chordae tendineae, and progressive mitral regurgitation- are examined. Associated Cardiac Diseases, i.e., Marfan's syndrome, ostium secundum atrial septal defect and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, are discussed, and a section on Treatment deals chiefly with prophylaxis for infective endocarditis and the management of arrhythmias and chest pain. A final section on Evolving Information considers etiologic concepts, the nature of left ventricular contration abnormalities, the cause of chest pain, the relationship to Marfan's syndrome and ostium secundum atrial septal defect, and the effect of aging and sex differences on leaflet chordal redundancy.", "contents": "Mitral valve prolapse. For half a century the systolic click and late systolic murmur lay dormant as innocent auscultatory curiosities. The thirteen years since Barlow related these phenomena to mitral leaflet prolapse have witnessed an astonishing information explosion. We have sought to bring together the accumulated data in this review. An Historical Perspective traces the evolution from the now abandoned \"pericardial\" or \"extracardiac\" phases, through the leafletchordal phase (redundancy), the myocardial phase (segmental left ventricular contraction abnormalities), to the anular phase (dilatation and faulty systolic contraction). Functional Anatomy is dealt with in terms of pathology, pathophysiology, hemodynamics, angiocardiography, echocardiography, and physical and pharmacological interventions. Clinical Manifestations are concerned with prevalence, natural history, symptoms, physical signs, electrocardiographic abnormalities and roentgen fingings. The four Major Complications- sudden death, infective endocarditis, spontaneous rupture of chordae tendineae, and progressive mitral regurgitation- are examined. Associated Cardiac Diseases, i.e., Marfan's syndrome, ostium secundum atrial septal defect and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, are discussed, and a section on Treatment deals chiefly with prophylaxis for infective endocarditis and the management of arrhythmias and chest pain. A final section on Evolving Information considers etiologic concepts, the nature of left ventricular contration abnormalities, the cause of chest pain, the relationship to Marfan's syndrome and ostium secundum atrial septal defect, and the effect of aging and sex differences on leaflet chordal redundancy.", "PMID": 776440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4609", "title": "Patient acceptance of guanethidine as therapy for mild to moderate hypertension. A comparison with reserpine.", "content": "The relative benefits and risks of reserpine and guanethidine were compared in patients with thiazide-treated mild to moderate hypertension (diastolic pressure 95-115 mm Hg). Forty-nine ambulant patients )30 men, 19 women) were treated throughout the study with hydrochlorothiazide, 50 mg/day. In this double blind crossover study each drug was added in graded increments until a predetermined therapeutic response was obtained, blood pressure measurements and side effect scores were evaluated biweekly. Major conclusions of the study were: 1) guanethidine, as well as reserpine, will reduce mild to moderate blood pressures to normal; 2) in most cases, side effects which did occur while taking guanethidine or reserpine were well tolerated and neither drug was clearly superior. Side effects associated with larger doses of guanethidine employed in severe hypertension were absent or only slightly bothersome. Thus, guanethidine apppears to have a good benefit-to-risk ratio in the therapy of mild to moderate hypertension and offers a number of advantages over drugs commonly used in this syndrome. This study refutes the common belief that guanethidine must be reserved only for the treatment of more severe degrees of hypertension.", "contents": "Patient acceptance of guanethidine as therapy for mild to moderate hypertension. A comparison with reserpine. The relative benefits and risks of reserpine and guanethidine were compared in patients with thiazide-treated mild to moderate hypertension (diastolic pressure 95-115 mm Hg). Forty-nine ambulant patients )30 men, 19 women) were treated throughout the study with hydrochlorothiazide, 50 mg/day. In this double blind crossover study each drug was added in graded increments until a predetermined therapeutic response was obtained, blood pressure measurements and side effect scores were evaluated biweekly. Major conclusions of the study were: 1) guanethidine, as well as reserpine, will reduce mild to moderate blood pressures to normal; 2) in most cases, side effects which did occur while taking guanethidine or reserpine were well tolerated and neither drug was clearly superior. Side effects associated with larger doses of guanethidine employed in severe hypertension were absent or only slightly bothersome. Thus, guanethidine apppears to have a good benefit-to-risk ratio in the therapy of mild to moderate hypertension and offers a number of advantages over drugs commonly used in this syndrome. This study refutes the common belief that guanethidine must be reserved only for the treatment of more severe degrees of hypertension.", "PMID": 776441} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4610", "title": "Functional, chemical, and clinical aspects of proteolytic enzymes in the alimentary canal.", "content": "Knowledge of the structure and catalytic function of the pancreatic proteases has increased rapidly in recent years. These advances have been less spectacular in the case of pepsin, and information concerning mucosal enzymes of the small intestine and colon has not even reached the point where one can be certain of their number, far less their nature. The role of these enzymes in disease processes is probably not significant so far as the alimentary tract is concerned, and it is not even certain that the pancreatic proteases influence the course of acute pancreatitis -- they are of more interest to the clinician as diagnostic aids. Since undesirable consequences result from their deficient output, future research should be directed towards improving replacement therapy.", "contents": "Functional, chemical, and clinical aspects of proteolytic enzymes in the alimentary canal. Knowledge of the structure and catalytic function of the pancreatic proteases has increased rapidly in recent years. These advances have been less spectacular in the case of pepsin, and information concerning mucosal enzymes of the small intestine and colon has not even reached the point where one can be certain of their number, far less their nature. The role of these enzymes in disease processes is probably not significant so far as the alimentary tract is concerned, and it is not even certain that the pancreatic proteases influence the course of acute pancreatitis -- they are of more interest to the clinician as diagnostic aids. Since undesirable consequences result from their deficient output, future research should be directed towards improving replacement therapy.", "PMID": 776442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4611", "title": "Enzymic analysis of bile acids.", "content": "1. The use of enzymes and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in quantifying individual bile acids from bile or serum is reviewed. 2. Both 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (commercially available P. testosteroni enzyme) and 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (E. coli) can be used for spectrophotometric or fluorometric measurement of individual bile acids in TLC eluates and to estimate pool size and half-life of serially labelled samples.", "contents": "Enzymic analysis of bile acids. 1. The use of enzymes and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in quantifying individual bile acids from bile or serum is reviewed. 2. Both 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (commercially available P. testosteroni enzyme) and 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (E. coli) can be used for spectrophotometric or fluorometric measurement of individual bile acids in TLC eluates and to estimate pool size and half-life of serially labelled samples.", "PMID": 776443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4612", "title": "Detection of drugs of abuse by radioimmunoassay: a summary of published data and some new information.", "content": "We review the status of radioimmunoassays for detection of abused drugs. Individual assays with use of 125I-labeled antigens are all performed in an identical manner and can be completed in 30 min to 1 h. Combined assays for simultaneous detection of two or more such drugs or assays in which a tritium-labeled antigen is used require 1-2 h for completion. All tests can be performed with 0.1 ml or less of specimen. The assays involving 125I reliably detect urinary concentrations of, per liter, 40-100 mug of morphine, 100 mug of barbiturates, methadone, methaqualone, or benzoylecgonine, and 1000 mug of amphetamine. The assay for morphine involving 3H detects 60 mug/liter. Each assay is capable of providing a qualitative and quantitative estimate of the drugs sought. The 125I-labeled antigens have a usable shelf life of at least two to four months after the antigen is iodinated; the tritium assay is stable for six months. The assays can be performed with use of paper discs that have been suspended in urine and then dried, in place of the liquid specimen. The assays appear to be equally applicable to detection of drugs in urine, blood, saliva, and tissues. All of them are done at ambient temperature and can be used equally well for emergency (stat) tests or mass screening. Except for the benzoylecgonine assay, the clinical reliability of these tests has been demonstrated.", "contents": "Detection of drugs of abuse by radioimmunoassay: a summary of published data and some new information. We review the status of radioimmunoassays for detection of abused drugs. Individual assays with use of 125I-labeled antigens are all performed in an identical manner and can be completed in 30 min to 1 h. Combined assays for simultaneous detection of two or more such drugs or assays in which a tritium-labeled antigen is used require 1-2 h for completion. All tests can be performed with 0.1 ml or less of specimen. The assays involving 125I reliably detect urinary concentrations of, per liter, 40-100 mug of morphine, 100 mug of barbiturates, methadone, methaqualone, or benzoylecgonine, and 1000 mug of amphetamine. The assay for morphine involving 3H detects 60 mug/liter. Each assay is capable of providing a qualitative and quantitative estimate of the drugs sought. The 125I-labeled antigens have a usable shelf life of at least two to four months after the antigen is iodinated; the tritium assay is stable for six months. The assays can be performed with use of paper discs that have been suspended in urine and then dried, in place of the liquid specimen. The assays appear to be equally applicable to detection of drugs in urine, blood, saliva, and tissues. All of them are done at ambient temperature and can be used equally well for emergency (stat) tests or mass screening. Except for the benzoylecgonine assay, the clinical reliability of these tests has been demonstrated.", "PMID": 776447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4613", "title": "Radioimmunoassay of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents.", "content": "Theapeutic monitoring of drugs has become of major importance and has stimulated development of new assay systems. Chemotherapeutic agents, many of which are toxic, have until recently been assayed by microbiological systems or other complex techniques that are impractical for a clinical laboratory. Radioimmunoassays have now been developed for some of these agents. We review the techniques for producing hapten protein conjugates and radiolabeling at specific sites on the drug molecule, and the use of these assays in clinical medicine and pharmacology.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents. Theapeutic monitoring of drugs has become of major importance and has stimulated development of new assay systems. Chemotherapeutic agents, many of which are toxic, have until recently been assayed by microbiological systems or other complex techniques that are impractical for a clinical laboratory. Radioimmunoassays have now been developed for some of these agents. We review the techniques for producing hapten protein conjugates and radiolabeling at specific sites on the drug molecule, and the use of these assays in clinical medicine and pharmacology.", "PMID": 776448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4614", "title": "Pharmacokinetic interpretation of data gathered during therapeutic drug monitoring.", "content": "We review some pharmacokinetic principles that can facilitate interpretation of data obtained during therapeutic drug monitoring: the one- and two-compartment models, volume of drug distribution, drug clearance, organ clearance, bioavailability, first-pass effect, chronic or repetitive dosing, and use of urine and saliva to measure drug clearance and drug binding to plasma proteins, respectively. We also describe use of saliva to estimate rapidly, conveniently, and noninvasively the concentration of the free, pharmacologically active form of the drug as well as the fraction of drug bound to plasma protein.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetic interpretation of data gathered during therapeutic drug monitoring. We review some pharmacokinetic principles that can facilitate interpretation of data obtained during therapeutic drug monitoring: the one- and two-compartment models, volume of drug distribution, drug clearance, organ clearance, bioavailability, first-pass effect, chronic or repetitive dosing, and use of urine and saliva to measure drug clearance and drug binding to plasma proteins, respectively. We also describe use of saliva to estimate rapidly, conveniently, and noninvasively the concentration of the free, pharmacologically active form of the drug as well as the fraction of drug bound to plasma protein.", "PMID": 776451} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4615", "title": "Differentiation and development of the male.", "content": "Male differentiation and development takes place against a tendency towards neutral or feminine differentiation. At each step of development male differentiation results from a suspension of a basic female development and the imposition of male features for which a normal functioning testis is necessary. Once the testis has differentiated early in gestation the establishment and maintenance of normal testicular function will condition male sexual differentiation and maturation. Nature likes to express herself in a rhythmic fashion (circhoral, ultradian, circadian, menstrual, long-term rhythms). To epitomise testicular function throughout development we would propose the term 'ontogenic rhythms' to describe the three periods of maximal testicular activity, fetal, neonatal and adult. This results in the differentiation which eventually determines adult sexual activity.", "contents": "Differentiation and development of the male. Male differentiation and development takes place against a tendency towards neutral or feminine differentiation. At each step of development male differentiation results from a suspension of a basic female development and the imposition of male features for which a normal functioning testis is necessary. Once the testis has differentiated early in gestation the establishment and maintenance of normal testicular function will condition male sexual differentiation and maturation. Nature likes to express herself in a rhythmic fashion (circhoral, ultradian, circadian, menstrual, long-term rhythms). To epitomise testicular function throughout development we would propose the term 'ontogenic rhythms' to describe the three periods of maximal testicular activity, fetal, neonatal and adult. This results in the differentiation which eventually determines adult sexual activity.", "PMID": 776452} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4616", "title": "Fluid and electrolyte metabolism in the newborn infant.", "content": "This chapter has sought to gather together the background information on systems controlling homoeostasis of salt and water and their clinical derangement. The temptation to adopt an all-embracing approach to the management of these problems is strong but such an approach is difficult to achieve and indeed dangerous. The circumstances of each sick infant are unique and plans for treatment must be individually tailored and flexible, dependent upon clinical and biochemical progress. Future developments in this field are likely to involve further understanding of renal and hormonal control of fluid and electrolyte and it might be expected that as new methods of management emerge they will be accompanied by their own peculiar risks of inducing secondary homoeostatic disturbances. With regard to infant feeding each advance appears to underline the desirability of breast feeding and support current moves toward provision of low solute feeds for those who are artificially fed. Paediatricians should be vocal in their advocation of breast feeding and ensure that the major principles of salt and water handling are understood by all who work with small infants. An extra scoop of powdered milk can be more of a poison than a food.", "contents": "Fluid and electrolyte metabolism in the newborn infant. This chapter has sought to gather together the background information on systems controlling homoeostasis of salt and water and their clinical derangement. The temptation to adopt an all-embracing approach to the management of these problems is strong but such an approach is difficult to achieve and indeed dangerous. The circumstances of each sick infant are unique and plans for treatment must be individually tailored and flexible, dependent upon clinical and biochemical progress. Future developments in this field are likely to involve further understanding of renal and hormonal control of fluid and electrolyte and it might be expected that as new methods of management emerge they will be accompanied by their own peculiar risks of inducing secondary homoeostatic disturbances. With regard to infant feeding each advance appears to underline the desirability of breast feeding and support current moves toward provision of low solute feeds for those who are artificially fed. Paediatricians should be vocal in their advocation of breast feeding and ensure that the major principles of salt and water handling are understood by all who work with small infants. An extra scoop of powdered milk can be more of a poison than a food.", "PMID": 776460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4617", "title": "Immunosuppression in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. II. The effects of azathioprine on lymphoid cell populations in a double blind trial in ulcerative colitis.", "content": "Blood lymphocytes and rectal plasma cells have been studied in patients with ulcerative colitis taking part in a double-blind trial of treatment with azathioprine. Treatment for 1 year resulted in a modest fall in blood lymphocyte count, with little change in neutrophils or platelets. There was no major change in the proportions of circulating T and B lymphocytes, suggesting that the number of such cells per millilitre of blood fell in proportion to the change in lymphocyte count. The number of plasma cells in the rectal lamina propria was reduced to a mean less than half that of the control patient group. Blood K-cell cytotoxic activity fell at least 25-fold after 1 year's treatment. PHA-induced cytotoxicity was also reduced, but less consistently. Reduced K-cell activity is interpreted as reflecting depletion of effector cells from the circulation. The fall in lymphocyte count, K-cell activity and gut plasma cells was slow, indicating continuous inhibition of lymphopoiesis or differentiation throughout the trial period. Thus, azathioprine has some immunosuppressive effects which develop only after prolonged treatment. The clinical results of the trial did not show a major beneficial effect of azathioprine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, nor were there clear correlations between the results of lymphocyte assays and clinical response in individual patients.", "contents": "Immunosuppression in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. II. The effects of azathioprine on lymphoid cell populations in a double blind trial in ulcerative colitis. Blood lymphocytes and rectal plasma cells have been studied in patients with ulcerative colitis taking part in a double-blind trial of treatment with azathioprine. Treatment for 1 year resulted in a modest fall in blood lymphocyte count, with little change in neutrophils or platelets. There was no major change in the proportions of circulating T and B lymphocytes, suggesting that the number of such cells per millilitre of blood fell in proportion to the change in lymphocyte count. The number of plasma cells in the rectal lamina propria was reduced to a mean less than half that of the control patient group. Blood K-cell cytotoxic activity fell at least 25-fold after 1 year's treatment. PHA-induced cytotoxicity was also reduced, but less consistently. Reduced K-cell activity is interpreted as reflecting depletion of effector cells from the circulation. The fall in lymphocyte count, K-cell activity and gut plasma cells was slow, indicating continuous inhibition of lymphopoiesis or differentiation throughout the trial period. Thus, azathioprine has some immunosuppressive effects which develop only after prolonged treatment. The clinical results of the trial did not show a major beneficial effect of azathioprine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, nor were there clear correlations between the results of lymphocyte assays and clinical response in individual patients.", "PMID": 776464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4618", "title": "Ultrastructure of cells infiltrating human kidney allografts.", "content": "Cell infiltration is commonly observed in human renal allograft biopsies. This infiltration was investigated using electron microscopy for a more precise assessment of the nature of these cells. More than 3000 cells infiltrating twenty-five renal allograft biopsies were studied. Six cellular types were distinguished and a mean percentage of each type was calculated. Only one-half of these cells were normal or transformed lymphocytes (including small lymphocytes: 22-3 +/- 3-8%, 'intermediary' cells: 22 +/- 3-6%, blast-like cells similar to MLC transformed lymphocytes: 8-1 +/- 2-4%. A relatively high number of plasmocytes (12-4 +/- 2-5%) and a still higher percentage of macrophages (28-5 +/- 4-6%) were found. Granulocytes represented only 2 +/- 0-8%of the cell population. Variations of the mean percentage of these cellular types were studied in various clinical situations.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of cells infiltrating human kidney allografts. Cell infiltration is commonly observed in human renal allograft biopsies. This infiltration was investigated using electron microscopy for a more precise assessment of the nature of these cells. More than 3000 cells infiltrating twenty-five renal allograft biopsies were studied. Six cellular types were distinguished and a mean percentage of each type was calculated. Only one-half of these cells were normal or transformed lymphocytes (including small lymphocytes: 22-3 +/- 3-8%, 'intermediary' cells: 22 +/- 3-6%, blast-like cells similar to MLC transformed lymphocytes: 8-1 +/- 2-4%. A relatively high number of plasmocytes (12-4 +/- 2-5%) and a still higher percentage of macrophages (28-5 +/- 4-6%) were found. Granulocytes represented only 2 +/- 0-8%of the cell population. Variations of the mean percentage of these cellular types were studied in various clinical situations.", "PMID": 776465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4619", "title": "Immunological enhancement in the pathogenesis of pyelonephritis.", "content": "The role of the immune response in pyelonephritis was investigated by manipulation of the host's immune capacity using the immunosuppressive drugs 6-mercaptopurine, cyclophosphamide and thiamphenicol. Treatment with 6-mercaptopurine depressed the humoral immune response but did not have an adverse effect on the course of renal infection. Thiamphenicol administration prevented the development of pathological lesions but this was due to the anti-bacterial activity of thiamphenicol and not to its immunosuppressive activity. Pyelonephritic animals treated with cyclophosphamide did not produce anti-bacterial antibody. Despite this, cyclophosphamide-treated animals were able to eliminate organisms more readily from the infected kidney than untreated animals with a normal humoral immune response. We believe that blocking of the phenomenon of immunological enhancement explains these unexpected results and that the immune response to renal infection may have an immunoenhancing role protecting the bacterial cell from otherwise effective host defence mechanisms.", "contents": "Immunological enhancement in the pathogenesis of pyelonephritis. The role of the immune response in pyelonephritis was investigated by manipulation of the host's immune capacity using the immunosuppressive drugs 6-mercaptopurine, cyclophosphamide and thiamphenicol. Treatment with 6-mercaptopurine depressed the humoral immune response but did not have an adverse effect on the course of renal infection. Thiamphenicol administration prevented the development of pathological lesions but this was due to the anti-bacterial activity of thiamphenicol and not to its immunosuppressive activity. Pyelonephritic animals treated with cyclophosphamide did not produce anti-bacterial antibody. Despite this, cyclophosphamide-treated animals were able to eliminate organisms more readily from the infected kidney than untreated animals with a normal humoral immune response. We believe that blocking of the phenomenon of immunological enhancement explains these unexpected results and that the immune response to renal infection may have an immunoenhancing role protecting the bacterial cell from otherwise effective host defence mechanisms.", "PMID": 776466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4620", "title": "The predictive value of specific protein clearances in detecting acute rejection episodes after renal transplantation.", "content": "The relative clearances of albumin, transferrin, haptoglobin, IgG, IgA, and IgM and the relative excretion of immunoglobin free lambda- and kappa light chains, lysozyme, and beta2-microglobulin were measured in 24 patients who had recently received renal transplants. Eleven out of 13 acute rejection episodes were predicted 1 to 5 days before the clinical diagnosis was made, and in 2 patients the clinical diagnosis of rejection and the prediction were made simultaneously. Successful antirejection therapy was followed by a decrease in protein excretion; in irreversible rejection episodes protein excretion continued to increase in spite of antirejection therapy. It is recommended that the relative clearances of IgG and haptoglobin be measured daily in patients recently treated by renal transplantation.", "contents": "The predictive value of specific protein clearances in detecting acute rejection episodes after renal transplantation. The relative clearances of albumin, transferrin, haptoglobin, IgG, IgA, and IgM and the relative excretion of immunoglobin free lambda- and kappa light chains, lysozyme, and beta2-microglobulin were measured in 24 patients who had recently received renal transplants. Eleven out of 13 acute rejection episodes were predicted 1 to 5 days before the clinical diagnosis was made, and in 2 patients the clinical diagnosis of rejection and the prediction were made simultaneously. Successful antirejection therapy was followed by a decrease in protein excretion; in irreversible rejection episodes protein excretion continued to increase in spite of antirejection therapy. It is recommended that the relative clearances of IgG and haptoglobin be measured daily in patients recently treated by renal transplantation.", "PMID": 776476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4621", "title": "Influence of warm and cold ischemia time on initial function and one-year survival of renal allografts.", "content": "The influence of the duration of warm and cold ischemia on initial graft function on patient survival, graft survival, and graft function one year after transplantation was assessed in 234 consecutive cadaveric renal transplants. The number of grafts with delayed function was found to increase with increasing duration of the warm and cold ischemia times. On the other hand, the duration of the ischemia times and consequently the initial function, whether immediate or delayed, did not influence the survival of graft and patient nor the function of the graft one year after transplantation.", "contents": "Influence of warm and cold ischemia time on initial function and one-year survival of renal allografts. The influence of the duration of warm and cold ischemia on initial graft function on patient survival, graft survival, and graft function one year after transplantation was assessed in 234 consecutive cadaveric renal transplants. The number of grafts with delayed function was found to increase with increasing duration of the warm and cold ischemia times. On the other hand, the duration of the ischemia times and consequently the initial function, whether immediate or delayed, did not influence the survival of graft and patient nor the function of the graft one year after transplantation.", "PMID": 776478} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4622", "title": "Renal allograft biopsy: a satisfactory adjunct for predicting renal function after graft rejection.", "content": "Forty-four biopsies of transplanted kidneys undergoing rejection were examined by light microscopy without knowledge of the eventual clinical outcome. All patients received extensive antirejection medication. A scoring system based on nine histopathologic criteria was formulated to predict whether the serum creatinine would be less than 1.8 mg/dl (good prognosis), 1.8 to 2.5 mg/dl (fair), or greater than 2.5 mg/dl (poor), two months after biopsy. Predictions were accurate in 37 of the 44 cases. In some cases with relatively minimal vascular changes the prognosis was poor, whereas heavy cellular infiltreate without vessel damage did not necessarily preclude functional recovery. It was concluded that specific histopathologic pictures should enable the physician to decide whether to institute extensive antirejection therapy or adopt alternative measures.", "contents": "Renal allograft biopsy: a satisfactory adjunct for predicting renal function after graft rejection. Forty-four biopsies of transplanted kidneys undergoing rejection were examined by light microscopy without knowledge of the eventual clinical outcome. All patients received extensive antirejection medication. A scoring system based on nine histopathologic criteria was formulated to predict whether the serum creatinine would be less than 1.8 mg/dl (good prognosis), 1.8 to 2.5 mg/dl (fair), or greater than 2.5 mg/dl (poor), two months after biopsy. Predictions were accurate in 37 of the 44 cases. In some cases with relatively minimal vascular changes the prognosis was poor, whereas heavy cellular infiltreate without vessel damage did not necessarily preclude functional recovery. It was concluded that specific histopathologic pictures should enable the physician to decide whether to institute extensive antirejection therapy or adopt alternative measures.", "PMID": 776479} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4623", "title": "Management of massive defects in radius and ulna following wringer injury. A case report.", "content": "An unusual case of wringer injury in a 29-month-old child demonstrates extensive loss of the diaphysis of both the radius and ulna. Reconstruction consisted of cortico-cancellous autogenous tibial bone grafting of the radius and ulna in two stages. Follow-up of 24 years showed remodeling and good alignment of the entire radius and ulna, culminating in a good functional and cosmetic result. Extensive soft tissue damage and decreased blood supply result in bone necrosis. There is no reason to bone graft the radius and ulna at the same time.", "contents": "Management of massive defects in radius and ulna following wringer injury. A case report. An unusual case of wringer injury in a 29-month-old child demonstrates extensive loss of the diaphysis of both the radius and ulna. Reconstruction consisted of cortico-cancellous autogenous tibial bone grafting of the radius and ulna in two stages. Follow-up of 24 years showed remodeling and good alignment of the entire radius and ulna, culminating in a good functional and cosmetic result. Extensive soft tissue damage and decreased blood supply result in bone necrosis. There is no reason to bone graft the radius and ulna at the same time.", "PMID": 776480} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4624", "title": "The classic. Streptomycin in tuberculous bone and joint lesions with mixed infection and sinuses.", "content": "At the present time, streptomycin represents a tremendous advance in the treatment of patients with these lesions. Streptomycin undoubtedly will be improved upon and superseded by some other agent in the future, giving us better control of this disease and possibly enabling us to eradicate it. In closed lesions streptomycin, in dosages of 90 grams in a period of 90 days, has failed to arrest the tuberculous process permanently. Failure of treatment with streptomycin suggests strongly the presence of a sequestrum, a thick-walled abscess, or inadequate surgery. Healing seems to be related to the duration of administration of streptomycin and not to the total dosage. In patients having sinuses, streptomycin should be continued after healing for a period at least half as long as the healing period itself. Surgical ankylosis, or resection of non-weight-bearing joints, is apparently as necessary now as it ever has been, but is much safer and more effective. Indeed, at times surgical attack is made possible only by the use of streptomycin.", "contents": "The classic. Streptomycin in tuberculous bone and joint lesions with mixed infection and sinuses. At the present time, streptomycin represents a tremendous advance in the treatment of patients with these lesions. Streptomycin undoubtedly will be improved upon and superseded by some other agent in the future, giving us better control of this disease and possibly enabling us to eradicate it. In closed lesions streptomycin, in dosages of 90 grams in a period of 90 days, has failed to arrest the tuberculous process permanently. Failure of treatment with streptomycin suggests strongly the presence of a sequestrum, a thick-walled abscess, or inadequate surgery. Healing seems to be related to the duration of administration of streptomycin and not to the total dosage. In patients having sinuses, streptomycin should be continued after healing for a period at least half as long as the healing period itself. Surgical ankylosis, or resection of non-weight-bearing joints, is apparently as necessary now as it ever has been, but is much safer and more effective. Indeed, at times surgical attack is made possible only by the use of streptomycin.", "PMID": 776481} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4625", "title": "Repair of the spondylolisthetic defect and intertransverse fusion for young patients.", "content": "A technique, applicable to young patients with mild to moderate symptoms from a pars defect is described. It is based on the concept that bone grafting of the pseudoarthrosis and an intertransverse fusion using small fesh autogenous concellous grafts from the ilium will prevent further slip. Gratifying results have been obtained in 12 patients, 12 to 18 years of age, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. The pars defect in all patients healed in 6 months, with a short period of hospitalization and applying a lumbosacral corset as the only means of postoperative immobilization in 7 patients. In 5 patients with a concomitant scoliosis, 3 of whom were surgically treated, the Milwaukee brace was used for immobilization.", "contents": "Repair of the spondylolisthetic defect and intertransverse fusion for young patients. A technique, applicable to young patients with mild to moderate symptoms from a pars defect is described. It is based on the concept that bone grafting of the pseudoarthrosis and an intertransverse fusion using small fesh autogenous concellous grafts from the ilium will prevent further slip. Gratifying results have been obtained in 12 patients, 12 to 18 years of age, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. The pars defect in all patients healed in 6 months, with a short period of hospitalization and applying a lumbosacral corset as the only means of postoperative immobilization in 7 patients. In 5 patients with a concomitant scoliosis, 3 of whom were surgically treated, the Milwaukee brace was used for immobilization.", "PMID": 776482} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4626", "title": "Avascular necrosis of the femoral head following cardiac transplantation: report of a case.", "content": "Avascular necrosis of the femoral head occurred following cardiac transplantation in a 28-year-old man. After cardiac surgery the patient was treated with prednisone and experienced 2 \"rejection\" episodes. Hip pain began 5 months postoperatively. Roentgenograms revealed rapidly progressive avascular necrosis in both hips. The sequence of events leading to avascular necrosis of bone in this patient is identical to that following other organ transplantations and includes steroid-induced hyperlipemia, fatty infiltration of the liver, systemic fat emboli to subchondral vessels and avascular necrosis.", "contents": "Avascular necrosis of the femoral head following cardiac transplantation: report of a case. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head occurred following cardiac transplantation in a 28-year-old man. After cardiac surgery the patient was treated with prednisone and experienced 2 \"rejection\" episodes. Hip pain began 5 months postoperatively. Roentgenograms revealed rapidly progressive avascular necrosis in both hips. The sequence of events leading to avascular necrosis of bone in this patient is identical to that following other organ transplantations and includes steroid-induced hyperlipemia, fatty infiltration of the liver, systemic fat emboli to subchondral vessels and avascular necrosis.", "PMID": 776483} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4627", "title": "The pathology of the joint tissues and its clinical relevance in prosthesis failure.", "content": "Thirty-four hip and knee total arthroplasty failures due to infection, loosening, intractable pain and dislocation were examined for synovial and capsular tissue debris. Simiquantitative assessments were made for metal polyethylene, acrylic and cellular debris and inflammation. The most important finding was that in the amounts normally shed into joints, debris particles do not appear to stimulate a polymorphonuclear response. The magnitude of this response correlates best with clinical and/or bacteriological evidence of infection. The quantity of acrylic particles could be correlated with clinical evidence of loosening. Since the correlation between infection and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, debris particles, and the reasons for failure is high, frozen section may aid the surgeon in determining the methods and timing of revision operations.", "contents": "The pathology of the joint tissues and its clinical relevance in prosthesis failure. Thirty-four hip and knee total arthroplasty failures due to infection, loosening, intractable pain and dislocation were examined for synovial and capsular tissue debris. Simiquantitative assessments were made for metal polyethylene, acrylic and cellular debris and inflammation. The most important finding was that in the amounts normally shed into joints, debris particles do not appear to stimulate a polymorphonuclear response. The magnitude of this response correlates best with clinical and/or bacteriological evidence of infection. The quantity of acrylic particles could be correlated with clinical evidence of loosening. Since the correlation between infection and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, debris particles, and the reasons for failure is high, frozen section may aid the surgeon in determining the methods and timing of revision operations.", "PMID": 776484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4628", "title": "Renal tubular acidosis: practical guides to diagnosis and treatment.", "content": "The syndrome of renal tubular acidosis in some one of its various forms should be suspected when an infant or child has failure to thrive, metabolic acidosis, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, polyuria, or dehydration in infancy. Confirmatory biochemical findings include an inappropriately high urinary pH, inadequate acid excretion and/or abnormal tubular reabsorption of filtered bicarbonate. Growth can be normal when there is sustained correction of the metabolic acidosis through appropriate alkaline therapy.", "contents": "Renal tubular acidosis: practical guides to diagnosis and treatment. The syndrome of renal tubular acidosis in some one of its various forms should be suspected when an infant or child has failure to thrive, metabolic acidosis, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, polyuria, or dehydration in infancy. Confirmatory biochemical findings include an inappropriately high urinary pH, inadequate acid excretion and/or abnormal tubular reabsorption of filtered bicarbonate. Growth can be normal when there is sustained correction of the metabolic acidosis through appropriate alkaline therapy.", "PMID": 776486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4629", "title": "Atenolol in essential hypertension.", "content": "The effect of atenolol, a beta adrenoceptor autogonist, on arterial pressure in patients with benign essential hypertension has been investigated. Eighteen patients were started on atenolol, 75 mg/day; the dose was increased at 2-wk intervals to a maximum of 900 mg if tolerated. When the maximum effective dose was determined, each patient was randomly allocated into a double-blind crossover study comparing atenolol and placebo treatments. The mean supine and erect arterial pressures of the 16 patients completing the run-in period were markedly reduced by atenolol therapy. The pretreatment mean (+/-SEM) supine and erect arterial pressures of the 16 patients completing the run-in period (187 +/-4.7/114 +/-2.6 and 182 +/-4.5/115 +/-3.0 mm Hg, respectively) were reduced (150 +/-5.3/97 +/-2.9 and 151 +/-5.9/100 +/-2.7 mm Hg) with atenolol therapy (p less than 0.01). In the crossover study, the mean (+/-SEM) supine arterial pressure after 8 wk of atenolol therapy in 14 patients (144 +/-5.2/89 +/-1.7 mm Hg) was lower (p less than 0.01) than at the end of placebo therapy (163 +/-4.4/105 +/-2.8 mm Hg). Similar reductions in pressure were recorded in the erect position and after exercise. No severe side effects were observed.", "contents": "Atenolol in essential hypertension. The effect of atenolol, a beta adrenoceptor autogonist, on arterial pressure in patients with benign essential hypertension has been investigated. Eighteen patients were started on atenolol, 75 mg/day; the dose was increased at 2-wk intervals to a maximum of 900 mg if tolerated. When the maximum effective dose was determined, each patient was randomly allocated into a double-blind crossover study comparing atenolol and placebo treatments. The mean supine and erect arterial pressures of the 16 patients completing the run-in period were markedly reduced by atenolol therapy. The pretreatment mean (+/-SEM) supine and erect arterial pressures of the 16 patients completing the run-in period (187 +/-4.7/114 +/-2.6 and 182 +/-4.5/115 +/-3.0 mm Hg, respectively) were reduced (150 +/-5.3/97 +/-2.9 and 151 +/-5.9/100 +/-2.7 mm Hg) with atenolol therapy (p less than 0.01). In the crossover study, the mean (+/-SEM) supine arterial pressure after 8 wk of atenolol therapy in 14 patients (144 +/-5.2/89 +/-1.7 mm Hg) was lower (p less than 0.01) than at the end of placebo therapy (163 +/-4.4/105 +/-2.8 mm Hg). Similar reductions in pressure were recorded in the erect position and after exercise. No severe side effects were observed.", "PMID": 776487} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4630", "title": "Antiarrhythmic efficacy of N-acetylprocainamide in patients with premature ventricular contractions.", "content": "Oral administration of a 1.5-gm dose of N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA) to 9 patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) confirmed previous indirect evidence that this metabolite of procainamide has antiarrhythmic efficacy and potency comparable to those of procainamide. Although the mechanism by which NAPA acts as an antiarrhythmic drug is not known, it was found that the 6 patients with coupled PVCs responded to NAPA therapy and that the 3 patients without coupled PVCs failed to respond. Coupling interval prolongation also occurred during NAPA therapy in 4 of the 6 responding patients. These observations suggest that NAPA may terminate coupled PVCs by slowing and then interrupting conduction of re-entrant impulses, as has been proposed for procainamide. NAPA plasma concentrations of 7.4-17.2 mug/ml were well tolerated by the patients and produced an average fall of 3 mm Hg in mean arterial pressure and a 7.6% mean increase in corrected QT interval.", "contents": "Antiarrhythmic efficacy of N-acetylprocainamide in patients with premature ventricular contractions. Oral administration of a 1.5-gm dose of N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA) to 9 patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) confirmed previous indirect evidence that this metabolite of procainamide has antiarrhythmic efficacy and potency comparable to those of procainamide. Although the mechanism by which NAPA acts as an antiarrhythmic drug is not known, it was found that the 6 patients with coupled PVCs responded to NAPA therapy and that the 3 patients without coupled PVCs failed to respond. Coupling interval prolongation also occurred during NAPA therapy in 4 of the 6 responding patients. These observations suggest that NAPA may terminate coupled PVCs by slowing and then interrupting conduction of re-entrant impulses, as has been proposed for procainamide. NAPA plasma concentrations of 7.4-17.2 mug/ml were well tolerated by the patients and produced an average fall of 3 mm Hg in mean arterial pressure and a 7.6% mean increase in corrected QT interval.", "PMID": 776488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4631", "title": "A sliding intravenous dose schedule for clonidine in hypertensive patients.", "content": "Cumulative doses of clonidine were administered intravenously to 8 hypertensive patients to a maximal dose of 100 mug or a blood pressure fall to normal. There was a reduction in mean arterial pressure of 35.6 mm Hg (p less than 0.001), accompanied by a decrease in heart rate of 11.8 bpm (p less than 0.001). There was also a significant linear relationship between the reduction in blood pressure and the intravenous log dose of clonidine with 6.5-fold difference in delta MAP/dose potency. There was no correlation between the baseline blood pressure and the slopes of dose-blood pressure response curves or the reduction in mean arterial pressure; the rate of the decline of the hypotensive effect of clonidine varied widely between patients and was not related to baseline blood pressure.", "contents": "A sliding intravenous dose schedule for clonidine in hypertensive patients. Cumulative doses of clonidine were administered intravenously to 8 hypertensive patients to a maximal dose of 100 mug or a blood pressure fall to normal. There was a reduction in mean arterial pressure of 35.6 mm Hg (p less than 0.001), accompanied by a decrease in heart rate of 11.8 bpm (p less than 0.001). There was also a significant linear relationship between the reduction in blood pressure and the intravenous log dose of clonidine with 6.5-fold difference in delta MAP/dose potency. There was no correlation between the baseline blood pressure and the slopes of dose-blood pressure response curves or the reduction in mean arterial pressure; the rate of the decline of the hypotensive effect of clonidine varied widely between patients and was not related to baseline blood pressure.", "PMID": 776490} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4632", "title": "Studies on digitalis. V. The influence of impaired renal function, hemodialysis, and drug interaction on serum protein binding of digitoxin and digoxin.", "content": "The aim of the present investigation is to study digitoxin and digoxin protein binding in patients with normal renal and hepatic function, in patients with uremia, and in patients under treatment with hemodialysis for renal failure. The binding of digitoxin and cardioactive metabolites to serum proteins was studied using equilibrium dialysis (an in vitro chemical assay) alone and in combination with a modified 86Rb method. The following values for protein binding were found: DT-3 (digitoxin), 95.7%; DT-2 (digitoxigenin-bis-digitoxoside), 96.5%; DT-1 (digitoxigenin-mono-digitoxoside), 98.7%; DT-0 (digitoxigenin), 92.7%; DG-3 (digoxin), 21.2%; DG-2 (digoxigenin-bis-digitoxoside), 16.3%; DG-1 (digoxigenin-mono-digitoxoside), 18.5%; and DG-0 (digoxigenin), 13.3%. In vitro addition of procainamide, phenytoin, heparin, and rifampicillin did not influence the in vitro binding of digitoxin. Protein binding of digitoxin showed small individual variations in patients with normal renal and hepatic function. Uremia per se did not influence the in vitro binding of digitoxin. There were marked changes in digitoxin and digoxin protein binding during an 8-hr hemodialysis, digitoxin binding decreasing from 97.1% to 93.7% (p less than 0.0025) and digoxin binding from 23.5% to 15.4% (p less than 0.05). In the uremic patient the metabolic pattern of digitoxin tended toward a decrease in protein-bound metabolites.", "contents": "Studies on digitalis. V. The influence of impaired renal function, hemodialysis, and drug interaction on serum protein binding of digitoxin and digoxin. The aim of the present investigation is to study digitoxin and digoxin protein binding in patients with normal renal and hepatic function, in patients with uremia, and in patients under treatment with hemodialysis for renal failure. The binding of digitoxin and cardioactive metabolites to serum proteins was studied using equilibrium dialysis (an in vitro chemical assay) alone and in combination with a modified 86Rb method. The following values for protein binding were found: DT-3 (digitoxin), 95.7%; DT-2 (digitoxigenin-bis-digitoxoside), 96.5%; DT-1 (digitoxigenin-mono-digitoxoside), 98.7%; DT-0 (digitoxigenin), 92.7%; DG-3 (digoxin), 21.2%; DG-2 (digoxigenin-bis-digitoxoside), 16.3%; DG-1 (digoxigenin-mono-digitoxoside), 18.5%; and DG-0 (digoxigenin), 13.3%. In vitro addition of procainamide, phenytoin, heparin, and rifampicillin did not influence the in vitro binding of digitoxin. Protein binding of digitoxin showed small individual variations in patients with normal renal and hepatic function. Uremia per se did not influence the in vitro binding of digitoxin. There were marked changes in digitoxin and digoxin protein binding during an 8-hr hemodialysis, digitoxin binding decreasing from 97.1% to 93.7% (p less than 0.0025) and digoxin binding from 23.5% to 15.4% (p less than 0.05). In the uremic patient the metabolic pattern of digitoxin tended toward a decrease in protein-bound metabolites.", "PMID": 776491} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4633", "title": "Clinical testing of the radiosensitiser Ro-07-0582. I. Dose tolerance, serum and tumour concentrations.", "content": "Patients have been given single oral doses of the radiosensitiser Ro-07-0582 and serum concentrations have been attained in the range expected to be of value in radiosensitisation. Immediate gastrointestinal side effects appear to limit the dose to below 140 mg/kg but radiosensitising serum levels of approximately 200 mug/ml can be attained. Tolerance may be improved by giving anti-emetics and a more palatable preparation. Estimates of the concentration of Ro-07-0582 in tumour have ranged from 12 to 92% of the serum concentration at the time of determination.", "contents": "Clinical testing of the radiosensitiser Ro-07-0582. I. Dose tolerance, serum and tumour concentrations. Patients have been given single oral doses of the radiosensitiser Ro-07-0582 and serum concentrations have been attained in the range expected to be of value in radiosensitisation. Immediate gastrointestinal side effects appear to limit the dose to below 140 mg/kg but radiosensitising serum levels of approximately 200 mug/ml can be attained. Tolerance may be improved by giving anti-emetics and a more palatable preparation. Estimates of the concentration of Ro-07-0582 in tumour have ranged from 12 to 92% of the serum concentration at the time of determination.", "PMID": 776493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4634", "title": "Clinical testing of the radiosensitiser Ro-07-0582. III. Response of tumours.", "content": "The nitro-imidazole Ro-07-0582, a known radiosensitiser of hypoxic cells in animals, was administered orally to seven patients with metastatic tumour, before irradiation. The delay imposed on the growth of tumour treated in this way was compared to that of tumour in the same patient treated with radiation alone. Two patients died before any assessment of response could be made. Qualitative evidence from a further three patients suggested some enhancement of radiation effect in two patients but not in the third. Quantitative evidence was obtained from the remaining two patients. In one, a patient with multiple pulmonary metastases from a carcinoma of the breast, no enhancement was shown. In the other, a patient in whom 21 subcutaneous metastases from a carcinoms of the cervix of the uterus were measured, an enhancement ratio of 1-2 was found. This agrees with the value from the same patient's skin when rendered artificially hypoxic, as reported previously. The conditions under which quantitative information may best be obtained in this type of trial are described and various factors affecting the interpretation of results are discussed. Ro-07-0582 has thus been shown to have a radiosensitising effect in man and may therefore prove of value in radiotherapy.", "contents": "Clinical testing of the radiosensitiser Ro-07-0582. III. Response of tumours. The nitro-imidazole Ro-07-0582, a known radiosensitiser of hypoxic cells in animals, was administered orally to seven patients with metastatic tumour, before irradiation. The delay imposed on the growth of tumour treated in this way was compared to that of tumour in the same patient treated with radiation alone. Two patients died before any assessment of response could be made. Qualitative evidence from a further three patients suggested some enhancement of radiation effect in two patients but not in the third. Quantitative evidence was obtained from the remaining two patients. In one, a patient with multiple pulmonary metastases from a carcinoma of the breast, no enhancement was shown. In the other, a patient in whom 21 subcutaneous metastases from a carcinoms of the cervix of the uterus were measured, an enhancement ratio of 1-2 was found. This agrees with the value from the same patient's skin when rendered artificially hypoxic, as reported previously. The conditions under which quantitative information may best be obtained in this type of trial are described and various factors affecting the interpretation of results are discussed. Ro-07-0582 has thus been shown to have a radiosensitising effect in man and may therefore prove of value in radiotherapy.", "PMID": 776494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4635", "title": "Branched-chain amino acids, nitrogen excretion and injury in man.", "content": "1. Venous blood concentrations of the branched-chain amino acids, valine, leucine and isoleucine, and urinary nitrogen excretion have been measured in sixteen adult males, from 2 h to 7 days after injury, and in four adults after elective skin grafts. 2. In the injured group the concentrations of these amino acids rose significantly 24 h after injury and had doubled at 4 days and remained high; in contrast the skin-graft patients showed no significant change. 3. In those injured patients with initial hyperketonaemia, defined as more than 0-2 mmo1/1, the increase in concentrations of branched-chain amino acids at the fourth and seventh days after injury was significantly less than in those with normoketonaemia, and was accompanied by lower urinary nitrogen excretion throughout the whole period. 4. It is suggested that the changes in the concentration of branched-chain amino acids after injury indicate decreased uptake by muscle or excessive release due to an imbalance between protein synthesis and protein catabolism in this tissue.", "contents": "Branched-chain amino acids, nitrogen excretion and injury in man. 1. Venous blood concentrations of the branched-chain amino acids, valine, leucine and isoleucine, and urinary nitrogen excretion have been measured in sixteen adult males, from 2 h to 7 days after injury, and in four adults after elective skin grafts. 2. In the injured group the concentrations of these amino acids rose significantly 24 h after injury and had doubled at 4 days and remained high; in contrast the skin-graft patients showed no significant change. 3. In those injured patients with initial hyperketonaemia, defined as more than 0-2 mmo1/1, the increase in concentrations of branched-chain amino acids at the fourth and seventh days after injury was significantly less than in those with normoketonaemia, and was accompanied by lower urinary nitrogen excretion throughout the whole period. 4. It is suggested that the changes in the concentration of branched-chain amino acids after injury indicate decreased uptake by muscle or excessive release due to an imbalance between protein synthesis and protein catabolism in this tissue.", "PMID": 776495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4636", "title": "[Roads in the phantasms of psychotic children].", "content": "The authors have previously analyzed themes such as 'the rails', 'the sun', 'the house' in the drawings and modellings of very regressed, psychotic children. Here we have 'the roads', another anxiogenous subject. The mental condition of the young patients expresses itself clearly in the way the theme is treated in plastic works, and even in the stage play. The colours used, the entanglement, the importance of cross-roads, and the delirious comments are studied. The image of the roads is changing with progressing success of treatment.", "contents": "[Roads in the phantasms of psychotic children]. The authors have previously analyzed themes such as 'the rails', 'the sun', 'the house' in the drawings and modellings of very regressed, psychotic children. Here we have 'the roads', another anxiogenous subject. The mental condition of the young patients expresses itself clearly in the way the theme is treated in plastic works, and even in the stage play. The colours used, the entanglement, the importance of cross-roads, and the delirious comments are studied. The image of the roads is changing with progressing success of treatment.", "PMID": 776524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4637", "title": "The value of the study of the psychopathology of expression.", "content": "The study of the psychopathology of expression deals with abnormal tendencies and themes in paintings and creative products of mental and other patients, and the same kinds of themes in the work of normal artists. Its values are as follows: for diagnosis in revealing patients' problems through observation of deviations from normal tendencies and themes in their art; for treatment in giving insight and understanding to the patient; in relation to modern art because it makes clear what is often confused and bizarre; in relation to classical art because some of the same themes and tendencies are often present and it helps us to understand them; in relation to the study of creativity because sources of inspiration become apparent when underlying themes and tendencies are revealed. It cannot, however, explain fully the real nature of art.", "contents": "The value of the study of the psychopathology of expression. The study of the psychopathology of expression deals with abnormal tendencies and themes in paintings and creative products of mental and other patients, and the same kinds of themes in the work of normal artists. Its values are as follows: for diagnosis in revealing patients' problems through observation of deviations from normal tendencies and themes in their art; for treatment in giving insight and understanding to the patient; in relation to modern art because it makes clear what is often confused and bizarre; in relation to classical art because some of the same themes and tendencies are often present and it helps us to understand them; in relation to the study of creativity because sources of inspiration become apparent when underlying themes and tendencies are revealed. It cannot, however, explain fully the real nature of art.", "PMID": 776525} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4638", "title": "[Drawings of young drug addicts].", "content": "Due to addiction being a complex process of illness, there are no available designatory aspects facilitating the pictorial illustration of addiction. To appreciate pictures of young drug addicts, therefore, it is necessary to know in which stadium of the addiction process (intoxication or treatment stadium, or detachment phase) the pictures were taken; when the addiction began (prior to, in the course of, or after completion of puberty), and how long the addiction is pertinent. Pictorial depictions of a 22- and a 17-year-old man, as also of a 15-year-old girl, who are polytoxicomane, and who were in the detachment phase, are demonstrated. The common quality of these pictures is to be noted in the earnestness with which these young people endeavour to recognise the problems of their lives (e.g., the threat to their inner existence); the confrontation of the so-called problemless world versus the problematic drugs world, and to express this pictorially.", "contents": "[Drawings of young drug addicts]. Due to addiction being a complex process of illness, there are no available designatory aspects facilitating the pictorial illustration of addiction. To appreciate pictures of young drug addicts, therefore, it is necessary to know in which stadium of the addiction process (intoxication or treatment stadium, or detachment phase) the pictures were taken; when the addiction began (prior to, in the course of, or after completion of puberty), and how long the addiction is pertinent. Pictorial depictions of a 22- and a 17-year-old man, as also of a 15-year-old girl, who are polytoxicomane, and who were in the detachment phase, are demonstrated. The common quality of these pictures is to be noted in the earnestness with which these young people endeavour to recognise the problems of their lives (e.g., the threat to their inner existence); the confrontation of the so-called problemless world versus the problematic drugs world, and to express this pictorially.", "PMID": 776526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4639", "title": "Radiographic findings in aneurysms of the aorta.", "content": "The use of specific radiographic criteria in the investigation of an aneurysm of the aorta will enable the physician to determine its etiology with a high degree of accuracy. The etiology, location, type, and extent of an aneurysm determine the proper mode of therapy. Aortography, therefore, is the single most important examination for the diagnosis, and will predict the ultimate prognosis in a patient with an aortic aneurysm. This review critically evaluates major recent articles on aortic aneurysms, emphasizing radiographic findings which have a high degree of reliability and cautioning the reader about nonspecific signs which have been reported. Each type of aortic aneurysm is described in detail, stressing criteria which allow the radiologist to be as specific as possible in determining the etiology and extent of the aneurysm.", "contents": "Radiographic findings in aneurysms of the aorta. The use of specific radiographic criteria in the investigation of an aneurysm of the aorta will enable the physician to determine its etiology with a high degree of accuracy. The etiology, location, type, and extent of an aneurysm determine the proper mode of therapy. Aortography, therefore, is the single most important examination for the diagnosis, and will predict the ultimate prognosis in a patient with an aortic aneurysm. This review critically evaluates major recent articles on aortic aneurysms, emphasizing radiographic findings which have a high degree of reliability and cautioning the reader about nonspecific signs which have been reported. Each type of aortic aneurysm is described in detail, stressing criteria which allow the radiologist to be as specific as possible in determining the etiology and extent of the aneurysm.", "PMID": 776531} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4640", "title": "A double-blind study of flupenthixol ('Fluanxol') in general practice.", "content": "A double-blind crossover trial was carried out in the general practice to compare the effectiveness of flupenthixol and placebo in 43 patients with mild to moderate anxiety/depression states. Patients received either 0.5 mg flupenthixol or identical placebo tablets 2 to 4-times daily for 2 weeks and were then crossed over to the alternative preparation for a further 2 weeks. A simple 5-point rating scale was used to assess patients' symptoms at first visit and at subsequent follow-up. Even though there was a high placebo response, the results showed flupenthixol to be significantly more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms. Few side-effects were reported and were mild in nature.", "contents": "A double-blind study of flupenthixol ('Fluanxol') in general practice. A double-blind crossover trial was carried out in the general practice to compare the effectiveness of flupenthixol and placebo in 43 patients with mild to moderate anxiety/depression states. Patients received either 0.5 mg flupenthixol or identical placebo tablets 2 to 4-times daily for 2 weeks and were then crossed over to the alternative preparation for a further 2 weeks. A simple 5-point rating scale was used to assess patients' symptoms at first visit and at subsequent follow-up. Even though there was a high placebo response, the results showed flupenthixol to be significantly more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms. Few side-effects were reported and were mild in nature.", "PMID": 776537} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4641", "title": "The use of a biological preparation in the treatment of some gynaecological diseases.", "content": "A double-blind between-patient trial was carried out in 200 women suffering from dysfunctional menorrhagia (142) or from menorrhagia associated with uterine fibromyomatosis (58) to assess and compare the effectiveness of a polypeptide preparation ('Lysometra') and methylandrostendiol in reducing hyperoestrogenism and clinical symptoms. Three 20-day courses of intramuscular injections of either 2.5 ml 'Lysometra' or 5 mg methylandrostendiol were given to matched pairs of patients, with an 8-day interval between. Results, as assessed by absolute and percentage changes in total urine oestrogen levels and by overall clinical response of patients, showed that 'Lysometra' produced a statistically significant greater effect than methylandrostendiol. The biological preparation was well tolerated and no unwanted side-effects were reported.", "contents": "The use of a biological preparation in the treatment of some gynaecological diseases. A double-blind between-patient trial was carried out in 200 women suffering from dysfunctional menorrhagia (142) or from menorrhagia associated with uterine fibromyomatosis (58) to assess and compare the effectiveness of a polypeptide preparation ('Lysometra') and methylandrostendiol in reducing hyperoestrogenism and clinical symptoms. Three 20-day courses of intramuscular injections of either 2.5 ml 'Lysometra' or 5 mg methylandrostendiol were given to matched pairs of patients, with an 8-day interval between. Results, as assessed by absolute and percentage changes in total urine oestrogen levels and by overall clinical response of patients, showed that 'Lysometra' produced a statistically significant greater effect than methylandrostendiol. The biological preparation was well tolerated and no unwanted side-effects were reported.", "PMID": 776538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4642", "title": "Evaluation of tolmetin in the treatment of arthritis: open and controlled double-blind studies.", "content": "In a 6-week open study in 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, tolmetin was shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity at daily doses in excess of 1200 mg per day and produced statistically significant reductions in overall joint pain, walking time and articular index. The drug was well tolerated, but 2 patients were withdrawn because of persistent indigestion and 1 because of an urticarial type rash. In a double-blind crossover comparison against indomethacin and placebo in 22 patients, 1400 mg tolmetin daily showed efficacy comparable with that of 150 mg indomethacin daily. Few side-effects were reported and did not necessitate any patients being withdrawn.", "contents": "Evaluation of tolmetin in the treatment of arthritis: open and controlled double-blind studies. In a 6-week open study in 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, tolmetin was shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity at daily doses in excess of 1200 mg per day and produced statistically significant reductions in overall joint pain, walking time and articular index. The drug was well tolerated, but 2 patients were withdrawn because of persistent indigestion and 1 because of an urticarial type rash. In a double-blind crossover comparison against indomethacin and placebo in 22 patients, 1400 mg tolmetin daily showed efficacy comparable with that of 150 mg indomethacin daily. Few side-effects were reported and did not necessitate any patients being withdrawn.", "PMID": 776539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4643", "title": "Clinical experience with indanyl carbenicillin in urinary tract infections.", "content": "A trial was carried out in 30 patients to assess the effectiveness of indanyl carbenicillin in acute or chronic urinary tract infections, many of which were complicated by a pathological urological or medical condition. In all patients, infection was due to a single species of pathogen: E. coli (19), Proteus (6), and Pseudomonas (5). Oral doses of 1 g indanyl carbenicillin were given 6-hourly for an average of 10 days. Results showed a clinical and bacteriological cure in 13 (43.8%) patients. In 6 patients, although there was initial clinical improvement, the pathogen developed resistance during therapy. In 7 patients, there was super-infection with another organism. Four patients were withdrawn early in treatment because of side-effects, mainly gastrointestinal in origin. Indanyl carbenicillin proved very effective in eradicating all strains of Proteus and Pseudomonas and 12 (70.6%) of the 17 strains of E. coli in patients completing the full course of treatment.", "contents": "Clinical experience with indanyl carbenicillin in urinary tract infections. A trial was carried out in 30 patients to assess the effectiveness of indanyl carbenicillin in acute or chronic urinary tract infections, many of which were complicated by a pathological urological or medical condition. In all patients, infection was due to a single species of pathogen: E. coli (19), Proteus (6), and Pseudomonas (5). Oral doses of 1 g indanyl carbenicillin were given 6-hourly for an average of 10 days. Results showed a clinical and bacteriological cure in 13 (43.8%) patients. In 6 patients, although there was initial clinical improvement, the pathogen developed resistance during therapy. In 7 patients, there was super-infection with another organism. Four patients were withdrawn early in treatment because of side-effects, mainly gastrointestinal in origin. Indanyl carbenicillin proved very effective in eradicating all strains of Proteus and Pseudomonas and 12 (70.6%) of the 17 strains of E. coli in patients completing the full course of treatment.", "PMID": 776540} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4644", "title": "Severe viral pneumonia in young adults.", "content": "Three patients with primary group-A influenzal pneumonia had diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, arterial oxygen tensions (PaO2) less than 50 mm Hg while breathing oxygen at 1 atm (fractional concentration of oxygen in the inspired gas (FIo2) equals 1.0), and right-to-left pulmonary shunts greater than 45 percent of total pulmonary blood flow. At an FIo2 of 1.0, end-expiratory pressure (EEP) was added in increments of 2 to 5 cm H2O every 30 to 60 minutes until the PaO2 was above 200 mm Hg and right-to-left shunting had fallen to less than 25 percent. The FIo2 was then lowered to 0.5. Using this systematic approach, all three patients required an FIo2 of 1.0 for less than 12 hours, minimizing the risk of oxygen toxicity. Two of the three patients did not require mechanical ventilation and breathed spontaneously while on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and one of them tolerated an EEP of 31 cm H2O. Two patients survived, and one died of a neurologic complication of cardiopulmonary arrest, despite clearing on the chest x-ray film and improved gas exchange. Therapy with CPAP can be safely used in adults and has practical as well as theoretic benefits over continuous positive-pressure ventilation.", "contents": "Severe viral pneumonia in young adults. Three patients with primary group-A influenzal pneumonia had diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, arterial oxygen tensions (PaO2) less than 50 mm Hg while breathing oxygen at 1 atm (fractional concentration of oxygen in the inspired gas (FIo2) equals 1.0), and right-to-left pulmonary shunts greater than 45 percent of total pulmonary blood flow. At an FIo2 of 1.0, end-expiratory pressure (EEP) was added in increments of 2 to 5 cm H2O every 30 to 60 minutes until the PaO2 was above 200 mm Hg and right-to-left shunting had fallen to less than 25 percent. The FIo2 was then lowered to 0.5. Using this systematic approach, all three patients required an FIo2 of 1.0 for less than 12 hours, minimizing the risk of oxygen toxicity. Two of the three patients did not require mechanical ventilation and breathed spontaneously while on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and one of them tolerated an EEP of 31 cm H2O. Two patients survived, and one died of a neurologic complication of cardiopulmonary arrest, despite clearing on the chest x-ray film and improved gas exchange. Therapy with CPAP can be safely used in adults and has practical as well as theoretic benefits over continuous positive-pressure ventilation.", "PMID": 776544} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4645", "title": "Measurement of right and left ventricular ejection fractions by radionuclide angiocardiography in coronary artery disease.", "content": "Utilizing a dynamic radionuclide method, the right and left ventricular ejection fractions were measured in 96 men with arteriographically defined coronary arterial disease and in 14 normal subjects. The radionuclidically estimated right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) correlated with the RVEF measured with biplane cineventriculographic studies (r = 0.80; n = 43), and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured from radionuclide data have been shown to correlate with the LVEF from single-plane cineventriculographic studies (r = 0.89; n = 60). The mean normal RVEF was 0.57 +/- 0.01 (SE) (range, 0.51 to 0.64), and the mean normal LVEF was 0.66 +/- 0.01 (range, 0.57 to 0.74). The LVEF was decreased in the men with coronary arterial disease and isolated obstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery, double-vessel disease, and triple-vessel disease, but was normal in those with isolated right coronary disease. The RVEF was normal in each of these groups, except those with triple-vessel disease. Myocardial infarction was associated with impairment of LVEF, although some patients without myocardial infarction had depressed LVEF. The RVEF was preserved in patients with infarction, except those with multiple myocardial infarctions. Thus, impaired LVEF in coronary arterial disease is associated with myocardial infarction, and RVEF is relatively preserved except in multiple-vessel disease and myocardial infarction and in association with impaired LVEF.", "contents": "Measurement of right and left ventricular ejection fractions by radionuclide angiocardiography in coronary artery disease. Utilizing a dynamic radionuclide method, the right and left ventricular ejection fractions were measured in 96 men with arteriographically defined coronary arterial disease and in 14 normal subjects. The radionuclidically estimated right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) correlated with the RVEF measured with biplane cineventriculographic studies (r = 0.80; n = 43), and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured from radionuclide data have been shown to correlate with the LVEF from single-plane cineventriculographic studies (r = 0.89; n = 60). The mean normal RVEF was 0.57 +/- 0.01 (SE) (range, 0.51 to 0.64), and the mean normal LVEF was 0.66 +/- 0.01 (range, 0.57 to 0.74). The LVEF was decreased in the men with coronary arterial disease and isolated obstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery, double-vessel disease, and triple-vessel disease, but was normal in those with isolated right coronary disease. The RVEF was normal in each of these groups, except those with triple-vessel disease. Myocardial infarction was associated with impairment of LVEF, although some patients without myocardial infarction had depressed LVEF. The RVEF was preserved in patients with infarction, except those with multiple myocardial infarctions. Thus, impaired LVEF in coronary arterial disease is associated with myocardial infarction, and RVEF is relatively preserved except in multiple-vessel disease and myocardial infarction and in association with impaired LVEF.", "PMID": 776545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4646", "title": "Comparison of the acceleration and velocity of shortening of the ventricular radius. Their potential applicability of noninvasive measurements of ventricular performance.", "content": "The maximal rate and maximal acceleration of shortening of the radius of the minor axis of the ventricle were correlated with various indices of ventricular performance in 20 patients with angina. The maximal acceleration of shortening showed a closer correlation with the ejection fraction, rate of change of flow, and ejection rate of change of power than did the maximal rate of shortening. It also distinguished more sharply between patients with normal and abnormal values of these indices, showing no overlap of values. The maximal rate of shortening showed a less distinct separation. These observations suggest that the acceleration of shortening of the ventricular radius reflects ventricular performance more closely than does the rate of shortening of the radius. These results are relevant in regard to potential applications of these indices by noninvasive techniques, particularly echocardiography.", "contents": "Comparison of the acceleration and velocity of shortening of the ventricular radius. Their potential applicability of noninvasive measurements of ventricular performance. The maximal rate and maximal acceleration of shortening of the radius of the minor axis of the ventricle were correlated with various indices of ventricular performance in 20 patients with angina. The maximal acceleration of shortening showed a closer correlation with the ejection fraction, rate of change of flow, and ejection rate of change of power than did the maximal rate of shortening. It also distinguished more sharply between patients with normal and abnormal values of these indices, showing no overlap of values. The maximal rate of shortening showed a less distinct separation. These observations suggest that the acceleration of shortening of the ventricular radius reflects ventricular performance more closely than does the rate of shortening of the radius. These results are relevant in regard to potential applications of these indices by noninvasive techniques, particularly echocardiography.", "PMID": 776546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4647", "title": "Mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta caused by Aspergillus fumigatus.", "content": "A 54-year-old diabetic patient had unexplained fever and embolic occlusion of the splenic, right renal, right hypogastric, right superficial femoral, and left popliteal arteries. Aspergillus fumigatus was recovered from a femoral clot. An aortogram revealed a mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta to be the source of the infected emboli. Surgical excision of the aneurysm and therapy with amphotericin B were unsuccessful.", "contents": "Mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. A 54-year-old diabetic patient had unexplained fever and embolic occlusion of the splenic, right renal, right hypogastric, right superficial femoral, and left popliteal arteries. Aspergillus fumigatus was recovered from a femoral clot. An aortogram revealed a mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta to be the source of the infected emboli. Surgical excision of the aneurysm and therapy with amphotericin B were unsuccessful.", "PMID": 776547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4648", "title": "The management of chronic hysteria: a review and double-blind trial of electrosleep and other relaxation methods.", "content": "The effectiveness and mode of action of electrosleep therapy in chronic hysteria was evaluated in a double blind trial with a 1 month follow-up. Matched groups of hysterics were treated with central electrical stimulation and relaxation, peripheral electrical stimulation and relaxation, or relaxation only. Autogenic training exercises were used initially to standarize the relaxation instructions for all the patients. Central electrical stimulation has no specific benefit for hysteria. Rhythmic peripheral stimulation does increase the effect of verbal suggestions to relax initially but has no long term advantage over relaxation alone. Regular brief periods of relaxation can improve the mood and diminish the anxiety level of psychiatric outpatients with hysteria but have no persistant benefit for sleep disturbance or hypochondriasis. The best treatment of depression in chronic hysterics was found at follow-up to be relaxation without electrostimulation. Specialized somatic and psychotherapeutic methods have no advantage over treatment with low doses of anxiolytic drugs, reassurance, suggestion, and regular periods of relaxation.", "contents": "The management of chronic hysteria: a review and double-blind trial of electrosleep and other relaxation methods. The effectiveness and mode of action of electrosleep therapy in chronic hysteria was evaluated in a double blind trial with a 1 month follow-up. Matched groups of hysterics were treated with central electrical stimulation and relaxation, peripheral electrical stimulation and relaxation, or relaxation only. Autogenic training exercises were used initially to standarize the relaxation instructions for all the patients. Central electrical stimulation has no specific benefit for hysteria. Rhythmic peripheral stimulation does increase the effect of verbal suggestions to relax initially but has no long term advantage over relaxation alone. Regular brief periods of relaxation can improve the mood and diminish the anxiety level of psychiatric outpatients with hysteria but have no persistant benefit for sleep disturbance or hypochondriasis. The best treatment of depression in chronic hysterics was found at follow-up to be relaxation without electrostimulation. Specialized somatic and psychotherapeutic methods have no advantage over treatment with low doses of anxiolytic drugs, reassurance, suggestion, and regular periods of relaxation.", "PMID": 776551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4649", "title": "[Antibody response to group A streptococcal exoenzymes (author's transl)].", "content": "Sera from normal controls from patients with streptococcal diseases, and from other patients whose serum was sent for anti-streptolysin 0 determinations were tested for antistreptolysin 0 (ASO) and anti-DNase B (ADB) antibodies. The Streptozyme test was performed on the same sera. The upper limits of normal in the control population were established as 160 units for ASO and as 240 units for ADB, respectively. The usefulness of the ADB test in addition to the ASO test was confirmed: when both tests were performed elevated titers could be demonstrated in a higher percentage of various streptococcal diseases. With respect to streptococcal infections of the skin the anti-DNase B-test was superior to the ASO test. In this study of the Streptozyme test showed an elevated antibody titer in a lower proportion than the other two tests.", "contents": "[Antibody response to group A streptococcal exoenzymes (author's transl)]. Sera from normal controls from patients with streptococcal diseases, and from other patients whose serum was sent for anti-streptolysin 0 determinations were tested for antistreptolysin 0 (ASO) and anti-DNase B (ADB) antibodies. The Streptozyme test was performed on the same sera. The upper limits of normal in the control population were established as 160 units for ASO and as 240 units for ADB, respectively. The usefulness of the ADB test in addition to the ASO test was confirmed: when both tests were performed elevated titers could be demonstrated in a higher percentage of various streptococcal diseases. With respect to streptococcal infections of the skin the anti-DNase B-test was superior to the ASO test. In this study of the Streptozyme test showed an elevated antibody titer in a lower proportion than the other two tests.", "PMID": 776554} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4650", "title": "Clinical use of topical cortisteroids.", "content": "The action of topical corticosteroids is anti-inflammatory and antimitotic. By the use of laboratory and clinical trials they can be divided into four grades of potency. Weak steroids may be made more potent by better penetration which can be achieved by plastic occlusion or by alteration of the vehicle in which they are suspended. Local side-effects of topical corticosteroids are described and attention is drawn to the face as a particularly vulnerable area. Use of large amounts of the most potent steroids has produced Cushingoid states normally associated only with systemic steroids, and this is more likely if the patient has liver damage. Practical advice on the choice of steroid for particular disorders is given and the importance of intermittent treatment both for safety and effectiveness is stressed.", "contents": "Clinical use of topical cortisteroids. The action of topical corticosteroids is anti-inflammatory and antimitotic. By the use of laboratory and clinical trials they can be divided into four grades of potency. Weak steroids may be made more potent by better penetration which can be achieved by plastic occlusion or by alteration of the vehicle in which they are suspended. Local side-effects of topical corticosteroids are described and attention is drawn to the face as a particularly vulnerable area. Use of large amounts of the most potent steroids has produced Cushingoid states normally associated only with systemic steroids, and this is more likely if the patient has liver damage. Practical advice on the choice of steroid for particular disorders is given and the importance of intermittent treatment both for safety and effectiveness is stressed.", "PMID": 776579} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4651", "title": "Pulmonary embolism: current therapeutic concepts.", "content": "Pulmonary thromboembolism is a widespread problem and is an important cause of death in patients with a variety of medical and surgical conditions. There have been few significant advances in the understanding of the aetiology beyond additional evidence confirming the importance of Virchow's triad. An impressive list of epidemiological associations has been compiled, however. Some knowledge of the natural progression of the disease is required as an aid in the understanding of the application of the therapeutic and prophylactic measures available in the management of pulmonary embolism. It would seem that at least two-thirds of pulmonary emboli are non-fatal, and in these cases the natural resolution, even of comparatively large embolic masses, is very efficient in patients without pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease. Diagnosis may prove difficult and most ancillary investigations are of questionable value. On the other hand, pulmonary radio-isotope scanning is far more specific and pulmonary angiography is a comparatively simple and complication-free diagnostic procedure. Prophylaxis is a real and practical aim, especially following surgery or myocardial infarction. In these groups widespread clinical trials of prophylactic measures have been made possible by the objective radio-iosotope screening techniques. Mechanical means of preventing venous stasis and anticoagulation appear effective. In addition, low-dose subcutaneous heparin seems to be as useful as heparin in conventional dosage. Apart from conventional supportive therapy, there are three major approaches to the treatment of pulmonary embolism. Heparin remains the mainstay, particularly in the less severe cases, hopefully preventing propogation of thrombosis and recurrence of embolism, thus allowing resolution to take place. Thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase or urokinase is capable of producing far more rapid dissolution of pulmonary emboli with consequent theoretical advantages over heparin. No reduction in mortality has been shown using thrombolytic therapy. Patients who fail to respond satisfactorily to acute resuscitative measures may require pulmonary embolectomy.", "contents": "Pulmonary embolism: current therapeutic concepts. Pulmonary thromboembolism is a widespread problem and is an important cause of death in patients with a variety of medical and surgical conditions. There have been few significant advances in the understanding of the aetiology beyond additional evidence confirming the importance of Virchow's triad. An impressive list of epidemiological associations has been compiled, however. Some knowledge of the natural progression of the disease is required as an aid in the understanding of the application of the therapeutic and prophylactic measures available in the management of pulmonary embolism. It would seem that at least two-thirds of pulmonary emboli are non-fatal, and in these cases the natural resolution, even of comparatively large embolic masses, is very efficient in patients without pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease. Diagnosis may prove difficult and most ancillary investigations are of questionable value. On the other hand, pulmonary radio-isotope scanning is far more specific and pulmonary angiography is a comparatively simple and complication-free diagnostic procedure. Prophylaxis is a real and practical aim, especially following surgery or myocardial infarction. In these groups widespread clinical trials of prophylactic measures have been made possible by the objective radio-iosotope screening techniques. Mechanical means of preventing venous stasis and anticoagulation appear effective. In addition, low-dose subcutaneous heparin seems to be as useful as heparin in conventional dosage. Apart from conventional supportive therapy, there are three major approaches to the treatment of pulmonary embolism. Heparin remains the mainstay, particularly in the less severe cases, hopefully preventing propogation of thrombosis and recurrence of embolism, thus allowing resolution to take place. Thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase or urokinase is capable of producing far more rapid dissolution of pulmonary emboli with consequent theoretical advantages over heparin. No reduction in mortality has been shown using thrombolytic therapy. Patients who fail to respond satisfactorily to acute resuscitative measures may require pulmonary embolectomy.", "PMID": 776578} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4652", "title": "Clinical and haemodynamic effects of minoxidil in refractory hypertension.", "content": "Thirteen patients whose hypertension had been resistant to conventional drug therapy, had minoxidil added to their regimen in doses from 5 to 60 mg/day. All responded with satisfactory reductions of blood pressure to mean values of 149/90mm Hg (supine) and 143/89mm Hg (standing). A significant portion of their previous antihypertensive therapy was either greatly decreased or withdrawn completely. Although fluid retention occurred in most patients as the dose of minoxidil was increased, this could be successfully checked by the use of diuretics. It was considered that in addition to beta-adrenoreceptor blocking drugs to control the reflexly induced cardiac stimulation, sufficiently aggressive diuretic therapy is mandatory to ensure the successful use of this drug. Haemodynamic evaluations in seven patients clearly showed that lowering of blood pressure was the result of decreases in peripheral vascular resistance as significant increases in the cardiac index occurred in all patients.", "contents": "Clinical and haemodynamic effects of minoxidil in refractory hypertension. Thirteen patients whose hypertension had been resistant to conventional drug therapy, had minoxidil added to their regimen in doses from 5 to 60 mg/day. All responded with satisfactory reductions of blood pressure to mean values of 149/90mm Hg (supine) and 143/89mm Hg (standing). A significant portion of their previous antihypertensive therapy was either greatly decreased or withdrawn completely. Although fluid retention occurred in most patients as the dose of minoxidil was increased, this could be successfully checked by the use of diuretics. It was considered that in addition to beta-adrenoreceptor blocking drugs to control the reflexly induced cardiac stimulation, sufficiently aggressive diuretic therapy is mandatory to ensure the successful use of this drug. Haemodynamic evaluations in seven patients clearly showed that lowering of blood pressure was the result of decreases in peripheral vascular resistance as significant increases in the cardiac index occurred in all patients.", "PMID": 776581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4653", "title": "Borderline hypertension discovered during screening: effect of twelve months' treatment.", "content": "The frequency of borderline hypertension (diastolic BP 95 to 109 mm Hg) is described in 5,877 men and 1,125 women attending a screening clinic. Borderline hypertension is more frequent in each 5-year age group in men than women. The results of the initial 12 months treatment show a greater fall in mean systolic and diastolic pressures in those on active treatment in comparison with placebo. Over the same 12 months the sum of selected ECG precordial lead voltages shows a significant fall in those on active treatment as compared with those on placebo.", "contents": "Borderline hypertension discovered during screening: effect of twelve months' treatment. The frequency of borderline hypertension (diastolic BP 95 to 109 mm Hg) is described in 5,877 men and 1,125 women attending a screening clinic. Borderline hypertension is more frequent in each 5-year age group in men than women. The results of the initial 12 months treatment show a greater fall in mean systolic and diastolic pressures in those on active treatment in comparison with placebo. Over the same 12 months the sum of selected ECG precordial lead voltages shows a significant fall in those on active treatment as compared with those on placebo.", "PMID": 776582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4654", "title": "[Structure and function of the microtubules].", "content": "The article the author reviews the substantial data from the literature on the morphology, biochemistry and physiology of these subcellular structures, which are the object of intensive studies during the recent ten years. He describes and presents his own figures of electrone microtubules in single cariotic cells and their subcellular organels. Ticrotubules in single cariotic cells and their stbcellular organels. The author pays attention to the most omportant processes, in which microtubules play substantial role: movement of chromosomes during the division of cells, intracellular organization and transport of the materials, maintenance of cellular form, movement of cells, formation of sensory apparatuses. In discussing these processes he pays special attention to the metabolic processes, with which the participation of microtubules is connected as well as to the mechanisms, by means of which various drugs, hormones and other biologic substances act.", "contents": "[Structure and function of the microtubules]. The article the author reviews the substantial data from the literature on the morphology, biochemistry and physiology of these subcellular structures, which are the object of intensive studies during the recent ten years. He describes and presents his own figures of electrone microtubules in single cariotic cells and their subcellular organels. Ticrotubules in single cariotic cells and their stbcellular organels. The author pays attention to the most omportant processes, in which microtubules play substantial role: movement of chromosomes during the division of cells, intracellular organization and transport of the materials, maintenance of cellular form, movement of cells, formation of sensory apparatuses. In discussing these processes he pays special attention to the metabolic processes, with which the participation of microtubules is connected as well as to the mechanisms, by means of which various drugs, hormones and other biologic substances act.", "PMID": 776588} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4655", "title": "[Effect of antilymphocyte serum on the antigen-binding cells of the blood and the survival of skin grafts].", "content": "The author carried out comparative studies on rats to examine the effect of antilympholytic serum on the survival of skin transplants and the amount of natural rosette, which formed lymphocytes from the peripheral blood in vitro with sheep erythrocytes. There was a correlation dependence on the duration of the survival of transplants and inhibition of rosette formation during the first reaction for the rejection of the transplant.", "contents": "[Effect of antilymphocyte serum on the antigen-binding cells of the blood and the survival of skin grafts]. The author carried out comparative studies on rats to examine the effect of antilympholytic serum on the survival of skin transplants and the amount of natural rosette, which formed lymphocytes from the peripheral blood in vitro with sheep erythrocytes. There was a correlation dependence on the duration of the survival of transplants and inhibition of rosette formation during the first reaction for the rejection of the transplant.", "PMID": 776589} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4656", "title": "[Thermovision applied to relaxation].", "content": "Dynamic telethermography (thermovision) affords at distance picking up on a T.V. screen (black and white or color) of the thermal body map. Its use in relaxation (autogenic training) enabled us to study in their overall, the thermal modifications observed during the relaxation. We have been able to find changes occurring in the release of heat at the front of the neck and at the inner corner of the eye socket; up to now, this had been unnoticed. Finally, it has allowed a dynamic work: the progression in heat release at the extremities of the limbs, at the thorax and the abdomen level was subject to an accurate and detailed study which leads to future prospects of interest by showing vascular exchanges, the thermal changes of which being only reflecting them.", "contents": "[Thermovision applied to relaxation]. Dynamic telethermography (thermovision) affords at distance picking up on a T.V. screen (black and white or color) of the thermal body map. Its use in relaxation (autogenic training) enabled us to study in their overall, the thermal modifications observed during the relaxation. We have been able to find changes occurring in the release of heat at the front of the neck and at the inner corner of the eye socket; up to now, this had been unnoticed. Finally, it has allowed a dynamic work: the progression in heat release at the extremities of the limbs, at the thorax and the abdomen level was subject to an accurate and detailed study which leads to future prospects of interest by showing vascular exchanges, the thermal changes of which being only reflecting them.", "PMID": 776590} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4657", "title": "[A new synthetic antiparkinsonian drug, tropatepine hydrochloride in extrapyramidal syndromes induced by neuroleptics].", "content": "Tropatepine hydrochloride was given per oral route to 184 patients and per injections to 34 patients. Average prescribed doses were about 20 mg (2 tablets). This clinical study has shown that tropatepine hydrochloride has an antiparkinson activity against neuroleptic-induced extra-pyramidal syndrome. In comparison to the activity of the other synthetic antiparkinson drugs, the activity of tropatepine hydrochloride is: -- similar on akineto-hypertonia and on tremor; -- better on akathisia and, though less frequently, on anormal dyskinetic movements due to long term neuroleptic treatment. Tolerance is good ; furthermore clinical and biological performed examinations have shown that the drug seems free of toxic effects In more than 200 treated patients no severe mental aberration and no habituation have been reported.", "contents": "[A new synthetic antiparkinsonian drug, tropatepine hydrochloride in extrapyramidal syndromes induced by neuroleptics]. Tropatepine hydrochloride was given per oral route to 184 patients and per injections to 34 patients. Average prescribed doses were about 20 mg (2 tablets). This clinical study has shown that tropatepine hydrochloride has an antiparkinson activity against neuroleptic-induced extra-pyramidal syndrome. In comparison to the activity of the other synthetic antiparkinson drugs, the activity of tropatepine hydrochloride is: -- similar on akineto-hypertonia and on tremor; -- better on akathisia and, though less frequently, on anormal dyskinetic movements due to long term neuroleptic treatment. Tolerance is good ; furthermore clinical and biological performed examinations have shown that the drug seems free of toxic effects In more than 200 treated patients no severe mental aberration and no habituation have been reported.", "PMID": 776591} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4658", "title": "[Convulsive incidents and EEG changes during treatment with tricyclic antidepressive agents].", "content": "The study of the action of tricyclic antidepressant on epilepsy and E.E.G. leads to a separation between two groups of patients treated with these drugs : 1. The epileptic patients with personnal or family history of epilepsy have a higher risk of epileptic seizures during these treatments. However, a certain number of them get better as far as seizures and personnality disturbances are concerned. On these patients E.E.G. appears an activation of the pattern. We must precise that, with a proper anti-epileptic treatement, there are only rare seizures and, in any case, epilepsy is not a contra-indication to antidepressant treatments. E.E.G. gets even better in a few cases. 2. In patients without history of epilepsy, seizures are rare. If they appear, one finds several predisposing factors, alcoholism being the most frequent. High dosages are not a constant factor. Previous E.C.T. could increase the risk of seizures. On these patients E.E.G., the action of tricyclic antidepressant is not constant : we found important changes as well as no changes at all. The changes would be an aggravation with an epileptic pattern or slow rythms, as well as the pattern getting better. There is no correlation between clinical manifestations and E.E.G. patterns.", "contents": "[Convulsive incidents and EEG changes during treatment with tricyclic antidepressive agents]. The study of the action of tricyclic antidepressant on epilepsy and E.E.G. leads to a separation between two groups of patients treated with these drugs : 1. The epileptic patients with personnal or family history of epilepsy have a higher risk of epileptic seizures during these treatments. However, a certain number of them get better as far as seizures and personnality disturbances are concerned. On these patients E.E.G. appears an activation of the pattern. We must precise that, with a proper anti-epileptic treatement, there are only rare seizures and, in any case, epilepsy is not a contra-indication to antidepressant treatments. E.E.G. gets even better in a few cases. 2. In patients without history of epilepsy, seizures are rare. If they appear, one finds several predisposing factors, alcoholism being the most frequent. High dosages are not a constant factor. Previous E.C.T. could increase the risk of seizures. On these patients E.E.G., the action of tricyclic antidepressant is not constant : we found important changes as well as no changes at all. The changes would be an aggravation with an epileptic pattern or slow rythms, as well as the pattern getting better. There is no correlation between clinical manifestations and E.E.G. patterns.", "PMID": 776592} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4659", "title": "On the rapidity with which LRH induces release of LH and FSH from perifused anterior pituitary tissues of the rat.", "content": "In a series of perifusion (superfusion) experiments, data were obtained which indicated that LRH and K+, when effective, induced increase in LH and/or FSH release within about one minute after arriving in the vicinity of the test rat pituitary tissues. Hormone release stimulating effects of LRH or high K+ continued for some time after washout of test agent. To secure these data perifusion flow was set at 2.5 or more ml/min., each test solution was pulsed for two minutes only, effluent samples were collected at 15 second intervals shortly before, during and after each pulse, and both mixing and dead space time were minimized by introducing each new test solution directly in front of the tissue chamber, via a 4-way or 5-way pulse control stopcock through which two streams of perifusion fluid (Control and Test) passed continually. LH and FSH in effluent samples were estimated by radioimmunoassay.", "contents": "On the rapidity with which LRH induces release of LH and FSH from perifused anterior pituitary tissues of the rat. In a series of perifusion (superfusion) experiments, data were obtained which indicated that LRH and K+, when effective, induced increase in LH and/or FSH release within about one minute after arriving in the vicinity of the test rat pituitary tissues. Hormone release stimulating effects of LRH or high K+ continued for some time after washout of test agent. To secure these data perifusion flow was set at 2.5 or more ml/min., each test solution was pulsed for two minutes only, effluent samples were collected at 15 second intervals shortly before, during and after each pulse, and both mixing and dead space time were minimized by introducing each new test solution directly in front of the tissue chamber, via a 4-way or 5-way pulse control stopcock through which two streams of perifusion fluid (Control and Test) passed continually. LH and FSH in effluent samples were estimated by radioimmunoassay.", "PMID": 776593} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4660", "title": "Action of steroids on LH-RH provoked gonadotropin release.", "content": "The action of mesterolone (1 alpha-methyl-17-beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androsten-3-one) mesterolone cipionate, testosterone, 17 alpha-methyl-testosterone, 17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstane-3-one, cyproterone actetate and D-norgestrel on basal and LH-RH stimulated, gonadotropin release was studied in vitro. Hemi-gland preparation of the anterior pituitary were incubated in the presence or absence of steroids and/or LH-RH. Steroid hormones were added at a concentration of 25, 5 and 1 mug per ml medium. Basal levels of LH and FSH discharge were not influenced by mesterolone, whereas inhibition of LH-RH stimulated gonadotropin release was noted at 25 mug mesterolone/ml medium. The addition of mesterolone cipionate to the incubation medium did not significantly change basal FSH levels, whereas an inhibition of LH-RH provoked FSH discharge was noted. Basal LH release was stimulated by the presence of 1 mug mesterolone cipionate per 1 ml medium. LH-RH stimulated LH release in the presence of 25, 5 and 1 mug mesterolone cipionate per 1 ml medium was indistinguishable from control levels. Basal levels of LH and FSH were not affected by testosterone, whereas an impaired gonadotropin response to LH-RH was observed in the presence of testosterone. At 1 mug testosterone per 1 ml medium only LH response to LH-RH was found. Basal gonadotropin levels in the presence of 17 alpha-methyl-testosterone were indistinguishable from control values. The only inhibition of LH-RH action was found for stimulation of LH release at 25 mug 17 alpha-methyl-testosterone/ml medium. On the other hand, 17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstane-3-one stimulated basal LH and FSH discharge, and LH-RH actions were not impaired. Results of our studies with cyproterone acetate indicate that this steroid stimulates basal pituitary gonadotropin discharge at high concentration, without blunting responses to LH-RH. No action of D-norgestrel on basal and LH-RH stimulated gonadotropin release was observed. These experiments add further evidence that steroids modulate LH-RH actions at the pituitary level. It is concluded that the fine control of gonadotropin release resides at the adenohypophysis whereas the coarse control of LH and FSH discharge is at the hypothalamus and/or other centers of the central nervous system.", "contents": "Action of steroids on LH-RH provoked gonadotropin release. The action of mesterolone (1 alpha-methyl-17-beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androsten-3-one) mesterolone cipionate, testosterone, 17 alpha-methyl-testosterone, 17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstane-3-one, cyproterone actetate and D-norgestrel on basal and LH-RH stimulated, gonadotropin release was studied in vitro. Hemi-gland preparation of the anterior pituitary were incubated in the presence or absence of steroids and/or LH-RH. Steroid hormones were added at a concentration of 25, 5 and 1 mug per ml medium. Basal levels of LH and FSH discharge were not influenced by mesterolone, whereas inhibition of LH-RH stimulated gonadotropin release was noted at 25 mug mesterolone/ml medium. The addition of mesterolone cipionate to the incubation medium did not significantly change basal FSH levels, whereas an inhibition of LH-RH provoked FSH discharge was noted. Basal LH release was stimulated by the presence of 1 mug mesterolone cipionate per 1 ml medium. LH-RH stimulated LH release in the presence of 25, 5 and 1 mug mesterolone cipionate per 1 ml medium was indistinguishable from control levels. Basal levels of LH and FSH were not affected by testosterone, whereas an impaired gonadotropin response to LH-RH was observed in the presence of testosterone. At 1 mug testosterone per 1 ml medium only LH response to LH-RH was found. Basal gonadotropin levels in the presence of 17 alpha-methyl-testosterone were indistinguishable from control values. The only inhibition of LH-RH action was found for stimulation of LH release at 25 mug 17 alpha-methyl-testosterone/ml medium. On the other hand, 17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstane-3-one stimulated basal LH and FSH discharge, and LH-RH actions were not impaired. Results of our studies with cyproterone acetate indicate that this steroid stimulates basal pituitary gonadotropin discharge at high concentration, without blunting responses to LH-RH. No action of D-norgestrel on basal and LH-RH stimulated gonadotropin release was observed. These experiments add further evidence that steroids modulate LH-RH actions at the pituitary level. It is concluded that the fine control of gonadotropin release resides at the adenohypophysis whereas the coarse control of LH and FSH discharge is at the hypothalamus and/or other centers of the central nervous system.", "PMID": 776594} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4661", "title": "Control of pituitary FSH synthesis by hypothalamic factors in rats.", "content": "Electrolytic lesions placed in the median eminence of adult male rats are followed, in 7--10 days, by a significant decrease in pituitary FSH concentration. The intravenous injection of a hypothalamic extract prepared from normal animals induces, in 45 minutes, a significant increase in the amounts of FSH stored in the pituitary of median eminence-lesioned animals. The concentration of FSH in the pituitary of lesioned animals is also increased to normal by the intravenous injection of an extract prepared from the isolated hypothalamic island of animals previously submitted to a total \"hypothalamic deafferentation\", in spite of the fact that this does not contain any FSH-RF activity. It is suggested that the hypothalamus possesses separate humoral factors for the regulation of the release and of the synthesis of pituitary FSH.", "contents": "Control of pituitary FSH synthesis by hypothalamic factors in rats. Electrolytic lesions placed in the median eminence of adult male rats are followed, in 7--10 days, by a significant decrease in pituitary FSH concentration. The intravenous injection of a hypothalamic extract prepared from normal animals induces, in 45 minutes, a significant increase in the amounts of FSH stored in the pituitary of median eminence-lesioned animals. The concentration of FSH in the pituitary of lesioned animals is also increased to normal by the intravenous injection of an extract prepared from the isolated hypothalamic island of animals previously submitted to a total \"hypothalamic deafferentation\", in spite of the fact that this does not contain any FSH-RF activity. It is suggested that the hypothalamus possesses separate humoral factors for the regulation of the release and of the synthesis of pituitary FSH.", "PMID": 776595} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4662", "title": "Phentolamine blocks the somatostatin-mediated inhibition of insulin secretion.", "content": "This study was undertaken to determine the influence of alpha-adrenergic blockade upon the somatostatin-mediated inhibition of insulin secretion. Somatostatin inhibited both the basal and glucose-stimulated pancreaticoduodenal vein insulin output of dogs. This effect was not observed during a simultaneous infusion of phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic blocker. It is proposed that alpha-adrenergic mechanisms play a role in the inhibition of insulin secretion by somatostatin.", "contents": "Phentolamine blocks the somatostatin-mediated inhibition of insulin secretion. This study was undertaken to determine the influence of alpha-adrenergic blockade upon the somatostatin-mediated inhibition of insulin secretion. Somatostatin inhibited both the basal and glucose-stimulated pancreaticoduodenal vein insulin output of dogs. This effect was not observed during a simultaneous infusion of phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic blocker. It is proposed that alpha-adrenergic mechanisms play a role in the inhibition of insulin secretion by somatostatin.", "PMID": 776596} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4663", "title": "Localization of LHRH in neurons in frog brain (Rana pipiens and Rana catesbeiana).", "content": "Hypothalamic extracts from frogs (Rana pipiens) were found to contain a significant quantity of immunoreactive LHRH (3.27 +/- 0.63 ng/hypothalamus) (mean +/- SE) measured by radioimmunoassay. In additional radioimmunoassay studies of gross brain LHRH distribution in R. pipiens and R. catesbeiana, 16% of the total frog brain LHRH was located within the telencephalon-septum-optic chiasm regions while the remainder was distributed within the infundibular hypothalamic-pituitary complex. Immunohistochemical studies using the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) unlabeled antibody enzyme technique demonstrated the presence of LHRH selectively within some neuronal perikarya located primarily in the median septal nucleus. Fibers containing immunoreactive LHRH were seen in the vicinity of these neuronal cell bodies and in the medial and lateral septal nuclei. In addition, LHRH-containing fibers extended to the median eminence and posterior pituitary, transversing a course beneath the preoptic recess or through the medial forebrain bundle, and then through the lateral infundibular hypothalamus to enter the median eminence bilaterally. LHRH within the median eminence was located in both the inner subependymal and outer glandular zones. On the basis of earlier physiological studies, it is proposed that this LHRH-peptidergic septo-infundibular pathway is involved in control of cyclic gonadotropin activity in the frog.", "contents": "Localization of LHRH in neurons in frog brain (Rana pipiens and Rana catesbeiana). Hypothalamic extracts from frogs (Rana pipiens) were found to contain a significant quantity of immunoreactive LHRH (3.27 +/- 0.63 ng/hypothalamus) (mean +/- SE) measured by radioimmunoassay. In additional radioimmunoassay studies of gross brain LHRH distribution in R. pipiens and R. catesbeiana, 16% of the total frog brain LHRH was located within the telencephalon-septum-optic chiasm regions while the remainder was distributed within the infundibular hypothalamic-pituitary complex. Immunohistochemical studies using the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) unlabeled antibody enzyme technique demonstrated the presence of LHRH selectively within some neuronal perikarya located primarily in the median septal nucleus. Fibers containing immunoreactive LHRH were seen in the vicinity of these neuronal cell bodies and in the medial and lateral septal nuclei. In addition, LHRH-containing fibers extended to the median eminence and posterior pituitary, transversing a course beneath the preoptic recess or through the medial forebrain bundle, and then through the lateral infundibular hypothalamus to enter the median eminence bilaterally. LHRH within the median eminence was located in both the inner subependymal and outer glandular zones. On the basis of earlier physiological studies, it is proposed that this LHRH-peptidergic septo-infundibular pathway is involved in control of cyclic gonadotropin activity in the frog.", "PMID": 776597} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4664", "title": "Distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the mouse brain as revealed by immunohistochemistry.", "content": "The distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was studied immunohistochemically in the brain of the adult mouse with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. Primary antisera were prepared against unconjugated synthetic GnRH and GnRH conjugated to limpet hemocyanin or bovine serum albumin. GnRH was localized in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), with the greatest amount being found ventral to the cephalic end of the third ventricle. In the cephalic region of the median eminence, it was concentrated bilaterally in longitudinal bands located dorsal to the tuberoinfundibular sulci. More caudally, near the junction of the infundibulum with the brain, GnRH accumulated over the apex of the tuberoinfundibular sulci, with several foci being scattered from this region medially to the ependyma of the third ventricle. The greatest aggregation of GnRH occurred in the psotinfundibular median eminence in an area extending from the floor of the third ventricle to the ventral surface of the brain. In the caudal median eminence, GnRH was arranged in a narrow ventral band that crossed the midline. GnRH appeared to be located in axonal processes and terminals of the OVLT and median eminence; the structures observed were granular. GnRH was not localized within the neuronal cell bodies of any hypothalamic nuclei. When one antiserum to conjugated GnRH was used at high concentration, the cytoplasm of ependymal cell bodies and tanycyte processes was stained more intensely than the general background, but, with absorption and/or dilution of the antiseru, this staining was shown to be nonspecific.", "contents": "Distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the mouse brain as revealed by immunohistochemistry. The distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was studied immunohistochemically in the brain of the adult mouse with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. Primary antisera were prepared against unconjugated synthetic GnRH and GnRH conjugated to limpet hemocyanin or bovine serum albumin. GnRH was localized in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), with the greatest amount being found ventral to the cephalic end of the third ventricle. In the cephalic region of the median eminence, it was concentrated bilaterally in longitudinal bands located dorsal to the tuberoinfundibular sulci. More caudally, near the junction of the infundibulum with the brain, GnRH accumulated over the apex of the tuberoinfundibular sulci, with several foci being scattered from this region medially to the ependyma of the third ventricle. The greatest aggregation of GnRH occurred in the psotinfundibular median eminence in an area extending from the floor of the third ventricle to the ventral surface of the brain. In the caudal median eminence, GnRH was arranged in a narrow ventral band that crossed the midline. GnRH appeared to be located in axonal processes and terminals of the OVLT and median eminence; the structures observed were granular. GnRH was not localized within the neuronal cell bodies of any hypothalamic nuclei. When one antiserum to conjugated GnRH was used at high concentration, the cytoplasm of ependymal cell bodies and tanycyte processes was stained more intensely than the general background, but, with absorption and/or dilution of the antiseru, this staining was shown to be nonspecific.", "PMID": 776598} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4665", "title": "Delayed effects of in vivo LHRH immunoneutralization on gonadotropins and prolactin secretion in the female rat.", "content": "A single ip injection (0.2 ml) of a rabbit antiserum to LHRH was given at noon on proestrus (day 0) to 4-day cycling rats. A blockade of the preovulatory surge of LH and FSH was observed, as well as inhibition of ovulation; the prolactin (PRL) surge was unaffected. Four days later, palsma LH and FSH were still low and hypoprolactinemia appeared, while the estrous cycle was unaffected. Then, after a transient diestrous period, vaginal smears indicated a pattern of persistent estrus for at least 240 days starting from day 8 after treatment. Hypothalamic LHRH remained low throughout this period, with the exception of a transient rise around day 36; hypothalamic serotonin and dopamine were unchanged. A peak of FSH in serum appeared on day 28 and an elevation of serum LH on day 36; this latter rise was concomitant with the increase of hypothalmic LHRH and with ovarian luteinization. Except for this short period, the ovaries showed a picture of persistent estrus, with large, cystic follicles. During the whole experimental period, basal serum FSH levels were higher than those of LH. Pituitary FSH and LH contents remained in the range usually found during the normal estrous cycle. Starting from the 8th day after treatment, a marked hyperprolactinemia appeared. Serum estradiol and progesterone were assayed on days 10 and 40 after injection; no significant increase in either steroid was observed on day 10, but on day 40 the levels of estradiol increased to values similar to those of progestrus, while progesterone showed only a small, but significant, increase. Thus, a single injection of LHRH antiserum (AS) in a normal cycling rat provoked a long-term alteration in hypothalamic function. The results so far obtained suggest that the long-lasting hyperprolactinemia induced by this treatment, might be due to an abnormal ovarian secretion.", "contents": "Delayed effects of in vivo LHRH immunoneutralization on gonadotropins and prolactin secretion in the female rat. A single ip injection (0.2 ml) of a rabbit antiserum to LHRH was given at noon on proestrus (day 0) to 4-day cycling rats. A blockade of the preovulatory surge of LH and FSH was observed, as well as inhibition of ovulation; the prolactin (PRL) surge was unaffected. Four days later, palsma LH and FSH were still low and hypoprolactinemia appeared, while the estrous cycle was unaffected. Then, after a transient diestrous period, vaginal smears indicated a pattern of persistent estrus for at least 240 days starting from day 8 after treatment. Hypothalamic LHRH remained low throughout this period, with the exception of a transient rise around day 36; hypothalamic serotonin and dopamine were unchanged. A peak of FSH in serum appeared on day 28 and an elevation of serum LH on day 36; this latter rise was concomitant with the increase of hypothalmic LHRH and with ovarian luteinization. Except for this short period, the ovaries showed a picture of persistent estrus, with large, cystic follicles. During the whole experimental period, basal serum FSH levels were higher than those of LH. Pituitary FSH and LH contents remained in the range usually found during the normal estrous cycle. Starting from the 8th day after treatment, a marked hyperprolactinemia appeared. Serum estradiol and progesterone were assayed on days 10 and 40 after injection; no significant increase in either steroid was observed on day 10, but on day 40 the levels of estradiol increased to values similar to those of progestrus, while progesterone showed only a small, but significant, increase. Thus, a single injection of LHRH antiserum (AS) in a normal cycling rat provoked a long-term alteration in hypothalamic function. The results so far obtained suggest that the long-lasting hyperprolactinemia induced by this treatment, might be due to an abnormal ovarian secretion.", "PMID": 776599} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4666", "title": "[In vitro studies on the islands of Langerhans. XI. Insulin secretion and content of isolated islands of Langerhans in the Wistar rat under short term incubation and under organ culture conditions].", "content": "Insulin (IRI) secretion pattern of collagenase isolated islets from Wistar rats were investigated in a batch type incubation (60 min) and under organ culture conditions (up to 7 days) with different concentrations of glucose as stimulus. The B-cell response within 60 min of incubation was determined in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer with 1 mg/ml bovine serum albumin and 16 mM HEPES (KRB-HEPES) and compared with the hormone release in a culture medium (TC 199) containing 10% calf serum. Additionally the insulin content of islets before and after 7 days of culture was assayed radioimmunologically. In the presence of culture medium the insulin secretion was enhanced by 5.8 mM glucose whereas this glucose concentration does not stimulate the insulin secretion in KRB-HEPES. During organ culture the insulin secretion was identical in media with 1.0 and 5.8 mM glucose, respectively, but 15 mM glucose raised the hormon output more than 10-fold. The insulin content of islets, cultured for 7 days was decreased in the presence of 15 mM glucose up to 30% and in the presence of 5.8 mM glucose up to 13% of that of islets after isolation. The recovery rate of insulin calculated as the sum of secretion and content after cultivation at 15 mM glucose was higher than 100%, whereas the experiments in the presence of 1.0-5.8 mM glucose are characterized by a recovery rate of 25%. The results are discussed in connection with a altered intracellular breakdown of insulin in the B-cells.", "contents": "[In vitro studies on the islands of Langerhans. XI. Insulin secretion and content of isolated islands of Langerhans in the Wistar rat under short term incubation and under organ culture conditions]. Insulin (IRI) secretion pattern of collagenase isolated islets from Wistar rats were investigated in a batch type incubation (60 min) and under organ culture conditions (up to 7 days) with different concentrations of glucose as stimulus. The B-cell response within 60 min of incubation was determined in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer with 1 mg/ml bovine serum albumin and 16 mM HEPES (KRB-HEPES) and compared with the hormone release in a culture medium (TC 199) containing 10% calf serum. Additionally the insulin content of islets before and after 7 days of culture was assayed radioimmunologically. In the presence of culture medium the insulin secretion was enhanced by 5.8 mM glucose whereas this glucose concentration does not stimulate the insulin secretion in KRB-HEPES. During organ culture the insulin secretion was identical in media with 1.0 and 5.8 mM glucose, respectively, but 15 mM glucose raised the hormon output more than 10-fold. The insulin content of islets, cultured for 7 days was decreased in the presence of 15 mM glucose up to 30% and in the presence of 5.8 mM glucose up to 13% of that of islets after isolation. The recovery rate of insulin calculated as the sum of secretion and content after cultivation at 15 mM glucose was higher than 100%, whereas the experiments in the presence of 1.0-5.8 mM glucose are characterized by a recovery rate of 25%. The results are discussed in connection with a altered intracellular breakdown of insulin in the B-cells.", "PMID": 776600} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4667", "title": "Effect of nickel chloride on primary antibody production in the spleen.", "content": "Mice immunized intraperitoneally with sheep erythrocytes were treated with nickel chloride, a common particulate air pollutant. Primary antibody production in the spleen was examined using a hemolytic plaque technique. A negative linear dose-response relationship (p is less than 0.05) was observed between the logarithm of (plaques/10(6) cells) and the nickel concentration administered. Mice injected with 3.09 mug Ni2+/g body weight displayed lymphocyte function similar to that of control mice. However, injection of 9.26-12.34 mug Ni2+/g caused significant immunosupression (p is less than 0.05).", "contents": "Effect of nickel chloride on primary antibody production in the spleen. Mice immunized intraperitoneally with sheep erythrocytes were treated with nickel chloride, a common particulate air pollutant. Primary antibody production in the spleen was examined using a hemolytic plaque technique. A negative linear dose-response relationship (p is less than 0.05) was observed between the logarithm of (plaques/10(6) cells) and the nickel concentration administered. Mice injected with 3.09 mug Ni2+/g body weight displayed lymphocyte function similar to that of control mice. However, injection of 9.26-12.34 mug Ni2+/g caused significant immunosupression (p is less than 0.05).", "PMID": 776602} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4668", "title": "On genetically determined human serum cholinesterases.", "content": "The existence of genetically determined human serum cholinesterase variants (actlcholine acyl-hydrolase; EC 3.1.1.8) has been recognized by the use of a short acting muscle relaxant, suxamethonium. This polymorphism is now explained by at least four alleles belonging to an autosomal locus Ch1 or E1 depending on the nomenclature. These are: the usual gene, the dibucaine-resistant gene, the fluoride-resistant gene and the silent gene. At present, the modes of transmission for the silent genes is confusing and lack proper understanding. Another variant, not an allele of the first group, is recognized by gel electrophoresis, belong to a second locus Ch2 or E2. Evidence has been presented that many more rare serum cholinesterase variants may exist. Besides these genetic variants, normal serum cholinesterase is known to exist in multiple molecular forms. The present article attempts to discuss the polymorphism of human cholinesterase in relation to their chemical and genetic characteristics and their possible function.", "contents": "On genetically determined human serum cholinesterases. The existence of genetically determined human serum cholinesterase variants (actlcholine acyl-hydrolase; EC 3.1.1.8) has been recognized by the use of a short acting muscle relaxant, suxamethonium. This polymorphism is now explained by at least four alleles belonging to an autosomal locus Ch1 or E1 depending on the nomenclature. These are: the usual gene, the dibucaine-resistant gene, the fluoride-resistant gene and the silent gene. At present, the modes of transmission for the silent genes is confusing and lack proper understanding. Another variant, not an allele of the first group, is recognized by gel electrophoresis, belong to a second locus Ch2 or E2. Evidence has been presented that many more rare serum cholinesterase variants may exist. Besides these genetic variants, normal serum cholinesterase is known to exist in multiple molecular forms. The present article attempts to discuss the polymorphism of human cholinesterase in relation to their chemical and genetic characteristics and their possible function.", "PMID": 776603} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4669", "title": "Fluorescent whitening agents in the environment.", "content": "An assessment of the ecological situation regarding the use of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) is given. Firstly a survey is made of the existing literature with references to the contributions on the subject in this EQS supplement volume, then the effects of waste water treatment with respect to the elimination of FWAs in the different stages of treatment are discussed. The final load of FWAs in receiving water is estimated. These figures are brought into relation with the actual content of receiving water residues of natural and manmade origins. The significance of the FWA load is discussed. All the arguments lead to the strong suggestion that these residues are finally metabolized by natural systems of elimination, so that no ecological risks exist when FWAs are properly used in the main fields of application, i.e. in the textile, paper and soap and detergent industry.", "contents": "Fluorescent whitening agents in the environment. An assessment of the ecological situation regarding the use of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) is given. Firstly a survey is made of the existing literature with references to the contributions on the subject in this EQS supplement volume, then the effects of waste water treatment with respect to the elimination of FWAs in the different stages of treatment are discussed. The final load of FWAs in receiving water is estimated. These figures are brought into relation with the actual content of receiving water residues of natural and manmade origins. The significance of the FWA load is discussed. All the arguments lead to the strong suggestion that these residues are finally metabolized by natural systems of elimination, so that no ecological risks exist when FWAs are properly used in the main fields of application, i.e. in the textile, paper and soap and detergent industry.", "PMID": 776604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4670", "title": "History of whitening.", "content": "Man's earliest endeavours to enhance the brightness of white objects in everyday use, especially clothing, led to the invention of various bleaching processes. KRAIS'S discovery in 1929 that the natural substance esculin could be applied to textiles to give whites of unprecedented brilliance led to the industrial development of fluorescent whitening agents (FWA's). The limited effectiveness of esculin, a glycoside of 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin prompted research which led to the synthesis of other compounds of the same class, many of which have proved useful as whiteners; though the really broad developments of the 1940's stemmed from the synthesis of the 4,4'-diaminostilbene-2,2'disulfonic acid derivatives which are sill the most important groups of FWAs.", "contents": "History of whitening. Man's earliest endeavours to enhance the brightness of white objects in everyday use, especially clothing, led to the invention of various bleaching processes. KRAIS'S discovery in 1929 that the natural substance esculin could be applied to textiles to give whites of unprecedented brilliance led to the industrial development of fluorescent whitening agents (FWA's). The limited effectiveness of esculin, a glycoside of 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin prompted research which led to the synthesis of other compounds of the same class, many of which have proved useful as whiteners; though the really broad developments of the 1940's stemmed from the synthesis of the 4,4'-diaminostilbene-2,2'disulfonic acid derivatives which are sill the most important groups of FWAs.", "PMID": 776605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4671", "title": "The chemistry of fluorescent whitening agents. Major structural types.", "content": "This gives a summary of those fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) that have industrial importance. Firstly, a survey of the general physical and applicational properties is given, and then the chemistry of FWAs is dealt with. The FWAs are classified in six major structural classes: (A) stilbenes (B) coumarin and carbostyril compounds, (C) 1,3-DIPHENYL-2-PYRAZOLINES, (D) naphthalimides, (E) benzoxazolyl substitution products of conjugated systems, and (F) combined products of other heteroaromatics with ethylene or aromatic systems, owing to their methods of preparation and to their optical characteristics.", "contents": "The chemistry of fluorescent whitening agents. Major structural types. This gives a summary of those fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) that have industrial importance. Firstly, a survey of the general physical and applicational properties is given, and then the chemistry of FWAs is dealt with. The FWAs are classified in six major structural classes: (A) stilbenes (B) coumarin and carbostyril compounds, (C) 1,3-DIPHENYL-2-PYRAZOLINES, (D) naphthalimides, (E) benzoxazolyl substitution products of conjugated systems, and (F) combined products of other heteroaromatics with ethylene or aromatic systems, owing to their methods of preparation and to their optical characteristics.", "PMID": 776606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4672", "title": "Specific inhibition of translocation by tubulosine in eukaryotic polysomes.", "content": "The alkaloid tubulosine inhibits the process of peptide chain elongation by eukaryotic polysomes by specifically preventing the elongation-factor-2-dependent step of translocation. Tubulosine does not affect either the elongation-factor-1-dependent binding of aminoacyl-tRNA or peptide bond formation. The site of action of tubulosine appears to be independent from the ribosomal site involved in cycloheximide action, since the alkaloid is active in blocking polymerization and enzymic translocation by polysomes from a yeast mutant resistant to cycloheximide. Furthermore tubulosine does not affect the non-enzymic translocation which takes place in the presence of high potassium ion concentrations, whereas this reaction is strongly inhibited by cyclohemimede. The different steps of translocation are discussed to explain the reactions blocked by tubulosine and cycloheximide.", "contents": "Specific inhibition of translocation by tubulosine in eukaryotic polysomes. The alkaloid tubulosine inhibits the process of peptide chain elongation by eukaryotic polysomes by specifically preventing the elongation-factor-2-dependent step of translocation. Tubulosine does not affect either the elongation-factor-1-dependent binding of aminoacyl-tRNA or peptide bond formation. The site of action of tubulosine appears to be independent from the ribosomal site involved in cycloheximide action, since the alkaloid is active in blocking polymerization and enzymic translocation by polysomes from a yeast mutant resistant to cycloheximide. Furthermore tubulosine does not affect the non-enzymic translocation which takes place in the presence of high potassium ion concentrations, whereas this reaction is strongly inhibited by cyclohemimede. The different steps of translocation are discussed to explain the reactions blocked by tubulosine and cycloheximide.", "PMID": 776609} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4673", "title": "Globin mRNA species containing poly(A) segments of different lengths. Their functional stability in Xenopus oocytes.", "content": "Rabbit globin mRNA species containing poly(A) segments of different lengths were prepared by partial phosphorolysis of mRNA with Escherichia coli polynucleotide phosphorylase. By varying the salt concentration and the time of incubation of the phosphorolysis mixture, as well as performing oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography at 22 degrees C and at 4 degrees C, globin mRNA preparations containing poly(A) segments of approximately 122, 95, 68, 39, 32, 21, and 16 adenylate residues were obtained. It was found that the functional stability of the mRNA species containing 32 or more adenylate residues after injection into Xenopus laevis oocytes equaled that of the native globin mRNA. On the other hand, the functional stability of mRNA containing an average number of 21 adenylate residues was about 30% of the native mRNA, while that of mRNA containing 16 adenylate residues was as low as poly(A)-free globin MRNA.", "contents": "Globin mRNA species containing poly(A) segments of different lengths. Their functional stability in Xenopus oocytes. Rabbit globin mRNA species containing poly(A) segments of different lengths were prepared by partial phosphorolysis of mRNA with Escherichia coli polynucleotide phosphorylase. By varying the salt concentration and the time of incubation of the phosphorolysis mixture, as well as performing oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography at 22 degrees C and at 4 degrees C, globin mRNA preparations containing poly(A) segments of approximately 122, 95, 68, 39, 32, 21, and 16 adenylate residues were obtained. It was found that the functional stability of the mRNA species containing 32 or more adenylate residues after injection into Xenopus laevis oocytes equaled that of the native globin mRNA. On the other hand, the functional stability of mRNA containing an average number of 21 adenylate residues was about 30% of the native mRNA, while that of mRNA containing 16 adenylate residues was as low as poly(A)-free globin MRNA.", "PMID": 776610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4674", "title": "Structural properties of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase Subunits.", "content": "1. The surface of the RNA-polymerase-DNA complex possesses an exposed polypeptide loop. 2. Proteinases with differing specificities (trypsin, chymotrypsin, subtilisin and clostripain) preferentially cleave the exposed region. 3. The cleaved polypeptide is reassembled into RNA polymerase by renaturation from a solvent which promotes a random coil conformation. 4. Isolated beta subunit has a proteolytically resistant nucleus of approximately 70000 molecular weight. This resistant polypeptide may be generated by trypsin, chymotrypsin, subiilisin or clostripain. 5. Isolated alpha subunits are comparatively resistant to proteolysis. 6. Although of similar molecular weights beta and beta' appear to have unrelated primary sequences and markedly different conformations in free solution. 7. Digestion of the beta subunit may be blocked by formation of the alpha2beta subassembly. 8. Evidence is presented suggesting that beta' in the intact enzyme (alpha2beta beta') possesses the exposed polypeptide loop.", "contents": "Structural properties of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase Subunits. 1. The surface of the RNA-polymerase-DNA complex possesses an exposed polypeptide loop. 2. Proteinases with differing specificities (trypsin, chymotrypsin, subtilisin and clostripain) preferentially cleave the exposed region. 3. The cleaved polypeptide is reassembled into RNA polymerase by renaturation from a solvent which promotes a random coil conformation. 4. Isolated beta subunit has a proteolytically resistant nucleus of approximately 70000 molecular weight. This resistant polypeptide may be generated by trypsin, chymotrypsin, subiilisin or clostripain. 5. Isolated alpha subunits are comparatively resistant to proteolysis. 6. Although of similar molecular weights beta and beta' appear to have unrelated primary sequences and markedly different conformations in free solution. 7. Digestion of the beta subunit may be blocked by formation of the alpha2beta subassembly. 8. Evidence is presented suggesting that beta' in the intact enzyme (alpha2beta beta') possesses the exposed polypeptide loop.", "PMID": 776611} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4675", "title": "Purification of protease II from Escherichia coli by affinity chromatography and separation of two enzyme species from cells harvested at late log phase.", "content": "N-Acetyl-D-arginine linked to an agarose matrix has been used to purify protease II from Escherichia coli by affinity chromatography. The specific adsorption of protease II to this absorbent was achieved in 220 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.6, and the enzyme was eluted with L-arginine. Enzyme preparations from cells harvested at late log phase have been resolved into two molecular species which differ in specific activity, kinetic constants and carbohydrate content. Both species appeared homogeneous by electrophoresis in conventional buffers and also in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Only one enzyme species was obtained by the same procedure using bacteria harvested at the middle of exponential growth.", "contents": "Purification of protease II from Escherichia coli by affinity chromatography and separation of two enzyme species from cells harvested at late log phase. N-Acetyl-D-arginine linked to an agarose matrix has been used to purify protease II from Escherichia coli by affinity chromatography. The specific adsorption of protease II to this absorbent was achieved in 220 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.6, and the enzyme was eluted with L-arginine. Enzyme preparations from cells harvested at late log phase have been resolved into two molecular species which differ in specific activity, kinetic constants and carbohydrate content. Both species appeared homogeneous by electrophoresis in conventional buffers and also in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Only one enzyme species was obtained by the same procedure using bacteria harvested at the middle of exponential growth.", "PMID": 776612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4676", "title": "Transglycosylic reactions of nucleotides of deoxy sugars. Biosynthesis of deoxy analogues of alpha,alpha'-trehalose.", "content": "The biosynthesis of alpha,alpha'-trehalose was investigated in a reaction catalyzed with yeast UDP-Glc :glucose-6-phosphate 1-glucosyl transferase. It was revealed that the hydroxyls at positions C-2, C-3, C-4 and C-6 are not essential for preserving its substrate properties in this reaction. The affinity of the enzyme and the rate of hexose incorporation into trehalose decreases in following sequence: UDP-glucose, UDP-2-deoxy-D-glucose, UDP-6-deoxy-d-glucose, UDP-4-deoxy-D-glucose and UDP-3-deoxy-D-glucose.", "contents": "Transglycosylic reactions of nucleotides of deoxy sugars. Biosynthesis of deoxy analogues of alpha,alpha'-trehalose. The biosynthesis of alpha,alpha'-trehalose was investigated in a reaction catalyzed with yeast UDP-Glc :glucose-6-phosphate 1-glucosyl transferase. It was revealed that the hydroxyls at positions C-2, C-3, C-4 and C-6 are not essential for preserving its substrate properties in this reaction. The affinity of the enzyme and the rate of hexose incorporation into trehalose decreases in following sequence: UDP-glucose, UDP-2-deoxy-D-glucose, UDP-6-deoxy-d-glucose, UDP-4-deoxy-D-glucose and UDP-3-deoxy-D-glucose.", "PMID": 776613} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4677", "title": "Small-angle x-ray and light-scattering study of native and trypsin-modified methionyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments were performed on an absolute scale on solutions of methionyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli in its native and trypsin-modified forms. A light-scattering study was performed on the same solutions to verify monodispersity. The structural parameters for the trypsin-modified enzyme, radius of gyration (2.48 nm), volume (90 nm3), surface/volume (1.5 nm-1) and the distribution of chords can account for an equivalent prolate ellipsoid of revolution having an axial ratio 2.3 and a maximum length of 9 nm, with a creviced surface. The rsults obtained for the native enzyme [i.e. radius of gyration (4.3 nm), volume (244 nm3), distribution of the scattering intensity and distribution of chords] exclude the possibility of a very compact quaternary structure and suggest that the enzyme consists of at least two globular parts, probably the two protomers, linked together by interactions involving a limited region of the structure.", "contents": "Small-angle x-ray and light-scattering study of native and trypsin-modified methionyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli. Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments were performed on an absolute scale on solutions of methionyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli in its native and trypsin-modified forms. A light-scattering study was performed on the same solutions to verify monodispersity. The structural parameters for the trypsin-modified enzyme, radius of gyration (2.48 nm), volume (90 nm3), surface/volume (1.5 nm-1) and the distribution of chords can account for an equivalent prolate ellipsoid of revolution having an axial ratio 2.3 and a maximum length of 9 nm, with a creviced surface. The rsults obtained for the native enzyme [i.e. radius of gyration (4.3 nm), volume (244 nm3), distribution of the scattering intensity and distribution of chords] exclude the possibility of a very compact quaternary structure and suggest that the enzyme consists of at least two globular parts, probably the two protomers, linked together by interactions involving a limited region of the structure.", "PMID": 776614} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4678", "title": "The binding of indole to the alpha-subunit and beta2-subunit and to the alpha2beta2-complex of tryptophan synthase from Escherichia coli. Identification of a second indole-binding site on the alpha-subunit.", "content": "The binding of indole and indolepropanol phosphate, an analogue of the substrate indoleglycerol phosphate, to the individual alpha and beta2-subunits and to the alpha2beta2-complex of tryptophan synthase was studied by equilibrium dialysis. The use of [14C]indole and indolepropanol [32P]phosphate permitted simultaneous binding studies to be carried out. Competition between indole and indolepropanol phosphate in binding to a particular site was taken as evidence for that site being part of the active site of the alpha-subunit. The binding of indole to the active site of the alpha-subunit is weak (Kd = 18mM). A second distinct site binds indole more strongly (Kd = 1.5 mM) and interacts with the active site indirectly. It is therefore designated an effector site. Furthermore, the binding of indole and/or indolepropanol phosphate appears to stabilize different conformations of the alpha-subunit. The beta2-subunit binds indole only weakly (Kd = 12 mM) to many (n = 10) sites per polypeptide chain. The alpha2beta2-complex retains one or two sites per alphabeta-equivalent of relatively high affinity (Kd = 1.2 mM). The active sites of the component alpha and beta-subunits probably belong to the second class of many (n = 40) sites of low (Kd = 30 mM) affinity for indole. These findings support conclusions from the literature that both bi-substrate reactions involving indole catalyzed by tryptophan synthase and its subunits must follow strictly ordered addition mechanisms with the respective other substrate adding first.", "contents": "The binding of indole to the alpha-subunit and beta2-subunit and to the alpha2beta2-complex of tryptophan synthase from Escherichia coli. Identification of a second indole-binding site on the alpha-subunit. The binding of indole and indolepropanol phosphate, an analogue of the substrate indoleglycerol phosphate, to the individual alpha and beta2-subunits and to the alpha2beta2-complex of tryptophan synthase was studied by equilibrium dialysis. The use of [14C]indole and indolepropanol [32P]phosphate permitted simultaneous binding studies to be carried out. Competition between indole and indolepropanol phosphate in binding to a particular site was taken as evidence for that site being part of the active site of the alpha-subunit. The binding of indole to the active site of the alpha-subunit is weak (Kd = 18mM). A second distinct site binds indole more strongly (Kd = 1.5 mM) and interacts with the active site indirectly. It is therefore designated an effector site. Furthermore, the binding of indole and/or indolepropanol phosphate appears to stabilize different conformations of the alpha-subunit. The beta2-subunit binds indole only weakly (Kd = 12 mM) to many (n = 10) sites per polypeptide chain. The alpha2beta2-complex retains one or two sites per alphabeta-equivalent of relatively high affinity (Kd = 1.2 mM). The active sites of the component alpha and beta-subunits probably belong to the second class of many (n = 40) sites of low (Kd = 30 mM) affinity for indole. These findings support conclusions from the literature that both bi-substrate reactions involving indole catalyzed by tryptophan synthase and its subunits must follow strictly ordered addition mechanisms with the respective other substrate adding first.", "PMID": 776615} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4679", "title": "Studies on the environment of protein S7 within the 30-S subunit Escherichia coli ribosomes.", "content": "Analyses are described of three types of ribosomal fragment, all derived from the well-characterized ribonucleoprotein species consisting of proteins S7, S9, S10, S14 AND S19, together with RNA from sections O'-D-E'-K-P-P'-E-A of the 16-S sequence. 1. When 30-S subunits were hydrolysed with ribonuclease T1 in presence of deoxycholate in addition to the components previously described, a fragment could be isolated which contained only proteins S7 and S19, together with minor amounts of S13 or S14. Oligonucleotide analysis of this fragment showed that it contained RNA from sections O'-E' and P-A of the 16-S RNA, but that section K (from the middle of this area) was missing. 2. It has previously been shown that when 30-S subunits are irradiated with ultraviolet light, protein S7 is the primary target of cross-linking of protein to RNA. By making use of this reaction, ribonucleoprotein fragments were isolated from irradiated 30-S subunits the unbound proteins were removed, and RNA fragments containing covalently linked protein S7 were identified. It was possible to demonstrate that the site of cross-linking lies within the O'-A region of the 16-S RNA, and more precise experiments showed that this site almost certainly is in the P-A region. 3. When the parent five-protein ribonucleoprotein fragment (above) was deproteinized under very mild conditions, RNA complexes could be isolated which consisted of non-contiguous sequences, but which migrated as a single species into a polyacrylamide gel. Analysis of one of these complexes showed that it contained sequences from sections O'-E' and P-A, but that section K was missing (cf. first paragraph above). This demonstrated that these two separate regions of RNA interact within the 30-S subunit, independently of the presence of protein.", "contents": "Studies on the environment of protein S7 within the 30-S subunit Escherichia coli ribosomes. Analyses are described of three types of ribosomal fragment, all derived from the well-characterized ribonucleoprotein species consisting of proteins S7, S9, S10, S14 AND S19, together with RNA from sections O'-D-E'-K-P-P'-E-A of the 16-S sequence. 1. When 30-S subunits were hydrolysed with ribonuclease T1 in presence of deoxycholate in addition to the components previously described, a fragment could be isolated which contained only proteins S7 and S19, together with minor amounts of S13 or S14. Oligonucleotide analysis of this fragment showed that it contained RNA from sections O'-E' and P-A of the 16-S RNA, but that section K (from the middle of this area) was missing. 2. It has previously been shown that when 30-S subunits are irradiated with ultraviolet light, protein S7 is the primary target of cross-linking of protein to RNA. By making use of this reaction, ribonucleoprotein fragments were isolated from irradiated 30-S subunits the unbound proteins were removed, and RNA fragments containing covalently linked protein S7 were identified. It was possible to demonstrate that the site of cross-linking lies within the O'-A region of the 16-S RNA, and more precise experiments showed that this site almost certainly is in the P-A region. 3. When the parent five-protein ribonucleoprotein fragment (above) was deproteinized under very mild conditions, RNA complexes could be isolated which consisted of non-contiguous sequences, but which migrated as a single species into a polyacrylamide gel. Analysis of one of these complexes showed that it contained sequences from sections O'-E' and P-A, but that section K was missing (cf. first paragraph above). This demonstrated that these two separate regions of RNA interact within the 30-S subunit, independently of the presence of protein.", "PMID": 776616} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4680", "title": "Phenylalanyl-tRNA and seryl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast. Substrate specificity with regard to ATP analogs and mechanism of the aminoacylation reaction.", "content": "Eighteen analogs of ATP have been tested in the aminoacylation reaction of phenylalanyl-tRNA and seryl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast. Four compounds are substrates for phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, five for seryl-tRNA synthetase, one compound is an inhibitor for both enzymes; their Km and Ki and V values have been determined. The substrate specificity shows that for the catalytic action of both enzymes with these substrates positions 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the purine moiety and positions 2' and 3' of the ribose moiety are important.", "contents": "Phenylalanyl-tRNA and seryl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast. Substrate specificity with regard to ATP analogs and mechanism of the aminoacylation reaction. Eighteen analogs of ATP have been tested in the aminoacylation reaction of phenylalanyl-tRNA and seryl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast. Four compounds are substrates for phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, five for seryl-tRNA synthetase, one compound is an inhibitor for both enzymes; their Km and Ki and V values have been determined. The substrate specificity shows that for the catalytic action of both enzymes with these substrates positions 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the purine moiety and positions 2' and 3' of the ribose moiety are important.", "PMID": 776617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4681", "title": "Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast. Salt dependence of steady-state kinetics indicates two molecular forms of the enzyme.", "content": "Steady-state kinetic data of aminoacylation of tRNAPhe by phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase depend on salt concentration. At 5 mM KCl and 20 mM MgSO4 a non-linear curve is found in the double-reciprocal plot for ATP and phenylalanine, while at 200 mM KCl and 50 mM MgSO4 a linear curve is observed. KCl and MgSO4 dependence of the reaction also show biphasic curves with intersection points of the two extrapolated linear parts at 50 mM and 10 mM, respectively. A biphasic curve is also found if the concentration of CTP is varied at constant low ATP concentration. Extrapolations of the linear parts of the curves for ATP as well as for CTP at 5 mM KCl and 20 mM MgSO4 intersected the 1/[NTP] axis at 1.2 +/- 0.1 mM. Hence the existence of a non-linear curve for ATP as well as phenylalanine does not necessarily indicate two non-equivalent binding sites for these substrates. A more likely explanation is the existence of two different molecular forms of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase which are interconvertible by salt. This explanation is substantiated by the observation that proteolytic digestion of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase is more easily achieved at low than at medium ionic strength. In addition mischarging of tRNAIle with phenylalanine by phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase occurs at a moderate rate at 5 mM KCl and 20 mM MgSO4 whereas it is largely depressed by addition of either 5 mM CTP or 150 mM KCl.", "contents": "Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast. Salt dependence of steady-state kinetics indicates two molecular forms of the enzyme. Steady-state kinetic data of aminoacylation of tRNAPhe by phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase depend on salt concentration. At 5 mM KCl and 20 mM MgSO4 a non-linear curve is found in the double-reciprocal plot for ATP and phenylalanine, while at 200 mM KCl and 50 mM MgSO4 a linear curve is observed. KCl and MgSO4 dependence of the reaction also show biphasic curves with intersection points of the two extrapolated linear parts at 50 mM and 10 mM, respectively. A biphasic curve is also found if the concentration of CTP is varied at constant low ATP concentration. Extrapolations of the linear parts of the curves for ATP as well as for CTP at 5 mM KCl and 20 mM MgSO4 intersected the 1/[NTP] axis at 1.2 +/- 0.1 mM. Hence the existence of a non-linear curve for ATP as well as phenylalanine does not necessarily indicate two non-equivalent binding sites for these substrates. A more likely explanation is the existence of two different molecular forms of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase which are interconvertible by salt. This explanation is substantiated by the observation that proteolytic digestion of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase is more easily achieved at low than at medium ionic strength. In addition mischarging of tRNAIle with phenylalanine by phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase occurs at a moderate rate at 5 mM KCl and 20 mM MgSO4 whereas it is largely depressed by addition of either 5 mM CTP or 150 mM KCl.", "PMID": 776618} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4682", "title": "Thermal melting curves of tRNAPhe from yeast lacking different numbers of nucleotides from the 3'-end.", "content": "The thermal melting curves of tRNAPhe and tRNALys from yeast lacking different numbers of nucleotides from the 3'-end were recorded. The removal of the first nucleotide had no effect on the melting profile. The stepwise removal of the following six nucleotides caused changes in the character of the derivative melting curves: they became rather broad and melting started at lower temperatures. These results indicate that the nucleotides at the 3'-end contribute to the stability of the molecular structure of tRNAs.", "contents": "Thermal melting curves of tRNAPhe from yeast lacking different numbers of nucleotides from the 3'-end. The thermal melting curves of tRNAPhe and tRNALys from yeast lacking different numbers of nucleotides from the 3'-end were recorded. The removal of the first nucleotide had no effect on the melting profile. The stepwise removal of the following six nucleotides caused changes in the character of the derivative melting curves: they became rather broad and melting started at lower temperatures. These results indicate that the nucleotides at the 3'-end contribute to the stability of the molecular structure of tRNAs.", "PMID": 776619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4683", "title": "The specific role of ribosomal protein S1 in the recognition of native phage RNA.", "content": "The previously reported requirement of ribosomal protein S1 for translation of phage RNA is now shown to be related to the involvement of the protein in initiation complex formation. The structure of the messenger RNA appears to be uniquely related to S1 function, since translation and initiation and midly unfolded phage RNA (by modification with formaldehyde) are independent of S1. It is proposed that S1 functions in conjunction with initiation factor IF-3 by recognizing and unfolding elements of the tertiary structure of phage RNA. A model is suggested for S1 function in both initiation of protein synthesis and initiation of phage RNA replication.", "contents": "The specific role of ribosomal protein S1 in the recognition of native phage RNA. The previously reported requirement of ribosomal protein S1 for translation of phage RNA is now shown to be related to the involvement of the protein in initiation complex formation. The structure of the messenger RNA appears to be uniquely related to S1 function, since translation and initiation and midly unfolded phage RNA (by modification with formaldehyde) are independent of S1. It is proposed that S1 functions in conjunction with initiation factor IF-3 by recognizing and unfolding elements of the tertiary structure of phage RNA. A model is suggested for S1 function in both initiation of protein synthesis and initiation of phage RNA replication.", "PMID": 776620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4684", "title": "The subcellular distribution and state of the elongation factor Tu in extracts of Escherichia coli B.", "content": "The concentration of elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) is about 8 times that of ribosomes in extracts of Escherichia coli B grown in glucose-minimal medium. 90% of the EF-Tu is found in the ribosome-free fraction of the cell and 75% of this is free of other macromolecules as judged by chromatography on Sephadex G-100; about 10% is bound to the elongation factor EF-Ts and the remaining 10-15% is eluted from Sephadex G-100 earlier than expected for its molecular weight. Tryptic peptide maps of the three forms of EF-Tu are essentially indistinguishable.", "contents": "The subcellular distribution and state of the elongation factor Tu in extracts of Escherichia coli B. The concentration of elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) is about 8 times that of ribosomes in extracts of Escherichia coli B grown in glucose-minimal medium. 90% of the EF-Tu is found in the ribosome-free fraction of the cell and 75% of this is free of other macromolecules as judged by chromatography on Sephadex G-100; about 10% is bound to the elongation factor EF-Ts and the remaining 10-15% is eluted from Sephadex G-100 earlier than expected for its molecular weight. Tryptic peptide maps of the three forms of EF-Tu are essentially indistinguishable.", "PMID": 776621} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4685", "title": "Cytidine diphosphate diglyceride of bovine brain. Positional distribution of fatty acids and analysis of major molecular species.", "content": "A method is described for the isolation of CDP-diglyceride from bovine brain. Yields of the product ranged from 9.2-15.5 mumol per kilogram of tissue, which corresponds to about 1% of the level of phosphatidic acid. Mild alkaline hydrolysis of the product gave three water-soluble phosphate esters which had the same electrophoretic mobilities as CMP, CDP-glycerol and glycerol 3-phosphate. The liponucleotide was quantitatively hydrolysed by CDP-diglyceride hydrolase from Escherichia coli to phosphatidic acid and CMP. No dCMP was recovered in enzymatic or alkaline hydrolysates and it is concluded there can be little or no dCDP-diglyceride in bovine brain. Brain CDP-diglyceride was similar to phosphatidylinositol in that in both lipids stearate was the major saturated fatty acid and arachidonate the most abundant unsaturated fatty acid. This differed significantly from the fatty acid patterns of other metabolically related phospholipids, phosphatidic acid and cardiolipin. Brain CDP-diglyceride was hydrolysed with phospholipase C from Clostridium welchii with the liberation of the diglyceride moiety in high yield. Treatment of the diglyceride with pancreatic lipase showed CDP-diglyceride with the asymmetric distribution of fatty acids characteristic of most mammalian phospholipids, saturated fatty acids being found mostly at position 1 and polyunsaturated fatty acids at position 2. The derived diglyceride acetates were separated into different molecular species by argentation thin-layer chromatography. These analyses showed that 1-stearoyl, 2-arachidonoyl was the major species of brain CDP-diglyceride.", "contents": "Cytidine diphosphate diglyceride of bovine brain. Positional distribution of fatty acids and analysis of major molecular species. A method is described for the isolation of CDP-diglyceride from bovine brain. Yields of the product ranged from 9.2-15.5 mumol per kilogram of tissue, which corresponds to about 1% of the level of phosphatidic acid. Mild alkaline hydrolysis of the product gave three water-soluble phosphate esters which had the same electrophoretic mobilities as CMP, CDP-glycerol and glycerol 3-phosphate. The liponucleotide was quantitatively hydrolysed by CDP-diglyceride hydrolase from Escherichia coli to phosphatidic acid and CMP. No dCMP was recovered in enzymatic or alkaline hydrolysates and it is concluded there can be little or no dCDP-diglyceride in bovine brain. Brain CDP-diglyceride was similar to phosphatidylinositol in that in both lipids stearate was the major saturated fatty acid and arachidonate the most abundant unsaturated fatty acid. This differed significantly from the fatty acid patterns of other metabolically related phospholipids, phosphatidic acid and cardiolipin. Brain CDP-diglyceride was hydrolysed with phospholipase C from Clostridium welchii with the liberation of the diglyceride moiety in high yield. Treatment of the diglyceride with pancreatic lipase showed CDP-diglyceride with the asymmetric distribution of fatty acids characteristic of most mammalian phospholipids, saturated fatty acids being found mostly at position 1 and polyunsaturated fatty acids at position 2. The derived diglyceride acetates were separated into different molecular species by argentation thin-layer chromatography. These analyses showed that 1-stearoyl, 2-arachidonoyl was the major species of brain CDP-diglyceride.", "PMID": 776622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4686", "title": "Maltose transport in Escherichia coli K12. A comparison of transport kinetics in wild-type and lambda-resistant mutants as measured by fluorescence quenching.", "content": "The kinetic parameters for the maltose transport system in Escherichia coli K12 were determined with maltose and maltotriose as substrates. The system exhibits an apparent Km of 1 muM for maltose and 2 muM for maltotriose. The V of entry was determined as 2.0 and 1.1 nmol substrate/min per 10(8) cells. Mutations in lamB, the structural gene for the receptor protein of phage lambda, increased the Km for maltose transport by a factor of 100-500 without influencing the maximal rate of transport. Maltotriose is no longer transported in these lamB mutants. The maltose-binding protein, an essential component of the maltose transport system, was found to exhibit substrate-dependent fluorescence quenching. This phenomenon was used to determine dissociation constants and to estimate the rate of ligand dissociation. A Kd of 1 muM for maltose and of 0.16 muM for maltotroise was found. From the comparison of the kinetic parameters of transport of maltose and maltotriose in wild-type and lambda-resistant mutants with the binding constants for both sugars to purified maltose-binding protein, we conclude that the lambda receptor facilitates the diffusion of maltose and maltodextrins through the outer membrane.", "contents": "Maltose transport in Escherichia coli K12. A comparison of transport kinetics in wild-type and lambda-resistant mutants as measured by fluorescence quenching. The kinetic parameters for the maltose transport system in Escherichia coli K12 were determined with maltose and maltotriose as substrates. The system exhibits an apparent Km of 1 muM for maltose and 2 muM for maltotriose. The V of entry was determined as 2.0 and 1.1 nmol substrate/min per 10(8) cells. Mutations in lamB, the structural gene for the receptor protein of phage lambda, increased the Km for maltose transport by a factor of 100-500 without influencing the maximal rate of transport. Maltotriose is no longer transported in these lamB mutants. The maltose-binding protein, an essential component of the maltose transport system, was found to exhibit substrate-dependent fluorescence quenching. This phenomenon was used to determine dissociation constants and to estimate the rate of ligand dissociation. A Kd of 1 muM for maltose and of 0.16 muM for maltotroise was found. From the comparison of the kinetic parameters of transport of maltose and maltotriose in wild-type and lambda-resistant mutants with the binding constants for both sugars to purified maltose-binding protein, we conclude that the lambda receptor facilitates the diffusion of maltose and maltodextrins through the outer membrane.", "PMID": 776623} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4687", "title": "Subunit composition of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase during transcription in vitro.", "content": "The subunit composition of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase during the transcription in vitro of bacteriophage T7DNA was analysed at several steps of RNA synthesis. RNA-polymerase . DNA complexes were sedimented through a glycerol gradient and the RNA polymerase subunits present in each fraction of the gradient were separated by dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and quantified colorimetrically on the gels. RNA polymerase selectively bound to T7 DNA in the absence of nucleoside triphosphates has the same subunit composition as free RNA polymerase holoenzyme (beta'betaalpha2) omicron. Addition of the nucleoside triphosphate combinations ATP, GTP, UTP or ATP, CTP, UPT, or GTP, CTP UTP to the binding reaction does not alter the subunit composition of RNA polymerase holenzyme bound to DNA. In contrast, in the presence of ATP, GTP and CTP up to 3 pmol of omicron-subunit are released from a complex containing RNA polymerase and 1 pmol of T7 DNA. In the presence of the four nucleoside triphosphates about 90% of the RNA polymerase associated with DNA and nascent RNA has the subunit composition of RNA polymerase core enzyme (bet'betaalpha2). The omicron-subunit is released from the complex and is recovered near the top of the gradient. The transition from the binding complex to the elongation complex and the incorporation of gamma32P-labeled ATP and GTP at the 5' end of RNA molecules were followed in parallel. In the purified elongation complex about 1 pmol of ATP or GTP is incorporated into RNA per pmol RNA polymerase core enzyme engaged in RNA synthesis.", "contents": "Subunit composition of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase during transcription in vitro. The subunit composition of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase during the transcription in vitro of bacteriophage T7DNA was analysed at several steps of RNA synthesis. RNA-polymerase . DNA complexes were sedimented through a glycerol gradient and the RNA polymerase subunits present in each fraction of the gradient were separated by dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and quantified colorimetrically on the gels. RNA polymerase selectively bound to T7 DNA in the absence of nucleoside triphosphates has the same subunit composition as free RNA polymerase holoenzyme (beta'betaalpha2) omicron. Addition of the nucleoside triphosphate combinations ATP, GTP, UTP or ATP, CTP, UPT, or GTP, CTP UTP to the binding reaction does not alter the subunit composition of RNA polymerase holenzyme bound to DNA. In contrast, in the presence of ATP, GTP and CTP up to 3 pmol of omicron-subunit are released from a complex containing RNA polymerase and 1 pmol of T7 DNA. In the presence of the four nucleoside triphosphates about 90% of the RNA polymerase associated with DNA and nascent RNA has the subunit composition of RNA polymerase core enzyme (bet'betaalpha2). The omicron-subunit is released from the complex and is recovered near the top of the gradient. The transition from the binding complex to the elongation complex and the incorporation of gamma32P-labeled ATP and GTP at the 5' end of RNA molecules were followed in parallel. In the purified elongation complex about 1 pmol of ATP or GTP is incorporated into RNA per pmol RNA polymerase core enzyme engaged in RNA synthesis.", "PMID": 776624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4688", "title": "Histidyl-transfer-ribonucleic-acid synthetase from Salmonella typhimurium. Studies of the sulfhydryl groups.", "content": "The reactivity of the sulfhydryl groups of histidyl-t RNA synthetase from Salmonella typhimurium and the effect of substrates on the reactivity has been studied using p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and 5, 5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) as reagents. It has been found that 5, 5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) titrates only two sulfhydryl groups per molcule of enzyme and the reaction is essenaitlly monophasic, while p-hydroxymercuribenzoate titrates four sulhydryl groups. As observed kinetically the reaction with p-hydroxymercuribenzoate is strongly biphasic, each phase corresponding to about two sulfhydryl groups per enzyme molecule. With both reagents no detectable difference in sulfhydryl group reactivity was observed when ATP, histidine and tRNA specific for histidine were added individually or in combination to the enzyme. The enzyme activity slowly changes after two or four sulhydryl groups are blocked by 5, 5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) or p-hydroxymercuribenzoate respectively. A new, stable level of activity is reached that is characterized by a different Km value for the aminoacylation reaction. The results indicate that the sulfhydryl groups reacting with the two reagents used here are neither directly involved in the binding of the substrates nor in the catalytic process. The ultimate change in enzyme activity after reaction of the sulfhydryl groups suggests a transition to an alternative enzyme structure.", "contents": "Histidyl-transfer-ribonucleic-acid synthetase from Salmonella typhimurium. Studies of the sulfhydryl groups. The reactivity of the sulfhydryl groups of histidyl-t RNA synthetase from Salmonella typhimurium and the effect of substrates on the reactivity has been studied using p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and 5, 5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) as reagents. It has been found that 5, 5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) titrates only two sulfhydryl groups per molcule of enzyme and the reaction is essenaitlly monophasic, while p-hydroxymercuribenzoate titrates four sulhydryl groups. As observed kinetically the reaction with p-hydroxymercuribenzoate is strongly biphasic, each phase corresponding to about two sulfhydryl groups per enzyme molecule. With both reagents no detectable difference in sulfhydryl group reactivity was observed when ATP, histidine and tRNA specific for histidine were added individually or in combination to the enzyme. The enzyme activity slowly changes after two or four sulhydryl groups are blocked by 5, 5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) or p-hydroxymercuribenzoate respectively. A new, stable level of activity is reached that is characterized by a different Km value for the aminoacylation reaction. The results indicate that the sulfhydryl groups reacting with the two reagents used here are neither directly involved in the binding of the substrates nor in the catalytic process. The ultimate change in enzyme activity after reaction of the sulfhydryl groups suggests a transition to an alternative enzyme structure.", "PMID": 776625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4689", "title": "Preparation and properties of an analogue of poly(A) and poly(G): poly(isoguanylic acid).", "content": "Isoguanosine-5'-pyrosphosphate, in the presence of an oligonucleotide primer, was polymerized by Escherichia coli polynucleotide phosphorylase under conditions analogous to those required for polymerization of 5'-GMP. The resulting poly(isoguanylic acid), poly(isoG), was a multistranded helix with a stability considerably higher than that of poly(G), and fully resistant to various nucleolytic enzymes. The polymer exhibited a two-step temperature transition profile in moderately alkaline propylene glycol. Alkaline titration in aqueous medium, by ultraviolet and circular dichroism spectroscopy, showed two clearly defined transitions, the second of which was fully cooperative. The accompanying changes in sedimentation constants were consistent with a structure for poly(isoG) of a fourstranded helix, like neutral poly(G). In acid medium, spectral and potentiometric titrations demonstrated the existence of more than one transition in the pH range 6-12, with accompanying protonation of the isoguanosine residues. In neutral medium the polymer formed no complexes with other potentially complementary homopolymers. In acid medium, on the other hand, the protonated form of poly(isoG) did form a triple-stranded complex with poly(I), viz. 2poly(I) . poly(isoG)+. Possible structures are formulated for the neural and protonated forms of poly(isoG) which account for the two-step thermal transition in alkaline propylene glycol and on alkaline titration in aqueous medium. The nature of the protonated form, and its complex with poly(I) is also discussed.", "contents": "Preparation and properties of an analogue of poly(A) and poly(G): poly(isoguanylic acid). Isoguanosine-5'-pyrosphosphate, in the presence of an oligonucleotide primer, was polymerized by Escherichia coli polynucleotide phosphorylase under conditions analogous to those required for polymerization of 5'-GMP. The resulting poly(isoguanylic acid), poly(isoG), was a multistranded helix with a stability considerably higher than that of poly(G), and fully resistant to various nucleolytic enzymes. The polymer exhibited a two-step temperature transition profile in moderately alkaline propylene glycol. Alkaline titration in aqueous medium, by ultraviolet and circular dichroism spectroscopy, showed two clearly defined transitions, the second of which was fully cooperative. The accompanying changes in sedimentation constants were consistent with a structure for poly(isoG) of a fourstranded helix, like neutral poly(G). In acid medium, spectral and potentiometric titrations demonstrated the existence of more than one transition in the pH range 6-12, with accompanying protonation of the isoguanosine residues. In neutral medium the polymer formed no complexes with other potentially complementary homopolymers. In acid medium, on the other hand, the protonated form of poly(isoG) did form a triple-stranded complex with poly(I), viz. 2poly(I) . poly(isoG)+. Possible structures are formulated for the neural and protonated forms of poly(isoG) which account for the two-step thermal transition in alkaline propylene glycol and on alkaline titration in aqueous medium. The nature of the protonated form, and its complex with poly(I) is also discussed.", "PMID": 776626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4690", "title": "Metabolism of phosphatidylglycerol in cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Cell-free extracts from Escherichia coli strain number 9, lacking among other enzymes glycerol kinase, are able to incorporate [2-3H] glycerol into phospholipids. The characteristics of this incorporation indicate that it is not taking place through the regular glycerol phosphate pathway of phospholipid synthesis which occurs when this compound is used as a precursor or even when extracts of E. coli strain 7, having a functional glycerol kinase, are incubated with [2-3H] glycerol. In E. coli strain 9 extracts glycerol is exclusively incorporated into the distal position of phosphatidyl-glycerol while in the other strains the middle position glycerol is partially labelled.", "contents": "Metabolism of phosphatidylglycerol in cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli. Cell-free extracts from Escherichia coli strain number 9, lacking among other enzymes glycerol kinase, are able to incorporate [2-3H] glycerol into phospholipids. The characteristics of this incorporation indicate that it is not taking place through the regular glycerol phosphate pathway of phospholipid synthesis which occurs when this compound is used as a precursor or even when extracts of E. coli strain 7, having a functional glycerol kinase, are incubated with [2-3H] glycerol. In E. coli strain 9 extracts glycerol is exclusively incorporated into the distal position of phosphatidyl-glycerol while in the other strains the middle position glycerol is partially labelled.", "PMID": 776627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4691", "title": "Isolation and characterization of four related peptides exhibiting alpha factor activity from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The molecular structure of alpha factor, a mating hormone produced by alpha mating type cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been investigated. From culture filtrates of alpha cells four oligopeptides exhibiting alpha factor activity have been isolated. These peptides, designated as alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, and alpha4 are structurally closely related, being composed of thirteen (alpha1 and alpha3) and twelve (alpha2 and alpha4) amino acids, respectively. The peptides were found to be composed of the following amino acids: 2 glutamic acid or glutamine, 2 proline, 1 glycine, 1 methionine or methionine sulfoxide, 2 leucine, 1 tyrosine, 1 lysine, 1 histidine, 1 or 2 tryptophan. The tridekapeptides differ from the dodekapeptides by an additional NH2-terminal tryptophan residue. Tyrosine was identified as the C-terminal amino acid in all four peptides. alpha3 and alpha4 are oxidation products containing an internal methionine sulfoxide instead of methionine. The mechanisms which could introduce the observed heterogeneity of the peptides are discussed.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of four related peptides exhibiting alpha factor activity from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The molecular structure of alpha factor, a mating hormone produced by alpha mating type cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been investigated. From culture filtrates of alpha cells four oligopeptides exhibiting alpha factor activity have been isolated. These peptides, designated as alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, and alpha4 are structurally closely related, being composed of thirteen (alpha1 and alpha3) and twelve (alpha2 and alpha4) amino acids, respectively. The peptides were found to be composed of the following amino acids: 2 glutamic acid or glutamine, 2 proline, 1 glycine, 1 methionine or methionine sulfoxide, 2 leucine, 1 tyrosine, 1 lysine, 1 histidine, 1 or 2 tryptophan. The tridekapeptides differ from the dodekapeptides by an additional NH2-terminal tryptophan residue. Tyrosine was identified as the C-terminal amino acid in all four peptides. alpha3 and alpha4 are oxidation products containing an internal methionine sulfoxide instead of methionine. The mechanisms which could introduce the observed heterogeneity of the peptides are discussed.", "PMID": 776628} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4692", "title": "On the interaction of seryl-tRNA synthetase with tRNA Ser. A contribution to the problem of synthetase-tRNA recognition.", "content": "By following the tryptophan fluorescence of yeast seryl-tRNA synthetase on addition of tRNA Ser it was observed that the number of binding sites for tRNA decreases from two to one with increasing temperature, ATP or KCl concentration. Concomitantly a considerable decrease of the apparent binding constant was observed. The variation in the number of binding sites is explained by the presence of at least one temperature and ionic strength sensitive binding site and one temperature and ionic strength independent binding site. Relaxation kinetic experiments revealed two binding processes: a fast one depending on tRNA concentration and ionic strength and a slow one, which appeared to be independent of tRNA concentration and ionic strength. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that the activity of seryl-tRNA synthetase strongly depends on the KCl concentration and exhibits a maximum at 0.2 M KCl. Based on the data from relaxation and enzyme kinetic experiments a model is suggested for the recognition process involving a first unspecific step where all tRNAs, cognate and non-cognate, are bound to the synthetase (scanning step). The identification of the cognate tRNA is then performed at the recognition site by a conformational transition of the tRNA . synthetase complex (identification step).", "contents": "On the interaction of seryl-tRNA synthetase with tRNA Ser. A contribution to the problem of synthetase-tRNA recognition. By following the tryptophan fluorescence of yeast seryl-tRNA synthetase on addition of tRNA Ser it was observed that the number of binding sites for tRNA decreases from two to one with increasing temperature, ATP or KCl concentration. Concomitantly a considerable decrease of the apparent binding constant was observed. The variation in the number of binding sites is explained by the presence of at least one temperature and ionic strength sensitive binding site and one temperature and ionic strength independent binding site. Relaxation kinetic experiments revealed two binding processes: a fast one depending on tRNA concentration and ionic strength and a slow one, which appeared to be independent of tRNA concentration and ionic strength. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that the activity of seryl-tRNA synthetase strongly depends on the KCl concentration and exhibits a maximum at 0.2 M KCl. Based on the data from relaxation and enzyme kinetic experiments a model is suggested for the recognition process involving a first unspecific step where all tRNAs, cognate and non-cognate, are bound to the synthetase (scanning step). The identification of the cognate tRNA is then performed at the recognition site by a conformational transition of the tRNA . synthetase complex (identification step).", "PMID": 776629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4693", "title": "Effect of theophylline on monoamine metabolism in the rat brain.", "content": "The effect of theophylline on brain monoamine metabolism was studied in rats. Single doses of theophylline caused a striking and dose-related increase in the levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol sulfate (MOPEG-SO4) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the brain. The level of brain homovanillic acid was only slightly affected. No appreciable change occurred, however, in the levels of brain norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. The increased level of brain MOPEG-SO4 or 5-HIAA after theophylline does not appear to result from its interference with the transport system for the acids in the brain since the rate of decline of the acid levels following pargyline was not affected. Under the conditions of brain monoamine oxidase inhibition, theophylline enhanced the increase in brain normetanephrine level without causing any change in 3-methoxytyramine level. The enhancement of brain normetanephrine level by theophylline became more pronounced when rats were pretreated with imipramine in addition to pargyline. These results suggest that, in the brain, theophylline may cause a release of serotonin leading to its increased turnover. The results also confirm the previous conclusion that the methylxanthine causes a release of norepinephrine and a concomitant increase in its turnover in the brain.", "contents": "Effect of theophylline on monoamine metabolism in the rat brain. The effect of theophylline on brain monoamine metabolism was studied in rats. Single doses of theophylline caused a striking and dose-related increase in the levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol sulfate (MOPEG-SO4) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the brain. The level of brain homovanillic acid was only slightly affected. No appreciable change occurred, however, in the levels of brain norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. The increased level of brain MOPEG-SO4 or 5-HIAA after theophylline does not appear to result from its interference with the transport system for the acids in the brain since the rate of decline of the acid levels following pargyline was not affected. Under the conditions of brain monoamine oxidase inhibition, theophylline enhanced the increase in brain normetanephrine level without causing any change in 3-methoxytyramine level. The enhancement of brain normetanephrine level by theophylline became more pronounced when rats were pretreated with imipramine in addition to pargyline. These results suggest that, in the brain, theophylline may cause a release of serotonin leading to its increased turnover. The results also confirm the previous conclusion that the methylxanthine causes a release of norepinephrine and a concomitant increase in its turnover in the brain.", "PMID": 776632} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4694", "title": "Octopamine, dopamine and noradrenaline content of the brain of the locust, Schistocerca gregaria.", "content": "The octopamine, dopamine and noradrenaline content of the brain of the locust, Schistocerca gregaria has been determined using sensitive radiochemical-enzymatic assays. Octopamine and dopamine are present in high concentration but the noradrenaline content is only 1/25 that is octopamine. Both reserpine and fusaric acid (a dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor) produced a significant depletion of the octopamine stores.", "contents": "Octopamine, dopamine and noradrenaline content of the brain of the locust, Schistocerca gregaria. The octopamine, dopamine and noradrenaline content of the brain of the locust, Schistocerca gregaria has been determined using sensitive radiochemical-enzymatic assays. Octopamine and dopamine are present in high concentration but the noradrenaline content is only 1/25 that is octopamine. Both reserpine and fusaric acid (a dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor) produced a significant depletion of the octopamine stores.", "PMID": 776646} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4695", "title": "The effects of tryptophol on immune responses and it implications toward trypanosome-induced immunosuppression.", "content": "Daily administration of tryptophol to laboratory rodents resulted in significantly depressed antibody production of heterologous red blood cell challenge, did not alter cellular-mediated responses to oxazalone. These results suggest that trypanosome-produced tryptophol may account for the immunodepression observed during trypanosomiasis.", "contents": "The effects of tryptophol on immune responses and it implications toward trypanosome-induced immunosuppression. Daily administration of tryptophol to laboratory rodents resulted in significantly depressed antibody production of heterologous red blood cell challenge, did not alter cellular-mediated responses to oxazalone. These results suggest that trypanosome-produced tryptophol may account for the immunodepression observed during trypanosomiasis.", "PMID": 776647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4696", "title": "[Experimental study of 2d order tuberculostatic preparations in Mycobacterium bovis resistance to isoniazid or streptomycin (based on the data from a morphological study)].", "content": "A comparative study on the therapeutic value of the II line drugs (ethoxide, prothionamide, cycloserin) and bacteriostatics (ethambutol anf rifampicin), with their action upon experimental tuberculosis produced by streptomycin- or isoniazid-resistant mycobacteria of the bovine type, was carried out. This showed rifampicin and ethambutol to be mose effective. Ethoxide and prothionamide proved more efficient when acting upon isoniazid-resistant strains. Cycloserin turned out to be virtually inactive with regard to both streptomycin- and isoniazid-resistant mycobacteria.", "contents": "[Experimental study of 2d order tuberculostatic preparations in Mycobacterium bovis resistance to isoniazid or streptomycin (based on the data from a morphological study)]. A comparative study on the therapeutic value of the II line drugs (ethoxide, prothionamide, cycloserin) and bacteriostatics (ethambutol anf rifampicin), with their action upon experimental tuberculosis produced by streptomycin- or isoniazid-resistant mycobacteria of the bovine type, was carried out. This showed rifampicin and ethambutol to be mose effective. Ethoxide and prothionamide proved more efficient when acting upon isoniazid-resistant strains. Cycloserin turned out to be virtually inactive with regard to both streptomycin- and isoniazid-resistant mycobacteria.", "PMID": 776650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4697", "title": "[Production of phenobarbital antibodies and a study of their immunological specificity].", "content": "A conjugated phenobarbital-protein antigen has been synthetized. Immunization of rabbits with this antigen led to the appearance of antibodies specifically reacting with phenobarbital and some other barbiturates in the serum of their blood. Introduction of free phenobarbital to such animals does not produce any somniferous effect.", "contents": "[Production of phenobarbital antibodies and a study of their immunological specificity]. A conjugated phenobarbital-protein antigen has been synthetized. Immunization of rabbits with this antigen led to the appearance of antibodies specifically reacting with phenobarbital and some other barbiturates in the serum of their blood. Introduction of free phenobarbital to such animals does not produce any somniferous effect.", "PMID": 776652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4698", "title": "[Effect of thiamine bromide on cerebral circulation and arterial pressure (an experimental and clinical study)].", "content": "The effect of thiamine-bromide (5-7 mg/kg, intravenously) on the cerebral blood flow circulation rate; total arterial pressure, oxygen tension in the brain tissues (measured polarographically) and pressure in the venous vessels of the brain was investigated on anesthetized cats with controlled respiration. In patients with hypertensive disease (essential hypertension) the action of the agent (1 ml of a 6% solution, intramuscularly) on the rheoencephalographic readings and overall arterial pressure was studied. Thiamine-bromide is shown to lower the tonicity of intra- and extracranial vessels and to increase pulsed variations in the volume of blood filling of the cranial vessels. The hypotensive effect of the drug is pronounced but mildly. The oxygen tension in cerebral vessels depended mainly on changes in the cerebral circulation rate.", "contents": "[Effect of thiamine bromide on cerebral circulation and arterial pressure (an experimental and clinical study)]. The effect of thiamine-bromide (5-7 mg/kg, intravenously) on the cerebral blood flow circulation rate; total arterial pressure, oxygen tension in the brain tissues (measured polarographically) and pressure in the venous vessels of the brain was investigated on anesthetized cats with controlled respiration. In patients with hypertensive disease (essential hypertension) the action of the agent (1 ml of a 6% solution, intramuscularly) on the rheoencephalographic readings and overall arterial pressure was studied. Thiamine-bromide is shown to lower the tonicity of intra- and extracranial vessels and to increase pulsed variations in the volume of blood filling of the cranial vessels. The hypotensive effect of the drug is pronounced but mildly. The oxygen tension in cerebral vessels depended mainly on changes in the cerebral circulation rate.", "PMID": 776659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4699", "title": "Nanosecond pulse fluorometry in polarized light of dansyl-L-cysteine linked to a unique SH group of F-actin; the influence of regulatory proteins and myosin moiety.", "content": "The order of magnitude of the correlation time, which characterizes the dansyl cysteine residue linked to F-actin is ten times greater than the correlation time of the G-actin monomer [1]. Still it is much smaller than the correlation times of the F-actin polymer as a whole. The dansyl chromophore reveals that the C terminal end of the actin peptide chain, is mobile. As Ebashi and his co-workers have shown (13), Ca2+ triggers muscular contraction by acting on F-actin through the mediation of the regulatory proteins troponin and tropomyosin. By using spin label technique, Tonomura et al. [14] found that Ca2+ induces a conformational change on the troponin, tropomyosin actin complex. The quasi elastic scattering of laser light measurement of Fujime and Ishiwata [15] showed that troponin-tropomyosin F-actin has a rotational correlation time in the millisecond range which characterizes the flexibility of this complex; Ca2+ induces an increase of this flexibility. The present pulse fluorometry study shows an increase of mobility of the fluorescent probe induced by Ca2+. It seems difficult to correlate the results of the two kinds of measurements as long as we do not know the exact nature of the fluorescent kinetics unit.", "contents": "Nanosecond pulse fluorometry in polarized light of dansyl-L-cysteine linked to a unique SH group of F-actin; the influence of regulatory proteins and myosin moiety. The order of magnitude of the correlation time, which characterizes the dansyl cysteine residue linked to F-actin is ten times greater than the correlation time of the G-actin monomer [1]. Still it is much smaller than the correlation times of the F-actin polymer as a whole. The dansyl chromophore reveals that the C terminal end of the actin peptide chain, is mobile. As Ebashi and his co-workers have shown (13), Ca2+ triggers muscular contraction by acting on F-actin through the mediation of the regulatory proteins troponin and tropomyosin. By using spin label technique, Tonomura et al. [14] found that Ca2+ induces a conformational change on the troponin, tropomyosin actin complex. The quasi elastic scattering of laser light measurement of Fujime and Ishiwata [15] showed that troponin-tropomyosin F-actin has a rotational correlation time in the millisecond range which characterizes the flexibility of this complex; Ca2+ induces an increase of this flexibility. The present pulse fluorometry study shows an increase of mobility of the fluorescent probe induced by Ca2+. It seems difficult to correlate the results of the two kinds of measurements as long as we do not know the exact nature of the fluorescent kinetics unit.", "PMID": 776673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4700", "title": "The control of breathing in birds with particular reference to the initiation and maintenance of diving apnea.", "content": "Avian respiratory pacemaker activity is dependent on some form of peripheral input but it may be inhibited by both central and peripheral stimulation. At present the results of central nervous stimulation are difficult to interpret but, aside from cortical influences, diving apnea appears to be maintained, in the face of increasing chemoreceptor input, by noxious stimulation of the upper respiratory tract and depression of the output of medullary respiratory neurons by advancing hypercapnia. If this is so, an obvious problem for future research is what initiates the prompt onset of hyperpnea when the animal surfaces and breathes. It is known that post-dive hyperpnea is little affected by either carotid body or pulmonary denervation, so peripheral chemoreceptors are unlikely to play a major role in this response.", "contents": "The control of breathing in birds with particular reference to the initiation and maintenance of diving apnea. Avian respiratory pacemaker activity is dependent on some form of peripheral input but it may be inhibited by both central and peripheral stimulation. At present the results of central nervous stimulation are difficult to interpret but, aside from cortical influences, diving apnea appears to be maintained, in the face of increasing chemoreceptor input, by noxious stimulation of the upper respiratory tract and depression of the output of medullary respiratory neurons by advancing hypercapnia. If this is so, an obvious problem for future research is what initiates the prompt onset of hyperpnea when the animal surfaces and breathes. It is known that post-dive hyperpnea is little affected by either carotid body or pulmonary denervation, so peripheral chemoreceptors are unlikely to play a major role in this response.", "PMID": 776699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4701", "title": "Neural control and proprioceptive load matching in reflex respiratory movements of fishes.", "content": "A brief anatomical description of topographical arrangements of respiratory neurons in the fish respiratory medulla introduces a discussion centered on neural controls of reflex breathing movements during rhythmic and ram gill ventilation, especially the role of proprioception in \"load matching.\" Paralysis experiments show that proprioceptive signals are processed in medullary respiratory areas of the brain. Some neurons depend completely on proprioceptive input for their activity, while others \"mix\" proprioceptive and rhythmic information. The existence of direct proprioceptive control loops is revealed by fast compensating changes in electrical activity of respiratory muscles following mechanical interference with respiratory movements. Responses of respiratory neurons to short artificial twitches of respiratory muscles show that some neurons process proprioceptive information at higher levels of integration, often with a long latency and after effect. Other neurons react immediately to the stimulus and often show properties of elements in proprioceptive control systems in which length receptors facilitate and tension receptors inhibit motor neuron activity. Stimulus-response averaging applied to neuron activity and respiratory electromyograms, and to electrical stimuli and neurograms, leads to the conclusion that motor neurons and neurons mediating sensory signals from the respiratory muscles are situated close together in the medullary respiratory areas. Neuroanatomical studies are discussed which indicate that the sensory projection fields of some trigeminal fibers terminate adjacent to the cranial motor nuclei. These presumably project onto motor neurons forming fast disynaptic reflex arcs relaying sensory trigeminal information.", "contents": "Neural control and proprioceptive load matching in reflex respiratory movements of fishes. A brief anatomical description of topographical arrangements of respiratory neurons in the fish respiratory medulla introduces a discussion centered on neural controls of reflex breathing movements during rhythmic and ram gill ventilation, especially the role of proprioception in \"load matching.\" Paralysis experiments show that proprioceptive signals are processed in medullary respiratory areas of the brain. Some neurons depend completely on proprioceptive input for their activity, while others \"mix\" proprioceptive and rhythmic information. The existence of direct proprioceptive control loops is revealed by fast compensating changes in electrical activity of respiratory muscles following mechanical interference with respiratory movements. Responses of respiratory neurons to short artificial twitches of respiratory muscles show that some neurons process proprioceptive information at higher levels of integration, often with a long latency and after effect. Other neurons react immediately to the stimulus and often show properties of elements in proprioceptive control systems in which length receptors facilitate and tension receptors inhibit motor neuron activity. Stimulus-response averaging applied to neuron activity and respiratory electromyograms, and to electrical stimuli and neurograms, leads to the conclusion that motor neurons and neurons mediating sensory signals from the respiratory muscles are situated close together in the medullary respiratory areas. Neuroanatomical studies are discussed which indicate that the sensory projection fields of some trigeminal fibers terminate adjacent to the cranial motor nuclei. These presumably project onto motor neurons forming fast disynaptic reflex arcs relaying sensory trigeminal information.", "PMID": 776700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4702", "title": "Respiration and the generation of rhythmic outputs in insects.", "content": "In insects gas exchange may be: 1) entirely passive, when metabolic rate is low; 2) enhanced automatically by muscle contractions that produce movements, e.g., wing movements in flight; or 3) produced by ventilatory movements, particularly of the abdomen. In terrestrial insects such as locusts and cockroaches ventilatory movements are governed by a dominant oscillator in the metathoracic or anterior abdominal ganglion. The dominant oscillator overrides local oscillators in the abdominal ganglia and thus sets the rhythm for the entire abdomen, and it also controls spiracle opening and closing in several thoracic and abdominal segments. This ventilatory control mechanism appears to be different from that generating metachronal rhythms such as occur in the ventilatory and locomotory movements of aquatic arthropods. There are now several examples of rhythms, both ventilatory and locomotory, that can be generated by the central nervous system in the absence of phasic sensory feedback, but the mechanism of rhythm production is not known. Studies of ganglionic output suggest that neuronal oscillators can produce a range of frequencies and that some oscillators may be employed in more than one function or behavior. The mechanisms by which central oscillators are coupled to the output motorneurons are also not known; large phase changes suggest that in some cases different coupling interneurons are active. Intracellular recordings from identified neurons have begun to clarify the important roles of interneurons in the production of motor patterns.", "contents": "Respiration and the generation of rhythmic outputs in insects. In insects gas exchange may be: 1) entirely passive, when metabolic rate is low; 2) enhanced automatically by muscle contractions that produce movements, e.g., wing movements in flight; or 3) produced by ventilatory movements, particularly of the abdomen. In terrestrial insects such as locusts and cockroaches ventilatory movements are governed by a dominant oscillator in the metathoracic or anterior abdominal ganglion. The dominant oscillator overrides local oscillators in the abdominal ganglia and thus sets the rhythm for the entire abdomen, and it also controls spiracle opening and closing in several thoracic and abdominal segments. This ventilatory control mechanism appears to be different from that generating metachronal rhythms such as occur in the ventilatory and locomotory movements of aquatic arthropods. There are now several examples of rhythms, both ventilatory and locomotory, that can be generated by the central nervous system in the absence of phasic sensory feedback, but the mechanism of rhythm production is not known. Studies of ganglionic output suggest that neuronal oscillators can produce a range of frequencies and that some oscillators may be employed in more than one function or behavior. The mechanisms by which central oscillators are coupled to the output motorneurons are also not known; large phase changes suggest that in some cases different coupling interneurons are active. Intracellular recordings from identified neurons have begun to clarify the important roles of interneurons in the production of motor patterns.", "PMID": 776701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4703", "title": "Neurophysiology of the motor output pattern generator for breathing.", "content": "In cats, there is a central pattern generator (CPG) capable of producing the motor output to drive breathing without any phasic sensory input. The phrenic activity driven by the CPG is, on each cycle, a long inspiratory discharge with continuously rising intensity, an abrupt turn-off, and a pause. The CPG is normally overridden by a reflex termination of inspiration. A sufficient lung inflation will terminate inspiration early, but has no other effect on the motor output. This is the Hering-Breuer inspiration inhibiting reflex. The lung volume necessary to terminate inspiration decreases during the course of an inspiration. The slowly adapting bronchial stretch receptors running in the vagus are the responsible afferents. These vagal afferents drive cells in the ventrolateral nucleus of the solitary tract. These cells also receive a rising excitation from the CPG. They sum these two inputs and thus show a falling threshold to vagal input. They probably generate the inspiration terminating trigger for the Hering-Breuer reflex. In deeply anesthetized breathing, the only active expiratory cells are in the nucleus retroambigualis. These do not make synapses with inspiratory cells. Thus breathing models based on reciprocal inhibition between inspiratory and expiratory cells cannot be correct. Inspiratory cells must themselves be capable of generating the rhythm. Invertebrates present many examples of repetitive burst generation by a single synergistic population. This usually involves cells that, in the absence of synaptic input, either fire continuous trains or rhythmical bursts of spikes. The cardiac ganglion of crustaceans may be a useful model for burst generation similar to breathing. In deeply anesthetized breathing there are two populations of medullary respiratory cells, those in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) and those in the nucleus retroambigualis (NRA). The NST has axons ramifying in the NRA and thus could drive it, but the reverse connections do not exist. Thus the current \"best guess\" is that the cells of the NST are the central pattern generator for breathing.", "contents": "Neurophysiology of the motor output pattern generator for breathing. In cats, there is a central pattern generator (CPG) capable of producing the motor output to drive breathing without any phasic sensory input. The phrenic activity driven by the CPG is, on each cycle, a long inspiratory discharge with continuously rising intensity, an abrupt turn-off, and a pause. The CPG is normally overridden by a reflex termination of inspiration. A sufficient lung inflation will terminate inspiration early, but has no other effect on the motor output. This is the Hering-Breuer inspiration inhibiting reflex. The lung volume necessary to terminate inspiration decreases during the course of an inspiration. The slowly adapting bronchial stretch receptors running in the vagus are the responsible afferents. These vagal afferents drive cells in the ventrolateral nucleus of the solitary tract. These cells also receive a rising excitation from the CPG. They sum these two inputs and thus show a falling threshold to vagal input. They probably generate the inspiration terminating trigger for the Hering-Breuer reflex. In deeply anesthetized breathing, the only active expiratory cells are in the nucleus retroambigualis. These do not make synapses with inspiratory cells. Thus breathing models based on reciprocal inhibition between inspiratory and expiratory cells cannot be correct. Inspiratory cells must themselves be capable of generating the rhythm. Invertebrates present many examples of repetitive burst generation by a single synergistic population. This usually involves cells that, in the absence of synaptic input, either fire continuous trains or rhythmical bursts of spikes. The cardiac ganglion of crustaceans may be a useful model for burst generation similar to breathing. In deeply anesthetized breathing there are two populations of medullary respiratory cells, those in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) and those in the nucleus retroambigualis (NRA). The NST has axons ramifying in the NRA and thus could drive it, but the reverse connections do not exist. Thus the current \"best guess\" is that the cells of the NST are the central pattern generator for breathing.", "PMID": 776702} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4704", "title": "Plasmid DNA replication.", "content": "Recent studies have provided some insight to the overall characteristics of plasmid replication in bacteria. The ColE 1 and R6K plasmids replicate via a covalently-closed circular intermediate. Replication is initiated at a fixed origin and is unidirectional in the case of ColE 1 and bidirectional for R6K. In the case of the plasmid R6K. the bidirectional replication is asymmetric and sequential, proceeding from a fixed origin to a fixed terminus located approximately 20% of the R6K genome from the origin. RNA serves as a primer for plasmid DNA replication. The base composition and sequence of the 5'-terminus of the RNA segments in ColE 1 DNA have been determined. Finally, the properties of plasmid relaxation complexes and the possible role of these complexes in plasmid DNA replication are discussed.", "contents": "Plasmid DNA replication. Recent studies have provided some insight to the overall characteristics of plasmid replication in bacteria. The ColE 1 and R6K plasmids replicate via a covalently-closed circular intermediate. Replication is initiated at a fixed origin and is unidirectional in the case of ColE 1 and bidirectional for R6K. In the case of the plasmid R6K. the bidirectional replication is asymmetric and sequential, proceeding from a fixed origin to a fixed terminus located approximately 20% of the R6K genome from the origin. RNA serves as a primer for plasmid DNA replication. The base composition and sequence of the 5'-terminus of the RNA segments in ColE 1 DNA have been determined. Finally, the properties of plasmid relaxation complexes and the possible role of these complexes in plasmid DNA replication are discussed.", "PMID": 776703} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4705", "title": "Structural evolution of bacterial plasmids: role of translocating genetic elements and DNA sequence insertions.", "content": "Recent evidence suggests that plasmids have evolved by site-specific recombinational events involving translocation and insertion of discretely defined DNA segments. The role of translocating genetic elements and repeated DNA sequences in the formation and structural evolution of bacterial plasmids, and in the control of plasmid gene expression, is the subject of this brief review. Insertion sequence (IS) regions are discrete segments of DNA that are known to cause strongly polar mutations in the genes of Escherichia coli and several bacteriophages as a consequence of their insertion into bacterial or phage genomes. Recent investigations have identified three separate kinds of IS segments on plasmids, and have indicated that such regions may have a role in 1) site-specific reversible dissociation of antibiotic resistance plasmids into their component segments, 2) recombination of certain plasmids with the bacterial chromosome, and 3) translocation of segments of plasmid DNA onto other replicons, or onto different sites of the same replicon. In addition, such DNA sequences, which may be repeated on plasmid genomes in either direct or reverse orientation, are involved in the control of plasmid gene expression. Inverted repeats other than the genetically characterized IS segments also appear to be involved in recA-independent, recombination and translocation of plasmid DNA segments. These inverted repeats contain palindromic nucleotide sequences on each strand of DNA and are detectable as hairpin-loop structures by electron microscope heteroduplex analysis. Such palindromes resemble the recognition sites for restriction endonucleases, some of which are encoded by plasmids, suggesting that similar endonucleolytic enzymes may be involved in the translocation of plasmid DNA segments.", "contents": "Structural evolution of bacterial plasmids: role of translocating genetic elements and DNA sequence insertions. Recent evidence suggests that plasmids have evolved by site-specific recombinational events involving translocation and insertion of discretely defined DNA segments. The role of translocating genetic elements and repeated DNA sequences in the formation and structural evolution of bacterial plasmids, and in the control of plasmid gene expression, is the subject of this brief review. Insertion sequence (IS) regions are discrete segments of DNA that are known to cause strongly polar mutations in the genes of Escherichia coli and several bacteriophages as a consequence of their insertion into bacterial or phage genomes. Recent investigations have identified three separate kinds of IS segments on plasmids, and have indicated that such regions may have a role in 1) site-specific reversible dissociation of antibiotic resistance plasmids into their component segments, 2) recombination of certain plasmids with the bacterial chromosome, and 3) translocation of segments of plasmid DNA onto other replicons, or onto different sites of the same replicon. In addition, such DNA sequences, which may be repeated on plasmid genomes in either direct or reverse orientation, are involved in the control of plasmid gene expression. Inverted repeats other than the genetically characterized IS segments also appear to be involved in recA-independent, recombination and translocation of plasmid DNA segments. These inverted repeats contain palindromic nucleotide sequences on each strand of DNA and are detectable as hairpin-loop structures by electron microscope heteroduplex analysis. Such palindromes resemble the recognition sites for restriction endonucleases, some of which are encoded by plasmids, suggesting that similar endonucleolytic enzymes may be involved in the translocation of plasmid DNA segments.", "PMID": 776704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4706", "title": "A restriction endonuclease analysis of the bacterial plasmid controlling the ecoRI restriction and modification of DNA.", "content": "Genetic analyses of DNA restriction and modification mechanisms have been encumbered by the inability to rigorously select for mutant phenotypes associated with these systems. The application of restriction endonucleases has now proved to be a successful approach to the genetic analyses of small genomes that are recalcitrant to the more standard genetic techniques. Restriction endonucleases EcoRI and HindIII were used to analyze the structure of the plasmid genome responsible for the EcoRI restriction endonuclease and modification methylase. This plasmid in the original clinical isolate of Escherichia coli appears to be identical to the ColE 1 plasmid except for a 1.95 kilobase pair segment which contains these genes. A preliminary restriction map of this plasmid is presented.", "contents": "A restriction endonuclease analysis of the bacterial plasmid controlling the ecoRI restriction and modification of DNA. Genetic analyses of DNA restriction and modification mechanisms have been encumbered by the inability to rigorously select for mutant phenotypes associated with these systems. The application of restriction endonucleases has now proved to be a successful approach to the genetic analyses of small genomes that are recalcitrant to the more standard genetic techniques. Restriction endonucleases EcoRI and HindIII were used to analyze the structure of the plasmid genome responsible for the EcoRI restriction endonuclease and modification methylase. This plasmid in the original clinical isolate of Escherichia coli appears to be identical to the ColE 1 plasmid except for a 1.95 kilobase pair segment which contains these genes. A preliminary restriction map of this plasmid is presented.", "PMID": 776705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4707", "title": "The role of histocompatibility gene products in lymphocyte triggering and differentiation.", "content": "Studies performed both in vivo and in vitro have demonstrated that genetic restrictions exist in the development of optimal cell-cell interactions in the immune system. Thus, in mice, the presence or absence of gene identities in the I region of the H-2 complex determines the capacity of lymphoid cells to interact. These cell interaction or CI genes appear to code for cell surface molecules integrally involved in regulatory cell interactions. Analysis of biologically active thymus-derived (T) cell factors capable of regulating differentiation events in other lymphoid cells indicates that such factors are around 40,000-50,000 daltons in mass, bear determinants coded for by I region genes, and consist of two covalently or noncovalently linked components--a heavy glycoprotein of around 40,000 daltons and a lighter protein of around 12,000 daltons. Preliminary evidence suggests that the latter component may be beta2-microglobulin.", "contents": "The role of histocompatibility gene products in lymphocyte triggering and differentiation. Studies performed both in vivo and in vitro have demonstrated that genetic restrictions exist in the development of optimal cell-cell interactions in the immune system. Thus, in mice, the presence or absence of gene identities in the I region of the H-2 complex determines the capacity of lymphoid cells to interact. These cell interaction or CI genes appear to code for cell surface molecules integrally involved in regulatory cell interactions. Analysis of biologically active thymus-derived (T) cell factors capable of regulating differentiation events in other lymphoid cells indicates that such factors are around 40,000-50,000 daltons in mass, bear determinants coded for by I region genes, and consist of two covalently or noncovalently linked components--a heavy glycoprotein of around 40,000 daltons and a lighter protein of around 12,000 daltons. Preliminary evidence suggests that the latter component may be beta2-microglobulin.", "PMID": 776706} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4708", "title": "Response of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone to different doses of D-leucine-6-LH-RH ethylamide in oligospermic patients.", "content": "The rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels after intramuscular administration of D-leucine-6-LH-RH ethylamide was studied in seven patients with idiopathic normogonadotropic oligospermia. Four tests with 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mug of the analog, respectively, were carried out at 8 A.M. on each subject. The interval between tests was 1 week. Serum levels of LH and FSH were determined by radioimmunoassay before (-15 And 0 minutes) and 2, 4, 6, 12, and 14 hours after each injection. No differences in the basal values for either hormone were observed. D-Leucine-6-LH-RH ethylamide produced significant increases in LH and FSH levels for 6 to 12 hours after the injection. Peak values were obtained between 4 and 6 hours. A dose-response relationship for both gonadotropins was observed. The highest average levels of LH and FSH were obtained after injection of 20.0 mug of the drug. A great individual variation in magnitude of response was observed which seemed to be related to the functional reserve of the pituitary. It is suggested that doses of 10.0 to 20.0 mug of D-leucine-6-LH-RH ethlamide/day could be used for chronic treatment in male infertility.", "contents": "Response of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone to different doses of D-leucine-6-LH-RH ethylamide in oligospermic patients. The rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels after intramuscular administration of D-leucine-6-LH-RH ethylamide was studied in seven patients with idiopathic normogonadotropic oligospermia. Four tests with 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mug of the analog, respectively, were carried out at 8 A.M. on each subject. The interval between tests was 1 week. Serum levels of LH and FSH were determined by radioimmunoassay before (-15 And 0 minutes) and 2, 4, 6, 12, and 14 hours after each injection. No differences in the basal values for either hormone were observed. D-Leucine-6-LH-RH ethylamide produced significant increases in LH and FSH levels for 6 to 12 hours after the injection. Peak values were obtained between 4 and 6 hours. A dose-response relationship for both gonadotropins was observed. The highest average levels of LH and FSH were obtained after injection of 20.0 mug of the drug. A great individual variation in magnitude of response was observed which seemed to be related to the functional reserve of the pituitary. It is suggested that doses of 10.0 to 20.0 mug of D-leucine-6-LH-RH ethlamide/day could be used for chronic treatment in male infertility.", "PMID": 776707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4709", "title": "Treatment of idiopathic normogonadotropic oligoasthenospermia with synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.", "content": "An assessment of the effectiveness of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in the treatment of idiopathic normogonadotropic oligoasthenospermia was made in 21 subjects selected on the basis of at least three previous sperm counts; a history of long-standing infertility; normal urinary gonadotropin excretion; normal serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone; and lack of any evidence of other clinical, endocrine, vascular, infectious, and/or urologic involvement. On testicular biopsy, 14 patients showed hypospermatogenesis or arrest up to the spermatid stage (group 1), while the remaining 7 had more severe spermatogenetic disorders (group 2). Libido and/or potency were previously unaltered in all subjects. Five patients in group 1 and five patients in group 2 received intramuscular injection of 100 to 500 mug of LH-RH daily for no less than 60 days (long-term treatment); the remainder received the drug for 30-day periods, with 30-day intervals (short-term treatment). Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the results during and after treatment showed frank improvement in spermatozoal concentration, vitality, and motility in group 1 patients, particularly in those undergoing long-term treatment (three of five patients under these conditions were able to impregnate their wives). The long-term regimen also resulted in predomantly qualitative improvements in group 2 (one of five patients impregnated his wife). The short-term regimen was less effective. Improvements under either regimen usually occurred at the end of, or after, treatment. Six of seven patients in group 1 who were followed for a long period retained values above preliminary values for 90 to 150 days after the drug was discontinued. Increased libido and potency were spontaneously reported by 15 patients, 20 to 30 days after the start of administration of synthetic LH-RH.", "contents": "Treatment of idiopathic normogonadotropic oligoasthenospermia with synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. An assessment of the effectiveness of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in the treatment of idiopathic normogonadotropic oligoasthenospermia was made in 21 subjects selected on the basis of at least three previous sperm counts; a history of long-standing infertility; normal urinary gonadotropin excretion; normal serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone; and lack of any evidence of other clinical, endocrine, vascular, infectious, and/or urologic involvement. On testicular biopsy, 14 patients showed hypospermatogenesis or arrest up to the spermatid stage (group 1), while the remaining 7 had more severe spermatogenetic disorders (group 2). Libido and/or potency were previously unaltered in all subjects. Five patients in group 1 and five patients in group 2 received intramuscular injection of 100 to 500 mug of LH-RH daily for no less than 60 days (long-term treatment); the remainder received the drug for 30-day periods, with 30-day intervals (short-term treatment). Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the results during and after treatment showed frank improvement in spermatozoal concentration, vitality, and motility in group 1 patients, particularly in those undergoing long-term treatment (three of five patients under these conditions were able to impregnate their wives). The long-term regimen also resulted in predomantly qualitative improvements in group 2 (one of five patients impregnated his wife). The short-term regimen was less effective. Improvements under either regimen usually occurred at the end of, or after, treatment. Six of seven patients in group 1 who were followed for a long period retained values above preliminary values for 90 to 150 days after the drug was discontinued. Increased libido and potency were spontaneously reported by 15 patients, 20 to 30 days after the start of administration of synthetic LH-RH.", "PMID": 776708} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4710", "title": "Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone for induction of follicular maturation and ovulation in women with infertility and amenorrhea.", "content": "Five patients with primary infertility and secondary amenorrhea who did not respond to clomiphene with a gonadotropin or estrogen surge were treated with 500 mug of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), self-administered subcutaneously every 8 hours for 14 days. Of four patients who responded to this treatment, three showed follicular maturation, ovulation, and menses, although the luteal phase was deficient; in the fourth patient, follicular maturation and menses occurred without evidence of ovulation. For their second course of treatment these four patients were given LH-RH with the addition of human chorionic gonadotropin when the urinary estrogen levels indicated follicular maturation. All four patients responded with ovulation, an adequate luteal phase, and menses, without clinical indication of ovarian hyperstimulation. These results suggest that LH-RH may be a better alternative to human menopausal gonadotropin in the treatment of anovulatory infertility.", "contents": "Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone for induction of follicular maturation and ovulation in women with infertility and amenorrhea. Five patients with primary infertility and secondary amenorrhea who did not respond to clomiphene with a gonadotropin or estrogen surge were treated with 500 mug of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), self-administered subcutaneously every 8 hours for 14 days. Of four patients who responded to this treatment, three showed follicular maturation, ovulation, and menses, although the luteal phase was deficient; in the fourth patient, follicular maturation and menses occurred without evidence of ovulation. For their second course of treatment these four patients were given LH-RH with the addition of human chorionic gonadotropin when the urinary estrogen levels indicated follicular maturation. All four patients responded with ovulation, an adequate luteal phase, and menses, without clinical indication of ovarian hyperstimulation. These results suggest that LH-RH may be a better alternative to human menopausal gonadotropin in the treatment of anovulatory infertility.", "PMID": 776710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4711", "title": "Prolonged anti-luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing activities of some synthetic antagonists of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.", "content": "A number of synthetic analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) were screened for their in vivo antigonadotropin-releasing activities using a four-point bioassay test in immature male rats. Of the peptides tested, the most effective were those containing D-phenylalanine in position 2 of the decapeptide chain in conjunction with D-leucine or, preferably, D-phenylalanine in position 6. Several inhibitory peptides that were found to be very potent were reassayed and compared for duration of inhibition in immature male rats, whereupon the D-Phe2 analogs were found to be particularly long-acting. The most active and persistent peptide of the series, [D-Phe2, D-Phe6]-LH-RH, was able to inhibit the response to exogenous LH-RH for up to 6 hours after its injection.", "contents": "Prolonged anti-luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing activities of some synthetic antagonists of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. A number of synthetic analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) were screened for their in vivo antigonadotropin-releasing activities using a four-point bioassay test in immature male rats. Of the peptides tested, the most effective were those containing D-phenylalanine in position 2 of the decapeptide chain in conjunction with D-leucine or, preferably, D-phenylalanine in position 6. Several inhibitory peptides that were found to be very potent were reassayed and compared for duration of inhibition in immature male rats, whereupon the D-Phe2 analogs were found to be particularly long-acting. The most active and persistent peptide of the series, [D-Phe2, D-Phe6]-LH-RH, was able to inhibit the response to exogenous LH-RH for up to 6 hours after its injection.", "PMID": 776711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4712", "title": "A comparison of methods of screening for sperm antibodies in the serum of women with otherwise unexplained infertility.", "content": "Sera from 102 women with infertility due to a variety of causes and from 40 pregnant women were studied for the presence of antisperm factors. Three techniques were used: sperm microagglutination, sperm immobilization, and an indirect immunofluorescent technique for detection of sperm-bound immuno-globulins. There was no correlation between the results obtained using these three different techniques. Of the three, only the results of sperm immobilization tests correlated with primary unexplained infertility. The sperm microagglutination test appeared to measure nonspecific factors. Methanol fixation of spermatozoa used in the indirect immunofluorescent technique apparently resulted in nonspecific binding of immunoglobulins. When fresh spermatozoa were used no binding of immunoglobulin to spermatozoa could be demonstrated. The nature and location of the antigen(s) involved remain to be determined.", "contents": "A comparison of methods of screening for sperm antibodies in the serum of women with otherwise unexplained infertility. Sera from 102 women with infertility due to a variety of causes and from 40 pregnant women were studied for the presence of antisperm factors. Three techniques were used: sperm microagglutination, sperm immobilization, and an indirect immunofluorescent technique for detection of sperm-bound immuno-globulins. There was no correlation between the results obtained using these three different techniques. Of the three, only the results of sperm immobilization tests correlated with primary unexplained infertility. The sperm microagglutination test appeared to measure nonspecific factors. Methanol fixation of spermatozoa used in the indirect immunofluorescent technique apparently resulted in nonspecific binding of immunoglobulins. When fresh spermatozoa were used no binding of immunoglobulin to spermatozoa could be demonstrated. The nature and location of the antigen(s) involved remain to be determined.", "PMID": 776712} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4713", "title": "[The role of the reticular formation at the hypothalamic level in regulating insulin secretion].", "content": "In cats, electric stimulation of direct microapplication of insulin to posterior hypothalamic nucleus increases the insulin content in the pancreatic venous blood independently of the concomitant changes of the blood sugar level. The insulin had no such effect in bilateral lesion of the lateral hypothalamus. Blockade of M-cholinergic system did not influence the changes of blood sugar level in these conditions. Electric stimulation of the anterior hypothalamic nucleus entailed no obvious changes of insulin and sugar level in the blood.", "contents": "[The role of the reticular formation at the hypothalamic level in regulating insulin secretion]. In cats, electric stimulation of direct microapplication of insulin to posterior hypothalamic nucleus increases the insulin content in the pancreatic venous blood independently of the concomitant changes of the blood sugar level. The insulin had no such effect in bilateral lesion of the lateral hypothalamus. Blockade of M-cholinergic system did not influence the changes of blood sugar level in these conditions. Electric stimulation of the anterior hypothalamic nucleus entailed no obvious changes of insulin and sugar level in the blood.", "PMID": 776714} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4714", "title": "[The effect of single and long-term thyrocalcitonin administration on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion].", "content": "In male rats, i. m. administration of thyrocalcitonin (TCT)--2 and 10 units/kg for 1, 5, 10 and 15 days, reduced calcium level in the blood serum. In the TCT-treated rats the glucose-tolerance curves after i. p. injection of glucose became diabetoid-like. TCT inhibited the increase of insulin-like activity of the serum after glucose injection. The data suggest that TCT, lowering the calcium content of blood serum, inhibited the glucose-induced secretion of insulin.", "contents": "[The effect of single and long-term thyrocalcitonin administration on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion]. In male rats, i. m. administration of thyrocalcitonin (TCT)--2 and 10 units/kg for 1, 5, 10 and 15 days, reduced calcium level in the blood serum. In the TCT-treated rats the glucose-tolerance curves after i. p. injection of glucose became diabetoid-like. TCT inhibited the increase of insulin-like activity of the serum after glucose injection. The data suggest that TCT, lowering the calcium content of blood serum, inhibited the glucose-induced secretion of insulin.", "PMID": 776715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4715", "title": "Sensitivity of tumour and normal cells to the effect of immune lymphocytes in vitro and some properties of target cells determing this sensitivity.", "content": "Cells from various spontaneous mammary tumours of C3H/He mice differ in their sensitivity to immune allogeneic lymphocytes in vitro. Two cell lines, differing in their sensitivity to allogeneic immune lymphocytes in vitro, were obtained from spontaneous mammary tumours which developed in C3H/He mice. Of these two lines, the cell line MT3 was considerably more immunoresistant than line MT5, as demonstrated by microcytotoxic tests in vitro. Furthermore, only the immunoresistant MT3 cell line was capable of growing in syngeneic hosts. During passages in vitro, cells of the line MT5 became as immuno-resistant as cells of the line MT3; concomitantly, cells of the line MT5 started to take in syngeneic hosts. Cell immunosensitivity to immune allogeneic lymphocytes in vitro correlates with that cell property which determines the penetrance rate of intact allogeneic and syngeneic lymphocytes into these cells (emperipolesis). Non-tumourous cells from different C3H/He mouse tissues were more immunoresistant than tumour cells from the two cell lines cultured.", "contents": "Sensitivity of tumour and normal cells to the effect of immune lymphocytes in vitro and some properties of target cells determing this sensitivity. Cells from various spontaneous mammary tumours of C3H/He mice differ in their sensitivity to immune allogeneic lymphocytes in vitro. Two cell lines, differing in their sensitivity to allogeneic immune lymphocytes in vitro, were obtained from spontaneous mammary tumours which developed in C3H/He mice. Of these two lines, the cell line MT3 was considerably more immunoresistant than line MT5, as demonstrated by microcytotoxic tests in vitro. Furthermore, only the immunoresistant MT3 cell line was capable of growing in syngeneic hosts. During passages in vitro, cells of the line MT5 became as immuno-resistant as cells of the line MT3; concomitantly, cells of the line MT5 started to take in syngeneic hosts. Cell immunosensitivity to immune allogeneic lymphocytes in vitro correlates with that cell property which determines the penetrance rate of intact allogeneic and syngeneic lymphocytes into these cells (emperipolesis). Non-tumourous cells from different C3H/He mouse tissues were more immunoresistant than tumour cells from the two cell lines cultured.", "PMID": 776718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4716", "title": "Preservation of plaque-forming cells by means of deep freezing.", "content": "Mouse plaque-forming cells were kept at--196 degrees C for different periods of time up to 37 weeks. The decrease in cell number occurring during the storage was found to be in no correlation with the length of the storage time. The cryoprotective effectiveness of dimethyl sulphoxide upon survival of cells was equal for concentrations ranging from 5-15%.", "contents": "Preservation of plaque-forming cells by means of deep freezing. Mouse plaque-forming cells were kept at--196 degrees C for different periods of time up to 37 weeks. The decrease in cell number occurring during the storage was found to be in no correlation with the length of the storage time. The cryoprotective effectiveness of dimethyl sulphoxide upon survival of cells was equal for concentrations ranging from 5-15%.", "PMID": 776719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4717", "title": "Interactions of nutrition and infection.", "content": "Interactions between malnutrition and infection contribute directly to the health of individuals and communities. The relevance of this concept to the practice of clinical medicine, dentistry, and public health is supported by an imposing collection of evidence from the clinic, laboratory, and field. Malnutrition can interfere with any body mechanism that acts as a barrier to the multiplication or progress of infectious agents. This includes formation of specific antibodies, number and activity of phagocytes, integrity of skin, mucous membranes, and other tissues. Some of the less definite, nonspecific protective substances in body fluids are also affected by malnutrition. Infectious disease adversely influences the nutritional state in several indirect ways. Loss of appetite and intolerance for food result in metabolic changes. Cultural factors lead to substitution of less nutritious diets as a presumed therapeutic measure and to administration of purgatives, antibiotics, and other medicines that reduce digestion or absorption of specific nutrients. All of these may help to precipitate kwashiorkor in children subsisting on protein-deficient diets. Classical nutritional deficiencies precipitated by infection in individuals with borderline nutrient depletion include: keratomalacia due t avitaminosis-A; scurvey from lack of ascorbic acid; beriberi as a consequence of inadequate thiamin; pellagra resulting from insufficient niacin; macrocytic anemia due to folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency; and microcytic anemia resulting from a shortage of iron. In well nourished individuals, body reserves and normal dietary intake assure that malnutrition will not result unless infection is prolonged.", "contents": "Interactions of nutrition and infection. Interactions between malnutrition and infection contribute directly to the health of individuals and communities. The relevance of this concept to the practice of clinical medicine, dentistry, and public health is supported by an imposing collection of evidence from the clinic, laboratory, and field. Malnutrition can interfere with any body mechanism that acts as a barrier to the multiplication or progress of infectious agents. This includes formation of specific antibodies, number and activity of phagocytes, integrity of skin, mucous membranes, and other tissues. Some of the less definite, nonspecific protective substances in body fluids are also affected by malnutrition. Infectious disease adversely influences the nutritional state in several indirect ways. Loss of appetite and intolerance for food result in metabolic changes. Cultural factors lead to substitution of less nutritious diets as a presumed therapeutic measure and to administration of purgatives, antibiotics, and other medicines that reduce digestion or absorption of specific nutrients. All of these may help to precipitate kwashiorkor in children subsisting on protein-deficient diets. Classical nutritional deficiencies precipitated by infection in individuals with borderline nutrient depletion include: keratomalacia due t avitaminosis-A; scurvey from lack of ascorbic acid; beriberi as a consequence of inadequate thiamin; pellagra resulting from insufficient niacin; macrocytic anemia due to folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency; and microcytic anemia resulting from a shortage of iron. In well nourished individuals, body reserves and normal dietary intake assure that malnutrition will not result unless infection is prolonged.", "PMID": 776720} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4718", "title": "Controversies, perspectives, and clinical implications of nutrition in periodontal disease.", "content": "Many controversies concerning the role of nutrition in periodontal disease and problems in the design and analysis of nutrition-periodontal disease studies have been reviewed. In addition, recent advances in the interactions of nutrition, host defense, and infection have been conceptually related to the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Finally, nutritional factors relevant to the diagnosis and clinical management of patients with periodontal disease have been discussed. The concepts developed with respect to experimental design and the host defenses approach to periodontal disease, will hopefully serve to encourage definitive studies which may delineate a more precise role for nutrition in periodontal disease.", "contents": "Controversies, perspectives, and clinical implications of nutrition in periodontal disease. Many controversies concerning the role of nutrition in periodontal disease and problems in the design and analysis of nutrition-periodontal disease studies have been reviewed. In addition, recent advances in the interactions of nutrition, host defense, and infection have been conceptually related to the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Finally, nutritional factors relevant to the diagnosis and clinical management of patients with periodontal disease have been discussed. The concepts developed with respect to experimental design and the host defenses approach to periodontal disease, will hopefully serve to encourage definitive studies which may delineate a more precise role for nutrition in periodontal disease.", "PMID": 776722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4719", "title": "Long-term perfusion of isolated rats islets in vitro.", "content": "A perfusion system is described for long-term maintenance of isolated rat islets in vitro. This system permits the monitoring of the pattern, rate, and amount of insulin secretion following repeated, acute stimulations with glucose during the period of culture. Fibroblastic proliferation did not occur, thus making is possible to reclaim the islets for biochemical and morphologic studies at the conclusion of the experiments. Maintenance of the islets with a low concentration of glucose (1.0 mg./ml.) resulted in a marked decline in insulin secretion following acute stimulations with glucose (5.0 mg./ml.) during an eight-day interval. Stimulation with 10 mM theophylline and 5.0 mg./ml. glucose on day 9 resulted in enhanced insulin release. The decline in glucose sensitivity occurred even more rapidly when the islets were maintained in the presence of a lower concentration of glucose (0.5 mg./ml.). The pattern of insulin release was altered with an absence of a first phase of secretion. Adenylate cyclase activity of islets maintained with 0.5 mg./ml. glucose for four days was significantly decreased in comparison with islets from fed rats and islets maintained with 2.5 mg./ml. glucose. A means of maintaining the same biphasic pattern and amount of glucose-induced insulin release was achieved by using alternating levels of glucose (1.5 and 2.5 mg./ml) for maintenance of the islets during a 36-day interval.", "contents": "Long-term perfusion of isolated rats islets in vitro. A perfusion system is described for long-term maintenance of isolated rat islets in vitro. This system permits the monitoring of the pattern, rate, and amount of insulin secretion following repeated, acute stimulations with glucose during the period of culture. Fibroblastic proliferation did not occur, thus making is possible to reclaim the islets for biochemical and morphologic studies at the conclusion of the experiments. Maintenance of the islets with a low concentration of glucose (1.0 mg./ml.) resulted in a marked decline in insulin secretion following acute stimulations with glucose (5.0 mg./ml.) during an eight-day interval. Stimulation with 10 mM theophylline and 5.0 mg./ml. glucose on day 9 resulted in enhanced insulin release. The decline in glucose sensitivity occurred even more rapidly when the islets were maintained in the presence of a lower concentration of glucose (0.5 mg./ml.). The pattern of insulin release was altered with an absence of a first phase of secretion. Adenylate cyclase activity of islets maintained with 0.5 mg./ml. glucose for four days was significantly decreased in comparison with islets from fed rats and islets maintained with 2.5 mg./ml. glucose. A means of maintaining the same biphasic pattern and amount of glucose-induced insulin release was achieved by using alternating levels of glucose (1.5 and 2.5 mg./ml) for maintenance of the islets during a 36-day interval.", "PMID": 776724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4720", "title": "Interaction of alloxan and anomers of D-glucose on glucose-induced insulin secretion and biosynthesis in vitro.", "content": "The direct effects of alloxan on glucose-induced insulin secretion and biosynthesis and the interaction of alloxan and D-glucose anomers were studied in vitro by use of isolated islets from rat pancreas. Islets were pretreated by incubation for five minutes in media containing alloxan (0.2 mg./ml.) alone or alloxan with either the alpha or beta anomer of D-glucose (3 mg./ml.). After washing, batches of five islets were incubated in the medium supplemented with glucose (1.8 mg./ml.) for 60 minutes to observe insulin secretion and for 90 minutes to observe insulin biosynthesis. Prior exposure to alloxan alone produced marked inhibition of subsequent glucose-induced insulin secretion and biosynthesis. A significantly greater protection against these inhibitory effects of alloxan was observed by using the alpha anomer of D-glucose than the beta anomer. The anomeric preference of D-glucose for protecting islet cells from the inhibitory effect of alloxan on glucose-induced insulin secretion and biosynthesis was similar to that for triggering insulin secretion. Possible mechanisms of the inhibitory effect of alloxan and the protective effect of D-glucose anomers in connection with those of other sugars are discussed. It is suggested that a glucoreceptor, stereospecific to the alpha anomer of D-glucose, may exist for both insulin secretion and biosynthesis.", "contents": "Interaction of alloxan and anomers of D-glucose on glucose-induced insulin secretion and biosynthesis in vitro. The direct effects of alloxan on glucose-induced insulin secretion and biosynthesis and the interaction of alloxan and D-glucose anomers were studied in vitro by use of isolated islets from rat pancreas. Islets were pretreated by incubation for five minutes in media containing alloxan (0.2 mg./ml.) alone or alloxan with either the alpha or beta anomer of D-glucose (3 mg./ml.). After washing, batches of five islets were incubated in the medium supplemented with glucose (1.8 mg./ml.) for 60 minutes to observe insulin secretion and for 90 minutes to observe insulin biosynthesis. Prior exposure to alloxan alone produced marked inhibition of subsequent glucose-induced insulin secretion and biosynthesis. A significantly greater protection against these inhibitory effects of alloxan was observed by using the alpha anomer of D-glucose than the beta anomer. The anomeric preference of D-glucose for protecting islet cells from the inhibitory effect of alloxan on glucose-induced insulin secretion and biosynthesis was similar to that for triggering insulin secretion. Possible mechanisms of the inhibitory effect of alloxan and the protective effect of D-glucose anomers in connection with those of other sugars are discussed. It is suggested that a glucoreceptor, stereospecific to the alpha anomer of D-glucose, may exist for both insulin secretion and biosynthesis.", "PMID": 776725} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4721", "title": "Virus-induced pancreatic disease by Venezuelan encephalitis virus. Alterations in glucose tolerance and insulin release.", "content": "Viral infections have been implicated in the induction of diabetes mellitus in man and laboratory animals. Since virus-specific immunofluorescence (FA) is detectable in hamster pancreas during the acute phase of Venezuelan encephalitis (VE), experiments were designed to correlate pathologic and virologic events with metabolic studies in VE-infected hamsters. Golden Syrian hamsters were inoculated s.c. in groups of four to 12 with 100,000 plaque-forming units (PFU) of the vaccine strain (TC-83) of VE or 1,000 PFU of the virulent Trinidad strain of VE. Ultrastructurally, during Trinidad infection, mature virions were associated with the cell surfaces and within pancreatic beta cells in contrast to absence of virus-related changes in TC-83-infected hamsters. Virus-specific-FA was noted in islet cells and acinar cells of Trinidad-infected hamsters. VE growth curves demonstrated viral replication in pancreas with both strains. Although ultrastructural and FA changes were much more prominent in Trinidad-infected hamsters in contrast to TC-83-infected hamsters during the first few days of illness, the rapid lethality of the Trinidad-infected group necessitated performing all metabolic studies in TC-83-strain-infected hamsters. Accordingly, for the metabolic studies, glucose tolerance tests (GTT) using 2 mg. or 5 gm./kg. glucose i.p. were performed in groups of hamsters acutely infected two days earlier with the TC-83 vaccine strain and in 24-day and 90-day convalescent hamsters after TC-83 vaccine strain. Samples were obtained for glucose and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) determinations. Glucose intolerance occurred in hamsters in each of the infected groups given 5 gm./kg. glucose except for the 90-day convalescent TC-83 group. Severely decreased IRI responses occurred in the 24-day and 90-day convalescent TC-83 hamsters following both 2- and 5-gm./kg. glucose. Pancreatic IRI content in 24-day convalescent TC-83 hamsters was within normal limits, suggesting a defect in IRI release from the beta cells at this stage of convalescence.", "contents": "Virus-induced pancreatic disease by Venezuelan encephalitis virus. Alterations in glucose tolerance and insulin release. Viral infections have been implicated in the induction of diabetes mellitus in man and laboratory animals. Since virus-specific immunofluorescence (FA) is detectable in hamster pancreas during the acute phase of Venezuelan encephalitis (VE), experiments were designed to correlate pathologic and virologic events with metabolic studies in VE-infected hamsters. Golden Syrian hamsters were inoculated s.c. in groups of four to 12 with 100,000 plaque-forming units (PFU) of the vaccine strain (TC-83) of VE or 1,000 PFU of the virulent Trinidad strain of VE. Ultrastructurally, during Trinidad infection, mature virions were associated with the cell surfaces and within pancreatic beta cells in contrast to absence of virus-related changes in TC-83-infected hamsters. Virus-specific-FA was noted in islet cells and acinar cells of Trinidad-infected hamsters. VE growth curves demonstrated viral replication in pancreas with both strains. Although ultrastructural and FA changes were much more prominent in Trinidad-infected hamsters in contrast to TC-83-infected hamsters during the first few days of illness, the rapid lethality of the Trinidad-infected group necessitated performing all metabolic studies in TC-83-strain-infected hamsters. Accordingly, for the metabolic studies, glucose tolerance tests (GTT) using 2 mg. or 5 gm./kg. glucose i.p. were performed in groups of hamsters acutely infected two days earlier with the TC-83 vaccine strain and in 24-day and 90-day convalescent hamsters after TC-83 vaccine strain. Samples were obtained for glucose and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) determinations. Glucose intolerance occurred in hamsters in each of the infected groups given 5 gm./kg. glucose except for the 90-day convalescent TC-83 group. Severely decreased IRI responses occurred in the 24-day and 90-day convalescent TC-83 hamsters following both 2- and 5-gm./kg. glucose. Pancreatic IRI content in 24-day convalescent TC-83 hamsters was within normal limits, suggesting a defect in IRI release from the beta cells at this stage of convalescence.", "PMID": 776726} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4722", "title": "The Chiari malformations of the posterior fossa and their relation to hydrocephalus.", "content": "The classification of the developmental malformations of the posterior fossa associated with hydrocephalus proposed by Chiari is systematic and comprehensive. It is based upon the relative position of cerebellum and brainstem in relation to the foramen magnum and the upper cervical canal. Types I to II are degrees of a similar abnormality in which a conical deformity of the posterior midline cerebellum and the elongated brainstem lie at or below the foramen magnum. In the Type IV deformity, in contrast, the cerebellum and brainstem lie fully within the posterior fossa and their position in relation to the foramen magnum is normal. The most common example of this type is probably the Dandy-Walker malformation, in which a defect in the inferior vermis is congruent with a ventriculocele of the enlarged fourth ventricle. The Chiari malformations are generally associated with hydrocephalus. The most comprehensive and coherent theory of the origin of these malformations is that abnormal hydrostatic forces, acting principally during the second and early third trimesters of gestation, provide the mechanism of posterior fossa deformity. Morphological evidence indicates that posterior fossa structures in Types I to III are \"pushed down\" from above. Radio-isotope dilution studies suggest that the mechanism of hydrocephalus in Types I to III is overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); initially there may be no obstructive component. In those cases without spina bifida, ventricular enlargement should occur early and be greatest in the forebrain, driving the tentorium and posterior fossa structures downward. Where there is a fistulous communication between the ventricular system and the amniotic cavity via a spina-bifida defect, a pressure gradient between intracranial and spinal compartments may be sufficient to account for downward displacement of posterior fossa structures. In this instance ventricular enlargement may occur only after cerebellar impaction causes frank obstruction to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. In the Dandy-Walker malformation, the mechanism of hydrocephalus is probably obstruction to flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the roof of the fourth ventricle. Enlargement of the fourth ventricle is sufficient not only to compress the cerebellum and give rise to the inferior vermal defect, but also to offset forces above the tentorium and prevent its caudal displacement from the parietal region.", "contents": "The Chiari malformations of the posterior fossa and their relation to hydrocephalus. The classification of the developmental malformations of the posterior fossa associated with hydrocephalus proposed by Chiari is systematic and comprehensive. It is based upon the relative position of cerebellum and brainstem in relation to the foramen magnum and the upper cervical canal. Types I to II are degrees of a similar abnormality in which a conical deformity of the posterior midline cerebellum and the elongated brainstem lie at or below the foramen magnum. In the Type IV deformity, in contrast, the cerebellum and brainstem lie fully within the posterior fossa and their position in relation to the foramen magnum is normal. The most common example of this type is probably the Dandy-Walker malformation, in which a defect in the inferior vermis is congruent with a ventriculocele of the enlarged fourth ventricle. The Chiari malformations are generally associated with hydrocephalus. The most comprehensive and coherent theory of the origin of these malformations is that abnormal hydrostatic forces, acting principally during the second and early third trimesters of gestation, provide the mechanism of posterior fossa deformity. Morphological evidence indicates that posterior fossa structures in Types I to III are \"pushed down\" from above. Radio-isotope dilution studies suggest that the mechanism of hydrocephalus in Types I to III is overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); initially there may be no obstructive component. In those cases without spina bifida, ventricular enlargement should occur early and be greatest in the forebrain, driving the tentorium and posterior fossa structures downward. Where there is a fistulous communication between the ventricular system and the amniotic cavity via a spina-bifida defect, a pressure gradient between intracranial and spinal compartments may be sufficient to account for downward displacement of posterior fossa structures. In this instance ventricular enlargement may occur only after cerebellar impaction causes frank obstruction to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. In the Dandy-Walker malformation, the mechanism of hydrocephalus is probably obstruction to flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the roof of the fourth ventricle. Enlargement of the fourth ventricle is sufficient not only to compress the cerebellum and give rise to the inferior vermal defect, but also to offset forces above the tentorium and prevent its caudal displacement from the parietal region.", "PMID": 776728} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4723", "title": "Somatosensory evoked cortical responses in children with spina bifida.", "content": "The sensory pathways of 18 infants and children with myelomeningocele were studied by recording somatosensory evoked cortical responses to standardised electrical stimuli over major nerve trunks in the arms and legs. The 12 infants were tested between the ages of three days and eight months and the six children were tested between two and three years of age. In the majority of patients the results obtained by this technique correlated well with the clinical testing of sensation.", "contents": "Somatosensory evoked cortical responses in children with spina bifida. The sensory pathways of 18 infants and children with myelomeningocele were studied by recording somatosensory evoked cortical responses to standardised electrical stimuli over major nerve trunks in the arms and legs. The 12 infants were tested between the ages of three days and eight months and the six children were tested between two and three years of age. In the majority of patients the results obtained by this technique correlated well with the clinical testing of sensation.", "PMID": 776729} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4724", "title": "The use of sodium valproate in a case of status epilepticus.", "content": "A child in status epilepticus, who did not respond to intravenous diazepam, was treated with sodium valproate by naso-gastric tube. Subsequent clinical and encephalographic improvement appeared to be related to the sodium valproate, and its value in cases of status epilepticus is discussed.", "contents": "The use of sodium valproate in a case of status epilepticus. A child in status epilepticus, who did not respond to intravenous diazepam, was treated with sodium valproate by naso-gastric tube. Subsequent clinical and encephalographic improvement appeared to be related to the sodium valproate, and its value in cases of status epilepticus is discussed.", "PMID": 776731} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4725", "title": "[Preparation of functioning recombinant (hybrid) DNA molecules in vitro (genetic engineering experiments)].", "content": "In this paper we describe the preparation of hybrid plasmid consisting of ColE1 DNA and DNA of R6K plasmid. ColE1 plasmid represents a circular DNA with the molecular weight of 4,2-10(6) daltons. It determines colicine synthesis E1, has relaxed control of replication and is present in the cell in several dozens copies. Transmissive plasmid B6K represents a circular DNA molecule with the molecular weight of 28-10(6) daltons. It confers the resistance to amplicillin and streptomycin and belongs to the compatibility group X. This plasmid also has relaxed control of replication (up to 30 copies per cell). Circular superhelical DNA of ColE1 was prepared after it is amplification with cloramphenicol according to Clewell by ultracentrifugation in CsCl-EtBr density gradient. The yield of superhelical ColE1 DNA in our experiments was up to 300 mg/gram cells. Circular superhelical R6K DNA was isolated from E. coli strain J53 R6K grown to stationary phase in the presence of 15 mg/ml of streptomycin. The yield of superhelical DNA was equal to about 45 mg per 1 gram cells. EcoR1 restrictase was prepared from E. coli KM182 as described by Thomas et al. From 37 grams of cells 10 ml of enzyme solution was prepared. 1 ml of this solution was able to restrict completely 2 mg of ColE1 DNA during Hu incubation for 30 degrees min at 37 degrees C. Restrictase activity was analyzed by electrophoresis of ColE1 DNA restricts in 0,7% agarose gel as described by Tanaka. DNA ligase was prepared from E. coli B. cells infected by T4 phage am81 mutant as described by Weiss. The activity of enzyme solution was equal to 90 units/ml (according to Richardson). In standard \"hybridization\" experiment 4 mug of ColE1 DNA and 4 mug of R6K DNA were incubated for 1 hour at 37 degrees in 0,2 ml of the solution containing 40 mM tris-HCl, pH 7,4; 10 mM MgCl2 50 mM NaCl, 10 mM mercaptoethanol and 5 mul of EcoR1 restrictase. The reaction was terminated by heating the reaction mixture to 65 degrees C for 5 min. In accordance with the results of others CoLE1 DNA gave one restrict and R6K DNA-two restricted fragments. 100 mul of the restricted mixture was chilled to 0 degrees and the following ingredients were added 10 mul of 50 mM MgCl2; 10 mul of 100 mM dithiotreitol; 10 mul of 0,5 mM ATP, 20 mul of water and 8 mul of ligase solution (90 units/mul). The mixture was incubated at 0-0,5 degrees for 53 hours, thereafter it was used for the transformation of E. coli C600 according to Tanaka et al. Several classes of hybrid molecules due to different combinations of restricted fragments of parental species were expected. These molecules had to confer the immunity to colicine E1 and to carry the defect in the gene controlling colicine synthesis since EcoR1 restrictase splits ColE1 DNA in the region of corresponding gene. In addition, certain classes of transformants with hybrid DNA molecules had to be resistant to one or both antibiotics as determined by the R6K plasmid portion...", "contents": "[Preparation of functioning recombinant (hybrid) DNA molecules in vitro (genetic engineering experiments)]. In this paper we describe the preparation of hybrid plasmid consisting of ColE1 DNA and DNA of R6K plasmid. ColE1 plasmid represents a circular DNA with the molecular weight of 4,2-10(6) daltons. It determines colicine synthesis E1, has relaxed control of replication and is present in the cell in several dozens copies. Transmissive plasmid B6K represents a circular DNA molecule with the molecular weight of 28-10(6) daltons. It confers the resistance to amplicillin and streptomycin and belongs to the compatibility group X. This plasmid also has relaxed control of replication (up to 30 copies per cell). Circular superhelical DNA of ColE1 was prepared after it is amplification with cloramphenicol according to Clewell by ultracentrifugation in CsCl-EtBr density gradient. The yield of superhelical ColE1 DNA in our experiments was up to 300 mg/gram cells. Circular superhelical R6K DNA was isolated from E. coli strain J53 R6K grown to stationary phase in the presence of 15 mg/ml of streptomycin. The yield of superhelical DNA was equal to about 45 mg per 1 gram cells. EcoR1 restrictase was prepared from E. coli KM182 as described by Thomas et al. From 37 grams of cells 10 ml of enzyme solution was prepared. 1 ml of this solution was able to restrict completely 2 mg of ColE1 DNA during Hu incubation for 30 degrees min at 37 degrees C. Restrictase activity was analyzed by electrophoresis of ColE1 DNA restricts in 0,7% agarose gel as described by Tanaka. DNA ligase was prepared from E. coli B. cells infected by T4 phage am81 mutant as described by Weiss. The activity of enzyme solution was equal to 90 units/ml (according to Richardson). In standard \"hybridization\" experiment 4 mug of ColE1 DNA and 4 mug of R6K DNA were incubated for 1 hour at 37 degrees in 0,2 ml of the solution containing 40 mM tris-HCl, pH 7,4; 10 mM MgCl2 50 mM NaCl, 10 mM mercaptoethanol and 5 mul of EcoR1 restrictase. The reaction was terminated by heating the reaction mixture to 65 degrees C for 5 min. In accordance with the results of others CoLE1 DNA gave one restrict and R6K DNA-two restricted fragments. 100 mul of the restricted mixture was chilled to 0 degrees and the following ingredients were added 10 mul of 50 mM MgCl2; 10 mul of 100 mM dithiotreitol; 10 mul of 0,5 mM ATP, 20 mul of water and 8 mul of ligase solution (90 units/mul). The mixture was incubated at 0-0,5 degrees for 53 hours, thereafter it was used for the transformation of E. coli C600 according to Tanaka et al. Several classes of hybrid molecules due to different combinations of restricted fragments of parental species were expected. These molecules had to confer the immunity to colicine E1 and to carry the defect in the gene controlling colicine synthesis since EcoR1 restrictase splits ColE1 DNA in the region of corresponding gene. In addition, certain classes of transformants with hybrid DNA molecules had to be resistant to one or both antibiotics as determined by the R6K plasmid portion...", "PMID": 776738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4726", "title": "[Effect of uvs1, uvs2 and xrs mutations on the radiosensitivity of and frequency of induced mitotic recombination in diploid yeast cells].", "content": "Effect of radiosensitivity mutations uvs1, uvs2 and xrs in homozygous state in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on UV and X-ray sensitivity and on the induced mitotic recombination is studied. Diploids uvs2 uvs2 xrs xrs are much more UV-sensible than diploids UVS2 UVS2 xrs xrs or UVS2 uvs2 xrs xrs. Diploids uvs1 uvs1 uvs2 uvs2 and uvs1 uvs1 UVS2 UVS2 have the same radiosensitivity. These data show that mutations uvs1, uvs2 and xrs block different ways of the elimination of UV-induced damages. The diploid uvs2 uvs2 xrs3 xrs3 is much more X-ray sensible, than the diploid UVS2 UVS2 xrs3 xrs3. It shows that mutations uvs2 and xrs3 block different ways of the elimination of X-ray induced damages. All double mutant diploids are characterized by a higher frequency of UV-induced mitotic recombination, than the diploid UVS UVS XRS XRS and the UV-sensitive diploid uvs2 uvs2 XRS XRS. The diploid uvs2 uvs2 xrs5 xrs5 is characterized by an extraordinary high frequency of X-RAY INDUCED MITOTIC RECOMBINATION.", "contents": "[Effect of uvs1, uvs2 and xrs mutations on the radiosensitivity of and frequency of induced mitotic recombination in diploid yeast cells]. Effect of radiosensitivity mutations uvs1, uvs2 and xrs in homozygous state in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on UV and X-ray sensitivity and on the induced mitotic recombination is studied. Diploids uvs2 uvs2 xrs xrs are much more UV-sensible than diploids UVS2 UVS2 xrs xrs or UVS2 uvs2 xrs xrs. Diploids uvs1 uvs1 uvs2 uvs2 and uvs1 uvs1 UVS2 UVS2 have the same radiosensitivity. These data show that mutations uvs1, uvs2 and xrs block different ways of the elimination of UV-induced damages. The diploid uvs2 uvs2 xrs3 xrs3 is much more X-ray sensible, than the diploid UVS2 UVS2 xrs3 xrs3. It shows that mutations uvs2 and xrs3 block different ways of the elimination of X-ray induced damages. All double mutant diploids are characterized by a higher frequency of UV-induced mitotic recombination, than the diploid UVS UVS XRS XRS and the UV-sensitive diploid uvs2 uvs2 XRS XRS. The diploid uvs2 uvs2 xrs5 xrs5 is characterized by an extraordinary high frequency of X-RAY INDUCED MITOTIC RECOMBINATION.", "PMID": 776739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4727", "title": "[Genetic study of Escherichia coli K-12 mutants resistant to 2,6-diaminopurine].", "content": "Mutants, resistant to the inhibitory effect of 2,6-diaminopurine and incapable of utilizing adenine as a purine source, are obtained from purinenucleoside phosphorylase-defective purine-dependent Escherichia coli K-12 strains. The mutations obtained (apt) disturb the uptake of adenosine and inosine only in the presence of a mutation for purinenucleoside phosphorylase (pup gene) in the genome of purine-dependent bacteria. The introduction of pup+ allele into the genome of mutants obtained (genotype purDpup apt) results in the restoration of the ability to uptake adenine and purine ribosides. Strains of purDpup+apt genotype are characterized by more short generation time under the growth in the presence of adenine as compared with purDpup apt+ strains which indicates the existance of an efficient pathway of adenine utilization in E. coli with the cooperation of purinenucleoside phosphorylase. Mutations apt have revealed a combined transfer with purE marker under the transduction frequency of approximately 5%. The gene order on E. coli K-12 chromosome is apt-purE-gal, as estimated from the data on conjugation crosses.", "contents": "[Genetic study of Escherichia coli K-12 mutants resistant to 2,6-diaminopurine]. Mutants, resistant to the inhibitory effect of 2,6-diaminopurine and incapable of utilizing adenine as a purine source, are obtained from purinenucleoside phosphorylase-defective purine-dependent Escherichia coli K-12 strains. The mutations obtained (apt) disturb the uptake of adenosine and inosine only in the presence of a mutation for purinenucleoside phosphorylase (pup gene) in the genome of purine-dependent bacteria. The introduction of pup+ allele into the genome of mutants obtained (genotype purDpup apt) results in the restoration of the ability to uptake adenine and purine ribosides. Strains of purDpup+apt genotype are characterized by more short generation time under the growth in the presence of adenine as compared with purDpup apt+ strains which indicates the existance of an efficient pathway of adenine utilization in E. coli with the cooperation of purinenucleoside phosphorylase. Mutations apt have revealed a combined transfer with purE marker under the transduction frequency of approximately 5%. The gene order on E. coli K-12 chromosome is apt-purE-gal, as estimated from the data on conjugation crosses.", "PMID": 776740} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4728", "title": "[A further study of the nature of phenotypical reversions in thymidine phosphorylase deletion mutants of Escherichia coli K-12].", "content": "Thymidine dependent (thy) strains of Escherichia coli carrying deletions for thymidine phosphorylase (tpp gene) formed phenotypical reversions for the ability of growth at the medium containing thymine as a source of thymidilate. The ability of the thy tpp strains to utilyze thymine for growth is due to mutations of the regulatory genes cytR and udpR, which control the uridine phosphorylase activity. This enzyme in constitutive amounts catalyzes conversion of thymine to thymidine in bacterial cells with a block of deoxyribose catabolism (deoxyribomutase-negative strains). The udpR mutant by contrast to cytR mutants reported by Munch-Petersen et al. (1972) are shown to contain low, inducible levels of cytidine deaminase and deo-enzymes. The udpR mutation is recessive with respect to wild type allele. It is supposed that the product of udpR gene is a specific repressor of uridine phosphorylase (udp) gene. The udpR mutation is closely linked (90% contransduction) to uridine phosphorylase (udp) gene, and is located approximately at 75 min, on the E. coli chromosome.", "contents": "[A further study of the nature of phenotypical reversions in thymidine phosphorylase deletion mutants of Escherichia coli K-12]. Thymidine dependent (thy) strains of Escherichia coli carrying deletions for thymidine phosphorylase (tpp gene) formed phenotypical reversions for the ability of growth at the medium containing thymine as a source of thymidilate. The ability of the thy tpp strains to utilyze thymine for growth is due to mutations of the regulatory genes cytR and udpR, which control the uridine phosphorylase activity. This enzyme in constitutive amounts catalyzes conversion of thymine to thymidine in bacterial cells with a block of deoxyribose catabolism (deoxyribomutase-negative strains). The udpR mutant by contrast to cytR mutants reported by Munch-Petersen et al. (1972) are shown to contain low, inducible levels of cytidine deaminase and deo-enzymes. The udpR mutation is recessive with respect to wild type allele. It is supposed that the product of udpR gene is a specific repressor of uridine phosphorylase (udp) gene. The udpR mutation is closely linked (90% contransduction) to uridine phosphorylase (udp) gene, and is located approximately at 75 min, on the E. coli chromosome.", "PMID": 776741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4729", "title": "Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in men with cirrhosis of the liver.", "content": "Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function was studied in 37 cirrhotic males, 25 of whom were alcoholic. Irrespective of aetiology, cirrhotic patients had significantly reduced free testosterone concentrations. Despite low free testosterone concentrations and reduced or absent spermatogenesis, basal levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were normal in nearly all patients, suggesting impaired function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In 14 cirrhotic men, seven of whom had gynaecomastia, the ability of the pituitary to secrete LH and FSH in response to exogenous gonadotrophin releasing-hormone (LH/FSH-RH) was asssessed. A normal LH response to LH/FSH-RH was obtained in patients without gynaecomastia. An exaggerated LH response was found in four of seven with gynaecomastia, suggesting Leydig cell failure. The Leydig cell response to exogenous gonadotrophin in eight consecutive cirrhotic patients was probably abnormal but difficult to interpret as all but one were within conventionally accepted limits of normality. The patients without gynaecomastia gave a normal or minimally exaggerated FSH response to LH/FSH-RH. Six of seven with gynaecomastia gave a markedly exaggerated response suggesting failure of spermatogenesis, and all tested were either azoospermic of oligospermic. The single patient with a normal FSH response had a normal sperm count. The pituitary cells can therefore respond to LH/RSH-RH and the Leydig cells of the testes show some response to exogenous gonadotrophin. Similar abnormalities in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function have recently been described in patients with normal liver function on chronic oestrogen therapy.", "contents": "Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in men with cirrhosis of the liver. Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function was studied in 37 cirrhotic males, 25 of whom were alcoholic. Irrespective of aetiology, cirrhotic patients had significantly reduced free testosterone concentrations. Despite low free testosterone concentrations and reduced or absent spermatogenesis, basal levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were normal in nearly all patients, suggesting impaired function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In 14 cirrhotic men, seven of whom had gynaecomastia, the ability of the pituitary to secrete LH and FSH in response to exogenous gonadotrophin releasing-hormone (LH/FSH-RH) was asssessed. A normal LH response to LH/FSH-RH was obtained in patients without gynaecomastia. An exaggerated LH response was found in four of seven with gynaecomastia, suggesting Leydig cell failure. The Leydig cell response to exogenous gonadotrophin in eight consecutive cirrhotic patients was probably abnormal but difficult to interpret as all but one were within conventionally accepted limits of normality. The patients without gynaecomastia gave a normal or minimally exaggerated FSH response to LH/FSH-RH. Six of seven with gynaecomastia gave a markedly exaggerated response suggesting failure of spermatogenesis, and all tested were either azoospermic of oligospermic. The single patient with a normal FSH response had a normal sperm count. The pituitary cells can therefore respond to LH/RSH-RH and the Leydig cells of the testes show some response to exogenous gonadotrophin. Similar abnormalities in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function have recently been described in patients with normal liver function on chronic oestrogen therapy.", "PMID": 776749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4730", "title": "Siphonaptera collected by Dr. M. Daniel in Nepal.", "content": "During the Third Czechoslovak Expedition to the Himalayas, in the spring of 1973, Dr. M. Daniel collected 244 specimens of fleas belonging to 19 different taxa, including four hitherto undescribed ones, from mammals and birds in the Barun Khola valley at the foot of the Makalu mountain just south-east of Mt. Everest. Data and comments are given in this paper for the fleas collected and the new taxa are described.", "contents": "Siphonaptera collected by Dr. M. Daniel in Nepal. During the Third Czechoslovak Expedition to the Himalayas, in the spring of 1973, Dr. M. Daniel collected 244 specimens of fleas belonging to 19 different taxa, including four hitherto undescribed ones, from mammals and birds in the Barun Khola valley at the foot of the Makalu mountain just south-east of Mt. Everest. Data and comments are given in this paper for the fleas collected and the new taxa are described.", "PMID": 776761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4731", "title": "[The pre-morbid personality of schizophrenics in the literature of the last hundred years (author's transl)].", "content": "A survey of the literature on the primary personality of schizophrenics shows that the essential concepts derive from Kraepelin (1893), E. Bleuler (who also introduced the technical term \"schizoid\", 1911) and C.G. Jung introversion; 1913). E Kretschmer (1921) adopted these preliminary findings and integrated them into his system of \"Constitution\" which greatly stimulated research in this field. Most of the following investigations confirmed his hypotheses on the basis of clinical impressions. A few only criticised his teaching, particularly as a theoretical concept. The musculo-somatotonic type apart, Sheldon's (1940) research agrees with Kretschmer to a large degree. Later investigators, however, could not sufficiently support Sheldon's constitutional biology on empirical grounds. No further pre-morbid types were developed in the following years, if one discards the somewhat rare \"stormy\" character (Arieti, 1955). All attempts to discover differences between the pre-morbid development of personality and the subheadings of schizophrenia failed. Pre-morbid sexual development is not typical, but the disturbances of contact are in the foreground. Whether schizophrenics differ later in their intelligence is still undecided. But it appears certain that, even before the start of their illness, they achieve a lower social status than their siblings. There exists a large experimental psychologic literature on relationships between the original personality, symptoms and psychophysiologic correlates in which it is confirmed again and again that bad pre-morbid adaptation corresponds closely with the severity of symptoms and loss of achievement. There are no consonant result of investigations into the frequency of schizoid structures in schizophrenics, in psychiatric control groups and in the normal population. Psychometric techniques have been used only rarely, but existing publications confirm in principle that schizophrenics are markedly more schizoid than control groups. As with schizophrenia, there are contrasting ideas as to the cause and pathogenesis of the pre-morbid personality. Psycho- and socio-genetic, behavioral, genetic and neurochemical hypotheses have their adherents. According to recent studies of adoption the genetic factor appears to predominate. The clinician relies on pre-morbid development of the personality in his search for a \"kink in the life line\" or in his assessment of the quality of remissions. There is general agreement that a schizoid primary personality has an unfavorable influence on the long-term prognosis. This is still true today, in spite of modern possibilities of treatment and rehabilitation. Prophylactic aspects have been discussed for a long time but have remained unhelpful clinically. Often it may be difficult to distinguish between schizoids and mild hebephrenias. In spite of this the clinical concept \"schizoid\" should never be used for \"mild schizophrenia\"...", "contents": "[The pre-morbid personality of schizophrenics in the literature of the last hundred years (author's transl)]. A survey of the literature on the primary personality of schizophrenics shows that the essential concepts derive from Kraepelin (1893), E. Bleuler (who also introduced the technical term \"schizoid\", 1911) and C.G. Jung introversion; 1913). E Kretschmer (1921) adopted these preliminary findings and integrated them into his system of \"Constitution\" which greatly stimulated research in this field. Most of the following investigations confirmed his hypotheses on the basis of clinical impressions. A few only criticised his teaching, particularly as a theoretical concept. The musculo-somatotonic type apart, Sheldon's (1940) research agrees with Kretschmer to a large degree. Later investigators, however, could not sufficiently support Sheldon's constitutional biology on empirical grounds. No further pre-morbid types were developed in the following years, if one discards the somewhat rare \"stormy\" character (Arieti, 1955). All attempts to discover differences between the pre-morbid development of personality and the subheadings of schizophrenia failed. Pre-morbid sexual development is not typical, but the disturbances of contact are in the foreground. Whether schizophrenics differ later in their intelligence is still undecided. But it appears certain that, even before the start of their illness, they achieve a lower social status than their siblings. There exists a large experimental psychologic literature on relationships between the original personality, symptoms and psychophysiologic correlates in which it is confirmed again and again that bad pre-morbid adaptation corresponds closely with the severity of symptoms and loss of achievement. There are no consonant result of investigations into the frequency of schizoid structures in schizophrenics, in psychiatric control groups and in the normal population. Psychometric techniques have been used only rarely, but existing publications confirm in principle that schizophrenics are markedly more schizoid than control groups. As with schizophrenia, there are contrasting ideas as to the cause and pathogenesis of the pre-morbid personality. Psycho- and socio-genetic, behavioral, genetic and neurochemical hypotheses have their adherents. According to recent studies of adoption the genetic factor appears to predominate. The clinician relies on pre-morbid development of the personality in his search for a \"kink in the life line\" or in his assessment of the quality of remissions. There is general agreement that a schizoid primary personality has an unfavorable influence on the long-term prognosis. This is still true today, in spite of modern possibilities of treatment and rehabilitation. Prophylactic aspects have been discussed for a long time but have remained unhelpful clinically. Often it may be difficult to distinguish between schizoids and mild hebephrenias. In spite of this the clinical concept \"schizoid\" should never be used for \"mild schizophrenia\"...", "PMID": 776762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4732", "title": "[Identical psychosis of a monocygous twin set--a case report (author's transl)].", "content": "This is a report about a pair of identical twins with identical symptoms of a similar to schizophrenic psychosis. The course of the disease with special reference to the influence by each other and a similar and a dissimilar treatment is described. This disease is subgrouped to the symbiontic psychoses. Nosology, aetiology and psychodynamic aspects are discussed.", "contents": "[Identical psychosis of a monocygous twin set--a case report (author's transl)]. This is a report about a pair of identical twins with identical symptoms of a similar to schizophrenic psychosis. The course of the disease with special reference to the influence by each other and a similar and a dissimilar treatment is described. This disease is subgrouped to the symbiontic psychoses. Nosology, aetiology and psychodynamic aspects are discussed.", "PMID": 776763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4733", "title": "Gout and the regulation of purine biosynthesis.", "content": "Overproduction of purine nucleotides de novo is the cause of hyperuricemia in a substantial portion of the gouty population. Specific enzyme abnormalities--deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (an enzyme of the purine \"salvage\" pathway) and overactivity of 5- phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PP-ribose-P) synthetase--result in hyperuricemia, and are associated with increased de novo purine synthesis and increased intracellular concentrations of PP-ribose-P. The latter is a common substrate for the first enzyme of the de novo pathway (phosphoribosyl amidotransferase) and the purine base salvage enzymes. Studies in cultured cells from patients, and in mutant cells derived from normal cell lines in vitro, suggest that elevated intracellular PP-ribose-P concentrations may increase the rate of de novo purine biosynthesis. This regulation can be explained in terms of the normal intracellular concentration of PP-ribose-P which is lower tthan the Km for the amidotransferase, and by allosteric activation of this enzyme by PP-ribose-P. Feedback inhibition of the first step in the de novo pathway by exogenous purines can be explained either by end-product (nucleotide) inhibition of the amidotransferase, or by competition for PP-ribose-P by the salvage enzymes which have lower Km's for this substrate, or by a combination of these effects. Evidence for and against these mechanisms is discussed. Evidence is presented which suggests that exogenous purines exert a feedback effect, not only on the first step of the de novo pathway, but also at the distal branch point in the pathway. Several potential regulatory mechanisms which might lead to excessive production of uric acid are discussed.", "contents": "Gout and the regulation of purine biosynthesis. Overproduction of purine nucleotides de novo is the cause of hyperuricemia in a substantial portion of the gouty population. Specific enzyme abnormalities--deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (an enzyme of the purine \"salvage\" pathway) and overactivity of 5- phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PP-ribose-P) synthetase--result in hyperuricemia, and are associated with increased de novo purine synthesis and increased intracellular concentrations of PP-ribose-P. The latter is a common substrate for the first enzyme of the de novo pathway (phosphoribosyl amidotransferase) and the purine base salvage enzymes. Studies in cultured cells from patients, and in mutant cells derived from normal cell lines in vitro, suggest that elevated intracellular PP-ribose-P concentrations may increase the rate of de novo purine biosynthesis. This regulation can be explained in terms of the normal intracellular concentration of PP-ribose-P which is lower tthan the Km for the amidotransferase, and by allosteric activation of this enzyme by PP-ribose-P. Feedback inhibition of the first step in the de novo pathway by exogenous purines can be explained either by end-product (nucleotide) inhibition of the amidotransferase, or by competition for PP-ribose-P by the salvage enzymes which have lower Km's for this substrate, or by a combination of these effects. Evidence for and against these mechanisms is discussed. Evidence is presented which suggests that exogenous purines exert a feedback effect, not only on the first step of the de novo pathway, but also at the distal branch point in the pathway. Several potential regulatory mechanisms which might lead to excessive production of uric acid are discussed.", "PMID": 776767} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4734", "title": "Transfer of substrates across the chloroplast envelope.", "content": "The chloroplast represents a relatively autonomous metabolic compartment within the plant cell. It is surrounded by an envelope consisting of two membranes of which the inner membrane is the functional barrier. Utilizing the energy of light the chloroplast is able to synthesize dihydroxyacetonephosphate from carbon dioxide and water. To provide the cell with this substrate, inorganic phosphate is required. In the case of phosphate deficiency the product of CO2 fixation may be temporarily stored within the chloroplast as starch. Specific transport processes across the inner envelope membrane permit the transfer of metabolites between the chloroplast and the cytosol. The phosphate translocator facilitates the export of dihydroxyacetone phosphate in exchange for inorganic phosphate. It also catalyzes a shuttle for inorganic phosphate with 3-phosphoglycerate, permitting the indirect transfer of reducing equivalents and of ATP from the chloroplast to the cytosol. The dicarboxylate carrier transporting various dicarboxylates may be suited for the transfer of reducing equivalents from the cytosol into the chloroplast. The ATP translocator, catalyzing a transport of ATP into the chloroplast in exchange for ADP, appears to be important for providing the chloroplast with ATP during the night phase, as required for the mobilization of starch.", "contents": "Transfer of substrates across the chloroplast envelope. The chloroplast represents a relatively autonomous metabolic compartment within the plant cell. It is surrounded by an envelope consisting of two membranes of which the inner membrane is the functional barrier. Utilizing the energy of light the chloroplast is able to synthesize dihydroxyacetonephosphate from carbon dioxide and water. To provide the cell with this substrate, inorganic phosphate is required. In the case of phosphate deficiency the product of CO2 fixation may be temporarily stored within the chloroplast as starch. Specific transport processes across the inner envelope membrane permit the transfer of metabolites between the chloroplast and the cytosol. The phosphate translocator facilitates the export of dihydroxyacetone phosphate in exchange for inorganic phosphate. It also catalyzes a shuttle for inorganic phosphate with 3-phosphoglycerate, permitting the indirect transfer of reducing equivalents and of ATP from the chloroplast to the cytosol. The dicarboxylate carrier transporting various dicarboxylates may be suited for the transfer of reducing equivalents from the cytosol into the chloroplast. The ATP translocator, catalyzing a transport of ATP into the chloroplast in exchange for ADP, appears to be important for providing the chloroplast with ATP during the night phase, as required for the mobilization of starch.", "PMID": 776769} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4735", "title": "Molecular aspects of electrical excitation in lipid bilayers and cell membranes.", "content": "Several compounds of fungal or bacterial origin (EIM, alamethicin, monazomycin, DJ400B) can be incorporated into planar lipid bilayers where they form molecular channels and generate voltage-dependent ion conductances. When studied by voltage clamp, the kinetic and steady-state characteristics of these conductance changes are in every respect identical to those found in excitable cell membranes, and their major aspects can be quantitatively described by the Hodgkin-Huxley equations. Thus, the steady-state conductance is an expotential function of the membrane potential, the conductance rises with a sigmoid time course and decays exponentially, and the time constants of the conductance changes go through a maximum as a function of the potential. The conductances also show inactivation as seen in the sodium channels of nerve and the potassium channels of muscle. In addition, there appear for particular pulsing sequences certain kinetic transients that cannot be accounted for by the Hodgkin-Huxley equations but are also seen in identical form in nerve. Because the kinetics are identical in all excitable cell membranes and in these bilayers, it is likely that, in spite of the diverse chemical nature of the channel-forming molecules in the bilayers and the widely differing ion selectivities in the cellular systems, the mechanism by which the membrane opens and closes for the flow of ions is essentially the same in all cases. The kinetic data imply that a cooperative process is involved in the gating action. In principle, two different concepts could account for the kinetics--one involving an intramolecular configurational change within a complex permanent channel, the other, the assembly of a channel through the voltage-dependent aggregation of monomeric channel precursors. In the bilayers the high-order dependence of the steady-state conductance and of the gating time constants on the concentration of the channel formers suggests an aggregation mechanism in which the gating involves the voltage-induced insertion of all or part of the channel-forming molecules from the membrane surface into the hydrocarbon region and their subsequent aggregation into open channels by lateral diffusion. The mathematical description of this two-step insertion-aggregation mechanism accounts quantitatively for the entire conductancb-voltage kinetics including inactivation and other kinetic features which deviate from the Hodgkin-Huxley kinetics in the sense that the rate constants of the changes are dependent not only on the membrane potential but also on the value of the conductance and on time. The proposed mechanism is also in agreement with single-channel data for alamethicin which suggest that both the insertion and the aggregation rate constants are voltage-dependent...", "contents": "Molecular aspects of electrical excitation in lipid bilayers and cell membranes. Several compounds of fungal or bacterial origin (EIM, alamethicin, monazomycin, DJ400B) can be incorporated into planar lipid bilayers where they form molecular channels and generate voltage-dependent ion conductances. When studied by voltage clamp, the kinetic and steady-state characteristics of these conductance changes are in every respect identical to those found in excitable cell membranes, and their major aspects can be quantitatively described by the Hodgkin-Huxley equations. Thus, the steady-state conductance is an expotential function of the membrane potential, the conductance rises with a sigmoid time course and decays exponentially, and the time constants of the conductance changes go through a maximum as a function of the potential. The conductances also show inactivation as seen in the sodium channels of nerve and the potassium channels of muscle. In addition, there appear for particular pulsing sequences certain kinetic transients that cannot be accounted for by the Hodgkin-Huxley equations but are also seen in identical form in nerve. Because the kinetics are identical in all excitable cell membranes and in these bilayers, it is likely that, in spite of the diverse chemical nature of the channel-forming molecules in the bilayers and the widely differing ion selectivities in the cellular systems, the mechanism by which the membrane opens and closes for the flow of ions is essentially the same in all cases. The kinetic data imply that a cooperative process is involved in the gating action. In principle, two different concepts could account for the kinetics--one involving an intramolecular configurational change within a complex permanent channel, the other, the assembly of a channel through the voltage-dependent aggregation of monomeric channel precursors. In the bilayers the high-order dependence of the steady-state conductance and of the gating time constants on the concentration of the channel formers suggests an aggregation mechanism in which the gating involves the voltage-induced insertion of all or part of the channel-forming molecules from the membrane surface into the hydrocarbon region and their subsequent aggregation into open channels by lateral diffusion. The mathematical description of this two-step insertion-aggregation mechanism accounts quantitatively for the entire conductancb-voltage kinetics including inactivation and other kinetic features which deviate from the Hodgkin-Huxley kinetics in the sense that the rate constants of the changes are dependent not only on the membrane potential but also on the value of the conductance and on time. The proposed mechanism is also in agreement with single-channel data for alamethicin which suggest that both the insertion and the aggregation rate constants are voltage-dependent...", "PMID": 776770} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4736", "title": "Pancreatic lipase and colipase: an example of heterogeneous biocatalysis.", "content": "The hydrolytic reactions catalyzed by pancreatic lipase represent a good example of heterogeneous catalysis. The particularity of this enzyme is provided by its preferential action on emulsified substrates. The first step of catalysis resides in a reversible adsorption of the enzyme to the oil-water interface. In fact, the formation of this adsorption complex is an obligatory step for the enzyme to display its full activity. Two principal but not necessarily exclusive hypotheses have been proposed to explain the observed interfacial activation: Either the interface confers new properties on the substrate which allow its subsequent hydrolysis, or the enzyme itself is modified by adsorption at the interface. Different approaches have recently been developed to clarify this point further. The results obtained by chemical modifications of lipase are consistent with the following hypothesis. The active site preexists in solution and becomes fully functional only by interaction of the interface with an additional site on the enzyme molecule which can be tentatively called the \"interfacial activation site.\" Finally, a protein of low molecular weight, colipase, seems necessary for lipase to express its activity under physiological conditions. This protein enters specific interactions with bile salts micelles and is responsible for the reversal of the inhibition of lipolysis brought about by these detergents.", "contents": "Pancreatic lipase and colipase: an example of heterogeneous biocatalysis. The hydrolytic reactions catalyzed by pancreatic lipase represent a good example of heterogeneous catalysis. The particularity of this enzyme is provided by its preferential action on emulsified substrates. The first step of catalysis resides in a reversible adsorption of the enzyme to the oil-water interface. In fact, the formation of this adsorption complex is an obligatory step for the enzyme to display its full activity. Two principal but not necessarily exclusive hypotheses have been proposed to explain the observed interfacial activation: Either the interface confers new properties on the substrate which allow its subsequent hydrolysis, or the enzyme itself is modified by adsorption at the interface. Different approaches have recently been developed to clarify this point further. The results obtained by chemical modifications of lipase are consistent with the following hypothesis. The active site preexists in solution and becomes fully functional only by interaction of the interface with an additional site on the enzyme molecule which can be tentatively called the \"interfacial activation site.\" Finally, a protein of low molecular weight, colipase, seems necessary for lipase to express its activity under physiological conditions. This protein enters specific interactions with bile salts micelles and is responsible for the reversal of the inhibition of lipolysis brought about by these detergents.", "PMID": 776772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4737", "title": "A quarter century of psychiatric care, 1950-1974: a statistical review.", "content": "The authors describe the changing trends in psychiatric care over the last quarter century. Whereas in 1950 state and county mental hospitals were the principal site for psychiatric care, by 1974 community mental health centers and other types of mental health facilities had an important role in providing such care. There has been a marked shift from inpatient to outpatient care, and more individuals with diagnoses other than psychoses are being treated today.", "contents": "A quarter century of psychiatric care, 1950-1974: a statistical review. The authors describe the changing trends in psychiatric care over the last quarter century. Whereas in 1950 state and county mental hospitals were the principal site for psychiatric care, by 1974 community mental health centers and other types of mental health facilities had an important role in providing such care. There has been a marked shift from inpatient to outpatient care, and more individuals with diagnoses other than psychoses are being treated today.", "PMID": 776789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4738", "title": "Separation by column chromatography of cells active in delayed-onset hypersensitivities.", "content": "Lymph node cells from guinea-pigs contact sensitive to 1-thiocyamo-2,4-dinitrobenzene have been fractionated by affinity chromatography over modified polyacrylamide beads. Cells mediating lymphokine release in response to active sensitizer were depleted only by chromatography over dinitrophyenyl (DNP) containing substrates and could be specifically eluted with DNP-glycine. DNP rosette-forming cells (RFC) were equally well depleted by chromatography using either DNP or trinitrophenyl containing materials but could not be eluted from the columns by DNP-glycine. While the antigen receptors of cells mediating the release of macrophage agglutination factor in response to DNP-containing antigens and of DNP-RFC were found to be hapten-specific, their specificity was shown to differ using chromatography over trinitrophenyl containing polyacrylamide.", "contents": "Separation by column chromatography of cells active in delayed-onset hypersensitivities. Lymph node cells from guinea-pigs contact sensitive to 1-thiocyamo-2,4-dinitrobenzene have been fractionated by affinity chromatography over modified polyacrylamide beads. Cells mediating lymphokine release in response to active sensitizer were depleted only by chromatography over dinitrophyenyl (DNP) containing substrates and could be specifically eluted with DNP-glycine. DNP rosette-forming cells (RFC) were equally well depleted by chromatography using either DNP or trinitrophenyl containing materials but could not be eluted from the columns by DNP-glycine. While the antigen receptors of cells mediating the release of macrophage agglutination factor in response to DNP-containing antigens and of DNP-RFC were found to be hapten-specific, their specificity was shown to differ using chromatography over trinitrophenyl containing polyacrylamide.", "PMID": 776818} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4739", "title": "Histochemical studies on fatty acid in lymphocyte-mediated immune reaction.", "content": "Generation of fatty acids by cell-mediated immune reactions was demonstrated histochemically by Okamoto's method, which stains fatty acids and their alkaline earth salts red-brown. The red-brown deposits were observed more frequently on the mixed culture of immune lymph node cells of C3H/He and C57Bl/6 mice than on the culture of either of the pair alone. Similar evidence was observed in the reaction of immune lymph node cells with the corresponding allogeneic mouse tumour cells as well as on the immune lumphocytes of guinea-pig incubated in the presence of the soluble antigen PPD. In spite of the findings which indicated a possible generation of fatty acids in the immunological reaction of immune lymphocytes, we failed to demonstrate evidence of fatty acid generation in the ascites during rejection of allogeneic ascitic MM102 tumour cells, although accumulation of neutral lipid was evident. This unexpected contradicition was interpreted by finding that MM102 cells incubated with oleic acid did not contain fatty acid but did contain a remarkable amount of neutral lipid on histochemical examinations. This finding indicated that once generated, fatty acids would be converted to neutral lipid in the ascites where allogeneic tumour cells were rejected.", "contents": "Histochemical studies on fatty acid in lymphocyte-mediated immune reaction. Generation of fatty acids by cell-mediated immune reactions was demonstrated histochemically by Okamoto's method, which stains fatty acids and their alkaline earth salts red-brown. The red-brown deposits were observed more frequently on the mixed culture of immune lymph node cells of C3H/He and C57Bl/6 mice than on the culture of either of the pair alone. Similar evidence was observed in the reaction of immune lymph node cells with the corresponding allogeneic mouse tumour cells as well as on the immune lumphocytes of guinea-pig incubated in the presence of the soluble antigen PPD. In spite of the findings which indicated a possible generation of fatty acids in the immunological reaction of immune lymphocytes, we failed to demonstrate evidence of fatty acid generation in the ascites during rejection of allogeneic ascitic MM102 tumour cells, although accumulation of neutral lipid was evident. This unexpected contradicition was interpreted by finding that MM102 cells incubated with oleic acid did not contain fatty acid but did contain a remarkable amount of neutral lipid on histochemical examinations. This finding indicated that once generated, fatty acids would be converted to neutral lipid in the ascites where allogeneic tumour cells were rejected.", "PMID": 776819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4740", "title": "Strain-related differences in immunosuppressive effects of Enterobacteriaceae and their lipopolysaccharides on production in rabbits of antibody to enterobacterial common antigen.", "content": "Certain polysaccharides have been shown to inhibit the antibody response of rabbits to the common enterobacterial antigen (CA). The present investigation revealed that striking differences exist in the immunosuppressive effects of enteric bacteria and their lipolysaccharides (lps), depending upon CA production by the strains. Mixtures of immunogenic strains (Escherichia coli F2378 [R4], E. coli F470 [R1], or Shigella boydii F3140 [R]) and non-immunogenic CA-producing strains, such as E. coli O1, E. coli O113, Salmonella montevideo, and S. minnesota, as well as the R mutants E. coli F614 (R1), E. coli F757 (R1), and S. typhimurium his 642 (Ra), failed to elicit CA antibodies. In contrast, mixtures of the immunogen and CA-negative strains S. typhimurium his 386 (Ra) and S. minnesota P595 (Re) or R555 (Ra) yielded antibodies in titers similar to those elicited by the immunogen alone. Further, LPS of CA-positive but not of CA-negative strains exerted this immunosuppressive effect. Quantitative studies revealed that LPS of S. minnesota in amounts of 100 mug/ml was strongly immunosuppressive, in amounts of 20 mug/ml slightly effective, and in amounts of 4 mug/ml ineffective. It is postulated that hitherto unknown differences exist, either in composition or in configuration, between LPS obtained from different microorganisms to account for the strain-related differences in immunosuppressive effects and, further, that the immunosuppressive LPS interacts with immunogenic CA.", "contents": "Strain-related differences in immunosuppressive effects of Enterobacteriaceae and their lipopolysaccharides on production in rabbits of antibody to enterobacterial common antigen. Certain polysaccharides have been shown to inhibit the antibody response of rabbits to the common enterobacterial antigen (CA). The present investigation revealed that striking differences exist in the immunosuppressive effects of enteric bacteria and their lipolysaccharides (lps), depending upon CA production by the strains. Mixtures of immunogenic strains (Escherichia coli F2378 [R4], E. coli F470 [R1], or Shigella boydii F3140 [R]) and non-immunogenic CA-producing strains, such as E. coli O1, E. coli O113, Salmonella montevideo, and S. minnesota, as well as the R mutants E. coli F614 (R1), E. coli F757 (R1), and S. typhimurium his 642 (Ra), failed to elicit CA antibodies. In contrast, mixtures of the immunogen and CA-negative strains S. typhimurium his 386 (Ra) and S. minnesota P595 (Re) or R555 (Ra) yielded antibodies in titers similar to those elicited by the immunogen alone. Further, LPS of CA-positive but not of CA-negative strains exerted this immunosuppressive effect. Quantitative studies revealed that LPS of S. minnesota in amounts of 100 mug/ml was strongly immunosuppressive, in amounts of 20 mug/ml slightly effective, and in amounts of 4 mug/ml ineffective. It is postulated that hitherto unknown differences exist, either in composition or in configuration, between LPS obtained from different microorganisms to account for the strain-related differences in immunosuppressive effects and, further, that the immunosuppressive LPS interacts with immunogenic CA.", "PMID": 776827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4741", "title": "Occurrence and characteristics of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from calves with diarrhea.", "content": "Of 1,004 isolates of Escherichia coli obtained during the spring of 1975 in seven different states from calves with diarrhea, 124 isolates were enterotoxigenic based upon ability to cause distention of the calf ligated intestinal segment. Isolates of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) were obtained from calves in six of the seven states. ETEC were detected in calves in 118 of 355 herds in Montana during the 1974 and 1975 spring beef calving seasons. The occurrence and serotypes of ETEC isolated from calves in states outside Montana were similar to ETEC isolated from calves in Montana. One hundred and fourteen of the 124 isolates of ETEC were placed in one of six different groups upon agglutination in OK antiserum. Serotyping of 35 of the 124 isolates of ETEC indicated the following serotype for isolates in each group: group 1, O9:K35; group 2, O101:K30; group 3, O8:K85; group 4, O20:K?; group 5, O8:K25; and group 6, O101:K28. Determination of the presence of K99 antigen indicated that 28 of 35 isolates of ETEC had K99 antigen, whereas the antigen was not detected in any of the 10 isolates of non-ETEC studied.", "contents": "Occurrence and characteristics of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from calves with diarrhea. Of 1,004 isolates of Escherichia coli obtained during the spring of 1975 in seven different states from calves with diarrhea, 124 isolates were enterotoxigenic based upon ability to cause distention of the calf ligated intestinal segment. Isolates of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) were obtained from calves in six of the seven states. ETEC were detected in calves in 118 of 355 herds in Montana during the 1974 and 1975 spring beef calving seasons. The occurrence and serotypes of ETEC isolated from calves in states outside Montana were similar to ETEC isolated from calves in Montana. One hundred and fourteen of the 124 isolates of ETEC were placed in one of six different groups upon agglutination in OK antiserum. Serotyping of 35 of the 124 isolates of ETEC indicated the following serotype for isolates in each group: group 1, O9:K35; group 2, O101:K30; group 3, O8:K85; group 4, O20:K?; group 5, O8:K25; and group 6, O101:K28. Determination of the presence of K99 antigen indicated that 28 of 35 isolates of ETEC had K99 antigen, whereas the antigen was not detected in any of the 10 isolates of non-ETEC studied.", "PMID": 776828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4742", "title": "Interaction of Nocardia asteroides with cultured rabbit alveolar macrophages.", "content": "The interaction between virulent and less virulent strains of Nocardia asteroides and cultured rabbit alveolar macrophages was studied. It was shown that cells of the less virulent strain (N. asteroides 10905) were rapidly phagocytized and destroyed. However, some cells were able to avoid being killed, and they persisted within the macrophage in an altered, gram-negative form. These variants apparently increased in numbers after several days within the macrophage population, so that at 9 days postinfection more colony-forming units per macrophage were recovered than at 3 h. Little or no extracellular growth was observed in the tissue culture medium. During the increase at 9 days, both transitional-phase variants and L-forms of N. asteroides were isolated from the macrophages but not from the medium. Gram-positive bacterial cells were never observed in 9-day infected macrophages. In contrast, cells of the more virulent strain (N. asteroides 14759) were not destroyed after being ingested. After 6 h postinfection, it was observed that the number of colony-forming units per macrophage had increased significantly. There was no corresponding increase in extracellular organisms observed in the culture medium. Therefore, cells of N. asteroides 14759 were able to grow rapidly within cultured rabbit alveolar macrophages. Upon continued incubation of the infected cells (24 h postinfection), it was shown that this strain of Nocardia grew out of the macrophages as acid-fast branching filaments. From these data, it is clear that the initial interaction between N. asteroides and unstimulated, nonimmune alveolar macrophages depends upon the relative virulence of the nocardial strain.", "contents": "Interaction of Nocardia asteroides with cultured rabbit alveolar macrophages. The interaction between virulent and less virulent strains of Nocardia asteroides and cultured rabbit alveolar macrophages was studied. It was shown that cells of the less virulent strain (N. asteroides 10905) were rapidly phagocytized and destroyed. However, some cells were able to avoid being killed, and they persisted within the macrophage in an altered, gram-negative form. These variants apparently increased in numbers after several days within the macrophage population, so that at 9 days postinfection more colony-forming units per macrophage were recovered than at 3 h. Little or no extracellular growth was observed in the tissue culture medium. During the increase at 9 days, both transitional-phase variants and L-forms of N. asteroides were isolated from the macrophages but not from the medium. Gram-positive bacterial cells were never observed in 9-day infected macrophages. In contrast, cells of the more virulent strain (N. asteroides 14759) were not destroyed after being ingested. After 6 h postinfection, it was observed that the number of colony-forming units per macrophage had increased significantly. There was no corresponding increase in extracellular organisms observed in the culture medium. Therefore, cells of N. asteroides 14759 were able to grow rapidly within cultured rabbit alveolar macrophages. Upon continued incubation of the infected cells (24 h postinfection), it was shown that this strain of Nocardia grew out of the macrophages as acid-fast branching filaments. From these data, it is clear that the initial interaction between N. asteroides and unstimulated, nonimmune alveolar macrophages depends upon the relative virulence of the nocardial strain.", "PMID": 776829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4743", "title": "Role of host factors in the pathogenesis of Salmonella-associated arthritis in rats.", "content": "To evaluate the roles of the infectious agent and the host in the pathogensis of Salmonella-associated arthritis (SAA), 1O(3) to 10(6) heat-killed Salmonella enteritidis were injected directly into involved carpal joints in normal and actively immunized rats and in hosts adoptively immunized by the intravenous transfer of spleen cells from syngeneic donors with ongoing SAA. As many as 10(6) living Salmonellae invariably failed to generate more than a transient inflammatory response in normal rats. The regression of acute joint swelling was accelerated in both types of immunized hosts. The intensity and duration of acute inflammation evoked in normal rats by 10(6) and 10(9) heat-killed Salmonellae did not exceed the response elicited by 10(3) living organisms. In sharply contrasting results, however, a chronic arthritis became established in a significant number of actively and adoptively sensitized rats after the intra-articular injection of 10(9) heat-killed organisms. No Salmonellae were recovered from these adoptively sensitized rats although small numbers of organisms has been present among the spleen cells in the transfer inocula. Taken together, these results indicate the obligatory involvement of host factors in the mediation of this chronic arthritis and virtually eliminate any likelihood that joint damage in SAA is due to the directly destructive effects of intra-articular infection.", "contents": "Role of host factors in the pathogenesis of Salmonella-associated arthritis in rats. To evaluate the roles of the infectious agent and the host in the pathogensis of Salmonella-associated arthritis (SAA), 1O(3) to 10(6) heat-killed Salmonella enteritidis were injected directly into involved carpal joints in normal and actively immunized rats and in hosts adoptively immunized by the intravenous transfer of spleen cells from syngeneic donors with ongoing SAA. As many as 10(6) living Salmonellae invariably failed to generate more than a transient inflammatory response in normal rats. The regression of acute joint swelling was accelerated in both types of immunized hosts. The intensity and duration of acute inflammation evoked in normal rats by 10(6) and 10(9) heat-killed Salmonellae did not exceed the response elicited by 10(3) living organisms. In sharply contrasting results, however, a chronic arthritis became established in a significant number of actively and adoptively sensitized rats after the intra-articular injection of 10(9) heat-killed organisms. No Salmonellae were recovered from these adoptively sensitized rats although small numbers of organisms has been present among the spleen cells in the transfer inocula. Taken together, these results indicate the obligatory involvement of host factors in the mediation of this chronic arthritis and virtually eliminate any likelihood that joint damage in SAA is due to the directly destructive effects of intra-articular infection.", "PMID": 776830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4744", "title": "Evidence for an extrinsic immunogen in effective ribosomal vaccines from Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Previous work has indicated that ribosomes isolated from Salmonella typhimurium were highly immunogenic and afforded excellent protection against homologous challenge. Effective protection was obtained also when ribonucleic acid ( RNA) extracted from these ribosomes was used as a vaccine. In this investigation ribosomes prepared by another method and washed repeatedly in 1 M NH1Cl lost much of their prophylactic potency and yielded poorly protective RNA. The high-salt wash of the ribosomes was immunogenic. The RNA and the protein isolated from the salt wash of the ribosomes were effective vaccines. No intrinsic component of the ribosomes was removed by the NH4Cl wash, since the ability of both \"crude\" and \"clean\" ribosomes to function equally well in an in vitro protein synthesizing system was demonstrated. The presence of a component with toxic properties similar to those of endotoxin was found in active vaccines but not in weak ones. This was shown by the ability of effective vaccines to kill lead acetate-sensitized mice and to induce tolerance to endotoxin.", "contents": "Evidence for an extrinsic immunogen in effective ribosomal vaccines from Salmonella typhimurium. Previous work has indicated that ribosomes isolated from Salmonella typhimurium were highly immunogenic and afforded excellent protection against homologous challenge. Effective protection was obtained also when ribonucleic acid ( RNA) extracted from these ribosomes was used as a vaccine. In this investigation ribosomes prepared by another method and washed repeatedly in 1 M NH1Cl lost much of their prophylactic potency and yielded poorly protective RNA. The high-salt wash of the ribosomes was immunogenic. The RNA and the protein isolated from the salt wash of the ribosomes were effective vaccines. No intrinsic component of the ribosomes was removed by the NH4Cl wash, since the ability of both \"crude\" and \"clean\" ribosomes to function equally well in an in vitro protein synthesizing system was demonstrated. The presence of a component with toxic properties similar to those of endotoxin was found in active vaccines but not in weak ones. This was shown by the ability of effective vaccines to kill lead acetate-sensitized mice and to induce tolerance to endotoxin.", "PMID": 776831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4745", "title": "Growth of Mycobacterium lepraemurinum in the mouse bone marrow: an ultrastructural study.", "content": "The ultrastruct of the mouse bone marrow during the first 8 weeks after intravenous inoculation of animals with 10(9) Mycobacterium lepraemurium is described. The bacteria were almost exclusively in macrophages, which became converted to epithelioid cells after 8 weeks, at which time they were very heavily infected. The nature of the exceptionally rapid increase in numbers of bacteria in the bone marrow compared with other tissues early in the infection is discussed. It is concluded that a short doubling time of bacteria situated in the marrow is a more probable explanation than recruitment from elsewhere in the animal.", "contents": "Growth of Mycobacterium lepraemurinum in the mouse bone marrow: an ultrastructural study. The ultrastruct of the mouse bone marrow during the first 8 weeks after intravenous inoculation of animals with 10(9) Mycobacterium lepraemurium is described. The bacteria were almost exclusively in macrophages, which became converted to epithelioid cells after 8 weeks, at which time they were very heavily infected. The nature of the exceptionally rapid increase in numbers of bacteria in the bone marrow compared with other tissues early in the infection is discussed. It is concluded that a short doubling time of bacteria situated in the marrow is a more probable explanation than recruitment from elsewhere in the animal.", "PMID": 776832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4746", "title": "Experimental mycoplasma mastitis in mice.", "content": "Thirteen strains of mycoplasma representing six different species, Acholeplasma laidlawii, Mycoplasma dispar, M. bovirhinis, M. bovigenitalium, M. agalactiae subsp. bovis, and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, were inoculated into the mammary glands of mice, and the number of mycoplasmas present in the glands three days after inoculation was determined. The predominant response included involution of inoculated glands and a neutrophil infiltration. With the exception of M. dispar, the pathogenicity of the six species for mice was found to be similar to their pathogenicity for cattle.", "contents": "Experimental mycoplasma mastitis in mice. Thirteen strains of mycoplasma representing six different species, Acholeplasma laidlawii, Mycoplasma dispar, M. bovirhinis, M. bovigenitalium, M. agalactiae subsp. bovis, and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, were inoculated into the mammary glands of mice, and the number of mycoplasmas present in the glands three days after inoculation was determined. The predominant response included involution of inoculated glands and a neutrophil infiltration. With the exception of M. dispar, the pathogenicity of the six species for mice was found to be similar to their pathogenicity for cattle.", "PMID": 776833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4747", "title": "Colonization of porcine small intestine by Escherichia coli: ileal colonization and adhesion by pig enteropathogens that lack K88 antigen and by some acapsular mutants.", "content": "Seven K88-negative porcine enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, representing three different serogroups, caused severe diarrhea and characteristically colonized the ileum, but not the jejunum, of intragastrically exposed newborn pigs. Bacterial counts of intestinal contents and wall, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy all suggested that these strains colonized the ileum by adhesion to the villous epithelium. However, in ligated intestinal loops, these enteropathogenic E. coli strains adhered to jejunal epithelium as well as to ileal epithelium. Acapsular (K-) mutants, derived from one of the principal strains, retained their colonizing and adhesive abilities, whereas K- mutants from three other enteropathogenic E. coli strains did not. It is suggested that: (i) these K88-negative enteropathogenic E. coli colonize the ileum by adhesion, and (ii) the adhesion of some K-88-negative strains is mediated by surface factors other than, or in addition to, the polysaccharide K antigen.", "contents": "Colonization of porcine small intestine by Escherichia coli: ileal colonization and adhesion by pig enteropathogens that lack K88 antigen and by some acapsular mutants. Seven K88-negative porcine enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, representing three different serogroups, caused severe diarrhea and characteristically colonized the ileum, but not the jejunum, of intragastrically exposed newborn pigs. Bacterial counts of intestinal contents and wall, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy all suggested that these strains colonized the ileum by adhesion to the villous epithelium. However, in ligated intestinal loops, these enteropathogenic E. coli strains adhered to jejunal epithelium as well as to ileal epithelium. Acapsular (K-) mutants, derived from one of the principal strains, retained their colonizing and adhesive abilities, whereas K- mutants from three other enteropathogenic E. coli strains did not. It is suggested that: (i) these K88-negative enteropathogenic E. coli colonize the ileum by adhesion, and (ii) the adhesion of some K-88-negative strains is mediated by surface factors other than, or in addition to, the polysaccharide K antigen.", "PMID": 776834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4748", "title": "Multiplication of bovine parvovirus in two cell strains.", "content": "Bovine parvovirus has been found to infect two cell strains: buffalo lung fibroblasts and embryonic bovine tracheal cells. Infectivity titers were best determined by plaque assays. Immunofluorescence studies revealed intranuclear staining, whereas complement fixation tests confirmed bovine parvovirus antigen production. These cell strains represent economical and convenient cell types which can be used in studies on bovine parvovirus.", "contents": "Multiplication of bovine parvovirus in two cell strains. Bovine parvovirus has been found to infect two cell strains: buffalo lung fibroblasts and embryonic bovine tracheal cells. Infectivity titers were best determined by plaque assays. Immunofluorescence studies revealed intranuclear staining, whereas complement fixation tests confirmed bovine parvovirus antigen production. These cell strains represent economical and convenient cell types which can be used in studies on bovine parvovirus.", "PMID": 776835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4749", "title": "Acquired immunity to Aspergillus fumigatus.", "content": "In mice preinfected with Aspergillus fumigatus for greater than or equal to days, administration of cortisone failed to stimulate mycelial growth. The liver and heart of mice preinfected for 14 days resisted infection after a cortisone + conidia challenge.", "contents": "Acquired immunity to Aspergillus fumigatus. In mice preinfected with Aspergillus fumigatus for greater than or equal to days, administration of cortisone failed to stimulate mycelial growth. The liver and heart of mice preinfected for 14 days resisted infection after a cortisone + conidia challenge.", "PMID": 776836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4750", "title": "The mechanism of immunoinhibition by arachidonic and linoleic acid: effects on the lymphoid and reticulo-endothelial systems.", "content": "Subcutaneous injection with certain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), in particular linoleic acid (C18:2), has recently been shown to prolong the survival of skin allografts in mice and to reduce both primary and secondary cytotoxic responses by isolated spleen cells. In this study we have examined changes in the lymphoid and reticulo-endothelial systems of both grafted and ungrafted mice treated according to the schedules shown to prolong allograft survival. Many of the changes in the lymphoid and reticulo-endothelial systems which can be produced by allografting could also be produced in ungrafted animals by PUFA treatment. These changes included: increased 125IudR uptake by spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow, increased spleen and lymph node weight, increased proportion of red pulp and granulocyte precursors in the spleen, and reticulo-endothelial activation as shown by an increased rate of carbon clearance. The combined effects of allografting and C18:2 on peripheral lymph node weight were greater than the effect of either treatment alone, but fell short of the sum of both treatments. Allografting increased 125IudR uptake/unit organ weight, not only in the peripheral lymph nodes, but also in bone marrow, thymus and spleen. When allografted animals were C18:2 treated, this increase was considerably reduced, uptake being little different from that in C18:2 treated ungrafted controls. The number of theta-positive cells in the spleen was markedly increased by a tumor allograft, but such an increase could not be seen in allografted animals when treated with C18:2. Whilst prolonged C18:2 treatment led to destructive changes in the spleen, immunoinhibition could still be demonstrated after shorter treatments with C18:2 when no gross histological evidence for tissue destruction was apparent. Partial reversibility of inhibition of cytotoxic activity of isolated spleen cells could be domonstrated when treatment was discontinued.", "contents": "The mechanism of immunoinhibition by arachidonic and linoleic acid: effects on the lymphoid and reticulo-endothelial systems. Subcutaneous injection with certain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), in particular linoleic acid (C18:2), has recently been shown to prolong the survival of skin allografts in mice and to reduce both primary and secondary cytotoxic responses by isolated spleen cells. In this study we have examined changes in the lymphoid and reticulo-endothelial systems of both grafted and ungrafted mice treated according to the schedules shown to prolong allograft survival. Many of the changes in the lymphoid and reticulo-endothelial systems which can be produced by allografting could also be produced in ungrafted animals by PUFA treatment. These changes included: increased 125IudR uptake by spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow, increased spleen and lymph node weight, increased proportion of red pulp and granulocyte precursors in the spleen, and reticulo-endothelial activation as shown by an increased rate of carbon clearance. The combined effects of allografting and C18:2 on peripheral lymph node weight were greater than the effect of either treatment alone, but fell short of the sum of both treatments. Allografting increased 125IudR uptake/unit organ weight, not only in the peripheral lymph nodes, but also in bone marrow, thymus and spleen. When allografted animals were C18:2 treated, this increase was considerably reduced, uptake being little different from that in C18:2 treated ungrafted controls. The number of theta-positive cells in the spleen was markedly increased by a tumor allograft, but such an increase could not be seen in allografted animals when treated with C18:2. Whilst prolonged C18:2 treatment led to destructive changes in the spleen, immunoinhibition could still be demonstrated after shorter treatments with C18:2 when no gross histological evidence for tissue destruction was apparent. Partial reversibility of inhibition of cytotoxic activity of isolated spleen cells could be domonstrated when treatment was discontinued.", "PMID": 776837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4751", "title": "Induction of adjuvant arthritis in the rat by various bacterial cell walls and their water-soluble components.", "content": "A number of purified cell walls of various gram-positive bacteria had arthritogenic activity in the rat. The water-soluble adjuvant-active component(s), which were isolated from some of these cell walls by utilizing a peptidoglycan-degrading enzyme, did produce severe adjuvant arthritis. However, the components obtained by digestion with glycan-degrading enzymes failed to produce arthritis. Thus, the present finding indicates the importance of a peptidoglycan portion, especially its intact glycan chain, for induction of adjuvant arthritis.", "contents": "Induction of adjuvant arthritis in the rat by various bacterial cell walls and their water-soluble components. A number of purified cell walls of various gram-positive bacteria had arthritogenic activity in the rat. The water-soluble adjuvant-active component(s), which were isolated from some of these cell walls by utilizing a peptidoglycan-degrading enzyme, did produce severe adjuvant arthritis. However, the components obtained by digestion with glycan-degrading enzymes failed to produce arthritis. Thus, the present finding indicates the importance of a peptidoglycan portion, especially its intact glycan chain, for induction of adjuvant arthritis.", "PMID": 776838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4752", "title": "Cellular and humoral immune response to guinea pig infected with Treponema pallidum.", "content": "Guinea pigs infected intradermally with Treponema pallidum Nichols strain were examined for the presence of lesions and for cellular and humoral response. Of the 26 guinea pigs (77%) demonstrated darkfield positive lesions between 6 and 20 days after infection. Animals divided into six groups of 4-5 in each were sacrificed between 2 and 24 weeks. The peritoneal exudate cells, obtained 4 days after injection of oil, were examined by the direct and the cells from lymphoid organs by the indirect capillary leukocyte migration method in the presence of 10 and 30 mug/ml of Reiter antigen. The peritoneal exudate cells responded with enhancement of leukocyte migration, reaching significant values between 6 and 24 weeks after injection. The cells from the lymphoid organs showed enhancement of leukocyte migration until the 4th week of infection. Treponemal antibodies, found in all animals, started to appear at the 4th week reaching a maximum titer at the 12th week after infection. The appearance of the antibodies correlated well (p less than 0.05) with the appearance of the enhancement of leukocyte migration. Wassermann antibodies were not detected throughout the 24 weeks of infection. The unique immune responses are discussed in view of the available data concerning natural acquired and experimental syphilis.", "contents": "Cellular and humoral immune response to guinea pig infected with Treponema pallidum. Guinea pigs infected intradermally with Treponema pallidum Nichols strain were examined for the presence of lesions and for cellular and humoral response. Of the 26 guinea pigs (77%) demonstrated darkfield positive lesions between 6 and 20 days after infection. Animals divided into six groups of 4-5 in each were sacrificed between 2 and 24 weeks. The peritoneal exudate cells, obtained 4 days after injection of oil, were examined by the direct and the cells from lymphoid organs by the indirect capillary leukocyte migration method in the presence of 10 and 30 mug/ml of Reiter antigen. The peritoneal exudate cells responded with enhancement of leukocyte migration, reaching significant values between 6 and 24 weeks after injection. The cells from the lymphoid organs showed enhancement of leukocyte migration until the 4th week of infection. Treponemal antibodies, found in all animals, started to appear at the 4th week reaching a maximum titer at the 12th week after infection. The appearance of the antibodies correlated well (p less than 0.05) with the appearance of the enhancement of leukocyte migration. Wassermann antibodies were not detected throughout the 24 weeks of infection. The unique immune responses are discussed in view of the available data concerning natural acquired and experimental syphilis.", "PMID": 776839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4753", "title": "Treatment of Burkitt's lymphoma: randomized clinical trial of single-agent versus combination chemotherapy.", "content": "A randomized clinical trial designed to compare the effectiveness of cytoxan (CTX) alone versus a combination consisting of CTX, vincristine (Oncovin) and methotrexate (COM) in the treatment of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) was carried out. Nineteen patients were selected at random to receive CTX alone while 21 received COM. The two treatment regimens were equally effective in inducing remissions, and complete response rates of 83.3% and 84.3% were observed for CTX- and COM-treated patients, respectively. The relapse frequencies were also equal but the pattern of relapse was clearly different. Seven out of 8 (87.5%) in the CTX group relapsed with systemic and central nervous system (CNS) tumor, while 8 out of 10 (80%) in the COM group relapsed with CNS disease only. This difference is highly significant p = 0.008. The remission durations and survival to date are the same.", "contents": "Treatment of Burkitt's lymphoma: randomized clinical trial of single-agent versus combination chemotherapy. A randomized clinical trial designed to compare the effectiveness of cytoxan (CTX) alone versus a combination consisting of CTX, vincristine (Oncovin) and methotrexate (COM) in the treatment of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) was carried out. Nineteen patients were selected at random to receive CTX alone while 21 received COM. The two treatment regimens were equally effective in inducing remissions, and complete response rates of 83.3% and 84.3% were observed for CTX- and COM-treated patients, respectively. The relapse frequencies were also equal but the pattern of relapse was clearly different. Seven out of 8 (87.5%) in the CTX group relapsed with systemic and central nervous system (CNS) tumor, while 8 out of 10 (80%) in the COM group relapsed with CNS disease only. This difference is highly significant p = 0.008. The remission durations and survival to date are the same.", "PMID": 776840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4754", "title": "A histopathologic study of striated muscle biopsies in leprosy.", "content": "Histopathologic changes in striated muscle biopsies in 50 cases of leprosy were studied; 40 being the lepromatous type and 10 the nonlepromatous type. All the biopsies were obtained from midportions of normal looking biceps muscles and paraffin embedded. Sections cut in transverse and longitudinal planes were stained by hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Mallory's PTAH, Gomori's silver impregnation, and Ziehl-Neelsen's technic. Lepromas, focal or confluent, in the endomysium, perimysium, muscle fibers and perineurally, constituted the most common pathological lesion, being observed in 34% of all cases with a higher frequency in the lepromatous type. Acid-fast bacilli could be demonstrated in some of these lepromas. These nodules were observed even in younger patients and increased in frequency as the age of patient advanced. Three cases of nonlepromatous leprosy showed granulomas. Other changes noted in varying proportions were loss of striations, hyaline change, fatty change, sarcolemmal changes, along with endomysial thickening, muscle necrosis and fibrosis. Bacillemia in leprosy and the possible route of muscle invasion resulting in subsequent production of leprous nodules with associated degenerative changes, indpendent of nerve involvement, have been postulated.", "contents": "A histopathologic study of striated muscle biopsies in leprosy. Histopathologic changes in striated muscle biopsies in 50 cases of leprosy were studied; 40 being the lepromatous type and 10 the nonlepromatous type. All the biopsies were obtained from midportions of normal looking biceps muscles and paraffin embedded. Sections cut in transverse and longitudinal planes were stained by hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Mallory's PTAH, Gomori's silver impregnation, and Ziehl-Neelsen's technic. Lepromas, focal or confluent, in the endomysium, perimysium, muscle fibers and perineurally, constituted the most common pathological lesion, being observed in 34% of all cases with a higher frequency in the lepromatous type. Acid-fast bacilli could be demonstrated in some of these lepromas. These nodules were observed even in younger patients and increased in frequency as the age of patient advanced. Three cases of nonlepromatous leprosy showed granulomas. Other changes noted in varying proportions were loss of striations, hyaline change, fatty change, sarcolemmal changes, along with endomysial thickening, muscle necrosis and fibrosis. Bacillemia in leprosy and the possible route of muscle invasion resulting in subsequent production of leprous nodules with associated degenerative changes, indpendent of nerve involvement, have been postulated.", "PMID": 776842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4755", "title": "[Sensitivity to dapsone, sulfamethoxypyridazine and ethionamide of mycobacterium leprae taken from patients treated by the drugs].", "content": "Suspensions of M. leprae from skin biopsies of patients treated with dapsone (DDS) (four cases), sulfamethoxypyridazine (SMP) (six cases), and ethionamide (ETH) (seven cases), were inoculated into mouse foot pads and their sensitivity for the different drugs determined. Two strains were DDS resistant. Resistance appeared after 13 and 14 years respectively after the start of treatment. Five strains were isolated from patients treated with SMP. Relapses during sulfonamide treatment are considered to be due to the low effective serum concentrations reached by SMP, a situation which is aggravated by irregularities in drug intake. Fortunately all strains were sensitive to SMP and DDS as well. Four strains were ETH resistant. ETH resistance at the present moment reaches 4% and appeared in two cases six years after the start of treatment. It is concluded that SMP is not indicated for the treatment of multibacillary leprosy and that ETH can be used only in association with other drugs during the introductory phase of treatment of multibacillary forms of leprosy.", "contents": "[Sensitivity to dapsone, sulfamethoxypyridazine and ethionamide of mycobacterium leprae taken from patients treated by the drugs]. Suspensions of M. leprae from skin biopsies of patients treated with dapsone (DDS) (four cases), sulfamethoxypyridazine (SMP) (six cases), and ethionamide (ETH) (seven cases), were inoculated into mouse foot pads and their sensitivity for the different drugs determined. Two strains were DDS resistant. Resistance appeared after 13 and 14 years respectively after the start of treatment. Five strains were isolated from patients treated with SMP. Relapses during sulfonamide treatment are considered to be due to the low effective serum concentrations reached by SMP, a situation which is aggravated by irregularities in drug intake. Fortunately all strains were sensitive to SMP and DDS as well. Four strains were ETH resistant. ETH resistance at the present moment reaches 4% and appeared in two cases six years after the start of treatment. It is concluded that SMP is not indicated for the treatment of multibacillary leprosy and that ETH can be used only in association with other drugs during the introductory phase of treatment of multibacillary forms of leprosy.", "PMID": 776843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4756", "title": "The presence of systemic and local activated macrophages in mice infected in the foot pad with Mycobacterium leprae and M. marinum.", "content": "A highly sensitive assay for quantitating the presence of activated macrophages was employed to show that foot pad infection of mice with neither M. leprae nor M. marinum induced a population of activated peritoneal macrophages. In vitro attempts to demonstrate local activated macrophages in the foot pads of M. leprae infected mice failed, but, because of the technical problems encountered, do not preclude their presence. Additional studies are being carried out.", "contents": "The presence of systemic and local activated macrophages in mice infected in the foot pad with Mycobacterium leprae and M. marinum. A highly sensitive assay for quantitating the presence of activated macrophages was employed to show that foot pad infection of mice with neither M. leprae nor M. marinum induced a population of activated peritoneal macrophages. In vitro attempts to demonstrate local activated macrophages in the foot pads of M. leprae infected mice failed, but, because of the technical problems encountered, do not preclude their presence. Additional studies are being carried out.", "PMID": 776858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4757", "title": "Evaluation of cell mediated immunity in the histopathologic spectrum of leprosy using lymphocyte transformation test.", "content": "Lymphocyte transformation in response to PHA, M. leprae and BCG with the use of measurements of 3H-thymidine uptake, was studied in 10 normal controls, and 71 leprosy patients of different types histologically classified according to the Ridley-Jopling scale. Lepromin and PPD tests were done in each one of them. It was found that there was a generalized depression of immune responsiveness to PHA in all forms of leprosy. The immune responsiveness of lymphocytes to M. leprae continuously and gradually increases from the lepromatous (LL) towards the tuberculoid (TT) end of the spectrum. The loss of immune response of lymphocytes from lepromatous patients to M. leprae is specific as evidenced by their capacity to respond selectively to BCG when PPD-positive, irrespective of their place in the leprosy spectrum.", "contents": "Evaluation of cell mediated immunity in the histopathologic spectrum of leprosy using lymphocyte transformation test. Lymphocyte transformation in response to PHA, M. leprae and BCG with the use of measurements of 3H-thymidine uptake, was studied in 10 normal controls, and 71 leprosy patients of different types histologically classified according to the Ridley-Jopling scale. Lepromin and PPD tests were done in each one of them. It was found that there was a generalized depression of immune responsiveness to PHA in all forms of leprosy. The immune responsiveness of lymphocytes to M. leprae continuously and gradually increases from the lepromatous (LL) towards the tuberculoid (TT) end of the spectrum. The loss of immune response of lymphocytes from lepromatous patients to M. leprae is specific as evidenced by their capacity to respond selectively to BCG when PPD-positive, irrespective of their place in the leprosy spectrum.", "PMID": 776862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4758", "title": "Growth of macrophages obtained from various sources.", "content": "Techniques to obtain macrophages from various sources of the mouse were reported. The following sources were included: peritoneal exudate, alveolar lavage, blood leucocytes, bone marrow, spleen, liver, lungs, lymph nodes, thymus, thyroid, heart muscle, kidney, and subcutaneous cover glass implants. Human blood macrophages were also included. Long-term cinemicrographic studies revealed sustained good growth of these macrophages. Cell multiplication was detected in all of these cultures except those obtained from the peritoneal exudate. Pure cultures of macrophages were obtained from blood of the mouse and human. Macrophages obtained from other sources were accompanied by some growth of fibroblasts. Methods to eliminate the fibroblasts in cultures were discussed.", "contents": "Growth of macrophages obtained from various sources. Techniques to obtain macrophages from various sources of the mouse were reported. The following sources were included: peritoneal exudate, alveolar lavage, blood leucocytes, bone marrow, spleen, liver, lungs, lymph nodes, thymus, thyroid, heart muscle, kidney, and subcutaneous cover glass implants. Human blood macrophages were also included. Long-term cinemicrographic studies revealed sustained good growth of these macrophages. Cell multiplication was detected in all of these cultures except those obtained from the peritoneal exudate. Pure cultures of macrophages were obtained from blood of the mouse and human. Macrophages obtained from other sources were accompanied by some growth of fibroblasts. Methods to eliminate the fibroblasts in cultures were discussed.", "PMID": 776868} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4759", "title": "Cell walls of Mycobacterium leprae.", "content": "Walls were prepared from M. leprae isolated from livers and spleens of infected armadillos. These contained mycolic acids and arabinogalactan, but the composition of the peptidoglycan differed from that of the other mycobacteria that have been studied, since it contained substantial amounts of glycine. The relationship of M. leprae to the other mycobacteria remains obscure.", "contents": "Cell walls of Mycobacterium leprae. Walls were prepared from M. leprae isolated from livers and spleens of infected armadillos. These contained mycolic acids and arabinogalactan, but the composition of the peptidoglycan differed from that of the other mycobacteria that have been studied, since it contained substantial amounts of glycine. The relationship of M. leprae to the other mycobacteria remains obscure.", "PMID": 776875} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4760", "title": "Treatment of hyperhidrosis with topical methenamine.", "content": "Idiopathic palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis is a relatively common disorder of eccrine sweat gland function. Treatment with glutaraldehyde of formaldehyde, although successful, may cause undesirable side effects. Methenamine is a polycyclic organic compound which release ammonia and formaldehyde at acid pH. Five per cent methenamine in a firm stick gel, applied daily to one palmar or plantar surface of 109 patients with hyperhidrosis, resulted in significantly less sweating after one month. No patients were sensitized to formaldehyde.", "contents": "Treatment of hyperhidrosis with topical methenamine. Idiopathic palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis is a relatively common disorder of eccrine sweat gland function. Treatment with glutaraldehyde of formaldehyde, although successful, may cause undesirable side effects. Methenamine is a polycyclic organic compound which release ammonia and formaldehyde at acid pH. Five per cent methenamine in a firm stick gel, applied daily to one palmar or plantar surface of 109 patients with hyperhidrosis, resulted in significantly less sweating after one month. No patients were sensitized to formaldehyde.", "PMID": 776880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4761", "title": "Isolation of Icterohaemorrhagiae from Microtus monte belli trapped at the Nagaoka area, Niigata Prefecture in Japan.", "content": "Three strains of leptospira were isolated from field rodents on the occasion of scrub typhus survey on the Nagaoka, Kurojo, Kamikawanishi area, Niigata Prefecture in September 1961. Out of 10 Microtus montebelli 3 strains of leptospira by means of heart puncture in febrile stage from guinea pigs. They were identified as icterohaemorrhagiae by cross-agglutination-lysis and a cross absorption tests. It was the first report of icterohaemorrhagiae in Microtus montebelli in Japan.", "contents": "Isolation of Icterohaemorrhagiae from Microtus monte belli trapped at the Nagaoka area, Niigata Prefecture in Japan. Three strains of leptospira were isolated from field rodents on the occasion of scrub typhus survey on the Nagaoka, Kurojo, Kamikawanishi area, Niigata Prefecture in September 1961. Out of 10 Microtus montebelli 3 strains of leptospira by means of heart puncture in febrile stage from guinea pigs. They were identified as icterohaemorrhagiae by cross-agglutination-lysis and a cross absorption tests. It was the first report of icterohaemorrhagiae in Microtus montebelli in Japan.", "PMID": 776885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4762", "title": "Reflected fascial flaps for the repair of large abdominal defects.", "content": "Three cases of large abdominal defects that were successfully closed with reflected fascial flaps from contiguous fascia have been presented. In each case the defect was repaired without evidence of breakdown or compromise of the blood supply. No disability was detected at the donor site. This procedure is recommended in conditions where rigid fixed borders are present and potential infection is feared.", "contents": "Reflected fascial flaps for the repair of large abdominal defects. Three cases of large abdominal defects that were successfully closed with reflected fascial flaps from contiguous fascia have been presented. In each case the defect was repaired without evidence of breakdown or compromise of the blood supply. No disability was detected at the donor site. This procedure is recommended in conditions where rigid fixed borders are present and potential infection is feared.", "PMID": 776888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4763", "title": "In vitro demonstration of cytotoxic antibodies and their possible role in corneal graft rejections.", "content": "Rabbit corneas were exposed to heterologous guinea pig anti-rabbit antibodies in the presence of complement and cytotoxic damage to the endothelium was demonstrated using para nitroblue tetrazolium. The possible role of such antibodies as \"blocking antibodies\" and as cytotoxic antibodies in the corneal graft rejection process are discussed.", "contents": "In vitro demonstration of cytotoxic antibodies and their possible role in corneal graft rejections. Rabbit corneas were exposed to heterologous guinea pig anti-rabbit antibodies in the presence of complement and cytotoxic damage to the endothelium was demonstrated using para nitroblue tetrazolium. The possible role of such antibodies as \"blocking antibodies\" and as cytotoxic antibodies in the corneal graft rejection process are discussed.", "PMID": 776892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4764", "title": "The effect of splenectomy on corneal graft rejection.", "content": "Recent studies have suggested that the spleen may be essential for the \"immunologic privilege\" enjoyed by corneal grafts. We tested this hypothesis in rabbits by performing 38 exchange penetrating keratoplasties between 19 normal rabbits and 19 rabbits that had undergone splenectomy. No significant difference was found in the number of corneas rejected or the mean graft survival time between the normal and splenectomized rabbits.", "contents": "The effect of splenectomy on corneal graft rejection. Recent studies have suggested that the spleen may be essential for the \"immunologic privilege\" enjoyed by corneal grafts. We tested this hypothesis in rabbits by performing 38 exchange penetrating keratoplasties between 19 normal rabbits and 19 rabbits that had undergone splenectomy. No significant difference was found in the number of corneas rejected or the mean graft survival time between the normal and splenectomized rabbits.", "PMID": 776894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4765", "title": "Effect of acetone fixation on rabies immunofluorescence in glycerine-preserved tissues.", "content": "Rabies immunofluorescence in glycerol-preserved tissues is more intense without acetone fixation. Glycerol preservation of suspected rabid tissue should be avoided whenever possible.", "contents": "Effect of acetone fixation on rabies immunofluorescence in glycerine-preserved tissues. Rabies immunofluorescence in glycerol-preserved tissues is more intense without acetone fixation. Glycerol preservation of suspected rabid tissue should be avoided whenever possible.", "PMID": 776899} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4766", "title": "Shigella flexneri 6 biotypes: a review.", "content": "Except in gas production, S. flexneri 6 is generally similar to other S. flexneri. S. flexneri 6 contains both aerogenic and anaerogenic strains which are identical serologically. It is not surprising that S. flexneri 6 is not separable from other S. flexneri types on the basis of DNA relatedness (overall genetic makeup) (4). The Manchester biotype is seen in the United States, and is easily separable from other Enterobacteriaceae by biochemical tests. One can no longer assume \u00e0 priori that any given biochemical reaction rules an organism out of Shigella. This is particularly true for the production of gas from glucose, but also applies to the fermentation of lactose and the production of H2S. Clinical laboratory personnel should be alert to these possibilities.", "contents": "Shigella flexneri 6 biotypes: a review. Except in gas production, S. flexneri 6 is generally similar to other S. flexneri. S. flexneri 6 contains both aerogenic and anaerogenic strains which are identical serologically. It is not surprising that S. flexneri 6 is not separable from other S. flexneri types on the basis of DNA relatedness (overall genetic makeup) (4). The Manchester biotype is seen in the United States, and is easily separable from other Enterobacteriaceae by biochemical tests. One can no longer assume \u00e0 priori that any given biochemical reaction rules an organism out of Shigella. This is particularly true for the production of gas from glucose, but also applies to the fermentation of lactose and the production of H2S. Clinical laboratory personnel should be alert to these possibilities.", "PMID": 776900} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4767", "title": "Nuclear cardiology in the evaluation of therapy and ventricular function in ischemic heart disease.", "content": "The advent of nuclear cardiology has resulted in a veritable explosion of new techniques for evaluating coronary artery disease. Most of these new techniques for detecting myocardial performance, myocardial perfusion patterns, shunt detection, and infarct detection can be done in sequential noninvasive fashion so that patient may be selected earlier in their disease when the benefits of surgical and medical therapy may be restorative rather than reparative. It is hoped this new medical technology will satisfy the desire of Mackenzie for \"comparative evaluation of medical remedies and different modes of treatment of disease by the lynx-eyed scrutiny of dispassionate analysis.\"", "contents": "Nuclear cardiology in the evaluation of therapy and ventricular function in ischemic heart disease. The advent of nuclear cardiology has resulted in a veritable explosion of new techniques for evaluating coronary artery disease. Most of these new techniques for detecting myocardial performance, myocardial perfusion patterns, shunt detection, and infarct detection can be done in sequential noninvasive fashion so that patient may be selected earlier in their disease when the benefits of surgical and medical therapy may be restorative rather than reparative. It is hoped this new medical technology will satisfy the desire of Mackenzie for \"comparative evaluation of medical remedies and different modes of treatment of disease by the lynx-eyed scrutiny of dispassionate analysis.\"", "PMID": 776902} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4768", "title": "Orally active 7-phenylglycyl cephalosporins. Structure-activity studies related to cefatrizine (SK&F 60771).", "content": "The synthesis of a series of related broad-spectrum 7-phenylglycyl cephalosporins with 3-heterocyclicthiomethyl substituents is described. The effects of benzene-ring hydroxylation and 3-substituent variation on the in vitro antibacterial activity, height and duration of mouse serum levels, and effectiveness in protecting against bacterial infection in the mouse are examined. Included for comparison are cephalexin, cephaloglycin and their ortho-, meta- and para-hydroxy derivatives. The biological properties examined were influenced by the position of the hydroxyl group and by the nature of the 3-substituent. The 7-(p-hydroxyphenylglycyl)-3-heterocyclicthiomethyl analogs were found to produce significantly higher serum levels on oral administration to mice than their unhydroxylated counterparts. This effect was not observed with the 7-(m-hydroxyphenylglycyl)-3-heterocyclicthiomethyl cephalosporins, nor with the p-hydroxyphenylglycyl analog of cephalexin. While m- and p-hydroxylation had little effect on in vitro activity and o-hydroxyphenylglycyl cephalosporins tested had very low antibacterial activities and were not examined further. One derivative, 7-[R-2-amino-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamido]-3-(1H-1, 2, 3-triazole-4(5)-ylthiomethyl)-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (SK&F 60771) was found to have outstanding in vitro and in vivo activities along with oral and subcutaneous serum levels in the mouse that were significantly higher than those obtained with cephalexin. This derivative which has been given the generic name cefatrizine was selected for extensive additional biological evaluation.", "contents": "Orally active 7-phenylglycyl cephalosporins. Structure-activity studies related to cefatrizine (SK&F 60771). The synthesis of a series of related broad-spectrum 7-phenylglycyl cephalosporins with 3-heterocyclicthiomethyl substituents is described. The effects of benzene-ring hydroxylation and 3-substituent variation on the in vitro antibacterial activity, height and duration of mouse serum levels, and effectiveness in protecting against bacterial infection in the mouse are examined. Included for comparison are cephalexin, cephaloglycin and their ortho-, meta- and para-hydroxy derivatives. The biological properties examined were influenced by the position of the hydroxyl group and by the nature of the 3-substituent. The 7-(p-hydroxyphenylglycyl)-3-heterocyclicthiomethyl analogs were found to produce significantly higher serum levels on oral administration to mice than their unhydroxylated counterparts. This effect was not observed with the 7-(m-hydroxyphenylglycyl)-3-heterocyclicthiomethyl cephalosporins, nor with the p-hydroxyphenylglycyl analog of cephalexin. While m- and p-hydroxylation had little effect on in vitro activity and o-hydroxyphenylglycyl cephalosporins tested had very low antibacterial activities and were not examined further. One derivative, 7-[R-2-amino-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamido]-3-(1H-1, 2, 3-triazole-4(5)-ylthiomethyl)-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (SK&F 60771) was found to have outstanding in vitro and in vivo activities along with oral and subcutaneous serum levels in the mouse that were significantly higher than those obtained with cephalexin. This derivative which has been given the generic name cefatrizine was selected for extensive additional biological evaluation.", "PMID": 776915} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4769", "title": "C-2801X, a new cephamycin-type antibiotic II. Isolation and characterization.", "content": "Two new species of Streptomyces, S. heteromorphus and heteromorphus and S. panayensis, were found to produce a new atibiotic named C-2801X together with cephamycins A and B. The antibiotics were separated from each other by column chromatography on Amberlite XAD-2 and isolated in pure form as mono-sodium salts. C-2801X mono-sodium salt has a molecular formula C25H28N3O12SNa, and exhibits antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including those insensitive to cephamycins A and B. From its physicochemical and biological properties, C2801X was considered to be a new cephamycin-type antibiotic.", "contents": "C-2801X, a new cephamycin-type antibiotic II. Isolation and characterization. Two new species of Streptomyces, S. heteromorphus and heteromorphus and S. panayensis, were found to produce a new atibiotic named C-2801X together with cephamycins A and B. The antibiotics were separated from each other by column chromatography on Amberlite XAD-2 and isolated in pure form as mono-sodium salts. C-2801X mono-sodium salt has a molecular formula C25H28N3O12SNa, and exhibits antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including those insensitive to cephamycins A and B. From its physicochemical and biological properties, C2801X was considered to be a new cephamycin-type antibiotic.", "PMID": 776916} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4770", "title": "Mechanism of action of bicyclomycin.", "content": "Microscopic examination of cultures of Escherichia coli exposed to bicyclomycin revelaed elongated or spheroplast-like cells. At the lethal level, bicyclomycin was shown to inhibit the synthesis of RNA and protein in the growing cells of E. coli 15 THU, whereas DNA and lipid synthesis were not significantly affected. However, the antibiotic did not block RNA and protein synthesis in vitro. Bicyclomycin was observed to inhibit the synthesis of envelope proteins more markedly than that of cytoplasmic proteins. The synthesis of two major envelope proteins was more sensetive to bicyclomycin than that of the other envelope proteins. One (peak I), which was inhibited to the greatest extent, seemed to be identical with a bound form of lipoprotein, and the other (peak V) with a free form of lipoprotein. Bicyclomycin exhibited inhibitory effects on the exclusive biosynthesis of the lipoprotein in histidine-starved cells of E. coli 15 THU. The biosynthesis of the bound form of lipoprotein was more profoundly inhibited by bicyclomycin than that of the free form. These results indicate that the primary action of bicyclomycin may be due to the interference with the biosynthesis of lipoprotein, and its assembly to peptidoglycan.", "contents": "Mechanism of action of bicyclomycin. Microscopic examination of cultures of Escherichia coli exposed to bicyclomycin revelaed elongated or spheroplast-like cells. At the lethal level, bicyclomycin was shown to inhibit the synthesis of RNA and protein in the growing cells of E. coli 15 THU, whereas DNA and lipid synthesis were not significantly affected. However, the antibiotic did not block RNA and protein synthesis in vitro. Bicyclomycin was observed to inhibit the synthesis of envelope proteins more markedly than that of cytoplasmic proteins. The synthesis of two major envelope proteins was more sensetive to bicyclomycin than that of the other envelope proteins. One (peak I), which was inhibited to the greatest extent, seemed to be identical with a bound form of lipoprotein, and the other (peak V) with a free form of lipoprotein. Bicyclomycin exhibited inhibitory effects on the exclusive biosynthesis of the lipoprotein in histidine-starved cells of E. coli 15 THU. The biosynthesis of the bound form of lipoprotein was more profoundly inhibited by bicyclomycin than that of the free form. These results indicate that the primary action of bicyclomycin may be due to the interference with the biosynthesis of lipoprotein, and its assembly to peptidoglycan.", "PMID": 776917} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4771", "title": "The structure of the calcium complex of A23187, a divalent cation ionophore antibiotic.", "content": "The crystal and molecular structures of the calcium complex of A23187 has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.", "contents": "The structure of the calcium complex of A23187, a divalent cation ionophore antibiotic. The crystal and molecular structures of the calcium complex of A23187 has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.", "PMID": 776918} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4772", "title": "Light-absorbing properties, stability, and spectral stabilization of indocyanine green.", "content": "The absorption spectrum of indocyanine green depends on the nature of the solvent medium and on the dye concentration. Binding to plasma proteins causes the principal peaks in the absorption spectrum to shift about 25 nm toward the higher wavelengths. The much greater influence on the spectrum of the dye concentration results from progressive aggregate formation with increasing concentration. Indocyanine green solutions therefore do not follow Lambert-Beer's law above 15 mg-I-1 (in plasma). Indocyanine green solutions in plasma and concentrated (1,000 mg-I-1) solutions in distilled water are stable for at least 4 h. In long-term experiments the optical density of indocyanine green solutions in plasma as well as in distilled water generally diminishes, even in the dark. On the 7th day a new absorption maximum starts to appear at gamma=900 nm, possibly caused by further aggregate formation leading to much larger particles. Spectral stabilization after injection of a concentrated solution into the blood is most rapid when the dye is dissolved in distilled water. Spectral stabilization slows down with decreasing temperature. As rapid spectral stabilization is essential in quantitative dye dilution studies, the practice of adding a albumin and/or isotonic saline solution to the injectate should be discontinued. When a 10 g-1(-1) aqueous solution of indocyanine green is used, spectral stabilization takes less than 1.5 a (at 37 degrees C), which is sufficiently fast for almost any application.", "contents": "Light-absorbing properties, stability, and spectral stabilization of indocyanine green. The absorption spectrum of indocyanine green depends on the nature of the solvent medium and on the dye concentration. Binding to plasma proteins causes the principal peaks in the absorption spectrum to shift about 25 nm toward the higher wavelengths. The much greater influence on the spectrum of the dye concentration results from progressive aggregate formation with increasing concentration. Indocyanine green solutions therefore do not follow Lambert-Beer's law above 15 mg-I-1 (in plasma). Indocyanine green solutions in plasma and concentrated (1,000 mg-I-1) solutions in distilled water are stable for at least 4 h. In long-term experiments the optical density of indocyanine green solutions in plasma as well as in distilled water generally diminishes, even in the dark. On the 7th day a new absorption maximum starts to appear at gamma=900 nm, possibly caused by further aggregate formation leading to much larger particles. Spectral stabilization after injection of a concentrated solution into the blood is most rapid when the dye is dissolved in distilled water. Spectral stabilization slows down with decreasing temperature. As rapid spectral stabilization is essential in quantitative dye dilution studies, the practice of adding a albumin and/or isotonic saline solution to the injectate should be discontinued. When a 10 g-1(-1) aqueous solution of indocyanine green is used, spectral stabilization takes less than 1.5 a (at 37 degrees C), which is sufficiently fast for almost any application.", "PMID": 776922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4773", "title": "Changes in the fluid compartments and dry weights of reimplanted dog lungs.", "content": "We studied changes in fluid compartments and dry weights of reimplanted lungs of dogs during the first 6 wk after operation. Excision and reimplantation caused a large increase in lung weight. The increase in weight was maximal 3 days after operation, was proportionately greater in the upper middle lobe than in the lower lobe, and was principally due to increased extravascular water. Dry weight and noncirculating red cells (measured by subtracting 51Cr-labeled red cell mass from total red cell mass as measured by hemoglobin extraction) also increased within 3 days after operation. Lung weight and extravascular water decreased progressively after 3 days and were normal in 6 wk. Chromated blood mass remaining within excised, passively drained lobes did not change at any stage postoperatively. Three days after operation, frozen lung sections showed minimal alveolar fluid but large amounts of peribronchial and perivascular edema which was occasionally blood tinged; submucosal edema was present in a few bronchi. Using intraalveolar Evans blue dye, we confirmed that several bronchial lymphatics close within 6 h and refenerate during the first postoperative week. Many of observed functional changes in freshly reimplanted lungs are temporally related to changes in extravascular water.", "contents": "Changes in the fluid compartments and dry weights of reimplanted dog lungs. We studied changes in fluid compartments and dry weights of reimplanted lungs of dogs during the first 6 wk after operation. Excision and reimplantation caused a large increase in lung weight. The increase in weight was maximal 3 days after operation, was proportionately greater in the upper middle lobe than in the lower lobe, and was principally due to increased extravascular water. Dry weight and noncirculating red cells (measured by subtracting 51Cr-labeled red cell mass from total red cell mass as measured by hemoglobin extraction) also increased within 3 days after operation. Lung weight and extravascular water decreased progressively after 3 days and were normal in 6 wk. Chromated blood mass remaining within excised, passively drained lobes did not change at any stage postoperatively. Three days after operation, frozen lung sections showed minimal alveolar fluid but large amounts of peribronchial and perivascular edema which was occasionally blood tinged; submucosal edema was present in a few bronchi. Using intraalveolar Evans blue dye, we confirmed that several bronchial lymphatics close within 6 h and refenerate during the first postoperative week. Many of observed functional changes in freshly reimplanted lungs are temporally related to changes in extravascular water.", "PMID": 776923} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4774", "title": "Salmonella typhimurium SA host specificity system is based on deoxyribonucleic acid-adenine methylation.", "content": "We have determined the nature of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) modification governed by the SA host specificity system of Salmonella typhimurium. Two lines of evidence indicate that SA modification is based on methylation of DNA-adenine residues. (i) The SA+ locus of Salmonella was transferred into Escherichia coli B, a strain that does not contain 5-methylcytosine in its DNA; although the hybrid strain was able to confer SA modification, its DNA still did not contain 5-methylcytosine. (ii) the N6-methyladenine content of phage L DNA was measured after growth in various host strains; phage lacking SA modification contained fewer N6-methyladenine residues per DNA. We also investigated the possibility, suggested by others (32), that SA modification protects phage DNA against restriction by the RII host specificity system. Phages lambda, P3, and L were grown in various SA+ and SA- hosts and tested for their relative plating ability on strains containing or lacking RII restriction; the presence or absence of SA modification had no effect on RII restriation. In vitro studies revealed, however, that Salmonella DNA is protected against cleavage by purified RII restriction endonuclease (R-EcoRII). This protection is not dependent on SA modification; rather, it appears to be due to methylation by a DNA-cytosine methylase which has overlapping specificity with the RII modification enzyme, but which is not involved in any other known host specificity system.", "contents": "Salmonella typhimurium SA host specificity system is based on deoxyribonucleic acid-adenine methylation. We have determined the nature of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) modification governed by the SA host specificity system of Salmonella typhimurium. Two lines of evidence indicate that SA modification is based on methylation of DNA-adenine residues. (i) The SA+ locus of Salmonella was transferred into Escherichia coli B, a strain that does not contain 5-methylcytosine in its DNA; although the hybrid strain was able to confer SA modification, its DNA still did not contain 5-methylcytosine. (ii) the N6-methyladenine content of phage L DNA was measured after growth in various host strains; phage lacking SA modification contained fewer N6-methyladenine residues per DNA. We also investigated the possibility, suggested by others (32), that SA modification protects phage DNA against restriction by the RII host specificity system. Phages lambda, P3, and L were grown in various SA+ and SA- hosts and tested for their relative plating ability on strains containing or lacking RII restriction; the presence or absence of SA modification had no effect on RII restriation. In vitro studies revealed, however, that Salmonella DNA is protected against cleavage by purified RII restriction endonuclease (R-EcoRII). This protection is not dependent on SA modification; rather, it appears to be due to methylation by a DNA-cytosine methylase which has overlapping specificity with the RII modification enzyme, but which is not involved in any other known host specificity system.", "PMID": 776925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4775", "title": "Isolation and genetic characterizaion of Escherichia coli K-12 mutations affecting bacteriophage T5 restriction by the ColIb plasmid.", "content": "A mutant derivative of Escherichia coli K-12 has been isolated which is permissive for bacteriophage T5 infection even when harboring a wild-type ColIb plasmid. The fully permissive phenotype was the result of two mutations that are located near the rpsL-rpsE region on the E. coli chromosome and are recessive to the wild-type alleles. These mutations had little or no effect on induction of colicin synthesis and did not affect the expression of antibiotic resistance by the resistance plasmids R64drd11 or R1drd19. Cells harboring the mutant alleles grew more slowly than isogenic wild-type derivatives in either minimal or complete media.", "contents": "Isolation and genetic characterizaion of Escherichia coli K-12 mutations affecting bacteriophage T5 restriction by the ColIb plasmid. A mutant derivative of Escherichia coli K-12 has been isolated which is permissive for bacteriophage T5 infection even when harboring a wild-type ColIb plasmid. The fully permissive phenotype was the result of two mutations that are located near the rpsL-rpsE region on the E. coli chromosome and are recessive to the wild-type alleles. These mutations had little or no effect on induction of colicin synthesis and did not affect the expression of antibiotic resistance by the resistance plasmids R64drd11 or R1drd19. Cells harboring the mutant alleles grew more slowly than isogenic wild-type derivatives in either minimal or complete media.", "PMID": 776926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4776", "title": "Evidence against the involvement of chemotaxis in swarming of Proteus mirabilis.", "content": "Nonswarming and nonchemotactic mutants of Proteus mirabilis were isolated after mutagenesis with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine or ultraviolet light. These mutants were used in experiments to determine if chemotaxis is involved in the swarming of P. mirabilis. Nonchemotactic mutants failed to form chemotactic bands in a semisolid casein hydrolysate medium, yet they swarmed on the same medium containing 1.5% agar. Nonswarming mutants were attracted towards individual amino acids and components of tryptose. In cross-feeding experiments, no evidence was obtained to indicate the production of a diffusable chemical repellent. In studies with the wild-type P. mirabilis, no clear-cut negative chemotaxis was seen even though three different assays were used and numerous chemicals were tested. Additional evidence against the involvement of chemotaxis in swarming comes from finding that dialysis does not interfere with swarming; swarm cells will swarm immediately when transferred to fresh media, and swarm cells will swarm on an agar-water medium supplemented with a surfactant. These data indicate that chemotaxis is not involved in the swarming of P. mirabilis.", "contents": "Evidence against the involvement of chemotaxis in swarming of Proteus mirabilis. Nonswarming and nonchemotactic mutants of Proteus mirabilis were isolated after mutagenesis with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine or ultraviolet light. These mutants were used in experiments to determine if chemotaxis is involved in the swarming of P. mirabilis. Nonchemotactic mutants failed to form chemotactic bands in a semisolid casein hydrolysate medium, yet they swarmed on the same medium containing 1.5% agar. Nonswarming mutants were attracted towards individual amino acids and components of tryptose. In cross-feeding experiments, no evidence was obtained to indicate the production of a diffusable chemical repellent. In studies with the wild-type P. mirabilis, no clear-cut negative chemotaxis was seen even though three different assays were used and numerous chemicals were tested. Additional evidence against the involvement of chemotaxis in swarming comes from finding that dialysis does not interfere with swarming; swarm cells will swarm immediately when transferred to fresh media, and swarm cells will swarm on an agar-water medium supplemented with a surfactant. These data indicate that chemotaxis is not involved in the swarming of P. mirabilis.", "PMID": 776927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4777", "title": "Wild-type and mutant in vitro products of an operon for ribonucleic acid polymerase subunits.", "content": "An in vitro protein-synthesizing system can synthesize two ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase subunits of Escherichia coli, beta and beta', when a transducing phage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) template containing the rpoB region of the bacterial chromosome is added. Recombinant rpoB transducing phages were isolated that carry \"nonsense\" mutations of the class rpo-rifampin zero amber (formally referred to as rifoam). DNA was extracted from two of these phages. These DNAs are unable to direct the synthesis of beta subunits, whereas beta' synthesis is unaffected. Both mutations can be efficiently suppressed in vitro by the addition of suppressor transfer RNA. One of the mutations (rpoB115) produces a detectable nonsense (or restart) fragment of the beta protein in the absence of suppression. It is concluded that rpoB115 is an amber mutation within the structural gene for the beta subunit of RNA polymerase.", "contents": "Wild-type and mutant in vitro products of an operon for ribonucleic acid polymerase subunits. An in vitro protein-synthesizing system can synthesize two ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase subunits of Escherichia coli, beta and beta', when a transducing phage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) template containing the rpoB region of the bacterial chromosome is added. Recombinant rpoB transducing phages were isolated that carry \"nonsense\" mutations of the class rpo-rifampin zero amber (formally referred to as rifoam). DNA was extracted from two of these phages. These DNAs are unable to direct the synthesis of beta subunits, whereas beta' synthesis is unaffected. Both mutations can be efficiently suppressed in vitro by the addition of suppressor transfer RNA. One of the mutations (rpoB115) produces a detectable nonsense (or restart) fragment of the beta protein in the absence of suppression. It is concluded that rpoB115 is an amber mutation within the structural gene for the beta subunit of RNA polymerase.", "PMID": 776928} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4778", "title": "Altered properties of deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase I isolated from the membrane of bacteriophage T4-infected Escherichia coli.", "content": "Previous studies have shown that a large fraction of the host cell deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase I (EC 2.7.7.7) becomes associated with the cell membrane shortly after infection with bacteriophages T4 and T7. The present investigation of the bound enzyme revealed that the polymerase activity can be eluted from the membrane with chelating agents, and that the material thus obtained shows many properties that distinguish it from purified DNA polymerase I. These include its chromatographic behavior, sedimentation rate, sensitivity to anti-DNA polymerase I antiserum, and activity with synthetic and natural DNA primers. Several of these physical and biological parameters were shown to revert slowly during storage to those exhibited by the purified enzyme. Efforts to determine whether the unusual properties of the membrane enzyme resulted from its association with DNA failed to support that possibility. These observations suggest that either the cause or the result of membrane binding of DNA polymerase I is a transient change in conformation or structure of the enzyme, with a resultant change in its enzymatic activity.", "contents": "Altered properties of deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase I isolated from the membrane of bacteriophage T4-infected Escherichia coli. Previous studies have shown that a large fraction of the host cell deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase I (EC 2.7.7.7) becomes associated with the cell membrane shortly after infection with bacteriophages T4 and T7. The present investigation of the bound enzyme revealed that the polymerase activity can be eluted from the membrane with chelating agents, and that the material thus obtained shows many properties that distinguish it from purified DNA polymerase I. These include its chromatographic behavior, sedimentation rate, sensitivity to anti-DNA polymerase I antiserum, and activity with synthetic and natural DNA primers. Several of these physical and biological parameters were shown to revert slowly during storage to those exhibited by the purified enzyme. Efforts to determine whether the unusual properties of the membrane enzyme resulted from its association with DNA failed to support that possibility. These observations suggest that either the cause or the result of membrane binding of DNA polymerase I is a transient change in conformation or structure of the enzyme, with a resultant change in its enzymatic activity.", "PMID": 776929} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4779", "title": "Expression of a mutation affecting F incompatibility in the integrated but not the autonomous state of F.", "content": "Previously we have described a mutant Hfr strain in which incompatibility between the integrated F factor and an autonomous F-prime (F') factor was abolished. The mutation (inc) was located in the integrated F factor. F-prime factors isolated from the mutant Hfr strain have the same incompatibility behavior as those isolated from normal Hfr strains. Reintegration of these F' factors into the chromosome restores the Inc- phenotype characteristic of the mutant Hfr. The inc mutation thus affects incompatibility between integrated F and autonomous F(Fi-Fa incompatibility) but not incompatibility between two autonomous F factors (Fa-Fa incompatibility). The implications of this finding for the mechanism of plasmid incompatibility are discussed.", "contents": "Expression of a mutation affecting F incompatibility in the integrated but not the autonomous state of F. Previously we have described a mutant Hfr strain in which incompatibility between the integrated F factor and an autonomous F-prime (F') factor was abolished. The mutation (inc) was located in the integrated F factor. F-prime factors isolated from the mutant Hfr strain have the same incompatibility behavior as those isolated from normal Hfr strains. Reintegration of these F' factors into the chromosome restores the Inc- phenotype characteristic of the mutant Hfr. The inc mutation thus affects incompatibility between integrated F and autonomous F(Fi-Fa incompatibility) but not incompatibility between two autonomous F factors (Fa-Fa incompatibility). The implications of this finding for the mechanism of plasmid incompatibility are discussed.", "PMID": 776930} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4780", "title": "Bromodeoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate incorporation into yeast nuclear and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid.", "content": "Standard laboratory yeast strains can be enriched for thymidine 5'-monophosphate (TMP) uptake derivatives that generate only a low percentage of respiratory-deficient colonies (petites) under inhibition of TMP biosynthesis. Such mutants incorporated bromodeoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate (BrdUMP) into both nuclear and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA); however, they showed a selectivity for TMP over BrdUMP incorporation. The preferential incorporation of [3H]TMP or BrdUMP into mtDNA was strain dependent. The density increments after growth in the presence of BrdUMP reached 50 mg/ml for nuclear DNA and 22 mg/ml for mtDNA in CsCl gradients. Density shifts corresponding to 4% bromouracil substitution were easily detected. Preliminary density transfer experiments confirm that mtDNA does not replicate in synchrony with nuclear DNA.", "contents": "Bromodeoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate incorporation into yeast nuclear and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid. Standard laboratory yeast strains can be enriched for thymidine 5'-monophosphate (TMP) uptake derivatives that generate only a low percentage of respiratory-deficient colonies (petites) under inhibition of TMP biosynthesis. Such mutants incorporated bromodeoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate (BrdUMP) into both nuclear and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA); however, they showed a selectivity for TMP over BrdUMP incorporation. The preferential incorporation of [3H]TMP or BrdUMP into mtDNA was strain dependent. The density increments after growth in the presence of BrdUMP reached 50 mg/ml for nuclear DNA and 22 mg/ml for mtDNA in CsCl gradients. Density shifts corresponding to 4% bromouracil substitution were easily detected. Preliminary density transfer experiments confirm that mtDNA does not replicate in synchrony with nuclear DNA.", "PMID": 776931} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4781", "title": "Novel genotypes among transductants made with bacteriophage P1 lysates from an F14 merogenote strain of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Among P1 transductants in Escherichia coli K-12 that were selected for the proximal and distal markers from the large F14 merogenote, a variety of unusual genotypes were found. As earlier workers had found, one class of these could transfer the proximal genes (argH, metB) and distal genes (ilvEDAC) of the F14 during conjugation. These F14 genes could be transferred into RecA recipients, indicating that they were carried on an F-merogenote rather than on an Hfr chromosome. The transduced F-merogenotes could transfer other F14 genes (metE, rha) as well. Transfer kinetic analysis showed that all of the latter transduced F-merogenotes that were examined were indistinguishable from the parental F14 in the order of transfer and the genetic distance between proximal and distal markers. This suggests that the whole F14 had been received somehow by the primary transductional recipients, a remarkable possibility since the F14 is much larger than the largest deoxyribonucleic acid segment normally transduced by P1. The mechanism of this phenomenon is not yet known. Many of the transductants did not transfer any of the F14 markers tested. Some of these transductants segregated certain F14 genes, indicating they were carried on self-replicating genetic elements, but others were not cured of F14 markers, even by acridine orange. Cotransductional analysis of this group was consistent with the hypothesis that the F14 markers in some of these strains had integrated into the chromosome in the expected manner, since in these latter the F14 alleles were linked to the expected chromosomal genes. Other strains among the stable transductants had acquired new linkages in that genes previously separated by several minutes could now be cotransduced. These latter included the novel cotransductional linkages of rbs-ilv-argH, rbs-ilv-argH-metB, and ilvD-argH-purD. Such strains might have been formed as a result of insertion into the chromosome of small circles derived from F14.", "contents": "Novel genotypes among transductants made with bacteriophage P1 lysates from an F14 merogenote strain of Escherichia coli K-12. Among P1 transductants in Escherichia coli K-12 that were selected for the proximal and distal markers from the large F14 merogenote, a variety of unusual genotypes were found. As earlier workers had found, one class of these could transfer the proximal genes (argH, metB) and distal genes (ilvEDAC) of the F14 during conjugation. These F14 genes could be transferred into RecA recipients, indicating that they were carried on an F-merogenote rather than on an Hfr chromosome. The transduced F-merogenotes could transfer other F14 genes (metE, rha) as well. Transfer kinetic analysis showed that all of the latter transduced F-merogenotes that were examined were indistinguishable from the parental F14 in the order of transfer and the genetic distance between proximal and distal markers. This suggests that the whole F14 had been received somehow by the primary transductional recipients, a remarkable possibility since the F14 is much larger than the largest deoxyribonucleic acid segment normally transduced by P1. The mechanism of this phenomenon is not yet known. Many of the transductants did not transfer any of the F14 markers tested. Some of these transductants segregated certain F14 genes, indicating they were carried on self-replicating genetic elements, but others were not cured of F14 markers, even by acridine orange. Cotransductional analysis of this group was consistent with the hypothesis that the F14 markers in some of these strains had integrated into the chromosome in the expected manner, since in these latter the F14 alleles were linked to the expected chromosomal genes. Other strains among the stable transductants had acquired new linkages in that genes previously separated by several minutes could now be cotransduced. These latter included the novel cotransductional linkages of rbs-ilv-argH, rbs-ilv-argH-metB, and ilvD-argH-purD. Such strains might have been formed as a result of insertion into the chromosome of small circles derived from F14.", "PMID": 776932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4782", "title": "Regulation of beta-glucuronidase synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12: constitutive mutants specifically derepressed for uidA expression.", "content": "All methyl-beta-D-galacturonide-positive mutants isolated from Escherichia coli K-12 carry constitutive mutations for beta-glucuronidase (UID) synthesis. Most of these mutants are specific for UID synthesis and are distributed in three classes according to the derepression level of UID. Each specific mutant carries a mutation(s) near uidA, the structural gene for UID, at min 30.5 of the E. coli K-12 linkage map. The expression of UID synthesis in F-merodiploid strains carrying these mutations permits discrimination between dominant and recessive constitutivity over the wild-type allele. The first kind of mutation (dominant) should affect the operator site uidO of the structural gene uidA; the second type of mutation (recessive) should affect a regulatory gene, uidR, operating through a negative control. The isolation of mutants bearing at this locus superrepressed mutations, which can revert to produce a constitutive phenotype, confirms the occurrence of such a regulatory gene. The partially derepressed uidR mutants of the first class are normally inducible and remain constitutive at low temperature; their UID has the same thermal sensitivity as in the wild-type strains. The occurrence of similar regulatory gene mutants has been recently described in the lactose system (Shineberg, 1974).", "contents": "Regulation of beta-glucuronidase synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12: constitutive mutants specifically derepressed for uidA expression. All methyl-beta-D-galacturonide-positive mutants isolated from Escherichia coli K-12 carry constitutive mutations for beta-glucuronidase (UID) synthesis. Most of these mutants are specific for UID synthesis and are distributed in three classes according to the derepression level of UID. Each specific mutant carries a mutation(s) near uidA, the structural gene for UID, at min 30.5 of the E. coli K-12 linkage map. The expression of UID synthesis in F-merodiploid strains carrying these mutations permits discrimination between dominant and recessive constitutivity over the wild-type allele. The first kind of mutation (dominant) should affect the operator site uidO of the structural gene uidA; the second type of mutation (recessive) should affect a regulatory gene, uidR, operating through a negative control. The isolation of mutants bearing at this locus superrepressed mutations, which can revert to produce a constitutive phenotype, confirms the occurrence of such a regulatory gene. The partially derepressed uidR mutants of the first class are normally inducible and remain constitutive at low temperature; their UID has the same thermal sensitivity as in the wild-type strains. The occurrence of similar regulatory gene mutants has been recently described in the lactose system (Shineberg, 1974).", "PMID": 776933} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4783", "title": "Regulation of beta-glucuronidase synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12: pleiotropic constitutive mutations affecting uxu and uidA expression.", "content": "Among the beta-glucuronidase (UID)-constitutive mutants obtained by growth on methyl-beta-D-galacturonide, some strains are also derepressed for the two enzymes of the uxu operon: mannonate oxidoreductase (MOR) and mannonate hydrolyase (HLM). By conjugation and transduction experiments, two distinct constitutive mutations were separated in each pleiotropic mutant strain. One of them was specific for uidA gene expression and was characterized as affecting either uidO or uidR sites. The second type of mutation was mapped close to the uxu operon and was found to be responsible for the pleiotropic effect revealed in the primary mutants: after separation such a mutation still fully derepresses MOR and HLM synthesis but weakly derepresses UID synthesis. The pleiotropic effect of this mutation was maintained even though the activity of the structural genes was altered. This rules out the occurrence of an internal derepressing interaction between these enzymes. In merodiploid strains, uxu-linked constitutive mutations were recessive to the wild-type allele, suggesting that these mutations could affect a regulatory gene. The uxuR gene is probably a specific regulatory gene for a very close operon, uxu. Moreover, it has a weak effect on uidA expression. Thus, UID synthesis would be negatively controlled through the activity of two repressor molecules that are synthesized by two distinct regulatory genes, uidR and uxuR. These two repressing factors are antagonized, respectively, by phenyl-thio-beta-D-glucuronide and mannonic amide and could cooperate in a unique repression/induction control over uidA expression. Constitutive mutations affecting the control sites of uidA gene probably characterize two distinct attachment sites in the operator locus for each of the repressor molecules.", "contents": "Regulation of beta-glucuronidase synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12: pleiotropic constitutive mutations affecting uxu and uidA expression. Among the beta-glucuronidase (UID)-constitutive mutants obtained by growth on methyl-beta-D-galacturonide, some strains are also derepressed for the two enzymes of the uxu operon: mannonate oxidoreductase (MOR) and mannonate hydrolyase (HLM). By conjugation and transduction experiments, two distinct constitutive mutations were separated in each pleiotropic mutant strain. One of them was specific for uidA gene expression and was characterized as affecting either uidO or uidR sites. The second type of mutation was mapped close to the uxu operon and was found to be responsible for the pleiotropic effect revealed in the primary mutants: after separation such a mutation still fully derepresses MOR and HLM synthesis but weakly derepresses UID synthesis. The pleiotropic effect of this mutation was maintained even though the activity of the structural genes was altered. This rules out the occurrence of an internal derepressing interaction between these enzymes. In merodiploid strains, uxu-linked constitutive mutations were recessive to the wild-type allele, suggesting that these mutations could affect a regulatory gene. The uxuR gene is probably a specific regulatory gene for a very close operon, uxu. Moreover, it has a weak effect on uidA expression. Thus, UID synthesis would be negatively controlled through the activity of two repressor molecules that are synthesized by two distinct regulatory genes, uidR and uxuR. These two repressing factors are antagonized, respectively, by phenyl-thio-beta-D-glucuronide and mannonic amide and could cooperate in a unique repression/induction control over uidA expression. Constitutive mutations affecting the control sites of uidA gene probably characterize two distinct attachment sites in the operator locus for each of the repressor molecules.", "PMID": 776934} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4784", "title": "R factor-mediated polarized chromosomal transfer in Escherichia coli C.", "content": "Five transferable drug resistance factors (R factors) with the ability to bring about chromosomal transfer in Escherichia coli C were investigated with respect to the direction and origin of chromosome transfer. They were found to constitute two groups, both with a clockwise direction of transfer. One group has its origin of transfer between arg and pro, and the other group has its origin of transfer between try and man on the E. coli C chromosome. With one R factor in particular, the rapid increase in the production of recombinants was followed by a decrease in numbers as mating was prolonged.", "contents": "R factor-mediated polarized chromosomal transfer in Escherichia coli C. Five transferable drug resistance factors (R factors) with the ability to bring about chromosomal transfer in Escherichia coli C were investigated with respect to the direction and origin of chromosome transfer. They were found to constitute two groups, both with a clockwise direction of transfer. One group has its origin of transfer between arg and pro, and the other group has its origin of transfer between try and man on the E. coli C chromosome. With one R factor in particular, the rapid increase in the production of recombinants was followed by a decrease in numbers as mating was prolonged.", "PMID": 776935} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4785", "title": "Ultrastructural visualization of anionic sites on mycoplasma membranes by polycationic ferritin.", "content": "Anionic sites on mycoplasma membranes were visualized in the electron microscope by a polycationized ferritin derivative. The technique of thin sectioning was used. Staining prior to fixation led to clustering of ferritin granules on the mycoplasma cell surface. On glutaraldehyde-fixed Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri, M. gallisepticum, M. pneumoniae, and Acholeplasma laidlawii, the anionic sites were uniformly distributed over the entire membrane surface. M. hominis did not bind the polycationic ferritin label. Chemical and enzymatic treatments of the mycoplasmas indicated that the anionic sites may be lipid phosphate groups. Isolated M. mycoides subsp. capri membranes were labeled exclusively on only one membrane surface, presumably the outer one. Liposomes prepared from diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine were also labeled by the polycationic ferritin.", "contents": "Ultrastructural visualization of anionic sites on mycoplasma membranes by polycationic ferritin. Anionic sites on mycoplasma membranes were visualized in the electron microscope by a polycationized ferritin derivative. The technique of thin sectioning was used. Staining prior to fixation led to clustering of ferritin granules on the mycoplasma cell surface. On glutaraldehyde-fixed Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri, M. gallisepticum, M. pneumoniae, and Acholeplasma laidlawii, the anionic sites were uniformly distributed over the entire membrane surface. M. hominis did not bind the polycationic ferritin label. Chemical and enzymatic treatments of the mycoplasmas indicated that the anionic sites may be lipid phosphate groups. Isolated M. mycoides subsp. capri membranes were labeled exclusively on only one membrane surface, presumably the outer one. Liposomes prepared from diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine were also labeled by the polycationic ferritin.", "PMID": 776936} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4786", "title": "Mutants of Salmonella typhimurium deficient in an endoprotease.", "content": "Three bands of hydrolytic activity toward the chromogenic protease substrate N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine beta-naphthyl ester (NAPNE) can be observed after gel electrophoresis of crude extracts of Salmonella typhimurium or Escherichia coli. Mutants deficient in one of these three activities have been isolated using a staining procedure that identifies colonies that show reduced ability to hydrolyze NAPNE. These mutants lack the strongest of the three bands of activity. The Salmonella mutations (designated apeA) are all co-transducible with purE, and the order (pro)-apeA-Hfr K17 origin-purE has been established. Strains carrying apeA mutations have wild-type doubling times. None of the apeA mutants isolated gains an auxotrophic requirement as a result of loss of the apeA gene product. The rates and extents of protein degradation during starvation for a carbon source or during growth after exposure to the amino acid analogue canavanine do not seem to be affected by apeA mutations. Revertants of apeA mutations (selected by screening for clones that have regained the ability to hydrolyze NAPNE) frequently contain a new enzymatic activity not found in wild-type cells.", "contents": "Mutants of Salmonella typhimurium deficient in an endoprotease. Three bands of hydrolytic activity toward the chromogenic protease substrate N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine beta-naphthyl ester (NAPNE) can be observed after gel electrophoresis of crude extracts of Salmonella typhimurium or Escherichia coli. Mutants deficient in one of these three activities have been isolated using a staining procedure that identifies colonies that show reduced ability to hydrolyze NAPNE. These mutants lack the strongest of the three bands of activity. The Salmonella mutations (designated apeA) are all co-transducible with purE, and the order (pro)-apeA-Hfr K17 origin-purE has been established. Strains carrying apeA mutations have wild-type doubling times. None of the apeA mutants isolated gains an auxotrophic requirement as a result of loss of the apeA gene product. The rates and extents of protein degradation during starvation for a carbon source or during growth after exposure to the amino acid analogue canavanine do not seem to be affected by apeA mutations. Revertants of apeA mutations (selected by screening for clones that have regained the ability to hydrolyze NAPNE) frequently contain a new enzymatic activity not found in wild-type cells.", "PMID": 776937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4787", "title": "Genetic and physiological regulation of intrinsic proteins of the outer membrane of Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Four major outer membrane polypeptides, accounting for approximately 20% of the total protein of the outer membrane of Salmonella typhimurium, were induced by growth in minimal medium. The polypeptides were tightly bound membrane components. Physiological and genetic evidence indicates that the four polypeptides fall in two separate regulation groups. Synthesis of one of these groups was coordinately regulated by the concentration of iron in the medium, and a mutant strain has been identified in which there is constitutive synthesis of this group of major outer membrane proteins.", "contents": "Genetic and physiological regulation of intrinsic proteins of the outer membrane of Salmonella typhimurium. Four major outer membrane polypeptides, accounting for approximately 20% of the total protein of the outer membrane of Salmonella typhimurium, were induced by growth in minimal medium. The polypeptides were tightly bound membrane components. Physiological and genetic evidence indicates that the four polypeptides fall in two separate regulation groups. Synthesis of one of these groups was coordinately regulated by the concentration of iron in the medium, and a mutant strain has been identified in which there is constitutive synthesis of this group of major outer membrane proteins.", "PMID": 776938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4788", "title": "Comparative study of R1-specific chromosomal transfer in Escherichia coli K-12 and salmonella typhimurium LT2.", "content": "High-frequency transfer of the chromosomal trp region by R1 observed in Escherichia coli (Pearce and Meynell, 1968) also occurs in Salmonella typhimurium. The reaction is recA independent in both species. The origin of transfer lies within a segment of the chromosome that is inverted in S. typhimurium relative to E. coli, and thus transfer occurs in a different direction in the two species. The character of R1 that is responsible, known as Tfa+, may be lost without affecting other properties of the R factor such as its own transfer.", "contents": "Comparative study of R1-specific chromosomal transfer in Escherichia coli K-12 and salmonella typhimurium LT2. High-frequency transfer of the chromosomal trp region by R1 observed in Escherichia coli (Pearce and Meynell, 1968) also occurs in Salmonella typhimurium. The reaction is recA independent in both species. The origin of transfer lies within a segment of the chromosome that is inverted in S. typhimurium relative to E. coli, and thus transfer occurs in a different direction in the two species. The character of R1 that is responsible, known as Tfa+, may be lost without affecting other properties of the R factor such as its own transfer.", "PMID": 776939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4789", "title": "Ultrastructure of paracrystals of a lipoprotein from the outer membrane of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The highly purified lipoprotein of the outer membrane of Escherichia coli forms paracrystals. The ultrastructures of these paracrystals were examined by electron microscopy. The needle-shaped paracrystals show several different band patterns, depending on conditions of paracrystallization. Models are presented to explain possible arrangements of the lipoprotein molecules within the paracrystals.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of paracrystals of a lipoprotein from the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. The highly purified lipoprotein of the outer membrane of Escherichia coli forms paracrystals. The ultrastructures of these paracrystals were examined by electron microscopy. The needle-shaped paracrystals show several different band patterns, depending on conditions of paracrystallization. Models are presented to explain possible arrangements of the lipoprotein molecules within the paracrystals.", "PMID": 776940} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4790", "title": "In vitro spheroplast and L-form induction within the pathogenic nocardiae.", "content": "Six strains of Nocardia asteroides, two strains of N. caviae, and two strains of N. braziliensis were grown in medium supplementted with glycine, lysozyme, D-cycloserine, glycine plus lysozyme, and glycine plus D-cycloserine. It was shown that three strains of N. asteroides, and two strains of N. caviae, readily formed spheroplasts and/or protoplasts when grown in the presence of glycine plus either lysozyme or D-cycloserine. This process was studied by both phase contrast microscopy and electron microscopy. The induced cultures were then plated on hypertonic medium for the isolation of L-forms. It was shown that the organisms differed greatly in their ability to produce spheroplasts and subsequently grew as L-forms or transitional-phase variants.", "contents": "In vitro spheroplast and L-form induction within the pathogenic nocardiae. Six strains of Nocardia asteroides, two strains of N. caviae, and two strains of N. braziliensis were grown in medium supplementted with glycine, lysozyme, D-cycloserine, glycine plus lysozyme, and glycine plus D-cycloserine. It was shown that three strains of N. asteroides, and two strains of N. caviae, readily formed spheroplasts and/or protoplasts when grown in the presence of glycine plus either lysozyme or D-cycloserine. This process was studied by both phase contrast microscopy and electron microscopy. The induced cultures were then plated on hypertonic medium for the isolation of L-forms. It was shown that the organisms differed greatly in their ability to produce spheroplasts and subsequently grew as L-forms or transitional-phase variants.", "PMID": 776941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4791", "title": "Morphogenic effects of alpha-factor on Saccharomyces cerevisiae a cells.", "content": "Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating type a cells enlarged and elongated when exposed to alpha-factor, a sex pheromone produced by mating-type alpha cells. This morphogensis required exogenous-D-glucose, nitrogen, and phosphate, and cells in exponential phase responded better than stationary-phase cells. Morphogenesis was blocked by cycloheximide and by inhibitors of cell wall biosynthesis such as 2-deoxy-D-glucose, 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose, and 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-mannose, but not by polyoxin D. One to two hours after addition of pheromone, a cells became more susceptible to lysis by glucanases, a change that was dependendent on the dose of alpha-factor and was blocked by drugs that block morphogenesis. On the other hand, treatment with alpha-factor did not increase susceptibility to attack by trypsin, subtilisin, or exo-alpha-mannanase. Radioactive label, incorporated into cell wall polysaccharides during treatment with alpha-factor, was not secreted into the medium during morphogenesis. Analysis of the labeled wall polymers showed that alpha-factor-treated cells contain more glucan and less mannan than control cells, and that the mannan of treated cells contains an increased proportion of shorter side chains and unsubstituted backbone mannose units. Thin-section electron microscopy of treated cells revealed that the cell wall possesses a diffuse outer layer in the extension and is thinner at the tip.", "contents": "Morphogenic effects of alpha-factor on Saccharomyces cerevisiae a cells. Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating type a cells enlarged and elongated when exposed to alpha-factor, a sex pheromone produced by mating-type alpha cells. This morphogensis required exogenous-D-glucose, nitrogen, and phosphate, and cells in exponential phase responded better than stationary-phase cells. Morphogenesis was blocked by cycloheximide and by inhibitors of cell wall biosynthesis such as 2-deoxy-D-glucose, 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose, and 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-mannose, but not by polyoxin D. One to two hours after addition of pheromone, a cells became more susceptible to lysis by glucanases, a change that was dependendent on the dose of alpha-factor and was blocked by drugs that block morphogenesis. On the other hand, treatment with alpha-factor did not increase susceptibility to attack by trypsin, subtilisin, or exo-alpha-mannanase. Radioactive label, incorporated into cell wall polysaccharides during treatment with alpha-factor, was not secreted into the medium during morphogenesis. Analysis of the labeled wall polymers showed that alpha-factor-treated cells contain more glucan and less mannan than control cells, and that the mannan of treated cells contains an increased proportion of shorter side chains and unsubstituted backbone mannose units. Thin-section electron microscopy of treated cells revealed that the cell wall possesses a diffuse outer layer in the extension and is thinner at the tip.", "PMID": 776942} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4792", "title": "EcoRI restriction endonuclease map of the composite R plasmid NR1.", "content": "A physical map of the composite R plasmid NR1 has been constructed using specific cleavage of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by the restriction endonuclease EcoR-. Digestion of composite NR1 DNA by EcoRI yields thirteen fragments. The six largest fragments (designated A to F) are from the resistance transfer factor component that harbors the tetracycline resistance genes (RTF-TC). The seven smallest fragments (designated G to M) are from the r-determinants component that harbors the chloramphenicol (CM), streptomycin-spectinomycin (SM/SP), and sulfonamide (SA) resistance genes. The largest fragment of several RTF-TC segregants of NR1 that have deleted the r-determinants component is 0.8 X 10(6) daltons larger than fragment A of composite NR1. Only a part of fragment H of the r-determinants component is amplified in transitioned NR1 DNA in Proteus mirabilis, which consists of multiple, tandem sequences of r-determinants attached to a single copy of the RTF-TC component. Both of these changes can be explained by the locations of the excision sites at the RTF-TC: r-determinants junctions that are involved in the dissociation and reassociation of the RTF-TC and r-determinants components. The thirteen fragments of composite NR1 DNA produced by EcoRI have been ordered using partial digestion techniques. The order of the fragments is: A-D-C-E-F-B-H-I-L-K-G-M-J. The approximate locations of the TC, CM, SM/SP, and SA resistance genes on the EcoRI map were determined by analyzing several deletion mutants of NR1.", "contents": "EcoRI restriction endonuclease map of the composite R plasmid NR1. A physical map of the composite R plasmid NR1 has been constructed using specific cleavage of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by the restriction endonuclease EcoR-. Digestion of composite NR1 DNA by EcoRI yields thirteen fragments. The six largest fragments (designated A to F) are from the resistance transfer factor component that harbors the tetracycline resistance genes (RTF-TC). The seven smallest fragments (designated G to M) are from the r-determinants component that harbors the chloramphenicol (CM), streptomycin-spectinomycin (SM/SP), and sulfonamide (SA) resistance genes. The largest fragment of several RTF-TC segregants of NR1 that have deleted the r-determinants component is 0.8 X 10(6) daltons larger than fragment A of composite NR1. Only a part of fragment H of the r-determinants component is amplified in transitioned NR1 DNA in Proteus mirabilis, which consists of multiple, tandem sequences of r-determinants attached to a single copy of the RTF-TC component. Both of these changes can be explained by the locations of the excision sites at the RTF-TC: r-determinants junctions that are involved in the dissociation and reassociation of the RTF-TC and r-determinants components. The thirteen fragments of composite NR1 DNA produced by EcoRI have been ordered using partial digestion techniques. The order of the fragments is: A-D-C-E-F-B-H-I-L-K-G-M-J. The approximate locations of the TC, CM, SM/SP, and SA resistance genes on the EcoRI map were determined by analyzing several deletion mutants of NR1.", "PMID": 776943} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4793", "title": "Isolation, by tetracycline selection, of small plasmids derived from R-factor R12 in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "The examination, by agarose gel electrophoresis, of tetracycline-resistant colonies of Escherichia coli K-12 carrying R-factor R12 reveals the presence of smaller plasmid deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs), incompatible with R12, in many of the clones. These plasmids are demonstrated to be homologous with R12 DNA by electron microscope heteroduplex experiments and by the production of consistent fragment patterns upon digestion with various restriction endonucleases. These autonomously replicating plasmids form a related series of covalently closed circular DNA molecules ranging in size from 3.6 X 10(6) to 61 X 10(6) daltons. Plasmids of molecular weight between 3.6 X 10(6) and 37 X 10(6) confer no antibiotic resistances, but when jointly present with R12 by nonetheless enhance the expression of the tetracycline resistance associated with this latter molecule.", "contents": "Isolation, by tetracycline selection, of small plasmids derived from R-factor R12 in Escherichia coli K-12. The examination, by agarose gel electrophoresis, of tetracycline-resistant colonies of Escherichia coli K-12 carrying R-factor R12 reveals the presence of smaller plasmid deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs), incompatible with R12, in many of the clones. These plasmids are demonstrated to be homologous with R12 DNA by electron microscope heteroduplex experiments and by the production of consistent fragment patterns upon digestion with various restriction endonucleases. These autonomously replicating plasmids form a related series of covalently closed circular DNA molecules ranging in size from 3.6 X 10(6) to 61 X 10(6) daltons. Plasmids of molecular weight between 3.6 X 10(6) and 37 X 10(6) confer no antibiotic resistances, but when jointly present with R12 by nonetheless enhance the expression of the tetracycline resistance associated with this latter molecule.", "PMID": 776944} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4794", "title": "Co-regulation of the phosphate-binding protein and alkaline phosphatase synthesis in Escherichia coli.", "content": "In phosphate-starved cells of Escherichia coli, the synthesis of alkaline phosphatase and some additional periplasmic proteins is derepressed. One of these proteins, which does not appear in a phoS- constitutive strain, has been identified as well the periplasmic phosphate-binding protein.", "contents": "Co-regulation of the phosphate-binding protein and alkaline phosphatase synthesis in Escherichia coli. In phosphate-starved cells of Escherichia coli, the synthesis of alkaline phosphatase and some additional periplasmic proteins is derepressed. One of these proteins, which does not appear in a phoS- constitutive strain, has been identified as well the periplasmic phosphate-binding protein.", "PMID": 776945} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4795", "title": "Identification of the major penicillin-binding proteins of Escherichia coli as D-alanine carboxypeptidase IA.", "content": "Penicillin-binding proteins 5 and 6 of Escherichia coli have been identified as d-alanine carboxypeptidase IA.", "contents": "Identification of the major penicillin-binding proteins of Escherichia coli as D-alanine carboxypeptidase IA. Penicillin-binding proteins 5 and 6 of Escherichia coli have been identified as d-alanine carboxypeptidase IA.", "PMID": 776946} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4796", "title": "Partial characterization of nucleoids and nucleoid-plasmid complexes from Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Nucleoids from Salmonella typhimurium strain LT2 consist of supercoiled deoxyribonucleic acid structures that are ribonuclease labile sedimenting at 1,700S. More than 90% of the covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid of a cryptic plasmid harbored by this strain cosediments with the host's 1,700S nucleoids.", "contents": "Partial characterization of nucleoids and nucleoid-plasmid complexes from Salmonella typhimurium. Nucleoids from Salmonella typhimurium strain LT2 consist of supercoiled deoxyribonucleic acid structures that are ribonuclease labile sedimenting at 1,700S. More than 90% of the covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid of a cryptic plasmid harbored by this strain cosediments with the host's 1,700S nucleoids.", "PMID": 776947} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4797", "title": "Fragility of plasma membranes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae enriched with different sterols.", "content": "Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC 366, grown under strictly anaerobic conditions to induce requirements for an unsaturated fatty acid (supplied by Tween 80) and a sterol, contained free sterol fractions enriched to the extent of 67 to 93% with the exogenously supplied sterol (campesterol, cholesterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, 22, 23-dihydrobrassicasterol, beta-sitosterol, or stigmasterol). Cells enriched in any one of the sterols did not differ in volume, growth rate, contents of free sterol, esters and phospholipids, or phospholipid composition. Cholesterol-enriched cells contained about 2% more lipid than cells enriched in any of the other sterols, which was largely accounted for by increased contents of triacylglycerols and, to a lesser extent, esterified sterols. Phospholipids were enriched to the extent of about 52 to 63% with C18:1 residues. Cells enriched in ergosterol or stigmasterol were slightly less susceptible to the action of a wall-digesting basidiomycete glucanase than cells enriched with any one of the other sterols. The capacity of the plasma membrane to resist stretching, as indicated by the stability and volume of spheroplasts suspended in hypotonic solutions of buffered sorbitol (particularly in the range 0.9 to 0.7 M), was greater with spheroplasts enriched in sterols with an unsaturated side chain at C17 (ergosterol or stigmasterol) than with any of the other sterols. Plasma membranes were obtained from spheroplasts enriched in cholesterol or stigmasterol and had free sterol fractions containing 70 and 71%, respectively, of the sterol supplied exogenously to the cells. The sterol-phospholipid molar ratios in these membranes were, respectively, 1:7 and 1:8.", "contents": "Fragility of plasma membranes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae enriched with different sterols. Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC 366, grown under strictly anaerobic conditions to induce requirements for an unsaturated fatty acid (supplied by Tween 80) and a sterol, contained free sterol fractions enriched to the extent of 67 to 93% with the exogenously supplied sterol (campesterol, cholesterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, 22, 23-dihydrobrassicasterol, beta-sitosterol, or stigmasterol). Cells enriched in any one of the sterols did not differ in volume, growth rate, contents of free sterol, esters and phospholipids, or phospholipid composition. Cholesterol-enriched cells contained about 2% more lipid than cells enriched in any of the other sterols, which was largely accounted for by increased contents of triacylglycerols and, to a lesser extent, esterified sterols. Phospholipids were enriched to the extent of about 52 to 63% with C18:1 residues. Cells enriched in ergosterol or stigmasterol were slightly less susceptible to the action of a wall-digesting basidiomycete glucanase than cells enriched with any one of the other sterols. The capacity of the plasma membrane to resist stretching, as indicated by the stability and volume of spheroplasts suspended in hypotonic solutions of buffered sorbitol (particularly in the range 0.9 to 0.7 M), was greater with spheroplasts enriched in sterols with an unsaturated side chain at C17 (ergosterol or stigmasterol) than with any of the other sterols. Plasma membranes were obtained from spheroplasts enriched in cholesterol or stigmasterol and had free sterol fractions containing 70 and 71%, respectively, of the sterol supplied exogenously to the cells. The sterol-phospholipid molar ratios in these membranes were, respectively, 1:7 and 1:8.", "PMID": 776948} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4798", "title": "Comparison of canavanyl-envelope proteins to normal envelope proteins.", "content": "Electrophoretic analysis showed arginine- and canavanine-containing envelope proteins to be qualitatively the same. Quantitative differences may be due to rapid degradation of some canavanine-containing envelope proteins.", "contents": "Comparison of canavanyl-envelope proteins to normal envelope proteins. Electrophoretic analysis showed arginine- and canavanine-containing envelope proteins to be qualitatively the same. Quantitative differences may be due to rapid degradation of some canavanine-containing envelope proteins.", "PMID": 776949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4799", "title": "Selection for citrate synthase deficiency in icd mutants of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Cultures of isocitrate dehydrogenase-deficient (icd) mutants were overgrown by double mutants (icd glt) lacking citrate synthase activity also. The icd mutants grew more slowly than wild-type cells or the double mutants because they accumulated an inhibitory metabolite (possibly citrate). Intracellular citrate levels were several hundred-fold higher in icd cells than in wild-type or icd glt cells. Final growth yields of the wild type and the icd mutant on limiting glucose were equivalent and greater than the growth yield of icd glt double mutants. The icd gene mapped between 60 and 74 min. icd mutants were resistant to nalidixic acid, but glt and icd glt mutants and wild-type cells were sensitive, indicating that resistance results from accumulation of isocitrate, citrate, or a derivative of these compounds.", "contents": "Selection for citrate synthase deficiency in icd mutants of Escherichia coli. Cultures of isocitrate dehydrogenase-deficient (icd) mutants were overgrown by double mutants (icd glt) lacking citrate synthase activity also. The icd mutants grew more slowly than wild-type cells or the double mutants because they accumulated an inhibitory metabolite (possibly citrate). Intracellular citrate levels were several hundred-fold higher in icd cells than in wild-type or icd glt cells. Final growth yields of the wild type and the icd mutant on limiting glucose were equivalent and greater than the growth yield of icd glt double mutants. The icd gene mapped between 60 and 74 min. icd mutants were resistant to nalidixic acid, but glt and icd glt mutants and wild-type cells were sensitive, indicating that resistance results from accumulation of isocitrate, citrate, or a derivative of these compounds.", "PMID": 776950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4800", "title": "Lipopolysaccharide-deficient, bacteriophage-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Bacteriophage-resistant mutants isolated and classified in a previous study were examined for alterations in their lipopolysaccharide (LPS) composition, and properties likely to be affected by alterations in LPS composition were studied. It was found that many of the mutants of the Ktw (K2-resistance), Ttk (T2, T4, or K19 resistance), Bar (bacteriophage), Wrm (wide-range mutants), and miscellaneous resistance groups were altered in their response to a series of antibiotics and to two LPS-specific bacteriophages, C21 and U3. Furthermore, many of the bacteriophages to which these mutants were resistant adsorbed to LPS preparations. By direct sugar analysis of the mutant LPS preparations, it was shown that the mutants fitted into six distinct classes, which are readily derived from LPS core with a structure resembling that of Salmonella or Escherichia coli O100. A number of the mutants were shown to map between pyrE and mtl, which has been previously shown to be the site of a cluster of rfa genes in both Salmonella and E. coli. Outer membrane protein composition was studied in the above mutants using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Some strains were shown to have alterations in the amount of major proteins. The nature of the bacteriophage receptors involved and the alterations leading to resistance are discussed.", "contents": "Lipopolysaccharide-deficient, bacteriophage-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli K-12. Bacteriophage-resistant mutants isolated and classified in a previous study were examined for alterations in their lipopolysaccharide (LPS) composition, and properties likely to be affected by alterations in LPS composition were studied. It was found that many of the mutants of the Ktw (K2-resistance), Ttk (T2, T4, or K19 resistance), Bar (bacteriophage), Wrm (wide-range mutants), and miscellaneous resistance groups were altered in their response to a series of antibiotics and to two LPS-specific bacteriophages, C21 and U3. Furthermore, many of the bacteriophages to which these mutants were resistant adsorbed to LPS preparations. By direct sugar analysis of the mutant LPS preparations, it was shown that the mutants fitted into six distinct classes, which are readily derived from LPS core with a structure resembling that of Salmonella or Escherichia coli O100. A number of the mutants were shown to map between pyrE and mtl, which has been previously shown to be the site of a cluster of rfa genes in both Salmonella and E. coli. Outer membrane protein composition was studied in the above mutants using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Some strains were shown to have alterations in the amount of major proteins. The nature of the bacteriophage receptors involved and the alterations leading to resistance are discussed.", "PMID": 776951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4801", "title": "Effect of nitrate reduction on the enzyme levels in carbon metabolism in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The activities of twelve enzymes were measured in crude extracts from cells of Escherichia coli K-10 grown aerobically or anaerobically in a defined medium in the presence or absence of nitrate. The activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase, aconitate hydratase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, and D-lactate dehydrogenase (NAD+-independent) were found to be higher in cells grown in nitrate respiration than in those in fermentation, but lower than in those in respiration. This finding may explain the incomplete oxidation in nitrate respiration and, on the other hand, suggests the operation of the tricarboxylic acid even under these conditions. The activities of succinate dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase in relation to the formation of fermentation product were as high in cells grown in fermentation as in those in respiration and were low in those in nitrate respiration. However, that ratio of the activities in the latter case to the activities in respiration was the same as the ratio for most enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The level of lactate dehydrogenase (NAD+-dependent) was not affected by nitrate respiration but its activity in the extract was inhibited by nitrate and nitrite. The absence of lactate in the anaerobic culture with nitrate may be due to this inhibition as well as NADH oxidation by nitrate. Levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase were not altered by the growth conditions and that of pyruvate dehydrogenase was low only in cells grown in fermentation.", "contents": "Effect of nitrate reduction on the enzyme levels in carbon metabolism in Escherichia coli. The activities of twelve enzymes were measured in crude extracts from cells of Escherichia coli K-10 grown aerobically or anaerobically in a defined medium in the presence or absence of nitrate. The activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase, aconitate hydratase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, and D-lactate dehydrogenase (NAD+-independent) were found to be higher in cells grown in nitrate respiration than in those in fermentation, but lower than in those in respiration. This finding may explain the incomplete oxidation in nitrate respiration and, on the other hand, suggests the operation of the tricarboxylic acid even under these conditions. The activities of succinate dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase in relation to the formation of fermentation product were as high in cells grown in fermentation as in those in respiration and were low in those in nitrate respiration. However, that ratio of the activities in the latter case to the activities in respiration was the same as the ratio for most enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The level of lactate dehydrogenase (NAD+-dependent) was not affected by nitrate respiration but its activity in the extract was inhibited by nitrate and nitrite. The absence of lactate in the anaerobic culture with nitrate may be due to this inhibition as well as NADH oxidation by nitrate. Levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase were not altered by the growth conditions and that of pyruvate dehydrogenase was low only in cells grown in fermentation.", "PMID": 776952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4802", "title": "Allocation of 15 RNase T1-resistant large oligonucleotides of MS2 RNA.", "content": "Four large MS2 RNA fragments with the original 5'-end were obtained by limited RNase T1 digestion. The lengths of the fragments were 36, 30, 22, and 19% of the whole molecule. Whole MS2 RNA and the four fragments were completely digested with RNase T1 and analyzed by the two-dimensional \"homochromatography fingerprint\" technique. Sixteen oligonucleotides of MS2 RNA were separated and the oligonucleotides were assigned to the fragments. Fifteen of the sixteen oligonucleotides could be classified into three regions of the cistrons of bacteriophage MS2.", "contents": "Allocation of 15 RNase T1-resistant large oligonucleotides of MS2 RNA. Four large MS2 RNA fragments with the original 5'-end were obtained by limited RNase T1 digestion. The lengths of the fragments were 36, 30, 22, and 19% of the whole molecule. Whole MS2 RNA and the four fragments were completely digested with RNase T1 and analyzed by the two-dimensional \"homochromatography fingerprint\" technique. Sixteen oligonucleotides of MS2 RNA were separated and the oligonucleotides were assigned to the fragments. Fifteen of the sixteen oligonucleotides could be classified into three regions of the cistrons of bacteriophage MS2.", "PMID": 776961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4803", "title": "Cost of initial development of PLATO instruction in veterinary medicine.", "content": "The cost of initial development of PLATO instruction during a 4-year period was $483,266. Of this amount, $220,765 were for equipment or renovation. The cost of lesson development for the entire 4 years averaged about $828 per hour of instruction. If 86 students used the lessons in each class at a maximum rate, over a 5-year period the cost per student-contact hour averages $1.93. With experience this figure should be reduced substantially. The median time required for an individual to program an hour of instruction for the entire 4 years was approximately 77 hours; however, under certain conditions a programmer may require as little as 36 1/2 hours. Programmer efficiency is based on a number of factors such as the quality and complexity of the lessons, experience of the programmer, and his knowledge of the subject matter. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine PLATO project has been developmental. The expense of continuing the project at this college or of initiating a similar project at another college should be much less as a result of this experience.", "contents": "Cost of initial development of PLATO instruction in veterinary medicine. The cost of initial development of PLATO instruction during a 4-year period was $483,266. Of this amount, $220,765 were for equipment or renovation. The cost of lesson development for the entire 4 years averaged about $828 per hour of instruction. If 86 students used the lessons in each class at a maximum rate, over a 5-year period the cost per student-contact hour averages $1.93. With experience this figure should be reduced substantially. The median time required for an individual to program an hour of instruction for the entire 4 years was approximately 77 hours; however, under certain conditions a programmer may require as little as 36 1/2 hours. Programmer efficiency is based on a number of factors such as the quality and complexity of the lessons, experience of the programmer, and his knowledge of the subject matter. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine PLATO project has been developmental. The expense of continuing the project at this college or of initiating a similar project at another college should be much less as a result of this experience.", "PMID": 776962} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4804", "title": "Partial amino acid sequences around the essential carboxylate in the active sites of the intestinal sucrase-isomaltase complex.", "content": "A carboxylate group occurs in each of the active sites of the intestinal sucrase-isomaltase complex and can be labeled selectively by [3H]conduritol-B-epoxide (Quaroni, A., Gershon, E., and Semenza, G. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 6424-6433). After peptic digestion of the labeled, denatured, reduced, and cyanoethylated enzyme three radioactive peptides were isolated. The peptide originating from the sucrase subunit had the following sequence: Ile-Asp-Met-Asn-Gln-Pro-Asn-Ser-Ser; the other two, deriving from the isomaltase subunit, had the sequences: Asn-Gly2-Gln-Ile-Asp-Met and Ile-Asp-Met. The radioactive label was in each case bound to the beta carboxyl group of an aspartic acid residue.", "contents": "Partial amino acid sequences around the essential carboxylate in the active sites of the intestinal sucrase-isomaltase complex. A carboxylate group occurs in each of the active sites of the intestinal sucrase-isomaltase complex and can be labeled selectively by [3H]conduritol-B-epoxide (Quaroni, A., Gershon, E., and Semenza, G. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 6424-6433). After peptic digestion of the labeled, denatured, reduced, and cyanoethylated enzyme three radioactive peptides were isolated. The peptide originating from the sucrase subunit had the following sequence: Ile-Asp-Met-Asn-Gln-Pro-Asn-Ser-Ser; the other two, deriving from the isomaltase subunit, had the sequences: Asn-Gly2-Gln-Ile-Asp-Met and Ile-Asp-Met. The radioactive label was in each case bound to the beta carboxyl group of an aspartic acid residue.", "PMID": 776963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4805", "title": "Tryptophanyl transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase of Escherichia coli. Character of required thiol group and structure of thiol peptides.", "content": "Native tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase purified from Escherichia coli B has on each identical subunit a single thiol group which rapidly forms a mixed disulfide with a thionitrobenzoate moiety of 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid). The reaction and the concomitant inactivation of the enzyme are both reversible by reductive removal of the thionitrobenzoate with dithiothreitol. Iodoacetamide and N-ethylmaleimide also react with the thiol group required for enzyme activity, but iodoacetic acid inactivates the enzyme through another mechanism. Three or 4 half-cystine residues/subunit were detected by amino acid analysis and by titration of the denatured enzyme with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid); no disulfide bonds were detected by borohydride reduction. Cleavage of the subunit (molecular weight 37,000) with 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid gave fragments of molecular weights 32,000, 27,000, and 9,500. Five carboxymethylated peptides were isolated from the trypsin products of the denatured enzyme after treatment with iodo[14C]lacetate. Three of these peptides represented unique sequences surrounding thiol groups in the enzyme. One cysteine-containing nonapeptide has a heptapeptide sequence homologous to a heptapeptide sequence in a cysteine containing decapeptide from the tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase of human placenta. The nonapeptide appears to bear the thiol group required for enzyme activity.", "contents": "Tryptophanyl transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase of Escherichia coli. Character of required thiol group and structure of thiol peptides. Native tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase purified from Escherichia coli B has on each identical subunit a single thiol group which rapidly forms a mixed disulfide with a thionitrobenzoate moiety of 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid). The reaction and the concomitant inactivation of the enzyme are both reversible by reductive removal of the thionitrobenzoate with dithiothreitol. Iodoacetamide and N-ethylmaleimide also react with the thiol group required for enzyme activity, but iodoacetic acid inactivates the enzyme through another mechanism. Three or 4 half-cystine residues/subunit were detected by amino acid analysis and by titration of the denatured enzyme with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid); no disulfide bonds were detected by borohydride reduction. Cleavage of the subunit (molecular weight 37,000) with 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid gave fragments of molecular weights 32,000, 27,000, and 9,500. Five carboxymethylated peptides were isolated from the trypsin products of the denatured enzyme after treatment with iodo[14C]lacetate. Three of these peptides represented unique sequences surrounding thiol groups in the enzyme. One cysteine-containing nonapeptide has a heptapeptide sequence homologous to a heptapeptide sequence in a cysteine containing decapeptide from the tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase of human placenta. The nonapeptide appears to bear the thiol group required for enzyme activity.", "PMID": 776964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4806", "title": "Stabilization of an RNA molecule by 3'-terminal poly (A)-induced inhibition of RNase activity.", "content": "The inhibitory properties of poly(A) on human spleen ribonuclease have been investigated. Hydrolytic activity has been shown to be strongly inhibited by poly(A) contained within RNAs isolated from a variety of natural sources. Furthermore, poly(A) segments of varying length have been covalently linked at the 3' terminus of Escherichia coli 5 S rRNA by polynucleotide phosphorylase in an attempt to construct an in vitro demonstration of the stabilization of RNA which contains poly(A). The extent to which these poly(A) tracts, varying from 4 to 132 nucleotides in length, could inhibit endonucleolytic attack on the 5 S rRNA to which they are linked was found to be dependent upon their length and upon small changes in spermidine concentration. The consequences of these findings are discussed in terms of a possible role for poly(A).", "contents": "Stabilization of an RNA molecule by 3'-terminal poly (A)-induced inhibition of RNase activity. The inhibitory properties of poly(A) on human spleen ribonuclease have been investigated. Hydrolytic activity has been shown to be strongly inhibited by poly(A) contained within RNAs isolated from a variety of natural sources. Furthermore, poly(A) segments of varying length have been covalently linked at the 3' terminus of Escherichia coli 5 S rRNA by polynucleotide phosphorylase in an attempt to construct an in vitro demonstration of the stabilization of RNA which contains poly(A). The extent to which these poly(A) tracts, varying from 4 to 132 nucleotides in length, could inhibit endonucleolytic attack on the 5 S rRNA to which they are linked was found to be dependent upon their length and upon small changes in spermidine concentration. The consequences of these findings are discussed in terms of a possible role for poly(A).", "PMID": 776965} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4807", "title": "Interaction of bacterial initiation factor 2 with initiator tRNA.", "content": "Interaction of bacterial polypeptide chain initiation factor 2 (IF-2) with Escherichia coli formylmethionyl-tRNA in the absence of free Mg2+ renders the fMet-tRNA adsorable to nitrocellulose membrane filters. This reaction does not require GTP and is strongly inhibited by low concentration (1 mM) of Mg2+ in the reaction mixture. The structural requirements of the tRNA for binary complex formation have been studied using modified fMet-tRNAfMet molecules and a series of N-blocked and normal aminoacyl-rRNAs. It has been observed that IF-2 will not blind either to free formylmethionine or to a short fMet-oligonucleotide, but will bind to any xRNA structure covalently attached to an N-blocked methionine group. The E. coli initiator and noninitiator methiionine tRNAs, which have many differences in primary structure, were found to bind identically. In addition, fMet-tRNAfMet molecules containing structural modidifications at 20 different sites had the same affinity for IF-2 as unmodified fMet-tRNAfMet. N-blocked eukaryotic initiator tRNAs were also found to bind strongly to the factor. Binary complex formation was readily reversible, f[14C]Met-tRNAfMet being competed out by addition of an equal amount of unlabeled fMet-tRNAfMet to the preformed complex. In contrast, deacylated tRNAfMet was a poor compeitor, a 30-fold excess being required for 50% inhibition of complex formation in the presence of limiting factor. Although tRNAs having an N-blocked methionine were found to have the greatest affinity for IF-2, specificity for the amino acid in binary complex formation was not absolute. Partial binding was observed with N-substituted tyrosine, valine, and phenylalanine tRNAs, and weak or no binding with N-subsituted lysine, alanine, and leucine tRNAs. In all cases, N-blocked derivatives had a higher affinity for IF-2 than the corresponding unsubstituted aminoacyl-tRNAs. These results indicate that IF-2 alone is not capable of distinguishing the nucleotide sequence of tRNAs and selects the initiator tRNA by recognizing the fMet moiety. The overall data suggest that the role of IF-2 in formation of the ribosomal initiation complex is to stablize the interaction of fMet-tRNAfMet with the ribosome at low Mg2+ concentrations by binding to both the ribosomal particle and the fMet group of the tRNA.", "contents": "Interaction of bacterial initiation factor 2 with initiator tRNA. Interaction of bacterial polypeptide chain initiation factor 2 (IF-2) with Escherichia coli formylmethionyl-tRNA in the absence of free Mg2+ renders the fMet-tRNA adsorable to nitrocellulose membrane filters. This reaction does not require GTP and is strongly inhibited by low concentration (1 mM) of Mg2+ in the reaction mixture. The structural requirements of the tRNA for binary complex formation have been studied using modified fMet-tRNAfMet molecules and a series of N-blocked and normal aminoacyl-rRNAs. It has been observed that IF-2 will not blind either to free formylmethionine or to a short fMet-oligonucleotide, but will bind to any xRNA structure covalently attached to an N-blocked methionine group. The E. coli initiator and noninitiator methiionine tRNAs, which have many differences in primary structure, were found to bind identically. In addition, fMet-tRNAfMet molecules containing structural modidifications at 20 different sites had the same affinity for IF-2 as unmodified fMet-tRNAfMet. N-blocked eukaryotic initiator tRNAs were also found to bind strongly to the factor. Binary complex formation was readily reversible, f[14C]Met-tRNAfMet being competed out by addition of an equal amount of unlabeled fMet-tRNAfMet to the preformed complex. In contrast, deacylated tRNAfMet was a poor compeitor, a 30-fold excess being required for 50% inhibition of complex formation in the presence of limiting factor. Although tRNAs having an N-blocked methionine were found to have the greatest affinity for IF-2, specificity for the amino acid in binary complex formation was not absolute. Partial binding was observed with N-substituted tyrosine, valine, and phenylalanine tRNAs, and weak or no binding with N-subsituted lysine, alanine, and leucine tRNAs. In all cases, N-blocked derivatives had a higher affinity for IF-2 than the corresponding unsubstituted aminoacyl-tRNAs. These results indicate that IF-2 alone is not capable of distinguishing the nucleotide sequence of tRNAs and selects the initiator tRNA by recognizing the fMet moiety. The overall data suggest that the role of IF-2 in formation of the ribosomal initiation complex is to stablize the interaction of fMet-tRNAfMet with the ribosome at low Mg2+ concentrations by binding to both the ribosomal particle and the fMet group of the tRNA.", "PMID": 776966} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4808", "title": "Limited proteolytic digestion of lac repressor by trypsin. Chemical nature of the resulting trypsin-resistant core.", "content": "Tryptic digestion of Escherichia coli lac repressor under nondenaturing conditions readily removes 59 amino acids from the NH2-terminal end of the polypeptide chain. Longer digestion removes an additional 20 or more amino acids from the COOH terminus, leaving a highly trypsin-resistanct core molecule. The lac repressor tetrameric structure and inducer-binding activity are retained by the tryptic core. Operator-binding activity, however, is lost as the NH2-terminal end is degraded. Many or all of the possible trypsin cleavage sites in the NH2-terminal region are available to attack by the enzyme, indicating that this part of the polypeptide chain is exposed to the environment. Lac repressor, missing the NH2-terminal end, renatures efficiently from random-coil solvent to tetramers with full inducer-binding activity, indicating that the NH2-terminal region is not necessary for the appropriate three-dimensional folding of the polypeptide chains. Core which lacks both the NH2 and COOH termini renatures to tetramers with low efficiency.", "contents": "Limited proteolytic digestion of lac repressor by trypsin. Chemical nature of the resulting trypsin-resistant core. Tryptic digestion of Escherichia coli lac repressor under nondenaturing conditions readily removes 59 amino acids from the NH2-terminal end of the polypeptide chain. Longer digestion removes an additional 20 or more amino acids from the COOH terminus, leaving a highly trypsin-resistanct core molecule. The lac repressor tetrameric structure and inducer-binding activity are retained by the tryptic core. Operator-binding activity, however, is lost as the NH2-terminal end is degraded. Many or all of the possible trypsin cleavage sites in the NH2-terminal region are available to attack by the enzyme, indicating that this part of the polypeptide chain is exposed to the environment. Lac repressor, missing the NH2-terminal end, renatures efficiently from random-coil solvent to tetramers with full inducer-binding activity, indicating that the NH2-terminal region is not necessary for the appropriate three-dimensional folding of the polypeptide chains. Core which lacks both the NH2 and COOH termini renatures to tetramers with low efficiency.", "PMID": 776967} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4809", "title": "Peptidyl transfer RNA dissociates during protein synthesis from ribosomes of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Growing cultures of mutant Escherichia coli with temperature-senstive peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase were shifted to nonpermissive 4o degrees. There followed a roughly linear increase in a fraction of isolated tRNA (over 50% after 20 min) whose amino acid-accepting activity was masked until treatment with active peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase. The ionophoretic mobility of amino acid label associated with this fraction could be altered by treatment with the hydrolase, trypsin, RNAse, and alkali. The rate of accumulation of this fraction could be altered by treating the growing cells with chloramphenicol, which reduced the rate, or erythromycin, which enhanced it. It is concluded that peptidyl-tRNA dissociates from ribosomes of the mutant cells during protein biosynthesis. The primary metabolic role of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase is to prevent the accumulation of dissociated peptidyl-tRNA, which inhibits protein synthesis. The rate of dissociation of peptidyl-tRNA from ribosomes was estimated at between 1 per 90 and 1 per 2600 peptide elongation steps in the absence of antibiotics, depending on the level of inhibition of protein synthesis. After 20 min at 40 degrees, the size distribution of peptides found on tRNA was heterogeneous, with over 74% having a molecular weight greater than 8 X 10(2). The effect of erythromycin suggests that its mechanism of action is to destabilize the peptidyl-tRNA/ribosome interaction and thereby stimulate the dissociation of peptidyl-tRNA. The mechanism of inhibition of protein synthesis by accumulating peptidyl-tRNA and reasons why peptidyl-tRNA dissociates from ribosomes are discussed in terms of the current data.", "contents": "Peptidyl transfer RNA dissociates during protein synthesis from ribosomes of Escherichia coli. Growing cultures of mutant Escherichia coli with temperature-senstive peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase were shifted to nonpermissive 4o degrees. There followed a roughly linear increase in a fraction of isolated tRNA (over 50% after 20 min) whose amino acid-accepting activity was masked until treatment with active peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase. The ionophoretic mobility of amino acid label associated with this fraction could be altered by treatment with the hydrolase, trypsin, RNAse, and alkali. The rate of accumulation of this fraction could be altered by treating the growing cells with chloramphenicol, which reduced the rate, or erythromycin, which enhanced it. It is concluded that peptidyl-tRNA dissociates from ribosomes of the mutant cells during protein biosynthesis. The primary metabolic role of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase is to prevent the accumulation of dissociated peptidyl-tRNA, which inhibits protein synthesis. The rate of dissociation of peptidyl-tRNA from ribosomes was estimated at between 1 per 90 and 1 per 2600 peptide elongation steps in the absence of antibiotics, depending on the level of inhibition of protein synthesis. After 20 min at 40 degrees, the size distribution of peptides found on tRNA was heterogeneous, with over 74% having a molecular weight greater than 8 X 10(2). The effect of erythromycin suggests that its mechanism of action is to destabilize the peptidyl-tRNA/ribosome interaction and thereby stimulate the dissociation of peptidyl-tRNA. The mechanism of inhibition of protein synthesis by accumulating peptidyl-tRNA and reasons why peptidyl-tRNA dissociates from ribosomes are discussed in terms of the current data.", "PMID": 776968} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4810", "title": "Regulation of glutaminase B in Escherichia coli. II. Modulaltion of activity by carbosylate and borate ions.", "content": "Glutaminase B is both activated and inhibited by L-glutamate, the product of the reaction. The activation process is time- and temperature-dependent. Activation by L-glutamate alters the Vmax, So.5, and shape of the substrate saturation curve. The activation decays as a first order process with time after separation of L-glutamate from glutaminase B. L-Glutamate inhibits both glutaminase B and the glutamate-activated enzyme. Like L-glutamate, borate activates and inhibits glutaminase B. Inhibition of the enzyme by glutamine and glutamate analogs is also examined and similarities between the glutamate activation and activation by warming at 23 degrees are noted.", "contents": "Regulation of glutaminase B in Escherichia coli. II. Modulaltion of activity by carbosylate and borate ions. Glutaminase B is both activated and inhibited by L-glutamate, the product of the reaction. The activation process is time- and temperature-dependent. Activation by L-glutamate alters the Vmax, So.5, and shape of the substrate saturation curve. The activation decays as a first order process with time after separation of L-glutamate from glutaminase B. L-Glutamate inhibits both glutaminase B and the glutamate-activated enzyme. Like L-glutamate, borate activates and inhibits glutaminase B. Inhibition of the enzyme by glutamine and glutamate analogs is also examined and similarities between the glutamate activation and activation by warming at 23 degrees are noted.", "PMID": 776969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4811", "title": "Regulation of glutaminase B in Escherichia coli. III. Control by nucleotides and divalent cations.", "content": "Glutaminase B from Escherichia coli is modulated by nucleotides and divalent cations. ATP and ADP inhibit glutaminase B whereas AMP and divalent cations activate it. Inhibition and activation required preincubation of the nucleotides with glutaminase B at 4 degrees. Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ca2+ activated the enzyme and prevented the inhibition by ATP. Dialysis in the presence of an activator ligand reversed the ATP inhibition of glutaminase B. The modulation of glutaminase B by energy charge is similar to that observed with other catabolic enzymes. We suggest that a pattern of reciprocal regulation of glutaminase B and glutamine synthetase by adenine nucleotides prevents the formation of a \"futile cycle\" of amide synthesis and degradation.", "contents": "Regulation of glutaminase B in Escherichia coli. III. Control by nucleotides and divalent cations. Glutaminase B from Escherichia coli is modulated by nucleotides and divalent cations. ATP and ADP inhibit glutaminase B whereas AMP and divalent cations activate it. Inhibition and activation required preincubation of the nucleotides with glutaminase B at 4 degrees. Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ca2+ activated the enzyme and prevented the inhibition by ATP. Dialysis in the presence of an activator ligand reversed the ATP inhibition of glutaminase B. The modulation of glutaminase B by energy charge is similar to that observed with other catabolic enzymes. We suggest that a pattern of reciprocal regulation of glutaminase B and glutamine synthetase by adenine nucleotides prevents the formation of a \"futile cycle\" of amide synthesis and degradation.", "PMID": 776970} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4812", "title": "Evidence of the involvement of an outer membrane protein in DNA initiation.", "content": "Protein D of molecular weight 80,000 is incorporated into the membrane of Escherichia coli B/r for a brief fraction of the cell cycle. The protein is incorporated into the outer membrane; its incorporation seems to reflect de novo synthesis and, once incorporated, it is stable. In synchronous acetate-grown cultures a 10-fold increase in the rate of protein D synthesis occurs toward the end of the cell cycle, near the end of one round of DNA synthesis and the start of the next. In synchronous glucose-grown cultures the protein appears approximately halfway through the cell cycle, shortly before DNA synthesis begins. The observed correlation between protein D synthesis and DNA initiation, approximately 15 min later, is strengthened by experiments with inhibitors and mutants. Inhibition of protein synthesis at any time during DNA synthesis delays the subsequent appearance of protein D and the initiation of the next round of DNA synthesis. The synthesis of both protein D and DNA is prevented by nalidixic acid; after its removal a sharp spike of protein D synthesis is followed by a wave of DNA synthesis. Experiments with DNA and DNAB mutants, with amino acid starvation of an auxotroph and with nutritional shift-up, all supported the coupling of protein D synthesis with the initiation of DNA synthesis. The addition of beta-lactam antibiotics which affect murein metabolism dramatically increases the amount of protein D. The cells are prevented from terminating protein D synthesis; different antibiotics have different kinetics of action. Protein D preferentially binds to double-stranded DNA in vitro. We suggest that this protein provides a metabolic link between murein synthesis, protein synthesis, and DNA initiation, and that it acts at a specific time in the cell cycle as an attachment site for DNA to the cell envelope.", "contents": "Evidence of the involvement of an outer membrane protein in DNA initiation. Protein D of molecular weight 80,000 is incorporated into the membrane of Escherichia coli B/r for a brief fraction of the cell cycle. The protein is incorporated into the outer membrane; its incorporation seems to reflect de novo synthesis and, once incorporated, it is stable. In synchronous acetate-grown cultures a 10-fold increase in the rate of protein D synthesis occurs toward the end of the cell cycle, near the end of one round of DNA synthesis and the start of the next. In synchronous glucose-grown cultures the protein appears approximately halfway through the cell cycle, shortly before DNA synthesis begins. The observed correlation between protein D synthesis and DNA initiation, approximately 15 min later, is strengthened by experiments with inhibitors and mutants. Inhibition of protein synthesis at any time during DNA synthesis delays the subsequent appearance of protein D and the initiation of the next round of DNA synthesis. The synthesis of both protein D and DNA is prevented by nalidixic acid; after its removal a sharp spike of protein D synthesis is followed by a wave of DNA synthesis. Experiments with DNA and DNAB mutants, with amino acid starvation of an auxotroph and with nutritional shift-up, all supported the coupling of protein D synthesis with the initiation of DNA synthesis. The addition of beta-lactam antibiotics which affect murein metabolism dramatically increases the amount of protein D. The cells are prevented from terminating protein D synthesis; different antibiotics have different kinetics of action. Protein D preferentially binds to double-stranded DNA in vitro. We suggest that this protein provides a metabolic link between murein synthesis, protein synthesis, and DNA initiation, and that it acts at a specific time in the cell cycle as an attachment site for DNA to the cell envelope.", "PMID": 776971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4813", "title": "Binding of substrates to Escherichia coli ribonucleotide reductase.", "content": "Ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase from Escherichia coli consists of a 1/1 complex of two nonidentical subunits called proteins B1 and B2. The enzyme reduces the four common ribonucleoside diphosphates to the corresponding deoxyribonucleotides and is allosterically regulated by nucleoside triphosphates which influence its substrate specificity as well as its overall activity. The B1 subunit contains binding sites for the effectors while B2 contains iron and an organic free radical essential for catalytic activity. We now establish that only protein B1 binds substrates. Competition experiments support the presence of two identical substrate binding sites, distinct from the effector binding sites. The catalytic site of the enzyme thus is formed from both the B1 and B2 subunits. Dissociation constants for substrates ranged from 2 X 10(-5) to about 10(-3) M. In all cases effectors decreased these constants in agreement with their influence on the substrate specificity of ribonucleotide reductase, but did not induce cooperative effects. The increase in binding was pronounced at 20 degrees but only marginal at 0 degrees. Arrhenius plots of the influence of temperature on the catalytic activity of the enzyme showed sharp breaks at 12 degrees. The temperature effects can be interpreted as a conformational change occurring in the structure of protein B1 at the critical temperature.", "contents": "Binding of substrates to Escherichia coli ribonucleotide reductase. Ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase from Escherichia coli consists of a 1/1 complex of two nonidentical subunits called proteins B1 and B2. The enzyme reduces the four common ribonucleoside diphosphates to the corresponding deoxyribonucleotides and is allosterically regulated by nucleoside triphosphates which influence its substrate specificity as well as its overall activity. The B1 subunit contains binding sites for the effectors while B2 contains iron and an organic free radical essential for catalytic activity. We now establish that only protein B1 binds substrates. Competition experiments support the presence of two identical substrate binding sites, distinct from the effector binding sites. The catalytic site of the enzyme thus is formed from both the B1 and B2 subunits. Dissociation constants for substrates ranged from 2 X 10(-5) to about 10(-3) M. In all cases effectors decreased these constants in agreement with their influence on the substrate specificity of ribonucleotide reductase, but did not induce cooperative effects. The increase in binding was pronounced at 20 degrees but only marginal at 0 degrees. Arrhenius plots of the influence of temperature on the catalytic activity of the enzyme showed sharp breaks at 12 degrees. The temperature effects can be interpreted as a conformational change occurring in the structure of protein B1 at the critical temperature.", "PMID": 776972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4814", "title": "Biosynthesis of riboflavin. Structure of the purine precursor and origin of the ribityl side chain.", "content": "We studied the incorporation of 14C-labeled guanosine into riboflavin under conditions precluding the metabolic conversion of guanosine compounds to free guanine. For this purpose we isolated a mutant BM 2 of Salmonella typhimurium deficient in the enzymes IMP dehydrogenase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, and purine nucleotide pyrophosphorylase. The mutant incorporated [ribose-14C]guanosine into riboflavin and GMP without dilution. The isolated compounds were exclusively labeled in the ribityl and ribosyl side chain, respectively. AMP and CMP were not labeled. [2-14C]Guanosine was incorporated into riboflavin and GMP without dilution. The isolated compounds were exclusively labeled in the isoalloxazine and guanine moiety, respectively. AMP and CMP were again unlabeled. We conclude that the ribose moiety of proffered guanosine is directly converted to the ribityl moiety of riboflavin. Thus the biosynthesis of the vitamin begins at the level of a guanosine compound. Guanine, ribose, ribitol, and the respective phosphates are not direct precursors of the vitamin.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of riboflavin. Structure of the purine precursor and origin of the ribityl side chain. We studied the incorporation of 14C-labeled guanosine into riboflavin under conditions precluding the metabolic conversion of guanosine compounds to free guanine. For this purpose we isolated a mutant BM 2 of Salmonella typhimurium deficient in the enzymes IMP dehydrogenase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, and purine nucleotide pyrophosphorylase. The mutant incorporated [ribose-14C]guanosine into riboflavin and GMP without dilution. The isolated compounds were exclusively labeled in the ribityl and ribosyl side chain, respectively. AMP and CMP were not labeled. [2-14C]Guanosine was incorporated into riboflavin and GMP without dilution. The isolated compounds were exclusively labeled in the isoalloxazine and guanine moiety, respectively. AMP and CMP were again unlabeled. We conclude that the ribose moiety of proffered guanosine is directly converted to the ribityl moiety of riboflavin. Thus the biosynthesis of the vitamin begins at the level of a guanosine compound. Guanine, ribose, ribitol, and the respective phosphates are not direct precursors of the vitamin.", "PMID": 776973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4815", "title": "Selective inhibition of the dnase activity of the recBC enzyme by the DNA binding protein from Escherichia coli.", "content": "In the presence of the Escherichia coli DNA binding protein, single-stranded DNA is resistant to both the endo- and exonucleolytic activities of the recBC DNase. Linear duplex DNA, on the other hand, is unwound at a normal rate, but converted to large, single-stranded fragments which are resistant to further hydrolysis. Therefore, in the presence of the binding protein and linear duplex DNA, the recBC enzyme acts not as a DNase, but primarily as an ATP-dependent unwinding enzyme, able to generate large, single-stranded material. Duplex circular DNA containing short, single-stranded gaps is also resistant to the hydrolysis in the presence of the binding protein.", "contents": "Selective inhibition of the dnase activity of the recBC enzyme by the DNA binding protein from Escherichia coli. In the presence of the Escherichia coli DNA binding protein, single-stranded DNA is resistant to both the endo- and exonucleolytic activities of the recBC DNase. Linear duplex DNA, on the other hand, is unwound at a normal rate, but converted to large, single-stranded fragments which are resistant to further hydrolysis. Therefore, in the presence of the binding protein and linear duplex DNA, the recBC enzyme acts not as a DNase, but primarily as an ATP-dependent unwinding enzyme, able to generate large, single-stranded material. Duplex circular DNA containing short, single-stranded gaps is also resistant to the hydrolysis in the presence of the binding protein.", "PMID": 776974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4816", "title": "Lac Repressor. Fluorescence of the two tryptophans.", "content": "By comparing the fluorescence emission properties of the wild type lac repressor with two lac repressors altered at tryptophan 190 and 209, respectively, we show that tryptophan residue 209 has its environment changed, either by its own motion, or that of the surrounding amino acids when an inducer molecule is bound. Substitution of this tryptophan with other amino acids results in lac respressor molecules with reduced affinity for inducer molecules, indicating that the geometry at residue 209 affects the geometry of the inducer-binding site. From the results of potassium iodide quenching of fluorescence from the tryptophans, and from attempts to react the native lac repressor with dimethyl(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl) sulfonium bromide and 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide, we propose that tryptophan residue 209 is involved in a conformational change of the protein upon binding of inducer, but does not come in direct contact with inducer.", "contents": "Lac Repressor. Fluorescence of the two tryptophans. By comparing the fluorescence emission properties of the wild type lac repressor with two lac repressors altered at tryptophan 190 and 209, respectively, we show that tryptophan residue 209 has its environment changed, either by its own motion, or that of the surrounding amino acids when an inducer molecule is bound. Substitution of this tryptophan with other amino acids results in lac respressor molecules with reduced affinity for inducer molecules, indicating that the geometry at residue 209 affects the geometry of the inducer-binding site. From the results of potassium iodide quenching of fluorescence from the tryptophans, and from attempts to react the native lac repressor with dimethyl(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl) sulfonium bromide and 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide, we propose that tryptophan residue 209 is involved in a conformational change of the protein upon binding of inducer, but does not come in direct contact with inducer.", "PMID": 776975} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4817", "title": "Ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase. I. Purification and role in pantothenate biosynthesis.", "content": "A new enzyme, ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase (5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate: alpha-ketoisovalerate hydroxymethyltransferase) has been purified 2400-fold to apparent homogeneity from Escherichia coli K12. It catalyzes the first committed step in pantothenate biosynthesis, the reversible formation of ketopantoate (2-keto-3,3-dimethyl-4-hydroxybutyrate) according to Equation 1, has low Km values for its substrates, and is abent (1) Methylenetetrahydrofolate + alpha-ketoisovalerate in equilibrium tetrahydrofolate + ketopantoate from a mutant of E. coli auxotrophic for ketopantoate. It thus appears to be the enzyme responsible for catalysis of ketopantoate formation in vivo. A previously described enzyme that catalyzes reaction 2 irreversible (McIntosh, E.N., Purko, M., and Wood, W.A. (1957) J. Biol. Chem. 228, 499-509) and does not require (2) HCHO + alpha-ketoisovalerate leads to ketopantoate tetrahydrofolate can be obtained free of ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase and is present in equal amounts in ketopantoate auxotrophs and wild type E. coli. We conclude that the latter enzyme is not involved in the normal biosynthetic pathway leading to pantothenate; its function is unknown.", "contents": "Ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase. I. Purification and role in pantothenate biosynthesis. A new enzyme, ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase (5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate: alpha-ketoisovalerate hydroxymethyltransferase) has been purified 2400-fold to apparent homogeneity from Escherichia coli K12. It catalyzes the first committed step in pantothenate biosynthesis, the reversible formation of ketopantoate (2-keto-3,3-dimethyl-4-hydroxybutyrate) according to Equation 1, has low Km values for its substrates, and is abent (1) Methylenetetrahydrofolate + alpha-ketoisovalerate in equilibrium tetrahydrofolate + ketopantoate from a mutant of E. coli auxotrophic for ketopantoate. It thus appears to be the enzyme responsible for catalysis of ketopantoate formation in vivo. A previously described enzyme that catalyzes reaction 2 irreversible (McIntosh, E.N., Purko, M., and Wood, W.A. (1957) J. Biol. Chem. 228, 499-509) and does not require (2) HCHO + alpha-ketoisovalerate leads to ketopantoate tetrahydrofolate can be obtained free of ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase and is present in equal amounts in ketopantoate auxotrophs and wild type E. coli. We conclude that the latter enzyme is not involved in the normal biosynthetic pathway leading to pantothenate; its function is unknown.", "PMID": 776976} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4818", "title": "Purification and properties of the alpha2beta2 complex of tryptophan synthetase of Proteus mirabilis.", "content": "A procedure is described for the purification of the tryptophan synthetase alpha2beta2 complex from cell extracts of Proteus mirabilis. A 30-fold purification was achieved with an overall yield of about 23% and a specific activity of 1,600. The complex can be dissociated and the subunits isolated in a pure form. The complex can be reconstituted from the isolated subunits to regain the initial activity. The alpha and beta2 subunits of the tryptophan synthetase complex of P. mirabilis are not significantly different from those of Escherichia coli and other enteric bacteria as to their physical properties, amino acid compositions, and enzymic properties. Complementation studies indicate that the alpha subunit of P. mirabilis hybridizes well with the beta2 subunit from E. coli. Similarly, the beta2 subunit of P. mirabilis readily complexes with the alpha subunits from E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Serratia marcescens. The hybrids formed are all effective in catalyzing the conversion of indoleglycerol phosphate plus serine into tryptophan and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. However, these hybrids have reduced or no activity in the other reactions, namely, the condensation of indole and serine to form tryptophan or the aldolytic cleavage of indoleglycerol phosphate.", "contents": "Purification and properties of the alpha2beta2 complex of tryptophan synthetase of Proteus mirabilis. A procedure is described for the purification of the tryptophan synthetase alpha2beta2 complex from cell extracts of Proteus mirabilis. A 30-fold purification was achieved with an overall yield of about 23% and a specific activity of 1,600. The complex can be dissociated and the subunits isolated in a pure form. The complex can be reconstituted from the isolated subunits to regain the initial activity. The alpha and beta2 subunits of the tryptophan synthetase complex of P. mirabilis are not significantly different from those of Escherichia coli and other enteric bacteria as to their physical properties, amino acid compositions, and enzymic properties. Complementation studies indicate that the alpha subunit of P. mirabilis hybridizes well with the beta2 subunit from E. coli. Similarly, the beta2 subunit of P. mirabilis readily complexes with the alpha subunits from E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Serratia marcescens. The hybrids formed are all effective in catalyzing the conversion of indoleglycerol phosphate plus serine into tryptophan and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. However, these hybrids have reduced or no activity in the other reactions, namely, the condensation of indole and serine to form tryptophan or the aldolytic cleavage of indoleglycerol phosphate.", "PMID": 776977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4819", "title": "Action of ionophore A23187 at the cellular level. Separation of effects at the plasma and mitochondrial membranes.", "content": "Bovine epididymal spermatozoa incubated aerobically in vitro in the presence of 0.1 to 0.2 mM CaCl2 accumulate 25 to 50 nmol of calcium/10(8) cells. The addition of low concentrations of the ionophore A23187 (0.01 to 0.5 nmol/mg of sperm protein) induces efflux of this accumulated calcium. At high ionophore concentrations (0.5 to 5.0 nmol/mg of sperm protein), calcium release is followed by an influx of up to 25 nmol of calcium/10(8) cells that is not dependent on mitochondrial energization. A selective increase in the permeability of the sperm plasma membrane produced by treatment with the polyene antibiotic, filipin, results in the release of that calcium which is accumulated in the presence of high concentrations of A23187. Sperm first treated with filipin possess the ability to accumulate and retain calcium (in the presence of an oxidizable substrate) but release Ca2+ without subsequent reaccumulation after the addition of 3 nmol of A23187/mg of protein. These observations are explained by the existence of competing calcium pumps operating within the mitochondrial and plasma membranes of the spermatozoan. Treatment with high concentrations of A23187 allows calcium influx into a non-mitochondrial compartment of the sperm cell as a consequence of the equilibration of this cation across both mitochondrial and plasma membranes. The amount of calcium uptake and its sensitivity to filipin indicate that calcium binding to soluble, intracellular components is also involved. The ability of low concentrations of A23187 to induce calcium efflux is explained as a result of the continued operation of the plasma membrane pump coincident with ionophore-induced decay of the concentration gradient across the mitochondrial membrane. This hypothetical action of low levels of the ionophore on the mitochondria is supported by the observation of net movements of calcium with filipin-treated cells and the respiratory responses and movements of phosphate and membrane-associated calcium with intact sperm. It is suggested that the basis of this apparent selectivity of ionophore action lies in the relative activities and kinetic properties of the competing calcium pumps in the plasma and mitochondrial membranes of these cells. Ionophore-induced influx of calcium into the extramitochondrial space results in a stimulation of respiration and kinetic activity of the sperm. This activation of motility is observed also with cells made entirely dependent upon glycolysis (by treatment with respiratory inhibitors) and suggests a direct involvement of calcium in the regulation of flagellar function.", "contents": "Action of ionophore A23187 at the cellular level. Separation of effects at the plasma and mitochondrial membranes. Bovine epididymal spermatozoa incubated aerobically in vitro in the presence of 0.1 to 0.2 mM CaCl2 accumulate 25 to 50 nmol of calcium/10(8) cells. The addition of low concentrations of the ionophore A23187 (0.01 to 0.5 nmol/mg of sperm protein) induces efflux of this accumulated calcium. At high ionophore concentrations (0.5 to 5.0 nmol/mg of sperm protein), calcium release is followed by an influx of up to 25 nmol of calcium/10(8) cells that is not dependent on mitochondrial energization. A selective increase in the permeability of the sperm plasma membrane produced by treatment with the polyene antibiotic, filipin, results in the release of that calcium which is accumulated in the presence of high concentrations of A23187. Sperm first treated with filipin possess the ability to accumulate and retain calcium (in the presence of an oxidizable substrate) but release Ca2+ without subsequent reaccumulation after the addition of 3 nmol of A23187/mg of protein. These observations are explained by the existence of competing calcium pumps operating within the mitochondrial and plasma membranes of the spermatozoan. Treatment with high concentrations of A23187 allows calcium influx into a non-mitochondrial compartment of the sperm cell as a consequence of the equilibration of this cation across both mitochondrial and plasma membranes. The amount of calcium uptake and its sensitivity to filipin indicate that calcium binding to soluble, intracellular components is also involved. The ability of low concentrations of A23187 to induce calcium efflux is explained as a result of the continued operation of the plasma membrane pump coincident with ionophore-induced decay of the concentration gradient across the mitochondrial membrane. This hypothetical action of low levels of the ionophore on the mitochondria is supported by the observation of net movements of calcium with filipin-treated cells and the respiratory responses and movements of phosphate and membrane-associated calcium with intact sperm. It is suggested that the basis of this apparent selectivity of ionophore action lies in the relative activities and kinetic properties of the competing calcium pumps in the plasma and mitochondrial membranes of these cells. Ionophore-induced influx of calcium into the extramitochondrial space results in a stimulation of respiration and kinetic activity of the sperm. This activation of motility is observed also with cells made entirely dependent upon glycolysis (by treatment with respiratory inhibitors) and suggests a direct involvement of calcium in the regulation of flagellar function.", "PMID": 776978} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4820", "title": "Biochemical characterization of mutant forms of DNA polymerase I from Escherichia coli. II. The polAex1 mutation.", "content": "DNA polymerase I has been purified to homogeneity from an Escherichia coli K12 strain bearing the temperature-sensitive conditionally lethal mutation, polAex1. The purified enzyme shows no defect in its polymerase or 3' leads to 5'-exonuclease activities; however, its 5' leads to 3'-exonuclease activity is abnormally low at both 30 degrees and 43 degrees. Although the mutant enzyme is able to catalyze the coordinated 5' leads to 3' polymerization and 5' leads to 3' exonucleolytic hydrolysis of nucleotides at a nick in duplex DNA (\"nick translation\") at a measurable rate at 30 degrees, this reaction is undetectable at 43 degrees. This defect is very likely responsible for the retarded joining of nascent DNA fragments and the consequent loss of viability that occur in the mutant at this temperature.", "contents": "Biochemical characterization of mutant forms of DNA polymerase I from Escherichia coli. II. The polAex1 mutation. DNA polymerase I has been purified to homogeneity from an Escherichia coli K12 strain bearing the temperature-sensitive conditionally lethal mutation, polAex1. The purified enzyme shows no defect in its polymerase or 3' leads to 5'-exonuclease activities; however, its 5' leads to 3'-exonuclease activity is abnormally low at both 30 degrees and 43 degrees. Although the mutant enzyme is able to catalyze the coordinated 5' leads to 3' polymerization and 5' leads to 3' exonucleolytic hydrolysis of nucleotides at a nick in duplex DNA (\"nick translation\") at a measurable rate at 30 degrees, this reaction is undetectable at 43 degrees. This defect is very likely responsible for the retarded joining of nascent DNA fragments and the consequent loss of viability that occur in the mutant at this temperature.", "PMID": 776979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4821", "title": "On the processive mechanism of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. Delayed initiation of polymerization.", "content": "Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I shows a delay in the initiation of polymerization after binding to the cohesive ends of lambda DNA. This delay is significantly longer than the time required for the synthesis of an octanucleotide sequence on the right-hand cohesive end of the lambda DNA. When the extent of polymerization is limited by omission of one or more of the deoxynucleoside triphosphates, and polymerization started again by their addition, the delay still occurs. A plausible explanation for this phenomenon is that two forms of the enzyme or enzyme - DNA complex exist, only one of which is active. The delay, therefore, represents the time necessary to convert the inactive to the active form of the enzyme or enzyme complex. One consequence of the defect in DNA polymerase I, due to the polA12 mutation, is apparently to alter the equilibrium between the two forms. However, the rate of polymerization and the rate of conversion of inactive to active enzyme or enzyme complex are not changed significantly.", "contents": "On the processive mechanism of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. Delayed initiation of polymerization. Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I shows a delay in the initiation of polymerization after binding to the cohesive ends of lambda DNA. This delay is significantly longer than the time required for the synthesis of an octanucleotide sequence on the right-hand cohesive end of the lambda DNA. When the extent of polymerization is limited by omission of one or more of the deoxynucleoside triphosphates, and polymerization started again by their addition, the delay still occurs. A plausible explanation for this phenomenon is that two forms of the enzyme or enzyme - DNA complex exist, only one of which is active. The delay, therefore, represents the time necessary to convert the inactive to the active form of the enzyme or enzyme complex. One consequence of the defect in DNA polymerase I, due to the polA12 mutation, is apparently to alter the equilibrium between the two forms. However, the rate of polymerization and the rate of conversion of inactive to active enzyme or enzyme complex are not changed significantly.", "PMID": 776980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4822", "title": "Identification of sn-glycero-1-phosphate and phosphoethanolamine residues linked to the membrane-derived Oligosaccharides of Escherichia coli.", "content": "A previous report from this laboratory (van Golde, L.M.G., Schulman, H., and Kennedy, E.P. (1973) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 70, 1368-1372) described the discovery in Escherichia coli of a novel class of oligosaccharides, containing glucose as the sole sugar, substituted with glycerophosphate units derived from membrane phospholipids, and with succinic acid in O-ester linkage. These membrane-derived oligosaccharides, comprising about 0.5 to 1.0% of the dry weight of E. coli, represent a family of closely related oligosaccharides that may be subfractionated on anion exchange resins. The present paper describes studies of the oligosaccharide A-1 described by van Golde et al. in the previous report. The glycerophosphate linked to the oligosaccharide in phosphodiester bond is the sn-glycero-1-P enantiomer. This finding strongly supports the previous conclusion that the oligosaccharides are the acceptors of the polar headgroups of membrane phospholipids, since the unesterified glycerophosphate of phosphatidyl glycerol is an sn-glycero-1-P residue, otherwise rare in nature. The glycerophosphate residues in the membrane-derived oligosaccharide are not substituted in the sn-2 or sn-3 positions, since they are readily oxidized by periodate under mild conditions. Alkaline hydrolysis liberates glycerophosphate, and only negligible amounts of free glycerol, consistent with the view that the glycerophosphate residues are linked to glucose units through position 6, unfavorable for the formation of glucose cyclic phosphate intermediates that would eliminate free glycerol. Oligosaccharide A-1 (but not Fraction A-2) contains phosphoethanolamine residues equivalent to 30 to 40% of the total phosphorus. The phosphoethanolamine residues are linked to position 6 of glucose units, as proved by the isolation of glucose 6-phosphate as a product of partial acid hydrolysis.", "contents": "Identification of sn-glycero-1-phosphate and phosphoethanolamine residues linked to the membrane-derived Oligosaccharides of Escherichia coli. A previous report from this laboratory (van Golde, L.M.G., Schulman, H., and Kennedy, E.P. (1973) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 70, 1368-1372) described the discovery in Escherichia coli of a novel class of oligosaccharides, containing glucose as the sole sugar, substituted with glycerophosphate units derived from membrane phospholipids, and with succinic acid in O-ester linkage. These membrane-derived oligosaccharides, comprising about 0.5 to 1.0% of the dry weight of E. coli, represent a family of closely related oligosaccharides that may be subfractionated on anion exchange resins. The present paper describes studies of the oligosaccharide A-1 described by van Golde et al. in the previous report. The glycerophosphate linked to the oligosaccharide in phosphodiester bond is the sn-glycero-1-P enantiomer. This finding strongly supports the previous conclusion that the oligosaccharides are the acceptors of the polar headgroups of membrane phospholipids, since the unesterified glycerophosphate of phosphatidyl glycerol is an sn-glycero-1-P residue, otherwise rare in nature. The glycerophosphate residues in the membrane-derived oligosaccharide are not substituted in the sn-2 or sn-3 positions, since they are readily oxidized by periodate under mild conditions. Alkaline hydrolysis liberates glycerophosphate, and only negligible amounts of free glycerol, consistent with the view that the glycerophosphate residues are linked to glucose units through position 6, unfavorable for the formation of glucose cyclic phosphate intermediates that would eliminate free glycerol. Oligosaccharide A-1 (but not Fraction A-2) contains phosphoethanolamine residues equivalent to 30 to 40% of the total phosphorus. The phosphoethanolamine residues are linked to position 6 of glucose units, as proved by the isolation of glucose 6-phosphate as a product of partial acid hydrolysis.", "PMID": 776981} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4823", "title": "Oxidation of the carbanion intermediate of transaldolase by hexacyanoferrate (III).", "content": "The transaldolase-dihydroxyacetone carbanion intermediate formed in the reaction of transaldolase with its donor substrates fructose-6-P or sedoheptulose-7-P is susceptible to oxidation by hexacyanoferrate(III). The dihydroxyacetone moiety is oxidized to the corresponding 2-ketoaldehyde, i.e. hydroxy-pyruvaldehyde (CH2OH-CO-CHO). This oxidation product is, in contrast to dihydroxyacetone, readily released from the enzyme. In the presence of hexacyanoferrate(III) transaldolase thus functions as an efficient catalyst of the oxidative cleavage of its donor substrates fructose-6-P or sedoheptulose-7-P into hydroxypyruvaldehyde and glyceraldehyde-3-P or erythrose-4-P, respectively. Two moles of hexacyanoferrate(III) are reduced per mole of oxidatively cleaved donor substrate. The molecular activity for oxidative cleavage of fructose-6-P at a hexacyanoferrate(III) concentration of 0.5 mM is 0.65% of that for the normal transfer reaction with erythrose-4-P as the acceptor substrate. The present data emphasize the applicability of certain oxidants as trapping agents for enzymatic carbanion intermediates as proposed previously (Healy, M.J.,, and Christen, P. (1973) Biochemistry 12, 35-41).", "contents": "Oxidation of the carbanion intermediate of transaldolase by hexacyanoferrate (III). The transaldolase-dihydroxyacetone carbanion intermediate formed in the reaction of transaldolase with its donor substrates fructose-6-P or sedoheptulose-7-P is susceptible to oxidation by hexacyanoferrate(III). The dihydroxyacetone moiety is oxidized to the corresponding 2-ketoaldehyde, i.e. hydroxy-pyruvaldehyde (CH2OH-CO-CHO). This oxidation product is, in contrast to dihydroxyacetone, readily released from the enzyme. In the presence of hexacyanoferrate(III) transaldolase thus functions as an efficient catalyst of the oxidative cleavage of its donor substrates fructose-6-P or sedoheptulose-7-P into hydroxypyruvaldehyde and glyceraldehyde-3-P or erythrose-4-P, respectively. Two moles of hexacyanoferrate(III) are reduced per mole of oxidatively cleaved donor substrate. The molecular activity for oxidative cleavage of fructose-6-P at a hexacyanoferrate(III) concentration of 0.5 mM is 0.65% of that for the normal transfer reaction with erythrose-4-P as the acceptor substrate. The present data emphasize the applicability of certain oxidants as trapping agents for enzymatic carbanion intermediates as proposed previously (Healy, M.J.,, and Christen, P. (1973) Biochemistry 12, 35-41).", "PMID": 776982} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4824", "title": "Solitary unicameral bone cyst: treatment with freeze-dried crushed cortical-bone allograft. A review of one hundred and forty-four cases.", "content": "One hundred and forty-four solitary bone cysts were treated by curettage and packing with freeze-dried crushed cortical-bone allograft. One hundred and eight healed primarily. There was a higher rate of recurrence in young patients (less than ten years old), in active cysts, in females, and in incompletely packed cysts. However, of the cysts that were completely packed, 88 per cent healed. These data show that freeze-dried allogeneic crushed cortical bone is superior to similiarly processed cancellous bone and gives results similar to those achieved with fresh autogenous cancellous bone. Orthopaedic surgeons should therefore consider the use of freeze-dried allogeneic crushed cortical bone instead of autogenous grafts to avoid the morbidity and increased risk of complications associated with the procedure to obtain the autogenous bone.", "contents": "Solitary unicameral bone cyst: treatment with freeze-dried crushed cortical-bone allograft. A review of one hundred and forty-four cases. One hundred and forty-four solitary bone cysts were treated by curettage and packing with freeze-dried crushed cortical-bone allograft. One hundred and eight healed primarily. There was a higher rate of recurrence in young patients (less than ten years old), in active cysts, in females, and in incompletely packed cysts. However, of the cysts that were completely packed, 88 per cent healed. These data show that freeze-dried allogeneic crushed cortical bone is superior to similiarly processed cancellous bone and gives results similar to those achieved with fresh autogenous cancellous bone. Orthopaedic surgeons should therefore consider the use of freeze-dried allogeneic crushed cortical bone instead of autogenous grafts to avoid the morbidity and increased risk of complications associated with the procedure to obtain the autogenous bone.", "PMID": 777005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4825", "title": "Posterior bone-grafting for infected ununited fracture of the tibia.", "content": "Twenty-three patients with severe open tibial fractures complicated by established deep infection and delay or failure of union were treated with posterior tibial bone-grafting. This was followed by immediate ambulation in a plaster cast. Tibial union was achieved in all twenty-three patients. Drainage ceased prior to or simultaneously with union in twenty-one patients, including twelve of fourteen patients who had indolent drainage from the anterior compartment of the leg at the time of posterior tibial bone-grafting.", "contents": "Posterior bone-grafting for infected ununited fracture of the tibia. Twenty-three patients with severe open tibial fractures complicated by established deep infection and delay or failure of union were treated with posterior tibial bone-grafting. This was followed by immediate ambulation in a plaster cast. Tibial union was achieved in all twenty-three patients. Drainage ceased prior to or simultaneously with union in twenty-one patients, including twelve of fourteen patients who had indolent drainage from the anterior compartment of the leg at the time of posterior tibial bone-grafting.", "PMID": 777006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4826", "title": "Restoration of muscle balance of the foot by transfer of the tibialis posterior.", "content": "A new technique of tibialis posterior transfer is described which has been used in a wide variety of conditions producing muscular imbalance in the foot. The results in eighty-five feet are reviewed in terms of range of motion, power and voluntary control of the transfer. The effect of the transfer on shoe wear, on the necessity for bracing and on the child's or his parents' assessment of the results are used to allocate an overall evaluation of the operation. Recommendations on the indications for the operation are given.", "contents": "Restoration of muscle balance of the foot by transfer of the tibialis posterior. A new technique of tibialis posterior transfer is described which has been used in a wide variety of conditions producing muscular imbalance in the foot. The results in eighty-five feet are reviewed in terms of range of motion, power and voluntary control of the transfer. The effect of the transfer on shoe wear, on the necessity for bracing and on the child's or his parents' assessment of the results are used to allocate an overall evaluation of the operation. Recommendations on the indications for the operation are given.", "PMID": 777009} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4827", "title": "Factors in the adherence of flexor tendon after repair: an experimental study in the rabbit.", "content": "The effects of splintage, suture and excision of the tendon sheath on the healing of incompletely transected flexor tendons in the rabbit have been evaluated separately and in various combinations. When all procedures were done together, repair was accompanied by dense adhesion formation with little evidence of any healing activity by the tendon cells. The experiments indicated that the adhesions were the result not of any one single factor studied but of all three contributing in varying degrees. Suturing produced the most adhesions but synovial sheath excision and immobilisation also contributed. It is suggested that these factors are also responsible for the adhesions which occur after flexor tendon repair in clinical practice.", "contents": "Factors in the adherence of flexor tendon after repair: an experimental study in the rabbit. The effects of splintage, suture and excision of the tendon sheath on the healing of incompletely transected flexor tendons in the rabbit have been evaluated separately and in various combinations. When all procedures were done together, repair was accompanied by dense adhesion formation with little evidence of any healing activity by the tendon cells. The experiments indicated that the adhesions were the result not of any one single factor studied but of all three contributing in varying degrees. Suturing produced the most adhesions but synovial sheath excision and immobilisation also contributed. It is suggested that these factors are also responsible for the adhesions which occur after flexor tendon repair in clinical practice.", "PMID": 777010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4828", "title": "Subcellular localization of diffusible ions in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae: quantitative microprobe analysis of thin freeze-dried sections.", "content": "In yeast cells, of which the intracellular potassium had been partly replaced by rubidium or caesium, the intracellular ion distribution was studied by means of energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The cells were rapidly frozen and thin sections were cut at low temperature on a cryo-ultramicrotome without the use of a trough liquid. By this dry cryosectioning procedure, complete retention of the diffusbile ions in the cells was obtained. Unless the sections had been exposed to moisture, no signs of redistribution were apparent. For quantitative determinations a gelatin standard, containing known amounts of the elements of interest, was prepared in the same way as the cells. The concentrations of potassium, rubidium, caesium and chloride in the nucleus, the cytoplasm and the vacuole could be measured. The intracellular distributions of potassium, rubidium and caesium were very similar. The concentrations of these ions in the cytoplasm were about equal to those in the nucleus and twice those in the vacuole. The total concentration in the cytoplasm was 180-190 mmol/kg fresh weight, in the nucleus 190-200 mmol/kg fresh weight and in the vacuole 75-90 mmol/kg fresh weight. The permeability of the yeast cell for chloride is markedly lower than for the cations.", "contents": "Subcellular localization of diffusible ions in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae: quantitative microprobe analysis of thin freeze-dried sections. In yeast cells, of which the intracellular potassium had been partly replaced by rubidium or caesium, the intracellular ion distribution was studied by means of energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The cells were rapidly frozen and thin sections were cut at low temperature on a cryo-ultramicrotome without the use of a trough liquid. By this dry cryosectioning procedure, complete retention of the diffusbile ions in the cells was obtained. Unless the sections had been exposed to moisture, no signs of redistribution were apparent. For quantitative determinations a gelatin standard, containing known amounts of the elements of interest, was prepared in the same way as the cells. The concentrations of potassium, rubidium, caesium and chloride in the nucleus, the cytoplasm and the vacuole could be measured. The intracellular distributions of potassium, rubidium and caesium were very similar. The concentrations of these ions in the cytoplasm were about equal to those in the nucleus and twice those in the vacuole. The total concentration in the cytoplasm was 180-190 mmol/kg fresh weight, in the nucleus 190-200 mmol/kg fresh weight and in the vacuole 75-90 mmol/kg fresh weight. The permeability of the yeast cell for chloride is markedly lower than for the cations.", "PMID": 777014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4829", "title": "Cell organelles at uncoated cryofractured surfaces as viewed with the scanning electron microscope.", "content": "A method of direct visualization of cell organelles by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is described. Plant and animal tissues fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide are treated with the ligand thiocarbohydrazide and a second osmium tetroxide solution, to increase their osmium content. Tissues are then dehydrated, infiltrated with an epoxy monomer, and together solidified with dry ice and fractured. The pieces are transferred to pure acetone, critical-point dried, attached to stubs with silver paint and viewed by SEM. The ligating procedure increases the osmium concentration at its original bonding site sufficiently to render the tissue electrically conductive, thus obviating the need for metallic coating. he organelles at the fractured surface are revaled in relation to their osmium incorporation rather than by surface irregularities as with coating methods. The image derived from the uncoated surface approaches in resolution that of transmission electron micrographs of thin sections. A protion of the image arising from a small distance below the surface, while at progressively lower resolution, provides some 3-dimensional information about cell fine structure.", "contents": "Cell organelles at uncoated cryofractured surfaces as viewed with the scanning electron microscope. A method of direct visualization of cell organelles by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is described. Plant and animal tissues fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide are treated with the ligand thiocarbohydrazide and a second osmium tetroxide solution, to increase their osmium content. Tissues are then dehydrated, infiltrated with an epoxy monomer, and together solidified with dry ice and fractured. The pieces are transferred to pure acetone, critical-point dried, attached to stubs with silver paint and viewed by SEM. The ligating procedure increases the osmium concentration at its original bonding site sufficiently to render the tissue electrically conductive, thus obviating the need for metallic coating. he organelles at the fractured surface are revaled in relation to their osmium incorporation rather than by surface irregularities as with coating methods. The image derived from the uncoated surface approaches in resolution that of transmission electron micrographs of thin sections. A protion of the image arising from a small distance below the surface, while at progressively lower resolution, provides some 3-dimensional information about cell fine structure.", "PMID": 777015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4830", "title": "[Intraepiploic pancreatic autograft in dogs. Blood sugar changes as compared with a group of pancreatectomized dogs].", "content": "The authors used the omentum to envelop thin pancreatic fragments (10 to 18 g. i.e. 1/3 to 1/2 of the canine pancreas). After control of the blood sugar, a total corporo-caudal pancreatectomy was carried out in 21 dogs within 1 to 5 months. Nine survivors from one week to 3 months, permitted them to control the course of the blood sugar with biopsies of the graft and the absence of residual pancreas in the duodeno-hepatic region at autopsy. Compared with a comparative series of 11 dogs which survived total pancreatectomy and required 8 to 22 units of long-acting insulin, the series with autotransplants within the omentum, showed a moderate increase in blood sugar (1,1 to 1,1 g/l). However, progressive or acute cachexia with digestive disorders, frequently fistula of the sub-cutaneous graft were observed. In spite of the progressive and attenuated character of the diabetes, the preservation of secreting endocrine pancreatic islets is only temporary as shown by the histological controls.", "contents": "[Intraepiploic pancreatic autograft in dogs. Blood sugar changes as compared with a group of pancreatectomized dogs]. The authors used the omentum to envelop thin pancreatic fragments (10 to 18 g. i.e. 1/3 to 1/2 of the canine pancreas). After control of the blood sugar, a total corporo-caudal pancreatectomy was carried out in 21 dogs within 1 to 5 months. Nine survivors from one week to 3 months, permitted them to control the course of the blood sugar with biopsies of the graft and the absence of residual pancreas in the duodeno-hepatic region at autopsy. Compared with a comparative series of 11 dogs which survived total pancreatectomy and required 8 to 22 units of long-acting insulin, the series with autotransplants within the omentum, showed a moderate increase in blood sugar (1,1 to 1,1 g/l). However, progressive or acute cachexia with digestive disorders, frequently fistula of the sub-cutaneous graft were observed. In spite of the progressive and attenuated character of the diabetes, the preservation of secreting endocrine pancreatic islets is only temporary as shown by the histological controls.", "PMID": 777016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4831", "title": "Applications of high-performance liquid chromatography in the pharmaceutical industry.", "content": "A survey of the literature has been carried out, covering pharmaceutical applications of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) from 1972-1975. The abstracts are divided into seven groups, viz. alkaloids, antibiotics, nitrogen-containing compounds, steroids, sulphur-containing compounds, formulations, and general analytical techniques. A general resume of the development of HPLC in our own laboratory from 1969 onwards is given together with fourteen chromatograms covering the spectrum of our more novel activities in pharmaceutical analysis.", "contents": "Applications of high-performance liquid chromatography in the pharmaceutical industry. A survey of the literature has been carried out, covering pharmaceutical applications of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) from 1972-1975. The abstracts are divided into seven groups, viz. alkaloids, antibiotics, nitrogen-containing compounds, steroids, sulphur-containing compounds, formulations, and general analytical techniques. A general resume of the development of HPLC in our own laboratory from 1969 onwards is given together with fourteen chromatograms covering the spectrum of our more novel activities in pharmaceutical analysis.", "PMID": 777018} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4832", "title": "Effect of melatonin on the basal and stimulated gonadotropin levels in normal men and postmenopausal women.", "content": "The effect of melatonin on LH and FSH secretion in basal conditions and after stimulation with synthetic LHRH was studied in 3 volunteer normal men and 3 women two to five years after menopause. During the first three days of study, blood samples were obtained at 8 AM. On the second day, an iv injection of 50 mug LHRH was performed; on the third day, 2 ml of 0.9% saline were injected. In both cases, blood samples were obtained 30 and 60 minutes after the injection. On the fourth day, the subjects began melatonin (10 mg daily im for 13 days). Blood samples at 8 AM were obtained after 5, 11, and 13 days of administration of the drug. On days 5 and 11 of the treatment, iv injections of 50 mug LHRH were performed and on day 13 an iv injection of saline 0.9% was given. Blood samples were obtained 30 and 60 minutes after each injection. In each sample LH and FSH levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Melatonin treatment did not cause any significant change in basal or post-stimulation LH and FSH levels either in men or in post-menopausal women. These results do not support previous findings of an insults do not support previous findings of an inhibitory effect of melatonin on gonadotropin secretion, even with the same dose as the one used in this study. Further studies with higher doses of melatonin are needed to clarify the action of this drug on gonadotropin secretion.", "contents": "Effect of melatonin on the basal and stimulated gonadotropin levels in normal men and postmenopausal women. The effect of melatonin on LH and FSH secretion in basal conditions and after stimulation with synthetic LHRH was studied in 3 volunteer normal men and 3 women two to five years after menopause. During the first three days of study, blood samples were obtained at 8 AM. On the second day, an iv injection of 50 mug LHRH was performed; on the third day, 2 ml of 0.9% saline were injected. In both cases, blood samples were obtained 30 and 60 minutes after the injection. On the fourth day, the subjects began melatonin (10 mg daily im for 13 days). Blood samples at 8 AM were obtained after 5, 11, and 13 days of administration of the drug. On days 5 and 11 of the treatment, iv injections of 50 mug LHRH were performed and on day 13 an iv injection of saline 0.9% was given. Blood samples were obtained 30 and 60 minutes after each injection. In each sample LH and FSH levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Melatonin treatment did not cause any significant change in basal or post-stimulation LH and FSH levels either in men or in post-menopausal women. These results do not support previous findings of an insults do not support previous findings of an inhibitory effect of melatonin on gonadotropin secretion, even with the same dose as the one used in this study. Further studies with higher doses of melatonin are needed to clarify the action of this drug on gonadotropin secretion.", "PMID": 777019} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4833", "title": "LH and FSH responsiveness to intravenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in children with hypothalamic or pituitary disorders: lack of effect of replacement therapy with human growth hormone.", "content": "To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of the GnRH test, gonadotropin responses to iv GnRH (Parke-Davis) were determined in 82 young patients (2,5 mo.-21 yr.) and 6 normal men. After extensive evaluation, 40 patients (31 boys and 9 girls) were considered \"endocrinologically normal.\" Repeat tests were performed in 17 patients at 6-12 mo. intervals. Nine patients with presumed isolated hGH deficiency and 3 patients with multiple pituitary deficiencies were studied before and at the end of 12 mo. of hGH therapy. Serial blood samples were obtained before and after an iv bolus injection of GnRH (2.5 mug/kg, 74 tests, or 10 mug/m2, 36 tests). LH and FSH were determined by radioimmunoassay. Maximum concentration, maximum increment (deltamax), and response area were compared with degree of skeletal maturation to evaluate responses. Clinically, the most useful determination was the deltamax LH. All \"normal\" children with bone ages greater than 12 yr had LH responses in or slightly above the range of the values of the 6 normal men: deltamax LH, 39 +/- 8 (SE) mIU/ml; range 13-57. Severely blunted or absent responses were seen in 14/15 patients (bone ages 3 mo.-14 yr.) with multiple pituitary deficiencies. Boys with isolated hGH deficiency and bone ages of less than 10 yr had significantly lower responses than \"short normal\" boys with similar skeletal maturation: deltamax LH, 4.8 +/- 0.9 vs 8 +/- 1.3 mIU/ml, P is less than .05. Although the mean growth velocity of hGH-treated children increased from 3.2 to 8.9 cm/yr, LH and FSH responses were unchanged. These studies indicate that 1) children with idiopathic hypopituitarism (including those with presumed isolated hGH deficiency) have significantly decreased responsiveness to GnRH which does not respond to 6 to 12 months of hGH treatment; and 2) decreased responsiveness to GnRH in patients with bone ages of greater than 12 yr is presumptive evidence of gonadotropin deficiency.", "contents": "LH and FSH responsiveness to intravenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in children with hypothalamic or pituitary disorders: lack of effect of replacement therapy with human growth hormone. To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of the GnRH test, gonadotropin responses to iv GnRH (Parke-Davis) were determined in 82 young patients (2,5 mo.-21 yr.) and 6 normal men. After extensive evaluation, 40 patients (31 boys and 9 girls) were considered \"endocrinologically normal.\" Repeat tests were performed in 17 patients at 6-12 mo. intervals. Nine patients with presumed isolated hGH deficiency and 3 patients with multiple pituitary deficiencies were studied before and at the end of 12 mo. of hGH therapy. Serial blood samples were obtained before and after an iv bolus injection of GnRH (2.5 mug/kg, 74 tests, or 10 mug/m2, 36 tests). LH and FSH were determined by radioimmunoassay. Maximum concentration, maximum increment (deltamax), and response area were compared with degree of skeletal maturation to evaluate responses. Clinically, the most useful determination was the deltamax LH. All \"normal\" children with bone ages greater than 12 yr had LH responses in or slightly above the range of the values of the 6 normal men: deltamax LH, 39 +/- 8 (SE) mIU/ml; range 13-57. Severely blunted or absent responses were seen in 14/15 patients (bone ages 3 mo.-14 yr.) with multiple pituitary deficiencies. Boys with isolated hGH deficiency and bone ages of less than 10 yr had significantly lower responses than \"short normal\" boys with similar skeletal maturation: deltamax LH, 4.8 +/- 0.9 vs 8 +/- 1.3 mIU/ml, P is less than .05. Although the mean growth velocity of hGH-treated children increased from 3.2 to 8.9 cm/yr, LH and FSH responses were unchanged. These studies indicate that 1) children with idiopathic hypopituitarism (including those with presumed isolated hGH deficiency) have significantly decreased responsiveness to GnRH which does not respond to 6 to 12 months of hGH treatment; and 2) decreased responsiveness to GnRH in patients with bone ages of greater than 12 yr is presumptive evidence of gonadotropin deficiency.", "PMID": 777020} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4834", "title": "Role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in puerperal infertility.", "content": "To gain further insight into the mechanisms of postpartum infertility, plasma gonadotropins, prolactin, estradiol, and progesterone were measured following either iv LHRH or im menopausal gonadotropins (Pergonal) to postpartum women. Plasma estradiol and progesterone rose significantly between 24-72 hours following hMG injection. The response was similar in both nursing and non-nursing women throughout the intermediate and late postpartum study interval. No gonadotropin response was observed following LHRH injection in the early puerperium. Beyond five postpartum weeks, a significantly greater response following LHRH was observed in nursing compared with non-nursing women. A subsequent and significant rise in estradiol correlated with the magnitude of the LHRH-induced increment. Basal prolactin levels in nursing women were significantly greater than in non-nursing women but were unchanged after either hMG or LHRH. We conclude that the postpartum ovary is not refractory to either direct exogenous gonadotropin stimulation or to endogenously released gonadotropins, at least as far as estrogen production is concerned. Furthermore, the difference in the pituitary response to LHRH in nursing and non-nursing women may reflect a difference in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Elevated prolactin secretion in response to nursing may be involved in postpartum infertility, but the specific role remaine unclear.", "contents": "Role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in puerperal infertility. To gain further insight into the mechanisms of postpartum infertility, plasma gonadotropins, prolactin, estradiol, and progesterone were measured following either iv LHRH or im menopausal gonadotropins (Pergonal) to postpartum women. Plasma estradiol and progesterone rose significantly between 24-72 hours following hMG injection. The response was similar in both nursing and non-nursing women throughout the intermediate and late postpartum study interval. No gonadotropin response was observed following LHRH injection in the early puerperium. Beyond five postpartum weeks, a significantly greater response following LHRH was observed in nursing compared with non-nursing women. A subsequent and significant rise in estradiol correlated with the magnitude of the LHRH-induced increment. Basal prolactin levels in nursing women were significantly greater than in non-nursing women but were unchanged after either hMG or LHRH. We conclude that the postpartum ovary is not refractory to either direct exogenous gonadotropin stimulation or to endogenously released gonadotropins, at least as far as estrogen production is concerned. Furthermore, the difference in the pituitary response to LHRH in nursing and non-nursing women may reflect a difference in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Elevated prolactin secretion in response to nursing may be involved in postpartum infertility, but the specific role remaine unclear.", "PMID": 777021} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4835", "title": "Changing patterns of FSH and LH response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the puerperium.", "content": "Gonadotropin responses to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH or LRF), as well as basal concentrations of gonadogropins, estradiol, and prolactin, were determined at weekly intervals during the first eight weeks post partum in seven non-nursing, non-steroid-treated women. The results were compared with those of a group of eleven women studied on the second day of the menstrual cycle. In the postpartum group, baseline concentrations of LH and FSH similar to those seen in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle occurred by the third week post partum. In response to an iv bolus of 100 mug GnRH, elevations of serum LH: 1) occurred as early as the second postpartum week; 2) were less than those of women during the early follicular phase until the fourth postpartum week; and 3) were exaggerated (when compared with those ob subjects in the early follicular phase) during the fifth through the eighth week post partum. Similarly, the FSH responses to GnRH in the puerperium were similar to those of the subjects during the early follicular phase by the third week post partum, and were exaggerated during the second month post partum. These studies demonstrate that human pregnancy is followed by a period of relative pituitary refractoriness followed by one of increased responsiveness to GnRH.", "contents": "Changing patterns of FSH and LH response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the puerperium. Gonadotropin responses to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH or LRF), as well as basal concentrations of gonadogropins, estradiol, and prolactin, were determined at weekly intervals during the first eight weeks post partum in seven non-nursing, non-steroid-treated women. The results were compared with those of a group of eleven women studied on the second day of the menstrual cycle. In the postpartum group, baseline concentrations of LH and FSH similar to those seen in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle occurred by the third week post partum. In response to an iv bolus of 100 mug GnRH, elevations of serum LH: 1) occurred as early as the second postpartum week; 2) were less than those of women during the early follicular phase until the fourth postpartum week; and 3) were exaggerated (when compared with those ob subjects in the early follicular phase) during the fifth through the eighth week post partum. Similarly, the FSH responses to GnRH in the puerperium were similar to those of the subjects during the early follicular phase by the third week post partum, and were exaggerated during the second month post partum. These studies demonstrate that human pregnancy is followed by a period of relative pituitary refractoriness followed by one of increased responsiveness to GnRH.", "PMID": 777022} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4836", "title": "Metoclopramide stimulates prolactin secretion in man.", "content": "Serum prolactin concentrations increased approximately 6-fold after oral or intravenous administration of 10 mg of metoclopramide to adult men. Prolactin remained significantly elevated up to 9 h after oral metoclopramide and for at least 2 h after iv metoclopramide. Bethanechol did not increase serum prolactin, and atropine did not inhibit metoclopramide-induced prolactin elevation, suggesting that the cholinergic-like properties of metoclopramide were not responsible for the observed prolactin responses. Pre-treatment with 500 mg L-dopa inhibited the early metoclopramide-induced prolactin increase, which is consistent with the possibility that metoclopramide acts by inhibiting dopamine-mediated hypothalamic secretion of prolactin inhibitory factor. As a potent stimulus of prolactin release, metoclopramide may be useful in clinical investigation of hypothalamic-pituitary function.", "contents": "Metoclopramide stimulates prolactin secretion in man. Serum prolactin concentrations increased approximately 6-fold after oral or intravenous administration of 10 mg of metoclopramide to adult men. Prolactin remained significantly elevated up to 9 h after oral metoclopramide and for at least 2 h after iv metoclopramide. Bethanechol did not increase serum prolactin, and atropine did not inhibit metoclopramide-induced prolactin elevation, suggesting that the cholinergic-like properties of metoclopramide were not responsible for the observed prolactin responses. Pre-treatment with 500 mg L-dopa inhibited the early metoclopramide-induced prolactin increase, which is consistent with the possibility that metoclopramide acts by inhibiting dopamine-mediated hypothalamic secretion of prolactin inhibitory factor. As a potent stimulus of prolactin release, metoclopramide may be useful in clinical investigation of hypothalamic-pituitary function.", "PMID": 777023} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4837", "title": "Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for streptococcal M protein antibodies.", "content": "The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) described by Engvall and Perlmann, which uses antigen-coated tubes and enzyme-labeled anti-immunoglobulin, has been used for the detection of antibodies against streptococcal M protein. The antigen used in the assay was obtained by guanidine extraction of type M-12 streptococcal cell walls followed by hydroxyapatite chromatography. This antigen has the capacity to elicit bactericidal antibodies in rabbits. The results show that the ELISA is specific and highly sensitive for the detection of antibodies in rabbit and human antisera. Preliminary results suggest that, when M-12 antigen is used, the antibodies detected by ELISA are the same antibodies detected in the bactericidal test. The assay has been performed with human and rabbit sera. There was a 96% agreement between bactericidal and ELISA results with rabbit sera and 97.5% agreement with human sera. All bactericidal antibody-positive sera tested thus far yielded positive ELISA results.", "contents": "Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for streptococcal M protein antibodies. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) described by Engvall and Perlmann, which uses antigen-coated tubes and enzyme-labeled anti-immunoglobulin, has been used for the detection of antibodies against streptococcal M protein. The antigen used in the assay was obtained by guanidine extraction of type M-12 streptococcal cell walls followed by hydroxyapatite chromatography. This antigen has the capacity to elicit bactericidal antibodies in rabbits. The results show that the ELISA is specific and highly sensitive for the detection of antibodies in rabbit and human antisera. Preliminary results suggest that, when M-12 antigen is used, the antibodies detected by ELISA are the same antibodies detected in the bactericidal test. The assay has been performed with human and rabbit sera. There was a 96% agreement between bactericidal and ELISA results with rabbit sera and 97.5% agreement with human sera. All bactericidal antibody-positive sera tested thus far yielded positive ELISA results.", "PMID": 777024} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4838", "title": "Direct measurement of microplates and its application to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.", "content": "A commercially available system for enzyme analysis was adapted for high-speed reading of microplates in which the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed.", "contents": "Direct measurement of microplates and its application to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A commercially available system for enzyme analysis was adapted for high-speed reading of microplates in which the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed.", "PMID": 777025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4839", "title": "Collagen polymorphism in idiopathic chronic pulmonary fibrosis.", "content": "Collagens in normal human lung and in idiopathic chronic fibrosis were investigated in terms of their covalent structure and compared for possible alterations in the diseased state. Collagens were solubilized by limited digestion with pepsin under nondenaturing conditions, and after purification they, were fractionated into types I and III. Carboxymethylcellulose and agarose chromatography of both types I and III collagens, and amino acid and carbohydrate analyses of the resulting alpha-chains indicated that the alpha 1 (I), alpha 2, and alpha 1 (III) chains of normal human lung were identical with the human skin alpha-chains in all respects examined except that the normal lung chains contained higher levels of hydroxylysine. Examination of collagens obtained from the diseased lung revealed that the content of hydroxylysine of the alpha 1 (I) and the alpha 1 (III) chains appeared to be diminished as compared to the normal lung chains. The values, expressed as residues per 1,000 residues, are 7.1 and 8.3 for the alpha 1 (I) and the alpha 1 (III) chains, respectively, as compared to 10.0 and 11.1 for the alpha-chains from the normal tissue. The chromatographic properties and amino acid and carbohydrate composition of the alpha-chains from the diseased tissue were otherwise indistinguishable from those of normal lung. In addition, isolation and characterization of the CNBr peptides of alpha 1 (I), alpha 2 and alpha 1 (III) from the diseased lung revealed no significant differences from the CNBr peptides from other human tissues reported previously. Normal and diseased lungs were also digested with CNBr, and the resultant alpha 1 (I) and alpha 1 (III) peptides were separated chromatographically. The relative quantities of these peptides indicate that type III collagen constitutes 33% of the total collagen in normal human lung, with the remainder being type I, whereas in idiopathic chronic pulmonary fibrosis, the relative content of type III collagen is markedly diminished, ranging from 12 to 24% in different patients. These results indicate that an alteration in tissue collagen polymorphism as well as subtle variations in the collagen structure accompany the fibrotic process in the diseased state, and suggest that these alterations may have possible pathogenetic implications.", "contents": "Collagen polymorphism in idiopathic chronic pulmonary fibrosis. Collagens in normal human lung and in idiopathic chronic fibrosis were investigated in terms of their covalent structure and compared for possible alterations in the diseased state. Collagens were solubilized by limited digestion with pepsin under nondenaturing conditions, and after purification they, were fractionated into types I and III. Carboxymethylcellulose and agarose chromatography of both types I and III collagens, and amino acid and carbohydrate analyses of the resulting alpha-chains indicated that the alpha 1 (I), alpha 2, and alpha 1 (III) chains of normal human lung were identical with the human skin alpha-chains in all respects examined except that the normal lung chains contained higher levels of hydroxylysine. Examination of collagens obtained from the diseased lung revealed that the content of hydroxylysine of the alpha 1 (I) and the alpha 1 (III) chains appeared to be diminished as compared to the normal lung chains. The values, expressed as residues per 1,000 residues, are 7.1 and 8.3 for the alpha 1 (I) and the alpha 1 (III) chains, respectively, as compared to 10.0 and 11.1 for the alpha-chains from the normal tissue. The chromatographic properties and amino acid and carbohydrate composition of the alpha-chains from the diseased tissue were otherwise indistinguishable from those of normal lung. In addition, isolation and characterization of the CNBr peptides of alpha 1 (I), alpha 2 and alpha 1 (III) from the diseased lung revealed no significant differences from the CNBr peptides from other human tissues reported previously. Normal and diseased lungs were also digested with CNBr, and the resultant alpha 1 (I) and alpha 1 (III) peptides were separated chromatographically. The relative quantities of these peptides indicate that type III collagen constitutes 33% of the total collagen in normal human lung, with the remainder being type I, whereas in idiopathic chronic pulmonary fibrosis, the relative content of type III collagen is markedly diminished, ranging from 12 to 24% in different patients. These results indicate that an alteration in tissue collagen polymorphism as well as subtle variations in the collagen structure accompany the fibrotic process in the diseased state, and suggest that these alterations may have possible pathogenetic implications.", "PMID": 777026} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4840", "title": "Hereditary deficiency of the fifth component of complement in man. II. Biological properties of C5-deficient human serum.", "content": "The first known human kindred with hereditary deficiency of the fifth component of complement (C5) was documented in the accompanying report. This study examines several biological properties of C5-deficient (C5D) human serum, particularly sera obtained from two C5D homozygotes. The proband, who has inactive systemic lupus erythematosus is completely lacking C5, while her healthy half-sister has 1-2% of normal levels. Both sera were severely impaired in their ability to generate chemotactic activity for normal human neutrophils upon incubation with aggregated human gamma-globulin or Escherichia coli endotoxin. This function was fully restored in the sibling's serum, and substantially improved in the proband's serum, by addition of highly purified human C5 to normal serum concentrations. Sera from eight family members who were apparently heterozygous for C5 deficiency gave normal chemotactic scores. The ability of C5D serum to opsonize Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) or Candida albicans for ingestion by normal neutrophils was completely normal. In addition, C5D serum was capable of promoting normal phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus. The proband's serum was incapable of mediating lysis of erythrocytes from a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in both the sucrose hemolysia and acid hemolysis tests, and also lacked bactericidal activity against sensitized or unsensitized Salmonella typhi. The sibling's serum, containing only 1-2% of normal C5, effectively lysed S. typhi, but only at eightfold lower serum dilutions as compared to normals. These findings underscore the critical role of C5 in the generation of chemotactic activity and in cytolytic reactions, as opposed to a nonobligatory or minimal role in opsonization, at least for the organisms under study.", "contents": "Hereditary deficiency of the fifth component of complement in man. II. Biological properties of C5-deficient human serum. The first known human kindred with hereditary deficiency of the fifth component of complement (C5) was documented in the accompanying report. This study examines several biological properties of C5-deficient (C5D) human serum, particularly sera obtained from two C5D homozygotes. The proband, who has inactive systemic lupus erythematosus is completely lacking C5, while her healthy half-sister has 1-2% of normal levels. Both sera were severely impaired in their ability to generate chemotactic activity for normal human neutrophils upon incubation with aggregated human gamma-globulin or Escherichia coli endotoxin. This function was fully restored in the sibling's serum, and substantially improved in the proband's serum, by addition of highly purified human C5 to normal serum concentrations. Sera from eight family members who were apparently heterozygous for C5 deficiency gave normal chemotactic scores. The ability of C5D serum to opsonize Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) or Candida albicans for ingestion by normal neutrophils was completely normal. In addition, C5D serum was capable of promoting normal phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus. The proband's serum was incapable of mediating lysis of erythrocytes from a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in both the sucrose hemolysia and acid hemolysis tests, and also lacked bactericidal activity against sensitized or unsensitized Salmonella typhi. The sibling's serum, containing only 1-2% of normal C5, effectively lysed S. typhi, but only at eightfold lower serum dilutions as compared to normals. These findings underscore the critical role of C5 in the generation of chemotactic activity and in cytolytic reactions, as opposed to a nonobligatory or minimal role in opsonization, at least for the organisms under study.", "PMID": 777027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4841", "title": "Alterations in T and B lymphocytes in heart transplant patients early and late postoperatively.", "content": "Alterations in the percent and absolute number of thymus-derived (T) and bursa-equivalent (B) lymphocytes in peripheral blood were followed in 10 patients treated with antithymocyte globulin, prednisone, and azathioprine after cardiac transplantation. During the 1st postoperative wk the percent of T cells dropped below 10% in almost all cases (normal range, 65-91%) with a concomitant rise in the percent of B cells. However, the absolute T- and B-cell counts were both markedly depressed (less than 200 cells/mm3). During the 7-wk postoperative period the percent of T cells rose to 45-60% and the absolute count rose from 100 to 350 cells/mm3 (normal range, 1,092-2,400 cells/mm3). Although the percent of B cells was elevated (35-50%) during this period, the absolute B-cell count remained below the range of normals (268-640 cells/mm3). Follow-up of long-term survivors (3-60 mo postoperative) showed a continued marked T (467 cells/mm3) and B (95 cells/mm3) lymphocytopenia. Chronological relationships between the percent and absolute T-cell count and episodes of graft rejection in individual patients are discussed as possible adjuncts in the prediction of rejection crises.", "contents": "Alterations in T and B lymphocytes in heart transplant patients early and late postoperatively. Alterations in the percent and absolute number of thymus-derived (T) and bursa-equivalent (B) lymphocytes in peripheral blood were followed in 10 patients treated with antithymocyte globulin, prednisone, and azathioprine after cardiac transplantation. During the 1st postoperative wk the percent of T cells dropped below 10% in almost all cases (normal range, 65-91%) with a concomitant rise in the percent of B cells. However, the absolute T- and B-cell counts were both markedly depressed (less than 200 cells/mm3). During the 7-wk postoperative period the percent of T cells rose to 45-60% and the absolute count rose from 100 to 350 cells/mm3 (normal range, 1,092-2,400 cells/mm3). Although the percent of B cells was elevated (35-50%) during this period, the absolute B-cell count remained below the range of normals (268-640 cells/mm3). Follow-up of long-term survivors (3-60 mo postoperative) showed a continued marked T (467 cells/mm3) and B (95 cells/mm3) lymphocytopenia. Chronological relationships between the percent and absolute T-cell count and episodes of graft rejection in individual patients are discussed as possible adjuncts in the prediction of rejection crises.", "PMID": 777028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4842", "title": "Defective neutrophil chemotaxis in bone marrow transplant patients.", "content": "Infection is a frequent cause of death in patients receiving bone marrow transplants. Although lymphocyte dysfunction has been observed in a few such patients, no systematic study of neutrophil function has yet been reported. Neutrophil chemotaxis was evaluated by a 51Cr-radioassay after bone marrow transplantation in 34 patients with acute leukemia or aplastic anemia. The response to a chemotactic stimulus (C5a) was severely depressed (less than 35% of normal) in 18 patients, moderately depressed (35-65% of normal) in an additional 6, and normal in 10 subjects. The mean response in the absence of graft vs. host disease and antithymocyte globulin administration was 73.3+/-9.2% (SE) in contrast to 29.7+/-9.6% (P is less than 0.01) in patients with graft vs. host disease treated with antithymocyte golbulin. Both graft vs. host disease and antithymocyte globulin were implicated since the presence of either factor alone was associated with depressed chemotaxis (31.1+/-4.9% for graft vs. host disease, P is less than 0.01; 17.0+/-7.8% for antithymocyte globulin, P is less than 0.02). When normal neutrophils were incubated with antithymocyte globulin in vitro, their chemotactic response was markedly suppressed in the absence of a cytotoxic effect. Transplant patients with defective chemotaxis experienced significantly more infections than those with normal chemotaxis, and analysis of specific etiologic agents showed that this was predominantly related to bacterial pathogens. Chemotactic inhibitors were detected in the sera of seven patients and elevated IgE levels were found in nine subjects, eight of whom had graft vs. host disease. Generation of chemotactic activity by endotoxin activation of serum was reduced in five patients. The results demonstrate a severe defect in neutrophil chemotaxis in some bone marrow transplant patients and suggest that neutrophil dysfunction may predispose to infection in such patients.", "contents": "Defective neutrophil chemotaxis in bone marrow transplant patients. Infection is a frequent cause of death in patients receiving bone marrow transplants. Although lymphocyte dysfunction has been observed in a few such patients, no systematic study of neutrophil function has yet been reported. Neutrophil chemotaxis was evaluated by a 51Cr-radioassay after bone marrow transplantation in 34 patients with acute leukemia or aplastic anemia. The response to a chemotactic stimulus (C5a) was severely depressed (less than 35% of normal) in 18 patients, moderately depressed (35-65% of normal) in an additional 6, and normal in 10 subjects. The mean response in the absence of graft vs. host disease and antithymocyte globulin administration was 73.3+/-9.2% (SE) in contrast to 29.7+/-9.6% (P is less than 0.01) in patients with graft vs. host disease treated with antithymocyte golbulin. Both graft vs. host disease and antithymocyte globulin were implicated since the presence of either factor alone was associated with depressed chemotaxis (31.1+/-4.9% for graft vs. host disease, P is less than 0.01; 17.0+/-7.8% for antithymocyte globulin, P is less than 0.02). When normal neutrophils were incubated with antithymocyte globulin in vitro, their chemotactic response was markedly suppressed in the absence of a cytotoxic effect. Transplant patients with defective chemotaxis experienced significantly more infections than those with normal chemotaxis, and analysis of specific etiologic agents showed that this was predominantly related to bacterial pathogens. Chemotactic inhibitors were detected in the sera of seven patients and elevated IgE levels were found in nine subjects, eight of whom had graft vs. host disease. Generation of chemotactic activity by endotoxin activation of serum was reduced in five patients. The results demonstrate a severe defect in neutrophil chemotaxis in some bone marrow transplant patients and suggest that neutrophil dysfunction may predispose to infection in such patients.", "PMID": 777029} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4843", "title": "Disturbed islet-cell function related to endogenous gastrin release. Studies on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in pernicious anemia.", "content": "The insulin and gastrin response to oral glucose, intravenous glucose, or a protein-rich meal were measured in 44 nondiabetic patients with pernicious anemia (PA) and in 44 control subjects. 36 of the PA-patients had hypergastrinemia, while serum gastrin concentrations in the remaining eight patients were below normal. Three hypergastrinemic PA-patients were in addition studied during an oral glucose loading with synchronous intravenous infusion of gastrin-17. During both oral and intravenous glucose tests blood glucose concentrations were similar in patients and in controls. After ingestion of protein blood glucose concentrations in PA-patients with hypergastrinemia were above those of the controls (P less than 0.05). Parenteral infusion of gastrin-17 during oral glucose loading also increased blood glucose concentrations above the levels observed after glucose alone. In PA-patients with hypergastrinemia the insulin response was augmented in all tests. In patients with hypogastrinemia serum insulin concentrations were lower than normal in the fasting state and during stimulation with glucose intravenously (P less than 0.01). In hypergastrinemic patients serum gastrin concentrations decreased after oral as well as intravenous glucose administration. The decrease was larger during the oral test. In hypogastrinemia oral glucose induced, as in controls, a small initial rise followed by a slow fall in serum gastrin concentrations. No variations were seen in these patients during the intravenous glucose infusion. Gel filtration of serum from hypergastrinemic patients disclosed a decrease in the concentrations of all four main components of gastrin during the glucose loadings. Taken together with earlier studies on the effect of exogenous gastrin the results suggest that endogenous hypergastrinemia induces hyperglycemia and potentiates insulin secretion. In contrast hypogastrinemia is associated with hypoinsulinism.", "contents": "Disturbed islet-cell function related to endogenous gastrin release. Studies on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in pernicious anemia. The insulin and gastrin response to oral glucose, intravenous glucose, or a protein-rich meal were measured in 44 nondiabetic patients with pernicious anemia (PA) and in 44 control subjects. 36 of the PA-patients had hypergastrinemia, while serum gastrin concentrations in the remaining eight patients were below normal. Three hypergastrinemic PA-patients were in addition studied during an oral glucose loading with synchronous intravenous infusion of gastrin-17. During both oral and intravenous glucose tests blood glucose concentrations were similar in patients and in controls. After ingestion of protein blood glucose concentrations in PA-patients with hypergastrinemia were above those of the controls (P less than 0.05). Parenteral infusion of gastrin-17 during oral glucose loading also increased blood glucose concentrations above the levels observed after glucose alone. In PA-patients with hypergastrinemia the insulin response was augmented in all tests. In patients with hypogastrinemia serum insulin concentrations were lower than normal in the fasting state and during stimulation with glucose intravenously (P less than 0.01). In hypergastrinemic patients serum gastrin concentrations decreased after oral as well as intravenous glucose administration. The decrease was larger during the oral test. In hypogastrinemia oral glucose induced, as in controls, a small initial rise followed by a slow fall in serum gastrin concentrations. No variations were seen in these patients during the intravenous glucose infusion. Gel filtration of serum from hypergastrinemic patients disclosed a decrease in the concentrations of all four main components of gastrin during the glucose loadings. Taken together with earlier studies on the effect of exogenous gastrin the results suggest that endogenous hypergastrinemia induces hyperglycemia and potentiates insulin secretion. In contrast hypogastrinemia is associated with hypoinsulinism.", "PMID": 777030} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4844", "title": "Clinicopathological spectrum of late postpartum renal failure; two contrasting cases.", "content": "The clinical and renal biopsy findings from two patients in whom renal functional abnormalities developed in the late postpartum period are described. Both biopsies showed fibrin deposition in the renal vasculature, in one case marked and in the other mild. The patient with the more severely damaged kidney subsequently died, and the other is alive but with evidence of slowly progressing renal damage. The clinicopathological spectrum and pathogenesis of late postpartum renal failure are discussed.", "contents": "Clinicopathological spectrum of late postpartum renal failure; two contrasting cases. The clinical and renal biopsy findings from two patients in whom renal functional abnormalities developed in the late postpartum period are described. Both biopsies showed fibrin deposition in the renal vasculature, in one case marked and in the other mild. The patient with the more severely damaged kidney subsequently died, and the other is alive but with evidence of slowly progressing renal damage. The clinicopathological spectrum and pathogenesis of late postpartum renal failure are discussed.", "PMID": 777031} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4845", "title": "Re-evaluation of heat precipitation method for plasma fibrinogen estimation: effect of abnormal proteins and plasma viscosity.", "content": "The heat precipitation method (Aberdeen method) was compared with the Ratnoff and Menzie method of fibrinogen assay in 320 donors, including normals and patients suffering from malignant melanoma, renal failure, hypertension, multiple myeloma, etc. Excellent correlation (r=0-8287, p less than 0-000 000 1) was found between these two methods. However, on some occasions individual low results were obtained by the Aberdeen method in the presence of cryoglobulins or excessively high plasma viscosity. The latter effect was tested also by additions of albumin, glucose, and dextrans.", "contents": "Re-evaluation of heat precipitation method for plasma fibrinogen estimation: effect of abnormal proteins and plasma viscosity. The heat precipitation method (Aberdeen method) was compared with the Ratnoff and Menzie method of fibrinogen assay in 320 donors, including normals and patients suffering from malignant melanoma, renal failure, hypertension, multiple myeloma, etc. Excellent correlation (r=0-8287, p less than 0-000 000 1) was found between these two methods. However, on some occasions individual low results were obtained by the Aberdeen method in the presence of cryoglobulins or excessively high plasma viscosity. The latter effect was tested also by additions of albumin, glucose, and dextrans.", "PMID": 777032} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4846", "title": "Significance of subnormal red-cell folate in thalassaemia.", "content": "Subnormal red-cell folate values were encountered in 20 of 63 thalassaemic subjects in a population with a low incidence of megaloblastosis. The abnormality was not associated with haematological changes of megaloblastosis and could not be explained on the basis of incomplete liberation of intra-erythrocytic folates, serum conjugase deficiency of vitamin B12 deficiency. Evidence is presented to indicate that it is unlikely to represent a state of subclinical folate deficiency. The exact cause of the abnormality is unknown.", "contents": "Significance of subnormal red-cell folate in thalassaemia. Subnormal red-cell folate values were encountered in 20 of 63 thalassaemic subjects in a population with a low incidence of megaloblastosis. The abnormality was not associated with haematological changes of megaloblastosis and could not be explained on the basis of incomplete liberation of intra-erythrocytic folates, serum conjugase deficiency of vitamin B12 deficiency. Evidence is presented to indicate that it is unlikely to represent a state of subclinical folate deficiency. The exact cause of the abnormality is unknown.", "PMID": 777033} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4847", "title": "Weber-Christian panniculitis and auto-immune disease: a case report.", "content": "A case is described of Weber-Christian panniculitis accompanied by a gammaglobulin disturbance which preceded by five years the diagnosis of an autoimmune hepatitis and pancytopenia. Also associated was the onset of diabetes mellitus, found at necropsy to be related to pancreatic islet amyloid deposition. This case reinforces the view that Weber-Christian panniculitis may be an adipose response to a variety of immunological stimuli.", "contents": "Weber-Christian panniculitis and auto-immune disease: a case report. A case is described of Weber-Christian panniculitis accompanied by a gammaglobulin disturbance which preceded by five years the diagnosis of an autoimmune hepatitis and pancytopenia. Also associated was the onset of diabetes mellitus, found at necropsy to be related to pancreatic islet amyloid deposition. This case reinforces the view that Weber-Christian panniculitis may be an adipose response to a variety of immunological stimuli.", "PMID": 777034} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4848", "title": "A comparison of two commerical methods for the identification of the Enterobacteriaceae--API 20E and the Enterotube--with conventional methods.", "content": "The API 20E, the Enterotube, and routine methods of Cowan and Steel were used in parallel to identify 245 members of the Enterobacteriaceae. The API 20E and conventional methods gave the same identification in all but 2 (0-8%) of the 245 organisms tested. The Enterotube correctly identified 85% of these organisms on the first testing. On re-testing those organisms incorrectly identified the Enterotube results agreed with the conventional ones in a further 20 (8%). There was no change in the identification obtained by the API or conventional methods. Further conventional sugar tests were necessary before final identification was available by the API system in 7 (3%) against 106 (47%) of the 226 organisms correctly identified by the Enterotube. The Enterotube relied on serological testing alone to distinguish between alternatives in 17 (7%) isolates. Other advantages and disadvantages of these systems are discussed.", "contents": "A comparison of two commerical methods for the identification of the Enterobacteriaceae--API 20E and the Enterotube--with conventional methods. The API 20E, the Enterotube, and routine methods of Cowan and Steel were used in parallel to identify 245 members of the Enterobacteriaceae. The API 20E and conventional methods gave the same identification in all but 2 (0-8%) of the 245 organisms tested. The Enterotube correctly identified 85% of these organisms on the first testing. On re-testing those organisms incorrectly identified the Enterotube results agreed with the conventional ones in a further 20 (8%). There was no change in the identification obtained by the API or conventional methods. Further conventional sugar tests were necessary before final identification was available by the API system in 7 (3%) against 106 (47%) of the 226 organisms correctly identified by the Enterotube. The Enterotube relied on serological testing alone to distinguish between alternatives in 17 (7%) isolates. Other advantages and disadvantages of these systems are discussed.", "PMID": 777035} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4849", "title": "Activity and interaction of trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole against Escherichia coli.", "content": "The activity of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulphamethoxazole (SMX), alone and in combination, against a sensitive strain of Escherichia coli was investigated in turbidimetric systems. In a static system in which the conditions of exposure of bacteria to drug resembled those of conventional minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) titrations, both TMP and SMX exhibited antibacterial activity at concentrations well below the conventionally determined MIC, but regrowth occured at these concentrations during the overnight incubation period due to the emergence of adaptively resistant bacteria. Tests of combined drug action in the static turbidimetric system revealed even more synergic interaction than was apparent in conventional MIC tests. It is suggested that an important component of overall synergic interaction is the mutual suppression of adaptive \"resistance\" to the other agent. Studies in an in vitro model which simulates the hydrokinetic features of the urinary bladder showed that concentrations of TMP and SMX below the conventionally determined MIC inhibited the growth even of extremely dense bacterial populations so long as the concentration of drug was maintained. The response of cultures exposed to combinations of TMP and SMX in this system was so dominated by the effect of TMP that no synergic interaction with SMX was noted at concentrations of the drugs which are achievable in urine.", "contents": "Activity and interaction of trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole against Escherichia coli. The activity of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulphamethoxazole (SMX), alone and in combination, against a sensitive strain of Escherichia coli was investigated in turbidimetric systems. In a static system in which the conditions of exposure of bacteria to drug resembled those of conventional minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) titrations, both TMP and SMX exhibited antibacterial activity at concentrations well below the conventionally determined MIC, but regrowth occured at these concentrations during the overnight incubation period due to the emergence of adaptively resistant bacteria. Tests of combined drug action in the static turbidimetric system revealed even more synergic interaction than was apparent in conventional MIC tests. It is suggested that an important component of overall synergic interaction is the mutual suppression of adaptive \"resistance\" to the other agent. Studies in an in vitro model which simulates the hydrokinetic features of the urinary bladder showed that concentrations of TMP and SMX below the conventionally determined MIC inhibited the growth even of extremely dense bacterial populations so long as the concentration of drug was maintained. The response of cultures exposed to combinations of TMP and SMX in this system was so dominated by the effect of TMP that no synergic interaction with SMX was noted at concentrations of the drugs which are achievable in urine.", "PMID": 777036} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4850", "title": "Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the liver of patients with hepatitis; a comparison with serological detection.", "content": "Chronic hepatitis was diagnosed on liver biopsy of 76 patients; 52 (68%)had HBsAg. Of the 52 patients with HBsAg, 23% had HBsAg shown by immunofluorescence on the liver, while it could not be detected with radioimmunoassay on the serum; 77% had HBsAg detectable in liver and in serum, and none had HBsAg in serum only. HBsAg was detected more frequently in chronic aggressive hepatitis and active cirrhosis than in chronic persistent hepatitis and cirrhosis with little activity. No correlation was found in the different forms of chronic hepatitis between the HBsAg status on the one hand, and levels of transaminases, gammaglobulins, and auto-antibodies on the other. Acute hepatitis was diagnosed on liver biopsy of 24 patients; 50% had HBsAg. Liver tissue positivity was very low in the fully developed stage compared to serum positivity. In 146 patients with other liver ailments, both liver and serum were negative for HBsAg.", "contents": "Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the liver of patients with hepatitis; a comparison with serological detection. Chronic hepatitis was diagnosed on liver biopsy of 76 patients; 52 (68%)had HBsAg. Of the 52 patients with HBsAg, 23% had HBsAg shown by immunofluorescence on the liver, while it could not be detected with radioimmunoassay on the serum; 77% had HBsAg detectable in liver and in serum, and none had HBsAg in serum only. HBsAg was detected more frequently in chronic aggressive hepatitis and active cirrhosis than in chronic persistent hepatitis and cirrhosis with little activity. No correlation was found in the different forms of chronic hepatitis between the HBsAg status on the one hand, and levels of transaminases, gammaglobulins, and auto-antibodies on the other. Acute hepatitis was diagnosed on liver biopsy of 24 patients; 50% had HBsAg. Liver tissue positivity was very low in the fully developed stage compared to serum positivity. In 146 patients with other liver ailments, both liver and serum were negative for HBsAg.", "PMID": 777038} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4851", "title": "Distribution patterns of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the liver of hepatitis patients.", "content": "One hundred liver biopsies from 100 hepatitis patients were examined by the indirect immunofluorescent technique for the detection of HBsAg. Of the 60 positive specimens 52 were diagnosed as various types of chronic hepatitis and 8 were acute hepatitis. Four main distribution patterns of HBsAg were obtained: full cytoplasmic fluorescence with diffuse lobular distribution; cytoplasmic fluorescence with spotty distribution; peripheral fluorescence in the cell membrane and/or cell peripheries; and focal cytoplasmic positivity. There was an inverse relationship between the number of positive hepatocytes and the extent of liver cell necrosis. The distribution patterns of HBsAg were distinctive in each type of chronic hepatitis and in acute hepatitis. Homogeneous full cytoplasmic fluorescence, distributed diffusely in the whole liver lobule, was observed in chronic persistent hepatitis and in cirrhosis with little activity whereas peripheral liver cell membrane and/or peripheral cytoplasmic fluorescence associated with cytoplasmic positivity in a smaller number of hepatocytes was a characteristic finding in chronic aggressive hepatitis, active cirrhosis, and acute hepatitis with possible transition to chronicity. Focal cytoplasmic fluorescence was observed in acute hepatitis and a group of biopsies in chronic hepatitis in which HBsAg was detected in the liver but no antigen was detectable in the serum. The results show that the different patterns of distribution of HBsAg in the liver biopsy are helpful for the histological diagnosis of different types of HBAg positive viral hepatitis and are consistent with the hypothesis of the role of specific immune response in the pathogenesis of type B viral hepatitis.", "contents": "Distribution patterns of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the liver of hepatitis patients. One hundred liver biopsies from 100 hepatitis patients were examined by the indirect immunofluorescent technique for the detection of HBsAg. Of the 60 positive specimens 52 were diagnosed as various types of chronic hepatitis and 8 were acute hepatitis. Four main distribution patterns of HBsAg were obtained: full cytoplasmic fluorescence with diffuse lobular distribution; cytoplasmic fluorescence with spotty distribution; peripheral fluorescence in the cell membrane and/or cell peripheries; and focal cytoplasmic positivity. There was an inverse relationship between the number of positive hepatocytes and the extent of liver cell necrosis. The distribution patterns of HBsAg were distinctive in each type of chronic hepatitis and in acute hepatitis. Homogeneous full cytoplasmic fluorescence, distributed diffusely in the whole liver lobule, was observed in chronic persistent hepatitis and in cirrhosis with little activity whereas peripheral liver cell membrane and/or peripheral cytoplasmic fluorescence associated with cytoplasmic positivity in a smaller number of hepatocytes was a characteristic finding in chronic aggressive hepatitis, active cirrhosis, and acute hepatitis with possible transition to chronicity. Focal cytoplasmic fluorescence was observed in acute hepatitis and a group of biopsies in chronic hepatitis in which HBsAg was detected in the liver but no antigen was detectable in the serum. The results show that the different patterns of distribution of HBsAg in the liver biopsy are helpful for the histological diagnosis of different types of HBAg positive viral hepatitis and are consistent with the hypothesis of the role of specific immune response in the pathogenesis of type B viral hepatitis.", "PMID": 777039} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4852", "title": "Comparison of laboratory methods in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection.", "content": "Three methods of semiquantitative culture and two techniques of microscopy were compared with a surface viable count for the detection of significant bacteriuria in one thousand midstream specimens of urine. The results obtained with the blotting-paper-strip method on MacConkey agar and with Uricult dip-slides correlated well with the results of the surface viable count, and both methods were suitable for routine use. The blotting-paper-strip method was preferred for laboratory use because of expense but dip-slides are useful for general practice and outpatient clinics. Semi-quantitative culture by Microstix dip-strips gave less accurate results, and the nitrite test area detected only a small proportion of infected specimens. The microscopic examination of a Gram-stained film of the centrifuged deposit of urine specimens yielded more useful information and was more reproducible than examination of a wet film of the untreated urine.", "contents": "Comparison of laboratory methods in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Three methods of semiquantitative culture and two techniques of microscopy were compared with a surface viable count for the detection of significant bacteriuria in one thousand midstream specimens of urine. The results obtained with the blotting-paper-strip method on MacConkey agar and with Uricult dip-slides correlated well with the results of the surface viable count, and both methods were suitable for routine use. The blotting-paper-strip method was preferred for laboratory use because of expense but dip-slides are useful for general practice and outpatient clinics. Semi-quantitative culture by Microstix dip-strips gave less accurate results, and the nitrite test area detected only a small proportion of infected specimens. The microscopic examination of a Gram-stained film of the centrifuged deposit of urine specimens yielded more useful information and was more reproducible than examination of a wet film of the untreated urine.", "PMID": 777041} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4853", "title": "A new serotyping method for Klebsiella species: development of the technique.", "content": "A new serotyping method for Klebsiella species using indirect immunofluorescence is described. Nonspecific fluorescence has been minimized by carrying out the capsular antigen-antibody reaction at pH 9.0. Commercial antisera have been tested with the 72 antigenic types of Klebsiella, and appropriate dilutions of each pool and specific antisera have been proposed for use in routine typing. Dilutions were chosen to allow strong fluorescence with each type and its specific antiserum and minimal fluorescence with cross reacting antisera. Where the pool antisera gave a weak reaction for one or more of the component types, it is recommended that the specific antisera for these types be added to the pool dilution. The few remaining cross reactions, with the pool and specific antisera in test dilution, are listed in a table. The unique cross reacting patterns of particular types have been found to be useful in identification. Typing Klebsiella by the fluorescent antibody technique is easy to perform and interpret; the results are reproducible, and it is less expensive than the existing capsular swelling method as it is more sensitive and requires less concentrated antisera. This new method of typing should facilitate detailed epidemiological studies of the mode of transmission of Klebsiella species in hospitals and thus allow more effective infection control measures to be instituted.", "contents": "A new serotyping method for Klebsiella species: development of the technique. A new serotyping method for Klebsiella species using indirect immunofluorescence is described. Nonspecific fluorescence has been minimized by carrying out the capsular antigen-antibody reaction at pH 9.0. Commercial antisera have been tested with the 72 antigenic types of Klebsiella, and appropriate dilutions of each pool and specific antisera have been proposed for use in routine typing. Dilutions were chosen to allow strong fluorescence with each type and its specific antiserum and minimal fluorescence with cross reacting antisera. Where the pool antisera gave a weak reaction for one or more of the component types, it is recommended that the specific antisera for these types be added to the pool dilution. The few remaining cross reactions, with the pool and specific antisera in test dilution, are listed in a table. The unique cross reacting patterns of particular types have been found to be useful in identification. Typing Klebsiella by the fluorescent antibody technique is easy to perform and interpret; the results are reproducible, and it is less expensive than the existing capsular swelling method as it is more sensitive and requires less concentrated antisera. This new method of typing should facilitate detailed epidemiological studies of the mode of transmission of Klebsiella species in hospitals and thus allow more effective infection control measures to be instituted.", "PMID": 777042} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4854", "title": "A new serotyping method for Klebsiella species: evaluation of the technique.", "content": "A new indirect fluorescent typing method for Klebsiella species is compared with an established method, capsular swelling. The fluorescent antibody (FA) technique was tested with standards and unknowns, and the results were checked by capsular swelling. Several unknowns were sent away for confirmation of typing, by capsular swelling. The FA method was also tried by a technician in the routine department for blind identification of standards. Fluorescence typing gives close correlation with the established capsular swelling technique but has greater sensitivity; allows more econimical use of expensive antisera; possesses greater objectivity as it requires less operator skill in the reading of results; resolves most of the cross reactions observed with capsular swelling; and has a higher per cent success rate in identification.", "contents": "A new serotyping method for Klebsiella species: evaluation of the technique. A new indirect fluorescent typing method for Klebsiella species is compared with an established method, capsular swelling. The fluorescent antibody (FA) technique was tested with standards and unknowns, and the results were checked by capsular swelling. Several unknowns were sent away for confirmation of typing, by capsular swelling. The FA method was also tried by a technician in the routine department for blind identification of standards. Fluorescence typing gives close correlation with the established capsular swelling technique but has greater sensitivity; allows more econimical use of expensive antisera; possesses greater objectivity as it requires less operator skill in the reading of results; resolves most of the cross reactions observed with capsular swelling; and has a higher per cent success rate in identification.", "PMID": 777043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4855", "title": "Infection with Streptococcus agalactiae in a London hospital.", "content": "Streptococcus agalactiae is presently the commonest beta-haemolytic streptococcus isolated from clinical material in this hospital. Between October 1974 and March 1975, 81 patients with such infections were seen. Seventeen had urinary tract infections, six had septicaemia, and one neonate had meningitis. Three of those with septicaemia were neonates and two died. The organism was also found to be a cause of pyogenic skin conditions in five patients. Isolates from throat swabs in 12 patients, from sputum in four, and from the female genital tract in 18 were considered part of the normal flora. Human strains of Str. agalactiae were found to be biochemically different from animal strains.", "contents": "Infection with Streptococcus agalactiae in a London hospital. Streptococcus agalactiae is presently the commonest beta-haemolytic streptococcus isolated from clinical material in this hospital. Between October 1974 and March 1975, 81 patients with such infections were seen. Seventeen had urinary tract infections, six had septicaemia, and one neonate had meningitis. Three of those with septicaemia were neonates and two died. The organism was also found to be a cause of pyogenic skin conditions in five patients. Isolates from throat swabs in 12 patients, from sputum in four, and from the female genital tract in 18 were considered part of the normal flora. Human strains of Str. agalactiae were found to be biochemically different from animal strains.", "PMID": 777044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4856", "title": "Evaluation of automated large-scale screening tests for syphilis.", "content": "Two methods of performing serological screening tests for syphilis are compared. One consisted of the Venereal Diseases Reference Laboratory (VDRL) slide test, the cardiolipin Wassermann reaction (CWR), and the Reiter protein complement fixation test (RPCFT) performed manually; the other was a fully automated system using two Technicon AutoAnalyzers (AAII), one for the automated reagin test (ART) and the other for automated complement fixation tests. The absorbed fluorescent treponemal antibody test (FTA-ABS) was used as a final arbiter in all cases found to be seropositive by either method. A pooled antigen consisting of a mixture of cardiolipin and Reiter protein was used for the automated complement fixation test, thus increasing the scope and capacity of the system. The AutoAnalyzer was shown to be capable of performing 400 cardiolipin and Reiter complement fixation tests and 700 automated reagin tests in an 8-hour day. Modification of the complement fixation test method to take advantage of the highly sensitive colorimeter resulted in a significant increase in sensitivity and a corresponding saving in reagents. Of the 7843 sera tested, 258 gave a positive result in one or more of the screening tests. The automated test detected many more Reiter positive sera (127) than the manual test (83). Conversely, fewer CWR positive sera were detected by the automated test (60) than by the manual test (82). There was little difference between the number of positive sera detected by the ART (73) and the VDRL slide test (71). In 19 instances the automated tests detected positive sera which registered as completely negative in the manual tests, and four seropositive cases which the automated tests had failed to detect were detected by the manual tests, and four seropositive cases which the automated tests had failed to detect were detected by the manual tests. It was concluded that a combination of the ART and automated Reiter protein complement fixation test (ARPCFT) would be ideal for use in a large-scale screening programme for the detection of syphilis.", "contents": "Evaluation of automated large-scale screening tests for syphilis. Two methods of performing serological screening tests for syphilis are compared. One consisted of the Venereal Diseases Reference Laboratory (VDRL) slide test, the cardiolipin Wassermann reaction (CWR), and the Reiter protein complement fixation test (RPCFT) performed manually; the other was a fully automated system using two Technicon AutoAnalyzers (AAII), one for the automated reagin test (ART) and the other for automated complement fixation tests. The absorbed fluorescent treponemal antibody test (FTA-ABS) was used as a final arbiter in all cases found to be seropositive by either method. A pooled antigen consisting of a mixture of cardiolipin and Reiter protein was used for the automated complement fixation test, thus increasing the scope and capacity of the system. The AutoAnalyzer was shown to be capable of performing 400 cardiolipin and Reiter complement fixation tests and 700 automated reagin tests in an 8-hour day. Modification of the complement fixation test method to take advantage of the highly sensitive colorimeter resulted in a significant increase in sensitivity and a corresponding saving in reagents. Of the 7843 sera tested, 258 gave a positive result in one or more of the screening tests. The automated test detected many more Reiter positive sera (127) than the manual test (83). Conversely, fewer CWR positive sera were detected by the automated test (60) than by the manual test (82). There was little difference between the number of positive sera detected by the ART (73) and the VDRL slide test (71). In 19 instances the automated tests detected positive sera which registered as completely negative in the manual tests, and four seropositive cases which the automated tests had failed to detect were detected by the manual tests, and four seropositive cases which the automated tests had failed to detect were detected by the manual tests. It was concluded that a combination of the ART and automated Reiter protein complement fixation test (ARPCFT) would be ideal for use in a large-scale screening programme for the detection of syphilis.", "PMID": 777045} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4857", "title": "Classification of smooth muscle autoantibodies detected by immunofluorescence.", "content": "Three hundred and twelve sera containing antibodies to smooth muscle (SMA) wer analysed for the immunofluorescence patterns they produced in various tissues. A classification is described based on the three main appearances in rat kidney. Some sera, mainly of low titre, reacted only with vessel walls (SMA-V), some stained vessels and renal glomeruli (SMA-G) and high titre sera, mainly from patients with chronic active hepatitis stained vessels, glomeruli, and intracellular fibrils in renal tubules (SMA-T). Peripheral staining in hepatocytes or thyroid cells was not a regular feature. 41/43 polyclonal SMA-T and -G sera were absorbed out completely by actin, and this also removed the pericullular staining in liver and thyroid when present. High titre SMA-V antibodies could not be absorbed by actin, and the antigen remains to be identified.", "contents": "Classification of smooth muscle autoantibodies detected by immunofluorescence. Three hundred and twelve sera containing antibodies to smooth muscle (SMA) wer analysed for the immunofluorescence patterns they produced in various tissues. A classification is described based on the three main appearances in rat kidney. Some sera, mainly of low titre, reacted only with vessel walls (SMA-V), some stained vessels and renal glomeruli (SMA-G) and high titre sera, mainly from patients with chronic active hepatitis stained vessels, glomeruli, and intracellular fibrils in renal tubules (SMA-T). Peripheral staining in hepatocytes or thyroid cells was not a regular feature. 41/43 polyclonal SMA-T and -G sera were absorbed out completely by actin, and this also removed the pericullular staining in liver and thyroid when present. High titre SMA-V antibodies could not be absorbed by actin, and the antigen remains to be identified.", "PMID": 777046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4858", "title": "Rapid diagnosis of anaerobic infections by gas-liquid chromatography of clinical material.", "content": "Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of samples of pus provides a rapid and reliable means for the presumptive differentiation of anaerobic from aerobic infections.", "contents": "Rapid diagnosis of anaerobic infections by gas-liquid chromatography of clinical material. Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of samples of pus provides a rapid and reliable means for the presumptive differentiation of anaerobic from aerobic infections.", "PMID": 777047} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4859", "title": "Instability and linkage of silver resistance, lactose fermentation, and colony structure in Enterobacter cloacae from burn wounds.", "content": "A strain of Enterobacter cloacae from a burn wound has displayed unstable resistance to silver nitrate and a linkage of this characteristic to that for rapid lactose fermentation and mucoidcolony structure. Attempts to demonstrate transferability of these unstable determinants gave negative results.", "contents": "Instability and linkage of silver resistance, lactose fermentation, and colony structure in Enterobacter cloacae from burn wounds. A strain of Enterobacter cloacae from a burn wound has displayed unstable resistance to silver nitrate and a linkage of this characteristic to that for rapid lactose fermentation and mucoidcolony structure. Attempts to demonstrate transferability of these unstable determinants gave negative results.", "PMID": 777048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4860", "title": "Intraoral cancellous bone autografts in the treatment of infrabony pockets.", "content": "One hundred infrabony pockets with one- and two-wall bony defects were treated for reattachment. Mucoperiosteal flaps were raised, the tooth surfaces were scaled and planed, and the defects curetted. Flaps were sutured tightly and the sites protected with a surgical dressing. Antibiotic coverage was used in each case. Pre- and postoperative measurements were taken by the same clinician from the cemento-enamel junction to the base of the pocket. In 56 defects cancellous bone from the same patient was placed in the defect, and in 44 defects the treatment consisted only of open curettage without bone grafts. The results showed a trend towards more favourable clinical results using bone grafts; especially in the two-wall bony defects.", "contents": "Intraoral cancellous bone autografts in the treatment of infrabony pockets. One hundred infrabony pockets with one- and two-wall bony defects were treated for reattachment. Mucoperiosteal flaps were raised, the tooth surfaces were scaled and planed, and the defects curetted. Flaps were sutured tightly and the sites protected with a surgical dressing. Antibiotic coverage was used in each case. Pre- and postoperative measurements were taken by the same clinician from the cemento-enamel junction to the base of the pocket. In 56 defects cancellous bone from the same patient was placed in the defect, and in 44 defects the treatment consisted only of open curettage without bone grafts. The results showed a trend towards more favourable clinical results using bone grafts; especially in the two-wall bony defects.", "PMID": 777049} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4861", "title": "Ultrasonic scaling of maxillary teeth causing tinnitus and temporary hearing shifts.", "content": "The possible effects of ultrasonic scaling of all maxillary teeth for a total of 5 min on the inner ears of 20 healthy young adults, 22-36 years of age, were investigated by means of pure tone audiometry. Audiograms were obtained just before and immediatley after scaling. Temporary shifts in hearing threshold (TTS) of 10-20 dB, mostly at 7--8 kHz, ersisting for up to 30 min, were recorded in eight of the individuals. Three patients reported high-pitched tinnitus lasting for 20-30 min after ultrasonic scaling. When audiograms were obtained 3--5 weeks later in the same 20 individuals before and immediatley after they had kept their mouths open for 5 min, but with no scaling performed, TTS was recorded in three of the individuals. TTS after opening only was less pronounced than TTS after ultrasonic scaling, both with regard to severity and duration.", "contents": "Ultrasonic scaling of maxillary teeth causing tinnitus and temporary hearing shifts. The possible effects of ultrasonic scaling of all maxillary teeth for a total of 5 min on the inner ears of 20 healthy young adults, 22-36 years of age, were investigated by means of pure tone audiometry. Audiograms were obtained just before and immediatley after scaling. Temporary shifts in hearing threshold (TTS) of 10-20 dB, mostly at 7--8 kHz, ersisting for up to 30 min, were recorded in eight of the individuals. Three patients reported high-pitched tinnitus lasting for 20-30 min after ultrasonic scaling. When audiograms were obtained 3--5 weeks later in the same 20 individuals before and immediatley after they had kept their mouths open for 5 min, but with no scaling performed, TTS was recorded in three of the individuals. TTS after opening only was less pronounced than TTS after ultrasonic scaling, both with regard to severity and duration.", "PMID": 777050} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4862", "title": "Health maintenance organizations: are they for the inner cities?", "content": "Health Maintenance Organizations present some major limitations as a means to address the health care needs in our nation's inner cities. The HMO as it has been affected by HMO legislation is discussed and an identification made of those areas that may adversely affect the delivery of health services to inner-city residents where costs may be greatest for those who can least afford it.", "contents": "Health maintenance organizations: are they for the inner cities? Health Maintenance Organizations present some major limitations as a means to address the health care needs in our nation's inner cities. The HMO as it has been affected by HMO legislation is discussed and an identification made of those areas that may adversely affect the delivery of health services to inner-city residents where costs may be greatest for those who can least afford it.", "PMID": 777051} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4863", "title": "Quality of health care for the disadvantaged.", "content": "Literature review points out that: (a) differentials in health status between the disadvantaged and the nondisadvantaged persist, often to a large degree; (b) differentials in the overall amount of care received are less striking now than heretofore, but standardization by level of need demonstrates measurable discrepancies in health services provided to the disadvantaged compared with the nondisadvantaged; (c) the quality of health care for the disadvantaged is not strikingly poorer than care for the nondisadvantaged, but, in view of demonstrable shortcomings in the quality of health care in general, this is not viewed as a positive statement; and (d) attempts to improve quality of care for the disadvantaged have not had the hoped-for impact. Four new avenues are suggested for possible further research; increased patient responsibility, increased consumer knowledge, financial accountability, and quality assurance activities. Because of the likelihood of only marginal changes in health status, rigorous evaluation of any experimental program is emphasized. During the last decade, many attempts have been made by private and governmental bodies to improve the health of the American people. In general, these efforts have focused on improving the health of members of disadvantaged groups and have included such diverse activities as building OEO health centers, developing maternal and infant care programs, and financing care for the elderly. During the last few years, a different movement, concerned with assuring high quality care for all people, has produced efforts such as quality assurance activities in health maintenance organizations, the Professional Standards Review Organization program, and the medical care evaluation program of the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals. Consideration of these two issues, i.e., improving the health of disadvantaged groups and improving the quality of care for all people, has led to two policy-relevant questions: \"Can the health of disadvantaged groups be substantially improved by assuring that a high level quality of care is delivered to them?\" and \"Can the quality of care delivered to disadvantaged groups be improved?\" The purpose of this paper is to review some available data pertinent to both these issues and to suggest some ideas for future research.", "contents": "Quality of health care for the disadvantaged. Literature review points out that: (a) differentials in health status between the disadvantaged and the nondisadvantaged persist, often to a large degree; (b) differentials in the overall amount of care received are less striking now than heretofore, but standardization by level of need demonstrates measurable discrepancies in health services provided to the disadvantaged compared with the nondisadvantaged; (c) the quality of health care for the disadvantaged is not strikingly poorer than care for the nondisadvantaged, but, in view of demonstrable shortcomings in the quality of health care in general, this is not viewed as a positive statement; and (d) attempts to improve quality of care for the disadvantaged have not had the hoped-for impact. Four new avenues are suggested for possible further research; increased patient responsibility, increased consumer knowledge, financial accountability, and quality assurance activities. Because of the likelihood of only marginal changes in health status, rigorous evaluation of any experimental program is emphasized. During the last decade, many attempts have been made by private and governmental bodies to improve the health of the American people. In general, these efforts have focused on improving the health of members of disadvantaged groups and have included such diverse activities as building OEO health centers, developing maternal and infant care programs, and financing care for the elderly. During the last few years, a different movement, concerned with assuring high quality care for all people, has produced efforts such as quality assurance activities in health maintenance organizations, the Professional Standards Review Organization program, and the medical care evaluation program of the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals. Consideration of these two issues, i.e., improving the health of disadvantaged groups and improving the quality of care for all people, has led to two policy-relevant questions: \"Can the health of disadvantaged groups be substantially improved by assuring that a high level quality of care is delivered to them?\" and \"Can the quality of care delivered to disadvantaged groups be improved?\" The purpose of this paper is to review some available data pertinent to both these issues and to suggest some ideas for future research.", "PMID": 777052} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4864", "title": "Ultrastructural findings in bullous pemphigoid.", "content": "In four bullous pemphigoid patients electron microscopic and direct immunofluorescence examinations were carried out on sections of the border of a blister, apparently normal skin surrounding the blister, apparently normal skin distant from the blister, and apparently normal skin subjected to the stimulus of a xenon lamp. The bullous pemphigoid blister was formed by cleavage of the basal cells away from the basal lamina which remained intact. The intercellular spaces were widened and the half-desmosomes reduced in number in the skin surrounding the blister. Xenon lamp irradiation produced a pattern similar to that of the skin surrounding the blister, but without immunoglobulins and complement fixed in vivo.", "contents": "Ultrastructural findings in bullous pemphigoid. In four bullous pemphigoid patients electron microscopic and direct immunofluorescence examinations were carried out on sections of the border of a blister, apparently normal skin surrounding the blister, apparently normal skin distant from the blister, and apparently normal skin subjected to the stimulus of a xenon lamp. The bullous pemphigoid blister was formed by cleavage of the basal cells away from the basal lamina which remained intact. The intercellular spaces were widened and the half-desmosomes reduced in number in the skin surrounding the blister. Xenon lamp irradiation produced a pattern similar to that of the skin surrounding the blister, but without immunoglobulins and complement fixed in vivo.", "PMID": 777054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4865", "title": "Male pattern alopecia a histopathologic and histochemical study.", "content": "Three hundred and forty-seven tissue specimens were studied from 23 patients with male pattern alopecia. Characteristic features of pattern alopecia included: the presence of miniature or vellus follicles; a marked enlargement of the sebaceous glands and arrectores pilorum muscles; the presence of connective tissue streamers beneath the vellus follicles; and the thinning of the dermis. A mild perivascular infiltrate of mononuclear cells and mild capillary dilatation was sometimes seen. An increased number of mast cells was often a prominent feature. Histochemical procedures were performed for glycogen, acid mucosaccharides, inorganic substances, and enzymes including alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, beta glucuronidase, cholinesterase, aminopeptidase, oxidases and dehydrogenases. Histochemical studies did not reveal any significantly abnormal enzyme changes other than the altered vascular and nerve supply to the the miniature follicles.", "contents": "Male pattern alopecia a histopathologic and histochemical study. Three hundred and forty-seven tissue specimens were studied from 23 patients with male pattern alopecia. Characteristic features of pattern alopecia included: the presence of miniature or vellus follicles; a marked enlargement of the sebaceous glands and arrectores pilorum muscles; the presence of connective tissue streamers beneath the vellus follicles; and the thinning of the dermis. A mild perivascular infiltrate of mononuclear cells and mild capillary dilatation was sometimes seen. An increased number of mast cells was often a prominent feature. Histochemical procedures were performed for glycogen, acid mucosaccharides, inorganic substances, and enzymes including alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, beta glucuronidase, cholinesterase, aminopeptidase, oxidases and dehydrogenases. Histochemical studies did not reveal any significantly abnormal enzyme changes other than the altered vascular and nerve supply to the the miniature follicles.", "PMID": 777055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4866", "title": "Effect of coliform challenge at milking time on new udder infections.", "content": "This project was designed to study rates of infection in udders of cows exposed to an Escherichia coli broth culture at milking time. Forty Holstein cows of varied stages of lactation were divided randomly into three treatment and one control group of ten cows each. The treatment groups were exposed for 3 wk to an Escherichia coli broth of 10(9) colony forming units per ml at milking time by either 1) dipping teat ends in broth before milking, 2) spraying the udder and leaving it dripping wet during milking, or 3) dipping teat ends in broth after milking. Eleven of 30 treated cows became infected in one or more quarters; all control cows remained uninfected. The infection rate of the three Escherichia coli-treated groups was higher than the controls. However, there was no difference among treated groups. Exposure to the broth culture of Escherichia coli increased the infection rate, but the time at which the udder was exposed to the organisms was unimportant. All infections were of the same type with the same O and H group antigens as the Escherichia coli broth.", "contents": "Effect of coliform challenge at milking time on new udder infections. This project was designed to study rates of infection in udders of cows exposed to an Escherichia coli broth culture at milking time. Forty Holstein cows of varied stages of lactation were divided randomly into three treatment and one control group of ten cows each. The treatment groups were exposed for 3 wk to an Escherichia coli broth of 10(9) colony forming units per ml at milking time by either 1) dipping teat ends in broth before milking, 2) spraying the udder and leaving it dripping wet during milking, or 3) dipping teat ends in broth after milking. Eleven of 30 treated cows became infected in one or more quarters; all control cows remained uninfected. The infection rate of the three Escherichia coli-treated groups was higher than the controls. However, there was no difference among treated groups. Exposure to the broth culture of Escherichia coli increased the infection rate, but the time at which the udder was exposed to the organisms was unimportant. All infections were of the same type with the same O and H group antigens as the Escherichia coli broth.", "PMID": 777057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4867", "title": "Wedge resection of the lower lip.", "content": "Wedge resection of tumors on the lower lip can be done as an office procedure. The operative technique with special emphasis on realigning the vermilion is described.", "contents": "Wedge resection of the lower lip. Wedge resection of tumors on the lower lip can be done as an office procedure. The operative technique with special emphasis on realigning the vermilion is described.", "PMID": 777062} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4868", "title": "Proper biopsy technique for immunofluorescence tests on skin.", "content": "Successful use of direct immunofluorescence tests on skin depends on selection of the appropriate biopsy site, careful preparation of the specimen, and prompt transportation to a reliable laboratory. Recommendations for selection of biopsy sites in various dermatoses and methods available for handling specimens are discussed.", "contents": "Proper biopsy technique for immunofluorescence tests on skin. Successful use of direct immunofluorescence tests on skin depends on selection of the appropriate biopsy site, careful preparation of the specimen, and prompt transportation to a reliable laboratory. Recommendations for selection of biopsy sites in various dermatoses and methods available for handling specimens are discussed.", "PMID": 777063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4869", "title": "Magnification--an interesting optical property of dentin.", "content": "Disks of dentin taken from extracted human teeth demonstrated the optical property of the magnification/reduction effect. When images were transmitted from a pulpal-to-occlusal direction, the images were magnified. When the disks were inverted, the images were reduced in size. The images were slightly distorted but clear. When these disks were decalcified or dehydrated, they still possessed the same magnification/reduction effect property. The clear image transmission is attributed to the passage of light along the dentinal tubules; the magnification is the result of their divergence from the pulpal to the occlusal direction. The degree of tubule divergence was determined to correspond closely with the proportion of magnification and of reduction. In calcified sections, an individual tubule would act as a light-pipe, conducting light as it reflects internally off the dentin walls. Decalcified disks may demonstrate a fiberoptic effect. The magnification of an image is the result of the divergence of hundreds of thousands of minute light conductors.", "contents": "Magnification--an interesting optical property of dentin. Disks of dentin taken from extracted human teeth demonstrated the optical property of the magnification/reduction effect. When images were transmitted from a pulpal-to-occlusal direction, the images were magnified. When the disks were inverted, the images were reduced in size. The images were slightly distorted but clear. When these disks were decalcified or dehydrated, they still possessed the same magnification/reduction effect property. The clear image transmission is attributed to the passage of light along the dentinal tubules; the magnification is the result of their divergence from the pulpal to the occlusal direction. The degree of tubule divergence was determined to correspond closely with the proportion of magnification and of reduction. In calcified sections, an individual tubule would act as a light-pipe, conducting light as it reflects internally off the dentin walls. Decalcified disks may demonstrate a fiberoptic effect. The magnification of an image is the result of the divergence of hundreds of thousands of minute light conductors.", "PMID": 777060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4870", "title": "An improved mattress suture.", "content": "An improved mattress suture that is completely buried and leaves no noticeable cross marks on either side of the incision is described.", "contents": "An improved mattress suture. An improved mattress suture that is completely buried and leaves no noticeable cross marks on either side of the incision is described.", "PMID": 777066} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4871", "title": "Xylitol-induced increase of lactoperoxidase activity.", "content": "Whole saliva samples of volunteers who ate a strict diet for two years with regard to the type of sweeteners used (sucrose, fructose, and xylitol) showed considerable differences in the lactoperoxidase activity. The consumption of a xylitol diet increased the activity of this enzyme fourfold to tenfold when compared to the other two test groups. Lactoperoxidase belongs to the natural defense mechanisms of the oral cavity. However, the consumption of a xylitol diet also leads to a strong reduction in the incidence of dental caries. It is suggested that the xylitol-induced elevation of the salivary lactoperoxidase activity and the cariostatic properties of xylitol are partly interrelated phenomena.", "contents": "Xylitol-induced increase of lactoperoxidase activity. Whole saliva samples of volunteers who ate a strict diet for two years with regard to the type of sweeteners used (sucrose, fructose, and xylitol) showed considerable differences in the lactoperoxidase activity. The consumption of a xylitol diet increased the activity of this enzyme fourfold to tenfold when compared to the other two test groups. Lactoperoxidase belongs to the natural defense mechanisms of the oral cavity. However, the consumption of a xylitol diet also leads to a strong reduction in the incidence of dental caries. It is suggested that the xylitol-induced elevation of the salivary lactoperoxidase activity and the cariostatic properties of xylitol are partly interrelated phenomena.", "PMID": 777061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4872", "title": "Endodontics 1776-1976: a bicentennial history against the background of general dentistry.", "content": "During 200 years of progress in endodontics, various sciences have contributed to our understanding of the physiology and pathology of the dental pulp. Early treatment included cauterization of the pulp, the use of poultices or leeches, and tooth transplantation or replantation. Various methods of pulp devitalization are reviewed. Near the turn of the century, the discovery of X rays made diagnosis more accurate and the discovery of local anesthetics eliminated pain during endodontic treatment. Although the focal infection theory slowed the acceptance of endodontic treatment in this century, the biomechanical concept of treatment and research have recently opened new avenues for treatment and have initiated improvements in medicaments and filling materials.", "contents": "Endodontics 1776-1976: a bicentennial history against the background of general dentistry. During 200 years of progress in endodontics, various sciences have contributed to our understanding of the physiology and pathology of the dental pulp. Early treatment included cauterization of the pulp, the use of poultices or leeches, and tooth transplantation or replantation. Various methods of pulp devitalization are reviewed. Near the turn of the century, the discovery of X rays made diagnosis more accurate and the discovery of local anesthetics eliminated pain during endodontic treatment. Although the focal infection theory slowed the acceptance of endodontic treatment in this century, the biomechanical concept of treatment and research have recently opened new avenues for treatment and have initiated improvements in medicaments and filling materials.", "PMID": 777073} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4873", "title": "Significance of tartrazine sensitivity in chronic urticaria of unknown etiology.", "content": "Of 38 patients with chronic urticaria of unknown etiology who were evaluated for food and drug additive sensitivity, 53% (20/38) had urticaria for 1 yr or more. Total eosinophil counts were not elevated in most patients, and the frequency of atopy was found to be similar to that in a general population. Of these 38 patients, 10 (26%) had a personal history of aspirin intolerance, but elimination of aspirin did not relieve the urticaria. In a double-blind crossover challenge with 0.22 mg of tartrazine and a control, tartrazine sensitivity was found in 8% (3/38) of patients with chronic urticaria and 20% (2/10) of patients with aspirin intolerance.", "contents": "Significance of tartrazine sensitivity in chronic urticaria of unknown etiology. Of 38 patients with chronic urticaria of unknown etiology who were evaluated for food and drug additive sensitivity, 53% (20/38) had urticaria for 1 yr or more. Total eosinophil counts were not elevated in most patients, and the frequency of atopy was found to be similar to that in a general population. Of these 38 patients, 10 (26%) had a personal history of aspirin intolerance, but elimination of aspirin did not relieve the urticaria. In a double-blind crossover challenge with 0.22 mg of tartrazine and a control, tartrazine sensitivity was found in 8% (3/38) of patients with chronic urticaria and 20% (2/10) of patients with aspirin intolerance.", "PMID": 777074} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4874", "title": "Food preparation in colonial America. A Bicentennial study.", "content": "Both regional and national influences have pervaded America's culinary arts from colonial times until the present. In the South, for instance, indigenous foods, such as sweet potatoes--as well as an abundance of fruits and fowl--were commonly served. In the North, maple sirup was a New England product, as was codfish. Throughout the colonies, corn was easily grown and became a staple. Immigrants from the Old World brought their recipes to meld or adapt to conditions they met here. Recounted also is the unfolding of an American cuisine, especially in the southern colonies as it evolved from European food preparation practices. Cooking was done in great fireplaces, with equipment designed to fit. Meat was generally boiled or stewed in pots hung in the fireplace, although it might be slow-roasted on a hand-turned spit. Hot breads, the hallmark of southern cooking, date from colonial days. In the Noth, the Dutch farmer's wife developed real skill in using flour from home-grown wheat and rye, creating pancakes, waffles, doughnuts, crullers, and so on. After the first hard winter, food in New England became more plentiful. Boston brown bread was made from corn, wheat, or rye and probably sweetened with maple sirup. Imports of coffee, tea, and spices from the Orient and fruit from the tropics were later added to the cuisine. Colonial Americans understood well the art of food preparation and appreciated the taste of well prepared, well seasoned dishes.", "contents": "Food preparation in colonial America. A Bicentennial study. Both regional and national influences have pervaded America's culinary arts from colonial times until the present. In the South, for instance, indigenous foods, such as sweet potatoes--as well as an abundance of fruits and fowl--were commonly served. In the North, maple sirup was a New England product, as was codfish. Throughout the colonies, corn was easily grown and became a staple. Immigrants from the Old World brought their recipes to meld or adapt to conditions they met here. Recounted also is the unfolding of an American cuisine, especially in the southern colonies as it evolved from European food preparation practices. Cooking was done in great fireplaces, with equipment designed to fit. Meat was generally boiled or stewed in pots hung in the fireplace, although it might be slow-roasted on a hand-turned spit. Hot breads, the hallmark of southern cooking, date from colonial days. In the Noth, the Dutch farmer's wife developed real skill in using flour from home-grown wheat and rye, creating pancakes, waffles, doughnuts, crullers, and so on. After the first hard winter, food in New England became more plentiful. Boston brown bread was made from corn, wheat, or rye and probably sweetened with maple sirup. Imports of coffee, tea, and spices from the Orient and fruit from the tropics were later added to the cuisine. Colonial Americans understood well the art of food preparation and appreciated the taste of well prepared, well seasoned dishes.", "PMID": 777076} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4875", "title": "Isolation of salmonellas and Shigella sonnei from a laboratory bench.", "content": "An area of the laboratory bench on which slide agglutinations were performed in the diagnosis of salmonella and shigella infection was examined for these organisms. Impression plates and broth-moistened swabs were used for sampling. Both techniques gave satisfactory results, but the contact plates provided positive results a day earlier than the swabs. Suitable precautions to minimize contamination of the bench surface are discussed.", "contents": "Isolation of salmonellas and Shigella sonnei from a laboratory bench. An area of the laboratory bench on which slide agglutinations were performed in the diagnosis of salmonella and shigella infection was examined for these organisms. Impression plates and broth-moistened swabs were used for sampling. Both techniques gave satisfactory results, but the contact plates provided positive results a day earlier than the swabs. Suitable precautions to minimize contamination of the bench surface are discussed.", "PMID": 778256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4876", "title": "The laboratory evaluation of iodophor disinfectants with yeast suspensions.", "content": "The report investigates the variation in results noticed when testing iodophor disinfectants in the presence of a 5% (w/v) yeast suspension. It was found that these variations were not related to individual iodophor formulations but bore a direct relationship with the storage time of the prepared yeast suspension.", "contents": "The laboratory evaluation of iodophor disinfectants with yeast suspensions. The report investigates the variation in results noticed when testing iodophor disinfectants in the presence of a 5% (w/v) yeast suspension. It was found that these variations were not related to individual iodophor formulations but bore a direct relationship with the storage time of the prepared yeast suspension.", "PMID": 778257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4877", "title": "Bacterial dispersion in relation to operating room clothing.", "content": "The effect of operating clothing on the dispersal of bacterial particles from the wearers was studied in a dispersal chamber. A comparison was made of six gowns as well as four types of trousers. The gowns were of three basic types, namely a conventional cotton type, disposable types made of non-woven fabric and those of the total-body exhaust system (Charnley type). The dispersal chamber could simulate conditions as expected both in down-flow unidirectional ultra-clean systems and in a conventional turbulent plenum-ventilated system. It was found that the disposable gowns would reduce the dispersal rate by about 30% in the simulated conventionally ventilated system and about 65% in the laminar flow system. The total-body exhaust system (Charnley) would reduce the count by 10-fold in the conventional ventilated system and by 66-fold in the laminar-flow system. The poor performance of the gowns in conventionally ventilated systems was caused by the dispersal of bacterial particles from underneath the gown (about 80%). This was not reduced by the disposable gown and only partially by the Charnley type. This small drop would be further decreased in a conventionally ventilated operating-room as only scrubbed staff would wear the gown. In order to overcome this poor performance in conventionally ventilated operating-rooms impervious trousers would be required. Four types were studied and it was demonstrated that those made either from Ventile or non-woven fabric would reduce the bacterial dispersion fourfold. As these tests had been carried out in an artificial environment checks were carried out in the unidirectional-flow operating-room during total-hip arthroplasty. This was done by comparing conventional cotton gowns with non-woven gowns and total-body exhaust gowns. The results showed good correlation between the operating room and the chamber with the non-woven fabric gown but the total-body exhaust system did not perform as well in the operating room (12-fold compared to 66-fold) the difference being possibly due to the contribution from the patient. However, as this comparison was that which would be most open to influence from other variables confidence could be placed on the chamber test results. Values were also obtained for the total number of bacterial particles dispersed by persons during a standard exercise wearing different clothing. This count was dependent on the clothing worn but a median count of between 1000 and 1500 bacterial particles/min. would be expected when conventional clothing was worn, with a range of between 300 and 19,000. This count could be reduced to about 100/min. if a total-body exhaust suit was worn (range 30-400).", "contents": "Bacterial dispersion in relation to operating room clothing. The effect of operating clothing on the dispersal of bacterial particles from the wearers was studied in a dispersal chamber. A comparison was made of six gowns as well as four types of trousers. The gowns were of three basic types, namely a conventional cotton type, disposable types made of non-woven fabric and those of the total-body exhaust system (Charnley type). The dispersal chamber could simulate conditions as expected both in down-flow unidirectional ultra-clean systems and in a conventional turbulent plenum-ventilated system. It was found that the disposable gowns would reduce the dispersal rate by about 30% in the simulated conventionally ventilated system and about 65% in the laminar flow system. The total-body exhaust system (Charnley) would reduce the count by 10-fold in the conventional ventilated system and by 66-fold in the laminar-flow system. The poor performance of the gowns in conventionally ventilated systems was caused by the dispersal of bacterial particles from underneath the gown (about 80%). This was not reduced by the disposable gown and only partially by the Charnley type. This small drop would be further decreased in a conventionally ventilated operating-room as only scrubbed staff would wear the gown. In order to overcome this poor performance in conventionally ventilated operating-rooms impervious trousers would be required. Four types were studied and it was demonstrated that those made either from Ventile or non-woven fabric would reduce the bacterial dispersion fourfold. As these tests had been carried out in an artificial environment checks were carried out in the unidirectional-flow operating-room during total-hip arthroplasty. This was done by comparing conventional cotton gowns with non-woven gowns and total-body exhaust gowns. The results showed good correlation between the operating room and the chamber with the non-woven fabric gown but the total-body exhaust system did not perform as well in the operating room (12-fold compared to 66-fold) the difference being possibly due to the contribution from the patient. However, as this comparison was that which would be most open to influence from other variables confidence could be placed on the chamber test results. Values were also obtained for the total number of bacterial particles dispersed by persons during a standard exercise wearing different clothing. This count was dependent on the clothing worn but a median count of between 1000 and 1500 bacterial particles/min. would be expected when conventional clothing was worn, with a range of between 300 and 19,000. This count could be reduced to about 100/min. if a total-body exhaust suit was worn (range 30-400).", "PMID": 778258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4878", "title": "The distribution of serotypes of Escherichia coli in cow-pats and other animal material compared with serotypes of E. coli isolated from human sources.", "content": "The serotypes of 13,139 strains of Escherichia coli isolated from humans were compared with the serotypes of 1076 strains isolated from animals. 689 of these strains were isolated from fresh cow-pats on 22 sites in England and Wales. 708 different O/H combinations were found. Of these, 520 were found in human strains only, 130 from animal strains only and 58 O/H serotypes from humans and animals. Approximately half of the animal strains could not be typed with the full set of sera used.", "contents": "The distribution of serotypes of Escherichia coli in cow-pats and other animal material compared with serotypes of E. coli isolated from human sources. The serotypes of 13,139 strains of Escherichia coli isolated from humans were compared with the serotypes of 1076 strains isolated from animals. 689 of these strains were isolated from fresh cow-pats on 22 sites in England and Wales. 708 different O/H combinations were found. Of these, 520 were found in human strains only, 130 from animal strains only and 58 O/H serotypes from humans and animals. Approximately half of the animal strains could not be typed with the full set of sera used.", "PMID": 778259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4879", "title": "Inhibition of antigen-induced B lymphocyte activation in vitro by cytochalasin B.", "content": "Cytochalasin B (CB), a fungal metabolite which disrupts microfilaments. and will inhibit capping and other events requiring membrane movement, suppressed the production of antibody-forming cells (AFC) in both mouse whole spleen cultures immunized with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and in mouse B lymphocyte cultures immunized with the thymic independent antigen DNP-Ficoll (DF). CB at a concentration of 1 mug/ml inhibited the AFC response by more than 90% in spleen cell cultures immunized with SRBC. This inhibition was completely reversible by removal of CB up to 24 hr after the start of culture. Spleen cells cultured in the presence of CB for the first 48 to 72 hr had a decreased AFC response similar to that of cultures in which SRBC had been withheld for thocyte the same period of time. Incubating whole spleen cell or B lymphocyte cultures immunized with DF for as short as 6 hr decreased the AFC response more than 60%. Antibody secretion, cell viability, and antigenicity of the SRBC and DF were not affected by CB. The results of these experiments favor the concept that movement of surface receptors is necessary in activating lymphocytes to differentiate into AFC. The differential response to CB observed in SRBC and DF stimulated cultures makes the technique employed a useful tool to study membrane events occuring between antigen interaction with surface receptor and the initiation of differentiative events.", "contents": "Inhibition of antigen-induced B lymphocyte activation in vitro by cytochalasin B. Cytochalasin B (CB), a fungal metabolite which disrupts microfilaments. and will inhibit capping and other events requiring membrane movement, suppressed the production of antibody-forming cells (AFC) in both mouse whole spleen cultures immunized with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and in mouse B lymphocyte cultures immunized with the thymic independent antigen DNP-Ficoll (DF). CB at a concentration of 1 mug/ml inhibited the AFC response by more than 90% in spleen cell cultures immunized with SRBC. This inhibition was completely reversible by removal of CB up to 24 hr after the start of culture. Spleen cells cultured in the presence of CB for the first 48 to 72 hr had a decreased AFC response similar to that of cultures in which SRBC had been withheld for thocyte the same period of time. Incubating whole spleen cell or B lymphocyte cultures immunized with DF for as short as 6 hr decreased the AFC response more than 60%. Antibody secretion, cell viability, and antigenicity of the SRBC and DF were not affected by CB. The results of these experiments favor the concept that movement of surface receptors is necessary in activating lymphocytes to differentiate into AFC. The differential response to CB observed in SRBC and DF stimulated cultures makes the technique employed a useful tool to study membrane events occuring between antigen interaction with surface receptor and the initiation of differentiative events.", "PMID": 778260} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4880", "title": "Humoral immunity in experimental syphilis. I. The demonstration of resistance conferred by passive immunization.", "content": "Evidence of a role for human factor(s) in immunity to experimental syphilis has been provided by the demonstration that passive immunization of rabbits by daily i.v. injections of immune serum significantly delays the appearance and markedly diminishes the severity and duration of lesions which develop after challenge with Treponema pallidum. Five rabbits were injected daily over 37 days with 3 ml/kg body weight of pooled immune rabbit serum injection with 1.1 X 10(3) T. pallidum, Nichols strain, at each of four sites. The animals developed atypical lesions of short duration after an average delay in onset of 28 days short duration after an average delay in onset of 28 days beyond the development of typical lesions in control animals similarly injected with nonimmune serum or saline. The failure of passive immunization to provide complete protection was evident not only in the development of the atypical lesions, but also in the demonstration of disseminated infection in the tissues of three of the four surviving animals 7 months after challenge. The possibility that incomplete protection may have been due to 1) insufficient immune serum levels, 2) intracellular location of T. pallidum, and/or 3) cell-mediated mechanisms is discussed.", "contents": "Humoral immunity in experimental syphilis. I. The demonstration of resistance conferred by passive immunization. Evidence of a role for human factor(s) in immunity to experimental syphilis has been provided by the demonstration that passive immunization of rabbits by daily i.v. injections of immune serum significantly delays the appearance and markedly diminishes the severity and duration of lesions which develop after challenge with Treponema pallidum. Five rabbits were injected daily over 37 days with 3 ml/kg body weight of pooled immune rabbit serum injection with 1.1 X 10(3) T. pallidum, Nichols strain, at each of four sites. The animals developed atypical lesions of short duration after an average delay in onset of 28 days short duration after an average delay in onset of 28 days beyond the development of typical lesions in control animals similarly injected with nonimmune serum or saline. The failure of passive immunization to provide complete protection was evident not only in the development of the atypical lesions, but also in the demonstration of disseminated infection in the tissues of three of the four surviving animals 7 months after challenge. The possibility that incomplete protection may have been due to 1) insufficient immune serum levels, 2) intracellular location of T. pallidum, and/or 3) cell-mediated mechanisms is discussed.", "PMID": 778261} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4881", "title": "Humoral immunity in experimental syphilis. II. The relationship of neutralizing factors in immune serum to acquired resistance.", "content": "Evidence for a humoral mechanism in immunity to experimental syphilis was provided by the demonstration of immune rabbit serum factor(s) capable of inactivating virulent Treponema pallidum, Nichols strain, in an in vitro-in vivo neutralization test. After intratesticular infection, rabbits were bled periodically and their resistance to reinfection was determined by challenge with T. pallidum. The results of challenge showed that resistance to reinfection begins to develop by 11 days after infection, becomes complete by 3 months, and persists for at least 2 years. In the neutralization test, a mixture of treponemal suspension and serum from the infected animals was incubated anaerobically at 34 degrees C and the virulence of the treponemes was determined by intradermal inoculation into normal rabbits. Complete inactivation of treponemes by immune serum required heat-stable and heat-labile (56 degrees C, 30 min) serum components and 16 hr of incubation, and was accelerated by pre-incubation of the treponemes for 4 hr with nonimmune serum but not by 100 mug/ml of added lysozyme. Serum-neutralizing activity, first demonstrable 1 month postinfection, was quantitated by a neutralizing endpoint (NEP). A relatively close quantitative correlation was shown between the development of resistance to symptomatic reinfection and the appearance and persistence of both TPI antibody and neutralizing serum factor(s). The nature of the serum factor(s), the mechanism of treponemal inactivation, and the application of the test in assessing the immune status are discussed.", "contents": "Humoral immunity in experimental syphilis. II. The relationship of neutralizing factors in immune serum to acquired resistance. Evidence for a humoral mechanism in immunity to experimental syphilis was provided by the demonstration of immune rabbit serum factor(s) capable of inactivating virulent Treponema pallidum, Nichols strain, in an in vitro-in vivo neutralization test. After intratesticular infection, rabbits were bled periodically and their resistance to reinfection was determined by challenge with T. pallidum. The results of challenge showed that resistance to reinfection begins to develop by 11 days after infection, becomes complete by 3 months, and persists for at least 2 years. In the neutralization test, a mixture of treponemal suspension and serum from the infected animals was incubated anaerobically at 34 degrees C and the virulence of the treponemes was determined by intradermal inoculation into normal rabbits. Complete inactivation of treponemes by immune serum required heat-stable and heat-labile (56 degrees C, 30 min) serum components and 16 hr of incubation, and was accelerated by pre-incubation of the treponemes for 4 hr with nonimmune serum but not by 100 mug/ml of added lysozyme. Serum-neutralizing activity, first demonstrable 1 month postinfection, was quantitated by a neutralizing endpoint (NEP). A relatively close quantitative correlation was shown between the development of resistance to symptomatic reinfection and the appearance and persistence of both TPI antibody and neutralizing serum factor(s). The nature of the serum factor(s), the mechanism of treponemal inactivation, and the application of the test in assessing the immune status are discussed.", "PMID": 778262} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4882", "title": "Eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF). I. Release from polymorphonuclear leukocytes by the calcium ionophore A23187.", "content": "Eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF), previously thought to be primarily associated with human basophils and mast cells, could be released from human neutrophils (PMN) and eosinophils but not lymphocytes by the calcium ionophore A23187. Release of ECF from PMN was time and dose-dependent. Like antigen-induced, basophil-derived ECF, PMN-derived ECF had a high selectivity for eosinophils as determined by differential counts of migrating cells and by deactivation studies. Chromatographic analysis of PMN-derived ECF on Sephadex G-25 showed an elution pattern very similar to that of basophil-derived ECF. With rat peritoneal cells, it was possible to show that mast cells as well as mast cell-depleted cell preparations could be induced to release an ECF that appears to be similar or identical to human ECF. These findings suggest that ECF may play a role in inflammatory processes involving cells other than basophils and mast cells.", "contents": "Eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF). I. Release from polymorphonuclear leukocytes by the calcium ionophore A23187. Eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF), previously thought to be primarily associated with human basophils and mast cells, could be released from human neutrophils (PMN) and eosinophils but not lymphocytes by the calcium ionophore A23187. Release of ECF from PMN was time and dose-dependent. Like antigen-induced, basophil-derived ECF, PMN-derived ECF had a high selectivity for eosinophils as determined by differential counts of migrating cells and by deactivation studies. Chromatographic analysis of PMN-derived ECF on Sephadex G-25 showed an elution pattern very similar to that of basophil-derived ECF. With rat peritoneal cells, it was possible to show that mast cells as well as mast cell-depleted cell preparations could be induced to release an ECF that appears to be similar or identical to human ECF. These findings suggest that ECF may play a role in inflammatory processes involving cells other than basophils and mast cells.", "PMID": 778263} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4883", "title": "Detection of antibodies to bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan in human sera.", "content": "A radioimmunoassay has been developed for the measurement of antibodies to peptidoglycan in human sera including patients with rheumatic fever and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The assay is based on the percentage of binding of the hapten 125I-L-Ala-gamma-d-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala, the major peptide determinant of peptidoglycan. Because of differences in the avidity of the antibodies in different sera, the amount of antibody was expressed as pentapeptide hapten-binding capacity (pentapeptide-HBC in ng/ml of serum). Fourteen out of 105 normal blood donors had a pentapeptide-HBC value greater than or equal to 75 ng/ml serum. Values in healthy children 5 to 18 years of age were less than or equal to 50 ng/ml. Sixty-eight percent of the individuals with rheumatic fever had values greater than or equal to 75 ng/ml, an indication that streptococcal infections can stimulate an immune response to peptidoglycan. Thirty-five percent of the patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis had values greater than or equal to 75 ng/ml. Such a finding points to a possible association between bacterial infections and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.", "contents": "Detection of antibodies to bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan in human sera. A radioimmunoassay has been developed for the measurement of antibodies to peptidoglycan in human sera including patients with rheumatic fever and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The assay is based on the percentage of binding of the hapten 125I-L-Ala-gamma-d-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala, the major peptide determinant of peptidoglycan. Because of differences in the avidity of the antibodies in different sera, the amount of antibody was expressed as pentapeptide hapten-binding capacity (pentapeptide-HBC in ng/ml of serum). Fourteen out of 105 normal blood donors had a pentapeptide-HBC value greater than or equal to 75 ng/ml serum. Values in healthy children 5 to 18 years of age were less than or equal to 50 ng/ml. Sixty-eight percent of the individuals with rheumatic fever had values greater than or equal to 75 ng/ml, an indication that streptococcal infections can stimulate an immune response to peptidoglycan. Thirty-five percent of the patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis had values greater than or equal to 75 ng/ml. Such a finding points to a possible association between bacterial infections and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.", "PMID": 778264} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4884", "title": "The xenogeneic effect. II. Requirement for unactivated murine T cells during restoration of immune responsiveness with xenogeneic reconstitution factor.", "content": "Studies were conducted on the mechanism of action of a soluble mediator which was generated in human mixed lymphocyte cultures and assayed for helper activity in T cell-deficient murine spleen cell cultures. The mediator, termed xenogeneic reconstitution factor or XFR, restored the anti-sheep erythrocyte plaque-forming cell response of spleen cells from thymectomized, lethally irradiated, and syngeneic bone marrow transplated (TxB) mice. It was found that in order to obtain a maximal antibody response, the XRF had to be present sometime during the first 24 to 40 hr of the induction process. XRF was also required during the last 24 hr of the incubation period. A striking synergistic effect was obtained by combined exposure of the T cell-deficient spleen cell cultures to XRF during the first and last days of culture. These data suggested a bi-modal mechanism of action of XRF, and raised the possibility that in addition to providing a signal to the B cells, XRF-mediated activation of the residual TxB splenic T cells was crucial to the successful restoration of the antibody response. Treatment of the nonadherent splenocytes from the TxB mice with anti-T cell serum and guinea pig complement completely abrogated the antibody response of these cells in the presence of adherent spleen cells, sheep erythrocytes, and the helper factor XRF. The antibody response of this combination of cells, antigen, and XRF was reconstituted by a population of unimmunized murine T cells which, in the absence of XRF, were totally unable to restore responsiveness. These results suggest that B cell activation to the formation of antibody involves the mandatory co-participation of two functionally distinct helper activities.", "contents": "The xenogeneic effect. II. Requirement for unactivated murine T cells during restoration of immune responsiveness with xenogeneic reconstitution factor. Studies were conducted on the mechanism of action of a soluble mediator which was generated in human mixed lymphocyte cultures and assayed for helper activity in T cell-deficient murine spleen cell cultures. The mediator, termed xenogeneic reconstitution factor or XFR, restored the anti-sheep erythrocyte plaque-forming cell response of spleen cells from thymectomized, lethally irradiated, and syngeneic bone marrow transplated (TxB) mice. It was found that in order to obtain a maximal antibody response, the XRF had to be present sometime during the first 24 to 40 hr of the induction process. XRF was also required during the last 24 hr of the incubation period. A striking synergistic effect was obtained by combined exposure of the T cell-deficient spleen cell cultures to XRF during the first and last days of culture. These data suggested a bi-modal mechanism of action of XRF, and raised the possibility that in addition to providing a signal to the B cells, XRF-mediated activation of the residual TxB splenic T cells was crucial to the successful restoration of the antibody response. Treatment of the nonadherent splenocytes from the TxB mice with anti-T cell serum and guinea pig complement completely abrogated the antibody response of these cells in the presence of adherent spleen cells, sheep erythrocytes, and the helper factor XRF. The antibody response of this combination of cells, antigen, and XRF was reconstituted by a population of unimmunized murine T cells which, in the absence of XRF, were totally unable to restore responsiveness. These results suggest that B cell activation to the formation of antibody involves the mandatory co-participation of two functionally distinct helper activities.", "PMID": 778265} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4885", "title": "Visualization of type I and II collagens in tissue sections by immunohistologic techniques.", "content": "Rabbit and rat antibodies were prepared against Type I and II collagens derived from bovine skin and articular cartilage, respectively. As judged by passive hemagglutination and radioimmune assays, these antibodies could be rendered generally specific for the type of collagen used for immunization by immunoadsorption. Thus, antibodies to Type II collagen did not cross-react with Type I and III collagens from skin. However, antibodies to Type I collagen still showed some cross-reaction with Type III collagen. Antibodies to Type I procollagen showed a negligible degree of cross-reaction with Type III procollagen. These purified antibodies reacted strongly with bovine and human tissue collagen as demonstrated by indirect immunoflourescence. Antibodies to Type I collagen stained dermal tissue, perichondral tissue, kidney stroma, aortic tissue, and annulus fibrosus. Antibodies to Type II collagen stained mainly the hyaline matrix of rib cartilage and nucleus pulposus. The staining patterns with anti-Type I procollagen were similar but not identical to that found with antibodies to Type I collagen. Neither of these antibodies reacted with kidney glomerular basement membrane. These antibody reagents are recommended as a sensitive and rapid screening tool for studying tissue distribution of collagen under normal and pathologic conditions.", "contents": "Visualization of type I and II collagens in tissue sections by immunohistologic techniques. Rabbit and rat antibodies were prepared against Type I and II collagens derived from bovine skin and articular cartilage, respectively. As judged by passive hemagglutination and radioimmune assays, these antibodies could be rendered generally specific for the type of collagen used for immunization by immunoadsorption. Thus, antibodies to Type II collagen did not cross-react with Type I and III collagens from skin. However, antibodies to Type I collagen still showed some cross-reaction with Type III collagen. Antibodies to Type I procollagen showed a negligible degree of cross-reaction with Type III procollagen. These purified antibodies reacted strongly with bovine and human tissue collagen as demonstrated by indirect immunoflourescence. Antibodies to Type I collagen stained dermal tissue, perichondral tissue, kidney stroma, aortic tissue, and annulus fibrosus. Antibodies to Type II collagen stained mainly the hyaline matrix of rib cartilage and nucleus pulposus. The staining patterns with anti-Type I procollagen were similar but not identical to that found with antibodies to Type I collagen. Neither of these antibodies reacted with kidney glomerular basement membrane. These antibody reagents are recommended as a sensitive and rapid screening tool for studying tissue distribution of collagen under normal and pathologic conditions.", "PMID": 778266} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4886", "title": "The course of Schistosoma mansoni infection in thymectomized rats.", "content": "Inbred rats were thymectomized, irradiated, and reconstituted with T cell-free bone marrow cells. Thymectomized-reconstituted (B rats) and control rats were infected with Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and the number of worms recovered was determined at various times after infection. The extent of immunosuppression was assessed by two criteria: 1) response to an injection of sheep erythrocytes (plaque assay, hemagglutination, hemolysis); 2) response to schistosome antigens (passive hemagglutination). Humoral responses to worm antigens were completely suppressed in almost all instances and anti-sheep erythrocyte responses showed a more variable but always very definite depression in B rats. The number of worms in B rats was about 4 times higher than in control animals at 5 weeks and about 3 times higher at 6 weeks. In a different experiment, rats were perfused at 4, 6, and 9 weeks after infection and the number of worms was found to be consistently higher in B rats, by a factor of about 2 at 4 weeks to a factor of about 4 or 6 at subsequent times. Although B rats had more worms than controls even at 9 weeks, a slow drop in their worm burden was noticeable with time in both experiments. Moreover, the size of worms in B rats was smaller than in controls and even 9-week-old worms failed to develop to normal size and appearance and could not be shown to produce fertile eggs. These experiments show a definite involvement of the immune system in the \"self-cure\" phenomenon, but may at the same time suggest that other non-immune mechanisms are involved in determining the pattern of S. mansoni infection in the rat.", "contents": "The course of Schistosoma mansoni infection in thymectomized rats. Inbred rats were thymectomized, irradiated, and reconstituted with T cell-free bone marrow cells. Thymectomized-reconstituted (B rats) and control rats were infected with Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and the number of worms recovered was determined at various times after infection. The extent of immunosuppression was assessed by two criteria: 1) response to an injection of sheep erythrocytes (plaque assay, hemagglutination, hemolysis); 2) response to schistosome antigens (passive hemagglutination). Humoral responses to worm antigens were completely suppressed in almost all instances and anti-sheep erythrocyte responses showed a more variable but always very definite depression in B rats. The number of worms in B rats was about 4 times higher than in control animals at 5 weeks and about 3 times higher at 6 weeks. In a different experiment, rats were perfused at 4, 6, and 9 weeks after infection and the number of worms was found to be consistently higher in B rats, by a factor of about 2 at 4 weeks to a factor of about 4 or 6 at subsequent times. Although B rats had more worms than controls even at 9 weeks, a slow drop in their worm burden was noticeable with time in both experiments. Moreover, the size of worms in B rats was smaller than in controls and even 9-week-old worms failed to develop to normal size and appearance and could not be shown to produce fertile eggs. These experiments show a definite involvement of the immune system in the \"self-cure\" phenomenon, but may at the same time suggest that other non-immune mechanisms are involved in determining the pattern of S. mansoni infection in the rat.", "PMID": 778268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4887", "title": "Detection of anti-TNP antibody-forming cells (AFC) with TNP-enzyme and TNP-Fab anti-enzyme conjugates.", "content": "Peroxidase (PO), alkaline phosphatase, and glucose oxidase, as well as Fab anti-PO, were coupled with varying molar ratios of trinitrophenyl (TNP) hapten. These reagents were evaluated for their ability to detect anti-TNP antibodies in the lymph node cells of Balb/c mice immunized with heavily-substituted TNP45 alkaline phosphate, which gave rise only to anti-hapten antibody-forming cells (AFC). The best results were obtained with lightly-substituted TNP-Fab anti-PO plus PO, TNP-alkaline phosphatase, and TNP-glucose oxidase. These reagents gave strong, specific staining of AFC, and negative background staining. Anti-hapten and anti-carrier AFC could be stained in contrasting colors on the same slide, when immunization was performed with lightly-substituted TNP5.9 alkaline phosphatase. Anti-hapten AFC were detected with TNP-Fab anti-PO or TNP-glucose oxidase, and unsubstituted alkaline phosphatase was used to reveal anti-carrier AFC. The number of AFC detected with these reagents was compared with the number of direct and indirect anti-TNP plaque-forming cells (PFC). At three and five weeks after primary immunization, 40 and 70% more AFC than PFC were detected. These methods can be employed alone, to enumerate anti-TNP AFC and, if desired, anti-carrier AFC; they can also be used in parallel with anti-TNP PFC assays, to determine the fractions of AFC that are not actively involved in antibody secretion.", "contents": "Detection of anti-TNP antibody-forming cells (AFC) with TNP-enzyme and TNP-Fab anti-enzyme conjugates. Peroxidase (PO), alkaline phosphatase, and glucose oxidase, as well as Fab anti-PO, were coupled with varying molar ratios of trinitrophenyl (TNP) hapten. These reagents were evaluated for their ability to detect anti-TNP antibodies in the lymph node cells of Balb/c mice immunized with heavily-substituted TNP45 alkaline phosphate, which gave rise only to anti-hapten antibody-forming cells (AFC). The best results were obtained with lightly-substituted TNP-Fab anti-PO plus PO, TNP-alkaline phosphatase, and TNP-glucose oxidase. These reagents gave strong, specific staining of AFC, and negative background staining. Anti-hapten and anti-carrier AFC could be stained in contrasting colors on the same slide, when immunization was performed with lightly-substituted TNP5.9 alkaline phosphatase. Anti-hapten AFC were detected with TNP-Fab anti-PO or TNP-glucose oxidase, and unsubstituted alkaline phosphatase was used to reveal anti-carrier AFC. The number of AFC detected with these reagents was compared with the number of direct and indirect anti-TNP plaque-forming cells (PFC). At three and five weeks after primary immunization, 40 and 70% more AFC than PFC were detected. These methods can be employed alone, to enumerate anti-TNP AFC and, if desired, anti-carrier AFC; they can also be used in parallel with anti-TNP PFC assays, to determine the fractions of AFC that are not actively involved in antibody secretion.", "PMID": 778269} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4888", "title": "The micro-membrane-fluorescence test: a new semiautomated technique based on the microtiter system.", "content": "A semiautomated modification of the membrane immunofluorescence (MF) technique was developed employing units of the Microtiter system. This new rapid technique, which allows the performance of several hundred samples within a few hours is exemplified on a MF test proving the specific reaction to anti-chicken bursa cell sera (ABS) and antichicken thymus cell sera (ATS) on bursa and thymus cells respectively. The possible value of the new method for the further standardization of immunofluorescence is also emphasized.", "contents": "The micro-membrane-fluorescence test: a new semiautomated technique based on the microtiter system. A semiautomated modification of the membrane immunofluorescence (MF) technique was developed employing units of the Microtiter system. This new rapid technique, which allows the performance of several hundred samples within a few hours is exemplified on a MF test proving the specific reaction to anti-chicken bursa cell sera (ABS) and antichicken thymus cell sera (ATS) on bursa and thymus cells respectively. The possible value of the new method for the further standardization of immunofluorescence is also emphasized.", "PMID": 778270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4889", "title": "An immuno-enzymatic assay of cortisol using E. coli beta-galactosidase as label.", "content": "An enzyme-assay of cortisol was established by using E. coli beta-galactosidase as a marker. The number of cortisol residues per molecule of enzyme and the method of separation of free from antibody-bound enzyme proved to be critical factors for the assessment of the assay. A sensitivity ranging from 100 to 150 pg of cortisol per tube has been achieved. A comparsion with other methods, i.e. competitive protein binding assay, radioimmunoassay and fluorimetry, is reported.", "contents": "An immuno-enzymatic assay of cortisol using E. coli beta-galactosidase as label. An enzyme-assay of cortisol was established by using E. coli beta-galactosidase as a marker. The number of cortisol residues per molecule of enzyme and the method of separation of free from antibody-bound enzyme proved to be critical factors for the assessment of the assay. A sensitivity ranging from 100 to 150 pg of cortisol per tube has been achieved. A comparsion with other methods, i.e. competitive protein binding assay, radioimmunoassay and fluorimetry, is reported.", "PMID": 778271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4890", "title": "Isolation of lymphocyte subpopulations from rabbit peripheral blood. Comparison of methods based on recovery of rosette-forming cells and on recovery of Ig-bearing cells from a digestible immunoadsorbent.", "content": "Two methods to obtain lymphocyte subpopulations, defined by specific surface receptors, from rabbit peripheral blood cells were compared as to cell recovery, yield and purity of the obtained fractions: a) the formation of rosettes between lymphocytes and SRBC or SRBC coated with an antigen--antibody--complement complex (D-SRBC), followed by isolation of the rosettes and recovery of the RFC, b) retention of surface-Ig bearing cells on an immunoadsorbent to which antibody to rabbit Ig was covalently attached via a digestible gelatin bridge, with subsequent recovery of the retained cells by the enzymatic digestion of the bridge. Purity of the isolated cell fractions was assessed in all cases by the percentage of cells staining with FITC-labeled goat anti-rabbit Ig. Using the rosette method, all of the RFC could be recovered from rosettes and a very pure, surface-Ig negative, sub-population of cells was obtained: however, the overall number of rosettes formed (SRBC and D-SRBC) was low (8-9% of the nucleated PBC). Very good recoveries and highly enriched cell populations were obtained with the digestible immunoadsorbent, provided certain precautions to minimize cell losses were taken. Thus, 47% of the input cells, representing 90% of the lymphocytes could be recovered; separated cell populations were 96% Ig-positive or, in another experiment, 96% Ig-negative.", "contents": "Isolation of lymphocyte subpopulations from rabbit peripheral blood. Comparison of methods based on recovery of rosette-forming cells and on recovery of Ig-bearing cells from a digestible immunoadsorbent. Two methods to obtain lymphocyte subpopulations, defined by specific surface receptors, from rabbit peripheral blood cells were compared as to cell recovery, yield and purity of the obtained fractions: a) the formation of rosettes between lymphocytes and SRBC or SRBC coated with an antigen--antibody--complement complex (D-SRBC), followed by isolation of the rosettes and recovery of the RFC, b) retention of surface-Ig bearing cells on an immunoadsorbent to which antibody to rabbit Ig was covalently attached via a digestible gelatin bridge, with subsequent recovery of the retained cells by the enzymatic digestion of the bridge. Purity of the isolated cell fractions was assessed in all cases by the percentage of cells staining with FITC-labeled goat anti-rabbit Ig. Using the rosette method, all of the RFC could be recovered from rosettes and a very pure, surface-Ig negative, sub-population of cells was obtained: however, the overall number of rosettes formed (SRBC and D-SRBC) was low (8-9% of the nucleated PBC). Very good recoveries and highly enriched cell populations were obtained with the digestible immunoadsorbent, provided certain precautions to minimize cell losses were taken. Thus, 47% of the input cells, representing 90% of the lymphocytes could be recovered; separated cell populations were 96% Ig-positive or, in another experiment, 96% Ig-negative.", "PMID": 778272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4891", "title": "Identification of basophilic granulocytes in human leukocyte suspensions subjected to immunofluorescence procedures with anti-IgE.", "content": "A method is described by which human leukocyte preparations obtained by Ficoll-Isopaque centrifugation are stained and fixed in such a way that the basophilic granulocytes in these preparations can be identified when the latter are subjected to immunofluorescence procedures with anti-IgE. Capping, blocking and absorption experiments confirmed the specificity of the test.", "contents": "Identification of basophilic granulocytes in human leukocyte suspensions subjected to immunofluorescence procedures with anti-IgE. A method is described by which human leukocyte preparations obtained by Ficoll-Isopaque centrifugation are stained and fixed in such a way that the basophilic granulocytes in these preparations can be identified when the latter are subjected to immunofluorescence procedures with anti-IgE. Capping, blocking and absorption experiments confirmed the specificity of the test.", "PMID": 778273} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4892", "title": "Preparation of conjugated erythrocytes for long term use in hemolytic plaque assays, complement fixation studies, or passive hemagglutinations: a comparative study of several methods.", "content": "A variety of conjugation procedures, with and without glutaraldehyde stabilized erythrocytes, was employed to couple human IgG to sheep erythrocytes. The efficiency of conjugation, the recovery of cells, and the extent of labeling are noted. These conjugated erythrocytes were then tested for suitability in the hemolytic plaque assay, in a passive hemagglutination test, in a complement assay, and in the detection of rheumatoid factor. Although several methods were useful in a variety of situations, it was found that conjugation using a water soluble carbodiimide (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide) at low temperature (4 degrees C) produced a uniformly acceptable product that was stable and reproducible over a seven week period. The use of this method for a diversity of antigens or haptens is discussed.", "contents": "Preparation of conjugated erythrocytes for long term use in hemolytic plaque assays, complement fixation studies, or passive hemagglutinations: a comparative study of several methods. A variety of conjugation procedures, with and without glutaraldehyde stabilized erythrocytes, was employed to couple human IgG to sheep erythrocytes. The efficiency of conjugation, the recovery of cells, and the extent of labeling are noted. These conjugated erythrocytes were then tested for suitability in the hemolytic plaque assay, in a passive hemagglutination test, in a complement assay, and in the detection of rheumatoid factor. Although several methods were useful in a variety of situations, it was found that conjugation using a water soluble carbodiimide (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide) at low temperature (4 degrees C) produced a uniformly acceptable product that was stable and reproducible over a seven week period. The use of this method for a diversity of antigens or haptens is discussed.", "PMID": 778274} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4893", "title": "Affinity chromatography. A new technique for partial purification of human leucocyte migration inhibitory factor.", "content": "Human leucocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF) was subjected to affinity column chromatography on Sepharose-bound alpha-L-fucose. Following the addition of alpha-L-fucose to the running buffer adsorbed lymphokine was eluted almost quantitatively. A minimum of 70-fold purification of LIF was achieved.", "contents": "Affinity chromatography. A new technique for partial purification of human leucocyte migration inhibitory factor. Human leucocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF) was subjected to affinity column chromatography on Sepharose-bound alpha-L-fucose. Following the addition of alpha-L-fucose to the running buffer adsorbed lymphokine was eluted almost quantitatively. A minimum of 70-fold purification of LIF was achieved.", "PMID": 778275} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4894", "title": "A method to study in vitro proliferation of lymphocytes from individual mice on repeated occasions.", "content": "A micro-method was developed that allowed the proliferation of blood lymphocytes from individual mice incubated with phytohemagglutinin to be measured on repeated occasions. Lymphocytes were isolated from 0.4 ml of heparinized blood by centrifugation through a Ficoll-Hypaque solution. This amount of blood could be taken repeatedly from individual mice and yielded 4-8 X 10(5) lymphocytes. Fifty thousand lymphocytes were incubated with 0.2 ml of medium RPMI 1640 containing 5% human serum in round bottom micro-titer wells. Using this technique lymphocytes from individual mice of the same strain were shown to differ consistently in their responses to PHA.", "contents": "A method to study in vitro proliferation of lymphocytes from individual mice on repeated occasions. A micro-method was developed that allowed the proliferation of blood lymphocytes from individual mice incubated with phytohemagglutinin to be measured on repeated occasions. Lymphocytes were isolated from 0.4 ml of heparinized blood by centrifugation through a Ficoll-Hypaque solution. This amount of blood could be taken repeatedly from individual mice and yielded 4-8 X 10(5) lymphocytes. Fifty thousand lymphocytes were incubated with 0.2 ml of medium RPMI 1640 containing 5% human serum in round bottom micro-titer wells. Using this technique lymphocytes from individual mice of the same strain were shown to differ consistently in their responses to PHA.", "PMID": 778276} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4895", "title": "Antibodies to calf serum as a cause of unwanted reaction in immunofluorescence tests.", "content": "One potentially important cause of disturbing staining of cell cultures used for immunofluorescence (IF) tests was found to be a specific reaction between calf serum and corresponding antibodies. A simple method utilizing polymerized calf serum as an immunosorbent was used for the removal of the antibodies causing the undesired reactions. One to three cycles of absorption with the calf serum immunosorbent were highly efficient in removing antibodies to calf serum, whereas the titer of a heterologous antiserum (anti-egg albumin) was only slightly affected by the same procedure. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for determination of the efficacy of the absorption method.", "contents": "Antibodies to calf serum as a cause of unwanted reaction in immunofluorescence tests. One potentially important cause of disturbing staining of cell cultures used for immunofluorescence (IF) tests was found to be a specific reaction between calf serum and corresponding antibodies. A simple method utilizing polymerized calf serum as an immunosorbent was used for the removal of the antibodies causing the undesired reactions. One to three cycles of absorption with the calf serum immunosorbent were highly efficient in removing antibodies to calf serum, whereas the titer of a heterologous antiserum (anti-egg albumin) was only slightly affected by the same procedure. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for determination of the efficacy of the absorption method.", "PMID": 778277} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4896", "title": "Detection of human contact sensitivity to dinitrochlorobenzene by the migration inhibiton test.", "content": "The migration inhibitory factor (MIF) production of peripheral lymphocytes following exposure to dinitrophenylated microsomes derived from both human (DNP-hy-Mic) and guinea pig (DNP-gp-Mic) epidermis was quantitated to detect human contact sensitivity to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The lymphocytes from nonsensitized subjects did not generate MIF following exposure to either antigen. With DNP-gp-Mic as the antigen, MIF production was noted in only 1 out of 6 DNCB-sensitized subjects and was not significant statistically. With DNP-hu-Mic as the antigen, highly significant MIF production was observed in all 12 sensitized subjects ( p less than 0.0005). In order to confirm MIf production by sensitized lymphocytes following stimulation by DNP-hu-Mic, the subjects were actively sensitized with DNCB and MIF production was assessed before and after sensitization. Remarkable MIf production was noted in the lymphocyte cultures after sensitization, although no significant MIF production was observed before sensitization. MIF production of the sensitized lymphocytes cultured in the presense of DNP-hu-Mic generally correlated well with the results of patch testing, but not with the intensity of the skin test.", "contents": "Detection of human contact sensitivity to dinitrochlorobenzene by the migration inhibiton test. The migration inhibitory factor (MIF) production of peripheral lymphocytes following exposure to dinitrophenylated microsomes derived from both human (DNP-hy-Mic) and guinea pig (DNP-gp-Mic) epidermis was quantitated to detect human contact sensitivity to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The lymphocytes from nonsensitized subjects did not generate MIF following exposure to either antigen. With DNP-gp-Mic as the antigen, MIF production was noted in only 1 out of 6 DNCB-sensitized subjects and was not significant statistically. With DNP-hu-Mic as the antigen, highly significant MIF production was observed in all 12 sensitized subjects ( p less than 0.0005). In order to confirm MIf production by sensitized lymphocytes following stimulation by DNP-hu-Mic, the subjects were actively sensitized with DNCB and MIF production was assessed before and after sensitization. Remarkable MIf production was noted in the lymphocyte cultures after sensitization, although no significant MIF production was observed before sensitization. MIF production of the sensitized lymphocytes cultured in the presense of DNP-hu-Mic generally correlated well with the results of patch testing, but not with the intensity of the skin test.", "PMID": 778281} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4897", "title": "Herpes gestationis: fine structural pattern of immunoglobulin deposits in the skin in vivo.", "content": "IgG and C3 deposits were observed in the basement membrane zone in a case with herpes gestationis. In addition, circulating IgG anti-basement membrane antibodies were found. Electron microscopic immunocytochemical investigations, performed with a peroxidase-antiperoxidase sandwich technique, revealed the in vivo-bound IgG to be localized at the epidermal basal lamina and to exhibit a distribution pattern which is identical to that reported for bullous pemphigoid.", "contents": "Herpes gestationis: fine structural pattern of immunoglobulin deposits in the skin in vivo. IgG and C3 deposits were observed in the basement membrane zone in a case with herpes gestationis. In addition, circulating IgG anti-basement membrane antibodies were found. Electron microscopic immunocytochemical investigations, performed with a peroxidase-antiperoxidase sandwich technique, revealed the in vivo-bound IgG to be localized at the epidermal basal lamina and to exhibit a distribution pattern which is identical to that reported for bullous pemphigoid.", "PMID": 778282} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4898", "title": "The blood vessels of the skin.", "content": "During the last 25 years, cutaneous biologists have been particularly interested in abnormal cutaneous vascular patterns, the profusion of capillary anastomoses, the leakiness of venules, clotting, fibrinolysis, and blood viscosity. As a result, the effects of hypoxia and the factors that encourage new vessel proliferation are better understood than before. Only when the biologic behavior of the two extremes of growth from hypoplasia to hyperplasia is studied and compared can the blood supply of a tissue be understood. Hyperplastic tissues are seen in wounds, psoriasis, cancer, and in selected sites of chronic stasis and hypoxia where the vessels are extremely permeable, where blood cells easily escape, and where lymphatics dilate and proliferate. The proliferation of other tissues, such as endothelium, epithelium, mast cells, and probably of locally infective organisms, is also encouraged in hyperplasia. Moreover, fibrinolysis does not occur and fibrin is deposited, the electrostatic charge on the internal vascular surface becomes more positive, and the organ is more vulnerable to subsequent injury. Atrophic or hypoplastic tissues have a reduced cellular turnover and are less hypoxic. The vessels are less permeable, blood cells do not escape, there is only a slight tendency to clot, and fibrinolysis is often increased. Lymphatics are sparse and infection is not a feature. The electrostatic charge on the internal surface of the vessel is negative.", "contents": "The blood vessels of the skin. During the last 25 years, cutaneous biologists have been particularly interested in abnormal cutaneous vascular patterns, the profusion of capillary anastomoses, the leakiness of venules, clotting, fibrinolysis, and blood viscosity. As a result, the effects of hypoxia and the factors that encourage new vessel proliferation are better understood than before. Only when the biologic behavior of the two extremes of growth from hypoplasia to hyperplasia is studied and compared can the blood supply of a tissue be understood. Hyperplastic tissues are seen in wounds, psoriasis, cancer, and in selected sites of chronic stasis and hypoxia where the vessels are extremely permeable, where blood cells easily escape, and where lymphatics dilate and proliferate. The proliferation of other tissues, such as endothelium, epithelium, mast cells, and probably of locally infective organisms, is also encouraged in hyperplasia. Moreover, fibrinolysis does not occur and fibrin is deposited, the electrostatic charge on the internal vascular surface becomes more positive, and the organ is more vulnerable to subsequent injury. Atrophic or hypoplastic tissues have a reduced cellular turnover and are less hypoxic. The vessels are less permeable, blood cells do not escape, there is only a slight tendency to clot, and fibrinolysis is often increased. Lymphatics are sparse and infection is not a feature. The electrostatic charge on the internal surface of the vessel is negative.", "PMID": 778283} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4899", "title": "Excelsior: a retrospective view of collagen.", "content": "The current state of knowledge about the biosynthesis of the collagen molecule and the stabilization of fibers is reviewed. There have been a number of major breakthroughs during the past 25 years which will be described.", "contents": "Excelsior: a retrospective view of collagen. The current state of knowledge about the biosynthesis of the collagen molecule and the stabilization of fibers is reviewed. There have been a number of major breakthroughs during the past 25 years which will be described.", "PMID": 778284} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4900", "title": "Inflammation: a quarter century of progress.", "content": "This report summarizes the progress of studies on inflammation during the past quarter century; it is a personal overview of the most important and salient accomplishments in this field. Except for a few references to review articles and textbooks in the field, much of the literature surveyed is not cited.", "contents": "Inflammation: a quarter century of progress. This report summarizes the progress of studies on inflammation during the past quarter century; it is a personal overview of the most important and salient accomplishments in this field. Except for a few references to review articles and textbooks in the field, much of the literature surveyed is not cited.", "PMID": 778285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4901", "title": "Developments in delayed-type hypersensitivities: 1950-1975.", "content": "Significant developments during the last 25 years are discussed and interpreted. The following areas of delayed hypersensitivity are included: the mode of active sensitization to simple allergenic chemicals; evidence for anamnestic responses; cell types and cell-cell interactions via lymphokines; function of skin and lymphatics, and the role of the carrier in initial sensitization to allergenic chemicals; acquired tolerance; transfer factor. Some prognostications for the future are attempted.", "contents": "Developments in delayed-type hypersensitivities: 1950-1975. Significant developments during the last 25 years are discussed and interpreted. The following areas of delayed hypersensitivity are included: the mode of active sensitization to simple allergenic chemicals; evidence for anamnestic responses; cell types and cell-cell interactions via lymphokines; function of skin and lymphatics, and the role of the carrier in initial sensitization to allergenic chemicals; acquired tolerance; transfer factor. Some prognostications for the future are attempted.", "PMID": 778286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4902", "title": "Superficial mycoses.", "content": "Twenty-five years ago many of the topical remedies for superficial mycoses were irritating, toxic, or allergenic. Total x-ray depilation of the scalp was the accepted mode of therapy for tinea capitis. The introduction of topical nystatin for candidiasis and tolnaftate for dermatophytosis were major advances, but tinea capitis, onychomycosis, and chronic tinea pedis still presented problems. Soon after its introduction in 1958, griseofulvin became the definitive form of therapy for all types of dermatophytosis and played a major role in abolishing large-scale epidemics of tinea capitis in some countries. Recently, haloprogin and the imidazole derivatives, miconazole and clotrimazole, which are topically active against dermatophytes and Candida albicans, have become available. Selective indicator media for isolating dermatophytes are useful diagnostic tools, but quicker methods of diagnosis which require little interpretation are still lacking. Epidemiologic studies in Vietnam again revealed the effects of climate and occlusion on the prevalence, incidence, and severity of superficial mycoses and led to renewed interest in host susceptibility, environment, and prevention of infections.", "contents": "Superficial mycoses. Twenty-five years ago many of the topical remedies for superficial mycoses were irritating, toxic, or allergenic. Total x-ray depilation of the scalp was the accepted mode of therapy for tinea capitis. The introduction of topical nystatin for candidiasis and tolnaftate for dermatophytosis were major advances, but tinea capitis, onychomycosis, and chronic tinea pedis still presented problems. Soon after its introduction in 1958, griseofulvin became the definitive form of therapy for all types of dermatophytosis and played a major role in abolishing large-scale epidemics of tinea capitis in some countries. Recently, haloprogin and the imidazole derivatives, miconazole and clotrimazole, which are topically active against dermatophytes and Candida albicans, have become available. Selective indicator media for isolating dermatophytes are useful diagnostic tools, but quicker methods of diagnosis which require little interpretation are still lacking. Epidemiologic studies in Vietnam again revealed the effects of climate and occlusion on the prevalence, incidence, and severity of superficial mycoses and led to renewed interest in host susceptibility, environment, and prevention of infections.", "PMID": 778288} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4903", "title": "Genetics and dermatology: a review.", "content": "The development of genetic studies over the last hundred years, in particular as they have affected dermatology, has been reviewed. The clinical application of knowledge derived from other fields has been emphasized, areas of future research have been indicated, and suggestions for cooperation with other disciplines have been offered.", "contents": "Genetics and dermatology: a review. The development of genetic studies over the last hundred years, in particular as they have affected dermatology, has been reviewed. The clinical application of knowledge derived from other fields has been emphasized, areas of future research have been indicated, and suggestions for cooperation with other disciplines have been offered.", "PMID": 778289} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4904", "title": "Cutaneous oncology 1950-1975.", "content": "Sociopolitical and economic climates between 1950 and 1975 favored the funding of cancer research, attracted imaginative policy makers, encouraged investigators, and generated new knowledge for clinical application. Important advances during this period include the discovery that DNA alteration is requisite for carcinogenesis and that DNA repair processes are important deterrents in the development of cancer. The better understanding of the histogenesis of epidermal cancer and melanoma has potential clinical value. More easily grasped is the progress made in the therapeutic control of mycosis fungoides and epidermal cancer. Complete control of epidermal cancer is now a foreseeable reality.", "contents": "Cutaneous oncology 1950-1975. Sociopolitical and economic climates between 1950 and 1975 favored the funding of cancer research, attracted imaginative policy makers, encouraged investigators, and generated new knowledge for clinical application. Important advances during this period include the discovery that DNA alteration is requisite for carcinogenesis and that DNA repair processes are important deterrents in the development of cancer. The better understanding of the histogenesis of epidermal cancer and melanoma has potential clinical value. More easily grasped is the progress made in the therapeutic control of mycosis fungoides and epidermal cancer. Complete control of epidermal cancer is now a foreseeable reality.", "PMID": 778291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4905", "title": "Keratinization.", "content": "Early studies have already shown that the tonofibrils of malpighian cells consist of a --SH containing fibrous alpha-protein. It was assumed that the highly resistant protective substance, keratin, was formed by the conversion of --SH groups into --S--S--bonds in this protein. This chemical reaction was regarded as the most significant event of the keratinization process. Recent studies show that keratinization proceeds by a synthetic and a degradative stage and that ultimately a complex protective substance is formed. Horny cells become filled with --SH-containing filaments embedded in a --S--S---rich amorphous matrix. This complex is encased by a thickened membrane rendered insoluble by --S--S bonds and an unknown, highly resistant bond. In the stratum corneum, the intercellular space is occupied by bipolar lipids originating from the discharged lamellae of membrane-coating granules.", "contents": "Keratinization. Early studies have already shown that the tonofibrils of malpighian cells consist of a --SH containing fibrous alpha-protein. It was assumed that the highly resistant protective substance, keratin, was formed by the conversion of --SH groups into --S--S--bonds in this protein. This chemical reaction was regarded as the most significant event of the keratinization process. Recent studies show that keratinization proceeds by a synthetic and a degradative stage and that ultimately a complex protective substance is formed. Horny cells become filled with --SH-containing filaments embedded in a --S--S---rich amorphous matrix. This complex is encased by a thickened membrane rendered insoluble by --S--S bonds and an unknown, highly resistant bond. In the stratum corneum, the intercellular space is occupied by bipolar lipids originating from the discharged lamellae of membrane-coating granules.", "PMID": 778293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4906", "title": "Cutaneous photobiology: past, present and future.", "content": "The history and origin of the science of photobiology are reviewed. Interest in the biologic effects of light gradually increased, beginning with the discovery of ultraviolet and infrared radiation early in the 19th century. The basis of experimental photobiology was laid by the studies of Raab and Tappeiner on photodynamic action and the early uses of phototherapy by Finsen and Dorno. The discovery of the association of porphyrins with some light-related skin diseases and of the capability of chemical agents such as coal tar and bergamot to induce phototoxic contact dermatitis resulted in a flurry of clinical investigations leading to better understanding of the processes of phototoxicity and photoallergy. The early epidemiologic studies of Unna and Dubreuilh relating solar radiation exposure to the formation of actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancer were experimentally confirmed in animals by Findlay, Roffo, and Blum. In the most recent quarter century (1950-1975), cellular and molecular photobiology has been refined. The studies on photochemistry of nucleic acid and of damage and repair mechanisms in DNA have set the stage for understanding the basic processes of biologic effects of light and promise the development of useful applications of specifically directed phototherapy and prevention of such light-induced diseases as skin cancer.", "contents": "Cutaneous photobiology: past, present and future. The history and origin of the science of photobiology are reviewed. Interest in the biologic effects of light gradually increased, beginning with the discovery of ultraviolet and infrared radiation early in the 19th century. The basis of experimental photobiology was laid by the studies of Raab and Tappeiner on photodynamic action and the early uses of phototherapy by Finsen and Dorno. The discovery of the association of porphyrins with some light-related skin diseases and of the capability of chemical agents such as coal tar and bergamot to induce phototoxic contact dermatitis resulted in a flurry of clinical investigations leading to better understanding of the processes of phototoxicity and photoallergy. The early epidemiologic studies of Unna and Dubreuilh relating solar radiation exposure to the formation of actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancer were experimentally confirmed in animals by Findlay, Roffo, and Blum. In the most recent quarter century (1950-1975), cellular and molecular photobiology has been refined. The studies on photochemistry of nucleic acid and of damage and repair mechanisms in DNA have set the stage for understanding the basic processes of biologic effects of light and promise the development of useful applications of specifically directed phototherapy and prevention of such light-induced diseases as skin cancer.", "PMID": 778294} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4907", "title": "Cytokinetics and chemotherapy of psoriasis.", "content": "The successful treatment of psoriasis with folic acid antagonists during the past 25 years has led to extensive research in the areas of cytokinetics and chemotherapy. In this paper we shall review selected aspects of these topics relevant to the treatment of psoriasis. The effectiveness of methotrexate treatment of psoriasis can be related to both the hyperproliferative cytokinetics of psoriasis and an increased biochemical sensitivity of psoriatic epidermal cells to this drug. Future research goals in chemotherapy of psoriasis include (a) optimizing drug schedules for available drugs; (b) identifying other susceptible biochemical points of selective drug attack; (c) identifying secondary advantages in order to facilitate selective drug action in psoriasis, such as ultraviolet light therapy in combination with a systemic drug; and (d) developing topically effective chemotherapeutic agents. Approaches to research on topical therapy are reviewed with specific reference to animal testing models for psoriasis and percutaneous penetration of topically applied agents.", "contents": "Cytokinetics and chemotherapy of psoriasis. The successful treatment of psoriasis with folic acid antagonists during the past 25 years has led to extensive research in the areas of cytokinetics and chemotherapy. In this paper we shall review selected aspects of these topics relevant to the treatment of psoriasis. The effectiveness of methotrexate treatment of psoriasis can be related to both the hyperproliferative cytokinetics of psoriasis and an increased biochemical sensitivity of psoriatic epidermal cells to this drug. Future research goals in chemotherapy of psoriasis include (a) optimizing drug schedules for available drugs; (b) identifying other susceptible biochemical points of selective drug attack; (c) identifying secondary advantages in order to facilitate selective drug action in psoriasis, such as ultraviolet light therapy in combination with a systemic drug; and (d) developing topically effective chemotherapeutic agents. Approaches to research on topical therapy are reviewed with specific reference to animal testing models for psoriasis and percutaneous penetration of topically applied agents.", "PMID": 778295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4908", "title": "Trends in electron microscopy of skin.", "content": "Some trends in electron microscopy of skin have emerged and should be pursued in the future. The fine structure and some basic cellular reaction patterns of epidermal cells are discussed to illustrate the interplay of morphologic, cytochemical, and tracer studies. Intracytoplasmic membranes and secretory granules, lysosomes and endocytic mechanisms, cytomembranes and cell surface specialization are discussed to show how these can be used to arrive at a more meaningful interpretation of structure. Despite all advances, however, a great deal more needs to be done before the details of skin structure are completely elucidated.", "contents": "Trends in electron microscopy of skin. Some trends in electron microscopy of skin have emerged and should be pursued in the future. The fine structure and some basic cellular reaction patterns of epidermal cells are discussed to illustrate the interplay of morphologic, cytochemical, and tracer studies. Intracytoplasmic membranes and secretory granules, lysosomes and endocytic mechanisms, cytomembranes and cell surface specialization are discussed to show how these can be used to arrive at a more meaningful interpretation of structure. Despite all advances, however, a great deal more needs to be done before the details of skin structure are completely elucidated.", "PMID": 778296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4909", "title": "Physiology of skin.", "content": "One of Montagna's greatest contributions to study of the biology of the skin has been his demolition of the artificial walls that traditionally separated the histologist from the physiologist. He has shown that only by relating function with structure can we shed light on the workings of the skin. He has stressed the fallacy of studying a single structural or functional unit in isolation from others. The skin represents an organization of many different functional units, and physiology of skin is the study of this organization. My purpose is to make a personal commentary on the achievements, failures, and prospects of understanding some aspects of the organization of the functional units. Twenty-five years ago, the importance of relating skin to internal organs and systems received much attention. We have long been aware that skin sometimes reacts to internal disease, but only recently has the impact of skin disorders on the circulatory, renal, and gastrointestinal systems been recognized. As a result, our patients are now less likely to suffer from neglect of the whole which follows narrow over-specialized attention to the part. Increased interest in endocrine effects on the skin has revealed that several important physiologic activities of the skin are either partly or wholly regulated by hormones secreted by endocrine glands. Nevertheless, some physiologic activities in skin seems to be independent, their regulation being carried out by local mediating hormones. Other activities involve both central and local regulation. The nature and roles of these two control mechanisms and their interrelation constitute by far the most promising physiologic research in skin.", "contents": "Physiology of skin. One of Montagna's greatest contributions to study of the biology of the skin has been his demolition of the artificial walls that traditionally separated the histologist from the physiologist. He has shown that only by relating function with structure can we shed light on the workings of the skin. He has stressed the fallacy of studying a single structural or functional unit in isolation from others. The skin represents an organization of many different functional units, and physiology of skin is the study of this organization. My purpose is to make a personal commentary on the achievements, failures, and prospects of understanding some aspects of the organization of the functional units. Twenty-five years ago, the importance of relating skin to internal organs and systems received much attention. We have long been aware that skin sometimes reacts to internal disease, but only recently has the impact of skin disorders on the circulatory, renal, and gastrointestinal systems been recognized. As a result, our patients are now less likely to suffer from neglect of the whole which follows narrow over-specialized attention to the part. Increased interest in endocrine effects on the skin has revealed that several important physiologic activities of the skin are either partly or wholly regulated by hormones secreted by endocrine glands. Nevertheless, some physiologic activities in skin seems to be independent, their regulation being carried out by local mediating hormones. Other activities involve both central and local regulation. The nature and roles of these two control mechanisms and their interrelation constitute by far the most promising physiologic research in skin.", "PMID": 778297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4910", "title": "Biochemistry in relation to dermatology in the past 25 years.", "content": "Great progress has been made during the past 25 years in biochemical studies and similar progress has been made in investigative dermatology. The progress originally depended upon the development of a group of leaders who won support for research endeavors, and in the future its continuation will depend upon support for basic support for basic research in clinical departments. Current studies on melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptors, the role of filaments in pigment cells, and the role of cyclic AMP in melanocytes are reviewed.", "contents": "Biochemistry in relation to dermatology in the past 25 years. Great progress has been made during the past 25 years in biochemical studies and similar progress has been made in investigative dermatology. The progress originally depended upon the development of a group of leaders who won support for research endeavors, and in the future its continuation will depend upon support for basic support for basic research in clinical departments. Current studies on melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptors, the role of filaments in pigment cells, and the role of cyclic AMP in melanocytes are reviewed.", "PMID": 778298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4911", "title": "Growth and differentiation of skin.", "content": "During the past 25 years, attention has turned from the morphologic aspects of skin development which are well known, to the mechanisms that control this development. Although our knowledge of these mechanisms is still limited, some avenues of investigation appear promising, e.g., epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, cell communication and other cell surface phenomena, and certain aspects of the proliferative process. In the analysis of what controls growth and differentiation, skin, as the experimental system, has played a major role.", "contents": "Growth and differentiation of skin. During the past 25 years, attention has turned from the morphologic aspects of skin development which are well known, to the mechanisms that control this development. Although our knowledge of these mechanisms is still limited, some avenues of investigation appear promising, e.g., epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, cell communication and other cell surface phenomena, and certain aspects of the proliferative process. In the analysis of what controls growth and differentiation, skin, as the experimental system, has played a major role.", "PMID": 778299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4912", "title": "The sebaceous glands: twenty-five years of progress.", "content": "During the last twenty-five years, research on the sebaceous glands has made significant advances. Many of the new findings are related to electron microscopy, quantitative lipid composition studies, and the hormonal and nonhormonal control of sebaceous gland secretion.", "contents": "The sebaceous glands: twenty-five years of progress. During the last twenty-five years, research on the sebaceous glands has made significant advances. Many of the new findings are related to electron microscopy, quantitative lipid composition studies, and the hormonal and nonhormonal control of sebaceous gland secretion.", "PMID": 778300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4913", "title": "Hair.", "content": "The psychologic importance of hair to man is in inverse ratio to its physical function. Except for scalp hair and desultory areas of sexual hair, most of man's hair follicles are vestigial. Three problems of hair growth remain to be solved: (1) how the intermittent activity of hair follicles in both animals and man is controlled; (2) how the male hormone alters the hair cycle in human skin; and (3) why larger hairs are produced by testosterone in some areas of the body when in some individuals the hair follicles in the scalp regress. Studies in which skin grafts from rats of different ages were exchanged showed that hair follicles are innately programmed but can be slowly influenced by systemic factors. Steroid hormones, especially estrogens, slow down the moult cycle whereas thyroid hormones accelerate it. What establishes the innate rhythm remains problematical. The fact that plucking out the club hair initiates activity in resting follicles has been explained by the hypothesis that the mitotic inhibitor which accumulates during anagen is normally used up or dispersed during telogen or by wounding. However, contrary to this theory, follicular activity is not prolonged by epilation during anagen. Moreover, if rats are epilated within one or two days of eruption, only club hairs are removed since forceps cannot grasp the tips of the new hairs. Such epilation does not affect the anagen in progress, but remarkedly enough the subsequent resting phase is shortened. Both sexual hair and male-pattern baldness depend on androgenic hormones. Target organs of testosterone convert the hormone to active metabolites, chiefly 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone. In skin, however, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone may not be the only active tissue androgen. The major metabolite of testosterone incubated with hair roots in androstenedione, and hirsute women without other obvious endocrine abnormality sometimes excrete high levels of androstanediol. Both steroids stimulated the sebaceous glands of hypophysectomized-castrated rats, which, however, showed only a limited response to testosterone. The androgenic steroids, the enzymes that convert them to their active metabolites, and the proteins that bind them are undoubtedly very important to the problems of the growth of sexual hair and male-pattern baldness.", "contents": "Hair. The psychologic importance of hair to man is in inverse ratio to its physical function. Except for scalp hair and desultory areas of sexual hair, most of man's hair follicles are vestigial. Three problems of hair growth remain to be solved: (1) how the intermittent activity of hair follicles in both animals and man is controlled; (2) how the male hormone alters the hair cycle in human skin; and (3) why larger hairs are produced by testosterone in some areas of the body when in some individuals the hair follicles in the scalp regress. Studies in which skin grafts from rats of different ages were exchanged showed that hair follicles are innately programmed but can be slowly influenced by systemic factors. Steroid hormones, especially estrogens, slow down the moult cycle whereas thyroid hormones accelerate it. What establishes the innate rhythm remains problematical. The fact that plucking out the club hair initiates activity in resting follicles has been explained by the hypothesis that the mitotic inhibitor which accumulates during anagen is normally used up or dispersed during telogen or by wounding. However, contrary to this theory, follicular activity is not prolonged by epilation during anagen. Moreover, if rats are epilated within one or two days of eruption, only club hairs are removed since forceps cannot grasp the tips of the new hairs. Such epilation does not affect the anagen in progress, but remarkedly enough the subsequent resting phase is shortened. Both sexual hair and male-pattern baldness depend on androgenic hormones. Target organs of testosterone convert the hormone to active metabolites, chiefly 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone. In skin, however, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone may not be the only active tissue androgen. The major metabolite of testosterone incubated with hair roots in androstenedione, and hirsute women without other obvious endocrine abnormality sometimes excrete high levels of androstanediol. Both steroids stimulated the sebaceous glands of hypophysectomized-castrated rats, which, however, showed only a limited response to testosterone. The androgenic steroids, the enzymes that convert them to their active metabolites, and the proteins that bind them are undoubtedly very important to the problems of the growth of sexual hair and male-pattern baldness.", "PMID": 778301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4914", "title": "Live, attenuated influenza A/England/42/72 (H3N2) virus vaccine: a field trial.", "content": "Two doses of a live, attentuated influenza A/England/42/72 (H3N2) vaccine virus (inhibitor-insensitive Alice strain) were administered intranasally to 130 university students, and placebo was given to 134 students. Fourfold or greater rises in titer of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody occurred in 68% of all vaccine recipients and in 88% of those with initial titers of less than 1:8; the geometric mean titer of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody increased from 1:15 to 1:77. A 3.2-fold rise in titer of neuraminidase-inhibiting antibody occurred in 24% of the students. Side effects produced by administration of the vaccine include mild rhinitis and sore throat, which were found only during the first four days after administration of the first dose. Inhibitor-insensitive virus was shed only by three of 31 intensively studied vaccine recipients; these three subjects all had initial serum titers of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody of less than 1:8. No transmission of vaccine virus to spouses was detected. During a 12-month interval after vaccination, the geometric mean titer of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody in serum and the prevalence of antibody decreased minimally among the 47 vaccine recipients still available for study.", "contents": "Live, attenuated influenza A/England/42/72 (H3N2) virus vaccine: a field trial. Two doses of a live, attentuated influenza A/England/42/72 (H3N2) vaccine virus (inhibitor-insensitive Alice strain) were administered intranasally to 130 university students, and placebo was given to 134 students. Fourfold or greater rises in titer of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody occurred in 68% of all vaccine recipients and in 88% of those with initial titers of less than 1:8; the geometric mean titer of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody increased from 1:15 to 1:77. A 3.2-fold rise in titer of neuraminidase-inhibiting antibody occurred in 24% of the students. Side effects produced by administration of the vaccine include mild rhinitis and sore throat, which were found only during the first four days after administration of the first dose. Inhibitor-insensitive virus was shed only by three of 31 intensively studied vaccine recipients; these three subjects all had initial serum titers of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody of less than 1:8. No transmission of vaccine virus to spouses was detected. During a 12-month interval after vaccination, the geometric mean titer of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody in serum and the prevalence of antibody decreased minimally among the 47 vaccine recipients still available for study.", "PMID": 778302} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4915", "title": "Induction of resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae by exposure to cephalothin and cefoxitin.", "content": "Six strains each of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were exposed to subinhibitory, but serially incremental, concentrations of cephalothin and cefoxitin in a totally defined liquid culture medium. After exposure to cephalothin, the level of resistance to both drugs increased; the gain was greater against cephalothin and among the strains of K. pneumoniae. After exposure to cefoxitin, resistance to both drugs developed; this resistance was greater against cefoxitin and among the strains of K. pneumoniae. Acquired resistance was not lost after serial subculture in drug-free medium. Qualitative tests revealed no cephalosporinase activity in the resistant straphylococci and in four of the strains of K. pneumoniae. Two strains of K. pneumoniae, which had been isolated from a patient before and after failure of treatment with cephalothin, respectively, had no demonstrable cephalosporinase activity as isolated but developed activity after exposure to cephalothin in vitro.", "contents": "Induction of resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae by exposure to cephalothin and cefoxitin. Six strains each of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were exposed to subinhibitory, but serially incremental, concentrations of cephalothin and cefoxitin in a totally defined liquid culture medium. After exposure to cephalothin, the level of resistance to both drugs increased; the gain was greater against cephalothin and among the strains of K. pneumoniae. After exposure to cefoxitin, resistance to both drugs developed; this resistance was greater against cefoxitin and among the strains of K. pneumoniae. Acquired resistance was not lost after serial subculture in drug-free medium. Qualitative tests revealed no cephalosporinase activity in the resistant straphylococci and in four of the strains of K. pneumoniae. Two strains of K. pneumoniae, which had been isolated from a patient before and after failure of treatment with cephalothin, respectively, had no demonstrable cephalosporinase activity as isolated but developed activity after exposure to cephalothin in vitro.", "PMID": 778303} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4916", "title": "JC Papovavirus in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.", "content": "Brain tissue from seven patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy was tested for the presence of papovaviruses. JC virus, ahuman papovavirus, was identified in all seven cases. Virus was isolated in tissue culture from extracts from each of four patients and was detected by immunofluorescence in sections from the other three. The new osolates were indistinguishable from the prototypical JC strain serologically and in all biological characteristics examined. Thus JC virus has, to date, been associated with 20 cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.", "contents": "JC Papovavirus in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Brain tissue from seven patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy was tested for the presence of papovaviruses. JC virus, ahuman papovavirus, was identified in all seven cases. Virus was isolated in tissue culture from extracts from each of four patients and was detected by immunofluorescence in sections from the other three. The new osolates were indistinguishable from the prototypical JC strain serologically and in all biological characteristics examined. Thus JC virus has, to date, been associated with 20 cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.", "PMID": 778304} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4917", "title": "Double-blind clinical assessment of ribavirin (virazole) in the prevention of induced infection with type B influenza virus.", "content": "The prophylactic effectiveness of oral administration of ribavirin (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,24-triazole-3-carboxamide, virazole) against artificially induced influenza B infection was evaluated in a double-blind clinical trial. Fifteen seronegative men received ribavirin capsules (600 mg/day in three divided doses), and 15 other men received placebo capsules two days before the inoculation of 6.4 X 10(4) 50% tissue culture infective doses of influenza virus B/Georgia/26/74 and for eight days after challenge. Ten men (69%) in each of the two groups developed mild to severe influenzal illness. Of these, five placebo-treated men developed severe febrile illness, while only one drug-treated man had illness of comparable severity. Illness of moderate severity was observed in three placebo-treated conrols and two drug recipients. There was no difference between the frequencies of isolation of virus or the anitbody responses in the two groups. Ribavirin suppressed signs and symptoms induced by influenza B challenge, but its effectiveness was marginal.", "contents": "Double-blind clinical assessment of ribavirin (virazole) in the prevention of induced infection with type B influenza virus. The prophylactic effectiveness of oral administration of ribavirin (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,24-triazole-3-carboxamide, virazole) against artificially induced influenza B infection was evaluated in a double-blind clinical trial. Fifteen seronegative men received ribavirin capsules (600 mg/day in three divided doses), and 15 other men received placebo capsules two days before the inoculation of 6.4 X 10(4) 50% tissue culture infective doses of influenza virus B/Georgia/26/74 and for eight days after challenge. Ten men (69%) in each of the two groups developed mild to severe influenzal illness. Of these, five placebo-treated men developed severe febrile illness, while only one drug-treated man had illness of comparable severity. Illness of moderate severity was observed in three placebo-treated conrols and two drug recipients. There was no difference between the frequencies of isolation of virus or the anitbody responses in the two groups. Ribavirin suppressed signs and symptoms induced by influenza B challenge, but its effectiveness was marginal.", "PMID": 778306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4918", "title": "Comparative clinical and laboratory evaluation of the prophylactic capacity of ribavirin, amantadine hydrochloride, and placebo in induced human influenza type A.", "content": "The comparative prophylactic effectiveness of oral treatment with ribavirin (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4,triazole-3-carboxamide; virazole) and amantadine hydrochloride against artificially induced infection with influenza A virus was evaluated in 29 seronegative men who received ribavirin capsules (200 mg) three times daily, placebo capsules three times daily, or amantadine capsules (100 mg) twice daily. Medication was started two days before the inoculation of 2 X 10(4) 50% tissue culture infective doses of A University of Maryland/2/74 (H3N2) influenza virus and was continued for eight days after challege. Nine of the 10 subjects who received ribavirin, eight of the nine subjects who received placebo, and six of the 10 subjects who received amantadine developed influenzal illness. Significantly less virus was isolated from the amantadine-treated group than from the placebo-treated or the ribavirin-treated group. Antibody responses of the ribavirin-treated and placebo-treated groups were quite similar to each other; however, prophylactic treatment with amantadine significantly reduced titers of serum antibody and febrile responses. In a separate clinical trial involving challenge with A/Dunedin/73 (H3N2) influenza virus, ribavirin also failed to show prophylactic effectiveness.", "contents": "Comparative clinical and laboratory evaluation of the prophylactic capacity of ribavirin, amantadine hydrochloride, and placebo in induced human influenza type A. The comparative prophylactic effectiveness of oral treatment with ribavirin (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4,triazole-3-carboxamide; virazole) and amantadine hydrochloride against artificially induced infection with influenza A virus was evaluated in 29 seronegative men who received ribavirin capsules (200 mg) three times daily, placebo capsules three times daily, or amantadine capsules (100 mg) twice daily. Medication was started two days before the inoculation of 2 X 10(4) 50% tissue culture infective doses of A University of Maryland/2/74 (H3N2) influenza virus and was continued for eight days after challege. Nine of the 10 subjects who received ribavirin, eight of the nine subjects who received placebo, and six of the 10 subjects who received amantadine developed influenzal illness. Significantly less virus was isolated from the amantadine-treated group than from the placebo-treated or the ribavirin-treated group. Antibody responses of the ribavirin-treated and placebo-treated groups were quite similar to each other; however, prophylactic treatment with amantadine significantly reduced titers of serum antibody and febrile responses. In a separate clinical trial involving challenge with A/Dunedin/73 (H3N2) influenza virus, ribavirin also failed to show prophylactic effectiveness.", "PMID": 778307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4919", "title": "Superinduction of interferon with metabolic inhibitors: possible mechanisms and practical applications.", "content": "Ten years have passed since cycloheximide was first shown to enhance endotoxin-induced production of interferon in mice, in the first demonstration of what was later called the superinduction of interferon. Various inhibitors of protein and RNA symthesis, as well as combinations of these inhibitors, have been shown to act as superinducing agents of interferon production stimulated by polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid. The evidence that superinduction is due to the suppression of a mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation of interferon synthesis is rather convincing. The notion (first proposed about six years ago) that this modification is caused by a protein \"repressor\" remains the most plausible, albeit still unproved, hypothesis. The availability of systems that translate with fidelity interferon messenger RNA isolated from induced cells should prove most useful in the elucidation of post-transcriptional control mechanisms of interferon synthesis and of interferon superinduction. Meanwhile, superinduction has become a useful tool for the production of large quantities of interferon. In particular, this technique has been successfully applied to the production of interferon from human diploid fibroblasts. The clinical potential of this material remains to be critically examined.", "contents": "Superinduction of interferon with metabolic inhibitors: possible mechanisms and practical applications. Ten years have passed since cycloheximide was first shown to enhance endotoxin-induced production of interferon in mice, in the first demonstration of what was later called the superinduction of interferon. Various inhibitors of protein and RNA symthesis, as well as combinations of these inhibitors, have been shown to act as superinducing agents of interferon production stimulated by polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid. The evidence that superinduction is due to the suppression of a mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation of interferon synthesis is rather convincing. The notion (first proposed about six years ago) that this modification is caused by a protein \"repressor\" remains the most plausible, albeit still unproved, hypothesis. The availability of systems that translate with fidelity interferon messenger RNA isolated from induced cells should prove most useful in the elucidation of post-transcriptional control mechanisms of interferon synthesis and of interferon superinduction. Meanwhile, superinduction has become a useful tool for the production of large quantities of interferon. In particular, this technique has been successfully applied to the production of interferon from human diploid fibroblasts. The clinical potential of this material remains to be critically examined.", "PMID": 778308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4920", "title": "A perspective from controlled investigations of chemotherapy for viral respiratory infections.", "content": "Failure to translate discoveries about the etiology of viral respiratory infections into effective vaccines has stimulated research into antiviral chemotherapy. Volunteers whose antibody status before challenge is known and who have been exposed to a known dose of virus at a defined time provide an objective system for controlled observation of antiviral chemotherapy. A perspective on experience with drugs of five different categories of mechanisms of action is presented. Prophylactic and possibly therapeutic control of influenza and rhinovirus infections is possible. Field trials have confirmed that some regimens have beneficial effects and have shown the clinical restrictions of others. Chemotherapy is enhanced by immunoprophylaxis, and vice versa. If the potential of antiviral chemotherapy for clinical use is to be realized, complex virologic problems (some related to drugs and others unrelated) must be overcome. The groundwork is laid for new directions and new successes in the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory diseases with antiviral drugs.", "contents": "A perspective from controlled investigations of chemotherapy for viral respiratory infections. Failure to translate discoveries about the etiology of viral respiratory infections into effective vaccines has stimulated research into antiviral chemotherapy. Volunteers whose antibody status before challenge is known and who have been exposed to a known dose of virus at a defined time provide an objective system for controlled observation of antiviral chemotherapy. A perspective on experience with drugs of five different categories of mechanisms of action is presented. Prophylactic and possibly therapeutic control of influenza and rhinovirus infections is possible. Field trials have confirmed that some regimens have beneficial effects and have shown the clinical restrictions of others. Chemotherapy is enhanced by immunoprophylaxis, and vice versa. If the potential of antiviral chemotherapy for clinical use is to be realized, complex virologic problems (some related to drugs and others unrelated) must be overcome. The groundwork is laid for new directions and new successes in the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory diseases with antiviral drugs.", "PMID": 778309} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4921", "title": "Defective leukotaxis in patients with lepromatous leprosy.", "content": "Serums from patients with lepromatous leprosy show a high incidence of a chemotactic inhibitor. This inhibitor acts directly on leukotactic factors (bacterial chemotactic factor, C3 fragment, and C5 fragment) to render the factors irreversibly inactive. Functionally, the inhibitor acts as a chemotactic factor inactivator. While normal serum shows no inhibitory activity under the conditions employed, inhibitory activity causing more than 30 per cent reduction of the bacterial chemotactic factor was found in the serums from 14 of 19 patients with lepromatous leprosy. Although exceptions were noted, a correlation was found between the presence of the inhibitor and depressed skin reactivity to a series of antigens (Lepromin, Trichophytin, Candida, PPD, and mumps antigen) used for elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. The presence in leprosy serums of this inhibitor may be responsible, at least in part, for some of the defects of cellular inflammatory responses in patients with lepromatous leprosy.", "contents": "Defective leukotaxis in patients with lepromatous leprosy. Serums from patients with lepromatous leprosy show a high incidence of a chemotactic inhibitor. This inhibitor acts directly on leukotactic factors (bacterial chemotactic factor, C3 fragment, and C5 fragment) to render the factors irreversibly inactive. Functionally, the inhibitor acts as a chemotactic factor inactivator. While normal serum shows no inhibitory activity under the conditions employed, inhibitory activity causing more than 30 per cent reduction of the bacterial chemotactic factor was found in the serums from 14 of 19 patients with lepromatous leprosy. Although exceptions were noted, a correlation was found between the presence of the inhibitor and depressed skin reactivity to a series of antigens (Lepromin, Trichophytin, Candida, PPD, and mumps antigen) used for elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. The presence in leprosy serums of this inhibitor may be responsible, at least in part, for some of the defects of cellular inflammatory responses in patients with lepromatous leprosy.", "PMID": 778311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4922", "title": "A method for the immunoassay of insulin in the presence of insulin therapy-induced antibody.", "content": "Antibodies produced by exogenous insulin therapy interfere with the measurement of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) by conventional methods. A modified acid-alcohol extraction method is described which allows for accurate measurement of total IRI in the plasma of insulin-treated patients. Total extractable IRI includes both IRI bound to antibody and free IRI. Free IRI can be separated from antibody-bound IRI by Sephadex G-50 chromatography. The amount of insulin bound to antibody is calculated as the difference between total extractable IRI and the free IRI. The accuracy of these methods is demonstrated by recovery experiments. Suggested applications of these techniques to clinical states are offered.", "contents": "A method for the immunoassay of insulin in the presence of insulin therapy-induced antibody. Antibodies produced by exogenous insulin therapy interfere with the measurement of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) by conventional methods. A modified acid-alcohol extraction method is described which allows for accurate measurement of total IRI in the plasma of insulin-treated patients. Total extractable IRI includes both IRI bound to antibody and free IRI. Free IRI can be separated from antibody-bound IRI by Sephadex G-50 chromatography. The amount of insulin bound to antibody is calculated as the difference between total extractable IRI and the free IRI. The accuracy of these methods is demonstrated by recovery experiments. Suggested applications of these techniques to clinical states are offered.", "PMID": 778312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4923", "title": "Platelet-bound ristocetin aggregation factor in normal subjects and patients with von Willebrand's disease.", "content": "Antiserum specific for that part of the factor VIII complex designated ristocetin aggregation factor (VIIIRAF) was prepared by immunizing rabbits with VIIIRAF derived from the plasma of a hemophilic patient with circulating antibody to factor VIII procoagulant activity (VIIIcoag). The rabbit antiserum prevented ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation and platelet retention by glass-bead columns. Although the antiserum also inactivated VIIIcoag in normal plasma, it did not inactivate VIIIcoag which had been dissociated from VIIIRAF by chromatography in 1 M NaCl, thus establishing the antigenic specificity of these two factors. When the VIIIRAF antibody was conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate and used to examine platelets from normal subjects and patients with von Willebrand's disease, the normal platelets showed a granular fluorescence similar to that observed with antifibrinogen serum whole von Willebrand platelets showed no fluorescent staining. The normal platelets retained the VIIIRAF granules during 18 hours incubation and 5 washings in artificial medium while the von Willebrand platelets failed to acquire granules after 18 hours in normal plasma. When the unstained platelets from patients with von Willebrand's disease were suspended in normal plasma and then aggregated by the addition of ristocetin, the aggregates not only stained brightly for VIIRAF, but fluorescent granules could be seen on individual platelets in the aggregates. These observations suggest that ristocetin causes the binding of VIIIRAF to platelets as well as platelet-to-platelet adhesion.", "contents": "Platelet-bound ristocetin aggregation factor in normal subjects and patients with von Willebrand's disease. Antiserum specific for that part of the factor VIII complex designated ristocetin aggregation factor (VIIIRAF) was prepared by immunizing rabbits with VIIIRAF derived from the plasma of a hemophilic patient with circulating antibody to factor VIII procoagulant activity (VIIIcoag). The rabbit antiserum prevented ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation and platelet retention by glass-bead columns. Although the antiserum also inactivated VIIIcoag in normal plasma, it did not inactivate VIIIcoag which had been dissociated from VIIIRAF by chromatography in 1 M NaCl, thus establishing the antigenic specificity of these two factors. When the VIIIRAF antibody was conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate and used to examine platelets from normal subjects and patients with von Willebrand's disease, the normal platelets showed a granular fluorescence similar to that observed with antifibrinogen serum whole von Willebrand platelets showed no fluorescent staining. The normal platelets retained the VIIIRAF granules during 18 hours incubation and 5 washings in artificial medium while the von Willebrand platelets failed to acquire granules after 18 hours in normal plasma. When the unstained platelets from patients with von Willebrand's disease were suspended in normal plasma and then aggregated by the addition of ristocetin, the aggregates not only stained brightly for VIIRAF, but fluorescent granules could be seen on individual platelets in the aggregates. These observations suggest that ristocetin causes the binding of VIIIRAF to platelets as well as platelet-to-platelet adhesion.", "PMID": 778313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4924", "title": "The mechanism of glycerol-induced acute renal failure.", "content": "Ten rabbits with transparent ear chambers were grafted with small pieces of kidney. The resulting vessel anastomosis and restoration of renal blood flow allowed continuous microscopic observations of functioning renal tissue in vivo. When the grafts were well established, acute renal failure was induced in the rabbit by glycerol injection. All cases showed similar changes. Within minutes the brisk blood flow within the renal grafts became progressively more sluggish until complete stasis was established. The initial change was a blanching of intertubular and glomerular capillaries with progressive dilation and stasis of renal veins. Only after almost complete cessation of blood flow in most graft vessels, generally after a further 10 minutes, was any change in arteries or arterioles observed. The afferent arterioles and then larger arteries showed constriction followed by complete stasis. The ear chamber vessels (nonrenal) continued to flow normally. Blood flow was slowly re-established in the grafts and by the next day was normal in the surviving rabbits. These studies provided visual in vivo evidence that the mechanism of glycerol-induced acute renal failure is mediated by a reversible renal ischemia and that the factors responsible act particularly on renal vasculature. However, the mechanism whereby blood flow ceases is obscure and it cannot be attributed to arterial or arteriolar constriction.", "contents": "The mechanism of glycerol-induced acute renal failure. Ten rabbits with transparent ear chambers were grafted with small pieces of kidney. The resulting vessel anastomosis and restoration of renal blood flow allowed continuous microscopic observations of functioning renal tissue in vivo. When the grafts were well established, acute renal failure was induced in the rabbit by glycerol injection. All cases showed similar changes. Within minutes the brisk blood flow within the renal grafts became progressively more sluggish until complete stasis was established. The initial change was a blanching of intertubular and glomerular capillaries with progressive dilation and stasis of renal veins. Only after almost complete cessation of blood flow in most graft vessels, generally after a further 10 minutes, was any change in arteries or arterioles observed. The afferent arterioles and then larger arteries showed constriction followed by complete stasis. The ear chamber vessels (nonrenal) continued to flow normally. Blood flow was slowly re-established in the grafts and by the next day was normal in the surviving rabbits. These studies provided visual in vivo evidence that the mechanism of glycerol-induced acute renal failure is mediated by a reversible renal ischemia and that the factors responsible act particularly on renal vasculature. However, the mechanism whereby blood flow ceases is obscure and it cannot be attributed to arterial or arteriolar constriction.", "PMID": 778314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4925", "title": "The facial tics.", "content": "The abnormal movements of the facial muscles are classified and the diagnosis and treatment considered in light of 22 cases of hemifacial spasm. Forms of treatment which give only temporary cessation of spasm and require complex and unpleasant treatment to be oft repeated are seldom tolerated for long by the patient. Permanent cure of spasm can only be obtained when the facial nerve or its branch to the muscle is permanently divided or the muscle itself excised. Neurotomy as practised by German (1942) and Scoville (1955) has not been found satisfactory in the present series. Neuro-anastomosis at different sites in the course of the 7th nerve is discussed and shown to be of value in patients with severe widespread spasm and in those in which the spasm is more localised. This method results in only temporary palsy of the facial muscles, the duration of the palsy depending on the site of the division of the facial nerve.", "contents": "The facial tics. The abnormal movements of the facial muscles are classified and the diagnosis and treatment considered in light of 22 cases of hemifacial spasm. Forms of treatment which give only temporary cessation of spasm and require complex and unpleasant treatment to be oft repeated are seldom tolerated for long by the patient. Permanent cure of spasm can only be obtained when the facial nerve or its branch to the muscle is permanently divided or the muscle itself excised. Neurotomy as practised by German (1942) and Scoville (1955) has not been found satisfactory in the present series. Neuro-anastomosis at different sites in the course of the 7th nerve is discussed and shown to be of value in patients with severe widespread spasm and in those in which the spasm is more localised. This method results in only temporary palsy of the facial muscles, the duration of the palsy depending on the site of the division of the facial nerve.", "PMID": 778316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4926", "title": "Facial nerve paralysis caused by carcinoma developed in thorotrastoma in the parotid gland.", "content": "A carcinoma developed in a thorotrastoma of the right parotid gland and caused facial paralysis 28 years after a sialography with radioactive thorotrast. The literature is reviewed, and another case is reported in which facial nerve paralysis occurred without evidence of malignancy.", "contents": "Facial nerve paralysis caused by carcinoma developed in thorotrastoma in the parotid gland. A carcinoma developed in a thorotrastoma of the right parotid gland and caused facial paralysis 28 years after a sialography with radioactive thorotrast. The literature is reviewed, and another case is reported in which facial nerve paralysis occurred without evidence of malignancy.", "PMID": 778317} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4927", "title": "Rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear and mastoid.", "content": "A case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear and mastoid is presented. The patient was treated by irradiation and Actinomycin D, and survived 4-5 months.", "contents": "Rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear and mastoid. A case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear and mastoid is presented. The patient was treated by irradiation and Actinomycin D, and survived 4-5 months.", "PMID": 778318} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4928", "title": "Placental lactogen (chorionic mammotrophin) in the field vole, Microtus agrestis, and the bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus.", "content": "Placental lactogen has been detected in the field vole, Microtus agrestis, and the bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus, using a co-culture technique. In field voles this activity could be detected from about day 8 of pregnancy to shortly before term, and stimulated both mouse and vole mammary gland to secrete in vitro. Partial immunological cross-reaction was detected in a radioimmunoassay system between rat prolactin and either extracts of vole pituitaries or media on which vole pituitaries had been cultured; vole placental lactogen showed no cross-reaction with rat prolactin. One site of origin for this hormone is probably the trophoblastic giant cells.", "contents": "Placental lactogen (chorionic mammotrophin) in the field vole, Microtus agrestis, and the bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus. Placental lactogen has been detected in the field vole, Microtus agrestis, and the bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus, using a co-culture technique. In field voles this activity could be detected from about day 8 of pregnancy to shortly before term, and stimulated both mouse and vole mammary gland to secrete in vitro. Partial immunological cross-reaction was detected in a radioimmunoassay system between rat prolactin and either extracts of vole pituitaries or media on which vole pituitaries had been cultured; vole placental lactogen showed no cross-reaction with rat prolactin. One site of origin for this hormone is probably the trophoblastic giant cells.", "PMID": 778321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4929", "title": "Site of origin of the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone in long-term ovariectomized rats.", "content": "If long-term ovariectomized rats are treated with the long-acting barbiturate, sodium phenobarbitone, the well-known pulsatile secretion of LH is depressed, resulting in a constant, still raised, plasma LH level. This indicates that in all probability ovariectomized rats secrete LH in both a tonic and a pulsatile way, only the latter being sensitive to phenobarbitone treatment. Constant infusions of synthetic LH-RH into phenobarbitone-treated ovariectomized rats induced a steadily increasing plasma LH concentration without pulsations, whereas pulsatile infusions of the releasing hormone, following a constant infusion, resulted in a pulsatile secretion of LH. This indicates that the pulsatile secretion of LH in ovariectomized rats is the result of a pulsatile secretion of the hypothalamic releasing hormone; the pituitary gland itself is not the site of origin of the phenomenon.", "contents": "Site of origin of the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone in long-term ovariectomized rats. If long-term ovariectomized rats are treated with the long-acting barbiturate, sodium phenobarbitone, the well-known pulsatile secretion of LH is depressed, resulting in a constant, still raised, plasma LH level. This indicates that in all probability ovariectomized rats secrete LH in both a tonic and a pulsatile way, only the latter being sensitive to phenobarbitone treatment. Constant infusions of synthetic LH-RH into phenobarbitone-treated ovariectomized rats induced a steadily increasing plasma LH concentration without pulsations, whereas pulsatile infusions of the releasing hormone, following a constant infusion, resulted in a pulsatile secretion of LH. This indicates that the pulsatile secretion of LH in ovariectomized rats is the result of a pulsatile secretion of the hypothalamic releasing hormone; the pituitary gland itself is not the site of origin of the phenomenon.", "PMID": 778322} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4930", "title": "[Recommendations of the German Society for Clinical Chemistry. Performance of clinical-chemical tests on pharmaceuticals (author's transl)].", "content": "In the Federal Republic of Germany, the recommendations of professional bodies for the testing of pharmaceuticals, which were published rather a long time ago, do not refer to clinical-chemical investigations (Report of the executive committee of the German Pharmacological Society and the Commission for the establishment of guide lines for the testing of pharmaceuticals, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Exp. Pathol. Pharmakol 245 (1963) Supplement p. 20; and Report of the Executive Committee of the German Society for Internal Medicine for the establishment of guide lines for clinical testing of pharmaceuticals, e.g. Klin. Wochenschr. 43,698 (1965)). Since the results from animal experiments are of only limited value for the interpretation of the human response to pharmaceuticals, it is essential that clinical chemical studies should be very carefully planned. The German Society for Clinical Chemistry has therefore summarized the body of collective experience in the testing of pharmaceuticals. The following guide lines should also ensure that the accuracy and interpretive value of the results from different investigators are comparable. The recommendations also contain a program for the clinical chemical investigation of body functions. Additional tests are necessary for the assessment of many pharmaceutical preparations. In certain cases (e.g. topical application), a more restricted type of investigation may be sufficient at a later stage of testing.", "contents": "[Recommendations of the German Society for Clinical Chemistry. Performance of clinical-chemical tests on pharmaceuticals (author's transl)]. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the recommendations of professional bodies for the testing of pharmaceuticals, which were published rather a long time ago, do not refer to clinical-chemical investigations (Report of the executive committee of the German Pharmacological Society and the Commission for the establishment of guide lines for the testing of pharmaceuticals, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Exp. Pathol. Pharmakol 245 (1963) Supplement p. 20; and Report of the Executive Committee of the German Society for Internal Medicine for the establishment of guide lines for clinical testing of pharmaceuticals, e.g. Klin. Wochenschr. 43,698 (1965)). Since the results from animal experiments are of only limited value for the interpretation of the human response to pharmaceuticals, it is essential that clinical chemical studies should be very carefully planned. The German Society for Clinical Chemistry has therefore summarized the body of collective experience in the testing of pharmaceuticals. The following guide lines should also ensure that the accuracy and interpretive value of the results from different investigators are comparable. The recommendations also contain a program for the clinical chemical investigation of body functions. Additional tests are necessary for the assessment of many pharmaceutical preparations. In certain cases (e.g. topical application), a more restricted type of investigation may be sufficient at a later stage of testing.", "PMID": 778324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4931", "title": "Human B-lymphocyte antigens expressed by lymphocytic and myelocytic leukemia cells. I. Detection by rabbit antisera.", "content": "A previously uncharacterized human B-lymphocyte antigen has been detected by rabbit antisera raised to papain digests of spleen cell membranes. The unabsorbed sera reacted in both cytotoxicity and immunofluorescent tests with normal B lymphocytes and cultured B-cell lines but not with normal T lymphocytes or cultured T-cell lines. The cytotoxicity titers against B cells were as high as 1:32,000, whereas the same sera undiluted were negative against T cells. By immunofluorescent staining 6-14% of unfractionated normal lymphocytes and 48-85% of B-rich lymphocyte preparations were positive. Normal peripheral blood granulocytes, platelets, erythrocytes, and phytohemagglutinin blasts were negative. The antisera reacted with the same high titers against leukemia cells from approximately 70% of the patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia, and seven of eight cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. From absorption studies it appeared that the same antigen was being expressed by leukemia cells and normal B lymphocytes. Using immunofluorescent staining the anti-B-cell antisera were able to detect positive leukemia cells in the bone marrow of patients with advanced leukemia and to monitor the elimination of these cells after chemotherapy. Soluble B-cell antigen was found in the serum of some leukemia and lymphoma patients do but not in normal serum.", "contents": "Human B-lymphocyte antigens expressed by lymphocytic and myelocytic leukemia cells. I. Detection by rabbit antisera. A previously uncharacterized human B-lymphocyte antigen has been detected by rabbit antisera raised to papain digests of spleen cell membranes. The unabsorbed sera reacted in both cytotoxicity and immunofluorescent tests with normal B lymphocytes and cultured B-cell lines but not with normal T lymphocytes or cultured T-cell lines. The cytotoxicity titers against B cells were as high as 1:32,000, whereas the same sera undiluted were negative against T cells. By immunofluorescent staining 6-14% of unfractionated normal lymphocytes and 48-85% of B-rich lymphocyte preparations were positive. Normal peripheral blood granulocytes, platelets, erythrocytes, and phytohemagglutinin blasts were negative. The antisera reacted with the same high titers against leukemia cells from approximately 70% of the patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia, and seven of eight cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. From absorption studies it appeared that the same antigen was being expressed by leukemia cells and normal B lymphocytes. Using immunofluorescent staining the anti-B-cell antisera were able to detect positive leukemia cells in the bone marrow of patients with advanced leukemia and to monitor the elimination of these cells after chemotherapy. Soluble B-cell antigen was found in the serum of some leukemia and lymphoma patients do but not in normal serum.", "PMID": 778323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4932", "title": "Natural hybridization between parthenogenetic and bisexual lizards: detection of uniparental source of skin grafting.", "content": "Skin graft evidence is used to directly identify the unisexual parent of natural hybrids produced between the bisexual species Cnemidophorus inornatus and the unisexual Cnemidophorus neomexicanus. Reciprocal grafts transplanted among there suspected hybrids between Cnemidophorus inornatus and Cnemidophorus neomexicanus are rejected as well as grafts from the hybrids to C. neomexicanus, indicating that the hybrids are each genetically different from each other and that C. neomexicanus has the ability to reject foreign grafts. Allografts among C. neomexicanus and xenografts from C. neomexicanus to the hybrids are not rejected, indicating that C. neomexicanus is genetically homogeneous and that the hybrids possess genomes genetically identical to C. neomexicanus. Electrophoretic analysis of the hybrids and their probable parents supports the evidence obtained from skin grafting that C. neomexicanus is one of the parents, and suggests that C. inornatus, rather than C. tigris, is the bisexual parent. Chromosome spreads obtained from the hybrids reveal a triploid number of 69, a number consistent with their presumed origin from unreduced diploid ova (2N = 46) from C. neomexicanus and haploid serum (N = 23) from C. inornatus. Preliminary evidence is presented of the first hybrids known between Cnemidophorus inornatus and Cnemidophorus uniparens. Histological examination of the tests suggests that these hybrids are sterile. Included is a list summarizing all known hybrids between bisexual and unisexual species of the genus Cnemidophorus.", "contents": "Natural hybridization between parthenogenetic and bisexual lizards: detection of uniparental source of skin grafting. Skin graft evidence is used to directly identify the unisexual parent of natural hybrids produced between the bisexual species Cnemidophorus inornatus and the unisexual Cnemidophorus neomexicanus. Reciprocal grafts transplanted among there suspected hybrids between Cnemidophorus inornatus and Cnemidophorus neomexicanus are rejected as well as grafts from the hybrids to C. neomexicanus, indicating that the hybrids are each genetically different from each other and that C. neomexicanus has the ability to reject foreign grafts. Allografts among C. neomexicanus and xenografts from C. neomexicanus to the hybrids are not rejected, indicating that C. neomexicanus is genetically homogeneous and that the hybrids possess genomes genetically identical to C. neomexicanus. Electrophoretic analysis of the hybrids and their probable parents supports the evidence obtained from skin grafting that C. neomexicanus is one of the parents, and suggests that C. inornatus, rather than C. tigris, is the bisexual parent. Chromosome spreads obtained from the hybrids reveal a triploid number of 69, a number consistent with their presumed origin from unreduced diploid ova (2N = 46) from C. neomexicanus and haploid serum (N = 23) from C. inornatus. Preliminary evidence is presented of the first hybrids known between Cnemidophorus inornatus and Cnemidophorus uniparens. Histological examination of the tests suggests that these hybrids are sterile. Included is a list summarizing all known hybrids between bisexual and unisexual species of the genus Cnemidophorus.", "PMID": 778325} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4933", "title": "Influence of atmospheric oxygen concentration on acetylene reduction and efficiency of nitrogen fixation in intact Klebsiella pneumoniae.", "content": "Oxygen-limited (N2-fixing) chemostat cultures of Klebsiella pneumoniae supplied with a N-free medium were established by introducing low atmospheric O2 concentrations into the gas supply of anaerobic glucose-limited N2-fixing chemostat cultures; the molar growth yield for glucose and the efficiency of N2 fixation (mug N fixed/mg glucose consumed) were increased (by up to 82%) from the anaerobic values. Acetylene-reducing activity was inhibited reversibly by O2 in samples from O2-limited and anaerobic glucose-limited chemostat cultures. Oxygen uptake rates in samples from these chemostat cultures were similar, but C2-H2-reducing activity in samples from O2-limited chemostat cultures was more tolerant of low atmospheric O2 concentrations, in part because of a higher population density. In the absence of glucose, O2 was required at a low atmospheric concentration for C2H2 reduction in samples from either O2-limited or anaerobic glucose-limited chemostat cultures. The possibility is discussed that ATP generated from oxidative phosphorylation can be used for N2 fixation in K. pneumoniae.", "contents": "Influence of atmospheric oxygen concentration on acetylene reduction and efficiency of nitrogen fixation in intact Klebsiella pneumoniae. Oxygen-limited (N2-fixing) chemostat cultures of Klebsiella pneumoniae supplied with a N-free medium were established by introducing low atmospheric O2 concentrations into the gas supply of anaerobic glucose-limited N2-fixing chemostat cultures; the molar growth yield for glucose and the efficiency of N2 fixation (mug N fixed/mg glucose consumed) were increased (by up to 82%) from the anaerobic values. Acetylene-reducing activity was inhibited reversibly by O2 in samples from O2-limited and anaerobic glucose-limited chemostat cultures. Oxygen uptake rates in samples from these chemostat cultures were similar, but C2-H2-reducing activity in samples from O2-limited chemostat cultures was more tolerant of low atmospheric O2 concentrations, in part because of a higher population density. In the absence of glucose, O2 was required at a low atmospheric concentration for C2H2 reduction in samples from either O2-limited or anaerobic glucose-limited chemostat cultures. The possibility is discussed that ATP generated from oxidative phosphorylation can be used for N2 fixation in K. pneumoniae.", "PMID": 778326} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4934", "title": "RP4-mediated conjugation in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus.", "content": "The P class R factor RP4 was transferred from Escherichia coli K12 to Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. RP4 conferred similar levels of antibiotic resistance in A. calcoaceticus to those in the E. coli K12 donor. Only slight instability of RP4 in A. calcoaceticus was detected. Transfer of RP4 between strains of A. calcoaceticus was by conjugation and was accompanied by transfer of chromosomal genes. Possible polarity of marker transfer was observed and linkage between a number of chromosomal markers was demonstrated.", "contents": "RP4-mediated conjugation in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. The P class R factor RP4 was transferred from Escherichia coli K12 to Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. RP4 conferred similar levels of antibiotic resistance in A. calcoaceticus to those in the E. coli K12 donor. Only slight instability of RP4 in A. calcoaceticus was detected. Transfer of RP4 between strains of A. calcoaceticus was by conjugation and was accompanied by transfer of chromosomal genes. Possible polarity of marker transfer was observed and linkage between a number of chromosomal markers was demonstrated.", "PMID": 778327} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4935", "title": "Relationship of structure to function in bacterial endotoxins: serologically cross-reactive components and their effect on protection of mice against some gram-negative infections.", "content": "Rabbit antisera were prepared against the heptoseless Re mutants, Salmonella minnesota R595 and S. typhimurium SLI102, as well as against purified R595 glycolipid coated on autologous erythrocytes. The antisera cross-reacted with the endotoxic glycolipids extracted from Re mutants of various bacterial strains, including S. minnesota R595, S. typhimurium SLI102, Escherichia coli D3Im4, E. coli D2If2 and E. coli F515, as shown by passive haemagglutination and gel diffusion tests. The anti-Re sera also cross-reacted with the RESI preparations (a purified 'lipid A' fraction) from the endotoxic lipopolysaccharides of various heterologous smooth Gram-negative bacteria including Serratia marcescens. Psuedomonas fluorescens and E. coli 0127. However, the same antisera failed to protect mice against infection by Gram-negative bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae type II, S. typhi 0901, P. aeruginosa 119 and E. coli. The results suggest that although the lipid moieties of the lipopolysaccharides in the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria share cross-reactive immunodeterminant groups, these groups may not be accessible to antibody against them.", "contents": "Relationship of structure to function in bacterial endotoxins: serologically cross-reactive components and their effect on protection of mice against some gram-negative infections. Rabbit antisera were prepared against the heptoseless Re mutants, Salmonella minnesota R595 and S. typhimurium SLI102, as well as against purified R595 glycolipid coated on autologous erythrocytes. The antisera cross-reacted with the endotoxic glycolipids extracted from Re mutants of various bacterial strains, including S. minnesota R595, S. typhimurium SLI102, Escherichia coli D3Im4, E. coli D2If2 and E. coli F515, as shown by passive haemagglutination and gel diffusion tests. The anti-Re sera also cross-reacted with the RESI preparations (a purified 'lipid A' fraction) from the endotoxic lipopolysaccharides of various heterologous smooth Gram-negative bacteria including Serratia marcescens. Psuedomonas fluorescens and E. coli 0127. However, the same antisera failed to protect mice against infection by Gram-negative bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae type II, S. typhi 0901, P. aeruginosa 119 and E. coli. The results suggest that although the lipid moieties of the lipopolysaccharides in the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria share cross-reactive immunodeterminant groups, these groups may not be accessible to antibody against them.", "PMID": 778329} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4936", "title": "Isolation and composition of an alkali-soluble glucan from the cell walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "An alkali-soluble glucan was obtained from the cell walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC1109 and baker's yeast by extraction with cold, dilute sodium hydroxide under nitrogen. The glucan, which represented approximately 20% of purified glucan was homogeneous and was shown to be free from contamination by other cell-wall polysaccharides by ultracentrifuging, gel filtration and electrophoresis. In addition to glucose, the glucan contained traces of mannose and nitrogen, but no hexosamine. Structural analyses revealed the presence of 80-85% (1 leads to 3)-beta-D linkages, 8-12% (1 leads to 6)-beta-D linkages and 3-4% branched residues linked through C-1, C-3 and C-6. The molecular weight of the glucan was estimated to be about 250000. Electron-microscopic examination of the cell walls after alkali extraction showed that an amorphous surface layer had been removed revealing numerous bud scar structures.", "contents": "Isolation and composition of an alkali-soluble glucan from the cell walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An alkali-soluble glucan was obtained from the cell walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC1109 and baker's yeast by extraction with cold, dilute sodium hydroxide under nitrogen. The glucan, which represented approximately 20% of purified glucan was homogeneous and was shown to be free from contamination by other cell-wall polysaccharides by ultracentrifuging, gel filtration and electrophoresis. In addition to glucose, the glucan contained traces of mannose and nitrogen, but no hexosamine. Structural analyses revealed the presence of 80-85% (1 leads to 3)-beta-D linkages, 8-12% (1 leads to 6)-beta-D linkages and 3-4% branched residues linked through C-1, C-3 and C-6. The molecular weight of the glucan was estimated to be about 250000. Electron-microscopic examination of the cell walls after alkali extraction showed that an amorphous surface layer had been removed revealing numerous bud scar structures.", "PMID": 778330} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4937", "title": "The isolation of nuclei from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans.", "content": "A method has been developed for isolating nuclei from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In this procedure, the mycelia from 14 to 16 h spore-derived cultures of A. nidulans NRI, a stable diploid strain, were frozen with liquid nitrogen and homogenized in a Waring blender. After homogenization, the mycelia were warmed to 4 degrees C and the nuclei were purified from the homogenate by differential centrifugation followed by sedimentation through 2.1 M-sucrose. The final nuclear yield was 15 to 20%, based on DNA estimations. The purified nuclear pellet was free of whole cells. The morphology of the isolated nuclei resembled that of the in situ nuclei; they contained a nucleolus, chromatin, and had a surrounding double membrane. The purified nuclei were characterized by a DNA:RNA:protein ratio of 1:2.8:8.7.", "contents": "The isolation of nuclei from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. A method has been developed for isolating nuclei from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In this procedure, the mycelia from 14 to 16 h spore-derived cultures of A. nidulans NRI, a stable diploid strain, were frozen with liquid nitrogen and homogenized in a Waring blender. After homogenization, the mycelia were warmed to 4 degrees C and the nuclei were purified from the homogenate by differential centrifugation followed by sedimentation through 2.1 M-sucrose. The final nuclear yield was 15 to 20%, based on DNA estimations. The purified nuclear pellet was free of whole cells. The morphology of the isolated nuclei resembled that of the in situ nuclei; they contained a nucleolus, chromatin, and had a surrounding double membrane. The purified nuclei were characterized by a DNA:RNA:protein ratio of 1:2.8:8.7.", "PMID": 778331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4938", "title": "Uptake of galactose into Escherichia coli by facilitated diffusion.", "content": "Strains of Escherichia coli devoid of systems for the active transport of galactose (galP mgl) still grow on galactose but at rates that are a function of the galactose concentration of the medium: half-maximal growth rates require more than 2 mM-galactose to be present. Evidence is presented that galactose is taken up by such strains by facilitated diffusion on a carrier specified by the umg gene (or by a gene highly co-transducible with it) which is thus a part of, or closely associated with, an enzyme II for glucose of the phosphoenolpyruvate-phosphotransferase system. However, the entry of galactose does not require phosphotransferase activity, and the sugar taken up appears in the cells as free galactose.", "contents": "Uptake of galactose into Escherichia coli by facilitated diffusion. Strains of Escherichia coli devoid of systems for the active transport of galactose (galP mgl) still grow on galactose but at rates that are a function of the galactose concentration of the medium: half-maximal growth rates require more than 2 mM-galactose to be present. Evidence is presented that galactose is taken up by such strains by facilitated diffusion on a carrier specified by the umg gene (or by a gene highly co-transducible with it) which is thus a part of, or closely associated with, an enzyme II for glucose of the phosphoenolpyruvate-phosphotransferase system. However, the entry of galactose does not require phosphotransferase activity, and the sugar taken up appears in the cells as free galactose.", "PMID": 778334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4939", "title": "Comparative ultrastructural studies of insect granulosis and nuclear polyhedrosis viruses.", "content": "Optical diffraction studies indicated that the periodic lattice structure in electron micrographs of the capsids of two granulosis and two nuclear polyhedrosis viruses were indistinguishable. The capsid is composed of stacked rings spaced 4-5 nm apart. Comparison of the intracellular forms of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus with negatively stained virus particles leads to encourage the more general use of the term 'capsid' instead of 'intimate membrane' and the term 'virus membrane' in place of 'developmental membrane'. These terms are consistent with those currently used for most animal and plant viruses.", "contents": "Comparative ultrastructural studies of insect granulosis and nuclear polyhedrosis viruses. Optical diffraction studies indicated that the periodic lattice structure in electron micrographs of the capsids of two granulosis and two nuclear polyhedrosis viruses were indistinguishable. The capsid is composed of stacked rings spaced 4-5 nm apart. Comparison of the intracellular forms of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus with negatively stained virus particles leads to encourage the more general use of the term 'capsid' instead of 'intimate membrane' and the term 'virus membrane' in place of 'developmental membrane'. These terms are consistent with those currently used for most animal and plant viruses.", "PMID": 778335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4940", "title": "Cleavage of T4-induced proteins during phage morphogenesis: characterization of peptides.", "content": "Polypeptides of low mol. wt. have been extracted from T4 coliphages and from Escherichia coli B cells infected with a wild type and various amber mutants of bacteriophage T4. Six peptides were fractionated by chromatography on phosphocellulose: three of them were cleaved from proteins synthesized late in infection and related to phage head. The remaining three peptides have been shown to arise from early-labelled phage-induced proteins. Two of these six small petide fragments were found in the head of the T4 phage.", "contents": "Cleavage of T4-induced proteins during phage morphogenesis: characterization of peptides. Polypeptides of low mol. wt. have been extracted from T4 coliphages and from Escherichia coli B cells infected with a wild type and various amber mutants of bacteriophage T4. Six peptides were fractionated by chromatography on phosphocellulose: three of them were cleaved from proteins synthesized late in infection and related to phage head. The remaining three peptides have been shown to arise from early-labelled phage-induced proteins. Two of these six small petide fragments were found in the head of the T4 phage.", "PMID": 778336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4941", "title": "Genes 46 and 47 of phage T4: possible compensation for loss of their function.", "content": "The gene 46 and 47 functions of phage T4 are required for normal DNA replication, recombination, u.v. repair and host DNA breakdown, and yet am mutants defective in these genes characteristically form tiny plaques on Escherichia coli strains lacking an am suppressor. Our results imply that this limited growth is not due to misreading of am codons or partial function of nearly complete poly-peptides terminated at the am mutation. Thus it appears that genes 46 and 47 are not entirely essential, perhaps because other phage or host products can partially compensate for their loss.", "contents": "Genes 46 and 47 of phage T4: possible compensation for loss of their function. The gene 46 and 47 functions of phage T4 are required for normal DNA replication, recombination, u.v. repair and host DNA breakdown, and yet am mutants defective in these genes characteristically form tiny plaques on Escherichia coli strains lacking an am suppressor. Our results imply that this limited growth is not due to misreading of am codons or partial function of nearly complete poly-peptides terminated at the am mutation. Thus it appears that genes 46 and 47 are not entirely essential, perhaps because other phage or host products can partially compensate for their loss.", "PMID": 778337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4942", "title": "The effect of host-cell starvation on virus-induced lysis by MS2 bacteriophage.", "content": "Infection of glucose, sulphur or nitrogen starved cells with MS2 virus results in the production of progeny virus but the absence of cell lysis and the failure of progeny virus release. Addition of glucose of sulphur to the correspondingly starved cells results in the normal release of virus within 40 to 60 min. Return of nitrogen to nitrogen-starved cells, however, does not result in the release of virus, even after 1 1/2 h. In experiments with uninfected, starved cells it was found that glucose or sulphur starved cells begin dividing within 45 min after the limiting compound is returned. In contrast, nitrogen-starved cultures have not begun to divide 1 1/2 after the return of nitrogen. The correlation between the time it takes for starved, infected cultures to resume lysis after the return of the limiting compound and the time similarly starved, but infected, cells normally begin division after addition of the limiting compound supports the hypothesis that lysis by RNA phage is related to cell division and may result at the time of cell division from failure of the cells to divide properly.", "contents": "The effect of host-cell starvation on virus-induced lysis by MS2 bacteriophage. Infection of glucose, sulphur or nitrogen starved cells with MS2 virus results in the production of progeny virus but the absence of cell lysis and the failure of progeny virus release. Addition of glucose of sulphur to the correspondingly starved cells results in the normal release of virus within 40 to 60 min. Return of nitrogen to nitrogen-starved cells, however, does not result in the release of virus, even after 1 1/2 h. In experiments with uninfected, starved cells it was found that glucose or sulphur starved cells begin dividing within 45 min after the limiting compound is returned. In contrast, nitrogen-starved cultures have not begun to divide 1 1/2 after the return of nitrogen. The correlation between the time it takes for starved, infected cultures to resume lysis after the return of the limiting compound and the time similarly starved, but infected, cells normally begin division after addition of the limiting compound supports the hypothesis that lysis by RNA phage is related to cell division and may result at the time of cell division from failure of the cells to divide properly.", "PMID": 778338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4943", "title": "Reflection-impulsivity and behavioral problems in emotionally disturbed boys.", "content": "In order to investigate the difference in the behavioral problems presented by cognitively impulsive and reflective emotionally disturbed boys, the parents of 17 impulsive and 13 reflective boys in residential treatment were asked to rate their sons' behavior. Results indicated that in contrast to reflective emotionally disturbed boys, impulsives were more likely to talk of others blaming them unfairly, threaten to harm themselves, hit and bully other children, and be excessively rough in play. On the other hand, reflectives were more unwilling to talk with adults outside the family. Results were discussed in terms of supporting both previous research and Kagan and Kogan's (6) \"fear of failure\" hypothesis.", "contents": "Reflection-impulsivity and behavioral problems in emotionally disturbed boys. In order to investigate the difference in the behavioral problems presented by cognitively impulsive and reflective emotionally disturbed boys, the parents of 17 impulsive and 13 reflective boys in residential treatment were asked to rate their sons' behavior. Results indicated that in contrast to reflective emotionally disturbed boys, impulsives were more likely to talk of others blaming them unfairly, threaten to harm themselves, hit and bully other children, and be excessively rough in play. On the other hand, reflectives were more unwilling to talk with adults outside the family. Results were discussed in terms of supporting both previous research and Kagan and Kogan's (6) \"fear of failure\" hypothesis.", "PMID": 778339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4944", "title": "Venery, the spinal cord, and tabes dorsalis before Romberg: the contribution of Ernst Horn.", "content": "Usually Heinrich Romberg is credited with having established tabes dorsalis as a clinicopathological entity in the 1840s. But Romberg's teacher, Ernst Horn (1774 to 1848), had inspired five different students to write their doctoral dissertations on the same subject. These five theses, published between 1817 and 1827, as well as M. Steinthal's most comprehensive later description, were triggered by Horn's observation of the lower spinal cord atrophy which he found in one of his tabetic patients at autopsy. The dissertations are analyzed together with the prior literature reflected in them as it deals with the spinal cord. Discussions of the putative influence of the spinal cord on the vagaries of male sexual function, and vice versa, began with \"consumption of the backbone\", referred to in the Hippocratic corpus. \"Venery\"--if not veneral disease as we understand it--was thought throughout the centuries to be the prime cause of tabes. One may presume that the rising concern with public health and with national aims--a kind of \"moral rearmament\"--caused the subject to be so vigorously pursued by members of the young medical generation in early 19th-century Germany.", "contents": "Venery, the spinal cord, and tabes dorsalis before Romberg: the contribution of Ernst Horn. Usually Heinrich Romberg is credited with having established tabes dorsalis as a clinicopathological entity in the 1840s. But Romberg's teacher, Ernst Horn (1774 to 1848), had inspired five different students to write their doctoral dissertations on the same subject. These five theses, published between 1817 and 1827, as well as M. Steinthal's most comprehensive later description, were triggered by Horn's observation of the lower spinal cord atrophy which he found in one of his tabetic patients at autopsy. The dissertations are analyzed together with the prior literature reflected in them as it deals with the spinal cord. Discussions of the putative influence of the spinal cord on the vagaries of male sexual function, and vice versa, began with \"consumption of the backbone\", referred to in the Hippocratic corpus. \"Venery\"--if not veneral disease as we understand it--was thought throughout the centuries to be the prime cause of tabes. One may presume that the rising concern with public health and with national aims--a kind of \"moral rearmament\"--caused the subject to be so vigorously pursued by members of the young medical generation in early 19th-century Germany.", "PMID": 778342} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4945", "title": "Comparison of dantrolene sodium and diazepam in the treatment of spasticity.", "content": "The effects of dantrolene sodium and diazepam were compared in a double crossover study of 42 patients with spasticity due to stable multiple sclerosis. Both drugs reduced the findings of spasticity, clonus, and hyperreflexia, and the complaints of muscle stiffness and cramping. Each drug had different side effects which suggest indications and contraindications for its use in spastic patients.", "contents": "Comparison of dantrolene sodium and diazepam in the treatment of spasticity. The effects of dantrolene sodium and diazepam were compared in a double crossover study of 42 patients with spasticity due to stable multiple sclerosis. Both drugs reduced the findings of spasticity, clonus, and hyperreflexia, and the complaints of muscle stiffness and cramping. Each drug had different side effects which suggest indications and contraindications for its use in spastic patients.", "PMID": 778344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4946", "title": "Chymopapain in the treatment of ruptured lumbar discs. Preliminary experience in 48 patients.", "content": "The results of chemonucleolysis in 48 patients with lumbar disc disease revealed marked improvement in 58%, slight improvement in 23%, and no improvement in 19%. Serious anaphylactic reactions occurred in two patients. These results and those of other neurosurgical and orthopaedic studies are summarized and compared with the 70% improvement rate obtained with a placebo in a recent double blind controlled cooperative study. Only those few investigators participating in the double blind study are now permitted to use intradiscal chymopapain. It is concluded that the ultimate place of chemonucleolysis, if any, in the treatment of ruptured lumbar discs remains to be determined.", "contents": "Chymopapain in the treatment of ruptured lumbar discs. Preliminary experience in 48 patients. The results of chemonucleolysis in 48 patients with lumbar disc disease revealed marked improvement in 58%, slight improvement in 23%, and no improvement in 19%. Serious anaphylactic reactions occurred in two patients. These results and those of other neurosurgical and orthopaedic studies are summarized and compared with the 70% improvement rate obtained with a placebo in a recent double blind controlled cooperative study. Only those few investigators participating in the double blind study are now permitted to use intradiscal chymopapain. It is concluded that the ultimate place of chemonucleolysis, if any, in the treatment of ruptured lumbar discs remains to be determined.", "PMID": 778345} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4947", "title": "The fine structural localization of S-100 protein in rodent cerebellum.", "content": "This report describes the first fine structural locations of S-100 protein in the hamster cerebellum. Innovations in tissue fixation as well as tracer preparation enable localization of S-100 protein to several critical cellular and subcellular sites. Certain neuronal elements, Purkinje cells, contain S-100 protein in both cytoplasm and nucleus. Specific membrane structures including plasma membranes and the nuclear membranes of Purkinje cells are strikingly positive. Localization of S-100 protein to the pericapillary astrocytic endfeet as well as regions of the synapse are of particular biological interest. The clear nuclear localization of the molecule suggests a role in the genetic expression of the developing mammalian brain.", "contents": "The fine structural localization of S-100 protein in rodent cerebellum. This report describes the first fine structural locations of S-100 protein in the hamster cerebellum. Innovations in tissue fixation as well as tracer preparation enable localization of S-100 protein to several critical cellular and subcellular sites. Certain neuronal elements, Purkinje cells, contain S-100 protein in both cytoplasm and nucleus. Specific membrane structures including plasma membranes and the nuclear membranes of Purkinje cells are strikingly positive. Localization of S-100 protein to the pericapillary astrocytic endfeet as well as regions of the synapse are of particular biological interest. The clear nuclear localization of the molecule suggests a role in the genetic expression of the developing mammalian brain.", "PMID": 778346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4948", "title": "Body-background defects with 99mTc-DTPA after renal transplantation: case reports.", "content": "Photon-deficient areas adjacent to transplanted kidneys were seen in the early phases of several dynamic studies obtained with 99mTc-diethylenetri-aminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA). The causes included hematoma, urinoma, and lymphocele. These fluid collections do not readily exchange as part of the extracellular space and, if sufficiently large, may be visualized as photon-deficient areas in the normally homogeneous background of 99mTc-DTPA studies.", "contents": "Body-background defects with 99mTc-DTPA after renal transplantation: case reports. Photon-deficient areas adjacent to transplanted kidneys were seen in the early phases of several dynamic studies obtained with 99mTc-diethylenetri-aminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA). The causes included hematoma, urinoma, and lymphocele. These fluid collections do not readily exchange as part of the extracellular space and, if sufficiently large, may be visualized as photon-deficient areas in the normally homogeneous background of 99mTc-DTPA studies.", "PMID": 778351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4949", "title": "Ridge augmentation: an evaluation and follow-up report.", "content": "An evaluation was made of results of follow-up studies, ranging from nine months to about 3 1/2 years, of six patients who had mandibular ridge augmentations at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. Clinical observations, patients' subjective feelings, and measurements of vertical loss of the original graft were the main considerations in the studies. Although there was almost continual resorption of the bone grafts after surgery patients were satisfied with the procedure and the current dental function.", "contents": "Ridge augmentation: an evaluation and follow-up report. An evaluation was made of results of follow-up studies, ranging from nine months to about 3 1/2 years, of six patients who had mandibular ridge augmentations at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. Clinical observations, patients' subjective feelings, and measurements of vertical loss of the original graft were the main considerations in the studies. Although there was almost continual resorption of the bone grafts after surgery patients were satisfied with the procedure and the current dental function.", "PMID": 778356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4950", "title": "Adhesive bonding of arch bars for maxillomandibular fixation.", "content": "From a preliminary evaluation, many of the disadvantages of the conventional arch bars appear to be overcome with this new technique. Of particular importance is that no anesthetic is required during placement of the arch bars except when needed for aligning displaced segments or open reductions. The laboratory work can be delegated to a technician, and operating time rarely exceeds an hour. Further evaluation is being done.", "contents": "Adhesive bonding of arch bars for maxillomandibular fixation. From a preliminary evaluation, many of the disadvantages of the conventional arch bars appear to be overcome with this new technique. Of particular importance is that no anesthetic is required during placement of the arch bars except when needed for aligning displaced segments or open reductions. The laboratory work can be delegated to a technician, and operating time rarely exceeds an hour. Further evaluation is being done.", "PMID": 778357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4951", "title": "Morphological changes in indefinitely surviving enhanced ectopic rat cardiac allografts.", "content": "The histological changes of ectopic cardiac allografts in rats have been studied. These consisted of (a) a diffuse chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate of the myocardial interstitium accompanied by variable degrees of fibrosis (b) variable degrees of intimal hyperplasia of the coronary arteries with segmental disruption of the internal elastic lamina.", "contents": "Morphological changes in indefinitely surviving enhanced ectopic rat cardiac allografts. The histological changes of ectopic cardiac allografts in rats have been studied. These consisted of (a) a diffuse chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate of the myocardial interstitium accompanied by variable degrees of fibrosis (b) variable degrees of intimal hyperplasia of the coronary arteries with segmental disruption of the internal elastic lamina.", "PMID": 778359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4952", "title": "Optimum levels of CPAP for tracheal extubation of newborn infants.", "content": "Arterial oxygen tension and functional residual capacity were studied in 16 intubated, spontaneously breathing newborn infants recovering from respiratory disease. Studies were made at 2 cm H2O continuous positive airway pressure, at zero end expiratory pressure, and following extubation. The study showed that PaO2 and FRC at 2 cm H2O CPAP were the same as observed following extubation, but that both values were significantly lower at ZEEP.", "contents": "Optimum levels of CPAP for tracheal extubation of newborn infants. Arterial oxygen tension and functional residual capacity were studied in 16 intubated, spontaneously breathing newborn infants recovering from respiratory disease. Studies were made at 2 cm H2O continuous positive airway pressure, at zero end expiratory pressure, and following extubation. The study showed that PaO2 and FRC at 2 cm H2O CPAP were the same as observed following extubation, but that both values were significantly lower at ZEEP.", "PMID": 778361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4953", "title": "Defective neutrophil motility in children with measles.", "content": "The random migration and chemotactic ability of neutrophils from ten patients with uncomplicated measles was found to be grossly impaired when compared to a group of normal children. Chemotaxis to endotoxin activated serum and to hydrolysed casein was markedly depressed, but serum from measles patients, when activated by endotoxin, generated and chemotactic activity and did not contain leukotactic inhibitors. The defect in neutrophil motility was confirmed in vivo by abnormal Rebuck skin windows. The defect was temporary, and recovery of normal chemotaxis was observed by the eleventh day after the onset of the rash.", "contents": "Defective neutrophil motility in children with measles. The random migration and chemotactic ability of neutrophils from ten patients with uncomplicated measles was found to be grossly impaired when compared to a group of normal children. Chemotaxis to endotoxin activated serum and to hydrolysed casein was markedly depressed, but serum from measles patients, when activated by endotoxin, generated and chemotactic activity and did not contain leukotactic inhibitors. The defect in neutrophil motility was confirmed in vivo by abnormal Rebuck skin windows. The defect was temporary, and recovery of normal chemotaxis was observed by the eleventh day after the onset of the rash.", "PMID": 778364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4954", "title": "A controlled study of intrathecal antibiotic therapy in gram-negative enteric meningitis of infancy. Report of the neonatal meningitis cooperative study group.", "content": "Eighteen institutions collaborated in evaluating the comparative efficacy of combined ampicillin and gentamicin therapy with and without intrathecal administration of gentamicin on the clinical and bacteriologic responses of 117 infants with meningitis caused by gram-negative enteric bacteria. There was a random distribution of patients within the two study groups with regard to age on enrollment, birth weight, sex, race, number of infants greater than 30 days of age, the etiologic agent, and their antimicrobial susceptibilities. There were no statistically significant differences (P greater than 0.05) in mortality, morbidity, or days that cerebrospinal fluid cultures remained positive among the infants in the two treatment groups. The case fatality rate for all patients was 32%; that for full-term infants (18%) was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than that for low-birth-weight infants (45%) or for the patients greater than 30 days of age (48%). Fifty-one of the 80 (64%) survivors were assessed as normal on follow-up examinations performed up to four years after illness.", "contents": "A controlled study of intrathecal antibiotic therapy in gram-negative enteric meningitis of infancy. Report of the neonatal meningitis cooperative study group. Eighteen institutions collaborated in evaluating the comparative efficacy of combined ampicillin and gentamicin therapy with and without intrathecal administration of gentamicin on the clinical and bacteriologic responses of 117 infants with meningitis caused by gram-negative enteric bacteria. There was a random distribution of patients within the two study groups with regard to age on enrollment, birth weight, sex, race, number of infants greater than 30 days of age, the etiologic agent, and their antimicrobial susceptibilities. There were no statistically significant differences (P greater than 0.05) in mortality, morbidity, or days that cerebrospinal fluid cultures remained positive among the infants in the two treatment groups. The case fatality rate for all patients was 32%; that for full-term infants (18%) was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than that for low-birth-weight infants (45%) or for the patients greater than 30 days of age (48%). Fifty-one of the 80 (64%) survivors were assessed as normal on follow-up examinations performed up to four years after illness.", "PMID": 778366} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4955", "title": "Enterotoxigenicity and invasive capacity of \"enteropathogenic\" serotypes of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Forty-two strains of Escherichia coli that agglutinated in pools of antisera used to identify \"enteropathogenic\" serotypes were tested for heat-labile and heat-stable toxin production and for their ability to invade intestinal mucosa. None of the strains tested were enterotoxigenic or enteroinvasive as determined by the adrenal cell (heat-labile toxin), the suckling mouse (heat-stable toxin), or guinea pig eye (invasive capacity) assays. Our observations suggest that serotyping of E. coli is an unreliable method to identify isolates that are capable of causing gastroenteritis, at least as determined by available in vitro techniques.", "contents": "Enterotoxigenicity and invasive capacity of \"enteropathogenic\" serotypes of Escherichia coli. Forty-two strains of Escherichia coli that agglutinated in pools of antisera used to identify \"enteropathogenic\" serotypes were tested for heat-labile and heat-stable toxin production and for their ability to invade intestinal mucosa. None of the strains tested were enterotoxigenic or enteroinvasive as determined by the adrenal cell (heat-labile toxin), the suckling mouse (heat-stable toxin), or guinea pig eye (invasive capacity) assays. Our observations suggest that serotyping of E. coli is an unreliable method to identify isolates that are capable of causing gastroenteritis, at least as determined by available in vitro techniques.", "PMID": 778368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4956", "title": "Fulminant neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis associated with a \"nonenteropathogenic\" strain of Escherichia coli.", "content": "During 1973 a nonendemic mucoid strain of Escherichia coli entered the nursery of a hospital in Houston. This organism caused septicemia and was associated with a high incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis. The illness was fulminant and characterized by apnea, abdominal distension, and shock. Diarrhea was not a feature of the symptom complex. The epidemic organism was nontypable. Assays for invasiveness, enterotoxin production, and Kl antigen were negative. Surveillance revealed a colonization rate of 14%, an attack rate in colonized infants of 19.5%, and a mortality rate of 87.5%. These data suggest that in certain instances the specific bowel flora may increase the incidence and severity of NEC.", "contents": "Fulminant neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis associated with a \"nonenteropathogenic\" strain of Escherichia coli. During 1973 a nonendemic mucoid strain of Escherichia coli entered the nursery of a hospital in Houston. This organism caused septicemia and was associated with a high incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis. The illness was fulminant and characterized by apnea, abdominal distension, and shock. Diarrhea was not a feature of the symptom complex. The epidemic organism was nontypable. Assays for invasiveness, enterotoxin production, and Kl antigen were negative. Surveillance revealed a colonization rate of 14%, an attack rate in colonized infants of 19.5%, and a mortality rate of 87.5%. These data suggest that in certain instances the specific bowel flora may increase the incidence and severity of NEC.", "PMID": 778369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4957", "title": "A nursery outbreak caused by Serratia marcescens--scalp-vein needles as a portal of entry.", "content": "Serratia marcescens rarely causes infections in newborn infants. We recently studied an epidemic caused by a multiply-resistant, serotype 014:H12 Serratia marcescens that involved 42 infants. Cutaneous abscesses at previous intravenous infusion sites occurred nine times, usually required surgical drainage, and were the most striking infections during the outbreak. Six infants developed Serratia bacteremia and two died with Serratia meningitis; 34 patients were colonized with Serratia but remained uninfected. An epidemiologic investigation of the 83 infants at risk in the nursery assessed factors predisposing them to colonization or infection with the epidemic organism. Colonization of the throat, umbilicus, gastrointestinal tract, or skin was frequent among infants as was carriage of Serratia on nursey employees' hands. Infected and colonized infants were the most important reservoir for Serratia in the nursery and cross-infection between infants readily occurred. Scalp-vein needles appeared to provide a portal of entry of Serratia in colonized infants, predisposing them to abscess formation and bacteremia.", "contents": "A nursery outbreak caused by Serratia marcescens--scalp-vein needles as a portal of entry. Serratia marcescens rarely causes infections in newborn infants. We recently studied an epidemic caused by a multiply-resistant, serotype 014:H12 Serratia marcescens that involved 42 infants. Cutaneous abscesses at previous intravenous infusion sites occurred nine times, usually required surgical drainage, and were the most striking infections during the outbreak. Six infants developed Serratia bacteremia and two died with Serratia meningitis; 34 patients were colonized with Serratia but remained uninfected. An epidemiologic investigation of the 83 infants at risk in the nursery assessed factors predisposing them to colonization or infection with the epidemic organism. Colonization of the throat, umbilicus, gastrointestinal tract, or skin was frequent among infants as was carriage of Serratia on nursey employees' hands. Infected and colonized infants were the most important reservoir for Serratia in the nursery and cross-infection between infants readily occurred. Scalp-vein needles appeared to provide a portal of entry of Serratia in colonized infants, predisposing them to abscess formation and bacteremia.", "PMID": 778370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4958", "title": "A simple monophasic medium for axenic culture of hemoflagellates.", "content": "An inexpensive, easily prepared monophasic medium which supports continuous culture of Leishmania donovan\u00ec (approximately 4 X 10(7) cells/ml/day 5) and L. tarentolae (approximately 3.5 X 10(7) cells/ml/day 5) promastigotes has been developed. This medium, designated HO-MEM, is a modified Eagle's minimal essential medium with Spinner's salts and 10% fetal calf serum. Epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, Costa Rica strain, also grew well in HO-MEM (approximately 2 X 10(7) cells/ml/day 5) but cells of the Corpus Christi strain grew poorly in the medium. The initial inoculum for all of the above culture systems was 3 X 10(5) cells which means that there was approximately 100-fold increase in cell number within 5 days of culture. Average doubling time for L. donovani in HO-MEM during log growth phase was 10 to 12 hr; this shortened to 9.25 hr at mid-log growth (day 2). The optimal pH range for L. donovani was 7.2 to 7.4 and optimal culture temperatures were 25 to 26 C. A change was seen in the average size distribution of L. donovani promastigotes during the growth cycle with smaller cells predominating each succeding day of culture. HO-MEM is a good medium for transformation of L. donovani amastigotes to promastigotes (60 to 80% in 48 hr).", "contents": "A simple monophasic medium for axenic culture of hemoflagellates. An inexpensive, easily prepared monophasic medium which supports continuous culture of Leishmania donovan\u00ec (approximately 4 X 10(7) cells/ml/day 5) and L. tarentolae (approximately 3.5 X 10(7) cells/ml/day 5) promastigotes has been developed. This medium, designated HO-MEM, is a modified Eagle's minimal essential medium with Spinner's salts and 10% fetal calf serum. Epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, Costa Rica strain, also grew well in HO-MEM (approximately 2 X 10(7) cells/ml/day 5) but cells of the Corpus Christi strain grew poorly in the medium. The initial inoculum for all of the above culture systems was 3 X 10(5) cells which means that there was approximately 100-fold increase in cell number within 5 days of culture. Average doubling time for L. donovani in HO-MEM during log growth phase was 10 to 12 hr; this shortened to 9.25 hr at mid-log growth (day 2). The optimal pH range for L. donovani was 7.2 to 7.4 and optimal culture temperatures were 25 to 26 C. A change was seen in the average size distribution of L. donovani promastigotes during the growth cycle with smaller cells predominating each succeding day of culture. HO-MEM is a good medium for transformation of L. donovani amastigotes to promastigotes (60 to 80% in 48 hr).", "PMID": 778371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4959", "title": "Viruslike particles in malaria parasites.", "content": "The ultrastructural appearance of viruslike particles in several malaria parasites at different times in sporogony is described in detail. Emphasis is placed on particle size, 42 to 52 nm, density and the presence or absence of geometric configuration of particle aggregations in P. berghei ookinetes, and P. gallinaceum early oocysts. This particle appearance is compared with that noted in later oocysts of P. berghei, P. gallinaceum, and P. c. bastianelli and with negatively-stained particles obtained by fractionation of A. stephensi mosquito medguts heavily infected by P. berghei oocysts. Although particles are dispersed in later oocysts, particle size and shape is similar to that noted in the aggregates found in early forms. Aggregations of particles in a geometric configuration in ookinetes and early oocysts is associated with a particle of smaller diameter and the absence of a limiting membrane or envelope. This suggests an incomplete or nascent virus particle form. The observations of such particles in malaria and other blood parasites is compared with the present findings.", "contents": "Viruslike particles in malaria parasites. The ultrastructural appearance of viruslike particles in several malaria parasites at different times in sporogony is described in detail. Emphasis is placed on particle size, 42 to 52 nm, density and the presence or absence of geometric configuration of particle aggregations in P. berghei ookinetes, and P. gallinaceum early oocysts. This particle appearance is compared with that noted in later oocysts of P. berghei, P. gallinaceum, and P. c. bastianelli and with negatively-stained particles obtained by fractionation of A. stephensi mosquito medguts heavily infected by P. berghei oocysts. Although particles are dispersed in later oocysts, particle size and shape is similar to that noted in the aggregates found in early forms. Aggregations of particles in a geometric configuration in ookinetes and early oocysts is associated with a particle of smaller diameter and the absence of a limiting membrane or envelope. This suggests an incomplete or nascent virus particle form. The observations of such particles in malaria and other blood parasites is compared with the present findings.", "PMID": 778372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4960", "title": "The effect of axial crown overcontour on adolescents.", "content": "The relationship between axial crown overcontour and the health of the subjacent gingival investing tissues was investigated by placing standardized axial over-contoured facings on the buccal, axiogingival aspect of 42 premolar teeth. The gingival tissues were evaluated on the basis of clinical criteria, evaluation of standardized photographic records and by comparing gingival sulcular fluid production at test and control sites. Of the 42 test sites examined, 27 showed clinical signs of gingival inflammation and alteration of normal soft tissue architecture after a period of 42 to 49 days. There was a significant correlation as measured by die Spearman rank correlation technique between data derived from clinical examination and data obtained from interpretation of standardized photographic material. Evaluation of Test Site to Control Site Gingival sulcular fluid score quotients was suggestive of some degradation of the gingival tissues at the test sites, but no significant correlation was found. It may be concluded that alteration of normal crown form by overcontouring the buccal, axial third of a tooth may be a factor which predisposes the subjacent gingival tissues to inflammatory disease.", "contents": "The effect of axial crown overcontour on adolescents. The relationship between axial crown overcontour and the health of the subjacent gingival investing tissues was investigated by placing standardized axial over-contoured facings on the buccal, axiogingival aspect of 42 premolar teeth. The gingival tissues were evaluated on the basis of clinical criteria, evaluation of standardized photographic records and by comparing gingival sulcular fluid production at test and control sites. Of the 42 test sites examined, 27 showed clinical signs of gingival inflammation and alteration of normal soft tissue architecture after a period of 42 to 49 days. There was a significant correlation as measured by die Spearman rank correlation technique between data derived from clinical examination and data obtained from interpretation of standardized photographic material. Evaluation of Test Site to Control Site Gingival sulcular fluid score quotients was suggestive of some degradation of the gingival tissues at the test sites, but no significant correlation was found. It may be concluded that alteration of normal crown form by overcontouring the buccal, axial third of a tooth may be a factor which predisposes the subjacent gingival tissues to inflammatory disease.", "PMID": 778373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4961", "title": "Measuring periodontal disease in ancient populations: root and wear indices in study of American Indian skulls.", "content": "As an example of the collaboration of periodontologists and physical anthropologists, the skulls of two Indian populations were studied. A root index to assay periodontal disease and a wear index to evaluate occlusal wear, were developed. The first Indian population, living 400 years ago, had more decay, loss of teeth and caries; the second population, living 4,000 years ago, exhibited more periodontal disease. Starting with a sample of eight teeth, two from each quadrant, the statistical analysis showed that a smaller number of teeth would give a reliable assessment of past oral health. Based on our findings, the canines proved to be good indicators for general wear and the incisors for periodontal disease. A six-tooth index of varying teeth studied is proposed for the root index and the wear index in future studies of oral health of ancient populations.", "contents": "Measuring periodontal disease in ancient populations: root and wear indices in study of American Indian skulls. As an example of the collaboration of periodontologists and physical anthropologists, the skulls of two Indian populations were studied. A root index to assay periodontal disease and a wear index to evaluate occlusal wear, were developed. The first Indian population, living 400 years ago, had more decay, loss of teeth and caries; the second population, living 4,000 years ago, exhibited more periodontal disease. Starting with a sample of eight teeth, two from each quadrant, the statistical analysis showed that a smaller number of teeth would give a reliable assessment of past oral health. Based on our findings, the canines proved to be good indicators for general wear and the incisors for periodontal disease. A six-tooth index of varying teeth studied is proposed for the root index and the wear index in future studies of oral health of ancient populations.", "PMID": 778374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4962", "title": "Relationship between acute toxicity in mice and polymorphic forms of polyene antibiotics.", "content": "Marked differences in LD50 values were found between various batches of polyene antibiotics (mepartricin and nystatin) after intraperitoneal administration in suspension to mice. Such differences do not seem attributable to the particle size but to different molecular spatial arrangements of the products, which modify their solubility and biological availability. In the samples obtained by chemical treatments of some batches of the polyene substances, it has been possible to change the toxicity drastically and then to bring it back to its original value.", "contents": "Relationship between acute toxicity in mice and polymorphic forms of polyene antibiotics. Marked differences in LD50 values were found between various batches of polyene antibiotics (mepartricin and nystatin) after intraperitoneal administration in suspension to mice. Such differences do not seem attributable to the particle size but to different molecular spatial arrangements of the products, which modify their solubility and biological availability. In the samples obtained by chemical treatments of some batches of the polyene substances, it has been possible to change the toxicity drastically and then to bring it back to its original value.", "PMID": 778376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4963", "title": "New synthesis of substituted pyrrolo[1,2-alpha][1,3]diazepine and its pharmacological activity.", "content": "A facile route for the synthesis of the substituted pyrrolo[1,2-alpha][1,3]diazepine nucleus from readily available starting material is reported. The compound was tested for antimalarial activity in mice, antineoplastic activity in mice, acute hypotensive activity in rats and dogs, effect on cholesterol-lipoprotein levels in rats, anti-inflammatory activity in rats, antiviral activity in mice, CNS depressant or stimulant activity in mice, diuretic activity in fasted rats, and antidiabetic activity in rats. Hypotensive activity of relatively short duration was observed in rats. The compound lacked positive pharmacological activity in the remaining tests.", "contents": "New synthesis of substituted pyrrolo[1,2-alpha][1,3]diazepine and its pharmacological activity. A facile route for the synthesis of the substituted pyrrolo[1,2-alpha][1,3]diazepine nucleus from readily available starting material is reported. The compound was tested for antimalarial activity in mice, antineoplastic activity in mice, acute hypotensive activity in rats and dogs, effect on cholesterol-lipoprotein levels in rats, anti-inflammatory activity in rats, antiviral activity in mice, CNS depressant or stimulant activity in mice, diuretic activity in fasted rats, and antidiabetic activity in rats. Hypotensive activity of relatively short duration was observed in rats. The compound lacked positive pharmacological activity in the remaining tests.", "PMID": 778377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4964", "title": "Synthesis and antimalarial activity of dibenz[c, e]azepine derivatives.", "content": "A series of 6-alkyl-2,10-bis(trifluoromethyl)-5H-dibenz-[c,e]azepines were synthesized via a condensation reaction between 5,5'-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2,2'-diformylbiphenyl and the appropriate amine. These compounds were screened for antimalarial activity and were found to be inactive.", "contents": "Synthesis and antimalarial activity of dibenz[c, e]azepine derivatives. A series of 6-alkyl-2,10-bis(trifluoromethyl)-5H-dibenz-[c,e]azepines were synthesized via a condensation reaction between 5,5'-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2,2'-diformylbiphenyl and the appropriate amine. These compounds were screened for antimalarial activity and were found to be inactive.", "PMID": 778378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4965", "title": "The respective roles of cytology and colposcopy in obstetric and gynecologic practice.", "content": "The use of cytology in evaluating the state of the uterine cervix is well recognized and accepted in the United States. The role of colposcopy has not been completely defined although its acceptance is slowly gaining ground in many clinics. It is the purpose of this article to compare the two methods and to discuss the relationship of these methods to each other. Most attention will be directed to cytology and colposcopy of the cervix. However, the applications of both methods to evaluation of the vulva and vagina will also be considered.", "contents": "The respective roles of cytology and colposcopy in obstetric and gynecologic practice. The use of cytology in evaluating the state of the uterine cervix is well recognized and accepted in the United States. The role of colposcopy has not been completely defined although its acceptance is slowly gaining ground in many clinics. It is the purpose of this article to compare the two methods and to discuss the relationship of these methods to each other. Most attention will be directed to cytology and colposcopy of the cervix. However, the applications of both methods to evaluation of the vulva and vagina will also be considered.", "PMID": 778386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4966", "title": "Studies on the origin of the alpha-haemolysin produced by Escherichia coli.", "content": "Synthesis of alpha-haemolysin by Escherichia coli was proportional to the amount of meat-broth factor present in the medium and not to bacterial growth. The meat-broth component required for the synthesis of haemolysin was found to have several physical and chemical properties in common with alpha-haemolysin itself. Both molecules are trypsin-sensitive, acidic substances with similar elution volumes when subjected to gel-filtration chromatography with Sepharose 6B. Isotopic labelling experiments in which the bacteria were grown on 14C-labelled meat broth showed that partially purified haemolysin preparations contained molecules of mammalian origin. Similar experiments in which 14C-glucose was used to label bacterial molecules showed that little or no material of bacterial origin was present in the haemolysin preparation. These data suggest that alpha-haemolysin may be produced by bacterial modification of a molecule present in meat broth rather than by synthesis de novo within the bacterial cell.", "contents": "Studies on the origin of the alpha-haemolysin produced by Escherichia coli. Synthesis of alpha-haemolysin by Escherichia coli was proportional to the amount of meat-broth factor present in the medium and not to bacterial growth. The meat-broth component required for the synthesis of haemolysin was found to have several physical and chemical properties in common with alpha-haemolysin itself. Both molecules are trypsin-sensitive, acidic substances with similar elution volumes when subjected to gel-filtration chromatography with Sepharose 6B. Isotopic labelling experiments in which the bacteria were grown on 14C-labelled meat broth showed that partially purified haemolysin preparations contained molecules of mammalian origin. Similar experiments in which 14C-glucose was used to label bacterial molecules showed that little or no material of bacterial origin was present in the haemolysin preparation. These data suggest that alpha-haemolysin may be produced by bacterial modification of a molecule present in meat broth rather than by synthesis de novo within the bacterial cell.", "PMID": 778389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4967", "title": "The importance of prolonged incubation for the synthesis of dimethylnitrosamine by enterobacteria.", "content": "Tests with 140 strains representing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, K. ozaenae, Proteus mirabilis, P. vulgaris, P. rettgeri and P. morganii in a defined medium supplemented with 0-09M dimethylamine (DMA) and 0-1M potassium nitrate showed that at least 89% of the 136 strains able to reduce nitrates produced up to 9mM dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in 70h at 37 degrees C. Four nitratase-negative strains produced DMN from DMA in the presence of sodium nitrate. Prolonged incubation was the most important factor in determining DMN production. Stasis and persistent infection in the urinary tract, by simulating prolonged incubation of a culture, may be of importance in determining whether the potential carcinogen, DMN, could be produced in vivo by bacterial action on DMA and nitrate in urine.", "contents": "The importance of prolonged incubation for the synthesis of dimethylnitrosamine by enterobacteria. Tests with 140 strains representing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, K. ozaenae, Proteus mirabilis, P. vulgaris, P. rettgeri and P. morganii in a defined medium supplemented with 0-09M dimethylamine (DMA) and 0-1M potassium nitrate showed that at least 89% of the 136 strains able to reduce nitrates produced up to 9mM dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in 70h at 37 degrees C. Four nitratase-negative strains produced DMN from DMA in the presence of sodium nitrate. Prolonged incubation was the most important factor in determining DMN production. Stasis and persistent infection in the urinary tract, by simulating prolonged incubation of a culture, may be of importance in determining whether the potential carcinogen, DMN, could be produced in vivo by bacterial action on DMA and nitrate in urine.", "PMID": 778390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4968", "title": "A continuous study of morphological phase in the swarm of Proteus.", "content": "Continuous study, at intervals of 1 h, on the advancing edge of the swarm of Proteus vulgaris confirms that this is almost permanently composed of elongated swarmers, and that short, non-swarming forms arise in the interior of the culture where motion has already ceased. Previous errors have probably arisen from inaccurate sampling.", "contents": "A continuous study of morphological phase in the swarm of Proteus. Continuous study, at intervals of 1 h, on the advancing edge of the swarm of Proteus vulgaris confirms that this is almost permanently composed of elongated swarmers, and that short, non-swarming forms arise in the interior of the culture where motion has already ceased. Previous errors have probably arisen from inaccurate sampling.", "PMID": 778391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4969", "title": "The influence of antibiotic treatment on resistance patterns of coliform bacilli in childhood urinary-tract infection.", "content": "The occurrence of coliform bacilli carrying resistance-transfer factors (R factors) in children was studied. The frequency of R+ coliform bacilli as causes of urinary-tract infection acquired outside hospital was found to be similar to that in adults from the same geographical area and in the same years. The frequency of R+ coliform bacilli in the faeces in our children was also similar to that in the adult population, and oral chemotherapy produced similar changes in the faecal flora.", "contents": "The influence of antibiotic treatment on resistance patterns of coliform bacilli in childhood urinary-tract infection. The occurrence of coliform bacilli carrying resistance-transfer factors (R factors) in children was studied. The frequency of R+ coliform bacilli as causes of urinary-tract infection acquired outside hospital was found to be similar to that in adults from the same geographical area and in the same years. The frequency of R+ coliform bacilli in the faeces in our children was also similar to that in the adult population, and oral chemotherapy produced similar changes in the faecal flora.", "PMID": 778392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4970", "title": "Melanoidin and aldocyanoin microspheres: implications for chemical evolution and early precambrian micropaleontology.", "content": "Two new classes of organic microspheres are described. One of them (melanoidin) is synthesized from amino acids and sugars in heated aqueous solutions. The other (aldocyanoin) is formed in aqueous solutions of ammonium cyanide and formaldehyde at room temperature. The general properties of these microspheres, including conditions of synthesis, size and shape, mechanical and pH stability, and solubility, are compared with corresponding properties of other \"protocell\" model systems. It is concluded that melanoidin and aldocyanoin microsphreres are plausible candidates for precellular units in the primitive hydrosphere. Since the bulk of the organic carbon in early Precambrian sediments is insoluble kerogen-melanoidin, it is suggested that some Precambrian \"microfossils\" may be abiotic melanoidin microspheres of the type described herein.", "contents": "Melanoidin and aldocyanoin microspheres: implications for chemical evolution and early precambrian micropaleontology. Two new classes of organic microspheres are described. One of them (melanoidin) is synthesized from amino acids and sugars in heated aqueous solutions. The other (aldocyanoin) is formed in aqueous solutions of ammonium cyanide and formaldehyde at room temperature. The general properties of these microspheres, including conditions of synthesis, size and shape, mechanical and pH stability, and solubility, are compared with corresponding properties of other \"protocell\" model systems. It is concluded that melanoidin and aldocyanoin microsphreres are plausible candidates for precellular units in the primitive hydrosphere. Since the bulk of the organic carbon in early Precambrian sediments is insoluble kerogen-melanoidin, it is suggested that some Precambrian \"microfossils\" may be abiotic melanoidin microspheres of the type described herein.", "PMID": 778393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4971", "title": "Identity of sensory and motor systems that are critical to the immobility reflex (\"animal hypnosis\").", "content": "This review presents an analysis of the sensory and motor mechanisms as they are now understood that cause the immobility reflex (IR). Of the sensory systems that conceivably could trigger and sustain the IR, as commonly induced experimentally by inversion and manual restraint, evidence has been presented to eliminate some senses (vestibular, vision, sound, many visceral sensations, olfaction, taste, temperature), while incriminating tactile and proprioceptive influences. Of the motor systems which could cause the profound immobility during IR, neurosurgical and electrophysiological evidence identifies the locus of the inhibitory neurons in the brain stem and/or spinal cord. The evidence reviewed leads to a unified working hypothesis of IR mechanisms. IR is considered to be caused by a group of neurons in the brain stem which inhibit spinal motoneurons, either directly or indirectly, when those inhibitory neurons are activated by a specific pattern of tactile and proprioceptive input. Modulation of the IR control system appears to come from the limbic system, which under fear-producing conditions, potentiates the IR in part by release of epinephrine. Inhibition of the IR control system appears to come from the neocortex, as well as the brain stem reticulum, when it is activated by nonspecific, arousing somaesthetic sensations that produce generalized activation of the neocortex and skeletal muscle.", "contents": "Identity of sensory and motor systems that are critical to the immobility reflex (\"animal hypnosis\"). This review presents an analysis of the sensory and motor mechanisms as they are now understood that cause the immobility reflex (IR). Of the sensory systems that conceivably could trigger and sustain the IR, as commonly induced experimentally by inversion and manual restraint, evidence has been presented to eliminate some senses (vestibular, vision, sound, many visceral sensations, olfaction, taste, temperature), while incriminating tactile and proprioceptive influences. Of the motor systems which could cause the profound immobility during IR, neurosurgical and electrophysiological evidence identifies the locus of the inhibitory neurons in the brain stem and/or spinal cord. The evidence reviewed leads to a unified working hypothesis of IR mechanisms. IR is considered to be caused by a group of neurons in the brain stem which inhibit spinal motoneurons, either directly or indirectly, when those inhibitory neurons are activated by a specific pattern of tactile and proprioceptive input. Modulation of the IR control system appears to come from the limbic system, which under fear-producing conditions, potentiates the IR in part by release of epinephrine. Inhibition of the IR control system appears to come from the neocortex, as well as the brain stem reticulum, when it is activated by nonspecific, arousing somaesthetic sensations that produce generalized activation of the neocortex and skeletal muscle.", "PMID": 778396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4972", "title": "Prospective evaluation of hemostatic techniques for liver injuries.", "content": "The methods of hemostasis used for liver injuries were evaluated prospectively in 637 patients treated at Detroit General Hospital during a 5-year period. Variables evaluated included severity of injury, presence or absence of bleeding, and methods of hemostasis, The liver injury was either not bleeding or was controlled by temporary pack compression during laparotomy in 325 patients: none of these patients, including the 284 in whom no hemostatic procedure was used, rebled postoperatively. Active bleeding at laparotomy was directly related to the severity of liver injury, and required some hemostatic procedure in 312 patients. The methods of hemostasis were liver sutures (244 patients), nonanatomic resection (30 patients), anatomic resection (21 patients), hepatic artery ligation (nine patients), hepatotomy with intraparenchymal vascular control (five patients), and temporary internal pack with later re-operation (three patients). Rebleeding occurred in eight of the 243 patients who survived (seven after liver sutures and one after nonanatomic resection) and four required re-operation for control of bleeding. Sixty-nine patients with active bleeding died. Death on the table in 38 patients was related primarily to uncontrolled bleeding from liver and major vessel injury. Postoperative rebleeding from the liver occurred in 14 of 31 patients who died after surgery: following initial control by liver sutures (seven patients); anatomic resection (four patients); and hepatic artery ligation (three patients). There was no apparent relationship between any hemostatic procedure and the subsequent appearance of the hepatic ischemia or parahepatic abscess. Based on this experience, the merits and detriments of individual hemostatic procedures are presented.", "contents": "Prospective evaluation of hemostatic techniques for liver injuries. The methods of hemostasis used for liver injuries were evaluated prospectively in 637 patients treated at Detroit General Hospital during a 5-year period. Variables evaluated included severity of injury, presence or absence of bleeding, and methods of hemostasis, The liver injury was either not bleeding or was controlled by temporary pack compression during laparotomy in 325 patients: none of these patients, including the 284 in whom no hemostatic procedure was used, rebled postoperatively. Active bleeding at laparotomy was directly related to the severity of liver injury, and required some hemostatic procedure in 312 patients. The methods of hemostasis were liver sutures (244 patients), nonanatomic resection (30 patients), anatomic resection (21 patients), hepatic artery ligation (nine patients), hepatotomy with intraparenchymal vascular control (five patients), and temporary internal pack with later re-operation (three patients). Rebleeding occurred in eight of the 243 patients who survived (seven after liver sutures and one after nonanatomic resection) and four required re-operation for control of bleeding. Sixty-nine patients with active bleeding died. Death on the table in 38 patients was related primarily to uncontrolled bleeding from liver and major vessel injury. Postoperative rebleeding from the liver occurred in 14 of 31 patients who died after surgery: following initial control by liver sutures (seven patients); anatomic resection (four patients); and hepatic artery ligation (three patients). There was no apparent relationship between any hemostatic procedure and the subsequent appearance of the hepatic ischemia or parahepatic abscess. Based on this experience, the merits and detriments of individual hemostatic procedures are presented.", "PMID": 778397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4973", "title": "Foreign body granulomas of the ear.", "content": "Foreign body granulomas of the ear are seldom looked for, but probably common occurrences. They may be due to exogenous or endogenous material which became implanted in the course of trauma or treatment in the external or middle ear. They provoke inflammation which may be subclinical, clinical, or masked by concurrent infection. They can aggravate chronic infection, initiate acute local inflammation, or jeopardize surgical success. Histologically, the foreign material is seen lying freely or partially encapsulated within chronic inflammatory tissue, in close proximity to foreign body giant cells. Medical treatment can only succeed when the offending agent is surgically removed.", "contents": "Foreign body granulomas of the ear. Foreign body granulomas of the ear are seldom looked for, but probably common occurrences. They may be due to exogenous or endogenous material which became implanted in the course of trauma or treatment in the external or middle ear. They provoke inflammation which may be subclinical, clinical, or masked by concurrent infection. They can aggravate chronic infection, initiate acute local inflammation, or jeopardize surgical success. Histologically, the foreign material is seen lying freely or partially encapsulated within chronic inflammatory tissue, in close proximity to foreign body giant cells. Medical treatment can only succeed when the offending agent is surgically removed.", "PMID": 778398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4974", "title": "Disseminated intravascular coagulation in the urologic patient.", "content": "Gram-negative septicemia and metastatic prostatic cancer are frequent causes of disseminated intravascular coagulation. The clinical manifestations of this condition as well as the laboratory data vary considerably, depending on the patient's compensatory mechanisms in relation to the magnitude and duration of the thromboplastin or endotoxin release. Treatment centers primarily on correcting the underlying disorder. Secondly, deficient clotting factors and platelets should be replaced in the appropriate patient. Heparinization is often unnecessary. The use of drugs that inhibit the protective fibrinolytic mechanism is contraindicated in disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "contents": "Disseminated intravascular coagulation in the urologic patient. Gram-negative septicemia and metastatic prostatic cancer are frequent causes of disseminated intravascular coagulation. The clinical manifestations of this condition as well as the laboratory data vary considerably, depending on the patient's compensatory mechanisms in relation to the magnitude and duration of the thromboplastin or endotoxin release. Treatment centers primarily on correcting the underlying disorder. Secondly, deficient clotting factors and platelets should be replaced in the appropriate patient. Heparinization is often unnecessary. The use of drugs that inhibit the protective fibrinolytic mechanism is contraindicated in disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "PMID": 778399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4975", "title": "Obstructive uropathy in the transplanted kidney: evaluation by gray scale sonography.", "content": "A case is presented in which linear gray scale echography demonstrated pyelocaliectasis and documented its subsequent improvement while helping to exclude other causes for the patient's clinical condition.", "contents": "Obstructive uropathy in the transplanted kidney: evaluation by gray scale sonography. A case is presented in which linear gray scale echography demonstrated pyelocaliectasis and documented its subsequent improvement while helping to exclude other causes for the patient's clinical condition.", "PMID": 778400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4976", "title": "Renal autotransplantation for upper ureteral stenosis.", "content": "In 2 cases of irreparable upper ureteral damage autotransplantation of the kidney with pelvioureteral anastomosis proved to be a satisfactory alternative to nephrostomy drainage or nephrectomy.", "contents": "Renal autotransplantation for upper ureteral stenosis. In 2 cases of irreparable upper ureteral damage autotransplantation of the kidney with pelvioureteral anastomosis proved to be a satisfactory alternative to nephrostomy drainage or nephrectomy.", "PMID": 778401} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4977", "title": "Unilateral and bilateral bladder neck suspension (modified Pereyra) operation for stress urinary incontinence.", "content": "Stress urinary incontinence can be corrected by a short, simple, minor suturing technique, a modification of the Pereyra operation. Success depends upon careful selection of patients, the proper tightness of the suture over a proper-size catheter and the use of intermittent endoscopy during the operation. Successful outcome up to 7 months has been achieved in 7 of the 8 patients but reoperation was necessary for the successful outcome in 1 of the 2 failures.", "contents": "Unilateral and bilateral bladder neck suspension (modified Pereyra) operation for stress urinary incontinence. Stress urinary incontinence can be corrected by a short, simple, minor suturing technique, a modification of the Pereyra operation. Success depends upon careful selection of patients, the proper tightness of the suture over a proper-size catheter and the use of intermittent endoscopy during the operation. Successful outcome up to 7 months has been achieved in 7 of the 8 patients but reoperation was necessary for the successful outcome in 1 of the 2 failures.", "PMID": 778402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4978", "title": "Bacteremic infections due to clindamycin-resistant streptococci.", "content": "We have recently observed four patients with bacteremic infections due to group A streptococci that were highly resistant to clindamycin and only moderately susceptible to erythromycin. Two of the infections developed while the patients were receiving clindamycin. The organisms were not beta-hemolytic under standard conditions nor were they M or T typable. We urge that all streptococci isolated from patients with serious infections be grouped serologically and be tested for antibiotic susceptibilities, especially if therapy with antibiotics other than penicillin is to be considered.", "contents": "Bacteremic infections due to clindamycin-resistant streptococci. We have recently observed four patients with bacteremic infections due to group A streptococci that were highly resistant to clindamycin and only moderately susceptible to erythromycin. Two of the infections developed while the patients were receiving clindamycin. The organisms were not beta-hemolytic under standard conditions nor were they M or T typable. We urge that all streptococci isolated from patients with serious infections be grouped serologically and be tested for antibiotic susceptibilities, especially if therapy with antibiotics other than penicillin is to be considered.", "PMID": 778419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4979", "title": "Effect of coronary vasodilators on cardiac dynamics of the normal dog and the dog with experimental coronary sclerosis.", "content": "Observations are presented about the effects of four kinds of coronary vasodilators (dipyridamole, oxyfedrine, prenylamine and trimetazidine) on coronary circulation in the heart with coronary sclerosis which has been induced by intravenous injection of allylamine in the dog. Following results are obtained: 1) All of the drugs examined increase coronary blood flow and decrease coronary vascular resistance in the dogs with coronary sclerosis as well as in normal dogs. 2) An amplitude of response of coronary circulation to the coronary vasodilators is significantly less in the dogs with coronary sclerosis than in the normal dogs. 3) The clinical value of coronary vasodilator has been discussed.", "contents": "Effect of coronary vasodilators on cardiac dynamics of the normal dog and the dog with experimental coronary sclerosis. Observations are presented about the effects of four kinds of coronary vasodilators (dipyridamole, oxyfedrine, prenylamine and trimetazidine) on coronary circulation in the heart with coronary sclerosis which has been induced by intravenous injection of allylamine in the dog. Following results are obtained: 1) All of the drugs examined increase coronary blood flow and decrease coronary vascular resistance in the dogs with coronary sclerosis as well as in normal dogs. 2) An amplitude of response of coronary circulation to the coronary vasodilators is significantly less in the dogs with coronary sclerosis than in the normal dogs. 3) The clinical value of coronary vasodilator has been discussed.", "PMID": 778426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4980", "title": "[Studies on the intravenous administration of sulbenicillin (author's transl)].", "content": "Basic and clinical investigation on the intravenous administration of sulbenicillin in moderate dose (510g daily) was carried out to evaluate its clinical effect in systemic infections due to gram-negative bacilli. The following results were obtained. (1) In human subjects received 5 g intravenous drip infusion, the peak blood levels were found at the end of infusion. In 6 cases with normal renal function (Ccr greater than or equal to 70ml/min.) the peak blood level was 181 mcg/ml on the average and the half-life 1.1 hours, while in 3 cases with impaired renal function (Ccr less than 70 ml/min.) the peak level 216 mcg/ml and the half-life longer than 2 hours. The height of the peak level seemed to be subjected to the duration of infusion. The renal excretion of sulbenicllin was 55.2% on the average both in cases with normal and impaired renal functions. (2) Sulbenicillin, 510g daily divided in 2 doses, was administered to 15 cases including 6 cases with acute pyelonephritis, 3 with acute cystitis, 3 with biliary tract infection, 2 with respiratory tract infection and 1 with acute prostatitis. All the cases except 3 cases with acute pyelonephritis had underlying diseases. Escherichia coli was isolated from 10 cases, Klebsiella from 2, Pseudomonas aeruginosa from 1, and unidentified gram-negative bacilli from 1. Eleven cases responded to the treatment, but 4 cases failed. In 11 cases with susceptible bacteria, 8 cases responded bacteriologically (2 cases recurred), and 3 cases failed to respond. A case with biliary tract infection due to E. coli did not respond to 5 g daily treatment, but responded to 5 g twice daily. Two cases due to organisms which were not inhibited by 200mcg/ml in vitro did not respond to the treatment. (3) A moderate decrease in red blood cell number and hemoglobin content was observed in one case. A transient increase in transaminase and alkaline phosphatase level was observed in other cases.", "contents": "[Studies on the intravenous administration of sulbenicillin (author's transl)]. Basic and clinical investigation on the intravenous administration of sulbenicillin in moderate dose (510g daily) was carried out to evaluate its clinical effect in systemic infections due to gram-negative bacilli. The following results were obtained. (1) In human subjects received 5 g intravenous drip infusion, the peak blood levels were found at the end of infusion. In 6 cases with normal renal function (Ccr greater than or equal to 70ml/min.) the peak blood level was 181 mcg/ml on the average and the half-life 1.1 hours, while in 3 cases with impaired renal function (Ccr less than 70 ml/min.) the peak level 216 mcg/ml and the half-life longer than 2 hours. The height of the peak level seemed to be subjected to the duration of infusion. The renal excretion of sulbenicllin was 55.2% on the average both in cases with normal and impaired renal functions. (2) Sulbenicillin, 510g daily divided in 2 doses, was administered to 15 cases including 6 cases with acute pyelonephritis, 3 with acute cystitis, 3 with biliary tract infection, 2 with respiratory tract infection and 1 with acute prostatitis. All the cases except 3 cases with acute pyelonephritis had underlying diseases. Escherichia coli was isolated from 10 cases, Klebsiella from 2, Pseudomonas aeruginosa from 1, and unidentified gram-negative bacilli from 1. Eleven cases responded to the treatment, but 4 cases failed. In 11 cases with susceptible bacteria, 8 cases responded bacteriologically (2 cases recurred), and 3 cases failed to respond. A case with biliary tract infection due to E. coli did not respond to 5 g daily treatment, but responded to 5 g twice daily. Two cases due to organisms which were not inhibited by 200mcg/ml in vitro did not respond to the treatment. (3) A moderate decrease in red blood cell number and hemoglobin content was observed in one case. A transient increase in transaminase and alkaline phosphatase level was observed in other cases.", "PMID": 778428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4981", "title": "A clinical study of the effect of coenzyme Q on congestive heart failure.", "content": "Expecting activation of myocardial energy liberation, coenzyme Q was applied as a treatment to 55 patients suffering from congestive heart failure. Daily doses of 50 to 100 mg of coenzyme Q7 were injected intravenously in 21 cases for 3 to 35 days. Daily doses of 60 mg of coenzyme Q7 were administered perorally in 17 cases for 14 to 196 days. Daily doses of 30 mg of coenzyme Q10 were administered perorally in 17 cases for 7 to 182 days. Clinical effects were evaluated within 4 weeks by the criteria using a scoring method of severity of congestive heart failure which was devised by the authors. In summary a certain effect was found in 20 cases and a mild effect was observed in 29 cases. No significant changes were observed in heart rate and blood pressure. Exanthema appeared in 2 patients of the group of coenzyme Q7 intravenous injection. In conclusion the therapeutic effect of coenzyme Q was thought to be mild but stable in supplement to digitalis therapy in cases of congestive heart failure.", "contents": "A clinical study of the effect of coenzyme Q on congestive heart failure. Expecting activation of myocardial energy liberation, coenzyme Q was applied as a treatment to 55 patients suffering from congestive heart failure. Daily doses of 50 to 100 mg of coenzyme Q7 were injected intravenously in 21 cases for 3 to 35 days. Daily doses of 60 mg of coenzyme Q7 were administered perorally in 17 cases for 14 to 196 days. Daily doses of 30 mg of coenzyme Q10 were administered perorally in 17 cases for 7 to 182 days. Clinical effects were evaluated within 4 weeks by the criteria using a scoring method of severity of congestive heart failure which was devised by the authors. In summary a certain effect was found in 20 cases and a mild effect was observed in 29 cases. No significant changes were observed in heart rate and blood pressure. Exanthema appeared in 2 patients of the group of coenzyme Q7 intravenous injection. In conclusion the therapeutic effect of coenzyme Q was thought to be mild but stable in supplement to digitalis therapy in cases of congestive heart failure.", "PMID": 778433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4982", "title": "An investigation of leukocyte function and phagocytosis of immune complexes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "By means of the nitroblue tetra-zolium (NBT)-dye test, patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied. It was found that patients with rheumatoid factor (RF) in their sera displayed higher levels of NBT-dye reduction than those without RF did. In RF(+) serum, the authors observed a remarkable activation of NBT-dye reduction in phagocytosis of immune complexes and 1gG-coated latex particles. A fluorescent antibody technique and immuno-electron microscopy showed an increased phagocytosis of gamma-globulin in peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from patients with activated levels of NBT-dye reduction. From these results, it is likely that PMNs from patients, particularly from those possessing high values of NBT-dye reduction, displayed the activated levels of phagocytosing autologous globulin.", "contents": "An investigation of leukocyte function and phagocytosis of immune complexes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. By means of the nitroblue tetra-zolium (NBT)-dye test, patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied. It was found that patients with rheumatoid factor (RF) in their sera displayed higher levels of NBT-dye reduction than those without RF did. In RF(+) serum, the authors observed a remarkable activation of NBT-dye reduction in phagocytosis of immune complexes and 1gG-coated latex particles. A fluorescent antibody technique and immuno-electron microscopy showed an increased phagocytosis of gamma-globulin in peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from patients with activated levels of NBT-dye reduction. From these results, it is likely that PMNs from patients, particularly from those possessing high values of NBT-dye reduction, displayed the activated levels of phagocytosing autologous globulin.", "PMID": 778443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4983", "title": "Release of migration inhibitory factor from mouse T and B cells activated by insoluble phytomitogens.", "content": "The production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was studied with mouse B spleen cells and with the low density subpopulation of thymus cells (T cells) stimulated by phytomitogens. MIF was released from mouse B cells when stimulated by Sepharose-PWM but was not released by Sepharose-Con A. MIF was produced by the low density subpopulation of thymus cells stimulated by Sepharose-Con A. MIF from B cells could not be distinguished from that of the low density subpopulation of thymus cells by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 column. The molecular size of both MIF was calculated to be 45,000-55,000 dalton.", "contents": "Release of migration inhibitory factor from mouse T and B cells activated by insoluble phytomitogens. The production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was studied with mouse B spleen cells and with the low density subpopulation of thymus cells (T cells) stimulated by phytomitogens. MIF was released from mouse B cells when stimulated by Sepharose-PWM but was not released by Sepharose-Con A. MIF was produced by the low density subpopulation of thymus cells stimulated by Sepharose-Con A. MIF from B cells could not be distinguished from that of the low density subpopulation of thymus cells by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 column. The molecular size of both MIF was calculated to be 45,000-55,000 dalton.", "PMID": 778444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4984", "title": "Application of double staining technique and incident light fluorescence microscopy to immunofluorescence studies on renal diseases.", "content": "A method, by which the more precise localization of immunofluorescent deposits in the glomerulus is easily demonstrated with the fluorescence microscopy, was described. By means of this method, the deposits even in the Bowman's space could be identified, as well as the deposits in the subepithelial, subendothlial and mesangial regions. From this result, it was suggested that this method should be widely used for the immunofluorescence studies on human renal biopsied sections, in order to elucidate the relationship between the localization of deposits and renal diseases.", "contents": "Application of double staining technique and incident light fluorescence microscopy to immunofluorescence studies on renal diseases. A method, by which the more precise localization of immunofluorescent deposits in the glomerulus is easily demonstrated with the fluorescence microscopy, was described. By means of this method, the deposits even in the Bowman's space could be identified, as well as the deposits in the subepithelial, subendothlial and mesangial regions. From this result, it was suggested that this method should be widely used for the immunofluorescence studies on human renal biopsied sections, in order to elucidate the relationship between the localization of deposits and renal diseases.", "PMID": 778445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4985", "title": "The application of immunofluorescence to the study of renal disease. I. Influences of various conditions of specimens and conjugates on the fluorescent patterns of kidney.", "content": "Some basic problems in immunofluorescence were reexamined, limiting the object to kidneys. As to thickness of sections, 4 mum was demonstrated to be the most reasonable also to kidney specimens. Treatment of PBS for a short time before staining was recommended not only for cleanup effect but also for the possibility to disclose covered antigenic determinants. It was also established that fluorescent antibody with adequate F/P molar ratio, as well as with strict specificity, should be used, in order to prevent \"false positives\".", "contents": "The application of immunofluorescence to the study of renal disease. I. Influences of various conditions of specimens and conjugates on the fluorescent patterns of kidney. Some basic problems in immunofluorescence were reexamined, limiting the object to kidneys. As to thickness of sections, 4 mum was demonstrated to be the most reasonable also to kidney specimens. Treatment of PBS for a short time before staining was recommended not only for cleanup effect but also for the possibility to disclose covered antigenic determinants. It was also established that fluorescent antibody with adequate F/P molar ratio, as well as with strict specificity, should be used, in order to prevent \"false positives\".", "PMID": 778446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4986", "title": "Studies on the properties of a streptococcal preparation OK-432 (NSC-B116209) as an immunopotentiator. I. Activation of serum complement components and peritoneal exudate cells by group A streptococcus.", "content": "The inhibition of transplanted tumors in animals, which were previously injected with a streptococcal preparation, OK-432, has been suggestible to be induced by direct or host mediated effects. In this paper, it was examined of immunopotentiating ability of Group A streptococcus (Su-strain), which is a active component of OK-432, with respects to reticuloendotherial system and serum complement components. Human fresh serum incubated with the heated streptococcus (HSu-coccus) was analyzed by means of immunoelectrophoresis. Activated component of C3 proactivator was observed in gamma region as immunoprecipitin line developed by rabbit anti human C3 proactivator serum, and conversion of C3 component (beta1C) to beta1A was observed in alpha region by rabbit anti human beta1C/beta1A serum. The activation of serum complement components might be occurred via alternate pathway, because EDTA inhibited the activation but EGTA did not. Meanwhile, the peritoneal exudate cells from mice injected intraperitoneally with HSu-coccus were examined with respects to cell population and their antitumor effect. On the 7th day after injection of HSu-coccus, about 90% of the peritoneal cells was lymphocytes, and 70% of these lymphocytes was susceptible to rabbit anti mouse thymus cell serum or to AKR anti thetaC3H serum. When L1210 leukemia cells preincubated with these peritoneal cells were inoculated intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice, the leukemic cells could not allowed the growth, resulting in prolongation of life-span of the experimental animals. These results suggested that nonspecific effector activity of T-derived lymphocyte induced by HSu-coccus could be one of the factors participating in antitumor activity of OK-432. Additionally, the results obtained with OK-432 were most the same as those with HSu-coccus in these respects. Further, the relation between the stimulation of leucocytes and activation of complement components was discussed.", "contents": "Studies on the properties of a streptococcal preparation OK-432 (NSC-B116209) as an immunopotentiator. I. Activation of serum complement components and peritoneal exudate cells by group A streptococcus. The inhibition of transplanted tumors in animals, which were previously injected with a streptococcal preparation, OK-432, has been suggestible to be induced by direct or host mediated effects. In this paper, it was examined of immunopotentiating ability of Group A streptococcus (Su-strain), which is a active component of OK-432, with respects to reticuloendotherial system and serum complement components. Human fresh serum incubated with the heated streptococcus (HSu-coccus) was analyzed by means of immunoelectrophoresis. Activated component of C3 proactivator was observed in gamma region as immunoprecipitin line developed by rabbit anti human C3 proactivator serum, and conversion of C3 component (beta1C) to beta1A was observed in alpha region by rabbit anti human beta1C/beta1A serum. The activation of serum complement components might be occurred via alternate pathway, because EDTA inhibited the activation but EGTA did not. Meanwhile, the peritoneal exudate cells from mice injected intraperitoneally with HSu-coccus were examined with respects to cell population and their antitumor effect. On the 7th day after injection of HSu-coccus, about 90% of the peritoneal cells was lymphocytes, and 70% of these lymphocytes was susceptible to rabbit anti mouse thymus cell serum or to AKR anti thetaC3H serum. When L1210 leukemia cells preincubated with these peritoneal cells were inoculated intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice, the leukemic cells could not allowed the growth, resulting in prolongation of life-span of the experimental animals. These results suggested that nonspecific effector activity of T-derived lymphocyte induced by HSu-coccus could be one of the factors participating in antitumor activity of OK-432. Additionally, the results obtained with OK-432 were most the same as those with HSu-coccus in these respects. Further, the relation between the stimulation of leucocytes and activation of complement components was discussed.", "PMID": 778447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4987", "title": "Cauda equina pseudoclaudication syndrome.", "content": "Intermittent claudication is known as a specific symptom in patients with chronic occlusive arterial lesions. Clinically it is important that neurogenic intermittent pseudo-claudication should be differentiated from true intermittent claudication. Nevertheless confusion still exists in differential diagnosis between these two entities. This paper deals with general review of intermittent pseudo-claudication and a particular emphasis is placed on the different concepts of the pathophysiology and the differential diagnosis from the standpoint of vascular surgery. Recently one case of the neurogenic intermittent pseudo-claudication was encountered and presented in this paper.", "contents": "Cauda equina pseudoclaudication syndrome. Intermittent claudication is known as a specific symptom in patients with chronic occlusive arterial lesions. Clinically it is important that neurogenic intermittent pseudo-claudication should be differentiated from true intermittent claudication. Nevertheless confusion still exists in differential diagnosis between these two entities. This paper deals with general review of intermittent pseudo-claudication and a particular emphasis is placed on the different concepts of the pathophysiology and the differential diagnosis from the standpoint of vascular surgery. Recently one case of the neurogenic intermittent pseudo-claudication was encountered and presented in this paper.", "PMID": 778451} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4988", "title": "Computer-aided-instruction in the emergency department.", "content": "The Massachusetts General Hospital Laboratory of Computer Science created a library of computer-aided-instruction (CAI) programs in 1972. An experimental network of Cai programs, made possible by National Library of Medicine (NLM) support, was set up in July 1972, operating over commercial communication lines. Programs developed by Massachusetts General, Ohio State University and the University of Illinois Medical College were made available to users with terminals in about 36 cities through a local telephone number. During the first two years of the program over 80 institutions participated. A trial of the Massachusetts General programs, in conjunction with the Continuing Education Committee of the American College of Emergency Physicians, was conducted in five representative community hospitals. The hospitals put up the cost of the terminals and the telephone charges. Results of the study showed that 12 of the 40 (30%) emergency physicians in the target population took 10 or more programs. They gave the programs a favorable overall rating--1.6 on a scale of 1 (strongly positive) to 5 (strongly negative).", "contents": "Computer-aided-instruction in the emergency department. The Massachusetts General Hospital Laboratory of Computer Science created a library of computer-aided-instruction (CAI) programs in 1972. An experimental network of Cai programs, made possible by National Library of Medicine (NLM) support, was set up in July 1972, operating over commercial communication lines. Programs developed by Massachusetts General, Ohio State University and the University of Illinois Medical College were made available to users with terminals in about 36 cities through a local telephone number. During the first two years of the program over 80 institutions participated. A trial of the Massachusetts General programs, in conjunction with the Continuing Education Committee of the American College of Emergency Physicians, was conducted in five representative community hospitals. The hospitals put up the cost of the terminals and the telephone charges. Results of the study showed that 12 of the 40 (30%) emergency physicians in the target population took 10 or more programs. They gave the programs a favorable overall rating--1.6 on a scale of 1 (strongly positive) to 5 (strongly negative).", "PMID": 778453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4989", "title": "Auditing the quality of care in emergency departments.", "content": "A methodology for evaluating the quality of emergency department care in the form of a retrospective process audit for emergent and urgent cases was developed and tested in the Philadelphia General Hospital Emergency Department. A physician panel develped criteria against which the management of six \"chief complaints,\" as indicated on the medical record, was measured. Then nonphysician auditors examined records retrospectively for a three-week period, covering every day and shift for a total sample of 389 cases. The physician panel made an implicit review of those records that varied from the criteria. The results of the review in four diagnostic areas showed that for chest pain 51% (36) did not meet the provisional standards; for abdominal pain 35% (35) did not; for wounds 51% (51) did not, and for sore throats 43% (22) did not. These results were presented to the ED staff and charts were re-audited after one month. The results of this second audit are being tabulated though preliminary findings indicate an improvement in the percentage of cases meeting the criteria.", "contents": "Auditing the quality of care in emergency departments. A methodology for evaluating the quality of emergency department care in the form of a retrospective process audit for emergent and urgent cases was developed and tested in the Philadelphia General Hospital Emergency Department. A physician panel develped criteria against which the management of six \"chief complaints,\" as indicated on the medical record, was measured. Then nonphysician auditors examined records retrospectively for a three-week period, covering every day and shift for a total sample of 389 cases. The physician panel made an implicit review of those records that varied from the criteria. The results of the review in four diagnostic areas showed that for chest pain 51% (36) did not meet the provisional standards; for abdominal pain 35% (35) did not; for wounds 51% (51) did not, and for sore throats 43% (22) did not. These results were presented to the ED staff and charts were re-audited after one month. The results of this second audit are being tabulated though preliminary findings indicate an improvement in the percentage of cases meeting the criteria.", "PMID": 778455} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4990", "title": "Intravenous fructose for acute alcoholism: a double blind study.", "content": "To test the clinical efficacy of fructose intravenously for acute alcoholism, 20 acutely intoxicated patients were treated in a randomized, double blind fashion with 1000 cc of 10% fructose and 10% glucose over two hours. In the first hour of infusion, fructose was significantly superior to glucose (p less than 0.05) in improving the mental and neuromuscular status of the most impaired patients. Although no side effects were observed and no patient developed metabolic acidosis, the study suggests an awareness of a potential for acidosis during the use of intravenous fractose therapy.", "contents": "Intravenous fructose for acute alcoholism: a double blind study. To test the clinical efficacy of fructose intravenously for acute alcoholism, 20 acutely intoxicated patients were treated in a randomized, double blind fashion with 1000 cc of 10% fructose and 10% glucose over two hours. In the first hour of infusion, fructose was significantly superior to glucose (p less than 0.05) in improving the mental and neuromuscular status of the most impaired patients. Although no side effects were observed and no patient developed metabolic acidosis, the study suggests an awareness of a potential for acidosis during the use of intravenous fractose therapy.", "PMID": 778456} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4991", "title": "Postburn respiratory injury.", "content": "A common and frequently overlooked concommitant of burn injury is postburn pulmonary damage. The lesion may be secondary to inhalation or mechanical obstructive or toxic problems; or it may be associated with indirect damage from hypovolemia, shock, central nervous system disturbances or drugs. Therapy comprises establishing a clear airway; administration of sufficient humidity and oxygen to maintain adquate arterial pO2; sequential pO2 monitoring; surface decompression of the thorax; systemic antibiotics and sequentially increasing--and later decreasing--airway support. The diagnosis of postburn pulmonary injury is clinical. Aggressive, sequential management of the patient, supported vigorously by laboratory evaluation, is essential.", "contents": "Postburn respiratory injury. A common and frequently overlooked concommitant of burn injury is postburn pulmonary damage. The lesion may be secondary to inhalation or mechanical obstructive or toxic problems; or it may be associated with indirect damage from hypovolemia, shock, central nervous system disturbances or drugs. Therapy comprises establishing a clear airway; administration of sufficient humidity and oxygen to maintain adquate arterial pO2; sequential pO2 monitoring; surface decompression of the thorax; systemic antibiotics and sequentially increasing--and later decreasing--airway support. The diagnosis of postburn pulmonary injury is clinical. Aggressive, sequential management of the patient, supported vigorously by laboratory evaluation, is essential.", "PMID": 778459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4992", "title": "[Clinical and pharmacokinetic researches of doxycyclin vibraven\u00f6s in childhood (author's transl)].", "content": "Doxycyclin is one of the first efficacious depot antibiotics. It is used in two applications as Vibramycin (R) (peroral and Vibraven\u00f6s (R) (parenteral). Doxycyclin has a favourable effect not only on different gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria but also on a lot of other germs as mycoplasms, rickettsias, protozoons and large viruses. The tissue invasions is a good one, because there is only a low fraction of free Doxycyclin and further a high lipid activity. Pharmacokinetic investigations of different age-groups show that good serum-levels can be reached because of the sensitivity of numerous germs. The levels are higher, as our experiences demonstrate, if the dose of 4 mg/kilo/weight is injected in two single doses. Our investigations are reported on 49 patients with diseases of the respiratory tract and on 25 patients with diseases of the urogenital tract. Doxycyclin was very useful especially in different forms of pneumonias. The results in infects of the urogenital tract are not so good ones. The compatibility of Doxycyclin can be characterised as very good for children.", "contents": "[Clinical and pharmacokinetic researches of doxycyclin vibraven\u00f6s in childhood (author's transl)]. Doxycyclin is one of the first efficacious depot antibiotics. It is used in two applications as Vibramycin (R) (peroral and Vibraven\u00f6s (R) (parenteral). Doxycyclin has a favourable effect not only on different gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria but also on a lot of other germs as mycoplasms, rickettsias, protozoons and large viruses. The tissue invasions is a good one, because there is only a low fraction of free Doxycyclin and further a high lipid activity. Pharmacokinetic investigations of different age-groups show that good serum-levels can be reached because of the sensitivity of numerous germs. The levels are higher, as our experiences demonstrate, if the dose of 4 mg/kilo/weight is injected in two single doses. Our investigations are reported on 49 patients with diseases of the respiratory tract and on 25 patients with diseases of the urogenital tract. Doxycyclin was very useful especially in different forms of pneumonias. The results in infects of the urogenital tract are not so good ones. The compatibility of Doxycyclin can be characterised as very good for children.", "PMID": 778479} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4993", "title": "[Electrocardiogramme in anaphylactic shock in humans (author's transl)].", "content": "Twenty clinical cases described in the literature were gathered, in which electrocardiographic tracings had been recorded. Electrocardiographic changes were found in all cases, such as sinus tachycardia (12 times), impaired electrical conduction (5 times), ventricular overexcitability (7 times), high P-wave (6 times), changes of the ST (10 times), and of the T-wave (18 times). The reason for these changes might be of a complex nature. Based on experimental investiagations mentioned in the discussion, it may be assumed that beside a direct effect on the myocardial cells, the following mechanisms could have influenced the electrical heart potentials: 1. a constriction of the coronary vessels, 2. a pulmonary vascular constriction, 3. an aggregation of thrombocytes, 4. a peripheral vascular dilatation, 5. a bronchiolar constriction.", "contents": "[Electrocardiogramme in anaphylactic shock in humans (author's transl)]. Twenty clinical cases described in the literature were gathered, in which electrocardiographic tracings had been recorded. Electrocardiographic changes were found in all cases, such as sinus tachycardia (12 times), impaired electrical conduction (5 times), ventricular overexcitability (7 times), high P-wave (6 times), changes of the ST (10 times), and of the T-wave (18 times). The reason for these changes might be of a complex nature. Based on experimental investiagations mentioned in the discussion, it may be assumed that beside a direct effect on the myocardial cells, the following mechanisms could have influenced the electrical heart potentials: 1. a constriction of the coronary vessels, 2. a pulmonary vascular constriction, 3. an aggregation of thrombocytes, 4. a peripheral vascular dilatation, 5. a bronchiolar constriction.", "PMID": 778480} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4994", "title": "[Tubular response to antidiuretic plasma activity in the transplanted kidney (author's transl)].", "content": "Reabsorption of osmotically free water (TmcH2O) was studied in 10 patients after renal transplantation. A rising or constant free water reabsorption was observed under hydropenia and increasing tubular solute load. These findings suggest that in the transplanted kidney the functioning nephrons respond in a normal way to plasma ADH-activity. The excretion of plasma-hypotonic urine reflects decreased antidiuretic activity as in overhydration rather than tubular unresponsiveness to ADH. The excretion of plasma-hypertonic urine indicates tubular reabsorption of osmotically free water due to ADH, and this in general rules out overhydration. Daily estimation of urinary and plasma osmolality will be useful in judging the actual state of hydration after renal transplantation.", "contents": "[Tubular response to antidiuretic plasma activity in the transplanted kidney (author's transl)]. Reabsorption of osmotically free water (TmcH2O) was studied in 10 patients after renal transplantation. A rising or constant free water reabsorption was observed under hydropenia and increasing tubular solute load. These findings suggest that in the transplanted kidney the functioning nephrons respond in a normal way to plasma ADH-activity. The excretion of plasma-hypotonic urine reflects decreased antidiuretic activity as in overhydration rather than tubular unresponsiveness to ADH. The excretion of plasma-hypertonic urine indicates tubular reabsorption of osmotically free water due to ADH, and this in general rules out overhydration. Daily estimation of urinary and plasma osmolality will be useful in judging the actual state of hydration after renal transplantation.", "PMID": 778481} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4995", "title": "[The course of postoperative deep vein thrombi as judged by repeated phlebographies].", "content": "Phlebography was carried out in a prospective randomised, controlled study during which dextran and small doses of s.c. heparin have been compared in general surgical and urological patients, in 31 persons with proven deep vein thrombois diagnosed with the 125I-fibrinogen test. In 16 out of the 31 patients a second phlebogram coule be performed two weeks later. In this study all thrombi occurred intraoperatively. In 24 of the 31 patients, the appearance of thrombi was multilocular. Independent of the prevention instituted and irrespective of the therapy, the following phenomena could be seen 14 days after the first phlebogram: 9 thrombi retracted, 6 disappeared completely and 1 occluded the vein completely. 2 thrombi disappeared without any therapy whatsoever, the 4 others disappeared in patients receiving heparin and/or coumarin for treatment.", "contents": "[The course of postoperative deep vein thrombi as judged by repeated phlebographies]. Phlebography was carried out in a prospective randomised, controlled study during which dextran and small doses of s.c. heparin have been compared in general surgical and urological patients, in 31 persons with proven deep vein thrombois diagnosed with the 125I-fibrinogen test. In 16 out of the 31 patients a second phlebogram coule be performed two weeks later. In this study all thrombi occurred intraoperatively. In 24 of the 31 patients, the appearance of thrombi was multilocular. Independent of the prevention instituted and irrespective of the therapy, the following phenomena could be seen 14 days after the first phlebogram: 9 thrombi retracted, 6 disappeared completely and 1 occluded the vein completely. 2 thrombi disappeared without any therapy whatsoever, the 4 others disappeared in patients receiving heparin and/or coumarin for treatment.", "PMID": 778483} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4996", "title": "Experimental Bence Jones cast nephropathy.", "content": "C3H mice received intraperitoneal injections of a single dose of 50 to 200 mg. of purified lambda Bence Jones protein. Control animals received injections of comparable amounts of ovalbumin. The mice which received 200 mg. of lambda Bence Jones protein developed extensive cast formation in the distal renal tubules. By electron microscopy, the casts were found to contain elongated crystalloid structures. In some areas, these crystalloids appeared to penetrate into or be engulfed by tubular epithelial cells. By immunofluorescence, only lambda Bence Jones protein was detectable in the casts during the first 5 days. Thereafter, Tamm-Horsfall protein was also found in increasing amounts. The casts induced an inflammatory response characterized by the sequential appearance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells. The secondary tubular cell changes included atrophy, degeneration, and regeneration. Giant cells were present around many casts, but it could not be determined whether these derived from tubular epithelial or mononuclear inflammatory cells. Elevated blood urea nitrogen was found terminally in most animals. Smaller doses of the same protein as well as preliminary studies with two other lambda Bence Jones proteins failed to produce comparable changes. This experimental model of Bence Jones nephropathy closely resembles the morphologic features of so-called \"myeloma kidney\" in man.", "contents": "Experimental Bence Jones cast nephropathy. C3H mice received intraperitoneal injections of a single dose of 50 to 200 mg. of purified lambda Bence Jones protein. Control animals received injections of comparable amounts of ovalbumin. The mice which received 200 mg. of lambda Bence Jones protein developed extensive cast formation in the distal renal tubules. By electron microscopy, the casts were found to contain elongated crystalloid structures. In some areas, these crystalloids appeared to penetrate into or be engulfed by tubular epithelial cells. By immunofluorescence, only lambda Bence Jones protein was detectable in the casts during the first 5 days. Thereafter, Tamm-Horsfall protein was also found in increasing amounts. The casts induced an inflammatory response characterized by the sequential appearance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells. The secondary tubular cell changes included atrophy, degeneration, and regeneration. Giant cells were present around many casts, but it could not be determined whether these derived from tubular epithelial or mononuclear inflammatory cells. Elevated blood urea nitrogen was found terminally in most animals. Smaller doses of the same protein as well as preliminary studies with two other lambda Bence Jones proteins failed to produce comparable changes. This experimental model of Bence Jones nephropathy closely resembles the morphologic features of so-called \"myeloma kidney\" in man.", "PMID": 778484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4997", "title": "Prevention of postthymectomy autoimmune thyroiditis in mice.", "content": "Several immunologic procedures are described, by which the postthymectomy autoimmune thyroiditis in (C3H/HeMs X 129/J)F1 female mice was clearly prevented. These include the grafting of a neonatal thymus or a cell injection from adult thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes, but not from bone marrow. Their preventive effects, however, depended on the timing of treatments. In general, the earlier the treatment was given, the better the effect was. Thymus cells from 7-day-old mice were effective, whereas spleen cells from the same donors and neonatal thymus cells were ineffective. Neonatal thymectomy or 500-rad irradiation decreased the number of effective cells in the spleen. All of these data suggest that the cells responsible for the prevention of postthymectomy thyroiditis are T-cells, and that ontogenetically these cells first acquire their preventive ability in the thymus after birth and then migrate to the peripheral lymphoid tissues. The minimal effective dose of adult spleen cells was 15 X 10(4). Although 10(7) spleen cells from the mice thymectomized 3 days after birth failed to prevent the disease, the same dose of cells from those thymectomized at 7 days clearly prevented it. This suggests that qualitative rather than quantitative differences exist in peripheral T-cells of mice thymectomized 3 days after birth and those of normal mice or mice thymectomized at 7 days when the animals get to adulthood.", "contents": "Prevention of postthymectomy autoimmune thyroiditis in mice. Several immunologic procedures are described, by which the postthymectomy autoimmune thyroiditis in (C3H/HeMs X 129/J)F1 female mice was clearly prevented. These include the grafting of a neonatal thymus or a cell injection from adult thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes, but not from bone marrow. Their preventive effects, however, depended on the timing of treatments. In general, the earlier the treatment was given, the better the effect was. Thymus cells from 7-day-old mice were effective, whereas spleen cells from the same donors and neonatal thymus cells were ineffective. Neonatal thymectomy or 500-rad irradiation decreased the number of effective cells in the spleen. All of these data suggest that the cells responsible for the prevention of postthymectomy thyroiditis are T-cells, and that ontogenetically these cells first acquire their preventive ability in the thymus after birth and then migrate to the peripheral lymphoid tissues. The minimal effective dose of adult spleen cells was 15 X 10(4). Although 10(7) spleen cells from the mice thymectomized 3 days after birth failed to prevent the disease, the same dose of cells from those thymectomized at 7 days clearly prevented it. This suggests that qualitative rather than quantitative differences exist in peripheral T-cells of mice thymectomized 3 days after birth and those of normal mice or mice thymectomized at 7 days when the animals get to adulthood.", "PMID": 778485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4998", "title": "Immunochemical study and cellular localization of human pepsinogens during ontogenesis and in gastric cancers.", "content": "Gastric pepsinogens were studied by immunoenzymologic and immunohistochemical methods in non-cancerous adult gastric mucosa, in fetal stomach, and in gastric carcinomas. In noncancerous adult mucosa, immunoenzymologic methods showed that pepsinogen II (previously called Pg I-II) was found mostly in fundic or mediogastric extracts, whereas Pg IV was predominant in antropyloric extracts. Pg II was localized by immunofluorescence techniques in the chief cells of deep glands found near the muscularis. Pg II was localized by immunofluorescence techniques in the chief cells of deep glands found near the muscularis. Pg III was present in the superficial zone of deep glands and Pg IV in the surface epithelium and in the superficial glands of the mucosa. In fetal stomach, only Pg IV (which we called the \"fetal pepsinogen\") was identified by standard immunoelectrophoresis. It was localized by immunofluorescence in the superficial epithelium. However, bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis and immunofluorescence did reveal low levels of Pg II and Pg III by the 8th or 9th week of ontogenesis. Pg II and Pg III were localized in the rudimentary glands near the superficial epithelium. Important differences were noted when gastric carcinomas were compared with normal mucosa. Pg II or Pg III were often absent in the tumor extracts, but Pg IV was regularly and, at times, exclusively identified regardless of the location of the tumor. By immunofluorescence Pg IV was often the only pepsinogen that was characterized in dedifferentiated cancerous cells; this was also true of the calciform cells of some metaplastic gastric mucosa. Pg III was observed rarely, and Pg II never, in cancerous cells. The biochemical modifications of the cancerous tissue closely resemble those of fetal tissue.", "contents": "Immunochemical study and cellular localization of human pepsinogens during ontogenesis and in gastric cancers. Gastric pepsinogens were studied by immunoenzymologic and immunohistochemical methods in non-cancerous adult gastric mucosa, in fetal stomach, and in gastric carcinomas. In noncancerous adult mucosa, immunoenzymologic methods showed that pepsinogen II (previously called Pg I-II) was found mostly in fundic or mediogastric extracts, whereas Pg IV was predominant in antropyloric extracts. Pg II was localized by immunofluorescence techniques in the chief cells of deep glands found near the muscularis. Pg II was localized by immunofluorescence techniques in the chief cells of deep glands found near the muscularis. Pg III was present in the superficial zone of deep glands and Pg IV in the surface epithelium and in the superficial glands of the mucosa. In fetal stomach, only Pg IV (which we called the \"fetal pepsinogen\") was identified by standard immunoelectrophoresis. It was localized by immunofluorescence in the superficial epithelium. However, bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis and immunofluorescence did reveal low levels of Pg II and Pg III by the 8th or 9th week of ontogenesis. Pg II and Pg III were localized in the rudimentary glands near the superficial epithelium. Important differences were noted when gastric carcinomas were compared with normal mucosa. Pg II or Pg III were often absent in the tumor extracts, but Pg IV was regularly and, at times, exclusively identified regardless of the location of the tumor. By immunofluorescence Pg IV was often the only pepsinogen that was characterized in dedifferentiated cancerous cells; this was also true of the calciform cells of some metaplastic gastric mucosa. Pg III was observed rarely, and Pg II never, in cancerous cells. The biochemical modifications of the cancerous tissue closely resemble those of fetal tissue.", "PMID": 778486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_4999", "title": "Conjugated polyene fatty acids as fluorescent membrane probes: model system studies.", "content": "The use of conjugated polyene fatty acids as probes of membrane structure is examined, alpha- and beta-parinaric acid (cis, trans, trans, cis- and all trans-9, 11, 13, 15-octadecatetraenoic acid) and synthetic lecithins containing an alpha-parinaric acid chai in position 2 have been prepared, and their absorption and fluorescence properties have been determined. Their absorption spectra are at sufficiently long wavelength to be unobscured by cellular chromophores such as nucleotides and aromatic amin acids. Parinaric acid absorption does, however, overlap tryptophan emission which allows fluorescence energy transfer. Potential uses of these fluorescent probes are presented with studies on mode systems with known physical properties. Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine exhibits a sharp phase transition 1 degree wide at 42 degrees C, as monitored by the fluorescence intensit of parinaric acid. The magnitude of the transition is independent of probe concentration, but the width of the transition and hysteresis are dependent upon such factors as the probe concentration and whether or not sonication is used in sample preparation. Using both fluorescence and absorption properties of the probe, we show that the addition of cholesterol to the dispersion broadens and decreases the magnitude of the transition. These results are interpreted in terms of a change in the polarizability of the acyl chains of a lipid bilayer undergoes a thermal transition. Lipid-protein interactions are studied by the binding of alpha-parinaric acid to bovine serum albumin. Fluorescence enhancement, absorption spectral shifts, and quenching of tryptophan fluorescnece are observed when alpha-parinaric acid binds to bovine serum albumin. Calculations based on these measurements are consistent with two binding sites of KB approximately 10(8) (M-1) and three to four binding sites of KB approximately 10(6)-10(7) (M-1), similar to known values for the binding of other long-chain fatty acids. Biosynthetic incorporation of beta-parinaric acid into the E. coli fatty acid auxotroph 30E betaox has been accomplished and phase transitions in cells and isolated phospholipids are shown.", "contents": "Conjugated polyene fatty acids as fluorescent membrane probes: model system studies. The use of conjugated polyene fatty acids as probes of membrane structure is examined, alpha- and beta-parinaric acid (cis, trans, trans, cis- and all trans-9, 11, 13, 15-octadecatetraenoic acid) and synthetic lecithins containing an alpha-parinaric acid chai in position 2 have been prepared, and their absorption and fluorescence properties have been determined. Their absorption spectra are at sufficiently long wavelength to be unobscured by cellular chromophores such as nucleotides and aromatic amin acids. Parinaric acid absorption does, however, overlap tryptophan emission which allows fluorescence energy transfer. Potential uses of these fluorescent probes are presented with studies on mode systems with known physical properties. Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine exhibits a sharp phase transition 1 degree wide at 42 degrees C, as monitored by the fluorescence intensit of parinaric acid. The magnitude of the transition is independent of probe concentration, but the width of the transition and hysteresis are dependent upon such factors as the probe concentration and whether or not sonication is used in sample preparation. Using both fluorescence and absorption properties of the probe, we show that the addition of cholesterol to the dispersion broadens and decreases the magnitude of the transition. These results are interpreted in terms of a change in the polarizability of the acyl chains of a lipid bilayer undergoes a thermal transition. Lipid-protein interactions are studied by the binding of alpha-parinaric acid to bovine serum albumin. Fluorescence enhancement, absorption spectral shifts, and quenching of tryptophan fluorescnece are observed when alpha-parinaric acid binds to bovine serum albumin. Calculations based on these measurements are consistent with two binding sites of KB approximately 10(8) (M-1) and three to four binding sites of KB approximately 10(6)-10(7) (M-1), similar to known values for the binding of other long-chain fatty acids. Biosynthetic incorporation of beta-parinaric acid into the E. coli fatty acid auxotroph 30E betaox has been accomplished and phase transitions in cells and isolated phospholipids are shown.", "PMID": 778493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5000", "title": "The role of cell membrane in the antiviral effect of interferon.", "content": "The mechanism of interferon action in human fibroblasts has been studied by use of both antisera to human fibroblast interferon and the antisera to the surface of human fibroblast cell. The anti-interferon serum completely neutralized the antiviral effect of human fibroblast interferon. Interferon antiserum prevented the intracellular antiviral state from developing when added to the medium of the cells in which interferon synthesis had already been induced by poly (I-C). This suggests that development of the antiviral state involves interferon interaction with the external part of the producing cell. Treatment with the serum directed against the surface of human fibroblast cells failed to inhibit the antiviral activity of human interferon in these cells. In addition, the effect of gangliosides on the antiviral activity of human interferon was studied and it was found that human interferon binds to gangliosides and that this interaction leads to inactivation of the antiviral effect of interferon. Pretreatment of human fibroblasts with gangliosides had no effect on the sensitivity of these cells to exogenous interferon.", "contents": "The role of cell membrane in the antiviral effect of interferon. The mechanism of interferon action in human fibroblasts has been studied by use of both antisera to human fibroblast interferon and the antisera to the surface of human fibroblast cell. The anti-interferon serum completely neutralized the antiviral effect of human fibroblast interferon. Interferon antiserum prevented the intracellular antiviral state from developing when added to the medium of the cells in which interferon synthesis had already been induced by poly (I-C). This suggests that development of the antiviral state involves interferon interaction with the external part of the producing cell. Treatment with the serum directed against the surface of human fibroblast cells failed to inhibit the antiviral activity of human interferon in these cells. In addition, the effect of gangliosides on the antiviral activity of human interferon was studied and it was found that human interferon binds to gangliosides and that this interaction leads to inactivation of the antiviral effect of interferon. Pretreatment of human fibroblasts with gangliosides had no effect on the sensitivity of these cells to exogenous interferon.", "PMID": 778494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5001", "title": "The tricho system: hypertrichosis, radiation, and cancer.", "content": "Five women in their 6th to 8th decades were treated for facial hypertrichosis in Erie, Pennsylvania, 30 to 40 years ago. The epilations were performed with an X-ray device called \"Tricho System,\" which was manufactured, sold, and proclaimed safe by its physician-inventor. The beauty shop operator who administered these treatments may or may not have received \"instruction\" by the company in the operation of the equipment. At varying intervals, each of the 5 women developed radiodermatitis and basal cell and/or squamous cell carcinoma at the sites of epilation. All presented to the plastic surgical service at the Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. Two underwent massive radical resective surgery, 2 required extensive excision and resurfacing, and 1 refused resective surgery although she had had a previous surgical attempt 17 years earlier. Case histories are presented in detail. This series is representative of the epidemic nature of Tricho-System-induced disease.", "contents": "The tricho system: hypertrichosis, radiation, and cancer. Five women in their 6th to 8th decades were treated for facial hypertrichosis in Erie, Pennsylvania, 30 to 40 years ago. The epilations were performed with an X-ray device called \"Tricho System,\" which was manufactured, sold, and proclaimed safe by its physician-inventor. The beauty shop operator who administered these treatments may or may not have received \"instruction\" by the company in the operation of the equipment. At varying intervals, each of the 5 women developed radiodermatitis and basal cell and/or squamous cell carcinoma at the sites of epilation. All presented to the plastic surgical service at the Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. Two underwent massive radical resective surgery, 2 required extensive excision and resurfacing, and 1 refused resective surgery although she had had a previous surgical attempt 17 years earlier. Case histories are presented in detail. This series is representative of the epidemic nature of Tricho-System-induced disease.", "PMID": 778495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5002", "title": "Hemodynamic and functional changes in xenogenic, perfused, isolated lungs.", "content": "Hyperacute pulmonary rejection was reproduced by perfusion of the isolated lung with heparinized heterologous blood. The cat lung was perfused with dog venous blood at a pressure of 30 mm. Hg. Pulmonary hemodynamic and functional studies showed that blood flow decreased to 14 per cent of the control and pulmonary vascular resistance increased sevenfold. Dynamic pulmonary compliance decreased only slightly to 83 per cent at 15 minutes, but normal pH, PO2, and PCO2 were maintained in the pulmonary venous blood even 15 minutes after the start of perfusion, because perfusion was decreased to a greater extent than ventilation.", "contents": "Hemodynamic and functional changes in xenogenic, perfused, isolated lungs. Hyperacute pulmonary rejection was reproduced by perfusion of the isolated lung with heparinized heterologous blood. The cat lung was perfused with dog venous blood at a pressure of 30 mm. Hg. Pulmonary hemodynamic and functional studies showed that blood flow decreased to 14 per cent of the control and pulmonary vascular resistance increased sevenfold. Dynamic pulmonary compliance decreased only slightly to 83 per cent at 15 minutes, but normal pH, PO2, and PCO2 were maintained in the pulmonary venous blood even 15 minutes after the start of perfusion, because perfusion was decreased to a greater extent than ventilation.", "PMID": 778497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5003", "title": "Therapeutic use of helium-oxygen mixture in continuous positive airway pressure for early weaning from mechanical ventilation after cardiovascular surgery in infants.", "content": "Therapeutic use of helium-oxygen mixture in continuous positive airway pressure (He-CPAP) was employed for early weaning from mechanical ventilation of 11 infants who underwent cardiac surgery from August, 1974, to April, 1975. With the use of He-CPAP, a 20 to 30 mm. Hg elevation of PaO2 was usually observed and respiratory distress was reduced, as compared to results obtained with nitrogen-oxygen CPAP. In all cases, He-CPAP resulted in the possibility of relatively early removal of the endotracheal tube. Therefore, He-CPAP is recommendable for intermediate respiratory support between mechanical ventilation and nitrogen-oxygen CPAP.", "contents": "Therapeutic use of helium-oxygen mixture in continuous positive airway pressure for early weaning from mechanical ventilation after cardiovascular surgery in infants. Therapeutic use of helium-oxygen mixture in continuous positive airway pressure (He-CPAP) was employed for early weaning from mechanical ventilation of 11 infants who underwent cardiac surgery from August, 1974, to April, 1975. With the use of He-CPAP, a 20 to 30 mm. Hg elevation of PaO2 was usually observed and respiratory distress was reduced, as compared to results obtained with nitrogen-oxygen CPAP. In all cases, He-CPAP resulted in the possibility of relatively early removal of the endotracheal tube. Therefore, He-CPAP is recommendable for intermediate respiratory support between mechanical ventilation and nitrogen-oxygen CPAP.", "PMID": 778498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5004", "title": "Successful surgical correction of an embolized prosthetic valve poppet: case report.", "content": "Embolization of a prosthetic valve poppet, a rare complication following valve replacement, has been, until recently, generally fatal. Immediate recognition followed by replacement of the poppet or valve and extraction of the embolized poppet is the only feasible approach. Recently, a patient was seen was seen shortly after the onset of acute pulmonary edema with wide-open mitral regurgitation. A diagnosis of extrusion of the poppet from a previously placed prosthetic valve was confirmed and a successful mitral valve replacement accomplished. The nonradiopaque poppet, subsequently localized by an ultrasound B-sac, was removed from the lower abdominal aorta at a later operation. We believe this to be the second reported case of survival following successful reoperation for embolization of a prosthetic poppet.", "contents": "Successful surgical correction of an embolized prosthetic valve poppet: case report. Embolization of a prosthetic valve poppet, a rare complication following valve replacement, has been, until recently, generally fatal. Immediate recognition followed by replacement of the poppet or valve and extraction of the embolized poppet is the only feasible approach. Recently, a patient was seen was seen shortly after the onset of acute pulmonary edema with wide-open mitral regurgitation. A diagnosis of extrusion of the poppet from a previously placed prosthetic valve was confirmed and a successful mitral valve replacement accomplished. The nonradiopaque poppet, subsequently localized by an ultrasound B-sac, was removed from the lower abdominal aorta at a later operation. We believe this to be the second reported case of survival following successful reoperation for embolization of a prosthetic poppet.", "PMID": 778499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5005", "title": "Long-term follow-up of aortic valve replacement with the fresh aortic homograft.", "content": "The long-term results of aortic valve replacement with the fresh aortic homograft, performed in 114 patients at Stanford University Medical Center from 1967 to 1971, were evaluated. There were 10 operative deaths (8.8 per cent), only 3 (5 per cent) in the period from 1968 to 1971. There were 6 late deaths in the first year (5.8 per cent) and 8 in later years (1.5 per cent per year); 12 late deaths were due to cardiac causes, 6 of them to valve dysfunction. The homograft was replaced later with a prosthetic valve or heterograft in 22 patients (3.2 per cent per year): for regurgitation in 20 and for calcific stenosis in only one. Infective endocarditis occurred in 5 cases, accounting for one operative death, 2 late deaths, and 2 reoperations with survival. Systemic thromboembolism occurred in 6 patients, 3 with mitral valve disease, one with atrial fibrillation, and one with infective endocarditis; none was a proved instance of embolism from bland thrombus on the aortic homograft valve. Of 53 patients followed for 5 years or more with the homograft intact, 47 have minimal or no disability, despite aortic diastolic murmurs in many. We conclude that long-term results are good in the majority of patients, with aortic regurgitation requiring reoperation being the leading complication. These results may serve as a basis for comparison of more recently introduced methods of aortic valve replacement.", "contents": "Long-term follow-up of aortic valve replacement with the fresh aortic homograft. The long-term results of aortic valve replacement with the fresh aortic homograft, performed in 114 patients at Stanford University Medical Center from 1967 to 1971, were evaluated. There were 10 operative deaths (8.8 per cent), only 3 (5 per cent) in the period from 1968 to 1971. There were 6 late deaths in the first year (5.8 per cent) and 8 in later years (1.5 per cent per year); 12 late deaths were due to cardiac causes, 6 of them to valve dysfunction. The homograft was replaced later with a prosthetic valve or heterograft in 22 patients (3.2 per cent per year): for regurgitation in 20 and for calcific stenosis in only one. Infective endocarditis occurred in 5 cases, accounting for one operative death, 2 late deaths, and 2 reoperations with survival. Systemic thromboembolism occurred in 6 patients, 3 with mitral valve disease, one with atrial fibrillation, and one with infective endocarditis; none was a proved instance of embolism from bland thrombus on the aortic homograft valve. Of 53 patients followed for 5 years or more with the homograft intact, 47 have minimal or no disability, despite aortic diastolic murmurs in many. We conclude that long-term results are good in the majority of patients, with aortic regurgitation requiring reoperation being the leading complication. These results may serve as a basis for comparison of more recently introduced methods of aortic valve replacement.", "PMID": 778500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5006", "title": "Intraventricular repair of single ventricle associated with transposition of the great arteries.", "content": "Intraventricular repair was performed successfully in a 6-year-old body having a ventricle associated with d-loop and d-transposition in situs solitus of the atria and viscera. A spiral Teflon patch was utilized to partition the ventricle. Complete heart block did not result, and the patient is doing well 8 months after the operation. Details of the pre- and postoperative studies, as well as details of the surgical technique, are presented. A review is presented of the operative procedures that have been designed for the correction of a single ventricle associated with transposition of the great arteries and have been reported previously in the literature. The advantages for use of the techniaue employed in the present case are discussed.", "contents": "Intraventricular repair of single ventricle associated with transposition of the great arteries. Intraventricular repair was performed successfully in a 6-year-old body having a ventricle associated with d-loop and d-transposition in situs solitus of the atria and viscera. A spiral Teflon patch was utilized to partition the ventricle. Complete heart block did not result, and the patient is doing well 8 months after the operation. Details of the pre- and postoperative studies, as well as details of the surgical technique, are presented. A review is presented of the operative procedures that have been designed for the correction of a single ventricle associated with transposition of the great arteries and have been reported previously in the literature. The advantages for use of the techniaue employed in the present case are discussed.", "PMID": 778501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5007", "title": "Reconstruction of right ventricular-pulmonary artery continuity with a valved external conduit: unusual technical considerations.", "content": "The Hancock conduit containing a porcine xenograft valve has been used as part of the repair in 14 patients having complex congenital heart disease. The single death in this series resulted from the consequences of pulmonary vascular disease in a patient with truncus arteriosus. Several unusual technical considerations such as previous pulmonary artery banding, angulated Waterston anastomoses, and dextroversion required modifications in the standard approach to the correction of several of the anomalies encountered. This conduit has provided a satisfactory method to establish right ventricular-pulmonary artery continuity.", "contents": "Reconstruction of right ventricular-pulmonary artery continuity with a valved external conduit: unusual technical considerations. The Hancock conduit containing a porcine xenograft valve has been used as part of the repair in 14 patients having complex congenital heart disease. The single death in this series resulted from the consequences of pulmonary vascular disease in a patient with truncus arteriosus. Several unusual technical considerations such as previous pulmonary artery banding, angulated Waterston anastomoses, and dextroversion required modifications in the standard approach to the correction of several of the anomalies encountered. This conduit has provided a satisfactory method to establish right ventricular-pulmonary artery continuity.", "PMID": 778502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5008", "title": "Effective preservation and transportation of lung transplants.", "content": "To evaluate a system for preserving and transporting lungs before transplantation, we removed the left lungs of 37 dogs, flushed them with a hypertonic solution having an electrolyte composition resembling intracellular fluid, and immersed them at 4 degrees C. for 7 to 24 hours. Some lungs were maintained at exactly 4 degrees C. during transport by means of a mixture of solid and liquid l-hexadecene. The lungs were allografted into immunosuppressed dogs whose right pulmonary artery was immediately ligated. Twelve recipients (32 per cent) survived 5 days or more solely on the function of the preserved lung. Four survived 10, 19, 40, and 40 days with lungs that had been preserved for 7 to 21 hours. Survival of recipients of preserved lungs (5 +/- 2 days) was equivalent to that of 75 comparably immunosuppressed recipients of nonpreserved allografts (6 +/- 1 days). One group of 10 dogs receiving lungs flushed against outflow resistance survived 12 +/- 5 days. In recipients of preserved allografts, arterial oxygen tensions remained in the normal range up to 5 weeks after transplantation, and radiographic infiltrates in the transplant were no greater than those present in recipients of nonpreserved transplants. Thus lungs transported and preserved up to 21 hours can provide total pulmonary function after transplantation and can function at least as well as nonpreserved transplants. The effectiveness and simplicity of this method are such that it might be considered for use in man.", "contents": "Effective preservation and transportation of lung transplants. To evaluate a system for preserving and transporting lungs before transplantation, we removed the left lungs of 37 dogs, flushed them with a hypertonic solution having an electrolyte composition resembling intracellular fluid, and immersed them at 4 degrees C. for 7 to 24 hours. Some lungs were maintained at exactly 4 degrees C. during transport by means of a mixture of solid and liquid l-hexadecene. The lungs were allografted into immunosuppressed dogs whose right pulmonary artery was immediately ligated. Twelve recipients (32 per cent) survived 5 days or more solely on the function of the preserved lung. Four survived 10, 19, 40, and 40 days with lungs that had been preserved for 7 to 21 hours. Survival of recipients of preserved lungs (5 +/- 2 days) was equivalent to that of 75 comparably immunosuppressed recipients of nonpreserved allografts (6 +/- 1 days). One group of 10 dogs receiving lungs flushed against outflow resistance survived 12 +/- 5 days. In recipients of preserved allografts, arterial oxygen tensions remained in the normal range up to 5 weeks after transplantation, and radiographic infiltrates in the transplant were no greater than those present in recipients of nonpreserved transplants. Thus lungs transported and preserved up to 21 hours can provide total pulmonary function after transplantation and can function at least as well as nonpreserved transplants. The effectiveness and simplicity of this method are such that it might be considered for use in man.", "PMID": 778503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5009", "title": "The reform of ambulatory care: a financial paradox.", "content": "The purpose of this paper is to examine the financial factors which have effectively constrained the movement toward major reform in the out-of-hospital medical care area within this country. Analysis of the current economic picture in the health field leads inescapably to the conclusion that the major wave of new out-of-hospital programs predicted in the early 1970s is not likely to occur in the immediate future. The financial constraints are so substantial that the expansion of new forms of delivering ambulatory care services (HMOs, restructured OPDs, neighborhood health centers, etc.) into low- and moderate-income communities will proceed more slowly than was originally anticipated. The facts outlined in this paper clearly indicate that many new ambulatory care projects designed to serve low- and moderate-income people will face serious financial difficulties and will place a heavy burden on the resources of sponsoring institutions. In the future, widespread reform in the out-of-hospital area will await major improvements in the way this country finances its ambulatory care services.", "contents": "The reform of ambulatory care: a financial paradox. The purpose of this paper is to examine the financial factors which have effectively constrained the movement toward major reform in the out-of-hospital medical care area within this country. Analysis of the current economic picture in the health field leads inescapably to the conclusion that the major wave of new out-of-hospital programs predicted in the early 1970s is not likely to occur in the immediate future. The financial constraints are so substantial that the expansion of new forms of delivering ambulatory care services (HMOs, restructured OPDs, neighborhood health centers, etc.) into low- and moderate-income communities will proceed more slowly than was originally anticipated. The facts outlined in this paper clearly indicate that many new ambulatory care projects designed to serve low- and moderate-income people will face serious financial difficulties and will place a heavy burden on the resources of sponsoring institutions. In the future, widespread reform in the out-of-hospital area will await major improvements in the way this country finances its ambulatory care services.", "PMID": 778509} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5010", "title": "[Chemotactic activity in the fluid of bullous pemphigoid blisters].", "content": "By a modified Boyden technique, chemotactic activity was present in bullous pemphigoid blister fluids but was also present in the corresponding sera. Heat inactivation (56 degrees C for 30 minutes) only partially reduced the blister fluid chemotactic activity, but almost completely inhibited the activity present in pemphigoid sera. Control blister fluids exhibited some chemotactic activity, but in contrast to pemphigoid blister fluids, this activity was almost entirely abolished by heat inactivation. The chemotactic activity remaining in heat inactivated pemphigoid blister fluid was inhibited by N-CBZ-alpha-glutamyl-L-tyrosine and by antiserum to C5 but not with antiserum to C3. Our studies suggest that complement-dependent chemotactic activity is present in bullous pemphigoid blister fluids, findings which further implicate complement activation in the pathogenesis of this disease.", "contents": "[Chemotactic activity in the fluid of bullous pemphigoid blisters]. By a modified Boyden technique, chemotactic activity was present in bullous pemphigoid blister fluids but was also present in the corresponding sera. Heat inactivation (56 degrees C for 30 minutes) only partially reduced the blister fluid chemotactic activity, but almost completely inhibited the activity present in pemphigoid sera. Control blister fluids exhibited some chemotactic activity, but in contrast to pemphigoid blister fluids, this activity was almost entirely abolished by heat inactivation. The chemotactic activity remaining in heat inactivated pemphigoid blister fluid was inhibited by N-CBZ-alpha-glutamyl-L-tyrosine and by antiserum to C5 but not with antiserum to C3. Our studies suggest that complement-dependent chemotactic activity is present in bullous pemphigoid blister fluids, findings which further implicate complement activation in the pathogenesis of this disease.", "PMID": 778510} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5011", "title": "Aging in mammalian cell population: a review.", "content": "Research on in vitro aging and development is reviewed within a framework provided by three aspects of population growth--birth, canalization and death. Although there are periodic changes in the birth rate coupled to periodic changes in the in vitro environment, there do not appear to be any age-related changes in the birth rate of dividing cells. There appear to be distinct subpopulations of dividing and nondividing cells, each with its own characteristic morphological and functional properties; thus, Weiss-Kavanaugh theory may be applicable to the growth, maturation and senescence of mammalian cell populations. Substantial cell losses occur during subcultivation and transfer; correction for these losses requires substantial reinterpretation of existing experimental findings. The various measures of age are poorly correlated with one another; there is wide variation from population to population. A uniform measure of age has been found in the cell generation, the number of ancestors of a given cell. Studies of intrinsic variation in development can provide additional insight into the developmental process. The framework of birth, canalization and death permits reduction in the number of competing hypotheses of aging in mammalian cell populations. Additional experimental evidence is needed to discriminate among the remaining hypotheses.", "contents": "Aging in mammalian cell population: a review. Research on in vitro aging and development is reviewed within a framework provided by three aspects of population growth--birth, canalization and death. Although there are periodic changes in the birth rate coupled to periodic changes in the in vitro environment, there do not appear to be any age-related changes in the birth rate of dividing cells. There appear to be distinct subpopulations of dividing and nondividing cells, each with its own characteristic morphological and functional properties; thus, Weiss-Kavanaugh theory may be applicable to the growth, maturation and senescence of mammalian cell populations. Substantial cell losses occur during subcultivation and transfer; correction for these losses requires substantial reinterpretation of existing experimental findings. The various measures of age are poorly correlated with one another; there is wide variation from population to population. A uniform measure of age has been found in the cell generation, the number of ancestors of a given cell. Studies of intrinsic variation in development can provide additional insight into the developmental process. The framework of birth, canalization and death permits reduction in the number of competing hypotheses of aging in mammalian cell populations. Additional experimental evidence is needed to discriminate among the remaining hypotheses.", "PMID": 778505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5012", "title": "Natural history of bell's palsy: the salivary flow test and other prognostic indicators.", "content": "Fifty-one patients with Bell's palsy were evaluated within two days of onset and followed for six months without surgical intervention or effective medical treatment in order to observe the natural history of the disease. Sixty-three percent had a complete return while 37 percent had incomplete return. Age, the presence of pain, and taste alterations had no prognostic value. The progression of the palsy, response to maximal stimulation and salivary flow testing were approximately 80 percent accurate in predicting outcome. The salivary flow test was the most useful prognostic indicator since salivary flow became reduced within two days of onset in the patients likely to develop denervation while the other tests did not become altered until 3 to 14 days after onset. In patients with Bell's palsy, the salivation test seems to be the only method capable of predicting denervation before it begins; therefore, it should be ideal for selecting patients for appropriate treatment.", "contents": "Natural history of bell's palsy: the salivary flow test and other prognostic indicators. Fifty-one patients with Bell's palsy were evaluated within two days of onset and followed for six months without surgical intervention or effective medical treatment in order to observe the natural history of the disease. Sixty-three percent had a complete return while 37 percent had incomplete return. Age, the presence of pain, and taste alterations had no prognostic value. The progression of the palsy, response to maximal stimulation and salivary flow testing were approximately 80 percent accurate in predicting outcome. The salivary flow test was the most useful prognostic indicator since salivary flow became reduced within two days of onset in the patients likely to develop denervation while the other tests did not become altered until 3 to 14 days after onset. In patients with Bell's palsy, the salivation test seems to be the only method capable of predicting denervation before it begins; therefore, it should be ideal for selecting patients for appropriate treatment.", "PMID": 778512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5013", "title": "Prognostic significance of lymph node histology in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, pharynx, or oral cavity.", "content": "In a double-blind retrospective analysis, sections of lymph nodes regional to head and neck squamous cell carcinomas were microscopically examined to assess morphologically the immunologic pattern of response. Patients whose nodes showed evidence of immunologic stimulation had five-year survival rates significantly higher than those whose nodes showed no evidence of immunologic stimulation. None of the patients whose nodes showed the lymphocyte depletion pattern survived five years. The stage or histologic grade of the tumors did not influence these correlations. Metastases occurred much more frequently in patients whose nodes showed immunologic activity than in those whose did not. The data support the concept that immunologic capacities are important host defense mechanisms against malignancy. Histologic assessment of immunologic activity in regional nodes seems to be an important parameter for predicting survival.", "contents": "Prognostic significance of lymph node histology in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, pharynx, or oral cavity. In a double-blind retrospective analysis, sections of lymph nodes regional to head and neck squamous cell carcinomas were microscopically examined to assess morphologically the immunologic pattern of response. Patients whose nodes showed evidence of immunologic stimulation had five-year survival rates significantly higher than those whose nodes showed no evidence of immunologic stimulation. None of the patients whose nodes showed the lymphocyte depletion pattern survived five years. The stage or histologic grade of the tumors did not influence these correlations. Metastases occurred much more frequently in patients whose nodes showed immunologic activity than in those whose did not. The data support the concept that immunologic capacities are important host defense mechanisms against malignancy. Histologic assessment of immunologic activity in regional nodes seems to be an important parameter for predicting survival.", "PMID": 778514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5014", "title": "Nonunion of the mandible.", "content": "Nonunion of the mandible was evaluated over a five-year period (1968-1973). Fourteen cases were noted out of 577 mandibular fractures for an incidence of 2.4 percent. Causes of the complications were determined by a careful review of the poorly healing and successfully treated cases of mandibular fracture. The most important feature in nonunion cases was the large proportion of edentulous patients. In these cases immobilization appeared difficult, especially when only one form of fixation was used to stabilize the fracture. Other suspected causes of nonunion were postoperative trauma and osteomyelitis. These factors were most prevalent in the lower socio-economic groups. Factors which did not appear important were sex, age and cause of the fracture. Analysis of the site of injury, combinations of sites, timing of treatment, periosteal stripping and general health of the patient failed to demonstrate any predisposition to the complication. Treatment of nonunion was confined to standard techniques of debridement, antibiotic therapy and further immobilization. Although most patients responded to this therapy, six patients required closure of the deficit by bone grafting. On the basis of accumulated data, it was possible to clarify the factors in the development of nonunion. It was also possible to recommend methods of prevention of the complication and to substantiate the success of several forms of therapy.", "contents": "Nonunion of the mandible. Nonunion of the mandible was evaluated over a five-year period (1968-1973). Fourteen cases were noted out of 577 mandibular fractures for an incidence of 2.4 percent. Causes of the complications were determined by a careful review of the poorly healing and successfully treated cases of mandibular fracture. The most important feature in nonunion cases was the large proportion of edentulous patients. In these cases immobilization appeared difficult, especially when only one form of fixation was used to stabilize the fracture. Other suspected causes of nonunion were postoperative trauma and osteomyelitis. These factors were most prevalent in the lower socio-economic groups. Factors which did not appear important were sex, age and cause of the fracture. Analysis of the site of injury, combinations of sites, timing of treatment, periosteal stripping and general health of the patient failed to demonstrate any predisposition to the complication. Treatment of nonunion was confined to standard techniques of debridement, antibiotic therapy and further immobilization. Although most patients responded to this therapy, six patients required closure of the deficit by bone grafting. On the basis of accumulated data, it was possible to clarify the factors in the development of nonunion. It was also possible to recommend methods of prevention of the complication and to substantiate the success of several forms of therapy.", "PMID": 778516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5015", "title": "DMSO in otology.", "content": "The most controversial therapeutic agent in the past decade has been dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), an industrial solvent to which great healing powers have been attributed. After initial laboratory testing, DMSO was rapidly introduced into veterinarian medicine and clinical medicine as an experimental agent with the ability to relieve pain, reduce swelling and edema in trauma, to show anesthetic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically to the skin. Ninety percent DMSO was used alone and in conjunction with alkaloids and antibiotics to test the clinical properties attributed to this drug. Although DMSO was found not to be ototoxic, laboratory and clinical testing which included double blind studies on patients with otological infections demonstrated that DMSO had no antibacterial, anesthetic or anti-inflammatory properties when applied within the external auditory canal. There was no indication that 90% DMSO, when combined with these various preparations, potentiated or acted synergistically to enhance their penetration through the dermal barrier.", "contents": "DMSO in otology. The most controversial therapeutic agent in the past decade has been dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), an industrial solvent to which great healing powers have been attributed. After initial laboratory testing, DMSO was rapidly introduced into veterinarian medicine and clinical medicine as an experimental agent with the ability to relieve pain, reduce swelling and edema in trauma, to show anesthetic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically to the skin. Ninety percent DMSO was used alone and in conjunction with alkaloids and antibiotics to test the clinical properties attributed to this drug. Although DMSO was found not to be ototoxic, laboratory and clinical testing which included double blind studies on patients with otological infections demonstrated that DMSO had no antibacterial, anesthetic or anti-inflammatory properties when applied within the external auditory canal. There was no indication that 90% DMSO, when combined with these various preparations, potentiated or acted synergistically to enhance their penetration through the dermal barrier.", "PMID": 778517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5016", "title": "Effects of droperidol in management of vestibular disorders.", "content": "The chemo-therapy of vestibular disease has involved a wide spectrum of pharmacological agents insofar as their mode of action is concerned. In our experience, however, droperidol is one pharmaceutical agent which is remarkably effective in depressing vestibular disturbance regardless of etiology. This medication (also called Inapsine) belongs to a relatively new class of compounds known as butyrophenones and its pharmacological action can best be described as a dopa blocking agent. The activity of droperidol on the nervous system first became evident when it was used in combination with the potent analgesic fentanyl citrate in order to produce an anesthetic condition that has been termed neuroleptanalgesia. This mixture (also called Innovar) is rapid in action and results in complete suppression of vestibular activity of both normal subjects and those with M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease as described by Dowdy, et al., in a preliminary report. These impressive results have prompted us to evaluate the effectiveness of this medication in the treatment of different disorders of the labyrinth. The patients chosen for evaluation were referred for vestibular examination at the Toronto General and St. Michael's Hospitals. Electronystagmography was used to record objectively the effects of the drugs being tested while subjective symptoms including side effects were also noted. These studies involved 20 patients receiving Innovar while 12 patients were tested with Inapsine. Innovar administered in a single dose (droperidol 5 mg, fentanyl 0.1 mg) to patients undergoing acute episodes of vestibular disease (vestibular neuronitis and M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease) was found effective in the following symptoms and/or signs: nausea, vertigo, nystagmus, the positive past-pointing test and the Romberg test. Innovar appeared to be effective in the amelioration of vomiting although the population was too small to demonstrate statistical significance in this regard. The drug mixture appeared to have no effect on improving auditory acuity and had no significant effects on tinnitus. Adverse reactions to the drug combination were unusual, and, occurring in three patients, were mild as manifested by drowsiness. Since the above findings confirmed the marked effectiveness of the fentanyl-droperidol mixture in the management of vestibular disease, it was decided to determine the relative effectiveness of the droperidol component alone and this was determined by comparing the effectiveness of the drug with placebo in a double-blind study. Review of our findings involving this double-blind study indicates significant responses to Inapsine. This therapy clearly provided the statistically significant response (p less than 0.1, Fisher's Exact Test). This was particularly apparent at the 60-minute evaluation point. While some of the patients receiving Inapsine had recovered earlier, by 60 minutes none of the placebo patients but all of the Inapsine patients had recovered from the vestibular symptoms of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease...", "contents": "Effects of droperidol in management of vestibular disorders. The chemo-therapy of vestibular disease has involved a wide spectrum of pharmacological agents insofar as their mode of action is concerned. In our experience, however, droperidol is one pharmaceutical agent which is remarkably effective in depressing vestibular disturbance regardless of etiology. This medication (also called Inapsine) belongs to a relatively new class of compounds known as butyrophenones and its pharmacological action can best be described as a dopa blocking agent. The activity of droperidol on the nervous system first became evident when it was used in combination with the potent analgesic fentanyl citrate in order to produce an anesthetic condition that has been termed neuroleptanalgesia. This mixture (also called Innovar) is rapid in action and results in complete suppression of vestibular activity of both normal subjects and those with M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease as described by Dowdy, et al., in a preliminary report. These impressive results have prompted us to evaluate the effectiveness of this medication in the treatment of different disorders of the labyrinth. The patients chosen for evaluation were referred for vestibular examination at the Toronto General and St. Michael's Hospitals. Electronystagmography was used to record objectively the effects of the drugs being tested while subjective symptoms including side effects were also noted. These studies involved 20 patients receiving Innovar while 12 patients were tested with Inapsine. Innovar administered in a single dose (droperidol 5 mg, fentanyl 0.1 mg) to patients undergoing acute episodes of vestibular disease (vestibular neuronitis and M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease) was found effective in the following symptoms and/or signs: nausea, vertigo, nystagmus, the positive past-pointing test and the Romberg test. Innovar appeared to be effective in the amelioration of vomiting although the population was too small to demonstrate statistical significance in this regard. The drug mixture appeared to have no effect on improving auditory acuity and had no significant effects on tinnitus. Adverse reactions to the drug combination were unusual, and, occurring in three patients, were mild as manifested by drowsiness. Since the above findings confirmed the marked effectiveness of the fentanyl-droperidol mixture in the management of vestibular disease, it was decided to determine the relative effectiveness of the droperidol component alone and this was determined by comparing the effectiveness of the drug with placebo in a double-blind study. Review of our findings involving this double-blind study indicates significant responses to Inapsine. This therapy clearly provided the statistically significant response (p less than 0.1, Fisher's Exact Test). This was particularly apparent at the 60-minute evaluation point. While some of the patients receiving Inapsine had recovered earlier, by 60 minutes none of the placebo patients but all of the Inapsine patients had recovered from the vestibular symptoms of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease...", "PMID": 778518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5017", "title": "[Unusual clinical course of malignant lymphoma(author's transl)].", "content": "Primary malignant lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal involvement in diffuse lymphoproliferative diseases are far more common than generally believed. A typical clinical course of these disorders may rose considerable diagnostic problems. Scirrhous growth patterns, diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis and multiple colonic ulcers are presented as rare variants of malignant lymphoma of the digestive tract.", "contents": "[Unusual clinical course of malignant lymphoma(author's transl)]. Primary malignant lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal involvement in diffuse lymphoproliferative diseases are far more common than generally believed. A typical clinical course of these disorders may rose considerable diagnostic problems. Scirrhous growth patterns, diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis and multiple colonic ulcers are presented as rare variants of malignant lymphoma of the digestive tract.", "PMID": 778519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5018", "title": "[Isolated malignant lymphoma of the rectum(author's transl)].", "content": "A case of primary and isolated, diffuse reticulosarcoma of the rectum is reported. There has been a history of blood diarrhea for 12 years in a 60 years old man, with no change in his general condition. Treatment with cyclophosphamide was started and maintained for two and a half years with complete local regression, and very good clinical results.", "contents": "[Isolated malignant lymphoma of the rectum(author's transl)]. A case of primary and isolated, diffuse reticulosarcoma of the rectum is reported. There has been a history of blood diarrhea for 12 years in a 60 years old man, with no change in his general condition. Treatment with cyclophosphamide was started and maintained for two and a half years with complete local regression, and very good clinical results.", "PMID": 778520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5019", "title": "[Induced filament formation in Salmonella enteritidis by means of sodium chloride].", "content": "Induced morfological variations of bacteria by means of different agents has been known for many years. In this study the influence of sodium chloride on filament formation of S. enteritidis is studied, and the concentrations between 5-7% has been found effective in filament formation.", "contents": "[Induced filament formation in Salmonella enteritidis by means of sodium chloride]. Induced morfological variations of bacteria by means of different agents has been known for many years. In this study the influence of sodium chloride on filament formation of S. enteritidis is studied, and the concentrations between 5-7% has been found effective in filament formation.", "PMID": 778550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5020", "title": "[The production and standardization of streptolysin-O].", "content": "The production of streptolysin-O by using the S84 strain of beta hemolytic streptococcus is explained. The Rantz-Randall and Hartley media with the Gooder method have been used because better results could be obtained in a shorter time and it was more economical. In obtaining a potent streptolysin-O not only the method but the strains and media must be taken into consideration. The hemolytic potency of the obtained streptolysin-O is within the necessary limits and there is no need to concentrate it. The pH of the media was adjusted 5-6 hours after the culture began because the formed acid during the growth of streptococci decreased the growth of the organism and its toxin yield. The toxin was stored in the deepfreeze for daily use. In ASO tests it was subjected to a reduction process with sistein-L for 10-30 minutes.", "contents": "[The production and standardization of streptolysin-O]. The production of streptolysin-O by using the S84 strain of beta hemolytic streptococcus is explained. The Rantz-Randall and Hartley media with the Gooder method have been used because better results could be obtained in a shorter time and it was more economical. In obtaining a potent streptolysin-O not only the method but the strains and media must be taken into consideration. The hemolytic potency of the obtained streptolysin-O is within the necessary limits and there is no need to concentrate it. The pH of the media was adjusted 5-6 hours after the culture began because the formed acid during the growth of streptococci decreased the growth of the organism and its toxin yield. The toxin was stored in the deepfreeze for daily use. In ASO tests it was subjected to a reduction process with sistein-L for 10-30 minutes.", "PMID": 778551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5021", "title": "Hepatorenal syndrome: a disease mediated by the intrarenal action of renin.", "content": "The functional renal failure accompanying advanced liver disease is characterized by azotemia, a urine of very low sodium concentration and systemic hypotension with decreased renal perfusion and high renal vascular resistance. Patients with this disorder have a markedly reduced ability to excrete free water and develop hyponatremia, ascites and edema. It is postulated that this renal dysfunction is due to hepatic failure to make renin substrate. Renin released from the kidney is thus unable to exert its pressor effect. The resultant hypotension and renal hypoperfusion continue to stimulate excessive synthesis and release of renin. It is postulated that the overdriven renal renin system increases renovascular resistance at the level of the glomerular arterioles. This causes decreased renal blood flow and decreased glomerular filtration rate leading to salt and water retention and azotemia. Since no renin substrate is available for human infusion, this hypothesis could be tested either by infusion of angiotensin II to restore systemic blood pressure and renal perfusion or by beta adrenergic blockade with propranolol to attempt to decrease the intrarenal effects of renin, restore glomerular blood flow and filtration and thus return of renal function.", "contents": "Hepatorenal syndrome: a disease mediated by the intrarenal action of renin. The functional renal failure accompanying advanced liver disease is characterized by azotemia, a urine of very low sodium concentration and systemic hypotension with decreased renal perfusion and high renal vascular resistance. Patients with this disorder have a markedly reduced ability to excrete free water and develop hyponatremia, ascites and edema. It is postulated that this renal dysfunction is due to hepatic failure to make renin substrate. Renin released from the kidney is thus unable to exert its pressor effect. The resultant hypotension and renal hypoperfusion continue to stimulate excessive synthesis and release of renin. It is postulated that the overdriven renal renin system increases renovascular resistance at the level of the glomerular arterioles. This causes decreased renal blood flow and decreased glomerular filtration rate leading to salt and water retention and azotemia. Since no renin substrate is available for human infusion, this hypothesis could be tested either by infusion of angiotensin II to restore systemic blood pressure and renal perfusion or by beta adrenergic blockade with propranolol to attempt to decrease the intrarenal effects of renin, restore glomerular blood flow and filtration and thus return of renal function.", "PMID": 778556} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5022", "title": "Coagulation and renal disease.", "content": "The role of coagulation in relation to the aetiology, pathogenesis and progression of renal diseases is discussed. The intimate interdependence between the coagulation process and platelet function, fibrinolysis, complement activation and kinin release is emphasized; these processes are usually involved in most types of immunological inflammation. Coagulation abnormalities occurring in distinct renal diseases are reviewed and the benefits derived from therapy aimed at correcting these abnormalities are compared with the known natural histories of these diseases.", "contents": "Coagulation and renal disease. The role of coagulation in relation to the aetiology, pathogenesis and progression of renal diseases is discussed. The intimate interdependence between the coagulation process and platelet function, fibrinolysis, complement activation and kinin release is emphasized; these processes are usually involved in most types of immunological inflammation. Coagulation abnormalities occurring in distinct renal diseases are reviewed and the benefits derived from therapy aimed at correcting these abnormalities are compared with the known natural histories of these diseases.", "PMID": 778562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5023", "title": "Double-blind crossover trial of bromhexine (Bisolvon) in the treatment of chronic bronchitis.", "content": "The results of a double-blind crossover trial of bromhexine (Bisolvon) in the treatment of chronic bronchitis are reported. Benefit was shown by statistically significant changes in the peak expiratory flow rate, ascultatory findings and sputum volume. Benefit was also demonstrated by changes in dyspnoea, sputum, consistency and ease of expectoration, but these were without statistical significance. A review of the literature together with the results of this trial suggest that, when adequate consideration is given to a number of therapeutic variables, Bisolvon will be effective medication for most patients with chronic bronchitis associated with thick, tenacious sputum.", "contents": "Double-blind crossover trial of bromhexine (Bisolvon) in the treatment of chronic bronchitis. The results of a double-blind crossover trial of bromhexine (Bisolvon) in the treatment of chronic bronchitis are reported. Benefit was shown by statistically significant changes in the peak expiratory flow rate, ascultatory findings and sputum volume. Benefit was also demonstrated by changes in dyspnoea, sputum, consistency and ease of expectoration, but these were without statistical significance. A review of the literature together with the results of this trial suggest that, when adequate consideration is given to a number of therapeutic variables, Bisolvon will be effective medication for most patients with chronic bronchitis associated with thick, tenacious sputum.", "PMID": 778563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5024", "title": "Endoscopically controlled trial of alginate and antacid in reflux oesophagitis.", "content": "A double-blind crossover trial of Gaviscon (alginate/alginic acid plus antacid) versus standard antacid is reported in 20 patients with symptomatic hiatus hernia. Gaviscon was well tolerated but clinical improvement was equally good with antacid in this short-term (six-week study). At the beginning, endoscopic evidence of erosions or \"oesophagitis\" was common (in 12 of the 20 subjects). Oesophagoscopic evidence of improvement was seen in 50% of patients with both types of medication over a three-week period, compared with subjective improvement in 84%. Long-term studies are necessary to establish the natural history of peptic lesions of the oesophagus and their treatment, whether conservative or surgical.", "contents": "Endoscopically controlled trial of alginate and antacid in reflux oesophagitis. A double-blind crossover trial of Gaviscon (alginate/alginic acid plus antacid) versus standard antacid is reported in 20 patients with symptomatic hiatus hernia. Gaviscon was well tolerated but clinical improvement was equally good with antacid in this short-term (six-week study). At the beginning, endoscopic evidence of erosions or \"oesophagitis\" was common (in 12 of the 20 subjects). Oesophagoscopic evidence of improvement was seen in 50% of patients with both types of medication over a three-week period, compared with subjective improvement in 84%. Long-term studies are necessary to establish the natural history of peptic lesions of the oesophagus and their treatment, whether conservative or surgical.", "PMID": 778564} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5025", "title": "[Enchondroma of the hand (author's transl)].", "content": "The problems of the enchondroma of the hand, its diagnostics and treatment if discussed in this paper. 12 cases of handskeletonenchondroma, 9 with pathological fracture, 3 without fracture, are the occasion of this report. The treatment is in our opinion the scraping of infested tissue (excochleation) and filling the defect with bonemeal and immobilise the hand in plaster-bandage for 4 to 5 weeks. 8 to 12 weeks after operation the defect and fracture were consolidated.", "contents": "[Enchondroma of the hand (author's transl)]. The problems of the enchondroma of the hand, its diagnostics and treatment if discussed in this paper. 12 cases of handskeletonenchondroma, 9 with pathological fracture, 3 without fracture, are the occasion of this report. The treatment is in our opinion the scraping of infested tissue (excochleation) and filling the defect with bonemeal and immobilise the hand in plaster-bandage for 4 to 5 weeks. 8 to 12 weeks after operation the defect and fracture were consolidated.", "PMID": 778568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5026", "title": "[Effect of intramuscular dihydroergotamine on blood circulation in the early postoperative phase. A clinical study].", "content": "The effects of Dihydergot (1,0 mg i.m.) and a placebo on orthostatic regulation disturbances were examined during the mobilisation in the first post-operative phase. According to a modified Schellong-test, 100 fresh-operated patients with hyper- rsp. hypodiastolic regulation disturbances were checked on the first post-operative day. In comparison with the placebo, Dihydergot showed a stabilisation of the systolic blood pressure and a decrease of the pulse rate during orthostatic conditions. Neither Dihydergot nor placebo influenced the diastolic blood pressure. Orthostatically caused side effects were observed less frequent within Dihydergot - therapy than under placebo.", "contents": "[Effect of intramuscular dihydroergotamine on blood circulation in the early postoperative phase. A clinical study]. The effects of Dihydergot (1,0 mg i.m.) and a placebo on orthostatic regulation disturbances were examined during the mobilisation in the first post-operative phase. According to a modified Schellong-test, 100 fresh-operated patients with hyper- rsp. hypodiastolic regulation disturbances were checked on the first post-operative day. In comparison with the placebo, Dihydergot showed a stabilisation of the systolic blood pressure and a decrease of the pulse rate during orthostatic conditions. Neither Dihydergot nor placebo influenced the diastolic blood pressure. Orthostatically caused side effects were observed less frequent within Dihydergot - therapy than under placebo.", "PMID": 778569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5027", "title": "Special Escherichia coli serotypes among enterotoxigenic strains from diarrhoea in adults and children.", "content": "106 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains from children and adults from many parts of the world were serotyped for O and H antigens. Some O:H types, i.e. O6:H16, 08:H9, O15:H11, O25:H42, O78:H11 and O78:H12, were found repeatedly from different geographical locations. Some of these O:H serotypes were only found rarely among more than 20000 E. coli strains collected over many years from different locations and sources. It is suggested that these special O:H serotypes represent clones which have been selected to the special conditions in the small intestine and selected to carry the plasmids necessary to provoke diarrhoea.", "contents": "Special Escherichia coli serotypes among enterotoxigenic strains from diarrhoea in adults and children. 106 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains from children and adults from many parts of the world were serotyped for O and H antigens. Some O:H types, i.e. O6:H16, 08:H9, O15:H11, O25:H42, O78:H11 and O78:H12, were found repeatedly from different geographical locations. Some of these O:H serotypes were only found rarely among more than 20000 E. coli strains collected over many years from different locations and sources. It is suggested that these special O:H serotypes represent clones which have been selected to the special conditions in the small intestine and selected to carry the plasmids necessary to provoke diarrhoea.", "PMID": 778571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5028", "title": "Management of acute leukemia in adults.", "content": "The treatment of acute leukemia in adults, while not yet as successful as that in children with regard to either remission rate or prolongation of life, can now regularly result in at least 50% responses in acute myelocytic leukemia and 70-80% in acute lymphocytic leukemia. Intensive specific chemotherapy and supportive therapy throughout the resultant period of myelo and immuno-suppression are necessary to achieve these remission rates. Further investigations aimed at both prolonging the remissions so obtained and at improving the response rate further are essential.", "contents": "Management of acute leukemia in adults. The treatment of acute leukemia in adults, while not yet as successful as that in children with regard to either remission rate or prolongation of life, can now regularly result in at least 50% responses in acute myelocytic leukemia and 70-80% in acute lymphocytic leukemia. Intensive specific chemotherapy and supportive therapy throughout the resultant period of myelo and immuno-suppression are necessary to achieve these remission rates. Further investigations aimed at both prolonging the remissions so obtained and at improving the response rate further are essential.", "PMID": 778572} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5029", "title": "Infections in children with acute leukemia.", "content": "Twenty children with ALL that died in 1959-1960 and 59 children with ALL that died in 1969-1970 were analyzed according to the infections at both their terminal illness and their initial presentations. Despite the availability of more effective agents for pseudomonas and staphylococcus, the pattern of infecting organisms at the terminal illness did not change appreciably in this decade. E. coli, pseudomonas, staphylococcus, and candida were the principal organisms involved as a cause of death. Thirty-five of these 79 patients were febrile when they initially presented, prior to the institution of chemotherapy. Seven of the 35 patients (20%) had proved infections. It appears that the fever in the majority of patients at their initial presentations was noninfectious in origin. In 1969-1970, 13 pulmonary aspirates were performed to aid in the etiological diagnosis of diffuse interstitial pneumonia. Only a single case (8%) of pneumonia due to pneumocystis carinii was detected, and it is our suspicion that the majority of these interstitial pneumonias were viral in origin.", "contents": "Infections in children with acute leukemia. Twenty children with ALL that died in 1959-1960 and 59 children with ALL that died in 1969-1970 were analyzed according to the infections at both their terminal illness and their initial presentations. Despite the availability of more effective agents for pseudomonas and staphylococcus, the pattern of infecting organisms at the terminal illness did not change appreciably in this decade. E. coli, pseudomonas, staphylococcus, and candida were the principal organisms involved as a cause of death. Thirty-five of these 79 patients were febrile when they initially presented, prior to the institution of chemotherapy. Seven of the 35 patients (20%) had proved infections. It appears that the fever in the majority of patients at their initial presentations was noninfectious in origin. In 1969-1970, 13 pulmonary aspirates were performed to aid in the etiological diagnosis of diffuse interstitial pneumonia. Only a single case (8%) of pneumonia due to pneumocystis carinii was detected, and it is our suspicion that the majority of these interstitial pneumonias were viral in origin.", "PMID": 778573} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5030", "title": "Therapy of infections in neutropenic patients: results with gentamicin in combination with cephalothin or chloramphenicol.", "content": "Gentamicin in combination with cephalothin (Gent-Ceph) or with chloramphenicol (Gent-Chloro) was utilized in the treatment of 55 infections occurring in 49 cancer patients. Responses were obtained in 78% of the infections treated with Gent-Ceph and in 64% of those treated with Gent-Chloro. Pneumonia and septicemia were the most common infections in this study. Among the cases of penumonia, 64% responded to Gent-Ceph and 67% to Gent-Chloro. Among the cases of septicemia, 88% responded to Gent-Ceph and 50% to Gent-Chloro. All of the identified organisms producing infection were gram-negative bacilli. Of these, E. coli was the most common. All organisms were resistant to cephalothin in vitro, and only 41% of them were resistant to chloramphenicol. However, resistant organisms responded significantly better to the Gent-Ceph combination (p less than 0.025). Also, response to therapy among patients with severe neutropenia (less than 100 neutrophils/mm3) was better for those patients treated with Gent-Ceph (p = 0.07). The combination of gentamicin with cephalothin or with chloramphenicol did not increase the frequency of side effects expected from gentamicin alone. No significant hematological toxicity was seen among those patients treated with chloramphenicol. Gentamicin in combination with cephalothin or chloramphenicol is an effective and safe antibiotic combination against gram-negative bacilli infections occurring in cancer patients. The efficacy of Gent-Ceph in patients with severe neutropenia is particularly advantageous.", "contents": "Therapy of infections in neutropenic patients: results with gentamicin in combination with cephalothin or chloramphenicol. Gentamicin in combination with cephalothin (Gent-Ceph) or with chloramphenicol (Gent-Chloro) was utilized in the treatment of 55 infections occurring in 49 cancer patients. Responses were obtained in 78% of the infections treated with Gent-Ceph and in 64% of those treated with Gent-Chloro. Pneumonia and septicemia were the most common infections in this study. Among the cases of penumonia, 64% responded to Gent-Ceph and 67% to Gent-Chloro. Among the cases of septicemia, 88% responded to Gent-Ceph and 50% to Gent-Chloro. All of the identified organisms producing infection were gram-negative bacilli. Of these, E. coli was the most common. All organisms were resistant to cephalothin in vitro, and only 41% of them were resistant to chloramphenicol. However, resistant organisms responded significantly better to the Gent-Ceph combination (p less than 0.025). Also, response to therapy among patients with severe neutropenia (less than 100 neutrophils/mm3) was better for those patients treated with Gent-Ceph (p = 0.07). The combination of gentamicin with cephalothin or with chloramphenicol did not increase the frequency of side effects expected from gentamicin alone. No significant hematological toxicity was seen among those patients treated with chloramphenicol. Gentamicin in combination with cephalothin or chloramphenicol is an effective and safe antibiotic combination against gram-negative bacilli infections occurring in cancer patients. The efficacy of Gent-Ceph in patients with severe neutropenia is particularly advantageous.", "PMID": 778574} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5031", "title": "Methods for measurement of cerebral blood flow in man.", "content": "A survey of the currently available methods for the measurement of cerebral blood flow in man is given. Many of the clinically important brain diseases such as tumors, stroke, brain trauma or epilepsy entail focal or regional flow alterations. Therefore a special emphasis is placed on methods allowing measurements of regional cerebral flow, rCBF. The intra-arterial 133Xenon injection method is now widely used as a standard method for rCBF measurement. It affords a good two-dimensional resolution when using a suitable dynamic gamma camera which allows a high counting rate to be recorded. But, due to the superposition of tissues the three-dimensional resolution is limited. This, in particular, means that smaller areas of ischemia (low flow) tend to be overlooked whereas local hyperemia is readily discerned. The 133Xenon inhalation method is less accurate, contaminated by extra-cerebral uptake, and insensitive both for detecting regional ischemia and regional hyperemia. The spatial resolution is also much more limited. For these reasons great caution must be exercised in interpreting the results. Methods yielding three-dimensional rCBF data will be needed in order to gain more precise information both on spatial localization and, especially, on ischemic areas. The most promising is computer-assisted axial tomography with freely diffusible radioactive isotopes or with x-rays using an intra-arterial injection of contrast. But, the available techniques are still too slow: in order to measure blood flow one \"exposure\" must be taken every second. Only a few methods give quantitative information of the blood flow in the human brain. This is mainly due to the inaccessibility of the brain within the skull and to the complexity of the cerebral arterial and venous systems. Before reviewing the various methods used in man, it should be mentioned, that much of the fundamental knowledge has been gained by methods only applicable to animals. Measurements of the diameter of the small arteries on the surface of the brain antedates even the classical studies of Roy and Sherrington (1890). This technique continues to be useful, modern technical improvements consisting of the use of micropipettes and a stereo microscope in combination with an image splitter and a television camera which allows the accurate assessment of diameter variations of a few percent [22]. Autoradiography of brain slices using diffusible indicators is the best quantitative method for measuring local blood flow in a great many parts of the brain [7, 45]. Microspheres are also being used, but it is still not quite clear that this technique gives reliable quantitative data in small masses of tissue [34, 41, 50].", "contents": "Methods for measurement of cerebral blood flow in man. A survey of the currently available methods for the measurement of cerebral blood flow in man is given. Many of the clinically important brain diseases such as tumors, stroke, brain trauma or epilepsy entail focal or regional flow alterations. Therefore a special emphasis is placed on methods allowing measurements of regional cerebral flow, rCBF. The intra-arterial 133Xenon injection method is now widely used as a standard method for rCBF measurement. It affords a good two-dimensional resolution when using a suitable dynamic gamma camera which allows a high counting rate to be recorded. But, due to the superposition of tissues the three-dimensional resolution is limited. This, in particular, means that smaller areas of ischemia (low flow) tend to be overlooked whereas local hyperemia is readily discerned. The 133Xenon inhalation method is less accurate, contaminated by extra-cerebral uptake, and insensitive both for detecting regional ischemia and regional hyperemia. The spatial resolution is also much more limited. For these reasons great caution must be exercised in interpreting the results. Methods yielding three-dimensional rCBF data will be needed in order to gain more precise information both on spatial localization and, especially, on ischemic areas. The most promising is computer-assisted axial tomography with freely diffusible radioactive isotopes or with x-rays using an intra-arterial injection of contrast. But, the available techniques are still too slow: in order to measure blood flow one \"exposure\" must be taken every second. Only a few methods give quantitative information of the blood flow in the human brain. This is mainly due to the inaccessibility of the brain within the skull and to the complexity of the cerebral arterial and venous systems. Before reviewing the various methods used in man, it should be mentioned, that much of the fundamental knowledge has been gained by methods only applicable to animals. Measurements of the diameter of the small arteries on the surface of the brain antedates even the classical studies of Roy and Sherrington (1890). This technique continues to be useful, modern technical improvements consisting of the use of micropipettes and a stereo microscope in combination with an image splitter and a television camera which allows the accurate assessment of diameter variations of a few percent [22]. Autoradiography of brain slices using diffusible indicators is the best quantitative method for measuring local blood flow in a great many parts of the brain [7, 45]. Microspheres are also being used, but it is still not quite clear that this technique gives reliable quantitative data in small masses of tissue [34, 41, 50].", "PMID": 778575} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5032", "title": "A new method for the electromagnetic optimization of stereotaxically implanted electrodes in the brain: preliminary results.", "content": "A method of optimizing the geometrical and electrical parameters of multielectrodes implanted in the brain is presented. The method should be valuable for the standardization of the implantation procedure. It bases on numerical solutions of the partial differential equations governing the electric potential. A description of the computer program developed is given, results pertaining to special cases are included, as well as other possible applications.", "contents": "A new method for the electromagnetic optimization of stereotaxically implanted electrodes in the brain: preliminary results. A method of optimizing the geometrical and electrical parameters of multielectrodes implanted in the brain is presented. The method should be valuable for the standardization of the implantation procedure. It bases on numerical solutions of the partial differential equations governing the electric potential. A description of the computer program developed is given, results pertaining to special cases are included, as well as other possible applications.", "PMID": 778576} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5033", "title": "A method for the deletion of restriction sites in bacterial plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid.", "content": "A general method has been developed for the deletion of restriction endonuclease sites in bacterial plasmid DNA. The procedure involves partial digestion of the covalently closed circular plasmid DNA with an appropriate restriction endonuclease under conditions which allow accumulation of unit-length linear DNA molecules, a controlled digestion of the exposed 5' ends with the lambda 5'-exonuclease, and in vivo recircularization of the resulting linear DNA in a bacterial host cell. The method has been used for the deletion of one of the two EcoRI sites in the plasmid pML2 (colE1-Km). Two of the resulting plasmids, pCR1 and pCR11, have a single EcoRI cleavage site, but retain genetic determinants specifying resistance to colicin E1 and kanamycin, and thus may be useful as vectors for the cloning and amplification of DNA in bacteria.", "contents": "A method for the deletion of restriction sites in bacterial plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid. A general method has been developed for the deletion of restriction endonuclease sites in bacterial plasmid DNA. The procedure involves partial digestion of the covalently closed circular plasmid DNA with an appropriate restriction endonuclease under conditions which allow accumulation of unit-length linear DNA molecules, a controlled digestion of the exposed 5' ends with the lambda 5'-exonuclease, and in vivo recircularization of the resulting linear DNA in a bacterial host cell. The method has been used for the deletion of one of the two EcoRI sites in the plasmid pML2 (colE1-Km). Two of the resulting plasmids, pCR1 and pCR11, have a single EcoRI cleavage site, but retain genetic determinants specifying resistance to colicin E1 and kanamycin, and thus may be useful as vectors for the cloning and amplification of DNA in bacteria.", "PMID": 778581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5034", "title": "Pattern of somatic segregation of the cytoplasmic drug-resistance factors in yeast.", "content": "The pattern of somatic segregation of the cytoplasmic factors confering resistances to chloramphenicol, erythromycin and oligomyin in S. cerevisiae was studied. The fractions of the zygotes heterozygous for the chloramphenicol-resistance factor and for the erythromycin-resistance factor decreased exponentially with generation number of zygotes. The rate of the segregation was highest for the chloramphenicol-resistance factor and lowest for the oligomycin-resistance factor. The segregation rate as well as the transmission polarity of the chloramphenicol-resistance factor varied with different carbon sources with which the parental haploids were grown prior to mating.", "contents": "Pattern of somatic segregation of the cytoplasmic drug-resistance factors in yeast. The pattern of somatic segregation of the cytoplasmic factors confering resistances to chloramphenicol, erythromycin and oligomyin in S. cerevisiae was studied. The fractions of the zygotes heterozygous for the chloramphenicol-resistance factor and for the erythromycin-resistance factor decreased exponentially with generation number of zygotes. The rate of the segregation was highest for the chloramphenicol-resistance factor and lowest for the oligomycin-resistance factor. The segregation rate as well as the transmission polarity of the chloramphenicol-resistance factor varied with different carbon sources with which the parental haploids were grown prior to mating.", "PMID": 778582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5035", "title": "Biogenesis of mitochondria. XLII. Genetic analysis of the control of cellular mitochondrial DNA levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The proportion of total cell DNA which is mitochondrial DNA was measured in haploid, diploid and tetraploid strains of S. cerevisiae grown under a standard set of conditions. For all strains tested the mitochondrial DNA level was in the range 16%-25% of total cell DNA. Repeated measurements of the cellular level of mitochondrial DNA in two haploid strains showed that these strains have measurably different cellular mitochondrial DNA levels (17% and 24% of total DNA, respectively) under our conditions. These two grande strains were used to investigate the role of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes in the regulation of the mitochondrial DNA level. We have shown by genetic analysis that the difference between these two strains is determined by at least two nuclear genes. The mitochondrial genome is not involved in the regulation of cellular mitochondrial DNA levels. A number of purified petite clones derived from independent spontaneous petite isolates of the grande strain which contained 24% mitochondrial DNA were also studied. The mitochondrial DNA levels in all but one of these petites fell in the range 20-25% of total cell DNA. From these results we conclude that, in general, the mitochondrial DNA level in petite strains is controlled by the same mechanism as operates in grande strains. We propose a general model for the control of the cellular mitochondrial DNA level, in which the amount of mitochondrial DNA per cell is determined by regulation of the number of mitochondrial DNA molecules per cell. This regulation is mediated through the availability of a set of nuclear coded components, possibly a mitochondrial membrane site, which are required for the replication of mitochondrial DNA.", "contents": "Biogenesis of mitochondria. XLII. Genetic analysis of the control of cellular mitochondrial DNA levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The proportion of total cell DNA which is mitochondrial DNA was measured in haploid, diploid and tetraploid strains of S. cerevisiae grown under a standard set of conditions. For all strains tested the mitochondrial DNA level was in the range 16%-25% of total cell DNA. Repeated measurements of the cellular level of mitochondrial DNA in two haploid strains showed that these strains have measurably different cellular mitochondrial DNA levels (17% and 24% of total DNA, respectively) under our conditions. These two grande strains were used to investigate the role of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes in the regulation of the mitochondrial DNA level. We have shown by genetic analysis that the difference between these two strains is determined by at least two nuclear genes. The mitochondrial genome is not involved in the regulation of cellular mitochondrial DNA levels. A number of purified petite clones derived from independent spontaneous petite isolates of the grande strain which contained 24% mitochondrial DNA were also studied. The mitochondrial DNA levels in all but one of these petites fell in the range 20-25% of total cell DNA. From these results we conclude that, in general, the mitochondrial DNA level in petite strains is controlled by the same mechanism as operates in grande strains. We propose a general model for the control of the cellular mitochondrial DNA level, in which the amount of mitochondrial DNA per cell is determined by regulation of the number of mitochondrial DNA molecules per cell. This regulation is mediated through the availability of a set of nuclear coded components, possibly a mitochondrial membrane site, which are required for the replication of mitochondrial DNA.", "PMID": 778583} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5036", "title": "Replication of E. coli duplex DNA in vitro. The separation of the DNA containing fractions of a lysate from the soluble enzymes and their complementation properties.", "content": "An E. coli lysate after being gently washed to remove soluble components, supports replicative DNA synthesis, if soluble proteins and the deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates are added. This DNA synthesis is dependent on ATP and on the presence of the gene products of the dnaB, dnaG, and polC (DNA polymerase III) genes. It continues at the replication forks preformed in vivo and \"Okazaki fragments\" are intermediate products of the reaction. Two different methods were used to prepare the washed DNA containing fraction. The one method involves washing of a cell lysate situated on a dialysis membrane. The other method involves DNAase treatment of a lysate and sedimentation of the degraded DNA through a glycerol gradient. Both washed preparation contain not only the DNA and the replication forks but also functional amounts of DNA polymerase III and of the dnaB gene product. Other factors, that are essential for replicative DNA synthesis, including the dnaG gene product, are washed out of the DNA containing preparations and the system is reconstituted by readdition of the soluble proteins.", "contents": "Replication of E. coli duplex DNA in vitro. The separation of the DNA containing fractions of a lysate from the soluble enzymes and their complementation properties. An E. coli lysate after being gently washed to remove soluble components, supports replicative DNA synthesis, if soluble proteins and the deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates are added. This DNA synthesis is dependent on ATP and on the presence of the gene products of the dnaB, dnaG, and polC (DNA polymerase III) genes. It continues at the replication forks preformed in vivo and \"Okazaki fragments\" are intermediate products of the reaction. Two different methods were used to prepare the washed DNA containing fraction. The one method involves washing of a cell lysate situated on a dialysis membrane. The other method involves DNAase treatment of a lysate and sedimentation of the degraded DNA through a glycerol gradient. Both washed preparation contain not only the DNA and the replication forks but also functional amounts of DNA polymerase III and of the dnaB gene product. Other factors, that are essential for replicative DNA synthesis, including the dnaG gene product, are washed out of the DNA containing preparations and the system is reconstituted by readdition of the soluble proteins.", "PMID": 778584} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5037", "title": "Rapid test for assay of ozone sensitivity in Escherichia coli.", "content": "A rapid test devised for assay of ozone sensitivity in Escherichia coli is described. The detection of new mutants, either more resistant or more sensitive than wild type strain to ozone, and the genetic analysis of ozone recombinants are now possible. Results confirm that ozone resistance is probably involved with DNA repair mechanism; and show that ozone and ultraviolet light inhibit the cell division capacity of lon mutant in a similar way.", "contents": "Rapid test for assay of ozone sensitivity in Escherichia coli. A rapid test devised for assay of ozone sensitivity in Escherichia coli is described. The detection of new mutants, either more resistant or more sensitive than wild type strain to ozone, and the genetic analysis of ozone recombinants are now possible. Results confirm that ozone resistance is probably involved with DNA repair mechanism; and show that ozone and ultraviolet light inhibit the cell division capacity of lon mutant in a similar way.", "PMID": 778585} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5038", "title": "lamB mutations in E. coli K12: growth of lambda host range mutants and effect of nonsense suppressors.", "content": "Over sixty EMS induced mutations affecting gene lamB, presumably the structural gene for the lambda receptor in Escherichia coli K12, were examined for growth of lambda host range mutants and effect of nonsense suppressors. By the first criterion the mutations could be grouped in three classes. Bacteria with class I mutations allow growth of lambda mutants with extended host range (noted lambdah) of the type already described (Appleyard, MacGregor and Baird, 1956). Bacteria with class II mutations allow growth of lambdah mutants with still more extended host range (noted lambdahh). No host range mutants of lambda could be found which would grow on bacteria with class III mutations. Using nonsense suppressors it was found that class I and II consist of missense mutations, while class III consists of nonsense mutations. Exceptions are likely to exist (especially in class III) but were not found among the mutations tested. These observations are briefly discussed in terms of outer membrane protein integration and of phage receptor interaction.", "contents": "lamB mutations in E. coli K12: growth of lambda host range mutants and effect of nonsense suppressors. Over sixty EMS induced mutations affecting gene lamB, presumably the structural gene for the lambda receptor in Escherichia coli K12, were examined for growth of lambda host range mutants and effect of nonsense suppressors. By the first criterion the mutations could be grouped in three classes. Bacteria with class I mutations allow growth of lambda mutants with extended host range (noted lambdah) of the type already described (Appleyard, MacGregor and Baird, 1956). Bacteria with class II mutations allow growth of lambdah mutants with still more extended host range (noted lambdahh). No host range mutants of lambda could be found which would grow on bacteria with class III mutations. Using nonsense suppressors it was found that class I and II consist of missense mutations, while class III consists of nonsense mutations. Exceptions are likely to exist (especially in class III) but were not found among the mutations tested. These observations are briefly discussed in terms of outer membrane protein integration and of phage receptor interaction.", "PMID": 778586} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5039", "title": "Mutation of lambda during prophage induction by nitrosamides.", "content": "Approximately 6% of Escherichia coli K12 (lambda wild-type) cells whose prophage was induced by treatment with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea initiated plaques on E. coli K12S which contained wholly or mostly clear plaque-forming mutants (lambdac). \"Fuzzy\" plaque-forming mutants (lambdaf) were also recognised, at lesser frequencies. Less marked mutation occurred during prophage induction by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, and no apparent mutation occurred during induction by methyl and iso-propyl methanesulphonates, or by a non-inducing treatment of the lysogen with ethyl methanesulphonate. Mutagenic effects of treatment of susceptible host cells or of phage alone, prior to infection, seem not to account for the phenomenon described.", "contents": "Mutation of lambda during prophage induction by nitrosamides. Approximately 6% of Escherichia coli K12 (lambda wild-type) cells whose prophage was induced by treatment with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea initiated plaques on E. coli K12S which contained wholly or mostly clear plaque-forming mutants (lambdac). \"Fuzzy\" plaque-forming mutants (lambdaf) were also recognised, at lesser frequencies. Less marked mutation occurred during prophage induction by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, and no apparent mutation occurred during induction by methyl and iso-propyl methanesulphonates, or by a non-inducing treatment of the lysogen with ethyl methanesulphonate. Mutagenic effects of treatment of susceptible host cells or of phage alone, prior to infection, seem not to account for the phenomenon described.", "PMID": 778587} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5040", "title": "Evidence against autorepression of the betabeta' operon in Escherichia coli.", "content": "By using rifampicin to increase the rate of beta and beta' synthesis in a heterodiploid strain of E. coli carrying the mutation rifpr (Km7), which codes for a rifampicin sensitive RNA polymerase to which the drug binds weakly, and the dominant mutation rifRD, which codes for a rifampicin resistant RNA polymerase, the concentration of these subunits in the cell was increased 1.6 fold. Measurements made after removal of rifampicin from the cells showed that the excess beta and beta' subunits did not reduce the rate of their own synthesis below normal.", "contents": "Evidence against autorepression of the betabeta' operon in Escherichia coli. By using rifampicin to increase the rate of beta and beta' synthesis in a heterodiploid strain of E. coli carrying the mutation rifpr (Km7), which codes for a rifampicin sensitive RNA polymerase to which the drug binds weakly, and the dominant mutation rifRD, which codes for a rifampicin resistant RNA polymerase, the concentration of these subunits in the cell was increased 1.6 fold. Measurements made after removal of rifampicin from the cells showed that the excess beta and beta' subunits did not reduce the rate of their own synthesis below normal.", "PMID": 778588} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5041", "title": "[A study of the reaction between antibodies and DNA by the method of immune complex formation on the membranes of nitrocellulose filters].", "content": "The conditions were developed to measure antibodies to denatured and native DNA. It was shown that membrane filters treated with alkali adsorbed denatured DNA complexed with antibodies. Utilizing this method it was shown that antibodies to denatured DNA react with pyrimidines (probably thymine). This assay provides proof of the wide existence antibodies to native DNA in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. DNA-binding of sera was significantly depended on reaction condition.", "contents": "[A study of the reaction between antibodies and DNA by the method of immune complex formation on the membranes of nitrocellulose filters]. The conditions were developed to measure antibodies to denatured and native DNA. It was shown that membrane filters treated with alkali adsorbed denatured DNA complexed with antibodies. Utilizing this method it was shown that antibodies to denatured DNA react with pyrimidines (probably thymine). This assay provides proof of the wide existence antibodies to native DNA in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. DNA-binding of sera was significantly depended on reaction condition.", "PMID": 778589} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5042", "title": "[Affinity modification of phenylalanyl-tRNA-synthetase in the presence of ligands].", "content": "The kinetics of the affinity modification of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from E. coli MRE-600 with chb-tRNA was used for investigation of copling between the binding sites of tRNA and other ligands. It was shown that ATP, phenylalanine and their mixture do not change the efficiency of complex formation but decrease specifically the rate of enzyme alkylation. L-Tyrosine and L-valine do not influence the enzyme alkylation. ATP is more effective protector than L-phenylalanine. In the presence of both ATP and phenylalanine the enzyme alkylation is excluded. The possibilities of this method for studying the coupling between binding sites are discussed.", "contents": "[Affinity modification of phenylalanyl-tRNA-synthetase in the presence of ligands]. The kinetics of the affinity modification of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from E. coli MRE-600 with chb-tRNA was used for investigation of copling between the binding sites of tRNA and other ligands. It was shown that ATP, phenylalanine and their mixture do not change the efficiency of complex formation but decrease specifically the rate of enzyme alkylation. L-Tyrosine and L-valine do not influence the enzyme alkylation. ATP is more effective protector than L-phenylalanine. In the presence of both ATP and phenylalanine the enzyme alkylation is excluded. The possibilities of this method for studying the coupling between binding sites are discussed.", "PMID": 778590} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5043", "title": "[Oxytetracycline binding to E. coli ribosomes].", "content": "Binding of oxytetracycline to E. coli ribosomes was studied by equilibrium dialysis. The results are consistent with the existence of two classes of binding sites for the antibiotic on ribosomes having different reactivities. There is one strong binding site as well as about 500 weak ones. The association constant for strong complexes is about 10(3) times greater than the value for weak ones. Oxytetracycline and tetracycline bind to ribosomes as magnesium chelates. Increase of the concentration of Mg2+ leads to the formation of two types of magnesium chelates of the antibiotic: chelate 1 which is formed at a relatively low concentration of Mg2+ and has a stiochiometry 1:1, and chelate 2 which probably corresponds to the attachment of second ion to the antibiotic molecule. The strong binding of oxytetracycline to ribosomes prevents the template dependent association of aminoacyl-tRNA with ribosomes. However, no changes in the extent of the antibiotic binding were found upon addition of aminoacyl-tRNA, poly(U) and chloramphenicol to oxytetracycline-ribosome complexes. It has been suggested that inhibiting effect of oxytetracycline on the protein synthesis involves an allosteric mechanism.", "contents": "[Oxytetracycline binding to E. coli ribosomes]. Binding of oxytetracycline to E. coli ribosomes was studied by equilibrium dialysis. The results are consistent with the existence of two classes of binding sites for the antibiotic on ribosomes having different reactivities. There is one strong binding site as well as about 500 weak ones. The association constant for strong complexes is about 10(3) times greater than the value for weak ones. Oxytetracycline and tetracycline bind to ribosomes as magnesium chelates. Increase of the concentration of Mg2+ leads to the formation of two types of magnesium chelates of the antibiotic: chelate 1 which is formed at a relatively low concentration of Mg2+ and has a stiochiometry 1:1, and chelate 2 which probably corresponds to the attachment of second ion to the antibiotic molecule. The strong binding of oxytetracycline to ribosomes prevents the template dependent association of aminoacyl-tRNA with ribosomes. However, no changes in the extent of the antibiotic binding were found upon addition of aminoacyl-tRNA, poly(U) and chloramphenicol to oxytetracycline-ribosome complexes. It has been suggested that inhibiting effect of oxytetracycline on the protein synthesis involves an allosteric mechanism.", "PMID": 778591} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5044", "title": "[Paraneoplastic symptoms of neuroblastoma (author's transl)].", "content": "Frequently the first clinical sign of neuroblastoma is not caused by local or metastatic tumor growth but is a paraneoplastic symptom (PNS). Such PNS are fever, diarrhea, hypertension, weakness of muscles, Horner's syndrome and myoclonic encephalopathy. Certain PNS disappear with tumor removal, other do not. The clinical importance of PNS is the prognostic and especially diagnostic value. The pathogenetic relations between tumor and PNS as discussed in the literature are interesting but mostly speculative. Effects of Catecholamines and/or immunologic reactions are thought to be the most probable cause of PNS.--The article is based on current literature; in addition, two short case histories are presented.", "contents": "[Paraneoplastic symptoms of neuroblastoma (author's transl)]. Frequently the first clinical sign of neuroblastoma is not caused by local or metastatic tumor growth but is a paraneoplastic symptom (PNS). Such PNS are fever, diarrhea, hypertension, weakness of muscles, Horner's syndrome and myoclonic encephalopathy. Certain PNS disappear with tumor removal, other do not. The clinical importance of PNS is the prognostic and especially diagnostic value. The pathogenetic relations between tumor and PNS as discussed in the literature are interesting but mostly speculative. Effects of Catecholamines and/or immunologic reactions are thought to be the most probable cause of PNS.--The article is based on current literature; in addition, two short case histories are presented.", "PMID": 778598} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5045", "title": "[Hyperpyrexia and shock (author's transl)].", "content": "In childhood hyperpyrexia is the most important factor causing the irreversibility of shock. The combination of high fever and circulatory impairment is more frequent during the first years of life. This behaviour is due to the high resistance of the arterial system in infancy. Marked general vasoconstriction increases the risk of a reduction in circulation and of heat loss, and causes hypoxia and rise of fever. The further course of shock is largely determined by microcirculatory failures. Under hyperpyrexia the disturbance of homeostasis can be intensified by shivering, blocking of perspiratio sensibilis, hyperosmolarity, brain edema, and DIC. In most cases of meningococcal sepsis shock and DIC begin with vasoconstrictive centralisation of circulation. The high-output-shock is extremely rare in children with high fever. The control of all important functions of a febril child in shock is the best baseline for the treatment. It is necessary in all shock patients in hyperpyrexia to reduce the fever and to repair the peripheral circulation. The therapy consists of antipyretic drugs, physical cooling, infusions of buffer-bases, dopamine, antibiotics and so on. In DIC heparin or streptokinase are indicated. In severe circulatory impairment combined with high fever prednisone is useful, in brain edema dexamethasone. The fatality rate of our cases has been diminished by a systematic therapy of hyperpyrexia and shock from 10 to 3 percent.", "contents": "[Hyperpyrexia and shock (author's transl)]. In childhood hyperpyrexia is the most important factor causing the irreversibility of shock. The combination of high fever and circulatory impairment is more frequent during the first years of life. This behaviour is due to the high resistance of the arterial system in infancy. Marked general vasoconstriction increases the risk of a reduction in circulation and of heat loss, and causes hypoxia and rise of fever. The further course of shock is largely determined by microcirculatory failures. Under hyperpyrexia the disturbance of homeostasis can be intensified by shivering, blocking of perspiratio sensibilis, hyperosmolarity, brain edema, and DIC. In most cases of meningococcal sepsis shock and DIC begin with vasoconstrictive centralisation of circulation. The high-output-shock is extremely rare in children with high fever. The control of all important functions of a febril child in shock is the best baseline for the treatment. It is necessary in all shock patients in hyperpyrexia to reduce the fever and to repair the peripheral circulation. The therapy consists of antipyretic drugs, physical cooling, infusions of buffer-bases, dopamine, antibiotics and so on. In DIC heparin or streptokinase are indicated. In severe circulatory impairment combined with high fever prednisone is useful, in brain edema dexamethasone. The fatality rate of our cases has been diminished by a systematic therapy of hyperpyrexia and shock from 10 to 3 percent.", "PMID": 778599} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5046", "title": "Effects of cytochrome p-448 and p-450 inducers on microsomal dimethylnitrosamine demethylase activity and the capacity of isolated microsomes to activate dimethylnitrosamine to a mutagen.", "content": "The relationship between microsomal dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) demethylase activity and the capacity of isolated hepatic microsomes to activate DMN to a mutagen was examined using microsomes from C57 and DBA/2 mice which had been exposed to three different types of microsomal enzyme inducers: phenobarbital, which induces cytochrome P-450, 3-methylcholanthrene, which induces cytochrome P-448, and the polychlorinated biphenyl, Aroclor 1254 which appears to induce both types of cytochromes. DNM induced mutagenesis was assayed by a Salmonella auxotroph reversion test. With the C57 mice all three inducers increased both the activity of microsomal DMN demethylase and the capacity of the microsomes to activate DMN mutagenicity. In each case, however, the increase in mutagenicity was disproportionately greater than the increase in DMN demethylase activity. This was particularly evident with microsomes prepared from Aroclor induced mice. Microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene treated DBA/2 mice were not induced for DMN demethylase or the activation of DMN mutagenicity. In addition the capacity of Aroclor to function as an inducer was relatively poor in this strain. Both DMN demethylation and mutagenesis were inhibited by the addition of either SKF 525-A or benzo (a)pyrene to the reaction mixtures. Thus microsomal activation of DMN to a mutagen and DMN demethylase appear to involve both cytochromes P-450 and P-448.", "contents": "Effects of cytochrome p-448 and p-450 inducers on microsomal dimethylnitrosamine demethylase activity and the capacity of isolated microsomes to activate dimethylnitrosamine to a mutagen. The relationship between microsomal dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) demethylase activity and the capacity of isolated hepatic microsomes to activate DMN to a mutagen was examined using microsomes from C57 and DBA/2 mice which had been exposed to three different types of microsomal enzyme inducers: phenobarbital, which induces cytochrome P-450, 3-methylcholanthrene, which induces cytochrome P-448, and the polychlorinated biphenyl, Aroclor 1254 which appears to induce both types of cytochromes. DNM induced mutagenesis was assayed by a Salmonella auxotroph reversion test. With the C57 mice all three inducers increased both the activity of microsomal DMN demethylase and the capacity of the microsomes to activate DMN mutagenicity. In each case, however, the increase in mutagenicity was disproportionately greater than the increase in DMN demethylase activity. This was particularly evident with microsomes prepared from Aroclor induced mice. Microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene treated DBA/2 mice were not induced for DMN demethylase or the activation of DMN mutagenicity. In addition the capacity of Aroclor to function as an inducer was relatively poor in this strain. Both DMN demethylation and mutagenesis were inhibited by the addition of either SKF 525-A or benzo (a)pyrene to the reaction mixtures. Thus microsomal activation of DMN to a mutagen and DMN demethylase appear to involve both cytochromes P-450 and P-448.", "PMID": 778603} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5047", "title": "Indirect selection for auxotrophic mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the antibiotic netropsin.", "content": "The small basic oligopeptide antibiotic, netropsin, can be successfully employed as an effective counterselecting agent in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The use of the drug results in approximately a 35-fold enrichment of auxotrophic mutants in a mutagenized culture of yeast. The experimental procedure is quite simple and less time consuming than other presently used methods for indirect mutant selection in yeast.", "contents": "Indirect selection for auxotrophic mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the antibiotic netropsin. The small basic oligopeptide antibiotic, netropsin, can be successfully employed as an effective counterselecting agent in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The use of the drug results in approximately a 35-fold enrichment of auxotrophic mutants in a mutagenized culture of yeast. The experimental procedure is quite simple and less time consuming than other presently used methods for indirect mutant selection in yeast.", "PMID": 778604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5048", "title": "The absence of caffeine inhibition of post-replication repair in excision deficient strains of Escherichia coli B and K12.", "content": "The effect of caffeine on postreplication repair, as seen in alkaline sucrose gradients, conjugation, and ultraviolet light (UV) survival, was studied in excision deficient strains of Escherichia coli K12 and B. A caffeine concentration of 2 mg/ml was chosen for the study which did not inhibit colony formation. Both E. coli K12 AB2500 and E. coli B WWP2 were more sensitive to UV when plated on caffeine plates. Conjugation was not inhibited in the E. coli K12 strain; however, the same procedure confirmed caffeine inhibition in the E. coli B strain [17]. Caffeine did not inhibit postreplication repair in either strain, as determined by sedimentation profile studies of DNA on alkaline sucrose gradients. No strand breakage or degradation was observed in parental or post-UV replicated DNA for as long as 50 min incubation in caffeine. Thus caffeine concentrations that inhibited two recA gene product related phenomena did not cause immediate changes in size of DNA or inhibit the rate of a DNA gap generating postreplication type of DNA repair.", "contents": "The absence of caffeine inhibition of post-replication repair in excision deficient strains of Escherichia coli B and K12. The effect of caffeine on postreplication repair, as seen in alkaline sucrose gradients, conjugation, and ultraviolet light (UV) survival, was studied in excision deficient strains of Escherichia coli K12 and B. A caffeine concentration of 2 mg/ml was chosen for the study which did not inhibit colony formation. Both E. coli K12 AB2500 and E. coli B WWP2 were more sensitive to UV when plated on caffeine plates. Conjugation was not inhibited in the E. coli K12 strain; however, the same procedure confirmed caffeine inhibition in the E. coli B strain [17]. Caffeine did not inhibit postreplication repair in either strain, as determined by sedimentation profile studies of DNA on alkaline sucrose gradients. No strand breakage or degradation was observed in parental or post-UV replicated DNA for as long as 50 min incubation in caffeine. Thus caffeine concentrations that inhibited two recA gene product related phenomena did not cause immediate changes in size of DNA or inhibit the rate of a DNA gap generating postreplication type of DNA repair.", "PMID": 778606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5049", "title": "Genetic activity of the antimicrobial food additives AF-2 and H-193 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The genetic activity of the antimicrobial food additives AF-2 and H-193 has been investigated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The strains chosen for the present studies were D5 for the induction of mitotic recombinational events and XV185-14C for the induction of reversion of the mutants lys1-1, his1-7 and homs3-7. When three concentrations (25, 50 and 100 mug/ml) of AF-2 were used in the reversion system of strain XV185-14C, there was an increase in the frequency of hom+ and his+ revertants as a function of incubation time, while the lysine mutant exhibited a very low frequency of induced reversion. When AF-2 and H-193 were compared at the same concentration and exposure time, AF-2 exhibited a higher genetic activity in both systems than H-193. However, H-193 was genetically more active in inducing revertants than AF-2, when the comparison was made at the same survival level. Cells of both haploid and diploid strains were found to be more sensitive to inactivation by AF-2 than by H-193 It should be pointed out that the solubility of H-193 was lower (about 4 mug/ml saturation) than the solubility of AF-2 (120 mug/ml saturation). The haploid strain was more sensitive to both compounds than the diploid strain.", "contents": "Genetic activity of the antimicrobial food additives AF-2 and H-193 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The genetic activity of the antimicrobial food additives AF-2 and H-193 has been investigated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The strains chosen for the present studies were D5 for the induction of mitotic recombinational events and XV185-14C for the induction of reversion of the mutants lys1-1, his1-7 and homs3-7. When three concentrations (25, 50 and 100 mug/ml) of AF-2 were used in the reversion system of strain XV185-14C, there was an increase in the frequency of hom+ and his+ revertants as a function of incubation time, while the lysine mutant exhibited a very low frequency of induced reversion. When AF-2 and H-193 were compared at the same concentration and exposure time, AF-2 exhibited a higher genetic activity in both systems than H-193. However, H-193 was genetically more active in inducing revertants than AF-2, when the comparison was made at the same survival level. Cells of both haploid and diploid strains were found to be more sensitive to inactivation by AF-2 than by H-193 It should be pointed out that the solubility of H-193 was lower (about 4 mug/ml saturation) than the solubility of AF-2 (120 mug/ml saturation). The haploid strain was more sensitive to both compounds than the diploid strain.", "PMID": 778607} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5050", "title": "Induction of point mutations by different chemical mechanisms in the liver microsomal assay.", "content": "A selection of chemical agents with different mechanisms of chemical mutability was tested with the liver microsomal assay by using different bacterial tester strains, namely: Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1536, TA 1537, TA 1538 and G46. The tested agents had been selected according to the following criteria. They are all well-known mutagens and can be divided into alkylating agents, anti-metabolites, acridines and those that form radicals in the cell. The mutagens were: dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), diethylnitrosamine (DEN), methyl-nitro-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), cyclophosphamide, Captan, amethopterine, azathioprine, 6-mecaptopurine, trypaflavine, isoniazide and hydrazine. All except amethopterine gave positive results, showing that this system is very sensitive. In a comparison of the different strains and mutagens we found a correlation between the diameter of the molecule and the permeability of the bacterial cell membrane.", "contents": "Induction of point mutations by different chemical mechanisms in the liver microsomal assay. A selection of chemical agents with different mechanisms of chemical mutability was tested with the liver microsomal assay by using different bacterial tester strains, namely: Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1536, TA 1537, TA 1538 and G46. The tested agents had been selected according to the following criteria. They are all well-known mutagens and can be divided into alkylating agents, anti-metabolites, acridines and those that form radicals in the cell. The mutagens were: dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), diethylnitrosamine (DEN), methyl-nitro-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), cyclophosphamide, Captan, amethopterine, azathioprine, 6-mecaptopurine, trypaflavine, isoniazide and hydrazine. All except amethopterine gave positive results, showing that this system is very sensitive. In a comparison of the different strains and mutagens we found a correlation between the diameter of the molecule and the permeability of the bacterial cell membrane.", "PMID": 778610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5051", "title": "Evaluation of the genetic effects induced by vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) under mammalian metabolic activation: studies in vitro and in vivo.", "content": "As part of a programme of investigations on the biological effects of the industrial compound vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), the raw material for the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), analyses on the genetic effects by this compound have been done by experiments (in vitro) which have taken mammalian metabolism into account. Vinyl chloride in the presence of purified microsomes (sedimented at 105,000 g) obtained from mouse liver was converted into an active metabolite(s) which produced gene mutations in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe (forward mutation) and gene conversions in two loci of a diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Moreover, the compound was active in the host-mediated assay, when mice were treated with an oral dose of 700 mg/kg. The role is discussed of mutagenicity tests for the prediction of both genetic and carcinogenic risks of chemical compounds in industrial use.", "contents": "Evaluation of the genetic effects induced by vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) under mammalian metabolic activation: studies in vitro and in vivo. As part of a programme of investigations on the biological effects of the industrial compound vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), the raw material for the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), analyses on the genetic effects by this compound have been done by experiments (in vitro) which have taken mammalian metabolism into account. Vinyl chloride in the presence of purified microsomes (sedimented at 105,000 g) obtained from mouse liver was converted into an active metabolite(s) which produced gene mutations in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe (forward mutation) and gene conversions in two loci of a diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Moreover, the compound was active in the host-mediated assay, when mice were treated with an oral dose of 700 mg/kg. The role is discussed of mutagenicity tests for the prediction of both genetic and carcinogenic risks of chemical compounds in industrial use.", "PMID": 778611} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5052", "title": "The resistance factor to Plasmodium vivax in blacks. The Duffy-blood-group genotype, FyFy.", "content": "Duffy-blood-group-negative human erythrocytes, FyFy, are resistant to invasion in vitro by Plasmodium knowlesi. The FyFy genotype is found predominantly in African and American blacks, who are the only groups completely resistant to infection by P. vivax. To determine if the FyFy genotype is the vivax resistance factor, we performed blood typing on 11 black and six white volunteers who had been exposed to the bites of P. vivax-infected mosquitoes. Only the five FyFy blacks were resistant to erythrocytic infection; the remaining six blacks and all whites had the Duffy-positive determinants (Fya or Fyb or both) and had contracted malaria. We conclude that Duffy determinants (Fya or Fyb or both) on the erythrocyte surface are required for invasion of erythrocytes by vivax merozoites.", "contents": "The resistance factor to Plasmodium vivax in blacks. The Duffy-blood-group genotype, FyFy. Duffy-blood-group-negative human erythrocytes, FyFy, are resistant to invasion in vitro by Plasmodium knowlesi. The FyFy genotype is found predominantly in African and American blacks, who are the only groups completely resistant to infection by P. vivax. To determine if the FyFy genotype is the vivax resistance factor, we performed blood typing on 11 black and six white volunteers who had been exposed to the bites of P. vivax-infected mosquitoes. Only the five FyFy blacks were resistant to erythrocytic infection; the remaining six blacks and all whites had the Duffy-positive determinants (Fya or Fyb or both) and had contracted malaria. We conclude that Duffy determinants (Fya or Fyb or both) on the erythrocyte surface are required for invasion of erythrocytes by vivax merozoites.", "PMID": 778616} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5053", "title": "Anti-B lymphocytotoxins in renal-allograft rejection.", "content": "To determine the possible role of the B lymphocyte alloantigen system in renal-transplant rejection, we examined serum specimens from 81 allograft recipients for cytotoxic activity against a panel of normal B lymphocytes. Specimens from 22 of 25 recipients undergoing allograft rejection demonstrated strong B-lymphocyte cytotoxicity whereas only 13 of 56 recipients with normal allograft function showed similar B lymphocyte cytotoxocitiy (P less than 0.0001). In the serum samples of recipients with graft rejection who were followed sequentially, B-lymphocyte cytotoxicity preceded or was concurrent with the onset of functional impairment. The results show that anti-B-lymphocyte antibodies are associated with rejection, but it is quite possible that they are the products of rejection rather than the cause.", "contents": "Anti-B lymphocytotoxins in renal-allograft rejection. To determine the possible role of the B lymphocyte alloantigen system in renal-transplant rejection, we examined serum specimens from 81 allograft recipients for cytotoxic activity against a panel of normal B lymphocytes. Specimens from 22 of 25 recipients undergoing allograft rejection demonstrated strong B-lymphocyte cytotoxicity whereas only 13 of 56 recipients with normal allograft function showed similar B lymphocyte cytotoxocitiy (P less than 0.0001). In the serum samples of recipients with graft rejection who were followed sequentially, B-lymphocyte cytotoxicity preceded or was concurrent with the onset of functional impairment. The results show that anti-B-lymphocyte antibodies are associated with rejection, but it is quite possible that they are the products of rejection rather than the cause.", "PMID": 778617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5054", "title": "On the fungitoxicity of some new thiocyanatopyrazole derivatives: electron microscopical study in Trichophyton mentagrophytes.", "content": "Four thiocyanatopyrazole derivatives were synthesized and their fungistatic activity was demonstrated in vitro against a number of dermatophytic fungi. In Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the most active compound induced as unusual increase of the plasma membrane with production of intra and extracytoplasmic complexes, a deterioration of nuclear and mitochondrial membranes and a formation of autophagic-like vacuoles. Plasmolysis, accompanied by an almost complete disorganization of cytoplasmic structures, seemed to be the final event. A possible mechanism of action of the compounds were discussed.", "contents": "On the fungitoxicity of some new thiocyanatopyrazole derivatives: electron microscopical study in Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Four thiocyanatopyrazole derivatives were synthesized and their fungistatic activity was demonstrated in vitro against a number of dermatophytic fungi. In Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the most active compound induced as unusual increase of the plasma membrane with production of intra and extracytoplasmic complexes, a deterioration of nuclear and mitochondrial membranes and a formation of autophagic-like vacuoles. Plasmolysis, accompanied by an almost complete disorganization of cytoplasmic structures, seemed to be the final event. A possible mechanism of action of the compounds were discussed.", "PMID": 778623} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5055", "title": "Reflections on 200 years of science in the United States.", "content": "In spite of its obvious importance today, the history of the sciences in the USA is usually neither the subject for research nor part of courses taught by non-American historians. Nor is this history known and understood, particularly in Europe. This is in marked contrast to an avid interest in current US science policies and developments, which cannot be wholly explicable without an understanding of their historic origins. Broadly speaking, these origins are US variants of certain western European traditions resulting, as it were, in cults of knowledge, nation, and people. Science and scientists have flourished, but uneasily, in the resulting environment.", "contents": "Reflections on 200 years of science in the United States. In spite of its obvious importance today, the history of the sciences in the USA is usually neither the subject for research nor part of courses taught by non-American historians. Nor is this history known and understood, particularly in Europe. This is in marked contrast to an avid interest in current US science policies and developments, which cannot be wholly explicable without an understanding of their historic origins. Broadly speaking, these origins are US variants of certain western European traditions resulting, as it were, in cults of knowledge, nation, and people. Science and scientists have flourished, but uneasily, in the resulting environment.", "PMID": 778637} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5056", "title": "Furosemide in acute oliguric renal failure. A controlled trial.", "content": "A randomized study was conducted on 66 patients with acute established oliguric renal failure. Intravenous doses of furosemide ranging from 1.5 to 6.0 mg/kg were given every 4 h to 33 of the patients; the remaining 33 patients served as controls. A persisting diuretic response was observed in 5 treated patients and in 2 controls. Hemodialyses were required in most of them. Furosemide did not significantly modify in cured patients the mean oliguric period, the number of dialyses and the mean period of renal insufficiency.", "contents": "Furosemide in acute oliguric renal failure. A controlled trial. A randomized study was conducted on 66 patients with acute established oliguric renal failure. Intravenous doses of furosemide ranging from 1.5 to 6.0 mg/kg were given every 4 h to 33 of the patients; the remaining 33 patients served as controls. A persisting diuretic response was observed in 5 treated patients and in 2 controls. Hemodialyses were required in most of them. Furosemide did not significantly modify in cured patients the mean oliguric period, the number of dialyses and the mean period of renal insufficiency.", "PMID": 778649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5057", "title": "The role of vesico-ureteric (V-U) reflux in the pathogenesis of kidney scars in the rat.", "content": "In Wistar rats V-U reflux with distilled water and sterile saline of varying osmolar strength produces scars in the perihilar region of the kidneys in 80% of animals. Using Indian ink as a marker, rupture of the forniceal epithelium regularly followed V-U reflux. Intrapelvic pressure rose to 120 mm Hg during the reflux procedure. A slowing of proximal tubular transit time was observed by the Lissamine Green technique in the nephrons in the perihilar region immediately after the kidney had been subjected to reflux. It is suggested that the kidney scars which develop after reflux of sterile solutions are ischaemic in origin. It was shown that kidneys damaged by reflux have an increased susceptibility to haematogenous infection.", "contents": "The role of vesico-ureteric (V-U) reflux in the pathogenesis of kidney scars in the rat. In Wistar rats V-U reflux with distilled water and sterile saline of varying osmolar strength produces scars in the perihilar region of the kidneys in 80% of animals. Using Indian ink as a marker, rupture of the forniceal epithelium regularly followed V-U reflux. Intrapelvic pressure rose to 120 mm Hg during the reflux procedure. A slowing of proximal tubular transit time was observed by the Lissamine Green technique in the nephrons in the perihilar region immediately after the kidney had been subjected to reflux. It is suggested that the kidney scars which develop after reflux of sterile solutions are ischaemic in origin. It was shown that kidneys damaged by reflux have an increased susceptibility to haematogenous infection.", "PMID": 778650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5058", "title": "[CT findings in chronic subdural hematomas (author's transl)].", "content": "CT findings of 46 patients with operatively confirmed chronic subdural hematomas are reviewed. The analysis of the EMI scans resulted in three different types of CT findings. Type 1 is characterized by decreased attenuation of the hematoma contents compared to brain tissue. The hematoma is visualized as a lens-shaped low density area between the skull and the surface of the brain. Type 2 apart from low density areas contains zones of increased attenuation due to recent bleeding into a watery chronic subdural hematoma. In many cases sedimentation causes a well-defined horizontal borderline between the thin fluid parts in the anterior portion and the blood debris in the posterior portion of the hematoma sac. Type 3 shows the same average absorption values as normal brain tissue, a direct visualization is not possible. However , the presence of a midline displacement in combination with ventricular compression and absence of a circumscript lesion even after contrast enhancement, allows the diagnosis of a unilateral chronic subdural hematoma in these cases too. Bilateral chronic subdural hematomas may cause considerable diagnostic difficulties if only one or none of the hematomas is visualized. A relatively small midline displacement points to a second bleeding on the opposite side. Most frequent were hematomas of type 1 (37%), type 2 and 3 could be observed in 30,5% resp. 32,5% of cases respectively.", "contents": "[CT findings in chronic subdural hematomas (author's transl)]. CT findings of 46 patients with operatively confirmed chronic subdural hematomas are reviewed. The analysis of the EMI scans resulted in three different types of CT findings. Type 1 is characterized by decreased attenuation of the hematoma contents compared to brain tissue. The hematoma is visualized as a lens-shaped low density area between the skull and the surface of the brain. Type 2 apart from low density areas contains zones of increased attenuation due to recent bleeding into a watery chronic subdural hematoma. In many cases sedimentation causes a well-defined horizontal borderline between the thin fluid parts in the anterior portion and the blood debris in the posterior portion of the hematoma sac. Type 3 shows the same average absorption values as normal brain tissue, a direct visualization is not possible. However , the presence of a midline displacement in combination with ventricular compression and absence of a circumscript lesion even after contrast enhancement, allows the diagnosis of a unilateral chronic subdural hematoma in these cases too. Bilateral chronic subdural hematomas may cause considerable diagnostic difficulties if only one or none of the hematomas is visualized. A relatively small midline displacement points to a second bleeding on the opposite side. Most frequent were hematomas of type 1 (37%), type 2 and 3 could be observed in 30,5% resp. 32,5% of cases respectively.", "PMID": 778651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5059", "title": "Friedrich-Christian Rosenthal-biographical note.", "content": "A short biographical note about Friedrich-Christian Rosenthal, a German anatomist, disciple of Reil, born in Greifswald on the 3rd of June 1780, died prematurely in the same town on the 5th of December 1829, leaving unfinished an important work on the anatomy of the brain and cranial nerves. His name is still associated with the spiral canal of the inner ear and to the basal cerebral vein.", "contents": "Friedrich-Christian Rosenthal-biographical note. A short biographical note about Friedrich-Christian Rosenthal, a German anatomist, disciple of Reil, born in Greifswald on the 3rd of June 1780, died prematurely in the same town on the 5th of December 1829, leaving unfinished an important work on the anatomy of the brain and cranial nerves. His name is still associated with the spiral canal of the inner ear and to the basal cerebral vein.", "PMID": 778654} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5060", "title": "Studies with bromocriptine. Part 2. Double-blind comparison with levodopa in idiopathic parkinsonism.", "content": "A double-blind crossover study was performed in 12 patients with idiopathic parkinsonism to compare their response to bromocriptine with their response to previous optimal drug treatment, including levodopa. There was a 26 percent overall improvement with bromocriptine; rigidity, tremor, and facial expression showed the greatest response. Seven of eight patients who were taking levodopa at the beginning of the study was taken off the drug completely. Adverse reactions were transient and dose-dependent. Bromocriptine promises to be an effective new therapeutic agent in the treatment of idiopathic parkinsonism.", "contents": "Studies with bromocriptine. Part 2. Double-blind comparison with levodopa in idiopathic parkinsonism. A double-blind crossover study was performed in 12 patients with idiopathic parkinsonism to compare their response to bromocriptine with their response to previous optimal drug treatment, including levodopa. There was a 26 percent overall improvement with bromocriptine; rigidity, tremor, and facial expression showed the greatest response. Seven of eight patients who were taking levodopa at the beginning of the study was taken off the drug completely. Adverse reactions were transient and dose-dependent. Bromocriptine promises to be an effective new therapeutic agent in the treatment of idiopathic parkinsonism.", "PMID": 778655} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5061", "title": "Effect of papaverine on cerebral electrogenesis.", "content": "A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 20 elderly patients with dementia associated with diffuse cerebrovascular disease to determine the effects of papaverine on the electrical activity of the brain. Frequency spectrum analysis of electroencephalograms showed the mean electrical content of the delta-theta band (0 to 7.5 Hz) was decreased significantly and content of the alpha band (7.6 to 12.5 Hz) was increased significantly from baseline. The changes in electroencephalographic activity observed in this study suggest that papaverine favorably affects neuronal metabolism, possibly through improved perfusion of the tissue, although the exact mechanism of action remains unknown.", "contents": "Effect of papaverine on cerebral electrogenesis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 20 elderly patients with dementia associated with diffuse cerebrovascular disease to determine the effects of papaverine on the electrical activity of the brain. Frequency spectrum analysis of electroencephalograms showed the mean electrical content of the delta-theta band (0 to 7.5 Hz) was decreased significantly and content of the alpha band (7.6 to 12.5 Hz) was increased significantly from baseline. The changes in electroencephalographic activity observed in this study suggest that papaverine favorably affects neuronal metabolism, possibly through improved perfusion of the tissue, although the exact mechanism of action remains unknown.", "PMID": 778656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5062", "title": "[The possibility of inducing subcutaneous granulomas using plant foreign bodies. Experimental research].", "content": "Experimental research designed to provoke subcutaneous granulomas by means of vegetable foreign bodies in animals is reported. The possibility of influencing the ongoing picture by means of anti-inflammatory drugs was also investigated. The findings were similar to those observed in a patient with a similar foreign body responsible for a perineal granuloma. The anti-inflammatory substances employed, however, had no effect on the aspecific granulomatous reaction.", "contents": "[The possibility of inducing subcutaneous granulomas using plant foreign bodies. Experimental research]. Experimental research designed to provoke subcutaneous granulomas by means of vegetable foreign bodies in animals is reported. The possibility of influencing the ongoing picture by means of anti-inflammatory drugs was also investigated. The findings were similar to those observed in a patient with a similar foreign body responsible for a perineal granuloma. The anti-inflammatory substances employed, however, had no effect on the aspecific granulomatous reaction.", "PMID": 778660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5063", "title": "[Synthetic PH-RH as a pituitary function test in anorexia nervosa].", "content": "The hypophyseal gonadotrophin LH reserve was studied in 9 adult women, 5 of whom were suffering from nervous anorexia (N.A.) and 4 normal, by means of subcutaneous injection of 50 mcg of synthetic GN-RH. Basal values of plasmatic LH proved to be significantly lower in N.A. than in the controls where the response to GN-RH was prompt. In patients with N.A., on the other hand, response was practically absent and differences were significant at all stages of the test. The parallel study of basal steroiduria and following methopirone confirmed the torpid hypophyseal response in N.A. These findings confirm previous personal reports and indicate that the GN-RH test is a useful technique for diagnostic and prognostic definition of N.A.", "contents": "[Synthetic PH-RH as a pituitary function test in anorexia nervosa]. The hypophyseal gonadotrophin LH reserve was studied in 9 adult women, 5 of whom were suffering from nervous anorexia (N.A.) and 4 normal, by means of subcutaneous injection of 50 mcg of synthetic GN-RH. Basal values of plasmatic LH proved to be significantly lower in N.A. than in the controls where the response to GN-RH was prompt. In patients with N.A., on the other hand, response was practically absent and differences were significant at all stages of the test. The parallel study of basal steroiduria and following methopirone confirmed the torpid hypophyseal response in N.A. These findings confirm previous personal reports and indicate that the GN-RH test is a useful technique for diagnostic and prognostic definition of N.A.", "PMID": 778661} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5064", "title": "[Frontal vertebral cleft in the newborn].", "content": "In the newborn and foetus in the last months of gestation it is possible to see in lateral radiography of the spine, a longitudinal radiotransparent band which may divide the bone nucleus of the vertebral body into two portions. This front vertebral separation should be considered an expression of a reversible abnormality rather than a malformation to the extent that it almost always concerns a differentiation delay in the vertebral structures. The literature and personal cases show, in fact, that the finding disappears more or less rapidly.", "contents": "[Frontal vertebral cleft in the newborn]. In the newborn and foetus in the last months of gestation it is possible to see in lateral radiography of the spine, a longitudinal radiotransparent band which may divide the bone nucleus of the vertebral body into two portions. This front vertebral separation should be considered an expression of a reversible abnormality rather than a malformation to the extent that it almost always concerns a differentiation delay in the vertebral structures. The literature and personal cases show, in fact, that the finding disappears more or less rapidly.", "PMID": 778662} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5065", "title": "[Physiopathology and clinical aspects of respiratory tract infections. Review].", "content": "A topographical account is given of the (mostly viral) infections that strike the upper airways and the lung parenchyma sites caused by bacteria, Mycoplasma, Rickettsiae and fungi. The different features of the three main syndromes that ensue: obstructive and restrictive ventilatory insufficiency, and alveolo-capillary block, are examined. The need for care in the administration of antibiotics is stressed, since germ resistance must be restricted as far as possible. In the case of chronic forms of lung disease, careful clinical surveillance and active therapeutic management are mandatory to prevent the establishment of irreversible, incapacitating consequences.", "contents": "[Physiopathology and clinical aspects of respiratory tract infections. Review]. A topographical account is given of the (mostly viral) infections that strike the upper airways and the lung parenchyma sites caused by bacteria, Mycoplasma, Rickettsiae and fungi. The different features of the three main syndromes that ensue: obstructive and restrictive ventilatory insufficiency, and alveolo-capillary block, are examined. The need for care in the administration of antibiotics is stressed, since germ resistance must be restricted as far as possible. In the case of chronic forms of lung disease, careful clinical surveillance and active therapeutic management are mandatory to prevent the establishment of irreversible, incapacitating consequences.", "PMID": 778663} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5066", "title": "[Autologous skin grafts in laparoceles].", "content": "The theoretical, practical and experimental premises of autologous skin graft in the treatment of laparocele according to the technique of Zavaleta and Uribur\u00f9 are discussed. The validity of the technique, already acknowledged by other workers, is confirmed by personal experience of operations on geriatric patients.", "contents": "[Autologous skin grafts in laparoceles]. The theoretical, practical and experimental premises of autologous skin graft in the treatment of laparocele according to the technique of Zavaleta and Uribur\u00f9 are discussed. The validity of the technique, already acknowledged by other workers, is confirmed by personal experience of operations on geriatric patients.", "PMID": 778664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5067", "title": "[Deep immersion in the light of current scientific knowledge].", "content": "Physiological and technical problems related to deep diving are discussed. Starting from a brief summary of fundamental data, the Author deals with breathing mixture, the diver protection, copression rates and other various problems the principal syndromes originated by gases at high pressure in hyperbaric conditions. An analysis of the most important physical factors which can interfere with the tolerability for long period in such artificial athmospheres has been conducted.", "contents": "[Deep immersion in the light of current scientific knowledge]. Physiological and technical problems related to deep diving are discussed. Starting from a brief summary of fundamental data, the Author deals with breathing mixture, the diver protection, copression rates and other various problems the principal syndromes originated by gases at high pressure in hyperbaric conditions. An analysis of the most important physical factors which can interfere with the tolerability for long period in such artificial athmospheres has been conducted.", "PMID": 778665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5068", "title": "Effect of clomiphene citrate on gonadotropin responses to LRH administration in secondary amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea.", "content": "Clomiphene citrate was administered to 17 patients with either secondary amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea to study its effect on hypothalamic-pituitary response. Measurement of pulsatile gonadotropin output was accomplished utilizing samples collected every 20 minutes for 6 to 8 hours before and after clomiphene administration. Response to 100 mug synthetic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) was measured at the end of the sampling period. Patients with polycystic ovarian disease who ovulated showed increased baseline FSH and LH, decreased peak LH, and a decrease in the percentage increase over baseline for both LH and FSH. On patient wil clinical anorexia nervosa responded to clomiphene as an estrogen, with lowered baseline LH and FSH values. Patients with resolving anorexia responded to clomiphene as an antiestrogen, with increased baseline gonadotropins, and decreased gonadotropin peak values. A patient with a surgically treated chromophobe adenoma showed no change in parameters measured before and after clomiphene administration. Baseline and pulsatile LH output appear to reflect the tonic output of gonadotropin as affected by estrogen acting in a negative feedback system, and the peak response to LRH administration, the response to the positive feedback of estrogen. Thus, LRH stimulation in clomipheneresistent patients may be of value in diagnosing the site and degree of the defect and aid in improving therapy.", "contents": "Effect of clomiphene citrate on gonadotropin responses to LRH administration in secondary amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea. Clomiphene citrate was administered to 17 patients with either secondary amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea to study its effect on hypothalamic-pituitary response. Measurement of pulsatile gonadotropin output was accomplished utilizing samples collected every 20 minutes for 6 to 8 hours before and after clomiphene administration. Response to 100 mug synthetic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) was measured at the end of the sampling period. Patients with polycystic ovarian disease who ovulated showed increased baseline FSH and LH, decreased peak LH, and a decrease in the percentage increase over baseline for both LH and FSH. On patient wil clinical anorexia nervosa responded to clomiphene as an estrogen, with lowered baseline LH and FSH values. Patients with resolving anorexia responded to clomiphene as an antiestrogen, with increased baseline gonadotropins, and decreased gonadotropin peak values. A patient with a surgically treated chromophobe adenoma showed no change in parameters measured before and after clomiphene administration. Baseline and pulsatile LH output appear to reflect the tonic output of gonadotropin as affected by estrogen acting in a negative feedback system, and the peak response to LRH administration, the response to the positive feedback of estrogen. Thus, LRH stimulation in clomipheneresistent patients may be of value in diagnosing the site and degree of the defect and aid in improving therapy.", "PMID": 778707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5069", "title": "Group B streptococcal colonization in pregnancy.", "content": "Group B beta hemolytic streptococcal infection of the newborn, acquired from the maternal genital tract, has emerged as an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In that the risk to the infant for colonization and infection may relate to the degree of streptococcal exposure, a semiquantitative determination of genital tract colonization was made in 210 pregnant women. Twelve women (6%) were colonized with 10(0) to 10(5) colonies of streptococci per sample. Among colonized women, 70% had used oral contraceptives in the year prior to pregnancy, whereas only 35% of uncolonized women gave such a history (P less than .05). There was an inverse relation between colony count and duration of pregnancy. Six of 9 untreated, colonized women had 1 to 3 repeat cultures which were negative for streptococci indicating that treatment for carriers, if available, would not be necessary much of the time.", "contents": "Group B streptococcal colonization in pregnancy. Group B beta hemolytic streptococcal infection of the newborn, acquired from the maternal genital tract, has emerged as an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In that the risk to the infant for colonization and infection may relate to the degree of streptococcal exposure, a semiquantitative determination of genital tract colonization was made in 210 pregnant women. Twelve women (6%) were colonized with 10(0) to 10(5) colonies of streptococci per sample. Among colonized women, 70% had used oral contraceptives in the year prior to pregnancy, whereas only 35% of uncolonized women gave such a history (P less than .05). There was an inverse relation between colony count and duration of pregnancy. Six of 9 untreated, colonized women had 1 to 3 repeat cultures which were negative for streptococci indicating that treatment for carriers, if available, would not be necessary much of the time.", "PMID": 778708} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5070", "title": "The predictability of intrauterine infection by analysis of amniotic fluid.", "content": "Amniotic fluid samples from 95 internally monitored patients were examined to determine whether the appearance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes or bacteria could predict intrauterine infection. All patients delivered vaginally. More than one polymorphonuclear leukocyte per oil field were seen in specimens of 32% of patients; bacteria were seen in specimens of 52% of patients, and organisms were grown in 93% of specimens, yet, the overall maternal infection rate was only 6.3%. Moreover, infection developed in only 10% of patients with polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the fluid and 6% of patients with positive gram stain or cultures. For patients who deliver vaginally, the appearance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes or bacteria does not predict infection.", "contents": "The predictability of intrauterine infection by analysis of amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid samples from 95 internally monitored patients were examined to determine whether the appearance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes or bacteria could predict intrauterine infection. All patients delivered vaginally. More than one polymorphonuclear leukocyte per oil field were seen in specimens of 32% of patients; bacteria were seen in specimens of 52% of patients, and organisms were grown in 93% of specimens, yet, the overall maternal infection rate was only 6.3%. Moreover, infection developed in only 10% of patients with polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the fluid and 6% of patients with positive gram stain or cultures. For patients who deliver vaginally, the appearance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes or bacteria does not predict infection.", "PMID": 778709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5071", "title": "The effect of L-dopa and clomiphene citrate on peripheral plasma levels of luteinizing hormone-releasing factor.", "content": "Response of luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LRF) and gonadotropin levels to orally administered L-dopa and clomiphene citrate were measured in 13 healthy female volunteers. Testing was carried out during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The results indicated a suggestive but statistically nonsignificant elevation of peripheral plasma LRF following L-dopa administration but no response following clomiphene ingestion. No acute increase in gonadotropin levels was demonstrated in either group. A low but statistically significant positive correlation was found between luteinizing hormone and LRF values determined from the same samples.", "contents": "The effect of L-dopa and clomiphene citrate on peripheral plasma levels of luteinizing hormone-releasing factor. Response of luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LRF) and gonadotropin levels to orally administered L-dopa and clomiphene citrate were measured in 13 healthy female volunteers. Testing was carried out during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The results indicated a suggestive but statistically nonsignificant elevation of peripheral plasma LRF following L-dopa administration but no response following clomiphene ingestion. No acute increase in gonadotropin levels was demonstrated in either group. A low but statistically significant positive correlation was found between luteinizing hormone and LRF values determined from the same samples.", "PMID": 778710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5072", "title": "An equipment for standardized casting of Co-Cr alloys in dentistry.", "content": "The temperature and the chemical character of an acetylene-oxygen flame change with change in the gasmixture. When heating a Co-Cr alloy with this flame both temperature and chemical character in the parts of the flame used may influence the temperature increase of the alloy. To study the influence of different acetylene-oxygen flames on the heating process of dental Co-Cr alloy, a gasmeasuring and casting equipment was constructed. This made it possible to cast in a standardized way.", "contents": "An equipment for standardized casting of Co-Cr alloys in dentistry. The temperature and the chemical character of an acetylene-oxygen flame change with change in the gasmixture. When heating a Co-Cr alloy with this flame both temperature and chemical character in the parts of the flame used may influence the temperature increase of the alloy. To study the influence of different acetylene-oxygen flames on the heating process of dental Co-Cr alloy, a gasmeasuring and casting equipment was constructed. This made it possible to cast in a standardized way.", "PMID": 778711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5073", "title": "Lymphomas as sequelae of the transplantation of CO2-treated skin autografts in mice.", "content": "Inbred strains BALB/c and CBA and noninbred Swiss mice were used for transplanting skin autografts exposed before transplantation for approximately 48 h to (a) culturing in room air and (b) culturing in 45--48% CO2 in air. These pre-transplantation manipulations of skin autografts led to malignant lymphomas in the hosts. The lymphoma incidence was highest in the recipients of the CO2 -treated grafts; moreover, it was greater than the spontaneous incidence even in the recipients of grafts exposed to culturing in air alone, in some types of mice. The following abnormalities of the reticuloendothelial system were noted: (1) proliferation of lymph follicles into irregular masses of pleomorphic cells, (2) hyperplasia with concomitant atrophy of the lymphoid tissue (o) replacement of the lymph follicles by malignant lymphoid cells. Renal lesions resembling membranes glomerulitis occurred occasionally. The occurrence varied in different strains.", "contents": "Lymphomas as sequelae of the transplantation of CO2-treated skin autografts in mice. Inbred strains BALB/c and CBA and noninbred Swiss mice were used for transplanting skin autografts exposed before transplantation for approximately 48 h to (a) culturing in room air and (b) culturing in 45--48% CO2 in air. These pre-transplantation manipulations of skin autografts led to malignant lymphomas in the hosts. The lymphoma incidence was highest in the recipients of the CO2 -treated grafts; moreover, it was greater than the spontaneous incidence even in the recipients of grafts exposed to culturing in air alone, in some types of mice. The following abnormalities of the reticuloendothelial system were noted: (1) proliferation of lymph follicles into irregular masses of pleomorphic cells, (2) hyperplasia with concomitant atrophy of the lymphoid tissue (o) replacement of the lymph follicles by malignant lymphoid cells. Renal lesions resembling membranes glomerulitis occurred occasionally. The occurrence varied in different strains.", "PMID": 778716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5074", "title": "Transfer factor - hypotheses for its structure and function.", "content": "Transfer factor (TF) is a dialyzable extract from primed lymphocytes that is able to transfer specific delayed hypersensitivity from one animal to another. On the basis of available data we suggest that TF is a polypeptide with a molecular weight below 15,000 daltons. We hypothesize that TF is the variable light or heavy chain domain of immunoglobulin: such a molecule conforms with the accepted properties of TF and also has the necessary specificity requirements. We also hypothesize that TF is part of a receptor site. beta-2-microglobulin, a molecule that is an integral part of cell surfaces, could be the anchor for TF. beta-2-microglobulin has homologies with the constant portion of immunoglobulin light or heavy chain and thus would combine with the variable domain (TF) to form a complete receptor site for a specific antigen. The properties of TF suggest its mode of action, which is discussed in detail in the text. The biologic advantages of TF is its ability to confer immediate (immunologie specific) protection while the 'normal' immune response develops.", "contents": "Transfer factor - hypotheses for its structure and function. Transfer factor (TF) is a dialyzable extract from primed lymphocytes that is able to transfer specific delayed hypersensitivity from one animal to another. On the basis of available data we suggest that TF is a polypeptide with a molecular weight below 15,000 daltons. We hypothesize that TF is the variable light or heavy chain domain of immunoglobulin: such a molecule conforms with the accepted properties of TF and also has the necessary specificity requirements. We also hypothesize that TF is part of a receptor site. beta-2-microglobulin, a molecule that is an integral part of cell surfaces, could be the anchor for TF. beta-2-microglobulin has homologies with the constant portion of immunoglobulin light or heavy chain and thus would combine with the variable domain (TF) to form a complete receptor site for a specific antigen. The properties of TF suggest its mode of action, which is discussed in detail in the text. The biologic advantages of TF is its ability to confer immediate (immunologie specific) protection while the 'normal' immune response develops.", "PMID": 778717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5075", "title": "Penetrating keratoplasty: a computer analysis.", "content": "A computer analysis of 87 penetrating kertoplasties done in a uniform manner by a single surgeon revealed the following: 1. On a statistical basis small grafts (7.0 mm) provided better visual acuity than larger grafts (8.0 mm). 2. On a statistical basis small grafts will be clearer postoperatively than larger grafts. 3. On a statistical basis the age of the donor is not related to either graft clarity or visual acuity.", "contents": "Penetrating keratoplasty: a computer analysis. A computer analysis of 87 penetrating kertoplasties done in a uniform manner by a single surgeon revealed the following: 1. On a statistical basis small grafts (7.0 mm) provided better visual acuity than larger grafts (8.0 mm). 2. On a statistical basis small grafts will be clearer postoperatively than larger grafts. 3. On a statistical basis the age of the donor is not related to either graft clarity or visual acuity.", "PMID": 778719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5076", "title": "Soft tissue trauma.", "content": "Prior to surgical repair of maxillofacial injuries, a surgeon should formulate an operative plan based upon a careful and complete pre-operative analysis. Obviously this may effect the timing of repair. However, it is more efficacious to delay surgery for up to 24 hours than to close lacerations over a lacerated facial nerve, a severed parotid duct, or other undiagnosed lesions. Repair should include meticulous cleansing and removal of all embedded foreign material if hypertrophy, scars, or tattooing is to be avoided; repair of underlying soft tissue damage, including mucosa, muscle, nerve, cartilage, and subcutaneous tissue; and meticulous closure of the lacerations in accordance with their anatomical location. In wounds involving tissue loss the judicious application of skin grafts, as well as local or regional flaps, is of infinite value. With the careful adherence to the basic principles of plastic reconstructive surgery, the majority of patients with maxillofacial injuries should obtain a good functional and esthetic restoration. In patients in whom this cannot be accomplished because of extensive tissue damage, the primary repair should enhance the feasibility and results of secondary reconstruction.", "contents": "Soft tissue trauma. Prior to surgical repair of maxillofacial injuries, a surgeon should formulate an operative plan based upon a careful and complete pre-operative analysis. Obviously this may effect the timing of repair. However, it is more efficacious to delay surgery for up to 24 hours than to close lacerations over a lacerated facial nerve, a severed parotid duct, or other undiagnosed lesions. Repair should include meticulous cleansing and removal of all embedded foreign material if hypertrophy, scars, or tattooing is to be avoided; repair of underlying soft tissue damage, including mucosa, muscle, nerve, cartilage, and subcutaneous tissue; and meticulous closure of the lacerations in accordance with their anatomical location. In wounds involving tissue loss the judicious application of skin grafts, as well as local or regional flaps, is of infinite value. With the careful adherence to the basic principles of plastic reconstructive surgery, the majority of patients with maxillofacial injuries should obtain a good functional and esthetic restoration. In patients in whom this cannot be accomplished because of extensive tissue damage, the primary repair should enhance the feasibility and results of secondary reconstruction.", "PMID": 778743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5077", "title": "Operative treatment of pressure sores in paraplegics by rotation flap.", "content": "Sixty rotation flaps (in 40 paraplegics) to cover pressure sores and unstable scars in the region of the buttocks are reported. There were 12 complications (20 per cent), none jeopardising the result of the operation. Advantages of the rotation flap are its good blood supply if generously outlines and the possibility of using the same flap a second or even third time if necessary.", "contents": "Operative treatment of pressure sores in paraplegics by rotation flap. Sixty rotation flaps (in 40 paraplegics) to cover pressure sores and unstable scars in the region of the buttocks are reported. There were 12 complications (20 per cent), none jeopardising the result of the operation. Advantages of the rotation flap are its good blood supply if generously outlines and the possibility of using the same flap a second or even third time if necessary.", "PMID": 778746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5078", "title": "[Heterotopic autotransplantation of the atrium in the rat. Effect on specific granules (author's transl)].", "content": "A technique for the autotransplantation of part of the right atrium in the rat kidney is described. The morphology of these grafts has been studied by light and electron microscopy at intervals varying from 15 to 346 days after transplantation. On light microscopy, the grafts show an organoid organization with a central cavity filled with blood surrounded by an endothelium around which concentric layers of cardiocytes are present. Electron microscopy reveals that the population of specific granules is not affected by transplantation. In the beginning, the cardiocytes show severe abnormalities of myofilaments, mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum. The granular sarcoplasmic reticulum is much more abundant than in control cardiocytes. Most of these changes regress with time so that, after 346 days the transplanted cardiocytes appear almost normal. These experiments indicate that the specific granule population of atrial cardiocytes probably does not contain any appreciable amount of catecholamine and is not dependant on the nervous system or on a local stimulus.", "contents": "[Heterotopic autotransplantation of the atrium in the rat. Effect on specific granules (author's transl)]. A technique for the autotransplantation of part of the right atrium in the rat kidney is described. The morphology of these grafts has been studied by light and electron microscopy at intervals varying from 15 to 346 days after transplantation. On light microscopy, the grafts show an organoid organization with a central cavity filled with blood surrounded by an endothelium around which concentric layers of cardiocytes are present. Electron microscopy reveals that the population of specific granules is not affected by transplantation. In the beginning, the cardiocytes show severe abnormalities of myofilaments, mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum. The granular sarcoplasmic reticulum is much more abundant than in control cardiocytes. Most of these changes regress with time so that, after 346 days the transplanted cardiocytes appear almost normal. These experiments indicate that the specific granule population of atrial cardiocytes probably does not contain any appreciable amount of catecholamine and is not dependant on the nervous system or on a local stimulus.", "PMID": 778748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5079", "title": "[\"In vitro\" effect of medium size molecules on lymphocyte proliferation (author's transl)].", "content": "Eluates from uremic sera were obtained by chromatography on sephadex G 25. They were assayed on lymphocytes cultured in the presence of various stimulants. Lymphocyte proliferation induced by mitogens or allogeneic cells was markedly inhibited in the presence of medium size molecules (MM), or of larger molecules (MW greater than 5000).", "contents": "[\"In vitro\" effect of medium size molecules on lymphocyte proliferation (author's transl)]. Eluates from uremic sera were obtained by chromatography on sephadex G 25. They were assayed on lymphocytes cultured in the presence of various stimulants. Lymphocyte proliferation induced by mitogens or allogeneic cells was markedly inhibited in the presence of medium size molecules (MM), or of larger molecules (MW greater than 5000).", "PMID": 778749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5080", "title": "[Intermolecular antigenic competition. Influence of the site of antigen injection (author's transl)].", "content": "We have studied the intermolecular antigenic competition in mice, after simultaneous injections of two antigens by different ways and in various places. When the two antigens are administered by I.P. route, and when TNP-SHRBC (Test-Ag) and BSA (inhibitory Ag) are used, only an inhibition of the anti-hapten (TNP) response is observed but not of the anti-carrier response (SRBC). When these antigens are replaced by SRBC (Test Ag) and HRBC (inhibitory Ag), there is no antigenic competition. When the inhibitory Ag is the BSA and the test Ag a strong dose of LPS (10 mug) there is no competition but it occurs when a weak dose of LPS is used. When the two antigens are injected by subcutaneous route in the same leg and the PFC enumerated in the corresponding inguinal lymph-node there is no inhibition but an increased response against the test Ag. On the contrary, competition is obtained when the test Ag (TNP-SHRBC or SRBC) is injected in the right leg and the inhibitory-Ag (BSA or HRBC) in the left one. These facts lead to conclude that an inhibitory humoral factor is responsible for this phenomenon, and that this factor is probably thymodependent because this competition disappears when Nude mice are used.", "contents": "[Intermolecular antigenic competition. Influence of the site of antigen injection (author's transl)]. We have studied the intermolecular antigenic competition in mice, after simultaneous injections of two antigens by different ways and in various places. When the two antigens are administered by I.P. route, and when TNP-SHRBC (Test-Ag) and BSA (inhibitory Ag) are used, only an inhibition of the anti-hapten (TNP) response is observed but not of the anti-carrier response (SRBC). When these antigens are replaced by SRBC (Test Ag) and HRBC (inhibitory Ag), there is no antigenic competition. When the inhibitory Ag is the BSA and the test Ag a strong dose of LPS (10 mug) there is no competition but it occurs when a weak dose of LPS is used. When the two antigens are injected by subcutaneous route in the same leg and the PFC enumerated in the corresponding inguinal lymph-node there is no inhibition but an increased response against the test Ag. On the contrary, competition is obtained when the test Ag (TNP-SHRBC or SRBC) is injected in the right leg and the inhibitory-Ag (BSA or HRBC) in the left one. These facts lead to conclude that an inhibitory humoral factor is responsible for this phenomenon, and that this factor is probably thymodependent because this competition disappears when Nude mice are used.", "PMID": 778750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5081", "title": "[Effect of low lung volume ventilation on the relative proportions of carbon monoxide partial ductances (author's transl)].", "content": "Lacoste has shown the interest of determination of overall ductance of CO and partial expired alveolar ductance and arterio-alveolar partial ductances in the assessment of the efficacy of gaseous exchanges in the lung. DuCO was, by definition, the product : DuACO X DuaCO, the increase in partial ductance may theoretically compensate reduction in the other, the overall ductance then remains normal. This theory was verified studying the effects of low lung volume ventilation. Under these conditions, the dead space series becomes reduced and the DuACO should increase at the same rate, for ventilation occurs at the level of the closing volume. The inspired air is then directed preferentially towards the lung apices. These artificial changes in distribution of ventilation should produce a reduction in DuaCO. The measurements carried out confirmed these theories during low lung volume ventilation ; whereas the differences observed in overall ductance were not significant, those observed on partial ductance were very definitely significant. It appears that isolated measurement of overall ductance is insufficient and may lead to misdiagnosis of a change in the lung exchanges.", "contents": "[Effect of low lung volume ventilation on the relative proportions of carbon monoxide partial ductances (author's transl)]. Lacoste has shown the interest of determination of overall ductance of CO and partial expired alveolar ductance and arterio-alveolar partial ductances in the assessment of the efficacy of gaseous exchanges in the lung. DuCO was, by definition, the product : DuACO X DuaCO, the increase in partial ductance may theoretically compensate reduction in the other, the overall ductance then remains normal. This theory was verified studying the effects of low lung volume ventilation. Under these conditions, the dead space series becomes reduced and the DuACO should increase at the same rate, for ventilation occurs at the level of the closing volume. The inspired air is then directed preferentially towards the lung apices. These artificial changes in distribution of ventilation should produce a reduction in DuaCO. The measurements carried out confirmed these theories during low lung volume ventilation ; whereas the differences observed in overall ductance were not significant, those observed on partial ductance were very definitely significant. It appears that isolated measurement of overall ductance is insufficient and may lead to misdiagnosis of a change in the lung exchanges.", "PMID": 778751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5082", "title": "[Lipid calcium interactions in experimental and human nutrition (author's transl)].", "content": "A balanced intake of alimentary lipids is necessary for calcium and phosphorus absorption, as for growth and calcification of bone. In lipid deprivation or excess, important disorders of phospho-calcic metabolism appear particularly in young growing subjects. The qualitative content of ingested fats has, too, a great influence : lipids containing short and medium-chain fatty acids, essential fatty acids and oleic acid stimulate calcium absorption. An excess of long chain and saturated lipids, or intake of erucic acid depress calcium absorption and retention. These facts are possible pathophysiological mechanisms in human disorders: The so-called humanized milks are close to human milk regarding their capacity of stimulation of phospho-calcic absorption and growth. In these milks, oleic and linoleic triglyceride level must be increased. In adult pathology, lipidic deficiency of steatorrhea is partially responsible for calcium and vitamin D malabsorption. Conversely, lipid-calcium interactions are not one-way, and an elevated dietary calcium depresses saturated lipid absorption, and has a hypolipemic action interesting in prevention of atherosclerosis of aged patients.", "contents": "[Lipid calcium interactions in experimental and human nutrition (author's transl)]. A balanced intake of alimentary lipids is necessary for calcium and phosphorus absorption, as for growth and calcification of bone. In lipid deprivation or excess, important disorders of phospho-calcic metabolism appear particularly in young growing subjects. The qualitative content of ingested fats has, too, a great influence : lipids containing short and medium-chain fatty acids, essential fatty acids and oleic acid stimulate calcium absorption. An excess of long chain and saturated lipids, or intake of erucic acid depress calcium absorption and retention. These facts are possible pathophysiological mechanisms in human disorders: The so-called humanized milks are close to human milk regarding their capacity of stimulation of phospho-calcic absorption and growth. In these milks, oleic and linoleic triglyceride level must be increased. In adult pathology, lipidic deficiency of steatorrhea is partially responsible for calcium and vitamin D malabsorption. Conversely, lipid-calcium interactions are not one-way, and an elevated dietary calcium depresses saturated lipid absorption, and has a hypolipemic action interesting in prevention of atherosclerosis of aged patients.", "PMID": 778752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5083", "title": "[Automatic complement fixation reaction applied to the diagnosis of influenza (author's transl)].", "content": "Auto-analysis has been adapted to the study of complement fixation on flu antigen-antibody complexes. The antigen used consists of a complete virus of strain A2/AICHI/68/H3N2 (antigen of envelope V). The advantages of this method reside in the reproducibility of the results and in instrumental reading with graphic recording and conservation of a graphical result. The recording of the percentage of hemolysis given by the auto-analyser permits calculation of the rate of the reaction K37 of complement fixation on the formed immune complex. This value is independent of temperature, time of fixation and the initial quantity of complement used. It is proportional to the quantity of specific antibody. Thus, the value of K37 is proposed as mode of expression of the results replacing the limit serum dilution.", "contents": "[Automatic complement fixation reaction applied to the diagnosis of influenza (author's transl)]. Auto-analysis has been adapted to the study of complement fixation on flu antigen-antibody complexes. The antigen used consists of a complete virus of strain A2/AICHI/68/H3N2 (antigen of envelope V). The advantages of this method reside in the reproducibility of the results and in instrumental reading with graphic recording and conservation of a graphical result. The recording of the percentage of hemolysis given by the auto-analyser permits calculation of the rate of the reaction K37 of complement fixation on the formed immune complex. This value is independent of temperature, time of fixation and the initial quantity of complement used. It is proportional to the quantity of specific antibody. Thus, the value of K37 is proposed as mode of expression of the results replacing the limit serum dilution.", "PMID": 778753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5084", "title": "[Investigations on production of spheroplasts in different species of the genus Haemophilus isolated from pathological material of the respiratory tract (author's transl)].", "content": "One hundred and fifty three strains belonging to 5 different species of the Genus haemophilus isolated from pathological material of the respiratory tract, have been submitted to the action of inductive agents. Under their influence, all those strains, and consequently all the species examined undergo morphological changes and give rise to spheroplasts. The present work demonstrates that this phenomenon not only belongs to Haemophilus influenzae but probably is a common characteristic of the Genus Haemophilus.", "contents": "[Investigations on production of spheroplasts in different species of the genus Haemophilus isolated from pathological material of the respiratory tract (author's transl)]. One hundred and fifty three strains belonging to 5 different species of the Genus haemophilus isolated from pathological material of the respiratory tract, have been submitted to the action of inductive agents. Under their influence, all those strains, and consequently all the species examined undergo morphological changes and give rise to spheroplasts. The present work demonstrates that this phenomenon not only belongs to Haemophilus influenzae but probably is a common characteristic of the Genus Haemophilus.", "PMID": 778755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5085", "title": "[Survival and humoral response of mice infected with Treponema pallidum (author's transl)].", "content": "To judge the pathogenicity of Treponema palllidum in mice, we inoculated two groups of animals. 1) One with a normal immune system : adult Swiss mice. 2) The other with an immune system presenting a defect in T cells : athymic Nude mice. No lesions appeared at the points of inoculation and the survival of these animals was not modified compared with control animals. We have also carried out a study of antitreponema antibodies in adult and new-born Swiss mice, using, for the adults, various concentrations of treponema pallidum and various routes of inoculation. In adult mice, the search for antibodies by fluorescence, showed, firstly, that the intradermal route permits a more rapid humoral response than the intraperitoneal route, with higher antibody titers. Furthermore, an inoculum of 8,6 X 10(6) per mice, gives earlier results and higher titers than those obtained with an inoculum twice lower. The earliness of the positive Nelson test is independent of the route of inoculation but related to the injected dose. On the other hand, the Kline reaction remained negative for all groups of mice throughout the whole period of our study. In new-born mice, 76% only became positive on fluorescence and Nelson test.", "contents": "[Survival and humoral response of mice infected with Treponema pallidum (author's transl)]. To judge the pathogenicity of Treponema palllidum in mice, we inoculated two groups of animals. 1) One with a normal immune system : adult Swiss mice. 2) The other with an immune system presenting a defect in T cells : athymic Nude mice. No lesions appeared at the points of inoculation and the survival of these animals was not modified compared with control animals. We have also carried out a study of antitreponema antibodies in adult and new-born Swiss mice, using, for the adults, various concentrations of treponema pallidum and various routes of inoculation. In adult mice, the search for antibodies by fluorescence, showed, firstly, that the intradermal route permits a more rapid humoral response than the intraperitoneal route, with higher antibody titers. Furthermore, an inoculum of 8,6 X 10(6) per mice, gives earlier results and higher titers than those obtained with an inoculum twice lower. The earliness of the positive Nelson test is independent of the route of inoculation but related to the injected dose. On the other hand, the Kline reaction remained negative for all groups of mice throughout the whole period of our study. In new-born mice, 76% only became positive on fluorescence and Nelson test.", "PMID": 778756} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5086", "title": "[Study of oral contraceptives action on blood folate levels (author's transl)].", "content": "In 95 women taking reduced-level-oral contraceptives and in 24 same-aged women controls, the measure of erythrocyte and serum folate led to the following conclusions: 1) Folate levels in women consuming the pill were generally found to be of the same range as those of controls. 2) No significant difference could be shown between results for different kinds of contraceptives.", "contents": "[Study of oral contraceptives action on blood folate levels (author's transl)]. In 95 women taking reduced-level-oral contraceptives and in 24 same-aged women controls, the measure of erythrocyte and serum folate led to the following conclusions: 1) Folate levels in women consuming the pill were generally found to be of the same range as those of controls. 2) No significant difference could be shown between results for different kinds of contraceptives.", "PMID": 778757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5087", "title": "[Antibacterial activity of minocycline alone and associated with other antibiotics (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors study in vitro effects of minocycline and compare its activity with tetracycline. 909 strains of cocci and bacilli selected among strains isolated from Clermont-Ferrand Hospital Center during the third trimester 1974 were used. Study involves 3 parts : comparison between bacteriostatic activity of both antibiotics ; evaluation of R-factor resistance ; evaluation of bactericidal activity of antibiotic associations including minocycline. M.I.C. study included all strains. A better bacteriostatic activity was noted with minocycline against multi-resistant strains of staphylococcus, streptococcus, E. coli, Serratia and Moraxella. R-factor resistance has been studied upon 27 strains of Gram-negative bacilli selected for their high M.I.C. to tetracycline (M.I.C. greater than or equal to 64 mcg/ml) and to minocycline (M.I.C. greater than or equal to 32 mcg/ml). Both types of transferable tetracycline resistance characters Ta and Tb have been found. More than 250 bactericidal associations were studied upon 38 strains.", "contents": "[Antibacterial activity of minocycline alone and associated with other antibiotics (author's transl)]. The authors study in vitro effects of minocycline and compare its activity with tetracycline. 909 strains of cocci and bacilli selected among strains isolated from Clermont-Ferrand Hospital Center during the third trimester 1974 were used. Study involves 3 parts : comparison between bacteriostatic activity of both antibiotics ; evaluation of R-factor resistance ; evaluation of bactericidal activity of antibiotic associations including minocycline. M.I.C. study included all strains. A better bacteriostatic activity was noted with minocycline against multi-resistant strains of staphylococcus, streptococcus, E. coli, Serratia and Moraxella. R-factor resistance has been studied upon 27 strains of Gram-negative bacilli selected for their high M.I.C. to tetracycline (M.I.C. greater than or equal to 64 mcg/ml) and to minocycline (M.I.C. greater than or equal to 32 mcg/ml). Both types of transferable tetracycline resistance characters Ta and Tb have been found. More than 250 bactericidal associations were studied upon 38 strains.", "PMID": 778758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5088", "title": "[Use of computers in real time. Clinical supervision of hypertension. Application to research (author's transl)].", "content": "High blood pressure has been selected as the subject of a first attempt at constituting an automated online medical records system at the Centre M\u00e9dico-Chirurgical FOCH. This system is to be used routinely by physicians and nurses for daily care of patients and in statistical analysis of registered data for research purposes. Its operational phase is now beginning : registration of patients, edition of collected data, plannings of activity and abstracts are made routinely. Use of the system for clinical research purposes of an epidemiologic nature and its adaptation to more sophisticated tasks is planned in the near and more distant future.", "contents": "[Use of computers in real time. Clinical supervision of hypertension. Application to research (author's transl)]. High blood pressure has been selected as the subject of a first attempt at constituting an automated online medical records system at the Centre M\u00e9dico-Chirurgical FOCH. This system is to be used routinely by physicians and nurses for daily care of patients and in statistical analysis of registered data for research purposes. Its operational phase is now beginning : registration of patients, edition of collected data, plannings of activity and abstracts are made routinely. Use of the system for clinical research purposes of an epidemiologic nature and its adaptation to more sophisticated tasks is planned in the near and more distant future.", "PMID": 778759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5089", "title": "[Oral vitamin A tolerance tests in hypertriglyceridemia (author's transl)].", "content": "HVA tolerance tests were performed to study the post-absorptive lipemia of 32 patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Among them 10 had a normal test and 22 a pathological test. This difference shows the existence of an exogenous factor in the second group of hypertriglyceridemias, which is poorly related to the typing of the WHO classification, but much more to the value of the cholesterol/triglycerides ratio of each patient. The separation of these two groups is of great interest for their therapeutical management, the hypertriglyceridemias with exogenous factor being more sensitive to diet than the others.", "contents": "[Oral vitamin A tolerance tests in hypertriglyceridemia (author's transl)]. HVA tolerance tests were performed to study the post-absorptive lipemia of 32 patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Among them 10 had a normal test and 22 a pathological test. This difference shows the existence of an exogenous factor in the second group of hypertriglyceridemias, which is poorly related to the typing of the WHO classification, but much more to the value of the cholesterol/triglycerides ratio of each patient. The separation of these two groups is of great interest for their therapeutical management, the hypertriglyceridemias with exogenous factor being more sensitive to diet than the others.", "PMID": 778760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5090", "title": "[Unusual distribution of fluorescent marking during Schistosoma mansoni schistosomiasis (author's transl)].", "content": "The sera of some patients suffering from intestinal bilharziasis determine, on frozen sections of adult S. mansoni, a labelling of the digestive tract disclosed by the fluorescent sera anti-IgG and IgM. This labelling appears early after the primary infestation and may remain isolated. It is found again later, among West Indian patients of all ages infested by S. mansoni. Its development is followed in the hamster and the mouse, experimentally infested. This labelling is also present in the animal infested with S. haematobium, but it appears exceptional among adults urinary bilharzians. No cross reaction of non-specific origin has been observed. The interest, for the screening, of its research with the help of conjugates anti-IgM, has been proved. Its meaning is discussed.", "contents": "[Unusual distribution of fluorescent marking during Schistosoma mansoni schistosomiasis (author's transl)]. The sera of some patients suffering from intestinal bilharziasis determine, on frozen sections of adult S. mansoni, a labelling of the digestive tract disclosed by the fluorescent sera anti-IgG and IgM. This labelling appears early after the primary infestation and may remain isolated. It is found again later, among West Indian patients of all ages infested by S. mansoni. Its development is followed in the hamster and the mouse, experimentally infested. This labelling is also present in the animal infested with S. haematobium, but it appears exceptional among adults urinary bilharzians. No cross reaction of non-specific origin has been observed. The interest, for the screening, of its research with the help of conjugates anti-IgM, has been proved. Its meaning is discussed.", "PMID": 778761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5091", "title": "[Formation of \"Rosettes\" induced by polyethylene glycol].", "content": "Human blood cells were washed and treated by PEG 6 000 (40% solution in BME) at 37 degrees for 15 min. A strong agglutination was observed. After dilution with 3 vol. of BME and shaking, microscopic examination at low magnification revealed small aggregates disseminated in dispersed population of erythrocytes. These aggregates were shown to be formed by a polymorphonuclear cell closely surrounded by erythrocytes. The possible explanation of the formation of such \"Rosettes\" was briefly discussed.", "contents": "[Formation of \"Rosettes\" induced by polyethylene glycol]. Human blood cells were washed and treated by PEG 6 000 (40% solution in BME) at 37 degrees for 15 min. A strong agglutination was observed. After dilution with 3 vol. of BME and shaking, microscopic examination at low magnification revealed small aggregates disseminated in dispersed population of erythrocytes. These aggregates were shown to be formed by a polymorphonuclear cell closely surrounded by erythrocytes. The possible explanation of the formation of such \"Rosettes\" was briefly discussed.", "PMID": 778762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5092", "title": "[Normal and pathological elastic tissue under the electron microscope on thin and ultrathin sections (author's transl)].", "content": "Three simple methods (adapted from optical techniques) for normal and pathological elastic tissue caracterisation in electron microscopy on thin and ultrathin sections are proposed. Two of these methods (orcein and fuchsin resorcin) seem to have a specificity for arterial and breast cancer elastic tissue. Weigert's method gives the best contrast.", "contents": "[Normal and pathological elastic tissue under the electron microscope on thin and ultrathin sections (author's transl)]. Three simple methods (adapted from optical techniques) for normal and pathological elastic tissue caracterisation in electron microscopy on thin and ultrathin sections are proposed. Two of these methods (orcein and fuchsin resorcin) seem to have a specificity for arterial and breast cancer elastic tissue. Weigert's method gives the best contrast.", "PMID": 778763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5093", "title": "[Tumor immunology (author's transl)].", "content": "Prerequisites for immunobiological interactions between host and tumor are the existence of tumor-specific surface antigens on cancer cells on the one hand, and the ability of the host to recognize and to adequately respond to these signals on the other. It seems that in certain selected animal models these conditions are matched. The relations of the spontaneously arising human tumors to these prerequisites, however, are still largely obscure. It is known that immunological measures can both accelerate or inhibit tumor growth. Thus, immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy in man is still premature and too risky.", "contents": "[Tumor immunology (author's transl)]. Prerequisites for immunobiological interactions between host and tumor are the existence of tumor-specific surface antigens on cancer cells on the one hand, and the ability of the host to recognize and to adequately respond to these signals on the other. It seems that in certain selected animal models these conditions are matched. The relations of the spontaneously arising human tumors to these prerequisites, however, are still largely obscure. It is known that immunological measures can both accelerate or inhibit tumor growth. Thus, immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy in man is still premature and too risky.", "PMID": 778765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5094", "title": "Neonatal pancreatic beta-cell hyperplasia: report of a case with failure of diazoxide and benefit of early subtotal pancreatectomy.", "content": "A newborn infant with pancreatic beta-cell hyperplasia had persistent hypoglycemia due to hyperinsulinism. After medical management, including the use of diazoxide and constant glucose infusions had proved ineffective, a subtotal pancreatectomy was curative. Cumulative experience seems to indicate that there should be little delay in performing a subtotal pancreatectomy when aggressive medical management cannot maintain normoglycemia in a neonate.", "contents": "Neonatal pancreatic beta-cell hyperplasia: report of a case with failure of diazoxide and benefit of early subtotal pancreatectomy. A newborn infant with pancreatic beta-cell hyperplasia had persistent hypoglycemia due to hyperinsulinism. After medical management, including the use of diazoxide and constant glucose infusions had proved ineffective, a subtotal pancreatectomy was curative. Cumulative experience seems to indicate that there should be little delay in performing a subtotal pancreatectomy when aggressive medical management cannot maintain normoglycemia in a neonate.", "PMID": 778772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5095", "title": "Use of Limulus lysate for detecting gram-negative neonatal meningitis.", "content": "The Limulus lysate test was evaluated as a method for rapid detection of neonatal gram-negative bacterial meningitis. A total of 208 CSF samples were collected from 145 newborn infants suspected of having meningitis. Initial samples from all six babies with culture-proven gram-negative bacterial meningitis had positive Limulus tests within 30 minutes of incubation. Samples from 14 infants with gram-negative organisms isolated only in blood and/or urine as well as from four neonates with gram-positive organisms in CSF cultures and from 13 with gram-positive organisms in blood cultures all yielded negative Limulus tests. Thus, of 37 newborn infants with bacteria demonstrated in systemic cultures, only those six with gram-negative organisms in CSF had positive CSF Limulus tests. The CSF Limulus test was shown to be a rapid, reliable, and specific test for the detection on neonatal gram-negative bacterial meningitis.", "contents": "Use of Limulus lysate for detecting gram-negative neonatal meningitis. The Limulus lysate test was evaluated as a method for rapid detection of neonatal gram-negative bacterial meningitis. A total of 208 CSF samples were collected from 145 newborn infants suspected of having meningitis. Initial samples from all six babies with culture-proven gram-negative bacterial meningitis had positive Limulus tests within 30 minutes of incubation. Samples from 14 infants with gram-negative organisms isolated only in blood and/or urine as well as from four neonates with gram-positive organisms in CSF cultures and from 13 with gram-positive organisms in blood cultures all yielded negative Limulus tests. Thus, of 37 newborn infants with bacteria demonstrated in systemic cultures, only those six with gram-negative organisms in CSF had positive CSF Limulus tests. The CSF Limulus test was shown to be a rapid, reliable, and specific test for the detection on neonatal gram-negative bacterial meningitis.", "PMID": 778774} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5096", "title": "Physical therapy as a determinant of change in the cerebral palsied infant.", "content": "Twenty-four children under 18 months of age with an initial diagnosis of cerebral palsy were observed for minimum of six months on either experimental or control physical therapy programs using a double-blind study design. Medical and therapy evaluations indicated definite changes in motor, social, and management areas for those subjected to the experimental procedure and particularly among children expected to show higher intelligence. Change is found to be somewhat correlated with age at entry to the study and is more often associated with less actual treatment time. Findings suggest the need for additional treatment modalities for the youngest children who are most likely to have the greatest global involvement.", "contents": "Physical therapy as a determinant of change in the cerebral palsied infant. Twenty-four children under 18 months of age with an initial diagnosis of cerebral palsy were observed for minimum of six months on either experimental or control physical therapy programs using a double-blind study design. Medical and therapy evaluations indicated definite changes in motor, social, and management areas for those subjected to the experimental procedure and particularly among children expected to show higher intelligence. Change is found to be somewhat correlated with age at entry to the study and is more often associated with less actual treatment time. Findings suggest the need for additional treatment modalities for the youngest children who are most likely to have the greatest global involvement.", "PMID": 778775} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5097", "title": "[Biological changes in 88 cases of Basedow's disease treated by radioactive iodine].", "content": "Biological abnormalities, in particular increased T3 and sometimes TSH, are frequently found in thyrotoxic patients treated with radioactive iodine and subsequently enthyroid. A high T3, associated with an increase in FT4 and a low TSH precedes a relapse. An increase in TSH may indicate progression towards hypothyroidism; even if FT4 and T3 levels are within normal limits. Caution must be exercised before affirming that an increased TSH with a high T3 and normal FT4 is indicative of thyroid equilibrium. At all events, the risk of hypothyroidism despite the use of small doses of radioactive iodine is such that the classical limit for the treatment of patients with thyrotoxicosis should be increased beyond the age of 40. In patients with a high TSH despite being clinically euthyroid, the use of thyroid extract in low dosage (50 mg/day) would appear to be desirable in avoiding the subsequent development of hypothyroidism.", "contents": "[Biological changes in 88 cases of Basedow's disease treated by radioactive iodine]. Biological abnormalities, in particular increased T3 and sometimes TSH, are frequently found in thyrotoxic patients treated with radioactive iodine and subsequently enthyroid. A high T3, associated with an increase in FT4 and a low TSH precedes a relapse. An increase in TSH may indicate progression towards hypothyroidism; even if FT4 and T3 levels are within normal limits. Caution must be exercised before affirming that an increased TSH with a high T3 and normal FT4 is indicative of thyroid equilibrium. At all events, the risk of hypothyroidism despite the use of small doses of radioactive iodine is such that the classical limit for the treatment of patients with thyrotoxicosis should be increased beyond the age of 40. In patients with a high TSH despite being clinically euthyroid, the use of thyroid extract in low dosage (50 mg/day) would appear to be desirable in avoiding the subsequent development of hypothyroidism.", "PMID": 778789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5098", "title": "[Microbiological study of surfaces in the hospital environment].", "content": "A quantitative bacteriological study was made, in several hospital services, of the number of organisms present on the floors and various surfaces. Two sampling techniques were used in parallel, direct imprint and brushing. The first of these techniques, new and easy to use, is suggested in this study for the regular surveillance of the microbiological cleanliness of floors, as well as for the selection, under the particular individual circumstances, of the best composition of disinfectant.", "contents": "[Microbiological study of surfaces in the hospital environment]. A quantitative bacteriological study was made, in several hospital services, of the number of organisms present on the floors and various surfaces. Two sampling techniques were used in parallel, direct imprint and brushing. The first of these techniques, new and easy to use, is suggested in this study for the regular surveillance of the microbiological cleanliness of floors, as well as for the selection, under the particular individual circumstances, of the best composition of disinfectant.", "PMID": 778790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5099", "title": "[Trial treatment of glioblastomas in adults and cerebral metastais by adriamycin, VM 26 and CCNU combination. Result of a type II trial].", "content": "Forty-three patients with inoperable and/or recurring malignant gliomas, and 30 patients with multiple recurring brain metastases were treated with a combination of adriamycine (45 mg/m2) and 4-dimethyl-epipodophyllotoxin D-thenylidene (VM 26) (60 mg/m2 for 2 days) with 1-(2-chloroethyl) -3-cyclohexyl-1-nitroso-urea (CCNU) (60 mg/m2 for two days). These cycles of treatment were repeated as soon as the hematological restoration was complete. The treatment was well tolerated and the clinical condition of 31 out of 43 glioblastoma patients improved during the two months after the beginning of the treatment. Six out of eight patients with breast cancer metastases, one out of 13 with bronchial cancer metastases and three out of nine with other types of cancer metastases also benefitted from the treatment. Examination of the results obtained reveals the following characteristics: -A low degree of efficiency of the combination in the treatment of brain metastases, except for breast cancer metastases. -Absence of complete correlation between the clinical results observed and the cinegammagraphic developments. -Similarity of the results independent of the initial localization. -Establishment of a six-months median survival period, with ten patients at present in a state of apparently complete remission, 180 to 506 days after beginning of the treatment.", "contents": "[Trial treatment of glioblastomas in adults and cerebral metastais by adriamycin, VM 26 and CCNU combination. Result of a type II trial]. Forty-three patients with inoperable and/or recurring malignant gliomas, and 30 patients with multiple recurring brain metastases were treated with a combination of adriamycine (45 mg/m2) and 4-dimethyl-epipodophyllotoxin D-thenylidene (VM 26) (60 mg/m2 for 2 days) with 1-(2-chloroethyl) -3-cyclohexyl-1-nitroso-urea (CCNU) (60 mg/m2 for two days). These cycles of treatment were repeated as soon as the hematological restoration was complete. The treatment was well tolerated and the clinical condition of 31 out of 43 glioblastoma patients improved during the two months after the beginning of the treatment. Six out of eight patients with breast cancer metastases, one out of 13 with bronchial cancer metastases and three out of nine with other types of cancer metastases also benefitted from the treatment. Examination of the results obtained reveals the following characteristics: -A low degree of efficiency of the combination in the treatment of brain metastases, except for breast cancer metastases. -Absence of complete correlation between the clinical results observed and the cinegammagraphic developments. -Similarity of the results independent of the initial localization. -Establishment of a six-months median survival period, with ten patients at present in a state of apparently complete remission, 180 to 506 days after beginning of the treatment.", "PMID": 778798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5100", "title": "Effect of Prepodyne as a perineal cleansing agent for clean catch specimens.", "content": "In a study to determine a safe cleansing agent for collection of midstream urine specimens, 35 pregnant women (25 experimental subjects who cleansed the periurethal area three times with Prepodyne and 10 control subjects who did not cleanse the area), Prepodyne was found to be satisfactory. Although iodine was detected in the urine of women who used Prepodyne, the amount was not in sufficient quantity to alter bacterial colony counts or to inhibit growth.", "contents": "Effect of Prepodyne as a perineal cleansing agent for clean catch specimens. In a study to determine a safe cleansing agent for collection of midstream urine specimens, 35 pregnant women (25 experimental subjects who cleansed the periurethal area three times with Prepodyne and 10 control subjects who did not cleanse the area), Prepodyne was found to be satisfactory. Although iodine was detected in the urine of women who used Prepodyne, the amount was not in sufficient quantity to alter bacterial colony counts or to inhibit growth.", "PMID": 778802} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5101", "title": "Further study on pharmacology of meclophenoxate and it components in mice.", "content": "The effects of three-day treatment with meclophenoxate (Centrophenoxin) and its components, p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and dimethylaminoethanol, on the aggressiveness and pain threshold in mice were investigated. p-Chlorophenoxyacetic acid increased the aggressiveness and pain sensitivity. Dimethylaminoethanol, on the contrary, tended to decrease these items of behaviour. The effects of meclophenoxate reflected this reciprocal activity of components, the activity of p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid prevailing. The results are taken as the evidence of some slowly developing mechanism in the activity of p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, responsible for some of the effects of meclophenoxate. A possible mode of action of p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid is suggested.", "contents": "Further study on pharmacology of meclophenoxate and it components in mice. The effects of three-day treatment with meclophenoxate (Centrophenoxin) and its components, p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and dimethylaminoethanol, on the aggressiveness and pain threshold in mice were investigated. p-Chlorophenoxyacetic acid increased the aggressiveness and pain sensitivity. Dimethylaminoethanol, on the contrary, tended to decrease these items of behaviour. The effects of meclophenoxate reflected this reciprocal activity of components, the activity of p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid prevailing. The results are taken as the evidence of some slowly developing mechanism in the activity of p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, responsible for some of the effects of meclophenoxate. A possible mode of action of p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid is suggested.", "PMID": 778815} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5102", "title": "Recognizing the fetus at risk.", "content": "Impairment of either fetal growth potential or placental growth support may cause fetal growth retardation. Impaired growth potential is associated with a number of congenital abnormalities. Awareness of the increased possibility of fetal anomaly comes from the obstetric patient's reproductive history or family history more than from anything else. In general, if the likelihood of fetal anomaly seems increased, investigation in the form of amniocentesis, ultrasonic monitoring of fetal growth, radiologic study, or all three may be required. More common than poor growth potential is poor placental growth support. Here, historical evidence of maternal hypertension or toxemic disorders, among other abnormal clinical findings, is an indication for fetal monitoring.", "contents": "Recognizing the fetus at risk. Impairment of either fetal growth potential or placental growth support may cause fetal growth retardation. Impaired growth potential is associated with a number of congenital abnormalities. Awareness of the increased possibility of fetal anomaly comes from the obstetric patient's reproductive history or family history more than from anything else. In general, if the likelihood of fetal anomaly seems increased, investigation in the form of amniocentesis, ultrasonic monitoring of fetal growth, radiologic study, or all three may be required. More common than poor growth potential is poor placental growth support. Here, historical evidence of maternal hypertension or toxemic disorders, among other abnormal clinical findings, is an indication for fetal monitoring.", "PMID": 778817} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5103", "title": "Exogenous estrogens and endometrial cancer.", "content": "Reports in the lay press that exogenous estrogens cause endometrial cancer are unjustified with the present evidence. The epidemiologic method used to identify retrospectively an increased association of estrogens with endometrial cancer cannot prove causality. Mortality from endometrial carcinoma has not increased in this country and may actually be starting to decline.", "contents": "Exogenous estrogens and endometrial cancer. Reports in the lay press that exogenous estrogens cause endometrial cancer are unjustified with the present evidence. The epidemiologic method used to identify retrospectively an increased association of estrogens with endometrial cancer cannot prove causality. Mortality from endometrial carcinoma has not increased in this country and may actually be starting to decline.", "PMID": 778818} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5104", "title": "A semi-quantitative test for water supply.", "content": "A recently marketed reagent strip designed for clinical urinalysis, Microstix, has been found to be useful in rapid and simple examination of water sources for baby chicks.", "contents": "A semi-quantitative test for water supply. A recently marketed reagent strip designed for clinical urinalysis, Microstix, has been found to be useful in rapid and simple examination of water sources for baby chicks.", "PMID": 778819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5105", "title": "The cholesterol problem, the egg and lipid metabolism in the laying hen.", "content": "There is little doubt that high blood serum lipid levels are related to a higher incidence of atherosclerotic disease in humans. Experimental evidence to date suggests that dietary intervention can reduce blood lipid levels in most cases and that some small reduction in occurrence of cardiovascular disease will probably result. On the other hand no reduction in total mortality has been demonstrated in the well constructed dietary studies. It appears that there is considerable variation in the human population with regard to their patterns of lipid metabolism. Some apparently regulate body production of cholesterol in response to dietary changes, others do not. Some seem to excrete excess sterols efficiently, while some do not. It seems likely, therefore, that dietary manipulation would be useful for those disposed by heredity and other conditions to accumulation of excessive sterols in the body. On the other hand drug control of cholesterol biosynthesis and/or sterol excretion may be more effective solutions to the problem of sterol accumulation. Irrespective of whether diet or drugs prove to be the best answer to control of sterol balance, these should be applied only to that segment of the population known to require such treatment. The egg is an important dietary source of cholesterol and as a result is used sparingly in low cholesterol diets. On the other hand normal egg consumption of two eggs per day does not appear to overload cholesterol balance in the healthy human adult since depression in cholesterol biosynthesis and increased sterol excretion will result. Investigation of the lipid metabolism of the laying hen has shown that most of the cholesterol found in the egg is synthesized in the liver where it is under both dietary and drug control. Most of the cholesterol deposited in egg yolk may be essential for embryonic development. Drugs that severely limit cholesterol biosynthesis probably also limit synthesis of adrenal and sex hormones and hence limit reproduction. Moderate depressions in lipogenesis achieved without feeding of large amounts of dietary fat may offer a means for moderating cholesterol deposition in eggs. On the other hand, it also seems clear that genetic selection could be used to moderate egg cholesterol concentration. In any event, a great deal more evidence from well constructed human diet studies will be needed before low cholesterol diets can be recommended to the general population as an aid to control of cholesterol balance and heart disease.", "contents": "The cholesterol problem, the egg and lipid metabolism in the laying hen. There is little doubt that high blood serum lipid levels are related to a higher incidence of atherosclerotic disease in humans. Experimental evidence to date suggests that dietary intervention can reduce blood lipid levels in most cases and that some small reduction in occurrence of cardiovascular disease will probably result. On the other hand no reduction in total mortality has been demonstrated in the well constructed dietary studies. It appears that there is considerable variation in the human population with regard to their patterns of lipid metabolism. Some apparently regulate body production of cholesterol in response to dietary changes, others do not. Some seem to excrete excess sterols efficiently, while some do not. It seems likely, therefore, that dietary manipulation would be useful for those disposed by heredity and other conditions to accumulation of excessive sterols in the body. On the other hand drug control of cholesterol biosynthesis and/or sterol excretion may be more effective solutions to the problem of sterol accumulation. Irrespective of whether diet or drugs prove to be the best answer to control of sterol balance, these should be applied only to that segment of the population known to require such treatment. The egg is an important dietary source of cholesterol and as a result is used sparingly in low cholesterol diets. On the other hand normal egg consumption of two eggs per day does not appear to overload cholesterol balance in the healthy human adult since depression in cholesterol biosynthesis and increased sterol excretion will result. Investigation of the lipid metabolism of the laying hen has shown that most of the cholesterol found in the egg is synthesized in the liver where it is under both dietary and drug control. Most of the cholesterol deposited in egg yolk may be essential for embryonic development. Drugs that severely limit cholesterol biosynthesis probably also limit synthesis of adrenal and sex hormones and hence limit reproduction. Moderate depressions in lipogenesis achieved without feeding of large amounts of dietary fat may offer a means for moderating cholesterol deposition in eggs. On the other hand, it also seems clear that genetic selection could be used to moderate egg cholesterol concentration. In any event, a great deal more evidence from well constructed human diet studies will be needed before low cholesterol diets can be recommended to the general population as an aid to control of cholesterol balance and heart disease.", "PMID": 778820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5106", "title": "Effects of feeding ethyl mercury chloride to chickens.", "content": "Four groups, 0, 5, 10 and 20%, of Single Comb White Leghorn chickens (30 males plus 30 females each) were fed a diet which contained either 0, 5, 10 or 20% ethyl mercury chloride dressed wheat for a period of 88 days. The wheat was dressed with the organic mercury compound at the rate of 500 gm. ethyl mercury chloride per metric ton of wheat. Therfore, the diets contained respectively 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg. organic mercury compound/kg. With average daily feed consumption of 101, 102, 101 and 98 gm. by the individual birds of the respective groups, the birds did not show any symptoms of disease during the course of the study. Egg production, egg quality and mortality of the treatment groups were comparable with those of the control group. The amount of residual mercury in egg white and yolk was determined at intervals. The residual mercury of egg white of the treatment groups was about three times as much as that of egg yolk, and made its significant appearance in the 20% group on the third day of the trial. The concentration was increasing with time in both white and yolk and was parallel to the concentration of the organic mercury in the diet. The liver followed by the kidney of both sexes accumulated the highest amounts of mercury. Tissues of female birds accumulated less mercury than tissues of male birds did probably due to the passage of some of the ingested mercury with the egg white and yolk. The results were discussed on the basis that the kind of mercury compound, daily intake and duration of treatment play major roles in the determination of induced effects.", "contents": "Effects of feeding ethyl mercury chloride to chickens. Four groups, 0, 5, 10 and 20%, of Single Comb White Leghorn chickens (30 males plus 30 females each) were fed a diet which contained either 0, 5, 10 or 20% ethyl mercury chloride dressed wheat for a period of 88 days. The wheat was dressed with the organic mercury compound at the rate of 500 gm. ethyl mercury chloride per metric ton of wheat. Therfore, the diets contained respectively 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg. organic mercury compound/kg. With average daily feed consumption of 101, 102, 101 and 98 gm. by the individual birds of the respective groups, the birds did not show any symptoms of disease during the course of the study. Egg production, egg quality and mortality of the treatment groups were comparable with those of the control group. The amount of residual mercury in egg white and yolk was determined at intervals. The residual mercury of egg white of the treatment groups was about three times as much as that of egg yolk, and made its significant appearance in the 20% group on the third day of the trial. The concentration was increasing with time in both white and yolk and was parallel to the concentration of the organic mercury in the diet. The liver followed by the kidney of both sexes accumulated the highest amounts of mercury. Tissues of female birds accumulated less mercury than tissues of male birds did probably due to the passage of some of the ingested mercury with the egg white and yolk. The results were discussed on the basis that the kind of mercury compound, daily intake and duration of treatment play major roles in the determination of induced effects.", "PMID": 778821} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5107", "title": "Polymorphonuclear leucocyte function in chronic renal failure and after renal transplantation.", "content": "Neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis and bactericidal ability were assessed in patients with chronic renal failure on conservative therapy, in others on regular peritoneal and haemodialysis, and in a group of patients who had received renal allografts. Chemotaxis was abnormal in all groups. The groups on peritoneal and haemodialysis had mildly impaired phagocytosis, while killing ability was normal in all but the group on conservative therapy who showed a mild defect. Serum from groups when activated with endotoxin was poorly chemotactic to normal neutrophils, but functioned normally as opsonins for phagocytosis.", "contents": "Polymorphonuclear leucocyte function in chronic renal failure and after renal transplantation. Neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis and bactericidal ability were assessed in patients with chronic renal failure on conservative therapy, in others on regular peritoneal and haemodialysis, and in a group of patients who had received renal allografts. Chemotaxis was abnormal in all groups. The groups on peritoneal and haemodialysis had mildly impaired phagocytosis, while killing ability was normal in all but the group on conservative therapy who showed a mild defect. Serum from groups when activated with endotoxin was poorly chemotactic to normal neutrophils, but functioned normally as opsonins for phagocytosis.", "PMID": 778831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5108", "title": "Transplant monitoring: patterns of the immune response.", "content": "Immune responses, specific to the stored donor tissue, were measured in 26 recipients over 4,000 days. CML positive crossmatches were associated with accelerated rejections (three cases). LDA positive crossmatches resulted in primary non-functioning kidneys (three cases). Post-transplantation. CML (16 hour inculation) was associated with rejection (p equals 0.001), highly predictive of rejection (p equals 0.001), and when positive after rejection treatment, was associated with a failure to respond (p equals 0.005 - 0.01). 51Cr-CDA was also associated with rejection (p equals 0.002). Recovery of these immunologic participants from the explanted kidney substantiated that they were important effector mechanisms in vivo.", "contents": "Transplant monitoring: patterns of the immune response. Immune responses, specific to the stored donor tissue, were measured in 26 recipients over 4,000 days. CML positive crossmatches were associated with accelerated rejections (three cases). LDA positive crossmatches resulted in primary non-functioning kidneys (three cases). Post-transplantation. CML (16 hour inculation) was associated with rejection (p equals 0.001), highly predictive of rejection (p equals 0.001), and when positive after rejection treatment, was associated with a failure to respond (p equals 0.005 - 0.01). 51Cr-CDA was also associated with rejection (p equals 0.002). Recovery of these immunologic participants from the explanted kidney substantiated that they were important effector mechanisms in vivo.", "PMID": 778832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5109", "title": "Induction of secific immunological tolerance to histocompatible renal and skin allografts after donor strain spleen implantation.", "content": "Spleens from Lewis X BN F1 hybrid rats were directly anastamosed to the circulation of parental strain Lewis rats by a microvascular technique; no immunosuppressive drugs were given. Donor spleens enlarged massively during the first month after implantation, then grew gradually smaller over succeeding months without compromising their blood supply. Renal allografts were placed into bilaterally nephrectomised recipients that had already borne a splenic allograft for three months. The grafts functioned perfectly and showed no signs of rejection five months later. Donor LBN skin allografts transplanted to these animals showed markedly prolonged survival while third-party BUF rat skin allografts were rejected in first-set fashion. High titres of anti-LBN haemagglutinating antibody could be detected in the circulation of spleen-grafted animals during the first month; the titres fell to zero by the fourth month. Cellular reactivity of recipient cells against LBN antigens measured by the popliteal node GVH assay fell to minimal levels by the third month. These data indicate that the immune response to allografted tissues may be specifically and markedly suppressed in adult animals by continued presence of a donor-strain spleen.", "contents": "Induction of secific immunological tolerance to histocompatible renal and skin allografts after donor strain spleen implantation. Spleens from Lewis X BN F1 hybrid rats were directly anastamosed to the circulation of parental strain Lewis rats by a microvascular technique; no immunosuppressive drugs were given. Donor spleens enlarged massively during the first month after implantation, then grew gradually smaller over succeeding months without compromising their blood supply. Renal allografts were placed into bilaterally nephrectomised recipients that had already borne a splenic allograft for three months. The grafts functioned perfectly and showed no signs of rejection five months later. Donor LBN skin allografts transplanted to these animals showed markedly prolonged survival while third-party BUF rat skin allografts were rejected in first-set fashion. High titres of anti-LBN haemagglutinating antibody could be detected in the circulation of spleen-grafted animals during the first month; the titres fell to zero by the fourth month. Cellular reactivity of recipient cells against LBN antigens measured by the popliteal node GVH assay fell to minimal levels by the third month. These data indicate that the immune response to allografted tissues may be specifically and markedly suppressed in adult animals by continued presence of a donor-strain spleen.", "PMID": 778833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5110", "title": "Corticosteroids and proliferation of smooth muscle cells in arteries of renal transplants.", "content": "In the arteries of 17 rejected renal grafts 'activated' smooth muscle cells (ASMC) were discerned from a 'resting' type. Proliferation and fibre production by ASMC resulted in a marked thickening of intima. Each of four normal Wistar rats received 20 mg prednisolone i.v./day for one week and the development of hypertension was therapeutically prevented. Changes similar to those in the graft arteries were found in the rat aortas. We assume that SMC were stimulated by several mechanisms in rejection but also by extremely high dosed corticoids.", "contents": "Corticosteroids and proliferation of smooth muscle cells in arteries of renal transplants. In the arteries of 17 rejected renal grafts 'activated' smooth muscle cells (ASMC) were discerned from a 'resting' type. Proliferation and fibre production by ASMC resulted in a marked thickening of intima. Each of four normal Wistar rats received 20 mg prednisolone i.v./day for one week and the development of hypertension was therapeutically prevented. Changes similar to those in the graft arteries were found in the rat aortas. We assume that SMC were stimulated by several mechanisms in rejection but also by extremely high dosed corticoids.", "PMID": 778834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5111", "title": "Cyclophosphamide (CP) substituting azathioprine after renal transplantation.", "content": "Eighteen patients received CP substituting AZ after renal transplantation following evidence of hepatitis. We have compared graft evolution before and after treatment with CP. Twelve patients showed no modification in graft evolution. In four patients the renal function decreased but it did not seem attributable to the change of the drug. Two patients showed intolerance attributable to the change of the drug. In one patient who received CP instead of AZ since the data of the transplant onwards, with no evidence of hepatic lesion, renal function decreased but this did not seem attributable to the use of the drug. The dose of CP in renal transplantation is discussed. We conclude that CP is a good substitute for AZ in renal transplanted patients. Adequate doses seemed to range between 0.7 and 1 mg/kg/day.", "contents": "Cyclophosphamide (CP) substituting azathioprine after renal transplantation. Eighteen patients received CP substituting AZ after renal transplantation following evidence of hepatitis. We have compared graft evolution before and after treatment with CP. Twelve patients showed no modification in graft evolution. In four patients the renal function decreased but it did not seem attributable to the change of the drug. Two patients showed intolerance attributable to the change of the drug. In one patient who received CP instead of AZ since the data of the transplant onwards, with no evidence of hepatic lesion, renal function decreased but this did not seem attributable to the use of the drug. The dose of CP in renal transplantation is discussed. We conclude that CP is a good substitute for AZ in renal transplanted patients. Adequate doses seemed to range between 0.7 and 1 mg/kg/day.", "PMID": 778835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5112", "title": "Quantitative assessment of renal transplant function on renogram performed with computer assisted gammacamera.", "content": "A standardisation of renography performed with gammacamera and computer on-line is described. A semi-quantitative measurement of the first and the second phase of the renogram is obtained; our so-called accumulation ratio (AR). The AR is a valuable expression of renal function, which does not depend on diuresis. The changes of AR, in oliguric status, are also discussed. The information from sequential images obtained during renography is presented. With this method functional changes of the graft as well as pathology of the urinary tract can be detected.", "contents": "Quantitative assessment of renal transplant function on renogram performed with computer assisted gammacamera. A standardisation of renography performed with gammacamera and computer on-line is described. A semi-quantitative measurement of the first and the second phase of the renogram is obtained; our so-called accumulation ratio (AR). The AR is a valuable expression of renal function, which does not depend on diuresis. The changes of AR, in oliguric status, are also discussed. The information from sequential images obtained during renography is presented. With this method functional changes of the graft as well as pathology of the urinary tract can be detected.", "PMID": 778836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5113", "title": "Lymphocoeles in renal homograft recipients.", "content": "Seven lymphocoeles have complicated 158 cadaver and 18 related live donor transplants performed over six years. The purpose of this study is to review the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic problems encountered with lymphocoeles at this centre. Presentation was insidious, delayed (50 days post-op), and manifested by one or more of the following: palpable rectal or supra-pubic mass; unilateral leg oedema; recurrent urine infections with radiographic evidence of obstruction; filling defect in bladder on routine IVP. Possible pathogenetic factors: transplants performed on side of functioning Scribner shunts (6/7 cases); severe rejection episodes with graft lymphatic leak (1/7 cases). Differentiation from urinomas, haematomas, perinephric abscesses or other causes of obstructive uropathy were facilitated by: needle aspiration; IVP and cystogram, serial ultrasound sonography. Lymphangiography was not used. Treatment was conservative in three, repeated aspirations were performed in two and formal drainage procedures were required in three patients. Repeated cyst aspirations resulted in serious infections in both patients. Marsupialisation into the peritoneal cavity failed in one. 1) The graft should be anastomosed on side opposite a functioning shunt. 2) Lymphocoeles have an occult presentation and should be actively sought for as they may produce urinary obstruction. 3) Serial ultrasound is an excellent method of diagnosis and follow-up. 4) Unless urinary obstruction is present management should be conservative as spontaneous resolution may occur. 5) Ideal surgical management is problematical. Repeated needle aspirations should be approached with caution. Lymphocoeles are an uncommon but well documented complication of renal transplantation (Schweizer et al, 1972; Koehler et al, 1972; Christiansen et al, 1974; Rashid et al, 1974). They represent definite hazards and can either directly or indirectly contribute to morbidity or even mortality in the post-transplant patient. They must be differentiated from other pelvic masses such as urinomas, haematomas and perinephric abscesses as they all require different modes of treatment. As a rule, the diagnosis of one from another is straightforward, but as certain clinical features are shared, differentiation can on occasions be more difficult. In order to clarify some of these problems and outline a mode of therapy, a study was carried out in patients who have presented with lymphocoeles in our unit.", "contents": "Lymphocoeles in renal homograft recipients. Seven lymphocoeles have complicated 158 cadaver and 18 related live donor transplants performed over six years. The purpose of this study is to review the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic problems encountered with lymphocoeles at this centre. Presentation was insidious, delayed (50 days post-op), and manifested by one or more of the following: palpable rectal or supra-pubic mass; unilateral leg oedema; recurrent urine infections with radiographic evidence of obstruction; filling defect in bladder on routine IVP. Possible pathogenetic factors: transplants performed on side of functioning Scribner shunts (6/7 cases); severe rejection episodes with graft lymphatic leak (1/7 cases). Differentiation from urinomas, haematomas, perinephric abscesses or other causes of obstructive uropathy were facilitated by: needle aspiration; IVP and cystogram, serial ultrasound sonography. Lymphangiography was not used. Treatment was conservative in three, repeated aspirations were performed in two and formal drainage procedures were required in three patients. Repeated cyst aspirations resulted in serious infections in both patients. Marsupialisation into the peritoneal cavity failed in one. 1) The graft should be anastomosed on side opposite a functioning shunt. 2) Lymphocoeles have an occult presentation and should be actively sought for as they may produce urinary obstruction. 3) Serial ultrasound is an excellent method of diagnosis and follow-up. 4) Unless urinary obstruction is present management should be conservative as spontaneous resolution may occur. 5) Ideal surgical management is problematical. Repeated needle aspirations should be approached with caution. Lymphocoeles are an uncommon but well documented complication of renal transplantation (Schweizer et al, 1972; Koehler et al, 1972; Christiansen et al, 1974; Rashid et al, 1974). They represent definite hazards and can either directly or indirectly contribute to morbidity or even mortality in the post-transplant patient. They must be differentiated from other pelvic masses such as urinomas, haematomas and perinephric abscesses as they all require different modes of treatment. As a rule, the diagnosis of one from another is straightforward, but as certain clinical features are shared, differentiation can on occasions be more difficult. In order to clarify some of these problems and outline a mode of therapy, a study was carried out in patients who have presented with lymphocoeles in our unit.", "PMID": 778837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5114", "title": "Hypertension after renal transplantation.", "content": "The incidence of hypertension defined as a mean diastolic pressure above 90 mmHg has been evaluated in 85 transplanted patients with a follow-up ranging from 3 to 78 months. The proportion of hypertensive patients rises during the first three months and stabilises subsequently around 60 percent. Over the years hypertension fluctuates so that one-third of the initially hypertensive patients become normotensive, whereas one-third of the initially normotensive patients become hypertensive. The main single aetiological factor is renal failure. No clear relationship was found between prednisolone dosage and hypertension. Renal artery stenosis was found in 2.4 percent of the cases. Finally no single aetiological factor was found in one third of the hypertensive patients. It is speculated that in some of them, minute intrarenal vascular lesions are responsible for the hypertension and lead ultimately to decreased renal function.", "contents": "Hypertension after renal transplantation. The incidence of hypertension defined as a mean diastolic pressure above 90 mmHg has been evaluated in 85 transplanted patients with a follow-up ranging from 3 to 78 months. The proportion of hypertensive patients rises during the first three months and stabilises subsequently around 60 percent. Over the years hypertension fluctuates so that one-third of the initially hypertensive patients become normotensive, whereas one-third of the initially normotensive patients become hypertensive. The main single aetiological factor is renal failure. No clear relationship was found between prednisolone dosage and hypertension. Renal artery stenosis was found in 2.4 percent of the cases. Finally no single aetiological factor was found in one third of the hypertensive patients. It is speculated that in some of them, minute intrarenal vascular lesions are responsible for the hypertension and lead ultimately to decreased renal function.", "PMID": 778838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5115", "title": "Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone (PA) in hypertensive kidney allograft recipients.", "content": "Basal and stimulated plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone (PA) were measured in 13 hypertensive and 16 normotensive patients with kidney allografts one to nine years after transplantation. In both groups no significant differences were observed between mean basal and stimulated PRA and PA values. Therefore, we conclude that abnormal renin secretion might not be the main factor causing hypertension in renal allograft recipients. Other mechanisms seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension in these patients.", "contents": "Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone (PA) in hypertensive kidney allograft recipients. Basal and stimulated plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone (PA) were measured in 13 hypertensive and 16 normotensive patients with kidney allografts one to nine years after transplantation. In both groups no significant differences were observed between mean basal and stimulated PRA and PA values. Therefore, we conclude that abnormal renin secretion might not be the main factor causing hypertension in renal allograft recipients. Other mechanisms seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension in these patients.", "PMID": 778839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5116", "title": "Kidney preservation by continuous hypothermic albumin perfusion without membrane oxygenation.", "content": "Continuous hypothermic albumin perfusion in the new Gambro device utilising surface oxygenation of the perfusate was studied in 20 consecutive human kidneys at the Transplantation Clinic in Gothenburg. The results were compared with previous results of kidney storage using simple hypothermia and continuous perfusion with membrane oxygenation. The mean preservation time was increased from eight and 24 hours in the previous material to 30 hours in the studied group. Immediate onset of function occurred more frequently after surface oxygenation and all kidneys perfused for the longest period of 30 to 48 hours, had immediate onset of function. No increased LDH release was observed after prolonged perfusion. Delayed onset of function could in most cases be attributed to prolonged warm ischaemia time in which cases also increased LDH release was observed. Continuous albumin perfusion using surface oxygenation was found to be equally efficient in clinical practice as the previously used system with membrane oxygenation.", "contents": "Kidney preservation by continuous hypothermic albumin perfusion without membrane oxygenation. Continuous hypothermic albumin perfusion in the new Gambro device utilising surface oxygenation of the perfusate was studied in 20 consecutive human kidneys at the Transplantation Clinic in Gothenburg. The results were compared with previous results of kidney storage using simple hypothermia and continuous perfusion with membrane oxygenation. The mean preservation time was increased from eight and 24 hours in the previous material to 30 hours in the studied group. Immediate onset of function occurred more frequently after surface oxygenation and all kidneys perfused for the longest period of 30 to 48 hours, had immediate onset of function. No increased LDH release was observed after prolonged perfusion. Delayed onset of function could in most cases be attributed to prolonged warm ischaemia time in which cases also increased LDH release was observed. Continuous albumin perfusion using surface oxygenation was found to be equally efficient in clinical practice as the previously used system with membrane oxygenation.", "PMID": 778841} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5117", "title": "Effect of organ preservation in cadaver kidney transplantation.", "content": "Hypothermic pulsatile perfusion did not adversely affect long-term renal allotransplant function and did not result in an increased rate of rejection. Thus, we can conclude that perfusion had little effect on the immunogenicity of renal allografts. The incidence of acute tubular necrosis was directly related to the length of warm ischaemia and perfusion time. However, long-term renal function was not influenced by acute tubular necrosis. Perfusion is a safe and reliable way of preserving cadaver donor kidneys until transplantation.", "contents": "Effect of organ preservation in cadaver kidney transplantation. Hypothermic pulsatile perfusion did not adversely affect long-term renal allotransplant function and did not result in an increased rate of rejection. Thus, we can conclude that perfusion had little effect on the immunogenicity of renal allografts. The incidence of acute tubular necrosis was directly related to the length of warm ischaemia and perfusion time. However, long-term renal function was not influenced by acute tubular necrosis. Perfusion is a safe and reliable way of preserving cadaver donor kidneys until transplantation.", "PMID": 778842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5118", "title": "Alteration of polynucleotide secondary structure by ribosomal protein S1.", "content": "Ribosomal 30S protein S1 causes disruption of the secondary structure of certain pyrimidine-containing polynucleotides. Helical poly(U), poly(C, U), and neutral and acidic poly(C) are stoichiometrically converted by S1 to structures indistinguishable from their partially or completely thermally denatured forms, as revealed by circular dichroism. Of the several double- and triple-stranded helical polynucleotides tested that contain one polypurine strand and at least one polypyrimidine strand, only the conformation of the DNA.RNA hybrid, poly(A)-poly(dT), is perturbed. In the presence of S1, this hybrid undergoes a transition to a new structure that has a circular dichroism spectrum unlike either the native or thermally denatured forms. Intercalated ethidium bromide is released from poly(A)-poly(dT) by S1, confirming the occurrence of a conformational rearrangement. The translation inhibitor, autintricarboxylic acid, completely inhibits the action of S1 on polypyrimidines, but has no effect on the conformational perturbation of poly(A(-poly(dT). The possible relation between these observations and the biological function of protein S1 is discussed.", "contents": "Alteration of polynucleotide secondary structure by ribosomal protein S1. Ribosomal 30S protein S1 causes disruption of the secondary structure of certain pyrimidine-containing polynucleotides. Helical poly(U), poly(C, U), and neutral and acidic poly(C) are stoichiometrically converted by S1 to structures indistinguishable from their partially or completely thermally denatured forms, as revealed by circular dichroism. Of the several double- and triple-stranded helical polynucleotides tested that contain one polypurine strand and at least one polypyrimidine strand, only the conformation of the DNA.RNA hybrid, poly(A)-poly(dT), is perturbed. In the presence of S1, this hybrid undergoes a transition to a new structure that has a circular dichroism spectrum unlike either the native or thermally denatured forms. Intercalated ethidium bromide is released from poly(A)-poly(dT) by S1, confirming the occurrence of a conformational rearrangement. The translation inhibitor, autintricarboxylic acid, completely inhibits the action of S1 on polypyrimidines, but has no effect on the conformational perturbation of poly(A(-poly(dT). The possible relation between these observations and the biological function of protein S1 is discussed.", "PMID": 778845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5119", "title": "Ribosomal proteins of Escherichia coli that stimulate stringent-factor-mediated pyrophosphoryl transfer in vitro.", "content": "Guanosine tetra- and pentaphosphate, (p)ppGpp, can be synthesized in vitro in a reaction containing only the enzyme (stringent factor), salts, and substrates (nonribosomal system). This reaction is greatly stimulated upon addition of methanol (methanol system) or by ribosomes, mRNA, and tRNA (ribosome system). Here we show that several ribosomal proteins alone stimulate the synthesis of (p)ppGpp in the presence of stringent factor (protein system). The optimal ionic conditions for the ribosome and protein systems are identical. The concentration of ribosomes or any stimulating ribosomal protein required for saturation of a given concentration of stringent factor is similar. Fifty of 54 ribosomal proteins were tested for stimulation in the protein system; 15 proteins showed high activity, seven of these from the 30S ribosomal subunit and eight from the 50S subunit. The physiological relevance of this finding is discussed.", "contents": "Ribosomal proteins of Escherichia coli that stimulate stringent-factor-mediated pyrophosphoryl transfer in vitro. Guanosine tetra- and pentaphosphate, (p)ppGpp, can be synthesized in vitro in a reaction containing only the enzyme (stringent factor), salts, and substrates (nonribosomal system). This reaction is greatly stimulated upon addition of methanol (methanol system) or by ribosomes, mRNA, and tRNA (ribosome system). Here we show that several ribosomal proteins alone stimulate the synthesis of (p)ppGpp in the presence of stringent factor (protein system). The optimal ionic conditions for the ribosome and protein systems are identical. The concentration of ribosomes or any stimulating ribosomal protein required for saturation of a given concentration of stringent factor is similar. Fifty of 54 ribosomal proteins were tested for stimulation in the protein system; 15 proteins showed high activity, seven of these from the 30S ribosomal subunit and eight from the 50S subunit. The physiological relevance of this finding is discussed.", "PMID": 778846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5120", "title": "Synthesis of yeast histones in the cell cycle.", "content": "The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, contains four types of histones resembling histones H3, H2b, H2a, and H4 of animal cells. These proteins are synthesized primarily, if not exclusively, in the S-phase of the cell cycle. This result is discussed with reference to the insensitivity of ongoing DNA replication in yeast to inhibitors of protein synthesis.", "contents": "Synthesis of yeast histones in the cell cycle. The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, contains four types of histones resembling histones H3, H2b, H2a, and H4 of animal cells. These proteins are synthesized primarily, if not exclusively, in the S-phase of the cell cycle. This result is discussed with reference to the insensitivity of ongoing DNA replication in yeast to inhibitors of protein synthesis.", "PMID": 778847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5121", "title": "Protein-protein interaction in transport: periplasmic histidine-binding protein J interacts with P protein.", "content": "A component of the high-affinity histidine transport system in Salmonella typhimurium, the periplasmic histidine-binding protein J, interacts with another transport component, the P protein. A mutant J protein, with a defective interaction site but intact histidine-binding site, can function in histidine transport if an appropriate compensating mutation is introduced in the P protein. The interaction between the J and P proteins is an obligatory step in transport. The significance of this interaction and of the involvement of the P protein in multiple transport functions is discussed.", "contents": "Protein-protein interaction in transport: periplasmic histidine-binding protein J interacts with P protein. A component of the high-affinity histidine transport system in Salmonella typhimurium, the periplasmic histidine-binding protein J, interacts with another transport component, the P protein. A mutant J protein, with a defective interaction site but intact histidine-binding site, can function in histidine transport if an appropriate compensating mutation is introduced in the P protein. The interaction between the J and P proteins is an obligatory step in transport. The significance of this interaction and of the involvement of the P protein in multiple transport functions is discussed.", "PMID": 778848} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5122", "title": "Morphogenesis of the bacterial division septum: a new class of septation-defective mutants.", "content": "A new class of mutants of Salmonella typhimurium (lkyD mutants) are described. The mutants are defective in morphogenesis of the division septum, and are characterized by a failure of the outer membrane to invaginate despite normal ingrowth of the cytoplasmic membrane and murein layers of the growing septum. The cell envelopes of the mutants show a significant decrease in the bound form of murein-lipoprotein and a corresponding increase in the free form of the lipoprotein. This suggests that the morphogenic defect may result from a defect in formation of covalent bonds between the free lipoprotein of the outer membrane and the murein of the nascent septum.", "contents": "Morphogenesis of the bacterial division septum: a new class of septation-defective mutants. A new class of mutants of Salmonella typhimurium (lkyD mutants) are described. The mutants are defective in morphogenesis of the division septum, and are characterized by a failure of the outer membrane to invaginate despite normal ingrowth of the cytoplasmic membrane and murein layers of the growing septum. The cell envelopes of the mutants show a significant decrease in the bound form of murein-lipoprotein and a corresponding increase in the free form of the lipoprotein. This suggests that the morphogenic defect may result from a defect in formation of covalent bonds between the free lipoprotein of the outer membrane and the murein of the nascent septum.", "PMID": 778849} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5123", "title": "DNA synthesis in vitro dependent upon phiX174 replicative form I DNA.", "content": "Extracts of Escherichia coli strains infected with bacteriophage phiX174 catalyze DNA synthesis dependent on double-stranded, circular phiX174 replicative form I (phiX RFI) by a semiconservative process. The reaction required Mg++, ATP, all four dNTP, and exogenous phiX RFI DNA as template and yielded phiX RFI and phiX RFII. The reaction was inhibited by nalidixic acid and novobiocin but not by rifampicin. DNA synthesis required the phiX174 gene A product and E. coli gene products dnaB, dnaC(D), dnaG, and rep.", "contents": "DNA synthesis in vitro dependent upon phiX174 replicative form I DNA. Extracts of Escherichia coli strains infected with bacteriophage phiX174 catalyze DNA synthesis dependent on double-stranded, circular phiX174 replicative form I (phiX RFI) by a semiconservative process. The reaction required Mg++, ATP, all four dNTP, and exogenous phiX RFI DNA as template and yielded phiX RFI and phiX RFII. The reaction was inhibited by nalidixic acid and novobiocin but not by rifampicin. DNA synthesis required the phiX174 gene A product and E. coli gene products dnaB, dnaC(D), dnaG, and rep.", "PMID": 778850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5124", "title": "Ribonuclease P substrate specificity: cleavage of a bacteriophage phi80-induced RNA.", "content": "RNase P can cleave in vitro a bacteriophage phi80-induced RNA which is 62 nucleotides long [M3 RNA, G. Pieczenik et al. (1972) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 152, 152-165] to yield two specific fragments 25 and 37 nucleotides long. As is the case for another substrate of RNase P; the precursor to Escherichia coli 4.5S RNA, the cleavage site in M3 RNA is at the end of a long double-stranded region immediately adjacent to a single-stranded segment. Similar nucleotide sequences span the cleavage site in both substrates. These and other features of the reaction of RNase P with M3 and 4.5S precursor RNA are different from some aspects of the reaction of this enzyme with tRNA precursor molecules. A qualitative scheme is presented that is directed towards the understanding of the differences in RNase P cleavage site specificity for these substrates.", "contents": "Ribonuclease P substrate specificity: cleavage of a bacteriophage phi80-induced RNA. RNase P can cleave in vitro a bacteriophage phi80-induced RNA which is 62 nucleotides long [M3 RNA, G. Pieczenik et al. (1972) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 152, 152-165] to yield two specific fragments 25 and 37 nucleotides long. As is the case for another substrate of RNase P; the precursor to Escherichia coli 4.5S RNA, the cleavage site in M3 RNA is at the end of a long double-stranded region immediately adjacent to a single-stranded segment. Similar nucleotide sequences span the cleavage site in both substrates. These and other features of the reaction of RNase P with M3 and 4.5S precursor RNA are different from some aspects of the reaction of this enzyme with tRNA precursor molecules. A qualitative scheme is presented that is directed towards the understanding of the differences in RNase P cleavage site specificity for these substrates.", "PMID": 778851} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5125", "title": "Cell-free synthesis of rat preproinsulins: characterization and partial amino acid sequence determination.", "content": "Whole nucleic acid fractions of isolated rat islets of Langerhans greatly stimulate incorporation of radioactive amino acids into protein in a wheat germ ribosomal system. Approximately 30% of the synthetic product is precipitated with antisera to insulin or proinsulin. Characterization of this material by gel chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates a molecular mass of 11,500 daltons. Trypsin digestion releases intact A chain as well as tryptic fragments of the C-peptides and B chains of the two rat proinsulins. Automated sequence determination of labeled cell-free product purified by immunoprecipitation discloses the presence of 23 additional amino acids NH2-terminal to the B chain sequence of proinsulin. The partial amino acid sequence of this extension is as follows: NH2-X-Leu (Lys) Met-x-Phe-Leu-Phe-Leu-Leu (Lys) Leu-Leu-x-leu-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-proinsulin. On the basis of the above evidence we have designated this peptide preproinsulin.", "contents": "Cell-free synthesis of rat preproinsulins: characterization and partial amino acid sequence determination. Whole nucleic acid fractions of isolated rat islets of Langerhans greatly stimulate incorporation of radioactive amino acids into protein in a wheat germ ribosomal system. Approximately 30% of the synthetic product is precipitated with antisera to insulin or proinsulin. Characterization of this material by gel chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates a molecular mass of 11,500 daltons. Trypsin digestion releases intact A chain as well as tryptic fragments of the C-peptides and B chains of the two rat proinsulins. Automated sequence determination of labeled cell-free product purified by immunoprecipitation discloses the presence of 23 additional amino acids NH2-terminal to the B chain sequence of proinsulin. The partial amino acid sequence of this extension is as follows: NH2-X-Leu (Lys) Met-x-Phe-Leu-Phe-Leu-Leu (Lys) Leu-Leu-x-leu-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-proinsulin. On the basis of the above evidence we have designated this peptide preproinsulin.", "PMID": 778852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5126", "title": "A chromosomal gene required for killer plasmid expression, mating, and spore maturation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "\"Killer\" strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are those that harbor a double-stranded RNA plasmid and secrete a toxin that kills only strains not carrying this plasmid (sensitives). Two chromosomal genes (kex1 and kex2) are required for the secretion of toxin by plasmid-carrying strains. The kex2 gene, which maps at a site distinct from the mating-type locus, is also required for normal mating by alpha strains and meiotic sporulation in all strains. Strains that are alpha mating-type and kex2 fail to secrete the pheromone alpha-factor or to respond to the alpha-factor II pheromone which causes a morphological change, but they do respond to alpha-factor I which causes G1 arrest in alpha cells. Strains that are alpha mating-type and kex2 show no defect in mating; pheromone secretion, or response to alpha-factor. Diploids that are homozygous for the kex2 mutation, unlike wildtype or heterozygous diploids, fail to undergo sporulation, with the defect occurring in the final spore maturation stage. These same defects in the sexual cycle are present in all kex2 mutants independent of the presence of the \"killer\" plasmid.", "contents": "A chromosomal gene required for killer plasmid expression, mating, and spore maturation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. \"Killer\" strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are those that harbor a double-stranded RNA plasmid and secrete a toxin that kills only strains not carrying this plasmid (sensitives). Two chromosomal genes (kex1 and kex2) are required for the secretion of toxin by plasmid-carrying strains. The kex2 gene, which maps at a site distinct from the mating-type locus, is also required for normal mating by alpha strains and meiotic sporulation in all strains. Strains that are alpha mating-type and kex2 fail to secrete the pheromone alpha-factor or to respond to the alpha-factor II pheromone which causes a morphological change, but they do respond to alpha-factor I which causes G1 arrest in alpha cells. Strains that are alpha mating-type and kex2 show no defect in mating; pheromone secretion, or response to alpha-factor. Diploids that are homozygous for the kex2 mutation, unlike wildtype or heterozygous diploids, fail to undergo sporulation, with the defect occurring in the final spore maturation stage. These same defects in the sexual cycle are present in all kex2 mutants independent of the presence of the \"killer\" plasmid.", "PMID": 778853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5127", "title": "Characterization of 2-mum DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by restriction fragment analysis and integration in an Escherichia coli plasmid.", "content": "Electrophoretic analysis of EcoRI and HindIII restriction fragments of 2-mum supercoiled DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicated that this class of DNA is heterogeneous and probably consists of two types of molecules. Integration of the 2-mum yeast DNA in E. coli plasmid pCR1 directly showed that existence of two types of molecules as each of these could be individually inserted into separate bacterial plasmids. The difference between the two types of 2-mum circles is due to an inversion of about 1.6 X 10(6) daltons. The inversion is flanked by a reversed duplicated sequence of 0.45 X 10(6) daltons. Possible implications of this structure are dicussed.", "contents": "Characterization of 2-mum DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by restriction fragment analysis and integration in an Escherichia coli plasmid. Electrophoretic analysis of EcoRI and HindIII restriction fragments of 2-mum supercoiled DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicated that this class of DNA is heterogeneous and probably consists of two types of molecules. Integration of the 2-mum yeast DNA in E. coli plasmid pCR1 directly showed that existence of two types of molecules as each of these could be individually inserted into separate bacterial plasmids. The difference between the two types of 2-mum circles is due to an inversion of about 1.6 X 10(6) daltons. The inversion is flanked by a reversed duplicated sequence of 0.45 X 10(6) daltons. Possible implications of this structure are dicussed.", "PMID": 778854} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5128", "title": "Biogenesis of mitochondria: molecular mapping of the mitochondrial genome of yeast.", "content": "We have developed a new procedure for the detailed molecular mapping of any allele of the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mitochondrial genome. The procedure employs a collection of different genetically characterized petite strains whose genomes have been physically defined by molecular hybridization. The map position of an allele is within the DNA segment common to all defined petites that can be shown by marker rescue to retain the locus. The same collection of petites can be used to locate the positions of mitochondrial rRNA and tRNA cistrons and DNA fragments produced by restriction endonucleases.", "contents": "Biogenesis of mitochondria: molecular mapping of the mitochondrial genome of yeast. We have developed a new procedure for the detailed molecular mapping of any allele of the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mitochondrial genome. The procedure employs a collection of different genetically characterized petite strains whose genomes have been physically defined by molecular hybridization. The map position of an allele is within the DNA segment common to all defined petites that can be shown by marker rescue to retain the locus. The same collection of petites can be used to locate the positions of mitochondrial rRNA and tRNA cistrons and DNA fragments produced by restriction endonucleases.", "PMID": 778855} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5129", "title": "Mouse spleen lymphocyte bactericidal and peroxidase activities: enhancement by whole body x-irradiation.", "content": "A 20,000 g pellet obtained from the homogenate of CD1 mouse spleen cells has measurable peroxidase and bactericidal activities. Whole body x-irradiation stimulates the in vitro peroxidative and bactericidal activities of the spleen cells. These cells do not phagocytize. However, addition of polystyrene latex particles to spleen cells from non- or x-irradiated mice, increases glucose oxidation. The extent of this stimulation (three- to fourfold) is less than that of PMN (six- to tenfold). Interaction between particles and lymphocyte surface may be the cause of this stimulation. The increased bactericidal activity due to x-ray is attributed mainly to an increase in the peroxidase activity of the lymphocytes. Surface (membrane) action rather than phagocytosis may be involved in the bactericidal process. The spleen lymphocyte peroxidase is distinct from myeloperoxidase in several respects.", "contents": "Mouse spleen lymphocyte bactericidal and peroxidase activities: enhancement by whole body x-irradiation. A 20,000 g pellet obtained from the homogenate of CD1 mouse spleen cells has measurable peroxidase and bactericidal activities. Whole body x-irradiation stimulates the in vitro peroxidative and bactericidal activities of the spleen cells. These cells do not phagocytize. However, addition of polystyrene latex particles to spleen cells from non- or x-irradiated mice, increases glucose oxidation. The extent of this stimulation (three- to fourfold) is less than that of PMN (six- to tenfold). Interaction between particles and lymphocyte surface may be the cause of this stimulation. The increased bactericidal activity due to x-ray is attributed mainly to an increase in the peroxidase activity of the lymphocytes. Surface (membrane) action rather than phagocytosis may be involved in the bactericidal process. The spleen lymphocyte peroxidase is distinct from myeloperoxidase in several respects.", "PMID": 778856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5130", "title": "Cannula system for local stimulation of the rat brain.", "content": "The cannula design permits microinjection and push-pull perfusion, plus the use of a pressure probe for intraventricular placements.", "contents": "Cannula system for local stimulation of the rat brain. The cannula design permits microinjection and push-pull perfusion, plus the use of a pressure probe for intraventricular placements.", "PMID": 778857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5131", "title": "Beam hardening in x-ray reconstructive tomography.", "content": "As a polychromatic X-ray beam passes through matter, low energy photons are preferentially absorbed, and the (logarithmic) attenuation is no longer a linear function of absorber thickness. This leads to various artifacts in reconstructive tomography. If a water bag is used, the nonlinear attenuation in bone causes a distortion of the bone values and a spill-over inside the skull, or 'pseudo-cortex' artifact. If no water bag is used, there is an additional effect due to the varying thickness of soft tissue which causes a depression of interior values, or 'cupping'. Both artifacts can be remedied by additional prefiltering of the beam and by applying a linearization correction to the detector outputs.", "contents": "Beam hardening in x-ray reconstructive tomography. As a polychromatic X-ray beam passes through matter, low energy photons are preferentially absorbed, and the (logarithmic) attenuation is no longer a linear function of absorber thickness. This leads to various artifacts in reconstructive tomography. If a water bag is used, the nonlinear attenuation in bone causes a distortion of the bone values and a spill-over inside the skull, or 'pseudo-cortex' artifact. If no water bag is used, there is an additional effect due to the varying thickness of soft tissue which causes a depression of interior values, or 'cupping'. Both artifacts can be remedied by additional prefiltering of the beam and by applying a linearization correction to the detector outputs.", "PMID": 778862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5132", "title": "Neurophysiology of locomotor automatism.", "content": "It had long been known that the decapitated cock can cross a yard. During the last century an automatic mechanism controlling stepping movements has also been found in other vertebrates. The system controlling locomotion has many features similar to these systems controlling other natural movements: respiration (28), micturition (98), scratching (154), mastication (33), etc. Today we know that there are spinal automatisms for each limb generating its stepping movements. Activity of these automatisms depends essentially on the afferent inflow from the moving limbs. There also is interaction of the limbs during locomotion that promotes their coordination. The existence of two descending systems with different functions in the control of locomotion (Fig. 1) also can be considered as an established fact. Activity of a number of neurons involved in the control of locomotion has been studied directly during locomotion in decorticate, thalamic, and mesencephalic cats. To explain the experimental data at hand, several hypotheses of organization of the spinal automatism of stepping have been forwarded: a chain-reflex hypothesis, a hypothesis of two reciprocal half-centers, and a ring hypothesis (Fig. 2). Although general features of the system controlling locomotion are more or less clear, many questions are not yet answered. It is unknown what relative contributions to motoneuronal activity are made by proprioceptive reflexes versus influences from the automatism of stepping. Furthermore the structure of the spinal stepping automatism is not known. It is not clear if the spinal stepping automatisms of the forelimbs are as potent as those of the hindlimbs. The descending system responsible for activation of the spinal automatism of stepping has not yet been identified in direct experiments. The inputs and outputs of the subthalamic and midbrain \"locomotor\" regions have not been found, and we know almost nothing about intrinsic interaction of neurons in these regions. The role of inhibitory thalamic influences is scarcely known. Finally, we have no data concerning the influence of either cortical (42, 186) or visual mechanisms in locomotor control.", "contents": "Neurophysiology of locomotor automatism. It had long been known that the decapitated cock can cross a yard. During the last century an automatic mechanism controlling stepping movements has also been found in other vertebrates. The system controlling locomotion has many features similar to these systems controlling other natural movements: respiration (28), micturition (98), scratching (154), mastication (33), etc. Today we know that there are spinal automatisms for each limb generating its stepping movements. Activity of these automatisms depends essentially on the afferent inflow from the moving limbs. There also is interaction of the limbs during locomotion that promotes their coordination. The existence of two descending systems with different functions in the control of locomotion (Fig. 1) also can be considered as an established fact. Activity of a number of neurons involved in the control of locomotion has been studied directly during locomotion in decorticate, thalamic, and mesencephalic cats. To explain the experimental data at hand, several hypotheses of organization of the spinal automatism of stepping have been forwarded: a chain-reflex hypothesis, a hypothesis of two reciprocal half-centers, and a ring hypothesis (Fig. 2). Although general features of the system controlling locomotion are more or less clear, many questions are not yet answered. It is unknown what relative contributions to motoneuronal activity are made by proprioceptive reflexes versus influences from the automatism of stepping. Furthermore the structure of the spinal stepping automatism is not known. It is not clear if the spinal stepping automatisms of the forelimbs are as potent as those of the hindlimbs. The descending system responsible for activation of the spinal automatism of stepping has not yet been identified in direct experiments. The inputs and outputs of the subthalamic and midbrain \"locomotor\" regions have not been found, and we know almost nothing about intrinsic interaction of neurons in these regions. The role of inhibitory thalamic influences is scarcely known. Finally, we have no data concerning the influence of either cortical (42, 186) or visual mechanisms in locomotor control.", "PMID": 778867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5133", "title": "Transport of molecules across renal glomerular capillaries.", "content": "Direct measurements of the pressures and flows governing the formation of glomerular ultrafiltrate have been made possible in recent years by virtue of 1) the discovery of rats and monkeys possessing glomerular capillaries on the renal cortical surface, accessible to micropuncture, and 2) technological advances that permit measurement of intracapillary hydraulic pressure and assessment of the change in colloid osmotic pressure along the glomerular capillary network. Based on these direct measurements, evidence has been obtained to indicate that glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure and hence the net driving force for ultrafiltration are lower than previously believed. By the efferent end of the glomerular capillary network, net filtration of fluid ceases, owing to a reduction in the net driving force to zero. Evidence in the rat indicates that the process of ultrafiltration is highly dependent on glomerular plasma flow rate. Studies in rats with surface glomeruli have also made possible an assessment of the factors that govern the transport of macromolecules across the highly specialized capillary network. In addition to molecular size, transcapillary movement of macromolecules is influenced by the glomerular filtration rate, since total transport reflects the combined contributions of convection as well as diffusion. Molecular charge has also been found to be an important determinant of the transport of macromolecules, very likely contributing to the marked restriction to the transcapillary movement of albumin. This electrostatic restriction to the transport of polyanions such as albumin, by some fixed, negatively charged component(s) of the glomerular capillary wall, is markedly reduced in primary glomerular injury. Evidence indicates that glomerular injury results in loss of these fixed negative charges from the capillary walls, providing an attractive explanation for the enhanced filtration of albumin, and hence the proteinuria, observed in a variety of glomerulopathic states.", "contents": "Transport of molecules across renal glomerular capillaries. Direct measurements of the pressures and flows governing the formation of glomerular ultrafiltrate have been made possible in recent years by virtue of 1) the discovery of rats and monkeys possessing glomerular capillaries on the renal cortical surface, accessible to micropuncture, and 2) technological advances that permit measurement of intracapillary hydraulic pressure and assessment of the change in colloid osmotic pressure along the glomerular capillary network. Based on these direct measurements, evidence has been obtained to indicate that glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure and hence the net driving force for ultrafiltration are lower than previously believed. By the efferent end of the glomerular capillary network, net filtration of fluid ceases, owing to a reduction in the net driving force to zero. Evidence in the rat indicates that the process of ultrafiltration is highly dependent on glomerular plasma flow rate. Studies in rats with surface glomeruli have also made possible an assessment of the factors that govern the transport of macromolecules across the highly specialized capillary network. In addition to molecular size, transcapillary movement of macromolecules is influenced by the glomerular filtration rate, since total transport reflects the combined contributions of convection as well as diffusion. Molecular charge has also been found to be an important determinant of the transport of macromolecules, very likely contributing to the marked restriction to the transcapillary movement of albumin. This electrostatic restriction to the transport of polyanions such as albumin, by some fixed, negatively charged component(s) of the glomerular capillary wall, is markedly reduced in primary glomerular injury. Evidence indicates that glomerular injury results in loss of these fixed negative charges from the capillary walls, providing an attractive explanation for the enhanced filtration of albumin, and hence the proteinuria, observed in a variety of glomerulopathic states.", "PMID": 778868} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5134", "title": "Spatial patterning of response to odors in the peripheral olfactory system.", "content": "The low odor specificities of the olfactory receptors suggest that odor recognition depends on the simultaneous activity in an ensemble of receptor neurons. This ensemble could conceivably code quality without reference to the point of origin of each input on the receptor sheet. However, the nose-to-bulb projection appears sufficiently precise to provide the bulb with a topographical map of the receptor sheet although it is poorly delineated in the anteroposterior plane. (It is also known that the morphological changes that follow prolonged exposure to odors are more differentiated in the coronal than in the anteroposterior plane.) Furthermore, it is clear from work at both epithelial and bulbar levels that a spatiotemporal pattern of excitation is generated by odor stimulation of the receptor sheet and that this pattern differs for different odors. This evidence, then, supports the view that there is a spatial component to odor quality coding. This spatial pattern has two elements. One is imposed and depends (at least in part) on differences in the retentivity of different odorants by the mucous sheet, which has powerful sorptive properties. It effectiveness seems particularly weak for odorants with relatively long retention times. The second component is inherent and depends on the tendency of receptors with similar peak odor specificities to aggregate in the same region (or regions) of the epithelium. Different odors or groups of odors maximally excite different regions, which may overlap. The imposed component could not, in itself, provide an adequate mechanism for odor recognition, partly because many compounds have comparable or even identical mean retention times (e.g., enantiomeric isomers). The inherent component, on the other hand, possesses this potential. However, either or both forms of patterning may cooperate with a third nonspatial mechanism (based on differential responsiveness of receptors to different odors) in coding odor quality.", "contents": "Spatial patterning of response to odors in the peripheral olfactory system. The low odor specificities of the olfactory receptors suggest that odor recognition depends on the simultaneous activity in an ensemble of receptor neurons. This ensemble could conceivably code quality without reference to the point of origin of each input on the receptor sheet. However, the nose-to-bulb projection appears sufficiently precise to provide the bulb with a topographical map of the receptor sheet although it is poorly delineated in the anteroposterior plane. (It is also known that the morphological changes that follow prolonged exposure to odors are more differentiated in the coronal than in the anteroposterior plane.) Furthermore, it is clear from work at both epithelial and bulbar levels that a spatiotemporal pattern of excitation is generated by odor stimulation of the receptor sheet and that this pattern differs for different odors. This evidence, then, supports the view that there is a spatial component to odor quality coding. This spatial pattern has two elements. One is imposed and depends (at least in part) on differences in the retentivity of different odorants by the mucous sheet, which has powerful sorptive properties. It effectiveness seems particularly weak for odorants with relatively long retention times. The second component is inherent and depends on the tendency of receptors with similar peak odor specificities to aggregate in the same region (or regions) of the epithelium. Different odors or groups of odors maximally excite different regions, which may overlap. The imposed component could not, in itself, provide an adequate mechanism for odor recognition, partly because many compounds have comparable or even identical mean retention times (e.g., enantiomeric isomers). The inherent component, on the other hand, possesses this potential. However, either or both forms of patterning may cooperate with a third nonspatial mechanism (based on differential responsiveness of receptors to different odors) in coding odor quality.", "PMID": 778869} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5135", "title": "Treatment or punishment? A nineteenth-century scandal.", "content": "In psychiatry the relationship between treatment and punishment is variable and ambiguous. It has always been possible to employ physical methods of treatment for punitive ends, against which the introduction of liberal policies is no complete safeguard. Indulging one's personal animosities towards a difficult or violent patient has always been condemned, but the motives of a psychiatrist may be particularly easily misconstrued. These inherent risks in a psychiatrist's situation are illustrated by a case from the 19th century.", "contents": "Treatment or punishment? A nineteenth-century scandal. In psychiatry the relationship between treatment and punishment is variable and ambiguous. It has always been possible to employ physical methods of treatment for punitive ends, against which the introduction of liberal policies is no complete safeguard. Indulging one's personal animosities towards a difficult or violent patient has always been condemned, but the motives of a psychiatrist may be particularly easily misconstrued. These inherent risks in a psychiatrist's situation are illustrated by a case from the 19th century.", "PMID": 778878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5136", "title": "A note on classifying phobia.", "content": "The increasing interest in the treatment of phobias underlines the need for clarifying their definition and classification. A brief historical note highlights some of the difficulties which have been, and still are, encountered.", "contents": "A note on classifying phobia. The increasing interest in the treatment of phobias underlines the need for clarifying their definition and classification. A brief historical note highlights some of the difficulties which have been, and still are, encountered.", "PMID": 778879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5137", "title": "Psychiatric symptoms during l-dopa therapy for Parkinson's disease and their relationship to physical disability.", "content": "Fifty patients attending a neurological outpatient clinic for Parkinson's disease were assessed by standardized methods for both physical and psychiatric symptoms. The patients then received treatment with L-dopa with carbidopa or anticholinergic drugs and/or amantadine. During the following six-month period the subjects were assessed at intervals, both physically and psychiatrically. Forty patients were followed up for the full six-month period. The severity of physical signs and affective symptoms was shown to be significantly related at several stages of the investigation. Initially, the patients showed a high psychiatric morbidity. During treatment, 22 patients developed a depressive disorder, 12 or which had a history of previous depressive episodes. By contrast, of the 11 patients who showed very few affective symptoms during follow-up, none had a history of depression. Of the 22 patients with a depressive disorder, only two were in the anticholinergic/amantadine group, compared with nine and 11 in the other groups. L-dopa was not an effective antidepressant agent. The probable relevance of the findings of the study to the management of patients with Parkinson's disease is outlined.", "contents": "Psychiatric symptoms during l-dopa therapy for Parkinson's disease and their relationship to physical disability. Fifty patients attending a neurological outpatient clinic for Parkinson's disease were assessed by standardized methods for both physical and psychiatric symptoms. The patients then received treatment with L-dopa with carbidopa or anticholinergic drugs and/or amantadine. During the following six-month period the subjects were assessed at intervals, both physically and psychiatrically. Forty patients were followed up for the full six-month period. The severity of physical signs and affective symptoms was shown to be significantly related at several stages of the investigation. Initially, the patients showed a high psychiatric morbidity. During treatment, 22 patients developed a depressive disorder, 12 or which had a history of previous depressive episodes. By contrast, of the 11 patients who showed very few affective symptoms during follow-up, none had a history of depression. Of the 22 patients with a depressive disorder, only two were in the anticholinergic/amantadine group, compared with nine and 11 in the other groups. L-dopa was not an effective antidepressant agent. The probable relevance of the findings of the study to the management of patients with Parkinson's disease is outlined.", "PMID": 778880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5138", "title": "Effects of progressive relaxation on sleep disturbance: an electroencephalographic evaluation.", "content": "Subjects with reported sleep-onset disturbance were given progressive relaxation training, placebo, or no-treatment. All three conditions showed significant improvement in daily reported sleep onset over the duration of the study. Between-condition effects were limited to relaxation superiority over no-treatment on Stage 1 sleep, and over placebo on postquestionnaire items and sleep-latency reports at 1-year follow-up.", "contents": "Effects of progressive relaxation on sleep disturbance: an electroencephalographic evaluation. Subjects with reported sleep-onset disturbance were given progressive relaxation training, placebo, or no-treatment. All three conditions showed significant improvement in daily reported sleep onset over the duration of the study. Between-condition effects were limited to relaxation superiority over no-treatment on Stage 1 sleep, and over placebo on postquestionnaire items and sleep-latency reports at 1-year follow-up.", "PMID": 778890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5139", "title": "Life-history tactics: a review of the ideas.", "content": "This review organizes ideas on the evolution of life histories. The key life-history traits are brood size, size of young, the age distribution of reproductive effort, the interaction of reproductive effort with adult mortality, and the variation in these traits among an individual's progeny. The general theoretical problem is to predict which combinations of traits will evolve in organisms living in specified circumstances. First consider single traits. Theorists have made the following predictions: (1) Where adult exceeds juvenile mortality, the organism should reproduce only once in its lifetime. Where juvenile exceeds adult mortality, the organism should reproduce several times. (2) Brood size should macimize the number of young surviving to maturity, summed over the lifetime of the parent. But when optimum brood-size unpredictably in time, smaller broods should be favored because they decrease the chances of total failure on a given attempt. (3) In expanding populations, selection should minimize age at maturity. In stable populations, when reproductive success depends on size, age, or social status, or when adult exceeds juvenile mortality, then maturation should be delayed, as it should be in declining populations. (4) Young should increase in size at birth with increased predation risk, and decrease in size with increased resource availability. Theorists have also predicted that only particular combinations of traits should occur in specified circumstances. (5) In growing populations, age at maturity should be minimized, reproductive effort concentrated early in life, and brood size increased. (6) One view holds that in stable environments, late maturity, broods, a few, large young, parental care, and small reproductive efforts should be favored (K-selection). In fluctuating environments, early maturity, many small young, reduced parental care, and large reproductive efforts should be favored (r-selection). (7) But another view holds that when juvenile mortality fluctuates more than adult mortality, the traits associated with stable and fluctuating environments should be reversed. We need experiments that test the assumptions and predictions reviewed here, more comprehensive theory that makes more readily falsifiable predictions, and examination of different definitions of fitness.", "contents": "Life-history tactics: a review of the ideas. This review organizes ideas on the evolution of life histories. The key life-history traits are brood size, size of young, the age distribution of reproductive effort, the interaction of reproductive effort with adult mortality, and the variation in these traits among an individual's progeny. The general theoretical problem is to predict which combinations of traits will evolve in organisms living in specified circumstances. First consider single traits. Theorists have made the following predictions: (1) Where adult exceeds juvenile mortality, the organism should reproduce only once in its lifetime. Where juvenile exceeds adult mortality, the organism should reproduce several times. (2) Brood size should macimize the number of young surviving to maturity, summed over the lifetime of the parent. But when optimum brood-size unpredictably in time, smaller broods should be favored because they decrease the chances of total failure on a given attempt. (3) In expanding populations, selection should minimize age at maturity. In stable populations, when reproductive success depends on size, age, or social status, or when adult exceeds juvenile mortality, then maturation should be delayed, as it should be in declining populations. (4) Young should increase in size at birth with increased predation risk, and decrease in size with increased resource availability. Theorists have also predicted that only particular combinations of traits should occur in specified circumstances. (5) In growing populations, age at maturity should be minimized, reproductive effort concentrated early in life, and brood size increased. (6) One view holds that in stable environments, late maturity, broods, a few, large young, parental care, and small reproductive efforts should be favored (K-selection). In fluctuating environments, early maturity, many small young, reduced parental care, and large reproductive efforts should be favored (r-selection). (7) But another view holds that when juvenile mortality fluctuates more than adult mortality, the traits associated with stable and fluctuating environments should be reversed. We need experiments that test the assumptions and predictions reviewed here, more comprehensive theory that makes more readily falsifiable predictions, and examination of different definitions of fitness.", "PMID": 778893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5140", "title": "Ultrasonic \"B\" scanning in the diagnosis of complications in renal transplant patients.", "content": "B-mode ultrasonography has been used in the evaluation of complications following renal transplantations. The main indications for examining the patient are decreased renal function, clinically suspected abscesses, or suggestions of a mass in the region of the transplant. In most patients, worsening renal function is due to rejection. In 10 of 50 patients, however, lesions such as lymphoceles, postoperative hematomas, abscesses, and urine leakage were diagnosed. Ultrasonography proved to be a noninvasive and reliable method for the assessment of these complications.", "contents": "Ultrasonic \"B\" scanning in the diagnosis of complications in renal transplant patients. B-mode ultrasonography has been used in the evaluation of complications following renal transplantations. The main indications for examining the patient are decreased renal function, clinically suspected abscesses, or suggestions of a mass in the region of the transplant. In most patients, worsening renal function is due to rejection. In 10 of 50 patients, however, lesions such as lymphoceles, postoperative hematomas, abscesses, and urine leakage were diagnosed. Ultrasonography proved to be a noninvasive and reliable method for the assessment of these complications.", "PMID": 778897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5141", "title": "Carcinoembryonic antigen and skin test reactivity in tumor radiotherapy.", "content": "Serial carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were obtained from 122 cancer patients. In a random selection, the levels in 67 of these patients were compared with clinical response to radiotherapy. Skin tests were also performed for histoplasmin, tuberculin and mumps. CEA levels, skin-delayed hypersensitivity reaction (DHR) and clinical tumor response were evaluated and correlated. Clinical response of tumors to radiotherapy was more often seen in patients with positive skin tests, but no correlation was observed between skin test reactivity and CEA response curves.", "contents": "Carcinoembryonic antigen and skin test reactivity in tumor radiotherapy. Serial carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were obtained from 122 cancer patients. In a random selection, the levels in 67 of these patients were compared with clinical response to radiotherapy. Skin tests were also performed for histoplasmin, tuberculin and mumps. CEA levels, skin-delayed hypersensitivity reaction (DHR) and clinical tumor response were evaluated and correlated. Clinical response of tumors to radiotherapy was more often seen in patients with positive skin tests, but no correlation was observed between skin test reactivity and CEA response curves.", "PMID": 778898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5142", "title": "Detection of upper abdominal abscesses by radionuclide imaging.", "content": "An improved means of detecting upper abdominal abscesses using the dual radionuclide subtraction technique was applied to 51 patients. 67Gallium citrate was used in the localization of the lesion and 99Tc-labeled human albumin microspheres and 99Tc sulfur colloid were used for subtracting out the interfering background from normal organ concentrations. The procedure provided the parameter capabilities for localization of the abscesses as well as information on their shape and size. Compared to nonsubtraction Ga procedures, 53% more abscesses were diagnosed using the subtraction technique.", "contents": "Detection of upper abdominal abscesses by radionuclide imaging. An improved means of detecting upper abdominal abscesses using the dual radionuclide subtraction technique was applied to 51 patients. 67Gallium citrate was used in the localization of the lesion and 99Tc-labeled human albumin microspheres and 99Tc sulfur colloid were used for subtracting out the interfering background from normal organ concentrations. The procedure provided the parameter capabilities for localization of the abscesses as well as information on their shape and size. Compared to nonsubtraction Ga procedures, 53% more abscesses were diagnosed using the subtraction technique.", "PMID": 778899} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5143", "title": "Recurrent renovascular hypertension. Report of an unusual case.", "content": "A 7-year-old girl with histologically proved fibromuscular dysplasia underwent renal autotransplantation with prompt return of the blood pressure to normal. Two months later, immediately after tonsillectomy, severe hypertension recurred with marked narrowing of the previously patent anastomosis. After 4 weeks on antihypertensive therapy, the patient became normotensive again and remained so for 18 months, with marked widening of the anastomosis. It is possible that this complication might be explained on an immunologic basis.", "contents": "Recurrent renovascular hypertension. Report of an unusual case. A 7-year-old girl with histologically proved fibromuscular dysplasia underwent renal autotransplantation with prompt return of the blood pressure to normal. Two months later, immediately after tonsillectomy, severe hypertension recurred with marked narrowing of the previously patent anastomosis. After 4 weeks on antihypertensive therapy, the patient became normotensive again and remained so for 18 months, with marked widening of the anastomosis. It is possible that this complication might be explained on an immunologic basis.", "PMID": 778900} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5144", "title": "Papillary necrosis in kidney transplant patients.", "content": "Of 158 renal transplant recipients, 75 underwent excretory urography at some point during a six-year period, 24 hours to 7 years after transplantation. In 11 patients, renal papillary necrosis (RPN) was found. RPN was associated in 9 patients with one or more disease entities known to be the etiologic factor to RPN in nontransplanted kidneys. In 2 patients, previous rejection episodes were the probable case for RPN. Renal papillary necrosis, a rather late complication with renal allograft, was demonstrated in this population on an average of 28.1 months after transplantation.", "contents": "Papillary necrosis in kidney transplant patients. Of 158 renal transplant recipients, 75 underwent excretory urography at some point during a six-year period, 24 hours to 7 years after transplantation. In 11 patients, renal papillary necrosis (RPN) was found. RPN was associated in 9 patients with one or more disease entities known to be the etiologic factor to RPN in nontransplanted kidneys. In 2 patients, previous rejection episodes were the probable case for RPN. Renal papillary necrosis, a rather late complication with renal allograft, was demonstrated in this population on an average of 28.1 months after transplantation.", "PMID": 778904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5145", "title": "Evaluation of sellar and parasellar masses by computed tomography.", "content": "Computed tomography is the method of choice for initial evaluation of patients with potential suprasellar masses. In our experience, CT has proved completely reliable for detecting or ruling out the presence of a suprasellar mass, the direction and degree of parasellar extension, and the presence of any calcific or cystic component of the lesion. When multiple cut CT has been negative, further diagnostic studies have proved unrewarding. When CT has been positive, additional studies have been required in some cases to rule out aneurysm prior to craniotomy.", "contents": "Evaluation of sellar and parasellar masses by computed tomography. Computed tomography is the method of choice for initial evaluation of patients with potential suprasellar masses. In our experience, CT has proved completely reliable for detecting or ruling out the presence of a suprasellar mass, the direction and degree of parasellar extension, and the presence of any calcific or cystic component of the lesion. When multiple cut CT has been negative, further diagnostic studies have proved unrewarding. When CT has been positive, additional studies have been required in some cases to rule out aneurysm prior to craniotomy.", "PMID": 778905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5146", "title": "Localized cryptococcal osteomyelitis.", "content": "Cryptococcal infection of the skeletal system alone is rare. The authors report a case of osteomyelitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans involving the distal humerus and skull, with roentgenographic and scintigraphic findings and pathological confirmation.", "contents": "Localized cryptococcal osteomyelitis. Cryptococcal infection of the skeletal system alone is rare. The authors report a case of osteomyelitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans involving the distal humerus and skull, with roentgenographic and scintigraphic findings and pathological confirmation.", "PMID": 778906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5147", "title": "Flexural pseudolesions of the duodenum.", "content": "A collection of barium simulating an ulcer, or a negative defect simulating a mass, frequently occurs at the junction of the first and second portions of the duodenum. This appearance may be related to several factors, including (a) distortion produced by flexion, (b) sphincter function, and (c) an extrinsic impression. Several such patients have had negative findings on endoscopy. The defect can be distinguished from a true lesion by its characteristic location and its variable appearance on different projections.", "contents": "Flexural pseudolesions of the duodenum. A collection of barium simulating an ulcer, or a negative defect simulating a mass, frequently occurs at the junction of the first and second portions of the duodenum. This appearance may be related to several factors, including (a) distortion produced by flexion, (b) sphincter function, and (c) an extrinsic impression. Several such patients have had negative findings on endoscopy. The defect can be distinguished from a true lesion by its characteristic location and its variable appearance on different projections.", "PMID": 778907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5148", "title": "Computed tomography in the diagnosis of extra-axial posterior fossa masses.", "content": "Extra-axial posterior fossa masses can be diagnosed reliably by computed tomography (CT) in most cases. Acoustic and trigeminal neurinomas, meningiomas, cholesteatomas, and other extra-axial masses can usually be distinguished from intra-axial masses by asymmetric widening of the basal subarachnoid spaces, bone destruction, continuity of the tumor mass with the tentorium or bone, and more sharply defined margins. Multiple-cut study of the posterior fossa improved visualization of the fourth ventricle and basal cisterns. Interpretation of cisternal changes in association with changes in the fourth ventricle and abnormal attenuation coefficients permits accurate diagnosis of posterior fossa masses.", "contents": "Computed tomography in the diagnosis of extra-axial posterior fossa masses. Extra-axial posterior fossa masses can be diagnosed reliably by computed tomography (CT) in most cases. Acoustic and trigeminal neurinomas, meningiomas, cholesteatomas, and other extra-axial masses can usually be distinguished from intra-axial masses by asymmetric widening of the basal subarachnoid spaces, bone destruction, continuity of the tumor mass with the tentorium or bone, and more sharply defined margins. Multiple-cut study of the posterior fossa improved visualization of the fourth ventricle and basal cisterns. Interpretation of cisternal changes in association with changes in the fourth ventricle and abnormal attenuation coefficients permits accurate diagnosis of posterior fossa masses.", "PMID": 778908} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5149", "title": "Computed tomography of granulomatous basal arachnoiditis.", "content": "Clinical findings are often insufficient to diagnose basal arachnoiditis and conventional neuroradiological techniques often fail to demonstrate the inflammatory process. Computed tomographic (CT) scans, however, usually can demonstrate the circle of Willis, and the basilar, sylvian quadrigeminal, and vermian cisterns. Cisternal anatomy can also be delineated on the CT scans by metrizamide cisternography. CT scanning may prove to be the most accurate and sensitive radiographic test for basal arachnoiditis. Findings in three patients are reported.", "contents": "Computed tomography of granulomatous basal arachnoiditis. Clinical findings are often insufficient to diagnose basal arachnoiditis and conventional neuroradiological techniques often fail to demonstrate the inflammatory process. Computed tomographic (CT) scans, however, usually can demonstrate the circle of Willis, and the basilar, sylvian quadrigeminal, and vermian cisterns. Cisternal anatomy can also be delineated on the CT scans by metrizamide cisternography. CT scanning may prove to be the most accurate and sensitive radiographic test for basal arachnoiditis. Findings in three patients are reported.", "PMID": 778909} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5150", "title": "Computed tomography: demonstration of contrast medium within cystic tumors.", "content": "Two cases demonstrated that intravenously injected contrast medium entered cystic lesions. It appears that both vascular opacification and transgression of the blood-brain barrier play major roles in contrast enhancement.", "contents": "Computed tomography: demonstration of contrast medium within cystic tumors. Two cases demonstrated that intravenously injected contrast medium entered cystic lesions. It appears that both vascular opacification and transgression of the blood-brain barrier play major roles in contrast enhancement.", "PMID": 778910} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5151", "title": "Computed tomography in adrenoleukodystrophy. Correlation of radiological and histological findings.", "content": "Computed tomograms (CT) demonstrated symmetrical low-density lesions in the white matter of the posterior portion of the cerebral hemispheres in a 9-year-old boy with adrenoleukodystrophy (Schilder's disease). Biopsy of the brain in an area that appeared normal on the CT scan showed profound loss of myelinated fibers and oligodendroglia; the white matter had been replaced by a rather loose acellular stroma consisting of astroglial cells and blood vessels.", "contents": "Computed tomography in adrenoleukodystrophy. Correlation of radiological and histological findings. Computed tomograms (CT) demonstrated symmetrical low-density lesions in the white matter of the posterior portion of the cerebral hemispheres in a 9-year-old boy with adrenoleukodystrophy (Schilder's disease). Biopsy of the brain in an area that appeared normal on the CT scan showed profound loss of myelinated fibers and oligodendroglia; the white matter had been replaced by a rather loose acellular stroma consisting of astroglial cells and blood vessels.", "PMID": 778911} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5152", "title": "Meningomyelocele and syringohydromyelia. Some radiological aspects.", "content": "Twenty meningomyelocele patients with nonfunctional ventricular shunts or no shunts were studied radiologically. This group was compared to a second group of 4 patients with functional shunts. The various techniques are compared and discussed. Pantopaque ventriculography is a potentially dangerous procedure. Radioisotope ventriculography appears to be a safe and useful method of diagnosing syringohydromyelia. Ventricular decomposition by means of a shunt appears to be an effective treatment.", "contents": "Meningomyelocele and syringohydromyelia. Some radiological aspects. Twenty meningomyelocele patients with nonfunctional ventricular shunts or no shunts were studied radiologically. This group was compared to a second group of 4 patients with functional shunts. The various techniques are compared and discussed. Pantopaque ventriculography is a potentially dangerous procedure. Radioisotope ventriculography appears to be a safe and useful method of diagnosing syringohydromyelia. Ventricular decomposition by means of a shunt appears to be an effective treatment.", "PMID": 778912} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5153", "title": "Overutilization of radiological examinations.", "content": "Overutilization of radiological studies has become a significant economic consideration in this country. The reasons for unnecessary examinations include indirect financial benefit to physicians, medicolegal considerations, inadequate history provided to the radiologist, and simply inappropriate requests. In many radiological examinations, the indications are controversial or unknown. Recent Professional Standards Review Organization legislation will probably diminish overutilization of radiological studies, both directly through peer review and indirectly by providing comparison statistical data to facilitate better assessment of the value of individual examinations. The final common pathway of the radiological examination is the radiologist, who has the right and the duty to refuse studies, particularly when they involve risk to the patient.", "contents": "Overutilization of radiological examinations. Overutilization of radiological studies has become a significant economic consideration in this country. The reasons for unnecessary examinations include indirect financial benefit to physicians, medicolegal considerations, inadequate history provided to the radiologist, and simply inappropriate requests. In many radiological examinations, the indications are controversial or unknown. Recent Professional Standards Review Organization legislation will probably diminish overutilization of radiological studies, both directly through peer review and indirectly by providing comparison statistical data to facilitate better assessment of the value of individual examinations. The final common pathway of the radiological examination is the radiologist, who has the right and the duty to refuse studies, particularly when they involve risk to the patient.", "PMID": 778913} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5154", "title": "On cats and the territorial imperative.", "content": "Of all the medical innovationes of our era, computed tomography is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating, and many nonradiologists are seeking entry into the field. If CT is to remain a radiological specialty, we must act to ensure that our training and experience are adequate to meet this new challenge.", "contents": "On cats and the territorial imperative. Of all the medical innovationes of our era, computed tomography is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating, and many nonradiologists are seeking entry into the field. If CT is to remain a radiological specialty, we must act to ensure that our training and experience are adequate to meet this new challenge.", "PMID": 778914} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5155", "title": "Butaclamol hydrochloride in newly admitted schizophrenics.", "content": "Butaclamol hydrochloride, a new type of antipsychotic drug, was evaluated by an uncontrolled study of 13 newly admitted schizophrenic patients. The drug had antipsychotic effects as well as a strong propensity for evoking extrapyramidal side effects. With the maximal daily doses of 30 mg used in this study, therapeutic results obtained were probably somewhat less than optimal.", "contents": "Butaclamol hydrochloride in newly admitted schizophrenics. Butaclamol hydrochloride, a new type of antipsychotic drug, was evaluated by an uncontrolled study of 13 newly admitted schizophrenic patients. The drug had antipsychotic effects as well as a strong propensity for evoking extrapyramidal side effects. With the maximal daily doses of 30 mg used in this study, therapeutic results obtained were probably somewhat less than optimal.", "PMID": 778939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5156", "title": "[Vision in fish. An historical and analytical bibliography].", "content": "A collection of about 1100 references dealing with the history of the study of Vision of Fishes is compiled, from the earliest mentions to the present. These were chosen selectively on the basis of their relevence. The chronologically arranged bibliography places each of the references in one or more of the following categories: Structure, Behaviour, Development, Ecology, General and Physiology, Publications which started a new trend of technique and reviews are also indicated. Some extracts and quotations, particularly from the older literature, considered interesting are included. This compilation is intended to provide an overall view of the evolution of the subject and its multiplicity.", "contents": "[Vision in fish. An historical and analytical bibliography]. A collection of about 1100 references dealing with the history of the study of Vision of Fishes is compiled, from the earliest mentions to the present. These were chosen selectively on the basis of their relevence. The chronologically arranged bibliography places each of the references in one or more of the following categories: Structure, Behaviour, Development, Ecology, General and Physiology, Publications which started a new trend of technique and reviews are also indicated. Some extracts and quotations, particularly from the older literature, considered interesting are included. This compilation is intended to provide an overall view of the evolution of the subject and its multiplicity.", "PMID": 778940} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5157", "title": "The nucleated erythrocyte: a model of cell differentiation.", "content": "The process of erythropoiesis is characterized by several distinctive features which render it a very useful model of cell differentiation. Mature erythrocytes arise from stem cells in a series of intermediate stages which are fairly well defined both on morphological and on biochemical grounds. During this development, the erythrocytes genome is gradually inactivated and the cell becomes geared to the production of primarily one gene product, hemoglobin. Recently, erythropoiesis has been closely studied in avian species since it has become technically possible to fractionate the blood of anemic birds into high-yield populations of young, developing and mature red cells. Attention has focused on patterns of RNA synthesis including globin m-RNA, in relation to cytoplasmic constitutents becoming modified for reduced activity. From the point of view of gene regulation, erythrocyte development is especially interesting in non-mammals, where in contrast to mammals, even fully mature red cells retain their nuclei. These erythrocytes rank among the most extreme examples of cell specialization and gene repression known. The nuclei of avian erythrocytes and others, contain a tissue-specific histone protein in addition to the more usual complement of vertebrate histone. This histone (H5, V, F2c) has been extensively investigated with a view to linking its presence to structural and molecular changes involved in the condensation and repression of red cell nuclei. The evidence to dat suggests that H5, in conjunction with tissue-specific changes in non-histone proteins, may be responsible for keeping the genomes of nucleated erythrocytes permanently inactive.", "contents": "The nucleated erythrocyte: a model of cell differentiation. The process of erythropoiesis is characterized by several distinctive features which render it a very useful model of cell differentiation. Mature erythrocytes arise from stem cells in a series of intermediate stages which are fairly well defined both on morphological and on biochemical grounds. During this development, the erythrocytes genome is gradually inactivated and the cell becomes geared to the production of primarily one gene product, hemoglobin. Recently, erythropoiesis has been closely studied in avian species since it has become technically possible to fractionate the blood of anemic birds into high-yield populations of young, developing and mature red cells. Attention has focused on patterns of RNA synthesis including globin m-RNA, in relation to cytoplasmic constitutents becoming modified for reduced activity. From the point of view of gene regulation, erythrocyte development is especially interesting in non-mammals, where in contrast to mammals, even fully mature red cells retain their nuclei. These erythrocytes rank among the most extreme examples of cell specialization and gene repression known. The nuclei of avian erythrocytes and others, contain a tissue-specific histone protein in addition to the more usual complement of vertebrate histone. This histone (H5, V, F2c) has been extensively investigated with a view to linking its presence to structural and molecular changes involved in the condensation and repression of red cell nuclei. The evidence to dat suggests that H5, in conjunction with tissue-specific changes in non-histone proteins, may be responsible for keeping the genomes of nucleated erythrocytes permanently inactive.", "PMID": 778941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5158", "title": "Observations on the association of pathogenic Escherichia coli with small intestinal villi of pigs.", "content": "Pathogenic Escherichia coli were observed in association with microvilli of piglets experimentally infected with E coli O149:K91,K88a,c, but the bacteria were only rarely observed actually in contact with microvilli. The association of E coli with villi occurred most commonly in the ileum and least commonly in the duodenum: in some pigs, it was only observed in the ileum. The proliferation of pathogenic E coli in the small intestine and their association with villi commonly coexisted, although each phenomenon was also observed independently. It is suggested that the villous association of pathogenic E coli is not a prerequisite for their proliferation.", "contents": "Observations on the association of pathogenic Escherichia coli with small intestinal villi of pigs. Pathogenic Escherichia coli were observed in association with microvilli of piglets experimentally infected with E coli O149:K91,K88a,c, but the bacteria were only rarely observed actually in contact with microvilli. The association of E coli with villi occurred most commonly in the ileum and least commonly in the duodenum: in some pigs, it was only observed in the ileum. The proliferation of pathogenic E coli in the small intestine and their association with villi commonly coexisted, although each phenomenon was also observed independently. It is suggested that the villous association of pathogenic E coli is not a prerequisite for their proliferation.", "PMID": 778949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5159", "title": "An indirect haemagglutination test for the detection of antibody to Nairobi sheep disease virus.", "content": "An indirect haemagglutination test was developed for the detection of antibody to Nairobi sheep disease virus and shown to be specific and highly sensitive. The optimum conditions necessary to achieve maximal sensitivity were determined. Sheep and goat sera were tested in parallel with an indirect fluorescent antibody test and close correlation of results was demonstrated.", "contents": "An indirect haemagglutination test for the detection of antibody to Nairobi sheep disease virus. An indirect haemagglutination test was developed for the detection of antibody to Nairobi sheep disease virus and shown to be specific and highly sensitive. The optimum conditions necessary to achieve maximal sensitivity were determined. Sheep and goat sera were tested in parallel with an indirect fluorescent antibody test and close correlation of results was demonstrated.", "PMID": 778950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5160", "title": "Observations on the epidemiology of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia: Mycoplasma mycoides in urine.", "content": "During field epidemiological investigations into an outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. Mycoplasma mycoides var mycoides was detected in the urine of 14 out of 19 infected cattle. The titres of the organism ranged from 10(1) to 10(8) organisms per ml of urine. The main factor affecting the excretion was the severity of the disease.", "contents": "Observations on the epidemiology of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia: Mycoplasma mycoides in urine. During field epidemiological investigations into an outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. Mycoplasma mycoides var mycoides was detected in the urine of 14 out of 19 infected cattle. The titres of the organism ranged from 10(1) to 10(8) organisms per ml of urine. The main factor affecting the excretion was the severity of the disease.", "PMID": 778951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5161", "title": "Application of the Limulus amoebocyte lysate test to the detection of gram-negative bacterial endotoxins in normal and mastitic milk.", "content": "The Limulus in vitro endotoxin assay was evaluated as a possible method for the prompt detection and measurement of endotoxins of Gram-negative bacteria in milk. Quantitative results were obtained following 1 h incubation of Limulus lysate and 10-fold dilutions of milk from normal quarters and from quarters of cows with clinical mastitis. This test was capable of detecting endotoxins associated with acute coliform mastitis. A positive Limulus reaction was recorded at dilutions ranging from 1: 10(4) to 1: 10(9) of milk from quarters affected with clinical mastitis due to coliform bacteria. Milk from normal quarters and from clinical mastitis cases due to Gram-positive bacteria was consistently negative to the test when diluted 1:10(3).", "contents": "Application of the Limulus amoebocyte lysate test to the detection of gram-negative bacterial endotoxins in normal and mastitic milk. The Limulus in vitro endotoxin assay was evaluated as a possible method for the prompt detection and measurement of endotoxins of Gram-negative bacteria in milk. Quantitative results were obtained following 1 h incubation of Limulus lysate and 10-fold dilutions of milk from normal quarters and from quarters of cows with clinical mastitis. This test was capable of detecting endotoxins associated with acute coliform mastitis. A positive Limulus reaction was recorded at dilutions ranging from 1: 10(4) to 1: 10(9) of milk from quarters affected with clinical mastitis due to coliform bacteria. Milk from normal quarters and from clinical mastitis cases due to Gram-positive bacteria was consistently negative to the test when diluted 1:10(3).", "PMID": 778952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5162", "title": "Differential diagnosis of ventilatory disorders with the help of volume/flow diagram.", "content": "Volume/flow (V/v) diagrams obtained from 82 healthy and pulmonary diseased subjects were analyzed. A formula had been worked out on the basis of determined slow vital capacity, for the calculation of maximum forced expiratory flow (VEmax). The expiratory volume/flow curves were used for the computation of lung conpliance (C1). These calculated values of VEmax and C1 were highly correlated to the measured values. It is concluded that these calculated values would provide a good index for the preliminary differential diagnosis of the pulmonary disorders.", "contents": "Differential diagnosis of ventilatory disorders with the help of volume/flow diagram. Volume/flow (V/v) diagrams obtained from 82 healthy and pulmonary diseased subjects were analyzed. A formula had been worked out on the basis of determined slow vital capacity, for the calculation of maximum forced expiratory flow (VEmax). The expiratory volume/flow curves were used for the computation of lung conpliance (C1). These calculated values of VEmax and C1 were highly correlated to the measured values. It is concluded that these calculated values would provide a good index for the preliminary differential diagnosis of the pulmonary disorders.", "PMID": 778958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5163", "title": "Metabolic acidosis in status asthmaticus.", "content": "Blood gases and acid-base balance were measured in a group of patients in status asthmaticus. Simple or combined metabolic acidosis was found in 37.9% of the patients. In 25 of these, lactic acid (LA), pyruvic acid (PA) and LA/PA were increased. Increased glycolysis and anaerobic respiratory muscle glycolysis during extreme airways obstruction may be instrumental in these changes. Base deficit, not accounted for by organic acid increase, may be dependent on previously present hypocapnic hyperventilation. Possibly hyperlactemia provoked by hyperventilation may be exaggerated in severe asthma.", "contents": "Metabolic acidosis in status asthmaticus. Blood gases and acid-base balance were measured in a group of patients in status asthmaticus. Simple or combined metabolic acidosis was found in 37.9% of the patients. In 25 of these, lactic acid (LA), pyruvic acid (PA) and LA/PA were increased. Increased glycolysis and anaerobic respiratory muscle glycolysis during extreme airways obstruction may be instrumental in these changes. Base deficit, not accounted for by organic acid increase, may be dependent on previously present hypocapnic hyperventilation. Possibly hyperlactemia provoked by hyperventilation may be exaggerated in severe asthma.", "PMID": 778959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5164", "title": "Pulmonary vascular response to ventilation hypercapnia in man.", "content": "The effect of ventilation hypercapnia on pulmonary circulation in man was investigated through separate studies. In the first study on 44 patients with little or no airway obstruction and 20 normal men, 5% CO2 breathing produced (a) significant rise in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), (b) no significant change in cardiac output, (c) rise in pulmonary vascular resistance, (d) rise in brachial artery pressure (BAP) and (e) no change in wedge pressure (WP). The rise in PAP was more pronounced after 2 min of 10% CO2 breathing in 12 bronchitics. The scond study was carried out in 39 bronchitics and 22 normals while breathing 10% CO2 for 1 min and showed that pulmonary vascular response was independent of systemic vascular response, in that BAP rose later and came back earlier to original level during CO2 breathing. In the third study on 26 severe bronchitics and 15 normals the observed rise in PAP during 10% CO2 breathing was independent of H-ion concentration in the blood since PAP continued to rise even when pH was maintained at air breathing level by intravenous injection of 130 mEq of sodium bicarbonate in 250 cm3 of 5% glucose solution. This study also confirmed the findings in the first study that there was minimal rise in cardiac output, no rise in WP, while PAP and pulmonary vascular resistance rose significantly during ventilation hypercapnia. The responses were pronounced compared with those observed in the first study with 5% CO2. It is postulated that the responses might be due to direct action of CO2 on muscular pulmonary arteries.", "contents": "Pulmonary vascular response to ventilation hypercapnia in man. The effect of ventilation hypercapnia on pulmonary circulation in man was investigated through separate studies. In the first study on 44 patients with little or no airway obstruction and 20 normal men, 5% CO2 breathing produced (a) significant rise in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), (b) no significant change in cardiac output, (c) rise in pulmonary vascular resistance, (d) rise in brachial artery pressure (BAP) and (e) no change in wedge pressure (WP). The rise in PAP was more pronounced after 2 min of 10% CO2 breathing in 12 bronchitics. The scond study was carried out in 39 bronchitics and 22 normals while breathing 10% CO2 for 1 min and showed that pulmonary vascular response was independent of systemic vascular response, in that BAP rose later and came back earlier to original level during CO2 breathing. In the third study on 26 severe bronchitics and 15 normals the observed rise in PAP during 10% CO2 breathing was independent of H-ion concentration in the blood since PAP continued to rise even when pH was maintained at air breathing level by intravenous injection of 130 mEq of sodium bicarbonate in 250 cm3 of 5% glucose solution. This study also confirmed the findings in the first study that there was minimal rise in cardiac output, no rise in WP, while PAP and pulmonary vascular resistance rose significantly during ventilation hypercapnia. The responses were pronounced compared with those observed in the first study with 5% CO2. It is postulated that the responses might be due to direct action of CO2 on muscular pulmonary arteries.", "PMID": 778960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5165", "title": "Comparative study of the ventilatory responsiveness to CO2 in bronchitic and emphysematous patients with chronic respiratory failure.", "content": "The comparative ventilatory responsiveness to CO2 was studied in 13 chronic bronchitics and 14 emphysematous patients, all exhibiting respiratory insufficiency and with FEV1 less than 1,500 ml. The gas inhaled was enriched with oxygen (F1O2 =0.6) and contained 6% CO2, and measurements were taken when the patients had reached a stable state. The ratio delta VE/deltaPaCO2, which represents the ventilatory responsiveness to CO2, was higher in the emphysematous patients (1.18+/-0.51 liters-min-1. Torr-1) than in the bronchitics (0.76+/-0.34, p less than 0.025), but the deviation on either side of the mean was large in each group. The ventilatory responsiveness to CO2 was proportional to the initial PaCO2, FEV1, total airways resistance, total pulmonary work and especially to inspiratory mechanical work done on the lung ( r=-0.73, p less than 0.001). The difference in ventilatory responsiveness to CO2 between the bronchitic and emphysematous patients may be explained by the difference in energy expended in breathing. It was not possible to exclude an effect due to a difference in sensitivity within the respiratory centers, since inspiratory mechanical work was not measured during CO2 inhalation. It was thought likely that mechanical factors play a triggering role, in that they cause a fall in ventilatory responsiveness to CO2 and hypercapnia, the latter causing the central hyposensitivity which maintains the retention of CO2.", "contents": "Comparative study of the ventilatory responsiveness to CO2 in bronchitic and emphysematous patients with chronic respiratory failure. The comparative ventilatory responsiveness to CO2 was studied in 13 chronic bronchitics and 14 emphysematous patients, all exhibiting respiratory insufficiency and with FEV1 less than 1,500 ml. The gas inhaled was enriched with oxygen (F1O2 =0.6) and contained 6% CO2, and measurements were taken when the patients had reached a stable state. The ratio delta VE/deltaPaCO2, which represents the ventilatory responsiveness to CO2, was higher in the emphysematous patients (1.18+/-0.51 liters-min-1. Torr-1) than in the bronchitics (0.76+/-0.34, p less than 0.025), but the deviation on either side of the mean was large in each group. The ventilatory responsiveness to CO2 was proportional to the initial PaCO2, FEV1, total airways resistance, total pulmonary work and especially to inspiratory mechanical work done on the lung ( r=-0.73, p less than 0.001). The difference in ventilatory responsiveness to CO2 between the bronchitic and emphysematous patients may be explained by the difference in energy expended in breathing. It was not possible to exclude an effect due to a difference in sensitivity within the respiratory centers, since inspiratory mechanical work was not measured during CO2 inhalation. It was thought likely that mechanical factors play a triggering role, in that they cause a fall in ventilatory responsiveness to CO2 and hypercapnia, the latter causing the central hyposensitivity which maintains the retention of CO2.", "PMID": 778961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5166", "title": "Clinical value of rebreathing test in obstructive lung diseases.", "content": "The ventilatory response to CO2 inhalation, using rebreathing method, was studied in normal subjects and in patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. The patients with lung disease had flatter CO2 response curves. However, it the ventilation was expressed as a fraction of the maximal voluntary ventilation, the difference between normal subjects and patients disappeared. The reduced ventilatory response of these patients may be of mechanical origin and not depending on reduced CO2 sensitivity. The high lung volume of these patients may be the mean factor of the mechanical disadvantage of thoracomuscular system.", "contents": "Clinical value of rebreathing test in obstructive lung diseases. The ventilatory response to CO2 inhalation, using rebreathing method, was studied in normal subjects and in patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. The patients with lung disease had flatter CO2 response curves. However, it the ventilation was expressed as a fraction of the maximal voluntary ventilation, the difference between normal subjects and patients disappeared. The reduced ventilatory response of these patients may be of mechanical origin and not depending on reduced CO2 sensitivity. The high lung volume of these patients may be the mean factor of the mechanical disadvantage of thoracomuscular system.", "PMID": 778962} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5167", "title": "Inhibition of allergen-induced bronchospasm in patients with reversible bronchial obstruction by a new xanthone derivative.", "content": "Six patients with allergic asthma were studied in bronchial challenge tests with their specific antigen. In five cases 7ioxo-7-thiomethoxyxanthone-2-carboxylic acid, sodium salt (OTMX), a new xanthone with mediator-release inhibitory properties, given as an inhaled solution under 'single-blind' conditions, protected against the immediate-type bronchospastic response. This protection was statistically significant (p = 0.016) at the highest dose level used. Late reactions which occurred in two patients were unaffected by the compound.", "contents": "Inhibition of allergen-induced bronchospasm in patients with reversible bronchial obstruction by a new xanthone derivative. Six patients with allergic asthma were studied in bronchial challenge tests with their specific antigen. In five cases 7ioxo-7-thiomethoxyxanthone-2-carboxylic acid, sodium salt (OTMX), a new xanthone with mediator-release inhibitory properties, given as an inhaled solution under 'single-blind' conditions, protected against the immediate-type bronchospastic response. This protection was statistically significant (p = 0.016) at the highest dose level used. Late reactions which occurred in two patients were unaffected by the compound.", "PMID": 778963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5168", "title": "Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. An epidemiological study in a hospital population.", "content": "In order to determine the incidence of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with other types of pulmonary pathology, 586 in-patients, out-patients and controls were examined during the period 1968-1970 in Baguley Hospital, Manchester, England. It was found that from the 344 in-patients and out-patients with other pulmonary pathology, 6 had a definite diagnosis of allergic aspergillosis. 1 had pulmonary aspergilloma while 53 other patients demonstrated some evidence of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. These 53 patients had insufficient criteria to be classified in one of the recognised forms of aspergillosis. The number of controls examined was 242, none of whom were found to have allergic or other forms of aspergillosis. Eleven of these had a positive immediate skin test the other test being negative. In addition to the above groups 534 patients with bronchial asthma attending the out-patient department, were investigated with multiple intradermal tests, including Aspergillus fumigatus. Positive intradermal Aspergillus test was found in 130 of the patients with bronchial asthma. This investigation showed that the bronchopulmonary asperigillosis is more prevalent in patients with a pulmonary disease than in persons without this pathology.", "contents": "Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. An epidemiological study in a hospital population. In order to determine the incidence of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with other types of pulmonary pathology, 586 in-patients, out-patients and controls were examined during the period 1968-1970 in Baguley Hospital, Manchester, England. It was found that from the 344 in-patients and out-patients with other pulmonary pathology, 6 had a definite diagnosis of allergic aspergillosis. 1 had pulmonary aspergilloma while 53 other patients demonstrated some evidence of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. These 53 patients had insufficient criteria to be classified in one of the recognised forms of aspergillosis. The number of controls examined was 242, none of whom were found to have allergic or other forms of aspergillosis. Eleven of these had a positive immediate skin test the other test being negative. In addition to the above groups 534 patients with bronchial asthma attending the out-patient department, were investigated with multiple intradermal tests, including Aspergillus fumigatus. Positive intradermal Aspergillus test was found in 130 of the patients with bronchial asthma. This investigation showed that the bronchopulmonary asperigillosis is more prevalent in patients with a pulmonary disease than in persons without this pathology.", "PMID": 778964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5169", "title": "[Polyradiculoneuritis in a diabetic patient. Ultrastructural study of a biopsy of a peripheral nerve].", "content": "We have made a study of a case of polyradiculoneuritis occurring in a diabetic. Clinically, symptoms were very similar to those in classical Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome and respiratory complications necessitated a stay in a Respiratory Resuscitation Centre. Recuperation was slow but practically total. Ultrastructural changes noted in the roots and the peripheral nerves of patients suffering from Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome are similar to those occurring in experimental allergic neuropathies. These changes are specific as the myelin takes on a fishnet appearance and, more important, the myelin is attacked by the projection of a mononucleate cell which has passed through the cytoplasm of the Schwann cells. We did not find this in our case. On the other hand, the lesions we found consisted of a mixture of common segmental demyelinization and axonal lesions, associated with marked Schwann cell hypertrophy coiled around most of the myelinized fibres. Such aspects are very like those found in certain diabetic neuropathies. The existence of significant microangiopathy which was present in this case is also an important, though not a decisive factor. We consider, therefore, that the syndrome of polyradiculoneuritis exhibited by this patient corresponds more closely to diabetic neuropathy than to a classical Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome.", "contents": "[Polyradiculoneuritis in a diabetic patient. Ultrastructural study of a biopsy of a peripheral nerve]. We have made a study of a case of polyradiculoneuritis occurring in a diabetic. Clinically, symptoms were very similar to those in classical Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome and respiratory complications necessitated a stay in a Respiratory Resuscitation Centre. Recuperation was slow but practically total. Ultrastructural changes noted in the roots and the peripheral nerves of patients suffering from Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome are similar to those occurring in experimental allergic neuropathies. These changes are specific as the myelin takes on a fishnet appearance and, more important, the myelin is attacked by the projection of a mononucleate cell which has passed through the cytoplasm of the Schwann cells. We did not find this in our case. On the other hand, the lesions we found consisted of a mixture of common segmental demyelinization and axonal lesions, associated with marked Schwann cell hypertrophy coiled around most of the myelinized fibres. Such aspects are very like those found in certain diabetic neuropathies. The existence of significant microangiopathy which was present in this case is also an important, though not a decisive factor. We consider, therefore, that the syndrome of polyradiculoneuritis exhibited by this patient corresponds more closely to diabetic neuropathy than to a classical Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome.", "PMID": 778969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5170", "title": "[Fertile amenorrhea associated to diabetes insipidus].", "content": "A case of diabetes insipidus is presented which appeared in a 13 year old girl associated with hormone-resistant amenorrhea; she went through two normal pregnancies and partutition at 22 and 25, indicating a fertile amenorrhea. During a total of 17 years of observation the amenorrhea persisted, with the exception of a few normal menstruation periods at the beginning of the disease. She remained permanently under treatment with pitressin tannate. Repeated administrations of estrogens, gestagens and chorionic gonadotrophin, had no effect. An endometrial biopsy revealed a presecretory phase. Acidophilic index in vaginal smears as well as serial determinations of urinary pregnanodiol indicated cyclic changes. Daily determinations of urinary pregnanodiol indicated cyclic changes. Daily determinations of plasma gonadotrophins during 28 days revealed normal levels, with normal FSH pulse and ovulatory type peak of LH. An LH-RH test gave marked and characteristic increase of both hormones. The data indicate the integrity of the hypothalamo-hypophyso-ovaric system, with cyclic changes and formation of corpus luteum, vaginal trophism and endometrial changes, concordant with the two normal pregnancies. In this case, the amenorrhea can only be explained by alteration of the usual endometrial vascular changes. The coexistence of diabetes insipidus and fertile amenorrhea is discused in relation with the possible participation of vasopressin in the mechanism of menstruation.", "contents": "[Fertile amenorrhea associated to diabetes insipidus]. A case of diabetes insipidus is presented which appeared in a 13 year old girl associated with hormone-resistant amenorrhea; she went through two normal pregnancies and partutition at 22 and 25, indicating a fertile amenorrhea. During a total of 17 years of observation the amenorrhea persisted, with the exception of a few normal menstruation periods at the beginning of the disease. She remained permanently under treatment with pitressin tannate. Repeated administrations of estrogens, gestagens and chorionic gonadotrophin, had no effect. An endometrial biopsy revealed a presecretory phase. Acidophilic index in vaginal smears as well as serial determinations of urinary pregnanodiol indicated cyclic changes. Daily determinations of urinary pregnanodiol indicated cyclic changes. Daily determinations of plasma gonadotrophins during 28 days revealed normal levels, with normal FSH pulse and ovulatory type peak of LH. An LH-RH test gave marked and characteristic increase of both hormones. The data indicate the integrity of the hypothalamo-hypophyso-ovaric system, with cyclic changes and formation of corpus luteum, vaginal trophism and endometrial changes, concordant with the two normal pregnancies. In this case, the amenorrhea can only be explained by alteration of the usual endometrial vascular changes. The coexistence of diabetes insipidus and fertile amenorrhea is discused in relation with the possible participation of vasopressin in the mechanism of menstruation.", "PMID": 778972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5171", "title": "[Clinical trial with glypentide. Comparison with the hypoglycemic activity of other sulfonylurea compounds].", "content": "In 53 sulphonylurea-treated diabetic patients, the activity of glypentide and the patients' general tolerance of the drug were studied. The results show that the new oral hypoglycemic drug has a similar, and superior in many instances, activity to other similar drugs such as glybenclamide and glypizide, and to the activity of the classical sulphonylureas (chlorpropamide and carbutamide). The patients' tolerance of the drug was excellent. No digestive disorders, undesirable side effects or hypoglycemias were seen in the patients. Analysis of lipid levels showed that glypentide induces a significant decrease in total lipid and cholesterol values, being this action more marked in patients with normal body weight non-treated with a hypocaloric diet.", "contents": "[Clinical trial with glypentide. Comparison with the hypoglycemic activity of other sulfonylurea compounds]. In 53 sulphonylurea-treated diabetic patients, the activity of glypentide and the patients' general tolerance of the drug were studied. The results show that the new oral hypoglycemic drug has a similar, and superior in many instances, activity to other similar drugs such as glybenclamide and glypizide, and to the activity of the classical sulphonylureas (chlorpropamide and carbutamide). The patients' tolerance of the drug was excellent. No digestive disorders, undesirable side effects or hypoglycemias were seen in the patients. Analysis of lipid levels showed that glypentide induces a significant decrease in total lipid and cholesterol values, being this action more marked in patients with normal body weight non-treated with a hypocaloric diet.", "PMID": 778973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5172", "title": "Sulindac in osteoarthrosis of the hip.", "content": "Sulindac (400 mg/day) has been compared with ibuprofen (1200 mg/day) in 40 patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip, over an eight-week period, in a double-blind controlled clinical trial. The two drugs were comparable in terms of patient preference, effects on hip movements, and toxicity. Sulindac showed superior analgesic properties to ibuprofen, resulting in a significantly greater reduction in pain on weight-bearing and with passive movements (P less than 0.01).", "contents": "Sulindac in osteoarthrosis of the hip. Sulindac (400 mg/day) has been compared with ibuprofen (1200 mg/day) in 40 patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip, over an eight-week period, in a double-blind controlled clinical trial. The two drugs were comparable in terms of patient preference, effects on hip movements, and toxicity. Sulindac showed superior analgesic properties to ibuprofen, resulting in a significantly greater reduction in pain on weight-bearing and with passive movements (P less than 0.01).", "PMID": 778987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5173", "title": "A trial of micro-encapsulated and enteric-coated aspirin in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "In a trial of 48 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, enteric-coated aspirin (4.55 g daily( and micro-encapsulated aspirin (4.50 g daily) proved to be equally effective in reducing morning stiffness, relieving pain, increasing grip strength, reducing ESR, and reducing the need for additional analgesic tablets, compared with placebo. Reduction of joint tenderness was also found, but this was not statistically significant. Proximal interphalangeal joint circumference altered little during the trial. Tinnitus and deafness were commoner with enteric-coated aspirin, but gastric side-effects were similar. Of 39 patients completing the trial, there was an equal patient preference for enteric-coated aspirin and micro-encapsulated aspirin. Salicylate side-effects necessitated withdrawal of six patients from the trial and dose reduction in nine patients. It was concluded that the efficacy and side-effects in rheumatoid arthritis of both aspirin preparations were similar.", "contents": "A trial of micro-encapsulated and enteric-coated aspirin in rheumatoid arthritis. In a trial of 48 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, enteric-coated aspirin (4.55 g daily( and micro-encapsulated aspirin (4.50 g daily) proved to be equally effective in reducing morning stiffness, relieving pain, increasing grip strength, reducing ESR, and reducing the need for additional analgesic tablets, compared with placebo. Reduction of joint tenderness was also found, but this was not statistically significant. Proximal interphalangeal joint circumference altered little during the trial. Tinnitus and deafness were commoner with enteric-coated aspirin, but gastric side-effects were similar. Of 39 patients completing the trial, there was an equal patient preference for enteric-coated aspirin and micro-encapsulated aspirin. Salicylate side-effects necessitated withdrawal of six patients from the trial and dose reduction in nine patients. It was concluded that the efficacy and side-effects in rheumatoid arthritis of both aspirin preparations were similar.", "PMID": 778989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5174", "title": "A controlled trial of the analgesic effects of Floctafenine against placebo in osteoarthrosis.", "content": "Floctafenine 200 mg four times a day was compared with placebo in 30 out-patients with osteoarthrosis in a double-blind controlled study. There was a significant patient preference for, and a greater relief of pain with, floctafenine. Pain on walking and joint stiffness after sitting were significantly less on floctafenine. There were no differences in side-effects between floctafenine and placebo.", "contents": "A controlled trial of the analgesic effects of Floctafenine against placebo in osteoarthrosis. Floctafenine 200 mg four times a day was compared with placebo in 30 out-patients with osteoarthrosis in a double-blind controlled study. There was a significant patient preference for, and a greater relief of pain with, floctafenine. Pain on walking and joint stiffness after sitting were significantly less on floctafenine. There were no differences in side-effects between floctafenine and placebo.", "PMID": 778990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5175", "title": "Diagnostic value of computer-assisted quantitative radioisotope angiocardiography.", "content": "The cardiac cavities and large vessels were studied by radioisotope angiocardiography with 99mTc-labelled albumin, using a gamma-camera linked to Med-II, with subsequent digital scanning and analysis by coloured video unit (VDP2) of the areas of iso-activity. The results are illustrated of 8 cases selected from the aggregate case histories of 78 patients (1 normal, 4 congenital heart disease, 2 rheumatic, 1 cor pulmonale chronicum). The direct observation of the course of the bolus and the activity/time curves in areas of interest in the cardiac cavities and the lungs, together with the representation of the areas of iso-activity, were useful for diagnosis and physiopathological evaluation of the heart conditions in the patients.", "contents": "Diagnostic value of computer-assisted quantitative radioisotope angiocardiography. The cardiac cavities and large vessels were studied by radioisotope angiocardiography with 99mTc-labelled albumin, using a gamma-camera linked to Med-II, with subsequent digital scanning and analysis by coloured video unit (VDP2) of the areas of iso-activity. The results are illustrated of 8 cases selected from the aggregate case histories of 78 patients (1 normal, 4 congenital heart disease, 2 rheumatic, 1 cor pulmonale chronicum). The direct observation of the course of the bolus and the activity/time curves in areas of interest in the cardiac cavities and the lungs, together with the representation of the areas of iso-activity, were useful for diagnosis and physiopathological evaluation of the heart conditions in the patients.", "PMID": 778993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5176", "title": "The proliferative diseases of the lymphoreticular system. Classification and pathological features of malignant lymphomas.", "content": "An histogenetic classification of lymphomas is discussed, and diagnostic criteria are proposed for these neoplasms, based primarily on their histological features and assessment of the predominant cell population in the individual lymphomas. Limitations of space ane experience have precluded more comprehensive discussions on the morphology of malignant lymphomas in relation to their immunological, functional and clinical features, prognosis and response to therapeutic agents. Since we are aware that the proposed classification and histological criteria are incomplete and imperfect if the malifnant lymphomas are considered as static entities, we wish to conclude our paper by quoting a statement made by Rappaport23: '...the clinical usefulness of any classification of reticular neoplasms is limited by their often unpredictable behaviour'.", "contents": "The proliferative diseases of the lymphoreticular system. Classification and pathological features of malignant lymphomas. An histogenetic classification of lymphomas is discussed, and diagnostic criteria are proposed for these neoplasms, based primarily on their histological features and assessment of the predominant cell population in the individual lymphomas. Limitations of space ane experience have precluded more comprehensive discussions on the morphology of malignant lymphomas in relation to their immunological, functional and clinical features, prognosis and response to therapeutic agents. Since we are aware that the proposed classification and histological criteria are incomplete and imperfect if the malifnant lymphomas are considered as static entities, we wish to conclude our paper by quoting a statement made by Rappaport23: '...the clinical usefulness of any classification of reticular neoplasms is limited by their often unpredictable behaviour'.", "PMID": 778991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5177", "title": "The assay of exocrinous peptidases in clinical chemistry.", "content": "The various peptidases secreted by such exocrine tissues as gastric mucosa, pancreas and prostate are usually determined by catalytic methods. Another approach utilizes immunoassay. Endopeptidases were formerly assayed with protein substrates such as hemoglobin and albumin. These techniques are increasingly replaced by more specific ones using artificial peptide derivatives as substrates, some of which allow an increase in absorbance or fluorescence to be continuously recorded. The presently available methods of assaying pepsin, pancreatic trypsin, trypsinogen and carboxypeptidase A, enterokinase and several peptidases of human sperm are reviewed.", "contents": "The assay of exocrinous peptidases in clinical chemistry. The various peptidases secreted by such exocrine tissues as gastric mucosa, pancreas and prostate are usually determined by catalytic methods. Another approach utilizes immunoassay. Endopeptidases were formerly assayed with protein substrates such as hemoglobin and albumin. These techniques are increasingly replaced by more specific ones using artificial peptide derivatives as substrates, some of which allow an increase in absorbance or fluorescence to be continuously recorded. The presently available methods of assaying pepsin, pancreatic trypsin, trypsinogen and carboxypeptidase A, enterokinase and several peptidases of human sperm are reviewed.", "PMID": 778994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5178", "title": "Viral interference and interferon.", "content": "Viral interference is a phenomenon for which a cell infected by a virus becomes resistant toward a second outcoming infection by a superinfectant virus. Even though other mechanisms are known, it can be assumed that most cases of viral interference occurring in natural conditions are mediated by interferon, a low molecular weight protein produced by the infected cell in response to a stimulus provided by viral nucleic acid(s). The interferon produced by a cell can migrate to other cells not yet involved by the spreading infection, transmitting to them the antiviral-resistant state. Available evidence indicates that interferon acts by inducing the production of a second cellular protein, called antiviral protein, which is directly responsible for the antiviral state through some alterations of the cellular, virus-directed, proteosynthetic system. In addition to the antiviral activity, the interferon system can affect the growth of several nonviral organisms and that of tumour cells; rather controversial effects have been shown also on the immune responses; the mechanisms underlying these effects are still nuclear. However a relationship to the specific immune system is suggested also by the finding that interferon can be liberated by sensitized T-lymphocytes following antigenic stimulus. Activation of the interferon system can be operated in vitro and in vivo also by several non-viral substances of various nature, such as nucleic acids, polysaccharides, aromatic amines, etc. This fact, considering that interferon has been shown to play a critical role on the mechanisms of recovery from viral infections, may open new perspectives for their possible prophylactic and/or therapeutic use in viral diseases. This problem can be approached also by administering exogenous interferon. Encouraging preliminary results have so far been obtained either with interferon or its inducers. However, several problems of various nature have to be resolved before considering the actual use of interferon system as a wide range antiviral drug in natural viral diseases of man.", "contents": "Viral interference and interferon. Viral interference is a phenomenon for which a cell infected by a virus becomes resistant toward a second outcoming infection by a superinfectant virus. Even though other mechanisms are known, it can be assumed that most cases of viral interference occurring in natural conditions are mediated by interferon, a low molecular weight protein produced by the infected cell in response to a stimulus provided by viral nucleic acid(s). The interferon produced by a cell can migrate to other cells not yet involved by the spreading infection, transmitting to them the antiviral-resistant state. Available evidence indicates that interferon acts by inducing the production of a second cellular protein, called antiviral protein, which is directly responsible for the antiviral state through some alterations of the cellular, virus-directed, proteosynthetic system. In addition to the antiviral activity, the interferon system can affect the growth of several nonviral organisms and that of tumour cells; rather controversial effects have been shown also on the immune responses; the mechanisms underlying these effects are still nuclear. However a relationship to the specific immune system is suggested also by the finding that interferon can be liberated by sensitized T-lymphocytes following antigenic stimulus. Activation of the interferon system can be operated in vitro and in vivo also by several non-viral substances of various nature, such as nucleic acids, polysaccharides, aromatic amines, etc. This fact, considering that interferon has been shown to play a critical role on the mechanisms of recovery from viral infections, may open new perspectives for their possible prophylactic and/or therapeutic use in viral diseases. This problem can be approached also by administering exogenous interferon. Encouraging preliminary results have so far been obtained either with interferon or its inducers. However, several problems of various nature have to be resolved before considering the actual use of interferon system as a wide range antiviral drug in natural viral diseases of man.", "PMID": 778995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5179", "title": "[Historical and recent data on the relationship between cerebellum and epilepsy].", "content": "Short historical review of the interrelationships between cerebellum and epilepsy, the historical background of COOPER'S intervention. The Author's personal contribution to this fascinating topic is also reminded.", "contents": "[Historical and recent data on the relationship between cerebellum and epilepsy]. Short historical review of the interrelationships between cerebellum and epilepsy, the historical background of COOPER'S intervention. The Author's personal contribution to this fascinating topic is also reminded.", "PMID": 778997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5180", "title": "Oral trypsin-inhibitor-induced improvement of the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions in alloxan diabetic rats.", "content": "Studies are presented dealing with the effect on the exocrine and endocrine pancreas of long-term oral trypsin inhibitor administration to alloxan diabetic rats. Three categories of rats were used: a) normal rats, b) alloxan diabetic rats, and c) alloxan diabetic rats treated with the trypsin inhibitor. 1. The concentration of amylase in both pancreas and intestinal contents were markedly decreased in alloxan diabetic rats as compared with normal rats, whereas the concentrations of lipase and trypsin(ogen) were practically unaffected by the diabetic state. 2. Trypsin inhibitor treatment of diabetic rats enhanced the concentrations of both amylase, trypsin(ogen), and lipase in pancreas and intestinal contents when compared with untreated diabetic controls. 3. Alloxan diabetic rats treated with trypsin inhibitor displayed an increased weight gain, increased pancreatic weight, and increased pancreatic protein concentration as compared with the untreated diabetic controls. 4. Alloxan diabetic rats treated for 3 or 5 weeks with the trypsin inhibitor were found to have decreased basal blood glucose levels and an increased plasma insulin: blood glucose ratio as compared to the untreated diabetic controls. 5. There was no apparent difference in the glucose elimination rate after I.V. glucose loads in diabetic rats given trypsin inhibitor and their diabetic controls. However, the insulin secretory response to the glucose stimulus was slightly improved in the trypsin inhibitor group. 6. Alloxan diabetic rats treated with trypsin inhibitor had an increased total pancreatic insulin content compared with their diabetic controls. It is concluded that long-term daily treatment with oral trypsin inhibitor in alloxan diabetic rats increased enzyme production and secretion in the exocrine pancreas, and produced an improvement of the diabetic condition of the animals. This improvement might partly be due to an increased pancreatic content and secretion of insulin.", "contents": "Oral trypsin-inhibitor-induced improvement of the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions in alloxan diabetic rats. Studies are presented dealing with the effect on the exocrine and endocrine pancreas of long-term oral trypsin inhibitor administration to alloxan diabetic rats. Three categories of rats were used: a) normal rats, b) alloxan diabetic rats, and c) alloxan diabetic rats treated with the trypsin inhibitor. 1. The concentration of amylase in both pancreas and intestinal contents were markedly decreased in alloxan diabetic rats as compared with normal rats, whereas the concentrations of lipase and trypsin(ogen) were practically unaffected by the diabetic state. 2. Trypsin inhibitor treatment of diabetic rats enhanced the concentrations of both amylase, trypsin(ogen), and lipase in pancreas and intestinal contents when compared with untreated diabetic controls. 3. Alloxan diabetic rats treated with trypsin inhibitor displayed an increased weight gain, increased pancreatic weight, and increased pancreatic protein concentration as compared with the untreated diabetic controls. 4. Alloxan diabetic rats treated for 3 or 5 weeks with the trypsin inhibitor were found to have decreased basal blood glucose levels and an increased plasma insulin: blood glucose ratio as compared to the untreated diabetic controls. 5. There was no apparent difference in the glucose elimination rate after I.V. glucose loads in diabetic rats given trypsin inhibitor and their diabetic controls. However, the insulin secretory response to the glucose stimulus was slightly improved in the trypsin inhibitor group. 6. Alloxan diabetic rats treated with trypsin inhibitor had an increased total pancreatic insulin content compared with their diabetic controls. It is concluded that long-term daily treatment with oral trypsin inhibitor in alloxan diabetic rats increased enzyme production and secretion in the exocrine pancreas, and produced an improvement of the diabetic condition of the animals. This improvement might partly be due to an increased pancreatic content and secretion of insulin.", "PMID": 779003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5181", "title": "[Malarial encephalopathy and disseminated intravascular coagulation (author's transl)].", "content": "Clinical and anatomical studies of a case of malarial encephalopathy are described in a 51 year old man. In view of the typical symptomatology it was important to ascertain an period even brief of stay in an endemic area. Only when this was confirmed the appropriate investigations could be planned (in thic case thick blood drop test) to identify the parassite. The physiopathological mechanisms through which the malarial infection causes the parenchymal lesions are considered. Such lesions according to many Authors are of ischemic nature, due to machanical obstruction of capillaries by the invaded erytrocytes with damage to the endotelial wall and thrombus formation. These lesions cause anoxic and necrotic damage of the parenchyma and, in certain cases, the appearance of serious haemorrhagic syndromes where the initial stage is the conglutination of the erytrocytes followed by disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. The importance of this syndrome is emphasized as well AA. the role of the association of the specific antimalarial treatment with the use of drugs against blood conglutination, thrombosis and oedema.", "contents": "[Malarial encephalopathy and disseminated intravascular coagulation (author's transl)]. Clinical and anatomical studies of a case of malarial encephalopathy are described in a 51 year old man. In view of the typical symptomatology it was important to ascertain an period even brief of stay in an endemic area. Only when this was confirmed the appropriate investigations could be planned (in thic case thick blood drop test) to identify the parassite. The physiopathological mechanisms through which the malarial infection causes the parenchymal lesions are considered. Such lesions according to many Authors are of ischemic nature, due to machanical obstruction of capillaries by the invaded erytrocytes with damage to the endotelial wall and thrombus formation. These lesions cause anoxic and necrotic damage of the parenchyma and, in certain cases, the appearance of serious haemorrhagic syndromes where the initial stage is the conglutination of the erytrocytes followed by disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. The importance of this syndrome is emphasized as well AA. the role of the association of the specific antimalarial treatment with the use of drugs against blood conglutination, thrombosis and oedema.", "PMID": 778999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5182", "title": "Gastric secretory response to different doses of carbachol and pentagastrin in man.", "content": "In 6 healthy students, the gastric secretion of acid, pepsin, and IF was measured during one hour at basal conditions, and during one hour of stimulation with 0.01 mug/kg/h and thereafter during one hour of stimulation with 0.1 mug/kg/h of pentagastrin. On separate days the same dose of pentagastrin was given in combination with 0.15 mug/kg/h or 1.5 mug/kg/h of carbachol, or stimulation was performed with each of the two doses of carbachol alone. A dose-dependent relationship was found between carbachol and the output of acid, pepsin, and IF. The responses to carbachol were independent of changes in plasma gastrin concentration. The acid- and IF-secretions stimulated by the largest dose of pentagastrin were significantly increased by the largest dose of carbachol, whereas the secretion of pepsin was not. Pentagastrin and carbachol seem to interact by competitive augmentation on the gastric secretion of acid and IF.", "contents": "Gastric secretory response to different doses of carbachol and pentagastrin in man. In 6 healthy students, the gastric secretion of acid, pepsin, and IF was measured during one hour at basal conditions, and during one hour of stimulation with 0.01 mug/kg/h and thereafter during one hour of stimulation with 0.1 mug/kg/h of pentagastrin. On separate days the same dose of pentagastrin was given in combination with 0.15 mug/kg/h or 1.5 mug/kg/h of carbachol, or stimulation was performed with each of the two doses of carbachol alone. A dose-dependent relationship was found between carbachol and the output of acid, pepsin, and IF. The responses to carbachol were independent of changes in plasma gastrin concentration. The acid- and IF-secretions stimulated by the largest dose of pentagastrin were significantly increased by the largest dose of carbachol, whereas the secretion of pepsin was not. Pentagastrin and carbachol seem to interact by competitive augmentation on the gastric secretion of acid and IF.", "PMID": 779004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5183", "title": "[Piribedil in the treatment of Parkinson disease (author's transl)].", "content": "Seventeen patients with either Parkinson's disease or post-encephalitic parkinsonism were treated with Piribedil, an apomorphine-like drug, in single blind conditions for a period ranging from five weeks to twenty-four months. The analysis of the results shows that Piribedil modifies the extrapiramidal symptomatology being specially effective against the tremor either when used alone or in association with L-Dopa. The side effects noticed during treatment with Piribedil are similar to those of Apomorphine, and are dose-dependent.", "contents": "[Piribedil in the treatment of Parkinson disease (author's transl)]. Seventeen patients with either Parkinson's disease or post-encephalitic parkinsonism were treated with Piribedil, an apomorphine-like drug, in single blind conditions for a period ranging from five weeks to twenty-four months. The analysis of the results shows that Piribedil modifies the extrapiramidal symptomatology being specially effective against the tremor either when used alone or in association with L-Dopa. The side effects noticed during treatment with Piribedil are similar to those of Apomorphine, and are dose-dependent.", "PMID": 778998} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5184", "title": "Co-trimoxazole and nitrofurantoin in urinary-tract infections: a controlled clinical study.", "content": "The clinical efficacies of co-trimoxazole and nitrofurantoin were compared in patients with urinary-tract infections associated with significant bacteriuria with coliform bacteria tested and found to be sensitive to both drugs. Of 27 patients treated with co-trimoxazole, 23 were cured after 10 days' treatment with 320 mg trimethoprim and 1600 mg sulphamethoxazole daily (85%). Of 18 patients treated with nitrofurantoin (200 mg/day for 10 days), 7 were cured (39%). Thus, cotrimoxazole was significantly superior (p less than 0.01) in this study. A significant (p less than 0.001) but temporary and modest rise of the serum-creatinine levels was noted after 5 days' treatment with co-trimoxazole. Such a rise was not observed in the nitrofurantoin group. Only a few minor side effects were noted in both groups.", "contents": "Co-trimoxazole and nitrofurantoin in urinary-tract infections: a controlled clinical study. The clinical efficacies of co-trimoxazole and nitrofurantoin were compared in patients with urinary-tract infections associated with significant bacteriuria with coliform bacteria tested and found to be sensitive to both drugs. Of 27 patients treated with co-trimoxazole, 23 were cured after 10 days' treatment with 320 mg trimethoprim and 1600 mg sulphamethoxazole daily (85%). Of 18 patients treated with nitrofurantoin (200 mg/day for 10 days), 7 were cured (39%). Thus, cotrimoxazole was significantly superior (p less than 0.01) in this study. A significant (p less than 0.001) but temporary and modest rise of the serum-creatinine levels was noted after 5 days' treatment with co-trimoxazole. Such a rise was not observed in the nitrofurantoin group. Only a few minor side effects were noted in both groups.", "PMID": 779006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5185", "title": "On bacteriological problems in the REDY dialysis system.", "content": "During a series of dialyses with the REDY absorbent dialysis system, samples for bacteriological examination were drawn from different parts of the system. The REDY cartridge, both unused and after dialysis, was submitted to bacteriological examination by the drawing of samples from its four layers. Bacteria grew from the different layers of the cartridge with decreasing frequency from the bottom layer upwards. There was bacterial growth both in samples taken from unused cartridges and in samples from cartridges at the conclusion of dialysis. An attempt to sterilize the bottom layer of the cartridge by irradiation had no apparent effect on the incidence of growth. There was no growth in the dialysate, while bacteria could be cultured from both sides of the membrane of the dialyzer as well as from the solution of concentrate. Bacteria are probably found in the urease layer of the unused cartridge and may multiply during dialysis, leak out into the dialysate, and be trapped in the dialyzer. It is concluded that bacteriological contamination of the system should be avoided by the use of a suitable and effective sterilization procedure.", "contents": "On bacteriological problems in the REDY dialysis system. During a series of dialyses with the REDY absorbent dialysis system, samples for bacteriological examination were drawn from different parts of the system. The REDY cartridge, both unused and after dialysis, was submitted to bacteriological examination by the drawing of samples from its four layers. Bacteria grew from the different layers of the cartridge with decreasing frequency from the bottom layer upwards. There was bacterial growth both in samples taken from unused cartridges and in samples from cartridges at the conclusion of dialysis. An attempt to sterilize the bottom layer of the cartridge by irradiation had no apparent effect on the incidence of growth. There was no growth in the dialysate, while bacteria could be cultured from both sides of the membrane of the dialyzer as well as from the solution of concentrate. Bacteria are probably found in the urease layer of the unused cartridge and may multiply during dialysis, leak out into the dialysate, and be trapped in the dialyzer. It is concluded that bacteriological contamination of the system should be avoided by the use of a suitable and effective sterilization procedure.", "PMID": 779017} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5186", "title": "Igg rheumatoid factor in serum of rheumatoid arthritis patients.", "content": "The ability of isolated IgG and F(ab)2 fragments to agglutinate IgG-coated latex particles was used as a test of IgG-RF activity. No definite differences could be proved between controls and RF-negative RA patients, whereas the latex titres of IgG and F(ab)2 of sero-positive RA patients were higher. The IgG latex activity was recovered in the fractions between the 19S and 7S after gradient centrifugation of serum or isolated IgG at pH 7.2 and within the 7S fraction after centrifugation at pH 4.1. The dissociated IgG complexes reformed after neutralization, thus indicating a self-association of the IgG molecules.", "contents": "Igg rheumatoid factor in serum of rheumatoid arthritis patients. The ability of isolated IgG and F(ab)2 fragments to agglutinate IgG-coated latex particles was used as a test of IgG-RF activity. No definite differences could be proved between controls and RF-negative RA patients, whereas the latex titres of IgG and F(ab)2 of sero-positive RA patients were higher. The IgG latex activity was recovered in the fractions between the 19S and 7S after gradient centrifugation of serum or isolated IgG at pH 7.2 and within the 7S fraction after centrifugation at pH 4.1. The dissociated IgG complexes reformed after neutralization, thus indicating a self-association of the IgG molecules.", "PMID": 779025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5187", "title": "Spongy bones in prehistoric America.", "content": "A well-preserved mummified child from about A.D. 1200 was recovered fron Canyon de Chelly in northeastern Arizona in 1971. Striking skull changes were found and microscopic, ultrastructural, and cytochemical studies confirm the diagnosis of porotic hyperostosis that resulted in spongy bone appearance. We suggest that a possible cause for this condition could be iron deficiency of a severity seldom found in modern societies.", "contents": "Spongy bones in prehistoric America. A well-preserved mummified child from about A.D. 1200 was recovered fron Canyon de Chelly in northeastern Arizona in 1971. Striking skull changes were found and microscopic, ultrastructural, and cytochemical studies confirm the diagnosis of porotic hyperostosis that resulted in spongy bone appearance. We suggest that a possible cause for this condition could be iron deficiency of a severity seldom found in modern societies.", "PMID": 779029} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5188", "title": "Intraclonal histocompatibility in a parthenogenetic lizard: evidence of genetic homogeneity.", "content": "A total of 175 skin grafts were transplanted among 20 individuals belonging to two separate populations of the parthenogenetic lizard Cnemidophorus uniparens. Of these, 98.8 percent were permanently accepted, which indicates that all individuals of each population may be genetically identical. These results further suggest that large populations or the entire species may consist of one clone derived from a single individual.", "contents": "Intraclonal histocompatibility in a parthenogenetic lizard: evidence of genetic homogeneity. A total of 175 skin grafts were transplanted among 20 individuals belonging to two separate populations of the parthenogenetic lizard Cnemidophorus uniparens. Of these, 98.8 percent were permanently accepted, which indicates that all individuals of each population may be genetically identical. These results further suggest that large populations or the entire species may consist of one clone derived from a single individual.", "PMID": 779030} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5189", "title": "Criteria for the differentiation of dysfibrinogenemic states.", "content": "A large number of families have now been described in whom affected individuals have within their plasmas an abnormal species of fibrinogen (factor I). These defects, presumably examples of the phenomenon of allotypy--i.e., the synthesis of variant forms of a normal protein--have been inherited as autosomal dominant characteristics. In the great majority of cases, clotting is abnormally slow when thrombin is added to the abnormal plasma. Sometimes this defect appears to reside in impaired release of fibrinopeptides by thrombin. In other cases, fibrinopeptide release proceeds normally, but aggregation of fibrin monomers is impeded. In the latter instance, aggregation may be abnormally slow or, once it begins, it may proceed at a normal rate. Curiously, a bleeding tendency is more likely to occur in patients in whom fibrinopeptide release is impaired, while dehiscence of operative wounds rarely complicates dysfibrinogenemias associated with impaired aggregation of fibrin monomers; thrombosis has been described in both groups of patients. Most of the reported cases may be distinguished by functional criteria and by the physicochemical behavior and biochemical nature of the abnormal protein. Additonally, one family has been described in which plasma clots abnormally rapidly upon addition of thrombin, and two others in which crosslinking of fibrin by fibrin-stabilizing factor (factor XIII) is defective.", "contents": "Criteria for the differentiation of dysfibrinogenemic states. A large number of families have now been described in whom affected individuals have within their plasmas an abnormal species of fibrinogen (factor I). These defects, presumably examples of the phenomenon of allotypy--i.e., the synthesis of variant forms of a normal protein--have been inherited as autosomal dominant characteristics. In the great majority of cases, clotting is abnormally slow when thrombin is added to the abnormal plasma. Sometimes this defect appears to reside in impaired release of fibrinopeptides by thrombin. In other cases, fibrinopeptide release proceeds normally, but aggregation of fibrin monomers is impeded. In the latter instance, aggregation may be abnormally slow or, once it begins, it may proceed at a normal rate. Curiously, a bleeding tendency is more likely to occur in patients in whom fibrinopeptide release is impaired, while dehiscence of operative wounds rarely complicates dysfibrinogenemias associated with impaired aggregation of fibrin monomers; thrombosis has been described in both groups of patients. Most of the reported cases may be distinguished by functional criteria and by the physicochemical behavior and biochemical nature of the abnormal protein. Additonally, one family has been described in which plasma clots abnormally rapidly upon addition of thrombin, and two others in which crosslinking of fibrin by fibrin-stabilizing factor (factor XIII) is defective.", "PMID": 779032} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5190", "title": "Placenta previa and preeclampsia complicating the management of renal transplant patients.", "content": "Presented are three patients who have delivered full-term normal infants after renal transplants from living related donors. One patient had a placenta previa with excessive vaginal hemorrhage. Another patient manifested preeclampsia. Management of these and other complications should be aggressive and thorough with special precautions taken to preserve graft function. In our patients, pregnancy was not harmful to the renal transplant. No fetal complications from immunosuppressive drugs were noted and the patients' dosage requirements did not change. Counseling regarding family planning is essential in patients with renal transplant.", "contents": "Placenta previa and preeclampsia complicating the management of renal transplant patients. Presented are three patients who have delivered full-term normal infants after renal transplants from living related donors. One patient had a placenta previa with excessive vaginal hemorrhage. Another patient manifested preeclampsia. Management of these and other complications should be aggressive and thorough with special precautions taken to preserve graft function. In our patients, pregnancy was not harmful to the renal transplant. No fetal complications from immunosuppressive drugs were noted and the patients' dosage requirements did not change. Counseling regarding family planning is essential in patients with renal transplant.", "PMID": 779039} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5191", "title": "Correction of extensive neck contractures with local flaps and split- and full-thickness grafts.", "content": "A technic of combined split-thickness and full-thickness skin grafts and local flap closure for extensive deep cicatricial neck contractures is presented. The head and neck are mobilized by excision of limiting tissues. The lateral neck skin is mobilized to be rotated anteriorly as flaps, and a full-thickness skin graft is applied to the central neck. Split-thickness skin grafts are placed below the full-thickness graft and flaps, and also above the full-thickness graft over the horizontal part of the neck. The success of this technic relies upon the limited contracture of full-thickness skin grafts, mobilization of lateral neck tissue, and consideration of regional units of the neck. This relatively simple operation results in a dramatic and lasting improvement of the neckline, good range of motion of the head and neck, elimination of multiple operative procedures, and early rehabilitation of the patient.", "contents": "Correction of extensive neck contractures with local flaps and split- and full-thickness grafts. A technic of combined split-thickness and full-thickness skin grafts and local flap closure for extensive deep cicatricial neck contractures is presented. The head and neck are mobilized by excision of limiting tissues. The lateral neck skin is mobilized to be rotated anteriorly as flaps, and a full-thickness skin graft is applied to the central neck. Split-thickness skin grafts are placed below the full-thickness graft and flaps, and also above the full-thickness graft over the horizontal part of the neck. The success of this technic relies upon the limited contracture of full-thickness skin grafts, mobilization of lateral neck tissue, and consideration of regional units of the neck. This relatively simple operation results in a dramatic and lasting improvement of the neckline, good range of motion of the head and neck, elimination of multiple operative procedures, and early rehabilitation of the patient.", "PMID": 779040} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5192", "title": "Aggressive treatment of acute respiratory insufficiency.", "content": "Treatment of patients with severe acute respiratory insufficiency included application of end-expiratory pressure to an optimal level, precise cardiovascular monitoring, and adaptation of conventional respirators to provide intermittent mandatory ventilation. Of 90 patients with acute respiratory insufficiency secondary to trauma, sepsis, or complicated surgery, 65% survived. Mortality appeared to be independent of the level of end-expiratory pressure required. The goal of therapy was maximal reduction of intrapulmonary shunt without significantly decreasing cardiac function. In the group requiring more than 20 cm H2O end-expiratory pressure, shunt decreased from 48% at 5 cm of positive end-expiratory pressure to 21% at the optimal level. In only 6% of the entire group was significant pulmonary dysfunction present at the time of death. Most deaths (75%) were deemed secondary to failure of multiple organ systems, occurring late in the hospital course. Pneumothorax was recorded in 10% of the entire group. Acute respiratory insufficiency should be rapidly reversible in most cases if aggressive measures are employed with the intent of reversing functional impairment rather than improving arterial oxygenation to \"satisfactory levels.\"", "contents": "Aggressive treatment of acute respiratory insufficiency. Treatment of patients with severe acute respiratory insufficiency included application of end-expiratory pressure to an optimal level, precise cardiovascular monitoring, and adaptation of conventional respirators to provide intermittent mandatory ventilation. Of 90 patients with acute respiratory insufficiency secondary to trauma, sepsis, or complicated surgery, 65% survived. Mortality appeared to be independent of the level of end-expiratory pressure required. The goal of therapy was maximal reduction of intrapulmonary shunt without significantly decreasing cardiac function. In the group requiring more than 20 cm H2O end-expiratory pressure, shunt decreased from 48% at 5 cm of positive end-expiratory pressure to 21% at the optimal level. In only 6% of the entire group was significant pulmonary dysfunction present at the time of death. Most deaths (75%) were deemed secondary to failure of multiple organ systems, occurring late in the hospital course. Pneumothorax was recorded in 10% of the entire group. Acute respiratory insufficiency should be rapidly reversible in most cases if aggressive measures are employed with the intent of reversing functional impairment rather than improving arterial oxygenation to \"satisfactory levels.\"", "PMID": 779041} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5193", "title": "Anticoagulant-induced necrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissues: report of two cases and review of the English literature.", "content": "Two cases of necrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissues in patients taking oral anticoagulants are reported, and the English literature is reviewed. The mechanism of coumarin necrosis remains unknown. Most patients are women and the lesions are most common on the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and breasts. Simple mastectomy is the usual treatment for a breast lesion. Although some cases have been reported in which the skin lesion has healed despite continued anticoagulant therapy, curtailing its use is recommended. Heparin has not been associated with skin necrosis, however, and may be desirable if continued anticoagulant treatment is necessary.", "contents": "Anticoagulant-induced necrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissues: report of two cases and review of the English literature. Two cases of necrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissues in patients taking oral anticoagulants are reported, and the English literature is reviewed. The mechanism of coumarin necrosis remains unknown. Most patients are women and the lesions are most common on the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and breasts. Simple mastectomy is the usual treatment for a breast lesion. Although some cases have been reported in which the skin lesion has healed despite continued anticoagulant therapy, curtailing its use is recommended. Heparin has not been associated with skin necrosis, however, and may be desirable if continued anticoagulant treatment is necessary.", "PMID": 779042} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5194", "title": "Comparison of indoramin and methyldopa in hypertension.", "content": "A comparison of indoramin and methyldopa in the treatment of mild and moderate essential hypertension in 31 White middle-aged patients was made by means of a double-blind crossover trial. Equally satisfactory control of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, in the standing and supine positions, was achieved by both drugs. With a mean dose of 158 +/- 9 mg per day of indoramin the average fall in lying and standing blood pressures was 16/6 and 16/8 mmHg respectively. Equivalent values for methyldopa, with a mean dose of 1 540 +/- 90 mg per day, were 21/8 and 16/13 mmHg. Values for the two drugs are not significantly different. Also, there were no significant differences between the two drugs in their effect on the heart rate or in the incidence of side-effects.", "contents": "Comparison of indoramin and methyldopa in hypertension. A comparison of indoramin and methyldopa in the treatment of mild and moderate essential hypertension in 31 White middle-aged patients was made by means of a double-blind crossover trial. Equally satisfactory control of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, in the standing and supine positions, was achieved by both drugs. With a mean dose of 158 +/- 9 mg per day of indoramin the average fall in lying and standing blood pressures was 16/6 and 16/8 mmHg respectively. Equivalent values for methyldopa, with a mean dose of 1 540 +/- 90 mg per day, were 21/8 and 16/13 mmHg. Values for the two drugs are not significantly different. Also, there were no significant differences between the two drugs in their effect on the heart rate or in the incidence of side-effects.", "PMID": 779054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5195", "title": "Endoscopic evaluation of the effect of Ulcerone and placebo on duodenal ulcers.", "content": "Fifty courses of tripotassium di-citrato bismuthate (Ulcerone) and placebo were administered to ambulant patients with duodenal ulcers in a double-blind trial for 6 weeks. Duodenoscopy was used for initial assessment and to judge improvement. The ulcers of 20 out of 30 patients (67%) healed completely with Ulcerone treatment for 6 weeks, while another 7 patients showed partial improvement. The ulcers of 4 out of 20 patients (20%) on placebo showed healing. The difference is highly significant (chi2 = 20,0; P less than 0,001). Ulcerone is a collodial bismuth substance which is said to act by coating the ulcer by becoming incorporated into granulating tissue at an acid pH. No side-effects of Ulcerone occurred. It is considered to be a safe and effective oral therapeutic substance for ambulant patients with duodenal ulcers.", "contents": "Endoscopic evaluation of the effect of Ulcerone and placebo on duodenal ulcers. Fifty courses of tripotassium di-citrato bismuthate (Ulcerone) and placebo were administered to ambulant patients with duodenal ulcers in a double-blind trial for 6 weeks. Duodenoscopy was used for initial assessment and to judge improvement. The ulcers of 20 out of 30 patients (67%) healed completely with Ulcerone treatment for 6 weeks, while another 7 patients showed partial improvement. The ulcers of 4 out of 20 patients (20%) on placebo showed healing. The difference is highly significant (chi2 = 20,0; P less than 0,001). Ulcerone is a collodial bismuth substance which is said to act by coating the ulcer by becoming incorporated into granulating tissue at an acid pH. No side-effects of Ulcerone occurred. It is considered to be a safe and effective oral therapeutic substance for ambulant patients with duodenal ulcers.", "PMID": 779056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5196", "title": "The temporary colostomy.", "content": "The indications for a temporary transverse colostomy are examined in the light of a year's experience of the Stomatherapy Service at Groote Schuur Hospital. A surgical technique, which employs primary colocutaneous suture and which may be used in both emergency and elective situations, is described.", "contents": "The temporary colostomy. The indications for a temporary transverse colostomy are examined in the light of a year's experience of the Stomatherapy Service at Groote Schuur Hospital. A surgical technique, which employs primary colocutaneous suture and which may be used in both emergency and elective situations, is described.", "PMID": 779057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5197", "title": "A comparison of tilidine hydrochloride and morphine in the treatment of postoperative pain.", "content": "Intramuscular injections of 10 mg morphine or 100 mg tilidine hydrochloride were administered in a double-blind fashion and in random order to 40 patients after minor surgical operations. The therapeutic effect of each analgesic was assessed by comparing the severity of pain immediately postoperatively with that 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours after injection of the relevant analgesic. Tilidine and morphine relieved pain to a similar degree. Within the limits of the protocol followed, morphine appeared superior to tilidine in some tests. No major side-effects occurred.", "contents": "A comparison of tilidine hydrochloride and morphine in the treatment of postoperative pain. Intramuscular injections of 10 mg morphine or 100 mg tilidine hydrochloride were administered in a double-blind fashion and in random order to 40 patients after minor surgical operations. The therapeutic effect of each analgesic was assessed by comparing the severity of pain immediately postoperatively with that 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours after injection of the relevant analgesic. Tilidine and morphine relieved pain to a similar degree. Within the limits of the protocol followed, morphine appeared superior to tilidine in some tests. No major side-effects occurred.", "PMID": 779058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5198", "title": "Serial scintigraphy during isolated renal perfusion.", "content": "A quantitative standard of radioactive impulse activity can be determined as an indicator of renal functional ability during renal transplantation and after perfusion by simple methods. Hippuran excretion is nearly absent at temperature below 8 degrees C but is still measurable and rises with every degree above 4 degrees C. If there is no evidence of Hippuran excretion at 8 degrees C, this will indicate a degree of renal damage. The examination for non-pulsatile, stored kidneys similar to the method employed by Collins appears perfectly satisfactory to us. The radioactive substances do not necessarily damage the organ because the kidneys are washed out rapidly. Similar radioactive materials can be used in pre-operative preservation and during the postoperative periods as a means of control and diagnosis without additional personnel or expenditure. In the past, false values have been obtained, owing to spasm when albumin base solutions have been used. When spasm is noted, repeated measurements should be done to determine if the spasm is true, or the result of organ damage. The basic correlation between organ weight, organ blood flow and scintigraphic impulse rates will give an initial estimate of organ activity, even when the condition of the donor kidney is unknown. Follow-up sequential scintigrams provide information regarding the suitability of the organ for transplantation.", "contents": "Serial scintigraphy during isolated renal perfusion. A quantitative standard of radioactive impulse activity can be determined as an indicator of renal functional ability during renal transplantation and after perfusion by simple methods. Hippuran excretion is nearly absent at temperature below 8 degrees C but is still measurable and rises with every degree above 4 degrees C. If there is no evidence of Hippuran excretion at 8 degrees C, this will indicate a degree of renal damage. The examination for non-pulsatile, stored kidneys similar to the method employed by Collins appears perfectly satisfactory to us. The radioactive substances do not necessarily damage the organ because the kidneys are washed out rapidly. Similar radioactive materials can be used in pre-operative preservation and during the postoperative periods as a means of control and diagnosis without additional personnel or expenditure. In the past, false values have been obtained, owing to spasm when albumin base solutions have been used. When spasm is noted, repeated measurements should be done to determine if the spasm is true, or the result of organ damage. The basic correlation between organ weight, organ blood flow and scintigraphic impulse rates will give an initial estimate of organ activity, even when the condition of the donor kidney is unknown. Follow-up sequential scintigrams provide information regarding the suitability of the organ for transplantation.", "PMID": 779059} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5199", "title": "Myocardial infarction and the evolution of the intensive coronary care unit.", "content": "From the start of the 1960s it became increasingly evident that sudden death with acute myocardial infarction was owing to reversible derangement in heart rhythm rather than to gross myocardial damage. Patients at risk were placed in specialised areas, intensive coronary care units (ICCUs), and their heart rhythms were continuously monitored. Initially, the prime function of the ICCU was to resuscitate a patient who had suffered cardiac arrest. Since the survival rate after resuscitation was low, no obvious reduction in mortality was noted in the early ICCU. As intensive care evolved, better resuscitation techniques became available, understanding of the terminal arrhythmic mechanism improved, and the prevention of cardiac arrest by aggressive and prompt treatment of the minor warning arrhythmias became feasible. With these developments, the ICCU appeared to show a reduction in the mortality of acute myocardial infarction. It is argued that the 'supposed' decrease represents a 'real' decrease. This is on the basis of the consistency and similarity of all ICCU results throughout the world over a period of 7 years, coupled with the fact that cardiac arrests (which were initially reported to occur in 10%-20% of patients) had been eliminated. The principles of modern intensive coronary care have been equally well utilised in small community hospitals and in large academic hospitals. Thus, the extension of soundly-based management can have application in situations which, by force of circumstances, are far from ideal. An outstanding feature which emerged early on, was the high incidence of arrhythmias recorded by continuous monitoring. The percentage frequently quoted was 80% and above. Emphasis was placed on the dangerous ventricular arrhythmias, including the ventricular premature systole. The atrial arrhythmias were considered to be of lesser clinical significance.", "contents": "Myocardial infarction and the evolution of the intensive coronary care unit. From the start of the 1960s it became increasingly evident that sudden death with acute myocardial infarction was owing to reversible derangement in heart rhythm rather than to gross myocardial damage. Patients at risk were placed in specialised areas, intensive coronary care units (ICCUs), and their heart rhythms were continuously monitored. Initially, the prime function of the ICCU was to resuscitate a patient who had suffered cardiac arrest. Since the survival rate after resuscitation was low, no obvious reduction in mortality was noted in the early ICCU. As intensive care evolved, better resuscitation techniques became available, understanding of the terminal arrhythmic mechanism improved, and the prevention of cardiac arrest by aggressive and prompt treatment of the minor warning arrhythmias became feasible. With these developments, the ICCU appeared to show a reduction in the mortality of acute myocardial infarction. It is argued that the 'supposed' decrease represents a 'real' decrease. This is on the basis of the consistency and similarity of all ICCU results throughout the world over a period of 7 years, coupled with the fact that cardiac arrests (which were initially reported to occur in 10%-20% of patients) had been eliminated. The principles of modern intensive coronary care have been equally well utilised in small community hospitals and in large academic hospitals. Thus, the extension of soundly-based management can have application in situations which, by force of circumstances, are far from ideal. An outstanding feature which emerged early on, was the high incidence of arrhythmias recorded by continuous monitoring. The percentage frequently quoted was 80% and above. Emphasis was placed on the dangerous ventricular arrhythmias, including the ventricular premature systole. The atrial arrhythmias were considered to be of lesser clinical significance.", "PMID": 779061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5200", "title": "Extra-abdominal transplantation of the pancreas.", "content": "Extra-abdominal pancreatic transplantation is a feasible surgical procedure. Transplantation of the pancreas without duodenum and with pancreatic duct-to-ureter anastomosis had better results than combined pancreaticoduodenal transplantation in the same position. The alternative extra-abdominal approach offers more definite advantages, such as ease of performance, location and identification of complications, than does the usual intra-abdominal technique.", "contents": "Extra-abdominal transplantation of the pancreas. Extra-abdominal pancreatic transplantation is a feasible surgical procedure. Transplantation of the pancreas without duodenum and with pancreatic duct-to-ureter anastomosis had better results than combined pancreaticoduodenal transplantation in the same position. The alternative extra-abdominal approach offers more definite advantages, such as ease of performance, location and identification of complications, than does the usual intra-abdominal technique.", "PMID": 779081} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5201", "title": "A simple technique for closure of temporary cystostomy.", "content": "To overcome the problem of persistent urinary wound discharge after prostatectomy with temporary cystostomy, a simple suture technique is introduced. Two monofilament nylon sutures are inserted through the abdominal wall, tangentially to the dome of the bladder, together making a purse-string suture around the cystostomy. The sutures are left untied until the top catheter is removed. Then they are tied and subsequently removed along with the skin stitches. The technique has fulfilled its purpose in 19 consecutive patients without giving rise to any complications.", "contents": "A simple technique for closure of temporary cystostomy. To overcome the problem of persistent urinary wound discharge after prostatectomy with temporary cystostomy, a simple suture technique is introduced. Two monofilament nylon sutures are inserted through the abdominal wall, tangentially to the dome of the bladder, together making a purse-string suture around the cystostomy. The sutures are left untied until the top catheter is removed. Then they are tied and subsequently removed along with the skin stitches. The technique has fulfilled its purpose in 19 consecutive patients without giving rise to any complications.", "PMID": 779082} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5202", "title": "An interpretive review of lymphoma of the stomach.", "content": "Lymphoma of the stomach may exist as a primary lesion or as a manifestation of generalized or systemic lymphoma. The primary lesions constitute approximately 3 per cent of all malignant lesions of the stomach and outnumber all other types of non-epithelial malignant lesions. The cause is not known. Gross characteristics often resemble carcinoma, and like carcinoma, the primary lesion may affect other structures by direct extension, may seed to peritoneal surfaces, may metastasize to lymph nodes near or far, and may be borne by the blood to liver, lung or bone. Diagnosis begins with clinical suspicion by the physician, is supported by the results of roentogenographic and gastroscopic studies, and is finally established by a positive study of biopsy specimens obtained with or without laparotomy. Improvements in both gastroscopic instruments and their use promise to increase greatly the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis. Pseudolymphoma of the stomach, a rare type of inflammatory lesion, may, on occasion, offer a difficult differential diagnosis from that of lymphoma. The clinical approach to the lesion, whether the diagnosis is histologically proved or not, is the same as for suspected carcinoma. A laparotomy is usually necessary to determine the possibility of surgical cure, unless distant spread or systemic involvement can be established by other means, such as a distant lymph node containing the disease or a positive needle biopsy of the liver. When a cure seems possible, resection is favored by most surgeons, even though it entails total gastrectomy or multiple organ resection. Opinion is divided as to whether or not a curative resection should be followed routinely by irradiation, although irradiation is generally favored by palliation of lesions not amenable to resection. Transgastroscopic biopsy and gastroscopic follow-up study may permit radiation to be tested as the only form of treatment of favorable lesions. At the present time, chemotherapy should be reserved for lesions not controlled by operation or irradiation. Stage for stage, the outlook for lymphoma of the stomach is about twice as favorable as that for carcinoma. No generally accepted classification of lymphoma exists as yet. Correlations between prognosis and microscopic characteristics are not close, except for the generally favorable outlook for lymphocytic lymphoma.", "contents": "An interpretive review of lymphoma of the stomach. Lymphoma of the stomach may exist as a primary lesion or as a manifestation of generalized or systemic lymphoma. The primary lesions constitute approximately 3 per cent of all malignant lesions of the stomach and outnumber all other types of non-epithelial malignant lesions. The cause is not known. Gross characteristics often resemble carcinoma, and like carcinoma, the primary lesion may affect other structures by direct extension, may seed to peritoneal surfaces, may metastasize to lymph nodes near or far, and may be borne by the blood to liver, lung or bone. Diagnosis begins with clinical suspicion by the physician, is supported by the results of roentogenographic and gastroscopic studies, and is finally established by a positive study of biopsy specimens obtained with or without laparotomy. Improvements in both gastroscopic instruments and their use promise to increase greatly the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis. Pseudolymphoma of the stomach, a rare type of inflammatory lesion, may, on occasion, offer a difficult differential diagnosis from that of lymphoma. The clinical approach to the lesion, whether the diagnosis is histologically proved or not, is the same as for suspected carcinoma. A laparotomy is usually necessary to determine the possibility of surgical cure, unless distant spread or systemic involvement can be established by other means, such as a distant lymph node containing the disease or a positive needle biopsy of the liver. When a cure seems possible, resection is favored by most surgeons, even though it entails total gastrectomy or multiple organ resection. Opinion is divided as to whether or not a curative resection should be followed routinely by irradiation, although irradiation is generally favored by palliation of lesions not amenable to resection. Transgastroscopic biopsy and gastroscopic follow-up study may permit radiation to be tested as the only form of treatment of favorable lesions. At the present time, chemotherapy should be reserved for lesions not controlled by operation or irradiation. Stage for stage, the outlook for lymphoma of the stomach is about twice as favorable as that for carcinoma. No generally accepted classification of lymphoma exists as yet. Correlations between prognosis and microscopic characteristics are not close, except for the generally favorable outlook for lymphocytic lymphoma.", "PMID": 779084} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5203", "title": "Use of a questionably viable flap as a full thickness skin graft after mastectomy.", "content": "Questionably viable skin flaps may be used as full thickness grafts after mastectomy. It is suggested that the procedure described can help reduce the incidence of flap necrosis after mastectomy and yield a more acceptable cosmetic result.", "contents": "Use of a questionably viable flap as a full thickness skin graft after mastectomy. Questionably viable skin flaps may be used as full thickness grafts after mastectomy. It is suggested that the procedure described can help reduce the incidence of flap necrosis after mastectomy and yield a more acceptable cosmetic result.", "PMID": 779085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5204", "title": "Contributions of electron microscopy to the study of corneal pathology.", "content": "Most of the electron microscopic studies of pathological corneas have been done only recently. Keratoplasty has been the most important source of specimens for ultramicroscopic investigation. With the introduction of electron microscopic techniques, we have been able to confirm many light microscopic studies in pathological corneas. This contribution has been most valuable in the identification of the sites and types of pathological changes in corneal dystrophies and degenerations. This review of electron microscopic studies describes the present concepts on the nature of the histological changes in dystrophies and degenerations of the anterior and posterior corneal layers and corneal stroma. It also includes a review of some corneal inflammatory conditions as well as metabolic disorders affecting its transparency.", "contents": "Contributions of electron microscopy to the study of corneal pathology. Most of the electron microscopic studies of pathological corneas have been done only recently. Keratoplasty has been the most important source of specimens for ultramicroscopic investigation. With the introduction of electron microscopic techniques, we have been able to confirm many light microscopic studies in pathological corneas. This contribution has been most valuable in the identification of the sites and types of pathological changes in corneal dystrophies and degenerations. This review of electron microscopic studies describes the present concepts on the nature of the histological changes in dystrophies and degenerations of the anterior and posterior corneal layers and corneal stroma. It also includes a review of some corneal inflammatory conditions as well as metabolic disorders affecting its transparency.", "PMID": 779087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5205", "title": "Morphological changes induced during fixation of Mycoplasma mycoides for electron microscopy.", "content": "Only spherical mycoplasmas 0.6-0.9 mum diam were observed by darkfield microscopy in single cell suspensions prepared from exponential broth cultures of Mycoplasma mycoides var mycoides and Mycoplasma mycoides var capri. Similar cells were seen in pseudoreplicas by electron microscopy and they are considered characteristic of the morphology of M. mycoides. When the mycoplasmas were fixed by the addition of 10% formalin to the suspensions or washed, centrifuged cells were fixed by glutaraldehyde, filamentous and ring forms were observed in electron micrographs. These are not considered typical of the morphology of M. mycoides but are artifacts produced during the preparation of the mycoplasmas for electron microscopy.", "contents": "Morphological changes induced during fixation of Mycoplasma mycoides for electron microscopy. Only spherical mycoplasmas 0.6-0.9 mum diam were observed by darkfield microscopy in single cell suspensions prepared from exponential broth cultures of Mycoplasma mycoides var mycoides and Mycoplasma mycoides var capri. Similar cells were seen in pseudoreplicas by electron microscopy and they are considered characteristic of the morphology of M. mycoides. When the mycoplasmas were fixed by the addition of 10% formalin to the suspensions or washed, centrifuged cells were fixed by glutaraldehyde, filamentous and ring forms were observed in electron micrographs. These are not considered typical of the morphology of M. mycoides but are artifacts produced during the preparation of the mycoplasmas for electron microscopy.", "PMID": 779108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5206", "title": "[Iatrogenic foreign bodies in heart (author's transl)].", "content": "Two cases are reported of migrating Kirschner wires, which had been inserted for stabilisation of bony defects of the thoracic cage. The wires migrated in both patients to the heart and caused life threatening complications like pericardial tamponade, arrhythmias and cardiac insufficiency. Indications for removal of foreign bodies from the heart are discussed. Attention is drawn to the fact that the ends of Kirschner wires must be bent in order to prevent migration.", "contents": "[Iatrogenic foreign bodies in heart (author's transl)]. Two cases are reported of migrating Kirschner wires, which had been inserted for stabilisation of bony defects of the thoracic cage. The wires migrated in both patients to the heart and caused life threatening complications like pericardial tamponade, arrhythmias and cardiac insufficiency. Indications for removal of foreign bodies from the heart are discussed. Attention is drawn to the fact that the ends of Kirschner wires must be bent in order to prevent migration.", "PMID": 779135} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5207", "title": "Experimental studies on the pathophysiological changes in the pancreas of rat following bilateral ligation of the parotid gland duct.", "content": "The blood sugar level, blood insulin level, serum amylase level and organ amylase level in the pancreas were measured in a total of 110 rats examined at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr, and 1,2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after bilateral ligation of the parotid gland ducts. In parallel with this functional study, light microscopic study of th=e pancreas and the parotid gland and electron microscopic observations of the pancreas obtained from the rats were performed at the respective periods. The following results were obtained: 1) The serum amylase level was most elevated in the group examined at 12 hr after ligation and it decreased gradually and returned to the normal level at 96 hr after ligation and thereafter. 2) As for the pancreatic exocrine function, the organ amylase level of the pancrease was significantly elevated in function, the organ amylase level of the pancrease was significantly elevated in the groups examined at 24 hr to 3 weeks after ligation. Electron-microscopically, hyperfunctional state in the pancreatic acinar cells was recognized as evidenced by the dilatiation of the granular endoplasmic reticulum. 3) With regard to the endocrine function of the pancreas, the blood sugar level and blood insulin level did not show and significant changes after ligation as compared with the control group. Morphologically, electron microscopy showed a decrease in electron density and swelling of the cored granules, disintegration and fusion of their limiting membranes in the beta cells. These changes are interpreted as indicating the discharge of secretory granules in the beta cells. It is concluded that an impairment of the parotid glands influences the function of the pancreas to a certain degree.", "contents": "Experimental studies on the pathophysiological changes in the pancreas of rat following bilateral ligation of the parotid gland duct. The blood sugar level, blood insulin level, serum amylase level and organ amylase level in the pancreas were measured in a total of 110 rats examined at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr, and 1,2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after bilateral ligation of the parotid gland ducts. In parallel with this functional study, light microscopic study of th=e pancreas and the parotid gland and electron microscopic observations of the pancreas obtained from the rats were performed at the respective periods. The following results were obtained: 1) The serum amylase level was most elevated in the group examined at 12 hr after ligation and it decreased gradually and returned to the normal level at 96 hr after ligation and thereafter. 2) As for the pancreatic exocrine function, the organ amylase level of the pancrease was significantly elevated in function, the organ amylase level of the pancrease was significantly elevated in the groups examined at 24 hr to 3 weeks after ligation. Electron-microscopically, hyperfunctional state in the pancreatic acinar cells was recognized as evidenced by the dilatiation of the granular endoplasmic reticulum. 3) With regard to the endocrine function of the pancreas, the blood sugar level and blood insulin level did not show and significant changes after ligation as compared with the control group. Morphologically, electron microscopy showed a decrease in electron density and swelling of the cored granules, disintegration and fusion of their limiting membranes in the beta cells. These changes are interpreted as indicating the discharge of secretory granules in the beta cells. It is concluded that an impairment of the parotid glands influences the function of the pancreas to a certain degree.", "PMID": 779136} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5208", "title": "Effects of trypsin on glucose-induced insulin secretion from the perfused rat pancreas.", "content": "The present study revealed that glucose-induced insulin secretion was significantly inhibited by perfusion with trypsin (10 mug/ml) in the isolated rat pancreas perfusion. However, when trypsin was interposed during perfusion of 16.6 mM glucose, glucose-induced insulin secretion was not suppressed during trypsin infusion. The insulin level was significantly lower in the trypsin treated animals than in the control after completion of trypsin infusion. The results suggest that trypsin does not attack the glucorecoptor bound with glucose but attacks the free glucoreceptor. Interestingly a biphasic pattern of glucose-induced insulin secretion disappeared by the pretreatment with trypsin. The possibility was suggested that tyrpsin prevented the initial binding of glucose to the B-cell.", "contents": "Effects of trypsin on glucose-induced insulin secretion from the perfused rat pancreas. The present study revealed that glucose-induced insulin secretion was significantly inhibited by perfusion with trypsin (10 mug/ml) in the isolated rat pancreas perfusion. However, when trypsin was interposed during perfusion of 16.6 mM glucose, glucose-induced insulin secretion was not suppressed during trypsin infusion. The insulin level was significantly lower in the trypsin treated animals than in the control after completion of trypsin infusion. The results suggest that trypsin does not attack the glucorecoptor bound with glucose but attacks the free glucoreceptor. Interestingly a biphasic pattern of glucose-induced insulin secretion disappeared by the pretreatment with trypsin. The possibility was suggested that tyrpsin prevented the initial binding of glucose to the B-cell.", "PMID": 779137} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5209", "title": "Dry ice fixation of myofibrils for scanning electron microscopy.", "content": "A rapid method of fixation of myofibrils using dry ice is reported. A glass slide or coverslip containing a drop of glutaraldehyde-fixed suspension of myofibrils is placed on dry ice causing the myofibrils to adhere to the glass surface. The specimens are then dehydrated through the alcohols, air dried and metal coated. This technique gives the myofibrils a corrugated appearance under the scanning electron microscope corresponding to the sarcomere banding.", "contents": "Dry ice fixation of myofibrils for scanning electron microscopy. A rapid method of fixation of myofibrils using dry ice is reported. A glass slide or coverslip containing a drop of glutaraldehyde-fixed suspension of myofibrils is placed on dry ice causing the myofibrils to adhere to the glass surface. The specimens are then dehydrated through the alcohols, air dried and metal coated. This technique gives the myofibrils a corrugated appearance under the scanning electron microscope corresponding to the sarcomere banding.", "PMID": 779142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5210", "title": "Volumetric instillation of fixatives and inert substances into mouse lungs.", "content": "Mouse lungs were instilled with various fixatives to establish the optimum volume necessary to fix the lung without distortion and to compare the efficacy of the fixatives. Fixation with either Stieve's or Bouin's fluid was found preferable to 2.5% and 5% glutaraldehyde, 4% neutral buffered formalin, and to a mixture of formalin and Stieve's fixative. In addition, a comparison was made between diluted Ames O.C.T. Compound and 4% aq. gelatin as supportive substances for unfixed lungs in preparation of cryostat sections and for histochemistry. A 1:2 dilution of O.C.T. was found to be superior to 4% gelatin in preparative, cutting and adhesive properties. The optimal instilled volume for mouse lungs was found to be 0.1 ml for every 7 grams of body weight, introduced at a rate of 0.1 ml per 10 seconds.", "contents": "Volumetric instillation of fixatives and inert substances into mouse lungs. Mouse lungs were instilled with various fixatives to establish the optimum volume necessary to fix the lung without distortion and to compare the efficacy of the fixatives. Fixation with either Stieve's or Bouin's fluid was found preferable to 2.5% and 5% glutaraldehyde, 4% neutral buffered formalin, and to a mixture of formalin and Stieve's fixative. In addition, a comparison was made between diluted Ames O.C.T. Compound and 4% aq. gelatin as supportive substances for unfixed lungs in preparation of cryostat sections and for histochemistry. A 1:2 dilution of O.C.T. was found to be superior to 4% gelatin in preparative, cutting and adhesive properties. The optimal instilled volume for mouse lungs was found to be 0.1 ml for every 7 grams of body weight, introduced at a rate of 0.1 ml per 10 seconds.", "PMID": 779144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5211", "title": "A method of permanently mounting biological tissue cleared in Herr's four-and-a-half clearing fluid.", "content": "A technique which should be generally applicable for preparing permanent mounts of tissue cleared in Herr's four-and-a-half clearing fluid is described. This technique involves transferring plant or animal tissues through a series of solutions consisting of Pienarr's fixative, Herr's clearing fluid, chloral hydrate, acetone and finally polyester resin for mounting. Material prepared using this method is exceptionally transparent and well preserved, and is suitable for either phase contrast or Nomarski interference microscopy.", "contents": "A method of permanently mounting biological tissue cleared in Herr's four-and-a-half clearing fluid. A technique which should be generally applicable for preparing permanent mounts of tissue cleared in Herr's four-and-a-half clearing fluid is described. This technique involves transferring plant or animal tissues through a series of solutions consisting of Pienarr's fixative, Herr's clearing fluid, chloral hydrate, acetone and finally polyester resin for mounting. Material prepared using this method is exceptionally transparent and well preserved, and is suitable for either phase contrast or Nomarski interference microscopy.", "PMID": 779145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5212", "title": "Preparation of fossil bone specimens for scanning electron microscopy.", "content": "A method is described for preparing fossil bone specimens for scanning electron microscopy. To obtain bone surfaces suitable for study, material was embedded in Epon 812 and selected faces exposed by grinding were subjected to controlled etching with a 4:1 mixture of 5% HNO3 and 1% OsO4. Surfaces thus prepared were further processed by the so-called clearing replicas technique. As a result of this procedure the bone surfaces revealed a network of anastomosing vascular canals the innter surface of whose walls could be examined in the scanning electron microscope. By etching extremely thin ground sections of bone stuck to plastic tape the contents of vascular canals as well as osteocytes can be isolated. This method ensures the good preservation of spatial relations between bone elements essential for studies of fossil bones, which are sometimes very brittle.", "contents": "Preparation of fossil bone specimens for scanning electron microscopy. A method is described for preparing fossil bone specimens for scanning electron microscopy. To obtain bone surfaces suitable for study, material was embedded in Epon 812 and selected faces exposed by grinding were subjected to controlled etching with a 4:1 mixture of 5% HNO3 and 1% OsO4. Surfaces thus prepared were further processed by the so-called clearing replicas technique. As a result of this procedure the bone surfaces revealed a network of anastomosing vascular canals the innter surface of whose walls could be examined in the scanning electron microscope. By etching extremely thin ground sections of bone stuck to plastic tape the contents of vascular canals as well as osteocytes can be isolated. This method ensures the good preservation of spatial relations between bone elements essential for studies of fossil bones, which are sometimes very brittle.", "PMID": 779147} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5213", "title": "Studies of osmium deposits in the carotid body of the cat.", "content": "Double aldehyde fixed carotid bodies and small pieces of vagus nerve of cats were incubated in 3 mM copper sulfate and 0.5 mM potassium ferricyanide in 0.05 M acetate buffer (pH 5.6) for 30 minutes at room temperature. Several modifications of this procedure were also attempted. Tissues were then postosmicated with 2% unbuffered osmium tetroxide and heated to 50-55 C for ten minutes. Under the electron microscope carotid body cells exhibited fine osmium deposits within cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum, saccula and vesicles of Golgi complex, and cristae of mitochondria. Intense osmium precipitation was also noted in the mitochondria of nerve endings. In addition, much more intense, more conspicuous and more localized reaction was noted in the intraperiod lines of the myelin sheath of nerves. Deposits here were rod-shaped, displaying considerable variation in length. These results are discussed in the light of previous findings on osmium deposits in various tissues. It was concluded that the osmium reaction is unspecific, and that histochemical methods employing hot osmium tetroxide to amplify enzymatic activities may therefore not be reliable.", "contents": "Studies of osmium deposits in the carotid body of the cat. Double aldehyde fixed carotid bodies and small pieces of vagus nerve of cats were incubated in 3 mM copper sulfate and 0.5 mM potassium ferricyanide in 0.05 M acetate buffer (pH 5.6) for 30 minutes at room temperature. Several modifications of this procedure were also attempted. Tissues were then postosmicated with 2% unbuffered osmium tetroxide and heated to 50-55 C for ten minutes. Under the electron microscope carotid body cells exhibited fine osmium deposits within cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum, saccula and vesicles of Golgi complex, and cristae of mitochondria. Intense osmium precipitation was also noted in the mitochondria of nerve endings. In addition, much more intense, more conspicuous and more localized reaction was noted in the intraperiod lines of the myelin sheath of nerves. Deposits here were rod-shaped, displaying considerable variation in length. These results are discussed in the light of previous findings on osmium deposits in various tissues. It was concluded that the osmium reaction is unspecific, and that histochemical methods employing hot osmium tetroxide to amplify enzymatic activities may therefore not be reliable.", "PMID": 779148} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5214", "title": "A modification of the rapid Golgi method.", "content": "An extremely rapid Golgi procedure for immersion impregnation of the whole brain of the frog Rana esculenta is described. It uses an isotonic 2% osmium tetroxide solution buffered with sodium barbital at pH 7.2 that has previously been used for electron microscopy. To 15 ml of this solution 85 ml 3% potassium dichromate is added just before use. Twelve-hour treatments (6 hr in the chrome-osmium solution plus 6 hr in 0.75% silver nitrate) are sufficient to obtain consistently excellent impregnations of external brain formations. Twenty-four-hour treatments (12 hr in the chrome-osmium solution and 12 hr in the silver solution) impregnate also the deeper regions of the brain. The results show neuronal details on a clear background.", "contents": "A modification of the rapid Golgi method. An extremely rapid Golgi procedure for immersion impregnation of the whole brain of the frog Rana esculenta is described. It uses an isotonic 2% osmium tetroxide solution buffered with sodium barbital at pH 7.2 that has previously been used for electron microscopy. To 15 ml of this solution 85 ml 3% potassium dichromate is added just before use. Twelve-hour treatments (6 hr in the chrome-osmium solution plus 6 hr in 0.75% silver nitrate) are sufficient to obtain consistently excellent impregnations of external brain formations. Twenty-four-hour treatments (12 hr in the chrome-osmium solution and 12 hr in the silver solution) impregnate also the deeper regions of the brain. The results show neuronal details on a clear background.", "PMID": 779149} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5215", "title": "Montgomery Lecture, 1975. Changing concepts of the prognosis and management of small malignant melanomas of the choroid.", "content": "Recent studies have shown conclusively that patients with small choroidal melanomas tend to have a favourable prognosis and that this, in turn, is closely related to tumour cell type, mitotic activity, degree of trans-scleral extension, and other characteristics of the tumour. It has not yet been established whether enucleation of the tumour-containing eye increases or decreases the patient's chance for survival. The frequency with which we observe late metastatic deaths among patients who had seemingly been 'cured' by enucleation indicate that host factors are most important in determining whether or not a patient will succumb to his tumour. It is possible that nonsurgical methods of treatment may be as effective or even more effective than enucleation (a) by diminishing the changes of intravasation of tumour cells, and (b) by promoting a more favourable host response to the tumour. While the total experience in management by methods other than enucleation is small, the results reported to date with photocoagulation, radiation, and no therapy are encouraging. Only after a much larger experience with prolonged periods of evaluation (more than 10 years after recognition of the tumour) will we be able to compare the results with those obtained by enucleation.", "contents": "Montgomery Lecture, 1975. Changing concepts of the prognosis and management of small malignant melanomas of the choroid. Recent studies have shown conclusively that patients with small choroidal melanomas tend to have a favourable prognosis and that this, in turn, is closely related to tumour cell type, mitotic activity, degree of trans-scleral extension, and other characteristics of the tumour. It has not yet been established whether enucleation of the tumour-containing eye increases or decreases the patient's chance for survival. The frequency with which we observe late metastatic deaths among patients who had seemingly been 'cured' by enucleation indicate that host factors are most important in determining whether or not a patient will succumb to his tumour. It is possible that nonsurgical methods of treatment may be as effective or even more effective than enucleation (a) by diminishing the changes of intravasation of tumour cells, and (b) by promoting a more favourable host response to the tumour. While the total experience in management by methods other than enucleation is small, the results reported to date with photocoagulation, radiation, and no therapy are encouraging. Only after a much larger experience with prolonged periods of evaluation (more than 10 years after recognition of the tumour) will we be able to compare the results with those obtained by enucleation.", "PMID": 779153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5216", "title": "Circulating antibodies in cutaneous leishmaniasis: their detection by immunofluorescence.", "content": "With the use of an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test and freeze-dried antigens, circulating antibody titres of 1 in 100 or above to Leishmania tropica leptomonad forms were detected in 66-6% and 76-2% of 18 patients with active and 21 patients with healed cutaneous leishmaniasis, respectively. Cross-reactivity was observed with L. donovani and Trypanosoma cruzi antigens. Five out of 15 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis had antibodies to L. tropica major, suggesting a possible cross-reactivity between the two agents.", "contents": "Circulating antibodies in cutaneous leishmaniasis: their detection by immunofluorescence. With the use of an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test and freeze-dried antigens, circulating antibody titres of 1 in 100 or above to Leishmania tropica leptomonad forms were detected in 66-6% and 76-2% of 18 patients with active and 21 patients with healed cutaneous leishmaniasis, respectively. Cross-reactivity was observed with L. donovani and Trypanosoma cruzi antigens. Five out of 15 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis had antibodies to L. tropica major, suggesting a possible cross-reactivity between the two agents.", "PMID": 779154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5217", "title": "Persistence and recurrence of S-antigen in Plasmodium falciparum infections in man.", "content": "The persistence of heat stable malarial antigens (S-antigens) in the sera of Gambian children following treatment for severe Plasmodium falciparum infections was investigated. In most cases S-antigens ceased to be demonstrable within 7 days but in some they were detected for several weeks and their persistence correlated with both the density of parasitaemia and the antigen titre observed before treatment. An exponential loss of circulating antigen was, in the majority of individuals, accelerated by some other factor which might have been homologous antibody. Renewal of asexual parasitaemia usually resulted in reduction in the rate of antigen loss or in an increase in antigen level. When the aparasitaemic interval was a month or less the antigens associated with different parasitaemic episodes usually showed identical specificities; when the interval was longer they were usually antigenically distinct. These findings may indicate that relapse parasites usually show the same S-antigen specificities as their progenitors while parasites arising from distinct infections tend to show different specificities and could therefore support a view that considerable antigenic heterogeneity exists among the parasites that comprise P. falciparum populations in endemic areas.", "contents": "Persistence and recurrence of S-antigen in Plasmodium falciparum infections in man. The persistence of heat stable malarial antigens (S-antigens) in the sera of Gambian children following treatment for severe Plasmodium falciparum infections was investigated. In most cases S-antigens ceased to be demonstrable within 7 days but in some they were detected for several weeks and their persistence correlated with both the density of parasitaemia and the antigen titre observed before treatment. An exponential loss of circulating antigen was, in the majority of individuals, accelerated by some other factor which might have been homologous antibody. Renewal of asexual parasitaemia usually resulted in reduction in the rate of antigen loss or in an increase in antigen level. When the aparasitaemic interval was a month or less the antigens associated with different parasitaemic episodes usually showed identical specificities; when the interval was longer they were usually antigenically distinct. These findings may indicate that relapse parasites usually show the same S-antigen specificities as their progenitors while parasites arising from distinct infections tend to show different specificities and could therefore support a view that considerable antigenic heterogeneity exists among the parasites that comprise P. falciparum populations in endemic areas.", "PMID": 779155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5218", "title": "Chronic malarial infection in Balb/C mice. Effect on the immune response to sheep erythrocytes and histological changes in the liver and spleen.", "content": "Chronic malarial infection was established in Balb/c mice by following Plasmodium berghei yoelii with P.b. berghei infection. It was found that the IgG plaque-forming cell response to sheep erythrocytes was depressed for at least six months. A preliminary investigation of the histological changes in the spleen and liver is described. The possibility that chronically infected mice could serve as a model for the tropical splenomegaly syndrome is discussed.", "contents": "Chronic malarial infection in Balb/C mice. Effect on the immune response to sheep erythrocytes and histological changes in the liver and spleen. Chronic malarial infection was established in Balb/c mice by following Plasmodium berghei yoelii with P.b. berghei infection. It was found that the IgG plaque-forming cell response to sheep erythrocytes was depressed for at least six months. A preliminary investigation of the histological changes in the spleen and liver is described. The possibility that chronically infected mice could serve as a model for the tropical splenomegaly syndrome is discussed.", "PMID": 779156} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5219", "title": "Prolongation of heterotropic heart allograft survival in rats by use of antigen-antibody complexes.", "content": "Treatment of BN recipients with soluble WAG/Rij histocompatibility antigens (HCA) did not produce prolongation of (WAG/Rij X BN) F1 heart allografts but resulted in specific sensitization of the recipients in most cases. Three different anti-WAG/Rij sera (ADS) were tested, either alone or complexed in equivalence to 0.5 mg of HCA. Depending on the serum used, ADS alone produced only a moderate prolongation of heart allograft survival or had no effect at all. Antigen-antibody complexes given i.v. on days 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 induced a prolonged or indefinite cardiac graft survival (greater than 200 days), as well as accelerated graft rejection, depending on the source of the ADS used in immune complex formation. One month after heart transplantation, BN recipients, treated with antigen-antibody complexes, demonstrated normal graft-versus-host reactivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes, but rejected donor-type skin grafts in a slightly delayed fashion.", "contents": "Prolongation of heterotropic heart allograft survival in rats by use of antigen-antibody complexes. Treatment of BN recipients with soluble WAG/Rij histocompatibility antigens (HCA) did not produce prolongation of (WAG/Rij X BN) F1 heart allografts but resulted in specific sensitization of the recipients in most cases. Three different anti-WAG/Rij sera (ADS) were tested, either alone or complexed in equivalence to 0.5 mg of HCA. Depending on the serum used, ADS alone produced only a moderate prolongation of heart allograft survival or had no effect at all. Antigen-antibody complexes given i.v. on days 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 induced a prolonged or indefinite cardiac graft survival (greater than 200 days), as well as accelerated graft rejection, depending on the source of the ADS used in immune complex formation. One month after heart transplantation, BN recipients, treated with antigen-antibody complexes, demonstrated normal graft-versus-host reactivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes, but rejected donor-type skin grafts in a slightly delayed fashion.", "PMID": 779170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5220", "title": "Hypoxanthine excretion during preservation of rabbit kidneys for transplantation. An assessment of the ischaemic damage.", "content": "The loss of 5'-adenine nucleotides from kidney tissue subjected to acute ischaemia can be indirectly estimated by washing out the end product of catabolism, hypoxanthine, from the ischaemic tissue to the perfusate. As a correlation has previously been demonstrated between the duration of the previous normothermic ischaemia and the washout of hypoxanthine during preservation, hypoxanthine has been studied as a prospective measurement of ischaemic renal damage, by transplantation of rabbit kidneys. The results were compared to the already established parameters L-lactate and lactate dehydrogenase. Different ischaemic traumata and methods of preservation have been employed in order to determine the relationship of these parameters to the ischaemic kidney damage as evaluated by the functional regeneration of the grafts after autotransplantation. The wash-out of hypoxanthine was found to be correlated to such a degree to the reversibility of the ischaemic cell degeneration that a certain in vitro exclusion of the irreversibly damaged kidney grafts was possible. It is concluded that hypoxanthine can function as a reliable and sensitive measurement for the in vitro establishment of the ischaemic kidney parenchymal damage, and that it can be employed clinically with advantage.", "contents": "Hypoxanthine excretion during preservation of rabbit kidneys for transplantation. An assessment of the ischaemic damage. The loss of 5'-adenine nucleotides from kidney tissue subjected to acute ischaemia can be indirectly estimated by washing out the end product of catabolism, hypoxanthine, from the ischaemic tissue to the perfusate. As a correlation has previously been demonstrated between the duration of the previous normothermic ischaemia and the washout of hypoxanthine during preservation, hypoxanthine has been studied as a prospective measurement of ischaemic renal damage, by transplantation of rabbit kidneys. The results were compared to the already established parameters L-lactate and lactate dehydrogenase. Different ischaemic traumata and methods of preservation have been employed in order to determine the relationship of these parameters to the ischaemic kidney damage as evaluated by the functional regeneration of the grafts after autotransplantation. The wash-out of hypoxanthine was found to be correlated to such a degree to the reversibility of the ischaemic cell degeneration that a certain in vitro exclusion of the irreversibly damaged kidney grafts was possible. It is concluded that hypoxanthine can function as a reliable and sensitive measurement for the in vitro establishment of the ischaemic kidney parenchymal damage, and that it can be employed clinically with advantage.", "PMID": 779171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5221", "title": "Recipient selection for renal retransplantation.", "content": "Analysis of over 1,000 kidney retransplants revealed an important effect of first graft duration and presensitization on graft outcome. Second cadaver donor grafts into patients without preformed cytotoxic antibodies and a first graft duration of more than 12 months survived at a high 1-year rate of 71 +/- 6%, in contrast to 29 +/- 6% in those whose first graft had failed in 1-3 months (P is less than 0.0001). Third or fourth transplants into patients with preformed cytotoxins survived at the poor rate of 17 +/- 6% at 1 year. To repeat all HLA mismatches from the first graft was found to result in decreased second graft survival.", "contents": "Recipient selection for renal retransplantation. Analysis of over 1,000 kidney retransplants revealed an important effect of first graft duration and presensitization on graft outcome. Second cadaver donor grafts into patients without preformed cytotoxic antibodies and a first graft duration of more than 12 months survived at a high 1-year rate of 71 +/- 6%, in contrast to 29 +/- 6% in those whose first graft had failed in 1-3 months (P is less than 0.0001). Third or fourth transplants into patients with preformed cytotoxins survived at the poor rate of 17 +/- 6% at 1 year. To repeat all HLA mismatches from the first graft was found to result in decreased second graft survival.", "PMID": 779172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5222", "title": "Population of lymphoid tissues in cured W-anemic mice by donor cells.", "content": "The percentages of donor cells in lymphoid organs of cured W-anemic mice were determined by using donors with the T6 chromosome marker. W-anemic recipients of two different genotypes were cured by marrow or spleen grafts from histocompatible normal T6/T6 or T6/+ donors. After 2 to 10 months, almost all proliferating cells in the thymuses and marrows, and approximately 75% in the spleens of cured mice were of donor type. However, only 30-40% of the proliferating cells in recipient lymph nodes and 10-20% in their Peyer's patches were of donor type. Percentages of donor cells in marrows and spleens remained high hemopoietic cell division was stopped by injections of erythrocytes. All tissues were slightly less repopulated by donor cells in W-anemic recipients cured by spleen cells compared with those cured by marrow cells. These results were not altered by matching recipients and donors to avoid possible graft versus host reactions, or by removing the thymus of a recipient before it was cured. The fact that the repopulating cells are not all donor type suggests that there are at least two classes of precursor cells that populate the immune system of W-anemic mice, and that not all classes are derived from the grafted cells. Cured W-anemic mice may provide a unique system in which different types of precursor cells of the lymphoid system can be distinguished.", "contents": "Population of lymphoid tissues in cured W-anemic mice by donor cells. The percentages of donor cells in lymphoid organs of cured W-anemic mice were determined by using donors with the T6 chromosome marker. W-anemic recipients of two different genotypes were cured by marrow or spleen grafts from histocompatible normal T6/T6 or T6/+ donors. After 2 to 10 months, almost all proliferating cells in the thymuses and marrows, and approximately 75% in the spleens of cured mice were of donor type. However, only 30-40% of the proliferating cells in recipient lymph nodes and 10-20% in their Peyer's patches were of donor type. Percentages of donor cells in marrows and spleens remained high hemopoietic cell division was stopped by injections of erythrocytes. All tissues were slightly less repopulated by donor cells in W-anemic recipients cured by spleen cells compared with those cured by marrow cells. These results were not altered by matching recipients and donors to avoid possible graft versus host reactions, or by removing the thymus of a recipient before it was cured. The fact that the repopulating cells are not all donor type suggests that there are at least two classes of precursor cells that populate the immune system of W-anemic mice, and that not all classes are derived from the grafted cells. Cured W-anemic mice may provide a unique system in which different types of precursor cells of the lymphoid system can be distinguished.", "PMID": 779174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5223", "title": "Blood- legend laden liquid of life.", "content": "Blood banking is still plagued with the double problem of an inadequate supply of donors and inappropriate ordering policies by many physicians. Attempts to change these conditions by educational programs have met with only limited success. This paper lists and discusses many of the folklore beliefs attributed to blood and shows that many of these primitive beliefs still can be found today. Both donors and physicians, being human, may be influenced by these myths, many of which couple blood with the soul or with a vital essence in the blood. The reluctance to donate and the use of blood as a tonic rather than a therapeutic medium may both be based on a carryover of some of these beliefs. If this thesis is correct, education of both the physician and donor must be based as much on a phychotherapeutic approach to erase firmly established misconceptions as on a strict scientific educatory method.", "contents": "Blood- legend laden liquid of life. Blood banking is still plagued with the double problem of an inadequate supply of donors and inappropriate ordering policies by many physicians. Attempts to change these conditions by educational programs have met with only limited success. This paper lists and discusses many of the folklore beliefs attributed to blood and shows that many of these primitive beliefs still can be found today. Both donors and physicians, being human, may be influenced by these myths, many of which couple blood with the soul or with a vital essence in the blood. The reluctance to donate and the use of blood as a tonic rather than a therapeutic medium may both be based on a carryover of some of these beliefs. If this thesis is correct, education of both the physician and donor must be based as much on a phychotherapeutic approach to erase firmly established misconceptions as on a strict scientific educatory method.", "PMID": 779169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5224", "title": "Studies of serial plasma Isoniazid concentrations with different doses of a slow-release preparation of Isoniazid.", "content": "The suitability of a slow-release matrix preparation of isoniazid for use in once-weekly chemotherapy has been investigated in South Indian patients. Serial plasma isoniazid concentrations were determined up to 6 hours following doses of 15, 30, 45 and 60 mg/kg body-weight in rapid inactivators and up to 10 hours following doses of 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg in slow inactivators. The isoniazid levels were sustained, and the peak concentrations (per unit dose) were considerably lower than with ordinary isoniazid. It was estimated that a matrix isoniazid dose of 35 mg/kg in slow inactivators and 50 mg/kg in rapid inactivators would produce a peak similar to that attained with a non-toxic dose or ordinary isoniazid 15 mg/kg in slow inactivators. A second investigation showed that matrix isoniazid 40 mg/kg in rapid inactivators produced a coverage (with 0.2 mug/ml) and exposure similar to those attained in slow inactivators with a highly effective dose of ordinary isoniazid 15 mg/kg, while 30 mg/kg gave substantially lower values. In both investigations, disproportionately large increases in plasma isoniazid concentrations were observed in rapid inactivators with an increase in the matrix isoniazid dose. In slow inactivators, both doses of matrix isoniazid, 30 and 40 mg/gk, resulted in coverage and exposure that were substantially higher than those obtained with ordinary isoniazid 15 mg/kg.", "contents": "Studies of serial plasma Isoniazid concentrations with different doses of a slow-release preparation of Isoniazid. The suitability of a slow-release matrix preparation of isoniazid for use in once-weekly chemotherapy has been investigated in South Indian patients. Serial plasma isoniazid concentrations were determined up to 6 hours following doses of 15, 30, 45 and 60 mg/kg body-weight in rapid inactivators and up to 10 hours following doses of 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg in slow inactivators. The isoniazid levels were sustained, and the peak concentrations (per unit dose) were considerably lower than with ordinary isoniazid. It was estimated that a matrix isoniazid dose of 35 mg/kg in slow inactivators and 50 mg/kg in rapid inactivators would produce a peak similar to that attained with a non-toxic dose or ordinary isoniazid 15 mg/kg in slow inactivators. A second investigation showed that matrix isoniazid 40 mg/kg in rapid inactivators produced a coverage (with 0.2 mug/ml) and exposure similar to those attained in slow inactivators with a highly effective dose of ordinary isoniazid 15 mg/kg, while 30 mg/kg gave substantially lower values. In both investigations, disproportionately large increases in plasma isoniazid concentrations were observed in rapid inactivators with an increase in the matrix isoniazid dose. In slow inactivators, both doses of matrix isoniazid, 30 and 40 mg/gk, resulted in coverage and exposure that were substantially higher than those obtained with ordinary isoniazid 15 mg/kg.", "PMID": 779186} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5225", "title": "[Possibility of applying the 2-wave method of photometric measurements to the MUF-5 2-beam scanning cytospectrometer].", "content": "The article deals with a detailed description of a new modification of the two-wave method of photometric measurements on the MYphi-5 installation; its advantages are substantiated and the probable error of measurement is estimated.", "contents": "[Possibility of applying the 2-wave method of photometric measurements to the MUF-5 2-beam scanning cytospectrometer]. The article deals with a detailed description of a new modification of the two-wave method of photometric measurements on the MYphi-5 installation; its advantages are substantiated and the probable error of measurement is estimated.", "PMID": 779184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5226", "title": "[Mutagenic activity of benzonal].", "content": "Benzonalum mutagenic activity was demonstrated in a dominant lethal test on mice. The late spermatids stage proved to be the most sensitive in this respect. The benzonalum did not evoke any cytogenetic activity, that was shown by counting chromosome aberrations in metaphases of the bone marrow cells in vivo and did not induce gene mutations in tester trains of Salmonella typhimurium in vitro and in vivo (a host-mediated assay).", "contents": "[Mutagenic activity of benzonal]. Benzonalum mutagenic activity was demonstrated in a dominant lethal test on mice. The late spermatids stage proved to be the most sensitive in this respect. The benzonalum did not evoke any cytogenetic activity, that was shown by counting chromosome aberrations in metaphases of the bone marrow cells in vivo and did not induce gene mutations in tester trains of Salmonella typhimurium in vitro and in vivo (a host-mediated assay).", "PMID": 779185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5227", "title": "Phase-locked loop techniques applied to ultrasonic Doppler signal processing.", "content": "A new method of measuring blood flow velocity and acceleration using analogue and phase locked loop techniques is described. Instantaneous peak velocity, instantaneous mean velocity and acceleration can be obtained on-line and displayed on simple recording systems.", "contents": "Phase-locked loop techniques applied to ultrasonic Doppler signal processing. A new method of measuring blood flow velocity and acceleration using analogue and phase locked loop techniques is described. Instantaneous peak velocity, instantaneous mean velocity and acceleration can be obtained on-line and displayed on simple recording systems.", "PMID": 779193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5228", "title": "Measurement of ultrasonic exposure with radiation force and thermal methods.", "content": "It is the purpose of this paper to discuss briefly the factors that influence the interaction of the ultrasonic field and medium being irradiated, and to collect together the various techniques that have been suggested for measuring energetic parameters of the ultrasonic field. The calorimetric and radiation force methods are then discussed in more detail. The former is discussed as a technique whose capabilities have not been fully exploited while the latter demands attention both because of its simplicity and its controversial theoretical basis. Areas in which further work is needed are indicated in the summary and conclusion. It is hoped that the paper will be of practical use to workers in the field.", "contents": "Measurement of ultrasonic exposure with radiation force and thermal methods. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss briefly the factors that influence the interaction of the ultrasonic field and medium being irradiated, and to collect together the various techniques that have been suggested for measuring energetic parameters of the ultrasonic field. The calorimetric and radiation force methods are then discussed in more detail. The former is discussed as a technique whose capabilities have not been fully exploited while the latter demands attention both because of its simplicity and its controversial theoretical basis. Areas in which further work is needed are indicated in the summary and conclusion. It is hoped that the paper will be of practical use to workers in the field.", "PMID": 779194} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5229", "title": "[The simultaneous management of rupture of the urethra and the symphysis (author's transl)].", "content": "The combined injury-rupture of the urethra and the symphysis--is no respecter of the surgical disciplines, urology and accident surgery. Therefore, a combined operating team from both specialties should simultaneously undertake primary care. First comes the restoration of urethral continuity. The retropubic approach favors the gaping pubic symphysis. A stationary osteosynthesis of the symphysis with an AO-tension band plate follows. In that way the urethra and its suspension apparatus are brought into the right position. Immobilization damage is avoided through exercise stability which allows early maximum stress of the patient. A persisting instability of the anterior pelvic girdle through shearing force is a risk in reconstructive urethral surgery. Simultaneous primary care is contraindicated in cases of irreversible shock and life-threatening injury where the need for surgery is urgent.", "contents": "[The simultaneous management of rupture of the urethra and the symphysis (author's transl)]. The combined injury-rupture of the urethra and the symphysis--is no respecter of the surgical disciplines, urology and accident surgery. Therefore, a combined operating team from both specialties should simultaneously undertake primary care. First comes the restoration of urethral continuity. The retropubic approach favors the gaping pubic symphysis. A stationary osteosynthesis of the symphysis with an AO-tension band plate follows. In that way the urethra and its suspension apparatus are brought into the right position. Immobilization damage is avoided through exercise stability which allows early maximum stress of the patient. A persisting instability of the anterior pelvic girdle through shearing force is a risk in reconstructive urethral surgery. Simultaneous primary care is contraindicated in cases of irreversible shock and life-threatening injury where the need for surgery is urgent.", "PMID": 779208} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5230", "title": "[Operative therapy of elephantiasis penis by skin transplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "From 1960 to date, there have been four cases of elephantiasis penis in the urologic clinic of the Katharinenhospital in Stuttgart, which were operated on by skin transplantation. The causes of elephantiasis penis are discussed, and the surgical procedure is presented in detail. Finally, the outcome as far as appearance and function are concerned, is discussed.", "contents": "[Operative therapy of elephantiasis penis by skin transplantation (author's transl)]. From 1960 to date, there have been four cases of elephantiasis penis in the urologic clinic of the Katharinenhospital in Stuttgart, which were operated on by skin transplantation. The causes of elephantiasis penis are discussed, and the surgical procedure is presented in detail. Finally, the outcome as far as appearance and function are concerned, is discussed.", "PMID": 779209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5231", "title": "[Gas in the draining urinary tract (author's transl)].", "content": "A report of two cases of gas in the draining urinary tract. The authors discuss the possible pathologic mechanisms and review the literature concerning spontaneous intrapelvic gas, which has been described 11 times previously.", "contents": "[Gas in the draining urinary tract (author's transl)]. A report of two cases of gas in the draining urinary tract. The authors discuss the possible pathologic mechanisms and review the literature concerning spontaneous intrapelvic gas, which has been described 11 times previously.", "PMID": 779210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5232", "title": "[Bilateral, synchronous and symmetric cancer of the ureter (author's transl)].", "content": "We report a case of bilateral, symmetric and synchronous cancer of the ureter. Diagnose, therapy and development are described. Finally follow the considerations concerning pathogenesis.", "contents": "[Bilateral, synchronous and symmetric cancer of the ureter (author's transl)]. We report a case of bilateral, symmetric and synchronous cancer of the ureter. Diagnose, therapy and development are described. Finally follow the considerations concerning pathogenesis.", "PMID": 779211} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5233", "title": "Testicular feminization syndrome: current clinical considerations.", "content": "The testicular feminization syndrome (TFS) in its complete form results in total feminization due to a nuclear inaction of androgens, and the female role should be supported with postpubertal orchiectomy to avoid the risk of malignancy. Incomplete forms of the syndrome (ITFS) include Type I n which some degree of masculinization may be observed, prompting earlier gonadectomy, and Type II or pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias (PPSH) which is always characterized by pubertal masculinization, necessitating management and support of these patients as males. Other intersex abnormalities which must be differentiated include true hermaphroditism, the Swyer syndrome, males with 17-ketosteroid reductase deficiency, and Reifenstein's syndrome.", "contents": "Testicular feminization syndrome: current clinical considerations. The testicular feminization syndrome (TFS) in its complete form results in total feminization due to a nuclear inaction of androgens, and the female role should be supported with postpubertal orchiectomy to avoid the risk of malignancy. Incomplete forms of the syndrome (ITFS) include Type I n which some degree of masculinization may be observed, prompting earlier gonadectomy, and Type II or pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias (PPSH) which is always characterized by pubertal masculinization, necessitating management and support of these patients as males. Other intersex abnormalities which must be differentiated include true hermaphroditism, the Swyer syndrome, males with 17-ketosteroid reductase deficiency, and Reifenstein's syndrome.", "PMID": 779212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5234", "title": "Perirenal lymphocyst formation in renal transplant recipients: diagnosis and pathogenesis.", "content": "Perirenal lymphocyst formation occurred in 7 of 46 consecutive renal allografts which had survived at least one month. This complication developed from one to four and one-half months post-transplantation, resulted in a specific spectrum of clinical signs and symptoms, and was best diagnosed by a combination of intravenous pyelography and ultrasonic examination of the transplanted kidney. The lymph fluid is of recipient origin and its collection appears to be related to use of a high-dose immunosuppressive regimen and to a conscious decision to avoid the use of postoperative surgical drains. Surgical intraperitoneal marsupialization of the lymphocyst emerges as the clear treatment of choice for peritransplant lymphocyst formation.", "contents": "Perirenal lymphocyst formation in renal transplant recipients: diagnosis and pathogenesis. Perirenal lymphocyst formation occurred in 7 of 46 consecutive renal allografts which had survived at least one month. This complication developed from one to four and one-half months post-transplantation, resulted in a specific spectrum of clinical signs and symptoms, and was best diagnosed by a combination of intravenous pyelography and ultrasonic examination of the transplanted kidney. The lymph fluid is of recipient origin and its collection appears to be related to use of a high-dose immunosuppressive regimen and to a conscious decision to avoid the use of postoperative surgical drains. Surgical intraperitoneal marsupialization of the lymphocyst emerges as the clear treatment of choice for peritransplant lymphocyst formation.", "PMID": 779213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5235", "title": "Posterior urethral valves.", "content": "Twenty cases of posterior urethral valves are reviewed with the presentation of several illustrative cases. Review of the current literature regarding managment of patients is discussed.", "contents": "Posterior urethral valves. Twenty cases of posterior urethral valves are reviewed with the presentation of several illustrative cases. Review of the current literature regarding managment of patients is discussed.", "PMID": 779214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5236", "title": "[Plastic surgery in radiation necrosis in the region of projection/of large vessels].", "content": "The author reports his experience with treatment of 112 patients having various forms of hypospadias, operated upon after the Landerer technic in the V. I. Rusakov modification. In all patients good immediate results were obtained: the urethra was reconstructed along its whole length and the penis was straightened. The study of late issues in 93 patients revealed good results in 82 of them, satisfactory-in 7, and poor (distortion of the penis remained)-in 4 patients. Penial distortion in these cases was liquidated by means of the tunica albuginea plasty on the posterior aspect of the penis. The method employed would provide good immediate and late results in treatment of various forms of hypospadias.", "contents": "[Plastic surgery in radiation necrosis in the region of projection/of large vessels]. The author reports his experience with treatment of 112 patients having various forms of hypospadias, operated upon after the Landerer technic in the V. I. Rusakov modification. In all patients good immediate results were obtained: the urethra was reconstructed along its whole length and the penis was straightened. The study of late issues in 93 patients revealed good results in 82 of them, satisfactory-in 7, and poor (distortion of the penis remained)-in 4 patients. Penial distortion in these cases was liquidated by means of the tunica albuginea plasty on the posterior aspect of the penis. The method employed would provide good immediate and late results in treatment of various forms of hypospadias.", "PMID": 779220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5237", "title": "[Roentgeno-bronchological observations in experimental autotransplantation of the lung and its lobe].", "content": "Roentgenological studies were conducted after 260 autotransplantations of the lung and its lobe, performed experimentally and observed in dynamics during the period up to 4.5 years. Following autotransplantation of the lung in an uncomplicated postoperative period within the terms up to 15 days an intensified and indistinct pulmonary pattern with the presence of small-foci shadows is observed. Further observations for a period up to 4.5 years revealed neither changes on the part of pulmonary tissues nor anatomical or functional changes in the bronchial tree and vessels. In later terms after ortho- and heterotopic autotransplantation of the lower pulmonary lobe changes due to resection of the upper and cardiac lobe were observed, being manifested in displacement of a portion of the intact lung upper lobe into the upper portion of the left pleural cavity. Following heterotopic autotransplantation of the lower pulmonary lobe in the site of the removed lung no changes in the autotransplanted pulmonary lobe were noted in later periods. The signs of mediastinal hernia were less pronounced than after orthotopic autotransplantation of the pulmonary lobe.", "contents": "[Roentgeno-bronchological observations in experimental autotransplantation of the lung and its lobe]. Roentgenological studies were conducted after 260 autotransplantations of the lung and its lobe, performed experimentally and observed in dynamics during the period up to 4.5 years. Following autotransplantation of the lung in an uncomplicated postoperative period within the terms up to 15 days an intensified and indistinct pulmonary pattern with the presence of small-foci shadows is observed. Further observations for a period up to 4.5 years revealed neither changes on the part of pulmonary tissues nor anatomical or functional changes in the bronchial tree and vessels. In later terms after ortho- and heterotopic autotransplantation of the lower pulmonary lobe changes due to resection of the upper and cardiac lobe were observed, being manifested in displacement of a portion of the intact lung upper lobe into the upper portion of the left pleural cavity. Following heterotopic autotransplantation of the lower pulmonary lobe in the site of the removed lung no changes in the autotransplanted pulmonary lobe were noted in later periods. The signs of mediastinal hernia were less pronounced than after orthotopic autotransplantation of the pulmonary lobe.", "PMID": 779221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5238", "title": "[Surgical treatment of ununited fractures and pseudarthroses of femoral diaphysis].", "content": "In the present communication the author reports his experience with operative treatment of 237 patients having unhealing fractures and pseudarthrosis of the femoral bone, using modern methods of osteosynthesis, osteoplasty and sanatorium-spa treatment. The results of treatment were studied in 230 patients. Good and satisfactory issues were observed in 202 patients (87.8%), poor--in 28 (12.2%).", "contents": "[Surgical treatment of ununited fractures and pseudarthroses of femoral diaphysis]. In the present communication the author reports his experience with operative treatment of 237 patients having unhealing fractures and pseudarthrosis of the femoral bone, using modern methods of osteosynthesis, osteoplasty and sanatorium-spa treatment. The results of treatment were studied in 230 patients. Good and satisfactory issues were observed in 202 patients (87.8%), poor--in 28 (12.2%).", "PMID": 779222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5239", "title": "[Surgery of occlusive lesions of the brachiocephalic trunk].", "content": "A detailed analysis of 33 cases of operations on the brachiocephalic trunk is reported. An experience with surgical treatment for occlusive lesions of the brachiocephalic trunk of various etiology to liquidate chronic ischemia of the brain has evidenced that in aorto-arteritis the prosthesizing of the brachiocephalic trunk with synthetic prosthesis yields the most favourable results.", "contents": "[Surgery of occlusive lesions of the brachiocephalic trunk]. A detailed analysis of 33 cases of operations on the brachiocephalic trunk is reported. An experience with surgical treatment for occlusive lesions of the brachiocephalic trunk of various etiology to liquidate chronic ischemia of the brain has evidenced that in aorto-arteritis the prosthesizing of the brachiocephalic trunk with synthetic prosthesis yields the most favourable results.", "PMID": 779224} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5240", "title": "[Multilayer dermatoplasty by means of autodermal strip in inguinal hernia].", "content": "The author suggests the method of plastic reconstruction of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal by means of an autodermal strip, the lower edges of the internal oblique and transverse abdominal muscle together with the transverse fascia being laced by an autodermal strip. Then, stitches of the latter are sutured to the ilio-pubic band posterior to the testicular cord with a simultaneous constriction of the inguinal canal deep ring. A medial aponeurotic leaf of the external oblique abdominal muscle is sutured to the inguinal ligament anterior to the testicular cord, while a lateral aponeurotic leaf of the former muscle is sutured to the medial one as a duplicature. Since 1971 eighty eight operations have been performed after the technic described. Late results up to 3 years were followed up in 80 cases. No recurrences were noted.", "contents": "[Multilayer dermatoplasty by means of autodermal strip in inguinal hernia]. The author suggests the method of plastic reconstruction of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal by means of an autodermal strip, the lower edges of the internal oblique and transverse abdominal muscle together with the transverse fascia being laced by an autodermal strip. Then, stitches of the latter are sutured to the ilio-pubic band posterior to the testicular cord with a simultaneous constriction of the inguinal canal deep ring. A medial aponeurotic leaf of the external oblique abdominal muscle is sutured to the inguinal ligament anterior to the testicular cord, while a lateral aponeurotic leaf of the former muscle is sutured to the medial one as a duplicature. Since 1971 eighty eight operations have been performed after the technic described. Late results up to 3 years were followed up in 80 cases. No recurrences were noted.", "PMID": 779226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5241", "title": "Neoplasms of mesenchymal origin in the spinal cord and nerve roots of three dogs.", "content": "Clinicopathological findings of three different neoplastic conditions involving the spinal cord and nerve roots in three dogs are described. One sarcomatous intra-medullary tumor closely associated with the vasculature was classified as a reticulum cell sarcoma of the spinal cord. The second case had massive and widespread neoplastic proliferation of reticulohistiocytic cells around the perineurinal vessels of many spinal nerve roots. The process was classified as a primary neoplastic reticulosis of the spinal roots. Multiple highly malignant tumors, infiltrating the spinal cord were found in one thoracic and several lumbosacral spinal nerve roots in the third case. These were considered to be anaplastic neurofibrosarcomas because of high collagen content, intact nerve fibers, whorl formation, and the tendency to palisade in some areas.", "contents": "Neoplasms of mesenchymal origin in the spinal cord and nerve roots of three dogs. Clinicopathological findings of three different neoplastic conditions involving the spinal cord and nerve roots in three dogs are described. One sarcomatous intra-medullary tumor closely associated with the vasculature was classified as a reticulum cell sarcoma of the spinal cord. The second case had massive and widespread neoplastic proliferation of reticulohistiocytic cells around the perineurinal vessels of many spinal nerve roots. The process was classified as a primary neoplastic reticulosis of the spinal roots. Multiple highly malignant tumors, infiltrating the spinal cord were found in one thoracic and several lumbosacral spinal nerve roots in the third case. These were considered to be anaplastic neurofibrosarcomas because of high collagen content, intact nerve fibers, whorl formation, and the tendency to palisade in some areas.", "PMID": 779229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5242", "title": "Problems, diseases and diagnoses: a personal view.", "content": "Diseases and diagnoses are familiar words in the veterinary vocabulary and we seldom give much thought as to how we use them; we are more concerned about the practical problems they imply. However, there are occasions when it is essential that we use familiar words and concepts in a way that leaves no doubt as to the logical implications of our statements. The growing interest in surveys, monitoring and the use of computerised systems for epidemiological purposes points to the need for this discipline. In order to air the matter this paper presents some personal opinions that were based on Scadding (1967) and subsequently moulded by experience when designing a computerised data bank.", "contents": "Problems, diseases and diagnoses: a personal view. Diseases and diagnoses are familiar words in the veterinary vocabulary and we seldom give much thought as to how we use them; we are more concerned about the practical problems they imply. However, there are occasions when it is essential that we use familiar words and concepts in a way that leaves no doubt as to the logical implications of our statements. The growing interest in surveys, monitoring and the use of computerised systems for epidemiological purposes points to the need for this discipline. In order to air the matter this paper presents some personal opinions that were based on Scadding (1967) and subsequently moulded by experience when designing a computerised data bank.", "PMID": 779230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5243", "title": "Boar management.", "content": "Many boar problems result from an insufficient number of boars in relation to the number of sows in the herd, sexually immature boars, inadequately preconditioned or improperly managed boars. The following factors which determine optimum boar efficiency are discussed: (a) sexual development and mating behaviour, (b) selection, (c) preconditioning, (d) mating systems, (e) examination and culling.", "contents": "Boar management. Many boar problems result from an insufficient number of boars in relation to the number of sows in the herd, sexually immature boars, inadequately preconditioned or improperly managed boars. The following factors which determine optimum boar efficiency are discussed: (a) sexual development and mating behaviour, (b) selection, (c) preconditioning, (d) mating systems, (e) examination and culling.", "PMID": 779233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5244", "title": "[Blastomogenic effect following single and chronic exposure to a mixture of cesium-137 and strontium-90].", "content": "The rate of tumor incidence in different rhythms of rat stomach exposure to cesium-137 and strontium-90 was analysed. The correlative values of the administered nucleids activity were selected by analogy with their content in global natural fall-out. In single exposure to the concentrations of 400 and 100 mc/per rat of cesium-137 and strontium-90 mixture accordingly, osteogenic osteosarcomas developed approximatley 4 times as frequently as in chronic administration of the same radionucleids in concentrations of 2 and 8 mc/per rat, correspondingly.", "contents": "[Blastomogenic effect following single and chronic exposure to a mixture of cesium-137 and strontium-90]. The rate of tumor incidence in different rhythms of rat stomach exposure to cesium-137 and strontium-90 was analysed. The correlative values of the administered nucleids activity were selected by analogy with their content in global natural fall-out. In single exposure to the concentrations of 400 and 100 mc/per rat of cesium-137 and strontium-90 mixture accordingly, osteogenic osteosarcomas developed approximatley 4 times as frequently as in chronic administration of the same radionucleids in concentrations of 2 and 8 mc/per rat, correspondingly.", "PMID": 779263} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5245", "title": "[Influence of a diet enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids on some indices of the metabolism and course of acute gastro-intestinal diseases in children in the 1st year of life].", "content": "The influence of new products \"Vitalakt\" and \"Malysh\", enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids, on the evolution of acute gastro-intestinal diseases and the lipids metabolism characteristics (total lipids, cholesterol and its ethers, phospholipids, nonetherified fatty acids in the blood serum), as well as on blood serum, protein fractions was studied. A total of 137 children were examined and the diet of 87 of them included the new dairy products \"Vitalakt\" and Malysh\". These new dairy mixtures have been found to exert a beneficial effect on the course of the disease, tended to normalize the blood serum lipids characteristics and to reduce dysproteinemia. All this warrants recommending the mixtures \"Vitalakt\" and \"Malysh\" to be included in the diet of infants in the first year of life, suffering from acute gastro-intestinal diseases.", "contents": "[Influence of a diet enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids on some indices of the metabolism and course of acute gastro-intestinal diseases in children in the 1st year of life]. The influence of new products \"Vitalakt\" and \"Malysh\", enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids, on the evolution of acute gastro-intestinal diseases and the lipids metabolism characteristics (total lipids, cholesterol and its ethers, phospholipids, nonetherified fatty acids in the blood serum), as well as on blood serum, protein fractions was studied. A total of 137 children were examined and the diet of 87 of them included the new dairy products \"Vitalakt\" and Malysh\". These new dairy mixtures have been found to exert a beneficial effect on the course of the disease, tended to normalize the blood serum lipids characteristics and to reduce dysproteinemia. All this warrants recommending the mixtures \"Vitalakt\" and \"Malysh\" to be included in the diet of infants in the first year of life, suffering from acute gastro-intestinal diseases.", "PMID": 779267} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5246", "title": "[Alimentary osteopathies].", "content": "Alimentary osteopathies are classified into primary (with food deficient of Ca, vitamin \"D\", or of proteins) and secondary ones, that develop consequent to disturbed assimilation and absorption of these substances. Basic causes responsible for the development of alimentary osteopathies are listed and the pathogenesis of this malady is considered. The osteopathies are classified with respect to their causes, the prevalent form (osteoporosis, osteomalacia, or mixed forms) and according to the severity of the skeletal affection (latent stage, that of clinical manifestation and the stage with complications). A review of modern methods of diagnosis and therapy in dealing with alimentary osteopathies by using calcium, vitamin \"D\" and fluorine, as well as by applying other remedies (thyrocalcitonin, estrogens, androgens, anabolic hormones, diphosphonates) or measures (exercises, rehabilitation) is presented.", "contents": "[Alimentary osteopathies]. Alimentary osteopathies are classified into primary (with food deficient of Ca, vitamin \"D\", or of proteins) and secondary ones, that develop consequent to disturbed assimilation and absorption of these substances. Basic causes responsible for the development of alimentary osteopathies are listed and the pathogenesis of this malady is considered. The osteopathies are classified with respect to their causes, the prevalent form (osteoporosis, osteomalacia, or mixed forms) and according to the severity of the skeletal affection (latent stage, that of clinical manifestation and the stage with complications). A review of modern methods of diagnosis and therapy in dealing with alimentary osteopathies by using calcium, vitamin \"D\" and fluorine, as well as by applying other remedies (thyrocalcitonin, estrogens, androgens, anabolic hormones, diphosphonates) or measures (exercises, rehabilitation) is presented.", "PMID": 779268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5247", "title": "[Immunochemical and molecular biological characteristics of dysentery phages].", "content": "Molecular organization of DNA of six dysentery phages was studied for their classification. The pattern of glucosilation of their DNA was determined by an immunochemical method and the test of competitive hybridization established the degree of homology of these DNA in relation to T4 phage DNA. Four of the phages (DDVI, Zonne \"Gorkyi\" Zonne \"Czechoslovakia\", Zonne \"Poland\") were shown to belong to the group of T-even phages by their pattern of DNA glucosilation and by their capacity to inhibit DNA T4X3H DNA T4 hybridization. According to these criteria, two other phages (Zonne \"Ufa\" and Zonne \"Khabarovsk\") do not belong to the group of T-even phages.", "contents": "[Immunochemical and molecular biological characteristics of dysentery phages]. Molecular organization of DNA of six dysentery phages was studied for their classification. The pattern of glucosilation of their DNA was determined by an immunochemical method and the test of competitive hybridization established the degree of homology of these DNA in relation to T4 phage DNA. Four of the phages (DDVI, Zonne \"Gorkyi\" Zonne \"Czechoslovakia\", Zonne \"Poland\") were shown to belong to the group of T-even phages by their pattern of DNA glucosilation and by their capacity to inhibit DNA T4X3H DNA T4 hybridization. According to these criteria, two other phages (Zonne \"Ufa\" and Zonne \"Khabarovsk\") do not belong to the group of T-even phages.", "PMID": 779271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5248", "title": "[Serological studies of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in infectious mononucleosis].", "content": "This is the first study in this country of sera from patients with infectious mononucleosis and other infectious diseases (control group) for determination of complement-fixing antibody to the soluble (S) antigen and of fluorescent antibody to the virus capsid antigen (VCA) of Epstein-Barr virus. It was established that the CFT and the immunofluorescence test could be used for diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis only on a limited scale because of the lack of complement-fixing antibody in patients early in the convalescent period and because of the presence of complement-fixing and fluorescent antibody in a high per cent of patients of the control group.", "contents": "[Serological studies of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in infectious mononucleosis]. This is the first study in this country of sera from patients with infectious mononucleosis and other infectious diseases (control group) for determination of complement-fixing antibody to the soluble (S) antigen and of fluorescent antibody to the virus capsid antigen (VCA) of Epstein-Barr virus. It was established that the CFT and the immunofluorescence test could be used for diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis only on a limited scale because of the lack of complement-fixing antibody in patients early in the convalescent period and because of the presence of complement-fixing and fluorescent antibody in a high per cent of patients of the control group.", "PMID": 779272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5249", "title": "[Preliminary results with a new non-steroidal antirheumatic drug (author's transl)].", "content": "Thirty patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis were treated over a 4-week period with diftalone, a new non-steroidal antirheumatic drug. The daily dosage ranged from 500 to 1000 mg. A good objective response was achieved in 69% of the patients. Diftalone was well tolerated. Side effects were noted in 11.8% of patients on 500 mg diftalone daily and in 18.8% of cases treated with the highest dosage (1000 mg daily). The optimum daily dosage appears to be 750 mg.", "contents": "[Preliminary results with a new non-steroidal antirheumatic drug (author's transl)]. Thirty patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis were treated over a 4-week period with diftalone, a new non-steroidal antirheumatic drug. The daily dosage ranged from 500 to 1000 mg. A good objective response was achieved in 69% of the patients. Diftalone was well tolerated. Side effects were noted in 11.8% of patients on 500 mg diftalone daily and in 18.8% of cases treated with the highest dosage (1000 mg daily). The optimum daily dosage appears to be 750 mg.", "PMID": 779281} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5250", "title": "[Humoral antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in infectious mononucleosis].", "content": "A high level of humoral antibody to the capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus was found in sera from patients with infectious mononucleosis. For detection of antibody, the method of indirect immunofluorescence in fixed P3HEHR cells of Burkitt's lymphoma was used. Sera from normal subjects were also shown to contain antibody to the capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus, but the titers were 5--10 times lower than in the sera from infectious mononucleosis patients. The occurrance of high titers of antibody to EBV in the sera from patients with infectious mononucleosis is diagnostic for IM and may be used for practical purposes.", "contents": "[Humoral antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in infectious mononucleosis]. A high level of humoral antibody to the capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus was found in sera from patients with infectious mononucleosis. For detection of antibody, the method of indirect immunofluorescence in fixed P3HEHR cells of Burkitt's lymphoma was used. Sera from normal subjects were also shown to contain antibody to the capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus, but the titers were 5--10 times lower than in the sera from infectious mononucleosis patients. The occurrance of high titers of antibody to EBV in the sera from patients with infectious mononucleosis is diagnostic for IM and may be used for practical purposes.", "PMID": 779273} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5251", "title": "[The \"narrow pelvis\". Disproportion as a cause of complications for mother and infant during labor (author's transl)].", "content": "The modern examination methods for the recognition and supervision of high risk births in the area of perinatology have led to a real decrease in newborn morbity and mortality. Since, however, optimal conditions have not been reached at present, there is an urgent need for a wide reaching intensification of prospective diagnostic measures. The early recognition of disturbances in the mechanism of labor is the most important. The author shows on the basis of the most recent literature and his own experience that, even today, factors involved with the mechanics of labor play a chief role in disturbances during the course of labor which have unfavorable effects on the infant as well as the mother. The various irregularities were discussed in detail and supported with statistics. The importance of pelvic roentgenographic diagnosis was discussed in a separate section. The tremendous gains for mother and infant resulting from clarification were compared with the cited, but not confirmed, damage caused by these measures.", "contents": "[The \"narrow pelvis\". Disproportion as a cause of complications for mother and infant during labor (author's transl)]. The modern examination methods for the recognition and supervision of high risk births in the area of perinatology have led to a real decrease in newborn morbity and mortality. Since, however, optimal conditions have not been reached at present, there is an urgent need for a wide reaching intensification of prospective diagnostic measures. The early recognition of disturbances in the mechanism of labor is the most important. The author shows on the basis of the most recent literature and his own experience that, even today, factors involved with the mechanics of labor play a chief role in disturbances during the course of labor which have unfavorable effects on the infant as well as the mother. The various irregularities were discussed in detail and supported with statistics. The importance of pelvic roentgenographic diagnosis was discussed in a separate section. The tremendous gains for mother and infant resulting from clarification were compared with the cited, but not confirmed, damage caused by these measures.", "PMID": 779297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5252", "title": "[Comparison between 2 steroid dosage forms in psoriasis and eczema].", "content": "This trial was designed to evaluate the clinical effect of a new Topical steroid, the desoximetasone (test name A 41 304 from Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft). A randomized, double-blind, right-left comparative trial has been carried out in 22 patients with atopic dermatitis and on 24 patients with psoriasis. As a comparative drug, a betamethasone 17-valerate preparation, being the strongest on the market, has been used. The new compound showed a better effect on both indications, the difference being significant (p less than 0,005) on psoriasis.", "contents": "[Comparison between 2 steroid dosage forms in psoriasis and eczema]. This trial was designed to evaluate the clinical effect of a new Topical steroid, the desoximetasone (test name A 41 304 from Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft). A randomized, double-blind, right-left comparative trial has been carried out in 22 patients with atopic dermatitis and on 24 patients with psoriasis. As a comparative drug, a betamethasone 17-valerate preparation, being the strongest on the market, has been used. The new compound showed a better effect on both indications, the difference being significant (p less than 0,005) on psoriasis.", "PMID": 779298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5253", "title": "[Combined immunosuppression with vincristine sulfate and cyclophosphamide (author's transl)].", "content": "Following immunization against sheep erythrozytes, it is possible to induce a double-peaked antibody response curve in the serum of experimental animals (rats) by using vincristine sulfate (Vi). Immunosuppression is enhanced in thymectomised and sensitised animals during rechallenge following Vi/Cy, as compared to animals treated with cyclophosphamide (Cy) alone, and an attentuated anamnestic reaction is subsequently observed. Survival time of allogeneic skin grafts in colony bred and inbred rat strains could not be prolonged by using Vi/Cy, as compared to animals treated with Cy alone.", "contents": "[Combined immunosuppression with vincristine sulfate and cyclophosphamide (author's transl)]. Following immunization against sheep erythrozytes, it is possible to induce a double-peaked antibody response curve in the serum of experimental animals (rats) by using vincristine sulfate (Vi). Immunosuppression is enhanced in thymectomised and sensitised animals during rechallenge following Vi/Cy, as compared to animals treated with cyclophosphamide (Cy) alone, and an attentuated anamnestic reaction is subsequently observed. Survival time of allogeneic skin grafts in colony bred and inbred rat strains could not be prolonged by using Vi/Cy, as compared to animals treated with Cy alone.", "PMID": 779301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5254", "title": "[The rat visual cortex. Cytoarchitecture and stereotactic parameters].", "content": "In the present investigation the visual cortex of the albino rat was analyzed. On the basis of cytoarchitectonic criterions we can demarced the area striata (field 17) from a medial (field 18) and lateral (field 18a) lying peristriatic area. There are differences in the cortical structure not only between the striate and peristriate areae but also between field 18 and field 18a. In this publication we also present the visual cortex in stereotaxic coordinates on the basis of the stereotaxic atlas of FIFKOVA and MARSALA. Stereotaxic informations belonging the different fields of the visual cortex of the rat are not yet known, but they are very helpful for experimental investigations in this region of the brain.", "contents": "[The rat visual cortex. Cytoarchitecture and stereotactic parameters]. In the present investigation the visual cortex of the albino rat was analyzed. On the basis of cytoarchitectonic criterions we can demarced the area striata (field 17) from a medial (field 18) and lateral (field 18a) lying peristriatic area. There are differences in the cortical structure not only between the striate and peristriate areae but also between field 18 and field 18a. In this publication we also present the visual cortex in stereotaxic coordinates on the basis of the stereotaxic atlas of FIFKOVA and MARSALA. Stereotaxic informations belonging the different fields of the visual cortex of the rat are not yet known, but they are very helpful for experimental investigations in this region of the brain.", "PMID": 779304} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5255", "title": "Infantile cortical hyperostosis.", "content": "Two patients from a family in Nauru with infantile corical hyperostosis are presented. A brief review is made of the main features of the disorder.", "contents": "Infantile cortical hyperostosis. Two patients from a family in Nauru with infantile corical hyperostosis are presented. A brief review is made of the main features of the disorder.", "PMID": 779336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5256", "title": "[The biosynthesis of aroma compounds by microorganisms. I. Formation of N-acetyl-amines by saccharomyces cerevisiae].", "content": "Only primary amines were transformed to secondary acetamides by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in anaerobic model fermentations. Secondary amines and L-amino acids don't form N-acetyl-amines. Maximal rates of acetylation were obtained with 2- and 3-methyl-butylamine as acceptors of the postulated aminacetylase-reaction. The rate of acetylation of 2-phenylethylamine amounted to 12%; n-heptyl- and n-octylamine were transformed only in traces. At the example of 2-methyl-butylamine the kinetics of the reaction and the influence of the pH-value, of different N-sources and different concentrations of 2,4-dinitrophenol on the rate of acetylation have been examined. The identification and the determination of the microbiologically formed volatile compounds have been realised by means of the gaschromatography, concerning the qualitative experiments under mass-spectrometrical control.", "contents": "[The biosynthesis of aroma compounds by microorganisms. I. Formation of N-acetyl-amines by saccharomyces cerevisiae]. Only primary amines were transformed to secondary acetamides by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in anaerobic model fermentations. Secondary amines and L-amino acids don't form N-acetyl-amines. Maximal rates of acetylation were obtained with 2- and 3-methyl-butylamine as acceptors of the postulated aminacetylase-reaction. The rate of acetylation of 2-phenylethylamine amounted to 12%; n-heptyl- and n-octylamine were transformed only in traces. At the example of 2-methyl-butylamine the kinetics of the reaction and the influence of the pH-value, of different N-sources and different concentrations of 2,4-dinitrophenol on the rate of acetylation have been examined. The identification and the determination of the microbiologically formed volatile compounds have been realised by means of the gaschromatography, concerning the qualitative experiments under mass-spectrometrical control.", "PMID": 779337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5257", "title": "[On the complex formation of proteins with cu ions under acidic conditions].", "content": "In order to determine the influence of copper additives on the protein digestibility, the complex formation of proteins with Cu ions under acidic conditions (pH=2.2) was investigated. Isolated soja-protein (300 mg) resp. pepsin was mixed with 10 mumol (2.49 mg) CuSO4-5H2O and dialysed against low molecular complexing agents with increasing affinity towards copper ions. The experiments with soja-protein showed, that most of the Cu ions dialysed (97% of total Cu2+ content) without any addition of complexing agents, pepsin, however, had a lower percentage (83% of total Cu2+ content). The remaining copper ions in pepsin could only be removed by alanin and ammonium-tetramethylendithiocarbamate. Therefore it is concluded, that in the acidic range Cu ions only form complexes with pepsin, but not with soja-protein. This effect is due to the very low isoelectric point of pepsin. The determination of iron, nickel, and zinc in native proteins revealed, that at pH=2.2 iron and nickel are stronger linked to pepsin than to soja-protein; only zinc was loosely bound to both proteins.", "contents": "[On the complex formation of proteins with cu ions under acidic conditions]. In order to determine the influence of copper additives on the protein digestibility, the complex formation of proteins with Cu ions under acidic conditions (pH=2.2) was investigated. Isolated soja-protein (300 mg) resp. pepsin was mixed with 10 mumol (2.49 mg) CuSO4-5H2O and dialysed against low molecular complexing agents with increasing affinity towards copper ions. The experiments with soja-protein showed, that most of the Cu ions dialysed (97% of total Cu2+ content) without any addition of complexing agents, pepsin, however, had a lower percentage (83% of total Cu2+ content). The remaining copper ions in pepsin could only be removed by alanin and ammonium-tetramethylendithiocarbamate. Therefore it is concluded, that in the acidic range Cu ions only form complexes with pepsin, but not with soja-protein. This effect is due to the very low isoelectric point of pepsin. The determination of iron, nickel, and zinc in native proteins revealed, that at pH=2.2 iron and nickel are stronger linked to pepsin than to soja-protein; only zinc was loosely bound to both proteins.", "PMID": 779338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5258", "title": "[High pressure liquid chromatography in food chemistry (author's transl)].", "content": "High pressure liquid chromatographie tools are described. Analysis are shown which are interesting for food chemistry. Future possibilities are mentioned.", "contents": "[High pressure liquid chromatography in food chemistry (author's transl)]. High pressure liquid chromatographie tools are described. Analysis are shown which are interesting for food chemistry. Future possibilities are mentioned.", "PMID": 779339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5259", "title": "[Pathomorphology of intensive care treatment (author's transl)].", "content": "The pathologic consequences of intensive care treatment are manifested locally and generally. Local disturbances due to intensive care therapy are as follows: blood vessel injury, thromboembolism caused by catheterization, tracheal stenosis following tracheostomy and, most important, sepsis. The more general pathologic results of intensive care treatment are essentially brought about by shock. Shock-kidney plays a subordinate role today because it is a reversible state of renal insufficiency. In contrast, shock-lung leads to death in about 50% of the cases. The pathohistologic features of the initial stages are microthrombosis, perivascular edema and endothelial damage. These three characteristics are already apparent before hospital admission and institution of treatment. It is not yet clear to what extent the therapy augments the pathologic changes or leads to clinically manifested symptoms.", "contents": "[Pathomorphology of intensive care treatment (author's transl)]. The pathologic consequences of intensive care treatment are manifested locally and generally. Local disturbances due to intensive care therapy are as follows: blood vessel injury, thromboembolism caused by catheterization, tracheal stenosis following tracheostomy and, most important, sepsis. The more general pathologic results of intensive care treatment are essentially brought about by shock. Shock-kidney plays a subordinate role today because it is a reversible state of renal insufficiency. In contrast, shock-lung leads to death in about 50% of the cases. The pathohistologic features of the initial stages are microthrombosis, perivascular edema and endothelial damage. These three characteristics are already apparent before hospital admission and institution of treatment. It is not yet clear to what extent the therapy augments the pathologic changes or leads to clinically manifested symptoms.", "PMID": 779341} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5260", "title": "[Gold treatment of progressive chronic polyarthritis--a clinical study].", "content": "In an intraindividual series of investigation consisting of 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis the effect of gold therapy (Aurothioglucose) has been proved controlling biochemical and clinical parameters. Controls of the function-index by Steinbrocker et al. have shown a significant improvement in comparison with the stage before gold treatment. Futhermore a significant decrease of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Westergren) as well as a significant increase of albumins and a significant decrease of gamma-globulins in proteinelectrophoresis provoked by gold treatment could be demonstrated. Side effects during gold treatment were observed in 5 patients; therapy was stopped in 2 patients.", "contents": "[Gold treatment of progressive chronic polyarthritis--a clinical study]. In an intraindividual series of investigation consisting of 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis the effect of gold therapy (Aurothioglucose) has been proved controlling biochemical and clinical parameters. Controls of the function-index by Steinbrocker et al. have shown a significant improvement in comparison with the stage before gold treatment. Futhermore a significant decrease of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Westergren) as well as a significant increase of albumins and a significant decrease of gamma-globulins in proteinelectrophoresis provoked by gold treatment could be demonstrated. Side effects during gold treatment were observed in 5 patients; therapy was stopped in 2 patients.", "PMID": 779340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5261", "title": "Genetic properties of RM 98, an R plasmid of Salmonella which determines sensitivity to the phage IKe.", "content": "An R plasmid of Salmonella, RM98, which determines sensitivity ot the phage IKe (IKeS) and confers resistance to ampicillin (Ap), streptomycin (Sm) and tetracycline (Tc) was studied for its genetic properties in Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, Transduction of RM98 by P22 in Salmonella yielded transductants of which some had acquired all the recognizable markers (Ap, Sm, Tc, IKeS and resistance transfer factor or RTF) associated with RM98. This transduction pattern resembles the P22 transduction pattern of IKe-specific R plasmids: R45, R46, R48, R205 and N3. Preliminary genetic analysis of RM98 has indicated that the determinants of IKeS and RTF are closely linked and the determinants of Ap and Sm are closer to RTF-IKeS than they are to Tc.", "contents": "Genetic properties of RM 98, an R plasmid of Salmonella which determines sensitivity to the phage IKe. An R plasmid of Salmonella, RM98, which determines sensitivity ot the phage IKe (IKeS) and confers resistance to ampicillin (Ap), streptomycin (Sm) and tetracycline (Tc) was studied for its genetic properties in Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, Transduction of RM98 by P22 in Salmonella yielded transductants of which some had acquired all the recognizable markers (Ap, Sm, Tc, IKeS and resistance transfer factor or RTF) associated with RM98. This transduction pattern resembles the P22 transduction pattern of IKe-specific R plasmids: R45, R46, R48, R205 and N3. Preliminary genetic analysis of RM98 has indicated that the determinants of IKeS and RTF are closely linked and the determinants of Ap and Sm are closer to RTF-IKeS than they are to Tc.", "PMID": 779352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5262", "title": "[Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycosides in gram negative bacteria. 1. Molecular and genetic characterization of R-factors (author's transl)].", "content": "With frequent use of aminoglycoside antimicrobials and beta-lactam antibiotics in hospitals in the last few years, the number of bacterial strains resistant to these chemotherapeutics increased. Lately, strains of E. coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, Proteus and Pseudomonas resistant to many antimicrobials (ampicillin, carbenicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, tobramycin, sisomycin, neomycin, paromomycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, spectinomycin, tetracycline, sulphonamides) were isolated from patients of the university hospital in Zuerich. The resistant phenotype of two representative strains (Klebsiella pneumoniae 1 and Serratia marcescens 2) could be transferred by mixed cultivation to E. coli K-12. Multiple resistance of strain 1, and addition, could be transferred to Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia marcescens, Providencia, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae in varying frequencies. Transfer to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, however, could not be achieved. Spontaneous instability of resistance was observed in 0.15% of the cells of an overnight brothe culture and in 90% of the cells of a three months old culture. Conjugation, instability and the response to the sex phages MS-2 and If-1 suggested that resistance was mediated by a monomolecular R-factor, belonging to the fi+-type. This suggestion was confirmed by molecular characterization of the resistance plasmids. After transfer of the R-factors of K. pneumoniae 1 (R-FK 1) and Serratia marcescens 2 (R-FK2) into E. coli K-12, plasmid DNA was labelled with (methyl-3H) thymidine, and isolated by isopycnic centrifugation in cesiumchlorid-ethidium-bromide. Analysis of plasmid DNA then was carried out by sedimentation in a 5-20% neutral sucrose gradient together with reference plasmids of known molecular weights and sedimentation constants. The analysis revealed that R-FK1 had a molecular weight of 54 X 10(6) and R-FK2 of 50 X 10(6) daltons. The values were confirmed by contour length measurements of open circular forms with an electron microscope. A comparison of the sedimentation profile of labelled plasmid DNA from strain 1 and 14C-labelled DNA of E. coli K-12 (R-FK1) showed that the wild-type strain contained, besides the large resistance plasmid, at least two smaller \"cryptic\" plasmids. These smaller plasmid molecules were also found in antibiotic susceptible variants of strain 1, which did not contain the 54 X 10(6) dalton plasmid molecule, responsible for the resistant phenotype. The number of copies of R-FK1 in E. coli K-12 was determined to be 2, indicating stringent control of replication. It is discussed that the growing number of isolations of strains of Escherichia, Klebsiella, Serratia, Proteus, Providencia and Pseudomonas, exhibiting the same resistance phenotype, results from the spread of the R-factor described above among the hospital bacterial flora.", "contents": "[Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycosides in gram negative bacteria. 1. Molecular and genetic characterization of R-factors (author's transl)]. With frequent use of aminoglycoside antimicrobials and beta-lactam antibiotics in hospitals in the last few years, the number of bacterial strains resistant to these chemotherapeutics increased. Lately, strains of E. coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, Proteus and Pseudomonas resistant to many antimicrobials (ampicillin, carbenicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, tobramycin, sisomycin, neomycin, paromomycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, spectinomycin, tetracycline, sulphonamides) were isolated from patients of the university hospital in Zuerich. The resistant phenotype of two representative strains (Klebsiella pneumoniae 1 and Serratia marcescens 2) could be transferred by mixed cultivation to E. coli K-12. Multiple resistance of strain 1, and addition, could be transferred to Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia marcescens, Providencia, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae in varying frequencies. Transfer to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, however, could not be achieved. Spontaneous instability of resistance was observed in 0.15% of the cells of an overnight brothe culture and in 90% of the cells of a three months old culture. Conjugation, instability and the response to the sex phages MS-2 and If-1 suggested that resistance was mediated by a monomolecular R-factor, belonging to the fi+-type. This suggestion was confirmed by molecular characterization of the resistance plasmids. After transfer of the R-factors of K. pneumoniae 1 (R-FK 1) and Serratia marcescens 2 (R-FK2) into E. coli K-12, plasmid DNA was labelled with (methyl-3H) thymidine, and isolated by isopycnic centrifugation in cesiumchlorid-ethidium-bromide. Analysis of plasmid DNA then was carried out by sedimentation in a 5-20% neutral sucrose gradient together with reference plasmids of known molecular weights and sedimentation constants. The analysis revealed that R-FK1 had a molecular weight of 54 X 10(6) and R-FK2 of 50 X 10(6) daltons. The values were confirmed by contour length measurements of open circular forms with an electron microscope. A comparison of the sedimentation profile of labelled plasmid DNA from strain 1 and 14C-labelled DNA of E. coli K-12 (R-FK1) showed that the wild-type strain contained, besides the large resistance plasmid, at least two smaller \"cryptic\" plasmids. These smaller plasmid molecules were also found in antibiotic susceptible variants of strain 1, which did not contain the 54 X 10(6) dalton plasmid molecule, responsible for the resistant phenotype. The number of copies of R-FK1 in E. coli K-12 was determined to be 2, indicating stringent control of replication. It is discussed that the growing number of isolations of strains of Escherichia, Klebsiella, Serratia, Proteus, Providencia and Pseudomonas, exhibiting the same resistance phenotype, results from the spread of the R-factor described above among the hospital bacterial flora.", "PMID": 779353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5263", "title": "[Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycosides in gram negative bacteria. 2. Mechanism of resistance (author's transl)].", "content": "In a preceding paper the genetics of resistance of 2 representative strains exhibiting resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics (ampicillin, catbenicillin, cephalothin) to aminoglycosides (kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, gentamycin, sisomycin, tobramycin, streptomycin, spectinomycin) and further antimicrobials (tetracycline, chloramphenicol, suphonamides) were described. This paper reports about the mechanism of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycosides in these strains. Enzymatic extracts from K. pneumoniae 1 and Serratia marcescens 2 were produced by the osmotic shock procedure. Incubation of these extracts with aminoglycoside antibiotics, to which the strains are resistant, and ATP resulted in the total inactivation of the antimicrobials, as measured with a Bacillus subtilis assay. Analysis of this inactivation with the radioactive methods of Davies and his colleagues revealed that the kanamycins, neomycins, paromomycin and gentamycin A were phosphorylated. Because butirosin was not a substrate for the phosphorylating enzyme, it was concluded that the strain produced the neomycin/kanamycin phosphototransferase I. Furthermore, it was found that streptomycin and spectinomycin were adenylylated by the enzymatic extracts as well as gentamycin C1a, C1, C2, A, tobramycin, sisomycin and the kanamycins. This substrate profile indicated the presence of two adenylylating enzymes: streptomycin/spectinomycin-adenylyl-transferase and gentamycin-adenylyltransferase. After transfer of multiple drug resistance by conjugation from both strains into C. coli K-12, sonified extracts were prepared and examined for enzymatic activity splitting beta-lactam antibiotics. The relative rates of inactivation of benzylpenicillin, ampicillin and cephaloridine as well as the inhibitory effect of cloxacillin, but not of p-chloro-mercuri-benzoate on the inactivation of cephaloridine indicated that both strains produced a class III/type a (TEM type) beta-lactamase. It is discussed that the increasing frequency of gram-negative organisms form the university hospital with identical resistant phenotypes as the strains examined is the result of the spread of an R-factor among the hospital bacterial flora.", "contents": "[Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycosides in gram negative bacteria. 2. Mechanism of resistance (author's transl)]. In a preceding paper the genetics of resistance of 2 representative strains exhibiting resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics (ampicillin, catbenicillin, cephalothin) to aminoglycosides (kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, gentamycin, sisomycin, tobramycin, streptomycin, spectinomycin) and further antimicrobials (tetracycline, chloramphenicol, suphonamides) were described. This paper reports about the mechanism of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycosides in these strains. Enzymatic extracts from K. pneumoniae 1 and Serratia marcescens 2 were produced by the osmotic shock procedure. Incubation of these extracts with aminoglycoside antibiotics, to which the strains are resistant, and ATP resulted in the total inactivation of the antimicrobials, as measured with a Bacillus subtilis assay. Analysis of this inactivation with the radioactive methods of Davies and his colleagues revealed that the kanamycins, neomycins, paromomycin and gentamycin A were phosphorylated. Because butirosin was not a substrate for the phosphorylating enzyme, it was concluded that the strain produced the neomycin/kanamycin phosphototransferase I. Furthermore, it was found that streptomycin and spectinomycin were adenylylated by the enzymatic extracts as well as gentamycin C1a, C1, C2, A, tobramycin, sisomycin and the kanamycins. This substrate profile indicated the presence of two adenylylating enzymes: streptomycin/spectinomycin-adenylyl-transferase and gentamycin-adenylyltransferase. After transfer of multiple drug resistance by conjugation from both strains into C. coli K-12, sonified extracts were prepared and examined for enzymatic activity splitting beta-lactam antibiotics. The relative rates of inactivation of benzylpenicillin, ampicillin and cephaloridine as well as the inhibitory effect of cloxacillin, but not of p-chloro-mercuri-benzoate on the inactivation of cephaloridine indicated that both strains produced a class III/type a (TEM type) beta-lactamase. It is discussed that the increasing frequency of gram-negative organisms form the university hospital with identical resistant phenotypes as the strains examined is the result of the spread of an R-factor among the hospital bacterial flora.", "PMID": 779354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5264", "title": "[Distribution of the isoenzymes of nucleases in group A Streptococci (author's transl)].", "content": "62 strains of Group A streptococci of different origin were cultured under comparable conditions. The supernatants of cultures of the same optical density were investigated in respect of their DNase activity. After electrophoretic separation in PAA gel, the distribution and activity of the four isoenzymes, B, D, A and C was determined. The total activity showed a near-random distribution, all patterns except B D A were found. DNase B was produced by all, DNase C by one half, DNase A by one third, and DNase D by one fifth of the strains. DNase B alone was found in three out of ten strains. The total DNase-activity and the distribution pattern in strains of the same M serotype but of different origin varied within a wide range. So a further biochemical differentiation of this strain seems to be possible.", "contents": "[Distribution of the isoenzymes of nucleases in group A Streptococci (author's transl)]. 62 strains of Group A streptococci of different origin were cultured under comparable conditions. The supernatants of cultures of the same optical density were investigated in respect of their DNase activity. After electrophoretic separation in PAA gel, the distribution and activity of the four isoenzymes, B, D, A and C was determined. The total activity showed a near-random distribution, all patterns except B D A were found. DNase B was produced by all, DNase C by one half, DNase A by one third, and DNase D by one fifth of the strains. DNase B alone was found in three out of ten strains. The total DNase-activity and the distribution pattern in strains of the same M serotype but of different origin varied within a wide range. So a further biochemical differentiation of this strain seems to be possible.", "PMID": 779355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5265", "title": "Multiple drug resistance in Escherichia coli - an analysis of all-nation computer-processed data.", "content": "In a computer-assisted surveillance program, a one-year yield of nationally collected strains of E. coli, and separately of their enteropathogenic serotypes, were analysed for their biresistance to 10 frequently used antibacterials, and also their typical three-, four-, and five-resistance which occur most frequently. It was shown that, like in staphylococci (1), classical drugs: ampicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and kanamycin all show a significant degree of mutual selectivity. This was confirmed by analyses of comparatively large numbers of strains with higher complexity of multiple resistance. It is important and significant, for the regulation of further antibiotic policy, that the computer analysis showed a mutual devaluation of gentamicin and colistin antibiotics. Colistin-resistant strains of E. coli showed a high degree of resistance to gentamicin - far higher than strains resistant to any other drugs, even strains resistant to four or five classical drugs, vice versa, gentamicin-resistant strains were in more than 50% resistant to colistin - a value which is much higher than that of the very good effectiveness of gentamicin toward strains resistant to other antibiotics, even to five of them at once. This is another important observation, similar to one-way selectivity of oxacillin-resistant staphylococci by lincomycin resistance. Such findings urge for a special surveillance program for these crucially important antibiotics in the all-nation computer-assisted surveillance of the resistance to antibiotics in problem bacteria. Enteropathogenic strains of E. coli showed far higher resistance values not only for classical antibiotics, but also for kanamycin, nalidixin and septrin resistance.", "contents": "Multiple drug resistance in Escherichia coli - an analysis of all-nation computer-processed data. In a computer-assisted surveillance program, a one-year yield of nationally collected strains of E. coli, and separately of their enteropathogenic serotypes, were analysed for their biresistance to 10 frequently used antibacterials, and also their typical three-, four-, and five-resistance which occur most frequently. It was shown that, like in staphylococci (1), classical drugs: ampicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and kanamycin all show a significant degree of mutual selectivity. This was confirmed by analyses of comparatively large numbers of strains with higher complexity of multiple resistance. It is important and significant, for the regulation of further antibiotic policy, that the computer analysis showed a mutual devaluation of gentamicin and colistin antibiotics. Colistin-resistant strains of E. coli showed a high degree of resistance to gentamicin - far higher than strains resistant to any other drugs, even strains resistant to four or five classical drugs, vice versa, gentamicin-resistant strains were in more than 50% resistant to colistin - a value which is much higher than that of the very good effectiveness of gentamicin toward strains resistant to other antibiotics, even to five of them at once. This is another important observation, similar to one-way selectivity of oxacillin-resistant staphylococci by lincomycin resistance. Such findings urge for a special surveillance program for these crucially important antibiotics in the all-nation computer-assisted surveillance of the resistance to antibiotics in problem bacteria. Enteropathogenic strains of E. coli showed far higher resistance values not only for classical antibiotics, but also for kanamycin, nalidixin and septrin resistance.", "PMID": 779356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5266", "title": "Studies on group A (phage tail) bacteriocins of Serratia marcescens. V. Serological characterization of subgroup I and II bacteriocins.", "content": "Neutralization tests with rabbit hyperimmune sera revealed a close, if not identical, serological relationship among 7 group A (phage tail) bacteriocins of Serratia marcescens of subgroup I, and among 3 phage tail bacteriocins of subgroup II, respectively. On the other hand, subgroup I and II phage tail bacteriocins were found to be serologically unrelated, as determined with neutralization tests and Ouchterlony immunodiffusion experiments. Immunoelectrophoretic tests, employing a representive phage tail bacteriocin of each of the two subgroups, disclosed the electrophoretic mobility of bacteriocin no. 5 (subgroup I), whereas bacteriocin no. 16 (subgroup II) remained stationary. Thus, two additional differential criteria, i.e., differences in antigenicity and electrophoretic mobility, were obtained for the characterization of subgroup I and II group A (phage tail) bacteriocins of S. marcescens.", "contents": "Studies on group A (phage tail) bacteriocins of Serratia marcescens. V. Serological characterization of subgroup I and II bacteriocins. Neutralization tests with rabbit hyperimmune sera revealed a close, if not identical, serological relationship among 7 group A (phage tail) bacteriocins of Serratia marcescens of subgroup I, and among 3 phage tail bacteriocins of subgroup II, respectively. On the other hand, subgroup I and II phage tail bacteriocins were found to be serologically unrelated, as determined with neutralization tests and Ouchterlony immunodiffusion experiments. Immunoelectrophoretic tests, employing a representive phage tail bacteriocin of each of the two subgroups, disclosed the electrophoretic mobility of bacteriocin no. 5 (subgroup I), whereas bacteriocin no. 16 (subgroup II) remained stationary. Thus, two additional differential criteria, i.e., differences in antigenicity and electrophoretic mobility, were obtained for the characterization of subgroup I and II group A (phage tail) bacteriocins of S. marcescens.", "PMID": 779357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5267", "title": "Studies on group A (phage tail) bacteriocins of Serratia marcescens. VI. Calcium ion-dependent biological activity of subgroup II bacteriocins.", "content": "The biological activity of subgroup II group A (phage tail) bacteriocins of Serratia marcescens against susceptible indicator cells was completely abolished on two defined, Agarose-containing media. The addition of 0.002 M CaC12 to these two media fully restored the lethal activity of these phage tails. Subgroup I phage tail bacteriocins, on the other hand, were found to have no requirement for divalent cations. These observations furnished an additional biological criterion for the differentiation of subgroup I and II phage tail bacteriocins of S. marcescens.", "contents": "Studies on group A (phage tail) bacteriocins of Serratia marcescens. VI. Calcium ion-dependent biological activity of subgroup II bacteriocins. The biological activity of subgroup II group A (phage tail) bacteriocins of Serratia marcescens against susceptible indicator cells was completely abolished on two defined, Agarose-containing media. The addition of 0.002 M CaC12 to these two media fully restored the lethal activity of these phage tails. Subgroup I phage tail bacteriocins, on the other hand, were found to have no requirement for divalent cations. These observations furnished an additional biological criterion for the differentiation of subgroup I and II phage tail bacteriocins of S. marcescens.", "PMID": 779358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5268", "title": "Semi-automatic apparatus for determination of the consistency of microbiological culture media and gel-forming substances (author's transl).", "content": "The gel strength is an important factor in the production and preparation of microbiological culture media on the basis of agar-agar, silicagel and gelatine. There is an evident interest in a standardization of this parameter which can influence the number and the form of the colonies, the results of antibiograms and other tests based on diffusion. The apparatus described can be used for simultaneous determination of the gel strength and the elasticity of microbiological and industrial gels. The construction consists of an electromotor-driven supporting table for the specimen and a pressure measuring device. In operation, the gel is moved vertically with a constant speed against the probe of the pressure device. The pressure exerted on the surface of the gel can be read from a dial connected with the probe as well as the pressure at which the surface of the gel is being disrupted (breaking point, gel-strength pressure). The apparatus can be purchased under the name Gelomat from Heinrich Bareiss, 7931 Oberdischingen, West Germany (see Fig. 1 and 2). The results of the measurements can be influenced by various factors such as concentration of the gelating compound, composition and pH of the solvent, time and temperature at which the gel is held before, during and after plate pouring, surface (dry or wet) and heigth of the gel sample, method of mesurement, etc. To account for all these factors, a standard method of measurement is described. The apparatus has a sensibility of ca. 2 g, can measure a gel strength between 0 and 200 g with the standard equipment, and has a standard deviation of less than 1.35 for microbiological agar-agar gels (see Tables 2-4). The time needed for one determination is 40-60 seconds. Compared with other instruments for the same purposes, the Gelomat has following advantages: Simple and handy use, good sensitivity and reproducibility, capability for simultaneous measurement of gel strength and gel elasticity. In the last 4 years, this apparatus has been used with good results in more than 10,000 routine determinations", "contents": "Semi-automatic apparatus for determination of the consistency of microbiological culture media and gel-forming substances (author's transl). The gel strength is an important factor in the production and preparation of microbiological culture media on the basis of agar-agar, silicagel and gelatine. There is an evident interest in a standardization of this parameter which can influence the number and the form of the colonies, the results of antibiograms and other tests based on diffusion. The apparatus described can be used for simultaneous determination of the gel strength and the elasticity of microbiological and industrial gels. The construction consists of an electromotor-driven supporting table for the specimen and a pressure measuring device. In operation, the gel is moved vertically with a constant speed against the probe of the pressure device. The pressure exerted on the surface of the gel can be read from a dial connected with the probe as well as the pressure at which the surface of the gel is being disrupted (breaking point, gel-strength pressure). The apparatus can be purchased under the name Gelomat from Heinrich Bareiss, 7931 Oberdischingen, West Germany (see Fig. 1 and 2). The results of the measurements can be influenced by various factors such as concentration of the gelating compound, composition and pH of the solvent, time and temperature at which the gel is held before, during and after plate pouring, surface (dry or wet) and heigth of the gel sample, method of mesurement, etc. To account for all these factors, a standard method of measurement is described. The apparatus has a sensibility of ca. 2 g, can measure a gel strength between 0 and 200 g with the standard equipment, and has a standard deviation of less than 1.35 for microbiological agar-agar gels (see Tables 2-4). The time needed for one determination is 40-60 seconds. Compared with other instruments for the same purposes, the Gelomat has following advantages: Simple and handy use, good sensitivity and reproducibility, capability for simultaneous measurement of gel strength and gel elasticity. In the last 4 years, this apparatus has been used with good results in more than 10,000 routine determinations", "PMID": 779359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5269", "title": "Treatment of experimental oesophageal perforation.", "content": "Oesophageal rupture was induced in 18 dogs and the animals were divided into three groups according to the treatment of the wound. In the first group the wound was closed with the adhesive Histoacryl-N Blau and Surgicel, in the second group with the same adhesive and a collagen preparation, while the wounds of the third group was sutured. Because of the inadequacy of suturing half of the animals in the third group died, while in the other groups every animal survived the operation. The adhesive plus Surgicel provided the most satisfactory closure of the wound.", "contents": "Treatment of experimental oesophageal perforation. Oesophageal rupture was induced in 18 dogs and the animals were divided into three groups according to the treatment of the wound. In the first group the wound was closed with the adhesive Histoacryl-N Blau and Surgicel, in the second group with the same adhesive and a collagen preparation, while the wounds of the third group was sutured. Because of the inadequacy of suturing half of the animals in the third group died, while in the other groups every animal survived the operation. The adhesive plus Surgicel provided the most satisfactory closure of the wound.", "PMID": 779368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5270", "title": "[Propranolol and arterial hypertension: study with frequent daily checking of blood pressure and serum levels after 1 week of treatment].", "content": "In order to establish correlations between serum levels of Propranolol, blood pressure in hypertensive patients and cardiac rate, these parameters have been recorded at three different times in a day and after a week. This study points out that therapeutic response is variable. However the patients may be classified into 4 groups. This classification and the value of serum levels of propranolol are discussed.", "contents": "[Propranolol and arterial hypertension: study with frequent daily checking of blood pressure and serum levels after 1 week of treatment]. In order to establish correlations between serum levels of Propranolol, blood pressure in hypertensive patients and cardiac rate, these parameters have been recorded at three different times in a day and after a week. This study points out that therapeutic response is variable. However the patients may be classified into 4 groups. This classification and the value of serum levels of propranolol are discussed.", "PMID": 779369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5271", "title": "Compartments and suborgans of the ventricular myocardium.", "content": "Color-coded liquid plastic was injected intraparenchymally (not into the blood vessels) into more than 300 hearts of homeotherms--including dog, cat, sheep, beef, horse, mammalian dolphins, chickens, turkeys, etc. The organization of the hearts of all these species appears to be similar. After injection of a heart segment such as the right ventricular free wall, corrosion (digestion) of the heart in strong alkali releases the case of only this free wall, and of the lymphatic vessels which drain this segment. None of the injected plastic enters the left ventricular free wall or the septum. Color-coded injections reveal that injections into only the left ventricular free wall, followed by digestion of the heart releases a cast of only the left ventricular free wall. Injection into the septum produces a cast of only the septum. Injection into all three compartments provides a cast of the apex and midpoint of the heart. The colors and injections remain discrete--they never mix. This is evidence that fibrous supercapsules separate these three compartments. The casts prepared by injection into the middle or inferior parts of the ventricular myocardium show large lacunae at the base. Similar injection experiments show that the base of the heart consists of two discrete suborgans: the inflow tract or cushion (tricuspid and mitral rings, and their papillary muscles), and the outflow tract or infundibulum (muscular bundles inferior to the pulmonary and aortic outlets). Further studies showed that the septum consists of discrete right and left hemiseptae. These data support the hypothesis that the heart consists of three suborgans; the cushion, venter (pump), and infundibulum. Each suborgan consists of four compartmetns: its free right wall, free left wall, and right and left hemiseptae. These entirely separate twelve compartments of the ventricular myocardium are held together by strong fibrous connective tissues. Their function is coordinated by the atrioventricular conduction system. The present studies indicate that earlier studies which have indicated that the heart consists of one or two bandage-like, concentric wrappings may be incorrect. The significance of our findings is dicussed.", "contents": "Compartments and suborgans of the ventricular myocardium. Color-coded liquid plastic was injected intraparenchymally (not into the blood vessels) into more than 300 hearts of homeotherms--including dog, cat, sheep, beef, horse, mammalian dolphins, chickens, turkeys, etc. The organization of the hearts of all these species appears to be similar. After injection of a heart segment such as the right ventricular free wall, corrosion (digestion) of the heart in strong alkali releases the case of only this free wall, and of the lymphatic vessels which drain this segment. None of the injected plastic enters the left ventricular free wall or the septum. Color-coded injections reveal that injections into only the left ventricular free wall, followed by digestion of the heart releases a cast of only the left ventricular free wall. Injection into the septum produces a cast of only the septum. Injection into all three compartments provides a cast of the apex and midpoint of the heart. The colors and injections remain discrete--they never mix. This is evidence that fibrous supercapsules separate these three compartments. The casts prepared by injection into the middle or inferior parts of the ventricular myocardium show large lacunae at the base. Similar injection experiments show that the base of the heart consists of two discrete suborgans: the inflow tract or cushion (tricuspid and mitral rings, and their papillary muscles), and the outflow tract or infundibulum (muscular bundles inferior to the pulmonary and aortic outlets). Further studies showed that the septum consists of discrete right and left hemiseptae. These data support the hypothesis that the heart consists of three suborgans; the cushion, venter (pump), and infundibulum. Each suborgan consists of four compartmetns: its free right wall, free left wall, and right and left hemiseptae. These entirely separate twelve compartments of the ventricular myocardium are held together by strong fibrous connective tissues. Their function is coordinated by the atrioventricular conduction system. The present studies indicate that earlier studies which have indicated that the heart consists of one or two bandage-like, concentric wrappings may be incorrect. The significance of our findings is dicussed.", "PMID": 779370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5272", "title": "Orientation of the fascicles of the ventricular myocardium.", "content": "A new technique was developed to examine the arrangement of the fascicles of the myocardium. Liquid plastic was injected intramurally into the free walls and the septum of more than 300 hearts of mammals and birds. After the plastic hardened, the tissues were digested in alkali, thereby releasing a plastic cast which had been formed in the myocardium. The plastic plates formed in the heart were consistently perpendicular to the surfaces of the epicardium and the endocardium. Related studies have shown that each cluster or clone of muscle fibers is contained in a fibrous connective tissue capsule. The injected plastic is therefore confined to the trabecular (extracapsular) clefts which define the borders of the capsules. The casts show that the capsules containing the muscle fibers are arranged in the planes of great circles of the myocardial spheroid. These capsules are shaped as wedges with acute angles at the endocardium, and with dihedral angles less than 1 degree. Interventricular sulci interrupt and separate the capsules of the right free wall from the left free wall. Septal capsules are separated from but aligned with the long directions of the capsules of the adjacent free walls. These data challenge the currently accepted concept of the bandage-like arrangement of the myocardial fascicles. The significance of our findings with respect to myocardial function is discussed.", "contents": "Orientation of the fascicles of the ventricular myocardium. A new technique was developed to examine the arrangement of the fascicles of the myocardium. Liquid plastic was injected intramurally into the free walls and the septum of more than 300 hearts of mammals and birds. After the plastic hardened, the tissues were digested in alkali, thereby releasing a plastic cast which had been formed in the myocardium. The plastic plates formed in the heart were consistently perpendicular to the surfaces of the epicardium and the endocardium. Related studies have shown that each cluster or clone of muscle fibers is contained in a fibrous connective tissue capsule. The injected plastic is therefore confined to the trabecular (extracapsular) clefts which define the borders of the capsules. The casts show that the capsules containing the muscle fibers are arranged in the planes of great circles of the myocardial spheroid. These capsules are shaped as wedges with acute angles at the endocardium, and with dihedral angles less than 1 degree. Interventricular sulci interrupt and separate the capsules of the right free wall from the left free wall. Septal capsules are separated from but aligned with the long directions of the capsules of the adjacent free walls. These data challenge the currently accepted concept of the bandage-like arrangement of the myocardial fascicles. The significance of our findings with respect to myocardial function is discussed.", "PMID": 779371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5273", "title": "[Injuries of the peripheral blood vessels].", "content": "Success in surgical intervention depends primarily on the general practicioner who makes the early diagnosis, who also makes the temporary bandages against clotting and who quickly transports the patient to the nearest surgical hospital. The arrival of patient in the shortest time period; within 6 hours after the injury, could give a guarantee for a successful surgical intervention. At a combined injury of veins and arteries, it is necessary to give, besides the minuteness surgical technic, an anti-coagulative (anti-clotting therapy during the post-operative period. We are of the opinion that every surgical department should be able to handle injuries on the outer blood vessels, which means they should have a good knowledge of basic principles on the vascular surgery.", "contents": "[Injuries of the peripheral blood vessels]. Success in surgical intervention depends primarily on the general practicioner who makes the early diagnosis, who also makes the temporary bandages against clotting and who quickly transports the patient to the nearest surgical hospital. The arrival of patient in the shortest time period; within 6 hours after the injury, could give a guarantee for a successful surgical intervention. At a combined injury of veins and arteries, it is necessary to give, besides the minuteness surgical technic, an anti-coagulative (anti-clotting therapy during the post-operative period. We are of the opinion that every surgical department should be able to handle injuries on the outer blood vessels, which means they should have a good knowledge of basic principles on the vascular surgery.", "PMID": 779378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5274", "title": "Billroth I gastric resection versus truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty in the treatment of gastric ulcer.", "content": "Forty-five patients with benign gastric ulcers were treated by truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty or Billroth I gastric resection in a randomized, controlled trial. Postoperatively, one Billroth I patient died. During the follow-up recurrence occurred in three patients treated by vagotomy, but in no Billroth I patient. The overall functional results according to the classification of Visick were slightly, but unsignificantly better after Billroth I than after vagotomy and pyloroplasty.", "contents": "Billroth I gastric resection versus truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty in the treatment of gastric ulcer. Forty-five patients with benign gastric ulcers were treated by truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty or Billroth I gastric resection in a randomized, controlled trial. Postoperatively, one Billroth I patient died. During the follow-up recurrence occurred in three patients treated by vagotomy, but in no Billroth I patient. The overall functional results according to the classification of Visick were slightly, but unsignificantly better after Billroth I than after vagotomy and pyloroplasty.", "PMID": 779383} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5275", "title": "Migration inhibitory effect of cell-free supernatants from PHA-activated cultures of human mononuclear leukocytes.", "content": "A two-step test for the demonstration of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced production of migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was investigated. In the first step, human purified mononuclear leukocytes were activated by incubation with PHA for 1 h. Then the cells were washed thoroughly and cultured for 1 to 4 days in TC medium without PHA. In the second step, the MIF-activity of the cell-free culture supernatants was tested on non-separated human leukocytes. The migration inhibition reaction was demonstrated by the agarose migration technique. The supernatants might have been contaminated by PHA, but it was shown that such contamination would be unable to cause any appreciable migration inhibition of the indicator leukocytes.", "contents": "Migration inhibitory effect of cell-free supernatants from PHA-activated cultures of human mononuclear leukocytes. A two-step test for the demonstration of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced production of migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was investigated. In the first step, human purified mononuclear leukocytes were activated by incubation with PHA for 1 h. Then the cells were washed thoroughly and cultured for 1 to 4 days in TC medium without PHA. In the second step, the MIF-activity of the cell-free culture supernatants was tested on non-separated human leukocytes. The migration inhibition reaction was demonstrated by the agarose migration technique. The supernatants might have been contaminated by PHA, but it was shown that such contamination would be unable to cause any appreciable migration inhibition of the indicator leukocytes.", "PMID": 779389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5276", "title": "Halothane anaesthesia and suxamethonium I: the significance of preoperative atropine administration. A double-blind study.", "content": "Preoperative administration of atropine was evaluated during induction of halothane anaesthesia with two administrations of suxamethonium 1 mg/kg body weight, 5 min apart. Sixty-eight healthy, adult patients were studied. They were divided into five groups according to dose and route of administration of atropine. ECG was continuously monitored. Serum potassium, pH, PaCO2, PaO2 and standard bicarbonate were measured at appropriate intervals. It was found that neither atropine 0.01 mg/kg body weight given intramuscularly 1 h beofre the anaesthesia nor atropine 0.01 mg/kg body weight given intravenously 5 min prior to induction protected against serious bradycardias (defined as heart rate below 20 beats per minute) following the second dose of suxamethonium. No serious brady-arrhythmias were seen in patients given either a combination of intramuscular and intravenous atropine in the above-mentioned doses or in patients given atropine 0.015 mg/kg body weight intravenously 5 minutes prior to induction. However, a decrease in heart rate to around 40-50 beats per minute occurred in some of these patients. Furthermore, these large doses of atropine caused an increase in heart rate during induction to more than 120 beats per minute in about 50% of the patients and to more than 140 beats per minute in about 25% of the patients. Our results suggest that preoperative administration of atropine does not protect against serious brady-arrhythmias following a second dose of suxamethonium, unless doses of atropine are used which cause tachycarida of considerable degree.", "contents": "Halothane anaesthesia and suxamethonium I: the significance of preoperative atropine administration. A double-blind study. Preoperative administration of atropine was evaluated during induction of halothane anaesthesia with two administrations of suxamethonium 1 mg/kg body weight, 5 min apart. Sixty-eight healthy, adult patients were studied. They were divided into five groups according to dose and route of administration of atropine. ECG was continuously monitored. Serum potassium, pH, PaCO2, PaO2 and standard bicarbonate were measured at appropriate intervals. It was found that neither atropine 0.01 mg/kg body weight given intramuscularly 1 h beofre the anaesthesia nor atropine 0.01 mg/kg body weight given intravenously 5 min prior to induction protected against serious bradycardias (defined as heart rate below 20 beats per minute) following the second dose of suxamethonium. No serious brady-arrhythmias were seen in patients given either a combination of intramuscular and intravenous atropine in the above-mentioned doses or in patients given atropine 0.015 mg/kg body weight intravenously 5 minutes prior to induction. However, a decrease in heart rate to around 40-50 beats per minute occurred in some of these patients. Furthermore, these large doses of atropine caused an increase in heart rate during induction to more than 120 beats per minute in about 50% of the patients and to more than 140 beats per minute in about 25% of the patients. Our results suggest that preoperative administration of atropine does not protect against serious brady-arrhythmias following a second dose of suxamethonium, unless doses of atropine are used which cause tachycarida of considerable degree.", "PMID": 779390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5277", "title": "Urinary cytologic changes after radiotherapy of renal transplants.", "content": "Significant changes in the urinary cellular pattern can be attributed to renal allograft radiation, as distinct from those associated with immunologic rejection of the transplated kidney. These changes consist of nuclear multiplicity, wrinkling of the nuclear membrane, a \"coffee bean\" appearance of the nucleus, and increase in nuclear size, areas of decreased density and vacuolation of the cytoplasm, and perinuclear halos. The severity of the changes was categorized as \"mild\", \"moderate\", or \"marked\", according to the number of the above changes which were present, and was more evident in cells of transitional epithelial origin than of tubular origin. Some correlation was found between the severity of the cellular radiation changes and the survival time of the kidney.", "contents": "Urinary cytologic changes after radiotherapy of renal transplants. Significant changes in the urinary cellular pattern can be attributed to renal allograft radiation, as distinct from those associated with immunologic rejection of the transplated kidney. These changes consist of nuclear multiplicity, wrinkling of the nuclear membrane, a \"coffee bean\" appearance of the nucleus, and increase in nuclear size, areas of decreased density and vacuolation of the cytoplasm, and perinuclear halos. The severity of the changes was categorized as \"mild\", \"moderate\", or \"marked\", according to the number of the above changes which were present, and was more evident in cells of transitional epithelial origin than of tubular origin. Some correlation was found between the severity of the cellular radiation changes and the survival time of the kidney.", "PMID": 779385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5278", "title": "Comparison of haemodynamic effects of pethidine and anileridine in patients with coronary-artery disease.", "content": "The circulatory effects of anileridine, a derivative of pethidine, have been little studied. Therefore we compared the haemodynamic effects of equianalgesic doses of pethidine (1 mg/kg i.v.) and anileridine (0.25 mg/kg) in matched patients requiring myocardial revascularization. Cardiac output was significantly increased 5 min after the administration of pethidine, mainly due to an increase in heart rate. A transient rise in the systolic pulmonary-arterial pressure was found after anileridine. No remarkable changes were found in systemic arterial pressures, central venous pressure, balloon-occluded pulmonary-arterial pressure, stoke volume, systemic or pulmonary vascular resistances and derived oxygen consumption. Further, 20 min after drug administration, there were no significant differences in any circulatory parameters between the two groups. One patient developed acute cardiac failure after anileridine, though as he had very severe coronary heart disease it remains an open question whether this was spontaneous or drug-induced. Since the rate-pressure product tended to increase after pethidine, this drug may not be considered an ideal analgesic for patients with ischaemic heart disease. Anileridine had less influence on this variable. Since the circulatory effects of pethidine seem to depend on the haemodynamic status of the patient, the haemodynamic properties of anileridine may also deserve further investigation.", "contents": "Comparison of haemodynamic effects of pethidine and anileridine in patients with coronary-artery disease. The circulatory effects of anileridine, a derivative of pethidine, have been little studied. Therefore we compared the haemodynamic effects of equianalgesic doses of pethidine (1 mg/kg i.v.) and anileridine (0.25 mg/kg) in matched patients requiring myocardial revascularization. Cardiac output was significantly increased 5 min after the administration of pethidine, mainly due to an increase in heart rate. A transient rise in the systolic pulmonary-arterial pressure was found after anileridine. No remarkable changes were found in systemic arterial pressures, central venous pressure, balloon-occluded pulmonary-arterial pressure, stoke volume, systemic or pulmonary vascular resistances and derived oxygen consumption. Further, 20 min after drug administration, there were no significant differences in any circulatory parameters between the two groups. One patient developed acute cardiac failure after anileridine, though as he had very severe coronary heart disease it remains an open question whether this was spontaneous or drug-induced. Since the rate-pressure product tended to increase after pethidine, this drug may not be considered an ideal analgesic for patients with ischaemic heart disease. Anileridine had less influence on this variable. Since the circulatory effects of pethidine seem to depend on the haemodynamic status of the patient, the haemodynamic properties of anileridine may also deserve further investigation.", "PMID": 779391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5279", "title": "Comparison of the effect of anileridine and pethidine on the intracholedochal pressure during constant fluid perfusion.", "content": "Anileridine and pethidine have a spasmolytic action on animal intestine. Pethidine is known to have a spasmogenic effect at the choledocho-duodenal junction of man, but there is no study of the effect of anileridine on the biliary tract. In the present study the effects of anileridine and pethidine on the intracholedochal pressure during constant fluid perfusion in man were compared. The maximal elevation of the choledochal passage pressure was significantly greater after anileridine than after pethidine. However, the difference between anileridine and pethidine seemed to be less than that reported previously between morphine and pethidine. The effect of anileridine was of shorter duration than of pethidine. Anileridine and pethidine are not ideal analgesics when the normal activity of the biliary ductal system has to be maintained in pain or during cholangiography.", "contents": "Comparison of the effect of anileridine and pethidine on the intracholedochal pressure during constant fluid perfusion. Anileridine and pethidine have a spasmolytic action on animal intestine. Pethidine is known to have a spasmogenic effect at the choledocho-duodenal junction of man, but there is no study of the effect of anileridine on the biliary tract. In the present study the effects of anileridine and pethidine on the intracholedochal pressure during constant fluid perfusion in man were compared. The maximal elevation of the choledochal passage pressure was significantly greater after anileridine than after pethidine. However, the difference between anileridine and pethidine seemed to be less than that reported previously between morphine and pethidine. The effect of anileridine was of shorter duration than of pethidine. Anileridine and pethidine are not ideal analgesics when the normal activity of the biliary ductal system has to be maintained in pain or during cholangiography.", "PMID": 779392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5280", "title": "E. coli growth inhibition by amniotic fluid.", "content": "Amniotic fluid samples were collected aseptically from 29 normal pregnancies, between the 38th and 41st week of gestation and checked for sterility in the laboratory, in order to investigate in vitro the effect of the liquor on the growth of E. coli. Brain Heart Infusion (B.H.I.) and Ringer solution were used as controls. E. coli cultures were inoculated in amniotic fluid, B.H.I., Ringer solution and amniotic fluid plus B.H.I. and incubated at 37degreesC for 48 hours. At 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours of incubation, surface viable counts were performed to estimate the number of E. coli viable cells. The growth of E. coli in B.H.I. started furing the 1st hours after inoculation and continued over 48 hours; in Ringer solution the mean growth curve and almost identical to that of B.H.I. In amniotic fluid the growth of E. coli began from the 1st hour of inoculation but the growth curve was much lower, became static in 24 hours and a permanent inhibition was observed thereafter. The addition of a small amount of B.H.I. in amniotic fluid enhanced the growth of E. coli, but the growth curve was lower in comparison to the curves of the two controls studied. In conclusion, after 48 hours of inoculation in amniotic fluid, 26 of the 29 cases showed bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity of the liquor upon the growth of E. coli.", "contents": "E. coli growth inhibition by amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid samples were collected aseptically from 29 normal pregnancies, between the 38th and 41st week of gestation and checked for sterility in the laboratory, in order to investigate in vitro the effect of the liquor on the growth of E. coli. Brain Heart Infusion (B.H.I.) and Ringer solution were used as controls. E. coli cultures were inoculated in amniotic fluid, B.H.I., Ringer solution and amniotic fluid plus B.H.I. and incubated at 37degreesC for 48 hours. At 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours of incubation, surface viable counts were performed to estimate the number of E. coli viable cells. The growth of E. coli in B.H.I. started furing the 1st hours after inoculation and continued over 48 hours; in Ringer solution the mean growth curve and almost identical to that of B.H.I. In amniotic fluid the growth of E. coli began from the 1st hour of inoculation but the growth curve was much lower, became static in 24 hours and a permanent inhibition was observed thereafter. The addition of a small amount of B.H.I. in amniotic fluid enhanced the growth of E. coli, but the growth curve was lower in comparison to the curves of the two controls studied. In conclusion, after 48 hours of inoculation in amniotic fluid, 26 of the 29 cases showed bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity of the liquor upon the growth of E. coli.", "PMID": 779394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5281", "title": "Video display system for fetal and maternal monitoring.", "content": "Signals from different fetal and maternal monitoring equipment were combined in a video system. Analogue curves and digital figures were displayed on the same screen and included warning signals. Sweeps for different curves are selected individually. It is possible to show fast and slow changing parameters on the same screen. The system has great flexibility and signals from equipment from different manufacturers may be added easily.", "contents": "Video display system for fetal and maternal monitoring. Signals from different fetal and maternal monitoring equipment were combined in a video system. Analogue curves and digital figures were displayed on the same screen and included warning signals. Sweeps for different curves are selected individually. It is possible to show fast and slow changing parameters on the same screen. The system has great flexibility and signals from equipment from different manufacturers may be added easily.", "PMID": 779395} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5282", "title": "Chorioangioma with hydramnios and intra-uterine fetal death.", "content": "Chorioangiomas are benign placental tumours derived from fetal vessels, that occur with a frequency of approximately 1%. Often they are associated with hydramnios and intra-uterine fetal death. Based on a case of multiple chorioangiomas with a fatal course for the baby, aspects of the pathogenesis of hydramnios are discussed. Future development in ultrasounc technology may facilitate antenatal diagnosis.", "contents": "Chorioangioma with hydramnios and intra-uterine fetal death. Chorioangiomas are benign placental tumours derived from fetal vessels, that occur with a frequency of approximately 1%. Often they are associated with hydramnios and intra-uterine fetal death. Based on a case of multiple chorioangiomas with a fatal course for the baby, aspects of the pathogenesis of hydramnios are discussed. Future development in ultrasounc technology may facilitate antenatal diagnosis.", "PMID": 779396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5283", "title": "Escherichia coli O antibody content in milk from healthy Swedish mothers and mothers from a very low socio-economic group of a developing country.", "content": "The antibody content of milk from healthy Swedish mothers was compared with that of milk from mothers of a very low socio-economic group in a developing country. Antibodies of various immunoglobulin classes against E. coli O antigens were determined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The milk antibodies which mainly belonged to the secretory IgA class appeared in similar concentrations in milk from the two groups using E. coli antigens of Swedish as well as Pakistani origin. The secretory IgA antibodies could be demonstrated in the stool of the breast-fed infants of the undernourished mothers. Also the concentration of serum IgG and IgA antibodies to E. coli O antigens were similar in the Pakistani and Swedish mothers. The serum IgM antibody levels of the Pakistani mothers were higher, however, presumably due to a higher frequency of infections. It was noted that the milk production decreased considerably upon the hospitalization of the healthy and well-to-do Swedish mothers. The small milk volumes of the undernourished Pakistani mothers suggest that the lactation failure observed was mainly due to inadequate milk flow and not to decreased milk quality. The results indicate the necessity of studying the nutritional, psychological and social factors responsible for low milk yield and add yet another reason to stimulate prolonged breastfeeding.", "contents": "Escherichia coli O antibody content in milk from healthy Swedish mothers and mothers from a very low socio-economic group of a developing country. The antibody content of milk from healthy Swedish mothers was compared with that of milk from mothers of a very low socio-economic group in a developing country. Antibodies of various immunoglobulin classes against E. coli O antigens were determined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The milk antibodies which mainly belonged to the secretory IgA class appeared in similar concentrations in milk from the two groups using E. coli antigens of Swedish as well as Pakistani origin. The secretory IgA antibodies could be demonstrated in the stool of the breast-fed infants of the undernourished mothers. Also the concentration of serum IgG and IgA antibodies to E. coli O antigens were similar in the Pakistani and Swedish mothers. The serum IgM antibody levels of the Pakistani mothers were higher, however, presumably due to a higher frequency of infections. It was noted that the milk production decreased considerably upon the hospitalization of the healthy and well-to-do Swedish mothers. The small milk volumes of the undernourished Pakistani mothers suggest that the lactation failure observed was mainly due to inadequate milk flow and not to decreased milk quality. The results indicate the necessity of studying the nutritional, psychological and social factors responsible for low milk yield and add yet another reason to stimulate prolonged breastfeeding.", "PMID": 779397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5284", "title": "Infections in preschool children in group day care.", "content": "Viral and bacterial infections in 20 children under 3 years of age were studied in a day centre for 12 weeks. Febrile illnesses were found on one occasion in each of 11 children but no serious infection occurred. Pneumococci types 6, 9, or 19 were isolated from all children but more often from those with rhinitis or cough. The individual child had an average of 2 viral infections. Adenovirus types 1, 2, 5, coxsackievirus type B5, herpes simplex virus or respiratory syncytial virus was isolated from 12% of the oropharynx swabs and 40% of the fecal specimens. When a virus was first isolated from the oropharynx, the children were asymptomatic or had only rhinitis in 73% of the cases which might indicate that the dismissing of symptomatic children is of limited value in controlling the spread of infections in a day care centre. Cytomegalovirus was recovered from 22% of the urine specimens. Carrier frequency of cytomegalovirus was 23% in 40 other children attending one of 13 different day care centers. Because asymptomatic cytomegalovirus infections apparently occur frequently among small children in Sweden, it seems reasonable not to take pronounced measures of isolating the children in the relatively few recognized cases of cytomegalovirus infections.", "contents": "Infections in preschool children in group day care. Viral and bacterial infections in 20 children under 3 years of age were studied in a day centre for 12 weeks. Febrile illnesses were found on one occasion in each of 11 children but no serious infection occurred. Pneumococci types 6, 9, or 19 were isolated from all children but more often from those with rhinitis or cough. The individual child had an average of 2 viral infections. Adenovirus types 1, 2, 5, coxsackievirus type B5, herpes simplex virus or respiratory syncytial virus was isolated from 12% of the oropharynx swabs and 40% of the fecal specimens. When a virus was first isolated from the oropharynx, the children were asymptomatic or had only rhinitis in 73% of the cases which might indicate that the dismissing of symptomatic children is of limited value in controlling the spread of infections in a day care centre. Cytomegalovirus was recovered from 22% of the urine specimens. Carrier frequency of cytomegalovirus was 23% in 40 other children attending one of 13 different day care centers. Because asymptomatic cytomegalovirus infections apparently occur frequently among small children in Sweden, it seems reasonable not to take pronounced measures of isolating the children in the relatively few recognized cases of cytomegalovirus infections.", "PMID": 779398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5285", "title": "Pleural empyema in a newborn infant. An unusual cause of respiratory distress.", "content": "In a 2-day-old baby with symptoms of respiratory distress a right-sided pleural empyema caused by haemolytic streptococci was found. Possible sources of infection are discussed. The mother had purulent discharge from a tooth a few weeks before delivery, and this may have been the focus. The baby was treated with pleural drainage and ampicillin with good result.", "contents": "Pleural empyema in a newborn infant. An unusual cause of respiratory distress. In a 2-day-old baby with symptoms of respiratory distress a right-sided pleural empyema caused by haemolytic streptococci was found. Possible sources of infection are discussed. The mother had purulent discharge from a tooth a few weeks before delivery, and this may have been the focus. The baby was treated with pleural drainage and ampicillin with good result.", "PMID": 779399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5286", "title": "Demonstration of adenovirus associated endonuclease.", "content": "In HEp-2 and amnion cell cultures infected with type 1 adenovirus the DNase activity of cell extracts was measured on 32P-labelled Escherichia coli DNA substrate. Enzyme activity was demonstrated by the acid soluble nucleotides released from the 32P-DNA and by the decreased sedimentation rate of labelled DNA. High DNase activity was measured in both adenovirus infected and in untreated HEp-2 cell extracts. Nuclease activity of the amnion host cells being much lower than that of HEp-2 cells, virus-associated endonuclease activity was successfully demonstrated in them. Purified type 1 adenovirus decreased the sedimentation rate of 32P-labelled E. coli DNA. The phenomenon is explained by the virion-associated endonuclease activity. Trypsin inactivated and anti HEp-2 IgG failed to inhibit the virion nuclease. An association between endonuclease and trypsin sensitive penton is assumed.", "contents": "Demonstration of adenovirus associated endonuclease. In HEp-2 and amnion cell cultures infected with type 1 adenovirus the DNase activity of cell extracts was measured on 32P-labelled Escherichia coli DNA substrate. Enzyme activity was demonstrated by the acid soluble nucleotides released from the 32P-DNA and by the decreased sedimentation rate of labelled DNA. High DNase activity was measured in both adenovirus infected and in untreated HEp-2 cell extracts. Nuclease activity of the amnion host cells being much lower than that of HEp-2 cells, virus-associated endonuclease activity was successfully demonstrated in them. Purified type 1 adenovirus decreased the sedimentation rate of 32P-labelled E. coli DNA. The phenomenon is explained by the virion-associated endonuclease activity. Trypsin inactivated and anti HEp-2 IgG failed to inhibit the virion nuclease. An association between endonuclease and trypsin sensitive penton is assumed.", "PMID": 779403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5287", "title": "Segregation of Col Ib and drd7 into minicells.", "content": "The wild-type plasmid ColIb and its mutant drd7 derepressed in conjugation were transferred to Escherichia coli K12 P678-54 which produces minicells. Fertility functions of drd7 remained derepressed in the new host. P678-54drd7 transmitted the plasmid at a high frequency (28.6%) and it was effectively lysed by the phage If1. Significant amounts of 3H-DNA segregated from P67854Col+ into minicells dependent upon the presence of the plasmid. The depressed plasmid segregated more effectively into minicells than the wild-type plasmid. ColIb segregated into 2% whereas ColIbdrd7 into 8.4% of minicells. The difference in the frequency of segregation of the wild-type and the derepressed plasmid indicated different cell membrane attachment sites of each plasmid studied. Mini-drd7 were able to transfer the plasmid to E. coli Row at a low frequency (0.1%). Minicells carrying either of plasmid were capable to synthesize RNA and protein. RNA and protein synthesis were plasmid specific and the precursors were not incorporated into minicells without plasmids. Rifampin and chloramphenicol inhibited RNA and protein synthesis in minicells, respectively. The more effective incorporation of 3H-uridine or 14C-leucine into minicells harboring drd7 than ColIb resulted presumably from the high efficiency of the segregation of drd7 into minicells. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 3H-RNA has shown that plasmids in minicells were able to code low molecular RNA of 4s. No 16 or 23 ribosomal RNA was found in the profiles of de novo synthesized RNA in minicells.", "contents": "Segregation of Col Ib and drd7 into minicells. The wild-type plasmid ColIb and its mutant drd7 derepressed in conjugation were transferred to Escherichia coli K12 P678-54 which produces minicells. Fertility functions of drd7 remained derepressed in the new host. P678-54drd7 transmitted the plasmid at a high frequency (28.6%) and it was effectively lysed by the phage If1. Significant amounts of 3H-DNA segregated from P67854Col+ into minicells dependent upon the presence of the plasmid. The depressed plasmid segregated more effectively into minicells than the wild-type plasmid. ColIb segregated into 2% whereas ColIbdrd7 into 8.4% of minicells. The difference in the frequency of segregation of the wild-type and the derepressed plasmid indicated different cell membrane attachment sites of each plasmid studied. Mini-drd7 were able to transfer the plasmid to E. coli Row at a low frequency (0.1%). Minicells carrying either of plasmid were capable to synthesize RNA and protein. RNA and protein synthesis were plasmid specific and the precursors were not incorporated into minicells without plasmids. Rifampin and chloramphenicol inhibited RNA and protein synthesis in minicells, respectively. The more effective incorporation of 3H-uridine or 14C-leucine into minicells harboring drd7 than ColIb resulted presumably from the high efficiency of the segregation of drd7 into minicells. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 3H-RNA has shown that plasmids in minicells were able to code low molecular RNA of 4s. No 16 or 23 ribosomal RNA was found in the profiles of de novo synthesized RNA in minicells.", "PMID": 779404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5288", "title": "Transformation of Escherichia coli by R404 factor DNA and properties of the transformants.", "content": "Three r-determinants (Cb Cm Cf) out of eight present in R404 factor were transferred in transformation of Escherichia coli by the plasmid DNA isolated from minicells. The r-determinants acquired in this way formed the replicon tr404-1 and were untransferable by conjugation unless another self-transmissible plasmid was present in recipient. The evidences are presented in support of hypothesis that the transfer events consist in infection of transformant cells with sex factor, recombination between tr404-1 replicon and the sex factor and finally transfer of the new formed structure to the host cells of the sex factor.", "contents": "Transformation of Escherichia coli by R404 factor DNA and properties of the transformants. Three r-determinants (Cb Cm Cf) out of eight present in R404 factor were transferred in transformation of Escherichia coli by the plasmid DNA isolated from minicells. The r-determinants acquired in this way formed the replicon tr404-1 and were untransferable by conjugation unless another self-transmissible plasmid was present in recipient. The evidences are presented in support of hypothesis that the transfer events consist in infection of transformant cells with sex factor, recombination between tr404-1 replicon and the sex factor and finally transfer of the new formed structure to the host cells of the sex factor.", "PMID": 779405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5289", "title": "Antigenicity of bone tissue. I. Immunological and immunohistochemical study of non-collagenous proteins of the bovine cortical bone.", "content": "From powdered bovine bone cortex an extract has been prepared with 0.15 M NaCl and its collagen-free fraction obtained on DEAE-cellulose column was used for the immunization of rabbits. The non-collagenous protein fraction (NCP) produced against immune serum two precipitation arcs both on agarose double gel-diffusion and with immune electrophoresis. After decalcination in 10% EDTA PH 7.4, direct and indirect immune histochemical examinations were performed with fresh, freshly lyophilized, as well as with bones kept for three and six months at 20 degrees C, and the antigens were localized. Prolonged storage increased the antibody-binding capacity of the bones, whereas lyophilization decreased it. Fixation in cold acetone was suited best for immunohistochemical study of the cortical bones.", "contents": "Antigenicity of bone tissue. I. Immunological and immunohistochemical study of non-collagenous proteins of the bovine cortical bone. From powdered bovine bone cortex an extract has been prepared with 0.15 M NaCl and its collagen-free fraction obtained on DEAE-cellulose column was used for the immunization of rabbits. The non-collagenous protein fraction (NCP) produced against immune serum two precipitation arcs both on agarose double gel-diffusion and with immune electrophoresis. After decalcination in 10% EDTA PH 7.4, direct and indirect immune histochemical examinations were performed with fresh, freshly lyophilized, as well as with bones kept for three and six months at 20 degrees C, and the antigens were localized. Prolonged storage increased the antibody-binding capacity of the bones, whereas lyophilization decreased it. Fixation in cold acetone was suited best for immunohistochemical study of the cortical bones.", "PMID": 779406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5290", "title": "The effect of vascular perfusion fixation on the ultrastructure of the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the rat.", "content": "After fixation by low pressure retrograde perfusion the electron microscopic picture of the rat JGA was studied and compared with the picture obtained after fixation by dripping and immersion. The most conspicuous difference was the presence of the basal compartments of the macula densa cells, which might land electron microscopic support to the tubulo-glomerular feedback theory. Among the JG granular cells, desmosome-like connected structures were seen. Crystalline and granule in granules specific secretion forms were frequent in the epitheloid cells.", "contents": "The effect of vascular perfusion fixation on the ultrastructure of the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the rat. After fixation by low pressure retrograde perfusion the electron microscopic picture of the rat JGA was studied and compared with the picture obtained after fixation by dripping and immersion. The most conspicuous difference was the presence of the basal compartments of the macula densa cells, which might land electron microscopic support to the tubulo-glomerular feedback theory. Among the JG granular cells, desmosome-like connected structures were seen. Crystalline and granule in granules specific secretion forms were frequent in the epitheloid cells.", "PMID": 779407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5291", "title": "Modifying delinquent behavior: beginnings and current practices.", "content": "The beginnings of behavior therapy with delinquents are traced to the early 1960's when a number of case studies and demonstration projects were first presented. Current practices are reviewed in more detail. In institutions for delinquents, many token economies have gradually developed; their shortcomings and results are discussed. In clinic settings, several individual and group techniques are reviewed as they are currently practiced. A major trend is seen as being away from institutional and traditional clinic behavior therapy. Direct community intervention is seen as the most parsimonious mode for modifying and preventing delinquent behavior, and several model programs are described.", "contents": "Modifying delinquent behavior: beginnings and current practices. The beginnings of behavior therapy with delinquents are traced to the early 1960's when a number of case studies and demonstration projects were first presented. Current practices are reviewed in more detail. In institutions for delinquents, many token economies have gradually developed; their shortcomings and results are discussed. In clinic settings, several individual and group techniques are reviewed as they are currently practiced. A major trend is seen as being away from institutional and traditional clinic behavior therapy. Direct community intervention is seen as the most parsimonious mode for modifying and preventing delinquent behavior, and several model programs are described.", "PMID": 779413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5292", "title": "Current concepts in neuro-oncology.", "content": "Recent years have witnessed a significant resurgence of interest in neuro-oncology. This has largely been due to the use of new, potent neuro-oncogenic agents that have provided researchers with a growing body of data. New tools are being devised for the experimental study of brain tumors utilizing radiotherapeutic, chemotherapeutic, and immunological methods. In this chapter, selected observations on naturally occurring and experimentally induced nervous system tumors are discussed in relation to the following current areas of interest in oncology: (a) the somatic mutation theory of cancer and the additive mutagenic action of radiation and alkylating carcinogens; (b) the viral theory of cancer and the production of tumors by oncogenic viruses; (c) disturbances of immunological mechanisms concerned with tumor surveillance involving the central nervous system; and (d) the operation of epigenetic mechanisms in neoplastic systems, the applicability of these mechanisms to embryonal tumors of the central nervous system, and the development of suitable neural neoplastic models for the study of altered patterns of gene expression. Neural neoplasms are particularly suitable for the study of epigenetic phenomena because precise morphological, biochemical and antigenic markers exist which permit the various stages of divergent differentiation in neurocytogenesis to be clearly defined.", "contents": "Current concepts in neuro-oncology. Recent years have witnessed a significant resurgence of interest in neuro-oncology. This has largely been due to the use of new, potent neuro-oncogenic agents that have provided researchers with a growing body of data. New tools are being devised for the experimental study of brain tumors utilizing radiotherapeutic, chemotherapeutic, and immunological methods. In this chapter, selected observations on naturally occurring and experimentally induced nervous system tumors are discussed in relation to the following current areas of interest in oncology: (a) the somatic mutation theory of cancer and the additive mutagenic action of radiation and alkylating carcinogens; (b) the viral theory of cancer and the production of tumors by oncogenic viruses; (c) disturbances of immunological mechanisms concerned with tumor surveillance involving the central nervous system; and (d) the operation of epigenetic mechanisms in neoplastic systems, the applicability of these mechanisms to embryonal tumors of the central nervous system, and the development of suitable neural neoplastic models for the study of altered patterns of gene expression. Neural neoplasms are particularly suitable for the study of epigenetic phenomena because precise morphological, biochemical and antigenic markers exist which permit the various stages of divergent differentiation in neurocytogenesis to be clearly defined.", "PMID": 779417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5293", "title": "Recent advances in neurosurgical techniques - historical considerations.", "content": "1. The basic principles of neurosurgery have changed but not as radically as we might believe. 2. The most radical changes include a full facility of power tools, the aid of magnification techniques with excellent illumination, and the great value of shrinking agents, with less damage to the assaulted brain. 3. The surgeon has been aided by a reclassification of tumors and thus can estimate his surgical attack and prognosis more accurately. History has not proven the malignant gliomas amenable to long-term surgical results, and out hopes must lie in chemotherapy. 4. The ancillary disciplines of neuroradiology and neuroanesthesia have aided the surgeon immeasurably in the planning of his operation, but the final results still depend basically on the surgeon's ability and judgment in that difficult decision \"should I go for broke or stop?\"", "contents": "Recent advances in neurosurgical techniques - historical considerations. 1. The basic principles of neurosurgery have changed but not as radically as we might believe. 2. The most radical changes include a full facility of power tools, the aid of magnification techniques with excellent illumination, and the great value of shrinking agents, with less damage to the assaulted brain. 3. The surgeon has been aided by a reclassification of tumors and thus can estimate his surgical attack and prognosis more accurately. History has not proven the malignant gliomas amenable to long-term surgical results, and out hopes must lie in chemotherapy. 4. The ancillary disciplines of neuroradiology and neuroanesthesia have aided the surgeon immeasurably in the planning of his operation, but the final results still depend basically on the surgeon's ability and judgment in that difficult decision \"should I go for broke or stop?\"", "PMID": 779419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5294", "title": "Anesthesia for intracranial surgery with particular reference to surgery for neoplasms.", "content": "If good anesthesia is to be provided to the patient undergoing surgery for an expanding intracranial lesion, certain principles should be borne in mind. These principles include: 1. Careful preoperative assessment of the patient 2. Awareness of abnormal intracranial dynamics in the presence of an intracranial mass lesion 3. The importance of a smooth induction of anesthesia 4. Adequate depth of anesthesia and complete muscle paralysis before laryngoscopy and intubation 5. The choice of a maintenance technique that does not increase ICP and allows adequate CPP. Failure to adhere to these principles may lead to sudden increases in intracranial pressure, decreased cerebral perfusion pressure, and regional ischemia. In the closed skull, internal herniation of brain tissue through the tentorial notch or the foramen magnum may occur. External brain herniation, with increased bleeding and rupture of cerebral cortex, may occur after the dura mater has been opened if these anesthetic parameters are not controlled. Neuroanesthesia, therefore, plays an important role in the reduction of morbidity and mortality in the surgery of intracranial lesions of all types, including neoplasms - not only in the operating room, but also in the pre- and postoperative care of the neurosurgical patient.", "contents": "Anesthesia for intracranial surgery with particular reference to surgery for neoplasms. If good anesthesia is to be provided to the patient undergoing surgery for an expanding intracranial lesion, certain principles should be borne in mind. These principles include: 1. Careful preoperative assessment of the patient 2. Awareness of abnormal intracranial dynamics in the presence of an intracranial mass lesion 3. The importance of a smooth induction of anesthesia 4. Adequate depth of anesthesia and complete muscle paralysis before laryngoscopy and intubation 5. The choice of a maintenance technique that does not increase ICP and allows adequate CPP. Failure to adhere to these principles may lead to sudden increases in intracranial pressure, decreased cerebral perfusion pressure, and regional ischemia. In the closed skull, internal herniation of brain tissue through the tentorial notch or the foramen magnum may occur. External brain herniation, with increased bleeding and rupture of cerebral cortex, may occur after the dura mater has been opened if these anesthetic parameters are not controlled. Neuroanesthesia, therefore, plays an important role in the reduction of morbidity and mortality in the surgery of intracranial lesions of all types, including neoplasms - not only in the operating room, but also in the pre- and postoperative care of the neurosurgical patient.", "PMID": 779421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5295", "title": "Pharmacological principles of brain tumor chemotherapy.", "content": "In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the belief that curative therapy will require both CCNS cytocidal drugs and appropriately timed CCS agents. Lipophilic drugs will remain our most valuable drugs unless new agents appear that have very high therapeutic indices and can be given by prolonged or intermittent infusion. The lipophilic drugs have the advantages of greater penetrability of tumor cells and preferential partitioning in lipid membranes and cellular structures. Potentially, combinations of differently acting CCNS agents should maximize DNA damage and prevent DNA repair. Infusions of CCS drugs for 3 to 4 days, following an interval of 6 to 14 days after the administration of CCNS agents, should result in maximum damage to proliferating tumor cells, preventing cell division for 1 week and contributing another 1 log cell kill to the therapy.", "contents": "Pharmacological principles of brain tumor chemotherapy. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the belief that curative therapy will require both CCNS cytocidal drugs and appropriately timed CCS agents. Lipophilic drugs will remain our most valuable drugs unless new agents appear that have very high therapeutic indices and can be given by prolonged or intermittent infusion. The lipophilic drugs have the advantages of greater penetrability of tumor cells and preferential partitioning in lipid membranes and cellular structures. Potentially, combinations of differently acting CCNS agents should maximize DNA damage and prevent DNA repair. Infusions of CCS drugs for 3 to 4 days, following an interval of 6 to 14 days after the administration of CCNS agents, should result in maximum damage to proliferating tumor cells, preventing cell division for 1 week and contributing another 1 log cell kill to the therapy.", "PMID": 779423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5296", "title": "Cummings Memorial Lecture - 1975. The market basket: food for thought.", "content": "The world food crisis is as critical today as when it was debated at the 1974 World Food Conference in Rome. Since the United States and Canada-and to a lesser extent, Australia and New Zealand-lead in the production of corn, wheat and soybeans, the North American \"bread basket\" has become the \"market basket\" of the world. For welfare, economic, and political reasons, our energies, resources, and deliberations must be expanded toward optimum production of wholesome food products. I do not recommend that we permit food additives in \"questionably\" safe or excessive concentrations in our agricultural products. I do recommend, however, that tolerance limits for food additives be established based on a comprehensive review of all contributing factors-the world food crisis and the rational interpretation of both positive and negative animal data as they relate to man. As Dr. Herbert Stokinger put it so aptly: \"Avoid the establishment of unnecessarily severe standards.\" 2. Funds for research and teaching of food and nutrition should be greatly increased, so that all who can read and write may be made aware of the daily dietary requirements for the maintenance of good health. 3. Unsubstantiated scare tactics in publications of the scientific and lay press can only lead to well-intended but often emotionally-inspired restrictions, ordinances, and laws. Such decisions are likely to either under- or over-define the requirements and standards for food additives and other chemicals which are important to the well-being of the populace.", "contents": "Cummings Memorial Lecture - 1975. The market basket: food for thought. The world food crisis is as critical today as when it was debated at the 1974 World Food Conference in Rome. Since the United States and Canada-and to a lesser extent, Australia and New Zealand-lead in the production of corn, wheat and soybeans, the North American \"bread basket\" has become the \"market basket\" of the world. For welfare, economic, and political reasons, our energies, resources, and deliberations must be expanded toward optimum production of wholesome food products. I do not recommend that we permit food additives in \"questionably\" safe or excessive concentrations in our agricultural products. I do recommend, however, that tolerance limits for food additives be established based on a comprehensive review of all contributing factors-the world food crisis and the rational interpretation of both positive and negative animal data as they relate to man. As Dr. Herbert Stokinger put it so aptly: \"Avoid the establishment of unnecessarily severe standards.\" 2. Funds for research and teaching of food and nutrition should be greatly increased, so that all who can read and write may be made aware of the daily dietary requirements for the maintenance of good health. 3. Unsubstantiated scare tactics in publications of the scientific and lay press can only lead to well-intended but often emotionally-inspired restrictions, ordinances, and laws. Such decisions are likely to either under- or over-define the requirements and standards for food additives and other chemicals which are important to the well-being of the populace.", "PMID": 779439} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5297", "title": "[Histologic and immunologic study of recurring endonasal polyposis in relation to desensitization therapy].", "content": "Ten middle-aged patients (7 males and 3 females) suffering allergic rhinitis and endonasal polyposis, were polypectomized and studied with allergoimmunologic techniques. Clinical evaluation preceded laboratory examinations consisting in routine data and electrophoretic study of serum proteins. These examinations were performed before and after one-year hyposensitization treatment. One patient revealed a hypogammaglobulinemia and received 800 mg of commercial human gammaglobulin every 28 days, during 3 months; subsequent proteinograms showed acceptable improvement of the initial value. Skin tests resulted positive in all patients particularly to house dust, micotic (Candida albicans, Trycophyton and Alternaria) and bacterial antigens (Gram positive and negative bacteria). Specific hyposensitization was performed throughout one year with weekly subcutaneous injections of the corresponding antigens. No autovaccine of nasal exudates was employed. All the polyps were divided into two parts; one half for histological study and the other half stored at -20 degrees C for protein determination using immunoelectrophoresis, polyacrilamide gel and radial immunodiffusion. Immunoelectrophoresis was performed with polyps homo-genate against an antihuman serum and showed two precipitin lines at alfa-1 and beta-1 globulin sites. Polyacrilamide gel revealed more lines in those runs belonging to post-vaccinated polyps than in those belonging to the prevaccinated group. Immunoquant polyps were checked against anti-A, anti-G and anti-M; only IgA was detected in polyps obtained at any time. These apparently contradictory results may be due to the different sensitivity of the techniques applied as well as the small amount of polyps homogenate and its low protein content. New polyps reappeared in three patients at six, ten and twelve months, respectively, from the beginning of the treatment. These patients were again polypectomized and histological and immunological studies were repeated. They were fixed in Bouin, and paraffin sections of 6 to 10 microns in thickness, were submitted to hematoxilineosin, P.A.S. and toluidin blue techniques. These preparations were microscopically evaluated with a Carl Zeiss Photomicroscope with magnifications of 100, 250, 400 and 1,000 times. An important difference between the original and the recurrent histological images was seen. Meanwhile the former polyps were vascularly rich and cellularly poor, the latter appeared inversely composed. An abundant infiltrate of plasmocytes, lymphocytes and histocytes was the rule; it was regularly disposed but a preference to collect around the vessels was observed. The vessels seemed to be lesser in number and size though this observation must be checked with further investigations. The absence of eosinophils led us to support--in this case--the participation of an infectious mechanism in an allergic filed with high sensitivity to bacterial and inhalant antigens...", "contents": "[Histologic and immunologic study of recurring endonasal polyposis in relation to desensitization therapy]. Ten middle-aged patients (7 males and 3 females) suffering allergic rhinitis and endonasal polyposis, were polypectomized and studied with allergoimmunologic techniques. Clinical evaluation preceded laboratory examinations consisting in routine data and electrophoretic study of serum proteins. These examinations were performed before and after one-year hyposensitization treatment. One patient revealed a hypogammaglobulinemia and received 800 mg of commercial human gammaglobulin every 28 days, during 3 months; subsequent proteinograms showed acceptable improvement of the initial value. Skin tests resulted positive in all patients particularly to house dust, micotic (Candida albicans, Trycophyton and Alternaria) and bacterial antigens (Gram positive and negative bacteria). Specific hyposensitization was performed throughout one year with weekly subcutaneous injections of the corresponding antigens. No autovaccine of nasal exudates was employed. All the polyps were divided into two parts; one half for histological study and the other half stored at -20 degrees C for protein determination using immunoelectrophoresis, polyacrilamide gel and radial immunodiffusion. Immunoelectrophoresis was performed with polyps homo-genate against an antihuman serum and showed two precipitin lines at alfa-1 and beta-1 globulin sites. Polyacrilamide gel revealed more lines in those runs belonging to post-vaccinated polyps than in those belonging to the prevaccinated group. Immunoquant polyps were checked against anti-A, anti-G and anti-M; only IgA was detected in polyps obtained at any time. These apparently contradictory results may be due to the different sensitivity of the techniques applied as well as the small amount of polyps homogenate and its low protein content. New polyps reappeared in three patients at six, ten and twelve months, respectively, from the beginning of the treatment. These patients were again polypectomized and histological and immunological studies were repeated. They were fixed in Bouin, and paraffin sections of 6 to 10 microns in thickness, were submitted to hematoxilineosin, P.A.S. and toluidin blue techniques. These preparations were microscopically evaluated with a Carl Zeiss Photomicroscope with magnifications of 100, 250, 400 and 1,000 times. An important difference between the original and the recurrent histological images was seen. Meanwhile the former polyps were vascularly rich and cellularly poor, the latter appeared inversely composed. An abundant infiltrate of plasmocytes, lymphocytes and histocytes was the rule; it was regularly disposed but a preference to collect around the vessels was observed. The vessels seemed to be lesser in number and size though this observation must be checked with further investigations. The absence of eosinophils led us to support--in this case--the participation of an infectious mechanism in an allergic filed with high sensitivity to bacterial and inhalant antigens...", "PMID": 779435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5298", "title": "Simple method for computer-aided analysis of echocardiograms.", "content": "The use of echocardiography in the diagnosis and assessment of heart disease is increasing as greater familiarity is obtained with this noninvasive procedure. Quantitative evaluation of echocardiographic studies has heretofore required time-consuming manipulation of mathematical formulas. A simple method utilizing a sonic digitizing tablet has been developed for computer-aided analysis of M-mode echocardiograms. This device can convert a point located manually with a digitizing pen into X and Y coordinates and with use of the standard telephone network can communicate on a time-shared basis with a DECSYSTEM-10 computer. A program has been written to compute and type the results of standard calculations involving mitral valve motion and left ventricular function. The information can also be stored on disk by the computer for future use. This simple, relatively inexpensive system is valuable because of the ease with which it permits usually laboriously obtained information to be extracted from the standard echocardiogram.", "contents": "Simple method for computer-aided analysis of echocardiograms. The use of echocardiography in the diagnosis and assessment of heart disease is increasing as greater familiarity is obtained with this noninvasive procedure. Quantitative evaluation of echocardiographic studies has heretofore required time-consuming manipulation of mathematical formulas. A simple method utilizing a sonic digitizing tablet has been developed for computer-aided analysis of M-mode echocardiograms. This device can convert a point located manually with a digitizing pen into X and Y coordinates and with use of the standard telephone network can communicate on a time-shared basis with a DECSYSTEM-10 computer. A program has been written to compute and type the results of standard calculations involving mitral valve motion and left ventricular function. The information can also be stored on disk by the computer for future use. This simple, relatively inexpensive system is valuable because of the ease with which it permits usually laboriously obtained information to be extracted from the standard echocardiogram.", "PMID": 779442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5299", "title": "Pathobiologic features of human candidiasis. A common deep mycosis of the brain, heart and kidney in the altered host.", "content": "In a review of 2,616 consecutive autopsies done at the University of Kentucky Medical Center over a 12-year period, 46 patients with complete postmortem examinations had tissue-verified candidiasis in two distinct patterns, with Candida albicans being most frequently cultured. Superficial candidiasis involving only lining surfaces was observed in 21 patients (46%). Usually, it complicated other lethal problems such as malignancy and bacterial sepsis. Nineteen of these patients (95%) had received antibiotics. No vessel invasion or deep organ involvement was evident in this group. The other pattern of candidiasis was a deep or systemic variety recognized in the remaining 25 patients (54%). It was characterized by deep parenchymal organ lesions usually involving the brain (52%), heart (48%), and kidney (80%), but any tissue seemed susceptible. Vessel invasion was seen in 8 patients (32%); intravenous lines were used in 13 (52%); and major operations were done in 16 (64%). All these patients were hospitalized for either benign or malignant conditions and were treated for bacterial sepsis with antibiotics for seven days or more. This investigation indicates that candidiasis occurs when the host's environment is altered primarily by antibiotic therapy. Candida then can colonize lining surfaces and from there could invade adjacent vessels and disseminate throughout the body.", "contents": "Pathobiologic features of human candidiasis. A common deep mycosis of the brain, heart and kidney in the altered host. In a review of 2,616 consecutive autopsies done at the University of Kentucky Medical Center over a 12-year period, 46 patients with complete postmortem examinations had tissue-verified candidiasis in two distinct patterns, with Candida albicans being most frequently cultured. Superficial candidiasis involving only lining surfaces was observed in 21 patients (46%). Usually, it complicated other lethal problems such as malignancy and bacterial sepsis. Nineteen of these patients (95%) had received antibiotics. No vessel invasion or deep organ involvement was evident in this group. The other pattern of candidiasis was a deep or systemic variety recognized in the remaining 25 patients (54%). It was characterized by deep parenchymal organ lesions usually involving the brain (52%), heart (48%), and kidney (80%), but any tissue seemed susceptible. Vessel invasion was seen in 8 patients (32%); intravenous lines were used in 13 (52%); and major operations were done in 16 (64%). All these patients were hospitalized for either benign or malignant conditions and were treated for bacterial sepsis with antibiotics for seven days or more. This investigation indicates that candidiasis occurs when the host's environment is altered primarily by antibiotic therapy. Candida then can colonize lining surfaces and from there could invade adjacent vessels and disseminate throughout the body.", "PMID": 779443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5300", "title": "Clinical and laboratory aspects of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections, with a report of two cases.", "content": "Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections in two bacteriologically confirmed cases are described. A child was found to have mesenteric adenitis and an adult had septicemia. Invariably simulating acute appendicitis, mesenteric adenitis most often occurs in male children and adolescents. Septicemia with this organism usually affects elderly, debilitated patients, who frequently have chronic hepatic disease. The infrequent diagnosis of infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in the United States is probably due to failure to consider it a human pathogen. Currently classified with the Enterobacteriaceae, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in a non-lactose-fermenting, Gram-negative coccobacillus. It is sensitive to a wide range of antibiotics, including tetracycline and streptomycin, but usually is resistant to ampicillin. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis has a worldwide distribution in wild and domestic mammals and birds. Infections in man may result from direct contact with infected animals or their excreta.", "contents": "Clinical and laboratory aspects of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections, with a report of two cases. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections in two bacteriologically confirmed cases are described. A child was found to have mesenteric adenitis and an adult had septicemia. Invariably simulating acute appendicitis, mesenteric adenitis most often occurs in male children and adolescents. Septicemia with this organism usually affects elderly, debilitated patients, who frequently have chronic hepatic disease. The infrequent diagnosis of infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in the United States is probably due to failure to consider it a human pathogen. Currently classified with the Enterobacteriaceae, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in a non-lactose-fermenting, Gram-negative coccobacillus. It is sensitive to a wide range of antibiotics, including tetracycline and streptomycin, but usually is resistant to ampicillin. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis has a worldwide distribution in wild and domestic mammals and birds. Infections in man may result from direct contact with infected animals or their excreta.", "PMID": 779444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5301", "title": "Results of the College of American Pathologists mycobacterial surveys, 1973.", "content": "Results of the College of American Pathologists Surveys showed a significant improvement of participant performances between 1972 and 1973. Participants in the Special Mycobacterial Survey did much better in speciating mycobacteria than did those in the Comprehensive Microbiology Survey. It is likely that many of the participants in the Comprehensive Microbiology Survey were unaware of their option to select the extent to which they offer service and were evaluated.", "contents": "Results of the College of American Pathologists mycobacterial surveys, 1973. Results of the College of American Pathologists Surveys showed a significant improvement of participant performances between 1972 and 1973. Participants in the Special Mycobacterial Survey did much better in speciating mycobacteria than did those in the Comprehensive Microbiology Survey. It is likely that many of the participants in the Comprehensive Microbiology Survey were unaware of their option to select the extent to which they offer service and were evaluated.", "PMID": 779445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5302", "title": "A quantitative study of the growth of Candida albicans in vented and unvented blood-culture bottles.", "content": "Suspensions of four strains of Candida albicans of various concentrations were inoculated in equal amounts into paired vented and unvented vacuum blood-culture bottles. Inocula ranged from 10 to 10(7) organisms. After 48 hours, it was found that unvented bottles contained essentially the same numbers of organisms as the original inocula, whereas heavy growth was observed in vented bottles. When the previously unvented bottles were subsequently exposed to room atmospheric pressure and incubated, all, even those with the smallest inocula, showed heavy growth in two days. It is concluded that Candida yeasts do not multiply under the microaerophilic conditions in such containers, but survive with the capability of subsequent proliferation. To avoid the necessity of employing two bottles, it is suggested that Candida be sought when indicated by venting the container at 48 hours after anaerobic subculture and again examining and subculturing for Candida two days later.", "contents": "A quantitative study of the growth of Candida albicans in vented and unvented blood-culture bottles. Suspensions of four strains of Candida albicans of various concentrations were inoculated in equal amounts into paired vented and unvented vacuum blood-culture bottles. Inocula ranged from 10 to 10(7) organisms. After 48 hours, it was found that unvented bottles contained essentially the same numbers of organisms as the original inocula, whereas heavy growth was observed in vented bottles. When the previously unvented bottles were subsequently exposed to room atmospheric pressure and incubated, all, even those with the smallest inocula, showed heavy growth in two days. It is concluded that Candida yeasts do not multiply under the microaerophilic conditions in such containers, but survive with the capability of subsequent proliferation. To avoid the necessity of employing two bottles, it is suggested that Candida be sought when indicated by venting the container at 48 hours after anaerobic subculture and again examining and subculturing for Candida two days later.", "PMID": 779446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5303", "title": "Comparison of methods for differentiating among Serratia marcescens isolated from clinical specimens.", "content": "Serotyping, biotyping and antibiotic resistance patterns were found to give consistent results for routine hospital surveillance of Serratia marcescens isolates. Bacteriocin typing showed variation between trials and was considered too variable and time-consuming for routine hospital surveillance.", "contents": "Comparison of methods for differentiating among Serratia marcescens isolated from clinical specimens. Serotyping, biotyping and antibiotic resistance patterns were found to give consistent results for routine hospital surveillance of Serratia marcescens isolates. Bacteriocin typing showed variation between trials and was considered too variable and time-consuming for routine hospital surveillance.", "PMID": 779447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5304", "title": "Response of plasma LH and FSH to synthetic LH-RH in children at various pubertal stages.", "content": "Fifty normal boys and 47 normal girls, aged 5 to 18 years, underwent a standard luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) test (50 mug/sq m by rapid intravenous injection), and the plasma levels of LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined. The results were analyzed separately according to the pubertal stages for each sex. A wide range of distribution of the individual measurements of the plasma gonadotropins throughout the LH-RH tests was found, but the mean values of the basal and peak levels showed a definite pattern for each sex at the different pubertal stages. Of particular interest was the sharp rise in basal plasma FSH level and its marked response to LH-RH in girls at the onset of puberty. The girls at this stage had the highest basal and peak FSH levels obtained at any pubertal stage in both sexes. It is concluded that the establishment of norms of LH and FSH response to a standard dose of LH-RH will be useful in evaluating normal and abnormal pubertal states in both sexes.", "contents": "Response of plasma LH and FSH to synthetic LH-RH in children at various pubertal stages. Fifty normal boys and 47 normal girls, aged 5 to 18 years, underwent a standard luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) test (50 mug/sq m by rapid intravenous injection), and the plasma levels of LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined. The results were analyzed separately according to the pubertal stages for each sex. A wide range of distribution of the individual measurements of the plasma gonadotropins throughout the LH-RH tests was found, but the mean values of the basal and peak levels showed a definite pattern for each sex at the different pubertal stages. Of particular interest was the sharp rise in basal plasma FSH level and its marked response to LH-RH in girls at the onset of puberty. The girls at this stage had the highest basal and peak FSH levels obtained at any pubertal stage in both sexes. It is concluded that the establishment of norms of LH and FSH response to a standard dose of LH-RH will be useful in evaluating normal and abnormal pubertal states in both sexes.", "PMID": 779448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5305", "title": "Cerebral palsy. A pediatric developmentalist's overview.", "content": "Exploration of the history, terminology, and classification of cerebral palsy reveals it as a complex entity. Criteria exist that may make early diagnosis and appropriate intervention possible. Dealing with patients who have cerebral palsy requires recognition of the associated problems and deficits. Comprehensive management usually requires a multidisciplinary setting, which is used to outline the contributions of many therapeutic modalities--developmental pediatrics, occupational and physical therapy, hearing and speech, psychology, social services, special education, ophthalamology, neurology, orthopedics and neurosurgery. The poor prognosis for full function within the community is recognized, as are areas of research that require investigation.", "contents": "Cerebral palsy. A pediatric developmentalist's overview. Exploration of the history, terminology, and classification of cerebral palsy reveals it as a complex entity. Criteria exist that may make early diagnosis and appropriate intervention possible. Dealing with patients who have cerebral palsy requires recognition of the associated problems and deficits. Comprehensive management usually requires a multidisciplinary setting, which is used to outline the contributions of many therapeutic modalities--developmental pediatrics, occupational and physical therapy, hearing and speech, psychology, social services, special education, ophthalamology, neurology, orthopedics and neurosurgery. The poor prognosis for full function within the community is recognized, as are areas of research that require investigation.", "PMID": 779449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5306", "title": "Reared in adversity: institutional care of children in the 18th century.", "content": "The earliest public pediatric care of the 18th century in this country took the form of \"outdoor relief.\" Institutional care followed, first almshouses were built; then orphanages, hospitals, and dispensaries. Almshouses not only included workhouses but provided comprehensive medical services. Throughout the 18th century, people often referred to the almshouses as hospitals. As general hospitals, they rendered a variety of pediatric services to sick children, including the idiotic and hopelessly crippled, and the newborns delivered in the maternity wards; and they tendered services for well children, such as foundlings, abandoned children, and the children of destitute parents, placing infants in foster homes and indenturing older children for training in various trades and crafts. The voluntary hospitals, on the other hand, were for the \"worthy\" poor and limited their services to the insane and the curable sick. There were only two opened during the 18th century-the Pennsylvania Hospital in 1752 and the New York Hospital in 1791. The former excluded young children during the 18th century. Orphanages preceded the voluntary hospitals in point of time, offering many pediatric services to children, well and sick. Finally, at the end of the century, the independent dispensaries appeared, the first in Philadelphia in 1786. By the middle of this 20th century, practically all of them had been absorbed by hospitals. In these institutions, pediatric knowledge advanced and medical manpower developed even during the 18th century. By the end of that century, social movements began from which evolved the 19th-century concern for the welfare of children.", "contents": "Reared in adversity: institutional care of children in the 18th century. The earliest public pediatric care of the 18th century in this country took the form of \"outdoor relief.\" Institutional care followed, first almshouses were built; then orphanages, hospitals, and dispensaries. Almshouses not only included workhouses but provided comprehensive medical services. Throughout the 18th century, people often referred to the almshouses as hospitals. As general hospitals, they rendered a variety of pediatric services to sick children, including the idiotic and hopelessly crippled, and the newborns delivered in the maternity wards; and they tendered services for well children, such as foundlings, abandoned children, and the children of destitute parents, placing infants in foster homes and indenturing older children for training in various trades and crafts. The voluntary hospitals, on the other hand, were for the \"worthy\" poor and limited their services to the insane and the curable sick. There were only two opened during the 18th century-the Pennsylvania Hospital in 1752 and the New York Hospital in 1791. The former excluded young children during the 18th century. Orphanages preceded the voluntary hospitals in point of time, offering many pediatric services to children, well and sick. Finally, at the end of the century, the independent dispensaries appeared, the first in Philadelphia in 1786. By the middle of this 20th century, practically all of them had been absorbed by hospitals. In these institutions, pediatric knowledge advanced and medical manpower developed even during the 18th century. By the end of that century, social movements began from which evolved the 19th-century concern for the welfare of children.", "PMID": 779457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5307", "title": "Gastric acid secretion.", "content": "Advances in the understanding of physiologic control of gastric secretion raise the hope that an effective nonsurgical therapy for peptic ulcer disease will be developed soon. This paper reviews these advances with special emphasis upon those aspects of hormonal control, cyclic nucleotide function, and histamine activity which may have therapeutic applications.", "contents": "Gastric acid secretion. Advances in the understanding of physiologic control of gastric secretion raise the hope that an effective nonsurgical therapy for peptic ulcer disease will be developed soon. This paper reviews these advances with special emphasis upon those aspects of hormonal control, cyclic nucleotide function, and histamine activity which may have therapeutic applications.", "PMID": 779460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5308", "title": "Descriptive epidemiology of neural tube defects, Rochester, New York, 1918-1938.", "content": "This study examines the secular distribution of births, sex, and age at death of 330 cases of anencephaly and spina bifida and 62 cases of \"monstrosity\" recorded on City of Rochester death certificates between 1918 and 1938. The results show that death certificates may be used as a source of data (with inherent biases) and that persons diagnosed as monstrosity had similar epidemiologic characteristics to those diagnosed as anencephalic during this period. In Rochester the rise in prevalence at birth of neural tube defects was similar to, and occurred at approximately the same years as, the rises reported in Boston and Providence.", "contents": "Descriptive epidemiology of neural tube defects, Rochester, New York, 1918-1938. This study examines the secular distribution of births, sex, and age at death of 330 cases of anencephaly and spina bifida and 62 cases of \"monstrosity\" recorded on City of Rochester death certificates between 1918 and 1938. The results show that death certificates may be used as a source of data (with inherent biases) and that persons diagnosed as monstrosity had similar epidemiologic characteristics to those diagnosed as anencephalic during this period. In Rochester the rise in prevalence at birth of neural tube defects was similar to, and occurred at approximately the same years as, the rises reported in Boston and Providence.", "PMID": 779463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5309", "title": "The relationship of supplemental iodine to neural tube defects in Rochester, New York, 1924-1932.", "content": "The geographic distribution of infants born with anencephaly and spina bifida in Rochester, New York, in 1924-1932, was examined to test the hypothesis that iodine supplemented water may have reduced the prevalence of these defects. During this period the region had a high prevalence of iodine deficiencies. Comparing the prevalence of neural tube defects in an area with iodine supplemented water to one without iodine supplementation, we found no significant difference in prevalence at birth of neural tube defects. Because the prevalence rates for these defects in children of foreign-born parents (except the Irish) was low, we reexamined the data, excluding these cases. There remained no differences in rates. Iodine supplemented water thus appears to have had no effect on the occurrence of neural tube defects.", "contents": "The relationship of supplemental iodine to neural tube defects in Rochester, New York, 1924-1932. The geographic distribution of infants born with anencephaly and spina bifida in Rochester, New York, in 1924-1932, was examined to test the hypothesis that iodine supplemented water may have reduced the prevalence of these defects. During this period the region had a high prevalence of iodine deficiencies. Comparing the prevalence of neural tube defects in an area with iodine supplemented water to one without iodine supplementation, we found no significant difference in prevalence at birth of neural tube defects. Because the prevalence rates for these defects in children of foreign-born parents (except the Irish) was low, we reexamined the data, excluding these cases. There remained no differences in rates. Iodine supplemented water thus appears to have had no effect on the occurrence of neural tube defects.", "PMID": 779464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5310", "title": "Shigellosis in custodial institutions. V. Effect of intervention with streptomycin-dependent Shigella sonnei vaccine in an institution with endemic disease.", "content": "A double-blind controlled field trial of live, oral, streptomycin-dependent Shigella sonnei vaccine was begun in an institution with endemic S. sonnei disease. Considerable unexpected child-to-child transmission of the vaccine strains inadvertantly caused the field trial to resemble a mass vaccination campaign. Although S. sonnei accounted for 90% of shigella infections from 1968 to 1971 and three-fourths of the cases occurred in the seven study cottages, S. sonnei disease disappeared following vaccination; epidemiologic features suggest a causal relationship. Clinical S. sonnei disease did not occur despite the detection by bacteriologic surveillance of carriers of virulent S. sonnei. Levels of hygiene remained compatible with transmission of shigella since 43 cases of S. flexneri 6 were seen. If the interpretation is correct, the disappearance of S. sonnei disease resulted from inadvertent \"mass vaccination\" and oral shigella vaccines may prove useful for control of endemic shigellosis institutions. Nevertheless, a properly designed controlled field trial, taking into account transmissibility of vaccine, in an institutional setting similar to Sunland is necessary to substantiate the role of oral shigella vaccines in control of institutional shigellosis.", "contents": "Shigellosis in custodial institutions. V. Effect of intervention with streptomycin-dependent Shigella sonnei vaccine in an institution with endemic disease. A double-blind controlled field trial of live, oral, streptomycin-dependent Shigella sonnei vaccine was begun in an institution with endemic S. sonnei disease. Considerable unexpected child-to-child transmission of the vaccine strains inadvertantly caused the field trial to resemble a mass vaccination campaign. Although S. sonnei accounted for 90% of shigella infections from 1968 to 1971 and three-fourths of the cases occurred in the seven study cottages, S. sonnei disease disappeared following vaccination; epidemiologic features suggest a causal relationship. Clinical S. sonnei disease did not occur despite the detection by bacteriologic surveillance of carriers of virulent S. sonnei. Levels of hygiene remained compatible with transmission of shigella since 43 cases of S. flexneri 6 were seen. If the interpretation is correct, the disappearance of S. sonnei disease resulted from inadvertent \"mass vaccination\" and oral shigella vaccines may prove useful for control of endemic shigellosis institutions. Nevertheless, a properly designed controlled field trial, taking into account transmissibility of vaccine, in an institutional setting similar to Sunland is necessary to substantiate the role of oral shigella vaccines in control of institutional shigellosis.", "PMID": 779465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5311", "title": "Towards the simulation of clinical cognition. Taking a present illness by computer.", "content": "Remarkably little is known about the cognitive processes which are employed in the solution of clinical problems. This paucity of information is probably accounted for in large part by the lack of suitable analytic tools for the study of the physician's thought processes. Here we report on the use of the computer as a laboratory for the study of clinical cognition. Our experimental approach has consisted of several elements. First, cognitive insights gained from the study of clinicians' behavior were used to develop a computer program designed to take the present illness of a patient with edema. The program was then tested with a series of prototypical cases, and the present illnesses generated by the computer were compared to those taken by the clinicians in our group. Discrepant behavior on the part of the program was taken as a stimulus for further refinement of the evolving cognitive theory of the present illness. Corresponding refinements were made in the program, and the process of testing and revision was continued until the program's behavior closely resembled that of the clinicians. The advances in computer science that made this effort possible include \"goal-directed\" programming, pattern-matching and a large associative memory, all of which are products of research in the field known as \"artificial intelligence\". The information used by the program is organized in a highly connected set of associations which is used to guide such activities as checking the validity of facts, generating and testing hypotheses, and constructing a coherent picture of the patient. As the program pursues its interrelated goals of information gathering and diagnosis, it uses knowledge of diseases and pathophysiology, as well as \"common sense\", to dynamically assemble many small problem-solving strategies into an integrated history-taking process. We suggest that the present experimental approach will facilitate accomplishment of the long-term goal of disseminating clinical expertise via the computer.", "contents": "Towards the simulation of clinical cognition. Taking a present illness by computer. Remarkably little is known about the cognitive processes which are employed in the solution of clinical problems. This paucity of information is probably accounted for in large part by the lack of suitable analytic tools for the study of the physician's thought processes. Here we report on the use of the computer as a laboratory for the study of clinical cognition. Our experimental approach has consisted of several elements. First, cognitive insights gained from the study of clinicians' behavior were used to develop a computer program designed to take the present illness of a patient with edema. The program was then tested with a series of prototypical cases, and the present illnesses generated by the computer were compared to those taken by the clinicians in our group. Discrepant behavior on the part of the program was taken as a stimulus for further refinement of the evolving cognitive theory of the present illness. Corresponding refinements were made in the program, and the process of testing and revision was continued until the program's behavior closely resembled that of the clinicians. The advances in computer science that made this effort possible include \"goal-directed\" programming, pattern-matching and a large associative memory, all of which are products of research in the field known as \"artificial intelligence\". The information used by the program is organized in a highly connected set of associations which is used to guide such activities as checking the validity of facts, generating and testing hypotheses, and constructing a coherent picture of the patient. As the program pursues its interrelated goals of information gathering and diagnosis, it uses knowledge of diseases and pathophysiology, as well as \"common sense\", to dynamically assemble many small problem-solving strategies into an integrated history-taking process. We suggest that the present experimental approach will facilitate accomplishment of the long-term goal of disseminating clinical expertise via the computer.", "PMID": 779466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5312", "title": "Diagnosis of obstruction of the upper and central airways.", "content": "Patients with obstruction of the upper airways are often treated for long periods of time for other disorders. Correct diagnosis is important since treatment is quite specific. Such patients may present with a characteristic history and findings on physical examination. Certain physiologic tests such as flow-volume loops with and without helium help to prove the diagnosis. Patients with upper airway obstruction may also have sleep apneas and the sleep deprivation syndrome. Methods of diagnosis of upper airway obstruction are presented and three instructive cases are reviewed.", "contents": "Diagnosis of obstruction of the upper and central airways. Patients with obstruction of the upper airways are often treated for long periods of time for other disorders. Correct diagnosis is important since treatment is quite specific. Such patients may present with a characteristic history and findings on physical examination. Certain physiologic tests such as flow-volume loops with and without helium help to prove the diagnosis. Patients with upper airway obstruction may also have sleep apneas and the sleep deprivation syndrome. Methods of diagnosis of upper airway obstruction are presented and three instructive cases are reviewed.", "PMID": 779469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5313", "title": "Extrarespiratory non-group A, non-group D isolates of streptococci.", "content": "The results of serologic analysis of 246 extrarespiratory isolates of streptococci (non-group A or D) obtained from pediatric patients are presented. Watson's double enzyme method was used to obtain the extracts of the organisms for Lancefield grouping. Ninety-two and six tenths percent of beta reacting streptococci were groupable; 77.8 per cent of gamma (nonreacting) were groupable; only 20.6 per cent of the alpha reacting streptococci were groupable. The majority of the groupable streptococci belonged to Lancefield group B (49.6 per cent), although significant numbers of group F (11.4 per cent) and group G (11.8 percent) were present. The significance of the organisms in a pediatric population is discussed.", "contents": "Extrarespiratory non-group A, non-group D isolates of streptococci. The results of serologic analysis of 246 extrarespiratory isolates of streptococci (non-group A or D) obtained from pediatric patients are presented. Watson's double enzyme method was used to obtain the extracts of the organisms for Lancefield grouping. Ninety-two and six tenths percent of beta reacting streptococci were groupable; 77.8 per cent of gamma (nonreacting) were groupable; only 20.6 per cent of the alpha reacting streptococci were groupable. The majority of the groupable streptococci belonged to Lancefield group B (49.6 per cent), although significant numbers of group F (11.4 per cent) and group G (11.8 percent) were present. The significance of the organisms in a pediatric population is discussed.", "PMID": 779470} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5314", "title": "Problems in pre-transfusion tests related to drugs and chemicals.", "content": "Ingestion of drugs can cause patients or blood donors to have a positive direct and sometimes indirect antiglobulin test. The most common cause of these positive reactions and immune hemolytic anemia due to drugs is the formation of red cell autoantibodies. These autoantibodies will react with the patient's own red cells and usually most other normal red cells in vitro without the drug being present. The prototype drug causing this type of reaction is alpha methyldopa (Aldomet). Other drugs cause positive antiglobulin tests by three different mechanisms, the drug antibodies reacting with red cells in vitro only in the presence of the drug. The first of these mechanisms causes positive reactions because the drug binds firmly to the red cell membrane, and antibody against the drug will combine with the drug on the membrane leading to IgG-sensitized red cells. The prototype drug for this mechanism is penicillin. The second mechanism involves chemical modification of the red cell membrane by the drug so that it takes up many proteins nonspecifically; the cephalosporins are the only group of drugs known to react in this fashion. The final mechanism involves the formation of an immune complex by the drug and its specific antibody. This immune complex will attach to cell membranes, usually activating complement in the process. Examples of drugs thought to operate by this mechanism are phenacetin, quinine, and quinidine. Some individuals have antibodies present in their serum that will react with chemical added to commercial blood bank reagents. Examples of these are antibodies to dyes added to ABO typing sera, antibodies to sodium caprylate in bovine albumin, and antibodies to chemicals added to red cell diluents, e.g., chloramphenicol, neomycin, and hydrocortisone. If these antibodies are present they can create problems in pretransfusion testing; in particular, they can present anomalies in ABO, Rh grouping, and antibody detection.", "contents": "Problems in pre-transfusion tests related to drugs and chemicals. Ingestion of drugs can cause patients or blood donors to have a positive direct and sometimes indirect antiglobulin test. The most common cause of these positive reactions and immune hemolytic anemia due to drugs is the formation of red cell autoantibodies. These autoantibodies will react with the patient's own red cells and usually most other normal red cells in vitro without the drug being present. The prototype drug causing this type of reaction is alpha methyldopa (Aldomet). Other drugs cause positive antiglobulin tests by three different mechanisms, the drug antibodies reacting with red cells in vitro only in the presence of the drug. The first of these mechanisms causes positive reactions because the drug binds firmly to the red cell membrane, and antibody against the drug will combine with the drug on the membrane leading to IgG-sensitized red cells. The prototype drug for this mechanism is penicillin. The second mechanism involves chemical modification of the red cell membrane by the drug so that it takes up many proteins nonspecifically; the cephalosporins are the only group of drugs known to react in this fashion. The final mechanism involves the formation of an immune complex by the drug and its specific antibody. This immune complex will attach to cell membranes, usually activating complement in the process. Examples of drugs thought to operate by this mechanism are phenacetin, quinine, and quinidine. Some individuals have antibodies present in their serum that will react with chemical added to commercial blood bank reagents. Examples of these are antibodies to dyes added to ABO typing sera, antibodies to sodium caprylate in bovine albumin, and antibodies to chemicals added to red cell diluents, e.g., chloramphenicol, neomycin, and hydrocortisone. If these antibodies are present they can create problems in pretransfusion testing; in particular, they can present anomalies in ABO, Rh grouping, and antibody detection.", "PMID": 779471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5315", "title": "Results in treating 210 patients with detrusor overactivity incontinence of urine.", "content": "Eighty (72.7 per cent) of 110 patients with detrusor overactivity (in controlled and uncontrolled series) showed improvement with parasympatholytic drug (propantheline bromide or dycyclomine HC1) therapy. Twenty per cent of patients on placebo therapy showed improvement. When standard surgery improved bladder neck funnelling, detrusor overactivity was improved in 77.3 per cent of cases. Surgery failed to improve detrusor overactivity in 54.5 per cent of patients who showed no significant bladder neck funnelling. Bladder neck funnelling appears to be a cause of detrusor overactivity in some women. Results with medical and surgical therapy were not associated with significant change in bladder capacity.", "contents": "Results in treating 210 patients with detrusor overactivity incontinence of urine. Eighty (72.7 per cent) of 110 patients with detrusor overactivity (in controlled and uncontrolled series) showed improvement with parasympatholytic drug (propantheline bromide or dycyclomine HC1) therapy. Twenty per cent of patients on placebo therapy showed improvement. When standard surgery improved bladder neck funnelling, detrusor overactivity was improved in 77.3 per cent of cases. Surgery failed to improve detrusor overactivity in 54.5 per cent of patients who showed no significant bladder neck funnelling. Bladder neck funnelling appears to be a cause of detrusor overactivity in some women. Results with medical and surgical therapy were not associated with significant change in bladder capacity.", "PMID": 779473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5316", "title": "Malignant nephrosclerosis during pregnancy and in the postpartum period (the uremic hemolytic syndrome).", "content": "Histologic, immunohistologic, and ultrastructural features are presented of two cases with malignant nephrosclerosis during pregnancy. Primary malignant nephrosclerosis emerges as a clinical entity which can be distinguished from toxemia of pregnancy in the midtrimester and post partum. The first description of malignant nephrosclerosis dates from 40 years ago, but only a few cases were reported associated with pregnancy. Although disseminated intravascular coagulation seems involved, the morphology is different from that of toxemia. Malignant nephrosclerosis reveals a close similarity to the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Early diagnosis by renal biopsy and proper treatment may prevent a lethal outcome due to progressive failure.", "contents": "Malignant nephrosclerosis during pregnancy and in the postpartum period (the uremic hemolytic syndrome). Histologic, immunohistologic, and ultrastructural features are presented of two cases with malignant nephrosclerosis during pregnancy. Primary malignant nephrosclerosis emerges as a clinical entity which can be distinguished from toxemia of pregnancy in the midtrimester and post partum. The first description of malignant nephrosclerosis dates from 40 years ago, but only a few cases were reported associated with pregnancy. Although disseminated intravascular coagulation seems involved, the morphology is different from that of toxemia. Malignant nephrosclerosis reveals a close similarity to the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Early diagnosis by renal biopsy and proper treatment may prevent a lethal outcome due to progressive failure.", "PMID": 779474} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5317", "title": "Reticulum-cell sarcoma of the cervix.", "content": "Four patients with primary reticulum-cell sarcoma of the cervix were described. One patient was treated with radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. The pelvic lymph nodes contained metastatic cancer and the patient died shortly after disseminating disease. The other three patients were treated with external radiation and vaginal and intrauterine radium application. The complete work-up failed to reveal cancer outside the pelvis or evidence of systemic disease. Two of these patients had an exploratory laparotomy with biopsies of pelvis and para-aortic lymph nodes and of the liver. One of these patients had a splenectomy, with no evidence of disease. Both patients are alive with no evidence of disease 3 and 10 years after their treatment. The third patient treated by radiation therapy died 2 years later with no evidence of disease. The importance of complete staging work-up and the advantage of radiation therapy in the treatment of reticulum-cell sarcoma of the cervix is emphasized.", "contents": "Reticulum-cell sarcoma of the cervix. Four patients with primary reticulum-cell sarcoma of the cervix were described. One patient was treated with radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. The pelvic lymph nodes contained metastatic cancer and the patient died shortly after disseminating disease. The other three patients were treated with external radiation and vaginal and intrauterine radium application. The complete work-up failed to reveal cancer outside the pelvis or evidence of systemic disease. Two of these patients had an exploratory laparotomy with biopsies of pelvis and para-aortic lymph nodes and of the liver. One of these patients had a splenectomy, with no evidence of disease. Both patients are alive with no evidence of disease 3 and 10 years after their treatment. The third patient treated by radiation therapy died 2 years later with no evidence of disease. The importance of complete staging work-up and the advantage of radiation therapy in the treatment of reticulum-cell sarcoma of the cervix is emphasized.", "PMID": 779475} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5318", "title": "Vaginal reconstruction following extensive treatment for pelvic cancer.", "content": "Since 1970, 23 patients at UCLA and The City of Hope who have undergone extensive treatment for pelvic malignancy have had vaginal function successfully restored. A combination of methods, including split-thickness skin graft and the construction of an external vulvar pouch, is often necessary to obtain maximal functional results. The external vulvar pouch was very useful, although not as anatomically appealing as internal methods of reconstruction. In young patients who required an exenteration, a new technique using part of the anterior bladder fundus was developed. Preliminary experience with this method was promising. Among the gorup of 23 patients, there have been no overt failures. By combining restoration of rectal function with vaginal reconstruction, two major steps have been taken toward total rehabilitation of the patient undergoing extensive treatment for pelvic malignancy. Persistence, ingenuity, and planning by the surgeon are essential to obtain a maximum functional result for each patient.", "contents": "Vaginal reconstruction following extensive treatment for pelvic cancer. Since 1970, 23 patients at UCLA and The City of Hope who have undergone extensive treatment for pelvic malignancy have had vaginal function successfully restored. A combination of methods, including split-thickness skin graft and the construction of an external vulvar pouch, is often necessary to obtain maximal functional results. The external vulvar pouch was very useful, although not as anatomically appealing as internal methods of reconstruction. In young patients who required an exenteration, a new technique using part of the anterior bladder fundus was developed. Preliminary experience with this method was promising. Among the gorup of 23 patients, there have been no overt failures. By combining restoration of rectal function with vaginal reconstruction, two major steps have been taken toward total rehabilitation of the patient undergoing extensive treatment for pelvic malignancy. Persistence, ingenuity, and planning by the surgeon are essential to obtain a maximum functional result for each patient.", "PMID": 779477} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5319", "title": "Galactorrhea-amenorrhea: psychological interaction with neuroendocrine function.", "content": "Further substantiation of the interaction between psychological disease and the onset of galactorrhea-amenorrhea is presented in women who underwent intensive psychometric and neuroendocrine evaluation prior to the use of the dopamine against 2-Br-alpha-ergocryptine (CB-154). Normalization of a previously distorted psychometric test profile in each woman was accompanied by a profound decline in prolactin and an unexpected alteration in the peripheral concentrations of norepinephrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. Cesation of galactorrhea and resumption of menses were observed in each instance.", "contents": "Galactorrhea-amenorrhea: psychological interaction with neuroendocrine function. Further substantiation of the interaction between psychological disease and the onset of galactorrhea-amenorrhea is presented in women who underwent intensive psychometric and neuroendocrine evaluation prior to the use of the dopamine against 2-Br-alpha-ergocryptine (CB-154). Normalization of a previously distorted psychometric test profile in each woman was accompanied by a profound decline in prolactin and an unexpected alteration in the peripheral concentrations of norepinephrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. Cesation of galactorrhea and resumption of menses were observed in each instance.", "PMID": 779478} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5320", "title": "Treatmen of keratomycosis with amphotericin B 0.15%.", "content": "Amphotericin B 0.15% was tolerated and effective in the treatment of fungal ulcers of the cornea. In a series of 12 ulcers, four from which Fusarium was cultured, all responded to medical treatment. The mean final visual acuity in 11 of the 12 eyes with an adequate follow-up was 20/40.", "contents": "Treatmen of keratomycosis with amphotericin B 0.15%. Amphotericin B 0.15% was tolerated and effective in the treatment of fungal ulcers of the cornea. In a series of 12 ulcers, four from which Fusarium was cultured, all responded to medical treatment. The mean final visual acuity in 11 of the 12 eyes with an adequate follow-up was 20/40.", "PMID": 779483} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5321", "title": "Internal vertical eyelid shortening to treat surgically induced segmental blepharotosis.", "content": "In a procedure to relieve segmental blepharoptosis after surgery for thyroid eyelid retraction and carcinoma, I applied a clamp to the internal eyelid tissues over the blepharoptotic segment, and excised the tissues held in the clamp. The procedure was successful in four patients.", "contents": "Internal vertical eyelid shortening to treat surgically induced segmental blepharotosis. In a procedure to relieve segmental blepharoptosis after surgery for thyroid eyelid retraction and carcinoma, I applied a clamp to the internal eyelid tissues over the blepharoptotic segment, and excised the tissues held in the clamp. The procedure was successful in four patients.", "PMID": 779484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5322", "title": "An improved apparatus for mounting retinal vasculature.", "content": "An apparatus for mounting retinal vasculature substantially reduced the time required to mount the capillary bed, minimized trauma to the vessels, and consistently resulted in preparations that allowed maximal viewing of retinal capillaries.", "contents": "An improved apparatus for mounting retinal vasculature. An apparatus for mounting retinal vasculature substantially reduced the time required to mount the capillary bed, minimized trauma to the vessels, and consistently resulted in preparations that allowed maximal viewing of retinal capillaries.", "PMID": 779485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5323", "title": "Computer-assisted instruction of current concepts in aqueous humor dynamics.", "content": "A portable intraocular pressure simulator faciliated teaching the concepts of aqueous humor formation and drainage. The values of input factors, such as facility of outflow, episcleral venous pressure, or uveoscleral outflow rate, were set by using dials on the front panel. The four computed outputs of the simulator-aqueous humor secretory rate, aqueous humor outflow rate, net filtration rate, and intraocular pressure-were displayed on individual meters.", "contents": "Computer-assisted instruction of current concepts in aqueous humor dynamics. A portable intraocular pressure simulator faciliated teaching the concepts of aqueous humor formation and drainage. The values of input factors, such as facility of outflow, episcleral venous pressure, or uveoscleral outflow rate, were set by using dials on the front panel. The four computed outputs of the simulator-aqueous humor secretory rate, aqueous humor outflow rate, net filtration rate, and intraocular pressure-were displayed on individual meters.", "PMID": 779486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5324", "title": "Glucose concentrations and glycogen levels in the aqueous humor of fresh and refrigereated bovine eyes.", "content": "Glucose concentrations in the aqueous humor and its incorporation into epithelial glycogen were measured by adding glucose uniformly labeled with radioactive carbon to the anterior chamber of both fresh and stored bovine eyes (24 hours at 5 degrees C). Concentrations of exogenous glucose in the aqueous humor were higher in refrigerated eyes but declined as rapidly as those in fresh eyes. Furthermore, the epithelium retained the ability to incorporate the exogenous glucose into glycogen after 24 hours of storage at 5 degrees C. Addition of glucose to the aqueous humor of human eyes after refrigeration may increase epithelial retention on donor corneal buttons.", "contents": "Glucose concentrations and glycogen levels in the aqueous humor of fresh and refrigereated bovine eyes. Glucose concentrations in the aqueous humor and its incorporation into epithelial glycogen were measured by adding glucose uniformly labeled with radioactive carbon to the anterior chamber of both fresh and stored bovine eyes (24 hours at 5 degrees C). Concentrations of exogenous glucose in the aqueous humor were higher in refrigerated eyes but declined as rapidly as those in fresh eyes. Furthermore, the epithelium retained the ability to incorporate the exogenous glucose into glycogen after 24 hours of storage at 5 degrees C. Addition of glucose to the aqueous humor of human eyes after refrigeration may increase epithelial retention on donor corneal buttons.", "PMID": 779487} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5325", "title": "Hand function and tactile perception in a sample of children with myelomeningocele.", "content": "The purpose of this investigation were to study the relationships between hand function abilities and tactile perception, and the level of spinal cord lesion and status of hydrocephalus in a sample of 17 children with myelomeningocele. Fourteen children showed impaired hand function, and eight showed tactile dysfunction. Statiscally significant differences in hand function scores and graphesthesia scores were obtained for children with increased severity of hydrocephalus and high-level lesions. Of the 48 correlation coefficients computed between the hand function and tactile perception measures used, only one was statistically significant. This lack of correlation may indicate that hand function and tactile perception in children with myelomeningocele are unrelated factors. Clinical implications of impaired hand function and tactile perception were discussed.", "contents": "Hand function and tactile perception in a sample of children with myelomeningocele. The purpose of this investigation were to study the relationships between hand function abilities and tactile perception, and the level of spinal cord lesion and status of hydrocephalus in a sample of 17 children with myelomeningocele. Fourteen children showed impaired hand function, and eight showed tactile dysfunction. Statiscally significant differences in hand function scores and graphesthesia scores were obtained for children with increased severity of hydrocephalus and high-level lesions. Of the 48 correlation coefficients computed between the hand function and tactile perception measures used, only one was statistically significant. This lack of correlation may indicate that hand function and tactile perception in children with myelomeningocele are unrelated factors. Clinical implications of impaired hand function and tactile perception were discussed.", "PMID": 779488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5326", "title": "A preliminary report on experienced closed-circuit television users.", "content": "In an attempt to describe the use and usefulness of closed-circuit televisions (C.C.T.V), a preliminary follow-up study of 27 veterans was undertaken by the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center. The veterans had been loaned C.C.T.V.'s by the Veterans Administration and represented a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and pathologies. On the basis of the present data, it is concluded that C.C.T.V. significantly improve the functioning of the majority of users and that this improvement appears to be a long-term benefit.", "contents": "A preliminary report on experienced closed-circuit television users. In an attempt to describe the use and usefulness of closed-circuit televisions (C.C.T.V), a preliminary follow-up study of 27 veterans was undertaken by the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center. The veterans had been loaned C.C.T.V.'s by the Veterans Administration and represented a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and pathologies. On the basis of the present data, it is concluded that C.C.T.V. significantly improve the functioning of the majority of users and that this improvement appears to be a long-term benefit.", "PMID": 779489} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5327", "title": "Contractile proteins in human cancer cells. Immunofluorescent and electron microscopic study.", "content": "The presence of contractile proteins in human cancer cells has been studied by means of: a) immunofluorescent staining using specific antibodies, and b) electron microscopy in order to detect the presence of cytoplasmic filaments. The tissues examined were: normal human skin, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinomas (of skin, oral cavity, and larynx), normal nonlactating mammary gland, and infiltrating mammary carcinoma with or without fibrosis. Normal tissues were negative after immunnoflurosescent staining of contractile proteins and contained no or minimal amounts of microfilaments as judged by electron microscopy. Tumor cells were strongly positive after immunoflouorescent staining for actin, myosin, light and heavy meromyosin but were negative for tropomyosin. Moreover, they contained prominent microfilaments (40 to 80 A in diameter) with some filaments (100 to 120 A in diameter) scattered in between. It appears that malignant cells contain an increased amount of contractile proteins, organized in the form of a filamentous apparatus, when compared to their normal counterparts. The study of the presence of contractile proteins in tumor cells may be of potential importance in evaluating malignant growth.", "contents": "Contractile proteins in human cancer cells. Immunofluorescent and electron microscopic study. The presence of contractile proteins in human cancer cells has been studied by means of: a) immunofluorescent staining using specific antibodies, and b) electron microscopy in order to detect the presence of cytoplasmic filaments. The tissues examined were: normal human skin, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinomas (of skin, oral cavity, and larynx), normal nonlactating mammary gland, and infiltrating mammary carcinoma with or without fibrosis. Normal tissues were negative after immunnoflurosescent staining of contractile proteins and contained no or minimal amounts of microfilaments as judged by electron microscopy. Tumor cells were strongly positive after immunoflouorescent staining for actin, myosin, light and heavy meromyosin but were negative for tropomyosin. Moreover, they contained prominent microfilaments (40 to 80 A in diameter) with some filaments (100 to 120 A in diameter) scattered in between. It appears that malignant cells contain an increased amount of contractile proteins, organized in the form of a filamentous apparatus, when compared to their normal counterparts. The study of the presence of contractile proteins in tumor cells may be of potential importance in evaluating malignant growth.", "PMID": 779490} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5328", "title": "Studies on the pathogenesis of experimental anti-tubular basement membrane nephritis in the guinea pig.", "content": "Using the model of renal disease induced in guinea pigs by immunization with bovine TBM preparations in adjuvant, the following observations were made. Animals with activity induced disease show bright staining for IgG along the TBM and only faint, inconstant staining along the GBM. Following transfer of serum animals with anti-TBM disease to normal recipients, accumulation of IgG was found predominantly in glomeruli at 4 hours, but at Days 3 and 5, IgG was seen predominantly along the TBM. There was no appreciable accumulation of neutrophils in the kidneys of recipients of anti-TBM serum, even at early intervals (4 and 24 hours) after transfer. However, within 2 days, small numbers of mononuclear cells were found. By Day 3, mononuclear cells were numerous, and multinucleate giant cells and tubular cell damage were present. After that, the lesions increased in severity and by 10 days were indistinguishable from those found in actively immunized animals at 14 to 21 days. Study of frozen section of kidneys obtained from animals with active disease at 14 days, employing sheep cells coated with rabbit antibody (IgG EA) revealed rosettes around many of the mononuclear cells in the infiltrate, indicating that they are mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes or macrophages). IgM complexed with sheep cells and complement (EAC) did not react and thus failed to provide evidence for the presence of B lymphocytes. Transfer of 7 X 10(8) lymph node cells from the TBM-immunized Strain 13 donors to normal Strain 13 recipients failed to result in renal lesions. The findings are interpreted as indicating that anti-TBM antibodies mediate the renal disease without the participation of cell-mediated immunity and further that these antibodies bring about an influx of ciculating mononuclear cells, predominantly monocytes, without attracting appreciable numbers of neutrophils.", "contents": "Studies on the pathogenesis of experimental anti-tubular basement membrane nephritis in the guinea pig. Using the model of renal disease induced in guinea pigs by immunization with bovine TBM preparations in adjuvant, the following observations were made. Animals with activity induced disease show bright staining for IgG along the TBM and only faint, inconstant staining along the GBM. Following transfer of serum animals with anti-TBM disease to normal recipients, accumulation of IgG was found predominantly in glomeruli at 4 hours, but at Days 3 and 5, IgG was seen predominantly along the TBM. There was no appreciable accumulation of neutrophils in the kidneys of recipients of anti-TBM serum, even at early intervals (4 and 24 hours) after transfer. However, within 2 days, small numbers of mononuclear cells were found. By Day 3, mononuclear cells were numerous, and multinucleate giant cells and tubular cell damage were present. After that, the lesions increased in severity and by 10 days were indistinguishable from those found in actively immunized animals at 14 to 21 days. Study of frozen section of kidneys obtained from animals with active disease at 14 days, employing sheep cells coated with rabbit antibody (IgG EA) revealed rosettes around many of the mononuclear cells in the infiltrate, indicating that they are mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes or macrophages). IgM complexed with sheep cells and complement (EAC) did not react and thus failed to provide evidence for the presence of B lymphocytes. Transfer of 7 X 10(8) lymph node cells from the TBM-immunized Strain 13 donors to normal Strain 13 recipients failed to result in renal lesions. The findings are interpreted as indicating that anti-TBM antibodies mediate the renal disease without the participation of cell-mediated immunity and further that these antibodies bring about an influx of ciculating mononuclear cells, predominantly monocytes, without attracting appreciable numbers of neutrophils.", "PMID": 779491} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5329", "title": "Enhancement of tissue invasion in murine aspergillosis by systemic administration of suspensions of killed Corynebacterium parvum.", "content": "The effect of killed Corynebacterium parvum vaccine on the course of murine aspergillosis is described. A grid-counting technique was employed to quantitate tissue invasion by Aspergillus nidulans in the brain, heart, and kidneys (the target organs) of normal mice and of mice treated systemically with killed C. parvum vaccine. Simultaneous treatment of mice with C. parvum and A. nidulans significantly increased the mortality rate, in contrast to treatment of mice with C. parvum prior to or following A. nidulans, which had no significant effect on mortality. Fungal invasion of the tissues of the brain and kidneys was significantly increased in mice pretreated or posttreated with C. parvum, but fungal invasion of the heart was not effected by these treatements. Simultaneous treatment of mice with C. parvum and A. nidulans significantly increased fungal invasion of the heart but did not effect tissue invasion of the brain and kidneys. It was concluded that killed C. parvum vaccine reduces host resistance to Aspergillus infection and facilitates the curse of fatal murine aspergillosis. These results suggest further caution in applying systemic C. parvum in the therapy of human neoplasia.", "contents": "Enhancement of tissue invasion in murine aspergillosis by systemic administration of suspensions of killed Corynebacterium parvum. The effect of killed Corynebacterium parvum vaccine on the course of murine aspergillosis is described. A grid-counting technique was employed to quantitate tissue invasion by Aspergillus nidulans in the brain, heart, and kidneys (the target organs) of normal mice and of mice treated systemically with killed C. parvum vaccine. Simultaneous treatment of mice with C. parvum and A. nidulans significantly increased the mortality rate, in contrast to treatment of mice with C. parvum prior to or following A. nidulans, which had no significant effect on mortality. Fungal invasion of the tissues of the brain and kidneys was significantly increased in mice pretreated or posttreated with C. parvum, but fungal invasion of the heart was not effected by these treatements. Simultaneous treatment of mice with C. parvum and A. nidulans significantly increased fungal invasion of the heart but did not effect tissue invasion of the brain and kidneys. It was concluded that killed C. parvum vaccine reduces host resistance to Aspergillus infection and facilitates the curse of fatal murine aspergillosis. These results suggest further caution in applying systemic C. parvum in the therapy of human neoplasia.", "PMID": 779492} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5330", "title": "Immunopathology of the end-stage kidney. Immunoglobulin and complement component deposition in nonimmune disease.", "content": "Seventy nephrectomy specimens from patients with end-stage renal disease, four renal biopsies from patients with focal sclerosing glomerulonephropathy (FSGN) and normal renal function, and 17 control biopsies from normal renal allograft donors (Group I) were studied by immunofluorescence with respect to deposition of immunoglobulins and classic and alternative complement (C) pathway components. The end-stage kidneys were divided into three groups according to etiology: 16 patients with immune-mediated glomerulonephritis (Group II), 22 patients with congenital and/or familial renal disease (Group III), and 32 patients with systemic or primary renal disease in which an immune-mediated injury could not be established (Group IV). The pattern of immunoprotein deposition in glomeruli in Groups II, III, and IV, and in biopsies of patients with FSGN was similar: peripheral lobular, globular and/or granular, focal and segmental; it was limited to dying glomeruli or abnormal glomerular segments. A statistically significant correlation existed between the percent of properdin-containing glomeruli and the percent of glomeruli undergoing hyalinization in Groups II, III and IV (II, r=0.67; III, r=0.92; IV, r=0.78). No deposition was observed in normal or completely fibrotic glomeruli. In vitro heterologous complement fixation was demonstrated in 17/19 end-stage kidneys in a similar distribution. Early classic C components, C1q and C4, were detected in a somewhat higher frequency in Group II (14/16) than Group III (11/22) and Group IV (20/32) (Group II vs. III, P=.02 and II vs. IV, P=.07). C3 and properdin were detected in 77 to 100% of all 3 groups; in 18 patients, C3 and properdin were present without detectable C1q and C4. Immunoglobulins, primarily IgM, and components of the classic and alternative C pathways are regularly present in hyalinizing glomeruli irrespective of the etiology of the renal failure. These observations suggest that an immune process is operative in glomerular obsolescence regardless of the underlying etiology of the renal disease.", "contents": "Immunopathology of the end-stage kidney. Immunoglobulin and complement component deposition in nonimmune disease. Seventy nephrectomy specimens from patients with end-stage renal disease, four renal biopsies from patients with focal sclerosing glomerulonephropathy (FSGN) and normal renal function, and 17 control biopsies from normal renal allograft donors (Group I) were studied by immunofluorescence with respect to deposition of immunoglobulins and classic and alternative complement (C) pathway components. The end-stage kidneys were divided into three groups according to etiology: 16 patients with immune-mediated glomerulonephritis (Group II), 22 patients with congenital and/or familial renal disease (Group III), and 32 patients with systemic or primary renal disease in which an immune-mediated injury could not be established (Group IV). The pattern of immunoprotein deposition in glomeruli in Groups II, III, and IV, and in biopsies of patients with FSGN was similar: peripheral lobular, globular and/or granular, focal and segmental; it was limited to dying glomeruli or abnormal glomerular segments. A statistically significant correlation existed between the percent of properdin-containing glomeruli and the percent of glomeruli undergoing hyalinization in Groups II, III and IV (II, r=0.67; III, r=0.92; IV, r=0.78). No deposition was observed in normal or completely fibrotic glomeruli. In vitro heterologous complement fixation was demonstrated in 17/19 end-stage kidneys in a similar distribution. Early classic C components, C1q and C4, were detected in a somewhat higher frequency in Group II (14/16) than Group III (11/22) and Group IV (20/32) (Group II vs. III, P=.02 and II vs. IV, P=.07). C3 and properdin were detected in 77 to 100% of all 3 groups; in 18 patients, C3 and properdin were present without detectable C1q and C4. Immunoglobulins, primarily IgM, and components of the classic and alternative C pathways are regularly present in hyalinizing glomeruli irrespective of the etiology of the renal failure. These observations suggest that an immune process is operative in glomerular obsolescence regardless of the underlying etiology of the renal disease.", "PMID": 779494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5331", "title": "Function of pituitary-gonadal axis in zinc-deficient rats.", "content": "The role of zinc in gonadal function was investigated in rats. The increases in luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were assayed after intravenous administration of synthetic luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) to zinc-deficient and restricted-fed control rats. Body weight gain, zinc content of testes, and weight of testes were significantly lower in the zinc-deficient rats compared with the controls. The serum LH and FSH response to LHRH administration were higher in the zinc-deficient rats but serum testosterone response was lower in comparison with the restricted-fed controls. These studies indicate a specific effect of zinc on testes and suggest that gonadal function in zinc-deficient state is affected through some alteration of testicular steroidogenesis.", "contents": "Function of pituitary-gonadal axis in zinc-deficient rats. The role of zinc in gonadal function was investigated in rats. The increases in luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were assayed after intravenous administration of synthetic luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) to zinc-deficient and restricted-fed control rats. Body weight gain, zinc content of testes, and weight of testes were significantly lower in the zinc-deficient rats compared with the controls. The serum LH and FSH response to LHRH administration were higher in the zinc-deficient rats but serum testosterone response was lower in comparison with the restricted-fed controls. These studies indicate a specific effect of zinc on testes and suggest that gonadal function in zinc-deficient state is affected through some alteration of testicular steroidogenesis.", "PMID": 779495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5332", "title": "Follow-up of depressed women after maintenance treatment.", "content": "The authors present follow-up results based on 150 women 1 year after maintenance treatment for depression. Maintenance treatment consisted of 8 months of amitriptyline, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two, administered by random assignment following recovery from an acute depressive episode. Approximately 30% of the patients remained in complete remission, 60% experienced recurrence of symptoms, and 12% remained mildly but chronically symptomatic. The implications of these findings for planning care for the ambulatory depressed patient on both an individual and a public health basis are discussed.", "contents": "Follow-up of depressed women after maintenance treatment. The authors present follow-up results based on 150 women 1 year after maintenance treatment for depression. Maintenance treatment consisted of 8 months of amitriptyline, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two, administered by random assignment following recovery from an acute depressive episode. Approximately 30% of the patients remained in complete remission, 60% experienced recurrence of symptoms, and 12% remained mildly but chronically symptomatic. The implications of these findings for planning care for the ambulatory depressed patient on both an individual and a public health basis are discussed.", "PMID": 779497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5333", "title": "Development of different strains of Plasmodium vivax in two species of Anopheles.", "content": "Anopheles freeborni mosquitoes with oocyst infections had salivary gland infections at a higher rate of Plasmodium vivax from the New World than with strains from Asia, particularly those from South Vietnam. Anopheles maculatus mosquitoes supported development from oocysts to heavily infected salivary glands for all the strains of P. vivax tested. The results suggest that P. vivax introduced from Vietnam would be less likely to be transmitted by native A. freeborni mosiquitoes than would malaria from some other areas.", "contents": "Development of different strains of Plasmodium vivax in two species of Anopheles. Anopheles freeborni mosquitoes with oocyst infections had salivary gland infections at a higher rate of Plasmodium vivax from the New World than with strains from Asia, particularly those from South Vietnam. Anopheles maculatus mosquitoes supported development from oocysts to heavily infected salivary glands for all the strains of P. vivax tested. The results suggest that P. vivax introduced from Vietnam would be less likely to be transmitted by native A. freeborni mosiquitoes than would malaria from some other areas.", "PMID": 779500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5334", "title": "The use of serology by titering of fluorescent antibodies to evaluate levels of transmission of schistosomiasis in Rhodesia.", "content": "The prevalence of schistosomiasis has been measured by parasitological examination and by fluorescent antibody titering in a number of communities in different parts of Rhodesia. The samples were taken from areas of high, medium, and low transmission of the disease. A correlation was detected between the mean titer and prevalence of infection, particularly in the younger people (4-13 years old). It is suggested that fluorescent antibody titrating may be a useful epidemiological tool.", "contents": "The use of serology by titering of fluorescent antibodies to evaluate levels of transmission of schistosomiasis in Rhodesia. The prevalence of schistosomiasis has been measured by parasitological examination and by fluorescent antibody titering in a number of communities in different parts of Rhodesia. The samples were taken from areas of high, medium, and low transmission of the disease. A correlation was detected between the mean titer and prevalence of infection, particularly in the younger people (4-13 years old). It is suggested that fluorescent antibody titrating may be a useful epidemiological tool.", "PMID": 779501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5335", "title": "Spaced clofazimine therapy of lepromatous leprosy.", "content": "Patients with previously untreated borderline-lepromatous or fully lepromatous leprosy were treated with one of five clofazimine (B663) regimens: 1) 200 mg daily 6 days per week; 2) 100 mg three times weekly; 3) 300 mg weekly; 4) 600 mg every other week; and 5) 600 mg on 2 consecutive days every 4 weeks. After 24 weeks of treatment, the patients were randomly allocated to treatment either with 200 mg B663 daily 6 days per week (regimen 6) or with dapsone, beginning with a small dosage and increasing over a period of 8 weeks to 100 mg daily 6 days per week (regimen 7). Death of Mycobacterium leprae was monitored by mouse inoculation with organisms recovered from skin biopsy specimens obtained at intervals during the first 24 weeks. Killing of M. leprae proceeded most rapidly in regimen 1 and 2 patients, least rapidly in the patients of regimens 4 and 5, and at an intermediate rate in regimen 3 patients. Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) was no more frequent nor more severe during treatment with any one of the first-24-weeks regimen. ENL was more frequent in regimen 7 than in regimen 6 patients. Pigmentation of the skin, assessed only during the first 24 weeks, occurred in patients of all regimens, but was most marked in regimen 1 patients. No evidence of B663 toxicity was noted. Although of all of the first 24-weeks regimens were effective in terms of the rate of killing of M. lepare, greater effectiveness was associated with more frequent administration of the drug. The B663 that accumulated in the tissues did not appear to be available to exert an antimicrobial effect.", "contents": "Spaced clofazimine therapy of lepromatous leprosy. Patients with previously untreated borderline-lepromatous or fully lepromatous leprosy were treated with one of five clofazimine (B663) regimens: 1) 200 mg daily 6 days per week; 2) 100 mg three times weekly; 3) 300 mg weekly; 4) 600 mg every other week; and 5) 600 mg on 2 consecutive days every 4 weeks. After 24 weeks of treatment, the patients were randomly allocated to treatment either with 200 mg B663 daily 6 days per week (regimen 6) or with dapsone, beginning with a small dosage and increasing over a period of 8 weeks to 100 mg daily 6 days per week (regimen 7). Death of Mycobacterium leprae was monitored by mouse inoculation with organisms recovered from skin biopsy specimens obtained at intervals during the first 24 weeks. Killing of M. leprae proceeded most rapidly in regimen 1 and 2 patients, least rapidly in the patients of regimens 4 and 5, and at an intermediate rate in regimen 3 patients. Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) was no more frequent nor more severe during treatment with any one of the first-24-weeks regimen. ENL was more frequent in regimen 7 than in regimen 6 patients. Pigmentation of the skin, assessed only during the first 24 weeks, occurred in patients of all regimens, but was most marked in regimen 1 patients. No evidence of B663 toxicity was noted. Although of all of the first 24-weeks regimens were effective in terms of the rate of killing of M. lepare, greater effectiveness was associated with more frequent administration of the drug. The B663 that accumulated in the tissues did not appear to be available to exert an antimicrobial effect.", "PMID": 779502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5336", "title": "Delineation of La Crosse virus in developmental stages of transovarially infected Aedes triseriatus.", "content": "The tropisms and development of La Crosse (LAC) virus in stages of transovarially infected Aedes triseriatus were studied with fluorescent antibody (FA) stained dissected organs and titrations of individual arthropods in suckling mice. Viral antigen was detected by FA in 95 of 387 dissected larvae, pupae, and adults. In larvae highest levels of fluorescence were detected in the alimentary tract, followed by ganglia, malpighian tubule, muscle, and other tissues. No specific organs or germ layer-derived tissues appeared to be the sole source of viral replication. Most tissues and organs of A. triseriatus are capable of maintaining LAC virus. Antigen was detected in the identifiable organs immediately upon emergence from the egg. In pupae and adults antigen was detected at high levels in foregut, gonadal and associated tissues, and in salivary glands, which would indicate females could be infective upon emergence. Virus was isolated from all arthropod stages, in 32 of 130 individuals inoculated into suckling mice. Titrations ranged from less than 1.0 log10 SMICLD50 per 0.02 ml for eggs and 1st instar larvae to 3.0 log10 SMICLD50 for 4th instar larvae. Adults and pupae averaged between 2.0 and 3.0 log10 SMICLD50. Increases in titer during maturation were mainly related to increases in size of the organism rather than in titer per unit volume.", "contents": "Delineation of La Crosse virus in developmental stages of transovarially infected Aedes triseriatus. The tropisms and development of La Crosse (LAC) virus in stages of transovarially infected Aedes triseriatus were studied with fluorescent antibody (FA) stained dissected organs and titrations of individual arthropods in suckling mice. Viral antigen was detected by FA in 95 of 387 dissected larvae, pupae, and adults. In larvae highest levels of fluorescence were detected in the alimentary tract, followed by ganglia, malpighian tubule, muscle, and other tissues. No specific organs or germ layer-derived tissues appeared to be the sole source of viral replication. Most tissues and organs of A. triseriatus are capable of maintaining LAC virus. Antigen was detected in the identifiable organs immediately upon emergence from the egg. In pupae and adults antigen was detected at high levels in foregut, gonadal and associated tissues, and in salivary glands, which would indicate females could be infective upon emergence. Virus was isolated from all arthropod stages, in 32 of 130 individuals inoculated into suckling mice. Titrations ranged from less than 1.0 log10 SMICLD50 per 0.02 ml for eggs and 1st instar larvae to 3.0 log10 SMICLD50 for 4th instar larvae. Adults and pupae averaged between 2.0 and 3.0 log10 SMICLD50. Increases in titer during maturation were mainly related to increases in size of the organism rather than in titer per unit volume.", "PMID": 779503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5337", "title": "Renal transplantation in high risk patients older than sixty years.", "content": "Nine patients between the ages of sixty and seventy-one years, with end-stage renal failure, received kidney grafts during a five year period. Five received related donor kidneys and four received cadaver donor kidneys. Six of these patients are still alive--four of the five (80%) with related kidneys and two fo the four (50%) with cadaver kidneys. All six patients have normal kidney function an average of twenty-seven months after transplantation. We believe the elderly uremic patient should not be categorically excluded as kidney graft recipients on the basis of age alone. The prognosis of these patients treated by transplantation far exceeds that for uremic patients of the same age who are restricted to hemodialysis therapy.", "contents": "Renal transplantation in high risk patients older than sixty years. Nine patients between the ages of sixty and seventy-one years, with end-stage renal failure, received kidney grafts during a five year period. Five received related donor kidneys and four received cadaver donor kidneys. Six of these patients are still alive--four of the five (80%) with related kidneys and two fo the four (50%) with cadaver kidneys. All six patients have normal kidney function an average of twenty-seven months after transplantation. We believe the elderly uremic patient should not be categorically excluded as kidney graft recipients on the basis of age alone. The prognosis of these patients treated by transplantation far exceeds that for uremic patients of the same age who are restricted to hemodialysis therapy.", "PMID": 779504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5338", "title": "Renal artery stenosis after renal transplantation.", "content": "Renal artery stenosis occurred in eight of fifty patients who received a renal transplant during a three year period. The evaluation and management of these cases is summarized. Trauma associated with kidney procurement, preservation, or arterial anastomosis as well as the rejection process itself may contribute to the development of these lesions. Arteriography may be indicated at an earlier stage in patients who respond poorly to medical treatment of repeated episodes of \"rejection.\"", "contents": "Renal artery stenosis after renal transplantation. Renal artery stenosis occurred in eight of fifty patients who received a renal transplant during a three year period. The evaluation and management of these cases is summarized. Trauma associated with kidney procurement, preservation, or arterial anastomosis as well as the rejection process itself may contribute to the development of these lesions. Arteriography may be indicated at an earlier stage in patients who respond poorly to medical treatment of repeated episodes of \"rejection.\"", "PMID": 779505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5339", "title": "Quantitative microbiology: its application to hand injuries.", "content": "Quantitative microbiologic analysis of civilian hand injuries has been accomplished in thirty-four patients. Most traumatic soft tissue injuries exhibited an insignificant level of contamination. The number of bacteria recovered from most of those wounds was comparable to that encountered in clean elective surgical hand cases. We now view most civilian hand wounds as clean wounds carrying a very low risk of infection. Our patients with traumatic hand injuries are considered candidates for immediate reconstruction, which includes vascular, bony, or neural repair as well as immediate implantation of Silastic rods in preparation for subsequent tendon grafting.", "contents": "Quantitative microbiology: its application to hand injuries. Quantitative microbiologic analysis of civilian hand injuries has been accomplished in thirty-four patients. Most traumatic soft tissue injuries exhibited an insignificant level of contamination. The number of bacteria recovered from most of those wounds was comparable to that encountered in clean elective surgical hand cases. We now view most civilian hand wounds as clean wounds carrying a very low risk of infection. Our patients with traumatic hand injuries are considered candidates for immediate reconstruction, which includes vascular, bony, or neural repair as well as immediate implantation of Silastic rods in preparation for subsequent tendon grafting.", "PMID": 779506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5340", "title": "A critical study of Lister's work on antiseptic surgery.", "content": "The work of Pasteur on alcoholic and lactic acid fermentation demonstrated that minute organisms (germs) caused these fermentative changes. Lister applied these basic findings in the introduction of his antiseptic system. Its principles were based on the destruction of germs by antiseptics (carbolic acid) to prevent their entering the wound or spreading after surgery. Lister's work on antisepsis was therefore based on the germ theory of disease. The believers of the germ theory defended Lister's theories whereas the nonbelievers of the germ theory created an atmosphere of resistance to Listerism. The work of Koch in 1878 on the etiology of traumatic infective diseases contributed greatly to the acceptance of Lister's antiseptic principles. By the mid 1880s there was a rapid increase in the use of antiseptic technics, soon followed by the introduction of aseptic methods and rapid progress in surgery.", "contents": "A critical study of Lister's work on antiseptic surgery. The work of Pasteur on alcoholic and lactic acid fermentation demonstrated that minute organisms (germs) caused these fermentative changes. Lister applied these basic findings in the introduction of his antiseptic system. Its principles were based on the destruction of germs by antiseptics (carbolic acid) to prevent their entering the wound or spreading after surgery. Lister's work on antisepsis was therefore based on the germ theory of disease. The believers of the germ theory defended Lister's theories whereas the nonbelievers of the germ theory created an atmosphere of resistance to Listerism. The work of Koch in 1878 on the etiology of traumatic infective diseases contributed greatly to the acceptance of Lister's antiseptic principles. By the mid 1880s there was a rapid increase in the use of antiseptic technics, soon followed by the introduction of aseptic methods and rapid progress in surgery.", "PMID": 779507} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5341", "title": "Surgical technic in en bloc bilateral cadaveric nephrectomy for transplantation.", "content": "En bloc bilateral cadaveric nephrectomy for transplantation has some advantages over excision of each kidney separately. There is also an advantage of single cannula perfusion through the aorta for two kidneys, especially when multiple renal arteries are present. The anatomic vascular variants are important, as are the incision and the approach to the suprarenal aorta and the lumbar venous drainage of the kidney.", "contents": "Surgical technic in en bloc bilateral cadaveric nephrectomy for transplantation. En bloc bilateral cadaveric nephrectomy for transplantation has some advantages over excision of each kidney separately. There is also an advantage of single cannula perfusion through the aorta for two kidneys, especially when multiple renal arteries are present. The anatomic vascular variants are important, as are the incision and the approach to the suprarenal aorta and the lumbar venous drainage of the kidney.", "PMID": 779508} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5342", "title": "Poiseuille and his law.", "content": "Comparatively little is known of the life of Jean Leonard Marie Poiseuille (1797-1869) of Paris. He made important contributions to the experimental study of circulatory dynamics but it can hardly be said that Poiseuille knowingly described the law which governs laminar flow. He did however establish, in a series of meticulously executed experiments, that at a given temperature water flow through tubes of very fine bore is inversely proportional to the length of the tube and directly proportional to the pressure gradient and to the fourth power of the tube diameter.", "contents": "Poiseuille and his law. Comparatively little is known of the life of Jean Leonard Marie Poiseuille (1797-1869) of Paris. He made important contributions to the experimental study of circulatory dynamics but it can hardly be said that Poiseuille knowingly described the law which governs laminar flow. He did however establish, in a series of meticulously executed experiments, that at a given temperature water flow through tubes of very fine bore is inversely proportional to the length of the tube and directly proportional to the pressure gradient and to the fourth power of the tube diameter.", "PMID": 779509} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5343", "title": "Tracheal dilatation.", "content": "Three cases of tracheal dilatation following prolonged ventilation through a tracheostomy tube with a conventional cuff are reported. The routine care of tracheostomies in the ITU at Northampton General Hospital is described. Possible causes for the development of dilatation are suggested and the symptoms and signs discussed.", "contents": "Tracheal dilatation. Three cases of tracheal dilatation following prolonged ventilation through a tracheostomy tube with a conventional cuff are reported. The routine care of tracheostomies in the ITU at Northampton General Hospital is described. Possible causes for the development of dilatation are suggested and the symptoms and signs discussed.", "PMID": 779511} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5344", "title": "Stenosis following tracheostomy. A quantitative study of long term results.", "content": "Seventy out of the 320 patients treated with tracheostomy and respiratory care in an intensive care unit, were included in a follow-up study. A variety of surgical (38) and medical (32) conditions had prompted IPPV for 1-59 days; 33 had had primary and 37 secondary tracheostomies. The final study included an interview, physical examination, radiographic examination and spirometry. Using radiographic measures, the area of stenosis was calculated as well as the pressure drop across the stenosis at various flow rates. The methods of calculation were tested in one patient and compared with the actual tracheal pressure and gas flow recordings. Lateral stenosis was found in 69 and frontal stenosis in 25 patients, the length being 0-2-5-0 cm. The stenosis was situated at the level of the stoma in 59, at the cuff in 6, and at both sites in 2; in 2 the level could not be determined accurately. The mean area of normal trachea was 2-8+/-0-8 cm2 in females and 3-7+/-0-7 cm2 in males, while the stenotic area ranged from 0-86 to 4-54 cm2. A stenosis of potential functional significance was found in 8 patients (area less than 1-5 cm2). The stenotic area correlated well with the pressure drop across the stenosis and better than with the stenosis percentage (1-74%). The predicted pressure falls over the stenosis at different flow rates were in excellent agreement with those measured in one patient. Spirometry was unsuitable for detecting the stenosis. Poor correlation were found between the degree of tracheal stenosis and chronic respiratory disease, smoking, age, interval between intubation and tracheostomy, or duration of IPPV. Dysponea during moderate exercise was present in all patients who had a pronounced stenosis.", "contents": "Stenosis following tracheostomy. A quantitative study of long term results. Seventy out of the 320 patients treated with tracheostomy and respiratory care in an intensive care unit, were included in a follow-up study. A variety of surgical (38) and medical (32) conditions had prompted IPPV for 1-59 days; 33 had had primary and 37 secondary tracheostomies. The final study included an interview, physical examination, radiographic examination and spirometry. Using radiographic measures, the area of stenosis was calculated as well as the pressure drop across the stenosis at various flow rates. The methods of calculation were tested in one patient and compared with the actual tracheal pressure and gas flow recordings. Lateral stenosis was found in 69 and frontal stenosis in 25 patients, the length being 0-2-5-0 cm. The stenosis was situated at the level of the stoma in 59, at the cuff in 6, and at both sites in 2; in 2 the level could not be determined accurately. The mean area of normal trachea was 2-8+/-0-8 cm2 in females and 3-7+/-0-7 cm2 in males, while the stenotic area ranged from 0-86 to 4-54 cm2. A stenosis of potential functional significance was found in 8 patients (area less than 1-5 cm2). The stenotic area correlated well with the pressure drop across the stenosis and better than with the stenosis percentage (1-74%). The predicted pressure falls over the stenosis at different flow rates were in excellent agreement with those measured in one patient. Spirometry was unsuitable for detecting the stenosis. Poor correlation were found between the degree of tracheal stenosis and chronic respiratory disease, smoking, age, interval between intubation and tracheostomy, or duration of IPPV. Dysponea during moderate exercise was present in all patients who had a pronounced stenosis.", "PMID": 779512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5345", "title": "Classification of peripheral nerve fibres. An historical perspective.", "content": "The historical development of the nomenclature used to describe peripheral nerve fibres is described. Some of the properties of nerve fibres and their maturation are discusses. It is suggested that when grouping fibres by their conduction velocities the original terminology introduced by Erlanger and Gasser41 (i.e. A-alpha, beta, gamma, delta, B and C) should be used for efferent nerve fibres, while the nomenclature introduced by Lloyd44 (i.e. groups I,II, III and IV) should be applied to afferent fibres. The terms B, 'gamma efferent', Ia and Ib have specific implications with regard to their source or distribution irrespective of the conduction velocities of the fibres contributing to these groups.", "contents": "Classification of peripheral nerve fibres. An historical perspective. The historical development of the nomenclature used to describe peripheral nerve fibres is described. Some of the properties of nerve fibres and their maturation are discusses. It is suggested that when grouping fibres by their conduction velocities the original terminology introduced by Erlanger and Gasser41 (i.e. A-alpha, beta, gamma, delta, B and C) should be used for efferent nerve fibres, while the nomenclature introduced by Lloyd44 (i.e. groups I,II, III and IV) should be applied to afferent fibres. The terms B, 'gamma efferent', Ia and Ib have specific implications with regard to their source or distribution irrespective of the conduction velocities of the fibres contributing to these groups.", "PMID": 779513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5346", "title": "The development of appartus for intermittent negative pressure respiration.", "content": "The history of tank and cuirass respirators from the first known use of the intermittent negative pressure principle in 1832 to 1918, on the threshold of its extensive use in the treatment of respiratory paralysis, has been related. A second article will consider the period 1918 to the present day and suggest that negative pressure apparatus-particularly the cuirass respirator-still has its uses.", "contents": "The development of appartus for intermittent negative pressure respiration. The history of tank and cuirass respirators from the first known use of the intermittent negative pressure principle in 1832 to 1918, on the threshold of its extensive use in the treatment of respiratory paralysis, has been related. A second article will consider the period 1918 to the present day and suggest that negative pressure apparatus-particularly the cuirass respirator-still has its uses.", "PMID": 779515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5347", "title": "Hypglycaemia in paediatric anaesthesia: The influence of metoclopramide and oral maltose in paediatric surgical patients.", "content": "A safe and effective way to prevent the development of hypoglycaemia in young children during general anaesthesia is to give drinks sweetened with maltose 2 hours before operation. Metoclopramide (Maxolon) is injected intramuscularly to hasten absorption. The postoperative blood sugar in the maltose-treated group (28 patients) was 100+/-22-21 mg/ml (5-5+/-1-232 mmol/litre) and significantly higher ( P less than 0-0005) than in the starved group (22 patients).", "contents": "Hypglycaemia in paediatric anaesthesia: The influence of metoclopramide and oral maltose in paediatric surgical patients. A safe and effective way to prevent the development of hypoglycaemia in young children during general anaesthesia is to give drinks sweetened with maltose 2 hours before operation. Metoclopramide (Maxolon) is injected intramuscularly to hasten absorption. The postoperative blood sugar in the maltose-treated group (28 patients) was 100+/-22-21 mg/ml (5-5+/-1-232 mmol/litre) and significantly higher ( P less than 0-0005) than in the starved group (22 patients).", "PMID": 779516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5348", "title": "A case of drowning.", "content": "A case of near drowning is described. Despite full consciousness on early admission, and apparently good immediate recovery following intensive therapy for delayed pulmonary effects, the patient died of overwhelming necrotising pneumonia on the tenth day after the accident.", "contents": "A case of drowning. A case of near drowning is described. Despite full consciousness on early admission, and apparently good immediate recovery following intensive therapy for delayed pulmonary effects, the patient died of overwhelming necrotising pneumonia on the tenth day after the accident.", "PMID": 779518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5349", "title": "Sepsis in a CPAP system.", "content": "Bacterial contamination of a continuous positive airway pressure system has been investigated and found to be virtually confined to the adjustable valve 'at the mouth'. Organisms isolated from this site are probably derived from those in the sputum. The practical implications of these findings are outlined.", "contents": "Sepsis in a CPAP system. Bacterial contamination of a continuous positive airway pressure system has been investigated and found to be virtually confined to the adjustable valve 'at the mouth'. Organisms isolated from this site are probably derived from those in the sputum. The practical implications of these findings are outlined.", "PMID": 779519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5350", "title": "The development of apparatus for intermittent negative pressure respiration. (2) 1919-1976, with special reference to the development and uses of cuirass respirators.", "content": "This paper and the one that preceded it1 have traced the development of the design and use of negative pressure ventilators from their origins in the early nineteenth century to the present day. Their maximum use was in the nineteen-forties and the early fifties after which they were quite rapidly replaced in the treatment of acute respiratory disease by intermittent positive pressure ventilators-the turning point being the severe poliomyelitis epidemic in Copenhagen in 1952. Negative pressure ventilators, particularly cuirass ventilators, still have a place in the treatment of chronic respiratory disease.", "contents": "The development of apparatus for intermittent negative pressure respiration. (2) 1919-1976, with special reference to the development and uses of cuirass respirators. This paper and the one that preceded it1 have traced the development of the design and use of negative pressure ventilators from their origins in the early nineteenth century to the present day. Their maximum use was in the nineteen-forties and the early fifties after which they were quite rapidly replaced in the treatment of acute respiratory disease by intermittent positive pressure ventilators-the turning point being the severe poliomyelitis epidemic in Copenhagen in 1952. Negative pressure ventilators, particularly cuirass ventilators, still have a place in the treatment of chronic respiratory disease.", "PMID": 779520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5351", "title": "Effect of ketamine on intracranial pressure in hydrocephalic children.", "content": "Intracranial pressure changes were observed in 10 children with hydrocephalus after ketamine administration. Three patients showed an elevation of pressure and a fall was observed in 7 patients. Two more patients who were given ketamine while under general anaesthesia and IPPV also showed a fall in pressure. No explanation is forthcoming at present for such an unusual response, but an altered cerebral vascular response in the presence of promethazine and general anaesthesia has been postulated.", "contents": "Effect of ketamine on intracranial pressure in hydrocephalic children. Intracranial pressure changes were observed in 10 children with hydrocephalus after ketamine administration. Three patients showed an elevation of pressure and a fall was observed in 7 patients. Two more patients who were given ketamine while under general anaesthesia and IPPV also showed a fall in pressure. No explanation is forthcoming at present for such an unusual response, but an altered cerebral vascular response in the presence of promethazine and general anaesthesia has been postulated.", "PMID": 779521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5352", "title": "Pulmonary water content in critical illness.", "content": "Pulmonary extravascular water content was measured using a double indicator technique and results compared with chest radiography. It is concluded that careful chest radiography is an effective and simple technique for assessing the pulmonary extravascular water content.", "contents": "Pulmonary water content in critical illness. Pulmonary extravascular water content was measured using a double indicator technique and results compared with chest radiography. It is concluded that careful chest radiography is an effective and simple technique for assessing the pulmonary extravascular water content.", "PMID": 779522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5353", "title": "The sensitivity of the respiratory center and some circulatory and subjective responses after nalorphine and naloxone injections.", "content": "In five volunteers the sensitivity of the respiratory centre to carbon dioxide after naloxone and nalorphine injections was studied using \"double blind\" method and increments of doses. Alterations in the respiratory centre sensitivity were reflected by changes in respiratory minute volume, which was measured before and after drug injections, as well as after carbon dioxide stimulation. Comparison of results and their statistical verification showed that nalorphine alone causes respiratory depression and carbon dioxide stimulation is, beside the weak initial action, almost ineffective. Naloxone causes very small, if at all, respiratory depression and the respiratory centre answers efficiently to carbon dioxide stimulation.", "contents": "The sensitivity of the respiratory center and some circulatory and subjective responses after nalorphine and naloxone injections. In five volunteers the sensitivity of the respiratory centre to carbon dioxide after naloxone and nalorphine injections was studied using \"double blind\" method and increments of doses. Alterations in the respiratory centre sensitivity were reflected by changes in respiratory minute volume, which was measured before and after drug injections, as well as after carbon dioxide stimulation. Comparison of results and their statistical verification showed that nalorphine alone causes respiratory depression and carbon dioxide stimulation is, beside the weak initial action, almost ineffective. Naloxone causes very small, if at all, respiratory depression and the respiratory centre answers efficiently to carbon dioxide stimulation.", "PMID": 779523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5354", "title": "Inhibition of gill cilial activity and of Proteus vulgaris motility as tests for aspirin idiosyncrasy.", "content": "Aspirin ingestion is likely to result in severe asthmatic attacks in patients with aspirin idiosyncrasy. There is no in vitro test for the condition. Gill cilia and Proteus vulgaris motility studies showed no differences between asthmatics with aspirin idiosyncrasy and control patients.", "contents": "Inhibition of gill cilial activity and of Proteus vulgaris motility as tests for aspirin idiosyncrasy. Aspirin ingestion is likely to result in severe asthmatic attacks in patients with aspirin idiosyncrasy. There is no in vitro test for the condition. Gill cilia and Proteus vulgaris motility studies showed no differences between asthmatics with aspirin idiosyncrasy and control patients.", "PMID": 779534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5355", "title": "Opsonic activity and O-agglutinins against Escherichia coli in bovine colostrum.", "content": "Anticolibacillus antibody activity was examined in 16 samples of bovine colostrum by O-agglutination test with 6 serotypes of Escherichia coli, and its correlation with the manifestation of diarrhea was analyzed for newborn calves fed these colostrums. The 4 colostrums fed to newborn calves having diarrhea within a few days after birth had significantly lower agglutinin titers for all the serotypes tested than did the other colostrums. Other newborn calves fed on the remaining 12 colostrums did not manifest clinical signs of enteric disorders. The agglutinin spectrum against the E coli serotypes was similar between colostrum samples from the same stockfarm, but variable among the farms from which the colostrum had been collected. The agglutinin activity was sensitive to 2-mercaptoethanol and was found mainly in the macroglobulin fraction of gel filtration, indicating that the activity was due to antibodies of the immunoglobulin M type. This was evidenced directly by the agglutination test of purified immunoglobulins. Opsonic activity of colostrum and immunoglobulins purified therefrom was estimated by the rate of decrease in the number of viable E coli injected into mouse peritoneal cavity. The results indicated that the opsonic activity in colostrum was also attributed mainly to immunoglobulin M antibodies, although the contribution of immunoglobulin A and G antibodies was not ruled out. A part of the opsonic activity in colostrum seemed due to heat-labile component(s) as well.", "contents": "Opsonic activity and O-agglutinins against Escherichia coli in bovine colostrum. Anticolibacillus antibody activity was examined in 16 samples of bovine colostrum by O-agglutination test with 6 serotypes of Escherichia coli, and its correlation with the manifestation of diarrhea was analyzed for newborn calves fed these colostrums. The 4 colostrums fed to newborn calves having diarrhea within a few days after birth had significantly lower agglutinin titers for all the serotypes tested than did the other colostrums. Other newborn calves fed on the remaining 12 colostrums did not manifest clinical signs of enteric disorders. The agglutinin spectrum against the E coli serotypes was similar between colostrum samples from the same stockfarm, but variable among the farms from which the colostrum had been collected. The agglutinin activity was sensitive to 2-mercaptoethanol and was found mainly in the macroglobulin fraction of gel filtration, indicating that the activity was due to antibodies of the immunoglobulin M type. This was evidenced directly by the agglutination test of purified immunoglobulins. Opsonic activity of colostrum and immunoglobulins purified therefrom was estimated by the rate of decrease in the number of viable E coli injected into mouse peritoneal cavity. The results indicated that the opsonic activity in colostrum was also attributed mainly to immunoglobulin M antibodies, although the contribution of immunoglobulin A and G antibodies was not ruled out. A part of the opsonic activity in colostrum seemed due to heat-labile component(s) as well.", "PMID": 779537} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5356", "title": "Immune responses of the bovine fetus and neonate to Escherichia coli: quantitation and qualitation of the humoral immune response.", "content": "The humoral immune responses of fetuses and neonates of Escherichia coli O:26:K60:NM were studied in 26 Angus-Hereford crossbred calves. Bacterin (5.0 X 10(10) organism) was injected in utero directly into the amniotic fluid of seventeen 7- to 8.5-month-old fetuses (principals). Saline solution was injected in the same manner into 9 control fetuses. Colostrum-deprived neonates were allotted to 10 groups and either were euthanatized at birth or were subjected to oral revaccination, challenge inoculation with the homologous organism, or both. The resistance to challenge exposure was a function of previous in utero injection of bacterin, age when challenged, and dose of challenge organisms used. Control calves were susceptible to only a large challenge dose, whereas almost all of the prinicipal calves were resistant. Revaccination of principal calves with bacterin at birth, exposure to the large challenge dose, or both, caused a marked increase in anti-O26 passive hemagglutination titers. Results of quantitative and qualitative radioimunossay indicated that the immune response to the O26 antigen was mainly of the immunoglobulin M (IgM) class, although there were also demonstrable changes in immunoglobulins (Ig) G1 and G2. The actively acquired immune responses were serotype specific, and there was no cross reactivity with 4 other E coli serotypes. An unidentified immunoprecipitate band was observed in immunoelectrophoretograms of whole bovine serum which may represent another class of Ig or which may be a subclass of IgG1 or IgG2.", "contents": "Immune responses of the bovine fetus and neonate to Escherichia coli: quantitation and qualitation of the humoral immune response. The humoral immune responses of fetuses and neonates of Escherichia coli O:26:K60:NM were studied in 26 Angus-Hereford crossbred calves. Bacterin (5.0 X 10(10) organism) was injected in utero directly into the amniotic fluid of seventeen 7- to 8.5-month-old fetuses (principals). Saline solution was injected in the same manner into 9 control fetuses. Colostrum-deprived neonates were allotted to 10 groups and either were euthanatized at birth or were subjected to oral revaccination, challenge inoculation with the homologous organism, or both. The resistance to challenge exposure was a function of previous in utero injection of bacterin, age when challenged, and dose of challenge organisms used. Control calves were susceptible to only a large challenge dose, whereas almost all of the prinicipal calves were resistant. Revaccination of principal calves with bacterin at birth, exposure to the large challenge dose, or both, caused a marked increase in anti-O26 passive hemagglutination titers. Results of quantitative and qualitative radioimunossay indicated that the immune response to the O26 antigen was mainly of the immunoglobulin M (IgM) class, although there were also demonstrable changes in immunoglobulins (Ig) G1 and G2. The actively acquired immune responses were serotype specific, and there was no cross reactivity with 4 other E coli serotypes. An unidentified immunoprecipitate band was observed in immunoelectrophoretograms of whole bovine serum which may represent another class of Ig or which may be a subclass of IgG1 or IgG2.", "PMID": 779538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5357", "title": "Influence of antibiotic-supplemented feed on occurrence and persistence of Salmonella typhimurium in experimentally infected swine.", "content": "The effect of chlortetracycline given at a concentration of 220.5 g/metric ton of feed and of a combination product which supplies chlortetracycline (110.2 g/metric ton), sulfamethazine (110.2 g/metric ton), and penicilin G (55.1 g/metric ton) on the occurrence and persistence of Salmonella typhimurium in experimentally infected swine was studied. Weanling pigs (av weight, 8.2 kg) were inoculated via the feed with 10(11) colony-forming units of S typhimurium 298-1NA. An equal number of nonexposed swine given identical treatment were used as controls. Infected pigs had increased temperatures (maximal av, 41 C) for the first 4 days after infection and severe diarrhea during the first 21 days. The use of chlortetracycline and a combination product at subtherapeutic concentrations in feed did not increase the Salmonella pool or prolong the carrier state in swine. A decrease in number of Salmonella shed from swine given chlortetracycline at the concentration of 220.5 g/metric ton was observed. Significant differences did not occur in Salmonella-related deaths or in emergence of multiple antibiotic-resistant Salmonella by antibiotic selection or R factor transfer. Zoonotic transmission of the infecting Salmonella to animal caretakers was not detected.", "contents": "Influence of antibiotic-supplemented feed on occurrence and persistence of Salmonella typhimurium in experimentally infected swine. The effect of chlortetracycline given at a concentration of 220.5 g/metric ton of feed and of a combination product which supplies chlortetracycline (110.2 g/metric ton), sulfamethazine (110.2 g/metric ton), and penicilin G (55.1 g/metric ton) on the occurrence and persistence of Salmonella typhimurium in experimentally infected swine was studied. Weanling pigs (av weight, 8.2 kg) were inoculated via the feed with 10(11) colony-forming units of S typhimurium 298-1NA. An equal number of nonexposed swine given identical treatment were used as controls. Infected pigs had increased temperatures (maximal av, 41 C) for the first 4 days after infection and severe diarrhea during the first 21 days. The use of chlortetracycline and a combination product at subtherapeutic concentrations in feed did not increase the Salmonella pool or prolong the carrier state in swine. A decrease in number of Salmonella shed from swine given chlortetracycline at the concentration of 220.5 g/metric ton was observed. Significant differences did not occur in Salmonella-related deaths or in emergence of multiple antibiotic-resistant Salmonella by antibiotic selection or R factor transfer. Zoonotic transmission of the infecting Salmonella to animal caretakers was not detected.", "PMID": 779539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5358", "title": "Cross reactivity between Anaplasma marginale and two Plasmodium species as demonstrated by passive hemagglutination.", "content": "Two types of antigens were prepared from each of 3 partially purified preparations of Anaplasma marginale, Plasmodium lophurae, and P berghei. Hemagglutination tests were conducted with homologous serums to detect antigenic relationships between these organisms. Serums were also absorbed with both homologous and heterologous antigen preparations. Cross reactivity between these organisms was observed.", "contents": "Cross reactivity between Anaplasma marginale and two Plasmodium species as demonstrated by passive hemagglutination. Two types of antigens were prepared from each of 3 partially purified preparations of Anaplasma marginale, Plasmodium lophurae, and P berghei. Hemagglutination tests were conducted with homologous serums to detect antigenic relationships between these organisms. Serums were also absorbed with both homologous and heterologous antigen preparations. Cross reactivity between these organisms was observed.", "PMID": 779540} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5359", "title": "Estimation of cardiac output in the horse by thermodilution techniques.", "content": "An evaluation and comparison of thermodilution technique with dye dilution technique was made in the computation of cardiac output in 39 conscious adult horses (av body wt, 450 kg). Estimation of cardiac output by thermodilution was found to compare favorably with values obtained from dye dilution when a volume of 30 to 40 ml at a temperature of 0 C was used. Difficulties in obtaining accurate thermodilution curves in the horse seem predominantly associated with errors in mixing and observation.", "contents": "Estimation of cardiac output in the horse by thermodilution techniques. An evaluation and comparison of thermodilution technique with dye dilution technique was made in the computation of cardiac output in 39 conscious adult horses (av body wt, 450 kg). Estimation of cardiac output by thermodilution was found to compare favorably with values obtained from dye dilution when a volume of 30 to 40 ml at a temperature of 0 C was used. Difficulties in obtaining accurate thermodilution curves in the horse seem predominantly associated with errors in mixing and observation.", "PMID": 779541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5360", "title": "Effect of bovine neutrophil maturity on phagocytosis.", "content": "The ability of immature circulating neutrophils to phagocytose foreign particles was determined. One quarter of each of 4 cows, which were free of mastitis and pathogens and had milk somatic cell counts of less than 1 X 10(6) cells/ml, was infused with endotoxin of Escherichia coli (0.5 mg in 3 ml of saline solution) to induce a milk leukocytosis and a shift to the left in circulating leukocytes. Milk samples were taken from the infused and one uninfused quarter before and after infusion. Blood samples were collected at 9 hours after infusion, at 2-hour intervals from 13 to 21 hours, and at 36 hours after infusion. Phagocytosis was determined by incubating whole blood with yeast cells and determining the precentage of neutrophils phagocytosing and the number of yeast cells per neutrophil. Milk somatic cells increased from an average of less than 1.0 X 10(6) cells/ml before infusion to 37.0 X 10(6) cells/ml at the next milking (postinfusion hour 11). Circulating immature neutrophils increased from 7.6% before infusion to 56.6% at postinfusion hour 21. The percentage of neutrophils phagocytosing was 99 to 100 throughout the study. Number of yeast cells per neutrophil (mean phagocytosis) decreased from 6.5 before infusion was done to 5.2 after infusion. However, there was no correlation between percentage of immature neutrophils and mean phagocytosis. The decrease in yeast cells per neutrophil was attributed to the decrease in concentration of neutrophils and yeast cells in the in vitro procedure (r = 0.50). Apparently the immature neutrophils that appear after depletion of the mature form are as phagocytic as the mature neutrophils.", "contents": "Effect of bovine neutrophil maturity on phagocytosis. The ability of immature circulating neutrophils to phagocytose foreign particles was determined. One quarter of each of 4 cows, which were free of mastitis and pathogens and had milk somatic cell counts of less than 1 X 10(6) cells/ml, was infused with endotoxin of Escherichia coli (0.5 mg in 3 ml of saline solution) to induce a milk leukocytosis and a shift to the left in circulating leukocytes. Milk samples were taken from the infused and one uninfused quarter before and after infusion. Blood samples were collected at 9 hours after infusion, at 2-hour intervals from 13 to 21 hours, and at 36 hours after infusion. Phagocytosis was determined by incubating whole blood with yeast cells and determining the precentage of neutrophils phagocytosing and the number of yeast cells per neutrophil. Milk somatic cells increased from an average of less than 1.0 X 10(6) cells/ml before infusion to 37.0 X 10(6) cells/ml at the next milking (postinfusion hour 11). Circulating immature neutrophils increased from 7.6% before infusion to 56.6% at postinfusion hour 21. The percentage of neutrophils phagocytosing was 99 to 100 throughout the study. Number of yeast cells per neutrophil (mean phagocytosis) decreased from 6.5 before infusion was done to 5.2 after infusion. However, there was no correlation between percentage of immature neutrophils and mean phagocytosis. The decrease in yeast cells per neutrophil was attributed to the decrease in concentration of neutrophils and yeast cells in the in vitro procedure (r = 0.50). Apparently the immature neutrophils that appear after depletion of the mature form are as phagocytic as the mature neutrophils.", "PMID": 779542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5361", "title": "Clinical evaluation of commercial reagent strips for detection of significant bacteriuria in dogs and cats.", "content": "The reagent strip technique of quantitative urine culture was a satisfactory screening test for the detection of significant bacteriuria in dogs and cats. The reagent strip technique was found to be of almost equal sensitivity as the calibrated loop technique in identifying significant bacteriuria. Significant bacteriuria was detected in 38 of 148 urine samples evaluated by the calibrated loop technique. Of these 38 urine samples, significant bacteriuria was detected in 35 by the commercial test. False-negative results were obtained with reagent strips in 1 urine sample which had significant bacteriuria by the calibrated loop technique. The other 2 samples had bacterial counts of suspicious significance (10,000/ml of urine) by the reagent strip technique. False-positive results were obtained with the reagent strip technique in 3 urine samples; however, all 3 urine samples had bacterial counts (10,000/ml of urine) of suspicious significance when evaluated by the calibrated loop technique. The reagent strip technique was not satisfactory for the examination of patients with gross hematuria. The nitrite test portion of the commercial test did not detect significant bacteriuria in all samples and, therefore, was not suitable as a screening test for significant bacteriuria in dogs and cats. The nitrite test may have been inhibited by ascorbic acid, a metabolite which normally may exist in the urine of these animals.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of commercial reagent strips for detection of significant bacteriuria in dogs and cats. The reagent strip technique of quantitative urine culture was a satisfactory screening test for the detection of significant bacteriuria in dogs and cats. The reagent strip technique was found to be of almost equal sensitivity as the calibrated loop technique in identifying significant bacteriuria. Significant bacteriuria was detected in 38 of 148 urine samples evaluated by the calibrated loop technique. Of these 38 urine samples, significant bacteriuria was detected in 35 by the commercial test. False-negative results were obtained with reagent strips in 1 urine sample which had significant bacteriuria by the calibrated loop technique. The other 2 samples had bacterial counts of suspicious significance (10,000/ml of urine) by the reagent strip technique. False-positive results were obtained with the reagent strip technique in 3 urine samples; however, all 3 urine samples had bacterial counts (10,000/ml of urine) of suspicious significance when evaluated by the calibrated loop technique. The reagent strip technique was not satisfactory for the examination of patients with gross hematuria. The nitrite test portion of the commercial test did not detect significant bacteriuria in all samples and, therefore, was not suitable as a screening test for significant bacteriuria in dogs and cats. The nitrite test may have been inhibited by ascorbic acid, a metabolite which normally may exist in the urine of these animals.", "PMID": 779543} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5362", "title": "Vaccination of cows with an Escherichia coli bacterin for the prevention of naturally occurring diarrheal disease in their calves.", "content": "A formalin-killed Escherichia coli bacterin composed of 6 enterotoxigenic strains of the organism prepared from calves with diarrheal disease with field tested for efficacy against naturally occurring diarrheal disease in young calves. The bacterin was tested in 23 privately owned beef herds in Montana involving 3,508 cows and their calves. About half the cows in each herd were given 2 subcutaneous vaccinations before calving and the other half (controls) were injected twice with a placebo. Almost all of the participating herds had a record of acute diarrheal disease. The number of calves from vaccinated dams that died of diarrheal disease was significantly less (P = 0.004) than the number of calves from control dams that died of diarrheal disease (60 vs 99 calves). There was no significant difference in the number of calves in the groups that developed mild diarrhea. There was marked interherd variation in vaccinal efficacy, possibly due in part to differences in the cause of diarrheal disease between herds. Colostral agglutinating antibody titers against formolized cells of each of the 6 vaccinal strains of E coli were markedly higher in vaccinated dams than in control dams. The agglutinating antibody titers were highest against enterotoxigenic E. coli strains 4 and 5 and lowest against strains 2 and 6. Presumably, colostral antibody passively transferred to the calf at the time of nursing was responsible for the protection observed.", "contents": "Vaccination of cows with an Escherichia coli bacterin for the prevention of naturally occurring diarrheal disease in their calves. A formalin-killed Escherichia coli bacterin composed of 6 enterotoxigenic strains of the organism prepared from calves with diarrheal disease with field tested for efficacy against naturally occurring diarrheal disease in young calves. The bacterin was tested in 23 privately owned beef herds in Montana involving 3,508 cows and their calves. About half the cows in each herd were given 2 subcutaneous vaccinations before calving and the other half (controls) were injected twice with a placebo. Almost all of the participating herds had a record of acute diarrheal disease. The number of calves from vaccinated dams that died of diarrheal disease was significantly less (P = 0.004) than the number of calves from control dams that died of diarrheal disease (60 vs 99 calves). There was no significant difference in the number of calves in the groups that developed mild diarrhea. There was marked interherd variation in vaccinal efficacy, possibly due in part to differences in the cause of diarrheal disease between herds. Colostral agglutinating antibody titers against formolized cells of each of the 6 vaccinal strains of E coli were markedly higher in vaccinated dams than in control dams. The agglutinating antibody titers were highest against enterotoxigenic E. coli strains 4 and 5 and lowest against strains 2 and 6. Presumably, colostral antibody passively transferred to the calf at the time of nursing was responsible for the protection observed.", "PMID": 779544} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5363", "title": "Cystine aminopeptidase (oxytocinase) activity in plasma and tissues of normal and infected pregnant cattle.", "content": "Cystine aminopeptidase (CAP) activity in tissues and in plasma from pregnant cows was measured at various stages of gestation by using the substrate S-benzyl-L-cysteine-4-nitroanilide. The CAP activity was as high or higher in hepatic and renal tissues as in cotyledonary tissue. Plasma CAP activity was low and did not change with length of gestation, nor did it change when placentation was disrupted by infection with Aspergillus fumigatus.", "contents": "Cystine aminopeptidase (oxytocinase) activity in plasma and tissues of normal and infected pregnant cattle. Cystine aminopeptidase (CAP) activity in tissues and in plasma from pregnant cows was measured at various stages of gestation by using the substrate S-benzyl-L-cysteine-4-nitroanilide. The CAP activity was as high or higher in hepatic and renal tissues as in cotyledonary tissue. Plasma CAP activity was low and did not change with length of gestation, nor did it change when placentation was disrupted by infection with Aspergillus fumigatus.", "PMID": 779545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5364", "title": "Long-term use of intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.", "content": "The long-term use of intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) to deliver bronchodilator was compared to delivery by air compressor in 88 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were in the home care program. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of number of hospital admissions, days spent in hospital, or mortality. The deterioration in ventilatory function was the same in both groups, althouth the patients receiving IPPB appeared to have developed greater hyperinflation. The data suggest that there is little evidence to support the long-term use of IPPB in the therapy of most patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.", "contents": "Long-term use of intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The long-term use of intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) to deliver bronchodilator was compared to delivery by air compressor in 88 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were in the home care program. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of number of hospital admissions, days spent in hospital, or mortality. The deterioration in ventilatory function was the same in both groups, althouth the patients receiving IPPB appeared to have developed greater hyperinflation. The data suggest that there is little evidence to support the long-term use of IPPB in the therapy of most patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.", "PMID": 779547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5365", "title": "Indicator dilution lung water and capillary blood volume in prolonged heavy exercise in normal men.", "content": "The indicator dilution quantity of extravascular water in the lung (idQwl) increases in exercise, but whether it is a real accumulation of fluid or is due to increased distribution of blood flow to previously unperfused regions of alveolar walls is unsettled. In 9 well-trained young men, we compared idQwl and the pulmonary capillary blood volume, as measured by the carbon monoxide diffusing capacity procedure, at rest and after 10 and about 50 min of heavy work (150 watts) on a bicycle ergometer. From rest to 10-min exercise, we observed the following changes. Heart rate 72 +/- 15 beats per min (mean +/- SD) to 151 +/- 23; cardiac output 6.0 +/- 1 liter per min to 17.7 +/- 4.1; carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, 46 +/- 10 ml per min per Hg to 65 \"/- 11. These all remained constant between 10- and 50-min exercise. The idQwl increased from 178 +/- 37 ml at rest to 219 +/- 46 ml at 10 min and 233 +/- 43 ml at 50 min, and pulmonary capillary blood volume increased from 140 +/- 52 ml at rest to 220 +/- 106 and 206 +/- 98 at 10 and 50 min of exercise, respectively. All of the changes from rest to early exercise were significant (P less than 0.05) by paired t test. There were no significant changes between early and late exercise. We concluded that the early exercise increase in idQwl was due to redistribution of blood flow among and within alveolar walls. The absence of any increase in idQwl between early and late exercise is evidence against accumulation of lung fluid.", "contents": "Indicator dilution lung water and capillary blood volume in prolonged heavy exercise in normal men. The indicator dilution quantity of extravascular water in the lung (idQwl) increases in exercise, but whether it is a real accumulation of fluid or is due to increased distribution of blood flow to previously unperfused regions of alveolar walls is unsettled. In 9 well-trained young men, we compared idQwl and the pulmonary capillary blood volume, as measured by the carbon monoxide diffusing capacity procedure, at rest and after 10 and about 50 min of heavy work (150 watts) on a bicycle ergometer. From rest to 10-min exercise, we observed the following changes. Heart rate 72 +/- 15 beats per min (mean +/- SD) to 151 +/- 23; cardiac output 6.0 +/- 1 liter per min to 17.7 +/- 4.1; carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, 46 +/- 10 ml per min per Hg to 65 \"/- 11. These all remained constant between 10- and 50-min exercise. The idQwl increased from 178 +/- 37 ml at rest to 219 +/- 46 ml at 10 min and 233 +/- 43 ml at 50 min, and pulmonary capillary blood volume increased from 140 +/- 52 ml at rest to 220 +/- 106 and 206 +/- 98 at 10 and 50 min of exercise, respectively. All of the changes from rest to early exercise were significant (P less than 0.05) by paired t test. There were no significant changes between early and late exercise. We concluded that the early exercise increase in idQwl was due to redistribution of blood flow among and within alveolar walls. The absence of any increase in idQwl between early and late exercise is evidence against accumulation of lung fluid.", "PMID": 779548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5366", "title": "Influence of bronchomotor tone on ventilation distribution and airway closure in asymptomatic asthma.", "content": "Simultaneous washouts of nitrogen (N2) and helium (He) boluses were performed in 9 seated symptom-free asthmatic patients. Recent work has indicated a correlation between the height of Phase IV (deltaIV) of a vital capacity washout and the end-inspiratory vertical concentration gradient of the gas in the lung. The deltaIV for both He and N2 washouts increased by a factor of 2 and 1.25, respectively, after isoproterenol inhalation. In addition, the amplitude of the cardiogenic oscillations increased from a mean of 0.32 per cent to 0.51 per cent for N2 and from 0.030 per cent to 0.051 per cent for He. Closing volume measured by the He bolus method was higher than that by the N2 method in 8 of 9 subjects, by 3.7 +/- 0.7 per cent vital capacity (mean +/- 1 SE, P less than 0.001). Similarly, He closing capacity was greater than N2 closing capacity in the same 8 subjects by 2.6 +/- 1.3 per cent total lung capacity (P less than 0.001). Despite a decrease in closing volume in 8 subjects, and in closing capacity in all 9 subjects after isoproterenol, the differences between the results obtained by the 2 methods remained unchanged. The slope of Phase III in both N2 and He washouts was influenced in an inconstant fashion, probably reflecting differing contributions from topographic and intraregional inhomogeneities of ventilation in these subjects. The results suggest that in patients with asymptomatic asthma the vertical gradient of regional residual volume as well as the pattern of airway closure is more uniformly distributed between apex and base of the lung. Furthermore, the slope of Phase III in either N2 or He bolus washouts may not reflect the degree of bronchoconstriction.", "contents": "Influence of bronchomotor tone on ventilation distribution and airway closure in asymptomatic asthma. Simultaneous washouts of nitrogen (N2) and helium (He) boluses were performed in 9 seated symptom-free asthmatic patients. Recent work has indicated a correlation between the height of Phase IV (deltaIV) of a vital capacity washout and the end-inspiratory vertical concentration gradient of the gas in the lung. The deltaIV for both He and N2 washouts increased by a factor of 2 and 1.25, respectively, after isoproterenol inhalation. In addition, the amplitude of the cardiogenic oscillations increased from a mean of 0.32 per cent to 0.51 per cent for N2 and from 0.030 per cent to 0.051 per cent for He. Closing volume measured by the He bolus method was higher than that by the N2 method in 8 of 9 subjects, by 3.7 +/- 0.7 per cent vital capacity (mean +/- 1 SE, P less than 0.001). Similarly, He closing capacity was greater than N2 closing capacity in the same 8 subjects by 2.6 +/- 1.3 per cent total lung capacity (P less than 0.001). Despite a decrease in closing volume in 8 subjects, and in closing capacity in all 9 subjects after isoproterenol, the differences between the results obtained by the 2 methods remained unchanged. The slope of Phase III in both N2 and He washouts was influenced in an inconstant fashion, probably reflecting differing contributions from topographic and intraregional inhomogeneities of ventilation in these subjects. The results suggest that in patients with asymptomatic asthma the vertical gradient of regional residual volume as well as the pattern of airway closure is more uniformly distributed between apex and base of the lung. Furthermore, the slope of Phase III in either N2 or He bolus washouts may not reflect the degree of bronchoconstriction.", "PMID": 779551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5367", "title": "Concentration and purification of mycobacteriophages with polyethylene glycol 6000.", "content": "Experiments were performed to concentrate and purify mycobacteriophages with polyethylene glycol 6000; 6, 9, and 8 per cent polyethylene glycol 6,000 proved to be optimal concentrations for precipitating phages of Mycobacterium phlei, Mycobacterium smegmatis strain butyricum, and mycobacterium smegmatis strain Rabinowitz, respectively. Preparative polyethylene glycol reverse gradients were constructed for further concentration and purification of the precipitated phages. With the method described, large amounts of crude phage lysates can be concentrated and purified rapidly.", "contents": "Concentration and purification of mycobacteriophages with polyethylene glycol 6000. Experiments were performed to concentrate and purify mycobacteriophages with polyethylene glycol 6000; 6, 9, and 8 per cent polyethylene glycol 6,000 proved to be optimal concentrations for precipitating phages of Mycobacterium phlei, Mycobacterium smegmatis strain butyricum, and mycobacterium smegmatis strain Rabinowitz, respectively. Preparative polyethylene glycol reverse gradients were constructed for further concentration and purification of the precipitated phages. With the method described, large amounts of crude phage lysates can be concentrated and purified rapidly.", "PMID": 779553} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5368", "title": "Inhibition of exercise-induced bronchospasm by atropine.", "content": "The ability of atropine to inhibit exercise-induced bronchospasm was evaluated in 18 children with chronic, perennial asthma. In 17 of 18 patients, exercise-induced bronchospasm was blocked by prior inhalation of 0.1 mg per kg of atropine sulfate, administered in a randomized single blind fashion. In 14 of these 17 patients, significant bronchodilatation occured after the combination of atropine and exercise. Placebo failed to inhibit exercise-induced bronchospasm in any patient. These results suggest that the parasympathetic nervous system has a role in the mediation of exercise-induced bronchospasm in children.", "contents": "Inhibition of exercise-induced bronchospasm by atropine. The ability of atropine to inhibit exercise-induced bronchospasm was evaluated in 18 children with chronic, perennial asthma. In 17 of 18 patients, exercise-induced bronchospasm was blocked by prior inhalation of 0.1 mg per kg of atropine sulfate, administered in a randomized single blind fashion. In 14 of these 17 patients, significant bronchodilatation occured after the combination of atropine and exercise. Placebo failed to inhibit exercise-induced bronchospasm in any patient. These results suggest that the parasympathetic nervous system has a role in the mediation of exercise-induced bronchospasm in children.", "PMID": 779554} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5369", "title": "A surgical approach to bilateral hypernephroma using \"benchwork\" excision and autotransplantation.", "content": "A case of bilateral hypernephroma treated by right heminephrectomy in situ and \"benchwork\" excision of two tumors from the left kidney followed by autotransplantation is presented. Follow-up examination has demonstrated good renal function with no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis. This case illustrates the feasibility of benchwork operation and its application to renal tumors, particularly when these tumors are bilateral and preservation of renal tissue is imperative. Long-term follow-up of patients managed by this technique is mandatory.", "contents": "A surgical approach to bilateral hypernephroma using \"benchwork\" excision and autotransplantation. A case of bilateral hypernephroma treated by right heminephrectomy in situ and \"benchwork\" excision of two tumors from the left kidney followed by autotransplantation is presented. Follow-up examination has demonstrated good renal function with no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis. This case illustrates the feasibility of benchwork operation and its application to renal tumors, particularly when these tumors are bilateral and preservation of renal tissue is imperative. Long-term follow-up of patients managed by this technique is mandatory.", "PMID": 779557} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5370", "title": "Effect of ethanol on angina pectoris.", "content": "We evaluated the effect of ethanol on exercise performance until angina in 12 patients in a double-blind, randomized study. The mean resting heart rate times systolic blood pressure was not changed after Fresca but was increased after 2 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.001) and after 5 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.01). Compared to the control periods, the mean exercise time until angina was not different after Fresca but was decreased after 2 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.001) and after 5 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.001). Compared to the control periods, the mean maximal ischemic ST-segment depression after angina was not changed after Fresca but was increased after 2 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.01) and after 5 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.001). Drinking 5 ounces or 2 ounces of ethanol decreases exercise duration until angina and increases ischemic ST-segment depression after angina.", "contents": "Effect of ethanol on angina pectoris. We evaluated the effect of ethanol on exercise performance until angina in 12 patients in a double-blind, randomized study. The mean resting heart rate times systolic blood pressure was not changed after Fresca but was increased after 2 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.001) and after 5 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.01). Compared to the control periods, the mean exercise time until angina was not different after Fresca but was decreased after 2 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.001) and after 5 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.001). Compared to the control periods, the mean maximal ischemic ST-segment depression after angina was not changed after Fresca but was increased after 2 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.01) and after 5 ounces of ethanol (P less than 0.001). Drinking 5 ounces or 2 ounces of ethanol decreases exercise duration until angina and increases ischemic ST-segment depression after angina.", "PMID": 779561} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5371", "title": "Inhibition of stimulated gastric secretion by an orally administered prostaglandin capsule. A study in normal men.", "content": "The effect of ingestion of a gelatin capsule containing 127 mug of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (DM-prostaglandin E2) or a liquid containing 127 mug of DM-prostaglandin E2 on stimulated gastric secretion in man was studied. DM-prostaglandin E2 significantly reduced the volume, acid concentration, and total acid output of gastric secretion. Secretory inhibition during the 3 h after treatment with the capsule was 37% (volume), 39% (acid concentration), and 60% (acid output). The DM-prostaglandin E2 capsule was nearly as effective as equivalent amount of DM-prostaglandin E2 in solution. Prostaglandin analogues, because of their oral effectiveness and duration of action, may have therapeutic value in peptic ulcer disease.", "contents": "Inhibition of stimulated gastric secretion by an orally administered prostaglandin capsule. A study in normal men. The effect of ingestion of a gelatin capsule containing 127 mug of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (DM-prostaglandin E2) or a liquid containing 127 mug of DM-prostaglandin E2 on stimulated gastric secretion in man was studied. DM-prostaglandin E2 significantly reduced the volume, acid concentration, and total acid output of gastric secretion. Secretory inhibition during the 3 h after treatment with the capsule was 37% (volume), 39% (acid concentration), and 60% (acid output). The DM-prostaglandin E2 capsule was nearly as effective as equivalent amount of DM-prostaglandin E2 in solution. Prostaglandin analogues, because of their oral effectiveness and duration of action, may have therapeutic value in peptic ulcer disease.", "PMID": 779562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5372", "title": "[Intermittent mandatory ventilation (author's transl)].", "content": "Intermittent mechanical ventilation is a frequent form of therapy for respiratory failure in children. Due to its difficult application in patients with high respiratory rate and difficult synchronization with the respirator, intermittent mandatory ventilation (I.M.V.) was tried on these patients, introducing a unidirectional valve, connected to a continuous flow of gases, on the inspiratory side of the respirator. With I.M.V. the patient is able to breath spontaneously the gases coming from the unidirectional valve and at the same time the respirator provides periodical insuflations at a frequency previously determined by us. The pressure generated by the respirator in the respiratory circuit, closes the unidirectional valve sending gases to patient. This technique not only reduced time of application of mechanical ventilation but made weaning shorter, easier and safer.", "contents": "[Intermittent mandatory ventilation (author's transl)]. Intermittent mechanical ventilation is a frequent form of therapy for respiratory failure in children. Due to its difficult application in patients with high respiratory rate and difficult synchronization with the respirator, intermittent mandatory ventilation (I.M.V.) was tried on these patients, introducing a unidirectional valve, connected to a continuous flow of gases, on the inspiratory side of the respirator. With I.M.V. the patient is able to breath spontaneously the gases coming from the unidirectional valve and at the same time the respirator provides periodical insuflations at a frequency previously determined by us. The pressure generated by the respirator in the respiratory circuit, closes the unidirectional valve sending gases to patient. This technique not only reduced time of application of mechanical ventilation but made weaning shorter, easier and safer.", "PMID": 779559} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5373", "title": "Paroxysmal nocturanal hemoglobinuria and marrow failure treated by infusion of marrow from an identical twin.", "content": "An 18-year-old white Canadian male patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and refractory marrow failure received a marrow infusion from his normal identical twin brother without prior ablation of the patient's marrow by drugs or irradiation. After 2 years of follow-up, the patient is well with no evidence of clinical disease or significant hematological abnormality. The results suggest that normal marrow stem cells can have a selective advantage over the abnormal paroxysmall nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone.", "contents": "Paroxysmal nocturanal hemoglobinuria and marrow failure treated by infusion of marrow from an identical twin. An 18-year-old white Canadian male patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and refractory marrow failure received a marrow infusion from his normal identical twin brother without prior ablation of the patient's marrow by drugs or irradiation. After 2 years of follow-up, the patient is well with no evidence of clinical disease or significant hematological abnormality. The results suggest that normal marrow stem cells can have a selective advantage over the abnormal paroxysmall nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone.", "PMID": 779563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5374", "title": "[Massive pulmonary hemorrhage successfully treated with mechanical respiration and CPAP (author's transl)].", "content": "A newborn baby with massive pulmonary hemorrhage at two and a half hours of life is reported. She was successfully treated with mechanical respiration and continuous positive airway pressure. The pathogenetic mechanisms and mode of action of the applied treatment is discussed.", "contents": "[Massive pulmonary hemorrhage successfully treated with mechanical respiration and CPAP (author's transl)]. A newborn baby with massive pulmonary hemorrhage at two and a half hours of life is reported. She was successfully treated with mechanical respiration and continuous positive airway pressure. The pathogenetic mechanisms and mode of action of the applied treatment is discussed.", "PMID": 779560} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5375", "title": "Infections after cardiac transplantation: relation to rejection therapy.", "content": "We have analyzed the relation of the treatment of 76 acute graft rejection episodes in 45 late postoperative cardiac transplant patients to the 56 infections occurring in these patients. Intensification of immunosuppressive therapy for acute rejection greatly increased the occurrence of infection from a control incidence of 1.3 infections per 1000 patient-days to a posttreatment incidence of 3.6. Two modes of treatment, increased oral prednisone and high-dose methylprednisolone plus antithymocyte globulin, were further analyzed. Actuarial analysis of infections after these two treatment modes showed that the treatment-related increase in infection was nearly exclusively due to the latter form of therapy. Invasive cardiac procedures did not appear to be causally related to infections in these immunocompromised patients.", "contents": "Infections after cardiac transplantation: relation to rejection therapy. We have analyzed the relation of the treatment of 76 acute graft rejection episodes in 45 late postoperative cardiac transplant patients to the 56 infections occurring in these patients. Intensification of immunosuppressive therapy for acute rejection greatly increased the occurrence of infection from a control incidence of 1.3 infections per 1000 patient-days to a posttreatment incidence of 3.6. Two modes of treatment, increased oral prednisone and high-dose methylprednisolone plus antithymocyte globulin, were further analyzed. Actuarial analysis of infections after these two treatment modes showed that the treatment-related increase in infection was nearly exclusively due to the latter form of therapy. Invasive cardiac procedures did not appear to be causally related to infections in these immunocompromised patients.", "PMID": 779572} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5376", "title": "The management of hyperlipidemia: whether, rather than how.", "content": "The premise that measures used to lower the plasma lipids in patients with hyperlipidemia will lead to reductions in new events of coronary heart disease (the Lipid Hypothesis) should be reconsidered today as a result of several recent reports of large-scale double-blind drug trials in the United Kingdom and in the United States. To that end, the published evidence that bears on tests of the hypothesis by dietary and drug interventions is reviewed, and the conclusion reached that the hypothesis has not yet been adequately tested. A phased program is described that will prepare the ground for a fuller and more definitive trial of the premise in the future: the first steps must be to establish that a combined diet/drug regimen in large numbers of adult male hyperlipidemic patients is acceptable and essentially harmless and that during an observation period of several years a high rate of adherence to the regimen can be attained. Any advice to the general public to make large dietary changes now is considered premature.", "contents": "The management of hyperlipidemia: whether, rather than how. The premise that measures used to lower the plasma lipids in patients with hyperlipidemia will lead to reductions in new events of coronary heart disease (the Lipid Hypothesis) should be reconsidered today as a result of several recent reports of large-scale double-blind drug trials in the United Kingdom and in the United States. To that end, the published evidence that bears on tests of the hypothesis by dietary and drug interventions is reviewed, and the conclusion reached that the hypothesis has not yet been adequately tested. A phased program is described that will prepare the ground for a fuller and more definitive trial of the premise in the future: the first steps must be to establish that a combined diet/drug regimen in large numbers of adult male hyperlipidemic patients is acceptable and essentially harmless and that during an observation period of several years a high rate of adherence to the regimen can be attained. Any advice to the general public to make large dietary changes now is considered premature.", "PMID": 779574} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5377", "title": "[Emergency coronary surgery (indications and immediate results)].", "content": "Emergency surgery acute coronary insufficiency is now possible with good chances of success. The surgical risk should always be compared with the risk of purely medical treatment. In impending myocardial infarction, it seems that surgery improves the immediate prognosis. In uncomplicated infarction, the results obtained at present are too small in number and are not conclusive. In complicated infarction, the risk of conservative medical treatment is too great and thus justifies the indication for surgery. The conditions of surgery have been greatly improved by mechanical cardiac assist (intra-aortic balloon pumping). The latter permit coronary arteriography to be carried out safely and the patient is operated under the best possible conditions.", "contents": "[Emergency coronary surgery (indications and immediate results)]. Emergency surgery acute coronary insufficiency is now possible with good chances of success. The surgical risk should always be compared with the risk of purely medical treatment. In impending myocardial infarction, it seems that surgery improves the immediate prognosis. In uncomplicated infarction, the results obtained at present are too small in number and are not conclusive. In complicated infarction, the risk of conservative medical treatment is too great and thus justifies the indication for surgery. The conditions of surgery have been greatly improved by mechanical cardiac assist (intra-aortic balloon pumping). The latter permit coronary arteriography to be carried out safely and the patient is operated under the best possible conditions.", "PMID": 779579} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5378", "title": "The use of clonidine and practolol in the treatment of hypertension.", "content": "The antihypertensive effects of clonidine hydrochloride and practolol were compared in 42 men, aged 45 years, who had not received any antihypertensive therapy before, except one patient. The diastolic blood pressures were at least 110 mmHg on two successive visits to the health centre before their selection to the trial. One half of them were classified into the WHO group 1 and the other half into group 2. There was no statistical difference in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures between clonidine and practolol group at the end of placebo period. The study started with a three-week placebo period. Thereafter, 20 patients were given clonidine 0.225 mg and twenty-two practolol 200 mg daily. The next control was carried out after three weeks. The dosage was kept unchanged or increased according to the antihypertensive response. After three weeks, clonidine and practolol dosages were checked again, and 25 mg of chlorothiazide were added to the treatment in 15 clonidine cases and in 18 practolol cases. After the next three-week period, the same regimen was continued on most patients for 6-9 weeks. The daily dosage of clonidine varied from 0.225 to 0.900 (mean 0.394) mg and that of practolol from 200 to 600 (mean 382) mg. Both regimens resulted, when individually adjusted, in a mean systolic blood pressure level of less than 150 mmHg and diastolic pressures less than or equal to 100 mmHg. Hydrochlorothiazide potentiated the blood pressure effect almost equally in both regimens. The blood pressure reduction was statistically significant (p less than 0.05) both in the clonidine and practolol group. There was no significant difference of the mean blood pressures after the active drug therapy between these two groups. A moderate reduction of pulse rate was observed in both main groups, but it was not related to the antihypertensive efficacy. Side-effects were mild. Dryness of the mouth and sedation were more common in patients receiving clonidine. No oculocutaneous or other \"immunological\" manifestation were seen during the 15-18 weeks' practolol therapy.", "contents": "The use of clonidine and practolol in the treatment of hypertension. The antihypertensive effects of clonidine hydrochloride and practolol were compared in 42 men, aged 45 years, who had not received any antihypertensive therapy before, except one patient. The diastolic blood pressures were at least 110 mmHg on two successive visits to the health centre before their selection to the trial. One half of them were classified into the WHO group 1 and the other half into group 2. There was no statistical difference in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures between clonidine and practolol group at the end of placebo period. The study started with a three-week placebo period. Thereafter, 20 patients were given clonidine 0.225 mg and twenty-two practolol 200 mg daily. The next control was carried out after three weeks. The dosage was kept unchanged or increased according to the antihypertensive response. After three weeks, clonidine and practolol dosages were checked again, and 25 mg of chlorothiazide were added to the treatment in 15 clonidine cases and in 18 practolol cases. After the next three-week period, the same regimen was continued on most patients for 6-9 weeks. The daily dosage of clonidine varied from 0.225 to 0.900 (mean 0.394) mg and that of practolol from 200 to 600 (mean 382) mg. Both regimens resulted, when individually adjusted, in a mean systolic blood pressure level of less than 150 mmHg and diastolic pressures less than or equal to 100 mmHg. Hydrochlorothiazide potentiated the blood pressure effect almost equally in both regimens. The blood pressure reduction was statistically significant (p less than 0.05) both in the clonidine and practolol group. There was no significant difference of the mean blood pressures after the active drug therapy between these two groups. A moderate reduction of pulse rate was observed in both main groups, but it was not related to the antihypertensive efficacy. Side-effects were mild. Dryness of the mouth and sedation were more common in patients receiving clonidine. No oculocutaneous or other \"immunological\" manifestation were seen during the 15-18 weeks' practolol therapy.", "PMID": 779587} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5379", "title": "A comparison of debrisoquine and methyldopa in hypertension.", "content": "Debrisoquine, an antihypertensive agent, was compared with methyldopa in a double-blind trial in the treatment of hypertension in 20 patients. The cross-over method was used to treat each patient with first one and then the other drug for two periods of six weeks each. Two placebo periods of two weeks each were also included, one before the trial, and the other between the two therapy periods. The maximum daily dose was 3 X 10 mg debrisoquine compared with 3 X 250 mg methyldopa. Hydrochlorothiazide, 50 mg daily, was added in all cases for the entire trial. Both preparations lowered blood pressure statistically significantly (p less than 0.005). Tablet for tablet, debrisoquine had a slightly more pronounced effect than methyldopa, but the difference was not statistically significant. Both drugs were well tolerated and in no case had treatment to be interrupted because of side effects. Debrisoquine produced less sedation and dizziness than methyldopa. The conclusion was that both drugs were equally effective in the doses studied and well tolerated and that debrisoquine is of value in the treatment of moderate hypertension.", "contents": "A comparison of debrisoquine and methyldopa in hypertension. Debrisoquine, an antihypertensive agent, was compared with methyldopa in a double-blind trial in the treatment of hypertension in 20 patients. The cross-over method was used to treat each patient with first one and then the other drug for two periods of six weeks each. Two placebo periods of two weeks each were also included, one before the trial, and the other between the two therapy periods. The maximum daily dose was 3 X 10 mg debrisoquine compared with 3 X 250 mg methyldopa. Hydrochlorothiazide, 50 mg daily, was added in all cases for the entire trial. Both preparations lowered blood pressure statistically significantly (p less than 0.005). Tablet for tablet, debrisoquine had a slightly more pronounced effect than methyldopa, but the difference was not statistically significant. Both drugs were well tolerated and in no case had treatment to be interrupted because of side effects. Debrisoquine produced less sedation and dizziness than methyldopa. The conclusion was that both drugs were equally effective in the doses studied and well tolerated and that debrisoquine is of value in the treatment of moderate hypertension.", "PMID": 779588} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5380", "title": "Prevalence of cholelithiasis in men and women ingesting a serum-cholesterol-lowering diet.", "content": "This study was carried out to ascertain whether, as has been suggested, the ingestion of a serum-cholesterol-lowering diet would be conducive to cholelithiasis. The prevalence of gallstones was studied in autopsied male and female patients of two mental hospitals in connection with a long-term controlled trial on prevention of coronary heart disease by means of a diet with a high polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio. The prevalence of gallstones was in men: 20/89 (equals 22.5%) on cholesterol-lowering diet and 11/44 (equals 25%) on normal diet; and in women: 151/262 (equals 42%) on cholesterol-lowering diet and 29/62 (equals 47%) on normal diet. It was concluded that in our trial the cholesterol-lowering diet was not lithogenic.", "contents": "Prevalence of cholelithiasis in men and women ingesting a serum-cholesterol-lowering diet. This study was carried out to ascertain whether, as has been suggested, the ingestion of a serum-cholesterol-lowering diet would be conducive to cholelithiasis. The prevalence of gallstones was studied in autopsied male and female patients of two mental hospitals in connection with a long-term controlled trial on prevention of coronary heart disease by means of a diet with a high polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio. The prevalence of gallstones was in men: 20/89 (equals 22.5%) on cholesterol-lowering diet and 11/44 (equals 25%) on normal diet; and in women: 151/262 (equals 42%) on cholesterol-lowering diet and 29/62 (equals 47%) on normal diet. It was concluded that in our trial the cholesterol-lowering diet was not lithogenic.", "PMID": 779589} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5381", "title": "Twice-daily pindolol and alprenolol in essential hypertension of moderate severity.", "content": "A double-blind cross-over comparison of the antihypertensive actions of alprenolol and pindolol in equipotent doses was carried out in 22 patients with moderately severe essential hypertension. No other drugs were allowed. Ten patients were in WHO grade I, and 12 in grade II. The average initial pressures, similar after both the first and second 4-week placebo periods, were 175/116 mm Hg standing and 175/109 mm Hg supine. These pressures were decreased significantly by each beta-blocking drug, and about equally in both positions. An average reduction, using both 2-month treatment periods, was -13/-7 mm Hg with alprenolol, and with pindolol it was -23/-13 mm Hg. Both systolic and diastolic normotension (less than 160/100) in the supine position occurred in 45% of the patients when treated with alprenolol and in 64% with pindolol. With diastolic normotension alone the figures were 59% and 82% respectively. Rather low daily doses of 400 mg alprenolol and 20 mg pindolol were effective; increasing the doses to the average final levels of 533 mg alprenolol and 25 mg pindolol resulted in just negligible further pressure reductions. There were no serious side effects or complete resistance. Pindolol reduced the resting heart rate significantly in spite of its intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. Two aspects emerging from this study have clear practical implications. The twice-daily dosage, used here purposefully, of both alprenolol and of pindolol reduces effectively blood pressure, and increases patient convenience. Heat failure was not induced even in those 12 patients with cardiac involvement, including 5 with clear-cut radiological left ventricular enlargement.", "contents": "Twice-daily pindolol and alprenolol in essential hypertension of moderate severity. A double-blind cross-over comparison of the antihypertensive actions of alprenolol and pindolol in equipotent doses was carried out in 22 patients with moderately severe essential hypertension. No other drugs were allowed. Ten patients were in WHO grade I, and 12 in grade II. The average initial pressures, similar after both the first and second 4-week placebo periods, were 175/116 mm Hg standing and 175/109 mm Hg supine. These pressures were decreased significantly by each beta-blocking drug, and about equally in both positions. An average reduction, using both 2-month treatment periods, was -13/-7 mm Hg with alprenolol, and with pindolol it was -23/-13 mm Hg. Both systolic and diastolic normotension (less than 160/100) in the supine position occurred in 45% of the patients when treated with alprenolol and in 64% with pindolol. With diastolic normotension alone the figures were 59% and 82% respectively. Rather low daily doses of 400 mg alprenolol and 20 mg pindolol were effective; increasing the doses to the average final levels of 533 mg alprenolol and 25 mg pindolol resulted in just negligible further pressure reductions. There were no serious side effects or complete resistance. Pindolol reduced the resting heart rate significantly in spite of its intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. Two aspects emerging from this study have clear practical implications. The twice-daily dosage, used here purposefully, of both alprenolol and of pindolol reduces effectively blood pressure, and increases patient convenience. Heat failure was not induced even in those 12 patients with cardiac involvement, including 5 with clear-cut radiological left ventricular enlargement.", "PMID": 779590} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5382", "title": "Fate of antibodies bound to lymphocyte surface. I.--Study with complement-dependent cytotoxicity, indirect immunofluorescence and radiolabelled antibodies.", "content": "Anti-HL-A alloantiserum, heterologous antilymphocyte globulins and anti-beta2m antisera were allowed to react to human lymphocytes in vitro. The fate of the antigen-antibody complexes formed at the cell surface has been studied by means of the lymphocytoxicity test in the presence of rabbit complement, radiolabelled antibodies and the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Those techniques demonstrated that initially bound antibodies disappear from the cell surface. This disappearance requires optimal conditions; it does not result from a mere dissociation of antibodies but likely represents partial degradation, internalization and release of antigen-antibody complexes into the extracellular medium. This phenomenon can be regarded as a reflection of the dynamic state of the cell membrane, although it differs from the redistribution of antigen-antibody complexes on the lymphocyte surface (patching and capping). Possible implications of such events are discussed in relation to triggering or blocking of lymphocyte proliferation.", "contents": "Fate of antibodies bound to lymphocyte surface. I.--Study with complement-dependent cytotoxicity, indirect immunofluorescence and radiolabelled antibodies. Anti-HL-A alloantiserum, heterologous antilymphocyte globulins and anti-beta2m antisera were allowed to react to human lymphocytes in vitro. The fate of the antigen-antibody complexes formed at the cell surface has been studied by means of the lymphocytoxicity test in the presence of rabbit complement, radiolabelled antibodies and the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Those techniques demonstrated that initially bound antibodies disappear from the cell surface. This disappearance requires optimal conditions; it does not result from a mere dissociation of antibodies but likely represents partial degradation, internalization and release of antigen-antibody complexes into the extracellular medium. This phenomenon can be regarded as a reflection of the dynamic state of the cell membrane, although it differs from the redistribution of antigen-antibody complexes on the lymphocyte surface (patching and capping). Possible implications of such events are discussed in relation to triggering or blocking of lymphocyte proliferation.", "PMID": 779591} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5383", "title": "Mitral valve prolapse.", "content": "Mitral valve prolapse is a condition that is being recognized with increased frequency. It is not known whether its incidence is increasing, or whether we are better able to diagnose it today. In the idiopathic or familial variety, the mitral valve pathology is almost always that of myxomatous degeneration. Some authors have suggested the presence of a cardiomyopathy because of significant left ventricular dysfunction in many cases. Idiopathic prolapse occurs predominantly in females, often at a young age, and may be associated with chest pain, dyspnea, fatigue, presyncope, syncope, and/or sudden death. The clinical findings are variable and typically consist of a nonejection click and/or late systolic murmur, heard best at the cardiac apex. Diagnosis can be confirmed by echocardiography and/or ventricular cineangiography, the latter permitting accurate recognition of the anatomy of the prolapsed leaflets. The complications of infective endocarditis, severe mitral insufficiency, and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias represent the major problems of management. It is important to distinguish the idiopathic form of mitral valve prolapse from that due to coronary artery disease and to realize that mitral valve prolapse may occur in Marfan's syndrome, Turner's syndrome, or in association with secundum atrial septal defect or ruptured chordae tendineae. Typical clicks and/or murmurs have also been described in patients with a history of rheumatic fever and in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Although much descriptive knowledge has accumulated over the past 15 years, many unanswered questions remain regarding the idiopathic type of prolapse. What is the nature and cause(s) of myxomatous degeneration? What is the relation of the valve pathology to the left ventricular dysfunction? What is the relation of both of these factors to disabling chest pain, electrocardiographic changes, and life-threatening arrhythmias? Hopefully, answers to these and other important questions regarding mitral valve prolapse will be forthcoming.", "contents": "Mitral valve prolapse. Mitral valve prolapse is a condition that is being recognized with increased frequency. It is not known whether its incidence is increasing, or whether we are better able to diagnose it today. In the idiopathic or familial variety, the mitral valve pathology is almost always that of myxomatous degeneration. Some authors have suggested the presence of a cardiomyopathy because of significant left ventricular dysfunction in many cases. Idiopathic prolapse occurs predominantly in females, often at a young age, and may be associated with chest pain, dyspnea, fatigue, presyncope, syncope, and/or sudden death. The clinical findings are variable and typically consist of a nonejection click and/or late systolic murmur, heard best at the cardiac apex. Diagnosis can be confirmed by echocardiography and/or ventricular cineangiography, the latter permitting accurate recognition of the anatomy of the prolapsed leaflets. The complications of infective endocarditis, severe mitral insufficiency, and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias represent the major problems of management. It is important to distinguish the idiopathic form of mitral valve prolapse from that due to coronary artery disease and to realize that mitral valve prolapse may occur in Marfan's syndrome, Turner's syndrome, or in association with secundum atrial septal defect or ruptured chordae tendineae. Typical clicks and/or murmurs have also been described in patients with a history of rheumatic fever and in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Although much descriptive knowledge has accumulated over the past 15 years, many unanswered questions remain regarding the idiopathic type of prolapse. What is the nature and cause(s) of myxomatous degeneration? What is the relation of the valve pathology to the left ventricular dysfunction? What is the relation of both of these factors to disabling chest pain, electrocardiographic changes, and life-threatening arrhythmias? Hopefully, answers to these and other important questions regarding mitral valve prolapse will be forthcoming.", "PMID": 779595} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5384", "title": "Vitamin K and the oral anticoagulant drugs.", "content": "The evolution of vitamin K, from a dietary deficiency in birds to a postribosomal modifier of prothrombin in man, has been a fascinating scientific saga. Its antivitamin, the oral anticoagulant drugs, has been a powerful probe both of vitamin K action and of drug interactions. These agents have emerged from a limbo of clinical therapeutics to become a light of human pharmacology.", "contents": "Vitamin K and the oral anticoagulant drugs. The evolution of vitamin K, from a dietary deficiency in birds to a postribosomal modifier of prothrombin in man, has been a fascinating scientific saga. Its antivitamin, the oral anticoagulant drugs, has been a powerful probe both of vitamin K action and of drug interactions. These agents have emerged from a limbo of clinical therapeutics to become a light of human pharmacology.", "PMID": 779597} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5385", "title": "Multiple endocrine neoplasia type II.", "content": "The clinical characteristics, methods of diagnosis, and treatment of MEN-II have been described. Attention in the future should be focused on diagnosing MCT at the earliest possible time in MEN-II family members. The development of chemotherapeutic or other antitumor agents for the treatment of metastitic MCT should prove a fertile field for investigation.", "contents": "Multiple endocrine neoplasia type II. The clinical characteristics, methods of diagnosis, and treatment of MEN-II have been described. Attention in the future should be focused on diagnosing MCT at the earliest possible time in MEN-II family members. The development of chemotherapeutic or other antitumor agents for the treatment of metastitic MCT should prove a fertile field for investigation.", "PMID": 779598} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5386", "title": "Neuroendocrine dysfunction in depressive illness.", "content": "Patients with severe depressive illnesses of the endogenomorphic type frequently manifest several hormonal abnormalities. The best documented are the hypersecretion of cortisol, particularly in the late evening and early morning, associated with relative resistance to dexamethasone suppression; diminished or absent HGH responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia; and diminished TSH responses to TRH. There are also reports from one laboratory of relatively diminished plasma LH concentration in postmenopausal women with primary unipolar depressive illness, a finding that awaits replication by other centers. Most of these hormonal abnormalities provide further support to the concept of hypothalamic dysfunction in certain forms of depressive illness, and are consistent with current hypotheses of abnormal brain monoamine activity in these conditions. These studies suggest that analysis of neuroendocrine responses in patients with mental illnesses may be a valuable tool for the study of possible alterations in brain function. Further advances may be expected when radioimmunoassay techniques become available for the hypothalamic releasing and inhibiting factors themselves.", "contents": "Neuroendocrine dysfunction in depressive illness. Patients with severe depressive illnesses of the endogenomorphic type frequently manifest several hormonal abnormalities. The best documented are the hypersecretion of cortisol, particularly in the late evening and early morning, associated with relative resistance to dexamethasone suppression; diminished or absent HGH responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia; and diminished TSH responses to TRH. There are also reports from one laboratory of relatively diminished plasma LH concentration in postmenopausal women with primary unipolar depressive illness, a finding that awaits replication by other centers. Most of these hormonal abnormalities provide further support to the concept of hypothalamic dysfunction in certain forms of depressive illness, and are consistent with current hypotheses of abnormal brain monoamine activity in these conditions. These studies suggest that analysis of neuroendocrine responses in patients with mental illnesses may be a valuable tool for the study of possible alterations in brain function. Further advances may be expected when radioimmunoassay techniques become available for the hypothalamic releasing and inhibiting factors themselves.", "PMID": 779606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5387", "title": "Neurotoxic indoleamines and monoamine neurons.", "content": "In 1968 Thoenen & Tranzer (1) discovered that the long-lasting depletion of NA in sympathetically innervated organs by 6-OH-DA is due to degeneration of NA terminals. This provided the basis for the development of a new concept in neurobiological research: the method of selective chemical neurodegeneration. The successful application of this method to produce degeneration of DA and NA neurons in brain (2,3) stimulated a search for compounds with comparable effects on central 5-HT neurons. In studies with a restricted number of 5-HT analogs, we were able to show that certain dihydroxylated tryptamines caused toxic damage to serotonin terminals. The recent findings by Bj\u00f6rklund, Baumgarten & Rensch (4) and Gerson & Baldessarini (5) that DMI treatment prior to intraventricular 5,7-DHT injection prevents the damaging effect of the latter drug on NA but not on 5-HT neurons indicate that powerful and probably rather selective destruction of central indoleamine-containing axons and terminals can be achieved.", "contents": "Neurotoxic indoleamines and monoamine neurons. In 1968 Thoenen & Tranzer (1) discovered that the long-lasting depletion of NA in sympathetically innervated organs by 6-OH-DA is due to degeneration of NA terminals. This provided the basis for the development of a new concept in neurobiological research: the method of selective chemical neurodegeneration. The successful application of this method to produce degeneration of DA and NA neurons in brain (2,3) stimulated a search for compounds with comparable effects on central 5-HT neurons. In studies with a restricted number of 5-HT analogs, we were able to show that certain dihydroxylated tryptamines caused toxic damage to serotonin terminals. The recent findings by Bj\u00f6rklund, Baumgarten & Rensch (4) and Gerson & Baldessarini (5) that DMI treatment prior to intraventricular 5,7-DHT injection prevents the damaging effect of the latter drug on NA but not on 5-HT neurons indicate that powerful and probably rather selective destruction of central indoleamine-containing axons and terminals can be achieved.", "PMID": 779612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5388", "title": "Cutaneous pharmacology and toxicology.", "content": "The fields of cutaneous pharmacology and toxicology existed as long as man used topical therapy; some medicaments were helpful and others harmful. This review documents recent progress in these fields in terms of the experimental method. Emphasis has been given to conceptual and methodologic progress rather than a list of new molecules. As signs of the advent of the maturity of these fields, a graduate school course has recently been completed, one text has been published (7), and at least two are in preparation. It is likely that the next review of this topic in this series will reflect this considerable progress in terms of relevance to man.", "contents": "Cutaneous pharmacology and toxicology. The fields of cutaneous pharmacology and toxicology existed as long as man used topical therapy; some medicaments were helpful and others harmful. This review documents recent progress in these fields in terms of the experimental method. Emphasis has been given to conceptual and methodologic progress rather than a list of new molecules. As signs of the advent of the maturity of these fields, a graduate school course has recently been completed, one text has been published (7), and at least two are in preparation. It is likely that the next review of this topic in this series will reflect this considerable progress in terms of relevance to man.", "PMID": 779619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5389", "title": "Effects of drugs on the electrical activity of the brain: anesthetics.", "content": "The major concepts presented in this review can be summarized as follows: 1. There is a multidirectional continuum of anesthetic states--some represented by CNS excitation and others by depression. 2. The reticular activating system is influenced by all anesthetics; some inhibit its action (stage III) and some hyperexcite the system resulting in a function disorganization (stage II-C). 3. Some agents traverse both excitation and depression, diethyl ether (I, II, III). 4. Others induce only stage II--catalepsia, e.g. nitrous oxide, ketamine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, alpha-chloralose, phencyclidine, trichlorethylene, and enflurane. 5. Others induce no stage II but progress directly from stage I stage III, e.g. halothane and barbiturates. 6. Cataleptic agents may induce further CNS excitation manifested by seizures, e.g. gamma-hydroxybutyrate, phencyclidine, ketamine, alpha-chloralose, trichlorethylene, and enflurane. 7. The functional definition of surgical anesthesia is: a stage induced by a drug that makes the subject relatively unresponsive to painful stimuli and amnestic. Thus, the subject does not respond during surgery and cannot recall what happened afterwards. This state can be achieved by functional disruption of CNS systems by marked stimulation or depression.", "contents": "Effects of drugs on the electrical activity of the brain: anesthetics. The major concepts presented in this review can be summarized as follows: 1. There is a multidirectional continuum of anesthetic states--some represented by CNS excitation and others by depression. 2. The reticular activating system is influenced by all anesthetics; some inhibit its action (stage III) and some hyperexcite the system resulting in a function disorganization (stage II-C). 3. Some agents traverse both excitation and depression, diethyl ether (I, II, III). 4. Others induce only stage II--catalepsia, e.g. nitrous oxide, ketamine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, alpha-chloralose, phencyclidine, trichlorethylene, and enflurane. 5. Others induce no stage II but progress directly from stage I stage III, e.g. halothane and barbiturates. 6. Cataleptic agents may induce further CNS excitation manifested by seizures, e.g. gamma-hydroxybutyrate, phencyclidine, ketamine, alpha-chloralose, trichlorethylene, and enflurane. 7. The functional definition of surgical anesthesia is: a stage induced by a drug that makes the subject relatively unresponsive to painful stimuli and amnestic. Thus, the subject does not respond during surgery and cannot recall what happened afterwards. This state can be achieved by functional disruption of CNS systems by marked stimulation or depression.", "PMID": 779620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5390", "title": "[Possibility of the early identification of polyene antibiotic producers].", "content": "A method for identification of polyenic antibiotics at early stages of their screening was developed using the known fact of high affinity of polygens and steroids. It was found that addition of cholesterol or ergosterol to the nutrient medium in a concentration of 100 gamma/ml eliminated the inhibitory effect of the polyenic antibiotics. Screening of the antibiotic-producing actinomycetes simultaneously on 2 media, i.e. with and without cholesterol using the yeast test-organisms provided identification of actinomycetes producing polyenic antibiotics. The selective capacity of 3 yeast cultures, i.e. Sacch. cerevisiae, Cand. albicans and Tor. globosa 11-3 as test-organisms for screening polyenic antibiotics was compared. It was shown that mitochondrial mutant 11-3 of Tor. globosa was a highly sensitive model for identification of actinomycetes producing polyenic antibiotic, since 23% of the actinomycetes possessing an activity against that organism produced substances of the polyenic nature. All the strains of the actinomycetes screened with the help of Cand. albicans and Sacch. cerevisia were the same as those detected with the help of mutant 11-3 of Tor. globosa.", "contents": "[Possibility of the early identification of polyene antibiotic producers]. A method for identification of polyenic antibiotics at early stages of their screening was developed using the known fact of high affinity of polygens and steroids. It was found that addition of cholesterol or ergosterol to the nutrient medium in a concentration of 100 gamma/ml eliminated the inhibitory effect of the polyenic antibiotics. Screening of the antibiotic-producing actinomycetes simultaneously on 2 media, i.e. with and without cholesterol using the yeast test-organisms provided identification of actinomycetes producing polyenic antibiotics. The selective capacity of 3 yeast cultures, i.e. Sacch. cerevisiae, Cand. albicans and Tor. globosa 11-3 as test-organisms for screening polyenic antibiotics was compared. It was shown that mitochondrial mutant 11-3 of Tor. globosa was a highly sensitive model for identification of actinomycetes producing polyenic antibiotic, since 23% of the actinomycetes possessing an activity against that organism produced substances of the polyenic nature. All the strains of the actinomycetes screened with the help of Cand. albicans and Sacch. cerevisia were the same as those detected with the help of mutant 11-3 of Tor. globosa.", "PMID": 779625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5391", "title": "[Sensitivity to doxycycline (vibramycin) of the microflora isolated from the patients in a therapeutic clinic].", "content": "Sensitivity of microflora to tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycicline was studied. A total of 237 pure cultures of Strep. viridans (54), beta-hemolytic streptococci (27), pathogenic staphylococci (52), non-pathogenic staphylococci (53) and Coli bacteria (51) were tested with the agar-diffusion method using standard discs. Doxycicline was most active and chortetracycline was least active. The maximum sensitivity to doxycicline was found in beta-hemolytic streptococci (85.4%) and the minimum sensitivity to that antibiotic was found in Coli bacteria (39.2%) and Strep. viridans (35.6%), which was superior to that with respect to the other tetracyclines. Coincidence of the clinical effect with the microflora sensitivity and high percentage of sensitivity to doxycicline among Staph. aureus, which is important in treatment of severe infections caused by the organism were observed.", "contents": "[Sensitivity to doxycycline (vibramycin) of the microflora isolated from the patients in a therapeutic clinic]. Sensitivity of microflora to tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycicline was studied. A total of 237 pure cultures of Strep. viridans (54), beta-hemolytic streptococci (27), pathogenic staphylococci (52), non-pathogenic staphylococci (53) and Coli bacteria (51) were tested with the agar-diffusion method using standard discs. Doxycicline was most active and chortetracycline was least active. The maximum sensitivity to doxycicline was found in beta-hemolytic streptococci (85.4%) and the minimum sensitivity to that antibiotic was found in Coli bacteria (39.2%) and Strep. viridans (35.6%), which was superior to that with respect to the other tetracyclines. Coincidence of the clinical effect with the microflora sensitivity and high percentage of sensitivity to doxycicline among Staph. aureus, which is important in treatment of severe infections caused by the organism were observed.", "PMID": 779626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5392", "title": "[Intestinal yersiniasis in the Far East. The sensitivity and cross resistance to antibiotics of Yersinia enterocolitica strains isolated in the Maritime Territory].", "content": "The author studied 121 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica isolated in the Ptimorye Territory. It was found that by their sensitivity to antibiotics the strains did not differ from the analogues abroad strains: they were highly sensitive to tetracycline, streptomycin, kanamycin, neomycin and monomycin (MIC 1.25 to 0.6 gamma/ml or units/ml), less sensitive to oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, levomycetin, oletetrine and gramicidine (MIC 10-5 gamma/ml), highly resistant to penicillin (MIC 100-50 gamma/ml), erythromycin and polymyxin (MIC 500-100 gamma/ml). No differences in the sensitivity to the above antibiotics of the Far East strains as dependent on the place period and source of isolation and inidentity of their biochemical characteristics were found. Cross resistance in Yersinia enterocolitica forms with artificially developed resistance to some antibiotics was found. No cross resistance with tetracycline was noted in the streptomycin resistant variants of the bacteria.", "contents": "[Intestinal yersiniasis in the Far East. The sensitivity and cross resistance to antibiotics of Yersinia enterocolitica strains isolated in the Maritime Territory]. The author studied 121 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica isolated in the Ptimorye Territory. It was found that by their sensitivity to antibiotics the strains did not differ from the analogues abroad strains: they were highly sensitive to tetracycline, streptomycin, kanamycin, neomycin and monomycin (MIC 1.25 to 0.6 gamma/ml or units/ml), less sensitive to oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, levomycetin, oletetrine and gramicidine (MIC 10-5 gamma/ml), highly resistant to penicillin (MIC 100-50 gamma/ml), erythromycin and polymyxin (MIC 500-100 gamma/ml). No differences in the sensitivity to the above antibiotics of the Far East strains as dependent on the place period and source of isolation and inidentity of their biochemical characteristics were found. Cross resistance in Yersinia enterocolitica forms with artificially developed resistance to some antibiotics was found. No cross resistance with tetracycline was noted in the streptomycin resistant variants of the bacteria.", "PMID": 779627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5393", "title": "[State of certain indices of natural, nonspecific immunity in workers engaged in the manufacture of neomycin and monomycin].", "content": "Women occupied at various stages of neomycin and monomycin production were examined immunologically. The examination revealed insignificant changes in the phagocytic activity of the blood neutrophils, however no relation between the changes level and the level of contact with the antibiotics was observed. Changes in composition of the microflora in the deep skin layers in direction of an increase in the number of pathogenic microbes and a decrease in the bactericidal function of the skin were found in the women occupied at the final stages of the technological process, i.e. drying, packing and control.", "contents": "[State of certain indices of natural, nonspecific immunity in workers engaged in the manufacture of neomycin and monomycin]. Women occupied at various stages of neomycin and monomycin production were examined immunologically. The examination revealed insignificant changes in the phagocytic activity of the blood neutrophils, however no relation between the changes level and the level of contact with the antibiotics was observed. Changes in composition of the microflora in the deep skin layers in direction of an increase in the number of pathogenic microbes and a decrease in the bactericidal function of the skin were found in the women occupied at the final stages of the technological process, i.e. drying, packing and control.", "PMID": 779628} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5394", "title": "[Practice of patenting microbiological objects in foreign countries].", "content": "Data on the main objects corresponding to the inventions in the field of microbiology and microbiological industry acceptable for patenting abroad are presented. Examples of claims for each type of the protected objects taken from patents filed in main capitalist countries are given. The examples have necessary comments.", "contents": "[Practice of patenting microbiological objects in foreign countries]. Data on the main objects corresponding to the inventions in the field of microbiology and microbiological industry acceptable for patenting abroad are presented. Examples of claims for each type of the protected objects taken from patents filed in main capitalist countries are given. The examples have necessary comments.", "PMID": 779629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5395", "title": "Impregnated disk method for antifungal antibiotic testing.", "content": "Sixteen clinical fungal isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility by using disks impregnated with growth medium and antibiotic. The procedure was easier to perform, less time consuming, and as reliable as other currently available methods.", "contents": "Impregnated disk method for antifungal antibiotic testing. Sixteen clinical fungal isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility by using disks impregnated with growth medium and antibiotic. The procedure was easier to perform, less time consuming, and as reliable as other currently available methods.", "PMID": 779630} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5396", "title": "Inhibition of potentially pathogenic yeastlike fungi by clotrimazole in combination with 5-fluorocytosine or amphotericin B.", "content": "Clotrimazole (CTM) has a doubtful future with respect to use in treatment of the systemic mycoses. To assess the potential of CTM in combined drug regimens, antifungal effects of CTM together with 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) or amphotericin B (AMB) were tested in a synthetic liquid medium against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Torulopsis glabrata. Viable counts were monitored over a 48-h incubation period. Weak inhibitory concentrations of CTM were tested in combination with levels of 5-FC or AMB that alone produced transient antifungal effects followed by rapid recovery of proliferative capacity. Results were similar for each of the organisms studied. Between 24 and 48 h, when cultures containing 5-FC or AMB alone were in the recovery phase, CTM plus 5-FC and CTM plus AMB continued to markedly suppress cell multiplication. It would appear that weak inhibitory concentrations of CTM can act together with 5-FC or AMB to produce antifungal effects greater than that obtained with either of the latter two drugs alone.", "contents": "Inhibition of potentially pathogenic yeastlike fungi by clotrimazole in combination with 5-fluorocytosine or amphotericin B. Clotrimazole (CTM) has a doubtful future with respect to use in treatment of the systemic mycoses. To assess the potential of CTM in combined drug regimens, antifungal effects of CTM together with 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) or amphotericin B (AMB) were tested in a synthetic liquid medium against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Torulopsis glabrata. Viable counts were monitored over a 48-h incubation period. Weak inhibitory concentrations of CTM were tested in combination with levels of 5-FC or AMB that alone produced transient antifungal effects followed by rapid recovery of proliferative capacity. Results were similar for each of the organisms studied. Between 24 and 48 h, when cultures containing 5-FC or AMB alone were in the recovery phase, CTM plus 5-FC and CTM plus AMB continued to markedly suppress cell multiplication. It would appear that weak inhibitory concentrations of CTM can act together with 5-FC or AMB to produce antifungal effects greater than that obtained with either of the latter two drugs alone.", "PMID": 779631} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5397", "title": "Antibiotic resistance among coliform and fecal coliform bacteria isolated from sewage, seawater, and marine shellfish.", "content": "Seawater and shellfish samples collected in the vicinity of a marine sewage outfall were examined for the incidence of antibiotic resistance among coliform and fecal coliform bacteria over a 2-year period. Seventy percent or more of these two groups of bacteria from both sources were resistant to one or more antibiotics. Forty-five percent of the isolates resistant to streptomycin or tetracycline were capable of transferring all or part of their resistance pattern to an antibiotic-susceptible strain of Escherichia coli K-12.", "contents": "Antibiotic resistance among coliform and fecal coliform bacteria isolated from sewage, seawater, and marine shellfish. Seawater and shellfish samples collected in the vicinity of a marine sewage outfall were examined for the incidence of antibiotic resistance among coliform and fecal coliform bacteria over a 2-year period. Seventy percent or more of these two groups of bacteria from both sources were resistant to one or more antibiotics. Forty-five percent of the isolates resistant to streptomycin or tetracycline were capable of transferring all or part of their resistance pattern to an antibiotic-susceptible strain of Escherichia coli K-12.", "PMID": 779632} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5398", "title": "Antibiotic resistance among coliform and fecal coliform bacteria isolated from the freshwater mussel Hydridella menziesii.", "content": "Freshwater mussels (Hydridella menziesii) collected from Lakes Rotoroa, Rotoiti, and Brunner, South Island, New Zealand, contained coliform and fecal coliform bacteria. The majority of these bacteria were resistant to one or more antibiotics, but none transferred streptomycin, tetracycline, or kanamycin resistance to an antibiotic-susceptible strain of Escherichia coli K-12.", "contents": "Antibiotic resistance among coliform and fecal coliform bacteria isolated from the freshwater mussel Hydridella menziesii. Freshwater mussels (Hydridella menziesii) collected from Lakes Rotoroa, Rotoiti, and Brunner, South Island, New Zealand, contained coliform and fecal coliform bacteria. The majority of these bacteria were resistant to one or more antibiotics, but none transferred streptomycin, tetracycline, or kanamycin resistance to an antibiotic-susceptible strain of Escherichia coli K-12.", "PMID": 779633} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5399", "title": "Reevaluation of kanamycin dosage in infants and children.", "content": "It was recently reported that the dosage of kanamycin formerly recommended for neonates of 7.5 mg/kg every 12 h did not produce therapeutic serum concentrations of 15 to 25 mug/ml, but a larger dosage of 10 mg/kg every 12 h was required. Reevaluation of the pharmacokinetics of kanamycin in infants and children was therefore undertaken. Sixteen time-concentration curves after a dose of 5 mg/kg were obtained from patients 2 months to 12 years of age; the mean peak serum kanamycin concentration was 10.9 (range, 3.6 to 17.9) mug/ml at 0.5 h. Ten time-concentration curves were obtained after a dose of 10 mg/kg; the mean peak serum concentration was 17.6 (range, 8.4 to 30) mug/ml. Eight patients were studied on successive days, and there was doubling of the 1-h peak serum concentration when the dose of kanamycin was increased from 5 to 10 mg/kg. Standard serum bactericidal tests were done against Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae strains, each with a minimal bactericidal concentration of 5 mug of kanamycin per ml. All 3 sera containing 21 mug or more of kanamycin per ml demonstrated a bactericidal titer, whereas only 2 of 23 sera containing less than 21 mug of kanamycin per ml did so. The currently recommended dosage of kanamycin for infants and children fails to produce serum concentrations in the therapeutic range, and preliminary data suggest that the dosage should be increased to 10 mg/kg per dose every 8 h.", "contents": "Reevaluation of kanamycin dosage in infants and children. It was recently reported that the dosage of kanamycin formerly recommended for neonates of 7.5 mg/kg every 12 h did not produce therapeutic serum concentrations of 15 to 25 mug/ml, but a larger dosage of 10 mg/kg every 12 h was required. Reevaluation of the pharmacokinetics of kanamycin in infants and children was therefore undertaken. Sixteen time-concentration curves after a dose of 5 mg/kg were obtained from patients 2 months to 12 years of age; the mean peak serum kanamycin concentration was 10.9 (range, 3.6 to 17.9) mug/ml at 0.5 h. Ten time-concentration curves were obtained after a dose of 10 mg/kg; the mean peak serum concentration was 17.6 (range, 8.4 to 30) mug/ml. Eight patients were studied on successive days, and there was doubling of the 1-h peak serum concentration when the dose of kanamycin was increased from 5 to 10 mg/kg. Standard serum bactericidal tests were done against Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae strains, each with a minimal bactericidal concentration of 5 mug of kanamycin per ml. All 3 sera containing 21 mug or more of kanamycin per ml demonstrated a bactericidal titer, whereas only 2 of 23 sera containing less than 21 mug of kanamycin per ml did so. The currently recommended dosage of kanamycin for infants and children fails to produce serum concentrations in the therapeutic range, and preliminary data suggest that the dosage should be increased to 10 mg/kg per dose every 8 h.", "PMID": 779634} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5400", "title": "Microbiological quality of frozen breaded fish and shellfish products.", "content": "A survey was made of the microbiological quality of seven frozen, breaded, precooked fish and shellfish products and of frozen, breaded, uncooked shrimp at the retail level. Geometric mean aerobic plate counts per gram (and number of units examined) were as follows: fish sticks, 8,300 (1,539); fish cakes, 5,600 (1,378); crab cakes, 4,900 (1,226); scallops, 1,700 (1,392); clams, 450 (1,384); haddock, 15,000 (1,306); fish in fish and chips dinner, 7,200 (1,485); and uncooked shrimp, 220,000 (1,462). Geometric mean coliform, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus counts for all eight products ranged from 1 to 10/g.", "contents": "Microbiological quality of frozen breaded fish and shellfish products. A survey was made of the microbiological quality of seven frozen, breaded, precooked fish and shellfish products and of frozen, breaded, uncooked shrimp at the retail level. Geometric mean aerobic plate counts per gram (and number of units examined) were as follows: fish sticks, 8,300 (1,539); fish cakes, 5,600 (1,378); crab cakes, 4,900 (1,226); scallops, 1,700 (1,392); clams, 450 (1,384); haddock, 15,000 (1,306); fish in fish and chips dinner, 7,200 (1,485); and uncooked shrimp, 220,000 (1,462). Geometric mean coliform, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus counts for all eight products ranged from 1 to 10/g.", "PMID": 779643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5401", "title": "Inhibitory effects of H2 on growth of Clostridium cellobioparum.", "content": "Hydrogen inhibits the growth of hydrogen-producing Clostridium cellobioparum, but not of Escherichia coli or Bacteroides ruminicola. The inhibition is reversible. When hydrogen was removed either by palladium black or by gassing out the tube, glucose utilization increased as did optical density and hydrogen production of C. cellobioparum. Removal of the H2 by methanogenic bacteria favors the growth of C. cellobioparum. Grown with Methanobacterium ruminantium in various concentrations of glucose, the Clostridium reaches a higher optical density and produces more H2 and a higher viable cell count. The cell yield is also higher than in pure culture. In mixed culture, C. cellobioparum produces more acetic acid and less lactic acid, ethanol, and butyric acid than in pure culture. The significance of this metabolic shift and hydrogen utilization in methanogenesis is discussed.", "contents": "Inhibitory effects of H2 on growth of Clostridium cellobioparum. Hydrogen inhibits the growth of hydrogen-producing Clostridium cellobioparum, but not of Escherichia coli or Bacteroides ruminicola. The inhibition is reversible. When hydrogen was removed either by palladium black or by gassing out the tube, glucose utilization increased as did optical density and hydrogen production of C. cellobioparum. Removal of the H2 by methanogenic bacteria favors the growth of C. cellobioparum. Grown with Methanobacterium ruminantium in various concentrations of glucose, the Clostridium reaches a higher optical density and produces more H2 and a higher viable cell count. The cell yield is also higher than in pure culture. In mixed culture, C. cellobioparum produces more acetic acid and less lactic acid, ethanol, and butyric acid than in pure culture. The significance of this metabolic shift and hydrogen utilization in methanogenesis is discussed.", "PMID": 779644} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5402", "title": "Inactivation kinetics of some microorganisms subjected to a variety of stresses.", "content": "Loss of viability in aerosols of Escherichia coli B, E. coli commune, E. coli Jepp (in nitrogen atmospheres), and Semliki forest virus (in air) was determined as a function of relative humidity at 26.5 C. The decay patterns could be accounted for accurately by means of an equation derived from a postulated mechanism involving population distributions and first-order denaturation kinetics. Analyses of published curves describing loss of viability (all of which were semiexponential, ie., J-shaped) for various microorganisms stressed by different techniques showed that the proposed mechanism also provided an explanation for effects of the following factors (in the absence of open air, oxygen, or radiation): (i) influence of relative humidity upon aerosol susvival; (ii) dissemination of aerosols from the wet and dry states; (iii) protecting additives; (iv) relative humidity change before reconstitution; (v) reconstituting fluids; (vi) water content of freeze-dried product; (vii) storage gas; and (viii) storage temperature. The date indicate that low temperatures and high pressures were likely to be conducive to the preservation of viable bacteria and viruses, provided that cold shock and decompression shock were absent.", "contents": "Inactivation kinetics of some microorganisms subjected to a variety of stresses. Loss of viability in aerosols of Escherichia coli B, E. coli commune, E. coli Jepp (in nitrogen atmospheres), and Semliki forest virus (in air) was determined as a function of relative humidity at 26.5 C. The decay patterns could be accounted for accurately by means of an equation derived from a postulated mechanism involving population distributions and first-order denaturation kinetics. Analyses of published curves describing loss of viability (all of which were semiexponential, ie., J-shaped) for various microorganisms stressed by different techniques showed that the proposed mechanism also provided an explanation for effects of the following factors (in the absence of open air, oxygen, or radiation): (i) influence of relative humidity upon aerosol susvival; (ii) dissemination of aerosols from the wet and dry states; (iii) protecting additives; (iv) relative humidity change before reconstitution; (v) reconstituting fluids; (vi) water content of freeze-dried product; (vii) storage gas; and (viii) storage temperature. The date indicate that low temperatures and high pressures were likely to be conducive to the preservation of viable bacteria and viruses, provided that cold shock and decompression shock were absent.", "PMID": 779645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5403", "title": "Macromolecule synthesis in Escherichia coli BB under various growth conditions.", "content": "The kinetic behavior of the macromolecule synthesis of Escherichia coli during balanced growth in various media at different temperatures as investigated. The results indicate that macromolecule contents per cell can be expressed as exponential functions of the specific growth rate at a given temperature. It was shown that the content per cell at the zero growth rate was constant in each macromolecule component, irrespective of the growth temperature. The rate of ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis per unit weight of deoxyribonucleic acid and that of protein synthesis per unit weight of RNA were taken as efficiencies of RNA and protein synthesis, respectively; both of them were found to be dependent on the growth rate and temperature. The efficiency of RNA synthesis was found to be very high at a high growth rate, whereas that of protein synthesis was found to decrease above certain growth rate. At the same growth rate, an increase in the growth temperature resulted in a decrease in the efficiency of RNA synthesis but an increase in that of protein synthesis.", "contents": "Macromolecule synthesis in Escherichia coli BB under various growth conditions. The kinetic behavior of the macromolecule synthesis of Escherichia coli during balanced growth in various media at different temperatures as investigated. The results indicate that macromolecule contents per cell can be expressed as exponential functions of the specific growth rate at a given temperature. It was shown that the content per cell at the zero growth rate was constant in each macromolecule component, irrespective of the growth temperature. The rate of ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis per unit weight of deoxyribonucleic acid and that of protein synthesis per unit weight of RNA were taken as efficiencies of RNA and protein synthesis, respectively; both of them were found to be dependent on the growth rate and temperature. The efficiency of RNA synthesis was found to be very high at a high growth rate, whereas that of protein synthesis was found to decrease above certain growth rate. At the same growth rate, an increase in the growth temperature resulted in a decrease in the efficiency of RNA synthesis but an increase in that of protein synthesis.", "PMID": 779646} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5404", "title": "Influence of certain indigenous gastrointestinal microorganisms on duodenal alkaline phosphatase in mice.", "content": "Alkaline phosphatase activity was assayed in duodenal homogenates or extracts from adult specific pathogen-free (SPF) and germfree mice and gnotobiotic mice monoassociated with a Lactobacillus sp., a Bacteroides sp., or a coliform strain indigenous to SPF mice. Activity levels of the enzyme were much higher in the preparations from germfree mice than in those from the SPF controls. In the gnotobiotes monoassociated either with a freshly isolated Lactobacillus sp. or a Bacteroides sp., the levels of alkaline phosphatase activity were intermediate between the values for germfree and SPF mice. By contrast, in the gnotobiotes monoassociated with a coliform strain, alkaline phosphatase activity remained at high germfree levels. Butanol extracts of duodenal tissue from SPF mice, germfree mice, and exgermfree mice associated with an indigenous microflora from SPF mice (conventionalized) were subjected to acrylamide gel electrophoresis. A stain for alkaline phosphatase activity revealed three major bands in the gels prepared with extracts from SPF and conventionalized mice, but only two in the gels prepared with extracts from germfree mice. All three bands may have been present in the latter gels. One of the bands (the middle one) may have been obscured, however, by high activity in the slowest moving band. As determined by densitometric scanning, the slowest moving band had much higher activity in the preparations from germfree animals than in those from SPF or conventionalized mice. These findings suggest that the indigenous microbial flora affects not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively, the activity of alkaline phosphatases in the mouse intestinal mucosa.", "contents": "Influence of certain indigenous gastrointestinal microorganisms on duodenal alkaline phosphatase in mice. Alkaline phosphatase activity was assayed in duodenal homogenates or extracts from adult specific pathogen-free (SPF) and germfree mice and gnotobiotic mice monoassociated with a Lactobacillus sp., a Bacteroides sp., or a coliform strain indigenous to SPF mice. Activity levels of the enzyme were much higher in the preparations from germfree mice than in those from the SPF controls. In the gnotobiotes monoassociated either with a freshly isolated Lactobacillus sp. or a Bacteroides sp., the levels of alkaline phosphatase activity were intermediate between the values for germfree and SPF mice. By contrast, in the gnotobiotes monoassociated with a coliform strain, alkaline phosphatase activity remained at high germfree levels. Butanol extracts of duodenal tissue from SPF mice, germfree mice, and exgermfree mice associated with an indigenous microflora from SPF mice (conventionalized) were subjected to acrylamide gel electrophoresis. A stain for alkaline phosphatase activity revealed three major bands in the gels prepared with extracts from SPF and conventionalized mice, but only two in the gels prepared with extracts from germfree mice. All three bands may have been present in the latter gels. One of the bands (the middle one) may have been obscured, however, by high activity in the slowest moving band. As determined by densitometric scanning, the slowest moving band had much higher activity in the preparations from germfree animals than in those from SPF or conventionalized mice. These findings suggest that the indigenous microbial flora affects not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively, the activity of alkaline phosphatases in the mouse intestinal mucosa.", "PMID": 779647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5405", "title": "Effect of antimicrobial soap containing chlorhexidine on the microbial flora of skin.", "content": "The qualitative and semiquantitative changes in the aerobic microbial flora of normal skin with the prolonged use of a chlorhexidine scrub (6 months) were investigated. More samples in the chlorhexidine scrub group had gram-negative bacilli in their axilla (63 of 96, 66%) and groin (36 of 96, 38%) than the controls (32 of 66, 49%, for axilla and 7 of 66, 11%, for groin; P = 0.01). Klebsiella and Enterobacter were the predominant organisms in the control and chlorhexidine groups, respectively. The chlorhexidine scrub produced a reduction in the total aerobic counts in the axilla, groin, and between the toes and the fingers. Fewer samples from the chlorhexidine-treated areas revealed the presence of lipophilic diphtheroids than did the controls. Lipophilic diphteroids were also reduced quantitatively in the groin and axilla with chlorhexidine treatment. No consistent pattern for the other major groups of bacteria was noted between the treatments.", "contents": "Effect of antimicrobial soap containing chlorhexidine on the microbial flora of skin. The qualitative and semiquantitative changes in the aerobic microbial flora of normal skin with the prolonged use of a chlorhexidine scrub (6 months) were investigated. More samples in the chlorhexidine scrub group had gram-negative bacilli in their axilla (63 of 96, 66%) and groin (36 of 96, 38%) than the controls (32 of 66, 49%, for axilla and 7 of 66, 11%, for groin; P = 0.01). Klebsiella and Enterobacter were the predominant organisms in the control and chlorhexidine groups, respectively. The chlorhexidine scrub produced a reduction in the total aerobic counts in the axilla, groin, and between the toes and the fingers. Fewer samples from the chlorhexidine-treated areas revealed the presence of lipophilic diphtheroids than did the controls. Lipophilic diphteroids were also reduced quantitatively in the groin and axilla with chlorhexidine treatment. No consistent pattern for the other major groups of bacteria was noted between the treatments.", "PMID": 779648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5406", "title": "Production of a precursor to the pyrimidine moiety of thiamine.", "content": "The supernatant fluid from cultures of Escherichia coli W-11, a pur E mutant, prevented the inhibition of growth of E. coli B in a medium containing adenine or adenosine. Adenine inhibition was prevented more readily than adenosine inhibition. More than 90% of the biological activity of the supernatant fluid was recovered in the anionic fraction after treatment with Dowex-50 (NH4+). The cationic fraction, containing large amounts of 5-aminoimidazole ribonucleoside (AIRS), did not prevent adenine inhibition. The W-11 supernatant fluid was shown by bioautography to contain only one compound that prevented adenine inhibition. Proliferating and non-proliferating cultures produced only one compound that prevented adenine inhibition. The compound was shown to be an intermediate (int-1) in the biosynthesis of the pyrimidine moiety of thiamine, Int-1 was stable during sterilization at 121 C for 15 min, during concentration by either flask evaporation or lyophilization, and after storage for several days at 4 C or at -- 20 C. Int-1 was distinguishable from other known derivatives or intermediates of the pyrimidine moiety. A scheme is presented that illustrates the proposed relationship between int-1 and the synthesis of thiamine.", "contents": "Production of a precursor to the pyrimidine moiety of thiamine. The supernatant fluid from cultures of Escherichia coli W-11, a pur E mutant, prevented the inhibition of growth of E. coli B in a medium containing adenine or adenosine. Adenine inhibition was prevented more readily than adenosine inhibition. More than 90% of the biological activity of the supernatant fluid was recovered in the anionic fraction after treatment with Dowex-50 (NH4+). The cationic fraction, containing large amounts of 5-aminoimidazole ribonucleoside (AIRS), did not prevent adenine inhibition. The W-11 supernatant fluid was shown by bioautography to contain only one compound that prevented adenine inhibition. Proliferating and non-proliferating cultures produced only one compound that prevented adenine inhibition. The compound was shown to be an intermediate (int-1) in the biosynthesis of the pyrimidine moiety of thiamine, Int-1 was stable during sterilization at 121 C for 15 min, during concentration by either flask evaporation or lyophilization, and after storage for several days at 4 C or at -- 20 C. Int-1 was distinguishable from other known derivatives or intermediates of the pyrimidine moiety. A scheme is presented that illustrates the proposed relationship between int-1 and the synthesis of thiamine.", "PMID": 779649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5407", "title": "Microbial transformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and other nitroaromatic compounds.", "content": "A variety of nitroaromatic compounds, including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), were reduced by hydrogen in the presence of enzyme preparations from Veillonella alkalescens. Consistent with the proposed reduction pathway, R-NO2 H2 leads to R-NO H2 leads to R-NHOH H2 leads to R-NH2, 3 mol of H2 was utilized per mol of nitro group. The rates of reduction of 40 mono-, di-, and trinitroaromatic compounds by V. alkalescens extract were determined. The reactivity of the nitro groups depended on other substituents and on the position of the nitro groups relative to these substituents. In the case of the nitrotoluenes, the para-nitro group was the most readily reduced, the 4-nitro position of 2,4-dinitrotulene being reduced first. The pattern of reduction of TNT (disappearance of TNT and reduction products formed) depended on the type of preparation (cell-free extract, resting cells, or growing culture), on the species, and on the atmosphere (air or H2). The \"nitro-reductase\" activity of V. alkalescens extracts was associated with protein fractions, one having some ferredoxin-like properties and the other possessing hydrogenase activity. Efforts to eliminate hydrogenase from the reaction have thus far been unsuccessful. The question of whether ferredoxin acts as a nonspecific reductase for nitroaromatic compounds remains unresolved.", "contents": "Microbial transformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and other nitroaromatic compounds. A variety of nitroaromatic compounds, including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), were reduced by hydrogen in the presence of enzyme preparations from Veillonella alkalescens. Consistent with the proposed reduction pathway, R-NO2 H2 leads to R-NO H2 leads to R-NHOH H2 leads to R-NH2, 3 mol of H2 was utilized per mol of nitro group. The rates of reduction of 40 mono-, di-, and trinitroaromatic compounds by V. alkalescens extract were determined. The reactivity of the nitro groups depended on other substituents and on the position of the nitro groups relative to these substituents. In the case of the nitrotoluenes, the para-nitro group was the most readily reduced, the 4-nitro position of 2,4-dinitrotulene being reduced first. The pattern of reduction of TNT (disappearance of TNT and reduction products formed) depended on the type of preparation (cell-free extract, resting cells, or growing culture), on the species, and on the atmosphere (air or H2). The \"nitro-reductase\" activity of V. alkalescens extracts was associated with protein fractions, one having some ferredoxin-like properties and the other possessing hydrogenase activity. Efforts to eliminate hydrogenase from the reaction have thus far been unsuccessful. The question of whether ferredoxin acts as a nonspecific reductase for nitroaromatic compounds remains unresolved.", "PMID": 779650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5408", "title": "Hot-loop test for the determination of carbon dioxide production from glucose by lactic acid bacteria.", "content": "A hot-loop test was found to be more rapid, convenient, and reliable for the detection of carbon dioxide production than were conventional methods such as displacement of agar plugs and precipitation in barium hydroxide.", "contents": "Hot-loop test for the determination of carbon dioxide production from glucose by lactic acid bacteria. A hot-loop test was found to be more rapid, convenient, and reliable for the detection of carbon dioxide production than were conventional methods such as displacement of agar plugs and precipitation in barium hydroxide.", "PMID": 779651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5409", "title": "Stability of Bacillus pumilus spore strips used for monitoring radiation sterilization.", "content": "Dried Bacillus pumilus spore strips had a stable D-value of 0.17 to 0.18 Mrad after 1 year at 5 or 25 C, but resistance was lost at 35 C. Refrigeration did not have an adverse effect on resistance to irradiation. The presence of water at the time of initial preparation increased this resistance to 0.23 to 0.25 Mrad. Proper drying is essential to achieve reproducible results in sterility tests using USP-type biological indicators.", "contents": "Stability of Bacillus pumilus spore strips used for monitoring radiation sterilization. Dried Bacillus pumilus spore strips had a stable D-value of 0.17 to 0.18 Mrad after 1 year at 5 or 25 C, but resistance was lost at 35 C. Refrigeration did not have an adverse effect on resistance to irradiation. The presence of water at the time of initial preparation increased this resistance to 0.23 to 0.25 Mrad. Proper drying is essential to achieve reproducible results in sterility tests using USP-type biological indicators.", "PMID": 779652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5410", "title": "Loperamide in chronic diarrhea and after ileostomy: a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over study.", "content": "Fifteen patients (20 to 66 years) with long-standing chronic diarrhea of varying etiology were selected for an open trial of loperamide 2 mg capsules. The optimal daily dose for substantial reduction of the diarrhea ranged from two to seven capsules. Eleven patients showed a significant improvement in stool consistency and stool frequency, and a decrease of abdominal cramps. Loperamide appeared to be ineffective in two patients with cholerrheic diarrhea, and in one patient with laxative-induced diarrhea, and in one patient with diarrhea of unknown etiology. The eleven successfully treated patients then entered a double-blind placebo-controlled trial for ten days or until relapse, the daily dose being identical to the optimal one previously determined in the open phase. The investigator was able to guess the code correctly in ten out of eleven cases. Twenty ileostomy patients (ages 25 to 73 years) volunteered for the evaluation of the inhibitory activity on small intestinal peristalsis by loperamide in a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study. Mean daily ileostomy output decreased by 22% in the loperamide period, as compared with the drug-free study phase (P less than 0.001). Of the 20 patients, 16 were able to guess their code correctly, whereas four were uncertain, although their fecal weights were lower with loperamide. Many patients noticed an increased urinary production and experienced an improvement in their ileostomy care during loperamide treatment. Because of its effectiveness, its low side-effect liability and its lack of toxicity, loperamide is considered a promising drug in the symptomatic treatment of chronic diarrhea, and as a reliable agent in the treatment of ileostomy patients.", "contents": "Loperamide in chronic diarrhea and after ileostomy: a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over study. Fifteen patients (20 to 66 years) with long-standing chronic diarrhea of varying etiology were selected for an open trial of loperamide 2 mg capsules. The optimal daily dose for substantial reduction of the diarrhea ranged from two to seven capsules. Eleven patients showed a significant improvement in stool consistency and stool frequency, and a decrease of abdominal cramps. Loperamide appeared to be ineffective in two patients with cholerrheic diarrhea, and in one patient with laxative-induced diarrhea, and in one patient with diarrhea of unknown etiology. The eleven successfully treated patients then entered a double-blind placebo-controlled trial for ten days or until relapse, the daily dose being identical to the optimal one previously determined in the open phase. The investigator was able to guess the code correctly in ten out of eleven cases. Twenty ileostomy patients (ages 25 to 73 years) volunteered for the evaluation of the inhibitory activity on small intestinal peristalsis by loperamide in a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study. Mean daily ileostomy output decreased by 22% in the loperamide period, as compared with the drug-free study phase (P less than 0.001). Of the 20 patients, 16 were able to guess their code correctly, whereas four were uncertain, although their fecal weights were lower with loperamide. Many patients noticed an increased urinary production and experienced an improvement in their ileostomy care during loperamide treatment. Because of its effectiveness, its low side-effect liability and its lack of toxicity, loperamide is considered a promising drug in the symptomatic treatment of chronic diarrhea, and as a reliable agent in the treatment of ileostomy patients.", "PMID": 779663} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5411", "title": "Tinidazole in treatment of acute amoebic dysentery in children.", "content": "The excellent results obtained in this trial indicate that tinidazole is a drug worthy of extensive evaluation in the treatment of amoebiasis, as three single daily doses is a simple form of treatment. The drug was well tolerated and free from any toxic effects.", "contents": "Tinidazole in treatment of acute amoebic dysentery in children. The excellent results obtained in this trial indicate that tinidazole is a drug worthy of extensive evaluation in the treatment of amoebiasis, as three single daily doses is a simple form of treatment. The drug was well tolerated and free from any toxic effects.", "PMID": 779664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5412", "title": "Clinical evaluation in tinidazole in amoebiasis in children.", "content": "Forty children with symptomatic intestinal amoebiasis were treated with tinidazole in a single dose of 50 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days. A cure rate of 97% was obtained. Tinidazole was tolerated well in children and proved to be a valuable new amoebicidal drug.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation in tinidazole in amoebiasis in children. Forty children with symptomatic intestinal amoebiasis were treated with tinidazole in a single dose of 50 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days. A cure rate of 97% was obtained. Tinidazole was tolerated well in children and proved to be a valuable new amoebicidal drug.", "PMID": 779665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5413", "title": "Vitamin E deficiency and thrombocytosis in Caffey's disease.", "content": "An infant is described who presented with ptosis and periorbital oedema and was found to have infantile cortical hyperostosis with thrombocytosis, raised IgM, and vitamin E deficiency.", "contents": "Vitamin E deficiency and thrombocytosis in Caffey's disease. An infant is described who presented with ptosis and periorbital oedema and was found to have infantile cortical hyperostosis with thrombocytosis, raised IgM, and vitamin E deficiency.", "PMID": 779666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5414", "title": "[Epidemiological and bacteriological study on the outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Escherichia coli 0111:B4 which occured in hospital environment].", "content": "The Authors report the results of the bacteriological researches carried out during an outbreak of gastroenteritis from E. coli O111:B4 having concerned, in 6 months, 40 infants of the pediatric ward at Legnano's Hospital. The researches clearly demonstrate the need for a strict control, particularly in the pediatric and neonatal wards, so as to make possible a swift identification of the gastroenteric syndromes due to E. coli strains which cause enteritis. The gravity of the symptomatology, the likelihood of the infections's spreading within the hospital and the considerable resistance to antibiotics of the strains in question are all factors which make this type of infection one particularly to be feared in hospitals.", "contents": "[Epidemiological and bacteriological study on the outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Escherichia coli 0111:B4 which occured in hospital environment]. The Authors report the results of the bacteriological researches carried out during an outbreak of gastroenteritis from E. coli O111:B4 having concerned, in 6 months, 40 infants of the pediatric ward at Legnano's Hospital. The researches clearly demonstrate the need for a strict control, particularly in the pediatric and neonatal wards, so as to make possible a swift identification of the gastroenteric syndromes due to E. coli strains which cause enteritis. The gravity of the symptomatology, the likelihood of the infections's spreading within the hospital and the considerable resistance to antibiotics of the strains in question are all factors which make this type of infection one particularly to be feared in hospitals.", "PMID": 779670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5415", "title": "[Comparison between fixation test with BCG and immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis].", "content": "The complement fixation test with an antigen from commercially lyophilized BCG and the immunofluorescence test were carried out on serum samples from patients with visceral leishmaniasis, oriental sore and tbc. The IFT positivity was obtained only in patients with visceral leishmaniasis. The CFT with BCG showed positive results in 3 on 5 serum samples from patients with visceral leishmaniasis, in 2 with oriental sore, at low titres, and in 5 serum samples from patients with tbc. The AA. confirm the high specificity of the IFT, but suggest that the CFT with BCG can be used as a convenient screening test.", "contents": "[Comparison between fixation test with BCG and immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis]. The complement fixation test with an antigen from commercially lyophilized BCG and the immunofluorescence test were carried out on serum samples from patients with visceral leishmaniasis, oriental sore and tbc. The IFT positivity was obtained only in patients with visceral leishmaniasis. The CFT with BCG showed positive results in 3 on 5 serum samples from patients with visceral leishmaniasis, in 2 with oriental sore, at low titres, and in 5 serum samples from patients with tbc. The AA. confirm the high specificity of the IFT, but suggest that the CFT with BCG can be used as a convenient screening test.", "PMID": 779671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5416", "title": "[Practical importance of quantitative bacteriology in pneumology. Preliminary studies].", "content": "Some ascertained the utility of the quantitative bacteriology in pneumology especially for the diagnosis of acute bronchopulmonary infections. Miles and Mizra technique lightly changed as analytically here described is suitable for counts of viable bacteria in sputum after liquefaction by N-acetyl-l-cisteine. Some researches prove that the technique is convenient for the control of chronic bronchopulmonary infections too with some restrictions. Quantitative tests are important to ascertain aetiological function of the bacteria in sputum and in bronchial secretions. Particularly 10(7)-10(9) coliforms per ml of sputum are likely pathogenic. The observation of the early quantitative changes of bacteria in sputum during antibiotic treatments is suitable for in vivo tests of microbial sensitivity to drugs and is preferable to the usual in vitro antibiograms.", "contents": "[Practical importance of quantitative bacteriology in pneumology. Preliminary studies]. Some ascertained the utility of the quantitative bacteriology in pneumology especially for the diagnosis of acute bronchopulmonary infections. Miles and Mizra technique lightly changed as analytically here described is suitable for counts of viable bacteria in sputum after liquefaction by N-acetyl-l-cisteine. Some researches prove that the technique is convenient for the control of chronic bronchopulmonary infections too with some restrictions. Quantitative tests are important to ascertain aetiological function of the bacteria in sputum and in bronchial secretions. Particularly 10(7)-10(9) coliforms per ml of sputum are likely pathogenic. The observation of the early quantitative changes of bacteria in sputum during antibiotic treatments is suitable for in vivo tests of microbial sensitivity to drugs and is preferable to the usual in vitro antibiograms.", "PMID": 779672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5417", "title": "A bacteriological study of the intestinal mucosa and luminal fluid of adults with acute diarrhoea.", "content": "Bacteriological studies of jejunal mucosal biopsy specimens and contents were performed on 22 hospitalized adult patients with acute diarrhoea and 24 control normal subjects. None of the washed homogenates of the mucosal specimens were sterile and only one fluid specimen obtained from a control subject was sterile. A definite enteric pathogen was found in only five of the 22 diarrhoea patients. There was no qualitative difference in the bacterial profile of the jejunal mucosa and contents of the diarrhoea patients from that of the control subjects, but there were significant quantitative differences for some bacterial categories. In the control as well as diarrhoea subjects, there was no qualitative difference in the bacterial profile of the jejunal mucosa from that of the fluid, but there were significant quantitative differences for some bacterial categories. The significance of the findings is discussed.", "contents": "A bacteriological study of the intestinal mucosa and luminal fluid of adults with acute diarrhoea. Bacteriological studies of jejunal mucosal biopsy specimens and contents were performed on 22 hospitalized adult patients with acute diarrhoea and 24 control normal subjects. None of the washed homogenates of the mucosal specimens were sterile and only one fluid specimen obtained from a control subject was sterile. A definite enteric pathogen was found in only five of the 22 diarrhoea patients. There was no qualitative difference in the bacterial profile of the jejunal mucosa and contents of the diarrhoea patients from that of the control subjects, but there were significant quantitative differences for some bacterial categories. In the control as well as diarrhoea subjects, there was no qualitative difference in the bacterial profile of the jejunal mucosa from that of the fluid, but there were significant quantitative differences for some bacterial categories. The significance of the findings is discussed.", "PMID": 779681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5418", "title": "Effectiveness of single doses of Fenbendazole Hoe 88I against Ascaris, hookworm and Trichuris in man.", "content": "Fenbendazole (Hoe 881) 5-(phenylthio)-2-benzimidazolecarbaminicacidmethylester in doses of 1-0 g and 1-5 g per person were effective against Ascaris and gave substantial egg count reductions against hookworm (mainly Necator americanus). The 1-5 g dose gave good results against Trichuris. In a trial with a suspension of Hoe 881 with a high specific surface of 25 m2/g there was no advantage over tablets with a specific surface of approximately 8 m2/g. Two doses of 500 mg given with an interval of 24 hours were no more effective than one dose of 1-0 g. In a comparative trial using Hoe 881 1-5 g, Pyrantel 10 mg/kg and placebo respectively Hoe 881 showed equal potency against hookworms and Acsaris as Pyrantel and good effectiveness against Trichuris. Pyrantel showed only moderate activity against Trichuris in this trial.", "contents": "Effectiveness of single doses of Fenbendazole Hoe 88I against Ascaris, hookworm and Trichuris in man. Fenbendazole (Hoe 881) 5-(phenylthio)-2-benzimidazolecarbaminicacidmethylester in doses of 1-0 g and 1-5 g per person were effective against Ascaris and gave substantial egg count reductions against hookworm (mainly Necator americanus). The 1-5 g dose gave good results against Trichuris. In a trial with a suspension of Hoe 881 with a high specific surface of 25 m2/g there was no advantage over tablets with a specific surface of approximately 8 m2/g. Two doses of 500 mg given with an interval of 24 hours were no more effective than one dose of 1-0 g. In a comparative trial using Hoe 881 1-5 g, Pyrantel 10 mg/kg and placebo respectively Hoe 881 showed equal potency against hookworms and Acsaris as Pyrantel and good effectiveness against Trichuris. Pyrantel showed only moderate activity against Trichuris in this trial.", "PMID": 779682} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5419", "title": "Diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis by immunofluorescence using microfilariae as antigen.", "content": "A new technique for the diagnosis of wuchereriasis is described. Microfilariae treated with proteolytic enzyme were used as antigen for the immunofluorescent reaction. The specificity of the reaction is demonstrated in sera from persons who have a microfilariaemia, individuals with clinical symptoms of the disease but no microfilariaemia, those who have no clinical symptoms, but harbour other parasites, and in persons living in France, where the Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis is absent.", "contents": "Diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis by immunofluorescence using microfilariae as antigen. A new technique for the diagnosis of wuchereriasis is described. Microfilariae treated with proteolytic enzyme were used as antigen for the immunofluorescent reaction. The specificity of the reaction is demonstrated in sera from persons who have a microfilariaemia, individuals with clinical symptoms of the disease but no microfilariaemia, those who have no clinical symptoms, but harbour other parasites, and in persons living in France, where the Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis is absent.", "PMID": 779683} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5420", "title": "The passage of serum immunoglobulins through the gut of Sarcophaga falculata, Pand.", "content": "Rabbits were immunized with brain, muscle or haemolymph of adult Sarcophaga falculata, and groups of Sarcophaga were then fed on serum collected from the immune rabbits. Rabbit serum immunoglobulins on the tissues of the fed flies were demonstrated by the indirect fluorescent antibody method, using fluorescent goat-anti-rabbit IgG. The antibodies were specifically demonstrated in the tissues that had been used as immunizing antigen. It was also shown that antibodies unrelated to fly antigens pass through the fly gut and react with the specific antigens.", "contents": "The passage of serum immunoglobulins through the gut of Sarcophaga falculata, Pand. Rabbits were immunized with brain, muscle or haemolymph of adult Sarcophaga falculata, and groups of Sarcophaga were then fed on serum collected from the immune rabbits. Rabbit serum immunoglobulins on the tissues of the fed flies were demonstrated by the indirect fluorescent antibody method, using fluorescent goat-anti-rabbit IgG. The antibodies were specifically demonstrated in the tissues that had been used as immunizing antigen. It was also shown that antibodies unrelated to fly antigens pass through the fly gut and react with the specific antigens.", "PMID": 779684} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5421", "title": "[Presence of salmonellae, E. coli and their homologous phages in the seawater].", "content": "Comparative experiments were carried out on samples of sea water at different degrees of natural pollution. The aim of such experiments was the quantitative estimation of coliforms and salmonellae and their respective phages. The results obtained show that it is thus possible to get better informations regarding the nature and degree of water pollution, than these obtained by the E. coli count alone.", "contents": "[Presence of salmonellae, E. coli and their homologous phages in the seawater]. Comparative experiments were carried out on samples of sea water at different degrees of natural pollution. The aim of such experiments was the quantitative estimation of coliforms and salmonellae and their respective phages. The results obtained show that it is thus possible to get better informations regarding the nature and degree of water pollution, than these obtained by the E. coli count alone.", "PMID": 779677} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5422", "title": "[Urinary infections due to Serratia marcescens: clinico-statistical pictures of patients hospitalized in the S. Maria della Scala Hospital in Siena during 1971, 1972, and 1973].", "content": "The Authors have carried out a clinical-statistical research into cases of urinary tract infection by Serratia marcescens isolated in 42 of 2500 urine-cultures effected during the period 1971-1973 by patients hospitalized in \"S. Maria della Scala\" Hospital of Siena. The Authors point out the high incidence of isolation of Serratia marcescens in urological patients and show some control measures to prevent the diffusion of such infections in hospital.", "contents": "[Urinary infections due to Serratia marcescens: clinico-statistical pictures of patients hospitalized in the S. Maria della Scala Hospital in Siena during 1971, 1972, and 1973]. The Authors have carried out a clinical-statistical research into cases of urinary tract infection by Serratia marcescens isolated in 42 of 2500 urine-cultures effected during the period 1971-1973 by patients hospitalized in \"S. Maria della Scala\" Hospital of Siena. The Authors point out the high incidence of isolation of Serratia marcescens in urological patients and show some control measures to prevent the diffusion of such infections in hospital.", "PMID": 779676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5423", "title": "Technique for the coronary snake graft operation.", "content": "The use of one end-to-side anastomosis with side-to-side technique for all additional vein-coronary anastomoses has given continually good results and has been used in 227 of 411 patients undergoing vein graft operations, including all multiple graftings done since April, 1972. The operative mortality was 4.6%. Arteriography by the end of the third postoperative month has been obtained in 98.4% of the 377 eligible patients. It showed that 98% of the 304 side-to-side anastomoses were patent, with 289 (95%) having unrestricted communication with the aorta. The proximal segment was widely patent in 193 (97%) of the 200 patients with snake grafts having postoperative arteriography. The distal end-to-side anastomosis was patent in 176 (88%) of these 200 patients. The average was 2.3 unrestricted grafts per patient. These results are better than the patency rates of 89 and 87% obtained previously with single and Y-grafts, respectively. Technical details have been worked out for construction of suture lines, choosing the correct length for segments, obtaining a reliable proximal segment, routing grafts to multiple coronary branches, and removing air from the grafts.", "contents": "Technique for the coronary snake graft operation. The use of one end-to-side anastomosis with side-to-side technique for all additional vein-coronary anastomoses has given continually good results and has been used in 227 of 411 patients undergoing vein graft operations, including all multiple graftings done since April, 1972. The operative mortality was 4.6%. Arteriography by the end of the third postoperative month has been obtained in 98.4% of the 377 eligible patients. It showed that 98% of the 304 side-to-side anastomoses were patent, with 289 (95%) having unrestricted communication with the aorta. The proximal segment was widely patent in 193 (97%) of the 200 patients with snake grafts having postoperative arteriography. The distal end-to-side anastomosis was patent in 176 (88%) of these 200 patients. The average was 2.3 unrestricted grafts per patient. These results are better than the patency rates of 89 and 87% obtained previously with single and Y-grafts, respectively. Technical details have been worked out for construction of suture lines, choosing the correct length for segments, obtaining a reliable proximal segment, routing grafts to multiple coronary branches, and removing air from the grafts.", "PMID": 779687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5424", "title": "Management of tracheobronchial disruption secondary to nonpenetrating trauma.", "content": "The pathogenesis, pathology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of tracheo-bronchial injuries secondary to nonpenetrating thoracic trauma are discussed.", "contents": "Management of tracheobronchial disruption secondary to nonpenetrating trauma. The pathogenesis, pathology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of tracheo-bronchial injuries secondary to nonpenetrating thoracic trauma are discussed.", "PMID": 779688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5425", "title": "[The antigenic structure of vibrions studied by means of agglutination and fluorescent antibodies].", "content": "Cross immunofluorescent and serological studies were made of strains of Vibrio coli of different forms-a short, commashaped strain and other long, spiral-shaped and serpent-like strains isolated from swine. Some standard strains of Vibrio foetus were also included for comparison. An antigenic difference was established between vibrions of long and short forms, as well as the known difference between strains isolated from swine and those from cattle which can be established by means of immunofluorescent techniques. Combined studies using immunofluorescence and serological methods give the possibility for rapid group and species typing of different strains of vibrions.", "contents": "[The antigenic structure of vibrions studied by means of agglutination and fluorescent antibodies]. Cross immunofluorescent and serological studies were made of strains of Vibrio coli of different forms-a short, commashaped strain and other long, spiral-shaped and serpent-like strains isolated from swine. Some standard strains of Vibrio foetus were also included for comparison. An antigenic difference was established between vibrions of long and short forms, as well as the known difference between strains isolated from swine and those from cattle which can be established by means of immunofluorescent techniques. Combined studies using immunofluorescence and serological methods give the possibility for rapid group and species typing of different strains of vibrions.", "PMID": 779698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5426", "title": "[Preventive disopyramide in patients with ventricular arrhythmias detected by exercise].", "content": "Twenty patients with coronary heart disease subjected to exercise testing presented ventricular arrhythmias. In a \"double blind\" design, oral disopyramide was administered during 7 days, after which the test was repeated. In 16 patients disopyramide prevented the appearance of arrhythmia or decreased their severity. Basal heart rate increased. Significant toxic or colateral effects were not observed. In 6 cases, placebo also hindered exercise arrhythmias. It is suggested that disopyramide may be useful in the prevention of sudden death from ventricular arrhythmias.", "contents": "[Preventive disopyramide in patients with ventricular arrhythmias detected by exercise]. Twenty patients with coronary heart disease subjected to exercise testing presented ventricular arrhythmias. In a \"double blind\" design, oral disopyramide was administered during 7 days, after which the test was repeated. In 16 patients disopyramide prevented the appearance of arrhythmia or decreased their severity. Basal heart rate increased. Significant toxic or colateral effects were not observed. In 6 cases, placebo also hindered exercise arrhythmias. It is suggested that disopyramide may be useful in the prevention of sudden death from ventricular arrhythmias.", "PMID": 779692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5427", "title": "[Carpentier's ring in mitral surgery. Surgical technic].", "content": "The technic used to insert Carpentier's ring in the mitral position, in 128 patients, is described.", "contents": "[Carpentier's ring in mitral surgery. Surgical technic]. The technic used to insert Carpentier's ring in the mitral position, in 128 patients, is described.", "PMID": 779694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5428", "title": "[Isolated premature breast development in young girls. Results of the LH-RH test].", "content": "Thirty-six cases of premature thelarche in girls 9 months to 7 years old have been studied. In most cases, breast development began before 3 years and came to regression. Onset after 3 years was less common and led usually to breast persistance. Height was lightly but significantly advanced. Plasma levels of estrone, estradiol (in 21 cases) and gonadotropins (FSH and LH, in 12 cases) were not significantly increased. However, LH-RH test (in 12 cases) suggested prolongation and/or increase of the physiologic gonadotropic hyperactivity of normal female infants.", "contents": "[Isolated premature breast development in young girls. Results of the LH-RH test]. Thirty-six cases of premature thelarche in girls 9 months to 7 years old have been studied. In most cases, breast development began before 3 years and came to regression. Onset after 3 years was less common and led usually to breast persistance. Height was lightly but significantly advanced. Plasma levels of estrone, estradiol (in 21 cases) and gonadotropins (FSH and LH, in 12 cases) were not significantly increased. However, LH-RH test (in 12 cases) suggested prolongation and/or increase of the physiologic gonadotropic hyperactivity of normal female infants.", "PMID": 779701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5429", "title": "[Laryngo-pharyngeal paralysis. Complications during the course of myelomeningoceles].", "content": "Report of 5 cases in babies with my\u00e8lomeningocele and hydrocephalus stridor and troubles in swallowing appeared after a free interval. These facts were already reported in literature. They represent an impairment of cranial nerves (IX,X and XI). The lesion may be located at the level of the nerves themselves or at the level of the origin nucleus in the brain stem. The mechanism of the lesion is not well known. The role of intracranial hypertension and of Arnold-Chiari malformation seem to be prominent.", "contents": "[Laryngo-pharyngeal paralysis. Complications during the course of myelomeningoceles]. Report of 5 cases in babies with my\u00e8lomeningocele and hydrocephalus stridor and troubles in swallowing appeared after a free interval. These facts were already reported in literature. They represent an impairment of cranial nerves (IX,X and XI). The lesion may be located at the level of the nerves themselves or at the level of the origin nucleus in the brain stem. The mechanism of the lesion is not well known. The role of intracranial hypertension and of Arnold-Chiari malformation seem to be prominent.", "PMID": 779702} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5430", "title": "Potentiation by metyrosine of thioridazine effects in chronic schizophrenics. A long-term trial using double-blind crossover technique.", "content": "Four patients with chronic schizophrenia of stationary character were studied in order to titrate the lowest dose of thioridazine necessary for symptomatic control when the drug is given in combination with the inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis, metyrosine. The study showed 15% to 50% of the pretrial dose level of thioridazine hydrochloride was effective. In the present trial, the 779704 combination was maintained without any alterations in dosage for six months, and the therapeutic effect persisted unchanged. This treatment period was terminated by a double-blind crossover design, and the activity of metyrosine was corroborated in all cases. Plasma drug concentrations and cerebrospinal fluid amine metabolites were measured. The data indicate that schizophrenic symptoms can be profoundly influenced by changes in catecholamine synthesis. Catecholamine-carrying neurons thus seem to be fundamentally involved in those brain functions that are disturbed in schizophrenia. The clinical usefulness of metyrosine in combination with neuroleptic agents deserves more extensive investigation.", "contents": "Potentiation by metyrosine of thioridazine effects in chronic schizophrenics. A long-term trial using double-blind crossover technique. Four patients with chronic schizophrenia of stationary character were studied in order to titrate the lowest dose of thioridazine necessary for symptomatic control when the drug is given in combination with the inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis, metyrosine. The study showed 15% to 50% of the pretrial dose level of thioridazine hydrochloride was effective. In the present trial, the 779704 combination was maintained without any alterations in dosage for six months, and the therapeutic effect persisted unchanged. This treatment period was terminated by a double-blind crossover design, and the activity of metyrosine was corroborated in all cases. Plasma drug concentrations and cerebrospinal fluid amine metabolites were measured. The data indicate that schizophrenic symptoms can be profoundly influenced by changes in catecholamine synthesis. Catecholamine-carrying neurons thus seem to be fundamentally involved in those brain functions that are disturbed in schizophrenia. The clinical usefulness of metyrosine in combination with neuroleptic agents deserves more extensive investigation.", "PMID": 779704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5431", "title": "Methadyl acetate and methadone as maintenance treatments for heroin addicts. A veterans administration cooperative study.", "content": "This was a double-blind comparison of methadyl acetate and two dose levels of methadone hydrochloride in the maintenance of 430 street heroin addicts from 12 Veterans Administration hospitals. The starting sample consisted of 146 patients receiving low-dose methadone, 142 patients receiving methadyl acetate. Patients were first given 30 mg of both drugs, and doses were incremented by 10 mg/week until they stabilized at methadyl acetate, 80 mg three times a week, and methadone hydrochloride, 50 mg daily or 100 mg daily. Dosage was fixed for the balance of the 40-week treatment period. Safety was evaluated by clinical and laboratory observations conducted at frequent intervals throughout the study. Relative efficacy was evaluated by illicit drug use, program retention and attendance, and global staff judgments. It is concluded that methadyl acetate is as safe a drug as methadone and that it compares favorably with highdose methoadone in terms of efficacy. Both methyadyl acetate and high-dose methadone appear to be better maintenance regimens than low-dose methadone under the conditions of this study.", "contents": "Methadyl acetate and methadone as maintenance treatments for heroin addicts. A veterans administration cooperative study. This was a double-blind comparison of methadyl acetate and two dose levels of methadone hydrochloride in the maintenance of 430 street heroin addicts from 12 Veterans Administration hospitals. The starting sample consisted of 146 patients receiving low-dose methadone, 142 patients receiving methadyl acetate. Patients were first given 30 mg of both drugs, and doses were incremented by 10 mg/week until they stabilized at methadyl acetate, 80 mg three times a week, and methadone hydrochloride, 50 mg daily or 100 mg daily. Dosage was fixed for the balance of the 40-week treatment period. Safety was evaluated by clinical and laboratory observations conducted at frequent intervals throughout the study. Relative efficacy was evaluated by illicit drug use, program retention and attendance, and global staff judgments. It is concluded that methadyl acetate is as safe a drug as methadone and that it compares favorably with highdose methoadone in terms of efficacy. Both methyadyl acetate and high-dose methadone appear to be better maintenance regimens than low-dose methadone under the conditions of this study.", "PMID": 779705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5432", "title": "Hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the endocrine and exocrine pancreas of rats fed soybean trypsin inhibitor or repeatedly injected with pancreozymin.", "content": "Rats were 1) fed raw soybeans for 30 days, 2) given trypsin inhibitor as drinking water for 7 days, or 3) repeatedly injected with cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK-PZ) for 7 days. After all these treatments the pancreas of the animals was markedly enlarged. Microscopic examination revealed, besides hypertrophy of acinar cells, increased mitotic figures in the acinar, centro-acinar, intercalated portion and excretory duct cells. The islets of Langerhans were found conspicuously enlarged due to mitotic proliferation of B cells. The endogenous CCK-PZ released by the intraluminal trypsin inhibitor and the exogenous CCK-PZ given by injections thus exerts not only secretagogous, but also trophic effects upon the endocrine and exocrine pancreas. The exocrine pancreas likely is affected also by the increased release of insulin from the B cells stimulated by CCK-PZ.", "contents": "Hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the endocrine and exocrine pancreas of rats fed soybean trypsin inhibitor or repeatedly injected with pancreozymin. Rats were 1) fed raw soybeans for 30 days, 2) given trypsin inhibitor as drinking water for 7 days, or 3) repeatedly injected with cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK-PZ) for 7 days. After all these treatments the pancreas of the animals was markedly enlarged. Microscopic examination revealed, besides hypertrophy of acinar cells, increased mitotic figures in the acinar, centro-acinar, intercalated portion and excretory duct cells. The islets of Langerhans were found conspicuously enlarged due to mitotic proliferation of B cells. The endogenous CCK-PZ released by the intraluminal trypsin inhibitor and the exogenous CCK-PZ given by injections thus exerts not only secretagogous, but also trophic effects upon the endocrine and exocrine pancreas. The exocrine pancreas likely is affected also by the increased release of insulin from the B cells stimulated by CCK-PZ.", "PMID": 779717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5433", "title": "Comparison of a new antidepressive, lofepramine, with imipramine in a double-blind multicentre trial.", "content": "Lofepramine, an imipramine derivative, shows lower acute toxicity in animals when compared with desipramine and imipramine. Its anticholinergic effect is less pronounced than that of desipramine. In an open clinical trial lofepramine showed a marked antidepressive action. A double-blind multicenter trial of lofepramine v. imipramine, evaluated by means of the AMP system, showed a remarkable degree of concurrence with regards to the effects of those two products.", "contents": "Comparison of a new antidepressive, lofepramine, with imipramine in a double-blind multicentre trial. Lofepramine, an imipramine derivative, shows lower acute toxicity in animals when compared with desipramine and imipramine. Its anticholinergic effect is less pronounced than that of desipramine. In an open clinical trial lofepramine showed a marked antidepressive action. A double-blind multicenter trial of lofepramine v. imipramine, evaluated by means of the AMP system, showed a remarkable degree of concurrence with regards to the effects of those two products.", "PMID": 779718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5434", "title": "Early severe renal allograft rejection.", "content": "An early, severe form of renal allograft rejection, occuring after an initial day or more of good function and within the first week after transplantation, is an increasingly recognized phenomenon. This type of rejection occurred in 17 of 187 (9%) postmortem-donor renal transplants. It could only be reversed in four grafts, and two of these failed because of recurrent rejection within four months. No clinical observations were helpful in determining which cases were likely to respond to antirejection therapy. Of the 17 patients, four died. Because of the poor graft survival and the high mortality, attempts to treat early severe rejection may not be warranted.", "contents": "Early severe renal allograft rejection. An early, severe form of renal allograft rejection, occuring after an initial day or more of good function and within the first week after transplantation, is an increasingly recognized phenomenon. This type of rejection occurred in 17 of 187 (9%) postmortem-donor renal transplants. It could only be reversed in four grafts, and two of these failed because of recurrent rejection within four months. No clinical observations were helpful in determining which cases were likely to respond to antirejection therapy. Of the 17 patients, four died. Because of the poor graft survival and the high mortality, attempts to treat early severe rejection may not be warranted.", "PMID": 779719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5435", "title": "Total body washout for the treatment of endotoxin shock. An experimental study.", "content": "In order to study the therapeutic effects of total body washout (TBW) in experimental endotoxin shock, we used the following procedure. Seventeen rabbits (controls) received Escherichia coli endotoxin (5 mg/kg) intravenously and were observed for 12 hours. Shock developed in 14 rabbits; they died in 5.2 +/- 1.0 (mean +/- SD) hours, with a survival rate of 18%. Seventeen rabbits were subjected to TBW only. Muscle temperature was lowered to 25 C with a pump oxygenator circuit and the animals were exsanguinated. After residual blood was flushed out with cold, lactated Ringer solution, the animals were rewarmed with another circuit that was primed with homologous blood. Fourteen animals survived (82%). Two hours after E. coli endotoxin was injected intravenously 17 animals were treated with TBW. The survival rate (53%) of this group was significantly higher than in the control group (18%) (P less than .005). Eight nonsurvivors showed hypotension and acidosis even after TBW treatment, thus indicating the irreversibility of their endotoxin shock. This study indicates that endotoxin shock may be reversed by TBW if it is instituted before irreversible cellular damage.", "contents": "Total body washout for the treatment of endotoxin shock. An experimental study. In order to study the therapeutic effects of total body washout (TBW) in experimental endotoxin shock, we used the following procedure. Seventeen rabbits (controls) received Escherichia coli endotoxin (5 mg/kg) intravenously and were observed for 12 hours. Shock developed in 14 rabbits; they died in 5.2 +/- 1.0 (mean +/- SD) hours, with a survival rate of 18%. Seventeen rabbits were subjected to TBW only. Muscle temperature was lowered to 25 C with a pump oxygenator circuit and the animals were exsanguinated. After residual blood was flushed out with cold, lactated Ringer solution, the animals were rewarmed with another circuit that was primed with homologous blood. Fourteen animals survived (82%). Two hours after E. coli endotoxin was injected intravenously 17 animals were treated with TBW. The survival rate (53%) of this group was significantly higher than in the control group (18%) (P less than .005). Eight nonsurvivors showed hypotension and acidosis even after TBW treatment, thus indicating the irreversibility of their endotoxin shock. This study indicates that endotoxin shock may be reversed by TBW if it is instituted before irreversible cellular damage.", "PMID": 779720} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5436", "title": "[Pathological anatomy, etiology and pathogenesis of remote sequelae of radiation dust exposure].", "content": "Thorium (Th) is one of the widely spread radioactive substances in nature, and together with other aerosols it can penetrate into the organism. The article considers relationships between various histological forms of neoplasms induced by a radioactive dust agent containing Th and the power of this etiological factor (total body dose and its power). In experiments with 3000 white rats a 150 rad dose accumulated in the lungs during 15--21 months led to an increase in the number of cases of reticulosarcoma, a 300 rad dose produced no such effects. Doses as big as 1000--2700 rad brought about multicentrical adenomas and glandular cancerous tumours against the background of pneumocirrhosis. But no reticulosarcomas of the lung were noted. Adenocarcinomas and squamous-cell carcinomas were distributed most often in the neighbourhood of accumulated radioactive dusts. The question is raised about the need for taking into account the microdistribution of energy in the lung tissue in exposure to alpha-active aerosols with subsequent microdosimetry; due account also should be made of detailed registration of forms of tumours and degree of their malignancy, which is not also observed by researchrs in radiobiological investigations.", "contents": "[Pathological anatomy, etiology and pathogenesis of remote sequelae of radiation dust exposure]. Thorium (Th) is one of the widely spread radioactive substances in nature, and together with other aerosols it can penetrate into the organism. The article considers relationships between various histological forms of neoplasms induced by a radioactive dust agent containing Th and the power of this etiological factor (total body dose and its power). In experiments with 3000 white rats a 150 rad dose accumulated in the lungs during 15--21 months led to an increase in the number of cases of reticulosarcoma, a 300 rad dose produced no such effects. Doses as big as 1000--2700 rad brought about multicentrical adenomas and glandular cancerous tumours against the background of pneumocirrhosis. But no reticulosarcomas of the lung were noted. Adenocarcinomas and squamous-cell carcinomas were distributed most often in the neighbourhood of accumulated radioactive dusts. The question is raised about the need for taking into account the microdistribution of energy in the lung tissue in exposure to alpha-active aerosols with subsequent microdosimetry; due account also should be made of detailed registration of forms of tumours and degree of their malignancy, which is not also observed by researchrs in radiobiological investigations.", "PMID": 779725} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5437", "title": "[Pathomorphology of pulmonary aspergillosis in tuberculosis patients based on according to resection material].", "content": "To investigate various manifestations of broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis and to ascertain its association with a previous disease there were carried out histotopographic, histological and mycological studies of specimens of the lung tissue resected in 37 patients in connection with aspergillomas of the lungs and broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis. The investigations showed that aspergillosis was one of the forms of dysbacteriosis in the human organism and could develop against the background of post-tuberculous, tuberculous and nonspecific changes. The development of aspergillosis following post-tuberculous changes should be considered as a second nonspecific disease pathogenetically associated with tuberculosis, but with an etiological factor ot its own. There are the following forms of broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis: aspergillomas, isolated aspergillosis of the bronchi, extensive aspergillosis of the bronchi and cyst-like cavities, aspergillous pneumonia.", "contents": "[Pathomorphology of pulmonary aspergillosis in tuberculosis patients based on according to resection material]. To investigate various manifestations of broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis and to ascertain its association with a previous disease there were carried out histotopographic, histological and mycological studies of specimens of the lung tissue resected in 37 patients in connection with aspergillomas of the lungs and broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis. The investigations showed that aspergillosis was one of the forms of dysbacteriosis in the human organism and could develop against the background of post-tuberculous, tuberculous and nonspecific changes. The development of aspergillosis following post-tuberculous changes should be considered as a second nonspecific disease pathogenetically associated with tuberculosis, but with an etiological factor ot its own. There are the following forms of broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis: aspergillomas, isolated aspergillosis of the bronchi, extensive aspergillosis of the bronchi and cyst-like cavities, aspergillous pneumonia.", "PMID": 779726} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5438", "title": "Clinical effects of myotonic dystrophy on pregnancy and the neonate.", "content": "The article describes pregnancies and labors of five women with myotonic muscular dystrophy and their four severely involved infants, and reviews the pertinent literature. Three of the four neonatal cases died by 3 weeks of age of respiratory failure or aspiration; the fourth infant is now 4 months old and has respiratory and swallowing difficulties. The symptoms of myotonic dystrophy worsen during pregnancy. A high rate of fetal loss occurs due to spontaneous abortion, prematurity, and neonatal involvement with the disease. Prolonged labor has been described as a consistent complication, but the evidence does not justify this conclusion. Although many neonates with myotonic dystrophy are asymptomatic, severely affected newborns have a recognizable disorder unrelated to the severity of the maternal disease. The most common clinical manifestations in the neonate are arthrogryposis involving predominantly the lower extremilies, generalized hypotonia and weakness, and pharyngeal weakness. Less constant features include polyhydramnios, facial diplegia, diaphragmatic paralysis, respiratory failure, decreased motility of the gastrointestinal tract, congenital cataracts, and electrocardiographic abnormalities.", "contents": "Clinical effects of myotonic dystrophy on pregnancy and the neonate. The article describes pregnancies and labors of five women with myotonic muscular dystrophy and their four severely involved infants, and reviews the pertinent literature. Three of the four neonatal cases died by 3 weeks of age of respiratory failure or aspiration; the fourth infant is now 4 months old and has respiratory and swallowing difficulties. The symptoms of myotonic dystrophy worsen during pregnancy. A high rate of fetal loss occurs due to spontaneous abortion, prematurity, and neonatal involvement with the disease. Prolonged labor has been described as a consistent complication, but the evidence does not justify this conclusion. Although many neonates with myotonic dystrophy are asymptomatic, severely affected newborns have a recognizable disorder unrelated to the severity of the maternal disease. The most common clinical manifestations in the neonate are arthrogryposis involving predominantly the lower extremilies, generalized hypotonia and weakness, and pharyngeal weakness. Less constant features include polyhydramnios, facial diplegia, diaphragmatic paralysis, respiratory failure, decreased motility of the gastrointestinal tract, congenital cataracts, and electrocardiographic abnormalities.", "PMID": 779728} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5439", "title": "Lattice corneal dystrophy.", "content": "The clinical and histologic aspects of 34 primary and six reoperative keratoplasties for lattice corneal dystrophy are evaluated. Surgical and postoperative complications were minimal and not considered specific for lattice corneal dystrophy. Visual results were highly favorable in a long-term evaluation. No lattice figures were seen to recur in any of the 34 primary or six reoperative grafts; however, opacities did occur in several grafts. Amyloid was definitely found in one reoperative graft specimen. A nonamyloid material was also found in the subepithelial and superficial stromal area in both the lattice dystrophy and reoperative specimens.", "contents": "Lattice corneal dystrophy. The clinical and histologic aspects of 34 primary and six reoperative keratoplasties for lattice corneal dystrophy are evaluated. Surgical and postoperative complications were minimal and not considered specific for lattice corneal dystrophy. Visual results were highly favorable in a long-term evaluation. No lattice figures were seen to recur in any of the 34 primary or six reoperative grafts; however, opacities did occur in several grafts. Amyloid was definitely found in one reoperative graft specimen. A nonamyloid material was also found in the subepithelial and superficial stromal area in both the lattice dystrophy and reoperative specimens.", "PMID": 779730} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5440", "title": "Aberrant bacterial forms from various ocular sites.", "content": "Patients may harbor cell-wall-deficient organisms or other aberrant bacterial forms (ABFs) in their eyes. In this survey of 400 cultures, we found the incidence of ABFs isolated from various ocular sites to be 13.2%. The rate of isolation of these forms from the eyes of patients with suspected bacterial infection differed greatly from that for noninfected eyes. We will describe the microbiological techniques employed and will present our analysis of the data obtained.", "contents": "Aberrant bacterial forms from various ocular sites. Patients may harbor cell-wall-deficient organisms or other aberrant bacterial forms (ABFs) in their eyes. In this survey of 400 cultures, we found the incidence of ABFs isolated from various ocular sites to be 13.2%. The rate of isolation of these forms from the eyes of patients with suspected bacterial infection differed greatly from that for noninfected eyes. We will describe the microbiological techniques employed and will present our analysis of the data obtained.", "PMID": 779731} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5441", "title": "The \"lazy-T\" correction of ectropion of the lower punctum.", "content": "The \"lazy-T\" technique consists of a surgical horizontal and vertical shortening of the involved portion of the lower eyelid. As a result of the surgical procedure, the lid margin is restored to its normal relationship with the globe. The punctum is reestablished into its normal anatomical position in the proximity of the lacrimal lake. The cosmetic blemish resulting from the surgical scar is insignificant.", "contents": "The \"lazy-T\" correction of ectropion of the lower punctum. The \"lazy-T\" technique consists of a surgical horizontal and vertical shortening of the involved portion of the lower eyelid. As a result of the surgical procedure, the lid margin is restored to its normal relationship with the globe. The punctum is reestablished into its normal anatomical position in the proximity of the lacrimal lake. The cosmetic blemish resulting from the surgical scar is insignificant.", "PMID": 779732} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5442", "title": "Correction of entropion from Stevens-Johnson syndrome: use of nasal septum and mucosa for severely cicatrized eyelid entropion.", "content": "The resistant entropion, especially of the upper lid, that results from the persistent contraction of the conjunctiva after Stevens-Johnson syndrome is difficult to correct. Grafts of buccal mucosa have relieved this condition for only a few weeks or months. Because of the rigidity of the nasal septum, a sector of this structure, with the perichondrium and mucosa intact on one side, has been grafted into the posterior layer of the upper lid at the margin to turn the lashes and skin away from the globe. For more than two years postoperatively, this graft of septal mucosa has relieved patients of their entropion, and from all indications this correction will be permanent.", "contents": "Correction of entropion from Stevens-Johnson syndrome: use of nasal septum and mucosa for severely cicatrized eyelid entropion. The resistant entropion, especially of the upper lid, that results from the persistent contraction of the conjunctiva after Stevens-Johnson syndrome is difficult to correct. Grafts of buccal mucosa have relieved this condition for only a few weeks or months. Because of the rigidity of the nasal septum, a sector of this structure, with the perichondrium and mucosa intact on one side, has been grafted into the posterior layer of the upper lid at the margin to turn the lashes and skin away from the globe. For more than two years postoperatively, this graft of septal mucosa has relieved patients of their entropion, and from all indications this correction will be permanent.", "PMID": 779733} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5443", "title": "Arthroplasty of the elbow in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "The study consists of 208 elbow arthroplasties performed on rheumatoid arthritic patients. A straight resection of the joint was used in 53 cases and a modified Hass arthroplasty with skin interposition in 155 cases. The average postoperative range of motion in these groups was 100 degrees and 96 degrees respectively. Postoperatively the joint was painless in 81 and 67% of the elbows respectively. The Hass arthroplasty gave a better stability and extension power. The most common complications were paresthesias in the region of the ulnar nerve and bone resorption in the region of the ulnar nerve and bone resorption in the region of the olecranon fossa.", "contents": "Arthroplasty of the elbow in rheumatoid arthritis. The study consists of 208 elbow arthroplasties performed on rheumatoid arthritic patients. A straight resection of the joint was used in 53 cases and a modified Hass arthroplasty with skin interposition in 155 cases. The average postoperative range of motion in these groups was 100 degrees and 96 degrees respectively. Postoperatively the joint was painless in 81 and 67% of the elbows respectively. The Hass arthroplasty gave a better stability and extension power. The most common complications were paresthesias in the region of the ulnar nerve and bone resorption in the region of the ulnar nerve and bone resorption in the region of the olecranon fossa.", "PMID": 779734} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5444", "title": "[Clinical problems after the use of polyestercomponents in total hip replacement (author's transl)].", "content": "Follow up studies of total hip replacement using polyester as a component of the alloplastic joint have shown that this material causes soft tissue reaction and osteolysis. The problem is demonstrated in this paper.", "contents": "[Clinical problems after the use of polyestercomponents in total hip replacement (author's transl)]. Follow up studies of total hip replacement using polyester as a component of the alloplastic joint have shown that this material causes soft tissue reaction and osteolysis. The problem is demonstrated in this paper.", "PMID": 779735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5445", "title": "[Scoliosis, metabolism and growth of the vertebral column (author's transl)].", "content": "Modern investigators incline to the opinion, that more biochemical than biomechanical disorders take part in cause of the \"idiopathic'' scolioses. It seems, however, that there is not only one cause but more in some subgroups. Idiopathic scolioses, which have symptomes of arachnodactyly, seem to be a big one of these subgroups. These cases allow to state a hypothesis, in which kind a disordered metabolism leads to a deviation of the spine. This hypothesis is basing on the fact, that the enchondral growth in the length and the periostal growth in the width of \"long bones'' are not regulated in the same endocrinological kind and that the enchondral growth of the vertebral-bodies-column happens in cranio-caudal direction, the enchondral growth of the vertebral-archies-column, however, in anterior-posterior direction. If the balance between enchondral and periostal growth is disturbed, you can see typical chances on the long bones, which resemble either an \"arachnodactyly\" or a \"chondrodysplasy\". The same disturbance will cause a \"kyphosis\" respectively a \"lordosis\" (or scoliosis) on the vertebral spine; either the bodies-column or the archies-column will become longer (higher). The results of metabolism research are suitable to these facts. If the balance between enchondral and periostal growth,--basing on a dysbolism,--is disturbed in such a kind, that the vertebral-bodies-column is growing faster than the vertebral-archies-column, the vertebral spine is forced to change into a lordosis respectively into a scoliosis. If you want to cure an idiopathic scoliosis, you first have to remove or to paralyse the dysbolism. The aim of all research has to be to find an effective chemotherapeutical treatment of mindst a part of all idiopathic scolioses.", "contents": "[Scoliosis, metabolism and growth of the vertebral column (author's transl)]. Modern investigators incline to the opinion, that more biochemical than biomechanical disorders take part in cause of the \"idiopathic'' scolioses. It seems, however, that there is not only one cause but more in some subgroups. Idiopathic scolioses, which have symptomes of arachnodactyly, seem to be a big one of these subgroups. These cases allow to state a hypothesis, in which kind a disordered metabolism leads to a deviation of the spine. This hypothesis is basing on the fact, that the enchondral growth in the length and the periostal growth in the width of \"long bones'' are not regulated in the same endocrinological kind and that the enchondral growth of the vertebral-bodies-column happens in cranio-caudal direction, the enchondral growth of the vertebral-archies-column, however, in anterior-posterior direction. If the balance between enchondral and periostal growth is disturbed, you can see typical chances on the long bones, which resemble either an \"arachnodactyly\" or a \"chondrodysplasy\". The same disturbance will cause a \"kyphosis\" respectively a \"lordosis\" (or scoliosis) on the vertebral spine; either the bodies-column or the archies-column will become longer (higher). The results of metabolism research are suitable to these facts. If the balance between enchondral and periostal growth,--basing on a dysbolism,--is disturbed in such a kind, that the vertebral-bodies-column is growing faster than the vertebral-archies-column, the vertebral spine is forced to change into a lordosis respectively into a scoliosis. If you want to cure an idiopathic scoliosis, you first have to remove or to paralyse the dysbolism. The aim of all research has to be to find an effective chemotherapeutical treatment of mindst a part of all idiopathic scolioses.", "PMID": 779736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5446", "title": "Larynx injected with polytef paste.", "content": "A patient with inoperable lung cancer developed left-sided laryngeal paralysis. Her dysphonia, difficulty with swallowing, aspiration of secretions, and diminished cough reflex were improved with intracordal polytef injection for the remainder of her life. The foreign body reaction to the implant showed giant cells, few lymphocytes, and no polymorphonuclear leukocytes. This reaction may be described as a bland, chronic type consistent with the age of the implant. No areas of florid, acute reaction were found. Extrusion of part of the polytef through the cricothyroid space was observed. There were no signs of unfavorable tissue reaction, intolerance, or carcinogenicity. In a second case, part of the polytef paste exuded over the thyroid gland and was misinterpreted as a thyroid nodule. Excised 11 months after injection, the foreign body reaction appeared to be of a more acute type.", "contents": "Larynx injected with polytef paste. A patient with inoperable lung cancer developed left-sided laryngeal paralysis. Her dysphonia, difficulty with swallowing, aspiration of secretions, and diminished cough reflex were improved with intracordal polytef injection for the remainder of her life. The foreign body reaction to the implant showed giant cells, few lymphocytes, and no polymorphonuclear leukocytes. This reaction may be described as a bland, chronic type consistent with the age of the implant. No areas of florid, acute reaction were found. Extrusion of part of the polytef through the cricothyroid space was observed. There were no signs of unfavorable tissue reaction, intolerance, or carcinogenicity. In a second case, part of the polytef paste exuded over the thyroid gland and was misinterpreted as a thyroid nodule. Excised 11 months after injection, the foreign body reaction appeared to be of a more acute type.", "PMID": 779737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5447", "title": "Rapid detection and isolation of mycoplasmas from cell cultures.", "content": "An improved medium for the isolation of Mycoplasma species from contaminated cell cultures is reported. A modification of the mycoplasma detection method using the uridine/uracil uptake ratio method is described. Results obtained using this method with mycoplasma contaminated cell cultures and with contaminated cell cultures treated with the antibiotic Lincomycin are presented.", "contents": "Rapid detection and isolation of mycoplasmas from cell cultures. An improved medium for the isolation of Mycoplasma species from contaminated cell cultures is reported. A modification of the mycoplasma detection method using the uridine/uracil uptake ratio method is described. Results obtained using this method with mycoplasma contaminated cell cultures and with contaminated cell cultures treated with the antibiotic Lincomycin are presented.", "PMID": 779741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5448", "title": "Studies in infant behavioural audiometry. III. Six-month-old infants.", "content": "The behaviour of 95 clinically normal 6-month-old babies previously studied as neonates and as 6-week-old infants was video-recorded while they were presented with sound stimuli. The stimulus series varied in sound pressure level (SPL) (30 and 60 dB), band with (BW) and rise time (RT), and included two voice signals and a no-sound (control) trial. Video-records were made both for the whole body aspect and for a 3 1/2 X 'close-up' of the head. Later, the video-records were shown to 6 observers who were allowed to see the babies for 13 s at each trial. The first 5 s was a pre-stimulus observation period, and the second 8 s usually contained a sound stimulus. Between the trials, the observers were given 20 s in which to record pre-stimulus activity, confidence in response, and movement details. Data for movement details are not reported here. Different segments of the baby's body were observed on different occasions as detailed in our previous reports. The confidence ratings for response to tonal stimuli were analyzed using aspects of signal detection theory for differences amongst various body segments (n.s.), SPL (p less than 0.001), BW (p less than 0.05), and RT (p less than 0.01). A 60-dB broad-spectrum noise band (BSN) and the 2 voices were by far the most effective stimuli. They elicited detectablities which differed between segments. The response to different sound stimuli was affected by the baby's pre-stimulus activity state. The results are discussed in relation to our previous studies.", "contents": "Studies in infant behavioural audiometry. III. Six-month-old infants. The behaviour of 95 clinically normal 6-month-old babies previously studied as neonates and as 6-week-old infants was video-recorded while they were presented with sound stimuli. The stimulus series varied in sound pressure level (SPL) (30 and 60 dB), band with (BW) and rise time (RT), and included two voice signals and a no-sound (control) trial. Video-records were made both for the whole body aspect and for a 3 1/2 X 'close-up' of the head. Later, the video-records were shown to 6 observers who were allowed to see the babies for 13 s at each trial. The first 5 s was a pre-stimulus observation period, and the second 8 s usually contained a sound stimulus. Between the trials, the observers were given 20 s in which to record pre-stimulus activity, confidence in response, and movement details. Data for movement details are not reported here. Different segments of the baby's body were observed on different occasions as detailed in our previous reports. The confidence ratings for response to tonal stimuli were analyzed using aspects of signal detection theory for differences amongst various body segments (n.s.), SPL (p less than 0.001), BW (p less than 0.05), and RT (p less than 0.01). A 60-dB broad-spectrum noise band (BSN) and the 2 voices were by far the most effective stimuli. They elicited detectablities which differed between segments. The response to different sound stimuli was affected by the baby's pre-stimulus activity state. The results are discussed in relation to our previous studies.", "PMID": 779738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5449", "title": "Antibody response in sows following intramammary or intramuscular immunization with a killed Escherichia coli vaccine.", "content": "Pregnant sows were immunized either intramuscularly or intramammarily with a killed E. Coli vaccine. Samples of blood and mammary secretion were assayed for antibody to E. Coli cells and E. coli enterotoxin. The association of each class of immunoglobulin with antibody to the bacterial cells was also estimated. It was found that immunization by either method increased direct agglutination titres and antiglobulin enhancement titres in serum and mammary secretion. There were no major differences in these parameters between the two groups of sows. In serum and mammary secretion from both groups of sows IgG was quantitatively the most important class of immunoglobulin associated with antibody to E. coli cells. Immmunization had the effect of increasing the percentage of IgG and IgM associated with antibody in blood serum from about 5% to about 20%. In contrast, the percentage of IgA in serum with antibody activity against E. coli was around 20% prior to immunization and did not alter significantly after immunization. Samples of blood and mammary secretion from sows immunized intramammarily were more effective in neutralizing E. coli enterotoxin than corresponding samples from sows immunized intramuscularly; the biological significance of this finding is at present uncertain.", "contents": "Antibody response in sows following intramammary or intramuscular immunization with a killed Escherichia coli vaccine. Pregnant sows were immunized either intramuscularly or intramammarily with a killed E. Coli vaccine. Samples of blood and mammary secretion were assayed for antibody to E. Coli cells and E. coli enterotoxin. The association of each class of immunoglobulin with antibody to the bacterial cells was also estimated. It was found that immunization by either method increased direct agglutination titres and antiglobulin enhancement titres in serum and mammary secretion. There were no major differences in these parameters between the two groups of sows. In serum and mammary secretion from both groups of sows IgG was quantitatively the most important class of immunoglobulin associated with antibody to E. coli cells. Immmunization had the effect of increasing the percentage of IgG and IgM associated with antibody in blood serum from about 5% to about 20%. In contrast, the percentage of IgA in serum with antibody activity against E. coli was around 20% prior to immunization and did not alter significantly after immunization. Samples of blood and mammary secretion from sows immunized intramammarily were more effective in neutralizing E. coli enterotoxin than corresponding samples from sows immunized intramuscularly; the biological significance of this finding is at present uncertain.", "PMID": 779742} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5450", "title": "Salmonella enteritidis infection in rats: antigens involved in cell-mediated immunity.", "content": "When rats are sub-lethally infected with S. entertidis by the intravenous route, there is a period of at least 14 days in which peritoneal exudate cells are unable to migrate from capillary tubes on to glass surfaces; thereafter they migrate as do macrophages from normal animals. The migration of peritoneal cells from rats infected 18-21 days previously is inhibited by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) prepared from homologous and heterologous strains of Salmonella. The apparent non-specificity of LPS activity in the macrophage migration inhibition test has been resolved by demonstrating that lipid A, containing less than 0.01% protein amino acids, is also capable of eliciting this test of cell-mediated immunity.", "contents": "Salmonella enteritidis infection in rats: antigens involved in cell-mediated immunity. When rats are sub-lethally infected with S. entertidis by the intravenous route, there is a period of at least 14 days in which peritoneal exudate cells are unable to migrate from capillary tubes on to glass surfaces; thereafter they migrate as do macrophages from normal animals. The migration of peritoneal cells from rats infected 18-21 days previously is inhibited by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) prepared from homologous and heterologous strains of Salmonella. The apparent non-specificity of LPS activity in the macrophage migration inhibition test has been resolved by demonstrating that lipid A, containing less than 0.01% protein amino acids, is also capable of eliciting this test of cell-mediated immunity.", "PMID": 779743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5451", "title": "Vibrio cholerae infection and immunity in mice.", "content": "Lyophilized cultures of V. cholerae 569B slowly lose their virulence for neonatal and adult mice during long term storage. Following a single passage in orally infected 6-day old mice, a highly virulent strain (designated 569B/MP) was isolated. This organism causes rapidly fatal intestinal infections in 6-day old mice; large numbers can be isolated in pure culture from the intestinal fluid. Freezing and storage at -60 degrees of dead animal provides a simple means of maintaining the high virulence of the culture over a period of at least 9 months. This strain produces choleracic symptoms and death in approx. 50% of adult mice following oral infection. Large numbers of viable organisms may also be isolated from the small intestine over a period of at least 40 h. These criteria have been used as a basis for assessing protection against cholera infection induced by immunization with living or heat-killed V. cholerae given orally or intraperitoneally.", "contents": "Vibrio cholerae infection and immunity in mice. Lyophilized cultures of V. cholerae 569B slowly lose their virulence for neonatal and adult mice during long term storage. Following a single passage in orally infected 6-day old mice, a highly virulent strain (designated 569B/MP) was isolated. This organism causes rapidly fatal intestinal infections in 6-day old mice; large numbers can be isolated in pure culture from the intestinal fluid. Freezing and storage at -60 degrees of dead animal provides a simple means of maintaining the high virulence of the culture over a period of at least 9 months. This strain produces choleracic symptoms and death in approx. 50% of adult mice following oral infection. Large numbers of viable organisms may also be isolated from the small intestine over a period of at least 40 h. These criteria have been used as a basis for assessing protection against cholera infection induced by immunization with living or heat-killed V. cholerae given orally or intraperitoneally.", "PMID": 779744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5452", "title": "Antilymphocyte serum: studies of the specificity of the rosette-inhibiting antibody in rabbit anti-mouse ALS.", "content": "In an investigation into the characteristics of the rosette-inhibiting antibody of antilymphocyte serum (ALS), rabbit anti-mouse ALS were assayed for antibodies against lymphoid cells from the spleen, lymph nodes and thymus of Quackenbush (Q) mice, and against spleen cells from athymic nude mice. The lymphagglutinating and lymphocytotoxic titres were similar with both Q and nude cells, and the titres showed no significant correlation with skin graft survival times in mice receiving the corresponding ALS. A significant depletion of peripheral blood lymphocytes occurred in animals receiving both an immunosuppressive and a non-immunosuppressive ALS, suggesting that the antibodies involved in this depletion are not significant in determining the immunosuppressive activity of ALS. In contrast, the rosette inhibition titres showed a significant correlation with graft survival times in the results obtained in tests using Q spleen, lymph node and thymus cells. No inhibition of rosette formation was obtained when using nude spleen cells. However, the numbers of spontaneous rosettes formed by both the mixed B and T cell populations from Q spleen were not significantly different from the numbers formed by the largely B cell population from nude spleen. These results confirm that the antibodies of ALS which are responsible for both the in vitro inhibition of spontaneous rosette function and the in vivo suppression of graft rejection are specifically directed against a T cell population, and it is suggested that the antibodies are related if not identical.", "contents": "Antilymphocyte serum: studies of the specificity of the rosette-inhibiting antibody in rabbit anti-mouse ALS. In an investigation into the characteristics of the rosette-inhibiting antibody of antilymphocyte serum (ALS), rabbit anti-mouse ALS were assayed for antibodies against lymphoid cells from the spleen, lymph nodes and thymus of Quackenbush (Q) mice, and against spleen cells from athymic nude mice. The lymphagglutinating and lymphocytotoxic titres were similar with both Q and nude cells, and the titres showed no significant correlation with skin graft survival times in mice receiving the corresponding ALS. A significant depletion of peripheral blood lymphocytes occurred in animals receiving both an immunosuppressive and a non-immunosuppressive ALS, suggesting that the antibodies involved in this depletion are not significant in determining the immunosuppressive activity of ALS. In contrast, the rosette inhibition titres showed a significant correlation with graft survival times in the results obtained in tests using Q spleen, lymph node and thymus cells. No inhibition of rosette formation was obtained when using nude spleen cells. However, the numbers of spontaneous rosettes formed by both the mixed B and T cell populations from Q spleen were not significantly different from the numbers formed by the largely B cell population from nude spleen. These results confirm that the antibodies of ALS which are responsible for both the in vitro inhibition of spontaneous rosette function and the in vivo suppression of graft rejection are specifically directed against a T cell population, and it is suggested that the antibodies are related if not identical.", "PMID": 779745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5453", "title": "Radiosensitivity of suppressor cells in newborn rats.", "content": "The resistance of neonatal rats to sustaining adoptive immune responses against heterologous erythrocytes following the transfter of normal thoracic dust lymphocytes was examined. Irradiation of the neonatal rat at levels as low as 350 rad was found to be effective in overcoming this resistance, although preliminary exposure to antigen could interfere with facilitation of adoptive responses by irradiation. It is suggested that the failure of the neonate to sustain adoptive immune responses is explicable on the basis of an active suppression and, as a corollary, unresponsiveness resulting either from macrophage immaturity or the transfer of maternal antibody is discountered as a likely explanation for the immunological behavior of the newborn rat towards the antigens examined.", "contents": "Radiosensitivity of suppressor cells in newborn rats. The resistance of neonatal rats to sustaining adoptive immune responses against heterologous erythrocytes following the transfter of normal thoracic dust lymphocytes was examined. Irradiation of the neonatal rat at levels as low as 350 rad was found to be effective in overcoming this resistance, although preliminary exposure to antigen could interfere with facilitation of adoptive responses by irradiation. It is suggested that the failure of the neonate to sustain adoptive immune responses is explicable on the basis of an active suppression and, as a corollary, unresponsiveness resulting either from macrophage immaturity or the transfer of maternal antibody is discountered as a likely explanation for the immunological behavior of the newborn rat towards the antigens examined.", "PMID": 779746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5454", "title": "Role of the thymus in suppression of immune responses in newborn rats.", "content": "The role of thymus-derived cells in controlling the process of immunological maturation in the neonatal rat has been examined. Thymectomy performed on the day of birth resembled irradiation given at this time in that it permitted adoptive immune responses to sheep erythrocytes to be initiated in the neonatal host. Whereas the consequences of irradiation could be demonstrated if antigenic challenge was given of the following day, adoptive responses were not sustained unless an interval in excess of 24 h had elapsed after thymectomy, suggesting that extra-thymic suppressor cells persist for at least this period. Suppression of adoptive responses was achieved in irradiated hosts with thymus cells obtained from rats on their day of birth but not with cells from older donors. Using the transfer of allogeneic lymphocytes as a stimulus, antibody-forming cell precursors were shown to be plentiful in the newborn rat and it was accordingly suggested that thymic suppressor cells are reponsible for the poor responsiveness of newborn rats to antigenic challenge.", "contents": "Role of the thymus in suppression of immune responses in newborn rats. The role of thymus-derived cells in controlling the process of immunological maturation in the neonatal rat has been examined. Thymectomy performed on the day of birth resembled irradiation given at this time in that it permitted adoptive immune responses to sheep erythrocytes to be initiated in the neonatal host. Whereas the consequences of irradiation could be demonstrated if antigenic challenge was given of the following day, adoptive responses were not sustained unless an interval in excess of 24 h had elapsed after thymectomy, suggesting that extra-thymic suppressor cells persist for at least this period. Suppression of adoptive responses was achieved in irradiated hosts with thymus cells obtained from rats on their day of birth but not with cells from older donors. Using the transfer of allogeneic lymphocytes as a stimulus, antibody-forming cell precursors were shown to be plentiful in the newborn rat and it was accordingly suggested that thymic suppressor cells are reponsible for the poor responsiveness of newborn rats to antigenic challenge.", "PMID": 779747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5455", "title": "Effect of denervation of pyloric antrum on the gastric secretory response to food.", "content": "The effect of selective denervation of the pyloric antrum on secretory response to three types of food was determined in 3 dogs with innervated and 4 with denervated stomach pouches. With the antrum in situ this procedure has surprisingly little effect on the total meal responses in innervated pouches, on the variation in response induced by altered buffering capacity of the meals, or on the effect of subsequent vagotomy. However, the antrum appears less sensitive to local stimuli after denervation, as evidenced by the reduced meal response from the denervated indicator pouch after denervation of the antrum.", "contents": "Effect of denervation of pyloric antrum on the gastric secretory response to food. The effect of selective denervation of the pyloric antrum on secretory response to three types of food was determined in 3 dogs with innervated and 4 with denervated stomach pouches. With the antrum in situ this procedure has surprisingly little effect on the total meal responses in innervated pouches, on the variation in response induced by altered buffering capacity of the meals, or on the effect of subsequent vagotomy. However, the antrum appears less sensitive to local stimuli after denervation, as evidenced by the reduced meal response from the denervated indicator pouch after denervation of the antrum.", "PMID": 779748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5456", "title": "Cytotoxic mechanisms detected in vitro following sheep renal allografts.", "content": "Cytotoxic effects of lymph and blood components, removed from sheep following renal allografting were determined by in vitro assay using 51Cr labelled donor sheep lymphocytes as target cells. Lytic antibodies were detected in lymph efferent from the node draining the graft site and at lower concentrations in blood serum and in lymph leaving the graft. The cytotoxic antibodies had both complement-dependent and leucocyte-dependent functions; the complement-dependent antibodies were fractionated and shown to be of IgM and IgG1 subclasses. Cytotoxic cells were found in lymph leaving the graft but not in blood or in lymph efferent from the draining node; those detected in the renal lymph were non-specific in action and their appearance correlated with increased numbers of macrophages.", "contents": "Cytotoxic mechanisms detected in vitro following sheep renal allografts. Cytotoxic effects of lymph and blood components, removed from sheep following renal allografting were determined by in vitro assay using 51Cr labelled donor sheep lymphocytes as target cells. Lytic antibodies were detected in lymph efferent from the node draining the graft site and at lower concentrations in blood serum and in lymph leaving the graft. The cytotoxic antibodies had both complement-dependent and leucocyte-dependent functions; the complement-dependent antibodies were fractionated and shown to be of IgM and IgG1 subclasses. Cytotoxic cells were found in lymph leaving the graft but not in blood or in lymph efferent from the draining node; those detected in the renal lymph were non-specific in action and their appearance correlated with increased numbers of macrophages.", "PMID": 779749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5457", "title": "Low dose heparin and early kidney transplant function.", "content": "A prospective randomised double blind trial was carried out to assess the effect of subanticoagulant doses of subcutaneous heparin (Calciparine) compared to placebo on early renal allograft function. Thirty-six patients were entered into the trial, 18 received placebo and 18 heparin. There was no significant difference between the patients in either group in respect to early graft function, the number of rejection episodes or the response of graft function to treatment of rejection. There were four patients with haemorrhagic complications who had received heparin, whereas no patients in the placebo group had bleeding combinations. It is concluded that subanticoagulant doses of heparin have no demonstrable effect on early graft function and may cause haemorrhagic complications.", "contents": "Low dose heparin and early kidney transplant function. A prospective randomised double blind trial was carried out to assess the effect of subanticoagulant doses of subcutaneous heparin (Calciparine) compared to placebo on early renal allograft function. Thirty-six patients were entered into the trial, 18 received placebo and 18 heparin. There was no significant difference between the patients in either group in respect to early graft function, the number of rejection episodes or the response of graft function to treatment of rejection. There were four patients with haemorrhagic complications who had received heparin, whereas no patients in the placebo group had bleeding combinations. It is concluded that subanticoagulant doses of heparin have no demonstrable effect on early graft function and may cause haemorrhagic complications.", "PMID": 779750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5458", "title": "Inhaled and oral bronchodilator therapy in exercise induced asthma.", "content": "Measurements of peak expiratory flow rate during serial exercise tests were used to assess the efficacy of the beta adrenergic stimulants oral terbutaline (5 mg) and fenoterol aerosol (400 micrograms), in preventing post-exercise bronchoconstriction in 18 asthmatic subjects. While both compounds significantly elevated resting levels of peak expiratory flow rate for at least four hours, there were qualitative and quantitative differences in the effects of the two drugs on exercise induced bronchoconstriction. Oral terbulation did not significantly alter the pattern of response to exercise. However, the peak expiratory flow rates before during and after exercise were significantly higher compared with placebo at two, four and six hours after the drug. The importance of examination of actual values for peak expiratory flow rates as well as percentage changes when testing oral bronchodilators is emphasised. Aerosol fenoterol completely blocked post-exercise bronchoconstriction immediately after inhalation and for up to four hours in most subjects. Bronchodilatation occurred in all subjects during exercise in the presence of both the active and placebo drugs. It is postulated that the superiority of the aerosol in blocking exercise induced bronchoconstriction may be function of its activity at the surface of the bronchial mucosa.", "contents": "Inhaled and oral bronchodilator therapy in exercise induced asthma. Measurements of peak expiratory flow rate during serial exercise tests were used to assess the efficacy of the beta adrenergic stimulants oral terbutaline (5 mg) and fenoterol aerosol (400 micrograms), in preventing post-exercise bronchoconstriction in 18 asthmatic subjects. While both compounds significantly elevated resting levels of peak expiratory flow rate for at least four hours, there were qualitative and quantitative differences in the effects of the two drugs on exercise induced bronchoconstriction. Oral terbulation did not significantly alter the pattern of response to exercise. However, the peak expiratory flow rates before during and after exercise were significantly higher compared with placebo at two, four and six hours after the drug. The importance of examination of actual values for peak expiratory flow rates as well as percentage changes when testing oral bronchodilators is emphasised. Aerosol fenoterol completely blocked post-exercise bronchoconstriction immediately after inhalation and for up to four hours in most subjects. Bronchodilatation occurred in all subjects during exercise in the presence of both the active and placebo drugs. It is postulated that the superiority of the aerosol in blocking exercise induced bronchoconstriction may be function of its activity at the surface of the bronchial mucosa.", "PMID": 779751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5459", "title": "Marijuana smoking and cold tolerance in man.", "content": "Ten men who were marijuana users served as subjects in a study of the effects of marijuana smoking on response to cold. Cold water (28 degrees C for 60 min) and cold air (20 degrees C for 120 min) mediums were utilized with three exposures in each medium. The three exposures followed smoking marijuana, smoking placebo, and a no-smoking control period. Additionally, a breathhold experiment preceded and followed the four smoking periods. Marijuana and placebo smoke were inhaled from a spirometer with each man receiving the smoke of 0.739 g of marijuana and placebo. Smoking marijuana did not greatly modify body heat content, since rectal temperature and most peripheral temperatures were not altered. However, temperatures over voluntary muscles likely to be involved in shivering were elevated. Heat production also greatly increased after marijuana, suggesting that it had stimulated shivering. Marijuana also produced tachycardia and abolished apneic bradycardia. The mechanism of this action is not clear, but some sympathetic involvement is indicated.", "contents": "Marijuana smoking and cold tolerance in man. Ten men who were marijuana users served as subjects in a study of the effects of marijuana smoking on response to cold. Cold water (28 degrees C for 60 min) and cold air (20 degrees C for 120 min) mediums were utilized with three exposures in each medium. The three exposures followed smoking marijuana, smoking placebo, and a no-smoking control period. Additionally, a breathhold experiment preceded and followed the four smoking periods. Marijuana and placebo smoke were inhaled from a spirometer with each man receiving the smoke of 0.739 g of marijuana and placebo. Smoking marijuana did not greatly modify body heat content, since rectal temperature and most peripheral temperatures were not altered. However, temperatures over voluntary muscles likely to be involved in shivering were elevated. Heat production also greatly increased after marijuana, suggesting that it had stimulated shivering. Marijuana also produced tachycardia and abolished apneic bradycardia. The mechanism of this action is not clear, but some sympathetic involvement is indicated.", "PMID": 779756} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5460", "title": "[Osteolathyrism. Quantitative-morphological studies on the experimental rat skeletal disease].", "content": "In young growing rats, fed the lathyrogenic agent aminoacetonitrile for 3 weeks, characteristic skeletal changes developed resembling the chronic state of osteolathyrism. In both lathyritic and untreated control rats, the femoral head, the distal end of the femur, the proximal tibial end, the thalocalcanean joint and the first lumbar vertebra were investigated using undecalcified thin sections and ground sections. The following methods were employed: quantitative morphometrical analysis of bone structure and bone remodelling of the lumbar vertebra, histochemical demonstration of the composition of polysaccharides, detection of the course of collagenous fibres in cartilage and bone by the polarizing microscope, tetracycline-labelling and fluorescence microscopical determination of epiphyseal longitudinal growth and bone formation activity, photometrical quantification of microradiographies and computer-aided determination of the mineral content of bone.", "contents": "[Osteolathyrism. Quantitative-morphological studies on the experimental rat skeletal disease]. In young growing rats, fed the lathyrogenic agent aminoacetonitrile for 3 weeks, characteristic skeletal changes developed resembling the chronic state of osteolathyrism. In both lathyritic and untreated control rats, the femoral head, the distal end of the femur, the proximal tibial end, the thalocalcanean joint and the first lumbar vertebra were investigated using undecalcified thin sections and ground sections. The following methods were employed: quantitative morphometrical analysis of bone structure and bone remodelling of the lumbar vertebra, histochemical demonstration of the composition of polysaccharides, detection of the course of collagenous fibres in cartilage and bone by the polarizing microscope, tetracycline-labelling and fluorescence microscopical determination of epiphyseal longitudinal growth and bone formation activity, photometrical quantification of microradiographies and computer-aided determination of the mineral content of bone.", "PMID": 779764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5461", "title": "Correlation between the immunoadjuvant activities and pyrogenicities of synthetic N-acetylmuramyl-peptides or -amino acids.", "content": "A total of 14 different N-acetylmuramyl-peptides or -amino acids with or without configurations inherent to bacterial cell wall peptidoglycans were synthesized and their pyrogenicities on intravenous injection into rabbits were tested. N-Acetylmuramyl-peptides, and especially N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine and N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-L-lysine, which were previously shown to be adjuvant-active in both induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity and stimulation of increased serum antibody levels to ovalbumin in guinea pigs, exhibited distinct pyrogenicity at as low dose as 16 mug per rabbit. However, none of the adjuvant-inactive analogues or diastereomers of the above N-acetylmuramyl-dipeptide or related compounds caused any significant febrile response in rabbits, even at a dose of 250 mug per animal.", "contents": "Correlation between the immunoadjuvant activities and pyrogenicities of synthetic N-acetylmuramyl-peptides or -amino acids. A total of 14 different N-acetylmuramyl-peptides or -amino acids with or without configurations inherent to bacterial cell wall peptidoglycans were synthesized and their pyrogenicities on intravenous injection into rabbits were tested. N-Acetylmuramyl-peptides, and especially N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine and N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-L-lysine, which were previously shown to be adjuvant-active in both induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity and stimulation of increased serum antibody levels to ovalbumin in guinea pigs, exhibited distinct pyrogenicity at as low dose as 16 mug per rabbit. However, none of the adjuvant-inactive analogues or diastereomers of the above N-acetylmuramyl-dipeptide or related compounds caused any significant febrile response in rabbits, even at a dose of 250 mug per animal.", "PMID": 779765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5462", "title": "An unusual precursor of 50S ribosomes in a mutant of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Escherichia coli strain 15-28 is a mutant with a defect in ribosome synthesis that leads to the accumulation of large amounts of ribonucleoprotein (\"47S\") particles during exponential growth. These particles are precursors to 50S ribosomes, but are distinct from precursors detected by pulse-labelling of the parent strain and also from ribosome precursors that accumulate during inhibition of growth by CoC12. Either ribosome assembly in the mutant differs from that in the wild-type strain, or 47S particles represent a hitherto unstudied stage in the synthesis of 50S ribosomes.", "contents": "An unusual precursor of 50S ribosomes in a mutant of Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli strain 15-28 is a mutant with a defect in ribosome synthesis that leads to the accumulation of large amounts of ribonucleoprotein (\"47S\") particles during exponential growth. These particles are precursors to 50S ribosomes, but are distinct from precursors detected by pulse-labelling of the parent strain and also from ribosome precursors that accumulate during inhibition of growth by CoC12. Either ribosome assembly in the mutant differs from that in the wild-type strain, or 47S particles represent a hitherto unstudied stage in the synthesis of 50S ribosomes.", "PMID": 779766} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5463", "title": "Turnover as a control of ribonucleic acid accumulation in bacteria undergoing stepdown.", "content": "The synthesis of ribosomes was compared in rel+ and rel- strains of Escherichia coli undergoing \"stepdown\" in growth from glucose medium to one with lactate as principal carbon source. Two strains (CP78 and CP79), isogenic except for rel, showed similar behaviour with respect to (1) the kinetics of labelling total RNA and ribosomes with exogenous uracil, (2) the proportion of newly formed protein that could be bound with nascent rRNA in mature ribosomes, and (3) the rate of induction of enzymically active beta-galactosidase (relative to the rate of ribosome synthesis). It was concluded that, as there was no net accumulation of RNA during stepdown in either strain, rRNA turnover must be occurring at a high rate. The general features of ribosome maturation in rel+ and rel- cells were almost identical with those found in auxotrophic rel+ organisms starved of required amino acids. In both cases, there was a considerable delay in the maturation of new ribosomal particles, owing to a relative shortfall in the rate of synthesis of ribosome-associated proteins. Only about 4-5% of the total protein labelled during stepdown was capable of binding with newly formed rRNA. This compared with 3.5% for rel+ and 0.5% for rel- auxotrophs during amino acid starvation. The turnover rate for newly formed mRNA and rRNA was virtually the same in \"stepped-down\" rel+ and rel- strains and was similar to that of the same fraction in amino acid-starved rel+ cells. The functional lifetime of mRNA was also identical. It seems that in the rel- strain many of the characteristics typical of the isogenic rel+ strain are displayed under these conditions, at least as regards the speed of ribosome maturation and the induction of beta-galactosidase. Studies on the thermolability of the latter enzyme induced during stepdown indicate that inaccurate translation, which occurs in rel- strains starved for only a few amino acids, is less evident in this situation than in straightforward amino acid deprivation.", "contents": "Turnover as a control of ribonucleic acid accumulation in bacteria undergoing stepdown. The synthesis of ribosomes was compared in rel+ and rel- strains of Escherichia coli undergoing \"stepdown\" in growth from glucose medium to one with lactate as principal carbon source. Two strains (CP78 and CP79), isogenic except for rel, showed similar behaviour with respect to (1) the kinetics of labelling total RNA and ribosomes with exogenous uracil, (2) the proportion of newly formed protein that could be bound with nascent rRNA in mature ribosomes, and (3) the rate of induction of enzymically active beta-galactosidase (relative to the rate of ribosome synthesis). It was concluded that, as there was no net accumulation of RNA during stepdown in either strain, rRNA turnover must be occurring at a high rate. The general features of ribosome maturation in rel+ and rel- cells were almost identical with those found in auxotrophic rel+ organisms starved of required amino acids. In both cases, there was a considerable delay in the maturation of new ribosomal particles, owing to a relative shortfall in the rate of synthesis of ribosome-associated proteins. Only about 4-5% of the total protein labelled during stepdown was capable of binding with newly formed rRNA. This compared with 3.5% for rel+ and 0.5% for rel- auxotrophs during amino acid starvation. The turnover rate for newly formed mRNA and rRNA was virtually the same in \"stepped-down\" rel+ and rel- strains and was similar to that of the same fraction in amino acid-starved rel+ cells. The functional lifetime of mRNA was also identical. It seems that in the rel- strain many of the characteristics typical of the isogenic rel+ strain are displayed under these conditions, at least as regards the speed of ribosome maturation and the induction of beta-galactosidase. Studies on the thermolability of the latter enzyme induced during stepdown indicate that inaccurate translation, which occurs in rel- strains starved for only a few amino acids, is less evident in this situation than in straightforward amino acid deprivation.", "PMID": 779767} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5464", "title": "Physiochemical characterization of proteolytic cleavage fragments of bovine colostral immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1).", "content": "Normal bovine colostral immunoglobulin G1 was subjected to enzymic digestion (pepsin, papain and trypsin) and the resulting fragments separated by a combination of molecularsieve and phosphocellulose chromatography. Fragments F(ab')2 derived from peptic digestion, fragment Fab from papain digestion and fragment Fab(t) from tryptic digestion showed complete antigenic identity with each other. Although fragment F(ab')2 (peptic digestion) had a sedimentation coefficient (S2o,w) of 5.3S, those for fragments Fab' (peptic digestion), Fab (papain digestion) and Fab(t) (tryptic digestion) were found to be 3.9S, 3.7S and 3.7S respectively. The mol.wts. calculated for the various fragments from the sedimentation equilibrium data were: F(ab')2, 104000 +/-200; Fab', 51900+/-340; Fab, 50900+/-230; Fab(t) 50900+/-300. Fragment Fc' (peptic digestion) had an S20,w of 3.2S and a mol. wt. of 42900+/-650; fragment Fc (papain digestion) had an SI0,w of 3.7S and a mol.wt. of 50800+/-300; fragment Fc(t) had an S20,w of 3.7S and a mol.wt. of 50800+/-300; fragment Fc(t) had an S20,w of 3.7S and a mol.wt. of 50800+/-450.", "contents": "Physiochemical characterization of proteolytic cleavage fragments of bovine colostral immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1). Normal bovine colostral immunoglobulin G1 was subjected to enzymic digestion (pepsin, papain and trypsin) and the resulting fragments separated by a combination of molecularsieve and phosphocellulose chromatography. Fragments F(ab')2 derived from peptic digestion, fragment Fab from papain digestion and fragment Fab(t) from tryptic digestion showed complete antigenic identity with each other. Although fragment F(ab')2 (peptic digestion) had a sedimentation coefficient (S2o,w) of 5.3S, those for fragments Fab' (peptic digestion), Fab (papain digestion) and Fab(t) (tryptic digestion) were found to be 3.9S, 3.7S and 3.7S respectively. The mol.wts. calculated for the various fragments from the sedimentation equilibrium data were: F(ab')2, 104000 +/-200; Fab', 51900+/-340; Fab, 50900+/-230; Fab(t) 50900+/-300. Fragment Fc' (peptic digestion) had an S20,w of 3.2S and a mol. wt. of 42900+/-650; fragment Fc (papain digestion) had an SI0,w of 3.7S and a mol.wt. of 50800+/-300; fragment Fc(t) had an S20,w of 3.7S and a mol.wt. of 50800+/-300; fragment Fc(t) had an S20,w of 3.7S and a mol.wt. of 50800+/-450.", "PMID": 779768} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5465", "title": "Fb'2, a new peptic fragment of human immunoglobulin G.", "content": "The digestion of a human IgG1 K myeloma protein with pepsin in the presence of 8M-urea was observed to produce a fragment, designated Fb'2, which differed from the products of aqueous peptic digestion and from other characteristic immunoglobulin digestion products. 2. Fragment Fb's was also found when two other IgG1/K proteins were treated similarly. 3. Sedimentation-equilibrium studies showed the mol.wt. of fragment Fb'2 to be 56800. 4. On reduction, two equivalents of each of three peptides were released from fragment Fb's; these were characterized by N- and C-terminal determinations and by amino acid sequencing. 5. Fragment Fb'2 was shown to consist of the constant regions of both light chains, from residue Ile-117 to the C-terminus, and the CH1 domains and hinge region of the heavy chains, from residue Val-113 to residue Met-252, with a gap of five residues within the intrachain disulphide loop, between residues Leu-174 and Tyr-180.", "contents": "Fb'2, a new peptic fragment of human immunoglobulin G. The digestion of a human IgG1 K myeloma protein with pepsin in the presence of 8M-urea was observed to produce a fragment, designated Fb'2, which differed from the products of aqueous peptic digestion and from other characteristic immunoglobulin digestion products. 2. Fragment Fb's was also found when two other IgG1/K proteins were treated similarly. 3. Sedimentation-equilibrium studies showed the mol.wt. of fragment Fb'2 to be 56800. 4. On reduction, two equivalents of each of three peptides were released from fragment Fb's; these were characterized by N- and C-terminal determinations and by amino acid sequencing. 5. Fragment Fb'2 was shown to consist of the constant regions of both light chains, from residue Ile-117 to the C-terminus, and the CH1 domains and hinge region of the heavy chains, from residue Val-113 to residue Met-252, with a gap of five residues within the intrachain disulphide loop, between residues Leu-174 and Tyr-180.", "PMID": 779769} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5466", "title": "A cyanogen bromide fragment of beta-galactosidase from Escherichia coli with alpha-donor activity in complementation of the enzyme from mutant M15.", "content": "Aminoethylated beta-galactosidase from Escherichia coli was cleaved by CNBr. The fragment C4a was purified by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of the fragment C4a was determined to be 9000 +/- 600. The N-terminal amino acid was found to be isoleucine. Qualitative examination of homogeneity was carried out by disc-gel electrophoresis. The fragment C4a was shown to be active as an alpha donor in complementation of beta-galactosidase activity in vitro with E. coli mutant M15, which has a deletion in the alpha region of the z gene. The molecular weights of complementable fractions from mutant M15 were found to be 123 000 +/- 2500 and 507 000 +/- 11 000, and of the complemented enzyme 522 500 +/- 11 400.", "contents": "A cyanogen bromide fragment of beta-galactosidase from Escherichia coli with alpha-donor activity in complementation of the enzyme from mutant M15. Aminoethylated beta-galactosidase from Escherichia coli was cleaved by CNBr. The fragment C4a was purified by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of the fragment C4a was determined to be 9000 +/- 600. The N-terminal amino acid was found to be isoleucine. Qualitative examination of homogeneity was carried out by disc-gel electrophoresis. The fragment C4a was shown to be active as an alpha donor in complementation of beta-galactosidase activity in vitro with E. coli mutant M15, which has a deletion in the alpha region of the z gene. The molecular weights of complementable fractions from mutant M15 were found to be 123 000 +/- 2500 and 507 000 +/- 11 000, and of the complemented enzyme 522 500 +/- 11 400.", "PMID": 779770} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5467", "title": "The concerted inactivation of Escherichia coli uridine diphosphate galactose 4-epimerase by sugar nucleotide together with a free sugar.", "content": "1. The combined effect of the sugar nucleotides UDP-D-fucose or UDP-D-glucuronic acid together with the free sugars D-fucose or L-arabinose is the inactivation of the Escherichia coli enzyme UDP-galactose 4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.2). The sugar nucleotide or the free sugar alone or the sugar nucleotide plus 5'-Ump do not inactivate the enzyme. 2. The inactivation of the enzyme by its substrate UDP-D-glucose was not affected by the presence of free sugar. 3. In all cases the inactivation observed follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. 4. A comparison of various sugar nucleotides indicates that the hydroxymethyl group at position 6 of the sugar moiety of the natural substrates is important for substrate binding.", "contents": "The concerted inactivation of Escherichia coli uridine diphosphate galactose 4-epimerase by sugar nucleotide together with a free sugar. 1. The combined effect of the sugar nucleotides UDP-D-fucose or UDP-D-glucuronic acid together with the free sugars D-fucose or L-arabinose is the inactivation of the Escherichia coli enzyme UDP-galactose 4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.2). The sugar nucleotide or the free sugar alone or the sugar nucleotide plus 5'-Ump do not inactivate the enzyme. 2. The inactivation of the enzyme by its substrate UDP-D-glucose was not affected by the presence of free sugar. 3. In all cases the inactivation observed follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. 4. A comparison of various sugar nucleotides indicates that the hydroxymethyl group at position 6 of the sugar moiety of the natural substrates is important for substrate binding.", "PMID": 779771} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5468", "title": "The molybdenum--iron protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase. Evidence for non-identical subunits from peptide 'mapping'.", "content": "The molybdenum- and iron-containing protein components of nitrogenase purified from Klebsiella pneumoniae, Azotobacter vinelandii, Azotobacter chroococcum and Rhizobium japonicum bacteroids all gave either one or two protein-staining bands after sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, depending on the commercial brand of sodium dodecyl sulphate used. The single band obtained with K. pneumoniae Mo-Fe protein when some commercial brands of sodium dodecyl sulphate were used in the preparation of the electrode buffer was resolved into two bands by the addition of 0.01% (v/v) dodecanol to the buffer. Protein extracted from the two bands obtained after electrophoresis of K. pneumoniae Mo-Fe protein gave unique and distinct peptide 'maps' after tryptic digestion. Undissociated Mo-Fe protein contained both sets of tryptic peptides. These data are consistent with Mo-Fe protein from K. pneumoniae being composed of non-identical subunits. Amino acid analyses of the subunit proteins revealed some clear differences in amino acid content, but the two subunits showed close compositional relatedness, with a different index [Metzer, H., Shapiro, M.B., Mosiman, J.E. & Vinton, J.G. (1968) Nature (London) 219, 1166-1168] of 4.7.", "contents": "The molybdenum--iron protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase. Evidence for non-identical subunits from peptide 'mapping'. The molybdenum- and iron-containing protein components of nitrogenase purified from Klebsiella pneumoniae, Azotobacter vinelandii, Azotobacter chroococcum and Rhizobium japonicum bacteroids all gave either one or two protein-staining bands after sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, depending on the commercial brand of sodium dodecyl sulphate used. The single band obtained with K. pneumoniae Mo-Fe protein when some commercial brands of sodium dodecyl sulphate were used in the preparation of the electrode buffer was resolved into two bands by the addition of 0.01% (v/v) dodecanol to the buffer. Protein extracted from the two bands obtained after electrophoresis of K. pneumoniae Mo-Fe protein gave unique and distinct peptide 'maps' after tryptic digestion. Undissociated Mo-Fe protein contained both sets of tryptic peptides. These data are consistent with Mo-Fe protein from K. pneumoniae being composed of non-identical subunits. Amino acid analyses of the subunit proteins revealed some clear differences in amino acid content, but the two subunits showed close compositional relatedness, with a different index [Metzer, H., Shapiro, M.B., Mosiman, J.E. & Vinton, J.G. (1968) Nature (London) 219, 1166-1168] of 4.7.", "PMID": 779772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5469", "title": "Spin-label study of the mobility of enzyme-bound lipoic acid in the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The lipoic acid residues covalently bound to the transacetylase component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli were selectively modified by reaction with 4-maleimido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidino-oxyl. The electron-spin-resonance spectrum of the spin-labelled enzyme indicates that the bound nitroxide groups have high mobilities relative to the protein molecule. This physicochemical evidence is consistent with the view that the dithiolane ring of a lipoyl residue is capable of rapid migration between the active sites of the component enzymes in the catalytic mechanism.", "contents": "Spin-label study of the mobility of enzyme-bound lipoic acid in the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli. The lipoic acid residues covalently bound to the transacetylase component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli were selectively modified by reaction with 4-maleimido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidino-oxyl. The electron-spin-resonance spectrum of the spin-labelled enzyme indicates that the bound nitroxide groups have high mobilities relative to the protein molecule. This physicochemical evidence is consistent with the view that the dithiolane ring of a lipoyl residue is capable of rapid migration between the active sites of the component enzymes in the catalytic mechanism.", "PMID": 779773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5470", "title": "[Examination of pyrogens in vitro by means of the limulus test/2. Results (author's transl)].", "content": "Rabbit and Limulus test were studied comparatively in regard to applicability of water for injections. The examinations included the auxiliary material water and water bacteria, which have to be considered potential pyrogens. With freshly distilled water conformity of 95%, with water germs of 80% was reached.", "contents": "[Examination of pyrogens in vitro by means of the limulus test/2. Results (author's transl)]. Rabbit and Limulus test were studied comparatively in regard to applicability of water for injections. The examinations included the auxiliary material water and water bacteria, which have to be considered potential pyrogens. With freshly distilled water conformity of 95%, with water germs of 80% was reached.", "PMID": 779798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5471", "title": "[In vitro effect of cephacetril and colistin combinations on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus Strains (author's transl)].", "content": "In 14 out of 43 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains (33%) the combination cephacetril-colistin showed a synergistic, in 11 strains (25%) an additive effect. In Proteus strains no synergistic action was found. The combination was more likely to be synergistic or additive in strains requiring higher minimal inhibitory concentrations of cephacetril and colistin. Most highly resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were synergistically inhibited by concentrations of both drugs, which can easily be obtained in serum by usual clinical doses.", "contents": "[In vitro effect of cephacetril and colistin combinations on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus Strains (author's transl)]. In 14 out of 43 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains (33%) the combination cephacetril-colistin showed a synergistic, in 11 strains (25%) an additive effect. In Proteus strains no synergistic action was found. The combination was more likely to be synergistic or additive in strains requiring higher minimal inhibitory concentrations of cephacetril and colistin. Most highly resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were synergistically inhibited by concentrations of both drugs, which can easily be obtained in serum by usual clinical doses.", "PMID": 779799} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5472", "title": "[Medical problems in the practical execution of drug testing].", "content": "Different experimental designs for a clinical trial have to be applied for every individual substance even if it, though closely related to some other, shows minor differences in its effects. Difficulties which often occur during phase I trials are: the choice of the volunteer, dosage and route of application of the substance, especially in the first trials in humans, the instructions to the volunteer after intake of the drug, increase in dosage, the number of repeating applications and the interval between uptake. Problems arising during phase II, III and IV trials are concerned mainly with controlled clinical trials: choice of the standard treatment or of a placebo, search for the influencing factors, etiology of the symptoms, stage of the illness, control of patient's compliance etc. In contrast to common opinion, clinical trials cannot be considered to be especially dangerous as data show.", "contents": "[Medical problems in the practical execution of drug testing]. Different experimental designs for a clinical trial have to be applied for every individual substance even if it, though closely related to some other, shows minor differences in its effects. Difficulties which often occur during phase I trials are: the choice of the volunteer, dosage and route of application of the substance, especially in the first trials in humans, the instructions to the volunteer after intake of the drug, increase in dosage, the number of repeating applications and the interval between uptake. Problems arising during phase II, III and IV trials are concerned mainly with controlled clinical trials: choice of the standard treatment or of a placebo, search for the influencing factors, etiology of the symptoms, stage of the illness, control of patient's compliance etc. In contrast to common opinion, clinical trials cannot be considered to be especially dangerous as data show.", "PMID": 779800} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5473", "title": "Predominance of T cells in the lymphocytic infiltrates of synovial tissues in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Synovial tissues from 5 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined with immunofluorescence microscopy for the presence of lymphocytes with either bone marrow-derived (B) or thymus-derived (T) surface markers. Five synovial tissues with severe to mild lymphocytic infiltrations by bright field microscopy were examined in parallel with immunofluorescence. B cells were identified with a pepsin-digested fluoresceinated anti-F (ab')2 antiserum and T cells were detected with a specific rabbit anti-T lymphocyte antiserum. By these techniques 75-90% of the lymphocytes in these frozen sections were identified as T cells. Cell suspensions were also prepared by collagenase digestion of two of the five synovial tissues. The lymphocytes in these cell suspensions were predominantly T lymphocytes (78-85%) as shown by their ability to form spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes).", "contents": "Predominance of T cells in the lymphocytic infiltrates of synovial tissues in rheumatoid arthritis. Synovial tissues from 5 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined with immunofluorescence microscopy for the presence of lymphocytes with either bone marrow-derived (B) or thymus-derived (T) surface markers. Five synovial tissues with severe to mild lymphocytic infiltrations by bright field microscopy were examined in parallel with immunofluorescence. B cells were identified with a pepsin-digested fluoresceinated anti-F (ab')2 antiserum and T cells were detected with a specific rabbit anti-T lymphocyte antiserum. By these techniques 75-90% of the lymphocytes in these frozen sections were identified as T cells. Cell suspensions were also prepared by collagenase digestion of two of the five synovial tissues. The lymphocytes in these cell suspensions were predominantly T lymphocytes (78-85%) as shown by their ability to form spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes).", "PMID": 779795} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5474", "title": "On the structure-activity relationship of antiviral substances.", "content": "The significance of the study on structure-activity relationship in the antiviral substances is considered for: 1. directed synthesis of highly active and selective antivirals; 2. elucidation of the mechanism of action of antiviral substances by revealing the chemical structures which determine the inhibition of a given step in the virus growth cycle. The basic trends in conducting directed synthesis of antiviral substances are pointed out: synthesis of new inhibitors with a broad antiviral spectrum, as well as improvement by structural modifications of known ones. The basic methodological approaches in the structure-activity studies are considered. A classification of the available antiviral synthetic substances is presented.", "contents": "On the structure-activity relationship of antiviral substances. The significance of the study on structure-activity relationship in the antiviral substances is considered for: 1. directed synthesis of highly active and selective antivirals; 2. elucidation of the mechanism of action of antiviral substances by revealing the chemical structures which determine the inhibition of a given step in the virus growth cycle. The basic trends in conducting directed synthesis of antiviral substances are pointed out: synthesis of new inhibitors with a broad antiviral spectrum, as well as improvement by structural modifications of known ones. The basic methodological approaches in the structure-activity studies are considered. A classification of the available antiviral synthetic substances is presented.", "PMID": 779801} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5475", "title": "Controlled trial of cyclophosphamide in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Twenty-four patients with severe progressive rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to cyclophosphamide or placebo in a double-blind crossover trial. Eleven patients who completed 9 months on cyclophosphamide (average dose: 1.8 mg/kg/day) demonstrated significant decrease in painful joints, swollen joints, and morning stiffness and increase in grip strength when compared to 11 patients on placebo. After crossover, significant improvement was observed in patients switched to cyclophosphamide, and deterioration within 2 months was observed in most patients changed from drug to placebo. Serum immunoglobulins and rheumatoid factor titers decreased with cyclophosphamide but antibody response to Vi antigen was unaffected. Primary delayed immune response to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene was markedly depressed. Adverse effects were troublesome--hemorrhagic cystitis affected 4 patients and amenorrhea occurred in 3. Despite striking beneficial effect, cyclophosphamide should be prescribed cautiously and only in severe resistant cases of rheumatoid arthritis.", "contents": "Controlled trial of cyclophosphamide in rheumatoid arthritis. Twenty-four patients with severe progressive rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to cyclophosphamide or placebo in a double-blind crossover trial. Eleven patients who completed 9 months on cyclophosphamide (average dose: 1.8 mg/kg/day) demonstrated significant decrease in painful joints, swollen joints, and morning stiffness and increase in grip strength when compared to 11 patients on placebo. After crossover, significant improvement was observed in patients switched to cyclophosphamide, and deterioration within 2 months was observed in most patients changed from drug to placebo. Serum immunoglobulins and rheumatoid factor titers decreased with cyclophosphamide but antibody response to Vi antigen was unaffected. Primary delayed immune response to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene was markedly depressed. Adverse effects were troublesome--hemorrhagic cystitis affected 4 patients and amenorrhea occurred in 3. Despite striking beneficial effect, cyclophosphamide should be prescribed cautiously and only in severe resistant cases of rheumatoid arthritis.", "PMID": 779796} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5476", "title": "Effect of prophylactic colchicine therapy on leukocyte function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.", "content": "Patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) who were part of a double-blind trial of daily colchicine as prophylaxis for their disease had leukocyte functions studied while receiving colchicine or placebo. Leukocytes taken from these patients while on prophylactic doses of colchicine produced normal quantities of leukocytic pyrogen, ingested bacteria normally, and migrated normally in chemotatic chambers. In addition these patients had normal numbers of circulating T and B lymphocytes as well as normal blastogenic reponses of their peripheral lymphocytes to mitogenic stimuli. The patients on colchicine, however, had significantly fewer neutrophils and monocytes accumulating at skin-window sites 24 hours after the initial abrasion. Because the early phase of the skin-window response was normal in these patients, the decreased late response may be related to a failure to amplify the initial inflammatory reaction. The reduced capacity to generate a normal inflammatory response may account for the failure of these patients to develop full attacks while taking colchicine.", "contents": "Effect of prophylactic colchicine therapy on leukocyte function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever. Patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) who were part of a double-blind trial of daily colchicine as prophylaxis for their disease had leukocyte functions studied while receiving colchicine or placebo. Leukocytes taken from these patients while on prophylactic doses of colchicine produced normal quantities of leukocytic pyrogen, ingested bacteria normally, and migrated normally in chemotatic chambers. In addition these patients had normal numbers of circulating T and B lymphocytes as well as normal blastogenic reponses of their peripheral lymphocytes to mitogenic stimuli. The patients on colchicine, however, had significantly fewer neutrophils and monocytes accumulating at skin-window sites 24 hours after the initial abrasion. Because the early phase of the skin-window response was normal in these patients, the decreased late response may be related to a failure to amplify the initial inflammatory reaction. The reduced capacity to generate a normal inflammatory response may account for the failure of these patients to develop full attacks while taking colchicine.", "PMID": 779797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5477", "title": "Antibacterial activity of ribostamycin on Enterobacteriaceae.", "content": "The study of the inhibitory activity of ribostamvcin (Vistamycin), an antibiotic derived from Streptomyces ribosidificus, on 161 strains of Gram-negative bacilli shows that the antibacterial spectrum of this antibiotic is identical to that of kanamycin. If controlled clinical studies confirm that ribostamycin is less toxic than kanamycin on the otovestibular system, this antibiotic will constitute a real therapeutic advance.", "contents": "Antibacterial activity of ribostamycin on Enterobacteriaceae. The study of the inhibitory activity of ribostamvcin (Vistamycin), an antibiotic derived from Streptomyces ribosidificus, on 161 strains of Gram-negative bacilli shows that the antibacterial spectrum of this antibiotic is identical to that of kanamycin. If controlled clinical studies confirm that ribostamycin is less toxic than kanamycin on the otovestibular system, this antibiotic will constitute a real therapeutic advance.", "PMID": 779802} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5478", "title": "[Spontaneous peripheral proteolysis/2nd communication: Effect of peripheral proteolysis (author's transl)].", "content": "With the modified Astrup-plate method a spontaneous peripheral proteolysis was often found in chronical infections of the skin and mucous membranes. The origin of this proteolysis and its effects on the bacterial growth and wound healing were discussed.", "contents": "[Spontaneous peripheral proteolysis/2nd communication: Effect of peripheral proteolysis (author's transl)]. With the modified Astrup-plate method a spontaneous peripheral proteolysis was often found in chronical infections of the skin and mucous membranes. The origin of this proteolysis and its effects on the bacterial growth and wound healing were discussed.", "PMID": 779803} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5479", "title": "Di-n-propylacetic acid--profile of anticonvulsant activity in mice.", "content": "The anticonvulsant effect of di-n-propylacetic acid (n-DPA) was studied in mice and compared to those of phenobarbital, trimethadione and ethosuximide. n-DPA was only weakly active in the maximal electroshock test, but had an ED50 of 420 mg/kg orally in the pentetrazole seizure threshold test, which corresponds rather well to the activity of trimethadione and ethosuximide. The duration of action was only short, and the first signs of neurotoxicity--inability to perform in the chimney test--appeared well below the anticonvulsant ED50 against pentetrazole. n-DPA proved to be most active against convulsions induced by picrotoxin (ED50 200 mg/kg orally), which might indicate a role of the elevation of the central levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the anticonvulsant effect of the drug.", "contents": "Di-n-propylacetic acid--profile of anticonvulsant activity in mice. The anticonvulsant effect of di-n-propylacetic acid (n-DPA) was studied in mice and compared to those of phenobarbital, trimethadione and ethosuximide. n-DPA was only weakly active in the maximal electroshock test, but had an ED50 of 420 mg/kg orally in the pentetrazole seizure threshold test, which corresponds rather well to the activity of trimethadione and ethosuximide. The duration of action was only short, and the first signs of neurotoxicity--inability to perform in the chimney test--appeared well below the anticonvulsant ED50 against pentetrazole. n-DPA proved to be most active against convulsions induced by picrotoxin (ED50 200 mg/kg orally), which might indicate a role of the elevation of the central levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the anticonvulsant effect of the drug.", "PMID": 779804} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5480", "title": "Safety evaluation of chemicals in food: toxicological data profiles for pesticides. 1. Carbamate and organophosphorus insecticides used in agriculture and public health.", "content": "The sources of the scientific information used over the past several years by the Joint FAO/WHO Meetings on Pesticide Residues in carrying out toxicological evaluations are classified systematically according to compound and subject for the first time in this paper. It is hoped that those engaged in the toxicological assessment of pesticide chemicals, for the purpose of standardizing pesticide tolerances or for developing criteria of acceptability, will profit from this classification.", "contents": "Safety evaluation of chemicals in food: toxicological data profiles for pesticides. 1. Carbamate and organophosphorus insecticides used in agriculture and public health. The sources of the scientific information used over the past several years by the Joint FAO/WHO Meetings on Pesticide Residues in carrying out toxicological evaluations are classified systematically according to compound and subject for the first time in this paper. It is hoped that those engaged in the toxicological assessment of pesticide chemicals, for the purpose of standardizing pesticide tolerances or for developing criteria of acceptability, will profit from this classification.", "PMID": 779805} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5481", "title": "Clinical patterns and results of radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and skin tests in penicillin allergy.", "content": "Seventy-nine patients with acute or former reactions to penicillin were investigated by a benzylpenicilloyl (BPO)-specific RAST and/or by skin tests with penicilloyl-polylysine (PPL), benzylpenicillin and penicilloic acid and the results were correlated with the different clinical pictures. Positive RAST and skin test results could be found in patients with anaphylactic shock, urticaria and serum sickness-like reaction and sometimes in a special group of exanthems, which are characterized by the existence of many different lesions at the same time, therefore called 'polymorphic exanthems', and often observed after high-dosage penicillin therapy. In cases of scarlatiniform or morbilliform exanthems no positive results were found. The BPO-specific RAST showed an overall correlation of 95-I% with skin tests using PPL. However, some patients with positive skin tests to benzylpenicillin and penicilloic acid did no have detectable circulating IgE antibodies to BPO. This emphasizes the need for including these antigens in in vitro methods. The RAST was informative even at the allergic reaction or in the first 15 days afterwards and seems to be very valuable for early diagnosis of penicillin allergy especially in cases when many drugs have been given.", "contents": "Clinical patterns and results of radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and skin tests in penicillin allergy. Seventy-nine patients with acute or former reactions to penicillin were investigated by a benzylpenicilloyl (BPO)-specific RAST and/or by skin tests with penicilloyl-polylysine (PPL), benzylpenicillin and penicilloic acid and the results were correlated with the different clinical pictures. Positive RAST and skin test results could be found in patients with anaphylactic shock, urticaria and serum sickness-like reaction and sometimes in a special group of exanthems, which are characterized by the existence of many different lesions at the same time, therefore called 'polymorphic exanthems', and often observed after high-dosage penicillin therapy. In cases of scarlatiniform or morbilliform exanthems no positive results were found. The BPO-specific RAST showed an overall correlation of 95-I% with skin tests using PPL. However, some patients with positive skin tests to benzylpenicillin and penicilloic acid did no have detectable circulating IgE antibodies to BPO. This emphasizes the need for including these antigens in in vitro methods. The RAST was informative even at the allergic reaction or in the first 15 days afterwards and seems to be very valuable for early diagnosis of penicillin allergy especially in cases when many drugs have been given.", "PMID": 779818} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5482", "title": "Failure to produce warts on human skin grafts on 'nude' mice.", "content": "Split-thickness human skin was exposed to a suspension of human papilloma virus containing 10(11)-10(12) particles/ml, by immersion for varying lengths of time. It was then grafted onto the backs of congenitally athymic 'nude' mice. All grafts were accepted, but no warts developed during an observation period of up to 9 weeks.", "contents": "Failure to produce warts on human skin grafts on 'nude' mice. Split-thickness human skin was exposed to a suspension of human papilloma virus containing 10(11)-10(12) particles/ml, by immersion for varying lengths of time. It was then grafted onto the backs of congenitally athymic 'nude' mice. All grafts were accepted, but no warts developed during an observation period of up to 9 weeks.", "PMID": 779819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5483", "title": "Pemphigus controlled by dapsone.", "content": "Three uncomplicated cases of pemphigus were clinically controlled by dapsone. Improvement was associated with decreasing titres of circulating intercellular antibodies. Interestingly, the sera from one case of pemphigus foliaceus contained intercellular antibodies found in the Malpighian and basal cell layers using the fluorescent technique and in the granular layer using the peroxidase technique. These findings suggest that the intercellular antibodies in pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus are similar but bind at different anatomical sites.", "contents": "Pemphigus controlled by dapsone. Three uncomplicated cases of pemphigus were clinically controlled by dapsone. Improvement was associated with decreasing titres of circulating intercellular antibodies. Interestingly, the sera from one case of pemphigus foliaceus contained intercellular antibodies found in the Malpighian and basal cell layers using the fluorescent technique and in the granular layer using the peroxidase technique. These findings suggest that the intercellular antibodies in pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus are similar but bind at different anatomical sites.", "PMID": 779820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5484", "title": "Activation of pepsin (EC 3.4.4.1) by heavy-metal ions including a contribution to the mode of action of copper sulphate in pig nutrition.", "content": "1. Kinetic experimetns were done with pepsin (EC 3.4.4.1) using haemoglobin as a substrate in the presence of different metal cations. 2. The activation of peptic hydrolysis with higher concentration of cupric ions added to the reaction mixture was determined from turnover-rate curves in experiments with constant substrate concentration. With a Cu2+ concentration greater than 1.67 X 10(-4) M activation was obtained. 3. Nickel ions at a concentration of 8-33 X 10(-4) M and at higher concentrations also increased pepsin activity. Additions of ferrous ions and zinc ions had no effect. 4. Experiments were done using variable substrate concentrations in the presence of different Cu2+ concentrations. The concentrations of haemoglobin ([S]) at half maximum velocity were determined. The double-reciprocal plots of [S] v. reaction velocity (v) (i.e. 1/[S] v. 1/v) had no common intersection point. Therefore the kinetics did not correspond to any of the known kinetics. The activation brought about by Cu2+ cannot easily be explained by the study of the kinetics. Certain simple explanations of the phenomenon can be eliminated.", "contents": "Activation of pepsin (EC 3.4.4.1) by heavy-metal ions including a contribution to the mode of action of copper sulphate in pig nutrition. 1. Kinetic experimetns were done with pepsin (EC 3.4.4.1) using haemoglobin as a substrate in the presence of different metal cations. 2. The activation of peptic hydrolysis with higher concentration of cupric ions added to the reaction mixture was determined from turnover-rate curves in experiments with constant substrate concentration. With a Cu2+ concentration greater than 1.67 X 10(-4) M activation was obtained. 3. Nickel ions at a concentration of 8-33 X 10(-4) M and at higher concentrations also increased pepsin activity. Additions of ferrous ions and zinc ions had no effect. 4. Experiments were done using variable substrate concentrations in the presence of different Cu2+ concentrations. The concentrations of haemoglobin ([S]) at half maximum velocity were determined. The double-reciprocal plots of [S] v. reaction velocity (v) (i.e. 1/[S] v. 1/v) had no common intersection point. Therefore the kinetics did not correspond to any of the known kinetics. The activation brought about by Cu2+ cannot easily be explained by the study of the kinetics. Certain simple explanations of the phenomenon can be eliminated.", "PMID": 779823} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5485", "title": "Use of dimethyl suberimidate and novel periodate-cleavable bis(imido esters) to study the quaternary structure of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Two new symmetrical bis(imido esters), N,N'-bis(2-carboximidoethyl)tartarimide dimethyl ester dihydrochloride and N,N'-bis(2-carboximidomethyl)tartarimide dimethyl ester dihydrochloride, have been synthesized. Tests with the tetrameric enzyme, fructose diphosphate aldolase, show that these reagents closely resemble dimethyl suberimidate in their ability to cross-link protein subunits. However, identification of the cross-linked species, separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, is greatly facilitated since the cross-links can be broken by a simple treatment with sodium periodate. The periodate cleavage step can be introduced between the two dimensions of a diagonal gel electrophoretic separation, the contributors to a cross-linked species then moving off the diagonal formed by uncross-linked proteins and reverting to the positions in the gel that correspond with their regenerated monomeric form. When the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli was treated with dimethyl suberimidate or N,N'-bis(2-carboximidoethyl)tartarimide dimethyl ester dihydrochloride, cross-links rapidly formed between the subunits of the transacetylase and lipoamide dehydrogenase components. On the other hand, cross-links failed to form between the subunits of the decarboxylase component themselves, or between the decarboxylase and the other two types of subunit in the complex. Cross-linking experiments with the isolated lipoamide dehydrogenase were compatible with the accepted dimeric structure of this enzyme is free solution, whereas the isolated pyruvate decarboxylase component also failed to cross-link when treated with dimethyl suberimidate in free solution. The cross-linking experiments with the intact multienzyme complex provide evidence for the existence of the lipoamide dehydrogenase dimer in the assembled enzyme and show the need to interpret such experiments with care since, from other evidence, the pyruvate decarboxylase component is known to be bound to the transacetylase \"core\" of the complex.", "contents": "Use of dimethyl suberimidate and novel periodate-cleavable bis(imido esters) to study the quaternary structure of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli. Two new symmetrical bis(imido esters), N,N'-bis(2-carboximidoethyl)tartarimide dimethyl ester dihydrochloride and N,N'-bis(2-carboximidomethyl)tartarimide dimethyl ester dihydrochloride, have been synthesized. Tests with the tetrameric enzyme, fructose diphosphate aldolase, show that these reagents closely resemble dimethyl suberimidate in their ability to cross-link protein subunits. However, identification of the cross-linked species, separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, is greatly facilitated since the cross-links can be broken by a simple treatment with sodium periodate. The periodate cleavage step can be introduced between the two dimensions of a diagonal gel electrophoretic separation, the contributors to a cross-linked species then moving off the diagonal formed by uncross-linked proteins and reverting to the positions in the gel that correspond with their regenerated monomeric form. When the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli was treated with dimethyl suberimidate or N,N'-bis(2-carboximidoethyl)tartarimide dimethyl ester dihydrochloride, cross-links rapidly formed between the subunits of the transacetylase and lipoamide dehydrogenase components. On the other hand, cross-links failed to form between the subunits of the decarboxylase component themselves, or between the decarboxylase and the other two types of subunit in the complex. Cross-linking experiments with the isolated lipoamide dehydrogenase were compatible with the accepted dimeric structure of this enzyme is free solution, whereas the isolated pyruvate decarboxylase component also failed to cross-link when treated with dimethyl suberimidate in free solution. The cross-linking experiments with the intact multienzyme complex provide evidence for the existence of the lipoamide dehydrogenase dimer in the assembled enzyme and show the need to interpret such experiments with care since, from other evidence, the pyruvate decarboxylase component is known to be bound to the transacetylase \"core\" of the complex.", "PMID": 779824} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5486", "title": "The mechanism of the aminoacylation of transfer ribonucleic acid: enzyme-product dissociation is not rate limiting.", "content": "It has been proposed that the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA is the rate at which the product dissociates from the enzyme. The experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis comes from work at low pH and low temperature (although the reaction has been argued to have the same mechanism under physiological conditions). We have reexamined the binding assay by which M. Yarus and P. Berg (1969) (J. Mol. Biol. 42, 171-189) measured the kd for dissociation of Enz-(Ile-tRNA). We find that when overall reaction and dissociation are measured under identical conditions the two rates are not the same. Moreover, while an increase in ionic strength greatly stimulates dissociation, the same increased ionic strength slows aminoacylation. Spermine accelerates overall aminoacylation without affecting dissociation. Because any change in a rate-limiting step must, by definition, cause a parallel change in the overall reaction, these observations prove that under these conditions the synthesis of Ile-tRNA is not limited by the rate of dissociation of Enz-(Ile-tRNA). Entirely similar observations were made for the dissociation of Enz-(Val-tRNA) and the overall synthesis of Val-tRNA at 0 degrees C, PH 5.0. In addition, valine enzyme isolated by nitrocellulose filtration during the course of an aminoacylation was shown not to be saturated with recently synthesized Val-tRNA. The enzyme was in equilibrium with uncharged substrate tRNA and with product Val-tRNA. E. W. Eldred and P. R. Schimmel ((1972) Biochemistry 11, 17-23) report that the formation of Ile-tRNA proceeds at two rates: (a) k = 2 X 10(-2)S(-1) until the enzyme is saturated with the first mole of product, and (b) k = 2 X 10(-3)S(-1) for subsequent cycles. We did not observe this behavior at any pH or temperature with four different amino acid:tRNA ligases. Because aminoacylation proceeds more rapidly than \"dissociation\" under some conditions, we believe that the binding assay measures not only enzyme-product dissociation but also other slower reactions such as aggregation or disaggregation of Enz-(AA-tRNA). In conjunction with recent studies from other laboratories, this work makes it unlikely that enzyme-product dissociation is the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA either at low temperature and pH or under more nearly physiological conditions. From the effect of salt, it would appear that the rate of aminoacylation of tRNA is largely limited by the rate or extent of formation of Enz-(tRNA) (Loftfield, R. B., and Eigner, E. A. (1967), J. Biol. Chem. 242, 5355-5359). Using the binding assay of M. Yarus ((1972) Biochemistry 11, 2050-2060), we find the Kass for Enz-(Ile-tRNA) varies linearly with the Debye-H\u00fcckel function at ionic strengths of 0.1-0.4 from 10(8) to 10(6).", "contents": "The mechanism of the aminoacylation of transfer ribonucleic acid: enzyme-product dissociation is not rate limiting. It has been proposed that the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA is the rate at which the product dissociates from the enzyme. The experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis comes from work at low pH and low temperature (although the reaction has been argued to have the same mechanism under physiological conditions). We have reexamined the binding assay by which M. Yarus and P. Berg (1969) (J. Mol. Biol. 42, 171-189) measured the kd for dissociation of Enz-(Ile-tRNA). We find that when overall reaction and dissociation are measured under identical conditions the two rates are not the same. Moreover, while an increase in ionic strength greatly stimulates dissociation, the same increased ionic strength slows aminoacylation. Spermine accelerates overall aminoacylation without affecting dissociation. Because any change in a rate-limiting step must, by definition, cause a parallel change in the overall reaction, these observations prove that under these conditions the synthesis of Ile-tRNA is not limited by the rate of dissociation of Enz-(Ile-tRNA). Entirely similar observations were made for the dissociation of Enz-(Val-tRNA) and the overall synthesis of Val-tRNA at 0 degrees C, PH 5.0. In addition, valine enzyme isolated by nitrocellulose filtration during the course of an aminoacylation was shown not to be saturated with recently synthesized Val-tRNA. The enzyme was in equilibrium with uncharged substrate tRNA and with product Val-tRNA. E. W. Eldred and P. R. Schimmel ((1972) Biochemistry 11, 17-23) report that the formation of Ile-tRNA proceeds at two rates: (a) k = 2 X 10(-2)S(-1) until the enzyme is saturated with the first mole of product, and (b) k = 2 X 10(-3)S(-1) for subsequent cycles. We did not observe this behavior at any pH or temperature with four different amino acid:tRNA ligases. Because aminoacylation proceeds more rapidly than \"dissociation\" under some conditions, we believe that the binding assay measures not only enzyme-product dissociation but also other slower reactions such as aggregation or disaggregation of Enz-(AA-tRNA). In conjunction with recent studies from other laboratories, this work makes it unlikely that enzyme-product dissociation is the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA either at low temperature and pH or under more nearly physiological conditions. From the effect of salt, it would appear that the rate of aminoacylation of tRNA is largely limited by the rate or extent of formation of Enz-(tRNA) (Loftfield, R. B., and Eigner, E. A. (1967), J. Biol. Chem. 242, 5355-5359). Using the binding assay of M. Yarus ((1972) Biochemistry 11, 2050-2060), we find the Kass for Enz-(Ile-tRNA) varies linearly with the Debye-H\u00fcckel function at ionic strengths of 0.1-0.4 from 10(8) to 10(6).", "PMID": 779825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5487", "title": "Initiation of synthesis of N-terminal acetylated histones with methionine.", "content": "The studies presented were undertaken to clarify the unsettled question whether the synthesis of histones with a N-acetylserine residue at the amino terminal end is initiated with methionine. Histones were synthesized in vitro in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate, primed with a mRNA preparation from ascites cells. Initiation of polypeptide synthesis was investigated by using N-formyl[35S]met-tRNAfMet from yeast to label the N-termini. N-Formylmethionine was incorporated into histones H1 and H4 whose N-terminal amino acid is alpha-N-acetylserine. By comparison of tryptic peptides derived from these two histones labeled either with methionine or formylmethionine and from Edman degradation it is shown that N-terminal acetylated histones are initiated with methionine, as is the case for other eukaryotic and bacterial proteins.", "contents": "Initiation of synthesis of N-terminal acetylated histones with methionine. The studies presented were undertaken to clarify the unsettled question whether the synthesis of histones with a N-acetylserine residue at the amino terminal end is initiated with methionine. Histones were synthesized in vitro in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate, primed with a mRNA preparation from ascites cells. Initiation of polypeptide synthesis was investigated by using N-formyl[35S]met-tRNAfMet from yeast to label the N-termini. N-Formylmethionine was incorporated into histones H1 and H4 whose N-terminal amino acid is alpha-N-acetylserine. By comparison of tryptic peptides derived from these two histones labeled either with methionine or formylmethionine and from Edman degradation it is shown that N-terminal acetylated histones are initiated with methionine, as is the case for other eukaryotic and bacterial proteins.", "PMID": 779826} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5488", "title": "Regulation of membrane phospholipid synthesis by the relA gene: dependence on ppGpp levels.", "content": "A series of experiments using a pair of isogenic rel+ strains of Escherichia coli differing only in the spoT locus has demonstrated a quantitative correlation between the inhibition of phospholipid synthesis and the intracellular level of ppGpp. The conditions examined were (1) amino acid starvation; (2) release from amino acid starvation; and (3) balanced growth. We also have been shown the presence of a third gene (in addition of relA and spoT) concerned with ppGpp metabolism and have been found that the level of ppGpp during amino acid starvation is unaffected by an increase in the dosage of the relA gene.", "contents": "Regulation of membrane phospholipid synthesis by the relA gene: dependence on ppGpp levels. A series of experiments using a pair of isogenic rel+ strains of Escherichia coli differing only in the spoT locus has demonstrated a quantitative correlation between the inhibition of phospholipid synthesis and the intracellular level of ppGpp. The conditions examined were (1) amino acid starvation; (2) release from amino acid starvation; and (3) balanced growth. We also have been shown the presence of a third gene (in addition of relA and spoT) concerned with ppGpp metabolism and have been found that the level of ppGpp during amino acid starvation is unaffected by an increase in the dosage of the relA gene.", "PMID": 779827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5489", "title": "Molecular mechanism of the rifampicin -RNA polymerase interaction.", "content": "Equilibrium and kinetic studies of the interaction of rifampicin with RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli were performed by exploiting the quenching of intrinsic fluorescence of the protein by the drug. Fluorimetric titrations show that rifampicin binds stoichiometrically to the core and holoenzyme with an apparent Kd of less than or equal to 3 x 10(-9) M. Neither the addition of template nor the formation of the initiation complex in the presence of dinucleotide and nucleoside triphosphate prevents the rifampicin-enzyme interaction. Although the equilibrium binding constant for the rifampicin-RNA polymerase complex is about the same for the core and holoenzyme and the holoenzyme-T7 DNA complex, stopped-flow studies indicate that the rates at which rifampicin interacts with these enzyme forms are different. In all three cases, the kinetic data can be interpreted in terms of a mechanism in which the rapid bimolecular binding of rifampicin to RNA polymerase is followed by a relatively slow isomerization of the drug enzyme complex: (See article). While the values of dissociation constant K1 = (k-1/k1), for the first binary complex (ER) are similar, the rate constant for the forward isomerization, k2, decrease in the order of core enzyme greater than holoenzyme greater than the holoenzyme-T7 DNA complex. The fact that this order is parallel to the relative rates of inactivation of the enzymes and the enzyme-DNA complex suggests that the inactivation may be due to the rifampicin-induced isomerization (conformational change) of the enzyme. This is supported by our observations that an enzyme complex which is in the process of elongating RNA chains can still bind rifampicin, although the enzyme activity is not inhibited by such binding. The values of overall binding constants calculated from the kinetic parameters, 1-2 x 10(-9) M, are in good agreement with the values of the apparent Kd obtained from fluorimetric titrations and Ki determined by enzymatic assays. In addition, the observations that the formation of an initiation complex leads to a significant but not complete rifampicin-resistant RNA synthesis and the recent finding that rifampicin only partly inhibits the formation of the first phosphodiester bond in an abortive initiation of RNA chains are consistent with our kinetic mechansim, i.e., the existence of two forms of the rifampicin-RNA polymerase complex, only one of which is able to initiate the RNA chains.", "contents": "Molecular mechanism of the rifampicin -RNA polymerase interaction. Equilibrium and kinetic studies of the interaction of rifampicin with RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli were performed by exploiting the quenching of intrinsic fluorescence of the protein by the drug. Fluorimetric titrations show that rifampicin binds stoichiometrically to the core and holoenzyme with an apparent Kd of less than or equal to 3 x 10(-9) M. Neither the addition of template nor the formation of the initiation complex in the presence of dinucleotide and nucleoside triphosphate prevents the rifampicin-enzyme interaction. Although the equilibrium binding constant for the rifampicin-RNA polymerase complex is about the same for the core and holoenzyme and the holoenzyme-T7 DNA complex, stopped-flow studies indicate that the rates at which rifampicin interacts with these enzyme forms are different. In all three cases, the kinetic data can be interpreted in terms of a mechanism in which the rapid bimolecular binding of rifampicin to RNA polymerase is followed by a relatively slow isomerization of the drug enzyme complex: (See article). While the values of dissociation constant K1 = (k-1/k1), for the first binary complex (ER) are similar, the rate constant for the forward isomerization, k2, decrease in the order of core enzyme greater than holoenzyme greater than the holoenzyme-T7 DNA complex. The fact that this order is parallel to the relative rates of inactivation of the enzymes and the enzyme-DNA complex suggests that the inactivation may be due to the rifampicin-induced isomerization (conformational change) of the enzyme. This is supported by our observations that an enzyme complex which is in the process of elongating RNA chains can still bind rifampicin, although the enzyme activity is not inhibited by such binding. The values of overall binding constants calculated from the kinetic parameters, 1-2 x 10(-9) M, are in good agreement with the values of the apparent Kd obtained from fluorimetric titrations and Ki determined by enzymatic assays. In addition, the observations that the formation of an initiation complex leads to a significant but not complete rifampicin-resistant RNA synthesis and the recent finding that rifampicin only partly inhibits the formation of the first phosphodiester bond in an abortive initiation of RNA chains are consistent with our kinetic mechansim, i.e., the existence of two forms of the rifampicin-RNA polymerase complex, only one of which is able to initiate the RNA chains.", "PMID": 779828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5490", "title": "Membrane changes in Escherichia coli induced by colicin Ia and agents known to disrupt energy transduction.", "content": "The addition of colicin Ia to a suspension of intact Escherichia coli in the presence of the hydrophobic fluorescent probe N-phenyl-l-naphthylamine causes dramatic changes in the fluorescence of the probe. The fluorescence intensity increases several fold, the emission spectrum shifts to the blue, the fluorescence lifetime approximately doubles, and the polarization increases. These changes do not appear to result from an increase in membrane microviscosity, as has been previously postulated to be the case for the N-phenyl-l-naphthylamine fluorescence changes seen with colicin El-treated cells (Helgerson, S.L., Cramer, W.A., Harris, J.M., and Lytle, F.E. (1974), Biochemistry, 13, 3057); rather, they result from an increased binding of the dye to the cell envelope. A variety of agents have been used to demonstrate that a very similar fluorescence response results whenever the cells are \"deenergized.\" These agents include electron transport inhibitors (malonate, amytal, cyanide) as well as the uncouplers CCCP and azide. In addition, depleting the cells of either endogenous substrates or oxygen results in the same fluorescence response. In these cases, the fluorescence response is reversed upon addition of an oxidizable substrate or oxygen. It is clear that there are significant changes in the Escherichia coli envelope as energy transduction processes are disrupted and restored. The changes reported by the fluorescent probe may prove useful indeciphering structure-function relationships in the Escherichia coli envelope.", "contents": "Membrane changes in Escherichia coli induced by colicin Ia and agents known to disrupt energy transduction. The addition of colicin Ia to a suspension of intact Escherichia coli in the presence of the hydrophobic fluorescent probe N-phenyl-l-naphthylamine causes dramatic changes in the fluorescence of the probe. The fluorescence intensity increases several fold, the emission spectrum shifts to the blue, the fluorescence lifetime approximately doubles, and the polarization increases. These changes do not appear to result from an increase in membrane microviscosity, as has been previously postulated to be the case for the N-phenyl-l-naphthylamine fluorescence changes seen with colicin El-treated cells (Helgerson, S.L., Cramer, W.A., Harris, J.M., and Lytle, F.E. (1974), Biochemistry, 13, 3057); rather, they result from an increased binding of the dye to the cell envelope. A variety of agents have been used to demonstrate that a very similar fluorescence response results whenever the cells are \"deenergized.\" These agents include electron transport inhibitors (malonate, amytal, cyanide) as well as the uncouplers CCCP and azide. In addition, depleting the cells of either endogenous substrates or oxygen results in the same fluorescence response. In these cases, the fluorescence response is reversed upon addition of an oxidizable substrate or oxygen. It is clear that there are significant changes in the Escherichia coli envelope as energy transduction processes are disrupted and restored. The changes reported by the fluorescent probe may prove useful indeciphering structure-function relationships in the Escherichia coli envelope.", "PMID": 779829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5491", "title": "Comparison of isotope labeling patterns of purines in three specific transfer RNAs.", "content": "Purine C-8 tritium-labeling rates have been measured at specific sites in Escherichia coli tRNAIle and tRNA2Tyr. The results are compared with those obtained for yeast tRNAPhe (preceding paper(Gamble et al., 1976)). The tRNAIle and tRNAPhe fall into the same general class of tRNA structures, while tRNA2Tyr is in a differint class; in particular, the latter is characterized by a large extra loop. In each of the three tRNAs the 3'-terminal A has the same labeling rate and, on a relative basis, appears to be the most rapidly labeled site. Bases in cloverleaf helical sections have markedly retarded labeling rates that collectively fall within an approximately threefold range of time constants. At some of the common purines, believed to be essential for the construction of a general system of tertiary interactions, exchange rates for yeast tRNAPhe are significantly different than those for the two Escherichia coli tRNAs. these differences may arise from variations among the tRNAs in the relative stabilities of specific tertiary interactions, or from other factors as well. In the case of tRNA2Tyr, labeling rates for bases in the large variable region are sufficiently retarded to suggest some structural organization for this part of the molecule. In addition, since exchange rates are similar for some of the bases common to Escherichia coli tRNAIle and tRNA2Tyr, it is likely that the large variable loop of tRNA2Tyr does not interact with or perturb these common sites. Finally, for all three tRNAs, structure formation (e.g., base pairing, base stacking) invariably decreases the labeling rate, even though the variety of base environments in the three-dimensional structures of these tRNAs might be expected to affect the acidity of C-8 and other chemical properties in diverse ways. Although these chemical effects no doubt bear influence, in these studies the dominant influence on exchange may be the effect of structure on the accessibility of solvent molecules, i.e. water.", "contents": "Comparison of isotope labeling patterns of purines in three specific transfer RNAs. Purine C-8 tritium-labeling rates have been measured at specific sites in Escherichia coli tRNAIle and tRNA2Tyr. The results are compared with those obtained for yeast tRNAPhe (preceding paper(Gamble et al., 1976)). The tRNAIle and tRNAPhe fall into the same general class of tRNA structures, while tRNA2Tyr is in a differint class; in particular, the latter is characterized by a large extra loop. In each of the three tRNAs the 3'-terminal A has the same labeling rate and, on a relative basis, appears to be the most rapidly labeled site. Bases in cloverleaf helical sections have markedly retarded labeling rates that collectively fall within an approximately threefold range of time constants. At some of the common purines, believed to be essential for the construction of a general system of tertiary interactions, exchange rates for yeast tRNAPhe are significantly different than those for the two Escherichia coli tRNAs. these differences may arise from variations among the tRNAs in the relative stabilities of specific tertiary interactions, or from other factors as well. In the case of tRNA2Tyr, labeling rates for bases in the large variable region are sufficiently retarded to suggest some structural organization for this part of the molecule. In addition, since exchange rates are similar for some of the bases common to Escherichia coli tRNAIle and tRNA2Tyr, it is likely that the large variable loop of tRNA2Tyr does not interact with or perturb these common sites. Finally, for all three tRNAs, structure formation (e.g., base pairing, base stacking) invariably decreases the labeling rate, even though the variety of base environments in the three-dimensional structures of these tRNAs might be expected to affect the acidity of C-8 and other chemical properties in diverse ways. Although these chemical effects no doubt bear influence, in these studies the dominant influence on exchange may be the effect of structure on the accessibility of solvent molecules, i.e. water.", "PMID": 779830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5492", "title": "The synthesis of 3'-dATP and its use as an inhibitor of ATP-dependent DNA synthesis in toluene-treated Escherichia coli.", "content": "A structural analogue of ATP, 3'-deoxyadenosine triphosphate (3'-dATP), has been synthesized from cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine), characterized, and determined to be an inhibitor of ATP-dependent DNA synthesis in Escherichia coli cells which have been reduced permeable to nucleoside triphosphates by treatment with toluene. The analogue is a competitive inhibitor of ATP and it inhibits replicative DNA synthesis 50% at concentrations of ca. 0.15 mM in the presence of 1.0 mM ATP and 4 x 10(8) cells/ml. The degree of inhibition of a given amount of 3'-dATP is inversely related to the cell concentration in the reaction mixture. The analogue interferes with some function of ATP which is continuously required during the course of the reaction and does not irreversibly inactivate the cells' DNA synthesis apparatus. 3'-Deoxyadenosine triphosphate may prove useful in elucidating the roles of ATP in DNA synthesis in more purified replicating systems.", "contents": "The synthesis of 3'-dATP and its use as an inhibitor of ATP-dependent DNA synthesis in toluene-treated Escherichia coli. A structural analogue of ATP, 3'-deoxyadenosine triphosphate (3'-dATP), has been synthesized from cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine), characterized, and determined to be an inhibitor of ATP-dependent DNA synthesis in Escherichia coli cells which have been reduced permeable to nucleoside triphosphates by treatment with toluene. The analogue is a competitive inhibitor of ATP and it inhibits replicative DNA synthesis 50% at concentrations of ca. 0.15 mM in the presence of 1.0 mM ATP and 4 x 10(8) cells/ml. The degree of inhibition of a given amount of 3'-dATP is inversely related to the cell concentration in the reaction mixture. The analogue interferes with some function of ATP which is continuously required during the course of the reaction and does not irreversibly inactivate the cells' DNA synthesis apparatus. 3'-Deoxyadenosine triphosphate may prove useful in elucidating the roles of ATP in DNA synthesis in more purified replicating systems.", "PMID": 779831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5493", "title": "Incorporation of 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine5'-phosphate in polynucleotides by use of DNA polymerase I and a phiX174 DNA template.", "content": "An aqueous solution of 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate, prepared by incubation of equimolar solutions of 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine and sodium trimetaphosphate, stimulates synthesis of acid-precipitable polynucleotides in a system containing single-strand phiX174 DNA template, random oligonucleotide primers, dATP, dCTP,dGTP, Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I, and either magnesium or manganese ion. Approximately onefold synthesis on the template can be achieved and each of the indicated reagents is essential for extensive synthesis. The reaction is slower than the corresponding reaction of dTTP as a consequence of a lower V max and a higher Km for the amino analogue. That aminodeoxythymidine phosphate is incorporated into the synthetic polynucleotides was shown by a double-labeling experiment with [14C]dATP and [32P]-5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate and by the unusually high lability of the phosphoramidate polynucleotides toward acid. The phosphoramidate polynucleotides range in size from about 100 nucleotide units to well over a thousand nucleotide units, and the size is increased by addition of DNA ligase to the system. These experiments indicate that synthetic polynucleotides in which oligonucleotide blocks have been joined by means of phosphoramidate bonds should prove useful as primers for enzymatic syntheses with DNA polymerase I.", "contents": "Incorporation of 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine5'-phosphate in polynucleotides by use of DNA polymerase I and a phiX174 DNA template. An aqueous solution of 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate, prepared by incubation of equimolar solutions of 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine and sodium trimetaphosphate, stimulates synthesis of acid-precipitable polynucleotides in a system containing single-strand phiX174 DNA template, random oligonucleotide primers, dATP, dCTP,dGTP, Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I, and either magnesium or manganese ion. Approximately onefold synthesis on the template can be achieved and each of the indicated reagents is essential for extensive synthesis. The reaction is slower than the corresponding reaction of dTTP as a consequence of a lower V max and a higher Km for the amino analogue. That aminodeoxythymidine phosphate is incorporated into the synthetic polynucleotides was shown by a double-labeling experiment with [14C]dATP and [32P]-5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate and by the unusually high lability of the phosphoramidate polynucleotides toward acid. The phosphoramidate polynucleotides range in size from about 100 nucleotide units to well over a thousand nucleotide units, and the size is increased by addition of DNA ligase to the system. These experiments indicate that synthetic polynucleotides in which oligonucleotide blocks have been joined by means of phosphoramidate bonds should prove useful as primers for enzymatic syntheses with DNA polymerase I.", "PMID": 779832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5494", "title": "Fluorescence energy-transfer measurements between coenzyme A and flavin adenine dinucleotide binding sites of the Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex.", "content": "The interaction of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex from Escherichia coli with 1,N6-etheno-CoA (epsilonCoA) and coenzyme A (CoA) has been investigated using equilibrium binding, steady-state fluorescence, and fluorescence lifetime measurements. A procedure for the resolution of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex into the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme and the transacetylase-flavoprotein subcomplex also is given. Direct binding studies with epsilonCoA indicate that 25 bound epsilonCoA molecules/multienzyme complex can be readily displaced by CoA, while approximately 21 bound epsilonCoA molecules/transacetylase-flavoprotein subcomplex can be displaced by CoA. The dissociation constant for the CoA displaceable epsilonCoA is 57.8 muM for the complex and 126 muM for the subcomplex in 0.02 M potassium phosphate (pH 7.0) at 5 degrees C. The kinetic behavior of epsilonCoA as a substrate was investigated and compared with that of CoA under a variety of conditions; the apparent Michaelis constants for epsilonCoA are considerably larger than those for CoA, while the corresponding maximal velocities are smaller. Fluorescence energy transfer measurements between bound epsilonCoA on the dihydrolipoyl transacetylase enzyme and flavin adenine dinucleotide on the dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase enzyme either in the complex or subcomplex indicate, assuming the emission and absorption dipoles are randomly oriented, that these two probes must be at least 50 A apart.", "contents": "Fluorescence energy-transfer measurements between coenzyme A and flavin adenine dinucleotide binding sites of the Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex. The interaction of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex from Escherichia coli with 1,N6-etheno-CoA (epsilonCoA) and coenzyme A (CoA) has been investigated using equilibrium binding, steady-state fluorescence, and fluorescence lifetime measurements. A procedure for the resolution of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex into the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme and the transacetylase-flavoprotein subcomplex also is given. Direct binding studies with epsilonCoA indicate that 25 bound epsilonCoA molecules/multienzyme complex can be readily displaced by CoA, while approximately 21 bound epsilonCoA molecules/transacetylase-flavoprotein subcomplex can be displaced by CoA. The dissociation constant for the CoA displaceable epsilonCoA is 57.8 muM for the complex and 126 muM for the subcomplex in 0.02 M potassium phosphate (pH 7.0) at 5 degrees C. The kinetic behavior of epsilonCoA as a substrate was investigated and compared with that of CoA under a variety of conditions; the apparent Michaelis constants for epsilonCoA are considerably larger than those for CoA, while the corresponding maximal velocities are smaller. Fluorescence energy transfer measurements between bound epsilonCoA on the dihydrolipoyl transacetylase enzyme and flavin adenine dinucleotide on the dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase enzyme either in the complex or subcomplex indicate, assuming the emission and absorption dipoles are randomly oriented, that these two probes must be at least 50 A apart.", "PMID": 779833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5495", "title": "The \"phosphoryl-enzyme\" from phosphoglycerate kinase.", "content": "The \"phosphoryl-enzyme\" prepared from phosphoglycerate kinase and adenosine 5'-triphosphate in the presence of an adenosine 5'-diphosphate trap is shown to contain stoichiometric amounts of 3-phosphoglycerate. This \"phosphoryl-enzyme\" is chemically competent, but is probably just a tight complex between 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate and the enzyme. The two partial exchange reactions (between adenosine 5'-diphosphate, and adenosine 5'-triphosphate, and between 3-phosphoglycerate and 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate) can both be observed, but their rates are very much slower than the rate of overall catalysis. No substrate analogue was found that accelerated the partial exchange reactions. Catalysis of each of the two exchange reactions and of the kinase reaction coincides after isoelectric focusing of purified enzyme, but the amount of cosubstrate necessary to cause the observed partial exchange rates is so small that these reactions may well be artifactual. The balance of evidence does not support a ping-pong pathway via phosphoryl-enzyme, and the reaction may be a sequential one in which the phosphoryl group is transferred between substrates in a ternary complex. The results point to the dangers in the interpretation of experiments where very small amounts of contaminating cosubstrate can lead to large kinetic effects, and to the possibility of mistaken deductions about the identity of reaction intermediates.", "contents": "The \"phosphoryl-enzyme\" from phosphoglycerate kinase. The \"phosphoryl-enzyme\" prepared from phosphoglycerate kinase and adenosine 5'-triphosphate in the presence of an adenosine 5'-diphosphate trap is shown to contain stoichiometric amounts of 3-phosphoglycerate. This \"phosphoryl-enzyme\" is chemically competent, but is probably just a tight complex between 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate and the enzyme. The two partial exchange reactions (between adenosine 5'-diphosphate, and adenosine 5'-triphosphate, and between 3-phosphoglycerate and 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate) can both be observed, but their rates are very much slower than the rate of overall catalysis. No substrate analogue was found that accelerated the partial exchange reactions. Catalysis of each of the two exchange reactions and of the kinase reaction coincides after isoelectric focusing of purified enzyme, but the amount of cosubstrate necessary to cause the observed partial exchange rates is so small that these reactions may well be artifactual. The balance of evidence does not support a ping-pong pathway via phosphoryl-enzyme, and the reaction may be a sequential one in which the phosphoryl group is transferred between substrates in a ternary complex. The results point to the dangers in the interpretation of experiments where very small amounts of contaminating cosubstrate can lead to large kinetic effects, and to the possibility of mistaken deductions about the identity of reaction intermediates.", "PMID": 779834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5496", "title": "Studies on secondary structure in chicken egg-white lysozyme after reductive cleavage of disulfide bonds.", "content": "Native lysozyme and three reduced derivatives (carboxymethyl, carboxamidomethyl, and triphenylethyl-phosphonium) were examined by circular dichroism, and fractions of the protein chain present as alpha-helix, beta structure, and unordered structure were estimated by a computeradapted curve-fitting program. The alpha helix ranged from 2 to 23% in the three products, while native lysozyme exhibited 26 to 31%. However, beta structure in the reduced samples occupied 23-62% of the chain length (the latter in 50% methanol), consistently in excess of the native content(11-16%). Secondary structure in the reduced samples increased with pH, while that of the native protein remained nearly constant. In 8 M urea alpha helix was mostly eliminated from the reduced protein, while beta structure was nearly unaffected. Qualitatively, a partial loss of beta structure appeared to result from peptic digestion of the reduced samples, with further loss on exposure of the digest to urea. Stability of the observed beta structure indicates its existence prior to the oxidation of SH groups, which is concomitant with development of the native conformation. This structure could, therefore, constitute at least part of a precursor conformation in the formation of native structure.", "contents": "Studies on secondary structure in chicken egg-white lysozyme after reductive cleavage of disulfide bonds. Native lysozyme and three reduced derivatives (carboxymethyl, carboxamidomethyl, and triphenylethyl-phosphonium) were examined by circular dichroism, and fractions of the protein chain present as alpha-helix, beta structure, and unordered structure were estimated by a computeradapted curve-fitting program. The alpha helix ranged from 2 to 23% in the three products, while native lysozyme exhibited 26 to 31%. However, beta structure in the reduced samples occupied 23-62% of the chain length (the latter in 50% methanol), consistently in excess of the native content(11-16%). Secondary structure in the reduced samples increased with pH, while that of the native protein remained nearly constant. In 8 M urea alpha helix was mostly eliminated from the reduced protein, while beta structure was nearly unaffected. Qualitatively, a partial loss of beta structure appeared to result from peptic digestion of the reduced samples, with further loss on exposure of the digest to urea. Stability of the observed beta structure indicates its existence prior to the oxidation of SH groups, which is concomitant with development of the native conformation. This structure could, therefore, constitute at least part of a precursor conformation in the formation of native structure.", "PMID": 779835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5497", "title": "Positional specificity of cyclopropane ring formation from cis-octadecenoic acid isomers in Escherichia coli.", "content": "An unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph of Escherichia coli was grown with a series of cis-octadecenoate isomers in which the location of the double bond varied from positions 3 to 17. Each of these fatty acid isomers was incorporated into the cellular lipids, but cyclopropane derivatives were formed to at least a 3-fold greater extent from the cis-9 and cis-11 isomers than from any other positional isomers. The extent of cyclopropane acid formation was observed to be highly dependent on the rate of shaking of the culture. A culture shaking at 340 rev./min converted 8.7% of its oleate to the cyclopropane derivative at stationary phase, whereas a parallel culture shaken at 110 rev./min converted 66% of the oleate to a cyclopropane acid. The inability to observe selectivity or form derivatives from isomers other than the cis-9 and cis-11 isomers seems to be due to enzyme specificity rather than a secondary affect of the abnormal unconverted fatty acids on the cell, because the cis-9 isomer is converted to its cyclopropane derivative even in cells grown with abnormal unreactive positional isomers. The preferred substrates for cyclopropanecarboxylic acid formation contained a cis ethylenic bond at either the 9 position or the (n-7) position. In combination with results of previous studies the specificity reported here supports a concetpt that two different enzymes may participate in cyclopropane ring synthesis. One enzyme activity may recognize its substrate by the distance from the pi-bond to the carboxyl group and the other by the distance to the methyl group.", "contents": "Positional specificity of cyclopropane ring formation from cis-octadecenoic acid isomers in Escherichia coli. An unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph of Escherichia coli was grown with a series of cis-octadecenoate isomers in which the location of the double bond varied from positions 3 to 17. Each of these fatty acid isomers was incorporated into the cellular lipids, but cyclopropane derivatives were formed to at least a 3-fold greater extent from the cis-9 and cis-11 isomers than from any other positional isomers. The extent of cyclopropane acid formation was observed to be highly dependent on the rate of shaking of the culture. A culture shaking at 340 rev./min converted 8.7% of its oleate to the cyclopropane derivative at stationary phase, whereas a parallel culture shaken at 110 rev./min converted 66% of the oleate to a cyclopropane acid. The inability to observe selectivity or form derivatives from isomers other than the cis-9 and cis-11 isomers seems to be due to enzyme specificity rather than a secondary affect of the abnormal unconverted fatty acids on the cell, because the cis-9 isomer is converted to its cyclopropane derivative even in cells grown with abnormal unreactive positional isomers. The preferred substrates for cyclopropanecarboxylic acid formation contained a cis ethylenic bond at either the 9 position or the (n-7) position. In combination with results of previous studies the specificity reported here supports a concetpt that two different enzymes may participate in cyclopropane ring synthesis. One enzyme activity may recognize its substrate by the distance from the pi-bond to the carboxyl group and the other by the distance to the methyl group.", "PMID": 779836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5498", "title": "[Phospholipid composition in thermosensitive mutants of Escherichia coli (author's transl)].", "content": "Quantitative phospholipid composition was investigated on various thermo-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli K 12. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the major component. Three mutants (T1, T46 and T5) grown at 40 degrees C, had more anionic phospholipids (phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol) and less bipolar phospholipids (phosphatidylethanolamine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine) than the wild type. Two mutants strains T46 and T83 which have the same Dna A mutation and identical membrane proteins alterations, have different phospholipid composition. Other mutants, such as T46, exhibit a blocking o? THE INITIATION OF DNA synthesis or morphological alterations under restrictive growth conditions (40 degrees C); however, the phospholipid composition of these mutants is normal and differs from the phospholipid composition of T46.T1 and T5 mutants have the same alterations in the phospholipid composition as T46 although they do not possess Dna A and Div A mutations of the T46 strain. Mutations leading to the alteration of the phospholipid composition are unrelated to other mutations leading to changes in the morphology and cellular division.", "contents": "[Phospholipid composition in thermosensitive mutants of Escherichia coli (author's transl)]. Quantitative phospholipid composition was investigated on various thermo-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli K 12. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the major component. Three mutants (T1, T46 and T5) grown at 40 degrees C, had more anionic phospholipids (phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol) and less bipolar phospholipids (phosphatidylethanolamine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine) than the wild type. Two mutants strains T46 and T83 which have the same Dna A mutation and identical membrane proteins alterations, have different phospholipid composition. Other mutants, such as T46, exhibit a blocking o? THE INITIATION OF DNA synthesis or morphological alterations under restrictive growth conditions (40 degrees C); however, the phospholipid composition of these mutants is normal and differs from the phospholipid composition of T46.T1 and T5 mutants have the same alterations in the phospholipid composition as T46 although they do not possess Dna A and Div A mutations of the T46 strain. Mutations leading to the alteration of the phospholipid composition are unrelated to other mutations leading to changes in the morphology and cellular division.", "PMID": 779837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5499", "title": "Function of phosphatidylglycerol molecular species in membranes. Activation of membrane-bound sn-glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase in Escherichia coli.", "content": "SN-Glycerol 3-phosphate acyltrasferase (EC 2.3.1.15) bound to the elaidate enriched membranes of an unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph of Escherichia coli had a lower specific activity than the acyltrasferase associated with the wild-type membranes. The 1-saturated-2-cis-unsaturated and 1,2-di-cis-unsaturated molecular species of phosphatidylglycerol activated this enzyme. However, these molecular species did not change the original temperature profile obtained by Arrhenius plots of the enzyme activity bound to the elaidate-enriched membranes.", "contents": "Function of phosphatidylglycerol molecular species in membranes. Activation of membrane-bound sn-glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase in Escherichia coli. SN-Glycerol 3-phosphate acyltrasferase (EC 2.3.1.15) bound to the elaidate enriched membranes of an unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph of Escherichia coli had a lower specific activity than the acyltrasferase associated with the wild-type membranes. The 1-saturated-2-cis-unsaturated and 1,2-di-cis-unsaturated molecular species of phosphatidylglycerol activated this enzyme. However, these molecular species did not change the original temperature profile obtained by Arrhenius plots of the enzyme activity bound to the elaidate-enriched membranes.", "PMID": 779838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5500", "title": "Collagen heterogeneity in pig heart valves.", "content": "For the first time, it has been possible to solubilize a significant amount of heart valve collagen from 6 month old pigs by pepsin treatment. Chromatographic and electrophoretic analysis of this pepsin-soluble collagen gives evidence for the presence of two types of collagen molecules: type I collagen and another type which has properties similar to those of type III collagen. For example, this collagen, present as a gamma component, gives rise, when reduced by dithiothreitol, to two bands by SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis: a beta band and an alpha band. Furthermore, the collagenic web of this tissue is highly polymerized, which explains the inability to solubilize all of the collagen molecules and the presence of high-molecular-weight molecules in the pepsin-soluble fractions.", "contents": "Collagen heterogeneity in pig heart valves. For the first time, it has been possible to solubilize a significant amount of heart valve collagen from 6 month old pigs by pepsin treatment. Chromatographic and electrophoretic analysis of this pepsin-soluble collagen gives evidence for the presence of two types of collagen molecules: type I collagen and another type which has properties similar to those of type III collagen. For example, this collagen, present as a gamma component, gives rise, when reduced by dithiothreitol, to two bands by SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis: a beta band and an alpha band. Furthermore, the collagenic web of this tissue is highly polymerized, which explains the inability to solubilize all of the collagen molecules and the presence of high-molecular-weight molecules in the pepsin-soluble fractions.", "PMID": 779839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5501", "title": "Microcalorimetry of thermal denaturation of pepsin and trypsin in the crystal state.", "content": "Heating of pepsin and trypsin crystals was studied by scanning microcalorimetry. A sharp decrease in temperature, halfwidth and heat of transition with a decrease in heating rate was discovered. It was shown that thermal transition is connected only with the denaturation of protein molecules in the crystal and not accompanied by the crystal disintegration into separate molecules.", "contents": "Microcalorimetry of thermal denaturation of pepsin and trypsin in the crystal state. Heating of pepsin and trypsin crystals was studied by scanning microcalorimetry. A sharp decrease in temperature, halfwidth and heat of transition with a decrease in heating rate was discovered. It was shown that thermal transition is connected only with the denaturation of protein molecules in the crystal and not accompanied by the crystal disintegration into separate molecules.", "PMID": 779840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5502", "title": "Activity of stringent protein in ribosomes of Escherichia coli during the growth cycle.", "content": "To investigate whether the stringent protein in Escherichia coli was lost from ribosomes at certain phase of growth as in other organisms (Bacillus subtilis, mouse embryo), cells growing at various phases of the growth cycle were harvested and ribosomes tested for activity. The results showed that in E. coli, stringent protein was associated with the ribosomes throughout the growth cycle. The peak activity for the synthesis of guanosine tetra- and pentaphosphates appeared around midlogarithmic phase.", "contents": "Activity of stringent protein in ribosomes of Escherichia coli during the growth cycle. To investigate whether the stringent protein in Escherichia coli was lost from ribosomes at certain phase of growth as in other organisms (Bacillus subtilis, mouse embryo), cells growing at various phases of the growth cycle were harvested and ribosomes tested for activity. The results showed that in E. coli, stringent protein was associated with the ribosomes throughout the growth cycle. The peak activity for the synthesis of guanosine tetra- and pentaphosphates appeared around midlogarithmic phase.", "PMID": 779841} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5503", "title": "Proinsulin biosynthesis by pancreatic islets of the rat and the study of alloxan cytotoxicity in vitro.", "content": "Incorporation of L-[4,5-3H] leucine into proinsulin plus insulin by isolated pancreatic islets was shown to be severely inhibited by previous brief exposure to 1.25 mM alloxan, but incorporation into other islet proteins was not affected. The system proved valuable for the study of the prevention of alloxan cytotoxicity by various carbohydrates and carbohydrate derivatives. D-glucose, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, D-mannose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose effectively prevented the injury by alloxan. D-Mannoheptulose, D-glucosamine, 1-thio-beta-D-glucose, 5-thio-D-glucose, 2,6-deoxy-D-glucose, D-glyceraldehyde, and dihydroxyacetone had either insignificant or no protective effect.", "contents": "Proinsulin biosynthesis by pancreatic islets of the rat and the study of alloxan cytotoxicity in vitro. Incorporation of L-[4,5-3H] leucine into proinsulin plus insulin by isolated pancreatic islets was shown to be severely inhibited by previous brief exposure to 1.25 mM alloxan, but incorporation into other islet proteins was not affected. The system proved valuable for the study of the prevention of alloxan cytotoxicity by various carbohydrates and carbohydrate derivatives. D-glucose, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, D-mannose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose effectively prevented the injury by alloxan. D-Mannoheptulose, D-glucosamine, 1-thio-beta-D-glucose, 5-thio-D-glucose, 2,6-deoxy-D-glucose, D-glyceraldehyde, and dihydroxyacetone had either insignificant or no protective effect.", "PMID": 779842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5504", "title": "Methylated guanine derivative as a minor base in the DNA of phage DDVI Shigella disenteriae.", "content": "7-Methylguanine has been identified in the DNA of phage DDVI, which replicates in Escherichia coli B cells. The amount of this minor base is 0.27 mol per 100 mol of nucleotides. In the DNA of DDVI phage there is no 6-methylaminopurine which is usually a minor component in the DNA of E. coli B and phage T2, yet the DNA of DDVI phage is readily methylated during incubation in vitro with the B-specific methylase and adenosyl[3H]methionine with the label found only in 6-methylaminopurine. An extract of E. coli B cells infected with DDVI phage showed activity of a novel methylase which transfers the [3H]methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to guanine, leading to the appearance of 7-methylguanine in the acceptor DNA.", "contents": "Methylated guanine derivative as a minor base in the DNA of phage DDVI Shigella disenteriae. 7-Methylguanine has been identified in the DNA of phage DDVI, which replicates in Escherichia coli B cells. The amount of this minor base is 0.27 mol per 100 mol of nucleotides. In the DNA of DDVI phage there is no 6-methylaminopurine which is usually a minor component in the DNA of E. coli B and phage T2, yet the DNA of DDVI phage is readily methylated during incubation in vitro with the B-specific methylase and adenosyl[3H]methionine with the label found only in 6-methylaminopurine. An extract of E. coli B cells infected with DDVI phage showed activity of a novel methylase which transfers the [3H]methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to guanine, leading to the appearance of 7-methylguanine in the acceptor DNA.", "PMID": 779843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5505", "title": "Undermethylated transfer RNA does not support phage RNA-directed in vitro protein synthesis.", "content": "A cell-free protein synthesis system from Escherichia coli Q13 was depleted of mRNA and tRNA so that restoration of maximum activity was dependent of the addition of these components. Protein synthesis, directed by either MS2 or Qbeta phage RNA, was stimulated significantly by the addition of normal tRNA from either E. coli Q13 or B. In contrast, undermethylated tRNA from methionine-starved E. coli RCrel did not cause this stimulation. It is concluded that undermethylated tRNA Lacks sufficient base modifications to function in protein synthesis.", "contents": "Undermethylated transfer RNA does not support phage RNA-directed in vitro protein synthesis. A cell-free protein synthesis system from Escherichia coli Q13 was depleted of mRNA and tRNA so that restoration of maximum activity was dependent of the addition of these components. Protein synthesis, directed by either MS2 or Qbeta phage RNA, was stimulated significantly by the addition of normal tRNA from either E. coli Q13 or B. In contrast, undermethylated tRNA from methionine-starved E. coli RCrel did not cause this stimulation. It is concluded that undermethylated tRNA Lacks sufficient base modifications to function in protein synthesis.", "PMID": 779844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5506", "title": "Nucleotide clusters in deoxyribonucleic acids. XIII. Sequence analysis of the longer unique pyrimidine oligonucleotides of bacteriophage S13 DNA by a method using unlabeled atarting oligonucleotides.", "content": "A method has been designed for sequence analysis of unlabeled oligodeoxynucleotides of chain length up to 20 nucleotides with no restriction on base composition. The unlabeled oligonucleotide preparation, is partially degraded with spleen exonuclease to give a series of products each differing in size by one nucleotide. The oligonucleotides in the digest are 5'-32 P terminally labeled with [psi-32] P ATP and T4 polynucleotide kinase, the excess ATP removed by chromatography on Sephadex G-25 then the oligonucleotides fractionated according to change length on DEAE-Sephadex. Each isostich fraction is analyzed for base composition and the nucleotide at the 5' terminus determined by its 32P label, resulting in direct read off of the sequence up to the penultimate 3'- terminal nucleotide. The 3'-terminal dinucleotide is analyzed by DEAE-cellulose chromatography of the Sephadex G-25 dinucleotide fraction. The method has been demonstrated by sequence analysis of the unique longer pyrimidine oligonucleotides C5T6, C2T8, C6T4 and C6T3 from S13 DNA. The sequences have extensive internal sequence homology.", "contents": "Nucleotide clusters in deoxyribonucleic acids. XIII. Sequence analysis of the longer unique pyrimidine oligonucleotides of bacteriophage S13 DNA by a method using unlabeled atarting oligonucleotides. A method has been designed for sequence analysis of unlabeled oligodeoxynucleotides of chain length up to 20 nucleotides with no restriction on base composition. The unlabeled oligonucleotide preparation, is partially degraded with spleen exonuclease to give a series of products each differing in size by one nucleotide. The oligonucleotides in the digest are 5'-32 P terminally labeled with [psi-32] P ATP and T4 polynucleotide kinase, the excess ATP removed by chromatography on Sephadex G-25 then the oligonucleotides fractionated according to change length on DEAE-Sephadex. Each isostich fraction is analyzed for base composition and the nucleotide at the 5' terminus determined by its 32P label, resulting in direct read off of the sequence up to the penultimate 3'- terminal nucleotide. The 3'-terminal dinucleotide is analyzed by DEAE-cellulose chromatography of the Sephadex G-25 dinucleotide fraction. The method has been demonstrated by sequence analysis of the unique longer pyrimidine oligonucleotides C5T6, C2T8, C6T4 and C6T3 from S13 DNA. The sequences have extensive internal sequence homology.", "PMID": 779845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5507", "title": "An in vivo effect of the metabolites L-alanine and glycyl-L-leucine on the properties of lysyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli K-12. I. Influence on subunit composition and molecular weight distribution.", "content": "Lysyl-tRNA synthetase was purified to 70-90% of homogeneity from Escherichia coli K-12. The enzyme was purified from wild-type cells grown in minimal medium, or minimal medium containing either 20 mM L-alanine or 3 mM glycly-L-leucine. The synthetase was similarly purified from a mutant strain grown in minimal medium plus 20 mM L-alanine. Results based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel filtration, and trypsin inactivation studies indicate (A) that the presence of L-alanine of glycyl-L-leucine in the culture medium alters the properties of the wild-type enzyme; (B) that the alteration of the synthetase by l-alanine and glycyl-L-leucine is different; and (c) that the molecular weight of lysyl-tRNA synthetase is at least 135000--140000. The results suggest that most likely the metabolites modify the structure of lysyl-tRNA synthetase, but the possibility that the metabolites induce the synthesis of a new lysyl-tRNA synthetase cannot be completely eliminated.", "contents": "An in vivo effect of the metabolites L-alanine and glycyl-L-leucine on the properties of lysyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli K-12. I. Influence on subunit composition and molecular weight distribution. Lysyl-tRNA synthetase was purified to 70-90% of homogeneity from Escherichia coli K-12. The enzyme was purified from wild-type cells grown in minimal medium, or minimal medium containing either 20 mM L-alanine or 3 mM glycly-L-leucine. The synthetase was similarly purified from a mutant strain grown in minimal medium plus 20 mM L-alanine. Results based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel filtration, and trypsin inactivation studies indicate (A) that the presence of L-alanine of glycyl-L-leucine in the culture medium alters the properties of the wild-type enzyme; (B) that the alteration of the synthetase by l-alanine and glycyl-L-leucine is different; and (c) that the molecular weight of lysyl-tRNA synthetase is at least 135000--140000. The results suggest that most likely the metabolites modify the structure of lysyl-tRNA synthetase, but the possibility that the metabolites induce the synthesis of a new lysyl-tRNA synthetase cannot be completely eliminated.", "PMID": 779846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5508", "title": "An in vivo effect of the metabolites L-alanine and glycyl-L-leucine on the properties of the lysyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli K-12. II. Kinetic evidence.", "content": "Wild-type Escherichia coli K-12 was grown in minimal medium alone or with the addition of 20 mM L-alanine or 3 mM glycyl-L-leucine. A lysyl-tRNA synthetase mutant strain was grown in minimal medium containing 20mM L-alanine. The lysyl-tRNA synthetase from these strains was purified to 70-90% of homogeneity. Kinetic studies comparing the effect of thermal and urea inactivation on these different lysyl-tRNA synthetase preparations and measurement of the Michaelis constant for lysine and transfer RNA indicated that growth of Escherichia coli in the presence of alanine and glycyl-L-leucine induces an alteration in the properties of the synthetase. Measurement of the apparent Km for ATP at pH 7.25 indicates lysyl-tRNA synthetase has two two binding sites for this substrate, and further studies indicated a dependence of the apparent Km for lysine on the ATP concentration.", "contents": "An in vivo effect of the metabolites L-alanine and glycyl-L-leucine on the properties of the lysyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli K-12. II. Kinetic evidence. Wild-type Escherichia coli K-12 was grown in minimal medium alone or with the addition of 20 mM L-alanine or 3 mM glycyl-L-leucine. A lysyl-tRNA synthetase mutant strain was grown in minimal medium containing 20mM L-alanine. The lysyl-tRNA synthetase from these strains was purified to 70-90% of homogeneity. Kinetic studies comparing the effect of thermal and urea inactivation on these different lysyl-tRNA synthetase preparations and measurement of the Michaelis constant for lysine and transfer RNA indicated that growth of Escherichia coli in the presence of alanine and glycyl-L-leucine induces an alteration in the properties of the synthetase. Measurement of the apparent Km for ATP at pH 7.25 indicates lysyl-tRNA synthetase has two two binding sites for this substrate, and further studies indicated a dependence of the apparent Km for lysine on the ATP concentration.", "PMID": 779847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5509", "title": "The biosynthesis of the thiazole moiety of thiamine in Salmonella Typhimurium.", "content": "The mechanism of biosynthesis of 4-methyl-5-beta-hydroxyethyl thiazole, the thiazole moiety of thiamine was studied in Salmonella typhimurium. Using the adenosine derepression technique the incorporation of various 14C-labeled precursors was determined. We found that;e1Me-14C]methionine, [2-14C]methionine, [U-14C]alanine, and [2-14C]glycine were not incorporated whereas [2-14C]tyrosine was incorporated. Degradation of the 4-methyl-5-beta-hydroxyethyl thiazole obtained after [2-14C]tyrosine incorporation revealed that all of the activity was located on carbon-2. These findings are discussed and compared with previous findings concerning 4-methyl-5-beta-hydroxyethyl thiazole biosynthesis.", "contents": "The biosynthesis of the thiazole moiety of thiamine in Salmonella Typhimurium. The mechanism of biosynthesis of 4-methyl-5-beta-hydroxyethyl thiazole, the thiazole moiety of thiamine was studied in Salmonella typhimurium. Using the adenosine derepression technique the incorporation of various 14C-labeled precursors was determined. We found that;e1Me-14C]methionine, [2-14C]methionine, [U-14C]alanine, and [2-14C]glycine were not incorporated whereas [2-14C]tyrosine was incorporated. Degradation of the 4-methyl-5-beta-hydroxyethyl thiazole obtained after [2-14C]tyrosine incorporation revealed that all of the activity was located on carbon-2. These findings are discussed and compared with previous findings concerning 4-methyl-5-beta-hydroxyethyl thiazole biosynthesis.", "PMID": 779848} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5510", "title": "Purification and properties of a debranching enzyme from Escherichia coli.", "content": "The debranching enzyme (EC 3.2.1.-) from Escherichia coli K12 was purified 312-fold with a 21% yield, DEAE-cellulose and DEAE-Sephadex chromatography were used for purification. The preparation was homogeneous and showed only a single band of protein and activity upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme hydrolyzed 1,6-alpha-glucosidic linkages in phosphorylase and beta-amylase limit dextrins prepared from glycogen and amylopectin. Small branched oligosaccharides were also hydrolyzed. Amylopectin was also completely hydrolyzed but the enzyme showed only a very low activity with glycogen as the substrate. The enzyme cannot be classified as a pullulanase because it has practically no activity with pullulan. But it also differs from the bacterial isoamylases described in other studies because of its inability to hydrolyze glycogen. The optimal pH is about 5.6. The optimal growth conditions for the synthesis of the enzyme by E. coli were also examined in the present studies.", "contents": "Purification and properties of a debranching enzyme from Escherichia coli. The debranching enzyme (EC 3.2.1.-) from Escherichia coli K12 was purified 312-fold with a 21% yield, DEAE-cellulose and DEAE-Sephadex chromatography were used for purification. The preparation was homogeneous and showed only a single band of protein and activity upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme hydrolyzed 1,6-alpha-glucosidic linkages in phosphorylase and beta-amylase limit dextrins prepared from glycogen and amylopectin. Small branched oligosaccharides were also hydrolyzed. Amylopectin was also completely hydrolyzed but the enzyme showed only a very low activity with glycogen as the substrate. The enzyme cannot be classified as a pullulanase because it has practically no activity with pullulan. But it also differs from the bacterial isoamylases described in other studies because of its inability to hydrolyze glycogen. The optimal pH is about 5.6. The optimal growth conditions for the synthesis of the enzyme by E. coli were also examined in the present studies.", "PMID": 779849} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5511", "title": "Peptide substrates for chymosin (rennin). Kinetic studies with peptides of different chain length including parts of the sequence 101-112 of bovine k-casein.", "content": "Kinetic parameters have been determined for the reaction between milk-clotting chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) and a series of peptides (or their methyl esters) including the amino acid sequence around the enzyme-sensitive Phe(105)-Met (106) bond the bovine k-casein. In particular, the influence of the substrate's chain length on the kinetic parameters has been studied. Evidence is presented that in the model peptides studied the sequence -Ser-Phe-Met-Ala with a further residue added to either end (in casu Leu(103) or Ile(108)) is necessary to induce any cleavage by the enzyme. When both the Leu(103) and Ile(108) residues form part of the peptide chain, a marked improvement of the substrate properties is observed. It is suggested that prolyl residues on either side of the sensitive peptide bond form additional sites for secondary enzyme-substrate interactions.", "contents": "Peptide substrates for chymosin (rennin). Kinetic studies with peptides of different chain length including parts of the sequence 101-112 of bovine k-casein. Kinetic parameters have been determined for the reaction between milk-clotting chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) and a series of peptides (or their methyl esters) including the amino acid sequence around the enzyme-sensitive Phe(105)-Met (106) bond the bovine k-casein. In particular, the influence of the substrate's chain length on the kinetic parameters has been studied. Evidence is presented that in the model peptides studied the sequence -Ser-Phe-Met-Ala with a further residue added to either end (in casu Leu(103) or Ile(108)) is necessary to induce any cleavage by the enzyme. When both the Leu(103) and Ile(108) residues form part of the peptide chain, a marked improvement of the substrate properties is observed. It is suggested that prolyl residues on either side of the sensitive peptide bond form additional sites for secondary enzyme-substrate interactions.", "PMID": 779850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5512", "title": "Chromatin structure and function in proliferating cells.", "content": "The conclusions that we would like to draw from this review are the following: (a) Chromatin structure and function are exceedingly sensitive to changes in the proliferative state of a cell. Differences can be detected between cells in mitosis, G1 and S, and even between G0 and G1 cells. (b)These differences are very unlikely to be artifactual, since similar changes can also be demonstrated in intact nuclei. (c) Some of these differences can be abolished by extraction of chromatins with low concentrations of salt. (d) Differences between chromatins of normal and neoplastic cells can also be detected, but they are largely related to differences in the extent of cell proliferation. (e) A number of laboratories have been very busy in trying to elucidate chromatin structure with different technologies. Sometimes a change in a macromolecule cause by a physiological stimulus can tell us as much about its structure as a thousand instruments. The changes occuring in chromatin of proliferating cells could perhaps be profitably used to know more about chromatin structure.", "contents": "Chromatin structure and function in proliferating cells. The conclusions that we would like to draw from this review are the following: (a) Chromatin structure and function are exceedingly sensitive to changes in the proliferative state of a cell. Differences can be detected between cells in mitosis, G1 and S, and even between G0 and G1 cells. (b)These differences are very unlikely to be artifactual, since similar changes can also be demonstrated in intact nuclei. (c) Some of these differences can be abolished by extraction of chromatins with low concentrations of salt. (d) Differences between chromatins of normal and neoplastic cells can also be detected, but they are largely related to differences in the extent of cell proliferation. (e) A number of laboratories have been very busy in trying to elucidate chromatin structure with different technologies. Sometimes a change in a macromolecule cause by a physiological stimulus can tell us as much about its structure as a thousand instruments. The changes occuring in chromatin of proliferating cells could perhaps be profitably used to know more about chromatin structure.", "PMID": 779851} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5513", "title": "Cell surface proteins and malignant transformation.", "content": "Many of the altered properties of malignant cells are thought to involve alterations in cell surface functions. In order to understand these alterations it is necessary to know more about the molecular structure of the surface. Methods for analyzing surface proteins are discussed and their application to normal and transformed tissue culture cells are reviewed. A number of surface proteins are observed to be altered by transformation. Most of the alterations are reductions in amounts of particular species, although a few proteins do increase. Evidence concerning the reasons for these alterations and the possible functions of some of the molecules is reviewed. Working hypotheses arising from these data are presented and prospects for understanding the physiological changes in terms of molecular effects are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the idea that surface molecules are associated in specific non-covalent complexes which are important for their functions.", "contents": "Cell surface proteins and malignant transformation. Many of the altered properties of malignant cells are thought to involve alterations in cell surface functions. In order to understand these alterations it is necessary to know more about the molecular structure of the surface. Methods for analyzing surface proteins are discussed and their application to normal and transformed tissue culture cells are reviewed. A number of surface proteins are observed to be altered by transformation. Most of the alterations are reductions in amounts of particular species, although a few proteins do increase. Evidence concerning the reasons for these alterations and the possible functions of some of the molecules is reviewed. Working hypotheses arising from these data are presented and prospects for understanding the physiological changes in terms of molecular effects are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the idea that surface molecules are associated in specific non-covalent complexes which are important for their functions.", "PMID": 779852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5514", "title": "Attempts to purify a membrane attached chromoid of bacteriophage lambda.", "content": "Using methods which proved successful for the isolation of E. coli chromosome in a folded form (the E. coli chromoid), we have attempted to purity the \"native\" form of bacteriophage gamma chromosome from gamma infected cells. Upon sedimentation of lysates we find that phage DNA separates into two fractions, one of which cosediments with the bacterial chromoid ; the other sediments nearer to the top of gradient. Both fractions probably contain membrane-bound phage DNA, and both support the in vivo synthesis of phage DNA. The heavier fraction contains more closed circular parental DNA molecules than the lighter fraction. Formation of the latter is blocked by certain phage mutations. Being relatively free of bacterial DNA, the lighter fraction is suitable for further analysis.", "contents": "Attempts to purify a membrane attached chromoid of bacteriophage lambda. Using methods which proved successful for the isolation of E. coli chromosome in a folded form (the E. coli chromoid), we have attempted to purity the \"native\" form of bacteriophage gamma chromosome from gamma infected cells. Upon sedimentation of lysates we find that phage DNA separates into two fractions, one of which cosediments with the bacterial chromoid ; the other sediments nearer to the top of gradient. Both fractions probably contain membrane-bound phage DNA, and both support the in vivo synthesis of phage DNA. The heavier fraction contains more closed circular parental DNA molecules than the lighter fraction. Formation of the latter is blocked by certain phage mutations. Being relatively free of bacterial DNA, the lighter fraction is suitable for further analysis.", "PMID": 779853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5515", "title": "L-tryptophan in depression.", "content": "L-tryptophan, the amino acid precursor of serotonin, was administered to 16 depressive patients in a double-blind study of its potential antidepressant efficacy. Antidepressant responses were observed in one of ten unipolar patients and in three of six bipolar patients. These results are discussed in the context of possible interactions of amines with electrolyte systems in the etiology of affective illness.", "contents": "L-tryptophan in depression. L-tryptophan, the amino acid precursor of serotonin, was administered to 16 depressive patients in a double-blind study of its potential antidepressant efficacy. Antidepressant responses were observed in one of ten unipolar patients and in three of six bipolar patients. These results are discussed in the context of possible interactions of amines with electrolyte systems in the etiology of affective illness.", "PMID": 779855} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5516", "title": "Auditory attention in process and reactive schizophrenia.", "content": "The present data indicate that, based on level of premorbid adjustment (process-reactive), schizophrenic subjects differ in auditory attention processes. Generally speaking, poor premorbid adjustment is associated with more attention dysfunction. Results also indicate that attentional deficits improve for all schizophrenic subjects after a 28-day period of neuroleptic therapy.", "contents": "Auditory attention in process and reactive schizophrenia. The present data indicate that, based on level of premorbid adjustment (process-reactive), schizophrenic subjects differ in auditory attention processes. Generally speaking, poor premorbid adjustment is associated with more attention dysfunction. Results also indicate that attentional deficits improve for all schizophrenic subjects after a 28-day period of neuroleptic therapy.", "PMID": 779856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5517", "title": "Visual agnosia and cognitive defects in a case of Alzheimer's disease.", "content": "A patient with Alzheimer's disease, who is still alive, was investigated using a battery of tests, including design-copying and identification, the Gottschaldt hidden figures, a reading test, picture identification, and identification of tachistoscopically presented figures. The main observations were (i) an inability to handle more than one \"element\" of visual input simultaneously, (ii) an inability to attain and sustain a correct test performance. This last feature was assumed to be related to a difficulty in establishing and sustaining a set or attitude about how to solve the task. The hypothesis was put forward that both behavioral characteristics were related to a deficient task-related arousal-increasing mechanism.", "contents": "Visual agnosia and cognitive defects in a case of Alzheimer's disease. A patient with Alzheimer's disease, who is still alive, was investigated using a battery of tests, including design-copying and identification, the Gottschaldt hidden figures, a reading test, picture identification, and identification of tachistoscopically presented figures. The main observations were (i) an inability to handle more than one \"element\" of visual input simultaneously, (ii) an inability to attain and sustain a correct test performance. This last feature was assumed to be related to a difficulty in establishing and sustaining a set or attitude about how to solve the task. The hypothesis was put forward that both behavioral characteristics were related to a deficient task-related arousal-increasing mechanism.", "PMID": 779857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5518", "title": "A comprehensive treatment unit for the respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn.", "content": "Various systems have been devised to improve the therapy of idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome in newborn infants. This article describes a new ventilator which provides alternating positive and negative pressure ventilation(APNPV) in addition to the more conventional techniques. Safety aspects, technical performance and cleaning procedures are described. A brief summary of the clinical performance of the machine is given.", "contents": "A comprehensive treatment unit for the respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn. Various systems have been devised to improve the therapy of idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome in newborn infants. This article describes a new ventilator which provides alternating positive and negative pressure ventilation(APNPV) in addition to the more conventional techniques. Safety aspects, technical performance and cleaning procedures are described. A brief summary of the clinical performance of the machine is given.", "PMID": 779859} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5519", "title": "Effects of hyperosmolality on candidacidal activity of human neutrophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes and on clumping of Candida albicans by human serum.", "content": "Hyperosmolalities comparable to those of the renal medulla did not altered the clumping of C. albicans by human serum but diminished ingestion and evenmore the killing of C. albicans by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN).", "contents": "Effects of hyperosmolality on candidacidal activity of human neutrophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes and on clumping of Candida albicans by human serum. Hyperosmolalities comparable to those of the renal medulla did not altered the clumping of C. albicans by human serum but diminished ingestion and evenmore the killing of C. albicans by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN).", "PMID": 779860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5520", "title": "Anti-lymphocyte antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and in Hodgkin's disease: a comparison by immunofluorescence.", "content": "Anti-lymphocyte antibodies of IgM type (cold reactive) in systemic lupus erythematosus and of IgG type (not cold reactive) in Hodgkin's disease have been demonstrated by immunofluorescence to attach the same target cell (T-lymphocyte.) The same behaviour of both kinds of antibodies in \"co-capping\" experiments confirm that the antigen on the cell surface is the same. Hypothesis about the meaning of this phenomenon are made.", "contents": "Anti-lymphocyte antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and in Hodgkin's disease: a comparison by immunofluorescence. Anti-lymphocyte antibodies of IgM type (cold reactive) in systemic lupus erythematosus and of IgG type (not cold reactive) in Hodgkin's disease have been demonstrated by immunofluorescence to attach the same target cell (T-lymphocyte.) The same behaviour of both kinds of antibodies in \"co-capping\" experiments confirm that the antigen on the cell surface is the same. Hypothesis about the meaning of this phenomenon are made.", "PMID": 779861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5521", "title": "An efficient method of cryopreservation of human lymphocytes for immunological testing.", "content": "A reliable technique for cryopreservation of lymphocytes which conserves mitogenic response and marker (E-Rosettes, immunofluorescence and peroxydase) capability is presented. The data which is presented shows no significant difference between tests involving fresh and cryopreserved lymphocytes.", "contents": "An efficient method of cryopreservation of human lymphocytes for immunological testing. A reliable technique for cryopreservation of lymphocytes which conserves mitogenic response and marker (E-Rosettes, immunofluorescence and peroxydase) capability is presented. The data which is presented shows no significant difference between tests involving fresh and cryopreserved lymphocytes.", "PMID": 779862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5522", "title": "Pressure-jump relaxation studies of the association--dissociation reaction of E. coli ribosomes.", "content": "The association--dissociation kinetics of ribosomal particles from E. coli have been studied using a pressure-jump apparatus with optical detection. Experiments on isolated subunits yield two relaxation times of about 10 and 700 ms, respectively. With mixtures of 30 S and 50 S particles an additional relaxation time of about 100 ms is observed, which is assigned to the equilibrium 30 S + 50 S in equilibrium 70 S. The two other times are attributed to reversible equilibria between subunit monomers and subunit homo-associates.", "contents": "Pressure-jump relaxation studies of the association--dissociation reaction of E. coli ribosomes. The association--dissociation kinetics of ribosomal particles from E. coli have been studied using a pressure-jump apparatus with optical detection. Experiments on isolated subunits yield two relaxation times of about 10 and 700 ms, respectively. With mixtures of 30 S and 50 S particles an additional relaxation time of about 100 ms is observed, which is assigned to the equilibrium 30 S + 50 S in equilibrium 70 S. The two other times are attributed to reversible equilibria between subunit monomers and subunit homo-associates.", "PMID": 779863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5523", "title": "[Hexokinase activity in the soluble fraction of the nucleus and cytoplasm in cell cultures infected with human adenoviruses types 6 and 12].", "content": "A study was made of the activity of hexokinase in the soluble fraction of the nucleus and cytoplasm of fibroblasts of rat embryos (primary cultures) during contact with infectious (A6) and oncogenic (A12) human adenoviruses. A high activity of the enzyme was seen in the cytoplasmic fraction in comparison with the nuclear one both in the infectious adrenovirus of type 6 this value differed from the normal and in the experimental samples. With the action of the normal but insignificantly. Marked changes in the enzyme activity were observed in case of cell contact with the oncovirus. They occurred both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm the first days of the virus inculcation, increasing gradually with the lapse of tiay; these disturbances were much greatert in the cytoplasm than in the nucleus. It is supposed that the changes revealed possibly associated with the impossibility to regulate the cell proliferation process.", "contents": "[Hexokinase activity in the soluble fraction of the nucleus and cytoplasm in cell cultures infected with human adenoviruses types 6 and 12]. A study was made of the activity of hexokinase in the soluble fraction of the nucleus and cytoplasm of fibroblasts of rat embryos (primary cultures) during contact with infectious (A6) and oncogenic (A12) human adenoviruses. A high activity of the enzyme was seen in the cytoplasmic fraction in comparison with the nuclear one both in the infectious adrenovirus of type 6 this value differed from the normal and in the experimental samples. With the action of the normal but insignificantly. Marked changes in the enzyme activity were observed in case of cell contact with the oncovirus. They occurred both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm the first days of the virus inculcation, increasing gradually with the lapse of tiay; these disturbances were much greatert in the cytoplasm than in the nucleus. It is supposed that the changes revealed possibly associated with the impossibility to regulate the cell proliferation process.", "PMID": 779866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5524", "title": "[Cytopathogenic action of E. coli strains, containing corresponding ABO type heterogeneous antigens, on transplantable human cells].", "content": "A study was made (in vitro) of the interaction of various strains of E. coli, serological type O26 with continuous human cells (HeLa, Tg-33 and RH). Phenomenon of the cytopathogenic action of uropathogenic E. coli strains, containing heterogenous antigens, type O(H) and B, on the human cell strains possessing corresponding isoantigens was revealed on the 6th hour of the interaction. The number of dead cells in these cultures exceeded (1.5--3 times) their count cultures to which E. coli containing no heterogenous antigens or containing different human heterogenous antigens of the ABO type were added. It is supposed that this phenomenon played an important role in the development of chronic forms of colibacterial pyelonephritis.", "contents": "[Cytopathogenic action of E. coli strains, containing corresponding ABO type heterogeneous antigens, on transplantable human cells]. A study was made (in vitro) of the interaction of various strains of E. coli, serological type O26 with continuous human cells (HeLa, Tg-33 and RH). Phenomenon of the cytopathogenic action of uropathogenic E. coli strains, containing heterogenous antigens, type O(H) and B, on the human cell strains possessing corresponding isoantigens was revealed on the 6th hour of the interaction. The number of dead cells in these cultures exceeded (1.5--3 times) their count cultures to which E. coli containing no heterogenous antigens or containing different human heterogenous antigens of the ABO type were added. It is supposed that this phenomenon played an important role in the development of chronic forms of colibacterial pyelonephritis.", "PMID": 779867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5525", "title": "[Age characteristics of the immune response in rats with multiple administraion of different doses of sheep erythrocytes].", "content": "A study was made of the number of antibody-forming cells and of the serum antibody titres in adult and old rats under conditions of a 10-fold immunization with \"low\" (4 X 10(8) cells) and \"high\" (4 X 10(10) cells) doses of sheep erythrocytes. The titres of antibodies (hemolysins and hemagglutinins) in the animals of both groups were either close to one another or greater in adult rats (hemolysins - in administration of \"high\" doses of the antigen). The content of the direct plaque-forming cells was greater in the spleen of old than of adult animals at all the immunization periods, of this period. The data obtained pointed to differences in the maturation of the immune response in the animals of various age.", "contents": "[Age characteristics of the immune response in rats with multiple administraion of different doses of sheep erythrocytes]. A study was made of the number of antibody-forming cells and of the serum antibody titres in adult and old rats under conditions of a 10-fold immunization with \"low\" (4 X 10(8) cells) and \"high\" (4 X 10(10) cells) doses of sheep erythrocytes. The titres of antibodies (hemolysins and hemagglutinins) in the animals of both groups were either close to one another or greater in adult rats (hemolysins - in administration of \"high\" doses of the antigen). The content of the direct plaque-forming cells was greater in the spleen of old than of adult animals at all the immunization periods, of this period. The data obtained pointed to differences in the maturation of the immune response in the animals of various age.", "PMID": 779868} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5526", "title": "[Antigen-binding clone cells in hematopoietic spleen colonies].", "content": "The antigen-binding cell clones and the Ig-positive cells were found and quantitatively assessed in the primary hemopoietic splenic colonies. The data ogtained were analyzed assuming that the ratio of clone of specialized B-cells should reflect the quantitative ration in the corresponding V-genes in the given lymphocyte populations at definite stages of its development. The colonies differed from one another markedly by the curves of inhibition by DNP-lysine of rosette-formation with DNP-erythrocytes, i.e. by the avidity of B-cells of the given specificity. The colonies differed significantly by the ratio of the volumes of the two clone groups (cell with anti-DNP and anti-BE Ig-receptors) between themselves and the combination of the Ig-positive cells. These quantitaive regularities were incompatible with the view that each B-cell had any conceivable set of V-genes, i.e. with the germ-line hypothesis of the antibody and receptor diversity.", "contents": "[Antigen-binding clone cells in hematopoietic spleen colonies]. The antigen-binding cell clones and the Ig-positive cells were found and quantitatively assessed in the primary hemopoietic splenic colonies. The data ogtained were analyzed assuming that the ratio of clone of specialized B-cells should reflect the quantitative ration in the corresponding V-genes in the given lymphocyte populations at definite stages of its development. The colonies differed from one another markedly by the curves of inhibition by DNP-lysine of rosette-formation with DNP-erythrocytes, i.e. by the avidity of B-cells of the given specificity. The colonies differed significantly by the ratio of the volumes of the two clone groups (cell with anti-DNP and anti-BE Ig-receptors) between themselves and the combination of the Ig-positive cells. These quantitaive regularities were incompatible with the view that each B-cell had any conceivable set of V-genes, i.e. with the germ-line hypothesis of the antibody and receptor diversity.", "PMID": 779869} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5527", "title": "[Histogenesis of sarcomas, induced by plastic films, in murine radiation chimeras].", "content": "Sarcomas were induced in radiation chimeras CBA/CBAT6T6 by subcutaneous implantation of plastic films 13 months after the irradiation and donor bone marrow transplantation. Of the 12 tumours examined, 11 possessed host kariotype and one--donor karyotype. Development of connective tissue cells from the bone marrow precursors presumably played no significant role in the histogenesis of plastic sarcomas.", "contents": "[Histogenesis of sarcomas, induced by plastic films, in murine radiation chimeras]. Sarcomas were induced in radiation chimeras CBA/CBAT6T6 by subcutaneous implantation of plastic films 13 months after the irradiation and donor bone marrow transplantation. Of the 12 tumours examined, 11 possessed host kariotype and one--donor karyotype. Development of connective tissue cells from the bone marrow precursors presumably played no significant role in the histogenesis of plastic sarcomas.", "PMID": 779870} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5528", "title": "Severe aplastic anemia: a prospective study of the effect of early marrow transplantation on acute mortality.", "content": "A prospective randomized trial of therapy for severe aplastic anemia was designed to compare early bone marrow transplantation with conventional treatments. All patients with a sibling matched at the major histocompatibility region were transplanted. Transplantation was performed with 17-100 (median 33) days of original diagnosis. Conventional treatments included transfusion support with or without androgens. Twenty-four of 36 patients intered on the transplant arm are alive after 4-20 (median 9) mo with full marrow reconstitution. Only two are limited by chronic graft-versus-host disease. In contrast only 12 of 31 conventionally treated patients are alive. Six of these survivors have improved, five incompletely. The 19 nontransplant deaths have occurred within 1-11 (median 3) mo of diagnosis. Compared to nontransplant regimens, early transplantation more effectively restores normal marrow function and decreases the acute mortality of severe marrow aplasia (p = 0.006). Pending longer follow-up, early marrow transplantation appears to be the most effective available treatment for severe aplastic anemia.", "contents": "Severe aplastic anemia: a prospective study of the effect of early marrow transplantation on acute mortality. A prospective randomized trial of therapy for severe aplastic anemia was designed to compare early bone marrow transplantation with conventional treatments. All patients with a sibling matched at the major histocompatibility region were transplanted. Transplantation was performed with 17-100 (median 33) days of original diagnosis. Conventional treatments included transfusion support with or without androgens. Twenty-four of 36 patients intered on the transplant arm are alive after 4-20 (median 9) mo with full marrow reconstitution. Only two are limited by chronic graft-versus-host disease. In contrast only 12 of 31 conventionally treated patients are alive. Six of these survivors have improved, five incompletely. The 19 nontransplant deaths have occurred within 1-11 (median 3) mo of diagnosis. Compared to nontransplant regimens, early transplantation more effectively restores normal marrow function and decreases the acute mortality of severe marrow aplasia (p = 0.006). Pending longer follow-up, early marrow transplantation appears to be the most effective available treatment for severe aplastic anemia.", "PMID": 779871} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5529", "title": "Advances in pediatrics and child care in Cuba, 1959-1974.", "content": "This article describes the major activities carried out since 1959 in the field of pediatrics and child care in Cuba. In particular, it notes the improvements made through establishment of a national health system and through the participation of community organizations (the Federation of Cuban Women, Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, associations of small farmers, and trade unions) and shows how perinatal, infant, and childhood mortality have been significantly reduced. As of 1973 perinatal mortality had fallen to 27.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, infant mortality to 27.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, preschool mortality to 1.2 per 1,000 children, and school-age mortality, to 0.4 per 1,000 children. This report also cites data on available physical and manpower resources, and outlines a large range of activities linked to a Comprehensive Child Care Program undertaken in 1967. This program, in which newborns are enrolled upon leaving the maternity, seeks to encourage breast-feeding, to promote the activities of well-baby clinics, to provide special examinations for malnourished infants, to provide health care for preschool and school-age children, to promote pediatric medical visits to the home, to assist with camps for asthmatic and diabetic children, to provide pediatric services at pioneer and other camps for schoolchildren, to carry out health education activities, and to combat communicable disease. In particular, activites to prevent communicable disease appear responsible for a good part of the progress achieved to date. As a result of these activities malaria and diphtheria have been eradicated, poliomyelitis has been overcome, and the incidences of tuberculosis, tuberculous meningitis, tetanus (among both newborns and children under 15), and acute diarrheal disease have been substantially reduced.", "contents": "Advances in pediatrics and child care in Cuba, 1959-1974. This article describes the major activities carried out since 1959 in the field of pediatrics and child care in Cuba. In particular, it notes the improvements made through establishment of a national health system and through the participation of community organizations (the Federation of Cuban Women, Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, associations of small farmers, and trade unions) and shows how perinatal, infant, and childhood mortality have been significantly reduced. As of 1973 perinatal mortality had fallen to 27.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, infant mortality to 27.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, preschool mortality to 1.2 per 1,000 children, and school-age mortality, to 0.4 per 1,000 children. This report also cites data on available physical and manpower resources, and outlines a large range of activities linked to a Comprehensive Child Care Program undertaken in 1967. This program, in which newborns are enrolled upon leaving the maternity, seeks to encourage breast-feeding, to promote the activities of well-baby clinics, to provide special examinations for malnourished infants, to provide health care for preschool and school-age children, to promote pediatric medical visits to the home, to assist with camps for asthmatic and diabetic children, to provide pediatric services at pioneer and other camps for schoolchildren, to carry out health education activities, and to combat communicable disease. In particular, activites to prevent communicable disease appear responsible for a good part of the progress achieved to date. As a result of these activities malaria and diphtheria have been eradicated, poliomyelitis has been overcome, and the incidences of tuberculosis, tuberculous meningitis, tetanus (among both newborns and children under 15), and acute diarrheal disease have been substantially reduced.", "PMID": 779891} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5530", "title": "Microsurgical transfer of the dorsalis pedis neurovascular island flap.", "content": "The feasibility of transfer of a free neurovascular dorsalis pedis island flap is demonstrated and its very real advantages, particularly with regard to its thinness are discussed.", "contents": "Microsurgical transfer of the dorsalis pedis neurovascular island flap. The feasibility of transfer of a free neurovascular dorsalis pedis island flap is demonstrated and its very real advantages, particularly with regard to its thinness are discussed.", "PMID": 779904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5531", "title": "Indirect and direct inhibition of dopamine beta-hydroxylase by amphetamine in storage vesicles and synaptosomes.", "content": "1 To elucidate the mechanism by which amphetamine produces a functional inhibition of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), the actions of amphetamine on amine uptake and beta-hydroxylation were examined in isolated adrenal storage vesicles and in whole brain synaptosomes of the rat. 2 Amphetamine produces a competitive inhibition of catecholamine incorporation into adrenal vesicles with a Ki of 279 muM; this action of the drug accounted for slightly less than half of the total inhibition of beta-hydroxylation in the vesicles, indicating that the interference by amphetamine of access of substrate to the enzyme compartment plays an important role in functional inhibition of DBH. The remainder of the effect in vesicles probably represents direct inhibition of the enzyme. 3 In synaptosomes, similar actions on uptake of substrate and on functional enzyme activity were noted, indicating that amphetamine-induced inhibition of the neuronal amine pump can also affect DBH activity if the substrate is supplied exogenously. 4 In addition to the effects of amphetamine in vitro, chronic administration of amphetamine to rats produced an increase in total activity of adrenal DBH. 5 The net effect of amphetamine on DBH activity thus represents the summation of direct inhibition of the enzyme, indirect inhibition via reduced access of substrate and enhancement of activity via trans-synaptic induction.", "contents": "Indirect and direct inhibition of dopamine beta-hydroxylase by amphetamine in storage vesicles and synaptosomes. 1 To elucidate the mechanism by which amphetamine produces a functional inhibition of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), the actions of amphetamine on amine uptake and beta-hydroxylation were examined in isolated adrenal storage vesicles and in whole brain synaptosomes of the rat. 2 Amphetamine produces a competitive inhibition of catecholamine incorporation into adrenal vesicles with a Ki of 279 muM; this action of the drug accounted for slightly less than half of the total inhibition of beta-hydroxylation in the vesicles, indicating that the interference by amphetamine of access of substrate to the enzyme compartment plays an important role in functional inhibition of DBH. The remainder of the effect in vesicles probably represents direct inhibition of the enzyme. 3 In synaptosomes, similar actions on uptake of substrate and on functional enzyme activity were noted, indicating that amphetamine-induced inhibition of the neuronal amine pump can also affect DBH activity if the substrate is supplied exogenously. 4 In addition to the effects of amphetamine in vitro, chronic administration of amphetamine to rats produced an increase in total activity of adrenal DBH. 5 The net effect of amphetamine on DBH activity thus represents the summation of direct inhibition of the enzyme, indirect inhibition via reduced access of substrate and enhancement of activity via trans-synaptic induction.", "PMID": 779909} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5532", "title": "A review of the National Health Service's computing policy in the 1970s.", "content": "The health service computer policy is reviewed in this paper particularly the potential contribution of some systems to information gathering. The paper begins with a brief description of the computer applications thought suitable for the medical field in the late 1960s, and two views of the future that were published in 1968. Two reports on computing and information systems in Scotland are then described; the general philosophy and specific proposals on the use of population files are contrasted with the initial Department of Health and Social Services' (DHSS) experimental computer program. The subsequent changes in English policy are revealed in the reports of three reviews published by the DHSS. The present development of a master patient index in Tayside is noted and the potential applications in management and planning of information stemming from such systems are discussed. It is suggested that lack of work in this field is a major gap in the programme of activity in England.", "contents": "A review of the National Health Service's computing policy in the 1970s. The health service computer policy is reviewed in this paper particularly the potential contribution of some systems to information gathering. The paper begins with a brief description of the computer applications thought suitable for the medical field in the late 1960s, and two views of the future that were published in 1968. Two reports on computing and information systems in Scotland are then described; the general philosophy and specific proposals on the use of population files are contrasted with the initial Department of Health and Social Services' (DHSS) experimental computer program. The subsequent changes in English policy are revealed in the reports of three reviews published by the DHSS. The present development of a master patient index in Tayside is noted and the potential applications in management and planning of information stemming from such systems are discussed. It is suggested that lack of work in this field is a major gap in the programme of activity in England.", "PMID": 779910} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5533", "title": "Anencephalus, Spina Bifida, twins, and teratoma.", "content": "The twin pairs with spina bifida and or anencephalus collected from the literature by Rogers and Weatherall (1976) form the basis for an argument that the apparent rarity of dizygous twins concordant for these malformations may be due to the breakdown of the interamniotic partition and a subsequent fetus-fetus interaction. It is suggested that this may lead to complete or partial destruction of one twin. When cells survive they may form teratoma or patches of anomalous skin cover. The hypothesis that monozygous twins concordant for these defects may form double monsters is re-stated. The present hypothesis predicts that the incidence of pineal and intraspinal teratoma will vary in time and place with anencephalus and spina bifida, and that the scalp type hairs found over or around spina bifida may prove, in male infants, to have female chromosomes.", "contents": "Anencephalus, Spina Bifida, twins, and teratoma. The twin pairs with spina bifida and or anencephalus collected from the literature by Rogers and Weatherall (1976) form the basis for an argument that the apparent rarity of dizygous twins concordant for these malformations may be due to the breakdown of the interamniotic partition and a subsequent fetus-fetus interaction. It is suggested that this may lead to complete or partial destruction of one twin. When cells survive they may form teratoma or patches of anomalous skin cover. The hypothesis that monozygous twins concordant for these defects may form double monsters is re-stated. The present hypothesis predicts that the incidence of pineal and intraspinal teratoma will vary in time and place with anencephalus and spina bifida, and that the scalp type hairs found over or around spina bifida may prove, in male infants, to have female chromosomes.", "PMID": 779911} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5534", "title": "Area differences in the incidence of neural tube defect and the rate of spontaneous abortion.", "content": "In an attempt to corroborate the finding of Roberts and Lloyd (1973) of increased incidence of previous abortions in women living in those areas of South Wales with relatively low incidences of malformations of the central nervous system, we examined the data of the 1958 British Perinatal Mortality Survey. We also found evidence that the history of preceding abortion among all mothers in this survey was slightly more prevalent in areas where the rates of stillbirth and neonatal death from anencephalus or spina bifida were low, but the order of magnitude was much less than in the Welsh study.", "contents": "Area differences in the incidence of neural tube defect and the rate of spontaneous abortion. In an attempt to corroborate the finding of Roberts and Lloyd (1973) of increased incidence of previous abortions in women living in those areas of South Wales with relatively low incidences of malformations of the central nervous system, we examined the data of the 1958 British Perinatal Mortality Survey. We also found evidence that the history of preceding abortion among all mothers in this survey was slightly more prevalent in areas where the rates of stillbirth and neonatal death from anencephalus or spina bifida were low, but the order of magnitude was much less than in the Welsh study.", "PMID": 779912} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5535", "title": "Hypochondriacal states.", "content": "A brief historical introduction traces the evolution of the concept of hypochondriasis. It is suggested that the term should now be used only as a descriptive adjective when there is a morbid preoccupation with health or body. Social and cultural factors are outlined, as well as problems of measurement. The psychopathology, as formulated by Freud and others, is also described. Clinical aspects are discussed under the headings of general symptoms, pain, smell, bodily appearance, sexual, gastro-intestinal, cardio-respiratory, eyes, and ears, nose and throat. Psychiatric syndromes mentioned are: hypochondria as a possible primary state, personality disorders, phobic-anxiety state, neurashthenia, obsessional neurosis, hysteria, depression, paranoid psychosis and organic. In general, hypochondriacal symptoms seem to make the prognosis rather worse. Treatment is to be aimed at the primary condition, which is most commonly depression, anxiety state or conversion reaction.", "contents": "Hypochondriacal states. A brief historical introduction traces the evolution of the concept of hypochondriasis. It is suggested that the term should now be used only as a descriptive adjective when there is a morbid preoccupation with health or body. Social and cultural factors are outlined, as well as problems of measurement. The psychopathology, as formulated by Freud and others, is also described. Clinical aspects are discussed under the headings of general symptoms, pain, smell, bodily appearance, sexual, gastro-intestinal, cardio-respiratory, eyes, and ears, nose and throat. Psychiatric syndromes mentioned are: hypochondria as a possible primary state, personality disorders, phobic-anxiety state, neurashthenia, obsessional neurosis, hysteria, depression, paranoid psychosis and organic. In general, hypochondriacal symptoms seem to make the prognosis rather worse. Treatment is to be aimed at the primary condition, which is most commonly depression, anxiety state or conversion reaction.", "PMID": 779913} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5536", "title": "Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis presenting as Leonhard's speech-prompt catatonia.", "content": "A woman aged 20, first presenting with what appeared to be hysterical blindness as part of the syndrome of hysterical pseudo-dementia, soon showed the picture of speech-prompt catatonia, one of the subtypes of chronic schizophrenia described by Karl Leonhard. However, within a short time the neurological, EEG and laboratory findings indicated that the condition was one of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.", "contents": "Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis presenting as Leonhard's speech-prompt catatonia. A woman aged 20, first presenting with what appeared to be hysterical blindness as part of the syndrome of hysterical pseudo-dementia, soon showed the picture of speech-prompt catatonia, one of the subtypes of chronic schizophrenia described by Karl Leonhard. However, within a short time the neurological, EEG and laboratory findings indicated that the condition was one of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.", "PMID": 779914} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5537", "title": "Parent-offspring resemblances in intelligence: theories and evidence.", "content": "A review of data on parent-offspring resemblances in intelligence is presented in the context of correlation, regression and variance predictions from the polygenic model and an environmental model. Consideration was given to reliability, test equivalence and long-term stability of IQ scores. Results indicate that much of the difference among offspring IQ scores is not directly attributable to parental IQ, and that some is due to other between-family variables. The magnitude of single-parent-offspring correlations was related to the degree of assortative mating present in samples. Evidence on whether parent-offspring resemblances in IQ are transmitted genetically or environmentally is on the whole lacking. A single study provides evidence for some degree of genetic transmission, but it is argued that the present polygenic model is inadequate.", "contents": "Parent-offspring resemblances in intelligence: theories and evidence. A review of data on parent-offspring resemblances in intelligence is presented in the context of correlation, regression and variance predictions from the polygenic model and an environmental model. Consideration was given to reliability, test equivalence and long-term stability of IQ scores. Results indicate that much of the difference among offspring IQ scores is not directly attributable to parental IQ, and that some is due to other between-family variables. The magnitude of single-parent-offspring correlations was related to the degree of assortative mating present in samples. Evidence on whether parent-offspring resemblances in IQ are transmitted genetically or environmentally is on the whole lacking. A single study provides evidence for some degree of genetic transmission, but it is argued that the present polygenic model is inadequate.", "PMID": 779915} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5538", "title": "Computer subtraction in regional cerebral blood-volume measurements using the EMI-Scanner.", "content": "A computerized subtraction technique has been described to measure regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) using the EMI-Scanner in a group of 13 patients. Sodium iothalamte was injected intravenously (1-75 ml./kg) to increase the absorption of X rays in the cerebral circulation. Significant regional differences in CBV were shown, values in the frontal and temporal regions being lower than the mean hemisphere value (4-9 +/- 0-7) and higher in the occipital region. The left hemisphere showed a significantly higher CBV when compared with the right. Measurements of CBV in the cortex showed no regional variation, but the mean cortical value of 6-0 +/- 1-8 was significantly higher than the hemisphere mean.", "contents": "Computer subtraction in regional cerebral blood-volume measurements using the EMI-Scanner. A computerized subtraction technique has been described to measure regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) using the EMI-Scanner in a group of 13 patients. Sodium iothalamte was injected intravenously (1-75 ml./kg) to increase the absorption of X rays in the cerebral circulation. Significant regional differences in CBV were shown, values in the frontal and temporal regions being lower than the mean hemisphere value (4-9 +/- 0-7) and higher in the occipital region. The left hemisphere showed a significantly higher CBV when compared with the right. Measurements of CBV in the cortex showed no regional variation, but the mean cortical value of 6-0 +/- 1-8 was significantly higher than the hemisphere mean.", "PMID": 779918} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5539", "title": "Measurement of regional pulmonary oedema in man using radioactive water (H215O).", "content": "Regional extravascular lung water (rELW) has been measured in normal subjects and in patients with left heart diseases using a double-indicator dilution technique and external counting over the chest. Gamma-emitting radioisotopes were injected intravenously, 113Inm as a vascular non-duffusible indicator, and H215O as a freely diffusible indicator. Time activity curves were then recorded over the upper and lower zones of the lung in the supine position with external probes. rELW per unit of blood volume and rELW per unit of blood flow were increased in patients with raised left atrial pressure even in the presence of radiologically clear lung fields. There was a uniform distribution of these ratios between upper and lower zones in normals, whereas in patients rELW was preferentially distributed in the lower zones.", "contents": "Measurement of regional pulmonary oedema in man using radioactive water (H215O). Regional extravascular lung water (rELW) has been measured in normal subjects and in patients with left heart diseases using a double-indicator dilution technique and external counting over the chest. Gamma-emitting radioisotopes were injected intravenously, 113Inm as a vascular non-duffusible indicator, and H215O as a freely diffusible indicator. Time activity curves were then recorded over the upper and lower zones of the lung in the supine position with external probes. rELW per unit of blood volume and rELW per unit of blood flow were increased in patients with raised left atrial pressure even in the presence of radiologically clear lung fields. There was a uniform distribution of these ratios between upper and lower zones in normals, whereas in patients rELW was preferentially distributed in the lower zones.", "PMID": 779919} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5540", "title": "The limitations of 113Inm for plasma volume measurement.", "content": "Previous authors have claimed that 113InmCl3 is a valid tracer for plasma volume measurement. However, careful measurements in haematologically normal volunteers and in rabbits, using 125I-labelled human serum albumin as a reference tracer, show that the results obtained with 113Inm-chloride, -citrate or -transferrin consistently over-estimate the plasma volume and are probably no better than can be predicted from the height and weight of the subject.", "contents": "The limitations of 113Inm for plasma volume measurement. Previous authors have claimed that 113InmCl3 is a valid tracer for plasma volume measurement. However, careful measurements in haematologically normal volunteers and in rabbits, using 125I-labelled human serum albumin as a reference tracer, show that the results obtained with 113Inm-chloride, -citrate or -transferrin consistently over-estimate the plasma volume and are probably no better than can be predicted from the height and weight of the subject.", "PMID": 779920} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5541", "title": "Circumcaval ureter: a report of four cases in children with a review of the literature and a new classification.", "content": "4 cases of circumcaval ureter presenting in childhood are reported. A review of the literature reveals that most cases recieve attention only later in life at a time when ureteric changes are not so readily reversible. A study of the course of the ureter reveals that 2 forms can be distinguished: a common Type I with a slter reveals that 2 forms can be distinguished: a common Type I with a low loop and kinking of the proximal ureter producing obstruction and a rare Type II with a high loop where there is no kinking and no obstruction. Ureteric remodelling on the ordinary principles formulated for congenital obstructions can give good results.", "contents": "Circumcaval ureter: a report of four cases in children with a review of the literature and a new classification. 4 cases of circumcaval ureter presenting in childhood are reported. A review of the literature reveals that most cases recieve attention only later in life at a time when ureteric changes are not so readily reversible. A study of the course of the ureter reveals that 2 forms can be distinguished: a common Type I with a slter reveals that 2 forms can be distinguished: a common Type I with a low loop and kinking of the proximal ureter producing obstruction and a rare Type II with a high loop where there is no kinking and no obstruction. Ureteric remodelling on the ordinary principles formulated for congenital obstructions can give good results.", "PMID": 779921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5542", "title": "Effect of nicotine chewing gum on smoking behaviour and as an aid to cigarette withdrawal.", "content": "In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial the effect of 2-mg nicotine chewing gum was studied in 43 smokers when they were smoking as inclined and when they were trying to stop smoking. Although 70% of the smokers stopped smoking during treatment, only 23% were still abstinent after one year. The effect of the nicotine, though significant, was small compared with the overall reduction in smoking. When the subjects were smoking as inclined cigarette consumption was reduced by an average of 37% on the nicotine gum compared with 31% on placebo gum, while avergage carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) levels were reduced by 26% and 15% on the active and placebo gums respectively. When subjects tried to stop smoking there was a further considerable reduction in cigarette consumption, but no longer any difference between the two gums. Nevertheless, average COHb was still lower on the active gum. Plasma nicotine levels on the nicotine gum averaged only 10-7 ng/ml compared with 27-4 ng/ml after smoking. Better results could be expected with 4-mg nicotine gums.", "contents": "Effect of nicotine chewing gum on smoking behaviour and as an aid to cigarette withdrawal. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial the effect of 2-mg nicotine chewing gum was studied in 43 smokers when they were smoking as inclined and when they were trying to stop smoking. Although 70% of the smokers stopped smoking during treatment, only 23% were still abstinent after one year. The effect of the nicotine, though significant, was small compared with the overall reduction in smoking. When the subjects were smoking as inclined cigarette consumption was reduced by an average of 37% on the nicotine gum compared with 31% on placebo gum, while avergage carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) levels were reduced by 26% and 15% on the active and placebo gums respectively. When subjects tried to stop smoking there was a further considerable reduction in cigarette consumption, but no longer any difference between the two gums. Nevertheless, average COHb was still lower on the active gum. Plasma nicotine levels on the nicotine gum averaged only 10-7 ng/ml compared with 27-4 ng/ml after smoking. Better results could be expected with 4-mg nicotine gums.", "PMID": 779926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5543", "title": "Prophylactic antibiotic therapy and heart valve replacement.", "content": "Patients undergoing cardiac bypass for heart valve replacement maintained adequate blood concentrations of cloxacillin throughout the duration of bypass, provided their initial blood concentration was in the therapeutic range. Blood levels related to the time between the last preoperative dose of antibiotic and operation. Maximal values were achieved if an intraoperative bolus of drug was given.", "contents": "Prophylactic antibiotic therapy and heart valve replacement. Patients undergoing cardiac bypass for heart valve replacement maintained adequate blood concentrations of cloxacillin throughout the duration of bypass, provided their initial blood concentration was in the therapeutic range. Blood levels related to the time between the last preoperative dose of antibiotic and operation. Maximal values were achieved if an intraoperative bolus of drug was given.", "PMID": 779941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5544", "title": "Inhibition of human lymphoma cell-line colony formation by lymphocytes from patients with lymphoma and cancer hospital employees.", "content": "Inhibition of human lymphoma cell-line colony formation (ICF) was induced by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with lymphoma and apparently healthy cancer hospital personnel. PBL from patients with non-lymphoma neoplasms and from normal blood bank donors did not elicit ICF. ICF was most marked when PBL were cocultivated for 24 hours in a ratio of 1000:I with target lymphoma cells that had been cultured for 24 hours before exposure. No significant ICF was observed when target cells consisted of human neurogenic sarcoma, melanoma, colon adenocarcinoma, or Chinese hamster cells. It is possible that ICF is elicited by PBL sensitized to a cross-reacting antigen present on the membrane of cultured lymphoma cells. This antigen may be synthesized by a transmissible etiologic factor.", "contents": "Inhibition of human lymphoma cell-line colony formation by lymphocytes from patients with lymphoma and cancer hospital employees. Inhibition of human lymphoma cell-line colony formation (ICF) was induced by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with lymphoma and apparently healthy cancer hospital personnel. PBL from patients with non-lymphoma neoplasms and from normal blood bank donors did not elicit ICF. ICF was most marked when PBL were cocultivated for 24 hours in a ratio of 1000:I with target lymphoma cells that had been cultured for 24 hours before exposure. No significant ICF was observed when target cells consisted of human neurogenic sarcoma, melanoma, colon adenocarcinoma, or Chinese hamster cells. It is possible that ICF is elicited by PBL sensitized to a cross-reacting antigen present on the membrane of cultured lymphoma cells. This antigen may be synthesized by a transmissible etiologic factor.", "PMID": 779948} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5545", "title": "Phase III comparison of the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal cancer with bolus weekly 5-FU vs. methyl-CCNU plus bolus weekly 5-FU. A Southwest Oncology Group study.", "content": "In a randomized and stratified study, 294 patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer were treated either with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 400 mg/m2 weekly intravenously (i.v.) or 5-FU 400 mg/m2 i.v. weekly plus methyl-CCNU 175 mg/m2 orally (p.o.) every 6 weeks. The response rate in colorectal cancer with 5-FU was 9.5% while the two-drug treatment produced a response of 31.8% (p=.009). The response in all gastrointestinal cancers to 5-FU was 10.6% as compared with29.3% for the combination (p=.012). All responses were partial. The two-drug regimen is more effective and more toxic than weekly 5-FU therapy.", "contents": "Phase III comparison of the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal cancer with bolus weekly 5-FU vs. methyl-CCNU plus bolus weekly 5-FU. A Southwest Oncology Group study. In a randomized and stratified study, 294 patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer were treated either with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 400 mg/m2 weekly intravenously (i.v.) or 5-FU 400 mg/m2 i.v. weekly plus methyl-CCNU 175 mg/m2 orally (p.o.) every 6 weeks. The response rate in colorectal cancer with 5-FU was 9.5% while the two-drug treatment produced a response of 31.8% (p=.009). The response in all gastrointestinal cancers to 5-FU was 10.6% as compared with29.3% for the combination (p=.012). All responses were partial. The two-drug regimen is more effective and more toxic than weekly 5-FU therapy.", "PMID": 779949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5546", "title": "Feasibility study of active immunotherapy in patients with solid tumors.", "content": "Forty-five immunocompetent patients with solid tumors were immunized with BCG, PPD, and tumor cells. The methods were practical, but the morbidity was significant, including painful draining ulcerations at vaccine sites, possible enhancement of tumor growth in three patients, and the discovery at autopsy of systemic tuberculosis in one patient. Various facets of cellular immunity were altered, namely: 1) a majority of the patients developed enhanced cutaneous reactions to the microbial skin-test antigens (particularly tuberculin) and tumor cells; 2) nine patients developed the equivalent of delayed hypersensitivity reactions or flares at all previous PPD and BCG inoculation sites following subsequent injection of these agents, which supports the concept of immunologic memory for these target antigens; 3) lesions resembling those of \"spontaneous\" regressed moles (halo-nevi) were observed at previous vaccine sites in 20 patients and generalized depigmentation occurred in three patients; 4) foreign body giant cells in tumor metastasis remote from BCG-PPD-tumor vaccine sites may indicate a cross-reactivity of microbial and tumor antigens; and 5) intralesional inoculation of the nonspecific agents (BCG, PPD, Varidase, and Mumps) resulted in dense mononuclear cell infiltration and complete regression of most of the injected lesions. Destruction of single or multiple lesions by local injections of antigens did not provide either significant regression of uninjected lesions or clinical benefit.", "contents": "Feasibility study of active immunotherapy in patients with solid tumors. Forty-five immunocompetent patients with solid tumors were immunized with BCG, PPD, and tumor cells. The methods were practical, but the morbidity was significant, including painful draining ulcerations at vaccine sites, possible enhancement of tumor growth in three patients, and the discovery at autopsy of systemic tuberculosis in one patient. Various facets of cellular immunity were altered, namely: 1) a majority of the patients developed enhanced cutaneous reactions to the microbial skin-test antigens (particularly tuberculin) and tumor cells; 2) nine patients developed the equivalent of delayed hypersensitivity reactions or flares at all previous PPD and BCG inoculation sites following subsequent injection of these agents, which supports the concept of immunologic memory for these target antigens; 3) lesions resembling those of \"spontaneous\" regressed moles (halo-nevi) were observed at previous vaccine sites in 20 patients and generalized depigmentation occurred in three patients; 4) foreign body giant cells in tumor metastasis remote from BCG-PPD-tumor vaccine sites may indicate a cross-reactivity of microbial and tumor antigens; and 5) intralesional inoculation of the nonspecific agents (BCG, PPD, Varidase, and Mumps) resulted in dense mononuclear cell infiltration and complete regression of most of the injected lesions. Destruction of single or multiple lesions by local injections of antigens did not provide either significant regression of uninjected lesions or clinical benefit.", "PMID": 779950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5547", "title": "Familial erythrophagocytic lymphohistocytosis. Report of two cases and clinicopathologic review.", "content": "An unusual syndrome of hepatosplenomegaly and fever followed by rapid deterioration and death has been described in 38 children from 21 families. Pancytopenia, liver dysfunction, and bleeding developed prior to death from hemorrhage, sepsis, or lymphocytic meningitis. This report reviews the literature and adds a set of twins to the reported cases.", "contents": "Familial erythrophagocytic lymphohistocytosis. Report of two cases and clinicopathologic review. An unusual syndrome of hepatosplenomegaly and fever followed by rapid deterioration and death has been described in 38 children from 21 families. Pancytopenia, liver dysfunction, and bleeding developed prior to death from hemorrhage, sepsis, or lymphocytic meningitis. This report reviews the literature and adds a set of twins to the reported cases.", "PMID": 779951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5548", "title": "A novel nucleotide implicated in the response of E. coli to energy source downshift.", "content": "When E. coli cells are subjected to energy source downshift, the accumulation of RNA (and overall cell growth) is drastically restricted within 1 to 2 min. However, the identity of the primary metabolic signal for this adjustment is a mystery. Earlier studies, and further evidence presented here, show that there is no satisfactory correlation between the sudden adjustment of RNA accumulation and the kinetics of changes in the levels of prospective signalling compounds, such as glycolytic intermediates, ppGpp, ATP, or the three adenylate nucleotides. We have discovered an unusual nucleotide, which we call the phantom spot, whose level decreases dramatically within a minute of downshift, correlating well with the adjustment of RNA accumulation. Preliminary characterization of the phantom spot indicates that it is a triphosphate derived from the guanylate pathway, and suggests that it is a form of GTP with a modification of the imidazole portion of the purine ring. We postulate that this nucleotide serves as a regulatory facsimile of ATP, linking the rate of RNA accumulation and other anabolic processes to the overall rate of phosphorylation.", "contents": "A novel nucleotide implicated in the response of E. coli to energy source downshift. When E. coli cells are subjected to energy source downshift, the accumulation of RNA (and overall cell growth) is drastically restricted within 1 to 2 min. However, the identity of the primary metabolic signal for this adjustment is a mystery. Earlier studies, and further evidence presented here, show that there is no satisfactory correlation between the sudden adjustment of RNA accumulation and the kinetics of changes in the levels of prospective signalling compounds, such as glycolytic intermediates, ppGpp, ATP, or the three adenylate nucleotides. We have discovered an unusual nucleotide, which we call the phantom spot, whose level decreases dramatically within a minute of downshift, correlating well with the adjustment of RNA accumulation. Preliminary characterization of the phantom spot indicates that it is a triphosphate derived from the guanylate pathway, and suggests that it is a form of GTP with a modification of the imidazole portion of the purine ring. We postulate that this nucleotide serves as a regulatory facsimile of ATP, linking the rate of RNA accumulation and other anabolic processes to the overall rate of phosphorylation.", "PMID": 779954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5549", "title": "An electron microscopic study of malignant lymphomas; with special reference to undifferentiated type.", "content": "Nine cases of malignant lymphomas of undifferentiated type, which is difficult to classify whether they are derived from reticulum cell or lymphocyte by light microscopy, were collected and studied by electron microscopic and histopathological examinations, and calssified into two types from electron microscopic findings. Some characteristic features, including cellular size and shape, and quantity and quality of cytoplasmic and nuclear structures at the electron microscopic level, were compared between the two types of lymphomas with similarity to reticulum cell and to lymphoblastic cell. From the aspects of systemic and synthetic view, it is possible to classify whether these tumor cells correspond to the so-called reticulum cell or to lymphoblastic cell in malignant lymphomas of undifferentiated type, which was previously thought to be indistinguishable. In addition to these results, clinico- and histo-pathological analyses were also made, with short discussion.", "contents": "An electron microscopic study of malignant lymphomas; with special reference to undifferentiated type. Nine cases of malignant lymphomas of undifferentiated type, which is difficult to classify whether they are derived from reticulum cell or lymphocyte by light microscopy, were collected and studied by electron microscopic and histopathological examinations, and calssified into two types from electron microscopic findings. Some characteristic features, including cellular size and shape, and quantity and quality of cytoplasmic and nuclear structures at the electron microscopic level, were compared between the two types of lymphomas with similarity to reticulum cell and to lymphoblastic cell. From the aspects of systemic and synthetic view, it is possible to classify whether these tumor cells correspond to the so-called reticulum cell or to lymphoblastic cell in malignant lymphomas of undifferentiated type, which was previously thought to be indistinguishable. In addition to these results, clinico- and histo-pathological analyses were also made, with short discussion.", "PMID": 779995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5550", "title": "[50 cases of acute malaria: symptomatic study, especially cardiac].", "content": "The authors have studied 50 records of patients who had presented an acute attack of P. falciparum malaria. Both sexes were equally implied. Young people were predominant. The distribution of cases was about the same in the whole year. The fever decreases on the second day and increases on the third day (300/0). Among the classical signs: relative rarity of hepatomegalia (100/0), splenomegalia (10 0/0), jaundice (140/0), nervous symptoms (100/0). Vomiting is rather frequent (30 0/0). From the cardiovascular point of view a relative bradycardia is observed in 16 0/0 of the cases, and a relative tachycardia in 100/0 of the cases; hypotension in 100/0 of the cases. Electrocardiographic signs are observed in 360/0 of the cases; they are aspecific, concerning mainly ST-T anomalias (22 0/0) and a QT lengthening (200/0). The cardiothoracic ratio is higher than 0.5 in 320/0 of the cases. From the pulmonary point of view the authors have observed symptoms contemporary of the attack: two asthma attacks, three radiologic anomalias reminding of viral pneumopathias. The biological symptoms are mainly transitory functional renal insufficiency in 18 0/0 of the cases. Protection due to AS heterozygosis seems to be confirmed in this study. The efficiency of intravenous quinin treatment is certain.", "contents": "[50 cases of acute malaria: symptomatic study, especially cardiac]. The authors have studied 50 records of patients who had presented an acute attack of P. falciparum malaria. Both sexes were equally implied. Young people were predominant. The distribution of cases was about the same in the whole year. The fever decreases on the second day and increases on the third day (300/0). Among the classical signs: relative rarity of hepatomegalia (100/0), splenomegalia (10 0/0), jaundice (140/0), nervous symptoms (100/0). Vomiting is rather frequent (30 0/0). From the cardiovascular point of view a relative bradycardia is observed in 16 0/0 of the cases, and a relative tachycardia in 100/0 of the cases; hypotension in 100/0 of the cases. Electrocardiographic signs are observed in 360/0 of the cases; they are aspecific, concerning mainly ST-T anomalias (22 0/0) and a QT lengthening (200/0). The cardiothoracic ratio is higher than 0.5 in 320/0 of the cases. From the pulmonary point of view the authors have observed symptoms contemporary of the attack: two asthma attacks, three radiologic anomalias reminding of viral pneumopathias. The biological symptoms are mainly transitory functional renal insufficiency in 18 0/0 of the cases. Protection due to AS heterozygosis seems to be confirmed in this study. The efficiency of intravenous quinin treatment is certain.", "PMID": 779991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5551", "title": "A focus of hyperendemic Plasmodium malariae-P. vivax with no P. falciparum in a primitive population in the Peruvian Amazon jungle.", "content": "Findings in a sample population in southeastern Peru with a very high rate of malaria infection, due to Plasmodium malariae and P. vivax with apparently no P. falciparum, are described. The proportion of persons with P. malariae in this sample population, as determined by slide examination, appears to be the greatest ever reported for any area before the introduction of control measures. Although very few P. vivax were found on stained slides, results of the indirect immunofluorescence test indicated that this species was probably as prevalent as P. malariae; the absence of P. falciparum was supported by results of serologic tests. Possible reasons for this focus of malaria with no P. falciparum are discussed.", "contents": "A focus of hyperendemic Plasmodium malariae-P. vivax with no P. falciparum in a primitive population in the Peruvian Amazon jungle. Findings in a sample population in southeastern Peru with a very high rate of malaria infection, due to Plasmodium malariae and P. vivax with apparently no P. falciparum, are described. The proportion of persons with P. malariae in this sample population, as determined by slide examination, appears to be the greatest ever reported for any area before the introduction of control measures. Although very few P. vivax were found on stained slides, results of the indirect immunofluorescence test indicated that this species was probably as prevalent as P. malariae; the absence of P. falciparum was supported by results of serologic tests. Possible reasons for this focus of malaria with no P. falciparum are discussed.", "PMID": 779996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5552", "title": "[Filarial eosinophilic lung diseases, value of immunology (apropos of 9 cases)].", "content": "The study of nine cases of \"eosinophilic lung\" using specific immunological techniques indicates that the latter completes the geographical, clinical, radiological and hematological criteria of this syndrome. The search of circulating antibodies confirms the filarial etiology and individualises a remarkable immunological profile thus, suggesting a diagnosis in the case of occult filariases. The intensity of the immunological reactions brings a supplementary argument in favor of the hypothesis of a poor host-parasite relationship in the pathogeny of secondary manifestations to an infestation by W. bancrofti, B. malayi and other animal filariae such as B. pahangi.", "contents": "[Filarial eosinophilic lung diseases, value of immunology (apropos of 9 cases)]. The study of nine cases of \"eosinophilic lung\" using specific immunological techniques indicates that the latter completes the geographical, clinical, radiological and hematological criteria of this syndrome. The search of circulating antibodies confirms the filarial etiology and individualises a remarkable immunological profile thus, suggesting a diagnosis in the case of occult filariases. The intensity of the immunological reactions brings a supplementary argument in favor of the hypothesis of a poor host-parasite relationship in the pathogeny of secondary manifestations to an infestation by W. bancrofti, B. malayi and other animal filariae such as B. pahangi.", "PMID": 779992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5553", "title": "[Evaluation of Plasmodium falciparum antigen of human origin using indirect immunofluorescence reaction in malaria].", "content": "The authors point out the use of P. falciparum antigens from man in the Malaria IFA test. In Malaria areas it is very easy to find them and although they are \"coated\" by antibodies they are quite valuable in significant titers. The use of P. falciparum from man is therefore very interesting for Malaria diagnosis in non endemic areas and very useful for Malaria surveys in endemic areas.", "contents": "[Evaluation of Plasmodium falciparum antigen of human origin using indirect immunofluorescence reaction in malaria]. The authors point out the use of P. falciparum antigens from man in the Malaria IFA test. In Malaria areas it is very easy to find them and although they are \"coated\" by antibodies they are quite valuable in significant titers. The use of P. falciparum from man is therefore very interesting for Malaria diagnosis in non endemic areas and very useful for Malaria surveys in endemic areas.", "PMID": 779993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5554", "title": "WHO collaborative evaluation of reference hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody reagents, subtype ad.", "content": "As a result of a WHO consultation in 1970 a guinea-pig antiserum, V801-501-058, was comprehensively evaluated by 11 collaborating laboratories in order to determine its usefulness as a reference reagent for the detection and assay of hepatitis B surface antigen (HB(s)Ag). The range of titres obtained were 1:64-1:256 by the immunodiffusion technique, 1:64-1:512 by counterimmunoelectrophoresis, 1:256-1:4096 by complement fixation, 1:6400-1:9600 by immune adherence haemagglutination, and <1:32 by platelet aggregation. The sensitivity of the guinea-pig antiserum for the detection of HB(s)Ag in serum and plasma samples was found to be equivalent to that of antisera obtained from other sources (man and baboon) with complement fixation and immune adherence haemagglutination, but it was slightly less sensitive with immunodiffusion and counterimmunoelectrophoresis. HB(s)Ag-positive reagent serum, which was used for the preparation of the immunogen, was found to have titres of 1:16-1:64 by immunodiffusion, 1:32-1:128 by counterimmunoelectrophoresis, 1:512-1:4096 by complement fixation, and 1:256-1:25 600 by immune adherence haemagglutination.", "contents": "WHO collaborative evaluation of reference hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody reagents, subtype ad. As a result of a WHO consultation in 1970 a guinea-pig antiserum, V801-501-058, was comprehensively evaluated by 11 collaborating laboratories in order to determine its usefulness as a reference reagent for the detection and assay of hepatitis B surface antigen (HB(s)Ag). The range of titres obtained were 1:64-1:256 by the immunodiffusion technique, 1:64-1:512 by counterimmunoelectrophoresis, 1:256-1:4096 by complement fixation, 1:6400-1:9600 by immune adherence haemagglutination, and <1:32 by platelet aggregation. The sensitivity of the guinea-pig antiserum for the detection of HB(s)Ag in serum and plasma samples was found to be equivalent to that of antisera obtained from other sources (man and baboon) with complement fixation and immune adherence haemagglutination, but it was slightly less sensitive with immunodiffusion and counterimmunoelectrophoresis. HB(s)Ag-positive reagent serum, which was used for the preparation of the immunogen, was found to have titres of 1:16-1:64 by immunodiffusion, 1:32-1:128 by counterimmunoelectrophoresis, 1:512-1:4096 by complement fixation, and 1:256-1:25 600 by immune adherence haemagglutination.", "PMID": 779997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5555", "title": "Antibody response in the intestinal secretions of volunteers immunized with various cholera vaccines.", "content": "The efficacy of various cholera vaccines in eliciting an intestinal antibody response was assessed in human volunteers who received oral live, oral killed, or parenteral cholera vaccines, or placebo. The intestinal immune response in terms of antibacterial and antitoxin antibodies was determined 2 and 4 weeks after immunization. By means of the mouse peritoneum opsonization assay and the infant mouse protection test, antibacterial activity could be detected in the intestinal secretions of volunteers who had been immunized either orally or by the parenteral route. Significant protective activity and duration of immunity were observed with the oral killed vaccine. The bacteriological data indicated the absence of significant intestinal colonization of the live attenuated strain after oral administration, and probably explains the observed lack of effectiveness of the oral vaccine compared with that of the killed vaccine. The predominant immunoglobulin class of intestinal antibody was found to be IgA. None of the vaccines used in the study elicited significant antitoxin activity in the intestinal secretions, as determined by the skin permeability neutralization test.", "contents": "Antibody response in the intestinal secretions of volunteers immunized with various cholera vaccines. The efficacy of various cholera vaccines in eliciting an intestinal antibody response was assessed in human volunteers who received oral live, oral killed, or parenteral cholera vaccines, or placebo. The intestinal immune response in terms of antibacterial and antitoxin antibodies was determined 2 and 4 weeks after immunization. By means of the mouse peritoneum opsonization assay and the infant mouse protection test, antibacterial activity could be detected in the intestinal secretions of volunteers who had been immunized either orally or by the parenteral route. Significant protective activity and duration of immunity were observed with the oral killed vaccine. The bacteriological data indicated the absence of significant intestinal colonization of the live attenuated strain after oral administration, and probably explains the observed lack of effectiveness of the oral vaccine compared with that of the killed vaccine. The predominant immunoglobulin class of intestinal antibody was found to be IgA. None of the vaccines used in the study elicited significant antitoxin activity in the intestinal secretions, as determined by the skin permeability neutralization test.", "PMID": 779998} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5556", "title": "Sources and incidence of airborne Aspergillus fumigatus (Fres).", "content": "Specific surveys of the air for Aspergillus fumigatus were carried out in rural and urban situations over a 2-year period. Overall, low concentrations of spores were recorded with a higher incidence during the \"winter\" months. Counts in the open air and in a hospital ward showed similar fluctuations, the indoor counts being consistently lower. Plant debris in the form of compost heaps and stacks of hay and straw baled with a high moisture content in which self-heating occurs, produces large numbers of spores which may be liberated into the air causing high but localized counts if disturbed. The widespread distribution of decaying leaves following leaf fall represents a potential source of smaller concentrations of spores but over a much larger area. This availability of decaying plant debris with high water content fulfils the growth requirements of Aspergillus fumigatus and is the probable explanation of its winter seasonality.", "contents": "Sources and incidence of airborne Aspergillus fumigatus (Fres). Specific surveys of the air for Aspergillus fumigatus were carried out in rural and urban situations over a 2-year period. Overall, low concentrations of spores were recorded with a higher incidence during the \"winter\" months. Counts in the open air and in a hospital ward showed similar fluctuations, the indoor counts being consistently lower. Plant debris in the form of compost heaps and stacks of hay and straw baled with a high moisture content in which self-heating occurs, produces large numbers of spores which may be liberated into the air causing high but localized counts if disturbed. The widespread distribution of decaying leaves following leaf fall represents a potential source of smaller concentrations of spores but over a much larger area. This availability of decaying plant debris with high water content fulfils the growth requirements of Aspergillus fumigatus and is the probable explanation of its winter seasonality.", "PMID": 780000} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5557", "title": "A 12-month double-blind assessment of betamethasone valerate aerosol in the management of asthma.", "content": "A double-blind trial of the topically active corticosteroid, betamethasone valerate in aerosol form, in the control of chronic asthma is reported. The results show that this is an extremely effective therapeutic agent in non-steroid dependent but nonetheless moderately severe asthmatics. Patients were well controlled on 800 mug of betamethasone valerate daily and control was maintained over a 12-month period. This form of treatment has few undersirable side effects but there is probably an increased incidence of oropharyngeal and laryngeal candidiasis. In particular, adrenocortical suppression was not noted.", "contents": "A 12-month double-blind assessment of betamethasone valerate aerosol in the management of asthma. A double-blind trial of the topically active corticosteroid, betamethasone valerate in aerosol form, in the control of chronic asthma is reported. The results show that this is an extremely effective therapeutic agent in non-steroid dependent but nonetheless moderately severe asthmatics. Patients were well controlled on 800 mug of betamethasone valerate daily and control was maintained over a 12-month period. This form of treatment has few undersirable side effects but there is probably an increased incidence of oropharyngeal and laryngeal candidiasis. In particular, adrenocortical suppression was not noted.", "PMID": 780001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5558", "title": "Enzyme-immunoassay.", "content": "The bases of the different enzyme-immunoassay techniques are described and their applications to the identification and quantification of antigens, haptens, and antibodies in biological fluids are discussed. Substances for which enzyme-immunoassays have been developed are listed. The enzymes used as labels, the methods of linking them to proteins, and the methods for separating free and bound labeled material are described. The reliability and practicality of the enzyme-immunoassay methods are reviewed.", "contents": "Enzyme-immunoassay. The bases of the different enzyme-immunoassay techniques are described and their applications to the identification and quantification of antigens, haptens, and antibodies in biological fluids are discussed. Substances for which enzyme-immunoassays have been developed are listed. The enzymes used as labels, the methods of linking them to proteins, and the methods for separating free and bound labeled material are described. The reliability and practicality of the enzyme-immunoassay methods are reviewed.", "PMID": 780003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5559", "title": "An extraorally activated expansion appliance for cleft palate infants.", "content": "A new lever-action expansion appliance is described which is designed specifically for use in infants with cleft lip and palate. An extraoral control knob allows for easy activation, while the important anterior cleft areas are left clear for premaxillary repositioning and clinical assessment. Activation is registered by a positive clicking sound. Rapid expansion is made possible by the design of the appliance which is retained by stainless steel pins.", "contents": "An extraorally activated expansion appliance for cleft palate infants. A new lever-action expansion appliance is described which is designed specifically for use in infants with cleft lip and palate. An extraoral control knob allows for easy activation, while the important anterior cleft areas are left clear for premaxillary repositioning and clinical assessment. Activation is registered by a positive clicking sound. Rapid expansion is made possible by the design of the appliance which is retained by stainless steel pins.", "PMID": 780004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5560", "title": "Indirect immunofluorescence staining of human thyroid by antibodies occurring in Yersinia enterocolitica infections.", "content": "In the diagnostic routine for tissue antibodies, using indirect immunofluorescence on cryostat sections of human thyrotoxic thyroid, rat stomach and kidney, ninety-six out of 48,388 sera showed a marginal staining of the membrane region of thyroid epithelial cells but no other reaction. Twenty-six of these sera were from patients with acute Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 3 infection but without signs of thyroid disease. Fifty of sixty-three sera with agglutinins against Y. enterocolitica serotype 3 and three out of four sera with agglutinins against Y. enterocolitica serotype 9 also showed this reaction on thyroid sections. It was due to antibodies, mostly of the IgG class, occurring in low titre, which react with intracytoplasmic antigens in thyroid, as staining of live thyroid epithelial cells was negative. The pattern of immunofluorescence on thyroid sections caused by these antibodies could not be distinguished from that caused by smooth muscle antibodies by appearance only. However, smooth muscle antibodies react also on other tissue sections and extracts of contractile proteins which absorb out these, did not change the reaction on thyroid of Y. enterocolitica sera. Absorption with sonicated Y. enterocolitica 3 and 9 antigens, but not with heat-killed whole bacteria, extinguished the reaction on thyroid. This indicates the presence of a cross-reactivity between antigens in these bacteria, different from the O antigen, and antigens in thyroid epithelial cells. Knowledge of this pattern of immunofluorescence on thyroid sections can be of diagnostic significance.", "contents": "Indirect immunofluorescence staining of human thyroid by antibodies occurring in Yersinia enterocolitica infections. In the diagnostic routine for tissue antibodies, using indirect immunofluorescence on cryostat sections of human thyrotoxic thyroid, rat stomach and kidney, ninety-six out of 48,388 sera showed a marginal staining of the membrane region of thyroid epithelial cells but no other reaction. Twenty-six of these sera were from patients with acute Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 3 infection but without signs of thyroid disease. Fifty of sixty-three sera with agglutinins against Y. enterocolitica serotype 3 and three out of four sera with agglutinins against Y. enterocolitica serotype 9 also showed this reaction on thyroid sections. It was due to antibodies, mostly of the IgG class, occurring in low titre, which react with intracytoplasmic antigens in thyroid, as staining of live thyroid epithelial cells was negative. The pattern of immunofluorescence on thyroid sections caused by these antibodies could not be distinguished from that caused by smooth muscle antibodies by appearance only. However, smooth muscle antibodies react also on other tissue sections and extracts of contractile proteins which absorb out these, did not change the reaction on thyroid of Y. enterocolitica sera. Absorption with sonicated Y. enterocolitica 3 and 9 antigens, but not with heat-killed whole bacteria, extinguished the reaction on thyroid. This indicates the presence of a cross-reactivity between antigens in these bacteria, different from the O antigen, and antigens in thyroid epithelial cells. Knowledge of this pattern of immunofluorescence on thyroid sections can be of diagnostic significance.", "PMID": 780011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5561", "title": "Clinical significance of antibodies to ovarian antigens; association with cancer of the genito-urinary tract.", "content": "Serum from 491 patients with cancer and from 151 patients of comparable age without recognized cancer was tested by indirect immunofluorescence for antibodies to ovarian antigens. Circulating antibody to the cytoplasm of rabbit ova was found in from 19 to 47% of patients with cancer of the ovary, endometrium, kidney, bladder or testis, or with lymphoma, and in only 3-3% of control patients. Antibodies to thecacell antigens were not more common in patients with cancer than in other patients, but within the group of cancer patients, such antibodies were, in all but one case, associated with cancer of the genito-urinary tract or with lymphoma. The anti-theca-cell antibodies observed produced a staining pattern indistinguishable from that obtained with the serum of patients with Addison's disease but were not, in the cancer patients, associated with antibodies to adrenal tissue. Tests for antibody to the cytoplasm of ova were more frequently positive in patients with progressive cancers than in patients successfully treated by surgery or radiation, and were seen in patients in whom cancer had recurred following removal of the organ of origin. These findings suggest that the antigen or antigens that evoke antibody to the cytoplasm of ova arise from tumour cells rather than from damage to normal tissue by surgery, tumour invasion or radiation.", "contents": "Clinical significance of antibodies to ovarian antigens; association with cancer of the genito-urinary tract. Serum from 491 patients with cancer and from 151 patients of comparable age without recognized cancer was tested by indirect immunofluorescence for antibodies to ovarian antigens. Circulating antibody to the cytoplasm of rabbit ova was found in from 19 to 47% of patients with cancer of the ovary, endometrium, kidney, bladder or testis, or with lymphoma, and in only 3-3% of control patients. Antibodies to thecacell antigens were not more common in patients with cancer than in other patients, but within the group of cancer patients, such antibodies were, in all but one case, associated with cancer of the genito-urinary tract or with lymphoma. The anti-theca-cell antibodies observed produced a staining pattern indistinguishable from that obtained with the serum of patients with Addison's disease but were not, in the cancer patients, associated with antibodies to adrenal tissue. Tests for antibody to the cytoplasm of ova were more frequently positive in patients with progressive cancers than in patients successfully treated by surgery or radiation, and were seen in patients in whom cancer had recurred following removal of the organ of origin. These findings suggest that the antigen or antigens that evoke antibody to the cytoplasm of ova arise from tumour cells rather than from damage to normal tissue by surgery, tumour invasion or radiation.", "PMID": 780012} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5562", "title": "Peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations in human falciparum malaria.", "content": "The concentration of circulating T, B, and 'null' lymphocytes was determined in thirty children and three adults with Plasmodium falciparum infections in West Africa. During infection, both percentage as well as concentration of T cells were decreased as compared to levels following treatment. The percentage but not concentration of B cells was increased. Both percentage and concentration of 'null' cells were increased in malaria. Patients with splenomegaly had the most severe alterations in T-cell number; no other historic or clinical parameter correlated with the degree or pattern or change in circulating lymphocyte subpopulations. These alterations were rapidly reversible after antimalarial treatment and presumably represent the sequestration of T cells in the spleen or other organs.", "contents": "Peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations in human falciparum malaria. The concentration of circulating T, B, and 'null' lymphocytes was determined in thirty children and three adults with Plasmodium falciparum infections in West Africa. During infection, both percentage as well as concentration of T cells were decreased as compared to levels following treatment. The percentage but not concentration of B cells was increased. Both percentage and concentration of 'null' cells were increased in malaria. Patients with splenomegaly had the most severe alterations in T-cell number; no other historic or clinical parameter correlated with the degree or pattern or change in circulating lymphocyte subpopulations. These alterations were rapidly reversible after antimalarial treatment and presumably represent the sequestration of T cells in the spleen or other organs.", "PMID": 780013} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5563", "title": "In vitro quantitation of cell-mediated immunity in guinea-pigs by macrophage reduction of nitro-blue tetrazolium.", "content": "In the cell-mediated immune (CMI) system lymphocytes from sensitized animals incubated with antigen manufacture and release lymphokines which activate the hexose-monophosphate shunt in macrophages. The rate-limiting enzyme of this activation is NADPH oxidase, the activity of which can be quantitated by the amount of nitro-blue tetrazolium reduced to formazan, a blue precipitate. Data is presented which demonstrates that lymphokine-activated macrophages can be microscopically quantitated, both in the direct and indirect assays, by counting the number of macrophages containing formazan precipitate. The indirect component of this assay correlates directly to the skin test diameter. Further, it correlates better to the skin test than another assay for CMI, the macrophages aggregation factor assay. The simplicity and reproducibility of this assay provides another method whereby lymphokine activation of physiological events in macrophages can be determined.", "contents": "In vitro quantitation of cell-mediated immunity in guinea-pigs by macrophage reduction of nitro-blue tetrazolium. In the cell-mediated immune (CMI) system lymphocytes from sensitized animals incubated with antigen manufacture and release lymphokines which activate the hexose-monophosphate shunt in macrophages. The rate-limiting enzyme of this activation is NADPH oxidase, the activity of which can be quantitated by the amount of nitro-blue tetrazolium reduced to formazan, a blue precipitate. Data is presented which demonstrates that lymphokine-activated macrophages can be microscopically quantitated, both in the direct and indirect assays, by counting the number of macrophages containing formazan precipitate. The indirect component of this assay correlates directly to the skin test diameter. Further, it correlates better to the skin test than another assay for CMI, the macrophages aggregation factor assay. The simplicity and reproducibility of this assay provides another method whereby lymphokine activation of physiological events in macrophages can be determined.", "PMID": 780014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5564", "title": "Membrane antigens shared by renal proximal tubules and other epithelia associated with absorption and excretion.", "content": "The distribution of shared antigens in specialized surface membranes of epithelia associated with absorption and excretion was studied using antisera against isolated epithelial brush borders of renal proximal tubules. Rabbits were immunized with a membrane fraction isolated from rat kidneys and the reactions of the resulting heterologous antisera with different rat organs were studied by immunofluorescence. The antisera reacted with the following structures: epithelial brush border of renal proximal tubules, bile canaliculi and bile duct epithelium of the liver, epithelial brush border of the intestinal villi, luminal parts of some epididymal tubules, allantochorionic epithelium, and apical parts of the exocrine epithelium of the pancreatic, salivary and lacrimal glands. Both quantitative and qualitative differences in antigen contents were suggested by absorption experiments.", "contents": "Membrane antigens shared by renal proximal tubules and other epithelia associated with absorption and excretion. The distribution of shared antigens in specialized surface membranes of epithelia associated with absorption and excretion was studied using antisera against isolated epithelial brush borders of renal proximal tubules. Rabbits were immunized with a membrane fraction isolated from rat kidneys and the reactions of the resulting heterologous antisera with different rat organs were studied by immunofluorescence. The antisera reacted with the following structures: epithelial brush border of renal proximal tubules, bile canaliculi and bile duct epithelium of the liver, epithelial brush border of the intestinal villi, luminal parts of some epididymal tubules, allantochorionic epithelium, and apical parts of the exocrine epithelium of the pancreatic, salivary and lacrimal glands. Both quantitative and qualitative differences in antigen contents were suggested by absorption experiments.", "PMID": 780015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5565", "title": "The reactivity of spleen cells from malarious rats to non-specific mitogens.", "content": "The reaction of spleen cells from rats infected with Plasmodium berghei to non-specific mitogens has been measured. The cells have been stimulated in vitro by phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin-A and by bacterial lypopolysaccharide. In addition the release of lymphocyte activating factor (LAF) by splenic macrophages has been assayed using a heterologous thymocyte culture. The reactivity of spleen lymphocytes from malarious rats is severly affected. The cells do not react either to the T cell-specific mitogens or to the B-cell stimulant. The reactivity of macrophages, as measured by the release of LAF, was not altered by the disease.", "contents": "The reactivity of spleen cells from malarious rats to non-specific mitogens. The reaction of spleen cells from rats infected with Plasmodium berghei to non-specific mitogens has been measured. The cells have been stimulated in vitro by phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin-A and by bacterial lypopolysaccharide. In addition the release of lymphocyte activating factor (LAF) by splenic macrophages has been assayed using a heterologous thymocyte culture. The reactivity of spleen lymphocytes from malarious rats is severly affected. The cells do not react either to the T cell-specific mitogens or to the B-cell stimulant. The reactivity of macrophages, as measured by the release of LAF, was not altered by the disease.", "PMID": 780016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5566", "title": "A comparative study of the immunohistological and serological response of intact and T cell-deprived mice to Trichinella spiralis.", "content": "Thymectomized, lethally irradiated CBA mice reconstituted with anti-theta-serum-treated bone-marrow cells (TxB) were infected with T. spiralis at the age of 11 weeks. Intact, age-matched T. spiralis infected and non-infected CBA mice served as controls. Sera were collected up to 26 days after infection and examined for the presence of total and class-specific antibodies by indirect immunoflourescence. Mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen and axillary lymph nodes were examined by conventional histopathology for the presence of pyroninophilic blast cells, plasma blasts and plasma cells. Immunoflourescence was applied to examine cells containing immunoglobulins of various classes. Antibodies against T. siralis were demonstrated both in intact and TxB mice from day 10 after infection onwards. The amount of antibodies was lower in the TxB than in the intact mice. This might indicate that besides thymus-dependent, also thymus-independent antibodies against Trichinella are formed. No difference was observed in the thymus-independent areas of the lymphoid tissues from both intact and TxB mice, with the exception of a lower increase in number of IgM-containing cells in T cell-deprived mice. A marked increase in pyroninophilic blast cells was found in the thymus-dependent areas of the intact mice after infection, whereas only a very limited increase was observed in the T cell-deprived mice. The data were interpreted as supporting the thymus dependency of host response against Trichinella.", "contents": "A comparative study of the immunohistological and serological response of intact and T cell-deprived mice to Trichinella spiralis. Thymectomized, lethally irradiated CBA mice reconstituted with anti-theta-serum-treated bone-marrow cells (TxB) were infected with T. spiralis at the age of 11 weeks. Intact, age-matched T. spiralis infected and non-infected CBA mice served as controls. Sera were collected up to 26 days after infection and examined for the presence of total and class-specific antibodies by indirect immunoflourescence. Mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen and axillary lymph nodes were examined by conventional histopathology for the presence of pyroninophilic blast cells, plasma blasts and plasma cells. Immunoflourescence was applied to examine cells containing immunoglobulins of various classes. Antibodies against T. siralis were demonstrated both in intact and TxB mice from day 10 after infection onwards. The amount of antibodies was lower in the TxB than in the intact mice. This might indicate that besides thymus-dependent, also thymus-independent antibodies against Trichinella are formed. No difference was observed in the thymus-independent areas of the lymphoid tissues from both intact and TxB mice, with the exception of a lower increase in number of IgM-containing cells in T cell-deprived mice. A marked increase in pyroninophilic blast cells was found in the thymus-dependent areas of the intact mice after infection, whereas only a very limited increase was observed in the T cell-deprived mice. The data were interpreted as supporting the thymus dependency of host response against Trichinella.", "PMID": 780017} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5567", "title": "The incorrect use of Chi-square analysis for paired data.", "content": "When results are classified in categories (for example, improved and unimproved, reactive and non-reactive) and the same patients are examined by two different treatments or two different tests, then the correct statistical analysis is by McNemars test. More often a Chi-square analysis is used; this is not only incorrect but also leads to erroneous conclusions.", "contents": "The incorrect use of Chi-square analysis for paired data. When results are classified in categories (for example, improved and unimproved, reactive and non-reactive) and the same patients are examined by two different treatments or two different tests, then the correct statistical analysis is by McNemars test. More often a Chi-square analysis is used; this is not only incorrect but also leads to erroneous conclusions.", "PMID": 780018} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5568", "title": "Histone and DNA detection in swollen spermatozoa and somatic cells, by immunofluorescence.", "content": "A method of swelling spermatozoa and other cells, which leads to the exposure of nuclear antigens is described. By applying the indirect IFT on these swollen cells with sera containing antibodies to nuclear antigens, and by comparing the results to those obtained in other tests (measuring anti-nuclear antibodies), the following conclusions could be drawn: (a) By swelling human spermatoza, nuclear antigens of the sperm are exposed, and can be used for the detection of antibodies directed against them. (b) Heterlogous antibodies to histones F2al, FIa2 and F3 which can not be detected in the indirect IFT on rat liver cells, become detectable after swelling of these cells. (c) Mature human spermatozoa contain, in addition to double-stranded DNA and protamine, small amounts of histone F2b and F2a2. (d) In mature human spermatozoa histone F1 is absent.", "contents": "Histone and DNA detection in swollen spermatozoa and somatic cells, by immunofluorescence. A method of swelling spermatozoa and other cells, which leads to the exposure of nuclear antigens is described. By applying the indirect IFT on these swollen cells with sera containing antibodies to nuclear antigens, and by comparing the results to those obtained in other tests (measuring anti-nuclear antibodies), the following conclusions could be drawn: (a) By swelling human spermatoza, nuclear antigens of the sperm are exposed, and can be used for the detection of antibodies directed against them. (b) Heterlogous antibodies to histones F2al, FIa2 and F3 which can not be detected in the indirect IFT on rat liver cells, become detectable after swelling of these cells. (c) Mature human spermatozoa contain, in addition to double-stranded DNA and protamine, small amounts of histone F2b and F2a2. (d) In mature human spermatozoa histone F1 is absent.", "PMID": 780019} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5569", "title": "The occurrence of antibodies against single-stranded DNA in the sera of patients with acute and chronic leukaemia.", "content": "One hundred and seventy-five sera from thirty-three patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, forty-two patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia and twelve patients with acute lymphatic leukaemia were examined by a radioimmunological technique for the presence of antibodies against single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. The levels of single-stranded DNA binding activity was significantly higher in all three types of leukaemia compared to those of healthy controls. In contrast, none of these sera exhibited a positive reaction with double-stranded DNA. In some cases the level of serum anti-DNA antibodies increased after the decrease of the leucocyte count. The presence of anti-DNA antibodies in leukaemic patients may have some biological significance.", "contents": "The occurrence of antibodies against single-stranded DNA in the sera of patients with acute and chronic leukaemia. One hundred and seventy-five sera from thirty-three patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, forty-two patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia and twelve patients with acute lymphatic leukaemia were examined by a radioimmunological technique for the presence of antibodies against single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. The levels of single-stranded DNA binding activity was significantly higher in all three types of leukaemia compared to those of healthy controls. In contrast, none of these sera exhibited a positive reaction with double-stranded DNA. In some cases the level of serum anti-DNA antibodies increased after the decrease of the leucocyte count. The presence of anti-DNA antibodies in leukaemic patients may have some biological significance.", "PMID": 780020} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5570", "title": "Changes in intra-vascular complement and anti-treponemal antibody titres preceding the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in secondary syphilis.", "content": "Six patients with secondary syphilis and one control subject were observed over a period of up to 8 hr following the administration of either penicillin or erythromycin. Serial clinical observations were made and blood samples obtained for complement and serological analysis. The patients showed Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions (JHR) of varying intensity which were found to be preceded by and to parallel in degree certain changes in complement and syphilitic antibody titres. Falls in total haemolytic complement, in C4, C3, C6 and C7 and a marked drop in C1INH were observed. There was no change in total GBG/GGG or evidence of conversion of GBG to GGG. Associated falls occurred in the titres of the QFTA and the QTPHA antibodies but not of the QVDRL or QTPI antibodies. C3 conversion was found in the two patients that suffered severe reactions. Immune complexes were not detected and it is suggested that complement activation occurred in the extra-vascular body compartment. The significance of these changes in relation to other plasma enzyme systems and to the development of the full clinical picture of the JHR is discussed.", "contents": "Changes in intra-vascular complement and anti-treponemal antibody titres preceding the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in secondary syphilis. Six patients with secondary syphilis and one control subject were observed over a period of up to 8 hr following the administration of either penicillin or erythromycin. Serial clinical observations were made and blood samples obtained for complement and serological analysis. The patients showed Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions (JHR) of varying intensity which were found to be preceded by and to parallel in degree certain changes in complement and syphilitic antibody titres. Falls in total haemolytic complement, in C4, C3, C6 and C7 and a marked drop in C1INH were observed. There was no change in total GBG/GGG or evidence of conversion of GBG to GGG. Associated falls occurred in the titres of the QFTA and the QTPHA antibodies but not of the QVDRL or QTPI antibodies. C3 conversion was found in the two patients that suffered severe reactions. Immune complexes were not detected and it is suggested that complement activation occurred in the extra-vascular body compartment. The significance of these changes in relation to other plasma enzyme systems and to the development of the full clinical picture of the JHR is discussed.", "PMID": 780021} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5571", "title": "Interdependence of thymic and neuroendocrine functions in ontogeny.", "content": "The immunological blockade of the adenohypophysis of athymic nude mice bearing allogeneic skin grafts prevents the reconstitution of transplantation immunity when such animals grafted with thymus, and the grafts are permanently accepted. Newborn and adult athymic mice have markedly diminished levels of prolactin in blood and abnormally high levels of luteotropic hormone. Implantation of the thymus normalizes blood levels of these two hormones. These findings affirm the role of the thymus in the organization of the maturing brain for endocrine functions and identify prolactin as one of the hormones which play a major role in immune differentiation in early ontogeny.", "contents": "Interdependence of thymic and neuroendocrine functions in ontogeny. The immunological blockade of the adenohypophysis of athymic nude mice bearing allogeneic skin grafts prevents the reconstitution of transplantation immunity when such animals grafted with thymus, and the grafts are permanently accepted. Newborn and adult athymic mice have markedly diminished levels of prolactin in blood and abnormally high levels of luteotropic hormone. Implantation of the thymus normalizes blood levels of these two hormones. These findings affirm the role of the thymus in the organization of the maturing brain for endocrine functions and identify prolactin as one of the hormones which play a major role in immune differentiation in early ontogeny.", "PMID": 780022} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5572", "title": "Epidemic glomerulonephritis in Maracaibo. Evidence for progression to chronicity.", "content": "In 1968 an outbreak of 348 cases of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (AGN) was observed in Maracaibo, Venezuela. During the year, the epidemic had three peaks of incidence. Districts with better sanitation showed a lower incidence of disease than those with less adequate facilities. Endemic cases occur every year. Lowering of serum complement activity was observed in 96% and hypertension in 90% of the patients. The mortality rate in the acute phase during the epidemic was 1.31%. A history of antecedent infection was found in 39% of the cases. 70% of these infections were in the upper respiratory tract. During 1973-74, 120 of the patients (19 adults and 101 children) were reexamined. All but one had been completely asymptomatic. Sixteen patients (13.3%) had one or more of the following abnormalities (group A): low CCr, microscopic hematuria, proteinuria of 1 g/day or more and hypertension. One hundred and four patients (86.7%) were normal by all clinical and laboratory parameters tested (group B). The incidence of persisting disease, as judged by biochemical findings, was significantly higher (P less than .01) in adults (36.7%) than in children (8.9%). Percutaneous renal biopsies from 7 patients of group A, and 8 patients from group B, were studied by light microscopy and immune histology. All biopsies from group A patients had evidence of advanced glomerular disease by light microscopy and by immune histology. Seven biopsies from group B patients were also abnormal showing mild changes with corresponding immunologic findings. Only in one patient was the biopsy completely normal. Our studies indicate that significant numbers of patients progress towards chronicity after epidemic, poststreptococcal AGN. Such progression is more common in adults than in children.", "contents": "Epidemic glomerulonephritis in Maracaibo. Evidence for progression to chronicity. In 1968 an outbreak of 348 cases of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (AGN) was observed in Maracaibo, Venezuela. During the year, the epidemic had three peaks of incidence. Districts with better sanitation showed a lower incidence of disease than those with less adequate facilities. Endemic cases occur every year. Lowering of serum complement activity was observed in 96% and hypertension in 90% of the patients. The mortality rate in the acute phase during the epidemic was 1.31%. A history of antecedent infection was found in 39% of the cases. 70% of these infections were in the upper respiratory tract. During 1973-74, 120 of the patients (19 adults and 101 children) were reexamined. All but one had been completely asymptomatic. Sixteen patients (13.3%) had one or more of the following abnormalities (group A): low CCr, microscopic hematuria, proteinuria of 1 g/day or more and hypertension. One hundred and four patients (86.7%) were normal by all clinical and laboratory parameters tested (group B). The incidence of persisting disease, as judged by biochemical findings, was significantly higher (P less than .01) in adults (36.7%) than in children (8.9%). Percutaneous renal biopsies from 7 patients of group A, and 8 patients from group B, were studied by light microscopy and immune histology. All biopsies from group A patients had evidence of advanced glomerular disease by light microscopy and by immune histology. Seven biopsies from group B patients were also abnormal showing mild changes with corresponding immunologic findings. Only in one patient was the biopsy completely normal. Our studies indicate that significant numbers of patients progress towards chronicity after epidemic, poststreptococcal AGN. Such progression is more common in adults than in children.", "PMID": 780025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5573", "title": "Glomerular lesions in asymptomatic microscopic hematuria discovered on routine medical examination.", "content": "Renal biopsies from 145 patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria were studied with light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunofluorescence antibody techniques. The predominant lesions were a diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (mesangial hypercellularity) with focal epithelial crescents and focal segment and/or global sclerosis in many of them; and a minimal lesion with increased mesangial matrix and mild mesangial hypercellularity. Focal and segmental glomerulonephritis, diffuse mesangio-capillary and membranous glomerulonephritis were less common lesions. IgA deposition with other immunoglobulins was seen in over 50% of cases, with an IgA IgG-Beta1C-globulin combination being the common lesion. IgA secretory piece and HBs antigen were not found in the glomeruli and early complement components C1q and C4 were absent. Changes in the mesangium, basement membranes of capillary loops and mesangial osmophilic deposits reflect the pathogenesis of this disease. In addition to the above 145 patients, thirty-five cases of persistent microscopic hematuria classified as symptomatic, with a past history of \"acute nephritis\", lumbar pain and other complaints; and 11 patients with macroscopic hematuria, painless or associated with \"acute nephritis\" had similar glomerular lesions. Raised ASOT levels suggest the role of an upper respiratory infection in the exacervation or precipitation of this lesion. The IgA depositon may be associated with deposition of other antibodies in a picture of chronic glomerulonephritis, post-streptococcal or otherwise. 6 of the 145 patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria have gone into chronic renal failure in 3.5 years.", "contents": "Glomerular lesions in asymptomatic microscopic hematuria discovered on routine medical examination. Renal biopsies from 145 patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria were studied with light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunofluorescence antibody techniques. The predominant lesions were a diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (mesangial hypercellularity) with focal epithelial crescents and focal segment and/or global sclerosis in many of them; and a minimal lesion with increased mesangial matrix and mild mesangial hypercellularity. Focal and segmental glomerulonephritis, diffuse mesangio-capillary and membranous glomerulonephritis were less common lesions. IgA deposition with other immunoglobulins was seen in over 50% of cases, with an IgA IgG-Beta1C-globulin combination being the common lesion. IgA secretory piece and HBs antigen were not found in the glomeruli and early complement components C1q and C4 were absent. Changes in the mesangium, basement membranes of capillary loops and mesangial osmophilic deposits reflect the pathogenesis of this disease. In addition to the above 145 patients, thirty-five cases of persistent microscopic hematuria classified as symptomatic, with a past history of \"acute nephritis\", lumbar pain and other complaints; and 11 patients with macroscopic hematuria, painless or associated with \"acute nephritis\" had similar glomerular lesions. Raised ASOT levels suggest the role of an upper respiratory infection in the exacervation or precipitation of this lesion. The IgA depositon may be associated with deposition of other antibodies in a picture of chronic glomerulonephritis, post-streptococcal or otherwise. 6 of the 145 patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria have gone into chronic renal failure in 3.5 years.", "PMID": 780026} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5574", "title": "Kidney transplantation in primary oxalosis.", "content": "A 33 year old patient with primary oxalosis was submitted to cadaver kidney transplantation after 15 months treatment by hemodialysis. During the dialysis period, he developed complete heart block which immediately followed bilateral nephrectomy. The transplant functioned correctly and was found to excrete large amounts of oxalate. Death, which supervened 7 months after transplantation, was due to miliary tuberculosis. The patient's own kidneys and various organs examined post mortem showed extensive oxalate deposits, which were mainly observed in the graft, conducting system of the heart, ocular structures, spleen and pancreas. The problems of managing terminal uremia secondary to primary oxalosis are discussed.", "contents": "Kidney transplantation in primary oxalosis. A 33 year old patient with primary oxalosis was submitted to cadaver kidney transplantation after 15 months treatment by hemodialysis. During the dialysis period, he developed complete heart block which immediately followed bilateral nephrectomy. The transplant functioned correctly and was found to excrete large amounts of oxalate. Death, which supervened 7 months after transplantation, was due to miliary tuberculosis. The patient's own kidneys and various organs examined post mortem showed extensive oxalate deposits, which were mainly observed in the graft, conducting system of the heart, ocular structures, spleen and pancreas. The problems of managing terminal uremia secondary to primary oxalosis are discussed.", "PMID": 780027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5575", "title": "Effect of haematological malignancies and their treatment on host defence factors.", "content": "Immunological factors are involved in all aspects of the lymphomas and leukaemias. The aetiology of these diseases is related at least in some cases to immunodeficiency, immunostimulation, autoimmunity and a dysregulation of the immune system. The majority of lymphomas and leukaemias are monoclonal proliferations of the B-lymphocyte series at different stages of maturation while some are derived from T lymphocytes and others have no recognisable B or T-cell markers. Each of the lymphoid malignancies has a characteristic and unique pattern of immunological deficiency, suggesting a unique aetiology. Hodgkin's disease and histiocytic lymphoma, the acute leukaemias and chronic myelogenous leukaemia have predominantly cell-mediated immune deficiencies, while lymphocytic lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma, and the plasma cell dyscrasias have predominantly humoral immune deficiencies. There is a relationship between immunocompetence and prognosis and between immunocompetence and extent of disease in the lymphomas and leukaemias. Immunocompetent patients have a better prognosis and more limited disease than immunoincompetent patients. Therapy for these diseases profoundly suppresses host defence mechanisms, particularly those which are cell-mediated. Ability to resist or recover from this immunosuppression is also associated with an improved prognosis. Lymphoma and leukaemia also induce a tumour-specific immune response in the tumour-bearing host and this also correlates with prognosis. These factors form a rational basis for immunotherapy and indeed lymphomas and leukaemias respond to active nonspecific immunotherapy with BCG and active specific immunotherapy with tumor cells resulting in prolongation of remission duration and survival.", "contents": "Effect of haematological malignancies and their treatment on host defence factors. Immunological factors are involved in all aspects of the lymphomas and leukaemias. The aetiology of these diseases is related at least in some cases to immunodeficiency, immunostimulation, autoimmunity and a dysregulation of the immune system. The majority of lymphomas and leukaemias are monoclonal proliferations of the B-lymphocyte series at different stages of maturation while some are derived from T lymphocytes and others have no recognisable B or T-cell markers. Each of the lymphoid malignancies has a characteristic and unique pattern of immunological deficiency, suggesting a unique aetiology. Hodgkin's disease and histiocytic lymphoma, the acute leukaemias and chronic myelogenous leukaemia have predominantly cell-mediated immune deficiencies, while lymphocytic lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma, and the plasma cell dyscrasias have predominantly humoral immune deficiencies. There is a relationship between immunocompetence and prognosis and between immunocompetence and extent of disease in the lymphomas and leukaemias. Immunocompetent patients have a better prognosis and more limited disease than immunoincompetent patients. Therapy for these diseases profoundly suppresses host defence mechanisms, particularly those which are cell-mediated. Ability to resist or recover from this immunosuppression is also associated with an improved prognosis. Lymphoma and leukaemia also induce a tumour-specific immune response in the tumour-bearing host and this also correlates with prognosis. These factors form a rational basis for immunotherapy and indeed lymphomas and leukaemias respond to active nonspecific immunotherapy with BCG and active specific immunotherapy with tumor cells resulting in prolongation of remission duration and survival.", "PMID": 780032} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5576", "title": "Biological and clinical significance of the gut as a barrier to penetration of macromolecules. Practical implications with respect to breast feeding.", "content": "This review stresses the importance of the gut as an immunologic organ, and describes those factors in the gut which impede penetration of potentially harmful macromolecules, particularly the secretory IgA system. Because of the immaturity of this gut function in the young infant, breast feeding should be encouraged for the first six to nine months of life whenever possible.", "contents": "Biological and clinical significance of the gut as a barrier to penetration of macromolecules. Practical implications with respect to breast feeding. This review stresses the importance of the gut as an immunologic organ, and describes those factors in the gut which impede penetration of potentially harmful macromolecules, particularly the secretory IgA system. Because of the immaturity of this gut function in the young infant, breast feeding should be encouraged for the first six to nine months of life whenever possible.", "PMID": 780035} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5577", "title": "Immediate information expected by the neonatologist from the placenta.", "content": "As the obstetrician attends to the mother and the pediatrician to the child, the placenta often tends to be ignored. Nevertheless, essential anamnestic information about the condition of a newborn infant, and especially of a premature, can be gained from careful scrutiny of the placenta and fetal membranes. This paper emphasizes the importance of gross examination of the placenta and membranes as a source of immediate information to the pediatrician within the delivery room.", "contents": "Immediate information expected by the neonatologist from the placenta. As the obstetrician attends to the mother and the pediatrician to the child, the placenta often tends to be ignored. Nevertheless, essential anamnestic information about the condition of a newborn infant, and especially of a premature, can be gained from careful scrutiny of the placenta and fetal membranes. This paper emphasizes the importance of gross examination of the placenta and membranes as a source of immediate information to the pediatrician within the delivery room.", "PMID": 780036} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5578", "title": "Antihypertensive effects of oxprenolol and propranolol.", "content": "The antihypertensive effects of the beta blockers oxprenolol and propranolol were compared in a randomized double-blind study of patients with standing diastolic pressures (SDP) exceeding 99 mm Hg when receiving hydrochlorothiazide alone. After 3 wk of hydrochlorthiazide with placebo, the latter was replaced with oxprenolol (n= 12) or propranolol (n = 14), 20 mg three times daily. Beta blocker was increased subsequently to 40 and 80 mg three times daily if SDP exceeded 89 mm Hg. Nine oxprenolol and 7 propranolol subjects were hospitalized for 24-hr monitoring. With oxprenolol, standing pressure declined from 135 +/- 2 (SE)/104 +/- 1 MM Hg to 128 +/- 3/90 +/- 2. SDP declined to under 91 mm Hg in 7 of 12 subjects, and to from 91 to 95 in 3 subjects. With propranolol, findings were 138 +/- 3/106 +/- 2 to 123 +/- 3/89 +/- 3; in 7 of 12 to less than 91 mm Hg and from 91 to 95 in 4 subjects. Decrements in supine and SDP were slightly (4 mm Hg) greater for propranolol than for oxprenolol. Both drugs gave similar 24-hr blood pressure control. We conclude that oxprenolol and propranolol used to supplement hydrochlorothiazide provide comparable reductions in blood pressure and smooth control over a 24-hr period in most patients with hypertension.", "contents": "Antihypertensive effects of oxprenolol and propranolol. The antihypertensive effects of the beta blockers oxprenolol and propranolol were compared in a randomized double-blind study of patients with standing diastolic pressures (SDP) exceeding 99 mm Hg when receiving hydrochlorothiazide alone. After 3 wk of hydrochlorthiazide with placebo, the latter was replaced with oxprenolol (n= 12) or propranolol (n = 14), 20 mg three times daily. Beta blocker was increased subsequently to 40 and 80 mg three times daily if SDP exceeded 89 mm Hg. Nine oxprenolol and 7 propranolol subjects were hospitalized for 24-hr monitoring. With oxprenolol, standing pressure declined from 135 +/- 2 (SE)/104 +/- 1 MM Hg to 128 +/- 3/90 +/- 2. SDP declined to under 91 mm Hg in 7 of 12 subjects, and to from 91 to 95 in 3 subjects. With propranolol, findings were 138 +/- 3/106 +/- 2 to 123 +/- 3/89 +/- 3; in 7 of 12 to less than 91 mm Hg and from 91 to 95 in 4 subjects. Decrements in supine and SDP were slightly (4 mm Hg) greater for propranolol than for oxprenolol. Both drugs gave similar 24-hr blood pressure control. We conclude that oxprenolol and propranolol used to supplement hydrochlorothiazide provide comparable reductions in blood pressure and smooth control over a 24-hr period in most patients with hypertension.", "PMID": 780037} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5579", "title": "Spironolactone and potassium canrenoate in normal man.", "content": "The pharmacological activity of single doses of the two aldosterone antagonists, potassium canrenoate and spironolactone, was examined in two studies in healthy volunteers. Both drugs were active in reversing urinary electrolyte changes induced by fludrocortisone in periods 2 to 16 hr after treatment. Potassium canrenoate was significantly less potent that spironolactone on a weight or molar basis, with best estimates of the relative potency potassium canrenoate: spironolactone of approximately 0.3:1. On a weight basis the two drugs yielded plasma levels of the metabolite canrenone which were approximately equivalent. The results indicate that canrenone is not the principal pharmacologically active metabolite of spironolactone. Our study suggests that a major part of the renal antimineralocorticoid activity of spironolactone may be attributable to minor sulfur-containing metabolites or their precursors having a high renal clearance that affords access to their site of activity via the renal tubular fluid.", "contents": "Spironolactone and potassium canrenoate in normal man. The pharmacological activity of single doses of the two aldosterone antagonists, potassium canrenoate and spironolactone, was examined in two studies in healthy volunteers. Both drugs were active in reversing urinary electrolyte changes induced by fludrocortisone in periods 2 to 16 hr after treatment. Potassium canrenoate was significantly less potent that spironolactone on a weight or molar basis, with best estimates of the relative potency potassium canrenoate: spironolactone of approximately 0.3:1. On a weight basis the two drugs yielded plasma levels of the metabolite canrenone which were approximately equivalent. The results indicate that canrenone is not the principal pharmacologically active metabolite of spironolactone. Our study suggests that a major part of the renal antimineralocorticoid activity of spironolactone may be attributable to minor sulfur-containing metabolites or their precursors having a high renal clearance that affords access to their site of activity via the renal tubular fluid.", "PMID": 780038} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5580", "title": "Metaproterenol in children with chronic asthma.", "content": "Metaproterenol sulfate was given to 25 children with asthma in the form of a syrup in a continuous treatment course of 180 days. Dosage amounted to 10 to 20 mg metaproterenol four times daily, depending on the patient's age and weight. Double-blind crossover tests of pulmonary function were run against placebo at the beginning and after 3 and 6 mo of treatment. The peak expiratory flow rate responses to metaproterenol consistently exceeded the responses to placebo, the differences proving statistically significant at several intervals after administration. Adverse reactions were limited to instances of hyperactivity in one child and of mild tremors in another; laboratory values remained normal throughout the 6-mo period except for low normal fasting blood sugar values recorded in 2 patients at the end of the study. Pulse rate increases occurring after metaproterenol were not considered clinically important.", "contents": "Metaproterenol in children with chronic asthma. Metaproterenol sulfate was given to 25 children with asthma in the form of a syrup in a continuous treatment course of 180 days. Dosage amounted to 10 to 20 mg metaproterenol four times daily, depending on the patient's age and weight. Double-blind crossover tests of pulmonary function were run against placebo at the beginning and after 3 and 6 mo of treatment. The peak expiratory flow rate responses to metaproterenol consistently exceeded the responses to placebo, the differences proving statistically significant at several intervals after administration. Adverse reactions were limited to instances of hyperactivity in one child and of mild tremors in another; laboratory values remained normal throughout the 6-mo period except for low normal fasting blood sugar values recorded in 2 patients at the end of the study. Pulse rate increases occurring after metaproterenol were not considered clinically important.", "PMID": 780039} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5581", "title": "Metabolism of ethosuximide.", "content": "Twenty subjects, in a double-blind, controlled, rising dose study, were given ethosuximide either once daily or 3 times daily. Steady-state plasma levels and urinary throughput were proportional to dose and were equivalent whether the daily dose was given as a single or divided dose. This finding adds validity to consideration of the single daily dose regimen as a therapeutic possiblity. The metabolic principles should be considered both in patient management and in the treatment of overdosage.", "contents": "Metabolism of ethosuximide. Twenty subjects, in a double-blind, controlled, rising dose study, were given ethosuximide either once daily or 3 times daily. Steady-state plasma levels and urinary throughput were proportional to dose and were equivalent whether the daily dose was given as a single or divided dose. This finding adds validity to consideration of the single daily dose regimen as a therapeutic possiblity. The metabolic principles should be considered both in patient management and in the treatment of overdosage.", "PMID": 780040} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5582", "title": "A model to evaluate mild analgesics in oral surgery outpatients.", "content": "A model was developed to evaluate mild analgesics in an oral surgery outpatient clinic population. On a report form, patients recorded starting pain and then pain intensities, relief responses, and side effects hourly for 3 hr after drug administration. The treatments were randomly allocated to patients on a single-dose-only basis, and the double-blind technique was used. The first of two studies compared codeine 30 mg, aspirin 650 mg, codeine 30 mg with aspirin 650 mg, and placebo in 128 subjects. The second study compared codeine 60 mg, acetaminophen 600 mg, and codeine 60 mg with acetaminophen 600 mg and placebo in 160 subjects. Time-effect curves were generated for both pain relief and pain relief and pain intensity difference (PID). First-hour scores, peak scores, and total scores were statistically analyzed by parametric and nonparametric factorial analysis. Both aspirin 650 mg and acetaminophen 600 mg proved superior to placebo (p less than 0.01) for all measures of effect with both parametric or nonparametric analyses, while codeine 30 mg was not significantly superior to placebo in any analysis. Codeine 60 mg proved significantly superior to placebo for certain measures of effect when analyzed with the nonparametric model. There was no significant interaction between either aspirin or acetaminophen and codeine.", "contents": "A model to evaluate mild analgesics in oral surgery outpatients. A model was developed to evaluate mild analgesics in an oral surgery outpatient clinic population. On a report form, patients recorded starting pain and then pain intensities, relief responses, and side effects hourly for 3 hr after drug administration. The treatments were randomly allocated to patients on a single-dose-only basis, and the double-blind technique was used. The first of two studies compared codeine 30 mg, aspirin 650 mg, codeine 30 mg with aspirin 650 mg, and placebo in 128 subjects. The second study compared codeine 60 mg, acetaminophen 600 mg, and codeine 60 mg with acetaminophen 600 mg and placebo in 160 subjects. Time-effect curves were generated for both pain relief and pain relief and pain intensity difference (PID). First-hour scores, peak scores, and total scores were statistically analyzed by parametric and nonparametric factorial analysis. Both aspirin 650 mg and acetaminophen 600 mg proved superior to placebo (p less than 0.01) for all measures of effect with both parametric or nonparametric analyses, while codeine 30 mg was not significantly superior to placebo in any analysis. Codeine 60 mg proved significantly superior to placebo for certain measures of effect when analyzed with the nonparametric model. There was no significant interaction between either aspirin or acetaminophen and codeine.", "PMID": 780041} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5583", "title": "Octopamine neurons in lobsters: location, morphology, release of octopamine and possible physiological role.", "content": "Octopamine cells are found along second thoracic roots, where they serve as neurosecretory neurons capable of releasing octopamine at two distinct points: one into the hemolymph immediately before it enters the gills; one into the hemolymph immediately after it leaves the gills. The octopamine cells receive a cholinergic synaptic input. We presume that this input is from processes of peripheral sensory cells bringing information to the CNS. Octopamine can increase the strength of contraction of exoskeletal muscles and, at higher concentrations, can induce contractures in these muscles. These effects can be interpreted as a resetting of the level of ionized calcium within muscle fibers (the contracture) to a higher value or a possible enhanced entry of calcium ions during nerve stimulation (increased strength of contraction). The observed effects are of a prolonged duration, outlasting the time of application of octopamine by some 20-40 minutes. We do not know if this effect on muscle tension production is the normal physiological role of octopamine. Other possible roles will be explored in the future. The pathway involving the octopamine neurons in lobsters may provide a model neurohumoral system that can be studied and understood in detail from the level of sensory input to the level of behavioral output.", "contents": "Octopamine neurons in lobsters: location, morphology, release of octopamine and possible physiological role. Octopamine cells are found along second thoracic roots, where they serve as neurosecretory neurons capable of releasing octopamine at two distinct points: one into the hemolymph immediately before it enters the gills; one into the hemolymph immediately after it leaves the gills. The octopamine cells receive a cholinergic synaptic input. We presume that this input is from processes of peripheral sensory cells bringing information to the CNS. Octopamine can increase the strength of contraction of exoskeletal muscles and, at higher concentrations, can induce contractures in these muscles. These effects can be interpreted as a resetting of the level of ionized calcium within muscle fibers (the contracture) to a higher value or a possible enhanced entry of calcium ions during nerve stimulation (increased strength of contraction). The observed effects are of a prolonged duration, outlasting the time of application of octopamine by some 20-40 minutes. We do not know if this effect on muscle tension production is the normal physiological role of octopamine. Other possible roles will be explored in the future. The pathway involving the octopamine neurons in lobsters may provide a model neurohumoral system that can be studied and understood in detail from the level of sensory input to the level of behavioral output.", "PMID": 780044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5584", "title": "Transference: historico-philosophical note.", "content": "Transference as a term in philosophy has been used by Kant and Fichte from the end of the 18th century. By the end of the next one it became widely used. Freud's first \"definition\" of the term transference (1895) is, as far as daily use of it is concerned, the most precise one and in closet symphony with the early ones in philosophy. The later formulations of his, are dim and vague. But even in this respect they follow the path this metaphore has already passed in the works of Dilthey: from a specific descriptive notion to an all-encircling concept. These uncertainties of meaning, depleated its practical value. Further studies might be of, both, theoretical and practical importance, only if discipline will be applied in defining and testing its definitions. To proceeed further in scholastic disputations is senseless.", "contents": "Transference: historico-philosophical note. Transference as a term in philosophy has been used by Kant and Fichte from the end of the 18th century. By the end of the next one it became widely used. Freud's first \"definition\" of the term transference (1895) is, as far as daily use of it is concerned, the most precise one and in closet symphony with the early ones in philosophy. The later formulations of his, are dim and vague. But even in this respect they follow the path this metaphore has already passed in the works of Dilthey: from a specific descriptive notion to an all-encircling concept. These uncertainties of meaning, depleated its practical value. Further studies might be of, both, theoretical and practical importance, only if discipline will be applied in defining and testing its definitions. To proceeed further in scholastic disputations is senseless.", "PMID": 780049} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5585", "title": "Reduced inspiratory effort during intermittent mandatory ventilation with PEEP.", "content": "The use of intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) and positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP) may demand the patient mount an inspiratory pressure equivalent to the pressure level of the PEEP for spontaneous breathing. During respiratory failure, ineffective inspiratory muscles may be unable to consistently meet such demands, especially if high levels of PEEP are used. A technique which reduces the required inspiratory effort was devised for use in patients being treated with IMV and PEEP. Using this technique, isovolume inspiratory time was dramatically reduced and less inspiratory effort was required. This maneuver may assist spontaneous breathing in patients with respiratory failure on high levels of PEEP.", "contents": "Reduced inspiratory effort during intermittent mandatory ventilation with PEEP. The use of intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) and positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP) may demand the patient mount an inspiratory pressure equivalent to the pressure level of the PEEP for spontaneous breathing. During respiratory failure, ineffective inspiratory muscles may be unable to consistently meet such demands, especially if high levels of PEEP are used. A technique which reduces the required inspiratory effort was devised for use in patients being treated with IMV and PEEP. Using this technique, isovolume inspiratory time was dramatically reduced and less inspiratory effort was required. This maneuver may assist spontaneous breathing in patients with respiratory failure on high levels of PEEP.", "PMID": 780053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5586", "title": "Indoramin in the treatment of hypertension: a placebo controlled trial.", "content": "The effect of the alpha-blocker indoramin was studied in a 4-week double-blind comparative trial with placebo in 39 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Dosage of indoramin was individually adjusted and ranged from 125 mg to 200 mg daily. Indoramin produced a significantly greater reduction in diastolic blood pressure than placebo, and 9 (56%) out of 16 patients attained diastolic pressures of 90 mmHg or less. Heart rate, haematology and blood biochemistry were unaffected by treatment with indoramin, and there were no E.C.G. changes. Nine out of 19 patients on indoramin complained of side-effects. These were generally not troublesome, although 3 patients withdrew because of severe tiredness or weight gain.", "contents": "Indoramin in the treatment of hypertension: a placebo controlled trial. The effect of the alpha-blocker indoramin was studied in a 4-week double-blind comparative trial with placebo in 39 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Dosage of indoramin was individually adjusted and ranged from 125 mg to 200 mg daily. Indoramin produced a significantly greater reduction in diastolic blood pressure than placebo, and 9 (56%) out of 16 patients attained diastolic pressures of 90 mmHg or less. Heart rate, haematology and blood biochemistry were unaffected by treatment with indoramin, and there were no E.C.G. changes. Nine out of 19 patients on indoramin complained of side-effects. These were generally not troublesome, although 3 patients withdrew because of severe tiredness or weight gain.", "PMID": 780059} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5587", "title": "The effect of PEEP on oxygenating capacity in acute respiratory failure with sepsis.", "content": "We report an evaluation of the effect of postive-end-expiratory-pressure (PEEP) on improving pulmonary oxygenating capacity in the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), when the latter is associated with generalized gram-negative sepsis. Fifty-seven cases treated in our RICU with PEEP ventilation (April 1972 to January 1975) were retrospectively reviewed. Oxygenating capacity improvement was evaluated in terms of the changes in PaO2/FIO2 and AaDO2 (FIO2 = 1.0). Both the short term (2-3 hours from the initiation of PEEP) and the overall effects of PEEP were evaluated. A mean PEEP of 5.6 cm H2O initially increased PaO2/FIO2 by a mean of 94 torr and decreased AaDO2 (FIO2 = 1.0) by 105 torr in the 28 nonseptic patients. In the 29 septic patients, 5.1 cm H2O PEEP initially increased PaO2/FIO2 by 32 torr and decreased AsDO2 (FIO2 = 1.0) by 38 torr. The differences between the septic and nonseptic patients were statistically significant (P less than 0.001). Likewise, the long-term effect of similar levels of PEEP was in increasing PaO2/FIO2 by 142 torr and by 75 torr in the nonseptic and septic patients, respectively. The final reduction in AaDO2 (FIO2 = 1.0) was 163 torr and 87 torr in the nonseptic and septic patients, respectively. These differences between patient groups were also statistically significant (P less than 0.02). Mortality during PEEP was 15/29 and 3/28 in the septic and nonseptic patients, respectively. Overall mortality in the septic and nonseptic groups was 18/29 and 5/28, respectively. We conclude that ARDS with sepsis constitutes a more severe pulmonary insult than ARDS without sepsis, and/or that generalized sepsis creates a more prolonged pulmonary insult that makes it less amenable to PEEP. Thus, high levels of PEEP may be needed to treat ARDS associated with sepsis.", "contents": "The effect of PEEP on oxygenating capacity in acute respiratory failure with sepsis. We report an evaluation of the effect of postive-end-expiratory-pressure (PEEP) on improving pulmonary oxygenating capacity in the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), when the latter is associated with generalized gram-negative sepsis. Fifty-seven cases treated in our RICU with PEEP ventilation (April 1972 to January 1975) were retrospectively reviewed. Oxygenating capacity improvement was evaluated in terms of the changes in PaO2/FIO2 and AaDO2 (FIO2 = 1.0). Both the short term (2-3 hours from the initiation of PEEP) and the overall effects of PEEP were evaluated. A mean PEEP of 5.6 cm H2O initially increased PaO2/FIO2 by a mean of 94 torr and decreased AaDO2 (FIO2 = 1.0) by 105 torr in the 28 nonseptic patients. In the 29 septic patients, 5.1 cm H2O PEEP initially increased PaO2/FIO2 by 32 torr and decreased AsDO2 (FIO2 = 1.0) by 38 torr. The differences between the septic and nonseptic patients were statistically significant (P less than 0.001). Likewise, the long-term effect of similar levels of PEEP was in increasing PaO2/FIO2 by 142 torr and by 75 torr in the nonseptic and septic patients, respectively. The final reduction in AaDO2 (FIO2 = 1.0) was 163 torr and 87 torr in the nonseptic and septic patients, respectively. These differences between patient groups were also statistically significant (P less than 0.02). Mortality during PEEP was 15/29 and 3/28 in the septic and nonseptic patients, respectively. Overall mortality in the septic and nonseptic groups was 18/29 and 5/28, respectively. We conclude that ARDS with sepsis constitutes a more severe pulmonary insult than ARDS without sepsis, and/or that generalized sepsis creates a more prolonged pulmonary insult that makes it less amenable to PEEP. Thus, high levels of PEEP may be needed to treat ARDS associated with sepsis.", "PMID": 780054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5588", "title": "The selection of healthy volunteers for clinical investigation: the case for volunteer pools.", "content": "Discussions on the healthy volunteer in clinical investigation do not attempt to define normality. In 34 healthy volunteers, 1653 biochemical and haematological tests were performed. The incidence of abnormal results was 11%. Only 4 subjects had all tests within normal limits and when these repeated only 1 subject still had all results within normal limits. The authors recommend that a stable volunteer pool, with regular physical examinations and blood tests, would provide a large, serial data base for use in subject selection for clinical trials. Attention should be given to human error. Protocols should be realistic, while ensuring the safety of volunteers.", "contents": "The selection of healthy volunteers for clinical investigation: the case for volunteer pools. Discussions on the healthy volunteer in clinical investigation do not attempt to define normality. In 34 healthy volunteers, 1653 biochemical and haematological tests were performed. The incidence of abnormal results was 11%. Only 4 subjects had all tests within normal limits and when these repeated only 1 subject still had all results within normal limits. The authors recommend that a stable volunteer pool, with regular physical examinations and blood tests, would provide a large, serial data base for use in subject selection for clinical trials. Attention should be given to human error. Protocols should be realistic, while ensuring the safety of volunteers.", "PMID": 780060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5589", "title": "A comparative crossover study of two long-acting bronchodilator preparations.", "content": "A comparative crossover investigation was carried out in 18 patients with reversible airways obstruction to assess the bronchodilator effectiveness of aminophylline and salbutamol in long-acting tablet form. Patients received treatment for 4 weeks with either salbutamol 8 mg tablets in a dose of 2 tablets b.d. or aminophylline 225 mg tablets in a dose of 1 tablet b.d. increasing to 2 tablets b.d. after 1 week. They were then crossed over to the alternative preparation for a further 4 weeks. Peak expiratory flow rates (PEF) were measured at weekly intervals. Results showed that the aminophylline tablets produced a highly significant (p less than 0.002) improvement in PEF values compared with salbutamol tablets when both treatment periods were considered, and patients considered they obtained longer lasting relief with the aminophylline preparation.", "contents": "A comparative crossover study of two long-acting bronchodilator preparations. A comparative crossover investigation was carried out in 18 patients with reversible airways obstruction to assess the bronchodilator effectiveness of aminophylline and salbutamol in long-acting tablet form. Patients received treatment for 4 weeks with either salbutamol 8 mg tablets in a dose of 2 tablets b.d. or aminophylline 225 mg tablets in a dose of 1 tablet b.d. increasing to 2 tablets b.d. after 1 week. They were then crossed over to the alternative preparation for a further 4 weeks. Peak expiratory flow rates (PEF) were measured at weekly intervals. Results showed that the aminophylline tablets produced a highly significant (p less than 0.002) improvement in PEF values compared with salbutamol tablets when both treatment periods were considered, and patients considered they obtained longer lasting relief with the aminophylline preparation.", "PMID": 780061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5590", "title": "A randomised controlled trial of an oral solution of prostaglandin E2 and oral oxytocin used immediately after low amniotomy for induction of labour in the presence of a favourable cervix.", "content": "A randomised controlled trial was carried out in 50 primigravidae and 50 multigravidae to compare the effectiveness in induction of labour after low amniotomy of prostaglandin E2, given as an oral solution, and oxytocin, given as buccal tablets. The results showed that in dosages recommended by the manufacturers, both oxytocic preparations were almost equally effective. With oral oxytocin, once labour had been established and dosage was left to the discretion of the staff, there appeared to be a potentially dangerous tendency to continue giving large doses despite adequate uterine contractions. The authors comment that this was probably the reason why oxytocin-treated multigravidae having normal deliveries within 24 hours had labours significantly shorter on average than those of other successfully induced patients.", "contents": "A randomised controlled trial of an oral solution of prostaglandin E2 and oral oxytocin used immediately after low amniotomy for induction of labour in the presence of a favourable cervix. A randomised controlled trial was carried out in 50 primigravidae and 50 multigravidae to compare the effectiveness in induction of labour after low amniotomy of prostaglandin E2, given as an oral solution, and oxytocin, given as buccal tablets. The results showed that in dosages recommended by the manufacturers, both oxytocic preparations were almost equally effective. With oral oxytocin, once labour had been established and dosage was left to the discretion of the staff, there appeared to be a potentially dangerous tendency to continue giving large doses despite adequate uterine contractions. The authors comment that this was probably the reason why oxytocin-treated multigravidae having normal deliveries within 24 hours had labours significantly shorter on average than those of other successfully induced patients.", "PMID": 780062} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5591", "title": "Oxprenolol in the treatment of examination stress.", "content": "In a double-blind preliminary study in 32 students exhibiting symptoms of examination stress, treatment with 80 mg oxprenolol daily or 4 mg diazepam daily were found to be equally effective in relieving anxiety and tension, as assessed by both students and physician. Although students on diazepam became significantly more confident of success than those on oxprenolol, their results were worse than expected. In contrast, students on oxprenolol did not gain in confidence and they were significantly more successful than anticipated by their tutors.", "contents": "Oxprenolol in the treatment of examination stress. In a double-blind preliminary study in 32 students exhibiting symptoms of examination stress, treatment with 80 mg oxprenolol daily or 4 mg diazepam daily were found to be equally effective in relieving anxiety and tension, as assessed by both students and physician. Although students on diazepam became significantly more confident of success than those on oxprenolol, their results were worse than expected. In contrast, students on oxprenolol did not gain in confidence and they were significantly more successful than anticipated by their tutors.", "PMID": 780063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5592", "title": "Clinical course of 91 consecutive near-drowning victims.", "content": "Hospital records of 91 consecutive near-drowning victims were studied retrospectively. Eight-one (89 percent) of these patients survived. Patients who were alert on arrival at the emergency room survived, but those who were comatose and had fixed dilated pupils died. Other states of consciousness were unreliable predictors of survival. All patients with a normal chest roentgenogram on admission survived; however, values for arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) did not necessarily correlate with the chest roentgenograms. Values for arterial blood gas tensions and pH varied widely, as follows; PaO2, 25 to 465 mm Hg; arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2), 17 to 100 mm Hg; pH, 6.77 to 7.50; and arterial bicarbonate level, 6.6 to 29.7 mEq/L. The ratio of PaO2 to the fractional concentration of oxygen in the inspired gas (FIo2), which was calculated to standardize PaO2 data for varying concentrations of inspired oxygen, ranged from 30 to 585 mm Hg. Only one patient with a ratio of PaO2/FIo2 greater than 150 mm Hg on admission subsequently died; this was a neurologic rather than a pulmonary death. Serum electrolytic concentrations and values for hemoglobin level and hematocrit reading neither predicted survival nor indicated that a threat to life existed. Steroid and prophylactic antibiotic therapy did not appear to increase the chance of survival. Observations on these patients are discussed in light of previous experiments in animals, and an approach to therapy is suggested.", "contents": "Clinical course of 91 consecutive near-drowning victims. Hospital records of 91 consecutive near-drowning victims were studied retrospectively. Eight-one (89 percent) of these patients survived. Patients who were alert on arrival at the emergency room survived, but those who were comatose and had fixed dilated pupils died. Other states of consciousness were unreliable predictors of survival. All patients with a normal chest roentgenogram on admission survived; however, values for arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) did not necessarily correlate with the chest roentgenograms. Values for arterial blood gas tensions and pH varied widely, as follows; PaO2, 25 to 465 mm Hg; arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2), 17 to 100 mm Hg; pH, 6.77 to 7.50; and arterial bicarbonate level, 6.6 to 29.7 mEq/L. The ratio of PaO2 to the fractional concentration of oxygen in the inspired gas (FIo2), which was calculated to standardize PaO2 data for varying concentrations of inspired oxygen, ranged from 30 to 585 mm Hg. Only one patient with a ratio of PaO2/FIo2 greater than 150 mm Hg on admission subsequently died; this was a neurologic rather than a pulmonary death. Serum electrolytic concentrations and values for hemoglobin level and hematocrit reading neither predicted survival nor indicated that a threat to life existed. Steroid and prophylactic antibiotic therapy did not appear to increase the chance of survival. Observations on these patients are discussed in light of previous experiments in animals, and an approach to therapy is suggested.", "PMID": 780069} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5593", "title": "Closure of a ventricular septal defect through the aortic valve: a note of caution regarding resultant narrowing of the aortic valve annulus.", "content": "Closure of ventricular septal defects through the aortic valve annulus has been described for a variety of cardiac anomalies. This technique is most appropriate when simultaneous aortic valve replacement is anticipated. A continuous suture through the patch material may produce a purse-string effect upon the aortic valve annulus. The appropriate size of the aortic valve prosthesis should be determined after the closure of the ventricular septal defect is completed to avoid selecting one which may be too large.", "contents": "Closure of a ventricular septal defect through the aortic valve: a note of caution regarding resultant narrowing of the aortic valve annulus. Closure of ventricular septal defects through the aortic valve annulus has been described for a variety of cardiac anomalies. This technique is most appropriate when simultaneous aortic valve replacement is anticipated. A continuous suture through the patch material may produce a purse-string effect upon the aortic valve annulus. The appropriate size of the aortic valve prosthesis should be determined after the closure of the ventricular septal defect is completed to avoid selecting one which may be too large.", "PMID": 780070} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5594", "title": "Relationships between in vitro susceptibility and efficacy in experimental mouse infection-protection assay of cefazolin and cephalothin using Escherichia coli strains.", "content": "The disc sensitivity and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of cefazolin and cephalothin were compared against a series of Escherichia coli isolates. These data were correlated with the mouse protective doses of the 2 cephalosporins in animals infected with E. coli strains selected according to their various degrees of in vitro sensitivity to the 2 cephalosporins. The overwhelming majority of E. coli strains showed a significantly higher degree of susceptibility and lower MIC values for cefazolin than for cephalothin. There has been found a good correlation between the inhibition zones and especially the MIC values and the ED50 results for both cephalosporins. Using E. coli clinical isolates, cefazolin was found to be superior to cephalothin not only in vitro experiments but also more potent in protecting the experimentally infected mice.", "contents": "Relationships between in vitro susceptibility and efficacy in experimental mouse infection-protection assay of cefazolin and cephalothin using Escherichia coli strains. The disc sensitivity and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of cefazolin and cephalothin were compared against a series of Escherichia coli isolates. These data were correlated with the mouse protective doses of the 2 cephalosporins in animals infected with E. coli strains selected according to their various degrees of in vitro sensitivity to the 2 cephalosporins. The overwhelming majority of E. coli strains showed a significantly higher degree of susceptibility and lower MIC values for cefazolin than for cephalothin. There has been found a good correlation between the inhibition zones and especially the MIC values and the ED50 results for both cephalosporins. Using E. coli clinical isolates, cefazolin was found to be superior to cephalothin not only in vitro experiments but also more potent in protecting the experimentally infected mice.", "PMID": 780071} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5595", "title": "Rapid diagnosis of sporotrichosis by immunofluorescent method.", "content": "Histopathological examinations fungal cultures and direct immunofluorescent staining of the pus and skin biopsy microsections with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled specific antiserum were performed for 13 patients suspected to be infected with Sporotrichum schenckii. While histopathological examinations could not give useful information, the latter two gave more reliable results which could support the clinical diagnosis. The direct immunofluorescent staining test could be used as a method for rapid diagnosis of sporotrichosis.", "contents": "Rapid diagnosis of sporotrichosis by immunofluorescent method. Histopathological examinations fungal cultures and direct immunofluorescent staining of the pus and skin biopsy microsections with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled specific antiserum were performed for 13 patients suspected to be infected with Sporotrichum schenckii. While histopathological examinations could not give useful information, the latter two gave more reliable results which could support the clinical diagnosis. The direct immunofluorescent staining test could be used as a method for rapid diagnosis of sporotrichosis.", "PMID": 780072} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5596", "title": "New concepts in the formation, regulation of release, and metabolism of parathyroid hormone.", "content": "New information has elucidated many of the biochemical pathways in the formation, release and metabolism of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The hormone is biosynthesized in the parathyroid cells from two distinct precursors, or prohormones, that are modified by specific enzymic cleavages during the synthesis and intracellular transport of the hormonal polypeptide. Release of the hormone from the gland inversely depends on the extracellular calcium concentration, but is regulated over a much narrower range of calcium concentration than was realized previously. This new information points to a pattern of regulation that is more appropriate for homeostasis than was the pattern indicated by earlier studies. The persistence of a basal level of PTH secretion, despite sustained hypercalcaemia, suggests a possible mechanism for the abnormal secretion seen in states of hyperparathyroidism. The discovery of a calium-dependent degradative pathway for PTH in the parathyroid cell indicates that changes in the turnover of PTH may be one means by which calcium regulates the amount of hormone available for secretion. Of the multiple immunoreactive forms of PTH present in the circulation of man and animals, the predominant form in blood appears to be a large biologically-inactive fragment consisting of the middle and carboxy two-thirds of the hormone sequence. At times, smaller biologically-active fragments of PTH may also appear in blood. Most circulating fragments of PTH probably arise from peripheral cleavage of the intact, secreted hormone in kidney and liver, but some forms of the hormone, including prohormones, may also be secreted from the parathyroid gland. The heterogeneity of circulating PTH and the concomitant uncertainties regarding its precise character have introduced difficulties in the interpretation of immunoassay measurements. A further delineation of the pathways and regulation of PTH biosynthesis, secretion and metabolism should lead to the development of more-specific immuno-assays and result in improved diagnosis and management of patients with disorders of the parathyroid glands.", "contents": "New concepts in the formation, regulation of release, and metabolism of parathyroid hormone. New information has elucidated many of the biochemical pathways in the formation, release and metabolism of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The hormone is biosynthesized in the parathyroid cells from two distinct precursors, or prohormones, that are modified by specific enzymic cleavages during the synthesis and intracellular transport of the hormonal polypeptide. Release of the hormone from the gland inversely depends on the extracellular calcium concentration, but is regulated over a much narrower range of calcium concentration than was realized previously. This new information points to a pattern of regulation that is more appropriate for homeostasis than was the pattern indicated by earlier studies. The persistence of a basal level of PTH secretion, despite sustained hypercalcaemia, suggests a possible mechanism for the abnormal secretion seen in states of hyperparathyroidism. The discovery of a calium-dependent degradative pathway for PTH in the parathyroid cell indicates that changes in the turnover of PTH may be one means by which calcium regulates the amount of hormone available for secretion. Of the multiple immunoreactive forms of PTH present in the circulation of man and animals, the predominant form in blood appears to be a large biologically-inactive fragment consisting of the middle and carboxy two-thirds of the hormone sequence. At times, smaller biologically-active fragments of PTH may also appear in blood. Most circulating fragments of PTH probably arise from peripheral cleavage of the intact, secreted hormone in kidney and liver, but some forms of the hormone, including prohormones, may also be secreted from the parathyroid gland. The heterogeneity of circulating PTH and the concomitant uncertainties regarding its precise character have introduced difficulties in the interpretation of immunoassay measurements. A further delineation of the pathways and regulation of PTH biosynthesis, secretion and metabolism should lead to the development of more-specific immuno-assays and result in improved diagnosis and management of patients with disorders of the parathyroid glands.", "PMID": 780074} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5597", "title": "Structure and structure-function relationships in glycoprotein hormones.", "content": "Relationships between the sequences of thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH), lutropin (luteinizing hormone, LH), human choriogonadotropin (chorionic gonadotropin, hCG) and follitropin (follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH) are now well established. Each beta-subunit contains six disulphide bonds and considerable homology is seen when all four linear sequences are aligned with half-cystine residues in juxtaposition. Major questions about the tertiary structures of the subunits and their interactions to form active hormone remain. Determination of the disulphide bridges in both alpha- and beta-subunits has not yielded to usual methods and conflicting data about the alpha-subunit have been reported. Partial reduction of the beta-subunits of LH and TSH with subsequent labelling of the cysteines formed has shown that a single bond is first reduced. This bond is between positions 93 and 100 in LH-beta and the corresponding positions 88-95 in TSH-beta. Thus, as would be expected from the fact that interhormone hybrids can be made with the common alpha-subunits, the chemical data, though still limited, indicate similar tertiary structures for the different beta-subunits. To investigate whether other useful intermediates can be obtained after partial reduction, we have studied reduction and derivative formation in various conditions. Intact LH is more resistant to reduction than either its alpha- or beta-subunit but no intermediates have been observed which are not present after partial reduction of individual subunits. Preliminary experiments on the reoxidation of fully reduced alpha-subunit show that the reoxidized material will recombine with native beta-subunits to yield biologically active TSH or LH. Studies from this and other laboratories on chemical modifications of several amino acid residues of glycoprotein hormones and their subunits are also summarized.", "contents": "Structure and structure-function relationships in glycoprotein hormones. Relationships between the sequences of thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH), lutropin (luteinizing hormone, LH), human choriogonadotropin (chorionic gonadotropin, hCG) and follitropin (follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH) are now well established. Each beta-subunit contains six disulphide bonds and considerable homology is seen when all four linear sequences are aligned with half-cystine residues in juxtaposition. Major questions about the tertiary structures of the subunits and their interactions to form active hormone remain. Determination of the disulphide bridges in both alpha- and beta-subunits has not yielded to usual methods and conflicting data about the alpha-subunit have been reported. Partial reduction of the beta-subunits of LH and TSH with subsequent labelling of the cysteines formed has shown that a single bond is first reduced. This bond is between positions 93 and 100 in LH-beta and the corresponding positions 88-95 in TSH-beta. Thus, as would be expected from the fact that interhormone hybrids can be made with the common alpha-subunits, the chemical data, though still limited, indicate similar tertiary structures for the different beta-subunits. To investigate whether other useful intermediates can be obtained after partial reduction, we have studied reduction and derivative formation in various conditions. Intact LH is more resistant to reduction than either its alpha- or beta-subunit but no intermediates have been observed which are not present after partial reduction of individual subunits. Preliminary experiments on the reoxidation of fully reduced alpha-subunit show that the reoxidized material will recombine with native beta-subunits to yield biologically active TSH or LH. Studies from this and other laboratories on chemical modifications of several amino acid residues of glycoprotein hormones and their subunits are also summarized.", "PMID": 780075} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5598", "title": "Heterogeneity of the gastrins in blood and tissue.", "content": "The forms of gastrin which have been isolated from antral mucosa or Zollinger-Ellison tumour tissue (or both) and characterized chemically are as follows: little gastrin (G17) (LG); big gastrin (G34) (BG); minigastrin (G13); the NH2-terminal 1-13 fragment of G17. All these exist as pairs of peptides which have an identical amino acid sequence and differ solely in that the single tyrosyl residue present may be sulphated. The proportions of the pairs of each peptide show species variation where isolation has been accomplished (e.g. from hog, dog, cat, cow, sheep and man in the case of LG, and hog and man for BG). All these forms of the hormone have been identified immunologically in serum; LG and BG have been identified in duodenal mucosa. Two larger forms of the hormone have been identified immunologically in serum; component I (CI) and 'big big gastrin' (BBG). Material corresponding in size to BBG and CI has been identified in extracts of antral and jejunal mucosa and Zollinger-Ellison tumour. Neither BBG nor CI has been characterized chemically to date and their physiological significance is uncertain. Recent studies suggest that the heterogeneity of gastrins in serum and tissues may be considerably greater than is indicated by the list of components given above.", "contents": "Heterogeneity of the gastrins in blood and tissue. The forms of gastrin which have been isolated from antral mucosa or Zollinger-Ellison tumour tissue (or both) and characterized chemically are as follows: little gastrin (G17) (LG); big gastrin (G34) (BG); minigastrin (G13); the NH2-terminal 1-13 fragment of G17. All these exist as pairs of peptides which have an identical amino acid sequence and differ solely in that the single tyrosyl residue present may be sulphated. The proportions of the pairs of each peptide show species variation where isolation has been accomplished (e.g. from hog, dog, cat, cow, sheep and man in the case of LG, and hog and man for BG). All these forms of the hormone have been identified immunologically in serum; LG and BG have been identified in duodenal mucosa. Two larger forms of the hormone have been identified immunologically in serum; component I (CI) and 'big big gastrin' (BBG). Material corresponding in size to BBG and CI has been identified in extracts of antral and jejunal mucosa and Zollinger-Ellison tumour. Neither BBG nor CI has been characterized chemically to date and their physiological significance is uncertain. Recent studies suggest that the heterogeneity of gastrins in serum and tissues may be considerably greater than is indicated by the list of components given above.", "PMID": 780076} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5599", "title": "Molecular evolution of the polypeptide hormones.", "content": "Any biological function is at least bimolecular and its evolution therefore is at least dual, with variations in two lines of molecules. The hormone specificity results from a particular fit between the three-dimensional structure of the agent and that of the receptor but, because receptors are not known at the structural level, a discussion on the evolution of the polypeptide hormones is mainly limited to the possible progressive changes of the latter. As for other proteins (enzymes, oxygen carriers etc.) two degrees of complexity can be distinguished according to whether the hormone comprises one or several polypeptide chains. Protein assembly can bring new biological properties, each subunit playing a particular role. In this case, the 'internal' evolution (chain-chain interactions) overlaps the 'external' evolution (hormone-receptor contacts). The 'monomeric' hormones present the following problems: evolution of the prohormone and of the converting enzyme (for insulin), duplication and differentiation of two lines of hormones either by amino acid substitutions (neurohypophysial hormones and neurophysins) or by substitutions and size modifications (corticotropin and lipotropin), duplication and fusion leading to internal homology in the single polypeptide chain (somatotropin, prolactin, placental lactogen). The 'dimeric' hormones lead to several problems: successive duplications giving different subunits, selective associations between subunits, unequal rates of evolution of the subunits, the function of each subunit (lutropin, follitropin, thyrotropin, choriogonadotropin). An attempt is made to integrate the evolution of polypeptide hormones in the frame of the evolution of proteins.", "contents": "Molecular evolution of the polypeptide hormones. Any biological function is at least bimolecular and its evolution therefore is at least dual, with variations in two lines of molecules. The hormone specificity results from a particular fit between the three-dimensional structure of the agent and that of the receptor but, because receptors are not known at the structural level, a discussion on the evolution of the polypeptide hormones is mainly limited to the possible progressive changes of the latter. As for other proteins (enzymes, oxygen carriers etc.) two degrees of complexity can be distinguished according to whether the hormone comprises one or several polypeptide chains. Protein assembly can bring new biological properties, each subunit playing a particular role. In this case, the 'internal' evolution (chain-chain interactions) overlaps the 'external' evolution (hormone-receptor contacts). The 'monomeric' hormones present the following problems: evolution of the prohormone and of the converting enzyme (for insulin), duplication and differentiation of two lines of hormones either by amino acid substitutions (neurohypophysial hormones and neurophysins) or by substitutions and size modifications (corticotropin and lipotropin), duplication and fusion leading to internal homology in the single polypeptide chain (somatotropin, prolactin, placental lactogen). The 'dimeric' hormones lead to several problems: successive duplications giving different subunits, selective associations between subunits, unequal rates of evolution of the subunits, the function of each subunit (lutropin, follitropin, thyrotropin, choriogonadotropin). An attempt is made to integrate the evolution of polypeptide hormones in the frame of the evolution of proteins.", "PMID": 780077} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5600", "title": "Biosynthesis of insulin and glucagon: a view of the current state of the art.", "content": "It is now well established that insulin biosynthesis proceeds through a precursor molecule, proinsulin. This single polypeptide chain form has been identified as a ribosomal product in the microsomal fraction from islet tissues. The newly synthesized peptide chain, after folding and thiol oxidation, is transferred to the Golgi apparatus where it begins to undergo proteolytic processing to insulin and packaging into secretory granules. The secretion from the cells of significant amounts of newly synthesized material by exocytosis begins only one hour or more after biosynthesis and this process is regulated by several factors, including glucose. Foci of current attention discussed in this paper include (1) the possible existence of larger precursor forms than proinsulin, especially short-lived biosynthetic transients with extended NH2-termini analogous to the recently described immunoglobulin L chain and proparathyroid hormone precursors; (2) the large-scale production of insulin by chemical or genetic engineering approaches; (3) isolation of beta-cell plasma membranes; (4) regulatory mechanisms for the biosynthesis and secretion of insulin, the possible role of mRNA modification in this process, and effects of somatostatin on insulin biosynthesis and secretion; (5) studies on the secretion, metabolism and clinical usefulness of the proinsulin C-peptide; (6) finally, the biosynthesis of glucagon and other peptide hormones and the general significance of precursor forms.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of insulin and glucagon: a view of the current state of the art. It is now well established that insulin biosynthesis proceeds through a precursor molecule, proinsulin. This single polypeptide chain form has been identified as a ribosomal product in the microsomal fraction from islet tissues. The newly synthesized peptide chain, after folding and thiol oxidation, is transferred to the Golgi apparatus where it begins to undergo proteolytic processing to insulin and packaging into secretory granules. The secretion from the cells of significant amounts of newly synthesized material by exocytosis begins only one hour or more after biosynthesis and this process is regulated by several factors, including glucose. Foci of current attention discussed in this paper include (1) the possible existence of larger precursor forms than proinsulin, especially short-lived biosynthetic transients with extended NH2-termini analogous to the recently described immunoglobulin L chain and proparathyroid hormone precursors; (2) the large-scale production of insulin by chemical or genetic engineering approaches; (3) isolation of beta-cell plasma membranes; (4) regulatory mechanisms for the biosynthesis and secretion of insulin, the possible role of mRNA modification in this process, and effects of somatostatin on insulin biosynthesis and secretion; (5) studies on the secretion, metabolism and clinical usefulness of the proinsulin C-peptide; (6) finally, the biosynthesis of glucagon and other peptide hormones and the general significance of precursor forms.", "PMID": 780079} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5601", "title": "Isolation of a biologically active messenger RNA: preparation from fish pancreatic islets by oligo(2'-deoxythymidylic acid) affinity chromatography.", "content": "RNA was extracted from the pancreatic islets of channel catfish in the presence of the ribonuclease inhibitor, diethyl pyrocarbonate (oxydiformate). High molecular weight RNA was observed on sucrose gradient analysis. enrichment of mRNA was achieved by oligo(2'-deoxythymidylic acid)-cellulose affinity chromatography. The mRNA fraction stimulated incorporation of [35S]methionine into protein up to 30-times the background in the wheat-germ cell-free system. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed two major proteins corresponding to molecular weights of 27 000 and 11 000. These proteins were not observed in the absence of mRNA or in the presence of mRNAs from other tissues. They were also synthesized in the ascites tumour cell-free system. No protein co-migrating with proinsulin or insulin was detected in either the ascites or wheat-germ cell-free systems. Pancreatic islet slices also synthesized the proteins of 27 000 and 11 000 molecular weight and smaller ones as well.", "contents": "Isolation of a biologically active messenger RNA: preparation from fish pancreatic islets by oligo(2'-deoxythymidylic acid) affinity chromatography. RNA was extracted from the pancreatic islets of channel catfish in the presence of the ribonuclease inhibitor, diethyl pyrocarbonate (oxydiformate). High molecular weight RNA was observed on sucrose gradient analysis. enrichment of mRNA was achieved by oligo(2'-deoxythymidylic acid)-cellulose affinity chromatography. The mRNA fraction stimulated incorporation of [35S]methionine into protein up to 30-times the background in the wheat-germ cell-free system. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed two major proteins corresponding to molecular weights of 27 000 and 11 000. These proteins were not observed in the absence of mRNA or in the presence of mRNAs from other tissues. They were also synthesized in the ascites tumour cell-free system. No protein co-migrating with proinsulin or insulin was detected in either the ascites or wheat-germ cell-free systems. Pancreatic islet slices also synthesized the proteins of 27 000 and 11 000 molecular weight and smaller ones as well.", "PMID": 780080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5602", "title": "The treatment of pulmonary heart failure.", "content": "Treatment of acute pulmonary heart failure is usually achieved with rest, relief of alveolar hypoxia and diuretics. Apart from thromboembolism, emphasis is placed on prophylaxis and the active management of the pulmonary dysfunction, including regular functional assessment to guide therapy directed particularly at the relief of alveolar hypoxia.", "contents": "The treatment of pulmonary heart failure. Treatment of acute pulmonary heart failure is usually achieved with rest, relief of alveolar hypoxia and diuretics. Apart from thromboembolism, emphasis is placed on prophylaxis and the active management of the pulmonary dysfunction, including regular functional assessment to guide therapy directed particularly at the relief of alveolar hypoxia.", "PMID": 780089} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5603", "title": "Treatment of gastroenteritis in children.", "content": "Mortality and morbidity in gastroenteritis in children is the result of fluid loss, acid-base and electrolyte imbalance. Hence therapy should be aimed at preventing or correcting this imbalance. The use of intestinal antibiotics to treat the condition should not be a routine, but parenteral antibiotic therapy in the presence of septicaemia is mandatory.", "contents": "Treatment of gastroenteritis in children. Mortality and morbidity in gastroenteritis in children is the result of fluid loss, acid-base and electrolyte imbalance. Hence therapy should be aimed at preventing or correcting this imbalance. The use of intestinal antibiotics to treat the condition should not be a routine, but parenteral antibiotic therapy in the presence of septicaemia is mandatory.", "PMID": 780090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5604", "title": "Carbenoxolone: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy in peptic ulcer disease.", "content": "Carbenoxolone sodium has been shown to accelerate the rate of healing of both gastric and duodenal ulcers, but its overall value in duodenal ulcer is probably less because of the high rate of natural remission of duodenal ulcers. Further studies are required to decide whether it should be used prophylactically to delay ulcer recurrence. Carbenoxolone may act by affecting both the proliferative activity of gastric epithelium and the differentiation of the epithelial cells to produce mucus (as well as favourably altering the physicochemical properties of mucus and by reducing peptic activity), factors which may be relevant ot the prevention of acute gastric ulcers. Some studies suggest that carbenoxolone adds to the effect of hospitalisation and bed rest on ulcer healing. Whether bed rest confers additional benefit to the drug's ulcer healing effect in outpatients is also uncertain. There is no evidence that accelerated healing by carbenoxolone is associated with improved overall prognosis. Carbenoxolone is of greatest benefit in accelerating the healing of gastric ulcers in patients for whom hospitalisation is not possible or desirable, but it should only be used in the ambulatory patient when careful and regular observation of serum electrolytes (particularly potassium), blood pressure and weight is possible and when it is known that the patient will attend regular follow-up. Patient must be educated in the proper use of the drug. If severe mineralocorticoid-like toxic effects such as sodium and water retention and hypokalaemia appear, as they do in a variable proportion of patients but most frequently in those receiving excessive doses, carbenoxolone should be stopped and the complication treated; they respond to thiazide diuretics and potassium supplements, and probably to amiloride given in conjunction with a low dose of a thiazide diuretic. Treatment with carbenoxolone can continue with concurrent diuretic therapy in patients with less severe side-effects. Optimum therapeutic effect in gastric ulcer with the least side-effects is achieved with a dosage of 100mg carbenoxolone tablets 3 times daily for the first week followed by 50mg 3 times daily thereafter, best taken before meals. A lower dosage is desirable in the elderly and in those with liver, cardiac or renal disease. Barium meal or preferably endoscopic examinations should be performed regularly and therapy continued until the ulcer is healed. Dosage for duodenal ulcer is 50mg 4 times daily, in special positioned-release capsules. These are best taken about 20 minutes before meals.", "contents": "Carbenoxolone: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy in peptic ulcer disease. Carbenoxolone sodium has been shown to accelerate the rate of healing of both gastric and duodenal ulcers, but its overall value in duodenal ulcer is probably less because of the high rate of natural remission of duodenal ulcers. Further studies are required to decide whether it should be used prophylactically to delay ulcer recurrence. Carbenoxolone may act by affecting both the proliferative activity of gastric epithelium and the differentiation of the epithelial cells to produce mucus (as well as favourably altering the physicochemical properties of mucus and by reducing peptic activity), factors which may be relevant ot the prevention of acute gastric ulcers. Some studies suggest that carbenoxolone adds to the effect of hospitalisation and bed rest on ulcer healing. Whether bed rest confers additional benefit to the drug's ulcer healing effect in outpatients is also uncertain. There is no evidence that accelerated healing by carbenoxolone is associated with improved overall prognosis. Carbenoxolone is of greatest benefit in accelerating the healing of gastric ulcers in patients for whom hospitalisation is not possible or desirable, but it should only be used in the ambulatory patient when careful and regular observation of serum electrolytes (particularly potassium), blood pressure and weight is possible and when it is known that the patient will attend regular follow-up. Patient must be educated in the proper use of the drug. If severe mineralocorticoid-like toxic effects such as sodium and water retention and hypokalaemia appear, as they do in a variable proportion of patients but most frequently in those receiving excessive doses, carbenoxolone should be stopped and the complication treated; they respond to thiazide diuretics and potassium supplements, and probably to amiloride given in conjunction with a low dose of a thiazide diuretic. Treatment with carbenoxolone can continue with concurrent diuretic therapy in patients with less severe side-effects. Optimum therapeutic effect in gastric ulcer with the least side-effects is achieved with a dosage of 100mg carbenoxolone tablets 3 times daily for the first week followed by 50mg 3 times daily thereafter, best taken before meals. A lower dosage is desirable in the elderly and in those with liver, cardiac or renal disease. Barium meal or preferably endoscopic examinations should be performed regularly and therapy continued until the ulcer is healed. Dosage for duodenal ulcer is 50mg 4 times daily, in special positioned-release capsules. These are best taken about 20 minutes before meals.", "PMID": 780088} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5605", "title": "[The crisis of medicine or the antimedicine crisis].", "content": "In this lecture, Professor Michel Foucault makes an in-depth study of the problems currently afflicting medical institutions and the medical practice. He deals with the thesis set forth by Ivan Illich in his book Medical Nemesis--The expropriation of Health, as well as the 1942 Beveridge Plan, but goes even further back in history to discover the origin of the medical crisis common throughout the world--back to the XVIII century roots of the social practice of medicine. He also describes the phases through which medical activity has passed from then until now and deals with what he calls the political economy of medicine. Finally, he reaches the conclusion that what matters is not so much the present crisis of medicine, which he considers to be a false concept, but the discipline's historical model dating from the XVIII century and serving to determine to what extent it can be modified.", "contents": "[The crisis of medicine or the antimedicine crisis]. In this lecture, Professor Michel Foucault makes an in-depth study of the problems currently afflicting medical institutions and the medical practice. He deals with the thesis set forth by Ivan Illich in his book Medical Nemesis--The expropriation of Health, as well as the 1942 Beveridge Plan, but goes even further back in history to discover the origin of the medical crisis common throughout the world--back to the XVIII century roots of the social practice of medicine. He also describes the phases through which medical activity has passed from then until now and deals with what he calls the political economy of medicine. Finally, he reaches the conclusion that what matters is not so much the present crisis of medicine, which he considers to be a false concept, but the discipline's historical model dating from the XVIII century and serving to determine to what extent it can be modified.", "PMID": 780092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5606", "title": "[Comparative study of the most common prosthetic aids].", "content": "The two most often used attachments and anchors were each submitted to permanent load in an alternating bending machine. Removing force, removing performance and mobility in a vertical direction were measured after permanent load and compared with each other. All compound elements showed signs of wear and tear. The removing force decreased by approximately 25%, in Bona anchors by 60%, the removing performance was reduced by 20% on the average, but by 75% in Bona anchors.", "contents": "[Comparative study of the most common prosthetic aids]. The two most often used attachments and anchors were each submitted to permanent load in an alternating bending machine. Removing force, removing performance and mobility in a vertical direction were measured after permanent load and compared with each other. All compound elements showed signs of wear and tear. The removing force decreased by approximately 25%, in Bona anchors by 60%, the removing performance was reduced by 20% on the average, but by 75% in Bona anchors.", "PMID": 780095} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5607", "title": "[Kinetics and stress distribution of supported free-end prostheses. I. Effect of the frame stability on the kinematics of the saddle and the stress on the edentulous prosthesis bed].", "content": "By means of inductive pressure and motion recorders, the influence of the stability of the framework, the extension of the saddle and type and location of anchorage on the kinetic properties of the denture and the distribution of load between edentulous base and abutment teeth was studied in three different free-end dentures. The findings are discussed with respect to the planning and technical design of dentures.", "contents": "[Kinetics and stress distribution of supported free-end prostheses. I. Effect of the frame stability on the kinematics of the saddle and the stress on the edentulous prosthesis bed]. By means of inductive pressure and motion recorders, the influence of the stability of the framework, the extension of the saddle and type and location of anchorage on the kinetic properties of the denture and the distribution of load between edentulous base and abutment teeth was studied in three different free-end dentures. The findings are discussed with respect to the planning and technical design of dentures.", "PMID": 780096} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5608", "title": "Tissue levels of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in the preoptic area and hypothalamus, and serum concentrations of gonadotropins following anterior hypothalamic deafferentation and estrogen treatment of the female rat.", "content": "Female rats were ovariectomized prior to anterior hypothalamic deafferentation (AHD) or sham AHD of the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH). LHRH in the MBH and the preoptic area (POA), and the blood concentrations of LHRH, FSH, and LH were measured following decapitation at the end of 30 days in experiment 1 and 28 days in experiment 2. Interruption of anterior neural links of the MBH resulted in a drastic reduction in the amounts of LHRH in the MBH and a significant increment in the POA. The circulating levels of FSH (experiments 1 and 2) and LH (experiment 2) were significantly depressed whereas serum LHRH was unaltered following deafferentation. In experiment 3, rats were ovariectomized 25 days following either AHD or sham AHD, and were given estradiol benzoate (EB, 10 mug/rat in oil, SC) or oil alone on day 7 postovariectomy and sacrificed 2 days later. Relative to sham AHD, a reduction in the MBH LHRH and a pronounced elevation in the POA LHRH was observed in AHD rats. Serum LH and FSH concentrations were also significantly decreased. EB treatment significantly lowered serum gonadotropins, whereas LHRH levels in the MBH of both AHD and sham AHD rats increased two-fold. Serum LHRH concentrations were also significantly reduced in AHD rats following EB injection. These studies indicate that 1) since a substantial portion of the LHRH activity normally detected in the MBH of female rats appears to be derived from that synthesized in the rostral regions, it is logical to infer that POA LHRH may be involved in the tonic as well as the cyclic discharge of LH, and 2) an increase in the LHRH content of the MBH after estrogen treatment may be due to a partial inhibition in release and/or an increased rate of synthesis of LHRH in the MBH.", "contents": "Tissue levels of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in the preoptic area and hypothalamus, and serum concentrations of gonadotropins following anterior hypothalamic deafferentation and estrogen treatment of the female rat. Female rats were ovariectomized prior to anterior hypothalamic deafferentation (AHD) or sham AHD of the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH). LHRH in the MBH and the preoptic area (POA), and the blood concentrations of LHRH, FSH, and LH were measured following decapitation at the end of 30 days in experiment 1 and 28 days in experiment 2. Interruption of anterior neural links of the MBH resulted in a drastic reduction in the amounts of LHRH in the MBH and a significant increment in the POA. The circulating levels of FSH (experiments 1 and 2) and LH (experiment 2) were significantly depressed whereas serum LHRH was unaltered following deafferentation. In experiment 3, rats were ovariectomized 25 days following either AHD or sham AHD, and were given estradiol benzoate (EB, 10 mug/rat in oil, SC) or oil alone on day 7 postovariectomy and sacrificed 2 days later. Relative to sham AHD, a reduction in the MBH LHRH and a pronounced elevation in the POA LHRH was observed in AHD rats. Serum LH and FSH concentrations were also significantly decreased. EB treatment significantly lowered serum gonadotropins, whereas LHRH levels in the MBH of both AHD and sham AHD rats increased two-fold. Serum LHRH concentrations were also significantly reduced in AHD rats following EB injection. These studies indicate that 1) since a substantial portion of the LHRH activity normally detected in the MBH of female rats appears to be derived from that synthesized in the rostral regions, it is logical to infer that POA LHRH may be involved in the tonic as well as the cyclic discharge of LH, and 2) an increase in the LHRH content of the MBH after estrogen treatment may be due to a partial inhibition in release and/or an increased rate of synthesis of LHRH in the MBH.", "PMID": 780098} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5609", "title": "Calcium antagonists and islet function. II. Interaction of theophylline and verapamil.", "content": "Verapamil inhibits glucose-induced insulin release by the isolated perfused rat pancreas. The dose-response relationship for the inhibitory action of verapamil is shifted to higher concentrations of the drug when the concentration of calcium in the perfusate is increased. The degree of inhibition of glucose-induced insulin release by a given concentration of verapamil decreases as the length of exposure to glucose is increased prior to introduction of the calcium antagonist. Theophylline augments glucose-stimulated insulin release and protects the beta-cell against the inhibitory action of verapamil, both effects of theophylline being dose-related. Even after pretreatment of the pancreas with a high concentration of verapamil, theophylline is able, in the presence of glucose, to stimulate insulin release and, eventually, to restore a nearly normal secretory response to this sugar. We suggest that theophylline, by mobilizing calcium from an organelle-bound pool within the beta-cell, compensates for the verapamil-induced reduction in calcium inward transport into the beta-cell.", "contents": "Calcium antagonists and islet function. II. Interaction of theophylline and verapamil. Verapamil inhibits glucose-induced insulin release by the isolated perfused rat pancreas. The dose-response relationship for the inhibitory action of verapamil is shifted to higher concentrations of the drug when the concentration of calcium in the perfusate is increased. The degree of inhibition of glucose-induced insulin release by a given concentration of verapamil decreases as the length of exposure to glucose is increased prior to introduction of the calcium antagonist. Theophylline augments glucose-stimulated insulin release and protects the beta-cell against the inhibitory action of verapamil, both effects of theophylline being dose-related. Even after pretreatment of the pancreas with a high concentration of verapamil, theophylline is able, in the presence of glucose, to stimulate insulin release and, eventually, to restore a nearly normal secretory response to this sugar. We suggest that theophylline, by mobilizing calcium from an organelle-bound pool within the beta-cell, compensates for the verapamil-induced reduction in calcium inward transport into the beta-cell.", "PMID": 780099} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5610", "title": "Effect of active and passive immunization with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels and the ultrastructure of the pituitary gonadotrophs in castrated male rats.", "content": "The effect of active and passive immunization with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) on serum LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and the ultrastructure of the pituitary gonadotrophs was investigated in castrated male rats. Two weeks after castration, the animals were immunized with Glu1-LHRH conjugated with human serum albumin (hSA), immunized with hSA only, or left uninjected. Immunogens were administered every 2 weeks. Four weeks after the initiation of immunization with hSA-Glu1-LHRH, 2 out of 4 rats showed parallel decreases in serum LH and FSH levels associated with a rise of serum antibody titer to LHRH. Serum LH and FSH levels remained suppressed throughout the experiment in these rats. On the other hand, both LH and FSH levels in hSA-immunized rats or non-immunized rats remained elevated, and typical castration cells containing large vacuoles were found in the pituitary. Although castration cells existed in the pituitary of rats which produced antibody to LHRH by active immunization, these cells were markedly degranulated, and secretory granules were scarce in the cytoplasm. In another experiment, rats were injected iv with one ml sheep anti-LHRH gamma-globulin (anti-LHRH) or normal sheep gamma-globulin (NSG) every 2 days for 3 weeks, starting one day after castration, when serum LH and FSH levels were already elevated. All the animals which received anti-LHRH showed a decrease in both serum LH and FSH levels, which remained low throughout the study, in a range comparable to those in intact normal male rats. On the other hand, in the animals which received NSG, both LH and FSH levels remained high or increased further throughout the experiment, and the pituitary contained numerous castration cells. Castration cells were completely absent from the pituitaries of rats treated with anti-LHRH, suggesting that castration cells are formed as a result of increased secretion of LHRH. Some FSH gonadotrophs in these castrated rats were atrophic. It was difficult to distinguish the LH gonadotrophs in rats which were either actively or passively immunized with LHRH; however, they seem not to have contributed significantly to the development of castration cells. In any case, antibody to the LHRH decapeptide drastically affected both LH and FSH cells, providing additional evidence for the concept that LHRH represents the physiological LHRH and FSHRH.", "contents": "Effect of active and passive immunization with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels and the ultrastructure of the pituitary gonadotrophs in castrated male rats. The effect of active and passive immunization with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) on serum LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and the ultrastructure of the pituitary gonadotrophs was investigated in castrated male rats. Two weeks after castration, the animals were immunized with Glu1-LHRH conjugated with human serum albumin (hSA), immunized with hSA only, or left uninjected. Immunogens were administered every 2 weeks. Four weeks after the initiation of immunization with hSA-Glu1-LHRH, 2 out of 4 rats showed parallel decreases in serum LH and FSH levels associated with a rise of serum antibody titer to LHRH. Serum LH and FSH levels remained suppressed throughout the experiment in these rats. On the other hand, both LH and FSH levels in hSA-immunized rats or non-immunized rats remained elevated, and typical castration cells containing large vacuoles were found in the pituitary. Although castration cells existed in the pituitary of rats which produced antibody to LHRH by active immunization, these cells were markedly degranulated, and secretory granules were scarce in the cytoplasm. In another experiment, rats were injected iv with one ml sheep anti-LHRH gamma-globulin (anti-LHRH) or normal sheep gamma-globulin (NSG) every 2 days for 3 weeks, starting one day after castration, when serum LH and FSH levels were already elevated. All the animals which received anti-LHRH showed a decrease in both serum LH and FSH levels, which remained low throughout the study, in a range comparable to those in intact normal male rats. On the other hand, in the animals which received NSG, both LH and FSH levels remained high or increased further throughout the experiment, and the pituitary contained numerous castration cells. Castration cells were completely absent from the pituitaries of rats treated with anti-LHRH, suggesting that castration cells are formed as a result of increased secretion of LHRH. Some FSH gonadotrophs in these castrated rats were atrophic. It was difficult to distinguish the LH gonadotrophs in rats which were either actively or passively immunized with LHRH; however, they seem not to have contributed significantly to the development of castration cells. In any case, antibody to the LHRH decapeptide drastically affected both LH and FSH cells, providing additional evidence for the concept that LHRH represents the physiological LHRH and FSHRH.", "PMID": 780100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5611", "title": "Distribution of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in the guinea pig brain.", "content": "With the use of the unlabeled antibody enzyme technique and antiserum to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), the distribution of LHRH in the adult male guinea pig was studied. Immunoreactive deposits were found in the cell bodies of hypothalamic neurons in the medial preoptic, anterior hypothalamic, suprachiasmatic, and arcuate nuclei. Ten to thirty LHRH-containing perikarya were seen per brain. Four fiber tracts positive for LHRH were described: Tract I runs on the pre-commissural side of the anterior commissure from the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and medial preoptic area to the suprachismatic nucleus: Tract II runs on the post-commissural side to the retrochiasmatic portion of the suprachiasmatic nucleus; Tract III originates in the arcuate nucleus and the ventral portion of the ventromedial nucleus and courses medially and caudally to enter the median eminence; Tract IV travels from the mammillary bodies to the mid-brain. Three weeks after surgical isolation of the medial basal hypothalamus there was a slight decrease in the amount of LHRH in the median eminence. These data suggest that LHRH is synthesized in more than one hypothalamic nuclear group but that the majority of axons containing the hormone in the median eminence originate in the medial basal hypothalamus.", "contents": "Distribution of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in the guinea pig brain. With the use of the unlabeled antibody enzyme technique and antiserum to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), the distribution of LHRH in the adult male guinea pig was studied. Immunoreactive deposits were found in the cell bodies of hypothalamic neurons in the medial preoptic, anterior hypothalamic, suprachiasmatic, and arcuate nuclei. Ten to thirty LHRH-containing perikarya were seen per brain. Four fiber tracts positive for LHRH were described: Tract I runs on the pre-commissural side of the anterior commissure from the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and medial preoptic area to the suprachismatic nucleus: Tract II runs on the post-commissural side to the retrochiasmatic portion of the suprachiasmatic nucleus; Tract III originates in the arcuate nucleus and the ventral portion of the ventromedial nucleus and courses medially and caudally to enter the median eminence; Tract IV travels from the mammillary bodies to the mid-brain. Three weeks after surgical isolation of the medial basal hypothalamus there was a slight decrease in the amount of LHRH in the median eminence. These data suggest that LHRH is synthesized in more than one hypothalamic nuclear group but that the majority of axons containing the hormone in the median eminence originate in the medial basal hypothalamus.", "PMID": 780101} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5612", "title": "The channeling of natural stimuli that evoke the ejection of milk in the rat. Effect of transections in the midbrain and hypothalamus.", "content": "The afferent and the efferent pathways of the milk ejection reflex were studied in conscious lactating rats subjected to suckling after experiencing stereotaxically-controlled transections in the midbrain or hypothalamus. Extensive transections in midbrain or hypothalamus. Extensive transections in the midbrain or caudal hypothalamus blocked reflex milk ejection while less extensive cuts, sparing either the dorsal or the ventral fibers, did not. The frontal plane immediately caudal to the neurosecretory nuclei intersects both afferent and efferent fibers. All cuts at this plane, regardless of size, caused blockage whenever the neurosecretory fibers located at the lateral ventral hypothalamus were severed. A multiple cut in the near vicinity of both supraoptic nuclei caused blockage of milk ejection, probably by severing the combined neurosecretory tract originating in both the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. If the multiple cut was performed unilaterally, a blockage of milk ejection was not observed, indicating that reflex action can be sustained by preserving one side of the neurosecretory pathway. Simple cuts in the same region revealed that the efferent pathway takes on a caudo-medial direction towards the neurohypophysis. In the near vicinity of the infundibulum, simple cuts showed that the efferent fibers enter the infundibulum from the sides, and also established that the milk ejection reflex persisted even when a small number of fibers in the pituitary stalk remained intact. The results showed that the afferent pathway for the reflex is diffuse, while the efferent pathway is compact. Only complete transection of one of the two pathways caused blockage.", "contents": "The channeling of natural stimuli that evoke the ejection of milk in the rat. Effect of transections in the midbrain and hypothalamus. The afferent and the efferent pathways of the milk ejection reflex were studied in conscious lactating rats subjected to suckling after experiencing stereotaxically-controlled transections in the midbrain or hypothalamus. Extensive transections in midbrain or hypothalamus. Extensive transections in the midbrain or caudal hypothalamus blocked reflex milk ejection while less extensive cuts, sparing either the dorsal or the ventral fibers, did not. The frontal plane immediately caudal to the neurosecretory nuclei intersects both afferent and efferent fibers. All cuts at this plane, regardless of size, caused blockage whenever the neurosecretory fibers located at the lateral ventral hypothalamus were severed. A multiple cut in the near vicinity of both supraoptic nuclei caused blockage of milk ejection, probably by severing the combined neurosecretory tract originating in both the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. If the multiple cut was performed unilaterally, a blockage of milk ejection was not observed, indicating that reflex action can be sustained by preserving one side of the neurosecretory pathway. Simple cuts in the same region revealed that the efferent pathway takes on a caudo-medial direction towards the neurohypophysis. In the near vicinity of the infundibulum, simple cuts showed that the efferent fibers enter the infundibulum from the sides, and also established that the milk ejection reflex persisted even when a small number of fibers in the pituitary stalk remained intact. The results showed that the afferent pathway for the reflex is diffuse, while the efferent pathway is compact. Only complete transection of one of the two pathways caused blockage.", "PMID": 780102} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5613", "title": "A comparative controlled study between carbamazepine and diphenylhydantoin in psychomotor epilepsy.", "content": "A double-blind study of the antiepileptic effect and side effects of carbamazepine (CARB) and diphenylhydantoin (DPH) was undertaken in 38 patients with psychomotor epilepsy and without grand mal epilepsy except for a single previous seizure. The patients were treated with CARB and DPH only, each in periods of 16 weeks and with a crossover of 4 weeks. The initial dosage of 6 mg/kg DPH or 15 mg/kg CARB was corrected according to the serum values aiming at therapeutic intervals of 8-16 mg/1 DPH and 6-10 mg/1 CARB. The trial had to be discontinued in 12 patients. The effect of the two drugs in preventing psychomotor seizures was the same. Some patients, however, had considerably fewer seizures while on CARB; others had fewer seizures on DPH. It seems advisable, therefore, to try both drugs separately before proceeding to combined medication. During CARB treatment the selected therapeutic interval was more easily reached and maintained than during DPH. During the latter treatment, one-third of the monthly serum value determinations were below the level in spite of dosage corrections. Side effects were equally mild and occurred as often during DPH as during CARB treatment.", "contents": "A comparative controlled study between carbamazepine and diphenylhydantoin in psychomotor epilepsy. A double-blind study of the antiepileptic effect and side effects of carbamazepine (CARB) and diphenylhydantoin (DPH) was undertaken in 38 patients with psychomotor epilepsy and without grand mal epilepsy except for a single previous seizure. The patients were treated with CARB and DPH only, each in periods of 16 weeks and with a crossover of 4 weeks. The initial dosage of 6 mg/kg DPH or 15 mg/kg CARB was corrected according to the serum values aiming at therapeutic intervals of 8-16 mg/1 DPH and 6-10 mg/1 CARB. The trial had to be discontinued in 12 patients. The effect of the two drugs in preventing psychomotor seizures was the same. Some patients, however, had considerably fewer seizures while on CARB; others had fewer seizures on DPH. It seems advisable, therefore, to try both drugs separately before proceeding to combined medication. During CARB treatment the selected therapeutic interval was more easily reached and maintained than during DPH. During the latter treatment, one-third of the monthly serum value determinations were below the level in spite of dosage corrections. Side effects were equally mild and occurred as often during DPH as during CARB treatment.", "PMID": 780103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5614", "title": "Dissociation kinetics of complexes between the antibiotic rifamycin and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Phosphocellulose chromatography was employed to measure the binding of 3-(2-[14C]acetamidoethyl)-thiorifamycin(abbreviated[14C]AcNHEtS-Rif) to RNA polymerase core enzyme. The technique yielded a correct value for the stoichiometry of interaction. The same method was successfully applied to an investigation of the dissociation kinetics of the [14C]AcNHEtS-Rif - core-polymerase complex. We observed biphasic dissociation kinetics not in agreement with the existence of one single first-order dissociation step. Assuming two independent dissociation reactions, rate constants have been evaluated differing roughly by 10-fold (1.7 X 10(-3) s-1 and 1.5 X 10(-4) s-1 at 25 degrees C). The ratio of the amplitudes of the biphasic dissociation kinetics changed with temperature. The kinetic data are interpreted as indirect evidence for the existence of two enzyme species differing in their dynamic properties with respect to the binding of the antibiotic rifamycin. Our data furthermore lend support to the assumption that the two enzyme forms are in equilibrium. The observed sigmoidal dependence of the dissociation rate on temperature could indicate a conformational transition of RNA core polymerase with a transition midpoint at around 20 degrees C. The dye, rose bengal, was found to be as effective as AcNHEtS-Rif itself as a competing agent. The dissociation kinetics of the [14C]-AcNHEtS-Rif - core-polymerase complex in the presence of an excess of the dye rose bengal were found to be very similar to those measured in the presence of AcNHEtS-Rif. This could mean that rose bengal and AcNHEtS-Rif compete for the same site at RNA core polymerase. The dissociation of the ternary complex [14C]AcNHEtS-Rif - core-polymerase - poly[d(A-T)] was followed by gel filtration. Up to the extent of dissociation measured, the reaction appeared to follow first-order kinetics. The dissociation rate constant was calculated to be 1.7 X 10(-4) s-1. Experiments to determine the effect of the antibiotic streptolydigin on the dissociation kinetics of the [14C]AcNHEtS-Rif - core-polymerase complex have not led to conclusive results.", "contents": "Dissociation kinetics of complexes between the antibiotic rifamycin and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli. Phosphocellulose chromatography was employed to measure the binding of 3-(2-[14C]acetamidoethyl)-thiorifamycin(abbreviated[14C]AcNHEtS-Rif) to RNA polymerase core enzyme. The technique yielded a correct value for the stoichiometry of interaction. The same method was successfully applied to an investigation of the dissociation kinetics of the [14C]AcNHEtS-Rif - core-polymerase complex. We observed biphasic dissociation kinetics not in agreement with the existence of one single first-order dissociation step. Assuming two independent dissociation reactions, rate constants have been evaluated differing roughly by 10-fold (1.7 X 10(-3) s-1 and 1.5 X 10(-4) s-1 at 25 degrees C). The ratio of the amplitudes of the biphasic dissociation kinetics changed with temperature. The kinetic data are interpreted as indirect evidence for the existence of two enzyme species differing in their dynamic properties with respect to the binding of the antibiotic rifamycin. Our data furthermore lend support to the assumption that the two enzyme forms are in equilibrium. The observed sigmoidal dependence of the dissociation rate on temperature could indicate a conformational transition of RNA core polymerase with a transition midpoint at around 20 degrees C. The dye, rose bengal, was found to be as effective as AcNHEtS-Rif itself as a competing agent. The dissociation kinetics of the [14C]-AcNHEtS-Rif - core-polymerase complex in the presence of an excess of the dye rose bengal were found to be very similar to those measured in the presence of AcNHEtS-Rif. This could mean that rose bengal and AcNHEtS-Rif compete for the same site at RNA core polymerase. The dissociation of the ternary complex [14C]AcNHEtS-Rif - core-polymerase - poly[d(A-T)] was followed by gel filtration. Up to the extent of dissociation measured, the reaction appeared to follow first-order kinetics. The dissociation rate constant was calculated to be 1.7 X 10(-4) s-1. Experiments to determine the effect of the antibiotic streptolydigin on the dissociation kinetics of the [14C]AcNHEtS-Rif - core-polymerase complex have not led to conclusive results.", "PMID": 780105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5615", "title": "Significance of folded chromosomes released from amino-acid-starved Escherichia coli cells.", "content": "1. Folded chromosomes from amino-acid-starved Escherichia coli DG 75 cells are to a large extent released as envelope-bound complexes which sediment more rapidly than envelope-bound complexes from exponentially growth cells. A minor fraction (about 3%) represents relatively slow sedimenting envelope-free nucleoids. 2. Morphological analysis of the sensitivity of amino-acid-starved cells to the action of lysozyme and/or detergents indicates that these cells are less susceptible to lysis than exponentially grown cells. This results in the production of fast sedimenting envelope-bound complexes from non-dividing cells. We infer that it is not the amount of DNA, as suggested by Ryder and Smith (1974), but the low degree of envelope fragmentation that causes the high sedimentation rate. 3. After prolonged periods of starvation about 3% of cells in the process of division persist in the population. The results indicate that these cells release their (terminated) chromosomes in the envelope-free form. At this stage it is impossible to conclude whether these chromosomes are released because of their detachment from the membrane in situ (cf. Worcel and Burgi, 1974) or because of an enhanced susceptibility of dividing cells to lysis.", "contents": "Significance of folded chromosomes released from amino-acid-starved Escherichia coli cells. 1. Folded chromosomes from amino-acid-starved Escherichia coli DG 75 cells are to a large extent released as envelope-bound complexes which sediment more rapidly than envelope-bound complexes from exponentially growth cells. A minor fraction (about 3%) represents relatively slow sedimenting envelope-free nucleoids. 2. Morphological analysis of the sensitivity of amino-acid-starved cells to the action of lysozyme and/or detergents indicates that these cells are less susceptible to lysis than exponentially grown cells. This results in the production of fast sedimenting envelope-bound complexes from non-dividing cells. We infer that it is not the amount of DNA, as suggested by Ryder and Smith (1974), but the low degree of envelope fragmentation that causes the high sedimentation rate. 3. After prolonged periods of starvation about 3% of cells in the process of division persist in the population. The results indicate that these cells release their (terminated) chromosomes in the envelope-free form. At this stage it is impossible to conclude whether these chromosomes are released because of their detachment from the membrane in situ (cf. Worcel and Burgi, 1974) or because of an enhanced susceptibility of dividing cells to lysis.", "PMID": 780106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5616", "title": "Existence, localization and regulation of the biosynthesis of aminoendopeptidase in gram-negative bacteria.", "content": "An enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the substrate L-alanine p-nitroanilide has been found in 18 gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas that we tested. This enzyme might be located near the cell surface. Contrastingly we have not detected this activity on colonies of the 8 gram-positive Bacillus that we tested, which suggest a taxonomic value for this test. The aminoendopeptidases found in the various gram-negative bacteria showed similar electrophoretic mobilities and immunological cross-reactivity when tested again Escherichia coli anti-aminoendopeptidase antiserum. The regulation of aminoendopeptidase biosynthesis by the endogenous level of inorganic phosphate that we previously demonstrated in E. coli has been found to exist in all gram-negative organisms tested.", "contents": "Existence, localization and regulation of the biosynthesis of aminoendopeptidase in gram-negative bacteria. An enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the substrate L-alanine p-nitroanilide has been found in 18 gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas that we tested. This enzyme might be located near the cell surface. Contrastingly we have not detected this activity on colonies of the 8 gram-positive Bacillus that we tested, which suggest a taxonomic value for this test. The aminoendopeptidases found in the various gram-negative bacteria showed similar electrophoretic mobilities and immunological cross-reactivity when tested again Escherichia coli anti-aminoendopeptidase antiserum. The regulation of aminoendopeptidase biosynthesis by the endogenous level of inorganic phosphate that we previously demonstrated in E. coli has been found to exist in all gram-negative organisms tested.", "PMID": 780107} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5617", "title": "Two forms of RNA polymerase B in yeast. Proteolytic conversion in vitro of enzyme BI into BII.", "content": "Special care to prevent proteolysis during yeast RNA polymerase B purification leads to the appearance of two forms of enzymes, BI and BII, with different molecular weight (465 000) and 435 000, respectively). The two forms of enzyme can be separated by ion-exchange chromatography or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Their subunit structures were compared by sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis, the only observed difference between the two enzymes is in the molecular weight of the heaviest subunit which is 220 000 for enzyme BI and 180 000 for enzyme BII. Otherwise, the two enzymes have seven common subunits of molecular weights 150 000, 45 000, 26 000, 22 500, 14 500, 12 500 and 9000. Two additional polypeptide chains of 32 000 and 16 500 Mr are dissociated from the enzyme upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or DEAE Sephadex chromatography. The largest subunit of enzyme BI (Mr 220 000) can be specifically cleaved in vitro by a yeast protease extract, generating a polypeptide chain indistinguishable from the largest subunit of enzyme BII. This proteolytic cleavage of enzyme BI in vitro is inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and does not significantly change the activity of the enzyme with single-stranded or double-stranded DNA as template. The precursor-product relationship of the different forms of class B RNA polymerases in eukaryotic cells is discussed.", "contents": "Two forms of RNA polymerase B in yeast. Proteolytic conversion in vitro of enzyme BI into BII. Special care to prevent proteolysis during yeast RNA polymerase B purification leads to the appearance of two forms of enzymes, BI and BII, with different molecular weight (465 000) and 435 000, respectively). The two forms of enzyme can be separated by ion-exchange chromatography or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Their subunit structures were compared by sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis, the only observed difference between the two enzymes is in the molecular weight of the heaviest subunit which is 220 000 for enzyme BI and 180 000 for enzyme BII. Otherwise, the two enzymes have seven common subunits of molecular weights 150 000, 45 000, 26 000, 22 500, 14 500, 12 500 and 9000. Two additional polypeptide chains of 32 000 and 16 500 Mr are dissociated from the enzyme upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or DEAE Sephadex chromatography. The largest subunit of enzyme BI (Mr 220 000) can be specifically cleaved in vitro by a yeast protease extract, generating a polypeptide chain indistinguishable from the largest subunit of enzyme BII. This proteolytic cleavage of enzyme BI in vitro is inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and does not significantly change the activity of the enzyme with single-stranded or double-stranded DNA as template. The precursor-product relationship of the different forms of class B RNA polymerases in eukaryotic cells is discussed.", "PMID": 780108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5618", "title": "Purification and properties of an N-formylmethionyl-tRNA hydrolase.", "content": "The isolation and properties of a novel N-formylmethionyl-tRNA hydrolase (hydrolase II) from Escherichia coli are described. This enzyme is difficult to detect in crude extracts; purification, however, unmasks the activity. Sedimentation and gel filtration parameters of this enzyme differ from those of the previously described peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase (hydrolase I), and preparations can be obtained where the two activities are free of each other. A mutant of hydrolase I has wild-type levels of hydrolase II. These data indicate that hydrolase II is a different enzyme, or an altogether different form of hydrolase I. The bulk of the enzymic activity occurs in the ribosome-free cytoplasm; the remainder is found on intact or dissociated 70-S ribosomes. Purified preparations of hydrolase II analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis contain 2 protein bands. These 2 proteins do not coincide in electrophoretic mobility with any known ribosomal proteins. Analysis after mixing experiments verifies this conclusion. The purified enzyme (hydrolase II) is inhibited by ribosomes bearing bound N-formylmethionyl-tRNA. The inhibition is potentiated by sparsomycin and other antibiotics that block specifically peptide-bond synthesis. The relationship of this enzyme to other hydrolytic activities, including a newly described ribosome-dependent hydrolase, are discussed.", "contents": "Purification and properties of an N-formylmethionyl-tRNA hydrolase. The isolation and properties of a novel N-formylmethionyl-tRNA hydrolase (hydrolase II) from Escherichia coli are described. This enzyme is difficult to detect in crude extracts; purification, however, unmasks the activity. Sedimentation and gel filtration parameters of this enzyme differ from those of the previously described peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase (hydrolase I), and preparations can be obtained where the two activities are free of each other. A mutant of hydrolase I has wild-type levels of hydrolase II. These data indicate that hydrolase II is a different enzyme, or an altogether different form of hydrolase I. The bulk of the enzymic activity occurs in the ribosome-free cytoplasm; the remainder is found on intact or dissociated 70-S ribosomes. Purified preparations of hydrolase II analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis contain 2 protein bands. These 2 proteins do not coincide in electrophoretic mobility with any known ribosomal proteins. Analysis after mixing experiments verifies this conclusion. The purified enzyme (hydrolase II) is inhibited by ribosomes bearing bound N-formylmethionyl-tRNA. The inhibition is potentiated by sparsomycin and other antibiotics that block specifically peptide-bond synthesis. The relationship of this enzyme to other hydrolytic activities, including a newly described ribosome-dependent hydrolase, are discussed.", "PMID": 780109} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5619", "title": "On the kinetics of the rifampicin-RNA-polymerase complex. Differences between crude and purified enzyme fractions.", "content": "The antibiotic rifampicin forms a very tight complex with DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli. The rate constants of association and dissociation of this complex have been measured and found to be dependent on the purity of the enzyme. Thus a crude RNA polymerase (fraction-3 enzyme) has rate constants different from those of an enzyme further purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography (fraction-4 enzyme). The complex produced by the antibiotic and the fraction-3 enzyme is about ten times more stable and is formed about ten times more slowly than the complex with fraction-4 enzyme. It has been shown that the RNA present in the crude enzyme and removed by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose is the cause of the change in the kinetics of the complex. tRNA of rat liver and crude rat liver RNA added to purified RNA polymerase have a similar effect. Mg2+, which has no intrinsic influence, augments the effect of the nucleic acids, whereas monovalent cations do not. Since nucleic acids increase the stability of the complex, but at the same time decrease the rat of its formation, the equilibrium constant, Keq, remains almost the same. The possible effects of nucleic acids on the rifampicin binding site are discussed.", "contents": "On the kinetics of the rifampicin-RNA-polymerase complex. Differences between crude and purified enzyme fractions. The antibiotic rifampicin forms a very tight complex with DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli. The rate constants of association and dissociation of this complex have been measured and found to be dependent on the purity of the enzyme. Thus a crude RNA polymerase (fraction-3 enzyme) has rate constants different from those of an enzyme further purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography (fraction-4 enzyme). The complex produced by the antibiotic and the fraction-3 enzyme is about ten times more stable and is formed about ten times more slowly than the complex with fraction-4 enzyme. It has been shown that the RNA present in the crude enzyme and removed by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose is the cause of the change in the kinetics of the complex. tRNA of rat liver and crude rat liver RNA added to purified RNA polymerase have a similar effect. Mg2+, which has no intrinsic influence, augments the effect of the nucleic acids, whereas monovalent cations do not. Since nucleic acids increase the stability of the complex, but at the same time decrease the rat of its formation, the equilibrium constant, Keq, remains almost the same. The possible effects of nucleic acids on the rifampicin binding site are discussed.", "PMID": 780110} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5620", "title": "Immunochemical studies on lipopolysaccharides from wild-type and mutants of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Lipopolysaccharides from a number of mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 were investigated by means of chemical and serological methods. Inhibition of passive hemagglutination and inhibition of precipitation show that L-rhamnose is the immunodominant sugar in the lipopolysaccharide from wild-type E. coli K-12. The disaccharide rhamnosyl-KDO (where KDO is 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid) was isolated and characterized after mild acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide. It is concluded that rhamnose is present in the innermost part of the core as a side-chain substituent on KDO. From crosses between an E. coli K-12 donor and E. coli O8, hybrids were obtained which contained either one or both of the donor rfa and rfb clusters. Serum absorption studies with lipopolysaccharides from these hybrids indicated that the histidine-linked rfb cluster is responsible for the presence of rhamnose in the K-12 core oligosaccharide. Using paper chromatography of 32P-labelled lipopolysaccharides we have found heterogeneous lipopolysaccharide in two strains as well as some differences between two wild-type strains. The latter difference is believed to be due to varying contents of KDO-linked ethanolamine phosphate. The overall results presented together with those described in the companion paper clearly show that the core oligosaccharide in E. coli K-12 has a structure different from the types previously described for other strains of E. coli (designed coli R1 to coli R4).", "contents": "Immunochemical studies on lipopolysaccharides from wild-type and mutants of Escherichia coli K-12. Lipopolysaccharides from a number of mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 were investigated by means of chemical and serological methods. Inhibition of passive hemagglutination and inhibition of precipitation show that L-rhamnose is the immunodominant sugar in the lipopolysaccharide from wild-type E. coli K-12. The disaccharide rhamnosyl-KDO (where KDO is 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid) was isolated and characterized after mild acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide. It is concluded that rhamnose is present in the innermost part of the core as a side-chain substituent on KDO. From crosses between an E. coli K-12 donor and E. coli O8, hybrids were obtained which contained either one or both of the donor rfa and rfb clusters. Serum absorption studies with lipopolysaccharides from these hybrids indicated that the histidine-linked rfb cluster is responsible for the presence of rhamnose in the K-12 core oligosaccharide. Using paper chromatography of 32P-labelled lipopolysaccharides we have found heterogeneous lipopolysaccharide in two strains as well as some differences between two wild-type strains. The latter difference is believed to be due to varying contents of KDO-linked ethanolamine phosphate. The overall results presented together with those described in the companion paper clearly show that the core oligosaccharide in E. coli K-12 has a structure different from the types previously described for other strains of E. coli (designed coli R1 to coli R4).", "PMID": 780111} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5621", "title": "Cell-wall lipopolysaccharides of ampicillin-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "The lipopolysaccharides of ampicillin-resistant cell-wall-defective mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 were analyzed. From their lipopolysaccharides the respective core oligosaccharides were obtained. Following dephosphorylation,the core oligosaccharides were methylated and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. From core-defective mutants substructures of the K-12 core were obtained. Analysis of the lipopolysaccharide preparations from wild-type K-12 indicated the presence of several core structures with different degrees of completion. The lipopolysaccharide preparation was degraded and the oligosaccharide mixture was partially resolved by gel filtration chromatography. Methylation, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of the oligosaccharides permitted the tentative formulation of the K-12 core structure. Alternative interpretations for this heterogeneity are discussed.", "contents": "Cell-wall lipopolysaccharides of ampicillin-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli K-12. The lipopolysaccharides of ampicillin-resistant cell-wall-defective mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 were analyzed. From their lipopolysaccharides the respective core oligosaccharides were obtained. Following dephosphorylation,the core oligosaccharides were methylated and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. From core-defective mutants substructures of the K-12 core were obtained. Analysis of the lipopolysaccharide preparations from wild-type K-12 indicated the presence of several core structures with different degrees of completion. The lipopolysaccharide preparation was degraded and the oligosaccharide mixture was partially resolved by gel filtration chromatography. Methylation, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of the oligosaccharides permitted the tentative formulation of the K-12 core structure. Alternative interpretations for this heterogeneity are discussed.", "PMID": 780112} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5622", "title": "Luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone and the response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in relation to sex and age.", "content": "Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) before and after intravenous injection of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) were studied in 71 male and female subjects of various ages. Mean basal FSH and LH levels were not significantly different in the male groups, except that FSH was significantly higher in the very old subjects. Postmenopausal female subjects had much higher concentrations of both hormones than had premenopausal women. LH was higher in female subjects shortly after the menopause than in very old female subjects. The serum concentrations of both FSH and LH 30 min. after intravenous injection of 200 mug LHRH were not different from the 60 min. values. There was no significant difference in the response of LH in the male groups. The peak FSH concentration was higher in the very old male subjects. Postmenopausal women had a much higher peak concentration of both FSH and LH than had younger subjects. The increment of LH, but not of FSH, was larger in female subjects shortly after the menopause than in very old female subjects. In both sexes there was a significant correlation between the basal FSH/LH ratio and age. In younger male subjects there was a close positive correlation between basal LH and serum testosterone, in older male subjects this correlation was negative and significant.", "contents": "Luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone and the response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in relation to sex and age. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) before and after intravenous injection of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) were studied in 71 male and female subjects of various ages. Mean basal FSH and LH levels were not significantly different in the male groups, except that FSH was significantly higher in the very old subjects. Postmenopausal female subjects had much higher concentrations of both hormones than had premenopausal women. LH was higher in female subjects shortly after the menopause than in very old female subjects. The serum concentrations of both FSH and LH 30 min. after intravenous injection of 200 mug LHRH were not different from the 60 min. values. There was no significant difference in the response of LH in the male groups. The peak FSH concentration was higher in the very old male subjects. Postmenopausal women had a much higher peak concentration of both FSH and LH than had younger subjects. The increment of LH, but not of FSH, was larger in female subjects shortly after the menopause than in very old female subjects. In both sexes there was a significant correlation between the basal FSH/LH ratio and age. In younger male subjects there was a close positive correlation between basal LH and serum testosterone, in older male subjects this correlation was negative and significant.", "PMID": 780116} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5623", "title": "Thermal properties of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "The molecular properties of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from E. coli have been evaluated by circular dichroism and fluorescence emission spectroscopy measurements, with the purpose of studying the structural properties which are relevant for a comparison with the enzyme from the obligate thermophile Bacillus stearothermophilus. The enzyme is moderately resistant to heat treatment, being pratically stable when treated for 10 min at 50 degrees C and completely inactivated when heating was performed at 60 degrees C. The secondary structure of the E. coli GPDH appears to be predominatly beta-structure as judged by circular dichroism, showing a negative band centered at about 219 nm. The emission fluorescence of the enzyme shows a maximum at 333 nm upon excitation at 295 nm. In the native E. coli enzyme the tryptophan residues seem to be buried in a hydrophobic region rather than exposed to a polar environment. The structure of the enzyme did not change up to about 50 degrees C, at which temperature thermal inactivation takes place. Upon denaturation the circular dichronic signal at 219 nm gradually decreases, and a red shift of the emission maximum from 333 nm to ca. 345 nm upon heating is indicative that the native structure of the enzyme is unfolded, the tryptophan being exposed to the solvent medium. Since it has been found that the E. coli GPDH closely resembles in many of its properties the B. stearothermophilus enzyme, this bacterial enzyme seems to be useful for comparision with the thermophilic enzyme in studies of its thermostability.", "contents": "Thermal properties of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli. The molecular properties of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from E. coli have been evaluated by circular dichroism and fluorescence emission spectroscopy measurements, with the purpose of studying the structural properties which are relevant for a comparison with the enzyme from the obligate thermophile Bacillus stearothermophilus. The enzyme is moderately resistant to heat treatment, being pratically stable when treated for 10 min at 50 degrees C and completely inactivated when heating was performed at 60 degrees C. The secondary structure of the E. coli GPDH appears to be predominatly beta-structure as judged by circular dichroism, showing a negative band centered at about 219 nm. The emission fluorescence of the enzyme shows a maximum at 333 nm upon excitation at 295 nm. In the native E. coli enzyme the tryptophan residues seem to be buried in a hydrophobic region rather than exposed to a polar environment. The structure of the enzyme did not change up to about 50 degrees C, at which temperature thermal inactivation takes place. Upon denaturation the circular dichronic signal at 219 nm gradually decreases, and a red shift of the emission maximum from 333 nm to ca. 345 nm upon heating is indicative that the native structure of the enzyme is unfolded, the tryptophan being exposed to the solvent medium. Since it has been found that the E. coli GPDH closely resembles in many of its properties the B. stearothermophilus enzyme, this bacterial enzyme seems to be useful for comparision with the thermophilic enzyme in studies of its thermostability.", "PMID": 780122} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5624", "title": "Comparative conformational properties of thermophilic and mesophilic 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase.", "content": "The structural properties of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase from the mesophilic bacterium E. coli and the thermophilic B. stearothermophilus are compared using circular dichroism and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The enzymes appear to possess a similar structure which does not change on heating up to the respective temperature of stability of the enzyme. The thermostability of the two 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases as determined by activity measurements parallels that determined by CD with the melting profile method, indicating that the loss of biological activity in the enzymes is directly related to the unfolding of the protein molecule. The pattern of unfolding of the proteins by the action of 8 M urea suggests that a core of enhanced conformational stability exists in the B. stearothermophilus enzyme.", "contents": "Comparative conformational properties of thermophilic and mesophilic 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. The structural properties of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase from the mesophilic bacterium E. coli and the thermophilic B. stearothermophilus are compared using circular dichroism and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The enzymes appear to possess a similar structure which does not change on heating up to the respective temperature of stability of the enzyme. The thermostability of the two 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases as determined by activity measurements parallels that determined by CD with the melting profile method, indicating that the loss of biological activity in the enzymes is directly related to the unfolding of the protein molecule. The pattern of unfolding of the proteins by the action of 8 M urea suggests that a core of enhanced conformational stability exists in the B. stearothermophilus enzyme.", "PMID": 780123} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5625", "title": "Bacterial endotoxin and impaired fetal development.", "content": "Small doses of E. coli endotoxin given to pregnant mice on the 13th day of pregnancy caused only a mild maternal illness but induced resorption of approximately half the number of fetuses in each mouse. The remaining live fetuses developed normally and showed no evidence of retarded growth or malformations. The weights of their placentas and maternal spleens increased significantly. Endotoxin given on the 6th day of pregnancy caused a small reduction in fetal weights.", "contents": "Bacterial endotoxin and impaired fetal development. Small doses of E. coli endotoxin given to pregnant mice on the 13th day of pregnancy caused only a mild maternal illness but induced resorption of approximately half the number of fetuses in each mouse. The remaining live fetuses developed normally and showed no evidence of retarded growth or malformations. The weights of their placentas and maternal spleens increased significantly. Endotoxin given on the 6th day of pregnancy caused a small reduction in fetal weights.", "PMID": 780127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5626", "title": "Attempt to alter antigenic structure of normal tissues by treatment with dimethyl-triazeno-imidazole-carboxamide in vivo.", "content": "The antigenic structure of normal skin and spleen cells has been investigated following in vivo treatment with the compound DIC. In experiments involving skin grafting in the normal and sensitized host, cross sensitization with a DIC-antigenic lymphoma and 3H-thymidine incorporation by lymphocytes cultured with DIC-treated spleen cells, new antigens on DIC-treated tissues were not demonstrated.", "contents": "Attempt to alter antigenic structure of normal tissues by treatment with dimethyl-triazeno-imidazole-carboxamide in vivo. The antigenic structure of normal skin and spleen cells has been investigated following in vivo treatment with the compound DIC. In experiments involving skin grafting in the normal and sensitized host, cross sensitization with a DIC-antigenic lymphoma and 3H-thymidine incorporation by lymphocytes cultured with DIC-treated spleen cells, new antigens on DIC-treated tissues were not demonstrated.", "PMID": 780128} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5627", "title": "Controlling protein evolution.", "content": "A method is presented for selecting, with a high degree of specificity, mutants for the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae having altered kinetics. The method depends on the facts that a) petite yeast strains (those unable to respire aerobically) have an absolute dependence on the presence of cytoplasmic alcohol dehydrogenase, and b) allyl alcohol is readily oxidized by yeast ADH to the highly poisonous product acrolein. If petite yeast are grown in the presence of allyl alcohol surviving mutants show alterations that can be traced to the ADH structural gene. Eight out of nine spontaneous mutant enzymes and five out of five mutants enzymes induced by nitrosoguanidine exhibited a slower electrophoresis mobility than wild type. There may therefore be some correlation between electrophoretic mobility and function. Of three mutant enzymes purified, one of spontaneous origin and two induced by nitrosoguanidine, each showed a different pattern of altered kinetics and a different specific activity. This strongly suggests that, despite the considerable specificity of the selective procedure, there are many ways in which an enzyme can be altered in response to an environmental stimulus. The implications of these results for the study of protein evolution and some directions for future research are briefly discussed.", "contents": "Controlling protein evolution. A method is presented for selecting, with a high degree of specificity, mutants for the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae having altered kinetics. The method depends on the facts that a) petite yeast strains (those unable to respire aerobically) have an absolute dependence on the presence of cytoplasmic alcohol dehydrogenase, and b) allyl alcohol is readily oxidized by yeast ADH to the highly poisonous product acrolein. If petite yeast are grown in the presence of allyl alcohol surviving mutants show alterations that can be traced to the ADH structural gene. Eight out of nine spontaneous mutant enzymes and five out of five mutants enzymes induced by nitrosoguanidine exhibited a slower electrophoresis mobility than wild type. There may therefore be some correlation between electrophoretic mobility and function. Of three mutant enzymes purified, one of spontaneous origin and two induced by nitrosoguanidine, each showed a different pattern of altered kinetics and a different specific activity. This strongly suggests that, despite the considerable specificity of the selective procedure, there are many ways in which an enzyme can be altered in response to an environmental stimulus. The implications of these results for the study of protein evolution and some directions for future research are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 780131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5628", "title": "DNA sequence arrangement and preliminary evidence on its evolution.", "content": "Some recent measurements of the sequence arrangement and evolution of the eukaryotic genome are reviewed. The range of genome sizes and extent of sequence transcribed into nuclear and messenger RNA indicate that the majority of the single copy DNA is not made up of structural genes. The rate of base substitution in the single copy DNA among the primates is similar to that of the codons for certain rapidly changing amino acid residues. This leads to the hypothesis that there is a \"basal\" rate of change in the genome not strongly affected by selection. The DNA of most higher animals shows a large amount of short period interspersion of repetitive and single copy DNA sequences and a smaller amount of long repetitive regions. The sequence divergence among the short interspersed repetitive sequences is greater than that of the sequences in long repetitive regions. The long repetitive regions are most probably recent additions to the genome and the short interspersed repetitive sequences result from a history of base substitution and translocation. The process of sequence rearrangement appears to be a significant part of the evolution of the genome and may have a much greater effect on the evolution of the phenotype than sequence alteration by base substitution.", "contents": "DNA sequence arrangement and preliminary evidence on its evolution. Some recent measurements of the sequence arrangement and evolution of the eukaryotic genome are reviewed. The range of genome sizes and extent of sequence transcribed into nuclear and messenger RNA indicate that the majority of the single copy DNA is not made up of structural genes. The rate of base substitution in the single copy DNA among the primates is similar to that of the codons for certain rapidly changing amino acid residues. This leads to the hypothesis that there is a \"basal\" rate of change in the genome not strongly affected by selection. The DNA of most higher animals shows a large amount of short period interspersion of repetitive and single copy DNA sequences and a smaller amount of long repetitive regions. The sequence divergence among the short interspersed repetitive sequences is greater than that of the sequences in long repetitive regions. The long repetitive regions are most probably recent additions to the genome and the short interspersed repetitive sequences result from a history of base substitution and translocation. The process of sequence rearrangement appears to be a significant part of the evolution of the genome and may have a much greater effect on the evolution of the phenotype than sequence alteration by base substitution.", "PMID": 780132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5629", "title": "Delay of puberty and inhibition of reproductive processes in the rat by a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist analog.", "content": "Studies were performed in immature and mature female rats to determine the effects of chronic administration of [D-Leu6,des-Gly-NH210, Pro-ethylamide9]-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) upon maturation and maintenance of reproductive function. Treatment of immature rats inhibited normal overian growth and maturation as evidenced by arrest of uterine growth, delay of vaginal opening, and absence of normal cycling. The primary responses in the mature animal were cessation of cycling, atrophy of the ovaries to a \"prepuberal\" size, and uterine weight regression. In both groups termination of treatment was followed by prompt restoration of normal ovarian mass and function, including support of breeding processes. The results presented here suggest that chronic administration of the GnRH analog inhibits ovarian steroid output either by direct action of the analog on the ovary or indirectly through qualitative or quantitative changes in levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.", "contents": "Delay of puberty and inhibition of reproductive processes in the rat by a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist analog. Studies were performed in immature and mature female rats to determine the effects of chronic administration of [D-Leu6,des-Gly-NH210, Pro-ethylamide9]-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) upon maturation and maintenance of reproductive function. Treatment of immature rats inhibited normal overian growth and maturation as evidenced by arrest of uterine growth, delay of vaginal opening, and absence of normal cycling. The primary responses in the mature animal were cessation of cycling, atrophy of the ovaries to a \"prepuberal\" size, and uterine weight regression. In both groups termination of treatment was followed by prompt restoration of normal ovarian mass and function, including support of breeding processes. The results presented here suggest that chronic administration of the GnRH analog inhibits ovarian steroid output either by direct action of the analog on the ovary or indirectly through qualitative or quantitative changes in levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.", "PMID": 780136} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5630", "title": "Immunization of mice with a mutant of Cryptococcus neoformans. Characterization of the mutant, actively acquired resistance to experimental cryptococcosis in mice.", "content": "In 69% of subdermally and 50% of subcutaneously immunized mice, immunity against Cryptococcus neoformans was obtained. The vaccine consisted of a gamma-irradiated mutant, which grew well at 5 degree C and at room temperature. Many subcultures and animal passages did not restore this mutant to the encapsulated, pathogenic wild type.", "contents": "Immunization of mice with a mutant of Cryptococcus neoformans. Characterization of the mutant, actively acquired resistance to experimental cryptococcosis in mice. In 69% of subdermally and 50% of subcutaneously immunized mice, immunity against Cryptococcus neoformans was obtained. The vaccine consisted of a gamma-irradiated mutant, which grew well at 5 degree C and at room temperature. Many subcultures and animal passages did not restore this mutant to the encapsulated, pathogenic wild type.", "PMID": 780165} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5631", "title": "[Sperm agglutination, sperm immobilization and sperm immunofluorescence test in married couples with unexplained infertility (author's transl)].", "content": "Thirty-four married couples with clinically unexplained infertility and normal spermiograms in all male partners were investigated for sperm antibodies by means of the sperm agglutination, sperm immobilization and sperm immunofluorescence test. In 50% of the couples, sperm antibodies were found in at least one of the partners and with at least one of the tests, e.g. ten times in the female partner alone, six times in the male partner alone, and once in both partners. The correspondance of the three tests was astonishingly low; it is assumed, therefore, that they indicate different types of antibodies. On the basis of the present investigations it is not possible to assess which type of antibody is responsible for the infertility of the female or male partner respectively. This seems only possible when the decrease of certain antibody types can be determined after a period of no antigen contact (avoidance of sperm contact) and when conception has taken place. The significance of autoantibodies against sperm in clinically healthy men with normal spermiograms remains open.", "contents": "[Sperm agglutination, sperm immobilization and sperm immunofluorescence test in married couples with unexplained infertility (author's transl)]. Thirty-four married couples with clinically unexplained infertility and normal spermiograms in all male partners were investigated for sperm antibodies by means of the sperm agglutination, sperm immobilization and sperm immunofluorescence test. In 50% of the couples, sperm antibodies were found in at least one of the partners and with at least one of the tests, e.g. ten times in the female partner alone, six times in the male partner alone, and once in both partners. The correspondance of the three tests was astonishingly low; it is assumed, therefore, that they indicate different types of antibodies. On the basis of the present investigations it is not possible to assess which type of antibody is responsible for the infertility of the female or male partner respectively. This seems only possible when the decrease of certain antibody types can be determined after a period of no antigen contact (avoidance of sperm contact) and when conception has taken place. The significance of autoantibodies against sperm in clinically healthy men with normal spermiograms remains open.", "PMID": 780166} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5632", "title": "Absence of an inhibitory effect of oestradiol on LH-RH induced release of LH in vitro caused by inhibition of protein synthesis.", "content": "Pituitary glands of ovariectomized rats were incubated for four hours and the LH released into the medium was measured by radioimmunoassay at one-hour intervals. The effect of a maximally active dose of LH-RH (1000 mg/ml) on pituitary LH release was inhibited by oestradiol (15 ng/ml) added to the media. Although cycloheximide (25 mug/ml) and puromycin (54 mug/ml) in the medium did not affect LH-RH-induced LH release consistently, the inhibitory effect of oestradiol was prevented. It is concluded that this effect of oestradiol is dependent on de novo synthesis of protein.", "contents": "Absence of an inhibitory effect of oestradiol on LH-RH induced release of LH in vitro caused by inhibition of protein synthesis. Pituitary glands of ovariectomized rats were incubated for four hours and the LH released into the medium was measured by radioimmunoassay at one-hour intervals. The effect of a maximally active dose of LH-RH (1000 mg/ml) on pituitary LH release was inhibited by oestradiol (15 ng/ml) added to the media. Although cycloheximide (25 mug/ml) and puromycin (54 mug/ml) in the medium did not affect LH-RH-induced LH release consistently, the inhibitory effect of oestradiol was prevented. It is concluded that this effect of oestradiol is dependent on de novo synthesis of protein.", "PMID": 780172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5633", "title": "Measurement of intravesical and rectal pressures simultaneously with electromyography of anal sphincter in children with myelomeningocele.", "content": "This paper reports a technique for simultaneous measurement of intravesical pressure, intra-abdominal pressure, electromyographic activity of the external and sphincter and urinary flow. Using this technique during filling of the bladder and during micturition in 38 children with myelomeningocele and neurogenic bladder disturbance, it was possible to identify four main types of bladder dysfunction in these children. Once the type of bladder dysfunction is established for each child, adequate management can be planned far in advance of the detection of inherent upper urinary tract damage. This is particularly important in children with upper somatomotor lesions of bladder innervation in which detrusor-spincter dyssynergia may be present; this dyssynergia always causes some degree of obstruction at the level of the external urethral sphincter and is a constant threat to renal function.", "contents": "Measurement of intravesical and rectal pressures simultaneously with electromyography of anal sphincter in children with myelomeningocele. This paper reports a technique for simultaneous measurement of intravesical pressure, intra-abdominal pressure, electromyographic activity of the external and sphincter and urinary flow. Using this technique during filling of the bladder and during micturition in 38 children with myelomeningocele and neurogenic bladder disturbance, it was possible to identify four main types of bladder dysfunction in these children. Once the type of bladder dysfunction is established for each child, adequate management can be planned far in advance of the detection of inherent upper urinary tract damage. This is particularly important in children with upper somatomotor lesions of bladder innervation in which detrusor-spincter dyssynergia may be present; this dyssynergia always causes some degree of obstruction at the level of the external urethral sphincter and is a constant threat to renal function.", "PMID": 780175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5634", "title": "Prophylaxis in urinary tract infection in children with myelomeningocele.", "content": "In 39 infants and children with myelomeningocele, no lower incidence of urinary tract infection was obtained by a trial of prophylaxis treatment with nitrofurantoin. Instead, nitrofurantoin-resistant strains appeared in some children, with the accompanying higher risk of re-infection.", "contents": "Prophylaxis in urinary tract infection in children with myelomeningocele. In 39 infants and children with myelomeningocele, no lower incidence of urinary tract infection was obtained by a trial of prophylaxis treatment with nitrofurantoin. Instead, nitrofurantoin-resistant strains appeared in some children, with the accompanying higher risk of re-infection.", "PMID": 780176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5635", "title": "The pepsinogens of cat gastric mucosa and the pepsins derived from them.", "content": "Fundic mucosal extracts of the cat were examined by chromatography using DEAE-cellulose at pH 5.3. The peaks of proteolytic activity located by this method were shown to be heterogeneous on electrophoresis. By electrophoresis of individual homogenous chromatographic fractions 9 separate zones of proteolytic activity were detected. One zone did not migrate from the origin and is possibly a non-pepsinogen gastric protease. Simultaneous electrophoresis of pepsinogens and pepsins indicated that each pepsinogen gave rise to one pepsin. One zymogen gives rise to a pepsin active with the synthetic substrate acetyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-diiodotyrosine (APDT).", "contents": "The pepsinogens of cat gastric mucosa and the pepsins derived from them. Fundic mucosal extracts of the cat were examined by chromatography using DEAE-cellulose at pH 5.3. The peaks of proteolytic activity located by this method were shown to be heterogeneous on electrophoresis. By electrophoresis of individual homogenous chromatographic fractions 9 separate zones of proteolytic activity were detected. One zone did not migrate from the origin and is possibly a non-pepsinogen gastric protease. Simultaneous electrophoresis of pepsinogens and pepsins indicated that each pepsinogen gave rise to one pepsin. One zymogen gives rise to a pepsin active with the synthetic substrate acetyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-diiodotyrosine (APDT).", "PMID": 780180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5636", "title": "In vitro secretion of gastrin, insulin, and glucagon in tissue cultures of pancreas from a child with neonatal intractable hypoglycemia.", "content": "Small pieces of pancreatic tissue were obtained at surgery from a subtotal pancreatectomy performed in a 45-day-old child suffering from intractable neonatal hyperinsulinic hypoglycemia. Histological examination was performed using aldehyde fuchsin, Grimelius', and Hellerstr\u00f6m-Hellman's stainings, and immunoperoxidase labeling of insulin and gastrin. The pancreatic tissue before explantation showed numerous and sometimes hyperplastic islets, together with isolated insulin-, glucagon-, and gastrin-containing cells scattered among the exocrine tissue, in aspects similar to \"B cell nesidioblastosis.\" These features could be interpreted as an acinoinsular transformation and/or an embryonic malformation. Extralobular endocrine islet formation by budding from ductular structures was evoked, suggesting the persistency of embryonic properties. The pieces were cultivated on rooster plasma coagulum covered with culture medium. In vitro, endocrine cells survived for 43 days, with outgrowth from the explant and with retention of their secretory abilities. After each medium renewal, radioimmunoassays were performed on the culture medium; they showed that insulin and glucagon secretions decreased with time. On the contrary, secretion of immunoreactive gastrin progressively increased, and kept up to 43 days, with subcultures. Some explants developed in a peculiar way, outgrowing as epithelial layers rich in gastrin-secreting cells as indicated by radioimmunoassays performed after they were reexplanted.", "contents": "In vitro secretion of gastrin, insulin, and glucagon in tissue cultures of pancreas from a child with neonatal intractable hypoglycemia. Small pieces of pancreatic tissue were obtained at surgery from a subtotal pancreatectomy performed in a 45-day-old child suffering from intractable neonatal hyperinsulinic hypoglycemia. Histological examination was performed using aldehyde fuchsin, Grimelius', and Hellerstr\u00f6m-Hellman's stainings, and immunoperoxidase labeling of insulin and gastrin. The pancreatic tissue before explantation showed numerous and sometimes hyperplastic islets, together with isolated insulin-, glucagon-, and gastrin-containing cells scattered among the exocrine tissue, in aspects similar to \"B cell nesidioblastosis.\" These features could be interpreted as an acinoinsular transformation and/or an embryonic malformation. Extralobular endocrine islet formation by budding from ductular structures was evoked, suggesting the persistency of embryonic properties. The pieces were cultivated on rooster plasma coagulum covered with culture medium. In vitro, endocrine cells survived for 43 days, with outgrowth from the explant and with retention of their secretory abilities. After each medium renewal, radioimmunoassays were performed on the culture medium; they showed that insulin and glucagon secretions decreased with time. On the contrary, secretion of immunoreactive gastrin progressively increased, and kept up to 43 days, with subcultures. Some explants developed in a peculiar way, outgrowing as epithelial layers rich in gastrin-secreting cells as indicated by radioimmunoassays performed after they were reexplanted.", "PMID": 780181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5637", "title": "Spontaneous peritonitis of cirrhosis due to Campylobacter fetus.", "content": "An unusual case of spontaneous peritonitis of cirrhosis associated with Campylobacter fetus is reported. This microaerophilic gram-negative bacillus has been increasingly associated with human disease recently, particularly in patients with cirrhosis. The infection is characteristically relapsing in nature and requires protracted antimicrobial therapy.", "contents": "Spontaneous peritonitis of cirrhosis due to Campylobacter fetus. An unusual case of spontaneous peritonitis of cirrhosis associated with Campylobacter fetus is reported. This microaerophilic gram-negative bacillus has been increasingly associated with human disease recently, particularly in patients with cirrhosis. The infection is characteristically relapsing in nature and requires protracted antimicrobial therapy.", "PMID": 780182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5638", "title": "A computerized questionnaire analysis of duodenal ulcer symptoms.", "content": "The characteristics, daily routine of life, and symptom patterns of 100 patients with a radiologically proven duodenal ulcer were compared with 100 controls. This confirmed that ulcer pain occurred periodically with attacks and remissions, could be relieved by antacids, vomiting, and avoiding fatty food, but was made worse by worry. The anatomical site was usually epigastric but other sites were common. Pain was unaffected by diet or a change in the seasons and had no constant relationship to meals. It occurred during the day in all of the patients and at night in 88%.", "contents": "A computerized questionnaire analysis of duodenal ulcer symptoms. The characteristics, daily routine of life, and symptom patterns of 100 patients with a radiologically proven duodenal ulcer were compared with 100 controls. This confirmed that ulcer pain occurred periodically with attacks and remissions, could be relieved by antacids, vomiting, and avoiding fatty food, but was made worse by worry. The anatomical site was usually epigastric but other sites were common. Pain was unaffected by diet or a change in the seasons and had no constant relationship to meals. It occurred during the day in all of the patients and at night in 88%.", "PMID": 780183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5639", "title": "Alcoholism: its effect on hypothalamic pituitary gonadal function.", "content": "Both as the result of liver disease and of alcoholism per se, chronic alcoholics develop infertility, sterility, gonadal atrophy, hypoandrogenization, and feminization. The hypothalamic-pituitary abnormalities associated with alcoholism include hyperprolactenemia-increased estrogen-stimulated neurophysin levels, suppressed secretion of plasma gonadotropins, and loss of gonadotropin reserve. Several of the possible mechanisms potentially responsible for the development of these endocrine abnormalities have been discussed. The rational for suspecting that alcohol might interfere with either vitamin A metabolism of alter the redox state of the testes, thus affecting germ cell proliferation and steroidogenesis, has been presented. A possible mechanism for the sexual changes observed in chronic alcoholic men has been proposed. Much work remains to be done in this area before a complete understanding of the pathogenesis of these phenomena is obtained. The omission of any consideration of the effects of alcohol on sexual function in women is an admission of gross ignorance greatly in need of rectification. The necessity for couching a description of even the natural history of the syndrome in alcoholic men in conditional terms is a reflection of the limited state of the art. Nevertheless, it behooves the gastroenterologist, who is frequently called upon to be the primary physician for alcoholic men, to keep abreast of the nongastrointestinal medical consequences of alcohol addiction so that they can be recognized early and incorporated into long range medical planning designed to care for the chronic alcoholic patient.", "contents": "Alcoholism: its effect on hypothalamic pituitary gonadal function. Both as the result of liver disease and of alcoholism per se, chronic alcoholics develop infertility, sterility, gonadal atrophy, hypoandrogenization, and feminization. The hypothalamic-pituitary abnormalities associated with alcoholism include hyperprolactenemia-increased estrogen-stimulated neurophysin levels, suppressed secretion of plasma gonadotropins, and loss of gonadotropin reserve. Several of the possible mechanisms potentially responsible for the development of these endocrine abnormalities have been discussed. The rational for suspecting that alcohol might interfere with either vitamin A metabolism of alter the redox state of the testes, thus affecting germ cell proliferation and steroidogenesis, has been presented. A possible mechanism for the sexual changes observed in chronic alcoholic men has been proposed. Much work remains to be done in this area before a complete understanding of the pathogenesis of these phenomena is obtained. The omission of any consideration of the effects of alcohol on sexual function in women is an admission of gross ignorance greatly in need of rectification. The necessity for couching a description of even the natural history of the syndrome in alcoholic men in conditional terms is a reflection of the limited state of the art. Nevertheless, it behooves the gastroenterologist, who is frequently called upon to be the primary physician for alcoholic men, to keep abreast of the nongastrointestinal medical consequences of alcohol addiction so that they can be recognized early and incorporated into long range medical planning designed to care for the chronic alcoholic patient.", "PMID": 780184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5640", "title": "Bacterial variants: etiologic agent in Crohn's disease?", "content": "Bacterial variants of Pseudomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas-like bacteria were recovered from tissues removed during the surgical treatment of three successive patients with Crohn's disease and from one patient with clinical and pathological features of both Crohn's disease and chronic ulcerative colitis. Bacterial variants were not cultured from colonic specimens of one patient with classical features of chronic ulcerative colitis and two patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon. The findings suggest that a relationship exists between variant bacteria and the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.", "contents": "Bacterial variants: etiologic agent in Crohn's disease? Bacterial variants of Pseudomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas-like bacteria were recovered from tissues removed during the surgical treatment of three successive patients with Crohn's disease and from one patient with clinical and pathological features of both Crohn's disease and chronic ulcerative colitis. Bacterial variants were not cultured from colonic specimens of one patient with classical features of chronic ulcerative colitis and two patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon. The findings suggest that a relationship exists between variant bacteria and the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.", "PMID": 780185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5641", "title": "[Circulatory disturbances in the embryo (author's transl)].", "content": "Circulatory disturbances in human embryo in the phase of organogenesis are frequent, as shown by the pathological-anatomical findings and the results of experimental embryology. There is edema and hemorrhage around the blood vessels and emboli of necrotic tissue (chiefly from the chorion) are found. The embryonic heart, which shows peristaltic movements, has a very small reserve of performance. Since there is no peripheral regulation of circulation, every damage to the vascular system results in a higher cardiac load. During organogenesis the extraembryonic vascular plexus is considerably larger than the intraembryonic plexus. Lesions of the chorion, the barrier between embryo and environment, can result in chronic or acute cardiac insufficiency. This is presumably one of the reasons why the mortality in this developmental stage is particularly high.", "contents": "[Circulatory disturbances in the embryo (author's transl)]. Circulatory disturbances in human embryo in the phase of organogenesis are frequent, as shown by the pathological-anatomical findings and the results of experimental embryology. There is edema and hemorrhage around the blood vessels and emboli of necrotic tissue (chiefly from the chorion) are found. The embryonic heart, which shows peristaltic movements, has a very small reserve of performance. Since there is no peripheral regulation of circulation, every damage to the vascular system results in a higher cardiac load. During organogenesis the extraembryonic vascular plexus is considerably larger than the intraembryonic plexus. Lesions of the chorion, the barrier between embryo and environment, can result in chronic or acute cardiac insufficiency. This is presumably one of the reasons why the mortality in this developmental stage is particularly high.", "PMID": 780188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5642", "title": "[Report of clinical testing of BCG vaccine (Strain \"1331 Copenhagen\") for vaccination of newborns against tuberculosis (author's transl)].", "content": "BCG vaccination with the vaccine \"1331 Copenhagen\" in various concentrations was carried out in 129 newborns. Control examinations were conducted to establish the complication rate and the percentage of tuberculin-positive children. Complications, either locally or in regional lymphatic areas, did not appear. The conversion rate increased with the number of viable units pro dose of vaccine. A vaccine with a concentration of about 250,000 units of vaccine pro dose is recommended for additional clinical testing.", "contents": "[Report of clinical testing of BCG vaccine (Strain \"1331 Copenhagen\") for vaccination of newborns against tuberculosis (author's transl)]. BCG vaccination with the vaccine \"1331 Copenhagen\" in various concentrations was carried out in 129 newborns. Control examinations were conducted to establish the complication rate and the percentage of tuberculin-positive children. Complications, either locally or in regional lymphatic areas, did not appear. The conversion rate increased with the number of viable units pro dose of vaccine. A vaccine with a concentration of about 250,000 units of vaccine pro dose is recommended for additional clinical testing.", "PMID": 780189} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5643", "title": "Detecting and treating arteriosclerotic renovascular hypertension.", "content": "Renovascular hypertension is the most prevalent form of surgically remediable hypertension. With appropriate selection of operative candidates, a high rate of cure or improvement may be anticipated. Favorable results justify revascularization in hypertensive patients with focal arteriosclerotic renal artery disease. The absence of advanced arteriosclerosis provides the most valid basis for predicting long-term survival following revascularization. Patients with clinically demonstrable diffuse arteriosclerotic disease are preferably treated medically; we consider them candidates for surgery only if drug therapy cannot control blood pressure. Renal revascularization does not appear to alter the inexorable progression of concomitant generalized arteriosclerosis. Revascularization rather than nephrectomy is the primary surgical therapy for renal artery stenosis in properly selected patients.", "contents": "Detecting and treating arteriosclerotic renovascular hypertension. Renovascular hypertension is the most prevalent form of surgically remediable hypertension. With appropriate selection of operative candidates, a high rate of cure or improvement may be anticipated. Favorable results justify revascularization in hypertensive patients with focal arteriosclerotic renal artery disease. The absence of advanced arteriosclerosis provides the most valid basis for predicting long-term survival following revascularization. Patients with clinically demonstrable diffuse arteriosclerotic disease are preferably treated medically; we consider them candidates for surgery only if drug therapy cannot control blood pressure. Renal revascularization does not appear to alter the inexorable progression of concomitant generalized arteriosclerosis. Revascularization rather than nephrectomy is the primary surgical therapy for renal artery stenosis in properly selected patients.", "PMID": 780201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5644", "title": "Delayed flexor tendon repair in the digital sheath with end-to-end suture and fascial graft.", "content": "The results of treatment of nine divided tendons in scarred fingers by secondary suture and reconstruction of a new sheath by fascial graft is reported and discussed.", "contents": "Delayed flexor tendon repair in the digital sheath with end-to-end suture and fascial graft. The results of treatment of nine divided tendons in scarred fingers by secondary suture and reconstruction of a new sheath by fascial graft is reported and discussed.", "PMID": 780221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5645", "title": "The by-pass operation for arthritis at the first carpometacarpal joint.", "content": "The By-Pass operation provides a less destructive alternative to arthroplasty or arthrodesis for fixation of the first carpometacarpal joint.", "contents": "The by-pass operation for arthritis at the first carpometacarpal joint. The By-Pass operation provides a less destructive alternative to arthroplasty or arthrodesis for fixation of the first carpometacarpal joint.", "PMID": 780222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5646", "title": "Effect of phytohaemagglutinin on primary immune response in the rat.", "content": "PHA pretreatment if given as a single stimulus exerted a stimulatory effect on SRBC haemolysin production rats. If administered repeatedly, it proved to be immunosuppressive.", "contents": "Effect of phytohaemagglutinin on primary immune response in the rat. PHA pretreatment if given as a single stimulus exerted a stimulatory effect on SRBC haemolysin production rats. If administered repeatedly, it proved to be immunosuppressive.", "PMID": 780226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5647", "title": "Lymphocyte immunological patterns in leukaemia: a review.", "content": "Investigation of the cell S--Ig in acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL), at the onset of relapse of the disease, shows quite marked differences from patient to patient according to the extent of the immunofluorescent-positive cells. They may vary from 0.5 to 25% or more. When these Ig-positive cells are treated with trypsin and then incubated \"in vitro\" for six hours, many of them are no longer Ig-positive, i.e. they do not synthesize Ig. It might be possible, that the membrane-Ig observed before trypsinization does not represent true Ig-determinants of mature B-cells (antibodies attached to leukaemia-specific determinants?). The extent of these features decrease in remission until their disappearance. Relationship between the cell immunological patterns and the treatment response in ALL could exist. In a group of ALL-patients under the same treatment, that is, vincristine and prednisone, the correlation between the course of the disease after the above-mentioned therapy showed quick and complete remission in patients with low percentage of Ig-positive cells (below 10%) and poor improvement (often without complete remission) in patients with higher percentage of Ig-positive cells. Among the most important B-lymphocyte abnormalities in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) are the following: (a) fluorescence intensity may vary not only from patient to patient, but also from cell to cell in the same patient; (b) the Fc-receptor can be lacking; (c) the C3b-receptor is not always present, or it is from 2 to 20-folds less frequent than the C3d-receptor, whereas normal human lymphocytes do not show any outstanding differences between the number of EAC rosette-forming cells either when tested with mouse complement (C3d-receptor) or with human complement C3b-receptor); (d) the traffic capacity of peripheral-blood B-lymphocytes in CLL is quite defective. Results of the observations on lymphocytes in CLL, taken as a whole, suggest that CLL is in general given by the expansion of an abnormal clone of cells of B origin, arrested in their maturative development, non-responsive to the mitogen stimulation, accumulating in the peripheral-blood for a traffic deficiency. On the contrary, the T-cells class is apparently normal, and the T-cell extent in CLL-peripheral blood can be even greater than normal when taken as absolute value.", "contents": "Lymphocyte immunological patterns in leukaemia: a review. Investigation of the cell S--Ig in acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL), at the onset of relapse of the disease, shows quite marked differences from patient to patient according to the extent of the immunofluorescent-positive cells. They may vary from 0.5 to 25% or more. When these Ig-positive cells are treated with trypsin and then incubated \"in vitro\" for six hours, many of them are no longer Ig-positive, i.e. they do not synthesize Ig. It might be possible, that the membrane-Ig observed before trypsinization does not represent true Ig-determinants of mature B-cells (antibodies attached to leukaemia-specific determinants?). The extent of these features decrease in remission until their disappearance. Relationship between the cell immunological patterns and the treatment response in ALL could exist. In a group of ALL-patients under the same treatment, that is, vincristine and prednisone, the correlation between the course of the disease after the above-mentioned therapy showed quick and complete remission in patients with low percentage of Ig-positive cells (below 10%) and poor improvement (often without complete remission) in patients with higher percentage of Ig-positive cells. Among the most important B-lymphocyte abnormalities in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) are the following: (a) fluorescence intensity may vary not only from patient to patient, but also from cell to cell in the same patient; (b) the Fc-receptor can be lacking; (c) the C3b-receptor is not always present, or it is from 2 to 20-folds less frequent than the C3d-receptor, whereas normal human lymphocytes do not show any outstanding differences between the number of EAC rosette-forming cells either when tested with mouse complement (C3d-receptor) or with human complement C3b-receptor); (d) the traffic capacity of peripheral-blood B-lymphocytes in CLL is quite defective. Results of the observations on lymphocytes in CLL, taken as a whole, suggest that CLL is in general given by the expansion of an abnormal clone of cells of B origin, arrested in their maturative development, non-responsive to the mitogen stimulation, accumulating in the peripheral-blood for a traffic deficiency. On the contrary, the T-cells class is apparently normal, and the T-cell extent in CLL-peripheral blood can be even greater than normal when taken as absolute value.", "PMID": 780227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5648", "title": "Leptospiral antibodies in wild living animals from North Tyrol.", "content": "The authors examined serologically 623 wild living animals (22 species) from North Tyrol for the incidence of leptospirosis. Positive reactions (MAL) in the titre 1: 100 and more were found in 4.5% of the animals examined; the serotypes concerned were these: icterohaemorrhagiae, sorex-jalna, castellonis or arboreae, grippotyphosa, bratislava, pomona, sejroe, saxkoebing. Positive reactions were obtained with the sera of Sorex araneus, Erinaceus europaeus, Putorius putorius, Vulpes vulpes, Cervus elaphus, Capreolus capreolus, Rupicapra rupicapra, Apodemus sp., Clethrionomys glareolus. The serotypes forming natural foci of leptospirosis in North Tyrol are these: sorex-jalna, grippotyphosa, bratislava, saxkoebing and, apparently, jalna. Synanthropic foci are formed by icterohaemorrhagiae or copenhageni and sejroe.", "contents": "Leptospiral antibodies in wild living animals from North Tyrol. The authors examined serologically 623 wild living animals (22 species) from North Tyrol for the incidence of leptospirosis. Positive reactions (MAL) in the titre 1: 100 and more were found in 4.5% of the animals examined; the serotypes concerned were these: icterohaemorrhagiae, sorex-jalna, castellonis or arboreae, grippotyphosa, bratislava, pomona, sejroe, saxkoebing. Positive reactions were obtained with the sera of Sorex araneus, Erinaceus europaeus, Putorius putorius, Vulpes vulpes, Cervus elaphus, Capreolus capreolus, Rupicapra rupicapra, Apodemus sp., Clethrionomys glareolus. The serotypes forming natural foci of leptospirosis in North Tyrol are these: sorex-jalna, grippotyphosa, bratislava, saxkoebing and, apparently, jalna. Synanthropic foci are formed by icterohaemorrhagiae or copenhageni and sejroe.", "PMID": 780229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5649", "title": "Loss of inducible D-galactose transport by baker's yeast after osmotic treatment.", "content": "The ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to transport D-galactose and related sugars with an axial hydroxyl group at C-4, acquired by induction with D-galactose, was lost either by exposing early exponential-phase cells to an osmotic shock involving incubation in 0.6M NaC1O4, 0.66M sucrose and 1mM histidine and transfer to 5mM Tris-HC1 with 2mM dithiothreitol, or simply by transferring them to distilled water. The total amount of protein thus released was 0.1--0.35 and 0.1 mg per mg dry wt., respectively. The shock fluid contained at least six proteins, among them a galactose-binding component. L-Arabinose transport could not be restored by adding the concentrated shock fluid to depleted cells but cells remained viable after the shock and resynthesized the transport system if incubated in a galactose-containing growth medium.", "contents": "Loss of inducible D-galactose transport by baker's yeast after osmotic treatment. The ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to transport D-galactose and related sugars with an axial hydroxyl group at C-4, acquired by induction with D-galactose, was lost either by exposing early exponential-phase cells to an osmotic shock involving incubation in 0.6M NaC1O4, 0.66M sucrose and 1mM histidine and transfer to 5mM Tris-HC1 with 2mM dithiothreitol, or simply by transferring them to distilled water. The total amount of protein thus released was 0.1--0.35 and 0.1 mg per mg dry wt., respectively. The shock fluid contained at least six proteins, among them a galactose-binding component. L-Arabinose transport could not be restored by adding the concentrated shock fluid to depleted cells but cells remained viable after the shock and resynthesized the transport system if incubated in a galactose-containing growth medium.", "PMID": 780236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5650", "title": "Role of post-replication and excision repair mechanism in the induction of Trp+ revertants of UV-irradiated Escherichia coli.", "content": "Both the post-replication and the excision repair mechanism participate in the induction of Trp+ revertants in Escherichia coli B/r Hcr+ thy trp after a UV-irradiation. At low radiation doses (surviving cell fraction greater than 10(-1) most Trp+ reversions are due to post-replication repair mechanism while at high doses (surviving cell fraction less than 10(-1)) the Trp+ reversions arise probably as the result of an inaccurate excision repair. The absolute accuracy of repair processes decreases with increasing radiation dose.", "contents": "Role of post-replication and excision repair mechanism in the induction of Trp+ revertants of UV-irradiated Escherichia coli. Both the post-replication and the excision repair mechanism participate in the induction of Trp+ revertants in Escherichia coli B/r Hcr+ thy trp after a UV-irradiation. At low radiation doses (surviving cell fraction greater than 10(-1) most Trp+ reversions are due to post-replication repair mechanism while at high doses (surviving cell fraction less than 10(-1)) the Trp+ reversions arise probably as the result of an inaccurate excision repair. The absolute accuracy of repair processes decreases with increasing radiation dose.", "PMID": 780238} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5651", "title": "The effect of substitution of diaminopimelic acid by 4-hydroxy-diaminopimelic acid on the synthesis and degradation of murein in Escherichia coli 173-25.", "content": "Defects in the formation of the septum and gradually autolysis of cells occur when the dap-dependent mutant of Escherichia coli is grown in a medium with 4-hydroxy-diaminopimelic acid. When the culture grown in the presence of the labelled analogue is supplemented with the non-radioactive diaminopimelic acid a portion of the TCA-soluble radioactivity is released from the cells during 20 min after the addition of diaminopimelic acid. During this time interval the elongated forms formed in the presence of the analogue divide, however, only on the condition that the above forms are not irreversibly damaged. The increased concentration of the analogue in the medium substantially suppresses the irregularities in the development of the septum as well as the degradation of analogue containing cell wall. However, the growth rate in the presence of the analogue is always slightly lower than that in the presence of diaminopimelic acid. The cell wall pulse-labelled with diaminopimelic acid or its analogue for a time interval shorter than 1/4 of the generation time exhibits the same or only slightly higher rate of diaminopimelic acid is probably utilized less effectively for the synthesis of murein than diaminopimelic acid. However, its incorporation into the wall does not result in pronounced damage of the cell.", "contents": "The effect of substitution of diaminopimelic acid by 4-hydroxy-diaminopimelic acid on the synthesis and degradation of murein in Escherichia coli 173-25. Defects in the formation of the septum and gradually autolysis of cells occur when the dap-dependent mutant of Escherichia coli is grown in a medium with 4-hydroxy-diaminopimelic acid. When the culture grown in the presence of the labelled analogue is supplemented with the non-radioactive diaminopimelic acid a portion of the TCA-soluble radioactivity is released from the cells during 20 min after the addition of diaminopimelic acid. During this time interval the elongated forms formed in the presence of the analogue divide, however, only on the condition that the above forms are not irreversibly damaged. The increased concentration of the analogue in the medium substantially suppresses the irregularities in the development of the septum as well as the degradation of analogue containing cell wall. However, the growth rate in the presence of the analogue is always slightly lower than that in the presence of diaminopimelic acid. The cell wall pulse-labelled with diaminopimelic acid or its analogue for a time interval shorter than 1/4 of the generation time exhibits the same or only slightly higher rate of diaminopimelic acid is probably utilized less effectively for the synthesis of murein than diaminopimelic acid. However, its incorporation into the wall does not result in pronounced damage of the cell.", "PMID": 780239} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5652", "title": "Insulin release and the microtubular system of the islets of Langerhans: effects of insulin secretagogues on microtubule subunit pool size.", "content": "An assay system was devised to estimate the pool size of microtubule subunits in islet cells, and to study the importance of the equilibrium between polymerised microtubules and their subunits in the regulation of insulin release. The assay was based on the observation that colchicine binds specifically and quantitatively to microtubule protein subunits, but not to intact microtubules. Vinblastine and cold treatment, which have been shown to cause disaggregation of microtubules into subunits and to inhibit insulin release from islets, increased the number of colchicine binding subunits. D2O, which promotoes stability of microtubules and increases their number in islet cells, caused a decrease in subunit concentration. These results suggest that changes in the equilibrium between polymerised microtubules and their subunits could be studied by measuring the size of the subunit pool. When insulin release was stimulated, by incubating islets in high glucose concentrations or by increasing the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP there was a reduction in the content of subunit protein. Conversely, when insulin release was inhibited by removal of calcium from the incubation medium there was a shift in the microtubule subunit equilibrium to give an increase in the number of subunits assayed. These results indicate that changes in the equilibrium between subunits and microtubules may play an important role in regulating rates of insulin secretion.", "contents": "Insulin release and the microtubular system of the islets of Langerhans: effects of insulin secretagogues on microtubule subunit pool size. An assay system was devised to estimate the pool size of microtubule subunits in islet cells, and to study the importance of the equilibrium between polymerised microtubules and their subunits in the regulation of insulin release. The assay was based on the observation that colchicine binds specifically and quantitatively to microtubule protein subunits, but not to intact microtubules. Vinblastine and cold treatment, which have been shown to cause disaggregation of microtubules into subunits and to inhibit insulin release from islets, increased the number of colchicine binding subunits. D2O, which promotoes stability of microtubules and increases their number in islet cells, caused a decrease in subunit concentration. These results suggest that changes in the equilibrium between polymerised microtubules and their subunits could be studied by measuring the size of the subunit pool. When insulin release was stimulated, by incubating islets in high glucose concentrations or by increasing the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP there was a reduction in the content of subunit protein. Conversely, when insulin release was inhibited by removal of calcium from the incubation medium there was a shift in the microtubule subunit equilibrium to give an increase in the number of subunits assayed. These results indicate that changes in the equilibrium between subunits and microtubules may play an important role in regulating rates of insulin secretion.", "PMID": 780246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5653", "title": "Effect of ovariectomy and estradiol benzoate treatment on LH-RH induced LH and FSH release in the female rabbit.", "content": "Synthetic LH-RH (0.75 and 2.5 mug/animal) was administered to mature intact and castrated female rabbits. The animals were injected for 3 consecutive days with either 40 mug estradiol benzoate (EB) dissolved in 0.5 ml propylene glycol 60%, water 40% or with the solvent alone. LH-RH was injected i.v. on the 4th day. In intact rabbits EB priming increased the pituitary LH response while LH basal levels were lowered. In the unprimed castrated rabbits, basal FSH and LH levels and the cumulative responses to LH-RH were higher than in intact control animals; EB priming lowered basal LH levels and cumulative responses to the values of intact control rabbits while both basal FSH levels and the cumulative responses were less influenced by the treatment. It is concluded that estrogen acts at both hypothalamic and pituitary levels to modify the LH responses to endogenous LH-RH, and that the complete inhibition of FSH hypersecretion in the ovariectomized rabbit probably needs another ovarian factor.", "contents": "Effect of ovariectomy and estradiol benzoate treatment on LH-RH induced LH and FSH release in the female rabbit. Synthetic LH-RH (0.75 and 2.5 mug/animal) was administered to mature intact and castrated female rabbits. The animals were injected for 3 consecutive days with either 40 mug estradiol benzoate (EB) dissolved in 0.5 ml propylene glycol 60%, water 40% or with the solvent alone. LH-RH was injected i.v. on the 4th day. In intact rabbits EB priming increased the pituitary LH response while LH basal levels were lowered. In the unprimed castrated rabbits, basal FSH and LH levels and the cumulative responses to LH-RH were higher than in intact control animals; EB priming lowered basal LH levels and cumulative responses to the values of intact control rabbits while both basal FSH levels and the cumulative responses were less influenced by the treatment. It is concluded that estrogen acts at both hypothalamic and pituitary levels to modify the LH responses to endogenous LH-RH, and that the complete inhibition of FSH hypersecretion in the ovariectomized rabbit probably needs another ovarian factor.", "PMID": 780249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5654", "title": "The National Health Planning Act: significance for mental health agencies.", "content": "In examining the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act, the authors identify nine areas that have special meaning for those responsible for planning, administration, and delivery of mental health services. Believing that mental health planning can be done more effectively by mental health agencies, they recommend a series of steps that can be taken by mental health administrators to maintain responsibility for planning their programs while ensuring close coordination with general health planning activities. It is their conviction that mental health authorities should commit themselves to the planning process and put their commitment to work by recruiting knowledgeable and skilled planning staffs.", "contents": "The National Health Planning Act: significance for mental health agencies. In examining the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act, the authors identify nine areas that have special meaning for those responsible for planning, administration, and delivery of mental health services. Believing that mental health planning can be done more effectively by mental health agencies, they recommend a series of steps that can be taken by mental health administrators to maintain responsibility for planning their programs while ensuring close coordination with general health planning activities. It is their conviction that mental health authorities should commit themselves to the planning process and put their commitment to work by recruiting knowledgeable and skilled planning staffs.", "PMID": 780250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5655", "title": "Growth and characterization of human skin epithelial cell cultures.", "content": "In 129 of 140 attempts, human skin cells were successfully cultured on the dermal collagen bed of sterile, dead pigskin. Diploid epithelial cells grew selectively on the collagen bed; fibroblasts grew on the glass surfaces of the culture dishes. The cultures could be subdivided physically up to six times at a 1:2 split ratio, but at least 24 to 48 cell generations were produced over the months the cells could be carried. Much of the cell multiplication resulted in maturation into distinct basal, squamous, granular, and keratinized cell layers. The cultured cells were considered epithelial because of their shape, possession of intercellular bridges, desmosomes and tonofibrils, and because they formed maturating epithelium in vitro and upon transplantation back to the original human donor. As the cells grew they digested the pigskin collagen, thus producing clear zones that could be used to monitor and quantitate cell growth. Multiplication of epilthelial cells, rather than migration, was indicated by mitotic figures in colchicine-treated cultures and by DNA synthesis.", "contents": "Growth and characterization of human skin epithelial cell cultures. In 129 of 140 attempts, human skin cells were successfully cultured on the dermal collagen bed of sterile, dead pigskin. Diploid epithelial cells grew selectively on the collagen bed; fibroblasts grew on the glass surfaces of the culture dishes. The cultures could be subdivided physically up to six times at a 1:2 split ratio, but at least 24 to 48 cell generations were produced over the months the cells could be carried. Much of the cell multiplication resulted in maturation into distinct basal, squamous, granular, and keratinized cell layers. The cultured cells were considered epithelial because of their shape, possession of intercellular bridges, desmosomes and tonofibrils, and because they formed maturating epithelium in vitro and upon transplantation back to the original human donor. As the cells grew they digested the pigskin collagen, thus producing clear zones that could be used to monitor and quantitate cell growth. Multiplication of epilthelial cells, rather than migration, was indicated by mitotic figures in colchicine-treated cultures and by DNA synthesis.", "PMID": 780259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5656", "title": "The effect of fetal bovine serum on polyene macrolide antibiotic cytotoxicity and antifungal activity.", "content": "The relationships between fetal bovine serum (FBS) concentration and polyene macrolide antibiotic cytotoxicity to animal cells and to fungi were evaluated. The toxicity of amphotericin B (AB) and its derivative, amphotericin B methyl ester (AME), toward KB cells was found to be directly related to fetal bovine serum concentration. At higher FBS levels, increased concentrations of AB and AME were required to reduce 72-hr KB viable cell numbers of 50% of control values. Similarly, polyene macrolide antibiotic levels required to inhibit the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to 50% of controls, and for obtaining minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC), were greater when higher levels of FBS were used. In addition, AME was less toxic than AB toward KB cells grown in media containing 2, 5, 10, 15 or 20% FBS, whereas the antifungal activities of AB and AME were similar. AME was also capable of eliminating Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger or Fusarium moniliforme from KB cultures at antibiotic levels which exhibited less cell toxicity than did the concentrations of AB required for a similar response. These findings indicate that AME may be a potentially useful antifungal antibiotic for tissue culture systems.", "contents": "The effect of fetal bovine serum on polyene macrolide antibiotic cytotoxicity and antifungal activity. The relationships between fetal bovine serum (FBS) concentration and polyene macrolide antibiotic cytotoxicity to animal cells and to fungi were evaluated. The toxicity of amphotericin B (AB) and its derivative, amphotericin B methyl ester (AME), toward KB cells was found to be directly related to fetal bovine serum concentration. At higher FBS levels, increased concentrations of AB and AME were required to reduce 72-hr KB viable cell numbers of 50% of control values. Similarly, polyene macrolide antibiotic levels required to inhibit the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to 50% of controls, and for obtaining minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC), were greater when higher levels of FBS were used. In addition, AME was less toxic than AB toward KB cells grown in media containing 2, 5, 10, 15 or 20% FBS, whereas the antifungal activities of AB and AME were similar. AME was also capable of eliminating Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger or Fusarium moniliforme from KB cultures at antibiotic levels which exhibited less cell toxicity than did the concentrations of AB required for a similar response. These findings indicate that AME may be a potentially useful antifungal antibiotic for tissue culture systems.", "PMID": 780260} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5657", "title": "Simple method for simultaneous analysis of different fibroblast strains on one slide.", "content": "Microscopic slides were mounted with paraffin on Teflon plates that contain 18 holes of 6 mm diameter each. This arrangement is reversible and yields 18 individual cell culture wells on one slide, thus allowing a simultaneous culture of different cell lines under identical conditions. The glass-paraffin junction can be easily detached and the paraffin sticks exclusively to the Teflon.", "contents": "Simple method for simultaneous analysis of different fibroblast strains on one slide. Microscopic slides were mounted with paraffin on Teflon plates that contain 18 holes of 6 mm diameter each. This arrangement is reversible and yields 18 individual cell culture wells on one slide, thus allowing a simultaneous culture of different cell lines under identical conditions. The glass-paraffin junction can be easily detached and the paraffin sticks exclusively to the Teflon.", "PMID": 780261} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5658", "title": "Identification of group a streptococci by reverse passive hemagglutination.", "content": "A method for preparing sensitized human O erythrocytes with specific antibody is reported. Whole sera or 40% ammonium sulfate insoluble globulin fractions did not satisfactorily sensitize erythrocytes to agglutinate in the presence of either group specific polysaccharide of group A beta-hemolytic strepticocci or antigen produced during colony formation. Antibody purified by affinity chromatography sensitized the erythrocytes to rapidly agglutinate in the presence of either antigen. No spontaneous or \"pseudo-immune\" agglutination occured when the sensitized erythrocytes were suspended in human serum. Such sensitized human cells, while more difficult to prepare than sensitized staphylococci, should be suitable for detecting bacterial or viral antigens in vivo.", "contents": "Identification of group a streptococci by reverse passive hemagglutination. A method for preparing sensitized human O erythrocytes with specific antibody is reported. Whole sera or 40% ammonium sulfate insoluble globulin fractions did not satisfactorily sensitize erythrocytes to agglutinate in the presence of either group specific polysaccharide of group A beta-hemolytic strepticocci or antigen produced during colony formation. Antibody purified by affinity chromatography sensitized the erythrocytes to rapidly agglutinate in the presence of either antigen. No spontaneous or \"pseudo-immune\" agglutination occured when the sensitized erythrocytes were suspended in human serum. Such sensitized human cells, while more difficult to prepare than sensitized staphylococci, should be suitable for detecting bacterial or viral antigens in vivo.", "PMID": 780268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5659", "title": "Resemblance of blast responses of C3H/HeJ mouse and rabbit spleen lymphocytes to B-cell mitogenic components of E. coli cell walls.", "content": "Nude mice lymphocytes were stimulated by heat-killed E.coli bacterial cells as well as by various components of their cell walls such as lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan and lipoprotein. Only bacterial cells, peptidoglycan and lipoprotein induce a high stimulation of C3H/HeJ mouse and rabbit lymphocytes. These data show the resemblance of mutant C3H/HeJ mice to rabbits with regard to blast response induced by various mitogenic components of E.Coli cell walls.", "contents": "Resemblance of blast responses of C3H/HeJ mouse and rabbit spleen lymphocytes to B-cell mitogenic components of E. coli cell walls. Nude mice lymphocytes were stimulated by heat-killed E.coli bacterial cells as well as by various components of their cell walls such as lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan and lipoprotein. Only bacterial cells, peptidoglycan and lipoprotein induce a high stimulation of C3H/HeJ mouse and rabbit lymphocytes. These data show the resemblance of mutant C3H/HeJ mice to rabbits with regard to blast response induced by various mitogenic components of E.Coli cell walls.", "PMID": 780269} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5660", "title": "Fate of 51Cr-labeled lipopolysaccharide in tissue culture cells and livers of normal mice.", "content": "Livers of normal mice trapped over 80% of intravenously injected 51Cr-labeled lipopolysaccharide after 1 h. Liver fractionation studies showed that nearly 45% of the labeled endotoxin was associated with cell nuclei, 20% with the mitochondrial-lysosomal fraction, and approximately 30% with the cell sap. Analysis of the distribution of 51Cr-labeled lipopolysaccharide among parenchymal and Kupffer cells showed that over 75% of the in vivo-trapped counts were parenchymal cell associated. Cell populations were approximately 65% parenchymal cells and 35% nonparenchymal cells. Further, six non-reticuloendothelial system tissue culture cell lines were tested for their ability to internalize labeled lipopolysaccharide. In all cells studied, 1 to 4% of the labeled lipopolysaccharide was taken up after 3 h, with greater than 80% of the counts localized in the nuclear fraction. The data show that non-reticuloendothelial system cells can sequester endotoxin both in vivo and in vitro and suggest that parenchymal cells as well as Kupffer cells remove circulating endotoxin from the blood.", "contents": "Fate of 51Cr-labeled lipopolysaccharide in tissue culture cells and livers of normal mice. Livers of normal mice trapped over 80% of intravenously injected 51Cr-labeled lipopolysaccharide after 1 h. Liver fractionation studies showed that nearly 45% of the labeled endotoxin was associated with cell nuclei, 20% with the mitochondrial-lysosomal fraction, and approximately 30% with the cell sap. Analysis of the distribution of 51Cr-labeled lipopolysaccharide among parenchymal and Kupffer cells showed that over 75% of the in vivo-trapped counts were parenchymal cell associated. Cell populations were approximately 65% parenchymal cells and 35% nonparenchymal cells. Further, six non-reticuloendothelial system tissue culture cell lines were tested for their ability to internalize labeled lipopolysaccharide. In all cells studied, 1 to 4% of the labeled lipopolysaccharide was taken up after 3 h, with greater than 80% of the counts localized in the nuclear fraction. The data show that non-reticuloendothelial system cells can sequester endotoxin both in vivo and in vitro and suggest that parenchymal cells as well as Kupffer cells remove circulating endotoxin from the blood.", "PMID": 780270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5661", "title": "Chemiluminescence response of phagocytizing human monocytes.", "content": "Chemiluminescence (CL) occurs as a consequence of phagocytosis of bacteria or inert particles by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils. This phenomenon appears to be related to the production of singlet oxygen and/or electronically excited carbonyl groups which relax with light emission. We report that human monocytes also produce CL after phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria, fungi, or zymosan particles. Monocytes produce approximately one-third of the CL produced by polymorphonuclear neutrophils for all three particles, reflecting possible metabolic differences between cells of these types. Addition of exogenous superoxide dismutase reduced the peak production of CL by 65% for cells of both types, whereas raising the temperature of the cultures from 25 to 37 C approximately doubled the peak CL responses.", "contents": "Chemiluminescence response of phagocytizing human monocytes. Chemiluminescence (CL) occurs as a consequence of phagocytosis of bacteria or inert particles by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils. This phenomenon appears to be related to the production of singlet oxygen and/or electronically excited carbonyl groups which relax with light emission. We report that human monocytes also produce CL after phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria, fungi, or zymosan particles. Monocytes produce approximately one-third of the CL produced by polymorphonuclear neutrophils for all three particles, reflecting possible metabolic differences between cells of these types. Addition of exogenous superoxide dismutase reduced the peak production of CL by 65% for cells of both types, whereas raising the temperature of the cultures from 25 to 37 C approximately doubled the peak CL responses.", "PMID": 780271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5662", "title": "T and B cell population changes in young and in adult rats infected with Plasmodium berghei.", "content": "Malaria infection in young rats is characterized by high parasitemia, severe anemia, and death. Parasitemia is lower in older rats, and the rats usually survive. This study was designed to investigate the immunological basis of this difference. T cell numbers in the thymuses and spleens of young (4 weeks old) and in adult (18 weeks old) infected and control rats were determined by killing with anti-theta serum and complement. The number of complement receptor lymphocytes (B cells) in spleens was determined after these cells had formed rosettes with sensitized, complement-coated sheep erythrocytes. Infection in young rats was characterized by progressive and severe thymic involution and by decreasing numbers of T and B cells in the spleen. In 18-week-old rats, T cell numbers in the spleen were slightly below those of controls early in infection but exceeded normal values by day 15. Progressive thymic involution was not a feature of infection in adult rats. The number of complement receptor lymphocytes in the spleens of adult rats decreased dramatically early in infection but were nearly normal by day 15. Severity of malarial infection in young rats is related to the inability of their lymphocytes to respond to Plasmodium berghei antigens early in infection in a way that leads to immunity.", "contents": "T and B cell population changes in young and in adult rats infected with Plasmodium berghei. Malaria infection in young rats is characterized by high parasitemia, severe anemia, and death. Parasitemia is lower in older rats, and the rats usually survive. This study was designed to investigate the immunological basis of this difference. T cell numbers in the thymuses and spleens of young (4 weeks old) and in adult (18 weeks old) infected and control rats were determined by killing with anti-theta serum and complement. The number of complement receptor lymphocytes (B cells) in spleens was determined after these cells had formed rosettes with sensitized, complement-coated sheep erythrocytes. Infection in young rats was characterized by progressive and severe thymic involution and by decreasing numbers of T and B cells in the spleen. In 18-week-old rats, T cell numbers in the spleen were slightly below those of controls early in infection but exceeded normal values by day 15. Progressive thymic involution was not a feature of infection in adult rats. The number of complement receptor lymphocytes in the spleens of adult rats decreased dramatically early in infection but were nearly normal by day 15. Severity of malarial infection in young rats is related to the inability of their lymphocytes to respond to Plasmodium berghei antigens early in infection in a way that leads to immunity.", "PMID": 780272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5663", "title": "Adoptive transfer of immunity to Plasmodium berghei with immune T and B lymphocytes.", "content": "Immunity to malarial infection may be transferred with immune lymphocytes. This study was designed to determine which lymphocyte type is responsible for the adoptive transfer of immunity to malarial infection. In one set of experiments, the ability of immune T and B lymphocytes, separated by passage through nylon-wool columns, to transfer immunity to infection was determined. In another experiment, the effect of killing T lymphocytes with anti-theta serum on the transfer of immunity was determined. The effect on the ability of immune lymphocyte suspensions to transfer immunity after B lymphocytes were removed from such suspensions by centrifugation on Ficoll-Hypaque gradients, after they had formed rosettes with sensitized, complement-coated sheep erythrocytes, was also determined. The ability of lymphocyte suspensions to adoptively transfer resistance to malarial infection was greatly impaired by the removal from the suspensions of differentiated B-type lymphocytes. Our results indicate that it is the differentiated B cell, most probably an antibody-producing cell, which lacks both theta antigen and the complement receptor that is responsible for conferring immunity to malaria.", "contents": "Adoptive transfer of immunity to Plasmodium berghei with immune T and B lymphocytes. Immunity to malarial infection may be transferred with immune lymphocytes. This study was designed to determine which lymphocyte type is responsible for the adoptive transfer of immunity to malarial infection. In one set of experiments, the ability of immune T and B lymphocytes, separated by passage through nylon-wool columns, to transfer immunity to infection was determined. In another experiment, the effect of killing T lymphocytes with anti-theta serum on the transfer of immunity was determined. The effect on the ability of immune lymphocyte suspensions to transfer immunity after B lymphocytes were removed from such suspensions by centrifugation on Ficoll-Hypaque gradients, after they had formed rosettes with sensitized, complement-coated sheep erythrocytes, was also determined. The ability of lymphocyte suspensions to adoptively transfer resistance to malarial infection was greatly impaired by the removal from the suspensions of differentiated B-type lymphocytes. Our results indicate that it is the differentiated B cell, most probably an antibody-producing cell, which lacks both theta antigen and the complement receptor that is responsible for conferring immunity to malaria.", "PMID": 780273} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5664", "title": "Adhesive properties of Vibrio cholerae: nature of the interaction with intact mucosal surfaces.", "content": "Two companion papers in this series have characterized the interaction between Vibrio cholerae and the surfaces of eukaryotic cells. The present paper reports studies of the association between vibrios or Salmonella enteritidis and intact slices of intestinal tissue. A significant number of differences were noted in the characteristics of bacterial adhesion in these systems. The results are interpreted to indicate the presence of at least two receptors for vibrio adhesion on the mucosal surface of the rabbit small intestine. The receptor mediating the adhesion of salmonella appeared to be distinct from these. A primary role for bacterial motility in the process of adhesion of vibrios to mucosal surfaces could not be demonstrated in the assay systems studied. Rather, loss of motility in mutant vibrios appeared to be correlated with the simultaneous loss of adhesive factors (adhesins) from the bacterial surface. The inhibition of vibrio adhesion to slices of intestinal tissues by antibody to the heat-stable antigens of V. cholerae occurred in the absence of bacterial agglutination. Agglutination in this assay system appeared to be an artifact in that it could be observed only in experiments where extremely high concentrations of vibrios were used. We speculate that such high vibrio concentrations are not likely to be present in humans at the time of infection and that agglutination in the lumen of the intestine might therefore play only a minor role in prophylactic immunity against natural cholera and other enteric infections of humans.", "contents": "Adhesive properties of Vibrio cholerae: nature of the interaction with intact mucosal surfaces. Two companion papers in this series have characterized the interaction between Vibrio cholerae and the surfaces of eukaryotic cells. The present paper reports studies of the association between vibrios or Salmonella enteritidis and intact slices of intestinal tissue. A significant number of differences were noted in the characteristics of bacterial adhesion in these systems. The results are interpreted to indicate the presence of at least two receptors for vibrio adhesion on the mucosal surface of the rabbit small intestine. The receptor mediating the adhesion of salmonella appeared to be distinct from these. A primary role for bacterial motility in the process of adhesion of vibrios to mucosal surfaces could not be demonstrated in the assay systems studied. Rather, loss of motility in mutant vibrios appeared to be correlated with the simultaneous loss of adhesive factors (adhesins) from the bacterial surface. The inhibition of vibrio adhesion to slices of intestinal tissues by antibody to the heat-stable antigens of V. cholerae occurred in the absence of bacterial agglutination. Agglutination in this assay system appeared to be an artifact in that it could be observed only in experiments where extremely high concentrations of vibrios were used. We speculate that such high vibrio concentrations are not likely to be present in humans at the time of infection and that agglutination in the lumen of the intestine might therefore play only a minor role in prophylactic immunity against natural cholera and other enteric infections of humans.", "PMID": 780274} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5665", "title": "Increased antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli in bovine serum after the induction of endotoxin tolerance.", "content": "Small amounts of endotoxin injected intramuscularly into cows induced endotoxin pyrogenic tolerance and an increase in the rate at which the serum killed a strain of Escherichia coli. Most of the difference between normal serum and serum from the endotoxin-tolerant animal was shown to be due to a bentonite-adsorbable factor other than lysozyme or beta-lysin. The antibacterial activity was not completely removed from either type of serum after bentonite adsorption. Electron microscope studies and measurement of the rate of release of radioactively labeled cytoplasmic contents showed that the bentonite-adsorbable factor was important in the final breakdown of the cell membrane and release of cellular contents. The antibacterial system was totally dependent on complement, and the importance of antibodies could not be entirely ruled out because adsorption at O C with homologous cells eliminated the killing activity.", "contents": "Increased antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli in bovine serum after the induction of endotoxin tolerance. Small amounts of endotoxin injected intramuscularly into cows induced endotoxin pyrogenic tolerance and an increase in the rate at which the serum killed a strain of Escherichia coli. Most of the difference between normal serum and serum from the endotoxin-tolerant animal was shown to be due to a bentonite-adsorbable factor other than lysozyme or beta-lysin. The antibacterial activity was not completely removed from either type of serum after bentonite adsorption. Electron microscope studies and measurement of the rate of release of radioactively labeled cytoplasmic contents showed that the bentonite-adsorbable factor was important in the final breakdown of the cell membrane and release of cellular contents. The antibacterial system was totally dependent on complement, and the importance of antibodies could not be entirely ruled out because adsorption at O C with homologous cells eliminated the killing activity.", "PMID": 780275} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5666", "title": "Effect of systemic BCG infection in syrian golden hamsters.", "content": "The response of Syrian golden hamsters to systemic infection with several doses of Mycobacterium bovis (strain BCG) was assessed. Large numbers of organisms (10(7)), injected intravenously, were lethal for hamsters, whereas all animals survived infection with 10(4) colony-forming units of BCG. Animals responded immunologically to purified protein derivative as assessed by increased footpad swelling and splenic lymphocyte proliferation. The immediate cause of death was a diffuse granulomatous interstitial pneumonia.", "contents": "Effect of systemic BCG infection in syrian golden hamsters. The response of Syrian golden hamsters to systemic infection with several doses of Mycobacterium bovis (strain BCG) was assessed. Large numbers of organisms (10(7)), injected intravenously, were lethal for hamsters, whereas all animals survived infection with 10(4) colony-forming units of BCG. Animals responded immunologically to purified protein derivative as assessed by increased footpad swelling and splenic lymphocyte proliferation. The immediate cause of death was a diffuse granulomatous interstitial pneumonia.", "PMID": 780276} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5667", "title": "Depression of lymphocyte response to concanavalin A in rabbits infected with Treponema pallidum (Nichols strain).", "content": "Peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from rabbits in the early stages of Treponema pallidum infection responded poorly when exposed to concanavalin A in vitro. Maximal depression of blastogenesis occurred when lymphocytes were cultured in the presence of autologous serum in comparison with fetal calf or normal homologous rabbit serum.", "contents": "Depression of lymphocyte response to concanavalin A in rabbits infected with Treponema pallidum (Nichols strain). Peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from rabbits in the early stages of Treponema pallidum infection responded poorly when exposed to concanavalin A in vitro. Maximal depression of blastogenesis occurred when lymphocytes were cultured in the presence of autologous serum in comparison with fetal calf or normal homologous rabbit serum.", "PMID": 780277} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5668", "title": "Experimental Candida albicans infection in conventional mice and germfree rats.", "content": "Swiss-Webster white mice were intravenously infected with various doses of Candida albicans, and the viable units in their spleens, livers, lungs, and kidneys were determined at various intervals after challenge. The results showed that C. albicans multiplied to a greater extent in the kidneys of mice than in their spleens, lungs, or livers. The infection in mice was chronic; increasing numbers of C. albicans were observed in their kidneys until about 17 to 24 days postchallenge. Clearance of C. albicans from infected kidneys was not symmetrical, since the number of viable C. albicans in one kidney did not coincide with the viable counts observed in the opposite kidney of that same animal. Male and female mice did not differ in their overall susceptibility (50% lethal dose test) or in the number of viable C. albicans in the kidneys at various time intervals after infection. C. albicans also multiplied in the kidneys of germfree rats; however, the peak of the C. albicans infection in their kidneys occurred earlier than in those of conventional mice.", "contents": "Experimental Candida albicans infection in conventional mice and germfree rats. Swiss-Webster white mice were intravenously infected with various doses of Candida albicans, and the viable units in their spleens, livers, lungs, and kidneys were determined at various intervals after challenge. The results showed that C. albicans multiplied to a greater extent in the kidneys of mice than in their spleens, lungs, or livers. The infection in mice was chronic; increasing numbers of C. albicans were observed in their kidneys until about 17 to 24 days postchallenge. Clearance of C. albicans from infected kidneys was not symmetrical, since the number of viable C. albicans in one kidney did not coincide with the viable counts observed in the opposite kidney of that same animal. Male and female mice did not differ in their overall susceptibility (50% lethal dose test) or in the number of viable C. albicans in the kidneys at various time intervals after infection. C. albicans also multiplied in the kidneys of germfree rats; however, the peak of the C. albicans infection in their kidneys occurred earlier than in those of conventional mice.", "PMID": 780278} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5669", "title": "Inhibition of phagocytosis by cryptococcal polysaccharide: dissociation of the attachment and ingestion phases of phagocytosis.", "content": "The effects of cryptococcal polysaccharide and selected serum factors on (i) the attachment of Cryptococcus neoformans to macrophages and (ii) the subsequent ingestion of yeast cells by the macrophages were investigated. Percent attachment was measured after incubation of yeast cells with macrophages at 4 C. Percent engulfment was determined after incubation of yeast cells and macrophages at 37 C. Nonencapsulated yeast cells readily attached to macrophages at the low temperature and were engulfed at a high rate at 37 C, whereas encapsulated yeast cells attached to macrophages at low rates and were engulfed at low rates. Addition of varying doses of purified cryptococcal polysaccharide to nonencapsulated yeast cells inhibited attachment at approximately the same concentration of polysaccharide required for inhibition of engulfment. Nonencapsulated yeast cells that attached to macrophages at 4 C were eluted from the macrophages by addition of purified cryptococcal polysaccharide to the incubation medium. Heat-labile opsonins were not required for attachment of yeast cells to macrophages, but they were necessary for maximal initial rates of phagocytosis. Heat-stable components of serum facilitated attachment of cryptococci, but their most important function appeared to be triggering the ingestion of attached yeast. Specific antiserum had no effect on the attachment and engulfment of nonencapsulated cryptococci, and the antiserum produced only a small enhancement of the engulfment of encapsulated cryptococci.", "contents": "Inhibition of phagocytosis by cryptococcal polysaccharide: dissociation of the attachment and ingestion phases of phagocytosis. The effects of cryptococcal polysaccharide and selected serum factors on (i) the attachment of Cryptococcus neoformans to macrophages and (ii) the subsequent ingestion of yeast cells by the macrophages were investigated. Percent attachment was measured after incubation of yeast cells with macrophages at 4 C. Percent engulfment was determined after incubation of yeast cells and macrophages at 37 C. Nonencapsulated yeast cells readily attached to macrophages at the low temperature and were engulfed at a high rate at 37 C, whereas encapsulated yeast cells attached to macrophages at low rates and were engulfed at low rates. Addition of varying doses of purified cryptococcal polysaccharide to nonencapsulated yeast cells inhibited attachment at approximately the same concentration of polysaccharide required for inhibition of engulfment. Nonencapsulated yeast cells that attached to macrophages at 4 C were eluted from the macrophages by addition of purified cryptococcal polysaccharide to the incubation medium. Heat-labile opsonins were not required for attachment of yeast cells to macrophages, but they were necessary for maximal initial rates of phagocytosis. Heat-stable components of serum facilitated attachment of cryptococci, but their most important function appeared to be triggering the ingestion of attached yeast. Specific antiserum had no effect on the attachment and engulfment of nonencapsulated cryptococci, and the antiserum produced only a small enhancement of the engulfment of encapsulated cryptococci.", "PMID": 780279} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5670", "title": "Suckling mouse model for detection of heat-stable Escherichia coli enterotoxin: characteristics of the model.", "content": "Although the suckling mouse assay is widely used for the detection of heat-stable Escherichia coli enterotoxin (ST), few data have been published concerning the reproducibility, optimal growth, and test conditions of this assay. Four strains of toxigenic E. coli known to elaborate both heat-labile enterotoxin and ST or ST alone were used to study these parameters. ST activity after heat treatment and the effect of purified choleragen were also examined. ST production was optimal in Casamino Acids-yeast extract media, but both Trypticase soy and brain heart infusion broths resulted in several false negative reactions. Growing cultures in roller tubes was the most reliable method of ST production. Shaking-flask cultures and stationary-grown cultures resulted in suboptimal ST production in several strains. Optimal mouse incubation time was 3 h, and fluid secretion did not rise thereafter. Adequate toxin production occurred after 16 to 24 h of incubation. The coefficient of variation of various toxins tested on many occasions varied between 10.5 and 15.7%. Toxin activity was stable for 6 months when frozen at - 20 C. There was no decrease in ST activity when heated at 65 C for 15 min, but a small decrease was observed in two of four strains after heating at 100 C for 30 min. Choleragen, tested at various doses and at multiple times, gave uniformly negative results. These studies indicate that when done under the proper conditions, the suckling mouse assay is a simple, rapid, and reproducible assay for E. coli ST.", "contents": "Suckling mouse model for detection of heat-stable Escherichia coli enterotoxin: characteristics of the model. Although the suckling mouse assay is widely used for the detection of heat-stable Escherichia coli enterotoxin (ST), few data have been published concerning the reproducibility, optimal growth, and test conditions of this assay. Four strains of toxigenic E. coli known to elaborate both heat-labile enterotoxin and ST or ST alone were used to study these parameters. ST activity after heat treatment and the effect of purified choleragen were also examined. ST production was optimal in Casamino Acids-yeast extract media, but both Trypticase soy and brain heart infusion broths resulted in several false negative reactions. Growing cultures in roller tubes was the most reliable method of ST production. Shaking-flask cultures and stationary-grown cultures resulted in suboptimal ST production in several strains. Optimal mouse incubation time was 3 h, and fluid secretion did not rise thereafter. Adequate toxin production occurred after 16 to 24 h of incubation. The coefficient of variation of various toxins tested on many occasions varied between 10.5 and 15.7%. Toxin activity was stable for 6 months when frozen at - 20 C. There was no decrease in ST activity when heated at 65 C for 15 min, but a small decrease was observed in two of four strains after heating at 100 C for 30 min. Choleragen, tested at various doses and at multiple times, gave uniformly negative results. These studies indicate that when done under the proper conditions, the suckling mouse assay is a simple, rapid, and reproducible assay for E. coli ST.", "PMID": 780280} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5671", "title": "[The importance of serum components, particularly complement factors, properdin and transferrin, in inhibition of bacterial growth by human serum (author's transl)].", "content": "In this study human serum was broken down of column chromatography into its protein components, which were than examined singly and in comnination for antibacterial activity. The bactericidal effect of serum was retained to an apperciable extent in only one of six fractions. Antibacterial inhibitory activity could be restored fully by combining the fractions however. There was no correlation with the specific antibody titers. Complement had an essential part in this unspecific defence. In the absence of C'9 all other combinations of the remanining complement components exhibited no appreciable inhibitory effect. Not all complement componets are required, however, for unspcific bacterial growth inhibition. In contrast to this all complement components are necessary in the antigen-antibody reaction. Futhermore, properdin displays bactericidal activity which is related to the presence of complements. A great deal of the antibacterial activity of human serum thus arises only from the combined action of several components. These do not include proteins with a molecular weight between 100,000 and 70,000, whereby transferrin plays a part.", "contents": "[The importance of serum components, particularly complement factors, properdin and transferrin, in inhibition of bacterial growth by human serum (author's transl)]. In this study human serum was broken down of column chromatography into its protein components, which were than examined singly and in comnination for antibacterial activity. The bactericidal effect of serum was retained to an apperciable extent in only one of six fractions. Antibacterial inhibitory activity could be restored fully by combining the fractions however. There was no correlation with the specific antibody titers. Complement had an essential part in this unspecific defence. In the absence of C'9 all other combinations of the remanining complement components exhibited no appreciable inhibitory effect. Not all complement componets are required, however, for unspcific bacterial growth inhibition. In contrast to this all complement components are necessary in the antigen-antibody reaction. Futhermore, properdin displays bactericidal activity which is related to the presence of complements. A great deal of the antibacterial activity of human serum thus arises only from the combined action of several components. These do not include proteins with a molecular weight between 100,000 and 70,000, whereby transferrin plays a part.", "PMID": 780281} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5672", "title": "Parameters of acquired resistance and their role in the evaluation of new chemotherapeutic drugs.", "content": "Acquired resistance can be defined as a qualitative alteration of the genetic material of a cell which is phenotypically correlated with a measurable decrease of the cell's sensitivity against one or several chemotherapeutic agents. There are two basic genetic mechanisms which can lead to the emergence of resistance: mutation and the acquisition of additional genetic material from another cell. Both forms of resistance play an important role in clinical situations: the emergence of resistance by mutation occurs in tumor cells and can also lead to therapeutic problems in antimicrobial chemotherapy. In bacteria, however, acquisition of resistance plasmids represents the dominating mechanism which is responsible for most therapeutic problems in the clinical environment. The different genetic mechanisms involved in the emergence of resistance are paralleled -- at least in bacteria -- by two principally different groups of biochemical mechanisms implementing resistance. Mutations lead to alterations of single cell constituents such as the cell membrane or cellular receptors necessary for the binding of the antimicrobial agent. This form of resistance is biochemically characterized by the inaccessibility of the cell interior for a particular compound or by the modification of an intracellular binding site which loses its affinity for the chemotherapeutic agent. Resistance plasmids on the other hand code for enzymes which inactivate the antibiotic (beta-lactamases, aminoglycosideinactivating enzymes, chloramphenicol-acetyltransferase); In some cases, they direct the synthesis of proteins which affect cell permeability (tetracycline) or isoenzymes which have a lower affinity for the inhibitor (trimethoprim). Resistance against antibiotics can be inducible; In these cases the regulatory mechanisms involved are stable genetical traits as resistance itself; Using chloramphenicol, beta-lactam-antibiotics and aminoglycosides as examples, it is demonstrated that resistance data gathered early in the development of a new drug are of little value in estimating the clinical potential of a new compound. Information on the rate at which resistance develops, on the pattern according to which it emerges (\"single step\" or \"multi step\") and on cross-resistance patterns is important in the characterization of a new drug but is often invalidated by later findings obtained in the clinical environment; The problem appears somewhat simpler if a new drug is a member of an already known class of compounds, e.g. a beta-lactam or an aminoglycoside. In such cases our knowledge of frequent enzymatic inactivation mechanisms provides a basis not only for the evaluation of an existing drug, but also for the synthesis of new derivatives.", "contents": "Parameters of acquired resistance and their role in the evaluation of new chemotherapeutic drugs. Acquired resistance can be defined as a qualitative alteration of the genetic material of a cell which is phenotypically correlated with a measurable decrease of the cell's sensitivity against one or several chemotherapeutic agents. There are two basic genetic mechanisms which can lead to the emergence of resistance: mutation and the acquisition of additional genetic material from another cell. Both forms of resistance play an important role in clinical situations: the emergence of resistance by mutation occurs in tumor cells and can also lead to therapeutic problems in antimicrobial chemotherapy. In bacteria, however, acquisition of resistance plasmids represents the dominating mechanism which is responsible for most therapeutic problems in the clinical environment. The different genetic mechanisms involved in the emergence of resistance are paralleled -- at least in bacteria -- by two principally different groups of biochemical mechanisms implementing resistance. Mutations lead to alterations of single cell constituents such as the cell membrane or cellular receptors necessary for the binding of the antimicrobial agent. This form of resistance is biochemically characterized by the inaccessibility of the cell interior for a particular compound or by the modification of an intracellular binding site which loses its affinity for the chemotherapeutic agent. Resistance plasmids on the other hand code for enzymes which inactivate the antibiotic (beta-lactamases, aminoglycosideinactivating enzymes, chloramphenicol-acetyltransferase); In some cases, they direct the synthesis of proteins which affect cell permeability (tetracycline) or isoenzymes which have a lower affinity for the inhibitor (trimethoprim). Resistance against antibiotics can be inducible; In these cases the regulatory mechanisms involved are stable genetical traits as resistance itself; Using chloramphenicol, beta-lactam-antibiotics and aminoglycosides as examples, it is demonstrated that resistance data gathered early in the development of a new drug are of little value in estimating the clinical potential of a new compound. Information on the rate at which resistance develops, on the pattern according to which it emerges (\"single step\" or \"multi step\") and on cross-resistance patterns is important in the characterization of a new drug but is often invalidated by later findings obtained in the clinical environment; The problem appears somewhat simpler if a new drug is a member of an already known class of compounds, e.g. a beta-lactam or an aminoglycoside. In such cases our knowledge of frequent enzymatic inactivation mechanisms provides a basis not only for the evaluation of an existing drug, but also for the synthesis of new derivatives.", "PMID": 780282} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5673", "title": "Selective suppression of T-cell activity in tumor-bearing mice and its improvement by lentinan, a potent anti-tumor polysaccharide.", "content": "The cellular site of immunosuppression in Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice was analysed with particular reference to the T- and B-cell activities. The B-cell activity as measured by the anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) antibody responses to DNP-thymus-independent carriers (TID) was not impaired in tumor-bearing mice as compared with normal mice, whereas the anti-DNP antibody response to DNP-thymus-dependent carriers (TD) and the development of helper T-cell activity to TD were markedly suppressed in tumor-bearing animals or mice pretreated with cell-free cancerous ascitic fluid. The selective suppression of T-cell response was not mediated by the generation of suppressor cell activity toward TD, which may depress the manifestation of developed helper T-cell activity. A marked suppression of T-cell response was observed when the animals were inoculated with tumor cells or injected with cancerous ascitic fluid prior to antigenic stimulation, but not when the animals were rendered tumor-bearing by such treatments after the immunization. The suppression of T-cell activity in both sarcoma 180 tumor-bearing mice and cell-free Ehrlich cancerous ascitic fluid-treated mice was prevented by treatment with lentinan, a potent anti-tumor polysaccharide. The applicability of this experimental system to the search for immunopotentiators relevant to tumor immunotherapy is discussed in the light of the preventive effect of lentinan on the suppression of T-cell response in tumor-bearing animals.", "contents": "Selective suppression of T-cell activity in tumor-bearing mice and its improvement by lentinan, a potent anti-tumor polysaccharide. The cellular site of immunosuppression in Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice was analysed with particular reference to the T- and B-cell activities. The B-cell activity as measured by the anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) antibody responses to DNP-thymus-independent carriers (TID) was not impaired in tumor-bearing mice as compared with normal mice, whereas the anti-DNP antibody response to DNP-thymus-dependent carriers (TD) and the development of helper T-cell activity to TD were markedly suppressed in tumor-bearing animals or mice pretreated with cell-free cancerous ascitic fluid. The selective suppression of T-cell response was not mediated by the generation of suppressor cell activity toward TD, which may depress the manifestation of developed helper T-cell activity. A marked suppression of T-cell response was observed when the animals were inoculated with tumor cells or injected with cancerous ascitic fluid prior to antigenic stimulation, but not when the animals were rendered tumor-bearing by such treatments after the immunization. The suppression of T-cell activity in both sarcoma 180 tumor-bearing mice and cell-free Ehrlich cancerous ascitic fluid-treated mice was prevented by treatment with lentinan, a potent anti-tumor polysaccharide. The applicability of this experimental system to the search for immunopotentiators relevant to tumor immunotherapy is discussed in the light of the preventive effect of lentinan on the suppression of T-cell response in tumor-bearing animals.", "PMID": 780285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5674", "title": "A larger perspective on the Flexner report.", "content": "This paper is an attempt to place the Flexner Report of 1910 in the larger perspective of dynamics of American society in the years surrounding the turn of the 19th century. It looks at medicine as an integral part of society affected by the contradictions affecting the larger society. The Flexner Report is viewed as an attempt by the capitalist class to ameliorate those contradictions affecting medicine. The events preceding the publication of the Flexner Report are described in detail, and some problems with conventional accounts of the origins of the Flexner Report are discussed. In addition, the paradigm of medicine that was institutionalized with the acceptance and implementation of the Flexnerian recommendations is discussed.", "contents": "A larger perspective on the Flexner report. This paper is an attempt to place the Flexner Report of 1910 in the larger perspective of dynamics of American society in the years surrounding the turn of the 19th century. It looks at medicine as an integral part of society affected by the contradictions affecting the larger society. The Flexner Report is viewed as an attempt by the capitalist class to ameliorate those contradictions affecting medicine. The events preceding the publication of the Flexner Report are described in detail, and some problems with conventional accounts of the origins of the Flexner Report are discussed. In addition, the paradigm of medicine that was institutionalized with the acceptance and implementation of the Flexnerian recommendations is discussed.", "PMID": 780286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5675", "title": "The effect of food and clopamide on the absorption of pindolol in man.", "content": "Plasma levels and urinary excretion of pindolol were measured in each of two groups of eleven subjects in order to compare the absorption of the drug when administered alone in the fasting state, and either with food or Binaldix. The data were analyzed according to a one-compartment model with first order absorption. No significant differences in absorption of pindolol were obtained in each study. Food appeared to increase the speed of absorption of pindolol leading to a slightly earlier and higher maximum plasma concentration, but this observation appears to be of no clinical relevance.", "contents": "The effect of food and clopamide on the absorption of pindolol in man. Plasma levels and urinary excretion of pindolol were measured in each of two groups of eleven subjects in order to compare the absorption of the drug when administered alone in the fasting state, and either with food or Binaldix. The data were analyzed according to a one-compartment model with first order absorption. No significant differences in absorption of pindolol were obtained in each study. Food appeared to increase the speed of absorption of pindolol leading to a slightly earlier and higher maximum plasma concentration, but this observation appears to be of no clinical relevance.", "PMID": 780287} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5676", "title": "Postcardiotomy delirium: an overview.", "content": "Any one of a number of psychologic patterns may appear cardiotomy: (1) Some patients may be elated and confident after awakening from anesthesis and have no severe changes of affect or neurologic deficit. Denial seems to be for them an adequate defense against anxiety. (2) Others are disoriented and manifest neurologic disturbance immediately after awakening, without a lucid interval. The sensorium begins to clear five days after surgery. (3) Some patients go into delirium after being lucid for as long as a week and have hallucinations, illusions, and motor excitation for a few days-or over several weeks. Pathologic brain changes that are apparently anatomical correlates of neurologic deficits in delirium include anoxic lesions of the hippocampus, and infarcted foci. Physiologic factors that contribute to this reaction include: long periods of extracorporeal circulation, arterial hypotension during surgery, emboli, and low postoperative cardiac output. Age, and the type and severity of heart impairment are also factors. Psychologic factors to be taken into account include preexisting psychopathology and the failure of denial under the stress of physical symptoms or hospitalization. Delirium is fostered by sensory overload (or deprivation) in the recovery room and intensive care unit, and by staff tension. Modification of the intensive care unit environment, the administration of antipsychotic drugs, and metabolic correctives are recommended. Preoperative psychologic evaluation, with therapy as needed, preliminary familiarization with perioperative procedures, as well as collaboration between psychiatrist and surgeon, can do much to prevent post-cardiotomy delirium.", "contents": "Postcardiotomy delirium: an overview. Any one of a number of psychologic patterns may appear cardiotomy: (1) Some patients may be elated and confident after awakening from anesthesis and have no severe changes of affect or neurologic deficit. Denial seems to be for them an adequate defense against anxiety. (2) Others are disoriented and manifest neurologic disturbance immediately after awakening, without a lucid interval. The sensorium begins to clear five days after surgery. (3) Some patients go into delirium after being lucid for as long as a week and have hallucinations, illusions, and motor excitation for a few days-or over several weeks. Pathologic brain changes that are apparently anatomical correlates of neurologic deficits in delirium include anoxic lesions of the hippocampus, and infarcted foci. Physiologic factors that contribute to this reaction include: long periods of extracorporeal circulation, arterial hypotension during surgery, emboli, and low postoperative cardiac output. Age, and the type and severity of heart impairment are also factors. Psychologic factors to be taken into account include preexisting psychopathology and the failure of denial under the stress of physical symptoms or hospitalization. Delirium is fostered by sensory overload (or deprivation) in the recovery room and intensive care unit, and by staff tension. Modification of the intensive care unit environment, the administration of antipsychotic drugs, and metabolic correctives are recommended. Preoperative psychologic evaluation, with therapy as needed, preliminary familiarization with perioperative procedures, as well as collaboration between psychiatrist and surgeon, can do much to prevent post-cardiotomy delirium.", "PMID": 780288} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5677", "title": "The treatment of enuresis: an overview.", "content": "The treatment of enuresis has had a long and colorful history in world medical literature. Although some reasonable approaches to the problem exist, there are many conflicting theories about its etiology and consequently there are many recommended therapies. A perspective of literature encompassing the diverse fields of psychoanalysis, behavioral psychology, urology, pharmacology and sleep physiology is provided for the psychiatrist consultant dealing with the problem of enuresis.", "contents": "The treatment of enuresis: an overview. The treatment of enuresis has had a long and colorful history in world medical literature. Although some reasonable approaches to the problem exist, there are many conflicting theories about its etiology and consequently there are many recommended therapies. A perspective of literature encompassing the diverse fields of psychoanalysis, behavioral psychology, urology, pharmacology and sleep physiology is provided for the psychiatrist consultant dealing with the problem of enuresis.", "PMID": 780289} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5678", "title": "Group therapy for kidney transplant patients.", "content": "A short-term, open membership group therapy program for kidney transplant patients and their families is described. The content and process of this group is related to the ten curative factors described by Yalom for psychiatric patients. The primary benefits for the patients seemed to be the opportunity to observe others cope with similar problems and to learn of the adaptive strategies used by others. The patients were able to offer advice to others, to overcome their tendency toward seclusion and in general, experience a feeling of hope for the future. The family members gained more from a sense of group cohesiveness than did the patients. Both family and patients utilized the meetings to ventilate their anger and frustrations associated with chronic illness and to learn more about transplantation. A more realistic expectation of the future was provided. The group did not seem long enough to measurably improve the interpersonal relations between patients and their families nor did the group members comment upon maladaptive behaviors exhibited between family members within the meetings.", "contents": "Group therapy for kidney transplant patients. A short-term, open membership group therapy program for kidney transplant patients and their families is described. The content and process of this group is related to the ten curative factors described by Yalom for psychiatric patients. The primary benefits for the patients seemed to be the opportunity to observe others cope with similar problems and to learn of the adaptive strategies used by others. The patients were able to offer advice to others, to overcome their tendency toward seclusion and in general, experience a feeling of hope for the future. The family members gained more from a sense of group cohesiveness than did the patients. Both family and patients utilized the meetings to ventilate their anger and frustrations associated with chronic illness and to learn more about transplantation. A more realistic expectation of the future was provided. The group did not seem long enough to measurably improve the interpersonal relations between patients and their families nor did the group members comment upon maladaptive behaviors exhibited between family members within the meetings.", "PMID": 780290} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5679", "title": "Late somatic effects in syngeneic radiation chimaeras. III. Observations on animals repopulated with irradiated marrow.", "content": "Lethally-irradiated mice received a graft of bone-marrow cells obtained from intact syngeneic animals or from donors pre-irradiated with 200 or 400 rad. The numbers of haemopoietic cells injected were sufficient to give a high percentage of recipients which survived short-term bone-marrow failure. Epidemiological and pathological observations on long-term surviving animals showed an increased incidence of nephrosclerosis and of systemic or solid tumours following different relationships with the radiation dose given to the cells. These data are discussed within the framework of an experimental model system which might allow estimates of incidence of some neoplastic diseases according to cellular hypotheses of tumour induction.", "contents": "Late somatic effects in syngeneic radiation chimaeras. III. Observations on animals repopulated with irradiated marrow. Lethally-irradiated mice received a graft of bone-marrow cells obtained from intact syngeneic animals or from donors pre-irradiated with 200 or 400 rad. The numbers of haemopoietic cells injected were sufficient to give a high percentage of recipients which survived short-term bone-marrow failure. Epidemiological and pathological observations on long-term surviving animals showed an increased incidence of nephrosclerosis and of systemic or solid tumours following different relationships with the radiation dose given to the cells. These data are discussed within the framework of an experimental model system which might allow estimates of incidence of some neoplastic diseases according to cellular hypotheses of tumour induction.", "PMID": 780295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5680", "title": "Observations on late effects in mice exposed to 400 MeV neutrons.", "content": "Life-long observations on mortality and pathology at death were carried out on groups of mice irradiated with 250 kV X-rays or exposed to a 400 MeV neutron beam, both directly and after attenuation corresponding to the maximum dose build-up region, at comparable dose-rates. Doses up to 84 rad of 400 MeV neutrons and up to 200 rad of X-rays showed no effect on the longevity of the animals, which suggest an upper limit to the r.b.e. for life-shortening of approximately 2-5. Similar conclusions were drawn from the data on all types of leukemias. For all other neoplasms, the age-specific death-rate showed a similar shortening of the latency times for groups of mice irradiated with 0-84 rad of 400 MeV direct neutrons and 0-400 rad of X-rays, also suggesting an upper limit to the r.b.e. slightly higher than that previously indicated for life-shortening. No definite effect was observed after exposure to the attenuated neutron beam at the doses used in these experiments.", "contents": "Observations on late effects in mice exposed to 400 MeV neutrons. Life-long observations on mortality and pathology at death were carried out on groups of mice irradiated with 250 kV X-rays or exposed to a 400 MeV neutron beam, both directly and after attenuation corresponding to the maximum dose build-up region, at comparable dose-rates. Doses up to 84 rad of 400 MeV neutrons and up to 200 rad of X-rays showed no effect on the longevity of the animals, which suggest an upper limit to the r.b.e. for life-shortening of approximately 2-5. Similar conclusions were drawn from the data on all types of leukemias. For all other neoplasms, the age-specific death-rate showed a similar shortening of the latency times for groups of mice irradiated with 0-84 rad of 400 MeV direct neutrons and 0-400 rad of X-rays, also suggesting an upper limit to the r.b.e. slightly higher than that previously indicated for life-shortening. No definite effect was observed after exposure to the attenuated neutron beam at the doses used in these experiments.", "PMID": 780296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5681", "title": "The treatment of endomorphous and psychogenic depressions with a fixed combination of amitriptyline/flupenthixol (Lu 7410).", "content": "The clinical efficacy of a fixed combination of 10 mg amitriptyline and 0.5 mg flupenthixol (Lu 7410) was studied in 30 (15 endomorphous and 15 psychogenic) depressive patients over 4 weeks. Stepwise titration of the drug resulted in an optimal daily dosage of 6 tablets (1 table, morning, 1 at noon, and 4 in the evening). Based on the ECDEU Global Score the overall symptomatology improved significantly as early as in the first week and was best in the third week. Evaluation of the detailed psychopathology by means of the AMP-system showed, that aside from thymoleptic properties, Lu 7410 has a stimulatory-activating-effect (improvement of drive) as well as an anxiolytic-sedative component (improvement of suicidal tendencies, agitation and sleep disturbances). While the former is seen predominantly in low doses and in endomorphous depressions, the latter is prominent in higher doses and in psychogenic depressions. There was a lack of extrapyramidal side effects as well as of alterations in blood count, blood chemistry and ECG. Psychological tests supported the clinical observations, inasmuch as a significant increase of extroversion and aggressivity was seen in the FPI of endomorphous depressives, while psychogenic depressives revealed decreases in extroversion and sociability. Moreover, a decrease in the Taylor anxiety score and increase in concentration was noted, based on the AD test. The results will be discussed.", "contents": "The treatment of endomorphous and psychogenic depressions with a fixed combination of amitriptyline/flupenthixol (Lu 7410). The clinical efficacy of a fixed combination of 10 mg amitriptyline and 0.5 mg flupenthixol (Lu 7410) was studied in 30 (15 endomorphous and 15 psychogenic) depressive patients over 4 weeks. Stepwise titration of the drug resulted in an optimal daily dosage of 6 tablets (1 table, morning, 1 at noon, and 4 in the evening). Based on the ECDEU Global Score the overall symptomatology improved significantly as early as in the first week and was best in the third week. Evaluation of the detailed psychopathology by means of the AMP-system showed, that aside from thymoleptic properties, Lu 7410 has a stimulatory-activating-effect (improvement of drive) as well as an anxiolytic-sedative component (improvement of suicidal tendencies, agitation and sleep disturbances). While the former is seen predominantly in low doses and in endomorphous depressions, the latter is prominent in higher doses and in psychogenic depressions. There was a lack of extrapyramidal side effects as well as of alterations in blood count, blood chemistry and ECG. Psychological tests supported the clinical observations, inasmuch as a significant increase of extroversion and aggressivity was seen in the FPI of endomorphous depressives, while psychogenic depressives revealed decreases in extroversion and sociability. Moreover, a decrease in the Taylor anxiety score and increase in concentration was noted, based on the AD test. The results will be discussed.", "PMID": 780299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5682", "title": "An automated diagnostic process (PDA) in clinical psychopharmacology. An exemplification of its use in a sulpiride versus haloperidol comparative trial.", "content": "One of the main unsolved problems, and one which produces divergent results in clinical psychopharmacology, is that concerning the selection of patients and their diagnostic definition. An automated diagnostic procedure (PDA) was set up in order to classify each patient into one nosographic category on the basis of a cross-sectional examination of his mental state. Such diagnostic procedure appears particularly suitable for multicenter drug trials, since it gives a profile and a diagnostic definition of patients, assessed by investigators from different areas and with different cultural, and clinical backgrounds. In a multicenter trial (sulpiride versus haloperidol) PDA offered a chance to re-examine and analyze the characteristics of each patient and therefore to control the criteria followed for the sample selection in the various experimental settings. The agreement between clinician and computer diagnosis was 78.9%; this agreement rises to 85.5% if the computerlabelled schizo-affective syndromes are considered within the schizophrenic group. Moreover, and attempt has been made to relate psychopathological patterns to drug responses.", "contents": "An automated diagnostic process (PDA) in clinical psychopharmacology. An exemplification of its use in a sulpiride versus haloperidol comparative trial. One of the main unsolved problems, and one which produces divergent results in clinical psychopharmacology, is that concerning the selection of patients and their diagnostic definition. An automated diagnostic procedure (PDA) was set up in order to classify each patient into one nosographic category on the basis of a cross-sectional examination of his mental state. Such diagnostic procedure appears particularly suitable for multicenter drug trials, since it gives a profile and a diagnostic definition of patients, assessed by investigators from different areas and with different cultural, and clinical backgrounds. In a multicenter trial (sulpiride versus haloperidol) PDA offered a chance to re-examine and analyze the characteristics of each patient and therefore to control the criteria followed for the sample selection in the various experimental settings. The agreement between clinician and computer diagnosis was 78.9%; this agreement rises to 85.5% if the computerlabelled schizo-affective syndromes are considered within the schizophrenic group. Moreover, and attempt has been made to relate psychopathological patterns to drug responses.", "PMID": 780300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5683", "title": "Effects of the intracoronary and intraventricular injections of a commonly available vs. a newly available contrast medium.", "content": "Two contrast media (Renografin 76 and Isopaque 370) were used in a double-blind study for coronary angiography and left ventriculography. Fifty-eight patients with presumed coronary artery disease were studied. The effects of the contrast media upon the myocardium and upon ventricular function of patients with and without coronary artery disease were assessed. Pre and post angiography myocardial enzymes were obtained. Cardiac output was determined before and after the angiograms. Hemodynamic and electrocardiographic changes were continuously monitored during the procedure. The study showed that both contrast media produced similar changes; however, the \"maximum\" decrease in T wave amplitude was more marked in the normal group when Renografin 76 (as compared with Isopaque 370) was injected (p = 0.05) on the right. Renografin 76 injection into the left coronary artery produced a higher median T wave amplitude in lead II relative to Isopaque 370 only in the abnormal group (p = 0.01). The heart rate dropped more severely in the normal patients when the left coronary artery was injected with Renografin 76 than with Isopaque 370 (p = 0.05).", "contents": "Effects of the intracoronary and intraventricular injections of a commonly available vs. a newly available contrast medium. Two contrast media (Renografin 76 and Isopaque 370) were used in a double-blind study for coronary angiography and left ventriculography. Fifty-eight patients with presumed coronary artery disease were studied. The effects of the contrast media upon the myocardium and upon ventricular function of patients with and without coronary artery disease were assessed. Pre and post angiography myocardial enzymes were obtained. Cardiac output was determined before and after the angiograms. Hemodynamic and electrocardiographic changes were continuously monitored during the procedure. The study showed that both contrast media produced similar changes; however, the \"maximum\" decrease in T wave amplitude was more marked in the normal group when Renografin 76 (as compared with Isopaque 370) was injected (p = 0.05) on the right. Renografin 76 injection into the left coronary artery produced a higher median T wave amplitude in lead II relative to Isopaque 370 only in the abnormal group (p = 0.01). The heart rate dropped more severely in the normal patients when the left coronary artery was injected with Renografin 76 than with Isopaque 370 (p = 0.05).", "PMID": 780312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5684", "title": "[Pemphigus].", "content": "This review stresses particularly the role that \"intercellular\" antigens and antibodies, complement and lymphocytic dysfunction may play in pemphigus. In addition evidences in the literature in favour of exogenic factors inducing pemphigus are surveyed. Further an attempt is made to summarize the possibilities for the etiology and the blister formation in this disease.", "contents": "[Pemphigus]. This review stresses particularly the role that \"intercellular\" antigens and antibodies, complement and lymphocytic dysfunction may play in pemphigus. In addition evidences in the literature in favour of exogenic factors inducing pemphigus are surveyed. Further an attempt is made to summarize the possibilities for the etiology and the blister formation in this disease.", "PMID": 780319} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5685", "title": "[Results and progress of scanning- and analytical electron microscopy in dermatology].", "content": "This is a review of the achievements of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and ultrastructural x-ray microanalysis in Dermatology. Eight years after its introduction, the scanning electron microscope opened new possibilities for qualitative and semi-quantitative ultrastructural analysis of human skin, nails and hairs and provided new valuable information in clinical dermatology and dermatopathology. Considerable work has been done on the spatial architecture of normal skin, hair, hyperkeratotic conditions, psoriasis, hair abnormalities, fungus infections, dermal collagen in normal and diseased skin, and the surfaces of cutaneous vascular endothelia. Recently, x-ray microanalysis has been applied for the first time in dermatological research. Subcellular particles, the products of cytochemical reactions and tracer substances, such as heavy metals, can now be analyzed by SEM and STEM techniques. Keratohyaline granules do show a sulfur peak by means of this technique and lipoid droplets fail to demonstrate the peaks of sulfur and chloride. X-ray-microanalysis of ATPase and AChE-reactions in human skin facilitates the indentification and the localization of the reaction product in tissue, whereas the penetration of mercury compounds can be followed more precisely by this technique.", "contents": "[Results and progress of scanning- and analytical electron microscopy in dermatology]. This is a review of the achievements of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and ultrastructural x-ray microanalysis in Dermatology. Eight years after its introduction, the scanning electron microscope opened new possibilities for qualitative and semi-quantitative ultrastructural analysis of human skin, nails and hairs and provided new valuable information in clinical dermatology and dermatopathology. Considerable work has been done on the spatial architecture of normal skin, hair, hyperkeratotic conditions, psoriasis, hair abnormalities, fungus infections, dermal collagen in normal and diseased skin, and the surfaces of cutaneous vascular endothelia. Recently, x-ray microanalysis has been applied for the first time in dermatological research. Subcellular particles, the products of cytochemical reactions and tracer substances, such as heavy metals, can now be analyzed by SEM and STEM techniques. Keratohyaline granules do show a sulfur peak by means of this technique and lipoid droplets fail to demonstrate the peaks of sulfur and chloride. X-ray-microanalysis of ATPase and AChE-reactions in human skin facilitates the indentification and the localization of the reaction product in tissue, whereas the penetration of mercury compounds can be followed more precisely by this technique.", "PMID": 780320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5686", "title": "Immunity and neoplasia in Mollusks.", "content": "The Mollusca is one of the largest of invertebrate phyla. Two major classes, the Gastropoda and the Pelecypoda, have been the subject of numerous studies on immunity and neoplasia. Investigations of immunity have dealt with cellular and humoral aspects, phagocytosis and encapsulation, and rejection of foreign tissue grafts. Work on humoral responses has focused on lysozyme, the hemagglutinins (especially in the oyster), and the clearance of certain antigens. Neoplasms in these animals resemble certain cancers in vertebrates, but it is not clear whether a relationship exists between the invertebrate immune system and the development of neoplasia. Studies of immunity and neoplasia in invertebrates may reveal how these two phenomena of living systems have evolved.", "contents": "Immunity and neoplasia in Mollusks. The Mollusca is one of the largest of invertebrate phyla. Two major classes, the Gastropoda and the Pelecypoda, have been the subject of numerous studies on immunity and neoplasia. Investigations of immunity have dealt with cellular and humoral aspects, phagocytosis and encapsulation, and rejection of foreign tissue grafts. Work on humoral responses has focused on lysozyme, the hemagglutinins (especially in the oyster), and the clearance of certain antigens. Neoplasms in these animals resemble certain cancers in vertebrates, but it is not clear whether a relationship exists between the invertebrate immune system and the development of neoplasia. Studies of immunity and neoplasia in invertebrates may reveal how these two phenomena of living systems have evolved.", "PMID": 780316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5687", "title": "[Preliminary psychological evaluation of a group of children before and after renal transplantation].", "content": "Eighteen children who have received kidney transplants within the last three years at the Hopital des Enfants Malades in Paris provide material for this survey. We try to find out how these transplants effect the way the children live, and the main psychological problems that they create. This new way of life is characterized by an explosion of vitality, a certain liberation from prior restraint and the possibility of activities which up to then had been difficult or forbidden. However, the necessity for the child to be watched regularly, to attend the hospital for examination, to follow a special diet, to take immunodepressive drugs remind him that he is not cured. Consequences of corticotherapy and the growth retardation remain essential problems for some of them. The child will have to cope with this complex situation which also creates difficulties to acquire independence.", "contents": "[Preliminary psychological evaluation of a group of children before and after renal transplantation]. Eighteen children who have received kidney transplants within the last three years at the Hopital des Enfants Malades in Paris provide material for this survey. We try to find out how these transplants effect the way the children live, and the main psychological problems that they create. This new way of life is characterized by an explosion of vitality, a certain liberation from prior restraint and the possibility of activities which up to then had been difficult or forbidden. However, the necessity for the child to be watched regularly, to attend the hospital for examination, to follow a special diet, to take immunodepressive drugs remind him that he is not cured. Consequences of corticotherapy and the growth retardation remain essential problems for some of them. The child will have to cope with this complex situation which also creates difficulties to acquire independence.", "PMID": 780324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5688", "title": "The localization of enzymes in tissue sections by immuno-histochemistry. Conventional antibody and mixed aggregation techniques.", "content": "Methods for detecting enzymes in tissue sections by antibody techniques are reviewed. In all these techniques, sections are first incubated with antibody. The bound antibody is visualized in one of four ways: identifying a label such as fluorescein linked to the antibody; using a labelled anti-antibody; employing complement and labelled anti-complement; or making use of a mixed aggregation immuno-cytochemical method. The last technique consists of three steps. A section is first incubated with antiserum, and secondly with the soluble enzyme under investigation. Thirdly the desired enzyme is \"stained\" using a conventional cytochemical method. The method is specific since, for example, the soluble enzyme used in the second step can bind only to antigenic determinants which are identical to those of the enzyme localized in the tissue. Thus purification of antigen and antibody sources is simplified, and chemical modifications of the antigen and antibody are avoided. Antibody also acts as a selective fixative for tissue antigen. It will inhibit the catalytic activity of its antigen and, in this way, permit the enzyme activity arising after the reaction of tissue enzyme-antibody complex with soluble enzyme to be amplified selectively. The mixed aggregation immuno-cytochemical technique has been used successfully with membrane-bound enzymes and cytoplasmic enzymes and for the demostration of catalytically inactive enzyme precursors.", "contents": "The localization of enzymes in tissue sections by immuno-histochemistry. Conventional antibody and mixed aggregation techniques. Methods for detecting enzymes in tissue sections by antibody techniques are reviewed. In all these techniques, sections are first incubated with antibody. The bound antibody is visualized in one of four ways: identifying a label such as fluorescein linked to the antibody; using a labelled anti-antibody; employing complement and labelled anti-complement; or making use of a mixed aggregation immuno-cytochemical method. The last technique consists of three steps. A section is first incubated with antiserum, and secondly with the soluble enzyme under investigation. Thirdly the desired enzyme is \"stained\" using a conventional cytochemical method. The method is specific since, for example, the soluble enzyme used in the second step can bind only to antigenic determinants which are identical to those of the enzyme localized in the tissue. Thus purification of antigen and antibody sources is simplified, and chemical modifications of the antigen and antibody are avoided. Antibody also acts as a selective fixative for tissue antigen. It will inhibit the catalytic activity of its antigen and, in this way, permit the enzyme activity arising after the reaction of tissue enzyme-antibody complex with soluble enzyme to be amplified selectively. The mixed aggregation immuno-cytochemical technique has been used successfully with membrane-bound enzymes and cytoplasmic enzymes and for the demostration of catalytically inactive enzyme precursors.", "PMID": 780326} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5689", "title": "Comparison of three techniques for intestinal anastomosis in Equidae.", "content": "Thirteen horses and ponies were used to evaluate an anastomotic technique utilizing a modified Gambee suture pattern. The modified Gambee technique was compared with a single-row everting technique and a double-row inverting technique. The double-row inverting technique predisposed to intestinal obstruction and resulted in minimal adhesions. The everting technique predisposed to leakage of intestinal contents and subsequent peritonitis. Adhesions were formed at the site of the anastomosis to such an extent as to jeopardize the proper position of the bowel. The technique did not cause any luminal constriction initially, but the ensuing adhesions did tend to limit the expansibility of the bowel. The modified Gambee technique was associated with minimal constriction of the bowel lumen. Excessive adhesions and leakage were not found to be problems associated with the technique. It was concluded that, in Equidae, the modified Gambee technique for intestinal anastomosis results in near normal lumen diameter, minimal adhesions, and adequate strength, thus being safe and effective.", "contents": "Comparison of three techniques for intestinal anastomosis in Equidae. Thirteen horses and ponies were used to evaluate an anastomotic technique utilizing a modified Gambee suture pattern. The modified Gambee technique was compared with a single-row everting technique and a double-row inverting technique. The double-row inverting technique predisposed to intestinal obstruction and resulted in minimal adhesions. The everting technique predisposed to leakage of intestinal contents and subsequent peritonitis. Adhesions were formed at the site of the anastomosis to such an extent as to jeopardize the proper position of the bowel. The technique did not cause any luminal constriction initially, but the ensuing adhesions did tend to limit the expansibility of the bowel. The modified Gambee technique was associated with minimal constriction of the bowel lumen. Excessive adhesions and leakage were not found to be problems associated with the technique. It was concluded that, in Equidae, the modified Gambee technique for intestinal anastomosis results in near normal lumen diameter, minimal adhesions, and adequate strength, thus being safe and effective.", "PMID": 780329} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5690", "title": "Mutant of Escherichia coli that instantaneously loses the ability to adsorb lambda bacteriophage upon exposure to high temperature.", "content": "lad (lambda adsorption), an Escherichia coli mutant that loses the ability to adsorb lambda phage immediately after a shift to high temperature (e.g., 42 C), was isolated. This property for phage adsorption is irreversible and has been observed with phage lambda and 21 but not with phages 434, phi 170, and phi 80. A crude receptor preparation, extracted from lad cells will cholate-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid by the procedure of Randall-Hazelbauer and Schwartz (1973), inactivated the phage lambda only at low temperature.", "contents": "Mutant of Escherichia coli that instantaneously loses the ability to adsorb lambda bacteriophage upon exposure to high temperature. lad (lambda adsorption), an Escherichia coli mutant that loses the ability to adsorb lambda phage immediately after a shift to high temperature (e.g., 42 C), was isolated. This property for phage adsorption is irreversible and has been observed with phage lambda and 21 but not with phages 434, phi 170, and phi 80. A crude receptor preparation, extracted from lad cells will cholate-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid by the procedure of Randall-Hazelbauer and Schwartz (1973), inactivated the phage lambda only at low temperature.", "PMID": 780336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5691", "title": "Amino acid starvation in Escherichia coli K-12: characteristics of the translation process.", "content": "Some characteristics of the translation process during amino acid starvation in Escherichia coli have been examined. Once starvation has been established, premature termination of polypeptides is negligible and complete proteins are formed. There is some preference for the synthesis of shorter proteins. The number of ribosomes involved in protein synthesis appears to decline to about half during amino acid-starvation. The assembly time of proteins during amino acid starvation is increased to only about fourfold, though protein synthesis maintained by turnover is reduced to 10%. To explain these observations, a model has been proposed for the course of events that possibly take place from the onset of starvation.", "contents": "Amino acid starvation in Escherichia coli K-12: characteristics of the translation process. Some characteristics of the translation process during amino acid starvation in Escherichia coli have been examined. Once starvation has been established, premature termination of polypeptides is negligible and complete proteins are formed. There is some preference for the synthesis of shorter proteins. The number of ribosomes involved in protein synthesis appears to decline to about half during amino acid-starvation. The assembly time of proteins during amino acid starvation is increased to only about fourfold, though protein synthesis maintained by turnover is reduced to 10%. To explain these observations, a model has been proposed for the course of events that possibly take place from the onset of starvation.", "PMID": 780337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5692", "title": "Genetic and biochemical characterization of some missense mutations in the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Some preparations of beta-galactosidase from strains of Escherichia coli carrying point mutations in their lacZ genes did not precipitate with antibody as effectively as wild-type enzyme, but did not appear to be chain-terminating mutations as judged by polarity measurements and suppression. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of crude extracts of induced Lac+ strains revealed that the monomer of beta-galactosidase ran as a band uncontaminated by other cellular proteins. This method was used to identify missense mutations in the alpha and beta portions of the lacZ gene. Six of 13 mutations investigated were judged to be missense by this criterion. Measurement of the degree of polarity, the ability to complement a nonsense mutation at the operator-distal extremity of the gene (omega-complementation), and suppressibility by 12 nonsense suppressors allowed the assignment of six other mutations as either number or ochre. The protein figments produced by these six nonsense mutations appeared to be degraded in vivo. One mutation that could not be classified was either a missense mutation whose protein product was degraded or a very leak nonsense mutation. Two lacZ alleles were suppressed by the ochre suppressors supM and supN, although they were missense by other criteria. The ability of supM to suppress both nonsense and missense mutations can be explained if it is derived from a tyrosine transfer ribonucleic acid with a modified base in the first position of the anticodon. The mutations assigned to the missense class were not suppressed by the missense suppressors supH, supQ, glyV, glyU, or glyT. Our results suggest that the criteria used in the past to distinguish between nonsense and missense mutations may not be conclusive even when used together.", "contents": "Genetic and biochemical characterization of some missense mutations in the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli K-12. Some preparations of beta-galactosidase from strains of Escherichia coli carrying point mutations in their lacZ genes did not precipitate with antibody as effectively as wild-type enzyme, but did not appear to be chain-terminating mutations as judged by polarity measurements and suppression. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of crude extracts of induced Lac+ strains revealed that the monomer of beta-galactosidase ran as a band uncontaminated by other cellular proteins. This method was used to identify missense mutations in the alpha and beta portions of the lacZ gene. Six of 13 mutations investigated were judged to be missense by this criterion. Measurement of the degree of polarity, the ability to complement a nonsense mutation at the operator-distal extremity of the gene (omega-complementation), and suppressibility by 12 nonsense suppressors allowed the assignment of six other mutations as either number or ochre. The protein figments produced by these six nonsense mutations appeared to be degraded in vivo. One mutation that could not be classified was either a missense mutation whose protein product was degraded or a very leak nonsense mutation. Two lacZ alleles were suppressed by the ochre suppressors supM and supN, although they were missense by other criteria. The ability of supM to suppress both nonsense and missense mutations can be explained if it is derived from a tyrosine transfer ribonucleic acid with a modified base in the first position of the anticodon. The mutations assigned to the missense class were not suppressed by the missense suppressors supH, supQ, glyV, glyU, or glyT. Our results suggest that the criteria used in the past to distinguish between nonsense and missense mutations may not be conclusive even when used together.", "PMID": 780338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5693", "title": "Genetic mapping of xthA, the structural gene for exonuclease III in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "The genes xthA, pncA, and pabB were ordered relative to others by two- and three-factor transductional crosses with bacteriophage P1. The genes studied span 2 min (2%) of the genetic map of Escherichia coli K-12 in the clockwise sequence pheS-pfkB-xthA-pncA-gap-pabB-fadD. Eleven independently derived xth mutations were examined; all were known to affect exonuclease III and its associated endonuclease II activity, and all were mapped in the xthA region. pncA mutations were found to confer resistance to 6-aminonicotinamide, whereas some pheS mutations are known to specify resistance to p-fluorphenylalanine. xth mutations were readily transferred into other strains by selecting for these co-transducible drug resistance markers.", "contents": "Genetic mapping of xthA, the structural gene for exonuclease III in Escherichia coli K-12. The genes xthA, pncA, and pabB were ordered relative to others by two- and three-factor transductional crosses with bacteriophage P1. The genes studied span 2 min (2%) of the genetic map of Escherichia coli K-12 in the clockwise sequence pheS-pfkB-xthA-pncA-gap-pabB-fadD. Eleven independently derived xth mutations were examined; all were known to affect exonuclease III and its associated endonuclease II activity, and all were mapped in the xthA region. pncA mutations were found to confer resistance to 6-aminonicotinamide, whereas some pheS mutations are known to specify resistance to p-fluorphenylalanine. xth mutations were readily transferred into other strains by selecting for these co-transducible drug resistance markers.", "PMID": 780339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5694", "title": "Metal ion content of Escherichia coli versus cell age.", "content": "The potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc ion content of cells in exponential and synchronously growing cultures of Escherichia coli B/r was determined with an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Cellular potassium, calcium, and magnesium content increased smoothly during the cell cycle, but cellular zinc showed a steplike increase about 10 to 15 min after cell division in a culture having a doubling time of 47 min. The possible role of cellular zinc in the control of cell division is discussed.", "contents": "Metal ion content of Escherichia coli versus cell age. The potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc ion content of cells in exponential and synchronously growing cultures of Escherichia coli B/r was determined with an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Cellular potassium, calcium, and magnesium content increased smoothly during the cell cycle, but cellular zinc showed a steplike increase about 10 to 15 min after cell division in a culture having a doubling time of 47 min. The possible role of cellular zinc in the control of cell division is discussed.", "PMID": 780340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5695", "title": "Mutants in three genes affecting transport of magnesium in Escherichia coli: genetics and physiology.", "content": "Mutants in three genes affecting two Mg2+ transport systems are described. System I, for which Co2+, Mn2+, and Mg2+ are substrates, is inactive in corA mutants corB mutants express system I after growth on high (10 mM) Mg2+ but not low (0.1 mM) Mg2+. Both corA and corB mutants are resistant to Co2+ or Mn2+. corA mutants are sensitive to CA2+. Transport system II is specific for Mg2+ and is repressed by growth on 10 mM Mg2+. mgt mutations inactivate system II. Growth on mgt mutants in normal except on very low (1 muM) concentrations of Mg2+, corA mgt strains exhibit no high-affinity, energy-dependent transport of Mg2+ and require 10 mM Mg2+ for optimal growth. The three genes are not linked. The corA locus is contransducible with ilv at 75 min, corB is cotransducible with pyrB at 85 min, and mgt is cotransducible with malB and mel at 81 min on the genetic map.", "contents": "Mutants in three genes affecting transport of magnesium in Escherichia coli: genetics and physiology. Mutants in three genes affecting two Mg2+ transport systems are described. System I, for which Co2+, Mn2+, and Mg2+ are substrates, is inactive in corA mutants corB mutants express system I after growth on high (10 mM) Mg2+ but not low (0.1 mM) Mg2+. Both corA and corB mutants are resistant to Co2+ or Mn2+. corA mutants are sensitive to CA2+. Transport system II is specific for Mg2+ and is repressed by growth on 10 mM Mg2+. mgt mutations inactivate system II. Growth on mgt mutants in normal except on very low (1 muM) concentrations of Mg2+, corA mgt strains exhibit no high-affinity, energy-dependent transport of Mg2+ and require 10 mM Mg2+ for optimal growth. The three genes are not linked. The corA locus is contransducible with ilv at 75 min, corB is cotransducible with pyrB at 85 min, and mgt is cotransducible with malB and mel at 81 min on the genetic map.", "PMID": 780341} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5696", "title": "Properties of the entry and exit reactions of the beta-methyl galactoside transport system in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The Km, Vmax, and Ki of the entry reaction were determined for three substrates of the beta-methyl galactoside transport system: D-galactose, D-glycerol-beta-D-galactoside, and beta-methyl-D-galactoside. Although the data for D-galactose and D-glycerol-beta-D-galactoside followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics, the results for beta-methyl-D-galactoside deviated from Michaelis-Menten kinetics in that the Ki for beta-methyl-D-galactoside inhibition of both of the other two substrates was 10-fold greater than the Km for beta-methyl-D-galactoside entry. Furthermore, two partial mgl- strains retain 56% of the parental level of the beta-methyl-D-galactoside entry reaction, but only 12% of the parental level of transport of the other two substrates. The exit reaction of beta-methyl-D-galactoside was shown to be first order. It was stimulated sixfold when the cells were provided with an energy source. This stimulation required adenosine 5'-triphosphate or a related compound. The exit reaction was not altered by mutations in any of the three cistrons which inactivate the beta-methyl-D-galactoside entry reaction, was not increased by growth in the presence of inducers of the entry reaction, and was not repressed by growth on glucose. The striking differences between the entry and exit reactions suggest that they either use different carriers or that none of the three cistrons which are currently known to code for components of the beta-methyl galactoside transport system code for its membrane carrier.", "contents": "Properties of the entry and exit reactions of the beta-methyl galactoside transport system in Escherichia coli. The Km, Vmax, and Ki of the entry reaction were determined for three substrates of the beta-methyl galactoside transport system: D-galactose, D-glycerol-beta-D-galactoside, and beta-methyl-D-galactoside. Although the data for D-galactose and D-glycerol-beta-D-galactoside followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics, the results for beta-methyl-D-galactoside deviated from Michaelis-Menten kinetics in that the Ki for beta-methyl-D-galactoside inhibition of both of the other two substrates was 10-fold greater than the Km for beta-methyl-D-galactoside entry. Furthermore, two partial mgl- strains retain 56% of the parental level of the beta-methyl-D-galactoside entry reaction, but only 12% of the parental level of transport of the other two substrates. The exit reaction of beta-methyl-D-galactoside was shown to be first order. It was stimulated sixfold when the cells were provided with an energy source. This stimulation required adenosine 5'-triphosphate or a related compound. The exit reaction was not altered by mutations in any of the three cistrons which inactivate the beta-methyl-D-galactoside entry reaction, was not increased by growth in the presence of inducers of the entry reaction, and was not repressed by growth on glucose. The striking differences between the entry and exit reactions suggest that they either use different carriers or that none of the three cistrons which are currently known to code for components of the beta-methyl galactoside transport system code for its membrane carrier.", "PMID": 780342} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5697", "title": "Isolation and characterization of conjugation-deficient mutants of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Conjugation-deficient mutants (Con-) of Escherichia coli K-12 have been isolated by a variety of indirect selective techniques. Mutants with mutations conferring ampicillin resistance, fosfomycin resistance, an alanine requirement, and a failure of ferment a number of carbohydrates were selected because the impaired functions occur in association with cell wall and cell membrane defects. The integrity of these catalytic or structural elements is postulated to have a role in conjugation. The mutants could be divided into at least six general categories corresponding to their defectiveness in the following postulated recipient cell functions: (i) specific-union formation, (ii) effective-union formation, (iii) deoxyribonucleic acid transfer, (iv) plasmid establishment, (v) plasmid maintenance, and (vi) recombination. The availability of these mutants should contribute to the description of the molecular events involved in each of these conjugation steps and the elucidation of these genetic control over the inheritance of conjugationally transferred deoxyribonucleic acid.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of conjugation-deficient mutants of Escherichia coli K-12. Conjugation-deficient mutants (Con-) of Escherichia coli K-12 have been isolated by a variety of indirect selective techniques. Mutants with mutations conferring ampicillin resistance, fosfomycin resistance, an alanine requirement, and a failure of ferment a number of carbohydrates were selected because the impaired functions occur in association with cell wall and cell membrane defects. The integrity of these catalytic or structural elements is postulated to have a role in conjugation. The mutants could be divided into at least six general categories corresponding to their defectiveness in the following postulated recipient cell functions: (i) specific-union formation, (ii) effective-union formation, (iii) deoxyribonucleic acid transfer, (iv) plasmid establishment, (v) plasmid maintenance, and (vi) recombination. The availability of these mutants should contribute to the description of the molecular events involved in each of these conjugation steps and the elucidation of these genetic control over the inheritance of conjugationally transferred deoxyribonucleic acid.", "PMID": 780343} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5698", "title": "Suppression of an Escherichia coli dnaA mutation by the integrated R factor R.100.1: Change of chromosome replication origin in synchronized cultures.", "content": "We have followed, by deoxyribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization, the order of replication of three chromosomal markers during a synchronous round of replication in three strains of Escherichia coli carrying a dnaAts mutation: one strain in which the F-like R factor R.100.1 was established as a plasmid and two strains in which the dnaA mutation was suppressed by the integration of R.100.1 into the chromosome. In the R+ strain at 30C, replication of the plasmid took place simultaneously with the initiation of chromosome replication at the normal origin. In the integratively suppressed Hfr strains, at 42.5 C, chromosome replication was initiated preferentially from the integrated plasmid; little or no initiation occurred at the normal origin. Similar results were obtained for the one strain tested at 30 C. For both Hfr strains at 42.5 C, the data suggest that at least part of the population replicated bidirectionally. This conclusion had been confirmed using an autoradiographic procedure. Both types of experiment indicate a wide variation in the rate of travel of individual replication forks within the population.", "contents": "Suppression of an Escherichia coli dnaA mutation by the integrated R factor R.100.1: Change of chromosome replication origin in synchronized cultures. We have followed, by deoxyribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization, the order of replication of three chromosomal markers during a synchronous round of replication in three strains of Escherichia coli carrying a dnaAts mutation: one strain in which the F-like R factor R.100.1 was established as a plasmid and two strains in which the dnaA mutation was suppressed by the integration of R.100.1 into the chromosome. In the R+ strain at 30C, replication of the plasmid took place simultaneously with the initiation of chromosome replication at the normal origin. In the integratively suppressed Hfr strains, at 42.5 C, chromosome replication was initiated preferentially from the integrated plasmid; little or no initiation occurred at the normal origin. Similar results were obtained for the one strain tested at 30 C. For both Hfr strains at 42.5 C, the data suggest that at least part of the population replicated bidirectionally. This conclusion had been confirmed using an autoradiographic procedure. Both types of experiment indicate a wide variation in the rate of travel of individual replication forks within the population.", "PMID": 780344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5699", "title": "Activity of three murein hydrolases during the cell division cycle of Escherichia coli K-12 as measured in toluene-treated cells.", "content": "The specific activities of three murein hydrolases, carboxypeptidase I, carboxypeptidase II, and amidase were studied with respect to cell division in toluene-treated cells of Escherichia coli K-12. Carboxypeptidase I and amidase activities were constant throughout the division cycle in cells of D11/lac+pro+. Detectable carboxypeptidase II activity varied and was highest at the time of division by a factor of three. Carboxypeptidase II specific activity was also correlated with cell division in BUG 6, a temperature-sensitive mutant (J.N Reeve, D.J. Groves, and D.J. Clark, 1970). Fifteen minutes after shifting BUG 6 from 42 C (nondividing conditions) to 32 C (dividing conditions), there was a rapid resumption of cell division, accompanied by a 10-fold increase in the specific activity of carboxypeptidase II. These results demonstrate a correlation between detectable carboxypeptidase II activity and cell division as reflected by activity in toluene-treated cells. The subcellular location of carboxypeptidase II, a soluble enzyme was found to be periplasmic since it was released by tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane-ethylenediaminetetraacetate treatment and osmotic shock, two methods known to release periplasmic enzymes.", "contents": "Activity of three murein hydrolases during the cell division cycle of Escherichia coli K-12 as measured in toluene-treated cells. The specific activities of three murein hydrolases, carboxypeptidase I, carboxypeptidase II, and amidase were studied with respect to cell division in toluene-treated cells of Escherichia coli K-12. Carboxypeptidase I and amidase activities were constant throughout the division cycle in cells of D11/lac+pro+. Detectable carboxypeptidase II activity varied and was highest at the time of division by a factor of three. Carboxypeptidase II specific activity was also correlated with cell division in BUG 6, a temperature-sensitive mutant (J.N Reeve, D.J. Groves, and D.J. Clark, 1970). Fifteen minutes after shifting BUG 6 from 42 C (nondividing conditions) to 32 C (dividing conditions), there was a rapid resumption of cell division, accompanied by a 10-fold increase in the specific activity of carboxypeptidase II. These results demonstrate a correlation between detectable carboxypeptidase II activity and cell division as reflected by activity in toluene-treated cells. The subcellular location of carboxypeptidase II, a soluble enzyme was found to be periplasmic since it was released by tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane-ethylenediaminetetraacetate treatment and osmotic shock, two methods known to release periplasmic enzymes.", "PMID": 780345} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5700", "title": "Cross-resistance between bacteriophages and colicins in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Cross-resistance between bacteriophages and colicins was studied using collections of bacteriophage- and colicin-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli K-12. No new examples were found of highly specific one-to-one cross-resistance of the type suggestive of common receptors. However, several groups of mutants showed tolerance to colicins and resistance to bacteriophages. Mutants known to be very defective in lipopolysaccharides composition were found to commonly show tolerance to certain colicins in addition to their bacteriophage resistance. Another group of mutants showed varying patterns of resistance to colicins E2, E3, K, L, A, S4, N, and X and bacteriophages E4, K2, K20, K21, K29, and H+. However, many bacteriophage-resistant mutants were fully colicin sensitive, and most colicin-resistant mutants were fully sensitive to bacteriophages.", "contents": "Cross-resistance between bacteriophages and colicins in Escherichia coli K-12. Cross-resistance between bacteriophages and colicins was studied using collections of bacteriophage- and colicin-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli K-12. No new examples were found of highly specific one-to-one cross-resistance of the type suggestive of common receptors. However, several groups of mutants showed tolerance to colicins and resistance to bacteriophages. Mutants known to be very defective in lipopolysaccharides composition were found to commonly show tolerance to certain colicins in addition to their bacteriophage resistance. Another group of mutants showed varying patterns of resistance to colicins E2, E3, K, L, A, S4, N, and X and bacteriophages E4, K2, K20, K21, K29, and H+. However, many bacteriophage-resistant mutants were fully colicin sensitive, and most colicin-resistant mutants were fully sensitive to bacteriophages.", "PMID": 780346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5701", "title": "Uni-directional growth of F-actin.", "content": "In was shown that the growth of F-actin occurs uni-directionally in vitro; that is, actin monomers (G-ADP-actin) polymerize onto only one of the two ends of a pre-existing seed in the absence of ATP. Fragments of the F-actin-heavy meromyosin complex prepared by sonication were used as seeds. By studying a large number of electron micrographs, we concluded that growth occurs on the tail end of the arrow-head structure of the seed. This result suggests that the thin filament grows in vivo from the center of the sarcomere towards the Z-line. It was further shown that the fragments of F-actin combine with both ends of the seed with nearly equal probability. These results are well interpreted according to the theory developed by Oosawa (1,2).", "contents": "Uni-directional growth of F-actin. In was shown that the growth of F-actin occurs uni-directionally in vitro; that is, actin monomers (G-ADP-actin) polymerize onto only one of the two ends of a pre-existing seed in the absence of ATP. Fragments of the F-actin-heavy meromyosin complex prepared by sonication were used as seeds. By studying a large number of electron micrographs, we concluded that growth occurs on the tail end of the arrow-head structure of the seed. This result suggests that the thin filament grows in vivo from the center of the sarcomere towards the Z-line. It was further shown that the fragments of F-actin combine with both ends of the seed with nearly equal probability. These results are well interpreted according to the theory developed by Oosawa (1,2).", "PMID": 780347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5702", "title": "Fluorescent probes for antibody active sites. I. Production of antibodies specific to the N-methyl-2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonyl group in rabbits and some fluorescent properties of the hapten bound to the antibodies.", "content": "1. Rabbits were immunized with N-methyl-2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonyl (MANS) bovine serum albumin (MANS-BSA) prepared by the reaction of bovine serum albumin with N-methyl-2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonyl chloride to obtain IgG fraction containing anti-MANS antibodies. 2. Both N-methyl-2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonate (MANSate) and N-methyl-2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonamide (MANSamide), which are virtually non-fluorescent in aqueous solution, became strongly fluorescent, with a blue shift of about 100 nm, when they were specifically bound to the antibodies against the hapten group contained in the IgG fractions. 3. IgG fractions were obtained from five immunized rabbits at intervals after the primary immunization. The fluorescence characteristics of the hepten were carefully examined with preparations of IgG fraction differing in source and time of bleeding. One of the rabbits showed a very interesting immune response. The rabbit produced two groups of anti-MANS antibodies which were significantly different in their effect on the fluorescence properties of the hapten group. One of the groups was exclusively produced at the early stage in the immune response. The other group appeared at the late stage. It is suggested that the two groups differ as regards the structure of the hepten combining sites. 4. The above findings indicate that the MANS group can be successfully used as a hapten with useful properties as a fluorescent probe.", "contents": "Fluorescent probes for antibody active sites. I. Production of antibodies specific to the N-methyl-2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonyl group in rabbits and some fluorescent properties of the hapten bound to the antibodies. 1. Rabbits were immunized with N-methyl-2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonyl (MANS) bovine serum albumin (MANS-BSA) prepared by the reaction of bovine serum albumin with N-methyl-2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonyl chloride to obtain IgG fraction containing anti-MANS antibodies. 2. Both N-methyl-2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonate (MANSate) and N-methyl-2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonamide (MANSamide), which are virtually non-fluorescent in aqueous solution, became strongly fluorescent, with a blue shift of about 100 nm, when they were specifically bound to the antibodies against the hapten group contained in the IgG fractions. 3. IgG fractions were obtained from five immunized rabbits at intervals after the primary immunization. The fluorescence characteristics of the hepten were carefully examined with preparations of IgG fraction differing in source and time of bleeding. One of the rabbits showed a very interesting immune response. The rabbit produced two groups of anti-MANS antibodies which were significantly different in their effect on the fluorescence properties of the hapten group. One of the groups was exclusively produced at the early stage in the immune response. The other group appeared at the late stage. It is suggested that the two groups differ as regards the structure of the hepten combining sites. 4. The above findings indicate that the MANS group can be successfully used as a hapten with useful properties as a fluorescent probe.", "PMID": 780348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5703", "title": "Mechanism of polyadenylate-polyuridylate synthesis by RNA polymerase holoenzyme II of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Poly(A)-poly(U) synthesis in the absence of template DNA is a unique reaction catalyzed by the RNA polymerase [EC 2.7:7.6] holoenzyme II of Escherichia coli. As one approach to investigating the physiological role of the enzyme, the molecular mechanism of poly(A)-poly(U) synthesis was studied. Streptolydigin, an inhibitor of the elongation of RNA chains, was shown to inhibit poly(A)-poly(U) synthesis, and the inhibition was released by a streptolydigin-resistant mutation on the beta subunit. These observations indicate that the active site for the reaction might be located on the beta subunit. Another antibiotic, rifampicin, which is known to be a specific inhibitor of the initiation of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis, effectively inhibited both initiation and elongation steps in poly(A)-poly(U) synthesis. This suggests that the enzyme conformation during the chain elongation reaction might be different in this case from that in DNA-dependent RNA synthesis. Analysis of the products formed during the initiation reaction indicated that the rate-determining reaction in poly(A)-poly(U) synthesis was the formation of primers of short chain length, and that holoenzyme I was unable to form the first phosphodiester bond in this reaction. Functional properties of holoenzyme II are discussed in connection with these observations.", "contents": "Mechanism of polyadenylate-polyuridylate synthesis by RNA polymerase holoenzyme II of Escherichia coli. Poly(A)-poly(U) synthesis in the absence of template DNA is a unique reaction catalyzed by the RNA polymerase [EC 2.7:7.6] holoenzyme II of Escherichia coli. As one approach to investigating the physiological role of the enzyme, the molecular mechanism of poly(A)-poly(U) synthesis was studied. Streptolydigin, an inhibitor of the elongation of RNA chains, was shown to inhibit poly(A)-poly(U) synthesis, and the inhibition was released by a streptolydigin-resistant mutation on the beta subunit. These observations indicate that the active site for the reaction might be located on the beta subunit. Another antibiotic, rifampicin, which is known to be a specific inhibitor of the initiation of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis, effectively inhibited both initiation and elongation steps in poly(A)-poly(U) synthesis. This suggests that the enzyme conformation during the chain elongation reaction might be different in this case from that in DNA-dependent RNA synthesis. Analysis of the products formed during the initiation reaction indicated that the rate-determining reaction in poly(A)-poly(U) synthesis was the formation of primers of short chain length, and that holoenzyme I was unable to form the first phosphodiester bond in this reaction. Functional properties of holoenzyme II are discussed in connection with these observations.", "PMID": 780349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5704", "title": "Fluorometric investigation of the local conformation of 16S rRNA in the regions of the 3'- and 5'-ends.", "content": "The conformational changes of ribonucleic acid induced by heat treatment were studied by measurements of fluorescence polarization, circular dichroism, and ultraviolet absorption. The fluorescence polarization of proflavine covalently bound to the 3'-end of 16S ribosomal RNA of Escherichia coli and that of ethenoadenosine conjugated to the 5'-end of the RNA indicated that a conformational difference existed between heat-treated and untreated samples of the RNA in the regions near the 3'- and 5'-ends. Comparison of the fluorescence polarization data with other optical measurements indicated that the local conformation around the 3'- and 5'-ends of the RNA was converted to a more rigid and stable form by the heat treatment, while the gross conformation did not appear to change.", "contents": "Fluorometric investigation of the local conformation of 16S rRNA in the regions of the 3'- and 5'-ends. The conformational changes of ribonucleic acid induced by heat treatment were studied by measurements of fluorescence polarization, circular dichroism, and ultraviolet absorption. The fluorescence polarization of proflavine covalently bound to the 3'-end of 16S ribosomal RNA of Escherichia coli and that of ethenoadenosine conjugated to the 5'-end of the RNA indicated that a conformational difference existed between heat-treated and untreated samples of the RNA in the regions near the 3'- and 5'-ends. Comparison of the fluorescence polarization data with other optical measurements indicated that the local conformation around the 3'- and 5'-ends of the RNA was converted to a more rigid and stable form by the heat treatment, while the gross conformation did not appear to change.", "PMID": 780350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5705", "title": "Pantothenate synthetase of Escherichia coli B. I. Physicochemical properties.", "content": "Using a new apparatus for preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, pantothenate synthetase (D-pantoate: beta-alanine ligase (AMP-forming), [EC 6.3.2.1] was purified about 500-fold from Escherichia coli B. It was found to be homogeneous in analytical disc gel electrophoresis and sedimentation ultracentrifugation (so20, w=4.9). From sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation, a molecular weight of 70,100 was obtained, which is in good agreement with the value obtained by the Sephadex G-150 gel filtration method (69,000); the diffusion constant was calculated to be 5.88X10(-7) cm2/sec. The minimum molecular weight calculated from the amino acid composition of this enzyme protein was 19,700, a value in reasonable accord with molecular weight of the enzyme subunit, 18,000, obtained by gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate. The partial specific volume, v, was calculated to be 0.71 cm3/g. The enzyme had an amino-terminal glycyl residue and a Leu-Ala-Ser-OH sequence at the carboxyl end. Electrophoresis of the enzyme with carrier ampholine gave an isoelectric point of pH 4.6.", "contents": "Pantothenate synthetase of Escherichia coli B. I. Physicochemical properties. Using a new apparatus for preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, pantothenate synthetase (D-pantoate: beta-alanine ligase (AMP-forming), [EC 6.3.2.1] was purified about 500-fold from Escherichia coli B. It was found to be homogeneous in analytical disc gel electrophoresis and sedimentation ultracentrifugation (so20, w=4.9). From sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation, a molecular weight of 70,100 was obtained, which is in good agreement with the value obtained by the Sephadex G-150 gel filtration method (69,000); the diffusion constant was calculated to be 5.88X10(-7) cm2/sec. The minimum molecular weight calculated from the amino acid composition of this enzyme protein was 19,700, a value in reasonable accord with molecular weight of the enzyme subunit, 18,000, obtained by gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate. The partial specific volume, v, was calculated to be 0.71 cm3/g. The enzyme had an amino-terminal glycyl residue and a Leu-Ala-Ser-OH sequence at the carboxyl end. Electrophoresis of the enzyme with carrier ampholine gave an isoelectric point of pH 4.6.", "PMID": 780351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5706", "title": "The nucleotide sequence in the promoter region of the gene for an Escherichia coli tyrosine transfer ribonucleic acid.", "content": "The sequence of the first 29 nucleotides in the promoter region of a tyrosine tRNA gene has previously been determined (Sekiya, T., van Ormondt, H., and Khorana, H.G. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 1087-1098). This work has now been extended to give the sequence of a total of 59 nucleotides; the sequence is as follows: (see article). The general approach used in the determination of the sequence involved the DNA polymerase I-catalyzed elongation of synthetic deoxyribopolynucleotide primers hydridized to the l-strand of phi80psu+III DNA at the appropriate site. Sequencing of the newly added nucleotides was facilitated by the use of a number of techniques including (a) elongation of the primer with the use of all of the four nucleoside 5'-triphosphates but limiting the concentration of one of the triphosphates, (b) insertion of ribonucleotide units at appropriate sites so as to permit subsequent specific cleavages by pancreatic RNase, and (c) two-dimensional fingerprinting of the oligonucleotides in conjunction with partial exonucleolytic degradation, comprehensive nearest neighbor analyses, and the determination of pyrimidine tracts.", "contents": "The nucleotide sequence in the promoter region of the gene for an Escherichia coli tyrosine transfer ribonucleic acid. The sequence of the first 29 nucleotides in the promoter region of a tyrosine tRNA gene has previously been determined (Sekiya, T., van Ormondt, H., and Khorana, H.G. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 1087-1098). This work has now been extended to give the sequence of a total of 59 nucleotides; the sequence is as follows: (see article). The general approach used in the determination of the sequence involved the DNA polymerase I-catalyzed elongation of synthetic deoxyribopolynucleotide primers hydridized to the l-strand of phi80psu+III DNA at the appropriate site. Sequencing of the newly added nucleotides was facilitated by the use of a number of techniques including (a) elongation of the primer with the use of all of the four nucleoside 5'-triphosphates but limiting the concentration of one of the triphosphates, (b) insertion of ribonucleotide units at appropriate sites so as to permit subsequent specific cleavages by pancreatic RNase, and (c) two-dimensional fingerprinting of the oligonucleotides in conjunction with partial exonucleolytic degradation, comprehensive nearest neighbor analyses, and the determination of pyrimidine tracts.", "PMID": 780352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5707", "title": "A heterologous system for detecting eukaryotic enzymes which synthesize pseudouridine in transfer ribonucleic acids.", "content": "tRNA pseudouridylation activities have been detected in embryonic mouse cell fractions and in extracts from HeLa, mouse L-cell and baby hamster kidney (BHK) cell lines. These activities were identified by the use of heterologous reaction systems, with tRNA from hisT strains of Salmonella typhimurium as substrate. hisT mutants are defective for an enzyme that forms psi residues in the anticodon region of many tRNAs and accumulate undermodified species of tRNA. The pseudouridylation activity from BHK cells has been examined in detail and quantitated by a modified tritium release assay (Cortese, R., Kammen, H.O., Spengler, S.J., and Ames, B.N. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 1103-1108). Maximal rates of tritium release required a suitable cationic environment (optimally, a combination of Mg2+ and NH4+) and a thiol reductant. The activity was totally inhibited in the presence of thiol-reactive reagents, such as 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and p-chloromercuribenzoate. A major portion of this 3H release activity was associated with psi modification reactions. This conclusion stems from the following observations: (a) BHK extracts preferentially catalyzed a release of 3H from hisT [5-3H]tRNA, rather than from similarly labeled wild type tRNA; (b) this activity was specific for protons attached to C5 of the pyrimidine rings; no release of 3H was obtained with hisT or wild type [6-3H]tRNA as substrate; (c) the reaction products of hisT tRNA with BHK enzyme were examined by reverse phase column chromatography of tRNAPhe isoacceptors on RPC-5 columns. The enzyme modified both of the principal isoacceptors of hisT tRNAPhe to an equal extent, yielding products indistinguishable from wild type tRNAPhe. Significant levels of 3H release were obtained by the action of enzyme on wild type [5-3H]tRNA, even after gel filtration of the enzyme. This suggests that the enzyme may be able to hypermodify certain species of wild type S. typhimurium tRNA. The activities for wild type tRNA and hisT tRNA appeared to be associated with the same enzyme.", "contents": "A heterologous system for detecting eukaryotic enzymes which synthesize pseudouridine in transfer ribonucleic acids. tRNA pseudouridylation activities have been detected in embryonic mouse cell fractions and in extracts from HeLa, mouse L-cell and baby hamster kidney (BHK) cell lines. These activities were identified by the use of heterologous reaction systems, with tRNA from hisT strains of Salmonella typhimurium as substrate. hisT mutants are defective for an enzyme that forms psi residues in the anticodon region of many tRNAs and accumulate undermodified species of tRNA. The pseudouridylation activity from BHK cells has been examined in detail and quantitated by a modified tritium release assay (Cortese, R., Kammen, H.O., Spengler, S.J., and Ames, B.N. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 1103-1108). Maximal rates of tritium release required a suitable cationic environment (optimally, a combination of Mg2+ and NH4+) and a thiol reductant. The activity was totally inhibited in the presence of thiol-reactive reagents, such as 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and p-chloromercuribenzoate. A major portion of this 3H release activity was associated with psi modification reactions. This conclusion stems from the following observations: (a) BHK extracts preferentially catalyzed a release of 3H from hisT [5-3H]tRNA, rather than from similarly labeled wild type tRNA; (b) this activity was specific for protons attached to C5 of the pyrimidine rings; no release of 3H was obtained with hisT or wild type [6-3H]tRNA as substrate; (c) the reaction products of hisT tRNA with BHK enzyme were examined by reverse phase column chromatography of tRNAPhe isoacceptors on RPC-5 columns. The enzyme modified both of the principal isoacceptors of hisT tRNAPhe to an equal extent, yielding products indistinguishable from wild type tRNAPhe. Significant levels of 3H release were obtained by the action of enzyme on wild type [5-3H]tRNA, even after gel filtration of the enzyme. This suggests that the enzyme may be able to hypermodify certain species of wild type S. typhimurium tRNA. The activities for wild type tRNA and hisT tRNA appeared to be associated with the same enzyme.", "PMID": 780353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5708", "title": "Acyl carrier protein metabolism and regulation of fatty acid biosynthesis by Lactobacillus plantarum.", "content": "Endogenous fatty acid biosynthesis in the bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum is greatly decreased upon addition of exogenous fatty acids (Henderson, T.A., and McNeil, J.J. (1966) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 25, 662-669). We have demonstrated the presence of five pantothenate-containing compounds in L. plantarum which have been identified by co-chromatography with authentic samples: pantothenate, 4'-phosphopantetheine, 3'-dephosphocoenzyme A, coenzyme A, and acyl carrier protein (ACP). The concentrations of the above pantothenate-containing compounds were found to be: 0.009, 0.13, 0.067, 0.69, and 0.22 nmol/mg of protein, respectively. L. plantarum ACP was shown to have a molecular weight near that of Escherichia coli ACP but to have a lower isoelectric point (pI = 3.75). Oleate in the presence of Triton X-100 was found to reduce the concentration of ACP by 80% with little effect on the concentrations of the other pantothenate-containing compounds. The synthesis of ACP apparently ceased soon after the addition of oleate and the rate of decrease in concentration of ACP was quanitatively consistent with the previously observed rate of decrease in the initial rate of fatty acid biosynthesis in this organism (Weeks, G., and Wakil, S.J. (1970) J. Biol. Chem. 245, 1913-1921). Thus, the change in rate of fatty acid biosynthesis in L. plantarum upon addition of oleate to the medium can be quantitatively related to the concentration of ACP (and probably to the concentration of co-repressible enzymes of fatty acid biosynthesis).", "contents": "Acyl carrier protein metabolism and regulation of fatty acid biosynthesis by Lactobacillus plantarum. Endogenous fatty acid biosynthesis in the bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum is greatly decreased upon addition of exogenous fatty acids (Henderson, T.A., and McNeil, J.J. (1966) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 25, 662-669). We have demonstrated the presence of five pantothenate-containing compounds in L. plantarum which have been identified by co-chromatography with authentic samples: pantothenate, 4'-phosphopantetheine, 3'-dephosphocoenzyme A, coenzyme A, and acyl carrier protein (ACP). The concentrations of the above pantothenate-containing compounds were found to be: 0.009, 0.13, 0.067, 0.69, and 0.22 nmol/mg of protein, respectively. L. plantarum ACP was shown to have a molecular weight near that of Escherichia coli ACP but to have a lower isoelectric point (pI = 3.75). Oleate in the presence of Triton X-100 was found to reduce the concentration of ACP by 80% with little effect on the concentrations of the other pantothenate-containing compounds. The synthesis of ACP apparently ceased soon after the addition of oleate and the rate of decrease in concentration of ACP was quanitatively consistent with the previously observed rate of decrease in the initial rate of fatty acid biosynthesis in this organism (Weeks, G., and Wakil, S.J. (1970) J. Biol. Chem. 245, 1913-1921). Thus, the change in rate of fatty acid biosynthesis in L. plantarum upon addition of oleate to the medium can be quantitatively related to the concentration of ACP (and probably to the concentration of co-repressible enzymes of fatty acid biosynthesis).", "PMID": 780354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5709", "title": "A comparative study of the early vascularization of porous carbon and bone as a graft.", "content": "Utilizing rats as a model, it was demonstrated that both iliac crest bone and porous carbon disks, when used as only grafts, become vascularized as early as 3 days. There is no significant difference between the two. The soft tissues, periosteum, and recipient bone are all capable of supplying vascularization to the graft or implant.", "contents": "A comparative study of the early vascularization of porous carbon and bone as a graft. Utilizing rats as a model, it was demonstrated that both iliac crest bone and porous carbon disks, when used as only grafts, become vascularized as early as 3 days. There is no significant difference between the two. The soft tissues, periosteum, and recipient bone are all capable of supplying vascularization to the graft or implant.", "PMID": 780357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5710", "title": "Secretion rates of LH and FSH during infusion of LH-FSH/RH in normal women and in patients with secondary amenorrhea: suggestive evidence for two pools of LH and FSH.", "content": "Normal women in the early follicular phase and in the luteal phase of the cycle, and patients with secondary amenorrhea received on consecutive days a rapid intravenous injection (50 mug) and a two or four-hour infusion (25 mug/h) of synthetic LH-FSH/RH. The responses of LH and FSH were evaluated by the measured plasma concentrations, as well as by the calculated pituitary secretion rates and by the amounts of hormone released. To estimate these pituitary secretion rates of LH and FSH, a simplified mathematical model is proposed. During an infusion of LH-FSH/RH the secretion rates of both LH and FSH increased in the three groups of women in a biphasic way with a dip after 1 to 2h of infusion, suggesting that besides the pool mobilized by a rapid intravenous injection of LH-FSH/RH there is a second pool of (stored) gonadotropins. For LH the increase above baseline concentrations was higher in group II (luteal phase) than in group I (follicular phase) or in group III (amenorrhea) and this both after a bolus injection and during infusion of LH-FSH/RH. For FSH a similar pattern of response prevailed during an infusion of LH-FSH/RH. After a bolus administration, however, the FSH release was relatively higher in group III (amenorrhea) than in both groups of normal women in which the increases were about the same. The latter finding suggests that the first pool of FSH is released by a different mechanism than the second pool.", "contents": "Secretion rates of LH and FSH during infusion of LH-FSH/RH in normal women and in patients with secondary amenorrhea: suggestive evidence for two pools of LH and FSH. Normal women in the early follicular phase and in the luteal phase of the cycle, and patients with secondary amenorrhea received on consecutive days a rapid intravenous injection (50 mug) and a two or four-hour infusion (25 mug/h) of synthetic LH-FSH/RH. The responses of LH and FSH were evaluated by the measured plasma concentrations, as well as by the calculated pituitary secretion rates and by the amounts of hormone released. To estimate these pituitary secretion rates of LH and FSH, a simplified mathematical model is proposed. During an infusion of LH-FSH/RH the secretion rates of both LH and FSH increased in the three groups of women in a biphasic way with a dip after 1 to 2h of infusion, suggesting that besides the pool mobilized by a rapid intravenous injection of LH-FSH/RH there is a second pool of (stored) gonadotropins. For LH the increase above baseline concentrations was higher in group II (luteal phase) than in group I (follicular phase) or in group III (amenorrhea) and this both after a bolus injection and during infusion of LH-FSH/RH. For FSH a similar pattern of response prevailed during an infusion of LH-FSH/RH. After a bolus administration, however, the FSH release was relatively higher in group III (amenorrhea) than in both groups of normal women in which the increases were about the same. The latter finding suggests that the first pool of FSH is released by a different mechanism than the second pool.", "PMID": 780363} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5711", "title": "Assessments of the functional capacity of the gonadotrophs in men: effects of estrogen and clomiphene.", "content": "Serum LH and FSH responses to serial injections of LRF with small (10 mug x 5), large (150 mug x 5), decremental (300 to 10 mug), and incremental (10 to 300 mug) doses at 2-hour intervals were assessed in eugonadal men. At constant doses, pulses of LRF induced pulsatile LH release which was qualitatively similar but quantitatively greater for the large than for the small dose of LRF. There were no periods of refractoriness or augmentation of subsequent responses from prior exposure to LRF when administered at 2-hour intervals. LH responses to incremental and decremental doses of LRF resulted in corresponding measurable changes in the magnitude of pituitary LH release. The FSH responses to pulses of LRF at all doses tested were uniformly small. These data suggest that analyses of the initial and integrated release (10 h experiment) to pulses of LRF may disclose the functional capacity of the gonadotrophs and that small variations in the endogenous LRF delivered may represent a significant factor in the control of LH release. The small dose (10 mug x 5) of pulses of LRF was utilized in the assessment of estrogen and clomiphene treatments on the functional capacity of the gonadotrophs in normal men. Compared with the pretreatment results, both constant doses of ethinyl estradiol (50 mug/day x 7 days) and incremental doses of estradiol benzoate (100 to 400 mug, twice daily injections x 4 d) induced an attenuation of the initial release as well as of the integrated response 10 h) to pulses of LRF. Clomiphene treatment (100 mg/day x 5 d), likewise, resulted in a reduction of gonadotropin release to all pulses of LRF. These data suggest that circulating estrogen in intact men may have both a negative and a positive feedback effect on the gonadotrophs and that the testicular estrogen secretion as well as the extraglandular sources of estrogen, may play a critical role in the regulations of gonadotropin secretion in man.", "contents": "Assessments of the functional capacity of the gonadotrophs in men: effects of estrogen and clomiphene. Serum LH and FSH responses to serial injections of LRF with small (10 mug x 5), large (150 mug x 5), decremental (300 to 10 mug), and incremental (10 to 300 mug) doses at 2-hour intervals were assessed in eugonadal men. At constant doses, pulses of LRF induced pulsatile LH release which was qualitatively similar but quantitatively greater for the large than for the small dose of LRF. There were no periods of refractoriness or augmentation of subsequent responses from prior exposure to LRF when administered at 2-hour intervals. LH responses to incremental and decremental doses of LRF resulted in corresponding measurable changes in the magnitude of pituitary LH release. The FSH responses to pulses of LRF at all doses tested were uniformly small. These data suggest that analyses of the initial and integrated release (10 h experiment) to pulses of LRF may disclose the functional capacity of the gonadotrophs and that small variations in the endogenous LRF delivered may represent a significant factor in the control of LH release. The small dose (10 mug x 5) of pulses of LRF was utilized in the assessment of estrogen and clomiphene treatments on the functional capacity of the gonadotrophs in normal men. Compared with the pretreatment results, both constant doses of ethinyl estradiol (50 mug/day x 7 days) and incremental doses of estradiol benzoate (100 to 400 mug, twice daily injections x 4 d) induced an attenuation of the initial release as well as of the integrated response 10 h) to pulses of LRF. Clomiphene treatment (100 mg/day x 5 d), likewise, resulted in a reduction of gonadotropin release to all pulses of LRF. These data suggest that circulating estrogen in intact men may have both a negative and a positive feedback effect on the gonadotrophs and that the testicular estrogen secretion as well as the extraglandular sources of estrogen, may play a critical role in the regulations of gonadotropin secretion in man.", "PMID": 780364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5712", "title": "Gonadotropin and sex steroid response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in patients with premature adrenarche.", "content": "Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (100 mug iv) produced a response of LH, FSH, testosterone, and estradiol in children with premature pubarche that was not different from that among normal prepubertal children. Hence, this study provides no evidence that hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal maturation occurs with the onset of premature sexual hair.", "contents": "Gonadotropin and sex steroid response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in patients with premature adrenarche. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (100 mug iv) produced a response of LH, FSH, testosterone, and estradiol in children with premature pubarche that was not different from that among normal prepubertal children. Hence, this study provides no evidence that hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal maturation occurs with the onset of premature sexual hair.", "PMID": 780365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5713", "title": "Plasma gonadotropin and gonadotropin-releasing hormone levels after intranasal administration of gonadotropin releasing hormone.", "content": "Intranasal administration of gonadotropin hormone (GnRH) in doses ranging from 2-4 mg produced a consistently prolonged LH response in patients with secondary amenorrhea. In 4 cases, a delayed secondary rise occurred. A similarly prolonged FSH response was observed in the majority of patients. Six hours after intranasal GnRH, FSH and LH values were well above basal levels and were higher than those observed at a similar interval after intravenous GnRH. Plasma GnRH levels after intranasal administration failed to achieve the high peaks found after the intravenous route but maintained elevated levels for at least an hour and often longer. Despite the much lower plasma GnRH levels, intranasal GnRH produced a sustained effect on LH and FSH secretion, greater than GnRH given by the intravenous route.", "contents": "Plasma gonadotropin and gonadotropin-releasing hormone levels after intranasal administration of gonadotropin releasing hormone. Intranasal administration of gonadotropin hormone (GnRH) in doses ranging from 2-4 mg produced a consistently prolonged LH response in patients with secondary amenorrhea. In 4 cases, a delayed secondary rise occurred. A similarly prolonged FSH response was observed in the majority of patients. Six hours after intranasal GnRH, FSH and LH values were well above basal levels and were higher than those observed at a similar interval after intravenous GnRH. Plasma GnRH levels after intranasal administration failed to achieve the high peaks found after the intravenous route but maintained elevated levels for at least an hour and often longer. Despite the much lower plasma GnRH levels, intranasal GnRH produced a sustained effect on LH and FSH secretion, greater than GnRH given by the intravenous route.", "PMID": 780366} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5714", "title": "Gonadotropin determinations in times 3-hour urine collections during the menstrual cycle and LHRH testing.", "content": "The usefulness of timed 3-hour urine collections as a substitute for serum gonadotropin (LH and FSH) determinations during the menstrual cycle and during LHRH testing was examined. The timing of the 3-hour urine collection is not important in mature individuals, since no significant temporal trend was found when aliquots were collected every 3 hours throughout two 24-hour periods in one mature woman. Good correlation was found between serum LH and FSH concentrations and the quantity of LH and FSH in timed 3-hour urine specimens throughout normal, ovulatory menstrual cycles in two women. Studies before and during 51 LHRH stimulation tests in normal men, children, and women during different phases of the menstrual cycle and in patients with a variety of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis disorders were performed. There was good correlation between the quantity of the gonadotropins in time 3-hour urine collections and the mean serum LH and FSH concentrations before and during the LHRH test. The \"response area\" for serum LH and FSH also correlated well with the amounts of LH and FSH in the urine collected during this period. Therefore, the timed 3-hour urine collection for gonadotropin estimation provides a simple, accurate method for the integration of fluctuating serum concentrations of LH and FSH during such instances of physiologic variability as the menstrual cycle and LHRH stimulation tests.", "contents": "Gonadotropin determinations in times 3-hour urine collections during the menstrual cycle and LHRH testing. The usefulness of timed 3-hour urine collections as a substitute for serum gonadotropin (LH and FSH) determinations during the menstrual cycle and during LHRH testing was examined. The timing of the 3-hour urine collection is not important in mature individuals, since no significant temporal trend was found when aliquots were collected every 3 hours throughout two 24-hour periods in one mature woman. Good correlation was found between serum LH and FSH concentrations and the quantity of LH and FSH in timed 3-hour urine specimens throughout normal, ovulatory menstrual cycles in two women. Studies before and during 51 LHRH stimulation tests in normal men, children, and women during different phases of the menstrual cycle and in patients with a variety of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis disorders were performed. There was good correlation between the quantity of the gonadotropins in time 3-hour urine collections and the mean serum LH and FSH concentrations before and during the LHRH test. The \"response area\" for serum LH and FSH also correlated well with the amounts of LH and FSH in the urine collected during this period. Therefore, the timed 3-hour urine collection for gonadotropin estimation provides a simple, accurate method for the integration of fluctuating serum concentrations of LH and FSH during such instances of physiologic variability as the menstrual cycle and LHRH stimulation tests.", "PMID": 780367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5715", "title": "The response of pituitary gonadotropes to a constant infusion of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in normal prepubertal and pubertal children and in children with abnormalities of sexual development.", "content": "The pattern of LHRH-evoked release of LH and FSH by pituitary gonadotrophs and the concomitant gonadal steroid secretion were studied in 28 pubertal and 16 prepubertal children. LHRH was administered at doses of 100 mug and 10 mug by a constant-infusion pump over 3 hours following a 2-hour control period. Gonadotropin concentrations were measured at 15-minutes intervals. Mean LH concentrations rose from 2.0 +/- 0.4 (SE) mIU/ml (IRP-2-hMG) to 6.2 +/- 0.9 (P less than .001) in normal prepubertal and from 5.8 +/- 0.9 to 28.0 +/- 3.6 (P less than .001) in normal pubertal children. The peak rise of LH, the mean level attained during the LHRH infusion, and the area under the time-response curve were greater (P less than .001) in pubertal than prepubertal children. The serum LH rise had two components in pubertal children in contrast to a single-phased increase in prepubertal children. Pulsatile release of LH was demonstrated during the basal period in pubertal children and during the LHRH infusion in both groups. FSH release was greater in girls than boys at both stages of pubertal development. A 10 mug LHRH infusion released less LH than did 100 mug in the pubertal children, but more than in prepubertal children. In pubertal boys, plasma testosterone rose (P less than .001) from 222 +/- 45 ng/dl in the control period to 301 +/- 59 following 100 mug LHRH. There was no change in plasma testosterone in the prepubertal boys after 100 mug LHRH or in the pubertal boys following 10 mug LHRH. Plasma estradiol did not rise in girls of either maturity group. In children with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and structural abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary region, there was no LHRH-evoked gonadotropin release. In 2 agonadal girls, the secretion of LH and FSH was greatly exaggerated. The 3-hour LHRH infusion evoked a maturity-related pituitary LH release and a sex-specific FSH release; a 2-phased pattern of LH secretion was present in pubertal but not in prepubertal children; pulsatile LH release was evoked by the LHRH infusion in prepubertal children.", "contents": "The response of pituitary gonadotropes to a constant infusion of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in normal prepubertal and pubertal children and in children with abnormalities of sexual development. The pattern of LHRH-evoked release of LH and FSH by pituitary gonadotrophs and the concomitant gonadal steroid secretion were studied in 28 pubertal and 16 prepubertal children. LHRH was administered at doses of 100 mug and 10 mug by a constant-infusion pump over 3 hours following a 2-hour control period. Gonadotropin concentrations were measured at 15-minutes intervals. Mean LH concentrations rose from 2.0 +/- 0.4 (SE) mIU/ml (IRP-2-hMG) to 6.2 +/- 0.9 (P less than .001) in normal prepubertal and from 5.8 +/- 0.9 to 28.0 +/- 3.6 (P less than .001) in normal pubertal children. The peak rise of LH, the mean level attained during the LHRH infusion, and the area under the time-response curve were greater (P less than .001) in pubertal than prepubertal children. The serum LH rise had two components in pubertal children in contrast to a single-phased increase in prepubertal children. Pulsatile release of LH was demonstrated during the basal period in pubertal children and during the LHRH infusion in both groups. FSH release was greater in girls than boys at both stages of pubertal development. A 10 mug LHRH infusion released less LH than did 100 mug in the pubertal children, but more than in prepubertal children. In pubertal boys, plasma testosterone rose (P less than .001) from 222 +/- 45 ng/dl in the control period to 301 +/- 59 following 100 mug LHRH. There was no change in plasma testosterone in the prepubertal boys after 100 mug LHRH or in the pubertal boys following 10 mug LHRH. Plasma estradiol did not rise in girls of either maturity group. In children with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and structural abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary region, there was no LHRH-evoked gonadotropin release. In 2 agonadal girls, the secretion of LH and FSH was greatly exaggerated. The 3-hour LHRH infusion evoked a maturity-related pituitary LH release and a sex-specific FSH release; a 2-phased pattern of LH secretion was present in pubertal but not in prepubertal children; pulsatile LH release was evoked by the LHRH infusion in prepubertal children.", "PMID": 780368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5716", "title": "Endocrinologic characteristics of partial ovarian failure.", "content": "Three young women with primary ovarian failure, secondary amenorrhea or oligo-ovulation, and normal gonadotropin levels are reported on here. Vaginal cytology and serum estradiol levels indicated the two women to be persistently hypoestrogenic. The third case, who had the Turner phenotype, was hypoestrogenic during anovulatory cycles but occasionally ovulated. Basal serum LH and FSH were normal. All were tested with synthetic LH-releasing hormone and had a brisk response, LH levels rising 51-198 ng/ml above baseline and FSH rising 278-536 ng/ml. Plasma levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and progesterone were normal. Gonadal dysgenesis was suggested in two on the basis of an abnormal karyotype, and isochromosome of the short arm of X in Case 2, and an isochromosome of the long arm of X in Case 3. The diagnosis of primary hypogonadism was established by laparoscopy and ovarian biopsy. The latter studies revealed small ovaries with a scarcity of primordial and primary follicles, yet with evidence of current or previous follicular activity. The observation that hypoestrogenism was so marked in two of our patients that elevated serum FSH would have been expected, suggests that the presence of a limited number of ovarian follicles suffices to prevent hypergonagotropism in hypoestrogenic women by a mechanism which does not involve elaboration of sex steroids.", "contents": "Endocrinologic characteristics of partial ovarian failure. Three young women with primary ovarian failure, secondary amenorrhea or oligo-ovulation, and normal gonadotropin levels are reported on here. Vaginal cytology and serum estradiol levels indicated the two women to be persistently hypoestrogenic. The third case, who had the Turner phenotype, was hypoestrogenic during anovulatory cycles but occasionally ovulated. Basal serum LH and FSH were normal. All were tested with synthetic LH-releasing hormone and had a brisk response, LH levels rising 51-198 ng/ml above baseline and FSH rising 278-536 ng/ml. Plasma levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and progesterone were normal. Gonadal dysgenesis was suggested in two on the basis of an abnormal karyotype, and isochromosome of the short arm of X in Case 2, and an isochromosome of the long arm of X in Case 3. The diagnosis of primary hypogonadism was established by laparoscopy and ovarian biopsy. The latter studies revealed small ovaries with a scarcity of primordial and primary follicles, yet with evidence of current or previous follicular activity. The observation that hypoestrogenism was so marked in two of our patients that elevated serum FSH would have been expected, suggests that the presence of a limited number of ovarian follicles suffices to prevent hypergonagotropism in hypoestrogenic women by a mechanism which does not involve elaboration of sex steroids.", "PMID": 780369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5717", "title": "Pituitary hormone levels in plasma of the human fetus after administration of LRH.", "content": "The concentrations of hFSH, hLH/hCG, hGH, and hTSH1 were measured in maternal and fetal blood during the second trimester of pregnancy before and after the administration of 10 mug LRH to 9 fetuses. A comparison was performed with 9 control fetuses not receiving LRH. The initial value of hFSH was significantly higher in female than in male fetuses (P less than 0.01) and in both sexes exceeded the low maternal hFSH level. A similar fetomaternal difference existed also for plasma hGH, in contrast to plasma hLH/hCG, which concentration was higher in maternal than in fetal blood LRH did not cause any change of circulating hFSH, hLH/hCG, and hTSH levels in the fetus 10 min after its administration. A rise of fetal hGH levels occurred during the observation time irrespective of LRH administration. In amniotic fluid, the hFSH concentration accorded with that in fetal blood, and the hLH/hCG concentration with that in maternal blood. The fetal plasma levels of these pituitary hormones suggest selective release mechanisms for the various peptides. The causes of the absent response of blood gonadotropin levels to LRH in the fetus are discussed.", "contents": "Pituitary hormone levels in plasma of the human fetus after administration of LRH. The concentrations of hFSH, hLH/hCG, hGH, and hTSH1 were measured in maternal and fetal blood during the second trimester of pregnancy before and after the administration of 10 mug LRH to 9 fetuses. A comparison was performed with 9 control fetuses not receiving LRH. The initial value of hFSH was significantly higher in female than in male fetuses (P less than 0.01) and in both sexes exceeded the low maternal hFSH level. A similar fetomaternal difference existed also for plasma hGH, in contrast to plasma hLH/hCG, which concentration was higher in maternal than in fetal blood LRH did not cause any change of circulating hFSH, hLH/hCG, and hTSH levels in the fetus 10 min after its administration. A rise of fetal hGH levels occurred during the observation time irrespective of LRH administration. In amniotic fluid, the hFSH concentration accorded with that in fetal blood, and the hLH/hCG concentration with that in maternal blood. The fetal plasma levels of these pituitary hormones suggest selective release mechanisms for the various peptides. The causes of the absent response of blood gonadotropin levels to LRH in the fetus are discussed.", "PMID": 780370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5718", "title": "Rapid method for identification of gram-negative, nonfermentative bacilli.", "content": "A rapid system (OA), based on oxidative attack of substrates, was developed for identification of gram-negative, nonfermentative bacillia (NFB). One hundred and twelve strains of NFB from 25 species (representing the genera Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Acinetobacter, Bordetella, Flavobacterium, Moraxella, and Xanthomonas) were assayed by OA, buffered single substrate, and oxidative/fermentative methods. The 38 substrates consisted of salts of organic acids, nitrogen-containing compounds, alcohols, and carbohydrates. Ninety-four percent of the test strains were identified by the OA method in 24 h, and 99% were identifiable in 48 h. Reproducibility was 99%. Correlation with buffered single substrate was 98% (all substrates) and 90% with the oxidative/fermentative method (carbohydrates only). Biochemical profiles of all strains are presented, as well as tables showing the most useful tests for identification.", "contents": "Rapid method for identification of gram-negative, nonfermentative bacilli. A rapid system (OA), based on oxidative attack of substrates, was developed for identification of gram-negative, nonfermentative bacillia (NFB). One hundred and twelve strains of NFB from 25 species (representing the genera Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Acinetobacter, Bordetella, Flavobacterium, Moraxella, and Xanthomonas) were assayed by OA, buffered single substrate, and oxidative/fermentative methods. The 38 substrates consisted of salts of organic acids, nitrogen-containing compounds, alcohols, and carbohydrates. Ninety-four percent of the test strains were identified by the OA method in 24 h, and 99% were identifiable in 48 h. Reproducibility was 99%. Correlation with buffered single substrate was 98% (all substrates) and 90% with the oxidative/fermentative method (carbohydrates only). Biochemical profiles of all strains are presented, as well as tables showing the most useful tests for identification.", "PMID": 780371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5719", "title": "Combined serotyping and biotyping of Serratia marcescens.", "content": "The API (Analytab Products, Inc., New York, N.Y.) biotypes of 117 clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens were determined and fell into 13 different patterns. The O and H antigens were determined by tube agglutination, and 27 serotypes were identified. The biotype and serotype appeared to vary indepently. Serotyping and biotyping combined divided these isolates into 56 different types. There was a problem interpreting the end points for inositol fermentation and urease production, which could affect reproducibility of API biotypes. Biotyping is a simple way of screening for possible nosocomial outbreaks of S. marcescens.", "contents": "Combined serotyping and biotyping of Serratia marcescens. The API (Analytab Products, Inc., New York, N.Y.) biotypes of 117 clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens were determined and fell into 13 different patterns. The O and H antigens were determined by tube agglutination, and 27 serotypes were identified. The biotype and serotype appeared to vary indepently. Serotyping and biotyping combined divided these isolates into 56 different types. There was a problem interpreting the end points for inositol fermentation and urease production, which could affect reproducibility of API biotypes. Biotyping is a simple way of screening for possible nosocomial outbreaks of S. marcescens.", "PMID": 780372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5720", "title": "Preparation of rabies fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled immune globulin from mouse hyperimmune ascitic fluids.", "content": "Immunization conditions for the production of mouse immune ascitic fluids to be used for the preparation of rabies fluorescent antibody (FA) conjugate are presented. The use of optimal concentrations of ammonium sulfate for precipitation of gamma globulin resulted in a fraction consisting of 75% gamma globulin and 25% alpha-beta globulins with no detectable albumin. Dialysis labeling of the globulin fration with fluorescein isothiocyanate produced a specific rabies FA conjugate with negligible nonspecific background staining. This procedure represents a simple means of producing rabies FA conjugate.", "contents": "Preparation of rabies fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled immune globulin from mouse hyperimmune ascitic fluids. Immunization conditions for the production of mouse immune ascitic fluids to be used for the preparation of rabies fluorescent antibody (FA) conjugate are presented. The use of optimal concentrations of ammonium sulfate for precipitation of gamma globulin resulted in a fraction consisting of 75% gamma globulin and 25% alpha-beta globulins with no detectable albumin. Dialysis labeling of the globulin fration with fluorescein isothiocyanate produced a specific rabies FA conjugate with negligible nonspecific background staining. This procedure represents a simple means of producing rabies FA conjugate.", "PMID": 780373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5721", "title": "Comparative isolation of vaginal yeasts on selective and nonselective media.", "content": "The isolation of vaginal yeasts was compared on a selective medium, phosphomolybdic acid agar, and on starch agar, a nonselective differential medium used primarily to isolate Corynebacterium vaginale. The majority of the Candida albicans strains were isolated on starch agar, but the selective medium was required for isolating all yeasts from the greatest number specimens.", "contents": "Comparative isolation of vaginal yeasts on selective and nonselective media. The isolation of vaginal yeasts was compared on a selective medium, phosphomolybdic acid agar, and on starch agar, a nonselective differential medium used primarily to isolate Corynebacterium vaginale. The majority of the Candida albicans strains were isolated on starch agar, but the selective medium was required for isolating all yeasts from the greatest number specimens.", "PMID": 780374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5722", "title": "Ripazepam (CI-683): double-blind comparison with placebo in anxious patients.", "content": "Thirty anxious, neurotic patients were treated in a general practice setting with single-blind placebo for one week followed by two weeks of double-blind treatment with either placebo or 40 or 80 mg/day ripazepam (CI-683), a new potential antianxiety agent of the pyrazolodiazepinone series. As rated by both physician and patient, ripazepam was found significantly superior to placebo at both dosage levels. Some evidence of greater improvement at 80 mg/day than at 40 mg/day was also obtained. The drug appeared to be well tolerated, with side effects reported by only four patients.", "contents": "Ripazepam (CI-683): double-blind comparison with placebo in anxious patients. Thirty anxious, neurotic patients were treated in a general practice setting with single-blind placebo for one week followed by two weeks of double-blind treatment with either placebo or 40 or 80 mg/day ripazepam (CI-683), a new potential antianxiety agent of the pyrazolodiazepinone series. As rated by both physician and patient, ripazepam was found significantly superior to placebo at both dosage levels. Some evidence of greater improvement at 80 mg/day than at 40 mg/day was also obtained. The drug appeared to be well tolerated, with side effects reported by only four patients.", "PMID": 780378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5723", "title": "Curing and caring -- a proposed method for self-assessment in primary care organizations.", "content": "Key research in the area of quality assessment is reviewed and a method for periodic assessment in primary care organizations is proposed. The suggested approach is designed for administrative, rather than research, purposes. Therefore, it focuses on indicators that are both practical and realistic for use in periodic monitoring. The proposed method is two-staged and includes both technical performance (curing) and satisfaction (caring). At the first level of evaluation, general areas of performance are examined; these are key performance indicators in prevention, diagnosis, and management of illness, and questionnaires dealing with the accessibility and acceptability of care, coupled with objective measures of satisfaction. Those areas of performance that are not up to management standards are then examined in greater detail at the second level of evaluation. Using this approach, organizations can build a longitudinal picture of performance and chart their progress annually.", "contents": "Curing and caring -- a proposed method for self-assessment in primary care organizations. Key research in the area of quality assessment is reviewed and a method for periodic assessment in primary care organizations is proposed. The suggested approach is designed for administrative, rather than research, purposes. Therefore, it focuses on indicators that are both practical and realistic for use in periodic monitoring. The proposed method is two-staged and includes both technical performance (curing) and satisfaction (caring). At the first level of evaluation, general areas of performance are examined; these are key performance indicators in prevention, diagnosis, and management of illness, and questionnaires dealing with the accessibility and acceptability of care, coupled with objective measures of satisfaction. Those areas of performance that are not up to management standards are then examined in greater detail at the second level of evaluation. Using this approach, organizations can build a longitudinal picture of performance and chart their progress annually.", "PMID": 780379} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5724", "title": "Reproductive physiological responses of cattle to exogenous prostaglandin F2alpha.", "content": "Prostaglandin F2alpha caused rapid regression of the corpus luteum and initiated normal transitory hormonal patterns that culiminated in ovulation. PGF2alpha was effective in heat stressed heifers and a thermal stress of 32 C caused no major hormonal alterations from the time of CL regression to ovulation. A luteolytic dose of PGF2alpha tham salt (33.5 mg) given intramuscularly caused no major alterations in blood pressure, heart rate, and uterine or aortic blood temperatures. However, the same dose given as an intravenous jugular infusion over a 2 min period caused major alterations in circulatory homeostasis and body temperature. Treatment of all cattle twice with PGF2alpha tham salt (33.5 mg), 12 days apart, increased the number of responsive heifers at the second PGF2alpha injection. Synchronization of ovulation after the second injection is apparently precise enough to allow for a single timed insemination. Blood injection of estradiol benzoate and GnRH after PGF2alpha treatment will synchronize occurrence of estrus and the preovulatory surge of LH, respectively. However, GnRH treatment at 48 h lowers the frequency of PGF2alpha induced heats and this may be due to alterations in plasma progestins and estradiol.", "contents": "Reproductive physiological responses of cattle to exogenous prostaglandin F2alpha. Prostaglandin F2alpha caused rapid regression of the corpus luteum and initiated normal transitory hormonal patterns that culiminated in ovulation. PGF2alpha was effective in heat stressed heifers and a thermal stress of 32 C caused no major hormonal alterations from the time of CL regression to ovulation. A luteolytic dose of PGF2alpha tham salt (33.5 mg) given intramuscularly caused no major alterations in blood pressure, heart rate, and uterine or aortic blood temperatures. However, the same dose given as an intravenous jugular infusion over a 2 min period caused major alterations in circulatory homeostasis and body temperature. Treatment of all cattle twice with PGF2alpha tham salt (33.5 mg), 12 days apart, increased the number of responsive heifers at the second PGF2alpha injection. Synchronization of ovulation after the second injection is apparently precise enough to allow for a single timed insemination. Blood injection of estradiol benzoate and GnRH after PGF2alpha treatment will synchronize occurrence of estrus and the preovulatory surge of LH, respectively. However, GnRH treatment at 48 h lowers the frequency of PGF2alpha induced heats and this may be due to alterations in plasma progestins and estradiol.", "PMID": 780382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5725", "title": "The choice of suture material for skin closure.", "content": "Sutures must be chosen on the basis of known biologic properties of the wounds in which they are to be placed, the known interactions of the chosen suture material with tissues of wounds in particular sites, and the intended purpose of the suture material. The following paper concentrates on suture material used to approximate cutaneous wounds, and briefly, the wounds themselves.", "contents": "The choice of suture material for skin closure. Sutures must be chosen on the basis of known biologic properties of the wounds in which they are to be placed, the known interactions of the chosen suture material with tissues of wounds in particular sites, and the intended purpose of the suture material. The following paper concentrates on suture material used to approximate cutaneous wounds, and briefly, the wounds themselves.", "PMID": 780390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5726", "title": "Teaching social skills to isolated children.", "content": "The effects of a social skill training program on socially isolated children are reported. The training program was derived from the results of a previous study of the specific social skills that discriminated popular from unpopular children. Training effects in the present investigation were assessed on sociometric position, and on the quality, frequency, and distribution of social interaction to peers. Time-series analyses were performed on the frequency and distribution of peer interaction. Two isolated children received social skill training with an adult coach, and two isolated children spent an equivalent amount of time with an adult. Results indicated that socially isolated children in the treatment group changed significantly in sociometric position on a follow-up assessment 9 weeks after the end of the intervention, did not change in the total frequency of peer social interaction, but did redistribute their interaction to peers. The two isolated children who did not receive the treatment program did not change significantly on the total frequency of peer interaction, and tended to withdraw from peers rather than redistribute their interaction. The insensitivity of total peer interaction frequency as a measure of outcome was discussed.", "contents": "Teaching social skills to isolated children. The effects of a social skill training program on socially isolated children are reported. The training program was derived from the results of a previous study of the specific social skills that discriminated popular from unpopular children. Training effects in the present investigation were assessed on sociometric position, and on the quality, frequency, and distribution of social interaction to peers. Time-series analyses were performed on the frequency and distribution of peer interaction. Two isolated children received social skill training with an adult coach, and two isolated children spent an equivalent amount of time with an adult. Results indicated that socially isolated children in the treatment group changed significantly in sociometric position on a follow-up assessment 9 weeks after the end of the intervention, did not change in the total frequency of peer social interaction, but did redistribute their interaction to peers. The two isolated children who did not receive the treatment program did not change significantly on the total frequency of peer interaction, and tended to withdraw from peers rather than redistribute their interaction. The insensitivity of total peer interaction frequency as a measure of outcome was discussed.", "PMID": 780399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5727", "title": "Chronically ill children. A psychologically and emotionally deviant population?", "content": "The study evaluated the psychosocial functioning levels of a group of chronically ill (diabetic, asthmatic, cystic fibrotic, and hearing-impaired) children across a battery of standardized personality instruments. The assessments were performed to provide a rigorous test of the popular hypothesis that chronically ill children are especially vulnerable to psychopatholgy. In contrast to this sterotype, results across measures demonstrated the normalcy rather than the deviance of these children. Although exceptions were noted, the children's functional strengths and coping abilities noticeably outweighed their weaknesses.", "contents": "Chronically ill children. A psychologically and emotionally deviant population? The study evaluated the psychosocial functioning levels of a group of chronically ill (diabetic, asthmatic, cystic fibrotic, and hearing-impaired) children across a battery of standardized personality instruments. The assessments were performed to provide a rigorous test of the popular hypothesis that chronically ill children are especially vulnerable to psychopatholgy. In contrast to this sterotype, results across measures demonstrated the normalcy rather than the deviance of these children. Although exceptions were noted, the children's functional strengths and coping abilities noticeably outweighed their weaknesses.", "PMID": 780400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5728", "title": "Double-blind study of prednisolone and papase as inhibitors of complications after oral surgery.", "content": "Both prednisolone and papase are effective in reducing the oral surgical sequelae of trismus and pain, although prednisolone apparently is the more potent drug. The countervailing case for the routine use of prednisolone includes the relatively serious complications produced in some patients.", "contents": "Double-blind study of prednisolone and papase as inhibitors of complications after oral surgery. Both prednisolone and papase are effective in reducing the oral surgical sequelae of trismus and pain, although prednisolone apparently is the more potent drug. The countervailing case for the routine use of prednisolone includes the relatively serious complications produced in some patients.", "PMID": 780403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5729", "title": "Immunotherapy for mountain cedar pollinosis. A double-blind controlled study.", "content": "In this study, the effect of a single preseasonal course of injection therapy on the symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis or asthma due to pollen from the conifer, mountain cedar, was evaluated in a double-blind controlled manner. Patients treated with specific injection therapy were found to have significantly fewer symptoms than those who received placebo injections. Specific serum IgE antimountain cedar antibody decreased during the pollen season in the treated group and increased in the placebo group.", "contents": "Immunotherapy for mountain cedar pollinosis. A double-blind controlled study. In this study, the effect of a single preseasonal course of injection therapy on the symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis or asthma due to pollen from the conifer, mountain cedar, was evaluated in a double-blind controlled manner. Patients treated with specific injection therapy were found to have significantly fewer symptoms than those who received placebo injections. Specific serum IgE antimountain cedar antibody decreased during the pollen season in the treated group and increased in the placebo group.", "PMID": 780406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5730", "title": "Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in the treatment of chronic bronchial asthma.", "content": "In a double-blind, randomized study, 93 corticosteroid-independent patients with chronic bronchial asthma were treated with either beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol at 400 mug per day of its vehicle for 4 wk to determine and compare the effectiveness and safety of the preparations. Evaluations made before, at weekly intervals during, and 1 wk after treatment indicated that beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol was superior to its vehicle is improving FVC, FEV1, FEF25%--75%, and clinical signs and symptoms, and in the overall evaluations by both the investigators and the patients. Plasma cortisol levels measured at the end of the second and fourth weeks were not substantially different from those before treatment in either group. No significant side effects or abnormalities in laboratory results were noted.", "contents": "Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in the treatment of chronic bronchial asthma. In a double-blind, randomized study, 93 corticosteroid-independent patients with chronic bronchial asthma were treated with either beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol at 400 mug per day of its vehicle for 4 wk to determine and compare the effectiveness and safety of the preparations. Evaluations made before, at weekly intervals during, and 1 wk after treatment indicated that beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol was superior to its vehicle is improving FVC, FEV1, FEF25%--75%, and clinical signs and symptoms, and in the overall evaluations by both the investigators and the patients. Plasma cortisol levels measured at the end of the second and fourth weeks were not substantially different from those before treatment in either group. No significant side effects or abnormalities in laboratory results were noted.", "PMID": 780407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5731", "title": "Food safety--then and now. A Bicentennial study.", "content": "Although this is our Bicentennial year, effective measures to insure food safety date back less than a century. The first efforts toward reform were begun by Accum in England early in the nineteenth century, but they did not bear fruit there--in even a beginning form--until 1875, when Parliament passed the Sales of Food and Drug Act. Legislation came even later in the U.S.--not until the first Pure Food and Drugs Act became law in 1906, largely due to the unswerving efforts for almost twenty years of Harvey W. Wiley. Today, the scientific approach is applied in developing criteria for judging the safety of food and for regulations to insure that healthful, safe food reaches the consumer. Amendments to this law in 1938 and 1958 have further strengthened the protection the public is provided in its food supply. Today, the substances on the \"GRAS\" list are being examined individually to determine their safety when used in foods. However, the legalistic invoking of absolutes, as in the Delaney Clause of the 1958 amendments, goes beyond the limits of common sense. The challenge is to insure the benefits of science and technology without the loss of basic individual freedom.", "contents": "Food safety--then and now. A Bicentennial study. Although this is our Bicentennial year, effective measures to insure food safety date back less than a century. The first efforts toward reform were begun by Accum in England early in the nineteenth century, but they did not bear fruit there--in even a beginning form--until 1875, when Parliament passed the Sales of Food and Drug Act. Legislation came even later in the U.S.--not until the first Pure Food and Drugs Act became law in 1906, largely due to the unswerving efforts for almost twenty years of Harvey W. Wiley. Today, the scientific approach is applied in developing criteria for judging the safety of food and for regulations to insure that healthful, safe food reaches the consumer. Amendments to this law in 1938 and 1958 have further strengthened the protection the public is provided in its food supply. Today, the substances on the \"GRAS\" list are being examined individually to determine their safety when used in foods. However, the legalistic invoking of absolutes, as in the Delaney Clause of the 1958 amendments, goes beyond the limits of common sense. The challenge is to insure the benefits of science and technology without the loss of basic individual freedom.", "PMID": 780408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5732", "title": "Beneficial physiologic action of beans.", "content": "The author reviews the literature indicating the beneficial effects of a diet high in fiber and the detrimental effects of highly refined carbohydrate intake, which characterizes the present Western diet. Reduction in serum cholesterol and stimulation of peristalsis can be demonstrated by incorporating beans in the diet. In studies with male volunteers, serum cholesterol has been lowered, despite a high-fat or sucrose diet, and an investigation with rats is cited in which substitution of beans for wheat starch decreased intestinal transit time. The author points out the difference between \"crude fiber,\" figures for which are available in food composition tables, and \"indigestible food residue\"; he urges that the latter phrase replace the terms \"fiber\" and \"rough-age.\"", "contents": "Beneficial physiologic action of beans. The author reviews the literature indicating the beneficial effects of a diet high in fiber and the detrimental effects of highly refined carbohydrate intake, which characterizes the present Western diet. Reduction in serum cholesterol and stimulation of peristalsis can be demonstrated by incorporating beans in the diet. In studies with male volunteers, serum cholesterol has been lowered, despite a high-fat or sucrose diet, and an investigation with rats is cited in which substitution of beans for wheat starch decreased intestinal transit time. The author points out the difference between \"crude fiber,\" figures for which are available in food composition tables, and \"indigestible food residue\"; he urges that the latter phrase replace the terms \"fiber\" and \"rough-age.\"", "PMID": 780409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5733", "title": "B-vitamin retention in meat during storage and preparation. A review.", "content": "In this review, the authors bring together present information on B-vitamin retention in frozen meat as it is affected by: Aging before freezing, the freezing process and length of frozen storage, cooking from the frozen or thawed state, method of thawing, cooking methods, and holding and reheating conditions. Literature reports on various cuts of pork, chicken, beef, lamb, turkey and veal are cited. Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, vitamin B12, biotin, choline, and folic acid are considered.", "contents": "B-vitamin retention in meat during storage and preparation. A review. In this review, the authors bring together present information on B-vitamin retention in frozen meat as it is affected by: Aging before freezing, the freezing process and length of frozen storage, cooking from the frozen or thawed state, method of thawing, cooking methods, and holding and reheating conditions. Literature reports on various cuts of pork, chicken, beef, lamb, turkey and veal are cited. Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, vitamin B12, biotin, choline, and folic acid are considered.", "PMID": 780410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5734", "title": "Three recessive genes for congenital osteopetrosis in Norway rat.", "content": "In the rat, the autosomal recessive toothless (t1) mutation exhibits an acute form of osteopetrosis. This gene is not an allele of either ia or op that causes respectively, a transitory and acute form of the disease. Comparative radiographic study of t1/t1 and op/op mutants reveals some differences in respect to the size and shape of long bones. In contrast to op/op mutants, homozygous t1/t1 animals failed to respond to either parabiosis or bone marrow transplants.", "contents": "Three recessive genes for congenital osteopetrosis in Norway rat. In the rat, the autosomal recessive toothless (t1) mutation exhibits an acute form of osteopetrosis. This gene is not an allele of either ia or op that causes respectively, a transitory and acute form of the disease. Comparative radiographic study of t1/t1 and op/op mutants reveals some differences in respect to the size and shape of long bones. In contrast to op/op mutants, homozygous t1/t1 animals failed to respond to either parabiosis or bone marrow transplants.", "PMID": 780413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5735", "title": "Approach to three-dimensional mapping of quantitative histochemical measurements applied to studies of the cochlear nucleus.", "content": "After reviewing the historical development of some procedures for localizing quantitative histochemical measurements, an approach is presented which combines some aspects of these procedures to make possible a permanent, objective record of the location of each sample. The method further allows direct comparisons to be made with drawings of other nearby sections during the process of sampling. Illustrations are given of various applications to a study of the cochlear nucleus. A particular benefit of the approach is to facilitate comparison of chemical with anatomical and physiologic data.", "contents": "Approach to three-dimensional mapping of quantitative histochemical measurements applied to studies of the cochlear nucleus. After reviewing the historical development of some procedures for localizing quantitative histochemical measurements, an approach is presented which combines some aspects of these procedures to make possible a permanent, objective record of the location of each sample. The method further allows direct comparisons to be made with drawings of other nearby sections during the process of sampling. Illustrations are given of various applications to a study of the cochlear nucleus. A particular benefit of the approach is to facilitate comparison of chemical with anatomical and physiologic data.", "PMID": 781128} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5736", "title": "Measurement of H-2 and non-H-2 antigens in the mouse with the footpad swelling test.", "content": "The footpad swelling (FPS) test for delayed-type hypersensitivity in the mouse was evaluated for its ability to measure histocompatibility (H) antigens present on intact spleen cells or solubilized from a methylcholanthrene-(MCA) induced fibrosarcoma. Mice were immunized to H-antigens (H-2 or non-H-2) with skin allografts and challenged 14 days later with test antigens. Spleen cell-bound and solubilized H-antigens elicited strong and specific FPS reactions in allograft-immunized but not in unimmunized mice. The test could distinguish H-2 from non-H-2 antigens as well as D from KI region specificities of the H-2 gene complex. These experiments suggest that the FPS test is a reliable in vivo method for measuring both cell-bound and solubilized H-antigens in the mouse.", "contents": "Measurement of H-2 and non-H-2 antigens in the mouse with the footpad swelling test. The footpad swelling (FPS) test for delayed-type hypersensitivity in the mouse was evaluated for its ability to measure histocompatibility (H) antigens present on intact spleen cells or solubilized from a methylcholanthrene-(MCA) induced fibrosarcoma. Mice were immunized to H-antigens (H-2 or non-H-2) with skin allografts and challenged 14 days later with test antigens. Spleen cell-bound and solubilized H-antigens elicited strong and specific FPS reactions in allograft-immunized but not in unimmunized mice. The test could distinguish H-2 from non-H-2 antigens as well as D from KI region specificities of the H-2 gene complex. These experiments suggest that the FPS test is a reliable in vivo method for measuring both cell-bound and solubilized H-antigens in the mouse.", "PMID": 781129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5737", "title": "The inhibitory effect of chemotactic factors on erythrophagocytosis by human neutrophils.", "content": "The effect of various chemotactic factors on phagocytosis of sheep erythrocytes sensitized with IgG and complement (EAC1423) by human neutrophils (PMN) was studied. The bacterial chemotactic factor, a butanol extract of an Escherichia coli culture filtrate, the pronase sensitive and insensitive chemotactic substances isolated from this extract, C5a, a chemotactic fragment of the fifth component of complement, and a chemotactic synthetic peptide, formlymethionyl-leucine all significantly reduced the initial rate of ingestion at concentrations that are chemotactic for PMN. The bacterial chemotactic factor produced a 45 to 75% decrease in the initial rate of ingestion, but did not affect adherence of the EAC1423 and PMN. This same substance had no consistent effect on the total number of EAC1423 ingested at 90 min or longer or on the time interval from the addition of the EAC1423 to the start of ingestion. The inhibitory effect of the bacterial factor increased as the amount of bacterial factor was increased and the inhibitory effect was reversible. Inhibition by bacterial factor could be decreased by increasing the concentration of EAC1423; and if the concentration was increased 3-fold, the inhibition was abolished. These results suggest that inhibition by bacterial factor is competitive in nature.", "contents": "The inhibitory effect of chemotactic factors on erythrophagocytosis by human neutrophils. The effect of various chemotactic factors on phagocytosis of sheep erythrocytes sensitized with IgG and complement (EAC1423) by human neutrophils (PMN) was studied. The bacterial chemotactic factor, a butanol extract of an Escherichia coli culture filtrate, the pronase sensitive and insensitive chemotactic substances isolated from this extract, C5a, a chemotactic fragment of the fifth component of complement, and a chemotactic synthetic peptide, formlymethionyl-leucine all significantly reduced the initial rate of ingestion at concentrations that are chemotactic for PMN. The bacterial chemotactic factor produced a 45 to 75% decrease in the initial rate of ingestion, but did not affect adherence of the EAC1423 and PMN. This same substance had no consistent effect on the total number of EAC1423 ingested at 90 min or longer or on the time interval from the addition of the EAC1423 to the start of ingestion. The inhibitory effect of the bacterial factor increased as the amount of bacterial factor was increased and the inhibitory effect was reversible. Inhibition by bacterial factor could be decreased by increasing the concentration of EAC1423; and if the concentration was increased 3-fold, the inhibition was abolished. These results suggest that inhibition by bacterial factor is competitive in nature.", "PMID": 781130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5738", "title": "Lack of association of human \"B cell\" antigens and Fc receptor activity of antibody-dependent cytotoxic lymphocytes.", "content": "Heterologous antisera directed against human B cell antigens were tested for their ability to inhibit the function of Fc receptors on human lymphocytes. These antisera coated on the attacking cells in a lymphocyte-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxic assay inhibited lysis of sensitized target cells. However, the F(ab)2 fragments of the IgG fraction of an anti-human Ia antiserum failed to inhibit the killing of sensitized targets by attacking cells. Antisera against other lymphocyte membrane antigens also inhibited target cell lysis when coated on attacking cells. These results suggest that there is not identity between human B cell antigens and Fc receptors of antibody-dependent cytotoxic lymphocytes.", "contents": "Lack of association of human \"B cell\" antigens and Fc receptor activity of antibody-dependent cytotoxic lymphocytes. Heterologous antisera directed against human B cell antigens were tested for their ability to inhibit the function of Fc receptors on human lymphocytes. These antisera coated on the attacking cells in a lymphocyte-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxic assay inhibited lysis of sensitized target cells. However, the F(ab)2 fragments of the IgG fraction of an anti-human Ia antiserum failed to inhibit the killing of sensitized targets by attacking cells. Antisera against other lymphocyte membrane antigens also inhibited target cell lysis when coated on attacking cells. These results suggest that there is not identity between human B cell antigens and Fc receptors of antibody-dependent cytotoxic lymphocytes.", "PMID": 781131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5739", "title": "Mechanisms involved in elimination of organisms from experimental cutaneous Candida albicans infections in guinea pigs.", "content": "Experimental cutaneous Candida albicans infections were produced in guinea pigs either by using occlusive dressings over the organisms or by applying them to the shaved skin directly without occlusive dressings. In either model there was clearance of the infecting organisms from the skin by a process involving profuse scaling of the keratinized layer in which they were confined. However, for each type of infection the mechanisms producing this scaling seemed to involve different parts of the host defense system. Infections produced under occlusive dressings were characterized by a rapid accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the epidermis and formation of thick crusts in which organisms were trapped. Sloughing of the crust removed the organisms. In this model, evolution of the lesions and the rate of clearance of the organisms did not depend on prior immunity to Candida. Two possible mechanisms for attraction of PMN into the lesions were direct activation of the alternative complement pathway by the organisms in the lesions and direct chemotactic activity in components of Candida albicans. In contrast, infections produced without occlusive dressings showed only minimal epidermal PMN infiltration, but also underwent profuse scaling of the keratinized layer. This response appeared to depend on cell-mediated immunity. Only animals with previously-acquired delayed hypersensitivity to Candida antigens could undergo this type of scaling, and indeed, this response was transferable to nonimmue animals with peritoneal exudate cells from Candida-immune animals. Clearance of the infecting organisms from this type of infection was significantly faster in immune than in nonimmune animals. It is postulated that a lymphokine released from lymphocytes in the upper epidermis acts on epidermal cells to increase the rate of keratin turnover either by the mitotic rate of the germinal cells or by increasing their rate of keratinization.", "contents": "Mechanisms involved in elimination of organisms from experimental cutaneous Candida albicans infections in guinea pigs. Experimental cutaneous Candida albicans infections were produced in guinea pigs either by using occlusive dressings over the organisms or by applying them to the shaved skin directly without occlusive dressings. In either model there was clearance of the infecting organisms from the skin by a process involving profuse scaling of the keratinized layer in which they were confined. However, for each type of infection the mechanisms producing this scaling seemed to involve different parts of the host defense system. Infections produced under occlusive dressings were characterized by a rapid accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the epidermis and formation of thick crusts in which organisms were trapped. Sloughing of the crust removed the organisms. In this model, evolution of the lesions and the rate of clearance of the organisms did not depend on prior immunity to Candida. Two possible mechanisms for attraction of PMN into the lesions were direct activation of the alternative complement pathway by the organisms in the lesions and direct chemotactic activity in components of Candida albicans. In contrast, infections produced without occlusive dressings showed only minimal epidermal PMN infiltration, but also underwent profuse scaling of the keratinized layer. This response appeared to depend on cell-mediated immunity. Only animals with previously-acquired delayed hypersensitivity to Candida antigens could undergo this type of scaling, and indeed, this response was transferable to nonimmue animals with peritoneal exudate cells from Candida-immune animals. Clearance of the infecting organisms from this type of infection was significantly faster in immune than in nonimmune animals. It is postulated that a lymphokine released from lymphocytes in the upper epidermis acts on epidermal cells to increase the rate of keratin turnover either by the mitotic rate of the germinal cells or by increasing their rate of keratinization.", "PMID": 781132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5740", "title": "Lymphokine-like factors produced by human lymphoid cell lines with B or T cell surface markers.", "content": "In the present series of experiments we examined the ability of eight continuous cell lines derived from human lymphocytes to release lymphokines into their culture media. We have demonstrated that all could produce a macrophage migration inhibitory factor and a neutrophil chemotactic factor. This ability was independent of the B or T cell origin of the cell lines. As a further extension of previous reports, we report that the migration inhibitory effect does not seem to be due to cytotoxic effects as judged by trypan blue exclusion studies, and more important by the demonstration that the inhibition is reversible. The demonstration that neutrophil chemotactic activity is removable by treatment with a previously described and characterized anti-lymphokine antiserum suggests that this factor may be chemically similar to some of the lymphokines (migration inhibitory factor or chemotactic factor for macrophages) produced by antigen-activated guinea pig lymphocyte cultures. The failure to effect similar removal or inactivation of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor may simply reflect greater interspecies heterogeneity in this factor, or more interestingly, that this does not correspond to \"classic\" MIF. These results extend previous observations by defining further the capacity of lymphoid cell lines in continuous culture to produce mediators and by characterizing their relationship to conventional lymphokines produced by antigen or mitogen-activated lymphocytes.", "contents": "Lymphokine-like factors produced by human lymphoid cell lines with B or T cell surface markers. In the present series of experiments we examined the ability of eight continuous cell lines derived from human lymphocytes to release lymphokines into their culture media. We have demonstrated that all could produce a macrophage migration inhibitory factor and a neutrophil chemotactic factor. This ability was independent of the B or T cell origin of the cell lines. As a further extension of previous reports, we report that the migration inhibitory effect does not seem to be due to cytotoxic effects as judged by trypan blue exclusion studies, and more important by the demonstration that the inhibition is reversible. The demonstration that neutrophil chemotactic activity is removable by treatment with a previously described and characterized anti-lymphokine antiserum suggests that this factor may be chemically similar to some of the lymphokines (migration inhibitory factor or chemotactic factor for macrophages) produced by antigen-activated guinea pig lymphocyte cultures. The failure to effect similar removal or inactivation of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor may simply reflect greater interspecies heterogeneity in this factor, or more interestingly, that this does not correspond to \"classic\" MIF. These results extend previous observations by defining further the capacity of lymphoid cell lines in continuous culture to produce mediators and by characterizing their relationship to conventional lymphokines produced by antigen or mitogen-activated lymphocytes.", "PMID": 781133} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5741", "title": "Demonstration of binding sites for IgG Fc and the third complement component (C3) on isolated hepatocytes.", "content": "Isolated hepatocytes from rabbits with experimental acute serum sickness showed immune complexes bound to the hepatocellular membrane with a coarse granular fluorescent pattern. Also in vitro preformed immune complexes (BSA-anti-BSA) or aggregated gamma-globulin from human and rabbit could be bound to the surface of isolated hepatocytes. In contrast, immune complexes with F(ab')2 anti-BSA were not fixed on the membranes. Hepatocytes incubated in fresh serum showed membrane-fixed C3 in a coarse granular pattern. This deposition could be abolished by heating (56 degrees C, 30 min) the serum or by adding EDTA (0.02 M). Also, purified human or guinea pig C3 could be bound to the hepatocellular membrane but in a linear fluorescent pattern. Thus, fixation of immune complexes on hepatocytes appears to operate through binding sites for IgG Fc and, possibly, also through binding sites for C3. It is suggested that these hepatocellular-binding sites may have a physiologic clearance function. In vivo fixed IgA could be detected on the membranes of isolated hepatocytes from healthy persons. It is assumed that the membrane-fixed IgA has a carrier function for antigens from the gut.", "contents": "Demonstration of binding sites for IgG Fc and the third complement component (C3) on isolated hepatocytes. Isolated hepatocytes from rabbits with experimental acute serum sickness showed immune complexes bound to the hepatocellular membrane with a coarse granular fluorescent pattern. Also in vitro preformed immune complexes (BSA-anti-BSA) or aggregated gamma-globulin from human and rabbit could be bound to the surface of isolated hepatocytes. In contrast, immune complexes with F(ab')2 anti-BSA were not fixed on the membranes. Hepatocytes incubated in fresh serum showed membrane-fixed C3 in a coarse granular pattern. This deposition could be abolished by heating (56 degrees C, 30 min) the serum or by adding EDTA (0.02 M). Also, purified human or guinea pig C3 could be bound to the hepatocellular membrane but in a linear fluorescent pattern. Thus, fixation of immune complexes on hepatocytes appears to operate through binding sites for IgG Fc and, possibly, also through binding sites for C3. It is suggested that these hepatocellular-binding sites may have a physiologic clearance function. In vivo fixed IgA could be detected on the membranes of isolated hepatocytes from healthy persons. It is assumed that the membrane-fixed IgA has a carrier function for antigens from the gut.", "PMID": 781134} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5742", "title": "Biologic properties of nontoxic derivatives of a lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli K235.", "content": "Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)2 from Escherichia coli K235 was treated with o-phthalic anhydride to obtain a high degree of esterification of available hydroxyl groups, leaving a free carboxyl for each hydroxyl esterified (SPLPS). Although there was no demonstrable loss of fatty acids, this conversion of LPS to a polyanionic molecule altered dramatically the spectrum of biologic properties, most of which are normally attributed to the lipid A (LA) moiety. Mitogenicity for mouse B cells was decreased several hundred-fold; reaction with antibodies to LPS was abolished; pyrogenicity and toxicity were decreased by factors of 10(5) and 10(4); the ability to induce the Shwartzman reaction in rabbits was decreased 500-fold, and the ability to stimulate production of interferon in mice was decreased by more than 2 x 10(3). However, despite the loss of these properties, SPLPS retained the ability to act as an immunologic adjuvant. The nature of the anionic group is important, e.g., sodium succinyl-LPS (SuLPS) is 10-fold more pyrogenic and toxic than sodium phthalyl-LPS (SPLPS). Data on another LPS derivative, from which ester-linked fatty acid residues were removed before phthalylation, suggest that the ester-linked fatty acid groups in the lipid A moeity of SPLPS may not be necessary for its immunologic adjuvant effect.", "contents": "Biologic properties of nontoxic derivatives of a lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli K235. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)2 from Escherichia coli K235 was treated with o-phthalic anhydride to obtain a high degree of esterification of available hydroxyl groups, leaving a free carboxyl for each hydroxyl esterified (SPLPS). Although there was no demonstrable loss of fatty acids, this conversion of LPS to a polyanionic molecule altered dramatically the spectrum of biologic properties, most of which are normally attributed to the lipid A (LA) moiety. Mitogenicity for mouse B cells was decreased several hundred-fold; reaction with antibodies to LPS was abolished; pyrogenicity and toxicity were decreased by factors of 10(5) and 10(4); the ability to induce the Shwartzman reaction in rabbits was decreased 500-fold, and the ability to stimulate production of interferon in mice was decreased by more than 2 x 10(3). However, despite the loss of these properties, SPLPS retained the ability to act as an immunologic adjuvant. The nature of the anionic group is important, e.g., sodium succinyl-LPS (SuLPS) is 10-fold more pyrogenic and toxic than sodium phthalyl-LPS (SPLPS). Data on another LPS derivative, from which ester-linked fatty acid residues were removed before phthalylation, suggest that the ester-linked fatty acid groups in the lipid A moeity of SPLPS may not be necessary for its immunologic adjuvant effect.", "PMID": 781135} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5743", "title": "Suppression of allogeneic lymphomas in spleens of irradiated mice: importance of the D end of the H-2 complex.", "content": "Dispersed lymphoma cells were transplanted into heavily irradiated mice of a series of congenic resistant strains. Newly synthesized deoxyribonucleic acid was subsequently measured to estimate tumor cell proliferation in spleen and liver. Despite host irradiation, growth of lymphoma cells was suppressed 4 to 7 days after transplantation in the spleen of mice of certain allogeneic strains, but it was barely affected in the liver. The genetic differences resulting in \"localized\" resistance were mapped in the D region of the H-2 complex. Differences at other regions, including those most important for transplantation resistance in nonirradiated mice (K, I), were inconsequential for lymphoma growth in irradiated hosts. There was a striking resemblance with hemopoietic histoincompatibility, i.e., the rejection of foreign bone marrow grafts by irradiated mice, suggesting that the products of strong Hh gene(s) were expressed in the lymphoma cells.", "contents": "Suppression of allogeneic lymphomas in spleens of irradiated mice: importance of the D end of the H-2 complex. Dispersed lymphoma cells were transplanted into heavily irradiated mice of a series of congenic resistant strains. Newly synthesized deoxyribonucleic acid was subsequently measured to estimate tumor cell proliferation in spleen and liver. Despite host irradiation, growth of lymphoma cells was suppressed 4 to 7 days after transplantation in the spleen of mice of certain allogeneic strains, but it was barely affected in the liver. The genetic differences resulting in \"localized\" resistance were mapped in the D region of the H-2 complex. Differences at other regions, including those most important for transplantation resistance in nonirradiated mice (K, I), were inconsequential for lymphoma growth in irradiated hosts. There was a striking resemblance with hemopoietic histoincompatibility, i.e., the rejection of foreign bone marrow grafts by irradiated mice, suggesting that the products of strong Hh gene(s) were expressed in the lymphoma cells.", "PMID": 781136} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5744", "title": "Percutaneous absorption of betamethasone 17-benzoate measured by radioimmunoassay.", "content": "Percutaneous absorption was studied in patients following topical application of betametahsone 17-benzoate cream and gel with occlusion by means of a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay method. Concentrations of betamethasone 17-benzoate in plasma were between 0.3 and 5 ng/ml, indicating approximately 0.05 to 0.3% of the steroid applied to the skin was detected in plasma. Plasma betamethasone 17-benzoate levels increased in proportion to the amount of the steroid applied to the skin. High correlation between plasma betamethasone 17-benzoate levels and percent inhibition of plasma cortisol was also observed. Approximately 3 ng/ml levels of betamethasone 17-benzoate in plasma induced 90% inhibition of plasma cortisol. The data suggest that betamethasone 17-benzoate in gel base was more readily absorbed than in cream base.", "contents": "Percutaneous absorption of betamethasone 17-benzoate measured by radioimmunoassay. Percutaneous absorption was studied in patients following topical application of betametahsone 17-benzoate cream and gel with occlusion by means of a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay method. Concentrations of betamethasone 17-benzoate in plasma were between 0.3 and 5 ng/ml, indicating approximately 0.05 to 0.3% of the steroid applied to the skin was detected in plasma. Plasma betamethasone 17-benzoate levels increased in proportion to the amount of the steroid applied to the skin. High correlation between plasma betamethasone 17-benzoate levels and percent inhibition of plasma cortisol was also observed. Approximately 3 ng/ml levels of betamethasone 17-benzoate in plasma induced 90% inhibition of plasma cortisol. The data suggest that betamethasone 17-benzoate in gel base was more readily absorbed than in cream base.", "PMID": 781144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5745", "title": "Challenge of dogs with live enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and effects of repeated challenges on fluid secretion in jejunal Thiry-Vella loops.", "content": "Dogs were evaluated as experimental models for the study of diarrheal disease produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Although a suitable whole model for orogastric bacterial challenge could not be developed, chronic jejunal Thiry-Vella loops were used to study the secretory effects of multiple jejunal challenges with enterotoxin of either Vibrio cholerae or E. coli. The heat-stable and heat-labile E. coli enterotoxins could be differentiated clearly in this model. Sequential weekly challenges over a four-week period showed a significant decrease in loop secretory response to homologous enterotoxin, although levels of antitoxin in serum remained unchanged, a finding suggesting a local immune response. Dogs challenged with E. coli enterotoxin were markedly protected against subsequent challenge with V. cholerae enterotoxin; the converse was not true. Histologic studies of the loops showed only minimal atrophy, and results of absorption studies in the loops were normal. These studies suggest that mongrel dogs are resistant to colonization by enterotoxigenic E. coli and partially resistant to challenge with enterotoxin, perhaps on an immune basis due to prior antigenic exposure. Multiple challenges with enterotoxin effect a decreased secretory response; this finding also suggests a local immune mechanism.", "contents": "Challenge of dogs with live enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and effects of repeated challenges on fluid secretion in jejunal Thiry-Vella loops. Dogs were evaluated as experimental models for the study of diarrheal disease produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Although a suitable whole model for orogastric bacterial challenge could not be developed, chronic jejunal Thiry-Vella loops were used to study the secretory effects of multiple jejunal challenges with enterotoxin of either Vibrio cholerae or E. coli. The heat-stable and heat-labile E. coli enterotoxins could be differentiated clearly in this model. Sequential weekly challenges over a four-week period showed a significant decrease in loop secretory response to homologous enterotoxin, although levels of antitoxin in serum remained unchanged, a finding suggesting a local immune response. Dogs challenged with E. coli enterotoxin were markedly protected against subsequent challenge with V. cholerae enterotoxin; the converse was not true. Histologic studies of the loops showed only minimal atrophy, and results of absorption studies in the loops were normal. These studies suggest that mongrel dogs are resistant to colonization by enterotoxigenic E. coli and partially resistant to challenge with enterotoxin, perhaps on an immune basis due to prior antigenic exposure. Multiple challenges with enterotoxin effect a decreased secretory response; this finding also suggests a local immune mechanism.", "PMID": 781145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5746", "title": "Relative efficacy of clindamycin, erythromycin, and penicillin in treatment of Treponema pallidum in skin syphilomas of rabbits.", "content": "The currently recommended antibiotic for treatment of fetal syphilis in pregnant women who are allergic to penicillin is erythromycin. However, clindamycin crosses the placenta more effectively than erythromycin. Therefore, an in vivo rabbit model of intradermal syphilomas was used to determine the effect of clindamycin compared with the effects of erythromycin and penicillin on the growth of virulent Treponema pallidum. The average number of motile treponemes in two, paired, mature lesions was determined before and after therapy in groups of four rabbits per dosage. Single intramuscular doses of clindamycin (15 and 40 mg/kg) and erythromycin (12 and 40 mg/kg) did not decrease treponeme counts significantly. Single injections of penicillin (10,000 units/kg) reduced treponemal counts by more than 250-fold. Multiple intramuscular injections of clindamycin reduced counts by five- to sevenfold, whereas multiple doses of erythromycin and penicillin decreased treponeme counts by greater than 300-fold. These studies indicate that clindamycin is far less active than erythromycin or penicillin in treatment of established syphilitic lesions in rabbits.", "contents": "Relative efficacy of clindamycin, erythromycin, and penicillin in treatment of Treponema pallidum in skin syphilomas of rabbits. The currently recommended antibiotic for treatment of fetal syphilis in pregnant women who are allergic to penicillin is erythromycin. However, clindamycin crosses the placenta more effectively than erythromycin. Therefore, an in vivo rabbit model of intradermal syphilomas was used to determine the effect of clindamycin compared with the effects of erythromycin and penicillin on the growth of virulent Treponema pallidum. The average number of motile treponemes in two, paired, mature lesions was determined before and after therapy in groups of four rabbits per dosage. Single intramuscular doses of clindamycin (15 and 40 mg/kg) and erythromycin (12 and 40 mg/kg) did not decrease treponeme counts significantly. Single injections of penicillin (10,000 units/kg) reduced treponemal counts by more than 250-fold. Multiple intramuscular injections of clindamycin reduced counts by five- to sevenfold, whereas multiple doses of erythromycin and penicillin decreased treponeme counts by greater than 300-fold. These studies indicate that clindamycin is far less active than erythromycin or penicillin in treatment of established syphilitic lesions in rabbits.", "PMID": 781147} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5747", "title": "Suggested minimum performance characteristics of data acquisition instrumentation in computer-assisted ECG processing systems.", "content": "The increasing importance of electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation by computers warrants consideration of the specific technical requirements for ECG recorders used in computer-assisted ECG interpretation systems. An almost uniform characteristic of these devices is their capability to transmit the ECG signal over common carrier lines. This paper suggests minimum performance characteristics for the different components of a teletransmitting ECG recorder to facilitate the use and evaluation of computer-assisted interpretation systems. Considered are the need for signal fidelity, features for automatic quality control, and features for patient and technician safety. The performance characteristics for the ECG amplifier are only stated where they exceed the most recent recommendations of the Committee on Electrocardiography, American Heart Association. The features of the teletransmission section are based on a widely used mode and format of transmission.", "contents": "Suggested minimum performance characteristics of data acquisition instrumentation in computer-assisted ECG processing systems. The increasing importance of electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation by computers warrants consideration of the specific technical requirements for ECG recorders used in computer-assisted ECG interpretation systems. An almost uniform characteristic of these devices is their capability to transmit the ECG signal over common carrier lines. This paper suggests minimum performance characteristics for the different components of a teletransmitting ECG recorder to facilitate the use and evaluation of computer-assisted interpretation systems. Considered are the need for signal fidelity, features for automatic quality control, and features for patient and technician safety. The performance characteristics for the ECG amplifier are only stated where they exceed the most recent recommendations of the Committee on Electrocardiography, American Heart Association. The features of the teletransmission section are based on a widely used mode and format of transmission.", "PMID": 781161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5748", "title": "The concepts of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in evaluation of electrocardiographic, vectorcardiographic and polarcardiographic criteria.", "content": "The concepts sensitivity and specificity are critically evaluated in the light of case studies drawn from electrocardiographic literature. These terms are often misused, and the meaning of these elementary statistical concepts is often misunderstood in studies on ECG, VCG and PCG criteria. Specificity figures reported in literature commonly refer to the fraction of true negatives with a negative test in normals. Limiting the test to two-group analysis and eliminating other disease categories tend to give overoptimistic values for specificity and diagnostic accuracy in general. It is pointed out that various performance indices for diagnostic accuracy depend heavily on the composition of the test groups and the fraction of test cases in each group. Sensitivity and specificity appear inadequate performance indices for evaluation of event detection schemes such as classification of ectopic beats. Alternative performance indices are considered, including the error ratio, association index, accuracy of positive test, accuracy of negative test, and overall diagnostic accuracy. Increased utilization of simple statistical tests for significance estimation in ECG criteria evaluation is suggested. The development and application of better diagnostic performance evaluation schemes based on concepts of cost of misclassification, entropy and information is encouraged.", "contents": "The concepts of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in evaluation of electrocardiographic, vectorcardiographic and polarcardiographic criteria. The concepts sensitivity and specificity are critically evaluated in the light of case studies drawn from electrocardiographic literature. These terms are often misused, and the meaning of these elementary statistical concepts is often misunderstood in studies on ECG, VCG and PCG criteria. Specificity figures reported in literature commonly refer to the fraction of true negatives with a negative test in normals. Limiting the test to two-group analysis and eliminating other disease categories tend to give overoptimistic values for specificity and diagnostic accuracy in general. It is pointed out that various performance indices for diagnostic accuracy depend heavily on the composition of the test groups and the fraction of test cases in each group. Sensitivity and specificity appear inadequate performance indices for evaluation of event detection schemes such as classification of ectopic beats. Alternative performance indices are considered, including the error ratio, association index, accuracy of positive test, accuracy of negative test, and overall diagnostic accuracy. Increased utilization of simple statistical tests for significance estimation in ECG criteria evaluation is suggested. The development and application of better diagnostic performance evaluation schemes based on concepts of cost of misclassification, entropy and information is encouraged.", "PMID": 781162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5749", "title": "Normal and abnormal function of the pacemaker magnetic reed switch.", "content": "Application of the special test magnet over a demand pacemaker actuates a magnetic reed switch which converts the pacemaker to fixed-rate pacing. The magnetic reed switch is a simple and generally very reliable component. This review discusses the normal and abnormal functions of the pacemaker magnetic reed switch. An understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of this subject is important in the overall management of patients with implanted pacemakers.", "contents": "Normal and abnormal function of the pacemaker magnetic reed switch. Application of the special test magnet over a demand pacemaker actuates a magnetic reed switch which converts the pacemaker to fixed-rate pacing. The magnetic reed switch is a simple and generally very reliable component. This review discusses the normal and abnormal functions of the pacemaker magnetic reed switch. An understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of this subject is important in the overall management of patients with implanted pacemakers.", "PMID": 781163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5750", "title": "Priming effect of luteinizing hormone releasing factor elicited by preoptic stimulation and by intravenous infusion and multiple injections of the synthetic decapeptide.", "content": "We have investigated whether the priming effect of LH-RF can be elicited by electrical stimulation of the medial preoptic area, or by i.v. infusion or multiple i.v. injections of the synthetic decapeptide. All experiments were carried out on animals anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone at 13.30 h. In pro-oestrous rats, the LH response to the second of two electrical stimuli, 15 min in duration and separated by 60 min, was significantly greater than the response to the first stimulus. When synthetic LH-RF was infused at a constant rate for 90 min, plasma LH increased gradually for the first 45-60 min after which it increased markedly. This enhanced secretion of LH did not occur in rats which were infused with the same total dose of LH-RF, either 15 or 75 ng/100 g body wt, over periods of 45 min or less. When a dose of 15 ng LH-RF/100 g body wt was administered in six divided doses by i.v. injections, each separated by 15 min, there was a marked increase in plasma LH after 75 min. The profile of the mean plasma LH concentration in rats subjected to preoptic stimulation for 90 min was similar to that in rats infused for 90 min with LH-RF, but the variation in response was much greater in the stimulated rats. These results indicate that the priming effect can be elicited by endogenous as well as synthetic LH-RF, and that whether LH-RF reaches the pituitary at a constant rate or in a pulsatile manner the factor is capable of significantly increasing the responsiveness of the gonadotrophs. The relevance of these findings with respect to the development of the spontaneous preovulatory LH surge is discussed. A priming effect could not be elicited by constant LH-RF infusion in dioestrous rats; this supports the view that steroid hormones, especially oestradiol-17phi, determine the magnitude of the effect. The LH response in male rats subjected to i.v. infusion of LH-RF was much lower than in females. Pre-treatment with oestradiol benzoate did not increase the response significantly, suggesting that this sex difference cannot be ascribed simply to low levels of plasma oestrogen in the male.", "contents": "Priming effect of luteinizing hormone releasing factor elicited by preoptic stimulation and by intravenous infusion and multiple injections of the synthetic decapeptide. We have investigated whether the priming effect of LH-RF can be elicited by electrical stimulation of the medial preoptic area, or by i.v. infusion or multiple i.v. injections of the synthetic decapeptide. All experiments were carried out on animals anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone at 13.30 h. In pro-oestrous rats, the LH response to the second of two electrical stimuli, 15 min in duration and separated by 60 min, was significantly greater than the response to the first stimulus. When synthetic LH-RF was infused at a constant rate for 90 min, plasma LH increased gradually for the first 45-60 min after which it increased markedly. This enhanced secretion of LH did not occur in rats which were infused with the same total dose of LH-RF, either 15 or 75 ng/100 g body wt, over periods of 45 min or less. When a dose of 15 ng LH-RF/100 g body wt was administered in six divided doses by i.v. injections, each separated by 15 min, there was a marked increase in plasma LH after 75 min. The profile of the mean plasma LH concentration in rats subjected to preoptic stimulation for 90 min was similar to that in rats infused for 90 min with LH-RF, but the variation in response was much greater in the stimulated rats. These results indicate that the priming effect can be elicited by endogenous as well as synthetic LH-RF, and that whether LH-RF reaches the pituitary at a constant rate or in a pulsatile manner the factor is capable of significantly increasing the responsiveness of the gonadotrophs. The relevance of these findings with respect to the development of the spontaneous preovulatory LH surge is discussed. A priming effect could not be elicited by constant LH-RF infusion in dioestrous rats; this supports the view that steroid hormones, especially oestradiol-17phi, determine the magnitude of the effect. The LH response in male rats subjected to i.v. infusion of LH-RF was much lower than in females. Pre-treatment with oestradiol benzoate did not increase the response significantly, suggesting that this sex difference cannot be ascribed simply to low levels of plasma oestrogen in the male.", "PMID": 781165} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5751", "title": "Priming effect of luteinizing hormone releasing factor: in-vitro and in-vivo evidence consistent with its dependence upon protein and RNA synthesis.", "content": "The aim of this study was to determine whether the priming effect of LH-RF depends upon RNA and protein synthesis. In in-vivo studies saline, actinomycin D, or cycloheximide was administered i.p. 3-5-4h before the first i.v. injection of synthetic LH-RF into pro-oestrous rats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone at 13.30 h. The LH-response to the second injection of LH-RF (given 60 min after the first) was markedly reduced by the inhibitors, but the response to the first injection was not significantly affected. Studies with cycloheximide given i.v. showed that the inhibition of protein synthesis up to the second injection of LH-RF reduced the magnitude of the priming effect, the reduction being greatest when the inhibitor was administered up to 30 min after the first LH-RF injection. Pituitary incubation studies showed that the priming effect could also be elicited in vitro and that it could be significantly reduced by actinomycin D, cycloheximide and puromycin. As in vivo, the inhibitors had relatively little effect on the LH-response to the first exposure to LH-RF. The protein synthesized after an injection of LH-RF may be new LH, and/or a protein(s) concerned with 'activation' of the receptor or release components of the LH-secretory apparatus.", "contents": "Priming effect of luteinizing hormone releasing factor: in-vitro and in-vivo evidence consistent with its dependence upon protein and RNA synthesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether the priming effect of LH-RF depends upon RNA and protein synthesis. In in-vivo studies saline, actinomycin D, or cycloheximide was administered i.p. 3-5-4h before the first i.v. injection of synthetic LH-RF into pro-oestrous rats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone at 13.30 h. The LH-response to the second injection of LH-RF (given 60 min after the first) was markedly reduced by the inhibitors, but the response to the first injection was not significantly affected. Studies with cycloheximide given i.v. showed that the inhibition of protein synthesis up to the second injection of LH-RF reduced the magnitude of the priming effect, the reduction being greatest when the inhibitor was administered up to 30 min after the first LH-RF injection. Pituitary incubation studies showed that the priming effect could also be elicited in vitro and that it could be significantly reduced by actinomycin D, cycloheximide and puromycin. As in vivo, the inhibitors had relatively little effect on the LH-response to the first exposure to LH-RF. The protein synthesized after an injection of LH-RF may be new LH, and/or a protein(s) concerned with 'activation' of the receptor or release components of the LH-secretory apparatus.", "PMID": 781168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5752", "title": "Pattern formation in early developmental stages of amphibian embryos.", "content": "An internal factor (or factors), which determine the endoderm and the mesoderm anlage, seem to exist already in certain regions of the oocyte and very early developmental stages. The factor(s), which is (are) protein in nature, has (have) similar properties to the one isolated from chicken embryos. The induction of the neural plate seems to be mediated by a membrane mechanism. The segregation of the primarily formed anlagen occurs by secondary tissue interactions.", "contents": "Pattern formation in early developmental stages of amphibian embryos. An internal factor (or factors), which determine the endoderm and the mesoderm anlage, seem to exist already in certain regions of the oocyte and very early developmental stages. The factor(s), which is (are) protein in nature, has (have) similar properties to the one isolated from chicken embryos. The induction of the neural plate seems to be mediated by a membrane mechanism. The segregation of the primarily formed anlagen occurs by secondary tissue interactions.", "PMID": 781172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5753", "title": "Implantation and early postimplantation development of the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus, Schreber.", "content": "The development of the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus is described from implantation to the formation of the foetal membranes. The embryonic development of this species combines features of primitive rodent species, for example Geomys bursarius and highly specialized ones, for examples Mus musculus. The egg-cylinder is formed by invagination into the blastocoelic cavity of the inner cell mass and polar trophoblast overlying it; this resembles in many respects the early stages of development of primitive species. The fully formed egg-cylinder, however, resembles that of the mouse and the formation of foetal membranes is also similar to that in Muridae. It is concluded that in the bank vole and also in other rodents, the extra-embryonic ectoderm of the egg-cylinder is derived from the polar trophoblast rather than from the inner cell mass.", "contents": "Implantation and early postimplantation development of the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus, Schreber. The development of the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus is described from implantation to the formation of the foetal membranes. The embryonic development of this species combines features of primitive rodent species, for example Geomys bursarius and highly specialized ones, for examples Mus musculus. The egg-cylinder is formed by invagination into the blastocoelic cavity of the inner cell mass and polar trophoblast overlying it; this resembles in many respects the early stages of development of primitive species. The fully formed egg-cylinder, however, resembles that of the mouse and the formation of foetal membranes is also similar to that in Muridae. It is concluded that in the bank vole and also in other rodents, the extra-embryonic ectoderm of the egg-cylinder is derived from the polar trophoblast rather than from the inner cell mass.", "PMID": 781173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5754", "title": "An experimental investigation into the possible neural crest origin of pancreatic APUD (islet) cells.", "content": "It has recently been contended that pancreatic APUD cells are neural crest derivatives. In an experimental investigation, isotopic grafts of neural tube containing neural crest cells were transplanted from chick and quail embryos labelled with tritiated thymidine, and from unlabelled quail embryos, to host chick embryos at the same stage of development. Transplantations were performed at various levels between somites 5 and 24 in embryos at 6- to 24-somite stages. In operated embryos at 3 3/4 days of incubation, the pancreatic APUD cells were not labelled; nor did their nuclei show quail features. Migration of cells from the graft was evidenced by the presence of quail nuclei and/or radioactive label in autoradiographs, in spinal and sympathetic ganglia in the operated region. It is concluded that the pancreatic APUD cells of the 3 3/4-day-old chick embryo are not derived from the trunk neural crest up the level of somite 24. It is unlikely that more caudal levels contribute, because APUD cells are already concentrated in the dorsal pancreatic bud region at the 24-somite stage, by which time no migration of crest cells has occurred caudal to somite 24. This conclusion probably concerns A, B and D pancreatic endocrine cells.", "contents": "An experimental investigation into the possible neural crest origin of pancreatic APUD (islet) cells. It has recently been contended that pancreatic APUD cells are neural crest derivatives. In an experimental investigation, isotopic grafts of neural tube containing neural crest cells were transplanted from chick and quail embryos labelled with tritiated thymidine, and from unlabelled quail embryos, to host chick embryos at the same stage of development. Transplantations were performed at various levels between somites 5 and 24 in embryos at 6- to 24-somite stages. In operated embryos at 3 3/4 days of incubation, the pancreatic APUD cells were not labelled; nor did their nuclei show quail features. Migration of cells from the graft was evidenced by the presence of quail nuclei and/or radioactive label in autoradiographs, in spinal and sympathetic ganglia in the operated region. It is concluded that the pancreatic APUD cells of the 3 3/4-day-old chick embryo are not derived from the trunk neural crest up the level of somite 24. It is unlikely that more caudal levels contribute, because APUD cells are already concentrated in the dorsal pancreatic bud region at the 24-somite stage, by which time no migration of crest cells has occurred caudal to somite 24. This conclusion probably concerns A, B and D pancreatic endocrine cells.", "PMID": 781174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5755", "title": "Allergy skin testing of children.", "content": "Skin tests are important aids in the management of patients with inhalant allergy. Their usefulness will be increased if these basic principles are kept in mind: (1) Scratch test should be sufficiently deep, (2) Antigen extracts used for intradermal tests should be fresh enough to insure their activity, (3) Two control tests should be used each time tests are done, (4) Hydroxyzine and promethazine may diminish skin reactivity; therefore, negative skin tests should not be relied upon until repeated in the absence of such medication, and (5) Skin tests for food allergy are quite unreliable, whether positive or negative. Food allergy is best studied by means of elimination trial diets.", "contents": "Allergy skin testing of children. Skin tests are important aids in the management of patients with inhalant allergy. Their usefulness will be increased if these basic principles are kept in mind: (1) Scratch test should be sufficiently deep, (2) Antigen extracts used for intradermal tests should be fresh enough to insure their activity, (3) Two control tests should be used each time tests are done, (4) Hydroxyzine and promethazine may diminish skin reactivity; therefore, negative skin tests should not be relied upon until repeated in the absence of such medication, and (5) Skin tests for food allergy are quite unreliable, whether positive or negative. Food allergy is best studied by means of elimination trial diets.", "PMID": 781175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5756", "title": "Duration of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster ochrogaster).", "content": "The cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in M. o. ochrogaster was divided into eight readily recognizable stages based on the morphology of the developing spermatid. The mean relative frequencies of Stages I through VIII were 11.6, 19.25, 20.00, 19.00, 8.42, 6.17, 9.25 and 6.58%, respectively. The duration of one cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in this species, as determined from autoradiographs of thymidine-H3 injected testes was 7.17 days (S.E. +/- 0.03). This is the shortest spermatogenic cycle reported for any mammal to date. The approximate durations of the meiotic prophase, meiotic divisions, and spermiogenesis were 8.8, 0.4 and 12.2 days, respectively. The entire process of spermatogenesis was estimated to span approximately 28.68 days. The number of cycles that spermiogenesis spanned in this species was compared to values calculated for other species. Values within groups of related species appear relatively constant, but between groups the values are variable.", "contents": "Duration of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster ochrogaster). The cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in M. o. ochrogaster was divided into eight readily recognizable stages based on the morphology of the developing spermatid. The mean relative frequencies of Stages I through VIII were 11.6, 19.25, 20.00, 19.00, 8.42, 6.17, 9.25 and 6.58%, respectively. The duration of one cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in this species, as determined from autoradiographs of thymidine-H3 injected testes was 7.17 days (S.E. +/- 0.03). This is the shortest spermatogenic cycle reported for any mammal to date. The approximate durations of the meiotic prophase, meiotic divisions, and spermiogenesis were 8.8, 0.4 and 12.2 days, respectively. The entire process of spermatogenesis was estimated to span approximately 28.68 days. The number of cycles that spermiogenesis spanned in this species was compared to values calculated for other species. Values within groups of related species appear relatively constant, but between groups the values are variable.", "PMID": 781176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5757", "title": "The development of regional pigmentation patterns in black and tan (at) mice.", "content": "Mice which express the black and tan (at)allele at the agouti locus have black dorsal and yellow ventral hairs. To determine the site of action of this allele, the kind of hair pigment produced by various dermal-epidermal recombinations of dorsal and ventral black and tan (at/at), ventral nonagouti (a/a) and ventral yellow (Ay/a) embryonic skin has been investigated. The results indicate that it is the dermis which is responsible for the development of regional pigmentation patterns in black and tan mice.", "contents": "The development of regional pigmentation patterns in black and tan (at) mice. Mice which express the black and tan (at)allele at the agouti locus have black dorsal and yellow ventral hairs. To determine the site of action of this allele, the kind of hair pigment produced by various dermal-epidermal recombinations of dorsal and ventral black and tan (at/at), ventral nonagouti (a/a) and ventral yellow (Ay/a) embryonic skin has been investigated. The results indicate that it is the dermis which is responsible for the development of regional pigmentation patterns in black and tan mice.", "PMID": 781177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5758", "title": "Properties of a DNA ligase mutant of Escherichia coli: introduction of strand breaks in DNA.", "content": "Strand breaks accumulated in the DNA of a temperature-sensitive DNA ligase mutant of Escherichia coli growing at the restrictive temperature, as detected by zone sedimentation through alkaline sucrose density gradients. The rate of strand breakage was increased by concomitant thymine starvation. Rifampicin and chloramphenicol inhibited the accumulation of strand breaks in the DNA. There was a correlation between the accumulation of strand breaks in the DNA and lethality, suggesting that such breaks are the basis for lethality at the restrictive temperature.", "contents": "Properties of a DNA ligase mutant of Escherichia coli: introduction of strand breaks in DNA. Strand breaks accumulated in the DNA of a temperature-sensitive DNA ligase mutant of Escherichia coli growing at the restrictive temperature, as detected by zone sedimentation through alkaline sucrose density gradients. The rate of strand breakage was increased by concomitant thymine starvation. Rifampicin and chloramphenicol inhibited the accumulation of strand breaks in the DNA. There was a correlation between the accumulation of strand breaks in the DNA and lethality, suggesting that such breaks are the basis for lethality at the restrictive temperature.", "PMID": 781180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5759", "title": "Porphobilinogen-accumulating mutants of Salmonella typhimurium LT2.", "content": "Four independent porphobilinogen-accumulating mutants of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 were isolated by selecting for dwarf colony formation on neomycin agar media. Cell-free extracts of the parent strain, but not of the mutants, were able to convert 5-aminolaevulinic acid or porphobilinogen to porphyrins. The results indicated that the mutants were deficient in uroporphyrinogen I synthase (EC. 4.3.I. 8) activity: these are the first mutants of this type reported in S. typhimurium LT2. Mapping of the hemC locus (for uroporphyrinogen I synthase) by F-mediated conjugation and by P22-mediated transduction showed the gene sequence ilvEDAC-hemC-cya-metE.", "contents": "Porphobilinogen-accumulating mutants of Salmonella typhimurium LT2. Four independent porphobilinogen-accumulating mutants of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 were isolated by selecting for dwarf colony formation on neomycin agar media. Cell-free extracts of the parent strain, but not of the mutants, were able to convert 5-aminolaevulinic acid or porphobilinogen to porphyrins. The results indicated that the mutants were deficient in uroporphyrinogen I synthase (EC. 4.3.I. 8) activity: these are the first mutants of this type reported in S. typhimurium LT2. Mapping of the hemC locus (for uroporphyrinogen I synthase) by F-mediated conjugation and by P22-mediated transduction showed the gene sequence ilvEDAC-hemC-cya-metE.", "PMID": 781181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5760", "title": "Isolation and characterization of mutants of Escherichia coli K12 resistant to the new aminoglycoside antibiotic, amikacin.", "content": "Spontaneous mutants of Escherichia coli K12 that are resistant to the new aminoglycoside antibiotic, amikacin, were isolated. These mutants have simultaneously acquired cross-resistance to kanamycin, gentamicin and neomycin but not to streptomycin or spectinomycin. Sensitivity of the mutant strains to the non-aminoglycoside antibiotics, ampicillin, tetracycline and polymyxin, was unaffected. The mutation responsible for amikacin resistance was mapped by PI transduction and found to be tightly linked to strA, distal with respect to spcA and aroE.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of mutants of Escherichia coli K12 resistant to the new aminoglycoside antibiotic, amikacin. Spontaneous mutants of Escherichia coli K12 that are resistant to the new aminoglycoside antibiotic, amikacin, were isolated. These mutants have simultaneously acquired cross-resistance to kanamycin, gentamicin and neomycin but not to streptomycin or spectinomycin. Sensitivity of the mutant strains to the non-aminoglycoside antibiotics, ampicillin, tetracycline and polymyxin, was unaffected. The mutation responsible for amikacin resistance was mapped by PI transduction and found to be tightly linked to strA, distal with respect to spcA and aroE.", "PMID": 781182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5761", "title": "The effects of proteins on bacterial attachment to polystyrene.", "content": "Bovine serum albumin, gelatin, fibrinogen and pepsin impaired the attachment of a marine pseudomonad to polystyrene Petri dishes, apparently through adsorption on the dish surface. Serum albumin also appeared to affect the bacterial surface. The basic proteins protamine and histone did not markedly inhibit attachment. These findings are discussed in relation to comparative experiments using tissue cells.", "contents": "The effects of proteins on bacterial attachment to polystyrene. Bovine serum albumin, gelatin, fibrinogen and pepsin impaired the attachment of a marine pseudomonad to polystyrene Petri dishes, apparently through adsorption on the dish surface. Serum albumin also appeared to affect the bacterial surface. The basic proteins protamine and histone did not markedly inhibit attachment. These findings are discussed in relation to comparative experiments using tissue cells.", "PMID": 781183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5762", "title": "Effect of propranolol on acute withdrawal tremor in alcoholic patients.", "content": "The effect of the beta-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol was tested on positional tremor occurring during acute alcohol withdrawal using a double-blind crossover method and electrical recording of tremor amplitude and frequency. The difference between the effects of propranolol and placebo was not significant.", "contents": "Effect of propranolol on acute withdrawal tremor in alcoholic patients. The effect of the beta-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol was tested on positional tremor occurring during acute alcohol withdrawal using a double-blind crossover method and electrical recording of tremor amplitude and frequency. The difference between the effects of propranolol and placebo was not significant.", "PMID": 781187} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5763", "title": "Trans-unco-discal approach. A combined anterior and lateral approach to cervical discs.", "content": "A series of 40 patients with degnerative discopathy was effectively treated to means of trans-unco-discal approach, which is a combined anterior and lateral approach to cervical discs. Interbody fusion is not performed except for special cases such as significant kyphosis and unstable cervical spine. Twenty patients who had this approach without interbody bone graft have been followed clinically and radiographically for 9 to 36 months. The author describes the surgical techniques, complications, and results.", "contents": "Trans-unco-discal approach. A combined anterior and lateral approach to cervical discs. A series of 40 patients with degnerative discopathy was effectively treated to means of trans-unco-discal approach, which is a combined anterior and lateral approach to cervical discs. Interbody fusion is not performed except for special cases such as significant kyphosis and unstable cervical spine. Twenty patients who had this approach without interbody bone graft have been followed clinically and radiographically for 9 to 36 months. The author describes the surgical techniques, complications, and results.", "PMID": 781189} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5764", "title": "Histologic evaluation of intraoral skin grafts and pedicle flaps in humans.", "content": "Histologic evaluation of biopsy specimens from six split-thickness skin grafts and seven pedicle flaps was made two months to 15 years after intraoral cancer reconstruction. In the transplanted skin, there was persistence of all epidermal layers with production of orthokeratin and melanin, and persistence of papillary and reticular dermis with viable hair follicles and sweat glands. The junction of epidermis and mucosa was distinguished by a strongly positive PAS staining of the mucosal epithelium. There were no differences in the observations on split-thickness grafts and pedicle flaps. After 15 years of exposure to an intraoral environment, \"mucosalization\" of the skin was not evident.", "contents": "Histologic evaluation of intraoral skin grafts and pedicle flaps in humans. Histologic evaluation of biopsy specimens from six split-thickness skin grafts and seven pedicle flaps was made two months to 15 years after intraoral cancer reconstruction. In the transplanted skin, there was persistence of all epidermal layers with production of orthokeratin and melanin, and persistence of papillary and reticular dermis with viable hair follicles and sweat glands. The junction of epidermis and mucosa was distinguished by a strongly positive PAS staining of the mucosal epithelium. There were no differences in the observations on split-thickness grafts and pedicle flaps. After 15 years of exposure to an intraoral environment, \"mucosalization\" of the skin was not evident.", "PMID": 781193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5765", "title": "Recurrence of group B streptococcal infection.", "content": "It is clear that the group B streptococcus has become a major pathogen of young infants within the comparatively recent past. Further it is clear that, as with other endemic and epidemic pathogens, increasing clinical and laboratory experience brings to light variations not initially evident. In addition, therapy presumably effective in initial cases may not continue to be so. The following papers by coincidence were received over a relatively brief period of time. Hence, for emphasis of some of the problems related to this organism, they are presented as a group.", "contents": "Recurrence of group B streptococcal infection. It is clear that the group B streptococcus has become a major pathogen of young infants within the comparatively recent past. Further it is clear that, as with other endemic and epidemic pathogens, increasing clinical and laboratory experience brings to light variations not initially evident. In addition, therapy presumably effective in initial cases may not continue to be so. The following papers by coincidence were received over a relatively brief period of time. Hence, for emphasis of some of the problems related to this organism, they are presented as a group.", "PMID": 781195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5766", "title": "Failure of penicillin to eradicate the carrier state of group B Streptococcus in infants.", "content": "Serial cultures were obtained from 12 patients being treated with a form of penicillin for group B streptococcal disease or asymptomatic colonization. These cultures were collected prior to initiation of therapy, during therapy, and at the end of the treatment period. Pencillin eradicated GBS from the involved system (blood, CSF, bone, and joint). Cultures remained positive from at least one of three carrier sites (throat, umbilicus, and rectum) in 70% of patients cultured between days one and eight of treatment and 66% between days 10 and 21. These data demonstrate the failure of penicillin to eradicate GBS from mucous surfaces of young infants.", "contents": "Failure of penicillin to eradicate the carrier state of group B Streptococcus in infants. Serial cultures were obtained from 12 patients being treated with a form of penicillin for group B streptococcal disease or asymptomatic colonization. These cultures were collected prior to initiation of therapy, during therapy, and at the end of the treatment period. Pencillin eradicated GBS from the involved system (blood, CSF, bone, and joint). Cultures remained positive from at least one of three carrier sites (throat, umbilicus, and rectum) in 70% of patients cultured between days one and eight of treatment and 66% between days 10 and 21. These data demonstrate the failure of penicillin to eradicate GBS from mucous surfaces of young infants.", "PMID": 781199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5767", "title": "Antibiotic-killing kinetics of group B streptococci.", "content": "Group B streptococci are uniformly susceptible to penicillin or ampicillin. Nevertheless, morbidity and mortality in newborn infants infected with group B streptococci is a major clinical problem. Bacteriologic determinants in the outcome of this infection were studied. Streptococcal killing kinetics were studied for ampicillin alone and in combination with gentamicin. In all cases killing was accelerated by the combination. The practice of discontinuing administration of the aminoglycoside antibiotic when group B streptococcal infection is confirmed should be re-evaluated.", "contents": "Antibiotic-killing kinetics of group B streptococci. Group B streptococci are uniformly susceptible to penicillin or ampicillin. Nevertheless, morbidity and mortality in newborn infants infected with group B streptococci is a major clinical problem. Bacteriologic determinants in the outcome of this infection were studied. Streptococcal killing kinetics were studied for ampicillin alone and in combination with gentamicin. In all cases killing was accelerated by the combination. The practice of discontinuing administration of the aminoglycoside antibiotic when group B streptococcal infection is confirmed should be re-evaluated.", "PMID": 781200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5768", "title": "Early onset group B streptococcal disease: clinical, roentgenographic, and pathologic features.", "content": "Thirty-one neonates with early onset of serious group B streptococcal infections were observed in a four-year period. The mortality was 52%. Premature infants with clinical signs of respiratory distress syndrome were at highest risk of death; clinical signs of RDS were typical until apnea, shock, respiratory failure, and worsening of the radiographic pattern unexpectedly intervened. Pathologic material from infants with radiographic evidence either of RDS or of pneumonia showed both typical hyaline membrane disease and pneumonia in most instances. Factors which may be helpful in recognizing premature infants at risk for GBS disease in the much larger group of premature infants with uncomplicated RDS include: history of artificial, premature, or prolonged rupture of membranes; localized pulmonary infiltrates on chest roentgenogram; low absolute neutrophil count; and an unusually rapid progression of RDS.", "contents": "Early onset group B streptococcal disease: clinical, roentgenographic, and pathologic features. Thirty-one neonates with early onset of serious group B streptococcal infections were observed in a four-year period. The mortality was 52%. Premature infants with clinical signs of respiratory distress syndrome were at highest risk of death; clinical signs of RDS were typical until apnea, shock, respiratory failure, and worsening of the radiographic pattern unexpectedly intervened. Pathologic material from infants with radiographic evidence either of RDS or of pneumonia showed both typical hyaline membrane disease and pneumonia in most instances. Factors which may be helpful in recognizing premature infants at risk for GBS disease in the much larger group of premature infants with uncomplicated RDS include: history of artificial, premature, or prolonged rupture of membranes; localized pulmonary infiltrates on chest roentgenogram; low absolute neutrophil count; and an unusually rapid progression of RDS.", "PMID": 781201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5769", "title": "The role of exchange transfusions in the management of low-birth-weight infants with and without severe respiratory distress syndrome. II. Further observations and studies of mechanisms of action.", "content": "Exchange transfusion, as a form of therapy, was contrasted with the use of fresh frozen plasma or conventional supportive care alone in the management of 19 infants with birth weights of less than 1,000 gm, without severe respiratory distress, and in the management of 82 infants, birth weights less than 2,000 gm, with severe respiratory distress whose disease manifested itself within the first 24 hours of life. Survival for more than five days was similar, regardless of therapy, in infants weighing less than 1,000 gm without severe RDS. In contrast, the use of exchange transfusion significantly decreased the case fatality rate of infants with severe RDS. In the groups receiving exchange transfusion, the mortality rate was 41%, whereas the groups receiving either plasma or supportive care alone the mortality was 80%. Study of coagulation factors and red cell concentrations of fetal hemoglobin and of 2,3-DPG failed to demonstrate any relationship between either improvement in coagulation or oxygen unloading and the improved survival of infants receiving exchange transfusion. Following exchange transfusion there was a significant decrease in the ratio of FIO2 to PaO2, suggesting that pulmonary perfusion and/or ventilation was improved by the procedure.", "contents": "The role of exchange transfusions in the management of low-birth-weight infants with and without severe respiratory distress syndrome. II. Further observations and studies of mechanisms of action. Exchange transfusion, as a form of therapy, was contrasted with the use of fresh frozen plasma or conventional supportive care alone in the management of 19 infants with birth weights of less than 1,000 gm, without severe respiratory distress, and in the management of 82 infants, birth weights less than 2,000 gm, with severe respiratory distress whose disease manifested itself within the first 24 hours of life. Survival for more than five days was similar, regardless of therapy, in infants weighing less than 1,000 gm without severe RDS. In contrast, the use of exchange transfusion significantly decreased the case fatality rate of infants with severe RDS. In the groups receiving exchange transfusion, the mortality rate was 41%, whereas the groups receiving either plasma or supportive care alone the mortality was 80%. Study of coagulation factors and red cell concentrations of fetal hemoglobin and of 2,3-DPG failed to demonstrate any relationship between either improvement in coagulation or oxygen unloading and the improved survival of infants receiving exchange transfusion. Following exchange transfusion there was a significant decrease in the ratio of FIO2 to PaO2, suggesting that pulmonary perfusion and/or ventilation was improved by the procedure.", "PMID": 781206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5770", "title": "Rationale for stabilization.", "content": "1. The subjective separation of the normal and the diseased periodontium for splinting purposes is artificial. With the exception of cases of secondary trauma from occlusion, the diseased periodontium should be treated in the same manner as the normal periodontium with regards to splinting. 2. Retionales for stabilization found to be valid are: I. Prevention of mobility A. Post acute trauma. B. In occlusal therapy. II. Prevention of drifting A. Replacement of missing teeth. B. Postorthodontics. III. In treatment of secondary trauma for occlusion. A. For functional stability. B. With unknown effects on the progression of periodontitis. 3. The relationship of trauma from occlusion and periodontitis is unclear at this time. 4. A need exists for a clinical test correlating histologic signs of trauma from occlusion and clinical findings. 5. Temporary splinting generally is not indicated during the initial or surgical phase of treatment of the periodontal patient, because mobility short of secondary trauma from occlusion does not impair healing.", "contents": "Rationale for stabilization. 1. The subjective separation of the normal and the diseased periodontium for splinting purposes is artificial. With the exception of cases of secondary trauma from occlusion, the diseased periodontium should be treated in the same manner as the normal periodontium with regards to splinting. 2. Retionales for stabilization found to be valid are: I. Prevention of mobility A. Post acute trauma. B. In occlusal therapy. II. Prevention of drifting A. Replacement of missing teeth. B. Postorthodontics. III. In treatment of secondary trauma for occlusion. A. For functional stability. B. With unknown effects on the progression of periodontitis. 3. The relationship of trauma from occlusion and periodontitis is unclear at this time. 4. A need exists for a clinical test correlating histologic signs of trauma from occlusion and clinical findings. 5. Temporary splinting generally is not indicated during the initial or surgical phase of treatment of the periodontal patient, because mobility short of secondary trauma from occlusion does not impair healing.", "PMID": 781210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5771", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of methyldopa in man.", "content": "Single doses of methyldopa were administered orally and intravenously as aqueous solutions to 12 healthy volunteers in a crossover study. Serial plasma and urine samples were analyzed specifically for methyldopa and its O-sulfate conjugate. Kinetic analyses of the results indicated that methyldopa disposition could be adequately represented by a two-compartment open model. Renal excretion accounted for about two-thirds of the plasma clearance of methylodopa. Absorption profiles were constructed with the aid of the pharmacokinetic model and contrasted with estimates of absorption which were model-independent. The mean fraction reaching the systemic circulation as methyldopa was estimated to be 0.25 (range 0.08-0.62 for n = 11). Although most of the absorption occurred within the first 5 hours oral administration, a minor component, suggestive of limited enterohepatic circulation, persisted from 9 to 36 hours. O-sulfate conjugation was route-dependent and appeared to be derived predominantly, if not exclusively, as a first-pass effect of absorption and/or enterophepatic circulation.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of methyldopa in man. Single doses of methyldopa were administered orally and intravenously as aqueous solutions to 12 healthy volunteers in a crossover study. Serial plasma and urine samples were analyzed specifically for methyldopa and its O-sulfate conjugate. Kinetic analyses of the results indicated that methyldopa disposition could be adequately represented by a two-compartment open model. Renal excretion accounted for about two-thirds of the plasma clearance of methylodopa. Absorption profiles were constructed with the aid of the pharmacokinetic model and contrasted with estimates of absorption which were model-independent. The mean fraction reaching the systemic circulation as methyldopa was estimated to be 0.25 (range 0.08-0.62 for n = 11). Although most of the absorption occurred within the first 5 hours oral administration, a minor component, suggestive of limited enterohepatic circulation, persisted from 9 to 36 hours. O-sulfate conjugation was route-dependent and appeared to be derived predominantly, if not exclusively, as a first-pass effect of absorption and/or enterophepatic circulation.", "PMID": 781212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5772", "title": "The effect of A23187 ionophore on calcium movements and contraction processes in single barnacle muscle fibres.", "content": "1. Ca movements were studied in single giant muscle fibres of the barnacle before and after exposure to the Ca ionophore A23187. 2. In fibres micro-injected with the photoprotein aequorin, the resting rate of light emission (resting glow) reversibly increased when the external Ca was augmented in the presence of A23187. This resulted from an increased Ca influx through the outer membrane. In zero external Ca, A23187 induced a delayed increase of the resting glow which was related to Ca leakage from intracellular storage sites. 3. When the experiment was carried out at 5 degrees C instead of 22 degrees C, the resting glow about doubled (temperature-sensitive mechanisms for maintaining a low myoplasmic Ca2+ were thus depressed) but A23187 was much less effective in increasing Ca influx in high external Ca. 4. In 45Ca efflux experiments, A23187 increased both the Ca-Ca exchange diffusion and the net Ca outflux at the outer membrane of the fibre. The Na-Ca exchange process was not affected to a significant extent. 5. The Ca2+ transient and the force of the contraction elicited by imposed membrane depolarizations (below the threshold of the propagated action potential) were markedly increased by A23187, but the electromechanical threshold was not significantly modified. The linear relation between membrane depolarizations and the area of the Ca transient became much steeper in the presence of A23187. However the relation between the area of the Ca transient and the force output was not affected which suggests that A23187 specifically involved the Ca2+ intracellular release, but not the subsequent Ca-troponin reaction. 6. A23187 potentiates by ionophoretic action the Ca movements at the outer membrane, and it also acts inside the intact muscle fibre to intensify the intracellular release of Ca.", "contents": "The effect of A23187 ionophore on calcium movements and contraction processes in single barnacle muscle fibres. 1. Ca movements were studied in single giant muscle fibres of the barnacle before and after exposure to the Ca ionophore A23187. 2. In fibres micro-injected with the photoprotein aequorin, the resting rate of light emission (resting glow) reversibly increased when the external Ca was augmented in the presence of A23187. This resulted from an increased Ca influx through the outer membrane. In zero external Ca, A23187 induced a delayed increase of the resting glow which was related to Ca leakage from intracellular storage sites. 3. When the experiment was carried out at 5 degrees C instead of 22 degrees C, the resting glow about doubled (temperature-sensitive mechanisms for maintaining a low myoplasmic Ca2+ were thus depressed) but A23187 was much less effective in increasing Ca influx in high external Ca. 4. In 45Ca efflux experiments, A23187 increased both the Ca-Ca exchange diffusion and the net Ca outflux at the outer membrane of the fibre. The Na-Ca exchange process was not affected to a significant extent. 5. The Ca2+ transient and the force of the contraction elicited by imposed membrane depolarizations (below the threshold of the propagated action potential) were markedly increased by A23187, but the electromechanical threshold was not significantly modified. The linear relation between membrane depolarizations and the area of the Ca transient became much steeper in the presence of A23187. However the relation between the area of the Ca transient and the force output was not affected which suggests that A23187 specifically involved the Ca2+ intracellular release, but not the subsequent Ca-troponin reaction. 6. A23187 potentiates by ionophoretic action the Ca movements at the outer membrane, and it also acts inside the intact muscle fibre to intensify the intracellular release of Ca.", "PMID": 781214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5773", "title": "On the metabolism of the rod outer segments.", "content": "1. The high energy phosphate esters available for the luminescent reaction of the firefly lantern extract correspond, in the dark adapted rods of the frog, to 7 X 10(-16) mole of ATP per rod, corresponding to ca. 1-4 mM. 2. Rods isolated from light adapted eyes contain a smaller amount. 3. The high energy phosphate esters are reduced spontaneously at a rate of 50% in 24 min, in the isolated rods in darkness. 4. Bleaching a few per cent of the rhodopsin molecules of a rod suspension induces a 60% decrease achieved in less than 12 sec. 5. The ionophore A23187 decreases the high energy phosphate esters when the extracellular free Ca concentration is greater than 10(-7) M, suggesting that ATP is consumed in pumping Ca ions out of the rods, or into the disks contained in the rods, or both.", "contents": "On the metabolism of the rod outer segments. 1. The high energy phosphate esters available for the luminescent reaction of the firefly lantern extract correspond, in the dark adapted rods of the frog, to 7 X 10(-16) mole of ATP per rod, corresponding to ca. 1-4 mM. 2. Rods isolated from light adapted eyes contain a smaller amount. 3. The high energy phosphate esters are reduced spontaneously at a rate of 50% in 24 min, in the isolated rods in darkness. 4. Bleaching a few per cent of the rhodopsin molecules of a rod suspension induces a 60% decrease achieved in less than 12 sec. 5. The ionophore A23187 decreases the high energy phosphate esters when the extracellular free Ca concentration is greater than 10(-7) M, suggesting that ATP is consumed in pumping Ca ions out of the rods, or into the disks contained in the rods, or both.", "PMID": 781215} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5774", "title": "A comparison of the pepsin stimulating effects of secretin preparations.", "content": "1. The peptic responses to Boots, GIH and synthetic secretins have been compared in fasting anaesthetized cats in which the pylorus and bile duct were occluded to prevent the release of duodenal hormones by acid and bile salts. A quantity of dilute acid introduced into the stomach at regular intervals ensured the total recovery of viscid secretions and preserved peptic activity. 2. The mean peak outputs of pepsin obtained in response to Boots secretin were significantly greater than the mean peak outputs of pepsin stimulated by equipotent doses of GIH secretin (4 Crick-Harper-Raper units of Boots secretin have been shown to stimulate a flow of juice and bicarbonate from the pancreas equal to that produced by 1 clinical unit of GIH secretin). The maximum output of pepsin stimulated by Boots secretin, 16 C.H.R. u./kg hr was 3 times the observed maximum output in response to the 4 times more potent dose of GIH secretin, 16 c.u./kg hr. The slopes of the log dose-response lines were significantly different for these two products indicating that their modes of action in stimulating pepsin may not be identical. 3. The outputs of pepsin following GIH and synthetic secretin were similar. Both these secretins stimulated the secretion of pepsin when infused in doses which stimulated the pancreas supramaximally. The less pure product Boots secretin evoked significantly higher peptic responses at doses submaximal for pancreatic stimulation, suggesting that a substance other than secretin exists in Boots preparations which contributes significantly to the overall output of pepsin in response to this product. The peptic response which was accompanied by a slight increase in acid output, but without any increase in pancreatic lipolytic activity, was not inhibited by atropine. This substance which is not present in highly purified GIH secretin does not appear to be cholic acid, gastrin, pancreozymin, glucagon or insulin. 4. The possibility that a vasodilator substance is present in Boots secretin which by expanding the splanchnic bed increases the concentration of secretin at target sites in the stomach and pancreas seems unlikely, as the flow of pancreatic juice does not increase proportionately with the vast increase in pepsin. A vasodilator substance which specifically affects the gastric vasculature remains a theoretical but unlikely explanation for our observation.", "contents": "A comparison of the pepsin stimulating effects of secretin preparations. 1. The peptic responses to Boots, GIH and synthetic secretins have been compared in fasting anaesthetized cats in which the pylorus and bile duct were occluded to prevent the release of duodenal hormones by acid and bile salts. A quantity of dilute acid introduced into the stomach at regular intervals ensured the total recovery of viscid secretions and preserved peptic activity. 2. The mean peak outputs of pepsin obtained in response to Boots secretin were significantly greater than the mean peak outputs of pepsin stimulated by equipotent doses of GIH secretin (4 Crick-Harper-Raper units of Boots secretin have been shown to stimulate a flow of juice and bicarbonate from the pancreas equal to that produced by 1 clinical unit of GIH secretin). The maximum output of pepsin stimulated by Boots secretin, 16 C.H.R. u./kg hr was 3 times the observed maximum output in response to the 4 times more potent dose of GIH secretin, 16 c.u./kg hr. The slopes of the log dose-response lines were significantly different for these two products indicating that their modes of action in stimulating pepsin may not be identical. 3. The outputs of pepsin following GIH and synthetic secretin were similar. Both these secretins stimulated the secretion of pepsin when infused in doses which stimulated the pancreas supramaximally. The less pure product Boots secretin evoked significantly higher peptic responses at doses submaximal for pancreatic stimulation, suggesting that a substance other than secretin exists in Boots preparations which contributes significantly to the overall output of pepsin in response to this product. The peptic response which was accompanied by a slight increase in acid output, but without any increase in pancreatic lipolytic activity, was not inhibited by atropine. This substance which is not present in highly purified GIH secretin does not appear to be cholic acid, gastrin, pancreozymin, glucagon or insulin. 4. The possibility that a vasodilator substance is present in Boots secretin which by expanding the splanchnic bed increases the concentration of secretin at target sites in the stomach and pancreas seems unlikely, as the flow of pancreatic juice does not increase proportionately with the vast increase in pepsin. A vasodilator substance which specifically affects the gastric vasculature remains a theoretical but unlikely explanation for our observation.", "PMID": 781217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5775", "title": "The interaction of secretin and stimulants of gastric acid secretion in anaesthetized cats.", "content": "1. In fasting anaesthetized cats in which the pylorus and common bile duct were occluded, acid secretion in response to caerulein, desulphated caerulein, histamine and N methyl histamine given singly and combined with Boots secretin 4 C.H.R. u./kg hr has been studied. 2. Eight separate estimates of the calculated maximal response of acid (four acid stimulants given with and without secretin) did not differ significantly from one another. In the presence of secretin the E.D.50 of each acid stimulant was lowered. 3. Outputs of acid in response to the smallest doses of desulphated caerulein, histamine and N methyl histamine increased significantly when secretin was infused (P less than 0-05). 4. On a weight basis caerulein was 23, 474 and 95 times more potent than desulphated caerulein, histamine and N methyl histamine respectively. 5. When secretin was infused simultaneously caerulein was 8, 171 and 165 times more potent than desulphated caerulein, histamine and N methyl histamine respectively. 6. N methyl histamine was 5-6 times more potent than histamine on a weight basis when infused on its own; and 1-16 times more potent than histamine when given in the presence of secretin.", "contents": "The interaction of secretin and stimulants of gastric acid secretion in anaesthetized cats. 1. In fasting anaesthetized cats in which the pylorus and common bile duct were occluded, acid secretion in response to caerulein, desulphated caerulein, histamine and N methyl histamine given singly and combined with Boots secretin 4 C.H.R. u./kg hr has been studied. 2. Eight separate estimates of the calculated maximal response of acid (four acid stimulants given with and without secretin) did not differ significantly from one another. In the presence of secretin the E.D.50 of each acid stimulant was lowered. 3. Outputs of acid in response to the smallest doses of desulphated caerulein, histamine and N methyl histamine increased significantly when secretin was infused (P less than 0-05). 4. On a weight basis caerulein was 23, 474 and 95 times more potent than desulphated caerulein, histamine and N methyl histamine respectively. 5. When secretin was infused simultaneously caerulein was 8, 171 and 165 times more potent than desulphated caerulein, histamine and N methyl histamine respectively. 6. N methyl histamine was 5-6 times more potent than histamine on a weight basis when infused on its own; and 1-16 times more potent than histamine when given in the presence of secretin.", "PMID": 781218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5776", "title": "Fenoprofen calcium therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Fenoprofen calcium (FC) was compared to aspirin (ASA) in 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a double-blind parallel study. The average daily dose was 2.0 gm of FC, or 3.6 gm of ASA. Most patients on FC therapy responded similarly to those receiving ASA, but FC was slightly better in reducing morning stiffness, walking time, fatigue severity, and activity index. More FC treated than ASA treated patients became worse when placebo was substituted after one year of therapy, with a greater increase in the number and severity of painful and swollen joints, in addition to the above mentioned parameters. This suggests a greater suppression of the inflammatory process during FC therapy. FC was well tolerated and had a greater antirheumatic effect than aspirin. Both drugs were superior to placebo.", "contents": "Fenoprofen calcium therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Fenoprofen calcium (FC) was compared to aspirin (ASA) in 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a double-blind parallel study. The average daily dose was 2.0 gm of FC, or 3.6 gm of ASA. Most patients on FC therapy responded similarly to those receiving ASA, but FC was slightly better in reducing morning stiffness, walking time, fatigue severity, and activity index. More FC treated than ASA treated patients became worse when placebo was substituted after one year of therapy, with a greater increase in the number and severity of painful and swollen joints, in addition to the above mentioned parameters. This suggests a greater suppression of the inflammatory process during FC therapy. FC was well tolerated and had a greater antirheumatic effect than aspirin. Both drugs were superior to placebo.", "PMID": 781226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5777", "title": "Fenoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled crossover multi-centre study.", "content": "The pooled data of a multi-clinic, double-blind, crossover study (16 weeks' duration), comparing fenoprofen and aspirin in 116 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis are reported. Each patient received fenoprofen (400 mg Q6H) and aspirin (1,000 mg Q6H) for six-week periods, in random fashion. Usual objective and subjective parameters were used to evaluate rheumatic activity. Side effects were obtained by daily telephone interviews, and appropriate laboratory tests were performed during weekly out-patient evaluations. Both fenoprofen and aspirin were significantly more effective than placebo in controlling rheumatoid activity. At the dosage level employed, no significant differences were noted between the two anti-inflammatory agents in regard to efficacy. However, fewer side effects were observed with fenoprofen than with aspirin. The data indicate that fenoprofen is an additional valuable agent for rheumatoid arthritis.", "contents": "Fenoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled crossover multi-centre study. The pooled data of a multi-clinic, double-blind, crossover study (16 weeks' duration), comparing fenoprofen and aspirin in 116 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis are reported. Each patient received fenoprofen (400 mg Q6H) and aspirin (1,000 mg Q6H) for six-week periods, in random fashion. Usual objective and subjective parameters were used to evaluate rheumatic activity. Side effects were obtained by daily telephone interviews, and appropriate laboratory tests were performed during weekly out-patient evaluations. Both fenoprofen and aspirin were significantly more effective than placebo in controlling rheumatoid activity. At the dosage level employed, no significant differences were noted between the two anti-inflammatory agents in regard to efficacy. However, fewer side effects were observed with fenoprofen than with aspirin. The data indicate that fenoprofen is an additional valuable agent for rheumatoid arthritis.", "PMID": 781227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5778", "title": "Fenoprofen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving maintenance gold therapy.", "content": "Thirty patients with active definite or classic rheumatoid arthritis (RA), participated in a double-blind crossover study comparing fenoprofen calcium with placebo. All patients were receiving maintenance gold therapy. Fenoprofen was administered in doses ranging from 200 to 800 mg every six hours. The median daily dose was 1.8 gm. During this 16-week trial, most parameters of efficacy showed fenoprofen to be significantly more effective than placebo. Adverse reactions, which were minimal, suggest that fenoprofen will be useful in the management of patients with RA, particularly in those with gastrointestinal intolerance to the usually employed drugs. The longterm effectiveness in RA, and the side effects associated with chronic administration remain to be assessed.", "contents": "Fenoprofen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving maintenance gold therapy. Thirty patients with active definite or classic rheumatoid arthritis (RA), participated in a double-blind crossover study comparing fenoprofen calcium with placebo. All patients were receiving maintenance gold therapy. Fenoprofen was administered in doses ranging from 200 to 800 mg every six hours. The median daily dose was 1.8 gm. During this 16-week trial, most parameters of efficacy showed fenoprofen to be significantly more effective than placebo. Adverse reactions, which were minimal, suggest that fenoprofen will be useful in the management of patients with RA, particularly in those with gastrointestinal intolerance to the usually employed drugs. The longterm effectiveness in RA, and the side effects associated with chronic administration remain to be assessed.", "PMID": 781228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5779", "title": "Fenoprofen calcium in steroid treated rheumatoid arthritis: efficacy, safety, and steroid-sparing effect.", "content": "Twenty-one patients with active rheumatoid arthritis on maintenance corticosteroids were studied during a double-blind, crossover trial with fenoprofen. Fenoprofen showed significantly greater effect than did placebo on several subjective and objective measurements. In addition, patients were able to reduce their dose of corticosteroid to a level significantly lower than that during placebo periods. Though three patients dropped out of the study with gastrointestinal complaints while on fenoprofen, only one of these was believed to be drug-related. No serious adverse effects were encountered.", "contents": "Fenoprofen calcium in steroid treated rheumatoid arthritis: efficacy, safety, and steroid-sparing effect. Twenty-one patients with active rheumatoid arthritis on maintenance corticosteroids were studied during a double-blind, crossover trial with fenoprofen. Fenoprofen showed significantly greater effect than did placebo on several subjective and objective measurements. In addition, patients were able to reduce their dose of corticosteroid to a level significantly lower than that during placebo periods. Though three patients dropped out of the study with gastrointestinal complaints while on fenoprofen, only one of these was believed to be drug-related. No serious adverse effects were encountered.", "PMID": 781229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5780", "title": "Longterm fenoprofen therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Fenoprofen, a new antirheumatic agent, was evaluated in 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in an open study design to simulate the conditions under which the drug will be used. No control agents were used. The effectiveness of fenoprofen was demonstrated by the per cent of patients who improved during fenoprofen therapy. Duration of therapy varied from one to 629 days. Pain was the first parameter to respond, followed by an anti-inflammatory effect, which was observed after four to six weeks of therapy. Side effects consisted mainly of minor gastro-intestinal symptoms.", "contents": "Longterm fenoprofen therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Fenoprofen, a new antirheumatic agent, was evaluated in 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in an open study design to simulate the conditions under which the drug will be used. No control agents were used. The effectiveness of fenoprofen was demonstrated by the per cent of patients who improved during fenoprofen therapy. Duration of therapy varied from one to 629 days. Pain was the first parameter to respond, followed by an anti-inflammatory effect, which was observed after four to six weeks of therapy. Side effects consisted mainly of minor gastro-intestinal symptoms.", "PMID": 781230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5781", "title": "Comparison of benefit-to-risk ratios of aspirin and fenoprofen: controlled multicentre study in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "The benefit-to-risk ratios of fenoprofen (2.4 gm/day) and aspirin (3.9 gm/day) were compared in a randomized, double-blind, 26-week parallel study involving 216 patients. Criteria for inclusion, exclusion, subjective, and objective evaluations were based on the PMA-FDA Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Clinical Testing Guidelines. Thirty-four of 109 aspirin-treated patients and 23 of 107 patients on fenoprofen dropped out of the study. Both fenoprofen and aspirin brought about improvement in most efficacy parameters measured, but fenoprofen was superior to aspirin (p less than 0.05) in reduction of swollen joints, grip strength, activity index, and patients' preference of medication. The number and frequency of complaints and the incidence of abnormal SGOT levels, were greater with aspirin than with fenoprofen. The study suggests that fenoprofen has a better benefit-to-risk ratio than aspirin, when given in equally effective doses.", "contents": "Comparison of benefit-to-risk ratios of aspirin and fenoprofen: controlled multicentre study in rheumatoid arthritis. The benefit-to-risk ratios of fenoprofen (2.4 gm/day) and aspirin (3.9 gm/day) were compared in a randomized, double-blind, 26-week parallel study involving 216 patients. Criteria for inclusion, exclusion, subjective, and objective evaluations were based on the PMA-FDA Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Clinical Testing Guidelines. Thirty-four of 109 aspirin-treated patients and 23 of 107 patients on fenoprofen dropped out of the study. Both fenoprofen and aspirin brought about improvement in most efficacy parameters measured, but fenoprofen was superior to aspirin (p less than 0.05) in reduction of swollen joints, grip strength, activity index, and patients' preference of medication. The number and frequency of complaints and the incidence of abnormal SGOT levels, were greater with aspirin than with fenoprofen. The study suggests that fenoprofen has a better benefit-to-risk ratio than aspirin, when given in equally effective doses.", "PMID": 781231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5782", "title": "Some problems in the interpretation of clinical trials: longterm parallel study of fenoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Fenoprofen calcium was compared with acetylsalicylic acid in the treatment of 27 patients with definite or classic rheumatoid arthritis, over a period of one year. Both drugs appeared efficacious, with a slight edge to fenoprofen in the doses employed. Fewer side effects were noted with fenoprofen. Effectiveness continued undiminished throughout the year, and mean values of most parameters continued to improve in both groups over the entire period. Three problems which influence extrapolation of results from this and similar studies to the general setting are discussed. (1) Individual patients show great variation from the mean and from one observation point to another. Thus, expectations developed from mean values will seldom be accurate in a particular patient. (2) The relative doses chosen for two drugs in the clinical trial can profoundly influence both efficacy and toxicity. The qualification \"at the doses employed\" is seldom emphasized in clinical reports. (3) Patient compliance in the general clinical setting is importantly different from that in a clinical trial, and this potential problem must be assessed by the physician choosing an appropriate medication for a particular patient.", "contents": "Some problems in the interpretation of clinical trials: longterm parallel study of fenoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis. Fenoprofen calcium was compared with acetylsalicylic acid in the treatment of 27 patients with definite or classic rheumatoid arthritis, over a period of one year. Both drugs appeared efficacious, with a slight edge to fenoprofen in the doses employed. Fewer side effects were noted with fenoprofen. Effectiveness continued undiminished throughout the year, and mean values of most parameters continued to improve in both groups over the entire period. Three problems which influence extrapolation of results from this and similar studies to the general setting are discussed. (1) Individual patients show great variation from the mean and from one observation point to another. Thus, expectations developed from mean values will seldom be accurate in a particular patient. (2) The relative doses chosen for two drugs in the clinical trial can profoundly influence both efficacy and toxicity. The qualification \"at the doses employed\" is seldom emphasized in clinical reports. (3) Patient compliance in the general clinical setting is importantly different from that in a clinical trial, and this potential problem must be assessed by the physician choosing an appropriate medication for a particular patient.", "PMID": 781232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5783", "title": "Double-blind crossover study of fenoprofen and aspirin in osteoarthritis.", "content": "In a randomized, double-blind, six-week, crossover comparison, fenoprofen (200 mg to 600 mg every six hours) had similar efficacy to aspirin (325 mg to 975 mg every six hours) in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis affecting the spine, hip, knee, or shoulder. Both fenoprofen and aspirin had greater efficacy than placebo. The overall incidence of side effects was similar during aspirin and fenoprofen therapy.", "contents": "Double-blind crossover study of fenoprofen and aspirin in osteoarthritis. In a randomized, double-blind, six-week, crossover comparison, fenoprofen (200 mg to 600 mg every six hours) had similar efficacy to aspirin (325 mg to 975 mg every six hours) in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis affecting the spine, hip, knee, or shoulder. Both fenoprofen and aspirin had greater efficacy than placebo. The overall incidence of side effects was similar during aspirin and fenoprofen therapy.", "PMID": 781233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5784", "title": "Fenoprofen therapy in large-joint osteoarthritis: double-blind comparison with aspirin and longterm experience.", "content": "This study, designed to evaluate fenoprofen in patients with osteoarthritis, consisted of two phases: I. A double-blind crossover comparison of fenoprofen, 200 to 600 mg every six hours, to aspirin, 325 to 975 mg every six hours; II. Longterm use of fenoprofen in an open study design. During the first part of the study, both fenoprofen and aspirin were significantly better than placebo in relieving the severity and duration of pain, and in reducing stiffness. In most of the variables fenoprofen was also slightly better than aspirin. The most frequently observed side effects were abdominal discomfort, headache, pruritus, nervousness, and tinnitus. Longterm administration demonstrated the safety of fenoprofen or periods exceeding two years. Fenoprofen did not precipitate or aggravate chronic disorders, nor did it mask the symptoms of any developing disease. No interaction with concomitant drug therapy was observed.", "contents": "Fenoprofen therapy in large-joint osteoarthritis: double-blind comparison with aspirin and longterm experience. This study, designed to evaluate fenoprofen in patients with osteoarthritis, consisted of two phases: I. A double-blind crossover comparison of fenoprofen, 200 to 600 mg every six hours, to aspirin, 325 to 975 mg every six hours; II. Longterm use of fenoprofen in an open study design. During the first part of the study, both fenoprofen and aspirin were significantly better than placebo in relieving the severity and duration of pain, and in reducing stiffness. In most of the variables fenoprofen was also slightly better than aspirin. The most frequently observed side effects were abdominal discomfort, headache, pruritus, nervousness, and tinnitus. Longterm administration demonstrated the safety of fenoprofen or periods exceeding two years. Fenoprofen did not precipitate or aggravate chronic disorders, nor did it mask the symptoms of any developing disease. No interaction with concomitant drug therapy was observed.", "PMID": 781234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5785", "title": "Controlled evaluation of fenoprofen in geriatric patients with osteoarthritis.", "content": "A double-blind, crossover study compared the use of fenoprofen to aspirin in patients with osteoarthritis of large joints, most of them with knee involvement. A total of 24 patients participated in the study. Their ages ranged from 48 to 75 years, with an average age of 63 years. The mean daily dose was 1.8 gm of fenoprofen and 3.1 gm of aspirin in divided doses. Efficacy parameters showed that fenoprofen and aspirin provided significantly greater relief of osteoarthritis symptoms than placebo, and that the two active drugs were essentially equal in effectiveness. Fenoprofen was well tolerated in this group of patients. Only one patient discontinued the study during fenoprofen therapy because of side effects. The overall incidence of adverse reactions with fenoprofen compared favorably to that with placebo; the highest incidence was associated with aspirin therapy.", "contents": "Controlled evaluation of fenoprofen in geriatric patients with osteoarthritis. A double-blind, crossover study compared the use of fenoprofen to aspirin in patients with osteoarthritis of large joints, most of them with knee involvement. A total of 24 patients participated in the study. Their ages ranged from 48 to 75 years, with an average age of 63 years. The mean daily dose was 1.8 gm of fenoprofen and 3.1 gm of aspirin in divided doses. Efficacy parameters showed that fenoprofen and aspirin provided significantly greater relief of osteoarthritis symptoms than placebo, and that the two active drugs were essentially equal in effectiveness. Fenoprofen was well tolerated in this group of patients. Only one patient discontinued the study during fenoprofen therapy because of side effects. The overall incidence of adverse reactions with fenoprofen compared favorably to that with placebo; the highest incidence was associated with aspirin therapy.", "PMID": 781235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5786", "title": "Clinical pharmacology of fenoprofen: a review.", "content": "This review summarizes available data concerning fenoprofen. The pharmacodynamics, in vivo interactions, gastrointestinal microbleeding, screening for anti-inflammatory action, and tests for antipyretic and analgesic efficacy are discussed.", "contents": "Clinical pharmacology of fenoprofen: a review. This review summarizes available data concerning fenoprofen. The pharmacodynamics, in vivo interactions, gastrointestinal microbleeding, screening for anti-inflammatory action, and tests for antipyretic and analgesic efficacy are discussed.", "PMID": 781236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5787", "title": "Veterinary public health implications of U H T processing of milk.", "content": "The introduction of U H T treatment of milk into South Africa raises problems for local public health authorities controlling milk hygiene in their respective areas because of the legislation concerning milk produced and sold for various purposes. It is essential that the raw milk supply be derived from healthy cows with healthy udders, and be produced under sanitary conditions. Uniform control standards are necessary for U.H.T. milk and other forms of milk supplying throughout the Republic. Uniformity is also desirable for efficient local authority veterinary health services. The progress of veterinary control and supervision of Johannesburg's milk supply is discussed to indicate what has been achieved. There is need for a national scheme for controlling mastitis. Tests for the purchase of milk on quality must include tests for udder health by regular electronic cell counting of raw milk sources. Appropriate mastitis control incentive or penalty schemes for milk producers should be instituted.", "contents": "Veterinary public health implications of U H T processing of milk. The introduction of U H T treatment of milk into South Africa raises problems for local public health authorities controlling milk hygiene in their respective areas because of the legislation concerning milk produced and sold for various purposes. It is essential that the raw milk supply be derived from healthy cows with healthy udders, and be produced under sanitary conditions. Uniform control standards are necessary for U.H.T. milk and other forms of milk supplying throughout the Republic. Uniformity is also desirable for efficient local authority veterinary health services. The progress of veterinary control and supervision of Johannesburg's milk supply is discussed to indicate what has been achieved. There is need for a national scheme for controlling mastitis. Tests for the purchase of milk on quality must include tests for udder health by regular electronic cell counting of raw milk sources. Appropriate mastitis control incentive or penalty schemes for milk producers should be instituted.", "PMID": 781237} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5788", "title": "Some diseases of domestic rabbits encountered in the western Cape.", "content": "The most common disease conditions encountered in domestic rabbits under intensive conditions in the Western Cape are discussed. Chlamydiosis is of paramount importance; it might be the limiting factor in the developing Rabbit Industry.", "contents": "Some diseases of domestic rabbits encountered in the western Cape. The most common disease conditions encountered in domestic rabbits under intensive conditions in the Western Cape are discussed. Chlamydiosis is of paramount importance; it might be the limiting factor in the developing Rabbit Industry.", "PMID": 781238} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5789", "title": "A review of mineral imbalances of grazing animals in southern Africa.", "content": "A historical review of mineral imbalances recognised in Southern Africa is given. The survey procedures which were followed are described in terms of sample sources, as well as the analytical procedures with emphasis on the problems encountered at each stage of the developments. A concise summary is given of the mineral patterns known to date according to the ten regions currently recognised where specific patterns of mineral imbalances are known to occur.", "contents": "A review of mineral imbalances of grazing animals in southern Africa. A historical review of mineral imbalances recognised in Southern Africa is given. The survey procedures which were followed are described in terms of sample sources, as well as the analytical procedures with emphasis on the problems encountered at each stage of the developments. A concise summary is given of the mineral patterns known to date according to the ten regions currently recognised where specific patterns of mineral imbalances are known to occur.", "PMID": 781239} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5790", "title": "Immunity to Salmonella infections.", "content": "The results of current investigations regarding the mechanisms of immunity to Salmonella infections and the use of vaccines are presented. Since chemical suppression of the humoral immune response in chickens does not jeopardise immunization with a live vaccine and immunized guinea-pigs exhibit distinct inhibition of macrophage migration, it is concluded that cellular immunity is a prominent factor in protection. Data is presented to show that the mice and calves can be equally well immunized with either live or inactivated S. typhimurium and S. dublin vaccines and the practical advantages of inactivated vaccines are discussed.", "contents": "Immunity to Salmonella infections. The results of current investigations regarding the mechanisms of immunity to Salmonella infections and the use of vaccines are presented. Since chemical suppression of the humoral immune response in chickens does not jeopardise immunization with a live vaccine and immunized guinea-pigs exhibit distinct inhibition of macrophage migration, it is concluded that cellular immunity is a prominent factor in protection. Data is presented to show that the mice and calves can be equally well immunized with either live or inactivated S. typhimurium and S. dublin vaccines and the practical advantages of inactivated vaccines are discussed.", "PMID": 781241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5791", "title": "Semisynthetic cephalosporins. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 7-sulfonylacetamido-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acids.", "content": "The synthesis and in vitro and in vivo activities of a series of 7-sulfonylacetamido-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acids with acetoxymethyl or heterocyclic thiomethyl substituents at the 3 position are described. Lengthening the alkyl chain attached to the sulfonyl group increased gram-positive activity but the effect on gram-negative activity was variable. Other structural changes on the 7-acyl side chain resulted in only minor changes in vitro activity. the protective effectiveness in infected mice generally paralleled the in vitro activity, except that the butylsulfonyl derivatives were less protective than predicted by in vitro activity. replacement of the 3-acetoxymethyl by a 3-heterocyclic thiomethyl group resulted in an overall improvement of activity both in vitro and in vivo.", "contents": "Semisynthetic cephalosporins. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 7-sulfonylacetamido-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acids. The synthesis and in vitro and in vivo activities of a series of 7-sulfonylacetamido-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acids with acetoxymethyl or heterocyclic thiomethyl substituents at the 3 position are described. Lengthening the alkyl chain attached to the sulfonyl group increased gram-positive activity but the effect on gram-negative activity was variable. Other structural changes on the 7-acyl side chain resulted in only minor changes in vitro activity. the protective effectiveness in infected mice generally paralleled the in vitro activity, except that the butylsulfonyl derivatives were less protective than predicted by in vitro activity. replacement of the 3-acetoxymethyl by a 3-heterocyclic thiomethyl group resulted in an overall improvement of activity both in vitro and in vivo.", "PMID": 781242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5792", "title": "Imidazo(1,2-c)pyrimidine nucleosides. Synthesis and biological evaluation of certain 1-(beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)imidazo(1,2-c)pyrimidines.", "content": "The first chemical syntheses of the arabinosylhypoxanthine and arabinosylguanine analogues of the imidazo-[1,2-c]pyrimsdine series are described. Condensation of trimethylsilyl-7-chloroimidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-one (1) with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-arabinofuranosyl chloride (2) gave 7-chloro-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-arabinofuranosyl)imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-one (3) which on catalytic dehalogenation furnished 1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-one (4). Amination of 3 gave 7-amino-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-one (5). Reductive hydrogenolysis of 4 and 5 gave 1-(betaD-arabinofuranosyl)imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-one (6), the arabinosylhypoxantine analogue, and the corresponding 7-amino isomer 7, the arabinoosylguanine analogue, respectively. The unequivocal assignment of the site of glycosylation and the anomeric configuration have been established. None of the compounds exhibited significant antiviral or antimicrobial activity in vitro.", "contents": "Imidazo(1,2-c)pyrimidine nucleosides. Synthesis and biological evaluation of certain 1-(beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)imidazo(1,2-c)pyrimidines. The first chemical syntheses of the arabinosylhypoxanthine and arabinosylguanine analogues of the imidazo-[1,2-c]pyrimsdine series are described. Condensation of trimethylsilyl-7-chloroimidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-one (1) with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-arabinofuranosyl chloride (2) gave 7-chloro-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-arabinofuranosyl)imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-one (3) which on catalytic dehalogenation furnished 1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-one (4). Amination of 3 gave 7-amino-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-one (5). Reductive hydrogenolysis of 4 and 5 gave 1-(betaD-arabinofuranosyl)imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-one (6), the arabinosylhypoxantine analogue, and the corresponding 7-amino isomer 7, the arabinoosylguanine analogue, respectively. The unequivocal assignment of the site of glycosylation and the anomeric configuration have been established. None of the compounds exhibited significant antiviral or antimicrobial activity in vitro.", "PMID": 781243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5793", "title": "Antimalarials. 3. 1,2,4-Triazines.", "content": "The syntheses of a number of substituted 1,2,4-triazines as potential antimalarials are described. The structural requirements for antimalarial activity are discussed with reference to the substituents of a phenyl group in the 6 position and amino groups at the 3 and 5 positions. Of the compounds tested, 2,5, and 7 produced cures in mice infected with plasmodium berghei. Compounds 2(3,5-diamino-6-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-1,2,4-triazine),3,5,8,12,and 37 produced cures in chicks infected with Plasmodium gallinaceum.", "contents": "Antimalarials. 3. 1,2,4-Triazines. The syntheses of a number of substituted 1,2,4-triazines as potential antimalarials are described. The structural requirements for antimalarial activity are discussed with reference to the substituents of a phenyl group in the 6 position and amino groups at the 3 and 5 positions. Of the compounds tested, 2,5, and 7 produced cures in mice infected with plasmodium berghei. Compounds 2(3,5-diamino-6-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-1,2,4-triazine),3,5,8,12,and 37 produced cures in chicks infected with Plasmodium gallinaceum.", "PMID": 781244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5794", "title": "Synthesis, antimalarial activity, and phototoxicity of some benzo(h)quinoline-4-methanols.", "content": "Nine alpha-dibutylaminomethylbenzo[h]quinoline-4-methanols were synthesized from the corresponding 1-amino-naphthalenes by the following sequence: 1-aminonaphthalene leads to 1H-benz[g]indole-2,3-dione leads to benzo[h]quinoline-4-carboxylic acid leads to acid chloride leads to bromomethyl ketone leads to epoxide leads to benzo[h]quinoline-4-methanol. Several acid chlorides substituted in the 3 position reacted incompletely with ethereal diazomethane but were efficiently converted, without isolation of the intermediates, to the bromomethyl ketones by reaction with ethoxymagnesium diethylmalonate, bromination, hydrolysis, and decarboxylation. Several compounds prepared, especially alpha-dibutylaminomethyl-2-(2',4'-dimethylphenyl)-3-methyl-6-chlorobenzo[h]quinoline-4-methanol, showed significant antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei in infected mice but were moderately phototoxic.", "contents": "Synthesis, antimalarial activity, and phototoxicity of some benzo(h)quinoline-4-methanols. Nine alpha-dibutylaminomethylbenzo[h]quinoline-4-methanols were synthesized from the corresponding 1-amino-naphthalenes by the following sequence: 1-aminonaphthalene leads to 1H-benz[g]indole-2,3-dione leads to benzo[h]quinoline-4-carboxylic acid leads to acid chloride leads to bromomethyl ketone leads to epoxide leads to benzo[h]quinoline-4-methanol. Several acid chlorides substituted in the 3 position reacted incompletely with ethereal diazomethane but were efficiently converted, without isolation of the intermediates, to the bromomethyl ketones by reaction with ethoxymagnesium diethylmalonate, bromination, hydrolysis, and decarboxylation. Several compounds prepared, especially alpha-dibutylaminomethyl-2-(2',4'-dimethylphenyl)-3-methyl-6-chlorobenzo[h]quinoline-4-methanol, showed significant antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei in infected mice but were moderately phototoxic.", "PMID": 781245} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5795", "title": "Synthetic inhibitors of Escherichia coli, calf thymus, and Ehrlich ascites tumor thymidylate synthetase.", "content": "In a study of active site binding the inhibition of thymidylate synthetase derived from Escherichia coli, calf thymus, and Ehrlich ascites tumor was examined using eight inhibitors. 5-Substituted 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate analogues used in this study are the hydroxymethyl, methoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, formyl, acetyl, allyl, and two potential active site alkylating substituents: 2,3-oxypropyl and the azidomethyl analogues. All compounds were competitive with the substrate, 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate; the most potent inhibitor was 5-formyl-dUMP (Ki = 0.1, 0.09, and 0.08 muM for the respective enzyme). The 5-hydroxymethyl, 5-benzyloxymethyl, and 5-azidomethyl derivatives of dUMP showed some differential inhibition; these compounds were two to three times more active against the ascites tumor enzyme than against the thymus enzyme.", "contents": "Synthetic inhibitors of Escherichia coli, calf thymus, and Ehrlich ascites tumor thymidylate synthetase. In a study of active site binding the inhibition of thymidylate synthetase derived from Escherichia coli, calf thymus, and Ehrlich ascites tumor was examined using eight inhibitors. 5-Substituted 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate analogues used in this study are the hydroxymethyl, methoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, formyl, acetyl, allyl, and two potential active site alkylating substituents: 2,3-oxypropyl and the azidomethyl analogues. All compounds were competitive with the substrate, 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate; the most potent inhibitor was 5-formyl-dUMP (Ki = 0.1, 0.09, and 0.08 muM for the respective enzyme). The 5-hydroxymethyl, 5-benzyloxymethyl, and 5-azidomethyl derivatives of dUMP showed some differential inhibition; these compounds were two to three times more active against the ascites tumor enzyme than against the thymus enzyme.", "PMID": 781246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5796", "title": "Analogues of luteinizing hormone releasing factor modified at positions 2, 6, and 10.", "content": "Eighteen analogues of luteinizing hormone releasing factor (LRF, pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2) were synthesized. The ten agonistic analogues were [D-Lys6], [D-Orn6], [D-Lys6,des-Gly10,Pro9-NHEt], [D-Orn6,-des-Gly10,Pro9-NHEt]-LRF plus their respective lauric acid conjugates as well as [(Nepsilon-Ac)-D-Lys6] and [(Ndelta-Ac)-D-Orn6]-LRF. The eight antagonistic analogues were [des-His2,D-Lys6], [des-His2,D-Orn6], [des-His2,D-Lys6,des-Gly10,Pro9-NHEt], [des-His2,D-Orn6,des-Gly10,Pro9-NHEt]-LRF as well as their respective lauric acid conjugates. Biological activities of these analogues were determined in vitro, using LRF as the standard for the agonists and [des-His2,D-Ala6]-LRF for the antagonists. The potency of the agonists ranged from 1 to 17 times the activity of LRF while the antagonists had between 1 and 3 times the potency of [des-His2,D-Ala6]-LRF.", "contents": "Analogues of luteinizing hormone releasing factor modified at positions 2, 6, and 10. Eighteen analogues of luteinizing hormone releasing factor (LRF, pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2) were synthesized. The ten agonistic analogues were [D-Lys6], [D-Orn6], [D-Lys6,des-Gly10,Pro9-NHEt], [D-Orn6,-des-Gly10,Pro9-NHEt]-LRF plus their respective lauric acid conjugates as well as [(Nepsilon-Ac)-D-Lys6] and [(Ndelta-Ac)-D-Orn6]-LRF. The eight antagonistic analogues were [des-His2,D-Lys6], [des-His2,D-Orn6], [des-His2,D-Lys6,des-Gly10,Pro9-NHEt], [des-His2,D-Orn6,des-Gly10,Pro9-NHEt]-LRF as well as their respective lauric acid conjugates. Biological activities of these analogues were determined in vitro, using LRF as the standard for the agonists and [des-His2,D-Ala6]-LRF for the antagonists. The potency of the agonists ranged from 1 to 17 times the activity of LRF while the antagonists had between 1 and 3 times the potency of [des-His2,D-Ala6]-LRF.", "PMID": 781247} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5797", "title": "Preliminary biological studies of certain amino acid analogues.", "content": "Among four amino acid analogues and their corresponding hydantoins prepared synthetically, two of the amino acids, 2-amino-2-methyl-5-hexenoic acid and 2-ethylphenylalanine, were found at moderately high concentrations to inhibit growth of Escherichia coli 9723 and the growth inhibition is prevented by methionine and phenylalanine, respectively. Mammalian studies showed no toxic effects in albino male mice, and the analogues were excreted unchanged primarily in the urine.", "contents": "Preliminary biological studies of certain amino acid analogues. Among four amino acid analogues and their corresponding hydantoins prepared synthetically, two of the amino acids, 2-amino-2-methyl-5-hexenoic acid and 2-ethylphenylalanine, were found at moderately high concentrations to inhibit growth of Escherichia coli 9723 and the growth inhibition is prevented by methionine and phenylalanine, respectively. Mammalian studies showed no toxic effects in albino male mice, and the analogues were excreted unchanged primarily in the urine.", "PMID": 781248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5798", "title": "Antimalarials. 9. Methylthio- and methylsulfonyl-substituted 9-phenanthrenemethanols.", "content": "Nine di- and trisubstituted 9-phenanthrenemethanols bearing methylthio and methylfulfonyl substituents in the 2 and/or 6 positions of the phenanthrene nucleus were prepared and screened for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei in mice. Six of the nine compounds were curative at or below 160 mg/kg. The most active structures contained a methylthio substituent in combination with two chlorine atoms.", "contents": "Antimalarials. 9. Methylthio- and methylsulfonyl-substituted 9-phenanthrenemethanols. Nine di- and trisubstituted 9-phenanthrenemethanols bearing methylthio and methylfulfonyl substituents in the 2 and/or 6 positions of the phenanthrene nucleus were prepared and screened for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei in mice. Six of the nine compounds were curative at or below 160 mg/kg. The most active structures contained a methylthio substituent in combination with two chlorine atoms.", "PMID": 781249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5799", "title": "The implications of medical ethics.", "content": "In this paper, Mr Thompson, one of the research fellows appointed to the Edinburgh Medical Group research project, seeks to define medical ethics in relation to traditional ethics in the philosophical sense of enquiring into right and wrong modes of thought and conduct, and to carry that study further into the field of moral decisions made by doctors and other professional people who care for the sick. Until very recently the Victorian definition of medical ethics - medical etiquette - served the doctor well but the complexity of modern medicine and the involvement of other professional workers in medical care appears to have swept away the old framework and left a vacuum. A new medical ethic must be evolved to fill that vacuum, taking account not only of technological advances but also of relationships between doctors and other professionals associated with them and of the role in caring for the sick.", "contents": "The implications of medical ethics. In this paper, Mr Thompson, one of the research fellows appointed to the Edinburgh Medical Group research project, seeks to define medical ethics in relation to traditional ethics in the philosophical sense of enquiring into right and wrong modes of thought and conduct, and to carry that study further into the field of moral decisions made by doctors and other professional people who care for the sick. Until very recently the Victorian definition of medical ethics - medical etiquette - served the doctor well but the complexity of modern medicine and the involvement of other professional workers in medical care appears to have swept away the old framework and left a vacuum. A new medical ethic must be evolved to fill that vacuum, taking account not only of technological advances but also of relationships between doctors and other professionals associated with them and of the role in caring for the sick.", "PMID": 781252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5800", "title": "A copper block method for freezing non-cryoprotected tissue to produce ice-crystal-free regions for electron microscopy. I. Evaluation using freeze-substitution.", "content": "A wide variety of plant and animal tissues were prepared for electron microscopy by freeze-substitution, after rapid freezing on a liquid nitrogen cooled copper block by the van Harreveld method. Measurements were made of ice crystal size versus depth in tissues that had not been treated with any cryoprotectants. Ice crystal size increased exponentially with depth. It was confirmed that a narrow surface band increased exponentially with depth. It was confirmed that a narrow surface band (approximately 12 mum) was frozen sufficiently rapidly to prevent the formation of electron microscopically-visible ice crystals.", "contents": "A copper block method for freezing non-cryoprotected tissue to produce ice-crystal-free regions for electron microscopy. I. Evaluation using freeze-substitution. A wide variety of plant and animal tissues were prepared for electron microscopy by freeze-substitution, after rapid freezing on a liquid nitrogen cooled copper block by the van Harreveld method. Measurements were made of ice crystal size versus depth in tissues that had not been treated with any cryoprotectants. Ice crystal size increased exponentially with depth. It was confirmed that a narrow surface band increased exponentially with depth. It was confirmed that a narrow surface band (approximately 12 mum) was frozen sufficiently rapidly to prevent the formation of electron microscopically-visible ice crystals.", "PMID": 781254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5801", "title": "A copper block method for freezing non-cryoprotected tissue to produce ice-crystal-free regions for electron microscopy. II. Evaluation using freeze fracturing with a cryo-ultramicrotome.", "content": "Two methods are described for fracturing unfixed, uncryoprotected mouse liver that had been frozen by contact with a copper block at liquid nitrogen temperature. The best method involved precise fracturing of a few microns of surface tissue with a cooled glass knife, using the Cryokit attachment of the LKB III ultramicrotome. The resulting replicas were free from electron microscopically-visible ice crystals. A noticeable feature of replicas from unfixed, uncryoprotected tissue was the extent of plastic deformation of certain cellular structures. Cytoplasmic macromolecules, and to a lesser extent intramembranous particles, often appeared to be 'stretched' to form fibrils.", "contents": "A copper block method for freezing non-cryoprotected tissue to produce ice-crystal-free regions for electron microscopy. II. Evaluation using freeze fracturing with a cryo-ultramicrotome. Two methods are described for fracturing unfixed, uncryoprotected mouse liver that had been frozen by contact with a copper block at liquid nitrogen temperature. The best method involved precise fracturing of a few microns of surface tissue with a cooled glass knife, using the Cryokit attachment of the LKB III ultramicrotome. The resulting replicas were free from electron microscopically-visible ice crystals. A noticeable feature of replicas from unfixed, uncryoprotected tissue was the extent of plastic deformation of certain cellular structures. Cytoplasmic macromolecules, and to a lesser extent intramembranous particles, often appeared to be 'stretched' to form fibrils.", "PMID": 781255} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5802", "title": "Quantifying \"pattern\": a stereological approach.", "content": "At present, a number of stereological techniques are available for the estimation of size parameters of aggregates (such as Vv, Sv, size distributions, and so forth) from data measured on plane sections. In this paper, an attempt is made to find a suitable quantification of spatial relationships which can be satisfactorily used for discrimination purposes whenever the traditional size parameters fail to do so. The proposed techniques of pattern analysis are very simple and strongly connected with the classical theory and practice of stereology; this should render them very accessible to scientists working in different fields, such as biology, geology, ecology, geography, etc.", "contents": "Quantifying \"pattern\": a stereological approach. At present, a number of stereological techniques are available for the estimation of size parameters of aggregates (such as Vv, Sv, size distributions, and so forth) from data measured on plane sections. In this paper, an attempt is made to find a suitable quantification of spatial relationships which can be satisfactorily used for discrimination purposes whenever the traditional size parameters fail to do so. The proposed techniques of pattern analysis are very simple and strongly connected with the classical theory and practice of stereology; this should render them very accessible to scientists working in different fields, such as biology, geology, ecology, geography, etc.", "PMID": 781256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5803", "title": "Cell surgery by laser micro-dissection: a preparative method.", "content": "A new UV-laser device is introduced as a micro-manipulator and micro-dissection apparatus for experimental cell research. High energy irradiation is produced by a quasi-continuous N2-laser. The laser micro-beam can be focused to a minimal diameter of 0-75 mum. The micro-laser can be used for cutting and, hence, as a micro-surgical instrument at the level of cellular organelles. Cytoplasmic actomyosin fibrils (AM fibrils) from tissue culture cells (RMCD-cells) are isolated from the surrounding ground cytoplasm. It is shown that the contractile proteins are not damaged by the laser dissection method to an extent that would prevent their normal function, e.g. contraction.", "contents": "Cell surgery by laser micro-dissection: a preparative method. A new UV-laser device is introduced as a micro-manipulator and micro-dissection apparatus for experimental cell research. High energy irradiation is produced by a quasi-continuous N2-laser. The laser micro-beam can be focused to a minimal diameter of 0-75 mum. The micro-laser can be used for cutting and, hence, as a micro-surgical instrument at the level of cellular organelles. Cytoplasmic actomyosin fibrils (AM fibrils) from tissue culture cells (RMCD-cells) are isolated from the surrounding ground cytoplasm. It is shown that the contractile proteins are not damaged by the laser dissection method to an extent that would prevent their normal function, e.g. contraction.", "PMID": 781257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5804", "title": "Penetrating trauma of the neck.", "content": "Two hundred forty-six patients admitted to the Trauma Unit of Cook County Hospital with penetrating neck wounds have been reviewed. A policy of mandatory neck exploration combined with a systematic approach to resuscitation and a diagnostic evaluation including neck and chest X-rays, endoscopy, and arteriography has been employed. The study has revealed a high incidence of negative neck explorations (63%) but minimal morbidity (less than 1%), no mortality, and a brief duration of hospitalization in the negative exploration group. Patients with positive explorations had an 8% morbidity and a 9% mortality rate. In addition, 13 of the patients with positive explorations had clinically negative wounds which might have been overlooked if selective management had been utilized in this series. We conclude that a policy of mandatory neck exploration is justified and advisable for patients sustaining penetrating neck injuries.", "contents": "Penetrating trauma of the neck. Two hundred forty-six patients admitted to the Trauma Unit of Cook County Hospital with penetrating neck wounds have been reviewed. A policy of mandatory neck exploration combined with a systematic approach to resuscitation and a diagnostic evaluation including neck and chest X-rays, endoscopy, and arteriography has been employed. The study has revealed a high incidence of negative neck explorations (63%) but minimal morbidity (less than 1%), no mortality, and a brief duration of hospitalization in the negative exploration group. Patients with positive explorations had an 8% morbidity and a 9% mortality rate. In addition, 13 of the patients with positive explorations had clinically negative wounds which might have been overlooked if selective management had been utilized in this series. We conclude that a policy of mandatory neck exploration is justified and advisable for patients sustaining penetrating neck injuries.", "PMID": 781299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5805", "title": "Genetic studies of coliphage P1. II. Relatedness to P7.", "content": "Using semiquantitative spot tests, 107 independently isolated amber mutants of P1 were shown to be rescued by a nonpermissive strain of Escherichia coli lysogenic for P7 (previously called phiamp), indicating extensive genetic relatedness between P1 and P7. The amount of rescue observed varied with mutants from different genetic linkage clusters of P1. Although these rescue tests cannot distinguish between recombination, complementation, transactivation, or combinations thereof, a major role is indicated for recombination.", "contents": "Genetic studies of coliphage P1. II. Relatedness to P7. Using semiquantitative spot tests, 107 independently isolated amber mutants of P1 were shown to be rescued by a nonpermissive strain of Escherichia coli lysogenic for P7 (previously called phiamp), indicating extensive genetic relatedness between P1 and P7. The amount of rescue observed varied with mutants from different genetic linkage clusters of P1. Although these rescue tests cannot distinguish between recombination, complementation, transactivation, or combinations thereof, a major role is indicated for recombination.", "PMID": 781305} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5806", "title": "SAMase gene of bacteriophage T3 is responsible for overcoming host restriction.", "content": "Deletion and point mutants of T3 have been isolated and used to show that the early region of T3 DNA is organized in the same way as that of T7 DNA. Homologous early RNAs and proteins of the two phages have been identified by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Both phages have five early mRNA's, numbered 0.3, 0.7, 1,1.1 and 1.3 from left to right, although no T3 protein that corresponds to the 1.1 protein of T7 has yet been identified. In general, corresponding early RNAs and proteins of the two phages migrate differently on gels, indicating that they differ in molecular weight and/or conformation. In both T7 and T3, gene 0.3 is responsible for overcoming the DNA restriction system of the host, gene 0.7 specifies a protein kinase, gene 1 specifies a phage-specific RNA polymerase, and gene 1.3 specifies a polynucleotide ligase. The 0.3 protein of T3 is responsible for the S-adenosylmethionine cleaving activity (SAMase) induced after T3 (but not T7) infection. However, cleaving of S-adenosylmethionine does not appear to be the primary mechanism by which T3 overcomes host restriction, since at least one mutant of T3 has lost the SAMase activity without losing the ability to overcome host restriction.", "contents": "SAMase gene of bacteriophage T3 is responsible for overcoming host restriction. Deletion and point mutants of T3 have been isolated and used to show that the early region of T3 DNA is organized in the same way as that of T7 DNA. Homologous early RNAs and proteins of the two phages have been identified by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Both phages have five early mRNA's, numbered 0.3, 0.7, 1,1.1 and 1.3 from left to right, although no T3 protein that corresponds to the 1.1 protein of T7 has yet been identified. In general, corresponding early RNAs and proteins of the two phages migrate differently on gels, indicating that they differ in molecular weight and/or conformation. In both T7 and T3, gene 0.3 is responsible for overcoming the DNA restriction system of the host, gene 0.7 specifies a protein kinase, gene 1 specifies a phage-specific RNA polymerase, and gene 1.3 specifies a polynucleotide ligase. The 0.3 protein of T3 is responsible for the S-adenosylmethionine cleaving activity (SAMase) induced after T3 (but not T7) infection. However, cleaving of S-adenosylmethionine does not appear to be the primary mechanism by which T3 overcomes host restriction, since at least one mutant of T3 has lost the SAMase activity without losing the ability to overcome host restriction.", "PMID": 781304} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5807", "title": "Estimating relative renal function.", "content": "Radionuclide measurements of relative renal function have been made using conventional dual-probe renography, computer assisted triple-probe renography, rectilinear kidney scanning and computer assisted gamma camera renography and kidney scanning. The relative area of each kidney from the excretory urogram also has been used to measure relative function. The best correlation between renography and kidney scanning was obtained with the gamma camera computer system. The relative function of each kidney was obtained by outlining regions of interest that corresponded closely to the renal images and subtracting the blood and tissue background activity, using a special background region. Triple-probe renography, using computer assisted blood background subtraction, provides another reliable indicator of relative function, which is considerably more accurate than conventional dual-probe renography. Relative renal function also may be determined, but with less precision, from the relative counts in a rectilinear kidney scan, from the relative scan areas and from the relative areas found on excretory urography. Both relative area methods are less reliable in the presence of outflow tract obstruction, renal tumors and renal cysts.", "contents": "Estimating relative renal function. Radionuclide measurements of relative renal function have been made using conventional dual-probe renography, computer assisted triple-probe renography, rectilinear kidney scanning and computer assisted gamma camera renography and kidney scanning. The relative area of each kidney from the excretory urogram also has been used to measure relative function. The best correlation between renography and kidney scanning was obtained with the gamma camera computer system. The relative function of each kidney was obtained by outlining regions of interest that corresponded closely to the renal images and subtracting the blood and tissue background activity, using a special background region. Triple-probe renography, using computer assisted blood background subtraction, provides another reliable indicator of relative function, which is considerably more accurate than conventional dual-probe renography. Relative renal function also may be determined, but with less precision, from the relative counts in a rectilinear kidney scan, from the relative scan areas and from the relative areas found on excretory urography. Both relative area methods are less reliable in the presence of outflow tract obstruction, renal tumors and renal cysts.", "PMID": 781306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5808", "title": "Outlet obstruction in the transplant patient.", "content": "Transplantation is now an acceptable mode of therapy for end stage renal disease. Increased survival rates and acceptance of older recipients have resulted in an increased frequency of outlet obstruction in the male recipient. Reviews of urological complications in renal allotraansplantation have failed to emphasize this clinical entity. We present 3 patients, each emphasizing a different facet in the natural history of outlet obstruction in the male recipient of a renal allotransplant. The rationale for aggressive investigation of outlet obstruction is emphasized.", "contents": "Outlet obstruction in the transplant patient. Transplantation is now an acceptable mode of therapy for end stage renal disease. Increased survival rates and acceptance of older recipients have resulted in an increased frequency of outlet obstruction in the male recipient. Reviews of urological complications in renal allotraansplantation have failed to emphasize this clinical entity. We present 3 patients, each emphasizing a different facet in the natural history of outlet obstruction in the male recipient of a renal allotransplant. The rationale for aggressive investigation of outlet obstruction is emphasized.", "PMID": 781307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5809", "title": "Diagnosis and management of arterial stenosis causing hypertension after successful renal transplantation.", "content": "Renal artery stenosis causing hypertension has been noted in 11 patients after successful renal transplantations. We believe that all patients with moderate to severe post-transplant hypertension should be evaluated with angiography and selective renin determinations. However, because of definite risk to the graft we believe that operative intervention should be undertaken only if hypertension is uncontrolled or if declining renal function is present and attributable to the stenosis.", "contents": "Diagnosis and management of arterial stenosis causing hypertension after successful renal transplantation. Renal artery stenosis causing hypertension has been noted in 11 patients after successful renal transplantations. We believe that all patients with moderate to severe post-transplant hypertension should be evaluated with angiography and selective renin determinations. However, because of definite risk to the graft we believe that operative intervention should be undertaken only if hypertension is uncontrolled or if declining renal function is present and attributable to the stenosis.", "PMID": 781308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5810", "title": "Simultaneous surgical management of bilateral hypernephroma: an alternative therapy.", "content": "Herein are reported 2 cases of bilateral hypernephroma treated by simultaneous bilateral partial hephrectomy. One patient died of a myocardial infarction 3 years postoperatively and the other is well 30 months postoperatively. Bilateral partial nephrectomy is proposed as an alternative to bilateral nephrectomy and homotransplantation.", "contents": "Simultaneous surgical management of bilateral hypernephroma: an alternative therapy. Herein are reported 2 cases of bilateral hypernephroma treated by simultaneous bilateral partial hephrectomy. One patient died of a myocardial infarction 3 years postoperatively and the other is well 30 months postoperatively. Bilateral partial nephrectomy is proposed as an alternative to bilateral nephrectomy and homotransplantation.", "PMID": 781309} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5811", "title": "The pathology of urethral stricture.", "content": "In this 3-part study the distribution of the post-gonococcal stricture has been related to the disposition of mucous glands in paraurethral glands by mapping the distribution of these glands in the human male urethra. Experimental study in the rat has indicated the role of extravasation of urine in the pathogenesis of urethral stricture. Lastly, the ultrastructure of urethral stricture tissue has revealed features that suggest why some strictures are fibrous and others resilient.", "contents": "The pathology of urethral stricture. In this 3-part study the distribution of the post-gonococcal stricture has been related to the disposition of mucous glands in paraurethral glands by mapping the distribution of these glands in the human male urethra. Experimental study in the rat has indicated the role of extravasation of urine in the pathogenesis of urethral stricture. Lastly, the ultrastructure of urethral stricture tissue has revealed features that suggest why some strictures are fibrous and others resilient.", "PMID": 781310} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5812", "title": "Free full thickness skin graft urethroplasty for urethral stricture: experience with 66 patients.", "content": "The free, full thickness skin graft urethroplasty, which has been used successfully for 20 years, was first adopted for anterior urethral strictures at our hospital in 1969. Presently, 66 cases of urethral stricture have been treated, 5 of them for posterior urethral strictures. The free, full thickness tube graft technique is discussed and 3 cases are reported. Of the 66 cases 54 (84 per cent) had good results. When indicated this procedure is advocated with considerable enthusiasm.", "contents": "Free full thickness skin graft urethroplasty for urethral stricture: experience with 66 patients. The free, full thickness skin graft urethroplasty, which has been used successfully for 20 years, was first adopted for anterior urethral strictures at our hospital in 1969. Presently, 66 cases of urethral stricture have been treated, 5 of them for posterior urethral strictures. The free, full thickness tube graft technique is discussed and 3 cases are reported. Of the 66 cases 54 (84 per cent) had good results. When indicated this procedure is advocated with considerable enthusiasm.", "PMID": 781311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5813", "title": "Patch graft urethroplasty for urethral stricture disease.", "content": "The results with 34 cases of patch graft urethroplasties for urethral stricture disease were compared to the results in other series and found to be significantly worse. Various factors that might have influenced the surgical results were analyzed. Patients dilated least frequently had the best results.", "contents": "Patch graft urethroplasty for urethral stricture disease. The results with 34 cases of patch graft urethroplasties for urethral stricture disease were compared to the results in other series and found to be significantly worse. Various factors that might have influenced the surgical results were analyzed. Patients dilated least frequently had the best results.", "PMID": 781312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5814", "title": "Spontaneous renal allograft rupture without rejection: a case report.", "content": "A case of spontaneous renal allograft rupture is described. Typically, this infrequent transplant complication occurred in the early post-transplant period in an oliguric setting with progressive pain, tenderness and swelling at the transplant site associated with hypotension and a decreasing hematocrit. Prompt surgical exploration and repair of the defect in the convex border of the renal allograft controlled hemorrhage and resulted in graft survival, and a normal blood urea nitrogen and creatinine 10 months after transplantation. There have been no rejection episodes and the renal biopsy demonstrated no evidence of rejection or acute tubular necrosis. Ice preservation for 24 hours and changes secondary thereto may have made the kidney susceptible to rupture when the position of acute flexion was assumed.", "contents": "Spontaneous renal allograft rupture without rejection: a case report. A case of spontaneous renal allograft rupture is described. Typically, this infrequent transplant complication occurred in the early post-transplant period in an oliguric setting with progressive pain, tenderness and swelling at the transplant site associated with hypotension and a decreasing hematocrit. Prompt surgical exploration and repair of the defect in the convex border of the renal allograft controlled hemorrhage and resulted in graft survival, and a normal blood urea nitrogen and creatinine 10 months after transplantation. There have been no rejection episodes and the renal biopsy demonstrated no evidence of rejection or acute tubular necrosis. Ice preservation for 24 hours and changes secondary thereto may have made the kidney susceptible to rupture when the position of acute flexion was assumed.", "PMID": 781313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5815", "title": "Immunologic considerations in renovascular hypertension.", "content": "For decades certain diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, polyarteritis nodosa, scleroderma and serum sickness, have been linked with autoimmune pathogenesis. During recent years a host of additional diseases traditionally thought to have some genetic predisposition but with obscure etiology have been suspected of being autoimmune in nature. Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, myasthenia gravis and thyroiditis are diseases of widely divergent organ systems, yet may well have common pathways of pathology via immune complexing mechanisms. Herein we present evidence supporting the concept that renal artery stenosis (occurring primarily in association with the middle aortic syndrome or after renal transplantation) is of immune etiology. Although the specific antigenic agent is still to be defined there is growing acceptance of the theory that medium and large vessels are subject to autoimmune vasculitis in many aspects similar to the autoimmune affections of small vessels. Several cases are presented. Some of these suggest an immune reaction by the natural history but without evidence of immunochemical reactants in the involved vessels, presumably because active disease was arrested at the time of study. In other cases immunofluorescent preparations demonstrate reactants in the walls of the vessels to document the hypothesis more convincingly.", "contents": "Immunologic considerations in renovascular hypertension. For decades certain diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, polyarteritis nodosa, scleroderma and serum sickness, have been linked with autoimmune pathogenesis. During recent years a host of additional diseases traditionally thought to have some genetic predisposition but with obscure etiology have been suspected of being autoimmune in nature. Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, myasthenia gravis and thyroiditis are diseases of widely divergent organ systems, yet may well have common pathways of pathology via immune complexing mechanisms. Herein we present evidence supporting the concept that renal artery stenosis (occurring primarily in association with the middle aortic syndrome or after renal transplantation) is of immune etiology. Although the specific antigenic agent is still to be defined there is growing acceptance of the theory that medium and large vessels are subject to autoimmune vasculitis in many aspects similar to the autoimmune affections of small vessels. Several cases are presented. Some of these suggest an immune reaction by the natural history but without evidence of immunochemical reactants in the involved vessels, presumably because active disease was arrested at the time of study. In other cases immunofluorescent preparations demonstrate reactants in the walls of the vessels to document the hypothesis more convincingly.", "PMID": 781314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5816", "title": "Intestinal perforation due to fecal impaction after renal transplantation.", "content": "Three renal allograft recipients suffered major intestinal complications shortly after the operation. Identification of diverticular disease, adequate preoperative bowel preparation, avoidance of excessive amounts of non-absorbable antacids, early ambulation, and periodic laxatives and stool softeners can prevent these complications. Surgical management includes careful inspection for additional perforations, resection and colostomy, and continuous peritoneal lavage.", "contents": "Intestinal perforation due to fecal impaction after renal transplantation. Three renal allograft recipients suffered major intestinal complications shortly after the operation. Identification of diverticular disease, adequate preoperative bowel preparation, avoidance of excessive amounts of non-absorbable antacids, early ambulation, and periodic laxatives and stool softeners can prevent these complications. Surgical management includes careful inspection for additional perforations, resection and colostomy, and continuous peritoneal lavage.", "PMID": 781315} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5817", "title": "Bilateral traumatic renal artery thrombosis with survival after hemodialysis and renal transplantation.", "content": "A case of bilateral thrombosis of the renal arteries following blunt trauma is presented. The patient was a 12-year-old boy who was treated by chronic hemodialysis and subsequently renal transplantation. A review of the literature reveals only 8 such cases reported previously. The condition is unusual and requires early diagnosis because the success of renal vascularization is entirely dependent upon prompt timing of the operation.", "contents": "Bilateral traumatic renal artery thrombosis with survival after hemodialysis and renal transplantation. A case of bilateral thrombosis of the renal arteries following blunt trauma is presented. The patient was a 12-year-old boy who was treated by chronic hemodialysis and subsequently renal transplantation. A review of the literature reveals only 8 such cases reported previously. The condition is unusual and requires early diagnosis because the success of renal vascularization is entirely dependent upon prompt timing of the operation.", "PMID": 781316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5818", "title": "Spontaneous rupture of the renal pelvis: complication of renal homotransplantation.", "content": "The first reported case of rupture of the renal pelvis associated with transplantation is presented. The obstruction was in the ureteral tunnel of the hypertrophic bladder. The cause of the weakness in the pelvic wall could not be determined. Differential diagnosis was acute rejection and lymphocele. Excretory urography was diagnostic. Treatment included revision of the ureteroneocystostomy with repair of the defect and internal stenting. Postoperative morbidity was minimal and satisfactory graft function was maintained.", "contents": "Spontaneous rupture of the renal pelvis: complication of renal homotransplantation. The first reported case of rupture of the renal pelvis associated with transplantation is presented. The obstruction was in the ureteral tunnel of the hypertrophic bladder. The cause of the weakness in the pelvic wall could not be determined. Differential diagnosis was acute rejection and lymphocele. Excretory urography was diagnostic. Treatment included revision of the ureteroneocystostomy with repair of the defect and internal stenting. Postoperative morbidity was minimal and satisfactory graft function was maintained.", "PMID": 781317} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5819", "title": "Bone marrow transplantation from donors with aplastic anemia. A report from the ACS/NIH bone marrow transplant registry.", "content": "Bone marrow transplantation from HLA-matched allogeneic donors was used to treat two series of patients with severe aplastic anemia. No significant differences were detected in all comparisons made between the Registry series (38 patients) and the Seattle series (24 patients), and pooled data from the two series were used in the analyses. Currently, 55% of the patients who received bone marrow transplants within three months of diagnosis are alive, but only 13% of the patients who received bone marrow transplants more than nine months after diagnosis are alive. The difference between the two groups was significant (P less than .02). Patients less than 21 years of age had a significantly higher survival rate than those patients who were 21 years or older at the time of transplantation (P less than .02). Survival rates were significantly higher for patients who had received 15 or fewer pretransplant transfusions than those who received more (P less than .05).", "contents": "Bone marrow transplantation from donors with aplastic anemia. A report from the ACS/NIH bone marrow transplant registry. Bone marrow transplantation from HLA-matched allogeneic donors was used to treat two series of patients with severe aplastic anemia. No significant differences were detected in all comparisons made between the Registry series (38 patients) and the Seattle series (24 patients), and pooled data from the two series were used in the analyses. Currently, 55% of the patients who received bone marrow transplants within three months of diagnosis are alive, but only 13% of the patients who received bone marrow transplants more than nine months after diagnosis are alive. The difference between the two groups was significant (P less than .02). Patients less than 21 years of age had a significantly higher survival rate than those patients who were 21 years or older at the time of transplantation (P less than .02). Survival rates were significantly higher for patients who had received 15 or fewer pretransplant transfusions than those who received more (P less than .05).", "PMID": 781333} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5820", "title": "Liver transplantation of Budd-Chiari syndrome.", "content": "Orthotopic liver transplantation was accomplished in a 22-year-old woman dying of the Budd-Chiari syndrome. She is well and has normal liver function 16 months postoperatively. In view of the good early result, it will be appropriate to consider liver replacement for this disease in further well-selected cases.", "contents": "Liver transplantation of Budd-Chiari syndrome. Orthotopic liver transplantation was accomplished in a 22-year-old woman dying of the Budd-Chiari syndrome. She is well and has normal liver function 16 months postoperatively. In view of the good early result, it will be appropriate to consider liver replacement for this disease in further well-selected cases.", "PMID": 781334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5821", "title": "A family outbreak of serious streptococcal infection.", "content": "A localized outbreak of scarlet fever was caused by an M-nontypable T-1 (NT/1) group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus. The result was a fatal outcome in a 5-year-old child and a near fatality in his 10-year-old sibling. The outbreak was confined to family units that had members with whom the children were close playmates. Extensive epidemiologic studies in neighborhood schools and local hospital emergency rooms did not demonstrate a disemination of the causative serotype in the community.", "contents": "A family outbreak of serious streptococcal infection. A localized outbreak of scarlet fever was caused by an M-nontypable T-1 (NT/1) group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus. The result was a fatal outcome in a 5-year-old child and a near fatality in his 10-year-old sibling. The outbreak was confined to family units that had members with whom the children were close playmates. Extensive epidemiologic studies in neighborhood schools and local hospital emergency rooms did not demonstrate a disemination of the causative serotype in the community.", "PMID": 781335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5822", "title": "Antidiarrheal agents in the treatment of acute diarrhea in children.", "content": "To evaluate the efficacy of antidiarrheal agents in the treatment of diarrheal illnesses, a study was conducted with children in Guatemala who had an acute diarrheal illness. Eighty patients, aged 3 to 11 years, were hospitalized and treated for two days with one of five agents: kaolin-pectin suspension concentrate (Kao-Con), kaolin suspension, pectin suspension, diphenoxylate-atropine liquid (Lomotil), or placebo. Although the patients receiving kaolin-pectin produced stools that tended to be more formed than those of the placebo-treated group patients, the study did not demonstrate any effect by any of the agents tested in influencing the frequency of bowel movement, the water content of the stools, or the weight of stools. Kaolin-pectin suspension and diphenoxylate-atropine liquid do not appear to be useful in the relief of acute nonspecific diarrhea in children.", "contents": "Antidiarrheal agents in the treatment of acute diarrhea in children. To evaluate the efficacy of antidiarrheal agents in the treatment of diarrheal illnesses, a study was conducted with children in Guatemala who had an acute diarrheal illness. Eighty patients, aged 3 to 11 years, were hospitalized and treated for two days with one of five agents: kaolin-pectin suspension concentrate (Kao-Con), kaolin suspension, pectin suspension, diphenoxylate-atropine liquid (Lomotil), or placebo. Although the patients receiving kaolin-pectin produced stools that tended to be more formed than those of the placebo-treated group patients, the study did not demonstrate any effect by any of the agents tested in influencing the frequency of bowel movement, the water content of the stools, or the weight of stools. Kaolin-pectin suspension and diphenoxylate-atropine liquid do not appear to be useful in the relief of acute nonspecific diarrhea in children.", "PMID": 781336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5823", "title": "Computerized tomography and benign intracranial hypertension.", "content": "Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is a recognized syndrome of unknown origin that conventionally has been diagnosed by excluding an underlying space-occupying lesion using invasive contrast procedures. Computerized tomography (CT) scanning of the head is a safe, accurate method of defining intracranial structures that were previously only discernible by invasive studies. Seven patients with headaches, papilledema, normal mental status, normal brain scan, and normal electroencephalogram had normal CT scans of the head. Patients suspected of BIH can be spared invasive contrast procedures if the CT scan of the head is normal.", "contents": "Computerized tomography and benign intracranial hypertension. Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is a recognized syndrome of unknown origin that conventionally has been diagnosed by excluding an underlying space-occupying lesion using invasive contrast procedures. Computerized tomography (CT) scanning of the head is a safe, accurate method of defining intracranial structures that were previously only discernible by invasive studies. Seven patients with headaches, papilledema, normal mental status, normal brain scan, and normal electroencephalogram had normal CT scans of the head. Patients suspected of BIH can be spared invasive contrast procedures if the CT scan of the head is normal.", "PMID": 781338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5824", "title": "Strain differences in the immunogenicity of aggregated human IgG and the adjuvant action of lipopolysaccharide on the low-responder strain of mice.", "content": "Strain differences in the antibody response to human IgG (HGG) were observed when aggregated HGG was injected intravenously. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administered subsequently markedly enhanced the antibody response to HGG in low responder C57BL/6 mice as compared with that in high responder DDD, C3H/He or (C57BL/6 X DDD)F1 mice. Aggregate-free preparation of HGG at a dose of 0.5 mg induced immunological tolerance in all strains of mice tested. LPS injected subsequently converted tolerogenic, aggregate-free HGG into immunogen in DDD mice but not in C57BL/6 mice. To determine the correlation between adjuvanticity and mitogenicity of LPS, spleen cells from normal mice were cultured in the presence of LPS and 3H-thymidine uptake was measured. Spleen cells of DDD mice incorporated three times as much 3H-thymidine as those of C57BL/6 mice. There seems no strong correlation between both activities of LPS. The data obtained are discussed in terms of strain differences in the macrophage function for processing the antigen.", "contents": "Strain differences in the immunogenicity of aggregated human IgG and the adjuvant action of lipopolysaccharide on the low-responder strain of mice. Strain differences in the antibody response to human IgG (HGG) were observed when aggregated HGG was injected intravenously. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administered subsequently markedly enhanced the antibody response to HGG in low responder C57BL/6 mice as compared with that in high responder DDD, C3H/He or (C57BL/6 X DDD)F1 mice. Aggregate-free preparation of HGG at a dose of 0.5 mg induced immunological tolerance in all strains of mice tested. LPS injected subsequently converted tolerogenic, aggregate-free HGG into immunogen in DDD mice but not in C57BL/6 mice. To determine the correlation between adjuvanticity and mitogenicity of LPS, spleen cells from normal mice were cultured in the presence of LPS and 3H-thymidine uptake was measured. Spleen cells of DDD mice incorporated three times as much 3H-thymidine as those of C57BL/6 mice. There seems no strong correlation between both activities of LPS. The data obtained are discussed in terms of strain differences in the macrophage function for processing the antigen.", "PMID": 781351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5825", "title": "Studies of connections between locus coeruleus and cerebral cortex.", "content": "Small tracking electrodes were inserted into the cat locus coeruleus (LC), and the effects of LC stimulation were determined on the transcallosal potential (TCP) evoked in cerebral cortex on the same side. LC stimulation at 8 volts inhibited TCP amplitude an average of 11%. Rostral LC placements appeared most effective. LC stimulation, without drugs, did not affect the peak latency of the TCP. dl-Propranolol and FLA-63 blocked LC inhibition of the TCP and also increased TCP amplitude per se. Propranolol first increased the latency of the TCP during LC stimulation, then decreased decreased it, while also prolonging the latency of the TCP per se. Phenoxybenzamine increased rather than blocked the LC inhibitory effect and also increased TCP amplitude. dl-Erythro-DOPS slightly increased the LC inhibitory effect, and substantially increased TCP amplitude. dl-Threo-DOPS produced somnolence in unanesthetized animals, led to increased norepinephrine levels in cortex and brain stem, and caused cortical potentials to fluctuate widely. A midbrain lesion of the dorsal ascending NE bundle blocked the LC inhibitory effect. LC stimulation alone, or in combination with evoked cortical stimulation, did not affect the interstimulus electrocorticogram or the heart rate. In the transcallosal system of the cortical regions studied, the LC appears to play mainly an inhibitory role.", "contents": "Studies of connections between locus coeruleus and cerebral cortex. Small tracking electrodes were inserted into the cat locus coeruleus (LC), and the effects of LC stimulation were determined on the transcallosal potential (TCP) evoked in cerebral cortex on the same side. LC stimulation at 8 volts inhibited TCP amplitude an average of 11%. Rostral LC placements appeared most effective. LC stimulation, without drugs, did not affect the peak latency of the TCP. dl-Propranolol and FLA-63 blocked LC inhibition of the TCP and also increased TCP amplitude per se. Propranolol first increased the latency of the TCP during LC stimulation, then decreased decreased it, while also prolonging the latency of the TCP per se. Phenoxybenzamine increased rather than blocked the LC inhibitory effect and also increased TCP amplitude. dl-Erythro-DOPS slightly increased the LC inhibitory effect, and substantially increased TCP amplitude. dl-Threo-DOPS produced somnolence in unanesthetized animals, led to increased norepinephrine levels in cortex and brain stem, and caused cortical potentials to fluctuate widely. A midbrain lesion of the dorsal ascending NE bundle blocked the LC inhibitory effect. LC stimulation alone, or in combination with evoked cortical stimulation, did not affect the interstimulus electrocorticogram or the heart rate. In the transcallosal system of the cortical regions studied, the LC appears to play mainly an inhibitory role.", "PMID": 781365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5826", "title": "[Change in secretion of somatotropic hormone and insulin in myocardial infarct].", "content": "Twenty patients with myocardial infarction and 10 normal individuals were subjected to a carbohydrates tolerance test, and their secretion of insulin and somatotrophic hormone in response to intravenous injections of glucose was studied. The blood serum concentration of insulin and of somatotrophic hormone was determined by way of radio-immuno-assay, while the blood sugar concentration -- by the orthotoluidine technique. It is established that myocardial infarction, like other stress states, is accompanied by disorders in the function of the hypophysis and the adrenal glands, which, in turn, is accompanied by disorders in the secretion of insulin and of somatotrophic hormone.", "contents": "[Change in secretion of somatotropic hormone and insulin in myocardial infarct]. Twenty patients with myocardial infarction and 10 normal individuals were subjected to a carbohydrates tolerance test, and their secretion of insulin and somatotrophic hormone in response to intravenous injections of glucose was studied. The blood serum concentration of insulin and of somatotrophic hormone was determined by way of radio-immuno-assay, while the blood sugar concentration -- by the orthotoluidine technique. It is established that myocardial infarction, like other stress states, is accompanied by disorders in the function of the hypophysis and the adrenal glands, which, in turn, is accompanied by disorders in the secretion of insulin and of somatotrophic hormone.", "PMID": 781374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5827", "title": "[Changes in systemic and regional hemodynamics in experimental renal hypertension].", "content": "The changes in the cardiac output were studied by the dye-dilution method in rat experiments in different periods of experimentally induced renal hypertension, as well as the distribution of the cardiac output among the tissues and organs. Four days after the procedure a distinct increase of the cardiac output is noted, by the 14th day it returned to the initial level, by the 135th day it clearly tended to decrease. The total peripheral resistance, on the contrary, was steadily growing beginning with the 14th day, thus bringing about an elevation of the arterial pressure. The distribution of the cardiac output among the organs and tissues did not change significantly under hypertensive conditions. The only exception is the cardiac output fraction that is supplied to the spleen.", "contents": "[Changes in systemic and regional hemodynamics in experimental renal hypertension]. The changes in the cardiac output were studied by the dye-dilution method in rat experiments in different periods of experimentally induced renal hypertension, as well as the distribution of the cardiac output among the tissues and organs. Four days after the procedure a distinct increase of the cardiac output is noted, by the 14th day it returned to the initial level, by the 135th day it clearly tended to decrease. The total peripheral resistance, on the contrary, was steadily growing beginning with the 14th day, thus bringing about an elevation of the arterial pressure. The distribution of the cardiac output among the organs and tissues did not change significantly under hypertensive conditions. The only exception is the cardiac output fraction that is supplied to the spleen.", "PMID": 781377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5828", "title": "Experimental pyelonephritis: the effect of chronic active pyelonephritis on renal function.", "content": "In these experiments, renal function in chronic active pyelonephritis was investigated and the effect of antibiotic treatment and elimination of infection on the gross pathology, histopathology and renal function in animals with chronic pyelonephritis was determined. A severe loss of urine concentrating capacity was demonstrable when the maximum urinary osmolality of a group of animals with pyelonephritis was compared with control animals. Concentrating capacity decreased sharply over the first month but further loss over an eight-month period was minimal. A compensatory increase in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the control, nonchallenged, group occurred after nephrectomy but no comparable compensation in the infected group was found. Antibiotic therapy had a marked effect on the urinary concentrating capacity and the defect in concentrating ability was significantly less in the treated animals during the first 30 days after challenge. Infection again prevented a compensatory increase in the GFR of pyelonephritic animals which was not reversed by antibiotic therapy. Blood urea concentrations in treated and nontreated animals were not significantly different nor did the eradication of infection affect the gross pathologic and histopathologic changes found at autopsy.", "contents": "Experimental pyelonephritis: the effect of chronic active pyelonephritis on renal function. In these experiments, renal function in chronic active pyelonephritis was investigated and the effect of antibiotic treatment and elimination of infection on the gross pathology, histopathology and renal function in animals with chronic pyelonephritis was determined. A severe loss of urine concentrating capacity was demonstrable when the maximum urinary osmolality of a group of animals with pyelonephritis was compared with control animals. Concentrating capacity decreased sharply over the first month but further loss over an eight-month period was minimal. A compensatory increase in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the control, nonchallenged, group occurred after nephrectomy but no comparable compensation in the infected group was found. Antibiotic therapy had a marked effect on the urinary concentrating capacity and the defect in concentrating ability was significantly less in the treated animals during the first 30 days after challenge. Infection again prevented a compensatory increase in the GFR of pyelonephritic animals which was not reversed by antibiotic therapy. Blood urea concentrations in treated and nontreated animals were not significantly different nor did the eradication of infection affect the gross pathologic and histopathologic changes found at autopsy.", "PMID": 781379} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5829", "title": "Classical complement pathway activation in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.", "content": "Levels of components of the classical and alternative complement pathways and the activity of the C3 nephritic factor (C3NeF) were measured in serum specimens from patients with type I (subendothelial deposits) and type II (intramembranous dense deposits) membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and the results compared with the levels in normal subjects. Although C3 and C5 concentrations were comparably depressed in type I and type II, the levels of Clq and C4 were lower in type I and the correlation coefficients between Clq vs. C4 and C4 vs. C3 were higher than in type II. The profile was highly suggestive of classical pathway activation. In contrast, in type II MPGN, factor B levels were lower and C3NeF activity was more frequently detectable and higher. A feature of interest was that type I, as compared to type II, was characterized by significantly lower serum concentrations of properdin, higher and more significant correlation coefficients between serum properdin concentrations and those of Clq, C4 and C3, and consistent glomerular deposition of properdin. The involvement of properdin in type I may reflect recruitment of a pathway resembling the C1 bypass mechanism, said to involve C1, properdin, factor B and C3-9.", "contents": "Classical complement pathway activation in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Levels of components of the classical and alternative complement pathways and the activity of the C3 nephritic factor (C3NeF) were measured in serum specimens from patients with type I (subendothelial deposits) and type II (intramembranous dense deposits) membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and the results compared with the levels in normal subjects. Although C3 and C5 concentrations were comparably depressed in type I and type II, the levels of Clq and C4 were lower in type I and the correlation coefficients between Clq vs. C4 and C4 vs. C3 were higher than in type II. The profile was highly suggestive of classical pathway activation. In contrast, in type II MPGN, factor B levels were lower and C3NeF activity was more frequently detectable and higher. A feature of interest was that type I, as compared to type II, was characterized by significantly lower serum concentrations of properdin, higher and more significant correlation coefficients between serum properdin concentrations and those of Clq, C4 and C3, and consistent glomerular deposition of properdin. The involvement of properdin in type I may reflect recruitment of a pathway resembling the C1 bypass mechanism, said to involve C1, properdin, factor B and C3-9.", "PMID": 781380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5830", "title": "A new method for the isolation of ultrastructurally preserved glomeruli.", "content": "A method is described for the isolation of kidney glomeruli using centrifugation in a discontinuous Ficoll gradient. The method, applied to rats, rabbits, pigs and man, yields a glomerular fraction of high purity with a tubular contamination of normally less than 2%. From observations by light microscopy on epoxy resin-embedded fractions, one-third to one-fourth of the glomeruli had suffered only slight damage during isolation. In the electron microscope these best preserved glomeruli showed a close morphologic similarity to those of the intact tissue and preliminary experiments have indicated that they are well-suited for further studies of the in vitro behavior of isolated, viable glomeruli.", "contents": "A new method for the isolation of ultrastructurally preserved glomeruli. A method is described for the isolation of kidney glomeruli using centrifugation in a discontinuous Ficoll gradient. The method, applied to rats, rabbits, pigs and man, yields a glomerular fraction of high purity with a tubular contamination of normally less than 2%. From observations by light microscopy on epoxy resin-embedded fractions, one-third to one-fourth of the glomeruli had suffered only slight damage during isolation. In the electron microscope these best preserved glomeruli showed a close morphologic similarity to those of the intact tissue and preliminary experiments have indicated that they are well-suited for further studies of the in vitro behavior of isolated, viable glomeruli.", "PMID": 781382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5831", "title": "Shape of epithelial cells and intercellular channels in the rabbit proximal nephron.", "content": "In electron micrographs of proximal convoluted (PCT) and proximal straight tubules (PST), epithelial height was divided into five zones of equal thickness. Morphometric techniques were used to calculate surface area of cell wall bordering intercellular channels in each zone. Surface concentration of total lateral cell surface is 3.85 mu2/mu3 of PCT and 2.90 mu2/mu3 of PST. For tubules normalized to outer diameter = 40mu and inner diameter = 25mu, total lateral area is 29 X 10(5) mu2/mm of PCT and 22 X 10(5) mu2/mm of PST. Zone 5 adjacent to basement membrane has similar area (congruent to 17 X 10(5) mu2/mm) and fine structure in PCT and PST. However, the luminal four-fifths of the two cells differ markedly. Lateral area in PCT zones 1 through 4 increases approximately exponentially (from 1.1 X 10(5) to 6.4 X 10(5) mu2/mm) and constitutes 44% of total area. Respective areas in PST increase at a rate greater than exponential (from 0.7 X 10(5) to 2.6 X 10(5) mu2/mm) but constitute only 23% of total. From these data and the estimated number of cells per millimeter of tubule (825), circumferences of individual cells were estimated and quantitative three-dimensional cell models were constructed. The shape of intercellular channels is similar to that of the space between concentric, truncated and pleated horns.", "contents": "Shape of epithelial cells and intercellular channels in the rabbit proximal nephron. In electron micrographs of proximal convoluted (PCT) and proximal straight tubules (PST), epithelial height was divided into five zones of equal thickness. Morphometric techniques were used to calculate surface area of cell wall bordering intercellular channels in each zone. Surface concentration of total lateral cell surface is 3.85 mu2/mu3 of PCT and 2.90 mu2/mu3 of PST. For tubules normalized to outer diameter = 40mu and inner diameter = 25mu, total lateral area is 29 X 10(5) mu2/mm of PCT and 22 X 10(5) mu2/mm of PST. Zone 5 adjacent to basement membrane has similar area (congruent to 17 X 10(5) mu2/mm) and fine structure in PCT and PST. However, the luminal four-fifths of the two cells differ markedly. Lateral area in PCT zones 1 through 4 increases approximately exponentially (from 1.1 X 10(5) to 6.4 X 10(5) mu2/mm) and constitutes 44% of total area. Respective areas in PST increase at a rate greater than exponential (from 0.7 X 10(5) to 2.6 X 10(5) mu2/mm) but constitute only 23% of total. From these data and the estimated number of cells per millimeter of tubule (825), circumferences of individual cells were estimated and quantitative three-dimensional cell models were constructed. The shape of intercellular channels is similar to that of the space between concentric, truncated and pleated horns.", "PMID": 781385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5832", "title": "Treatment of acute allograft rejection with high doses of corticosteroids.", "content": "Sixty-four rejection crises in 55 kidney transplant patients were treated with high doses of corticosteroids, either 1) prednisone, administered orally in doses ranging between 150 and 600mh/day;2)methylprednisolone, administered i.v. in doses of 0.5 to 1 g/day (total dose: 2 to 8 g); or 3) methylprednisone administered i.v. in the same dosage in combination with heparin 5000 U/day. Acute rejection was reversed successfully in 60% of the crises without any apparent difference between the three treatment groups. Nineteen patients died from steroid-related complications. A total methylprednisolone dosage exceeding 3 to 5 h apparently was not accompanied by a sufficiently improved therapeutic response to warrant the high risk of such treatment.", "contents": "Treatment of acute allograft rejection with high doses of corticosteroids. Sixty-four rejection crises in 55 kidney transplant patients were treated with high doses of corticosteroids, either 1) prednisone, administered orally in doses ranging between 150 and 600mh/day;2)methylprednisolone, administered i.v. in doses of 0.5 to 1 g/day (total dose: 2 to 8 g); or 3) methylprednisone administered i.v. in the same dosage in combination with heparin 5000 U/day. Acute rejection was reversed successfully in 60% of the crises without any apparent difference between the three treatment groups. Nineteen patients died from steroid-related complications. A total methylprednisolone dosage exceeding 3 to 5 h apparently was not accompanied by a sufficiently improved therapeutic response to warrant the high risk of such treatment.", "PMID": 781384} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5833", "title": "Effect of vesicoureteral reflux on renal function in children with recurrent urinary tract infection.s.", "content": "The functional damage caused by vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has been examined by unilateral clearance studies in 22 children with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and representing 23 kidneys with large VUR. 7 kidneys with small to moderate VUR and 14 kidneys without VUR. Inulin clearance, Na+ excretion and glucose reabsorption were determined. In kidneys without or with small and moderate VUR, UTI had no effect on renal function if treated. In kidneys with large VUR extending into the pelvis and dilating the ureter, there was a gradual deterioration of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) that was accelerated after the age of 6 yr. Before puberty more than 50% of renal function was lost despite strict medical care of the UTI. If this functional loss was unilateral, hyperfunction of the contralateral kidney was generally observed. Maximal glucose reabsorption was depressed in proportion to GFR. In kidneys with unilaterally low GFR, the fractional Na+ excretion was consistently increased as compared to the contralateral kidney with normal GFR. This adaptive increase in Na+ excretion must therefore be of intrarenal origin.", "contents": "Effect of vesicoureteral reflux on renal function in children with recurrent urinary tract infection.s. The functional damage caused by vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has been examined by unilateral clearance studies in 22 children with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and representing 23 kidneys with large VUR. 7 kidneys with small to moderate VUR and 14 kidneys without VUR. Inulin clearance, Na+ excretion and glucose reabsorption were determined. In kidneys without or with small and moderate VUR, UTI had no effect on renal function if treated. In kidneys with large VUR extending into the pelvis and dilating the ureter, there was a gradual deterioration of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) that was accelerated after the age of 6 yr. Before puberty more than 50% of renal function was lost despite strict medical care of the UTI. If this functional loss was unilateral, hyperfunction of the contralateral kidney was generally observed. Maximal glucose reabsorption was depressed in proportion to GFR. In kidneys with unilaterally low GFR, the fractional Na+ excretion was consistently increased as compared to the contralateral kidney with normal GFR. This adaptive increase in Na+ excretion must therefore be of intrarenal origin.", "PMID": 781386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5834", "title": "Occurrence of vascular IgA deposits in clinically normal skin of patients with renal disease.", "content": "Skin and kidney biopsies were performed on 262 patients with various nephropathies. In 45 skin biopsy specimens finely granular deposits of predominantly IgA and late-acting complement factors were detected in the walls of superficial capillaries, sometimes concomitantly with IgM, IgG, C4 or a combination of these proteins. Twelve of the 45 patients presented with anaphylactoid purpura and the majority of the other 33 patients had either recurrent macroscopic or microscopic hematuria. The renal lesions in 32 of these 45 patients consisted of focal segmental intracapillary proliferation. In 35 the kidney biopsy specimen showed mesangial deposits of IgA; in one case IgA was deposited along the glomerular basement membrane. In only three of the remaining 217 patients without cutaneous IgA deposits were typical mesangial IgA deposits found. The close correlation between IgA deposits in cutaneous vessels and focal segmental intracapillary proliferation with mesangial IgA deposits suggests that immunofluorescence examination of skin biopsy specimens could prove of diagnostic value. The results provide additional evidence for a close pathogenic relationship between IgA-associated glomerulonephritis and anaphylactoid purpura.", "contents": "Occurrence of vascular IgA deposits in clinically normal skin of patients with renal disease. Skin and kidney biopsies were performed on 262 patients with various nephropathies. In 45 skin biopsy specimens finely granular deposits of predominantly IgA and late-acting complement factors were detected in the walls of superficial capillaries, sometimes concomitantly with IgM, IgG, C4 or a combination of these proteins. Twelve of the 45 patients presented with anaphylactoid purpura and the majority of the other 33 patients had either recurrent macroscopic or microscopic hematuria. The renal lesions in 32 of these 45 patients consisted of focal segmental intracapillary proliferation. In 35 the kidney biopsy specimen showed mesangial deposits of IgA; in one case IgA was deposited along the glomerular basement membrane. In only three of the remaining 217 patients without cutaneous IgA deposits were typical mesangial IgA deposits found. The close correlation between IgA deposits in cutaneous vessels and focal segmental intracapillary proliferation with mesangial IgA deposits suggests that immunofluorescence examination of skin biopsy specimens could prove of diagnostic value. The results provide additional evidence for a close pathogenic relationship between IgA-associated glomerulonephritis and anaphylactoid purpura.", "PMID": 781387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5835", "title": "Transplantation in mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis with intramembranous dense \"deposits\": recurrence of disease.", "content": "Six patients with mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis and intramembranous dense \"deposits\" developed terminal renal failure and were transplanted, three from living and three from cadaver donors. Eight renal biopsy specimens were obtained from five of the grafts, from 1 to 26 months following transplantation. All six biopsy specimens taken later than seven months following the graft showed recurrence of dense intramembranous \"deposits\" in the basement membranes of glomeruli, and of Bowman's capsule and tubular basement in five. Recurrence of \"deposits\" was associated with deposition of C3 on immunofluorescent study in all but one specimen; in addition, IgM was found in two specimens, but IgG and early complement components were absent. Only two patients, however, showed glomerular proliferation associated with profuse proteinuria. In the other subjects the recurrence of the \"deposit\" was not associated with clinical findings. Graft loss, which occurred in two patients, was predominantly from rejection.", "contents": "Transplantation in mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis with intramembranous dense \"deposits\": recurrence of disease. Six patients with mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis and intramembranous dense \"deposits\" developed terminal renal failure and were transplanted, three from living and three from cadaver donors. Eight renal biopsy specimens were obtained from five of the grafts, from 1 to 26 months following transplantation. All six biopsy specimens taken later than seven months following the graft showed recurrence of dense intramembranous \"deposits\" in the basement membranes of glomeruli, and of Bowman's capsule and tubular basement in five. Recurrence of \"deposits\" was associated with deposition of C3 on immunofluorescent study in all but one specimen; in addition, IgM was found in two specimens, but IgG and early complement components were absent. Only two patients, however, showed glomerular proliferation associated with profuse proteinuria. In the other subjects the recurrence of the \"deposit\" was not associated with clinical findings. Graft loss, which occurred in two patients, was predominantly from rejection.", "PMID": 781388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5836", "title": "[The characterization of clinically healthy hepatitis-b-surface-antigen (HBsAg)-carriers. Clinical, biochemical, histiological and immunological investigations in 129 case of a prospective study (author's transl)].", "content": "129 blood donors found to be HBsAg-positive on routine testing were studied for evidence of hepatic disease. Twelve had already lost the antigen from the serum when histologically examined. None of these has had clinical or histological evidence of inflammatory liver disease. Two of the 129 patients showed mild icteric hepatitis, cleared the antigen during the follow up and became anti-HBs positive. The remaining 115 patients who appeared clinically healthy and who had no history of previous icteric liver disease remained HBsAg positive during a mean follow up period of 17.3 +/- 3.0 months. Forty patients from these had a normal liver histology and 37 mild to distinct steatosis but no signs of inflammatory liver disease. 11 patients a mild nonspecific mesenchymal activity but no focal necrosis, 16 patients had mild infiltration in portal tracts and a few necrotic parenchymal cells with mesenchymal reaction, 6 patients had chronic persistent hepatitis, 4 chronic aggressive hepatitis, and 1 definite posthepatic cirrhosis.", "contents": "[The characterization of clinically healthy hepatitis-b-surface-antigen (HBsAg)-carriers. Clinical, biochemical, histiological and immunological investigations in 129 case of a prospective study (author's transl)]. 129 blood donors found to be HBsAg-positive on routine testing were studied for evidence of hepatic disease. Twelve had already lost the antigen from the serum when histologically examined. None of these has had clinical or histological evidence of inflammatory liver disease. Two of the 129 patients showed mild icteric hepatitis, cleared the antigen during the follow up and became anti-HBs positive. The remaining 115 patients who appeared clinically healthy and who had no history of previous icteric liver disease remained HBsAg positive during a mean follow up period of 17.3 +/- 3.0 months. Forty patients from these had a normal liver histology and 37 mild to distinct steatosis but no signs of inflammatory liver disease. 11 patients a mild nonspecific mesenchymal activity but no focal necrosis, 16 patients had mild infiltration in portal tracts and a few necrotic parenchymal cells with mesenchymal reaction, 6 patients had chronic persistent hepatitis, 4 chronic aggressive hepatitis, and 1 definite posthepatic cirrhosis.", "PMID": 781393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5837", "title": "Sanded nuclei in hepatitis B: eosinophilic inclusions in liver cell nuclei due to excess in hepatitis B core antigen formation.", "content": "In confirmation of earlier descriptions by Huang et al. (Huang S-N, Millman I, O'Connell A, Aronoff A, Gault H, Blumberg BS: Am J Pathol 67: 453, 1972) nuclear eosinophilic inclusions due to excess HBcAg particles have been identified in cases of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. As the euchromatin space of affected nuclei is \"sanded\" by numerous core particles with concomitant dissolution of the chromatin network, spiky, finely granular, and eosinophilic inclusions without a limiting membrane become visible in hematoxylin and eosin-stained paraffin sections. These HBcAg inclusions stain greyish pink with chromotrope aniline blue and are negative for orcein, the periodic acid-Schiff reaction, and the Feulgen reaction for DNA. Sanded nuclei were detected, although not always and only few in number, exclusively in HBAg-positive patients when a focal (as in chronic aggressive hepatitis) or a generalized core formation (as in immunosuppressed kidney transplant recipients) could be demonstrated by electron microscopy or immunofluorescence. Therefore, the positive finding of sanded nuclei in a persistent hepatitis B virus infection indicates an excessive core formation the extent of which should be verified by specific methods.", "contents": "Sanded nuclei in hepatitis B: eosinophilic inclusions in liver cell nuclei due to excess in hepatitis B core antigen formation. In confirmation of earlier descriptions by Huang et al. (Huang S-N, Millman I, O'Connell A, Aronoff A, Gault H, Blumberg BS: Am J Pathol 67: 453, 1972) nuclear eosinophilic inclusions due to excess HBcAg particles have been identified in cases of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. As the euchromatin space of affected nuclei is \"sanded\" by numerous core particles with concomitant dissolution of the chromatin network, spiky, finely granular, and eosinophilic inclusions without a limiting membrane become visible in hematoxylin and eosin-stained paraffin sections. These HBcAg inclusions stain greyish pink with chromotrope aniline blue and are negative for orcein, the periodic acid-Schiff reaction, and the Feulgen reaction for DNA. Sanded nuclei were detected, although not always and only few in number, exclusively in HBAg-positive patients when a focal (as in chronic aggressive hepatitis) or a generalized core formation (as in immunosuppressed kidney transplant recipients) could be demonstrated by electron microscopy or immunofluorescence. Therefore, the positive finding of sanded nuclei in a persistent hepatitis B virus infection indicates an excessive core formation the extent of which should be verified by specific methods.", "PMID": 781402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5838", "title": "The SJL/J mouse: a new model for spontaneous age-associated amyloidosis. I. Morphologic and immunochemical aspects.", "content": "A high incidence of spontaneous amyloidosis is described in SJL/J mice. Amyloid was detected as early as 30 weeks of age and the incidence rose to 90 per cent by 60 weeks of age. Amyloid deposits were most prominent in the perifollicular zones of the spleen and the lobular areas of the liver. Ultrastructural analysis revealed rigid, nonbranching fibrils indistinguishable from those observed in casein-induced murine amyloidosis. On the other hand, immunochemical studies indicated that amyloid deposits in SJL/J mice differ from those found in casein-treated CBA mice with respect to size, amino acid content, and antigenic properties. Since the SJL/J mouse also develops spontaneous reticulum cell tumors and serum M components, it appears to be a useful model for study of the pathogenesis of amyloidosis and its relationship to aging, neoplasia, and certain B-cell dyscrasias.", "contents": "The SJL/J mouse: a new model for spontaneous age-associated amyloidosis. I. Morphologic and immunochemical aspects. A high incidence of spontaneous amyloidosis is described in SJL/J mice. Amyloid was detected as early as 30 weeks of age and the incidence rose to 90 per cent by 60 weeks of age. Amyloid deposits were most prominent in the perifollicular zones of the spleen and the lobular areas of the liver. Ultrastructural analysis revealed rigid, nonbranching fibrils indistinguishable from those observed in casein-induced murine amyloidosis. On the other hand, immunochemical studies indicated that amyloid deposits in SJL/J mice differ from those found in casein-treated CBA mice with respect to size, amino acid content, and antigenic properties. Since the SJL/J mouse also develops spontaneous reticulum cell tumors and serum M components, it appears to be a useful model for study of the pathogenesis of amyloidosis and its relationship to aging, neoplasia, and certain B-cell dyscrasias.", "PMID": 781403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5839", "title": "Cell-mediated immune response in head and neck cancer patients.", "content": "The immune reactivity of 100 head and neck cancer patients was studied by means of DNCB, candidine, blastic transformation with PHA, and lymphocyte counts. DNCB reactivity was strong in only 21% of the population and was found impaired in patients with advanced primitive tumors, with more than one primitive tumor, and in patients after radiation. Candidine reactivity was impaired in bigger primitive tumors, positive nodes, and advanced stages, as well as in postradiation patients. Blastic transformation was significantly worse in patients over 70 years and tended to be lower in patients with more than one primitive tumor. Good blastic transformation was also lowered in postradiation patients.", "contents": "Cell-mediated immune response in head and neck cancer patients. The immune reactivity of 100 head and neck cancer patients was studied by means of DNCB, candidine, blastic transformation with PHA, and lymphocyte counts. DNCB reactivity was strong in only 21% of the population and was found impaired in patients with advanced primitive tumors, with more than one primitive tumor, and in patients after radiation. Candidine reactivity was impaired in bigger primitive tumors, positive nodes, and advanced stages, as well as in postradiation patients. Blastic transformation was significantly worse in patients over 70 years and tended to be lower in patients with more than one primitive tumor. Good blastic transformation was also lowered in postradiation patients.", "PMID": 781404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5840", "title": "Critique of an earlier study of the Sacramento Medical Care Foundation's Certified Hospital Admission Program (CHAP).", "content": "The Certified Hospital Admission Program (CHAP), which was originated by the Medical Care Foundation of Sacramento, California, is regarded as a prototype of admission certification programs and the concurrent monitoring of inpatient care. These peer review functions have now been made key elements of provider utilization review requirements and of Professional Standards Review Organizations' program operations for Medicare and Medicaid. The present article questions, on methodological and interpretive grounds, earlier published findings and conclusions about CHAP's effectiveness. Significant deficiencies in evaluating its impact may mean that the success of CHAP has not yet been demonstrated and, hence, that an adequate basis for formulating certain national peer review policies may not exist.", "contents": "Critique of an earlier study of the Sacramento Medical Care Foundation's Certified Hospital Admission Program (CHAP). The Certified Hospital Admission Program (CHAP), which was originated by the Medical Care Foundation of Sacramento, California, is regarded as a prototype of admission certification programs and the concurrent monitoring of inpatient care. These peer review functions have now been made key elements of provider utilization review requirements and of Professional Standards Review Organizations' program operations for Medicare and Medicaid. The present article questions, on methodological and interpretive grounds, earlier published findings and conclusions about CHAP's effectiveness. Significant deficiencies in evaluating its impact may mean that the success of CHAP has not yet been demonstrated and, hence, that an adequate basis for formulating certain national peer review policies may not exist.", "PMID": 781407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5841", "title": "Effects of Medicare on hospital use: a disease-specific study.", "content": "This paper presents results of a study to determine 1) the effects of Medicare on the patients of hospital use in specific disease groups, and 2) the sensitivity of length of stay and proportions of admission in specific disease groups to \"short-run\" changes in hospital occupancy rates. The analysis indicates that Medicare did increase utilization of hospital services by patients 65 and over through increases in both admissions and average length of stay. The largest increases occurred in the lower risk disease categories, although it is pointed out that this result does not necessarily imply a misallocation of hospital resources. The results also indicate significant differences among different socioeconomic groups and a much greater initial impact on the 75 and over age group than on the 65-74 age group.", "contents": "Effects of Medicare on hospital use: a disease-specific study. This paper presents results of a study to determine 1) the effects of Medicare on the patients of hospital use in specific disease groups, and 2) the sensitivity of length of stay and proportions of admission in specific disease groups to \"short-run\" changes in hospital occupancy rates. The analysis indicates that Medicare did increase utilization of hospital services by patients 65 and over through increases in both admissions and average length of stay. The largest increases occurred in the lower risk disease categories, although it is pointed out that this result does not necessarily imply a misallocation of hospital resources. The results also indicate significant differences among different socioeconomic groups and a much greater initial impact on the 75 and over age group than on the 65-74 age group.", "PMID": 781408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5842", "title": "Barriers to appropriate utilization of an acute facility.", "content": "Professional Standards Review Organizations (PSROs) have been mandated to assure appropriate utilization of health resources. In order to meet this objective, PSROs must be able to determine when and why health resources are misutilized so that corrective action may be taken. This paper describes a study designed to identify and measure the significance of factors causing the misutilization of beds at one hospital. Using explicit Medicare levels of care criteria, a utilization review nurse coordinator determined the appropriate location (hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health care, home with outpatient or no care) or a sample of hospital patients. When a patient was judged inappropriately located on a particular day the nurse coordinator identified the barrier(s) to appropriate utilization, i.e., the reason(s) the patient remained in the hospital. Approximately 10 per cent of the 1,902 patient days were judged inappropriate at a hospital level of care. The most significant barriers to appropriate utilization were 1) the unavailability of skilled nursing facilities with the necessary amount of nursing services, and 2) the attending physician's conservative medical management of the patient. The implications for reduction of hospital misutilization are discussed.", "contents": "Barriers to appropriate utilization of an acute facility. Professional Standards Review Organizations (PSROs) have been mandated to assure appropriate utilization of health resources. In order to meet this objective, PSROs must be able to determine when and why health resources are misutilized so that corrective action may be taken. This paper describes a study designed to identify and measure the significance of factors causing the misutilization of beds at one hospital. Using explicit Medicare levels of care criteria, a utilization review nurse coordinator determined the appropriate location (hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health care, home with outpatient or no care) or a sample of hospital patients. When a patient was judged inappropriately located on a particular day the nurse coordinator identified the barrier(s) to appropriate utilization, i.e., the reason(s) the patient remained in the hospital. Approximately 10 per cent of the 1,902 patient days were judged inappropriate at a hospital level of care. The most significant barriers to appropriate utilization were 1) the unavailability of skilled nursing facilities with the necessary amount of nursing services, and 2) the attending physician's conservative medical management of the patient. The implications for reduction of hospital misutilization are discussed.", "PMID": 781409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5843", "title": "Immunologic cross-reactivity between antisera to group A, type 12 streptococcal cell membrane and human glomerular basement membrane. The effect of age and carbohydrate content.", "content": "Antisera to group A, type 12 streptococcal cell membrane and human glomerular basement membrane was evaluated, by indirect immunofluorescence, on adult and neonatal human kidney sections, before and after carbohydrase treatment. Cleavage of GBM carbohydrate potentiated the reactivity of SCM antisera on adult GBM, but not neonatal GBM which in general showed maximal activity without CHOase treatment. Of 22 sera checked 17 showed positive reactivity versus human GBM. Chemical analyses showed that adult GBM contained more carbohydrate than did neonatal GBM, which may explain the observed masking effect.", "contents": "Immunologic cross-reactivity between antisera to group A, type 12 streptococcal cell membrane and human glomerular basement membrane. The effect of age and carbohydrate content. Antisera to group A, type 12 streptococcal cell membrane and human glomerular basement membrane was evaluated, by indirect immunofluorescence, on adult and neonatal human kidney sections, before and after carbohydrase treatment. Cleavage of GBM carbohydrate potentiated the reactivity of SCM antisera on adult GBM, but not neonatal GBM which in general showed maximal activity without CHOase treatment. Of 22 sera checked 17 showed positive reactivity versus human GBM. Chemical analyses showed that adult GBM contained more carbohydrate than did neonatal GBM, which may explain the observed masking effect.", "PMID": 781405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5844", "title": "Immunotherapy of leukemia.", "content": "The data reviewed in this paper indicate that immunotherapy is effective in prolonging remission and survival in acute and chronic leukemia. The acute lymphocytic leukemias may or may not respond to immunotherapy and further work is needed in this area. No studies of immunotherapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia have been done, but this will be an important area for investigation, since there is often profound immunodeficiency in this disease. The malignant lymphomas are another fertile area for this type of research, since they have a high response rate, tumor-associated immunodeficiency, and at least differentiation antigens if not tumor-specific antigens. The scientific basis for the use of immunotherapy in leukemia includes the demonstration of a relationship of rate and duration of remission and survival to immunocompetence, the demonstration of unique tumor-associated antigens on leukemia cells, and the demonstration of immune responses to these antigens which can be boosted by immunization. At the present time, active nonspecific immunotherapy with BCG and MER and active specific immunotherapy have been proved effective in acute myelogenous leukemia. Careful attention should be given to dose, schedule, route, and so forth. Other types of immunotherapy remain to be explored.", "contents": "Immunotherapy of leukemia. The data reviewed in this paper indicate that immunotherapy is effective in prolonging remission and survival in acute and chronic leukemia. The acute lymphocytic leukemias may or may not respond to immunotherapy and further work is needed in this area. No studies of immunotherapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia have been done, but this will be an important area for investigation, since there is often profound immunodeficiency in this disease. The malignant lymphomas are another fertile area for this type of research, since they have a high response rate, tumor-associated immunodeficiency, and at least differentiation antigens if not tumor-specific antigens. The scientific basis for the use of immunotherapy in leukemia includes the demonstration of a relationship of rate and duration of remission and survival to immunocompetence, the demonstration of unique tumor-associated antigens on leukemia cells, and the demonstration of immune responses to these antigens which can be boosted by immunization. At the present time, active nonspecific immunotherapy with BCG and MER and active specific immunotherapy have been proved effective in acute myelogenous leukemia. Careful attention should be given to dose, schedule, route, and so forth. Other types of immunotherapy remain to be explored.", "PMID": 781412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5845", "title": "The defibrination syndrome.", "content": "Defibrination is a fairly common clinical entity seen in a wide variety of clinical disorders. With an awareness of the likely clinical settings, a high degree of suspicion, and widely available sensitive laboratory tests, the diagnosis is ordinarily easily made. The best therapy is usually that which is directed at the underlying disease rather than at the defibrination syndrome itself. In certain symptomatic cases, heparin and/or replacement therapy is indicated, especially if the underlying disorder cannot be immediately successfully treated. On occasion, antifibrinolytic therapy will be useful, always with due regard to the danger of renal cortical necrosis. Depending on the clinical setting, it may be advisable to give heparin with the antifibrinolytic therapy to minimize that danger.", "contents": "The defibrination syndrome. Defibrination is a fairly common clinical entity seen in a wide variety of clinical disorders. With an awareness of the likely clinical settings, a high degree of suspicion, and widely available sensitive laboratory tests, the diagnosis is ordinarily easily made. The best therapy is usually that which is directed at the underlying disease rather than at the defibrination syndrome itself. In certain symptomatic cases, heparin and/or replacement therapy is indicated, especially if the underlying disorder cannot be immediately successfully treated. On occasion, antifibrinolytic therapy will be useful, always with due regard to the danger of renal cortical necrosis. Depending on the clinical setting, it may be advisable to give heparin with the antifibrinolytic therapy to minimize that danger.", "PMID": 781414} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5846", "title": "Diagnosis and treatment of pure red cell aplasia.", "content": "Pure red cell aplasia is a selective aplasia of the marrow erythroid cells. Unlike aplastic anemia, the marrow has a normal cellularity and the patients generally have normal leukocyte and platelet blood counts. The congenital form of the disease occurs in the firlst 1 1/2 years of life and is often responsive to corticosteroids. The acquired form may be secondary to infections, drugs, chemicals, or hemolytic anemia (aplastic crisis). In these cases it is often acute and self-limited with cessation of the infection or drug ingestion. It may also be secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, acute severe renal failure, severe nutritional deficiency, or diverse neoplasms, and may remit with treatment of the primary condition. When a thymoma is present, it should be resected since a remission is produced in 29 per cent of these patients. The remaining patients have an acquired primary form of the disease that tends to be chronic and in some cases may have an immune pathogenesis. A cytotoxic immunoglobulin inhibitor of the marrow erythroid cells or erythropoietin has been described and these patients may respond to prednisone and/or to cytotoxic immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclophosphamide and 6-mercaptopurine. Pure red cell aplasia appears to be more common than the literature has revealed and has stimulated much investigation into an immune pathogenesis for marrow failure.", "contents": "Diagnosis and treatment of pure red cell aplasia. Pure red cell aplasia is a selective aplasia of the marrow erythroid cells. Unlike aplastic anemia, the marrow has a normal cellularity and the patients generally have normal leukocyte and platelet blood counts. The congenital form of the disease occurs in the firlst 1 1/2 years of life and is often responsive to corticosteroids. The acquired form may be secondary to infections, drugs, chemicals, or hemolytic anemia (aplastic crisis). In these cases it is often acute and self-limited with cessation of the infection or drug ingestion. It may also be secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, acute severe renal failure, severe nutritional deficiency, or diverse neoplasms, and may remit with treatment of the primary condition. When a thymoma is present, it should be resected since a remission is produced in 29 per cent of these patients. The remaining patients have an acquired primary form of the disease that tends to be chronic and in some cases may have an immune pathogenesis. A cytotoxic immunoglobulin inhibitor of the marrow erythroid cells or erythropoietin has been described and these patients may respond to prednisone and/or to cytotoxic immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclophosphamide and 6-mercaptopurine. Pure red cell aplasia appears to be more common than the literature has revealed and has stimulated much investigation into an immune pathogenesis for marrow failure.", "PMID": 781416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5847", "title": "Immunosuppressive therapy of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.", "content": "The autoimmune nature of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, as currently defined, is well established. Manipulations of the immune apparatus aimed at abating this deviant immunologic state may be one mode of approach to the therapy of this disease. Several cytotoxic compounds are capable of inhibiting the primary and secondary immune response to experimentally injected antigens in animals and man. Their beneficial role in the treatment of an autoimmune lupus-like syndrome in NZB mice24 is well documented. In human autoimmune disease, efficacy of the drugs is still to be established. The mechanisms by which immunosuppressive agents effect therapeutic response, and, in particular, whether this action is linked to suppression of immune reactivity needs clarification. Although preliminary analysis of the efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is encouraging, their therapeutic role has not superseded that of conventional management with steroids and splenectomy. Carefully controlled randomized clinical trials are now necessary so that more rational use of these agents can be recommended in future reports.", "contents": "Immunosuppressive therapy of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The autoimmune nature of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, as currently defined, is well established. Manipulations of the immune apparatus aimed at abating this deviant immunologic state may be one mode of approach to the therapy of this disease. Several cytotoxic compounds are capable of inhibiting the primary and secondary immune response to experimentally injected antigens in animals and man. Their beneficial role in the treatment of an autoimmune lupus-like syndrome in NZB mice24 is well documented. In human autoimmune disease, efficacy of the drugs is still to be established. The mechanisms by which immunosuppressive agents effect therapeutic response, and, in particular, whether this action is linked to suppression of immune reactivity needs clarification. Although preliminary analysis of the efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is encouraging, their therapeutic role has not superseded that of conventional management with steroids and splenectomy. Carefully controlled randomized clinical trials are now necessary so that more rational use of these agents can be recommended in future reports.", "PMID": 781417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5848", "title": "The definitive treatment of children with acute leukemia.", "content": "Current therapy has resulted in improved prognosis in previously untreated children with acute lymphocytic leukemia less than 16 years of age. The induction phase of chemotherapy should include the use of at least prednisone and vincristine. This combination should result in a hematologic remission in about 90 per cent of the patients. The efficacy of the addition of either L-asparaginase or daunomycin, the consolidation phase or the periodic readministration of induction drugs has not been established. Specific central nervous system treatment, early in the course of therapy, is an integral component of recently reported effective protocols. Several modalities of prophalytic central nervous system therapy have been utilized. These include cranial irradiation plus intrathecal methotrexate, craniospinal irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate alone. An encephalopathy syndrome has been reported as a complication in 10 to 66 per cent of these patients. The most effective form of central nervous system therapy, associated with the least toxicity, has not been established. Maintenance chemotherapy should include a combination of two or more drugs. Complications are numerous, and include hematopoietic depression, immunosuppression, overwhelming infections, and, possibly, the development of secondary primary cancers. In the most successful protocols maintenance chemotherapy has been administered for 3 years. Because of the potential significant toxicity there is a need to define the optimal duration of maintenance therapy. Psychological complications developing in a patient with a disease now considered a potential long term chronic illness, rather than a disease once considered universally fatal, are also discussed. The possibility of an immunologic deficiency allowing for the initial development of acute lymphocytic leukemia and the role of immunotherapy are presented. While the use of intensive combination chemotherapy and specific central nervous system prophylactic therapy have resulted in an improved prognosis in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia, because of a significant incidence of failures, a standardized single form of therapy has not been established.", "contents": "The definitive treatment of children with acute leukemia. Current therapy has resulted in improved prognosis in previously untreated children with acute lymphocytic leukemia less than 16 years of age. The induction phase of chemotherapy should include the use of at least prednisone and vincristine. This combination should result in a hematologic remission in about 90 per cent of the patients. The efficacy of the addition of either L-asparaginase or daunomycin, the consolidation phase or the periodic readministration of induction drugs has not been established. Specific central nervous system treatment, early in the course of therapy, is an integral component of recently reported effective protocols. Several modalities of prophalytic central nervous system therapy have been utilized. These include cranial irradiation plus intrathecal methotrexate, craniospinal irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate alone. An encephalopathy syndrome has been reported as a complication in 10 to 66 per cent of these patients. The most effective form of central nervous system therapy, associated with the least toxicity, has not been established. Maintenance chemotherapy should include a combination of two or more drugs. Complications are numerous, and include hematopoietic depression, immunosuppression, overwhelming infections, and, possibly, the development of secondary primary cancers. In the most successful protocols maintenance chemotherapy has been administered for 3 years. Because of the potential significant toxicity there is a need to define the optimal duration of maintenance therapy. Psychological complications developing in a patient with a disease now considered a potential long term chronic illness, rather than a disease once considered universally fatal, are also discussed. The possibility of an immunologic deficiency allowing for the initial development of acute lymphocytic leukemia and the role of immunotherapy are presented. While the use of intensive combination chemotherapy and specific central nervous system prophylactic therapy have resulted in an improved prognosis in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia, because of a significant incidence of failures, a standardized single form of therapy has not been established.", "PMID": 781418} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5849", "title": "The vascular anatomy of the eustachian tube in the guinea pig.", "content": "Vascular anatomy of the eustachian tube has received little attention in the world's medical literature. Forty guinea pigs were perfused with Berlin Blue as a contrast medium and the eustachian tube microvascular architecture visualized through surface preparations. A diffuse, dense two-layered capillary network was found which followed the distribution of mucous glands. Five animals suffering from suppurative otitis media showed marked capillary congestion with increased vessel to tissue density. Relationships to gross arterial and venous supply as found in the human are discussed.", "contents": "The vascular anatomy of the eustachian tube in the guinea pig. Vascular anatomy of the eustachian tube has received little attention in the world's medical literature. Forty guinea pigs were perfused with Berlin Blue as a contrast medium and the eustachian tube microvascular architecture visualized through surface preparations. A diffuse, dense two-layered capillary network was found which followed the distribution of mucous glands. Five animals suffering from suppurative otitis media showed marked capillary congestion with increased vessel to tissue density. Relationships to gross arterial and venous supply as found in the human are discussed.", "PMID": 781438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5850", "title": "The use of steroids in Bell's palsy: a prospective controlled study.", "content": "A prospective, controlled, double-blind study was designed to evaluate the effect of steroid treatment on the natural history of Bell's palsy. Fifty-one patients were included in the study between 1972 and 1974. The patients were evaluated and started on treatment within two days of onset of Bell's palsy and followed for six months. Treatment was given in randomized double-blind fashion and consisted of either vitamins or a total of 410 mg of prednisone plus vitamins in descending doses over 10 days. The recovery of facial motor function was determined by three physicians who had no knowledge of the treatment received by the patients. They examined photographs of the patients taken six months after onset of paralysis in eight positions of facial function and categorized them as to complete fair, or poor recovery of facial function. These results of this evaluation were submitted to the biostatistician who broke the treatment code. The results of this study demonstrate no statistically significant beneficial effect of steroid therapy upon recovery from Bell's palsy. Factors considered included the patients' age, sex, the presence of pain, ageusia, hyperacusis, diabetes, hypertension, the progression and degree of palsy, the results of nerve excitability and salivary flow tests, and the time at which recovery was first noted or became complete. Bell's palsy remains without a proven efficacious treatment.", "contents": "The use of steroids in Bell's palsy: a prospective controlled study. A prospective, controlled, double-blind study was designed to evaluate the effect of steroid treatment on the natural history of Bell's palsy. Fifty-one patients were included in the study between 1972 and 1974. The patients were evaluated and started on treatment within two days of onset of Bell's palsy and followed for six months. Treatment was given in randomized double-blind fashion and consisted of either vitamins or a total of 410 mg of prednisone plus vitamins in descending doses over 10 days. The recovery of facial motor function was determined by three physicians who had no knowledge of the treatment received by the patients. They examined photographs of the patients taken six months after onset of paralysis in eight positions of facial function and categorized them as to complete fair, or poor recovery of facial function. These results of this evaluation were submitted to the biostatistician who broke the treatment code. The results of this study demonstrate no statistically significant beneficial effect of steroid therapy upon recovery from Bell's palsy. Factors considered included the patients' age, sex, the presence of pain, ageusia, hyperacusis, diabetes, hypertension, the progression and degree of palsy, the results of nerve excitability and salivary flow tests, and the time at which recovery was first noted or became complete. Bell's palsy remains without a proven efficacious treatment.", "PMID": 781439} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5851", "title": "\"Practical suggestions on facial plastic surgery--how I do it.\".", "content": "For many years, we have used 6-0 catgut for closure of epithelial and superficial dermal wound edges. Only when absolutely necessary do we use deeper dermal or subcutaneous sutures. The superficial suturing is supplemented with antitension skin taping. Details of the technique are presented and reasons why satisfactory results occur are postulated. The recommended techniques have been used in closure of wounds on the face and body. It is emphasized that only certain catgut and antitension taping products work well.", "contents": "\"Practical suggestions on facial plastic surgery--how I do it.\". For many years, we have used 6-0 catgut for closure of epithelial and superficial dermal wound edges. Only when absolutely necessary do we use deeper dermal or subcutaneous sutures. The superficial suturing is supplemented with antitension skin taping. Details of the technique are presented and reasons why satisfactory results occur are postulated. The recommended techniques have been used in closure of wounds on the face and body. It is emphasized that only certain catgut and antitension taping products work well.", "PMID": 781440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5852", "title": "Hunting poisons of the North Pacific Region.", "content": "The hunting poisons of the North Pacific region are discussed. The most important one used by the Ainu was based on Aconitum species (surku or suruku): on Hokkaido, to some extent A. japonicum Thumb. but probably mainly A. yezoense Nakai and A. sachalinense Fr. Schm.; on southern Sakhalin, perhaps A. fischeri Reichb., A. maximum Pall. ex DC., and/or A. sachalinense Fr. Schm.; and on the Kuril Islands, A. maximum Pall. ex DC. Poison from the Japanese stingray Dasyatis akajei (M\u00fcller et Henle) (aikor chiep) was also much used, alone or mixed with aconite, and was believed by some Ainu to be better than aconite. Adjuvants to these poisons were numerous and varied in each locality. Daphne kamtschatica Maxim. var. yezoensis (Maxim.) Ohwi (ketuhas) was used in hunting walrus. The use of Cynanchum caudatum (Miq.) Maxim. (penup) enabled birds to be caught. Juglans ailanthifolia Carr (nesko) was a fish poison. A critical evaluation of the accounts by Krasheninnikov, Steller, Harms, and others, indicates that the inhibitants of the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Kamchadal (Itelmen), hunted with a poison derived from Aconitum maximum Pall. ex DC. This same species was almost certainly used in the Aleutian Islands and the Kodiak Island region, principally for hunting whales. There is some evidence that the inhabitants of the far north-eastern part of Siberia and of the Alaskan coasts opposite may also have used poison in hunting. The chemistry and toxicology of the poisons are briefly considered.", "contents": "Hunting poisons of the North Pacific Region. The hunting poisons of the North Pacific region are discussed. The most important one used by the Ainu was based on Aconitum species (surku or suruku): on Hokkaido, to some extent A. japonicum Thumb. but probably mainly A. yezoense Nakai and A. sachalinense Fr. Schm.; on southern Sakhalin, perhaps A. fischeri Reichb., A. maximum Pall. ex DC., and/or A. sachalinense Fr. Schm.; and on the Kuril Islands, A. maximum Pall. ex DC. Poison from the Japanese stingray Dasyatis akajei (M\u00fcller et Henle) (aikor chiep) was also much used, alone or mixed with aconite, and was believed by some Ainu to be better than aconite. Adjuvants to these poisons were numerous and varied in each locality. Daphne kamtschatica Maxim. var. yezoensis (Maxim.) Ohwi (ketuhas) was used in hunting walrus. The use of Cynanchum caudatum (Miq.) Maxim. (penup) enabled birds to be caught. Juglans ailanthifolia Carr (nesko) was a fish poison. A critical evaluation of the accounts by Krasheninnikov, Steller, Harms, and others, indicates that the inhibitants of the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Kamchadal (Itelmen), hunted with a poison derived from Aconitum maximum Pall. ex DC. This same species was almost certainly used in the Aleutian Islands and the Kodiak Island region, principally for hunting whales. There is some evidence that the inhabitants of the far north-eastern part of Siberia and of the Alaskan coasts opposite may also have used poison in hunting. The chemistry and toxicology of the poisons are briefly considered.", "PMID": 781454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5853", "title": "Amylase--its clinical significance: a review of the literature.", "content": "This review of the English literature on amylase was undertaken because no recent discussion of the subject could be located, no comprehensive list of disorders causing hyperamylasemia or hyperamylasuria is available, and several major advances in the area have been made, notably the amylase isoenzyme determination and Cam/Ccr ratio. Several important concepts have emerged from this review. First, hyperamylasemia and hyperamylasuria are not specific indices of the presence of pancreatic disease or damage. Second, serum and urinary amylase levels can be spuriously normal with hypertriglyceridemia and pancreatitis. Third, the current emphasis on diagnostic methods for measuring serum amylase isoenzymes promises to improve the specificity of this determination. It will also enhance our understanding of the sources, distribution, metabolism, and elmination of amylase. Fourth, the development of the Cam/Ccr ratio may provide a practical diagnostic tool for separating clinically significant hyperamylasemia due to pancreatitis from that caused by other factors. Both the the isoamylase determination and Cam/Ccr ratio clearly require future research to place their clinical application in the proper perspective.", "contents": "Amylase--its clinical significance: a review of the literature. This review of the English literature on amylase was undertaken because no recent discussion of the subject could be located, no comprehensive list of disorders causing hyperamylasemia or hyperamylasuria is available, and several major advances in the area have been made, notably the amylase isoenzyme determination and Cam/Ccr ratio. Several important concepts have emerged from this review. First, hyperamylasemia and hyperamylasuria are not specific indices of the presence of pancreatic disease or damage. Second, serum and urinary amylase levels can be spuriously normal with hypertriglyceridemia and pancreatitis. Third, the current emphasis on diagnostic methods for measuring serum amylase isoenzymes promises to improve the specificity of this determination. It will also enhance our understanding of the sources, distribution, metabolism, and elmination of amylase. Fourth, the development of the Cam/Ccr ratio may provide a practical diagnostic tool for separating clinically significant hyperamylasemia due to pancreatitis from that caused by other factors. Both the the isoamylase determination and Cam/Ccr ratio clearly require future research to place their clinical application in the proper perspective.", "PMID": 781463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5854", "title": "Renal cell carcinoma: unusual systemic manifestations.", "content": "A series of cases is presented which illustrates unusual aspects in the presentation, diagnosis, and management of renal cell carcinoma. The entire \"classic triad\" of flank pain, gross hematuria, and palpable mass was not present at the time of diagnosis in any of the patients. Moreover, in only three patients did the initial clinical findings raise the suspicion of renal cell carcinoma. A diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease, cardiac failure, glomerulonephritis, analgesic abuse, and perirenal hemorrhage obscured the primary diagnosis in the other five patients. In four patients the tumor was probably present from 3 to 12 years before detection. These findings emphasize that knowledge of the hematologic, humoral, immunologic and vascular abnormalities induced by this tumor may provide a clue to early diagnosis. The systematic use of excretion urography, nephrotomography, ultrasonography, renal scanning, renal arteriography and cyst puncture then may allow the accuracy of radiologic diagnosis of this tumor to approach 100%. Lastly, the therapy of choice for this tumor is radical nephrectomy. Excision of apparently solitary metastases also may sometimes be feasible. However, partial nephrectomy to remove tumor in a solitary kidney was performed in one patient to avoid the need for end-stage kidney treatment. Where nephrectomy renders the patient anephric, chronic hemodialysis and renal transplantation should be considered as potential measures to sustain life. While hormonal agents, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy sometimes provide palliation, their use generally has been disappointing.", "contents": "Renal cell carcinoma: unusual systemic manifestations. A series of cases is presented which illustrates unusual aspects in the presentation, diagnosis, and management of renal cell carcinoma. The entire \"classic triad\" of flank pain, gross hematuria, and palpable mass was not present at the time of diagnosis in any of the patients. Moreover, in only three patients did the initial clinical findings raise the suspicion of renal cell carcinoma. A diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease, cardiac failure, glomerulonephritis, analgesic abuse, and perirenal hemorrhage obscured the primary diagnosis in the other five patients. In four patients the tumor was probably present from 3 to 12 years before detection. These findings emphasize that knowledge of the hematologic, humoral, immunologic and vascular abnormalities induced by this tumor may provide a clue to early diagnosis. The systematic use of excretion urography, nephrotomography, ultrasonography, renal scanning, renal arteriography and cyst puncture then may allow the accuracy of radiologic diagnosis of this tumor to approach 100%. Lastly, the therapy of choice for this tumor is radical nephrectomy. Excision of apparently solitary metastases also may sometimes be feasible. However, partial nephrectomy to remove tumor in a solitary kidney was performed in one patient to avoid the need for end-stage kidney treatment. Where nephrectomy renders the patient anephric, chronic hemodialysis and renal transplantation should be considered as potential measures to sustain life. While hormonal agents, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy sometimes provide palliation, their use generally has been disappointing.", "PMID": 781464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5855", "title": "Studies in familial systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "Although many examples of familial SLE have been reported, the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors remains unclear. In an effort to better understand these factors, eight such families were studied. These families, plus one deceased pair and 31 described in the literature consisted of 8 pairs of identical twins, one pair of non-identical twins, and 16 sibling and 15 parent-offspring combinations. Fifty-three cases in 25 families provided sufficient documentation for detailed analysis. Each familial case was compared to his affected relative utilizing 23 clinical and laboratory features of SLE. A control group of non-related SLE patients, each matched to a familial case for age, sex, race and disease duration, was similarly analyzed. Impressive concordance for disease expression was found between pairs of identical twins and between parent and offspring. No such concordance was found between siblings and controls. These findings support genetic influences in the expression of SLE in identical twins and parents and offspring pairs. Comparison of the frequencies of clinical and laboratory attributes in the familial group as opposed to non-familial groups showed no real differences. Thus, familial SLE is probably not a different disease entity from non-familial SLE. The finding of four father-offspring pairs lessens the possibility that SLE is transmitted during the perinatal period. The onset of SLE in each of identical twins occurred within an average of 2 years. In siblings, however, while the average difference in age at onset was 9 years, the average difference in time of onset (actual date) was only 3 years. Comparable figures for parents and offspring were 20 and 8 years, respectively. These data suggest environmental influences in the initiation of SLE, especially in siblings. Studies of 27 unaffected first-degree relatives in our eight families revealed two sisters with thyroid disease, persistent leukopenia and sedimentation rate elevation. They were daughters of a patient with SLE and Hashimoto's thyroiditis and sisters of a patient with SLE. The remaining 25 relatives were clinically, hematologically, biochemically, and serologically normal. While these studies suggest both genetic and environmental influences in the pathogenesis of SLE, further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms.", "contents": "Studies in familial systemic lupus erythematosus. Although many examples of familial SLE have been reported, the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors remains unclear. In an effort to better understand these factors, eight such families were studied. These families, plus one deceased pair and 31 described in the literature consisted of 8 pairs of identical twins, one pair of non-identical twins, and 16 sibling and 15 parent-offspring combinations. Fifty-three cases in 25 families provided sufficient documentation for detailed analysis. Each familial case was compared to his affected relative utilizing 23 clinical and laboratory features of SLE. A control group of non-related SLE patients, each matched to a familial case for age, sex, race and disease duration, was similarly analyzed. Impressive concordance for disease expression was found between pairs of identical twins and between parent and offspring. No such concordance was found between siblings and controls. These findings support genetic influences in the expression of SLE in identical twins and parents and offspring pairs. Comparison of the frequencies of clinical and laboratory attributes in the familial group as opposed to non-familial groups showed no real differences. Thus, familial SLE is probably not a different disease entity from non-familial SLE. The finding of four father-offspring pairs lessens the possibility that SLE is transmitted during the perinatal period. The onset of SLE in each of identical twins occurred within an average of 2 years. In siblings, however, while the average difference in age at onset was 9 years, the average difference in time of onset (actual date) was only 3 years. Comparable figures for parents and offspring were 20 and 8 years, respectively. These data suggest environmental influences in the initiation of SLE, especially in siblings. Studies of 27 unaffected first-degree relatives in our eight families revealed two sisters with thyroid disease, persistent leukopenia and sedimentation rate elevation. They were daughters of a patient with SLE and Hashimoto's thyroiditis and sisters of a patient with SLE. The remaining 25 relatives were clinically, hematologically, biochemically, and serologically normal. While these studies suggest both genetic and environmental influences in the pathogenesis of SLE, further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms.", "PMID": 781465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5856", "title": "Neuropsychiatric manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: diagnosis, clinical spectrum, and relationship to other features of the disease.", "content": "1. Among patients with SLE, 71 (51%) had significant neuropsychiatric problems during the course of the disease. In 52 (37%), the nervous system manifestations were secondary to SLE. 2. The most frequent manifestations were psychiatric dysfunction, seizures, long tract signs, cranial neuropathy, and peripheral neuropathy. 3. Psychiatric abnormalities secondary to SLE were characterized by organic features (present in 22 of 24) and by the association of neurologic lesions which were often diffuse or multifocal. 4. An abnormal cerebrospinal fluid was found in 32% of neuropsychiatric episodes in which specimens were obtained. The most frequently abnormal study was the electroencephalogram (71%), and the least frequent was the brain scan (8%). These studies did not correlate with specific clinical patterns. 5. In 63% of the patients, NP manifestations preceded the diagnosis of SLE or occurred within the first year of diagnosed disease, and in most episodes were associated with evidence of clinical and/or serologic activity of the underlying illness. 6. Only two clinical features showed significant and striking correlations with neuropsychiatric involvement, namely vasculitis and thrombocytopenia. The possible pathogenic implications have been discussed. 7. Only 2 of the 140 patients were felt to have steroid-induced psychoses. In approximately one-half of the NP episodes secondary to SLE, patients were receiving no corticosteriods on presentation. Of those developing while patients were on steroids, the majority occurred on low doses or after tapering from higher levels. 8. The immediate prognosis for improvement in neuropsychiatric function was good with 84% of episodes showing complete or partial resolution. Corticosteroids appeared to be of benefit in a substantial number of patients although their precise role is difficult to quantitate. 9. Five and 10 years survivals for the overall population were 94% and 82%, respectively. There were no significant differences in survival for patients with or without nervous system involvement.", "contents": "Neuropsychiatric manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: diagnosis, clinical spectrum, and relationship to other features of the disease. 1. Among patients with SLE, 71 (51%) had significant neuropsychiatric problems during the course of the disease. In 52 (37%), the nervous system manifestations were secondary to SLE. 2. The most frequent manifestations were psychiatric dysfunction, seizures, long tract signs, cranial neuropathy, and peripheral neuropathy. 3. Psychiatric abnormalities secondary to SLE were characterized by organic features (present in 22 of 24) and by the association of neurologic lesions which were often diffuse or multifocal. 4. An abnormal cerebrospinal fluid was found in 32% of neuropsychiatric episodes in which specimens were obtained. The most frequently abnormal study was the electroencephalogram (71%), and the least frequent was the brain scan (8%). These studies did not correlate with specific clinical patterns. 5. In 63% of the patients, NP manifestations preceded the diagnosis of SLE or occurred within the first year of diagnosed disease, and in most episodes were associated with evidence of clinical and/or serologic activity of the underlying illness. 6. Only two clinical features showed significant and striking correlations with neuropsychiatric involvement, namely vasculitis and thrombocytopenia. The possible pathogenic implications have been discussed. 7. Only 2 of the 140 patients were felt to have steroid-induced psychoses. In approximately one-half of the NP episodes secondary to SLE, patients were receiving no corticosteriods on presentation. Of those developing while patients were on steroids, the majority occurred on low doses or after tapering from higher levels. 8. The immediate prognosis for improvement in neuropsychiatric function was good with 84% of episodes showing complete or partial resolution. Corticosteroids appeared to be of benefit in a substantial number of patients although their precise role is difficult to quantitate. 9. Five and 10 years survivals for the overall population were 94% and 82%, respectively. There were no significant differences in survival for patients with or without nervous system involvement.", "PMID": 781466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5857", "title": "NADPH-forming dehydrogenases in the adipose tissue of obese and nonobese diabetics.", "content": "The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) of adipose tissue was markedly decreased, both on a protein and on a fat cell number basis, in nonobese diabetics compared to control subjects, but was unchanged in obese diabetics. Average value in the obese diabetics was about fourfold higher than in nonobese diabetics. On the other hand, the activity of malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating) (NADP) (EC 1.1.1.40) was reduced by about 50% in both groups of diabetics. These findings suggest that in obese diabetics NADPH-generation in the adipose tissue, necessary for several biosynthetic processes, might be less severely depressed than in lean diabetics.", "contents": "NADPH-forming dehydrogenases in the adipose tissue of obese and nonobese diabetics. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) of adipose tissue was markedly decreased, both on a protein and on a fat cell number basis, in nonobese diabetics compared to control subjects, but was unchanged in obese diabetics. Average value in the obese diabetics was about fourfold higher than in nonobese diabetics. On the other hand, the activity of malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating) (NADP) (EC 1.1.1.40) was reduced by about 50% in both groups of diabetics. These findings suggest that in obese diabetics NADPH-generation in the adipose tissue, necessary for several biosynthetic processes, might be less severely depressed than in lean diabetics.", "PMID": 781467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5858", "title": "Plasma alpha-cell glucagon in primary hyperparathyroidism.", "content": "Plasma glucose, insulin, and alpha-cell glucagon profiles were examined in ten adults with uncomplicated primary hyperparathyroidism before and 8-12 week after surgical removal of a single parathyroid adenoma. Treatment restored abnormal serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations to a normal range and reduced serum parathyroid hormone levels from 47 +/- 4 to 16 +/- 4 mu 1 Eq/ml (normal = 0-40). Plasma glucose curves during 100-g oral glucose tolerance, 30 min intravenous glucose (1.5 g/min), or arginine infusions (1.0 g/min) did not differ before and after surgery. However, basal and peak insulin concentrations were higher before treatment during these tests (p less than 0.05). Basal glucagon levels were unaffected by hyperparathyroidism (72 +/- 7 versus 77 +/- 7 pg/ml). Peak 30 min values after arginine provocation were also similar before and after treatment as was maximal suppression of basal glucagon during glucose infusions. Four patients also received 400 g lean beef meals. Glucose and glucagon responses over 240-min periods were nearly identical before and after surgery despite higher insulin levels before treatment. It is concluded that elevated serum parathyroid hormone and plasma insulin concentrations in primary hyperparathyroidism do not relate to abnormalities of plasma alpha-cell glucagon in the basal state or after glucose, arginine, or protein administration.", "contents": "Plasma alpha-cell glucagon in primary hyperparathyroidism. Plasma glucose, insulin, and alpha-cell glucagon profiles were examined in ten adults with uncomplicated primary hyperparathyroidism before and 8-12 week after surgical removal of a single parathyroid adenoma. Treatment restored abnormal serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations to a normal range and reduced serum parathyroid hormone levels from 47 +/- 4 to 16 +/- 4 mu 1 Eq/ml (normal = 0-40). Plasma glucose curves during 100-g oral glucose tolerance, 30 min intravenous glucose (1.5 g/min), or arginine infusions (1.0 g/min) did not differ before and after surgery. However, basal and peak insulin concentrations were higher before treatment during these tests (p less than 0.05). Basal glucagon levels were unaffected by hyperparathyroidism (72 +/- 7 versus 77 +/- 7 pg/ml). Peak 30 min values after arginine provocation were also similar before and after treatment as was maximal suppression of basal glucagon during glucose infusions. Four patients also received 400 g lean beef meals. Glucose and glucagon responses over 240-min periods were nearly identical before and after surgery despite higher insulin levels before treatment. It is concluded that elevated serum parathyroid hormone and plasma insulin concentrations in primary hyperparathyroidism do not relate to abnormalities of plasma alpha-cell glucagon in the basal state or after glucose, arginine, or protein administration.", "PMID": 781468} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5859", "title": "Lack of central autonomic regulation of substrate during early fasting in man.", "content": "To determine whether centrally mediated adrenergic tone modulates lipolysis, ketogenesis, or insulinopenia during starvation, four lean male subjects with complete cervical cord transection and six lean healthy male volunteers were fasted for 48 hr. Plasma glucose and insulin levels decreased to comparable levels in both groups. Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations rose to peak levels 1.23 +/- 0.08 mmoles/liter and 4.2 +/- 1.0 mmoles/liter at 36 and 48 hr in normals, respectively. Cord-sectioned subjects had similar peak FFA (1.2 \"/- 0.12) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (5.6 +/- 0.3) concentrations. Urinary catecholamine excretion in four normal subjects failed to increase during the fast. Since normal glucose, free fatty acid, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and insulin relationships were maintained in sympathectomized subjects, it appears that central adrenergic mechanisms are not essential for initiation of lipolysis, ketonemia, or the hypoinsulinemia of early starvation. These results provide additional evidence that these metabolic events are primarily related to insulinopenia.", "contents": "Lack of central autonomic regulation of substrate during early fasting in man. To determine whether centrally mediated adrenergic tone modulates lipolysis, ketogenesis, or insulinopenia during starvation, four lean male subjects with complete cervical cord transection and six lean healthy male volunteers were fasted for 48 hr. Plasma glucose and insulin levels decreased to comparable levels in both groups. Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations rose to peak levels 1.23 +/- 0.08 mmoles/liter and 4.2 +/- 1.0 mmoles/liter at 36 and 48 hr in normals, respectively. Cord-sectioned subjects had similar peak FFA (1.2 \"/- 0.12) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (5.6 +/- 0.3) concentrations. Urinary catecholamine excretion in four normal subjects failed to increase during the fast. Since normal glucose, free fatty acid, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and insulin relationships were maintained in sympathectomized subjects, it appears that central adrenergic mechanisms are not essential for initiation of lipolysis, ketonemia, or the hypoinsulinemia of early starvation. These results provide additional evidence that these metabolic events are primarily related to insulinopenia.", "PMID": 781469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5860", "title": "The actions of parathyroid hormone on bone: relation to bone remodeling and turnover, calcium homeostasis, and metabolic bone disease. Part I of IV parts: mechanisms of calcium transfer between blood and bone and their cellular basis: morphological and kinetic approaches to bone turnover.", "content": "The supracellular organization of living bone enables the study of isolated cellular and subcellular systems to be related to the study of the whole organism. Bone is formed by osteoblasts in successive stages, separated in both time and space, of matrix formation and primary mineralization. Osteoblasts are joined by tight junctions and largely cover the osteoid seam which separates them from mineralized bone. Secondary mineralization is not completed for several months and is not regulated by the osteoblast. Bone is resorbed by osteoclasts which simultaneously accomplish mineral dissolution and matrix digestion. Active osteoblasts occupy about 5% of the free bone surface, osteoid seams with less active osteoblasts about 10%, active osteoclasts about 0.5%, and Howship's lacunae at which bone remodeling is either quiescent or arrested about 5%. The remaining 80% of the free bone surface is covered by a leaky envelope of thin flattened cells, termed surface osteocytes. Some osteoblasts become permanently buried in the bone as deep osteocytes, around which a specialized and metabolically active perilacunar bone is formed. This bone is less highly mineralized and can temporarily lose or gain calcium in accordance with homeostatic needs. Deep osteocytes maintain contact with each other and with the surface osteocytes, their cell processes within canaliculi being joined by gap junctions. Remodeling of cortical bone proceeds with the excavation by osteoclasts of a longitudinal tunnel which is refilled by osteoblasts to form a new osteon. The anatomically discrete longitudinally oriented structure consisting of a cutting cone of osteoclasts in front and a closing cone of osteoblasts behind is termed a cortical remodeling unit. The events of centrifugal resorption and centripetal formation which occur in a single cross section is termed a cortical remodeling cycle. Normally each new cycle is slightly out of phase with its predecessor. The quantities which characterize cortical remodeling are the birth rate of new remodeling cycles or activation frequency (mu), and the durations of the resorptive period (sigma r), the quiescent interval (sigma q) and the formation period (sigma f). The average distances traveled by the osteoclast and osteoblast are indicated respectively by the mean cement line diameter and mean wall thickness of completed osteons. These quantities show little interindividual variation. Because of this constancy the magnitude of bone turnover (the bone formation rate) is almost entirely a function of mu, the activation frequency of new remodeling cycles. Variations in the velocity of advance of osteoclasts (the linear resorption rate) or of osteoblasts (the appositional rate) alter inversely both the extent of surface engaged in resorption or formation and the time taken to replace a particular moiety of bone, but in a steady state do not influence the rate of turnover of the skeleton as a whole...", "contents": "The actions of parathyroid hormone on bone: relation to bone remodeling and turnover, calcium homeostasis, and metabolic bone disease. Part I of IV parts: mechanisms of calcium transfer between blood and bone and their cellular basis: morphological and kinetic approaches to bone turnover. The supracellular organization of living bone enables the study of isolated cellular and subcellular systems to be related to the study of the whole organism. Bone is formed by osteoblasts in successive stages, separated in both time and space, of matrix formation and primary mineralization. Osteoblasts are joined by tight junctions and largely cover the osteoid seam which separates them from mineralized bone. Secondary mineralization is not completed for several months and is not regulated by the osteoblast. Bone is resorbed by osteoclasts which simultaneously accomplish mineral dissolution and matrix digestion. Active osteoblasts occupy about 5% of the free bone surface, osteoid seams with less active osteoblasts about 10%, active osteoclasts about 0.5%, and Howship's lacunae at which bone remodeling is either quiescent or arrested about 5%. The remaining 80% of the free bone surface is covered by a leaky envelope of thin flattened cells, termed surface osteocytes. Some osteoblasts become permanently buried in the bone as deep osteocytes, around which a specialized and metabolically active perilacunar bone is formed. This bone is less highly mineralized and can temporarily lose or gain calcium in accordance with homeostatic needs. Deep osteocytes maintain contact with each other and with the surface osteocytes, their cell processes within canaliculi being joined by gap junctions. Remodeling of cortical bone proceeds with the excavation by osteoclasts of a longitudinal tunnel which is refilled by osteoblasts to form a new osteon. The anatomically discrete longitudinally oriented structure consisting of a cutting cone of osteoclasts in front and a closing cone of osteoblasts behind is termed a cortical remodeling unit. The events of centrifugal resorption and centripetal formation which occur in a single cross section is termed a cortical remodeling cycle. Normally each new cycle is slightly out of phase with its predecessor. The quantities which characterize cortical remodeling are the birth rate of new remodeling cycles or activation frequency (mu), and the durations of the resorptive period (sigma r), the quiescent interval (sigma q) and the formation period (sigma f). The average distances traveled by the osteoclast and osteoblast are indicated respectively by the mean cement line diameter and mean wall thickness of completed osteons. These quantities show little interindividual variation. Because of this constancy the magnitude of bone turnover (the bone formation rate) is almost entirely a function of mu, the activation frequency of new remodeling cycles. Variations in the velocity of advance of osteoclasts (the linear resorption rate) or of osteoblasts (the appositional rate) alter inversely both the extent of surface engaged in resorption or formation and the time taken to replace a particular moiety of bone, but in a steady state do not influence the rate of turnover of the skeleton as a whole...", "PMID": 781470} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5861", "title": "LH and FSH responses to luteinizing-releasing hormone in normal, adult, human males.", "content": "Time-response and dose-response relationships were established for the LH and FSH response to single intravenous bolus injections of synthetic LRH. Sixteen normal adult human males, ages 19-45 were studied, and 80 individual tests were performed using a broad range of LRH doses from 0-3000 mug. Serum gonadotropins were measured at frequent intervals ranging from -30 to 180 min after LRH injection. The curves describing changes in blood LH and FSH with time were not superimposable at any dose level. The 50% decay time for the LH response showed a significant linear log-dose relationship to LRH. For LH, dose-response relationships existed for both, the peak LH release, and the total LH secretion (area under the time-response curve). No minimal or maximal effective doses were reached for LH within the dose range from 1 to 3000 mug LRH. The smallest dose (measured as peak LH concentration), that produced a response significantly different from saline injections, was 1.58 mug/subject; judged by total LH secretion (area under the time-response curve) the smallest dose producing a significant response was 2.39 mug/subject. No dose-response relationship existed for the peak FSH release. Judged by total FSH secretion (area under the time-response curve), the effects of LRH were dose related; the smallest effective dose was 20 mug LRH. As for LH, no maximal effective dose was reached within the dose range studied. The 95% confidence intervals for the peak responses to an intravenous bolus injection of 100 mug synthetic LRH were 400%-800% of the individual mean base line LH concentration, and 100%-200% of the individual mean base line FSH concentration. Serum testosterone did not change significantly in response to single bolus injections of LRH at any of the dose levels studied. The peak LH responses to any dose of LRH were positively correlated to the individual mean base line LH concentrations. No correlations were observed between the peak LH or FSH responses and age, race, marital status, body weight, or body surface area of the subjects. In a second series of studies, a 2-hr, constant infusion of synthetic LRH was administered at five different infusion rates (doses) to four normal adult human males for a total of 20 infusions. Serum LH and FSH responses were sustained at dose related levels characteristic of each individual during the entire LRH infusion period. In contrast to the lack of testosterone responses to bolus injections of LRH, serum testosterone rose significantly in response to all dose levels of LRH infusion. These are the most extensive pharmacologic studies of LRH-LH and LRH-FSH relations in man yet reported.", "contents": "LH and FSH responses to luteinizing-releasing hormone in normal, adult, human males. Time-response and dose-response relationships were established for the LH and FSH response to single intravenous bolus injections of synthetic LRH. Sixteen normal adult human males, ages 19-45 were studied, and 80 individual tests were performed using a broad range of LRH doses from 0-3000 mug. Serum gonadotropins were measured at frequent intervals ranging from -30 to 180 min after LRH injection. The curves describing changes in blood LH and FSH with time were not superimposable at any dose level. The 50% decay time for the LH response showed a significant linear log-dose relationship to LRH. For LH, dose-response relationships existed for both, the peak LH release, and the total LH secretion (area under the time-response curve). No minimal or maximal effective doses were reached for LH within the dose range from 1 to 3000 mug LRH. The smallest dose (measured as peak LH concentration), that produced a response significantly different from saline injections, was 1.58 mug/subject; judged by total LH secretion (area under the time-response curve) the smallest dose producing a significant response was 2.39 mug/subject. No dose-response relationship existed for the peak FSH release. Judged by total FSH secretion (area under the time-response curve), the effects of LRH were dose related; the smallest effective dose was 20 mug LRH. As for LH, no maximal effective dose was reached within the dose range studied. The 95% confidence intervals for the peak responses to an intravenous bolus injection of 100 mug synthetic LRH were 400%-800% of the individual mean base line LH concentration, and 100%-200% of the individual mean base line FSH concentration. Serum testosterone did not change significantly in response to single bolus injections of LRH at any of the dose levels studied. The peak LH responses to any dose of LRH were positively correlated to the individual mean base line LH concentrations. No correlations were observed between the peak LH or FSH responses and age, race, marital status, body weight, or body surface area of the subjects. In a second series of studies, a 2-hr, constant infusion of synthetic LRH was administered at five different infusion rates (doses) to four normal adult human males for a total of 20 infusions. Serum LH and FSH responses were sustained at dose related levels characteristic of each individual during the entire LRH infusion period. In contrast to the lack of testosterone responses to bolus injections of LRH, serum testosterone rose significantly in response to all dose levels of LRH infusion. These are the most extensive pharmacologic studies of LRH-LH and LRH-FSH relations in man yet reported.", "PMID": 781471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5862", "title": "[Mutagenesis of synchronous populations of Escherichia coli with normal and defective reparative enzymes under the influence of hydroxylamine].", "content": "Bacterial populations of E. coli K12 uvr+ and E. coli K12 uvr- were preliminary synchronized on membrane nitrocellulose filtres and then treated with 1 M hydroxylamine for different times; the frequency of mutants failing to assimilate glucose was estimated. Kinetics of mutagenesis in the cells of both strains was almost the same and indicated that lesions induced by hydroxylamine were not repaired. It is for the first time that the maximum mutation frequency was registered in experiments with hydroxylamine; this suggests that the repair hypothesis of attaining the maximum mutation frequency is not universal.", "contents": "[Mutagenesis of synchronous populations of Escherichia coli with normal and defective reparative enzymes under the influence of hydroxylamine]. Bacterial populations of E. coli K12 uvr+ and E. coli K12 uvr- were preliminary synchronized on membrane nitrocellulose filtres and then treated with 1 M hydroxylamine for different times; the frequency of mutants failing to assimilate glucose was estimated. Kinetics of mutagenesis in the cells of both strains was almost the same and indicated that lesions induced by hydroxylamine were not repaired. It is for the first time that the maximum mutation frequency was registered in experiments with hydroxylamine; this suggests that the repair hypothesis of attaining the maximum mutation frequency is not universal.", "PMID": 781473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5863", "title": "[Formation of L-asparagine and L-glutamine deamidases by bacterial cultures].", "content": "Among studied 40 bacterial cultures, 17 strains catalysed hydroxylaminolysis of I.-asparagine and L-glutamine, and among these cultures seven strains belonged to the Pseudomonas genus. Extracts of the cells of Ps. boreopolis 526 (MGU), Ps. aurantiaca IBFM B-14, and Ps. septica IBFM B-40 had the maximum deamidase activity during the stage of decelerated growth. The activity of L-asparaginase 2 was practically the same upon various ways of disintegration of the cells of Ps. aurantiaca IBFM B-14: ballistic technique, ultrasound, extrusion form the solid state. Production of beta-aspartylhydroxamic acid by L-asparaginase 2 depended on the concentration of hydroxylamine and protein in the reaction mixture and on the duration of the reaction.", "contents": "[Formation of L-asparagine and L-glutamine deamidases by bacterial cultures]. Among studied 40 bacterial cultures, 17 strains catalysed hydroxylaminolysis of I.-asparagine and L-glutamine, and among these cultures seven strains belonged to the Pseudomonas genus. Extracts of the cells of Ps. boreopolis 526 (MGU), Ps. aurantiaca IBFM B-14, and Ps. septica IBFM B-40 had the maximum deamidase activity during the stage of decelerated growth. The activity of L-asparaginase 2 was practically the same upon various ways of disintegration of the cells of Ps. aurantiaca IBFM B-14: ballistic technique, ultrasound, extrusion form the solid state. Production of beta-aspartylhydroxamic acid by L-asparaginase 2 depended on the concentration of hydroxylamine and protein in the reaction mixture and on the duration of the reaction.", "PMID": 781474} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5864", "title": "Double-blind factorial trial of prindolol and hydrochlorothiazide in hypertension.", "content": "The antihypertensive actions of the beta-adrenergic blocking agent, prindolol, and of the diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide, were analysed in a double-blind randomized 2 X 2 factorial trial in 16 patients. There were four eight-week phases in which patients received prindolol alone, hydrochlorothiazide alone, prindolol plus hydrochlorothiazide in combination, and no treatment. Both drugs were given in fixed doses: prindolol, 10 mg three times per day; hydrochlorothiazide, 50 mg per day. Blood pressure was measured weekly, alternately at the outpatient clinic and at home. Supine mean arterial pressure (MAP) in resting patients fell from 127 mm Hg in the placebo phase to 117 mm Hg with hydrochlorothiazide alone, 116 mm Hg with prindolol alone, and 111 mm Hg with the combination of prindolol and hydrochlorothiazide. (The standard error of difference between treatments was +/-3-58). A mean factorial effect of -7 mm Hg for hydrochlorothiazide (P less than 0-01) and -8 mm Hg for prindolol (P less than 0-01) was obtained, and the two drugs acted in an additive manner. The effects on standing blood pressure in resting patients were similar. No serious side effects were noted.", "contents": "Double-blind factorial trial of prindolol and hydrochlorothiazide in hypertension. The antihypertensive actions of the beta-adrenergic blocking agent, prindolol, and of the diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide, were analysed in a double-blind randomized 2 X 2 factorial trial in 16 patients. There were four eight-week phases in which patients received prindolol alone, hydrochlorothiazide alone, prindolol plus hydrochlorothiazide in combination, and no treatment. Both drugs were given in fixed doses: prindolol, 10 mg three times per day; hydrochlorothiazide, 50 mg per day. Blood pressure was measured weekly, alternately at the outpatient clinic and at home. Supine mean arterial pressure (MAP) in resting patients fell from 127 mm Hg in the placebo phase to 117 mm Hg with hydrochlorothiazide alone, 116 mm Hg with prindolol alone, and 111 mm Hg with the combination of prindolol and hydrochlorothiazide. (The standard error of difference between treatments was +/-3-58). A mean factorial effect of -7 mm Hg for hydrochlorothiazide (P less than 0-01) and -8 mm Hg for prindolol (P less than 0-01) was obtained, and the two drugs acted in an additive manner. The effects on standing blood pressure in resting patients were similar. No serious side effects were noted.", "PMID": 781495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5865", "title": "[Gastric tolerance of different preparations of acetylsalicylic acid in postoperative prevention of thrombo-embolism (author's transl)].", "content": "The necessity for thrombosis-prophylaxis is indisputable. The evaluation of our patients over a period of 2 years revealed results compatible with other authors. Due to its thrombocyte desaggregating action, acetyl-salicylic acid was found to have a definite effect on the thrombophilia by inhibiting the thrombocyte adhesiveness in a beginning thrombosis. It was shown that acetylsalicylic acid in combination with glycocoll is apparently superior to microencapsulated acetylic acid in terms of gastric tolerance. In a small number of patients the therapeutic efficiency was investigated and according to the platelets agglutination test, verified. Further investigations are planned in a major series of patients where acetylsalicylic acid with glycocoll was administered in respect to the treatment of rheumatic fever.", "contents": "[Gastric tolerance of different preparations of acetylsalicylic acid in postoperative prevention of thrombo-embolism (author's transl)]. The necessity for thrombosis-prophylaxis is indisputable. The evaluation of our patients over a period of 2 years revealed results compatible with other authors. Due to its thrombocyte desaggregating action, acetyl-salicylic acid was found to have a definite effect on the thrombophilia by inhibiting the thrombocyte adhesiveness in a beginning thrombosis. It was shown that acetylsalicylic acid in combination with glycocoll is apparently superior to microencapsulated acetylic acid in terms of gastric tolerance. In a small number of patients the therapeutic efficiency was investigated and according to the platelets agglutination test, verified. Further investigations are planned in a major series of patients where acetylsalicylic acid with glycocoll was administered in respect to the treatment of rheumatic fever.", "PMID": 781501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5866", "title": "Effects of rifampicin on synthesis and functional activity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli.", "content": "During the course of kinetic studies on the synthesis of RNA polymerase subunits in Escherichia coli K12, strain Km7 (CP372), certain anomalies were found that seemed to be associated with the system of reversible inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis by rifampicin. To find a possible explanation for these anomalies, effects of rifampicin on RNA chain elongation and on residual synthesis of polymerase subunits were investigated with several strains including Km7. Examination of mRNA synthesis for the tryptophan operon suggested that RNA chain growth as well as RNA chain initiation is inhibited at high drug concentration (500 mug/ml), wheras RNA chain initiation is inhibited specifically at low concentration (20 mug/ml). Analysis of effect of rifampicin concentration on total RNA synthesis gave results that are also consistent with this conclusion. These results emphasize the need for selecting a proper drug concentration whenever rifampicin or other related antibiotic is used as a specific inhibitor of transcription initiation. When rifampicin was added to a culture of these strains absolute rates of synthesis of all subunits of RNA polymerase increased for several minutes and then decreased. The extent of this transient stimulation varied depending on the strain, drug concentration and other conditions, but was most striking for the beta and sigma subunits with strain Km7 at high drug concentration (500 mug/ml). With a rifampicin-sensitive wild-type strain tested, the maximum stimulation was found at about 50 mug/ml of the drug, with a particularly marked effect for sigma subunit. Streptolydigin, on the other hand, inhibited the synthesis of core subunits much faster than the bulk of protein, but inhibited synthesis of sigma subunit only after a lag. Hence a specific effect of rifampicin but not the inactivation of beta subunit per se appears to be involved in transient stimulation of polymerase synthesis observed. Implications of these findings on the control of RNA polymerase synthesis are discussed.", "contents": "Effects of rifampicin on synthesis and functional activity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli. During the course of kinetic studies on the synthesis of RNA polymerase subunits in Escherichia coli K12, strain Km7 (CP372), certain anomalies were found that seemed to be associated with the system of reversible inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis by rifampicin. To find a possible explanation for these anomalies, effects of rifampicin on RNA chain elongation and on residual synthesis of polymerase subunits were investigated with several strains including Km7. Examination of mRNA synthesis for the tryptophan operon suggested that RNA chain growth as well as RNA chain initiation is inhibited at high drug concentration (500 mug/ml), wheras RNA chain initiation is inhibited specifically at low concentration (20 mug/ml). Analysis of effect of rifampicin concentration on total RNA synthesis gave results that are also consistent with this conclusion. These results emphasize the need for selecting a proper drug concentration whenever rifampicin or other related antibiotic is used as a specific inhibitor of transcription initiation. When rifampicin was added to a culture of these strains absolute rates of synthesis of all subunits of RNA polymerase increased for several minutes and then decreased. The extent of this transient stimulation varied depending on the strain, drug concentration and other conditions, but was most striking for the beta and sigma subunits with strain Km7 at high drug concentration (500 mug/ml). With a rifampicin-sensitive wild-type strain tested, the maximum stimulation was found at about 50 mug/ml of the drug, with a particularly marked effect for sigma subunit. Streptolydigin, on the other hand, inhibited the synthesis of core subunits much faster than the bulk of protein, but inhibited synthesis of sigma subunit only after a lag. Hence a specific effect of rifampicin but not the inactivation of beta subunit per se appears to be involved in transient stimulation of polymerase synthesis observed. Implications of these findings on the control of RNA polymerase synthesis are discussed.", "PMID": 781514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5867", "title": "Mitochondrial genetic damage induced in yeast by a photoactivated furocoumarin in combination with ethidium bromide or ultraviolet light.", "content": "Ethidium bromide (EB) and ultraviolet light (UV) in combination are known to produce a synergistic induction of \"petite\" mutants in yeast. Two other agents were combined with EB, 3-Carbethoxypsoralene (3 CPs) activated by 365 nm light or gamma rays. EB in combination with 3 CPs also resulted in an enhanced production of \"petite\" mutants. After the photoaddition of 3 CPs in exponential phase cells, recovery of the \"petite\" mutation during dark liquid holding was inhibited by the presence of EB producing an enhanced number of \"petite\" mutants. The behavior of mitochondrial antibiotic resistance markers after individual and combined treatments with EB and 3 CPs indicates a random loss of markers after EB and a preferential loss of a certain region for the 3 CPs photoaddition. The combination of the two agents leads to an additivity of total drug marker losses rather than a synergistic loss. The combination of EB with gamma rays produced no enhancement in \"petite\" induction. A combination of UV and 3 CPs showed a synergistic interaction for \"petite\" induction. These results indicate that the three agents, EB, UV and 3 CPs photoaddition may share a common repair step for mitochondrial lesions.", "contents": "Mitochondrial genetic damage induced in yeast by a photoactivated furocoumarin in combination with ethidium bromide or ultraviolet light. Ethidium bromide (EB) and ultraviolet light (UV) in combination are known to produce a synergistic induction of \"petite\" mutants in yeast. Two other agents were combined with EB, 3-Carbethoxypsoralene (3 CPs) activated by 365 nm light or gamma rays. EB in combination with 3 CPs also resulted in an enhanced production of \"petite\" mutants. After the photoaddition of 3 CPs in exponential phase cells, recovery of the \"petite\" mutation during dark liquid holding was inhibited by the presence of EB producing an enhanced number of \"petite\" mutants. The behavior of mitochondrial antibiotic resistance markers after individual and combined treatments with EB and 3 CPs indicates a random loss of markers after EB and a preferential loss of a certain region for the 3 CPs photoaddition. The combination of the two agents leads to an additivity of total drug marker losses rather than a synergistic loss. The combination of EB with gamma rays produced no enhancement in \"petite\" induction. A combination of UV and 3 CPs showed a synergistic interaction for \"petite\" induction. These results indicate that the three agents, EB, UV and 3 CPs photoaddition may share a common repair step for mitochondrial lesions.", "PMID": 781515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5868", "title": "Replication of small plasmids in extracts of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Sakakibara and Tomizawa (1974a) have described a soluble in vitro system that can carry the semi-conservative replication of the Co1 E1 plasmid. However, the usefulness of this system is restricted by its rapid inactivation during storage. This paper describes a stable soluble system prepared by freeze-thaw lysis of chloramphenicol-treated E. coli cells which replicates added Co1 E1 and C1o DF13 DNA. It differs from the system employed by Sakakibara and Tomizawa in two important points: (1) Its replicative capacity for Co1 E1 DNA is by an order of magnitude higher and (2) it can be stored in liquid nitrogen for several months without loss of activity Plasmid replication in vitro is dependent of DNA polymerase I and requires de novo RNA synthesis. It is completely inhibited by rifampicin, oxolinic acid, and novobiocin. The DNA synthesized during a 60 min incubation at 30 degrees C consists mostly of monomeric supercoils. If Co1 E1 DNA is used as template, a minor portion of the label is also found in closed dimeric catenanes. Density labelling experiments indicate that plasmid DNA synthesis occurs by a semi-conservative replication process.", "contents": "Replication of small plasmids in extracts of Escherichia coli. Sakakibara and Tomizawa (1974a) have described a soluble in vitro system that can carry the semi-conservative replication of the Co1 E1 plasmid. However, the usefulness of this system is restricted by its rapid inactivation during storage. This paper describes a stable soluble system prepared by freeze-thaw lysis of chloramphenicol-treated E. coli cells which replicates added Co1 E1 and C1o DF13 DNA. It differs from the system employed by Sakakibara and Tomizawa in two important points: (1) Its replicative capacity for Co1 E1 DNA is by an order of magnitude higher and (2) it can be stored in liquid nitrogen for several months without loss of activity Plasmid replication in vitro is dependent of DNA polymerase I and requires de novo RNA synthesis. It is completely inhibited by rifampicin, oxolinic acid, and novobiocin. The DNA synthesized during a 60 min incubation at 30 degrees C consists mostly of monomeric supercoils. If Co1 E1 DNA is used as template, a minor portion of the label is also found in closed dimeric catenanes. Density labelling experiments indicate that plasmid DNA synthesis occurs by a semi-conservative replication process.", "PMID": 781516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5869", "title": "Expression of the plasmid pKM101--determined DNA repair system in recA- and lex- strains of Escherichia coli.", "content": "pKM101, a plasmid R factor of the N compatibility group increases methylmethane sulfonate mutagenesis and diminishes UV-killing in recA+ LEX+ and recA+ lex- strains, , but not in recA-lex+ strains. The induction of a \"reclex\" dependent colicin is not present in lex- strains carrying the pKM101 factor. These facts indicate that pKM101 acts through an error-prone DNA repair system which is recA+ dependent, but not lex+ dependent.", "contents": "Expression of the plasmid pKM101--determined DNA repair system in recA- and lex- strains of Escherichia coli. pKM101, a plasmid R factor of the N compatibility group increases methylmethane sulfonate mutagenesis and diminishes UV-killing in recA+ LEX+ and recA+ lex- strains, , but not in recA-lex+ strains. The induction of a \"reclex\" dependent colicin is not present in lex- strains carrying the pKM101 factor. These facts indicate that pKM101 acts through an error-prone DNA repair system which is recA+ dependent, but not lex+ dependent.", "PMID": 781517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5870", "title": "Peptide analysis of RNA polymerase alpha subunit from Escherichia coli: comparison of free with assembled form.", "content": "The analysis of tryptic peptides was performed on the unassembled as well as assembled form f alpha subunit of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli. The peptide profiles obtained by Dowex 50 column chromatography of the unassembled alpha subunit prepared from cells, either pulse-labeled or continuously labeled with radioactive lysine or arginine, were essentially identical with those of the alpha subunit from intact RNA polymerase. The results suggest that newly synthesized free alpha subunit is assembled into the polymerase structure without any remarkable modifications. The number of lysine- and arginine-containing peaks were close to the values expected from the amino acid composition of alpha subunit assuming that the two alpha subunits in RNA polymerase core enzyme have identical primary structure.", "contents": "Peptide analysis of RNA polymerase alpha subunit from Escherichia coli: comparison of free with assembled form. The analysis of tryptic peptides was performed on the unassembled as well as assembled form f alpha subunit of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli. The peptide profiles obtained by Dowex 50 column chromatography of the unassembled alpha subunit prepared from cells, either pulse-labeled or continuously labeled with radioactive lysine or arginine, were essentially identical with those of the alpha subunit from intact RNA polymerase. The results suggest that newly synthesized free alpha subunit is assembled into the polymerase structure without any remarkable modifications. The number of lysine- and arginine-containing peaks were close to the values expected from the amino acid composition of alpha subunit assuming that the two alpha subunits in RNA polymerase core enzyme have identical primary structure.", "PMID": 781518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5871", "title": "The influence of mutations upon the synthesis of RNA polymerase subunits in Escherichia coli cells.", "content": "The influence of mutations in structural genes of beta and beta subunits of RNA polymerase upon the synthesis of these subunits in E. coli cells have been investigated. An amber-mutation ts22 in the beta subunit gene decreases the intracellular concentration of this subunit and the rate of its synthesis. At the same time the concentration and the rate of beta subunit synthesis is increased. These suggest the compensatory activation of the RNA polymerase operon that takes place under the conditions of shortage of one of the subunits. Reversions as well as more effective suppression of ts22 amber mutation, achieved by streptomycin addition, substitution of su2 by sul, or by specific mutations, result in a rise of beta and drop of beta subunit concentration and synthesis in ts22 mutant. TsX missense-mutation in the beta subunit gene alters the properties of the enzyme increasing, at the same time, the concentration and the rate of synthesis of both beta and beta subunits, particularly at a nonpermissive temperature. This points to an inversely proportional relationship between the rate of synthesis of RNA polymerase subunits and the total intracellular activity of the enzyme. Extra subunits are rapidly degraded in ts22 and tsX mutants. The whole complex of our data and those of others suggest that the regulation of the synthesis of RNA polymerase subunits is accomplished by interaction of a negative and a positive mechanisms of regulation which include not only activators and repressors but the enzyme itself as well.", "contents": "The influence of mutations upon the synthesis of RNA polymerase subunits in Escherichia coli cells. The influence of mutations in structural genes of beta and beta subunits of RNA polymerase upon the synthesis of these subunits in E. coli cells have been investigated. An amber-mutation ts22 in the beta subunit gene decreases the intracellular concentration of this subunit and the rate of its synthesis. At the same time the concentration and the rate of beta subunit synthesis is increased. These suggest the compensatory activation of the RNA polymerase operon that takes place under the conditions of shortage of one of the subunits. Reversions as well as more effective suppression of ts22 amber mutation, achieved by streptomycin addition, substitution of su2 by sul, or by specific mutations, result in a rise of beta and drop of beta subunit concentration and synthesis in ts22 mutant. TsX missense-mutation in the beta subunit gene alters the properties of the enzyme increasing, at the same time, the concentration and the rate of synthesis of both beta and beta subunits, particularly at a nonpermissive temperature. This points to an inversely proportional relationship between the rate of synthesis of RNA polymerase subunits and the total intracellular activity of the enzyme. Extra subunits are rapidly degraded in ts22 and tsX mutants. The whole complex of our data and those of others suggest that the regulation of the synthesis of RNA polymerase subunits is accomplished by interaction of a negative and a positive mechanisms of regulation which include not only activators and repressors but the enzyme itself as well.", "PMID": 781519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5872", "title": "Cis-dominant regulatory mutations affecting the formation of glucose-repressible alcohol dehydrogenase (ADHII) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The formation of ADHII in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by carbon catabolite repression. There are two genes involved in the formation of ADHII: ADR2, the structural gene as identified by electrophoretic variants and ADR1, possibly a regulatory gene. A new genetic element involved in the regulation of ADHII was identified by three allelic mutants insensitive to strong glucose repression. They were called ADR3c (wild type designation ADR3) and found to be tightly linked to the structural gene, ADR2. The alcohol dehydrogenase found in ADR3c mutants could not be distinguished electrophoretically from the ADHII of the glucose-sensitive wild type, ADR3. Dominance relations between ADR3c and ADR3 were established in diploids heterozygous for ADR3 and the two alleles of ADR2 (ADR2-S: slow ADHII, ADR2-F: fast ADHII). During growth on 10% glucose, an ADR3c adr2-F/ADR3 ADR2-Sheterozygous diploid formed only the fast ADHII variant wheras an ADR3c ADR2-S/ADR3 ADR2-F heterozygote produced only the slow form. This was taken as evidence of the cis-dominance of all ADR3c alleles. The cis-effect of ADR3c was also demonstrated in glucose-derepressed diploids. The ADR3c mutations do not only cause glucose-insensitive ADHII frmation, but also reduce the activity of the adjacent structural gene during derepression. Thus ADR3c alleles were considered to be controlling site mutations. No pleiotropic effects were observed on the formation of enzymes related to the function of ADHII. An adr1 ADR2 ADR3 single mutant did not form ADHII. In contrast to this, an adr1 ADR2 ADR3c double mutant formed ADHII at a similar level as double mutant formed ADHII at a similar level as an ADR1 ADR2 ADR3c mutant. This showed that ADR3c was epistatic over adr1 (previously suggested as a positive regulatory gene). From this it was concluded that ADR1 is the fact a positive regulatory gene the function of which is required for the expression of the structural gene for ADHII, ADR2. ADR3 is the controlling site for the structural gene ADR2. Mutations at this site, ADR3c, alleviate the requirement for the ADR2 gene product. Adr3c is discussed as a promotor or operator site.", "contents": "Cis-dominant regulatory mutations affecting the formation of glucose-repressible alcohol dehydrogenase (ADHII) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The formation of ADHII in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by carbon catabolite repression. There are two genes involved in the formation of ADHII: ADR2, the structural gene as identified by electrophoretic variants and ADR1, possibly a regulatory gene. A new genetic element involved in the regulation of ADHII was identified by three allelic mutants insensitive to strong glucose repression. They were called ADR3c (wild type designation ADR3) and found to be tightly linked to the structural gene, ADR2. The alcohol dehydrogenase found in ADR3c mutants could not be distinguished electrophoretically from the ADHII of the glucose-sensitive wild type, ADR3. Dominance relations between ADR3c and ADR3 were established in diploids heterozygous for ADR3 and the two alleles of ADR2 (ADR2-S: slow ADHII, ADR2-F: fast ADHII). During growth on 10% glucose, an ADR3c adr2-F/ADR3 ADR2-Sheterozygous diploid formed only the fast ADHII variant wheras an ADR3c ADR2-S/ADR3 ADR2-F heterozygote produced only the slow form. This was taken as evidence of the cis-dominance of all ADR3c alleles. The cis-effect of ADR3c was also demonstrated in glucose-derepressed diploids. The ADR3c mutations do not only cause glucose-insensitive ADHII frmation, but also reduce the activity of the adjacent structural gene during derepression. Thus ADR3c alleles were considered to be controlling site mutations. No pleiotropic effects were observed on the formation of enzymes related to the function of ADHII. An adr1 ADR2 ADR3 single mutant did not form ADHII. In contrast to this, an adr1 ADR2 ADR3c double mutant formed ADHII at a similar level as double mutant formed ADHII at a similar level as an ADR1 ADR2 ADR3c mutant. This showed that ADR3c was epistatic over adr1 (previously suggested as a positive regulatory gene). From this it was concluded that ADR1 is the fact a positive regulatory gene the function of which is required for the expression of the structural gene for ADHII, ADR2. ADR3 is the controlling site for the structural gene ADR2. Mutations at this site, ADR3c, alleviate the requirement for the ADR2 gene product. Adr3c is discussed as a promotor or operator site.", "PMID": 781520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5873", "title": "Kinetic properties of ATP phosphoribosyltransferase of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The reversible reaction catalyzed by ATP phosphoribosyltransferase favors the pyrophosphorolysis of phosphoribosyl-ATP (PR-ATP). The enzyme is inhibited by PR-ATP. To avoid this problem and measure with confidence initial rates of the transferase, we have purified more than one hundred fold the enzyme PR-ATP pyrophosphohydrolase, which irreversibly converts PR-ATP to PR-AMP. Using this coupled assay, we report on substrate kinetics and histidine inhibition studies of ATP phosphoribosyltransferase of Escherichia coli. 1. In the absence of histidine the variation of initial velocity as a function of ATP or phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) concentration, follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with ATP inhibiting at high concentrations. In the presence of histidine a change from hyperbolic to sigmoidal kinetics is observed. 2. Apparently AMP acts as a competitive inhibitor of ATP. 3. The bisubstrate kinetics gives a pattern of parallel lines, suggesting a double displacement mechanism. 4. The inhibition by histidine appears not to be cooperative or perhaps slightly negatively cooperative.", "contents": "Kinetic properties of ATP phosphoribosyltransferase of Escherichia coli. The reversible reaction catalyzed by ATP phosphoribosyltransferase favors the pyrophosphorolysis of phosphoribosyl-ATP (PR-ATP). The enzyme is inhibited by PR-ATP. To avoid this problem and measure with confidence initial rates of the transferase, we have purified more than one hundred fold the enzyme PR-ATP pyrophosphohydrolase, which irreversibly converts PR-ATP to PR-AMP. Using this coupled assay, we report on substrate kinetics and histidine inhibition studies of ATP phosphoribosyltransferase of Escherichia coli. 1. In the absence of histidine the variation of initial velocity as a function of ATP or phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) concentration, follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with ATP inhibiting at high concentrations. In the presence of histidine a change from hyperbolic to sigmoidal kinetics is observed. 2. Apparently AMP acts as a competitive inhibitor of ATP. 3. The bisubstrate kinetics gives a pattern of parallel lines, suggesting a double displacement mechanism. 4. The inhibition by histidine appears not to be cooperative or perhaps slightly negatively cooperative.", "PMID": 781521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5874", "title": "[Combination of CPPB with IPPV (author's transl)].", "content": "A combination of CPPB and IPPV has been used successfully in our hospital for therapy of children with IRDS, when their spontaneous breathing under CPAP was not sufficient and to get children progressively used to spontaneous respiration after prolonged periods of controlled ventilation. The Assistor 644 and Servoventilator 900 respirators are not equipped for the combination of CPPB and IPPV. We describe the modifications of both respirators which we introduced to be able to use them for CPPB alone as well as for the combination of CPPB with CPPV.", "contents": "[Combination of CPPB with IPPV (author's transl)]. A combination of CPPB and IPPV has been used successfully in our hospital for therapy of children with IRDS, when their spontaneous breathing under CPAP was not sufficient and to get children progressively used to spontaneous respiration after prolonged periods of controlled ventilation. The Assistor 644 and Servoventilator 900 respirators are not equipped for the combination of CPPB and IPPV. We describe the modifications of both respirators which we introduced to be able to use them for CPPB alone as well as for the combination of CPPB with CPPV.", "PMID": 781523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5875", "title": "[Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopic study of changes occurring in secondary reaction of popliteal lymph nodes in young and old rats].", "content": "A comparative study of the secondary reaction of popliteal lymph nodes in young and adult rats was carried out. In one group of experiments secondary reaction was induced by bovine serum albumin (BSA), in the other one by peroxidase from horseradish. Antigen was administered with Freund adjuvant. It was established that the index of popliteal lymph nodes in a secondary reaction induced by BSA does not change with the increasing age. The incidence of antibody-producing cells in young and adult rats is the same. In the cytoplasma and mitochondria of the antibody-producing cells of the adult animals degenerative changes were observed. In the secondary reaction brought about by peroxidase intracytoplasmatic localization of the antibody in the young and adult animals did not reveal any differences.", "contents": "[Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopic study of changes occurring in secondary reaction of popliteal lymph nodes in young and old rats]. A comparative study of the secondary reaction of popliteal lymph nodes in young and adult rats was carried out. In one group of experiments secondary reaction was induced by bovine serum albumin (BSA), in the other one by peroxidase from horseradish. Antigen was administered with Freund adjuvant. It was established that the index of popliteal lymph nodes in a secondary reaction induced by BSA does not change with the increasing age. The incidence of antibody-producing cells in young and adult rats is the same. In the cytoplasma and mitochondria of the antibody-producing cells of the adult animals degenerative changes were observed. In the secondary reaction brought about by peroxidase intracytoplasmatic localization of the antibody in the young and adult animals did not reveal any differences.", "PMID": 781524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5876", "title": "[Block-impregnation technic for the histological demonstration of chloride ions].", "content": "Authors worked out a new method for the histological demonstration of chloride ions by modifying old techniques. Unfixed, fresh tissue pieces are treated with silver nitrat, then embedded in paraffin. Chloride ions present in the tissue react with silvernitrate, thus forming silver chloride. Silver salts of other anions present in the tissue can be eliminated with weak solution of nitric acid, thus silver precipitate formed by reduction of silver chloride indicate only the localization of chloride ions. This method seems to be suitable for the demonstration of chlorid ions in the parietal cells of the stomach and for the lokalization of reabsorbed chloride ions in the renal tubules.", "contents": "[Block-impregnation technic for the histological demonstration of chloride ions]. Authors worked out a new method for the histological demonstration of chloride ions by modifying old techniques. Unfixed, fresh tissue pieces are treated with silver nitrat, then embedded in paraffin. Chloride ions present in the tissue react with silvernitrate, thus forming silver chloride. Silver salts of other anions present in the tissue can be eliminated with weak solution of nitric acid, thus silver precipitate formed by reduction of silver chloride indicate only the localization of chloride ions. This method seems to be suitable for the demonstration of chlorid ions in the parietal cells of the stomach and for the lokalization of reabsorbed chloride ions in the renal tubules.", "PMID": 781525} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5877", "title": "Formaldehyde induced DNA-protein crosslinks in Escherichia Coli.", "content": "Exposure of Escherichia coli to low doses of formaldehyde induces interstrand cross-links in the cellular DNA, at least 50% of which involve protein \"bridges\" between the DNA strands. The biological importance of these cross-links is suggested by both the high yield of formation and by the inability of some sensitive repair deficient mutants to completely remove cross-links and bound protein from the DNA during post treatment incubation.", "contents": "Formaldehyde induced DNA-protein crosslinks in Escherichia Coli. Exposure of Escherichia coli to low doses of formaldehyde induces interstrand cross-links in the cellular DNA, at least 50% of which involve protein \"bridges\" between the DNA strands. The biological importance of these cross-links is suggested by both the high yield of formation and by the inability of some sensitive repair deficient mutants to completely remove cross-links and bound protein from the DNA during post treatment incubation.", "PMID": 781526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5878", "title": "Partial suppression of the LexA phenotype by mutations (rnm) which restore ultraviolet resistance but not ultraviolet mutability to Escherichia coli B/r uvr A lexA.", "content": "In Escherichia coli, lexA mutations eliminate expression of UV-inducible functions, causing pleiotropic effects which include sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light and loss of UV mutability. Selection for UV resistance, after 5-bromouracil (BU) treatment of E. coli B/r uvrA lexA-102, has yielded derivatives more resistant than lexA but still refractory to UV mutagenesis. The mutation responsible for the UV-resistant UV-nonmutable phenotype (rnm) is cotransducible with malB to about the same extent as is lexA-102 and is tightly linked to lexA-102 in at least one strain. The rnm mutation may therefore be an intragenic partial suppressor of the LexA phenotype. In addition to increased UV resistance and lack of UV mutability, rnm strains show improved ability to perform postreplication repair and to control postirradiation DNA degration compared to the lexA parent. We ascribe the properties of rnm mutants to their having reacquired control of Exonuclease V activity without having reacquired UV-inducible error-prone postreplication repair. We relate our results to current interpretations of UV mutagenesis and to models of coordinate regulation of UV-inducible functions.", "contents": "Partial suppression of the LexA phenotype by mutations (rnm) which restore ultraviolet resistance but not ultraviolet mutability to Escherichia coli B/r uvr A lexA. In Escherichia coli, lexA mutations eliminate expression of UV-inducible functions, causing pleiotropic effects which include sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light and loss of UV mutability. Selection for UV resistance, after 5-bromouracil (BU) treatment of E. coli B/r uvrA lexA-102, has yielded derivatives more resistant than lexA but still refractory to UV mutagenesis. The mutation responsible for the UV-resistant UV-nonmutable phenotype (rnm) is cotransducible with malB to about the same extent as is lexA-102 and is tightly linked to lexA-102 in at least one strain. The rnm mutation may therefore be an intragenic partial suppressor of the LexA phenotype. In addition to increased UV resistance and lack of UV mutability, rnm strains show improved ability to perform postreplication repair and to control postirradiation DNA degration compared to the lexA parent. We ascribe the properties of rnm mutants to their having reacquired control of Exonuclease V activity without having reacquired UV-inducible error-prone postreplication repair. We relate our results to current interpretations of UV mutagenesis and to models of coordinate regulation of UV-inducible functions.", "PMID": 781527} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5879", "title": "The detection of monosomic colonies produced by mitotic chromosome non-disjunction in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "A diploid yeast strain, D6 is described which monitors mitotic non-disjunction by the phenotypic expression of a set of coupled and recessive markers flanking the centromere of chromosome VII. These markers are not expressed in the heterozygous condition prevailing in D6. The left arm of chromosome VII carries a tightly centromere linked marker, leu1 (leucine requirement), distal to leu1 in this order: trp5 (tryptophan requirement), cyh2 (recessive resistance to cycloheximide) and met 13 (requirement for methionine). The right arm is marked with ade3 (simultaneous requirement for adenine and histidine). D6 is homozygous for ade2 and consequently, forms red rather than the normally white colonies. It shows no requirement for the above amino acids and it is sensitive to cycloheximide. Unmasking of all the markers on chromosome VII leads to colonies that are white because ade3 sets a block preceding the ade2 block (which causes the accumulation of a precursor of the red pigment), they require leucine, tryptophan and methionine, and grow on media with cycloheximide. Cells are plated on a cycloheximide medium where red and white colonies are formed. Colonies of spontaneous origin were tested. The majority of the white colonies expressed all the recessive markers whereas only few of the red colonies expressed all the markers on the left arm of chromosome VII. Basically expression of recessive markers on both sides of the centromere can be explained as a result of two coincident events of mitotic crossing over. However, the frequency of colonies expressing centromere linked leu1 was 14 times higher among the white types than the red ones. This suggested that the white, cycloheximide resistant, leucine requiring colonies arose by mitotic non-disjunction and not only by two coincident mitotic crossing over events. Presumptive spontaneous monosomic segregants were placed on sporulation medium. Only 8 out of 30 isolates sporulated, which showed that these eight segregants were diploid at the time of sporulation. They could have arisen by two coincident crossover events or through restoration of a normal disomic condition after non-disjunction had occurred. The genetic data thus leaves us with only its statistical argument in favour of non-disjunction. Further confirmation of monosomic nature of the white cycloheximide resistant colonies was provided by the estimates of their DNA contents. Compared to the stock wild type diploids the presumptive monosomics showed a reduction in DNA content. We have utilized D6 to investigate the possible induction of mitotic non-disjunction after treatment with gamma rays, heat shock at 52 degrees C and ultraviolet irradiation. In all cases white, cycloheximide resistant colonies were produced at levels significantly higher than that found in untreated cultures. In order to detect the production of monosomic cells, treated cultures were grown for 48 h in non-selective medium after exposure to allow for \"expression\" of the monosomic condition.", "contents": "The detection of monosomic colonies produced by mitotic chromosome non-disjunction in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A diploid yeast strain, D6 is described which monitors mitotic non-disjunction by the phenotypic expression of a set of coupled and recessive markers flanking the centromere of chromosome VII. These markers are not expressed in the heterozygous condition prevailing in D6. The left arm of chromosome VII carries a tightly centromere linked marker, leu1 (leucine requirement), distal to leu1 in this order: trp5 (tryptophan requirement), cyh2 (recessive resistance to cycloheximide) and met 13 (requirement for methionine). The right arm is marked with ade3 (simultaneous requirement for adenine and histidine). D6 is homozygous for ade2 and consequently, forms red rather than the normally white colonies. It shows no requirement for the above amino acids and it is sensitive to cycloheximide. Unmasking of all the markers on chromosome VII leads to colonies that are white because ade3 sets a block preceding the ade2 block (which causes the accumulation of a precursor of the red pigment), they require leucine, tryptophan and methionine, and grow on media with cycloheximide. Cells are plated on a cycloheximide medium where red and white colonies are formed. Colonies of spontaneous origin were tested. The majority of the white colonies expressed all the recessive markers whereas only few of the red colonies expressed all the markers on the left arm of chromosome VII. Basically expression of recessive markers on both sides of the centromere can be explained as a result of two coincident events of mitotic crossing over. However, the frequency of colonies expressing centromere linked leu1 was 14 times higher among the white types than the red ones. This suggested that the white, cycloheximide resistant, leucine requiring colonies arose by mitotic non-disjunction and not only by two coincident mitotic crossing over events. Presumptive spontaneous monosomic segregants were placed on sporulation medium. Only 8 out of 30 isolates sporulated, which showed that these eight segregants were diploid at the time of sporulation. They could have arisen by two coincident crossover events or through restoration of a normal disomic condition after non-disjunction had occurred. The genetic data thus leaves us with only its statistical argument in favour of non-disjunction. Further confirmation of monosomic nature of the white cycloheximide resistant colonies was provided by the estimates of their DNA contents. Compared to the stock wild type diploids the presumptive monosomics showed a reduction in DNA content. We have utilized D6 to investigate the possible induction of mitotic non-disjunction after treatment with gamma rays, heat shock at 52 degrees C and ultraviolet irradiation. In all cases white, cycloheximide resistant colonies were produced at levels significantly higher than that found in untreated cultures. In order to detect the production of monosomic cells, treated cultures were grown for 48 h in non-selective medium after exposure to allow for \"expression\" of the monosomic condition.", "PMID": 781528} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5880", "title": "[Conditions for specific oligoribonucleotide binding with E. coli RNA-polymerase].", "content": "RNA polymerase of E. coli (EC 2.7.7.6) is able to bind certain oligoribonucleotides with the length greater than or equal to 5 from the corresponding isoplith mixtures (Knorre V.L., Vasilenko S.V., Salganik R.I., FEBS Letters 30, 229, 1973). It has been shown in this study that all pentaribonucleotides able to be bound by RNA polymerase can be extracted from the random mixture by the enzyme saturation procedure. Loosely and tightly bound pentaribonucleotides subfractions were isolated and each was separated by chromatography into 3-4 isopliths. Blocking of the enzyme SH groups by p-chloromercurium benzoate (10(-3) M) and denaturation by urea (6.3 M) prevent formation of the enzyme-pentaribonucleotides complexes. Complexes are destroyed by heat denaturation. Removal of sigma-subunit does not influence the enzyme capacity for pentaribonucleotides binding.", "contents": "[Conditions for specific oligoribonucleotide binding with E. coli RNA-polymerase]. RNA polymerase of E. coli (EC 2.7.7.6) is able to bind certain oligoribonucleotides with the length greater than or equal to 5 from the corresponding isoplith mixtures (Knorre V.L., Vasilenko S.V., Salganik R.I., FEBS Letters 30, 229, 1973). It has been shown in this study that all pentaribonucleotides able to be bound by RNA polymerase can be extracted from the random mixture by the enzyme saturation procedure. Loosely and tightly bound pentaribonucleotides subfractions were isolated and each was separated by chromatography into 3-4 isopliths. Blocking of the enzyme SH groups by p-chloromercurium benzoate (10(-3) M) and denaturation by urea (6.3 M) prevent formation of the enzyme-pentaribonucleotides complexes. Complexes are destroyed by heat denaturation. Removal of sigma-subunit does not influence the enzyme capacity for pentaribonucleotides binding.", "PMID": 781522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5881", "title": "On the lack of host-cell reactivation of UV-irradiated phage T5. I. Interference of T5 infection with the host-cell reactivation of phage T1.", "content": "UV-irradiated phage T5, in contrast to T1, T3 and T7, fail to display host-cell reactivation (HCR) when infecting excision-repair proficient Escherichia coli cells. Possible causes of this lack of HCR (which T5 shares with the T-even phages) have been investigated by studying HCR of T1 under conditions of superinfection by T5. Repair-proficient B/r cells were infected at low multiplicity with UV-irradiated phage T1 in the presence of 1.8 mg/ml caffeine and were superinfected after 15 min with heavily UV-irradiated T5 amber mutants at highly multiplicity. The caffeine, which is later diluted out, prevents any T1 repair prior to T5 superinfection, and UV (254 nm) irradiation of T5 with 144 J/m2 reduces the ability of this phage to exclude T1, thus permitting a reasonable fraction of the mixedly infected complexes to produce T1 progeny. Under these conditions, T5 superinfection causes loss of HCR in about 90% of the T1-producing complexes. Superinfection with unirradiated T5 likewise inhibits HCR of T1, but superinfection with irradiated T3 (a host-cell reactivable phage) does not. This indicates that the observed HCR inhibition of T1 results from T5 infection rather than from competition of irradiated foreign DNA for the excision-repair enzymes of the bacterial host. Employment of appropriate T5 amber mutants has shown that \"first-step transfer\" (FST) of T5 DNA (involving only 8% of the T5 genome) is sufficient for HCR inhibition, but that transfer of the remainder DNA in addition inhibits a previously described minor T1 recovery process. HCR inhibition of T1, and thus presumably lack of HCR in T5 itself, is ascribed to a substance which is produced either post infection by a gene located in the FST segment of the T5 genome, or which is transferred from extracellular T5 together with the FST DNA.", "contents": "On the lack of host-cell reactivation of UV-irradiated phage T5. I. Interference of T5 infection with the host-cell reactivation of phage T1. UV-irradiated phage T5, in contrast to T1, T3 and T7, fail to display host-cell reactivation (HCR) when infecting excision-repair proficient Escherichia coli cells. Possible causes of this lack of HCR (which T5 shares with the T-even phages) have been investigated by studying HCR of T1 under conditions of superinfection by T5. Repair-proficient B/r cells were infected at low multiplicity with UV-irradiated phage T1 in the presence of 1.8 mg/ml caffeine and were superinfected after 15 min with heavily UV-irradiated T5 amber mutants at highly multiplicity. The caffeine, which is later diluted out, prevents any T1 repair prior to T5 superinfection, and UV (254 nm) irradiation of T5 with 144 J/m2 reduces the ability of this phage to exclude T1, thus permitting a reasonable fraction of the mixedly infected complexes to produce T1 progeny. Under these conditions, T5 superinfection causes loss of HCR in about 90% of the T1-producing complexes. Superinfection with unirradiated T5 likewise inhibits HCR of T1, but superinfection with irradiated T3 (a host-cell reactivable phage) does not. This indicates that the observed HCR inhibition of T1 results from T5 infection rather than from competition of irradiated foreign DNA for the excision-repair enzymes of the bacterial host. Employment of appropriate T5 amber mutants has shown that \"first-step transfer\" (FST) of T5 DNA (involving only 8% of the T5 genome) is sufficient for HCR inhibition, but that transfer of the remainder DNA in addition inhibits a previously described minor T1 recovery process. HCR inhibition of T1, and thus presumably lack of HCR in T5 itself, is ascribed to a substance which is produced either post infection by a gene located in the FST segment of the T5 genome, or which is transferred from extracellular T5 together with the FST DNA.", "PMID": 781529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5882", "title": "On the lack of host-cell reactivation of UV-irradiated phage T5 II. Further characterization of the repair inhibition exerted by T5 infection.", "content": "Experiments reported in the preceding paper [4] had shown that host-cell reactivation (HCR) of UV-irradiated phage T1 in excision-repair proficient Escherichia coli cells is inhibited by superinfection with phage T5. Theoretical considerations have led to predictions concerning the dependence of repair inhibition on the multiplicity of superinfecting T5 phage and on the UV fluence to which they were exposed. These predicitions have been supported by experimental results described in this paper. The fluence dependence permitted calculation of the relative UV sensitivity of the gene function responsible for repair inhibition; it was found to be about 2.3% that of the plaque-forming ability of phage T5. The T5-inhibitable step in excision repair occurs early in the infective cycle of T1. Furthermore, experiments involving the presence of 400 mug/ml chloramphenicol showed that HCR inhibition of T1 is caused by a protein produced after the FST segment of T5 (i.e. the first 8% of the T5 genome) has entered the host cell. A previously described minor T1 recovery process, occurring in both excision-repair-proficient and -deficient host cells, is inhibited by T5 infection due to a different substance, which is most likely associated with the \"second-step-transfer\" region of T5 DNA (involving the remainder of the genome). Superinfection with T4v1 phage resulted in HCR inhibition of T1, resembling that observed after T5 superinfection. The discussion of these results suggests that inhibition of the bacterial excision repair system by T5 or T4 infection occurs at the level of UV-endonucleolytic incision, and that lack of HCR both in T-even phages and in T5 can be explained in the same manner.", "contents": "On the lack of host-cell reactivation of UV-irradiated phage T5 II. Further characterization of the repair inhibition exerted by T5 infection. Experiments reported in the preceding paper [4] had shown that host-cell reactivation (HCR) of UV-irradiated phage T1 in excision-repair proficient Escherichia coli cells is inhibited by superinfection with phage T5. Theoretical considerations have led to predictions concerning the dependence of repair inhibition on the multiplicity of superinfecting T5 phage and on the UV fluence to which they were exposed. These predicitions have been supported by experimental results described in this paper. The fluence dependence permitted calculation of the relative UV sensitivity of the gene function responsible for repair inhibition; it was found to be about 2.3% that of the plaque-forming ability of phage T5. The T5-inhibitable step in excision repair occurs early in the infective cycle of T1. Furthermore, experiments involving the presence of 400 mug/ml chloramphenicol showed that HCR inhibition of T1 is caused by a protein produced after the FST segment of T5 (i.e. the first 8% of the T5 genome) has entered the host cell. A previously described minor T1 recovery process, occurring in both excision-repair-proficient and -deficient host cells, is inhibited by T5 infection due to a different substance, which is most likely associated with the \"second-step-transfer\" region of T5 DNA (involving the remainder of the genome). Superinfection with T4v1 phage resulted in HCR inhibition of T1, resembling that observed after T5 superinfection. The discussion of these results suggests that inhibition of the bacterial excision repair system by T5 or T4 infection occurs at the level of UV-endonucleolytic incision, and that lack of HCR both in T-even phages and in T5 can be explained in the same manner.", "PMID": 781530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5883", "title": "Intragenic mutational spectra and hot spots.", "content": "In this review we outline the various factors which may contribute to the non-randomness of intragenic mutational spectra and the occurrence of hot spots. These factors include sample size limitation, particularly for sites of low mutability, and possible regions of low recombination potential. In addition, the nature of the gene product places great restraint on the detectability of either frameshift and premature chain-terminating mutations on one hand, or of the majority of missense mutations on the other. The nature of the Genetic Code itself also limits the mutational spectrum in so far as specific base pair substitutions lead only to a limited number of detectable amino acid replacements. Mutational hot spots may be a special example of the influence of neighbouring base pairs in the mutability of any given base pair. This is apparently true for frameshift mutations which tend to occur in runs of repeated base pairs or base pair doublets. Neighbouring base effects could operate not only at the level of initial reactivity with a mutagen, but also subsequently at the levels of DNA repair, recombination or replication. In some cases rare or modified bases may be responsible for neighbour effects. We suggest specific experimental approaches which seem likely to aid in the elucidation of these problems.", "contents": "Intragenic mutational spectra and hot spots. In this review we outline the various factors which may contribute to the non-randomness of intragenic mutational spectra and the occurrence of hot spots. These factors include sample size limitation, particularly for sites of low mutability, and possible regions of low recombination potential. In addition, the nature of the gene product places great restraint on the detectability of either frameshift and premature chain-terminating mutations on one hand, or of the majority of missense mutations on the other. The nature of the Genetic Code itself also limits the mutational spectrum in so far as specific base pair substitutions lead only to a limited number of detectable amino acid replacements. Mutational hot spots may be a special example of the influence of neighbouring base pairs in the mutability of any given base pair. This is apparently true for frameshift mutations which tend to occur in runs of repeated base pairs or base pair doublets. Neighbouring base effects could operate not only at the level of initial reactivity with a mutagen, but also subsequently at the levels of DNA repair, recombination or replication. In some cases rare or modified bases may be responsible for neighbour effects. We suggest specific experimental approaches which seem likely to aid in the elucidation of these problems.", "PMID": 781531} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5884", "title": "UV-induced lethal sectoring and pure mutant clones in yeast.", "content": "The induction of lethal sectoring and pure mutant clones by ultraviolet light has been studied in a homogeneous G1 population of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown in a normal growth medium. At the lowest UV dose of 250 ergs, which corresponds to a shoulder in the survival curve, all mutants appeared as pure clones. At higher doses the frequency of mosaic mutants progressively increased. These results indicate a relationship between the highest frequency of complete mutants and the maximum repair activity. In addition, the frequency of lethal sectoring at all doses tested was too low to account for the origin of pure mutant clones.", "contents": "UV-induced lethal sectoring and pure mutant clones in yeast. The induction of lethal sectoring and pure mutant clones by ultraviolet light has been studied in a homogeneous G1 population of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown in a normal growth medium. At the lowest UV dose of 250 ergs, which corresponds to a shoulder in the survival curve, all mutants appeared as pure clones. At higher doses the frequency of mosaic mutants progressively increased. These results indicate a relationship between the highest frequency of complete mutants and the maximum repair activity. In addition, the frequency of lethal sectoring at all doses tested was too low to account for the origin of pure mutant clones.", "PMID": 781532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5885", "title": "Enhancement of base pair substitution induced by alkylating mutagens in simulated hyperbaric diving environments.", "content": "The effect of simulated saturated diving environments on mutagenicity was investigated using two histidine auxotrophs (hisG46 and hisTA1950 derived by Ames from Salmonella typhimurium LT2) exposed to several chemical mutagens. In agar diffusion tests with impregnated paper discs, 68 atm of normoxic supporting gases (containing 0.2 atm O2) reduced the number of histidine revertants of auxotrophs exposed to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) and two other alkylating agents. The effect was induced in increasing order by helium, a mixture of neon and helium, nitrogen and argon. The effect of the gases on the growth of the two strains was small and did not explain the reduction of revertant recovery. On the other hand, it was shown that NTG in concentrations of 0.6 to 250 mug/ml was significantly more lethal for the hisG46 strain under 68 and 136 atm than at 1 atm. Revertant recovery was similarly related in both conditions. The maximal number of revertants, approx. 2.6 X 10(4), was obtained at 136 atm when the concentration of NTG was 0.6--1.25 mug/ml and at 1 atm when the concentration of NTG was 5--10 mug/ml. A comparable hydrostatic environment did not affect revertant recovery. The most plausible interpretation of these results is that hyperbaric environments accelerate the rate of intracellular accumulation of NTG, which is manifest in greater mutagenicity at the lower concentrations and greater lethality at all concentrations.", "contents": "Enhancement of base pair substitution induced by alkylating mutagens in simulated hyperbaric diving environments. The effect of simulated saturated diving environments on mutagenicity was investigated using two histidine auxotrophs (hisG46 and hisTA1950 derived by Ames from Salmonella typhimurium LT2) exposed to several chemical mutagens. In agar diffusion tests with impregnated paper discs, 68 atm of normoxic supporting gases (containing 0.2 atm O2) reduced the number of histidine revertants of auxotrophs exposed to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) and two other alkylating agents. The effect was induced in increasing order by helium, a mixture of neon and helium, nitrogen and argon. The effect of the gases on the growth of the two strains was small and did not explain the reduction of revertant recovery. On the other hand, it was shown that NTG in concentrations of 0.6 to 250 mug/ml was significantly more lethal for the hisG46 strain under 68 and 136 atm than at 1 atm. Revertant recovery was similarly related in both conditions. The maximal number of revertants, approx. 2.6 X 10(4), was obtained at 136 atm when the concentration of NTG was 0.6--1.25 mug/ml and at 1 atm when the concentration of NTG was 5--10 mug/ml. A comparable hydrostatic environment did not affect revertant recovery. The most plausible interpretation of these results is that hyperbaric environments accelerate the rate of intracellular accumulation of NTG, which is manifest in greater mutagenicity at the lower concentrations and greater lethality at all concentrations.", "PMID": 781534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5886", "title": "Mutagenicity of atrazine: a maize-microbe bioassay.", "content": "A water-soluble extract from maize plants grown in the presence of atrazine contained a mutagenic agent(s) when tested on strains of yeast. Atrazine alone or control plants not treated with atrazine did not express mutagenic properties. The reversion frequency at the waxy locus in pollen grains from plants grown in atrazine was higher than in control plants. We suggest that atrazine may be degraded by the plant into environmental mutagenic agents.", "contents": "Mutagenicity of atrazine: a maize-microbe bioassay. A water-soluble extract from maize plants grown in the presence of atrazine contained a mutagenic agent(s) when tested on strains of yeast. Atrazine alone or control plants not treated with atrazine did not express mutagenic properties. The reversion frequency at the waxy locus in pollen grains from plants grown in atrazine was higher than in control plants. We suggest that atrazine may be degraded by the plant into environmental mutagenic agents.", "PMID": 781535} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5887", "title": "Pathology of goats and sheep experimentally infected with Mycoplasma mycoides var. capri.", "content": "Twenty goats and four sheep were experimentally infected with Mycoplasma mycoides var. capri and examined histopathologically. Death occurred or a moribund state developed in most of them within a week after parenteral inoculation with mycoplasmas. Histopathological examination revealed severe serofibrinous inflammation on the serosa and interstitial connective tissue at the site of inoculation. Marked inflammatory edema with infiltrating polymorphs was found in the early stage of infection. As the infection progressed, the lesion became a cellulitis; necrosis, sometimes with focal liquefaction, was a constant feature. Organization with infiltration by lymphocytes and histiocytes had begun in some tissues. Acutely infected organs had evidence of systemic involvement. Lesions included splenitis, lymphadenitis, meningitis, metastatic foci in the intestine and urinary bladder, and parenchymatous degeneration in the liver, heart, and kidneys. Mycoplasmas were isolated from many tissues of critically ill animals. Other goats which had received mycoplasmas by instillation escaped severe illness. Even so, mycoplasmas were isolated from one or two of their tissues at necropsy. The great variation in clinical and pathological response was apparently dependent upon the route of inoculation. Recovery of mycoplasmas from two contact control goats which remained healthy is suggestive of the clinically undectable carrier state. As other workers have reported, the clinical and pathological changes in sheep were similar to those in parenterally inoculated goats.", "contents": "Pathology of goats and sheep experimentally infected with Mycoplasma mycoides var. capri. Twenty goats and four sheep were experimentally infected with Mycoplasma mycoides var. capri and examined histopathologically. Death occurred or a moribund state developed in most of them within a week after parenteral inoculation with mycoplasmas. Histopathological examination revealed severe serofibrinous inflammation on the serosa and interstitial connective tissue at the site of inoculation. Marked inflammatory edema with infiltrating polymorphs was found in the early stage of infection. As the infection progressed, the lesion became a cellulitis; necrosis, sometimes with focal liquefaction, was a constant feature. Organization with infiltration by lymphocytes and histiocytes had begun in some tissues. Acutely infected organs had evidence of systemic involvement. Lesions included splenitis, lymphadenitis, meningitis, metastatic foci in the intestine and urinary bladder, and parenchymatous degeneration in the liver, heart, and kidneys. Mycoplasmas were isolated from many tissues of critically ill animals. Other goats which had received mycoplasmas by instillation escaped severe illness. Even so, mycoplasmas were isolated from one or two of their tissues at necropsy. The great variation in clinical and pathological response was apparently dependent upon the route of inoculation. Recovery of mycoplasmas from two contact control goats which remained healthy is suggestive of the clinically undectable carrier state. As other workers have reported, the clinical and pathological changes in sheep were similar to those in parenterally inoculated goats.", "PMID": 781542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5888", "title": "Competition of some biogenic amines for uptake into synaptic vesicles of the striatum.", "content": "Synaptic vesicles were isolated from the caudate nucleus of the pigs by differential centrifugation and incubated with labelled monoamines in the absence or in the presence of ATP-Mg(2+). Addition of ATP-Mg(2+) enhanced the uptake of (14)C-dopamine into the vesicles. Serotonin competitively inhibited the ATP-Mg(2+)-dependent uptake of (14)C-dopamine without influencing the uptake which took place in the absence of ATP-Mg(2+). Likewise, dopamine caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the ATP-Mg(2+)-dependent uptake of (14)C-serotonin without inhibiting the uptake in the absence of ATP-Mg(2+). Incubation of the vesicles with equal concentrations of(3)-dopamine and (14)C-serotonin revealed that the presence of the one amine competitively inhibited the ATP-Mg(2+)-dependent uptake of the other. Tyranimine competitively inhibited the ATP-Mg(2+)-dependent uptake of (14)C-dine, (14)C-serotonin and (14)C-noradrenaline into the vesicles; the uptake of the amines which took place in the absence of ATP-Mg(2+) was not impairedby tyramine. Analysis of the amine uptake by the ABC test showed that a mutual inhibition exists between dopamine and serotonin for the uptake into the synaptic vesicles. GABA did not influence the uptake of (14)C-dopamine either in the absence, or in the presence of ATP-Mg(2+)...", "contents": "Competition of some biogenic amines for uptake into synaptic vesicles of the striatum. Synaptic vesicles were isolated from the caudate nucleus of the pigs by differential centrifugation and incubated with labelled monoamines in the absence or in the presence of ATP-Mg(2+). Addition of ATP-Mg(2+) enhanced the uptake of (14)C-dopamine into the vesicles. Serotonin competitively inhibited the ATP-Mg(2+)-dependent uptake of (14)C-dopamine without influencing the uptake which took place in the absence of ATP-Mg(2+). Likewise, dopamine caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the ATP-Mg(2+)-dependent uptake of (14)C-serotonin without inhibiting the uptake in the absence of ATP-Mg(2+). Incubation of the vesicles with equal concentrations of(3)-dopamine and (14)C-serotonin revealed that the presence of the one amine competitively inhibited the ATP-Mg(2+)-dependent uptake of the other. Tyranimine competitively inhibited the ATP-Mg(2+)-dependent uptake of (14)C-dine, (14)C-serotonin and (14)C-noradrenaline into the vesicles; the uptake of the amines which took place in the absence of ATP-Mg(2+) was not impairedby tyramine. Analysis of the amine uptake by the ABC test showed that a mutual inhibition exists between dopamine and serotonin for the uptake into the synaptic vesicles. GABA did not influence the uptake of (14)C-dopamine either in the absence, or in the presence of ATP-Mg(2+)...", "PMID": 781543} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5889", "title": "Intractable renovascular hypertension in an adult recipient of a pediatric cadaveric renal transplant.", "content": "Renovascular hypertension developed in an anephric 37-year-old patient after he received a cadaveric renal transplant from a 2-year-old donor. Despite adequate homograft function, a transplant nephrectomy was perfomed because of intractable, lifethreatening hypertension. There was relative stenosis throughout the course of the transplanted renal artery. Pathologic examination of the kidney did not demonstrate evidence of technical failure or immunological or hypertensive damage. Atrophic changes in the media of the renal artery may have resulted from radiation damage. The hypertension appears to have been caused by disproportionate growth between the parenchyma in the hypertrophying pediatric homograft and its renal artery.", "contents": "Intractable renovascular hypertension in an adult recipient of a pediatric cadaveric renal transplant. Renovascular hypertension developed in an anephric 37-year-old patient after he received a cadaveric renal transplant from a 2-year-old donor. Despite adequate homograft function, a transplant nephrectomy was perfomed because of intractable, lifethreatening hypertension. There was relative stenosis throughout the course of the transplanted renal artery. Pathologic examination of the kidney did not demonstrate evidence of technical failure or immunological or hypertensive damage. Atrophic changes in the media of the renal artery may have resulted from radiation damage. The hypertension appears to have been caused by disproportionate growth between the parenchyma in the hypertrophying pediatric homograft and its renal artery.", "PMID": 781546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5890", "title": "[Existence of triphasic flow pattern in regional cerebral blood flow of prolonged unconscious patients (author's transl)].", "content": "Anticipating to get some new informations about the cerebral circulations of the comatous patients, two kinds of radioisotopic techniques were combined and applied to twelve unconscious patients of various etiologies. The first step was the conventional gas clearance method using xenon 133 as the indicator. Regional cerebral blood flows were measured at the six areas over each hemisphere. Immediately following this procedure, about 150 muCi of I-131 MAA (I-31 macroaggregated human serum albumin) were injected into internal carotid artery via the same catheter inserted already for the first procedure. Radioactivities of the head and lungs were measured and the relative shunt flow was calculated based on the formula already described elsewhere. Profil scanning of the whole body of the patient was also performed after the intracarotid injection of I-131 MAA. Consciousness states of the ten patients were all severely damaged and causes of the disturbed consciousness were various, including 5 of subdural hematoma, 2 of occlusive cerebrovascular disease, 2 of brain tumor and 1 of ruptured intracranial aneurysm. This investigation revealed the following results; 1) In all patients, regional cerebral blood flows were shown decreased over all areas detected. The regional cerebral blood flows could not be increased by 5% carbon dioxide inhalation, suggesting angioparalysis in these areas. 2) Graphical analysis of the clearance curves revealed triphasic flow pattern in rCBF in four cases. In three cases among the four, the intracarotid injection of I-131 MAA showed the radioisotope labelled particles were captured not only in the brain, but also in the lungs and the relative shunt flow calculated increased up to twice as much as normal controls. It indicates that some of the particles larger than the cerebral capillary size passed through the brain and were captured by the capillary net work of the lungs. From the above described data, it might be concluded that the initial rapid component of triphasic flow pattern in rCBF measurement does not represent the hyperemia of luxury perfusion of metabolic origin, but arteriovenous shunting blood flow, probably, through the precapillary thoroughfare channels which have been anatomically demonstrated by Hasegawa et al.", "contents": "[Existence of triphasic flow pattern in regional cerebral blood flow of prolonged unconscious patients (author's transl)]. Anticipating to get some new informations about the cerebral circulations of the comatous patients, two kinds of radioisotopic techniques were combined and applied to twelve unconscious patients of various etiologies. The first step was the conventional gas clearance method using xenon 133 as the indicator. Regional cerebral blood flows were measured at the six areas over each hemisphere. Immediately following this procedure, about 150 muCi of I-131 MAA (I-31 macroaggregated human serum albumin) were injected into internal carotid artery via the same catheter inserted already for the first procedure. Radioactivities of the head and lungs were measured and the relative shunt flow was calculated based on the formula already described elsewhere. Profil scanning of the whole body of the patient was also performed after the intracarotid injection of I-131 MAA. Consciousness states of the ten patients were all severely damaged and causes of the disturbed consciousness were various, including 5 of subdural hematoma, 2 of occlusive cerebrovascular disease, 2 of brain tumor and 1 of ruptured intracranial aneurysm. This investigation revealed the following results; 1) In all patients, regional cerebral blood flows were shown decreased over all areas detected. The regional cerebral blood flows could not be increased by 5% carbon dioxide inhalation, suggesting angioparalysis in these areas. 2) Graphical analysis of the clearance curves revealed triphasic flow pattern in rCBF in four cases. In three cases among the four, the intracarotid injection of I-131 MAA showed the radioisotope labelled particles were captured not only in the brain, but also in the lungs and the relative shunt flow calculated increased up to twice as much as normal controls. It indicates that some of the particles larger than the cerebral capillary size passed through the brain and were captured by the capillary net work of the lungs. From the above described data, it might be concluded that the initial rapid component of triphasic flow pattern in rCBF measurement does not represent the hyperemia of luxury perfusion of metabolic origin, but arteriovenous shunting blood flow, probably, through the precapillary thoroughfare channels which have been anatomically demonstrated by Hasegawa et al.", "PMID": 781548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5891", "title": "Correlation between red cell and free plasma phenytoin levels in renal disease.", "content": "Free phenytoin levels were determined in a group of patients with renal disease treated by hemodialysis or transplantation and in epileptic patients who were otherwise healthy. A highly significant correlation was observed between free drug levels and the phenytoin content of red blood cells in both groups. Considerable fluctuation in free phenytoin levels was observed during long-term maintenance hemodialysis. After transplantation, the degree of abnormality in plasma protein binding was not related to the functional adequacy of the cadaveric allografts. Free phenytoin levels must be monitored in patients with renal disease.", "contents": "Correlation between red cell and free plasma phenytoin levels in renal disease. Free phenytoin levels were determined in a group of patients with renal disease treated by hemodialysis or transplantation and in epileptic patients who were otherwise healthy. A highly significant correlation was observed between free drug levels and the phenytoin content of red blood cells in both groups. Considerable fluctuation in free phenytoin levels was observed during long-term maintenance hemodialysis. After transplantation, the degree of abnormality in plasma protein binding was not related to the functional adequacy of the cadaveric allografts. Free phenytoin levels must be monitored in patients with renal disease.", "PMID": 781549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5892", "title": "Neuroradiological diagnosis of intraspinal tumors in children.", "content": "In the diagnosis of spinal and intraspinal space-occupying processes great importance attaches to radiologic plain film diagnosis, including special projections and tomography. Using refined evaluation methods, direct and indirect signs of tumors can be demonstrated in 30-50% of cases. Of decisive importance is the myelographic examination. It permits the determination of the exact localization and the size of a tumor. Contrast studies frequently allow an identification of the tumor type. Spinal arteriography and phlebography, on the other hand, are of secondary importance in the diagnosis of tumors of both spinal canal and spinal cord. In patients with bone infiltration they accomplish a valuable contribution to determine whether this expansion is directed towards the epidural space or the soft tissue structures of the back.", "contents": "Neuroradiological diagnosis of intraspinal tumors in children. In the diagnosis of spinal and intraspinal space-occupying processes great importance attaches to radiologic plain film diagnosis, including special projections and tomography. Using refined evaluation methods, direct and indirect signs of tumors can be demonstrated in 30-50% of cases. Of decisive importance is the myelographic examination. It permits the determination of the exact localization and the size of a tumor. Contrast studies frequently allow an identification of the tumor type. Spinal arteriography and phlebography, on the other hand, are of secondary importance in the diagnosis of tumors of both spinal canal and spinal cord. In patients with bone infiltration they accomplish a valuable contribution to determine whether this expansion is directed towards the epidural space or the soft tissue structures of the back.", "PMID": 781550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5893", "title": "Successful pregnancy renal transplantation.", "content": "Pregnancy in a renal homograft recipient resulted in the delivery of a 2770-g male fetus by classic cesarean section. Renal function remained stable throughout the gestation. The fetoplacental unit was monitored by the concurrent assay of 24-hour urinary estrogen excretion and human placental lactogen (hPL) in light of the spuriously low estrogen levels often found in these patients on chronic glucocorticoid immunosuppression.", "contents": "Successful pregnancy renal transplantation. Pregnancy in a renal homograft recipient resulted in the delivery of a 2770-g male fetus by classic cesarean section. Renal function remained stable throughout the gestation. The fetoplacental unit was monitored by the concurrent assay of 24-hour urinary estrogen excretion and human placental lactogen (hPL) in light of the spuriously low estrogen levels often found in these patients on chronic glucocorticoid immunosuppression.", "PMID": 781568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5894", "title": "Acute polyhydramnios recurrent in successive pregnancies. Management with multiple amniocenteses.", "content": "A patient with acute polyhydramnios in two successive pregnancies is described. In both this case and the only previously reported similar one, management by frequent transabdominal removal of relatively small amniotic fluid volumes was associated with prolongation of pregnancy and a living infant, suggesting that multiple amniocenteses can improve the otherwise hopeless prognosis associated with acute polyhydramnois.", "contents": "Acute polyhydramnios recurrent in successive pregnancies. Management with multiple amniocenteses. A patient with acute polyhydramnios in two successive pregnancies is described. In both this case and the only previously reported similar one, management by frequent transabdominal removal of relatively small amniotic fluid volumes was associated with prolongation of pregnancy and a living infant, suggesting that multiple amniocenteses can improve the otherwise hopeless prognosis associated with acute polyhydramnois.", "PMID": 781569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5895", "title": "Association of E. coli sepsis in pregnancy with a CU-7 intrauterine device in place.", "content": "Several reports of pregnancy and sepsis associated with an intrauterine device have been reported. A case of a CU-7 in utero with sepsis due to Escherichia coli in a 10-12 week gestation is presented.", "contents": "Association of E. coli sepsis in pregnancy with a CU-7 intrauterine device in place. Several reports of pregnancy and sepsis associated with an intrauterine device have been reported. A case of a CU-7 in utero with sepsis due to Escherichia coli in a 10-12 week gestation is presented.", "PMID": 781570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5896", "title": "Intraperitoneal rupture of benign cystic ovarian teratoma.", "content": "Three patients are presented with the rare complication of intraperitoneal rupture of a benign cystic ovarian teratoma. Spillage of sebaceous material produces a chemical granulomatous peritonitis which may mimic the metastatic spread of ovarian carcinoma. The importance of a frozen-section examination prior to a definite procedure is stressed.", "contents": "Intraperitoneal rupture of benign cystic ovarian teratoma. Three patients are presented with the rare complication of intraperitoneal rupture of a benign cystic ovarian teratoma. Spillage of sebaceous material produces a chemical granulomatous peritonitis which may mimic the metastatic spread of ovarian carcinoma. The importance of a frozen-section examination prior to a definite procedure is stressed.", "PMID": 781571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5897", "title": "LHRH and steroid levels in normal ovulatory women.", "content": "Synthetic LHRH was given intravenously in a dose of 250 mug to a group of 7 normal women in different phases of the menstrual cycle. The LH response was more pronounced in the preovulatory and luteal phase than in the follicular phase of the cycle. The FSH response was less than that of LH and was the same in all phases of the cycle. No significant changes were observed in the plasma levels of estradiol 17-beta, progesterone, or testosterone for up to 6 hours as well as 24 hours after LHRH administration in any of the subjects studied. In 2 of 3 subjects, administration of LHRH in the luteal phase resulted in the prolongation of the cycle. No effect on cycle length was observed when LHRH was given at other times of the cycle. LHRH did not affect the length of the subsequent cycle regardless of the day of administration.", "contents": "LHRH and steroid levels in normal ovulatory women. Synthetic LHRH was given intravenously in a dose of 250 mug to a group of 7 normal women in different phases of the menstrual cycle. The LH response was more pronounced in the preovulatory and luteal phase than in the follicular phase of the cycle. The FSH response was less than that of LH and was the same in all phases of the cycle. No significant changes were observed in the plasma levels of estradiol 17-beta, progesterone, or testosterone for up to 6 hours as well as 24 hours after LHRH administration in any of the subjects studied. In 2 of 3 subjects, administration of LHRH in the luteal phase resulted in the prolongation of the cycle. No effect on cycle length was observed when LHRH was given at other times of the cycle. LHRH did not affect the length of the subsequent cycle regardless of the day of administration.", "PMID": 781572} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5898", "title": "Polymicrobial bacteremia in obstetric patients.", "content": "Thirteen cases of polymicrobial bacteremia occurring in obstetric patients are reported. The most commonly occurring combination involved the Bacteriodeaceae, anaerobic streptococci, and Hemophilus vaginalis. In 3 cases the spectrum of bacterial isolates obtained from the intravascular compartment changed significantly.", "contents": "Polymicrobial bacteremia in obstetric patients. Thirteen cases of polymicrobial bacteremia occurring in obstetric patients are reported. The most commonly occurring combination involved the Bacteriodeaceae, anaerobic streptococci, and Hemophilus vaginalis. In 3 cases the spectrum of bacterial isolates obtained from the intravascular compartment changed significantly.", "PMID": 781573} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5899", "title": "Plasma insulin response following oral and intravenous glucose in pregnant diabetic women.", "content": "The acute release of insulin in most pregnant diabetic patients is sluggish. A study was undertaken to determine whether this abnormality was due to a relative insensitivity of the beta cell to glucose or to an attenuation of the enteroinsular axis. The plasma insulin response to intravenous and oral glucose was studied in third trimester pregnant insulin-independent diabetic and normal control patients. The results suggest that the sensitivity of beta cell reaction to glucose in the diabetic group was reduced and that this may be related in part to a defective enteroinsular response. Quantitative endocrine hypofunction, as evidenced by lowered plasma insulin levels, was also noted among the pregnant diabetic patients. The results are discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of disturbed carbohydrate metabolism in insulin-independent pregnant diabetic patients.", "contents": "Plasma insulin response following oral and intravenous glucose in pregnant diabetic women. The acute release of insulin in most pregnant diabetic patients is sluggish. A study was undertaken to determine whether this abnormality was due to a relative insensitivity of the beta cell to glucose or to an attenuation of the enteroinsular axis. The plasma insulin response to intravenous and oral glucose was studied in third trimester pregnant insulin-independent diabetic and normal control patients. The results suggest that the sensitivity of beta cell reaction to glucose in the diabetic group was reduced and that this may be related in part to a defective enteroinsular response. Quantitative endocrine hypofunction, as evidenced by lowered plasma insulin levels, was also noted among the pregnant diabetic patients. The results are discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of disturbed carbohydrate metabolism in insulin-independent pregnant diabetic patients.", "PMID": 781574} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5900", "title": "Identification of an immunosuppressive factor in pregnancy serum.", "content": "Complement-inactivated allogeneic serum was found to contain a factor capable of suppressing BCG-induced inhibition of leukocyte migration in vitro. Although serum from late pregnancy was the most potent in this context, the ability to antagonize the leukocyte response appears to be an intrinsic property of human serum. The inhibitory factor was purified by salf fractionation and gel chromatography and the effect found to be associated with alpha-globulins of high lipid content which are probably alpha-lipoproteins. Estrogens, progesterone, or corticosteroids, associated with the lipoprotein, did not appear to be the cause of the observed suppression. The factor appears to block the immune response at the level of the lymphocyte and its nonspecific immunosuppressive properties could contribute to acceptance of the fetus by the mother.", "contents": "Identification of an immunosuppressive factor in pregnancy serum. Complement-inactivated allogeneic serum was found to contain a factor capable of suppressing BCG-induced inhibition of leukocyte migration in vitro. Although serum from late pregnancy was the most potent in this context, the ability to antagonize the leukocyte response appears to be an intrinsic property of human serum. The inhibitory factor was purified by salf fractionation and gel chromatography and the effect found to be associated with alpha-globulins of high lipid content which are probably alpha-lipoproteins. Estrogens, progesterone, or corticosteroids, associated with the lipoprotein, did not appear to be the cause of the observed suppression. The factor appears to block the immune response at the level of the lymphocyte and its nonspecific immunosuppressive properties could contribute to acceptance of the fetus by the mother.", "PMID": 781575} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5901", "title": "[New formation of the skeletal muscles and skeletal muscle and myocardial-like structures in rabbits in experiments with diffusion chambers].", "content": "The rabbit skeletal and cardiac muscles treated by 1% water solution of Trypan Blue for 48 hrs are necrotized and, having been transplanted under the skin in the diffusion chambers impermeable for cells, do not develop. When transplanting such necrotized muscles under the skin or in the abdominal cavity in the diffusion chambers permeable for cells (with pores of 1.5 mu in diameter), cells penetrate through the chamber wall and develop, under the influence of the products of decomposition of phagocytized transplant, into myoblasts, muscular tubes and differentiated cross-striated muscle fibers; undifferentiated muscle fibers of the skeletal type arise outside the chamber. The necrotized cardiac muscle did not induce the formation of muscle fibers after the transplantation under the skin or in the omentum. If they were transplanted together with the diffusion chambers containing the necrotized skeletal muscles, myocardium-like structures arose outside the chamber. The formation de novo of skeletal muscles and skeletal muscle- and myocardium-like structures under the influence of decomposition products released from the necrotized skeletal and cardiac muscles proceeds by means of induction; some pluripotent cells of the recipient, possibly polyblasts, are the source of de novo formation.", "contents": "[New formation of the skeletal muscles and skeletal muscle and myocardial-like structures in rabbits in experiments with diffusion chambers]. The rabbit skeletal and cardiac muscles treated by 1% water solution of Trypan Blue for 48 hrs are necrotized and, having been transplanted under the skin in the diffusion chambers impermeable for cells, do not develop. When transplanting such necrotized muscles under the skin or in the abdominal cavity in the diffusion chambers permeable for cells (with pores of 1.5 mu in diameter), cells penetrate through the chamber wall and develop, under the influence of the products of decomposition of phagocytized transplant, into myoblasts, muscular tubes and differentiated cross-striated muscle fibers; undifferentiated muscle fibers of the skeletal type arise outside the chamber. The necrotized cardiac muscle did not induce the formation of muscle fibers after the transplantation under the skin or in the omentum. If they were transplanted together with the diffusion chambers containing the necrotized skeletal muscles, myocardium-like structures arose outside the chamber. The formation de novo of skeletal muscles and skeletal muscle- and myocardium-like structures under the influence of decomposition products released from the necrotized skeletal and cardiac muscles proceeds by means of induction; some pluripotent cells of the recipient, possibly polyblasts, are the source of de novo formation.", "PMID": 781578} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5902", "title": "Innominate artery compression syndrome. Presentation of 16 cases.", "content": "A series of 16 patients with tracheal compression by the innominate artery is presented. In more than half of the patients the symptoms began during the first few days of life with stridor varying severity, recurrent tracheobronchitis and apneic spells. In six cases requiring surgical treatment the immediate result was good. In ten mild cases treatment consisted of medical management and follow-up. The present study confirms that the great arteries can exert compression on the trachea, which can always be relieved by means of an operation which moves the arteries forward. Bronchoscopy is considered to be the only reliable means of diagnosis. This entity should be considered more often in the differential diagnosis in children less than 3 years of age with stridor, breathing difficulties, recurrent infections, apneic spells, and asthma.", "contents": "Innominate artery compression syndrome. Presentation of 16 cases. A series of 16 patients with tracheal compression by the innominate artery is presented. In more than half of the patients the symptoms began during the first few days of life with stridor varying severity, recurrent tracheobronchitis and apneic spells. In six cases requiring surgical treatment the immediate result was good. In ten mild cases treatment consisted of medical management and follow-up. The present study confirms that the great arteries can exert compression on the trachea, which can always be relieved by means of an operation which moves the arteries forward. Bronchoscopy is considered to be the only reliable means of diagnosis. This entity should be considered more often in the differential diagnosis in children less than 3 years of age with stridor, breathing difficulties, recurrent infections, apneic spells, and asthma.", "PMID": 781580} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5903", "title": "[Mineral and crystal formation \"in vitro\" by lipids extracted from bovine compact bone].", "content": "In order to study the role of lipids in the calcification process of the bone tissue, lipids have been extracted from undecalcified compact bone of calves less than 6 months old and from cows or oxen more than 2 years of age. Lipids from each group have been fractionned in \"polar\" and \"non polar\" types. Each type of lipid was shown to promote the formation of calcium phosphate precipitates in vitro. But only the polar lipids from calves bone promoted the formation of crystallised calcium phosphates, similar to hydroxyapatite. The identification of both crystallised and amorphous precipitates has been achieved by X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis.", "contents": "[Mineral and crystal formation \"in vitro\" by lipids extracted from bovine compact bone]. In order to study the role of lipids in the calcification process of the bone tissue, lipids have been extracted from undecalcified compact bone of calves less than 6 months old and from cows or oxen more than 2 years of age. Lipids from each group have been fractionned in \"polar\" and \"non polar\" types. Each type of lipid was shown to promote the formation of calcium phosphate precipitates in vitro. But only the polar lipids from calves bone promoted the formation of crystallised calcium phosphates, similar to hydroxyapatite. The identification of both crystallised and amorphous precipitates has been achieved by X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis.", "PMID": 781600} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5904", "title": "[Study of glycoprotein extracted from synovial membranes of oxen].", "content": "Authors describe a glycoprotein that they have extracted from synovial membrane of oxen. From a total extract CTC, the fraction is purified by precipitation with ethanol then by filtration on biogel. The composition and some physicochemical and immunogical characters are described.", "contents": "[Study of glycoprotein extracted from synovial membranes of oxen]. Authors describe a glycoprotein that they have extracted from synovial membrane of oxen. From a total extract CTC, the fraction is purified by precipitation with ethanol then by filtration on biogel. The composition and some physicochemical and immunogical characters are described.", "PMID": 781601} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5905", "title": "[Effect of furosemide, potassium canrenoate and D-L-propranolol on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rat].", "content": "Spontaneously hypertensive rats (japanese strain) have been treated with furosemide, potassium canrenoate or d-l-propranolol. Present results indicate that: 1)furosemide admiinistration, from the 3rd to the 15th week of life, does not prevent the development of hypertension but the blood pressure rises more slowly in treated rats. In the established phase of hypertension furosemide administration produces a decrease in blood pressure; the blood pressure increases rapidly after cessation of the treatment. 2) potassium canrenoate, injected from the 3rd to the 14th week of life, does not prevent the rise in blood pressure.3) d-l-propranolol, administered from the 5th to the 34th week of life, is without effect on the development of hypertension, though it significantly decreases heart rate.", "contents": "[Effect of furosemide, potassium canrenoate and D-L-propranolol on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rat]. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (japanese strain) have been treated with furosemide, potassium canrenoate or d-l-propranolol. Present results indicate that: 1)furosemide admiinistration, from the 3rd to the 15th week of life, does not prevent the development of hypertension but the blood pressure rises more slowly in treated rats. In the established phase of hypertension furosemide administration produces a decrease in blood pressure; the blood pressure increases rapidly after cessation of the treatment. 2) potassium canrenoate, injected from the 3rd to the 14th week of life, does not prevent the rise in blood pressure.3) d-l-propranolol, administered from the 5th to the 34th week of life, is without effect on the development of hypertension, though it significantly decreases heart rate.", "PMID": 781602} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5906", "title": "[Gallium sulfate and skin allografts in the mouse].", "content": "Survival of skin allografts in mice are prolonged when these animals are injected subcutaneously with gallium sulfate before and after the grafting. The average survival is then 17, 2 days whereas it is 12,5 days for controls. For mice treated with an immunodepressive drug such as cortisone acetate average survival is 13,4 days; it is 17 days when cortisone has been added to the metallic salt.", "contents": "[Gallium sulfate and skin allografts in the mouse]. Survival of skin allografts in mice are prolonged when these animals are injected subcutaneously with gallium sulfate before and after the grafting. The average survival is then 17, 2 days whereas it is 12,5 days for controls. For mice treated with an immunodepressive drug such as cortisone acetate average survival is 13,4 days; it is 17 days when cortisone has been added to the metallic salt.", "PMID": 781603} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5907", "title": "[Chronic lathyrism, prolonged hyperlipidic diet, and atheroma in the rat].", "content": "Deep, constant, extensive atherosclerosis can be experimentally induced on rats that are atheroresistant. Two main factors are involved in this experimentation; parietal alteration following chronic intoxication with BAPN (9 weeks) and a metabolic factor with hyperlipidic diet, but this metabolic damage should be sustained for a long time (40 weeks).", "contents": "[Chronic lathyrism, prolonged hyperlipidic diet, and atheroma in the rat]. Deep, constant, extensive atherosclerosis can be experimentally induced on rats that are atheroresistant. Two main factors are involved in this experimentation; parietal alteration following chronic intoxication with BAPN (9 weeks) and a metabolic factor with hyperlipidic diet, but this metabolic damage should be sustained for a long time (40 weeks).", "PMID": 781604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5908", "title": "[Classification of tailed enterobacteria phages].", "content": "Tailed phages of enterobacteria are classified by morphological and serological properties and by physico-chemical parameters of the virion and its nuecleic acid. Twenty-four species are described; they include 250 phages belonging to seven morphological groups. Type species are proposed. About 120 poorly known phages have not been classified. A case of phage evolution, the reliability of data and the value of taxonomical criteria are discussed.", "contents": "[Classification of tailed enterobacteria phages]. Tailed phages of enterobacteria are classified by morphological and serological properties and by physico-chemical parameters of the virion and its nuecleic acid. Twenty-four species are described; they include 250 phages belonging to seven morphological groups. Type species are proposed. About 120 poorly known phages have not been classified. A case of phage evolution, the reliability of data and the value of taxonomical criteria are discussed.", "PMID": 781605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5909", "title": "Food additives and hyperkinesis: a controlled double-blind experiment.", "content": "A double-blind crossover trial involving a control diet and a diet eliminating artificial flavors, colors, and natural salicylates as recommended by Feingold was conducted on 15 hyperkinetic children. Teachers and parents observed the children for one month prior to treatment, using standardized rating scales. Both parents and teachers reported fewer hyperkinetic symptoms on the K-P diet as compared to the pretreatment baseline. The teachers noted a highly significant reduction of symptoms on the K-P diet as compared to the control diet but the parents did not. The control diet ratings did not differ from the baseline period ratings for either parents or teachers. It is concluded that the K-P diet may reduce hyperkinetic symptoms, though this result is put forth with caution in view of several features inherent in the present study which need further evaluation, including objective measures of change, manipulation of the independent variable, and reducing the independent variable to more specific components.", "contents": "Food additives and hyperkinesis: a controlled double-blind experiment. A double-blind crossover trial involving a control diet and a diet eliminating artificial flavors, colors, and natural salicylates as recommended by Feingold was conducted on 15 hyperkinetic children. Teachers and parents observed the children for one month prior to treatment, using standardized rating scales. Both parents and teachers reported fewer hyperkinetic symptoms on the K-P diet as compared to the pretreatment baseline. The teachers noted a highly significant reduction of symptoms on the K-P diet as compared to the control diet but the parents did not. The control diet ratings did not differ from the baseline period ratings for either parents or teachers. It is concluded that the K-P diet may reduce hyperkinetic symptoms, though this result is put forth with caution in view of several features inherent in the present study which need further evaluation, including objective measures of change, manipulation of the independent variable, and reducing the independent variable to more specific components.", "PMID": 781610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5910", "title": "[An evaluation of the PATHOTEC system for identification of Enterobacteriaceae (author's tranls)].", "content": "One hundred species of Enterobacteriaceae were examined according to the PathoTec Rapid I-D system, and the results were compared to the results obtained by conventional bacteriological methods. The results of the examinations are given in Tables II, III, and IV. It is concluded that 97% agreement between the results of biochemical reactions is excellent, whereas 81% agreement between the diagnoses is not quite satisfactory; but it can be improved to 90% fairly easily, which would be a satisfactory result.", "contents": "[An evaluation of the PATHOTEC system for identification of Enterobacteriaceae (author's tranls)]. One hundred species of Enterobacteriaceae were examined according to the PathoTec Rapid I-D system, and the results were compared to the results obtained by conventional bacteriological methods. The results of the examinations are given in Tables II, III, and IV. It is concluded that 97% agreement between the results of biochemical reactions is excellent, whereas 81% agreement between the diagnoses is not quite satisfactory; but it can be improved to 90% fairly easily, which would be a satisfactory result.", "PMID": 781615} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5911", "title": "[Mental anorexia: gonadotrophic response to clomifene citrate. Sixteen cases].", "content": "Sixteen patients with anorexia nervosa and secondary amenorrhoea received clomiphene citrate, eight before any other treatment (200 mg of clomiphene citrate per day for four days) and eight others after partial or total correction of weight loss (50 mg of clomiphene citrate per day for five days). Menstruation occurred in four patients of the second group. An elevation of plasma LH was demonstrated in 4 cases in the first group and 7 of the second group. Variation in FSH was not always parallel with LH. The authors discuss the physiopathological mechanism of gonadotrophic insufficiency in anorexia nervosa and define the role of clomiphene citrate in the treatment of this disorder.", "contents": "[Mental anorexia: gonadotrophic response to clomifene citrate. Sixteen cases]. Sixteen patients with anorexia nervosa and secondary amenorrhoea received clomiphene citrate, eight before any other treatment (200 mg of clomiphene citrate per day for four days) and eight others after partial or total correction of weight loss (50 mg of clomiphene citrate per day for five days). Menstruation occurred in four patients of the second group. An elevation of plasma LH was demonstrated in 4 cases in the first group and 7 of the second group. Variation in FSH was not always parallel with LH. The authors discuss the physiopathological mechanism of gonadotrophic insufficiency in anorexia nervosa and define the role of clomiphene citrate in the treatment of this disorder.", "PMID": 781616} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5912", "title": "Nuclear origin of specific yeast mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.", "content": "Hydroxylapatite chromatographies of mitochondrial and total enzymes from a rho+ yeast, or from the related rho degrees mitochondrial DNA-less mutant, show the occurrence in the mitochondrial enzyme of one Phe-, one Met-, one Leu-tRNA synthetase peak which elutes distinctly from the cytoplasmic counterpart and charges well mitochondrial tRNA, whereas the cytoplasmic enzyme does not. The measurement of the mitochondrial synthetases activities in various enzymatic extracts shows that they are not repressed in rho+ cells grown on 10% glucose and that they are concentrated in the mitochondria (Phe- and Met- tRNA synthetases) but are also present outside the mitochondria. It is concluded that yeast mitochondrial protein biosynthesis involves the nuclear coded mitochondrial specific Phe-, Met- and Leu-tRNA synthetases and that the entrance of the synthetases into the mitochondria needs no factor depending on the mitochondrial DNA.", "contents": "Nuclear origin of specific yeast mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Hydroxylapatite chromatographies of mitochondrial and total enzymes from a rho+ yeast, or from the related rho degrees mitochondrial DNA-less mutant, show the occurrence in the mitochondrial enzyme of one Phe-, one Met-, one Leu-tRNA synthetase peak which elutes distinctly from the cytoplasmic counterpart and charges well mitochondrial tRNA, whereas the cytoplasmic enzyme does not. The measurement of the mitochondrial synthetases activities in various enzymatic extracts shows that they are not repressed in rho+ cells grown on 10% glucose and that they are concentrated in the mitochondria (Phe- and Met- tRNA synthetases) but are also present outside the mitochondria. It is concluded that yeast mitochondrial protein biosynthesis involves the nuclear coded mitochondrial specific Phe-, Met- and Leu-tRNA synthetases and that the entrance of the synthetases into the mitochondria needs no factor depending on the mitochondrial DNA.", "PMID": 781620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5913", "title": "The involvement of the anticodon adjacent modified nucleoside N-(9-(BETA-D-ribofuranosyl) purine-6-ylcarbamoyl)-threonine in the biological function of E. coli tRNAile.", "content": "tRNAile was isolated from E. coli Cp 79 (leu-, arg-, thr-, his-, thiamin-, RCrel) which had been grown on a sub-optimal concentration of thr and was found to contain an average of 50% less N-[9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)- purin-6-ylcarbamoyl]threonine, t6Ado, than tRNAile from cells grown on an optimum concentration of thr and containing a normal complement of t6Ado. The two tRNA's were identical in their ability to be aminoacylated, to accept the 3'-terminal dinucleotide, and to form an ile-tRNAile-Tu-GTP complex. In contrast, the t6Ado-deficient-tRNA was significantly less efficient in binding to ribosomes compared to the normal tRNA. This difference was seen in the binding of deacylated tRNA and in the nonenzymatic and enzymatic binding of ile-tRNA, all in response to poly AUC. The t6Ado-deficient ile-tRNA demonstrated no binding at Mg2+ concentrations less than or equal to 10 mM, while the normal ile-tRNA bound at low Mg2+ concentrations. Tetracycline had the same effect on the normal as on the t6Ado-deficient ile-tRNA binding. As a control, the binding of phe-tRNA (which does not contain t6Ado) from normal and thr-starved cells in response to poly U was identical. It was concluded that t6Ado is required for proper codon-anticodon interaction.", "contents": "The involvement of the anticodon adjacent modified nucleoside N-(9-(BETA-D-ribofuranosyl) purine-6-ylcarbamoyl)-threonine in the biological function of E. coli tRNAile. tRNAile was isolated from E. coli Cp 79 (leu-, arg-, thr-, his-, thiamin-, RCrel) which had been grown on a sub-optimal concentration of thr and was found to contain an average of 50% less N-[9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)- purin-6-ylcarbamoyl]threonine, t6Ado, than tRNAile from cells grown on an optimum concentration of thr and containing a normal complement of t6Ado. The two tRNA's were identical in their ability to be aminoacylated, to accept the 3'-terminal dinucleotide, and to form an ile-tRNAile-Tu-GTP complex. In contrast, the t6Ado-deficient-tRNA was significantly less efficient in binding to ribosomes compared to the normal tRNA. This difference was seen in the binding of deacylated tRNA and in the nonenzymatic and enzymatic binding of ile-tRNA, all in response to poly AUC. The t6Ado-deficient ile-tRNA demonstrated no binding at Mg2+ concentrations less than or equal to 10 mM, while the normal ile-tRNA bound at low Mg2+ concentrations. Tetracycline had the same effect on the normal as on the t6Ado-deficient ile-tRNA binding. As a control, the binding of phe-tRNA (which does not contain t6Ado) from normal and thr-starved cells in response to poly U was identical. It was concluded that t6Ado is required for proper codon-anticodon interaction.", "PMID": 781621} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5914", "title": "Stimulation of transcription on chromatin by polar organic compounds.", "content": "Polar organic compounds, including DMSO, increase RNA synthesis on isolated chromatin by E. coli RNA polymerase and RNA polymerase II from calf thymus. Transcription is stimulated on chromatin from Friend-virus-infected erythroleukemia cells and from various other sources. Using procedures which inhibit specifically the formation of a stable initiation complex, it is shown that the stimulation does not result from an increase in initiation of both E. coli and the eukaryotic RNA polymerase. After separation of chromatin into template active and inactive fractions, DMSO increases RNA synthesis by a factor of about 1.5 using the template inactive fraction, while stimulation of transcription on the template active portion is lower (factor of 1.2). It is suggested that the effect on RNA synthesis is mediated by a weakening of the apolar interactions between histones in chromatin subunits, releasing transcription partially from the constraints imposed by histones.", "contents": "Stimulation of transcription on chromatin by polar organic compounds. Polar organic compounds, including DMSO, increase RNA synthesis on isolated chromatin by E. coli RNA polymerase and RNA polymerase II from calf thymus. Transcription is stimulated on chromatin from Friend-virus-infected erythroleukemia cells and from various other sources. Using procedures which inhibit specifically the formation of a stable initiation complex, it is shown that the stimulation does not result from an increase in initiation of both E. coli and the eukaryotic RNA polymerase. After separation of chromatin into template active and inactive fractions, DMSO increases RNA synthesis by a factor of about 1.5 using the template inactive fraction, while stimulation of transcription on the template active portion is lower (factor of 1.2). It is suggested that the effect on RNA synthesis is mediated by a weakening of the apolar interactions between histones in chromatin subunits, releasing transcription partially from the constraints imposed by histones.", "PMID": 781622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5915", "title": "Fluorescent 2'(3')-O-aminoacylnucleosides-acceptor substrates for ribosomal peptidyltransferase+.", "content": "2'(3')-O-L-Phenylalanylderivatives of fluorescent 1,N6-ethenoadenosine and 3,N4-ethenocytidine were prepared by chemical synthesis. Both compounds are good acceptor substrates in ribosomal peptidyltransferase reactions. Since these compounds cannot form Watson-Crick base pairs, the results indicate that the terminal aminoacyladenosine unit of AA-tRNA is bound to ribosomal protein on the acceptor site of peptidyltransferase and not to rRNA.", "contents": "Fluorescent 2'(3')-O-aminoacylnucleosides-acceptor substrates for ribosomal peptidyltransferase+. 2'(3')-O-L-Phenylalanylderivatives of fluorescent 1,N6-ethenoadenosine and 3,N4-ethenocytidine were prepared by chemical synthesis. Both compounds are good acceptor substrates in ribosomal peptidyltransferase reactions. Since these compounds cannot form Watson-Crick base pairs, the results indicate that the terminal aminoacyladenosine unit of AA-tRNA is bound to ribosomal protein on the acceptor site of peptidyltransferase and not to rRNA.", "PMID": 781623} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5916", "title": "Specific release of ribosomal proteins by nucleic acid-intercalating agents.", "content": "Increasing concentrations of ethidium bromide cause progressive inactivation of ribosomes, apparently by binding to double-stranded regions of the rRNA. At low drug concentrations (10(-4)M) the partial inhibition detected is due to specific release of proteins L7 and L12; activity can be restored by addition of an excess of these two proteins. At higher concentrations the inactivation is not reversed by supplementation with released proteins. The presence of ethanol affects the extent of ethidium binding and also the release of ribosomal proteins. In all tests the proteins most sensitive to the presence of the drug are L7 and L12, followed by L8/9, L11, L27, L28, L29 and L30. Despite the fact that L7 and L12 are the first two proteins released by ethidium they are never totally missing from drug-treated ribosomes, though the other proteins can be displaced completely. About 50% of proteins L7 and L12 remain on the ribosomes at the highest drug concentrations tested, possibly indicating heterogeneity in the binding sites for the several copies present in the ribosome.", "contents": "Specific release of ribosomal proteins by nucleic acid-intercalating agents. Increasing concentrations of ethidium bromide cause progressive inactivation of ribosomes, apparently by binding to double-stranded regions of the rRNA. At low drug concentrations (10(-4)M) the partial inhibition detected is due to specific release of proteins L7 and L12; activity can be restored by addition of an excess of these two proteins. At higher concentrations the inactivation is not reversed by supplementation with released proteins. The presence of ethanol affects the extent of ethidium binding and also the release of ribosomal proteins. In all tests the proteins most sensitive to the presence of the drug are L7 and L12, followed by L8/9, L11, L27, L28, L29 and L30. Despite the fact that L7 and L12 are the first two proteins released by ethidium they are never totally missing from drug-treated ribosomes, though the other proteins can be displaced completely. About 50% of proteins L7 and L12 remain on the ribosomes at the highest drug concentrations tested, possibly indicating heterogeneity in the binding sites for the several copies present in the ribosome.", "PMID": 781624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5917", "title": "A restriction cleavage map of phiX 174 DNA by pulse-chase labelling using E. coli DNA polymerase.", "content": "A pulse chase labelling technique using E. coli DNA polymerase I has been used to determine a number of restriction endonuclease cleavage maps of \u00d8X 174 DNA. In addition to verifying the accuracy of the method by confirming some previously published maps, the Hha I and Alu I maps have also been constructed.Images", "contents": "A restriction cleavage map of phiX 174 DNA by pulse-chase labelling using E. coli DNA polymerase. A pulse chase labelling technique using E. coli DNA polymerase I has been used to determine a number of restriction endonuclease cleavage maps of \u00d8X 174 DNA. In addition to verifying the accuracy of the method by confirming some previously published maps, the Hha I and Alu I maps have also been constructed.Images", "PMID": 781625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5918", "title": "Cleavage of T4 species I ribonucleic acid by Escherichia coli ribonuclease III.", "content": "T4 Species I RNA, a molecule 140 nucleotides in length with some structural features very much like a tRNA, is specifically cleaved by an enzymatic activity in Escherichia coli extracts to give three segments with 19, 48 and 73 nucleotides. We report the purification and characterization of the E. coli RNase which cleaves two 3' phosphodiester bonds of T4 Species I RNA. This reaction has many properties in common with those catalyzed by E. coli RNase III, although the optimal salt conditions for T4 Species I RNA cleavage differ significantly from those for other RNase III-catalyzed reactions. The reaction is not catalyzed by extracts from an E. coli strain lacking RNase III activity. Furthermore, T4 Species I RNA is cleaved by highly purified E. coli RNase III to yield the same three specific fragments. We conclude that this specific cleavage is due to the action of RNase III, and that the requirement for lower ionic strength may reveal further important properties about this RNA processing enzyme.", "contents": "Cleavage of T4 species I ribonucleic acid by Escherichia coli ribonuclease III. T4 Species I RNA, a molecule 140 nucleotides in length with some structural features very much like a tRNA, is specifically cleaved by an enzymatic activity in Escherichia coli extracts to give three segments with 19, 48 and 73 nucleotides. We report the purification and characterization of the E. coli RNase which cleaves two 3' phosphodiester bonds of T4 Species I RNA. This reaction has many properties in common with those catalyzed by E. coli RNase III, although the optimal salt conditions for T4 Species I RNA cleavage differ significantly from those for other RNase III-catalyzed reactions. The reaction is not catalyzed by extracts from an E. coli strain lacking RNase III activity. Furthermore, T4 Species I RNA is cleaved by highly purified E. coli RNase III to yield the same three specific fragments. We conclude that this specific cleavage is due to the action of RNase III, and that the requirement for lower ionic strength may reveal further important properties about this RNA processing enzyme.", "PMID": 781626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5919", "title": "Patient selection for anticoagulant therapy in coronary heart disease.", "content": "Short-term anticoagulant therapy given after an acute myocardial infarction is directed toward preventing thromboembolism and is fairly safe. Long-term anticoagulant therapy prevents coronary thrombosis in selected patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), but carries an appreciable risk of hemorrhage. A decision for or against short-term therapy should be based on an assessment of the immediate risk of thromboembolism. Similarly, the risk of coronary thrombosis should be the major determinant in a decision for or against long-term anticoagulation. The most important information emerging from the clinical trials of long-term anticoagulant therapy in CHD concerns the significant benefit observed among patients with advanced disease.", "contents": "Patient selection for anticoagulant therapy in coronary heart disease. Short-term anticoagulant therapy given after an acute myocardial infarction is directed toward preventing thromboembolism and is fairly safe. Long-term anticoagulant therapy prevents coronary thrombosis in selected patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), but carries an appreciable risk of hemorrhage. A decision for or against short-term therapy should be based on an assessment of the immediate risk of thromboembolism. Similarly, the risk of coronary thrombosis should be the major determinant in a decision for or against long-term anticoagulation. The most important information emerging from the clinical trials of long-term anticoagulant therapy in CHD concerns the significant benefit observed among patients with advanced disease.", "PMID": 781648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5920", "title": "Effects on body temperature produced by micro-injection of Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide into the third cerebral ventricle of the chicken.", "content": "Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide was injected into the third cerebral ventricle of the hen via a surgically implanted cannula. Hens injected with 20-80 mug. Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide had higher (P less than .01) rectal temperatures (42.3 degrees C. compared to 41.3 degrees C.) than uninjected hens. Those injected with 0.9% NaCl had significantly lower (P less than .01) rectal temperatures (41.8 degrees C. compared to 42.3 degrees C.) than hens injected with this bacterial pyrogen. There is an indicated function for bacterial pyrogen acting directly in the hypothalamic area of the chicken.", "contents": "Effects on body temperature produced by micro-injection of Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide into the third cerebral ventricle of the chicken. Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide was injected into the third cerebral ventricle of the hen via a surgically implanted cannula. Hens injected with 20-80 mug. Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide had higher (P less than .01) rectal temperatures (42.3 degrees C. compared to 41.3 degrees C.) than uninjected hens. Those injected with 0.9% NaCl had significantly lower (P less than .01) rectal temperatures (41.8 degrees C. compared to 42.3 degrees C.) than hens injected with this bacterial pyrogen. There is an indicated function for bacterial pyrogen acting directly in the hypothalamic area of the chicken.", "PMID": 781654} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5921", "title": "Phlebotomy and iron deficiency.", "content": "Therapeutic and investigational phlebotomy can produce iron deficiency severe enough to warrant iron therapy or even replacement blood transfusion. This complication of modern medicine is not adequately recognized.", "contents": "Phlebotomy and iron deficiency. Therapeutic and investigational phlebotomy can produce iron deficiency severe enough to warrant iron therapy or even replacement blood transfusion. This complication of modern medicine is not adequately recognized.", "PMID": 781659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5922", "title": "Fluocinonide compared with betamethasone in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis.", "content": "Good results have been obtained with a single daily application of fluocinonide ('Metosyn') to one area as compared with a twic-daily application of betamethasone 17-valerate ('Betnovate') to a similar area on the opposite side in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis. These conditions are difficult to control even in favourable circumstances and have a tendency to relapse despite any form of treatment. Both creams were entirely acceptable to the patients involved and during the course of the trial no patient expressed dissatisfaction with either the mode of treatment or the preparation involved.", "contents": "Fluocinonide compared with betamethasone in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis. Good results have been obtained with a single daily application of fluocinonide ('Metosyn') to one area as compared with a twic-daily application of betamethasone 17-valerate ('Betnovate') to a similar area on the opposite side in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis. These conditions are difficult to control even in favourable circumstances and have a tendency to relapse despite any form of treatment. Both creams were entirely acceptable to the patients involved and during the course of the trial no patient expressed dissatisfaction with either the mode of treatment or the preparation involved.", "PMID": 781661} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5923", "title": "Structure of L-arabinose-binding protein from Escherichia coli at 5 A resolution and preliminary results at 3.5 A.", "content": "The three-dimensional crystal structure of the L-arabinose-binding protein from E. coli, an essential component in the active transport of L-arabinose, has been solved at 5 A resolution using the method of multiple isomorphous replacement. Five heavy atom derivatives were used. A preliminary 3.5 A electron density map has also been calculated. The results indicate that the molecule is ellipsoidal with approximate dimensions 68 A X 38 A X 30 A. Two similar domains within the molecule (which is a single polypeptide chain) are related by an approximate noncrystallographic rotation-translation axis. This relationship involves approximately 20% of the structure.", "contents": "Structure of L-arabinose-binding protein from Escherichia coli at 5 A resolution and preliminary results at 3.5 A. The three-dimensional crystal structure of the L-arabinose-binding protein from E. coli, an essential component in the active transport of L-arabinose, has been solved at 5 A resolution using the method of multiple isomorphous replacement. Five heavy atom derivatives were used. A preliminary 3.5 A electron density map has also been calculated. The results indicate that the molecule is ellipsoidal with approximate dimensions 68 A X 38 A X 30 A. Two similar domains within the molecule (which is a single polypeptide chain) are related by an approximate noncrystallographic rotation-translation axis. This relationship involves approximately 20% of the structure.", "PMID": 781669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5924", "title": "Physical studies of denatured tRNA2Glu from Escherichia coli.", "content": "We have examined the 270 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and relaxation kinetic behavior of tRNA2Glu (E. coli) in the absence of Mg++, a condition which produces an inactive form of this tRNA. The results show that the denatured form has about five fewer proton resonances in the region from -12 to -15 ppm. Relaxation kinetic measurements reveal that the denatured conformer contains three separately melting helices. The results support a model in which the tertiary structure and dihydrouridine helix characteristic of the native form are unfolded in the denatured state, and are replaced by an altered tertiary structure. The acceptor stem, anticodon, and TpsiC helices are intact in this model for the denatured conformation. The optical changes that accompany melting of the denatured tertiary structure are faster than 10 musec.", "contents": "Physical studies of denatured tRNA2Glu from Escherichia coli. We have examined the 270 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and relaxation kinetic behavior of tRNA2Glu (E. coli) in the absence of Mg++, a condition which produces an inactive form of this tRNA. The results show that the denatured form has about five fewer proton resonances in the region from -12 to -15 ppm. Relaxation kinetic measurements reveal that the denatured conformer contains three separately melting helices. The results support a model in which the tertiary structure and dihydrouridine helix characteristic of the native form are unfolded in the denatured state, and are replaced by an altered tertiary structure. The acceptor stem, anticodon, and TpsiC helices are intact in this model for the denatured conformation. The optical changes that accompany melting of the denatured tertiary structure are faster than 10 musec.", "PMID": 781670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5925", "title": "Role of 5S RNA in assembly and function of the 50S subunit from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Total reconstitution experiments performed under various conditions revealed that 5S RNA plays an important role during the last assembly step in vitro leading to an active 50S particle. For the preceding steps this RNA species is dispensable. However, 50S RNA can be integrated efficiently during any of the assembly steps in vitro. The 47S particle, reconstituted in two steps and lacking 5S RNA, shows low but significant activity in many functional tests. High activity could be obtained by incubating this particle with 5S RNA alone, demonstrating the importance of the 5S RNA in generating an active ribosomal conformation. In particular, the activity of the peptidyltransferase (peptidyl-tRNA:aminoacyl-tRNA N-peptidyltransferase; EC 2.3.2.12) center is drastically influenced by 5S RNA. No significant factor-dependent tRNA binding to the A-site was observed with the 47S particle, in contrast to the corresponding P-site binding. The elongation factor G dependent GTPase activity was not affected by the lack of 5S RNA.", "contents": "Role of 5S RNA in assembly and function of the 50S subunit from Escherichia coli. Total reconstitution experiments performed under various conditions revealed that 5S RNA plays an important role during the last assembly step in vitro leading to an active 50S particle. For the preceding steps this RNA species is dispensable. However, 50S RNA can be integrated efficiently during any of the assembly steps in vitro. The 47S particle, reconstituted in two steps and lacking 5S RNA, shows low but significant activity in many functional tests. High activity could be obtained by incubating this particle with 5S RNA alone, demonstrating the importance of the 5S RNA in generating an active ribosomal conformation. In particular, the activity of the peptidyltransferase (peptidyl-tRNA:aminoacyl-tRNA N-peptidyltransferase; EC 2.3.2.12) center is drastically influenced by 5S RNA. No significant factor-dependent tRNA binding to the A-site was observed with the 47S particle, in contrast to the corresponding P-site binding. The elongation factor G dependent GTPase activity was not affected by the lack of 5S RNA.", "PMID": 781671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5926", "title": "Mutagenicity of aflatoxins related to their metabolism and carcinogenic potential.", "content": "Aflatoxins and their animal biotransformation products were screened for carcinogenic potential using the Ames' in vitro microbial detection system for carcinogens as bacterial mutagens [B. N. Ames et al. (1973) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 70,2281-2285]. Aflatoxicol, aflatoxins G1 and M1, aflatoxicol H1, and aflatoxins Q1, B2, P1, G2, B2a, and G2a, listed in order of decreasing mutagenic potency, were all less active than aflatoxin B1. No compound possesses activity in the absence of the rat liver preparation, and this indicates none of the animal metabolites are the ultimate mutagenic and/or carcinogenic species. The relative mutagenic potency observed with this in vitro system qualitatively correlates with in vivo carcinogenic data. Comparison of both methods indicates: (i) aflatoxin B1 possessed the structure optimal for both mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, (ii) the decreased carcinogenicity of various animal metabolites is associated with their decreased mutagenicity, and (iii) the 2,3-double bond is involved in both the mutagenic and carcinogenic activity of aflatoxins. The Ames' assay has been demonstrated to be an extremely promising (toxicological) tool for the analysis of mycotoxins for mutagenic and/or carcinogenic activity.", "contents": "Mutagenicity of aflatoxins related to their metabolism and carcinogenic potential. Aflatoxins and their animal biotransformation products were screened for carcinogenic potential using the Ames' in vitro microbial detection system for carcinogens as bacterial mutagens [B. N. Ames et al. (1973) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 70,2281-2285]. Aflatoxicol, aflatoxins G1 and M1, aflatoxicol H1, and aflatoxins Q1, B2, P1, G2, B2a, and G2a, listed in order of decreasing mutagenic potency, were all less active than aflatoxin B1. No compound possesses activity in the absence of the rat liver preparation, and this indicates none of the animal metabolites are the ultimate mutagenic and/or carcinogenic species. The relative mutagenic potency observed with this in vitro system qualitatively correlates with in vivo carcinogenic data. Comparison of both methods indicates: (i) aflatoxin B1 possessed the structure optimal for both mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, (ii) the decreased carcinogenicity of various animal metabolites is associated with their decreased mutagenicity, and (iii) the 2,3-double bond is involved in both the mutagenic and carcinogenic activity of aflatoxins. The Ames' assay has been demonstrated to be an extremely promising (toxicological) tool for the analysis of mycotoxins for mutagenic and/or carcinogenic activity.", "PMID": 781672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5927", "title": "Regulation of transcription factor rho and the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli B/r.", "content": "Transcriptional termination factor rho, the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase nucleosidetriphosphate: RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6), and ribosomal protein S6 were resolved from whole-cell extracts of E. coli B/r by a high-resolution, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic technique, and were identified through coelectrophoresis with the purified proteins. The regulation of rho, alpha, and S6 was studied, in steady-state cultures of E. coli B/r growing at rates ranging from 0.6 to 2.1 generations per hr, through the use of this gel technique and a double radioisotope labeling procedure. The regulatory patterns of rho and alpha are distinct from, but similar to, one another. Neither rho nor alpha shows the sharply increasing levels with increasing growth rate shown by the ribosomal proteins was exemplified by S6. The difference between the levels of rho and alpha, on the one hand, and S6, on the other, is most pronounced during rapid growth. The regulatory pattern of alpha is interesting, given the recent suggestion that the gene coding for alpha is contranscribed with genes coding for ribosomal proteins.", "contents": "Regulation of transcription factor rho and the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli B/r. Transcriptional termination factor rho, the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase nucleosidetriphosphate: RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6), and ribosomal protein S6 were resolved from whole-cell extracts of E. coli B/r by a high-resolution, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic technique, and were identified through coelectrophoresis with the purified proteins. The regulation of rho, alpha, and S6 was studied, in steady-state cultures of E. coli B/r growing at rates ranging from 0.6 to 2.1 generations per hr, through the use of this gel technique and a double radioisotope labeling procedure. The regulatory patterns of rho and alpha are distinct from, but similar to, one another. Neither rho nor alpha shows the sharply increasing levels with increasing growth rate shown by the ribosomal proteins was exemplified by S6. The difference between the levels of rho and alpha, on the one hand, and S6, on the other, is most pronounced during rapid growth. The regulatory pattern of alpha is interesting, given the recent suggestion that the gene coding for alpha is contranscribed with genes coding for ribosomal proteins.", "PMID": 781673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5928", "title": "Hybridization of RNA to double-stranded DNA: formation of R-loops.", "content": "RNA can hybridize to double-stranded DNA in the presence of 70% formamide by displacing the identical DNA strand. The resulting structure, called an R-loop, is formed in formamide probably because of the greater thermodynamic stability of the RNA-DNA hybrid when it is near the denaturation temperature of duplex DNA. The rate of R-loop formation is maximal at the temperature at which half of the duplex DNA is irreversibly converted to single-stranded DNA (the strand separation temperature of tss) of the duplex DNA and falls precipitously a few degrees above or below that temperature. This maximal rate is similar to the rate of hybridization of RNA to single-stranded DNA under the same conditions. At temperatures above the tss the rate is proportional to the RNA concentration. However, at temperatures below tss the rate of R-loop formation is less dependent upon the RNA concentration. Once formed, the R-loops display considerable stability; the formamide can be removed and the DNA can be cleaved with restriction endonucleases without loss of R-loop structures.", "contents": "Hybridization of RNA to double-stranded DNA: formation of R-loops. RNA can hybridize to double-stranded DNA in the presence of 70% formamide by displacing the identical DNA strand. The resulting structure, called an R-loop, is formed in formamide probably because of the greater thermodynamic stability of the RNA-DNA hybrid when it is near the denaturation temperature of duplex DNA. The rate of R-loop formation is maximal at the temperature at which half of the duplex DNA is irreversibly converted to single-stranded DNA (the strand separation temperature of tss) of the duplex DNA and falls precipitously a few degrees above or below that temperature. This maximal rate is similar to the rate of hybridization of RNA to single-stranded DNA under the same conditions. At temperatures above the tss the rate is proportional to the RNA concentration. However, at temperatures below tss the rate of R-loop formation is less dependent upon the RNA concentration. Once formed, the R-loops display considerable stability; the formamide can be removed and the DNA can be cleaved with restriction endonucleases without loss of R-loop structures.", "PMID": 781674} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5929", "title": "Isolation of inverted repeat sequences, including IS1, IS2, and IS3, in Escherichia coli plasmids.", "content": "A method is described for isolation of inverted repeat DNA sequences that occur in E. coli plasmids. The procedures of the isolation involved: (a) denaturation of intact plasmid DNA, (b) a rapid, 30 sec, renaturation of inverted-repeat sequences in the genome, (c) digestion of the single-stranded portion by S1 nuclease to recover duplex DNA, and (d) detection and purification of the duplexes using 1.4% agarose gel electrophoresis. If a plasmid DNA carried inverted repeats of either one type or two different types of special DNA sequences, these procedures enabled us to observe either one or two characteristic DNA bands, respectively, in the agarose gels. If a plasmid DNA did not carry any inverted repeats, or if the plasmid DNA only carried direct repeat sequences, no characteristic DNA bands were recovered. Cleavage of the spacer DNA between inverted repeat sequences generated no gel bands. This indicated that the inverted repeat sequences must be in the same strand. Using this method, we isolated and purified several repeated sequences, including IS1, IS2, and IS3, from derivatives of F and R plasmids.", "contents": "Isolation of inverted repeat sequences, including IS1, IS2, and IS3, in Escherichia coli plasmids. A method is described for isolation of inverted repeat DNA sequences that occur in E. coli plasmids. The procedures of the isolation involved: (a) denaturation of intact plasmid DNA, (b) a rapid, 30 sec, renaturation of inverted-repeat sequences in the genome, (c) digestion of the single-stranded portion by S1 nuclease to recover duplex DNA, and (d) detection and purification of the duplexes using 1.4% agarose gel electrophoresis. If a plasmid DNA carried inverted repeats of either one type or two different types of special DNA sequences, these procedures enabled us to observe either one or two characteristic DNA bands, respectively, in the agarose gels. If a plasmid DNA did not carry any inverted repeats, or if the plasmid DNA only carried direct repeat sequences, no characteristic DNA bands were recovered. Cleavage of the spacer DNA between inverted repeat sequences generated no gel bands. This indicated that the inverted repeat sequences must be in the same strand. Using this method, we isolated and purified several repeated sequences, including IS1, IS2, and IS3, from derivatives of F and R plasmids.", "PMID": 781675} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5930", "title": "New low resolution model for 50S subunit of Escherichia coli ribosomes.", "content": "Neutron low angle scattering studies of the 50S subunit of E. coli ribosomes with the contrast variation method reveals large fluctuations in the scattering density. A region of relatively low scattering density, rich in proteins, surrounds an RNA-rich core of higher scattering density. The centers of mass of the RNA and protein parts of the 50S subunit are separated by a distance (20 A) that is considerably smaller than that reported in previous studies.", "contents": "New low resolution model for 50S subunit of Escherichia coli ribosomes. Neutron low angle scattering studies of the 50S subunit of E. coli ribosomes with the contrast variation method reveals large fluctuations in the scattering density. A region of relatively low scattering density, rich in proteins, surrounds an RNA-rich core of higher scattering density. The centers of mass of the RNA and protein parts of the 50S subunit are separated by a distance (20 A) that is considerably smaller than that reported in previous studies.", "PMID": 781676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5931", "title": "Detergent-soluble HLA antigens contain a hydrophilic region at the COOH-terminus and a penultimate hydrophobic region.", "content": "Purified, detergent-soluble HLA antigens (p44,12) are composed of a glycoprotein of molecular weight 44,000 (p44) and a peptide of molecular weight 12,000 (p12), beta2-microglobulin. Upon digestion with papain, p44,12 is converted to p39,12, then to p34,12, which retains antigenic activity. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of p34 and p44 are identical. p44, p39, and p34 were purified, and comparison of their amino acid compositions showed that the COOH-terminal peptide removed by the first papain cleavage is hydrophilic and contains cysteine that can be alkylated after mild reduction. The penultimate COOH-terminal peptide removed by the second papain cleavage is hydrophobic, and presumably anchors HLA antigens to the membrane. This correlates with the observation that p44,12 and p39,12 bind detergent, while p34,12 does not. The orientation and integration of HLA antigens in the lymphocyte membrane were thus defined, and the structure suggests that HLA antigens span the plasma membrane.", "contents": "Detergent-soluble HLA antigens contain a hydrophilic region at the COOH-terminus and a penultimate hydrophobic region. Purified, detergent-soluble HLA antigens (p44,12) are composed of a glycoprotein of molecular weight 44,000 (p44) and a peptide of molecular weight 12,000 (p12), beta2-microglobulin. Upon digestion with papain, p44,12 is converted to p39,12, then to p34,12, which retains antigenic activity. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of p34 and p44 are identical. p44, p39, and p34 were purified, and comparison of their amino acid compositions showed that the COOH-terminal peptide removed by the first papain cleavage is hydrophilic and contains cysteine that can be alkylated after mild reduction. The penultimate COOH-terminal peptide removed by the second papain cleavage is hydrophobic, and presumably anchors HLA antigens to the membrane. This correlates with the observation that p44,12 and p39,12 bind detergent, while p34,12 does not. The orientation and integration of HLA antigens in the lymphocyte membrane were thus defined, and the structure suggests that HLA antigens span the plasma membrane.", "PMID": 781677} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5932", "title": "Effects of amygdala lesions on taste aversions produced by amphetamine and LiCl.", "content": "Rats which sustained bilateral damage to the amygdala were treated with one of two diversely acting agents (either d-amphetamine sulphate 4 mg/kg, or lithium chloride 0.24 M) in a taste aversion paradigm. Both groups of animals showed an attenuation of the aversion on the first test day after the initial pairing with the drug thus demonstrating that this effect of the lesion was not UCS specific. The implication of these findings for the hypothesis concerning the role of the amygdala in taste aversion conditioning is discussed.", "contents": "Effects of amygdala lesions on taste aversions produced by amphetamine and LiCl. Rats which sustained bilateral damage to the amygdala were treated with one of two diversely acting agents (either d-amphetamine sulphate 4 mg/kg, or lithium chloride 0.24 M) in a taste aversion paradigm. Both groups of animals showed an attenuation of the aversion on the first test day after the initial pairing with the drug thus demonstrating that this effect of the lesion was not UCS specific. The implication of these findings for the hypothesis concerning the role of the amygdala in taste aversion conditioning is discussed.", "PMID": 781692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5933", "title": "Improved intracerebral chemitrode for chemical and electrical studies of the brain.", "content": "An intracerebral chemitrode is described for infusion and recovery of solutes as well as stimulation and recording of discrete brain loci. The chemitrode consists of two insulated tubes in juxtaposition with implantable angular ends faced together and covered with a high porosity polycarbonate Nuclepore membrane so as to create a sealed, nonclogging, perfusion chamber. Electrical connectors are affixed directly to the tubes at the external end for stimulating and recording of the perfusion area. Experiments showing electrical stimulation of the chemitrode to produce epileptic foci at the site of perfusion, infusion of drugs to produce changes in brain activity and extraction of ethanol following peripheral injection demonstrate the potential utility of the chemitrode in a wide variety of neurobiological problems.", "contents": "Improved intracerebral chemitrode for chemical and electrical studies of the brain. An intracerebral chemitrode is described for infusion and recovery of solutes as well as stimulation and recording of discrete brain loci. The chemitrode consists of two insulated tubes in juxtaposition with implantable angular ends faced together and covered with a high porosity polycarbonate Nuclepore membrane so as to create a sealed, nonclogging, perfusion chamber. Electrical connectors are affixed directly to the tubes at the external end for stimulating and recording of the perfusion area. Experiments showing electrical stimulation of the chemitrode to produce epileptic foci at the site of perfusion, infusion of drugs to produce changes in brain activity and extraction of ethanol following peripheral injection demonstrate the potential utility of the chemitrode in a wide variety of neurobiological problems.", "PMID": 781693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5934", "title": "Functional aspects of reinnervation of free skin grafts.", "content": "The reinnervation of full-thickness skin grafts has been studied with single mechanosensory unit recordings. Shortly after transplantation of the skin, most of the incoming fibers conduct impulses at slow velocities, which correspond to the unmyelinated group of sensory fibers. The older skin grafts demonstrated an increasing amount of myelinization as shown by the shorter latencies and faster conduction velocities. However, the critical balance between myelinated and unmyelinated fibers that characterizes normal cutaneous innervation was still disrupted in the grafted groups at 15 months. Whether this imbalance persists indefinitely is uncertain. The introduction of electrophysiological techniques into the study of peripheral nerve injuries, in experimental animals and in man, has given us some insight into the unexplored nature of this field of experimental and clinical investigation. The future promises to be exciting.", "contents": "Functional aspects of reinnervation of free skin grafts. The reinnervation of full-thickness skin grafts has been studied with single mechanosensory unit recordings. Shortly after transplantation of the skin, most of the incoming fibers conduct impulses at slow velocities, which correspond to the unmyelinated group of sensory fibers. The older skin grafts demonstrated an increasing amount of myelinization as shown by the shorter latencies and faster conduction velocities. However, the critical balance between myelinated and unmyelinated fibers that characterizes normal cutaneous innervation was still disrupted in the grafted groups at 15 months. Whether this imbalance persists indefinitely is uncertain. The introduction of electrophysiological techniques into the study of peripheral nerve injuries, in experimental animals and in man, has given us some insight into the unexplored nature of this field of experimental and clinical investigation. The future promises to be exciting.", "PMID": 781699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5935", "title": "Vaginal reconstruction with gracilis myocutaneous flaps.", "content": "The definition, history, experimental background, surgical technique, and clinical applications of compound gracilis myocutaneous flaps are presented. This flap has been our method of choice for neo-vaginal reconstruction after radical pelvic surgery.", "contents": "Vaginal reconstruction with gracilis myocutaneous flaps. The definition, history, experimental background, surgical technique, and clinical applications of compound gracilis myocutaneous flaps are presented. This flap has been our method of choice for neo-vaginal reconstruction after radical pelvic surgery.", "PMID": 781700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5936", "title": "Resurfacing large cheek defects with rotation flaps from the neck.", "content": "A neck flap based on the midline many provide excellent cover for large cheek defects. The technical aspects of planning and replacement, with emphasis on positioning to prevent ectropion of the lower lid, are presented. Alone, or in conjunction with the multiple excision technique, this flap can produce a superior cheek surface.", "contents": "Resurfacing large cheek defects with rotation flaps from the neck. A neck flap based on the midline many provide excellent cover for large cheek defects. The technical aspects of planning and replacement, with emphasis on positioning to prevent ectropion of the lower lid, are presented. Alone, or in conjunction with the multiple excision technique, this flap can produce a superior cheek surface.", "PMID": 781701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5937", "title": "Use of nasolabial skin flap to cover intraoral defects.", "content": "Several fresh surgical defects of the maxillary alveolus, palate, and tonsillar area, resulting from the excision of cancer, have been repaired in a single operation by pulling through an inferiorly-based nasolabial flap with a subcutaneous pedicle. Patient rehabilitation has been rapid.", "contents": "Use of nasolabial skin flap to cover intraoral defects. Several fresh surgical defects of the maxillary alveolus, palate, and tonsillar area, resulting from the excision of cancer, have been repaired in a single operation by pulling through an inferiorly-based nasolabial flap with a subcutaneous pedicle. Patient rehabilitation has been rapid.", "PMID": 781702} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5938", "title": "Splinting electrical burns of the mouth in children.", "content": "A mouth splint has been designed tp be worn through the healing period of an electrical burn of the mouth. The splint is custom-fitted for each child, and it is easily removed. Six children have been so treated and followed up for 4 years. The results to date have been excellent in preventing microstomia.", "contents": "Splinting electrical burns of the mouth in children. A mouth splint has been designed tp be worn through the healing period of an electrical burn of the mouth. The splint is custom-fitted for each child, and it is easily removed. Six children have been so treated and followed up for 4 years. The results to date have been excellent in preventing microstomia.", "PMID": 781705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5939", "title": "The infectious diarrheas.", "content": "In most cases, the physical examination will not adequately differentiate between the various infectious entities, though a careful history may be helpful. A stool guaiac test can help differentiate between invasive organisms and toxigenic organisms. All the organisms described usually cause a self-limited illness, and therapy is directed toward the control of symptoms.", "contents": "The infectious diarrheas. In most cases, the physical examination will not adequately differentiate between the various infectious entities, though a careful history may be helpful. A stool guaiac test can help differentiate between invasive organisms and toxigenic organisms. All the organisms described usually cause a self-limited illness, and therapy is directed toward the control of symptoms.", "PMID": 781707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5940", "title": "[Psychodiagnostic methods in neuropsychiatry and psychotherapy].", "content": "After a previous article had dealt with the general problems of psychodiagnostic procedures, this paper provides a critical presentation of different psychological test methods, classified according to groups of methods. The authors described some tests often applied in practical clinical diagnostics for the evaluation of development, intelligence and capacity, methods for measurement of special abilities and efforts, questionnaires and scales for self-evaluation, as well as developmental tests. Their diagnostic value and limits are emphasized; methods are dealt with in detail which have been designed or adapted in the G.D.R. or have recently been standardized.", "contents": "[Psychodiagnostic methods in neuropsychiatry and psychotherapy]. After a previous article had dealt with the general problems of psychodiagnostic procedures, this paper provides a critical presentation of different psychological test methods, classified according to groups of methods. The authors described some tests often applied in practical clinical diagnostics for the evaluation of development, intelligence and capacity, methods for measurement of special abilities and efforts, questionnaires and scales for self-evaluation, as well as developmental tests. Their diagnostic value and limits are emphasized; methods are dealt with in detail which have been designed or adapted in the G.D.R. or have recently been standardized.", "PMID": 781708} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5941", "title": "[Neurology and the locomotor system: aspects of manual therapy].", "content": "The author gives a review on the relationship between neurology and the locomotory system, 2. the dysplasis and pathological processes of the locomotory system, which lead manual therapy is outlined. The presentation of clinical relations is subdivided into three groups: 1. the neurological diseases, which secondarily disturb the locomotory system, 2. the dysplasias and pathological processes of the locomotory system, which lead to a mechanical damage to the substance of the nervous system, and 3. the functional disturbances of the locomotory system, which are registered by the nervous system as a nociceptive stimulus causing segmental and suprasegmental reflexes and which may lead to pain. Within this context the arthrogenic, ligamental, muscular, and statistically induced pain syndromes are shortly discussed, their therapy is also mentioned.", "contents": "[Neurology and the locomotor system: aspects of manual therapy]. The author gives a review on the relationship between neurology and the locomotory system, 2. the dysplasis and pathological processes of the locomotory system, which lead manual therapy is outlined. The presentation of clinical relations is subdivided into three groups: 1. the neurological diseases, which secondarily disturb the locomotory system, 2. the dysplasias and pathological processes of the locomotory system, which lead to a mechanical damage to the substance of the nervous system, and 3. the functional disturbances of the locomotory system, which are registered by the nervous system as a nociceptive stimulus causing segmental and suprasegmental reflexes and which may lead to pain. Within this context the arthrogenic, ligamental, muscular, and statistically induced pain syndromes are shortly discussed, their therapy is also mentioned.", "PMID": 781709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5942", "title": "The fathers (not the mothers): their importance and influence with infants and young children.", "content": "This review is primarily concerned with the behavior and influence of fathers with respect to their infants and children in early childhood as a mediating variable in forms of psychopathology. Three developmental periods are surveyed in relation to what is known of paternal behavior and its influences on the child: pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. Throughout, it is appreciated that influences may be bidirectional (i.e., father-child and child-father) and that behavior problems in children are usually determined by the coexistence of several factors. The objective here, however, is to examine the father-child relationship specificially as a possible early determinant of behavior deviance in children. Because the literature is sparse, it is necessary to carefully take into account manifestations of paternal behavioral deviance and behavioral deviance of children as they may influence each other.", "contents": "The fathers (not the mothers): their importance and influence with infants and young children. This review is primarily concerned with the behavior and influence of fathers with respect to their infants and children in early childhood as a mediating variable in forms of psychopathology. Three developmental periods are surveyed in relation to what is known of paternal behavior and its influences on the child: pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. Throughout, it is appreciated that influences may be bidirectional (i.e., father-child and child-father) and that behavior problems in children are usually determined by the coexistence of several factors. The objective here, however, is to examine the father-child relationship specificially as a possible early determinant of behavior deviance in children. Because the literature is sparse, it is necessary to carefully take into account manifestations of paternal behavioral deviance and behavioral deviance of children as they may influence each other.", "PMID": 781710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5943", "title": "The modification of the ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats by di-n-propylacetate.", "content": "Di-n-propylacetate (DPA), a drug known to increase brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and to inhibit GABA-transamine (GABA-T) activity, was administered during the ethanol withdrawal period to rats made physically dependent upon ethanol. Under all conditions tested, 400 mg DPA/kg injected i.p. significantly reduced the withdrawal hyperexcitable state induced by acoustic stimulation. The effect was seen as early as 30 min after the administration of DPA and lasted for at least 2 hrs. Readministration of the same dose of DPA 6.5 hrs after its initial injection again mitigated withdrawal symptoms. A 200 mg/kg dose of DPA was significantly effective for only 1 hr after its administration. Neither dose led to mortality or observable tranquilization. The results suggest that DPA may be a useful agent in the control of the hyperexcitable state induced by ethanol withdrawal and that the GABA system may be involved in this state.", "contents": "The modification of the ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats by di-n-propylacetate. Di-n-propylacetate (DPA), a drug known to increase brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and to inhibit GABA-transamine (GABA-T) activity, was administered during the ethanol withdrawal period to rats made physically dependent upon ethanol. Under all conditions tested, 400 mg DPA/kg injected i.p. significantly reduced the withdrawal hyperexcitable state induced by acoustic stimulation. The effect was seen as early as 30 min after the administration of DPA and lasted for at least 2 hrs. Readministration of the same dose of DPA 6.5 hrs after its initial injection again mitigated withdrawal symptoms. A 200 mg/kg dose of DPA was significantly effective for only 1 hr after its administration. Neither dose led to mortality or observable tranquilization. The results suggest that DPA may be a useful agent in the control of the hyperexcitable state induced by ethanol withdrawal and that the GABA system may be involved in this state.", "PMID": 781711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5944", "title": "Congenital malformations in infants of diabetic mothers.", "content": "In a series of 701 infants born to diabetic women between 1950 and 1974 ,57(8-1 percent) had congential malformations which is a rate three to four timeshigher than in the normal populations of Birmingham.. In 26 cases(3-8 per cent) the malformations were fatal and accounted for 26 per cent of the perinatal mortality in the series. Central nervous system, cardiovascular and skeletal abnormalities were equally common and there was a high incidence of anencephalus, spina bifida, transposition of the great vessels and sacral dysgenesis...", "contents": "Congenital malformations in infants of diabetic mothers. In a series of 701 infants born to diabetic women between 1950 and 1974 ,57(8-1 percent) had congential malformations which is a rate three to four timeshigher than in the normal populations of Birmingham.. In 26 cases(3-8 per cent) the malformations were fatal and accounted for 26 per cent of the perinatal mortality in the series. Central nervous system, cardiovascular and skeletal abnormalities were equally common and there was a high incidence of anencephalus, spina bifida, transposition of the great vessels and sacral dysgenesis...", "PMID": 781716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5945", "title": "[Contribution of the Aversa school to the birth and progress of criminal anthropology].", "content": "In this historical research the author highlights the contribution made by the Aversa school in the birth and progress of criminal Anthropology. He describes in particular the scientific work of Gaspare Virgilio who with his intuitions contributed to a notable extent in the evolution of the though of Lombroso, of whom he was a friend, and also the work of his successor, Fillipo Saporito, who, in dealing with the treatment of criminals, advocated the necessity of replacing the punishment-chastisement by the punishment-treatment, thus forestalling the principles set forth in the new prison reform.", "contents": "[Contribution of the Aversa school to the birth and progress of criminal anthropology]. In this historical research the author highlights the contribution made by the Aversa school in the birth and progress of criminal Anthropology. He describes in particular the scientific work of Gaspare Virgilio who with his intuitions contributed to a notable extent in the evolution of the though of Lombroso, of whom he was a friend, and also the work of his successor, Fillipo Saporito, who, in dealing with the treatment of criminals, advocated the necessity of replacing the punishment-chastisement by the punishment-treatment, thus forestalling the principles set forth in the new prison reform.", "PMID": 781717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5946", "title": "Analysis of lymphoedema as first symptom of a neoplasm in a series of 650 patients with limb involvement.", "content": "In a series of 650 patients with lymphoedema of the extremities, a clinically suspected primary lymphoedema in 60 patients was found upon roentgenological examination to be secondary lymphoedema. After lymphography, tomography and in some cases selective supplementary angiographic examination, the causitive factor for almost all patients could be established and was confirmed after biopsy/operation and pathological-anatomical-anatomical examination. This is a very important finding, because a developing lymphoedema may be the first symptom of a malignant process characterized by tumour infiltration into the lymph nodes. It is exactly in these patients that lymphography may often give rise to unexpected amazing findings, which in certain cases may contribute to the possibility of starting effective treatment.", "contents": "Analysis of lymphoedema as first symptom of a neoplasm in a series of 650 patients with limb involvement. In a series of 650 patients with lymphoedema of the extremities, a clinically suspected primary lymphoedema in 60 patients was found upon roentgenological examination to be secondary lymphoedema. After lymphography, tomography and in some cases selective supplementary angiographic examination, the causitive factor for almost all patients could be established and was confirmed after biopsy/operation and pathological-anatomical-anatomical examination. This is a very important finding, because a developing lymphoedema may be the first symptom of a malignant process characterized by tumour infiltration into the lymph nodes. It is exactly in these patients that lymphography may often give rise to unexpected amazing findings, which in certain cases may contribute to the possibility of starting effective treatment.", "PMID": 781724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5947", "title": "Infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffey's disease). Two case reports.", "content": "Two cases of infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffrey's disease) are presented. This syndrome is characterized by diaphyseal cortical swelling of flat bones as well as long bones, often polyostotic but sometimes confirmed to one bone, e.g. the mandible. Prominent clinical features are irritability and painful firm swelling of soft tissues, as well as pallor and subfebrile temperatures. Serological reactions and blood cultures are negative and histological findings are non-specific. Differential diagnosis should account for bone syphilis, hypervitaminosis A, battered child syndrome and osteomyelitis. The prognosis is favourable.", "contents": "Infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffey's disease). Two case reports. Two cases of infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffrey's disease) are presented. This syndrome is characterized by diaphyseal cortical swelling of flat bones as well as long bones, often polyostotic but sometimes confirmed to one bone, e.g. the mandible. Prominent clinical features are irritability and painful firm swelling of soft tissues, as well as pallor and subfebrile temperatures. Serological reactions and blood cultures are negative and histological findings are non-specific. Differential diagnosis should account for bone syphilis, hypervitaminosis A, battered child syndrome and osteomyelitis. The prognosis is favourable.", "PMID": 781725} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5948", "title": "Computed tomography of the pancreas.", "content": "Computed tomography (CT) has proven useful in diagnosing inflammatory and neoplastic disease of the pancreas. Neoplasms of the pancreas produce enlargement of the gland and loss of surrounding fat planes. Acute pancreatitis also produces enlargement but correct diagnosis can be made with the clinical correlation. The usefulness of CT in chronic pancreatitis depends upon the state of the disease. Distinction between an inflammatory and a neoplastic mass is not possible on the basis of a CT scan alone. CT is also useful for needle guidance for aspiration biopsy of the pancreas.", "contents": "Computed tomography of the pancreas. Computed tomography (CT) has proven useful in diagnosing inflammatory and neoplastic disease of the pancreas. Neoplasms of the pancreas produce enlargement of the gland and loss of surrounding fat planes. Acute pancreatitis also produces enlargement but correct diagnosis can be made with the clinical correlation. The usefulness of CT in chronic pancreatitis depends upon the state of the disease. Distinction between an inflammatory and a neoplastic mass is not possible on the basis of a CT scan alone. CT is also useful for needle guidance for aspiration biopsy of the pancreas.", "PMID": 781727} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5949", "title": "[A combined method of autologous bone grafts and collagen allografts for the prevention of bone pockets].", "content": "The use of autogenous bone for elimination of intrabony pockets is a well established procedure. With the use of \"fill-in-techniques\" three problems still remain: 1. the limited amount of bone that can be obtained, 2. the additional surgical intervention to obtain the bone graft, 3. the associated gingival recession, which especially in the front region challenges every intervention. A rather simple combined technique is described to eliminate these difficulties. The use of an allogenic filler compensates efficiently for the limited amount of bone material available. Lyophilized dura mater is a suitable allograft. Lyophilized dura mater is commercially available and the extended and prolonged use in general surgery has confirmed it as a very reliable substitute. Its adaptation to the complex morphology of intrabondy defects and surrounding structures is easily obtained by cutting it to the desired shape and compressing it with a gauze pad. The additional surgical intervention and trauma can often be eliminated by the autogenous osseous material which is obtained from an intra-oral source, usually from the area where hte surgery is being performed. By incorporation of a filter in the existing suction device the osseous coagulum can be collected permitting the utilization of a coolant. The use of several layers of the allogenic graftmaterial reduces the gingival recession to a minimum and restores the interdental papilla. The small differences between this surgical technique and the classical one do not constitute a major problem. The case must be carefully selected and prescribed technique followed in every detail. The present results are substantiated only by clinical evaluation on a restricted number of patients and during a limited period of time.", "contents": "[A combined method of autologous bone grafts and collagen allografts for the prevention of bone pockets]. The use of autogenous bone for elimination of intrabony pockets is a well established procedure. With the use of \"fill-in-techniques\" three problems still remain: 1. the limited amount of bone that can be obtained, 2. the additional surgical intervention to obtain the bone graft, 3. the associated gingival recession, which especially in the front region challenges every intervention. A rather simple combined technique is described to eliminate these difficulties. The use of an allogenic filler compensates efficiently for the limited amount of bone material available. Lyophilized dura mater is a suitable allograft. Lyophilized dura mater is commercially available and the extended and prolonged use in general surgery has confirmed it as a very reliable substitute. Its adaptation to the complex morphology of intrabondy defects and surrounding structures is easily obtained by cutting it to the desired shape and compressing it with a gauze pad. The additional surgical intervention and trauma can often be eliminated by the autogenous osseous material which is obtained from an intra-oral source, usually from the area where hte surgery is being performed. By incorporation of a filter in the existing suction device the osseous coagulum can be collected permitting the utilization of a coolant. The use of several layers of the allogenic graftmaterial reduces the gingival recession to a minimum and restores the interdental papilla. The small differences between this surgical technique and the classical one do not constitute a major problem. The case must be carefully selected and prescribed technique followed in every detail. The present results are substantiated only by clinical evaluation on a restricted number of patients and during a limited period of time.", "PMID": 781750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5950", "title": "[Use of rat glomerular basement membrane (GBM) as antigen in indirect imunofluorescence test for detection of human anti-GBM antibodies (author's transl)].", "content": "The purpose of this paper is to verify if we may use the rat glomerular basement membrane (GBM) as antigen, in indirect immunofluorescent test in isolated GBM (IIT-BGM) to detect human anti GBM antibodies. Rabbit anti-human GBM serum (A-H-GBMS) were obtained by rabbit's immunization with human GBM or rat GBM respectively. The content of anti-GBM antibodies in rabbit's sera was determined in IIT-GBM. The titer of the A-H-GBMS was 1/10 when determined in IIT-GBM performed in human GBM and only weakly positive in IIT-GBM performed in rat GBM. The titer of A-R-GBMS was 1/60 and 1/20 when determined respectively in rat GBM and in human GBM. All the reactions performed with sera absorbed with autologous GBM were negative; the absorption of sera with heterologous GBM reduced sera titer. a) rat and human GBM have common and different antigenic components; b) to detect human anti-GBM antibodies we must not employ rat GBM in IIT-GBM.", "contents": "[Use of rat glomerular basement membrane (GBM) as antigen in indirect imunofluorescence test for detection of human anti-GBM antibodies (author's transl)]. The purpose of this paper is to verify if we may use the rat glomerular basement membrane (GBM) as antigen, in indirect immunofluorescent test in isolated GBM (IIT-BGM) to detect human anti GBM antibodies. Rabbit anti-human GBM serum (A-H-GBMS) were obtained by rabbit's immunization with human GBM or rat GBM respectively. The content of anti-GBM antibodies in rabbit's sera was determined in IIT-GBM. The titer of the A-H-GBMS was 1/10 when determined in IIT-GBM performed in human GBM and only weakly positive in IIT-GBM performed in rat GBM. The titer of A-R-GBMS was 1/60 and 1/20 when determined respectively in rat GBM and in human GBM. All the reactions performed with sera absorbed with autologous GBM were negative; the absorption of sera with heterologous GBM reduced sera titer. a) rat and human GBM have common and different antigenic components; b) to detect human anti-GBM antibodies we must not employ rat GBM in IIT-GBM.", "PMID": 781753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5951", "title": "Induction of theta-positive murine lymphocytes by a thymic extract.", "content": "Extracts of calf thymus were prepared using a modification of A. Goldstein's procedure for thymosin isolation. Several extracts were clearly active in inducing the formation of theta-antigen on the surface of immature murine lymphocytes. Surface theta-antigen was directly measured by using a live cell immunofluorescent technique. Some extracts were marginally active in affecting mitogen responsiveness, as measured by tritiated thymidine uptake. Sources of lymphocytes included adult bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph node and fetal liver cells.", "contents": "Induction of theta-positive murine lymphocytes by a thymic extract. Extracts of calf thymus were prepared using a modification of A. Goldstein's procedure for thymosin isolation. Several extracts were clearly active in inducing the formation of theta-antigen on the surface of immature murine lymphocytes. Surface theta-antigen was directly measured by using a live cell immunofluorescent technique. Some extracts were marginally active in affecting mitogen responsiveness, as measured by tritiated thymidine uptake. Sources of lymphocytes included adult bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph node and fetal liver cells.", "PMID": 781763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5952", "title": "Location of the source of the soluble skin surface proteins of cattle by immunofluorescence.", "content": "The soluble skin surface proteins of cattle are located between the squames of the stratum corneum and are derived from sweat, sebum and the epidermis itself. However, the sweat gland, especially at high ambient temperatures, appears to be the most important source of at least some of these proteins.", "contents": "Location of the source of the soluble skin surface proteins of cattle by immunofluorescence. The soluble skin surface proteins of cattle are located between the squames of the stratum corneum and are derived from sweat, sebum and the epidermis itself. However, the sweat gland, especially at high ambient temperatures, appears to be the most important source of at least some of these proteins.", "PMID": 781764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5953", "title": "Evaluation of the indirect fluorescent antibody test for detecting Trypanosoma vivax in South American cattle.", "content": "The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) as used in Africa for detecting bovine trypanosomiasis was adapted for use in South America and evaluated. Antigen consisted of Trypanosoma vivax laden bovine blood fixed in a 60 : 40 : : acetone : methanol solution. The test detected initial titres of 1 : 50 and 1 : 100 at an average of 13.1 and 15.9 days post parasitaemia (PP). Maximum titres as high as 1 : 400 developed in eight calves at an average of 23.4 days PP. In another calf, 109 days PP were required. Efficacy in detecting sero-positive calves throughout the course of infection was 81.1 and 96.4 per cent at serum dilutions of 1 : 100 and 1 : 50 respectively. No false positive reactions occurred when sera from 36 haemoparasite-free calves were tested. Cross reactivity did not occur when sera from calves singularly infected with Trypanosoma theileri, T evansi, Anaplasma marginale, Babesia argentina, B bigemina and Eperythrozoon spp were similarly tested in the IFAT. No significant differences were found in IFAT results of surveys in which both conventional serum samples and sera eluted from dried blood samples on filter paper from the same calf were used.", "contents": "Evaluation of the indirect fluorescent antibody test for detecting Trypanosoma vivax in South American cattle. The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) as used in Africa for detecting bovine trypanosomiasis was adapted for use in South America and evaluated. Antigen consisted of Trypanosoma vivax laden bovine blood fixed in a 60 : 40 : : acetone : methanol solution. The test detected initial titres of 1 : 50 and 1 : 100 at an average of 13.1 and 15.9 days post parasitaemia (PP). Maximum titres as high as 1 : 400 developed in eight calves at an average of 23.4 days PP. In another calf, 109 days PP were required. Efficacy in detecting sero-positive calves throughout the course of infection was 81.1 and 96.4 per cent at serum dilutions of 1 : 100 and 1 : 50 respectively. No false positive reactions occurred when sera from 36 haemoparasite-free calves were tested. Cross reactivity did not occur when sera from calves singularly infected with Trypanosoma theileri, T evansi, Anaplasma marginale, Babesia argentina, B bigemina and Eperythrozoon spp were similarly tested in the IFAT. No significant differences were found in IFAT results of surveys in which both conventional serum samples and sera eluted from dried blood samples on filter paper from the same calf were used.", "PMID": 781765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5954", "title": "The increased resistance of mice to experimental staphylococcal mastitis following inoculation of endotoxin.", "content": "Intramammary inoculation of endotoxin in mice three days before intramammary challenge with staphylococci induced resistance to the staphylococci. Endotoxin given by the intraperitoneal route also induced resistance when inoculated three days before challenge. Resistance was not induced, however, if the mice were allowed to continue lactating during the induction period. Histological examination of mammary glands following different combinations of lactation/involution and endotoxin treatment indicated that endotoxin given by either the intramammary or the intraperitoneal route caused an accelerated involution of the mammary gland and suggested that the involuted gland was inherently more resistant. This was confirmed by demonstrating the same resistance in mice after five days of natural involution when the mammary glands had reached the degree of involution produced by endotoxin in three days.", "contents": "The increased resistance of mice to experimental staphylococcal mastitis following inoculation of endotoxin. Intramammary inoculation of endotoxin in mice three days before intramammary challenge with staphylococci induced resistance to the staphylococci. Endotoxin given by the intraperitoneal route also induced resistance when inoculated three days before challenge. Resistance was not induced, however, if the mice were allowed to continue lactating during the induction period. Histological examination of mammary glands following different combinations of lactation/involution and endotoxin treatment indicated that endotoxin given by either the intramammary or the intraperitoneal route caused an accelerated involution of the mammary gland and suggested that the involuted gland was inherently more resistant. This was confirmed by demonstrating the same resistance in mice after five days of natural involution when the mammary glands had reached the degree of involution produced by endotoxin in three days.", "PMID": 781766} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5955", "title": "[Etiopathogenesis of true male homosexuality (androgenic insufficiency?)].", "content": "Clinical and experimental studies have suggested the author the possibility that an androgenic insufficiency, during embryogenesis or the perinatal period, may be a determinant factor in the pathogenesis of the anomalies of homosexual behavior. In the author's opinion, the androgenic anomalies seen in the genuine male homosexual have no pathogenic significance, but are a repetition of what occured during embryogenesis of the perinatal period, at the time when these anomalies had a pathogenic role.", "contents": "[Etiopathogenesis of true male homosexuality (androgenic insufficiency?)]. Clinical and experimental studies have suggested the author the possibility that an androgenic insufficiency, during embryogenesis or the perinatal period, may be a determinant factor in the pathogenesis of the anomalies of homosexual behavior. In the author's opinion, the androgenic anomalies seen in the genuine male homosexual have no pathogenic significance, but are a repetition of what occured during embryogenesis of the perinatal period, at the time when these anomalies had a pathogenic role.", "PMID": 781776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5956", "title": "Reconstruction of the ala nasi and the lateral wall of the nose.", "content": "With reference to the functional importance of the vestibular region, it is recommended that only such operative methods should be practiced for the reconstruction of the ala nasi as take into account the aerodynamics of the vestibular region. The reconstruction of the cartilaginous infrastructure should therefore be an integrading component of the ala replacement. Various possibilities for the fulfilling of these requirements are pointed out and a pedicled septal mucosa-skin-cartilage flap described by the author which, in conjunction with a frontal skin flap permits the repair of the ala nasi in a shorter time is described in more detail. For the treatment of defects of the lateral nasal wall, in addition to the insular flap operation from the nasolabial region and the forehead, the medial frontal flap technique as described by Kazanjian is particularly recommended. This method is also suitable very particularly for closure of perforating defects in conjunction with the split skin graft.", "contents": "Reconstruction of the ala nasi and the lateral wall of the nose. With reference to the functional importance of the vestibular region, it is recommended that only such operative methods should be practiced for the reconstruction of the ala nasi as take into account the aerodynamics of the vestibular region. The reconstruction of the cartilaginous infrastructure should therefore be an integrading component of the ala replacement. Various possibilities for the fulfilling of these requirements are pointed out and a pedicled septal mucosa-skin-cartilage flap described by the author which, in conjunction with a frontal skin flap permits the repair of the ala nasi in a shorter time is described in more detail. For the treatment of defects of the lateral nasal wall, in addition to the insular flap operation from the nasolabial region and the forehead, the medial frontal flap technique as described by Kazanjian is particularly recommended. This method is also suitable very particularly for closure of perforating defects in conjunction with the split skin graft.", "PMID": 781781} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5957", "title": "[The lymphocyte transformation test with the bedsonian antigen (bedsonian LTT) in old and recent Fiessinger-Leroy-Reiter syndromes and in ankylsoing spondylarthritis. Additional study].", "content": "The lymphoblastic transformation test in the presence of bedsonian antigen was positive in 72 per cent of the cases confirmed Fiessinger-Leroy-Reiter syndrome, while it was negative in all the controls. This test remains positive over a long period since it was found to be positive in 69.75 per cent of old cases of FLR syndrome diagnosed 13-17 years previously. In cases of post-Reiter ankylosing spondylarthritis (ASp), the bedonian LTT was positive with equal frequency as in cases of FLR syndrome not complicated by ASp (68.4 per cent). On the other hand, in the cases of ASp without known history of FLR the test was positive much less frequently (17.7 per cent). There was no significant difference between the positivity rate of the bedsosian LTT in cases of pure axial ASp and in cases of ASP with peripheral lesions, neither in the group with post-Reiter ASp nor in the group with idiopathic ASp. In addition to its diagnostic value, this test is of great value in the epidemiological study of the group of rheumatic diseases that includes the FLR syndrome and ASp.", "contents": "[The lymphocyte transformation test with the bedsonian antigen (bedsonian LTT) in old and recent Fiessinger-Leroy-Reiter syndromes and in ankylsoing spondylarthritis. Additional study]. The lymphoblastic transformation test in the presence of bedsonian antigen was positive in 72 per cent of the cases confirmed Fiessinger-Leroy-Reiter syndrome, while it was negative in all the controls. This test remains positive over a long period since it was found to be positive in 69.75 per cent of old cases of FLR syndrome diagnosed 13-17 years previously. In cases of post-Reiter ankylosing spondylarthritis (ASp), the bedonian LTT was positive with equal frequency as in cases of FLR syndrome not complicated by ASp (68.4 per cent). On the other hand, in the cases of ASp without known history of FLR the test was positive much less frequently (17.7 per cent). There was no significant difference between the positivity rate of the bedsosian LTT in cases of pure axial ASp and in cases of ASP with peripheral lesions, neither in the group with post-Reiter ASp nor in the group with idiopathic ASp. In addition to its diagnostic value, this test is of great value in the epidemiological study of the group of rheumatic diseases that includes the FLR syndrome and ASp.", "PMID": 781787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5958", "title": "[Induced hyperlipemia test during femur head osteonecrosis].", "content": "The authors studied disturbances of lipid clearance in cases of aseptic osteonecrosis of the femoral head by means of an induced intravenous hyperlipemia test. With reference to investigations in 19 patients, the authors first draw attention to the frequency of ethylism and of fatty degeneration of the liver (13 patients). A significant decrease was noted in the coefficient of lipid clearance in the 19 patients. This was particularly marked when fatty degeneration of the liver was present. The etiological role of these anomalies should be considered, as fatty degeneration and hyperlipaemia may also be found in other pathological conditions responsible for primary osteonecrosis of the femoral head (corticotherapy).", "contents": "[Induced hyperlipemia test during femur head osteonecrosis]. The authors studied disturbances of lipid clearance in cases of aseptic osteonecrosis of the femoral head by means of an induced intravenous hyperlipemia test. With reference to investigations in 19 patients, the authors first draw attention to the frequency of ethylism and of fatty degeneration of the liver (13 patients). A significant decrease was noted in the coefficient of lipid clearance in the 19 patients. This was particularly marked when fatty degeneration of the liver was present. The etiological role of these anomalies should be considered, as fatty degeneration and hyperlipaemia may also be found in other pathological conditions responsible for primary osteonecrosis of the femoral head (corticotherapy).", "PMID": 781788} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5959", "title": "[Interaction of salicyl compounds and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents: pharmacokinetic study of phenylbutazone-aspirin combination in man].", "content": "The pharmacodynamic interaction between phenybutazone and aspirin was studied in 9 patients. The levels of phenylbutazone were estimated by gas-chromatography and verified by mass-spectrometry. When phenylbutazone was administered together with salicylates a decrease in the bioavailability of phenylbutazone was demonstrated, but there was no significant variation in the absorption and elimination constants or in the half-life. The variations were much less than those observed with other nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (indometacine, naproxen, fenoprofen). These interactions must be taken into account in the long-term treatment of cases of inflammatory rheumatism.", "contents": "[Interaction of salicyl compounds and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents: pharmacokinetic study of phenylbutazone-aspirin combination in man]. The pharmacodynamic interaction between phenybutazone and aspirin was studied in 9 patients. The levels of phenylbutazone were estimated by gas-chromatography and verified by mass-spectrometry. When phenylbutazone was administered together with salicylates a decrease in the bioavailability of phenylbutazone was demonstrated, but there was no significant variation in the absorption and elimination constants or in the half-life. The variations were much less than those observed with other nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (indometacine, naproxen, fenoprofen). These interactions must be taken into account in the long-term treatment of cases of inflammatory rheumatism.", "PMID": 781789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5960", "title": "Respiratory sinus arrhythmia in man: relation to cardiovascular pressures.", "content": "The relationship of repiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) to the accompanying oscillations of cardiovascular pressures has been studied in five healthy subjects. Tidal volumes (VT) of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 1 at a breathing rate of 6 c-min(-1) were used as reference. With identical VT, oesophageal pressure was varied by negative inspiratory pressure (NIP) and intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV). Compared with control, NIP with 1.01 significantly increased RSA, the oscillations of brachial artery pressures (PBA), and the net filling pressures of the ventricles. IPPV did not significantly change the variations of PBA but reduced RSA and the repiratory variations of the right ventricular end-diastolic net pressure. During control breathing and with NIP the acceleration of heart rate during inspiration was associated with rising PBA and rising net filling pressures of both ventricles. The results indicate that RSA may be elicited by cardiovascular reflexes due to changes in venous filling of the heart rather than by the variations in systemic arterial pressure.", "contents": "Respiratory sinus arrhythmia in man: relation to cardiovascular pressures. The relationship of repiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) to the accompanying oscillations of cardiovascular pressures has been studied in five healthy subjects. Tidal volumes (VT) of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 1 at a breathing rate of 6 c-min(-1) were used as reference. With identical VT, oesophageal pressure was varied by negative inspiratory pressure (NIP) and intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV). Compared with control, NIP with 1.01 significantly increased RSA, the oscillations of brachial artery pressures (PBA), and the net filling pressures of the ventricles. IPPV did not significantly change the variations of PBA but reduced RSA and the repiratory variations of the right ventricular end-diastolic net pressure. During control breathing and with NIP the acceleration of heart rate during inspiration was associated with rising PBA and rising net filling pressures of both ventricles. The results indicate that RSA may be elicited by cardiovascular reflexes due to changes in venous filling of the heart rather than by the variations in systemic arterial pressure.", "PMID": 781793} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5961", "title": "The importance of perfusate content of free fatty acids for dog kidney preservation.", "content": "Forty-eight-hour preservation of dog kidneys utilizing continuous hypothermic perfusion was carried out in two groups of dogs. In the first group an albumin electrolyte solution with a high content of free fatty acids was used as perfusate. In the second group the perfusate contained the same components as the first solution except that the fatty acids had been removed from the albumin before use. After preservation, the kidneys were reimplanted, and contralateral nephrectomy was immediately performed. The renal function was measured by serial creatinine determinations. The postoperative renal function was significantly better in the group perfused with fatty-acid-rich perfusate. The results suggest that the level of free fatty acids in the perfusion solution is of importance for kidney preservation.", "contents": "The importance of perfusate content of free fatty acids for dog kidney preservation. Forty-eight-hour preservation of dog kidneys utilizing continuous hypothermic perfusion was carried out in two groups of dogs. In the first group an albumin electrolyte solution with a high content of free fatty acids was used as perfusate. In the second group the perfusate contained the same components as the first solution except that the fatty acids had been removed from the albumin before use. After preservation, the kidneys were reimplanted, and contralateral nephrectomy was immediately performed. The renal function was measured by serial creatinine determinations. The postoperative renal function was significantly better in the group perfused with fatty-acid-rich perfusate. The results suggest that the level of free fatty acids in the perfusion solution is of importance for kidney preservation.", "PMID": 781794} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5962", "title": "The effect of chlorhexidine mouthrinse on healing after gingivectomy.", "content": "The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse following gingivectomy on plague under the dressing and on healing. Twenty-eight patients with indications for gingivectomy were selected. Coe-Pak was used as surgical dressing. In addition to unsual home care, the patients rinsed twice daily with chlorhexidine or placebo for 21 d after surgery. The study followed a cross-over double-blind design. Gingival exudate was assessed and Pl I and G I were registered at 7, 14, and 21 d postsurgically. The study indicated that chlorhexidine did not influence the amount of plaque under the dressing, and it was uncertain whether chlorhexidine had any effect on the healing process when the surgical area was covered by Coe-Pak. However, (1) after the surgical dressing was removed, the chlorhexidine maintained plaque scores at the same low level as under the dressing, (2) healing was was promoted when chlorhexidine was used, and (3) the presence of a dressing in one side of the mouth did not prevent the patient from maintaining good oral hygiene.", "contents": "The effect of chlorhexidine mouthrinse on healing after gingivectomy. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse following gingivectomy on plague under the dressing and on healing. Twenty-eight patients with indications for gingivectomy were selected. Coe-Pak was used as surgical dressing. In addition to unsual home care, the patients rinsed twice daily with chlorhexidine or placebo for 21 d after surgery. The study followed a cross-over double-blind design. Gingival exudate was assessed and Pl I and G I were registered at 7, 14, and 21 d postsurgically. The study indicated that chlorhexidine did not influence the amount of plaque under the dressing, and it was uncertain whether chlorhexidine had any effect on the healing process when the surgical area was covered by Coe-Pak. However, (1) after the surgical dressing was removed, the chlorhexidine maintained plaque scores at the same low level as under the dressing, (2) healing was was promoted when chlorhexidine was used, and (3) the presence of a dressing in one side of the mouth did not prevent the patient from maintaining good oral hygiene.", "PMID": 781795} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5963", "title": "The immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood using a portable 90Sr-90Y source and small transit doses.", "content": "The immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood (ECIB) using small transit doses (TD) over a long time period was studied. The blood of 15 uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis in preparation for kidney transplantation was treated with15-, 25-, or 41-rad TDs for a total of 150 h, using the beta-emitting radioisotope 90Sr-90Y. The number of blood volumes (BV) irradiated ranged from 159 to 265. The irradiation resulted in selective lymphocytopenia, but the effect on the immune response of lymphocytes, as measured in vitro with lymphocyte transformation tests, varied. Six kidney transplantations were performed resulting in rejection in two cases, one which was easily reversed and one with many rejection episodes, ending in death. Thus treatment with small TDs over long periods can reduce lymphocyte counts, but any subsequent immunosuppressive effect is uncertain. Our results do not support the hypothesis that such irradiation can influence the immune response of lymphocytes without destroying the cells.", "contents": "The immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood using a portable 90Sr-90Y source and small transit doses. The immunosuppressive effect of extracorporeal irradiation of the blood (ECIB) using small transit doses (TD) over a long time period was studied. The blood of 15 uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis in preparation for kidney transplantation was treated with15-, 25-, or 41-rad TDs for a total of 150 h, using the beta-emitting radioisotope 90Sr-90Y. The number of blood volumes (BV) irradiated ranged from 159 to 265. The irradiation resulted in selective lymphocytopenia, but the effect on the immune response of lymphocytes, as measured in vitro with lymphocyte transformation tests, varied. Six kidney transplantations were performed resulting in rejection in two cases, one which was easily reversed and one with many rejection episodes, ending in death. Thus treatment with small TDs over long periods can reduce lymphocyte counts, but any subsequent immunosuppressive effect is uncertain. Our results do not support the hypothesis that such irradiation can influence the immune response of lymphocytes without destroying the cells.", "PMID": 781796} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5964", "title": "Microvascular surgery. Techniques and applications in plastic surgery.", "content": "Methods of anastomosing small blood vessels are presented, together with an account of the authors' own experiences in the field of microvascular surgery. Practical suggestions are made to avoid pitfalls. The modern literature on experimental and clinical applications of microvascular technique in plastic and reconstructive surgery is reviewed. An extensive bibliography is offered as an aid to the interested reader.", "contents": "Microvascular surgery. Techniques and applications in plastic surgery. Methods of anastomosing small blood vessels are presented, together with an account of the authors' own experiences in the field of microvascular surgery. Practical suggestions are made to avoid pitfalls. The modern literature on experimental and clinical applications of microvascular technique in plastic and reconstructive surgery is reviewed. An extensive bibliography is offered as an aid to the interested reader.", "PMID": 781798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5965", "title": "The Shaw abdominal flap.", "content": "The results of using 28 abdominal Shaw flaps (tubed axial pattern flaps based upon the inferior superficial epigastric artery and vein, are reported. One flap was totally lost and 4 partially. The cosmetic results have been acceptable. This type of flap will still be our method of choice, partly because it is easy to apply, but particularly because it facilitates placing the hand in a position of function.", "contents": "The Shaw abdominal flap. The results of using 28 abdominal Shaw flaps (tubed axial pattern flaps based upon the inferior superficial epigastric artery and vein, are reported. One flap was totally lost and 4 partially. The cosmetic results have been acceptable. This type of flap will still be our method of choice, partly because it is easy to apply, but particularly because it facilitates placing the hand in a position of function.", "PMID": 781799} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5966", "title": "Anastomosis of small veins with suture or Nakayama's apparatus. A comparative study.", "content": "In controlled experiments, the posterior facial veins in the rabbits neck (diameter 1.5-2.0 mm) were repaired, either by manual suture with 10-0 nylon or by the use of Nakayama's ring pin stapler. The so-called Nakayama \"animal\" rings, made from metal alloy, as well as the \"human\" rings, made from tantalum, were employed. A Nakayama anastomosis was performed in only one-third of the time required to complete a suture anastomosis. Evaluation of anastomotic patency was carried out after 7 days, and the vessels were examined histologically in serial sections. Veins anastomosed by the Nakayama technique had a statistically significant lower rate of early thrombosis than the sutured veins, while no difference was found in the occurrence of late thrombosis. The histological analysis showed a perfect endothelium-to-endothelium coaptation in the Nakayama anastomoses, and endothelium covered the anastomotic site in one week. In suture anastomoses the histological picture was more complex, with disintegration of the layers of the vessel wall and hyaline degeneration betweeen sutures. The \"animal\" rings almost constantly caused local phlebitis, but these changes were not reflected in the patency rates at one week.", "contents": "Anastomosis of small veins with suture or Nakayama's apparatus. A comparative study. In controlled experiments, the posterior facial veins in the rabbits neck (diameter 1.5-2.0 mm) were repaired, either by manual suture with 10-0 nylon or by the use of Nakayama's ring pin stapler. The so-called Nakayama \"animal\" rings, made from metal alloy, as well as the \"human\" rings, made from tantalum, were employed. A Nakayama anastomosis was performed in only one-third of the time required to complete a suture anastomosis. Evaluation of anastomotic patency was carried out after 7 days, and the vessels were examined histologically in serial sections. Veins anastomosed by the Nakayama technique had a statistically significant lower rate of early thrombosis than the sutured veins, while no difference was found in the occurrence of late thrombosis. The histological analysis showed a perfect endothelium-to-endothelium coaptation in the Nakayama anastomoses, and endothelium covered the anastomotic site in one week. In suture anastomoses the histological picture was more complex, with disintegration of the layers of the vessel wall and hyaline degeneration betweeen sutures. The \"animal\" rings almost constantly caused local phlebitis, but these changes were not reflected in the patency rates at one week.", "PMID": 781800} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5967", "title": "Isotope nephrography in the evaluation of renal transplant recipients.", "content": "131I-hippuren nephrography (renography) has proved valuable in the assessment of function in renal transplants. Acute rejection can be detected at an early stage and the response to intensified immunosuppression can be followed. Renal circulation and urinary flow can also be studied. Serial examinations are important for the evaluation of early changes.", "contents": "Isotope nephrography in the evaluation of renal transplant recipients. 131I-hippuren nephrography (renography) has proved valuable in the assessment of function in renal transplants. Acute rejection can be detected at an early stage and the response to intensified immunosuppression can be followed. Renal circulation and urinary flow can also be studied. Serial examinations are important for the evaluation of early changes.", "PMID": 781801} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5968", "title": "Shall poorly HL-A matched cadaveric kidneys be transplanted or discarded?", "content": "The study comprises 101 cadaveric kidneys transplanted in the last three years (1971-1974). Twenty-one retransplantations were included since the graft and patient survival in this group were equivalent to primary transplantations. There were 13 compatible grafts (A and B matches), 29 displaying one incompatible antigen (C match), 35 with two (D match) and 24 with 3 or 4 mismatches (E and G matches). At 9 months, there was a significantly lower graft survival in the E and G match group (33%) compared to the rest (p less than 0.01). For reasons discussed we will, however, for the first time being continue to transplant also the badly matched cadaveric kidneys.", "contents": "Shall poorly HL-A matched cadaveric kidneys be transplanted or discarded? The study comprises 101 cadaveric kidneys transplanted in the last three years (1971-1974). Twenty-one retransplantations were included since the graft and patient survival in this group were equivalent to primary transplantations. There were 13 compatible grafts (A and B matches), 29 displaying one incompatible antigen (C match), 35 with two (D match) and 24 with 3 or 4 mismatches (E and G matches). At 9 months, there was a significantly lower graft survival in the E and G match group (33%) compared to the rest (p less than 0.01). For reasons discussed we will, however, for the first time being continue to transplant also the badly matched cadaveric kidneys.", "PMID": 781803} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5969", "title": "Aspects on the diagnosis of ureteric complications following renal transplantation.", "content": "Among 108 cadaveric renal transplantations serious complications from the ureter were found in 10%. Another nine cases showed abnormal urograms and scintigrams of doubtful significance. Some of these are discussed.", "contents": "Aspects on the diagnosis of ureteric complications following renal transplantation. Among 108 cadaveric renal transplantations serious complications from the ureter were found in 10%. Another nine cases showed abnormal urograms and scintigrams of doubtful significance. Some of these are discussed.", "PMID": 781802} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5970", "title": "Rehabilitation of haemodialysis and transplant patients in denmark.", "content": "An evaluation of the extent of rehabilitation of 159 haemodialysis patients and 36 transplant patients from 6 of the 9 Danish nephrological centers was carried out. Half of the patients experienced their working capacity to be severely reduced prior to treatment and the percentage did not change during treatment. At the time of interview 88 percent of the patients received full disablement support and only ten per cent had retained their previous vocational position.", "contents": "Rehabilitation of haemodialysis and transplant patients in denmark. An evaluation of the extent of rehabilitation of 159 haemodialysis patients and 36 transplant patients from 6 of the 9 Danish nephrological centers was carried out. Half of the patients experienced their working capacity to be severely reduced prior to treatment and the percentage did not change during treatment. At the time of interview 88 percent of the patients received full disablement support and only ten per cent had retained their previous vocational position.", "PMID": 781805} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5971", "title": "Workshop report: how can immunology (except by tissue typing) improve the results of kidney transplantation.", "content": "The aim of the workshop was to discuss the various methods currently available in (cellular) immunology which could be applied to the problems of clinical kidney transplantation. The areas considered in the Workshop were divided into three categories: 1. Methods for immunological diagnosis of rejection, 2. Assays for quantitation of the biological effects of immunosuppressive drugs and 3. Prospects of transplantation tolerance, enhancement and related phenomena in kidney transplantation. As regards to the first topic, several immunological methods (most notably in the fine needle aspiration biopsy and tests for macrophage migration inhibition) were reported to be in use for this purpose. No one of the participants had personal experience of the second topic of the agenda, and the results of Bach and co-workers on the use of the mouse T-rosette inhibition test for this purpose were discussed. Almost half of the allotted time was used to discuss the anti-idiotype antibodies and their potential use for transplantation tolerance in immunologically mature graft recipients. Some results of the human kidney graft enhancement experiments were also discussed in this section.", "contents": "Workshop report: how can immunology (except by tissue typing) improve the results of kidney transplantation. The aim of the workshop was to discuss the various methods currently available in (cellular) immunology which could be applied to the problems of clinical kidney transplantation. The areas considered in the Workshop were divided into three categories: 1. Methods for immunological diagnosis of rejection, 2. Assays for quantitation of the biological effects of immunosuppressive drugs and 3. Prospects of transplantation tolerance, enhancement and related phenomena in kidney transplantation. As regards to the first topic, several immunological methods (most notably in the fine needle aspiration biopsy and tests for macrophage migration inhibition) were reported to be in use for this purpose. No one of the participants had personal experience of the second topic of the agenda, and the results of Bach and co-workers on the use of the mouse T-rosette inhibition test for this purpose were discussed. Almost half of the allotted time was used to discuss the anti-idiotype antibodies and their potential use for transplantation tolerance in immunologically mature graft recipients. Some results of the human kidney graft enhancement experiments were also discussed in this section.", "PMID": 781804} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5972", "title": "Avascular necrosis of the bone in 99 renal allograft recipients.", "content": "Avascular necrosis of bone is a serious complication associated with steroid therapy in high dose. Ninetynine patients with functioning renal allografts transplanted 1964-1973 and subjected to steroid therapy were examined with regard to this complication. Osteonecrosis developed in 8 patients afflicting 13 joints. The process was localized to the femoral head, the condyles of the femur, tibia and the head of the humerus. The symptoms became manifest 7-33 months after the first transplantation. The severity of the disorder in 3 patients did not allow rehabilitation by conservative means. The roentgenographic, scintigraphic and clinical findings are described and the orthopaedic treatment discussed.", "contents": "Avascular necrosis of the bone in 99 renal allograft recipients. Avascular necrosis of bone is a serious complication associated with steroid therapy in high dose. Ninetynine patients with functioning renal allografts transplanted 1964-1973 and subjected to steroid therapy were examined with regard to this complication. Osteonecrosis developed in 8 patients afflicting 13 joints. The process was localized to the femoral head, the condyles of the femur, tibia and the head of the humerus. The symptoms became manifest 7-33 months after the first transplantation. The severity of the disorder in 3 patients did not allow rehabilitation by conservative means. The roentgenographic, scintigraphic and clinical findings are described and the orthopaedic treatment discussed.", "PMID": 781808} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5973", "title": "Changes in renin and blood pressure levels during renal transplantation.", "content": "Early in the transplant program we experienced difficulty in maintaining the blood pressure after bilateral nephrectomy of a proportion of recipients receiving kidneys from living donors. To our surprise this problem was much less marked in the less prepared recipients with cadaver donors. It seemed possible that this could be related to our practice of preceeding transplantation with bilateral nephrectomy in the same session when the donor was alive, but not after necrotransplantation. A typical blood pressure chart from an operation combining renal transplantation with bilateral nephrectomy is shown in fig. 1. Even where there is no blood loss the systolic and diastolic blood pressure falls with the central venous pressure so that perfusion of the donor kidney is at first poor. As soon as perfusion is established however, the blood pressure rises.", "contents": "Changes in renin and blood pressure levels during renal transplantation. Early in the transplant program we experienced difficulty in maintaining the blood pressure after bilateral nephrectomy of a proportion of recipients receiving kidneys from living donors. To our surprise this problem was much less marked in the less prepared recipients with cadaver donors. It seemed possible that this could be related to our practice of preceeding transplantation with bilateral nephrectomy in the same session when the donor was alive, but not after necrotransplantation. A typical blood pressure chart from an operation combining renal transplantation with bilateral nephrectomy is shown in fig. 1. Even where there is no blood loss the systolic and diastolic blood pressure falls with the central venous pressure so that perfusion of the donor kidney is at first poor. As soon as perfusion is established however, the blood pressure rises.", "PMID": 781809} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5974", "title": "Erythropoietin and renin after renal transplantation.", "content": "Serum concentration of erythropoietin (EP) was measured with a hemagglutination inhibition technique and plasma renin activity (PRA) with a radioimmunoassay for angiotensin I in 26 renal transplant recipients 2-54 months after renal transplantation. In all patients, the EP values were significantly correlated with the levels of PRA (r = 0.76 p less than 0.001) and hematocrit values (r = 0.72, p less than 0.001). In one patient, erythrocytosis and high blood pressure associated with high EP and PRA levels disappeared after bilateral nephrectomy of his own kidneys. The results indicate an as yet unidentified relationship between the production of EP and renin.", "contents": "Erythropoietin and renin after renal transplantation. Serum concentration of erythropoietin (EP) was measured with a hemagglutination inhibition technique and plasma renin activity (PRA) with a radioimmunoassay for angiotensin I in 26 renal transplant recipients 2-54 months after renal transplantation. In all patients, the EP values were significantly correlated with the levels of PRA (r = 0.76 p less than 0.001) and hematocrit values (r = 0.72, p less than 0.001). In one patient, erythrocytosis and high blood pressure associated with high EP and PRA levels disappeared after bilateral nephrectomy of his own kidneys. The results indicate an as yet unidentified relationship between the production of EP and renin.", "PMID": 781810} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5975", "title": "Results in necrokidney transplantation to pair recipients.", "content": "Attempting to find out whether universal kidney donors exist in the same sense as do universal blood donors this investigation was performed on donors and recipients in 45 pair transplantations, or in other words on 90 recipients transplanted with kidneys from 45 donors (G.S. 6 months). The result of pair transplantation was the same in the two recipients in 23 instances; 15 pairs had successful transplantations while the grafts failed in 8 pairs. In 22 pair transplantations the two recipients had different postoperative records. The mean age of the donors was 32 years, the mean age of the recipients 42. The donor age was lower in the successful pair transplantations than in the failures. The duration of cold ischaemia ranged from 6.6 to 9 hours in the different groups. The results of transplantation were not influenced by the duration of ischaemia. A higher degree of histocompatibility and a greater number of shared haplotypes were features typical of the successful cases. Moreover, antibodies occurred less frequently in connection with successful transplantations. Absence of shared halotypes and/or incompatibility in locus B had an unfavourable effect on the course of grafting. By contrast, the presence of blood group O in both donor and recipient and even in donor alone had a favourable effect. HLA-A2 occurred less frequently and A1 and B8 more frequently in donors whose grafts failed than in the donors of successful pair transplants. The question of whether a universal kidney donor exists could not be definitely answered on the basis of this investigation.", "contents": "Results in necrokidney transplantation to pair recipients. Attempting to find out whether universal kidney donors exist in the same sense as do universal blood donors this investigation was performed on donors and recipients in 45 pair transplantations, or in other words on 90 recipients transplanted with kidneys from 45 donors (G.S. 6 months). The result of pair transplantation was the same in the two recipients in 23 instances; 15 pairs had successful transplantations while the grafts failed in 8 pairs. In 22 pair transplantations the two recipients had different postoperative records. The mean age of the donors was 32 years, the mean age of the recipients 42. The donor age was lower in the successful pair transplantations than in the failures. The duration of cold ischaemia ranged from 6.6 to 9 hours in the different groups. The results of transplantation were not influenced by the duration of ischaemia. A higher degree of histocompatibility and a greater number of shared haplotypes were features typical of the successful cases. Moreover, antibodies occurred less frequently in connection with successful transplantations. Absence of shared halotypes and/or incompatibility in locus B had an unfavourable effect on the course of grafting. By contrast, the presence of blood group O in both donor and recipient and even in donor alone had a favourable effect. HLA-A2 occurred less frequently and A1 and B8 more frequently in donors whose grafts failed than in the donors of successful pair transplants. The question of whether a universal kidney donor exists could not be definitely answered on the basis of this investigation.", "PMID": 781806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5976", "title": "Plasma renin activity in the evaluation of hypertension in renal transplant recipients.", "content": "Plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured in nine renal transplant recipients, seven of which had transplant renal artery stenosis. Surgical correction of the stenosed renal transplant artery was performed in six patients. After corrective surgery of the stenosed artery hypertension (mean arterial pressure before operation 156 mmHg) improved (mean arterial pressure postoperatively 110 mmHg) in four patients with high peripheral PRA (17.3+/-3.9 ng/ml. hr). Two patients, one hypertensive, the other normotensive with low PRA (1.5+/-0.05 ng/ml. hr) had no change in their blood pressure after corrective surgery. In three hypertensive renal transplant recipients the PRA of the venous effluent of the own kidneys and the renal transplant were studied selectively. Selective PRA determinations revealed the source of inappropriate renin secretion offering a basis for surgical management of the assocaited hypertension.", "contents": "Plasma renin activity in the evaluation of hypertension in renal transplant recipients. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured in nine renal transplant recipients, seven of which had transplant renal artery stenosis. Surgical correction of the stenosed renal transplant artery was performed in six patients. After corrective surgery of the stenosed artery hypertension (mean arterial pressure before operation 156 mmHg) improved (mean arterial pressure postoperatively 110 mmHg) in four patients with high peripheral PRA (17.3+/-3.9 ng/ml. hr). Two patients, one hypertensive, the other normotensive with low PRA (1.5+/-0.05 ng/ml. hr) had no change in their blood pressure after corrective surgery. In three hypertensive renal transplant recipients the PRA of the venous effluent of the own kidneys and the renal transplant were studied selectively. Selective PRA determinations revealed the source of inappropriate renin secretion offering a basis for surgical management of the assocaited hypertension.", "PMID": 781811} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5977", "title": "Gastrointestinal complications in 248 kidney transplant recipients.", "content": "In 248 kidney transplant recipients, 28 (11%) developed serious gastrointestinal complications after the transplantation. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common complication and accounted for 19 of the cases. Most of the haemorraging occurred during the first 6 months after transplantation and in conjunction with an episode of graft rejection. The mortality following upper gastrointestinal bleeding was 58%. Other serious complications encountered were lower gastrointestinal bleeding (4 cases), perforation of the colon (4 cases) and mesenteric vascular occlusion (1 case). Overall mortality was 43%.", "contents": "Gastrointestinal complications in 248 kidney transplant recipients. In 248 kidney transplant recipients, 28 (11%) developed serious gastrointestinal complications after the transplantation. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common complication and accounted for 19 of the cases. Most of the haemorraging occurred during the first 6 months after transplantation and in conjunction with an episode of graft rejection. The mortality following upper gastrointestinal bleeding was 58%. Other serious complications encountered were lower gastrointestinal bleeding (4 cases), perforation of the colon (4 cases) and mesenteric vascular occlusion (1 case). Overall mortality was 43%.", "PMID": 781812} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5978", "title": "Renal transplantation in patients with insulin requiring diabetes and renal failure.", "content": "During a six year period twelve patients with insulin dependent diabetes and end-stage renal failure received cadaveric kidney grafts. Eleven of the patients have previous to this been hemodialysed, one patient was transplanted before hemodialysis was necessary. The cumulative two year survival was thirty-seven per cent for the patients, and twenty-nine per cent for the kidney grafts. The average time of observation was eleven months, the motality was fifty per cent. The causes of death were acute myocardial infarction in two cases, sepsis in two cases, severe hypoglycemia in one case and unexpected sudden death in one case. The most prominent problems in the treatment of the diabetic patients after the renal transplantation were difficulties in the regulation of the diabetes, rejections, infections, cardiac failure and aggravation in pre-existing hypertension.", "contents": "Renal transplantation in patients with insulin requiring diabetes and renal failure. During a six year period twelve patients with insulin dependent diabetes and end-stage renal failure received cadaveric kidney grafts. Eleven of the patients have previous to this been hemodialysed, one patient was transplanted before hemodialysis was necessary. The cumulative two year survival was thirty-seven per cent for the patients, and twenty-nine per cent for the kidney grafts. The average time of observation was eleven months, the motality was fifty per cent. The causes of death were acute myocardial infarction in two cases, sepsis in two cases, severe hypoglycemia in one case and unexpected sudden death in one case. The most prominent problems in the treatment of the diabetic patients after the renal transplantation were difficulties in the regulation of the diabetes, rejections, infections, cardiac failure and aggravation in pre-existing hypertension.", "PMID": 781807} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5979", "title": "Gastro-duodenal bleeding after renal transplantation.", "content": "In a retrospective study of 468 patients treated with renal transplantation in Gothenburg from 1965 to 1974, gastro-duodenal perforations and/or significant bleedings were seen in a frequency of 10%. While half of these complications were seen in patients without previous history of gastro-duodenal disorder, positive history of such disorder increases the risk of post-transplant complications significantly. These complications have proved to be highly lethal, expecially when occurring early after transplantation, whereas prophylactic surgery in predisposed patients has been well tolerated by the uremic patient and followed by decreased frequency of post-transplant gastro-duodenal complications. It is concluded that gastro-duodenal complications remain a major hazard to transplanted paitents, especially with a previous history of gastro-duodenal ulcer. This increased risk can be abolished by prophylactic gastric surgery on wide indications before transplantation.", "contents": "Gastro-duodenal bleeding after renal transplantation. In a retrospective study of 468 patients treated with renal transplantation in Gothenburg from 1965 to 1974, gastro-duodenal perforations and/or significant bleedings were seen in a frequency of 10%. While half of these complications were seen in patients without previous history of gastro-duodenal disorder, positive history of such disorder increases the risk of post-transplant complications significantly. These complications have proved to be highly lethal, expecially when occurring early after transplantation, whereas prophylactic surgery in predisposed patients has been well tolerated by the uremic patient and followed by decreased frequency of post-transplant gastro-duodenal complications. It is concluded that gastro-duodenal complications remain a major hazard to transplanted paitents, especially with a previous history of gastro-duodenal ulcer. This increased risk can be abolished by prophylactic gastric surgery on wide indications before transplantation.", "PMID": 781813} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5980", "title": "Effect of prophylactic gastric resection on upper gastrointestinal (GI) complications in uremic and transplanted patients.", "content": "Among 125 consecutive transplant recipients 10 (8%) demonstrated previous or present peptic ulcer and 9 underwent prophylactic gastric resection before transplantation. Two of these patients experienced upper GI complications in the posttransplant period and 1 died. Another 7 patients without previous dyspepsia had similar problem after transplantation and 4 died. Prophylactic gastric resection is recommended in potential recipients with pretransplant ulcer disease.", "contents": "Effect of prophylactic gastric resection on upper gastrointestinal (GI) complications in uremic and transplanted patients. Among 125 consecutive transplant recipients 10 (8%) demonstrated previous or present peptic ulcer and 9 underwent prophylactic gastric resection before transplantation. Two of these patients experienced upper GI complications in the posttransplant period and 1 died. Another 7 patients without previous dyspepsia had similar problem after transplantation and 4 died. Prophylactic gastric resection is recommended in potential recipients with pretransplant ulcer disease.", "PMID": 781814} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5981", "title": "Lymphocyte subpopulations in uremics and in transplanted patients.", "content": "In 30 chronically uremics, 37 renal transplanted patients and 31 controls, the number of T- and B-cells was calculated as well as the lymphocyte response to the mitogens PHA, Con A and anti-B2m. In uremics the relative number of T-cells was normal, the number of B-cells was reduced and the response to mitogens was suppressed. During the early post transplantation period the relative number of both T- and B-cells was reduced as well as the mitogenic response. Following three months of successful transplantation the relative counts of T-cells and the response to mitogens returned to normal. The relative number of B-cells remained lowered however.", "contents": "Lymphocyte subpopulations in uremics and in transplanted patients. In 30 chronically uremics, 37 renal transplanted patients and 31 controls, the number of T- and B-cells was calculated as well as the lymphocyte response to the mitogens PHA, Con A and anti-B2m. In uremics the relative number of T-cells was normal, the number of B-cells was reduced and the response to mitogens was suppressed. During the early post transplantation period the relative number of both T- and B-cells was reduced as well as the mitogenic response. Following three months of successful transplantation the relative counts of T-cells and the response to mitogens returned to normal. The relative number of B-cells remained lowered however.", "PMID": 781816} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5982", "title": "Preliminary results with passive enhancement in human kidney transplantation.", "content": "Passive enhancement was attempted with F (ab') 2-fragments in six patients receiving their first and in one patient the second one haplotype mis-matched kidney graft. Administration of enhancing antibody in the first graft patients seemed safe, the group was however too small to determine whether the enhanced patients did better than those conventionally treated. The only pre-sensitized patient who received his second transplant rejected it during the first week, possibly due to a deleterious effect of the F (ab') 2-fragments.", "contents": "Preliminary results with passive enhancement in human kidney transplantation. Passive enhancement was attempted with F (ab') 2-fragments in six patients receiving their first and in one patient the second one haplotype mis-matched kidney graft. Administration of enhancing antibody in the first graft patients seemed safe, the group was however too small to determine whether the enhanced patients did better than those conventionally treated. The only pre-sensitized patient who received his second transplant rejected it during the first week, possibly due to a deleterious effect of the F (ab') 2-fragments.", "PMID": 781818} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5983", "title": "A clinical attempt to avoid hyperacute rejection by F (ab') 2 organ pretreatment.", "content": "An attempt was made to, in a controlled study, avoid hyperacute rejection by pretreatment of a renal graft pepsine digested anti-donor antibodies. It turned out to be unsuccessful, but there were some indications that the chain of events that leads to the destruction of the graft was delayed for some hours. There may be several reasons for this failure but we think it is possible to improve this method even if its importance in clinical use is still doubtful.", "contents": "A clinical attempt to avoid hyperacute rejection by F (ab') 2 organ pretreatment. An attempt was made to, in a controlled study, avoid hyperacute rejection by pretreatment of a renal graft pepsine digested anti-donor antibodies. It turned out to be unsuccessful, but there were some indications that the chain of events that leads to the destruction of the graft was delayed for some hours. There may be several reasons for this failure but we think it is possible to improve this method even if its importance in clinical use is still doubtful.", "PMID": 781817} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5984", "title": "A technique for rapid harvesting of cadaveric renal and pancreatic grafts after circulatory arrest.", "content": "In Sweden, organs for transplantation can not be removed from cadaver donors until cardiac arrest has occured. We describe a technique for removal of kidneys and pancreas in which the whole abdominal contents are freed and reflected so that the retroperitoneal organ lie uppermost. The aorta is opened longitudinally and the relevant arteries are cannulated via the orifices. Cold perfusion of the three organs can usually be initiated 5-15 min after cardiac arrest and significant ischaemia is avoided. The full length of the vascular pedicles can be preserved and the dissection of the retroperitoneal organs is greatly facilitated.", "contents": "A technique for rapid harvesting of cadaveric renal and pancreatic grafts after circulatory arrest. In Sweden, organs for transplantation can not be removed from cadaver donors until cardiac arrest has occured. We describe a technique for removal of kidneys and pancreas in which the whole abdominal contents are freed and reflected so that the retroperitoneal organ lie uppermost. The aorta is opened longitudinally and the relevant arteries are cannulated via the orifices. Cold perfusion of the three organs can usually be initiated 5-15 min after cardiac arrest and significant ischaemia is avoided. The full length of the vascular pedicles can be preserved and the dissection of the retroperitoneal organs is greatly facilitated.", "PMID": 781821} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5985", "title": "Surgical treatment of lymphoceles.", "content": "Ten patients with lymphoceles after kidney transplantation are reported. Seven were treated with intraperitoneal drainage of the lymphocele, performed through a midline incision laparotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, symptoms disappeared within 1 week. We consider this as the treatment of choice when lymphoceles develop after renal transplantation.", "contents": "Surgical treatment of lymphoceles. Ten patients with lymphoceles after kidney transplantation are reported. Seven were treated with intraperitoneal drainage of the lymphocele, performed through a midline incision laparotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, symptoms disappeared within 1 week. We consider this as the treatment of choice when lymphoceles develop after renal transplantation.", "PMID": 781824} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5986", "title": "Triple arteries in renal transplantation - a preliminary report.", "content": "Kidneys with triple arteries were transplanted to seven recipients. As no problems related to the reconstruction procedure were experienced it was deemed justifiable to accept grafts with triple arteries.", "contents": "Triple arteries in renal transplantation - a preliminary report. Kidneys with triple arteries were transplanted to seven recipients. As no problems related to the reconstruction procedure were experienced it was deemed justifiable to accept grafts with triple arteries.", "PMID": 781823} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5987", "title": "Transplantation of a duct-ligated pancreatic allograft to a diabetic patient.", "content": "A 52-year-old man with an extremely instable insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, were transplanted with a duct-ligated pancreatic segment from a brain-dead donor. The graft showed immediately a satisfying endocrine function. The blood glucose levels were normalized and no exogenous insulin was administered. After five days a clear fluid with high contents of protein and high concentration of amylase started to drain from the wound. The drainage ceased spontaneously after 30 days. On day 41 after transplantation, the function of the graft suddenly stopped. At exploration, the graft was found thrombotized but with a well preserved architecture, and the oversewn end of the graft was intact. The patient is back on insulin treatment, and he is in the same condition as before the transplantation.", "contents": "Transplantation of a duct-ligated pancreatic allograft to a diabetic patient. A 52-year-old man with an extremely instable insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, were transplanted with a duct-ligated pancreatic segment from a brain-dead donor. The graft showed immediately a satisfying endocrine function. The blood glucose levels were normalized and no exogenous insulin was administered. After five days a clear fluid with high contents of protein and high concentration of amylase started to drain from the wound. The drainage ceased spontaneously after 30 days. On day 41 after transplantation, the function of the graft suddenly stopped. At exploration, the graft was found thrombotized but with a well preserved architecture, and the oversewn end of the graft was intact. The patient is back on insulin treatment, and he is in the same condition as before the transplantation.", "PMID": 781819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5988", "title": "The effect of chlorpromazine pretreatment on tubular function in kidney preservation.", "content": "The effect of Chlorpromazine pretreatment on tubular function was investigated. Hippuran uptake in cortex slices from rabbit kidneys was measured after one hour of incubation in a medium containing Hippuran. Before measurement the kidneys were exposed to varying periods of warm ischaemia or/and cooled and preserved for 24 hours in Collins solution. Chlorpromazine treated and untreated groups of animals were compared, the results obtained were identical in both groups. In contra distinction to these findings, addition of Chlorpromazine to the incubation fluid inhibited uptake of Hippuran in the kidney slices. The effects of pretreatment with Chlorpromazine on the kidney function after ischaemic damage were demonstrated. Serum-creatinine and survival were compared in a treated and an untreated group after 3 hours of temporary clamping of the renal artery. Pretreatment resulted in earlier onset of function and better survival. It is concluded that the antimetabolic effect of Chlorpromazine is opposed to its vasodilatory properties is of little practical importance for the viability of the kidney damaged by ischaemia.", "contents": "The effect of chlorpromazine pretreatment on tubular function in kidney preservation. The effect of Chlorpromazine pretreatment on tubular function was investigated. Hippuran uptake in cortex slices from rabbit kidneys was measured after one hour of incubation in a medium containing Hippuran. Before measurement the kidneys were exposed to varying periods of warm ischaemia or/and cooled and preserved for 24 hours in Collins solution. Chlorpromazine treated and untreated groups of animals were compared, the results obtained were identical in both groups. In contra distinction to these findings, addition of Chlorpromazine to the incubation fluid inhibited uptake of Hippuran in the kidney slices. The effects of pretreatment with Chlorpromazine on the kidney function after ischaemic damage were demonstrated. Serum-creatinine and survival were compared in a treated and an untreated group after 3 hours of temporary clamping of the renal artery. Pretreatment resulted in earlier onset of function and better survival. It is concluded that the antimetabolic effect of Chlorpromazine is opposed to its vasodilatory properties is of little practical importance for the viability of the kidney damaged by ischaemia.", "PMID": 781831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5989", "title": "Pancreatic transplantation for diabetes mellitus. Discussion of indications and surgical technique with reference to 3 cases.", "content": "Three patients reveived segmental pancreatic transplants. In two the main indication was hyperlabile diabetes, and in the third progressive loss of vision. Vascular anastomoses were to the iliac vessels, the graft being placed extraperitoneally. The pancreatic duct was ligated in the first case, while the other two, the transected end of the pancreatic graft was implanted into a jejunal Roux-Y loop. Two of the patients had normal blood glucose levels without insulin administration for 40 and 35 days, respectively. The grafts then underwent rejection and were removed. In both cases the postoperative course was complicated by pancreatic fistulae. In the 3rd patient the graft failed on the day after operation, due to venous trombosis.", "contents": "Pancreatic transplantation for diabetes mellitus. Discussion of indications and surgical technique with reference to 3 cases. Three patients reveived segmental pancreatic transplants. In two the main indication was hyperlabile diabetes, and in the third progressive loss of vision. Vascular anastomoses were to the iliac vessels, the graft being placed extraperitoneally. The pancreatic duct was ligated in the first case, while the other two, the transected end of the pancreatic graft was implanted into a jejunal Roux-Y loop. Two of the patients had normal blood glucose levels without insulin administration for 40 and 35 days, respectively. The grafts then underwent rejection and were removed. In both cases the postoperative course was complicated by pancreatic fistulae. In the 3rd patient the graft failed on the day after operation, due to venous trombosis.", "PMID": 781820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5990", "title": "Experimental renal preservation with glucose-free perfusate.", "content": "Dog kidneys were preserved for 48 hours by hypothermic perfusion with either a glucose-rich or a glucose-free albumin perfusate. After reimplantation and contralateral nephrectomy renal function was assessed by serum creatinine determinations. The kidneys showed normal function and no difference between the two groups was found. The results suggest that glucose is of minor importance as a metabolic substrate for dog kidney preservation.", "contents": "Experimental renal preservation with glucose-free perfusate. Dog kidneys were preserved for 48 hours by hypothermic perfusion with either a glucose-rich or a glucose-free albumin perfusate. After reimplantation and contralateral nephrectomy renal function was assessed by serum creatinine determinations. The kidneys showed normal function and no difference between the two groups was found. The results suggest that glucose is of minor importance as a metabolic substrate for dog kidney preservation.", "PMID": 781825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5991", "title": "LDH release into perfusates of preserved kidneys.", "content": "The measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into perfusates after hypothermic storage was found to be a reliable index of ischemic injury of rabbit kidneys. Kidneys were exposed to warm and cold ischemia for varying periods. Each kidney was perfused before and after storage at simple hypothermia with 25 ml of a modified Collins solution. The venous effuent was collected in 5 ml fractions. Total LDH activity was measured in the first fraction after storage and used as a measure of ischemic tissue damage. It was confirmed that increasing the period of cold ischemia result in significant increases in LDH activity. The release of LDH into perfusates was then used to compare kidney damage after preservation with various fluids. With this method, it was not possible to demonstrate any difference in the extent of tissue damage after preservation with sodium-rich vs. potassium-rich perfusion fluid. Addition of steroids, vitamins and essential amino acids did not prevent or reduce tissue damage, estimated in this way. The effects of adding cryoprotectants to the perfusion fluid varied; LDH release following addition of 5% DMSO was significantly greater, and after addition of 5% glycerol smaller than the release after perfusion with a modified Collins solution alone. Stepwise addition of DMSO up to 20% resulted in serious tissue damage with a large LDH release into the perfusate.", "contents": "LDH release into perfusates of preserved kidneys. The measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into perfusates after hypothermic storage was found to be a reliable index of ischemic injury of rabbit kidneys. Kidneys were exposed to warm and cold ischemia for varying periods. Each kidney was perfused before and after storage at simple hypothermia with 25 ml of a modified Collins solution. The venous effuent was collected in 5 ml fractions. Total LDH activity was measured in the first fraction after storage and used as a measure of ischemic tissue damage. It was confirmed that increasing the period of cold ischemia result in significant increases in LDH activity. The release of LDH into perfusates was then used to compare kidney damage after preservation with various fluids. With this method, it was not possible to demonstrate any difference in the extent of tissue damage after preservation with sodium-rich vs. potassium-rich perfusion fluid. Addition of steroids, vitamins and essential amino acids did not prevent or reduce tissue damage, estimated in this way. The effects of adding cryoprotectants to the perfusion fluid varied; LDH release following addition of 5% DMSO was significantly greater, and after addition of 5% glycerol smaller than the release after perfusion with a modified Collins solution alone. Stepwise addition of DMSO up to 20% resulted in serious tissue damage with a large LDH release into the perfusate.", "PMID": 781832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5992", "title": "Periactin (cyproheptadine hydrochloride) as a supplement to the immunosuppressive treatment in human cadaver kidney transplantation.", "content": "The effect of Periactin on the rejection course was examined in 36 kidney allograft recipients. Half of the patients were given 32 mg of Periactin daily as a supplement to the immunosuppressive treatment consisting of prednisone and azathioprine. The other half was given only the latter two medicaments. Rejection crises were treated with intravenous infusion with methylprednisolone. No beneficial effect of the Periactin treatment was demonstrable. Graft survival and kidney functions thus did not differ between the two groups within the first 90 days after the transplantation. The frequency of rejection, on the other hand, was significantly higher in the group treated with Periactin, especially within the first postoperative week. Periactin, apparently, does not offer any advantage as a supplement to the immunosuppressive treatment in human kidney transplantation.", "contents": "Periactin (cyproheptadine hydrochloride) as a supplement to the immunosuppressive treatment in human cadaver kidney transplantation. The effect of Periactin on the rejection course was examined in 36 kidney allograft recipients. Half of the patients were given 32 mg of Periactin daily as a supplement to the immunosuppressive treatment consisting of prednisone and azathioprine. The other half was given only the latter two medicaments. Rejection crises were treated with intravenous infusion with methylprednisolone. No beneficial effect of the Periactin treatment was demonstrable. Graft survival and kidney functions thus did not differ between the two groups within the first 90 days after the transplantation. The frequency of rejection, on the other hand, was significantly higher in the group treated with Periactin, especially within the first postoperative week. Periactin, apparently, does not offer any advantage as a supplement to the immunosuppressive treatment in human kidney transplantation.", "PMID": 781833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5993", "title": "Angiographic evaluation of renal allografts.", "content": "In a material of 128 kidneys transplanted to 112 patients 361 angiographies have been carried out in early, as well as in late course. The method is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of rejection, particularly in the early posttransplantation period when the kidney does not function due to tubular necrosis. Angiography also has prognostic significance, and can therefore be of value when deciding if a graft should be removed or if continuous efforts should be made to save it.", "contents": "Angiographic evaluation of renal allografts. In a material of 128 kidneys transplanted to 112 patients 361 angiographies have been carried out in early, as well as in late course. The method is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of rejection, particularly in the early posttransplantation period when the kidney does not function due to tubular necrosis. Angiography also has prognostic significance, and can therefore be of value when deciding if a graft should be removed or if continuous efforts should be made to save it.", "PMID": 781827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5994", "title": "Lung complications during immunosuppressive treatment in renal transplant recipients.", "content": "Pulmonary complications among 77 renal transplant recipients have been analysed. In the immediate postoperative period complications occurred with the same frequency as after other operations. Later on, usually within 6 months, pneumonia caused by bacteria, Pneumocystis carinii, cytomegalovirus and fungi occurred. The lung changes may indicate the underlying infecting organisms. Mortality from pneumonia was 14% (11/77) including two patients with lung aspiration following emergency surgery. Pulmonary complications were significantly higher in men.", "contents": "Lung complications during immunosuppressive treatment in renal transplant recipients. Pulmonary complications among 77 renal transplant recipients have been analysed. In the immediate postoperative period complications occurred with the same frequency as after other operations. Later on, usually within 6 months, pneumonia caused by bacteria, Pneumocystis carinii, cytomegalovirus and fungi occurred. The lung changes may indicate the underlying infecting organisms. Mortality from pneumonia was 14% (11/77) including two patients with lung aspiration following emergency surgery. Pulmonary complications were significantly higher in men.", "PMID": 781834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5995", "title": "The use of both kidneys obtained from pediatric donors as en bloc transplants into adult recipients.", "content": "Surgical technics for the excision and transplantation of paired renal graft from pediatric donors to adult recipients is described. Experience based on literature and on two own transplantations speaks for the adoption of this policy. The operation is technically advantageous. The double transplant provides a greater functioning renal mass as compared with the use of a single pediatric graft. In case of a rejection which can result in loss of some renal capacity, the double transplant is more likely to be able to maintain sufficient fuction even in adult recipients. The importance of a properly performed donor operation is stressed.", "contents": "The use of both kidneys obtained from pediatric donors as en bloc transplants into adult recipients. Surgical technics for the excision and transplantation of paired renal graft from pediatric donors to adult recipients is described. Experience based on literature and on two own transplantations speaks for the adoption of this policy. The operation is technically advantageous. The double transplant provides a greater functioning renal mass as compared with the use of a single pediatric graft. In case of a rejection which can result in loss of some renal capacity, the double transplant is more likely to be able to maintain sufficient fuction even in adult recipients. The importance of a properly performed donor operation is stressed.", "PMID": 781822} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5996", "title": "Artery steonsis in renal transplantation.", "content": "Twenty-two stenoses were discovered at a re-examination of 958 routine angiographies of 367 transplanted kidneys. Two separate types of stenosis could be distinguished- a short one localized to the anastomosis appearing immediately after the transplantation, and a long one distal to the anastomosis appearing three weeks or more after the operation. Hypertension did not appear until the stenosis had reduced the vascular diameter more than 60%. Severe hypertension requiring reconstructive surgery was caused by the long type of stenosis more often than by the short one.", "contents": "Artery steonsis in renal transplantation. Twenty-two stenoses were discovered at a re-examination of 958 routine angiographies of 367 transplanted kidneys. Two separate types of stenosis could be distinguished- a short one localized to the anastomosis appearing immediately after the transplantation, and a long one distal to the anastomosis appearing three weeks or more after the operation. Hypertension did not appear until the stenosis had reduced the vascular diameter more than 60%. Severe hypertension requiring reconstructive surgery was caused by the long type of stenosis more often than by the short one.", "PMID": 781828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5997", "title": "Effect of bromhexine and guaiphenesine on clinical state, ventilatory capacity and sputum viscosity in chronic asthma.", "content": "Thirty-four patients, 21 male and 13 female, with chronic asthma and tenacious mucoid expectoration were studied regarding clinical parameters, PEF, airway resistance and sputum viscosity measured according to the n.m.r. method (nuclear magnetic resonance); a technique for determination of the water phase viscosity. Using double-blind cross-over technique, oral treatment with the two drugs and placebo was given during three consecutive 12-day periods with 48-h intervals free of test drug. No significant improvement in clinical state, PEF or airway resistance could be demonstrated. Nor did the sputum viscosity show any significant change after treatment with the different preparations. However, regarding the patients' own preference of drug as to mucolytic effect, a significant difference in favour of bromhexine at the 0.1% level was shown.", "contents": "Effect of bromhexine and guaiphenesine on clinical state, ventilatory capacity and sputum viscosity in chronic asthma. Thirty-four patients, 21 male and 13 female, with chronic asthma and tenacious mucoid expectoration were studied regarding clinical parameters, PEF, airway resistance and sputum viscosity measured according to the n.m.r. method (nuclear magnetic resonance); a technique for determination of the water phase viscosity. Using double-blind cross-over technique, oral treatment with the two drugs and placebo was given during three consecutive 12-day periods with 48-h intervals free of test drug. No significant improvement in clinical state, PEF or airway resistance could be demonstrated. Nor did the sputum viscosity show any significant change after treatment with the different preparations. However, regarding the patients' own preference of drug as to mucolytic effect, a significant difference in favour of bromhexine at the 0.1% level was shown.", "PMID": 781835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5998", "title": "The risk of renal allograft rejection following angiography.", "content": "In a retrospective study of 173 immediately functioning primary kidney transplants correlation between angiography and renal allograft rejection was studied during the first 14 days. Rejection was more frequent in kidneys undergoing angiography compared to those not angiographied. In kidneys undergoing angiography an overwhelming number of rejections started the day after angiography. These differences could not be explained by differences in HL-A matching or the origin of the kidney. The findings indicate that angiography might elicite an acute rejection. A possible mechanism for starting this reaction might be activation of the complement system.", "contents": "The risk of renal allograft rejection following angiography. In a retrospective study of 173 immediately functioning primary kidney transplants correlation between angiography and renal allograft rejection was studied during the first 14 days. Rejection was more frequent in kidneys undergoing angiography compared to those not angiographied. In kidneys undergoing angiography an overwhelming number of rejections started the day after angiography. These differences could not be explained by differences in HL-A matching or the origin of the kidney. The findings indicate that angiography might elicite an acute rejection. A possible mechanism for starting this reaction might be activation of the complement system.", "PMID": 781829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_5999", "title": "Pedicle thoracoplasty and free skin transplantations in the treatment of open postpneumonectomy cavity after empyema.", "content": "The method of covering the open postpneumonectomy pleural cavity with skin is used when closure of the thoracostoma is not possible. The operation is performed with pedicles and free skin transplantations. The results in 16 patients treated this way are presented. This method makes it possible to cover the whole open pleural cavity with skin and to reach a satisfactory postpneumonectomy state.", "contents": "Pedicle thoracoplasty and free skin transplantations in the treatment of open postpneumonectomy cavity after empyema. The method of covering the open postpneumonectomy pleural cavity with skin is used when closure of the thoracostoma is not possible. The operation is performed with pedicles and free skin transplantations. The results in 16 patients treated this way are presented. This method makes it possible to cover the whole open pleural cavity with skin and to reach a satisfactory postpneumonectomy state.", "PMID": 781837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6000", "title": "Perforation of the intrathoracic oesophagus. A report of nineteen cases.", "content": "A series of 19 patients with perforation of the intrathoracic oesophagus is presented. Recent perforations were treated by primary suture. All these patients survived, although the suture did not hold in all cases. Old perforations, together with recent ones that leaked after suturing, were treated by drainage and gastrostomy. Two of these patients died; they were the only patients in whom the first attempt at drainage was unsatisfactory and thus had to be revised. The treatment of oesophageal perforations seems to be in accordance with the long-established principles of treatment of other gastro-intestinal and genito-urinary fistulas: firstly to restrict primary suturing to non-inflammatory tissue, and secondly to apply the principles of secondary healing by means of decompression and drainage.", "contents": "Perforation of the intrathoracic oesophagus. A report of nineteen cases. A series of 19 patients with perforation of the intrathoracic oesophagus is presented. Recent perforations were treated by primary suture. All these patients survived, although the suture did not hold in all cases. Old perforations, together with recent ones that leaked after suturing, were treated by drainage and gastrostomy. Two of these patients died; they were the only patients in whom the first attempt at drainage was unsatisfactory and thus had to be revised. The treatment of oesophageal perforations seems to be in accordance with the long-established principles of treatment of other gastro-intestinal and genito-urinary fistulas: firstly to restrict primary suturing to non-inflammatory tissue, and secondly to apply the principles of secondary healing by means of decompression and drainage.", "PMID": 781838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6001", "title": "Radiation load of kidney transplant recipients caused by radiodiagnostics.", "content": "The radiation dose from diagnostic procedures was estimated for 79 kidney transplant recipients. The mean bone marrow does was 4.8 rad, the mean gonad dose for men 16.5 rad, and for women 5.6 rad. A dose of this magnitude has no obvious immunological effect, whereas a canserogenic and a genetic effect must be taken into consideration.", "contents": "Radiation load of kidney transplant recipients caused by radiodiagnostics. The radiation dose from diagnostic procedures was estimated for 79 kidney transplant recipients. The mean bone marrow does was 4.8 rad, the mean gonad dose for men 16.5 rad, and for women 5.6 rad. A dose of this magnitude has no obvious immunological effect, whereas a canserogenic and a genetic effect must be taken into consideration.", "PMID": 781826} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6002", "title": "Gamma-camera scintigraphy and renal angiography after transplantation.", "content": "Gamma-camera scintigraphy with a 99Tcm-Fe-ascorbic acid complex was used routinely to study the graft in the course of kidney transplantations. Renal angiography was only performed when judged to be necessary for the evaluation of present complications. For comparison, between the findings obtained on the same clinical occasion by scintigraphy and angiography respectively, 39 angiographical studies were available. Early after transplantation scintigraphy better than angiography appeared to predict a poor prognosis of the graft. Both methods were able to detect major vascular occlusions. For the study of the renal vessels during a course of chronic rejection it was necessary to perform angiography as also for e.g. the recognition of renal artery stenosis or an arterial aneurysma.", "contents": "Gamma-camera scintigraphy and renal angiography after transplantation. Gamma-camera scintigraphy with a 99Tcm-Fe-ascorbic acid complex was used routinely to study the graft in the course of kidney transplantations. Renal angiography was only performed when judged to be necessary for the evaluation of present complications. For comparison, between the findings obtained on the same clinical occasion by scintigraphy and angiography respectively, 39 angiographical studies were available. Early after transplantation scintigraphy better than angiography appeared to predict a poor prognosis of the graft. Both methods were able to detect major vascular occlusions. For the study of the renal vessels during a course of chronic rejection it was necessary to perform angiography as also for e.g. the recognition of renal artery stenosis or an arterial aneurysma.", "PMID": 781830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6003", "title": "Advances in the management of parkinson's disease.", "content": "The treatment of Parkinson's disease today is complex, time-consuming, but rewarding. The introduction of levodopa has not cured the disease, but has provided the most powerful therapy available yet. Its use is limited by side effects and careful titration to optimum dosage, often in combination with other drugs, is required. Despite best therapy, some patients never respond, and others begin to lose benefit after some years of therapy. New problems, such as the \"on-off\" effect have appeared with long-term treatment, and require careful adjustment of dosage. As with any replacement therapy, a balance between sub-optimal benefit and side effects has to be discovered and maintained by careful and frequent review. New approaches to treatment may offer further improvement in the near future.", "contents": "Advances in the management of parkinson's disease. The treatment of Parkinson's disease today is complex, time-consuming, but rewarding. The introduction of levodopa has not cured the disease, but has provided the most powerful therapy available yet. Its use is limited by side effects and careful titration to optimum dosage, often in combination with other drugs, is required. Despite best therapy, some patients never respond, and others begin to lose benefit after some years of therapy. New problems, such as the \"on-off\" effect have appeared with long-term treatment, and require careful adjustment of dosage. As with any replacement therapy, a balance between sub-optimal benefit and side effects has to be discovered and maintained by careful and frequent review. New approaches to treatment may offer further improvement in the near future.", "PMID": 781839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6004", "title": "Human malaria parasites in continuous culture.", "content": "Plasmodium falciparum can now be maintained in continuous culture in human erythrocytes incubated at 38 degrees C in RPMI 1640 medium with human serum under an atmosphere with 7 percent carbon dioxide and low oxygen (1 or 5 percent). The original parasite material, derived from an infected Aotus trivirgatus monkey, was diluted more than 100 million times by the addition of human erythrocytes at 3- or 4-day intervals. The parasites continued to reproduce in their normal asexual cycle of approximately 48 hours but were no longer highly synchronous. The have remained infective to Aotus.", "contents": "Human malaria parasites in continuous culture. Plasmodium falciparum can now be maintained in continuous culture in human erythrocytes incubated at 38 degrees C in RPMI 1640 medium with human serum under an atmosphere with 7 percent carbon dioxide and low oxygen (1 or 5 percent). The original parasite material, derived from an infected Aotus trivirgatus monkey, was diluted more than 100 million times by the addition of human erythrocytes at 3- or 4-day intervals. The parasites continued to reproduce in their normal asexual cycle of approximately 48 hours but were no longer highly synchronous. The have remained infective to Aotus.", "PMID": 781840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6005", "title": "Dental evidence on the origins of the Ainu and Japanese.", "content": "New dental anthropological evidence on the questions of Ainu and Japanese origins illustrates the utility of diachronic dental information obtained from skeletal populations for microevolutionary and human origins investigations. Data from skeletal and dental collections of Shang Dynasty Chinese and from Jomon period and recent Ainu Japanese, together with information on recent Japanese dentition from published accounts, indicate a correlation between the ancient Chinese and modern Japanese and between the prehistoric Jomon people and the Ainu.", "contents": "Dental evidence on the origins of the Ainu and Japanese. New dental anthropological evidence on the questions of Ainu and Japanese origins illustrates the utility of diachronic dental information obtained from skeletal populations for microevolutionary and human origins investigations. Data from skeletal and dental collections of Shang Dynasty Chinese and from Jomon period and recent Ainu Japanese, together with information on recent Japanese dentition from published accounts, indicate a correlation between the ancient Chinese and modern Japanese and between the prehistoric Jomon people and the Ainu.", "PMID": 781841} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6006", "title": "Concepts and clinical utility of the measurement of cerebral blood flow.", "content": "Within the past several decades, techniques that accurately measure regional cerebral blood flow have been developed. At the present time, the inert gas washout technique using an intraarterial injection of 133Xe with the Anger scintillation camera or multiple probes as the external detector is the most established of these methods. While quantitative measures of cerebral blood flow have been important in elucidating the physiology of cerebral hemodynamics, the techniques are too invasive for routinely screening patients with cerebrovascular disease. As a result, less invasive methods have been sought for diagnostic screening. Because it requires only an intravenous injection of 99mTc-pertechnetate, the radionuclide cerebral angiogram has achieved some popularity as a semiquantitative measure of cerebral hemodynamics, particularly when coupled with static brain scintigraphy. This review examines our current understanding of cerebral hemodynamics and the advantages and limitations of techniques used to measure cerebral blood flow.", "contents": "Concepts and clinical utility of the measurement of cerebral blood flow. Within the past several decades, techniques that accurately measure regional cerebral blood flow have been developed. At the present time, the inert gas washout technique using an intraarterial injection of 133Xe with the Anger scintillation camera or multiple probes as the external detector is the most established of these methods. While quantitative measures of cerebral blood flow have been important in elucidating the physiology of cerebral hemodynamics, the techniques are too invasive for routinely screening patients with cerebrovascular disease. As a result, less invasive methods have been sought for diagnostic screening. Because it requires only an intravenous injection of 99mTc-pertechnetate, the radionuclide cerebral angiogram has achieved some popularity as a semiquantitative measure of cerebral hemodynamics, particularly when coupled with static brain scintigraphy. This review examines our current understanding of cerebral hemodynamics and the advantages and limitations of techniques used to measure cerebral blood flow.", "PMID": 781844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6007", "title": "Radioactive tracers in peripheral vascular disease.", "content": "The use of radioactive tracers in the diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of the patient with peripheral arterial or venous disease has proven to be clinically useful. Their application has provided a means by which the regional distribution of perfusion at the level of the microcirculation, at rest and under various stresses, can be assessed. Graft patency can be determined simply and repeatedly, and the relative perfusion of \"ischemic\" ulcers can be used to assess their healing potential. The presence of arteriovenous shunts can be verified, localized, and quantified. Venous thrombi can be detected, and the competence of the venous valvular system and muscle pump as well as the hemodynamics of the venous system can be quantified.", "contents": "Radioactive tracers in peripheral vascular disease. The use of radioactive tracers in the diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of the patient with peripheral arterial or venous disease has proven to be clinically useful. Their application has provided a means by which the regional distribution of perfusion at the level of the microcirculation, at rest and under various stresses, can be assessed. Graft patency can be determined simply and repeatedly, and the relative perfusion of \"ischemic\" ulcers can be used to assess their healing potential. The presence of arteriovenous shunts can be verified, localized, and quantified. Venous thrombi can be detected, and the competence of the venous valvular system and muscle pump as well as the hemodynamics of the venous system can be quantified.", "PMID": 781845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6008", "title": "Betamethasone dipropionate ointment in the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis: a double-blind study.", "content": "This report describes the use of a new corticosteroid ointment in the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. It further summarizes the results of treatment with the active medication versus the vehicle alone in these two disease categories. In the group with psoriasis 13 of 17 patients (76.4%) treated with the active drug showed either excellent or good clinical response (50% to 100% improvement) in three weeks. Five of 16 patients (31.2%) treated with the placebo showed excellent or good response. In the group with atopic dermatitis 16 of 17 patients (94.1%) treated with the active drug showed either excellent or good clinical response (50% to 100% improvement) in three weeks. Two of 16 (12.5%) treated with the placebo showed excellent or good response.", "contents": "Betamethasone dipropionate ointment in the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis: a double-blind study. This report describes the use of a new corticosteroid ointment in the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. It further summarizes the results of treatment with the active medication versus the vehicle alone in these two disease categories. In the group with psoriasis 13 of 17 patients (76.4%) treated with the active drug showed either excellent or good clinical response (50% to 100% improvement) in three weeks. Five of 16 patients (31.2%) treated with the placebo showed excellent or good response. In the group with atopic dermatitis 16 of 17 patients (94.1%) treated with the active drug showed either excellent or good clinical response (50% to 100% improvement) in three weeks. Two of 16 (12.5%) treated with the placebo showed excellent or good response.", "PMID": 781848} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6009", "title": "The embryology and management of vascular rings.", "content": "Among 34 patients with vascular rings, symptoms of tracheal and esophageal compression or both occurred during the first six months of life in 24 (71%). Diagnosis was made in all cases on either plain x-ray film or esophagogram, and was confirmed by operation or angiogram. Associated defects were numerous, with ventricular septal defect (5) and Down's syndrome (3) most common. Operative intervention was required in 18 cases (53%), including 12 of the 14 double arches. Only one of the ten patients with symptomatic recurrent subclavian artery underwent operation. Fourteen of the 18 patients operated upon had early total relief of symptoms, and 17 had excellent late results. A simple system for describing the embryology of vascular rings is presented, and the embryologic relationship between vascular rings and interrupted aortic arches is described. Because of frequent delay in recognition of vascular rings and other surgically correctable lesions, the work-up of every child with two or more episodes of pneumonia should include barium swallow.", "contents": "The embryology and management of vascular rings. Among 34 patients with vascular rings, symptoms of tracheal and esophageal compression or both occurred during the first six months of life in 24 (71%). Diagnosis was made in all cases on either plain x-ray film or esophagogram, and was confirmed by operation or angiogram. Associated defects were numerous, with ventricular septal defect (5) and Down's syndrome (3) most common. Operative intervention was required in 18 cases (53%), including 12 of the 14 double arches. Only one of the ten patients with symptomatic recurrent subclavian artery underwent operation. Fourteen of the 18 patients operated upon had early total relief of symptoms, and 17 had excellent late results. A simple system for describing the embryology of vascular rings is presented, and the embryologic relationship between vascular rings and interrupted aortic arches is described. Because of frequent delay in recognition of vascular rings and other surgically correctable lesions, the work-up of every child with two or more episodes of pneumonia should include barium swallow.", "PMID": 781849} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6010", "title": "Necrotic arachnidism.", "content": "Ten bites by Loxosceles reclusa, the North American brown recluse spider, are reported from South Carolina. Envenomation by the brown recluse spider is becoming a public health problem in the United States. The spider reportedly now is found from coast to coast in the southern half of the country and its range is probably increasing. The spider bite varies in intensity, causing reactions ranging from an area of severe necrosis to a mild cutaneous reaction. Treatment is unsatisfactory, and no antivenom is currently available. Even though a specific test is available for loxoscelism, diagnosis remains difficult.", "contents": "Necrotic arachnidism. Ten bites by Loxosceles reclusa, the North American brown recluse spider, are reported from South Carolina. Envenomation by the brown recluse spider is becoming a public health problem in the United States. The spider reportedly now is found from coast to coast in the southern half of the country and its range is probably increasing. The spider bite varies in intensity, causing reactions ranging from an area of severe necrosis to a mild cutaneous reaction. Treatment is unsatisfactory, and no antivenom is currently available. Even though a specific test is available for loxoscelism, diagnosis remains difficult.", "PMID": 781850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6011", "title": "Carotid endarterectomy: a perspective.", "content": "Carotid endarterectomies have been performed for over a decade now. To review the knowledge derived from this surgical experience, i studied 18 reports on the subject, giving attention to four specific phases of patient care: the diagnostic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. Emphasis was placed on studying the causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality and how they are approached through radiologic, surgical, and medical technics.", "contents": "Carotid endarterectomy: a perspective. Carotid endarterectomies have been performed for over a decade now. To review the knowledge derived from this surgical experience, i studied 18 reports on the subject, giving attention to four specific phases of patient care: the diagnostic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. Emphasis was placed on studying the causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality and how they are approached through radiologic, surgical, and medical technics.", "PMID": 781851} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6012", "title": "Induction of labor with prostaglandin E2 administered orally.", "content": "The effectiveness of orally administered prostaglandin E2 in inducing labor was studied in 60 patients with uncomplicated, full-term pregnancies, using three dosage schedules. Although 40 patients did deliver, 11 patients' amniotic membranes ruptured at a time considered by the investigators to introduce an undesired variable in attempting to evaluate the drug. Twenty (33%) failed to deliver despite adequate Bishop scores. Side effects were noted in 45% of patients. No significant advantage for induction of labor occurred with the three dosage schedules used.", "contents": "Induction of labor with prostaglandin E2 administered orally. The effectiveness of orally administered prostaglandin E2 in inducing labor was studied in 60 patients with uncomplicated, full-term pregnancies, using three dosage schedules. Although 40 patients did deliver, 11 patients' amniotic membranes ruptured at a time considered by the investigators to introduce an undesired variable in attempting to evaluate the drug. Twenty (33%) failed to deliver despite adequate Bishop scores. Side effects were noted in 45% of patients. No significant advantage for induction of labor occurred with the three dosage schedules used.", "PMID": 781852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6013", "title": "Combined chemotherapy (COP) in treatment of mycosis fungoides: report of four cases.", "content": "Four consecutive patients with mycosis fungoides received cyclic chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (COP). In one case, there was complete remission of disease for 15 months. In another, there was 50% regression of tumors with healing of the ulcerated surfaces. The third patient showed complete clearing of scaling and redness of the skin. In the fourth patient, the lesions progressed.", "contents": "Combined chemotherapy (COP) in treatment of mycosis fungoides: report of four cases. Four consecutive patients with mycosis fungoides received cyclic chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (COP). In one case, there was complete remission of disease for 15 months. In another, there was 50% regression of tumors with healing of the ulcerated surfaces. The third patient showed complete clearing of scaling and redness of the skin. In the fourth patient, the lesions progressed.", "PMID": 781853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6014", "title": "Medicine among the ancient Maya.", "content": "Medicine among the ancient Mayas was a blend of religion and science. It was practiced by priests who inherited their position and received extensive education. The Mayas sutured wounds with human hair, reduced fractures, and used casts. They were skillful dental surgeons and made prostheses from jade and turquoise and filled teeth with iron pyrite. Three clinical diseases, pinta, leishmaniasis, and yellow fever, and several psychiatric syndromes were described.", "contents": "Medicine among the ancient Maya. Medicine among the ancient Mayas was a blend of religion and science. It was practiced by priests who inherited their position and received extensive education. The Mayas sutured wounds with human hair, reduced fractures, and used casts. They were skillful dental surgeons and made prostheses from jade and turquoise and filled teeth with iron pyrite. Three clinical diseases, pinta, leishmaniasis, and yellow fever, and several psychiatric syndromes were described.", "PMID": 781854} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6015", "title": "Production of leucocyte migration inhibitory factor by neonatal lymphocytes.", "content": "Lymphocytes (mononuclear cells) from cord blood of 10 normal placentas and from 10 normal adults were assessed for production of leucocyte migration inhibiting factor (LIF) after phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation, as a measure of cell-mediated immunity. Mononuclear cells from both adult and cord blood produced adequate quantities of LIF, indicating that neonatal lymphocytes have the ability to manufacture normal amounts of lymphokines.", "contents": "Production of leucocyte migration inhibitory factor by neonatal lymphocytes. Lymphocytes (mononuclear cells) from cord blood of 10 normal placentas and from 10 normal adults were assessed for production of leucocyte migration inhibiting factor (LIF) after phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation, as a measure of cell-mediated immunity. Mononuclear cells from both adult and cord blood produced adequate quantities of LIF, indicating that neonatal lymphocytes have the ability to manufacture normal amounts of lymphokines.", "PMID": 781870} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6016", "title": "Renography using the gamma camera and the intertechnique cinescintigraphy system. A review of the current applications.", "content": "The application and use of radio-isotopes in nephrology have been neglected by clinicians. The indications and techniques used in the renogram and renal scan in the light of our experience over 2 1/2 years are presented. Although these methods are finding ever-increasing applications, the main uses at this stage are the investigation of possible renovascular hypertension, acute obstructive renal failure and postrenal transplant complications.", "contents": "Renography using the gamma camera and the intertechnique cinescintigraphy system. A review of the current applications. The application and use of radio-isotopes in nephrology have been neglected by clinicians. The indications and techniques used in the renogram and renal scan in the light of our experience over 2 1/2 years are presented. Although these methods are finding ever-increasing applications, the main uses at this stage are the investigation of possible renovascular hypertension, acute obstructive renal failure and postrenal transplant complications.", "PMID": 781871} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6017", "title": "The hazards of suturing certain wounds of the liver.", "content": "Suturing of deep ruptures of the liver frequently produces complications of hemobilia, secondary hemorrhage and intrahepatic cavitation with sepsis and liver failure. Such complications require second and third risky operations in already critically ill patients. Such wounds should not be sutured, adequate drainage should be provided, low pressure venous bleeding should be controlled with temporary gauze tampons and arterial bleeding should be stopped by hepatic artery ligation. Such treatment obviates dangerous hepatic resections and morbid thoracoabdominal incisions and prevents hematobilia, secondary hemorrhage, intrahepatic cavitation and sepsis with hepatic failure.", "contents": "The hazards of suturing certain wounds of the liver. Suturing of deep ruptures of the liver frequently produces complications of hemobilia, secondary hemorrhage and intrahepatic cavitation with sepsis and liver failure. Such complications require second and third risky operations in already critically ill patients. Such wounds should not be sutured, adequate drainage should be provided, low pressure venous bleeding should be controlled with temporary gauze tampons and arterial bleeding should be stopped by hepatic artery ligation. Such treatment obviates dangerous hepatic resections and morbid thoracoabdominal incisions and prevents hematobilia, secondary hemorrhage, intrahepatic cavitation and sepsis with hepatic failure.", "PMID": 781877} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6018", "title": "Modification of the endorectal procedure for Hirschsprung's disease.", "content": "During the last four years, 25 patients have been operated upon using a technical modification of the endorectal procedure for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease. There have been no major complications, and the ease with which the lower anastomosis was carried out has been quite remarkable. This opinion has been substantiated by surgeons who previously used other techniques for the lower anastomosis and have now adopted this modification.", "contents": "Modification of the endorectal procedure for Hirschsprung's disease. During the last four years, 25 patients have been operated upon using a technical modification of the endorectal procedure for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease. There have been no major complications, and the ease with which the lower anastomosis was carried out has been quite remarkable. This opinion has been substantiated by surgeons who previously used other techniques for the lower anastomosis and have now adopted this modification.", "PMID": 781878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6019", "title": "The hepatorenal syndrome.", "content": "The hepatorenal syndrome is defined as the spontaneous onset of progressive renal failure in patients with far advanced hepatic disease, usually on the basis of cirrhosis. The clinical characteristics of the syndrome include azotemia, oliguria, hyponatremia, low urinary sodium excretion and the absence of abnormal findings in the urinary sediment. Although the results of a large number of studies suggest that abnormal histologic features in the kidneys are infrequent, changes such as glomerulosclerosis, degeneration of tubular cells and alterations in the basement membranes have been described. Theories on the pathophysiologic aspects of the syndrome, including reduced plasma volume, inferior vena cava hypertension and active renal vasoconstriction, are presented. The last of these is currently the most widely accepted theory in which there is a selective redistribution of blood flow away from the cortical nephrons to the medullary nephrons on the basis of selective cortical vasoconstriction. The role of the synpathetic nervous system, as well as that of plasma renins in the cause of this condition is explored. Therapy for the hepatorenal syndrome generally has failed to ameliorate extremely unfavorable mortality rates. Such factors as the effects of plasma volume expansion; various pharmacologic agents, including dopamine, Octopressin and metaraminol; portacaval shunt; transplantation of the liver, and steroids are discussed. Regardless of specific therapy, the few patients who do survive tend to demonstrate a significant reversible component with respect to hepatic disease.", "contents": "The hepatorenal syndrome. The hepatorenal syndrome is defined as the spontaneous onset of progressive renal failure in patients with far advanced hepatic disease, usually on the basis of cirrhosis. The clinical characteristics of the syndrome include azotemia, oliguria, hyponatremia, low urinary sodium excretion and the absence of abnormal findings in the urinary sediment. Although the results of a large number of studies suggest that abnormal histologic features in the kidneys are infrequent, changes such as glomerulosclerosis, degeneration of tubular cells and alterations in the basement membranes have been described. Theories on the pathophysiologic aspects of the syndrome, including reduced plasma volume, inferior vena cava hypertension and active renal vasoconstriction, are presented. The last of these is currently the most widely accepted theory in which there is a selective redistribution of blood flow away from the cortical nephrons to the medullary nephrons on the basis of selective cortical vasoconstriction. The role of the synpathetic nervous system, as well as that of plasma renins in the cause of this condition is explored. Therapy for the hepatorenal syndrome generally has failed to ameliorate extremely unfavorable mortality rates. Such factors as the effects of plasma volume expansion; various pharmacologic agents, including dopamine, Octopressin and metaraminol; portacaval shunt; transplantation of the liver, and steroids are discussed. Regardless of specific therapy, the few patients who do survive tend to demonstrate a significant reversible component with respect to hepatic disease.", "PMID": 781880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6020", "title": "Antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients with rhinorrhea or otorrhea: a double-blind study.", "content": "A controlled double-blind study was performed on patients with injury to the head and face which had caused rhinorrhea or otorrhea. The patients were treated, at the time of the admission to the hospital, with penicillin (20 mega-units daily) or a placebo. A total of 52 patients was studied, 26 in each treatment group. Meningitis developed in one patient in the placebo group. Staphylococcus epidermidis (sensitive to penicillin) was the causative pathogen in this patient who also had a retained intraventricular foreign body. The frequency of extra-neurological infections and of asymptomatic pulmonary bacterial colonization was similar in both groups, but frequency of asymptomatic bacteriuria was higher in the placebo-treated patients.", "contents": "Antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients with rhinorrhea or otorrhea: a double-blind study. A controlled double-blind study was performed on patients with injury to the head and face which had caused rhinorrhea or otorrhea. The patients were treated, at the time of the admission to the hospital, with penicillin (20 mega-units daily) or a placebo. A total of 52 patients was studied, 26 in each treatment group. Meningitis developed in one patient in the placebo group. Staphylococcus epidermidis (sensitive to penicillin) was the causative pathogen in this patient who also had a retained intraventricular foreign body. The frequency of extra-neurological infections and of asymptomatic pulmonary bacterial colonization was similar in both groups, but frequency of asymptomatic bacteriuria was higher in the placebo-treated patients.", "PMID": 781882} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6021", "title": "A new method for reconstruction of major defects in the cranial vault.", "content": "A new method for reconstruction of cranial vault defects is described. A combination graft made of both alloplastic and autogenous materials combines several advantages to produce adequate strength and a smooth contour.", "contents": "A new method for reconstruction of major defects in the cranial vault. A new method for reconstruction of cranial vault defects is described. A combination graft made of both alloplastic and autogenous materials combines several advantages to produce adequate strength and a smooth contour.", "PMID": 781883} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6022", "title": "Randomized clinical trial of antithymocyte globulin in cadaver renal allograft recipients: importance of T cell monitoring.", "content": "Despite incontrovertable evidence demonstrating the unique immunosuppressive capabilities of antihymocyte globulin (ATG) in animals, its value in clinical transplantation has remained inconclusive. A multicenter, prospective study was undertaken in an attempt to determine this value. Cadaver renal allograft recipients were randomized into two treatment groups: prednisone and azathioprine only, or prednisone, azathioprine, and ATG. Four to 36 month follow-up of our first 50 recipients, supported by results in over 200 patients from other centers, permits the following observations. (1) Allograft survival can be improved by nearly 20 percent in recipients treated with active ATG preparations. (2) Presently available assays performed in vitro and on subhuman primate allograft survival, though capable of excluding inactive preparations, cannot quantitate precisely the immunosuppressive capacity of active batches of ATG. (3) Monitoring circulating T cell levels in patients receiving ATG appears to offer the best means of defining immunosuppressive potency and the variation in response to the agent among identically treated individuals. It is concluded that ATG therapy can be beneficial in renal transplantation; but monitoring of recipients' T cell level is desirable during therapy to determine the dosage required. Furthermore, the optimal immunosuppressive protocol can be approximated by modifying the regimen according to individual variations in response, thus limiting the infectious complications of excessive immunosuppression.", "contents": "Randomized clinical trial of antithymocyte globulin in cadaver renal allograft recipients: importance of T cell monitoring. Despite incontrovertable evidence demonstrating the unique immunosuppressive capabilities of antihymocyte globulin (ATG) in animals, its value in clinical transplantation has remained inconclusive. A multicenter, prospective study was undertaken in an attempt to determine this value. Cadaver renal allograft recipients were randomized into two treatment groups: prednisone and azathioprine only, or prednisone, azathioprine, and ATG. Four to 36 month follow-up of our first 50 recipients, supported by results in over 200 patients from other centers, permits the following observations. (1) Allograft survival can be improved by nearly 20 percent in recipients treated with active ATG preparations. (2) Presently available assays performed in vitro and on subhuman primate allograft survival, though capable of excluding inactive preparations, cannot quantitate precisely the immunosuppressive capacity of active batches of ATG. (3) Monitoring circulating T cell levels in patients receiving ATG appears to offer the best means of defining immunosuppressive potency and the variation in response to the agent among identically treated individuals. It is concluded that ATG therapy can be beneficial in renal transplantation; but monitoring of recipients' T cell level is desirable during therapy to determine the dosage required. Furthermore, the optimal immunosuppressive protocol can be approximated by modifying the regimen according to individual variations in response, thus limiting the infectious complications of excessive immunosuppression.", "PMID": 781887} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6023", "title": "Alterations in body composition following intestinal bypass for morbid obesity.", "content": "The efficacy of the jejunolieal bypass operation, performed as a weight-reducing procedure in the morbidly obese patient, was assessed by measurements of body composition. In 20 patients measurements were performed by multiple isotope dilution, before and following jejunoileal bypass. Prior to bypass the excess body weight was due primarily to an increase in body fat (BF), which accounted for 52 percent of body weight. The nonfatty component of body composition, the lean body mass, although slightly increased in size, was essentially normal. Two distinct patterns were observed following bypass. In 12 patients followed for 8.4 +/- 1.5 months, there was a 21 percent decrease in body weight, resulting entirely from a loss of BF. The total exchangeable potassium and intracellular water volume, both measures of the body cell mass (BCM), were unchanged. In the second group of eight patients followed for 13.9 +/- 2.1 months, the mean body weight decreased by 27 percent or 38.8 Kg., due to a 26.6 Kg. reduction in BF and a 13.0 Kg. decrease in the BDM. This was accompanied by a relative expansion of the extracellular mass. As a result, the mean Nae/Ke ratio increased significantly (p less than 0.05) from a normal prebypass value of 0.95 +/- 0.7 to 1.46 +/- 0.11 following bypass. Thus in eight of the 20 patients following jejunoileal bypass, there was an undesirable loss of BCM with a relative expansion of extracellular supporting component of body composition, a pattern characteristic of malnutrition.", "contents": "Alterations in body composition following intestinal bypass for morbid obesity. The efficacy of the jejunolieal bypass operation, performed as a weight-reducing procedure in the morbidly obese patient, was assessed by measurements of body composition. In 20 patients measurements were performed by multiple isotope dilution, before and following jejunoileal bypass. Prior to bypass the excess body weight was due primarily to an increase in body fat (BF), which accounted for 52 percent of body weight. The nonfatty component of body composition, the lean body mass, although slightly increased in size, was essentially normal. Two distinct patterns were observed following bypass. In 12 patients followed for 8.4 +/- 1.5 months, there was a 21 percent decrease in body weight, resulting entirely from a loss of BF. The total exchangeable potassium and intracellular water volume, both measures of the body cell mass (BCM), were unchanged. In the second group of eight patients followed for 13.9 +/- 2.1 months, the mean body weight decreased by 27 percent or 38.8 Kg., due to a 26.6 Kg. reduction in BF and a 13.0 Kg. decrease in the BDM. This was accompanied by a relative expansion of the extracellular mass. As a result, the mean Nae/Ke ratio increased significantly (p less than 0.05) from a normal prebypass value of 0.95 +/- 0.7 to 1.46 +/- 0.11 following bypass. Thus in eight of the 20 patients following jejunoileal bypass, there was an undesirable loss of BCM with a relative expansion of extracellular supporting component of body composition, a pattern characteristic of malnutrition.", "PMID": 781888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6024", "title": "Circadian rhythmicity in heart rate and duration of cardiac cycle (P-P interval) in donor and recipient cardiac tissue of heart homograft patients.", "content": "Chronobiologic analyses of data collected during one or more continuous 72-hr spans from 3 heart-transplant patients adhering at diurnal activity (0700-2230) and nocturnal rest (2230-0700) reveal statistically significant circadian rhythmicity in the P-P time interval of recipients (P-P)R and the donor (P-P)D, as well as in the reciprocal measure of the latter, the heart rate. The circadian acrophase for (P-P)D and (P-P)R differ slightly (the 95% confidence arcs overlap). For the group, the acrophases for (P-P)D and heart rate at 0344 (2056 to 0528) and 1656 (0940 to 2100) agree in anti-phase, as expected. For 1 patient studied during 3 separate occasions -1,5 and 12 months post-transplant--the period of the rhythm for the (P-P)R time interval progressively elongated from 23.7 hr (1 month post-transplant) to 26.1 hour (5 months post-transplant) and finally to 32.3 hr (12 months post-transplant and 4 months prior to death) while the (P-P)D remained around 24.0 hr (range 23.8 to 24.6 hr). Change in the rhythm's period in (P-P)R may reflect events associated with rejection, continuing necrosis of cardiac tissue and/or medications, among others.", "contents": "Circadian rhythmicity in heart rate and duration of cardiac cycle (P-P interval) in donor and recipient cardiac tissue of heart homograft patients. Chronobiologic analyses of data collected during one or more continuous 72-hr spans from 3 heart-transplant patients adhering at diurnal activity (0700-2230) and nocturnal rest (2230-0700) reveal statistically significant circadian rhythmicity in the P-P time interval of recipients (P-P)R and the donor (P-P)D, as well as in the reciprocal measure of the latter, the heart rate. The circadian acrophase for (P-P)D and (P-P)R differ slightly (the 95% confidence arcs overlap). For the group, the acrophases for (P-P)D and heart rate at 0344 (2056 to 0528) and 1656 (0940 to 2100) agree in anti-phase, as expected. For 1 patient studied during 3 separate occasions -1,5 and 12 months post-transplant--the period of the rhythm for the (P-P)R time interval progressively elongated from 23.7 hr (1 month post-transplant) to 26.1 hour (5 months post-transplant) and finally to 32.3 hr (12 months post-transplant and 4 months prior to death) while the (P-P)D remained around 24.0 hr (range 23.8 to 24.6 hr). Change in the rhythm's period in (P-P)R may reflect events associated with rejection, continuing necrosis of cardiac tissue and/or medications, among others.", "PMID": 781897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6025", "title": "Relation of alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotype to the performance of pulmonary function tests and to the prevalence of respiratory illness in a working population.", "content": "Individuals with severe alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha1AT) deficiency (phenotype Pi ZZ) are abnormally liable to develop emphysema, but it is uncertain whether those with partial alpha1AT deficiency (phenotypes Pi MS and MZ) are similarly susceptible. This study was undertaken to determine the frequency of the various Pi phenotypes in a working population in Northern Ireland and to compare the performance of simple pulmonary function tests and prevalence of respiratory symptoms and chest illness between different phenotypes. The population sample consisted of 1995 working men and women aged between 35 and 70 years. The MRC Questionnaire (1966) was used to assess respiratory symptoms, a forced expiratory spirogram was recorded, and a blood sample was analysed for alpha1AT phenotype by acid starch gel electrophoresis and antigen-antibody crossed electrophoresis in every case. The percentage frequencies of the alpha1AT phenotypes were: Pi MM 86-5; MS 7-97; MZ 3-86; IM 0-6; FM 0-4; SZ 0-25; M 0-15; SS 0-1; Z 0-05; MP 0-05; FS 0-05. Respiratory symptoms and a history of previous chest illness occurred with similar frequency among the Pi M, MS, and MZ phenotypes, and a comparison of the regression coefficients for FEV1, FVC, and MMF on age for each phenotype group showed no significant differences between them overall, or when subdivided according to smoking habits or dust exposure. These findings provide no evidence that individuals of phenotype Pi MS or MZ are more than usually liable to develop chronic airways obstruction.", "contents": "Relation of alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotype to the performance of pulmonary function tests and to the prevalence of respiratory illness in a working population. Individuals with severe alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha1AT) deficiency (phenotype Pi ZZ) are abnormally liable to develop emphysema, but it is uncertain whether those with partial alpha1AT deficiency (phenotypes Pi MS and MZ) are similarly susceptible. This study was undertaken to determine the frequency of the various Pi phenotypes in a working population in Northern Ireland and to compare the performance of simple pulmonary function tests and prevalence of respiratory symptoms and chest illness between different phenotypes. The population sample consisted of 1995 working men and women aged between 35 and 70 years. The MRC Questionnaire (1966) was used to assess respiratory symptoms, a forced expiratory spirogram was recorded, and a blood sample was analysed for alpha1AT phenotype by acid starch gel electrophoresis and antigen-antibody crossed electrophoresis in every case. The percentage frequencies of the alpha1AT phenotypes were: Pi MM 86-5; MS 7-97; MZ 3-86; IM 0-6; FM 0-4; SZ 0-25; M 0-15; SS 0-1; Z 0-05; MP 0-05; FS 0-05. Respiratory symptoms and a history of previous chest illness occurred with similar frequency among the Pi M, MS, and MZ phenotypes, and a comparison of the regression coefficients for FEV1, FVC, and MMF on age for each phenotype group showed no significant differences between them overall, or when subdivided according to smoking habits or dust exposure. These findings provide no evidence that individuals of phenotype Pi MS or MZ are more than usually liable to develop chronic airways obstruction.", "PMID": 781898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6026", "title": "Distribution of plasma cells and other cells containing immunoglobulin in the respiratory tract of normal man and class of immunoglobulin contained therein.", "content": "The anatomical distribution of plasma cells and other cells containing immunoglobulin in the respiratory tract, and the relative proportions of the immunoglobulin classes have been estimated on necropsy tissues from nine adult human subjects without respiratory disease, five non-smokers and four smokers, none of whom had cough or sputum. Cell counts on multiple sections stained by immunofluorescent methods for the presence of immunoglobulin were carried out on the upper trachea, main bronchus, and lower lobe bronchus. Cells containing immunoglobulin were found mostly in the submucous glands but were also present in the lamina propria of the tracheal and bronchial epithelium. These cells were present in the greatest concentration in the main bronchus and were always present in the lobar bronchus and, in most subjects, in the upper trachea. The cells were not always present round small bronchi and bronchioles and were virtually absent from alveolar walls. Cells containing IgA were much more numerous than those containing other immunoglobulin classes in all subjects except one, in whom IgG and IgE cells were equally numerous. Two subjects appeared to be significantly different from the rest. One non-smoking subject had a marked deficiency of IgA cells at all sampling sites, and one smoker had a marked excess of IgA cells. In spite of these two subjects there was no significant difference between smokers and non-smokers except in the lobar bronchus where the smokers had significantly more IgA cells than the non-smokers.", "contents": "Distribution of plasma cells and other cells containing immunoglobulin in the respiratory tract of normal man and class of immunoglobulin contained therein. The anatomical distribution of plasma cells and other cells containing immunoglobulin in the respiratory tract, and the relative proportions of the immunoglobulin classes have been estimated on necropsy tissues from nine adult human subjects without respiratory disease, five non-smokers and four smokers, none of whom had cough or sputum. Cell counts on multiple sections stained by immunofluorescent methods for the presence of immunoglobulin were carried out on the upper trachea, main bronchus, and lower lobe bronchus. Cells containing immunoglobulin were found mostly in the submucous glands but were also present in the lamina propria of the tracheal and bronchial epithelium. These cells were present in the greatest concentration in the main bronchus and were always present in the lobar bronchus and, in most subjects, in the upper trachea. The cells were not always present round small bronchi and bronchioles and were virtually absent from alveolar walls. Cells containing IgA were much more numerous than those containing other immunoglobulin classes in all subjects except one, in whom IgG and IgE cells were equally numerous. Two subjects appeared to be significantly different from the rest. One non-smoking subject had a marked deficiency of IgA cells at all sampling sites, and one smoker had a marked excess of IgA cells. In spite of these two subjects there was no significant difference between smokers and non-smokers except in the lobar bronchus where the smokers had significantly more IgA cells than the non-smokers.", "PMID": 781899} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6027", "title": "Aortocoronary graft flow and reactive hyperaemia in relation to postoperative myocardial infarction.", "content": "Blood flow through aortocoronary venous grafts and its response to a brief period of arterial occlusion--reactive hyperaemia--were studied in relation to the development of postoperative myocardial infarction. In 40 patients with intractable angina due to obstructive coronary artery disease, 72 aortocoronary venous grafts were constructed. In 18% of the grafts there was no response to the flow to temporary occlusion, due to absence of reactive hyperaemia. In the remaining grafts the flow increased from 17% to 26%. In 17-5% of the patients postoperative myocardial infarction was diagnosed. No relation could be established between this control flow through aortocoronary grafts and postoperative myocardial infarction. A significant difference was found in the magnitude of the reactive hyperaemia following occlusion of the graft between patients who developed myocardial infarction (13-0%) and those who did not (26-8%). Some of our observations suggest that the myocardium is in a state of reactive hyperaemia after coronary surgery. With certain technical precautions the flow changes caused by reactive hyperaemia can be used as an indicator of the result to be expected from bypass surgery.", "contents": "Aortocoronary graft flow and reactive hyperaemia in relation to postoperative myocardial infarction. Blood flow through aortocoronary venous grafts and its response to a brief period of arterial occlusion--reactive hyperaemia--were studied in relation to the development of postoperative myocardial infarction. In 40 patients with intractable angina due to obstructive coronary artery disease, 72 aortocoronary venous grafts were constructed. In 18% of the grafts there was no response to the flow to temporary occlusion, due to absence of reactive hyperaemia. In the remaining grafts the flow increased from 17% to 26%. In 17-5% of the patients postoperative myocardial infarction was diagnosed. No relation could be established between this control flow through aortocoronary grafts and postoperative myocardial infarction. A significant difference was found in the magnitude of the reactive hyperaemia following occlusion of the graft between patients who developed myocardial infarction (13-0%) and those who did not (26-8%). Some of our observations suggest that the myocardium is in a state of reactive hyperaemia after coronary surgery. With certain technical precautions the flow changes caused by reactive hyperaemia can be used as an indicator of the result to be expected from bypass surgery.", "PMID": 781900} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6028", "title": "Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy and its occurrence with pulmonary metastases from renal carcinoma.", "content": "The literature of hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy is reviewed with special reference to its occurrence with pulmonary metastases from extrathoracic tumours. The present theories on aetiology are discussed, and the relationship to finger clubbing and bronchogenic carcinoma is reviewed. A case is reported of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy as the presenting feature of pulmonary metastases from renal carcinoma, and of its relief by pulmonary resection.", "contents": "Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy and its occurrence with pulmonary metastases from renal carcinoma. The literature of hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy is reviewed with special reference to its occurrence with pulmonary metastases from extrathoracic tumours. The present theories on aetiology are discussed, and the relationship to finger clubbing and bronchogenic carcinoma is reviewed. A case is reported of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy as the presenting feature of pulmonary metastases from renal carcinoma, and of its relief by pulmonary resection.", "PMID": 781901} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6029", "title": "Carcinoid lung: diffuse pulmonary infiltration by a multifocal bronchial carcinoid.", "content": "A 20-year-old student presented with diarrhoea and miliary mottling in the chest radiograph. Biopsy specimens of lung and cervical lymph node showed diffuse multifocal carcinoid tumour. No deterioration in clinical state, radiographic appearances or lung function has occurred after two years' treatment with melphalan.", "contents": "Carcinoid lung: diffuse pulmonary infiltration by a multifocal bronchial carcinoid. A 20-year-old student presented with diarrhoea and miliary mottling in the chest radiograph. Biopsy specimens of lung and cervical lymph node showed diffuse multifocal carcinoid tumour. No deterioration in clinical state, radiographic appearances or lung function has occurred after two years' treatment with melphalan.", "PMID": 781902} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6030", "title": "Left ventricular aneurysm of unusual aetiology: report of two cases.", "content": "Two young patients aged 14 and 25 with left ventricular aneurysms are described. In both, a clinical picture initiated by attacks of supraventricular tachycardia led to the discovery of the condition. In the first patient the clinical picture clearly suggested a traumatic aetiology. In the second, the angiographic and histological findings strongly favoured a congenital origin. Both patients underwent successful aneurysmectomy. The literature on the incidence and aetiology of traumatic or congenital ventricular aneurysms is discussed.", "contents": "Left ventricular aneurysm of unusual aetiology: report of two cases. Two young patients aged 14 and 25 with left ventricular aneurysms are described. In both, a clinical picture initiated by attacks of supraventricular tachycardia led to the discovery of the condition. In the first patient the clinical picture clearly suggested a traumatic aetiology. In the second, the angiographic and histological findings strongly favoured a congenital origin. Both patients underwent successful aneurysmectomy. The literature on the incidence and aetiology of traumatic or congenital ventricular aneurysms is discussed.", "PMID": 781903} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6031", "title": "Opportunistic pulmonary strongyloidiasis complicating asthma treated with steroids.", "content": "A man aged 57 years who had lived most of his life in London, suffered from asthma which had begun during army service in Burma 37 years previously. Latterly he was treated with increasing doses of corticosteroids but his symptoms continued to worsen and he died of asthma. Necropsy revealed a heavy opportunistic infection of the bronchi and lungs by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis which he had presumably acquired while on service abroad. The case illustrates the need, even in non-endemic areas, to suspect opportunistic pulmonary strongyloidiasis when a patient's asthma worsens despite treatment with increasing doses of corticosteroids. Although it is a potentially lethal iatrogenic opportunistic infection, it is amenable to treatment with anthelminthic agents if recognized in time.", "contents": "Opportunistic pulmonary strongyloidiasis complicating asthma treated with steroids. A man aged 57 years who had lived most of his life in London, suffered from asthma which had begun during army service in Burma 37 years previously. Latterly he was treated with increasing doses of corticosteroids but his symptoms continued to worsen and he died of asthma. Necropsy revealed a heavy opportunistic infection of the bronchi and lungs by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis which he had presumably acquired while on service abroad. The case illustrates the need, even in non-endemic areas, to suspect opportunistic pulmonary strongyloidiasis when a patient's asthma worsens despite treatment with increasing doses of corticosteroids. Although it is a potentially lethal iatrogenic opportunistic infection, it is amenable to treatment with anthelminthic agents if recognized in time.", "PMID": 781904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6032", "title": "An investigation of the chest radiographs in a controlled trial of busulphan, cyclophosphamide, and a placebo after resection for carcinoma of the lung.", "content": "A standard series of radiographs of 588 patients allocated at random to treatment with busulphan (B patients), cyclophosphamide (C patients), or a placebo (P patients) for two years after surgery for bronchial carcinoma were viewed in three stages (following procedures which avoided bias) by an independent assessor, unaware of the allocated treatment of any patient, with a view to identifying pulmonary changes due to busulphan. Radiographic appearances consistent with busulphan lung were not reported in any of the 195 B patients (receiving a mean dosage of 464 mg of busulphan over 301 days) or of the 192 C patients but were present in one of the 201 patients receiving placebo.", "contents": "An investigation of the chest radiographs in a controlled trial of busulphan, cyclophosphamide, and a placebo after resection for carcinoma of the lung. A standard series of radiographs of 588 patients allocated at random to treatment with busulphan (B patients), cyclophosphamide (C patients), or a placebo (P patients) for two years after surgery for bronchial carcinoma were viewed in three stages (following procedures which avoided bias) by an independent assessor, unaware of the allocated treatment of any patient, with a view to identifying pulmonary changes due to busulphan. Radiographic appearances consistent with busulphan lung were not reported in any of the 195 B patients (receiving a mean dosage of 464 mg of busulphan over 301 days) or of the 192 C patients but were present in one of the 201 patients receiving placebo.", "PMID": 781905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6033", "title": "Long-term beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol therapy in juvenile asthma.", "content": "Following a short-term clinical trial reported elsewhere, beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol has been given to 15 children with asthma for between 2 1/2 and 3 years except for a short placebo period after the first year. Month-by-month records of wheezing, peak flow rate, and other treatments used are presented for the first 17 months, adrenocortical function tests are reported for the first 2 years, and growth is recorded for 2 1/2-3 years. The short-term clinical benefits of the treatment are confirmed in the longer term, adrenocortical function appears to be unchanged, and growth proceeds along expected lines. The main disadvantage seems to be worsening of eczema and allergic rhinitis in those children who have ceased using corticotrophin or oral steroids for the control of asthma. It is concluded that in the long term beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol provides safe and effective day-to-day control of asthma in children, although occasional recourse to systemic steroid therapy cannot be avoided. Oral candidasis has not been a clinical problem.", "contents": "Long-term beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol therapy in juvenile asthma. Following a short-term clinical trial reported elsewhere, beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol has been given to 15 children with asthma for between 2 1/2 and 3 years except for a short placebo period after the first year. Month-by-month records of wheezing, peak flow rate, and other treatments used are presented for the first 17 months, adrenocortical function tests are reported for the first 2 years, and growth is recorded for 2 1/2-3 years. The short-term clinical benefits of the treatment are confirmed in the longer term, adrenocortical function appears to be unchanged, and growth proceeds along expected lines. The main disadvantage seems to be worsening of eczema and allergic rhinitis in those children who have ceased using corticotrophin or oral steroids for the control of asthma. It is concluded that in the long term beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol provides safe and effective day-to-day control of asthma in children, although occasional recourse to systemic steroid therapy cannot be avoided. Oral candidasis has not been a clinical problem.", "PMID": 781906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6034", "title": "The difference in hereditary susceptibility to three mastitis agents between two daughter groups.", "content": "Daughter groups of two sires A and Z were kept under equal conditions during 3 lactations. Experimental infections with mastitis agents gave different responses in both groups. The evident difference in susceptibility to mastitis between the A- and Z-daughters is based upon genetic differences. The results of this experiment indicate the possibility of selecting AI-bulls with respect to mastitis in descent and offspring. In this experiment staphylococci were less pathogenic than Str. agalactiae and Str. dysgalactiae. The most severe reactions were produced by the infections with Str. dysgalactiae.", "contents": "The difference in hereditary susceptibility to three mastitis agents between two daughter groups. Daughter groups of two sires A and Z were kept under equal conditions during 3 lactations. Experimental infections with mastitis agents gave different responses in both groups. The evident difference in susceptibility to mastitis between the A- and Z-daughters is based upon genetic differences. The results of this experiment indicate the possibility of selecting AI-bulls with respect to mastitis in descent and offspring. In this experiment staphylococci were less pathogenic than Str. agalactiae and Str. dysgalactiae. The most severe reactions were produced by the infections with Str. dysgalactiae.", "PMID": 781908} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6035", "title": "Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery with coronary artery steal in adults. Report of two cases and review of the literature.", "content": "Patients with anomalous left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery rarely survive to adult life. Those who attain adulthood may present with angina indistinguishable from coronary artery disease and are liable to sudden death. Myocardial infarction, though rare in young adults, may occur and may be due to coronary artery steal. Accurate diagnosis requires coronary arteriography. Two further cases of coronary artery steal in adults with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery are presented. In both patients aortocoronary bypass grafting using a reversed autogenous saphenous vein with closure of the origin of the anomalous left coronary artery was successfully performed. This operation provided complete symptomatic relief and may protect patients against the risk of sudden death.", "contents": "Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery with coronary artery steal in adults. Report of two cases and review of the literature. Patients with anomalous left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery rarely survive to adult life. Those who attain adulthood may present with angina indistinguishable from coronary artery disease and are liable to sudden death. Myocardial infarction, though rare in young adults, may occur and may be due to coronary artery steal. Accurate diagnosis requires coronary arteriography. Two further cases of coronary artery steal in adults with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery are presented. In both patients aortocoronary bypass grafting using a reversed autogenous saphenous vein with closure of the origin of the anomalous left coronary artery was successfully performed. This operation provided complete symptomatic relief and may protect patients against the risk of sudden death.", "PMID": 781907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6036", "title": "Extraction and purification of a substance with luteinizing hormone releasing activity from the leaves of Avena sativa.", "content": "Attempts were made to purify the LH-releasing substance extracted from the leaves of Avena sativa by means of two-step chromatographic procedures using a weakly acidic ion-exchange resin (CG-50,type II) and DEAE-Sephadex A-25 (coarse) with successful results. For preliminary fractionation of such starting materials as dried leaves, fresh leaves, and acetone-extracted powder(crude extracts), 5% acetate-buffered active carbon proved to be more effective than starch zone electrophoresis. From its behavior on chromatography with weakly acidic ion-exchange resins as well as Sephadex gel filtration, the active fraction extracted from the leaves of Avena saliva was assumed to be different from the LH-RH present in the hypothalamus. This partially purified material, however, was demonstrated to have an LH-releasing activity by the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion method using Wistar-Imamichi strain rats. Evidence was presented that its site of action is in the adenohypophysis.", "contents": "Extraction and purification of a substance with luteinizing hormone releasing activity from the leaves of Avena sativa. Attempts were made to purify the LH-releasing substance extracted from the leaves of Avena sativa by means of two-step chromatographic procedures using a weakly acidic ion-exchange resin (CG-50,type II) and DEAE-Sephadex A-25 (coarse) with successful results. For preliminary fractionation of such starting materials as dried leaves, fresh leaves, and acetone-extracted powder(crude extracts), 5% acetate-buffered active carbon proved to be more effective than starch zone electrophoresis. From its behavior on chromatography with weakly acidic ion-exchange resins as well as Sephadex gel filtration, the active fraction extracted from the leaves of Avena saliva was assumed to be different from the LH-RH present in the hypothalamus. This partially purified material, however, was demonstrated to have an LH-releasing activity by the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion method using Wistar-Imamichi strain rats. Evidence was presented that its site of action is in the adenohypophysis.", "PMID": 781913} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6037", "title": "Lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase. Similarity of the enzyme system from yeast and rat liver.", "content": "The chemical synthesis of 24,25-dihydro[32-14C]lanosterol is described. The incubation of this material with a cell-free system from Saccharomyces cerevisiae or with a microsomal preparation from rat liver resulted in both cases in the release of [14C]formic acid. This result suggests that in the biosynthesis of ergosterol in yeast, as well as in that of cholesterol in higher animals, the 14alpha-methyl group of lanosterol is removed as formic acid. In both systems, the measurement of the rate of release of [14C]formic acid from 24,25-dihydro[32-14C]lanosterol provides a simple and direct assay of lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase. Carbon monoxide inhibited both yeast and liver 14alpha-demethylase.", "contents": "Lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase. Similarity of the enzyme system from yeast and rat liver. The chemical synthesis of 24,25-dihydro[32-14C]lanosterol is described. The incubation of this material with a cell-free system from Saccharomyces cerevisiae or with a microsomal preparation from rat liver resulted in both cases in the release of [14C]formic acid. This result suggests that in the biosynthesis of ergosterol in yeast, as well as in that of cholesterol in higher animals, the 14alpha-methyl group of lanosterol is removed as formic acid. In both systems, the measurement of the rate of release of [14C]formic acid from 24,25-dihydro[32-14C]lanosterol provides a simple and direct assay of lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase. Carbon monoxide inhibited both yeast and liver 14alpha-demethylase.", "PMID": 781918} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6038", "title": "[Prosthetic treatment of micrognathism following cleft lip and cleft palate surgery].", "content": "Delayed treatment of a patient having micrognathia after surgical correction of gnathopalatoschisis, using a bar joint between the telescopic devices on the remaining teeth, a maxillary cover denture and a supported mandibular model-cast prosthesis.", "contents": "[Prosthetic treatment of micrognathism following cleft lip and cleft palate surgery]. Delayed treatment of a patient having micrognathia after surgical correction of gnathopalatoschisis, using a bar joint between the telescopic devices on the remaining teeth, a maxillary cover denture and a supported mandibular model-cast prosthesis.", "PMID": 781922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6039", "title": "Lack of demonstrable H-2 antigens on the surface of teratocarcinoma 402AX of the mouse maintained in vivo.", "content": "Teratocarcinoma 402AX of strain 129/J mice leaks any detectable histocompatibility antigens on its surface when examined by immunofluorescence or cytotoxicity assays utilizing highly specific anti-H-2-histocompatibility alloantisera.", "contents": "Lack of demonstrable H-2 antigens on the surface of teratocarcinoma 402AX of the mouse maintained in vivo. Teratocarcinoma 402AX of strain 129/J mice leaks any detectable histocompatibility antigens on its surface when examined by immunofluorescence or cytotoxicity assays utilizing highly specific anti-H-2-histocompatibility alloantisera.", "PMID": 781924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6040", "title": "The risk of renal allograft rejection following angiography.", "content": "In a retrospective study of 173 immediately functioning primary kidney transplants, correlation between agiography and renal allograft rejection was studied during the first 14 days. It was found that rejection was more frequent in kidneys undergoing angiography than in those not undergoing angiography. It was also found that in kidneys undergoing angiography an overwhelming number of the rejections started the day after angiography. These differences in rejection frequency could not be explained by differences in HLA matching or the origin of the kidneys. These findings suggest a possible connection indicating that the angiography might elicit an acute rejection episode. A possible mechanism for starting this reaction might be activation of the complement system which was found in 50% of the patients undergoing angiography in peripheral blood and in 100% when studied in vitro.", "contents": "The risk of renal allograft rejection following angiography. In a retrospective study of 173 immediately functioning primary kidney transplants, correlation between agiography and renal allograft rejection was studied during the first 14 days. It was found that rejection was more frequent in kidneys undergoing angiography than in those not undergoing angiography. It was also found that in kidneys undergoing angiography an overwhelming number of the rejections started the day after angiography. These differences in rejection frequency could not be explained by differences in HLA matching or the origin of the kidneys. These findings suggest a possible connection indicating that the angiography might elicit an acute rejection episode. A possible mechanism for starting this reaction might be activation of the complement system which was found in 50% of the patients undergoing angiography in peripheral blood and in 100% when studied in vitro.", "PMID": 781929} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6041", "title": "Immunosuppressive drugs and the foetus.", "content": "Two infants born to mothers who had been given a renal transplant and who were receiving azathioprine and prednisone have been followed up for over 2 years. Initially both had lower than normal lymphocyte counts and cortisol levels. Chromosomal aberrations similar to those found in the lymphocytes of the mothers were present at birth but had disappeared by 32 and 20 months, respectively. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "Immunosuppressive drugs and the foetus. Two infants born to mothers who had been given a renal transplant and who were receiving azathioprine and prednisone have been followed up for over 2 years. Initially both had lower than normal lymphocyte counts and cortisol levels. Chromosomal aberrations similar to those found in the lymphocytes of the mothers were present at birth but had disappeared by 32 and 20 months, respectively. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 781930} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6042", "title": "Importance of the autocontrol crossmatch in human renal transplantation.", "content": "The killing of donor cells in the standard lymphocyte crossmatch is considered strong evidence for preformed antibodies in the recipients's serum. Moreover, it is generally accepted that presensitization has occurred if any of the stored sera kill the donor cells. In our hands, if either the current or the stored sera kill the donor cells, it precludes transplantation. In nine cases we discovered that the recipient's sera also killed the recipient's own lymphocytes, a positive autocontrol test, indicating that factors other than conventional preformed cytotoxic antibodies were responsible for the positive standard crossmatch. The nine patients who demonstrated a positive standard crossmatch and a positive autocontrol for those sera received cadaver allografts. None of the kidneys were rejected hyperacutely and all are functioning adequately. We conclude that the autocontrol crossmatch is an important adjunct for uncovering false positive reactions in the standard lymphocyte crossmatch test.", "contents": "Importance of the autocontrol crossmatch in human renal transplantation. The killing of donor cells in the standard lymphocyte crossmatch is considered strong evidence for preformed antibodies in the recipients's serum. Moreover, it is generally accepted that presensitization has occurred if any of the stored sera kill the donor cells. In our hands, if either the current or the stored sera kill the donor cells, it precludes transplantation. In nine cases we discovered that the recipient's sera also killed the recipient's own lymphocytes, a positive autocontrol test, indicating that factors other than conventional preformed cytotoxic antibodies were responsible for the positive standard crossmatch. The nine patients who demonstrated a positive standard crossmatch and a positive autocontrol for those sera received cadaver allografts. None of the kidneys were rejected hyperacutely and all are functioning adequately. We conclude that the autocontrol crossmatch is an important adjunct for uncovering false positive reactions in the standard lymphocyte crossmatch test.", "PMID": 781931} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6043", "title": "Circulating immune complexes after kidney transplantation.", "content": "Sera from patients who had received renal allografts were studied for the presence of circulating immune complexes by using platelet aggregation technique combined with density gradient centrifugation. A simple and highly reproducible modification of the platelet aggregation technique, employing the use of relatively small amounts of blood from pretested donors as the source for platelets, is described. Immune complexes were detected in post-transplantation sera from 3 out of 16 patients. The development of a persistent immune complex state as a consequence of grafting was concluded in one patient.", "contents": "Circulating immune complexes after kidney transplantation. Sera from patients who had received renal allografts were studied for the presence of circulating immune complexes by using platelet aggregation technique combined with density gradient centrifugation. A simple and highly reproducible modification of the platelet aggregation technique, employing the use of relatively small amounts of blood from pretested donors as the source for platelets, is described. Immune complexes were detected in post-transplantation sera from 3 out of 16 patients. The development of a persistent immune complex state as a consequence of grafting was concluded in one patient.", "PMID": 781932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6044", "title": "Complement origin determines lytic activity of antibodies to nucleated target cells. Comparison of common complement sources.", "content": "The effects of complement from different species of animals were measured in a variety of antibody assays by using 51Cr-labelled target cells. Sheep antibodies were measured in samples of lymph and serum obtained from animals immunised with allogeneic lymphocytes, transplanted with allogeneic kidney grafts, or immunised with mouse tumour cells. Mouse (C57BL) antibodies were measured after immunisation with allogeneic tumour (P815) or after transplantation of allogeneic thyroid grafts (BALB/c). Different species of complement gave quantitative and sometimes qualitative differences when used to assay the same samples of antibody. In all systems tested, rabbit complement caused lysis of target cells at low antibody concentration when guinea pig and rat complements gave negative results, in some antibody-target cell combinations sheep complement was as effective as rabbit complement in mediating lysis. The different complement sources showed no selective lytic affinity for either IgM or IgG1 antibody subclasses purified from immune sheep lymph. Lysis of P815 target cells occurred more quickly when mediated by rabbit or sheep complement than when mediated by guinea pig or rat complement. Complement-dependent lysis sometimes occurred in systems where antibody, target cells and complement were obtained from the same species.", "contents": "Complement origin determines lytic activity of antibodies to nucleated target cells. Comparison of common complement sources. The effects of complement from different species of animals were measured in a variety of antibody assays by using 51Cr-labelled target cells. Sheep antibodies were measured in samples of lymph and serum obtained from animals immunised with allogeneic lymphocytes, transplanted with allogeneic kidney grafts, or immunised with mouse tumour cells. Mouse (C57BL) antibodies were measured after immunisation with allogeneic tumour (P815) or after transplantation of allogeneic thyroid grafts (BALB/c). Different species of complement gave quantitative and sometimes qualitative differences when used to assay the same samples of antibody. In all systems tested, rabbit complement caused lysis of target cells at low antibody concentration when guinea pig and rat complements gave negative results, in some antibody-target cell combinations sheep complement was as effective as rabbit complement in mediating lysis. The different complement sources showed no selective lytic affinity for either IgM or IgG1 antibody subclasses purified from immune sheep lymph. Lysis of P815 target cells occurred more quickly when mediated by rabbit or sheep complement than when mediated by guinea pig or rat complement. Complement-dependent lysis sometimes occurred in systems where antibody, target cells and complement were obtained from the same species.", "PMID": 781933} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6045", "title": "Comparison of indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) with complement fixation (CF) tests for diagnosis of Babesia spp infections in Colombian cattle.", "content": "A total of 372 serum samples were collected from Colombian cattle before and during the course of natural Babesia spp. infection on the North Coast of Colombia. The serum samples were used to compare indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) with complement fixation (CF) tests for diagnosis of babesiosis. The IFA technique detected Babesia argentina antibodies an average of 4.0 weeks earlier than the CF test and Babesia bigemina an average of 2.5 weeks earlier. Both IFA and CF were capable of differentiating B. argentina and B. bigemina infections, however in some cases cross reactions were observed. In general IFA titers were at relatively high levels of 1:640 to 1:5120 in comparison with CF titers of trace to 1:80. In cases of mortality due to babesiosis, both IFA and CF serologic techniques were very useful in indicating the cause of death. Although both IFA and CF are laboratory tests, the IFA technique had advantages over the CF in simplicity, economy and speed of performance.", "contents": "Comparison of indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) with complement fixation (CF) tests for diagnosis of Babesia spp infections in Colombian cattle. A total of 372 serum samples were collected from Colombian cattle before and during the course of natural Babesia spp. infection on the North Coast of Colombia. The serum samples were used to compare indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) with complement fixation (CF) tests for diagnosis of babesiosis. The IFA technique detected Babesia argentina antibodies an average of 4.0 weeks earlier than the CF test and Babesia bigemina an average of 2.5 weeks earlier. Both IFA and CF were capable of differentiating B. argentina and B. bigemina infections, however in some cases cross reactions were observed. In general IFA titers were at relatively high levels of 1:640 to 1:5120 in comparison with CF titers of trace to 1:80. In cases of mortality due to babesiosis, both IFA and CF serologic techniques were very useful in indicating the cause of death. Although both IFA and CF are laboratory tests, the IFA technique had advantages over the CF in simplicity, economy and speed of performance.", "PMID": 781955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6046", "title": "The Plasmodium berghei-infection in isogenic F1 (C57B1 x DBA)- mice. III. neonatal thymectomy and cell transfer experiments.", "content": "In neonatally thymectomized F1(C57BL X DBA)-mice the course of an infection with Plasmodium berghei, strain K 173, was unaltered if compared with the course in normal animals. No shortening of the survival time was observed. Cell transfer experiments were carried out. In numerous trials it was not possible to convey the protective immunity of immune animals to non-immune animals by the transfer of lymphoid cells. If an acquired immunity was destroyed by heavy x-irradiation it could be restored by the injection of immune spleen and lymphnode cells.", "contents": "The Plasmodium berghei-infection in isogenic F1 (C57B1 x DBA)- mice. III. neonatal thymectomy and cell transfer experiments. In neonatally thymectomized F1(C57BL X DBA)-mice the course of an infection with Plasmodium berghei, strain K 173, was unaltered if compared with the course in normal animals. No shortening of the survival time was observed. Cell transfer experiments were carried out. In numerous trials it was not possible to convey the protective immunity of immune animals to non-immune animals by the transfer of lymphoid cells. If an acquired immunity was destroyed by heavy x-irradiation it could be restored by the injection of immune spleen and lymphnode cells.", "PMID": 781956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6047", "title": "Bancroftian Filariasis in Togo 1. a comparative field study of the membrane filtration concentration technique and conventional blood films.", "content": "The membrane concentration filtration technique which has proved very successful in use in areas of subperiodic filariasis in the Pacific, has been used to study an area of nocturnally periodic in Togo. The results obtained were similar to those from areas of low endemicity in the Pacific. The method was easy to apply under field conditions in Africa and the taking of venous blood samples proved competely acceptable to a rural population in south-eastern Togo.", "contents": "Bancroftian Filariasis in Togo 1. a comparative field study of the membrane filtration concentration technique and conventional blood films. The membrane concentration filtration technique which has proved very successful in use in areas of subperiodic filariasis in the Pacific, has been used to study an area of nocturnally periodic in Togo. The results obtained were similar to those from areas of low endemicity in the Pacific. The method was easy to apply under field conditions in Africa and the taking of venous blood samples proved competely acceptable to a rural population in south-eastern Togo.", "PMID": 781957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6048", "title": "[An electron microscopic study of the interaction between shigellae and cell cultures. II. Structuro-functional response of the chief cytoplasmic organoids of infected cells].", "content": "The initial mobilization of the protective power of amniotic cells under the influence of the intracellular parasite Shigellae Flexner was shown using qualitative and quantitative methods of electron microscopy. This mobilization is seen in the appearance and then concentration of membrane elements of the endoplasmic reticulum around the bacteria. The character of some degenerating changes confirms the opinion about the presence of an excreting endotoxin fraction in Shigellae Flexner.", "contents": "[An electron microscopic study of the interaction between shigellae and cell cultures. II. Structuro-functional response of the chief cytoplasmic organoids of infected cells]. The initial mobilization of the protective power of amniotic cells under the influence of the intracellular parasite Shigellae Flexner was shown using qualitative and quantitative methods of electron microscopy. This mobilization is seen in the appearance and then concentration of membrane elements of the endoplasmic reticulum around the bacteria. The character of some degenerating changes confirms the opinion about the presence of an excreting endotoxin fraction in Shigellae Flexner.", "PMID": 781958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6049", "title": "[The problem of intranuclear protein synthesis].", "content": "This review deals with the analysis of the conflinting situations that appear during the study of the translational apparatus in cell nuclei. Experimental approaches used to unravel this problem are surveyed.", "contents": "[The problem of intranuclear protein synthesis]. This review deals with the analysis of the conflinting situations that appear during the study of the translational apparatus in cell nuclei. Experimental approaches used to unravel this problem are surveyed.", "PMID": 781959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6050", "title": "[Somatic polyploidy in animal embryogenesis].", "content": "The evidence provided in our laboratory on somatic polyploidy is reviewed. The development of some embryonal cell populations being taken as an example, the main problems of somatic polyploidy are discussed: somatic polyploidy and proliferation, growth, cell differentiation and specialization, the significance of polyploidy in the development of embryonal populations, in the realization of development programs etc. The term \"somatic polyploidy\" is not thought to involve the complex of phenomena it designates. A new, more precise and general concept is proposed--\"hyperreplication of DNA\", which seems to cover indeed the whole complex of phenomena characterizing the increase of DNA content in the nuclei of somatic cells including the polyploid ones.", "contents": "[Somatic polyploidy in animal embryogenesis]. The evidence provided in our laboratory on somatic polyploidy is reviewed. The development of some embryonal cell populations being taken as an example, the main problems of somatic polyploidy are discussed: somatic polyploidy and proliferation, growth, cell differentiation and specialization, the significance of polyploidy in the development of embryonal populations, in the realization of development programs etc. The term \"somatic polyploidy\" is not thought to involve the complex of phenomena it designates. A new, more precise and general concept is proposed--\"hyperreplication of DNA\", which seems to cover indeed the whole complex of phenomena characterizing the increase of DNA content in the nuclei of somatic cells including the polyploid ones.", "PMID": 781960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6051", "title": "[Analysis of the Quastler--Sherman method and several questions concerning cell kinetics].", "content": "Examination of the Quastler--Sherman method revealed its non-correctness to measure the duration of G1-period and of mitotic cycle due to two points. First, the Quastler-Sherman method defines the duration of mitotic cycle period in an unnatural direction. Second, the method is based on the assumption of the equality in durations of the mitotic and cell life cycles. Therefore, the duration of presynthetic period and mitotic cycle appears to be extended. The data obtained show the temporal link between the kinetics of the mitotic cycle and the kinetics of the diurnal rhythm. It is suggested that the duration of mitotic cycle is equal to the period of diurnal rhythm of mitotic activity.", "contents": "[Analysis of the Quastler--Sherman method and several questions concerning cell kinetics]. Examination of the Quastler--Sherman method revealed its non-correctness to measure the duration of G1-period and of mitotic cycle due to two points. First, the Quastler-Sherman method defines the duration of mitotic cycle period in an unnatural direction. Second, the method is based on the assumption of the equality in durations of the mitotic and cell life cycles. Therefore, the duration of presynthetic period and mitotic cycle appears to be extended. The data obtained show the temporal link between the kinetics of the mitotic cycle and the kinetics of the diurnal rhythm. It is suggested that the duration of mitotic cycle is equal to the period of diurnal rhythm of mitotic activity.", "PMID": 781961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6052", "title": "A comparative study of daily and twice-weekly continuation regimens of tuberculosis chemotherapy, including a comparison of two durations of sanatorium treatment.", "content": "Further results are presented of a controlled clinical trial carried out in Czechoslovakia of chemotherapeutic regimens in pulmonary tuberculosis in which, following 3 months of standard triple chemotherapy, 3 continuation regimens allocated at random for up to 18 or 24 months were compared. These were PAS plus isoniazid daily, streptomycin plus isoniazid twice a week and streptomycin plus isoniazid twice a week up to 1 year and then streptomycin plus isoniazid once a week. After 3 years the results of all 3 continuation regimens were highly satisfactory and it was concluded that they were equally effective, but that the intermittent regimens have the advantage of stricter control over the patient's chemotherapy.", "contents": "A comparative study of daily and twice-weekly continuation regimens of tuberculosis chemotherapy, including a comparison of two durations of sanatorium treatment. Further results are presented of a controlled clinical trial carried out in Czechoslovakia of chemotherapeutic regimens in pulmonary tuberculosis in which, following 3 months of standard triple chemotherapy, 3 continuation regimens allocated at random for up to 18 or 24 months were compared. These were PAS plus isoniazid daily, streptomycin plus isoniazid twice a week and streptomycin plus isoniazid twice a week up to 1 year and then streptomycin plus isoniazid once a week. After 3 years the results of all 3 continuation regimens were highly satisfactory and it was concluded that they were equally effective, but that the intermittent regimens have the advantage of stricter control over the patient's chemotherapy.", "PMID": 781965} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6053", "title": "Xe133 elimination from human fat during negative- and positive-pressure breathing.", "content": "The elimination of Xe133 from a deposit in the subcutaneous adipose tissue outside the anterior tibial muscle was recorded by an external scintillation detector in 16 human subjects during normal breathing, negative-pressure breathing (-20 cm H2o), and positive-pressure breathing (+20 cm H2O). The ambient temperature was kept at 28.0 degrees C +/- 0.1 degrees, which can be considered a neutral temperature. The xenon clearance rate was increased during negative-pressure breathing by a mean of 68% and decreased during positive-pressure breathing by a mean of 73% when compared to normal breathing. The xenon-elimination rates during the different conditions may reflect corresponding changes in adipose-tissue blood flow. Because both negative- and positive-pressure breathing may occur during diving, the uptake and elimination of inert gases in adipose tissue of a diver may be influenced; thus, the risk of decompression sickness might also be affected. The results may therefore be of importance in diving routines and in the construction of breathing apparatus for divers.", "contents": "Xe133 elimination from human fat during negative- and positive-pressure breathing. The elimination of Xe133 from a deposit in the subcutaneous adipose tissue outside the anterior tibial muscle was recorded by an external scintillation detector in 16 human subjects during normal breathing, negative-pressure breathing (-20 cm H2o), and positive-pressure breathing (+20 cm H2O). The ambient temperature was kept at 28.0 degrees C +/- 0.1 degrees, which can be considered a neutral temperature. The xenon clearance rate was increased during negative-pressure breathing by a mean of 68% and decreased during positive-pressure breathing by a mean of 73% when compared to normal breathing. The xenon-elimination rates during the different conditions may reflect corresponding changes in adipose-tissue blood flow. Because both negative- and positive-pressure breathing may occur during diving, the uptake and elimination of inert gases in adipose tissue of a diver may be influenced; thus, the risk of decompression sickness might also be affected. The results may therefore be of importance in diving routines and in the construction of breathing apparatus for divers.", "PMID": 781973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6054", "title": "Early arabian medicine: contribution to urology.", "content": "Although a great deal of urology was written and practiced during the early Arabian era, most of it is still uncovered and not translated into the English language or translated by non-physicians. As Arab urologists, who have access to the original Arabic manuscripts, and as a token to our ancestors as well as to the modern urologist interested in Arab history we believe we should translate a part of this treasure.", "contents": "Early arabian medicine: contribution to urology. Although a great deal of urology was written and practiced during the early Arabian era, most of it is still uncovered and not translated into the English language or translated by non-physicians. As Arab urologists, who have access to the original Arabic manuscripts, and as a token to our ancestors as well as to the modern urologist interested in Arab history we believe we should translate a part of this treasure.", "PMID": 781976} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6055", "title": "Granulomatous disease of male genitalia.", "content": "Five cases of granulomatous disease of the male genitalia are presented. Of these, 3 cases involved foreign-body reactions in which some form of hydrocarbon was the causative agent. In the other 2 cases, idiopathic granulomatous processes were found, and this condition may be secondary to endogenous lipoid degenerative processes.", "contents": "Granulomatous disease of male genitalia. Five cases of granulomatous disease of the male genitalia are presented. Of these, 3 cases involved foreign-body reactions in which some form of hydrocarbon was the causative agent. In the other 2 cases, idiopathic granulomatous processes were found, and this condition may be secondary to endogenous lipoid degenerative processes.", "PMID": 781977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6056", "title": "Use of automated, on-line pyruvate analysis.", "content": "Normothermic blood perfusions of isolated canine liver were undertaken to determine the most sensitive and reliable indicators of viability. Perfusate flow rates and arterial and portal venous pressures were monitored. Arterial and venous concentrations of potassium, pyruvate, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and oxygen were monitored and the values stored on magnetic tape for computerized calculation of outputs. Continuous evaluation of taurocholate concentration in the perfusate allowed adjustment of infusion rate to provide a constant flow of bile across the hapatocytes. Pyruvate output, portal venous resistance, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase output and potassium output provided the earliest indices of deterioration. Bile flow and oxygen consumption remained constant until irreversible outflow block had occured. The earliest and most constant parameter signaling deteoration of the ex vivo liver was pyruvate output. The deteriorating liver released pyruvate into the perfusate, while the functioning organ consumed or maintained the available substrate. Since pyruvate output occurs before the onset of irreversible damage, measures can be enacted to reverse the deterioration. Restoration of the preparation can be evaluated through the cessation of pyruvate output.", "contents": "Use of automated, on-line pyruvate analysis. Normothermic blood perfusions of isolated canine liver were undertaken to determine the most sensitive and reliable indicators of viability. Perfusate flow rates and arterial and portal venous pressures were monitored. Arterial and venous concentrations of potassium, pyruvate, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and oxygen were monitored and the values stored on magnetic tape for computerized calculation of outputs. Continuous evaluation of taurocholate concentration in the perfusate allowed adjustment of infusion rate to provide a constant flow of bile across the hapatocytes. Pyruvate output, portal venous resistance, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase output and potassium output provided the earliest indices of deterioration. Bile flow and oxygen consumption remained constant until irreversible outflow block had occured. The earliest and most constant parameter signaling deteoration of the ex vivo liver was pyruvate output. The deteriorating liver released pyruvate into the perfusate, while the functioning organ consumed or maintained the available substrate. Since pyruvate output occurs before the onset of irreversible damage, measures can be enacted to reverse the deterioration. Restoration of the preparation can be evaluated through the cessation of pyruvate output.", "PMID": 781983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6057", "title": "A new biomaterial for the control of infection in the burn wound.", "content": "A synthetic dressing has been developed that isolates the burn wound to protect patients from microbial contamination. This dressing is unique as it is formed from a 2-component system directly on the wound, leaving no voids for microbial proliferation. The synthetic cover, HYDRON Burn Dressing, adheres to the entire wound surface so that additional dressings are not required. It is sufficiently flexible to permit patient mobility. The components used to form the dressing are an ultra-pure, high molecular weight form of HYDRON, a hydrophilic polymer, poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and Polethylene Glycol-400. The dressing is intended to be applied directly to the wound immediately post-burn, prior to sloughing or removal of the eschar, a period in the burn therapy regimen for which satisfactory alternative dressings are not readily available. Decreased frequency of dressing changes compared to conventional procedure provides an additional benefit with a corresponding reduction in pain to the patient. Gross examination of the wounds under the dressing has shown that the healing process proceeds similarly to that of wounds under conventional treatment. There is no evidence of fluid accumulation or maceration or desiccation of the eschar. In our series of 32 patients the barrier dressing formed on the wound has offered a new, effective procedure for treatment of the burn wound.", "contents": "A new biomaterial for the control of infection in the burn wound. A synthetic dressing has been developed that isolates the burn wound to protect patients from microbial contamination. This dressing is unique as it is formed from a 2-component system directly on the wound, leaving no voids for microbial proliferation. The synthetic cover, HYDRON Burn Dressing, adheres to the entire wound surface so that additional dressings are not required. It is sufficiently flexible to permit patient mobility. The components used to form the dressing are an ultra-pure, high molecular weight form of HYDRON, a hydrophilic polymer, poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and Polethylene Glycol-400. The dressing is intended to be applied directly to the wound immediately post-burn, prior to sloughing or removal of the eschar, a period in the burn therapy regimen for which satisfactory alternative dressings are not readily available. Decreased frequency of dressing changes compared to conventional procedure provides an additional benefit with a corresponding reduction in pain to the patient. Gross examination of the wounds under the dressing has shown that the healing process proceeds similarly to that of wounds under conventional treatment. There is no evidence of fluid accumulation or maceration or desiccation of the eschar. In our series of 32 patients the barrier dressing formed on the wound has offered a new, effective procedure for treatment of the burn wound.", "PMID": 781984} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6058", "title": "Hyperlipidemia following renal transplantation.", "content": "In a series of 175 adult renal transplant patients 59% of patients had hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia in these patients was characterized by both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia and on lipoprotein electrophoresis was demonstrated to be a mixture of types IIa, IIb and IV hyperlipoproteinemia. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels could both be related to the dosage of prednisone these patients received. Serum triglyceride levels could further be correlated with obesity and negatively with the duration of graft function. The latter relationship was felt to reflect the lower dose of prednisone that was administered the longer the duration of graft function. Hypertriglyceridemia was more prevalent in the 47 transplant patients who received kidneys from cadaver donors than in the 128 patients who received kidneys from related-donors. The cadaver-donor renal transplant patients, however, were receiving a larger maintenance dose of corticosteroids and had had functioning transplants for a shorter period of time. In 17 patients followed for up to 20 wks immediately following transplantation both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia developed within 8 wks of transplantation and persisted for the remaining 12 wks. Both serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in this early post-transplant phase could be related to the cumulative prednisone dosage.", "contents": "Hyperlipidemia following renal transplantation. In a series of 175 adult renal transplant patients 59% of patients had hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia in these patients was characterized by both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia and on lipoprotein electrophoresis was demonstrated to be a mixture of types IIa, IIb and IV hyperlipoproteinemia. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels could both be related to the dosage of prednisone these patients received. Serum triglyceride levels could further be correlated with obesity and negatively with the duration of graft function. The latter relationship was felt to reflect the lower dose of prednisone that was administered the longer the duration of graft function. Hypertriglyceridemia was more prevalent in the 47 transplant patients who received kidneys from cadaver donors than in the 128 patients who received kidneys from related-donors. The cadaver-donor renal transplant patients, however, were receiving a larger maintenance dose of corticosteroids and had had functioning transplants for a shorter period of time. In 17 patients followed for up to 20 wks immediately following transplantation both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia developed within 8 wks of transplantation and persisted for the remaining 12 wks. Both serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in this early post-transplant phase could be related to the cumulative prednisone dosage.", "PMID": 781985} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6059", "title": "[Hemorrhage after stomach resection in ulcer disease].", "content": "Under observation were over 3 500 patients, subjected to gastric resection for the complicated ulcerous disease. In the early postoperative period hemorrhage was observed in 42 patients, including bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract--in 23, in free abdominal cavity--in 19. In cases, when early profuse bleeding following gastric resection would not respond to intensive conservative measures, then urgent relaparotomy with the aim of haemostasis, replenishment of blood loss and correction of the internal medium seem to be indicated. Bleeding from forcibly remained low duodenal ulcer in Billroth-II gastrectomy can be arrested by means of duodenotomy and suturing of the ulcer bottom with U-shape sutures. For establishing in early diagnosis of hemorrhage into the abdomen its drainage after gastric resection with a rubber strip, brought out through a separate incision in the anterior abdominal wall in the right subcostal space, seems to be rather effective.", "contents": "[Hemorrhage after stomach resection in ulcer disease]. Under observation were over 3 500 patients, subjected to gastric resection for the complicated ulcerous disease. In the early postoperative period hemorrhage was observed in 42 patients, including bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract--in 23, in free abdominal cavity--in 19. In cases, when early profuse bleeding following gastric resection would not respond to intensive conservative measures, then urgent relaparotomy with the aim of haemostasis, replenishment of blood loss and correction of the internal medium seem to be indicated. Bleeding from forcibly remained low duodenal ulcer in Billroth-II gastrectomy can be arrested by means of duodenotomy and suturing of the ulcer bottom with U-shape sutures. For establishing in early diagnosis of hemorrhage into the abdomen its drainage after gastric resection with a rubber strip, brought out through a separate incision in the anterior abdominal wall in the right subcostal space, seems to be rather effective.", "PMID": 781993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6060", "title": "[Surgical tactics in hemorrhage from the upper segments of the digestive tract].", "content": "The results of surgical treatment of 100 patients with hemorrhage from the upper digestive tract (except gastric cancer and hepatic cirrhosis, complicated with bleeding esophageal varices) are discussed. The role of gastrotomy is emphasized, while vagotomy and drainage operations do not seem to be greatly warranted in treatment of chronic and acute gastroduodenal ulcers complicated with bleeding.", "contents": "[Surgical tactics in hemorrhage from the upper segments of the digestive tract]. The results of surgical treatment of 100 patients with hemorrhage from the upper digestive tract (except gastric cancer and hepatic cirrhosis, complicated with bleeding esophageal varices) are discussed. The role of gastrotomy is emphasized, while vagotomy and drainage operations do not seem to be greatly warranted in treatment of chronic and acute gastroduodenal ulcers complicated with bleeding.", "PMID": 781994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6061", "title": "[Surgical tactics in perforating gastroduodenal ulcer].", "content": "Under observation were 25 patients with perforation of gastroduodenal ulcers, treated under stationary conditions for other severe affections (cardio-vascular, neurological, urological, oncological, etc). The clinical picture of ulcer perforation against the background of some other grave lesion remains not infrequently vague for a long time. This renders a negative effect on terms of establishing the proper diagnosis and operative intervention. A gravity of the basic lesion frequently necessitates some accessory methods of exploration to establish the correct diagnosis, and dictates a need for consultation of different specialists for the maximum objective estimation of the status of the organism forces, as well as for a solution of the problem concerning a feasibility of surgery, its terms and extent. Among this category of patients the mortality rate was very high (16 of 25 patients died). The surgical policy should consist in the performance of an urgent operative procedure (ulcer suturing and adequate drainage of the abdominal cavity). Gastric resection seems to be warranted only in special cases.", "contents": "[Surgical tactics in perforating gastroduodenal ulcer]. Under observation were 25 patients with perforation of gastroduodenal ulcers, treated under stationary conditions for other severe affections (cardio-vascular, neurological, urological, oncological, etc). The clinical picture of ulcer perforation against the background of some other grave lesion remains not infrequently vague for a long time. This renders a negative effect on terms of establishing the proper diagnosis and operative intervention. A gravity of the basic lesion frequently necessitates some accessory methods of exploration to establish the correct diagnosis, and dictates a need for consultation of different specialists for the maximum objective estimation of the status of the organism forces, as well as for a solution of the problem concerning a feasibility of surgery, its terms and extent. Among this category of patients the mortality rate was very high (16 of 25 patients died). The surgical policy should consist in the performance of an urgent operative procedure (ulcer suturing and adequate drainage of the abdominal cavity). Gastric resection seems to be warranted only in special cases.", "PMID": 781995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6062", "title": "[Microsurgical operations on the nerves].", "content": "Employment of microsurgical methods in operations on nerves seems to be essential and inevitable, but it is delayed due to defects in the appropriate apparatus. Microphotography of cross sections of the nerve is absolutely necessary for the well-grounded prognosis and estimation of the results of treatment. The degree of freshening of nerve endings gained during surgery is mostly conditioned by the gravity and extent of intratruncal changes in the nerve. A precise passing of sutures through the epineurium and the corresponding juxtaposition of bundles, especially in joining fine nerves, is most reliably provided by operations with the use of an operative microscope.", "contents": "[Microsurgical operations on the nerves]. Employment of microsurgical methods in operations on nerves seems to be essential and inevitable, but it is delayed due to defects in the appropriate apparatus. Microphotography of cross sections of the nerve is absolutely necessary for the well-grounded prognosis and estimation of the results of treatment. The degree of freshening of nerve endings gained during surgery is mostly conditioned by the gravity and extent of intratruncal changes in the nerve. A precise passing of sutures through the epineurium and the corresponding juxtaposition of bundles, especially in joining fine nerves, is most reliably provided by operations with the use of an operative microscope.", "PMID": 781996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6063", "title": "[Surgical treatment of burns of the bones of the cranial vault].", "content": "In the paper an experience with treatment of 51 patients having burn lesions of the cranial vault bones is reported. The problems of surgical tactics in treatment of subjects with burn lesions such as terms and character of operative interventions, methods of replacement of the resulting wound defects of the cranial vault by means of various technic of skin plasty are discussed.", "contents": "[Surgical treatment of burns of the bones of the cranial vault]. In the paper an experience with treatment of 51 patients having burn lesions of the cranial vault bones is reported. The problems of surgical tactics in treatment of subjects with burn lesions such as terms and character of operative interventions, methods of replacement of the resulting wound defects of the cranial vault by means of various technic of skin plasty are discussed.", "PMID": 781997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6064", "title": "[Infectious complications after heart surgery].", "content": "In the paper the authors report their experience with the prophylaxis and treatment of infectious complications in 393 patients operated upon the heart. An increase of the specific weight of gram-negative bacteria as an etiological cause of infection and also the increase incidence of infection as the main or sole cause of mortality ill patients, operated upon under artifical circulation, were noted. Based on the study of various combinations of antibiotics against principal agents of surgical infection, it was found that a combination of bactericidal drugs such such as ampicillin with gentamycin or carbencillin with gentamycin proved to be the most effective and safe. Tetraolean was shown to be not effective enought against pyocyanic bacillus. Some information concerning the dosage and methods of using various antibiotics and their combinations for prophylaxis and treatment of suppurative complications is reported.", "contents": "[Infectious complications after heart surgery]. In the paper the authors report their experience with the prophylaxis and treatment of infectious complications in 393 patients operated upon the heart. An increase of the specific weight of gram-negative bacteria as an etiological cause of infection and also the increase incidence of infection as the main or sole cause of mortality ill patients, operated upon under artifical circulation, were noted. Based on the study of various combinations of antibiotics against principal agents of surgical infection, it was found that a combination of bactericidal drugs such such as ampicillin with gentamycin or carbencillin with gentamycin proved to be the most effective and safe. Tetraolean was shown to be not effective enought against pyocyanic bacillus. Some information concerning the dosage and methods of using various antibiotics and their combinations for prophylaxis and treatment of suppurative complications is reported.", "PMID": 782001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6065", "title": "The common diarrhoeas of sheep in Britain.", "content": "As every sheep farmer knows, diarrhoea is of common occurrence in animals of all ages in his flock. In lambs it can result in sigificant mortality while in older animals growth rates are reduced and weight loss can occur. Although diarrhoea can be an incidental finding in many sheep diseases, particularly in their terminal stages, only on those conditions are commented on in which diarrhoea is the predominant feature of the clinical syndrome. The subject is discussed below on both an age and seasonal basis and, if an initial assumption is made that lambing takes place at the traditional March/April period, animals will be increasing in age as the seasons progress. Thus the sequence commences in the spring with the young lamb and concludes the following winter with the adult.", "contents": "The common diarrhoeas of sheep in Britain. As every sheep farmer knows, diarrhoea is of common occurrence in animals of all ages in his flock. In lambs it can result in sigificant mortality while in older animals growth rates are reduced and weight loss can occur. Although diarrhoea can be an incidental finding in many sheep diseases, particularly in their terminal stages, only on those conditions are commented on in which diarrhoea is the predominant feature of the clinical syndrome. The subject is discussed below on both an age and seasonal basis and, if an initial assumption is made that lambing takes place at the traditional March/April period, animals will be increasing in age as the seasons progress. Thus the sequence commences in the spring with the young lamb and concludes the following winter with the adult.", "PMID": 782007} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6066", "title": "Humoral immunity in the pig.", "content": "The newborn pig relies on colostrum as its sole source for serum antibody and milk for its intestinal antibody during most of the post natal period. Colostrum and milk are well adapted to perform their very different immune functions--immunoglobulin in colostrum being derived from serum, whereas milk antibodies are locally produced in the mammary gland and mirror the immunoglobulin profile of adult intestinal juice. Intramammary vaccination is far superior to intramuscular vaccination because it produces not only a local but a systemic response. Oral vaccination is similarly effective. Vaccination of one mammary gland results in antibody activity in the secretion of all glands. Irrespective of the route of vaccination, antibody activity is found in all immunoglobulin classes. The main site of immunoglobulin-containing cells is the lamina propria of the intestinal tract, suggesting that the gut is a major site of immunoglobulin formation. In the piglet, immunoglobulin producing cells first appear in the gut at the end of the first week of life and reach a mature profile after a month. During this period the piglet is likely to be capable of responding to orally presented antigens.", "contents": "Humoral immunity in the pig. The newborn pig relies on colostrum as its sole source for serum antibody and milk for its intestinal antibody during most of the post natal period. Colostrum and milk are well adapted to perform their very different immune functions--immunoglobulin in colostrum being derived from serum, whereas milk antibodies are locally produced in the mammary gland and mirror the immunoglobulin profile of adult intestinal juice. Intramammary vaccination is far superior to intramuscular vaccination because it produces not only a local but a systemic response. Oral vaccination is similarly effective. Vaccination of one mammary gland results in antibody activity in the secretion of all glands. Irrespective of the route of vaccination, antibody activity is found in all immunoglobulin classes. The main site of immunoglobulin-containing cells is the lamina propria of the intestinal tract, suggesting that the gut is a major site of immunoglobulin formation. In the piglet, immunoglobulin producing cells first appear in the gut at the end of the first week of life and reach a mature profile after a month. During this period the piglet is likely to be capable of responding to orally presented antigens.", "PMID": 782008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6067", "title": "[Streptococcosis in chickens. II. Cultural, morphological and biochemical studies of streptococcal strains].", "content": "Isolated were a total of 33 Streptococcus strains during two enzootics in adult and young chickens. Their cultural, morphologic, and biochemical aspects were studied in order to elucidate the biotype to which they belonged. Taking into consideration their capacity to ferment trehalose and the fact that they failed to ferment sorbite along with their beta-hemolytic activity, belonging to serologic group C, these Streptococcus cultures were determined as Streptococcus pyogenes hum. C.", "contents": "[Streptococcosis in chickens. II. Cultural, morphological and biochemical studies of streptococcal strains]. Isolated were a total of 33 Streptococcus strains during two enzootics in adult and young chickens. Their cultural, morphologic, and biochemical aspects were studied in order to elucidate the biotype to which they belonged. Taking into consideration their capacity to ferment trehalose and the fact that they failed to ferment sorbite along with their beta-hemolytic activity, belonging to serologic group C, these Streptococcus cultures were determined as Streptococcus pyogenes hum. C.", "PMID": 782018} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6068", "title": "[F\u00e9lix K\u00e1nitz on animal husbandry in northern Bulgaria and the Stara Planina at the end of the Turkish occupation].", "content": "The Hungarian geographer, archaeologist, and ethnographer K\u00e1nitz F\u00e9lix, great friend and admirer of the Bulgarian people has left valuable and comprehensive information about North Bulgaria and the Balkan Mountain by the end of the Ottoman oppression in his work La Bulgarie Danubienne et le Balkan (1882). The book contains also valuable references concerning the animal breeding activities within the 1860-1880 period in this part of the world. In the mountainous region in Bulgaria sheep- and goat-breeding were well developed, and this accounted to a large extent for the destruction of forests. Numerous and large flocks of sheep were raised in Dobrouja, a portion of which belonged to the famous shepherds of the town of Kotel. During the winter season a great number of flocks from Transylvania were also kept in this region. The breeding of sheep was the main source of meat supply both for North Bulgaria and the Balkan Mount region and for the markets of the Ottoman Empire. It also yielded a total of 120,000 okas of wool (78 okas = 100 kg) annually to meet the needs of the Empire manufacture as centered at that time in the town of Sliven for the production of textiles for the army. The raising of cattle was also prosperous during the same time. On the other hand, stock breeding was unfavourably influenced by heavy taxing in the form of both cash payment and remuneration in kind, by requisitioning (especially in war time) and the endless thefts and robberies done by tatars and cherkesses that had moved to this country from Caucasus. This exploitation concerned equally Bulgarian and Turkish animal breeders.", "contents": "[F\u00e9lix K\u00e1nitz on animal husbandry in northern Bulgaria and the Stara Planina at the end of the Turkish occupation]. The Hungarian geographer, archaeologist, and ethnographer K\u00e1nitz F\u00e9lix, great friend and admirer of the Bulgarian people has left valuable and comprehensive information about North Bulgaria and the Balkan Mountain by the end of the Ottoman oppression in his work La Bulgarie Danubienne et le Balkan (1882). The book contains also valuable references concerning the animal breeding activities within the 1860-1880 period in this part of the world. In the mountainous region in Bulgaria sheep- and goat-breeding were well developed, and this accounted to a large extent for the destruction of forests. Numerous and large flocks of sheep were raised in Dobrouja, a portion of which belonged to the famous shepherds of the town of Kotel. During the winter season a great number of flocks from Transylvania were also kept in this region. The breeding of sheep was the main source of meat supply both for North Bulgaria and the Balkan Mount region and for the markets of the Ottoman Empire. It also yielded a total of 120,000 okas of wool (78 okas = 100 kg) annually to meet the needs of the Empire manufacture as centered at that time in the town of Sliven for the production of textiles for the army. The raising of cattle was also prosperous during the same time. On the other hand, stock breeding was unfavourably influenced by heavy taxing in the form of both cash payment and remuneration in kind, by requisitioning (especially in war time) and the endless thefts and robberies done by tatars and cherkesses that had moved to this country from Caucasus. This exploitation concerned equally Bulgarian and Turkish animal breeders.", "PMID": 782019} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6069", "title": "[Prognostication of the outcome of surgical treatment of hemorrhagic strokes using a computer].", "content": "A new mathematical method is suggested for making the prognosis of the results of surgery for haemorrhagic strokes due to essential hypertension and atherosclerosis. Twenty-two signs characterizing the patient's state are fed into the computer trained on the basis of 124 case reports of patients, both surviving and dying after surgery. The computer operating in accordance with the \"Kopa-3\" programme works out a vital prognosis for both the medicamental and surgical treatment. The prognosis proved correct in 90% of the cases. The described method permits an objective determination of the indications for surgery in hemorrhagic stroke.", "contents": "[Prognostication of the outcome of surgical treatment of hemorrhagic strokes using a computer]. A new mathematical method is suggested for making the prognosis of the results of surgery for haemorrhagic strokes due to essential hypertension and atherosclerosis. Twenty-two signs characterizing the patient's state are fed into the computer trained on the basis of 124 case reports of patients, both surviving and dying after surgery. The computer operating in accordance with the \"Kopa-3\" programme works out a vital prognosis for both the medicamental and surgical treatment. The prognosis proved correct in 90% of the cases. The described method permits an objective determination of the indications for surgery in hemorrhagic stroke.", "PMID": 782027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6070", "title": "[In vitro susceptibility of the proteins of wheat-protein and bran-protein bread to attack by gastric and pancreatic proteolytic enzymes].", "content": "The hydrolysis of proteins contained in the dietetic protein-rich bread with crystalline pepsin, trypsin and chemotrypsin was studied for the first time by using an apparatus devised by A. A. Pokrovsky and I. D. Ertanov and by following procedures as proposed by them (1968). By the end of every hour of the experiment 4.31 and 4.04, 7.88 and 4.90, 9.20 and 6.00, 12.96 and 11.72,19.00 and 12.55, 21.14 and 14.00 per cent of the initial quantity of the proteins contained in these two types of bread were hydrolysed respectively. The susceptibility to the action of enzymes on the part of the study products proved much lower than the theoretical proteinic values of the wheat, rye bread (M. S. Marshak, 1971) and below the results obtained by the analogous tests with the proteolysis of the ordinary bread proteins. Inasmuch as the protein-rich bread is baked according to the 1936 formulation an inference is drawn on the expediency of enriching such bread with dairy protein, rye gluten and belip, which will rresult in a more acceptable ratio of tryptophan/lysine and should, apparently, contribute to a greater intensity of the proteins hydrolysis in case of such a bread when it reaches the stomach and the proximal segment of the small intestine.", "contents": "[In vitro susceptibility of the proteins of wheat-protein and bran-protein bread to attack by gastric and pancreatic proteolytic enzymes]. The hydrolysis of proteins contained in the dietetic protein-rich bread with crystalline pepsin, trypsin and chemotrypsin was studied for the first time by using an apparatus devised by A. A. Pokrovsky and I. D. Ertanov and by following procedures as proposed by them (1968). By the end of every hour of the experiment 4.31 and 4.04, 7.88 and 4.90, 9.20 and 6.00, 12.96 and 11.72,19.00 and 12.55, 21.14 and 14.00 per cent of the initial quantity of the proteins contained in these two types of bread were hydrolysed respectively. The susceptibility to the action of enzymes on the part of the study products proved much lower than the theoretical proteinic values of the wheat, rye bread (M. S. Marshak, 1971) and below the results obtained by the analogous tests with the proteolysis of the ordinary bread proteins. Inasmuch as the protein-rich bread is baked according to the 1936 formulation an inference is drawn on the expediency of enriching such bread with dairy protein, rye gluten and belip, which will rresult in a more acceptable ratio of tryptophan/lysine and should, apparently, contribute to a greater intensity of the proteins hydrolysis in case of such a bread when it reaches the stomach and the proximal segment of the small intestine.", "PMID": 782031} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6071", "title": "Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections of adults and children.", "content": "Although the hallmark of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is pneumonia, the organism is also responsible for a protean array of other symptoms. With an increased awareness of the board clinical spectrum of M. pneumoniae disease and the ready availability of the cold agglutinin and M. pneumoniae complement-fixation tests, interested clinicians will note additional clinical-mycoplasmal associations in their patients.", "contents": "Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections of adults and children. Although the hallmark of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is pneumonia, the organism is also responsible for a protean array of other symptoms. With an increased awareness of the board clinical spectrum of M. pneumoniae disease and the ready availability of the cold agglutinin and M. pneumoniae complement-fixation tests, interested clinicians will note additional clinical-mycoplasmal associations in their patients.", "PMID": 782043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6072", "title": "[Diagnosis, pathology and therapy of malignant melanoma of the skin (author's transl)].", "content": "New concepts on early recognition, classification and histopathology of malignant melanoma of the skin are discussed in this review. Melanoma research over the past years has lead to an essential change in attitude with regard to various problems posed by prognosis and therapy.", "contents": "[Diagnosis, pathology and therapy of malignant melanoma of the skin (author's transl)]. New concepts on early recognition, classification and histopathology of malignant melanoma of the skin are discussed in this review. Melanoma research over the past years has lead to an essential change in attitude with regard to various problems posed by prognosis and therapy.", "PMID": 782045} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6073", "title": "[Free skin grafts in plastic surgery. Transplantation techniques and indications (author's transl)].", "content": "Basic techniques and indications for free split and full-thickness grafts are outlined on the basis of experience gained in surgical management of selected cases at the First Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna. A well-prepared wound bed, correct choice of procedure, good operative and dressing technique and careful follow-up therapy lead to good results which are also aesthetically acceptable to the patient.", "contents": "[Free skin grafts in plastic surgery. Transplantation techniques and indications (author's transl)]. Basic techniques and indications for free split and full-thickness grafts are outlined on the basis of experience gained in surgical management of selected cases at the First Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna. A well-prepared wound bed, correct choice of procedure, good operative and dressing technique and careful follow-up therapy lead to good results which are also aesthetically acceptable to the patient.", "PMID": 782046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6074", "title": "Further studies of some \"nontypable\" group A streptococci.", "content": "Thirty-two strains of group A hemolytic streptococci which could not be M typed with the available typing sera in Nashville, Tenn., were reinvestigated at the Streptococcus Reference Laboratory in Colindale, England, in order to estimate the efficacy of other antisera not available in Nashville and newer techniques (the opacity factor inhibition test) of typing strains not isolated in England. Fifty percent were eventually typed and all but four contained enough M protein to suggest that they would have been typed had the appropriate typing sera been available. The results indicate that group A streptococci truly lacking M protein were seldom isolated from the Nashville children from whom the streptococci were cultured. Several factors responsible for nontypability were considered, including the nonavailability of the necessary type-specific antisera and loss of M protein due to a change from Matt to glossy colonial types in the laboratory.", "contents": "Further studies of some \"nontypable\" group A streptococci. Thirty-two strains of group A hemolytic streptococci which could not be M typed with the available typing sera in Nashville, Tenn., were reinvestigated at the Streptococcus Reference Laboratory in Colindale, England, in order to estimate the efficacy of other antisera not available in Nashville and newer techniques (the opacity factor inhibition test) of typing strains not isolated in England. Fifty percent were eventually typed and all but four contained enough M protein to suggest that they would have been typed had the appropriate typing sera been available. The results indicate that group A streptococci truly lacking M protein were seldom isolated from the Nashville children from whom the streptococci were cultured. Several factors responsible for nontypability were considered, including the nonavailability of the necessary type-specific antisera and loss of M protein due to a change from Matt to glossy colonial types in the laboratory.", "PMID": 782048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6075", "title": "Causation and disease: the Henle-Koch postulates revisited.", "content": "The Henle-Koch postulates are reviewed in terms of their full validity in Koch's day and in light of subsequent developments. The changing guidelines developed for viral diseases, for viruses in relation to cancer and to chronic central nervous system infection, and for causative agents in chronic diseases are discussed chronologically. A set of guidelines for both acute infectious and chronic diseases is presented. The need for recognizing the role of the host and the spectrum of host responses, for sound biologic sense in evaluating causal roles of agents in disease, and for flexibility in adapting our guidelines to new knowledge are emphasized.", "contents": "Causation and disease: the Henle-Koch postulates revisited. The Henle-Koch postulates are reviewed in terms of their full validity in Koch's day and in light of subsequent developments. The changing guidelines developed for viral diseases, for viruses in relation to cancer and to chronic central nervous system infection, and for causative agents in chronic diseases are discussed chronologically. A set of guidelines for both acute infectious and chronic diseases is presented. The need for recognizing the role of the host and the spectrum of host responses, for sound biologic sense in evaluating causal roles of agents in disease, and for flexibility in adapting our guidelines to new knowledge are emphasized.", "PMID": 782050} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6076", "title": "[Correlations of the Personal Sphere Model and Rorschach Projection tests. (A factorial examination of the validity of the Personal Sphere Model using the Rorschach Test)].", "content": "The most important results of the factor analysis of 11 variables of the Personal Sphere Model and 14 variables of the Rorschach-Test have shown in both tests common radicals appearing in the evaluation as well of the structure of personality as of the behaviour of man. Both tests emphasize the possibility of objectivating pathological traits of personality: the difference consisting in the fact, that this traits are coming out more distinctly in the Rorschach-Test, while in the Personal Sphere Model the psychodynamic factors of the ability of building object relationships of overcoming seperations are appearing more clearly. The most relevant conformity of both tests is the possibility of distinctly projecting the defense mechanism of aggression.", "contents": "[Correlations of the Personal Sphere Model and Rorschach Projection tests. (A factorial examination of the validity of the Personal Sphere Model using the Rorschach Test)]. The most important results of the factor analysis of 11 variables of the Personal Sphere Model and 14 variables of the Rorschach-Test have shown in both tests common radicals appearing in the evaluation as well of the structure of personality as of the behaviour of man. Both tests emphasize the possibility of objectivating pathological traits of personality: the difference consisting in the fact, that this traits are coming out more distinctly in the Rorschach-Test, while in the Personal Sphere Model the psychodynamic factors of the ability of building object relationships of overcoming seperations are appearing more clearly. The most relevant conformity of both tests is the possibility of distinctly projecting the defense mechanism of aggression.", "PMID": 782056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6077", "title": "[Effect of diabetes mellitus on a personality development disorder - and its influence on the course of the disease].", "content": "Is there an influence of diabetes mellitus on a neurotic development of personality - that is the question of the present research. And specially: Are there special problems in interaction with the patient, who suffers on diabetes mellitus? We strictly have to make a distinction between the somato-psychic and psycho-somatic approach: The influence of diabetes mellitus in development of personality means, that there is an influence of somatic factors on the psyche. The influence of an neurotic personality on formation and development of diabetes mellitus means, that there is an influence of psychological factors on the soma. This difference often will be ignored. Oralic needs also can be the consequence of somatic disorders, and do not have to be originate exclusive from childhood - even if psychoanalytic oriented colleagues will contest this fact.", "contents": "[Effect of diabetes mellitus on a personality development disorder - and its influence on the course of the disease]. Is there an influence of diabetes mellitus on a neurotic development of personality - that is the question of the present research. And specially: Are there special problems in interaction with the patient, who suffers on diabetes mellitus? We strictly have to make a distinction between the somato-psychic and psycho-somatic approach: The influence of diabetes mellitus in development of personality means, that there is an influence of somatic factors on the psyche. The influence of an neurotic personality on formation and development of diabetes mellitus means, that there is an influence of psychological factors on the soma. This difference often will be ignored. Oralic needs also can be the consequence of somatic disorders, and do not have to be originate exclusive from childhood - even if psychoanalytic oriented colleagues will contest this fact.", "PMID": 782057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6078", "title": "[The presence of fluorescein-conjugated antibodies in synovial tissues of rheumatic joints].", "content": "With a modified Coons technique synovial tissue, anti human IgG, IgA, IgM, anti-coeruloplasmine, anti-transferrin, and anti-fibrin were investigated by means of immunofluorescence and evaluated with reference to place, type, and intensity of fluorescence. It was shown that fibrin deposits in the synovial tissue in rheumatoid synovitis do not only consist of the actual fibrin but often of immune complexes. These were mainly found near vessels and necroses, whereas unspecific fibrin was detected mainly in fibers and limiting areas. Coeruloplasmine and transferrin seem to have a marked affinity to pathogenetically changed fibers, whereas they do not combine with normal fibers. In seropositive RA remarkable immuno fluorescence was observed in vessels. From these facts certain etiological conclusions on rheumatoid diseases can be drawn.", "contents": "[The presence of fluorescein-conjugated antibodies in synovial tissues of rheumatic joints]. With a modified Coons technique synovial tissue, anti human IgG, IgA, IgM, anti-coeruloplasmine, anti-transferrin, and anti-fibrin were investigated by means of immunofluorescence and evaluated with reference to place, type, and intensity of fluorescence. It was shown that fibrin deposits in the synovial tissue in rheumatoid synovitis do not only consist of the actual fibrin but often of immune complexes. These were mainly found near vessels and necroses, whereas unspecific fibrin was detected mainly in fibers and limiting areas. Coeruloplasmine and transferrin seem to have a marked affinity to pathogenetically changed fibers, whereas they do not combine with normal fibers. In seropositive RA remarkable immuno fluorescence was observed in vessels. From these facts certain etiological conclusions on rheumatoid diseases can be drawn.", "PMID": 782079} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6079", "title": "Comparison of antinuclear antibody determinations in unselected sera by consumption test and immunofluorescence.", "content": "The correlation of the determination of antinuclear antibodies, as shown by consumption tests and immunofluorescence was investigated in a collective of 100 sera of patients suspected for SLE, collagenosis and rheumatoid arthritis, sent for routine screening investigation. The results of both methods correlated in 78% of sera, both results being either positive or negative. No correlation was observed in 22% of sera, one test being positive, the other negative. Statistical evaluation by the X2 test showed that both techniques did not differ statistically in their results. A correlation coefficient r=0,45 indicated furthermore that the results of both techniques correlated significantly. The percentage of positive results obtained with these and other methods is discussed.", "contents": "Comparison of antinuclear antibody determinations in unselected sera by consumption test and immunofluorescence. The correlation of the determination of antinuclear antibodies, as shown by consumption tests and immunofluorescence was investigated in a collective of 100 sera of patients suspected for SLE, collagenosis and rheumatoid arthritis, sent for routine screening investigation. The results of both methods correlated in 78% of sera, both results being either positive or negative. No correlation was observed in 22% of sera, one test being positive, the other negative. Statistical evaluation by the X2 test showed that both techniques did not differ statistically in their results. A correlation coefficient r=0,45 indicated furthermore that the results of both techniques correlated significantly. The percentage of positive results obtained with these and other methods is discussed.", "PMID": 782080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6080", "title": "[Pathography of 4 famous persons of the Spanish House of Habsburg].", "content": "By means of a biographic analysis from historic sources an attempt is made to illustrate the psychopathologically relevant substratum of the life-history of Joan the Mad, Charles V., Philipp II. and Don Carlos. According to the author, it seems that, apart from the psychoanalytical concept, the phenomenological, descriptive-analytical procedure ist particularly suitable for the presentation of the mental aspect in the historiography.", "contents": "[Pathography of 4 famous persons of the Spanish House of Habsburg]. By means of a biographic analysis from historic sources an attempt is made to illustrate the psychopathologically relevant substratum of the life-history of Joan the Mad, Charles V., Philipp II. and Don Carlos. According to the author, it seems that, apart from the psychoanalytical concept, the phenomenological, descriptive-analytical procedure ist particularly suitable for the presentation of the mental aspect in the historiography.", "PMID": 782081} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6081", "title": "[Continuity resection in tumors of the tube bones, indication and technique].", "content": "The continuity resection of benign, semimalignant and malignant tumours above all of the long bones as well as defect bridging of bone substance with bone autograft is a serious ordeal for the patient, a technically difficult procedure with the possibility of various complications. Therefore the indication should be limited specifically. The technique of bridging plastics requires on adequate bone substitute of sufficient stability. Seven typical cases are represented and discussed.", "contents": "[Continuity resection in tumors of the tube bones, indication and technique]. The continuity resection of benign, semimalignant and malignant tumours above all of the long bones as well as defect bridging of bone substance with bone autograft is a serious ordeal for the patient, a technically difficult procedure with the possibility of various complications. Therefore the indication should be limited specifically. The technique of bridging plastics requires on adequate bone substitute of sufficient stability. Seven typical cases are represented and discussed.", "PMID": 782087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6082", "title": "[Vaginal impalement-injury with intraperitoneal foreign body in a 5-year-old child].", "content": "In case of childish haemorrhage it is absolutely necessary to consult a gynaecologist without delay, who has special knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the still unripe genital organs. The following publication informs about a rare hurt by a stick causing a perforation of the abdominal cavity of a five-year old girl, who was taken to a gynaecological hospital in a bad peritoneal shock only about six hours later.", "contents": "[Vaginal impalement-injury with intraperitoneal foreign body in a 5-year-old child]. In case of childish haemorrhage it is absolutely necessary to consult a gynaecologist without delay, who has special knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the still unripe genital organs. The following publication informs about a rare hurt by a stick causing a perforation of the abdominal cavity of a five-year old girl, who was taken to a gynaecological hospital in a bad peritoneal shock only about six hours later.", "PMID": 782091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6083", "title": "[Post-hysterectomy vesicovaginal fistulae; surgical treatment, results].", "content": "Four methods of fistulorrhaphy used by us in 96 cases of vesicovaginal fistulas after hysterectomy are described. Obtained results are presented.", "contents": "[Post-hysterectomy vesicovaginal fistulae; surgical treatment, results]. Four methods of fistulorrhaphy used by us in 96 cases of vesicovaginal fistulas after hysterectomy are described. Obtained results are presented.", "PMID": 782092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6084", "title": "[Progress in the prevention and control of urologic complications of the cervix carcinoma. I. Urinary tract infections].", "content": "An investigation was made on patients with cervical carcinoma to test the efficiency of a general administration of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs which are commonly used in urology. The study has been made to analyze the frequency of pathological findings in the urinary tract, in general, and, in particular, the pattern of bacteriological findings as well as antibiogramms at different times of carcinoma therapy. Additionally, consideration was given to the bacteriological situation before the onset of carcinoma therapy and to manifest urologic complications during and after carcinoma therapy. In cases of primary absence of bacteria in urine the therapy preferably used in this clinic was that with chloramphenicol and nifurantin administered up to the 4th week after operation and this was sufficient in two thirds of cases. Conversely, in patients with primary bacteriuria the results of treatment after 4 weeks were satisfactory in only one third of the cases. This poses the necessity of making a more subtle selection of drugs including broad spectrum penicillins. Moreover, therapy has to be continued mainly for women with a previous urological history and for women in whom infections of the urinary tract were observed on release from the hospital. In addition to prevention of chronic pyelonephritis improvement of postoperative wound healing as well as restriction of ureteral fibrosis, hydronephrosis and uremia, as a result of general control of infection are also of considerable importance.", "contents": "[Progress in the prevention and control of urologic complications of the cervix carcinoma. I. Urinary tract infections]. An investigation was made on patients with cervical carcinoma to test the efficiency of a general administration of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs which are commonly used in urology. The study has been made to analyze the frequency of pathological findings in the urinary tract, in general, and, in particular, the pattern of bacteriological findings as well as antibiogramms at different times of carcinoma therapy. Additionally, consideration was given to the bacteriological situation before the onset of carcinoma therapy and to manifest urologic complications during and after carcinoma therapy. In cases of primary absence of bacteria in urine the therapy preferably used in this clinic was that with chloramphenicol and nifurantin administered up to the 4th week after operation and this was sufficient in two thirds of cases. Conversely, in patients with primary bacteriuria the results of treatment after 4 weeks were satisfactory in only one third of the cases. This poses the necessity of making a more subtle selection of drugs including broad spectrum penicillins. Moreover, therapy has to be continued mainly for women with a previous urological history and for women in whom infections of the urinary tract were observed on release from the hospital. In addition to prevention of chronic pyelonephritis improvement of postoperative wound healing as well as restriction of ureteral fibrosis, hydronephrosis and uremia, as a result of general control of infection are also of considerable importance.", "PMID": 782093} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6085", "title": "[The role of the water factor in the spread of dysentery on river vessels].", "content": "Results of epidemiological and statistical analysis of the indices of dysentery morbidity and bacteriological examination of drinking water pointed to the significant role of the water factor in the spread of dysentery on the river vessels.", "contents": "[The role of the water factor in the spread of dysentery on river vessels]. Results of epidemiological and statistical analysis of the indices of dysentery morbidity and bacteriological examination of drinking water pointed to the significant role of the water factor in the spread of dysentery on the river vessels.", "PMID": 782097} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6086", "title": "[Temperature-dependent mutants of Hly plasmid and their use for the purpose of confirming the cytotoxic activity of E. coli hemolysin].", "content": "Two different mutants of Hly 212 plasmide induced by diethyl sulfate were isolated; one of these was characterized by temperature-dependent synthesis, and the other--by temperature-sensitivity of hemolysin produced. In difference from bacteria possessing wild parental plasmide, E. coli K12 bacteria which contained the mutants produced no cytotoxic action on the MK2 cell culture. This correlated with the absence of the hemolytic activity in growing them even at permissible temperature on medium No 199. After crossing the mutant plasmides there were obtained clones with completely restored wild phenotype of the hemolysin production and the cytotoxic activity. The data obtained pointed to the relationship between the cytotoxicity and hemolysin.", "contents": "[Temperature-dependent mutants of Hly plasmid and their use for the purpose of confirming the cytotoxic activity of E. coli hemolysin]. Two different mutants of Hly 212 plasmide induced by diethyl sulfate were isolated; one of these was characterized by temperature-dependent synthesis, and the other--by temperature-sensitivity of hemolysin produced. In difference from bacteria possessing wild parental plasmide, E. coli K12 bacteria which contained the mutants produced no cytotoxic action on the MK2 cell culture. This correlated with the absence of the hemolytic activity in growing them even at permissible temperature on medium No 199. After crossing the mutant plasmides there were obtained clones with completely restored wild phenotype of the hemolysin production and the cytotoxic activity. The data obtained pointed to the relationship between the cytotoxicity and hemolysin.", "PMID": 782098} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6087", "title": "[A new variant, for the USSR, of enteropathogenic escherichia 0151:K--, isolated from acute intestinal diseases under the conditional name \"Crimea\"].", "content": "A study was made of enteropathogenic escherichia \"Krym\" isolated in the USSR from patients with acute enteric diseases; their antigenic structure was unknown. Also cultures of new serological groups officially recorded as standard test-strains were investigated. By its antigenic structure \"Krym\" escherichia corresponded to the standard strain of the international set 0151:K--. Along with the H10 antigen described earlier \"Krym\" escherichia proved to possess H11 antigen; these two serological types of escherichia were revealed in the USSR, i.e. 0151:K--: H10 and 0151:K--: H11. The statement on the presence of a new H50 antigen described in escherichia 880-67 with an antigenic formula of 0151:K--: H50 should be revised due to its complex identity with the 0151: K--: H10 strain. For proper serological identification the conditioned name \"Krym\" should be replaced by \"escherichia of serological group 0151:K--\".", "contents": "[A new variant, for the USSR, of enteropathogenic escherichia 0151:K--, isolated from acute intestinal diseases under the conditional name \"Crimea\"]. A study was made of enteropathogenic escherichia \"Krym\" isolated in the USSR from patients with acute enteric diseases; their antigenic structure was unknown. Also cultures of new serological groups officially recorded as standard test-strains were investigated. By its antigenic structure \"Krym\" escherichia corresponded to the standard strain of the international set 0151:K--. Along with the H10 antigen described earlier \"Krym\" escherichia proved to possess H11 antigen; these two serological types of escherichia were revealed in the USSR, i.e. 0151:K--: H10 and 0151:K--: H11. The statement on the presence of a new H50 antigen described in escherichia 880-67 with an antigenic formula of 0151:K--: H50 should be revised due to its complex identity with the 0151: K--: H10 strain. For proper serological identification the conditioned name \"Krym\" should be replaced by \"escherichia of serological group 0151:K--\".", "PMID": 782103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6088", "title": "[Biological characteristics of salmonellae isolated from different clinical disease forms].", "content": "The same types of salmonellae with the same antigenic structure could be the causative agents of various clinical forms of diseases. Two groups of strains of 11 serological types isolated from the patients were studied on 4 biological models: in the keratoconjunctival test on guinea pigs, on a pulmonary model, on an isolated loop of the rabbit intestine and on chick embryos. Results demonstrated that the form of the disease could be a reflection not only of the state of the macroorganism reactivity, but also of the characteristics of the strain of the causative agent. Thus, of 23 strains isolated from the patients with dysentery-like and typhoid form of salmonellosis, 6 caused keratoconjunctivitis and demonstrated a high virulence on all the models in comparison with the 22 strains isolated from patients with the gastrointestinal form.", "contents": "[Biological characteristics of salmonellae isolated from different clinical disease forms]. The same types of salmonellae with the same antigenic structure could be the causative agents of various clinical forms of diseases. Two groups of strains of 11 serological types isolated from the patients were studied on 4 biological models: in the keratoconjunctival test on guinea pigs, on a pulmonary model, on an isolated loop of the rabbit intestine and on chick embryos. Results demonstrated that the form of the disease could be a reflection not only of the state of the macroorganism reactivity, but also of the characteristics of the strain of the causative agent. Thus, of 23 strains isolated from the patients with dysentery-like and typhoid form of salmonellosis, 6 caused keratoconjunctivitis and demonstrated a high virulence on all the models in comparison with the 22 strains isolated from patients with the gastrointestinal form.", "PMID": 782105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6089", "title": "[Effect of antitissue serum antibodies cross reacting with microbial antigens on the course of the infectious process].", "content": "Administration of rabbit and mouse antirenal and antihepatic sera, containing antibodies to the vaccines of streptococcus group C and Candida albicans, to CBA mice 24 hours before infection intensified the severity of the course of the streptococcus and candida infection. On the contrary, antibodies isolated from rabbit and mouse antirenal and antiskin sera cross-reacting with the microbial antigens attenuated the course of an infectious process caused by the corresponding causative agent, when these antibodies were administered to the animals.", "contents": "[Effect of antitissue serum antibodies cross reacting with microbial antigens on the course of the infectious process]. Administration of rabbit and mouse antirenal and antihepatic sera, containing antibodies to the vaccines of streptococcus group C and Candida albicans, to CBA mice 24 hours before infection intensified the severity of the course of the streptococcus and candida infection. On the contrary, antibodies isolated from rabbit and mouse antirenal and antiskin sera cross-reacting with the microbial antigens attenuated the course of an infectious process caused by the corresponding causative agent, when these antibodies were administered to the animals.", "PMID": 782112} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6090", "title": "[Humoral factors in the stimulation of immunogenesis in a toxic lesion of the liver].", "content": "The work was aimed at the study of possibilities of passive transfer of the immunostimulating effect (with the aid of blood serum) observed in various pathological conditions of the liver. Investigations were carried out on rabbits poisoned with carbon tetrachloride (primary serum donors), healthy rabbits (primary recipients and secondary donors of the serum), and healthy rabbits (secondary serum recipients). Crude and heated (for 30 min at 56 degrees C) sera of rabbits poisoned with carbon tetrachloride stimulated production of antibodies induced with the antigen in the intact animals. Under the effect of trasilol, a polyvalent proteinase inhibitor, the sera of rabbits poisoned with carbon tetrachloride lost their immunostimulating properties. The sera of rabbits given injections of the sera obtained from the poisoned animals produced an immunostimulating action which failed to disappear under the effect of trasilol.", "contents": "[Humoral factors in the stimulation of immunogenesis in a toxic lesion of the liver]. The work was aimed at the study of possibilities of passive transfer of the immunostimulating effect (with the aid of blood serum) observed in various pathological conditions of the liver. Investigations were carried out on rabbits poisoned with carbon tetrachloride (primary serum donors), healthy rabbits (primary recipients and secondary donors of the serum), and healthy rabbits (secondary serum recipients). Crude and heated (for 30 min at 56 degrees C) sera of rabbits poisoned with carbon tetrachloride stimulated production of antibodies induced with the antigen in the intact animals. Under the effect of trasilol, a polyvalent proteinase inhibitor, the sera of rabbits poisoned with carbon tetrachloride lost their immunostimulating properties. The sera of rabbits given injections of the sera obtained from the poisoned animals produced an immunostimulating action which failed to disappear under the effect of trasilol.", "PMID": 782113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6091", "title": "[Use of the VShS elective-differential medium in the diagnosis of dysentery and other acute intestinal infections].", "content": "Results of trial of the VShS medium under conditions of direct seeding feces of patients suffering from dysentery and other acute intestinal disturbances demonstrated that by the efficacy of Sh. sonnei isolation it failed to differ from Ploskirev's bactoagar, was less effective in comparison with Levin's medium with levomycetin (the incidence of Shigella isolation was 49.7, 52.6 and 60.3%, respectively) and was the most effective in Sh. newcastle isolation. In seeding feces after their enrichment in selenite broth the VShS medium proved to be much more effective than Ploskirev's bactoagar by the incidence of isolation of Shigellae (90 and 65.7%).", "contents": "[Use of the VShS elective-differential medium in the diagnosis of dysentery and other acute intestinal infections]. Results of trial of the VShS medium under conditions of direct seeding feces of patients suffering from dysentery and other acute intestinal disturbances demonstrated that by the efficacy of Sh. sonnei isolation it failed to differ from Ploskirev's bactoagar, was less effective in comparison with Levin's medium with levomycetin (the incidence of Shigella isolation was 49.7, 52.6 and 60.3%, respectively) and was the most effective in Sh. newcastle isolation. In seeding feces after their enrichment in selenite broth the VShS medium proved to be much more effective than Ploskirev's bactoagar by the incidence of isolation of Shigellae (90 and 65.7%).", "PMID": 782114} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6092", "title": "[Utilization of the swarming phenomenon for the purpose of isolating pure cultures of salmonellae from feces. II].", "content": "A comparative study of the efficacy of two methods of isolation of salmonella from feces was conducted; it was shown that the method based on the capacity of these bacteria to swarming on special elective media was more sensitive than the conventional one. The swarming method proved to be less time consuming and less expensive, because two stages of conventional examination--i.e. enrichment of material and isolation of salmonellae--coincided in time and were carried out on the same media.", "contents": "[Utilization of the swarming phenomenon for the purpose of isolating pure cultures of salmonellae from feces. II]. A comparative study of the efficacy of two methods of isolation of salmonella from feces was conducted; it was shown that the method based on the capacity of these bacteria to swarming on special elective media was more sensitive than the conventional one. The swarming method proved to be less time consuming and less expensive, because two stages of conventional examination--i.e. enrichment of material and isolation of salmonellae--coincided in time and were carried out on the same media.", "PMID": 782115} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6093", "title": "[Biological properties of Salmonella typhimurium mutants with an altered sensitivity to erythromycin].", "content": "S. typhimurium mutants with altered sensitivity to erythromycin (more resistant or more sensitive than the original culture) were selected. Some of the properties of the mutants studied were found to be changed: morphology, character of growth in the liquid nutrient medium with aeration (increased generation time and number of generations in log-period), sensitivity to ionic detergent--sodium dodecyl sulfate (its decrease). Some of the mutants acquired cross resistance or sensitivity to other antibiotics. The mutants studied had decreased virulence for albino mice. As the mutants were selected by increased resistance or sensitivity to erythromycin, which acted upon the 50 S ribosomal subunits, the pleiotropic changes of their properties were possibly due to some alterations in the ribosomes.", "contents": "[Biological properties of Salmonella typhimurium mutants with an altered sensitivity to erythromycin]. S. typhimurium mutants with altered sensitivity to erythromycin (more resistant or more sensitive than the original culture) were selected. Some of the properties of the mutants studied were found to be changed: morphology, character of growth in the liquid nutrient medium with aeration (increased generation time and number of generations in log-period), sensitivity to ionic detergent--sodium dodecyl sulfate (its decrease). Some of the mutants acquired cross resistance or sensitivity to other antibiotics. The mutants studied had decreased virulence for albino mice. As the mutants were selected by increased resistance or sensitivity to erythromycin, which acted upon the 50 S ribosomal subunits, the pleiotropic changes of their properties were possibly due to some alterations in the ribosomes.", "PMID": 782116} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6094", "title": "[Clinico-genetic classification of muscular dystrophy].", "content": "The authors have given a critical review of existing classifications of myodystrophies from 1884 till 1973. They propose a new systematization based on the formula of muscular lesions during different phases of the disease and on the formula of a generalization of the myodystrophical process. It is assumed that the formula of muscular atrophies and the direction of the generalization of the myodystrophical process is genetically conditioned and should be considered as an important sign of hereditary neuro-muscular diseases. The authors believe that the facio-scapulo-limb type of myodystrophy both clinically and genetically is not homogenous. This form of dystrophy should be divided into 2 variants: a gradually descending one and a descending one with a \"jumping\" of muscular atrophies from the upper half of the body (face, shoulder) to the peroneal group of muscles on the skin.", "contents": "[Clinico-genetic classification of muscular dystrophy]. The authors have given a critical review of existing classifications of myodystrophies from 1884 till 1973. They propose a new systematization based on the formula of muscular lesions during different phases of the disease and on the formula of a generalization of the myodystrophical process. It is assumed that the formula of muscular atrophies and the direction of the generalization of the myodystrophical process is genetically conditioned and should be considered as an important sign of hereditary neuro-muscular diseases. The authors believe that the facio-scapulo-limb type of myodystrophy both clinically and genetically is not homogenous. This form of dystrophy should be divided into 2 variants: a gradually descending one and a descending one with a \"jumping\" of muscular atrophies from the upper half of the body (face, shoulder) to the peroneal group of muscles on the skin.", "PMID": 782117} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6095", "title": "[Our experiences in the treatment of bleeding duodenal ulcer by means of proximal gastric vagotomy].", "content": "Gastric Vagotomies were performed on fifty four patients suffering from bleeding Duodenal Ulcers. Forty-three cases were operated on following a spontaneous cease in hemorrhaging, and necessary examinations. The remaining eleven patients were opereted on immediately as conservative measures would not be able to stop the bleeding. The procedure used following the admittance of a patient with a bleeding ulcer to the hospital was discussed. A detailed explanation of the technical procedure used in handing the bleeding duodenal ulcer was also presented. The authors believe that a Duodenotomy performed without cutting the pylorus has its advantages inasmuch as hemostasis has been successfully accomplished. All the cases had good clinical results, however, bleeding did recur in a few instances. There were no recidive ocurrences. Ever though many patients were chronically ill ie; Diabetes Mellitus, Myocardiopathia, secondary anemia, exitus lethalis did not occur. P.V.G. in the treatment of bleeding ulcers has a definte advantage over the other radical procedures.", "contents": "[Our experiences in the treatment of bleeding duodenal ulcer by means of proximal gastric vagotomy]. Gastric Vagotomies were performed on fifty four patients suffering from bleeding Duodenal Ulcers. Forty-three cases were operated on following a spontaneous cease in hemorrhaging, and necessary examinations. The remaining eleven patients were opereted on immediately as conservative measures would not be able to stop the bleeding. The procedure used following the admittance of a patient with a bleeding ulcer to the hospital was discussed. A detailed explanation of the technical procedure used in handing the bleeding duodenal ulcer was also presented. The authors believe that a Duodenotomy performed without cutting the pylorus has its advantages inasmuch as hemostasis has been successfully accomplished. All the cases had good clinical results, however, bleeding did recur in a few instances. There were no recidive ocurrences. Ever though many patients were chronically ill ie; Diabetes Mellitus, Myocardiopathia, secondary anemia, exitus lethalis did not occur. P.V.G. in the treatment of bleeding ulcers has a definte advantage over the other radical procedures.", "PMID": 782120} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6096", "title": "Osmotic resistance of leukocytes in patients with onset of diabetes before twenty-five years.", "content": "Osmotic resistance of leukocytes has been studied with the Storti-Pederzini method in 30 young healthy subjects and in 30 diabetics of the juvenile insulin-dependent type with variable duration of the disease and variable degrees of metabolic control. Reduced osmotic resistance, above all in the polymorphonuclear cells, has been found in diabetics. This finding did not appear to correlate with the duration of diabetes or with blood glucose level. This reduced osmotic resistance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes of diabetic patients might contribute to the deficiency in leukocyte migration and phagocytosis observed by some authors in diabetics.", "contents": "Osmotic resistance of leukocytes in patients with onset of diabetes before twenty-five years. Osmotic resistance of leukocytes has been studied with the Storti-Pederzini method in 30 young healthy subjects and in 30 diabetics of the juvenile insulin-dependent type with variable duration of the disease and variable degrees of metabolic control. Reduced osmotic resistance, above all in the polymorphonuclear cells, has been found in diabetics. This finding did not appear to correlate with the duration of diabetes or with blood glucose level. This reduced osmotic resistance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes of diabetic patients might contribute to the deficiency in leukocyte migration and phagocytosis observed by some authors in diabetics.", "PMID": 782127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6097", "title": "[The allergic focal reaction phenomenon. Significance for the testing, therapy and theory of clinical allergy. Study in bronchial asthma and other allergic diseases].", "content": "On the basis of examinations of 654 cases of clinical allergy (487 cases of bronchial asthma) a new allergenic phenomenon is described: \"The allergic focal reaction phenomenon\". It is associated with the demonstration of a regularly reproducible, clinical, allergic initiating effect of very small doses of specific antigen only on the allergically diseased tissue (focus). The findings made it possible to elaborate a new method for allergy testing and therapy without any danger, and offers quite new ideas for the interpretation of allergic mechanisms. The authors tried to integrate this phenomenon into the picture of clinical allergy, and some so far unclear problems of allergy may, on this basis, have found a probable solution.\"", "contents": "[The allergic focal reaction phenomenon. Significance for the testing, therapy and theory of clinical allergy. Study in bronchial asthma and other allergic diseases]. On the basis of examinations of 654 cases of clinical allergy (487 cases of bronchial asthma) a new allergenic phenomenon is described: \"The allergic focal reaction phenomenon\". It is associated with the demonstration of a regularly reproducible, clinical, allergic initiating effect of very small doses of specific antigen only on the allergically diseased tissue (focus). The findings made it possible to elaborate a new method for allergy testing and therapy without any danger, and offers quite new ideas for the interpretation of allergic mechanisms. The authors tried to integrate this phenomenon into the picture of clinical allergy, and some so far unclear problems of allergy may, on this basis, have found a probable solution.\"", "PMID": 782133} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6098", "title": "Treatment of vasomotor rhinitis with intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate (Becotide). Results from a double-blind cross-over study.", "content": "The effect of beclomethasone dipropionate (Becotide) intranasally in vasomotor rhinitis has been studied on 39 adult volunteers in a double-blind cross-over study during 9 weeks in February-April 1975. The dose of beclomethasone dipropionate was 300 mug/day. Twenty-five patients preferred the beclomethasone dipropionate period, 5 patients the placebo period, and 9 patients had no preference. About three-quarters (74 per cent) of the patients considered themselves free of symptoms or greatly improved after the treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate. Statistical calculation of the daily nasal symptoms score confirms the improvement. The speediest effect was registered for sneezing, followed by nasal catarrh, nasal itching, and blocking. No changes in the levels of cortisol occurred during the treatment. The bacteriological and mycological findings (analysed with regard to Candida albicans) were fairly constant.", "contents": "Treatment of vasomotor rhinitis with intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate (Becotide). Results from a double-blind cross-over study. The effect of beclomethasone dipropionate (Becotide) intranasally in vasomotor rhinitis has been studied on 39 adult volunteers in a double-blind cross-over study during 9 weeks in February-April 1975. The dose of beclomethasone dipropionate was 300 mug/day. Twenty-five patients preferred the beclomethasone dipropionate period, 5 patients the placebo period, and 9 patients had no preference. About three-quarters (74 per cent) of the patients considered themselves free of symptoms or greatly improved after the treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate. Statistical calculation of the daily nasal symptoms score confirms the improvement. The speediest effect was registered for sneezing, followed by nasal catarrh, nasal itching, and blocking. No changes in the levels of cortisol occurred during the treatment. The bacteriological and mycological findings (analysed with regard to Candida albicans) were fairly constant.", "PMID": 782135} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6099", "title": "Intra-nasal beclomethasone dipropionate in vasomotor rhinitis.", "content": "Twenty-one patients with vasomotor rhinitis, with no relevant allergens known, completed a special double-blind trial of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol (BDA) and placebo intra-nasally. Each patient took 200, 400 and 800 mug BDA and placebo during four consecutive 2-week periods and in different sequences. The symptom scores of the last week of each period of nasal blockage, watery secretion and sneezing were significantly reduced by all doses of BDA as compared with placebo. There were no differences between the effects of the different doses of BDA except for secretion, which was reduced more by using 800 than 200 mug. Cortisol in serum and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in 24-hour urine were not significantly changed by BDA treatment and no increased frequency of pathogenic bacteria or fungi could be demonstrated in the nasal secretion. For treatment of patients with vasomotor rhinitis, intra-nasal BDA in a daily dose of 200 mug can be recommended when antihistamines, sympathomimetic drugs and sodium cromoglycate are not sufficiently effective.", "contents": "Intra-nasal beclomethasone dipropionate in vasomotor rhinitis. Twenty-one patients with vasomotor rhinitis, with no relevant allergens known, completed a special double-blind trial of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol (BDA) and placebo intra-nasally. Each patient took 200, 400 and 800 mug BDA and placebo during four consecutive 2-week periods and in different sequences. The symptom scores of the last week of each period of nasal blockage, watery secretion and sneezing were significantly reduced by all doses of BDA as compared with placebo. There were no differences between the effects of the different doses of BDA except for secretion, which was reduced more by using 800 than 200 mug. Cortisol in serum and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in 24-hour urine were not significantly changed by BDA treatment and no increased frequency of pathogenic bacteria or fungi could be demonstrated in the nasal secretion. For treatment of patients with vasomotor rhinitis, intra-nasal BDA in a daily dose of 200 mug can be recommended when antihistamines, sympathomimetic drugs and sodium cromoglycate are not sufficiently effective.", "PMID": 782136} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6100", "title": "Immunoreactive LRF neurosecretory pathways in mammals.", "content": "Using antisera to synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LRF) and antisera labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate or peroxidase, it was possible in various physiological and experimental conditions to determine the topography of the LRF secretory cells in the guinea pig. The axons of these cells form a preoptico-infundibular LRF pathway, which controls the prehypophyseal gonadotropic secretion, and various \"extrahypophyseal pathways\". These latter suggest that LRF, in addition to its prehypophysiotropic action, may have a neuromodulator function.", "contents": "Immunoreactive LRF neurosecretory pathways in mammals. Using antisera to synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LRF) and antisera labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate or peroxidase, it was possible in various physiological and experimental conditions to determine the topography of the LRF secretory cells in the guinea pig. The axons of these cells form a preoptico-infundibular LRF pathway, which controls the prehypophyseal gonadotropic secretion, and various \"extrahypophyseal pathways\". These latter suggest that LRF, in addition to its prehypophysiotropic action, may have a neuromodulator function.", "PMID": 782138} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6101", "title": "Effect of glucagon on the principal islets of a fresh-water fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch).", "content": "Intramuscular administration of crystalline mammalian glucagon (0.5-2.0 mg/kg body weight) evokes significant cytological alterations in the principal islets of Channa punctatus, a fresh-water fish. Initially there is degeneration of the alpha-cells but later the beta-cells are also atrophied. Regressive changes in some of the alpha-cells have been interpreted to reflect their possible role in glucagon secretion. The degeneration of beta-cells appears to be secondary to the fluctuations in the blood glucose level, induced by exogenous glucagon.", "contents": "Effect of glucagon on the principal islets of a fresh-water fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch). Intramuscular administration of crystalline mammalian glucagon (0.5-2.0 mg/kg body weight) evokes significant cytological alterations in the principal islets of Channa punctatus, a fresh-water fish. Initially there is degeneration of the alpha-cells but later the beta-cells are also atrophied. Regressive changes in some of the alpha-cells have been interpreted to reflect their possible role in glucagon secretion. The degeneration of beta-cells appears to be secondary to the fluctuations in the blood glucose level, induced by exogenous glucagon.", "PMID": 782139} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6102", "title": "A new (?) Clinical headache entity \"chronic paroxysmal hemicrania\" 2.", "content": "A headache disorder with shortlasting, frequently occurring (6-18/24 hours) head pain attacks is reported. The pain is excruciatingly severe, unilateral (always on the same side), unaccompanied by visual phenomena, nausea/vomiting, but accompanied by nasal congestion and lacrimation on the symptomatic side. The maximum pain is felt in the temporal region, although during severe attacks the entire hemicranium is involved through the neck, shoulder and homolateral arm in a diffuse way. The attack pattern differs clearly from that of cluster headache both with regard to atrack frequency and the long term temporal pattern. In addition to blood and urine parameters and supplementary neurological/neuroradiological investigations, the following parameters were studied: Urinary histamine excretion (partly increased), kinin parameters (occasionally increased blood kinin and reduced blood kininogen), and corneal indentation pulse amplitudes (attack-induced increase, as in regular cluster headache). The following parameters rendered normal results: prostaglandins, cerebral blood flow, fluorescein appearance time, intrathecal pressure during and between attacks, and muscle biopsy with immunological investigation. The pain attacks can be abolished by continuous indomethacin medication. In spite of the ocular findings it has in common with cluster headache, this headache seems to differ from cluster headache.", "contents": "A new (?) Clinical headache entity \"chronic paroxysmal hemicrania\" 2. A headache disorder with shortlasting, frequently occurring (6-18/24 hours) head pain attacks is reported. The pain is excruciatingly severe, unilateral (always on the same side), unaccompanied by visual phenomena, nausea/vomiting, but accompanied by nasal congestion and lacrimation on the symptomatic side. The maximum pain is felt in the temporal region, although during severe attacks the entire hemicranium is involved through the neck, shoulder and homolateral arm in a diffuse way. The attack pattern differs clearly from that of cluster headache both with regard to atrack frequency and the long term temporal pattern. In addition to blood and urine parameters and supplementary neurological/neuroradiological investigations, the following parameters were studied: Urinary histamine excretion (partly increased), kinin parameters (occasionally increased blood kinin and reduced blood kininogen), and corneal indentation pulse amplitudes (attack-induced increase, as in regular cluster headache). The following parameters rendered normal results: prostaglandins, cerebral blood flow, fluorescein appearance time, intrathecal pressure during and between attacks, and muscle biopsy with immunological investigation. The pain attacks can be abolished by continuous indomethacin medication. In spite of the ocular findings it has in common with cluster headache, this headache seems to differ from cluster headache.", "PMID": 782140} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6103", "title": "Controlled trial of intravenous aminophylline in acute cerebral infarction.", "content": "In a double-blind trial intravenous aminophylline was compared with placebo in 79 patients with acute cerebral infarction. Immediate improvement in the neurological evaluation score was significantly more frequent in patients receiving aminophylline (38 per cent) than in those on placebo (15 per cent); only patients with mild or moderately severe strokes responded to the injection. After 3 weeks, however, the treated patients did not fare significantly better than the controls in terms of neurological score and residual disability. Survival rate, length of stay in hospital, and social readaptation were similar in the two groups. It is concluded that intravenous aminophylline in patients with ischaemic strokes can bring about an immediate symptomatic relief, but without appreciably influencing the ultimate recovery.", "contents": "Controlled trial of intravenous aminophylline in acute cerebral infarction. In a double-blind trial intravenous aminophylline was compared with placebo in 79 patients with acute cerebral infarction. Immediate improvement in the neurological evaluation score was significantly more frequent in patients receiving aminophylline (38 per cent) than in those on placebo (15 per cent); only patients with mild or moderately severe strokes responded to the injection. After 3 weeks, however, the treated patients did not fare significantly better than the controls in terms of neurological score and residual disability. Survival rate, length of stay in hospital, and social readaptation were similar in the two groups. It is concluded that intravenous aminophylline in patients with ischaemic strokes can bring about an immediate symptomatic relief, but without appreciably influencing the ultimate recovery.", "PMID": 782141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6104", "title": "The reaction of the cerebral cortex to chronically implanted plastic needles.", "content": "Plastic (araldite) needles were implanted in the cerebral cortex in order to evaluate changes produced by an indwelling and relatively inert foreign body. The implants were removed together with surrounding cortex after 4-723 days and the implant-CNS boundary analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Three border conditions were observed at the surface of the implant and were related to the degree of implantation trauma. Type I is characterized by little or no gliosis and synapses within 1-5mu of the implant; type II contains a pronounced zone of reactive astrocytes; and type III is typified by a zone of connective tissue near the implant surface. The type I border predominates, but all three conditions may exist around a single implant. The fact that the implant-CNS boundary is stable following an initial period of readjustment suggests that intracortical implants fabricated from inert materials would be well tolerated and could be used as part of neuro-prosthetic device. Multinucleated giant cells were observed at the boundary of some implants. Their cytology, intercellular relations, and similarity to foreign body giant cells are discussed.", "contents": "The reaction of the cerebral cortex to chronically implanted plastic needles. Plastic (araldite) needles were implanted in the cerebral cortex in order to evaluate changes produced by an indwelling and relatively inert foreign body. The implants were removed together with surrounding cortex after 4-723 days and the implant-CNS boundary analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Three border conditions were observed at the surface of the implant and were related to the degree of implantation trauma. Type I is characterized by little or no gliosis and synapses within 1-5mu of the implant; type II contains a pronounced zone of reactive astrocytes; and type III is typified by a zone of connective tissue near the implant surface. The type I border predominates, but all three conditions may exist around a single implant. The fact that the implant-CNS boundary is stable following an initial period of readjustment suggests that intracortical implants fabricated from inert materials would be well tolerated and could be used as part of neuro-prosthetic device. Multinucleated giant cells were observed at the boundary of some implants. Their cytology, intercellular relations, and similarity to foreign body giant cells are discussed.", "PMID": 782142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6105", "title": "The treatment of glaucoma with propranolol (Inderal). A clinical trial.", "content": "The effect of propranolol (Inderal) on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma has been measured. Twenty-two patients completed the clinical trial. Propranolol in doses of 160 mg/d effectively lowered IOP in eyes with various types of open angle glaucoma. The test periods lasted from 4 to 6 days. The ocular hypotensive effect of propranolol was also registered in patients efficiently treated with pilocarpine and acetazolamide (Diamox), and in glaucomas not satisfactorily controlled by this therapy. High positive correlations between mean pretreatment pressure (P1), and pressure fall (delta P) were found (P less than 0.001), and the pressure decrease induced by propranolol treatment tended to be proportional to the pressure gradient between the anterior chamber and the episcleral veins. This pressure gradient was reduced by an average of about 50% following propranolol treatment. There was no change in scleral rigidity after propranolol.", "contents": "The treatment of glaucoma with propranolol (Inderal). A clinical trial. The effect of propranolol (Inderal) on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma has been measured. Twenty-two patients completed the clinical trial. Propranolol in doses of 160 mg/d effectively lowered IOP in eyes with various types of open angle glaucoma. The test periods lasted from 4 to 6 days. The ocular hypotensive effect of propranolol was also registered in patients efficiently treated with pilocarpine and acetazolamide (Diamox), and in glaucomas not satisfactorily controlled by this therapy. High positive correlations between mean pretreatment pressure (P1), and pressure fall (delta P) were found (P less than 0.001), and the pressure decrease induced by propranolol treatment tended to be proportional to the pressure gradient between the anterior chamber and the episcleral veins. This pressure gradient was reduced by an average of about 50% following propranolol treatment. There was no change in scleral rigidity after propranolol.", "PMID": 782144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6106", "title": "The value of low dosage heparin for the prophylaxis of thromboembolism in patients with transcervical and intertrochanteric femoral fractures.", "content": "One hundred and ten female patients, over the age of 60, with intertrochanteric or transcervical fractures were included in a controlled, randomized, clinical trial investigating the value of low dosage heparin in the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis. There were 50 completed pairs. Eight (16 per cent) deep vein thromboses occurred in the heparinized group compared with 23 (46 per cent) deep vein thromboses in the control group. The incidence of pulmonary embolism was also reduced. The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis was made on clinical grounds, supplemented by phlebography and autopsy. There was no difference in the wound hematoma or infection rate. The heparin was commenced on admission to hospital and it is suggested that in this group of patients low dosage heparin prophylaxis should start on admission and not wait until surgery.", "contents": "The value of low dosage heparin for the prophylaxis of thromboembolism in patients with transcervical and intertrochanteric femoral fractures. One hundred and ten female patients, over the age of 60, with intertrochanteric or transcervical fractures were included in a controlled, randomized, clinical trial investigating the value of low dosage heparin in the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis. There were 50 completed pairs. Eight (16 per cent) deep vein thromboses occurred in the heparinized group compared with 23 (46 per cent) deep vein thromboses in the control group. The incidence of pulmonary embolism was also reduced. The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis was made on clinical grounds, supplemented by phlebography and autopsy. There was no difference in the wound hematoma or infection rate. The heparin was commenced on admission to hospital and it is suggested that in this group of patients low dosage heparin prophylaxis should start on admission and not wait until surgery.", "PMID": 782146} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6107", "title": "Peripheral nerve repairs by the funicular suture technique.", "content": "Sixty-one peripheral nerve repairs in 48 patients sutured by the funicular suture technique were followed up for a minimum of 2 years after operation, the average follow-up period being 48 months. Useful recovery was obtained in 100 per cent of cases with radial and musculocutaneous nerve repairs. Seventy-five per cent of cases with median, 82 per cent with ulnar and 88 per cent with digital nerve lesions attained \"useful\" grade recovery. In the lower extremity, the motor recovery was excellent, whereas the sensory recovery was poor. In two out of three cases where cable grafting was performed between important funiculi the result obtained was excellent. To obtain satisfactory neurological recovery, the funicular suture, technique using the surgical microscope is the method of choice for primary and secondary nerve suture and cable grafting.", "contents": "Peripheral nerve repairs by the funicular suture technique. Sixty-one peripheral nerve repairs in 48 patients sutured by the funicular suture technique were followed up for a minimum of 2 years after operation, the average follow-up period being 48 months. Useful recovery was obtained in 100 per cent of cases with radial and musculocutaneous nerve repairs. Seventy-five per cent of cases with median, 82 per cent with ulnar and 88 per cent with digital nerve lesions attained \"useful\" grade recovery. In the lower extremity, the motor recovery was excellent, whereas the sensory recovery was poor. In two out of three cases where cable grafting was performed between important funiculi the result obtained was excellent. To obtain satisfactory neurological recovery, the funicular suture, technique using the surgical microscope is the method of choice for primary and secondary nerve suture and cable grafting.", "PMID": 782147} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6108", "title": "Classical conditioning of the stapedius muscle.", "content": "A delayed conditioning paradigm was employed to condition the stapedius muscle. While many previous attempts have failed using loud sound as the unconditioned stimulus(UCS), this paper presents evidence of successful conditioning of this muscle when the unconditioned stimulus was a mild electrocutaneous stimulation of the external ear canal. Using a weak tone as the conditioned stimulus, conditioned responses were readily obtained in eight of ten subjects after only 30 or fewer toneshock pairs. Temporal con ditioning was also demonstrated. A parallel is shown to exist between attempts to condition the pupillary and stapedius reflexes.", "contents": "Classical conditioning of the stapedius muscle. A delayed conditioning paradigm was employed to condition the stapedius muscle. While many previous attempts have failed using loud sound as the unconditioned stimulus(UCS), this paper presents evidence of successful conditioning of this muscle when the unconditioned stimulus was a mild electrocutaneous stimulation of the external ear canal. Using a weak tone as the conditioned stimulus, conditioned responses were readily obtained in eight of ten subjects after only 30 or fewer toneshock pairs. Temporal con ditioning was also demonstrated. A parallel is shown to exist between attempts to condition the pupillary and stapedius reflexes.", "PMID": 782150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6109", "title": "Baclofen (Lioresal) in the treatment ofneuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia.", "content": "A double-blind cross-over trial of the effects of baclofen and placebo was carried out in 20 female patients suffering from neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia. After 14 days of treatment 15 patients showed improvement of baclofen, whereas none showed improvement on placebo; baclofen was thus significantly more effective than placebo. Baclofen is a GABA-like drug which passes through the blood-brain barrier and which reduces the neuroleptic-induced increase of dopamine turn-over. In tardive dyskinesia is found dopaminergic hypersensitivity, and baclofen is supposed to exert its action by inhibiting the dopamine activity. Side effects, although temporary, were observed in the form of sedation, muscular hypotonia, dizziness, vomiting, and muscular rigidity. One patient developed a depression. Baclofen or other gabergic drugs used in the treatment of dyskinesias do not increase the dopaminergic hypersensitivity, which is part of the pathogenesis of these conditions; gabergic therapy must therefore be preferred to treatment with dopamine receptor blocking drugs.", "contents": "Baclofen (Lioresal) in the treatment ofneuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia. A double-blind cross-over trial of the effects of baclofen and placebo was carried out in 20 female patients suffering from neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia. After 14 days of treatment 15 patients showed improvement of baclofen, whereas none showed improvement on placebo; baclofen was thus significantly more effective than placebo. Baclofen is a GABA-like drug which passes through the blood-brain barrier and which reduces the neuroleptic-induced increase of dopamine turn-over. In tardive dyskinesia is found dopaminergic hypersensitivity, and baclofen is supposed to exert its action by inhibiting the dopamine activity. Side effects, although temporary, were observed in the form of sedation, muscular hypotonia, dizziness, vomiting, and muscular rigidity. One patient developed a depression. Baclofen or other gabergic drugs used in the treatment of dyskinesias do not increase the dopaminergic hypersensitivity, which is part of the pathogenesis of these conditions; gabergic therapy must therefore be preferred to treatment with dopamine receptor blocking drugs.", "PMID": 782159} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6110", "title": "Computer tomography of traumatic intra- and extracerebral lesions.", "content": "Computer tomography was performed in 29 patients with intra- or extracerebral lesions and the results evaluated retrospectively and compared with angiography, operation or autopsy findings. Many subdural haematomas were difficult to distinguish and in two cases it was impossible. Angiography proved to be more certain. In all cases the intracerebral heamatoma was considerably more evident at computer tomography than at angiography and for contusions, the information provided is fully comparable with that by angiography.", "contents": "Computer tomography of traumatic intra- and extracerebral lesions. Computer tomography was performed in 29 patients with intra- or extracerebral lesions and the results evaluated retrospectively and compared with angiography, operation or autopsy findings. Many subdural haematomas were difficult to distinguish and in two cases it was impossible. Angiography proved to be more certain. In all cases the intracerebral heamatoma was considerably more evident at computer tomography than at angiography and for contusions, the information provided is fully comparable with that by angiography.", "PMID": 782160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6111", "title": "Computer tomography in cerebral death.", "content": "Computer tomography has been applied in a material of six patients meeting the criteria for cerebral death. The primary intracranial pathology, haemorrhages, infarction and contusions were demonstrable. No generalized reduction of the attenuation characteristic of infarction was found in spite of angiographic arrest of the intracranial circulation. Compression and obstruction of small brain vessels may in some cases be the primary cause of arrest of the brain circulation in cerebral death and not an increase of the intracranial pressure to levels approaching or surpassing the mean systemic arterial pressure.", "contents": "Computer tomography in cerebral death. Computer tomography has been applied in a material of six patients meeting the criteria for cerebral death. The primary intracranial pathology, haemorrhages, infarction and contusions were demonstrable. No generalized reduction of the attenuation characteristic of infarction was found in spite of angiographic arrest of the intracranial circulation. Compression and obstruction of small brain vessels may in some cases be the primary cause of arrest of the brain circulation in cerebral death and not an increase of the intracranial pressure to levels approaching or surpassing the mean systemic arterial pressure.", "PMID": 782161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6112", "title": "Computer tomography compared with spectrophotometry of cerebrospinal fluid in cerebrovascular diseases.", "content": "Eighty patients with cerebrovascular diseases were examined by computer tomography and spectrophotometry of CSF, most cases being followed by repeat examinations. Specific diagnoses were obtained in 76 per cent of the cases at tomography and in 95 per cent at spectrophotometry, generally at one examination. In cases examined angiographically or by isotope encephalography, the corresponding figures were 60 and 58 per cent. Twenty patients with confirmed haemorrhage or infarction examined only at tomography further indicated the high diagnostic significance of this method. The combination of tomography and spectrophotometry, being complementary to each other, obviously means a break-through in the diagnosis of cerebrovascular diseases, which is a prerequisite for a more rational therapy of these common and frequently disabling disorders.", "contents": "Computer tomography compared with spectrophotometry of cerebrospinal fluid in cerebrovascular diseases. Eighty patients with cerebrovascular diseases were examined by computer tomography and spectrophotometry of CSF, most cases being followed by repeat examinations. Specific diagnoses were obtained in 76 per cent of the cases at tomography and in 95 per cent at spectrophotometry, generally at one examination. In cases examined angiographically or by isotope encephalography, the corresponding figures were 60 and 58 per cent. Twenty patients with confirmed haemorrhage or infarction examined only at tomography further indicated the high diagnostic significance of this method. The combination of tomography and spectrophotometry, being complementary to each other, obviously means a break-through in the diagnosis of cerebrovascular diseases, which is a prerequisite for a more rational therapy of these common and frequently disabling disorders.", "PMID": 782162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6113", "title": "Computer tomography for diagnosis of intracranial tumours compared with other neuroradiologic procedures.", "content": "The diagnostic effectiveness of computer tomography has been assessed in a series of 361 patients with the primary clinical problem of a possible intracranial neoplasm. Of these patients, 171 were shown to have a tumour, confirmed at microscopy in 115 instances. Computer tomography was compared with other established neuroradiologic procedures, such as encephalography, angiography and isotope scanning, all of which were frequently used in this series of patients.", "contents": "Computer tomography for diagnosis of intracranial tumours compared with other neuroradiologic procedures. The diagnostic effectiveness of computer tomography has been assessed in a series of 361 patients with the primary clinical problem of a possible intracranial neoplasm. Of these patients, 171 were shown to have a tumour, confirmed at microscopy in 115 instances. Computer tomography was compared with other established neuroradiologic procedures, such as encephalography, angiography and isotope scanning, all of which were frequently used in this series of patients.", "PMID": 782163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6114", "title": "Quantitative estimation of intracerebral and intraventricular hematoma by computer tomography.", "content": "A method to quantify the size of intracerebral hematoma by computer tomography was tested experimentally. The size of the lesion could be calculated with an error of +/- 3 to 9 per cent. By correlating the volume of the hematoma to the level consciousness in 62 patients, it was found that the volume which induced coma was rather specific, corresponding to about 6 to 7 per cent of the intracranial volume. This observation may lead to a reassessment of present therapeutic concepts.", "contents": "Quantitative estimation of intracerebral and intraventricular hematoma by computer tomography. A method to quantify the size of intracerebral hematoma by computer tomography was tested experimentally. The size of the lesion could be calculated with an error of +/- 3 to 9 per cent. By correlating the volume of the hematoma to the level consciousness in 62 patients, it was found that the volume which induced coma was rather specific, corresponding to about 6 to 7 per cent of the intracranial volume. This observation may lead to a reassessment of present therapeutic concepts.", "PMID": 782164} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6115", "title": "Computer tomography in post-mortem examination of the brain and other specimens.", "content": "A technique is described for post-mortem examination of brain specimens employing computer tomography, for accurate comparison with in vivo scanning, including subsequent cutting of specimens in sections corresponding to tomographic layers measured. Potential application of this technique to diagnosis of mammary tumours is discussed.", "contents": "Computer tomography in post-mortem examination of the brain and other specimens. A technique is described for post-mortem examination of brain specimens employing computer tomography, for accurate comparison with in vivo scanning, including subsequent cutting of specimens in sections corresponding to tomographic layers measured. Potential application of this technique to diagnosis of mammary tumours is discussed.", "PMID": 782166} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6116", "title": "Computer intravenous angiography.", "content": "Computer tomography could be useful in demonstrating lesions of intracranial vascular structures. Experimental methods aimed at achieving this are presented and clinical examples using intravenous angiography are given. The factors involved by the demonstration of intracranial vessels are discussed.", "contents": "Computer intravenous angiography. Computer tomography could be useful in demonstrating lesions of intracranial vascular structures. Experimental methods aimed at achieving this are presented and clinical examples using intravenous angiography are given. The factors involved by the demonstration of intracranial vessels are discussed.", "PMID": 782170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6117", "title": "Size of the intracerebral ventricles as measured with computer tomography, encephalography and echoventriculography.", "content": "Ventricular size in a total of 192 patients was determined with computer tomography (CT), encephalography (Enc) and echoventriculography (echo-VG). There was good correlation (greater than or equal to 0.80) between the values for the size of the lateral ventricles obtained with all three methods. Correlation between values for the width of the third ventricle: CT/Enc and CT/echo-VG: poor; Enc/echo-VG: good ( = 0.85). Both at computed tomography and encephalography there was poor correlation between anterior horn index and the width of the third ventricle.", "contents": "Size of the intracerebral ventricles as measured with computer tomography, encephalography and echoventriculography. Ventricular size in a total of 192 patients was determined with computer tomography (CT), encephalography (Enc) and echoventriculography (echo-VG). There was good correlation (greater than or equal to 0.80) between the values for the size of the lateral ventricles obtained with all three methods. Correlation between values for the width of the third ventricle: CT/Enc and CT/echo-VG: poor; Enc/echo-VG: good ( = 0.85). Both at computed tomography and encephalography there was poor correlation between anterior horn index and the width of the third ventricle.", "PMID": 782172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6118", "title": "[Analytical study of 510 cases of surgical lymph node biopsies].", "content": "510 cases of surgical lymph node biopsies during a five year period are reviewed with the following conclusions: The lymph node biopsy constitutes 5% of all the surgical biopsies. The cervical and axillary lymph nodes are the most commonly biopsied nodes due to their easy accessibility and due to the fact that they drain the lymph from many vital organs; the next most commonly biopsied nodes are the sub-clavicular, grains, mesentric and mediastinal nodes. Among all the lymph node affections the metastatic tumours occupy the first place (23%) followed by the primary tumours (malignant lymphomas 16%) and the specific inflammatory lesions (10%). Among the metastic nodes squamous cell carcinoma occupy the first place (8%) followed by digestive tract, lung, thyroid glands, breast, testicular, pancreatic, ovarian and gall bladder tumours.", "contents": "[Analytical study of 510 cases of surgical lymph node biopsies]. 510 cases of surgical lymph node biopsies during a five year period are reviewed with the following conclusions: The lymph node biopsy constitutes 5% of all the surgical biopsies. The cervical and axillary lymph nodes are the most commonly biopsied nodes due to their easy accessibility and due to the fact that they drain the lymph from many vital organs; the next most commonly biopsied nodes are the sub-clavicular, grains, mesentric and mediastinal nodes. Among all the lymph node affections the metastatic tumours occupy the first place (23%) followed by the primary tumours (malignant lymphomas 16%) and the specific inflammatory lesions (10%). Among the metastic nodes squamous cell carcinoma occupy the first place (8%) followed by digestive tract, lung, thyroid glands, breast, testicular, pancreatic, ovarian and gall bladder tumours.", "PMID": 782173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6119", "title": "The characteristics of glucose transport across the blood brain barrier and its relation to cerebral glucose metabolism.", "content": "The evidence suggests that glucose transport across the blood brain barrier (BBB) in the dog is normally not a rate-limiting step in cerebral metabolism; however, transport may become rate-limiting under conditions of extreme hypoglycemia or anoxia. Studies on the mechanism of glucose transport from blood to brain do not at this time permit us to distinguish between active transport and facilitated diffusion; however, a decrease in the rate of unidirectional transport during anoxia suggests that an energy-dependent process may be involved. In spite of this evidence, glucose transport across the BBB is similar to the facilitated diffusion of glucose into the red cell in terms of the structural requirements of the glucose molecule, the pattern of inhibition by phlorizin, phloretin and cytochalasin B, and the lack of sensitivity to Na+ or insulin.", "contents": "The characteristics of glucose transport across the blood brain barrier and its relation to cerebral glucose metabolism. The evidence suggests that glucose transport across the blood brain barrier (BBB) in the dog is normally not a rate-limiting step in cerebral metabolism; however, transport may become rate-limiting under conditions of extreme hypoglycemia or anoxia. Studies on the mechanism of glucose transport from blood to brain do not at this time permit us to distinguish between active transport and facilitated diffusion; however, a decrease in the rate of unidirectional transport during anoxia suggests that an energy-dependent process may be involved. In spite of this evidence, glucose transport across the BBB is similar to the facilitated diffusion of glucose into the red cell in terms of the structural requirements of the glucose molecule, the pattern of inhibition by phlorizin, phloretin and cytochalasin B, and the lack of sensitivity to Na+ or insulin.", "PMID": 782188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6120", "title": "Energetics of low affinity amino acid transport into brain slices.", "content": "It appears possible to dissect and study some of the potential energy sources for amino acid transport in brain slices despite the apparent complexity of the tissue in comparison to that of isolated bacterial vesicles23. The uptake capability of the tissue may be inadvertently damaged in some experimental protocols so that very special controls must be used to ensure that the treatment did not somehow inactivate the very mechanism that thereafter will be tested. We have presented some evidence that brain slice amino acid transport may not be obligatorily linked to glycolysis, ATP levels, Na+, K+-ATPase activity, K+ levels or direction of flux, or to Na+ flux. However, the energy source linkage for different amino acids appears to be rather specific, so that further generalizations are difficult to sustain. For instance, the incubation media and conditions we describe here were experimentally adjusted to maximize uptake of D-glu or alpha-AIB in the absence of glucose, or in lowered K+ or Na+. Therefore, these procedures, the results of which directly challenge some common assumptions regarding the energy basis for active transport in brain slices, probably will not be universally extensible to all other actively transported amino acids.", "contents": "Energetics of low affinity amino acid transport into brain slices. It appears possible to dissect and study some of the potential energy sources for amino acid transport in brain slices despite the apparent complexity of the tissue in comparison to that of isolated bacterial vesicles23. The uptake capability of the tissue may be inadvertently damaged in some experimental protocols so that very special controls must be used to ensure that the treatment did not somehow inactivate the very mechanism that thereafter will be tested. We have presented some evidence that brain slice amino acid transport may not be obligatorily linked to glycolysis, ATP levels, Na+, K+-ATPase activity, K+ levels or direction of flux, or to Na+ flux. However, the energy source linkage for different amino acids appears to be rather specific, so that further generalizations are difficult to sustain. For instance, the incubation media and conditions we describe here were experimentally adjusted to maximize uptake of D-glu or alpha-AIB in the absence of glucose, or in lowered K+ or Na+. Therefore, these procedures, the results of which directly challenge some common assumptions regarding the energy basis for active transport in brain slices, probably will not be universally extensible to all other actively transported amino acids.", "PMID": 782193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6121", "title": "Pathological aspects of brain transport phenomena.", "content": "The aim of this paper has been to review and discuss the past and the recent investigations concerned with the study of cerebral transport phenomena in pathological conditions which have been divided into two main parts: (1) the effects of experimentally induced blood brain barrier (BBB) injury by (a) HgCl2 or (b) hyper-osmolar intracarotic perfusate; and (2) the effects of ischemia or of an altered oxygen saturation and pCO2 tension on glucose and/or amino acids and/or protein transport across the BBB, in the syanptosomes and cerebral capillaries. The most important observations were as follows: (1) HgCl2 or hyperosmolar perfusates produced an increased BBB permeability to protein tracers but the brain uptake of glucose analogues was found decreased following the former, and increased (except for lactamide) after the latter treatment. (2) (a) In ischemia, the noted increased vesicular transport of peroxidase, as well as the increased saturable and non-saturable passage of glucose analogues across the BBB depended on the duration of cerebral deprivation of blood supply which never resulted in degeneration of endothelial cells of the brain vessels. (b) The progressively decreased specific 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake in the synaptosomes seen during cerebral ischemia of 30-180 minutes returned to the level of controls 1 hour after reestablishment of cerebral circulation. (c) A decrease in brain uptake of glucose analogues and amino acids (with few exceptions) was observed in severe hypoxia and hypercapnia while an increase or no change in the brain uptakes was seen in hypocapnia. (d) Preliminary investigations of the 2-DG uptake by the cerebral capillaries obtained by fractionation of the brain from animals subjected to normal or altered oxygen saturation and pCO2 tension suggested that cerebral glucose uptake may be directly related to its capillary function.", "contents": "Pathological aspects of brain transport phenomena. The aim of this paper has been to review and discuss the past and the recent investigations concerned with the study of cerebral transport phenomena in pathological conditions which have been divided into two main parts: (1) the effects of experimentally induced blood brain barrier (BBB) injury by (a) HgCl2 or (b) hyper-osmolar intracarotic perfusate; and (2) the effects of ischemia or of an altered oxygen saturation and pCO2 tension on glucose and/or amino acids and/or protein transport across the BBB, in the syanptosomes and cerebral capillaries. The most important observations were as follows: (1) HgCl2 or hyperosmolar perfusates produced an increased BBB permeability to protein tracers but the brain uptake of glucose analogues was found decreased following the former, and increased (except for lactamide) after the latter treatment. (2) (a) In ischemia, the noted increased vesicular transport of peroxidase, as well as the increased saturable and non-saturable passage of glucose analogues across the BBB depended on the duration of cerebral deprivation of blood supply which never resulted in degeneration of endothelial cells of the brain vessels. (b) The progressively decreased specific 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake in the synaptosomes seen during cerebral ischemia of 30-180 minutes returned to the level of controls 1 hour after reestablishment of cerebral circulation. (c) A decrease in brain uptake of glucose analogues and amino acids (with few exceptions) was observed in severe hypoxia and hypercapnia while an increase or no change in the brain uptakes was seen in hypocapnia. (d) Preliminary investigations of the 2-DG uptake by the cerebral capillaries obtained by fractionation of the brain from animals subjected to normal or altered oxygen saturation and pCO2 tension suggested that cerebral glucose uptake may be directly related to its capillary function.", "PMID": 782195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6122", "title": "Synthesis and turnover of brain phosphoglycerides- results, methods of calculation and interpretation.", "content": "The important problem of membrane assembly and disassembly can be studied by measurements of rates of tunrover of labeled components. After intracerebral injections of ethanolamine and glycerol into mice, we have found rapid and slow turnover pools of 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylethanolamine (diacyl-GPE) and 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (diacyl-GPC). We have described the methods for calculation of half-lives for two or more pools and for the calculation of the relative size of the pools. For mice injected between 5 and 8 weeks of age, the rapid turnover pools have a half-life of 1.5 and 1.8 days for diacyl-GPC and diacyl-Ge respectively. Corresponding half-lives for the slow turnover pools are 20 and 27 days. The slow turnover pools include 74% of the diacyl-GPC and 86% of the diacyl-Ge. These turnover rates are in agreement with the flux of fatty acids through the diacylglycerol pools. We have proposed that the rapid turnover pool may be the phosphoglycerides that are exchangable with cytosol carrier proteins and that the slow turnover may represent the catabolism of membrane segments including the intrinsic proteins.", "contents": "Synthesis and turnover of brain phosphoglycerides- results, methods of calculation and interpretation. The important problem of membrane assembly and disassembly can be studied by measurements of rates of tunrover of labeled components. After intracerebral injections of ethanolamine and glycerol into mice, we have found rapid and slow turnover pools of 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylethanolamine (diacyl-GPE) and 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (diacyl-GPC). We have described the methods for calculation of half-lives for two or more pools and for the calculation of the relative size of the pools. For mice injected between 5 and 8 weeks of age, the rapid turnover pools have a half-life of 1.5 and 1.8 days for diacyl-GPC and diacyl-Ge respectively. Corresponding half-lives for the slow turnover pools are 20 and 27 days. The slow turnover pools include 74% of the diacyl-GPC and 86% of the diacyl-Ge. These turnover rates are in agreement with the flux of fatty acids through the diacylglycerol pools. We have proposed that the rapid turnover pool may be the phosphoglycerides that are exchangable with cytosol carrier proteins and that the slow turnover may represent the catabolism of membrane segments including the intrinsic proteins.", "PMID": 782199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6123", "title": "Studies on mechanisms of immobilization of mononuclear cells in the delayed hypersensitivity (DH) reaction.", "content": "Migration inhibitory (MI) activity in exudates, and 'migration' and 'inhibition of migration' of exudate cells was investigated in the delayed hypersensitivity (DH) reaction induced by intrapleural injection of PPD into complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA)-sensitized guinea-pigs. During the initial reaction (6-hour), two types of antigen-dependent MI activity were detected in serum and cell free exudate. One was a high molecular weight material associated with immunoglobulin, and the other was a low molecular weight material and appeared to be so-called antigen-dependent migration inhibitory factor (MIF). As the reaction progressed (i.e. 12-24-hour), two types of antigen-independent MI activity were revealed in exudate, but not in serum. One of these was a high molecular weight material, and the other was a low molecular weight material and thought to be so-called antigen-independent MIF. Similar experiments were performed on the reversed passive Arthus (RPA) reaction in the pleural cavity of guinea-pigs. A high molecular weight substance having MI activity was detected in 6-hour cell free exudate and was found to be antigen-independent. So-called MIF was not found in this reaction. Migration of unseparated exudate cells from the 18-hour DH reaction was less extensive than that of 6-hour unseparated cells. Addition of antigen caused further inhibition, the effect on 18-hour exudate cells being more pronounced. These results were further examined, using mononuclear cells separated on a Ficoll-Isopaque gradient. The migration area of the mononuclear cells was reduced as the DH reaction progressed. Mononuclear cells from the DH reaction gave a smaller migration area throughout the reaction in comparison with blood mononuclear cells. The migration area of the RPA exudate mononuclear cells was also reduced as the reaction progressed. However 6-hour RPA exudate mononuclear cells gave a larger migration area than blood mononuclear cells. The migration of mononuclear cells from DH exudate was inhibited by addition of antigen. A greater degree of inhibition of migration was induced by addition of antigen to mononuclear cells from 18- and 24-hour exudate cells in comparison with 6- and 12-hour exudates. The migration of mononuclear cells from normal blood (i.e. unsensitized animals) and RPA exudate (6- and 18-hour) was unaffected by addition of antigen. Similar results were obtained for blood of complete Freund's adjuvant sensitized animals from 0- to 18-hour. Adherent (A) and nonadherent (NA) mononuclear cells from 18-hour DH exudate were separated through a glass bead column. The migration of adherent cells from 6-hour exudates was not significantly inhibited whereas that of 18-hour mononuclear cells was markedly inhibited. The effect on migration of each mononuclear cell fraction was detected by mixing with peritoneal exudate cells (used as indicator cells). The effect of the A cells from 18-hour mononuclear cell exudates on peritoneal exudate cells was strong, whereas that of 6-hour exudates was less marked...", "contents": "Studies on mechanisms of immobilization of mononuclear cells in the delayed hypersensitivity (DH) reaction. Migration inhibitory (MI) activity in exudates, and 'migration' and 'inhibition of migration' of exudate cells was investigated in the delayed hypersensitivity (DH) reaction induced by intrapleural injection of PPD into complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA)-sensitized guinea-pigs. During the initial reaction (6-hour), two types of antigen-dependent MI activity were detected in serum and cell free exudate. One was a high molecular weight material associated with immunoglobulin, and the other was a low molecular weight material and appeared to be so-called antigen-dependent migration inhibitory factor (MIF). As the reaction progressed (i.e. 12-24-hour), two types of antigen-independent MI activity were revealed in exudate, but not in serum. One of these was a high molecular weight material, and the other was a low molecular weight material and thought to be so-called antigen-independent MIF. Similar experiments were performed on the reversed passive Arthus (RPA) reaction in the pleural cavity of guinea-pigs. A high molecular weight substance having MI activity was detected in 6-hour cell free exudate and was found to be antigen-independent. So-called MIF was not found in this reaction. Migration of unseparated exudate cells from the 18-hour DH reaction was less extensive than that of 6-hour unseparated cells. Addition of antigen caused further inhibition, the effect on 18-hour exudate cells being more pronounced. These results were further examined, using mononuclear cells separated on a Ficoll-Isopaque gradient. The migration area of the mononuclear cells was reduced as the DH reaction progressed. Mononuclear cells from the DH reaction gave a smaller migration area throughout the reaction in comparison with blood mononuclear cells. The migration area of the RPA exudate mononuclear cells was also reduced as the reaction progressed. However 6-hour RPA exudate mononuclear cells gave a larger migration area than blood mononuclear cells. The migration of mononuclear cells from DH exudate was inhibited by addition of antigen. A greater degree of inhibition of migration was induced by addition of antigen to mononuclear cells from 18- and 24-hour exudate cells in comparison with 6- and 12-hour exudates. The migration of mononuclear cells from normal blood (i.e. unsensitized animals) and RPA exudate (6- and 18-hour) was unaffected by addition of antigen. Similar results were obtained for blood of complete Freund's adjuvant sensitized animals from 0- to 18-hour. Adherent (A) and nonadherent (NA) mononuclear cells from 18-hour DH exudate were separated through a glass bead column. The migration of adherent cells from 6-hour exudates was not significantly inhibited whereas that of 18-hour mononuclear cells was markedly inhibited. The effect on migration of each mononuclear cell fraction was detected by mixing with peritoneal exudate cells (used as indicator cells). The effect of the A cells from 18-hour mononuclear cell exudates on peritoneal exudate cells was strong, whereas that of 6-hour exudates was less marked...", "PMID": 782206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6124", "title": "In vivo and in vitro macrophage activation by systemic adjuvants.", "content": "Six systemic adjuvants of immunity were tested for their ability to induce macrophage activation. Four of them: living BCG, hydrosoluble extracts from BCG (HIU II) and from M.smegmatis (IPM), and lipopolysaccharide from E.coli (LPS), when administered to normal mice render macrophages non-specifically cytotoxic for tumor cells in vitro. The intensity of this phenomenon varied according to the route and time of adjuvant administration. In contrast, lentinan extracted from Lentinus edodes, and levamisole which is a synthetic chemical compound, depressed macrophage cytotoxic potential. BCG, IPM and LPS were shown to have a direct action on macrophages. After in vitro exposure to these agents, the cytotoxic potential of normal macrophages was greatly increased. Levamisole was unable to stimulate this macrophage function directly in vitro. On the other hand, such a macrophage activation has been induced in vitro when normal macrophages were cultivated in the presence of MIF coming from the supernatant of human lymphoblastoid cell lines.", "contents": "In vivo and in vitro macrophage activation by systemic adjuvants. Six systemic adjuvants of immunity were tested for their ability to induce macrophage activation. Four of them: living BCG, hydrosoluble extracts from BCG (HIU II) and from M.smegmatis (IPM), and lipopolysaccharide from E.coli (LPS), when administered to normal mice render macrophages non-specifically cytotoxic for tumor cells in vitro. The intensity of this phenomenon varied according to the route and time of adjuvant administration. In contrast, lentinan extracted from Lentinus edodes, and levamisole which is a synthetic chemical compound, depressed macrophage cytotoxic potential. BCG, IPM and LPS were shown to have a direct action on macrophages. After in vitro exposure to these agents, the cytotoxic potential of normal macrophages was greatly increased. Levamisole was unable to stimulate this macrophage function directly in vitro. On the other hand, such a macrophage activation has been induced in vitro when normal macrophages were cultivated in the presence of MIF coming from the supernatant of human lymphoblastoid cell lines.", "PMID": 782207} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6125", "title": "Studies on the regulation of the neutrophil chemotactic response using a rapid and reliable method for measuring random migration and chemotaxis of neutrophil granulocytes.", "content": "An economic and sensitive test system for measuring random and directional migration of human neutrophils is described. The technique, based on a modified Boyden chamber equipped with a two-filter system, permits a substantial reduction of both incubation time and sample volume. The influence of various technical factors such as the neutrophil concentration in the cell suspension, the incubation time of the chambers, the test concentration of activated plasma or serum, the presence of heparin, and the procedure for separating neutrophils from human peripheral blood, was investigated. Standardized procedures for measuring and reporting neutrophil chemotaxis are proposed. The method has been used to study the significance of factors regulating neutrophil migration such as cytotaxin inactivators and neutrophil immobilizing factors (NIF). Activity of cytotaxin inactivators as assessed in undiluted serum or plasma at pH 7.4, 6.0 or 4.0 was very low. In contrast, potent neutrophil immobilizing activity was found in human serum or diluted plasma. These factors which inhibit migration were accordingly termed neutrophil immobilizing factors of plasma (NIF-P) and neutrophil immobilizing factor of serum (NIF-S). These factors are heat-stable, non-dialysable and of high molecular weight.", "contents": "Studies on the regulation of the neutrophil chemotactic response using a rapid and reliable method for measuring random migration and chemotaxis of neutrophil granulocytes. An economic and sensitive test system for measuring random and directional migration of human neutrophils is described. The technique, based on a modified Boyden chamber equipped with a two-filter system, permits a substantial reduction of both incubation time and sample volume. The influence of various technical factors such as the neutrophil concentration in the cell suspension, the incubation time of the chambers, the test concentration of activated plasma or serum, the presence of heparin, and the procedure for separating neutrophils from human peripheral blood, was investigated. Standardized procedures for measuring and reporting neutrophil chemotaxis are proposed. The method has been used to study the significance of factors regulating neutrophil migration such as cytotaxin inactivators and neutrophil immobilizing factors (NIF). Activity of cytotaxin inactivators as assessed in undiluted serum or plasma at pH 7.4, 6.0 or 4.0 was very low. In contrast, potent neutrophil immobilizing activity was found in human serum or diluted plasma. These factors which inhibit migration were accordingly termed neutrophil immobilizing factors of plasma (NIF-P) and neutrophil immobilizing factor of serum (NIF-S). These factors are heat-stable, non-dialysable and of high molecular weight.", "PMID": 782208} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6126", "title": "The differential effects of cyclophosphamide and 6-mercaptopurine on the renal disease and skin immunoglobulin deposits of the NZB-NZW F1 hybrid mice.", "content": "The following differential effects of immunosuppressive therapy with Cyclophosphamide (CYCLOPH) and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) in the female NZB-NZW F1 hybrid strain have been observed: (1) CYCLOPH but not 6-MP significantly decreased antinuclear antibody level. (2) Both CYCLOPH and 6-MP significantly decreased glomerular cell proliferation. (3) Both CYCLOPH and 6-MP significantly arrested progression of glomerulosclerosis. (4) While CYCLOPH significantly diminished Ig deposition in the glomeruli, 6-MP had no effect on this phenomenon. (5) While CYCLOPH decreased subepidermal globulin deposition in the skin, 6-MP appeared actually to enhance subepidermal staining. Thus, the present studies demonstrated that CYCLOPH was superior to 6-MP in four of the five parameters studied. In the case of one parameter, Ig staining of the skin, 6-MP actually produced enhancement of the staining. Both CYCLOPH and azathioprine which is a derivative of 6-MP, are currently being used for the treatment of human SLE. The present findings suggest that of the two, CYCLOPH may be the drug of choice.", "contents": "The differential effects of cyclophosphamide and 6-mercaptopurine on the renal disease and skin immunoglobulin deposits of the NZB-NZW F1 hybrid mice. The following differential effects of immunosuppressive therapy with Cyclophosphamide (CYCLOPH) and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) in the female NZB-NZW F1 hybrid strain have been observed: (1) CYCLOPH but not 6-MP significantly decreased antinuclear antibody level. (2) Both CYCLOPH and 6-MP significantly decreased glomerular cell proliferation. (3) Both CYCLOPH and 6-MP significantly arrested progression of glomerulosclerosis. (4) While CYCLOPH significantly diminished Ig deposition in the glomeruli, 6-MP had no effect on this phenomenon. (5) While CYCLOPH decreased subepidermal globulin deposition in the skin, 6-MP appeared actually to enhance subepidermal staining. Thus, the present studies demonstrated that CYCLOPH was superior to 6-MP in four of the five parameters studied. In the case of one parameter, Ig staining of the skin, 6-MP actually produced enhancement of the staining. Both CYCLOPH and azathioprine which is a derivative of 6-MP, are currently being used for the treatment of human SLE. The present findings suggest that of the two, CYCLOPH may be the drug of choice.", "PMID": 782209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6127", "title": "Bacteriological quality control in laboratory animals.", "content": "For monitoring health status of conventional laboratory animals, weekly samples should be examined of at least 2-5% of animals of each room. Dissecting method, bacteriological cultural technique and different selective media have been described. The significance of microorganisms and their relation to clinical signs, mode of infection and animals affected have been summarised in tabulated form.", "contents": "Bacteriological quality control in laboratory animals. For monitoring health status of conventional laboratory animals, weekly samples should be examined of at least 2-5% of animals of each room. Dissecting method, bacteriological cultural technique and different selective media have been described. The significance of microorganisms and their relation to clinical signs, mode of infection and animals affected have been summarised in tabulated form.", "PMID": 782217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6128", "title": "Hemodynamic effects of steroids in cardiac disease.", "content": "The hemodynamic effects of intravenous methylprednisolone were documented by right heart catheterization in seven patients with an acute uncomplicated transmural myocardial infarction 1 to 9 days after the onset of symptoms. Intracardiac pressures, brachial artery pressure, and cardiac output were determined before and 1 hour after the termination of the methylprednisolone infusion. Two grams of methylprednisolone were infused over a 20 minute period. The brachial pressure rose from a mean of 82 to 90 mm. Hq (N.S.). The brachial artery mean pressure fell in the one patient with a 1-day-old infarction, and it rose in the six patients with an older infarction, from 83 to 94 mm. Hg (p less than 0.01). As the brachial artery pressure rose in one patient, chest pain and marked ST-segment elevation occurred which were relieved by nitroglycerin. This experience promoted us to terminate the steroid study. There was a nonsignificant increase in the cardiac index and wedge pressure. The raise in the brachial artery pressure with an infarction older than 1 day was an unexpected finding, since steroids are presumed to be vasodilating agents.", "contents": "Hemodynamic effects of steroids in cardiac disease. The hemodynamic effects of intravenous methylprednisolone were documented by right heart catheterization in seven patients with an acute uncomplicated transmural myocardial infarction 1 to 9 days after the onset of symptoms. Intracardiac pressures, brachial artery pressure, and cardiac output were determined before and 1 hour after the termination of the methylprednisolone infusion. Two grams of methylprednisolone were infused over a 20 minute period. The brachial pressure rose from a mean of 82 to 90 mm. Hq (N.S.). The brachial artery mean pressure fell in the one patient with a 1-day-old infarction, and it rose in the six patients with an older infarction, from 83 to 94 mm. Hg (p less than 0.01). As the brachial artery pressure rose in one patient, chest pain and marked ST-segment elevation occurred which were relieved by nitroglycerin. This experience promoted us to terminate the steroid study. There was a nonsignificant increase in the cardiac index and wedge pressure. The raise in the brachial artery pressure with an infarction older than 1 day was an unexpected finding, since steroids are presumed to be vasodilating agents.", "PMID": 782218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6129", "title": "Characteristics and coexistence of two forms of ventricular echo phenomena.", "content": "During the scanning of paced basic ventricular cycle lengths (V1V1) with extrastimulus method (V2) two forms of ventricular echo phenomena (Ve) were recognized. The Ve resulting from A-V nodal re-entry (VeAVN) occurred in 12 of 45 patients, from re-entry in the His-Purkinje system (Ve-HPS) in 20 of 45 patients, and simultaneous dual re-entry (Ve-AVN and Ve-HPS) occurred in five of 45 patients. The Ve-AVN (1) appeared at longer V1V2 intervals, (2) was dependent on retrograde A-V nodal conduction delay, (3) had normal QRS complexes and H-V intervals, and (4) did not occur when V2 blocked in the A-V node. (5) Ve-AVN had aberrant QRS complexes when preceded by Ve-HPS. The Ve-HPS (1) appeared at shorter V1V2 intervals, (2) was dependent upon retrograde conduction delay in the HPS, (3) its QRS morphology and axis orientation resembled V2, i.e., left bundle branch block pattern, when right ventricular apex was the site of stimulation, (4) persisted when V2 blocked in the A-V node and was abolished when V2 blocked below the bundle of His, and (5) rarely occurred in patients with pre-existing right bundle branch block. It is concluded that (1) at least two forms of Ve can result from induced premature ventricular beats, (2) Ve-HPS is more common than Ve-AVN in the presence of normal QRS complexes, and (3) coexistence of Ve-AVN and Ve-HPS can give rise to complex ECG pattern mimicking multiple multifocal premature ventricular beats.", "contents": "Characteristics and coexistence of two forms of ventricular echo phenomena. During the scanning of paced basic ventricular cycle lengths (V1V1) with extrastimulus method (V2) two forms of ventricular echo phenomena (Ve) were recognized. The Ve resulting from A-V nodal re-entry (VeAVN) occurred in 12 of 45 patients, from re-entry in the His-Purkinje system (Ve-HPS) in 20 of 45 patients, and simultaneous dual re-entry (Ve-AVN and Ve-HPS) occurred in five of 45 patients. The Ve-AVN (1) appeared at longer V1V2 intervals, (2) was dependent on retrograde A-V nodal conduction delay, (3) had normal QRS complexes and H-V intervals, and (4) did not occur when V2 blocked in the A-V node. (5) Ve-AVN had aberrant QRS complexes when preceded by Ve-HPS. The Ve-HPS (1) appeared at shorter V1V2 intervals, (2) was dependent upon retrograde conduction delay in the HPS, (3) its QRS morphology and axis orientation resembled V2, i.e., left bundle branch block pattern, when right ventricular apex was the site of stimulation, (4) persisted when V2 blocked in the A-V node and was abolished when V2 blocked below the bundle of His, and (5) rarely occurred in patients with pre-existing right bundle branch block. It is concluded that (1) at least two forms of Ve can result from induced premature ventricular beats, (2) Ve-HPS is more common than Ve-AVN in the presence of normal QRS complexes, and (3) coexistence of Ve-AVN and Ve-HPS can give rise to complex ECG pattern mimicking multiple multifocal premature ventricular beats.", "PMID": 782219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6130", "title": "Systemic and renal hemodynamic effects of bupicomide: a new vasodilator.", "content": "The systemic and renal hemodyanmic effects of bupicomide were studied in 10 male patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension of moderate severity. Bupicomide significantly reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure and peripheral vascular resistance and this hypotensive effect was associated with a reflexive increase in heart rate, left ventricular ejection rate, and cardiac index; it had no effect upon other reflexive sympathetic adjustments induced by upright tilt and the Valsalva maneuver. Bupicomide also increased renal blood flow and decreased renal vascular resistance, but it had no effect upon the glomerular filtration rate. The hypotensive mechanism of bupicomide therefore is mediated by peripheral arteriolar dilation, through vascular smooth muscle relaxation. The more immediate clinical side effects of bupicomide are related to its strong vasodialting action and include headaches, cutaneous flushing, and tachycardia.", "contents": "Systemic and renal hemodynamic effects of bupicomide: a new vasodilator. The systemic and renal hemodyanmic effects of bupicomide were studied in 10 male patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension of moderate severity. Bupicomide significantly reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure and peripheral vascular resistance and this hypotensive effect was associated with a reflexive increase in heart rate, left ventricular ejection rate, and cardiac index; it had no effect upon other reflexive sympathetic adjustments induced by upright tilt and the Valsalva maneuver. Bupicomide also increased renal blood flow and decreased renal vascular resistance, but it had no effect upon the glomerular filtration rate. The hypotensive mechanism of bupicomide therefore is mediated by peripheral arteriolar dilation, through vascular smooth muscle relaxation. The more immediate clinical side effects of bupicomide are related to its strong vasodialting action and include headaches, cutaneous flushing, and tachycardia.", "PMID": 782220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6131", "title": "Unstable angina pectoris.", "content": "Unstable angina is a syndrome which comprises a spectrum of symptomatic manifestations of coronary artery disease which lies between stable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction. Patients fall into three groups: angina of recent onset (4 weeks), angina of changing pattern, and angina occurring at rest (longer than 15 minutes). The syndrome may presage acute myocardial infarction or sudden death, or may itself be the manifestation of a myocardial infarction. The pathophysiology may involve primary cardiac events or extracardiac precipitating factors, and does not appear to be the consequence of a particular anatomic pattern of coronary artery disease. Pain may occur as a result of regional reduction of coronary flow to pressure-dependent areas of myocardium during states of increased myocardial oxygen demand. Persisting ischemia leads to infarction via a series of events which may include myocardial edema formation, increased beta-sympathetic tone, and others which have been experimentally modified by interventions designed to limit infarct size. Although the incidence of acute myocardial infarction and death was high in early studies, in recent reports acute infarction occurs in under 15.5 per cent and death in under 2 per cent. Patients at high risk are those pain persists with bed rest, and those with preceding stable angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. Prognostic differences among Groups 1, 2, and 3 may exist but cannot be assessed from available studies. Studies of the management of unstable angina have generally been uncontrolled. Hospitalization, bed rest, and short- and long-acting nitrates are generally employed in Groups 2 and 3 patients and the marked reduction in myocardial infarction rates from early to recent studies tends to support these approaches. Anticoagulants are less used now than formerly. Propranolol can produce a significant reduction of myocardial oxygen consumption and may redirect coronary flow to ischemic areas. The drug has effectively controlled pain in several studies and is now widely used to manage unstable angina. Aortocoronary bypass surgery has been extensively employed but there is only one preliminary report of a controlled study available. The role of surgery is not yet defined. The optimal approach to therapy may eventually involve the use of medical therapy, including beta-blockade to stabilize patients, with delayed semielective coronary angiography and surgery in those who respond. Emergency angiography and surgery might then be reserved for the high-risk group of patients whose pain persists during optimal medical therapy.", "contents": "Unstable angina pectoris. Unstable angina is a syndrome which comprises a spectrum of symptomatic manifestations of coronary artery disease which lies between stable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction. Patients fall into three groups: angina of recent onset (4 weeks), angina of changing pattern, and angina occurring at rest (longer than 15 minutes). The syndrome may presage acute myocardial infarction or sudden death, or may itself be the manifestation of a myocardial infarction. The pathophysiology may involve primary cardiac events or extracardiac precipitating factors, and does not appear to be the consequence of a particular anatomic pattern of coronary artery disease. Pain may occur as a result of regional reduction of coronary flow to pressure-dependent areas of myocardium during states of increased myocardial oxygen demand. Persisting ischemia leads to infarction via a series of events which may include myocardial edema formation, increased beta-sympathetic tone, and others which have been experimentally modified by interventions designed to limit infarct size. Although the incidence of acute myocardial infarction and death was high in early studies, in recent reports acute infarction occurs in under 15.5 per cent and death in under 2 per cent. Patients at high risk are those pain persists with bed rest, and those with preceding stable angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. Prognostic differences among Groups 1, 2, and 3 may exist but cannot be assessed from available studies. Studies of the management of unstable angina have generally been uncontrolled. Hospitalization, bed rest, and short- and long-acting nitrates are generally employed in Groups 2 and 3 patients and the marked reduction in myocardial infarction rates from early to recent studies tends to support these approaches. Anticoagulants are less used now than formerly. Propranolol can produce a significant reduction of myocardial oxygen consumption and may redirect coronary flow to ischemic areas. The drug has effectively controlled pain in several studies and is now widely used to manage unstable angina. Aortocoronary bypass surgery has been extensively employed but there is only one preliminary report of a controlled study available. The role of surgery is not yet defined. The optimal approach to therapy may eventually involve the use of medical therapy, including beta-blockade to stabilize patients, with delayed semielective coronary angiography and surgery in those who respond. Emergency angiography and surgery might then be reserved for the high-risk group of patients whose pain persists during optimal medical therapy.", "PMID": 782221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6132", "title": "Genetic spina bifida occulta in the mouse.", "content": "Spina bifida occulta is one of the major effects of the recessive mutant \"snubnose\" (symbol sno). Linkage tests have located this mutant in chromosome 4. Defective spinal arch formation typically includes the lumbar and often the posterior thoracic and sacral vertebrae. There is great variation in detail, from nearly normal closure to a trough-like spinal column. Causes of the variation are not understood. Severely affected specimens may also have defective anterior thoracic vertebrae and reduced size of the sacral vertebrae, with kyphosis. The tail is essentially normal. No external lesion or myelomeningocele has been found, but there have been some instances of paralysis of the hind limbs, possibly from injury. The spinal cord seems normal as a rule, and pigmentation is normal. Embryological study has not been attempted, but the condition seems to be primarily osteogenic in origin.", "contents": "Genetic spina bifida occulta in the mouse. Spina bifida occulta is one of the major effects of the recessive mutant \"snubnose\" (symbol sno). Linkage tests have located this mutant in chromosome 4. Defective spinal arch formation typically includes the lumbar and often the posterior thoracic and sacral vertebrae. There is great variation in detail, from nearly normal closure to a trough-like spinal column. Causes of the variation are not understood. Severely affected specimens may also have defective anterior thoracic vertebrae and reduced size of the sacral vertebrae, with kyphosis. The tail is essentially normal. No external lesion or myelomeningocele has been found, but there have been some instances of paralysis of the hind limbs, possibly from injury. The spinal cord seems normal as a rule, and pigmentation is normal. Embryological study has not been attempted, but the condition seems to be primarily osteogenic in origin.", "PMID": 782223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6133", "title": "Anti-kidney cytotoxic antibodies in human renal allografts.", "content": "Periodic comparisons were made of sera from two groups of patients, ten who rejected their renal transplants within a year after transplantation and ten who successfully maintained their transplanted kidneys for five years or more. What appeared to be anti-kidney cytotoxic antibodies were found in much higher levels in the sera of those patients with the short-lived transplants, the difference in titer levels between the two groups being significant at the .0001 levels. This antibody showed no correlation with either the presence or the absence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies, nor did it appear to have any relationship to the HL-A antigens or the previous renal disease of the recipient patient. While it was cytotoxic to tissue cultures of cells obtained from random human kidneys, human kidney tumor cells (Wilms), and human embryonic kidneys, this antibody did not react with non-renal human tissues (lung, spleen, deltoid muscle, foreskin). It did not react with nonhuman (simian) kidney tissue culture cells. The findings suggest the appearance of an organ-specific, cytotoxic anti-kidney antibody in patients undergoing renal homograft rejection.", "contents": "Anti-kidney cytotoxic antibodies in human renal allografts. Periodic comparisons were made of sera from two groups of patients, ten who rejected their renal transplants within a year after transplantation and ten who successfully maintained their transplanted kidneys for five years or more. What appeared to be anti-kidney cytotoxic antibodies were found in much higher levels in the sera of those patients with the short-lived transplants, the difference in titer levels between the two groups being significant at the .0001 levels. This antibody showed no correlation with either the presence or the absence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies, nor did it appear to have any relationship to the HL-A antigens or the previous renal disease of the recipient patient. While it was cytotoxic to tissue cultures of cells obtained from random human kidneys, human kidney tumor cells (Wilms), and human embryonic kidneys, this antibody did not react with non-renal human tissues (lung, spleen, deltoid muscle, foreskin). It did not react with nonhuman (simian) kidney tissue culture cells. The findings suggest the appearance of an organ-specific, cytotoxic anti-kidney antibody in patients undergoing renal homograft rejection.", "PMID": 782224} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6134", "title": "A regional quality control program in microbiology. II. Advantages of simulated clinical specimens.", "content": "A regional quality control program was established using simulated clinical specimens introduced into the routine workload of participating laboratories in such a way that they were not detected as quality control specimens. Comparison of performance between these specimens and lyophilized cultures showed that additional information was obtainable with the former. In particular, it was observed that common pathogens such as Escherichia coli are poorly identified in clinical material. The examination of urines was inferior to examination of other types of specimens. The implications of these findings for the practice of diagnostic bacteriology are discussed.", "contents": "A regional quality control program in microbiology. II. Advantages of simulated clinical specimens. A regional quality control program was established using simulated clinical specimens introduced into the routine workload of participating laboratories in such a way that they were not detected as quality control specimens. Comparison of performance between these specimens and lyophilized cultures showed that additional information was obtainable with the former. In particular, it was observed that common pathogens such as Escherichia coli are poorly identified in clinical material. The examination of urines was inferior to examination of other types of specimens. The implications of these findings for the practice of diagnostic bacteriology are discussed.", "PMID": 782225} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6135", "title": "The training of paraprofessionals as behavior modifiers: a review.", "content": "Paraprofessionals are increasingly being employed in the mental health field. While much interest has focused on their roles and functioning, little systematic attention has been devoted to an examination of training practices. Because a particularly compatible relationship may exist between paraprofessionals and the behavioral model of intervention, this review focuses on the training and use of paraprofessionals as behavior modifiers. Paraprofessional populations reviewed include psychiatric aides and nurses, college students, inpatients, and community and indigenous workers. The review concludes that a strong case can be made for the administrative feasibility of training and utilizing diverse groups of paraprofessionals as behavior modifiers. The lack of consistent, solid outcome evidence prohibits a conclusion relative to the effectiveness of these paraprofessionals at this point in time. Numerous researchable questions concerning the effectiveness of various forms of training with paraprofessionals, optimal length of training for various purposes, training resistances, etc., are unanswered. Beyond this, a serious lack of communication of the basic process of training is revealed, and the perhpas questionable roles paraprofessionals are being trained for is discussed.", "contents": "The training of paraprofessionals as behavior modifiers: a review. Paraprofessionals are increasingly being employed in the mental health field. While much interest has focused on their roles and functioning, little systematic attention has been devoted to an examination of training practices. Because a particularly compatible relationship may exist between paraprofessionals and the behavioral model of intervention, this review focuses on the training and use of paraprofessionals as behavior modifiers. Paraprofessional populations reviewed include psychiatric aides and nurses, college students, inpatients, and community and indigenous workers. The review concludes that a strong case can be made for the administrative feasibility of training and utilizing diverse groups of paraprofessionals as behavior modifiers. The lack of consistent, solid outcome evidence prohibits a conclusion relative to the effectiveness of these paraprofessionals at this point in time. Numerous researchable questions concerning the effectiveness of various forms of training with paraprofessionals, optimal length of training for various purposes, training resistances, etc., are unanswered. Beyond this, a serious lack of communication of the basic process of training is revealed, and the perhpas questionable roles paraprofessionals are being trained for is discussed.", "PMID": 782226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6136", "title": "The first urinary tract infection in male children.", "content": "In a prospective study of urinary tract infection in 57 boys, diagnosis in 50 patients was based on the presence of more than 10(5) organisms per milliliter of urine. Gram-positive cocci were more prevalent, and Escherichia coli was less prevalent than previously reported in girls. Fever and urinary tract abnormalities were frequent in boys younger than 10 years of age; less common in boys 10 to 14 years old. Excretory urography and voiding cystourethrography were performed in 30 boys. In 15, one or both showed abnormalities, usually vesicoureteral reflux. Most of the abnormalities, and all of those that necessitated surgical correction, were in boys under 10 years old. In the remaining seven patients, less than 10(3) organisms per milliliter grew on urine culture. All of the seven were younger than 10 years of age, and all had serious renal abnormalities, three requiring surgical correction.", "contents": "The first urinary tract infection in male children. In a prospective study of urinary tract infection in 57 boys, diagnosis in 50 patients was based on the presence of more than 10(5) organisms per milliliter of urine. Gram-positive cocci were more prevalent, and Escherichia coli was less prevalent than previously reported in girls. Fever and urinary tract abnormalities were frequent in boys younger than 10 years of age; less common in boys 10 to 14 years old. Excretory urography and voiding cystourethrography were performed in 30 boys. In 15, one or both showed abnormalities, usually vesicoureteral reflux. Most of the abnormalities, and all of those that necessitated surgical correction, were in boys under 10 years old. In the remaining seven patients, less than 10(3) organisms per milliliter grew on urine culture. All of the seven were younger than 10 years of age, and all had serious renal abnormalities, three requiring surgical correction.", "PMID": 782227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6137", "title": "Sweat gland reactivity to local thermal stimulation in dysautonomia.", "content": "An attempt has been made to elucidate the cause of hyperhidrosis in dysautonomia by testing sweat gland responsiveness to local application of heat. Heat was applied to the volar surface of the forearm with temperatures of 41.5 C and less for one to ten minutes. For each subject, the minimal duration of heating at the lowest temperature capable of evoking sweating was determined (threshold). Thresholds were significantly lower in all subjects with dysautonomia. Since one control subject, the father of a dysautonomia subject, had the highest threshold, these tests do not permit detection of the heterozygote. A reasonable explanation for enhanced sweating reactivity to local heat application is an increased excitatory state of reflex centers. These patients appear permanently on the verge of generalized sweating likely to result from minimal additional stimulation.", "contents": "Sweat gland reactivity to local thermal stimulation in dysautonomia. An attempt has been made to elucidate the cause of hyperhidrosis in dysautonomia by testing sweat gland responsiveness to local application of heat. Heat was applied to the volar surface of the forearm with temperatures of 41.5 C and less for one to ten minutes. For each subject, the minimal duration of heating at the lowest temperature capable of evoking sweating was determined (threshold). Thresholds were significantly lower in all subjects with dysautonomia. Since one control subject, the father of a dysautonomia subject, had the highest threshold, these tests do not permit detection of the heterozygote. A reasonable explanation for enhanced sweating reactivity to local heat application is an increased excitatory state of reflex centers. These patients appear permanently on the verge of generalized sweating likely to result from minimal additional stimulation.", "PMID": 782228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6138", "title": "Factors relating to intelligence in treated cases of spina bifida cystica.", "content": "Analysis of results on 83 survivors of spina bifida cystica showed the following: (1) in the seven children who had had central nervous system (CNS) infection, intelligence was impaired, six being severely retarded. (2) In the nine children who did not suffer CNS infection or require a shunt, intelligence was normal. The need for a shunt was related to radiological appearance (craniolacunae) and to the sensory level at birth. (3) In the 67 children who did not suffer CNS infection but did require a shunt, intelligence was related to sensory level found at birth and to thickness of the pallium measured within four weeks of birth. Their intelligence did not relate to the occipitofrontal circumference at birth, or to its increase before the insertion of the shunt. Intelligence did not relate to the function of the shunt at the time of assessment or to the number of times it had been revised.", "contents": "Factors relating to intelligence in treated cases of spina bifida cystica. Analysis of results on 83 survivors of spina bifida cystica showed the following: (1) in the seven children who had had central nervous system (CNS) infection, intelligence was impaired, six being severely retarded. (2) In the nine children who did not suffer CNS infection or require a shunt, intelligence was normal. The need for a shunt was related to radiological appearance (craniolacunae) and to the sensory level at birth. (3) In the 67 children who did not suffer CNS infection but did require a shunt, intelligence was related to sensory level found at birth and to thickness of the pallium measured within four weeks of birth. Their intelligence did not relate to the occipitofrontal circumference at birth, or to its increase before the insertion of the shunt. Intelligence did not relate to the function of the shunt at the time of assessment or to the number of times it had been revised.", "PMID": 782229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6139", "title": "Inhibition of basal and stimulated gastric H+ and pepsin secretion in duodenal ulcer patients by metiamide, an H-2 histamine antagonist.", "content": "Metiamide was given orally in one dose of 200 mg in 23 sutdies in patients with duodenal ulcer, 4 in the basal state, 11 during histamine infusion, and 8 before insulin hypoglycemia stimulation. In the latter 8 patients insulin was given at another time without metiamide. In 17 studies acid secretion was suppressed by metiamide--up to 75% in the basal state, 53% after histamine, and 80% after insulin. Pepsin secretion was reduced to the same extent as H+ in the histamine studies but not in the basal (57%) or insulin (44%) studies, so that in the latter pepsin/acid ratios were 3-fold greater than in controls. Blood levels of metiamide were measured in 17 studies. In 10 out of 11 who showed inhibition of 40% or more, peak blood levels of metiamide were 0.45 mug/ml to 1.25 mug/ml. In 5 of 6 who did not show inhibition, blood levels were 0.05-0.4 mug/ml; in the sixth it was 0.8 mug/ml. Therefore a critical blood level for suppression of basal or stimulated secretion appears to be approximately 0.45 mug/ml.", "contents": "Inhibition of basal and stimulated gastric H+ and pepsin secretion in duodenal ulcer patients by metiamide, an H-2 histamine antagonist. Metiamide was given orally in one dose of 200 mg in 23 sutdies in patients with duodenal ulcer, 4 in the basal state, 11 during histamine infusion, and 8 before insulin hypoglycemia stimulation. In the latter 8 patients insulin was given at another time without metiamide. In 17 studies acid secretion was suppressed by metiamide--up to 75% in the basal state, 53% after histamine, and 80% after insulin. Pepsin secretion was reduced to the same extent as H+ in the histamine studies but not in the basal (57%) or insulin (44%) studies, so that in the latter pepsin/acid ratios were 3-fold greater than in controls. Blood levels of metiamide were measured in 17 studies. In 10 out of 11 who showed inhibition of 40% or more, peak blood levels of metiamide were 0.45 mug/ml to 1.25 mug/ml. In 5 of 6 who did not show inhibition, blood levels were 0.05-0.4 mug/ml; in the sixth it was 0.8 mug/ml. Therefore a critical blood level for suppression of basal or stimulated secretion appears to be approximately 0.45 mug/ml.", "PMID": 782230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6140", "title": "Pharmacists at America's first hospital, 1752-1841.", "content": "The development of the role of the apothecary at America's first hospital, the Pennsylvania Hospital, is presented. The first salaried apothecary, Jonathan Roberts, was hired in 1752. Subsequent apothecaries included students of medicine and surgery, some of whom worked for the benefit of experience, plus room and board. In an attempt to upgrade the position, an apothecary from England, with training in chemistry, was hired in 1768. During the Colonial period, the hospital pharmacist, in addition to preparing drugs, sometimes acted as resident physician, steward and even as an instructor to the apprentices. Drugs for the hospital were purchased from England until the American Revolution. While the function of the apothecary was absorbed by the resident apprentices during the post-Revolutionary War period, the early 19th century brought the return of the professional apothecary whose sole function was to prepare prescriptions under the direction of the physicians.", "contents": "Pharmacists at America's first hospital, 1752-1841. The development of the role of the apothecary at America's first hospital, the Pennsylvania Hospital, is presented. The first salaried apothecary, Jonathan Roberts, was hired in 1752. Subsequent apothecaries included students of medicine and surgery, some of whom worked for the benefit of experience, plus room and board. In an attempt to upgrade the position, an apothecary from England, with training in chemistry, was hired in 1768. During the Colonial period, the hospital pharmacist, in addition to preparing drugs, sometimes acted as resident physician, steward and even as an instructor to the apprentices. Drugs for the hospital were purchased from England until the American Revolution. While the function of the apothecary was absorbed by the resident apprentices during the post-Revolutionary War period, the early 19th century brought the return of the professional apothecary whose sole function was to prepare prescriptions under the direction of the physicians.", "PMID": 782234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6141", "title": "Drug therapy in colonial and revolutionary America.", "content": "Drug therapy during the Colonial and Revolutionary War period in America is discussed. Therapy in the 17th and 18th centuries remained largely symptomatic rather than curative. Treatment included such \"depletion\" measures as purging, sweating, bleeding, blistering and vomiting. Purgatives, emetics, opium, cinchona bark, camphor, potassium nitrate and mercury were among the most widely used drugs. European herbals, dispensatories and textbooks were used in the American colonies, and beginning in the early 18th century, British \"patent medicines\" were imported. During the Revolutionary War, the supply of drugs from Britain was cut off. The Continental Congress established laboratories and storehouses to serve the needs of the army.", "contents": "Drug therapy in colonial and revolutionary America. Drug therapy during the Colonial and Revolutionary War period in America is discussed. Therapy in the 17th and 18th centuries remained largely symptomatic rather than curative. Treatment included such \"depletion\" measures as purging, sweating, bleeding, blistering and vomiting. Purgatives, emetics, opium, cinchona bark, camphor, potassium nitrate and mercury were among the most widely used drugs. European herbals, dispensatories and textbooks were used in the American colonies, and beginning in the early 18th century, British \"patent medicines\" were imported. During the Revolutionary War, the supply of drugs from Britain was cut off. The Continental Congress established laboratories and storehouses to serve the needs of the army.", "PMID": 782235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6142", "title": "Pharmacotherapy of inflammatory bowel disease.", "content": "The etiology, pharmacotherapy and management of the two major types of inflammatory bowel disease--ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease--are reviewed. Sulfasalazine and topical corticosteroids (i.e., hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone acetate or methylprednisolone acetate) are effective in many patients with mild distal ulcerative colitis. Maintenance sulfasalazine therapy significantly reduces the relapse rate in ulcerative colitis. Systemic corticosteroids (i.e., prednisone, prednisolone or methylprednisolone) have improved the survival rate of patients with moderate and severe ulcerative colitis. Antacids should be given regularly during high-dose steroid therapy to prevent gastritis. If oral steroids are ineffective, the use of parenteral corticosteroids (hydrocortisone sodium succinate or methylprednisolone sodium succinate) is suggested. Both sulfasalazine and corticosteroids appear to be effective in the treatment of Crohn's disease but require further investigation, however, if patients fail to respond to this therapy, oral corticosteriods, in low dosages, given concomitantly with azathioprine (currently under evaluation) is suggested.", "contents": "Pharmacotherapy of inflammatory bowel disease. The etiology, pharmacotherapy and management of the two major types of inflammatory bowel disease--ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease--are reviewed. Sulfasalazine and topical corticosteroids (i.e., hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone acetate or methylprednisolone acetate) are effective in many patients with mild distal ulcerative colitis. Maintenance sulfasalazine therapy significantly reduces the relapse rate in ulcerative colitis. Systemic corticosteroids (i.e., prednisone, prednisolone or methylprednisolone) have improved the survival rate of patients with moderate and severe ulcerative colitis. Antacids should be given regularly during high-dose steroid therapy to prevent gastritis. If oral steroids are ineffective, the use of parenteral corticosteroids (hydrocortisone sodium succinate or methylprednisolone sodium succinate) is suggested. Both sulfasalazine and corticosteroids appear to be effective in the treatment of Crohn's disease but require further investigation, however, if patients fail to respond to this therapy, oral corticosteriods, in low dosages, given concomitantly with azathioprine (currently under evaluation) is suggested.", "PMID": 782236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6143", "title": "Malaria - the mime. Recent lessons from a group of civilian travellers.", "content": "Clinical data on 24 civilian patients hospitalized for malaria in The New York Hospital were analyzed. Of 16 patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum, 14 acquired the disease in West Africa. Only three of the 24 had taken recommended courses of prophylaxis. Diagnosis was invariably, and often dangerously, delayed because physicians often made diagnoses of viral syndromes or used antibiotics; only one patient had a blood smear taken by a personal physician. Although all patients had fever and chills, classic malarial fever was seen in only seven patients; nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were common. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly occurred in about half the patients. Blood smears stained in routine fashion by Wright's stain were positive in 23 of 24 patients. A normal leukocyte count was present in 19 of the 24 patients and thrombocytopenia in 16 of 23. The most frequent complications were those of central nervous system involvement. Therapy consisted mainly of chloroquine phosphate but other drugs, including quinine, pyrimethamine, sulfonamides and primaquine, were used in special situations. Suggestions for prophylaxis, diagnosis and therapy were made.", "contents": "Malaria - the mime. Recent lessons from a group of civilian travellers. Clinical data on 24 civilian patients hospitalized for malaria in The New York Hospital were analyzed. Of 16 patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum, 14 acquired the disease in West Africa. Only three of the 24 had taken recommended courses of prophylaxis. Diagnosis was invariably, and often dangerously, delayed because physicians often made diagnoses of viral syndromes or used antibiotics; only one patient had a blood smear taken by a personal physician. Although all patients had fever and chills, classic malarial fever was seen in only seven patients; nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were common. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly occurred in about half the patients. Blood smears stained in routine fashion by Wright's stain were positive in 23 of 24 patients. A normal leukocyte count was present in 19 of the 24 patients and thrombocytopenia in 16 of 23. The most frequent complications were those of central nervous system involvement. Therapy consisted mainly of chloroquine phosphate but other drugs, including quinine, pyrimethamine, sulfonamides and primaquine, were used in special situations. Suggestions for prophylaxis, diagnosis and therapy were made.", "PMID": 782238} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6144", "title": "Etiology and prognosis in acute post-transplant renal failure.", "content": "During the last seven years we encountered 117 cases of acute renal failure after 492 renal transplants. The affected patients fall into two general groups that can be broadly identified by an 131I-Hippuran renogram: Those in whom low or no uptake is evident on the renogram (group 1) and those in whom good uptake is evident on the renogram (group 2). Fifty per cent of the patients in group 1 have renal arterial thrombosis or hyperacute rejection. These patients should have a renal arteriogram, and immediate nephrectomy may be necessary. The prognosis in these patients is very grave. In group 2, 89 per cent of the patients have acute tubular necrosis, and they do not differ prognostically from patients who experience immediate renal function. Invasive diagnostic procedures should be avoided in this group because they may increase the mortality rate. We believe that repeated renograms, a reduction in azathioprine dosage and careful dialysis is the only treatment necessary.", "contents": "Etiology and prognosis in acute post-transplant renal failure. During the last seven years we encountered 117 cases of acute renal failure after 492 renal transplants. The affected patients fall into two general groups that can be broadly identified by an 131I-Hippuran renogram: Those in whom low or no uptake is evident on the renogram (group 1) and those in whom good uptake is evident on the renogram (group 2). Fifty per cent of the patients in group 1 have renal arterial thrombosis or hyperacute rejection. These patients should have a renal arteriogram, and immediate nephrectomy may be necessary. The prognosis in these patients is very grave. In group 2, 89 per cent of the patients have acute tubular necrosis, and they do not differ prognostically from patients who experience immediate renal function. Invasive diagnostic procedures should be avoided in this group because they may increase the mortality rate. We believe that repeated renograms, a reduction in azathioprine dosage and careful dialysis is the only treatment necessary.", "PMID": 782239} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6145", "title": "Recurrent nephrolithiasis: natural history and effect of phosphate therapy. A double-blind controlled study.", "content": "In a double-blind controlled clinical study, 71 patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stones were divided into three treatment groups: those who received potassium acid phosphate, those who received an inert placebo, and those who received a low calcium diet only. Follow-up periods averaged 2.9 years. Although the mean urinary calcium level of the patients who received phosphate was reduced 33 per cent, their renal stone disease did not diminish. Mean urinary phosphorus increased 88 per cent with phosphate treatment but did not correlate with the decrease in urinary calcium, or with treatment success. The data did not suggest that phosphorus and its metabolites retard calcium oxalate crystallization in urine. No evidence appeared for an association of hypercalciuria with severe stone disease, or with a specific clinical or chemical response to phosphate therapy. Patients whose urinary calcium level fell more than 25 percent when dietary calcium was reduced may have excessive gastrointestinal calcium absorption, which appears to be associated with improved chemical response to phosphate therapy.", "contents": "Recurrent nephrolithiasis: natural history and effect of phosphate therapy. A double-blind controlled study. In a double-blind controlled clinical study, 71 patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stones were divided into three treatment groups: those who received potassium acid phosphate, those who received an inert placebo, and those who received a low calcium diet only. Follow-up periods averaged 2.9 years. Although the mean urinary calcium level of the patients who received phosphate was reduced 33 per cent, their renal stone disease did not diminish. Mean urinary phosphorus increased 88 per cent with phosphate treatment but did not correlate with the decrease in urinary calcium, or with treatment success. The data did not suggest that phosphorus and its metabolites retard calcium oxalate crystallization in urine. No evidence appeared for an association of hypercalciuria with severe stone disease, or with a specific clinical or chemical response to phosphate therapy. Patients whose urinary calcium level fell more than 25 percent when dietary calcium was reduced may have excessive gastrointestinal calcium absorption, which appears to be associated with improved chemical response to phosphate therapy.", "PMID": 782240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6146", "title": "Idiopathic late-onset immunoglobulin deficiency. Clinical observations in 50 patients.", "content": "Fifty patients with late-onset idiopathic immunoglobulin deficiency were studied and the frequency of various clinical associations and complications was observed. Men and women were equally affected, although the age at onset in men peaked in the third decade whereas it was more uniformly distributed in women. Sinobronchopulmonary infections were common and were caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Diplococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus: bronchiectasis occurred in 28 per cent. Thirty patients (60 per cent) had diarrhea, which was often associated with steatorrhea, giardiasis, achlorhydria, abnormal Schilling tests and morphologic abnormalities on small bowel biopsy specimens, including nodular lymphoid hyperplasia; three patients had pernicious anemia. In the 20 patients without diarrhea these abnormalities were not observed except for giardiasis in one patient and achlorhydria in two patients. Cholelithiasis occurred in both groups in about a third of the patients tested. A high degree of susceptibility to neoplasia was noted. Thyroid abnormalities, including primary hypothyroidism and Graves' disease, were observed in six patients. Additional occasional findings were vitiligo, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and arthritis. Splenomegaly occurred in 14 (28 per cent) patients. The percentage of B lymphocytes in the blood was determined in 10 patients; it was normal or slightly decreased in eight patients and low in two patients.", "contents": "Idiopathic late-onset immunoglobulin deficiency. Clinical observations in 50 patients. Fifty patients with late-onset idiopathic immunoglobulin deficiency were studied and the frequency of various clinical associations and complications was observed. Men and women were equally affected, although the age at onset in men peaked in the third decade whereas it was more uniformly distributed in women. Sinobronchopulmonary infections were common and were caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Diplococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus: bronchiectasis occurred in 28 per cent. Thirty patients (60 per cent) had diarrhea, which was often associated with steatorrhea, giardiasis, achlorhydria, abnormal Schilling tests and morphologic abnormalities on small bowel biopsy specimens, including nodular lymphoid hyperplasia; three patients had pernicious anemia. In the 20 patients without diarrhea these abnormalities were not observed except for giardiasis in one patient and achlorhydria in two patients. Cholelithiasis occurred in both groups in about a third of the patients tested. A high degree of susceptibility to neoplasia was noted. Thyroid abnormalities, including primary hypothyroidism and Graves' disease, were observed in six patients. Additional occasional findings were vitiligo, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and arthritis. Splenomegaly occurred in 14 (28 per cent) patients. The percentage of B lymphocytes in the blood was determined in 10 patients; it was normal or slightly decreased in eight patients and low in two patients.", "PMID": 782241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6147", "title": "A case of bilateral Escherichia coli endogenous endophthalmitis.", "content": "The first reported case of bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis is presented and discussed with reference to pertinent literature. Diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for suspected gram-negative endophthalmitis are presented and include: immediate paracentesis of the eye for gram stain and culture, systemic therapy with an antibiotic such as gentamicin and either subconjunctival, subtenon or intraocular injection of antibiotics. Despite these measures vision may be lost, and, as in this case, enucleation necessary.", "contents": "A case of bilateral Escherichia coli endogenous endophthalmitis. The first reported case of bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis is presented and discussed with reference to pertinent literature. Diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for suspected gram-negative endophthalmitis are presented and include: immediate paracentesis of the eye for gram stain and culture, systemic therapy with an antibiotic such as gentamicin and either subconjunctival, subtenon or intraocular injection of antibiotics. Despite these measures vision may be lost, and, as in this case, enucleation necessary.", "PMID": 782242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6148", "title": "A modified plate holding system for anaerobic cultures.", "content": "A modified plate holding system for anaerobes has been developed which: 1) effectively reduces the volume of oxygen-free gas required, 2) promotes earlier bacterial growth, and 3) monitors the anaerobic atmosphere of the holding vessel and the rate of gas flow. Cultures of Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium perfringens, C. septicum, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Peptococcus sp. and Propionibacterium sp. were evaluated for optimal growth. All cultures grew as well as or better when preincubated in the holding system for one to three hours then incubated in a GasPak system for the remainder of the 24 hours, as compared to incubation only in the GasPak or holding system for the entire 24-hour period.", "contents": "A modified plate holding system for anaerobic cultures. A modified plate holding system for anaerobes has been developed which: 1) effectively reduces the volume of oxygen-free gas required, 2) promotes earlier bacterial growth, and 3) monitors the anaerobic atmosphere of the holding vessel and the rate of gas flow. Cultures of Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium perfringens, C. septicum, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Peptococcus sp. and Propionibacterium sp. were evaluated for optimal growth. All cultures grew as well as or better when preincubated in the holding system for one to three hours then incubated in a GasPak system for the remainder of the 24 hours, as compared to incubation only in the GasPak or holding system for the entire 24-hour period.", "PMID": 782243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6149", "title": "Solving complex perceptual discrimination problems: techniques for the development of problem-solving strategies.", "content": "Techniques for developing problem-solving strategies in handicapped children when they are faced with complex perceptual discriminations were investigated. Specifically, the effectiveness of feedback, modeling, and self-instruction were compared with each other and a control condition on a specially designed matching-to-sample task. The task was designed so that the distinctive features of the stimuli could be identified for instructional purposes. The results indicated that only the self-instruction technique facilitated performance on the posttest. In addition, these skills generalized to a new set of forms but not to the Matching Familiar Figures test. These findings were further related to the development of observational skills.", "contents": "Solving complex perceptual discrimination problems: techniques for the development of problem-solving strategies. Techniques for developing problem-solving strategies in handicapped children when they are faced with complex perceptual discriminations were investigated. Specifically, the effectiveness of feedback, modeling, and self-instruction were compared with each other and a control condition on a specially designed matching-to-sample task. The task was designed so that the distinctive features of the stimuli could be identified for instructional purposes. The results indicated that only the self-instruction technique facilitated performance on the posttest. In addition, these skills generalized to a new set of forms but not to the Matching Familiar Figures test. These findings were further related to the development of observational skills.", "PMID": 782244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6150", "title": "Bacterial growth inhibition by amniotic fluid. V. Phosphate-to-zinc ratio as a predictor of bacterial growth-inhibitory activity.", "content": "Human amniotic fluid has been shown to contain an inorganic bacterial growth-inhibitory component, zinc. The average zinc concentration in amniotic fluid was 0.44 mug per milliliter. The phosphate concentration of amniotic fluid appears to determine the expression of zinc inhibitory activity. The average phosphate concentration was 92 mug per milliliter. For 22 fluid samples tested, a phosphate-to-zinc ratio of 100 or less predicted a bactericidal fluid. A ratio between 100 and 200 predicted a bacteriostatic fluid. A ratio of greater than 200 predicted a noninhibitory fluid. The possible clinical significance of the ratio is discussed.", "contents": "Bacterial growth inhibition by amniotic fluid. V. Phosphate-to-zinc ratio as a predictor of bacterial growth-inhibitory activity. Human amniotic fluid has been shown to contain an inorganic bacterial growth-inhibitory component, zinc. The average zinc concentration in amniotic fluid was 0.44 mug per milliliter. The phosphate concentration of amniotic fluid appears to determine the expression of zinc inhibitory activity. The average phosphate concentration was 92 mug per milliliter. For 22 fluid samples tested, a phosphate-to-zinc ratio of 100 or less predicted a bactericidal fluid. A ratio between 100 and 200 predicted a bacteriostatic fluid. A ratio of greater than 200 predicted a noninhibitory fluid. The possible clinical significance of the ratio is discussed.", "PMID": 782248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6151", "title": "Bacterial growth inhibition by amniotic fluid. VI. Evidence for a zinc-peptide antibacterial system.", "content": "The zinc bacterial inhibitory activity of amniotic fluid is dependent on the presence of a second, organic component contained in amniotic fluid. The second component is heat stable, resists proteolytic digestion, and is present in amniotic fluid throughout pregnancy. Further, the component may be a peptide with a molecular weight of less than 5,000 daltons. Phosphate reversal of amniotic fluid inhibitory activity may result from interference with the organic component rather than zinc.", "contents": "Bacterial growth inhibition by amniotic fluid. VI. Evidence for a zinc-peptide antibacterial system. The zinc bacterial inhibitory activity of amniotic fluid is dependent on the presence of a second, organic component contained in amniotic fluid. The second component is heat stable, resists proteolytic digestion, and is present in amniotic fluid throughout pregnancy. Further, the component may be a peptide with a molecular weight of less than 5,000 daltons. Phosphate reversal of amniotic fluid inhibitory activity may result from interference with the organic component rather than zinc.", "PMID": 782249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6152", "title": "Action of midcycle contraceptive (R 2323) on the human endometrium.", "content": "Over 2,148 cycles of midcycle oral administration of R 2323 (50 mg. per day on Days 15,16, and 17), the authors recorded a drug-failure pregnancy rate of 5 per cent and an unusually regular cycle length of 28 +/- 2 days. During this trial, endometrial biopsies obtained in the luteal phase were examined by light and electron microscopy and compared to pretreatment biopsies. Light microscopy indicated a weakly secretory endometrium suggestive of some, albeit low, progesterone impregnation. Ultrastructural examination revealed deleterious changes in the development of the nucleolar channel system and giant mitochondria and a delay in the migration of glycogen granules. This low progesterone impregnation could be explained either by a direct effect of R 2323 on cell ultrastructure or by interference with progesterone availability. It would appear that R 2323 acts as a temporary substitute for progesterone at the receptor level but that it does not induce all the biological manifestations of this hormone, in particular, the endometrial changes required for implantation.", "contents": "Action of midcycle contraceptive (R 2323) on the human endometrium. Over 2,148 cycles of midcycle oral administration of R 2323 (50 mg. per day on Days 15,16, and 17), the authors recorded a drug-failure pregnancy rate of 5 per cent and an unusually regular cycle length of 28 +/- 2 days. During this trial, endometrial biopsies obtained in the luteal phase were examined by light and electron microscopy and compared to pretreatment biopsies. Light microscopy indicated a weakly secretory endometrium suggestive of some, albeit low, progesterone impregnation. Ultrastructural examination revealed deleterious changes in the development of the nucleolar channel system and giant mitochondria and a delay in the migration of glycogen granules. This low progesterone impregnation could be explained either by a direct effect of R 2323 on cell ultrastructure or by interference with progesterone availability. It would appear that R 2323 acts as a temporary substitute for progesterone at the receptor level but that it does not induce all the biological manifestations of this hormone, in particular, the endometrial changes required for implantation.", "PMID": 782250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6153", "title": "Positive FTA-ABS tests in subjects with corticosteroid-induced uveitis.", "content": "Of 17 subjects who developed severe anterior nongranulomatous uveitis during or immediatelyy after testing with topical corticosteroid preparations, 14 (82%) had a positive fluorescent-treponemal-antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test. No association was found between corticosteroid-induced uveitis and any specific HL-A locus.", "contents": "Positive FTA-ABS tests in subjects with corticosteroid-induced uveitis. Of 17 subjects who developed severe anterior nongranulomatous uveitis during or immediatelyy after testing with topical corticosteroid preparations, 14 (82%) had a positive fluorescent-treponemal-antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test. No association was found between corticosteroid-induced uveitis and any specific HL-A locus.", "PMID": 782252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6154", "title": "Induced ocular pseudopemphigoid.", "content": "Two patients with a clinical picture identical to idiopathic ocular cicatricial pemphigoid had received long-term (six to nine years) echothiophate iodide treatment for control of glaucoma in the affected eyes after cataract extraction. Basement membrane zone staining for IgG was seen in the conjunctiva of one affected eye. Decreased or absent goblet cells, epidermalization of the conjunctiva, fibroses, and abnormal numbers of inflammatory cells were seen in both affected eyes.", "contents": "Induced ocular pseudopemphigoid. Two patients with a clinical picture identical to idiopathic ocular cicatricial pemphigoid had received long-term (six to nine years) echothiophate iodide treatment for control of glaucoma in the affected eyes after cataract extraction. Basement membrane zone staining for IgG was seen in the conjunctiva of one affected eye. Decreased or absent goblet cells, epidermalization of the conjunctiva, fibroses, and abnormal numbers of inflammatory cells were seen in both affected eyes.", "PMID": 782253} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6155", "title": "A selected review of current retinal research and study.", "content": "The present paper reviews recent studies of retinal pathology from the American and British Journals of Ophthalmology during a one-year period (1973-1974). Selection is on the basis of potential value to clinical optometrists. Certain underlying factors in several types of retinal degeneration are first discussed, followed by characteristics of diabetic maculopathy and of other types of macular degeneration including that due to aging. Some material is presented on retinopathies related to sickle cell traits, to viral and worm infections, and to injury. Following a review of certain recent studies of retinoschisis, retinoblastoma, and retrolental fibroplasia, a concluding section deals with retinal detachments and breaks.", "contents": "A selected review of current retinal research and study. The present paper reviews recent studies of retinal pathology from the American and British Journals of Ophthalmology during a one-year period (1973-1974). Selection is on the basis of potential value to clinical optometrists. Certain underlying factors in several types of retinal degeneration are first discussed, followed by characteristics of diabetic maculopathy and of other types of macular degeneration including that due to aging. Some material is presented on retinopathies related to sickle cell traits, to viral and worm infections, and to injury. Following a review of certain recent studies of retinoschisis, retinoblastoma, and retrolental fibroplasia, a concluding section deals with retinal detachments and breaks.", "PMID": 782257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6156", "title": "Combined orthodontic-surgical management of residual palato-alveolar cleft defects.", "content": "These cases are presented in detail from a series of fifteen cases treated in the described manner, with follow-up orthodontic documentation 2 to 5 years after PMCB grafts. The long-term results in all of the cases were excellent. Late or secondary bony reconstruction of the osseous alveolar and anterior palatal clefts may be accomplished with either an essentially nonviable autogenous graft or an autogenous particulate marrow and cancellous bone graft. The differences essentially are as follows: 1. In the nonviable graft, orthodontic movement of teeth adjacent to the cleft is undertaken at some time prior to the grafting procedure. This is opposed to the use of the autogenous PMCB graft in which active orthodontic treatment may be undertaken within 2 months after the osseous grafting procedure. 2. In the use of nonviable autogenous bone, presurgical orthopedic treatment to expand the arch is usually essential since extensive arch expansion is not usually possible after grafting. With PMCB grafts , postsurgical arch expansion may be routinely undertaken. 3. It is thought that the use of rib, solid one-piece grafts from the ilium, and other types of nonviable graft is warrented only after major growth and development of the premaxillary region has occurred. This is due to lack of ability of such a grafted area to keep pace with the growth of adjacent bone segments. This would mean that secondary grafting with such grafts would be restricted to patients over 15 years of age. This is opposed to the PMCB technique, in which the next procedure may be undertaken at any time from the age of mixed dentition to adulthood but preferably earlier than the age of 7, before the lateral incisor has erupted and been lost through exfoliation into the cleft area. Thus with these two techniques, there is a marked difference in the philosophy of grafting and a marked difference in the overall results. There is, in addition, an altered philosophical effect upon the total maxillofacial cleft palate team, with a marked difference in the type of treatment and prognosis which can be offered in terms of social rehabilitation of the patient. While the team approcah to the treatment of the cleft palate patient has done much to advance rehabilitation in terms of social and psychological problem areas, speech correction, and soft-palate and cosmetic lip restoration, much needs to be done to rehabilitate the patient completely from a dental standpoint. We believe that the prognosis of dental rehabilitation without appropraite bone-grafting procedures of the alvolar and prepalatal cleft is unfavorable. The use of the PMCB procedure in conjunction with orthondotic therapy opens new avenues to the total rehabilitation of the patient with an anterior maxillary cleft.", "contents": "Combined orthodontic-surgical management of residual palato-alveolar cleft defects. These cases are presented in detail from a series of fifteen cases treated in the described manner, with follow-up orthodontic documentation 2 to 5 years after PMCB grafts. The long-term results in all of the cases were excellent. Late or secondary bony reconstruction of the osseous alveolar and anterior palatal clefts may be accomplished with either an essentially nonviable autogenous graft or an autogenous particulate marrow and cancellous bone graft. The differences essentially are as follows: 1. In the nonviable graft, orthodontic movement of teeth adjacent to the cleft is undertaken at some time prior to the grafting procedure. This is opposed to the use of the autogenous PMCB graft in which active orthodontic treatment may be undertaken within 2 months after the osseous grafting procedure. 2. In the use of nonviable autogenous bone, presurgical orthopedic treatment to expand the arch is usually essential since extensive arch expansion is not usually possible after grafting. With PMCB grafts , postsurgical arch expansion may be routinely undertaken. 3. It is thought that the use of rib, solid one-piece grafts from the ilium, and other types of nonviable graft is warrented only after major growth and development of the premaxillary region has occurred. This is due to lack of ability of such a grafted area to keep pace with the growth of adjacent bone segments. This would mean that secondary grafting with such grafts would be restricted to patients over 15 years of age. This is opposed to the PMCB technique, in which the next procedure may be undertaken at any time from the age of mixed dentition to adulthood but preferably earlier than the age of 7, before the lateral incisor has erupted and been lost through exfoliation into the cleft area. Thus with these two techniques, there is a marked difference in the philosophy of grafting and a marked difference in the overall results. There is, in addition, an altered philosophical effect upon the total maxillofacial cleft palate team, with a marked difference in the type of treatment and prognosis which can be offered in terms of social rehabilitation of the patient. While the team approcah to the treatment of the cleft palate patient has done much to advance rehabilitation in terms of social and psychological problem areas, speech correction, and soft-palate and cosmetic lip restoration, much needs to be done to rehabilitate the patient completely from a dental standpoint. We believe that the prognosis of dental rehabilitation without appropraite bone-grafting procedures of the alvolar and prepalatal cleft is unfavorable. The use of the PMCB procedure in conjunction with orthondotic therapy opens new avenues to the total rehabilitation of the patient with an anterior maxillary cleft.", "PMID": 782258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6157", "title": "Geriatric day hospitals: a golden opportunity for therapists.", "content": "The geriatric day care or day hospital program is an exciting new movement designed to aid the impaired elderly in the community. Federal legislation has made public financing of these programs possible under Title 18 and Title 19 of the Social Security Act. The potential for funding as a demonstration grant exists in a variety of Federal agencies. In spite of these funding possibilities, occupational therapists seem only marginally involved in the development of day care services for adults. Therapists must become more knowledgeable about health and social planning for the geriatric population and must become more assertive in seeking funding for new programs. Opportunities to play a role in these programs are available, and occupational therapists should become more alert to them and become leaders in developing new programs.", "contents": "Geriatric day hospitals: a golden opportunity for therapists. The geriatric day care or day hospital program is an exciting new movement designed to aid the impaired elderly in the community. Federal legislation has made public financing of these programs possible under Title 18 and Title 19 of the Social Security Act. The potential for funding as a demonstration grant exists in a variety of Federal agencies. In spite of these funding possibilities, occupational therapists seem only marginally involved in the development of day care services for adults. Therapists must become more knowledgeable about health and social planning for the geriatric population and must become more assertive in seeking funding for new programs. Opportunities to play a role in these programs are available, and occupational therapists should become more alert to them and become leaders in developing new programs.", "PMID": 782254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6158", "title": "Occupational therapists as state surveyors of nursing homes under Medicare/Medicaid programs.", "content": "To be eligible for Medicare and Medicaid funds, a skilled nursing facility must meet specific standards set by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (DHEW). Responsibility has been delegated to the state surveyor for evaluating, consulting with, and reporting on the provider's compliance with these standards. Nurses, sanitarians, and others who become surveyors are required to participate in a four-to-six month survey orientation and training period before attending a three-week university-based course sponsored by DHEW. As the need for survey specialists increases, more occupational therapists can assume this role, described in more detail in this article.", "contents": "Occupational therapists as state surveyors of nursing homes under Medicare/Medicaid programs. To be eligible for Medicare and Medicaid funds, a skilled nursing facility must meet specific standards set by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (DHEW). Responsibility has been delegated to the state surveyor for evaluating, consulting with, and reporting on the provider's compliance with these standards. Nurses, sanitarians, and others who become surveyors are required to participate in a four-to-six month survey orientation and training period before attending a three-week university-based course sponsored by DHEW. As the need for survey specialists increases, more occupational therapists can assume this role, described in more detail in this article.", "PMID": 782255} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6159", "title": "Lithium prophylaxis of depression in bipolar I, bipolar II, and unipolar patients.", "content": "The authors investigated lithium prophylaxis of depression in bipolar I (N=35), bipolar II (N=18), and unipolar I (N=28) outpatients. Depression indices included frequency of depressive episodes, three measures of severity, dropouts due to depression, and time in study. There were significantly fewer episodes and dropouts due to depression in the lithium-treated than in the placebo-treated bipolar I patients. Lithium was superior to placebo on all indices in the bipolar II group (although the sample size did not permit statistical analysis) and on 3 indices in the unipolar group. The authors believe that lithium prophylaxis of depression has been demonstrated in these three subtypes but note the need for further research particularly in the use of tricyclic antidepressants.", "contents": "Lithium prophylaxis of depression in bipolar I, bipolar II, and unipolar patients. The authors investigated lithium prophylaxis of depression in bipolar I (N=35), bipolar II (N=18), and unipolar I (N=28) outpatients. Depression indices included frequency of depressive episodes, three measures of severity, dropouts due to depression, and time in study. There were significantly fewer episodes and dropouts due to depression in the lithium-treated than in the placebo-treated bipolar I patients. Lithium was superior to placebo on all indices in the bipolar II group (although the sample size did not permit statistical analysis) and on 3 indices in the unipolar group. The authors believe that lithium prophylaxis of depression has been demonstrated in these three subtypes but note the need for further research particularly in the use of tricyclic antidepressants.", "PMID": 782261} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6160", "title": "Amantadine versus trihexyphenidyl in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism.", "content": "Amantadine is a putative dopaminergic compound known to be therapeutically effective in idiopathic and postencephalitic Parkinson's disease. In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of 39 psychiatric inpatients, amantadine and trihexyphenidyl were equally effective in treating drug-induced parkinsonism, and amantadine produced fewer and less severe side effects. The authors suggest that amantadine is an effective alternative to atropine-like agents, with fewer implications for long-term risk of tardive dyskinesia.", "contents": "Amantadine versus trihexyphenidyl in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism. Amantadine is a putative dopaminergic compound known to be therapeutically effective in idiopathic and postencephalitic Parkinson's disease. In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of 39 psychiatric inpatients, amantadine and trihexyphenidyl were equally effective in treating drug-induced parkinsonism, and amantadine produced fewer and less severe side effects. The authors suggest that amantadine is an effective alternative to atropine-like agents, with fewer implications for long-term risk of tardive dyskinesia.", "PMID": 782262} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6161", "title": "Repair of recurrent ventral hernias by an internal \"binder\".", "content": "A technic for the repair of massive recurrent incisional hernia is described. Use of a polypropylene mesh prosthesis as an intraperitoneal \"binder\" permits reconstruction of the abdominal wall when primary closure is impossible. Intraoperative testing of the repair provides reassurance that unrestricted postoperative activity will not invite recurrence.", "contents": "Repair of recurrent ventral hernias by an internal \"binder\". A technic for the repair of massive recurrent incisional hernia is described. Use of a polypropylene mesh prosthesis as an intraperitoneal \"binder\" permits reconstruction of the abdominal wall when primary closure is impossible. Intraoperative testing of the repair provides reassurance that unrestricted postoperative activity will not invite recurrence.", "PMID": 782263} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6162", "title": "Local delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in breast cancer patients with and without removal of axillary lymph nodes.", "content": "Fifty-five patients were sensitized to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Two weeks later they were challenged. The minimal concentration yielding 2+ reactivity and one dilution above and below were then applied to the anterior chest wall on both the operated and nonoperated sides. Using multinomial chi-square statistical analysis, we found that the operated and nonoperated sides evidenced equal reactivity. Futhermore, the absence of axillary lymph nodes did not diminish the reactivity in the operated area. These data support the contention that maintenance of local cellular immunity, as assessed by DNCB skin test reactivity, is systemic and counters the argument that regional lymphadenectomy impairs local and/or systemic cellular immunity.", "contents": "Local delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in breast cancer patients with and without removal of axillary lymph nodes. Fifty-five patients were sensitized to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Two weeks later they were challenged. The minimal concentration yielding 2+ reactivity and one dilution above and below were then applied to the anterior chest wall on both the operated and nonoperated sides. Using multinomial chi-square statistical analysis, we found that the operated and nonoperated sides evidenced equal reactivity. Futhermore, the absence of axillary lymph nodes did not diminish the reactivity in the operated area. These data support the contention that maintenance of local cellular immunity, as assessed by DNCB skin test reactivity, is systemic and counters the argument that regional lymphadenectomy impairs local and/or systemic cellular immunity.", "PMID": 782264} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6163", "title": "Delayed hypersensitivity and local control of patients treated by radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.", "content": "Delayed hypersensitivity of sixty-three patients with head and neck cancer treated by radiotherapy was correlated with short-term tumor control. Of eighteen patients with early disease, sixteen were DNCB-reactive and all were controlled and one of the two nonreactors was controlled. Thirty-three of forty-five patients with advanced tumors were reactive and nineteen were controlled. Only two of the twelve nonreactors were controlled.", "contents": "Delayed hypersensitivity and local control of patients treated by radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Delayed hypersensitivity of sixty-three patients with head and neck cancer treated by radiotherapy was correlated with short-term tumor control. Of eighteen patients with early disease, sixteen were DNCB-reactive and all were controlled and one of the two nonreactors was controlled. Thirty-three of forty-five patients with advanced tumors were reactive and nineteen were controlled. Only two of the twelve nonreactors were controlled.", "PMID": 782265} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6164", "title": "Prevention of wound infections. A case for closed suction drainage to remove wound fluids deficient in opsonic proteins.", "content": "Fluids collecting in surgical wounds in both dogs and man have been shown to lose progressively the ability to opsonize bacteria for phagocytosis and killing of bacteria by normal neutrophils. Since the collection of fluids in potentially contaminated wounds also interferes with access of phagocytic cells to contaminating bacteria and provides a pablum for growth, their removal seems to be indicated to minimize the risk of infection. This can be accomplished easily and safely with the use of closed suction drainage as demonstrated in 100 patients undergoing bilateral nephrectomy, splenectomy, and renal transplantation.", "contents": "Prevention of wound infections. A case for closed suction drainage to remove wound fluids deficient in opsonic proteins. Fluids collecting in surgical wounds in both dogs and man have been shown to lose progressively the ability to opsonize bacteria for phagocytosis and killing of bacteria by normal neutrophils. Since the collection of fluids in potentially contaminated wounds also interferes with access of phagocytic cells to contaminating bacteria and provides a pablum for growth, their removal seems to be indicated to minimize the risk of infection. This can be accomplished easily and safely with the use of closed suction drainage as demonstrated in 100 patients undergoing bilateral nephrectomy, splenectomy, and renal transplantation.", "PMID": 782267} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6165", "title": "Carl Langenbuch and the first cholecystectomy.", "content": "Cholecystectomy is the second most common operation performed today, but its founder, Carl Langenbuch, has received little recognition. The evolution of biliary surgery to the first cholecystectomy is traced. Contributions of von der Wiel, Petit, and Thudicum are reviewed. The cases of the first cholecystotomy by John Stough Bobbs, the first cholecystostomy by Marion Sims, and the first cholecystectomy of Carl Langenbuch are described.", "contents": "Carl Langenbuch and the first cholecystectomy. Cholecystectomy is the second most common operation performed today, but its founder, Carl Langenbuch, has received little recognition. The evolution of biliary surgery to the first cholecystectomy is traced. Contributions of von der Wiel, Petit, and Thudicum are reviewed. The cases of the first cholecystotomy by John Stough Bobbs, the first cholecystostomy by Marion Sims, and the first cholecystectomy of Carl Langenbuch are described.", "PMID": 782269} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6166", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of a new skin wound cleanser.", "content": "Iodophors are effective germicidal agents that have prolonged antiseptic activity in contaminated wounds. A nontoxic surfactant, Pluronic F-68, has been used to formulate a safe and effective iodophor. The parameters necessary to regulate the activity of the iodophor were studied to develop a potent, yet safe bactericidal solution for use in human subjects. The parameters found to be most important were the pH of the solution and the concentration of sodium iodide. Lowering the pH of iodophors increased their stability and antiseptic activity. The free iodine in iodophor solutions prepared with a low pH is predominantly the highly biocidal diatomic iodine (I2). The concentration of iodide regulated the equilbrium of the dissolved iodine between its free and complexed form. Increasing the concentration of iodide in the iodophor lowered the amount of free iodine in solution and enhanced the concentration of the complexed iodide. It is the level of free iodine in an iodophor that determines its antiseptic activity. Low levels of free iodine yielded iodophors that had a slow bacterial kill rate but a prolonged duration of action. Manipulation of these variables permitted the generation of iodophors that varied considerably in their kill rates of bacteria and their duration of antibacterial activity. Iodophors tested in this study demonstrated a distinct superiority to noncomplexed iodine solutions (tincture and aqueous iodine solutions) as wound and skin cleansers.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of a new skin wound cleanser. Iodophors are effective germicidal agents that have prolonged antiseptic activity in contaminated wounds. A nontoxic surfactant, Pluronic F-68, has been used to formulate a safe and effective iodophor. The parameters necessary to regulate the activity of the iodophor were studied to develop a potent, yet safe bactericidal solution for use in human subjects. The parameters found to be most important were the pH of the solution and the concentration of sodium iodide. Lowering the pH of iodophors increased their stability and antiseptic activity. The free iodine in iodophor solutions prepared with a low pH is predominantly the highly biocidal diatomic iodine (I2). The concentration of iodide regulated the equilbrium of the dissolved iodine between its free and complexed form. Increasing the concentration of iodide in the iodophor lowered the amount of free iodine in solution and enhanced the concentration of the complexed iodide. It is the level of free iodine in an iodophor that determines its antiseptic activity. Low levels of free iodine yielded iodophors that had a slow bacterial kill rate but a prolonged duration of action. Manipulation of these variables permitted the generation of iodophors that varied considerably in their kill rates of bacteria and their duration of antibacterial activity. Iodophors tested in this study demonstrated a distinct superiority to noncomplexed iodine solutions (tincture and aqueous iodine solutions) as wound and skin cleansers.", "PMID": 782268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6167", "title": "Hypercalcemia of seven years' duration after kidney transplantation.", "content": "A case is reported of hypercalcemia persisting for seven years after kidney transplantation, with normocalcemia being achieved after subtotal parathyriodectomy. The finding of post-transplantation hyperparathyroidism of this extreme duration, in association with several other reports of hyperparathyroidism persisting for years after kidney transplantation, raises serious questions about the completeness of parathyroid involution after kidney transplantation. Extensive review of the literature reveals that little is really known about the natural history of parathyroid function and involution after kidney transplantation.", "contents": "Hypercalcemia of seven years' duration after kidney transplantation. A case is reported of hypercalcemia persisting for seven years after kidney transplantation, with normocalcemia being achieved after subtotal parathyriodectomy. The finding of post-transplantation hyperparathyroidism of this extreme duration, in association with several other reports of hyperparathyroidism persisting for years after kidney transplantation, raises serious questions about the completeness of parathyroid involution after kidney transplantation. Extensive review of the literature reveals that little is really known about the natural history of parathyroid function and involution after kidney transplantation.", "PMID": 782270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6168", "title": "Renal transplantation with blood supply by axillofemoral bypass graft.", "content": "An axillofemoral bypass was used to preserve a functioning renal allograft after excision of a mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm in a diabetic patient. In the presence of continued immunosuppression the aortic wall infection progressed and the patient expired after rupture of the proximal aortic closure.", "contents": "Renal transplantation with blood supply by axillofemoral bypass graft. An axillofemoral bypass was used to preserve a functioning renal allograft after excision of a mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm in a diabetic patient. In the presence of continued immunosuppression the aortic wall infection progressed and the patient expired after rupture of the proximal aortic closure.", "PMID": 782271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6169", "title": "Pharyngoesophageal caustic stricture. Treatment by pharyngogastrostomy compared to colon interposition combined with free bowel graft.", "content": "Four cases of combined hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal stricture secondary to caustic ingestion are presented. Although gastropharyngostomy has rarely been used for treatment of patients with caustic stricture of the pharynx and cervical esophagus, we believe that it is a useful procedure and has several advantages over use of the colon. We prefer total esophagectomy and posterior mediastinal transposition of the stomach to the neck followed by gastropharyngostomy in those patients who have minimal stomach involvement.", "contents": "Pharyngoesophageal caustic stricture. Treatment by pharyngogastrostomy compared to colon interposition combined with free bowel graft. Four cases of combined hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal stricture secondary to caustic ingestion are presented. Although gastropharyngostomy has rarely been used for treatment of patients with caustic stricture of the pharynx and cervical esophagus, we believe that it is a useful procedure and has several advantages over use of the colon. We prefer total esophagectomy and posterior mediastinal transposition of the stomach to the neck followed by gastropharyngostomy in those patients who have minimal stomach involvement.", "PMID": 782272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6170", "title": "A measure of competence. The first Mushin lecture.", "content": "The process by which an individual is finally recognised as a physician and licensed to practice medicine is long and complicated. The physician who chooses to specialise pursues additional study and after successfully completing both written and oral examinations may be certified by a 'specialty board'. Such certification is looked upon as evidence that the physician is competent to practice at the consultant level. The competent clinician possesses the intellectual capacity to make valid medical judgments and the technical expertise in his own special field to implement or to direct the implementation of such judgments. The written examination measures the pool of information essential for the individual to make valid medical judgments in the area tested. The oral examination examines attributes difficult to evaluate by other techniques since attributes demand both observation of the candidate and interaction with him. The oral exam is probably a better way to evaluate a candidate's ability to make clinical judgments, to synthesize information, to relate specific basis information to clinical problems presented and, to some extent, to test the ability of the candidate to react in stressful situations. Inadequacies of the oral examination continue to include a lack of objectivity and the potential for bias. Some specialty boards require certificates of clinical competence issued by the faculty of the training programme on behalf of applicants who seek certification in their specialty. In addition to such judgments of clinical competence, the concepts of peer review, licensure, recertification and continuing education all play a role in the elusive objective of assessing clinical competence.", "contents": "A measure of competence. The first Mushin lecture. The process by which an individual is finally recognised as a physician and licensed to practice medicine is long and complicated. The physician who chooses to specialise pursues additional study and after successfully completing both written and oral examinations may be certified by a 'specialty board'. Such certification is looked upon as evidence that the physician is competent to practice at the consultant level. The competent clinician possesses the intellectual capacity to make valid medical judgments and the technical expertise in his own special field to implement or to direct the implementation of such judgments. The written examination measures the pool of information essential for the individual to make valid medical judgments in the area tested. The oral examination examines attributes difficult to evaluate by other techniques since attributes demand both observation of the candidate and interaction with him. The oral exam is probably a better way to evaluate a candidate's ability to make clinical judgments, to synthesize information, to relate specific basis information to clinical problems presented and, to some extent, to test the ability of the candidate to react in stressful situations. Inadequacies of the oral examination continue to include a lack of objectivity and the potential for bias. Some specialty boards require certificates of clinical competence issued by the faculty of the training programme on behalf of applicants who seek certification in their specialty. In addition to such judgments of clinical competence, the concepts of peer review, licensure, recertification and continuing education all play a role in the elusive objective of assessing clinical competence.", "PMID": 782277} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6171", "title": "[The supraclavicular approach to the V. Anonyma (author's transl)].", "content": "Experience gained with supraclavicular anonyma (brachiocephalica) catherizations carried out on more than 2,500 patients in an emergency and for prolonged infusion therapy is explained and discussed in the following on the bases of 800 registered tappings. A detailed description and discussion is given of the technical and methodical aspects of applying the Seldinger method and a constant catheter length, and in using a recently developed catheter which has the advantage of letter fixation; The only clinical complications observed during an average infusion time of six days was pneumothorax in 1.2% of the tappings and phlebitis in 0.9% of the catherizations. For vena anonyma tapping, the particular advantages are the easy accessibility of the vessel in every state of blood circulation at a high rate of 95%, the non-existence of false positions, the excellent catheter compatibility, the possibility of recatheterization, the possibility of optimum fixation, the safety in nursing, and the unrestricted mobility of the patient.", "contents": "[The supraclavicular approach to the V. Anonyma (author's transl)]. Experience gained with supraclavicular anonyma (brachiocephalica) catherizations carried out on more than 2,500 patients in an emergency and for prolonged infusion therapy is explained and discussed in the following on the bases of 800 registered tappings. A detailed description and discussion is given of the technical and methodical aspects of applying the Seldinger method and a constant catheter length, and in using a recently developed catheter which has the advantage of letter fixation; The only clinical complications observed during an average infusion time of six days was pneumothorax in 1.2% of the tappings and phlebitis in 0.9% of the catherizations. For vena anonyma tapping, the particular advantages are the easy accessibility of the vessel in every state of blood circulation at a high rate of 95%, the non-existence of false positions, the excellent catheter compatibility, the possibility of recatheterization, the possibility of optimum fixation, the safety in nursing, and the unrestricted mobility of the patient.", "PMID": 782280} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6172", "title": "Localization of low molecular weight acrosin-trypsin inhibitors in the boar genital tract by immunofluorescence.", "content": "Using the indirect immunofluorescent technique, the occurrence and distribution of the low molecular weight acid-stable acrosin inhibitors from boar seminal plasma (BSAI) in the boar genital tract was studied applying specific inhibitor-directed rabbit-immunoglobulins. The acrosin inhibitors are localized in the mucosa cells of the cauda epididymis, the vas deferens, the seminal vesicles, the urethra and distinct glandular units of the prostate. The wide distribution of the acrosin inhibitors within the boar genital tract indicates a protective function towards the destructive proteolytic potential of acrosin liberated e.g. during sperm aging from desintegrating spermatozoa.", "contents": "Localization of low molecular weight acrosin-trypsin inhibitors in the boar genital tract by immunofluorescence. Using the indirect immunofluorescent technique, the occurrence and distribution of the low molecular weight acid-stable acrosin inhibitors from boar seminal plasma (BSAI) in the boar genital tract was studied applying specific inhibitor-directed rabbit-immunoglobulins. The acrosin inhibitors are localized in the mucosa cells of the cauda epididymis, the vas deferens, the seminal vesicles, the urethra and distinct glandular units of the prostate. The wide distribution of the acrosin inhibitors within the boar genital tract indicates a protective function towards the destructive proteolytic potential of acrosin liberated e.g. during sperm aging from desintegrating spermatozoa.", "PMID": 782291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6173", "title": "House dust mite and house dust allergy.", "content": "Skin testing and the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) with extracts of house dust and mite (D. farinae) were performed on 100 patients. Correlation between positive prick tests with the two antigens was low, many more reactions being obtained with the house dust antigen in patients clinically positive to house dust. Also, for both antigens, the degree of reactivity was higher with the prick test than with RAST. It is concluded that, in this geographic area, house dust extract is more suitable than mite extract for skin testing and, by inference, for hyposensitization therapy of house dust-sensitive patients.", "contents": "House dust mite and house dust allergy. Skin testing and the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) with extracts of house dust and mite (D. farinae) were performed on 100 patients. Correlation between positive prick tests with the two antigens was low, many more reactions being obtained with the house dust antigen in patients clinically positive to house dust. Also, for both antigens, the degree of reactivity was higher with the prick test than with RAST. It is concluded that, in this geographic area, house dust extract is more suitable than mite extract for skin testing and, by inference, for hyposensitization therapy of house dust-sensitive patients.", "PMID": 782299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6174", "title": "Hypoxemia and hypocarbia following intermittent positive-pressure breathing.", "content": "The authors determined the effects of short-term, vigorous intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) on arterial blood O2 tension (Pao2) in 10 unmedicated preoperative adult patients (ASA class I). Arterial blood was analyzed before and 0.5, 5, 15, and 40 minutes after 12 minutes of IPPB with nebulized 0.9% HaCl and room air. Pao2 increased from 89.1 +/- 11 torr (mean +/- SD) to 102.1 +/- 13.9 torr, and arterial CO2 tension decreased from 29.5 +/- 4 torr to 18.4 +/- 3 torr, causing significant respiratory alkalosis (pHa 7.62 +/- 0.05). Five minutes after IPPB, Pao2 decreased to 69.2 +/- 8 torr; alveolar-arterial Po2 difference, breathing 21% O2, increased significantly; and serum K+ concentration decreased significantly. All these values returned to baseline levels within 40 minutes. The authors, acknowledging the value of IPPB when specifically indicated, counsel caution in patients with borderline pulmonary reserve and arterial oxygenation.", "contents": "Hypoxemia and hypocarbia following intermittent positive-pressure breathing. The authors determined the effects of short-term, vigorous intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) on arterial blood O2 tension (Pao2) in 10 unmedicated preoperative adult patients (ASA class I). Arterial blood was analyzed before and 0.5, 5, 15, and 40 minutes after 12 minutes of IPPB with nebulized 0.9% HaCl and room air. Pao2 increased from 89.1 +/- 11 torr (mean +/- SD) to 102.1 +/- 13.9 torr, and arterial CO2 tension decreased from 29.5 +/- 4 torr to 18.4 +/- 3 torr, causing significant respiratory alkalosis (pHa 7.62 +/- 0.05). Five minutes after IPPB, Pao2 decreased to 69.2 +/- 8 torr; alveolar-arterial Po2 difference, breathing 21% O2, increased significantly; and serum K+ concentration decreased significantly. All these values returned to baseline levels within 40 minutes. The authors, acknowledging the value of IPPB when specifically indicated, counsel caution in patients with borderline pulmonary reserve and arterial oxygenation.", "PMID": 782293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6175", "title": "An up-to-date look at mold allergy.", "content": "The general distribution of the more frequently encountered airborne molds is reviewed. Improved diagnostic and therapeutic mold allergens, a knowledge of botanical relationships among molds and new injection techniques facilitate handling of clinical problems caused by molds.", "contents": "An up-to-date look at mold allergy. The general distribution of the more frequently encountered airborne molds is reviewed. Improved diagnostic and therapeutic mold allergens, a knowledge of botanical relationships among molds and new injection techniques facilitate handling of clinical problems caused by molds.", "PMID": 782300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6176", "title": "Serum antibody to Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin in cattle and swine.", "content": "Antibody titers to Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) were measured in serum samples collected from mature cows, butcher pigs, mature sows and adult sheep, horses, dogs, cats, turkeys, and chickens. The frequency of LT antitoxin titers was greatest in sows (94%) and less in cows (38%). Titers were higher in swine than in cattle. There were no LT antitoxin titers in serums from sheep, horses, dogs, cats, turkeys, and chickens. It was concluded that LT-producing Escherichia coli are prevalent in the swine population, but much less so in cattle and the other species examined.", "contents": "Serum antibody to Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin in cattle and swine. Antibody titers to Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) were measured in serum samples collected from mature cows, butcher pigs, mature sows and adult sheep, horses, dogs, cats, turkeys, and chickens. The frequency of LT antitoxin titers was greatest in sows (94%) and less in cows (38%). Titers were higher in swine than in cattle. There were no LT antitoxin titers in serums from sheep, horses, dogs, cats, turkeys, and chickens. It was concluded that LT-producing Escherichia coli are prevalent in the swine population, but much less so in cattle and the other species examined.", "PMID": 782303} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6177", "title": "Ideal laparotomy closure: comparison of retention sutures with new retention bridging devices.", "content": "Three techniques of retention suture application are compared for inflammatory complications. The conventional technique is compared with two new devices. Using the derivation for pressure generation, reasons are provided for the varying degree of inflammation found. Advantages of the nonspan bridging device, which allows for more precise control of applied force, are emphasized.", "contents": "Ideal laparotomy closure: comparison of retention sutures with new retention bridging devices. Three techniques of retention suture application are compared for inflammatory complications. The conventional technique is compared with two new devices. Using the derivation for pressure generation, reasons are provided for the varying degree of inflammation found. Advantages of the nonspan bridging device, which allows for more precise control of applied force, are emphasized.", "PMID": 782304} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6178", "title": "[Histiocytosis X. Three cases treated with prednisone and vinblastine (author's transl)].", "content": "Three cases of histiocytosis X treated along six years with a combined doses of vinblastine (0.1-0.3 mg./Kg./day, weekly doses) and prednisone (20 mg./48 hours) are commented.", "contents": "[Histiocytosis X. Three cases treated with prednisone and vinblastine (author's transl)]. Three cases of histiocytosis X treated along six years with a combined doses of vinblastine (0.1-0.3 mg./Kg./day, weekly doses) and prednisone (20 mg./48 hours) are commented.", "PMID": 782306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6179", "title": "[Multiple agent cyclic chemotherapy in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia of children (\"C\"-protocol) (author's transl)].", "content": "61 consecutive children having A.L.L., were treated, between 1970 and 1974, according to a chemotherapy protocol including: 1. Induction treatment with prednisolone, vincristine and daunorubicine. 2. Maintenance therapy using three types of two drugs combinations, administered by cycles of three months duration each one. The associations were: mercaptopurine-methotrexate, mercaptopurine-cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate-cyclophosphamide. Between cycles, \"reinductions\" with prednisolone and vincristine of two weeks duration were given. 3. \"Prophylactic\" treatment of CNS leukemia was administered according to two modalities: a) In group named C-1, 32 patients received one dose of i.t. methotrexate at the end of the induction treatment and every three months. b) The other 29 patients (C-2 group) were treated by cranial irradiation (2400 r.) and five doses of i.t. methotrexate, after the induction of remission (C.R.). 57 out of 61 patients (93%) attained C.R. Twelve months after induction of C.R., in C-1 group, one patient died by infectious disease and eight relapsed. Twenty (68%) remained in C.R. The number of CNS relapses in this period was six (20%). In C-2 group, from 21 evaluable cases, 18 children (85%) were in C.R. at the end of first year and relapses in CNS were only two (9%). The median duration of remission in the first group was about three years. Percentage of cases with CNS relapses in three years was 35%. At the end of 4 th. year 37% remained in the initial C.R.-80% of the evaluable patients receiving cranial irradiation persisted in remission at the end of the second year. Efficacity of the prophylactic treatment of CNS infiltration, by cranial irradiation and i.t. chemotherapy is confirmed. Cyclic use of several combinations of drugs don't appear to be superior to the use of one single association (MP-MTX), but other combinations used here may be taken in account in cases of severe intolerance to one of these drugs.", "contents": "[Multiple agent cyclic chemotherapy in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia of children (\"C\"-protocol) (author's transl)]. 61 consecutive children having A.L.L., were treated, between 1970 and 1974, according to a chemotherapy protocol including: 1. Induction treatment with prednisolone, vincristine and daunorubicine. 2. Maintenance therapy using three types of two drugs combinations, administered by cycles of three months duration each one. The associations were: mercaptopurine-methotrexate, mercaptopurine-cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate-cyclophosphamide. Between cycles, \"reinductions\" with prednisolone and vincristine of two weeks duration were given. 3. \"Prophylactic\" treatment of CNS leukemia was administered according to two modalities: a) In group named C-1, 32 patients received one dose of i.t. methotrexate at the end of the induction treatment and every three months. b) The other 29 patients (C-2 group) were treated by cranial irradiation (2400 r.) and five doses of i.t. methotrexate, after the induction of remission (C.R.). 57 out of 61 patients (93%) attained C.R. Twelve months after induction of C.R., in C-1 group, one patient died by infectious disease and eight relapsed. Twenty (68%) remained in C.R. The number of CNS relapses in this period was six (20%). In C-2 group, from 21 evaluable cases, 18 children (85%) were in C.R. at the end of first year and relapses in CNS were only two (9%). The median duration of remission in the first group was about three years. Percentage of cases with CNS relapses in three years was 35%. At the end of 4 th. year 37% remained in the initial C.R.-80% of the evaluable patients receiving cranial irradiation persisted in remission at the end of the second year. Efficacity of the prophylactic treatment of CNS infiltration, by cranial irradiation and i.t. chemotherapy is confirmed. Cyclic use of several combinations of drugs don't appear to be superior to the use of one single association (MP-MTX), but other combinations used here may be taken in account in cases of severe intolerance to one of these drugs.", "PMID": 782307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6180", "title": "[Cytosine arabinoside in the treatment of varicella in lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphosarcoma (author's transl)].", "content": "Nine children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphosarcoma adquired varicella and were treated with cytosine arabinoside. There was a progression of the varicellous lesions which in some cases became hemorrhagic. In four occasions disease became disseminated. Two children died. The hematologic toxicity was tolerable.", "contents": "[Cytosine arabinoside in the treatment of varicella in lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphosarcoma (author's transl)]. Nine children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphosarcoma adquired varicella and were treated with cytosine arabinoside. There was a progression of the varicellous lesions which in some cases became hemorrhagic. In four occasions disease became disseminated. Two children died. The hematologic toxicity was tolerable.", "PMID": 782308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6181", "title": "[Diagnostic criteria of rickets: an historic study (author's transl)].", "content": "This paper presents an historic study of the medical criteria used for the diagnosis of rickets up to the present time. It mainly refers to diagnosis at very early stages. The publications edited in Spain were chiefly used as source material. Attention is drawn to the progress in clinical and differential diagnosis in each historic period. The physiopathological mentality tried to discover biochemical sings at early stages which were characteristic of the illness. These data later suffered a progressive devaluation so that nowadays the early diagnosis of the illness represents an almost identical challenge to that of the XIXth century.", "contents": "[Diagnostic criteria of rickets: an historic study (author's transl)]. This paper presents an historic study of the medical criteria used for the diagnosis of rickets up to the present time. It mainly refers to diagnosis at very early stages. The publications edited in Spain were chiefly used as source material. Attention is drawn to the progress in clinical and differential diagnosis in each historic period. The physiopathological mentality tried to discover biochemical sings at early stages which were characteristic of the illness. These data later suffered a progressive devaluation so that nowadays the early diagnosis of the illness represents an almost identical challenge to that of the XIXth century.", "PMID": 782305} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6182", "title": "Sequential nonsurgical and surgical staging of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.", "content": "The yield of specific diagnostic procedures in the staging of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was assessed in 170 consecutive patients who were evaluated with a sequence of diagnostic procedures. Stage III or Stage IV disease was established in 141 of 170 patients (80%) by nonsurgical procedures, including lymphangiography (positive in 78%), bone-marrow biopsy (positive in 39%), percutaneous liver biopsy (positive in 21%), and peritoneoscopy-directed liver biopsy (positive in 29% of those tested). Staging laparotomy showed disease outside conventional nodal irradiation fields in 21 of 26 patients with a positive lymphangiogram, but in only three of 17 patients with a negative lymphangiogram. The yield of staging procedures was highest in patients with nodular lymphomas, only 6% of whom were Stage I or Stage II after staging, but was lowest in patients with histiocytic lymphoma, 30% of whom had localized disease. This study shows that the presence of disseminated disease can be detected in the majority of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma without the use of staging laparotomy.", "contents": "Sequential nonsurgical and surgical staging of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The yield of specific diagnostic procedures in the staging of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was assessed in 170 consecutive patients who were evaluated with a sequence of diagnostic procedures. Stage III or Stage IV disease was established in 141 of 170 patients (80%) by nonsurgical procedures, including lymphangiography (positive in 78%), bone-marrow biopsy (positive in 39%), percutaneous liver biopsy (positive in 21%), and peritoneoscopy-directed liver biopsy (positive in 29% of those tested). Staging laparotomy showed disease outside conventional nodal irradiation fields in 21 of 26 patients with a positive lymphangiogram, but in only three of 17 patients with a negative lymphangiogram. The yield of staging procedures was highest in patients with nodular lymphomas, only 6% of whom were Stage I or Stage II after staging, but was lowest in patients with histiocytic lymphoma, 30% of whom had localized disease. This study shows that the presence of disseminated disease can be detected in the majority of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma without the use of staging laparotomy.", "PMID": 782309} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6183", "title": "Amantadine effect on peripheral airways abnormalities in influenza. A study in 15 students with natural influenza A infection.", "content": "Amantadine HCl administration has resulted in accelerated resolution of influenza A illness. Prolonged abnormalities in pulmonary function have been described in uncomplicated influenza A. To study the effect of amantadine on these changes, we evaluated young adults with documented natural influenza A with clear chest examinations and X rays. Subjects received placebo or amantadine in random, double-blind fashion. Physiologic studies included maximal expiratory flow volume curves with air and helium-oxygen mixtures. Air flow rates were unchanged in all subjects throughout. Initially, both groups showed comparable decreases in mean helium-oxygen maximal expiratory flow rates. The amantadine group showed accelerated physiologic improvement: significant increase in helium-oxygen flow rates occurred within 7 days (P less than 0.05). The rate of improvement in the helium-oxygen flow rates in the placebo group was not statistically significant. These studies confirm peripheral airways dysfunction after uncomplicated influenza A and suggest that amantadine is associated with accelerated resolution of this dysfunction.", "contents": "Amantadine effect on peripheral airways abnormalities in influenza. A study in 15 students with natural influenza A infection. Amantadine HCl administration has resulted in accelerated resolution of influenza A illness. Prolonged abnormalities in pulmonary function have been described in uncomplicated influenza A. To study the effect of amantadine on these changes, we evaluated young adults with documented natural influenza A with clear chest examinations and X rays. Subjects received placebo or amantadine in random, double-blind fashion. Physiologic studies included maximal expiratory flow volume curves with air and helium-oxygen mixtures. Air flow rates were unchanged in all subjects throughout. Initially, both groups showed comparable decreases in mean helium-oxygen maximal expiratory flow rates. The amantadine group showed accelerated physiologic improvement: significant increase in helium-oxygen flow rates occurred within 7 days (P less than 0.05). The rate of improvement in the helium-oxygen flow rates in the placebo group was not statistically significant. These studies confirm peripheral airways dysfunction after uncomplicated influenza A and suggest that amantadine is associated with accelerated resolution of this dysfunction.", "PMID": 782310} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6184", "title": "Successful renal transplantation in progressive systemic sclerosis.", "content": "Hemodialysis and renal transplantation were done in a patient with progressive systemic sclerosis and renal failure. The patient's clinical course following transplantation was uncomplicated, and a biopsy of the renal allograft done 14 months after transplantation did not show recurrence of the original disease. These observations favor the consideration of early renal transplantation in patients with scleroderma and renal failure.", "contents": "Successful renal transplantation in progressive systemic sclerosis. Hemodialysis and renal transplantation were done in a patient with progressive systemic sclerosis and renal failure. The patient's clinical course following transplantation was uncomplicated, and a biopsy of the renal allograft done 14 months after transplantation did not show recurrence of the original disease. These observations favor the consideration of early renal transplantation in patients with scleroderma and renal failure.", "PMID": 782311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6185", "title": "NIH conference. Dopamine- -hydroxylase. Basic and clinical studies.", "content": "Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, the enzyme responsible for conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, is released along with catecholamines from the adrenal medulla and from sympathetic nerve endings. The properties and mechanisms of the enzyme's action are discussed and its distribution described. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase is a valuable indicator of exocytosis as a mechanism for neurotransmitter release. The enzyme is present in plasma, but its levels vary widely between individuals. This variation seems to be related more to genetic factors than to sympathetic nerve activity. Abnormally high or low plasma levels are associated with several diseases. However, the relation of these levels to disease pathogenesis rather than to genetic determinants is unclear. Levels of the enzyme are elevated in patients with pheochromocytoma and decline after removal of the tumor. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase levels seem to be normal in hypertensive patients. Inhibition of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase provides a useful pharmacologic approach to evaluating the role of norepinephrine in psychiatric disorders.", "contents": "NIH conference. Dopamine- -hydroxylase. Basic and clinical studies. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, the enzyme responsible for conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, is released along with catecholamines from the adrenal medulla and from sympathetic nerve endings. The properties and mechanisms of the enzyme's action are discussed and its distribution described. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase is a valuable indicator of exocytosis as a mechanism for neurotransmitter release. The enzyme is present in plasma, but its levels vary widely between individuals. This variation seems to be related more to genetic factors than to sympathetic nerve activity. Abnormally high or low plasma levels are associated with several diseases. However, the relation of these levels to disease pathogenesis rather than to genetic determinants is unclear. Levels of the enzyme are elevated in patients with pheochromocytoma and decline after removal of the tumor. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase levels seem to be normal in hypertensive patients. Inhibition of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase provides a useful pharmacologic approach to evaluating the role of norepinephrine in psychiatric disorders.", "PMID": 782312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6186", "title": "Congenital absence of the vagina. The Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome.", "content": "We describe 14 patients with congenital absence of the vagina associated with a variable abnormality of the uterus and review the literature. Associated developmental anomalies of the urinary tract and skeleton are common. As a result of the analysis of two affected families, we believe that the disorder may represent the variable manifestation of a single underlying genetic defect that can be expressed alone or in any combination of vertebral, renal, and genital abnormalities. Some affected persons may have lethal manifestations such as absence of both kidneys, and some cases may result from multifactoral causes rather than a single gene defect. Whatever the cause, the defect involves mesodermal development and the mesonephric kidney, the latter resulting in abnormalities in the paramesonephros (uterus and vagina) and in the metanephric kidney. Both nonoperative and surgical treatments are generally successful in repairing the vaginal abnormality.", "contents": "Congenital absence of the vagina. The Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome. We describe 14 patients with congenital absence of the vagina associated with a variable abnormality of the uterus and review the literature. Associated developmental anomalies of the urinary tract and skeleton are common. As a result of the analysis of two affected families, we believe that the disorder may represent the variable manifestation of a single underlying genetic defect that can be expressed alone or in any combination of vertebral, renal, and genital abnormalities. Some affected persons may have lethal manifestations such as absence of both kidneys, and some cases may result from multifactoral causes rather than a single gene defect. Whatever the cause, the defect involves mesodermal development and the mesonephric kidney, the latter resulting in abnormalities in the paramesonephros (uterus and vagina) and in the metanephric kidney. Both nonoperative and surgical treatments are generally successful in repairing the vaginal abnormality.", "PMID": 782313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6187", "title": "Hyperparathyroidism: retrospect and prospect.", "content": "The history of hyperparathyroidism is outlined and the diagnosis and treatment of its various causes reviewed with reference to a series of 153 patients operated on for hyperparathyroidism in the past 20 years. In 119 cases the condition was primary, being due to a tumour or hyperplasia. Future developments in this field are briefly considered.", "contents": "Hyperparathyroidism: retrospect and prospect. The history of hyperparathyroidism is outlined and the diagnosis and treatment of its various causes reviewed with reference to a series of 153 patients operated on for hyperparathyroidism in the past 20 years. In 119 cases the condition was primary, being due to a tumour or hyperplasia. Future developments in this field are briefly considered.", "PMID": 782326} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6188", "title": "Bilateral abductor paralysis: 30 years experience with arytenoidectomy.", "content": "Modifications of the technique originally reported in 1946 are presented, which may help in improving the percentage of successful decannulations. The importance of a change in the level of the vocal cord by this procedure is emphasized. The ten cautions to be followed are reviewed in doing this procedure.", "contents": "Bilateral abductor paralysis: 30 years experience with arytenoidectomy. Modifications of the technique originally reported in 1946 are presented, which may help in improving the percentage of successful decannulations. The importance of a change in the level of the vocal cord by this procedure is emphasized. The ten cautions to be followed are reviewed in doing this procedure.", "PMID": 782324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6189", "title": "Nonoxidative enzymes in the metabolism of insecticides.", "content": "Two major classes of enzymes, i.e., hydrolases and transferases, comprise all the nonoxidative enzymes, and together these enzymes catalyze a wide variety of biotransformations of insecticides. The hydrolytic enzymes involved in insecticide metabolism are carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1), arylesterase alkylamidase, and DFPase (EC 3.8.2.1). Recent experimental evidence suggests that carboxylesterase enzyme(s), formerly known to hydrolyze malathion-type insecticides, can also catalyze hydrolysis of a variety of diversified insecticidal esters such as benzilic acid derivatives, carbanilate compounds, and pyrethroids. These organophosphate-sensitive esterases, with the exception of the enzyme which hydrolyzes malathion, are all present in microsomes. Similarly, the action of amidases now extends to those insecticidal compounds of their intermediates which contain an aminoformyl (N-CHO) moiety. Arylesterase and DFPase catalyze the P-anhydride bond cleavage of the leaving group, a major hydrolytic pathyway for organophosphate insecticides. Transferal enzymes which are presently know to metabolize insecticidal organophosphates are GSH-S-alkyltransferase (EC 2.5.1.12) and GSH-S-aryltransferase (EC 2.5.1.13). These enzymes cleave P-O-R (R = alkyl) or P-0-X (X = aromatic), with subsequent transfer of the R or X group to glutathione. Regarding the other conjugating enzymes, UDP-glucuronyltransferase (EC 2.4.L.17), UDP-glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.35), and arylamine acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.5), much work is needed to understand their interactions with insecticidal compounds. There is some evidence that arylsulfotransferase (EC 2.8.2.1) MAY PLAY A PROMINENT ROLE IN THE CONJUGATIVE MECHANISMS OF INSECTS.", "contents": "Nonoxidative enzymes in the metabolism of insecticides. Two major classes of enzymes, i.e., hydrolases and transferases, comprise all the nonoxidative enzymes, and together these enzymes catalyze a wide variety of biotransformations of insecticides. The hydrolytic enzymes involved in insecticide metabolism are carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1), arylesterase alkylamidase, and DFPase (EC 3.8.2.1). Recent experimental evidence suggests that carboxylesterase enzyme(s), formerly known to hydrolyze malathion-type insecticides, can also catalyze hydrolysis of a variety of diversified insecticidal esters such as benzilic acid derivatives, carbanilate compounds, and pyrethroids. These organophosphate-sensitive esterases, with the exception of the enzyme which hydrolyzes malathion, are all present in microsomes. Similarly, the action of amidases now extends to those insecticidal compounds of their intermediates which contain an aminoformyl (N-CHO) moiety. Arylesterase and DFPase catalyze the P-anhydride bond cleavage of the leaving group, a major hydrolytic pathyway for organophosphate insecticides. Transferal enzymes which are presently know to metabolize insecticidal organophosphates are GSH-S-alkyltransferase (EC 2.5.1.12) and GSH-S-aryltransferase (EC 2.5.1.13). These enzymes cleave P-O-R (R = alkyl) or P-0-X (X = aromatic), with subsequent transfer of the R or X group to glutathione. Regarding the other conjugating enzymes, UDP-glucuronyltransferase (EC 2.4.L.17), UDP-glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.35), and arylamine acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.5), much work is needed to understand their interactions with insecticidal compounds. There is some evidence that arylsulfotransferase (EC 2.8.2.1) MAY PLAY A PROMINENT ROLE IN THE CONJUGATIVE MECHANISMS OF INSECTS.", "PMID": 782333} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6190", "title": "The distributions of subunit numbers and subunit sizes of enzymes: a study of the products of 100 human gene loci.", "content": "1. A tabulation of subunit numbers and subunit sizes of a series of enzymes which have been studied electrophoretically in man is presented. The series of subunit numbers cover the isozyme products of 100 distinct gene loci. For 99 of these, estimates of subunit size are given. 2. The distribution of subunit numbers in the whole series is as follows: monomers, 28; dimers, 43; trimers, 4; tetramers, 24; octamers, 1. 3. The subunit sizes range from 13,000 to 116,000. The average subunit size for the whole series is close to 45,800. This corresponds to an average polypeptide chain length of about 425 amino acids. 4. No significant differences were found between the average subunit sizes for the separate classes of enzyme with different subunit numbers. 5. The enzymes were categorized in six different types according to the classification of the International Enzyme Commission. It was found that the oxido-reductases differed from the other types (transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, ligases) in showing a much greater proportion of multimeric enzymes. Only 1 out of 24 oxido-reductases appeared to be a monomer, whereas in the other enzyme types approximately one-third of the enzymes considered appeared to be monomers. No significant differences in subunit size were found between the various enzyme types. 6. It was found that, in general, where two or more separate gene loci are concerned in determining sets of isozymes with the same or very similar enzyme characteristics, there is a close correlation in subunit size and in most, though not all, cases the subunit numbers are the same.", "contents": "The distributions of subunit numbers and subunit sizes of enzymes: a study of the products of 100 human gene loci. 1. A tabulation of subunit numbers and subunit sizes of a series of enzymes which have been studied electrophoretically in man is presented. The series of subunit numbers cover the isozyme products of 100 distinct gene loci. For 99 of these, estimates of subunit size are given. 2. The distribution of subunit numbers in the whole series is as follows: monomers, 28; dimers, 43; trimers, 4; tetramers, 24; octamers, 1. 3. The subunit sizes range from 13,000 to 116,000. The average subunit size for the whole series is close to 45,800. This corresponds to an average polypeptide chain length of about 425 amino acids. 4. No significant differences were found between the average subunit sizes for the separate classes of enzyme with different subunit numbers. 5. The enzymes were categorized in six different types according to the classification of the International Enzyme Commission. It was found that the oxido-reductases differed from the other types (transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, ligases) in showing a much greater proportion of multimeric enzymes. Only 1 out of 24 oxido-reductases appeared to be a monomer, whereas in the other enzyme types approximately one-third of the enzymes considered appeared to be monomers. No significant differences in subunit size were found between the various enzyme types. 6. It was found that, in general, where two or more separate gene loci are concerned in determining sets of isozymes with the same or very similar enzyme characteristics, there is a close correlation in subunit size and in most, though not all, cases the subunit numbers are the same.", "PMID": 782337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6191", "title": "Causative agents in the induction of bladder cancer.", "content": "A survey of many of the known or suspected causative agents in the etiology of bladder cancer is presented. In several instances, a comparison of the epidemiological evidence and the results of animal bioassays is made. Difficulties in the interpretation of animal studies and the extrapolation of animal data to estimate human risk is discussed. Each class of chemicals, such as the aromatic aminatic amines or the non-nutritive sweetners, presents its unique problems when attempts are made to evaluate its potential as a causative agent in the etiology of bladder cancer.", "contents": "Causative agents in the induction of bladder cancer. A survey of many of the known or suspected causative agents in the etiology of bladder cancer is presented. In several instances, a comparison of the epidemiological evidence and the results of animal bioassays is made. Difficulties in the interpretation of animal studies and the extrapolation of animal data to estimate human risk is discussed. Each class of chemicals, such as the aromatic aminatic amines or the non-nutritive sweetners, presents its unique problems when attempts are made to evaluate its potential as a causative agent in the etiology of bladder cancer.", "PMID": 782335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6192", "title": "Spontaneous conversion of precursor cells into cells producing antibodies against sheep erythrocytes in cultures of mouse peritoneal cells.", "content": "The role of cell division in the spontaneous development of antisheep PFC in cultures of mouse peritoneal cells has been studied. Mitotic index measurement showed that most PFC were not recruited by division. LPS (a blastogenic and mitogenic substance) increased the number of PFC much more than it increased the number of mitosis. X-ray-irradiation of the donor mice did not affect the kinetics of PFC development. It was, therefore, concluded that PFC recruitment in mouse PC in culture was essentially related to cell differentiation, cell division playing only a minor role.", "contents": "Spontaneous conversion of precursor cells into cells producing antibodies against sheep erythrocytes in cultures of mouse peritoneal cells. The role of cell division in the spontaneous development of antisheep PFC in cultures of mouse peritoneal cells has been studied. Mitotic index measurement showed that most PFC were not recruited by division. LPS (a blastogenic and mitogenic substance) increased the number of PFC much more than it increased the number of mitosis. X-ray-irradiation of the donor mice did not affect the kinetics of PFC development. It was, therefore, concluded that PFC recruitment in mouse PC in culture was essentially related to cell differentiation, cell division playing only a minor role.", "PMID": 782338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6193", "title": "In vitro growth of colonies from human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin.", "content": "Normal peripheral human white blood cels (WBC) plated in agar culture generate colonies of blastoid cells when stimulated in vitro by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Aggregates of PHA transformed cells are first visible by day 3-4. By day 7, the morphology of colonies becomes typical as clear discoid raspberry-like aggregates of 50-200 cells or more growing at or near the surface of the agar plate. Their dense arrangement and the coexistence within individual colonies of large and smaller cells are two main characterisitcs of these colonies. Wright-Giemsa stained preparations from cytocentrifuged colonies show cells at different stages of \"lymphocyte transformation\". These cells are PAS and peroxidase negative. They do not bear surface immunoglobulins but most of them form rosettes with sheep red blood cells. These observations strongly suggest that these colonies are made of T-lymphocytes. However, in view of the number of isolated transformed cells which do not form colonies, the possibility is raised that the cells which generate these colonies may represent a subset of PHA sensitive cells.", "contents": "In vitro growth of colonies from human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin. Normal peripheral human white blood cels (WBC) plated in agar culture generate colonies of blastoid cells when stimulated in vitro by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Aggregates of PHA transformed cells are first visible by day 3-4. By day 7, the morphology of colonies becomes typical as clear discoid raspberry-like aggregates of 50-200 cells or more growing at or near the surface of the agar plate. Their dense arrangement and the coexistence within individual colonies of large and smaller cells are two main characterisitcs of these colonies. Wright-Giemsa stained preparations from cytocentrifuged colonies show cells at different stages of \"lymphocyte transformation\". These cells are PAS and peroxidase negative. They do not bear surface immunoglobulins but most of them form rosettes with sheep red blood cells. These observations strongly suggest that these colonies are made of T-lymphocytes. However, in view of the number of isolated transformed cells which do not form colonies, the possibility is raised that the cells which generate these colonies may represent a subset of PHA sensitive cells.", "PMID": 782339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6194", "title": "[Utilization of yeast mutants with a defect in the cellular membrane in the search for anticancer antibiotics].", "content": "The mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain FL 599-I B with defect cell membranes are selectively inhibited by anticancer antibiotics with different molecular mechanisms of action on DNA. At the same time they are insensitive to antibacterial antibiotics. Such mutants may be used as test-cultures in isolation of active agents with antitumor effect from complex mixtures of natural substances. The above test-object makes it easier to perform separation of antimour antibiotics from accompanying bacterial inhibitors.", "contents": "[Utilization of yeast mutants with a defect in the cellular membrane in the search for anticancer antibiotics]. The mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain FL 599-I B with defect cell membranes are selectively inhibited by anticancer antibiotics with different molecular mechanisms of action on DNA. At the same time they are insensitive to antibacterial antibiotics. Such mutants may be used as test-cultures in isolation of active agents with antitumor effect from complex mixtures of natural substances. The above test-object makes it easier to perform separation of antimour antibiotics from accompanying bacterial inhibitors.", "PMID": 782350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6195", "title": "[Production of phage-resistant mutants of E. coli, producers of penicillin acylase].", "content": "Full resistance to the virulent phage C1 in E. coli N68 is usually accompanied by decreased capacity for penicillinacylase production. For rapid selection of phage resistant mutants possessing penicillinacylase activity comparable with that of the initial bacteria a method was proposed. The method provided comparison of the penicillinacylase activity of the bacterial colonies grown on solid media with addition of phenylacetic acid as the enzyme inductor. A great number of mutants forming colonies on the solid medium in the presence of phage C1 was compared with the use of the above method and a mutant of E. coli N68-PR-I resistant to the phage with penicillinacylase activity equal to 68 per cent of that of the bacteria of the wild type was selected. Mutant N68-R-5 with increased resistance to phage CI was selected among the mutants of E. coli N68 resistant to rifampicin. The penicillinacylase activity of this mutant was not less than of E. coli N68. Phage CI can lyse the cells of strain N68-R-5. Still these bacteria possess a markedly decreased capacity for the phage reproduction.", "contents": "[Production of phage-resistant mutants of E. coli, producers of penicillin acylase]. Full resistance to the virulent phage C1 in E. coli N68 is usually accompanied by decreased capacity for penicillinacylase production. For rapid selection of phage resistant mutants possessing penicillinacylase activity comparable with that of the initial bacteria a method was proposed. The method provided comparison of the penicillinacylase activity of the bacterial colonies grown on solid media with addition of phenylacetic acid as the enzyme inductor. A great number of mutants forming colonies on the solid medium in the presence of phage C1 was compared with the use of the above method and a mutant of E. coli N68-PR-I resistant to the phage with penicillinacylase activity equal to 68 per cent of that of the bacteria of the wild type was selected. Mutant N68-R-5 with increased resistance to phage CI was selected among the mutants of E. coli N68 resistant to rifampicin. The penicillinacylase activity of this mutant was not less than of E. coli N68. Phage CI can lyse the cells of strain N68-R-5. Still these bacteria possess a markedly decreased capacity for the phage reproduction.", "PMID": 782351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6196", "title": "[Study of the antitumor activity of carminomycin in malignant tumors in children (a preliminary report)].", "content": "Side reactions and therapeutic effect of carminomycin were studied in 21 children with various malignant tumors. Carminomycin was administered intravenously in doses of 0.15-0.2 mg/kg twice a week for 2-3 weeks. The treatment courses were repeated in a month. The drug was better tolerated by children than by adults. After the treatment course leucopenia may develop. When used alone or in combination with vincristin or cyclophosphan carminomycin proved to be effective in treatment of sarcoma of the soft tissues (liposarcoma, synovial sarcoma), chondrosarcoma and reticulosarcoma.", "contents": "[Study of the antitumor activity of carminomycin in malignant tumors in children (a preliminary report)]. Side reactions and therapeutic effect of carminomycin were studied in 21 children with various malignant tumors. Carminomycin was administered intravenously in doses of 0.15-0.2 mg/kg twice a week for 2-3 weeks. The treatment courses were repeated in a month. The drug was better tolerated by children than by adults. After the treatment course leucopenia may develop. When used alone or in combination with vincristin or cyclophosphan carminomycin proved to be effective in treatment of sarcoma of the soft tissues (liposarcoma, synovial sarcoma), chondrosarcoma and reticulosarcoma.", "PMID": 782352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6197", "title": "[Therapeutic use of carminomycin in soft tissue sarcomas].", "content": "A total of 39 patients with sarcoma of the soft tissues were treated with carminomycin administered intravenously in doses of 10-15 mg twice a week, the total dose being 60-70 mg. The intervals between the courses were 1 month. The objective effect was observed in 17 out of 39 patients, i. e. 43.6%. The tumor decrease was registered in 6 out of 15 patients with leuomyosarcoma, in 3 out of 6 patients with synovial sarcoma, in 2 out of 4 patients with robdomyosarcoma, in 1 out of 4 patients with angiosarcoma, in 1 out of 3 patients with fibrosarcoma, in 1 patient with liposarcoma and in 3 out of 5 patients with stromal sarcoma of the uterus. A necessity for repeated treatment courses in spite of a positive effect or absence of the disease progress is underlined.", "contents": "[Therapeutic use of carminomycin in soft tissue sarcomas]. A total of 39 patients with sarcoma of the soft tissues were treated with carminomycin administered intravenously in doses of 10-15 mg twice a week, the total dose being 60-70 mg. The intervals between the courses were 1 month. The objective effect was observed in 17 out of 39 patients, i. e. 43.6%. The tumor decrease was registered in 6 out of 15 patients with leuomyosarcoma, in 3 out of 6 patients with synovial sarcoma, in 2 out of 4 patients with robdomyosarcoma, in 1 out of 4 patients with angiosarcoma, in 1 out of 3 patients with fibrosarcoma, in 1 patient with liposarcoma and in 3 out of 5 patients with stromal sarcoma of the uterus. A necessity for repeated treatment courses in spite of a positive effect or absence of the disease progress is underlined.", "PMID": 782353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6198", "title": "Beta-lactamase activity in Shigella sonnei.", "content": "The basis of ampicillin resistance in Shigella sonnei was analyzed for a number of isolates. Most isolates that were resistant to ampicillin and cephalothin failed to transfer resistance. Isolates resistant to cephalothin and ampicillin were inhibited by mecillinam, cefamandole, and cefoxitin. Six strains were selected for study. These differed on the basis of inhibition by 10 beta-lactam antibiotics and on differences in beta-lactamase activity. There was no correlation between the inhibitory concentration of antibiotic and the amount of antibiotic hydrolyzed. Use of sodium chloride and cloxacillin inhibition and acrylamide electrophoresis demonstrated that ampicillin resistance in Shigella is mediated by a number of different beta-lactamases. Organisms can contain more than one type of beta-lactamase.", "contents": "Beta-lactamase activity in Shigella sonnei. The basis of ampicillin resistance in Shigella sonnei was analyzed for a number of isolates. Most isolates that were resistant to ampicillin and cephalothin failed to transfer resistance. Isolates resistant to cephalothin and ampicillin were inhibited by mecillinam, cefamandole, and cefoxitin. Six strains were selected for study. These differed on the basis of inhibition by 10 beta-lactam antibiotics and on differences in beta-lactamase activity. There was no correlation between the inhibitory concentration of antibiotic and the amount of antibiotic hydrolyzed. Use of sodium chloride and cloxacillin inhibition and acrylamide electrophoresis demonstrated that ampicillin resistance in Shigella is mediated by a number of different beta-lactamases. Organisms can contain more than one type of beta-lactamase.", "PMID": 782355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6199", "title": "Colonization of the intestinal tract of conventional mice with Candida albicans and treatment with antifungal agents.", "content": "Conventional mice inoculated with Candida albicans per os were unable to maintain this organism in the intestinal tract as judged by decreasing numbers of yeast recoverable from feces. After inoculation with 10(7) cells/mouse, fecal counts ranged from 10(5) cells per g of feces to 5 x 10(3) cells per g of feces during a 12-day experimental period. Addition of various antibiotics to the drinking water did not result in any improvement in maintenance or stability of the gut population. A combination of X irradiation and administration of tobramycin or gentamicin, however, resulted in a stable population of C. albicans in the intestinal tract, with cell counts in the feces remaining constant at a level of about 10(6)/g of feces for a period of 10 to 15 days. The usefulness of this model in assessing the effect of experimental drugs on C. albicans infections of the gut was demonstrated by the fact that treatment with a new antifungal antibiotic (A9145), amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, or nystatin resulted in a reduction in the fecal counts of C. albicans from experimentally infected animals.", "contents": "Colonization of the intestinal tract of conventional mice with Candida albicans and treatment with antifungal agents. Conventional mice inoculated with Candida albicans per os were unable to maintain this organism in the intestinal tract as judged by decreasing numbers of yeast recoverable from feces. After inoculation with 10(7) cells/mouse, fecal counts ranged from 10(5) cells per g of feces to 5 x 10(3) cells per g of feces during a 12-day experimental period. Addition of various antibiotics to the drinking water did not result in any improvement in maintenance or stability of the gut population. A combination of X irradiation and administration of tobramycin or gentamicin, however, resulted in a stable population of C. albicans in the intestinal tract, with cell counts in the feces remaining constant at a level of about 10(6)/g of feces for a period of 10 to 15 days. The usefulness of this model in assessing the effect of experimental drugs on C. albicans infections of the gut was demonstrated by the fact that treatment with a new antifungal antibiotic (A9145), amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, or nystatin resulted in a reduction in the fecal counts of C. albicans from experimentally infected animals.", "PMID": 782356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6200", "title": "Sensitivity of yeasts to lithium.", "content": "A wide range of tolerance to Li+ has been found among 12 different yeasts. Concentrations that do not allow long-term growth of an actively growing culture within 2-5 hr. At the same concentrations protein and RNA synthesis are inhibited with little or no lag period (less than 50 min) but respiration is not affected at these concentrations. Lower concentrations that do not inhibit growth, may impair sporulation. For given extracellular conditions, intracellular Li+ concentrations are lower in the more tolerant yeast strains.", "contents": "Sensitivity of yeasts to lithium. A wide range of tolerance to Li+ has been found among 12 different yeasts. Concentrations that do not allow long-term growth of an actively growing culture within 2-5 hr. At the same concentrations protein and RNA synthesis are inhibited with little or no lag period (less than 50 min) but respiration is not affected at these concentrations. Lower concentrations that do not inhibit growth, may impair sporulation. For given extracellular conditions, intracellular Li+ concentrations are lower in the more tolerant yeast strains.", "PMID": 782357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6201", "title": "Use of the Hungate anaerobic technique in the isolation of phloroglucinol-negative mutants of Coprococcus species.", "content": "The Hungate anaerobic technique was used with a standard procedure for bacterial mutagenesis employing N-methyl-N-nitro-N'-nitrosoguanidine to obtain mutants of an obligate anaerobe. Three mutant strains were derived from a Coprococcus sp., strain Pe15, a rumen anaerobe capable of growing on phloroglucinol. The mutants did not grow on phloroglucinol but did degrade the compound in anaerobic washed-cell suspensions, producing the same end products in approximately the same proportions as the wild type. It was concluded that the mutants were blocked in a unique step or steps necessary for carbon skeleton or energy synthesis from phloroglucinol and not in formation of an enzyme involved in the pathway of phloroglucinol degradation.", "contents": "Use of the Hungate anaerobic technique in the isolation of phloroglucinol-negative mutants of Coprococcus species. The Hungate anaerobic technique was used with a standard procedure for bacterial mutagenesis employing N-methyl-N-nitro-N'-nitrosoguanidine to obtain mutants of an obligate anaerobe. Three mutant strains were derived from a Coprococcus sp., strain Pe15, a rumen anaerobe capable of growing on phloroglucinol. The mutants did not grow on phloroglucinol but did degrade the compound in anaerobic washed-cell suspensions, producing the same end products in approximately the same proportions as the wild type. It was concluded that the mutants were blocked in a unique step or steps necessary for carbon skeleton or energy synthesis from phloroglucinol and not in formation of an enzyme involved in the pathway of phloroglucinol degradation.", "PMID": 782358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6202", "title": "Macromolecular syntheses during biosynthesis of prodigiosin by Serratia marcescens.", "content": "Amino acids that were utilized as sole sources of carbon and nitrogen for growth of Serratia marcescens Nima resulted in biosynthesis of prodigiosin in non-proliferating bacteria. Addition of alanine, proline, or histidine to non-proliferating cells incubated at 27 C increased the rate of protein synthesis and also caused biosynthesis of prodigiosin. No increase in the rate of protein synthesis was observed upon the addition of amino acids that did not stimulate prodigiosin biosynthesis. Increased rates of synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (a small amount) also occurred after addition of amino acids that resulted in biosynthesis of prodigiosin. After incubation of 24 h, the total amount of protein in suspensions of bacteria to which alanine or proline was added increased 67 and 98%, respectively. Total amounts of DNA and of RNA also increased before synthesis of prodigiosin. The amounts of these macromolecules did not increase after addition of amino acids that did not induce biosynthesis of progidiosin. However, macromolecular synthesis was not related only to prodigiosin biosynthesis because the rates of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis also increased in suspensions of bacteria incubated with proline at 39 C, at which temperature no prodigiosin was synthesized. The quantities of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesized were lower in non-proliferating cells than in growing cells. The data indicated that amino acids causing biosynthesis of prodigiosin in non-proliferating cells must be metabolized and serve as sources of carbon and of nitrogen for synthesis of macromolecules and intermediates. Prodigiosin was synthesized secondarily to these primary metabolic events.", "contents": "Macromolecular syntheses during biosynthesis of prodigiosin by Serratia marcescens. Amino acids that were utilized as sole sources of carbon and nitrogen for growth of Serratia marcescens Nima resulted in biosynthesis of prodigiosin in non-proliferating bacteria. Addition of alanine, proline, or histidine to non-proliferating cells incubated at 27 C increased the rate of protein synthesis and also caused biosynthesis of prodigiosin. No increase in the rate of protein synthesis was observed upon the addition of amino acids that did not stimulate prodigiosin biosynthesis. Increased rates of synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (a small amount) also occurred after addition of amino acids that resulted in biosynthesis of prodigiosin. After incubation of 24 h, the total amount of protein in suspensions of bacteria to which alanine or proline was added increased 67 and 98%, respectively. Total amounts of DNA and of RNA also increased before synthesis of prodigiosin. The amounts of these macromolecules did not increase after addition of amino acids that did not induce biosynthesis of progidiosin. However, macromolecular synthesis was not related only to prodigiosin biosynthesis because the rates of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis also increased in suspensions of bacteria incubated with proline at 39 C, at which temperature no prodigiosin was synthesized. The quantities of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesized were lower in non-proliferating cells than in growing cells. The data indicated that amino acids causing biosynthesis of prodigiosin in non-proliferating cells must be metabolized and serve as sources of carbon and of nitrogen for synthesis of macromolecules and intermediates. Prodigiosin was synthesized secondarily to these primary metabolic events.", "PMID": 782359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6203", "title": "Cutaneous protothecosis in a patient receiving immunosuppressive therapy.", "content": "A 30-year-old recipient of a renal transplant, who was receiving immunosuppressive therapy, developed cutaneous abscesses from which an organism of the genus Prototheca was cultured. The patient died of Klebsiella septicemia. At the time of death, pure cultures of Prototheca and Candida organisms were grown from separate skin lesions. Prototheca is a genus of achloric algae. Cultural, microscopical, and staining characteristics separate these organisms from the yeast and fungi. Cutaneous protothecosis was first described in 1964 by Davies et al in an otherwise healthy African rice farmer. Since that time, nine other cases have been reported. However, only a single case has been described in a patient receiving immunosuppressive drugs, a woman with carcinoma of the breast who was receiving chemotherapy with multiple agents.", "contents": "Cutaneous protothecosis in a patient receiving immunosuppressive therapy. A 30-year-old recipient of a renal transplant, who was receiving immunosuppressive therapy, developed cutaneous abscesses from which an organism of the genus Prototheca was cultured. The patient died of Klebsiella septicemia. At the time of death, pure cultures of Prototheca and Candida organisms were grown from separate skin lesions. Prototheca is a genus of achloric algae. Cultural, microscopical, and staining characteristics separate these organisms from the yeast and fungi. Cutaneous protothecosis was first described in 1964 by Davies et al in an otherwise healthy African rice farmer. Since that time, nine other cases have been reported. However, only a single case has been described in a patient receiving immunosuppressive drugs, a woman with carcinoma of the breast who was receiving chemotherapy with multiple agents.", "PMID": 782362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6204", "title": "Benign chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood. Linear IgA and C3 deposition on the basement membrane.", "content": "Benign chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood (BCBDC) is characterized by predominantly monomorphous, large, tense bullae with a predilection for the lower part of the trunk, the pelvic region, and the lower extremities. Most patients have blisters for two to three years and experience spontaneous exacerbations and remissions. We report the first case known to us in which a linear bank of IgA (but no lgG or lgM) and complement was found at the epidermal basal lamina as demonstrated by immunofluorescence studies.", "contents": "Benign chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood. Linear IgA and C3 deposition on the basement membrane. Benign chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood (BCBDC) is characterized by predominantly monomorphous, large, tense bullae with a predilection for the lower part of the trunk, the pelvic region, and the lower extremities. Most patients have blisters for two to three years and experience spontaneous exacerbations and remissions. We report the first case known to us in which a linear bank of IgA (but no lgG or lgM) and complement was found at the epidermal basal lamina as demonstrated by immunofluorescence studies.", "PMID": 782363} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6205", "title": "IgA deficiency and systemic lupus erythematosus. Occurrence in an oriental woman with idiopathic epilepsy.", "content": "A 25-year-old Oriental woman developed systemic lupus erythematosus during a course of treatment with carbamazepine for long-standing idiopathic epilepsy. Serum IgA was virtually absent, while secretory IgA was quantitated in a small amount in the saliva and gastric juice. Results of immunofluorescent studies on the rectal mucosa and bone marrow did not show any IgA-producing plasma cells. Antibodies against IgA, IgM, milk protein, and bovine serum were detected in the serum. The ability to develop both circulating antibodies and delayed hypersensitivity against test antigens was suppressed. Enumerations of T lymphocytes and IgG and IgM B lymphocytes were within normal limits, whereas IgA B lymphocytes were decreased in number. Results of chromosomal analyses disclosed various abnormalities.", "contents": "IgA deficiency and systemic lupus erythematosus. Occurrence in an oriental woman with idiopathic epilepsy. A 25-year-old Oriental woman developed systemic lupus erythematosus during a course of treatment with carbamazepine for long-standing idiopathic epilepsy. Serum IgA was virtually absent, while secretory IgA was quantitated in a small amount in the saliva and gastric juice. Results of immunofluorescent studies on the rectal mucosa and bone marrow did not show any IgA-producing plasma cells. Antibodies against IgA, IgM, milk protein, and bovine serum were detected in the serum. The ability to develop both circulating antibodies and delayed hypersensitivity against test antigens was suppressed. Enumerations of T lymphocytes and IgG and IgM B lymphocytes were within normal limits, whereas IgA B lymphocytes were decreased in number. Results of chromosomal analyses disclosed various abnormalities.", "PMID": 782364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6206", "title": "Bullous impetigo. Occurrence of localized scalded skin syndrome in an adult.", "content": "The localized form of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, bullous impetigo, occurs commonly in children but rarely in adults. We will describe a case of bullous impetigo in an adult which developed while the patient was receiving short-term therapy with orally administered corticosteriods. Scalded skin syndrome in this case was characterized by isolation of phage group 2 staphylococci from intact bullae and by the presence of an intraepidermal, subgranular cleavage plane in histological sections. Features that differentiate the localized form of scalded skin syndrome from generalized forms include the presence of dermal infiltrate and the absence of cutaneous erythema and tenderness. On the basis of available experimental evidence, the rarity of both localized and generalized scalded skin syndrome in adults can be attributed to immunologic competence or enhanced capacity of adults to metabolize the staphylococcal exfoliatin.", "contents": "Bullous impetigo. Occurrence of localized scalded skin syndrome in an adult. The localized form of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, bullous impetigo, occurs commonly in children but rarely in adults. We will describe a case of bullous impetigo in an adult which developed while the patient was receiving short-term therapy with orally administered corticosteriods. Scalded skin syndrome in this case was characterized by isolation of phage group 2 staphylococci from intact bullae and by the presence of an intraepidermal, subgranular cleavage plane in histological sections. Features that differentiate the localized form of scalded skin syndrome from generalized forms include the presence of dermal infiltrate and the absence of cutaneous erythema and tenderness. On the basis of available experimental evidence, the rarity of both localized and generalized scalded skin syndrome in adults can be attributed to immunologic competence or enhanced capacity of adults to metabolize the staphylococcal exfoliatin.", "PMID": 782365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6207", "title": "T and B lymphocytes in contact and atopic dermatitis.", "content": "The pattern of distribution of T and B lymphocytes was investigated in a group of patients with contact, atopic, and mixed dermatitis by means of immunofluorescence and T-cell rosette tests. A significant increase (P less than .001) in B lymphocytes with surface IgD but without changes in the lymphocytes bearing other immunoglobulins or C3 and T cells was noted in patients with contact dermatitis when compared with a control group. A significant increase (P less than .001) in B lymphocytes carrying IgE and a significant decrease (P less than .001) in the total numbers of T cells were noted in patients with atopic dermatitis, and a significant increase in B lymphocytes positive for IgD (P less than .001) and IgE (P less than .003) with a decrease in the number of lymphocytes bearing IgG were the most important changes observed in patients with mixed contact and atopic dermatitis.", "contents": "T and B lymphocytes in contact and atopic dermatitis. The pattern of distribution of T and B lymphocytes was investigated in a group of patients with contact, atopic, and mixed dermatitis by means of immunofluorescence and T-cell rosette tests. A significant increase (P less than .001) in B lymphocytes with surface IgD but without changes in the lymphocytes bearing other immunoglobulins or C3 and T cells was noted in patients with contact dermatitis when compared with a control group. A significant increase (P less than .001) in B lymphocytes carrying IgE and a significant decrease (P less than .001) in the total numbers of T cells were noted in patients with atopic dermatitis, and a significant increase in B lymphocytes positive for IgD (P less than .001) and IgE (P less than .003) with a decrease in the number of lymphocytes bearing IgG were the most important changes observed in patients with mixed contact and atopic dermatitis.", "PMID": 782370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6208", "title": "Herpes gestations with identical lesions in the newborn. Passive transfer of the disease?", "content": "Cutaneous lesions of herpes gestation is developed in a newborn on the fifth day of life and disappeared spontaneously after three weeks. The immunologic phenomena were analogous in the mother and child. No circulating or in vivo-bound immunoglobulins were demonstrated, but components 3 and 4 of complement were present at the basement membrane zone. We discuss a possible passive transfer of the disease to the newborn, and a supposedly pathogenetic role of immunologic phenomena in herpes gestationis.", "contents": "Herpes gestations with identical lesions in the newborn. Passive transfer of the disease? Cutaneous lesions of herpes gestation is developed in a newborn on the fifth day of life and disappeared spontaneously after three weeks. The immunologic phenomena were analogous in the mother and child. No circulating or in vivo-bound immunoglobulins were demonstrated, but components 3 and 4 of complement were present at the basement membrane zone. We discuss a possible passive transfer of the disease to the newborn, and a supposedly pathogenetic role of immunologic phenomena in herpes gestationis.", "PMID": 782371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6209", "title": "Annular atrophic plaques of the face. A variety of atrophic discoid lupus erythematosus?", "content": "In a patient whose condition was diagnosed clinically and pathologically as annular atrophic plaques, the lesions bore some resemblance to morphea, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). In a lesion that appeared recently, which was not DLE clinically, the histological characteristics were consistent with DLE, and immunofluorescence examination disclosed an immunofluorescent band at the epidermal-dermal zone. We suggest that annular atrophic plaques may be an atypical variant of DLE, with a tendency to sclerosing.", "contents": "Annular atrophic plaques of the face. A variety of atrophic discoid lupus erythematosus? In a patient whose condition was diagnosed clinically and pathologically as annular atrophic plaques, the lesions bore some resemblance to morphea, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). In a lesion that appeared recently, which was not DLE clinically, the histological characteristics were consistent with DLE, and immunofluorescence examination disclosed an immunofluorescent band at the epidermal-dermal zone. We suggest that annular atrophic plaques may be an atypical variant of DLE, with a tendency to sclerosing.", "PMID": 782372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6210", "title": "Continuous postive airways pressure treatment by a face chamber in idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome.", "content": "Continuous positive airways pressure treatment by a face chamber in idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome. During a 3-year period 45 infants with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) requiring ventilatory support were treated in the neonatal unit. Continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) via the face chamber was applied as initial therapy in 39 infants and during weaning from initial intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) treatment in 5 infants, whereas 1 infant received IPPV only. Among the 39 infants initially treated with CPAP 9 required IPPV as well. The overall survival rate was 37/45 or 82%. Incapacity to hyperoxygenate while breathing 100% oxygen was the indication for CPAP while occurrence of apnoeic attacks was the indication for IPPV. Pao2 during the hyperoxia test before ventilatory support was less than 50 mmHg in 10 infants and between 50 and 105 mmHg in 35 infants. Surviving infants were followed up with neurological and developmental control examinations as well as chest x-ray, and in several infants pulmonary function tests. 3/37 infants had moderate neurological sequelae and only 1/37 infants developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia. No deleterious effects of the face chamber were seen. As the face chamber is a noninvasive and easily applied technique for CPAP therapy without hazards, it is proposed that it should be used at a still earlier stage of IRDS in order to lesson the need for IPPV treatment and to increase the neurological and lung functional quality of survival.", "contents": "Continuous postive airways pressure treatment by a face chamber in idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome. Continuous positive airways pressure treatment by a face chamber in idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome. During a 3-year period 45 infants with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) requiring ventilatory support were treated in the neonatal unit. Continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) via the face chamber was applied as initial therapy in 39 infants and during weaning from initial intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) treatment in 5 infants, whereas 1 infant received IPPV only. Among the 39 infants initially treated with CPAP 9 required IPPV as well. The overall survival rate was 37/45 or 82%. Incapacity to hyperoxygenate while breathing 100% oxygen was the indication for CPAP while occurrence of apnoeic attacks was the indication for IPPV. Pao2 during the hyperoxia test before ventilatory support was less than 50 mmHg in 10 infants and between 50 and 105 mmHg in 35 infants. Surviving infants were followed up with neurological and developmental control examinations as well as chest x-ray, and in several infants pulmonary function tests. 3/37 infants had moderate neurological sequelae and only 1/37 infants developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia. No deleterious effects of the face chamber were seen. As the face chamber is a noninvasive and easily applied technique for CPAP therapy without hazards, it is proposed that it should be used at a still earlier stage of IRDS in order to lesson the need for IPPV treatment and to increase the neurological and lung functional quality of survival.", "PMID": 782373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6211", "title": "Controlled trial of continuous inflating pressure for hyaline membrane disease.", "content": "A controlled trial of elective intervention with continuous inflating pressure (CIP) was performed in infants with severe hyaline membrane disease who weighed more than 1000 g at birth. Infants entered the trial if their arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) fell below 60 mmHg while breathing a fractional inspired oxygen concentration (F1O2) greater than 0-95. 11 out of 12 infants in the CIP-treated group and 10 out of 12 in the control group survived. 7 treated and 6 control infants required mechanical ventilation. When CIP was started the Pao2 of the treated infants increased, and they breathed high concentrations of oxygen for a significantly shorter period than the control infants. During the 31-month duration of the trial 107 other infants with severe hyaline membrane disease were admitted who did not meet the criteria for entry to the trial. 37 survived after breathing high concentrations of oxygen (F1O2 greater than 0-60) spontaneously without any ventilatory assistance, and the remaining 70 infants were already being ventilated on their arrival in the unit, usually because they had required mechanical ventilation during transfer from other hospitals. The neonatal survival rate for those infants born in this hospital during the study period was 88% (50 out of 57 infants) and for those referred from other hospitals it was 69% (51 out of 74 infants). The maximum further increase in overall survival rate that might have been achieved in our population of infants if CIP had been initiated very early in the course of the illness was 5%--i.e. from 77% (101/131) to 82% (107/131).", "contents": "Controlled trial of continuous inflating pressure for hyaline membrane disease. A controlled trial of elective intervention with continuous inflating pressure (CIP) was performed in infants with severe hyaline membrane disease who weighed more than 1000 g at birth. Infants entered the trial if their arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) fell below 60 mmHg while breathing a fractional inspired oxygen concentration (F1O2) greater than 0-95. 11 out of 12 infants in the CIP-treated group and 10 out of 12 in the control group survived. 7 treated and 6 control infants required mechanical ventilation. When CIP was started the Pao2 of the treated infants increased, and they breathed high concentrations of oxygen for a significantly shorter period than the control infants. During the 31-month duration of the trial 107 other infants with severe hyaline membrane disease were admitted who did not meet the criteria for entry to the trial. 37 survived after breathing high concentrations of oxygen (F1O2 greater than 0-60) spontaneously without any ventilatory assistance, and the remaining 70 infants were already being ventilated on their arrival in the unit, usually because they had required mechanical ventilation during transfer from other hospitals. The neonatal survival rate for those infants born in this hospital during the study period was 88% (50 out of 57 infants) and for those referred from other hospitals it was 69% (51 out of 74 infants). The maximum further increase in overall survival rate that might have been achieved in our population of infants if CIP had been initiated very early in the course of the illness was 5%--i.e. from 77% (101/131) to 82% (107/131).", "PMID": 782375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6212", "title": "Effects of swimming training on children with asthma.", "content": "In a programme to examine the effect of 5 months of swimming training on school-children with asthma, 46 children swam a total distance of 3608 km (2242 miles) during 2806 training sessions. On post-training re-examination, nonspecific effects of physical conditioning were detected including improved posture and fitness, reduced fat folds, and enhanced swimming ability. Continuous monitoring of asthma and medication showed significant decreases in both parameters during the final phases of the study between children who continued to swim regularly and those who did not. The frequency and severity of exercise-induced asthma (after running) was unchanged by swimming training. Post-training questionnaires indicated a high degree of enthusiasm and acceptance of the programme by children and parents. No significant adverse effects were observed or reported during the study.", "contents": "Effects of swimming training on children with asthma. In a programme to examine the effect of 5 months of swimming training on school-children with asthma, 46 children swam a total distance of 3608 km (2242 miles) during 2806 training sessions. On post-training re-examination, nonspecific effects of physical conditioning were detected including improved posture and fitness, reduced fat folds, and enhanced swimming ability. Continuous monitoring of asthma and medication showed significant decreases in both parameters during the final phases of the study between children who continued to swim regularly and those who did not. The frequency and severity of exercise-induced asthma (after running) was unchanged by swimming training. Post-training questionnaires indicated a high degree of enthusiasm and acceptance of the programme by children and parents. No significant adverse effects were observed or reported during the study.", "PMID": 782376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6213", "title": "Application of immunofluorescence to a study of measles.", "content": "A new and rapid method for the laboratory diagnosis of measles, using the fluorescent antibody technique applied to nasopharyngeal secretions is described. The reliability of the method was best shown by correlation with clinical diagnosis, which gave an overall agreement of 95% in 53 cases of typical clinical measles and 72 control children. Correlation with results of tissue culture and serology was also good, though these methods are in practice too infrequently successful to be used as the main standards of reliability. The antiserum used for immunoflorescence showed no cross-reactivity with other viruses. Viruses could be identified by the fluorescent antibody technique from 4 days before to 10 days after the onset of the rash in a high proportion of cases. The wider applications of this method include rapid diagnosis of measles before the rash has appeared; in cases where clinical diagnosis is in doubt, especially in dark-skinned children, or when the illness has been modified by previous vaccination; prevention of cross-infection by early detection of measles; and investigation of the immune response and its relationship to nutritional status.", "contents": "Application of immunofluorescence to a study of measles. A new and rapid method for the laboratory diagnosis of measles, using the fluorescent antibody technique applied to nasopharyngeal secretions is described. The reliability of the method was best shown by correlation with clinical diagnosis, which gave an overall agreement of 95% in 53 cases of typical clinical measles and 72 control children. Correlation with results of tissue culture and serology was also good, though these methods are in practice too infrequently successful to be used as the main standards of reliability. The antiserum used for immunoflorescence showed no cross-reactivity with other viruses. Viruses could be identified by the fluorescent antibody technique from 4 days before to 10 days after the onset of the rash in a high proportion of cases. The wider applications of this method include rapid diagnosis of measles before the rash has appeared; in cases where clinical diagnosis is in doubt, especially in dark-skinned children, or when the illness has been modified by previous vaccination; prevention of cross-infection by early detection of measles; and investigation of the immune response and its relationship to nutritional status.", "PMID": 782377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6214", "title": "Adolescents with spina bifida. How they see their situation.", "content": "Forty-six adolescents with spina bifida were interviewed at home to find out how they felt about their situation. Some degree of misery was very common indeed but was more likely to be severe in girls than in boys. About half the girls had, on some occasion in the past year, felt that life was hopeless or not worth living. Since these feelings are related to their social isolation outside school, they might be alleviated by improved opportunities for contract with peers. This seems particularly important in view of the capacity of most teenagers to make reasonable relationships where the opportunity exists, e.g. at school or within the family. Over half those who had left school were either unemployed or very dissatisfied with their job. In addition to worries about work, preoccupations about sexual relatinships, sexual function, and marriage were common. About two-thirds of the teenagers hoped to get married and half of these thought they could have children. Girls were particularly worried about their capacity to conceive and boys had understandable concerns about potency. Very few had consulted anyone about this or had had advice about the genetic aspects of the condition and there is a clear need for adequate counseling to help such teenagers to distinguish between real and imagined fears about the consequences of their condition.", "contents": "Adolescents with spina bifida. How they see their situation. Forty-six adolescents with spina bifida were interviewed at home to find out how they felt about their situation. Some degree of misery was very common indeed but was more likely to be severe in girls than in boys. About half the girls had, on some occasion in the past year, felt that life was hopeless or not worth living. Since these feelings are related to their social isolation outside school, they might be alleviated by improved opportunities for contract with peers. This seems particularly important in view of the capacity of most teenagers to make reasonable relationships where the opportunity exists, e.g. at school or within the family. Over half those who had left school were either unemployed or very dissatisfied with their job. In addition to worries about work, preoccupations about sexual relatinships, sexual function, and marriage were common. About two-thirds of the teenagers hoped to get married and half of these thought they could have children. Girls were particularly worried about their capacity to conceive and boys had understandable concerns about potency. Very few had consulted anyone about this or had had advice about the genetic aspects of the condition and there is a clear need for adequate counseling to help such teenagers to distinguish between real and imagined fears about the consequences of their condition.", "PMID": 782378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6215", "title": "[Studies of cellular sensitization to BCG and PPD using leukocyte cell migration inhibition].", "content": "Leucocyte inhibition migration test (LMT) with BCG and PPD was applied in pulmonary tuberculosis, lung cancer and sarcoidosis. No significant differences were noticed in the results obtained with each of the two antigenic materials; nevertheless, one case lobectomized of lung cancer successively treated with chemiotherapie and immunostimulation with BCG presented LMT positivity with BCG and negativity with PPD. The unpublished results of the former investigations carried out with brute tuberculin (LMT) on patients with pulmonary tuberculosis are here reported no significant difference was noticed between the results obtained with brute tuberculin, and the results with PPD. The still unsettled problem presented by the lack of inhibition in the presence of PPD in leucocyte migration test in patients with areactive (AA) and intermediate areactive (AI) tuberculosis is also briefly discussed. Finally, the existence of a dissociation between the cutaneous delayed test and the in vitro test for the detection of cellular sensibilisation is confirmed even when LMT is applied either in the presence of BCG or of PPD.", "contents": "[Studies of cellular sensitization to BCG and PPD using leukocyte cell migration inhibition]. Leucocyte inhibition migration test (LMT) with BCG and PPD was applied in pulmonary tuberculosis, lung cancer and sarcoidosis. No significant differences were noticed in the results obtained with each of the two antigenic materials; nevertheless, one case lobectomized of lung cancer successively treated with chemiotherapie and immunostimulation with BCG presented LMT positivity with BCG and negativity with PPD. The unpublished results of the former investigations carried out with brute tuberculin (LMT) on patients with pulmonary tuberculosis are here reported no significant difference was noticed between the results obtained with brute tuberculin, and the results with PPD. The still unsettled problem presented by the lack of inhibition in the presence of PPD in leucocyte migration test in patients with areactive (AA) and intermediate areactive (AI) tuberculosis is also briefly discussed. Finally, the existence of a dissociation between the cutaneous delayed test and the in vitro test for the detection of cellular sensibilisation is confirmed even when LMT is applied either in the presence of BCG or of PPD.", "PMID": 782381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6216", "title": "[Microbiological control of edible Mollusca in Milan's trade in 1971-1974].", "content": "A microbiological control of edible Mollusca in trade of Milan Market and coming from Adriatic's cultivation basins during 1971-1974 was performed. During 1971-1973 anterior to choleric epidemy of 1973, alot of 2680 mussel's specimens were examined with the ACIS 1949 method, of which 60% (1611) favorable and 39.9% (1069) contrary; a single semple presented a S. paratyphi B germ. During 1974 with a new regulamentation 111 mussel's specimens were examined with M.S. 1973 more restrictive method (Colonbacterial titre). With that method 41 samples were not favorable which were favorable with ACIS method. A new hygienic angayement results therefore necessary.", "contents": "[Microbiological control of edible Mollusca in Milan's trade in 1971-1974]. A microbiological control of edible Mollusca in trade of Milan Market and coming from Adriatic's cultivation basins during 1971-1974 was performed. During 1971-1973 anterior to choleric epidemy of 1973, alot of 2680 mussel's specimens were examined with the ACIS 1949 method, of which 60% (1611) favorable and 39.9% (1069) contrary; a single semple presented a S. paratyphi B germ. During 1974 with a new regulamentation 111 mussel's specimens were examined with M.S. 1973 more restrictive method (Colonbacterial titre). With that method 41 samples were not favorable which were favorable with ACIS method. A new hygienic angayement results therefore necessary.", "PMID": 782383} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6217", "title": "Factors related to success or failure of second renal transplants.", "content": "From January 1, 1968 to December 31, 1973, 50 patients received two or more kidney transplants. Patient and graft survival was highly dependent upon the source of the donor and to a lesser extent the functional duration of the first transplant and the elapsed time between first and second graft. Survival (patient and graft) was best in patients receiving two related grafts and worst in patients receiving two sequential cadaver grafts. Intermediate rates of success followed cadaver transplantation after rejection of a related graft. The highest failure rate was encountered when those patients who sustained an early loss of the first cadaver graft received a subsequent cadaver graft within a few months. We recommended removal of the acutely rejected graft and delay prior to retransplantation of patients who rapidly reject cadaver grafts in the face of maximal doses of immunosuppression. A delay will permit recovery from both the immunosuppression and any underlying subclinical infections, and will permit the recognition of anti-HL-A antibodies which may not be manifest soon after rejection. Retransplantation of the patient who is slowly rejecting the first kidney does not require prior removal of the rejected graft or delay in retransplantation.", "contents": "Factors related to success or failure of second renal transplants. From January 1, 1968 to December 31, 1973, 50 patients received two or more kidney transplants. Patient and graft survival was highly dependent upon the source of the donor and to a lesser extent the functional duration of the first transplant and the elapsed time between first and second graft. Survival (patient and graft) was best in patients receiving two related grafts and worst in patients receiving two sequential cadaver grafts. Intermediate rates of success followed cadaver transplantation after rejection of a related graft. The highest failure rate was encountered when those patients who sustained an early loss of the first cadaver graft received a subsequent cadaver graft within a few months. We recommended removal of the acutely rejected graft and delay prior to retransplantation of patients who rapidly reject cadaver grafts in the face of maximal doses of immunosuppression. A delay will permit recovery from both the immunosuppression and any underlying subclinical infections, and will permit the recognition of anti-HL-A antibodies which may not be manifest soon after rejection. Retransplantation of the patient who is slowly rejecting the first kidney does not require prior removal of the rejected graft or delay in retransplantation.", "PMID": 782386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6218", "title": "Prevention of lymphoceles following renal transplantation.", "content": "Lymphoceles occur follow 1.2 to 18.1% of renal transplants. Of 543 kidney transplants performed at the University of Minnesota, lymphoceles occured in three (an incidence of 0.6%). These three patients are described. We believe lymphoceles can be prevented by ligation of all lymphatic channels around the iliac artery and vein as these structures are dissected. Also the lymphatics of the donor kidney should be ligated before division. Lymphoceles are best treated by drainage into the peritoneal cavity after excision of as much of the cyst wall as possible.", "contents": "Prevention of lymphoceles following renal transplantation. Lymphoceles occur follow 1.2 to 18.1% of renal transplants. Of 543 kidney transplants performed at the University of Minnesota, lymphoceles occured in three (an incidence of 0.6%). These three patients are described. We believe lymphoceles can be prevented by ligation of all lymphatic channels around the iliac artery and vein as these structures are dissected. Also the lymphatics of the donor kidney should be ligated before division. Lymphoceles are best treated by drainage into the peritoneal cavity after excision of as much of the cyst wall as possible.", "PMID": 782387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6219", "title": "The influence of clinically undetectable pulmonary edema on small airway closure in the dog.", "content": "The relationship between elevated pulmonary extravascular water volume(PEWV)and small airway closure was examined. The slow accumulation of lung water was achieved by a combination of pulmonary venous hypertension and mild hemodilution. PEWV was measured using a double indicator method based on the differential right to left transit time for simultaneously injected Evans blue dye and tritiated water. Trapped gas volume (VTG) was measured by the helium equilibration technique. Clinically undetectable levels of pulmonary engorgement and edema were reproducibly associated with an increase in gas trapping. Positive end expiratory pressure reduced, but did not abolish, edema formation. Evaluation of airway closure, with consequent gas trapping and pulmonary shunting, is currently non-invasive, simple and safe. Determination of gas trapping or closing volume should be incorporated into the rountine pre-operative evaluation of patients prior to major surgery.", "contents": "The influence of clinically undetectable pulmonary edema on small airway closure in the dog. The relationship between elevated pulmonary extravascular water volume(PEWV)and small airway closure was examined. The slow accumulation of lung water was achieved by a combination of pulmonary venous hypertension and mild hemodilution. PEWV was measured using a double indicator method based on the differential right to left transit time for simultaneously injected Evans blue dye and tritiated water. Trapped gas volume (VTG) was measured by the helium equilibration technique. Clinically undetectable levels of pulmonary engorgement and edema were reproducibly associated with an increase in gas trapping. Positive end expiratory pressure reduced, but did not abolish, edema formation. Evaluation of airway closure, with consequent gas trapping and pulmonary shunting, is currently non-invasive, simple and safe. Determination of gas trapping or closing volume should be incorporated into the rountine pre-operative evaluation of patients prior to major surgery.", "PMID": 782388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6220", "title": "Tracheo-innominate artery erosion: Successful surgical management of a devastating complication.", "content": "Successful management of a patient with tracheo-innominate artery erosion requires the rapid institution of specific resuscitative and operative measures. Ten patients seen at the Charity Hospital of Louisiana in New Orleans and 127 documented cases from the world literature were analyzed regarding predisposing factors, diagnostic features, resuscitative measures and operative treatment. Diagnoses associated with abnormal neck positioning were seen in 48% of patients with tracheo-innominate erosions. In 69% of 96 instances, the site of erosion was located at the cannula end and implicates excessive anterior pressure. Caution is recommended in those patients with abnormal neck positions, low placed tracheostomy stomas and individuals with asthenic habitus. Resuscitative measures were highly successful when the tracheal ballon was inflated or when the method of retrosternal finger pressure was used. All personnel providing care for patients with tracheostomies should be aware of the initial measure of ballon inflation. Operative measures which permanently interrupted the innominate artery in the area of possible future erosion were the most successful. Of the 22 cases in which the innominate artery was sacrificed, only one had evidence of cerebral ischemia. Timely institution of proper measures can result in salvage of an unexpected number of these otherwise dramatic fatalities.", "contents": "Tracheo-innominate artery erosion: Successful surgical management of a devastating complication. Successful management of a patient with tracheo-innominate artery erosion requires the rapid institution of specific resuscitative and operative measures. Ten patients seen at the Charity Hospital of Louisiana in New Orleans and 127 documented cases from the world literature were analyzed regarding predisposing factors, diagnostic features, resuscitative measures and operative treatment. Diagnoses associated with abnormal neck positioning were seen in 48% of patients with tracheo-innominate erosions. In 69% of 96 instances, the site of erosion was located at the cannula end and implicates excessive anterior pressure. Caution is recommended in those patients with abnormal neck positions, low placed tracheostomy stomas and individuals with asthenic habitus. Resuscitative measures were highly successful when the tracheal ballon was inflated or when the method of retrosternal finger pressure was used. All personnel providing care for patients with tracheostomies should be aware of the initial measure of ballon inflation. Operative measures which permanently interrupted the innominate artery in the area of possible future erosion were the most successful. Of the 22 cases in which the innominate artery was sacrificed, only one had evidence of cerebral ischemia. Timely institution of proper measures can result in salvage of an unexpected number of these otherwise dramatic fatalities.", "PMID": 782389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6221", "title": "Compatibility behaviour of some newly isolated F-like R factor.", "content": "The incompatibility reactions of four new R factors have been determined against reference plasmids of the compatibility groups FI, FII, FIII, FIV, FV, FVI and various not F-like groups. Two R factors have been found to belong to group FII, while one of the two other plasmids was incompatible with representatives of the FII and FI groups. The last R factor was incompatible with plasmids of FII and P groups. It seems, therefore, that R factors with incompatibility for more than one group of plasmids occur frequently in nature.", "contents": "Compatibility behaviour of some newly isolated F-like R factor. The incompatibility reactions of four new R factors have been determined against reference plasmids of the compatibility groups FI, FII, FIII, FIV, FV, FVI and various not F-like groups. Two R factors have been found to belong to group FII, while one of the two other plasmids was incompatible with representatives of the FII and FI groups. The last R factor was incompatible with plasmids of FII and P groups. It seems, therefore, that R factors with incompatibility for more than one group of plasmids occur frequently in nature.", "PMID": 782382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6222", "title": "Brochial stump closure techniques following pneumonectomy: A serial comparative study.", "content": "Three methods of closing bronchial stumps were evaluated in 90 dogs undergoing left pneumonectomy:interrupted 3-0 silk sutures, interrupted 3-0 nylon sutures, and stapling with an automatic device. The dogs were sacrificed at 24 hours, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days after pneumonectomy. Brochial stump leakage pressures and histological studies were performed on all specimens. Differences in the exudative reaction between silk and staple closures were significant on day 5(238.19+/- 23.28 SD PMN's/HPF in silk closures, 34.95+/- 20.37 SD PMN's/HPF in staple closures) and therafter(P less than 0.001). The reaction to nylon was intermediate between silk and staple. Collagen levels were highest at all periods for staple closures. Staple leakage pressures were greater than silk or nylon(day 5: 145.3 mm Hg +/- 64.9 SD in staple closures, 40.2 mm Hg +/- 15.4 SD in silk closures). These results have clinical relevance to the selection of suture materials for stump closures.", "contents": "Brochial stump closure techniques following pneumonectomy: A serial comparative study. Three methods of closing bronchial stumps were evaluated in 90 dogs undergoing left pneumonectomy:interrupted 3-0 silk sutures, interrupted 3-0 nylon sutures, and stapling with an automatic device. The dogs were sacrificed at 24 hours, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days after pneumonectomy. Brochial stump leakage pressures and histological studies were performed on all specimens. Differences in the exudative reaction between silk and staple closures were significant on day 5(238.19+/- 23.28 SD PMN's/HPF in silk closures, 34.95+/- 20.37 SD PMN's/HPF in staple closures) and therafter(P less than 0.001). The reaction to nylon was intermediate between silk and staple. Collagen levels were highest at all periods for staple closures. Staple leakage pressures were greater than silk or nylon(day 5: 145.3 mm Hg +/- 64.9 SD in staple closures, 40.2 mm Hg +/- 15.4 SD in silk closures). These results have clinical relevance to the selection of suture materials for stump closures.", "PMID": 782390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6223", "title": "[Pharmacokinetics of DL-norephedrine 14C in the rat].", "content": "After i.v. administration of DL-norephedrine 14C to the rat (535 mug/kg), approximately 75% of the radioactivity was eliminated during the first 18 hr in the urine. Beside the unchanged drug (71.5% of the total urinary radioactivity), the main metabolite was alpha-methyloctopamine (18%), a parahydroxylated derivative of which 68% were excreted as glucuronide conjugates. Kinetic studies of DL-norephedrine in different organs showed that the affinity of tissues for the amine did not change with time. Captation was important and rapid in lungs, adrenals, spleen and heart. The brain was marked by a slow increase of drug level during the first 2 hr. However, the terminal semi-exponential kinetic slopes of DL-norephedrine concentration showed that the elimination processes of the drug were the same in each tissue. The affinity of tissues for alpha-methyloctopamine was shown to be much more specific; its uptake was higher in organs which are rich in adrenergic nerve endings (heart, adrenals and spleen). These results confirm the role of this hydroxylated amine as a false neurotransmitter. A whole body autoradiography in the mouse showed an important uptake of DL-norephedrine 14C in salivary glands and periocular structures.", "contents": "[Pharmacokinetics of DL-norephedrine 14C in the rat]. After i.v. administration of DL-norephedrine 14C to the rat (535 mug/kg), approximately 75% of the radioactivity was eliminated during the first 18 hr in the urine. Beside the unchanged drug (71.5% of the total urinary radioactivity), the main metabolite was alpha-methyloctopamine (18%), a parahydroxylated derivative of which 68% were excreted as glucuronide conjugates. Kinetic studies of DL-norephedrine in different organs showed that the affinity of tissues for the amine did not change with time. Captation was important and rapid in lungs, adrenals, spleen and heart. The brain was marked by a slow increase of drug level during the first 2 hr. However, the terminal semi-exponential kinetic slopes of DL-norephedrine concentration showed that the elimination processes of the drug were the same in each tissue. The affinity of tissues for alpha-methyloctopamine was shown to be much more specific; its uptake was higher in organs which are rich in adrenergic nerve endings (heart, adrenals and spleen). These results confirm the role of this hydroxylated amine as a false neurotransmitter. A whole body autoradiography in the mouse showed an important uptake of DL-norephedrine 14C in salivary glands and periocular structures.", "PMID": 782391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6224", "title": "Intraventricular antipyretics and bacterial pyrogen fever.", "content": "In adult fowls with cannulae chronically implanted into the IIIrd cerebral ventricle or into the hypothalamus, the effects of various hydrosoluble antipyretics, given intraventricularly, on bacterial pyrogen fever were studied. It has been shown that fever evoked by intrahypothalamic or intraventricular infusion of O somatic antigen of Shigella Dysenteriae was reduced by intraventricular administration of acetylsalicylate-lysine, indomethacin-methylglucamine or ibuprofen-lysine given during the febrile plateau. However, a 3-day intraventricular pretreatment with acetylsalicylate or indomethacin, or a single administration 30 min before, did not prevent fever by subsequent intraventricular or intrahypothalamic injection of pyrogen. On the contrary, intraventricular infusion of indomethacin or acetylsalicylate substantially reduced pyrogen fever when given after pyrogen latency period, e.g. just at the beginning of the febrile response. A possible involvement of E prostaglandins as mediator to pyrogen fever is discussed.", "contents": "Intraventricular antipyretics and bacterial pyrogen fever. In adult fowls with cannulae chronically implanted into the IIIrd cerebral ventricle or into the hypothalamus, the effects of various hydrosoluble antipyretics, given intraventricularly, on bacterial pyrogen fever were studied. It has been shown that fever evoked by intrahypothalamic or intraventricular infusion of O somatic antigen of Shigella Dysenteriae was reduced by intraventricular administration of acetylsalicylate-lysine, indomethacin-methylglucamine or ibuprofen-lysine given during the febrile plateau. However, a 3-day intraventricular pretreatment with acetylsalicylate or indomethacin, or a single administration 30 min before, did not prevent fever by subsequent intraventricular or intrahypothalamic injection of pyrogen. On the contrary, intraventricular infusion of indomethacin or acetylsalicylate substantially reduced pyrogen fever when given after pyrogen latency period, e.g. just at the beginning of the febrile response. A possible involvement of E prostaglandins as mediator to pyrogen fever is discussed.", "PMID": 782392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6225", "title": "Tracheobronchial epithelial multinucleation in preeclampsia.", "content": "Smears were made from the tracheobronchial washings from 40 parturient women undergoing operative delivery while under general anesthesia administered via an endotracheal tube. There was a significantly greater incidence of epithelial multinucleation in the smears from 12 patients who had had preeclampsia for more than 24 hours than in those from 13 healthy pregnant women, from eight women with preeclampsia of less than 24 hours' duration, and from seven women with associated diseases other than preeclampsia. Although we are unable to explain this phenomenon, we have reviewed its possible causation in the face of existing theories on the cause of preeclampsia.", "contents": "Tracheobronchial epithelial multinucleation in preeclampsia. Smears were made from the tracheobronchial washings from 40 parturient women undergoing operative delivery while under general anesthesia administered via an endotracheal tube. There was a significantly greater incidence of epithelial multinucleation in the smears from 12 patients who had had preeclampsia for more than 24 hours than in those from 13 healthy pregnant women, from eight women with preeclampsia of less than 24 hours' duration, and from seven women with associated diseases other than preeclampsia. Although we are unable to explain this phenomenon, we have reviewed its possible causation in the face of existing theories on the cause of preeclampsia.", "PMID": 782396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6226", "title": "Abnormal cilia in human bronchial epithelium.", "content": "Abnormal cilia are a common occurrence in human bronchial epithelium. Bronchial specimens were obtained at surgery or at \"immediate autopsy\" from patients with neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases; these patients included smokers and one known nonsmoker. Areas of bronchial epithelium far removed from the tumor mass were studied. Ciliary abnormalities fell into four major categories: (1) cilia with a single axoneme and excess cytoplasmic matrix; (2) compound cilia; (3) intracytoplasmic microtubular doublets; and (4) cilia within periciliary sheaths.", "contents": "Abnormal cilia in human bronchial epithelium. Abnormal cilia are a common occurrence in human bronchial epithelium. Bronchial specimens were obtained at surgery or at \"immediate autopsy\" from patients with neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases; these patients included smokers and one known nonsmoker. Areas of bronchial epithelium far removed from the tumor mass were studied. Ciliary abnormalities fell into four major categories: (1) cilia with a single axoneme and excess cytoplasmic matrix; (2) compound cilia; (3) intracytoplasmic microtubular doublets; and (4) cilia within periciliary sheaths.", "PMID": 782397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6227", "title": "A rapid method for processing liver biopsy specimens for 2 micron sectioning.", "content": "We will describe a procedure for the preparation of thin sections (2 micron thick) of percutaneous liver biopsy specimens for routine histological analysis. The process results in better preservation of both cellular and structural detail. The thinner sections provide clearer definition of inflammatory infiltrates, cellular changes, and intracellular deposits. Re-examination of the pathological features of the liver with the use of this technique will provide stronger correlation of the structural and functional aspects of hepatic disease processes.", "contents": "A rapid method for processing liver biopsy specimens for 2 micron sectioning. We will describe a procedure for the preparation of thin sections (2 micron thick) of percutaneous liver biopsy specimens for routine histological analysis. The process results in better preservation of both cellular and structural detail. The thinner sections provide clearer definition of inflammatory infiltrates, cellular changes, and intracellular deposits. Re-examination of the pathological features of the liver with the use of this technique will provide stronger correlation of the structural and functional aspects of hepatic disease processes.", "PMID": 782398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6228", "title": "Procainamide-induced systemic lupus erythematosus. Renal involvement with deposition of immune complexes.", "content": "A 54-year-old man sustained an acute anterior myocardial infarction and was subsequently treated with procainamide hydrochloride for 5 1/2 months, resulting in development of a drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) syndrome with renal involvement. In over 60 reported cases of procainamide-induced SLE, clinical renal evaluation has led to the concept that renal involvement is a rarity in this disease. Direct immunofluorescence examination of necropsy kidney tissue revealed mesangial deposition of immunoproteins and C3 in a granular pattern characteristically seen in idiopathic SLE. Ultrastructural studies confirm mesangial deposition of immune complexes. The immunological and ultrastructural pattern of immune complex deposition in glomeruli suggests similar pathological mechanisms for glomerular injury in procainamide as seen in idiopathic SLE.", "contents": "Procainamide-induced systemic lupus erythematosus. Renal involvement with deposition of immune complexes. A 54-year-old man sustained an acute anterior myocardial infarction and was subsequently treated with procainamide hydrochloride for 5 1/2 months, resulting in development of a drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) syndrome with renal involvement. In over 60 reported cases of procainamide-induced SLE, clinical renal evaluation has led to the concept that renal involvement is a rarity in this disease. Direct immunofluorescence examination of necropsy kidney tissue revealed mesangial deposition of immunoproteins and C3 in a granular pattern characteristically seen in idiopathic SLE. Ultrastructural studies confirm mesangial deposition of immune complexes. The immunological and ultrastructural pattern of immune complex deposition in glomeruli suggests similar pathological mechanisms for glomerular injury in procainamide as seen in idiopathic SLE.", "PMID": 782399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6229", "title": "Alternate-day prednisone therapy in recipients of renal allografts. Risk and benefits.", "content": "Forty-five patients receiving renal allografts were gradually converted from daily to alternate-day prednisone therapy. Indications for conversion included aseptic necrosis, growth retardation in children and adolescents, obesity, diabetes, cataract formation, and cosmetic appearance. Eight of the 45 patients developed acute or chronic rejection during or just after completion of alternate-day steroid therapy. The remaining 37 patients had a notable decrease in the degree of hypercorticism, with return of growth in children and adolescents. However, there was no improvement once aseptic necrosis or cataract formation had occurred. Although the use of alternate-day prednisone therapy is of benefit in reducing the untoward side effects of corticosteroids, the risk of precipitating allograft rejection is a significant threat and must be carefully considered whenever this form of treatment is undertaken.", "contents": "Alternate-day prednisone therapy in recipients of renal allografts. Risk and benefits. Forty-five patients receiving renal allografts were gradually converted from daily to alternate-day prednisone therapy. Indications for conversion included aseptic necrosis, growth retardation in children and adolescents, obesity, diabetes, cataract formation, and cosmetic appearance. Eight of the 45 patients developed acute or chronic rejection during or just after completion of alternate-day steroid therapy. The remaining 37 patients had a notable decrease in the degree of hypercorticism, with return of growth in children and adolescents. However, there was no improvement once aseptic necrosis or cataract formation had occurred. Although the use of alternate-day prednisone therapy is of benefit in reducing the untoward side effects of corticosteroids, the risk of precipitating allograft rejection is a significant threat and must be carefully considered whenever this form of treatment is undertaken.", "PMID": 782401} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6230", "title": "Organized kidney retrieval on a regional basis. A new approach.", "content": "A network of small to medium-sized communities has been developed to increase the supply of cadaveric kidneys for renal allotransplantation. After a training period, community physicians and the community hospitals were designated as members of the transplant team to retrieve kidneys. A threefold increase in the number of cadaveric kidneys has resulted from this project. This mechanism for organized kidney retrieval on a regional basis could be used to augment the supply of cadaveric organs in other areas of the United States.", "contents": "Organized kidney retrieval on a regional basis. A new approach. A network of small to medium-sized communities has been developed to increase the supply of cadaveric kidneys for renal allotransplantation. After a training period, community physicians and the community hospitals were designated as members of the transplant team to retrieve kidneys. A threefold increase in the number of cadaveric kidneys has resulted from this project. This mechanism for organized kidney retrieval on a regional basis could be used to augment the supply of cadaveric organs in other areas of the United States.", "PMID": 782402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6231", "title": "Aneurysm of the splenic artery.", "content": "Aneurysm of the splenic artery is found in up to 10% of the elderly. Usually, the lesion is discovered by change and does not produce symptoms unless rupture occurs. Although there is general agreement that surgery is required in symptomatic patients and in women of childbearing age, controversy persists as to management for the asymptomatic patient. Since rupture is uncommon, and surgical mortality low, those patients over the age of 60 can be followed up, and not operated on because of the diagnosis alone.", "contents": "Aneurysm of the splenic artery. Aneurysm of the splenic artery is found in up to 10% of the elderly. Usually, the lesion is discovered by change and does not produce symptoms unless rupture occurs. Although there is general agreement that surgery is required in symptomatic patients and in women of childbearing age, controversy persists as to management for the asymptomatic patient. Since rupture is uncommon, and surgical mortality low, those patients over the age of 60 can be followed up, and not operated on because of the diagnosis alone.", "PMID": 782405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6232", "title": "Knee dislocation. An illusive cause of critical arterial occlusion.", "content": "Popliteal artery injury is a hazardous and often subtle complication of traumatic knee dislocation. Review of the literature in which series of knee dislocations were reported has revealed a 28% incidence of thrombosis or rupture of this critical vessel. Fifty-seven percent of these patients required leg amputation. The most frequent cause of limb loss has been absence or delay of direct surgical repair of the associated popliteal artery injury. This report describes a management plan that is intended to minimize the likleihood of future disabling leg amputations following knee dislocation.", "contents": "Knee dislocation. An illusive cause of critical arterial occlusion. Popliteal artery injury is a hazardous and often subtle complication of traumatic knee dislocation. Review of the literature in which series of knee dislocations were reported has revealed a 28% incidence of thrombosis or rupture of this critical vessel. Fifty-seven percent of these patients required leg amputation. The most frequent cause of limb loss has been absence or delay of direct surgical repair of the associated popliteal artery injury. This report describes a management plan that is intended to minimize the likleihood of future disabling leg amputations following knee dislocation.", "PMID": 782406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6233", "title": "[Clinical importance of the immunoserological data on the bone allotransplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "The clinical and immunoserological data in 66 bone grafted patients are analysed. The importance of the immunological histocompatibility in bone allotransplantation is discussed in a short introduction. The method of transplantation is given and the clinical material is analysed in 3 tables. It is clear from the discussion, that in 6 out 66 patients there are data for an isoimmunization in result of the transplantation. Cytotoxins in the patients' sera are demonstrated after transplantation of frozen grafts. No HL-A antibodies are demonstrated following transplantation of bone grafts, treated after the method of Maatz and Bauermeister. The humoral antibodies are of a greater importance in transplantation of larger bone grafts, as well as of bone-joints complexes. It is acceptable that the immune conflict is of importance as regards to the pathological resorption of the graft. Often, the histocompatibility is a basical reason for the suppuration and sequestration of the graft. The antigenicity of the graft possesses an inductive action concerning the new bone formation. The importance of the osteogenic possibility of the bone-bed-recipient is underlined. It is desirable for a modern tissue bank to be able to offer bone grafts with determined specificity concerning ABO, Rhesus-D and HL-A systems. This will be a new perspective in the bone allotransplantation.", "contents": "[Clinical importance of the immunoserological data on the bone allotransplantation (author's transl)]. The clinical and immunoserological data in 66 bone grafted patients are analysed. The importance of the immunological histocompatibility in bone allotransplantation is discussed in a short introduction. The method of transplantation is given and the clinical material is analysed in 3 tables. It is clear from the discussion, that in 6 out 66 patients there are data for an isoimmunization in result of the transplantation. Cytotoxins in the patients' sera are demonstrated after transplantation of frozen grafts. No HL-A antibodies are demonstrated following transplantation of bone grafts, treated after the method of Maatz and Bauermeister. The humoral antibodies are of a greater importance in transplantation of larger bone grafts, as well as of bone-joints complexes. It is acceptable that the immune conflict is of importance as regards to the pathological resorption of the graft. Often, the histocompatibility is a basical reason for the suppuration and sequestration of the graft. The antigenicity of the graft possesses an inductive action concerning the new bone formation. The importance of the osteogenic possibility of the bone-bed-recipient is underlined. It is desirable for a modern tissue bank to be able to offer bone grafts with determined specificity concerning ABO, Rhesus-D and HL-A systems. This will be a new perspective in the bone allotransplantation.", "PMID": 782411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6234", "title": "[Morphological results after an experimental transplantation of autogenous cancellous bone in dogs (author's transl)].", "content": "Cell activity during the period of healing of an autogenous cancellous graft inserted into an artificial continuity defect of the ulna was studied in 20 adult dogs by light microscopy using the semithin sectioning technique. The defects were stabilised by osteosynthesis using metal plates and screws. The animals were divided into 4 groups and the autografts were investigated 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after transplantation. Histologic analysis showed, that ... 1. one week after transplantation, undifferentiated cells resembling reticular cells, haemocytoblasts and many closely packed osteoblasts were scattered among the trabecular network of the autogenous cancellous graft. The survival of transplanted cells in our opinion is evident, by the absence of any sign of cell death or macrophage activity. 2. two to 4 weeks after transplantation a remarkable increase of the osteoblast activity was noted. This osteogenic cell activity was mainly directed toward bone formation along the surface of contact of the autograft with the adjoining bone and there was more than one layer of osteoblasts and osteoid. Osteoblasts were also found lying along the trabecular surface of transplanted cancellous bone, but here they were arranged in a layer, which was usually only one cell deep. 3. eight weeks after transplantation there was a remarkable change in the appearance of the autogenous cancellous graft. The activity of the multinucleated osteoclasts was significantly increased in the direction of the surface of contact of the autograft with the compact receptor bone. Evidently the osteoclasts produce the prior conditions for a closer contact of the autogenous cancellous graft with the adjoining compact bone.", "contents": "[Morphological results after an experimental transplantation of autogenous cancellous bone in dogs (author's transl)]. Cell activity during the period of healing of an autogenous cancellous graft inserted into an artificial continuity defect of the ulna was studied in 20 adult dogs by light microscopy using the semithin sectioning technique. The defects were stabilised by osteosynthesis using metal plates and screws. The animals were divided into 4 groups and the autografts were investigated 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after transplantation. Histologic analysis showed, that ... 1. one week after transplantation, undifferentiated cells resembling reticular cells, haemocytoblasts and many closely packed osteoblasts were scattered among the trabecular network of the autogenous cancellous graft. The survival of transplanted cells in our opinion is evident, by the absence of any sign of cell death or macrophage activity. 2. two to 4 weeks after transplantation a remarkable increase of the osteoblast activity was noted. This osteogenic cell activity was mainly directed toward bone formation along the surface of contact of the autograft with the adjoining bone and there was more than one layer of osteoblasts and osteoid. Osteoblasts were also found lying along the trabecular surface of transplanted cancellous bone, but here they were arranged in a layer, which was usually only one cell deep. 3. eight weeks after transplantation there was a remarkable change in the appearance of the autogenous cancellous graft. The activity of the multinucleated osteoclasts was significantly increased in the direction of the surface of contact of the autograft with the compact receptor bone. Evidently the osteoclasts produce the prior conditions for a closer contact of the autogenous cancellous graft with the adjoining compact bone.", "PMID": 782412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6235", "title": "Modulating effects of interferon preparations on an antibody response in vitro.", "content": "The effect of mouse interferon preparations on the primary in vitro antibody response of mouse spleen cells was studied. Concentrations of interferon greater than 8 units per ml significantly inhibited the antibody response while low concentrations of 0-08-0-8 units per ml could be shown to be mildly enhancing. Various treatments which affected the antiviral activity of the interferon preparations reduced the immunosuppressive activity to a similar extent. Interferon acts during the first few hours of a response but the effect is not apparent for at least 50 h. Interferon had no effect when added after 48 h. The kinetic data has been interpreted as demonstrating interferon-sensitive and interferon-resistant components of the in vitro response. The results from investigations of the polyclonal response to lipopolysaccharide support the view that interferon acts mainly on B cells alone, although effects on T-B interactions cannot be excluded.", "contents": "Modulating effects of interferon preparations on an antibody response in vitro. The effect of mouse interferon preparations on the primary in vitro antibody response of mouse spleen cells was studied. Concentrations of interferon greater than 8 units per ml significantly inhibited the antibody response while low concentrations of 0-08-0-8 units per ml could be shown to be mildly enhancing. Various treatments which affected the antiviral activity of the interferon preparations reduced the immunosuppressive activity to a similar extent. Interferon acts during the first few hours of a response but the effect is not apparent for at least 50 h. Interferon had no effect when added after 48 h. The kinetic data has been interpreted as demonstrating interferon-sensitive and interferon-resistant components of the in vitro response. The results from investigations of the polyclonal response to lipopolysaccharide support the view that interferon acts mainly on B cells alone, although effects on T-B interactions cannot be excluded.", "PMID": 782413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6236", "title": "The identification and ultrastructure of macrophages from the mammary gland of the ewe.", "content": "Cells in the secretion of involuting and non-lactating mammary glands of the ewe were studied. Light microscopy studies revealed that the majority of the cells were mononucleated, but it was impossible to distinguish macrophages from sloughed epithelial cells. Electron microscopy studies showed that the majority of the cells were macrophages and that they phagocytosed polystyrene latex spheres. Very few epithelial cells were found and they were distinguished from macrophages by numerous microfilaments and blunt microvilli. Epithelial cells could be further distinguished from macrophages by the presence of tight junctions. Tissue cultures of cells in secretion of mammary glands revealed the predominant cell type to be the macrophage. After 3 days in culture these macrophages formed multinucleated giant cells which contained acid-phosphatase granules. Fluorescein-labelled antiserum prepared against the cell cultures, stained cells in the lumens of alveoli and ducts, but not epithelial cells, in frozen sections of mammary tissue. The study confirms previous findings that the large majority of cells from mammary glands in late involution are macrophages. It also points to the usefulness of non-lactating mammary glands as a source of sheep and cattle macrophages.", "contents": "The identification and ultrastructure of macrophages from the mammary gland of the ewe. Cells in the secretion of involuting and non-lactating mammary glands of the ewe were studied. Light microscopy studies revealed that the majority of the cells were mononucleated, but it was impossible to distinguish macrophages from sloughed epithelial cells. Electron microscopy studies showed that the majority of the cells were macrophages and that they phagocytosed polystyrene latex spheres. Very few epithelial cells were found and they were distinguished from macrophages by numerous microfilaments and blunt microvilli. Epithelial cells could be further distinguished from macrophages by the presence of tight junctions. Tissue cultures of cells in secretion of mammary glands revealed the predominant cell type to be the macrophage. After 3 days in culture these macrophages formed multinucleated giant cells which contained acid-phosphatase granules. Fluorescein-labelled antiserum prepared against the cell cultures, stained cells in the lumens of alveoli and ducts, but not epithelial cells, in frozen sections of mammary tissue. The study confirms previous findings that the large majority of cells from mammary glands in late involution are macrophages. It also points to the usefulness of non-lactating mammary glands as a source of sheep and cattle macrophages.", "PMID": 782414} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6237", "title": "Simplified body-composition analysis using deuterium dilution and deuteron photodisintegration.", "content": "A number of approaches to estimating human body composition (water, lean mass, and fat) are available, and each approach has its own limitations. Deuterium dilution is a comparatively safe and valid procedure for assessing body composition; however, its use has been restricted by the relative complexity of measuring deuterium at low concentrations. A simplified scheme for quantifying low levels of deuterium in body fluid samples promises to expand the use of D2O in body composition studies. The deuterons are quantified by measuring the neutron emission induced by gamma-ray irradiation from 228Th(2.61 MeV). The in vitro aspects of the procedure exhibit coefficients of variation of under 1% throughout the range of assay and near 100% recovery of added D2O. In vivo comparison studies with a reference tritium dilution procedure indicate close agreement in a group of 38 subjects. The chief advantages of the procedure are a small oral dose of D2O and the use of either serum or urine samples. The physical condition of the sample does not affect the measurement so distillation is not required. Thus, small medical facilities can enjoy the advantages of low cost, minimum patient inconvenience, and technical simplicity by submitting subject samples to larger agencies for analysis.", "contents": "Simplified body-composition analysis using deuterium dilution and deuteron photodisintegration. A number of approaches to estimating human body composition (water, lean mass, and fat) are available, and each approach has its own limitations. Deuterium dilution is a comparatively safe and valid procedure for assessing body composition; however, its use has been restricted by the relative complexity of measuring deuterium at low concentrations. A simplified scheme for quantifying low levels of deuterium in body fluid samples promises to expand the use of D2O in body composition studies. The deuterons are quantified by measuring the neutron emission induced by gamma-ray irradiation from 228Th(2.61 MeV). The in vitro aspects of the procedure exhibit coefficients of variation of under 1% throughout the range of assay and near 100% recovery of added D2O. In vivo comparison studies with a reference tritium dilution procedure indicate close agreement in a group of 38 subjects. The chief advantages of the procedure are a small oral dose of D2O and the use of either serum or urine samples. The physical condition of the sample does not affect the measurement so distillation is not required. Thus, small medical facilities can enjoy the advantages of low cost, minimum patient inconvenience, and technical simplicity by submitting subject samples to larger agencies for analysis.", "PMID": 782418} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6238", "title": "Perspectives and priorities in food and nutrition planning.", "content": "I have taken this opportunity to challenge a trend that I have seen in recent meetings toward the promotion of a holistic, but perhaps impractical, approach to food and nutrition policy planning and implementation. While I support the development of modeling as an approach to the conceptualization of the problems and interactions, it would appear that the data requirements of the integrated nutrition policy approach exceed our present capabilities. I fear that this can result in inactivity at a time when we cannot afford inactivity--inactivity consequent to delay for data collection, or inactivity consequent to a belief that because comprehensive planning is not yet feasible, there is no point in doing any systematic planning. The precision of the definition of the nutrition problem is a function of the stage of development of the operational planning process. Let us not advocate the collection of data we are not equipped or prepared to interpret and use. In many areas of the world, relatively simple information, often already available, can define the nutrition problem with sufficient precision to permit program development within the individual sectors of government. Surely that must be our immediate goal.", "contents": "Perspectives and priorities in food and nutrition planning. I have taken this opportunity to challenge a trend that I have seen in recent meetings toward the promotion of a holistic, but perhaps impractical, approach to food and nutrition policy planning and implementation. While I support the development of modeling as an approach to the conceptualization of the problems and interactions, it would appear that the data requirements of the integrated nutrition policy approach exceed our present capabilities. I fear that this can result in inactivity at a time when we cannot afford inactivity--inactivity consequent to delay for data collection, or inactivity consequent to a belief that because comprehensive planning is not yet feasible, there is no point in doing any systematic planning. The precision of the definition of the nutrition problem is a function of the stage of development of the operational planning process. Let us not advocate the collection of data we are not equipped or prepared to interpret and use. In many areas of the world, relatively simple information, often already available, can define the nutrition problem with sufficient precision to permit program development within the individual sectors of government. Surely that must be our immediate goal.", "PMID": 782431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6239", "title": "The environment of the malnourished child.", "content": "The study of the relation of man to his environment in developing countries emphasizes the inevitable need for societies to recognize the true causes of infection, malnutrition, and poverty. The need is for improvement in the quality of human life in less developed nations, a recommendation easy to prescribe but difficult to accomplish. Although our pool of knowledge is incomplete, it is adequate to suggest ways to diminish infection, increase food production, utilize food more efficiently, improve education, and provide systems of justice to protect the classes most in need. The physical environment in tropical and subtropical regions, and the socioeconomic characteristics of the population inhabiting such regions, favor maintenance and transmission of a variety of viruses, bacteria, and parasites that make agricultural progress and social development difficult, and that contribute to poor fetal growth, nutrient wastage, and deficient postnatal physical growth, accounting for most of the childhood morbidity and mortality. In this regard, infections contribute indirectly to the overall food problem in a similar fashion as pests do in terms of food losses and spoilage. The overall effect could be comparable or greater than that resulting from an inadequate capacity to produce or to purchase the food needed. Thus, my objective has been to stress, within the whole environment, the importance of infection and the need to diminish it. Ways to control and prevent infection are readily known. They have to do with education of the population to improve personal and environmental hygiene. Economic investment is necessary to improve housing and water supply systems, waste disposal, and such preventive measures as immunization programs. Although such measures may appear expensive when first implemented, they have long-lasting effects and many require minimal expenditure once they are established. Large segments of the population stand to benefit, and other development interventions can then be introduced. However, these measures should not be implemented singly. They should be accompanied by community development, family planning, social legislation--in other words, the holistic approach to health and welfare. To do otherwise may aggravate the problem by stimulating demographic growth, perpetuating malnutrition and infection, and maintaining underdevelopment.", "contents": "The environment of the malnourished child. The study of the relation of man to his environment in developing countries emphasizes the inevitable need for societies to recognize the true causes of infection, malnutrition, and poverty. The need is for improvement in the quality of human life in less developed nations, a recommendation easy to prescribe but difficult to accomplish. Although our pool of knowledge is incomplete, it is adequate to suggest ways to diminish infection, increase food production, utilize food more efficiently, improve education, and provide systems of justice to protect the classes most in need. The physical environment in tropical and subtropical regions, and the socioeconomic characteristics of the population inhabiting such regions, favor maintenance and transmission of a variety of viruses, bacteria, and parasites that make agricultural progress and social development difficult, and that contribute to poor fetal growth, nutrient wastage, and deficient postnatal physical growth, accounting for most of the childhood morbidity and mortality. In this regard, infections contribute indirectly to the overall food problem in a similar fashion as pests do in terms of food losses and spoilage. The overall effect could be comparable or greater than that resulting from an inadequate capacity to produce or to purchase the food needed. Thus, my objective has been to stress, within the whole environment, the importance of infection and the need to diminish it. Ways to control and prevent infection are readily known. They have to do with education of the population to improve personal and environmental hygiene. Economic investment is necessary to improve housing and water supply systems, waste disposal, and such preventive measures as immunization programs. Although such measures may appear expensive when first implemented, they have long-lasting effects and many require minimal expenditure once they are established. Large segments of the population stand to benefit, and other development interventions can then be introduced. However, these measures should not be implemented singly. They should be accompanied by community development, family planning, social legislation--in other words, the holistic approach to health and welfare. To do otherwise may aggravate the problem by stimulating demographic growth, perpetuating malnutrition and infection, and maintaining underdevelopment.", "PMID": 782435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6240", "title": "Purification and some properties of nitrate reductase (EC 1.7.99.4) from Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "1. Nitrate reductase was purified 134-fold from Escherichia coli K12. The purification procedure involves the release by Triton X-100 of the enzyme from the cell envelope. i. The purified enzyme exists in aqueous solution either as a monomer (mol. wt. about 220 000) or as an associated form (probably a tetramer; mol.wt. about 880 000). 3. The purified enzyme has three subunits with apparent mol.wts. of 150 000, 67000 and 65000. An additional subunit of apparent mol.wt. 20000 is present in a haem-containing fraction that is also produced by the preparative procedure described. 4. None of the enzyme subunits is present in the cell envelope of cells grown in the absence of nitrate. 5. Reversible changes in the activity of nitrate reductase in vitro with FMNH2 as reductant can be induced under circumstances which are without effect on the reduced Benzyl Viologen-NO3-activity.", "contents": "Purification and some properties of nitrate reductase (EC 1.7.99.4) from Escherichia coli K12. 1. Nitrate reductase was purified 134-fold from Escherichia coli K12. The purification procedure involves the release by Triton X-100 of the enzyme from the cell envelope. i. The purified enzyme exists in aqueous solution either as a monomer (mol. wt. about 220 000) or as an associated form (probably a tetramer; mol.wt. about 880 000). 3. The purified enzyme has three subunits with apparent mol.wts. of 150 000, 67000 and 65000. An additional subunit of apparent mol.wt. 20000 is present in a haem-containing fraction that is also produced by the preparative procedure described. 4. None of the enzyme subunits is present in the cell envelope of cells grown in the absence of nitrate. 5. Reversible changes in the activity of nitrate reductase in vitro with FMNH2 as reductant can be induced under circumstances which are without effect on the reduced Benzyl Viologen-NO3-activity.", "PMID": 782444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6241", "title": "Acyl and amino intermediates in reactions catalysed by pig pepsin. Analysis of transpeptidation products.", "content": "The action of pig pepsin on a variety of small peptides including Leu-Trp-Met-Arg, Leu-Trp-Met, Leu-Leu-NH2, benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-Leu and Gly-Leu-Tyr was studied. Leu-Leu-Leu was found to be the major product from the substrates Leu-Trp-Met-Arg and Leu-Trp-Met, indicating that the predominant reaction at pH 3.4 was a transpeptidation of the acyl-transfer type. Leu-Leu-Leu was also formed in high yield by amino transfer from benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-Leu. Like the amino-transfer reactions the acyl transfer proceeded via a covalent intermediate, since [14C]leucine was not incorporated into transpeptidation products and did not exchange with enzyme-bound leucine in the presence of acceptors. With Leu-Trp-Met both acyl and amino transpeptidation products, namely Leu-Leu, Leu-Leu-Leu, Met-Met and Met-Met-Met, were formed in addition to methionine and leucine. With Leu-Trp-Met-Arg (1 mM) the pH optimum for the rates of hydrolysis and acyl transfer is about pH 3.4. At this pH the rate of acyl transfer exceeds that of hydrolysis; at pH 2, however, hydrolysis was faster than transfer. A comparison of the effect of the length of substrates and products on the reaction rates allows the conclusion that the binding site can extend over eight to nine amino acid residues. Although the experiments provide no conclusive evidence for or against the involvement of amino and/or acyl intermediates in the hydrolysis of long peptides and proteins, the high yield of transpeptidation reactions of both types observed with some substrates suggests a major role for the intermediates in pepsin-catalysed reactions. The results also show that when pig pepsin is used for the digestion of proteins for sequence work, the likelihood of the formation of transpeptidation products is considerable. In this way peptides not present in the original sequence could easily form in a reasonably good yield.", "contents": "Acyl and amino intermediates in reactions catalysed by pig pepsin. Analysis of transpeptidation products. The action of pig pepsin on a variety of small peptides including Leu-Trp-Met-Arg, Leu-Trp-Met, Leu-Leu-NH2, benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-Leu and Gly-Leu-Tyr was studied. Leu-Leu-Leu was found to be the major product from the substrates Leu-Trp-Met-Arg and Leu-Trp-Met, indicating that the predominant reaction at pH 3.4 was a transpeptidation of the acyl-transfer type. Leu-Leu-Leu was also formed in high yield by amino transfer from benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-Leu. Like the amino-transfer reactions the acyl transfer proceeded via a covalent intermediate, since [14C]leucine was not incorporated into transpeptidation products and did not exchange with enzyme-bound leucine in the presence of acceptors. With Leu-Trp-Met both acyl and amino transpeptidation products, namely Leu-Leu, Leu-Leu-Leu, Met-Met and Met-Met-Met, were formed in addition to methionine and leucine. With Leu-Trp-Met-Arg (1 mM) the pH optimum for the rates of hydrolysis and acyl transfer is about pH 3.4. At this pH the rate of acyl transfer exceeds that of hydrolysis; at pH 2, however, hydrolysis was faster than transfer. A comparison of the effect of the length of substrates and products on the reaction rates allows the conclusion that the binding site can extend over eight to nine amino acid residues. Although the experiments provide no conclusive evidence for or against the involvement of amino and/or acyl intermediates in the hydrolysis of long peptides and proteins, the high yield of transpeptidation reactions of both types observed with some substrates suggests a major role for the intermediates in pepsin-catalysed reactions. The results also show that when pig pepsin is used for the digestion of proteins for sequence work, the likelihood of the formation of transpeptidation products is considerable. In this way peptides not present in the original sequence could easily form in a reasonably good yield.", "PMID": 782445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6242", "title": "Effects of secondary binding by activator and inhibitor peptides on covalent intermediates of pig pepsin.", "content": "A number of peptides were found to increase the activity of pig pepsin towards small synthetic substrates. The activators increase transpeptidation of both the acyl-transfer and the amino-transfer types by as much as 45-fold. The effect on hydrolysis varies from inhibition to modest activation, but is always less than the effect on transpeptidation. The kinetics of substrate cleavage are the converse of non-competitive inhibition and show an increase in kcat. and no effect on Km values. Lineweaver-Burk plots of results obtained in the presence of the activators indicate a substrate activation at high substrate concentration. This appears to be a co-operative effect, since it is not observed in the absence of the activators. The activation is greatest at pH 4.7, less at pH 3.4, and at pH 2.0 is observable only with some of the activator peptides. The results show directly the effect of secondary binding on the catalytic efficiency of pepsin. The most effective activators are those that are most hydrophobic. The results suggest that binding in the secondary binding sites causes an increase in hydrophobicity in the catalytic site which results in increased stability of the acyl and amino intermediates, and preferential reaction with acceptors other than water. The implication that the present results strengthen the case for a role of covalent intermediates in the hydrolysis of good substrates (high kcat. values) is discussed.", "contents": "Effects of secondary binding by activator and inhibitor peptides on covalent intermediates of pig pepsin. A number of peptides were found to increase the activity of pig pepsin towards small synthetic substrates. The activators increase transpeptidation of both the acyl-transfer and the amino-transfer types by as much as 45-fold. The effect on hydrolysis varies from inhibition to modest activation, but is always less than the effect on transpeptidation. The kinetics of substrate cleavage are the converse of non-competitive inhibition and show an increase in kcat. and no effect on Km values. Lineweaver-Burk plots of results obtained in the presence of the activators indicate a substrate activation at high substrate concentration. This appears to be a co-operative effect, since it is not observed in the absence of the activators. The activation is greatest at pH 4.7, less at pH 3.4, and at pH 2.0 is observable only with some of the activator peptides. The results show directly the effect of secondary binding on the catalytic efficiency of pepsin. The most effective activators are those that are most hydrophobic. The results suggest that binding in the secondary binding sites causes an increase in hydrophobicity in the catalytic site which results in increased stability of the acyl and amino intermediates, and preferential reaction with acceptors other than water. The implication that the present results strengthen the case for a role of covalent intermediates in the hydrolysis of good substrates (high kcat. values) is discussed.", "PMID": 782446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6243", "title": "The effect of N-acylglucosamines on the biosynthesis and secretion of insulin in the rat.", "content": "The effects of N-acylglucosamines on insulin release have been studied. N-Acylglucosamines stimulated insulin release from rat islets in vitro only if a sub-stimulatory concentration of glucose was also present, and this secretory response was abolished by mannoheptulose. In perifused islets the rapidity of the secreotry response to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine was similar to that observed with D-glucose. Increasing acyl-chain length from N-acetyl- to N-hexanoyl-D-glucosamine impaired the secretory response; however, N-dichloroacetyl-D-glucosamine was a more potent stimulator of release than was N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Polymers of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine containing two to six monomers linked alpha1-4 did not stimulate insulin release; glucosamine linked to dextran via a propionyl or hexanoyl spacer group was also without insulin-releasing ability. N-Acylglucosamines were also effective in eliciting insulin release in vivo when injected into conscious rats. At the dose used (86 mumol), N-acetylgucosamine elicited a rapid rise in plasma-insulin concentration; N-butyrylglucosamine was less effective, and there was little or no response to N-hexanoylglucosamine. The response to N-dichloroacetyl-glucosamine was greater than that to N-acetylglucosamine; an increase in plasma insulin concentration could be elicited by N-dichloroacetylglucosamine at a dose (17 mumol) at which neither glucose nor N-acetylglucosamine was effective. The secretory response to acetylglucosamine is not mediated by conversion into glucose. Rates of (pro)-insulin biosynthesis by rat islets have been measured (Pro)-insulin biosynthesis was stimulated by glucose, and this response was abolished by mannoheptulose. N-Acetylglucosamine also stimulated (pro)-insulin biosynthesis; this effect of N-acetylglucosamine did not require the presence of glucose, and was not abolished by mannoheptulose. It is concluded that there are differences in signal reception and/or transduction for the processes of insulin biosynthesis and release.", "contents": "The effect of N-acylglucosamines on the biosynthesis and secretion of insulin in the rat. The effects of N-acylglucosamines on insulin release have been studied. N-Acylglucosamines stimulated insulin release from rat islets in vitro only if a sub-stimulatory concentration of glucose was also present, and this secretory response was abolished by mannoheptulose. In perifused islets the rapidity of the secreotry response to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine was similar to that observed with D-glucose. Increasing acyl-chain length from N-acetyl- to N-hexanoyl-D-glucosamine impaired the secretory response; however, N-dichloroacetyl-D-glucosamine was a more potent stimulator of release than was N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Polymers of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine containing two to six monomers linked alpha1-4 did not stimulate insulin release; glucosamine linked to dextran via a propionyl or hexanoyl spacer group was also without insulin-releasing ability. N-Acylglucosamines were also effective in eliciting insulin release in vivo when injected into conscious rats. At the dose used (86 mumol), N-acetylgucosamine elicited a rapid rise in plasma-insulin concentration; N-butyrylglucosamine was less effective, and there was little or no response to N-hexanoylglucosamine. The response to N-dichloroacetyl-glucosamine was greater than that to N-acetylglucosamine; an increase in plasma insulin concentration could be elicited by N-dichloroacetylglucosamine at a dose (17 mumol) at which neither glucose nor N-acetylglucosamine was effective. The secretory response to acetylglucosamine is not mediated by conversion into glucose. Rates of (pro)-insulin biosynthesis by rat islets have been measured (Pro)-insulin biosynthesis was stimulated by glucose, and this response was abolished by mannoheptulose. N-Acetylglucosamine also stimulated (pro)-insulin biosynthesis; this effect of N-acetylglucosamine did not require the presence of glucose, and was not abolished by mannoheptulose. It is concluded that there are differences in signal reception and/or transduction for the processes of insulin biosynthesis and release.", "PMID": 782447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6244", "title": "Dissociation and catalysis in yeast hexokinase A.", "content": "1. The specific activity of yeast hexokinase A depends on the concentration of the protein in the solution being assayed. When a solution containing 13.5 mg of hexokinase A/ml is diluted 10--100-fold at various values of pH and temperature, there is a gradual decline in the specific activity of the enzyme until an equilibrium value is reached, which varies with the chosen experimental conditions. 2. The catalytic activity lost when hexokinase A (1 mg/ml) is incubated at 30degreesC is recovered by lowering the temperature to 25degreesC. 3. These concentration- and temperature-dependent phenomena are consistent with the existence of a monomer-dimer equilibrium in which the dimer alone is the catalytic form of the enzyme. 4. Glucose alone prevents the decline in specific activity of hexokinase A after dilution, but it does not re-activate dilute solutions solutions of the enzyme. It is concluded that glucose binds to both the dimer and the monomer and prevents both association and dissociation. 5. The progress curve describing the phosphorylation of glucose catalysed by hexokinase A does not attain a steady state. It is possible that dissociation of catalytically active dimers in a ternary complex with glucose and ATP (or glucose 6-phosphate and ADP) could explain the non-linearity of this progress curve.", "contents": "Dissociation and catalysis in yeast hexokinase A. 1. The specific activity of yeast hexokinase A depends on the concentration of the protein in the solution being assayed. When a solution containing 13.5 mg of hexokinase A/ml is diluted 10--100-fold at various values of pH and temperature, there is a gradual decline in the specific activity of the enzyme until an equilibrium value is reached, which varies with the chosen experimental conditions. 2. The catalytic activity lost when hexokinase A (1 mg/ml) is incubated at 30degreesC is recovered by lowering the temperature to 25degreesC. 3. These concentration- and temperature-dependent phenomena are consistent with the existence of a monomer-dimer equilibrium in which the dimer alone is the catalytic form of the enzyme. 4. Glucose alone prevents the decline in specific activity of hexokinase A after dilution, but it does not re-activate dilute solutions solutions of the enzyme. It is concluded that glucose binds to both the dimer and the monomer and prevents both association and dissociation. 5. The progress curve describing the phosphorylation of glucose catalysed by hexokinase A does not attain a steady state. It is possible that dissociation of catalytically active dimers in a ternary complex with glucose and ATP (or glucose 6-phosphate and ADP) could explain the non-linearity of this progress curve.", "PMID": 782448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6245", "title": "The dissociation of exocytosis and respiratory stimulation in leucocytes by ionophores.", "content": "By exploiting the unique characteristics of three ionophores, experimental conditions were found which permit the dissociation of respiratory stimulation from secretion in polymorphonuclear leucocytes. A marked stimulation of respiration was produced by ionophore X537A, which binds and transports both alkali-earth and alkali cations. The stimulatory activity of this ionophore was the same at either high or low Na+/K+ ratios in the medium and was virtually unaffected by extracellular Ca2+. A slight stimulation of oxygen consumption was also caused by the K+-selective ionophore valinomycin and by ionophore A23187, which complexes and transfers bivalent cations. Ionophore X537A and valinomycin were unable to stimulate selective release of granuleassociated beta-glucuronidase and gradually increased cell fragility, as monitored by increased leakage of lactate dehydrogenase. Ionophore A23187 slightly increased exocytosis of beta-glucuronidase. In a Mg2+-free medium, Ca2+, added simultaneously with ionophore A23187, greatly enhanced respiration and secretion of the granule enzyme. If Ca2+ was added a few minutes after the ionophore, exocytosis occurred, but no respiratory burst was observed. If the latter experiment was repeated in the presence of extracellular Mg2+, both secretion and respiration were stimulated. This effect was not produced by Mn2+ or Ba2+. It is proposed that Ca2+ is required for triggering selective secretion of granule enzymes from leucocytes is caused by an intracellular redistribution of cations, which may invovle Mg2+-dependent mechanisms.", "contents": "The dissociation of exocytosis and respiratory stimulation in leucocytes by ionophores. By exploiting the unique characteristics of three ionophores, experimental conditions were found which permit the dissociation of respiratory stimulation from secretion in polymorphonuclear leucocytes. A marked stimulation of respiration was produced by ionophore X537A, which binds and transports both alkali-earth and alkali cations. The stimulatory activity of this ionophore was the same at either high or low Na+/K+ ratios in the medium and was virtually unaffected by extracellular Ca2+. A slight stimulation of oxygen consumption was also caused by the K+-selective ionophore valinomycin and by ionophore A23187, which complexes and transfers bivalent cations. Ionophore X537A and valinomycin were unable to stimulate selective release of granuleassociated beta-glucuronidase and gradually increased cell fragility, as monitored by increased leakage of lactate dehydrogenase. Ionophore A23187 slightly increased exocytosis of beta-glucuronidase. In a Mg2+-free medium, Ca2+, added simultaneously with ionophore A23187, greatly enhanced respiration and secretion of the granule enzyme. If Ca2+ was added a few minutes after the ionophore, exocytosis occurred, but no respiratory burst was observed. If the latter experiment was repeated in the presence of extracellular Mg2+, both secretion and respiration were stimulated. This effect was not produced by Mn2+ or Ba2+. It is proposed that Ca2+ is required for triggering selective secretion of granule enzymes from leucocytes is caused by an intracellular redistribution of cations, which may invovle Mg2+-dependent mechanisms.", "PMID": 782449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6246", "title": "Studies on the biosynthesis of pancreatic glucagon in the pigeon (Columba livia).", "content": "The biosynthesis of glucagon was studied in microdissected pigeon pancreatic, islets. [3H]-Tryotophan and [3H]leucine were incorporated into big and little glucagon. No precursor-product relationship was evident between big and little glucagon after radioactive pulsechase and immunoreactive chase incubations. Radioactive and immunoreactive little glucagon and immunoreactive big glucagon were actively secreted and the synthesis of both glucagons was inhibited by high concentrations of glucose. [3H]Tryptophan and [3H]leucine were incorporated into an islet protein of about 20000mol.wt. Gel filtration of extracts of turkey pancreas revealed the presence of an immunoreactive peak of mol.wt. approx. 20000. This glucagon-immunoreactive component was also present in dog and ox pancreas and was stable to chaotropic agents and elution at various pH values. A similar-sized glucagon-immunoreactive species was present in the dog circulation. These results are discussed in the light of the presently accepted mechanisms of glucagon biosynthesis.", "contents": "Studies on the biosynthesis of pancreatic glucagon in the pigeon (Columba livia). The biosynthesis of glucagon was studied in microdissected pigeon pancreatic, islets. [3H]-Tryotophan and [3H]leucine were incorporated into big and little glucagon. No precursor-product relationship was evident between big and little glucagon after radioactive pulsechase and immunoreactive chase incubations. Radioactive and immunoreactive little glucagon and immunoreactive big glucagon were actively secreted and the synthesis of both glucagons was inhibited by high concentrations of glucose. [3H]Tryptophan and [3H]leucine were incorporated into an islet protein of about 20000mol.wt. Gel filtration of extracts of turkey pancreas revealed the presence of an immunoreactive peak of mol.wt. approx. 20000. This glucagon-immunoreactive component was also present in dog and ox pancreas and was stable to chaotropic agents and elution at various pH values. A similar-sized glucagon-immunoreactive species was present in the dog circulation. These results are discussed in the light of the presently accepted mechanisms of glucagon biosynthesis.", "PMID": 782450} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6247", "title": "Glucose transport as rate-limiting step in the growth of Escherichia coli on glucose.", "content": "Over a wide range of growth rates, two strains of Escherichia coli growing aerobically in continuous culture under glucose limitation utilized glucose at rates identical with those at which cells harvested from the chemostats transported [14C]glucose.", "contents": "Glucose transport as rate-limiting step in the growth of Escherichia coli on glucose. Over a wide range of growth rates, two strains of Escherichia coli growing aerobically in continuous culture under glucose limitation utilized glucose at rates identical with those at which cells harvested from the chemostats transported [14C]glucose.", "PMID": 782451} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6248", "title": "[Activity in vitro and pharmacokinetics of minocycline (author's transl)].", "content": "The in vitro activity of doxycycline and minocycline (Klinomycin) was determined by serial dilution test in 100 strains of E. coli, 101 strains of enterobacter, 91 tetracycline-sensitive and 52 tetracycline-resistant strains of staphylococci. Only staphylococci were more sensitive against minocycline than against doxycycline whereas other species showed nearly the same sensitivity against both antibiotics. After i.v. infusion of 200 mg minocycline (during 1 h) mean serum levels fell from 3.5 mug/ml to 0.6 mug/ml (after 24 h). Half-life was calculated as 15.7 h, urine recovery as 5.9%. After oral application of 200 mg minocycline serum level peaks were 2.7 mug/ml, serum levels after 24 h 0.7 mug/ml. At repeated administrations daily dosage of 100 mg was too low of 200 mg sufficient to obtain the same serum levels as after the initial dose of 200 mg. CSF levels after oral administration of 0.4 g minocycline were 0.74 +/- 0.09 mug/ml (in serum at the same time 2.2 +/- 0.2 mug/ml). Half-life of minocycline in chronic renal failure (7 adult patients) was not prolonged (15--20 h). Minocycline is especially suitable for treatment of infections of unknown bacterial origin (including such caused by staphylococci). I.v. infusion is indicated only in unconscious or vomiting patients.", "contents": "[Activity in vitro and pharmacokinetics of minocycline (author's transl)]. The in vitro activity of doxycycline and minocycline (Klinomycin) was determined by serial dilution test in 100 strains of E. coli, 101 strains of enterobacter, 91 tetracycline-sensitive and 52 tetracycline-resistant strains of staphylococci. Only staphylococci were more sensitive against minocycline than against doxycycline whereas other species showed nearly the same sensitivity against both antibiotics. After i.v. infusion of 200 mg minocycline (during 1 h) mean serum levels fell from 3.5 mug/ml to 0.6 mug/ml (after 24 h). Half-life was calculated as 15.7 h, urine recovery as 5.9%. After oral application of 200 mg minocycline serum level peaks were 2.7 mug/ml, serum levels after 24 h 0.7 mug/ml. At repeated administrations daily dosage of 100 mg was too low of 200 mg sufficient to obtain the same serum levels as after the initial dose of 200 mg. CSF levels after oral administration of 0.4 g minocycline were 0.74 +/- 0.09 mug/ml (in serum at the same time 2.2 +/- 0.2 mug/ml). Half-life of minocycline in chronic renal failure (7 adult patients) was not prolonged (15--20 h). Minocycline is especially suitable for treatment of infections of unknown bacterial origin (including such caused by staphylococci). I.v. infusion is indicated only in unconscious or vomiting patients.", "PMID": 782466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6249", "title": "Metabolism of phenylbutazone in man.", "content": "One male volunteer received a single oral dose of 400 mg of 14C-labelled phenylbutazone (Butazolidin) and a second volunteer a repeated oral dose of 3 X 400 mg. The absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract was found to be rapid and complete. The integrated concentration of unchanged phenylbutazone in plasma, as estimated from the area under the concentration curve (AUC) between 0 and 336 h, was 63% of that of total 14C-substances. The corresponding AUC of three specifically determined metabolites, i.e. oxyphenbutazone, gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone and p,gamma-dihydroxyphenylbutazone were 23%, 2% and 0.5%, respectively. A single oral dose was slowly excreted from the organism, since within 21 days only 88% was recovered, 61% from urine and 27% from faeces. About 1% of total urinary radioactivity was excreted as unchanged drug. The sum of specifically measured metabolites (oxyphenbutazone, gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone, p,gamma-dihydroxyphenylbutazone) and phenylbutazone in urine did not cover more than about 10%. Solely oxyphenbutazone was present as an O-glucuronide, but only in small amounts. About 40% and 12% of total urinary radioactivity was due to C(4)-glucuronides of phenylbutazone and gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone, respectively. Their structures were established by spectroscopic means. These metabolites contain pyrazolidine rings directly attached to glucuronic acid via a C-C bond, thus representing a novel class of drug metabolites.", "contents": "Metabolism of phenylbutazone in man. One male volunteer received a single oral dose of 400 mg of 14C-labelled phenylbutazone (Butazolidin) and a second volunteer a repeated oral dose of 3 X 400 mg. The absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract was found to be rapid and complete. The integrated concentration of unchanged phenylbutazone in plasma, as estimated from the area under the concentration curve (AUC) between 0 and 336 h, was 63% of that of total 14C-substances. The corresponding AUC of three specifically determined metabolites, i.e. oxyphenbutazone, gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone and p,gamma-dihydroxyphenylbutazone were 23%, 2% and 0.5%, respectively. A single oral dose was slowly excreted from the organism, since within 21 days only 88% was recovered, 61% from urine and 27% from faeces. About 1% of total urinary radioactivity was excreted as unchanged drug. The sum of specifically measured metabolites (oxyphenbutazone, gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone, p,gamma-dihydroxyphenylbutazone) and phenylbutazone in urine did not cover more than about 10%. Solely oxyphenbutazone was present as an O-glucuronide, but only in small amounts. About 40% and 12% of total urinary radioactivity was due to C(4)-glucuronides of phenylbutazone and gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone, respectively. Their structures were established by spectroscopic means. These metabolites contain pyrazolidine rings directly attached to glucuronic acid via a C-C bond, thus representing a novel class of drug metabolites.", "PMID": 782467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6250", "title": "Combination therapy with naproxen and aspirin in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Thirty-six patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied to determine the effectiveness and safety of combined therapy with naproxen and aspirin. An 8-week double-blind crossover trial was performed in which naproxen and placebo were administered on a background of constant-dose aspirin. Combination therapy was demonstrated to be more effective than aspirin alone. Tolerance of the two regimens was comparable.", "contents": "Combination therapy with naproxen and aspirin in rheumatoid arthritis. Thirty-six patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied to determine the effectiveness and safety of combined therapy with naproxen and aspirin. An 8-week double-blind crossover trial was performed in which naproxen and placebo were administered on a background of constant-dose aspirin. Combination therapy was demonstrated to be more effective than aspirin alone. Tolerance of the two regimens was comparable.", "PMID": 782463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6251", "title": "[Design and evaluation of the controlled clinical trial/demonstrated by an efficacy test of the combination pentosan polysulphate/nicotinic acid in disturbed cerebral circulation (author's transl)].", "content": "Design and evaluation of the controlled clinical trial are thoroughly discussed by giving an example for testing a sodium pentosan polysulphate/nicotinic acid combination (Compuron). 60 patients with cerebral vascular disorders were randomly allocated to the two treatments and received medication over a period of eight weeks. A detailed biostatistical analysis of the data led to the following conclusions: 1. Regarding the target symptoms headache, nausea, sleep disturbance, reduced alertness, reduced ability for contacts and moods significant differences in favor of the active medication beginning with the sixth treatment week. 2. Regarding the psychological tests substantial and statistically highly significant (P less than 0.001) therapeutic effects. 3. Statistically significant decrease of the cholesterol and triglycerides level, absolutely as well as relative to placeo medication. 4. No treatment related side effects during the entire trial period of eight weeks.", "contents": "[Design and evaluation of the controlled clinical trial/demonstrated by an efficacy test of the combination pentosan polysulphate/nicotinic acid in disturbed cerebral circulation (author's transl)]. Design and evaluation of the controlled clinical trial are thoroughly discussed by giving an example for testing a sodium pentosan polysulphate/nicotinic acid combination (Compuron). 60 patients with cerebral vascular disorders were randomly allocated to the two treatments and received medication over a period of eight weeks. A detailed biostatistical analysis of the data led to the following conclusions: 1. Regarding the target symptoms headache, nausea, sleep disturbance, reduced alertness, reduced ability for contacts and moods significant differences in favor of the active medication beginning with the sixth treatment week. 2. Regarding the psychological tests substantial and statistically highly significant (P less than 0.001) therapeutic effects. 3. Statistically significant decrease of the cholesterol and triglycerides level, absolutely as well as relative to placeo medication. 4. No treatment related side effects during the entire trial period of eight weeks.", "PMID": 782468} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6252", "title": "Prednisone and azathioprine compared to prednisone plus low-dose azathioprine and cyclophosphamide in the treatment of diffuse lupus nephritis.", "content": "A 1-year double-blind crossover study comparing prednisone and azathioprine to prednisone plus low-dose azathioprine and cyclophosphamide was carried out in 14 patients with diffuse lupus nephritis. Low-dose triple therapy had no apparent therapeutic advantage over prednisone plus azathioprine. Cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian failure and hematuria were not avoided by its use in low dose.", "contents": "Prednisone and azathioprine compared to prednisone plus low-dose azathioprine and cyclophosphamide in the treatment of diffuse lupus nephritis. A 1-year double-blind crossover study comparing prednisone and azathioprine to prednisone plus low-dose azathioprine and cyclophosphamide was carried out in 14 patients with diffuse lupus nephritis. Low-dose triple therapy had no apparent therapeutic advantage over prednisone plus azathioprine. Cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian failure and hematuria were not avoided by its use in low dose.", "PMID": 782464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6253", "title": "[Profile comment on clinical and experimental studies of pramiverine and pramiverine/metamizole (author's transl)].", "content": "The profile of the spasmolytic 4,4-diphenyl-N-isopropyl-cyclohexylamine-hydrochloride (pramiverine, Sistalgin) is outlined on the basis of fundamental research. Evidence is provided that a combination with metamizole is useful in the case of Sistalgin comp. Description of the clinical and clinico-experimental examinations confirmed the margin of indications for Sistalgin and Sistalgin comp. Reference is made to the applications with a view to facilitate endoscopic and radiological procedures. The tabulated list of 2368 patients demonstrates the positive ratio between therapeutic effect and undesirable cholinolytic concomitant effect of Sistalgin comp.", "contents": "[Profile comment on clinical and experimental studies of pramiverine and pramiverine/metamizole (author's transl)]. The profile of the spasmolytic 4,4-diphenyl-N-isopropyl-cyclohexylamine-hydrochloride (pramiverine, Sistalgin) is outlined on the basis of fundamental research. Evidence is provided that a combination with metamizole is useful in the case of Sistalgin comp. Description of the clinical and clinico-experimental examinations confirmed the margin of indications for Sistalgin and Sistalgin comp. Reference is made to the applications with a view to facilitate endoscopic and radiological procedures. The tabulated list of 2368 patients demonstrates the positive ratio between therapeutic effect and undesirable cholinolytic concomitant effect of Sistalgin comp.", "PMID": 782469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6254", "title": "[Clinical trial of a novel spasmolytic, pramiverine, and its influence in colitis (author's transl].", "content": "In a double blind comparison of 4,4-diphenyl-N-isopropyl-cyclohexylamin-hydrochloride (pramiverine, Sistalgin) with placebo 51 patients with parasitis and bacterial colitis and enterocolitis as well as mixed forms of both were evaluated. The antiparasitic and antibacterial basic therapy was standardised in both groups. In the 27 patients treated with pramiverine the regression of the colitis syndrome starting within a few days was evaluated as excellent to good in 21 patients. In the placebo group similar improvements were observed only in 9 patients out of a total of 24. The good tolerance as compared to other spasmolytics should be equally emphasised as well as the slight inhibition of gastric secretion under prolonged therapy.", "contents": "[Clinical trial of a novel spasmolytic, pramiverine, and its influence in colitis (author's transl]. In a double blind comparison of 4,4-diphenyl-N-isopropyl-cyclohexylamin-hydrochloride (pramiverine, Sistalgin) with placebo 51 patients with parasitis and bacterial colitis and enterocolitis as well as mixed forms of both were evaluated. The antiparasitic and antibacterial basic therapy was standardised in both groups. In the 27 patients treated with pramiverine the regression of the colitis syndrome starting within a few days was evaluated as excellent to good in 21 patients. In the placebo group similar improvements were observed only in 9 patients out of a total of 24. The good tolerance as compared to other spasmolytics should be equally emphasised as well as the slight inhibition of gastric secretion under prolonged therapy.", "PMID": 782470} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6255", "title": "[Pramiverine/metamizole - a spasmoanalgesic for routine therapy of symptoms in emergency/a clinical trial in patients with biliary colics (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors refer to a previous trial with the combination 4,4-diphenyl-N-isopropyl-cyclohexylamine-hydrochloride (pramiverine Sistalgin) and N-methyl-N-(2,3-dimethyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolin-4-yl)-aminomethanesulfonate (metamizole) (Sistalgin comp.) in patients with renoureteral lithiasis and report results obtained with the same spasmoanalgesic and a comparative preparation in patients with biliary colics. On the basis of parameters selected for the trial, the success of pramiverine/metamizole therapy in subjective and objective complaints induced by biliary stone diseases is considered positive.", "contents": "[Pramiverine/metamizole - a spasmoanalgesic for routine therapy of symptoms in emergency/a clinical trial in patients with biliary colics (author's transl)]. The authors refer to a previous trial with the combination 4,4-diphenyl-N-isopropyl-cyclohexylamine-hydrochloride (pramiverine Sistalgin) and N-methyl-N-(2,3-dimethyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolin-4-yl)-aminomethanesulfonate (metamizole) (Sistalgin comp.) in patients with renoureteral lithiasis and report results obtained with the same spasmoanalgesic and a comparative preparation in patients with biliary colics. On the basis of parameters selected for the trial, the success of pramiverine/metamizole therapy in subjective and objective complaints induced by biliary stone diseases is considered positive.", "PMID": 782471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6256", "title": "[Therapeutic results with the combination pramiverine/metamizole in a multicentre trial (author's transl)].", "content": "279 physicians took part in a multicentre trial to assess the efficacy and acceptability of the combination of 4,4-diphenyl-N-isopropyl-cyclohexylamine-hydrochloride (pramiverine, Sistalgin) and N-methyl-N-(2,3-dimethyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolin-4-yl)-aminomethanesulfonate (metamizole) (Sistalgin comp) in the forms of ampoules, coated tablets and suppositories. 1301 out of 1329 case reports could be evaluated; in 28 cases treatment was discontinued. The trial included 59% acute colics and 41% subacute recurrent painful spasms of the caval organs. A single presentation form was used in 44%; all other patients were treated with the combined regimen of ampoules/coated tablets/suppositories. A good or very good result was obtained in 91% of cases, with a low rate of undesired side-effects. In 3%, the result was unsatisfactory. The patients' judgment was in agreement with that of the physician. Both judgments confirmed the rapid onset, long duration and reliable effect of pramiverine/metamizole in treating colics of the intestinal, biliary and urinary tracts as well as recurrent spastic pain. Similarly favourable results were obtained with all presentation forms.", "contents": "[Therapeutic results with the combination pramiverine/metamizole in a multicentre trial (author's transl)]. 279 physicians took part in a multicentre trial to assess the efficacy and acceptability of the combination of 4,4-diphenyl-N-isopropyl-cyclohexylamine-hydrochloride (pramiverine, Sistalgin) and N-methyl-N-(2,3-dimethyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolin-4-yl)-aminomethanesulfonate (metamizole) (Sistalgin comp) in the forms of ampoules, coated tablets and suppositories. 1301 out of 1329 case reports could be evaluated; in 28 cases treatment was discontinued. The trial included 59% acute colics and 41% subacute recurrent painful spasms of the caval organs. A single presentation form was used in 44%; all other patients were treated with the combined regimen of ampoules/coated tablets/suppositories. A good or very good result was obtained in 91% of cases, with a low rate of undesired side-effects. In 3%, the result was unsatisfactory. The patients' judgment was in agreement with that of the physician. Both judgments confirmed the rapid onset, long duration and reliable effect of pramiverine/metamizole in treating colics of the intestinal, biliary and urinary tracts as well as recurrent spastic pain. Similarly favourable results were obtained with all presentation forms.", "PMID": 782472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6257", "title": "[Antimicrobial action of the combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim in vivo (author's transl)].", "content": "The experimental infections of the mouse by gram-positive and gram-negative germs are effectively treated with the combination of N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Nevin, Supristol). The potentiating effect of both substances is demonstrated by the calculated index of the synergistic effect. The therapeutic efficacy of the combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim is proved by two models of experimental urinary infections in the rat. In the malaria of chicken and mice a notable therapeutic success is observed.", "contents": "[Antimicrobial action of the combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim in vivo (author's transl)]. The experimental infections of the mouse by gram-positive and gram-negative germs are effectively treated with the combination of N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Nevin, Supristol). The potentiating effect of both substances is demonstrated by the calculated index of the synergistic effect. The therapeutic efficacy of the combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim is proved by two models of experimental urinary infections in the rat. In the malaria of chicken and mice a notable therapeutic success is observed.", "PMID": 782473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6258", "title": "[Clinical trial of the antibacterial combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim (CN 3123). 1st communication. Efficacy activity spectrum--resistance in therapy (author's transl)].", "content": "The clinical trial of the combination N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Nevin, Supristol) showed that, when given in the ratio of 5:1 and in a suitable dosage computed from pharmacokinetic information, it exhibited antibacterial activity and had a therapeutic effect in about 90% of the patients. In view of the numerous types of pathogen identified in the clinical trial, CN 3123 can be described as a broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic agent. CN 3123 was also effective against infections caused by sulfonamide-resistant or antibiotic-resistant pathogens.", "contents": "[Clinical trial of the antibacterial combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim (CN 3123). 1st communication. Efficacy activity spectrum--resistance in therapy (author's transl)]. The clinical trial of the combination N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Nevin, Supristol) showed that, when given in the ratio of 5:1 and in a suitable dosage computed from pharmacokinetic information, it exhibited antibacterial activity and had a therapeutic effect in about 90% of the patients. In view of the numerous types of pathogen identified in the clinical trial, CN 3123 can be described as a broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic agent. CN 3123 was also effective against infections caused by sulfonamide-resistant or antibiotic-resistant pathogens.", "PMID": 782474} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6259", "title": "[Clinical trial of the antibacterial combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim (CN 3123)/Third communication: Clinical results of a field trial with CN 3123 in bronchopulmonary and ENT (ear/nose/throat) infections (author's transl)].", "content": "The following conclusions emerged from an analysis of the therapeutic results documented during the clinical trial of N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino)-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Nevin, Supristol) in bacterial infections of the respiratory tract and ENT organs: 1. In bacterial infections of the bronchopulmonary system, the antibacterial activity of CN 3123 was demonstrated in 94% of the patients, in that 75% of patients were cured and there was a definite improvement in 19%. 2. In bacterial infections of the ENT organs, the antibacterial activity of CN 3123 was demonstrated clinically in 95% of the patients, in that 89% of the patients were cured and there was a definite improvement in 6%. 3. The clinical assessment of the activity of CN 3123 correlates closely with the results of bacteriological checks.", "contents": "[Clinical trial of the antibacterial combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim (CN 3123)/Third communication: Clinical results of a field trial with CN 3123 in bronchopulmonary and ENT (ear/nose/throat) infections (author's transl)]. The following conclusions emerged from an analysis of the therapeutic results documented during the clinical trial of N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino)-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Nevin, Supristol) in bacterial infections of the respiratory tract and ENT organs: 1. In bacterial infections of the bronchopulmonary system, the antibacterial activity of CN 3123 was demonstrated in 94% of the patients, in that 75% of patients were cured and there was a definite improvement in 19%. 2. In bacterial infections of the ENT organs, the antibacterial activity of CN 3123 was demonstrated clinically in 95% of the patients, in that 89% of the patients were cured and there was a definite improvement in 6%. 3. The clinical assessment of the activity of CN 3123 correlates closely with the results of bacteriological checks.", "PMID": 782475} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6260", "title": "[Clinical trial of the antibacterial combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim (CN 3123)/Fourth communication: Clinical results with CN 3123 in infections of the gastrointestinal tract, the skin and gynecological adnexes (author's transl)].", "content": "The antibacterial activity of N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Nevin, Supristol) was studied in various bacterial infections in the fields of internal medicine, dermatology and gynecology. It was found that: 1. CN 3123 exhibits antibacterial activity in bacterial infections of the intestinal tract, particularly in salmonellosis and shigellosis. 2. CN 3123 is effective against bacterial infections of the female genital organs. 3. CN 3123 is very effective in patients with bacterial infections of the skin. 4. The antibacterial activity of CN 3123 in these indications is comparable to its action on bacterial infections of the urinary organs and respiratory tract and in ENT infections.", "contents": "[Clinical trial of the antibacterial combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim (CN 3123)/Fourth communication: Clinical results with CN 3123 in infections of the gastrointestinal tract, the skin and gynecological adnexes (author's transl)]. The antibacterial activity of N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Nevin, Supristol) was studied in various bacterial infections in the fields of internal medicine, dermatology and gynecology. It was found that: 1. CN 3123 exhibits antibacterial activity in bacterial infections of the intestinal tract, particularly in salmonellosis and shigellosis. 2. CN 3123 is effective against bacterial infections of the female genital organs. 3. CN 3123 is very effective in patients with bacterial infections of the skin. 4. The antibacterial activity of CN 3123 in these indications is comparable to its action on bacterial infections of the urinary organs and respiratory tract and in ENT infections.", "PMID": 782476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6261", "title": "[Clinical trial of the antibacterial combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprin (CN 3123). Fifth communication: Comparison of two double-blind studies with CN 3123 undertaken for demonstration of its efficacy (author's transl)].", "content": "Two double-blind trials which, independently, revealed the same conclusion that there is no significant difference between the therapeutic effect of N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Neven, Supristol) and a reference preparation, were compared with each other in respect of rating the therapeutic result. The authors discuss the greater occurrence of Proteus pathogens at one trial centre, and its bearing on the rating of the therapeutic effect.", "contents": "[Clinical trial of the antibacterial combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprin (CN 3123). Fifth communication: Comparison of two double-blind studies with CN 3123 undertaken for demonstration of its efficacy (author's transl)]. Two double-blind trials which, independently, revealed the same conclusion that there is no significant difference between the therapeutic effect of N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Neven, Supristol) and a reference preparation, were compared with each other in respect of rating the therapeutic result. The authors discuss the greater occurrence of Proteus pathogens at one trial centre, and its bearing on the rating of the therapeutic effect.", "PMID": 782477} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6262", "title": "[Clinical trial of the antibacterial combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim (CN 3123)/Sixth communication: Results of compatibility of CN 3123 (author's transl)].", "content": "1. During the clinical trial of N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Nevin, Supristol) side-effects were reported in only 56 (=4.1%) of the 1371 patients who took part. 2. The numerous laboratory parameters studied in the whole group and in the group which received long-term treatment did not show any significant changes due to CN 3123. 3. The frequency and the type of side-effects which occurred under the combined preparation CN 3123 were the same as those known to be caused by sulfonamide treatment. 4. The good tolerance, which is a familial feature of sulfonamide treatment, is not impaired when sulfamoxole is combined with trimethoprim.", "contents": "[Clinical trial of the antibacterial combination sulfamoxole/trimethoprim (CN 3123)/Sixth communication: Results of compatibility of CN 3123 (author's transl)]. 1. During the clinical trial of N1-(4,5-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)-sulfanilamide (sulfamoxole) and 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidine (trimethoprim) (CN 3123, Nevin, Supristol) side-effects were reported in only 56 (=4.1%) of the 1371 patients who took part. 2. The numerous laboratory parameters studied in the whole group and in the group which received long-term treatment did not show any significant changes due to CN 3123. 3. The frequency and the type of side-effects which occurred under the combined preparation CN 3123 were the same as those known to be caused by sulfonamide treatment. 4. The good tolerance, which is a familial feature of sulfonamide treatment, is not impaired when sulfamoxole is combined with trimethoprim.", "PMID": 782478} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6263", "title": "Radioactive colloidal solutions and suspensions for medical use.", "content": "Radioactive colloidal solutions and suspensions are being widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. The author considers the behaviour or radioactive disperse preparations in the body and devotes particular attention to the reasons for isotope transition from the colloidal to the ionic state. Questions concerned with producing and investigating radioactive colloidal solutions are discussed. In the light of the physical and chemical properties of the radioisotopes and of the disperse systems themselves, the author considers methods of producing the more important radioactive disperse preparations: colloidal solutions of noble metals; colloidal solutions containing phosphorus-32, yttrium-90 and isotopes of the rare-earth elements; colloidal solutions with with indium-113m, gallium-68, technetium-99m and rhenium-186; suspensions (macroaggregates and microspheres) for the diagnosis of lung diseases; and radioactive colloidal solutions based on quaternary ammonium base compounds.", "contents": "Radioactive colloidal solutions and suspensions for medical use. Radioactive colloidal solutions and suspensions are being widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. The author considers the behaviour or radioactive disperse preparations in the body and devotes particular attention to the reasons for isotope transition from the colloidal to the ionic state. Questions concerned with producing and investigating radioactive colloidal solutions are discussed. In the light of the physical and chemical properties of the radioisotopes and of the disperse systems themselves, the author considers methods of producing the more important radioactive disperse preparations: colloidal solutions of noble metals; colloidal solutions containing phosphorus-32, yttrium-90 and isotopes of the rare-earth elements; colloidal solutions with with indium-113m, gallium-68, technetium-99m and rhenium-186; suspensions (macroaggregates and microspheres) for the diagnosis of lung diseases; and radioactive colloidal solutions based on quaternary ammonium base compounds.", "PMID": 782479} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6264", "title": "Oesophageal pressure measurement in rabbits and human infants using an air-filled balloon system.", "content": "In ventilated anaesthetized rabbits the relationship between the oesophageal pressure and the intrapleural pressure, measured with an air-filled balloon system, was studied. A balloon 15 mm long and 3 mm diameter detected 95% of the measured intrapleural pressure, provided the balloon was positioned accurately. In babies undergoing IPPV, the best balloon position was in the lower third of the oesophagus. When synchronous spontaneous respiration occurred in the course of IPPV the mean of intrapleural pressure remained negative in spite of positive ventilating pressures in the range 30-45 cm H2O.", "contents": "Oesophageal pressure measurement in rabbits and human infants using an air-filled balloon system. In ventilated anaesthetized rabbits the relationship between the oesophageal pressure and the intrapleural pressure, measured with an air-filled balloon system, was studied. A balloon 15 mm long and 3 mm diameter detected 95% of the measured intrapleural pressure, provided the balloon was positioned accurately. In babies undergoing IPPV, the best balloon position was in the lower third of the oesophagus. When synchronous spontaneous respiration occurred in the course of IPPV the mean of intrapleural pressure remained negative in spite of positive ventilating pressures in the range 30-45 cm H2O.", "PMID": 782493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6265", "title": "Clinical evaluation of meptazinol. a new analgesic, in postoperative pain.", "content": "In a single-blind study of several doses of a new hexahydroazepine analgesic, meptazinol, in 45 patients recovering from major abdominal surgery, there was a dose-related significant analgesic effect from i.m. doses exceeding 50 mg. Pain relief was maximal at the end of 1 h and the duration of effect of the 100-mg dose was approximately 5 h. There was a good correlation between pain relief assessed by the patient, by the physician, and indirectly by pulmonary function tests. Heart rate and arterial pressure were not affected by meptazionol. There were no abnormal biochemical or haematological findings and the only side-effect was vomiting in a few patients receiving multiple doses of the drug.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of meptazinol. a new analgesic, in postoperative pain. In a single-blind study of several doses of a new hexahydroazepine analgesic, meptazinol, in 45 patients recovering from major abdominal surgery, there was a dose-related significant analgesic effect from i.m. doses exceeding 50 mg. Pain relief was maximal at the end of 1 h and the duration of effect of the 100-mg dose was approximately 5 h. There was a good correlation between pain relief assessed by the patient, by the physician, and indirectly by pulmonary function tests. Heart rate and arterial pressure were not affected by meptazionol. There were no abnormal biochemical or haematological findings and the only side-effect was vomiting in a few patients receiving multiple doses of the drug.", "PMID": 782494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6266", "title": "A soft agar colony assay for Lewis lung tumour and B16 melanoma taken directly from the mouse.", "content": "A soft agar colony assay has been developed for the B16 mouse melanoma and the Lewis lung tumour. The special features of the technique are the use of a gas phase with 5% O2 instead of air and the addition of rat red blood cells. Single cell suspensions are prepared by trypsinization from the solid tumour and the cells are plated out in 0-3% agar over a layer of 0-5% agar in 30-mm Petri dishes. After 8 to 15 days' incubation in 5% O2, colonies of more than 50 cells are produced. Plating efficiencies of between 30 and 50% are usually obtained. The addition of up to 10(4) heavily irradiated tumour cells gives some further improvement in plating efficiency for the B16 melanoma but not for the Lewis lung tumour. Applications of the technique to measure cell survival in the two tumours after treatment with cytotoxic drugs and radiation are reported. The scatter of experimental points is relatively small, and in comparative experiments good agreement has been obtained with results using in vivo assay techniques.", "contents": "A soft agar colony assay for Lewis lung tumour and B16 melanoma taken directly from the mouse. A soft agar colony assay has been developed for the B16 mouse melanoma and the Lewis lung tumour. The special features of the technique are the use of a gas phase with 5% O2 instead of air and the addition of rat red blood cells. Single cell suspensions are prepared by trypsinization from the solid tumour and the cells are plated out in 0-3% agar over a layer of 0-5% agar in 30-mm Petri dishes. After 8 to 15 days' incubation in 5% O2, colonies of more than 50 cells are produced. Plating efficiencies of between 30 and 50% are usually obtained. The addition of up to 10(4) heavily irradiated tumour cells gives some further improvement in plating efficiency for the B16 melanoma but not for the Lewis lung tumour. Applications of the technique to measure cell survival in the two tumours after treatment with cytotoxic drugs and radiation are reported. The scatter of experimental points is relatively small, and in comparative experiments good agreement has been obtained with results using in vivo assay techniques.", "PMID": 782495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6267", "title": "A controlled trial of inhaled corticosteroids in patients receiving Prednisone tablets for asthma.", "content": "The theraprutic efficacy of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate and inhaled betamethasone valerate in chronic asthma has been studied in 14 treatment centres in 158 patients who had previously been taking prednisone tablets regularly. Doses of 400 mug daily of beclomethasone dipropionate and a dose of 800 mug daily of betamethasone valerate allowed approximately 80% of patients to discontinue prednisone initially and 60% to remain off daily prednisone for 24 weeks. A mean reduction in daily prednisone dose of 8 mg was achieved by patients inhaling corticosteroids whilst placebo inhaler permitted a 5 mg reduction. The three inhaled corticosteroid preparations were equally effective in facilitating prednisone reduction and provided equally good control of asthma, alone or as an ancillary to prednisone. The higher dose of beclomethasone dipropionate was superior to the lower in permitting more patients to remain off daily prednisone for the period of the trial. Although 82% of patients recovered a normal adrenal response to tetracosactrin 24 weeks after prednisone was discontinued and inhaled corticosteroids subsituted, 18% still showed some suppression of adrenal function. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in this.", "contents": "A controlled trial of inhaled corticosteroids in patients receiving Prednisone tablets for asthma. The theraprutic efficacy of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate and inhaled betamethasone valerate in chronic asthma has been studied in 14 treatment centres in 158 patients who had previously been taking prednisone tablets regularly. Doses of 400 mug daily of beclomethasone dipropionate and a dose of 800 mug daily of betamethasone valerate allowed approximately 80% of patients to discontinue prednisone initially and 60% to remain off daily prednisone for 24 weeks. A mean reduction in daily prednisone dose of 8 mg was achieved by patients inhaling corticosteroids whilst placebo inhaler permitted a 5 mg reduction. The three inhaled corticosteroid preparations were equally effective in facilitating prednisone reduction and provided equally good control of asthma, alone or as an ancillary to prednisone. The higher dose of beclomethasone dipropionate was superior to the lower in permitting more patients to remain off daily prednisone for the period of the trial. Although 82% of patients recovered a normal adrenal response to tetracosactrin 24 weeks after prednisone was discontinued and inhaled corticosteroids subsituted, 18% still showed some suppression of adrenal function. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in this.", "PMID": 782497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6268", "title": "Depression of bursal follicle formation by Candida albicans infections.", "content": "Sub-lethal i.v. inoculations of Candida albicans into 12-day-old chick embryos have been shown to cause a depression of follicle formation in the bursa of Fabricius. This depression occurred in the absence of any infection in the bursa, although candidal encephalitis was a frequent manifestation of the disseminated infection. A similar depression of bursal follicle formation was caused by the administration of viable C. albicans on to the embryonic chorio-allantoic membrane, in the absence of any disseminated infection. Non-viable extracts of disrupted C. albicans administered on to the chorioallantoic membrane also caused a depression of bursal follicle formation. This immunodeficiency produced by an endotoxin-like principle at a susceptible stage in the development of the chick has been considered in terms of human immunological development and the neonatal occurrence of C. albicans.", "contents": "Depression of bursal follicle formation by Candida albicans infections. Sub-lethal i.v. inoculations of Candida albicans into 12-day-old chick embryos have been shown to cause a depression of follicle formation in the bursa of Fabricius. This depression occurred in the absence of any infection in the bursa, although candidal encephalitis was a frequent manifestation of the disseminated infection. A similar depression of bursal follicle formation was caused by the administration of viable C. albicans on to the embryonic chorio-allantoic membrane, in the absence of any disseminated infection. Non-viable extracts of disrupted C. albicans administered on to the chorioallantoic membrane also caused a depression of bursal follicle formation. This immunodeficiency produced by an endotoxin-like principle at a susceptible stage in the development of the chick has been considered in terms of human immunological development and the neonatal occurrence of C. albicans.", "PMID": 782498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6269", "title": "Insulin secretion after injuries of differing severity in the rat.", "content": "The effects on insulin secretion of injuries of differing severity have been studied in the rat. The injuries used were dorsal scalds to 20% and 40% of the body surface area, and a 4-h period of bilateral hind-limb ischaemia. These injuries resulted in 48 h mortality rates of 0/10, 7/10 and 5/10 respectively. Rats were studied 1-5-2 h after scalding or removal of tourniquets. The blood glucose concentration was markedly raised after all these injuries, and the plasma insulin concentration was also raised, so that the insulin to glucose ratio in any group did not differ significantly from that in non-injured controls. Injection of glucose (0-5 g/kg i.v.) induced a rise in insulin concentration in all groups, although the insulin to glucose ratio after the lethal 40% scald was lower than in control rats. It was concluded that in the rat normal insulin secretion is maintained even after lethal injuries, although some suppression of the insulin response to exogenous glucose may occur. Insulin resistance is more important in the rat than impairment of insulin secretion even at an early stage after injury.", "contents": "Insulin secretion after injuries of differing severity in the rat. The effects on insulin secretion of injuries of differing severity have been studied in the rat. The injuries used were dorsal scalds to 20% and 40% of the body surface area, and a 4-h period of bilateral hind-limb ischaemia. These injuries resulted in 48 h mortality rates of 0/10, 7/10 and 5/10 respectively. Rats were studied 1-5-2 h after scalding or removal of tourniquets. The blood glucose concentration was markedly raised after all these injuries, and the plasma insulin concentration was also raised, so that the insulin to glucose ratio in any group did not differ significantly from that in non-injured controls. Injection of glucose (0-5 g/kg i.v.) induced a rise in insulin concentration in all groups, although the insulin to glucose ratio after the lethal 40% scald was lower than in control rats. It was concluded that in the rat normal insulin secretion is maintained even after lethal injuries, although some suppression of the insulin response to exogenous glucose may occur. Insulin resistance is more important in the rat than impairment of insulin secretion even at an early stage after injury.", "PMID": 782499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6270", "title": "Pathological changes in the pancreas of mice following infection with Coxsackie B viruses.", "content": "Infection of pregnant or non-pregnant mice with Coxsackieviruses B1, B3, B4 or B5 produced a severe pancreatitis consisting of a degeneration of the acinar cells, loss of zymogen granules, infiltration of mononuclear and plasma cells and a replacement of the exocrine tissue with fatty tissue. Coxsackieviruses B2 and B6 did not cause these changes in the period up to 6 weeks following virus injection. Suckling mice did not appear to be more susceptible to pancreatic damage due to these two viruses. Sequential studies on the development of Coxsackievirus B-induced pancreatic lesions indicated that although the changes due to B1, B3, B4 or B5 were similar in type, B3 and B4 exhibited a more rapid action in the tissue and more severe lesions than either B1 or B5. In this work, none of the Coxsackie B viruses examined elicited pathological changes in the islets of Langerhans detectable with the light microscope.", "contents": "Pathological changes in the pancreas of mice following infection with Coxsackie B viruses. Infection of pregnant or non-pregnant mice with Coxsackieviruses B1, B3, B4 or B5 produced a severe pancreatitis consisting of a degeneration of the acinar cells, loss of zymogen granules, infiltration of mononuclear and plasma cells and a replacement of the exocrine tissue with fatty tissue. Coxsackieviruses B2 and B6 did not cause these changes in the period up to 6 weeks following virus injection. Suckling mice did not appear to be more susceptible to pancreatic damage due to these two viruses. Sequential studies on the development of Coxsackievirus B-induced pancreatic lesions indicated that although the changes due to B1, B3, B4 or B5 were similar in type, B3 and B4 exhibited a more rapid action in the tissue and more severe lesions than either B1 or B5. In this work, none of the Coxsackie B viruses examined elicited pathological changes in the islets of Langerhans detectable with the light microscope.", "PMID": 782500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6271", "title": "The effect of T and B lymphocyte depletion on the protection of mice vaccinated with a Gal E mutant of Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Immunosuppressive agents were used to determine the relative importance of T and B lymphocytes in conferring protection to mice vaccinated with a live gal E mutant of Salmonella typhimurium, strain G30D. Lymphocyte transformation and serum agglutination tests showed that while cyclophosphamide (CPA) suppressed B lymphocytes, antilymphocyte sea (ALS) suppressed both T and B cells. The humoral response of vaccinated animals treated with ALS was therefore supplemented by the i.v. injection of serum from untreated vaccinated mice. CPA-treated mice could not control multiplication of the vaccinal strain which eventually killed them. There was little multiplication of the vaccinal strain in the controls and ALS-treated mice, all of which survived to challenge. The vaccinated controls and vaccinated ALS treated groups each survived infection with the challenge strain which was gradually eliminated. It was concluded that humoral immunity was of greater importance than cellular immunity in mice vaccinated i.p. with strain G30D.", "contents": "The effect of T and B lymphocyte depletion on the protection of mice vaccinated with a Gal E mutant of Salmonella typhimurium. Immunosuppressive agents were used to determine the relative importance of T and B lymphocytes in conferring protection to mice vaccinated with a live gal E mutant of Salmonella typhimurium, strain G30D. Lymphocyte transformation and serum agglutination tests showed that while cyclophosphamide (CPA) suppressed B lymphocytes, antilymphocyte sea (ALS) suppressed both T and B cells. The humoral response of vaccinated animals treated with ALS was therefore supplemented by the i.v. injection of serum from untreated vaccinated mice. CPA-treated mice could not control multiplication of the vaccinal strain which eventually killed them. There was little multiplication of the vaccinal strain in the controls and ALS-treated mice, all of which survived to challenge. The vaccinated controls and vaccinated ALS treated groups each survived infection with the challenge strain which was gradually eliminated. It was concluded that humoral immunity was of greater importance than cellular immunity in mice vaccinated i.p. with strain G30D.", "PMID": 782501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6272", "title": "Leucosis and skin: acute lymphoid immunoblastic leukaemia.", "content": "The clinical course of a patient with acute lymphoid immunoblastic leukaemia and prominent nodular haemorrhagic skin lesions is described. Cytological, cytochemical and electronmicroscopic studies were performed on bone marrow and skin blast cells. The absence of surface immunoglobulins and of the other markers for B lymphocytes (EA and EAC rosettes) and the presence of 30% of spontaneous sheep erythrocyte rosettes excluding an acute leukaemia with Burkitt's tumour cells, suggest that T cells are involved. Complete haematological and cutaneous remission was obtained with prednisone therapy.", "contents": "Leucosis and skin: acute lymphoid immunoblastic leukaemia. The clinical course of a patient with acute lymphoid immunoblastic leukaemia and prominent nodular haemorrhagic skin lesions is described. Cytological, cytochemical and electronmicroscopic studies were performed on bone marrow and skin blast cells. The absence of surface immunoglobulins and of the other markers for B lymphocytes (EA and EAC rosettes) and the presence of 30% of spontaneous sheep erythrocyte rosettes excluding an acute leukaemia with Burkitt's tumour cells, suggest that T cells are involved. Complete haematological and cutaneous remission was obtained with prednisone therapy.", "PMID": 782503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6273", "title": "Ciclopirox: a new topical pyrodonium antimycotic agent. A double-blind study in superficial dermatomycoses.", "content": "One percent Ciclopirox solution, a new topical antimycotic agent, was used in a double-blind controlled trial in 105 dermatomycosis patients. Twelve of the patients were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining ninety-three patients, forty-four were treated with the active drug, forty-nine with a placebo. The cure rate amongst those using ciclopirox was significantly superior to that of the placebo. The drug was effective against Trichophyton rubrum, T. violaceum, T. mentagrophytes and Malassezia furfur.", "contents": "Ciclopirox: a new topical pyrodonium antimycotic agent. A double-blind study in superficial dermatomycoses. One percent Ciclopirox solution, a new topical antimycotic agent, was used in a double-blind controlled trial in 105 dermatomycosis patients. Twelve of the patients were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining ninety-three patients, forty-four were treated with the active drug, forty-nine with a placebo. The cure rate amongst those using ciclopirox was significantly superior to that of the placebo. The drug was effective against Trichophyton rubrum, T. violaceum, T. mentagrophytes and Malassezia furfur.", "PMID": 782504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6274", "title": "Clinical and bacteriological evaluation of a twice daily regimen of epicillin capsules for the treatment of skin infections.", "content": "Fifty-five patients with impetigo, ecthyma, or folliculitis caused by epicillin-sensitive strains of Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus were treated with 500 mg epicillin capsules twice daily for an average duration of 9 days. Bacteriological and clinical examinations were performed at 2-day intervals. Favourable clinical responses (excellent or good) were obtained in 95% of the patients. No side effects were observed.", "contents": "Clinical and bacteriological evaluation of a twice daily regimen of epicillin capsules for the treatment of skin infections. Fifty-five patients with impetigo, ecthyma, or folliculitis caused by epicillin-sensitive strains of Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus were treated with 500 mg epicillin capsules twice daily for an average duration of 9 days. Bacteriological and clinical examinations were performed at 2-day intervals. Favourable clinical responses (excellent or good) were obtained in 95% of the patients. No side effects were observed.", "PMID": 782505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6275", "title": "Dithranol (anthralin) versus triacetoxyanthracene. Investigations in vitro.", "content": "In two in vitro models for evaluating antipsoriatic activity, dithranol (anthralin) and triacetoxyanthracene were compared. Both compounds exhibited an about equal effect on oxygen consumption of surviving human skin. Dithranol, however, exerted a stronger inhibiting effect on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (-G-6-PDH) activity of human skin homogenates.", "contents": "Dithranol (anthralin) versus triacetoxyanthracene. Investigations in vitro. In two in vitro models for evaluating antipsoriatic activity, dithranol (anthralin) and triacetoxyanthracene were compared. Both compounds exhibited an about equal effect on oxygen consumption of surviving human skin. Dithranol, however, exerted a stronger inhibiting effect on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (-G-6-PDH) activity of human skin homogenates.", "PMID": 782506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6276", "title": "Identification of Haemoglobin S in red cells and normoblasts, using fluorescent anti-Hb S antibodies.", "content": "Anti-haemoglobin S antibodies were raised in horses and purified by affinity chromatography. These antibodies recognize beta6 valine, while they fail to bind to haemoglobins with a glutamy1 (Hb A) or a lysy1 (Hb C) residue in this position. The purified anti-Hb S antibodies were composed of equine IgG(a, b) and IgG(T) subclasses and failed to cause precipitation with Hb S, evidently because of the bivalencey of both antibodies and antigen. Identification of Hb S in single erythrocytes was achieved by reacting the fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjungated anti-Hb S antibodies with the haemoglobin antigen in fixed blood smears. All the red cells from persons with sickle cell trait and sickle cell anaemia are labelled with the anti-Hb S-FITC, while red cells from persons with normal haemoglobin or other mutant haemoglobin genotypes are not. Erythrocytes from newborns with sickle cell trait bind the anti-Hb S antibody, although the intensity of labelling varies from cell to cell. This method of cellular identification of Hb S preserves the morphological characteristics of the reactive cells and permits observations of the pattern of haemoglobin synthesis among cells of various degrees of maturity. Fluorescent identification of Hb S in fixed blood smears may be applicable to prenatal diagnosis of haemglobinopathies.", "contents": "Identification of Haemoglobin S in red cells and normoblasts, using fluorescent anti-Hb S antibodies. Anti-haemoglobin S antibodies were raised in horses and purified by affinity chromatography. These antibodies recognize beta6 valine, while they fail to bind to haemoglobins with a glutamy1 (Hb A) or a lysy1 (Hb C) residue in this position. The purified anti-Hb S antibodies were composed of equine IgG(a, b) and IgG(T) subclasses and failed to cause precipitation with Hb S, evidently because of the bivalencey of both antibodies and antigen. Identification of Hb S in single erythrocytes was achieved by reacting the fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjungated anti-Hb S antibodies with the haemoglobin antigen in fixed blood smears. All the red cells from persons with sickle cell trait and sickle cell anaemia are labelled with the anti-Hb S-FITC, while red cells from persons with normal haemoglobin or other mutant haemoglobin genotypes are not. Erythrocytes from newborns with sickle cell trait bind the anti-Hb S antibody, although the intensity of labelling varies from cell to cell. This method of cellular identification of Hb S preserves the morphological characteristics of the reactive cells and permits observations of the pattern of haemoglobin synthesis among cells of various degrees of maturity. Fluorescent identification of Hb S in fixed blood smears may be applicable to prenatal diagnosis of haemglobinopathies.", "PMID": 782508} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6277", "title": "Cadaver bone as orbital implant.", "content": "Fifty-four cases of cadaver bone orbital implant are described. The results were encouraging. Cadaver bone implant is easily available and can be prepared in various sizes to fit the individual patient.", "contents": "Cadaver bone as orbital implant. Fifty-four cases of cadaver bone orbital implant are described. The results were encouraging. Cadaver bone implant is easily available and can be prepared in various sizes to fit the individual patient.", "PMID": 782509} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6278", "title": "Vicryl (polyglactin 910) in cataract surgery. A controlled trial.", "content": "In a controlled, randomized trial in 45 cataract operations a new synthetic absorbable suture (8-0 monofilament Vicryl, made by Ethicon), was compared with monofilament nylon or virgin silk normally used. There was a higher incidence of early complications-hyphaema, shallow anterior chamber, and choroidal detachment (15-4 per cent v. 0 per cent)-with the absorbable suture. But these differences were not significant at the 0-05 level and might well disappear with more operative experience, particularly the modified technique of knot-tying. In handling qualities Vicryl was superior to both 10-0 monofilament nylon and 8-0 virgin silk with the exception of knot-tying, in which it was inferior to 8-0 virgin silk. Vicryl is considered to be a useful absorbable suture in cataract surgery but knot-tying requires modification of technique.", "contents": "Vicryl (polyglactin 910) in cataract surgery. A controlled trial. In a controlled, randomized trial in 45 cataract operations a new synthetic absorbable suture (8-0 monofilament Vicryl, made by Ethicon), was compared with monofilament nylon or virgin silk normally used. There was a higher incidence of early complications-hyphaema, shallow anterior chamber, and choroidal detachment (15-4 per cent v. 0 per cent)-with the absorbable suture. But these differences were not significant at the 0-05 level and might well disappear with more operative experience, particularly the modified technique of knot-tying. In handling qualities Vicryl was superior to both 10-0 monofilament nylon and 8-0 virgin silk with the exception of knot-tying, in which it was inferior to 8-0 virgin silk. Vicryl is considered to be a useful absorbable suture in cataract surgery but knot-tying requires modification of technique.", "PMID": 782510} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6279", "title": "The covalent structure of cartilage collagen. Amino acid sequence of the NH2-terminal helical portion of the alpha 1 (II) chain.", "content": "The amino acid sequence of 162 residues from the NH2-terminal region of bovine alpha 1 (II) is reported. Automated sequence analysis of chains from pepsin-treated type II collagen indicated the sequence and order of two CNBr peptides, alpha 1 (II)-CB2 and alpha 1 (II)-CB3, at the beginning of the repetitive triplet sequence of alpha 1 (II). The sequences of alpha 1 (II)-CB6, alpha 1 (II),-CB12, and 39 residues of alpha 1 (II)-CB11 were determined largely by automated Edman degradation. Comparative sequence data are reported which indicate that the level of homology between alpha 1 (I) and alpha 1 (II) chains in the NH2-terminal region is about 80%. A similar level of homology was reported for the central portions of these chains (Butler, W.T., Miller, E.J., Finch, J.E., Jr., and Inagami, T. (1974), Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 57 190). The degree of intraspecies variability between chain types is thus greater than the interspecies variability for a single chain type. Within the sequence reported here, the alpha 1 (II) chain contains glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine at three positions. The corresponding sequence of alpha 1 (I) contains only one clycosylated hydroxylysine with the other two positions occupied by lysyl residues.", "contents": "The covalent structure of cartilage collagen. Amino acid sequence of the NH2-terminal helical portion of the alpha 1 (II) chain. The amino acid sequence of 162 residues from the NH2-terminal region of bovine alpha 1 (II) is reported. Automated sequence analysis of chains from pepsin-treated type II collagen indicated the sequence and order of two CNBr peptides, alpha 1 (II)-CB2 and alpha 1 (II)-CB3, at the beginning of the repetitive triplet sequence of alpha 1 (II). The sequences of alpha 1 (II)-CB6, alpha 1 (II),-CB12, and 39 residues of alpha 1 (II)-CB11 were determined largely by automated Edman degradation. Comparative sequence data are reported which indicate that the level of homology between alpha 1 (I) and alpha 1 (II) chains in the NH2-terminal region is about 80%. A similar level of homology was reported for the central portions of these chains (Butler, W.T., Miller, E.J., Finch, J.E., Jr., and Inagami, T. (1974), Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 57 190). The degree of intraspecies variability between chain types is thus greater than the interspecies variability for a single chain type. Within the sequence reported here, the alpha 1 (II) chain contains glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine at three positions. The corresponding sequence of alpha 1 (I) contains only one clycosylated hydroxylysine with the other two positions occupied by lysyl residues.", "PMID": 782511} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6280", "title": "Reexamination of the conformation of muscle proteins by optical activity.", "content": "The circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion of muscle proteins are reexamined. By the method of Chen et al. (Chen, Y.H., Yang, J.T., and Chau, K.H. (1974), Biochemistry 13, 3350), the estimated helical contents of myosin (78%), heavy meromyosin (HMM) (70%) subfragment 1 (SF-1) (60%), and G-actin (45%) are higher than hitherto reported. Tropomyosin (TM) and light meromyosin fraction I (LMM Fr. I) possess more than 90% helix in agreement with the values based on the bo method. HMM, SF-1, and G-actin also contain about 8, 16, and 27% beta form. The three troponins (TN) and three light chains (LC) of myosin have moderate amounts of helices (29 to 51%) and some beta form (13 to 23%). If the light chains are intact in HMM and SF-1, myosin would have 3-5% beta form, which is difficult to detect with the present method. For comparison, the predictive method based on amino acid sequence gives similar estimates for TM, G-actin, and TN-C with bound calcium, but slightly higher helical contents than our results for TN-I and the light chains.", "contents": "Reexamination of the conformation of muscle proteins by optical activity. The circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion of muscle proteins are reexamined. By the method of Chen et al. (Chen, Y.H., Yang, J.T., and Chau, K.H. (1974), Biochemistry 13, 3350), the estimated helical contents of myosin (78%), heavy meromyosin (HMM) (70%) subfragment 1 (SF-1) (60%), and G-actin (45%) are higher than hitherto reported. Tropomyosin (TM) and light meromyosin fraction I (LMM Fr. I) possess more than 90% helix in agreement with the values based on the bo method. HMM, SF-1, and G-actin also contain about 8, 16, and 27% beta form. The three troponins (TN) and three light chains (LC) of myosin have moderate amounts of helices (29 to 51%) and some beta form (13 to 23%). If the light chains are intact in HMM and SF-1, myosin would have 3-5% beta form, which is difficult to detect with the present method. For comparison, the predictive method based on amino acid sequence gives similar estimates for TM, G-actin, and TN-C with bound calcium, but slightly higher helical contents than our results for TN-I and the light chains.", "PMID": 782512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6281", "title": "Regions of tRNA important for binding to the ribosomal A and P sites.", "content": "Studies on the enzymatic inhibition of phenylalanyl-tRNAPhe and formylmethionyl-tRNAFMet binding to the ribosomes by defined tRNA fragments indicate that beside the anticodon the following regions of tRNA are important for ribosomal A-site interaction: the TppsipCp sequence, the CpCpA end, and hU loop. In contrast, binding to the ribosomal P site is not inhibited by the fragments of uncharged yeast tRNAPhe containing the hU or the TpsiC loop of the molecule. Comparative studies on the inhibitory effect of the oligonucleotides TppsipCpGp and UpUpCpGp indicate that the presence of the minor bases in TpsiC loop is not an essential prerequisite for the binding of tRNA to the ribosomal A site. Furthermore, evidence is presented that shows that the binding of the TppsipCpGp oligonucleotide to the ribosomes influences the ribosomal P site and increases there the efficiency of the codon-anticodon interaction. It is suggested that the TppsipCpGp binds to the ribosomal A site and competes there with the TpsiC loop of the aminoacyl-tRNA for the same binding site. A model for the interaction between tRNA and the ribosomal A site is proposed that involves partial unfolding of hU and TpsiC loops of the tRNA and, therefore, suggests the dynamic involvement of tRNA in protein synthesis.", "contents": "Regions of tRNA important for binding to the ribosomal A and P sites. Studies on the enzymatic inhibition of phenylalanyl-tRNAPhe and formylmethionyl-tRNAFMet binding to the ribosomes by defined tRNA fragments indicate that beside the anticodon the following regions of tRNA are important for ribosomal A-site interaction: the TppsipCp sequence, the CpCpA end, and hU loop. In contrast, binding to the ribosomal P site is not inhibited by the fragments of uncharged yeast tRNAPhe containing the hU or the TpsiC loop of the molecule. Comparative studies on the inhibitory effect of the oligonucleotides TppsipCpGp and UpUpCpGp indicate that the presence of the minor bases in TpsiC loop is not an essential prerequisite for the binding of tRNA to the ribosomal A site. Furthermore, evidence is presented that shows that the binding of the TppsipCpGp oligonucleotide to the ribosomes influences the ribosomal P site and increases there the efficiency of the codon-anticodon interaction. It is suggested that the TppsipCpGp binds to the ribosomal A site and competes there with the TpsiC loop of the aminoacyl-tRNA for the same binding site. A model for the interaction between tRNA and the ribosomal A site is proposed that involves partial unfolding of hU and TpsiC loops of the tRNA and, therefore, suggests the dynamic involvement of tRNA in protein synthesis.", "PMID": 782513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6282", "title": "A comparison of kinetic parameters of polypeptide substrates for protein methylase II.", "content": "Kinetic properties of protein methylase II (S-adenosymethionine:protein O-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.24) which methylates (esterifies) the free carboxyl side chains of amino acids in proteins was studied using various polypeptides as methyl acceptor substrates. Bovine pancreatic ribonuclease, a model substrate for the enzyme, was subjected to specific cleavage by cyanogen bromide, trypsin, and performic acid oxidation. Several polypeptide fragments derived were then separated by molecular sieve chromatography on a column of Sephadex G-25. The method was found to be very simple and gave good yields. Km values for these polypeptides as well as a few other protein substrates were determined. While Km values for the isolated peptides range generally between 4.8 and 0.7 X 10-3 M, those of native bovine panreatic ribonuclease, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were determined to be 4.0 X 10-4, 5.0 X 10-5, and 0.77 X 10-5, respectively. Sites of enzymatic methylation of the native ribonuclease were also investigated. Although polypeptides derived from the C-terminal and N-terminal regions of the molecule were found to accept methyl groups, they were unable to under go enzymatic methylation when native molecule was used as the substrate indicating that within the native ribonuclease these regions are in a conformation which do not allow them to be methylated by protein methylase II under the present assay conditions.", "contents": "A comparison of kinetic parameters of polypeptide substrates for protein methylase II. Kinetic properties of protein methylase II (S-adenosymethionine:protein O-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.24) which methylates (esterifies) the free carboxyl side chains of amino acids in proteins was studied using various polypeptides as methyl acceptor substrates. Bovine pancreatic ribonuclease, a model substrate for the enzyme, was subjected to specific cleavage by cyanogen bromide, trypsin, and performic acid oxidation. Several polypeptide fragments derived were then separated by molecular sieve chromatography on a column of Sephadex G-25. The method was found to be very simple and gave good yields. Km values for these polypeptides as well as a few other protein substrates were determined. While Km values for the isolated peptides range generally between 4.8 and 0.7 X 10-3 M, those of native bovine panreatic ribonuclease, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were determined to be 4.0 X 10-4, 5.0 X 10-5, and 0.77 X 10-5, respectively. Sites of enzymatic methylation of the native ribonuclease were also investigated. Although polypeptides derived from the C-terminal and N-terminal regions of the molecule were found to accept methyl groups, they were unable to under go enzymatic methylation when native molecule was used as the substrate indicating that within the native ribonuclease these regions are in a conformation which do not allow them to be methylated by protein methylase II under the present assay conditions.", "PMID": 782514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6283", "title": "Transition from noncooperative to cooperative and selective binding of histone H1 to DNA.", "content": "A transition from noncooperative to cooperative binding of DNA and histone h1 occurs between 20 and 40mMNaCI in 5 mM Tris-HCI, pH 7.5. Below 20mM NaCI in mixtures in H1 and excess DNA, H1 binds to all of the DNA molecules, causing them to sediment faster, and does not distinguish between DNA molecules that differ in size or base composition. However, at NaCI concentrations above the narrow transition range, H1 binds to only some of the DNA molecules and leaves the rest free. If the DNA molecules in a mixture are the same size, H1 selectively binds those that have the highest content of adenosine (A)+thymidine (T). By means of competion experiments at salt concentrations spanning the transition range, it is demonstrated that H1 selectivity requires cooperativity. A high degree of selectivity based on A + T content can be produced by cooperative binding: for average DNA sizes of 2 X10(6) daltons, more than ten molecules of calf lymphocyte DNA (57% a+ t) are chosen per molecule of Escherichia coli DNA (50% A+T).", "contents": "Transition from noncooperative to cooperative and selective binding of histone H1 to DNA. A transition from noncooperative to cooperative binding of DNA and histone h1 occurs between 20 and 40mMNaCI in 5 mM Tris-HCI, pH 7.5. Below 20mM NaCI in mixtures in H1 and excess DNA, H1 binds to all of the DNA molecules, causing them to sediment faster, and does not distinguish between DNA molecules that differ in size or base composition. However, at NaCI concentrations above the narrow transition range, H1 binds to only some of the DNA molecules and leaves the rest free. If the DNA molecules in a mixture are the same size, H1 selectively binds those that have the highest content of adenosine (A)+thymidine (T). By means of competion experiments at salt concentrations spanning the transition range, it is demonstrated that H1 selectivity requires cooperativity. A high degree of selectivity based on A + T content can be produced by cooperative binding: for average DNA sizes of 2 X10(6) daltons, more than ten molecules of calf lymphocyte DNA (57% a+ t) are chosen per molecule of Escherichia coli DNA (50% A+T).", "PMID": 782515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6284", "title": "Conformational transition of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase induced by the interaction of sigma subunit with core enzyme.", "content": "The isolated sigma subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase has been labeled covalently with a fluorescent probe, N-(1-pyrene)maleimide. The labeled sigma subunit (PM-sigma) still retained its biological activity in stimulating transcription of T7 DNA by core enzyme. When a stoichiometric amount of core enzyme was added to a solution of PM-sigma, there was a decrease in fluorescence intensity without shifts in emission maxima of PM-sigma. The kinetics of the interaction between the sigma subunit and core enzyme was investigated with the stopped-flow technique by monitoring the fluorescence quenching. A biphasic change of fluorescence intensity with respect to time was observed when PM-sigma was rapidly mixed with an excess of core enzyme. The kinetic data can be analyzed in terms of a mechanism in which a fast bimolecular binding of sigma to core enzyme is followed by a relatively slow isomerization of the holoenzyme formed. From the best-fit kinetic parameters, an overall binding constant of less than or equal to 3X10(-10)M was estimated for the PM-sigma core complex, in agreement with that obtained by the fluorimetric titration. In addition, we have studied the effect of temperature on the rate constant associated with the conformational change of the holoenzyme, which shows a temperature transition around 20 degrees C. The nonlinear Arrhenius plot obtained implies that the conformational transition is complex and may be composed of several processes. The activation energy for the \"overall\" conformational change was estimated to be 6.7 kcal/mol. The kinetic evidence for the conformational transition of holoenzyme induced by the interactions of sigma subunit with core enzyme presented here further supports the proposition that the sigma subunit acts on core enzyme to trap a unique conformation of RNA polymerase which recognizes the proper promoters and initiates the synthesis of specific RNA chains.", "contents": "Conformational transition of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase induced by the interaction of sigma subunit with core enzyme. The isolated sigma subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase has been labeled covalently with a fluorescent probe, N-(1-pyrene)maleimide. The labeled sigma subunit (PM-sigma) still retained its biological activity in stimulating transcription of T7 DNA by core enzyme. When a stoichiometric amount of core enzyme was added to a solution of PM-sigma, there was a decrease in fluorescence intensity without shifts in emission maxima of PM-sigma. The kinetics of the interaction between the sigma subunit and core enzyme was investigated with the stopped-flow technique by monitoring the fluorescence quenching. A biphasic change of fluorescence intensity with respect to time was observed when PM-sigma was rapidly mixed with an excess of core enzyme. The kinetic data can be analyzed in terms of a mechanism in which a fast bimolecular binding of sigma to core enzyme is followed by a relatively slow isomerization of the holoenzyme formed. From the best-fit kinetic parameters, an overall binding constant of less than or equal to 3X10(-10)M was estimated for the PM-sigma core complex, in agreement with that obtained by the fluorimetric titration. In addition, we have studied the effect of temperature on the rate constant associated with the conformational change of the holoenzyme, which shows a temperature transition around 20 degrees C. The nonlinear Arrhenius plot obtained implies that the conformational transition is complex and may be composed of several processes. The activation energy for the \"overall\" conformational change was estimated to be 6.7 kcal/mol. The kinetic evidence for the conformational transition of holoenzyme induced by the interactions of sigma subunit with core enzyme presented here further supports the proposition that the sigma subunit acts on core enzyme to trap a unique conformation of RNA polymerase which recognizes the proper promoters and initiates the synthesis of specific RNA chains.", "PMID": 782516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6285", "title": "Nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of the base-pairing structure of Escherichia coli tRNATyr monomer and dimer conformations.", "content": "The structures of the Escherichia coli tyrosine tRNA monomer and dimer have been investigated by high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). At 23 degrees C the monomer contains 26 +/- 2 base pairs and the low-field NMR spectrum (11.7-15 ppm) can be accounted for in terms of the cloverleaf structure (23 base pairs) and three additional resonances that are assigned to tertiary structure base pairs. Assignments suggested for the various resonances are consistent with thermal denaturation studies in low-salt solutions. Under these conditions the temperature dependence of the spectrum can be interpreted in terms of sequential unfolding of the cloverleaf structure with the minor and dihydrouridine stems melting first, followed by the T psi C stem, the anticodon stem, and finally the amino acceptor stem. Certain features of the tertiary structure of tRNATyr are similar to other tRNA, but some details of the folding must be different, since no resonance from the S4U8-A14 tertiary base pair is observed. The tRNATyr dimer contains only 20 +/- 2 base pairs per tRNA (40/dimer) at 23 degrees C and a good account of the low-field NMR spectrum can be given in terms of a secondary structure in which bases of the T psi C stem and loop are involved in inter-molecular base pairing. Formation of the dimer requires opening of the hU and T psi C stems, but not the anticodon or amino acid acceptor stems, and this fits well with relative stabilities observed for these stems in the monomer. The model also provides an explanation for the formation of 2n-mers, that were stable enough to be separated by gel electrophoresis at room temperature (10 mM Mg2+). Experimental conditions required for interconversion of monomer and dimer are also described.", "contents": "Nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of the base-pairing structure of Escherichia coli tRNATyr monomer and dimer conformations. The structures of the Escherichia coli tyrosine tRNA monomer and dimer have been investigated by high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). At 23 degrees C the monomer contains 26 +/- 2 base pairs and the low-field NMR spectrum (11.7-15 ppm) can be accounted for in terms of the cloverleaf structure (23 base pairs) and three additional resonances that are assigned to tertiary structure base pairs. Assignments suggested for the various resonances are consistent with thermal denaturation studies in low-salt solutions. Under these conditions the temperature dependence of the spectrum can be interpreted in terms of sequential unfolding of the cloverleaf structure with the minor and dihydrouridine stems melting first, followed by the T psi C stem, the anticodon stem, and finally the amino acceptor stem. Certain features of the tertiary structure of tRNATyr are similar to other tRNA, but some details of the folding must be different, since no resonance from the S4U8-A14 tertiary base pair is observed. The tRNATyr dimer contains only 20 +/- 2 base pairs per tRNA (40/dimer) at 23 degrees C and a good account of the low-field NMR spectrum can be given in terms of a secondary structure in which bases of the T psi C stem and loop are involved in inter-molecular base pairing. Formation of the dimer requires opening of the hU and T psi C stems, but not the anticodon or amino acid acceptor stems, and this fits well with relative stabilities observed for these stems in the monomer. The model also provides an explanation for the formation of 2n-mers, that were stable enough to be separated by gel electrophoresis at room temperature (10 mM Mg2+). Experimental conditions required for interconversion of monomer and dimer are also described.", "PMID": 782517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6286", "title": "Mechanims of stimulation of in vitro protein synthesis by some copolymers of styrene, vinyluracil, and vinyladenine with maleic acid and acrylic acid.", "content": "Copolymers of vinyl bases with acrylic acid and styrene or 1-vinyluracil with maleic acid were found to stimulate in vitro polyphenylalanine synthesis using a system extracted from Escherichia coli MRE600. Poly(styrene-maleic acid) was found to inhibit a ribosomal bound ribonuclease. Poly(1-vinyluracil, maleic acid), poly(1-vinyluracil, acrylic acid), and poly(9-vinyladenine, acrylic acid) were not inhibitors of the ribosome bound ribonuclease. The potent (up to fivefold) stimulation by these three polymers is due to the action of the polymers to interfere with ribosomal bound inhibitory protein. A protein, removed by washing ribosomes with 1 M ammonium chloride, characterized by M.J. Miller, A. Niveleau, and A.J. Wahba ((1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 3803) has been described as a potent inhibitor of in vitro poly(U)-coded protein synthesis using extracts of Escherichia coli MRE 600.", "contents": "Mechanims of stimulation of in vitro protein synthesis by some copolymers of styrene, vinyluracil, and vinyladenine with maleic acid and acrylic acid. Copolymers of vinyl bases with acrylic acid and styrene or 1-vinyluracil with maleic acid were found to stimulate in vitro polyphenylalanine synthesis using a system extracted from Escherichia coli MRE600. Poly(styrene-maleic acid) was found to inhibit a ribosomal bound ribonuclease. Poly(1-vinyluracil, maleic acid), poly(1-vinyluracil, acrylic acid), and poly(9-vinyladenine, acrylic acid) were not inhibitors of the ribosome bound ribonuclease. The potent (up to fivefold) stimulation by these three polymers is due to the action of the polymers to interfere with ribosomal bound inhibitory protein. A protein, removed by washing ribosomes with 1 M ammonium chloride, characterized by M.J. Miller, A. Niveleau, and A.J. Wahba ((1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 3803) has been described as a potent inhibitor of in vitro poly(U)-coded protein synthesis using extracts of Escherichia coli MRE 600.", "PMID": 782518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6287", "title": "Photoinduced cross-linkage, in situ, of Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal proteins to 16S rRNA: identification of cross-linked proteins and relationships between reactivity and ribosome structure.", "content": "The kinetics of photoinduced cross-linkage of Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal proteins to the 16S-rRNA molecule in the intact Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunit was studied in this report. All of the 30S ribosomal proteins become cross-linked to the 16S rRNA before changes in the sedimentation characteristics of the 30S ribosomal subunit can be detected. The proteins exhibit different reactivities in the cross-linkage reaction. One group of proteins-S3, S7-S9, S11, S12, and S15-S19-is cross-linked to the 16S rRNA by single-hit kinetics, or by photoprocesses of nonunity but low multiplicities. A second group of proteins--S1, S2, S4-S6, S10, S13, S14, and S21--is cross-linked to the 16S rRNA by photoprocesses of a complex nature. A comparison of these data with other properties of the individual 30S ribosomal proteins related to ribosome structure indicated that most of the 30S ribosomal proteins cross-linked to the 16S rRNA by photoprocesses of low multiplicities had been classified rRNA-binding proteins by nonphotochemical methods, and most of the proteins cross-linked to the 16S rRNA by photoprocesses of large multiplicities had been classified as nonbinding proteins. There were certain exceptions to these correlations. Proteins S4 and S20, both RNA-binding proteins, become cross-linked to the 16S rRNA by photoprocessses of large multiplicities, and proteins S3, S11, S12, and S18, none of which have been classified RNA-binding proteins, exhibited low multiplicities in the cross-linkage reaction. All of these exceptions could be explained in terms of limitations inherent in the photochemical methods used in this study and in other types of methods that have been used to study RNA-protein interactions in the 30S ribosomal subunit. The data presented here also suggest that labile RNA-protein cross-links are present in the uv-irradiated 30S ribosomal subunits, and that neither peptide-bond cleavage nor photoinduced modification of the charged side-chain groups in the ribosomal proteins accompanied the cross-linkage reaction. However, some photoinduced RNA-chain breakage might have occurred.", "contents": "Photoinduced cross-linkage, in situ, of Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal proteins to 16S rRNA: identification of cross-linked proteins and relationships between reactivity and ribosome structure. The kinetics of photoinduced cross-linkage of Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal proteins to the 16S-rRNA molecule in the intact Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunit was studied in this report. All of the 30S ribosomal proteins become cross-linked to the 16S rRNA before changes in the sedimentation characteristics of the 30S ribosomal subunit can be detected. The proteins exhibit different reactivities in the cross-linkage reaction. One group of proteins-S3, S7-S9, S11, S12, and S15-S19-is cross-linked to the 16S rRNA by single-hit kinetics, or by photoprocesses of nonunity but low multiplicities. A second group of proteins--S1, S2, S4-S6, S10, S13, S14, and S21--is cross-linked to the 16S rRNA by photoprocesses of a complex nature. A comparison of these data with other properties of the individual 30S ribosomal proteins related to ribosome structure indicated that most of the 30S ribosomal proteins cross-linked to the 16S rRNA by photoprocesses of low multiplicities had been classified rRNA-binding proteins by nonphotochemical methods, and most of the proteins cross-linked to the 16S rRNA by photoprocesses of large multiplicities had been classified as nonbinding proteins. There were certain exceptions to these correlations. Proteins S4 and S20, both RNA-binding proteins, become cross-linked to the 16S rRNA by photoprocessses of large multiplicities, and proteins S3, S11, S12, and S18, none of which have been classified RNA-binding proteins, exhibited low multiplicities in the cross-linkage reaction. All of these exceptions could be explained in terms of limitations inherent in the photochemical methods used in this study and in other types of methods that have been used to study RNA-protein interactions in the 30S ribosomal subunit. The data presented here also suggest that labile RNA-protein cross-links are present in the uv-irradiated 30S ribosomal subunits, and that neither peptide-bond cleavage nor photoinduced modification of the charged side-chain groups in the ribosomal proteins accompanied the cross-linkage reaction. However, some photoinduced RNA-chain breakage might have occurred.", "PMID": 782519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6288", "title": "Properties of tRNA species modified in the 3'-terminal ribose moiety in an eukaryotic ribosomal system.", "content": "Phe-tRNAPhe species modified on the 3'-terminal ribose residue were investigated for their ability to participate in individual steps of the elongation cycle using eukaryotic ribosomes from reticulocytes. None of the Phe-tRNAs used, namely Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'dA, Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'-NH2A, and Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-Aoxi-red, can function in the overall process. All modified Phe-tRNAPhe species can be bound nonenzymatically to ribosomes. Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'NH2A exhibits exceptionally high binding at low Mg2+ concentration compared with Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-A binding. Ac-Phe-tRNAPhe species prepared from the three modified tRNAs, when bound to the donor site, were devoid of donor activity. The enzymatic binding of both Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'dA and Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'NH2A is less efficient than that of Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-A but these Phe-tRNAPhe species have acceptor activity. Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C--Aoxi-red is not a substrate for the EF-I promoted binding reaction and has no acceptor activity. The nonaminoacylated species, tRNAPhe-C-C-A, tRNAPhe-C-C-3'dA, and tRNAPhe-C-C-3'NH2A, bind to the ribosome to a larger extent than the corresponding aminoacylated tRNAs, both in the presence and in the absence of poly(U). Peptidyl-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'dA bound to the donor site cannot activate the acceptor site for EF-I promoted binding of Phe-tRNAPhe as does peptidyl-tRNAPhe-C-C-A. Further, it was observed that a correct codon-anticodon interaction influences the recognition of the 3' terminus of tRNA. Specificity of eukaryotic ribosomes for the 2'- and/or 3'-aminoacylated tRNA species is discussed and compared with the properties of Escherichia coli system.", "contents": "Properties of tRNA species modified in the 3'-terminal ribose moiety in an eukaryotic ribosomal system. Phe-tRNAPhe species modified on the 3'-terminal ribose residue were investigated for their ability to participate in individual steps of the elongation cycle using eukaryotic ribosomes from reticulocytes. None of the Phe-tRNAs used, namely Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'dA, Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'-NH2A, and Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-Aoxi-red, can function in the overall process. All modified Phe-tRNAPhe species can be bound nonenzymatically to ribosomes. Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'NH2A exhibits exceptionally high binding at low Mg2+ concentration compared with Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-A binding. Ac-Phe-tRNAPhe species prepared from the three modified tRNAs, when bound to the donor site, were devoid of donor activity. The enzymatic binding of both Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'dA and Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'NH2A is less efficient than that of Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-A but these Phe-tRNAPhe species have acceptor activity. Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C--Aoxi-red is not a substrate for the EF-I promoted binding reaction and has no acceptor activity. The nonaminoacylated species, tRNAPhe-C-C-A, tRNAPhe-C-C-3'dA, and tRNAPhe-C-C-3'NH2A, bind to the ribosome to a larger extent than the corresponding aminoacylated tRNAs, both in the presence and in the absence of poly(U). Peptidyl-tRNAPhe-C-C-3'dA bound to the donor site cannot activate the acceptor site for EF-I promoted binding of Phe-tRNAPhe as does peptidyl-tRNAPhe-C-C-A. Further, it was observed that a correct codon-anticodon interaction influences the recognition of the 3' terminus of tRNA. Specificity of eukaryotic ribosomes for the 2'- and/or 3'-aminoacylated tRNA species is discussed and compared with the properties of Escherichia coli system.", "PMID": 782520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6289", "title": "The effect of Mg(II) on the spectral properties of Co(II) alkaline phosphatase.", "content": "Alkaline phosphatase of Escherichia coli, isolated by procedures which do not alter its intrinsic metal content, contains 1.3 +/- 0.3 g-atom(s) of magnesium and 4.0 +/- 0.2 g-atoms of zinc per mol of molecular weight 89 000 (Bosron et al., 1975). Substitution of Co(II) for Zn(II) and/or Mg(II) results in spectral properties which can be correlated with enzymatic activity. Magnesium does not activate the apoenzyme but augments the activity of 2-Co(II) enzyme almost 3-fold and that of the 4-Co(II) enzyme 1.3-fold. The magnesium-induced increase in activity of the 2-Co(II) enzyme is accompanied by spectral changes which are consistent with an alteration from largely octahedral-like to pentacoordinate-like coordination geometry. Magnesium increases the intensity of the absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) signals of the 4-Co(II) enzyme but without evidence of changes in coordination geometry. Cobalt when bound to the magnesium sites results in octahedral-like EPR spectra, unperturbed by phosphate which significantly affects cobalt at the pentacoordinate-like sites. In the absence of magnesium, 6 g-atoms of cobalt are required to maximize the spectral properties, but activity does not increase further after the addition of only 4 g-atoms of cobalt, while activity is optimal with only 2 g-atoms of cobalt. Hydrogen-tritium exchange measurements indicate that magnesium also stabilizes the dynamic structural properties of the apo- and 2-Co(II) enzymes but has little effect on the structure of 4-Co(II) phosphatase. The response to magnesium of both the spectral properties and enzymatic activities of cobalt alkaline phosphatase demonstrates that magnesium regulates cobalt (and zinc) binding and modulates the activity of the resultant products.", "contents": "The effect of Mg(II) on the spectral properties of Co(II) alkaline phosphatase. Alkaline phosphatase of Escherichia coli, isolated by procedures which do not alter its intrinsic metal content, contains 1.3 +/- 0.3 g-atom(s) of magnesium and 4.0 +/- 0.2 g-atoms of zinc per mol of molecular weight 89 000 (Bosron et al., 1975). Substitution of Co(II) for Zn(II) and/or Mg(II) results in spectral properties which can be correlated with enzymatic activity. Magnesium does not activate the apoenzyme but augments the activity of 2-Co(II) enzyme almost 3-fold and that of the 4-Co(II) enzyme 1.3-fold. The magnesium-induced increase in activity of the 2-Co(II) enzyme is accompanied by spectral changes which are consistent with an alteration from largely octahedral-like to pentacoordinate-like coordination geometry. Magnesium increases the intensity of the absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) signals of the 4-Co(II) enzyme but without evidence of changes in coordination geometry. Cobalt when bound to the magnesium sites results in octahedral-like EPR spectra, unperturbed by phosphate which significantly affects cobalt at the pentacoordinate-like sites. In the absence of magnesium, 6 g-atoms of cobalt are required to maximize the spectral properties, but activity does not increase further after the addition of only 4 g-atoms of cobalt, while activity is optimal with only 2 g-atoms of cobalt. Hydrogen-tritium exchange measurements indicate that magnesium also stabilizes the dynamic structural properties of the apo- and 2-Co(II) enzymes but has little effect on the structure of 4-Co(II) phosphatase. The response to magnesium of both the spectral properties and enzymatic activities of cobalt alkaline phosphatase demonstrates that magnesium regulates cobalt (and zinc) binding and modulates the activity of the resultant products.", "PMID": 782521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6290", "title": "Coumermycin A1: A preferential inhibitor of replicative DNA synthesis in Escherichia coli. I. In vivo characterization.", "content": "Coumermycin A1, an antibiotic related to novobiocin, inhibited nucleic acid synthesis in intact Escherichia coli with replication being slightly more sensitive to this drug than transcription. The ultraviolet-induced repair synthesis of DNA was only partially inhibited under conditions where replication was eliminated by coumermycin A1. Inhibition of protein synthesis was a secondary effect. Coumermycin A1-resistant E. coli were isolated and the mutation was mapped near dnaA. Chromatography of crude protein extracts of sensitive and resistant bacteria on drug affinity columns implicated a soluble protein of approximately 37,000 molecular weight as the target site for coumermycin A1. Depending on the medium used, this antibiotic had either a bacteriocidal or a bacteriostatic effect on E. coli. Results showed that the effect of coumermycin A1 cannot be explained by the degradation of DNA under bacteriocidal growth conditions.", "contents": "Coumermycin A1: A preferential inhibitor of replicative DNA synthesis in Escherichia coli. I. In vivo characterization. Coumermycin A1, an antibiotic related to novobiocin, inhibited nucleic acid synthesis in intact Escherichia coli with replication being slightly more sensitive to this drug than transcription. The ultraviolet-induced repair synthesis of DNA was only partially inhibited under conditions where replication was eliminated by coumermycin A1. Inhibition of protein synthesis was a secondary effect. Coumermycin A1-resistant E. coli were isolated and the mutation was mapped near dnaA. Chromatography of crude protein extracts of sensitive and resistant bacteria on drug affinity columns implicated a soluble protein of approximately 37,000 molecular weight as the target site for coumermycin A1. Depending on the medium used, this antibiotic had either a bacteriocidal or a bacteriostatic effect on E. coli. Results showed that the effect of coumermycin A1 cannot be explained by the degradation of DNA under bacteriocidal growth conditions.", "PMID": 782522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6291", "title": "Coumerimycin A1: A preferential inhibitor of replicative DNA synthesis in Escherichia coli. II. In vivo characterization.", "content": "In vitro inhibitions by coumermycin A1 of DNA and RNA synthesis in toluenized cells were studied. In a sensitive strain, 50% inhibitions of replication and transcription were observed at 0.035 and 0.600 mug/ml, respectively. DNA synthesis in a toluenized-resistant mutant was 50% inhibited at 0.140 mug/ml of coumermycin A1, whereas RNA synthesis was unaffected at all concentrations tested. Studies with a mixture of toluenized-sensitive and -resistant bacteria ruled out the presence of a diffusable activator or inhibitor of coumermycin A1 action. Density label studies with toluenized pol A+ and pol A- strains indicated that replicative DNA synthesis was specifically inhibited, in agreement with the in vivo studies in the preceding paper of this issue (Ryan, M. J. (1976), Biochemistry 15). Highly purified Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III and RNA polymerase both were inhibited by this antibiotic. However, the high concentrations necessary for these inhibitions suggest that they are not biologically relevant. No interaction between DNA and coumermycin A1 was observed with the following analytical procedures: ultraviolet difference spectra, DNA absorbance-temperature transitions, equilibrium buoyant density centrifugation, and DNA cross-linking determinations.", "contents": "Coumerimycin A1: A preferential inhibitor of replicative DNA synthesis in Escherichia coli. II. In vivo characterization. In vitro inhibitions by coumermycin A1 of DNA and RNA synthesis in toluenized cells were studied. In a sensitive strain, 50% inhibitions of replication and transcription were observed at 0.035 and 0.600 mug/ml, respectively. DNA synthesis in a toluenized-resistant mutant was 50% inhibited at 0.140 mug/ml of coumermycin A1, whereas RNA synthesis was unaffected at all concentrations tested. Studies with a mixture of toluenized-sensitive and -resistant bacteria ruled out the presence of a diffusable activator or inhibitor of coumermycin A1 action. Density label studies with toluenized pol A+ and pol A- strains indicated that replicative DNA synthesis was specifically inhibited, in agreement with the in vivo studies in the preceding paper of this issue (Ryan, M. J. (1976), Biochemistry 15). Highly purified Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III and RNA polymerase both were inhibited by this antibiotic. However, the high concentrations necessary for these inhibitions suggest that they are not biologically relevant. No interaction between DNA and coumermycin A1 was observed with the following analytical procedures: ultraviolet difference spectra, DNA absorbance-temperature transitions, equilibrium buoyant density centrifugation, and DNA cross-linking determinations.", "PMID": 782523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6292", "title": "Proteolytic and chemical modification of colicin E3 activity.", "content": "Proteolyses of colicin E3 by both trypsin and subtilisin yield fragments of various molecular weights. On the basis of sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, tryptic cleavage yields peptides of molecular weight about 42 000 and 18 000, while the comparable pieces in a subtilisin digest have apparent weights of about 36 000 and 24 000. The digests lose almost all of their in vivo cell killing activity but the in vitro activity leading to ribosomal inactivation is augmented. Trypsin-treated colicin E3 shows a 20-30-fold increase in its ability to release the 52 nucleotide fragment from the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) and this activity is associated with the smaller fragment. Subtilisin-treated colicin E3 is only about two to three fold more active than the native protein in vitro, and the peptides obtained upon cleavage cannot be separated by gel filtration or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis without sodium dodecyl sulfate. However, in the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, subtilisin-treated E3 shows a 20-30-fold augmentation in in vitro activity which is again associated with the smaller fragment extracted from the sodium dodecyl sulfate gel. Amino terminal end-group studies showed that the two larger fragments and intact E3 have the same N-terminal residue, valine. These fragments presumably originate from the amino end of the native protein. The smaller tryptic fragment has an N-terminal alanine, while the smaller subtilisin piece has an N-terminal leucine. In addition, modification of a single carbosyl group in intact colicin E3 abolishes more than 90% of the in vivo activity with a simultaneous increase in in vitro activity. This carboxyl group is located in the larger fragments obtained in both trypsin and subtilisin cleavage. Binding of E3 to sensitive cells is drastically reduced or eliniated by this chemical modification and by both of the limited proteolytic cleavages.", "contents": "Proteolytic and chemical modification of colicin E3 activity. Proteolyses of colicin E3 by both trypsin and subtilisin yield fragments of various molecular weights. On the basis of sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, tryptic cleavage yields peptides of molecular weight about 42 000 and 18 000, while the comparable pieces in a subtilisin digest have apparent weights of about 36 000 and 24 000. The digests lose almost all of their in vivo cell killing activity but the in vitro activity leading to ribosomal inactivation is augmented. Trypsin-treated colicin E3 shows a 20-30-fold increase in its ability to release the 52 nucleotide fragment from the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) and this activity is associated with the smaller fragment. Subtilisin-treated colicin E3 is only about two to three fold more active than the native protein in vitro, and the peptides obtained upon cleavage cannot be separated by gel filtration or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis without sodium dodecyl sulfate. However, in the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, subtilisin-treated E3 shows a 20-30-fold augmentation in in vitro activity which is again associated with the smaller fragment extracted from the sodium dodecyl sulfate gel. Amino terminal end-group studies showed that the two larger fragments and intact E3 have the same N-terminal residue, valine. These fragments presumably originate from the amino end of the native protein. The smaller tryptic fragment has an N-terminal alanine, while the smaller subtilisin piece has an N-terminal leucine. In addition, modification of a single carbosyl group in intact colicin E3 abolishes more than 90% of the in vivo activity with a simultaneous increase in in vitro activity. This carboxyl group is located in the larger fragments obtained in both trypsin and subtilisin cleavage. Binding of E3 to sensitive cells is drastically reduced or eliniated by this chemical modification and by both of the limited proteolytic cleavages.", "PMID": 782524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6293", "title": "Pepsin-solubilized collagen of human nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus.", "content": "Human nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus, obtained at autopsy from patients 7-30 years of age, were extracted with 2 M guanidine-HCl (pH 5.82) to remove proteoglycans, then stirred with pepsin in 0.5 M acetic acid, followed by three 24-h extractions with 1 M NaCl (pH 7.5) and one 24-h extraction with 2 M KSCN (potassium thiocyanate) (pH 7.2). Pepsin and NaCl solubilized an average of about 30% of nucleus pulposus collagen and 18% of annulus fibrosus collagen. KSCN extracted a further 34% of nucleus pulposus collagen and only 4% of annulus fibrosus collagen. CM-cellulose chromatography of nucleus and annulus collagen purified from the pepsin, NaCl and KSCN supernatants consistently revealed only one peak, always appearing slightly ahead of the alpha1 position for rat tail tendon type I collagen. Polyacrylamide and SDS-gel electrophoresis consistently revealed only one band with the mobility of alpha1 chains. Amino acid composition of collagen from nucleus and annulus is comparable to those of mammalian and avian cartilage type II collagen, and distinctly different from those of rat tail tendonand guinea pig skin type I collagens. Periodate oxidation of nucleus and annulus collagens showed that 81% and 67%, respectively, of the hydroxylysine residues survive treatment, compared to 71% for bovine articular cartilage collagen and 17% for guinea pig skin collagen. Total hexose analysis revealed 1.8 muM and 2.0 muM hexose per muM periodate-stable hydroxylysine in nucleus and annulus collagens, respectively. Ion exchange chromatography showed the presence of glucose and galactose in a ratio of 0.92:1 in nucleas collagen and 1.07:1 in annulus collagen. Pepsin-solubilized, NaCl-extracted collagen from nucleus and annulus formed native-type fibrils in vitro. The banding patterns of ATP-induced segment-long-spacing precipitates of nucleus and annulus collagens were identical to each other and indistinguishable from those of cartilage (type II) collagen, but distinctly different from those of rat tail tendon (type I) collagen. These data suggest that the collagen which can be extracted after limited pepsin attack of human nucleus and annulus is of the form [alpha1 (II)]3.", "contents": "Pepsin-solubilized collagen of human nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus. Human nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus, obtained at autopsy from patients 7-30 years of age, were extracted with 2 M guanidine-HCl (pH 5.82) to remove proteoglycans, then stirred with pepsin in 0.5 M acetic acid, followed by three 24-h extractions with 1 M NaCl (pH 7.5) and one 24-h extraction with 2 M KSCN (potassium thiocyanate) (pH 7.2). Pepsin and NaCl solubilized an average of about 30% of nucleus pulposus collagen and 18% of annulus fibrosus collagen. KSCN extracted a further 34% of nucleus pulposus collagen and only 4% of annulus fibrosus collagen. CM-cellulose chromatography of nucleus and annulus collagen purified from the pepsin, NaCl and KSCN supernatants consistently revealed only one peak, always appearing slightly ahead of the alpha1 position for rat tail tendon type I collagen. Polyacrylamide and SDS-gel electrophoresis consistently revealed only one band with the mobility of alpha1 chains. Amino acid composition of collagen from nucleus and annulus is comparable to those of mammalian and avian cartilage type II collagen, and distinctly different from those of rat tail tendonand guinea pig skin type I collagens. Periodate oxidation of nucleus and annulus collagens showed that 81% and 67%, respectively, of the hydroxylysine residues survive treatment, compared to 71% for bovine articular cartilage collagen and 17% for guinea pig skin collagen. Total hexose analysis revealed 1.8 muM and 2.0 muM hexose per muM periodate-stable hydroxylysine in nucleus and annulus collagens, respectively. Ion exchange chromatography showed the presence of glucose and galactose in a ratio of 0.92:1 in nucleas collagen and 1.07:1 in annulus collagen. Pepsin-solubilized, NaCl-extracted collagen from nucleus and annulus formed native-type fibrils in vitro. The banding patterns of ATP-induced segment-long-spacing precipitates of nucleus and annulus collagens were identical to each other and indistinguishable from those of cartilage (type II) collagen, but distinctly different from those of rat tail tendon (type I) collagen. These data suggest that the collagen which can be extracted after limited pepsin attack of human nucleus and annulus is of the form [alpha1 (II)]3.", "PMID": 782525} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6294", "title": "The properties of ribosomal proteins from a moderate halophile.", "content": "The ribosomes from the extreme halophile Halobacterium cutirubrum are unusual in that their ribosomal proteins are acidic rather than basic as is the case with almost all bacterial ribosomes (Bayley, S.T. (1966) J. Mol. Biol. 15, 420-427). To determine whether the ribosomes of a moderate halophile show similar properties the ribosomal proteins from an unidentified moderate halophile, which grows over a wide range of NaCl concentrations (0.04-4.3 M), were compared to those of Escherichia coli and H. cutirubrum. The proteins are slightly more acidic than those of E. coli but much less acidic than those from the extreme halophile as judged by their mobility on polyacrylamide gels and their amino acid composition. The electrophoretic profile on polyacrylamide gels of the ribosomal proteins from the moderate halophile is similar whether the cells are grown in 0.5 M or 4.25 M NaCl.", "contents": "The properties of ribosomal proteins from a moderate halophile. The ribosomes from the extreme halophile Halobacterium cutirubrum are unusual in that their ribosomal proteins are acidic rather than basic as is the case with almost all bacterial ribosomes (Bayley, S.T. (1966) J. Mol. Biol. 15, 420-427). To determine whether the ribosomes of a moderate halophile show similar properties the ribosomal proteins from an unidentified moderate halophile, which grows over a wide range of NaCl concentrations (0.04-4.3 M), were compared to those of Escherichia coli and H. cutirubrum. The proteins are slightly more acidic than those of E. coli but much less acidic than those from the extreme halophile as judged by their mobility on polyacrylamide gels and their amino acid composition. The electrophoretic profile on polyacrylamide gels of the ribosomal proteins from the moderate halophile is similar whether the cells are grown in 0.5 M or 4.25 M NaCl.", "PMID": 782526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6295", "title": "Membrane-associated reactions in ubiquinone biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. 3-Octaprenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate carboxy-lyase.", "content": "A sensitive and quantitative assay for 3-octaprenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate carboxy-lyase has been developed. This enzyme, which catalyses the third reaction in ubiquinone biosynthesis in Escherichia coli, was partially purified and some of its properties determined. It was found that a considerable proportion of the carboxylyase activity could be separated from the membrane fraction in cell extracts prepared using a French press. Gel filtration showed the molecular weight of the enzyme to be about 340 000. For optimal activity the carboxy-lase was shown to require Mn2+, washed membranes or an extract of phospholipids, and an unidentified heat stable factor of molecular weight less than 10 000. The carboxy-lyase reaction was also shown to be strongly stimulated by dithiothreitol and methanol. The properties of the carboxy-lyase are compared with the three other enzymes concerned with ubiquinone biosynthesis in E. coli which have been studied in vitro. The fact that the substrate of the carboxy-lyase is membrane-bound and the enzyme is stimulated by phospholipid suggests that it normally functions in association with the cytoplasmic membrane in vivo.", "contents": "Membrane-associated reactions in ubiquinone biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. 3-Octaprenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate carboxy-lyase. A sensitive and quantitative assay for 3-octaprenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate carboxy-lyase has been developed. This enzyme, which catalyses the third reaction in ubiquinone biosynthesis in Escherichia coli, was partially purified and some of its properties determined. It was found that a considerable proportion of the carboxylyase activity could be separated from the membrane fraction in cell extracts prepared using a French press. Gel filtration showed the molecular weight of the enzyme to be about 340 000. For optimal activity the carboxy-lase was shown to require Mn2+, washed membranes or an extract of phospholipids, and an unidentified heat stable factor of molecular weight less than 10 000. The carboxy-lyase reaction was also shown to be strongly stimulated by dithiothreitol and methanol. The properties of the carboxy-lyase are compared with the three other enzymes concerned with ubiquinone biosynthesis in E. coli which have been studied in vitro. The fact that the substrate of the carboxy-lyase is membrane-bound and the enzyme is stimulated by phospholipid suggests that it normally functions in association with the cytoplasmic membrane in vivo.", "PMID": 782527} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6296", "title": "Stimulaiton of insulin biosynthesis in isolated mouse islets by L-leucine, 2-aminonorbornane-2-carboxylic acid and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid.", "content": "An immune binding technique was used for measuring the effects of certain amino acids on the rate of insulin biosynthesis. [13H]phenylalanine served as the radioactive precursor for insulin synthesized by isolated mouse pancreatic islets. L-Leucine was found to stimulate the insulin biosynthesis and this effect was observed already at a physiologic concentration in contrast to the much higher concentrations needed to stimulate insulin secretion in vitro. Furthermore, it was found that 2-aminonorbornane-2-carboxylic acid and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid shared with glucose and L-leucine the ability to stimulate insulin biosynthesis. In contrast, L-alanine, L-arginine adn D-leucine had no stimulatory effect in the absence of glucose, while in the presence of 5 mM glucose L-arginine decreased and L-alanine increased the incorporation rate of tritiated phenylalanine. The fact that many of those compounds which stimulated insulin biosynthesis have also been shown elsewhere to be metabolized by the B-cells supports the view that the rate of insulin biosynthesis may be substrate dependent.", "contents": "Stimulaiton of insulin biosynthesis in isolated mouse islets by L-leucine, 2-aminonorbornane-2-carboxylic acid and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid. An immune binding technique was used for measuring the effects of certain amino acids on the rate of insulin biosynthesis. [13H]phenylalanine served as the radioactive precursor for insulin synthesized by isolated mouse pancreatic islets. L-Leucine was found to stimulate the insulin biosynthesis and this effect was observed already at a physiologic concentration in contrast to the much higher concentrations needed to stimulate insulin secretion in vitro. Furthermore, it was found that 2-aminonorbornane-2-carboxylic acid and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid shared with glucose and L-leucine the ability to stimulate insulin biosynthesis. In contrast, L-alanine, L-arginine adn D-leucine had no stimulatory effect in the absence of glucose, while in the presence of 5 mM glucose L-arginine decreased and L-alanine increased the incorporation rate of tritiated phenylalanine. The fact that many of those compounds which stimulated insulin biosynthesis have also been shown elsewhere to be metabolized by the B-cells supports the view that the rate of insulin biosynthesis may be substrate dependent.", "PMID": 782528} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6297", "title": "Carbohydrate components of the glycopeptides of ovine lutropin.", "content": "The three tryptic glycopeptides from ovine lutropin, in which two were from the alpha-subunit (alpha-56 and alpha-82 glycopeptides) and one from the beta-subunits (beta-13 glycopeptide), have been isolated and their carohydrate compositions analyzed. The results indicate that the alpha-56 glycopeptide has the highest amount of carbohydrate, whereas the beta-13 glycopeptide has the least. In general, each of the glycopeptides has similar distribution of various sugars, i.e. high in mannose and glucosamine and low in fucose, sialic acid, galactose and galactosamine. Within the limit of experimental error, the sum of their carbohydrate composition is in agreement with the published data on the intact hormone or separated subunits.", "contents": "Carbohydrate components of the glycopeptides of ovine lutropin. The three tryptic glycopeptides from ovine lutropin, in which two were from the alpha-subunit (alpha-56 and alpha-82 glycopeptides) and one from the beta-subunits (beta-13 glycopeptide), have been isolated and their carohydrate compositions analyzed. The results indicate that the alpha-56 glycopeptide has the highest amount of carbohydrate, whereas the beta-13 glycopeptide has the least. In general, each of the glycopeptides has similar distribution of various sugars, i.e. high in mannose and glucosamine and low in fucose, sialic acid, galactose and galactosamine. Within the limit of experimental error, the sum of their carbohydrate composition is in agreement with the published data on the intact hormone or separated subunits.", "PMID": 782529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6298", "title": "Kinetic properties and the effect of substrate analogues on 5'-methylthioadenosine nucleosidase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "5'-Methylthioadenosine nucleosidase (EC 3.2.2-) from Escherichia coli has been purified 220-fold. A molecular weight of 31 000 for the enzyme was estimated from gel filtration on Sephadex G-150. The Km for 5'-methylthioadenosine was 3.1-10(-7) M. In addition to 5'-methylthioadenosine, the nucleoside analogues 5'-ethylthioadenosine, 5'-n-propylthioadenosine, and S-adenosyl-homocysteine also served as substrates for the enzyme. These substrate analogues acted as competitive inhibitors of the reaction with 5'-methylthioadenosine. The Ki values for 5'-ethylthioadenosine, 5'-n-propylthioadenosine, and S-adenosylhomocysteine were determined to be 1.3-10(-7) M, 4.6-10(-8) M, and 1.92-10(-7) M respectively.", "contents": "Kinetic properties and the effect of substrate analogues on 5'-methylthioadenosine nucleosidase from Escherichia coli. 5'-Methylthioadenosine nucleosidase (EC 3.2.2-) from Escherichia coli has been purified 220-fold. A molecular weight of 31 000 for the enzyme was estimated from gel filtration on Sephadex G-150. The Km for 5'-methylthioadenosine was 3.1-10(-7) M. In addition to 5'-methylthioadenosine, the nucleoside analogues 5'-ethylthioadenosine, 5'-n-propylthioadenosine, and S-adenosyl-homocysteine also served as substrates for the enzyme. These substrate analogues acted as competitive inhibitors of the reaction with 5'-methylthioadenosine. The Ki values for 5'-ethylthioadenosine, 5'-n-propylthioadenosine, and S-adenosylhomocysteine were determined to be 1.3-10(-7) M, 4.6-10(-8) M, and 1.92-10(-7) M respectively.", "PMID": 782530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6299", "title": "Purification and partial characterization of a protein proteinanse inhibitor isolated from eggplant exocarp.", "content": "A protein proteinase inhibitor was isolated and purified from eggplant exocarp by heat treatment, ammomium sulfate fractionation, column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 and G-50. The final purified preparation of the inhibitor was found homogeneous by electrophoretic analysis. The inhibitor showed strong and stoichiometric inhibition on trypsin whereas it showed weak inhibition on alpha-chymotrypsin. It displayed no inhibiting characteristics on pepsin. The molecular weight of the inhibitor was estimated to be approximately 6000. This finding, with the trypsin inhibition data, suggested that the inhibitor combined trypsin in the molar ratio of 1:1. The amino acid analysis indicated that the inhibitor is rich in half-cystine, glycine and aspartic acid, and contains no tryptophan, histidine, methionine or valine.", "contents": "Purification and partial characterization of a protein proteinanse inhibitor isolated from eggplant exocarp. A protein proteinase inhibitor was isolated and purified from eggplant exocarp by heat treatment, ammomium sulfate fractionation, column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 and G-50. The final purified preparation of the inhibitor was found homogeneous by electrophoretic analysis. The inhibitor showed strong and stoichiometric inhibition on trypsin whereas it showed weak inhibition on alpha-chymotrypsin. It displayed no inhibiting characteristics on pepsin. The molecular weight of the inhibitor was estimated to be approximately 6000. This finding, with the trypsin inhibition data, suggested that the inhibitor combined trypsin in the molar ratio of 1:1. The amino acid analysis indicated that the inhibitor is rich in half-cystine, glycine and aspartic acid, and contains no tryptophan, histidine, methionine or valine.", "PMID": 782532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6300", "title": "Distribution of lipids in cytoplasmic and outer membranes of Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "The lipid composition of cytoplasmic and outer membranes of Escherichia coli K12 was studied. Compared with the cytoplasmic membrane, the outer membrane is enriched in both saturated fatty acids and phosphatidylethanolamine. This is also the case when the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids is changed, either by varying the growth temperature or by using mutants with alterations in their fatty acid metabolism. Phosphatidylethanolamine of the outer membrane contains relatively more saturated fatty acids than phosphatidylethanolamine of the cytoplasmic membrane.", "contents": "Distribution of lipids in cytoplasmic and outer membranes of Escherichia coli K12. The lipid composition of cytoplasmic and outer membranes of Escherichia coli K12 was studied. Compared with the cytoplasmic membrane, the outer membrane is enriched in both saturated fatty acids and phosphatidylethanolamine. This is also the case when the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids is changed, either by varying the growth temperature or by using mutants with alterations in their fatty acid metabolism. Phosphatidylethanolamine of the outer membrane contains relatively more saturated fatty acids than phosphatidylethanolamine of the cytoplasmic membrane.", "PMID": 782533} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6301", "title": "Exchange of phospholipids between mitochondria and microsomes in vitro stimulated by yeast cell cytosol.", "content": "Yeast cell cytosol stimulated the exchange of phospholipids between yeast mitochondria and microsomes in vitro, and also between organelles isolated from rat liver. The major phospholipids exchanged in both cases were phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine, together with smaller amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine. Evidence was also obtained that interconversion of phospholipids occurred during the incubation, probably via base exchange mechanisms.", "contents": "Exchange of phospholipids between mitochondria and microsomes in vitro stimulated by yeast cell cytosol. Yeast cell cytosol stimulated the exchange of phospholipids between yeast mitochondria and microsomes in vitro, and also between organelles isolated from rat liver. The major phospholipids exchanged in both cases were phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine, together with smaller amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine. Evidence was also obtained that interconversion of phospholipids occurred during the incubation, probably via base exchange mechanisms.", "PMID": 782534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6302", "title": "Isolation and characterization of the liponucleotides of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The liponucleotide fraction of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated from cells grown on tritiated uracil and identified as CDPdiacylglycerol on the basis of (1), its behavior as a single compound upon DEAE-cellulose and thin-layer chromatography; (2), its extreme lability to mild alkaline methanolysis; and (3), its hydrolysis by the CDPdiacylglycerol hydrolase of Escherichia coli to yield tritiated 5'-CMP. At most, only about 5% of yeast liponucleotide could be dCDPdiacylglycerol, in contrast to the presence of nearly equimolar amounts of CDP-and dCDPdiacylglycerols in E. coli. Although no CDPceramide could be detected in the liponucleotide fraction of this organism, the possibility still exists that it may be an intermediate in the biosynthesis of sphingolipids in systems yet to be examined.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of the liponucleotides of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The liponucleotide fraction of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated from cells grown on tritiated uracil and identified as CDPdiacylglycerol on the basis of (1), its behavior as a single compound upon DEAE-cellulose and thin-layer chromatography; (2), its extreme lability to mild alkaline methanolysis; and (3), its hydrolysis by the CDPdiacylglycerol hydrolase of Escherichia coli to yield tritiated 5'-CMP. At most, only about 5% of yeast liponucleotide could be dCDPdiacylglycerol, in contrast to the presence of nearly equimolar amounts of CDP-and dCDPdiacylglycerols in E. coli. Although no CDPceramide could be detected in the liponucleotide fraction of this organism, the possibility still exists that it may be an intermediate in the biosynthesis of sphingolipids in systems yet to be examined.", "PMID": 782535} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6303", "title": "The sequence of ppGpp and pppGpp in the reaction scheme for magic spot synthesis.", "content": "The kinetics of ppGpp (guanosine 5'-diphosphate, 3'-diphosphate) ahd pppGpp (guanosine 5'-triphosphate, 3'-diphosphate) synthesis, at the onset of amino acid starvation, and of their decay after inhibiting synthesis, were analysed in Escherichia coli. The pentaphosphate, but not ppGpp, is the first product of the stringent response to amino acid starvation. The pentaphosphate is rapidly converted with first order kinetics (t 1/2 = 6 s) to ppGpp which is broken down less rapidly (t 1/2 = 20 s).", "contents": "The sequence of ppGpp and pppGpp in the reaction scheme for magic spot synthesis. The kinetics of ppGpp (guanosine 5'-diphosphate, 3'-diphosphate) ahd pppGpp (guanosine 5'-triphosphate, 3'-diphosphate) synthesis, at the onset of amino acid starvation, and of their decay after inhibiting synthesis, were analysed in Escherichia coli. The pentaphosphate, but not ppGpp, is the first product of the stringent response to amino acid starvation. The pentaphosphate is rapidly converted with first order kinetics (t 1/2 = 6 s) to ppGpp which is broken down less rapidly (t 1/2 = 20 s).", "PMID": 782536} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6304", "title": "Synthesis of DNAs complementary to human ribosomal RNAs polyadenylated in vitro.", "content": "Conditions are described under which poly(A) polymerase from Escherichia coli ribosomes will catalyse the addition of AMP residues onto the 3'-ends of human 18 S and 28 S ribosomal RNAs at an average rate of 40 AMP residues per 1000 nucleotides in 20 min. Single-stranded complementary DNAs (cDNAs) can then be transcribed from the polyadenylated RNAs with RNA-directed DNA polymerase from avian myeloblastosis virus. All of the sequences in the RNAs are represented in the cDNAs; measurements of the rates at which the cDNAs hybridize with their template RNAs showed that, when appropriate adjustments for differences in lengths and G + C contents of the reacting sequences are taken into account, the Rot 1/2 values of homologous RNA-cDNA hybridization reactions are directly proportional to the base-sequence complexity of the RNAs.", "contents": "Synthesis of DNAs complementary to human ribosomal RNAs polyadenylated in vitro. Conditions are described under which poly(A) polymerase from Escherichia coli ribosomes will catalyse the addition of AMP residues onto the 3'-ends of human 18 S and 28 S ribosomal RNAs at an average rate of 40 AMP residues per 1000 nucleotides in 20 min. Single-stranded complementary DNAs (cDNAs) can then be transcribed from the polyadenylated RNAs with RNA-directed DNA polymerase from avian myeloblastosis virus. All of the sequences in the RNAs are represented in the cDNAs; measurements of the rates at which the cDNAs hybridize with their template RNAs showed that, when appropriate adjustments for differences in lengths and G + C contents of the reacting sequences are taken into account, the Rot 1/2 values of homologous RNA-cDNA hybridization reactions are directly proportional to the base-sequence complexity of the RNAs.", "PMID": 782537} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6305", "title": "A study of DNA spontaneous degradation.", "content": "The intact apurinic site half-life in DNA molecules, at 37 degrees C and pH 7.21, in a medium approximating the intracellular ionic composition, was found to be between 288 and 335 h. The spontaneous degradation of 3H-labelled T7 phage DNA, at 37 degrees C and pH 7.21, in the same medium, was followed by sedimentation analysis on sucrose gradients after denaturation with NaOH; it was found to be equivalent to 0.009 break per h per DNA strand. The number of intact apurinic sites found in this incubated T7 phage DNA was much lower than the theoretical value calculated on the assumption that depurination was the only cause of DNA degradation. We concluded that depurination was a minor cause of DNA degradation in our experimental conditions.", "contents": "A study of DNA spontaneous degradation. The intact apurinic site half-life in DNA molecules, at 37 degrees C and pH 7.21, in a medium approximating the intracellular ionic composition, was found to be between 288 and 335 h. The spontaneous degradation of 3H-labelled T7 phage DNA, at 37 degrees C and pH 7.21, in the same medium, was followed by sedimentation analysis on sucrose gradients after denaturation with NaOH; it was found to be equivalent to 0.009 break per h per DNA strand. The number of intact apurinic sites found in this incubated T7 phage DNA was much lower than the theoretical value calculated on the assumption that depurination was the only cause of DNA degradation. We concluded that depurination was a minor cause of DNA degradation in our experimental conditions.", "PMID": 782538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6306", "title": "2'(3')-O-L-(O-methyl-3-phenyllactyl) adenosine. A potential analog of 2'(3')-O-aminoacyl ribonucleosides.", "content": "The title compound and the corresponding diacyl derivative has been prepared by the reaction of 5'-O-(4-methoxytrityl)adenosine with L-(O-methyl-3-phenyl)lactic acid in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in pyridine and subsequent detritylation in 80% acetic acid. Neither compound accepted the N-acetyl-L-phenylalanyl residue from N-acetyl-L-phenylalanyl-tRNA in an Escherichia coli ribosomal system nor did either inhibit the puromycin reaction in the same system.", "contents": "2'(3')-O-L-(O-methyl-3-phenyllactyl) adenosine. A potential analog of 2'(3')-O-aminoacyl ribonucleosides. The title compound and the corresponding diacyl derivative has been prepared by the reaction of 5'-O-(4-methoxytrityl)adenosine with L-(O-methyl-3-phenyl)lactic acid in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in pyridine and subsequent detritylation in 80% acetic acid. Neither compound accepted the N-acetyl-L-phenylalanyl residue from N-acetyl-L-phenylalanyl-tRNA in an Escherichia coli ribosomal system nor did either inhibit the puromycin reaction in the same system.", "PMID": 782539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6307", "title": "New types of streptomycin-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Mutagenesis of Escherichia coli K12 cells with ethyl methanesulfonate and selection of streptomycin-resistant mutants after a long delay for phenotypic expression allowed us to isolate new types of streptomycin-resistant ribosomes. Misreading patterns of the ribosomes in the presence of streptomycin revealed that most of the streptomycin-resistant mutants isolated under these conditions differed from the four classical types of streptomycin-resistant mutants studied and characterized by Strigini, P. and Gorini, L. (1970) J. Mol. Biol. 47, 517-530.", "contents": "New types of streptomycin-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli. Mutagenesis of Escherichia coli K12 cells with ethyl methanesulfonate and selection of streptomycin-resistant mutants after a long delay for phenotypic expression allowed us to isolate new types of streptomycin-resistant ribosomes. Misreading patterns of the ribosomes in the presence of streptomycin revealed that most of the streptomycin-resistant mutants isolated under these conditions differed from the four classical types of streptomycin-resistant mutants studied and characterized by Strigini, P. and Gorini, L. (1970) J. Mol. Biol. 47, 517-530.", "PMID": 782540} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6308", "title": "Consequences of modification on the association of DNA polymerase with the cell membrane.", "content": "1. This is a report of a possible causal relation between the structure of the membrane-bound DNA polymerase and the mutator characteristic of Exherichia coli, mut T1. The characteristics of the membrane-bound polymerase are compatible with its identification as DNA polymerase II, and enzyme which has been determined to be genetically closely linked to the mut T1 gene. Several genes concerned with membrane structure are also known to be linked to the mutator locus. 2. Differences exist between membrane-bound polymerase activity of a wild-type E. coli K-12 and of an isogenic strain harboring the mutator gene. (a) The cell membranes of the mutator strain retain 5--6 times as much activity as do membrane complexes from wild-type cells. (b) The DNA polymerase activity of the membranes from the mut T1 strain is less sensitive to inhibition by the sulfhydryl-binding reagent, N-ethylmaleimide. (c) The membrane-DNA polymerase complex of mut T1 cells uses endogenous, membrane-bound DNA for replication-repair in preference to exogenous DNA. 3. The differences described are specific to structural differences in the membrane complex. When DNA polymerase activity is solubilized from the complexes, the enzymes of the two strains exhibit similar characteristics. These results are consistent with the thesis that an alteration in membrane structure is the basis of mut T1 activity. The results do not support any hypothesis that mut T1 phenotype is a reflection of mutations in the structural gene for DNA replicase (polymerase) or its components.", "contents": "Consequences of modification on the association of DNA polymerase with the cell membrane. 1. This is a report of a possible causal relation between the structure of the membrane-bound DNA polymerase and the mutator characteristic of Exherichia coli, mut T1. The characteristics of the membrane-bound polymerase are compatible with its identification as DNA polymerase II, and enzyme which has been determined to be genetically closely linked to the mut T1 gene. Several genes concerned with membrane structure are also known to be linked to the mutator locus. 2. Differences exist between membrane-bound polymerase activity of a wild-type E. coli K-12 and of an isogenic strain harboring the mutator gene. (a) The cell membranes of the mutator strain retain 5--6 times as much activity as do membrane complexes from wild-type cells. (b) The DNA polymerase activity of the membranes from the mut T1 strain is less sensitive to inhibition by the sulfhydryl-binding reagent, N-ethylmaleimide. (c) The membrane-DNA polymerase complex of mut T1 cells uses endogenous, membrane-bound DNA for replication-repair in preference to exogenous DNA. 3. The differences described are specific to structural differences in the membrane complex. When DNA polymerase activity is solubilized from the complexes, the enzymes of the two strains exhibit similar characteristics. These results are consistent with the thesis that an alteration in membrane structure is the basis of mut T1 activity. The results do not support any hypothesis that mut T1 phenotype is a reflection of mutations in the structural gene for DNA replicase (polymerase) or its components.", "PMID": 782541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6309", "title": "Specific inhibition of the termination process of protein synthesis by negamycin.", "content": "The effect of negamycin and its derivatives on protein synthesis in an Escherichia coli cell-free system was determined. (1) Unlike tetracycline and streptomycin, negamycin did not inhibit codon-specific binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to ribosomes. (2) The miscoding activity of the genamycin family compounds was not parallel with the activity inhibiting the termination reaction. (3) Although negamycin strongly inhibited the overall termination reaction, it inhibited only slightly the two substeps involved; the formation of releasing factor 1 - U-A-[3H]G - ribosome complex and the peptidyl-transferase action (release of formylmethionine from the initiation complex by puromycin). (4) The termination reaction performed with ribosomes from either streptomycin- or kanamycin-resistant E. coli cells was sensitive to negamycin. These results indicate that the inhbitory effect of negamycin on the termination reaction is specific to negamycin and distinct from that of tetracycline and streptomycin.", "contents": "Specific inhibition of the termination process of protein synthesis by negamycin. The effect of negamycin and its derivatives on protein synthesis in an Escherichia coli cell-free system was determined. (1) Unlike tetracycline and streptomycin, negamycin did not inhibit codon-specific binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to ribosomes. (2) The miscoding activity of the genamycin family compounds was not parallel with the activity inhibiting the termination reaction. (3) Although negamycin strongly inhibited the overall termination reaction, it inhibited only slightly the two substeps involved; the formation of releasing factor 1 - U-A-[3H]G - ribosome complex and the peptidyl-transferase action (release of formylmethionine from the initiation complex by puromycin). (4) The termination reaction performed with ribosomes from either streptomycin- or kanamycin-resistant E. coli cells was sensitive to negamycin. These results indicate that the inhbitory effect of negamycin on the termination reaction is specific to negamycin and distinct from that of tetracycline and streptomycin.", "PMID": 782542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6310", "title": "The effects of ionophore A23187 on erythrocytes. Relationship of atp and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate to calcium-binding capacity.", "content": "The divalent cation ionophore, A23187, was employed as a means to load fresh human erythrocytes with calcium, and the capacity for accumulation was characterized. Erythrocytes exposed to A23187 in calcium-containing media rapidly accumulated calcium in millimolar quantities. The final cellular concentration was dependent upon medium calcium concentration and the size of the cellular organophosphate pool. When ATP and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate contents were depleted or repleted, the cellular calcium content changed proportionally. Calcium loading of fresh erythrocytes produced no discernible change in the cellular concentrations of ATP or 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. Calcium accumulation was also accompanied by loss of cellular potassium and H2O, deterioration of cell filterability, and spheroechinocytic transformation.", "contents": "The effects of ionophore A23187 on erythrocytes. Relationship of atp and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate to calcium-binding capacity. The divalent cation ionophore, A23187, was employed as a means to load fresh human erythrocytes with calcium, and the capacity for accumulation was characterized. Erythrocytes exposed to A23187 in calcium-containing media rapidly accumulated calcium in millimolar quantities. The final cellular concentration was dependent upon medium calcium concentration and the size of the cellular organophosphate pool. When ATP and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate contents were depleted or repleted, the cellular calcium content changed proportionally. Calcium loading of fresh erythrocytes produced no discernible change in the cellular concentrations of ATP or 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. Calcium accumulation was also accompanied by loss of cellular potassium and H2O, deterioration of cell filterability, and spheroechinocytic transformation.", "PMID": 782543} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6311", "title": "Physical properties of muscle cell membranes during fusion. A fluorescence polarization study with the ionophore A23187.", "content": "1. The fluorescence polarization of A23187 is used to detect physical changes in myoblast membranes produced by Ca2+ concentrations which are able to trigger fusion. Temperature scans reveal a Ca2+-dependent fluidity increase in the microenvironment of the ionophore above 37 degree C. 2. Time-dependent polarization measurements show two different effects. The first one consists of a fast polarization increase which reaches its maximum after 5-10 min. This change could be explained by a Ca2+-induced phase separation of acidic and neutral phospholipids in the membrane. The second effect is a slow polarization decrease over 2-3 h subsequent to the fast increase. 3. The information derived from the fluorescence polarization is in accordance with the characteristics of the fusion of myoblast cells regarding the dependence on Ca2+ concentration, the inhibition by Mg2+ and lysolecithin as well as a typical temperature of 35-37 degree C where fusion rate changes abruptly.", "contents": "Physical properties of muscle cell membranes during fusion. A fluorescence polarization study with the ionophore A23187. 1. The fluorescence polarization of A23187 is used to detect physical changes in myoblast membranes produced by Ca2+ concentrations which are able to trigger fusion. Temperature scans reveal a Ca2+-dependent fluidity increase in the microenvironment of the ionophore above 37 degree C. 2. Time-dependent polarization measurements show two different effects. The first one consists of a fast polarization increase which reaches its maximum after 5-10 min. This change could be explained by a Ca2+-induced phase separation of acidic and neutral phospholipids in the membrane. The second effect is a slow polarization decrease over 2-3 h subsequent to the fast increase. 3. The information derived from the fluorescence polarization is in accordance with the characteristics of the fusion of myoblast cells regarding the dependence on Ca2+ concentration, the inhibition by Mg2+ and lysolecithin as well as a typical temperature of 35-37 degree C where fusion rate changes abruptly.", "PMID": 782544} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6312", "title": "A lipopeptidophosphoglycan from Trypanosoma cruzi (epimastigota). Isolation, purification and carbohydrate composition.", "content": "A lipopeptidophosphoglycan was extracted from epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi by phenol (44%) treatment of sonicated cells. The substance was purified from other glycoproteins and nucleic acid as follows: ethanol fractionation. Bio-Gell P-150 column chromatography in the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, extraction with chloroform/methanol/water (10 : 10 : 3) and precipitation of the pure compound by methanol. The substance migrated as a single band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis stained with periodic acid-Schiff and Coomassie blue. In the absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate very little or no migration was observef aggregates. In such gels a Sudan Black positive reaction coincident with the periodic acid-Schiff positive banc was obtained. Neutral sugars (60%, by phenol-sulfuric acid assay) were analysed by paper chromatography and gal-liquid chromatography. The following ratio was found: mannose : galactose : glucose = 35 : 22 : 1. Glucosamine, identified by paper chromatography, was colorimetrically estimated (0.8%). Sialic acid was not detected. Analysis by the biuret method gave 9.5% protein. All phosphorus present (2%) was released by hydrolysis, thus apparently excluding the possibility of an alkyl phosphonic acid as a structural component. Fatty acids were detected by thin layer chromatography in a hexane extract of the acid hydrolysate. Gas-liquid chromatography of the esterified mixture showed that the main component had the same retention time as palmitic acid methyl ester. The infrared spectrum was consistent with the general structure and indicated the presence of alpha-glycopyranosyl linkages. Low concentrations of the lipopeptidophosphoglycan were able to inhibit the concanavalin A-induced agglutination of epimastigotes.", "contents": "A lipopeptidophosphoglycan from Trypanosoma cruzi (epimastigota). Isolation, purification and carbohydrate composition. A lipopeptidophosphoglycan was extracted from epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi by phenol (44%) treatment of sonicated cells. The substance was purified from other glycoproteins and nucleic acid as follows: ethanol fractionation. Bio-Gell P-150 column chromatography in the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, extraction with chloroform/methanol/water (10 : 10 : 3) and precipitation of the pure compound by methanol. The substance migrated as a single band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis stained with periodic acid-Schiff and Coomassie blue. In the absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate very little or no migration was observef aggregates. In such gels a Sudan Black positive reaction coincident with the periodic acid-Schiff positive banc was obtained. Neutral sugars (60%, by phenol-sulfuric acid assay) were analysed by paper chromatography and gal-liquid chromatography. The following ratio was found: mannose : galactose : glucose = 35 : 22 : 1. Glucosamine, identified by paper chromatography, was colorimetrically estimated (0.8%). Sialic acid was not detected. Analysis by the biuret method gave 9.5% protein. All phosphorus present (2%) was released by hydrolysis, thus apparently excluding the possibility of an alkyl phosphonic acid as a structural component. Fatty acids were detected by thin layer chromatography in a hexane extract of the acid hydrolysate. Gas-liquid chromatography of the esterified mixture showed that the main component had the same retention time as palmitic acid methyl ester. The infrared spectrum was consistent with the general structure and indicated the presence of alpha-glycopyranosyl linkages. Low concentrations of the lipopeptidophosphoglycan were able to inhibit the concanavalin A-induced agglutination of epimastigotes.", "PMID": 782545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6313", "title": "Proteolytic enzymes as structural probes for ribonuclease BS-1.", "content": "Trypsin, pepsin and subtilisin have been used as conformational probes for the structure of bovine seminal ribonuclease BS-1 by studying, under definite conditions, their effects on the seminal enzyme, a dimeric protein made up to two identical subunits; on bovine pancreatic monomeric ribonuclease A (EC 3.1.4.22) with a polypeptide chain homologous to that of the seminal ribonuclease subunit chain; and on a monomeric, active and stable derivative of seminal ribonuclease. The results show: (1) that the C-terminal regions of the pancreatic and the seminal proteins are very similar as they appear to fit in an identical way to the active site of pepsin; (2) that the resistance of the N-terminal region of ribonuclease BS-1 to subtilisin is not due to the dimeric structure of the protein, but to the conformation of this region, where an essential feature is the presence of a proline residue at position 19; (3) that the monomer of ribonuclease BS-1 is resistant to tryptic action only when bound to the partner monomer in the quaternary structure of the protein. This indicates that dissociation of the seminal ribonuclease makes some potentially susceptible susceptible bond or bonds available to trypsin either through a conformational change of the protein subunit, or by simply exposing the protein area hidden at the intersubunit interfaces.", "contents": "Proteolytic enzymes as structural probes for ribonuclease BS-1. Trypsin, pepsin and subtilisin have been used as conformational probes for the structure of bovine seminal ribonuclease BS-1 by studying, under definite conditions, their effects on the seminal enzyme, a dimeric protein made up to two identical subunits; on bovine pancreatic monomeric ribonuclease A (EC 3.1.4.22) with a polypeptide chain homologous to that of the seminal ribonuclease subunit chain; and on a monomeric, active and stable derivative of seminal ribonuclease. The results show: (1) that the C-terminal regions of the pancreatic and the seminal proteins are very similar as they appear to fit in an identical way to the active site of pepsin; (2) that the resistance of the N-terminal region of ribonuclease BS-1 to subtilisin is not due to the dimeric structure of the protein, but to the conformation of this region, where an essential feature is the presence of a proline residue at position 19; (3) that the monomer of ribonuclease BS-1 is resistant to tryptic action only when bound to the partner monomer in the quaternary structure of the protein. This indicates that dissociation of the seminal ribonuclease makes some potentially susceptible susceptible bond or bonds available to trypsin either through a conformational change of the protein subunit, or by simply exposing the protein area hidden at the intersubunit interfaces.", "PMID": 782546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6314", "title": "The effect of trinitrophenylation on subunit interactions in L-asparaginase.", "content": "L-Asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1) from Escherichia coli B was modified by treatment with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene-1-sulfonic acid at pH 7.5. The introduction of 13 trinitrophenyl groups into one mol of the tetrameric enzyme (TNP 13-asparaginase) results in a loss of 67% of the catalytic activity while the presence of 20 groups (TNP 20-asparaginase) reduces the enzymatic activity by 88%. The modified proteins are homogeneous as judged by disc gel electrophoresis and by the monodisperse boundary in the analytical ultracentrifuge having a sedimentation coefficient of 7.2 S. The rate of dissociation of the TNP 13-asparaginase is twice as fast and TNP 20-asparaginase three times as fast as that of unmodified asparaginase in 4 M urea. Trinitrophenylated subunits in 8 M urea can reassociate into the tetramer after removal of urea by dialysis or by dilution. hybridization of unmodified and TNP subunits indicates that that trinitrophenyl derivatives qualify as suitable variants for studying subunit interactions in oligomeric proteins.", "contents": "The effect of trinitrophenylation on subunit interactions in L-asparaginase. L-Asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1) from Escherichia coli B was modified by treatment with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene-1-sulfonic acid at pH 7.5. The introduction of 13 trinitrophenyl groups into one mol of the tetrameric enzyme (TNP 13-asparaginase) results in a loss of 67% of the catalytic activity while the presence of 20 groups (TNP 20-asparaginase) reduces the enzymatic activity by 88%. The modified proteins are homogeneous as judged by disc gel electrophoresis and by the monodisperse boundary in the analytical ultracentrifuge having a sedimentation coefficient of 7.2 S. The rate of dissociation of the TNP 13-asparaginase is twice as fast and TNP 20-asparaginase three times as fast as that of unmodified asparaginase in 4 M urea. Trinitrophenylated subunits in 8 M urea can reassociate into the tetramer after removal of urea by dialysis or by dilution. hybridization of unmodified and TNP subunits indicates that that trinitrophenyl derivatives qualify as suitable variants for studying subunit interactions in oligomeric proteins.", "PMID": 782547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6315", "title": "Anthranilate synthase-anthranilate 5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferases from Salmonella typhimurium. Purification of the enzyme complex and analysis of multiple forms.", "content": "1. The anthranilate synthase-anthranilate 5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase enzyme complex (chorismate pyruvatelyase (amino-accepting), EC 4.1.3.27) - (N-(5'-phosphoribosyl)-anthranilate: pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.18), from Salmonella typhimurium has been purified with high yields to homogeneity. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme complex revealed one major band containing 96% of the protein. The final yield of enzyme complex activity ranged from 30 to 60%. The absorbance spectrum of enzyme complex showed a peak at 280 nm and fine structure with peaks at 253, 259, 266 and 269 nm. These latter wavelengths correspond closely with the known absorbance maxima of phenylalanine. 2. When purified enzyme complex was subjected to standard gel electrophoresis, a four band pattern of protein peaks was consistently observed. The major enzyme complex band was apparently the native tetramer, having a molecular weight 280 000 and containing ammonia- and glutamine-dependent anthranilate synthase activity. The other three bands were molecular weight isomers of the major enzyme complex band. Two forms of molecular weight isomers were present: dimers and an aggregate of the native enzyme complex. The molecular weight isomers of the enzyme complex may represent forms generated by aggregation and denaturation of the native enzyme complex. 3. A new and highly sensitive spectrophotometric assay for phosphoribosyl-transferase is described. The method is based upon the difference in extinction coefficients between anthranilate and N-(5'-phosphoribosyl)anthranilate.", "contents": "Anthranilate synthase-anthranilate 5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferases from Salmonella typhimurium. Purification of the enzyme complex and analysis of multiple forms. 1. The anthranilate synthase-anthranilate 5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase enzyme complex (chorismate pyruvatelyase (amino-accepting), EC 4.1.3.27) - (N-(5'-phosphoribosyl)-anthranilate: pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.18), from Salmonella typhimurium has been purified with high yields to homogeneity. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme complex revealed one major band containing 96% of the protein. The final yield of enzyme complex activity ranged from 30 to 60%. The absorbance spectrum of enzyme complex showed a peak at 280 nm and fine structure with peaks at 253, 259, 266 and 269 nm. These latter wavelengths correspond closely with the known absorbance maxima of phenylalanine. 2. When purified enzyme complex was subjected to standard gel electrophoresis, a four band pattern of protein peaks was consistently observed. The major enzyme complex band was apparently the native tetramer, having a molecular weight 280 000 and containing ammonia- and glutamine-dependent anthranilate synthase activity. The other three bands were molecular weight isomers of the major enzyme complex band. Two forms of molecular weight isomers were present: dimers and an aggregate of the native enzyme complex. The molecular weight isomers of the enzyme complex may represent forms generated by aggregation and denaturation of the native enzyme complex. 3. A new and highly sensitive spectrophotometric assay for phosphoribosyl-transferase is described. The method is based upon the difference in extinction coefficients between anthranilate and N-(5'-phosphoribosyl)anthranilate.", "PMID": 782548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6316", "title": "Metal ion requirement and tryptophan inhibition of normal and variant anthranilate synthase-anthranilate 5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase complexes from Salmonella tyrhimrium.", "content": "1. Both Mn2+ and Co2+ can replace Mg2+ as the required divalent cation for all activities of the enzyme complex between anthranilate synthase (chorismate pyruvate-lyase (amino-accepting), EC 4.1.3.27) and anthranilate-5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase (N(5'-phosphoribosyl)-anthranilate:pyrophosphate phosphoribosytransferase, EC 2.4.2.18) from Salmonella typhimurium. They have much lower apparent Km values than Mg2+, both for glutamine-dependent anthranilate synthase (Mn2+ = 1.1 muM, Co2+ - 2.6 muM, Mg2+ = 83 muM) and for phosphoribosyltransferase (Mn2+ = 16 muM, Co2+ = 14.6 muM, Mg2+ = 133 muM). The ratio of total Mg2+ to total Mn2+ found in a cell extract of S. typhimurium trpE2 , the source of normal enzyme complex, was found to be 350, suggesting that Mg2+ is probably utilized by the enzyme complex in vivo under our growth conditions. 2. An enzyme complex has been isolated from a mutant strain of S. typhimurium (SO-515) that has a variation in the anthranilate synthase subunit which is thought to be a single amino acid substitution. This variation causes glutamine-dependent anthranilate synthase to be hypersensitive to feedback inhibition by tryptophan (Ki = 0.4 muM compared to Ki = 20 muM for normal enzyme complex). The phosphoribosyltransferase in the variant enzyme complex is also hypersensitive to tryptophan but the kinetics are complex and involve activation by tryptophan in the presence of low amounts of 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate. 3. In the variant enzyme complex the apparent Km for Mg2+ is elevated to 360 muM for glutamine-linked anthranilate synthase but reduced to 75 muM for phosphoribosyltransferase. 4. These results suggest that the variant enzyme complex has altered tertiary and quaternary structures and that regulation of both activities is effected by tryptophan binding to only anthranilate synthase.", "contents": "Metal ion requirement and tryptophan inhibition of normal and variant anthranilate synthase-anthranilate 5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase complexes from Salmonella tyrhimrium. 1. Both Mn2+ and Co2+ can replace Mg2+ as the required divalent cation for all activities of the enzyme complex between anthranilate synthase (chorismate pyruvate-lyase (amino-accepting), EC 4.1.3.27) and anthranilate-5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase (N(5'-phosphoribosyl)-anthranilate:pyrophosphate phosphoribosytransferase, EC 2.4.2.18) from Salmonella typhimurium. They have much lower apparent Km values than Mg2+, both for glutamine-dependent anthranilate synthase (Mn2+ = 1.1 muM, Co2+ - 2.6 muM, Mg2+ = 83 muM) and for phosphoribosyltransferase (Mn2+ = 16 muM, Co2+ = 14.6 muM, Mg2+ = 133 muM). The ratio of total Mg2+ to total Mn2+ found in a cell extract of S. typhimurium trpE2 , the source of normal enzyme complex, was found to be 350, suggesting that Mg2+ is probably utilized by the enzyme complex in vivo under our growth conditions. 2. An enzyme complex has been isolated from a mutant strain of S. typhimurium (SO-515) that has a variation in the anthranilate synthase subunit which is thought to be a single amino acid substitution. This variation causes glutamine-dependent anthranilate synthase to be hypersensitive to feedback inhibition by tryptophan (Ki = 0.4 muM compared to Ki = 20 muM for normal enzyme complex). The phosphoribosyltransferase in the variant enzyme complex is also hypersensitive to tryptophan but the kinetics are complex and involve activation by tryptophan in the presence of low amounts of 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate. 3. In the variant enzyme complex the apparent Km for Mg2+ is elevated to 360 muM for glutamine-linked anthranilate synthase but reduced to 75 muM for phosphoribosyltransferase. 4. These results suggest that the variant enzyme complex has altered tertiary and quaternary structures and that regulation of both activities is effected by tryptophan binding to only anthranilate synthase.", "PMID": 782549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6317", "title": "Translation of a stable mRNA fraction from sporulating cells of Bacillus thuringiensis in a cell-free system from Escherichia coli. Structural homologies between the native crystal protein and the products synthesized in vitro.", "content": "Stable messenger RNAs from sporulating cells of Bacillus thuringiensis were translated in vitro in cell free system from E. coli. The mRNA fraction used was extracted from cells treated at t4 of sporulation time with rifampicin for 10 minutes at 30degreesC. This stable-mRNA enriched fraction directed the synthesis of polypeptides showing a size distribution up to 40,000 daltons. Structural homologies between the in vitro products labeled with [3H]-valine and the native crystal protein labeled with [14C]-valine were shown by ion-exchange chromatography after CNBr treatment and by ion-exchange chromatography after digestion of the CNBr-peptides with pepsin. Specific antibodies obtained against the CNBr-peptides of the native crystal protein gave a positive reaction with the in vitro products. SDS-gel electrophoresis confirmed the structural similarities between the two types of immuno-precipitates. It was concluded that the stable-mRNA fraction used directed the synthesis of at least parts of the crystal polypeptide chain. Furthermore, the higher stability of the sporulation phase mRNAs compared to that of the vegetative phase species deduced from previous in vivo experiments was supported by the results obtained in vitro.", "contents": "Translation of a stable mRNA fraction from sporulating cells of Bacillus thuringiensis in a cell-free system from Escherichia coli. Structural homologies between the native crystal protein and the products synthesized in vitro. Stable messenger RNAs from sporulating cells of Bacillus thuringiensis were translated in vitro in cell free system from E. coli. The mRNA fraction used was extracted from cells treated at t4 of sporulation time with rifampicin for 10 minutes at 30degreesC. This stable-mRNA enriched fraction directed the synthesis of polypeptides showing a size distribution up to 40,000 daltons. Structural homologies between the in vitro products labeled with [3H]-valine and the native crystal protein labeled with [14C]-valine were shown by ion-exchange chromatography after CNBr treatment and by ion-exchange chromatography after digestion of the CNBr-peptides with pepsin. Specific antibodies obtained against the CNBr-peptides of the native crystal protein gave a positive reaction with the in vitro products. SDS-gel electrophoresis confirmed the structural similarities between the two types of immuno-precipitates. It was concluded that the stable-mRNA fraction used directed the synthesis of at least parts of the crystal polypeptide chain. Furthermore, the higher stability of the sporulation phase mRNAs compared to that of the vegetative phase species deduced from previous in vivo experiments was supported by the results obtained in vitro.", "PMID": 782551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6318", "title": "UGA mutations and UGA suppressors in yeast.", "content": "Eight UGA alleles have been obtained in S. cerevisiae. Two UGA alleles, ade5,7-143 and gal10-1, were isolated as forward mutations from wildtype. Six UGA alleles, arg4-2' (UGA), his5-2' (UGA), ilv3-1' (UGA), leu2'1' (UGA), lys1-1' (UGA), and asp5-1' (UGA), were derived from UAA alleles by selecting from revertants in the presence of UGA suppressors. With these 8 UGA alleles, two classes of UGA-specific suppressors can be distinguished. Suppressors in one class act upon all 8 allelqs ; while suppressors in the second class act upon all but 3 alleles : ade5,7-143, arg4-2' (UGA), and gal10-1.", "contents": "UGA mutations and UGA suppressors in yeast. Eight UGA alleles have been obtained in S. cerevisiae. Two UGA alleles, ade5,7-143 and gal10-1, were isolated as forward mutations from wildtype. Six UGA alleles, arg4-2' (UGA), his5-2' (UGA), ilv3-1' (UGA), leu2'1' (UGA), lys1-1' (UGA), and asp5-1' (UGA), were derived from UAA alleles by selecting from revertants in the presence of UGA suppressors. With these 8 UGA alleles, two classes of UGA-specific suppressors can be distinguished. Suppressors in one class act upon all 8 allelqs ; while suppressors in the second class act upon all but 3 alleles : ade5,7-143, arg4-2' (UGA), and gal10-1.", "PMID": 782552} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6319", "title": "Purification and properties of two initiation factors from Bacillus stearothermophilus.", "content": "Two initiation factors have been isolated from the thermophilic bacterium, Bacillus stearothermophilus, and purified to near homogeneity. The two factors possess physical characteristics and activities associated with the E. coli initiation factors IF-2 and IF-3, and are interchangeable with these factors. The two systems present, however, several differences : S-IF-2 is significantly more heat stable than E. coli IF-2, loosing less than 50 per cent of its activity after 20 minutes at 70degreesC. S-IF-2 alone is unable to promote initiation complex formation on B. stearothermophilus or E. coli ribosomes, and S-IF-3 is absolutely necessary for initiation of complex formation on B. stearothermophilus ribosomes. No factor corresponding to IF-1 has been found. S-IF-3 appears to be able to replace at least partially IF-1, since S-IF-3 and E. coli IF-2 are sufficient to promote maximum fMet-tRNA binding to E. coli ribosomes, while E. coli IF-3 and IF-2 also require IF-1. The differences between the two systems are perhaps required because of the elevated temperature at which B. stearothermophilus normally grows.", "contents": "Purification and properties of two initiation factors from Bacillus stearothermophilus. Two initiation factors have been isolated from the thermophilic bacterium, Bacillus stearothermophilus, and purified to near homogeneity. The two factors possess physical characteristics and activities associated with the E. coli initiation factors IF-2 and IF-3, and are interchangeable with these factors. The two systems present, however, several differences : S-IF-2 is significantly more heat stable than E. coli IF-2, loosing less than 50 per cent of its activity after 20 minutes at 70degreesC. S-IF-2 alone is unable to promote initiation complex formation on B. stearothermophilus or E. coli ribosomes, and S-IF-3 is absolutely necessary for initiation of complex formation on B. stearothermophilus ribosomes. No factor corresponding to IF-1 has been found. S-IF-3 appears to be able to replace at least partially IF-1, since S-IF-3 and E. coli IF-2 are sufficient to promote maximum fMet-tRNA binding to E. coli ribosomes, while E. coli IF-3 and IF-2 also require IF-1. The differences between the two systems are perhaps required because of the elevated temperature at which B. stearothermophilus normally grows.", "PMID": 782553} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6320", "title": "[New studies on inhibition of tRNA N2 guanine methyltransferase by S-adenosyl-homocysteine and S-adenosyl-methionine analogs].", "content": "New structural analogs of S-adenosyl homocysteine (SAH) 1-9, 11-14, 19-21) and of S-adenosyl methionine (15-18) have been tested as inhibitors of a N-2 guanine methyltransferase extract from rabbit liver with E. coli B tRNA as substrate. The sulfonium compounds (mixture of +/- diastereoisomers) are more inhibitory than the sulfide derivatives but less inhibitory than SAH itself. The replacement of the aminoacid chain in SAH by various alphatic radicals leads to a correlation between their bulk and the size of the enzymatic site. The monosubstitution of N-6 amino group does not affect significantly the inhibitory effect, which is completely canceled by the disubstitution of N-6.", "contents": "[New studies on inhibition of tRNA N2 guanine methyltransferase by S-adenosyl-homocysteine and S-adenosyl-methionine analogs]. New structural analogs of S-adenosyl homocysteine (SAH) 1-9, 11-14, 19-21) and of S-adenosyl methionine (15-18) have been tested as inhibitors of a N-2 guanine methyltransferase extract from rabbit liver with E. coli B tRNA as substrate. The sulfonium compounds (mixture of +/- diastereoisomers) are more inhibitory than the sulfide derivatives but less inhibitory than SAH itself. The replacement of the aminoacid chain in SAH by various alphatic radicals leads to a correlation between their bulk and the size of the enzymatic site. The monosubstitution of N-6 amino group does not affect significantly the inhibitory effect, which is completely canceled by the disubstitution of N-6.", "PMID": 782555} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6321", "title": "Non specific induction of arginase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Some aminoacids metabolically and structurally unrelated with arginine catabolic compounds induce arginase. This effect designated as non specific induction procedes by a mechanism distinct from three others acting on the synthesis of arginase : specific induction, nitrogen catabolite repression and catabolic synergism.", "contents": "Non specific induction of arginase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Some aminoacids metabolically and structurally unrelated with arginine catabolic compounds induce arginase. This effect designated as non specific induction procedes by a mechanism distinct from three others acting on the synthesis of arginase : specific induction, nitrogen catabolite repression and catabolic synergism.", "PMID": 782556} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6322", "title": "Control of enzyme synthesis and stability during sporulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Studies were undertaken to understand the control of synthesis, stability and modification of UDP galactose epimerase and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase during sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. When a pre-induced culture of an inducible strain (wild type) is transferred to sporulation medium, the epimerase is inactivated to an undetectable level within 16 hours. Surprisingly, the addition of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, during sporulation stabilizes the epimerase activity. However, in a constitutive strain, the epimerase continues to be synthesized de novo during sporulation. Since the enzyme is synthesized during both vegatative growth and sporulation constitutively, the controls for synthesis of epimerase must be similar under these physiologically different conditions. After chromatography on DEAE Sephadex, there is no change observed in the elution patterns of RNA polymerase forms extracted from acetate growth vegetative cells, sporulating cells or from mature asci ; in all cases RNA polymerase consists of three forms, Ib, II and III. However, single spore suspension obtained from asci by treatment with zymolase contains a new form with chromatographic properties similar to those of form Ia. Our data suggests that form Ia may be a modification product of from Ib.", "contents": "Control of enzyme synthesis and stability during sporulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Studies were undertaken to understand the control of synthesis, stability and modification of UDP galactose epimerase and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase during sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. When a pre-induced culture of an inducible strain (wild type) is transferred to sporulation medium, the epimerase is inactivated to an undetectable level within 16 hours. Surprisingly, the addition of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, during sporulation stabilizes the epimerase activity. However, in a constitutive strain, the epimerase continues to be synthesized de novo during sporulation. Since the enzyme is synthesized during both vegatative growth and sporulation constitutively, the controls for synthesis of epimerase must be similar under these physiologically different conditions. After chromatography on DEAE Sephadex, there is no change observed in the elution patterns of RNA polymerase forms extracted from acetate growth vegetative cells, sporulating cells or from mature asci ; in all cases RNA polymerase consists of three forms, Ib, II and III. However, single spore suspension obtained from asci by treatment with zymolase contains a new form with chromatographic properties similar to those of form Ia. Our data suggests that form Ia may be a modification product of from Ib.", "PMID": 782557} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6323", "title": "Purification and properties of threonine deaminase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Threonine deaminase (L-theonine hydro-lyase (deaminating), E.C. 4.2.1.16) has been purified to homogeneity from extracts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. When purified 1200-fold, the enzyme is homogeneous by the criterion of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The reduced and alkylated protein has a molecular weight of approximately 50,000 daltons, one-fourth the value determined previously for the intact enzyme. The purified enzyme exhibits homotropic effects with the substrate; these effects are descresed in the presence of DL-allothreonine, a competitive inhibitor. Half-maximal velocity is achieved at 34 mM L-threonine in the absence of other effectors. L-isoleucine both stimulates at low (0.01-0.05 mM) concentrations and inhibits at high (0.1-1.0 mM) concentrations. Valine activates the enzyme in the absence of isoleucine ; in the presence of isoleucine it reverses inhibition.", "contents": "Purification and properties of threonine deaminase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Threonine deaminase (L-theonine hydro-lyase (deaminating), E.C. 4.2.1.16) has been purified to homogeneity from extracts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. When purified 1200-fold, the enzyme is homogeneous by the criterion of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The reduced and alkylated protein has a molecular weight of approximately 50,000 daltons, one-fourth the value determined previously for the intact enzyme. The purified enzyme exhibits homotropic effects with the substrate; these effects are descresed in the presence of DL-allothreonine, a competitive inhibitor. Half-maximal velocity is achieved at 34 mM L-threonine in the absence of other effectors. L-isoleucine both stimulates at low (0.01-0.05 mM) concentrations and inhibits at high (0.1-1.0 mM) concentrations. Valine activates the enzyme in the absence of isoleucine ; in the presence of isoleucine it reverses inhibition.", "PMID": 782558} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6324", "title": "[Escherichia coli K12 mutant with increased RNA content and messenger RNA stability].", "content": "A strain of Escherichia coli has been isolated from a E. coli HfrH after a treatment with nitrosoguanidine for a partial resistance to thymineless death. This strain shows, in addition, a global increase of the RNA content amounting to 50 per cent. The half-life of the unstable RNA as well as of the messenger RNA of the beta-galactosidase is increased to a considerable degree. The RNA polymerase of this strain is modified with respect to its resistance to rifampicin and its transcription efficiency in vitro of various DNA templates. Our working hypothesis is that the primary alteration of this strain lies at the RNA polymerase level with a consequent increase of the synthetic rate of the ribosomal RNA. The increase of the messenger RNA half-life may be an indirect consequence of this event via a saturation of the RNAase by the excess of ribosomal RNAs not associated to their proteins.", "contents": "[Escherichia coli K12 mutant with increased RNA content and messenger RNA stability]. A strain of Escherichia coli has been isolated from a E. coli HfrH after a treatment with nitrosoguanidine for a partial resistance to thymineless death. This strain shows, in addition, a global increase of the RNA content amounting to 50 per cent. The half-life of the unstable RNA as well as of the messenger RNA of the beta-galactosidase is increased to a considerable degree. The RNA polymerase of this strain is modified with respect to its resistance to rifampicin and its transcription efficiency in vitro of various DNA templates. Our working hypothesis is that the primary alteration of this strain lies at the RNA polymerase level with a consequent increase of the synthetic rate of the ribosomal RNA. The increase of the messenger RNA half-life may be an indirect consequence of this event via a saturation of the RNAase by the excess of ribosomal RNAs not associated to their proteins.", "PMID": 782559} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6325", "title": "The pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent enzymes exclusively catalyzing reactions of beta-replacement.", "content": "Theoretic and experimental arguments are surveyed which justify the setting up, within the family of pyridoxal-P-dependent lyases, of a special subgroup that comprizes several enzymes catalyzing exclusively beta-replacement reactions of alpha-aminoacids with electronegative substituents in the beta-position. The authors and their associates have studied the physico-chemical and catalytic properties of four high purity enzymes belonging to this subgroup, namely: cysteine lyase (EC 4.1.1.10) from embryonic chicken yolk-sac, serine sulfhydrase from chicken liver and the closely analogous or synonymic cystathionine beta-synthase (EC 4.4.1.8) from rat liver, and beta-cyanoalanine synthase (EC 4.4.1.9) from lupine seedlings, in comparison with some pyridoxal-P-requiring lyases differing in reaction specificity, for example, gamma-specific, alphabeta-eliminating or plurifunctional lyases such as gamma-cystathionase (EC 4.4.1.1) of animal tissues. The results of these studies, relating to subtrate and cosubstrate specificities of the enzymes mentioned, their interactions with some selective inhibitors, catalysis of isotopic exchange of hydrogen atoms in substrates and substrate analogs, etc., indicate that lyases of the exclusively beta-replacing type substantially differ in reaction mechanism from other subgroups of this enzyme family. Thus, it appears highly improbable that transient formation of an alphabeta-unsaturated, coenzyme-substrate imine, considered as an obligatory step in the action of lyases in the alphabeta-eliminating and other subgroups, should occur in the sequences of reaction intermediates in the case of beta-replacing lyases. Suggested features of the presumable catalytic mechanism of these lyases are discussed, such as : fixed conformation of the aminoacid substrate in the ES complex (protein-bound pyridoxal-P aldimine), with beta-substituent in orientation cis (rather than trans) to the Halpha atom ; role of the binding of appropriate cosubstrates (nucleophilic replacing agent, Cs) inducing essential electronic and/or steric transitions in the catalytic site of the ternanry CsES complexes, etc.", "contents": "The pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent enzymes exclusively catalyzing reactions of beta-replacement. Theoretic and experimental arguments are surveyed which justify the setting up, within the family of pyridoxal-P-dependent lyases, of a special subgroup that comprizes several enzymes catalyzing exclusively beta-replacement reactions of alpha-aminoacids with electronegative substituents in the beta-position. The authors and their associates have studied the physico-chemical and catalytic properties of four high purity enzymes belonging to this subgroup, namely: cysteine lyase (EC 4.1.1.10) from embryonic chicken yolk-sac, serine sulfhydrase from chicken liver and the closely analogous or synonymic cystathionine beta-synthase (EC 4.4.1.8) from rat liver, and beta-cyanoalanine synthase (EC 4.4.1.9) from lupine seedlings, in comparison with some pyridoxal-P-requiring lyases differing in reaction specificity, for example, gamma-specific, alphabeta-eliminating or plurifunctional lyases such as gamma-cystathionase (EC 4.4.1.1) of animal tissues. The results of these studies, relating to subtrate and cosubstrate specificities of the enzymes mentioned, their interactions with some selective inhibitors, catalysis of isotopic exchange of hydrogen atoms in substrates and substrate analogs, etc., indicate that lyases of the exclusively beta-replacing type substantially differ in reaction mechanism from other subgroups of this enzyme family. Thus, it appears highly improbable that transient formation of an alphabeta-unsaturated, coenzyme-substrate imine, considered as an obligatory step in the action of lyases in the alphabeta-eliminating and other subgroups, should occur in the sequences of reaction intermediates in the case of beta-replacing lyases. Suggested features of the presumable catalytic mechanism of these lyases are discussed, such as : fixed conformation of the aminoacid substrate in the ES complex (protein-bound pyridoxal-P aldimine), with beta-substituent in orientation cis (rather than trans) to the Halpha atom ; role of the binding of appropriate cosubstrates (nucleophilic replacing agent, Cs) inducing essential electronic and/or steric transitions in the catalytic site of the ternanry CsES complexes, etc.", "PMID": 782560} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6326", "title": "The periplasmic galactose receptor protein of Escherichia coli in relation to galactose chemotaxis.", "content": "The periplasmic galactose receptor protein of E. coli is the common macromolecule in the initiation of two functions, chemotaxis and active transport. The substrates are glucose and galactose and the affinity for binding to the receptor protein is high (Kp -2 X 10(-8) M for glucose and 1 X 10(-7) M for galactose). A second binding site shows a 100-fold lower affinity. The high concentration of the galactose receptor protein in the periplasmic space tends to give retention through recapture of the ligands. The kinetic properties of the galactose receptor protein are, in general, in harmomy with the kinetics of chemotactic responses to spatial or temporal sugar gradients.", "contents": "The periplasmic galactose receptor protein of Escherichia coli in relation to galactose chemotaxis. The periplasmic galactose receptor protein of E. coli is the common macromolecule in the initiation of two functions, chemotaxis and active transport. The substrates are glucose and galactose and the affinity for binding to the receptor protein is high (Kp -2 X 10(-8) M for glucose and 1 X 10(-7) M for galactose). A second binding site shows a 100-fold lower affinity. The high concentration of the galactose receptor protein in the periplasmic space tends to give retention through recapture of the ligands. The kinetic properties of the galactose receptor protein are, in general, in harmomy with the kinetics of chemotactic responses to spatial or temporal sugar gradients.", "PMID": 782562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6327", "title": "[Immobilized antibodies: a possible technic for the epidemiological study of antibiotic resistant bacteria].", "content": "An antibody specific to a cephalosporinase responsible for the resistance of bacteria to cephalosporines has been immobilized on agarose beads by the iminocarbonate method. The resin thus obtained has been studied at a biospecific point of view. Its high thermostability is also demonstrated. This biospecific resin allows the performance of epidemiologic experiments of bacteria resistant to beta lactamines.", "contents": "[Immobilized antibodies: a possible technic for the epidemiological study of antibiotic resistant bacteria]. An antibody specific to a cephalosporinase responsible for the resistance of bacteria to cephalosporines has been immobilized on agarose beads by the iminocarbonate method. The resin thus obtained has been studied at a biospecific point of view. Its high thermostability is also demonstrated. This biospecific resin allows the performance of epidemiologic experiments of bacteria resistant to beta lactamines.", "PMID": 782563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6328", "title": "The methylation of tRNA.", "content": "The methylation of tRNA is a post-transcriptional modification which is achieved by specific enzymes, the tRNA methylases, with S adenosylmethionine as a methyl donor. The level and pattern of methylation are characteristic of the tRNA species and origin. Abnormally methylated tRNAs have been obtained, in vivo and in vitro, by a variety of methods, and their properties have been studied. The tRNA methylases are found in all cells and tissues. Their activity varies with the differentiation state of the cells, and under the influence of many internal and external factors ; it is especially elevated in embryonic and cancerous tissues. These enzymes are very unstable, and none of them has been purified to homogeneity. We present here their known properties and we propose a theory concerning their specificity. Finally, after reviewing the few available experimental data, we discuss the current hypotheses and speculations about the roles and functions of tRNA methylation.", "contents": "The methylation of tRNA. The methylation of tRNA is a post-transcriptional modification which is achieved by specific enzymes, the tRNA methylases, with S adenosylmethionine as a methyl donor. The level and pattern of methylation are characteristic of the tRNA species and origin. Abnormally methylated tRNAs have been obtained, in vivo and in vitro, by a variety of methods, and their properties have been studied. The tRNA methylases are found in all cells and tissues. Their activity varies with the differentiation state of the cells, and under the influence of many internal and external factors ; it is especially elevated in embryonic and cancerous tissues. These enzymes are very unstable, and none of them has been purified to homogeneity. We present here their known properties and we propose a theory concerning their specificity. Finally, after reviewing the few available experimental data, we discuss the current hypotheses and speculations about the roles and functions of tRNA methylation.", "PMID": 782564} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6329", "title": "Presence of two forms of palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase in homogenates of Mycobacterium smegmatis, purification using the monomer-polymer interconvertibility.", "content": "Homogenates of Mycobacterium smegmatis have been shown to contain, among other acyl-transfer enzymes, two entities endowed with palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase activity (1973, this journal, 55, 1381-1394). The present report demonstrates that these two entities, now called palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase I and palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase II, following their elution rate from a Sephadex G-150 column, are two interconvertible forms of the same enzyme. Form II, apparently predominant in the crude homogenates, is converted, during the purification steps, into Form I. The latter is convertible into Form II. It is observed that when the concentration of the enzyme increases, Form I becomes predominant. A purification of 800-fold was achieved, particularly by taking advantage of this convertibility properties. Parallel experiments conducted on S. cerevisiae and E. coli homogenates show the presence of the enzyme in the former and its absence in the latter microorganism.", "contents": "Presence of two forms of palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase in homogenates of Mycobacterium smegmatis, purification using the monomer-polymer interconvertibility. Homogenates of Mycobacterium smegmatis have been shown to contain, among other acyl-transfer enzymes, two entities endowed with palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase activity (1973, this journal, 55, 1381-1394). The present report demonstrates that these two entities, now called palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase I and palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase II, following their elution rate from a Sephadex G-150 column, are two interconvertible forms of the same enzyme. Form II, apparently predominant in the crude homogenates, is converted, during the purification steps, into Form I. The latter is convertible into Form II. It is observed that when the concentration of the enzyme increases, Form I becomes predominant. A purification of 800-fold was achieved, particularly by taking advantage of this convertibility properties. Parallel experiments conducted on S. cerevisiae and E. coli homogenates show the presence of the enzyme in the former and its absence in the latter microorganism.", "PMID": 782565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6330", "title": "[Transaminase B from Escherichia coli. I.-Purification and first properties].", "content": "Transaminase B (EC.2.6.1.6.) from E. coli, the specific enzyme for branched-chain aminoacids, was obtained in a purity equal to or greater than 96 p. cent after an 800-fold purification, employing two different procedures. One of the procedures involved heating at 60degreesC. The apparent molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated by chromatography on Sephadex and gel electrophoresis to be close to 180,000. The protein is made up of 6 subunits of equal size, with one molecule of coenzyme in each. Its absorption spectrum shows bands at 335 and 415 nm, and was found to be almost insensitive to the pH of the medium between 4.6 and 9. Transaminase B is active on phenylalanine as well, although the reaction between L-phenylalanine and alpha-ketoglutarate is about 50 to 100 times slower than the analogous reaction using L-valine as an aminoacid. Three sets of data show that the phenylalanine aminotransferase activity associated with transaminase B is not an artefact due to a protein contaminant. 1) Activities displayed toward phenylalanine and valine cannot be resolved by different methods, including chromatography, gel electrophoresis, and electrofucussing. 2) The absorption spectrum of the enzyme is as strongly modified by phenylalanine as by valine. 3) A ketoglutarate-free reaction between phenylalanine, tyrosine or typtophane and an aliphatic alpha-ketoacid is catalyzed by the pure enzyme and follows a mechanism belonging to the usual ping pong type. The possible significance of this reaction as a regulatory device in the cell metabolism is briefly discussed.", "contents": "[Transaminase B from Escherichia coli. I.-Purification and first properties]. Transaminase B (EC.2.6.1.6.) from E. coli, the specific enzyme for branched-chain aminoacids, was obtained in a purity equal to or greater than 96 p. cent after an 800-fold purification, employing two different procedures. One of the procedures involved heating at 60degreesC. The apparent molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated by chromatography on Sephadex and gel electrophoresis to be close to 180,000. The protein is made up of 6 subunits of equal size, with one molecule of coenzyme in each. Its absorption spectrum shows bands at 335 and 415 nm, and was found to be almost insensitive to the pH of the medium between 4.6 and 9. Transaminase B is active on phenylalanine as well, although the reaction between L-phenylalanine and alpha-ketoglutarate is about 50 to 100 times slower than the analogous reaction using L-valine as an aminoacid. Three sets of data show that the phenylalanine aminotransferase activity associated with transaminase B is not an artefact due to a protein contaminant. 1) Activities displayed toward phenylalanine and valine cannot be resolved by different methods, including chromatography, gel electrophoresis, and electrofucussing. 2) The absorption spectrum of the enzyme is as strongly modified by phenylalanine as by valine. 3) A ketoglutarate-free reaction between phenylalanine, tyrosine or typtophane and an aliphatic alpha-ketoacid is catalyzed by the pure enzyme and follows a mechanism belonging to the usual ping pong type. The possible significance of this reaction as a regulatory device in the cell metabolism is briefly discussed.", "PMID": 782566} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6331", "title": "Rib anomalies in myelodysplasia. An approach to embryologic inference.", "content": "An embryologic teratogenic mechanism is reconstructed by utilizing the distribution of anomalous ribs in children with lumbosacral myelomeningocele. This methodology may help to coalesce information from experimental models of teratogenesis and from descriptive human embryology. It provides an approach to deductive reasoning about human structural anomalies based on dynamic embryonic models of teratogenesis. Availability of a developmental time scale, based for example on the distribution of defective ribs, may be useful in the study of other teratogenic and developmental processes.", "contents": "Rib anomalies in myelodysplasia. An approach to embryologic inference. An embryologic teratogenic mechanism is reconstructed by utilizing the distribution of anomalous ribs in children with lumbosacral myelomeningocele. This methodology may help to coalesce information from experimental models of teratogenesis and from descriptive human embryology. It provides an approach to deductive reasoning about human structural anomalies based on dynamic embryonic models of teratogenesis. Availability of a developmental time scale, based for example on the distribution of defective ribs, may be useful in the study of other teratogenic and developmental processes.", "PMID": 782569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6332", "title": "The effects of continuous positive airway pressure on lung mechanics and lung volumes in the neonate.", "content": "We have studied the effect of continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) on the lung mechanics and thoracic gas volumes on 15 occasions in 12 healthy neonates. As expected, the thoracic gas volume rose and total pulmonary resistance fell. The dynamic compliance fell on all occasions. 43% of the applied pressure was transmitted through to the mediastinal structures.", "contents": "The effects of continuous positive airway pressure on lung mechanics and lung volumes in the neonate. We have studied the effect of continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) on the lung mechanics and thoracic gas volumes on 15 occasions in 12 healthy neonates. As expected, the thoracic gas volume rose and total pulmonary resistance fell. The dynamic compliance fell on all occasions. 43% of the applied pressure was transmitted through to the mediastinal structures.", "PMID": 782570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6333", "title": "Chemically sensitive field-effect transistors.", "content": "The present state of the art and trends in development of chemically sensitive field-effect transistors are reviewed. In the theoretical section, a brief description of principles, temperature sensitivity, stability and the question of a reference electrode are discussed. In the practical section some aspects of the design and recommendations for device evaluation procedures are given. The article concludes with the authors' view of future development, particularly with respect to biomedical applications.", "contents": "Chemically sensitive field-effect transistors. The present state of the art and trends in development of chemically sensitive field-effect transistors are reviewed. In the theoretical section, a brief description of principles, temperature sensitivity, stability and the question of a reference electrode are discussed. In the practical section some aspects of the design and recommendations for device evaluation procedures are given. The article concludes with the authors' view of future development, particularly with respect to biomedical applications.", "PMID": 782572} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6334", "title": "Optimizing the enzyme--labeling of antibody.", "content": "Recently developed immunohistochemical techniques allow the biologist to monitor the migration and activity of immunoglobulins via enzymatic labels. This paper proposes a model for the description of this labeling process and investigates the optimum mixture of immunoglobin and label for this model.", "contents": "Optimizing the enzyme--labeling of antibody. Recently developed immunohistochemical techniques allow the biologist to monitor the migration and activity of immunoglobulins via enzymatic labels. This paper proposes a model for the description of this labeling process and investigates the optimum mixture of immunoglobin and label for this model.", "PMID": 782575} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6335", "title": "Specific immunodiagnosis of human hydatidosis by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (E.L.I.S.A.).", "content": "The enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay (E.L.I.S.A.) using whole and purified hydatid antigens was applied to the diagnosis of human hydatid disease. This sensitive and economical method provides new possibilities for the specific diagnosis of parasitic diseases by automated procedures.", "contents": "Specific immunodiagnosis of human hydatidosis by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (E.L.I.S.A.). The enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay (E.L.I.S.A.) using whole and purified hydatid antigens was applied to the diagnosis of human hydatid disease. This sensitive and economical method provides new possibilities for the specific diagnosis of parasitic diseases by automated procedures.", "PMID": 782577} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6336", "title": "The cellular immune capacity of mice with transplanted lymphoid leukaemia.", "content": "Mice bearing transplanted lymphoid leukaemia rejected grafts of allogeneic skin in normal manner. Cells fromtheir spleens, collected in progressive stages of the disease, mounted cellular immune reactions as competently as the spleen cells of normal mice. Radiolabelled leukaemia cells accumulated in graft beds These findings were interpreted as showing that malignant cells of this leukaemia may become recruited to take part in the immune response.", "contents": "The cellular immune capacity of mice with transplanted lymphoid leukaemia. Mice bearing transplanted lymphoid leukaemia rejected grafts of allogeneic skin in normal manner. Cells fromtheir spleens, collected in progressive stages of the disease, mounted cellular immune reactions as competently as the spleen cells of normal mice. Radiolabelled leukaemia cells accumulated in graft beds These findings were interpreted as showing that malignant cells of this leukaemia may become recruited to take part in the immune response.", "PMID": 782579} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6337", "title": "The electrophoretic hemolytic plaque assay -- theory.", "content": "We use the mathematical theory of plaque qrowth to determine if there is merit in performing a hemolytic plaque assay in the presence of an external electric field. In particular, we study the effects of an electric field on the transport of antibodies secreted by a single lymphocyte and on the size and shape of the plaques they produce. Our results indicate that in the presence of an applied electric field: (1) The mobility of the antibodies produced by the antibody forming cell can be determined from the plaque shape. (In the electric field the plaques are no longer circular, but cigar shaped.) (2) By changing the magnitude or direction of the applied electric field more than one plaque can be generated by a single AFC. Thus changes in mobility or the rate of antibody secretion can be assayed. (3) Plaques will reach a steady state size; for good emitters (cells that secrete antibodies at a high rate or that secrete high affinity antibodies) this steady state will be achieved rapidly. Equations are given which describe both the temporal development and steady state plaque size and shape. From the equations, computer generated plots of plaques produced by typical antibody forming cells are presented. These plots are then used to show how pictures of plaques formed in an electric field can be analyzed to determine the antibody mobility.", "contents": "The electrophoretic hemolytic plaque assay -- theory. We use the mathematical theory of plaque qrowth to determine if there is merit in performing a hemolytic plaque assay in the presence of an external electric field. In particular, we study the effects of an electric field on the transport of antibodies secreted by a single lymphocyte and on the size and shape of the plaques they produce. Our results indicate that in the presence of an applied electric field: (1) The mobility of the antibodies produced by the antibody forming cell can be determined from the plaque shape. (In the electric field the plaques are no longer circular, but cigar shaped.) (2) By changing the magnitude or direction of the applied electric field more than one plaque can be generated by a single AFC. Thus changes in mobility or the rate of antibody secretion can be assayed. (3) Plaques will reach a steady state size; for good emitters (cells that secrete antibodies at a high rate or that secrete high affinity antibodies) this steady state will be achieved rapidly. Equations are given which describe both the temporal development and steady state plaque size and shape. From the equations, computer generated plots of plaques produced by typical antibody forming cells are presented. These plots are then used to show how pictures of plaques formed in an electric field can be analyzed to determine the antibody mobility.", "PMID": 782580} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6338", "title": "Fed batch culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a perspective of computer control to enhance the productivity in baker's yeast cultivation.", "content": "A means to avoid the glucose effect in the production of baker's yeast from glucose and/or molasses in a fed batch culture by controlling the feed rate of fresh medium with an ad hoc measurement of the respiratory quotient, RQ, is presented. The feed rate is changed stepwise here such that the value of RQ ranges from 1.0 to 1.2 throughout the cultivation. Thus far, the specific growth rate based on the total cell mass and the growth yield obtained throughout are 0.24 hr-1 and 0.55 g cell/g glucose. Prior to the experimental run mentioned above, equations to predetermine the feed rate and concentration of glucose in the feed are derived from the mass balance of limiting substrates (glucose). Since values of either RQ or Io2 (Qo2 x, oxygen consumption rate with respect to the total cell mass in the fermenter) can be measured quite easily and reliably, computer control of the fermentation in light of this information is discussed.", "contents": "Fed batch culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a perspective of computer control to enhance the productivity in baker's yeast cultivation. A means to avoid the glucose effect in the production of baker's yeast from glucose and/or molasses in a fed batch culture by controlling the feed rate of fresh medium with an ad hoc measurement of the respiratory quotient, RQ, is presented. The feed rate is changed stepwise here such that the value of RQ ranges from 1.0 to 1.2 throughout the cultivation. Thus far, the specific growth rate based on the total cell mass and the growth yield obtained throughout are 0.24 hr-1 and 0.55 g cell/g glucose. Prior to the experimental run mentioned above, equations to predetermine the feed rate and concentration of glucose in the feed are derived from the mass balance of limiting substrates (glucose). Since values of either RQ or Io2 (Qo2 x, oxygen consumption rate with respect to the total cell mass in the fermenter) can be measured quite easily and reliably, computer control of the fermentation in light of this information is discussed.", "PMID": 782581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6339", "title": "Large-scale disintegration of microorganisms by freeze-pressing.", "content": "A semicontinuous press has been constructed for the disintegration of microorganisms and other biological material by freeze-pressing, i.e., pressure extrusion of frozen material through a narrow hole. The material to be freeze-pressed is frozen in the form of cylindrical rods, which fit into the pressure chamber and are extruded by a piston forced back and forth by means of a hydraulic pump. At a sample temperature of -35 degrees C and a press temperature of -20 degrees C, about 90% disruption is achieved in a single passage of undiluted baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 270 mg/g) through the orifice of the pressure chamber. With this press about 10 kg of material can be freeze-pressed per hour.", "contents": "Large-scale disintegration of microorganisms by freeze-pressing. A semicontinuous press has been constructed for the disintegration of microorganisms and other biological material by freeze-pressing, i.e., pressure extrusion of frozen material through a narrow hole. The material to be freeze-pressed is frozen in the form of cylindrical rods, which fit into the pressure chamber and are extruded by a piston forced back and forth by means of a hydraulic pump. At a sample temperature of -35 degrees C and a press temperature of -20 degrees C, about 90% disruption is achieved in a single passage of undiluted baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 270 mg/g) through the orifice of the pressure chamber. With this press about 10 kg of material can be freeze-pressed per hour.", "PMID": 782582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6340", "title": "Corneal transplant for therapy of primary corneal dystrophies.", "content": "Penetrating corneal transplants for primary corneal dystrophies such such as keratoconus and Fuchs dystrophy, and for hereditary dystrophies such as granular, lattice, and macular have an excellent prognosis of 95% or more for a clear graft and good vision in the series presented. These dystrophies are rarely associated with corneal vascularization, unless induced by silk sutures, knots of sutures, exudate, or repeated operations. Accordingly, the incidence of homograft rejection is reduced. However, there is a slower rate of healing, especially with nylon sutures which should not be removed for at least six months. The use of steroids, especially with intensive administration topically or over a long period of time, subconjunctival injection of repository forms, or theoretically at least, systemic administration, can be followed by posterior subcapsular lens opacities which may remain stationary if medication is stopped. Unfortunately, within several years the hereditary dystrophies may slowly develop a recurrence of the dystrophy in the graft requiring reoperation.", "contents": "Corneal transplant for therapy of primary corneal dystrophies. Penetrating corneal transplants for primary corneal dystrophies such such as keratoconus and Fuchs dystrophy, and for hereditary dystrophies such as granular, lattice, and macular have an excellent prognosis of 95% or more for a clear graft and good vision in the series presented. These dystrophies are rarely associated with corneal vascularization, unless induced by silk sutures, knots of sutures, exudate, or repeated operations. Accordingly, the incidence of homograft rejection is reduced. However, there is a slower rate of healing, especially with nylon sutures which should not be removed for at least six months. The use of steroids, especially with intensive administration topically or over a long period of time, subconjunctival injection of repository forms, or theoretically at least, systemic administration, can be followed by posterior subcapsular lens opacities which may remain stationary if medication is stopped. Unfortunately, within several years the hereditary dystrophies may slowly develop a recurrence of the dystrophy in the graft requiring reoperation.", "PMID": 782592} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6341", "title": "Retinal vaso-occlusion in sickling hemoglobinopathies.", "content": "Sickle cell retinopathy, in all of its manifestations, represents the effects of arteriolar and capillary occlusions. Increased viscosity of circulating whole blood plus the microembolic action of individual sickled erythrocytes contribute to vasoocclusion. Decreased oxygenation and increased acidosis develop and lead to further sickling -- and further vaso-occlusion. The cycle of erythrostasis that characterizes sickling throughout the body is also applicable to the retina. The transparent media of the eye permit direct visualization of vaso-occlusions which occur preferentially in and about the macula and in the far periphery of the retina. Many of the occlusive episodes are transient. There dynamic events are simultaneously occurring elsewhere in the body but can only be visualized in the eye. The net effect in the retina is a remodeling of its vasculature, as some vessels close and others reopen. After the onset of arteriolar closure in the retina, affected blood vessels embark on a spontaneous, naturally evolving course of events leading to arteriolarvenular anastomoses, neovascular proliferations, vitreous hemorrhages, and retinal detachment. The advanced stages of proliferative sickle retinopathy are most commonly observed in SC disease and in Sthal, possibly because these two forms of sickling have significantly higher than normal whole blood viscosity. Retinal vaso-occlusions can also lead to blow-out hemorrhages which may evolve into salmon patches, iridescent spots, schisis cavities, and black sunbursts. In some respects sickle retinopathy is unique, but many of its manifestations are similar to those of retinopathies found in diabetes mellitus, AC hemoglobinopathy, Takayasu pulseless disease, sarcoidosis, chronic myelogenous leukemia, branch retinal vein occlusion, retrolental fibroplasia, and Eales disease.", "contents": "Retinal vaso-occlusion in sickling hemoglobinopathies. Sickle cell retinopathy, in all of its manifestations, represents the effects of arteriolar and capillary occlusions. Increased viscosity of circulating whole blood plus the microembolic action of individual sickled erythrocytes contribute to vasoocclusion. Decreased oxygenation and increased acidosis develop and lead to further sickling -- and further vaso-occlusion. The cycle of erythrostasis that characterizes sickling throughout the body is also applicable to the retina. The transparent media of the eye permit direct visualization of vaso-occlusions which occur preferentially in and about the macula and in the far periphery of the retina. Many of the occlusive episodes are transient. There dynamic events are simultaneously occurring elsewhere in the body but can only be visualized in the eye. The net effect in the retina is a remodeling of its vasculature, as some vessels close and others reopen. After the onset of arteriolar closure in the retina, affected blood vessels embark on a spontaneous, naturally evolving course of events leading to arteriolarvenular anastomoses, neovascular proliferations, vitreous hemorrhages, and retinal detachment. The advanced stages of proliferative sickle retinopathy are most commonly observed in SC disease and in Sthal, possibly because these two forms of sickling have significantly higher than normal whole blood viscosity. Retinal vaso-occlusions can also lead to blow-out hemorrhages which may evolve into salmon patches, iridescent spots, schisis cavities, and black sunbursts. In some respects sickle retinopathy is unique, but many of its manifestations are similar to those of retinopathies found in diabetes mellitus, AC hemoglobinopathy, Takayasu pulseless disease, sarcoidosis, chronic myelogenous leukemia, branch retinal vein occlusion, retrolental fibroplasia, and Eales disease.", "PMID": 782601} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6342", "title": "[Effect of transplantation of lymphoid and bone marrow cells on the immune response following immunization of mouse strains little or highly reactive to the antigen].", "content": "C57BL and CBA mice, with low or high reaction to immunization with sheep erythrocytes, respectively, were given transplantation of the syngenous lymphoid or bone marrow cells. Transplantation of the syngenous cells to C57BL mice intensified the production of antibody-forming cells to sheep erythrocytes and depressed it in transplantation to CBA mice. A different effect of transplantation of the lymphoid and bone marrow cells on the immune response, depending on the recipient's genotype, is discussed.", "contents": "[Effect of transplantation of lymphoid and bone marrow cells on the immune response following immunization of mouse strains little or highly reactive to the antigen]. C57BL and CBA mice, with low or high reaction to immunization with sheep erythrocytes, respectively, were given transplantation of the syngenous lymphoid or bone marrow cells. Transplantation of the syngenous cells to C57BL mice intensified the production of antibody-forming cells to sheep erythrocytes and depressed it in transplantation to CBA mice. A different effect of transplantation of the lymphoid and bone marrow cells on the immune response, depending on the recipient's genotype, is discussed.", "PMID": 782604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6343", "title": "[Importance of the time of bone marrow transplantation for demonstration of allogenic inhibition of sten cells].", "content": "The effect of the interval (4-96 hours) between the irradiation of hybrids (CBAXC57BL/6 F1 and the bone marrow transplantation from C57BL/6 mice on the manifestation of allogenic inhibition of the stem cells was studied; in the given donor-recipient model the degree of allogenic inhibition constituted 90%. The bone marrow transplantation 4 to 48 hours after the irradiation failed to influence the number of colonies in the spleen of hybrids F1, but when this transplantation was given 96 hours after the irradiation the colony-forming ability of parental hemopoietic cells regressed to 33%. Remote transplantation had no influence on the number of colonies in the spleen of syngenic recipients.", "contents": "[Importance of the time of bone marrow transplantation for demonstration of allogenic inhibition of sten cells]. The effect of the interval (4-96 hours) between the irradiation of hybrids (CBAXC57BL/6 F1 and the bone marrow transplantation from C57BL/6 mice on the manifestation of allogenic inhibition of the stem cells was studied; in the given donor-recipient model the degree of allogenic inhibition constituted 90%. The bone marrow transplantation 4 to 48 hours after the irradiation failed to influence the number of colonies in the spleen of hybrids F1, but when this transplantation was given 96 hours after the irradiation the colony-forming ability of parental hemopoietic cells regressed to 33%. Remote transplantation had no influence on the number of colonies in the spleen of syngenic recipients.", "PMID": 782605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6344", "title": "[Localization in cells of Neisseria perflava and Klebsiella pneumoniae of antigens in common (cross-reacting) with tissues of the human bronchopulmonary apparatus].", "content": "A study was made of localization in the cells of Neisseria perflava and Klebsiella pneumoniae of antigens common with the tissues of the human broncho-pulmonary apparatus. A study was made of cross reactions of some structures of Neisseria perflava and Klebsiella pneumoniae cells (capsule, walls, cytoplasmic structure fraction, hyaloplasm) in the complement fixation test with antilung sera. Antigens cross reacting with the antilung sera were localized not only in the surface structures (walls) of bacterial cells, but also in the \"deep\" components (cytoplasm fraction rich in ribonucleoproteids) of the microbe.", "contents": "[Localization in cells of Neisseria perflava and Klebsiella pneumoniae of antigens in common (cross-reacting) with tissues of the human bronchopulmonary apparatus]. A study was made of localization in the cells of Neisseria perflava and Klebsiella pneumoniae of antigens common with the tissues of the human broncho-pulmonary apparatus. A study was made of cross reactions of some structures of Neisseria perflava and Klebsiella pneumoniae cells (capsule, walls, cytoplasmic structure fraction, hyaloplasm) in the complement fixation test with antilung sera. Antigens cross reacting with the antilung sera were localized not only in the surface structures (walls) of bacterial cells, but also in the \"deep\" components (cytoplasm fraction rich in ribonucleoproteids) of the microbe.", "PMID": 782606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6345", "title": "[Insulin concentration in plasma from the femoral, hepatic and pancreatico-duodenal veins of dogs under standard conditions and in corisone glucose tolerance tests].", "content": "In comparing the results of glucose tolerance tests conducted against the background of cortisone action and without it the former one proved to have advantages over the latter one in studying the incretory function of the pancreas. A biphasic character of insulin secretion in glucose loading was revealed with the aid of this test. Secretion of insulin by the pancreas was better reflected by the dynamics of insulin content in the blood of the pancreatic-duodenal vein that by the dynamics of its content in the blood of the peripheral veins.", "contents": "[Insulin concentration in plasma from the femoral, hepatic and pancreatico-duodenal veins of dogs under standard conditions and in corisone glucose tolerance tests]. In comparing the results of glucose tolerance tests conducted against the background of cortisone action and without it the former one proved to have advantages over the latter one in studying the incretory function of the pancreas. A biphasic character of insulin secretion in glucose loading was revealed with the aid of this test. Secretion of insulin by the pancreas was better reflected by the dynamics of insulin content in the blood of the pancreatic-duodenal vein that by the dynamics of its content in the blood of the peripheral veins.", "PMID": 782607} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6346", "title": "[Mitosis in the tubular epithelium of allotransplanted dog kidney during the early periods following transplantation].", "content": "Cells dividing by mitosis were revealed in the tubular epithelium of 5 of 23 allografted kidneys of mongrel dogs. These mitoses were localized in the proximal and distal convoluted tubules (88 and 21 mitoses, respectively). Four pathological mitoses among 29 dividing epithelial cells were revealed 3 and 5 days after the operation, whereas no pathological mitoses were found among 80 mitoses of the kidneys present in the recipient's organism for 1 and 2 days. No mitoses were observed in the tubular epithelium of control kidneys (in the unoperated dogs).", "contents": "[Mitosis in the tubular epithelium of allotransplanted dog kidney during the early periods following transplantation]. Cells dividing by mitosis were revealed in the tubular epithelium of 5 of 23 allografted kidneys of mongrel dogs. These mitoses were localized in the proximal and distal convoluted tubules (88 and 21 mitoses, respectively). Four pathological mitoses among 29 dividing epithelial cells were revealed 3 and 5 days after the operation, whereas no pathological mitoses were found among 80 mitoses of the kidneys present in the recipient's organism for 1 and 2 days. No mitoses were observed in the tubular epithelium of control kidneys (in the unoperated dogs).", "PMID": 782608} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6347", "title": "[Age and the functional activity of the pancreatic insular apparatus].", "content": "A study was made of age peculiarities of the insular function of the pancreas and of the indices of insuline provision of the organism in rat under conditions of sugar loading. It was shown that, in spite of hyperinsulinemia and a higher rate of insuline release glucose release in old rats became worse; this testified to the development of a relative insuline insufficiency in animals of old age. Hyperinsulinemia in old rats coursed against the background of a decreased total blood insular activity and increased \"factor of insulin inactivation\". The development of a relative insuline insufficiency in old rats depended on both the insular and the non-pancreatic factors, leading to a decrease of the biological activity of insuline.", "contents": "[Age and the functional activity of the pancreatic insular apparatus]. A study was made of age peculiarities of the insular function of the pancreas and of the indices of insuline provision of the organism in rat under conditions of sugar loading. It was shown that, in spite of hyperinsulinemia and a higher rate of insuline release glucose release in old rats became worse; this testified to the development of a relative insuline insufficiency in animals of old age. Hyperinsulinemia in old rats coursed against the background of a decreased total blood insular activity and increased \"factor of insulin inactivation\". The development of a relative insuline insufficiency in old rats depended on both the insular and the non-pancreatic factors, leading to a decrease of the biological activity of insuline.", "PMID": 782609} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6348", "title": "[Distribution of colony-forming cells in the bone marrow and spleen of irradiated mice].", "content": "Two hours after the transplantation of 2-10(5) bone marrow cells 1.7--2.8% of the colony-forming units (CFU) persisted in the bone marrow and 14--16% -- in the spleen of the recipients. In 24 hours there was 1--2% of the CFU in the bone marrow and 21--26% in the spleen. The \"F-factor\" for these organs was constant in the recipients (under conditions of saturation) for 24 hours after the transplantation of 2.5.10(6)--1.7--10(7) bone marrow cells. The \"F-factor\" for the CFU seeding the spleen was 20--22% and for the CFU seeding in the femus--2,4--2,7%. It is supposed that the count of the CFU seeded in the total bone marrow volume was equal to that in the spleen. The average sum of the CFU seeding in the spleen and in the total bone marrow volume was about 40--50%. The fate of other CFU is unknown.", "contents": "[Distribution of colony-forming cells in the bone marrow and spleen of irradiated mice]. Two hours after the transplantation of 2-10(5) bone marrow cells 1.7--2.8% of the colony-forming units (CFU) persisted in the bone marrow and 14--16% -- in the spleen of the recipients. In 24 hours there was 1--2% of the CFU in the bone marrow and 21--26% in the spleen. The \"F-factor\" for these organs was constant in the recipients (under conditions of saturation) for 24 hours after the transplantation of 2.5.10(6)--1.7--10(7) bone marrow cells. The \"F-factor\" for the CFU seeding the spleen was 20--22% and for the CFU seeding in the femus--2,4--2,7%. It is supposed that the count of the CFU seeded in the total bone marrow volume was equal to that in the spleen. The average sum of the CFU seeding in the spleen and in the total bone marrow volume was about 40--50%. The fate of other CFU is unknown.", "PMID": 782610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6349", "title": "Delayed erythropoiesis in irradiated rats grafted with syngeneic marrow: effects of cytotoxic drugs and iron-deficiency anemia.", "content": "Erythropoiesis in spleens of lethally irradiated Lewis rats grafted with 4-35 X 10(6) syngeneic marrow cells was inhibited or delayed during the test period of 5 days; this was in marked contrast to observation in irradiated mice. The mechanism of this inhibition was the subject of this study. Pretreatment of recipients 9 days prior to irradiation with the cytotoxic drugs cyclophosphamide (CY), busulfan (BUS), or dimethylmyleran (DMM), or the induction of iron deficiency with anemia in recipients reversed this delayed erythropoiesis. However, neither iron-deficiency anemia nor pretreatment with BUS or DMM affected the ability of irradiated recipients to reject 20 to 50 X 10(6) allogeneic marrow cells. The administration of commercial preparations of erythropoietin to hosts stimulated erythropoiesis moderately. However, proliferation of syngeneic marrow cells was not enhanced when infused into lethally irradiated Spontaneous Hypertensive (SH) inbred-strain rats which have high levels of endogenous erythropoietin. Finally, plasma from irradiated rats treated with phenylhydrazine to produce severe anemia was rich in erythropoietin but failed to stimulate erythropoiesis in the cell transfer system. Two hypotheses are considered: (1) Irradiation inhibits the secretion of a factor (not erythropoietin) responsible for initiating early stages in differentiation of transplanted stem cells; iron-deficiency anemia and cytotoxic drugs stimulate the secretion of this factor. (2) Normal rats secrete a factor which suppresses erythropoiesis; iron-deficiency anemia and cytotoxic drugs inhibit the production or function of this factor. Cellular rather than humoral factors may by involved.", "contents": "Delayed erythropoiesis in irradiated rats grafted with syngeneic marrow: effects of cytotoxic drugs and iron-deficiency anemia. Erythropoiesis in spleens of lethally irradiated Lewis rats grafted with 4-35 X 10(6) syngeneic marrow cells was inhibited or delayed during the test period of 5 days; this was in marked contrast to observation in irradiated mice. The mechanism of this inhibition was the subject of this study. Pretreatment of recipients 9 days prior to irradiation with the cytotoxic drugs cyclophosphamide (CY), busulfan (BUS), or dimethylmyleran (DMM), or the induction of iron deficiency with anemia in recipients reversed this delayed erythropoiesis. However, neither iron-deficiency anemia nor pretreatment with BUS or DMM affected the ability of irradiated recipients to reject 20 to 50 X 10(6) allogeneic marrow cells. The administration of commercial preparations of erythropoietin to hosts stimulated erythropoiesis moderately. However, proliferation of syngeneic marrow cells was not enhanced when infused into lethally irradiated Spontaneous Hypertensive (SH) inbred-strain rats which have high levels of endogenous erythropoietin. Finally, plasma from irradiated rats treated with phenylhydrazine to produce severe anemia was rich in erythropoietin but failed to stimulate erythropoiesis in the cell transfer system. Two hypotheses are considered: (1) Irradiation inhibits the secretion of a factor (not erythropoietin) responsible for initiating early stages in differentiation of transplanted stem cells; iron-deficiency anemia and cytotoxic drugs stimulate the secretion of this factor. (2) Normal rats secrete a factor which suppresses erythropoiesis; iron-deficiency anemia and cytotoxic drugs inhibit the production or function of this factor. Cellular rather than humoral factors may by involved.", "PMID": 782611} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6350", "title": "The accuracy of radiological and computer dianoses in small bowel examinations in children.", "content": "A prospective study has been made of the accuracy of the diagnoses made by radiologists and by two computer methods of prediction in 120 children having radiological examinations of the small bowel. The predicted diagnoses were calculated using the Bayesian and Relative Likelihood techniques. The results have been compared with the final clinical diagnoses, which have been considered to be \"correct\". It was found that in 94 (78 per cent) children with no small-bowel disease the correct diagnosis was made by the radiologist in 79 (84 per cent), by the Bayesian method in 86 (91 per cent) and by the Relative Likelihood method in 77 (82 per cent) children. In the 26 (22 per cent) children with small-bowel disease the correct diagnosis was made by the radiologist in 21 (81 per cent), by the Bayesian method in 13 (50 per cent), and by the Relative Likelihood method in 11 (42 per cent) children. The accuracy of the three methods of interpretation of signs has been compared using the diagnostic test rating index, which takes into account the false-positive and false-negative results, as well as the correct and incorrect results. The radiologist rating was 0-76, the Bayesian method 0-57 and the Relative Likelihood method 0-51. The index for the radiologist was significantly greater than that for the Relative Likelihood method (p less than 0-05). Computer predictions are based on observations made by the radiologist and may be affected by the initial selection of signs, the compression of information into a \"normal\" or \"abnormal\" format, and the size of the bank of information available. They offer an objective test of the significance of selected radiological signs. Computer diagnosis provides a useful research tool, but in this study was less accurate than the radiologist.", "contents": "The accuracy of radiological and computer dianoses in small bowel examinations in children. A prospective study has been made of the accuracy of the diagnoses made by radiologists and by two computer methods of prediction in 120 children having radiological examinations of the small bowel. The predicted diagnoses were calculated using the Bayesian and Relative Likelihood techniques. The results have been compared with the final clinical diagnoses, which have been considered to be \"correct\". It was found that in 94 (78 per cent) children with no small-bowel disease the correct diagnosis was made by the radiologist in 79 (84 per cent), by the Bayesian method in 86 (91 per cent) and by the Relative Likelihood method in 77 (82 per cent) children. In the 26 (22 per cent) children with small-bowel disease the correct diagnosis was made by the radiologist in 21 (81 per cent), by the Bayesian method in 13 (50 per cent), and by the Relative Likelihood method in 11 (42 per cent) children. The accuracy of the three methods of interpretation of signs has been compared using the diagnostic test rating index, which takes into account the false-positive and false-negative results, as well as the correct and incorrect results. The radiologist rating was 0-76, the Bayesian method 0-57 and the Relative Likelihood method 0-51. The index for the radiologist was significantly greater than that for the Relative Likelihood method (p less than 0-05). Computer predictions are based on observations made by the radiologist and may be affected by the initial selection of signs, the compression of information into a \"normal\" or \"abnormal\" format, and the size of the bank of information available. They offer an objective test of the significance of selected radiological signs. Computer diagnosis provides a useful research tool, but in this study was less accurate than the radiologist.", "PMID": 782616} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6351", "title": "Perfusion in the experimental preservation of the rat heart.", "content": "Rat hearts have been preserved for 24 hours using four different preservation solutions. The results suggest that the best preservation fluid is Tyrode's solution with Ficoll 5 per cent. A comparison of simple cooling of the heart and perfusion, either continuous or intermittent, has shown that intermittent perfusion of the heart for 2 minutes every 6 hours gives the highest rate of 24-hour preservation.", "contents": "Perfusion in the experimental preservation of the rat heart. Rat hearts have been preserved for 24 hours using four different preservation solutions. The results suggest that the best preservation fluid is Tyrode's solution with Ficoll 5 per cent. A comparison of simple cooling of the heart and perfusion, either continuous or intermittent, has shown that intermittent perfusion of the heart for 2 minutes every 6 hours gives the highest rate of 24-hour preservation.", "PMID": 782621} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6352", "title": "Bilateral nephrectomy prior to renal transplantation.", "content": "Bilateral nephrectomy was performed in 53 patients on regular haemodialysis. The indications were pyelonephritis in 30, polycystic kidneys in 6, glomerulnephritis in 7, uncontrollable hypertension in 9 and horseshoe kidney in 1. In 87 per cent of cases the operation was carried out as a separate procedure prior to transplantation. The mortality was 9 per cent and the postoperative complications included hypotension, clotting of arteriovenous shunts, pneumonia and subphrenic abscess. As a result of our experience we have revised our indications for bilateral nephrectomy which now are pyelonephritis only when associated with persistent bacteriuria or ureteric reflux, polycystic kidneys and uncontrollable hypertension.", "contents": "Bilateral nephrectomy prior to renal transplantation. Bilateral nephrectomy was performed in 53 patients on regular haemodialysis. The indications were pyelonephritis in 30, polycystic kidneys in 6, glomerulnephritis in 7, uncontrollable hypertension in 9 and horseshoe kidney in 1. In 87 per cent of cases the operation was carried out as a separate procedure prior to transplantation. The mortality was 9 per cent and the postoperative complications included hypotension, clotting of arteriovenous shunts, pneumonia and subphrenic abscess. As a result of our experience we have revised our indications for bilateral nephrectomy which now are pyelonephritis only when associated with persistent bacteriuria or ureteric reflux, polycystic kidneys and uncontrollable hypertension.", "PMID": 782622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6353", "title": "A technique for rapid harvesting of cadaveric renal and pancreatic grafts after circulatory arrest.", "content": "In several countries, organs for transplantation cannot be removed from cadaver donors until cardiac arrest has occurred. A technique is described for removal of the kidneys and pancreas in which the whole abdominal contents are freed and reflected so that the retroperitoneal organs lie uppermost. The aorta is opened longitudinally and the relevant arteries are cannulated via their orifices. Cold perfusion of the three organs can usually be initiated 5-15 minutes after cardiac arrest and significant ischaemia is avoided. The full length of the vascular pedicles can be preserved and the dissection of the retroperitoneal organs is greatly facilitated.", "contents": "A technique for rapid harvesting of cadaveric renal and pancreatic grafts after circulatory arrest. In several countries, organs for transplantation cannot be removed from cadaver donors until cardiac arrest has occurred. A technique is described for removal of the kidneys and pancreas in which the whole abdominal contents are freed and reflected so that the retroperitoneal organs lie uppermost. The aorta is opened longitudinally and the relevant arteries are cannulated via their orifices. Cold perfusion of the three organs can usually be initiated 5-15 minutes after cardiac arrest and significant ischaemia is avoided. The full length of the vascular pedicles can be preserved and the dissection of the retroperitoneal organs is greatly facilitated.", "PMID": 782623} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6354", "title": "Prophylaxis against anaerobic sepsis in bowel surgery.", "content": "Sixty-two patients were admitted to a prospective randomized controlled trial to investigate the influence of a prophylactic antibiotic, lincomycin, on anaerobic sepsis following bowel surgery. The incidence of postoperative sepsis was reduced from 45 to 18 per cent (P less than 0-025). Wound infections were reduced from 38 to 12 percent (P less than 0-05). Intra-abdominal or pelvic abscess occurred in 1 of the treated group compared with 3 controls. Septicaemia occurred after operation in 1 patient receiving lincomycin and in 3 of the controls; in 2 of the latter, pure growths of bacteroides were isolated from the blood cultures and 1 of these patients died. Although lincomycin had no influence on the number of patients who developed aerobic postoperative infections, there was a significant reduction in the incidence of sepsis due to bacteroides, which occurred in 10 of the control group compared with 1 in the lincomycin group (P less than 0-005). No patients developed complications attributable to lincomycin, such as pseudomembranous colitis. These data indicate that the genus Bacteroides are important pathogenic organisms and are responsible for postoperative morbidity. Furthermore, anaerobic sepsis can be reduced by appropriate prophylactic antibiotics.", "contents": "Prophylaxis against anaerobic sepsis in bowel surgery. Sixty-two patients were admitted to a prospective randomized controlled trial to investigate the influence of a prophylactic antibiotic, lincomycin, on anaerobic sepsis following bowel surgery. The incidence of postoperative sepsis was reduced from 45 to 18 per cent (P less than 0-025). Wound infections were reduced from 38 to 12 percent (P less than 0-05). Intra-abdominal or pelvic abscess occurred in 1 of the treated group compared with 3 controls. Septicaemia occurred after operation in 1 patient receiving lincomycin and in 3 of the controls; in 2 of the latter, pure growths of bacteroides were isolated from the blood cultures and 1 of these patients died. Although lincomycin had no influence on the number of patients who developed aerobic postoperative infections, there was a significant reduction in the incidence of sepsis due to bacteroides, which occurred in 10 of the control group compared with 1 in the lincomycin group (P less than 0-005). No patients developed complications attributable to lincomycin, such as pseudomembranous colitis. These data indicate that the genus Bacteroides are important pathogenic organisms and are responsible for postoperative morbidity. Furthermore, anaerobic sepsis can be reduced by appropriate prophylactic antibiotics.", "PMID": 782624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6355", "title": "Bacteriological survey of acute appendicitis in children.", "content": "A bacteriological study of 110 emergency appendicectomies is reported. In two-thirds of these the appendix was inflamed or gangrenous, and in 45 cases positive cultures were obtained from swabs taken at operation. Bacteroides were found frequently in these swabs and also in those taken from wound infections. Although this study is too small to draw any definite conclusions, it is felt that bacteroides should be considered an important pathogen in appendicitis and should be taken into account in the few ill patients where antibiotic treatment is contemplated. It was also noted that swabs taken from the surface of the appendix itself were more often positive than those from the peritoneal cavity, and this difference apperars to be significant.", "contents": "Bacteriological survey of acute appendicitis in children. A bacteriological study of 110 emergency appendicectomies is reported. In two-thirds of these the appendix was inflamed or gangrenous, and in 45 cases positive cultures were obtained from swabs taken at operation. Bacteroides were found frequently in these swabs and also in those taken from wound infections. Although this study is too small to draw any definite conclusions, it is felt that bacteroides should be considered an important pathogen in appendicitis and should be taken into account in the few ill patients where antibiotic treatment is contemplated. It was also noted that swabs taken from the surface of the appendix itself were more often positive than those from the peritoneal cavity, and this difference apperars to be significant.", "PMID": 782625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6356", "title": "Wound infection in a children's hospital.", "content": "The operation wounds of 20 per cent of the children operated on in one surgical unit of a children's hospital became infected. Infection was commonest in the newly born operated on as emergencies, 50 per cent of whose wounds became infected. No connection was found between injection and nasal carriage of staphylococci. A possible source of infection in the young may be the umbilicus.", "contents": "Wound infection in a children's hospital. The operation wounds of 20 per cent of the children operated on in one surgical unit of a children's hospital became infected. Infection was commonest in the newly born operated on as emergencies, 50 per cent of whose wounds became infected. No connection was found between injection and nasal carriage of staphylococci. A possible source of infection in the young may be the umbilicus.", "PMID": 782626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6357", "title": "Transplantation of tumour with a kidney graft.", "content": "A cerebral glioma discovered by angiography and brain biopsy in a kidney donor was subsequently suspected of being a secondary tumour. By this time a biopsy of one of the transplanted kidneys had shown a clump of malignant cells in a glomerulus. Because of the psychological state of this recipient the transplant was not removed, but the recipient of the second kidney was immediately told of the danger of tumour cell transfer, and underwent nephrectomy. The patient remained well on haemodialysis; multiple sectioning of the kidney showed no signs of tumour. The transplant in the first recipient functioned well until his death, six months after operation. At necropsy undifferentiated tumour was found in the pleura, liver, pelvic peritoneum, and transplanted kidney. All cadaver donors should undergo full laparotomy after removal of the kidneys, particularly those with a high risk of cancer, and a full necropsy should also be performed shortly afterwards to exclude tumour and other unsuspected diseases. Then it is not too late to remove a transplanted kidney should a tumour be found.", "contents": "Transplantation of tumour with a kidney graft. A cerebral glioma discovered by angiography and brain biopsy in a kidney donor was subsequently suspected of being a secondary tumour. By this time a biopsy of one of the transplanted kidneys had shown a clump of malignant cells in a glomerulus. Because of the psychological state of this recipient the transplant was not removed, but the recipient of the second kidney was immediately told of the danger of tumour cell transfer, and underwent nephrectomy. The patient remained well on haemodialysis; multiple sectioning of the kidney showed no signs of tumour. The transplant in the first recipient functioned well until his death, six months after operation. At necropsy undifferentiated tumour was found in the pleura, liver, pelvic peritoneum, and transplanted kidney. All cadaver donors should undergo full laparotomy after removal of the kidneys, particularly those with a high risk of cancer, and a full necropsy should also be performed shortly afterwards to exclude tumour and other unsuspected diseases. Then it is not too late to remove a transplanted kidney should a tumour be found.", "PMID": 782642} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6358", "title": "Co-trimoxazole in prevention of bacteriuria after prostatectomy.", "content": "In a prospective, double-blind trial prophylactic cotrimoxazole produced a highly significant reduction in the incidence of bacteriuria after prostatectomy. Only two out of 38 patients who received the drug developed bacteriuria compared with 19 out of 36 patients on placebo. Klebsiella-Enterobacter spp and coagulase-negative staphylococci were responsible for most infections. Although co-trimoxazole prophylaxis is obviously effective, widespread use might increase the incidence of bacterial resistance.", "contents": "Co-trimoxazole in prevention of bacteriuria after prostatectomy. In a prospective, double-blind trial prophylactic cotrimoxazole produced a highly significant reduction in the incidence of bacteriuria after prostatectomy. Only two out of 38 patients who received the drug developed bacteriuria compared with 19 out of 36 patients on placebo. Klebsiella-Enterobacter spp and coagulase-negative staphylococci were responsible for most infections. Although co-trimoxazole prophylaxis is obviously effective, widespread use might increase the incidence of bacterial resistance.", "PMID": 782651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6359", "title": "Immunoglobulin synthesis in the \"resting\" breast.", "content": "Nulliparous women have a greater risk of developing breast cancer than women who have borne children, but so far no functional differences in breast tissue have been reported between parous women and nulliparae. Macroscopically and histologically normal breast tissue was obtained from 74 women of reproductive age during biopsy of benign breast lesions and was examined for the presence of plasma cells by immunfluorescence. Immunoglobulin synthesis was detected by an in-vitro culture technique. Synthesis of IgA was detected in 81% of specimans of IgG in 45%, and of IgM in 3%. IgA synthesis much more intense than IgG or IgM synthesis. Plasma cells containing IgA were seen in 71% of the specimens examined, and 88% of specimens had deposits of IgA in the ductules. The findings were not significantly incluenced by the nature of the condition necessitating biopsy or by oral contraception. Nulliparous women showed no cyclical changes, but among parous women IgA synthesis was more intense during luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. This suggests that after the first pregnancy the breast is more sensitive to progesterone.", "contents": "Immunoglobulin synthesis in the \"resting\" breast. Nulliparous women have a greater risk of developing breast cancer than women who have borne children, but so far no functional differences in breast tissue have been reported between parous women and nulliparae. Macroscopically and histologically normal breast tissue was obtained from 74 women of reproductive age during biopsy of benign breast lesions and was examined for the presence of plasma cells by immunfluorescence. Immunoglobulin synthesis was detected by an in-vitro culture technique. Synthesis of IgA was detected in 81% of specimans of IgG in 45%, and of IgM in 3%. IgA synthesis much more intense than IgG or IgM synthesis. Plasma cells containing IgA were seen in 71% of the specimens examined, and 88% of specimens had deposits of IgA in the ductules. The findings were not significantly incluenced by the nature of the condition necessitating biopsy or by oral contraception. Nulliparous women showed no cyclical changes, but among parous women IgA synthesis was more intense during luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. This suggests that after the first pregnancy the breast is more sensitive to progesterone.", "PMID": 782652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6360", "title": "Quantitative effects of unsaturated fatty acids in microbial mutants. VI. Selective growth responses of yeast and bacteria to cis-octadecenoate isomers.", "content": "The full series of positional isomers of cis-octadecenoate were tested for their suitability in meeting the nutritional requirement for unsaturated fatty acids by mutants of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae that were unable to synthesize unsaturated fatty acids. Quantitative comparisons of the efficiencies of the various isomers showed a range from 0-48 cells per femtomole for the prokaryotic cells and 0-5 for eukaryotic cells. The delta 5 isomer was much more effective than the delta 6 isomer with the bacterial cells whereas the reverse was true with the yeast cells. In general, isomers containing a cis ethylenic bond between carbons 7 and 12 were able to support extensive growth of either type of mutant. Since all of the various isomers were incorporated into cellular lipids by both types of microorganism, the different efficiencies observed in supporting growth were not a simple reflection of the inability of an acid to be esterified. The differences may reflect the suitability of the resultant esterified product to function as a normal membrane lipid. The contents of various fatty acids in the cellular phospholipids when growth ceases may have a linearly cumulative relationship to the degree of expansion of the acyl chains.", "contents": "Quantitative effects of unsaturated fatty acids in microbial mutants. VI. Selective growth responses of yeast and bacteria to cis-octadecenoate isomers. The full series of positional isomers of cis-octadecenoate were tested for their suitability in meeting the nutritional requirement for unsaturated fatty acids by mutants of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae that were unable to synthesize unsaturated fatty acids. Quantitative comparisons of the efficiencies of the various isomers showed a range from 0-48 cells per femtomole for the prokaryotic cells and 0-5 for eukaryotic cells. The delta 5 isomer was much more effective than the delta 6 isomer with the bacterial cells whereas the reverse was true with the yeast cells. In general, isomers containing a cis ethylenic bond between carbons 7 and 12 were able to support extensive growth of either type of mutant. Since all of the various isomers were incorporated into cellular lipids by both types of microorganism, the different efficiencies observed in supporting growth were not a simple reflection of the inability of an acid to be esterified. The differences may reflect the suitability of the resultant esterified product to function as a normal membrane lipid. The contents of various fatty acids in the cellular phospholipids when growth ceases may have a linearly cumulative relationship to the degree of expansion of the acyl chains.", "PMID": 782669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6361", "title": "Sensitivty of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity to saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.", "content": "The effect of a number of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids on purified glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) (EC 1.1.1.49) enzyme of yeast was studied. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were found to be strong inhibitors of G6PDH activity, the former being noncompetitive inhibitors and the latter being competitive inhibitors.", "contents": "Sensitivty of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity to saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The effect of a number of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids on purified glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) (EC 1.1.1.49) enzyme of yeast was studied. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were found to be strong inhibitors of G6PDH activity, the former being noncompetitive inhibitors and the latter being competitive inhibitors.", "PMID": 782670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6362", "title": "Sensitization of effector responses by modification of agonist disposition mechanisms.", "content": "Much confusion arises in the field of agonist-effector supersensitivity phenomena due to the often encountered lack of discrimination between agonist disposition mechanisms functioning, in the system under study, as access barriers and as terminating mechanisms. Access barriers limit agonist approach to the receptor region and terminating mechanisms serve to remove agonist from the site of action. The assumption of a quantitative identity in these two functions is not often warranted and the effects inhibition of these processes have on the magnitude of effector responses and on their duration can differ strikingly, both qualitatively and quantitatively.", "contents": "Sensitization of effector responses by modification of agonist disposition mechanisms. Much confusion arises in the field of agonist-effector supersensitivity phenomena due to the often encountered lack of discrimination between agonist disposition mechanisms functioning, in the system under study, as access barriers and as terminating mechanisms. Access barriers limit agonist approach to the receptor region and terminating mechanisms serve to remove agonist from the site of action. The assumption of a quantitative identity in these two functions is not often warranted and the effects inhibition of these processes have on the magnitude of effector responses and on their duration can differ strikingly, both qualitatively and quantitatively.", "PMID": 782671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6363", "title": "Blockade of LH-RH induced ovulation in immature rats by LH-RH antiserum.", "content": "An in vivo method for the determination of biological potency of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antiserum is described. The procedure involves antiserum blockade of LH-RH induced ovulation in immature rats primed with pregnant mare's serum. A modified method for the induction of LH-RH antibodies in rabbits is also detailed.", "contents": "Blockade of LH-RH induced ovulation in immature rats by LH-RH antiserum. An in vivo method for the determination of biological potency of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antiserum is described. The procedure involves antiserum blockade of LH-RH induced ovulation in immature rats primed with pregnant mare's serum. A modified method for the induction of LH-RH antibodies in rabbits is also detailed.", "PMID": 782672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6364", "title": "Colic as the sole symptom of urinary tract infection in infants.", "content": "Urinary tract infection was diagnosed in four infants whose sole symptom was persistent recurrent colic. There were no other clinical abnormalities. Three had abnormal radiologic findings in the urinary tract and one subsequently required nephrectomy. In the two others, radiologic findings were normal after 6 months and 1 year, respectively.", "contents": "Colic as the sole symptom of urinary tract infection in infants. Urinary tract infection was diagnosed in four infants whose sole symptom was persistent recurrent colic. There were no other clinical abnormalities. Three had abnormal radiologic findings in the urinary tract and one subsequently required nephrectomy. In the two others, radiologic findings were normal after 6 months and 1 year, respectively.", "PMID": 782676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6365", "title": "Malaria at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.", "content": "The number of immigrants to Canada from countries where malaria is endemic increased sevenfold between 1964 and 1974. From January 1973 through July 1975, 15 cases of malaria were treated at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. The only symptom common to all patients was fever, and it was not always cyclic. For any child with a fever of unknown cause who has been in a region where malaria is endemic within the previous 6 months, a blood smear should be examined for parasites. If the smear is negative even when stained with acridine orange, serologic testing should be performed. Acurrate species identification is important since therapy varies according to the causative organism.", "contents": "Malaria at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. The number of immigrants to Canada from countries where malaria is endemic increased sevenfold between 1964 and 1974. From January 1973 through July 1975, 15 cases of malaria were treated at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. The only symptom common to all patients was fever, and it was not always cyclic. For any child with a fever of unknown cause who has been in a region where malaria is endemic within the previous 6 months, a blood smear should be examined for parasites. If the smear is negative even when stained with acridine orange, serologic testing should be performed. Acurrate species identification is important since therapy varies according to the causative organism.", "PMID": 782677} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6366", "title": "Symptoms and signs of malaria.", "content": "In addition to asking their patients about recent foreign travel, Canadian doctors need to be aware of what features to ask about in considering imported illnesses. Of these illnesses, malaria is one of the most common and serious. Because of its cerebral renal, pulmonary and intestinal complications, falciparum malaria must be distinguished from non-falciparum forms. Anyone with a fever who has arrived recently from an endemic area should be tested for malaria. In addition, headache, malaise, myalgias, arthralgias, low back pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or cough should raise suspicion. Malaria should be remembered as a cause of coma. Persons taking any form of drug prophylaxis for malaria are not protected absolutely and those who are semi-immune can become severely ill occasionally.", "contents": "Symptoms and signs of malaria. In addition to asking their patients about recent foreign travel, Canadian doctors need to be aware of what features to ask about in considering imported illnesses. Of these illnesses, malaria is one of the most common and serious. Because of its cerebral renal, pulmonary and intestinal complications, falciparum malaria must be distinguished from non-falciparum forms. Anyone with a fever who has arrived recently from an endemic area should be tested for malaria. In addition, headache, malaise, myalgias, arthralgias, low back pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or cough should raise suspicion. Malaria should be remembered as a cause of coma. Persons taking any form of drug prophylaxis for malaria are not protected absolutely and those who are semi-immune can become severely ill occasionally.", "PMID": 782678} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6367", "title": "Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in allergic rhinitis.", "content": "Treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol (BDA), 50 mug four times daily in each nostril, was compared with placebo therapy in a double-blind non-crossover trial of 30 matched patients with allergic rhinitis induced by ragweed pollen. The trial was started at the beginning of the ragweed season and continued for 42 days. Response to treatment was assessed from information on daily diary cards, weekly objective measurements of nasal patency and measurement of total eosinophil count (TEC) before treatment and at week 4. Patients in the BDA group had significantly less (P less than 0.05) sneezing, rhinorrhea and nasal stuffiness at 36 days, cough at 10 days and antihistamine consumption at 17 days. There was no significant difference between the groups in eye symptoms, nasal airway inspiratory resistance, maximum inspiratory nasal flow or TEC. Overall comparison with previous pollen seasons by the patients indicated moderate to great improvement in 86% of the BDA group and in 13% of the placebo group (P less than 0.01). Minor side effects were noted by two patients in each group.", "contents": "Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in allergic rhinitis. Treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol (BDA), 50 mug four times daily in each nostril, was compared with placebo therapy in a double-blind non-crossover trial of 30 matched patients with allergic rhinitis induced by ragweed pollen. The trial was started at the beginning of the ragweed season and continued for 42 days. Response to treatment was assessed from information on daily diary cards, weekly objective measurements of nasal patency and measurement of total eosinophil count (TEC) before treatment and at week 4. Patients in the BDA group had significantly less (P less than 0.05) sneezing, rhinorrhea and nasal stuffiness at 36 days, cough at 10 days and antihistamine consumption at 17 days. There was no significant difference between the groups in eye symptoms, nasal airway inspiratory resistance, maximum inspiratory nasal flow or TEC. Overall comparison with previous pollen seasons by the patients indicated moderate to great improvement in 86% of the BDA group and in 13% of the placebo group (P less than 0.01). Minor side effects were noted by two patients in each group.", "PMID": 782679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6368", "title": "Musculoskeletal management of the severely burned child.", "content": "Aggressive management of severe burns minimizes contractures and helps to maintain muscle tone, joint function and psychological well-being. The positioning, activity and exercise programs, splinting and bandaging, and skin care of burned children carried out by the burns team at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto is outlined.", "contents": "Musculoskeletal management of the severely burned child. Aggressive management of severe burns minimizes contractures and helps to maintain muscle tone, joint function and psychological well-being. The positioning, activity and exercise programs, splinting and bandaging, and skin care of burned children carried out by the burns team at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto is outlined.", "PMID": 782680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6369", "title": "Methotrexate and citrovorum factor rescue in the management of childhood lymphosarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma (non-Hodgkin's lymphomas): parolonged unmaintained remissions.", "content": "High doses of methotrexate (HDMTX), given in pulse infusions of 3 to 30 mg/kg body weight, were studied in 22 children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Sixteen complete and five partial remissions were observed in 21 patients evaluable for remission induction. The dose of MTX was increased stepwise on consecutive treatments until objective tumor response occured. Citrovorum factor rescue (CFR) was used \"on demand\" when toxicity started to develop, and routinely after 30 mg/kg of MTX. Twelve patients who had no previous chemotherapy were entered in a Phase II study consisting of remission induction with HDMTX and remission maintenance with monthly HDMTX supplemented with one monthly injection of vincristine and Cytoxan and five days of oral 6-mercaptopurine and prednisone. Eleven patients achieved remissions (eight complete and three partial) with HDMTX and one with surgery and radiation followed by HDMTX. The three partial remissions improved to complete remission during remission maintenance. All 12 were given the maintenance cyclic combination chemotherapy. Seven of the 12 patients entered the unmaintained phase of the study. One patient relapsed 6 months after cessation of therapy and died 4 years after diagnosis. Six patients are alive and free of disease 2 1/2 to 5 1/2 years after discountinuing treatment and 4 1/2 to 8 1/3 years after diagnosis. Five of these six patients had advanced (Stage IV) disease.", "contents": "Methotrexate and citrovorum factor rescue in the management of childhood lymphosarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma (non-Hodgkin's lymphomas): parolonged unmaintained remissions. High doses of methotrexate (HDMTX), given in pulse infusions of 3 to 30 mg/kg body weight, were studied in 22 children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Sixteen complete and five partial remissions were observed in 21 patients evaluable for remission induction. The dose of MTX was increased stepwise on consecutive treatments until objective tumor response occured. Citrovorum factor rescue (CFR) was used \"on demand\" when toxicity started to develop, and routinely after 30 mg/kg of MTX. Twelve patients who had no previous chemotherapy were entered in a Phase II study consisting of remission induction with HDMTX and remission maintenance with monthly HDMTX supplemented with one monthly injection of vincristine and Cytoxan and five days of oral 6-mercaptopurine and prednisone. Eleven patients achieved remissions (eight complete and three partial) with HDMTX and one with surgery and radiation followed by HDMTX. The three partial remissions improved to complete remission during remission maintenance. All 12 were given the maintenance cyclic combination chemotherapy. Seven of the 12 patients entered the unmaintained phase of the study. One patient relapsed 6 months after cessation of therapy and died 4 years after diagnosis. Six patients are alive and free of disease 2 1/2 to 5 1/2 years after discountinuing treatment and 4 1/2 to 8 1/3 years after diagnosis. Five of these six patients had advanced (Stage IV) disease.", "PMID": 782684} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6370", "title": "Combination chemotherapy of the malignant lymphomas: a controlled clinical trial.", "content": "The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group has studied 113 patients with generalized progressive malignant lymphomas in a randomized clinical trial. Pathologic diagnosis was subclassified by cell type and nodal pattern by The Pathology Panel for Lymphome Clinical Trials. Patients were randomly assigned treatment with either cyclophosphamide (C), vincristine (O), and prednisone (P) (COP) or CO without prednisone. Initial treatment was given for 8 weeks and further randomization of responders to observation or additional chemotherapy was carried out. A significant difference in complete remission rate between treatments was shown: with COP, 43%, and with CO, 17%, indicating an important role for prednisone in inducing CR. COP was also associated with longer remission durations and improved survival. Complete remission following initial chemotherapy is also associated with longer duration of disease-free time and survival. The initial pathologic cell types and nodal pattern also strongly influence survival. Extended \"maintainence\" CO treatment improved disease-free remission duration, but not survival.", "contents": "Combination chemotherapy of the malignant lymphomas: a controlled clinical trial. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group has studied 113 patients with generalized progressive malignant lymphomas in a randomized clinical trial. Pathologic diagnosis was subclassified by cell type and nodal pattern by The Pathology Panel for Lymphome Clinical Trials. Patients were randomly assigned treatment with either cyclophosphamide (C), vincristine (O), and prednisone (P) (COP) or CO without prednisone. Initial treatment was given for 8 weeks and further randomization of responders to observation or additional chemotherapy was carried out. A significant difference in complete remission rate between treatments was shown: with COP, 43%, and with CO, 17%, indicating an important role for prednisone in inducing CR. COP was also associated with longer remission durations and improved survival. Complete remission following initial chemotherapy is also associated with longer duration of disease-free time and survival. The initial pathologic cell types and nodal pattern also strongly influence survival. Extended \"maintainence\" CO treatment improved disease-free remission duration, but not survival.", "PMID": 782685} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6371", "title": "Use of immunohistochemical and morphologic methods for the identification of human growth hormone-producing pituitary adenomas.", "content": "Indirect immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent techniques were used for the detection of growth hormone in routinely processed human pituitary adenomas. With the immunoperoxidase method, distinct immunoreactive cells could be demonstrated in 15 adenomas; all except for one were associated with acromegaly. Immunofluorescence was less useful because of autofluorescence due to the fixation. In histologic stainings, the immunoreactive cells were acidophyl. With immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, densely granulated and sparsely granulated adenomas could be distinguished. Sparse granulation was associated with an expanded rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. Clinically, the sparsely granulated adenomas were characterized both by active hormone secretion and aggressive local growth. It is concluded that the immunoperosidase method is of value for functional classification of pituitary adenomas. For information about secretory activity we suggest that electron micrographs of adenoma cells be examined.", "contents": "Use of immunohistochemical and morphologic methods for the identification of human growth hormone-producing pituitary adenomas. Indirect immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent techniques were used for the detection of growth hormone in routinely processed human pituitary adenomas. With the immunoperoxidase method, distinct immunoreactive cells could be demonstrated in 15 adenomas; all except for one were associated with acromegaly. Immunofluorescence was less useful because of autofluorescence due to the fixation. In histologic stainings, the immunoreactive cells were acidophyl. With immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, densely granulated and sparsely granulated adenomas could be distinguished. Sparse granulation was associated with an expanded rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. Clinically, the sparsely granulated adenomas were characterized both by active hormone secretion and aggressive local growth. It is concluded that the immunoperosidase method is of value for functional classification of pituitary adenomas. For information about secretory activity we suggest that electron micrographs of adenoma cells be examined.", "PMID": 782686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6372", "title": "Detection of mutagenic activity in human urine using mutant strains of Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Histidine-requiring mutants of Salmonella typhimurium that can be reverted to prototrophy by a variety of mutagens were used mutagenic activity in the urine of patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents. Patients given cyclophosphamide and BCNU had detectable urinary mutagenic activity over a 24-hour period, with maximal levels occurring 12 to 21 hours after drug injection. Whereas native cyclophosphamide required the presence of a rat liver extract to be mutagenic in the test system, the cyclophosphamide metabolites in the urine were fully active in the absence of added liver extract. Mutagenic activity was detected in only the first voided urine specimen of patients receiving fluorouracil. Patients receiving Adriamycin, methotrexate, Mitomycin C, and low doses or oral melphalan did not have detectable mutagenic activity in their urines. One thousand and ten random urine speciments were screened for mutagenic activity. Only eight had greater than 26 revertant colonies per plate. Four of the eight had received metronidazole (Flagyl) for vaginitis while two others had received chemotherapeutic drugs. We were unable to detect increased mutagenic metabolites in the urine of 43 patients with known malignancies, using the standard assay conditions.", "contents": "Detection of mutagenic activity in human urine using mutant strains of Salmonella typhimurium. Histidine-requiring mutants of Salmonella typhimurium that can be reverted to prototrophy by a variety of mutagens were used mutagenic activity in the urine of patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents. Patients given cyclophosphamide and BCNU had detectable urinary mutagenic activity over a 24-hour period, with maximal levels occurring 12 to 21 hours after drug injection. Whereas native cyclophosphamide required the presence of a rat liver extract to be mutagenic in the test system, the cyclophosphamide metabolites in the urine were fully active in the absence of added liver extract. Mutagenic activity was detected in only the first voided urine specimen of patients receiving fluorouracil. Patients receiving Adriamycin, methotrexate, Mitomycin C, and low doses or oral melphalan did not have detectable mutagenic activity in their urines. One thousand and ten random urine speciments were screened for mutagenic activity. Only eight had greater than 26 revertant colonies per plate. Four of the eight had received metronidazole (Flagyl) for vaginitis while two others had received chemotherapeutic drugs. We were unable to detect increased mutagenic metabolites in the urine of 43 patients with known malignancies, using the standard assay conditions.", "PMID": 782687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6373", "title": "Malignant lymphoma of the skin: a clinicopathologic study of lymphoma other than mycosis fungoides.", "content": "The clinical and histopathologic findings in 25 cases of malignant lymphoma of the skin other than mycosis fungoides were reviewed. All patients had skin lesions as a primary manifestation of the disorder, and none had histopathologic evidence of extracutaneous involvement at the time of skin biopsy. The majority of patients had solitary nodules involving the skin of the head and neck region. Twenty-two of the skin biopsy specimens were interpreted as lymphocytic lymphoma, well or poorly differentiated, nodular or diffuse. Only three cases of histiocytic lymphoma (reticulum cell sarcoma) were encountered, and there were no cases of Hodgkin's disease of the skin. Twenty-two patients (88%) subsequently developed extracutaneous lymphoma: the interval from the occurrence of apparently localized skin lesions to involvement of lymph nodes and/or viscera ranged from 6 months of 5 years (mean duration of 21 months). Sixteen patients (64%) died of disseminated lymphoma, with survivals that ranged from 8 months to 12 years (mean survival of 3.7 years). Only three patients survived without disease for greater than 1 year. There was no definite relationship between either the histologic subtype of the tumor or the mode of therapy and prognosis. The patholoic findings indicate that a definite diagnosis of malignant lymphoma can be made by skin biopsy in patients with disease apparently confimed to the skin. Careful, detailed examination of the skin biopsy specimen provides a basis for distinguishing malignant lymphoma from cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia. The clinical findings and survival data support the conclusion that malignant lymphoma with skin lesions as a primary manifestation almost invariably disseminates to extracutaneous organs and usually has a fatal outcome.", "contents": "Malignant lymphoma of the skin: a clinicopathologic study of lymphoma other than mycosis fungoides. The clinical and histopathologic findings in 25 cases of malignant lymphoma of the skin other than mycosis fungoides were reviewed. All patients had skin lesions as a primary manifestation of the disorder, and none had histopathologic evidence of extracutaneous involvement at the time of skin biopsy. The majority of patients had solitary nodules involving the skin of the head and neck region. Twenty-two of the skin biopsy specimens were interpreted as lymphocytic lymphoma, well or poorly differentiated, nodular or diffuse. Only three cases of histiocytic lymphoma (reticulum cell sarcoma) were encountered, and there were no cases of Hodgkin's disease of the skin. Twenty-two patients (88%) subsequently developed extracutaneous lymphoma: the interval from the occurrence of apparently localized skin lesions to involvement of lymph nodes and/or viscera ranged from 6 months of 5 years (mean duration of 21 months). Sixteen patients (64%) died of disseminated lymphoma, with survivals that ranged from 8 months to 12 years (mean survival of 3.7 years). Only three patients survived without disease for greater than 1 year. There was no definite relationship between either the histologic subtype of the tumor or the mode of therapy and prognosis. The patholoic findings indicate that a definite diagnosis of malignant lymphoma can be made by skin biopsy in patients with disease apparently confimed to the skin. Careful, detailed examination of the skin biopsy specimen provides a basis for distinguishing malignant lymphoma from cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia. The clinical findings and survival data support the conclusion that malignant lymphoma with skin lesions as a primary manifestation almost invariably disseminates to extracutaneous organs and usually has a fatal outcome.", "PMID": 782688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6374", "title": "The demonstration of carcinoembryonic antigen in colorectal carcinoma and colonic polyps using an immunoperoxidase technique.", "content": "Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been demonstrated in tissues, by immunofluorescence, with conflicting results. Originally thought to be persent in colorectal carcinoma only, the antigen was later demonstrated in inflamed colonic mucosa and polyps. Using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues and an immunoperoxidase technique, we have attempted to demonstrate CEA in 12 colorectal carcinomas, in adjacent benign mucosa, and in 42 polyps of varying histologic type. CEA was demonstrated in all colorectal cancers but not in adjacent inflamed mucosa. The antigen could not be demonstrated in polyps except in five cases where CEA was shown in morphologically atypical glands only. With out technique, the demonstration of CEA is a reliable indicator of malignant change in colonic mucosa. The findings in polyps tend to support the concept of carcinoma in situ in adenomatous polyps and the polyp-cancer sequence.", "contents": "The demonstration of carcinoembryonic antigen in colorectal carcinoma and colonic polyps using an immunoperoxidase technique. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been demonstrated in tissues, by immunofluorescence, with conflicting results. Originally thought to be persent in colorectal carcinoma only, the antigen was later demonstrated in inflamed colonic mucosa and polyps. Using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues and an immunoperoxidase technique, we have attempted to demonstrate CEA in 12 colorectal carcinomas, in adjacent benign mucosa, and in 42 polyps of varying histologic type. CEA was demonstrated in all colorectal cancers but not in adjacent inflamed mucosa. The antigen could not be demonstrated in polyps except in five cases where CEA was shown in morphologically atypical glands only. With out technique, the demonstration of CEA is a reliable indicator of malignant change in colonic mucosa. The findings in polyps tend to support the concept of carcinoma in situ in adenomatous polyps and the polyp-cancer sequence.", "PMID": 782689} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6375", "title": "Regression of rat mammary tumors effected by a gonadoliberin analog.", "content": "A synthetic analog of gonadoliberin (gonadtropin-releasing factor of luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone), designated A-43818, was evaluated for its ability to effect regression of carcinogen-induced mammary tumors in the Sprague-Dawley rat. This analog, specifically (D-leuyl6, desglycyl-NH210, prolyl ethylamide9), gonadoliberin, is a potent synthetic luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone at low dose levels but, at the higher dose levels used in these studies, the effect appears to be that of a potent gonadoliberin antagonist. Administration of 5 or 20 mug of A-43818 per day to tumor-bearing rats was essentially as effective as ovariectomy in causing mammary tumor regression. At least 80% of the tumors in the A-43818-treated animals underwent regression; about one-half of the regressing tumors disappeared in the 6-week period of continuous treatment, and, unlike the 0.9% NaCl solution control group, no new tumors appeared during the treatment period. A subsequent 4-week period of drug withdrawal resulted in the regrowth of palpable tumors and the appearance of new tumors, most of which again regressed on further A-43818 administration.", "contents": "Regression of rat mammary tumors effected by a gonadoliberin analog. A synthetic analog of gonadoliberin (gonadtropin-releasing factor of luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone), designated A-43818, was evaluated for its ability to effect regression of carcinogen-induced mammary tumors in the Sprague-Dawley rat. This analog, specifically (D-leuyl6, desglycyl-NH210, prolyl ethylamide9), gonadoliberin, is a potent synthetic luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone at low dose levels but, at the higher dose levels used in these studies, the effect appears to be that of a potent gonadoliberin antagonist. Administration of 5 or 20 mug of A-43818 per day to tumor-bearing rats was essentially as effective as ovariectomy in causing mammary tumor regression. At least 80% of the tumors in the A-43818-treated animals underwent regression; about one-half of the regressing tumors disappeared in the 6-week period of continuous treatment, and, unlike the 0.9% NaCl solution control group, no new tumors appeared during the treatment period. A subsequent 4-week period of drug withdrawal resulted in the regrowth of palpable tumors and the appearance of new tumors, most of which again regressed on further A-43818 administration.", "PMID": 782692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6376", "title": "Nitrosoureas: a review of experimental antitumor activity.", "content": "The chemical class of drugs known as the nitrosoureas are a recently developed group of very active alkylating-agent anticancer drugs which are best represented by BCNU, CCNU, and methyl-CCNU (meCCNU). The nitrosoureas are among the most active, if not the most active, anticancer drugs both quantitatively (log kill of sensitive tumor cells in vivo) and qualitatively (spectrum of mouse, rat, and hamster tumors responding to treatment). Therapeutic anticancer activity of the nitrosoureas has been consistently observed with oral as well as parenteral administration. The nitrosoureas are clearly the most active group of anticancer drugs observed against experimental meningeal leukemias and intracerebrally implanted transplantable primary tumors of central nervous system origin (eg, gliomas, ependymoblastomas, and astrocytomas in mice and hamsters). The nitrosoureas have been observed to be less than additive in lethal toxicity for vital normal cells in the mouse in combination with representatives of the other major classes of anticancer agents, eg, purine antagonists, pyrimidine antagonists, inhibitors of DNA polymerase(s) or ribonucleotide reductase(s), mitotic inhibitors, drugs that bind to or intercalate with DNA, and other alkylating agents. Therapeutic synergism against one or more transplantable or spontaneous tumors of mice, rats, or hamsters with one of several nitrosoureas in two-drug combinations with representatives of most of the major classes of anticancer agents listed above has been reported. With a number of advanced-stages mouse tumors, generally considered to be refractory to treatment with most anticancer agents, long-term cures have been obtained with combination-drug or combined-modality (surgery plus chemotherapy) treatment. The demonstrated lack of cross-resistance of several leukemias and solid tumors of mice selected for resistance to BCNU, meCCNU, or other alkylating agents suggests that the widely held opinion that all alkylating agents are very similar in biologic mechanism of action, and therefore resistance to one alkylating agent probably predicts cross-resistance to all alkylating agents, may no longer be tenable. If not, then alkylating-agent drug combinations, either used alone or combined with other treatment modalities (eg, surgery) which have been reported to result in therapeutic improvement in a number of experimental murine tumor systems, may be indicated for serious consideration as surgical adjuvant chemotherapy by surgeons or as primary therapy by medical oncologists.", "contents": "Nitrosoureas: a review of experimental antitumor activity. The chemical class of drugs known as the nitrosoureas are a recently developed group of very active alkylating-agent anticancer drugs which are best represented by BCNU, CCNU, and methyl-CCNU (meCCNU). The nitrosoureas are among the most active, if not the most active, anticancer drugs both quantitatively (log kill of sensitive tumor cells in vivo) and qualitatively (spectrum of mouse, rat, and hamster tumors responding to treatment). Therapeutic anticancer activity of the nitrosoureas has been consistently observed with oral as well as parenteral administration. The nitrosoureas are clearly the most active group of anticancer drugs observed against experimental meningeal leukemias and intracerebrally implanted transplantable primary tumors of central nervous system origin (eg, gliomas, ependymoblastomas, and astrocytomas in mice and hamsters). The nitrosoureas have been observed to be less than additive in lethal toxicity for vital normal cells in the mouse in combination with representatives of the other major classes of anticancer agents, eg, purine antagonists, pyrimidine antagonists, inhibitors of DNA polymerase(s) or ribonucleotide reductase(s), mitotic inhibitors, drugs that bind to or intercalate with DNA, and other alkylating agents. Therapeutic synergism against one or more transplantable or spontaneous tumors of mice, rats, or hamsters with one of several nitrosoureas in two-drug combinations with representatives of most of the major classes of anticancer agents listed above has been reported. With a number of advanced-stages mouse tumors, generally considered to be refractory to treatment with most anticancer agents, long-term cures have been obtained with combination-drug or combined-modality (surgery plus chemotherapy) treatment. The demonstrated lack of cross-resistance of several leukemias and solid tumors of mice selected for resistance to BCNU, meCCNU, or other alkylating agents suggests that the widely held opinion that all alkylating agents are very similar in biologic mechanism of action, and therefore resistance to one alkylating agent probably predicts cross-resistance to all alkylating agents, may no longer be tenable. If not, then alkylating-agent drug combinations, either used alone or combined with other treatment modalities (eg, surgery) which have been reported to result in therapeutic improvement in a number of experimental murine tumor systems, may be indicated for serious consideration as surgical adjuvant chemotherapy by surgeons or as primary therapy by medical oncologists.", "PMID": 782694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6377", "title": "Nitrosoureas in the management of disseminated malignant melanoma.", "content": "Three of the nitrosoureas, BCNU, CCNU, and methyl-CCNU, have displayed significant antitumor activity in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma with none clearly superior to the others, although direct comparison in clinical trials was not accomplished. Response rates to various combinations of these nitrosoureas seem a bit higher, but not dramatically so, when compared to the single-agent response rates, although again this cannot be stated with certainty since direct comparisons were not accomplished. There appears to be no therapeutic advantage to the utilization of any one of the nitrosoureas over the others, but oral administration, as is available for CCNU and methyl-CCNU, is a distinct advantage to the patient and to the clinician. The response rates are, for the most part, rather consistent for the various studies reported in this paper, and these response rates leave a great deal of room for improvement. Secondary therapy utilizing the nitrosoureas was singularly unsuccessful in most of the reported clinical trials. It is refreshing, however, to have agents which have shown activity, although modest, in this most refractory of neoplasms.", "contents": "Nitrosoureas in the management of disseminated malignant melanoma. Three of the nitrosoureas, BCNU, CCNU, and methyl-CCNU, have displayed significant antitumor activity in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma with none clearly superior to the others, although direct comparison in clinical trials was not accomplished. Response rates to various combinations of these nitrosoureas seem a bit higher, but not dramatically so, when compared to the single-agent response rates, although again this cannot be stated with certainty since direct comparisons were not accomplished. There appears to be no therapeutic advantage to the utilization of any one of the nitrosoureas over the others, but oral administration, as is available for CCNU and methyl-CCNU, is a distinct advantage to the patient and to the clinician. The response rates are, for the most part, rather consistent for the various studies reported in this paper, and these response rates leave a great deal of room for improvement. Secondary therapy utilizing the nitrosoureas was singularly unsuccessful in most of the reported clinical trials. It is refreshing, however, to have agents which have shown activity, although modest, in this most refractory of neoplasms.", "PMID": 782696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6378", "title": "BCNU (NSC-409962) in the treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease: its role in remission induction and maintenance.", "content": "BCNU is an effective antitumor agent in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease. Forty-seven percent of a group of patients with advanced disease, refractory to combination or sequential-agent chemotherapy, achieved an objective response to BCNU. Bone marrow toxicity was delayed in onset and was dose related. When incorporated into a maintenance program after remission induction with combination chemotherapy, BCNU appeared to delay, but not ultimately prevent, relapses during a 2-year followup period. Toxic effects associated with BCNU maintenance therapy in this clinical situation were significantly greater than toxic effects associated with no maintenance therapy.", "contents": "BCNU (NSC-409962) in the treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease: its role in remission induction and maintenance. BCNU is an effective antitumor agent in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease. Forty-seven percent of a group of patients with advanced disease, refractory to combination or sequential-agent chemotherapy, achieved an objective response to BCNU. Bone marrow toxicity was delayed in onset and was dose related. When incorporated into a maintenance program after remission induction with combination chemotherapy, BCNU appeared to delay, but not ultimately prevent, relapses during a 2-year followup period. Toxic effects associated with BCNU maintenance therapy in this clinical situation were significantly greater than toxic effects associated with no maintenance therapy.", "PMID": 782698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6379", "title": "Nitrosoureas: useful agents for the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal cancer.", "content": "Patients with a wide range of gastrointestinal cancers have been treated with nitrosoureas by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Methyl-CCNU, CCNU, and streptozotocin have been evaluated as single agents in the treatment of colorectal carcinoma. Methyl-CCNU has had an extensive trial in gastric carcinoma as a single agent and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). It has also been used to treat pancreatic carcinoma and, in a few patients, carcinoma of the biliary tract. In gastric cancer it would appear that a synergistic effect on response rates has resulted from the combination of methyl-CCNU and 5-FU. The addition of cyclophosphamide to this combination as an induction agent detracted significantly.", "contents": "Nitrosoureas: useful agents for the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal cancer. Patients with a wide range of gastrointestinal cancers have been treated with nitrosoureas by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Methyl-CCNU, CCNU, and streptozotocin have been evaluated as single agents in the treatment of colorectal carcinoma. Methyl-CCNU has had an extensive trial in gastric carcinoma as a single agent and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). It has also been used to treat pancreatic carcinoma and, in a few patients, carcinoma of the biliary tract. In gastric cancer it would appear that a synergistic effect on response rates has resulted from the combination of methyl-CCNU and 5-FU. The addition of cyclophosphamide to this combination as an induction agent detracted significantly.", "PMID": 782699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6380", "title": "Southeastern Cancer Study Group trials with nitrosoureas in Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "A decade of studies with the nitrosoureas in the Southeastern Cancer Study Group has shown that they are active agents for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease and that they may be combined with other chemotherapeutic agents in regimens which have acceptable toxicity to produce excellent response rates. Further more, six monthly cycles of treatment with a combination of either BCNU, vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, procarbazine, and prednisone or mechlorethamine, vincristine, prednisone and procarbazine(MOPP), following the achievement of a clinical CR, produce significantly superior durations of remission and survival in previously untreated patients. Our studies with BCNU given orally have indicated that it is not a clinically useful drug. Finally, studies with methyl-CCNU given orally have indicated no particular place for this agent in the treatment od Hodgkin's disease when compared to CCNU and BCNU.", "contents": "Southeastern Cancer Study Group trials with nitrosoureas in Hodgkin's disease. A decade of studies with the nitrosoureas in the Southeastern Cancer Study Group has shown that they are active agents for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease and that they may be combined with other chemotherapeutic agents in regimens which have acceptable toxicity to produce excellent response rates. Further more, six monthly cycles of treatment with a combination of either BCNU, vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, procarbazine, and prednisone or mechlorethamine, vincristine, prednisone and procarbazine(MOPP), following the achievement of a clinical CR, produce significantly superior durations of remission and survival in previously untreated patients. Our studies with BCNU given orally have indicated that it is not a clinically useful drug. Finally, studies with methyl-CCNU given orally have indicated no particular place for this agent in the treatment od Hodgkin's disease when compared to CCNU and BCNU.", "PMID": 782700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6381", "title": "Nitrosoureas in multiple myeloma.", "content": "A number of cooperative-group and single-institution studies have shown that BCNU used in combination with prednisone alone or with melphalan,cyclophosphamide, and prednisone is useful for remission induction in patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma. In this setting, results with BCNU (and probably CCNU) are as good as (but not superior to)the results obtained to the frequency of remission induction, duration of remission, and survival. BCNU plus prednisone also appears to be equal to melphalan plus prednisone for remission-maintenance therapy, although it is still unclear whether maintenance therapy is superior to discontinuation of therapy during remission. At the present time, the major use of the nitrosoureas in multiple myeloma appears to be for patients who enter remission with conventional alkylating-agent therapy and later relapse. BCNU and CCNU are occasionally effective when used as single agents or in combination with other alkylating agents for relapsing patients. Results of a pilot study at the University of Arizona with low doses of BCNU and adriamycin for patients relapsing on alkylating-agent therapy have been encouraging, with a 54% (seven of 13 patients) incidence of CRs and PRs. The use of this combination in conjunction with vincristine and prednisone for relapsing patients is under investigation by the Southwest Oncology Group.", "contents": "Nitrosoureas in multiple myeloma. A number of cooperative-group and single-institution studies have shown that BCNU used in combination with prednisone alone or with melphalan,cyclophosphamide, and prednisone is useful for remission induction in patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma. In this setting, results with BCNU (and probably CCNU) are as good as (but not superior to)the results obtained to the frequency of remission induction, duration of remission, and survival. BCNU plus prednisone also appears to be equal to melphalan plus prednisone for remission-maintenance therapy, although it is still unclear whether maintenance therapy is superior to discontinuation of therapy during remission. At the present time, the major use of the nitrosoureas in multiple myeloma appears to be for patients who enter remission with conventional alkylating-agent therapy and later relapse. BCNU and CCNU are occasionally effective when used as single agents or in combination with other alkylating agents for relapsing patients. Results of a pilot study at the University of Arizona with low doses of BCNU and adriamycin for patients relapsing on alkylating-agent therapy have been encouraging, with a 54% (seven of 13 patients) incidence of CRs and PRs. The use of this combination in conjunction with vincristine and prednisone for relapsing patients is under investigation by the Southwest Oncology Group.", "PMID": 782701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6382", "title": "Hemodynamic effects of acute digitalization several months after acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "Left ventricular function was investigated at rest and during exercise by heart catheterization in 15 patients 3-5 months after acute myocardial infarction. The effect of 1 mg digoxin i.v. in ten patients was correlated to placebo (saline solution) in five patients. A significant decrease of the left ventricular enddiastolic pressure, increase of left ventricular systolic ejection fraction and a shift of the left ventricular function curve to left upwards was found after digoxin with no changes in the placebo group. This beneficial effect of acute digitalization in patients convalescing from uncomplicated myocardial infarction without clinical signs of manifest heart failure could have therapeutic implication.", "contents": "Hemodynamic effects of acute digitalization several months after acute myocardial infarction. Left ventricular function was investigated at rest and during exercise by heart catheterization in 15 patients 3-5 months after acute myocardial infarction. The effect of 1 mg digoxin i.v. in ten patients was correlated to placebo (saline solution) in five patients. A significant decrease of the left ventricular enddiastolic pressure, increase of left ventricular systolic ejection fraction and a shift of the left ventricular function curve to left upwards was found after digoxin with no changes in the placebo group. This beneficial effect of acute digitalization in patients convalescing from uncomplicated myocardial infarction without clinical signs of manifest heart failure could have therapeutic implication.", "PMID": 782704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6383", "title": "'Wavy' myocardial fibers in spontaneous and experimental adrenergic cardiopathies.", "content": "Wavy myocardial fibers, especially when associated with focal edema, are a characteristic sign of acute myocardial ischemia. 'Waving' might be induced by the increased hydrostatic pressure of interstitial edema, which squeezes and stretches the neighboring fibers. Beside their regular occurrence in early myocardial infarcts, wavy myocardial fibers are also frequently encountered in cases of acute adrenergic heart injury, especially in fatal cranial trauma and after injection of high doses of catecholamines in experimental animals.", "contents": "'Wavy' myocardial fibers in spontaneous and experimental adrenergic cardiopathies. Wavy myocardial fibers, especially when associated with focal edema, are a characteristic sign of acute myocardial ischemia. 'Waving' might be induced by the increased hydrostatic pressure of interstitial edema, which squeezes and stretches the neighboring fibers. Beside their regular occurrence in early myocardial infarcts, wavy myocardial fibers are also frequently encountered in cases of acute adrenergic heart injury, especially in fatal cranial trauma and after injection of high doses of catecholamines in experimental animals.", "PMID": 782705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6384", "title": "Evaluation of single plane angiography for left ventricular volume in the intact dog.", "content": "Technique and errors of quantitative single plane ventriculography (SPV), and the methods of Dodge and Sandler (Dodge et al, 1962; Sandler and Dodge, 1968) and Greene et al (1967) for determining left ventricular (LV) volume by SPV were evaluated in the intact dog. Stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (Q) by ventriculography were compared with those obtained by the Fick and dye dilution methods, and their combination. The end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) corrected by appropriate regression equations, the SV (SV=EDV - ESV), and the ejection fraction (EF) were: Dodge and Sandler, 2.26 1.35, 0.91 ml/kg, and 0.42; Greene et al, 2.41, 1.50, 0.91 ml/kg, and 0.39. Using adequate methods, accurate correction for x-ray image magnification, and the appropriate regression equations the standard error of LV volume calculation by single plane radiography, due to unavoidable technical inaccuracies, should not exceed 10% for a single measurement and 5% for the average of two or more successive cardiac cycles. The systematic overestimation of LV volume inherent in ventriculography, and caused by the addition of contrast medium, should not exceed 5% of the true value.", "contents": "Evaluation of single plane angiography for left ventricular volume in the intact dog. Technique and errors of quantitative single plane ventriculography (SPV), and the methods of Dodge and Sandler (Dodge et al, 1962; Sandler and Dodge, 1968) and Greene et al (1967) for determining left ventricular (LV) volume by SPV were evaluated in the intact dog. Stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (Q) by ventriculography were compared with those obtained by the Fick and dye dilution methods, and their combination. The end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) corrected by appropriate regression equations, the SV (SV=EDV - ESV), and the ejection fraction (EF) were: Dodge and Sandler, 2.26 1.35, 0.91 ml/kg, and 0.42; Greene et al, 2.41, 1.50, 0.91 ml/kg, and 0.39. Using adequate methods, accurate correction for x-ray image magnification, and the appropriate regression equations the standard error of LV volume calculation by single plane radiography, due to unavoidable technical inaccuracies, should not exceed 10% for a single measurement and 5% for the average of two or more successive cardiac cycles. The systematic overestimation of LV volume inherent in ventriculography, and caused by the addition of contrast medium, should not exceed 5% of the true value.", "PMID": 782706} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6385", "title": "Analog computer assisted beat-by-beat measurement of stroke volume and related variables in man.", "content": "A technique for the beat-by-beat measurement of stroke volume is described. Aortic blood velocity signals are obtained from a catheter-mounted electromagnetic velocity transducer and analysed by a purpose-built analog computer. The stroke volume is computed by integration of each period of systolic forward flow using the velocity signal as its sole input. Automatic compensation of flowmeter drift is incorporated and inappropriate triggering of integration by diastolic artefact is prevented by applying both amplitude and duration criteria for the recognition of systolic forward flow. Early diastolic reverse flow is excluded from integration. The cardiac output, mean aortic flow per beat, and interbeat interval are also computed from the velocity signal. With aortic pressure as an additional input signal the mean arterial pressure per beat and systemic vascular resistance can be computed. The computer outputs are calibrated by a manual method. Preliminary studies comparing values for the cardiac output measured by this system and the direct Fick technique have indicated an excellent correlation between the two methods.", "contents": "Analog computer assisted beat-by-beat measurement of stroke volume and related variables in man. A technique for the beat-by-beat measurement of stroke volume is described. Aortic blood velocity signals are obtained from a catheter-mounted electromagnetic velocity transducer and analysed by a purpose-built analog computer. The stroke volume is computed by integration of each period of systolic forward flow using the velocity signal as its sole input. Automatic compensation of flowmeter drift is incorporated and inappropriate triggering of integration by diastolic artefact is prevented by applying both amplitude and duration criteria for the recognition of systolic forward flow. Early diastolic reverse flow is excluded from integration. The cardiac output, mean aortic flow per beat, and interbeat interval are also computed from the velocity signal. With aortic pressure as an additional input signal the mean arterial pressure per beat and systemic vascular resistance can be computed. The computer outputs are calibrated by a manual method. Preliminary studies comparing values for the cardiac output measured by this system and the direct Fick technique have indicated an excellent correlation between the two methods.", "PMID": 782707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6386", "title": "Ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in the median eminence of the guinea pig.", "content": "LH-RH was localized at the ultrastructural level in axons and nerve terminals of the median eminence of the male guinea pig. LH-RH positive neuronal profiles were most concentrated in the medial-dorsal aspect of the infundibular stalk and in the post-infundibular median eminence at the level immediately following separation of the stalk from the base of the brain. LH-RH containing axon profiles were most abundant in the palisade zone; nerve terminals in contact with the hypophysial portal vasculature were relatively rare. The hormone was present within granules that measured 900-1,200 A in axons of the palisade zone and 400-800 A in nerve terminals abutting on the portal plexus. The differently sized granules represent heterogeneous populations.", "contents": "Ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in the median eminence of the guinea pig. LH-RH was localized at the ultrastructural level in axons and nerve terminals of the median eminence of the male guinea pig. LH-RH positive neuronal profiles were most concentrated in the medial-dorsal aspect of the infundibular stalk and in the post-infundibular median eminence at the level immediately following separation of the stalk from the base of the brain. LH-RH containing axon profiles were most abundant in the palisade zone; nerve terminals in contact with the hypophysial portal vasculature were relatively rare. The hormone was present within granules that measured 900-1,200 A in axons of the palisade zone and 400-800 A in nerve terminals abutting on the portal plexus. The differently sized granules represent heterogeneous populations.", "PMID": 782712} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6387", "title": "Uteroglobin in the rabbit. I. Intracellular localization in the oviduct, uterus, and preimplantation blastocyst.", "content": "The localization and release of uteroglobin (UGL) were investigated immunohistologically in the oviducts and uteri of female rabbits from oestrus through the 7th day post coitum and the blastocyst on the 7th day post coitum. UGL was detected within Fallopian tube cells even during oestrus. Granules of UGL appeared toward the bases of these cells. Subsequently, the cells became almost entirely filled with UGI. Drop-like protrusions of the apical cytoplasm suggest a mechanism of apocrine extrusion. All stages of filling and extrusion were visible during the entire preimplantation period. During oestrus, synthesis of UGL within uterine cells becomes sufficiently advanced so that extrusion has either already begun or is about to begin. UGL positive material first appears in the supranuclear regions. Later the entire cytoplasm shows a positive reaction. An uneven distribution of UGL cells is observed in the endometrium. Since only the glands adjacent to the myometrium and cells of the cavum epithelium contain UGL, a striking mosaic of UGL positive and negative cells results. The present report is the first detecting UGL in single cells of the blastocyst. Both entodermal and ectodermal cells proved to be UGL positive. The synthesis and section of UGL in the oviduct and uterus and the possible origins of UGL in the blastocyst are discussed.", "contents": "Uteroglobin in the rabbit. I. Intracellular localization in the oviduct, uterus, and preimplantation blastocyst. The localization and release of uteroglobin (UGL) were investigated immunohistologically in the oviducts and uteri of female rabbits from oestrus through the 7th day post coitum and the blastocyst on the 7th day post coitum. UGL was detected within Fallopian tube cells even during oestrus. Granules of UGL appeared toward the bases of these cells. Subsequently, the cells became almost entirely filled with UGI. Drop-like protrusions of the apical cytoplasm suggest a mechanism of apocrine extrusion. All stages of filling and extrusion were visible during the entire preimplantation period. During oestrus, synthesis of UGL within uterine cells becomes sufficiently advanced so that extrusion has either already begun or is about to begin. UGL positive material first appears in the supranuclear regions. Later the entire cytoplasm shows a positive reaction. An uneven distribution of UGL cells is observed in the endometrium. Since only the glands adjacent to the myometrium and cells of the cavum epithelium contain UGL, a striking mosaic of UGL positive and negative cells results. The present report is the first detecting UGL in single cells of the blastocyst. Both entodermal and ectodermal cells proved to be UGL positive. The synthesis and section of UGL in the oviduct and uterus and the possible origins of UGL in the blastocyst are discussed.", "PMID": 782713} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6388", "title": "Uteroglobin in the rabbit. II. Intracellular localization in the uterus after hormone treatment.", "content": "Rabbit uterine uteroglobin (UGL) was studied by electrophoretic and immunological methods following normal copulation, after ovariectomy and progesterone treatment, 17beta-oestradiol and combined progesterone treatment, 17 beta-oestradiol treatment alone and after HCG-induced pseudopregnancy. Electrophoretic studies show the amount of ULG in uterine secretions, the immunological investigations indicate the intracellular localization of ULG and the distribution of ULG-positive cells in the endometrium. No obvious differences were found between the uteri 7 days after injection with chorion-gonadotropin and those 7 days following normal copulation. No differences could be domonstrated between the uteri of animals 35 days following ovariectomy and subsequent progesterone treatment on Days 31-33 and those of normal 7 d. post coitum (p.c.) animals. Uteri from animals treated with progesterone on Days 2-5 p.c. contained more ULG-positive cells than controls. 17beta-oestradiol treatment with and without subsequent progesterone treatment resulted, in both gravid and ovariectomized animals, in the formation of a tall columnar endometrial epithelium. Treatment with 17 beta-oestradiol on Days 1 and 2 p.c. led to a decrease in the number of UGL-positive cells at 7 days p.c. Even after ovariectomy with 17 beta-oestradiol substitution, UGL-positive cells were still present in the endometrium. However a secretion of any magnitude could not be detected. The importance of differentiation between synthesis and secretion (= release) as distinct phases of the glandular response is especially emphasised by the latter findings.", "contents": "Uteroglobin in the rabbit. II. Intracellular localization in the uterus after hormone treatment. Rabbit uterine uteroglobin (UGL) was studied by electrophoretic and immunological methods following normal copulation, after ovariectomy and progesterone treatment, 17beta-oestradiol and combined progesterone treatment, 17 beta-oestradiol treatment alone and after HCG-induced pseudopregnancy. Electrophoretic studies show the amount of ULG in uterine secretions, the immunological investigations indicate the intracellular localization of ULG and the distribution of ULG-positive cells in the endometrium. No obvious differences were found between the uteri 7 days after injection with chorion-gonadotropin and those 7 days following normal copulation. No differences could be domonstrated between the uteri of animals 35 days following ovariectomy and subsequent progesterone treatment on Days 31-33 and those of normal 7 d. post coitum (p.c.) animals. Uteri from animals treated with progesterone on Days 2-5 p.c. contained more ULG-positive cells than controls. 17beta-oestradiol treatment with and without subsequent progesterone treatment resulted, in both gravid and ovariectomized animals, in the formation of a tall columnar endometrial epithelium. Treatment with 17 beta-oestradiol on Days 1 and 2 p.c. led to a decrease in the number of UGL-positive cells at 7 days p.c. Even after ovariectomy with 17 beta-oestradiol substitution, UGL-positive cells were still present in the endometrium. However a secretion of any magnitude could not be detected. The importance of differentiation between synthesis and secretion (= release) as distinct phases of the glandular response is especially emphasised by the latter findings.", "PMID": 782714} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6389", "title": "Transfer RNA genes between 16S and 23S rRNA genes in rRNA transcription units of E. coli.", "content": "We have identified genes for tRNAGLU/2 on the transducing phages o80d3ilvsu7+ (see Ohtsubo et al., 1974) and lambdarifd18 (Kirschbaum and Konrad, 1973), and a gene for tRNAlle/1 on the transducing phage o80rifr (Konrad, Kirschbaum, and Austin, 1973). All these phages have previously been shown to carry genes for rRNA (Ohtsubo et al., 1974; Lindahl et al., 1975; Jaskunas et al., 1975a). We have analyzed the position of these tRNA genes by hybridizing purified RNAs to restriction fragments of the phage DNA. The tRNA genes are located inside the rRNA transcription unit in the spacer region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes.", "contents": "Transfer RNA genes between 16S and 23S rRNA genes in rRNA transcription units of E. coli. We have identified genes for tRNAGLU/2 on the transducing phages o80d3ilvsu7+ (see Ohtsubo et al., 1974) and lambdarifd18 (Kirschbaum and Konrad, 1973), and a gene for tRNAlle/1 on the transducing phage o80rifr (Konrad, Kirschbaum, and Austin, 1973). All these phages have previously been shown to carry genes for rRNA (Ohtsubo et al., 1974; Lindahl et al., 1975; Jaskunas et al., 1975a). We have analyzed the position of these tRNA genes by hybridizing purified RNAs to restriction fragments of the phage DNA. The tRNA genes are located inside the rRNA transcription unit in the spacer region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes.", "PMID": 782716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6390", "title": "Synthesis of ribosomal RNA in E. coli: analysis using deletion mutants of a lambda transducing phage carrying ribosomal RNA genes.", "content": "Transducing phage lambdarifd18 carries on rRNA transcription unit containing genes for 5S, 16S, and 23S rNAs and also tRNAGlu/2. Mutants were isolated from this phage that carry deletions removing various amounts of the distal end of this transcription unit. These deletions were physically mapped on the lambdarifd18 phage genome. Synthesis of rRNAs and of tRNAGlu/2 was examined in ultraviolet-irradiated E. coli cells infected with lambdarifd18 or with various deletion mutants. It was observed that mutant phages in which the distal end (the 5S rRNA gene and a part of the 23S rRNA gene) of the rRNA transcription unit is deleted can still synthesize both 16S rRNA (or its precursor) and tRNAGlu/2. Apparently, the post-transcriptional cleavage that produces these RNA molecules does not require the presence of the entire transcription unit, that is, it can take place without the complete structure of the transcript (\"30S pre-ribosomal RNA\"). In addition, the experimental results support the gene order, 16S rRNAGlu/2, 23S rRNA, and 5S rRNA genes, in the rRNA transcription unit carried by lambdarifd18.", "contents": "Synthesis of ribosomal RNA in E. coli: analysis using deletion mutants of a lambda transducing phage carrying ribosomal RNA genes. Transducing phage lambdarifd18 carries on rRNA transcription unit containing genes for 5S, 16S, and 23S rNAs and also tRNAGlu/2. Mutants were isolated from this phage that carry deletions removing various amounts of the distal end of this transcription unit. These deletions were physically mapped on the lambdarifd18 phage genome. Synthesis of rRNAs and of tRNAGlu/2 was examined in ultraviolet-irradiated E. coli cells infected with lambdarifd18 or with various deletion mutants. It was observed that mutant phages in which the distal end (the 5S rRNA gene and a part of the 23S rRNA gene) of the rRNA transcription unit is deleted can still synthesize both 16S rRNA (or its precursor) and tRNAGlu/2. Apparently, the post-transcriptional cleavage that produces these RNA molecules does not require the presence of the entire transcription unit, that is, it can take place without the complete structure of the transcript (\"30S pre-ribosomal RNA\"). In addition, the experimental results support the gene order, 16S rRNAGlu/2, 23S rRNA, and 5S rRNA genes, in the rRNA transcription unit carried by lambdarifd18.", "PMID": 782717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6391", "title": "A temperature-sensitive suppressor enabling the manipulation of the level of individual proteins in intact cells.", "content": "A temperature-sensitive suppressor strain of E. coli has been isolated and characterized. The properties of the mutant indicate a strong potential for its use in biochemical and genetic work. In particular, the mutant makes possible the variation of the intracellular concentration of selected protein, permitting an evaluation of its role in cell growth and biochemistry. The mutant also permits the selective radiochemical labeling of proteins in vivo for in vitro identification and analysis. The utilization of the mutant for these and other applications is discussed.", "contents": "A temperature-sensitive suppressor enabling the manipulation of the level of individual proteins in intact cells. A temperature-sensitive suppressor strain of E. coli has been isolated and characterized. The properties of the mutant indicate a strong potential for its use in biochemical and genetic work. In particular, the mutant makes possible the variation of the intracellular concentration of selected protein, permitting an evaluation of its role in cell growth and biochemistry. The mutant also permits the selective radiochemical labeling of proteins in vivo for in vitro identification and analysis. The utilization of the mutant for these and other applications is discussed.", "PMID": 782718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6392", "title": "Adjacent repeating units of Xenopus laevis 5S DNA can be heterogeneous in length.", "content": "The distribution of length heterogeneity in adjacent repeating units of X. laevis 5S DNA has been examined by \"cloning\" 5S DNA in bacteria. Fragments of 5S DNA produced by partial digestion with Hind III and containing 1, 4, and 5 repeating units have been inserted at the single Hind III site of the tetracycline-resistance plasmid, pSC101, and the hybrid plasmids cloned in E. coli. Adjacent 5S DNA repeats in the cloned multi-repeat fragments can differ in length. This finding rules out some mechanisms which have been proposed to account for the parallel evolution of tandem repeated DNAs. The results are consistent with an unequal crossing-over mechanism and place some constraints on the molecular processes in this recombinatory event.", "contents": "Adjacent repeating units of Xenopus laevis 5S DNA can be heterogeneous in length. The distribution of length heterogeneity in adjacent repeating units of X. laevis 5S DNA has been examined by \"cloning\" 5S DNA in bacteria. Fragments of 5S DNA produced by partial digestion with Hind III and containing 1, 4, and 5 repeating units have been inserted at the single Hind III site of the tetracycline-resistance plasmid, pSC101, and the hybrid plasmids cloned in E. coli. Adjacent 5S DNA repeats in the cloned multi-repeat fragments can differ in length. This finding rules out some mechanisms which have been proposed to account for the parallel evolution of tandem repeated DNAs. The results are consistent with an unequal crossing-over mechanism and place some constraints on the molecular processes in this recombinatory event.", "PMID": 782719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6393", "title": "The structures and fidelity of replication of mouse mitochondrial DNA-pSC 101 EcoRI recombinant plasmids grown in E. coli K12.", "content": "Recombinant DNAs containing the E. coli plasmid pSC101 and mouse cell (La9) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were formed in vitro via ligation of DNA fragments from limit EcoRI endonuclease digests and were used to transform E. coli K12. Four structurally different recombinant plasmid DNAs from transformed clones were characterized. Two of these were analyzed extensively and the mtDNA portions compared with mtDNA from LA9 cells. No differences were detected in the physical or chemical properties examined, except that the E. coli mtDNA lacked the alkali lability characteristic of animal mtDNAs. Heteroduplexes between the LA9 portions of the recombinant plasmids and LA9 mtDNA were analyzed by absorbance melting. The melting temperatures were indistinguishable from reannealed LA9 mtDNA homoduplexes, indicating that single-base replication errors occur at a frequency of fewer than 1 nucleotide in 300. Electron microscopic analyses of plasmid-LA9 mtDNA heteroduplexes and a comparison of agarose gel electrophoresis of restriction endonuclease fragments also indicated no differences. These results were independent of the order or the relative orientation of the pSC101 and mtDNA fragments. A third EcoRI fragment in LA9 mtDNA, not found in an earlier study (Brown and Vinograd, 1974), has been positioned in the LA9, EcoRI map. This fragment contains 165+/-10 nucleotide pairs.", "contents": "The structures and fidelity of replication of mouse mitochondrial DNA-pSC 101 EcoRI recombinant plasmids grown in E. coli K12. Recombinant DNAs containing the E. coli plasmid pSC101 and mouse cell (La9) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were formed in vitro via ligation of DNA fragments from limit EcoRI endonuclease digests and were used to transform E. coli K12. Four structurally different recombinant plasmid DNAs from transformed clones were characterized. Two of these were analyzed extensively and the mtDNA portions compared with mtDNA from LA9 cells. No differences were detected in the physical or chemical properties examined, except that the E. coli mtDNA lacked the alkali lability characteristic of animal mtDNAs. Heteroduplexes between the LA9 portions of the recombinant plasmids and LA9 mtDNA were analyzed by absorbance melting. The melting temperatures were indistinguishable from reannealed LA9 mtDNA homoduplexes, indicating that single-base replication errors occur at a frequency of fewer than 1 nucleotide in 300. Electron microscopic analyses of plasmid-LA9 mtDNA heteroduplexes and a comparison of agarose gel electrophoresis of restriction endonuclease fragments also indicated no differences. These results were independent of the order or the relative orientation of the pSC101 and mtDNA fragments. A third EcoRI fragment in LA9 mtDNA, not found in an earlier study (Brown and Vinograd, 1974), has been positioned in the LA9, EcoRI map. This fragment contains 165+/-10 nucleotide pairs.", "PMID": 782720} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6394", "title": "The relationship between group C adenovirus tumor antigen and the adenovirus single-strand DNA-binding protein.", "content": "The group C adenoviruses code for a single-strand specific DNA-binding protein of molecular weight 72,000 daltons which is synthesized at early times after productive viral infection. Experiments were designed to determine whether this single-strand specific DNA-binding protein was expressed in adenovirus tumors and transformed cells. Two independently derived preparations of anti-sera from hamsters bearing group C adenovirus tumors were tested for antibody against the single-stranded DNA-binding proteins. One antiserum contained antibodies that reacted with these DNA-binding proteins, while the second antiserum did not contain detectable levels of antibody. Five adenovirus type 2 transformed rat cell lines were tested for the presence of the single-stranded specific DNA-binding proteins. Two of the five transformed cells expressed detectable levels of this protein. These results indicate that the group C adenovirus single-strand specific DNA-binding proteins are expressed in some, but not all, adenovirus tumors and transformed cell lines. Those transformed cell lines (type 2) containing a portion of the adenovirus genome designated by the Eco R-I-B restriction enzyme fragment express the single-strand specific DNA-binding proteins. Those cell lines missing this Eco R-I-B fragment do not contain this viral protein. Other experiments have located the structural gene of the signle-strand specific DNA-binding protein in the Eco-R-I-B DNA fragment, indicating that when this gene is present in a transformed cell, it is expressed.", "contents": "The relationship between group C adenovirus tumor antigen and the adenovirus single-strand DNA-binding protein. The group C adenoviruses code for a single-strand specific DNA-binding protein of molecular weight 72,000 daltons which is synthesized at early times after productive viral infection. Experiments were designed to determine whether this single-strand specific DNA-binding protein was expressed in adenovirus tumors and transformed cells. Two independently derived preparations of anti-sera from hamsters bearing group C adenovirus tumors were tested for antibody against the single-stranded DNA-binding proteins. One antiserum contained antibodies that reacted with these DNA-binding proteins, while the second antiserum did not contain detectable levels of antibody. Five adenovirus type 2 transformed rat cell lines were tested for the presence of the single-stranded specific DNA-binding proteins. Two of the five transformed cells expressed detectable levels of this protein. These results indicate that the group C adenovirus single-strand specific DNA-binding proteins are expressed in some, but not all, adenovirus tumors and transformed cell lines. Those transformed cell lines (type 2) containing a portion of the adenovirus genome designated by the Eco R-I-B restriction enzyme fragment express the single-strand specific DNA-binding proteins. Those cell lines missing this Eco R-I-B fragment do not contain this viral protein. Other experiments have located the structural gene of the signle-strand specific DNA-binding protein in the Eco-R-I-B DNA fragment, indicating that when this gene is present in a transformed cell, it is expressed.", "PMID": 782721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6395", "title": "Effect of the RelA gene on the synthesis of individual proteins in vivo.", "content": "We have shown that the relA gene can affect the rates of synthesis of many nonribosomal proteins in E. coli. We used rel+ and relA strains that contain a temperature-sensitive valyl tRNA synthetase. Upon transfer from a permissive temperature (30degreesC) to a semi-resitrictive one (36.5degreesC), these strains continue to grow, although undergoing a partial deprivation of valyl tRNA, In the rel+ strain, the concentration of ppGpp increases immediately, and the accumulation of RNA ceases abruptly but temporarily. In contrast, in the relA strain, the concentration of ppGpp falls, whereas the rate of accumulation of RNA increases. As judged by gel electrophoresis, the rates at which individual polypeptides are synthesized by the strains after their transfer to 36.5degreesC depend to a large extent upon the allelic state of the relA gene. In both strains, the concentration of ppGpp changes soon enough to have altered the synthesis of some of the proteins by affecting the transcription of their genes.", "contents": "Effect of the RelA gene on the synthesis of individual proteins in vivo. We have shown that the relA gene can affect the rates of synthesis of many nonribosomal proteins in E. coli. We used rel+ and relA strains that contain a temperature-sensitive valyl tRNA synthetase. Upon transfer from a permissive temperature (30degreesC) to a semi-resitrictive one (36.5degreesC), these strains continue to grow, although undergoing a partial deprivation of valyl tRNA, In the rel+ strain, the concentration of ppGpp increases immediately, and the accumulation of RNA ceases abruptly but temporarily. In contrast, in the relA strain, the concentration of ppGpp falls, whereas the rate of accumulation of RNA increases. As judged by gel electrophoresis, the rates at which individual polypeptides are synthesized by the strains after their transfer to 36.5degreesC depend to a large extent upon the allelic state of the relA gene. In both strains, the concentration of ppGpp changes soon enough to have altered the synthesis of some of the proteins by affecting the transcription of their genes.", "PMID": 782722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6396", "title": "Identification of genes for elongation factor Ts and ribosomal protein S2 in E. coli.", "content": "The structural gene for elongation factor EF-TS (tsf) and that for ribosomal protein S2 (rpsB) have been identified in E. coli. Both genes are carried by lambda transducing phages that have been isolated as dapD+polC+ transducing phages. Synthesis of both S2 and EF-Ts was demonstrated in ultraviolet light-irradiated E. coli cells infected with these phages. Experiments were also done using other transducing phages that carry dapD+ but not polC+. The data indicate that both the tsf and rpsB genes map near dapD at about 4 min on the E. coli genetic map. This location is different from the two chromosomal locations, the str-spc region and the rif region, where many ribosomal protein genes, the genes for RNA polymerase components, as well as other elongation factor genes (fus, tufA, and tufB) are located.", "contents": "Identification of genes for elongation factor Ts and ribosomal protein S2 in E. coli. The structural gene for elongation factor EF-TS (tsf) and that for ribosomal protein S2 (rpsB) have been identified in E. coli. Both genes are carried by lambda transducing phages that have been isolated as dapD+polC+ transducing phages. Synthesis of both S2 and EF-Ts was demonstrated in ultraviolet light-irradiated E. coli cells infected with these phages. Experiments were also done using other transducing phages that carry dapD+ but not polC+. The data indicate that both the tsf and rpsB genes map near dapD at about 4 min on the E. coli genetic map. This location is different from the two chromosomal locations, the str-spc region and the rif region, where many ribosomal protein genes, the genes for RNA polymerase components, as well as other elongation factor genes (fus, tufA, and tufB) are located.", "PMID": 782723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6397", "title": "Nucleosome structure in Aspergillus nidulans.", "content": "The structure of chromatin from Aspergillus nidulans was studied using micrococcal nuclease and DNAase I. Limited digestion with micrococcal nuclease revealed a nucleosomal repeat of 154 base pairs for Aspergillus and 198 base pairs for rat liver. With more extensive digestion, both types of chromatin gave a similar quasi-limit product with a prominent fragment at 140 base pairs. The similarity of the two limit digests suggests that the structure of the 140 base pair nucleosome core is conserved. This implies that the difference in nucleosome repeat lengths between Aspergillus and rat liver is caused by a difference in the length of the DNA between two nucleosome cores. Digestion of Aspergillus chromatin with DNAase I produced a pattern of single-stranded fragments at intervals of 10 bases which was similar to that produced from rat liver chromatin.", "contents": "Nucleosome structure in Aspergillus nidulans. The structure of chromatin from Aspergillus nidulans was studied using micrococcal nuclease and DNAase I. Limited digestion with micrococcal nuclease revealed a nucleosomal repeat of 154 base pairs for Aspergillus and 198 base pairs for rat liver. With more extensive digestion, both types of chromatin gave a similar quasi-limit product with a prominent fragment at 140 base pairs. The similarity of the two limit digests suggests that the structure of the 140 base pair nucleosome core is conserved. This implies that the difference in nucleosome repeat lengths between Aspergillus and rat liver is caused by a difference in the length of the DNA between two nucleosome cores. Digestion of Aspergillus chromatin with DNAase I produced a pattern of single-stranded fragments at intervals of 10 bases which was similar to that produced from rat liver chromatin.", "PMID": 782724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6398", "title": "Cell surface myosin in cultured fibroblasts.", "content": "The surface components of L-929 mouse fibroblast cells in monolayer culture have been labeled with 125I by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination procedure. One of the membrane proteins iodinated has been shown to be myosin as follows: it has the same electrophoretic mobility (molecular weight 200,000 daltons) as myosin heavy chain on sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gels and the labeled myosin is specifically precipitated by fibroblast myosin antiserum from a preparation of purified plasma membrane that have been solubilized by treatment with 1% Triton X-100. One other 125I-labeled membranes protein (molecular weight 210, 000 daltons) is precipitated along with myosin; the latter does not combine directly with antimyosin antibody. This was determined by reacting polyacrylamide gels containing the separated membrane proteins with fibroblast myosin antiserum; myosin was the only membrane protein reacting with the antibody as determined by two separate methods. Membrane myosin is not labeled when the cells are grown in 14C-D-glucosamine or treated with galactose oxidase and potassium borotritide. Thus membrane myosin is probably not a glycoprotein.", "contents": "Cell surface myosin in cultured fibroblasts. The surface components of L-929 mouse fibroblast cells in monolayer culture have been labeled with 125I by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination procedure. One of the membrane proteins iodinated has been shown to be myosin as follows: it has the same electrophoretic mobility (molecular weight 200,000 daltons) as myosin heavy chain on sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gels and the labeled myosin is specifically precipitated by fibroblast myosin antiserum from a preparation of purified plasma membrane that have been solubilized by treatment with 1% Triton X-100. One other 125I-labeled membranes protein (molecular weight 210, 000 daltons) is precipitated along with myosin; the latter does not combine directly with antimyosin antibody. This was determined by reacting polyacrylamide gels containing the separated membrane proteins with fibroblast myosin antiserum; myosin was the only membrane protein reacting with the antibody as determined by two separate methods. Membrane myosin is not labeled when the cells are grown in 14C-D-glucosamine or treated with galactose oxidase and potassium borotritide. Thus membrane myosin is probably not a glycoprotein.", "PMID": 782725} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6399", "title": "In vitro processing of E. coli tRNA precursors.", "content": "Using E. coli tRNA precursors isolated from an RNAase P mutant strain, we have studied the steps required for the formation of tRNAs having a mature primary sequence in vitro. Our results suggest that at least three different enzymatic activities can participate in the processing of tRNA precursors.", "contents": "In vitro processing of E. coli tRNA precursors. Using E. coli tRNA precursors isolated from an RNAase P mutant strain, we have studied the steps required for the formation of tRNAs having a mature primary sequence in vitro. Our results suggest that at least three different enzymatic activities can participate in the processing of tRNA precursors.", "PMID": 782726} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6400", "title": "Multiple modes of ribosomal RNA transcription in vitro.", "content": "The rate of rRNA synthesis from E. coli DNA in vitro can exhibit an unusual temperature dependence. Instead of the typical sigmoid curve, at least five to six pronounced peaks of rRNA synthesis are detectable over a 30degrees range in temperature. rRNA synthesis from performed initiation complexes exhibits a similar pattern and shows that the number of polymerases able to initiate rRNA synthesis increases with each successive peak. These results are interpreted in terms of a model which proposes that the rRNA cistrons are served by multiple promoter sites (subpromoters) whose activation energies form a graded series. Thus the number of polymerases initiating rRNA synthesis could be controlled by regulating the number of active subpromoters.", "contents": "Multiple modes of ribosomal RNA transcription in vitro. The rate of rRNA synthesis from E. coli DNA in vitro can exhibit an unusual temperature dependence. Instead of the typical sigmoid curve, at least five to six pronounced peaks of rRNA synthesis are detectable over a 30degrees range in temperature. rRNA synthesis from performed initiation complexes exhibits a similar pattern and shows that the number of polymerases able to initiate rRNA synthesis increases with each successive peak. These results are interpreted in terms of a model which proposes that the rRNA cistrons are served by multiple promoter sites (subpromoters) whose activation energies form a graded series. Thus the number of polymerases initiating rRNA synthesis could be controlled by regulating the number of active subpromoters.", "PMID": 782727} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6401", "title": "Effect of nitrofurazone on bacterial RNA and ribosome synthesis and on the function of ribosomes.", "content": "Exposure of E. coli B/r to nitrofurazone strongly inhibits the synthesis of all classes of RNA and both ribosomal sub-units. Polysome formation is likewise inhibited. However, in E. coli nfr-207 a mutant of B/r which lacks nitrofurazone-reductase I, the synthesis of RNA, ribosomal sub-units and formation of polysomes are not significantly affected. This result implies that a reduced metabolite of the drug rather than the drug itself is the active agent. The ability of ribosomes isolated from nitrofurazone-treated E. coli B/r to carry out poly-U directed polyphenylalanine synthesis was lower than that of ribosomes from untreated cells. 14C from labelled nitrofurazone was found to bind to ribosomal sub-units.", "contents": "Effect of nitrofurazone on bacterial RNA and ribosome synthesis and on the function of ribosomes. Exposure of E. coli B/r to nitrofurazone strongly inhibits the synthesis of all classes of RNA and both ribosomal sub-units. Polysome formation is likewise inhibited. However, in E. coli nfr-207 a mutant of B/r which lacks nitrofurazone-reductase I, the synthesis of RNA, ribosomal sub-units and formation of polysomes are not significantly affected. This result implies that a reduced metabolite of the drug rather than the drug itself is the active agent. The ability of ribosomes isolated from nitrofurazone-treated E. coli B/r to carry out poly-U directed polyphenylalanine synthesis was lower than that of ribosomes from untreated cells. 14C from labelled nitrofurazone was found to bind to ribosomal sub-units.", "PMID": 782735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6402", "title": "Role of substrains in persistent lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection.", "content": "Two plaque-type mutants, a wild strain MB(1), and a slow-growing non-plaque-forming variant of LCM virus were compared in L cell cultures. The cultures were monitored at biweekly intervals following infection for plaque-forming virus titre and cytoplasmic and membrane specific immunofluorescence of the cells. Different patterns were obtained in each case and the relevance of these results to LCM persistence is discussed. While the LM variant continually produced virus for 35 transfers, with a cycling titre, the SC variant stopped producing detectable virus after 30 transfers. Thereafter this culture remained fluorescent and resembled the one infected with the slow-growing variant. The degree of specific immunofluorescence of both continued to cycle. The MB(1) strain stopped producing virus after the 18th transfer.", "contents": "Role of substrains in persistent lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. Two plaque-type mutants, a wild strain MB(1), and a slow-growing non-plaque-forming variant of LCM virus were compared in L cell cultures. The cultures were monitored at biweekly intervals following infection for plaque-forming virus titre and cytoplasmic and membrane specific immunofluorescence of the cells. Different patterns were obtained in each case and the relevance of these results to LCM persistence is discussed. While the LM variant continually produced virus for 35 transfers, with a cycling titre, the SC variant stopped producing detectable virus after 30 transfers. Thereafter this culture remained fluorescent and resembled the one infected with the slow-growing variant. The degree of specific immunofluorescence of both continued to cycle. The MB(1) strain stopped producing virus after the 18th transfer.", "PMID": 782736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6403", "title": "Laboratory diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis.", "content": "Current laboratory methods for the diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis are discussed, mainly from the point of view of recent improvements. The use of sentinel guinea-pigs is suggested for the detection of lymphocytic choriomeningitis infection in animal colonies.", "contents": "Laboratory diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Current laboratory methods for the diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis are discussed, mainly from the point of view of recent improvements. The use of sentinel guinea-pigs is suggested for the detection of lymphocytic choriomeningitis infection in animal colonies.", "PMID": 782737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6404", "title": "Lassa fever: review of epidemiology and epizootiology.", "content": "The basic ecology of Lassa fever appears to involve enzootic transmission of virus in commensal populations of a single murine species, Mastomys natalensis. Virus may spill over from the rodent cycle to man by various routes. Secondary spread between humans may occur within domiciliary groups, and persons infected within the community who develop clinical disease may introduce the virus into hospital and begin a cycle of nosocomial infection.Between 1969, when Lassa fever was first described, and June 1975, the disease was recognized on 9 discrete occasions, affecting 114 persons. Over one-third of these infections were acquired by person-to-person spread within hospitals. In only one outbreak (in Sierra Leone) were the majority of cases acquired in the community. Recent observations have indicated hyperendemic disease in eastern Sierra Leone. Cases have occurred in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, and serological evidence exists for activity of the virus elsewhere in West and Central Africa. Seasonal factors appear to play a role in the appearance of human cases. Attack rates have been higher in adults than in children. The source of infection and potential routes of virus transmission in the various epidemics are discussed, and perspectives for future epidemiological research are presented.", "contents": "Lassa fever: review of epidemiology and epizootiology. The basic ecology of Lassa fever appears to involve enzootic transmission of virus in commensal populations of a single murine species, Mastomys natalensis. Virus may spill over from the rodent cycle to man by various routes. Secondary spread between humans may occur within domiciliary groups, and persons infected within the community who develop clinical disease may introduce the virus into hospital and begin a cycle of nosocomial infection.Between 1969, when Lassa fever was first described, and June 1975, the disease was recognized on 9 discrete occasions, affecting 114 persons. Over one-third of these infections were acquired by person-to-person spread within hospitals. In only one outbreak (in Sierra Leone) were the majority of cases acquired in the community. Recent observations have indicated hyperendemic disease in eastern Sierra Leone. Cases have occurred in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, and serological evidence exists for activity of the virus elsewhere in West and Central Africa. Seasonal factors appear to play a role in the appearance of human cases. Attack rates have been higher in adults than in children. The source of infection and potential routes of virus transmission in the various epidemics are discussed, and perspectives for future epidemiological research are presented.", "PMID": 782738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6405", "title": "The three-dimensional dynamic geometry of the left ventricle in the conscious dog.", "content": "The dynamic geometry of the left ventricle was assessed with the use of chronically implanted pulse-transit ultrasonic dimension transducers. The orientation of the transducers allowed the measurement of left ventricular minor and major axis diameters and equatorial wall thickness in the conscious dog. The left ventricle was modeled as a three-dimensional, prolate ellipsoidal shell. Left ventricular and pleural pressures were measured with high fidelity micromanometers. Aortic blood flow was obtained with electromagnetic flow probes. To test the assumptions inherent in this technique, left ventricular mass, internal volume, stroke volume, and peak aortic flow were computed from the dimension data and compared to directly measured values. Correlation coefficients of 0.95 or greater were obtained for each of these comparisons. In addition, the calculated left ventricular mass was constant to within +/- 6% of the mean value throughout the cardiac cycle. We found that the dynamic contraction pattern of the left ventricle was dependent on the physiological state of the dog. Furthermore, in the conscious state, shortening of the minor axis diameter, lengthening of the major axis diameter, and slight thickening or thinning of the wall were noted during isovolumic contraction (isovolumic ellipticalization pattern). In the open-chested, anesthetized state, however, marked rearrangements in geometry were observed during isovolumic contraction manifested by lengthening of the minor axis diameter, and significant thickening of the wall (isovolumic sphericalization pattern). We also observed that left ventricular volume was significantly diminished in the open-chested state. The isovolumic contraction pattern in open-chested dogs could be changed from sphericalization to ellipticalization by increasing end-diastolic volume with the infusion of saline. During a vena caval occlusion in the conscious state, the contraction pattern changed from isovolumic ellipticalization to isovolumic sphericalization as the end-diastolic volume decreased. Thus, the exact pattern of left ventricular contraction was found to be a function of left ventricular volume.", "contents": "The three-dimensional dynamic geometry of the left ventricle in the conscious dog. The dynamic geometry of the left ventricle was assessed with the use of chronically implanted pulse-transit ultrasonic dimension transducers. The orientation of the transducers allowed the measurement of left ventricular minor and major axis diameters and equatorial wall thickness in the conscious dog. The left ventricle was modeled as a three-dimensional, prolate ellipsoidal shell. Left ventricular and pleural pressures were measured with high fidelity micromanometers. Aortic blood flow was obtained with electromagnetic flow probes. To test the assumptions inherent in this technique, left ventricular mass, internal volume, stroke volume, and peak aortic flow were computed from the dimension data and compared to directly measured values. Correlation coefficients of 0.95 or greater were obtained for each of these comparisons. In addition, the calculated left ventricular mass was constant to within +/- 6% of the mean value throughout the cardiac cycle. We found that the dynamic contraction pattern of the left ventricle was dependent on the physiological state of the dog. Furthermore, in the conscious state, shortening of the minor axis diameter, lengthening of the major axis diameter, and slight thickening or thinning of the wall were noted during isovolumic contraction (isovolumic ellipticalization pattern). In the open-chested, anesthetized state, however, marked rearrangements in geometry were observed during isovolumic contraction manifested by lengthening of the minor axis diameter, and significant thickening of the wall (isovolumic sphericalization pattern). We also observed that left ventricular volume was significantly diminished in the open-chested state. The isovolumic contraction pattern in open-chested dogs could be changed from sphericalization to ellipticalization by increasing end-diastolic volume with the infusion of saline. During a vena caval occlusion in the conscious state, the contraction pattern changed from isovolumic ellipticalization to isovolumic sphericalization as the end-diastolic volume decreased. Thus, the exact pattern of left ventricular contraction was found to be a function of left ventricular volume.", "PMID": 782742} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6406", "title": "Automatic quantitative radiometric assay of bacterial metabolism.", "content": "In a two-compartment scintillation vial, suspensions of bacteria were cultured with 1 muCi of [U-14C] glucose and the released 14C02 was measured continuously, cumulatively, and automatically in a liquid-scintillation counter modified to maintain sample temperature at 37 degrees C. We could follow the metabolism of bacterial populations through their early phase of exponential growth with good precision. The data were obtained conveniently, with use of conventional reagents, glassware, and counting equipment. From analysis of the exponential portion of the curves for cumulative activity vs. time, we could measure cell replication rate precisely in units of time. The resulting values were demonstrably independent of some common experimental variables, including the number of bacteria in the inoculum and counting system sensitivity. Sensitivity of the bacteria to antibiotics was measured to within a few percent by noting the relative prolongation of replication time in the presence of those inhibitors. The digital data from the scintillation counter are susceptible to on- or off-line computer analysis, thus providing the prospect for a totally-automated analytical system. The method shows promise for the mechanized quantitative analysis of bacterial growth, and its inhibition.", "contents": "Automatic quantitative radiometric assay of bacterial metabolism. In a two-compartment scintillation vial, suspensions of bacteria were cultured with 1 muCi of [U-14C] glucose and the released 14C02 was measured continuously, cumulatively, and automatically in a liquid-scintillation counter modified to maintain sample temperature at 37 degrees C. We could follow the metabolism of bacterial populations through their early phase of exponential growth with good precision. The data were obtained conveniently, with use of conventional reagents, glassware, and counting equipment. From analysis of the exponential portion of the curves for cumulative activity vs. time, we could measure cell replication rate precisely in units of time. The resulting values were demonstrably independent of some common experimental variables, including the number of bacteria in the inoculum and counting system sensitivity. Sensitivity of the bacteria to antibiotics was measured to within a few percent by noting the relative prolongation of replication time in the presence of those inhibitors. The digital data from the scintillation counter are susceptible to on- or off-line computer analysis, thus providing the prospect for a totally-automated analytical system. The method shows promise for the mechanized quantitative analysis of bacterial growth, and its inhibition.", "PMID": 782743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6407", "title": "Behaviour problems in children.", "content": "Recent clinical and epidemiological studies of the nature and incidence of behaviour problems in various groups of children are reviewed and the effects of adverse environmental conditions on their development are discussed. Research into the treatment of deviant behaviour by means of behaviour modification techniques is outlined and topics for further investigation are indicated.", "contents": "Behaviour problems in children. Recent clinical and epidemiological studies of the nature and incidence of behaviour problems in various groups of children are reviewed and the effects of adverse environmental conditions on their development are discussed. Research into the treatment of deviant behaviour by means of behaviour modification techniques is outlined and topics for further investigation are indicated.", "PMID": 782739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6408", "title": "An artefact in lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns, assayed by fluorescence, occurring in the serum of patients with end-stage renal disease requiring maintenance haemodialysis.", "content": "In patients with end-stage renal disease requiring maintenance haemodialysis we have observed that serum albumin becomes fluorescent (excitation 356 nm, emission above 405 nm). This fluorescence is detected in the fluorescent assay of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes on thin-layer agarose creating the impression of an additional LDH isoenzyme anodal to LDH1. This artefact disappears, or is much reduced, following successful donor kidney transplantation. It is not seen in any other pathological condition. This phenomenon can readily be detected by means of \"blank\" assays on the agarose plates after specimen application and after electrophoresis of the specimen without the substrate overlay.", "contents": "An artefact in lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns, assayed by fluorescence, occurring in the serum of patients with end-stage renal disease requiring maintenance haemodialysis. In patients with end-stage renal disease requiring maintenance haemodialysis we have observed that serum albumin becomes fluorescent (excitation 356 nm, emission above 405 nm). This fluorescence is detected in the fluorescent assay of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes on thin-layer agarose creating the impression of an additional LDH isoenzyme anodal to LDH1. This artefact disappears, or is much reduced, following successful donor kidney transplantation. It is not seen in any other pathological condition. This phenomenon can readily be detected by means of \"blank\" assays on the agarose plates after specimen application and after electrophoresis of the specimen without the substrate overlay.", "PMID": 782744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6409", "title": "Potentiation of T-cell mediated immunity by levamisole.", "content": "Cell-mediated immunity is a requirement for recognition and elimination of cells and for prevention or treatment of a variety of diseases. Therefore, the development of a product potentially active in increasing immunity involves its testing in assays specific for cell-mediated immunity. The effectiveness of a single administration of levamisole was demonstrated in the rejection of isografts in a male to female C57BL/6 system, and on the enhancement of levels of the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) to sheep red cells (SRBC). Indeed, in five on nine tests, an injection of 25 mg/kg of levamisole to female recipients either on the day of grafting or 7 days after grafting resulted in a RT50% rejection time of 25 days, compared with 46 days in untreated controls. Levamisole administered at the time of immunization with various doses of SRBC elicited earlier, higher and more sustained DTH levels than in untreated controls. Such induction of T-cell activation was accompanied by a switch on anti-SRBC antibodies from IgM to IgG. These findings confirm and extend data evidencing the ability of levamisole to recruit and activate T cells for an increased or restored cell-mediated immunity.", "contents": "Potentiation of T-cell mediated immunity by levamisole. Cell-mediated immunity is a requirement for recognition and elimination of cells and for prevention or treatment of a variety of diseases. Therefore, the development of a product potentially active in increasing immunity involves its testing in assays specific for cell-mediated immunity. The effectiveness of a single administration of levamisole was demonstrated in the rejection of isografts in a male to female C57BL/6 system, and on the enhancement of levels of the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) to sheep red cells (SRBC). Indeed, in five on nine tests, an injection of 25 mg/kg of levamisole to female recipients either on the day of grafting or 7 days after grafting resulted in a RT50% rejection time of 25 days, compared with 46 days in untreated controls. Levamisole administered at the time of immunization with various doses of SRBC elicited earlier, higher and more sustained DTH levels than in untreated controls. Such induction of T-cell activation was accompanied by a switch on anti-SRBC antibodies from IgM to IgG. These findings confirm and extend data evidencing the ability of levamisole to recruit and activate T cells for an increased or restored cell-mediated immunity.", "PMID": 782749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6410", "title": "Immunofluorescence patterns in chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN).", "content": "90 patients, whose renal biopsies showed on light microscopy a pattern of MPGN, have been studied by immunofluorescence. 10 cases showed dense intramembranous deposits. Fluoresceinated antisera against IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, fibrinogen, IgD, IgE, C4, C1q, properdin and C3A were employed. Granular depostis of C3 were observed in all cases; IgG, IgM, properdin, C1q and C4 were found in 2/3 cases; IgA, IgE and C3A were rarely found. The localization of these deposits was parietal and often also mesangial. On the basis of glomerular deposition of C3 with or without immunoglobulins (Ig), we separated the cases into three groups: 1) C3 + Ig (59 cases), 2) predominant C3 (19 cases), 3) isolated C3 (12 cases). Most patients with dense deposits disease were classified in the third group. Deposits of C1q and C4 were found only in the first two groups. The localization of C3 deposits showed a more frequent mesangial extension in the second and third groups. Patients in these 3 groups also had different serum complement profiles. No significant differences in the major clinical features could be found in the 3 groups. Variable immunofluorescence patterns, in agreement with other serological parameters, confirm the heterogeneity of pathogenetic mechanisms in patients with MPGN.", "contents": "Immunofluorescence patterns in chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). 90 patients, whose renal biopsies showed on light microscopy a pattern of MPGN, have been studied by immunofluorescence. 10 cases showed dense intramembranous deposits. Fluoresceinated antisera against IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, fibrinogen, IgD, IgE, C4, C1q, properdin and C3A were employed. Granular depostis of C3 were observed in all cases; IgG, IgM, properdin, C1q and C4 were found in 2/3 cases; IgA, IgE and C3A were rarely found. The localization of these deposits was parietal and often also mesangial. On the basis of glomerular deposition of C3 with or without immunoglobulins (Ig), we separated the cases into three groups: 1) C3 + Ig (59 cases), 2) predominant C3 (19 cases), 3) isolated C3 (12 cases). Most patients with dense deposits disease were classified in the third group. Deposits of C1q and C4 were found only in the first two groups. The localization of C3 deposits showed a more frequent mesangial extension in the second and third groups. Patients in these 3 groups also had different serum complement profiles. No significant differences in the major clinical features could be found in the 3 groups. Variable immunofluorescence patterns, in agreement with other serological parameters, confirm the heterogeneity of pathogenetic mechanisms in patients with MPGN.", "PMID": 782750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6411", "title": "Association of crescentic glomerulonephritis with membranous glomerulonephropathy: a report of three cases.", "content": "Association of membranous glomerulonephropathy with crescentic glomerulonephritis is apparently extremely rare. We report three patients who had this combination. One patient had biopsy-proven membranous glomerulonephropathy thirteen months prior to sudden and rapid decline in renal function necessitating hemodialysis. A repeat renal biopsy showed a superimposed crescentic nephritis and antiglomerular (GBM) antibodies were demonstrable in the serum. A second patient had proteinuria of unknown duration and then developed renal failure. Renal biopsy showed crescentic nephritis with a fine granular glomerular immunofluorescence for IgG typical of membranous glomerulonephropathy. Anti-GBM antibodies were present in this patient's serum. The third patient presented with acute renal failure of moderate severity. A renal biopsy revealed crescentic nephritis, granular deposits of immunoglobulins, and epimembranous electron-dense deposits typical of membranous glomerulonephropathy. Although his creatinine clearance improved spontaneously, nephrotic syndrome has persisted and a repeat renal biopsy showed a progression of the membranous glomerulonephropathy with the disappearance of the crescentic lesions. The reason for this peculiar association of membranous glomerulonephropathy and crescentic glomerulonephritis is unclear. It is possible that deposition of immune-complexes along glomerular basement membrane may render the glomerulus more susceptible to additional injury from a variety of other agents. Alternatively, depostis formed in one disease could initiate release of normal or altered basement membrane material and lead to formation of anti-GBM antibodies and subsequent development.", "contents": "Association of crescentic glomerulonephritis with membranous glomerulonephropathy: a report of three cases. Association of membranous glomerulonephropathy with crescentic glomerulonephritis is apparently extremely rare. We report three patients who had this combination. One patient had biopsy-proven membranous glomerulonephropathy thirteen months prior to sudden and rapid decline in renal function necessitating hemodialysis. A repeat renal biopsy showed a superimposed crescentic nephritis and antiglomerular (GBM) antibodies were demonstrable in the serum. A second patient had proteinuria of unknown duration and then developed renal failure. Renal biopsy showed crescentic nephritis with a fine granular glomerular immunofluorescence for IgG typical of membranous glomerulonephropathy. Anti-GBM antibodies were present in this patient's serum. The third patient presented with acute renal failure of moderate severity. A renal biopsy revealed crescentic nephritis, granular deposits of immunoglobulins, and epimembranous electron-dense deposits typical of membranous glomerulonephropathy. Although his creatinine clearance improved spontaneously, nephrotic syndrome has persisted and a repeat renal biopsy showed a progression of the membranous glomerulonephropathy with the disappearance of the crescentic lesions. The reason for this peculiar association of membranous glomerulonephropathy and crescentic glomerulonephritis is unclear. It is possible that deposition of immune-complexes along glomerular basement membrane may render the glomerulus more susceptible to additional injury from a variety of other agents. Alternatively, depostis formed in one disease could initiate release of normal or altered basement membrane material and lead to formation of anti-GBM antibodies and subsequent development.", "PMID": 782751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6412", "title": "Lupus nephritis: correlation between light, electron microscopic and immunofluorescent findings and renal function.", "content": "Percutaneous renal biopsies from 56 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were studied to determine the relationship between renal function and the light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunofluorescent antibody findings. The glomerular lesions were classified into 5 major groups: diffuse membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (34%), diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (26.8%), membranous nephropathy (12.5%), minimal lesion ('nil') and minimal lesion with increased mesangial matrix and/or cells (21.4%) and focal and segmental glomerulonephritis (5.3%). Minimal lesions and focal and segmental glomerulonephritis were invariably associated with normal renal function. Patients with moderate to severe renal involvement and the nephrotic syndrome had predominantly diffuse membranoproliferative and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis. Membranous nephropathy was associated with moderate renal involvement and the nephrotic syndrome in 50% of cases. Patients with pure mesangial electron dense deposits had normal renal function or mild renal involvement when the deposits were heavy. Moderate and heavy subepithelial, and intramembranous/subepithelial deposits were associated with moderate to severe renal involvement and the nephrotic syndrome. Renal involvement was most severe with heavy subendothelial deposits. Cytoplasmic tubuloreticular structures measuring approximately 18 to 20 nm in diameter and 80 to 100 nm in length were found in 93% of all biopsies, but bore no relationship to the renal function of the patients. Anti-Hu-IgG fluorescent deposits were found in all the renal biopsies; in 81.3% these were associated with less heavily stained deposits of immunoglobulin IgA, IgD and IgM. Early complement components Clq and C4 were utilized in the complement pathway of activation. Pure mesangial fluorescent deposits were associated with normal renal function or mild proteinuria. Diffuse granular and lumpy deposits along the capillary loops were usually associated with moderate to severe renal involvement and the nephrotic syndrome. In the present series of cases, there was a good correlation between renal function of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and the glomerular lesions as determined by light, electron microscopic and immunofluorescent microscopic findings.", "contents": "Lupus nephritis: correlation between light, electron microscopic and immunofluorescent findings and renal function. Percutaneous renal biopsies from 56 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were studied to determine the relationship between renal function and the light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunofluorescent antibody findings. The glomerular lesions were classified into 5 major groups: diffuse membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (34%), diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (26.8%), membranous nephropathy (12.5%), minimal lesion ('nil') and minimal lesion with increased mesangial matrix and/or cells (21.4%) and focal and segmental glomerulonephritis (5.3%). Minimal lesions and focal and segmental glomerulonephritis were invariably associated with normal renal function. Patients with moderate to severe renal involvement and the nephrotic syndrome had predominantly diffuse membranoproliferative and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis. Membranous nephropathy was associated with moderate renal involvement and the nephrotic syndrome in 50% of cases. Patients with pure mesangial electron dense deposits had normal renal function or mild renal involvement when the deposits were heavy. Moderate and heavy subepithelial, and intramembranous/subepithelial deposits were associated with moderate to severe renal involvement and the nephrotic syndrome. Renal involvement was most severe with heavy subendothelial deposits. Cytoplasmic tubuloreticular structures measuring approximately 18 to 20 nm in diameter and 80 to 100 nm in length were found in 93% of all biopsies, but bore no relationship to the renal function of the patients. Anti-Hu-IgG fluorescent deposits were found in all the renal biopsies; in 81.3% these were associated with less heavily stained deposits of immunoglobulin IgA, IgD and IgM. Early complement components Clq and C4 were utilized in the complement pathway of activation. Pure mesangial fluorescent deposits were associated with normal renal function or mild proteinuria. Diffuse granular and lumpy deposits along the capillary loops were usually associated with moderate to severe renal involvement and the nephrotic syndrome. In the present series of cases, there was a good correlation between renal function of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and the glomerular lesions as determined by light, electron microscopic and immunofluorescent microscopic findings.", "PMID": 782752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6413", "title": "A roentgenographic evaluation of frozen allografts versus autografts in anterior cervical spine fusions.", "content": "Serial roengenograms of 53 patients who had 76 cervical interspaces grafted with frozen, bone marrrow-free cadaver bone were compared to those obtained from 45 patients who received 63 iliac crest autografts for anterior cervical spine fusion. The roentgenograms were evaluated on the basis of achieving union, delayed union, non-union, and the presence of graft collapse and extrusion. No significant difference was noted in the union rate, with allografts (94%) or with autografts (97%). In 21 patients a higher rate of graft collapse was noted with allografts as compared to autografts in multilevel fusions. In these patients, allograft rejection or the biomechanical properties of the allograft may have contributed to a difference in the rate of graft collapse with cadaver bone. No difference in collapse rate was noted between allografts and autografts in 32 patients with single level fusions. Insertion of frozen bone allografts into intervertebral spaces of the cervical spine has not produced adverse reactions.", "contents": "A roentgenographic evaluation of frozen allografts versus autografts in anterior cervical spine fusions. Serial roengenograms of 53 patients who had 76 cervical interspaces grafted with frozen, bone marrrow-free cadaver bone were compared to those obtained from 45 patients who received 63 iliac crest autografts for anterior cervical spine fusion. The roentgenograms were evaluated on the basis of achieving union, delayed union, non-union, and the presence of graft collapse and extrusion. No significant difference was noted in the union rate, with allografts (94%) or with autografts (97%). In 21 patients a higher rate of graft collapse was noted with allografts as compared to autografts in multilevel fusions. In these patients, allograft rejection or the biomechanical properties of the allograft may have contributed to a difference in the rate of graft collapse with cadaver bone. No difference in collapse rate was noted between allografts and autografts in 32 patients with single level fusions. Insertion of frozen bone allografts into intervertebral spaces of the cervical spine has not produced adverse reactions.", "PMID": 782759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6414", "title": "Cranial venous system and the posterior fossa in spina bifida aperta.", "content": "A study of the cerebral venous system in children with S.B.A. was undertaken, and this report concerns the gross structure of this structure of this system in the posterior fossa. Noteworthy is the closeness of the torcular to the foramen magnum. The lateral sinuses ran near to the foramen magnum to the sigmoid sinuses. The dura of the posterior fossa consisted of a plexiform structure in which no clear distinction could be made between various sinus systems normally present in the dural layers of the posterior fossa, thus constituting an occipital plexus. The walls of the sinuses were weak and were vulnerable to mechanical pressure. The foramen magnum of the skulls of children with S.B.A. was larger than in normal children. The distance of the torcular to the ventral margin of the foramen magnum was smaller in S.B.A. This distance remained unchanged at least until nine months of age in normal children as well as in children with S.B.A., although there was an increase in size of the foramen magnum in both with advancing age.", "contents": "Cranial venous system and the posterior fossa in spina bifida aperta. A study of the cerebral venous system in children with S.B.A. was undertaken, and this report concerns the gross structure of this structure of this system in the posterior fossa. Noteworthy is the closeness of the torcular to the foramen magnum. The lateral sinuses ran near to the foramen magnum to the sigmoid sinuses. The dura of the posterior fossa consisted of a plexiform structure in which no clear distinction could be made between various sinus systems normally present in the dural layers of the posterior fossa, thus constituting an occipital plexus. The walls of the sinuses were weak and were vulnerable to mechanical pressure. The foramen magnum of the skulls of children with S.B.A. was larger than in normal children. The distance of the torcular to the ventral margin of the foramen magnum was smaller in S.B.A. This distance remained unchanged at least until nine months of age in normal children as well as in children with S.B.A., although there was an increase in size of the foramen magnum in both with advancing age.", "PMID": 782761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6415", "title": "The case of the saltimbanque Prosper Lecomte. A contribution to the study of the history of progressive muscular atrophy (Aran-Duchenne) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Charcot).", "content": "The historical value of the case history of Prosper Lecomte, a French circus owner who died in 1853, is brought again to attention. He appears to be the first patient in the historical literature by whom the diagnosis amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can be established with sufficient certainty.", "contents": "The case of the saltimbanque Prosper Lecomte. A contribution to the study of the history of progressive muscular atrophy (Aran-Duchenne) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Charcot). The historical value of the case history of Prosper Lecomte, a French circus owner who died in 1853, is brought again to attention. He appears to be the first patient in the historical literature by whom the diagnosis amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can be established with sufficient certainty.", "PMID": 782762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6416", "title": "The incidence of spina bifida occulta in idiopathic scoliosis.", "content": "A review of the roentgenograms of the spine of 100 patients with idiopathic scoliosis and 371 parents and siblings used as controls, showed an incidence of spina bifida occulta of 34 per cent and 41 per cent in their siblings. There was no increase in the incidence of spina bifida occulta in the patients with idiopathic scoliosis as compared with the control group. A review of the parents of these patients showed an incidence of spina bifida occulta of the lumbosacral area of 9 per cent in the mothers, and 13 per cent in the fathers, thus showing a decrease in the incidence of spina bifida occulta in the adult as compared with the teenager. The studies in the adult confirm the finding in the teenagers. There is no increased incidence of spina bifida occulta in idiopathic scoliosis.", "contents": "The incidence of spina bifida occulta in idiopathic scoliosis. A review of the roentgenograms of the spine of 100 patients with idiopathic scoliosis and 371 parents and siblings used as controls, showed an incidence of spina bifida occulta of 34 per cent and 41 per cent in their siblings. There was no increase in the incidence of spina bifida occulta in the patients with idiopathic scoliosis as compared with the control group. A review of the parents of these patients showed an incidence of spina bifida occulta of the lumbosacral area of 9 per cent in the mothers, and 13 per cent in the fathers, thus showing a decrease in the incidence of spina bifida occulta in the adult as compared with the teenager. The studies in the adult confirm the finding in the teenagers. There is no increased incidence of spina bifida occulta in idiopathic scoliosis.", "PMID": 782757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6417", "title": "The classic: Tendon transplants in orthopedic practice by A Codvilla.", "content": "Alessandro Codavilla (1861-1912), Director of the famous Rizzoli Institute of Bologna, was one of the leading figures in orthopedic surgery at the turn of the century. The surgical transplantation of tendons and muscles was being widely practiced in most of the leading centers at that time with very variable success. Codavilla is credited by many of his contemporaries including Bielsalski, Mayer and Steindler for his classic and fundamental studies in the physiological aspects of tendon transfer. Published in 1899, this article generally established the physiologic concepts of modern tendon transplantation surgery.", "contents": "The classic: Tendon transplants in orthopedic practice by A Codvilla. Alessandro Codavilla (1861-1912), Director of the famous Rizzoli Institute of Bologna, was one of the leading figures in orthopedic surgery at the turn of the century. The surgical transplantation of tendons and muscles was being widely practiced in most of the leading centers at that time with very variable success. Codavilla is credited by many of his contemporaries including Bielsalski, Mayer and Steindler for his classic and fundamental studies in the physiological aspects of tendon transfer. Published in 1899, this article generally established the physiologic concepts of modern tendon transplantation surgery.", "PMID": 782758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6418", "title": "Absorption of vitamin A in patients with cystic fibrosis. Absorption is best with emulsified vitamin A alcohol.", "content": "Vitamin A absorption tests using vitamin A palmitate and alcohol separately in oil and oil-water emulsions were done on 43 patients with cystic fibrosis. Patients were given 7,000 units of vitamin A per kilogram of body weight with a fatty breakfast. Pancreatic enzymes were not given with the test meal and were withheld for five hours from start of test. Blood was drawn before administration of the vitamin and at three and five hours after administration. Serum vitamin A levels were estimated using the Carr-Price technique. The percentages of patients with normal vitamin A absorption were 85 with vitamin A alcohol in oil-water emulsion, 61 with vitamin A alcohol dissolved in oil, 64 with vitamin A palmitate in oil-water emulsion, and 19 with vitamin A palmitate in oil. The number of stools per day is an inverse indicator of retention time in the intestine. Absorption of fat soluble vitamins is always abnormal when a patient has four or more stools a day. The observations that cystic fibrosis patients with abnormal liver biopsies have poor absorption of vitamin A were not statistically significant. The question of the effect of cirrhosis in cystic fibrosis on vitamin A absorption remains unresolved.", "contents": "Absorption of vitamin A in patients with cystic fibrosis. Absorption is best with emulsified vitamin A alcohol. Vitamin A absorption tests using vitamin A palmitate and alcohol separately in oil and oil-water emulsions were done on 43 patients with cystic fibrosis. Patients were given 7,000 units of vitamin A per kilogram of body weight with a fatty breakfast. Pancreatic enzymes were not given with the test meal and were withheld for five hours from start of test. Blood was drawn before administration of the vitamin and at three and five hours after administration. Serum vitamin A levels were estimated using the Carr-Price technique. The percentages of patients with normal vitamin A absorption were 85 with vitamin A alcohol in oil-water emulsion, 61 with vitamin A alcohol dissolved in oil, 64 with vitamin A palmitate in oil-water emulsion, and 19 with vitamin A palmitate in oil. The number of stools per day is an inverse indicator of retention time in the intestine. Absorption of fat soluble vitamins is always abnormal when a patient has four or more stools a day. The observations that cystic fibrosis patients with abnormal liver biopsies have poor absorption of vitamin A were not statistically significant. The question of the effect of cirrhosis in cystic fibrosis on vitamin A absorption remains unresolved.", "PMID": 782764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6419", "title": "Impaired resistance to infection.", "content": "An outline of the well defined disorders of impaired host defense has been presented. At this time the molecular biology and physiology of the immunity systems are poorly understood. Parameters of fetal function and development to maturity are almost totally unknown. In fact, it is the discovery of the clinical abnormalities which has occasioned the study and understanding of normal function. We have, however, arrived at a point where recognition of aberrations from normal is becoming facile and early detection, supportive and even corrective therapy are possible. To the author's knowledge not one instance of prenatal diagnosis of one of these disorders has been reported. This goal should soon be attained.", "contents": "Impaired resistance to infection. An outline of the well defined disorders of impaired host defense has been presented. At this time the molecular biology and physiology of the immunity systems are poorly understood. Parameters of fetal function and development to maturity are almost totally unknown. In fact, it is the discovery of the clinical abnormalities which has occasioned the study and understanding of normal function. We have, however, arrived at a point where recognition of aberrations from normal is becoming facile and early detection, supportive and even corrective therapy are possible. To the author's knowledge not one instance of prenatal diagnosis of one of these disorders has been reported. This goal should soon be attained.", "PMID": 782767} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6420", "title": "Inherited hypothyroidism.", "content": "Familial hypothyroidism results from both thyroidal and extrathyroidal dysfunction. Specific intrathyroidal abnormalities in thyroid hormone synthesis causing goitrous hypothyroidism are iodide trap defect, organification defect, \"coupling\" defect, iodoprotein defect, and dehalogenase defect. The diagnostic studies for each are outlined utilizing radioiodine(131I) studies. Other causes of cretinism include failure of the thyroid gland to respond to TSH and lack of pituitary TSH (or hypothalamic TRH). The syndrome of peripheral resistance to thyroid hormone is discussed. The diagnosis of inherited hypothyrodism rests on an adequate family history and measurement of both T4 and TSH levels which can be determined in cord blood or peripheral blood from the infant. The importance of early treatment of hypothyroidism in the neonatal period to prevent brain damage is emphasized. The rec:nt discovery of the importance of reverse T3 (RT3) in fetal thyroid metabolism is described, and the possibility of amniocentesis as an aid in prenatal diagnosis is considered. The place of intrauterine administration of thyroid hormone to the fetus at risk from hypothyroidism is uncertain at this time and requires carefully controlled studies and long-term follow-up.", "contents": "Inherited hypothyroidism. Familial hypothyroidism results from both thyroidal and extrathyroidal dysfunction. Specific intrathyroidal abnormalities in thyroid hormone synthesis causing goitrous hypothyroidism are iodide trap defect, organification defect, \"coupling\" defect, iodoprotein defect, and dehalogenase defect. The diagnostic studies for each are outlined utilizing radioiodine(131I) studies. Other causes of cretinism include failure of the thyroid gland to respond to TSH and lack of pituitary TSH (or hypothalamic TRH). The syndrome of peripheral resistance to thyroid hormone is discussed. The diagnosis of inherited hypothyrodism rests on an adequate family history and measurement of both T4 and TSH levels which can be determined in cord blood or peripheral blood from the infant. The importance of early treatment of hypothyroidism in the neonatal period to prevent brain damage is emphasized. The rec:nt discovery of the importance of reverse T3 (RT3) in fetal thyroid metabolism is described, and the possibility of amniocentesis as an aid in prenatal diagnosis is considered. The place of intrauterine administration of thyroid hormone to the fetus at risk from hypothyroidism is uncertain at this time and requires carefully controlled studies and long-term follow-up.", "PMID": 782770} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6421", "title": "Effects of marihuana-dextroamphetamine combination.", "content": "Under a double blind, randomized, complete block design, subjects were given either placebo and 10 mg/70 kg dextroamphetamine sulfate (A) orally followed 1 1/2 hr later by a marihuana cigarette (M) prepared to deliver 50 mug/kg delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Statistical analyses suggested that heart rate and blood pressure increased in an additive manner when both drugs were given. Electrocardiogram changes, when present, were nonspecific in character and appeared to be associated with marihuana. In a second study, psychomotor performance was evaluated by a similar design using doses of 10 mg/70 kg of A and M prepared to deliver 25 mug/kg THC. Impairment was related to smoking of M, and no difference could be distinguished between M alone and M-A combination. Subjective evaluation, as measured by the modified Cornell Medical Index (CMI) demonstrated only additive effects for the combination.", "contents": "Effects of marihuana-dextroamphetamine combination. Under a double blind, randomized, complete block design, subjects were given either placebo and 10 mg/70 kg dextroamphetamine sulfate (A) orally followed 1 1/2 hr later by a marihuana cigarette (M) prepared to deliver 50 mug/kg delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Statistical analyses suggested that heart rate and blood pressure increased in an additive manner when both drugs were given. Electrocardiogram changes, when present, were nonspecific in character and appeared to be associated with marihuana. In a second study, psychomotor performance was evaluated by a similar design using doses of 10 mg/70 kg of A and M prepared to deliver 25 mug/kg THC. Impairment was related to smoking of M, and no difference could be distinguished between M alone and M-A combination. Subjective evaluation, as measured by the modified Cornell Medical Index (CMI) demonstrated only additive effects for the combination.", "PMID": 782773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6422", "title": "Intramuscular butorphanol and meperidine in postoperative pain.", "content": "Butorphanol, 1, 2, and 4 mg/70 kg, and meperidine, 40 and 80 mg/70 kg, were compared for analgesic activity and side effects in 104 hospitalized postoperative patients. Butorphanol proved to be 30 to 40 times as potent as meperidine on a weight basis. Both medications provided maximum pain relief approximately 1 hr after administration. The most common side effect in all groups was drowsiness.", "contents": "Intramuscular butorphanol and meperidine in postoperative pain. Butorphanol, 1, 2, and 4 mg/70 kg, and meperidine, 40 and 80 mg/70 kg, were compared for analgesic activity and side effects in 104 hospitalized postoperative patients. Butorphanol proved to be 30 to 40 times as potent as meperidine on a weight basis. Both medications provided maximum pain relief approximately 1 hr after administration. The most common side effect in all groups was drowsiness.", "PMID": 782774} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6423", "title": "Behavioral effects of organophosphate in man.", "content": "Increasingly widespread application of organophosphate pesticies has underscored the importance of studying their effects on human behavior. Clinical reports and laboratory investigations have generally supported the assumption that neurobehavioral manifestations of organophosphate toxicity are attributable to accumulation of acetylcholine at central and peripheral synapses as a result of cholinesterase inhibition. Despite methodologic shortcomings in many of the published studies, investigators generally agree on the presence of several behavioral sequelae of organophosphate poisoning: (a) impaired vigilance and reduced concentration, (b) slowing of information processing and psychomotor speed, (c) memory deficit, (d) linguistic disturbance, (e) depression, and (f) anxiety and irritability. The few studies of asymptomatic workers at risk for repeated exposure to organophosphate pesticides have produced only equivocal findings concerning the presence of less severe or latent forms of these behavioral abnormalities.", "contents": "Behavioral effects of organophosphate in man. Increasingly widespread application of organophosphate pesticies has underscored the importance of studying their effects on human behavior. Clinical reports and laboratory investigations have generally supported the assumption that neurobehavioral manifestations of organophosphate toxicity are attributable to accumulation of acetylcholine at central and peripheral synapses as a result of cholinesterase inhibition. Despite methodologic shortcomings in many of the published studies, investigators generally agree on the presence of several behavioral sequelae of organophosphate poisoning: (a) impaired vigilance and reduced concentration, (b) slowing of information processing and psychomotor speed, (c) memory deficit, (d) linguistic disturbance, (e) depression, and (f) anxiety and irritability. The few studies of asymptomatic workers at risk for repeated exposure to organophosphate pesticides have produced only equivocal findings concerning the presence of less severe or latent forms of these behavioral abnormalities.", "PMID": 782776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6424", "title": "Clinical study of an amine fluoride gel and acidulated phosphate fluoride gel.", "content": "This study compared caries inhibition in children by an amine fluoride and an acidulated phosphate fluoride when administered in a topically applied gel. In addition, the effects of applying amine fluoride daily and weekly were compared. Four hundred and sixty-eight children, ages 6 to 13, were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups and received a total of five, 5-minute treatments. The treatment and interval between each of the five treatments were as follows:(A)acidulated phosphate fluoride daily, (B) amine fluoride daily, (C) amine fluoride weekly, (D) placebo daily, and (E) placebo weekly. When the children were examined for total Decayed, Missing, and Filled Surfaces (DMFS) increments 2 years later, no significant differences were observed. However, when the data were examined for effects of DMFS for specific tooth surface, significant restriction (61%) of occlusal increment was shown in the group which was treated with amine fluoride daily for 5 consecutive days as compared with the control group.", "contents": "Clinical study of an amine fluoride gel and acidulated phosphate fluoride gel. This study compared caries inhibition in children by an amine fluoride and an acidulated phosphate fluoride when administered in a topically applied gel. In addition, the effects of applying amine fluoride daily and weekly were compared. Four hundred and sixty-eight children, ages 6 to 13, were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups and received a total of five, 5-minute treatments. The treatment and interval between each of the five treatments were as follows:(A)acidulated phosphate fluoride daily, (B) amine fluoride daily, (C) amine fluoride weekly, (D) placebo daily, and (E) placebo weekly. When the children were examined for total Decayed, Missing, and Filled Surfaces (DMFS) increments 2 years later, no significant differences were observed. However, when the data were examined for effects of DMFS for specific tooth surface, significant restriction (61%) of occlusal increment was shown in the group which was treated with amine fluoride daily for 5 consecutive days as compared with the control group.", "PMID": 782777} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6425", "title": "SCANCANS--an interactive scanning cell analysis system.", "content": "This paper describes a computerized, general-purpose, interactive, scanning cell-analysis system developed at the Department of Clinical Cytology of the University Hospital in Uppsala. The system uses a Leitz MPV II scanning photometer, a PDP-8 computer with 24 k of core memory and a Tektronix 4010 graphic display terminal. A command interpreter and overlay structure which makes it simple to add new capabilities to the system is described. Some examples of command strings and the kind of operations the system can perform are included. Finally, the experience gained from using the system and some plans for future extensions are discussed.", "contents": "SCANCANS--an interactive scanning cell analysis system. This paper describes a computerized, general-purpose, interactive, scanning cell-analysis system developed at the Department of Clinical Cytology of the University Hospital in Uppsala. The system uses a Leitz MPV II scanning photometer, a PDP-8 computer with 24 k of core memory and a Tektronix 4010 graphic display terminal. A command interpreter and overlay structure which makes it simple to add new capabilities to the system is described. Some examples of command strings and the kind of operations the system can perform are included. Finally, the experience gained from using the system and some plans for future extensions are discussed.", "PMID": 782783} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6426", "title": "Effect of feline panleukopenia virus infection on development of humoral and cellular immunity.", "content": "Cats were infected with feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) at various ages pre- and post-parturition. All fetuses infected at 35 days of gestation from one queen and a single fetus infected at 45 days of gestation from a second queen had a significant delay in time of skin allograft rejection. Older fetuses and newborn kittens infected with FPLV did not show this delay in rejection time. Adult cats infected with FPLV demonstrated a significant decrease in lymphocyte responsiveness to two T cell mitogens, phytohemagglutinin and Concanavalin A, however there was no significant decrease in lymphocyte response to pokeweed mitogen, a T cell and B cell mitogen. Primary and secondary antibody responses to rabbit red blood cells (RRBC) were not affected by FPLV infection. The results suggest that FPLV has its primary immunosuppressive effect on T cell activity. This effect does not appear to be as severe as that observed for feline leukemia virus of kittens nor as for canine distemper virus in dogs.", "contents": "Effect of feline panleukopenia virus infection on development of humoral and cellular immunity. Cats were infected with feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) at various ages pre- and post-parturition. All fetuses infected at 35 days of gestation from one queen and a single fetus infected at 45 days of gestation from a second queen had a significant delay in time of skin allograft rejection. Older fetuses and newborn kittens infected with FPLV did not show this delay in rejection time. Adult cats infected with FPLV demonstrated a significant decrease in lymphocyte responsiveness to two T cell mitogens, phytohemagglutinin and Concanavalin A, however there was no significant decrease in lymphocyte response to pokeweed mitogen, a T cell and B cell mitogen. Primary and secondary antibody responses to rabbit red blood cells (RRBC) were not affected by FPLV infection. The results suggest that FPLV has its primary immunosuppressive effect on T cell activity. This effect does not appear to be as severe as that observed for feline leukemia virus of kittens nor as for canine distemper virus in dogs.", "PMID": 782787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6427", "title": "Laboratory tests of renal function.", "content": "There are several tests available to evaluate renal function. Because the kidney has such complex and varied functions, no one test can adequately measure them. A rough measure of renal function can be obtained by examining the constituents of the urine. More specific aspects of tubular and glomerular function require more complex tests. Proper interpretation of these tests, however, requires knowledge of the patient's status and clinical course.", "contents": "Laboratory tests of renal function. There are several tests available to evaluate renal function. Because the kidney has such complex and varied functions, no one test can adequately measure them. A rough measure of renal function can be obtained by examining the constituents of the urine. More specific aspects of tubular and glomerular function require more complex tests. Proper interpretation of these tests, however, requires knowledge of the patient's status and clinical course.", "PMID": 782790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6428", "title": "Control of epithelial development.", "content": "Interactions between epidermal and dermal cells of integumental systems exert finely regulated controls over epithelial development. Experimental reconstruction of skin tissues, in vitro and in vivo, from selected populations of dissociated embryonic chick and mouse cells provides a unique opportunity for analyzing the morphogenetic information intrinsic to individual cells. Dermal cells are shown not only to induce and specify particular epithelial structures; they also exercise the power to suppress potential developmental programs. Epidermal cells not only recognize and respond to dermal directives; they are also critical agents in the communication of cues for histogenetic patterning to both neighboring epithelial cells and subadjacent dermal elements. The role of the cell surface as a site for developmental control is discussed in the context of current evidence.", "contents": "Control of epithelial development. Interactions between epidermal and dermal cells of integumental systems exert finely regulated controls over epithelial development. Experimental reconstruction of skin tissues, in vitro and in vivo, from selected populations of dissociated embryonic chick and mouse cells provides a unique opportunity for analyzing the morphogenetic information intrinsic to individual cells. Dermal cells are shown not only to induce and specify particular epithelial structures; they also exercise the power to suppress potential developmental programs. Epidermal cells not only recognize and respond to dermal directives; they are also critical agents in the communication of cues for histogenetic patterning to both neighboring epithelial cells and subadjacent dermal elements. The role of the cell surface as a site for developmental control is discussed in the context of current evidence.", "PMID": 782791} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6429", "title": "Controversies in current immunization policy and practices: one physician's viewpoint.", "content": "Immunization offers the best available method preventing diseases which exact huge tolls in terms of comfort, life and economic stability of humans. However, immunization is a mixed blessing because of unavoidable risks to recipients of almost any biologic product. Only by careful attention to the balance of risks between an immunization procedure and its corresponding disease will we achieve a rational, sound and appropriate policy and practice. This report details the author's analysis and opinion concerning some current controversies in immunization policy and practice. The reader is cautioned that the report represents one viewpoint; others report differing or even contradictory interpretations of the data presented, leading to different or even opposing views. The purpose of this report will be ably served if the reader considers the data himself (herself) and reaches an independent, informed opinion.", "contents": "Controversies in current immunization policy and practices: one physician's viewpoint. Immunization offers the best available method preventing diseases which exact huge tolls in terms of comfort, life and economic stability of humans. However, immunization is a mixed blessing because of unavoidable risks to recipients of almost any biologic product. Only by careful attention to the balance of risks between an immunization procedure and its corresponding disease will we achieve a rational, sound and appropriate policy and practice. This report details the author's analysis and opinion concerning some current controversies in immunization policy and practice. The reader is cautioned that the report represents one viewpoint; others report differing or even contradictory interpretations of the data presented, leading to different or even opposing views. The purpose of this report will be ably served if the reader considers the data himself (herself) and reaches an independent, informed opinion.", "PMID": 782794} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6430", "title": "Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in the treatment of steroid-dependent asthma. A 12-week double-blind study comparing beclomethasone dipropionate and a vehicle aerosol.", "content": "In a randomized double-blind 12-week trial of steroid-dependent patients with chronic asthma, ten (59 percent) out of 17 patients receiving beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in a total daily dose of 400mug were able to discontinue systemic corticosteroid therapy successfully, compared to two (13 percent) out of 15 patients in the placebo group (P=0.002). At the end of the trial, the average 8 am plasma cortisol level in the group receiving beclomethasone was more than twice the pretherapy value, whereas the level in the placebo group showed no significant change. There was no significant difference between the beclomethasone group and the placebo group in the overall incidence of side effects related to the aerosol and the effects of systemic corticosteroid withdrawal. Oral candidiasis was not found in any patient receiving beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol. Allergic nasal symptoms were disabling in many patients when the oral dosage of corticosteroids was tapered.", "contents": "Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in the treatment of steroid-dependent asthma. A 12-week double-blind study comparing beclomethasone dipropionate and a vehicle aerosol. In a randomized double-blind 12-week trial of steroid-dependent patients with chronic asthma, ten (59 percent) out of 17 patients receiving beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in a total daily dose of 400mug were able to discontinue systemic corticosteroid therapy successfully, compared to two (13 percent) out of 15 patients in the placebo group (P=0.002). At the end of the trial, the average 8 am plasma cortisol level in the group receiving beclomethasone was more than twice the pretherapy value, whereas the level in the placebo group showed no significant change. There was no significant difference between the beclomethasone group and the placebo group in the overall incidence of side effects related to the aerosol and the effects of systemic corticosteroid withdrawal. Oral candidiasis was not found in any patient receiving beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol. Allergic nasal symptoms were disabling in many patients when the oral dosage of corticosteroids was tapered.", "PMID": 782796} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6431", "title": "\"Special article\" in honor of the bicentennial year 1776-1976.", "content": "During this bicentennial year it is worthwhile to review the history of children who have suffered from mental illness during the course of America's movement from a small colony to a major \"superpower.\" The lesson to be found in the history of these children suggests that perphaps our major priorities were not the mental health of children. Hopefully America's next bicentennial celebration will reveal a more enlightened attitude and concern for emotionally disturbed children.", "contents": "\"Special article\" in honor of the bicentennial year 1776-1976. During this bicentennial year it is worthwhile to review the history of children who have suffered from mental illness during the course of America's movement from a small colony to a major \"superpower.\" The lesson to be found in the history of these children suggests that perphaps our major priorities were not the mental health of children. Hopefully America's next bicentennial celebration will reveal a more enlightened attitude and concern for emotionally disturbed children.", "PMID": 782797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6432", "title": "Self states and performances of preadolescent boys carrying out leadership roles inconsistent with their social status.", "content": "A sample of 221 Boy Scouts was formed into (usually) 4-man teams which competed in 3 games of skill. 1 member of each team was randomly designated as its captain, with powers to administer and reward. All subjects took modified Thematic Apperception Tests (TATs) and adjective checklists. Captains who were already leaders in their troops responded with decreased \u00e9lan. Captains who were not leaders responded with decreased \u00e9lan and, in some cases, with feeling of withdrawal from relating to others and ineffectiveness as captains. The effects were unrelated to the actual success of their teams.", "contents": "Self states and performances of preadolescent boys carrying out leadership roles inconsistent with their social status. A sample of 221 Boy Scouts was formed into (usually) 4-man teams which competed in 3 games of skill. 1 member of each team was randomly designated as its captain, with powers to administer and reward. All subjects took modified Thematic Apperception Tests (TATs) and adjective checklists. Captains who were already leaders in their troops responded with decreased \u00e9lan. Captains who were not leaders responded with decreased \u00e9lan and, in some cases, with feeling of withdrawal from relating to others and ineffectiveness as captains. The effects were unrelated to the actual success of their teams.", "PMID": 782798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6433", "title": "Minor physical anomalies and problem behavior in elementary school children.", "content": "The present study replicated and extended earlier findings on the relationship between minor physical anomalies and several classes of problem behavior in an unselected group of elementary school children. Teachers and peers were the judges of problem behavior. The problem checklist and a teacher ranking of hyperactivity were related to the incidence of minor physical anomalies for boys. A negative peer factor was also consistently related to the incidence of minor physical anomalies for both boys and girls. The behavior of high-anomaly girls was not easily characterized in terms of any one type of problem behavior. Sex differences and their implications are discussed.", "contents": "Minor physical anomalies and problem behavior in elementary school children. The present study replicated and extended earlier findings on the relationship between minor physical anomalies and several classes of problem behavior in an unselected group of elementary school children. Teachers and peers were the judges of problem behavior. The problem checklist and a teacher ranking of hyperactivity were related to the incidence of minor physical anomalies for boys. A negative peer factor was also consistently related to the incidence of minor physical anomalies for both boys and girls. The behavior of high-anomaly girls was not easily characterized in terms of any one type of problem behavior. Sex differences and their implications are discussed.", "PMID": 782799} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6434", "title": "Neurotic depression an empirical guide to two specific drug treatments.", "content": "A frequent problem confronting the physician - which of two possible treatments to select - is discussed, utilizing a group of neurotically depressed patients with anxiety. In these patients, treated with a phenothiazine (thioridazine) or a benzodiazepine (diazepam), the average severity of crucial symptoms such as depressed mood and ideas of suicide decreased by over 50% and did so during the initial four weeks of treatment, comprising the span of this double-blind study. The severity of many other related related symptoms decreased by almost one-half during that period. The results revealed a moderate but fairly consistent advantage for thioridazine for most symptoms. Details of differential effectiveness, as well as features and problems in the treatment of neurotic depression by the practitioner, are described below.", "contents": "Neurotic depression an empirical guide to two specific drug treatments. A frequent problem confronting the physician - which of two possible treatments to select - is discussed, utilizing a group of neurotically depressed patients with anxiety. In these patients, treated with a phenothiazine (thioridazine) or a benzodiazepine (diazepam), the average severity of crucial symptoms such as depressed mood and ideas of suicide decreased by over 50% and did so during the initial four weeks of treatment, comprising the span of this double-blind study. The severity of many other related related symptoms decreased by almost one-half during that period. The results revealed a moderate but fairly consistent advantage for thioridazine for most symptoms. Details of differential effectiveness, as well as features and problems in the treatment of neurotic depression by the practitioner, are described below.", "PMID": 782804} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6435", "title": "[Sisomicin versus gentamicin. A comparison of antibacterial and pharmacokinetic properties (author's transl)].", "content": "In a comparison of the antibacterial in-vitro activity of sisomicin, gentamicin, and tobramycine, sisomicin showed a higher activity against E. coli, indole-positive Proteus spp. and organisms of the Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia group, whereas tobramycine was superior against Pseudomonas spp. However, the differences in activity between sisomicin and gentamicin were only within one step of dilution which is hardly sufficient to guarantee a basic superiority of one or the other preparation for clinical purposes. In 12 healthy probands serum levels and renal elimination of sisomicin and gentamicin after a single intramuscular injection of 1 mg/kg body weight were investigated in a randomised change-over trial. With corresponding serum levels, almost identical elimination half-lives of 109 and 111 minutes, and recovery values of 84 and 88.4%, respectively, there were no significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of sisomicin and gentamicin. Thus in the antibacterial treatment of gentamicin-sensitive gram-negative organisms sisomicin presents an equally good alternative. With organisms only moderately sensitive or resistant to gentamicin, sisomicin, tobramycine and amikacin should be additionally tested.", "contents": "[Sisomicin versus gentamicin. A comparison of antibacterial and pharmacokinetic properties (author's transl)]. In a comparison of the antibacterial in-vitro activity of sisomicin, gentamicin, and tobramycine, sisomicin showed a higher activity against E. coli, indole-positive Proteus spp. and organisms of the Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia group, whereas tobramycine was superior against Pseudomonas spp. However, the differences in activity between sisomicin and gentamicin were only within one step of dilution which is hardly sufficient to guarantee a basic superiority of one or the other preparation for clinical purposes. In 12 healthy probands serum levels and renal elimination of sisomicin and gentamicin after a single intramuscular injection of 1 mg/kg body weight were investigated in a randomised change-over trial. With corresponding serum levels, almost identical elimination half-lives of 109 and 111 minutes, and recovery values of 84 and 88.4%, respectively, there were no significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of sisomicin and gentamicin. Thus in the antibacterial treatment of gentamicin-sensitive gram-negative organisms sisomicin presents an equally good alternative. With organisms only moderately sensitive or resistant to gentamicin, sisomicin, tobramycine and amikacin should be additionally tested.", "PMID": 782808} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6436", "title": "[Pharmacokinetics and clinical experience with amikacin. A new aminoglycoside antibiotic].", "content": "The pharmacokinetic data of amikacin were determined after a 1 hr constant infusion with a dosage of 7.5 mg/kg body weight in 12 healthy test subjects. Microbiological bioassay was performed by the agar diffusion test. After the infusion, the mean amikacin serum concentration was 37.5 mug/ml and, 8 hours later, decreased to an average of 1.3 mug/ml. The biological half-life amounted to a mean of 114.2 min, the area below the concentration-time-curve was calculated to an average of 140.4 hr - mug/ml. The renal clearance of amikacin was determined during a 4 hr constant infusion in 3 test individuals; the average clearance was 84.3 ml/min - 1.73 m2. 38 patients with severe bronchopulmonary, urinary and peritoneal infections were treated with an average daily dose of 10-15 mg of amikacin per kg body weight during a mean period of 10 days. 32 patients showed clinical improvement, 17 of them with complete elimination of the pathogenic bacteria.", "contents": "[Pharmacokinetics and clinical experience with amikacin. A new aminoglycoside antibiotic]. The pharmacokinetic data of amikacin were determined after a 1 hr constant infusion with a dosage of 7.5 mg/kg body weight in 12 healthy test subjects. Microbiological bioassay was performed by the agar diffusion test. After the infusion, the mean amikacin serum concentration was 37.5 mug/ml and, 8 hours later, decreased to an average of 1.3 mug/ml. The biological half-life amounted to a mean of 114.2 min, the area below the concentration-time-curve was calculated to an average of 140.4 hr - mug/ml. The renal clearance of amikacin was determined during a 4 hr constant infusion in 3 test individuals; the average clearance was 84.3 ml/min - 1.73 m2. 38 patients with severe bronchopulmonary, urinary and peritoneal infections were treated with an average daily dose of 10-15 mg of amikacin per kg body weight during a mean period of 10 days. 32 patients showed clinical improvement, 17 of them with complete elimination of the pathogenic bacteria.", "PMID": 782811} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6437", "title": "[Evaluation of diagnostic parameters in chronic recurrent urinary tract infection in children. III. Pyuria, hematuria, and proteinuria (author's transl)].", "content": "Pyuria, proteinuria and haematuria have been shown to be unreliable parameters for the diagnosis of bacteriuria in 171 children with 455 recurrences of chronic urinary tract infection. Bacteriuria caused haematuria in 5%, proteinuria in 18% and even pyuria in only 47% of all instances. Pyuria has been also found in 11% of sterile urines. The incidence of pyuria increases with the age of the children and depends on the type of the organisms, but the latter was true mainly in children with obstructive lesions of the urinary tract. Children with repeated proteinuria during follow-up tend to have a higher incidence of pathologic findings on the i.v.-pyelogram.", "contents": "[Evaluation of diagnostic parameters in chronic recurrent urinary tract infection in children. III. Pyuria, hematuria, and proteinuria (author's transl)]. Pyuria, proteinuria and haematuria have been shown to be unreliable parameters for the diagnosis of bacteriuria in 171 children with 455 recurrences of chronic urinary tract infection. Bacteriuria caused haematuria in 5%, proteinuria in 18% and even pyuria in only 47% of all instances. Pyuria has been also found in 11% of sterile urines. The incidence of pyuria increases with the age of the children and depends on the type of the organisms, but the latter was true mainly in children with obstructive lesions of the urinary tract. Children with repeated proteinuria during follow-up tend to have a higher incidence of pathologic findings on the i.v.-pyelogram.", "PMID": 782812} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6438", "title": "Anorectic drugs: use in general practice.", "content": "The treatment of obesity is one of the major measures available today in the field of preventive medicine. In particular, the coronary epidemic of Western civilisation would be halted, and most cases of maturity-onset diabetes prevented, if obesity were to be treated effectively. Anorectic drugs act mainly on the satiety centre in the hypothalamus to produce anorexia. They also have various metabolic effects involving fat and carbohydrate metabolism, but many of these may be secondary to loss of weight. Most of the drugs are related directly or indirectly to amphetamine and in addition act by increasing general physical activity. Anorectic drugs tend to lose their effect after some months, and part of this reduction in effect may be due to chemical alterations produced by the drugs in the brain. All the drugs, with the exception of fenfluramine, have a stimulant effect on the central nervous system in some individuals, resulting in restlessness and nervousness, irritability and insomnia. Fenfluramine commonly produces drowsiness in normal doses, but has stimulant effects with overdosage. Dexamphetamine, phenmetrazine and benzphetamine all tend to cause euphoria and the risk of addiction is therefore considerable. Euphoria occasionally occurs with diethylpropion, phentermine and chlorphentermine, but to a much lesser extent. Side-effects also occur due to sympathetic stimulation and gastro-intestinal irritation. These side-effects may cause some individuals to stop taking the drug, but are never serious or dangerous. Drug interactions may occur with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and to a clinically unimportant extent, with antihypertensive drugs. The anorectic drugs have a very definite part to play in the treatment of obesity, mainly for those individuals who have altered their eating habits but have come to a plateau of weight which they find difficult to get below. The drugs are best given in a long-acting form and can safely be continued as long as weight loss persists, provided that the clinician exercises careful supervision. Dexamphetamine, phenmetrazine and benzphetamine should rarely be used because of the danger of addiction, and chlorphentermine is potentially hazardous for long-term use. Diethylpropion emerges as the drug of first choice, as fenfluramine has a tendency to cause depression and has a higher incidence of side-effects. Fenfluramine is mainly useful for people who are especially tense and for obese maturity-onset diabetics who have been unable to lose weight with the biguanides. Mazindol and phentermine appear to be useful as alternative drugs.", "contents": "Anorectic drugs: use in general practice. The treatment of obesity is one of the major measures available today in the field of preventive medicine. In particular, the coronary epidemic of Western civilisation would be halted, and most cases of maturity-onset diabetes prevented, if obesity were to be treated effectively. Anorectic drugs act mainly on the satiety centre in the hypothalamus to produce anorexia. They also have various metabolic effects involving fat and carbohydrate metabolism, but many of these may be secondary to loss of weight. Most of the drugs are related directly or indirectly to amphetamine and in addition act by increasing general physical activity. Anorectic drugs tend to lose their effect after some months, and part of this reduction in effect may be due to chemical alterations produced by the drugs in the brain. All the drugs, with the exception of fenfluramine, have a stimulant effect on the central nervous system in some individuals, resulting in restlessness and nervousness, irritability and insomnia. Fenfluramine commonly produces drowsiness in normal doses, but has stimulant effects with overdosage. Dexamphetamine, phenmetrazine and benzphetamine all tend to cause euphoria and the risk of addiction is therefore considerable. Euphoria occasionally occurs with diethylpropion, phentermine and chlorphentermine, but to a much lesser extent. Side-effects also occur due to sympathetic stimulation and gastro-intestinal irritation. These side-effects may cause some individuals to stop taking the drug, but are never serious or dangerous. Drug interactions may occur with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and to a clinically unimportant extent, with antihypertensive drugs. The anorectic drugs have a very definite part to play in the treatment of obesity, mainly for those individuals who have altered their eating habits but have come to a plateau of weight which they find difficult to get below. The drugs are best given in a long-acting form and can safely be continued as long as weight loss persists, provided that the clinician exercises careful supervision. Dexamphetamine, phenmetrazine and benzphetamine should rarely be used because of the danger of addiction, and chlorphentermine is potentially hazardous for long-term use. Diethylpropion emerges as the drug of first choice, as fenfluramine has a tendency to cause depression and has a higher incidence of side-effects. Fenfluramine is mainly useful for people who are especially tense and for obese maturity-onset diabetics who have been unable to lose weight with the biguanides. Mazindol and phentermine appear to be useful as alternative drugs.", "PMID": 782835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6439", "title": "Drug-induced anaemias.", "content": "Many drugs have been reported to have caused anaemia. The most serious form involves marrow aplasia, but the way in which this is produced is not understood. A number of drugs lead to megaloblastic anaemia and where this is caused by interference with dihydrofolate reductase the explanation is obvious. However, some substances, notably anticonvulsants, cause megaloblastic anaemia by some other mechanism. A number of drugs cause intestinal bleeding with anaemia as a result. Sideroblastic anaemia is a relatively rare condition, sometimes caused by drugs, particularly those used in the treatment of tuberculosis. Leukaemia very occasionally supervenes in patients with drug-induced aplastic anaemia.", "contents": "Drug-induced anaemias. Many drugs have been reported to have caused anaemia. The most serious form involves marrow aplasia, but the way in which this is produced is not understood. A number of drugs lead to megaloblastic anaemia and where this is caused by interference with dihydrofolate reductase the explanation is obvious. However, some substances, notably anticonvulsants, cause megaloblastic anaemia by some other mechanism. A number of drugs cause intestinal bleeding with anaemia as a result. Sideroblastic anaemia is a relatively rare condition, sometimes caused by drugs, particularly those used in the treatment of tuberculosis. Leukaemia very occasionally supervenes in patients with drug-induced aplastic anaemia.", "PMID": 782836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6440", "title": "Urinary infections: which antibacterial drug and regimen?", "content": "Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common problem in clinical practice. The proper criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of individual and recurrent episodes of UTI are described. The success of antibacterial therapy is dependent upon the urinary concentration of the drug and not its plasma or lymphatic concentration.", "contents": "Urinary infections: which antibacterial drug and regimen? Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common problem in clinical practice. The proper criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of individual and recurrent episodes of UTI are described. The success of antibacterial therapy is dependent upon the urinary concentration of the drug and not its plasma or lymphatic concentration.", "PMID": 782838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6441", "title": "Which antirheumatic drug?", "content": "Successful therapy in a chronic rheumatic disease means choosing the right drug for the right patient with the right condition at the right time. In the treatment of gout three different types of treatment are given: for the acute episode, suppression and long-term therapy. Misuse of long-term therapy for acute gout will often aggravate the condition. As regards rheumatoid arthritis, in the absence of a known aetiology, treatment is essentially empirical and palliative; the use of milder well-tolerated anti-inflammatory agents for the less severe cases, more effective and more toxic agents for the more severe cases, and slow acting long-term agents for those not responding to previous measures is discussed. Night pain and morning stiffness has its own therapy. The place of corticosteroids throughout the whole field of rheumatology is evaluated. In the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus corticosteroids still hold first place, but the cytotoxic (immunosuppressive) agents also play a part, though an arguable one.", "contents": "Which antirheumatic drug? Successful therapy in a chronic rheumatic disease means choosing the right drug for the right patient with the right condition at the right time. In the treatment of gout three different types of treatment are given: for the acute episode, suppression and long-term therapy. Misuse of long-term therapy for acute gout will often aggravate the condition. As regards rheumatoid arthritis, in the absence of a known aetiology, treatment is essentially empirical and palliative; the use of milder well-tolerated anti-inflammatory agents for the less severe cases, more effective and more toxic agents for the more severe cases, and slow acting long-term agents for those not responding to previous measures is discussed. Night pain and morning stiffness has its own therapy. The place of corticosteroids throughout the whole field of rheumatology is evaluated. In the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus corticosteroids still hold first place, but the cytotoxic (immunosuppressive) agents also play a part, though an arguable one.", "PMID": 782839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6442", "title": "Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic drug interactions with coumarin anticoagulants.", "content": "Many drugs alter the anticoagulant effect of oral coumarins. It is essential that physicians be aware of interactions leading to increased or decreased anticoagulation or to erratic control. Interacting drugs can be classified as influencing the pharmacodynamics (pharmacological actions) or the pharmacokinetics (absorption, biotransformation, binding to plasma proteins, excretion) of oral coumarin anticoagulants. Significant pharmacodynamic interactions include those with vitamin K, salicylates, oestrogens, anabolic steroids, phenylbutazone and other anticoagulants. Significant pharmacokinetic interactions include those with cholestyramine, barbiturates, phenylbutazone, rifampicin and chloramphenicol. When prescribing coumarins, the physician should be fully aware of a patient's other drug therapy and the patient should be cautioned against adding new drugs without consultation. If changes in drug therapy are necessary, close monitoring of prothrombin time after the change is essential.", "contents": "Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic drug interactions with coumarin anticoagulants. Many drugs alter the anticoagulant effect of oral coumarins. It is essential that physicians be aware of interactions leading to increased or decreased anticoagulation or to erratic control. Interacting drugs can be classified as influencing the pharmacodynamics (pharmacological actions) or the pharmacokinetics (absorption, biotransformation, binding to plasma proteins, excretion) of oral coumarin anticoagulants. Significant pharmacodynamic interactions include those with vitamin K, salicylates, oestrogens, anabolic steroids, phenylbutazone and other anticoagulants. Significant pharmacokinetic interactions include those with cholestyramine, barbiturates, phenylbutazone, rifampicin and chloramphenicol. When prescribing coumarins, the physician should be fully aware of a patient's other drug therapy and the patient should be cautioned against adding new drugs without consultation. If changes in drug therapy are necessary, close monitoring of prothrombin time after the change is essential.", "PMID": 782840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6443", "title": "[Studies on the difference between habitual intercuspidation and redrograde contact position].", "content": "In a study of a different subject, the difference between habitual intercuspidation and retral contact position was determined in 21 fully dentulous patients. Registration of the retral position of the mandible was performed by interocclusal wax records and the graphic method. In none of the probands, habitual intercuspidation and retral contact position coincided. In contrast to other authors, we found that siginificant differences between the two methods of registration are an explanation for the differences found betweeen the two positions of the mandible in the sagittal direction.", "contents": "[Studies on the difference between habitual intercuspidation and redrograde contact position]. In a study of a different subject, the difference between habitual intercuspidation and retral contact position was determined in 21 fully dentulous patients. Registration of the retral position of the mandible was performed by interocclusal wax records and the graphic method. In none of the probands, habitual intercuspidation and retral contact position coincided. In contrast to other authors, we found that siginificant differences between the two methods of registration are an explanation for the differences found betweeen the two positions of the mandible in the sagittal direction.", "PMID": 782842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6444", "title": "[The prosthetic care of the mandible after absolute raising of the alveolar crest by means of visor-osteotomy].", "content": "An operative method for raising the alveolar ridge of the mandible is described. In connection with vestibuloplasty and lowering of the floor of the mouth, it provides a significantly improved base for dentures without involving the risks of free bone transplantation. In prosthetic treatment the temporarily disturbed sensitivity should be borne in mind. Follow-ups repeated after short intervals are necessary. Data on long-term experience is not yet available.", "contents": "[The prosthetic care of the mandible after absolute raising of the alveolar crest by means of visor-osteotomy]. An operative method for raising the alveolar ridge of the mandible is described. In connection with vestibuloplasty and lowering of the floor of the mouth, it provides a significantly improved base for dentures without involving the risks of free bone transplantation. In prosthetic treatment the temporarily disturbed sensitivity should be borne in mind. Follow-ups repeated after short intervals are necessary. Data on long-term experience is not yet available.", "PMID": 782843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6445", "title": "[Whole-skin transplantation in periodontal surgery].", "content": "Open vestibuloplasty in combination with mucogingival surgery has the disadvantage of a high tendency to relapse. The introduction of the gingival graft on to the open periosteum was a considerable improvement. The use of compound flaps taken from the hairless retroauricular region also showed good post-operative results. In addition to good healing and little tendency to shrink, there is the advantage of an ample supply of tissue.", "contents": "[Whole-skin transplantation in periodontal surgery]. Open vestibuloplasty in combination with mucogingival surgery has the disadvantage of a high tendency to relapse. The introduction of the gingival graft on to the open periosteum was a considerable improvement. The use of compound flaps taken from the hairless retroauricular region also showed good post-operative results. In addition to good healing and little tendency to shrink, there is the advantage of an ample supply of tissue.", "PMID": 782848} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6446", "title": "Effect of anomers of D-glucose on alloxan inhibition of insulin release in isolated perifused pancreatic islets.", "content": "The in vitro inhibition of insulin released by alloxan (20 mg/100 ml) in collagenase isolated rat islets is preferentially prevented by alpha D-glucose at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml, while at a higher anomer concentration (1.5 mg/ml) both alpha and beta D-glucose provide equal protection. The ability of alpha D-glucose compared with beta D-glucose to stimulate insulin release, in vitro, showed a similar dose-related response, as observed in the alloxan protective studies. Although, both alpha and beta D-glucose compete with mutorated D-glucose for transport into islet cells, neither anomer produced a significantly different degree of inhibition in the transport process. The shared alpha stereospecificity for D-glucose in protection against alloxan and in stimulating insulin secretion in these in vitro studies, suggest a common site of interaction which may involve the beta-cell membrane.", "contents": "Effect of anomers of D-glucose on alloxan inhibition of insulin release in isolated perifused pancreatic islets. The in vitro inhibition of insulin released by alloxan (20 mg/100 ml) in collagenase isolated rat islets is preferentially prevented by alpha D-glucose at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml, while at a higher anomer concentration (1.5 mg/ml) both alpha and beta D-glucose provide equal protection. The ability of alpha D-glucose compared with beta D-glucose to stimulate insulin release, in vitro, showed a similar dose-related response, as observed in the alloxan protective studies. Although, both alpha and beta D-glucose compete with mutorated D-glucose for transport into islet cells, neither anomer produced a significantly different degree of inhibition in the transport process. The shared alpha stereospecificity for D-glucose in protection against alloxan and in stimulating insulin secretion in these in vitro studies, suggest a common site of interaction which may involve the beta-cell membrane.", "PMID": 782855} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6447", "title": "Effect of thyroid status on spontaneous and induced surges of luteinizing hormone.", "content": "This study was designed to describe the effects of thyroid status on the preovulatory surge of LH and to determine the site(s) at which these effects are exerted. The treatment of normal 4-day cycling rats with a hyperthyroid dose of thyroxine (T4, 20 mug/100 g BW/day) for 8 days resulted in surges of LH on proestrus which were depressed to 25% of control levels. In ovariectomized (OV) or ovariectomized-thyroidectomized (OV-Tx) rats maintained on a physiological regimen of T4 (2 mug/100 gBW/day), the amount of estrogen required to induce an LH surge was far greater than that required in OV-TX rats receiving no T4 replacement. These data suggest that T4 attenuates preovulatory surges of LH by acting at the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. However, the pituitary might be eliminated as a site of action since hyerthyroid proestrous rats responded to a challenge of LH-releasing hormone (500 ng) by secreting a quantity of LH equivalent to that in euthyroid animals. Similarly, there was no difference in the quantity of LH released by hyperthyroid and euthyroid proestrous rats in response to electrochemical stimulation (100 muA, 60 sec) of the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus. On the other hand, hyperthyroid rats secreted significantly less LH in response to stimulation of the arcuate nucleus-median eminence area (ARN-ME) than did controls. Thus, T4, apparently modifies LH release by depressing the response of the ARN.", "contents": "Effect of thyroid status on spontaneous and induced surges of luteinizing hormone. This study was designed to describe the effects of thyroid status on the preovulatory surge of LH and to determine the site(s) at which these effects are exerted. The treatment of normal 4-day cycling rats with a hyperthyroid dose of thyroxine (T4, 20 mug/100 g BW/day) for 8 days resulted in surges of LH on proestrus which were depressed to 25% of control levels. In ovariectomized (OV) or ovariectomized-thyroidectomized (OV-Tx) rats maintained on a physiological regimen of T4 (2 mug/100 gBW/day), the amount of estrogen required to induce an LH surge was far greater than that required in OV-TX rats receiving no T4 replacement. These data suggest that T4 attenuates preovulatory surges of LH by acting at the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. However, the pituitary might be eliminated as a site of action since hyerthyroid proestrous rats responded to a challenge of LH-releasing hormone (500 ng) by secreting a quantity of LH equivalent to that in euthyroid animals. Similarly, there was no difference in the quantity of LH released by hyperthyroid and euthyroid proestrous rats in response to electrochemical stimulation (100 muA, 60 sec) of the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus. On the other hand, hyperthyroid rats secreted significantly less LH in response to stimulation of the arcuate nucleus-median eminence area (ARN-ME) than did controls. Thus, T4, apparently modifies LH release by depressing the response of the ARN.", "PMID": 782856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6448", "title": "Control of prolactin and growth hormone secretion in mice by obesity.", "content": "Prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) secretions in mice rendered obese by the administration of gold thioglucose (GTG) are abnormal. The objective of the present experiments was to determine whether the effects were related to the drug or to the resultant obesity. Perphenazine-induced PRL release in normal mice and in GTG-injected non-obese mice was compared to that of GTG-injected obese mice after the initial development of obesity, after body weight reduction by diet control and after the resumption of obesity by ad lib. feeding. The GTG-injected mice which did not become obese had greater (50%) than normal levels of serum PRL following perphenazine stimulation in 2 of 3 experiments. This suggested that the injection of GTG directly affected the control mechanism for PRL secretion, but that the abnormal PRL secretion was probably not the cause of obesity that develops after GTG treatment. Perphenazine-induced PRL levels in mice rendered obese with GTG were much greater (2-3 times higher than normal). However, the unusually high levels of PRL were totally abolished when the body weights of these mice were brought down to normal by dietary restriction. Conversely, when obesity was permitted to recur by giving the mice free access to food, PRL levels reverted back to the original obese pattern. The concentrations of GH were usually lower than normal in GTG-obese mice, and these levels were also more often associated with the development of obesity than with the injection of GTG. The data show a marked influence of obesity on the control of PRL and GH secretions in the mouse.", "contents": "Control of prolactin and growth hormone secretion in mice by obesity. Prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) secretions in mice rendered obese by the administration of gold thioglucose (GTG) are abnormal. The objective of the present experiments was to determine whether the effects were related to the drug or to the resultant obesity. Perphenazine-induced PRL release in normal mice and in GTG-injected non-obese mice was compared to that of GTG-injected obese mice after the initial development of obesity, after body weight reduction by diet control and after the resumption of obesity by ad lib. feeding. The GTG-injected mice which did not become obese had greater (50%) than normal levels of serum PRL following perphenazine stimulation in 2 of 3 experiments. This suggested that the injection of GTG directly affected the control mechanism for PRL secretion, but that the abnormal PRL secretion was probably not the cause of obesity that develops after GTG treatment. Perphenazine-induced PRL levels in mice rendered obese with GTG were much greater (2-3 times higher than normal). However, the unusually high levels of PRL were totally abolished when the body weights of these mice were brought down to normal by dietary restriction. Conversely, when obesity was permitted to recur by giving the mice free access to food, PRL levels reverted back to the original obese pattern. The concentrations of GH were usually lower than normal in GTG-obese mice, and these levels were also more often associated with the development of obesity than with the injection of GTG. The data show a marked influence of obesity on the control of PRL and GH secretions in the mouse.", "PMID": 782857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6449", "title": "Inhibition of calcium uptake by somatostatin in isolated rat islets of Langerhans.", "content": "Somatostatin (1 mug/ml) inhibited glucose (16.7 mM)-stimulated 45Ca uptake by isolated rat islets incubated in media containing no added calcium or calcium at a low concentration (0.2mM). Epinephrine (50 mug/ml) and mannoheptulose (20mM) also inhibited 45Ca uptake by islets incubated in the presence of calcium (0.2mM). Addition of glucose (16.7 mM) caused a small but significant increase in insulin release from islets incubated in media containing no added calcium. In the presence of a low concentration of calcium (0.2 mM), glucose caused a much greater increase in insulin secretion which was inhibited by addition of somatostatin, epinephrine or mannoheptulose.", "contents": "Inhibition of calcium uptake by somatostatin in isolated rat islets of Langerhans. Somatostatin (1 mug/ml) inhibited glucose (16.7 mM)-stimulated 45Ca uptake by isolated rat islets incubated in media containing no added calcium or calcium at a low concentration (0.2mM). Epinephrine (50 mug/ml) and mannoheptulose (20mM) also inhibited 45Ca uptake by islets incubated in the presence of calcium (0.2mM). Addition of glucose (16.7 mM) caused a small but significant increase in insulin release from islets incubated in media containing no added calcium. In the presence of a low concentration of calcium (0.2 mM), glucose caused a much greater increase in insulin secretion which was inhibited by addition of somatostatin, epinephrine or mannoheptulose.", "PMID": 782858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6450", "title": "The effect of ovarian steroid feedback upon radioimmunoreactive luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in the hypothalamus.", "content": "A radioimmunoassay (RIA) method for luteinizing hormone (LH) releasing hormone (RH) utilizing rabbit antiserum against synthetic (Glu1)-LH-RH coupled with human serum albumin at the N-terminus, is described. This assay system for LH-RH also cross-reacted with several LH-RH analogues or fragments, but not with pituitary trophic hormones. The assay was performed on the hypothalamic extracts of adult ovariectomized rats and female immature rats which had been treated with estradiol. The FSH and LH levels in the pituitary gland and serum of the same animals were determined by RIA. The radioimmunoreactive LH-RH content of the stalk median eminence markedly increased seven days after ovariectomy. The serum levels and the pituitary contents of FSH and LH of the same rats were also significantly augmented. In immature rats, the hypothalamic content of LH-RH, as measured by RIA, was significantly increased one hour after the injection of estradiol. The FSH and LH levels in the pituitary showed a significant rise after 7 hours.", "contents": "The effect of ovarian steroid feedback upon radioimmunoreactive luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in the hypothalamus. A radioimmunoassay (RIA) method for luteinizing hormone (LH) releasing hormone (RH) utilizing rabbit antiserum against synthetic (Glu1)-LH-RH coupled with human serum albumin at the N-terminus, is described. This assay system for LH-RH also cross-reacted with several LH-RH analogues or fragments, but not with pituitary trophic hormones. The assay was performed on the hypothalamic extracts of adult ovariectomized rats and female immature rats which had been treated with estradiol. The FSH and LH levels in the pituitary gland and serum of the same animals were determined by RIA. The radioimmunoreactive LH-RH content of the stalk median eminence markedly increased seven days after ovariectomy. The serum levels and the pituitary contents of FSH and LH of the same rats were also significantly augmented. In immature rats, the hypothalamic content of LH-RH, as measured by RIA, was significantly increased one hour after the injection of estradiol. The FSH and LH levels in the pituitary showed a significant rise after 7 hours.", "PMID": 782859} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6451", "title": "Comparative observation of the pancreatic A and B cells by the enzyme antibody method: light microscopic findings in dog and mouse tissue.", "content": "A and B cells of pancreatic islets of the dog and mouse were stained by the enzyme-antibody method. A cells, in general, were small in number, particularly in the mouse, and distributed at the peripheral zone of the islet. Furthermore, A cells were located very close to the intrainsular capillary. On the other hand, B cells occupied dominantly the islet and mainly existed in its central area, especially in the mouse and not adjacent to the intrainsular capillary. A positively reacting cell with anti-insulin antibody was also found in the uncinate process of the dog pancreas, while there was no positively reacting cell with anti-glucagon antibody. This fact, as there were only two kinds of islet cells, B cell and the third cell of the islet (named D cell) in the uncinate process, showed that the D cell had neither glucagon nor glucagon-like immunoreactivity.", "contents": "Comparative observation of the pancreatic A and B cells by the enzyme antibody method: light microscopic findings in dog and mouse tissue. A and B cells of pancreatic islets of the dog and mouse were stained by the enzyme-antibody method. A cells, in general, were small in number, particularly in the mouse, and distributed at the peripheral zone of the islet. Furthermore, A cells were located very close to the intrainsular capillary. On the other hand, B cells occupied dominantly the islet and mainly existed in its central area, especially in the mouse and not adjacent to the intrainsular capillary. A positively reacting cell with anti-insulin antibody was also found in the uncinate process of the dog pancreas, while there was no positively reacting cell with anti-glucagon antibody. This fact, as there were only two kinds of islet cells, B cell and the third cell of the islet (named D cell) in the uncinate process, showed that the D cell had neither glucagon nor glucagon-like immunoreactivity.", "PMID": 782860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6452", "title": "Influence of abnormal postural and sensory conditions on human sensorimotor localization.", "content": "A wide range of experiments exposing subjects to unusual postural, sensory, and gravitational conditions have been discussed. In general, regardless of the nature of the experimental intervention, changes in sensory localization and sensorimotor coordination resulted. After prolonged exposure to the abnormal stimulus situation, sensory localization as well as sensorimotor coordination showed evidence of compensation, with performance returning toward normal. Our characterization and understanding of these experimental situations has only begun. Similar principles appear, however, to underlie many of these studies. Changes in interpreted posture induced by angular and linear acceleration are accompanied by changes in visual and auditory localization of comparable size. Rearrangement of the visual array by prism spectacles causes errors in sensorimotor coordination that are later eliminated by postural adjustments. Thus, in general, exposure to visual orientation, results in errors insensory localization; exposure to these abnormal states leads to compensatory alterations in postural and sensory mechanisms by a systematic modification of their interrelationship.", "contents": "Influence of abnormal postural and sensory conditions on human sensorimotor localization. A wide range of experiments exposing subjects to unusual postural, sensory, and gravitational conditions have been discussed. In general, regardless of the nature of the experimental intervention, changes in sensory localization and sensorimotor coordination resulted. After prolonged exposure to the abnormal stimulus situation, sensory localization as well as sensorimotor coordination showed evidence of compensation, with performance returning toward normal. Our characterization and understanding of these experimental situations has only begun. Similar principles appear, however, to underlie many of these studies. Changes in interpreted posture induced by angular and linear acceleration are accompanied by changes in visual and auditory localization of comparable size. Rearrangement of the visual array by prism spectacles causes errors in sensorimotor coordination that are later eliminated by postural adjustments. Thus, in general, exposure to visual orientation, results in errors insensory localization; exposure to these abnormal states leads to compensatory alterations in postural and sensory mechanisms by a systematic modification of their interrelationship.", "PMID": 782862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6453", "title": "Some observations on the effectiveness of anabolic agents in increasing the growth rate of poultry.", "content": "This paper will discuss data obtained on the growth promoting effects of metabolically active agents for avian species generally used for food production. The compounds to be considered are those with estrogenic, androgenic, or thyroid hormone activity. Estrogens have been studied most extensively with poultry. At physiologically active levels, estrogens markedly stimulate food intake and at times, weight gain. There is a marked increase in fattening in chickens fed estrogenic compounds and generally a decrease in nitrogen retention. There seems to be a particular stimulation of lipogenesis of estrogenic compounds to the extent that protein synthesis is depressed. Generally high levels of estrogenic compounds are required for metabolic effects. Estrogens have marked effects on circulating nutrient levels and also decrease the choline requirement of growing chicks. Thyroid active substances have been extensively studied. Iodinated casein has been shown to stimulate early growth especially in growing ducks. Efficiency of feed utilization is depressed by feeding iodinated casein and body fat content is reduced. Feathering may be improved by thyroid hormone and in species where feathers are economically imported, it is sometimes advantageous to use these compounds. Methyltestosterone has been shown to be growth stimulating for female chickens and turkeys but relatively ineffective for males. In general, androgens seem to be somewhat less effective in stimulating growth rate and nitrogen retention in domestic birds compared to effects observed in mammals. The role of growth hormone as an anabolic agent in birds is somewhat obscure. Mammalian growth hormone preparations seem ineffective in poultry. The anabolic agents that will be considered in this paper are the hormone active substances with estrogenic, androgenic, or thyroid activity. These will be considered primarily as they affect growth and carcass composition of various species of poultry and not in their normal physiological roles. When considering the role of these compounds in production of human food through their effects on animals, the effects on growth rate, feed efficiency, and carcass composition are primary traits of concern and many other interesting aspects of the physiological effects of these compounds cannot be considered. The paper will not be an exhaustive review of the literature but will attempt to document the effects of these agents on the productive characteristics of poultry.", "contents": "Some observations on the effectiveness of anabolic agents in increasing the growth rate of poultry. This paper will discuss data obtained on the growth promoting effects of metabolically active agents for avian species generally used for food production. The compounds to be considered are those with estrogenic, androgenic, or thyroid hormone activity. Estrogens have been studied most extensively with poultry. At physiologically active levels, estrogens markedly stimulate food intake and at times, weight gain. There is a marked increase in fattening in chickens fed estrogenic compounds and generally a decrease in nitrogen retention. There seems to be a particular stimulation of lipogenesis of estrogenic compounds to the extent that protein synthesis is depressed. Generally high levels of estrogenic compounds are required for metabolic effects. Estrogens have marked effects on circulating nutrient levels and also decrease the choline requirement of growing chicks. Thyroid active substances have been extensively studied. Iodinated casein has been shown to stimulate early growth especially in growing ducks. Efficiency of feed utilization is depressed by feeding iodinated casein and body fat content is reduced. Feathering may be improved by thyroid hormone and in species where feathers are economically imported, it is sometimes advantageous to use these compounds. Methyltestosterone has been shown to be growth stimulating for female chickens and turkeys but relatively ineffective for males. In general, androgens seem to be somewhat less effective in stimulating growth rate and nitrogen retention in domestic birds compared to effects observed in mammals. The role of growth hormone as an anabolic agent in birds is somewhat obscure. Mammalian growth hormone preparations seem ineffective in poultry. The anabolic agents that will be considered in this paper are the hormone active substances with estrogenic, androgenic, or thyroid activity. These will be considered primarily as they affect growth and carcass composition of various species of poultry and not in their normal physiological roles. When considering the role of these compounds in production of human food through their effects on animals, the effects on growth rate, feed efficiency, and carcass composition are primary traits of concern and many other interesting aspects of the physiological effects of these compounds cannot be considered. The paper will not be an exhaustive review of the literature but will attempt to document the effects of these agents on the productive characteristics of poultry.", "PMID": 782864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6454", "title": "Physiological data including evaluation of immuno-response in relation to anabolic effects on veal calves.", "content": "In a series of experiments with a total of 1480 veal calves, different aspects of treating calves with anabolic steroids were examined. The anabolics used were 17beta-estradiol (E), trenbolone acetate (T), progesterone (P), testosterone (Te), C+T, E+P, E+Te and zeranole (Z). The N-retention was estimated by examining the urea: creatinine ratio in single urine specimens during the course of two feeding trials. Increased gain due to the treatment with E (20 mg implanted/calf) + P (200 mg) and Te (200 mg), respectively, E + T (140 mg) or Z (36 mg) was during the whole experimental period. The extra gain, due to anabolics seems to contain even more protein. This conclusion may be supported by the crude protein content of meat samples. The antibody production of a total of 311 male and female calves was investigated after the application of the following steroids: E (20 mg), T (200 mg), T (200 mg), E + T, P (200 mg), Te (200 mg), E + P, E + Te, and Z. Eleven days after the implantation of the steroids the animals were immunized with alumprecipitated human serumalbumin. Antibody-titres were determined by the Antigen-Binding-Capacity Test on day 14 following immunization. In nearly all groups the antibody-titres of female calves exceeded those of male calves on the average by 75%. The immune response of all experimental groups did not differ significantly from that of the corresponding control groups. However, the results indicate that both E + T and its single components E and T exert an immunodepressive effect in male calves. While the humoral antibody formation in the calf appears not to be influenced by anabolic steroids, it cannot be decided presently whether these substances effect cell-mediated immune reactions and/or unspecific mechanisms of resistance. When estradiol (20, 200, and 500 mg) and trenbolone acetate (140, 1400, 3500 mg) alone and in combination were implanted in female calves, blood glucose, GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase, LDH, cholesterine and bilirubine; Hb, PVC, quick value; urine density and pH were not affected by treatment. Some criteria of the mineral metabolism (Ca- and P-levels in serum and bone) was not altered by treatment. Trenbolone (1 400 and 3 500 mg), especially with estradiol, caused a decrease of the serum Mg-level and of the Mg-deposition in the bone. It is discussed that Trenbolone affects the dig-metabolism of calves. Some morphological findings are worth mentioning. The weight of uterus was not affected by the different doses of E or T, but a combination E + T led to a surprising weight increase. The proliferation of uterine glandular cells was responsible for the increased uterine size. The lumen of uterus was partially filled with a watery liquid. The reduction of the ovarian weight was accompanied by a diminution of follicular size for all treated calves, most evident for E (200, 500 mg) + T (1400, 3500 mg). A decrease in the number of follicles was also found for these two groups. T (3500 mg) caused an abnormal size of the clitoris and led to a reduction of the size of thymus.", "contents": "Physiological data including evaluation of immuno-response in relation to anabolic effects on veal calves. In a series of experiments with a total of 1480 veal calves, different aspects of treating calves with anabolic steroids were examined. The anabolics used were 17beta-estradiol (E), trenbolone acetate (T), progesterone (P), testosterone (Te), C+T, E+P, E+Te and zeranole (Z). The N-retention was estimated by examining the urea: creatinine ratio in single urine specimens during the course of two feeding trials. Increased gain due to the treatment with E (20 mg implanted/calf) + P (200 mg) and Te (200 mg), respectively, E + T (140 mg) or Z (36 mg) was during the whole experimental period. The extra gain, due to anabolics seems to contain even more protein. This conclusion may be supported by the crude protein content of meat samples. The antibody production of a total of 311 male and female calves was investigated after the application of the following steroids: E (20 mg), T (200 mg), T (200 mg), E + T, P (200 mg), Te (200 mg), E + P, E + Te, and Z. Eleven days after the implantation of the steroids the animals were immunized with alumprecipitated human serumalbumin. Antibody-titres were determined by the Antigen-Binding-Capacity Test on day 14 following immunization. In nearly all groups the antibody-titres of female calves exceeded those of male calves on the average by 75%. The immune response of all experimental groups did not differ significantly from that of the corresponding control groups. However, the results indicate that both E + T and its single components E and T exert an immunodepressive effect in male calves. While the humoral antibody formation in the calf appears not to be influenced by anabolic steroids, it cannot be decided presently whether these substances effect cell-mediated immune reactions and/or unspecific mechanisms of resistance. When estradiol (20, 200, and 500 mg) and trenbolone acetate (140, 1400, 3500 mg) alone and in combination were implanted in female calves, blood glucose, GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase, LDH, cholesterine and bilirubine; Hb, PVC, quick value; urine density and pH were not affected by treatment. Some criteria of the mineral metabolism (Ca- and P-levels in serum and bone) was not altered by treatment. Trenbolone (1 400 and 3 500 mg), especially with estradiol, caused a decrease of the serum Mg-level and of the Mg-deposition in the bone. It is discussed that Trenbolone affects the dig-metabolism of calves. Some morphological findings are worth mentioning. The weight of uterus was not affected by the different doses of E or T, but a combination E + T led to a surprising weight increase. The proliferation of uterine glandular cells was responsible for the increased uterine size. The lumen of uterus was partially filled with a watery liquid. The reduction of the ovarian weight was accompanied by a diminution of follicular size for all treated calves, most evident for E (200, 500 mg) + T (1400, 3500 mg). A decrease in the number of follicles was also found for these two groups. T (3500 mg) caused an abnormal size of the clitoris and led to a reduction of the size of thymus.", "PMID": 782865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6455", "title": "Endogenous anabolic agents in farm animals.", "content": "This presentation is limited to the three groups of steroid sex hormones which alone or in combination have been shown to be anabolic when used in farm animals. It seems essential for realistic evaluation of public health aspects of use of these hormones that the discussions include naturally occurring levels of the hormones. The following topics will be dealt with for each group of hormones: 1. Types and sources; 2. Production rates; 3. Plasma levels; 4. Tissue concentrations; 5. Metabolism and excretion. Gestagens. Progesterone and 20-dihydroprogesterones are mainly produced in ovaries and placenta. Production rates are estimated to 10 and 14 mg/24 hrs in pregnant goats and sheep, respectively. Plasma levels during the luteal phase are of the order of 2--10 ng/ml, during pregnancy somewhat higher. Muscular tissue from calves contain 0.25 mg/g. In dairy cows progesterone is excreted with the milk which contains up to 30 ng/ml; butterfat up to 300 mg/g. In ruminants progesterone is metabolized mainly to androgens excreted with faeces. In pigs large parts are metabolized to pregnanediols excreted with urine. Androgens. Testosterone is mainly secreted by testes. Boar testes also produce large amounts of dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulphate. Production rates have been estimated to be 10 mg and 40--50 mg/24 hrs. in boars and bulls respectively. Plasma levels in bulls and rams are generally 2--10 ng/ml, in boars 2--25 ng/ml. Adipose tissue levels up to 22 ng/g are reported for bulls. In ruminants epitestosterone seems to be a major metabolite excreted mainly with faeces. In boars, urinary 11-deoxy-17-ketosteroids are major metabolites of testicular dehydroepiandrosterone. Castration shows elimination to be rapid. Estrogens. 17beta-Estradiol and estrone are produced in ovaries and placenta and, in large amounts, in boar and stallion testes. Production rates in late pregnancy are estimated to 10 mg oestrone/24 hrs. in goats, 2 mg estrone and up to 28 mg 17beta-estradiol/24 hrs. in sheep. In cows much higher values are found. Boars and stallions produce huge amounts daily. Plasma levels in non-pregnant animals are at the pg/ml level. In late pregnancy levels of 2--4 thousand pg/ml are encountered in sows and cows, in sheep and goats lower levels. Calf muscular tissue contains up to 410 and 610 pg/g of estrone and 17beta-estradiol respectively. In muscle from pregnant heifers corresponding values were 120 and 860 pg/g in the 4th month and 2100 and 370 pg/g in the 9th month of pregnancy. Ruminants in large measure metabolize 17 beta-estradiol and estrone to 17alpha-estradiol which possesses low estrogenic activity. In pigs estrone dominates in blood and urine. Major routes of elimination arre with faeces in ruminants, with urine in pigs and horses. Elimination rates are high. Results obtained during the last few years clearly show that all three groups of steroid sex hormones occur in considerable concentrations in plasma and tissue...", "contents": "Endogenous anabolic agents in farm animals. This presentation is limited to the three groups of steroid sex hormones which alone or in combination have been shown to be anabolic when used in farm animals. It seems essential for realistic evaluation of public health aspects of use of these hormones that the discussions include naturally occurring levels of the hormones. The following topics will be dealt with for each group of hormones: 1. Types and sources; 2. Production rates; 3. Plasma levels; 4. Tissue concentrations; 5. Metabolism and excretion. Gestagens. Progesterone and 20-dihydroprogesterones are mainly produced in ovaries and placenta. Production rates are estimated to 10 and 14 mg/24 hrs in pregnant goats and sheep, respectively. Plasma levels during the luteal phase are of the order of 2--10 ng/ml, during pregnancy somewhat higher. Muscular tissue from calves contain 0.25 mg/g. In dairy cows progesterone is excreted with the milk which contains up to 30 ng/ml; butterfat up to 300 mg/g. In ruminants progesterone is metabolized mainly to androgens excreted with faeces. In pigs large parts are metabolized to pregnanediols excreted with urine. Androgens. Testosterone is mainly secreted by testes. Boar testes also produce large amounts of dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulphate. Production rates have been estimated to be 10 mg and 40--50 mg/24 hrs. in boars and bulls respectively. Plasma levels in bulls and rams are generally 2--10 ng/ml, in boars 2--25 ng/ml. Adipose tissue levels up to 22 ng/g are reported for bulls. In ruminants epitestosterone seems to be a major metabolite excreted mainly with faeces. In boars, urinary 11-deoxy-17-ketosteroids are major metabolites of testicular dehydroepiandrosterone. Castration shows elimination to be rapid. Estrogens. 17beta-Estradiol and estrone are produced in ovaries and placenta and, in large amounts, in boar and stallion testes. Production rates in late pregnancy are estimated to 10 mg oestrone/24 hrs. in goats, 2 mg estrone and up to 28 mg 17beta-estradiol/24 hrs. in sheep. In cows much higher values are found. Boars and stallions produce huge amounts daily. Plasma levels in non-pregnant animals are at the pg/ml level. In late pregnancy levels of 2--4 thousand pg/ml are encountered in sows and cows, in sheep and goats lower levels. Calf muscular tissue contains up to 410 and 610 pg/g of estrone and 17beta-estradiol respectively. In muscle from pregnant heifers corresponding values were 120 and 860 pg/g in the 4th month and 2100 and 370 pg/g in the 9th month of pregnancy. Ruminants in large measure metabolize 17 beta-estradiol and estrone to 17alpha-estradiol which possesses low estrogenic activity. In pigs estrone dominates in blood and urine. Major routes of elimination arre with faeces in ruminants, with urine in pigs and horses. Elimination rates are high. Results obtained during the last few years clearly show that all three groups of steroid sex hormones occur in considerable concentrations in plasma and tissue...", "PMID": 782866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6456", "title": "Metabolic fate of anabolic agents in treated animals and residue levels in their meat.", "content": "Anabolic agents applied in animal production can be classified as sex hormones, as far as one aspect of their biological activity is concerned. In respect to their chemical nature the agents can be divided into three sub-groups: (a) steroids natural to the body (endogenous steroids); (b) steroids foreign to the body; (c) other compounds foreign to the body. After exogenous application (oral or parenteral) metabolism of compounds in group (a), e.g. 17beta-estradiol or testosterone, follows the pathways for the identical endogenous hormones; i.e. enzymatic transformation of the biologically active molecule into less active compounds. Excretion seems to occur predominantly via the feces, followed by the excretion via the urine. Steroids foreign to the body (group [b]) may be simple esters of endogenous steroids (estradiol benzoate, testosterone propionate) or compounds with basically modified steroidal structures, like trenbolone acetate (estra-4, 9, 11-trien-17beta-OH-3one-Ac). After enzymatic cleavage of an ester in the animal, metabolism of natural steroids again follows the endogenous pathways. Other steroids are mainly excreted without changes of the original steroid structure. It has been demonstrated, that compounds applied as esters have a delayed elimination. Anabolic agents of nonsteroidal structure, (group [c]) like stilbene derivatives and zeranol (6-[6, 10-dihydroxy-undecyl] beta-resorcylicacid-mu-lactone) are not, or only to a minor percentage, catabolized in the body. It can be generalized so far, that the fraction of the hormone eliminated in the urine, is in the conjugated from, while the fraction appearing in the feces is in the free form. This is due to enterohepatic circulation, which occurs with both, the intact or catabolized compound. The elimination rate of anabolic agents not only depends on the absorption after oral or parenteral application, which is strongly related to the type of formula---or cleavage of possible esters, but also on the metabolic clearance rate, which is a function of several factors, for example binding to plasma proteins or tissue structures. Differences in the elimination rate between compounds could be attributed to these phenomena. Tissue residue formation not only depends on the elimination rate, but also on other factors like mode of application, formula and withdrawal time. The possibility for their detection is related to the method applied. In cases of adequate treatments of the animals, and with the exception of the implantation site (see below), positive hormone values in tissues (qualitative and quantitative) could only be obtained, when radioimmunoassay techniques with a sensitivity in the low nanogram range were applied...", "contents": "Metabolic fate of anabolic agents in treated animals and residue levels in their meat. Anabolic agents applied in animal production can be classified as sex hormones, as far as one aspect of their biological activity is concerned. In respect to their chemical nature the agents can be divided into three sub-groups: (a) steroids natural to the body (endogenous steroids); (b) steroids foreign to the body; (c) other compounds foreign to the body. After exogenous application (oral or parenteral) metabolism of compounds in group (a), e.g. 17beta-estradiol or testosterone, follows the pathways for the identical endogenous hormones; i.e. enzymatic transformation of the biologically active molecule into less active compounds. Excretion seems to occur predominantly via the feces, followed by the excretion via the urine. Steroids foreign to the body (group [b]) may be simple esters of endogenous steroids (estradiol benzoate, testosterone propionate) or compounds with basically modified steroidal structures, like trenbolone acetate (estra-4, 9, 11-trien-17beta-OH-3one-Ac). After enzymatic cleavage of an ester in the animal, metabolism of natural steroids again follows the endogenous pathways. Other steroids are mainly excreted without changes of the original steroid structure. It has been demonstrated, that compounds applied as esters have a delayed elimination. Anabolic agents of nonsteroidal structure, (group [c]) like stilbene derivatives and zeranol (6-[6, 10-dihydroxy-undecyl] beta-resorcylicacid-mu-lactone) are not, or only to a minor percentage, catabolized in the body. It can be generalized so far, that the fraction of the hormone eliminated in the urine, is in the conjugated from, while the fraction appearing in the feces is in the free form. This is due to enterohepatic circulation, which occurs with both, the intact or catabolized compound. The elimination rate of anabolic agents not only depends on the absorption after oral or parenteral application, which is strongly related to the type of formula---or cleavage of possible esters, but also on the metabolic clearance rate, which is a function of several factors, for example binding to plasma proteins or tissue structures. Differences in the elimination rate between compounds could be attributed to these phenomena. Tissue residue formation not only depends on the elimination rate, but also on other factors like mode of application, formula and withdrawal time. The possibility for their detection is related to the method applied. In cases of adequate treatments of the animals, and with the exception of the implantation site (see below), positive hormone values in tissues (qualitative and quantitative) could only be obtained, when radioimmunoassay techniques with a sensitivity in the low nanogram range were applied...", "PMID": 782867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6457", "title": "Methods for controlling the application of anabolics in farm animals.", "content": "In the use of anabolic agents, the most pronounced effect on growth is caused by estrogens. For this reason primarily attention will be given to the methods of detection of estrogen administration to fattening animals. The detection methods can mainly be divided in histological, biological, chemical, and immunological determinations and these will be briefly discussed in the light of the present situation in many countries, where the use of anabolic agents is prohibited. From the point of view of control, this prohibition is much easier to handle than a situation in which the application of some specified products is permitted. The possibilities and limitations of control, when certain anabolic agents are permitted for use, will be discussed and evaluated. The conclusion is drawn that in this latter case a sufficient control is very difficult if at all possible considering the methods of control available at the time.", "contents": "Methods for controlling the application of anabolics in farm animals. In the use of anabolic agents, the most pronounced effect on growth is caused by estrogens. For this reason primarily attention will be given to the methods of detection of estrogen administration to fattening animals. The detection methods can mainly be divided in histological, biological, chemical, and immunological determinations and these will be briefly discussed in the light of the present situation in many countries, where the use of anabolic agents is prohibited. From the point of view of control, this prohibition is much easier to handle than a situation in which the application of some specified products is permitted. The possibilities and limitations of control, when certain anabolic agents are permitted for use, will be discussed and evaluated. The conclusion is drawn that in this latter case a sufficient control is very difficult if at all possible considering the methods of control available at the time.", "PMID": 782868} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6458", "title": "An overview of protein synthesis, degradation and the regulation of protein content in skeletal muscle.", "content": "In this review paper various aspects of protein synthesis and breakdown in skeletal muscle will be surveyed as an introduction to the more specialized topics concerned with anabolic agents and the production of muscle protein. The quantitatively important role of skeletal muscle in total protein and amino acid metabolism will be evaluated by considering the size, composition (RNA and protein) and metabolic activity of this tissue in mammalian organism. This will provide an initial basis for understanding how internal and external environmental factors may affect the rate of growth and final size of the muscle mass in the intact organism. The steps in protein synthesis, involving aminoacid activation, initiation, peptide chain elongation and termination will be described, with particular reference to the synthesis of protein in fibers of skeletal muscle. This account will include a review of the specificity of myofibrillar protein synthesis and the relationships between the biochemical aspects of protein synthesis and the structural organization of the muscle cell. The role of messenger RNA, tRNA and soluble protein factors in the regulation of muscle protein synthesis in the growing animal will be reviewed, together with a short account of the ways in which hormones may modulate the rate of protein synthesis in muscle cells. However, the available data do not lead to definite conclusions concerning the rate limiting step(s) in muscle protein synthesis or the quantitative significance of factors which affect them. The mechanisms and regulation of protein degradation and the role of degradation in the regulation of muscle protein content will also be discussed.", "contents": "An overview of protein synthesis, degradation and the regulation of protein content in skeletal muscle. In this review paper various aspects of protein synthesis and breakdown in skeletal muscle will be surveyed as an introduction to the more specialized topics concerned with anabolic agents and the production of muscle protein. The quantitatively important role of skeletal muscle in total protein and amino acid metabolism will be evaluated by considering the size, composition (RNA and protein) and metabolic activity of this tissue in mammalian organism. This will provide an initial basis for understanding how internal and external environmental factors may affect the rate of growth and final size of the muscle mass in the intact organism. The steps in protein synthesis, involving aminoacid activation, initiation, peptide chain elongation and termination will be described, with particular reference to the synthesis of protein in fibers of skeletal muscle. This account will include a review of the specificity of myofibrillar protein synthesis and the relationships between the biochemical aspects of protein synthesis and the structural organization of the muscle cell. The role of messenger RNA, tRNA and soluble protein factors in the regulation of muscle protein synthesis in the growing animal will be reviewed, together with a short account of the ways in which hormones may modulate the rate of protein synthesis in muscle cells. However, the available data do not lead to definite conclusions concerning the rate limiting step(s) in muscle protein synthesis or the quantitative significance of factors which affect them. The mechanisms and regulation of protein degradation and the role of degradation in the regulation of muscle protein content will also be discussed.", "PMID": 782869} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6459", "title": "Epidemiological studies related to the use of hormonal agents in animal production.", "content": "The principal types of hormonal agents used in the production of meat for human consumption are estrogens, progestagens, and androgens. Only the last class is truly anabolic. Each type of compound named above has fairly characteristic toxic effects after prolonged intake. In this review, an attempt will be made to relate available information from experience with the administration of these three types of hormones to humans to the question whether sufficient amounts of these chemicals can remain in meat cut from carcasses of animals administered hormones during finishing to have deletarious effects on human ingesters. Present indications are that administration of stilbestrol to pregnant women may result in a somewhat increased incidence of cervical and vaginal cancers in their daughters; such administration appears to have no effect on the incidence of cancers in sons and only slight, if any, effect on that in the mothers. Other estrogens seem to have no specific effects on the incidence of cancer. Progestagens also are not known to induce any specific lesions. Although many androgens are known to produce edema, fever, and jaundice, they have not been found to cause specific lesions to any significant extent. With reference to stilbestrol, the doses given to the mothers of affected children have ranged between 5 and 125 mg/day. Because muscle, liver, and kidney from steers treated with stilbestrol in the usual way (s. c. implantation of a pellet at the base of an ear) have been found to contain less than 0.5 ppb of stilbestrol one month after implantation of the pellet, it is obvious that, to approach even the lowest clinically used dose of stilbestrol, a person would have to eat daily a quantity of such animal products that would be impossible to ingest. The findings that a mean of 26.4% of an oral dose of stilbestrol is excreted within 24 hours and that 99.5% is excreted within a week indicate that cumulation of this chemical within the body from the low level of intake provided by meats is not likely to reach a significant level. This would be so even though the animal product contained more than the 0.5 ppb mentioned above.", "contents": "Epidemiological studies related to the use of hormonal agents in animal production. The principal types of hormonal agents used in the production of meat for human consumption are estrogens, progestagens, and androgens. Only the last class is truly anabolic. Each type of compound named above has fairly characteristic toxic effects after prolonged intake. In this review, an attempt will be made to relate available information from experience with the administration of these three types of hormones to humans to the question whether sufficient amounts of these chemicals can remain in meat cut from carcasses of animals administered hormones during finishing to have deletarious effects on human ingesters. Present indications are that administration of stilbestrol to pregnant women may result in a somewhat increased incidence of cervical and vaginal cancers in their daughters; such administration appears to have no effect on the incidence of cancers in sons and only slight, if any, effect on that in the mothers. Other estrogens seem to have no specific effects on the incidence of cancer. Progestagens also are not known to induce any specific lesions. Although many androgens are known to produce edema, fever, and jaundice, they have not been found to cause specific lesions to any significant extent. With reference to stilbestrol, the doses given to the mothers of affected children have ranged between 5 and 125 mg/day. Because muscle, liver, and kidney from steers treated with stilbestrol in the usual way (s. c. implantation of a pellet at the base of an ear) have been found to contain less than 0.5 ppb of stilbestrol one month after implantation of the pellet, it is obvious that, to approach even the lowest clinically used dose of stilbestrol, a person would have to eat daily a quantity of such animal products that would be impossible to ingest. The findings that a mean of 26.4% of an oral dose of stilbestrol is excreted within 24 hours and that 99.5% is excreted within a week indicate that cumulation of this chemical within the body from the low level of intake provided by meats is not likely to reach a significant level. This would be so even though the animal product contained more than the 0.5 ppb mentioned above.", "PMID": 782870} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6460", "title": "Pharmacological and endocrinological studies on anabolic agents.", "content": "When used in connection with animal production the term \"anabolic agents\" covers a wide range. Ther steroidal male and female sex hormones are included in this list, as are the nonsteroidal estrogens. For the clinician and for the endocrinologist, anabolics are only steroids chemically related to testosterone and 19-nortestosterone. Estrogens, though possessing anabolic properties, too, do not belong to this class. This paper will deal with anabolic agents in in the stricter sense of which mainly trenbolone acetate combined with hexestrol has been recommended for bull and heifer fattening. To consider possible consumer injury from ingestion of meat from anabolic agent treated animals, it is necessary to know the pharmacological properties of the agents, the doses producing certain effects or might produce, and the levels of residues in the meat. Trenbolone acetate will be compared with the following anabolic agents: methenolone acetate, methandrostenolone, nandrone, androstanazole, and 19-nortestosterone. The activity spectrum of trenbolone acetate is similar to that of 19-nortestosterone or those anabolics that are derived from 19-nortestosterone. The compound has about three times stronger androgenic effect than testosterone propionate. Its index of dissociation between anabolic/androgenic activity is 2--3. This index is 3--10 for the other anabolic agents. As regards the virilizing potency, trenbolone acetate is also on the top of the list. It seems that androgenicity and degree of virilization run paralle. The antigonadotropic activity (inhibition of ovulation and testicular growth) of trenbolone acetate exceeds that of testosterone propionate by the factor 3. The compound is not estrogenic and seemingly not or only weakly progestationally active. In principle, the androgenic activity (symptoms of virilization) as well as the antigonadotropic effect (disturbances of the menstrual cycle in women, inhibition of spermiogenesis in men) of trenbolone acetate might be noted. This risk, however, can be excluded by mere calculation. In rats, 0.1 mg/kg trenbolone acetate have an antigonadotropic effect. This corresponds to a daily dose of 5--7 mg in humans. By the same extrapolation, a daily human dose of 100 mg can be calculated for androgenic activity. Such factors of conversion are, of course, not precise because rats are much less sensitive to androgens and anabolics than humans. Thus, testosterone propionate is active only in daily doses of 10--20 mg. If in humans trenbolone acetate also has three times the activity of testosterone propionate, effects in man had to be counted with not less than a daily intake of 3--5 mg trenbolone acetate. The dose which is recommended for livestock fattening is 300 mg. IT can, therefore, be excluded almost with certainty that the meat would contain such large amounts of hormone residues.", "contents": "Pharmacological and endocrinological studies on anabolic agents. When used in connection with animal production the term \"anabolic agents\" covers a wide range. Ther steroidal male and female sex hormones are included in this list, as are the nonsteroidal estrogens. For the clinician and for the endocrinologist, anabolics are only steroids chemically related to testosterone and 19-nortestosterone. Estrogens, though possessing anabolic properties, too, do not belong to this class. This paper will deal with anabolic agents in in the stricter sense of which mainly trenbolone acetate combined with hexestrol has been recommended for bull and heifer fattening. To consider possible consumer injury from ingestion of meat from anabolic agent treated animals, it is necessary to know the pharmacological properties of the agents, the doses producing certain effects or might produce, and the levels of residues in the meat. Trenbolone acetate will be compared with the following anabolic agents: methenolone acetate, methandrostenolone, nandrone, androstanazole, and 19-nortestosterone. The activity spectrum of trenbolone acetate is similar to that of 19-nortestosterone or those anabolics that are derived from 19-nortestosterone. The compound has about three times stronger androgenic effect than testosterone propionate. Its index of dissociation between anabolic/androgenic activity is 2--3. This index is 3--10 for the other anabolic agents. As regards the virilizing potency, trenbolone acetate is also on the top of the list. It seems that androgenicity and degree of virilization run paralle. The antigonadotropic activity (inhibition of ovulation and testicular growth) of trenbolone acetate exceeds that of testosterone propionate by the factor 3. The compound is not estrogenic and seemingly not or only weakly progestationally active. In principle, the androgenic activity (symptoms of virilization) as well as the antigonadotropic effect (disturbances of the menstrual cycle in women, inhibition of spermiogenesis in men) of trenbolone acetate might be noted. This risk, however, can be excluded by mere calculation. In rats, 0.1 mg/kg trenbolone acetate have an antigonadotropic effect. This corresponds to a daily dose of 5--7 mg in humans. By the same extrapolation, a daily human dose of 100 mg can be calculated for androgenic activity. Such factors of conversion are, of course, not precise because rats are much less sensitive to androgens and anabolics than humans. Thus, testosterone propionate is active only in daily doses of 10--20 mg. If in humans trenbolone acetate also has three times the activity of testosterone propionate, effects in man had to be counted with not less than a daily intake of 3--5 mg trenbolone acetate. The dose which is recommended for livestock fattening is 300 mg. IT can, therefore, be excluded almost with certainty that the meat would contain such large amounts of hormone residues.", "PMID": 782871} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6461", "title": "Role of growth hormone in improving animal production.", "content": "Pituitary growth hormone (GH) has considerable potential as an anabolic agent in animal production. For example, pigs treated with GH will grow faster (i.e. deposit protein), require less feed per unit of body weight gain, and will have less carcass fat than untreated animals. Lactating cows will produce more milk with less feed. It is likely, though not completely established, that young cattle will also respond to GH treatments. Most of the information on the mode of action of GH has been obtained with laboratory rather than farm animals. The hormone affects almost all aspects of metabolism although the specific mechanism for these effects is still not understood. Stimulation of protein accretion is reflected by increased nitrogen retention and incorporation of radioactive amino-acids into tissue proteins. An increased rate of protein synthesis is thought to be a result of enhanced ability of ribosomes to translate messenger RNA. GH increases polyamine synthesis by increased ornithine decarboxylase activity; RNA synthesis by increasing RNA polymerase and DNA synthesis by increased DNA polymerase. Cell division is stimulated in several tissues (e.g. muscle and lymphoid tissue). In vivo GH lowers the respiratory quotient indicating an increased oxidation of fatty acids. The numbers of fat cells do not change but the fat cells are reduced in size. The stimulating effects of GH on skeletal tissue, and perhaps other tissues as well, is mediated by the formation of at least three peptides called somatomedins. GH is a protein with a molecular weight of about 22,000 and contains 191 amino-acid residues. The amino-acid sequence varies with the species. GH isolated from one species is not always effective in a different species. Use of GH isolated from pituitaries does not appear to be economically feasible. A chemical synthesis for human GH has been accomplished. However, biological activity equivalent to the native hormone has not been unequivocally established. Synthesis of bovine or porcine GH is feasible but will be expensive. A partial sequence of GH with 39 amino-acid residues has some biological activity. Synthesis of this shorter peptide would be considerably less expensive. Since proteins generally are not active orally, an economic procedure for prolonged parenteral administration would have to be devised. Althernative approaches would be the stimulation of endogeneous production of GH with hypothalmic GH releasing factor. This factor has not been identified but is probably a small peptide. Agents such as arginine, DOPA, and prostaglandins, which are known to stimulate GH release under some conditions, could also be considered. Another approach would be the implantation of sparganum from the spirometra family (a flatworm). This treatment is known to mimic GH effects in the rat. Implantation of a GH producing tumour could also be considered. Clearly these latter suggestions are quite speculative and would present some obvious problems...", "contents": "Role of growth hormone in improving animal production. Pituitary growth hormone (GH) has considerable potential as an anabolic agent in animal production. For example, pigs treated with GH will grow faster (i.e. deposit protein), require less feed per unit of body weight gain, and will have less carcass fat than untreated animals. Lactating cows will produce more milk with less feed. It is likely, though not completely established, that young cattle will also respond to GH treatments. Most of the information on the mode of action of GH has been obtained with laboratory rather than farm animals. The hormone affects almost all aspects of metabolism although the specific mechanism for these effects is still not understood. Stimulation of protein accretion is reflected by increased nitrogen retention and incorporation of radioactive amino-acids into tissue proteins. An increased rate of protein synthesis is thought to be a result of enhanced ability of ribosomes to translate messenger RNA. GH increases polyamine synthesis by increased ornithine decarboxylase activity; RNA synthesis by increasing RNA polymerase and DNA synthesis by increased DNA polymerase. Cell division is stimulated in several tissues (e.g. muscle and lymphoid tissue). In vivo GH lowers the respiratory quotient indicating an increased oxidation of fatty acids. The numbers of fat cells do not change but the fat cells are reduced in size. The stimulating effects of GH on skeletal tissue, and perhaps other tissues as well, is mediated by the formation of at least three peptides called somatomedins. GH is a protein with a molecular weight of about 22,000 and contains 191 amino-acid residues. The amino-acid sequence varies with the species. GH isolated from one species is not always effective in a different species. Use of GH isolated from pituitaries does not appear to be economically feasible. A chemical synthesis for human GH has been accomplished. However, biological activity equivalent to the native hormone has not been unequivocally established. Synthesis of bovine or porcine GH is feasible but will be expensive. A partial sequence of GH with 39 amino-acid residues has some biological activity. Synthesis of this shorter peptide would be considerably less expensive. Since proteins generally are not active orally, an economic procedure for prolonged parenteral administration would have to be devised. Althernative approaches would be the stimulation of endogeneous production of GH with hypothalmic GH releasing factor. This factor has not been identified but is probably a small peptide. Agents such as arginine, DOPA, and prostaglandins, which are known to stimulate GH release under some conditions, could also be considered. Another approach would be the implantation of sparganum from the spirometra family (a flatworm). This treatment is known to mimic GH effects in the rat. Implantation of a GH producing tumour could also be considered. Clearly these latter suggestions are quite speculative and would present some obvious problems...", "PMID": 782872} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6462", "title": "General aspects of the effectiveness of anabolic agents in increasing protein production in farm animals, in particular in bull calves.", "content": "The role of farm animals as converters of feed protein into protein edible for humans has often been criticized for the lack of efficiency of this process. In a series of 192 N-balance studies with veal calves it was found, however, that these animals convert at an early age even more than 70 percent of the feed protein into body protein. The deterioration of the N-conversion, so undesirable from a point of view of food production, is found when the animals grow older. With increasing age the conversion ratio went down to approximately 40-50 percent in our studies. This could only be explained by assuming a poorer efficiency of the intermediate metabolic processes with increasing age. For an increase of the production of edible protein from the available feed sources in the world, it is obviously of great importance to maintain the favourable conversion ratio of young farm animals for the longest possible time. The object of this paper is to consider whether and to what extent a positive effect on the efficiency of the protein formation can be exerted by the application of anabolic agents using the veal calf as a model. In the category of artificial estrogens we found DES to be effective in this respect. In the category of natural hormones testosterone and progesterone did not exert anabolic effects. The implantation of 17beta-estradiol improved the conversion of feed protein into body protein to approximately the same extent as DES. A combination of estradiol with testosterone tended to be more effective than estradiol alone. The more recently isolated agents zeranol and trenbolone did not lead to significant improvements in N-retention. A combination of trenbolone with estradiol improved N-retention better than any of the other treatments. The quantitative importance of the phenomena discussed for protein production is illustrated as follows. With the most effective treatment studied, the percentage of feed protein converted into body protein was increased during an experimental period of 38 days, from 39 percent in the control group to 58 percent in the treated group. There is no doubt that a further intensification of the research in this field is recommendable in order to create and study active agents combinining a high degree of efficacy with the absence of undesirable side effects for man and animals.", "contents": "General aspects of the effectiveness of anabolic agents in increasing protein production in farm animals, in particular in bull calves. The role of farm animals as converters of feed protein into protein edible for humans has often been criticized for the lack of efficiency of this process. In a series of 192 N-balance studies with veal calves it was found, however, that these animals convert at an early age even more than 70 percent of the feed protein into body protein. The deterioration of the N-conversion, so undesirable from a point of view of food production, is found when the animals grow older. With increasing age the conversion ratio went down to approximately 40-50 percent in our studies. This could only be explained by assuming a poorer efficiency of the intermediate metabolic processes with increasing age. For an increase of the production of edible protein from the available feed sources in the world, it is obviously of great importance to maintain the favourable conversion ratio of young farm animals for the longest possible time. The object of this paper is to consider whether and to what extent a positive effect on the efficiency of the protein formation can be exerted by the application of anabolic agents using the veal calf as a model. In the category of artificial estrogens we found DES to be effective in this respect. In the category of natural hormones testosterone and progesterone did not exert anabolic effects. The implantation of 17beta-estradiol improved the conversion of feed protein into body protein to approximately the same extent as DES. A combination of estradiol with testosterone tended to be more effective than estradiol alone. The more recently isolated agents zeranol and trenbolone did not lead to significant improvements in N-retention. A combination of trenbolone with estradiol improved N-retention better than any of the other treatments. The quantitative importance of the phenomena discussed for protein production is illustrated as follows. With the most effective treatment studied, the percentage of feed protein converted into body protein was increased during an experimental period of 38 days, from 39 percent in the control group to 58 percent in the treated group. There is no doubt that a further intensification of the research in this field is recommendable in order to create and study active agents combinining a high degree of efficacy with the absence of undesirable side effects for man and animals.", "PMID": 782873} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6463", "title": "The anabolic effect of estrogens on nitrogen metabolism of growing and finishing cattle and sheep.", "content": "Estrogenic compounds are effective in stimulating live weight gains and improving feed efficiency of growing and finishing ruminants. With the proper use of diethylstilbestrol or estradiol, weight gain and feed efficiency are improved approximately 15 and 12 percent, respectively. The administration of estrogenic substances to finishing cattle or sheep results in heavier carcasses containing more protein and moisture and less fat. Estrogens do not appreciably affect rumen fermentation or digestibility of the diet but improve the utilization of the absorbed nutrients. Evidence to support the concept that the increased weight gained with estrogen treatment is the result of anabolic reactions includes a decrease in plasma urea, decrease in plasma levels of most of the essential amino-acids, decreased excretion of urea and total nitrogen in the urine and increased retention of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium. There is no change in body water space or tubular reabsorption of urea in sheep treated with diethylstilbestrol to account for some of these observations. More direct evidence that estrogens exert their major influence on nitrogen metabolism in the body and more specifically on protein synthesis comes from an experiment where cattle fed diethylstilbestrol deposited 33 percent more protein and 18 percent less fat in body weight gain as compared with control animals. The use of the hormone resulted in a significant improvement in the efficiency of utilizing dietary protein for body gain and a slight decrease in the efficiency of converting dietary energy to body gain. Enlargement of the pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands and higher plasma levels of growth hormone, insulin and glucose have been found in experiments designed to study the effect of estrogens on the endocrine system of ruminants. These studies, along with the observation that an intact pituitary gland is necessary for estrogens to increase nitrogen retention in sheep, support the theory that estrogens are anabolic in ruminants because of increased secretion of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary. If follows that the increased secretion of growth hormone results in increased blood glucose which then stimulates secretion of insulin. Both growth hormone and insulin would be stimulatory to protein synthesis. This theory of the mode of action is further supported by the findings that injections of growth hormone closely resemble the effects of diethylstilbestrol on nitrogen retention and blood metabolites in sheep.", "contents": "The anabolic effect of estrogens on nitrogen metabolism of growing and finishing cattle and sheep. Estrogenic compounds are effective in stimulating live weight gains and improving feed efficiency of growing and finishing ruminants. With the proper use of diethylstilbestrol or estradiol, weight gain and feed efficiency are improved approximately 15 and 12 percent, respectively. The administration of estrogenic substances to finishing cattle or sheep results in heavier carcasses containing more protein and moisture and less fat. Estrogens do not appreciably affect rumen fermentation or digestibility of the diet but improve the utilization of the absorbed nutrients. Evidence to support the concept that the increased weight gained with estrogen treatment is the result of anabolic reactions includes a decrease in plasma urea, decrease in plasma levels of most of the essential amino-acids, decreased excretion of urea and total nitrogen in the urine and increased retention of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium. There is no change in body water space or tubular reabsorption of urea in sheep treated with diethylstilbestrol to account for some of these observations. More direct evidence that estrogens exert their major influence on nitrogen metabolism in the body and more specifically on protein synthesis comes from an experiment where cattle fed diethylstilbestrol deposited 33 percent more protein and 18 percent less fat in body weight gain as compared with control animals. The use of the hormone resulted in a significant improvement in the efficiency of utilizing dietary protein for body gain and a slight decrease in the efficiency of converting dietary energy to body gain. Enlargement of the pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands and higher plasma levels of growth hormone, insulin and glucose have been found in experiments designed to study the effect of estrogens on the endocrine system of ruminants. These studies, along with the observation that an intact pituitary gland is necessary for estrogens to increase nitrogen retention in sheep, support the theory that estrogens are anabolic in ruminants because of increased secretion of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary. If follows that the increased secretion of growth hormone results in increased blood glucose which then stimulates secretion of insulin. Both growth hormone and insulin would be stimulatory to protein synthesis. This theory of the mode of action is further supported by the findings that injections of growth hormone closely resemble the effects of diethylstilbestrol on nitrogen retention and blood metabolites in sheep.", "PMID": 782874} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6464", "title": "The effectiveness of anabolic agents in increasing rate of growth in farm animals; report on experiments in cattle.", "content": "In many countries anabolic agents are successfully used to increase the rate of growth of cattle. In the past widespread use was made of cheap synthetic estrogens such as diethylstilbestrol and hexestrol. However, new legislation in certain countries has restricted the use of synthetic estrogens. This has resulted in an intensive search by industry for alternative agents. On the one hand natural steroid hormones like estradiol, testosterone and progesterone were studied, while on the other hand products like an active compound of the resorcyclic acid lactones and the synthetic anabolic steroid trenbolone acetate were developed. Administration of anabolic agents to cattle is done in three ways. (1) The agent may be fed orally by incorporation into the concentrate feed or as a simple additive top dressing. If the agent is metabolised in the rumen, oral administration may still be possible by using coated materials which avoid rumen metabolism with subsequent absorption of the steroid from the small intestine. (2) The agent may be administered as a slow release implant, e.g. trenbolone acetate or various combined preparations of an androgen and estrogen. (3) Administration by repeated injection. This latter method is often impractical. Anabolic agents are normally administered to beef cattle or culled dairy cows during the last few months of the finishing period. Maximum weight gain performance in different types of cattle requires selection of the correct anabolic agent. Increased performance in female cattle is better when an androgenic steroid is administered. However, in intact males (bulls) best performance is only obtained when an estrogen, alone or in combination with an androgen, is administered. Castrate animals (steers) do best if a smaller amount of estrogen is combined with an androgen and administered, however there is evidence that androgen alone is as effective. In summary therefore, an additional response in growth of cattle may require the presence of an estrogen, as endogenous estrogen in the female and the exogenous form in the male. Only when this condition is met will administration of androgenic anabolic steroids result in maximum benefit, often improving the effect of estrogen given on its own. Anabolic agents have some beneficial effect on appetite. They may not affect the digestive processes of the alimentary system. They have a positive effect on nitrogen retention. The liver almost certainly has a central role in the regulation of nitrogen retention. Recent experiments suggest that urea entry rates in ruminants may be lowered, thus making available more nitrogen for protein synthesis. Muscle protein synthesis is altered with changes in carcass conformation. There are some changes in fat redistribution. How all these processes are integrated is not yet known. The possibility that anabolic agents establish a new hormonal status which is favourable to growth will be discussed...", "contents": "The effectiveness of anabolic agents in increasing rate of growth in farm animals; report on experiments in cattle. In many countries anabolic agents are successfully used to increase the rate of growth of cattle. In the past widespread use was made of cheap synthetic estrogens such as diethylstilbestrol and hexestrol. However, new legislation in certain countries has restricted the use of synthetic estrogens. This has resulted in an intensive search by industry for alternative agents. On the one hand natural steroid hormones like estradiol, testosterone and progesterone were studied, while on the other hand products like an active compound of the resorcyclic acid lactones and the synthetic anabolic steroid trenbolone acetate were developed. Administration of anabolic agents to cattle is done in three ways. (1) The agent may be fed orally by incorporation into the concentrate feed or as a simple additive top dressing. If the agent is metabolised in the rumen, oral administration may still be possible by using coated materials which avoid rumen metabolism with subsequent absorption of the steroid from the small intestine. (2) The agent may be administered as a slow release implant, e.g. trenbolone acetate or various combined preparations of an androgen and estrogen. (3) Administration by repeated injection. This latter method is often impractical. Anabolic agents are normally administered to beef cattle or culled dairy cows during the last few months of the finishing period. Maximum weight gain performance in different types of cattle requires selection of the correct anabolic agent. Increased performance in female cattle is better when an androgenic steroid is administered. However, in intact males (bulls) best performance is only obtained when an estrogen, alone or in combination with an androgen, is administered. Castrate animals (steers) do best if a smaller amount of estrogen is combined with an androgen and administered, however there is evidence that androgen alone is as effective. In summary therefore, an additional response in growth of cattle may require the presence of an estrogen, as endogenous estrogen in the female and the exogenous form in the male. Only when this condition is met will administration of androgenic anabolic steroids result in maximum benefit, often improving the effect of estrogen given on its own. Anabolic agents have some beneficial effect on appetite. They may not affect the digestive processes of the alimentary system. They have a positive effect on nitrogen retention. The liver almost certainly has a central role in the regulation of nitrogen retention. Recent experiments suggest that urea entry rates in ruminants may be lowered, thus making available more nitrogen for protein synthesis. Muscle protein synthesis is altered with changes in carcass conformation. There are some changes in fat redistribution. How all these processes are integrated is not yet known. The possibility that anabolic agents establish a new hormonal status which is favourable to growth will be discussed...", "PMID": 782875} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6465", "title": "Comparison of methods to calculate cardiac output using the CO2 rebreathing method.", "content": "A comparison was made of methods used to calculate cardiac output by the indirect (CO2) Fick procedure (equilibrium method). Alternative methods for calculation of arterial PCO2, mixed venous PCO2, and conversion of gas tension to content were tested. Cardiac output values determined with a \"corrected\" equilibrium PCO2, to approximate mixed venous PCO2, were observed to be closest to cardiac output values determined on similar populations by the dye dilution method. Arterial PCO2 was best estimated from the Bohr equation using a dead space in exercise from prediction equations in the literature applicable to the populations under study. CO2 dissociation curves used to derive the veno-arterial CO2 content difference, were shown to differ considerably. For the present, the curve by McHardy [25], as modified by Jones (personal communication), and similar to the standard Comroe curve [5], was chosen.", "contents": "Comparison of methods to calculate cardiac output using the CO2 rebreathing method. A comparison was made of methods used to calculate cardiac output by the indirect (CO2) Fick procedure (equilibrium method). Alternative methods for calculation of arterial PCO2, mixed venous PCO2, and conversion of gas tension to content were tested. Cardiac output values determined with a \"corrected\" equilibrium PCO2, to approximate mixed venous PCO2, were observed to be closest to cardiac output values determined on similar populations by the dye dilution method. Arterial PCO2 was best estimated from the Bohr equation using a dead space in exercise from prediction equations in the literature applicable to the populations under study. CO2 dissociation curves used to derive the veno-arterial CO2 content difference, were shown to differ considerably. For the present, the curve by McHardy [25], as modified by Jones (personal communication), and similar to the standard Comroe curve [5], was chosen.", "PMID": 782879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6466", "title": "Influence of side-chain structure of aliphatic amino acids on binding to isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli MRE 600.", "content": "The binding of 10 isomeric alpha-amino-heptanoic acids, of two isomeric alpha-amino-octanoic acids, of isoleucinol and valinol, and of various alpha-hydroxy acids to isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli MRE 600 has been investigated by an ultracentrifuge method. It was found that the enzyme requires a primary amino group together with a not-too-small side chain as prerequisites for ligand recognition. Though the enzyme is absolutely specific for the L isomers, it is fairly tolerant against replacement of the carboxyl group of the natural substrate by more or less hydrophobic substituents. These findings can be explained in terms of Ogston's three-point-attachment model, if it is additionally assumed that there is no further space available in the binding region normally occupied by the alpha-hydrogen atom to accept other substituents which are as bulky as the carboxyl moiety. Similarly, the architecture of the binding region of the aliphatic side chain is discussed. Our measurements show that the free energy of binding strongly depends on the size and the structure of the remainder of the molecule. None of the isoleucine analogues employed is bound as tightly as the natural substrate itself, but there is a clear preference for side chains branched at the beta-carbon atom. The functioning of the side-chain recognition site is best understood by imaging a two-finger glove, of which one finger is tailored to a methyl and the other to an ethyl group. Both these fingers, together with the binding region for the glycine moiety and a steric barrier against a fourth substituent bulkier than hydrogen, are responsible for a high steric specificity towards the one side chain over its Cbeta epimer.", "contents": "Influence of side-chain structure of aliphatic amino acids on binding to isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli MRE 600. The binding of 10 isomeric alpha-amino-heptanoic acids, of two isomeric alpha-amino-octanoic acids, of isoleucinol and valinol, and of various alpha-hydroxy acids to isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli MRE 600 has been investigated by an ultracentrifuge method. It was found that the enzyme requires a primary amino group together with a not-too-small side chain as prerequisites for ligand recognition. Though the enzyme is absolutely specific for the L isomers, it is fairly tolerant against replacement of the carboxyl group of the natural substrate by more or less hydrophobic substituents. These findings can be explained in terms of Ogston's three-point-attachment model, if it is additionally assumed that there is no further space available in the binding region normally occupied by the alpha-hydrogen atom to accept other substituents which are as bulky as the carboxyl moiety. Similarly, the architecture of the binding region of the aliphatic side chain is discussed. Our measurements show that the free energy of binding strongly depends on the size and the structure of the remainder of the molecule. None of the isoleucine analogues employed is bound as tightly as the natural substrate itself, but there is a clear preference for side chains branched at the beta-carbon atom. The functioning of the side-chain recognition site is best understood by imaging a two-finger glove, of which one finger is tailored to a methyl and the other to an ethyl group. Both these fingers, together with the binding region for the glycine moiety and a steric barrier against a fourth substituent bulkier than hydrogen, are responsible for a high steric specificity towards the one side chain over its Cbeta epimer.", "PMID": 782880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6467", "title": "Preparation and specificity of endonuclease IV induced by bacteriophage T4.", "content": "Bacteriophage-T4-induced endonuclease IV suitable for DNA sequence analysis has been prepared by a modified and easily reproducible method. The specificity of T4-induced endonuclease IV has been investigated in order to verify whether this enzyme exhibits a single nucleotide recognition or a short sequence recognition. The 5'-terminal dinucleotides and 3'-terminal nucleotides of oligonucleotides released by T4-induced endonuclease IV from three single-stranded DNAs (from bacteriophages phiX174, fd, M 13) have been analysed. In different DNAs, 74-82% of the 5'-terminal dinucleotides end in 5'-deoxycytidylic acid; small but significant levels of several dinucleotides ending in 5'-deoxyadenylic acid, 5'-thymidylic acid and 5'-deoxyguanylic acid are also found. As far as 3'-terminal nucleotides are concerned all nucleotides are present with a large predominance of thymidylic acid. It is concluded that T4-induced endonuclease IV recognizes short nucleotide sequences like all other DNases investigated so far. The spectrum of such sequences is, however, very narrow.", "contents": "Preparation and specificity of endonuclease IV induced by bacteriophage T4. Bacteriophage-T4-induced endonuclease IV suitable for DNA sequence analysis has been prepared by a modified and easily reproducible method. The specificity of T4-induced endonuclease IV has been investigated in order to verify whether this enzyme exhibits a single nucleotide recognition or a short sequence recognition. The 5'-terminal dinucleotides and 3'-terminal nucleotides of oligonucleotides released by T4-induced endonuclease IV from three single-stranded DNAs (from bacteriophages phiX174, fd, M 13) have been analysed. In different DNAs, 74-82% of the 5'-terminal dinucleotides end in 5'-deoxycytidylic acid; small but significant levels of several dinucleotides ending in 5'-deoxyadenylic acid, 5'-thymidylic acid and 5'-deoxyguanylic acid are also found. As far as 3'-terminal nucleotides are concerned all nucleotides are present with a large predominance of thymidylic acid. It is concluded that T4-induced endonuclease IV recognizes short nucleotide sequences like all other DNases investigated so far. The spectrum of such sequences is, however, very narrow.", "PMID": 782881} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6468", "title": "Cooperative effects of initiation factors and fMet-tRNA in the formation of the 40-S initiation complex.", "content": "In this paper the mode of action of IF-1 in 40-S initiation complex formation was studied with MS2 RNA as messenger. Using initiation factors IF-2 and IF-3 labeled in vitro it appeared that IF-1 did not influence the binding of these factors in the absence of fMet-tRNA. However, in the presence of fMet-tRNA it was found that the enhancement of the fMet-tRNA binding by IF-1 was accompanied with an equimolar increase in binding of IF-2. Moreover, it appeared that also in absence of IF-1, fMet-tRNA binding is coupled with an equimolar enhancement of the IF-2 binding, which suggests the existence of a preribosomal complex between IF-2 and fMet-tRNA. The apparent Km values for both the binding of fMet-tRNA and IF-2 to 30-S subunits were determined and appeared to be equal, which makes a functioning of such a preribosomal complex in protein initiation very likely. The participation of GTP in this complex will be discussed. Functions of IF-1 in dissociation and recycling of IF-2, described by others, and the stimulation on the 30-S subunit level might well be explained as pleiotropic effects of one basic action of IF-1, i.e. a conformational change of 30-S subunits.", "contents": "Cooperative effects of initiation factors and fMet-tRNA in the formation of the 40-S initiation complex. In this paper the mode of action of IF-1 in 40-S initiation complex formation was studied with MS2 RNA as messenger. Using initiation factors IF-2 and IF-3 labeled in vitro it appeared that IF-1 did not influence the binding of these factors in the absence of fMet-tRNA. However, in the presence of fMet-tRNA it was found that the enhancement of the fMet-tRNA binding by IF-1 was accompanied with an equimolar increase in binding of IF-2. Moreover, it appeared that also in absence of IF-1, fMet-tRNA binding is coupled with an equimolar enhancement of the IF-2 binding, which suggests the existence of a preribosomal complex between IF-2 and fMet-tRNA. The apparent Km values for both the binding of fMet-tRNA and IF-2 to 30-S subunits were determined and appeared to be equal, which makes a functioning of such a preribosomal complex in protein initiation very likely. The participation of GTP in this complex will be discussed. Functions of IF-1 in dissociation and recycling of IF-2, described by others, and the stimulation on the 30-S subunit level might well be explained as pleiotropic effects of one basic action of IF-1, i.e. a conformational change of 30-S subunits.", "PMID": 782882} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6469", "title": "Determination of the amino-acid sequence of the ribosomal protein S8 of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The primary structure of protein S8 from the 30-S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli was determined mainly by automatic Edman degradation using a modified Beckman protein sequenator and the solid-phase sequentor of Laursen. The complete sequence, containing 109 amino acids, was derived by analysing peptides from tryptic, chymotryptic, thermolysin, staphylococcal protease and cyanogen bromide digestion of the protein. The amino acid composition was found to be (aspartic acid)6, (asparagine)3, (threonine)5, (serine)5, (glutamic acid )7, (glutamine)6, (proline)5, (glycine)6, (alanine)11, (valine)9, (methionine)4, (isoleucine)7, (leucine)9, (tyrosine)3, (phenylalanine)3, (lysine)11, (arginine)8, (cysteine)1. S8 is a basic protein and binds to the 16-S RNA; knowledge of its sequence is necessary for a detailed study of its interaction with the ribosomal RNA.", "contents": "Determination of the amino-acid sequence of the ribosomal protein S8 of Escherichia coli. The primary structure of protein S8 from the 30-S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli was determined mainly by automatic Edman degradation using a modified Beckman protein sequenator and the solid-phase sequentor of Laursen. The complete sequence, containing 109 amino acids, was derived by analysing peptides from tryptic, chymotryptic, thermolysin, staphylococcal protease and cyanogen bromide digestion of the protein. The amino acid composition was found to be (aspartic acid)6, (asparagine)3, (threonine)5, (serine)5, (glutamic acid )7, (glutamine)6, (proline)5, (glycine)6, (alanine)11, (valine)9, (methionine)4, (isoleucine)7, (leucine)9, (tyrosine)3, (phenylalanine)3, (lysine)11, (arginine)8, (cysteine)1. S8 is a basic protein and binds to the 16-S RNA; knowledge of its sequence is necessary for a detailed study of its interaction with the ribosomal RNA.", "PMID": 782883} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6470", "title": "A protein factor enhancing activation of inactive 30-S ribosomal subunits of Escherichia coli.", "content": "A protein factor partially purified from the S-100 fraction (supernatant from 100 000 x g spin) of Escherichia coli stimulates the conversion of 30-S ribosomal subunits from an inactive to an active form. The subunits are normally inactivated at low concentrations of Mg2+ and reactivated when heated under appropriate ionic conditions. The factor, which differs from the known soluble factors required for protein biosynthesis as well as from proteins of the 30-S subunit, enhances activation under conditions which by themselves allow for only a low level of activity to reappear. Fully active ribosomes and the assay reactions are not affected by the factor, indicating that its effect must be restricted to the activation process. The factor is likely to function by facilitating a conformational transition in the ribosome, and might act in vivo in a similar manner.", "contents": "A protein factor enhancing activation of inactive 30-S ribosomal subunits of Escherichia coli. A protein factor partially purified from the S-100 fraction (supernatant from 100 000 x g spin) of Escherichia coli stimulates the conversion of 30-S ribosomal subunits from an inactive to an active form. The subunits are normally inactivated at low concentrations of Mg2+ and reactivated when heated under appropriate ionic conditions. The factor, which differs from the known soluble factors required for protein biosynthesis as well as from proteins of the 30-S subunit, enhances activation under conditions which by themselves allow for only a low level of activity to reappear. Fully active ribosomes and the assay reactions are not affected by the factor, indicating that its effect must be restricted to the activation process. The factor is likely to function by facilitating a conformational transition in the ribosome, and might act in vivo in a similar manner.", "PMID": 782884} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6471", "title": "Valyl-tRNA, isoleucyl-tRNA and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast. Substrate specificity with regard to ATP analogs and mechanism of the aminoacylation reaction.", "content": "Nineteen analogs of ATP have been tested in the aminoacylation of valyl-tRNA, isoleucyl tRNA and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast. Four compounds are substrates for valyl tRNA and two for isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, but there is no modified substrate for the tyrosyl tRNA synthetase. There is one inhibitor for valyl-tRNA synthetase, eight compounds inhibit isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase and two compounds inhibit tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. Their Km and Ki and V values have been determined. The substrate specificity shows that positions 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 2', and 3' of ATP are important for catalytic action of these aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.", "contents": "Valyl-tRNA, isoleucyl-tRNA and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast. Substrate specificity with regard to ATP analogs and mechanism of the aminoacylation reaction. Nineteen analogs of ATP have been tested in the aminoacylation of valyl-tRNA, isoleucyl tRNA and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast. Four compounds are substrates for valyl tRNA and two for isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, but there is no modified substrate for the tyrosyl tRNA synthetase. There is one inhibitor for valyl-tRNA synthetase, eight compounds inhibit isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase and two compounds inhibit tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. Their Km and Ki and V values have been determined. The substrate specificity shows that positions 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 2', and 3' of ATP are important for catalytic action of these aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.", "PMID": 782885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6472", "title": "1. Membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli K-12 CS7, a strain gentically derepressed for glutamate permease, maintain low aspartate transport activity, like that of prep.", "content": "1. Membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli K-12 CS7, a strain gentically derepressed for glutamate permease, maintain low aspartate transport activity, like that of preparations of the wild-type parent. Growth of the parent CS101 on aspartate as the source of carnon or nitrogen results in derepression of both asparatate and glytamate transport. Growth of strain CS7 on aspartate derepresses aspartate transport to the same extent as in strains CS101, but only slightly increases the derepressed level of glutamate transport activity. 2. The affinity of the membrane transport system for glutamate is enhanced by sodium, while that for asparate is not. 3. Although the affinities for glutamate (23 muM) and aspartate (12 muM) are similar, aspartate does not inhibit glutamate transport, while glutamate competitively inhibits aspartate transport. 4. Aspartate transport, but not glutamate transport, is competitively inhibited by C4 dicarboxylic acids, whereas 2-oxoglutarate competitively inhibits glutamate transport, but not aspartate transport. 5. Competitive inhibition of L-aspartate transport by L-glutamate and by the 5-methyl ester of L-glutamate is abolished in the presence of 2-oxoglutarate. However, 2-oxoglutarate does not affect the competitive inhibition of L-aspartate transport by D-aspartate and by DL-threo-3-hydroxyaspartate. The relationship between the two dicarboxylic amino acid transport systems and the spatial characteristics of the aspartate carrier are discussed in the light of these findings.", "contents": "1. Membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli K-12 CS7, a strain gentically derepressed for glutamate permease, maintain low aspartate transport activity, like that of prep. 1. Membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli K-12 CS7, a strain gentically derepressed for glutamate permease, maintain low aspartate transport activity, like that of preparations of the wild-type parent. Growth of the parent CS101 on aspartate as the source of carnon or nitrogen results in derepression of both asparatate and glytamate transport. Growth of strain CS7 on aspartate derepresses aspartate transport to the same extent as in strains CS101, but only slightly increases the derepressed level of glutamate transport activity. 2. The affinity of the membrane transport system for glutamate is enhanced by sodium, while that for asparate is not. 3. Although the affinities for glutamate (23 muM) and aspartate (12 muM) are similar, aspartate does not inhibit glutamate transport, while glutamate competitively inhibits aspartate transport. 4. Aspartate transport, but not glutamate transport, is competitively inhibited by C4 dicarboxylic acids, whereas 2-oxoglutarate competitively inhibits glutamate transport, but not aspartate transport. 5. Competitive inhibition of L-aspartate transport by L-glutamate and by the 5-methyl ester of L-glutamate is abolished in the presence of 2-oxoglutarate. However, 2-oxoglutarate does not affect the competitive inhibition of L-aspartate transport by D-aspartate and by DL-threo-3-hydroxyaspartate. The relationship between the two dicarboxylic amino acid transport systems and the spatial characteristics of the aspartate carrier are discussed in the light of these findings.", "PMID": 782886} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6473", "title": "The role of the anaesthesiologist in the intra- and post-operative management of kidney transplant patients.", "content": "Based on experiences with 256 kidney transplant operations in 239 patients over a period of ten years (18.6. 1965 to 15.4. 1975) the role of the anaesthesiologist as it had developed in our institution has been described. Some problems with regard to the anaesthetic management of living donors were discussed. The care of patients who, due to their deteriorating cerebral function, are potential donors was also described. An outline of the own anaesthetic management of the recipient has been given and alternative methods were mentioned. Some special points were specifically stressed like the choice of relaxants, fluid replacement, blood transfusion, diuretic treatment starting already intraoperatively. Good intensive care of the potential donor is of great importance for the function of the transplanted organ. Very important is also the postoperative treatment of the recipient, which in our institution is performed in a teamwork between anaesthesiologist, surgeon and nephrologist. Finally, the functional results of our series are briefly demonstrated.", "contents": "The role of the anaesthesiologist in the intra- and post-operative management of kidney transplant patients. Based on experiences with 256 kidney transplant operations in 239 patients over a period of ten years (18.6. 1965 to 15.4. 1975) the role of the anaesthesiologist as it had developed in our institution has been described. Some problems with regard to the anaesthetic management of living donors were discussed. The care of patients who, due to their deteriorating cerebral function, are potential donors was also described. An outline of the own anaesthetic management of the recipient has been given and alternative methods were mentioned. Some special points were specifically stressed like the choice of relaxants, fluid replacement, blood transfusion, diuretic treatment starting already intraoperatively. Good intensive care of the potential donor is of great importance for the function of the transplanted organ. Very important is also the postoperative treatment of the recipient, which in our institution is performed in a teamwork between anaesthesiologist, surgeon and nephrologist. Finally, the functional results of our series are briefly demonstrated.", "PMID": 782887} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6474", "title": "Hyperbaric oxygenation for severe head injuries. Preliminary results of a controlled study.", "content": "60 patients were included in a prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygenation (OHP) as a treatment of head injury coma. They were assigned to nine subgroups according to age, level of consciousness and eventual neurosurgical procedure, and then selected randomly for OHP or standard therapy. OHP was administered in one or several series of daily exposure at 2.5 ATA. However, the OHP therapy protocol was to be interrupted in 11 cases developing pulmonary, hyperoxic, or infectious complications. Overall mortality and mean duration of coma in survivors were not different in both groups, indicating that OHP was either ineffective or too intermittently applicated. Analysis of results in subgroups revealed that, in one subgroup (18 patients), the rate of recovered consciousness at 1 month was significantly higher when OHP was used. These patients were under 30 and had a brain stem contusion without supratentorial mass lesion. The view is defended that, besides its toxic action on the normal nervous tissue, OHP can counteract edema and ischemia in the zones of brain injuries.", "contents": "Hyperbaric oxygenation for severe head injuries. Preliminary results of a controlled study. 60 patients were included in a prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygenation (OHP) as a treatment of head injury coma. They were assigned to nine subgroups according to age, level of consciousness and eventual neurosurgical procedure, and then selected randomly for OHP or standard therapy. OHP was administered in one or several series of daily exposure at 2.5 ATA. However, the OHP therapy protocol was to be interrupted in 11 cases developing pulmonary, hyperoxic, or infectious complications. Overall mortality and mean duration of coma in survivors were not different in both groups, indicating that OHP was either ineffective or too intermittently applicated. Analysis of results in subgroups revealed that, in one subgroup (18 patients), the rate of recovered consciousness at 1 month was significantly higher when OHP was used. These patients were under 30 and had a brain stem contusion without supratentorial mass lesion. The view is defended that, besides its toxic action on the normal nervous tissue, OHP can counteract edema and ischemia in the zones of brain injuries.", "PMID": 782888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6475", "title": "Prolongation of skin graft survival by sodium-copper-chlorophyllin. Inhibition of the first- and second-set phenomenon.", "content": "Sodium-copper-chlorophyllin which has a strong anticomplementary and membrane-stabilizing effect also has, by these mechanisms, a strong immunosuppressive competence. In HAN-rotation-breeded Wistar rats there is a time- and dose-dependent prolongation of skin allograft survival by this drug. The first-set and the second-set phenomena are inhibited.", "contents": "Prolongation of skin graft survival by sodium-copper-chlorophyllin. Inhibition of the first- and second-set phenomenon. Sodium-copper-chlorophyllin which has a strong anticomplementary and membrane-stabilizing effect also has, by these mechanisms, a strong immunosuppressive competence. In HAN-rotation-breeded Wistar rats there is a time- and dose-dependent prolongation of skin allograft survival by this drug. The first-set and the second-set phenomena are inhibited.", "PMID": 782889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6476", "title": "Azathioprine hepatotoxicity, direct complication or secondary effect in rat liver transplantation.", "content": "The risk of azathioprine-induced hepatocellular damage was investigated using the auxiliary liver transplantation model in rats. This model permits to study the effect of the drug on both graft and the recipient's liver vascularized in different ways. Neither histopathological changes were observed, nor could any deaths be directly attributed to toxic effects of the drug on hepatocytes. Morphological lesions were absent in treated and untreated, subtotally hepatectomized rats with normal bile flow. However, lesions did become manifest after reimplantation (grafts) and/or ligation of the common bile duct (hosts). We concluded that in rats azathioprine is toxic for hepatocytes only when the normal bile flow is impeded, independent of the way of the liver vascularization.", "contents": "Azathioprine hepatotoxicity, direct complication or secondary effect in rat liver transplantation. The risk of azathioprine-induced hepatocellular damage was investigated using the auxiliary liver transplantation model in rats. This model permits to study the effect of the drug on both graft and the recipient's liver vascularized in different ways. Neither histopathological changes were observed, nor could any deaths be directly attributed to toxic effects of the drug on hepatocytes. Morphological lesions were absent in treated and untreated, subtotally hepatectomized rats with normal bile flow. However, lesions did become manifest after reimplantation (grafts) and/or ligation of the common bile duct (hosts). We concluded that in rats azathioprine is toxic for hepatocytes only when the normal bile flow is impeded, independent of the way of the liver vascularization.", "PMID": 782890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6477", "title": "Competitive proliferation in the hematopoietic tissues of irradiated hybrid mice engrafted with parental bone marrow and spleen.", "content": "The kinetics of growth and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells differ markedly according to their origin. A study of the ability of CFU from bone marrow (BM) or spleen to repopulate hemopoietic organs has been carried out in lethally irradiated mice restored with BM cells admixed with spleen cells bearing different chromosomal markers. Hemopoietic cells originating from AKR (40 acrocentrics) and AKR/T1ALD (36 acrocentrics + 2 metacentrics) mice were engrafted into lethally irradiated (AKR X AKR/T1ALD)F1 or (C3H X AKR/T1ALD)F1 hybrid recipients. Within 10 days, the BM-derived elements outnumbered the spleen-derived population in BM and spleen. This held even when the number of injected spleen-CFU was twice that of BM-CFU. This difference of growth rate subsided within 20 days. The first cells to reappear in the thymus bore the recipient karyotype (endoregeneration); they were later replaced by BM-derived elements but spleen-derived cells were never present in thymus in the case of competitive engraftment. In contrast, the lymph node cells bore the BM karyotype as well as the spleen karyotype. Injecting the spleen cells 3 days prior to the BM cells partially counterbalanced the over-growth of the BM-derived elements in the BM and spleen but did not affect the thymic repopulation which remained strictly derived from BM-CFU. When mice were injected only with BM-CFU or only with spleen-CFU, BM-derived cells were found in the thymus as early as 10-12 days after engraftment whereas the spleen-derived cells did not appear in the thymus until days 18-20.", "contents": "Competitive proliferation in the hematopoietic tissues of irradiated hybrid mice engrafted with parental bone marrow and spleen. The kinetics of growth and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells differ markedly according to their origin. A study of the ability of CFU from bone marrow (BM) or spleen to repopulate hemopoietic organs has been carried out in lethally irradiated mice restored with BM cells admixed with spleen cells bearing different chromosomal markers. Hemopoietic cells originating from AKR (40 acrocentrics) and AKR/T1ALD (36 acrocentrics + 2 metacentrics) mice were engrafted into lethally irradiated (AKR X AKR/T1ALD)F1 or (C3H X AKR/T1ALD)F1 hybrid recipients. Within 10 days, the BM-derived elements outnumbered the spleen-derived population in BM and spleen. This held even when the number of injected spleen-CFU was twice that of BM-CFU. This difference of growth rate subsided within 20 days. The first cells to reappear in the thymus bore the recipient karyotype (endoregeneration); they were later replaced by BM-derived elements but spleen-derived cells were never present in thymus in the case of competitive engraftment. In contrast, the lymph node cells bore the BM karyotype as well as the spleen karyotype. Injecting the spleen cells 3 days prior to the BM cells partially counterbalanced the over-growth of the BM-derived elements in the BM and spleen but did not affect the thymic repopulation which remained strictly derived from BM-CFU. When mice were injected only with BM-CFU or only with spleen-CFU, BM-derived cells were found in the thymus as early as 10-12 days after engraftment whereas the spleen-derived cells did not appear in the thymus until days 18-20.", "PMID": 782893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6478", "title": "The effect of thymectomy on the competitive potential of C57BL/6 bone marrow graft.", "content": "When a mixture of bone marrow cells derived from mice of the CBA-T6T6 and C57BL/6 strains and Lewis rats is injected into lethally irradiated (C57BL/6 X CBA-T6T6)F1 hybrid recipients, a process of cell interaction takes place, which in less than 2 weeks leads to the complete and permanent take over in hematopoietic and lymphoid organs by the C57BL/6 cell population. This is shown by the chromosome marker technique (T6) analysis. Adult thymectomy of F1 hybrid hosts prior to irradiation and bone marrow transplantation does not alter the competitive potential of the C57BL/6 donor cell population. However, neonatal thymectomy of the prospective C57BL/6 donors significantly impairs their \"superiority\" as donor cells, and CBA-T6T6 dividing cells persist at all times in all tissues analyzed. The results lend support to the concept of thymus-dependent precursor cells residing in \"prethymic\" hematopoietic tissue.", "contents": "The effect of thymectomy on the competitive potential of C57BL/6 bone marrow graft. When a mixture of bone marrow cells derived from mice of the CBA-T6T6 and C57BL/6 strains and Lewis rats is injected into lethally irradiated (C57BL/6 X CBA-T6T6)F1 hybrid recipients, a process of cell interaction takes place, which in less than 2 weeks leads to the complete and permanent take over in hematopoietic and lymphoid organs by the C57BL/6 cell population. This is shown by the chromosome marker technique (T6) analysis. Adult thymectomy of F1 hybrid hosts prior to irradiation and bone marrow transplantation does not alter the competitive potential of the C57BL/6 donor cell population. However, neonatal thymectomy of the prospective C57BL/6 donors significantly impairs their \"superiority\" as donor cells, and CBA-T6T6 dividing cells persist at all times in all tissues analyzed. The results lend support to the concept of thymus-dependent precursor cells residing in \"prethymic\" hematopoietic tissue.", "PMID": 782894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6479", "title": "Effect of hemic cells on hybrid resistance.", "content": "Injection of various parental strain hemic cells reduces the ability of the F1 hybrid to resist growth of grafted hemopoietic tissue from the same parent strain. Such an effect can be exerted by cells from lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, or thymus, the peritoneal macrophages, and the peripheral blood leukocytes. Embryonic and adult liver cells or blood erythrocytes do not inhibit hybrid resistance. It is assumed that hemic cells inhibit hybrid resistance through an effect on the hemopoietic microenvironment. The mechanism of this effect cannot be considered the result of a graft-versus-host reaction since lymphoid cells which are \"immune\" or \"tolerant\" to the hybrid antigens possess inhibitory activity similar to that of intact lymphoid cells. The hybrid resistance inhibitory cells maintain the inability of \"parent-in-F1 hybrid\" type chimeras to express hybrid resistance for at least 2 months.", "contents": "Effect of hemic cells on hybrid resistance. Injection of various parental strain hemic cells reduces the ability of the F1 hybrid to resist growth of grafted hemopoietic tissue from the same parent strain. Such an effect can be exerted by cells from lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, or thymus, the peritoneal macrophages, and the peripheral blood leukocytes. Embryonic and adult liver cells or blood erythrocytes do not inhibit hybrid resistance. It is assumed that hemic cells inhibit hybrid resistance through an effect on the hemopoietic microenvironment. The mechanism of this effect cannot be considered the result of a graft-versus-host reaction since lymphoid cells which are \"immune\" or \"tolerant\" to the hybrid antigens possess inhibitory activity similar to that of intact lymphoid cells. The hybrid resistance inhibitory cells maintain the inability of \"parent-in-F1 hybrid\" type chimeras to express hybrid resistance for at least 2 months.", "PMID": 782895} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6480", "title": "Experience with second marrow transplants.", "content": "This report summarizes the experience with 25 patients who received a second marrow transplant. The marrow donor for the first transplant was an identical twin in four cases and a sibling matched at the major histocompatibility complex in 21 instances. The donor for the second transplant was the same as the first except for three patients whose second donor was another matched sibling. Nine patients with aplastic anemia rejected their first graft. Four of these patients were prepared for the second graft with a regimen of procarbazine and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) followed by cyclophosphamide or total body irradiation and were successfully regrafted. One rejected the second graft, two died of septicemia and one is alive and well 10 months after the second graft. Twelve patients with hematologic malignancy had a recurrence of disease after the first transplant. Despite preparation for the second graft with a variety of intensive chemotherapeutic regimens, the five patients who did not succumb to infection showed an early recurrence of disease. Four patients with hematologic malignancy had a failure of the first graft for unknown reasons, possibly related to the administration of ATG or methotrexate. One patient prepared for the second graft with procarbazine and ATG showed evidence of engraftment but died of infection. Two out of three patients given no additional preparation were successfully grafted. One died of recurrent central nervous system leukemia after 18 months and one is alive and well 26 months after the second graft.", "contents": "Experience with second marrow transplants. This report summarizes the experience with 25 patients who received a second marrow transplant. The marrow donor for the first transplant was an identical twin in four cases and a sibling matched at the major histocompatibility complex in 21 instances. The donor for the second transplant was the same as the first except for three patients whose second donor was another matched sibling. Nine patients with aplastic anemia rejected their first graft. Four of these patients were prepared for the second graft with a regimen of procarbazine and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) followed by cyclophosphamide or total body irradiation and were successfully regrafted. One rejected the second graft, two died of septicemia and one is alive and well 10 months after the second graft. Twelve patients with hematologic malignancy had a recurrence of disease after the first transplant. Despite preparation for the second graft with a variety of intensive chemotherapeutic regimens, the five patients who did not succumb to infection showed an early recurrence of disease. Four patients with hematologic malignancy had a failure of the first graft for unknown reasons, possibly related to the administration of ATG or methotrexate. One patient prepared for the second graft with procarbazine and ATG showed evidence of engraftment but died of infection. Two out of three patients given no additional preparation were successfully grafted. One died of recurrent central nervous system leukemia after 18 months and one is alive and well 26 months after the second graft.", "PMID": 782896} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6481", "title": "Weak neuronal accumulation of octopamine in dopaminergic neurons of the rabbit retina.", "content": "Dopaminergic retinal neurons become weakly radioactive after the injection of tritiated octopamine into the vitreous, but no other neurons do so. This indicates the absence of any effective mechanism for the accumulation of octopamine in rabbit retina.", "contents": "Weak neuronal accumulation of octopamine in dopaminergic neurons of the rabbit retina. Dopaminergic retinal neurons become weakly radioactive after the injection of tritiated octopamine into the vitreous, but no other neurons do so. This indicates the absence of any effective mechanism for the accumulation of octopamine in rabbit retina.", "PMID": 782904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6482", "title": "Localization of peroxidase activity in Trypanosoma cruzi microbodies.", "content": "Electron microscopic observation of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes reveals the presence of microbody-like structures (microperoxisomes) in which 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) is peroxidized to electron-opaque material. The role of peroxidase in DAB peroxidation is supported by the enzyme demonstration in disrupted epimastigotes and the microbody-containing cell fractions.", "contents": "Localization of peroxidase activity in Trypanosoma cruzi microbodies. Electron microscopic observation of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes reveals the presence of microbody-like structures (microperoxisomes) in which 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) is peroxidized to electron-opaque material. The role of peroxidase in DAB peroxidation is supported by the enzyme demonstration in disrupted epimastigotes and the microbody-containing cell fractions.", "PMID": 782907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6483", "title": "Theories of enzyme specificity and their application to proteases and aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases.", "content": "The question of enzyme specificity which is a corollary of the phenomenon of biological recognition is reviewed. The following theories are outlined briefly: non-productive binding, induced fit, transition state binding, the general strain theory and the kinetic proofreading hypothesis. Data on proteolytic enzymes and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are discussed in the light of predictions made by the various theories. The specificity of inhibitor and substrate binding to chymotrypsin and subtilisins is revealed at the sub-molecular level as an example of binding specificity. Kinetic specificity is experimentally distinguished from binding specificity. Conformational adaptability of enzyme and substrate, which is crucial in some theories, is documented by data on aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Expected and observed specificity of tRNA charging is discussed with regard to a theoretical limit of specificity. Additional means seem necessary beside those contained in the isolated enzyme-substrate system to account for the high specificity of most synthetases. In conclusion, we have arrived at quite good explanations for moderate specificity such as is displayed by many proteases, but there are still ample difficulties in the understanding of highly specific enzyme reactions.", "contents": "Theories of enzyme specificity and their application to proteases and aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases. The question of enzyme specificity which is a corollary of the phenomenon of biological recognition is reviewed. The following theories are outlined briefly: non-productive binding, induced fit, transition state binding, the general strain theory and the kinetic proofreading hypothesis. Data on proteolytic enzymes and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are discussed in the light of predictions made by the various theories. The specificity of inhibitor and substrate binding to chymotrypsin and subtilisins is revealed at the sub-molecular level as an example of binding specificity. Kinetic specificity is experimentally distinguished from binding specificity. Conformational adaptability of enzyme and substrate, which is crucial in some theories, is documented by data on aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Expected and observed specificity of tRNA charging is discussed with regard to a theoretical limit of specificity. Additional means seem necessary beside those contained in the isolated enzyme-substrate system to account for the high specificity of most synthetases. In conclusion, we have arrived at quite good explanations for moderate specificity such as is displayed by many proteases, but there are still ample difficulties in the understanding of highly specific enzyme reactions.", "PMID": 782906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6484", "title": "Localization of wheat germ agglutinin receptor sites on yeast cells by scanning electron microscopy.", "content": "WGA receptor sites on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells pretreated with an alpha-mannanase were localized by gold granules labelled with WGA. The receptor sites were found on the bud scars, the mother cell-bud junction (chitin) and the bud, but not on the mother cell.", "contents": "Localization of wheat germ agglutinin receptor sites on yeast cells by scanning electron microscopy. WGA receptor sites on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells pretreated with an alpha-mannanase were localized by gold granules labelled with WGA. The receptor sites were found on the bud scars, the mother cell-bud junction (chitin) and the bud, but not on the mother cell.", "PMID": 782909} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6485", "title": "Possible significance of adverse reactions to glutamate in humans.", "content": "Of those exposed to Chinese restaurant food, our studies indicate that 25% report adverse reactions (Chinese restaurant syndrome (CRS)), presumably to the mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) content. The possible significance of the symptoms is discussed in the light of the known neuroexcitatory activity of MSG. It is suggested that CRS may result from a \"benign\" inborn \"error\" of metabolism that is deserving of further study, particularly in individuals with certain other metabolic abnormalities or who are on certain types of drug therapy.", "contents": "Possible significance of adverse reactions to glutamate in humans. Of those exposed to Chinese restaurant food, our studies indicate that 25% report adverse reactions (Chinese restaurant syndrome (CRS)), presumably to the mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) content. The possible significance of the symptoms is discussed in the light of the known neuroexcitatory activity of MSG. It is suggested that CRS may result from a \"benign\" inborn \"error\" of metabolism that is deserving of further study, particularly in individuals with certain other metabolic abnormalities or who are on certain types of drug therapy.", "PMID": 782921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6486", "title": "Dependence of translation on 5'-terminal methylation of mRNA.", "content": "Many eukaryotic cell and viral mRNAs contain 5'-terminal m7G(5')ppp(5')N. Methylation is important for the in vitro translation of vesicular stomatitis virus and reovirus mRNAs. Unmethylated viral mRNAs are methylated by cell-free extrascts of wheat germ and L cells to form 5'-terminal structures of the type, m7GpppN and m7GpppNm, respectively. Rabbit globin mRNA also contains 5'-terminal 7-methylguanosine (m7G). Removal of the m7G by beta-elimination decreases translation. The efficient binding of mRNA to ribosomes is dependent on the presence of 5'-terminal m7G.", "contents": "Dependence of translation on 5'-terminal methylation of mRNA. Many eukaryotic cell and viral mRNAs contain 5'-terminal m7G(5')ppp(5')N. Methylation is important for the in vitro translation of vesicular stomatitis virus and reovirus mRNAs. Unmethylated viral mRNAs are methylated by cell-free extrascts of wheat germ and L cells to form 5'-terminal structures of the type, m7GpppN and m7GpppNm, respectively. Rabbit globin mRNA also contains 5'-terminal 7-methylguanosine (m7G). Removal of the m7G by beta-elimination decreases translation. The efficient binding of mRNA to ribosomes is dependent on the presence of 5'-terminal m7G.", "PMID": 782922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6487", "title": "Genetic defects of iron transport.", "content": "Five genetic traits in man and laboratory animals have major effects on iron transport. The heterogeneous condition, hemochromatosis, in some families appears to segregate as a Mendelian trait, and is associated with defective control of intestinal iron absorption. In the very rare human autosomal recessive trait, atransferrinemia, there is an almost total lack of transferrin and gross maldistribution of iron through the body. In mice, sex-linked anemia (an X-linked recessive trait) causes iron deficiency through defective iron absorption, at the \"exit\" step; a similar defect probably exists in placental iron transfer. In microcytic anemia of mice, an autosomal recessive trait, iron absorption is also impaired because of a defect of iron entry into cells, which is probably generalized. Belgrade rat anemia, less understood at present, also may involve a major disorder of iron metabolism. Study of these mutations has provided new knowledge of iron metabolism and its genetic control Their phenotypic interaction with nutritional factors, especially the form and quantity of iron in the diet, may provide new insights for the study of nutrition.", "contents": "Genetic defects of iron transport. Five genetic traits in man and laboratory animals have major effects on iron transport. The heterogeneous condition, hemochromatosis, in some families appears to segregate as a Mendelian trait, and is associated with defective control of intestinal iron absorption. In the very rare human autosomal recessive trait, atransferrinemia, there is an almost total lack of transferrin and gross maldistribution of iron through the body. In mice, sex-linked anemia (an X-linked recessive trait) causes iron deficiency through defective iron absorption, at the \"exit\" step; a similar defect probably exists in placental iron transfer. In microcytic anemia of mice, an autosomal recessive trait, iron absorption is also impaired because of a defect of iron entry into cells, which is probably generalized. Belgrade rat anemia, less understood at present, also may involve a major disorder of iron metabolism. Study of these mutations has provided new knowledge of iron metabolism and its genetic control Their phenotypic interaction with nutritional factors, especially the form and quantity of iron in the diet, may provide new insights for the study of nutrition.", "PMID": 782924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6488", "title": "Cellularity of adipose tissue in meat animals.", "content": "Present information indicates that for meat animals adipocyte number is achieved most rapidly in the perirenal depot and least rapidly in the interfascicular of intramuscular depot. Adipocyte volume appears to be largest in the perirenal depot and smallest in the interfascicular and intermuscular depots. The best estimates available suggest that adipocyte hyperplasia is completed by 14 months of age in bovine animals and 5 months of age in porcine animals. However, because of certain technique limitations and the presence of many small adipocytes in very obese animals, these estimates must be considered very tentative. Studies in ovine and porcine animals indicate that early under-nutrition is not effective in reducing the number of subcutaneous and perirenal adipocytes later in life. However, the number of interfascicular adipocytes may be reduced. Several studies have demonstrated that the interfascicular adipocytes are very late developing and that adipocyte number is very important to the total quantity of intramuscular lipid.", "contents": "Cellularity of adipose tissue in meat animals. Present information indicates that for meat animals adipocyte number is achieved most rapidly in the perirenal depot and least rapidly in the interfascicular of intramuscular depot. Adipocyte volume appears to be largest in the perirenal depot and smallest in the interfascicular and intermuscular depots. The best estimates available suggest that adipocyte hyperplasia is completed by 14 months of age in bovine animals and 5 months of age in porcine animals. However, because of certain technique limitations and the presence of many small adipocytes in very obese animals, these estimates must be considered very tentative. Studies in ovine and porcine animals indicate that early under-nutrition is not effective in reducing the number of subcutaneous and perirenal adipocytes later in life. However, the number of interfascicular adipocytes may be reduced. Several studies have demonstrated that the interfascicular adipocytes are very late developing and that adipocyte number is very important to the total quantity of intramuscular lipid.", "PMID": 782925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6489", "title": "Theoretical model of ruminant adipose tissue metabolism in relation to the whole animal.", "content": "Based on theoretical considerations and experimental data, estimates of contributions of adipose tissue to energy expenditures in a lactating cow and a growing steer were developed. The estimates indicate that adipose energy expenditures range between 5 and 10% of total animal heat production dependent on productive function and diet. These energy expenditures can be partitioned among maintenance (3%), lipogenesis (1-5%) and lipolysis and triglyceride resynthesis (less thatn 1.0%). Specific sites at which acute and chronic effectors can act to produce changes in adipose function, and changes in adipose function produced by diet and during pregnancy, lactation and aging were discussed with emphasis being placed on the need for additional, definitive studies of specific interactions among pregnancy, diet, age, lactation and growth in producing ruminants.", "contents": "Theoretical model of ruminant adipose tissue metabolism in relation to the whole animal. Based on theoretical considerations and experimental data, estimates of contributions of adipose tissue to energy expenditures in a lactating cow and a growing steer were developed. The estimates indicate that adipose energy expenditures range between 5 and 10% of total animal heat production dependent on productive function and diet. These energy expenditures can be partitioned among maintenance (3%), lipogenesis (1-5%) and lipolysis and triglyceride resynthesis (less thatn 1.0%). Specific sites at which acute and chronic effectors can act to produce changes in adipose function, and changes in adipose function produced by diet and during pregnancy, lactation and aging were discussed with emphasis being placed on the need for additional, definitive studies of specific interactions among pregnancy, diet, age, lactation and growth in producing ruminants.", "PMID": 782926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6490", "title": "Uterine skin grafts and fertility control in the rat.", "content": "Autologous intrauterine skin grafting was studied as a method of fertility control in the rat. Skin taken from the ear was grafted onto the right horn in 52 rats. All skin grafts \"took\" and developed into one of three forms: (1) replacement of endometrium over a wide area, (2) polypoid formations, or (3) skin bridges. Curettage before the skin grafting did not affect the \"take\" or subsequent course of the graft. After mating, no pregnancy occurred in skin-grafted horns, whereas control horns behaved like those in control rats. Results obtained in rat uteri indicate another approach to the treatment of uterine bleeding and possibly to contraception.", "contents": "Uterine skin grafts and fertility control in the rat. Autologous intrauterine skin grafting was studied as a method of fertility control in the rat. Skin taken from the ear was grafted onto the right horn in 52 rats. All skin grafts \"took\" and developed into one of three forms: (1) replacement of endometrium over a wide area, (2) polypoid formations, or (3) skin bridges. Curettage before the skin grafting did not affect the \"take\" or subsequent course of the graft. After mating, no pregnancy occurred in skin-grafted horns, whereas control horns behaved like those in control rats. Results obtained in rat uteri indicate another approach to the treatment of uterine bleeding and possibly to contraception.", "PMID": 782927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6491", "title": "[Clinical application of synthetic LH-RH for anovular women unresponsive to clomiphene therapy (author's transl)].", "content": "The purpose of this study is to clarify the significance of synthetic LH-RH (RH) as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of anovular women who fail to respond to clomiphene therapy. Fifteen women with hypofunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary system who were given the RH-test were divided into two groups according to the maximum increased level of LH shown by each. Group I consisting of 7 women who showed increased levels of over 20miu/ml received a combination of clomid+estrogen+RH(C.E.R). Blood levels of LH, FSH and estradiol were measured in each. Group II consisting of 8 women who showed maximum levels of LH below 20 miu/ml received RH intramuscularly, 100 mug per day for 20 to 30 days (referred to as RH treatment). The RH-test was performed in this group before treatment, and 1, 7 and 21 days after treatment. Blood levels of estradiol were also determined before, during and after treatment. 1) Ovulation occurred in 5 of the 7 women in group 1 and 3 became pregnant. The LH surge was prolonged and hormonal secretion increased with administration of C.E.R.. The normal estrogen surge and gonadotropin surge occurring in the ovulatory cycle were thus produced artificially. Since administration of clomiphene alone tends to produce insufficiency of cervical mucus secretion because of its anti-estrogen effect, the addition of estrogen to the combination of C.E.R. probably increases the cervical secretion of mucus and enhances the probability of impregnation. 2) Compared to pretreatment levels, RH treatment clearly increased the pituitary secretion of LH and FSH. Even 3 weeks after RH treatment, the pituitary secretion of gonadotropin was definitely higher than before treatment. Fluctuations in blood levels of estradiol during and after treatment were not significantly different than before treatment. These observations would suggest that prolonged administration of RH enhances the gonadotropic function of the pituitary, not only in the secretion of the hormones but also in the synthesis of gonadotropin. Judging from the insignificant effect on the blood level of estradiol, it would appear that RH itself possesses the ability to produce gonadotropin.", "contents": "[Clinical application of synthetic LH-RH for anovular women unresponsive to clomiphene therapy (author's transl)]. The purpose of this study is to clarify the significance of synthetic LH-RH (RH) as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of anovular women who fail to respond to clomiphene therapy. Fifteen women with hypofunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary system who were given the RH-test were divided into two groups according to the maximum increased level of LH shown by each. Group I consisting of 7 women who showed increased levels of over 20miu/ml received a combination of clomid+estrogen+RH(C.E.R). Blood levels of LH, FSH and estradiol were measured in each. Group II consisting of 8 women who showed maximum levels of LH below 20 miu/ml received RH intramuscularly, 100 mug per day for 20 to 30 days (referred to as RH treatment). The RH-test was performed in this group before treatment, and 1, 7 and 21 days after treatment. Blood levels of estradiol were also determined before, during and after treatment. 1) Ovulation occurred in 5 of the 7 women in group 1 and 3 became pregnant. The LH surge was prolonged and hormonal secretion increased with administration of C.E.R.. The normal estrogen surge and gonadotropin surge occurring in the ovulatory cycle were thus produced artificially. Since administration of clomiphene alone tends to produce insufficiency of cervical mucus secretion because of its anti-estrogen effect, the addition of estrogen to the combination of C.E.R. probably increases the cervical secretion of mucus and enhances the probability of impregnation. 2) Compared to pretreatment levels, RH treatment clearly increased the pituitary secretion of LH and FSH. Even 3 weeks after RH treatment, the pituitary secretion of gonadotropin was definitely higher than before treatment. Fluctuations in blood levels of estradiol during and after treatment were not significantly different than before treatment. These observations would suggest that prolonged administration of RH enhances the gonadotropic function of the pituitary, not only in the secretion of the hormones but also in the synthesis of gonadotropin. Judging from the insignificant effect on the blood level of estradiol, it would appear that RH itself possesses the ability to produce gonadotropin.", "PMID": 782932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6492", "title": "Urbanization and de-urbanization of the black population before the Civil War.", "content": "Pre-Civil War black urbanization is examined using data from federal census records, 1790 to 1860. The black population is found to be as urban as the white population initially, but its urbanization underwent relative decline in the last two decades before the Civil War. Foreshadowing current patterns, the northern black population was heavily concentrated in the largest cities, and the free black population was the most urban of all groups. The timing of black urban decline in the North, as well as regional and size of place differences in that decline, suggest that both competition with immigrants in major eastern seaboard cities and the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850 contributed to black de-urbanization. For the South, the explanations of black urban decline proposed by Wade, Conrad and Meyer, Goldin, and Bonacich are evaluated, and Bonacich's split labor market theory is judged to be most consistent with the demographic trends.", "contents": "Urbanization and de-urbanization of the black population before the Civil War. Pre-Civil War black urbanization is examined using data from federal census records, 1790 to 1860. The black population is found to be as urban as the white population initially, but its urbanization underwent relative decline in the last two decades before the Civil War. Foreshadowing current patterns, the northern black population was heavily concentrated in the largest cities, and the free black population was the most urban of all groups. The timing of black urban decline in the North, as well as regional and size of place differences in that decline, suggest that both competition with immigrants in major eastern seaboard cities and the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850 contributed to black de-urbanization. For the South, the explanations of black urban decline proposed by Wade, Conrad and Meyer, Goldin, and Bonacich are evaluated, and Bonacich's split labor market theory is judged to be most consistent with the demographic trends.", "PMID": 782933} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6493", "title": "Pemphigus-like antibodies in dermatitis herpetiformis.", "content": "Pemphigus-like antibodies were demonstrated in a patient with dermatitis herpetiformis. The patient was a 28-year-old Japanese who showed itchy tense bullae on the back, chest and shoulders. We speculate the antibodies are similar to those found in burns, drug eruptions and certain other skin diseases.", "contents": "Pemphigus-like antibodies in dermatitis herpetiformis. Pemphigus-like antibodies were demonstrated in a patient with dermatitis herpetiformis. The patient was a 28-year-old Japanese who showed itchy tense bullae on the back, chest and shoulders. We speculate the antibodies are similar to those found in burns, drug eruptions and certain other skin diseases.", "PMID": 782953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6494", "title": "Topical corticosteroid therapy and its effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.", "content": "All clinically effective topical corticosteroids have the potential for suppressing the pitutary-adrenal axis if large amounts are applied under occlusion on extensive areas. Recovery of the axis function occurs rapidly. In children, however, the risk of chronic suppression of the adrenal axis function with impairment of growth after topical treatment with potent steroids is a real one. Potent steroids in children should, therefore, only be used on refractory areas with carefully controlled quantities.", "contents": "Topical corticosteroid therapy and its effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. All clinically effective topical corticosteroids have the potential for suppressing the pitutary-adrenal axis if large amounts are applied under occlusion on extensive areas. Recovery of the axis function occurs rapidly. In children, however, the risk of chronic suppression of the adrenal axis function with impairment of growth after topical treatment with potent steroids is a real one. Potent steroids in children should, therefore, only be used on refractory areas with carefully controlled quantities.", "PMID": 782954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6495", "title": "Clinical trial comparing hydrocortisone 17-butyrate to betamethasone 17-valerate in a series of patients with eczematous skin diseases.", "content": "A randomized, double-blind, left-right comparative study was carried out to compare the value of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate with that of betamethasone 17-valerate in the treatment of eczematous skin disorders. In a series of 23 patients with such disorders, no differences between the two preparations was demonstrated with regard to effectiveness.", "contents": "Clinical trial comparing hydrocortisone 17-butyrate to betamethasone 17-valerate in a series of patients with eczematous skin diseases. A randomized, double-blind, left-right comparative study was carried out to compare the value of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate with that of betamethasone 17-valerate in the treatment of eczematous skin disorders. In a series of 23 patients with such disorders, no differences between the two preparations was demonstrated with regard to effectiveness.", "PMID": 782955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6496", "title": "Clinical experiences with hydrocortisone 17-butyrate.", "content": "In a double-blind comparative study, by 29 dermatological departments, the activity of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (HC 17-B, Locoid), triamcinolone acetonide (TA) 0.1% and hydrocortisone 21-acetate (HA) 1%, were compared in patients suffering from acute eczematous dermatitis, atopic dematitis and psoriasis. After a 7-day period of observation, the results were evaluated by means of a chi2 test, and an Armitage tests. The following results were obtained: in acute eczematous dermatitis HC 17-B was found to be superior to the placebo and equal to TA; in atopic dermatitis HC 17-B was found to be superior to the placebo and HA, equal to TA; in psoriasis vulgaris HC 17-B was found to be superior to the placebo, HA and TA.", "contents": "Clinical experiences with hydrocortisone 17-butyrate. In a double-blind comparative study, by 29 dermatological departments, the activity of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (HC 17-B, Locoid), triamcinolone acetonide (TA) 0.1% and hydrocortisone 21-acetate (HA) 1%, were compared in patients suffering from acute eczematous dermatitis, atopic dematitis and psoriasis. After a 7-day period of observation, the results were evaluated by means of a chi2 test, and an Armitage tests. The following results were obtained: in acute eczematous dermatitis HC 17-B was found to be superior to the placebo and equal to TA; in atopic dermatitis HC 17-B was found to be superior to the placebo and HA, equal to TA; in psoriasis vulgaris HC 17-B was found to be superior to the placebo, HA and TA.", "PMID": 782956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6497", "title": "Efficacy of a live oral cholera vaccine in human volunteers.", "content": "A live attenuated oral cholera vaccine has been given to volunteers with complete safety. The vaccine strain appeared to multiply significantly in intestinal contents and to result in appreciable vibriocidal antibody response. Subsequent challenge with virulent Inaba vibrios demonstrated substantial protection from clinical illness and from vibrio shedding. The possibility of reversion to toxin production is discussed.", "contents": "Efficacy of a live oral cholera vaccine in human volunteers. A live attenuated oral cholera vaccine has been given to volunteers with complete safety. The vaccine strain appeared to multiply significantly in intestinal contents and to result in appreciable vibriocidal antibody response. Subsequent challenge with virulent Inaba vibrios demonstrated substantial protection from clinical illness and from vibrio shedding. The possibility of reversion to toxin production is discussed.", "PMID": 782960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6498", "title": "LH-RH-dependent synthesis of protein necessary for LH release from rat pituitary glands in vitro.", "content": "Anterior pituitary glands of intact diestrous and gonadectomized female rats were incubated with a supramaximally active dose of LH-RH. Puromycin (P) and cycloheximide (C) did not consistently affect the LH release from glands of ovariectomized rats. In intact rats, LH release induced by LH-RH occurred in two phases, an initial one (relatively slow rate of release) and a secondary one (high rate of release). P and C had no effect on the initial phase, but prevented the secondary one. Pre-incubation with LH-RH prevented the effect of P and C added after 4 hours. Since P and C did not affect the total amount of LH present in media and hypophyses, the LH-released during the P- and C-sensitive phase is not newly formed LH. It is concluded that LH-RH induces the synthesis of protein which is necessary for LH-RH-induced LH release. The initial phase of LH release is made possible by protein already present in the glands at the beginning of the experiment.", "contents": "LH-RH-dependent synthesis of protein necessary for LH release from rat pituitary glands in vitro. Anterior pituitary glands of intact diestrous and gonadectomized female rats were incubated with a supramaximally active dose of LH-RH. Puromycin (P) and cycloheximide (C) did not consistently affect the LH release from glands of ovariectomized rats. In intact rats, LH release induced by LH-RH occurred in two phases, an initial one (relatively slow rate of release) and a secondary one (high rate of release). P and C had no effect on the initial phase, but prevented the secondary one. Pre-incubation with LH-RH prevented the effect of P and C added after 4 hours. Since P and C did not affect the total amount of LH present in media and hypophyses, the LH-released during the P- and C-sensitive phase is not newly formed LH. It is concluded that LH-RH induces the synthesis of protein which is necessary for LH-RH-induced LH release. The initial phase of LH release is made possible by protein already present in the glands at the beginning of the experiment.", "PMID": 782957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6499", "title": "Compared efficiency of a killed vaccine of Salmonella typhimurium, a live vaccine and an antigenic fraction in oral immunization of mice.", "content": "In an attempt to determine the best method of immunizing mice by oral route against Salmonella typhimurium, the animals were vaccinated by means of a killed-pathogenic strain, an avirulent mutant of the same bacteria, and a protective antigen removed from the supernatant culture of this mutant. After changing doses of vaccines and the interval between vaccination and challenge, the results obtained show the superiority of the live vaccine and protective antigen with regard to the killed one. Under our experimental conditions enteral vaccination appears to be more effective than the parenteral one.", "contents": "Compared efficiency of a killed vaccine of Salmonella typhimurium, a live vaccine and an antigenic fraction in oral immunization of mice. In an attempt to determine the best method of immunizing mice by oral route against Salmonella typhimurium, the animals were vaccinated by means of a killed-pathogenic strain, an avirulent mutant of the same bacteria, and a protective antigen removed from the supernatant culture of this mutant. After changing doses of vaccines and the interval between vaccination and challenge, the results obtained show the superiority of the live vaccine and protective antigen with regard to the killed one. Under our experimental conditions enteral vaccination appears to be more effective than the parenteral one.", "PMID": 782961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6500", "title": "Criteria in the evaluation of live intranasal influenza virus vaccines.", "content": "Live influenza virus vaccines should meet the following criteria: attenuation, immunogenicity, lack of spread, genetic stability, production in a suitable cell substrate, and stability during storage. In addition, they should be able to induce a wide antigenic protection. These various aspects will be discussed with reference to the \"Alice\" strain of live influenza A virus, which possesses all the properties for a good live attenuated virus vaccine.", "contents": "Criteria in the evaluation of live intranasal influenza virus vaccines. Live influenza virus vaccines should meet the following criteria: attenuation, immunogenicity, lack of spread, genetic stability, production in a suitable cell substrate, and stability during storage. In addition, they should be able to induce a wide antigenic protection. These various aspects will be discussed with reference to the \"Alice\" strain of live influenza A virus, which possesses all the properties for a good live attenuated virus vaccine.", "PMID": 782962} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6501", "title": "Experience of nasal application of inactivated influenza vaccine.", "content": "The present experiment shows the efficacity of the sesame-oil adjuvant influenza vaccine. The plain inactivated vaccine merely shows a tendency towards effectiveness and only in a field study was a statistically significant effectiveness observed. We had hitherto made such a field experiment in which the plain inactivated influenza vaccine showed much more effective values. It is not clear that in the present experiment such a result was obtained. The efficacy of intranasal application of inactivated influenza vaccine seemed to be fairly good and appeared quite soon after spraying, although its effect lasted no more than one month.", "contents": "Experience of nasal application of inactivated influenza vaccine. The present experiment shows the efficacity of the sesame-oil adjuvant influenza vaccine. The plain inactivated vaccine merely shows a tendency towards effectiveness and only in a field study was a statistically significant effectiveness observed. We had hitherto made such a field experiment in which the plain inactivated influenza vaccine showed much more effective values. It is not clear that in the present experiment such a result was obtained. The efficacy of intranasal application of inactivated influenza vaccine seemed to be fairly good and appeared quite soon after spraying, although its effect lasted no more than one month.", "PMID": 782963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6502", "title": "Antagonistic activity of analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in vitro.", "content": "The ability of eighteen analogs of LH-RH to inhibit LH-RH-induced LH release was tested in primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells. [Des-His2]LH-RH, [Des-His2, D-Leu6]LH-RH and [Des-His2, D-Phe6]LH-RH inhibited 50% of LH-RH-induced LH release at molar ratios (MR50S) of 3000, 500 and 60, respectively, while [D-Phe2]LH-RH, [D-Phe2, D-Leu6]LH-RH and [D-Phe2, D-Phe6]LH-RH had similar effects at MR50S of 1000, 150 and 25, respectively. This indicates that substitution of D-phenylalanine for histidine at position 2 of LH-RH leads to compounds approximately 3-fold more potent than the corresponding [Des-His2]-analogs. [D-Phe2, D-Phe6]LH-RH, the most potent antagonist tested has however a slight agonistic activity (0.003% that of LH-RH itself). [D-Phe2, D-Phe6, Phe7]LH-RH, [D-Phe2, Phe3, D-Phe6]-LH-RH and [D-Phe2, Phe5, D-Phe6]LH-RH inhibit 50% of LH-RH action at MR50S of 400, 100 and 75, respectively. All of the analogs mentioned in the last group have LH-releasing activities below 1/100,000 that of LH-RH itself.", "contents": "Antagonistic activity of analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in vitro. The ability of eighteen analogs of LH-RH to inhibit LH-RH-induced LH release was tested in primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells. [Des-His2]LH-RH, [Des-His2, D-Leu6]LH-RH and [Des-His2, D-Phe6]LH-RH inhibited 50% of LH-RH-induced LH release at molar ratios (MR50S) of 3000, 500 and 60, respectively, while [D-Phe2]LH-RH, [D-Phe2, D-Leu6]LH-RH and [D-Phe2, D-Phe6]LH-RH had similar effects at MR50S of 1000, 150 and 25, respectively. This indicates that substitution of D-phenylalanine for histidine at position 2 of LH-RH leads to compounds approximately 3-fold more potent than the corresponding [Des-His2]-analogs. [D-Phe2, D-Phe6]LH-RH, the most potent antagonist tested has however a slight agonistic activity (0.003% that of LH-RH itself). [D-Phe2, D-Phe6, Phe7]LH-RH, [D-Phe2, Phe3, D-Phe6]-LH-RH and [D-Phe2, Phe5, D-Phe6]LH-RH inhibit 50% of LH-RH action at MR50S of 400, 100 and 75, respectively. All of the analogs mentioned in the last group have LH-releasing activities below 1/100,000 that of LH-RH itself.", "PMID": 782958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6503", "title": "Clinical evaluation of neuraminidase monospecific (HEqN2) recombinant influenza vaccine in children.", "content": "Phased clinical trials were undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of neuraminidase specific recombinant (HEqN2) inactivated influenza vaccine in a population of school children. Groups of subjects were immunized under code, with influenza A2 Port Chalmer (H3N2), Port Chalmer neuraminidase recombinant (HEqN2), and placebo vaccines (vaccine diluent) before the onset of A2 strain influenza epidemic in this population. Preliminary results have provided the following information. Immunization with commercial Port Chalmer (H3N2) or neuraminidase recombinant influenza A2 (HEqN2) vaccines, in a childhood population was safe and without any major adverse effects. Vaccination with H3N2 vaccine regularly induced seronconversion for specific hemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) antibodies in over 60% of vaccinated subjects. The mean titers of antineuraminidase antibody (ANAB) in H3N2 recipients who were seropositive prior to immunization increased five-fold while the ANAB titers of individuals who were seronegative prior to immunization did not rise significantly after immunization. On the other hand, immunization with HEqN2 vaccine resulted in little or no HAI response against H3, while specific ANAB response was observed in over 70% of such vaccines. The ANAB titers increased approximately 10 fold in the vaccines who were seropositive prior to immunization, and the titers in subjects seronegative prior to immunization were 5-6 fold higher than the post immunization titers observed in seronegative individuals in the H3N2 vaccinated group. Preliminary data on protection against natural reinfection suggested that, although the incidence of serological reinfection was similar in all vaccine groups, the expression of clinical disease was somewhat milder in HEqN2 vaccinees and in individuals with high levels of ANAB. These studies provide tentative support to the potential use of neuraminidase specific vaccine for mass immunoprophylaxis against influenza A2 virus.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of neuraminidase monospecific (HEqN2) recombinant influenza vaccine in children. Phased clinical trials were undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of neuraminidase specific recombinant (HEqN2) inactivated influenza vaccine in a population of school children. Groups of subjects were immunized under code, with influenza A2 Port Chalmer (H3N2), Port Chalmer neuraminidase recombinant (HEqN2), and placebo vaccines (vaccine diluent) before the onset of A2 strain influenza epidemic in this population. Preliminary results have provided the following information. Immunization with commercial Port Chalmer (H3N2) or neuraminidase recombinant influenza A2 (HEqN2) vaccines, in a childhood population was safe and without any major adverse effects. Vaccination with H3N2 vaccine regularly induced seronconversion for specific hemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) antibodies in over 60% of vaccinated subjects. The mean titers of antineuraminidase antibody (ANAB) in H3N2 recipients who were seropositive prior to immunization increased five-fold while the ANAB titers of individuals who were seronegative prior to immunization did not rise significantly after immunization. On the other hand, immunization with HEqN2 vaccine resulted in little or no HAI response against H3, while specific ANAB response was observed in over 70% of such vaccines. The ANAB titers increased approximately 10 fold in the vaccines who were seropositive prior to immunization, and the titers in subjects seronegative prior to immunization were 5-6 fold higher than the post immunization titers observed in seronegative individuals in the H3N2 vaccinated group. Preliminary data on protection against natural reinfection suggested that, although the incidence of serological reinfection was similar in all vaccine groups, the expression of clinical disease was somewhat milder in HEqN2 vaccinees and in individuals with high levels of ANAB. These studies provide tentative support to the potential use of neuraminidase specific vaccine for mass immunoprophylaxis against influenza A2 virus.", "PMID": 782964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6504", "title": "Compartmentalization and movement of calcium in the thyroid.", "content": "The present work suggests that in dog thyroid tissue Ca2+ is distributed at least in two compartments (A) and (B). Compartment (A) could be the extracellular space, and extracellular binding sites for Ca2+. The uptake of Ca2+ in this compartment is increased and the release is decreased at 0 degrees C. The release is not influenced by the ionophore A23187 or by metabolic inhibitors (NaF, iodoacetate, dinitrophenol) or by thyrotropin (TSH). Compartment (B) is defined functionally as a slowly exchangeable store of Ca2+. Uptake and release from this compartment are temperature dependent. The release is accelerated by A23187 and by antimycin A, this suggests an intracellular, presumably mitochondrial, location. TSH stimulates the efflux of Ca2+ originating from the cellular compartment (B). Our data are compatible with the hypothesis that, as in other tissues, the translocations of stored intracellular calcium may be a crucial step in the activation of the thyroid cell.", "contents": "Compartmentalization and movement of calcium in the thyroid. The present work suggests that in dog thyroid tissue Ca2+ is distributed at least in two compartments (A) and (B). Compartment (A) could be the extracellular space, and extracellular binding sites for Ca2+. The uptake of Ca2+ in this compartment is increased and the release is decreased at 0 degrees C. The release is not influenced by the ionophore A23187 or by metabolic inhibitors (NaF, iodoacetate, dinitrophenol) or by thyrotropin (TSH). Compartment (B) is defined functionally as a slowly exchangeable store of Ca2+. Uptake and release from this compartment are temperature dependent. The release is accelerated by A23187 and by antimycin A, this suggests an intracellular, presumably mitochondrial, location. TSH stimulates the efflux of Ca2+ originating from the cellular compartment (B). Our data are compatible with the hypothesis that, as in other tissues, the translocations of stored intracellular calcium may be a crucial step in the activation of the thyroid cell.", "PMID": 782959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6505", "title": "Immunization of man and animals against influenza by oral and intranasal routes.", "content": "Live human and equine influenza virus strains modified by serial passage on allantois-on-shell system (AOS) in the presence of normal horse serum were administered orally or intranasally to volunteers or horses. Mostly mild clinical short-lasting reactions, replication in nasal mucosae, transmission to placebo recipients and significant local or circulating antibody rises were observed following administration to volunteers of strains modified by five or less serial passages on AOS in the presence of normal horse serum (NHS). Milder clinical reactions, no replication, no viral transmission and lower immunogenicity were observed when up to ten serial passages on AOS+ NHS were carried out. Similar results were observed in horses and colts. Heavy shedding of A/Eq-2 strain following the challenge was observed in placebo recipients. Colts immunized intranasally were completely protected while 33% of those immunized orally shedded small quantities of A/Eq-1 and A/Eq-2 viruses. However, a sharp rise of local antibodies against both strains was measured two days after the challenge in the three groups.", "contents": "Immunization of man and animals against influenza by oral and intranasal routes. Live human and equine influenza virus strains modified by serial passage on allantois-on-shell system (AOS) in the presence of normal horse serum were administered orally or intranasally to volunteers or horses. Mostly mild clinical short-lasting reactions, replication in nasal mucosae, transmission to placebo recipients and significant local or circulating antibody rises were observed following administration to volunteers of strains modified by five or less serial passages on AOS in the presence of normal horse serum (NHS). Milder clinical reactions, no replication, no viral transmission and lower immunogenicity were observed when up to ten serial passages on AOS+ NHS were carried out. Similar results were observed in horses and colts. Heavy shedding of A/Eq-2 strain following the challenge was observed in placebo recipients. Colts immunized intranasally were completely protected while 33% of those immunized orally shedded small quantities of A/Eq-1 and A/Eq-2 viruses. However, a sharp rise of local antibodies against both strains was measured two days after the challenge in the three groups.", "PMID": 782965} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6506", "title": "The use of live attenuated influenza vaccine ts-1(E) in man.", "content": "Live temperature-sensitive influenza virus vaccines were tested in two volunteer experiments. The vaccine virus was originally derived from a temperature-sensitive mutant of influenza A/Great Lakes/1965 (H2N2) produced by chemical mutagenesis with 5-fluorouracil. The ts lesions of this strain were subsequently transferred (HI) antibody. Only 9 men (13%) were infected, presumably as a result of over-attenuation of the virus and/or insufficient titer of the inoculum. In the second experiment (1974), 20 young adults were given 0.5 ml per nostril of vaccine containing a recombinant of influenza A/Udorn/307/72 clone 24 (10(5.5) TCID50/ml) with an in vitro shutoff temperature of 38 degree C. Virus was shed by seven volunteers (maximum titer, 10(2.5)TCID50/ml). None of 21 isolates contained revertant wild type virus. Serum HI and antieuraminidase (NI) and nasal wash neutralizing antibody responses occurred in 11 (55%), 7 (35%), and 8 (40%) volunteers, respectively. Post-vaccination serum HI and NI and nasal neutralizing antibody geometric mean titers were 3.0, 9.4, and 1.7 lob2, respectively. Seven volunteers judged they had colds (symptom scores 4-32). Rhinitis and mild pharyngeal discomfort were the only consistent complaints and fever was absent. The findings in the latter trial will be compared with results of volunteer experiments with Udorn/72 ts-1-(E) in other laboratories and to studies with standard inactivated influenza vaccines given parenterally.", "contents": "The use of live attenuated influenza vaccine ts-1(E) in man. Live temperature-sensitive influenza virus vaccines were tested in two volunteer experiments. The vaccine virus was originally derived from a temperature-sensitive mutant of influenza A/Great Lakes/1965 (H2N2) produced by chemical mutagenesis with 5-fluorouracil. The ts lesions of this strain were subsequently transferred (HI) antibody. Only 9 men (13%) were infected, presumably as a result of over-attenuation of the virus and/or insufficient titer of the inoculum. In the second experiment (1974), 20 young adults were given 0.5 ml per nostril of vaccine containing a recombinant of influenza A/Udorn/307/72 clone 24 (10(5.5) TCID50/ml) with an in vitro shutoff temperature of 38 degree C. Virus was shed by seven volunteers (maximum titer, 10(2.5)TCID50/ml). None of 21 isolates contained revertant wild type virus. Serum HI and antieuraminidase (NI) and nasal wash neutralizing antibody responses occurred in 11 (55%), 7 (35%), and 8 (40%) volunteers, respectively. Post-vaccination serum HI and NI and nasal neutralizing antibody geometric mean titers were 3.0, 9.4, and 1.7 lob2, respectively. Seven volunteers judged they had colds (symptom scores 4-32). Rhinitis and mild pharyngeal discomfort were the only consistent complaints and fever was absent. The findings in the latter trial will be compared with results of volunteer experiments with Udorn/72 ts-1-(E) in other laboratories and to studies with standard inactivated influenza vaccines given parenterally.", "PMID": 782966} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6507", "title": "Use of an inhibitor-resistant live attenuated influenza vaccine in normal and asthmatic adults.", "content": "The efficacy of a monovalent live attenuated influenza A (H3N2) vaccine (an inhibitor-resistant recombinant strain named \"Alice\") and of a bivalent vaccine composed of \"Alice\" and influenza B strain R75 (also inhibitor-resistant), was tested in healthy and asthmatic adults. Two intranasal doses of the monovalent \"Alice\" vaccine were given to 95 healthy adults in the winter of 1973-74. Ninety-three % of 68 subjects with initial serum hemagglutination (HI) titers of less than or equal to 1:40 had a significant (4-fold or greater) antibody increase in post-vaccination sera. Overall, 77% of the vaccinees had significant antibody rises. Two doses of the bivalent (A/B) vaccine were given to 53 healthy adults in the winter of 1974-75. Eighty-two % of 34 subjects with initial HI titers of less than or equal to 1:40 had 4-fold or greater antibody rises to influenza A, and overall 57% of the vaccinees responded. The B component of the bivalent vaccine was less effective; only 56% of persons with initial HI titers of less than or equal to 1:40, and 28% of all vaccinees had significant antibody rises. Both tf asthmatics who received \"Alice\" and one of 10 (10%) who received the bivalent vaccine had serologic responses to influenza A. None of the asthmatics responded to the B component of the bivalent vaccine. Analysis of the incidence of febrile respiratory illness during an influenza outbreak in the winter of 1974-75 revealed no differences in the attack rates of placebos and vaccines. In conclusion, both the \"Alice\" and bivalnet (A/B) vaccines were effective in eliciting serologic responses to influenza A in healthy persons. They were less effective in asthmatics. The lack of protection observed may have been due to the onset of influenza before the vaccine could take effect or to the failure of the vaccine itself.", "contents": "Use of an inhibitor-resistant live attenuated influenza vaccine in normal and asthmatic adults. The efficacy of a monovalent live attenuated influenza A (H3N2) vaccine (an inhibitor-resistant recombinant strain named \"Alice\") and of a bivalent vaccine composed of \"Alice\" and influenza B strain R75 (also inhibitor-resistant), was tested in healthy and asthmatic adults. Two intranasal doses of the monovalent \"Alice\" vaccine were given to 95 healthy adults in the winter of 1973-74. Ninety-three % of 68 subjects with initial serum hemagglutination (HI) titers of less than or equal to 1:40 had a significant (4-fold or greater) antibody increase in post-vaccination sera. Overall, 77% of the vaccinees had significant antibody rises. Two doses of the bivalent (A/B) vaccine were given to 53 healthy adults in the winter of 1974-75. Eighty-two % of 34 subjects with initial HI titers of less than or equal to 1:40 had 4-fold or greater antibody rises to influenza A, and overall 57% of the vaccinees responded. The B component of the bivalent vaccine was less effective; only 56% of persons with initial HI titers of less than or equal to 1:40, and 28% of all vaccinees had significant antibody rises. Both tf asthmatics who received \"Alice\" and one of 10 (10%) who received the bivalent vaccine had serologic responses to influenza A. None of the asthmatics responded to the B component of the bivalent vaccine. Analysis of the incidence of febrile respiratory illness during an influenza outbreak in the winter of 1974-75 revealed no differences in the attack rates of placebos and vaccines. In conclusion, both the \"Alice\" and bivalnet (A/B) vaccines were effective in eliciting serologic responses to influenza A in healthy persons. They were less effective in asthmatics. The lack of protection observed may have been due to the onset of influenza before the vaccine could take effect or to the failure of the vaccine itself.", "PMID": 782967} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6508", "title": "Vaccination by non-parenteral routes: characteristics of immune response.", "content": "Antibody and cell-mediated immune response in systemic and external mucosal sites was studied after natural or vaccine induced infections with rubella and mumps viruses. Natural rubella infection or immunization with RA27/3 rubella vaccine by intranasal and frequently by the subcutaneous route resulted in regular appearance of antibody response in the serum and respiratory tract and cellular immunity in circulating lymphocytes and tonsillar lymphoid tissue. Subcutaneous immunization with HPV-77 and Cendehill rubella vaccine resulted in antibody response in the serum with little or no response in the respiratory tract. A minimal cell-mediated immune response in systemic or respiratory lymphoid tissue was observed after such immunization. Intranasal immunization with HPV-77 frequently elicited a transient antibody and cell-mediated activity in the respiratory tract with no response in the serum and peripheral lymphocytes. Studies carried out with natural mumps infection or subcutaneous immunization with live attenuated mumps vaccine suggested that either route of infection may result in the development of antibody and cell-mediated immune responses in systemic sites as well as in the respiratory tract. These observations suggest that the immunologic outcome of immunization by non-parenteral route may be determined by the types of viral antigen employed, the nature of locally available immuno-competent tissue, the ability of mucosal site to capture an antigen or accept replication of live virus vaccines, and the degree of prior sensitization with the same antigen.", "contents": "Vaccination by non-parenteral routes: characteristics of immune response. Antibody and cell-mediated immune response in systemic and external mucosal sites was studied after natural or vaccine induced infections with rubella and mumps viruses. Natural rubella infection or immunization with RA27/3 rubella vaccine by intranasal and frequently by the subcutaneous route resulted in regular appearance of antibody response in the serum and respiratory tract and cellular immunity in circulating lymphocytes and tonsillar lymphoid tissue. Subcutaneous immunization with HPV-77 and Cendehill rubella vaccine resulted in antibody response in the serum with little or no response in the respiratory tract. A minimal cell-mediated immune response in systemic or respiratory lymphoid tissue was observed after such immunization. Intranasal immunization with HPV-77 frequently elicited a transient antibody and cell-mediated activity in the respiratory tract with no response in the serum and peripheral lymphocytes. Studies carried out with natural mumps infection or subcutaneous immunization with live attenuated mumps vaccine suggested that either route of infection may result in the development of antibody and cell-mediated immune responses in systemic sites as well as in the respiratory tract. These observations suggest that the immunologic outcome of immunization by non-parenteral route may be determined by the types of viral antigen employed, the nature of locally available immuno-competent tissue, the ability of mucosal site to capture an antigen or accept replication of live virus vaccines, and the degree of prior sensitization with the same antigen.", "PMID": 782968} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6509", "title": "Natural challenge of subjects vaccinated with WRL 105 strain live influenza vaccine in a residential community.", "content": "In the spring of 1975 an outbreak of influenza associated with influenza virus A/Scotland/840/74 virus occurred in a residential college where the previous autumn some students had been immunised with a single intranasal dose of Recombinant WRL 105 (H3N2) (A/Okuda/57xA/Finland/4/74) strain live attenuated infleunza virus vaccine. During the outbreak none of seven students who had been vaccinated suffered from influenza but an influenzal illness did occur in four of eleven who had received placebo nose drops only. Fourfold or greater increases in hemagglutinating inhibiting antibodies between sera collected three weeks after vaccination and those collected three months later following the influenza epidemic were found in one of seven vaccinated and in nine of eleven placebo treated subjects and also in one student who had received neither vaccine nor placebo; a difference in serological response which is statistically significant (p less than 0.01). Thus recombinant WRL 105 live attenuated vaccine was found to have conferred substantial protection against a current wild strain of influenza A virus without causing any appreciable untoward reactions.", "contents": "Natural challenge of subjects vaccinated with WRL 105 strain live influenza vaccine in a residential community. In the spring of 1975 an outbreak of influenza associated with influenza virus A/Scotland/840/74 virus occurred in a residential college where the previous autumn some students had been immunised with a single intranasal dose of Recombinant WRL 105 (H3N2) (A/Okuda/57xA/Finland/4/74) strain live attenuated infleunza virus vaccine. During the outbreak none of seven students who had been vaccinated suffered from influenza but an influenzal illness did occur in four of eleven who had received placebo nose drops only. Fourfold or greater increases in hemagglutinating inhibiting antibodies between sera collected three weeks after vaccination and those collected three months later following the influenza epidemic were found in one of seven vaccinated and in nine of eleven placebo treated subjects and also in one student who had received neither vaccine nor placebo; a difference in serological response which is statistically significant (p less than 0.01). Thus recombinant WRL 105 live attenuated vaccine was found to have conferred substantial protection against a current wild strain of influenza A virus without causing any appreciable untoward reactions.", "PMID": 782969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6510", "title": "A clinical trial of WRL 105 strain live attenuated influenza vaccine comparing four methods of intranasal vaccination.", "content": "A single intranasal dose of 10(7.0)EID50 recombinant WRL 105 strain live attenuated influenza vaccine was administered intranasally to 193 volunteers either as nose drops or by one of three spray devices which produced sprays of differing physical characteristics. In volunteers with homologous hemagglutinating inhibiting antibody titres of less than or equal to 20 before vaccination, seroconversion rates varied widely from 80% following the administration of drops to 71%, 57% and 28% with each of the spray devices. In the week following vaccination 16 (22%) of 74 volunteers who were found to show a fourfold or greater antibody response took analgesics to control symptoms in comparison with 4 (7%) of 58 volunteers who exhibited no serological response to vaccination (p less than 0.05). However, neither of the occurrence of upper respiratory nor systemic symptoms were significantly different in these two groups and the level of attenuation of the recombinant WRL 105 strain appears to be acceptable for future use.", "contents": "A clinical trial of WRL 105 strain live attenuated influenza vaccine comparing four methods of intranasal vaccination. A single intranasal dose of 10(7.0)EID50 recombinant WRL 105 strain live attenuated influenza vaccine was administered intranasally to 193 volunteers either as nose drops or by one of three spray devices which produced sprays of differing physical characteristics. In volunteers with homologous hemagglutinating inhibiting antibody titres of less than or equal to 20 before vaccination, seroconversion rates varied widely from 80% following the administration of drops to 71%, 57% and 28% with each of the spray devices. In the week following vaccination 16 (22%) of 74 volunteers who were found to show a fourfold or greater antibody response took analgesics to control symptoms in comparison with 4 (7%) of 58 volunteers who exhibited no serological response to vaccination (p less than 0.05). However, neither of the occurrence of upper respiratory nor systemic symptoms were significantly different in these two groups and the level of attenuation of the recombinant WRL 105 strain appears to be acceptable for future use.", "PMID": 782970} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6511", "title": "Clinical trials with intranasally administered WRL 105 strain live influenza vaccine in volunteers.", "content": "The results of clinical trials carried out with WRL 105 strain live influenza vaccine are reviewed. These studies aim to assess the immunogenicity and reactivity of the strain and its propensity for transmission to unvaccinated contacts. The advantages of one and two dose schedules are discussed.", "contents": "Clinical trials with intranasally administered WRL 105 strain live influenza vaccine in volunteers. The results of clinical trials carried out with WRL 105 strain live influenza vaccine are reviewed. These studies aim to assess the immunogenicity and reactivity of the strain and its propensity for transmission to unvaccinated contacts. The advantages of one and two dose schedules are discussed.", "PMID": 782971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6512", "title": "Preliminary results of oral influenza vaccination with live attenuated viruses.", "content": "151 subjects, vaccinated by oral route with live influenza viruses attenuated in the USSR (bivalent A/England/42/72-B/Hong Kong/5/72 vaccine) and 66 non-vaccinated cohabitants have been studied. The vaccination did not cause any important side effect. The vaccine showed good immunizing activity: HI antibodies appeared in 91% of the subjects initially devoid of antibodies against A type and in 70% against B type. No viral diffusion occurred from the vaccinated to the cohabitants. During an A/Port Chalmers/1/73 epidemic the morbidity (3.3%) among the orally vaccinated patients turned out significantly lower than that among the non-vaccinated cohabitants (12.1%). The protection index was 72.6%.", "contents": "Preliminary results of oral influenza vaccination with live attenuated viruses. 151 subjects, vaccinated by oral route with live influenza viruses attenuated in the USSR (bivalent A/England/42/72-B/Hong Kong/5/72 vaccine) and 66 non-vaccinated cohabitants have been studied. The vaccination did not cause any important side effect. The vaccine showed good immunizing activity: HI antibodies appeared in 91% of the subjects initially devoid of antibodies against A type and in 70% against B type. No viral diffusion occurred from the vaccinated to the cohabitants. During an A/Port Chalmers/1/73 epidemic the morbidity (3.3%) among the orally vaccinated patients turned out significantly lower than that among the non-vaccinated cohabitants (12.1%). The protection index was 72.6%.", "PMID": 782972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6513", "title": "Clinical trials carried out to assess non-parenteral routes for administration of Wistar RA 27/3 strain live attenuated rubella vaccine.", "content": "The problems encountered in obtaining acceptable seroconversion rates following intranasal and buccal administration of Wistar RA 27/3 strain live attenuated rubella vaccine are discussed with reference to vaccination technique, virus dose and other factors. Results from buccal administration of vaccine were not encouraging. However, intranasal vaccination may be acceptable if devices can be developed for the administration of vaccine which give reproducible sero-conversion rates equivalent to those obtained by subcutaneous vaccination.", "contents": "Clinical trials carried out to assess non-parenteral routes for administration of Wistar RA 27/3 strain live attenuated rubella vaccine. The problems encountered in obtaining acceptable seroconversion rates following intranasal and buccal administration of Wistar RA 27/3 strain live attenuated rubella vaccine are discussed with reference to vaccination technique, virus dose and other factors. Results from buccal administration of vaccine were not encouraging. However, intranasal vaccination may be acceptable if devices can be developed for the administration of vaccine which give reproducible sero-conversion rates equivalent to those obtained by subcutaneous vaccination.", "PMID": 782973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6514", "title": "Antigenicity testing of inactivated oral enteric bacterial vaccines for human use.", "content": "This study deals with the laboratory testing of the antigenicity of inactivated oral enteric bacterial vaccines for human use, viz. typhoid, dysentery, Escherichia coli and cholera vaccines. For the assays the following methods are applied : 1) various types of active mouse protection tests 2) serum and coproantibody determinations in immunized persons and experimental animals, 3) protective ability of the immune sera in mice and embryonated eggs, 4) hemolytic and bacteriolytic plaque assays. It is pointed out that the most important question: how far the results of these tests are in agreement with the degree of efficacy of vaccines in man, requires to be clarified.", "contents": "Antigenicity testing of inactivated oral enteric bacterial vaccines for human use. This study deals with the laboratory testing of the antigenicity of inactivated oral enteric bacterial vaccines for human use, viz. typhoid, dysentery, Escherichia coli and cholera vaccines. For the assays the following methods are applied : 1) various types of active mouse protection tests 2) serum and coproantibody determinations in immunized persons and experimental animals, 3) protective ability of the immune sera in mice and embryonated eggs, 4) hemolytic and bacteriolytic plaque assays. It is pointed out that the most important question: how far the results of these tests are in agreement with the degree of efficacy of vaccines in man, requires to be clarified.", "PMID": 782974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6515", "title": "Vaccination against typhoid fever with a live oral vaccine.", "content": "A Salmonella typhi gal E mutant, designated Ty 21a, has been developed on the basis of virulence and protection studies with similar Salmonella typhimurium mutants in mice. Gal E mutants are characterized by a block in the enzyme UDP-4-galactose-epimerase. They owe their outstanding immunizing capacity when used in live oral vaccine to the fact that when galactose is supplied exogenously, as occurs in vivo, wild-type cell wall structures are synthesized. On the other hand, avirulence of these mutants is based upon the fact that when galactose is taken up it is partly accumulated as galactose-1-phosphate and UDP-galactose, which induces lysis of the bacteria. Strain S. typhi Ty 21a does not revert to wild type in vivo and in vitro. Its safety for man has been demonstrated in studies involving 137 adults and 370 children. S. typhi Ty 21a also has been shown to protect against challenge with virulent S. typhi in human volunteers.", "contents": "Vaccination against typhoid fever with a live oral vaccine. A Salmonella typhi gal E mutant, designated Ty 21a, has been developed on the basis of virulence and protection studies with similar Salmonella typhimurium mutants in mice. Gal E mutants are characterized by a block in the enzyme UDP-4-galactose-epimerase. They owe their outstanding immunizing capacity when used in live oral vaccine to the fact that when galactose is supplied exogenously, as occurs in vivo, wild-type cell wall structures are synthesized. On the other hand, avirulence of these mutants is based upon the fact that when galactose is taken up it is partly accumulated as galactose-1-phosphate and UDP-galactose, which induces lysis of the bacteria. Strain S. typhi Ty 21a does not revert to wild type in vivo and in vitro. Its safety for man has been demonstrated in studies involving 137 adults and 370 children. S. typhi Ty 21a also has been shown to protect against challenge with virulent S. typhi in human volunteers.", "PMID": 782975} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6516", "title": "Efficacy of a live oral typhoid vaccine in human volunteers.", "content": "A live oral attenuated vaccine, lacking the enzyme epimerase, has been given with complete safety to 173 men. Two preparations of the vaccine, one with and one without galactose in the initial culture media, led to somewhat differing results. Vaccine A, prepared with galactose, was more readily identified in the stool specimens of its recipients and was more likely to provoke an O antibody response than was vaccine B. Furthermore, the clinical protection from typhoid fever was significant in the vaccine A group, whereas not so with the vaccine B counterpart. The protection afforded by vaccine A exceeds that of any of our previous candidate strains. It is perhaps not presumptuous to imagine that such a vaccine would be equally effective in an area endemic for typhoid fever, where the vaccine might act as a booster effect in a previously exposed population. Remaining questions to be answered include the duration of the protection, and the efficacy of a lyophilized preparation.", "contents": "Efficacy of a live oral typhoid vaccine in human volunteers. A live oral attenuated vaccine, lacking the enzyme epimerase, has been given with complete safety to 173 men. Two preparations of the vaccine, one with and one without galactose in the initial culture media, led to somewhat differing results. Vaccine A, prepared with galactose, was more readily identified in the stool specimens of its recipients and was more likely to provoke an O antibody response than was vaccine B. Furthermore, the clinical protection from typhoid fever was significant in the vaccine A group, whereas not so with the vaccine B counterpart. The protection afforded by vaccine A exceeds that of any of our previous candidate strains. It is perhaps not presumptuous to imagine that such a vaccine would be equally effective in an area endemic for typhoid fever, where the vaccine might act as a booster effect in a previously exposed population. Remaining questions to be answered include the duration of the protection, and the efficacy of a lyophilized preparation.", "PMID": 782976} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6517", "title": "Controlled field trials of three different oral killed typhoid vaccines in India.", "content": "Three vaccination trials against typhoid fever were carried out in 1968/69, 1970/71 and 1974 in New Dehli. The vaccine was generally administered in tablet form on three consecutive days. Each new trial consisted of a larger number of killed bacteria: 100.10(9), then 300.10(9) and finally 400.10(9) killed S. typhi. The placebo and vaccinated groups were composed of 6,000 to 7,000 persons, sometimes only children from 6 to 17 years. The number of typhoid fever cases which appeared under normal conditions of infection did not show significant difference between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated subjects during the 18 month period of observation.", "contents": "Controlled field trials of three different oral killed typhoid vaccines in India. Three vaccination trials against typhoid fever were carried out in 1968/69, 1970/71 and 1974 in New Dehli. The vaccine was generally administered in tablet form on three consecutive days. Each new trial consisted of a larger number of killed bacteria: 100.10(9), then 300.10(9) and finally 400.10(9) killed S. typhi. The placebo and vaccinated groups were composed of 6,000 to 7,000 persons, sometimes only children from 6 to 17 years. The number of typhoid fever cases which appeared under normal conditions of infection did not show significant difference between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated subjects during the 18 month period of observation.", "PMID": 782977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6518", "title": "The split-brain neonate: a surgical method for corpus callosum section in newborn kittens.", "content": "One way to determine the importance of interhemispheric interaction in the development of adaptive and acquired behavior is to section completely the corpus callosum about the time of birth before myelination commences and before any significant hemispheric interaction takes place. Therefore, we developed a technique for commissurotomy in the neonatal kitten 36 to 72 hr of age. A specially designed \"commissurotomy knife\" was used which eliminated retraction of the hemispheres. Histology showed completeness of corpus callosum section as well as commissure of the fornix without any apparent damage to cortical or subcortical structures. This technique meets the following criteria: (1) reproducibility or lesions without additional nonspecific damage; (2)minimal exposure and manipulation of the delicate newborn brain: (3) brief operational procedure minimizing risk of infection; and (4) low mortality rate.", "contents": "The split-brain neonate: a surgical method for corpus callosum section in newborn kittens. One way to determine the importance of interhemispheric interaction in the development of adaptive and acquired behavior is to section completely the corpus callosum about the time of birth before myelination commences and before any significant hemispheric interaction takes place. Therefore, we developed a technique for commissurotomy in the neonatal kitten 36 to 72 hr of age. A specially designed \"commissurotomy knife\" was used which eliminated retraction of the hemispheres. Histology showed completeness of corpus callosum section as well as commissure of the fornix without any apparent damage to cortical or subcortical structures. This technique meets the following criteria: (1) reproducibility or lesions without additional nonspecific damage; (2)minimal exposure and manipulation of the delicate newborn brain: (3) brief operational procedure minimizing risk of infection; and (4) low mortality rate.", "PMID": 782979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6519", "title": "Stimulation of glucagon secretion by scorpion toxin in the perfused rat pancreas.", "content": "Toxin from the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus was used to release norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve endings in the perfused rat pancrease. Addition of toxin, 10 mug./ml., to perfusate containing 0.3 mg./ml. glucose caused a large increase in release of norepinephrine and glucagon. Glucagon secretion was suppressed by perfusate containing 3.0 mg./ml. glucose but still responded to stimulation with scorpion toxin. Atropine, 10 muM, had no effect on either norepinephrine or glucagon release in response to scorpion toxin. The release of glucagon was blocked by 100 muM propranolol, 10 muM phentolamine, or 30 muM phenoxybenzamine. Somatostatin, 55nM, did not affect the release of norepinephrine by scorpion toxin but totally inhibited the glucagon response. These results suggest that pharmacologic stimulation of the adrenergic nerve endings in the rat pancreas can elicit a rapid release of glucagon. This response can be prevented by appropriate concentrations of either alpha or beta adrenergic blocking agents or somatostatin.", "contents": "Stimulation of glucagon secretion by scorpion toxin in the perfused rat pancreas. Toxin from the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus was used to release norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve endings in the perfused rat pancrease. Addition of toxin, 10 mug./ml., to perfusate containing 0.3 mg./ml. glucose caused a large increase in release of norepinephrine and glucagon. Glucagon secretion was suppressed by perfusate containing 3.0 mg./ml. glucose but still responded to stimulation with scorpion toxin. Atropine, 10 muM, had no effect on either norepinephrine or glucagon release in response to scorpion toxin. The release of glucagon was blocked by 100 muM propranolol, 10 muM phentolamine, or 30 muM phenoxybenzamine. Somatostatin, 55nM, did not affect the release of norepinephrine by scorpion toxin but totally inhibited the glucagon response. These results suggest that pharmacologic stimulation of the adrenergic nerve endings in the rat pancreas can elicit a rapid release of glucagon. This response can be prevented by appropriate concentrations of either alpha or beta adrenergic blocking agents or somatostatin.", "PMID": 782980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6520", "title": "Comparison of peripheral and portal routes of insulin infusion by a computer-controlled insulin infusion system (artificial endocrine pancreas).", "content": "This study was undertaken to determine the different consequences of portal and peripheral routes of insulin administration by the artificial endocrine pancreas. Intraportal glucose was infused (10 mg./min./kg. for 60 minutes) in anesthetized normal and pancreatectomized dogs while blood glucose concentrations were monitored continuously. During computer-controlled insulin administration normal glucose tolerance was restored by both portal and peripheral routes of insulin delivery. There were also no significant differences in (1) glycemic patterns, (2) insulin infusion patterns, (3) peripheral IRI levels, and (4) total insulin requirements between the two routes. It is apparent that the peripheral route, which is more readily accessible than the portal route, may be an appropriate infusion site for an implantable or portable prosthesis for controlling blood glucose concentration.", "contents": "Comparison of peripheral and portal routes of insulin infusion by a computer-controlled insulin infusion system (artificial endocrine pancreas). This study was undertaken to determine the different consequences of portal and peripheral routes of insulin administration by the artificial endocrine pancreas. Intraportal glucose was infused (10 mg./min./kg. for 60 minutes) in anesthetized normal and pancreatectomized dogs while blood glucose concentrations were monitored continuously. During computer-controlled insulin administration normal glucose tolerance was restored by both portal and peripheral routes of insulin delivery. There were also no significant differences in (1) glycemic patterns, (2) insulin infusion patterns, (3) peripheral IRI levels, and (4) total insulin requirements between the two routes. It is apparent that the peripheral route, which is more readily accessible than the portal route, may be an appropriate infusion site for an implantable or portable prosthesis for controlling blood glucose concentration.", "PMID": 782981} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6521", "title": "Immunopathology of renal extracellular membranes in diabetes mellitus. Specificity of tubular basement-membrane immunofluorescence.", "content": "This study documents the presence of marked immunofluorescence for IgG and albumin in renal extracellular membranes, especially tubular basement membranes (TBM), of patients with severe diabetic nephropathy. A comprehensive immunofluorescent analysis was carried out on kidney tissue from 83 patients--Group I: 24 living normal renal allograft donors and two infants less than one week of age. Group II: 24 patients with severe nephropathy who had juvenile onset of diabetes 16 to 30 years previously and who ranged in age from 20 to 47 years. Group III: 33 patients with severe kidney disease of varied etiologies with an age range of five to 63 years. The sections were assayed for a variety of proteins (immunoglobulins, complement components, and tissue antigens). Kidney sections of all patients with severe diabetic nephropathy were readily distinguished from kidneys of other patients and normals by the intense linear staining of the extracellular membranes, especially the tubular basement membrane for IgG and and albumin. Dual-labeled studies using FITC anti-basement membrane (BM) and tetramethyl rhodamine (TMR) antialbumin demonstrated localization of the albumin predominantly to the outer but also the inner TBM while the BM antisera reacted more intensely with the inner membrane. There is no evidence that an immunologic process is responsible for these findings. These immunofluorescent findings are specific for severe diabetic nephropathy and may reflect structural changes in the renal extracellular membranes that permit entrapment of serum proteins, possibly due to changes in permeability.", "contents": "Immunopathology of renal extracellular membranes in diabetes mellitus. Specificity of tubular basement-membrane immunofluorescence. This study documents the presence of marked immunofluorescence for IgG and albumin in renal extracellular membranes, especially tubular basement membranes (TBM), of patients with severe diabetic nephropathy. A comprehensive immunofluorescent analysis was carried out on kidney tissue from 83 patients--Group I: 24 living normal renal allograft donors and two infants less than one week of age. Group II: 24 patients with severe nephropathy who had juvenile onset of diabetes 16 to 30 years previously and who ranged in age from 20 to 47 years. Group III: 33 patients with severe kidney disease of varied etiologies with an age range of five to 63 years. The sections were assayed for a variety of proteins (immunoglobulins, complement components, and tissue antigens). Kidney sections of all patients with severe diabetic nephropathy were readily distinguished from kidneys of other patients and normals by the intense linear staining of the extracellular membranes, especially the tubular basement membrane for IgG and and albumin. Dual-labeled studies using FITC anti-basement membrane (BM) and tetramethyl rhodamine (TMR) antialbumin demonstrated localization of the albumin predominantly to the outer but also the inner TBM while the BM antisera reacted more intensely with the inner membrane. There is no evidence that an immunologic process is responsible for these findings. These immunofluorescent findings are specific for severe diabetic nephropathy and may reflect structural changes in the renal extracellular membranes that permit entrapment of serum proteins, possibly due to changes in permeability.", "PMID": 782982} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6522", "title": "Immunopathology of renal extracellular membranes in kidneys transplanted into patients with diabetes mellitus.", "content": "Kidneys of patients with severe diabetic nephropathy demonstrate marked linear immunofluorescent staining of extracellular membranes, including the tubular and glomerular basement membranes (TBM and GBM) and Bowman's capsule. Immunofluorescent studies were carried out on kidney tissue obtained from 12 diabetic and 17 nondiabetic patients from two to 12 years following renal transplantation. The frequency and intensity of SgG and albumin staining of these membranes were significantly greater in the diabetic than in the nondiabetic patients (P less than 0.0005). TBM, GBM, and Bowman's capsule staining did not occur in any of the seven kidneys studies at the time of their transplantation into diabetic recipients. Thus, the abnormalities leading to the deposition or trapping of proteins in renal extracellular membranes occur early after the placement of normal kidneys into the abnormal metabolic environment of the diabetic transplant recipient. The present study supports the concept that basement membrane alterations in diabetes are a consequence of the biochemical perturbations of diabetes rather than a separately inherited genetically linked disorder.", "contents": "Immunopathology of renal extracellular membranes in kidneys transplanted into patients with diabetes mellitus. Kidneys of patients with severe diabetic nephropathy demonstrate marked linear immunofluorescent staining of extracellular membranes, including the tubular and glomerular basement membranes (TBM and GBM) and Bowman's capsule. Immunofluorescent studies were carried out on kidney tissue obtained from 12 diabetic and 17 nondiabetic patients from two to 12 years following renal transplantation. The frequency and intensity of SgG and albumin staining of these membranes were significantly greater in the diabetic than in the nondiabetic patients (P less than 0.0005). TBM, GBM, and Bowman's capsule staining did not occur in any of the seven kidneys studies at the time of their transplantation into diabetic recipients. Thus, the abnormalities leading to the deposition or trapping of proteins in renal extracellular membranes occur early after the placement of normal kidneys into the abnormal metabolic environment of the diabetic transplant recipient. The present study supports the concept that basement membrane alterations in diabetes are a consequence of the biochemical perturbations of diabetes rather than a separately inherited genetically linked disorder.", "PMID": 782983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6523", "title": "Glucagon release precedes insulin release in response to common secretagogues.", "content": "The dynamics and interrelationships of glucagon and insulin secretion were studied in the isolated perfused rat pancreas by utilizing a series of compounds that stimulate the release of both hormone. Leucine, arginine, prostaglandins F2alpha and E2, bovine growth hormone, and isoproterenol were administered individually over 60-second intervals. The release of glucagon preceded that of insulin in response to all compounds tested. The rapidity of glucagon release varied in response to different secretagogues; the time course of insulin release was fairly constant. The timing and the magnitude of glucagon and insulin release did not correlate statistically. (1) pancreatic alpha cells respond more rapidly than beta cells to the same stimulus; (2) antecedent release of glucagon is not the principal mediator of insulin release in response to stimuli common to both hormones; and (3) endogenous glucagon may at best modify the release of insulin evoked by certain secretagogues.", "contents": "Glucagon release precedes insulin release in response to common secretagogues. The dynamics and interrelationships of glucagon and insulin secretion were studied in the isolated perfused rat pancreas by utilizing a series of compounds that stimulate the release of both hormone. Leucine, arginine, prostaglandins F2alpha and E2, bovine growth hormone, and isoproterenol were administered individually over 60-second intervals. The release of glucagon preceded that of insulin in response to all compounds tested. The rapidity of glucagon release varied in response to different secretagogues; the time course of insulin release was fairly constant. The timing and the magnitude of glucagon and insulin release did not correlate statistically. (1) pancreatic alpha cells respond more rapidly than beta cells to the same stimulus; (2) antecedent release of glucagon is not the principal mediator of insulin release in response to stimuli common to both hormones; and (3) endogenous glucagon may at best modify the release of insulin evoked by certain secretagogues.", "PMID": 782985} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6524", "title": "Major central nervous system malformations notified in Northern Ireland, 1969 to 1973.", "content": "In Northern Ireland, during the years 1969 to 1973, there were 485 notifications of anencephalus, 525 of spina bifida and 328 of hydrocephalus in a population of 157,725 (live and still) births. The data were based on the voluntary notification system for congenital malformations which has been operating in Northern Ireland and in England and Wales sine 1964. The malformation rates per 1000 (live and still) births were 3-1 for anencephalus, 3-3 for spina bifida and 2-1 for hydrocephalus. Secular trends in these data indicate a decrease in the incidence of all three major central nervous system malformations, but this is significant only in relation to anencephalus. Spina bifida was more common in female births than in male births, and 79 per cent of affected infants were liveborn. Indirect evidence suggests that some 40 per cent of the total number of live and stillborn infants having spina bifida at birth will survive to one year of age.", "contents": "Major central nervous system malformations notified in Northern Ireland, 1969 to 1973. In Northern Ireland, during the years 1969 to 1973, there were 485 notifications of anencephalus, 525 of spina bifida and 328 of hydrocephalus in a population of 157,725 (live and still) births. The data were based on the voluntary notification system for congenital malformations which has been operating in Northern Ireland and in England and Wales sine 1964. The malformation rates per 1000 (live and still) births were 3-1 for anencephalus, 3-3 for spina bifida and 2-1 for hydrocephalus. Secular trends in these data indicate a decrease in the incidence of all three major central nervous system malformations, but this is significant only in relation to anencephalus. Spina bifida was more common in female births than in male births, and 79 per cent of affected infants were liveborn. Indirect evidence suggests that some 40 per cent of the total number of live and stillborn infants having spina bifida at birth will survive to one year of age.", "PMID": 782986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6525", "title": "Comparison of natural and synthetic prostaglandins on gastric and pancreatic secretions and peptic ulcer formation in conscious cats.", "content": "In conscious cats with chronic gastric and pancreatic fistulas, the natural prostaglandins (PGs) of the E (PGE1 and PGE2) and F (PGF1 alpha and PGF2 alpha) series and synthetic 15-methyl analog of PGE2, 15(S) 15-methyl-PGE2 methylester were compared with regard to their action on gastric and pancreatic secretions and peptic ulcer formation. This study indicates that in comparison with natural PGs, the synthetic 15-methyl analog of PGE, is a more potent inhibitor of gastric secretion regardless of the route of administration and the mode of gastric stimulation. It more effectively prevents the formation of peptic ulcers in conscious cats.", "contents": "Comparison of natural and synthetic prostaglandins on gastric and pancreatic secretions and peptic ulcer formation in conscious cats. In conscious cats with chronic gastric and pancreatic fistulas, the natural prostaglandins (PGs) of the E (PGE1 and PGE2) and F (PGF1 alpha and PGF2 alpha) series and synthetic 15-methyl analog of PGE2, 15(S) 15-methyl-PGE2 methylester were compared with regard to their action on gastric and pancreatic secretions and peptic ulcer formation. This study indicates that in comparison with natural PGs, the synthetic 15-methyl analog of PGE, is a more potent inhibitor of gastric secretion regardless of the route of administration and the mode of gastric stimulation. It more effectively prevents the formation of peptic ulcers in conscious cats.", "PMID": 782987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6526", "title": "A fraction isolated from porcine upper small intestine stimulating pepsin secretion in the cat.", "content": "The preliminary purification of a material, apparently distinct from any hitherto isolated gastrointestinal hormone, with pepsin release stimulating activity in the cat is described. This material has shown no inhibitory effect on pentagastrin-stimulated secretion of acid, no effect of its own on gastric acid secretion and antral motility, and only a weak stimulatory effect on pancreatic secretion of bicarbonate.", "contents": "A fraction isolated from porcine upper small intestine stimulating pepsin secretion in the cat. The preliminary purification of a material, apparently distinct from any hitherto isolated gastrointestinal hormone, with pepsin release stimulating activity in the cat is described. This material has shown no inhibitory effect on pentagastrin-stimulated secretion of acid, no effect of its own on gastric acid secretion and antral motility, and only a weak stimulatory effect on pancreatic secretion of bicarbonate.", "PMID": 782988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6527", "title": "Lactoferrin in human pancreas. Immunohistological localization in normal and pathological pancreatic tissues.", "content": "The protein composition of normal human pancreatic juice and pancreatic juice of men with chronic calcifying pancreatitis (CCP) were compared using immuno-diffusion techniques. An additional protein was found in pathological pancreatic juice and this protein has been identified as lactoferrin. Its concentration has been determined. The indirect immunofluorescence method was used to detect and localize lactoferrin in 9 samples of human pancreas from 3 patients with CCP and 6 patients without CCP. The fluorescence was found in all samples. Lactoferrin staining was localized in lumen acinar and in the cytoplasm of the acinar cells. The fluorescence was stronger in the apical zone of acinar cells. When lactoferrin antiserum was incubated with lactoferrin insolubilized by glutaraldehyde, no fluorescence staining was detected. The differences between our results obtained by immunodiffusion and immunofluorescence techniques are explained by the different sensitivity of the two techniques and these results indicate that lactoferrin is a protein of pancreatic secretion.", "contents": "Lactoferrin in human pancreas. Immunohistological localization in normal and pathological pancreatic tissues. The protein composition of normal human pancreatic juice and pancreatic juice of men with chronic calcifying pancreatitis (CCP) were compared using immuno-diffusion techniques. An additional protein was found in pathological pancreatic juice and this protein has been identified as lactoferrin. Its concentration has been determined. The indirect immunofluorescence method was used to detect and localize lactoferrin in 9 samples of human pancreas from 3 patients with CCP and 6 patients without CCP. The fluorescence was found in all samples. Lactoferrin staining was localized in lumen acinar and in the cytoplasm of the acinar cells. The fluorescence was stronger in the apical zone of acinar cells. When lactoferrin antiserum was incubated with lactoferrin insolubilized by glutaraldehyde, no fluorescence staining was detected. The differences between our results obtained by immunodiffusion and immunofluorescence techniques are explained by the different sensitivity of the two techniques and these results indicate that lactoferrin is a protein of pancreatic secretion.", "PMID": 782989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6528", "title": "Inhibition of insulin and glucagon release from the perfused rat pancreas by cyproheptadine (Periactinol, Nuran).", "content": "The tricyclic compound cyproheptadine (Periactinol, Nuran) inhibited glucose-induced insulin release from the perfused rat pancreas. Tolbutamide-stimulated insulin release was significantly reduced in the presence and completely suppressed in the absence of a substimulatory glucose concentration (5 mM). Arginine produced a slow rise of insulin release, which was completely abolished by cyproheptadine. Furthermore the biphasic glucagon release due to the stimulus was inhibited. Oxidation of 14C-glucose in isolated islets was unaltered in the presence of cyproheptadine, and pyruvate added to the perfusion medium failed to reverse the inhibitory effect on glucose induced insulin release, indicating that impaired glucose metabolism is not responsible for the inhibition. In addition, the inhibition remained unchanged when phentolamine was present, suggesting that the effect is not mediated by inhibitory adrenergic alpha receptors. Theophylline, in contrast, partly overcame the inhibition. When the calcium concentration of the medium was enhanced, the inhibitory effect of cyproheptadine was still visible, although the relative inhibition had become smaller. The results suggest that cyproheptadine blocks insulin release by affecting a fundamental step of the stimulus-secretion coupling common to peptide hormones. A participation of a calcium-antagonizing effect in the inhibition is discussed.", "contents": "Inhibition of insulin and glucagon release from the perfused rat pancreas by cyproheptadine (Periactinol, Nuran). The tricyclic compound cyproheptadine (Periactinol, Nuran) inhibited glucose-induced insulin release from the perfused rat pancreas. Tolbutamide-stimulated insulin release was significantly reduced in the presence and completely suppressed in the absence of a substimulatory glucose concentration (5 mM). Arginine produced a slow rise of insulin release, which was completely abolished by cyproheptadine. Furthermore the biphasic glucagon release due to the stimulus was inhibited. Oxidation of 14C-glucose in isolated islets was unaltered in the presence of cyproheptadine, and pyruvate added to the perfusion medium failed to reverse the inhibitory effect on glucose induced insulin release, indicating that impaired glucose metabolism is not responsible for the inhibition. In addition, the inhibition remained unchanged when phentolamine was present, suggesting that the effect is not mediated by inhibitory adrenergic alpha receptors. Theophylline, in contrast, partly overcame the inhibition. When the calcium concentration of the medium was enhanced, the inhibitory effect of cyproheptadine was still visible, although the relative inhibition had become smaller. The results suggest that cyproheptadine blocks insulin release by affecting a fundamental step of the stimulus-secretion coupling common to peptide hormones. A participation of a calcium-antagonizing effect in the inhibition is discussed.", "PMID": 782991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6529", "title": "Pancreatic polypeptide - a postulated new hormone: identification of its cellular storage site by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry.", "content": "A peptide, referred to as pancreatic polypeptide (PP), has recently been isolated from the pancreas of chicken and of several mammals. PP is thought to be a pancreatic hormone. By the use of specific antisera we have demonstrated PP immunoreactivity in the pancreas of a number of mammals. The immunoreactivity was localized to a population of endocrine cells, distinct from the A, B and D cells. In most species the PP cells occurred in islets as well as in exocrine parenchyma; they often predominated in the pancreatic portion adjacent to the duodenum. In opossum and dog, PP cells were found also in the gastric mucosa. In opossum, the PP cells displayed formaldehyde - induced fluorescence typical of dopamine, whereas no formaldehyde-induced fluorescence was detected in the PP cells of mouse, rat and guinea pig. Also in these latter species, however, PP cells appear to possess amine-handling properties, a feature common to many peptide hormone-producing cells. The ultrastructure of the PP cells was defined by combining immunohistochemistry of semi-thin plastic sections with electron microscopy of adjacent ultrathin sections. PP cells show the ultrastructural features of peptide hormone-secreting cells. The PP cells of cat and dog contain fairly large, rather electron-lucent granules, and are probably identical with the previously described F cells. The PP cells of rat, guinea-pig, chinchilla and man contain small, fairly electron-dense granules. In these latter species no F cells are found. By immunoperoxidase staining of ultrathin sections, the PP immunoreactivity was found to be localized to the cytoplasmic granules. These observations provide support for the view that PP is a true pancreatic hormone.", "contents": "Pancreatic polypeptide - a postulated new hormone: identification of its cellular storage site by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. A peptide, referred to as pancreatic polypeptide (PP), has recently been isolated from the pancreas of chicken and of several mammals. PP is thought to be a pancreatic hormone. By the use of specific antisera we have demonstrated PP immunoreactivity in the pancreas of a number of mammals. The immunoreactivity was localized to a population of endocrine cells, distinct from the A, B and D cells. In most species the PP cells occurred in islets as well as in exocrine parenchyma; they often predominated in the pancreatic portion adjacent to the duodenum. In opossum and dog, PP cells were found also in the gastric mucosa. In opossum, the PP cells displayed formaldehyde - induced fluorescence typical of dopamine, whereas no formaldehyde-induced fluorescence was detected in the PP cells of mouse, rat and guinea pig. Also in these latter species, however, PP cells appear to possess amine-handling properties, a feature common to many peptide hormone-producing cells. The ultrastructure of the PP cells was defined by combining immunohistochemistry of semi-thin plastic sections with electron microscopy of adjacent ultrathin sections. PP cells show the ultrastructural features of peptide hormone-secreting cells. The PP cells of cat and dog contain fairly large, rather electron-lucent granules, and are probably identical with the previously described F cells. The PP cells of rat, guinea-pig, chinchilla and man contain small, fairly electron-dense granules. In these latter species no F cells are found. By immunoperoxidase staining of ultrathin sections, the PP immunoreactivity was found to be localized to the cytoplasmic granules. These observations provide support for the view that PP is a true pancreatic hormone.", "PMID": 782992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6530", "title": "Effects of sulfonylureas on histochemical and ultracytochemical calcium distribution in B-cells of mice.", "content": "The study examines the effects of sulfonylurea compounds on the histo- and ultracytochemical calcium distribution within the B-cells of mice using the glyoxal-bis-(2-hydroxyanil) (GBHA) and the pyroantimonate method combined with X-ray microanalysis. Treatment with tolbutamide (200 mg/kg), glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) and glisoxepide (2 mg/kg), causing moderate hypoglycemia and B-cell degranulation, was associated with an unchanged (30, 90 min) or slightly increased (180, 360 min, 4, 42d) GGHA staining intensity of the islet cells compared with controls. Ultra-cytochemically sulfonylureas provoked, compared with controls, a redistribution of calcium-rich, electron dense pyroantimonate precipitates (EDPP). Precipitation predominantly occurred along the inner surface of the plasma membranes and within the granule halos. In contrast, the cytoplasmic matrix, the Golgi complexes and the rough endoplasmic reticulum contained only few fine precipitates. The sulfonylureas investigated exerted identical effects on the histo- and ultracytochemical calcium distribution in B-cells. The results indicate that sulfonylurea-induced insulin secretion is associated with an accumulation and redistribution of calcium within the B-cells. This supports the hypothesis that an altered calcium handling by the B-cell mainly accounts for the insulinotropic effect of sulfonylureas.", "contents": "Effects of sulfonylureas on histochemical and ultracytochemical calcium distribution in B-cells of mice. The study examines the effects of sulfonylurea compounds on the histo- and ultracytochemical calcium distribution within the B-cells of mice using the glyoxal-bis-(2-hydroxyanil) (GBHA) and the pyroantimonate method combined with X-ray microanalysis. Treatment with tolbutamide (200 mg/kg), glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) and glisoxepide (2 mg/kg), causing moderate hypoglycemia and B-cell degranulation, was associated with an unchanged (30, 90 min) or slightly increased (180, 360 min, 4, 42d) GGHA staining intensity of the islet cells compared with controls. Ultra-cytochemically sulfonylureas provoked, compared with controls, a redistribution of calcium-rich, electron dense pyroantimonate precipitates (EDPP). Precipitation predominantly occurred along the inner surface of the plasma membranes and within the granule halos. In contrast, the cytoplasmic matrix, the Golgi complexes and the rough endoplasmic reticulum contained only few fine precipitates. The sulfonylureas investigated exerted identical effects on the histo- and ultracytochemical calcium distribution in B-cells. The results indicate that sulfonylurea-induced insulin secretion is associated with an accumulation and redistribution of calcium within the B-cells. This supports the hypothesis that an altered calcium handling by the B-cell mainly accounts for the insulinotropic effect of sulfonylureas.", "PMID": 782993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6531", "title": "The comparative effects of barbituric acid phenobarbital on blood glucose and insulin secretion in mice.", "content": "The effects of barbituric acid and phenobarbital upon carbohydrate metabolism in mice were compared. An intraperitoneal dose of 100 mg/kg of barbituric acid increased blood glucose concentrations during an intravenous glucose tolerance test, but did not alter the rate of glucose disappearance from the blood. Barbituric acid also antagonized the hypoglycemic effect of intravenously administered tolbutamide. The same dose of phenobarbital had no effect. An in vitro concentration of 100 mug/ml of barbituric acid decreased the responsiveness of isolated mouse pancreatic islets to glucose stimulation (3.0 mg/ml D-glucose). Again phenobarbital, 100 mug/ml, was without effect. The structural similarities between barbituric acid, tolbutamide and alloxan suggest that the effects observed in these experiments might reflect a competition for binding to reactive sites on or within the pancreatic B-cell.", "contents": "The comparative effects of barbituric acid phenobarbital on blood glucose and insulin secretion in mice. The effects of barbituric acid and phenobarbital upon carbohydrate metabolism in mice were compared. An intraperitoneal dose of 100 mg/kg of barbituric acid increased blood glucose concentrations during an intravenous glucose tolerance test, but did not alter the rate of glucose disappearance from the blood. Barbituric acid also antagonized the hypoglycemic effect of intravenously administered tolbutamide. The same dose of phenobarbital had no effect. An in vitro concentration of 100 mug/ml of barbituric acid decreased the responsiveness of isolated mouse pancreatic islets to glucose stimulation (3.0 mg/ml D-glucose). Again phenobarbital, 100 mug/ml, was without effect. The structural similarities between barbituric acid, tolbutamide and alloxan suggest that the effects observed in these experiments might reflect a competition for binding to reactive sites on or within the pancreatic B-cell.", "PMID": 782994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6532", "title": "[Clinical experinece using tubular grafts in the reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (author's transl)].", "content": "Conduit reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract is useful in treatment of a variety of congenital cardiac malformations. Seventeen patients underwent conduit reconstruction at the Texas Heart Institute between December 1965 and June 1974. Fifteen patients survived the operation and have significantly improved. Several different conduits were used: allograft aorta with the aortic valve and mitral leaflet attached, a woven Dacron prosthesis containing a prosthetic valve, a prosthesis containing a xenograft (porcine) valve and a valveless Dacron tube graft. Allograft conduits present difficulties with procurement and inventory and tend to calcify with time. Woven Dacron prostheses are favored because of ready availability in a wide range of sizes. In the case of pulmonary hypertension, we use a conduit containing a xenograft (porcine) value. The largest conduit possible must be used. Indications for conduit reconstruction include anomalous coronary arteries, discontinuity between the pulmonary arteries and pulmonary atresia with a VSD. Our current method of management of pulmonary atresia with VSD includes palliative shunt during infancy to permit full development of the pulmonary arteries for total correction at a more optimal age when a larger conduit may be used.", "contents": "[Clinical experinece using tubular grafts in the reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (author's transl)]. Conduit reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract is useful in treatment of a variety of congenital cardiac malformations. Seventeen patients underwent conduit reconstruction at the Texas Heart Institute between December 1965 and June 1974. Fifteen patients survived the operation and have significantly improved. Several different conduits were used: allograft aorta with the aortic valve and mitral leaflet attached, a woven Dacron prosthesis containing a prosthetic valve, a prosthesis containing a xenograft (porcine) valve and a valveless Dacron tube graft. Allograft conduits present difficulties with procurement and inventory and tend to calcify with time. Woven Dacron prostheses are favored because of ready availability in a wide range of sizes. In the case of pulmonary hypertension, we use a conduit containing a xenograft (porcine) value. The largest conduit possible must be used. Indications for conduit reconstruction include anomalous coronary arteries, discontinuity between the pulmonary arteries and pulmonary atresia with a VSD. Our current method of management of pulmonary atresia with VSD includes palliative shunt during infancy to permit full development of the pulmonary arteries for total correction at a more optimal age when a larger conduit may be used.", "PMID": 782995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6533", "title": "Topical lidocaine in preendoscopic medication.", "content": "A double blind study of 111 consecutive elective upper gastrointestinal endoscopies performed with a flexible fiberoptic esophagogastroduodenoscope was made to determine the efficacy of topical pharyngeal anesthesia with lidocaine as an adjunct to intramuscular meperidine, intramuscular atropine, and intravenous diazepam. Patients who received lidocaine rated the over-all endoscopy and passage of the endoscope significantly easier than did those receiving placebo. The endoscopist found that patients who received lidocaine tolerated endoscopy significantly better, although gagging was not affected.", "contents": "Topical lidocaine in preendoscopic medication. A double blind study of 111 consecutive elective upper gastrointestinal endoscopies performed with a flexible fiberoptic esophagogastroduodenoscope was made to determine the efficacy of topical pharyngeal anesthesia with lidocaine as an adjunct to intramuscular meperidine, intramuscular atropine, and intravenous diazepam. Patients who received lidocaine rated the over-all endoscopy and passage of the endoscope significantly easier than did those receiving placebo. The endoscopist found that patients who received lidocaine tolerated endoscopy significantly better, although gagging was not affected.", "PMID": 782997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6534", "title": "Modification and inheritance of pleiotropic cross resistance and collateral sensitivity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "A meiotic segregant (oliPR1) was isolated with a phenotype of multiple cross resistance and collateral sensitivity. Strain oliPR1 has increased sensitivity to ethidium bromide, dequalinium chloride, acriflavin, paromomycin and neomycin, and increased resistance to oligomycin, rutamycin, venturicidin, triethyltin bromide, antimycin, carbonylcynamide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone, tetra-N-butylammonium bromide, dibenzyldimethylammonium chloride, triphenylmethlphosphonium bromide, chloramphenicol, carbomycin, tetracycline, triton X-165 and cycloheximide. Single gene inheritance of the cross resistance and collateral sensitivity was shown by 2:2 parental ditype segregation and reversion of the complete phenotype by a spontaneous revertant. The locus conferring the oliPR1 phenotype was mapped 11.7 units from an unspecified centromere. Antibiotic resistance showed incomplete dominance, with the level of hybrid resistance dependent upon the inhibitor tested. Resistant diploids that produced four resistant ascospores were the result of mitotic recombination prior to meiosis. A partial revertant phenotype (sensitive to all inhibitors except oligomycin, antimycin and carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone) was shown to be due to a single nuclear gene causing partial suppression of oliPR1. Anaerobic pretreatment, 37degrees and 0.5 MKC1 were observed to reduce the growth of oliPR1 when challenged with seven diverse inhibitors (antimycin, carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone,-chloramphenicol, cycloheximide, oligomycin, triethyltin bromide, and triphenylmethylphosphonium bromide). Resistance to cycloheximide was not altered by the [rho--] state. A revertant of oliPR1 (sensitive to the above inhibitors but resistant to ethidium bromide, paromycin and neomycin) showed anaerobic and temperature sensitization to ethidium bromide, paromomycin and neomycin. Continuous monitoring of oxygen uptake by the revertant afteranaerobic pretreatment revealed that anaerbiosis sensitized respiratory adaptation of the revertant to neomycin. It is proposed that oliPR1 is a mutation resulting in the alteration of plasma membrane permeability to many diverse inhibitors.", "contents": "Modification and inheritance of pleiotropic cross resistance and collateral sensitivity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A meiotic segregant (oliPR1) was isolated with a phenotype of multiple cross resistance and collateral sensitivity. Strain oliPR1 has increased sensitivity to ethidium bromide, dequalinium chloride, acriflavin, paromomycin and neomycin, and increased resistance to oligomycin, rutamycin, venturicidin, triethyltin bromide, antimycin, carbonylcynamide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone, tetra-N-butylammonium bromide, dibenzyldimethylammonium chloride, triphenylmethlphosphonium bromide, chloramphenicol, carbomycin, tetracycline, triton X-165 and cycloheximide. Single gene inheritance of the cross resistance and collateral sensitivity was shown by 2:2 parental ditype segregation and reversion of the complete phenotype by a spontaneous revertant. The locus conferring the oliPR1 phenotype was mapped 11.7 units from an unspecified centromere. Antibiotic resistance showed incomplete dominance, with the level of hybrid resistance dependent upon the inhibitor tested. Resistant diploids that produced four resistant ascospores were the result of mitotic recombination prior to meiosis. A partial revertant phenotype (sensitive to all inhibitors except oligomycin, antimycin and carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone) was shown to be due to a single nuclear gene causing partial suppression of oliPR1. Anaerobic pretreatment, 37degrees and 0.5 MKC1 were observed to reduce the growth of oliPR1 when challenged with seven diverse inhibitors (antimycin, carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone,-chloramphenicol, cycloheximide, oligomycin, triethyltin bromide, and triphenylmethylphosphonium bromide). Resistance to cycloheximide was not altered by the [rho--] state. A revertant of oliPR1 (sensitive to the above inhibitors but resistant to ethidium bromide, paromycin and neomycin) showed anaerobic and temperature sensitization to ethidium bromide, paromomycin and neomycin. Continuous monitoring of oxygen uptake by the revertant afteranaerobic pretreatment revealed that anaerbiosis sensitized respiratory adaptation of the revertant to neomycin. It is proposed that oliPR1 is a mutation resulting in the alteration of plasma membrane permeability to many diverse inhibitors.", "PMID": 782999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6535", "title": "Specialized transduction by bacteriophage P22 in Salmonella typhimurium: genetic and physical structure of the transducing genomes and the prophage attachment site.", "content": "P22pro-1 and P22pro-3 are specialized transducing derivatives of phage P22 that carry the proA and proB genes of Salmonella typhimurium. These genes lie immediately adjacent to the prophage attachment site on the bacterial chromosome. By examining DNA heteroduplexes in the electron microscope, we found that DNA molecules from P22pro-1 and P22pro-3 each contain a substitution which adds length to the composite genome making the intracellular replicated genome too long to fit into a single phage particle. In this respect, and in many of their biological properties, the proline-transducing phages resemble P22Tc-10, another specialized transducing phage with an oversize, intracellular replicated genome which carries a tetracycline-resistance determinant from an R-factor.--Unlike P22Tc-10, however, P22pro-1 and P22pro-3 fail to integrate normally during lysogenizing infections, even when provided with all known integration functions. These results suggest that the proline substitutions have created a defect in the phage attachment site and suggest that the Campbell model for the formation of specialized transducing phages is applicable to phage P22 with the additional feature that oversize genomes can be produced and propagated.--A physical and genetic map of the P22 genome near the prophage attachment site was constructed which shows that the insertion from the R-factor in P22Tc-10 is not at the attachment site: it is therefore unlikely that P22Tc-10 was formed in an abnormal prophage excision event as envisioned in the Campbell model, but was instead the result of a direct translocation from the R-plasmid to P22.", "contents": "Specialized transduction by bacteriophage P22 in Salmonella typhimurium: genetic and physical structure of the transducing genomes and the prophage attachment site. P22pro-1 and P22pro-3 are specialized transducing derivatives of phage P22 that carry the proA and proB genes of Salmonella typhimurium. These genes lie immediately adjacent to the prophage attachment site on the bacterial chromosome. By examining DNA heteroduplexes in the electron microscope, we found that DNA molecules from P22pro-1 and P22pro-3 each contain a substitution which adds length to the composite genome making the intracellular replicated genome too long to fit into a single phage particle. In this respect, and in many of their biological properties, the proline-transducing phages resemble P22Tc-10, another specialized transducing phage with an oversize, intracellular replicated genome which carries a tetracycline-resistance determinant from an R-factor.--Unlike P22Tc-10, however, P22pro-1 and P22pro-3 fail to integrate normally during lysogenizing infections, even when provided with all known integration functions. These results suggest that the proline substitutions have created a defect in the phage attachment site and suggest that the Campbell model for the formation of specialized transducing phages is applicable to phage P22 with the additional feature that oversize genomes can be produced and propagated.--A physical and genetic map of the P22 genome near the prophage attachment site was constructed which shows that the insertion from the R-factor in P22Tc-10 is not at the attachment site: it is therefore unlikely that P22Tc-10 was formed in an abnormal prophage excision event as envisioned in the Campbell model, but was instead the result of a direct translocation from the R-plasmid to P22.", "PMID": 783004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6536", "title": "Specialized transducing phages derived from phage P22 that carry the pro AB region of the host, Salmonella typhimurium: genetic evidence for their structure and mode of transduction.", "content": "Two independently isolated specialized transducing phages, P22pro-1 and P22pro-3, have been studied. Lysates of P22pro-1 contain a majority of transducing phages which can go through the lytic cycle only in mixed infection; these defective phages transduce by lysogenization in mixed infection and by substitution in single infection. A few of the transducing phages in P22pro-1 lysates appear to be non-defective, being able to form plaques and to transduce by lysogenization in single infection. Transduction by P22pro-3 lysates is effected by non-defective transducing phages, which transduce by lysogenization; these lysates also contain a majority of defective phages which do not co-operate in mixed infection. The P22pro-1 genome is thought to contain an insertion of bacterial DNA longer than the terminal repetition present in P22 wild type, so that at maturation a population of differently defective phages is produced. The exact structure of the P22pro-3 genome is open to conjecture, but it seems clear that the insertion of bacterial DNA is smaller than that in P22pro-1. Both P22pro-1 and P22pro-3 are defective in integration at ataA under non-selective conditions, although both integrate on medium that lacks proline.", "contents": "Specialized transducing phages derived from phage P22 that carry the pro AB region of the host, Salmonella typhimurium: genetic evidence for their structure and mode of transduction. Two independently isolated specialized transducing phages, P22pro-1 and P22pro-3, have been studied. Lysates of P22pro-1 contain a majority of transducing phages which can go through the lytic cycle only in mixed infection; these defective phages transduce by lysogenization in mixed infection and by substitution in single infection. A few of the transducing phages in P22pro-1 lysates appear to be non-defective, being able to form plaques and to transduce by lysogenization in single infection. Transduction by P22pro-3 lysates is effected by non-defective transducing phages, which transduce by lysogenization; these lysates also contain a majority of defective phages which do not co-operate in mixed infection. The P22pro-1 genome is thought to contain an insertion of bacterial DNA longer than the terminal repetition present in P22 wild type, so that at maturation a population of differently defective phages is produced. The exact structure of the P22pro-3 genome is open to conjecture, but it seems clear that the insertion of bacterial DNA is smaller than that in P22pro-1. Both P22pro-1 and P22pro-3 are defective in integration at ataA under non-selective conditions, although both integrate on medium that lacks proline.", "PMID": 783005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6537", "title": "[Recombination of mitochondrial markers in yeasts. I. Analysis of isomitochondrial crosses and a study of the influence of locus determining mating type on recombination].", "content": "Yeast mitochondrial markers of the resistance to antibiotics (erythromycin, neomycin and monomycin) were used to study mitochondrial recombination in bifactorial crosses both in cis and trans configurations of markers. Our strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are isochromosomal and isomitochondrial due to all of them have originated from one haploid pace XII of Sacch. cerevisiae. The following parameters of mitochondrial recombination were examined in random samples of zygotic diploid daughter colonies; a) the asymmetric transmission of parental classes; b) the frequency of recombination; c) the polarity of recombination; d) the effect of cell mating type on these parameters in reciprocal crosses. The data obtained suggest the following features of mitochondrial recombination: a) The distribution of both classes as parental and recombinant is unequal: there is asymmetrical transmission (0,22-1,72) and some polarity of recombination (up to 4,0). b) The effect of cell mating type on asymmetrical transmission was established only is some crosses in trans-configuration of mitochondrial markers. In cis-configuration crosses such effect was not observed. c) Different mitochondrial mutations influenced on all the above listed parameters (asymmetrical transmission of parental classes, the frequency and the polarity of recombination). Some correlation between the high level of asymmetrical transmission of parental classes and the low frequency of recombination was found in crosses with NR and MR mutants. The existence of several different loci among ER, NR and MR mutants is suggested on the basis of the data on the recombination frequency.", "contents": "[Recombination of mitochondrial markers in yeasts. I. Analysis of isomitochondrial crosses and a study of the influence of locus determining mating type on recombination]. Yeast mitochondrial markers of the resistance to antibiotics (erythromycin, neomycin and monomycin) were used to study mitochondrial recombination in bifactorial crosses both in cis and trans configurations of markers. Our strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are isochromosomal and isomitochondrial due to all of them have originated from one haploid pace XII of Sacch. cerevisiae. The following parameters of mitochondrial recombination were examined in random samples of zygotic diploid daughter colonies; a) the asymmetric transmission of parental classes; b) the frequency of recombination; c) the polarity of recombination; d) the effect of cell mating type on these parameters in reciprocal crosses. The data obtained suggest the following features of mitochondrial recombination: a) The distribution of both classes as parental and recombinant is unequal: there is asymmetrical transmission (0,22-1,72) and some polarity of recombination (up to 4,0). b) The effect of cell mating type on asymmetrical transmission was established only is some crosses in trans-configuration of mitochondrial markers. In cis-configuration crosses such effect was not observed. c) Different mitochondrial mutations influenced on all the above listed parameters (asymmetrical transmission of parental classes, the frequency and the polarity of recombination). Some correlation between the high level of asymmetrical transmission of parental classes and the low frequency of recombination was found in crosses with NR and MR mutants. The existence of several different loci among ER, NR and MR mutants is suggested on the basis of the data on the recombination frequency.", "PMID": 783006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6538", "title": "[Co60 gamma-ray sensitivity of a series of strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts bearing different mutations. I. Radiosensitivity of haploid strains].", "content": "Sensitivity to gamma-rays Co60 of haploid strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae carrying ade1-6 mutations and dominant, semidoninant and recessive suppressors was investigated. It was shown that 3 out of 4 studied strains with ade1-6 mutation had reliable increased radioresistance. The increased radioresistance was observed also in strains carrying, beside ade1-6 mutation, dominant and semidominant suppressors. However the strain carrying a recessive suppressive mutation turned to be radiosensitive. A conclusion is drawn that rediosensitivity of yeast cells can be influenced by different mutations affecting the process of cell metabolism.", "contents": "[Co60 gamma-ray sensitivity of a series of strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts bearing different mutations. I. Radiosensitivity of haploid strains]. Sensitivity to gamma-rays Co60 of haploid strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae carrying ade1-6 mutations and dominant, semidoninant and recessive suppressors was investigated. It was shown that 3 out of 4 studied strains with ade1-6 mutation had reliable increased radioresistance. The increased radioresistance was observed also in strains carrying, beside ade1-6 mutation, dominant and semidominant suppressors. However the strain carrying a recessive suppressive mutation turned to be radiosensitive. A conclusion is drawn that rediosensitivity of yeast cells can be influenced by different mutations affecting the process of cell metabolism.", "PMID": 783007} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6539", "title": "[Effect of adenine, adenosine and adenylic nucleotides on the mutagenic action of hydroxylamine].", "content": "The effect of some adenyl precursors of DNA synthesis on the mutagenic activity of hydroxylamine (HA) is studied. It is shown that the addition of adenine to a suspension of Escherichia coli B cells increases the yield of mutants by more than two times as compared with HA alone. The effects of adenosine, AMP and dAMP are somewhat different. It is suggested that the increase of the HA mutagenic effect produced by the addition of adenine may be due to: 1) the excess of the amount of adenylic precursors of DNA synthesis over guanilic ones, which promotes the erroneous base-pairing during the replication of the HA modified template; 2) the modification of adenylic precursors by HA into N6-oxy-dATP, and their incorporation into DNA. The mutagenic effect of N6-hydroxyadenosine, the product of the adenine modification by HA, in E. coli B pur- was studied. The experiments showed that N6-hyrdoxyadenosine induced about 1% of mutations, a relatively low lethal effect (the cell survival was 80%), and provided a high mutagenic action of this compound.", "contents": "[Effect of adenine, adenosine and adenylic nucleotides on the mutagenic action of hydroxylamine]. The effect of some adenyl precursors of DNA synthesis on the mutagenic activity of hydroxylamine (HA) is studied. It is shown that the addition of adenine to a suspension of Escherichia coli B cells increases the yield of mutants by more than two times as compared with HA alone. The effects of adenosine, AMP and dAMP are somewhat different. It is suggested that the increase of the HA mutagenic effect produced by the addition of adenine may be due to: 1) the excess of the amount of adenylic precursors of DNA synthesis over guanilic ones, which promotes the erroneous base-pairing during the replication of the HA modified template; 2) the modification of adenylic precursors by HA into N6-oxy-dATP, and their incorporation into DNA. The mutagenic effect of N6-hydroxyadenosine, the product of the adenine modification by HA, in E. coli B pur- was studied. The experiments showed that N6-hyrdoxyadenosine induced about 1% of mutations, a relatively low lethal effect (the cell survival was 80%), and provided a high mutagenic action of this compound.", "PMID": 783008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6540", "title": "[Detection of the products of several T4B phage genes among the proteins of infected Escherichia].", "content": "Proteins of wild-type phate T4 and its mutants in genes rII, su(30), stII, stIII, rVI-39 and 60 are studied by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate of membrane fractions and lysates of infected bacteria. Physiological studies of mutants in these genes carried out by the authors and other investigators allow to suggest that when functions are realized, the products of these genes interact with the plasmatic membrane of the infected bacteria. The product of rIIB cystrone has been indentified as the protein of the membrane of an infected bacterium, its molecular weight being about 30 000. The products of genes su(30), stII, stIII and rVI could not be identified either in lysate or in membrane fraction. The function of gene stII is \"superstoichiometric\", which may be due to the involvement of a very small product amount when the function of gene stII is realized. Mutants in genes 39 and 60 lack one and the same protein with molecular weight of about 40 000 which is a protein of the membrane of an infected bacterium. This protein may be a product of gene 39, and the functional product of gene 60 is necessary to synthesize it.", "contents": "[Detection of the products of several T4B phage genes among the proteins of infected Escherichia]. Proteins of wild-type phate T4 and its mutants in genes rII, su(30), stII, stIII, rVI-39 and 60 are studied by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate of membrane fractions and lysates of infected bacteria. Physiological studies of mutants in these genes carried out by the authors and other investigators allow to suggest that when functions are realized, the products of these genes interact with the plasmatic membrane of the infected bacteria. The product of rIIB cystrone has been indentified as the protein of the membrane of an infected bacterium, its molecular weight being about 30 000. The products of genes su(30), stII, stIII and rVI could not be identified either in lysate or in membrane fraction. The function of gene stII is \"superstoichiometric\", which may be due to the involvement of a very small product amount when the function of gene stII is realized. Mutants in genes 39 and 60 lack one and the same protein with molecular weight of about 40 000 which is a protein of the membrane of an infected bacterium. This protein may be a product of gene 39, and the functional product of gene 60 is necessary to synthesize it.", "PMID": 783009} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6541", "title": "[Genetic control of the RecF recombination pathway. II. Effect of recL- and uvrE- mutations].", "content": "It was found earlier that the effect of the uvrE- mutation on the yield of recombinants formed via RecF pathway of recombination was mainly due to the decreased viability of the recB-C-sbcB-uvrE- recipient. The results of the present paper show the uvrE- and recL- mutations reduce the recipient ability of the recB-C- sbcB- strains to the same extent. We were unable to find any evidence for complementation between the recL- and uvrE- mutations in transient as well as in stable uvrE-/recL- merozygotes. The recL152 as well as the uvrE502 mutation is lethal for the strains deficient in DNA polymerase I. Both recL- and uvrE- mutations reduce in the recB-C- sbcB- strains the probability of inheritance of the proximal non-selective donor markers as well as selective markers located close to the leading end of the donor chromosome. The former effect however could not be completely due to the latter.", "contents": "[Genetic control of the RecF recombination pathway. II. Effect of recL- and uvrE- mutations]. It was found earlier that the effect of the uvrE- mutation on the yield of recombinants formed via RecF pathway of recombination was mainly due to the decreased viability of the recB-C-sbcB-uvrE- recipient. The results of the present paper show the uvrE- and recL- mutations reduce the recipient ability of the recB-C- sbcB- strains to the same extent. We were unable to find any evidence for complementation between the recL- and uvrE- mutations in transient as well as in stable uvrE-/recL- merozygotes. The recL152 as well as the uvrE502 mutation is lethal for the strains deficient in DNA polymerase I. Both recL- and uvrE- mutations reduce in the recB-C- sbcB- strains the probability of inheritance of the proximal non-selective donor markers as well as selective markers located close to the leading end of the donor chromosome. The former effect however could not be completely due to the latter.", "PMID": 783010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6542", "title": "[Isolation and study of bacteriophage T4B mutants according to genes functioning at an early stage of the infectious process].", "content": "In previous study irreversible inactivation of rII(ts)-infected lambda-lysogenic bacteria at 42 degrees C was revealed. The inactivationprocess depended on active protein synthesis...", "contents": "[Isolation and study of bacteriophage T4B mutants according to genes functioning at an early stage of the infectious process]. In previous study irreversible inactivation of rII(ts)-infected lambda-lysogenic bacteria at 42 degrees C was revealed. The inactivationprocess depended on active protein synthesis...", "PMID": 783011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6543", "title": "Kidney transplants in patients over 50.", "content": "Patients with end-stage renal failure shouldn't be denied the only possibility of cure just because they're old or have other chronic diseases. In this study of 69 patients over age 50-the largest series reported from a single medical center-kidney transplants from related donors had the same high rate of success as in younger patients. Over 80 percent of the patients who received kidneys from their children or siblings are still alive, in contrast to 52 percent of those who had to settle for a cadaver kidney. Infection posed the most serious hazard after surgery. Late complications, particularly hypertension and diabetes, were easily controoled and by no means debilitating. Four of the survivors still need hemodialysis, but over two-thirds have recovered completely.", "contents": "Kidney transplants in patients over 50. Patients with end-stage renal failure shouldn't be denied the only possibility of cure just because they're old or have other chronic diseases. In this study of 69 patients over age 50-the largest series reported from a single medical center-kidney transplants from related donors had the same high rate of success as in younger patients. Over 80 percent of the patients who received kidneys from their children or siblings are still alive, in contrast to 52 percent of those who had to settle for a cadaver kidney. Infection posed the most serious hazard after surgery. Late complications, particularly hypertension and diabetes, were easily controoled and by no means debilitating. Four of the survivors still need hemodialysis, but over two-thirds have recovered completely.", "PMID": 783013} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6544", "title": "A controlled study of the EEG during transcendental meditation: comparison with hypnosis.", "content": "A controlled, quantitative investigation of the electroencephalogram (EEG) and transcendental meditation (TM) revealed that EEG changes during TM were rarely as pronounced or consistent as previous reports suggest. There was considerable variation between subjects, some displaying no EEG changes at all during TM compared with an equal period of non-meditation. Any changes that did occur in a particular individual were not necessarily repeated in a subsequent session. A comparison of mean EEG parameters of the experimental group revealed no consistent significant differences between meditation and non-meditation, although trends towards increased theta and decreased beta activity during meditation were apparent. The biggest differences in mean EEG parameters were between subject groups. In particular, the group of meditators exhibited significantly more theta activity (during both TM and non-meditation) than a randomly selected group of individuals that had never meditated or been hypnotized. The EEG characteristics of the group of meditators were similar to those of a group of subjects experienced in self-hypnosis. It is concluded that the most obvious EEG changes during meditation are long-term. In people who regularly practise TM (or self-hypnosis), the EEG gradually (over weeks or months) tends to \"slow down.\" Such a \"slowed down\" EEG is apparent during both normal waking conditions and altered states of consciousness in these individuals.", "contents": "A controlled study of the EEG during transcendental meditation: comparison with hypnosis. A controlled, quantitative investigation of the electroencephalogram (EEG) and transcendental meditation (TM) revealed that EEG changes during TM were rarely as pronounced or consistent as previous reports suggest. There was considerable variation between subjects, some displaying no EEG changes at all during TM compared with an equal period of non-meditation. Any changes that did occur in a particular individual were not necessarily repeated in a subsequent session. A comparison of mean EEG parameters of the experimental group revealed no consistent significant differences between meditation and non-meditation, although trends towards increased theta and decreased beta activity during meditation were apparent. The biggest differences in mean EEG parameters were between subject groups. In particular, the group of meditators exhibited significantly more theta activity (during both TM and non-meditation) than a randomly selected group of individuals that had never meditated or been hypnotized. The EEG characteristics of the group of meditators were similar to those of a group of subjects experienced in self-hypnosis. It is concluded that the most obvious EEG changes during meditation are long-term. In people who regularly practise TM (or self-hypnosis), the EEG gradually (over weeks or months) tends to \"slow down.\" Such a \"slowed down\" EEG is apparent during both normal waking conditions and altered states of consciousness in these individuals.", "PMID": 783025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6545", "title": "[Therapy of duodenal ulcer. Comparative study on the hospital treatment of duodenal ulcer under endoscopic control of progress with and without drug support].", "content": "In a controlled study of 4 weeks--performed on 3 groups of 15 hospitalized patients each with endoscopically demonstrated florid duodenal ulcers--the healing process was checked by endoscope after 14 days and 4 weeks. The first group was treated with the preparation Caved-S, the second received an antacid mixture, and the third group was at first given no specific therapy but a placebo and later on an additional small quantity of antacids. The quickest relief of the pain symptoms was seen in the group treated with Caved-S. Healing was assessed endoscopically after the scheme of Ohmori and Miva and yielded after 14 days a varying number of healing stages for all 3 groups; after 4 weeks there was positive healing-up in a varying number of patients. All 45 patients were clearly improved after 4 weeks. The healing rate in those who had received Caved-S was slightly better than in those who had been treated with antacids and significantly better than in those patients who had been given small quantities of antacids only later on. It becomes apparent again that hospitalization alone leads to ulcer healing in over 60% of cases, which excludes the evidence of an influence of drugs.", "contents": "[Therapy of duodenal ulcer. Comparative study on the hospital treatment of duodenal ulcer under endoscopic control of progress with and without drug support]. In a controlled study of 4 weeks--performed on 3 groups of 15 hospitalized patients each with endoscopically demonstrated florid duodenal ulcers--the healing process was checked by endoscope after 14 days and 4 weeks. The first group was treated with the preparation Caved-S, the second received an antacid mixture, and the third group was at first given no specific therapy but a placebo and later on an additional small quantity of antacids. The quickest relief of the pain symptoms was seen in the group treated with Caved-S. Healing was assessed endoscopically after the scheme of Ohmori and Miva and yielded after 14 days a varying number of healing stages for all 3 groups; after 4 weeks there was positive healing-up in a varying number of patients. All 45 patients were clearly improved after 4 weeks. The healing rate in those who had received Caved-S was slightly better than in those who had been treated with antacids and significantly better than in those patients who had been given small quantities of antacids only later on. It becomes apparent again that hospitalization alone leads to ulcer healing in over 60% of cases, which excludes the evidence of an influence of drugs.", "PMID": 783029} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6546", "title": "Attempts at perfect normalization of glucose tolerance test of severe diabetics by artificial beta cell.", "content": "The artificial beta cell is a Glucose Controlled Insulin (and dextrose) Infusion System (GCIIS) for maintaining normoglycemia in diabetic conditions and other disturbances of metabolism. The insulin and dextrose infusion rates are calculated by a microcomputer according to the static glucose concentration (proportional control) and to its rate of change (dynamic control). The algorithms controlling the computer can be adapted to the subjects' requirements. It has already been shown, that the artificial beta cell is able to maintain blood sugar values in diabetics within physiological ranges during the course of the day. In our present study we examined the response of the artificial beta cell using a 100 gm oral glucose load in severe diabetics. The first type of control algorithms applied effected a rather small initial insulin infusion following OGTT in 8 juvenile diabetics connected with the artificial beta cell. The glucose responses thus obtained were similar to latent diabetes. In contrast, when the computer was controlled by the second type of algorithms with a more responsive dynamic control and a consequently higher initial insulin infusion, in one diabetic OGTT was fully normalized, whereas an improvement was achieved in another diabetic patient. Furthermore it was shown that control algorithms must be varied individually, depending on residual beta cell function and glucose regulatory mechanisms.", "contents": "Attempts at perfect normalization of glucose tolerance test of severe diabetics by artificial beta cell. The artificial beta cell is a Glucose Controlled Insulin (and dextrose) Infusion System (GCIIS) for maintaining normoglycemia in diabetic conditions and other disturbances of metabolism. The insulin and dextrose infusion rates are calculated by a microcomputer according to the static glucose concentration (proportional control) and to its rate of change (dynamic control). The algorithms controlling the computer can be adapted to the subjects' requirements. It has already been shown, that the artificial beta cell is able to maintain blood sugar values in diabetics within physiological ranges during the course of the day. In our present study we examined the response of the artificial beta cell using a 100 gm oral glucose load in severe diabetics. The first type of control algorithms applied effected a rather small initial insulin infusion following OGTT in 8 juvenile diabetics connected with the artificial beta cell. The glucose responses thus obtained were similar to latent diabetes. In contrast, when the computer was controlled by the second type of algorithms with a more responsive dynamic control and a consequently higher initial insulin infusion, in one diabetic OGTT was fully normalized, whereas an improvement was achieved in another diabetic patient. Furthermore it was shown that control algorithms must be varied individually, depending on residual beta cell function and glucose regulatory mechanisms.", "PMID": 783030} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6547", "title": "Effect of fasting on the incorporation of [3H]-L-phenylalanine into proinsulin-insulin and total protein in isolated rat pancreatic islets.", "content": "Pancreatic islets of fed, 24 hr and 72 hr fasted rats were incubated with [3H]-L-phenylalanine at verious concentrations of glucose. Total islet protein was isolated by TCA-precipitation, proinsulin-insulin by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The incorporation of label was expressed per mug dry islet weight. Fasting for 24 hr reduced the incorporation of label into (pro)insulin at glucose 3 mg/ml, but not at glucose 1 mg/ml. After 72 hr of fasting the incorporation into (pro)insulin was decreased both at glucose 1 and 3 mg/ml and the slope of the dose-response curve for glucose stimulation was reduced by 31%. In contrast, fasting caused the incorporation into total islet protein to increase. A similar tendency was observed in an unidentified protein fraction, which failed to migrate from the spacer gel on disc electrophoresis. Fasting did not affect the islet DNA content per mug dry weight. These results suggest that fasting reduces the rate of insulin biosynthesis by decreasing the glucose sensitivity of this process. Fasting may stimulate, however, the biosynthesis of an unidentified islet protein component.", "contents": "Effect of fasting on the incorporation of [3H]-L-phenylalanine into proinsulin-insulin and total protein in isolated rat pancreatic islets. Pancreatic islets of fed, 24 hr and 72 hr fasted rats were incubated with [3H]-L-phenylalanine at verious concentrations of glucose. Total islet protein was isolated by TCA-precipitation, proinsulin-insulin by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The incorporation of label was expressed per mug dry islet weight. Fasting for 24 hr reduced the incorporation of label into (pro)insulin at glucose 3 mg/ml, but not at glucose 1 mg/ml. After 72 hr of fasting the incorporation into (pro)insulin was decreased both at glucose 1 and 3 mg/ml and the slope of the dose-response curve for glucose stimulation was reduced by 31%. In contrast, fasting caused the incorporation into total islet protein to increase. A similar tendency was observed in an unidentified protein fraction, which failed to migrate from the spacer gel on disc electrophoresis. Fasting did not affect the islet DNA content per mug dry weight. These results suggest that fasting reduces the rate of insulin biosynthesis by decreasing the glucose sensitivity of this process. Fasting may stimulate, however, the biosynthesis of an unidentified islet protein component.", "PMID": 783031} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6548", "title": "Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast: specificity and quantitation of affinity elution with tRNA.", "content": "TRNAPhe is able to elute phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from cation exchangers in a 1:1 ratio. Elution of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase in a 1:1 ratio is also observed for four noncognate tRNAs investigated, specific for valine, serine, isoleucine and tyrosine. If protein mixtures are subjected to affinity elution the cognate pair [tRNAPhe-phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase] is eluted first, followed by noncognate pairs. The unspecific elution is not influenced by complexation of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase with an analog of phenylalanyl-adenylate.", "contents": "Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast: specificity and quantitation of affinity elution with tRNA. TRNAPhe is able to elute phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from cation exchangers in a 1:1 ratio. Elution of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase in a 1:1 ratio is also observed for four noncognate tRNAs investigated, specific for valine, serine, isoleucine and tyrosine. If protein mixtures are subjected to affinity elution the cognate pair [tRNAPhe-phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase] is eluted first, followed by noncognate pairs. The unspecific elution is not influenced by complexation of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase with an analog of phenylalanyl-adenylate.", "PMID": 783032} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6549", "title": "The sequence determination of a protein in a micro scale: the sequence analysis of ribosomal protein L34 of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The complete amino acid sequence of ribosomal protein L34 has been established by improved micro techniques with 3 mg of the lyophilized protein. The protein was digested with trypsin, thermolysin and chymotrypsin and the resulting peptides were isolated from fingerprints performed on cellulose thin-layer plates. The amino acid sequences of the peptides were determined by the combined micro dansyl-Edman technique using 5 - 10 nmol per sample. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid were distinguished from their amides by use of the color reaction of ninhydrin with the respective amino acid phenylthiohydantoins.", "contents": "The sequence determination of a protein in a micro scale: the sequence analysis of ribosomal protein L34 of Escherichia coli. The complete amino acid sequence of ribosomal protein L34 has been established by improved micro techniques with 3 mg of the lyophilized protein. The protein was digested with trypsin, thermolysin and chymotrypsin and the resulting peptides were isolated from fingerprints performed on cellulose thin-layer plates. The amino acid sequences of the peptides were determined by the combined micro dansyl-Edman technique using 5 - 10 nmol per sample. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid were distinguished from their amides by use of the color reaction of ninhydrin with the respective amino acid phenylthiohydantoins.", "PMID": 783033} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6550", "title": "Naturally occurring immunosuppressive agents. II. The ability of cell-free liver extracts to modify the rejection of allogeneic skin grafts in the rabbit.", "content": "It has been demonstrated that cell-free extracts of pig, rabbit and human liver, but not of other parenchymal organs, contain a factor or factors capable of suppressing the proliferative responses of allogeneic and xenogeneic lymphoid cells stimulated with PHA, PWM, Con-A and allogeneic lymphocytes. Intravenous injection of the liver extract is capable of modifying significantly the skin allograft rejection reaction in normal adult outbred rabbits. Work is now in progress to isolate this factor and to determine its composition.", "contents": "Naturally occurring immunosuppressive agents. II. The ability of cell-free liver extracts to modify the rejection of allogeneic skin grafts in the rabbit. It has been demonstrated that cell-free extracts of pig, rabbit and human liver, but not of other parenchymal organs, contain a factor or factors capable of suppressing the proliferative responses of allogeneic and xenogeneic lymphoid cells stimulated with PHA, PWM, Con-A and allogeneic lymphocytes. Intravenous injection of the liver extract is capable of modifying significantly the skin allograft rejection reaction in normal adult outbred rabbits. Work is now in progress to isolate this factor and to determine its composition.", "PMID": 783039} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6551", "title": "Effect of endocrine manipulation on graft rejection.", "content": "Immune competence (as determined by xenograft rejection) was measured following classical endocrine ablation and replacement procedures in the adult rat. Graft rejection, expressed as initial rejection time, was not changed by thyroidectomy, adrenalectomy, or hypophysectomy, either with or without appropriate hormone replacement. In concrast, gonadectomy in 3 rat types (female Sprague-Dawley, male and female Long Evans) decreased initial rejection time; administration of physiological doses of 17beta-estradiol plus progesterone returned the initial rejection time of ovariectomized rats to that observed in unoperated controls. Since initial rejection time was neither decreased by secondary ovariectomy (hypophysectomy) nor increased by sex steroid administration to hypophysectomized rats, it was suggested that the increased immune response after ovariectomy may be due to the presence of an immunopotentiating pituitary factor(s). Although commerical preparations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and luteotropic hormone were found to mimic the effect of ovariectomy, the impurity of these preparations (as judged by isoelectric focusing gels) precluded any conclusion as to the nature of the postulated immunopotentiating factor.", "contents": "Effect of endocrine manipulation on graft rejection. Immune competence (as determined by xenograft rejection) was measured following classical endocrine ablation and replacement procedures in the adult rat. Graft rejection, expressed as initial rejection time, was not changed by thyroidectomy, adrenalectomy, or hypophysectomy, either with or without appropriate hormone replacement. In concrast, gonadectomy in 3 rat types (female Sprague-Dawley, male and female Long Evans) decreased initial rejection time; administration of physiological doses of 17beta-estradiol plus progesterone returned the initial rejection time of ovariectomized rats to that observed in unoperated controls. Since initial rejection time was neither decreased by secondary ovariectomy (hypophysectomy) nor increased by sex steroid administration to hypophysectomized rats, it was suggested that the increased immune response after ovariectomy may be due to the presence of an immunopotentiating pituitary factor(s). Although commerical preparations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and luteotropic hormone were found to mimic the effect of ovariectomy, the impurity of these preparations (as judged by isoelectric focusing gels) precluded any conclusion as to the nature of the postulated immunopotentiating factor.", "PMID": 783040} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6552", "title": "The mitotic activity of, and antibody production by, sensitized lymphocytes quantified after transfer into irradiated recipients.", "content": "Adult thymectomized, irradiated CBA mice were reconstituted with bone marrow and thymus grafts derived from congenic strains differing in immunoglobulin allotype. After challenge with heterologous erythrocytes the allotype of the antibody secreted by the chimaeric spleen cells was the same as that of the bone marrow donor. When mixtures of immune and non-immune cells from the two congenic strains were transferred to irradiated recipients, a preponderance of the immune-donor cells was found dividing in the recipients' spleen 3 days after challenge with the immunizing antigen, and the allotype of the antibody-producing cells 7 days after challenge was almost entirely of immune-donor derivation. Further quantitative studies on the number of mitotically reactive cells observed after immunization with heterologous erythrocytes indicate that after primary and secondary challenge the mitotic activity of these cells is increased respectively four and eight times relative to that found in unsensitized cells.", "contents": "The mitotic activity of, and antibody production by, sensitized lymphocytes quantified after transfer into irradiated recipients. Adult thymectomized, irradiated CBA mice were reconstituted with bone marrow and thymus grafts derived from congenic strains differing in immunoglobulin allotype. After challenge with heterologous erythrocytes the allotype of the antibody secreted by the chimaeric spleen cells was the same as that of the bone marrow donor. When mixtures of immune and non-immune cells from the two congenic strains were transferred to irradiated recipients, a preponderance of the immune-donor cells was found dividing in the recipients' spleen 3 days after challenge with the immunizing antigen, and the allotype of the antibody-producing cells 7 days after challenge was almost entirely of immune-donor derivation. Further quantitative studies on the number of mitotically reactive cells observed after immunization with heterologous erythrocytes indicate that after primary and secondary challenge the mitotic activity of these cells is increased respectively four and eight times relative to that found in unsensitized cells.", "PMID": 783041} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6553", "title": "Biological effects of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo. II. Selection in the mouse thymus of PHA- and con A-responsive cells.", "content": "The effect of LPS injection on mouse thymocytes was examined by in vitro stimulation with PHA and Con A. Thymocytes from LPS treated mice were found more responsive than normal thymocytes to PHA and Con A. The increase of responsiveness was different for PHA and Con A, and dependent on the dose of LPS injected. This dose dependency suggests that LPS in vivo modifies the thymocyte population by progressively eliminating T1 cells and selecting T2 cells. These effects seem to be mediated by corticosteroids because they were prevented by adrenalectomy, a finding in agreement with the notion that the injection of cortisone induces similar cell changes in the thymus.", "contents": "Biological effects of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo. II. Selection in the mouse thymus of PHA- and con A-responsive cells. The effect of LPS injection on mouse thymocytes was examined by in vitro stimulation with PHA and Con A. Thymocytes from LPS treated mice were found more responsive than normal thymocytes to PHA and Con A. The increase of responsiveness was different for PHA and Con A, and dependent on the dose of LPS injected. This dose dependency suggests that LPS in vivo modifies the thymocyte population by progressively eliminating T1 cells and selecting T2 cells. These effects seem to be mediated by corticosteroids because they were prevented by adrenalectomy, a finding in agreement with the notion that the injection of cortisone induces similar cell changes in the thymus.", "PMID": 783042} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6554", "title": "Local immunie response in experimental pyelonephritis in the rabbit. III. Lymphocyte responsivieness to O and K antigens of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The response of circulating and infected kidney lymphocytes to the O (lipopolysaccharide) and K (polysaccharide) antigens of an Escherichia coli O6 K 13 H1 strain was determined. Both circulating and kidney lymphocytes showed significant incorporation of [3H-methyl]thymidine into DNA when incubated with the O antigen, whereas neither responded to the K antigen. The lipid moiety of the lipopolysaccharide was required for lymphocyte responsiveness. Upon sequential incubation of O antigen and fluoresceinated homologous antiserum, 24-30 per cent of kidney lymphocytes were shown to have surface receptors for O antigen, whereas none had surface receptors for K antigen. Although the K antigen is an important determinant of invasiveness of the upper urinary tract, it fails to elicit a cellular immune response or attach to lymphocytes from the infected kidney in experimental pyelonephritis.", "contents": "Local immunie response in experimental pyelonephritis in the rabbit. III. Lymphocyte responsivieness to O and K antigens of Escherichia coli. The response of circulating and infected kidney lymphocytes to the O (lipopolysaccharide) and K (polysaccharide) antigens of an Escherichia coli O6 K 13 H1 strain was determined. Both circulating and kidney lymphocytes showed significant incorporation of [3H-methyl]thymidine into DNA when incubated with the O antigen, whereas neither responded to the K antigen. The lipid moiety of the lipopolysaccharide was required for lymphocyte responsiveness. Upon sequential incubation of O antigen and fluoresceinated homologous antiserum, 24-30 per cent of kidney lymphocytes were shown to have surface receptors for O antigen, whereas none had surface receptors for K antigen. Although the K antigen is an important determinant of invasiveness of the upper urinary tract, it fails to elicit a cellular immune response or attach to lymphocytes from the infected kidney in experimental pyelonephritis.", "PMID": 783043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6555", "title": "Chemical properties of antigen-dependent migration inhibition factor in mice.", "content": "Antigen-dependent migration inhibition factor produced in cultures of mouse lymph node lymphocytes was further characterized. It was found to bind to Concanavalin A and could be eluted by the appropriate sugar. The pI of the activity was found to be between 6-4 and 6-5 by isoelectric focusing.", "contents": "Chemical properties of antigen-dependent migration inhibition factor in mice. Antigen-dependent migration inhibition factor produced in cultures of mouse lymph node lymphocytes was further characterized. It was found to bind to Concanavalin A and could be eluted by the appropriate sugar. The pI of the activity was found to be between 6-4 and 6-5 by isoelectric focusing.", "PMID": 783044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6556", "title": "Response of guinea pigs and hamsters to experimental infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae.", "content": "In an effort to further delineate the mechanism of infection and pathogenicity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, the hamster and guinea pigs were used as experimental models. These animals were chosen because of previous experience. The local antibody response in addition to organism growth patterns were examined in detail. Histological examination was carried out to determine the pathological lesions which occur. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "Response of guinea pigs and hamsters to experimental infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In an effort to further delineate the mechanism of infection and pathogenicity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, the hamster and guinea pigs were used as experimental models. These animals were chosen because of previous experience. The local antibody response in addition to organism growth patterns were examined in detail. Histological examination was carried out to determine the pathological lesions which occur. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 783045} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6557", "title": "The incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in Denmark over the past seventeen years: a review.", "content": "The variations in the incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in Denmark over a period of 17 years could be demonstrated in the central serological laboratory which serves the whole of the population. This observation was made possible for the first and major part of this study by testing cold agglutinin (CA) positive sera, which had been kept frozen sine 1958, for antibodies to M.pneumoniae. The second part of the study is based upon results from routine tests for CA and M.pneumoniae antibodies on all samples which we receive. A statistical analysis of the total material indicates that four epidemics of M.pneumoniae antibodies on all samples which we receive. A statistical analysis of the total material indicates that four epidemics of M.pneumoniae infection had taken place from January 1958 to December 1974 and that these epidemics occurred at regular four and a half year intervals. By a follow-up of the study a fifth epidemic was demonstrated during the first eight months of 1975 which broke the regular periodicity by appearing two years earlier than expected. The consequences of including only CA positive sera in this study was investigated. Antibodies to M.pneumoniae were measured by either an indirect immunofluorescence test, an indirect haemagglutination test or a complement fixation test. The observed difference in sensitivity of these tests is discussed in relationship to a possible influence on the overall incidence.", "contents": "The incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in Denmark over the past seventeen years: a review. The variations in the incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in Denmark over a period of 17 years could be demonstrated in the central serological laboratory which serves the whole of the population. This observation was made possible for the first and major part of this study by testing cold agglutinin (CA) positive sera, which had been kept frozen sine 1958, for antibodies to M.pneumoniae. The second part of the study is based upon results from routine tests for CA and M.pneumoniae antibodies on all samples which we receive. A statistical analysis of the total material indicates that four epidemics of M.pneumoniae antibodies on all samples which we receive. A statistical analysis of the total material indicates that four epidemics of M.pneumoniae infection had taken place from January 1958 to December 1974 and that these epidemics occurred at regular four and a half year intervals. By a follow-up of the study a fifth epidemic was demonstrated during the first eight months of 1975 which broke the regular periodicity by appearing two years earlier than expected. The consequences of including only CA positive sera in this study was investigated. Antibodies to M.pneumoniae were measured by either an indirect immunofluorescence test, an indirect haemagglutination test or a complement fixation test. The observed difference in sensitivity of these tests is discussed in relationship to a possible influence on the overall incidence.", "PMID": 783046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6558", "title": "The use of organ cultures and animal models in the study of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.", "content": "Organ cultures of ciliated tracheal epithelium derived from various animal species have been used to study several different mycoplasma infections. Human and hamster tracheal cultures have been used in particular to study Mycoplasma pneumoniae which, of all the human mycoplasmas, is the only one which damages the cultures. One reason for this is the capacity of the virulent organisms to attach to the cells; strains which are prevented from attaching or have lost this capacity do not damage the cultures. The organ culture system is therefore valuable in looking at the organisms-cell relationship but it is necessary to use animal models to study immunological processes. Hamsters, and more recently guinea pigs, have been used in this respect. The hamster model has been used to study the pathogenesis of M. pneumoniae pneumonia and also recovery from and resistance to infection. Humoral immune mechanisms seem more important than cell-mediated mechanisms in resistance, and the probable importance of local immunity is discussed. It is pointed out that it should be possible to establish the mechanisms underlying the development of M. pneumoniae sequelae where conditions, similar to those seen in man, occur in animals. Finally, the way in which the hamster model has been used to study the effect of tetracycline and erythromycin on the course of disease is discussed. As in man, therapy often improves the pneumonia but does not eradicate the organisms. This is probably due, at least in part, to the fact that the antibiotics are only mycoplasmastatic. Drugs with mycoplasmacidal properties are needed and the animal model would obviously prove helpful in evaluating these.", "contents": "The use of organ cultures and animal models in the study of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. Organ cultures of ciliated tracheal epithelium derived from various animal species have been used to study several different mycoplasma infections. Human and hamster tracheal cultures have been used in particular to study Mycoplasma pneumoniae which, of all the human mycoplasmas, is the only one which damages the cultures. One reason for this is the capacity of the virulent organisms to attach to the cells; strains which are prevented from attaching or have lost this capacity do not damage the cultures. The organ culture system is therefore valuable in looking at the organisms-cell relationship but it is necessary to use animal models to study immunological processes. Hamsters, and more recently guinea pigs, have been used in this respect. The hamster model has been used to study the pathogenesis of M. pneumoniae pneumonia and also recovery from and resistance to infection. Humoral immune mechanisms seem more important than cell-mediated mechanisms in resistance, and the probable importance of local immunity is discussed. It is pointed out that it should be possible to establish the mechanisms underlying the development of M. pneumoniae sequelae where conditions, similar to those seen in man, occur in animals. Finally, the way in which the hamster model has been used to study the effect of tetracycline and erythromycin on the course of disease is discussed. As in man, therapy often improves the pneumonia but does not eradicate the organisms. This is probably due, at least in part, to the fact that the antibiotics are only mycoplasmastatic. Drugs with mycoplasmacidal properties are needed and the animal model would obviously prove helpful in evaluating these.", "PMID": 783047} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6559", "title": "The incidence and aetiology of respiratory tract infections in general practice--with emphasis on Mycoplasma pneumoniae.", "content": "The incidence of respiratory tract infections in patients seeking medical advice at a community care centre (Dalby) during 1973 and 1974 was studied. About every third patient seen at this primary health station presented with signs of such infections. In the age groups less than 10, 10-19, 20-39, 40-59 and greater than or equal to 60 years, respiratory tract infections accounted for 65, 45, 32, 18 and 9% of the fotal number of diagnoses made during 1974. The aetiology of acute respiratory tract infections in a series of patients seen at this health station was studied. The series included randomly selected cases, but excluded children under seven years of age and patients presenting with signs of acute otitis media and tonsillitis. Attempts to establish the aetiology were made on the basis of the history, the clinical examination, and cultures for beta-haemolytic streptococci and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, complement foxation tests for influenza A and B, para-influenza 1, 2, and 3, adeno, cytomegalovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, and Chlamydia psittaci. Paul-Bunnell test and tests for cold agglutinins were also performed. With this test battery, an aetiological diagnosis was obtained in only 33% of the 101 patients studied. The findings suggest an infection with M.pneumoniae in 16%, with beta-haemolytic streptococci in 9%, and with viruses (adeno and para-influenza) in 7% of the patients. The present communication highlights the role of M.pneumoniae in upper respiratory infections, as few data have appeared on such infections in patients seen in general practice. The difficulty of establishing the aetiology of respiratory tract infections and the consequent treatment dilemma is discussed.", "contents": "The incidence and aetiology of respiratory tract infections in general practice--with emphasis on Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The incidence of respiratory tract infections in patients seeking medical advice at a community care centre (Dalby) during 1973 and 1974 was studied. About every third patient seen at this primary health station presented with signs of such infections. In the age groups less than 10, 10-19, 20-39, 40-59 and greater than or equal to 60 years, respiratory tract infections accounted for 65, 45, 32, 18 and 9% of the fotal number of diagnoses made during 1974. The aetiology of acute respiratory tract infections in a series of patients seen at this health station was studied. The series included randomly selected cases, but excluded children under seven years of age and patients presenting with signs of acute otitis media and tonsillitis. Attempts to establish the aetiology were made on the basis of the history, the clinical examination, and cultures for beta-haemolytic streptococci and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, complement foxation tests for influenza A and B, para-influenza 1, 2, and 3, adeno, cytomegalovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, and Chlamydia psittaci. Paul-Bunnell test and tests for cold agglutinins were also performed. With this test battery, an aetiological diagnosis was obtained in only 33% of the 101 patients studied. The findings suggest an infection with M.pneumoniae in 16%, with beta-haemolytic streptococci in 9%, and with viruses (adeno and para-influenza) in 7% of the patients. The present communication highlights the role of M.pneumoniae in upper respiratory infections, as few data have appeared on such infections in patients seen in general practice. The difficulty of establishing the aetiology of respiratory tract infections and the consequent treatment dilemma is discussed.", "PMID": 783048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6560", "title": "Pathogenicity factors of mycoplasmas.", "content": "The pathogenicity of mycoplasmas is caused by several factors, e.g. exotoxin, toxic properties of membrane components, exoenzymes, peroxide, and immunological factors. The absence of a rigid cell wall and the small genome tend to influence the interactions between mycoplasmas and host tissue. Mycoplasmas do not have a cell wass and are therefore resistant to the action of the host's lysozymes. They appear in some patients to be immunologically inconspicuous and in other patients they have been reported to have an immuno-suppressive effect. Recently there have been reports of central nervous system disorders due to mycoplasma. The pathogenic factors involved in these reactions have not been elucidated. Other aspects of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pathogenicity are also discussed.", "contents": "Pathogenicity factors of mycoplasmas. The pathogenicity of mycoplasmas is caused by several factors, e.g. exotoxin, toxic properties of membrane components, exoenzymes, peroxide, and immunological factors. The absence of a rigid cell wall and the small genome tend to influence the interactions between mycoplasmas and host tissue. Mycoplasmas do not have a cell wass and are therefore resistant to the action of the host's lysozymes. They appear in some patients to be immunologically inconspicuous and in other patients they have been reported to have an immuno-suppressive effect. Recently there have been reports of central nervous system disorders due to mycoplasma. The pathogenic factors involved in these reactions have not been elucidated. Other aspects of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pathogenicity are also discussed.", "PMID": 783049} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6561", "title": "An examination of the immunology of cancer patients.", "content": "We have examined 111 cancer patients and 111 control individuals for general immunocompetence (haematological values, \"recall\" antigen skin tests, PHA and PPD induced lymphocyte transformation, serum Ig levels and lymphocyte subpopulations), for evidence of sensitisation to tumour-associated antigens (leucocyte migration test, serum inhibition of autologous leucocyte migration, lymphocytotoxicity, membrane immunofluorescence and immune adherence) and for evidence of continuing immune reactions (alterations of complement components and anticomplementary activity). Major differences between the cancer patients and controls were demonstrated by several tests of sensitisation and these also detected differences between patients with and without metastases. The only differences detected between cancer patients and controls by the tests of general immunocompetence were in serum IgG and IgA (higher in the cancer patients) and lymphocyte subpopulations (\"active\" T, autorosetting lymphocytes and lymphocytes forming \"super-rosettes\" increased in cancer patients). In a comparison of cancer patients with and without metastases, patients with metastases were less often reactive to the Candida DHS and streptokinase-streptodornase antigens and had raised circulating Fc positive cells. Abnormalities of the individual components of complement occurred in about half the cancer patients, but were equally common in those with and without metastases. Serum anti-complementary activity was very rarely detected. The tests of specific sensitisation correlated reasonably well but correlations of tests of general immunocompetence were infrequent.", "contents": "An examination of the immunology of cancer patients. We have examined 111 cancer patients and 111 control individuals for general immunocompetence (haematological values, \"recall\" antigen skin tests, PHA and PPD induced lymphocyte transformation, serum Ig levels and lymphocyte subpopulations), for evidence of sensitisation to tumour-associated antigens (leucocyte migration test, serum inhibition of autologous leucocyte migration, lymphocytotoxicity, membrane immunofluorescence and immune adherence) and for evidence of continuing immune reactions (alterations of complement components and anticomplementary activity). Major differences between the cancer patients and controls were demonstrated by several tests of sensitisation and these also detected differences between patients with and without metastases. The only differences detected between cancer patients and controls by the tests of general immunocompetence were in serum IgG and IgA (higher in the cancer patients) and lymphocyte subpopulations (\"active\" T, autorosetting lymphocytes and lymphocytes forming \"super-rosettes\" increased in cancer patients). In a comparison of cancer patients with and without metastases, patients with metastases were less often reactive to the Candida DHS and streptokinase-streptodornase antigens and had raised circulating Fc positive cells. Abnormalities of the individual components of complement occurred in about half the cancer patients, but were equally common in those with and without metastases. Serum anti-complementary activity was very rarely detected. The tests of specific sensitisation correlated reasonably well but correlations of tests of general immunocompetence were infrequent.", "PMID": 783052} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6562", "title": "Circulating immune complexes in sera of patients with Burkett's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.", "content": "Sera of individuals with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, tested by consumption of hemolytic complement, were found by comparison with healthy individuals to have significantly increased levels of circulating immune complexes. The identity of the immune complexes was established by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, which showed them to sediment between 10 and 19S. As they were adsorbable by rheumatoid factor--Sepharose 4B conjugates, it appeared that these complexes were composed of IgG. The complexes were retained by Concanavalin A--Sepharose columns and eluted by alpha methyl-D-mannoside, suggesting by analogy with model complexes that the antigens might be glycoproteins.", "contents": "Circulating immune complexes in sera of patients with Burkett's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Sera of individuals with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, tested by consumption of hemolytic complement, were found by comparison with healthy individuals to have significantly increased levels of circulating immune complexes. The identity of the immune complexes was established by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, which showed them to sediment between 10 and 19S. As they were adsorbable by rheumatoid factor--Sepharose 4B conjugates, it appeared that these complexes were composed of IgG. The complexes were retained by Concanavalin A--Sepharose columns and eluted by alpha methyl-D-mannoside, suggesting by analogy with model complexes that the antigens might be glycoproteins.", "PMID": 783053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6563", "title": "Inhibition of syngeneic tumor growth in rats immunized with allogeneic skin grafts.", "content": "The growth of a transplantable tumor (KMT-17) in syngeneic Wistar King Aptekman/Mk (WKA) rats was inhibited by preimmunization with allogeneic normal cells from Donryu strain rats. The phenomenon is referred to as allogeneic cell immunity. A slight inhibition was observed in rats immunized with normal liver, spleen, kidney, embryonal cells, whole blood and white blood cells from allogeneic Donryu rats. A strong inhibition was observed in animals which had rejected allogeneic skin grafts, particularly from the Donryu and Kyoto rats. The inhibition was comparatively weak after immunization with skin grafts from the Long Evans, ACI, Buffalo, Ficsher, Sprague Dawley or Tokyo allogeneic rat strains. This immunizing effect was dependent on the viability of the grafts and was easily abrogated by low-dose irradiation. The mechanism of allogeneic cell immunity is considered to be a non-specific stimulation of the immunity against antigenic tumors in the syngeneic host", "contents": "Inhibition of syngeneic tumor growth in rats immunized with allogeneic skin grafts. The growth of a transplantable tumor (KMT-17) in syngeneic Wistar King Aptekman/Mk (WKA) rats was inhibited by preimmunization with allogeneic normal cells from Donryu strain rats. The phenomenon is referred to as allogeneic cell immunity. A slight inhibition was observed in rats immunized with normal liver, spleen, kidney, embryonal cells, whole blood and white blood cells from allogeneic Donryu rats. A strong inhibition was observed in animals which had rejected allogeneic skin grafts, particularly from the Donryu and Kyoto rats. The inhibition was comparatively weak after immunization with skin grafts from the Long Evans, ACI, Buffalo, Ficsher, Sprague Dawley or Tokyo allogeneic rat strains. This immunizing effect was dependent on the viability of the grafts and was easily abrogated by low-dose irradiation. The mechanism of allogeneic cell immunity is considered to be a non-specific stimulation of the immunity against antigenic tumors in the syngeneic host", "PMID": 783054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6564", "title": "The misalliance dimension in Freud's case histories: i. The case of Dora.", "content": "This paper presents an effort to identify sectors of therapeutic misalliance between Freud and his patient Dora based on modifications in the framework of the analytic relationship and situation. Use is made of a template based on the current ground rules and boundaries of the patient-analyst relationship, and three deviations from this template are identified in Freud's analytic work with Dora. The intrapsychia and interactional sequelae of these deviations in technique for Dora and for the course of her analysis are traced out. The consequent sectors of misalliance are identified and the participation of both Dora and Freud is described, as are their respective, largely unconscious efforts to modify these areas of unconscious collusion. Stress is placed on Dora'a unconscious preceptions of the actual implications of Freud's modifications in the frame. The role of Freud's failure to rectify these deviations and to analyze their implications for Dora are considered, including their influence on the patient's premature termination of her analysis.", "contents": "The misalliance dimension in Freud's case histories: i. The case of Dora. This paper presents an effort to identify sectors of therapeutic misalliance between Freud and his patient Dora based on modifications in the framework of the analytic relationship and situation. Use is made of a template based on the current ground rules and boundaries of the patient-analyst relationship, and three deviations from this template are identified in Freud's analytic work with Dora. The intrapsychia and interactional sequelae of these deviations in technique for Dora and for the course of her analysis are traced out. The consequent sectors of misalliance are identified and the participation of both Dora and Freud is described, as are their respective, largely unconscious efforts to modify these areas of unconscious collusion. Stress is placed on Dora'a unconscious preceptions of the actual implications of Freud's modifications in the frame. The role of Freud's failure to rectify these deviations and to analyze their implications for Dora are considered, including their influence on the patient's premature termination of her analysis.", "PMID": 783055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6565", "title": "Psychoanalytic contributions to the relationship between dreams and psychosis--a critical survey.", "content": "The author surveys psychoanalytic contributions to the relationship between dreams and psychosis as well as adding some of his own observations. He uses as his frame of reference questions relating to the similarities between dreams and psychosis, whether there are psychotic dreams and whether dreams may presage psychosis. There seemed to be some general consensus that the answers to these questions were positive, depending upon the frames of reference used, i.e., whether one referred to the topographical or structural model of the mind, the level of ego cathexis, the function of the ego vis-a-vis reality, etc. Most contributors felt that a dream taken out of context from the overall clinical situation would be difficult to evaluate as either presaging or representing a psychosis despite the fact that many dreams may appear which are suggestive.", "contents": "Psychoanalytic contributions to the relationship between dreams and psychosis--a critical survey. The author surveys psychoanalytic contributions to the relationship between dreams and psychosis as well as adding some of his own observations. He uses as his frame of reference questions relating to the similarities between dreams and psychosis, whether there are psychotic dreams and whether dreams may presage psychosis. There seemed to be some general consensus that the answers to these questions were positive, depending upon the frames of reference used, i.e., whether one referred to the topographical or structural model of the mind, the level of ego cathexis, the function of the ego vis-a-vis reality, etc. Most contributors felt that a dream taken out of context from the overall clinical situation would be difficult to evaluate as either presaging or representing a psychosis despite the fact that many dreams may appear which are suggestive.", "PMID": 783056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6566", "title": "[Sugar substitutes in the diabetic diet].", "content": "The decreased glucsoe utilization in diabetes mellitus justifies the use of sugar substitutes (\"diabetic sugar\") if two conditions are fulfilled: 1)The sugar substitute should be a carbohydrate which does not lead, or only to a slight degree, to hyperglycaemia and thus, in this respect, differs distinctly from sugars such as glucose and saccharose. 2) The sugar substitute must not cause undesired side-effects. The absorption, utilization and side-effects of the sugar substitutes fructose, sorbitol and xylitol were investigated. They were found to be more slowly absorbed than glucose and thus to offer the advantage of better utilization under conditions of limited insulin production. However, the particularly slow passive absorption of sorbitol and xylitol can sometimes be a disadvantage, since osmotic diarrhoea may occur after administration of high oral doses. The sugar substitutes enter the metabolism enzymatically and are utilized mainly in the liver. The peripheral state was investigated after intravenous, intraduodenal and oral administration of glucose and fructose to healthy subjects. Liver metabolism was examined (Dietze) by comparing hepatic venous and arterial concentrations after intravenous administration of the sugars. Also, diabetic patients received glucose and fructose orally. As previously demonstrated, the investigations using several techniques showed a smaller influence on blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations after administration of fructose, sorbitol and xylitol than after glucose. If no metabolic changes occur after intravenous administration of high doses, no such changes need be expected after oral administration of small doses. Nor did measurements in hepatic venous blood (Dietze) show any marked effect of fructose on the blood glucose level. The healthy subjects showed no significant changes in blood glucose or serum insulin concentration after either intraduodenal or oral administration of fructose, whereas they showed a considerable increase after glucose administration. Investigations in adult-type diabetics revealed a better utilization of fructose than glucose. With correct dosage, sugar substitutes are able to increase the carbohydrate tolerance and, under certain conditions, to achieve a relative stabilization of the metabolism of unstable diabetics. The antiketogenic activity of sugar substitutes is particularly pronounced. Side-effects such as high blood levels of urea, lactate, triglycerides and bilirubin or a decrease in hepatic adenin nucleotides do not occur after oral administration, nor are they of importance after intravenous administration with correct dosage. The osmotic diarrhoea occurring after intake of sorbitol or xylitol is caused by their slow absorption and limits the consumption of these sugar substitutes. In the often obese adult-type diabetics, the calorie intake inherent in the consumption of diabetic sugars may have an unfavourable influence on their weight...", "contents": "[Sugar substitutes in the diabetic diet]. The decreased glucsoe utilization in diabetes mellitus justifies the use of sugar substitutes (\"diabetic sugar\") if two conditions are fulfilled: 1)The sugar substitute should be a carbohydrate which does not lead, or only to a slight degree, to hyperglycaemia and thus, in this respect, differs distinctly from sugars such as glucose and saccharose. 2) The sugar substitute must not cause undesired side-effects. The absorption, utilization and side-effects of the sugar substitutes fructose, sorbitol and xylitol were investigated. They were found to be more slowly absorbed than glucose and thus to offer the advantage of better utilization under conditions of limited insulin production. However, the particularly slow passive absorption of sorbitol and xylitol can sometimes be a disadvantage, since osmotic diarrhoea may occur after administration of high oral doses. The sugar substitutes enter the metabolism enzymatically and are utilized mainly in the liver. The peripheral state was investigated after intravenous, intraduodenal and oral administration of glucose and fructose to healthy subjects. Liver metabolism was examined (Dietze) by comparing hepatic venous and arterial concentrations after intravenous administration of the sugars. Also, diabetic patients received glucose and fructose orally. As previously demonstrated, the investigations using several techniques showed a smaller influence on blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations after administration of fructose, sorbitol and xylitol than after glucose. If no metabolic changes occur after intravenous administration of high doses, no such changes need be expected after oral administration of small doses. Nor did measurements in hepatic venous blood (Dietze) show any marked effect of fructose on the blood glucose level. The healthy subjects showed no significant changes in blood glucose or serum insulin concentration after either intraduodenal or oral administration of fructose, whereas they showed a considerable increase after glucose administration. Investigations in adult-type diabetics revealed a better utilization of fructose than glucose. With correct dosage, sugar substitutes are able to increase the carbohydrate tolerance and, under certain conditions, to achieve a relative stabilization of the metabolism of unstable diabetics. The antiketogenic activity of sugar substitutes is particularly pronounced. Side-effects such as high blood levels of urea, lactate, triglycerides and bilirubin or a decrease in hepatic adenin nucleotides do not occur after oral administration, nor are they of importance after intravenous administration with correct dosage. The osmotic diarrhoea occurring after intake of sorbitol or xylitol is caused by their slow absorption and limits the consumption of these sugar substitutes. In the often obese adult-type diabetics, the calorie intake inherent in the consumption of diabetic sugars may have an unfavourable influence on their weight...", "PMID": 783058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6567", "title": "Possible mechanisms for the cariostatic effect of xylitol.", "content": "Xylitol appears to be the only known cariostatic natural carbohydrate which meets most of the desiderata for a sweetener in the human diet. Possible mechanisms for this cariostatic action can be derived from a consideration of the factors which may be operating at a molecular and microbiological level. These include: a) Molecular size and e.g. the short, open-chain structure and absence of reducing groups b) Absence or relative lack in most oral microorganisms of xylitol-binding factors in dental plaque c) Lack of bacterial genes coding for xylitol-utilizing enzymes or of inducible or de-repressible genes for this purpose d) Inhibition of enzymes involved in cariogenesis (competitive in case of some isomerases) e) Enzyme specificity requirements f) Higher osmotic pressure exerted by xylitol as compared to hexoses and disaccharides g) Ability of xylitol to produce a favourable electrolyte concentration in the saliva without lowering plaque pH h) Ability of xylitol to increase the secretion and activity of salivary lactoperoxidase and certain other (muco) proteins. Xylitol may enhance the adsorption of glycoproteins on the tooth surfaces and strengthen the acquired pellicle.", "contents": "Possible mechanisms for the cariostatic effect of xylitol. Xylitol appears to be the only known cariostatic natural carbohydrate which meets most of the desiderata for a sweetener in the human diet. Possible mechanisms for this cariostatic action can be derived from a consideration of the factors which may be operating at a molecular and microbiological level. These include: a) Molecular size and e.g. the short, open-chain structure and absence of reducing groups b) Absence or relative lack in most oral microorganisms of xylitol-binding factors in dental plaque c) Lack of bacterial genes coding for xylitol-utilizing enzymes or of inducible or de-repressible genes for this purpose d) Inhibition of enzymes involved in cariogenesis (competitive in case of some isomerases) e) Enzyme specificity requirements f) Higher osmotic pressure exerted by xylitol as compared to hexoses and disaccharides g) Ability of xylitol to produce a favourable electrolyte concentration in the saliva without lowering plaque pH h) Ability of xylitol to increase the secretion and activity of salivary lactoperoxidase and certain other (muco) proteins. Xylitol may enhance the adsorption of glycoproteins on the tooth surfaces and strengthen the acquired pellicle.", "PMID": 783059} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6568", "title": "Long-term tolerance of healthy human subjects to high amounts of xylitol and fructose: general and biochemical findings.", "content": "Three groups of volunteers, totalling 125, lived for two years on strict diets so that comparisons might be made with regard to the sweeteners: fructose (F), sucrose (S), and xylitol (X). The sizes of the test groups were: S, 35; F, 38; X, 52. The average monthly amounts of the sugars consumed in a varied assortment of foods were: S, 2.2 kg; F, 2.1 kg; X, 1.5 kg. The highest daily doses of fructose and xylitol were 200 - 400 g (maximum 430 g xylitol). Serum samples were analyzed for several chemical parameters. The dietary regimens did not result in clinically significant changes between the sugar groups. The ability of X to produce osmotic diarrhoea and flatulence was found to depend on the individual physiological responses of each volunteer. In many cases no symptoms were found although high amounts (200 - 400 g) of X were consumed. All pregnancies and deliveries in the F and X groups were normal. Practically all the volunteers accepted the F and X foods (almost 100 varities) and adhered to the dietary regimen for two years. This was due in the main to the fact that most F and X products were comparable to those containing sucrose.", "contents": "Long-term tolerance of healthy human subjects to high amounts of xylitol and fructose: general and biochemical findings. Three groups of volunteers, totalling 125, lived for two years on strict diets so that comparisons might be made with regard to the sweeteners: fructose (F), sucrose (S), and xylitol (X). The sizes of the test groups were: S, 35; F, 38; X, 52. The average monthly amounts of the sugars consumed in a varied assortment of foods were: S, 2.2 kg; F, 2.1 kg; X, 1.5 kg. The highest daily doses of fructose and xylitol were 200 - 400 g (maximum 430 g xylitol). Serum samples were analyzed for several chemical parameters. The dietary regimens did not result in clinically significant changes between the sugar groups. The ability of X to produce osmotic diarrhoea and flatulence was found to depend on the individual physiological responses of each volunteer. In many cases no symptoms were found although high amounts (200 - 400 g) of X were consumed. All pregnancies and deliveries in the F and X groups were normal. Practically all the volunteers accepted the F and X foods (almost 100 varities) and adhered to the dietary regimen for two years. This was due in the main to the fact that most F and X products were comparable to those containing sucrose.", "PMID": 783060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6569", "title": "Dextran uptake into, and loss from, corneas stored in intermediate-term preservative.", "content": "This investigation demonstrates that dextran passes into rabbit corneas stored in M-K medium prior to corneal transplantation. An equilibrium between dextran in the cornea and in the M-K medium is reached at about 24 hours. Post-keratoplasty dextran efflux is rapid with about 70 to 75 per cent being lost within one to three hours and 99 per cent being lost in 12 hours.", "contents": "Dextran uptake into, and loss from, corneas stored in intermediate-term preservative. This investigation demonstrates that dextran passes into rabbit corneas stored in M-K medium prior to corneal transplantation. An equilibrium between dextran in the cornea and in the M-K medium is reached at about 24 hours. Post-keratoplasty dextran efflux is rapid with about 70 to 75 per cent being lost within one to three hours and 99 per cent being lost in 12 hours.", "PMID": 783074} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6570", "title": "The effects of aspirin and indomethacin on the ocular response to circulating bacterial endotoxin in the rabbit.", "content": "A transient iridocyclitis is produced in rabbits by the intravenous injection of bacterial endotoxin. A major feature of this response is an altered vascular permeability which can be measured by the ocular accumulation of circulating 125I-labeled albumin. The present study was made to determine the effects of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis of the ocular response to an E. coli 055:B5 endotoxin. Aspirin pretreatment prevented the ocular response following the intravenous injection of 10 mug per kilogram of endotoxin, but had no effect following 100 mug per kilogram. Indomethacin pretreatment prevented an alteration in ocular vascular permeability 1 1/2 hours after the injection of 100 mug per kilogram of endotoxin and significantly reduced the alteration 4 hours after endotoxin. Thus inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis can prevent the ocular response to circulating endotoxin depending on their relative potency and the amount of injected endotoxin. These results suggest that prostaglandins are important in the ocular response to circulating endotoxin in the rabbit.", "contents": "The effects of aspirin and indomethacin on the ocular response to circulating bacterial endotoxin in the rabbit. A transient iridocyclitis is produced in rabbits by the intravenous injection of bacterial endotoxin. A major feature of this response is an altered vascular permeability which can be measured by the ocular accumulation of circulating 125I-labeled albumin. The present study was made to determine the effects of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis of the ocular response to an E. coli 055:B5 endotoxin. Aspirin pretreatment prevented the ocular response following the intravenous injection of 10 mug per kilogram of endotoxin, but had no effect following 100 mug per kilogram. Indomethacin pretreatment prevented an alteration in ocular vascular permeability 1 1/2 hours after the injection of 100 mug per kilogram of endotoxin and significantly reduced the alteration 4 hours after endotoxin. Thus inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis can prevent the ocular response to circulating endotoxin depending on their relative potency and the amount of injected endotoxin. These results suggest that prostaglandins are important in the ocular response to circulating endotoxin in the rabbit.", "PMID": 783073} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6571", "title": "The effect of hysterectomy on colonization of the vaginal vestibule with Escherichia coli.", "content": "Using an experimental model in the rabbit, we have demonstrated for the first time that hysterectomy significantly prolongs introital carriage of Escherichia coli. Normal and oophorectomized rabbits rapidly clear E. coli from the mucosa of the vaginal vestibule. The altered vaginal biology induced by hysterectomy lends credence to the clinical observation that some hysterectomized women are unusually susceptible to urinary infections. These data may be the first to indicate that the 700,000 hysterectomies performed each year in the United States may adversely affect vaginal biology. Reexposure of the vaginal mucosa of hysterectomized rabbits to E. coli produced rapid clearing of the organism characteristic of a secondary immunologic response. The presence of secretory antibodies in cervical and vaginal secretions and the occurrence of systemic antibodies after vaginal inoculation supports an immunologic role in determining vaginal carriage of Gram negative organisms.", "contents": "The effect of hysterectomy on colonization of the vaginal vestibule with Escherichia coli. Using an experimental model in the rabbit, we have demonstrated for the first time that hysterectomy significantly prolongs introital carriage of Escherichia coli. Normal and oophorectomized rabbits rapidly clear E. coli from the mucosa of the vaginal vestibule. The altered vaginal biology induced by hysterectomy lends credence to the clinical observation that some hysterectomized women are unusually susceptible to urinary infections. These data may be the first to indicate that the 700,000 hysterectomies performed each year in the United States may adversely affect vaginal biology. Reexposure of the vaginal mucosa of hysterectomized rabbits to E. coli produced rapid clearing of the organism characteristic of a secondary immunologic response. The presence of secretory antibodies in cervical and vaginal secretions and the occurrence of systemic antibodies after vaginal inoculation supports an immunologic role in determining vaginal carriage of Gram negative organisms.", "PMID": 783076} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6572", "title": "Reaction of the urinary tract to polypropylene sutures.", "content": "Cystotomies were performed on 99 mature guinea pigs and closed with polypropylene sutures. The bladders were removed at intervals from day 4 through day 144 postoperatively. They were studied with both light and electron microscopy. A localized mild, acute, inflammatory reaction was noted transitorily; it subsided between the 7th and 14th day. Three calculi were formed, a result which compares favorably with studies of other sutures. Results indicate that the suture may have a place in urologic surgery, but further studies are necessary before clinical use.", "contents": "Reaction of the urinary tract to polypropylene sutures. Cystotomies were performed on 99 mature guinea pigs and closed with polypropylene sutures. The bladders were removed at intervals from day 4 through day 144 postoperatively. They were studied with both light and electron microscopy. A localized mild, acute, inflammatory reaction was noted transitorily; it subsided between the 7th and 14th day. Three calculi were formed, a result which compares favorably with studies of other sutures. Results indicate that the suture may have a place in urologic surgery, but further studies are necessary before clinical use.", "PMID": 783077} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6573", "title": "Acute ureteral obstruction by lymphoceles following cadaver kidney transplantation.", "content": "Acute ureteral obstruction caused by perinephric and pelvic lymphoceles developed after the transplantation of a cadaver kidney in a patient who had been on chronic hemodialysis for two years. The patient was readmitted two months after the transplantation and found to have three large cystic masses in the pelvic region, which were successfully drained. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical treatment of post-transplantation lymphoceles are essential, if the function of the transplanted kidney is to be preserved.", "contents": "Acute ureteral obstruction by lymphoceles following cadaver kidney transplantation. Acute ureteral obstruction caused by perinephric and pelvic lymphoceles developed after the transplantation of a cadaver kidney in a patient who had been on chronic hemodialysis for two years. The patient was readmitted two months after the transplantation and found to have three large cystic masses in the pelvic region, which were successfully drained. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical treatment of post-transplantation lymphoceles are essential, if the function of the transplanted kidney is to be preserved.", "PMID": 783079} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6574", "title": "Automated computer screening of chest radiographs for pneumoconiosis.", "content": "The results of two complementary approaches for performing diagnostic screening for the presence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) from the routine posterior-anterior chest radiograph are presented. The first is a digital approach utilizing the measurement of image texture, while the second uses hybrid optical-digital methods involving the optical Fourier transform. Both approaches yield classification results comparable to experienced radiologists.", "contents": "Automated computer screening of chest radiographs for pneumoconiosis. The results of two complementary approaches for performing diagnostic screening for the presence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) from the routine posterior-anterior chest radiograph are presented. The first is a digital approach utilizing the measurement of image texture, while the second uses hybrid optical-digital methods involving the optical Fourier transform. Both approaches yield classification results comparable to experienced radiologists.", "PMID": 783075} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6575", "title": "Infections in the surgical departments of a teaching hospital in Jerusalem.", "content": "Surveillance of hospital-associated infections at the Hadassah University Hospital has been carried out since 1970. Criteria for infection were defined and were monitored by trained nurse-epidemiologists, with the cooperation of the surgical staff. This report deals with the results of a prospective study of infections present on admission, and those acquired during hospitalization, in six surgical departments between January 1972 and June 1973. Of the 7,339 patients discharged, 7.5% acquired an infection in hospital, while 10.6% were admitted with an infection. Several important factors appeared to increase the risk of acquiring an infection in hospital. These include advanced age, certain surgical procedures, such as gallbladder and small and large bowel operations, and the presence of infection on admission. Most of the latter occurred at the site of the proposed operation, and thus increased the risk of development of postoperative wound infection.", "contents": "Infections in the surgical departments of a teaching hospital in Jerusalem. Surveillance of hospital-associated infections at the Hadassah University Hospital has been carried out since 1970. Criteria for infection were defined and were monitored by trained nurse-epidemiologists, with the cooperation of the surgical staff. This report deals with the results of a prospective study of infections present on admission, and those acquired during hospitalization, in six surgical departments between January 1972 and June 1973. Of the 7,339 patients discharged, 7.5% acquired an infection in hospital, while 10.6% were admitted with an infection. Several important factors appeared to increase the risk of acquiring an infection in hospital. These include advanced age, certain surgical procedures, such as gallbladder and small and large bowel operations, and the presence of infection on admission. Most of the latter occurred at the site of the proposed operation, and thus increased the risk of development of postoperative wound infection.", "PMID": 783080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6576", "title": "The impact of federal funding. Long-term dialysis programs: new selection criteria, new problems.", "content": "The following transcript is adapted from a case conference held in the Barnes and Wohl Hospitals, St. Louis, Missouri. The participants are members of the Departments of Internal Medicine and Pathology of the Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Ren\u00e9e Fox, professor and chairman of the Department of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania and co-author of the book The Courage to Fail, was a guest at the conference.", "contents": "The impact of federal funding. Long-term dialysis programs: new selection criteria, new problems. The following transcript is adapted from a case conference held in the Barnes and Wohl Hospitals, St. Louis, Missouri. The participants are members of the Departments of Internal Medicine and Pathology of the Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Ren\u00e9e Fox, professor and chairman of the Department of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania and co-author of the book The Courage to Fail, was a guest at the conference.", "PMID": 783081} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6577", "title": "[New viewpoints on the development, maturation, and aging of cataneous connective tissue].", "content": "The clinical theoretical findings on skin connective tissue during the three periods of life result in new aspects of reaction possibilities of the skin under physiological and pathological conditions. The level of replication and production metabolism of skin connective tissue is high during development, maturation and ageing. Proteoglycans or glycosaminoglycans and collagen of skin connective tissue show remarkable turnover rates, during the three life periods, aging included. The interactions between these structure macromolecules and their microheterogeneity are regarded, beside elastin and denaturated collagen and their relationships. Finally the synthesis of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans and of collagen as well as the several influences on the several synthesis steps are shown. Therewith we receive new aspects for the therapy of skin diseases.", "contents": "[New viewpoints on the development, maturation, and aging of cataneous connective tissue]. The clinical theoretical findings on skin connective tissue during the three periods of life result in new aspects of reaction possibilities of the skin under physiological and pathological conditions. The level of replication and production metabolism of skin connective tissue is high during development, maturation and ageing. Proteoglycans or glycosaminoglycans and collagen of skin connective tissue show remarkable turnover rates, during the three life periods, aging included. The interactions between these structure macromolecules and their microheterogeneity are regarded, beside elastin and denaturated collagen and their relationships. Finally the synthesis of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans and of collagen as well as the several influences on the several synthesis steps are shown. Therewith we receive new aspects for the therapy of skin diseases.", "PMID": 783082} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6578", "title": "[Metabolism of collagen in progressive scleroderma and dermatomyositis].", "content": "The biosynthesis of collagen was studied in skin of healthy subjects and patients with progressive sclerodermia and dermatomyositis. The incorporatione of radioactive precursors (14C-proline), the rate of so-called collage-like-protein in sera, and the excretion of hydroxyprolin in urine depended on the severity of the dermatomyositis in progressive sclerodermia.", "contents": "[Metabolism of collagen in progressive scleroderma and dermatomyositis]. The biosynthesis of collagen was studied in skin of healthy subjects and patients with progressive sclerodermia and dermatomyositis. The incorporatione of radioactive precursors (14C-proline), the rate of so-called collage-like-protein in sera, and the excretion of hydroxyprolin in urine depended on the severity of the dermatomyositis in progressive sclerodermia.", "PMID": 783083} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6579", "title": "[Kimura's disease. Demonstration of the disease and its differential diagnosis].", "content": "From several own cases and case-reports from the literature the clinical and histopathological picture of Kimura's disease and its etiopathogenesis are reported. The recently reported \"subcutaneous angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia\" of Wells and Whimsper corresponds to the solitary or localized variant of Kimura's disease. The differential diagnosis of recently described analogous diseases is considered.", "contents": "[Kimura's disease. Demonstration of the disease and its differential diagnosis]. From several own cases and case-reports from the literature the clinical and histopathological picture of Kimura's disease and its etiopathogenesis are reported. The recently reported \"subcutaneous angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia\" of Wells and Whimsper corresponds to the solitary or localized variant of Kimura's disease. The differential diagnosis of recently described analogous diseases is considered.", "PMID": 783085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6580", "title": "[Stimulation of autoantibody formation in pemphigoid due to proteolytic enzymes?].", "content": "Following brief exposure of cryostat sections of human skin to proteolytic enzymes (papain or trypsin), there is an increase in the antibody binding capacity of the basement membrane zone for basement membrane zone antibodies of patients with bullous pemphigoid. In conjunction with findings published in the literature, our results indicate that activation of the basement membrane zone antigens by proteolytic enzymes is associated with an increase in antigenicity which results in the formation of auto-antibodies of the basement membrane zone antibody type.", "contents": "[Stimulation of autoantibody formation in pemphigoid due to proteolytic enzymes?]. Following brief exposure of cryostat sections of human skin to proteolytic enzymes (papain or trypsin), there is an increase in the antibody binding capacity of the basement membrane zone for basement membrane zone antibodies of patients with bullous pemphigoid. In conjunction with findings published in the literature, our results indicate that activation of the basement membrane zone antigens by proteolytic enzymes is associated with an increase in antigenicity which results in the formation of auto-antibodies of the basement membrane zone antibody type.", "PMID": 783086} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6581", "title": "[Incidence of autologous spermatozoa antibodies in a group of unselected andrologic patients].", "content": "Determination of autologous sperm antibodies in the serum of 278 male adults of an unselected andrological patient material is reported. Positive test results were found in 3 patients using the macroscopic agglutination test according to Kibrick (1.1%), in 21 patients using the microscopical agglutination test according to Franklin-Dukes (7.6%), in 2 patients using the immobilization test according to Isojima (0.7%) and in 1 patient using the indirect immunofluorescence technique according to Coons and Kaplan (0.4%). Comparing the macroscopic and microscopic agglutination test a high degree of unspecific agglutinations were found in the latter excluding the microscopical agglutination test for the determination of antibodies. The relatively rare occurrence of autologous sperm antibodies in an unselected andrological patient material points to the fact that immunological methods seem to play no significant role in the diagnosis of male subfertility.", "contents": "[Incidence of autologous spermatozoa antibodies in a group of unselected andrologic patients]. Determination of autologous sperm antibodies in the serum of 278 male adults of an unselected andrological patient material is reported. Positive test results were found in 3 patients using the macroscopic agglutination test according to Kibrick (1.1%), in 21 patients using the microscopical agglutination test according to Franklin-Dukes (7.6%), in 2 patients using the immobilization test according to Isojima (0.7%) and in 1 patient using the indirect immunofluorescence technique according to Coons and Kaplan (0.4%). Comparing the macroscopic and microscopic agglutination test a high degree of unspecific agglutinations were found in the latter excluding the microscopical agglutination test for the determination of antibodies. The relatively rare occurrence of autologous sperm antibodies in an unselected andrological patient material points to the fact that immunological methods seem to play no significant role in the diagnosis of male subfertility.", "PMID": 783089} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6582", "title": "White spotting in the California vole.", "content": "Previously unreported white spotting was found in two subspecies of the California vole, Microtus californicus. The pattern of spots on the ventral coat of the animals differs between the subspecies, and there is variation in the expressivity of the white spots. Expression of white spotting is greatly reduced by the epistatic action of another coat colour gene, the recessive buffy (bf). The incidence of white spotting, its variation in expression, and its inheritance were investigated in this study. The reproductive performance of white spotted voles were also analysed, and effects of fertility and litter size were found associated with the trait.", "contents": "White spotting in the California vole. Previously unreported white spotting was found in two subspecies of the California vole, Microtus californicus. The pattern of spots on the ventral coat of the animals differs between the subspecies, and there is variation in the expressivity of the white spots. Expression of white spotting is greatly reduced by the epistatic action of another coat colour gene, the recessive buffy (bf). The incidence of white spotting, its variation in expression, and its inheritance were investigated in this study. The reproductive performance of white spotted voles were also analysed, and effects of fertility and litter size were found associated with the trait.", "PMID": 783091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6583", "title": "The genetic control of DS-RNA virus-like particles associated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae killer yeast.", "content": "Previous results have indicated that laboratory strains of yeast possessing two types of dsRNA virus-like particles, V1 and V2, are capable of producing a killer toxin which kills sensitive strains. This paper reports on genetic crosses which correlate the presence of these particles both with a host nuclear gene +/-/mak1 and with the production of a killer toxin. The results show that: (i) V1 particles are inherited independently of the +/-/mak1 gene. (ii) V2 particles are present only in combination with those of V1 and the +/- allele of the +/-/mak1 nuclear gene.", "contents": "The genetic control of DS-RNA virus-like particles associated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae killer yeast. Previous results have indicated that laboratory strains of yeast possessing two types of dsRNA virus-like particles, V1 and V2, are capable of producing a killer toxin which kills sensitive strains. This paper reports on genetic crosses which correlate the presence of these particles both with a host nuclear gene +/-/mak1 and with the production of a killer toxin. The results show that: (i) V1 particles are inherited independently of the +/-/mak1 gene. (ii) V2 particles are present only in combination with those of V1 and the +/- allele of the +/-/mak1 nuclear gene.", "PMID": 783092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6584", "title": "Immunofluorescent localization of secretin in pancreatic monolayer culture.", "content": "Immunofluorescent cells to synthetic secretin were identified in monolayer culture of neonatal rat pancreas. No cross reaction of anti-secretin was observed with either glucagon, somatostatin or gastrin. The presence of cells containing secretin or a secretin-like peptide adds a new cell type to the three already characterized (insulin, glucagon and somatostatin containing cells) in monolayer culture.", "contents": "Immunofluorescent localization of secretin in pancreatic monolayer culture. Immunofluorescent cells to synthetic secretin were identified in monolayer culture of neonatal rat pancreas. No cross reaction of anti-secretin was observed with either glucagon, somatostatin or gastrin. The presence of cells containing secretin or a secretin-like peptide adds a new cell type to the three already characterized (insulin, glucagon and somatostatin containing cells) in monolayer culture.", "PMID": 783098} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6585", "title": "A tissue model for the study of cell proliferation parameters in vivo.", "content": "An intact tissue model which can be used for detailed microscopic studies, quantitative cytochemical analysis and biochemical analysis has been explored, using a number of cell proliferation parameters. The preparations consist of mesenterial \"windows\" from rats dispersed on object slides. A technique for determining, in one and the same preparation, DNA content and mitotic activity of individual, selected cell types, and DNA synthesis in terms of incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNA is described.", "contents": "A tissue model for the study of cell proliferation parameters in vivo. An intact tissue model which can be used for detailed microscopic studies, quantitative cytochemical analysis and biochemical analysis has been explored, using a number of cell proliferation parameters. The preparations consist of mesenterial \"windows\" from rats dispersed on object slides. A technique for determining, in one and the same preparation, DNA content and mitotic activity of individual, selected cell types, and DNA synthesis in terms of incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNA is described.", "PMID": 783099} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6586", "title": "[Malignant nasal granuloma in a 12 year old boy (author's transl)].", "content": "Granuloma gangraenescens is placed between Wegener's granulomatosis and reticulum cell sarcoma. It is very difficult to diagnose due to absence of early symptoms as in this reported case, which was diagnosed histologically and which temporally responded to steroids and Imurek. Change histologically to a reticulum cell sarcoma has not been proven.", "contents": "[Malignant nasal granuloma in a 12 year old boy (author's transl)]. Granuloma gangraenescens is placed between Wegener's granulomatosis and reticulum cell sarcoma. It is very difficult to diagnose due to absence of early symptoms as in this reported case, which was diagnosed histologically and which temporally responded to steroids and Imurek. Change histologically to a reticulum cell sarcoma has not been proven.", "PMID": 783100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6587", "title": "[Intranasal skin grafting for Osler's disease (author's transl)].", "content": "Between 1965-1972, 12 patients with Osler's disease of the nose were treated surgically by a modification of the method suggested by Saunders. The mucosa of the entire nasal septum and entire floor of the nose up to the insertion of the inferior turbinate was removed without interference to the perichondrium or periosteum. The denuded area was covered with split thickness skin graft taken from the thigh. Haemorrhage, which was never severe, occassionally occurred. In all patients, there occurred crusting and foetor, which was controlled by nasal douching. Patients with Osler's disease should be treated as early as possible in order to curtail the work disability.", "contents": "[Intranasal skin grafting for Osler's disease (author's transl)]. Between 1965-1972, 12 patients with Osler's disease of the nose were treated surgically by a modification of the method suggested by Saunders. The mucosa of the entire nasal septum and entire floor of the nose up to the insertion of the inferior turbinate was removed without interference to the perichondrium or periosteum. The denuded area was covered with split thickness skin graft taken from the thigh. Haemorrhage, which was never severe, occassionally occurred. In all patients, there occurred crusting and foetor, which was controlled by nasal douching. Patients with Osler's disease should be treated as early as possible in order to curtail the work disability.", "PMID": 783101} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6588", "title": "Shipping fever pneumonia in yearling feedlot cattle.", "content": "During each week of 1974, we surveyed, for illnesses and deaths, a continually changing population of yearling feedlot cattle that, for the year, totaled 407,000 animals. About 5.1% of the cattle sickened and, of these, 18.9% died. From the 3,943 fatalities, 1,988 necropsies were made. About 75% of the clinical diagnoses and 64% of the necropsy diagnoses were respiratory tract diseases; of the fatalities from respiratory tract diseases, 75% were attributed to shipping fever pneumonia. Nearly 72% of fatal cases of shipping fever pneumonia occurred during the first 45 days on feed. In the lungs of most cattle with shipping fever pneumonia, bronchiolitis, fibrinous exudate, colonies of microorganisms, lymphatic clots, intravascular clots, thromboses, and foci of necrosis were found. Pasteurella spp, Mycoplasma spp, and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus were isolated from pneumonic tissues. It was hypothesized that pathogenic Pasteurella spp and other microorganisms in nasal secretions transfer from the nasopharynx into the lungs by draining along the tracheal floor into ventral bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli, and that pasteurella endotoxin, formed in infected lobules, thromboses and occludes lymphatics, capillaries, and veins and thereby causes ischemic necrosis.", "contents": "Shipping fever pneumonia in yearling feedlot cattle. During each week of 1974, we surveyed, for illnesses and deaths, a continually changing population of yearling feedlot cattle that, for the year, totaled 407,000 animals. About 5.1% of the cattle sickened and, of these, 18.9% died. From the 3,943 fatalities, 1,988 necropsies were made. About 75% of the clinical diagnoses and 64% of the necropsy diagnoses were respiratory tract diseases; of the fatalities from respiratory tract diseases, 75% were attributed to shipping fever pneumonia. Nearly 72% of fatal cases of shipping fever pneumonia occurred during the first 45 days on feed. In the lungs of most cattle with shipping fever pneumonia, bronchiolitis, fibrinous exudate, colonies of microorganisms, lymphatic clots, intravascular clots, thromboses, and foci of necrosis were found. Pasteurella spp, Mycoplasma spp, and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus were isolated from pneumonic tissues. It was hypothesized that pathogenic Pasteurella spp and other microorganisms in nasal secretions transfer from the nasopharynx into the lungs by draining along the tracheal floor into ventral bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli, and that pasteurella endotoxin, formed in infected lobules, thromboses and occludes lymphatics, capillaries, and veins and thereby causes ischemic necrosis.", "PMID": 783102} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6589", "title": "The in vitro activity of ceftezol (demethylcefazolin) against dense populations of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The activity of ceftezol was examined by continuous turbidimetric monitoring of dense populations of Escherichia coli exposed to the drug. Although ceftezol was found to be very active against strains of E. coli, its activity was consistently less than that of the closely related antibiotics, cefazolin. This difference was also found when strains of E. coli were examined in a dynamic system which simulates some of the conditions in which bacteria and drug interact in the treatment of bacterial cystitis. Evidence is presented that the difference in activity between the two cephalosporins resides in a differential ability to induce certain morphological changes in E. coli and in a differential rate of destruction by escherichial beta-lactamases.", "contents": "The in vitro activity of ceftezol (demethylcefazolin) against dense populations of Escherichia coli. The activity of ceftezol was examined by continuous turbidimetric monitoring of dense populations of Escherichia coli exposed to the drug. Although ceftezol was found to be very active against strains of E. coli, its activity was consistently less than that of the closely related antibiotics, cefazolin. This difference was also found when strains of E. coli were examined in a dynamic system which simulates some of the conditions in which bacteria and drug interact in the treatment of bacterial cystitis. Evidence is presented that the difference in activity between the two cephalosporins resides in a differential ability to induce certain morphological changes in E. coli and in a differential rate of destruction by escherichial beta-lactamases.", "PMID": 783103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6590", "title": "A new semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic 3-O-oleandrosyl-5-O-desosaminylerythronolide A oxime.", "content": "A new antibiotic, 3-O-oleandrosyl-5-O-desosaminylerythronolide A oxime (3) was produced from erythronolide A oxime (1) by the oleandomycin-producing culture, Streptomyces antibioticus ATCC 11891. The structure of 3 was determined by degradative studies and confirmed by X-ray analysis. Compound 3 was found to be less active, but more stable to acid, then erythromycin A oxime.", "contents": "A new semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic 3-O-oleandrosyl-5-O-desosaminylerythronolide A oxime. A new antibiotic, 3-O-oleandrosyl-5-O-desosaminylerythronolide A oxime (3) was produced from erythronolide A oxime (1) by the oleandomycin-producing culture, Streptomyces antibioticus ATCC 11891. The structure of 3 was determined by degradative studies and confirmed by X-ray analysis. Compound 3 was found to be less active, but more stable to acid, then erythromycin A oxime.", "PMID": 783104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6591", "title": "Inhibition of coliphage multiplication and R plasmid transfer by desdanine.", "content": "Desdanine inhibited the plaque formation of male-specific coliphages but not that of other coliphages tested. Desdanine also suppressed the multiplication of both RNA phage Q beta and filamentous DNA phage f1 at the concentration of 3.13 approximately 6.25 mug/ml which had no influence on the growth of their host cells. However, the inhibitory effect on the phage multiplication was not due to the inactivation of phage particles nor the prevention of phage adsorption and penetration into the host cells. Desdanine also inhibited the transfer of R plasmid, R 100-1, in E. coli at 6.25 approximately 12.5 mug/ml without affecting the viability of donor and recipient cells.", "contents": "Inhibition of coliphage multiplication and R plasmid transfer by desdanine. Desdanine inhibited the plaque formation of male-specific coliphages but not that of other coliphages tested. Desdanine also suppressed the multiplication of both RNA phage Q beta and filamentous DNA phage f1 at the concentration of 3.13 approximately 6.25 mug/ml which had no influence on the growth of their host cells. However, the inhibitory effect on the phage multiplication was not due to the inactivation of phage particles nor the prevention of phage adsorption and penetration into the host cells. Desdanine also inhibited the transfer of R plasmid, R 100-1, in E. coli at 6.25 approximately 12.5 mug/ml without affecting the viability of donor and recipient cells.", "PMID": 783105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6592", "title": "Role of Rec pathways on sensitivity of Escherichia coli to near-ultraviolet and visible light.", "content": "In Escherichia coli lack of the RecRC or RecF pathway is found to cause sensitivity to near-ultraviolet and visible light. Resistance to this light is restored in the RecBC-defective strain carrying either the sbcB (Rec+) or xonA (Rec-) mutation. The sensitivity, therefore, is not found to correlate with the degree of recombination proficiency as measured by genetic crosses.", "contents": "Role of Rec pathways on sensitivity of Escherichia coli to near-ultraviolet and visible light. In Escherichia coli lack of the RecRC or RecF pathway is found to cause sensitivity to near-ultraviolet and visible light. Resistance to this light is restored in the RecBC-defective strain carrying either the sbcB (Rec+) or xonA (Rec-) mutation. The sensitivity, therefore, is not found to correlate with the degree of recombination proficiency as measured by genetic crosses.", "PMID": 783113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6593", "title": "Iron transport in Salmonella typhimurium LT-2: prevention, by ferrichrome, of adsorption of bacteriophages ES18 and ES18.h1 to a common cell envelope receptor.", "content": "Ferrichrome prevents adsorption of phages ES18 and ES18.h1 to cells of Salmonella typhimurium. Studies of albomycin-resistant mutants defective in both ferrichrome utilization and ES18.h1 adsorption suggest a sid gene may specify a receptor for both.", "contents": "Iron transport in Salmonella typhimurium LT-2: prevention, by ferrichrome, of adsorption of bacteriophages ES18 and ES18.h1 to a common cell envelope receptor. Ferrichrome prevents adsorption of phages ES18 and ES18.h1 to cells of Salmonella typhimurium. Studies of albomycin-resistant mutants defective in both ferrichrome utilization and ES18.h1 adsorption suggest a sid gene may specify a receptor for both.", "PMID": 783114} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6594", "title": "Expression and regulation of lactose genes carried by plasmids.", "content": "A number of plasmids carrying the lactose character have been studied. All of the plasmids examined so far code for proteins essential for lactose utilization, i.e., beta-galactosidase and galactoside permease. None of them carries enzymatically or immunologically detectable thiogalactoside transacetylase. The expression of the two enzymes is both negatively and positively controlled: they are inducible by different galactosides and are sensitive to catabolite repression. Since the plasmid-coded lactose systems have many features in common with the Escherichia coli lactose operon, it is suggested that the plasmids could have acquired the lactose genes from an E. coli chromosome.", "contents": "Expression and regulation of lactose genes carried by plasmids. A number of plasmids carrying the lactose character have been studied. All of the plasmids examined so far code for proteins essential for lactose utilization, i.e., beta-galactosidase and galactoside permease. None of them carries enzymatically or immunologically detectable thiogalactoside transacetylase. The expression of the two enzymes is both negatively and positively controlled: they are inducible by different galactosides and are sensitive to catabolite repression. Since the plasmid-coded lactose systems have many features in common with the Escherichia coli lactose operon, it is suggested that the plasmids could have acquired the lactose genes from an E. coli chromosome.", "PMID": 783115} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6595", "title": "Identification of a genetic locus affecting chromosome stabiltiy and cellular survival in a dnaB mutant.", "content": "A mutation has been identified in an Escherichia coli K-12 strain carrying dnaB42. This mutation potentiates both deoxyribonucleic acid degradation and cell death at nonpermissive temperatures. It is located 2 min away from dnaB between malB and metA.", "contents": "Identification of a genetic locus affecting chromosome stabiltiy and cellular survival in a dnaB mutant. A mutation has been identified in an Escherichia coli K-12 strain carrying dnaB42. This mutation potentiates both deoxyribonucleic acid degradation and cell death at nonpermissive temperatures. It is located 2 min away from dnaB between malB and metA.", "PMID": 783116} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6596", "title": "Physiological and genetic regulation of the aldohexuronate transport system in Escherichia coli.", "content": "In Escherichia coli K-12, the specificity of the aldohexuronate transport system (THU) is restricted to glucuronate and galacturonate. There is a relatively high basal-level activity in uninduced wild-type or isomeraseless strains. Supplementary activity is obtained with the inducers mannonic amide (five-fold), galacturonate (fourfold), fructuronate (fivefold), and tagaturonate (sevenfold). Specific THU- mutants were selected as strains unable to grow on either aldohexuronate but able to grow on fructuronate or tagaturonate. The remaining transport activity in uninduced and induced THU- starins represents less than 20% of that found in the wild type. Conjugation and transduction experiments indicate that all of the THU- mutations are located in a unique locus, exuT, half-way between the tolC (59 min) and argG (61 min) markers. exuT is closely linked to the uxaC-uxaA operon (60 min) and to the regulatory gene exuR (60 min), which controls the above-mentioned operon and the uxaB operon (45 min). Growth on either aldohexuronate and transport activity are fully recovered when exuT mutants are allowed to revert to exuT+ on galacturonate or glucuronate. Reversion on glucuronate alone may lead to the mutational derepression of the 2-keto-3-deoxygluconate transport system, which is uninducible in the wild type, which also takes up glucuronate, and whose structural gene belongs to the kdg regulon. Such strains, which remain unable to grow on galacturonate, are exuT and kdgR (constitutive allele of the regulatory gene kdgR of the kdg regulon). THU activity is superrepressed in an exuR mutant in which the uxaC-uxaA operon and the uxaB operon are superrepressed; exuR+/exuR merodiploids are also superrepressed. In a thermosensitive exuR mutant in which the above-mentioned operons are constitutive at 42 degrees C, the THU activity is fully derepressed at this temperature. On the basis of these and other results, it is concluded that THU is coded for by the structural gene exuT, which is negatively controlled by the exuR gene product and which probably belongs to an operon distinct from the uxaA-uxaC operon.", "contents": "Physiological and genetic regulation of the aldohexuronate transport system in Escherichia coli. In Escherichia coli K-12, the specificity of the aldohexuronate transport system (THU) is restricted to glucuronate and galacturonate. There is a relatively high basal-level activity in uninduced wild-type or isomeraseless strains. Supplementary activity is obtained with the inducers mannonic amide (five-fold), galacturonate (fourfold), fructuronate (fivefold), and tagaturonate (sevenfold). Specific THU- mutants were selected as strains unable to grow on either aldohexuronate but able to grow on fructuronate or tagaturonate. The remaining transport activity in uninduced and induced THU- starins represents less than 20% of that found in the wild type. Conjugation and transduction experiments indicate that all of the THU- mutations are located in a unique locus, exuT, half-way between the tolC (59 min) and argG (61 min) markers. exuT is closely linked to the uxaC-uxaA operon (60 min) and to the regulatory gene exuR (60 min), which controls the above-mentioned operon and the uxaB operon (45 min). Growth on either aldohexuronate and transport activity are fully recovered when exuT mutants are allowed to revert to exuT+ on galacturonate or glucuronate. Reversion on glucuronate alone may lead to the mutational derepression of the 2-keto-3-deoxygluconate transport system, which is uninducible in the wild type, which also takes up glucuronate, and whose structural gene belongs to the kdg regulon. Such strains, which remain unable to grow on galacturonate, are exuT and kdgR (constitutive allele of the regulatory gene kdgR of the kdg regulon). THU activity is superrepressed in an exuR mutant in which the uxaC-uxaA operon and the uxaB operon are superrepressed; exuR+/exuR merodiploids are also superrepressed. In a thermosensitive exuR mutant in which the above-mentioned operons are constitutive at 42 degrees C, the THU activity is fully derepressed at this temperature. On the basis of these and other results, it is concluded that THU is coded for by the structural gene exuT, which is negatively controlled by the exuR gene product and which probably belongs to an operon distinct from the uxaA-uxaC operon.", "PMID": 783117} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6597", "title": "Membrane lipoteichoic acid of Streptococcus pyogenes and its stabilized L-form and the effect of two antibiotics upon its cellular content.", "content": "Membrane lipoteichoic acid continues to be synthesized by an osmotically fragile, stabilized L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes. Chromatographic and electrophoretic comparisons indicate that the lipid componenent of lipoteichoic acid in this L-form and its parental streptococcus is glycerophosphoryldiglucosyl diglyceride and not phosphatidylkojibiosyl diglyceride. Based upon dry weight determinations, the yield of lipoteichoic acid from the L-form is 0.19%, as compared with 0.97% from the streptococcus. When grown with bacitracin the L-form contains the same amount of teichoic acid as when grown without this antibiotic; however, its lipoteichoic acid content is reduced by 85%. Similarly, the L-form grown with novobiocin for 10 h contains only 17% of the teichoic acid found in control cells.", "contents": "Membrane lipoteichoic acid of Streptococcus pyogenes and its stabilized L-form and the effect of two antibiotics upon its cellular content. Membrane lipoteichoic acid continues to be synthesized by an osmotically fragile, stabilized L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes. Chromatographic and electrophoretic comparisons indicate that the lipid componenent of lipoteichoic acid in this L-form and its parental streptococcus is glycerophosphoryldiglucosyl diglyceride and not phosphatidylkojibiosyl diglyceride. Based upon dry weight determinations, the yield of lipoteichoic acid from the L-form is 0.19%, as compared with 0.97% from the streptococcus. When grown with bacitracin the L-form contains the same amount of teichoic acid as when grown without this antibiotic; however, its lipoteichoic acid content is reduced by 85%. Similarly, the L-form grown with novobiocin for 10 h contains only 17% of the teichoic acid found in control cells.", "PMID": 783118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6598", "title": "Nonintegrated plasmid-chromosome complexes in Escherichia coli.", "content": "A number of plasmid systems have been examined for the ability of their covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (CCC DNA) forms to cosediment in neutral sucrose gradients with the folded chromosomes of their respective hosts. Given that cosedimentation of CCC plasmid and chromosomal DNA represents a bound or complexed state between these replicons, our results can be expressed as follows. (i) All plasmid systems complex, on the average, at least one plasmid per chromosomal equivalent. (ii) Stringently controlled plasmids exist predominantly in the bound state, whereas the opposite is true for plasmids that exist in multiple copies or are under relaxed control of replication. (iii) The degree to which a plasmid population binds to host chromosomes appears to be a function of plasmid genotype and not of plasmid size. (iv) For the colicin E1 plasmid the absolute number of plasmids bound per folded chromosome equivalent does increase as the intracellular plasmid/chromosome ratio increases in cells starved for required amino acids or in cells treated with chloramphenicol; however, the ratio of bound to free plasmids remains constant during plasmid copy number amplification.", "contents": "Nonintegrated plasmid-chromosome complexes in Escherichia coli. A number of plasmid systems have been examined for the ability of their covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (CCC DNA) forms to cosediment in neutral sucrose gradients with the folded chromosomes of their respective hosts. Given that cosedimentation of CCC plasmid and chromosomal DNA represents a bound or complexed state between these replicons, our results can be expressed as follows. (i) All plasmid systems complex, on the average, at least one plasmid per chromosomal equivalent. (ii) Stringently controlled plasmids exist predominantly in the bound state, whereas the opposite is true for plasmids that exist in multiple copies or are under relaxed control of replication. (iii) The degree to which a plasmid population binds to host chromosomes appears to be a function of plasmid genotype and not of plasmid size. (iv) For the colicin E1 plasmid the absolute number of plasmids bound per folded chromosome equivalent does increase as the intracellular plasmid/chromosome ratio increases in cells starved for required amino acids or in cells treated with chloramphenicol; however, the ratio of bound to free plasmids remains constant during plasmid copy number amplification.", "PMID": 783119} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6599", "title": "Envelope-associated folded chromosomes for Escherichia coli: variations under different physiological conditions.", "content": "The folded chromosome of Escherichia coli has been investigated under various lysis and physiological conditions. A new gradient system was devised that allows excellent separation between unlysed cells and envelope-associated and envelope-free chromosomes. Isotope incorporation experiments showed that the fraction often called \"membrane-bound nucleoids\" contains cell wall in addition to nucleic acids, membranes, and proteins. The amount of lysozyme added and the lysozyme digestion time were found to be important when comparing the rate of sedimentation of envelope-associated chromosomes obtained under various physiological conditions. Amino acid-starved cells were found to be much harder to lyse with lysozyme than exponentially grown cells, The difference in sedimentation coefficient of envelope-associated chromosomes described earlier (Ryder and Smith, 1974) was not detected when the latter two types of cells had been given equivalent, but not identical, lysozyme treatment such that detergent-mediated lysis proceeded at the same rate. Analysis of pulse- and uniformly labeled chromosomes from amino acid-starved cultures revealed no preferential labeling of either envelope-associated or -released nucleoids. Nor was there a difference in sedimentation coefficient between uniform and pulse-labeled envelope-associated nucleoids. These results are in disagreement with the models for chromosome replication of Worcel and Burgi (1974) and Ryder and Smith (1974), respectively. Growing cells on carbon sources poorer than glucose demonstrated that the replicating chromosomes sediment faster than the bulk of envelope-associated nucleoids. The slower the growth rate, the greater this difference became. An alternative hypothesis regarding chromosome replication and its association with the cell envelope is presented.", "contents": "Envelope-associated folded chromosomes for Escherichia coli: variations under different physiological conditions. The folded chromosome of Escherichia coli has been investigated under various lysis and physiological conditions. A new gradient system was devised that allows excellent separation between unlysed cells and envelope-associated and envelope-free chromosomes. Isotope incorporation experiments showed that the fraction often called \"membrane-bound nucleoids\" contains cell wall in addition to nucleic acids, membranes, and proteins. The amount of lysozyme added and the lysozyme digestion time were found to be important when comparing the rate of sedimentation of envelope-associated chromosomes obtained under various physiological conditions. Amino acid-starved cells were found to be much harder to lyse with lysozyme than exponentially grown cells, The difference in sedimentation coefficient of envelope-associated chromosomes described earlier (Ryder and Smith, 1974) was not detected when the latter two types of cells had been given equivalent, but not identical, lysozyme treatment such that detergent-mediated lysis proceeded at the same rate. Analysis of pulse- and uniformly labeled chromosomes from amino acid-starved cultures revealed no preferential labeling of either envelope-associated or -released nucleoids. Nor was there a difference in sedimentation coefficient between uniform and pulse-labeled envelope-associated nucleoids. These results are in disagreement with the models for chromosome replication of Worcel and Burgi (1974) and Ryder and Smith (1974), respectively. Growing cells on carbon sources poorer than glucose demonstrated that the replicating chromosomes sediment faster than the bulk of envelope-associated nucleoids. The slower the growth rate, the greater this difference became. An alternative hypothesis regarding chromosome replication and its association with the cell envelope is presented.", "PMID": 783120} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6600", "title": "Isolation of a lambda transducing bacteriophage carrying the relA gene of Escherichia coli.", "content": "In Escherichia coli the relA and pyrG loci are 99% cotransducible. On the basis of this knowledge, we have isolated lambdacI857S7dpyrG transducing bacteriophages carrying both the pyrG and relA genes. Single lysogens of this bacteriophage show basal levels of ppGpp that are 10-fold higher than normal. Stringent factor is present among the gene products synthesized by lambdadpyrG relA after infection of ultraviolet-killed cells, as analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The intracellular content of stringent factor, as determined by enzymatic activity, rises 20-fold after induction of a single lysogen of lambdadpyrG relA. As measured by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the amount of stringent factor in an exponentially growing strain carrying a pyrG relA plasmid is at least 10-fold greater than in a normal strain. These data constitute strong evidence that stringent factor is the relA gene product.", "contents": "Isolation of a lambda transducing bacteriophage carrying the relA gene of Escherichia coli. In Escherichia coli the relA and pyrG loci are 99% cotransducible. On the basis of this knowledge, we have isolated lambdacI857S7dpyrG transducing bacteriophages carrying both the pyrG and relA genes. Single lysogens of this bacteriophage show basal levels of ppGpp that are 10-fold higher than normal. Stringent factor is present among the gene products synthesized by lambdadpyrG relA after infection of ultraviolet-killed cells, as analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The intracellular content of stringent factor, as determined by enzymatic activity, rises 20-fold after induction of a single lysogen of lambdadpyrG relA. As measured by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the amount of stringent factor in an exponentially growing strain carrying a pyrG relA plasmid is at least 10-fold greater than in a normal strain. These data constitute strong evidence that stringent factor is the relA gene product.", "PMID": 783121} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6601", "title": "Genes for the alpha and beta subunits of the phenylalanyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The phenylalanyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase of Escherichia coli is a tetramer that contains two different kinds of polypeptide chains. To locate the genes for the two polypeptides, we analyzed temperature-sensitive mutants with defective phenylalanyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetases to see which subunit was altered. The method was in vitro complementation; mutant cell extracts were mixed with purified separated alpha or beta subunits of the wild-type enzyme to generate an active hybrid enzyme. With three mutants, enzyme activity appeared when alpha was added, but not when beta was added: these are, therefore, assumed to carry lesions in the gene for the alpha subunit. Two other mutants gave the opposite response and are presumably beta mutants. Enzyme activity is also generated when alpha and beta mutant extracts are mixed, but not when two alpha or two beta mutant extracts are mixed. The inactive mutant enzymes appear to be dissociated, as judged by their sedimentation in sucrose density gradients, but the dissociation may be only partial. The active enzyme generated by complementation occurred in two forms, one that resembled the native wild-type enzyme and one that sedimented more slowly. Both alpha and beta mutants are capable of generating the native form, although alpha mutants require prior urea denaturation of the defective enzyme. With the mutants thus characterized, the genes for the alpha and beta subunits (designated pheS and heT, respectively) were mapped. The gene order, as determined by transduction is aroD-pps-pheT-pheS. The pheS and pheT genes are close together and may be immediately adjacent.", "contents": "Genes for the alpha and beta subunits of the phenylalanyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase of Escherichia coli. The phenylalanyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase of Escherichia coli is a tetramer that contains two different kinds of polypeptide chains. To locate the genes for the two polypeptides, we analyzed temperature-sensitive mutants with defective phenylalanyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetases to see which subunit was altered. The method was in vitro complementation; mutant cell extracts were mixed with purified separated alpha or beta subunits of the wild-type enzyme to generate an active hybrid enzyme. With three mutants, enzyme activity appeared when alpha was added, but not when beta was added: these are, therefore, assumed to carry lesions in the gene for the alpha subunit. Two other mutants gave the opposite response and are presumably beta mutants. Enzyme activity is also generated when alpha and beta mutant extracts are mixed, but not when two alpha or two beta mutant extracts are mixed. The inactive mutant enzymes appear to be dissociated, as judged by their sedimentation in sucrose density gradients, but the dissociation may be only partial. The active enzyme generated by complementation occurred in two forms, one that resembled the native wild-type enzyme and one that sedimented more slowly. Both alpha and beta mutants are capable of generating the native form, although alpha mutants require prior urea denaturation of the defective enzyme. With the mutants thus characterized, the genes for the alpha and beta subunits (designated pheS and heT, respectively) were mapped. The gene order, as determined by transduction is aroD-pps-pheT-pheS. The pheS and pheT genes are close together and may be immediately adjacent.", "PMID": 783122} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6602", "title": "Bacteriophage-resistant mutants of Salmonella typhimurium deficient in two major outer membrane proteins.", "content": "Mutants resistant to bacteriophages (P221 and PH105 or PH51) were isolated from a rfa strain of Salmonella typhimurium. They were found deficient in separate 33,000- to 36,000-dalton band proteins (major band proteins). Double mutants derived from both types of mutants were deficient in both of the bands. The growth behavior of all the mutants was normal. The outer membrane of the mutants appeared to be more wrinkled than normal and formed vesicles in many of the mutants. In freeze-fractured cells, changes were seen in the outer membrane (particleless patches in the concave fracture face, the particles themselves being smaller than normal). These changes were more marked in the double mutants.", "contents": "Bacteriophage-resistant mutants of Salmonella typhimurium deficient in two major outer membrane proteins. Mutants resistant to bacteriophages (P221 and PH105 or PH51) were isolated from a rfa strain of Salmonella typhimurium. They were found deficient in separate 33,000- to 36,000-dalton band proteins (major band proteins). Double mutants derived from both types of mutants were deficient in both of the bands. The growth behavior of all the mutants was normal. The outer membrane of the mutants appeared to be more wrinkled than normal and formed vesicles in many of the mutants. In freeze-fractured cells, changes were seen in the outer membrane (particleless patches in the concave fracture face, the particles themselves being smaller than normal). These changes were more marked in the double mutants.", "PMID": 783123} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6603", "title": "Method for the isolation of the replication region of a bacterial replicon: construction of a mini-F'kn plasmid.", "content": "A purified fragment of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that determines resistance to kanamycin and is incapable of self-replication was used to select a self-replicating fragment from an EcoRI endonuclease digest of the sex factor F'lac. This F'lac fragment, exhibiting a molecular weight of 6 X 10(6), carries the genes essential for maintenance of the F replicon in Escherichia coli cells. The constructed mini-F'km plasmid also retains the incompatibility properties of the parent F'lac plasmid. Large amounts of the kanamycin resistance fragment of a molecular weight of 4.5 X 10(6) with an EcoRI-cleaved, self-replicating derivative of colicinogenic plasmid E1 that has a molecular weight of 2.2 X 10(6), The recombinant plasmid is able to replicate extensively in E. coli in medium containing chloramphenicol, and, therefore, large quantities of this plasmid DNA can be obtained. The substantial difference in size between the two fragments in the recombinant plasmid greatly facilitates their separation by preparative agarose gel electrophoresis.", "contents": "Method for the isolation of the replication region of a bacterial replicon: construction of a mini-F'kn plasmid. A purified fragment of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that determines resistance to kanamycin and is incapable of self-replication was used to select a self-replicating fragment from an EcoRI endonuclease digest of the sex factor F'lac. This F'lac fragment, exhibiting a molecular weight of 6 X 10(6), carries the genes essential for maintenance of the F replicon in Escherichia coli cells. The constructed mini-F'km plasmid also retains the incompatibility properties of the parent F'lac plasmid. Large amounts of the kanamycin resistance fragment of a molecular weight of 4.5 X 10(6) with an EcoRI-cleaved, self-replicating derivative of colicinogenic plasmid E1 that has a molecular weight of 2.2 X 10(6), The recombinant plasmid is able to replicate extensively in E. coli in medium containing chloramphenicol, and, therefore, large quantities of this plasmid DNA can be obtained. The substantial difference in size between the two fragments in the recombinant plasmid greatly facilitates their separation by preparative agarose gel electrophoresis.", "PMID": 783124} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6604", "title": "Electron microscope study of a plasmid chimera containing the replication region of the Escherichia coli F plasmid.", "content": "pML31, a plasmid chimera constructed to contain the replication genes of an Flac plasmid, has been studied by electron microscope methods. Heteroduplex analysis shows that the only F sequence present in pML31 is that with corrdinates 40.3-49.3F. This region has previously been identified as essential for plasmid maintenance. The sequence of pML31, which was derived originally from R6-5, carries the km gene(s) and an inverted duplication of a 1.0-kilobase sequence. On the basis of length measurements, the repeated sequence is different from IS1, IS2, IS3, and an inverted repeat associated with the km gene(s) of plasmid JR67.", "contents": "Electron microscope study of a plasmid chimera containing the replication region of the Escherichia coli F plasmid. pML31, a plasmid chimera constructed to contain the replication genes of an Flac plasmid, has been studied by electron microscope methods. Heteroduplex analysis shows that the only F sequence present in pML31 is that with corrdinates 40.3-49.3F. This region has previously been identified as essential for plasmid maintenance. The sequence of pML31, which was derived originally from R6-5, carries the km gene(s) and an inverted duplication of a 1.0-kilobase sequence. On the basis of length measurements, the repeated sequence is different from IS1, IS2, IS3, and an inverted repeat associated with the km gene(s) of plasmid JR67.", "PMID": 783125} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6605", "title": "Specialized transduction of D-serine deaminase genes: formation of lysogens that yield high lambda-d dsd/lambda ratios and formation of a dimeric lambda-d dsd.", "content": "We have obtained two classes of double lysogens that on induction yield higher titers of lambda-d dsd transducing phage than of helper phage. One class was obtained by lysogenization of strain EM6116 (dsddelta attlambdadelta HfrC) with lambda-dsd type 2 (dsdC+ dsdO+ dsdA+, head-tail substitution). In the absence of either a normal attlambda or the homology of a chromosomal dsd region, the transducing phage integrated at other sites, at least one of which, in strain EM6177, is near the origin of HfrC. On induction, strain EM6177 yields a phage burst of 20 to 50 with a lambdadsd:lambda ratio of 10(4):1. The asnychronously high yield of lambda dsd is attributed to an efficiency of excision greater than that of lambda. The other class was obtained by lysogenization of strain EM1407 (dsdA attlambda+) with lambda-dsd type 2 (dsdO6 dsdA, partial deletion of dsdC). The DNA of mature lambda-dsd type 2 is a complete dimer. It lacks nearly all the phage late genes and b2 and carries about five bacterial genes. It could not be packaged as a monomer but is just within the packaging size limit as a dimer. Models for the derivation of these lambda dsd phages and the high-yielding lysogens are presented.", "contents": "Specialized transduction of D-serine deaminase genes: formation of lysogens that yield high lambda-d dsd/lambda ratios and formation of a dimeric lambda-d dsd. We have obtained two classes of double lysogens that on induction yield higher titers of lambda-d dsd transducing phage than of helper phage. One class was obtained by lysogenization of strain EM6116 (dsddelta attlambdadelta HfrC) with lambda-dsd type 2 (dsdC+ dsdO+ dsdA+, head-tail substitution). In the absence of either a normal attlambda or the homology of a chromosomal dsd region, the transducing phage integrated at other sites, at least one of which, in strain EM6177, is near the origin of HfrC. On induction, strain EM6177 yields a phage burst of 20 to 50 with a lambdadsd:lambda ratio of 10(4):1. The asnychronously high yield of lambda dsd is attributed to an efficiency of excision greater than that of lambda. The other class was obtained by lysogenization of strain EM1407 (dsdA attlambda+) with lambda-dsd type 2 (dsdO6 dsdA, partial deletion of dsdC). The DNA of mature lambda-dsd type 2 is a complete dimer. It lacks nearly all the phage late genes and b2 and carries about five bacterial genes. It could not be packaged as a monomer but is just within the packaging size limit as a dimer. Models for the derivation of these lambda dsd phages and the high-yielding lysogens are presented.", "PMID": 783126} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6606", "title": "Effect of temperature on motility and chemotaxis of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The swimming velocity of Escherichia coli at various constant temperatures was found to increase with increasing temperature. The frequency of tumbling had a peak at 34 degrees C and was very low both at 20 and at 39 degrees C. The swimming tracks near the surface of a slide glass showed curves, and the curvature increased the temperature. When the temperature of a bacterial suspension was suddenly changed, a transient change of the tumbling frequency was observed. A temperature drop induced a temporary increase in the tumbling frequency, and a quick rise of temperature, on the other hand, resulted in a temporary suppression of the tumbling. These dynamic responses to sudden changes of temperature was not observed in the smoothly swimming nonchemotactic strains bearing the mutations cheA and cheC and also in a mutant with the metF mutation under a smooth swimming condition.", "contents": "Effect of temperature on motility and chemotaxis of Escherichia coli. The swimming velocity of Escherichia coli at various constant temperatures was found to increase with increasing temperature. The frequency of tumbling had a peak at 34 degrees C and was very low both at 20 and at 39 degrees C. The swimming tracks near the surface of a slide glass showed curves, and the curvature increased the temperature. When the temperature of a bacterial suspension was suddenly changed, a transient change of the tumbling frequency was observed. A temperature drop induced a temporary increase in the tumbling frequency, and a quick rise of temperature, on the other hand, resulted in a temporary suppression of the tumbling. These dynamic responses to sudden changes of temperature was not observed in the smoothly swimming nonchemotactic strains bearing the mutations cheA and cheC and also in a mutant with the metF mutation under a smooth swimming condition.", "PMID": 783127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6607", "title": "Outer membrane of Escherichia coli K-12: differentiation of proteins 3A and 3B on acrylamide gels and further characterization of con (tolG) mutants.", "content": "Two classes of mutants, con and tolG, that appeared to be very similar in a number of respects have been shown to be identical and cotransducible with pyrD. By diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography of the outer membranes, we have shown that the mutants are missing only protein 3A and retain protein 3B. Using con mutants, we were thus able to identify protein 3B on the pH 7.2 gel system of Maizel where it runs separately from protein 3A if unheated samples are used. tolG mutants were shown to be identical to con mutants in being conjugation defective with most F-like plasmid donors but not with I-like plasmid donors, and in their resistance pattern to bacteriophages and colicins. During the course of this study, it was observed that the bacteriocin produced by Serratia marcescenc JF246 was identical in its activity spectrum to colicin L-398 and is now considered to be a colicin of type L.", "contents": "Outer membrane of Escherichia coli K-12: differentiation of proteins 3A and 3B on acrylamide gels and further characterization of con (tolG) mutants. Two classes of mutants, con and tolG, that appeared to be very similar in a number of respects have been shown to be identical and cotransducible with pyrD. By diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography of the outer membranes, we have shown that the mutants are missing only protein 3A and retain protein 3B. Using con mutants, we were thus able to identify protein 3B on the pH 7.2 gel system of Maizel where it runs separately from protein 3A if unheated samples are used. tolG mutants were shown to be identical to con mutants in being conjugation defective with most F-like plasmid donors but not with I-like plasmid donors, and in their resistance pattern to bacteriophages and colicins. During the course of this study, it was observed that the bacteriocin produced by Serratia marcescenc JF246 was identical in its activity spectrum to colicin L-398 and is now considered to be a colicin of type L.", "PMID": 783128} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6608", "title": "Outer membrane of Escherichia coli K-12: isolation of mutants with altered protein 3A by using host range mutants of bacteriophage K3.", "content": "A series of mutants has been isolated with alterations to protein 3A of the outer membrane. These mutations map at the previously described con locus as shown by cotransduction with pyrD. Most of them do not have detectable levels of protein 3A but are thought to have low levels of altered protein. These mutants have been detected by screening con mutants, isolated as resistant to bacteriophage K3, for their ability to plaque host range mutants of this bacteriophage. These host range phage mutants have activity spectra on the various con mutants that enable the bacterial mutants to be arranged in an order of increasing resistance to the host range phage mutants, from mutants sensitive to all host range phage to those sensitive to only one class. Likewise, the phage can be arragned in an order of increasing ability to plaque on the con mutants. Some of the mutants resemble the previously described con mutants in being tolerant to colicins K and L, and others resemble them in being highly defective as recipients with the F factor. These properties vary independently, suggesting that protein 3A can be modified to independently affect the three properties of bacteriophage receptor function, involvement in colicin sensitivity, and involvement in conjugation.", "contents": "Outer membrane of Escherichia coli K-12: isolation of mutants with altered protein 3A by using host range mutants of bacteriophage K3. A series of mutants has been isolated with alterations to protein 3A of the outer membrane. These mutations map at the previously described con locus as shown by cotransduction with pyrD. Most of them do not have detectable levels of protein 3A but are thought to have low levels of altered protein. These mutants have been detected by screening con mutants, isolated as resistant to bacteriophage K3, for their ability to plaque host range mutants of this bacteriophage. These host range phage mutants have activity spectra on the various con mutants that enable the bacterial mutants to be arranged in an order of increasing resistance to the host range phage mutants, from mutants sensitive to all host range phage to those sensitive to only one class. Likewise, the phage can be arragned in an order of increasing ability to plaque on the con mutants. Some of the mutants resemble the previously described con mutants in being tolerant to colicins K and L, and others resemble them in being highly defective as recipients with the F factor. These properties vary independently, suggesting that protein 3A can be modified to independently affect the three properties of bacteriophage receptor function, involvement in colicin sensitivity, and involvement in conjugation.", "PMID": 783129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6609", "title": "Stringent control of peptidoglycan biosynthesis in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "[3H]Diaminopimelic acid (Dap) was incorporated exclusively into peptidoglycan by Escherichia coli strains auxotrophic for both lysine and Dap. The rate of [3H]Dap incorporation by stringent (rel+) strains was significantly decreased when cells were deprived of required amino acids. The addition of chloramphenicol to amino acid-starved rel+ cultured stimulated both peptidoglycan and ribonucleic acid synthesis. In contrast, a relaxed (relA) derivative incorporated [3H]Dap at comparable rates in the presence or absence of required amino acids. Physiologically significant concentrations of guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) inhibited the in vitro synthesis of both carrier lipid-linked intermediate and peptidoglycan catalyzed by a particulate enzyme system. The degree of inhibition was dependent on the concentration of ppGpp in the reaction mixture. Thus, the results of in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that peptidoglycan synthesis is stringently controlled in E. coli.", "contents": "Stringent control of peptidoglycan biosynthesis in Escherichia coli K-12. [3H]Diaminopimelic acid (Dap) was incorporated exclusively into peptidoglycan by Escherichia coli strains auxotrophic for both lysine and Dap. The rate of [3H]Dap incorporation by stringent (rel+) strains was significantly decreased when cells were deprived of required amino acids. The addition of chloramphenicol to amino acid-starved rel+ cultured stimulated both peptidoglycan and ribonucleic acid synthesis. In contrast, a relaxed (relA) derivative incorporated [3H]Dap at comparable rates in the presence or absence of required amino acids. Physiologically significant concentrations of guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) inhibited the in vitro synthesis of both carrier lipid-linked intermediate and peptidoglycan catalyzed by a particulate enzyme system. The degree of inhibition was dependent on the concentration of ppGpp in the reaction mixture. Thus, the results of in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that peptidoglycan synthesis is stringently controlled in E. coli.", "PMID": 783130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6610", "title": "Enterobacterial common antigen in rfb deletion mutants of Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "The his-rfb deletion series of Salmonella typhimurium mutants characterized previously by Nikaido et al. was examined for the presence of the enterobacterial common antigen (ECA). All deletions not extending further to the left than the genes for cytidine phosphoabequose synthesis were ECA positive, whereas longer deletions (extending to the genes for thymidine diphosphorhamnose synthesis or further) were ECA negative. When these long-his-rfb deletion strains were studied further, it became clear that they (four out of four studied) had accumulated a second mutation, called rff, close to ilv, which prevented the synthesis of ECA. When rff- was replaced by rff+, the recombinants, now having the his-rfb deletion only, produced traces of ECA, showed reduced viability, increased sensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and to a lesser extent, to other anionic detergents, and accumulated secondary \"suppressor\" mutations upon storage. Such suppressor-containing mutants could be isolated by selecting for resistance to 1% SDS. Thirty of 46 SDS-resistant mutants studied had a second mutation, which alone prevented the synthesis of ECA, close to ilv. This ilv-linked mutation was similar to the rff mutation of the strains studied originally. The new rff mutation was similar to previously described rfe mutations in its close linkage to ilv and association with an ECA-negative phenotype. It differed from rfe, however, by not affecting the synthesis of the O antigens (O-6,7) of group C1. In Salmonella group C1, all ECA genes identified thus far are linked to ilv (rfe and/or rff) and none is linked to rfb.", "contents": "Enterobacterial common antigen in rfb deletion mutants of Salmonella typhimurium. The his-rfb deletion series of Salmonella typhimurium mutants characterized previously by Nikaido et al. was examined for the presence of the enterobacterial common antigen (ECA). All deletions not extending further to the left than the genes for cytidine phosphoabequose synthesis were ECA positive, whereas longer deletions (extending to the genes for thymidine diphosphorhamnose synthesis or further) were ECA negative. When these long-his-rfb deletion strains were studied further, it became clear that they (four out of four studied) had accumulated a second mutation, called rff, close to ilv, which prevented the synthesis of ECA. When rff- was replaced by rff+, the recombinants, now having the his-rfb deletion only, produced traces of ECA, showed reduced viability, increased sensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and to a lesser extent, to other anionic detergents, and accumulated secondary \"suppressor\" mutations upon storage. Such suppressor-containing mutants could be isolated by selecting for resistance to 1% SDS. Thirty of 46 SDS-resistant mutants studied had a second mutation, which alone prevented the synthesis of ECA, close to ilv. This ilv-linked mutation was similar to the rff mutation of the strains studied originally. The new rff mutation was similar to previously described rfe mutations in its close linkage to ilv and association with an ECA-negative phenotype. It differed from rfe, however, by not affecting the synthesis of the O antigens (O-6,7) of group C1. In Salmonella group C1, all ECA genes identified thus far are linked to ilv (rfe and/or rff) and none is linked to rfb.", "PMID": 783131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6611", "title": "Deoxyribonucleic acid degradation in vivo and in permeabilized Escherichia coli repair-deficient (recA zab lexA) derivatives.", "content": "There are three mutations (recA, zab, and lexA) each of which suppresses the expression of the Escherichia coli tif mutation and causes high deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair deficiency (Castellazi et al., 1972). The effect of the zab mutation on DNA stability was investigated. In vivo, a strain carrying the zab-53 mutation shows (i) no spontaneous DNA degradation and (ii) rapid DNA degradation after ultraviolet irradiation, which depends upon the exonuclease V activity coded by recB+/C+genes and which is independent from the correndonuclease II activity coded by uvrA+/B+. Thus, in regard to DNA stability, the zab mutant behaves like lexA and recA (Howard-Flanders and Boyce, 1966), the latter mutant showing in addition spontaneous DNA breakdown. The degradation patterns of these tif-suppressed strains are shown to be remarkably reproducible in bacteria made permeable to metabolites, by toluene or toluene plus Triton X-100. The degradation properties reflect the activity of the same biochemical system that works in vivo, in that degradation depends upon the presence of recA, zab, or lexA, ultraviolet irradiation, and exonuclease V activity. In addition, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (1 mM) is required. This assay with permeabilized cells offers a useful tool for studying degradation under controlled conditions, especially by permitting the dissociation of energy-dependent from energy-independent steps.", "contents": "Deoxyribonucleic acid degradation in vivo and in permeabilized Escherichia coli repair-deficient (recA zab lexA) derivatives. There are three mutations (recA, zab, and lexA) each of which suppresses the expression of the Escherichia coli tif mutation and causes high deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair deficiency (Castellazi et al., 1972). The effect of the zab mutation on DNA stability was investigated. In vivo, a strain carrying the zab-53 mutation shows (i) no spontaneous DNA degradation and (ii) rapid DNA degradation after ultraviolet irradiation, which depends upon the exonuclease V activity coded by recB+/C+genes and which is independent from the correndonuclease II activity coded by uvrA+/B+. Thus, in regard to DNA stability, the zab mutant behaves like lexA and recA (Howard-Flanders and Boyce, 1966), the latter mutant showing in addition spontaneous DNA breakdown. The degradation patterns of these tif-suppressed strains are shown to be remarkably reproducible in bacteria made permeable to metabolites, by toluene or toluene plus Triton X-100. The degradation properties reflect the activity of the same biochemical system that works in vivo, in that degradation depends upon the presence of recA, zab, or lexA, ultraviolet irradiation, and exonuclease V activity. In addition, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (1 mM) is required. This assay with permeabilized cells offers a useful tool for studying degradation under controlled conditions, especially by permitting the dissociation of energy-dependent from energy-independent steps.", "PMID": 783132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6612", "title": "Restoration by ribosomal protein S1 of the defective translation in a temperature-sensitive mutant of Escherichia coli K-12: characterization and genetic studies.", "content": "A temperature-sensitive mutant of Escherichia coli was isolated that had a temperature-sensitive defect in ribosomal-wash protein(s) required for translation in vitro of E. coli endogenous messenger ribonucleic acid. It was found that 30S ribosomal protein S1 rescued the defect in the ribosomal-wash protein(s) of the mutant and that the complete restoration to the wild-type level was attained when 1 mol of protein S1 was added to 1 mol of 70S ribosome. The mutation, tss, causing such a defect was mapped at 21 min and was closely linked to the pyrD locus, the region of which was entirely different from that of the other genes coding for the many ribosomal proteins of E. coli. These results indicate that the gene specified by this mutation is involved in the function of the 30S ribosomal protein S1.", "contents": "Restoration by ribosomal protein S1 of the defective translation in a temperature-sensitive mutant of Escherichia coli K-12: characterization and genetic studies. A temperature-sensitive mutant of Escherichia coli was isolated that had a temperature-sensitive defect in ribosomal-wash protein(s) required for translation in vitro of E. coli endogenous messenger ribonucleic acid. It was found that 30S ribosomal protein S1 rescued the defect in the ribosomal-wash protein(s) of the mutant and that the complete restoration to the wild-type level was attained when 1 mol of protein S1 was added to 1 mol of 70S ribosome. The mutation, tss, causing such a defect was mapped at 21 min and was closely linked to the pyrD locus, the region of which was entirely different from that of the other genes coding for the many ribosomal proteins of E. coli. These results indicate that the gene specified by this mutation is involved in the function of the 30S ribosomal protein S1.", "PMID": 783133} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6613", "title": "Mapping of a new genetic locus responsible for ampicillin resistance in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The ampicillin resistance locus of three different ampicillin-resistant, temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli mutants was mapped between proC and purE and does not correspond to any of the known genes in this region. The mutant gene responsible for the temperature sensitivity and consequent morphological changes in each mutant strain was not located in the same 5-min region, even though the two mutants characteristics co-reverted at a very high frequency.", "contents": "Mapping of a new genetic locus responsible for ampicillin resistance in Escherichia coli. The ampicillin resistance locus of three different ampicillin-resistant, temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli mutants was mapped between proC and purE and does not correspond to any of the known genes in this region. The mutant gene responsible for the temperature sensitivity and consequent morphological changes in each mutant strain was not located in the same 5-min region, even though the two mutants characteristics co-reverted at a very high frequency.", "PMID": 783134} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6614", "title": "Energy cost of galactoside transport to Escherichia coli.", "content": "Energy reserves of Escherichia coli can be depleted by our previously reported procedure to a level such that even the \"downhill\" transport of o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG) is completely dependent upon the exogenous energy supply. The ONPG concentration is high externally to the cells and is low intracellular because of the action of cytoplasmic beta-galactosidase. In the present work, depleted cell suspensions have been infused at low, steady rates with glucose and other energy sources while measurements of transport were being made. Comparing the rate of ONPG transport with the rate of introduction of glucose under conditions where the chosen glucose infusion rate limits transport, we find that 89 molecules of ONPG are transported per molecule of fully oxidized glucose. This transport yield is constant over a 6.5-fold range in rate of glucose addition. This constancy over a range of infusion rates implies that transport is the major cellular function under these special conditions. The yield value if 89 is in the agreement with the predicitions of 76 from Mitchell's chemiosmotic theory and constitutes an independent proff of its validity, since all the other proposed mechanisms of engery coupling predict much smaller yields. The lag from the start of glucose infusion into the reaction cuvette, to the extrapolated time at which a steady rate of transport and concomitant hydrolysis are achieved, is short (approximately 1 min). Similarly, the time after the infusion is stopped until the rate of transport returns to the background rate is also short. The latter implies that the energy metabolism is directed almost entirely to transport and/or other ongoing cellular processes and not to repair or renewal of an energy-independent, facilitated diffusion system.", "contents": "Energy cost of galactoside transport to Escherichia coli. Energy reserves of Escherichia coli can be depleted by our previously reported procedure to a level such that even the \"downhill\" transport of o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG) is completely dependent upon the exogenous energy supply. The ONPG concentration is high externally to the cells and is low intracellular because of the action of cytoplasmic beta-galactosidase. In the present work, depleted cell suspensions have been infused at low, steady rates with glucose and other energy sources while measurements of transport were being made. Comparing the rate of ONPG transport with the rate of introduction of glucose under conditions where the chosen glucose infusion rate limits transport, we find that 89 molecules of ONPG are transported per molecule of fully oxidized glucose. This transport yield is constant over a 6.5-fold range in rate of glucose addition. This constancy over a range of infusion rates implies that transport is the major cellular function under these special conditions. The yield value if 89 is in the agreement with the predicitions of 76 from Mitchell's chemiosmotic theory and constitutes an independent proff of its validity, since all the other proposed mechanisms of engery coupling predict much smaller yields. The lag from the start of glucose infusion into the reaction cuvette, to the extrapolated time at which a steady rate of transport and concomitant hydrolysis are achieved, is short (approximately 1 min). Similarly, the time after the infusion is stopped until the rate of transport returns to the background rate is also short. The latter implies that the energy metabolism is directed almost entirely to transport and/or other ongoing cellular processes and not to repair or renewal of an energy-independent, facilitated diffusion system.", "PMID": 783135} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6615", "title": "Second-site mutations in capR (lon) strains of Escherichia coli K-12 that prevent radiation sensitivity and allow bacteriophage lambda to lysogenize.", "content": "capR (lon) mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 are mucoid and sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray radiation as well as to nitrofurantoin. The mutants form filaments after exposure to these agents. capR mutants are also conditionally lethal since they die when plated on complex medium even without UV treatment; this phenomenon is designated \"complex medium-induced killing\". Furthermore, capR mutants are poorly lysogenized by bacteriophage lambda. Second-site revertants were isolated by plating on media containing nitrofurantoin. All 17 of the independent revertants studied were still mucoid but resistant to UV radiation. Sixteen of the 17 revertants contained a mutation, sulA, that cotransduced with pyrD (21 min). A second locus, sulB, was also found that cotransduced with leu (2 min). Studies with partial diploids (F'pyrD+ sulA+/pyrD36 sulA17 capR9 (lon) demonstrated that sulA+ is dominant to sulA; thus the indicated partial diploid is UV sensitive, whereas the haploid parent is UV resistant. Furthermore, two other phenotypic traits of capR (lon) mutants were reversed by the sul mutation:complex medium-induced killing and the inability of lambda phage to efficiently lysogenize capR strains. On the basis of these and other results, the following model is suggested to explain capR (lon) and sul gene interactions. capR (lon) is a regulator gene for the structural genes sulA+ and sulB+. Depression of both sul operons results in UV sensitivity and decreased ability of lambda to lysogenize, whereas inactivation of either sul+ protein by mutation to sul prevents these phenomena.", "contents": "Second-site mutations in capR (lon) strains of Escherichia coli K-12 that prevent radiation sensitivity and allow bacteriophage lambda to lysogenize. capR (lon) mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 are mucoid and sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray radiation as well as to nitrofurantoin. The mutants form filaments after exposure to these agents. capR mutants are also conditionally lethal since they die when plated on complex medium even without UV treatment; this phenomenon is designated \"complex medium-induced killing\". Furthermore, capR mutants are poorly lysogenized by bacteriophage lambda. Second-site revertants were isolated by plating on media containing nitrofurantoin. All 17 of the independent revertants studied were still mucoid but resistant to UV radiation. Sixteen of the 17 revertants contained a mutation, sulA, that cotransduced with pyrD (21 min). A second locus, sulB, was also found that cotransduced with leu (2 min). Studies with partial diploids (F'pyrD+ sulA+/pyrD36 sulA17 capR9 (lon) demonstrated that sulA+ is dominant to sulA; thus the indicated partial diploid is UV sensitive, whereas the haploid parent is UV resistant. Furthermore, two other phenotypic traits of capR (lon) mutants were reversed by the sul mutation:complex medium-induced killing and the inability of lambda phage to efficiently lysogenize capR strains. On the basis of these and other results, the following model is suggested to explain capR (lon) and sul gene interactions. capR (lon) is a regulator gene for the structural genes sulA+ and sulB+. Depression of both sul operons results in UV sensitivity and decreased ability of lambda to lysogenize, whereas inactivation of either sul+ protein by mutation to sul prevents these phenomena.", "PMID": 783136} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6616", "title": "Regulation of branched-chain amino acid transport in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The repression and derepression of leucine, isoleucine, and valine transport in Escherichia coli K-12 was examined by using strains auxotrophic for leucine, isoleucine, valine, and methionine. In experiments designed to limit each of these amino acids separately, we demonstrate that leucine limitation alone derepressed the leucine-binding protein, the high-affinity branched-chain amino acid transport system (LIV-I), and the membrane-bound, low-affinity system (LIV-II). This regulation did not seem to involve inactivation of transport components, but represented an increase in the differential rate of synthesis of transport components relative to total cellular proteins. The apparent regulation of transport by isoleucine, valine, and methionine reported elsewhere was shown to require an intact leucine, biosynthetic operon and to result from changes in the level of leucine biosynthetic enzymes. A functional leucyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase was also required for repression of transport. Transport regulation was shown to be essentially independent of ilvA or its gene product, threonine deaminase. The central role of leucine or its derivatives in cellular metabolism in general is discussed.", "contents": "Regulation of branched-chain amino acid transport in Escherichia coli. The repression and derepression of leucine, isoleucine, and valine transport in Escherichia coli K-12 was examined by using strains auxotrophic for leucine, isoleucine, valine, and methionine. In experiments designed to limit each of these amino acids separately, we demonstrate that leucine limitation alone derepressed the leucine-binding protein, the high-affinity branched-chain amino acid transport system (LIV-I), and the membrane-bound, low-affinity system (LIV-II). This regulation did not seem to involve inactivation of transport components, but represented an increase in the differential rate of synthesis of transport components relative to total cellular proteins. The apparent regulation of transport by isoleucine, valine, and methionine reported elsewhere was shown to require an intact leucine, biosynthetic operon and to result from changes in the level of leucine biosynthetic enzymes. A functional leucyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase was also required for repression of transport. Transport regulation was shown to be essentially independent of ilvA or its gene product, threonine deaminase. The central role of leucine or its derivatives in cellular metabolism in general is discussed.", "PMID": 783137} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6617", "title": "Temperature-sensitive ribonucleic acid polymerase mutant of Salmonella typhimurium with a defect in the beta' subunit.", "content": "Localized mutagenes of Salmonella typhimurium followed by a [3H]uridine enrichment procedure yielded a temperature-sensitive strain with a mutation in the rpo region of the chromosome. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6; nucleoside triphosphate: RNA nucleotidyltransferase) purified from this mutant was considerably less active at the nonpermissive temperature than wild-type enzyme. Furthermore, the enzyme from this mutant, unlike RNA polymerase of previously isolated temperature-sensitive mutants, was as thermostable as wild-type enzyme when preincubated at 50 degrees C. Subunit reconstitution experiments have shown that the temperature sensitivity is caused by an alteration in the beta' subunit of the enzyme.", "contents": "Temperature-sensitive ribonucleic acid polymerase mutant of Salmonella typhimurium with a defect in the beta' subunit. Localized mutagenes of Salmonella typhimurium followed by a [3H]uridine enrichment procedure yielded a temperature-sensitive strain with a mutation in the rpo region of the chromosome. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6; nucleoside triphosphate: RNA nucleotidyltransferase) purified from this mutant was considerably less active at the nonpermissive temperature than wild-type enzyme. Furthermore, the enzyme from this mutant, unlike RNA polymerase of previously isolated temperature-sensitive mutants, was as thermostable as wild-type enzyme when preincubated at 50 degrees C. Subunit reconstitution experiments have shown that the temperature sensitivity is caused by an alteration in the beta' subunit of the enzyme.", "PMID": 783138} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6618", "title": "Mycoplasma phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar phosphotransferase system: purification and characterization of the phosphocarrier protein.", "content": "The Mycoplasma phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar phosphotransferase system consists of three components: a membrane-bound enzyme II, a soluble enzyme I, and a soluble phosphocarrier protein, HPr. The HPr has been purified to homogeneity by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitations, gel filtration and diethylaminoethyl, carboxymethyl Bio-Gel A, and hydroxylapatite column chromatography. The purified protein is relatively heat stable (ca. 50% activity survives 30 min of boiling) and has a molecular weight of ca. 10,000 (determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis and amino acid analysis). It contains a single histidine residue per molecule and can be totally inactivated by photooxidation with Rose Bengal dye. Although the mycoplasma HPr is very similar to that of Escherichia coli, it shows no significant association with antiserum produced against E. coli HPr.", "contents": "Mycoplasma phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar phosphotransferase system: purification and characterization of the phosphocarrier protein. The Mycoplasma phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar phosphotransferase system consists of three components: a membrane-bound enzyme II, a soluble enzyme I, and a soluble phosphocarrier protein, HPr. The HPr has been purified to homogeneity by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitations, gel filtration and diethylaminoethyl, carboxymethyl Bio-Gel A, and hydroxylapatite column chromatography. The purified protein is relatively heat stable (ca. 50% activity survives 30 min of boiling) and has a molecular weight of ca. 10,000 (determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis and amino acid analysis). It contains a single histidine residue per molecule and can be totally inactivated by photooxidation with Rose Bengal dye. Although the mycoplasma HPr is very similar to that of Escherichia coli, it shows no significant association with antiserum produced against E. coli HPr.", "PMID": 783139} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6619", "title": "Role of deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase III in the repair of single-strand breaks produced in Escherichia coli deoxyribonucleic acid by gamma radiation.", "content": "Cell survival, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) degradation, and the repair of DNA single-strand breaks were measured for Escherichia coli K-12 pol+, polA1, polC1026(ts), and polA1 polC1026(ts) cells after 137Cs gamma irradiation. The results indicate that DNA polymerase III is required for growth medium-dependent (type III) repair in polA+ or polA cells. In pol+ or polC cells, DNA polymerase I performs type II repair efficiently. The relative deficiencies of each of these strains in DNA repair generally correlate with their relative sensitivities to cell killing and with the extent of DNA degradation observed.", "contents": "Role of deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase III in the repair of single-strand breaks produced in Escherichia coli deoxyribonucleic acid by gamma radiation. Cell survival, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) degradation, and the repair of DNA single-strand breaks were measured for Escherichia coli K-12 pol+, polA1, polC1026(ts), and polA1 polC1026(ts) cells after 137Cs gamma irradiation. The results indicate that DNA polymerase III is required for growth medium-dependent (type III) repair in polA+ or polA cells. In pol+ or polC cells, DNA polymerase I performs type II repair efficiently. The relative deficiencies of each of these strains in DNA repair generally correlate with their relative sensitivities to cell killing and with the extent of DNA degradation observed.", "PMID": 783140} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6620", "title": "Conjugation in Agrobacterium tumefaciens in the absence of plant tissue.", "content": "A general, reliable conjugation system for Agrobacterium tumefaciens in the absence of plant tissue is described in which A. tumefaciens can serve either as the donor or recipient of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid with reasonable efficiency. Plasmid RP4 was transferred from Escherichia coli to A. tumefaciens and from strain of A. tumefaciens. Both RP4 and the A. tumefaciens virulence-associated plasmids were detected by alkaline sucrose gradients in A. tumefaciens strains A6 and C58 after mating with E. coli J53(RP4). The pathogenicity (tumor foramtion) of strains A6 and C58 and the sensitivity of strain C58 to bacteriocin 84 were unaffected by the acquistion of RP4 by the Agrobacterium strains. Plasmid R1drd-19 was not transferred to A. tumefaciens. Transformation experiments with plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid were unsuccessful, even though, in the case of RP4, conjugation studies showed taht the deoxyribonucleic acid was compatible with that of the recipient strains.", "contents": "Conjugation in Agrobacterium tumefaciens in the absence of plant tissue. A general, reliable conjugation system for Agrobacterium tumefaciens in the absence of plant tissue is described in which A. tumefaciens can serve either as the donor or recipient of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid with reasonable efficiency. Plasmid RP4 was transferred from Escherichia coli to A. tumefaciens and from strain of A. tumefaciens. Both RP4 and the A. tumefaciens virulence-associated plasmids were detected by alkaline sucrose gradients in A. tumefaciens strains A6 and C58 after mating with E. coli J53(RP4). The pathogenicity (tumor foramtion) of strains A6 and C58 and the sensitivity of strain C58 to bacteriocin 84 were unaffected by the acquistion of RP4 by the Agrobacterium strains. Plasmid R1drd-19 was not transferred to A. tumefaciens. Transformation experiments with plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid were unsuccessful, even though, in the case of RP4, conjugation studies showed taht the deoxyribonucleic acid was compatible with that of the recipient strains.", "PMID": 783141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6621", "title": "Iron transport of Escherichia coli K-12: involvement of the colicin B receptor and of a citrate-inducible protein.", "content": "It was shown that feuB mutants (defective in ferric enterochelin uptake) were unable to adsorb colicin B. In addition, they were missing one of the three outer-membrane proteins which are over produced in strains grown in iron-deficient, extracted medium. Thus this protein (the feuB protein) is probably the receptor for colicin B and functions in enterochelin-mediated iron transport. The feuB gene was located by P1 transduction at approximately 72.5 min on the Escherichia coli K-12 genetic map and thus maps separately from the other genes concerned with the enterochelin system. The outer membranes of various strains grown in the presence of 1 mM citrate contained a high level of a protein which was present in very small amounts when citrate was absent from the growth medium. This protein was most easily observed in feuB mutants grown in the presence of citrate, since on polyacrylamide gels it ran in a similar position to the feuB protein, which is missing in these mutants. The relationship of this citrate-inducible protein to the inducible citrate-dependent iron uptake system is discussed.", "contents": "Iron transport of Escherichia coli K-12: involvement of the colicin B receptor and of a citrate-inducible protein. It was shown that feuB mutants (defective in ferric enterochelin uptake) were unable to adsorb colicin B. In addition, they were missing one of the three outer-membrane proteins which are over produced in strains grown in iron-deficient, extracted medium. Thus this protein (the feuB protein) is probably the receptor for colicin B and functions in enterochelin-mediated iron transport. The feuB gene was located by P1 transduction at approximately 72.5 min on the Escherichia coli K-12 genetic map and thus maps separately from the other genes concerned with the enterochelin system. The outer membranes of various strains grown in the presence of 1 mM citrate contained a high level of a protein which was present in very small amounts when citrate was absent from the growth medium. This protein was most easily observed in feuB mutants grown in the presence of citrate, since on polyacrylamide gels it ran in a similar position to the feuB protein, which is missing in these mutants. The relationship of this citrate-inducible protein to the inducible citrate-dependent iron uptake system is discussed.", "PMID": 783142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6622", "title": "Localization of ampicillin-sensitive sites in Escherichia coli by electron microscopy.", "content": "Growth of Escherichia coli B/r ATCC 12407 (doubling time, 65 to 70 min) in the presence of 500 mug of ampicillin per ml for 15 to 20 min induces a sphere alongside the cell. The position was determined with respect to the length axis of the cell by electron microscopy. Although spheres may be found anywhere, some prominent sites do occur. In the shortest cells, which have a length of about 1.5 mum, they are found at the presumed new cell pole. In slightly older cells (length, about 1.8 mum), the position of the sphere is not well defined. Later on spheres occur predominantly at the cell center. In dividing cells (average length, 2.5 mum) a sphere may also occur at about one-quarter of the cell length. The position of the spheres bears resemblance to sites where a pulse of 3H-labeled diaminopimelic acid is incorporated into the peptidoglycan, as has been found by others.", "contents": "Localization of ampicillin-sensitive sites in Escherichia coli by electron microscopy. Growth of Escherichia coli B/r ATCC 12407 (doubling time, 65 to 70 min) in the presence of 500 mug of ampicillin per ml for 15 to 20 min induces a sphere alongside the cell. The position was determined with respect to the length axis of the cell by electron microscopy. Although spheres may be found anywhere, some prominent sites do occur. In the shortest cells, which have a length of about 1.5 mum, they are found at the presumed new cell pole. In slightly older cells (length, about 1.8 mum), the position of the sphere is not well defined. Later on spheres occur predominantly at the cell center. In dividing cells (average length, 2.5 mum) a sphere may also occur at about one-quarter of the cell length. The position of the spheres bears resemblance to sites where a pulse of 3H-labeled diaminopimelic acid is incorporated into the peptidoglycan, as has been found by others.", "PMID": 783143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6623", "title": "Septation deficiency and phosphilipid perturbation in Escherichia coli genetically constitutive for the beta oxidation pathway.", "content": "Mutants of Escherichia coli defective in the regulation of the fatty acids beta oxidation pathway show an ultrastructural deficiency in septum formation at high growth rate. Several independent pairs of parent and mutant strains have been analyzed biochemically. Each parent strain displays a well-defined pattern of cellular phospholipids, which varies with the growth conditions. High ratios of phosphatidylglycerol to cardiolipin characterize fast-growth conditions. None of the mutant strains, although they grow in mass nearly as rapidly as their respective parents, can reach these high ratios. The beta oxidation pathway regulatory mutation leads to an increased turnover of the glycerol moieties of these phospholipids in the inner as well as in the outer cell membrane.", "contents": "Septation deficiency and phosphilipid perturbation in Escherichia coli genetically constitutive for the beta oxidation pathway. Mutants of Escherichia coli defective in the regulation of the fatty acids beta oxidation pathway show an ultrastructural deficiency in septum formation at high growth rate. Several independent pairs of parent and mutant strains have been analyzed biochemically. Each parent strain displays a well-defined pattern of cellular phospholipids, which varies with the growth conditions. High ratios of phosphatidylglycerol to cardiolipin characterize fast-growth conditions. None of the mutant strains, although they grow in mass nearly as rapidly as their respective parents, can reach these high ratios. The beta oxidation pathway regulatory mutation leads to an increased turnover of the glycerol moieties of these phospholipids in the inner as well as in the outer cell membrane.", "PMID": 783144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6624", "title": "Interference with propagation of typing bacteriophages by extrachromosomal elements in Salmonella typhimurium: bacteriophage type 505.", "content": "Samonella typhimurium bacteriophage type 505 is the most frequently encountered phage type in the Netherlands and its neighboring countries. Phage type 505 was analyzed with regard o the interference with propagation of the typing phages by the prophages and plasmids, present in the type strain S. typhimurium 505...", "contents": "Interference with propagation of typing bacteriophages by extrachromosomal elements in Salmonella typhimurium: bacteriophage type 505. Samonella typhimurium bacteriophage type 505 is the most frequently encountered phage type in the Netherlands and its neighboring countries. Phage type 505 was analyzed with regard o the interference with propagation of the typing phages by the prophages and plasmids, present in the type strain S. typhimurium 505...", "PMID": 783145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6625", "title": "Novel mutation that causes a structural change in a lipoprotein in the outer membrane of Escherichia coli.", "content": "A novel mutation which caused a structural change in a lipoprotein in the outer-membrane has been found in Escherichia coli K-12. The lipoprotein of the wild-type strain is known to have a peculiar amino terminal structure: glycerylcysteine with two fatty acids attached by ester linkages and one fatty acid by an amide linkage. In contrast to the wild-type lipoprotein, the mutant lipoproteins is isolated from the E. coli envelope as a dimer of molecular weight of about 15,000. The dimer can be reduced by mercaptoethanol to the lipoprotein monomer of molecular weight of about 7,500. The monomer has a free thiol group which is susceptible to monoiodacetie mutant lipoprotein is extremely low in comparison with that into the wild-type lipoprotein. These results suggest that the mutant is defective in transferring a glycerol group to the thiol group of the amino terminal cysteine residue of the lipoprotein. The gene responsible for this modification reaction has been located at 36.5 min on the E. coli chromosome.", "contents": "Novel mutation that causes a structural change in a lipoprotein in the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. A novel mutation which caused a structural change in a lipoprotein in the outer-membrane has been found in Escherichia coli K-12. The lipoprotein of the wild-type strain is known to have a peculiar amino terminal structure: glycerylcysteine with two fatty acids attached by ester linkages and one fatty acid by an amide linkage. In contrast to the wild-type lipoprotein, the mutant lipoproteins is isolated from the E. coli envelope as a dimer of molecular weight of about 15,000. The dimer can be reduced by mercaptoethanol to the lipoprotein monomer of molecular weight of about 7,500. The monomer has a free thiol group which is susceptible to monoiodacetie mutant lipoprotein is extremely low in comparison with that into the wild-type lipoprotein. These results suggest that the mutant is defective in transferring a glycerol group to the thiol group of the amino terminal cysteine residue of the lipoprotein. The gene responsible for this modification reaction has been located at 36.5 min on the E. coli chromosome.", "PMID": 783146} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6626", "title": "Missense mutations in the lacZ gene that result in degradation of beta-galactosidase structural protein.", "content": "Thirty-two missenese mutations were found among more than 200 independently induced mutations in the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli. Twenty of these missense mutations were induced by nitrosguandine, and 12 were induced by aminopurine. The lacZ structural protein was endogenously degradable in seven of the mutant strains; the mutations in these strains were found to lie at only three sites in the lacZ gene. Five of the seven independent mutations were at a single site, and some heterogeneity in the degradation of the lacZ protein was observed within these mutant strains.", "contents": "Missense mutations in the lacZ gene that result in degradation of beta-galactosidase structural protein. Thirty-two missenese mutations were found among more than 200 independently induced mutations in the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli. Twenty of these missense mutations were induced by nitrosguandine, and 12 were induced by aminopurine. The lacZ structural protein was endogenously degradable in seven of the mutant strains; the mutations in these strains were found to lie at only three sites in the lacZ gene. Five of the seven independent mutations were at a single site, and some heterogeneity in the degradation of the lacZ protein was observed within these mutant strains.", "PMID": 783147} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6627", "title": "Nearest-neighbor analysis of Escherichia coli outer membrane proteins using cleavable cross-links.", "content": "A specific dimer of the 37,000-dalton, major outer membrane protein was demonstrated by chemical cross-linking with cleavable reagents.", "contents": "Nearest-neighbor analysis of Escherichia coli outer membrane proteins using cleavable cross-links. A specific dimer of the 37,000-dalton, major outer membrane protein was demonstrated by chemical cross-linking with cleavable reagents.", "PMID": 783148} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6628", "title": "Isolation of temperature-sensitive mutants of R plasmid by in vitro mutagenesis with hydroxylamine.", "content": "Temperature-sensitive mutants were isolated from a tetracycline resistance plasmid, pSC101, after mutagenesis with hydroxylamine. They were divided into three classes according to their growth characteristics. They include mutants defective in the replication of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid and strains having a mutation in the drug resistance gene.", "contents": "Isolation of temperature-sensitive mutants of R plasmid by in vitro mutagenesis with hydroxylamine. Temperature-sensitive mutants were isolated from a tetracycline resistance plasmid, pSC101, after mutagenesis with hydroxylamine. They were divided into three classes according to their growth characteristics. They include mutants defective in the replication of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid and strains having a mutation in the drug resistance gene.", "PMID": 783149} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6629", "title": "Membrane structures in stable L-forms of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Microtubular and lamellate membrane structures were observed at the log phase of growth in the stable L-forms of Escherichia coli cultured in the absence of penicillin.", "contents": "Membrane structures in stable L-forms of Escherichia coli. Microtubular and lamellate membrane structures were observed at the log phase of growth in the stable L-forms of Escherichia coli cultured in the absence of penicillin.", "PMID": 783150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6630", "title": "Method for the isolation of Escherichia coli relaxed mutants, utilizing near-ultraviolet irradiation.", "content": "Near-ultraviolet radiation (300 to 380 nm) induces a transient growth inhibition in \"stringent\" (rel+) strains of Escherichia coli, whereas \"relaxed\" (rel-) strains are only mildly affected. This difference permits rapid isolation of large numbers of relaxed mutants of E. coli.", "contents": "Method for the isolation of Escherichia coli relaxed mutants, utilizing near-ultraviolet irradiation. Near-ultraviolet radiation (300 to 380 nm) induces a transient growth inhibition in \"stringent\" (rel+) strains of Escherichia coli, whereas \"relaxed\" (rel-) strains are only mildly affected. This difference permits rapid isolation of large numbers of relaxed mutants of E. coli.", "PMID": 783151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6631", "title": "Genetic map position of the pdxH gene in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The gene for pyridoxine phosphate oxidase, pdxH, is located 1.2 min beyond aroD, proximal to trp.", "contents": "Genetic map position of the pdxH gene in Escherichia coli. The gene for pyridoxine phosphate oxidase, pdxH, is located 1.2 min beyond aroD, proximal to trp.", "PMID": 783152} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6632", "title": "L-Norvaline and L-homoisoleucine formation by Serratia marcescens,.", "content": "Two unnatural amino acids were found as by-products in isoleucine fermentation from threonine by Serratia marcescens. These amino acids were identified as L-norvaline (2-aminopentanoic acid) and L-homoisoleucine (2-amino-4-methylhexanoic acid). Formation of L-norvaline and L-homoisoleucine was not observed when L-leucine was added to the medium. The leucine auxotroph derived from the isoleucine accumlator did not produce L-norvaline or L-homoisoleucine even during the accumulation of large amounts of isoleucine. It is suggested that L-norvaline and L-homoisoleucine formation is closely related to leucine biosynthesis.", "contents": "L-Norvaline and L-homoisoleucine formation by Serratia marcescens,. Two unnatural amino acids were found as by-products in isoleucine fermentation from threonine by Serratia marcescens. These amino acids were identified as L-norvaline (2-aminopentanoic acid) and L-homoisoleucine (2-amino-4-methylhexanoic acid). Formation of L-norvaline and L-homoisoleucine was not observed when L-leucine was added to the medium. The leucine auxotroph derived from the isoleucine accumlator did not produce L-norvaline or L-homoisoleucine even during the accumulation of large amounts of isoleucine. It is suggested that L-norvaline and L-homoisoleucine formation is closely related to leucine biosynthesis.", "PMID": 783153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6633", "title": "Biochemical studies of pyrithiamine-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "The biochemical properties of strains (PT-R101 and PT-R108) of Escherichia coli K12 resistant to growth inhibition by pyrithiamine, and antimetabolite of thiamine, have been studied. Intracellular thiamine pyrophosphate concentration in these resistant strains was slightly but definitely higher than that in the parent strain. Thiamine synthesis from the pyrimidine and thiazole moieties of thiamine by cell suspensions was greater in the resistant strains than the parent strain. The activities of enzymes involved in thiamine biosynthesis in these pyrithiamine-resistant strains were 2-3 times higher than the parent strain (3301), except for thiamine-phosphate kinase, which was indetectable in in vitro assay of the activity. However, other evidence indicates that this enzyme is not defective but is functioning in vivo and, furthermore, that the negligible activity of this enzyme did not affect the growth rate of the mutants. The activities of these enzymes were further enhanced when PT-R101 was grown on 5mM adenine and were reduced almost to zero when the strain was grown on 0.1 muM thiamine in the same way as the parent strain. However, when these resistant strains were grown on a low concentration of thiamine such as 0,05 muM, thiamine synthesis by cell suspensions also decreased, but only to a limited extent compared with the parent strain. These results suggest that PT-R101 and PT-R108 are altered in the mechanisms of regulation of thiamine biosynthesis. Their altered properties might be due to a reduced binding affinity of the repressor protein, which is involved on the regulation of thiamine synthesis, for the corepressor, thiamine pyrophosphate,", "contents": "Biochemical studies of pyrithiamine-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli K12. The biochemical properties of strains (PT-R101 and PT-R108) of Escherichia coli K12 resistant to growth inhibition by pyrithiamine, and antimetabolite of thiamine, have been studied. Intracellular thiamine pyrophosphate concentration in these resistant strains was slightly but definitely higher than that in the parent strain. Thiamine synthesis from the pyrimidine and thiazole moieties of thiamine by cell suspensions was greater in the resistant strains than the parent strain. The activities of enzymes involved in thiamine biosynthesis in these pyrithiamine-resistant strains were 2-3 times higher than the parent strain (3301), except for thiamine-phosphate kinase, which was indetectable in in vitro assay of the activity. However, other evidence indicates that this enzyme is not defective but is functioning in vivo and, furthermore, that the negligible activity of this enzyme did not affect the growth rate of the mutants. The activities of these enzymes were further enhanced when PT-R101 was grown on 5mM adenine and were reduced almost to zero when the strain was grown on 0.1 muM thiamine in the same way as the parent strain. However, when these resistant strains were grown on a low concentration of thiamine such as 0,05 muM, thiamine synthesis by cell suspensions also decreased, but only to a limited extent compared with the parent strain. These results suggest that PT-R101 and PT-R108 are altered in the mechanisms of regulation of thiamine biosynthesis. Their altered properties might be due to a reduced binding affinity of the repressor protein, which is involved on the regulation of thiamine synthesis, for the corepressor, thiamine pyrophosphate,", "PMID": 783154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6634", "title": "Cooperative conformational change in F-actin filament induced by the binding of heavy meromyosin.", "content": "The binding of HMM to F-actin containing bound 1, N6-ethenoadenosine diphosphate (epsilon-ADP), a fluorescent analogue of ADP, caused a significant increase in the fluorescence intensity of epsilon-ADP at 410 nm on excitation at 340 nm. This increase is regarded as due to a conformational change in the actin molecule induced by HMM binding. The fluorescence intensity increase was not directly proportional to the amount of bound HMM. This phenomenon suggests that a conformational change in neighbouring actin molecules is induced cooperatively by the conformational change of the actin molecule binding HMM.", "contents": "Cooperative conformational change in F-actin filament induced by the binding of heavy meromyosin. The binding of HMM to F-actin containing bound 1, N6-ethenoadenosine diphosphate (epsilon-ADP), a fluorescent analogue of ADP, caused a significant increase in the fluorescence intensity of epsilon-ADP at 410 nm on excitation at 340 nm. This increase is regarded as due to a conformational change in the actin molecule induced by HMM binding. The fluorescence intensity increase was not directly proportional to the amount of bound HMM. This phenomenon suggests that a conformational change in neighbouring actin molecules is induced cooperatively by the conformational change of the actin molecule binding HMM.", "PMID": 783155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6635", "title": "Two substrate binding sites on tryptophanyl transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase of Escherichia coli has 1.8 binding sites for L-tryptophan with Kdiss of 12 x 10(-5) M as shown by equilibrium dialysis. The results are in accord with the known structure of the enzyme, and alpha2 dimer of 74,000 molecular weight, and with 2 binding sites for tryptophanyl-ATP ester. Ordinary sucrose density gradient centrifugation reveals a complex composed of one tRNATrp bound per enzyme dimer. When tRNATrp is mixed throughout the gradient at concentrations from 5.4 x 10(-6) M to 2.0 x 10(-5) M, a new peak appears in the position expected for a complex with two tRNATrp molecules bound per enzyme dimer. Sedimentation through gradients lacking tRNATrp favors dissociation of the 1:2 complex but not the 1:1 complex. The data indicate 2 binding sites for tRNATrp on tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase.", "contents": "Two substrate binding sites on tryptophanyl transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase of Escherichia coli. Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase of Escherichia coli has 1.8 binding sites for L-tryptophan with Kdiss of 12 x 10(-5) M as shown by equilibrium dialysis. The results are in accord with the known structure of the enzyme, and alpha2 dimer of 74,000 molecular weight, and with 2 binding sites for tryptophanyl-ATP ester. Ordinary sucrose density gradient centrifugation reveals a complex composed of one tRNATrp bound per enzyme dimer. When tRNATrp is mixed throughout the gradient at concentrations from 5.4 x 10(-6) M to 2.0 x 10(-5) M, a new peak appears in the position expected for a complex with two tRNATrp molecules bound per enzyme dimer. Sedimentation through gradients lacking tRNATrp favors dissociation of the 1:2 complex but not the 1:1 complex. The data indicate 2 binding sites for tRNATrp on tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase.", "PMID": 783157} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6636", "title": "Effect of cations and anions on the steady state kinetics of energy-dependent Ca2+ transport in rat liver mitochondria.", "content": "The divalent cation ionophore A23187 has been used to investigate the kinetics of energy-dependent Ca2+ uptake by rat liver mitochondria under steady state conditions. During A23187-induced cyclic Ca2+ flux, the free Ca2+ concentration is adjusted using [ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)]tetraacetic acid (EGTA) buffers. The rate of Ca2+ transport, which is inferred from the rate of succinate oxidation, is a function of the free Ca2+ concentration in the medium. The kinetics are sigmoidal with the free Ca2+ concentration at half-maximal respiratory stimulation (K0.5) equal to 3.1 +/- 0.4 muM at 25 degrees. The maximal Ca2+-stimulated respiratory rate (Vmax) is a function of the ionic composition of the medium. Magnesium and Mg2+ plus phosphate produced a parallel stimulation of the maximal respiration rate whether activated by Ca2+ uptake or by the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP). In the absence of A23187, Ca:O rations of 4.0 were obtained under most experimental conditions. Magnesium is a potent competitive-like inhibitor, increasing the K0.5 for Ca2+ to 30.0 muM at 2.0 mM MgCl2. Magnesium dramatically decreases the apparent affinity for Ca2+ but does not appear to alter the kinetic mechanism. In contrast, the alkali metal cations are weak inhibitors, at most doubling the K0.5 for Ca2+; however, they antagonized Mg2+ inhibition with an order of effectiveness Li+ greater than or equal to Na+ greater than K+ greater than Rb+ =Cs+. Phosphate and acetate increased the Vmax slightly without altering the K0.5 for Ca2+. Phosphate did not influence the inhibitory effects of Mg2+ or Mg2+ plus K+. This study suggests that during steady state conditions, the maximal rate of Ca2+ accumulation is primarily electron transport-limited. The results are also discussed in terms of a possible physiological role for Mg2+ and K+ in the intracellular regulation of energy-dependent mitochondrial Ca2+ transport in liver.", "contents": "Effect of cations and anions on the steady state kinetics of energy-dependent Ca2+ transport in rat liver mitochondria. The divalent cation ionophore A23187 has been used to investigate the kinetics of energy-dependent Ca2+ uptake by rat liver mitochondria under steady state conditions. During A23187-induced cyclic Ca2+ flux, the free Ca2+ concentration is adjusted using [ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)]tetraacetic acid (EGTA) buffers. The rate of Ca2+ transport, which is inferred from the rate of succinate oxidation, is a function of the free Ca2+ concentration in the medium. The kinetics are sigmoidal with the free Ca2+ concentration at half-maximal respiratory stimulation (K0.5) equal to 3.1 +/- 0.4 muM at 25 degrees. The maximal Ca2+-stimulated respiratory rate (Vmax) is a function of the ionic composition of the medium. Magnesium and Mg2+ plus phosphate produced a parallel stimulation of the maximal respiration rate whether activated by Ca2+ uptake or by the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP). In the absence of A23187, Ca:O rations of 4.0 were obtained under most experimental conditions. Magnesium is a potent competitive-like inhibitor, increasing the K0.5 for Ca2+ to 30.0 muM at 2.0 mM MgCl2. Magnesium dramatically decreases the apparent affinity for Ca2+ but does not appear to alter the kinetic mechanism. In contrast, the alkali metal cations are weak inhibitors, at most doubling the K0.5 for Ca2+; however, they antagonized Mg2+ inhibition with an order of effectiveness Li+ greater than or equal to Na+ greater than K+ greater than Rb+ =Cs+. Phosphate and acetate increased the Vmax slightly without altering the K0.5 for Ca2+. Phosphate did not influence the inhibitory effects of Mg2+ or Mg2+ plus K+. This study suggests that during steady state conditions, the maximal rate of Ca2+ accumulation is primarily electron transport-limited. The results are also discussed in terms of a possible physiological role for Mg2+ and K+ in the intracellular regulation of energy-dependent mitochondrial Ca2+ transport in liver.", "PMID": 783158} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6637", "title": "Oligopeptide transport in proline peptidase mutants of Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Investigations of peptide transport in Salmonella typhimurium are presented. A strain designated proB25, a proline auxotroph, grew on a variety of di, tri-, and tetrapeptides containing proline. In contrast (Pro)6, peptides acylated on the NH2 terminus and Ala-Pro-D-Ala did not satisfy the nutritional requirement of proB25 for proline because they were not transported. A derivative of proB25, strain TN87, deficient in a proline aminopeptidase and an X-Pro dipeptidase, was able to utilize only four of 25 proline-containing peptides investigated. The inability of TN87 to grow on most of these peptides was due to the lack of the requisite peptidase activity. Evidence for a functional dipeptide transport system in this strain is indicated by growth on Pro-Leu and Pro-Ala, and by growth inhibition by certain X-Pro dipeptides. Leu-Pro, Val-Pro, Met-Pro, and Arg-Pro cause temporary growth inhibition of strain TN87 whereas Gly-Pro, Ala-Pro, and Pro-Pro have no effect on growth. Evidence for a functional oligopeptide transport system is indicated by growth on Pro-Val-Gly and Pro-Gly-Gly and by uptake of label from L-methionyl-L-methionyl-L-[14C]methionine and L-alanyl-L-prolyl-[14C]glycine. The presence of multiple oligopeptide transport systems for certain proline-containing peptides was demonstrated using triornithine-resistant mutants (oligopeptide permease deficient) and competition experiments. Finally L-Ala-L-Pro-[14C]Gly is shown to be transported intact into strain TN87.", "contents": "Oligopeptide transport in proline peptidase mutants of Salmonella typhimurium. Investigations of peptide transport in Salmonella typhimurium are presented. A strain designated proB25, a proline auxotroph, grew on a variety of di, tri-, and tetrapeptides containing proline. In contrast (Pro)6, peptides acylated on the NH2 terminus and Ala-Pro-D-Ala did not satisfy the nutritional requirement of proB25 for proline because they were not transported. A derivative of proB25, strain TN87, deficient in a proline aminopeptidase and an X-Pro dipeptidase, was able to utilize only four of 25 proline-containing peptides investigated. The inability of TN87 to grow on most of these peptides was due to the lack of the requisite peptidase activity. Evidence for a functional dipeptide transport system in this strain is indicated by growth on Pro-Leu and Pro-Ala, and by growth inhibition by certain X-Pro dipeptides. Leu-Pro, Val-Pro, Met-Pro, and Arg-Pro cause temporary growth inhibition of strain TN87 whereas Gly-Pro, Ala-Pro, and Pro-Pro have no effect on growth. Evidence for a functional oligopeptide transport system is indicated by growth on Pro-Val-Gly and Pro-Gly-Gly and by uptake of label from L-methionyl-L-methionyl-L-[14C]methionine and L-alanyl-L-prolyl-[14C]glycine. The presence of multiple oligopeptide transport systems for certain proline-containing peptides was demonstrated using triornithine-resistant mutants (oligopeptide permease deficient) and competition experiments. Finally L-Ala-L-Pro-[14C]Gly is shown to be transported intact into strain TN87.", "PMID": 783159} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6638", "title": "Purification of intact old yellow enzyme using an affinity matrix for the sole chromatographic step.", "content": "Old Yellow Enzyme has been purified in high yield from crude extracts of brewers bottom yeast using an affinity matrix for the sole chromatographic step. The results of sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis indicate that the enzyme is nearly homogeneous and consists of identically sized subunits of molecular weight of about 49,000. However, when the enzyme is isolated without the protective presence of a protease inhibitor, the electrophoretic pattern comprises three bands, which suggests limited, perhaps single bond cleavage of the polypeptide chain. This proteolytic cleavage results in weaker binding of ligands to the enzyme. The binding of a large number of compounds to the enzyme has been investigated, particularly with reference to the concomitant appearance of long wavelength absorption bands. The structural requirements for formation of long wavelength absorption are that the ligand must be aromatic in character, with an ionizable hydroxyl or thiol substituent.", "contents": "Purification of intact old yellow enzyme using an affinity matrix for the sole chromatographic step. Old Yellow Enzyme has been purified in high yield from crude extracts of brewers bottom yeast using an affinity matrix for the sole chromatographic step. The results of sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis indicate that the enzyme is nearly homogeneous and consists of identically sized subunits of molecular weight of about 49,000. However, when the enzyme is isolated without the protective presence of a protease inhibitor, the electrophoretic pattern comprises three bands, which suggests limited, perhaps single bond cleavage of the polypeptide chain. This proteolytic cleavage results in weaker binding of ligands to the enzyme. The binding of a large number of compounds to the enzyme has been investigated, particularly with reference to the concomitant appearance of long wavelength absorption bands. The structural requirements for formation of long wavelength absorption are that the ligand must be aromatic in character, with an ionizable hydroxyl or thiol substituent.", "PMID": 783160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6639", "title": "Cellular and humoral immune response analysis of bone-allografted rats.", "content": "Long-term cellular and humoral immune responses were studied in inbred rats in which bone was allografted. Transplants were made across major histocompatibility barriers. Mixed lymphocyte culture tests and humoral cytotoxicity assays were performed in order to determine degrees of cellular and humoral immunity. Grafts of complete bone and of bone free of marrow elicited both types of immune response and it is proposed that transplantation antigens for both types of reaction exist in the bone tissue itself. A gene-dose effect was found. Allogeneic bone grafts gave a stronger reaction than semiallogeneic grafts, and second-set grafts triggered a hypersensitivity type of humoral immune response. This study suggests that until the host-bone graft immunological relationship is better understood, the graft tissue should be matched to the host for major transplantation antigens to help prevent unexpected failures in massive bone allotransplantation.", "contents": "Cellular and humoral immune response analysis of bone-allografted rats. Long-term cellular and humoral immune responses were studied in inbred rats in which bone was allografted. Transplants were made across major histocompatibility barriers. Mixed lymphocyte culture tests and humoral cytotoxicity assays were performed in order to determine degrees of cellular and humoral immunity. Grafts of complete bone and of bone free of marrow elicited both types of immune response and it is proposed that transplantation antigens for both types of reaction exist in the bone tissue itself. A gene-dose effect was found. Allogeneic bone grafts gave a stronger reaction than semiallogeneic grafts, and second-set grafts triggered a hypersensitivity type of humoral immune response. This study suggests that until the host-bone graft immunological relationship is better understood, the graft tissue should be matched to the host for major transplantation antigens to help prevent unexpected failures in massive bone allotransplantation.", "PMID": 783162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6640", "title": "The measurement of skin blood flow in peripheral vascular disease by epicutaneous application of Xenon133.", "content": "Radioactive xenon133 applied epicutaneously was used to study the skin blood flow below the knee in sixteen normal subjects, in eight patients with peripheral vascular disease not requiring amputation, and in a blind study of twenty-nine patients requiring amputation. Following these twenty-nine amputations, the flow rates were made known and correlated with the rates of healing. When the flow rates were above 1.5 milliliters per minute per 100 grams of tissue (skin), the wounds generally healed. In thirteen other patients, Syme or below-the-knee amputations were performed on the basis of the flow rates, and all of the wounds healed. The test, therefore, is now used routinely prior to amputation for peripheral vascular disease as an adjunct to clinical judgment in the determination of the level of amputation.", "contents": "The measurement of skin blood flow in peripheral vascular disease by epicutaneous application of Xenon133. Radioactive xenon133 applied epicutaneously was used to study the skin blood flow below the knee in sixteen normal subjects, in eight patients with peripheral vascular disease not requiring amputation, and in a blind study of twenty-nine patients requiring amputation. Following these twenty-nine amputations, the flow rates were made known and correlated with the rates of healing. When the flow rates were above 1.5 milliliters per minute per 100 grams of tissue (skin), the wounds generally healed. In thirteen other patients, Syme or below-the-knee amputations were performed on the basis of the flow rates, and all of the wounds healed. The test, therefore, is now used routinely prior to amputation for peripheral vascular disease as an adjunct to clinical judgment in the determination of the level of amputation.", "PMID": 783163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6641", "title": "Studies on the antigenicity of bone. I. Freeze-dried and deep-frozen bone allografts in rabbits.", "content": "The antigenicity of deep-frozen and freeze-dried cortical and corticocancellous bone allografts placed orthotopically in rabbits was studied using a sensitive microcytotoxicity assay. Target cells were phytohemagglutinin-P-stimulated, 51chromium-labeled peripheral blood lymphocytes from the bone donors (Dutch belted rabbits), and sera or peripheral blood lymphocytes from the graft recipients (New Zealand white rabbits) were used as effectors of cytotoxicity. Fresh allografts and deep-frozen corticocancellous bone evoked detectable humoral and cell-mediated immunity,, whereas freeze-dried cortical bone allografts failed to sensitize the recipients and were the least antigenic of the allografts examined.", "contents": "Studies on the antigenicity of bone. I. Freeze-dried and deep-frozen bone allografts in rabbits. The antigenicity of deep-frozen and freeze-dried cortical and corticocancellous bone allografts placed orthotopically in rabbits was studied using a sensitive microcytotoxicity assay. Target cells were phytohemagglutinin-P-stimulated, 51chromium-labeled peripheral blood lymphocytes from the bone donors (Dutch belted rabbits), and sera or peripheral blood lymphocytes from the graft recipients (New Zealand white rabbits) were used as effectors of cytotoxicity. Fresh allografts and deep-frozen corticocancellous bone evoked detectable humoral and cell-mediated immunity,, whereas freeze-dried cortical bone allografts failed to sensitize the recipients and were the least antigenic of the allografts examined.", "PMID": 783164} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6642", "title": "Cutis arthroplasty of the elbow joint.", "content": "Five patients with an average age of thirty-five years had satisfactory restoration of elbow motion by a cutis arthroplasty technique with minimum medial-lateral instability. In three patients marked stiffness or ankylosis had followed severe fractures or dislocations. The fourth patient had rheumatoid arthritis, and the fifth had sustained a birth injury to the brachial plexus. An average follow-up of three and one-half years confirmed the durability of the results.", "contents": "Cutis arthroplasty of the elbow joint. Five patients with an average age of thirty-five years had satisfactory restoration of elbow motion by a cutis arthroplasty technique with minimum medial-lateral instability. In three patients marked stiffness or ankylosis had followed severe fractures or dislocations. The fourth patient had rheumatoid arthritis, and the fifth had sustained a birth injury to the brachial plexus. An average follow-up of three and one-half years confirmed the durability of the results.", "PMID": 783165} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6643", "title": "Contraction of isolated brush borders from the intestinal epithelium.", "content": "Brush borders isolated from epithelial cells from the small intestine of neonatal rats are able to contract in the presence of ATP and Mg2+; Ca2+ is not required. Contraction is characterized by a pinching-in of the plasma membrane in the region of the zonula adherens and a subsequent rounding of the brush borders. No movement or consistent shortening of the microvilli is observed. The contraction appears to involve the 5- to 7-nm diameter microfilaments in the terminal web which associate with the zonula adherens. These filaments bind heavy meromyosin as do the actin core filaments of the microvilli. A model for contraction is presented in which, in the intact cell, terminal web filaments and core filaments interact to produce shortening of the microvilli.", "contents": "Contraction of isolated brush borders from the intestinal epithelium. Brush borders isolated from epithelial cells from the small intestine of neonatal rats are able to contract in the presence of ATP and Mg2+; Ca2+ is not required. Contraction is characterized by a pinching-in of the plasma membrane in the region of the zonula adherens and a subsequent rounding of the brush borders. No movement or consistent shortening of the microvilli is observed. The contraction appears to involve the 5- to 7-nm diameter microfilaments in the terminal web which associate with the zonula adherens. These filaments bind heavy meromyosin as do the actin core filaments of the microvilli. A model for contraction is presented in which, in the intact cell, terminal web filaments and core filaments interact to produce shortening of the microvilli.", "PMID": 783170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6644", "title": "Cytoplasmic zone analysis. RNA flow studied by micromanipulation.", "content": "A technique is described, cytoplasmic zone analysis, by which it is possible to study the flow of different RNA-containing components in the cytoplasm after their release from the nucleus. After a pulse of RNA precursors, the salivary glands of the insect Chironomus tentans are fixed and microdissected for the isolation of three zones of cytoplasm situated at increasing distances from the nucleus. The RNA from each zone is isolated and analyzed by gel electrophoresis. The three ribosomal RNA components, 18 S, 28 S and 5 S RNA, appear in steep, specific radioactivity gradients (exit gradients) during the time interval 2-3 h after a precursor injection, the 18 S RNA gradient lying 30-50 mum peripheral to that of the 28 S or 5 S RNA gradient. Administration of puromycin led to the complete disappearance of the 28 S RNA and most of the 28 S RNA gradient within 45 min, suggesting that the gradients are caused by an engagement of the ribosomal subunits into polysomes close to the nucleus immediately or soon after their exit from the nucleus. The gradients may offer a unique model for the study of polysome formation and maintenance in vivo.", "contents": "Cytoplasmic zone analysis. RNA flow studied by micromanipulation. A technique is described, cytoplasmic zone analysis, by which it is possible to study the flow of different RNA-containing components in the cytoplasm after their release from the nucleus. After a pulse of RNA precursors, the salivary glands of the insect Chironomus tentans are fixed and microdissected for the isolation of three zones of cytoplasm situated at increasing distances from the nucleus. The RNA from each zone is isolated and analyzed by gel electrophoresis. The three ribosomal RNA components, 18 S, 28 S and 5 S RNA, appear in steep, specific radioactivity gradients (exit gradients) during the time interval 2-3 h after a precursor injection, the 18 S RNA gradient lying 30-50 mum peripheral to that of the 28 S or 5 S RNA gradient. Administration of puromycin led to the complete disappearance of the 28 S RNA and most of the 28 S RNA gradient within 45 min, suggesting that the gradients are caused by an engagement of the ribosomal subunits into polysomes close to the nucleus immediately or soon after their exit from the nucleus. The gradients may offer a unique model for the study of polysome formation and maintenance in vivo.", "PMID": 783171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6645", "title": "Galloylglucoses of low molecular weight as mordant in electron microscopy. I. Procedure, and evidence for mordanting effect.", "content": "Gallotannin, consisting mainly of low molecular weight esters such as penta- and hexagalloylglucoses (commercially available as tannic acid produced from Turkish nutgall), can be used for increasing and diversifying tissue contrast in electron microscopy. When applied on tissue specimens previously fixed by conventional methods (aldehydes and OsO4), the low molecular weight galloylglucoses (LMGG) penetrate satisfactorily the cells and induce general high contrast with fine delineation of extra- and intracellular structures, especially membranes. In some features, additional details of their intimate configuration are revealed. Various experimental conditions tested indicate that the LMGG display a complex effect on fixed tissues: they act primarily as a mordant between osmium-treated structures and lead, and concomitantly stabilize some tissue components against extraction incurred during dehydration and subsequent processing. Experiments with aldehyde blocking reagents (sodium borohydride and glycine) suggested that the LMGG mordanting effect is not dependent on residual aldehydes groups in tissues.", "contents": "Galloylglucoses of low molecular weight as mordant in electron microscopy. I. Procedure, and evidence for mordanting effect. Gallotannin, consisting mainly of low molecular weight esters such as penta- and hexagalloylglucoses (commercially available as tannic acid produced from Turkish nutgall), can be used for increasing and diversifying tissue contrast in electron microscopy. When applied on tissue specimens previously fixed by conventional methods (aldehydes and OsO4), the low molecular weight galloylglucoses (LMGG) penetrate satisfactorily the cells and induce general high contrast with fine delineation of extra- and intracellular structures, especially membranes. In some features, additional details of their intimate configuration are revealed. Various experimental conditions tested indicate that the LMGG display a complex effect on fixed tissues: they act primarily as a mordant between osmium-treated structures and lead, and concomitantly stabilize some tissue components against extraction incurred during dehydration and subsequent processing. Experiments with aldehyde blocking reagents (sodium borohydride and glycine) suggested that the LMGG mordanting effect is not dependent on residual aldehydes groups in tissues.", "PMID": 783172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6646", "title": "Galloylglucoses of low molecular weight as mordant in electron microscopy. II. The moiety and functional groups possibly involved in the mordanting effect.", "content": "Synthetic pentamonogalloylglucose applied to fixed tissues acts as a mordant, inducing high and diversified contrast similar to that obtained with natural gallotannins of low molecular weight (LMGG). By the separate use of each of the two moieties of the galloylglucose molecule, it was found that gallic acid is the mordanting agent. Glucose may contribute, however, to the effect by increasing the solubility and cross-linking potential of the compound, since the mordanting induced by gallic acid alone is weaker than that produced by its hexose esters. As suggested by results obtained with various phenolics and benzoic acid derivatives, the functional groups required for the mordanting effect of such agents are the carboxyl group, and at least one hydroxyl group concomitantly present on the benzene ring. In the case of galloylglucoses, it is assumed that the effect is due to hydrolysis products (gallic, digallic, or trigallic acids) or to the multiple hydroxyl groups of the intact molecule. Esters of gallic acid (propyl- and methylgallate), as well as pyrogallol, produce a \"reversed staining\" of all membranes, except for those of communicating (gap) junctions.", "contents": "Galloylglucoses of low molecular weight as mordant in electron microscopy. II. The moiety and functional groups possibly involved in the mordanting effect. Synthetic pentamonogalloylglucose applied to fixed tissues acts as a mordant, inducing high and diversified contrast similar to that obtained with natural gallotannins of low molecular weight (LMGG). By the separate use of each of the two moieties of the galloylglucose molecule, it was found that gallic acid is the mordanting agent. Glucose may contribute, however, to the effect by increasing the solubility and cross-linking potential of the compound, since the mordanting induced by gallic acid alone is weaker than that produced by its hexose esters. As suggested by results obtained with various phenolics and benzoic acid derivatives, the functional groups required for the mordanting effect of such agents are the carboxyl group, and at least one hydroxyl group concomitantly present on the benzene ring. In the case of galloylglucoses, it is assumed that the effect is due to hydrolysis products (gallic, digallic, or trigallic acids) or to the multiple hydroxyl groups of the intact molecule. Esters of gallic acid (propyl- and methylgallate), as well as pyrogallol, produce a \"reversed staining\" of all membranes, except for those of communicating (gap) junctions.", "PMID": 783173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6647", "title": "Studies on the posterior silk gland of the silkworm Bombyx mori. V. Electron microscope localization of fibroin in the posterior silk gland at the later stage of the fifth instar.", "content": "Electron microscope observations of thin sections of epoxy resin-embeded posterior silk gland cells at the later stage of the fifth instar revealed that the Golgi vacuoles and the secretory granules (fibroin globules) in the cytoplasm and the glandular lumen contain fine fibrous materials. In frozen thin sections these structures appear as electron-dense granules and electron-dense blocks, or a column, respectively. Immunoelectron microscopy has shown that ferritin particles or products of the peroxidase reaction are localized on these structures. It was concluded that the fine fibrous materials most probably represent native fibroin molecules or their aggregates.", "contents": "Studies on the posterior silk gland of the silkworm Bombyx mori. V. Electron microscope localization of fibroin in the posterior silk gland at the later stage of the fifth instar. Electron microscope observations of thin sections of epoxy resin-embeded posterior silk gland cells at the later stage of the fifth instar revealed that the Golgi vacuoles and the secretory granules (fibroin globules) in the cytoplasm and the glandular lumen contain fine fibrous materials. In frozen thin sections these structures appear as electron-dense granules and electron-dense blocks, or a column, respectively. Immunoelectron microscopy has shown that ferritin particles or products of the peroxidase reaction are localized on these structures. It was concluded that the fine fibrous materials most probably represent native fibroin molecules or their aggregates.", "PMID": 783174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6648", "title": "[Thyroid cancers masked by hyperthyroidism. 12 cases].", "content": "The main object of this report was to attract again attention to the fact that obvious hyperthyroidism does not exclude the possibility of associated thyroid carcinoma, although this is an exceptional association. The 12 cases presented here may be added to about 30 cases found in the world literature. They were observed over a period of 13 years by the same surgical team and correspond to 0,3 p. 100 of all thyroid operations, 1 p. 100 of operated cases of hyperthyroidism and 3,6 p. 100 of cases of thyroid carcinoma. Contrary to most published cases, 11 or these cases out of 12, presented, clinically, mainly as hyperthyroidism the carcinotous lesion was either palpabale clinically in the form of a very small nodule (6 cases) or totally latent and discovered operation or even on histology as in 5 cases. Hyperthyroidism produced in 3 cases the classical picture of Graves' disease, in 6 cases that of toxic nodular goiter and, in 2 cases, that of a solitary toxic adenoma. The hyperplasia and the carcinoma were always in anatomically different areas. There is no apparent physiopahtological link and the classical notion of para-neoplastic hyperthyroidism seems debatable in most cases presented here, even in the cases of diffuse hyperfunctional hyperplasia. In any case, whatever the pathogenesis of this association, its possibility should be brought to mind in a case of hyperthyroidism. Surgery should always be advised in cases of toxic adenoma and in Graves' disease when the goiter is irregular and, especially, when a nodule is found. The course and prognosis seem to be mainly dictated by the histological type and the local spread or distant spread of the carcinoma, hyperthyroidism does not aggravate seriously the prognosis.", "contents": "[Thyroid cancers masked by hyperthyroidism. 12 cases]. The main object of this report was to attract again attention to the fact that obvious hyperthyroidism does not exclude the possibility of associated thyroid carcinoma, although this is an exceptional association. The 12 cases presented here may be added to about 30 cases found in the world literature. They were observed over a period of 13 years by the same surgical team and correspond to 0,3 p. 100 of all thyroid operations, 1 p. 100 of operated cases of hyperthyroidism and 3,6 p. 100 of cases of thyroid carcinoma. Contrary to most published cases, 11 or these cases out of 12, presented, clinically, mainly as hyperthyroidism the carcinotous lesion was either palpabale clinically in the form of a very small nodule (6 cases) or totally latent and discovered operation or even on histology as in 5 cases. Hyperthyroidism produced in 3 cases the classical picture of Graves' disease, in 6 cases that of toxic nodular goiter and, in 2 cases, that of a solitary toxic adenoma. The hyperplasia and the carcinoma were always in anatomically different areas. There is no apparent physiopahtological link and the classical notion of para-neoplastic hyperthyroidism seems debatable in most cases presented here, even in the cases of diffuse hyperfunctional hyperplasia. In any case, whatever the pathogenesis of this association, its possibility should be brought to mind in a case of hyperthyroidism. Surgery should always be advised in cases of toxic adenoma and in Graves' disease when the goiter is irregular and, especially, when a nodule is found. The course and prognosis seem to be mainly dictated by the histological type and the local spread or distant spread of the carcinoma, hyperthyroidism does not aggravate seriously the prognosis.", "PMID": 783175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6649", "title": "[Congenital arteriovenous fistula between the left subclavian artery and Pirogoff's venous junction. Surgical closure].", "content": "The authors report a case of arterio-venous fistula between the left sub-clavian artery and Pirogoff's venous junction. There was no past history of trauma, and no associated cardiovascular abnormality. The hemodynamic effects were moderate. Catheterisation and supra-sigmoid aortography permitted us to localise precisely the site of the fistula. Surgical cure was simple and carried out be cervico-sternotomy. This route of approach is broad and safe, providing satisfactory control of all the vascular structures.", "contents": "[Congenital arteriovenous fistula between the left subclavian artery and Pirogoff's venous junction. Surgical closure]. The authors report a case of arterio-venous fistula between the left sub-clavian artery and Pirogoff's venous junction. There was no past history of trauma, and no associated cardiovascular abnormality. The hemodynamic effects were moderate. Catheterisation and supra-sigmoid aortography permitted us to localise precisely the site of the fistula. Surgical cure was simple and carried out be cervico-sternotomy. This route of approach is broad and safe, providing satisfactory control of all the vascular structures.", "PMID": 783176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6650", "title": "[Role of gastric functional exploration in the postoperative testing of surgical vagotomies].", "content": "Better knowledge of the physiology of gastric acid secretion and especially the effects of insulin on the secretion, permits better definition of the indications for gastric functional investigation after vagotomy. The most reliable estimation of the effects of vagotomy is obtained by determining, before and after, the basal acid secretion, the maximal and post-insulinic secretions. The results should be expressed as hourly output and not in relation to arbitary criteria based on the titratable acid of the gastric juice. This investigation may be used to determine the quality of vagotomies carried out on a group of patients and to compare series of subjects in which different types of vagotomy were carried out. The tests at present available do not, however, determine precisely the effects of vagotomy in a particular patient. Their use for drawing up individual prognosis has not been demonstrated but their value is far from negligible in the diagnosis of recurrence.", "contents": "[Role of gastric functional exploration in the postoperative testing of surgical vagotomies]. Better knowledge of the physiology of gastric acid secretion and especially the effects of insulin on the secretion, permits better definition of the indications for gastric functional investigation after vagotomy. The most reliable estimation of the effects of vagotomy is obtained by determining, before and after, the basal acid secretion, the maximal and post-insulinic secretions. The results should be expressed as hourly output and not in relation to arbitary criteria based on the titratable acid of the gastric juice. This investigation may be used to determine the quality of vagotomies carried out on a group of patients and to compare series of subjects in which different types of vagotomy were carried out. The tests at present available do not, however, determine precisely the effects of vagotomy in a particular patient. Their use for drawing up individual prognosis has not been demonstrated but their value is far from negligible in the diagnosis of recurrence.", "PMID": 783177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6651", "title": "A method for the rapid separation and characterization of biological pyridines.", "content": "Pyridine compounds of biological origin are separable by 2-dimensional descending paper chromatography. When assayed in situ for a tertiary or quaternary ring nitrogen, each compound gives a charactertistic reaction which is not predictable from the structural configuration. A cell-free extract of Escherichia coli, incubated in the presence of isoniazid, yields an ultraviolet light quenching spot with Rf values different from any tested standard. The compound is hypothesized to be a metabolite of either nicotinic acid or isonazid.", "contents": "A method for the rapid separation and characterization of biological pyridines. Pyridine compounds of biological origin are separable by 2-dimensional descending paper chromatography. When assayed in situ for a tertiary or quaternary ring nitrogen, each compound gives a charactertistic reaction which is not predictable from the structural configuration. A cell-free extract of Escherichia coli, incubated in the presence of isoniazid, yields an ultraviolet light quenching spot with Rf values different from any tested standard. The compound is hypothesized to be a metabolite of either nicotinic acid or isonazid.", "PMID": 783180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6652", "title": "Chromatographic determination of cis-trans monoethylenic unsaturation in fats and oils--A review.", "content": "Chromatographic procedures for the determination of geometric and positional monoethylenic fatty-acid isomers in fats and oils have been reviewed. For the determination of these isomers, the procedure involving prep GLC isolation of the monoethylenic ester fractions on polar stationary phases, further separation and determination of geometric isomers by prep Ag+/TLC, and determination of positional isomers by reductive ozonolysis, is considered to be the most suitable for the analysis of a wide range of oils. Although, in this review, emphasis has been placed on monoethylenic isomers, most of the techniques described are also applicable in the study of polyenoic isomers.", "contents": "Chromatographic determination of cis-trans monoethylenic unsaturation in fats and oils--A review. Chromatographic procedures for the determination of geometric and positional monoethylenic fatty-acid isomers in fats and oils have been reviewed. For the determination of these isomers, the procedure involving prep GLC isolation of the monoethylenic ester fractions on polar stationary phases, further separation and determination of geometric isomers by prep Ag+/TLC, and determination of positional isomers by reductive ozonolysis, is considered to be the most suitable for the analysis of a wide range of oils. Although, in this review, emphasis has been placed on monoethylenic isomers, most of the techniques described are also applicable in the study of polyenoic isomers.", "PMID": 783181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6653", "title": "[Assessment of the methods of drainage associated with truncular vagotomy].", "content": "The authors analyse 398 cases of truncular vagotomy by the abdominal route. They study the method of associated gastric emptying, the immediate and long-term results. They conclude that truncular vagotomy is a very satisfactory operation, that pyloroplasty is a good means of ensuring gastric emptying after vagotomy, and pyloroplasty according to Murat, or Judd-Lagrot, are the most recommended. Judd-Lagrot's operation is mainly indicated in acute cases of perforation or hemorrhage.", "contents": "[Assessment of the methods of drainage associated with truncular vagotomy]. The authors analyse 398 cases of truncular vagotomy by the abdominal route. They study the method of associated gastric emptying, the immediate and long-term results. They conclude that truncular vagotomy is a very satisfactory operation, that pyloroplasty is a good means of ensuring gastric emptying after vagotomy, and pyloroplasty according to Murat, or Judd-Lagrot, are the most recommended. Judd-Lagrot's operation is mainly indicated in acute cases of perforation or hemorrhage.", "PMID": 783178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6654", "title": "Effects of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) upon bioactive and immunoreactive serum LH levels in normal subjects.", "content": "The effects of LHRH stimulation upon plasma LH levels measured by bioassay and radioimmunoassay were examined during the normal menstrual cycle, and in normal men and post-menopausal women. After administration of 100 mug LHRH by subcutaneous injection during the early follicular phase, a 2.7-fold rise in bioactive serum LH to 58 +/- 18 mIU/ml at 30-60 min was accompanied by an equivalent rise in immunoreactive LH, with unchanged bio:immuno (B:I) ratio of 0.9 +/ %/- 0.2 (SD). During the late follicular phase, bioactive serum LH rose 8-fold to 258 +/- 120 mIU/ml at 30-180 min, and the B:I ratio was significantly increased from 1.7 to 2.5. During the luteal phase, bioactive LH values rose 8.1-fold to 223 +/- 97 mIU/ml at 30-60 min, with increase in B:I ratio from 1.1 to 1.8. The LHRH-stimulated serum LH levels declined more rapidly in the early follicular phase than during the late follicular and luteal phases. Elevations of circulating LH concentrations following LHRH administration during the normal menstrual cycle were usually accompanied by a significant rise in B:I ratio, except during the early follic ular phase when the LH responses were small and the B:I ratio did not change. After LHRH stimulation of serum LH levels in men and post-menopausal women, relatively small and inconstant elevations of B:I ratio were observed above the basal value of 2.9. Although the B:I ratio was usually close to unity in cycling women, the ratio was from 2 to 3 in men and postmenopausal women, and during LHRH stimulation of normal women at the late follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Thus, the increased LH secretion rate of post-menopausal women and LHRH-stimulated cycling women was frequently accompanied by a rise in the B:I ratio. These observations suggest that circulating LH molecules exhibit a relatively higher biological activity during states of increased biosynthesis and release of gonadotropins.", "contents": "Effects of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) upon bioactive and immunoreactive serum LH levels in normal subjects. The effects of LHRH stimulation upon plasma LH levels measured by bioassay and radioimmunoassay were examined during the normal menstrual cycle, and in normal men and post-menopausal women. After administration of 100 mug LHRH by subcutaneous injection during the early follicular phase, a 2.7-fold rise in bioactive serum LH to 58 +/- 18 mIU/ml at 30-60 min was accompanied by an equivalent rise in immunoreactive LH, with unchanged bio:immuno (B:I) ratio of 0.9 +/ %/- 0.2 (SD). During the late follicular phase, bioactive serum LH rose 8-fold to 258 +/- 120 mIU/ml at 30-180 min, and the B:I ratio was significantly increased from 1.7 to 2.5. During the luteal phase, bioactive LH values rose 8.1-fold to 223 +/- 97 mIU/ml at 30-60 min, with increase in B:I ratio from 1.1 to 1.8. The LHRH-stimulated serum LH levels declined more rapidly in the early follicular phase than during the late follicular and luteal phases. Elevations of circulating LH concentrations following LHRH administration during the normal menstrual cycle were usually accompanied by a significant rise in B:I ratio, except during the early follic ular phase when the LH responses were small and the B:I ratio did not change. After LHRH stimulation of serum LH levels in men and post-menopausal women, relatively small and inconstant elevations of B:I ratio were observed above the basal value of 2.9. Although the B:I ratio was usually close to unity in cycling women, the ratio was from 2 to 3 in men and postmenopausal women, and during LHRH stimulation of normal women at the late follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Thus, the increased LH secretion rate of post-menopausal women and LHRH-stimulated cycling women was frequently accompanied by a rise in the B:I ratio. These observations suggest that circulating LH molecules exhibit a relatively higher biological activity during states of increased biosynthesis and release of gonadotropins.", "PMID": 783183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6655", "title": "to luteinizing.", "content": "The effect of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) on plasma prolactin (PRL) was studied in eight acromegalic patients. After LHRH injection a significant increase in plasma prolactin levels was obtained in three of them. This non specific prolactin response to LHRH represents an additional proof of the well known abnormalities of pituitary hormone response to various stimuli in acromegaly.", "contents": "to luteinizing. The effect of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) on plasma prolactin (PRL) was studied in eight acromegalic patients. After LHRH injection a significant increase in plasma prolactin levels was obtained in three of them. This non specific prolactin response to LHRH represents an additional proof of the well known abnormalities of pituitary hormone response to various stimuli in acromegaly.", "PMID": 783184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6656", "title": "Production of specific antisera for radioimmunoassay of human luteinizing hormone (LH) in the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).", "content": "A specific radioimmunoassay for LH, which measures plasma LH in the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is described. Rabbits were immunized with highly purified native LH. One of the antisera with a difference in its reactivity against LH and hCG was further purified by affinity chromatography on a column with hCG coupled to Sepharose 4B. The adsorbed antiserum and 125I-LH was used in a double antibody assay. The LH standard (MRC 68/40) efficiently inhibited the binding of 125I-LH, and the standard curve showed a sensitivity of 0.5 ng/ml in the sample. hCG up to 10 000 ng/ml did not inhibit the binding of 125I-LH. The plasma level of LH in pregnant women in the first trimester was low (1.3 +/- 0.1 ng/ml). When LH was measured in fertile or menopausal women with or without stimulation with LH/FSH releasing hormone (LH-RH)X the results agreed to those found with our conventional LH-assay based on antiserum against hCG.", "contents": "Production of specific antisera for radioimmunoassay of human luteinizing hormone (LH) in the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). A specific radioimmunoassay for LH, which measures plasma LH in the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is described. Rabbits were immunized with highly purified native LH. One of the antisera with a difference in its reactivity against LH and hCG was further purified by affinity chromatography on a column with hCG coupled to Sepharose 4B. The adsorbed antiserum and 125I-LH was used in a double antibody assay. The LH standard (MRC 68/40) efficiently inhibited the binding of 125I-LH, and the standard curve showed a sensitivity of 0.5 ng/ml in the sample. hCG up to 10 000 ng/ml did not inhibit the binding of 125I-LH. The plasma level of LH in pregnant women in the first trimester was low (1.3 +/- 0.1 ng/ml). When LH was measured in fertile or menopausal women with or without stimulation with LH/FSH releasing hormone (LH-RH)X the results agreed to those found with our conventional LH-assay based on antiserum against hCG.", "PMID": 783185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6657", "title": "Hemolysis-in-gel and neutralization tests for determination of antibodies to mumps virus.", "content": "A hemolysis-in-gel test for the demonstration of antibodies to mumps virus is described. The results were compared with those of neutralization tests using a modified microtechnique. In the neutralization test viral replication was demonstrated by the hemadsorption of guinea pig erythrocytes, the visibility of which could be further enhanced by the use of o-tolidine. Good correlation was found between the results of the two techniques. The hemolysis-in-gel test was simple to perform, rapid, sensitive, and shown to be a useful test for the demonstration of mumps antibodies.", "contents": "Hemolysis-in-gel and neutralization tests for determination of antibodies to mumps virus. A hemolysis-in-gel test for the demonstration of antibodies to mumps virus is described. The results were compared with those of neutralization tests using a modified microtechnique. In the neutralization test viral replication was demonstrated by the hemadsorption of guinea pig erythrocytes, the visibility of which could be further enhanced by the use of o-tolidine. Good correlation was found between the results of the two techniques. The hemolysis-in-gel test was simple to perform, rapid, sensitive, and shown to be a useful test for the demonstration of mumps antibodies.", "PMID": 783186} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6658", "title": "Qualitative evaluation of the reagin screen test.", "content": "After a preliminary study of 557 sera used as a procedural training exercise, the Reagin screen test (RST) for the macroscopic detection of reagin (as an aid to detecting syphilis) was qualitatively compared to the rapid plasma Reagin (RPR) (circle) card test and Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) slide test on 435 random portions of sera using fluorescent treponemal antibody adsorption (FTA-ABS) results as a comparative base. A comparison of total agreement (positive and negative) with the FTA-ABS results led to the following order. RPRCT (I5.5%), VDRL (79.8%), and RST (74.5%). Of the total samples shown to be reactive by the FTA-ABS procedure, the percentage of these interpreted as nonreactive (i.e., \"false negative\") by the procedures compared was considerably higher with the RST procedure (29.3%) than with either the RPRCT (10.9%) or the VDRL (7.1%) procedures. Minor problems encountered with procedural techniques are also mentioned.", "contents": "Qualitative evaluation of the reagin screen test. After a preliminary study of 557 sera used as a procedural training exercise, the Reagin screen test (RST) for the macroscopic detection of reagin (as an aid to detecting syphilis) was qualitatively compared to the rapid plasma Reagin (RPR) (circle) card test and Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) slide test on 435 random portions of sera using fluorescent treponemal antibody adsorption (FTA-ABS) results as a comparative base. A comparison of total agreement (positive and negative) with the FTA-ABS results led to the following order. RPRCT (I5.5%), VDRL (79.8%), and RST (74.5%). Of the total samples shown to be reactive by the FTA-ABS procedure, the percentage of these interpreted as nonreactive (i.e., \"false negative\") by the procedures compared was considerably higher with the RST procedure (29.3%) than with either the RPRCT (10.9%) or the VDRL (7.1%) procedures. Minor problems encountered with procedural techniques are also mentioned.", "PMID": 783187} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6659", "title": "Improved chamber for the isolation of anaerobic microorganisms.", "content": "A small portable chamber for the recovery of anaerobic bacteria is described. This rigid chamber is constructed of clear acrylic with dimensions of 30 inches (ca. 76.2 cm) wide, 18 inches (ca. 44.7 cm) deep, and 18 inches (ca. 44.7 cm) high. Conventional bacteriological techniques can be used inside the chamber to efficiently isolate strict anaerobic organisms. An adapter allows the attachment of a standard anaerobic jar to the outside of the chamber. The jar can be used to store reduced media. Once the jar is attached to the chamber and the media is removed to the interior of the chamber, the jar is available to receive inoculated media. The anaerobic jar can then be removed from the chamber, without contaminating the jar or chamber with oxygen, and be placed in a conventional 37degreesC incubator. This chamber also allows the microbiologist to process cultures without wearing gloves as was necessary with previous anaerobic chambers. Air-tight latex rubber sleeves seal around the microbiologists arms and to the armport flange of the chamber to prevent the introduction of oxygen into the chamber. Anaerobic conditions are maintained by circulating a 80% N2, 10% H2, 10% CO2 gas mixture through alumina pellets coated with palladium. This study indicates that anaerobic conditions obtained in this chamber are sufficient for recovery of obligate anaerobes.", "contents": "Improved chamber for the isolation of anaerobic microorganisms. A small portable chamber for the recovery of anaerobic bacteria is described. This rigid chamber is constructed of clear acrylic with dimensions of 30 inches (ca. 76.2 cm) wide, 18 inches (ca. 44.7 cm) deep, and 18 inches (ca. 44.7 cm) high. Conventional bacteriological techniques can be used inside the chamber to efficiently isolate strict anaerobic organisms. An adapter allows the attachment of a standard anaerobic jar to the outside of the chamber. The jar can be used to store reduced media. Once the jar is attached to the chamber and the media is removed to the interior of the chamber, the jar is available to receive inoculated media. The anaerobic jar can then be removed from the chamber, without contaminating the jar or chamber with oxygen, and be placed in a conventional 37degreesC incubator. This chamber also allows the microbiologist to process cultures without wearing gloves as was necessary with previous anaerobic chambers. Air-tight latex rubber sleeves seal around the microbiologists arms and to the armport flange of the chamber to prevent the introduction of oxygen into the chamber. Anaerobic conditions are maintained by circulating a 80% N2, 10% H2, 10% CO2 gas mixture through alumina pellets coated with palladium. This study indicates that anaerobic conditions obtained in this chamber are sufficient for recovery of obligate anaerobes.", "PMID": 783188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6660", "title": "Comparison of bacteriological methods for the isolation of group of B Streptococcus from vaginal cultures.", "content": "Three bacteriological techniques for the isolation of group B streptococci in vaginal cultures were compared. A selective broth medium (SBM) containing gentamicin and nalidixic acid was more sensitive for the detection of vaginal isolates (28/76, 36.8%) from 76 women enrolled in a venereal disease clinic than was an identical selective plate medium (SPM) (17/76, 25%). Similarly, SBM allowed identification of positive cultures from college women (82/459, 17.9%) significantly more often than direct inoculation of swabs onto nonselective blood agar medium (43/460, 9.4%; chi2 = 42.2, P = less than 0.001). Failure to isolate group B streptococci detected in SBM occurred in 32.1% cultures by SPM and 49.4% of cultures by nonselective agar medium. Multiple serotypes were detected in a single vaginal culture from approximately 5% of the patients studied. These data support the routine use of SBM for the most accurate identification of women vaginally colonized with group B Streptococcus.", "contents": "Comparison of bacteriological methods for the isolation of group of B Streptococcus from vaginal cultures. Three bacteriological techniques for the isolation of group B streptococci in vaginal cultures were compared. A selective broth medium (SBM) containing gentamicin and nalidixic acid was more sensitive for the detection of vaginal isolates (28/76, 36.8%) from 76 women enrolled in a venereal disease clinic than was an identical selective plate medium (SPM) (17/76, 25%). Similarly, SBM allowed identification of positive cultures from college women (82/459, 17.9%) significantly more often than direct inoculation of swabs onto nonselective blood agar medium (43/460, 9.4%; chi2 = 42.2, P = less than 0.001). Failure to isolate group B streptococci detected in SBM occurred in 32.1% cultures by SPM and 49.4% of cultures by nonselective agar medium. Multiple serotypes were detected in a single vaginal culture from approximately 5% of the patients studied. These data support the routine use of SBM for the most accurate identification of women vaginally colonized with group B Streptococcus.", "PMID": 783189} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6661", "title": "Effects of selective media and atmosphere of incubation on the isolation of group A streptococci.", "content": "The effects of selective media and atmosphere of incubation on the isolation of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were evaluated. Sheep blood agar medium with gentamicin (2.5 or 5.0 mug/ml) was inferior to antibiotic-free sheep blood agar medium. This resulted from the partial restriction of group A streptococcal growth on gentamicin medium. Recovery of beta-hemolytic streptococci from specimens in air, CO2, or anaerobic incubation was evaluated. The isolation of group A streptococci was equivalent in the three incubation atmospheres; however, non-group A beta- hemolytic streptococci were isolated significantly more often from specimens incubated in an anaerobic or CO2 atmosphere than from those incubated in air. Therefore, sheep blood agar medium, stabbed with a wire loop and incubated in air, is recommended for the isolation of group A streptococci from throat swabs.", "contents": "Effects of selective media and atmosphere of incubation on the isolation of group A streptococci. The effects of selective media and atmosphere of incubation on the isolation of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were evaluated. Sheep blood agar medium with gentamicin (2.5 or 5.0 mug/ml) was inferior to antibiotic-free sheep blood agar medium. This resulted from the partial restriction of group A streptococcal growth on gentamicin medium. Recovery of beta-hemolytic streptococci from specimens in air, CO2, or anaerobic incubation was evaluated. The isolation of group A streptococci was equivalent in the three incubation atmospheres; however, non-group A beta- hemolytic streptococci were isolated significantly more often from specimens incubated in an anaerobic or CO2 atmosphere than from those incubated in air. Therefore, sheep blood agar medium, stabbed with a wire loop and incubated in air, is recommended for the isolation of group A streptococci from throat swabs.", "PMID": 783190} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6662", "title": "Simplified serological test for antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis.", "content": "Three-hundred sixty sera from unselected patients attending two London venereal disease clinics were examined by a microimmunofluorescence test. Eleven egg-grown serotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis and the so-called \"fast\" strain SA2(f) were used as antigens. Of the 360 sera tested, 119 (33%) reacted to a titer of 1:16 or above with at least one antigen. Of these positive sera, over 50% cross-reacted with all 12 serotypes, and 95.5% reacted with SA2(f) in addition to other antigenic types. It is suggested that SA2(f) could be used as a single antigen for preliminary screening of a large number of sera for the presence or absence of chlamydial antibody.", "contents": "Simplified serological test for antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis. Three-hundred sixty sera from unselected patients attending two London venereal disease clinics were examined by a microimmunofluorescence test. Eleven egg-grown serotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis and the so-called \"fast\" strain SA2(f) were used as antigens. Of the 360 sera tested, 119 (33%) reacted to a titer of 1:16 or above with at least one antigen. Of these positive sera, over 50% cross-reacted with all 12 serotypes, and 95.5% reacted with SA2(f) in addition to other antigenic types. It is suggested that SA2(f) could be used as a single antigen for preliminary screening of a large number of sera for the presence or absence of chlamydial antibody.", "PMID": 783191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6663", "title": "Antigen distribution in a latex suspension and its relationship to test sensitivity.", "content": "Specific aggregation of latex particles due to antigen-antibody reaction occurred only when antigen was latex bound, as found in a study using Escherichia coli 0111:B4 extract. Maximum serological sensitivity was achieved when free antigen was present in a narrow range of ratios with the bound antigen.", "contents": "Antigen distribution in a latex suspension and its relationship to test sensitivity. Specific aggregation of latex particles due to antigen-antibody reaction occurred only when antigen was latex bound, as found in a study using Escherichia coli 0111:B4 extract. Maximum serological sensitivity was achieved when free antigen was present in a narrow range of ratios with the bound antigen.", "PMID": 783192} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6664", "title": "Estimation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae inoculum size by rate of tetrazolium reduction.", "content": "The rate of appearance of red-colored formazan indicating reduction of 2,3,5,-triphenyltetrazolium chloride by Mycoplasma pneumoniae was dependent on the inoculum size. The test permits estimation of M. pneumoniae cells in preparations that cannot be counted by dilution methods.", "contents": "Estimation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae inoculum size by rate of tetrazolium reduction. The rate of appearance of red-colored formazan indicating reduction of 2,3,5,-triphenyltetrazolium chloride by Mycoplasma pneumoniae was dependent on the inoculum size. The test permits estimation of M. pneumoniae cells in preparations that cannot be counted by dilution methods.", "PMID": 783193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6665", "title": "Effect of amiodarone on serum triiodothyronine, reverse triiodothyronine, thyroxin, and thyrotropin. A drug influencing peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones.", "content": "2-n-Butyl-3-(4'-diethylaminoethoxy-3',5'-diiodobenzoyl)-benzofurane (amiodarone), a drug used in arrythmias and angina pectoris, contains 75 mg of organic iodine/200 mg active substance. Four studies were performed to test its effect on thyroid hormone metabolism: (a) nine male subjects were treated with 400 mg of amiodarone for 28 days; (b) five male subjects received, for the same period of time, 150 mg of iodine in the form of Lugol's solution; (c) five subjects received 300 mug L-thyroxine (T4) for 16 days; from the 10th to the 16th day, 400 mg of amiodarone was added; and (d) five euthyroid subjects received 300 mug L-T4 for 16 days. The changes in serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), serum total T4, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), free T3, and 3,5',3'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3, rT3) were measured, and the pituitary reserve in TSH was evaluated by a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test. The results show that amiodarone induced a decrease in serum T3 (28+/-5.1 ng/100 ml, mean+/-SEM, P less than 0.0S and 82.7+/-9.3 ng rT3/100 ml, P less than 0.01). The control study with an equal amount of inorganic iodine did not induce these opposite changes but slightly lowered serum rT3, T3, and T4. In the third study, serum rT3 increased as under amiodarone treatment, thereby proving that these changes were peripheral. It is suggested that amiodarone changes thyroid hormone metabolism, possibly by reducing deiodination of T4 to T3 and inducing a preferential production of rT3. Amiodarone also increased the response of TSH to TRH. The maximal increment of serum TSH above base line was 32+/-4.5 muU/ml under treatment and 20+/-3 muU/ml before treatment (P less than 0.01). During this test, the serum T3 increase was more pronounced than during the control period (83+/-13 and 47+/-7.4 ng/100 ml, P less than 0.05).", "contents": "Effect of amiodarone on serum triiodothyronine, reverse triiodothyronine, thyroxin, and thyrotropin. A drug influencing peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones. 2-n-Butyl-3-(4'-diethylaminoethoxy-3',5'-diiodobenzoyl)-benzofurane (amiodarone), a drug used in arrythmias and angina pectoris, contains 75 mg of organic iodine/200 mg active substance. Four studies were performed to test its effect on thyroid hormone metabolism: (a) nine male subjects were treated with 400 mg of amiodarone for 28 days; (b) five male subjects received, for the same period of time, 150 mg of iodine in the form of Lugol's solution; (c) five subjects received 300 mug L-thyroxine (T4) for 16 days; from the 10th to the 16th day, 400 mg of amiodarone was added; and (d) five euthyroid subjects received 300 mug L-T4 for 16 days. The changes in serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), serum total T4, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), free T3, and 3,5',3'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3, rT3) were measured, and the pituitary reserve in TSH was evaluated by a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test. The results show that amiodarone induced a decrease in serum T3 (28+/-5.1 ng/100 ml, mean+/-SEM, P less than 0.0S and 82.7+/-9.3 ng rT3/100 ml, P less than 0.01). The control study with an equal amount of inorganic iodine did not induce these opposite changes but slightly lowered serum rT3, T3, and T4. In the third study, serum rT3 increased as under amiodarone treatment, thereby proving that these changes were peripheral. It is suggested that amiodarone changes thyroid hormone metabolism, possibly by reducing deiodination of T4 to T3 and inducing a preferential production of rT3. Amiodarone also increased the response of TSH to TRH. The maximal increment of serum TSH above base line was 32+/-4.5 muU/ml under treatment and 20+/-3 muU/ml before treatment (P less than 0.01). During this test, the serum T3 increase was more pronounced than during the control period (83+/-13 and 47+/-7.4 ng/100 ml, P less than 0.05).", "PMID": 783194} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6666", "title": "Kinetic analysis of lead metabolism in healthy humans.", "content": "The steady state kinetics of lead metabolism were studied in five healthy men with stable isotope tracers. Subjects lived in a metabolic unit and ate constant low lead diets. Their intake was supplemented each day with 79--204 mug of enriched lead-204 as nitrate which was ingested with meals for 1--124 days. The concentration and isotopic composition of lead was determined serially in blood, urine, feces, and diet and less commonly in hair, nails, sweat, bone, and alimentary tract secretions by isotopic dilution, mass spectrometric analysis. The data suggest a three compartmental model for lead metabolism. The first compartment encompasses blood and is 1.5--2.2 times larger than the blood mass. It contains approximately 1.7--2.0 mg of lead and has a mean life of 35 days. This pool is in direct communication with ingested lead, urinary lead, and pools two and three. The second compartment is largely composed of soft tissue, contains about 0.3--0.9 mg of lead, and has a mean life of approximately 40 days. This pool gives rise to lead in hair, nails, sweat, and salivary, gastric, pancreatic, and biliary secretions. Pool three resides primarily in the skeleton, contains the vast quantity of body lead, and has a very slow mean life. Bones appear to differ in their rates of lead turnover. Within the relatively small changes in blood lead observed in the present study, the transfer coefficients between the pools remained constant.", "contents": "Kinetic analysis of lead metabolism in healthy humans. The steady state kinetics of lead metabolism were studied in five healthy men with stable isotope tracers. Subjects lived in a metabolic unit and ate constant low lead diets. Their intake was supplemented each day with 79--204 mug of enriched lead-204 as nitrate which was ingested with meals for 1--124 days. The concentration and isotopic composition of lead was determined serially in blood, urine, feces, and diet and less commonly in hair, nails, sweat, bone, and alimentary tract secretions by isotopic dilution, mass spectrometric analysis. The data suggest a three compartmental model for lead metabolism. The first compartment encompasses blood and is 1.5--2.2 times larger than the blood mass. It contains approximately 1.7--2.0 mg of lead and has a mean life of 35 days. This pool is in direct communication with ingested lead, urinary lead, and pools two and three. The second compartment is largely composed of soft tissue, contains about 0.3--0.9 mg of lead, and has a mean life of approximately 40 days. This pool gives rise to lead in hair, nails, sweat, and salivary, gastric, pancreatic, and biliary secretions. Pool three resides primarily in the skeleton, contains the vast quantity of body lead, and has a very slow mean life. Bones appear to differ in their rates of lead turnover. Within the relatively small changes in blood lead observed in the present study, the transfer coefficients between the pools remained constant.", "PMID": 783195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6667", "title": "The local immune response to Escherichia coli O and K antigen in experimental pyelonephritis.", "content": "Although the systemic and local immune response to the O antigen of Escherichia coli has been well characterized, little information is available on the immune response to K anigen. Experimental hematogenous pyelonephritis was produced with Escherichia coli 06 K13 H1 and the serum and local (intrarenal) antibody response to O and K antigens was determined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both local and serum antibody responses to the K antigen were significantly less than that to the O antigen. The K antigen induced low titer IgM and IgG antibody responses in fewer than one-half of the animals and did not induce a local IgA response in any animal. In contrast, the O antigen induced local antibody responses in each of the immunoglobulin classes in all animals from day 9 of infection. Similarly, the serum IgM and IgG antibody titers to the K antigen were significantly less than those evoked in response to the O component of the Escherichia coli. No serum IgA anti-K antibodies were detected. These observations helf clarify the roles of these two antigens in pyelonephritis. Although the K antigen of Escherichia coli functions as a virulence factor in upper urinary tract infections, this antigen does not elicit a significant immune response, whereas the O antigen does induce a significant antibody response which could be of protective or diagnostic benefit.", "contents": "The local immune response to Escherichia coli O and K antigen in experimental pyelonephritis. Although the systemic and local immune response to the O antigen of Escherichia coli has been well characterized, little information is available on the immune response to K anigen. Experimental hematogenous pyelonephritis was produced with Escherichia coli 06 K13 H1 and the serum and local (intrarenal) antibody response to O and K antigens was determined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both local and serum antibody responses to the K antigen were significantly less than that to the O antigen. The K antigen induced low titer IgM and IgG antibody responses in fewer than one-half of the animals and did not induce a local IgA response in any animal. In contrast, the O antigen induced local antibody responses in each of the immunoglobulin classes in all animals from day 9 of infection. Similarly, the serum IgM and IgG antibody titers to the K antigen were significantly less than those evoked in response to the O component of the Escherichia coli. No serum IgA anti-K antibodies were detected. These observations helf clarify the roles of these two antigens in pyelonephritis. Although the K antigen of Escherichia coli functions as a virulence factor in upper urinary tract infections, this antigen does not elicit a significant immune response, whereas the O antigen does induce a significant antibody response which could be of protective or diagnostic benefit.", "PMID": 783196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6668", "title": "Effects of ouabain on myocardial oxygen supply and demand in patients with chronic coronary artery disease. A hemodynamic, volumetric, and metabolic study in patients without heart failure.", "content": "The effects of digitalis glycosides on myocardial oxygen supply and demand are of particular interest in the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease, but have not been measured previously in man. We assessed the effects of ouabain (0.015 mg/kg body weight) on hemodynamic, volumetric, and metabolic parameters in 11 patients with severe chronic coronary artery disease without clinical congestive heart failure. Because the protocol was long and involved interventions which might affect the determinations, we also studied in nine patients using an identical protocol except that ouabain administration was omitted. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic volume fell in each patient given ouabain, even though they were initially elevated in only two patients. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure fell from 11.5+/-1.4 (mean+/-SE) to 5.6+/-0.9 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume fell from 100+/-17 to 82+/-12 ml/m2 (P less than 0.01) 1 h after ouabain infusion was completed. The maximum velocity of contractile element shortening increased from 1.68+/-0.11 ml/s to 2.18+/-0.21 muscle-lengths/s (P less than 0.05) and is consistent with an increase in contractility. No significant change in these parameters occurred in the control patients. No significant change in myocardial oxygen consumption occurred after ouabain administration but this may be related to a greater decrease in mean arterial pressure in the ouabain patients than in the control patients. We conclude that in patients with chronic coronary artery disease who are not in clinical congestive heart failure left ventricular end-diastolic volume falls after ouabain administration even when it is initially normal. Though this fall would be associated with a decrease in wall tension, and, therefore, of myocardial oxygen consumption, it may not be of sufficient magnitude to prevent a net increase in myocardial oxygen consumption. Nevertheless, compensatory mechanisms prevent a deterioration of resting myocardial metabolism.", "contents": "Effects of ouabain on myocardial oxygen supply and demand in patients with chronic coronary artery disease. A hemodynamic, volumetric, and metabolic study in patients without heart failure. The effects of digitalis glycosides on myocardial oxygen supply and demand are of particular interest in the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease, but have not been measured previously in man. We assessed the effects of ouabain (0.015 mg/kg body weight) on hemodynamic, volumetric, and metabolic parameters in 11 patients with severe chronic coronary artery disease without clinical congestive heart failure. Because the protocol was long and involved interventions which might affect the determinations, we also studied in nine patients using an identical protocol except that ouabain administration was omitted. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic volume fell in each patient given ouabain, even though they were initially elevated in only two patients. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure fell from 11.5+/-1.4 (mean+/-SE) to 5.6+/-0.9 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume fell from 100+/-17 to 82+/-12 ml/m2 (P less than 0.01) 1 h after ouabain infusion was completed. The maximum velocity of contractile element shortening increased from 1.68+/-0.11 ml/s to 2.18+/-0.21 muscle-lengths/s (P less than 0.05) and is consistent with an increase in contractility. No significant change in these parameters occurred in the control patients. No significant change in myocardial oxygen consumption occurred after ouabain administration but this may be related to a greater decrease in mean arterial pressure in the ouabain patients than in the control patients. We conclude that in patients with chronic coronary artery disease who are not in clinical congestive heart failure left ventricular end-diastolic volume falls after ouabain administration even when it is initially normal. Though this fall would be associated with a decrease in wall tension, and, therefore, of myocardial oxygen consumption, it may not be of sufficient magnitude to prevent a net increase in myocardial oxygen consumption. Nevertheless, compensatory mechanisms prevent a deterioration of resting myocardial metabolism.", "PMID": 783197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6669", "title": "Comparison of the suppressive effects of elevated plasma glucose and free fatty acid levels on glucagon secretion in normal and insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. Evidence for selective alpha-cell insensitivity to glucose in diabetes mellitus.", "content": "To examine whether abnormal pancreatic alpha-cell function found in human diabetes mellitus may represent a selective insensitivity to glucose, plasma glucagon responses to hyperglycemia and elevation of plasma free fatty acid levels (both known suppressors of glucagon secretion) were compared in juvenile-onset, insulin-requiring diabetic subjects, and in normal nondiabetic subjects. In the latter, both elevation of plasma free fatty acid levels induced by heparin administration of hyperglycemia produced by intravenous infusion of glucose resulted in a comparable 30--40% suppression of circulating glucagon levels (P less than 0.01). In the diabetic subjects, glucagon suppression by hyperglycemia (less than 20%) was less than that occurring in normal subjects (P less than 0.01), even when accompanied by infusion of supraphysiologic amounts of insulin. However, suppression of glucagon levels by elevation of plasma free fatty acids in the diabetic group was similar to that found in normal subjects and of comparable magnitude to that due to hyperglycemia in the normal subjects. These results thus demonstrate a selective impairment of the diabetic alpha-cell response to glucose and provide further evidence for the presence of an abnormal alpha-cell glucoreceptor in human diabetes mellitus.", "contents": "Comparison of the suppressive effects of elevated plasma glucose and free fatty acid levels on glucagon secretion in normal and insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. Evidence for selective alpha-cell insensitivity to glucose in diabetes mellitus. To examine whether abnormal pancreatic alpha-cell function found in human diabetes mellitus may represent a selective insensitivity to glucose, plasma glucagon responses to hyperglycemia and elevation of plasma free fatty acid levels (both known suppressors of glucagon secretion) were compared in juvenile-onset, insulin-requiring diabetic subjects, and in normal nondiabetic subjects. In the latter, both elevation of plasma free fatty acid levels induced by heparin administration of hyperglycemia produced by intravenous infusion of glucose resulted in a comparable 30--40% suppression of circulating glucagon levels (P less than 0.01). In the diabetic subjects, glucagon suppression by hyperglycemia (less than 20%) was less than that occurring in normal subjects (P less than 0.01), even when accompanied by infusion of supraphysiologic amounts of insulin. However, suppression of glucagon levels by elevation of plasma free fatty acids in the diabetic group was similar to that found in normal subjects and of comparable magnitude to that due to hyperglycemia in the normal subjects. These results thus demonstrate a selective impairment of the diabetic alpha-cell response to glucose and provide further evidence for the presence of an abnormal alpha-cell glucoreceptor in human diabetes mellitus.", "PMID": 783198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6670", "title": "The late phase of the immediate wheal and flare skin reaction. Its dependence upon IgE antibodies.", "content": "IgE antibodies are usually thought to induce only immediate skin reactions. We have shown that the intradermal injection of a number of different allergens can produce a prolonged inflammatory reaction after the immediate wheal and flare in most sensitive subjects. This late inflammatory response occurs 6-12 h after challenge and is characterized by diffuse edema, erythema, pruritus, and heat. Both immediate and late responses can also be seen after passive sensitization of skin sites in nonatopic subjects. That IgE is involved in inducing the reaction was shown by the abolition of both immediate and late responses by passive transfer tests in the following experiments: (a) heating atopic serum at 56degreesC for 4 h, (b) removing IgE from the atopic serum by a solid phase anti-IgE immunoabsorbent, and (c) competitively inhibiting the binding of IgE antibodies to cells by an IgE myeloma protein. In addition, both responses were induced by affinity chromatography-purified IgE antibody, followed by antigenic challenge. Very similar lesions could also be induced by intradermal injection of Compound 48/80, thus suggesting a central role in the reaction for the mast cell or basophil. Histologically, the late phase is characterized by edema and a mixed cellular infiltration, predominantly lymphocytic but also containing eosinophils, neutrophils and basophils. Direct immunofluorescent staining did not show deposition of immunoglobulins or complement components, except IgM in 2 of 15 and C3 in 1 of 15 patients. This finding indicates that the late phase does not depend on the deposition of immune complexes. The results of the study suggest that IgE-allergen interaction on the surfaces of mast cells or on infiltrating basophils causes both immediate and late cutaneous responses.", "contents": "The late phase of the immediate wheal and flare skin reaction. Its dependence upon IgE antibodies. IgE antibodies are usually thought to induce only immediate skin reactions. We have shown that the intradermal injection of a number of different allergens can produce a prolonged inflammatory reaction after the immediate wheal and flare in most sensitive subjects. This late inflammatory response occurs 6-12 h after challenge and is characterized by diffuse edema, erythema, pruritus, and heat. Both immediate and late responses can also be seen after passive sensitization of skin sites in nonatopic subjects. That IgE is involved in inducing the reaction was shown by the abolition of both immediate and late responses by passive transfer tests in the following experiments: (a) heating atopic serum at 56degreesC for 4 h, (b) removing IgE from the atopic serum by a solid phase anti-IgE immunoabsorbent, and (c) competitively inhibiting the binding of IgE antibodies to cells by an IgE myeloma protein. In addition, both responses were induced by affinity chromatography-purified IgE antibody, followed by antigenic challenge. Very similar lesions could also be induced by intradermal injection of Compound 48/80, thus suggesting a central role in the reaction for the mast cell or basophil. Histologically, the late phase is characterized by edema and a mixed cellular infiltration, predominantly lymphocytic but also containing eosinophils, neutrophils and basophils. Direct immunofluorescent staining did not show deposition of immunoglobulins or complement components, except IgM in 2 of 15 and C3 in 1 of 15 patients. This finding indicates that the late phase does not depend on the deposition of immune complexes. The results of the study suggest that IgE-allergen interaction on the surfaces of mast cells or on infiltrating basophils causes both immediate and late cutaneous responses.", "PMID": 783199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6671", "title": "Impaired renal conservation of sodium and chloride during sustained correction of systemic acidosis in patients with type 1, classic renal tubular acidosis.", "content": "In 10 patients with classic renal tubular acidosis in whom correction of acidosis was sustained with orally administered potassium bicarbonate, renal conservation of sodium was evaluated when dietary intake of sodium was restricted to 9--13 meq/day. In five patients, renal conservation of sodium was impaired by at least one criterion of impairment. In the remaining patients, renal conservation of sodium appeared to be relatively well-maintained, but an impairment could not be excluded. In each of six patients studied during induced water diuresis, including two in whom renal conservation of sodium was not unequivocally impaired, the minimal urinary concentrations of sodium were inappropriately high and the urinary excretion rates of sodium were flow-dependent. These results provide direct evidence that an abnormality in renal transport of sodium can occur in classic renal tubular acidosis, and compel a reconsideration of the pathophysiology of disordered renal transport of sodium in this disorder. The results indicate that in at least some patients with classic renal tubular acidosis impaired renal conservation of sodium is not exclusively a reversible consequence of the renal acidification defect. These findings raise the question whether renal transport of sodium is unimpaired in any patients with classic renal tubular acidosis. In the presently studied patients, the impairment in renal conservation of sodium appeared to be in part the consequence of an impaired ability of the vasopressin-responsive segments of the distal nephron to generate and maintain appropriately steep transepithelial sodium concentration gradients.", "contents": "Impaired renal conservation of sodium and chloride during sustained correction of systemic acidosis in patients with type 1, classic renal tubular acidosis. In 10 patients with classic renal tubular acidosis in whom correction of acidosis was sustained with orally administered potassium bicarbonate, renal conservation of sodium was evaluated when dietary intake of sodium was restricted to 9--13 meq/day. In five patients, renal conservation of sodium was impaired by at least one criterion of impairment. In the remaining patients, renal conservation of sodium appeared to be relatively well-maintained, but an impairment could not be excluded. In each of six patients studied during induced water diuresis, including two in whom renal conservation of sodium was not unequivocally impaired, the minimal urinary concentrations of sodium were inappropriately high and the urinary excretion rates of sodium were flow-dependent. These results provide direct evidence that an abnormality in renal transport of sodium can occur in classic renal tubular acidosis, and compel a reconsideration of the pathophysiology of disordered renal transport of sodium in this disorder. The results indicate that in at least some patients with classic renal tubular acidosis impaired renal conservation of sodium is not exclusively a reversible consequence of the renal acidification defect. These findings raise the question whether renal transport of sodium is unimpaired in any patients with classic renal tubular acidosis. In the presently studied patients, the impairment in renal conservation of sodium appeared to be in part the consequence of an impaired ability of the vasopressin-responsive segments of the distal nephron to generate and maintain appropriately steep transepithelial sodium concentration gradients.", "PMID": 783200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6672", "title": "Arginine-stimulated acute phase of insulin and glucagon secretion in diabetic subjects.", "content": "To determine if both phases of glucagon secretion are excessive in diabetes, arginine was admimistered intravenously as pulses and as infusions to normal subjects, insulin-dependent diabetics, and noninsulin-requiring diabetics. The acute phase of glucagon secretion, in response to arginine pulses at four different doses (submaximal to maximal alpha-cell stimulating), was indistinguishable in terms of timing, peak levels attained, and total increments comparing controls and diabetics. During the first half of the arginine infusion (500 mg/kg over 30 min) the glucagon rise in controls and diabetics was similar (P greater than 0.1), whereas during the last half of the infusion excessive glucagon levels were seen in the diabetics. No difference in the glucagon responses to arginine administered as either a pulse or an infusion was observed between the two types of diabetics. The acute phase responses of insulin to intravenous, maximal stimulating doses of glucose (20 g) and arginine (2.5 g) were measured in five insulin-independent diabetics. Although the acute insulin response to arginine was normal, there was marked attentuation of the early beta-cell response upon stimulation by glucose. From these results we conclude that although in diabetes excessive glucagon levels are observed with chronic arginine stimulation, the acute phase of glucagon secretion in response to arginine is normal. In addition, the beta-cell in noninsulin-requiring diabetics, although acutely hyporesponsive to glucose, remains normally responsive to another stimulus, arginine.", "contents": "Arginine-stimulated acute phase of insulin and glucagon secretion in diabetic subjects. To determine if both phases of glucagon secretion are excessive in diabetes, arginine was admimistered intravenously as pulses and as infusions to normal subjects, insulin-dependent diabetics, and noninsulin-requiring diabetics. The acute phase of glucagon secretion, in response to arginine pulses at four different doses (submaximal to maximal alpha-cell stimulating), was indistinguishable in terms of timing, peak levels attained, and total increments comparing controls and diabetics. During the first half of the arginine infusion (500 mg/kg over 30 min) the glucagon rise in controls and diabetics was similar (P greater than 0.1), whereas during the last half of the infusion excessive glucagon levels were seen in the diabetics. No difference in the glucagon responses to arginine administered as either a pulse or an infusion was observed between the two types of diabetics. The acute phase responses of insulin to intravenous, maximal stimulating doses of glucose (20 g) and arginine (2.5 g) were measured in five insulin-independent diabetics. Although the acute insulin response to arginine was normal, there was marked attentuation of the early beta-cell response upon stimulation by glucose. From these results we conclude that although in diabetes excessive glucagon levels are observed with chronic arginine stimulation, the acute phase of glucagon secretion in response to arginine is normal. In addition, the beta-cell in noninsulin-requiring diabetics, although acutely hyporesponsive to glucose, remains normally responsive to another stimulus, arginine.", "PMID": 783201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6673", "title": "Malignant lymphoma of the cervix uteri: histology and ultrastructure.", "content": "Two cases of primary lymphoma of the cervix uteri are described. Both responded to radiotherapy; both were composed at the ultrastructural level of mature macrophages and immature, apparently neoplastic lymphoreticular cells and are classified as reticulum cell lymphoma.", "contents": "Malignant lymphoma of the cervix uteri: histology and ultrastructure. Two cases of primary lymphoma of the cervix uteri are described. Both responded to radiotherapy; both were composed at the ultrastructural level of mature macrophages and immature, apparently neoplastic lymphoreticular cells and are classified as reticulum cell lymphoma.", "PMID": 783205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6674", "title": "Presumptive identification and antibiotic susceptibility of group B streptococci.", "content": "The comparative performance of three presumptive identification tests for group B haemolytic streptococci was investigated, using 371 different clinical isolates of group B streptococci. Hippurate was hydrolysed by 96-1%, the CAMP reaction was positive in 95-0%, and pigment was produced by 97-3%. A combination of any two tests would have detected over 99-8%. On bile esculin agar 99-0% were able to grow, but non hydrolysed esculin; 5-1% were susceptible to bacitracin. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of five antibiotics for 279 group B streptococci were determined. All were susceptible to penicillin G, ampicillin, cephalothin, and erythromycin, while 80% were resistant to tetracycline. The MIC distributions were independent of the results of any identification test.", "contents": "Presumptive identification and antibiotic susceptibility of group B streptococci. The comparative performance of three presumptive identification tests for group B haemolytic streptococci was investigated, using 371 different clinical isolates of group B streptococci. Hippurate was hydrolysed by 96-1%, the CAMP reaction was positive in 95-0%, and pigment was produced by 97-3%. A combination of any two tests would have detected over 99-8%. On bile esculin agar 99-0% were able to grow, but non hydrolysed esculin; 5-1% were susceptible to bacitracin. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of five antibiotics for 279 group B streptococci were determined. All were susceptible to penicillin G, ampicillin, cephalothin, and erythromycin, while 80% were resistant to tetracycline. The MIC distributions were independent of the results of any identification test.", "PMID": 783206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6675", "title": "Variations in the susceptibility of lactating and non-lactating bovine udders to infection when infused with Escherichia coli.", "content": "Small numbers of Escherichia coli were infused into both lactating and non-lactating udders. Twelve of the 17 lactating quarters infused became infected, and all 12 showed clinical symptoms of udder disease. The 5 lactating quarters which did not become infected all had pre-infusion somatic cell counts greater than 300000 cells/ml milk, whilst all the quarters which became infected had cell counts less than 300000 cells/ml milk. E. coli was subsequently recovered from only 6 of the 16 non-lactating quarters infused. In only 2 of these quarters did clinical infection follow, both quarters being in a cow infused 2 d before calving. The remaining 4 quarters from which E. coli was recovered were all negative within 5 d of infusion. These differences in susceptibility are discussed, particularly with reference to the frequent occurrence of coliform mastitis at and shortly after calving.", "contents": "Variations in the susceptibility of lactating and non-lactating bovine udders to infection when infused with Escherichia coli. Small numbers of Escherichia coli were infused into both lactating and non-lactating udders. Twelve of the 17 lactating quarters infused became infected, and all 12 showed clinical symptoms of udder disease. The 5 lactating quarters which did not become infected all had pre-infusion somatic cell counts greater than 300000 cells/ml milk, whilst all the quarters which became infected had cell counts less than 300000 cells/ml milk. E. coli was subsequently recovered from only 6 of the 16 non-lactating quarters infused. In only 2 of these quarters did clinical infection follow, both quarters being in a cow infused 2 d before calving. The remaining 4 quarters from which E. coli was recovered were all negative within 5 d of infusion. These differences in susceptibility are discussed, particularly with reference to the frequent occurrence of coliform mastitis at and shortly after calving.", "PMID": 783219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6676", "title": "Rennin and pepsin in stomachs of rats (Rattus norvegicus).", "content": "The predominant protease in adult rat stomachs has a pH optimum of 2.0 to 2.3 which corresponds almost exactly to that of porcine pepsin. One-day-old rats have a protease with a pH optimum of 3.8 to 4.2 similar to that of calf rennin. The pH optimum of rat stomach proteases decreases with age, and at 28 days it is similar to that of the adult. The pH of stomach contents of rats decreases with age from pH 5.8 to pH 4.6. These data support the contention by other workers that the onset of pepsin secretion is a prerequisite for weaning and that rennin-like enzymes are not unique to ruminant species.", "contents": "Rennin and pepsin in stomachs of rats (Rattus norvegicus). The predominant protease in adult rat stomachs has a pH optimum of 2.0 to 2.3 which corresponds almost exactly to that of porcine pepsin. One-day-old rats have a protease with a pH optimum of 3.8 to 4.2 similar to that of calf rennin. The pH optimum of rat stomach proteases decreases with age, and at 28 days it is similar to that of the adult. The pH of stomach contents of rats decreases with age from pH 5.8 to pH 4.6. These data support the contention by other workers that the onset of pepsin secretion is a prerequisite for weaning and that rennin-like enzymes are not unique to ruminant species.", "PMID": 783220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6677", "title": "Technique for restoring endodontically treated anterior teeth with precision posts and porcelain-bonded-to-gold crowns.", "content": "A full crown with porcelain bonded to gold and a precision post and sleeve are used in a method to restore endodontically treated anterior teeth. Advantages include protection of the tooth from fracture in the future and utilization of the same sleeve later should another crown be needed.", "contents": "Technique for restoring endodontically treated anterior teeth with precision posts and porcelain-bonded-to-gold crowns. A full crown with porcelain bonded to gold and a precision post and sleeve are used in a method to restore endodontically treated anterior teeth. Advantages include protection of the tooth from fracture in the future and utilization of the same sleeve later should another crown be needed.", "PMID": 783230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6678", "title": "The behavior modification of a dentally disabled child.", "content": "Parents of children afflicted with a dental handicap may experience difficulty in finding a dentist to treat their child. The dentist may be expected to assume the role of family confidant, because of the family's reluctance to seek other professional help. It is important to gain the early confidence and trust of the patient by techniques known to reduce the patient's fear. The patient can now interact more freely with his peers, because of the dental treatment which he has received. His trust, selfesteem, and confidence are much improved.", "contents": "The behavior modification of a dentally disabled child. Parents of children afflicted with a dental handicap may experience difficulty in finding a dentist to treat their child. The dentist may be expected to assume the role of family confidant, because of the family's reluctance to seek other professional help. It is important to gain the early confidence and trust of the patient by techniques known to reduce the patient's fear. The patient can now interact more freely with his peers, because of the dental treatment which he has received. His trust, selfesteem, and confidence are much improved.", "PMID": 783224} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6679", "title": "Evaluation and restoration of endodontically treated posterior teeth.", "content": "The increasing acceptance and utilization of endodontic therapy for the preservation of broken-down posterior teeth presents the practitioner with many difficult restoration problems. If 25% or more of the coronal tooth structure is lost, some form of artificial dentin augmentation is required to provide adequate support and retention for the final restoration. Criteria to be used in the prerestorative evaluation of endodontically treated teeth are presented. Various methods and techniques to protect the remaining toth structure from fracture and to provide support and retention for the final restoration are described.", "contents": "Evaluation and restoration of endodontically treated posterior teeth. The increasing acceptance and utilization of endodontic therapy for the preservation of broken-down posterior teeth presents the practitioner with many difficult restoration problems. If 25% or more of the coronal tooth structure is lost, some form of artificial dentin augmentation is required to provide adequate support and retention for the final restoration. Criteria to be used in the prerestorative evaluation of endodontically treated teeth are presented. Various methods and techniques to protect the remaining toth structure from fracture and to provide support and retention for the final restoration are described.", "PMID": 783231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6680", "title": "Congenital anomalies and inhalation anesthetics.", "content": "Nitrous oxide and halothane, alone and in combination, have been repeatedly shown to cause fetal anomalies and increased fetal death rates in experimental animals. Epidemiologic studies dealing with pregnant operating room personnel who were chronically exposed to trace amounts of nitrous oxide and halothane have indicated an increased number of miscarriages amoung these women compared with women employed outside the operating room. Dental personnel are exposed to even higher concentrations of nitrous oxide in the dental operatory than those levels foun in the operating room. More numerous and more encompassing studies are required. Meanwhile, the dentist has a primary responsibility to give careful consideration to the use of inhalation anesthetics when planning or administering treatment to a pregnant patient, especially one in the first trimester. In addition, the profession must recognize the potential hazard to both pregnant dentists and pregnant dental assistants in this early stage of pregnancy. Of course, the dentist should always consider the developing fetus before using or prescribing any pharmacologic agents.", "contents": "Congenital anomalies and inhalation anesthetics. Nitrous oxide and halothane, alone and in combination, have been repeatedly shown to cause fetal anomalies and increased fetal death rates in experimental animals. Epidemiologic studies dealing with pregnant operating room personnel who were chronically exposed to trace amounts of nitrous oxide and halothane have indicated an increased number of miscarriages amoung these women compared with women employed outside the operating room. Dental personnel are exposed to even higher concentrations of nitrous oxide in the dental operatory than those levels foun in the operating room. More numerous and more encompassing studies are required. Meanwhile, the dentist has a primary responsibility to give careful consideration to the use of inhalation anesthetics when planning or administering treatment to a pregnant patient, especially one in the first trimester. In addition, the profession must recognize the potential hazard to both pregnant dentists and pregnant dental assistants in this early stage of pregnancy. Of course, the dentist should always consider the developing fetus before using or prescribing any pharmacologic agents.", "PMID": 783232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6681", "title": "Evaluation of alternative alloys to type III gold for use in fixed prosthodontics.", "content": "A study was done to evaluate the fit of castings made from commercially available alloys promoted by their manufacturers as cheaper alternatives to type III gold for use in fixed prosthodontics. Two nickel-chromium alloys, two silver-palladium alloys, two gold-silver-palladium alloys, a 50% gold alloy, and a type III conventional gold alloy (used as a basis of comparison) were evaluated. After optimum conditions for waxing, investing, and casting were determined experimentally, four crowns (two full crowns and two three quarter crowns) were cast from each alloy. The castings were cleaned by pickling or sandblasting and placed on their respective dies. Only one casting was made from each die. Ten judges were asked to evaluate the marginal fit and completeness of each casting on its die. The judges rated each casting and the ratings were converted into rankings. Type III gold and Forticast tied and were ranked first; Paliney CB was ranked second; Alborium and Albacast tied and ranked third; Aurolite CB was ranked fourth; and Jelenko Experimental and Howmedica III tied and ranked fifth. It was found that the nickel-chromium alloys produced castings that had a tight fit and showed marginal discrepancies even under conditions designed to yield maximum expansion of the investment. These nonprecious metal castings were judged inferior in terms of fit when compared with castings made from noble metal-and precious metal-containing alloys. Existing investments and techniques were adequate for all castings except those made from the nonprecious alloys. It was concluded that low (approximately lambda 50%) gold alloys and palladium-silver-gold alloys that are commerically available can be used as substitutes for type III gold alloy without any loss inthe quality of casting fit.", "contents": "Evaluation of alternative alloys to type III gold for use in fixed prosthodontics. A study was done to evaluate the fit of castings made from commercially available alloys promoted by their manufacturers as cheaper alternatives to type III gold for use in fixed prosthodontics. Two nickel-chromium alloys, two silver-palladium alloys, two gold-silver-palladium alloys, a 50% gold alloy, and a type III conventional gold alloy (used as a basis of comparison) were evaluated. After optimum conditions for waxing, investing, and casting were determined experimentally, four crowns (two full crowns and two three quarter crowns) were cast from each alloy. The castings were cleaned by pickling or sandblasting and placed on their respective dies. Only one casting was made from each die. Ten judges were asked to evaluate the marginal fit and completeness of each casting on its die. The judges rated each casting and the ratings were converted into rankings. Type III gold and Forticast tied and were ranked first; Paliney CB was ranked second; Alborium and Albacast tied and ranked third; Aurolite CB was ranked fourth; and Jelenko Experimental and Howmedica III tied and ranked fifth. It was found that the nickel-chromium alloys produced castings that had a tight fit and showed marginal discrepancies even under conditions designed to yield maximum expansion of the investment. These nonprecious metal castings were judged inferior in terms of fit when compared with castings made from noble metal-and precious metal-containing alloys. Existing investments and techniques were adequate for all castings except those made from the nonprecious alloys. It was concluded that low (approximately lambda 50%) gold alloys and palladium-silver-gold alloys that are commerically available can be used as substitutes for type III gold alloy without any loss inthe quality of casting fit.", "PMID": 783233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6682", "title": "Informed consent--the doctrine evolves.", "content": "The physician or the dentist must obtain the informed consent of the patient to perform treatment. The consent obtained should be based on disclosure of those risks sufficiently serious and likely to occur in the contemplated procedure, which, as a reasonable physician or dentist, the practitioner should realize and the patient does not, but which the patient needs to realize to determine whether or not to consent to the procedure.", "contents": "Informed consent--the doctrine evolves. The physician or the dentist must obtain the informed consent of the patient to perform treatment. The consent obtained should be based on disclosure of those risks sufficiently serious and likely to occur in the contemplated procedure, which, as a reasonable physician or dentist, the practitioner should realize and the patient does not, but which the patient needs to realize to determine whether or not to consent to the procedure.", "PMID": 783234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6683", "title": "Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity.", "content": "Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) is a distinct form of lymphocyte-mediated hypersensitivity in guinea pigs, separate both from classic delayed hypersensitivity (DH) and from the well-known antibody-mediated reactions. CBH, not DH, is the usual cellular immune response of this species to a wide variety of immunogens (e.g., allografts, certain parasites, and viruses) when these are presented in native form without supplementation with mycobacteria-containing adjuvants, thus attesting to the importance of this response in the guinea pig's overall immune defense mechanism. Basophil-containing, cell-mediated, delayed-onset reactions occur in other species, including man, as well.", "contents": "Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity. Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) is a distinct form of lymphocyte-mediated hypersensitivity in guinea pigs, separate both from classic delayed hypersensitivity (DH) and from the well-known antibody-mediated reactions. CBH, not DH, is the usual cellular immune response of this species to a wide variety of immunogens (e.g., allografts, certain parasites, and viruses) when these are presented in native form without supplementation with mycobacteria-containing adjuvants, thus attesting to the importance of this response in the guinea pig's overall immune defense mechanism. Basophil-containing, cell-mediated, delayed-onset reactions occur in other species, including man, as well.", "PMID": 783235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6684", "title": "Sociologic study of food habits--a review. I. Diversity in diet and scalogram analysis.", "content": "Scalogram analysis (Guttman scaling) organizes descriptive data into a form which is meaningful to the nutritionist and the sociologist in the study of the diversity in, and variation of, family food patterns. Scalogram analysis avoids the use of measures that are \"description bound\" or culturally biased by providing a means of using a higher level of abstraction in studying food habits. Scalogram analysis can be useful, both in planning and in evaluating programs of nutrition education, but until this tool becomes more familiar to nutrition educators and its effectiveness is evaluated in actual situations, it will remain only potentially useful.", "contents": "Sociologic study of food habits--a review. I. Diversity in diet and scalogram analysis. Scalogram analysis (Guttman scaling) organizes descriptive data into a form which is meaningful to the nutritionist and the sociologist in the study of the diversity in, and variation of, family food patterns. Scalogram analysis avoids the use of measures that are \"description bound\" or culturally biased by providing a means of using a higher level of abstraction in studying food habits. Scalogram analysis can be useful, both in planning and in evaluating programs of nutrition education, but until this tool becomes more familiar to nutrition educators and its effectiveness is evaluated in actual situations, it will remain only potentially useful.", "PMID": 783236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6685", "title": "[Biologic bases of the treatment of diffuse benign breast diseases].", "content": "An analysis is made of the contributions that animal experiments have made to the understanding of diffuse benign mastopathies. By the use of epidemiological studies and the examination of biopsy material, from women using hormones, in a histo-pathological way conclusions could be drawn as to the effect of these steroids on the human mammary gland. Consideration has been given to the action of oestrogens and progestogens used alone or in combination.", "contents": "[Biologic bases of the treatment of diffuse benign breast diseases]. An analysis is made of the contributions that animal experiments have made to the understanding of diffuse benign mastopathies. By the use of epidemiological studies and the examination of biopsy material, from women using hormones, in a histo-pathological way conclusions could be drawn as to the effect of these steroids on the human mammary gland. Consideration has been given to the action of oestrogens and progestogens used alone or in combination.", "PMID": 783246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6686", "title": "Immunohistochemical localization of hypothalamic hormones.", "content": "Using an immunoperoxidase technique at the light and electron microscope levels, the localization of somatostatin and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) has been performed in the brain, as well as the pancreas and stomach. The following generalizations may be drawn on the localization of LH-RH and somatostatin. (a) LH-RH and somatostatin are contained in axons and nerve endings of the median eminence and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis. (b) LH-RH and somatostatin are present in different nerve endings. (c) In the subcommissural organ, subfornical organ and area postrema, the two neurohormones are present in the cytoplasm of ependyman and subependymal cells. (d) In the endocrine pancreas and gastric mucosa, somatostatin is localized within the secretory granules of specific endocrine cells.", "contents": "Immunohistochemical localization of hypothalamic hormones. Using an immunoperoxidase technique at the light and electron microscope levels, the localization of somatostatin and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) has been performed in the brain, as well as the pancreas and stomach. The following generalizations may be drawn on the localization of LH-RH and somatostatin. (a) LH-RH and somatostatin are contained in axons and nerve endings of the median eminence and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis. (b) LH-RH and somatostatin are present in different nerve endings. (c) In the subcommissural organ, subfornical organ and area postrema, the two neurohormones are present in the cytoplasm of ependyman and subependymal cells. (d) In the endocrine pancreas and gastric mucosa, somatostatin is localized within the secretory granules of specific endocrine cells.", "PMID": 784871} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6687", "title": "[Synapse density determination in brain structures based on phosphotungstic acid contrast].", "content": "Using the E-PTA procedure of Aghajanian and Bloom we determined the numerical density of synapses in the stratum lacunosun-modeculare of the CA1-region in the hippocampus of male albino rats. On this occasion the sources of error both the natural and the methodical were investigated. As natural causes of remarkable scattering and failing correspondence in the findings the individual variability of the synaptic density and the inhomogeneous distribution of synapses must be taken into consideration. Concerning the methodical sources of error the differences in tissue shrinkage become apparent. But faults resulting from applying morphometric methods are the most serious. The counting of synaptic profiles is based on defined morphological criteria. The portion of the synaptic profiles recorded in this way in relation to all those present in the section depends beside other things on the section thickness. Accordingly the correction factors are in correlation with section thickness. The application of the Floderus correction presupposes the determination of the minimum length of the counted profiles. As a result of these investigated the possibilities for reducing the error have been demonstrated.", "contents": "[Synapse density determination in brain structures based on phosphotungstic acid contrast]. Using the E-PTA procedure of Aghajanian and Bloom we determined the numerical density of synapses in the stratum lacunosun-modeculare of the CA1-region in the hippocampus of male albino rats. On this occasion the sources of error both the natural and the methodical were investigated. As natural causes of remarkable scattering and failing correspondence in the findings the individual variability of the synaptic density and the inhomogeneous distribution of synapses must be taken into consideration. Concerning the methodical sources of error the differences in tissue shrinkage become apparent. But faults resulting from applying morphometric methods are the most serious. The counting of synaptic profiles is based on defined morphological criteria. The portion of the synaptic profiles recorded in this way in relation to all those present in the section depends beside other things on the section thickness. Accordingly the correction factors are in correlation with section thickness. The application of the Floderus correction presupposes the determination of the minimum length of the counted profiles. As a result of these investigated the possibilities for reducing the error have been demonstrated.", "PMID": 784872} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6688", "title": "[Analysis of intrauterine sounds and their tranquillizing effects on the newborn infant].", "content": "The authors have made a piezo-electric microphone in order to tap and analyse intrauterine sounds. The band that is used ranges from 3 - 700 Hz. A sound that has a small microphone at its tip is introduced into the uterus and then relayed to an amplifier. The sound mainly comes from the blood vessels and their frequency ranges between a few Hz and a thous and Hz. The acoustic pressure is big for low frequencies and weak for high frequencies. The sounds that are heard in the uterus have a calming effect on new-born children and stop them crying in 86% of cases where it has been tried. It sends them to sleep in 30% and this has been confirmed by E.E.G. This method is more effective than the older ones which used \"slumber tone\". The reason is that the product is the same as that which has been experienced by the fetus in utero.", "contents": "[Analysis of intrauterine sounds and their tranquillizing effects on the newborn infant]. The authors have made a piezo-electric microphone in order to tap and analyse intrauterine sounds. The band that is used ranges from 3 - 700 Hz. A sound that has a small microphone at its tip is introduced into the uterus and then relayed to an amplifier. The sound mainly comes from the blood vessels and their frequency ranges between a few Hz and a thous and Hz. The acoustic pressure is big for low frequencies and weak for high frequencies. The sounds that are heard in the uterus have a calming effect on new-born children and stop them crying in 86% of cases where it has been tried. It sends them to sleep in 30% and this has been confirmed by E.E.G. This method is more effective than the older ones which used \"slumber tone\". The reason is that the product is the same as that which has been experienced by the fetus in utero.", "PMID": 783244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6689", "title": "C4 synthesis in C4-deficient guinea pig radiation chimeras: restoration of the classic complement pathway.", "content": "Bone marrow transplants from normal Albany strain guinea pigs established a functional classical pathway of complement (C) in C4-deficient (C4D) guinea pigs. Seventeen days after transplant the Albany leads to C4D chimeras had detectable C4 and total hemolytic C activities. Maximum C4 levels (2 to 8% of normal were reachered by day 73 and restored total C to 40% of normal. Classical pathway function persisted for about 150 days and, thereafter, declined to undetectable levels by day 385. In contrast, Albany guinea pigs transplanted with C4D marrow maintained normal C4 levels throughout the experiment, suggesting that the C4-producing cells are radioresistant and long-lived. Unlike unmanipulated C4D animals, Albany leads to C4D chimeras were unable to produce antibodies to guinea pig C4 when immunized with normal guinea pig serum. These experiments suggest that bone marrow cell progeny produce C4 in vivo.", "contents": "C4 synthesis in C4-deficient guinea pig radiation chimeras: restoration of the classic complement pathway. Bone marrow transplants from normal Albany strain guinea pigs established a functional classical pathway of complement (C) in C4-deficient (C4D) guinea pigs. Seventeen days after transplant the Albany leads to C4D chimeras had detectable C4 and total hemolytic C activities. Maximum C4 levels (2 to 8% of normal were reachered by day 73 and restored total C to 40% of normal. Classical pathway function persisted for about 150 days and, thereafter, declined to undetectable levels by day 385. In contrast, Albany guinea pigs transplanted with C4D marrow maintained normal C4 levels throughout the experiment, suggesting that the C4-producing cells are radioresistant and long-lived. Unlike unmanipulated C4D animals, Albany leads to C4D chimeras were unable to produce antibodies to guinea pig C4 when immunized with normal guinea pig serum. These experiments suggest that bone marrow cell progeny produce C4 in vivo.", "PMID": 784873} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6690", "title": "An in vitro immuno-enzymatic assay of tumor antigens in the mouse with beta-galactosidase.", "content": "A method for detection of the primary binding of soluble tumor-associated antigens by antibodies has been developed by using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). A heteroantiserum was produced by injecting tumor cells from a chemically induced murine sarcoma into rabbits, and antibodies reacting with most normal tissue components were removed by exhaustive in vivo absorption. A soluble preparation of tumor cells, obtained by 3 M KCl extraction, was conjugated to beta-galactosidase from Escherichia coli. The antibody binding was measured by determining the enzyme activity that could be separated by anti-antibody coprecepitation. The reaction follows saturation kinetics, and nonlabeled antigen can be readily quantitated by inhibition. The present method detects determinants common to several MC-induced tumors on the same mouse strain but absent in normal cells and nonrelated tumors in addition to individual tumor-specific transplantation antigens. The sensitivity and simplicity of the new method compare favorably with a binding assay that utilizes radioactive iodine as a label. Thus, EIA becomes a flexible tool for the further characterization and purification of these antigens.", "contents": "An in vitro immuno-enzymatic assay of tumor antigens in the mouse with beta-galactosidase. A method for detection of the primary binding of soluble tumor-associated antigens by antibodies has been developed by using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). A heteroantiserum was produced by injecting tumor cells from a chemically induced murine sarcoma into rabbits, and antibodies reacting with most normal tissue components were removed by exhaustive in vivo absorption. A soluble preparation of tumor cells, obtained by 3 M KCl extraction, was conjugated to beta-galactosidase from Escherichia coli. The antibody binding was measured by determining the enzyme activity that could be separated by anti-antibody coprecepitation. The reaction follows saturation kinetics, and nonlabeled antigen can be readily quantitated by inhibition. The present method detects determinants common to several MC-induced tumors on the same mouse strain but absent in normal cells and nonrelated tumors in addition to individual tumor-specific transplantation antigens. The sensitivity and simplicity of the new method compare favorably with a binding assay that utilizes radioactive iodine as a label. Thus, EIA becomes a flexible tool for the further characterization and purification of these antigens.", "PMID": 784874} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6691", "title": "Different mechanisms for the modulation of TL antigens on murine lymphoid cells.", "content": "An indirect radioimmunoassay has been used to study the antibody-induced changes in expression of TL antigens on mouse thymus and leukemia cells. The results obtained indicate that the incubation of TL+ cells in relatively high concentrations of anti-TL antisera results in a detectable, but not major, loss in the quantity of antigen detected in the plasma membranes. This decrease is not inhibited by azide. Although the antigen loss seems to coincide with the appearance of patching of membrane TL antigens on leukemia cells observed in indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, this is not the case when thymocytes are used as targets. Fab fragments prepared from anti-TL antibodies can also induce a quantitative decrease in antigen expression. The major mechanism involved in membrane antigen loss seems to be endocytosis, although some shedding may also occur. Resistance to immune cytolysis (antigenic modulation) occurs during incubation in anti-TL antibodies before either endocytosis or antigen redistribution has progressed enough to be directly responsible. Since antigenic modulation does not represent a depletion in TL antigens being expressed on the cell surfaces, another mechanism must account for the failure of guinea pig complement to achieve cell lysis.", "contents": "Different mechanisms for the modulation of TL antigens on murine lymphoid cells. An indirect radioimmunoassay has been used to study the antibody-induced changes in expression of TL antigens on mouse thymus and leukemia cells. The results obtained indicate that the incubation of TL+ cells in relatively high concentrations of anti-TL antisera results in a detectable, but not major, loss in the quantity of antigen detected in the plasma membranes. This decrease is not inhibited by azide. Although the antigen loss seems to coincide with the appearance of patching of membrane TL antigens on leukemia cells observed in indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, this is not the case when thymocytes are used as targets. Fab fragments prepared from anti-TL antibodies can also induce a quantitative decrease in antigen expression. The major mechanism involved in membrane antigen loss seems to be endocytosis, although some shedding may also occur. Resistance to immune cytolysis (antigenic modulation) occurs during incubation in anti-TL antibodies before either endocytosis or antigen redistribution has progressed enough to be directly responsible. Since antigenic modulation does not represent a depletion in TL antigens being expressed on the cell surfaces, another mechanism must account for the failure of guinea pig complement to achieve cell lysis.", "PMID": 784875} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6692", "title": "An improved autoradiographic technique for the detection of antibody-forming cells.", "content": "An authoradiographic technique for the detection of antibody-forming cells has been developed for the assay of anti-DNP responses. The lymphoid cell suspension to be assayed was allowed to a glass slide coated with DNP-conjugated gelatin to which the secreted antibody bound during subsequent incubation. The bound antibody and its Ig class was revealed by a second incubation using 125I-anti-immunoglobulin reagents followed by autoradiography. Studies on the sensitivity and specificity of the method are presented and its advantages over other techniques described. The technique should be readily applicable to other haptens.", "contents": "An improved autoradiographic technique for the detection of antibody-forming cells. An authoradiographic technique for the detection of antibody-forming cells has been developed for the assay of anti-DNP responses. The lymphoid cell suspension to be assayed was allowed to a glass slide coated with DNP-conjugated gelatin to which the secreted antibody bound during subsequent incubation. The bound antibody and its Ig class was revealed by a second incubation using 125I-anti-immunoglobulin reagents followed by autoradiography. Studies on the sensitivity and specificity of the method are presented and its advantages over other techniques described. The technique should be readily applicable to other haptens.", "PMID": 784876} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6693", "title": "Affinity-immunoadsorbent fractionation of rat anti-streptococcal A carbohydrate antibodies of restricted heterogeneity.", "content": "Antisera obtained from selectively bred Sprague-Dawley rats after a primary series of immunization with group A streptococcal vaccine exhibit specific anti-carbohydrate antibodies of restricted heterogeneity. Separation of anti-carbohydrate antibodies was achieved on the basis of differences in the relative binding affinities of the antibodies for an insoluble, hapten (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) immunoadsorbent. Evaluation of several eluting reagents including hapten, thiocyanate, urea and acid-salt demonstrated the chaotropic ion thiocyanate to be most effective in separating anti-hapten populations of individual affinity characteristics. In general, there was no consistent relationship between the net electrical charge of an antibody and its relative binding affinity for the immunoadsorbent. Furthermore, non-precipitating rat anti-streptococcal A carbohydrate antibodies were characterized as antibodies of relatively low binding affinity for the hapten immunoadsorbent. From a practical point of view, thiocyanate is recommended for the routine elution of anti-carbohydrate antibodies from innumoadsorbents.", "contents": "Affinity-immunoadsorbent fractionation of rat anti-streptococcal A carbohydrate antibodies of restricted heterogeneity. Antisera obtained from selectively bred Sprague-Dawley rats after a primary series of immunization with group A streptococcal vaccine exhibit specific anti-carbohydrate antibodies of restricted heterogeneity. Separation of anti-carbohydrate antibodies was achieved on the basis of differences in the relative binding affinities of the antibodies for an insoluble, hapten (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) immunoadsorbent. Evaluation of several eluting reagents including hapten, thiocyanate, urea and acid-salt demonstrated the chaotropic ion thiocyanate to be most effective in separating anti-hapten populations of individual affinity characteristics. In general, there was no consistent relationship between the net electrical charge of an antibody and its relative binding affinity for the immunoadsorbent. Furthermore, non-precipitating rat anti-streptococcal A carbohydrate antibodies were characterized as antibodies of relatively low binding affinity for the hapten immunoadsorbent. From a practical point of view, thiocyanate is recommended for the routine elution of anti-carbohydrate antibodies from innumoadsorbents.", "PMID": 784877} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6694", "title": "Microfluorometric evaluation of the specificity of fluorescent antisera against mouse immunoglobulins with the defined antigen substrate spheres (DASS) system.", "content": "Highly purified MOPC-21 IgG1, MOPC-173 IgG2a, MOPC-195 IgG2b, MOPC-104 E IgM, and MOPC-315 IgA paraproteins, heterogeneous mouse IgG, Fab and Fc fragments of heterogeneous IgG were prepared and coupled to Sepharose beads. These beads were then used as artificial substrates to test the specificity of fluorescent antisera against mouse immunoglobulins by microflurometry. By comparing the visual evaluation of strained plasma cells and measurements on beads, the highest permissible percentage (FITC) and 6% for a tetramethyl rhodamine iso thiocyanate (TRITC) conjugate. By application of these criteria, 1 out of 7 tested commercial antisera and 6 out of 8 conjugates prepared in this laboratory proved to be satisfactory. The most common impurities were anti-light chain antibodies, as revealed by their reaction with Fab. With the bead system, a good impression of the specificity of an antiserum can be obtained. It gives, however, only approximate information on whether the conjugate will cause a high background staining in the biological specimen.", "contents": "Microfluorometric evaluation of the specificity of fluorescent antisera against mouse immunoglobulins with the defined antigen substrate spheres (DASS) system. Highly purified MOPC-21 IgG1, MOPC-173 IgG2a, MOPC-195 IgG2b, MOPC-104 E IgM, and MOPC-315 IgA paraproteins, heterogeneous mouse IgG, Fab and Fc fragments of heterogeneous IgG were prepared and coupled to Sepharose beads. These beads were then used as artificial substrates to test the specificity of fluorescent antisera against mouse immunoglobulins by microflurometry. By comparing the visual evaluation of strained plasma cells and measurements on beads, the highest permissible percentage (FITC) and 6% for a tetramethyl rhodamine iso thiocyanate (TRITC) conjugate. By application of these criteria, 1 out of 7 tested commercial antisera and 6 out of 8 conjugates prepared in this laboratory proved to be satisfactory. The most common impurities were anti-light chain antibodies, as revealed by their reaction with Fab. With the bead system, a good impression of the specificity of an antiserum can be obtained. It gives, however, only approximate information on whether the conjugate will cause a high background staining in the biological specimen.", "PMID": 784878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6695", "title": "Quantitation of immunoglobulin adsorption to plastics.", "content": "Adsorption of 125I-labelled rabbit IgG to plastics (cellulose nitrate, polyallomer, polystyrene, polyvinyl) was primarily dependent on initial antibody concentration and, to a lesser extent, on time allowed for adsorption. The highest concentration tested (100 mug/ml) gave the highest quantities adsorbed after 18 h at room temperature. This concentration, however, gave the lowest percent adsorption (6.5 to 12.0%) of the initial amount. IgG concentration of 10 mug/ml resulted in 25.0 to 65.1% adsorption over the same time period; at 1 mug/ml, 47.0 to 96.6% of the initial amount was adsorbed. All of the plastics tested adsorbed IgG to approximately the same degree, with the exception of cellulose nitrate. This plastic adsorbed 32 to 49% less than the others, under maximal adsorption conditions.", "contents": "Quantitation of immunoglobulin adsorption to plastics. Adsorption of 125I-labelled rabbit IgG to plastics (cellulose nitrate, polyallomer, polystyrene, polyvinyl) was primarily dependent on initial antibody concentration and, to a lesser extent, on time allowed for adsorption. The highest concentration tested (100 mug/ml) gave the highest quantities adsorbed after 18 h at room temperature. This concentration, however, gave the lowest percent adsorption (6.5 to 12.0%) of the initial amount. IgG concentration of 10 mug/ml resulted in 25.0 to 65.1% adsorption over the same time period; at 1 mug/ml, 47.0 to 96.6% of the initial amount was adsorbed. All of the plastics tested adsorbed IgG to approximately the same degree, with the exception of cellulose nitrate. This plastic adsorbed 32 to 49% less than the others, under maximal adsorption conditions.", "PMID": 784879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6696", "title": "A raft technique for chemotaxis: a versatile method suitable for clinical studies.", "content": "We describe a raft technique for the study of chemotaxis which possesses a number of advantages over the use of chambers. Membranes are laid on pads soaked in chemotactic agent and cells are contained in plastic cups, which are inverted on to the membrane. This method gives results which are similar to those obtained in conventional vessels. It would seem well suited to comparative measurements of chemotaxis in clinical series, for it avoids the use of special chambers, minimises the number of membranes and their handling and more than one cell suspension can be placed on a membrane. In addition, the method is experimentally versatile: simple manipulations allow work with cells adherent to other surfaces, studies of the effect of substituting a new agent or of reversing the gradient during an experiment, migration against gravity, and of the effect of non-adherent cells on migrating cells.", "contents": "A raft technique for chemotaxis: a versatile method suitable for clinical studies. We describe a raft technique for the study of chemotaxis which possesses a number of advantages over the use of chambers. Membranes are laid on pads soaked in chemotactic agent and cells are contained in plastic cups, which are inverted on to the membrane. This method gives results which are similar to those obtained in conventional vessels. It would seem well suited to comparative measurements of chemotaxis in clinical series, for it avoids the use of special chambers, minimises the number of membranes and their handling and more than one cell suspension can be placed on a membrane. In addition, the method is experimentally versatile: simple manipulations allow work with cells adherent to other surfaces, studies of the effect of substituting a new agent or of reversing the gradient during an experiment, migration against gravity, and of the effect of non-adherent cells on migrating cells.", "PMID": 784880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6697", "title": "[An experimental study of the effects of drilling with dental high speed turbine on culture cells (in vitro) (author's transl)].", "content": "A drilling at 500 000 R.P.M. with a dental high speed turbine was made either to a tissue culture bottle or to a test tube, in which mouse L fibroblasts were grown for 2 days with YLH medium supplemented with 10% bovine serum, in order to examine the effects of high speed drilling to the cells in vitro, Experiments were carried out with the following three conditions; (1) Drilling of outer surface of the glasswares at the inner surface on which the cells were attached, with a water coolant, (2) Drilling of the same place without a water coolant, and (3) Drilling of a remote area of the glasswares where no cells were grown. The last experimental condition permitted to give a sole effect of vibration accompanied with the drilling. Rates of cell multiplication and morphological observation were obtained on 2 days and 5 days after the glasswares were drilled. Rates of cell multiplication showed no change between the experimental conditions and control. This means that heat generation, vibration and/or their compound effects during drilling did not deter cells from growing. Morphological change of the cells due to the drilling was parallel to the results of cell multiplication except the drilling without a water coolant. When drilled without a water coolant, the cells around the drilled area was deteriorated and died after 24 hours. However, most of the cells away from the drilled area were not affected. The present results can not directly apply to the drilling in dental clinic, since in vivo condition has more complicated situation, some of which can not be simulated in in vitro environment. However, the in vitro results can surely be important information in resolving drilling effects in vivo.", "contents": "[An experimental study of the effects of drilling with dental high speed turbine on culture cells (in vitro) (author's transl)]. A drilling at 500 000 R.P.M. with a dental high speed turbine was made either to a tissue culture bottle or to a test tube, in which mouse L fibroblasts were grown for 2 days with YLH medium supplemented with 10% bovine serum, in order to examine the effects of high speed drilling to the cells in vitro, Experiments were carried out with the following three conditions; (1) Drilling of outer surface of the glasswares at the inner surface on which the cells were attached, with a water coolant, (2) Drilling of the same place without a water coolant, and (3) Drilling of a remote area of the glasswares where no cells were grown. The last experimental condition permitted to give a sole effect of vibration accompanied with the drilling. Rates of cell multiplication and morphological observation were obtained on 2 days and 5 days after the glasswares were drilled. Rates of cell multiplication showed no change between the experimental conditions and control. This means that heat generation, vibration and/or their compound effects during drilling did not deter cells from growing. Morphological change of the cells due to the drilling was parallel to the results of cell multiplication except the drilling without a water coolant. When drilled without a water coolant, the cells around the drilled area was deteriorated and died after 24 hours. However, most of the cells away from the drilled area were not affected. The present results can not directly apply to the drilling in dental clinic, since in vivo condition has more complicated situation, some of which can not be simulated in in vitro environment. However, the in vitro results can surely be important information in resolving drilling effects in vivo.", "PMID": 784883} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6698", "title": "[Bond strength between nonprecious metal alloy and porcelain. Part (1). Bond strength with press condensing method (author's transl)].", "content": "For the purpose of finding out the method which is able to evaluate nonprecious metal/porcelain bond strength easily, Ceramco procelain was fused to casted Wiron \"S\" (3 mm diameter), by means of 5 types of press condensing methods; the bond strength was measured by pull out method and these condensing methods were compared. Results are follows: (1) No significant difference was observed between conventional condensing method and press condensing method (condensing pressure; 472-1 415 kg/cm2), and the bond strength of Ceramco Paint-O-Pake porcelain to Wiron \"S\" was about 245-369 kg/cm2. (2) Bond strength was decreased with the decrease of the fused length of procelain. (3) Bond strength was increased approximately three times, when specimens were mounted by dental stone.", "contents": "[Bond strength between nonprecious metal alloy and porcelain. Part (1). Bond strength with press condensing method (author's transl)]. For the purpose of finding out the method which is able to evaluate nonprecious metal/porcelain bond strength easily, Ceramco procelain was fused to casted Wiron \"S\" (3 mm diameter), by means of 5 types of press condensing methods; the bond strength was measured by pull out method and these condensing methods were compared. Results are follows: (1) No significant difference was observed between conventional condensing method and press condensing method (condensing pressure; 472-1 415 kg/cm2), and the bond strength of Ceramco Paint-O-Pake porcelain to Wiron \"S\" was about 245-369 kg/cm2. (2) Bond strength was decreased with the decrease of the fused length of procelain. (3) Bond strength was increased approximately three times, when specimens were mounted by dental stone.", "PMID": 784884} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6699", "title": "Neutrophil function in children with kwashiorkor.", "content": "Peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) function has been investigated for 46 children with kwashiorkor (without overt infection) in the Ivory Coast, West Africa. In vitro chemotactic response, candidacidal activity, and kinetic studies of metabolism during phagocytosis have been performed. Postphagocytic morphological events were evaluated by electron microscopy. The reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), measurement of enzyme activities, activity of glycolysis, and hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS) activity were assessed. The extent of iodide incorporation into trichloracetic acid (TCA)-precipitable protein by phagocytizing PMN'S and thyroid hormone degradation were measured. Chemotactic response was reduced at early time intervals (30, 60, and 120 minutes) and reached control values after 180 minutes. Whereas PMN's of controls killed 32.13 +/- 11.10 per cent of Candida albicans after 60 minutes, PMN's from kwashiorkor patients killed 18.55 +/- 7.74 per cent (p less than 0.01). HMS activity for resting PMN's of kwashiorkor children was higher than for controls, and during particle ingestion the extent of stimulation was comparable to controls. Electron microscopic assessment of phagocytic vacuole formation and degranulation showed no difference between PMN's from kwashiorkor and and control subjects. Incorporation of 131 I into TCA-precipitable proteins by phagocytizing PMN's from kwashiorkor children was reduced in compraison to controls, with either viable or heat-killed lactobacilli. No impairment in thyroxine (T4) degradation was observed for PMN's from kwashiorkor cases. PMS's from kwashiorkor patients show toxic granules, Dohle bodies, evidence of high baseline NBT reduction, and glucose decarboxylation. Functional studies indicate impaired kinetics of chemotaxis, diminished candidacidal activity, and reduced iodination. Enzymatic activities of resting cells are normal. Lactate production, HMS activity during phagocytosis, and morphological events are not impaired. Thus, impaired in vitro microbicidal activity, increased resting metabolism, and decreases iodination by PMN's may be related to the high incidence of infection in kwashiorkor.", "contents": "Neutrophil function in children with kwashiorkor. Peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) function has been investigated for 46 children with kwashiorkor (without overt infection) in the Ivory Coast, West Africa. In vitro chemotactic response, candidacidal activity, and kinetic studies of metabolism during phagocytosis have been performed. Postphagocytic morphological events were evaluated by electron microscopy. The reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), measurement of enzyme activities, activity of glycolysis, and hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS) activity were assessed. The extent of iodide incorporation into trichloracetic acid (TCA)-precipitable protein by phagocytizing PMN'S and thyroid hormone degradation were measured. Chemotactic response was reduced at early time intervals (30, 60, and 120 minutes) and reached control values after 180 minutes. Whereas PMN's of controls killed 32.13 +/- 11.10 per cent of Candida albicans after 60 minutes, PMN's from kwashiorkor patients killed 18.55 +/- 7.74 per cent (p less than 0.01). HMS activity for resting PMN's of kwashiorkor children was higher than for controls, and during particle ingestion the extent of stimulation was comparable to controls. Electron microscopic assessment of phagocytic vacuole formation and degranulation showed no difference between PMN's from kwashiorkor and and control subjects. Incorporation of 131 I into TCA-precipitable proteins by phagocytizing PMN's from kwashiorkor children was reduced in compraison to controls, with either viable or heat-killed lactobacilli. No impairment in thyroxine (T4) degradation was observed for PMN's from kwashiorkor cases. PMS's from kwashiorkor patients show toxic granules, Dohle bodies, evidence of high baseline NBT reduction, and glucose decarboxylation. Functional studies indicate impaired kinetics of chemotaxis, diminished candidacidal activity, and reduced iodination. Enzymatic activities of resting cells are normal. Lactate production, HMS activity during phagocytosis, and morphological events are not impaired. Thus, impaired in vitro microbicidal activity, increased resting metabolism, and decreases iodination by PMN's may be related to the high incidence of infection in kwashiorkor.", "PMID": 784886} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6700", "title": "Tympanic reconstruction. Fifteen year report on tympanoplasty. Part II.", "content": "This survey was carried out to evaluate techniques in current use for the treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media. Part I concerns the incidence of cholesteatomatous complications following combined approach tympanoplasty (CAT). Residual and Recurrent cholesteatoma occurred much more frequently than had been expected or reported elsewhere. Although the incidence of Recurrent cholesteatoma has been markedly reduced by technical modifications, Residual cholesteatoma was discovered inadvertently in one out of every seven previously cholesteatomatous ears in which a second operation for ossicular reconstruction was performed. In at least one-third the disease had been left in the epitympanum. Although many cholesteatomatous cysts might lie dormant for years, and possibly never give rise to serious consequences, it can no longer be claimed that CAT provides a satisfactory means of eradicating cholesteatoma unless re-exploration operations were continued until eventually the tubotympanic cleft could be shown free of cholesteatoma.", "contents": "Tympanic reconstruction. Fifteen year report on tympanoplasty. Part II. This survey was carried out to evaluate techniques in current use for the treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media. Part I concerns the incidence of cholesteatomatous complications following combined approach tympanoplasty (CAT). Residual and Recurrent cholesteatoma occurred much more frequently than had been expected or reported elsewhere. Although the incidence of Recurrent cholesteatoma has been markedly reduced by technical modifications, Residual cholesteatoma was discovered inadvertently in one out of every seven previously cholesteatomatous ears in which a second operation for ossicular reconstruction was performed. In at least one-third the disease had been left in the epitympanum. Although many cholesteatomatous cysts might lie dormant for years, and possibly never give rise to serious consequences, it can no longer be claimed that CAT provides a satisfactory means of eradicating cholesteatoma unless re-exploration operations were continued until eventually the tubotympanic cleft could be shown free of cholesteatoma.", "PMID": 784887} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6701", "title": "Activation of human B lymphocytes. I. Direct plaque-forming cell assay for the measurement of polyclonal activation and antigenic stimulation of human B lymphocytes.", "content": "A model for the detection of single cell antibody production by human tonsillar lymphocytes after stimulation with either sheep red blood cells (SRBC) or polyclonal B-cell activators has been described. The culture system is a modified Mishell-Dutton technique with certain critical factors identified. The assay is a sensitive and resproducible hemolysis-in-gel system employing an ultra-thin layer gel technique measuring plaque-forming cells (PFC) against SRBC targets. Several factors essential for optimal responses are described, but the critical feature of the culture system is the use of selected lots of human AB serum supplements which are extensively absorbed with SRBC. This removes a blocking factor present in most human serum which suppresses the B-cell response to SRBC targets after stimulation with either SRBC or several polyclonal B-cell activators. In addition, absorption of serum with SRBC eliminates the presence of artifactual plaques. Background PFC are extremely low and stimulated cultures show significant and reproducible responses. These studies provide a simple, sensitive, and reproducible model for probing the complex events associated with activation of human B lymphocytes.", "contents": "Activation of human B lymphocytes. I. Direct plaque-forming cell assay for the measurement of polyclonal activation and antigenic stimulation of human B lymphocytes. A model for the detection of single cell antibody production by human tonsillar lymphocytes after stimulation with either sheep red blood cells (SRBC) or polyclonal B-cell activators has been described. The culture system is a modified Mishell-Dutton technique with certain critical factors identified. The assay is a sensitive and resproducible hemolysis-in-gel system employing an ultra-thin layer gel technique measuring plaque-forming cells (PFC) against SRBC targets. Several factors essential for optimal responses are described, but the critical feature of the culture system is the use of selected lots of human AB serum supplements which are extensively absorbed with SRBC. This removes a blocking factor present in most human serum which suppresses the B-cell response to SRBC targets after stimulation with either SRBC or several polyclonal B-cell activators. In addition, absorption of serum with SRBC eliminates the presence of artifactual plaques. Background PFC are extremely low and stimulated cultures show significant and reproducible responses. These studies provide a simple, sensitive, and reproducible model for probing the complex events associated with activation of human B lymphocytes.", "PMID": 784890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6702", "title": "The effect of allogeneic presensitization on H-Y graft survival and in vitro cell-mediated responses to H-y antigen.", "content": "C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 female mice were grafted with skin from male or female donors incompatible for H-2 and/or non-H-2 antigens. Syngeneic male grafts applied after the rejection of primary allografts or syngeneic male grafts were rejected in accelerated (second set) fashion, whereas male grafts applied after primary female grafts were not. In addition, C57BL/10 female spleen cells, primed in vivo with an allogeneic (BALB/c, CBA, or B10.BR) male graft and challenged in vitro in mixed lymphocyte culture with syngeneic (C57BL/10) male cells, produced cytotoxic cells specific for syngeneic male target cells. We conclude that at least some component of H-Y is detected by female responder cells on allogeneic male cells, and that the second set cell mediated response to H-Y is not necessarily restricted by the H-2 haplotype of the primary sensitizing strain. Moreover, (CBA X B10) F1 females, primed in vivo with male cells of one parental haplotype (B10 or CBA) and challenged in vitro with male cells of the other parental haplotype (CBA or B10), fail to lyse male target cells of either parental haplotype. It therefore seems unlikely that a helper determinant shared between B10 and CBA is sufficient to explain the ability of CBA male cells to prime H-2-restricted T-cell cytotoxic responses by B10 females.", "contents": "The effect of allogeneic presensitization on H-Y graft survival and in vitro cell-mediated responses to H-y antigen. C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 female mice were grafted with skin from male or female donors incompatible for H-2 and/or non-H-2 antigens. Syngeneic male grafts applied after the rejection of primary allografts or syngeneic male grafts were rejected in accelerated (second set) fashion, whereas male grafts applied after primary female grafts were not. In addition, C57BL/10 female spleen cells, primed in vivo with an allogeneic (BALB/c, CBA, or B10.BR) male graft and challenged in vitro in mixed lymphocyte culture with syngeneic (C57BL/10) male cells, produced cytotoxic cells specific for syngeneic male target cells. We conclude that at least some component of H-Y is detected by female responder cells on allogeneic male cells, and that the second set cell mediated response to H-Y is not necessarily restricted by the H-2 haplotype of the primary sensitizing strain. Moreover, (CBA X B10) F1 females, primed in vivo with male cells of one parental haplotype (B10 or CBA) and challenged in vitro with male cells of the other parental haplotype (CBA or B10), fail to lyse male target cells of either parental haplotype. It therefore seems unlikely that a helper determinant shared between B10 and CBA is sufficient to explain the ability of CBA male cells to prime H-2-restricted T-cell cytotoxic responses by B10 females.", "PMID": 784891} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6703", "title": "Endotoxin protein: a B-cell mitogen and polyclonal activator of C3H/HeJ lymphocytes.", "content": "A cell wall protein that is ordinarily complexed to the lipopolysaccharide endotoxin in gram-negative bacteria has been separated by the use of aqueous phenol. The protein is active as a B-cell mitogen and polyclonal activator of murine lymphocytes including the C3H/HeJ strain which is a nonresponder to lipoplysaccharide or lipid A.", "contents": "Endotoxin protein: a B-cell mitogen and polyclonal activator of C3H/HeJ lymphocytes. A cell wall protein that is ordinarily complexed to the lipopolysaccharide endotoxin in gram-negative bacteria has been separated by the use of aqueous phenol. The protein is active as a B-cell mitogen and polyclonal activator of murine lymphocytes including the C3H/HeJ strain which is a nonresponder to lipoplysaccharide or lipid A.", "PMID": 784892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6704", "title": "Some new approaches to the individualization of fresh and dried bloodstains.", "content": "The individualization of human beings by biochemical \"fingerprinting\" is yet a goal of the future. However, recent progress in methods and instruments permits the forensic analyst to use the available techniques for partial individualization. For practical purposes, it is sufficient to demonstrate the capability of discriminating one human blood among a thousand others. The combination of some of the methods described makes such a discrimination possible. It is critical that both instruments and methods be standard so that two or more laboratories may obtain the identical results from analyses of the same questioned specimen. Only then can such evidence be presented with a high degree of reliability in medicolegal cases. The objective of the studies described is to develop an immunohematological and biochemical analysis for individual blood samples from human beings to resolve and define phenotypic components of the blood to the maximum extent in the smallest volume. The result of this work is expected to permit the objective characterization of individuals in terms of their own unique genetic constitution; it will permit comparison of individuals as to degrees of similarity or dissimilarity of their genetically determined blood protein composition.", "contents": "Some new approaches to the individualization of fresh and dried bloodstains. The individualization of human beings by biochemical \"fingerprinting\" is yet a goal of the future. However, recent progress in methods and instruments permits the forensic analyst to use the available techniques for partial individualization. For practical purposes, it is sufficient to demonstrate the capability of discriminating one human blood among a thousand others. The combination of some of the methods described makes such a discrimination possible. It is critical that both instruments and methods be standard so that two or more laboratories may obtain the identical results from analyses of the same questioned specimen. Only then can such evidence be presented with a high degree of reliability in medicolegal cases. The objective of the studies described is to develop an immunohematological and biochemical analysis for individual blood samples from human beings to resolve and define phenotypic components of the blood to the maximum extent in the smallest volume. The result of this work is expected to permit the objective characterization of individuals in terms of their own unique genetic constitution; it will permit comparison of individuals as to degrees of similarity or dissimilarity of their genetically determined blood protein composition.", "PMID": 784893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6705", "title": "Fatal consequences of local anesthesia: report of five cases and a review of the literature.", "content": "The possible hazards of local anesthetic agents in either moderate or large doses are not always fully appreciated. The toxic side effects following rapid systemic absorption may be the unsuspected cause of death following the clinical use of these substances. Data on 15 deaths after the administration of local anesthetic substances are summarized. Five case histories involving lidocaine (lignocaine, Xylocaine) and cocaine are presented in detail, including the results of toxicologic analysis. The literature relevant to similar fatalities is reviewed but contains little information relating to blood and tissue concentrations in fatal cases. It is hoped that this paper may assist in clarifying the cause of death in some previously problematic situations.", "contents": "Fatal consequences of local anesthesia: report of five cases and a review of the literature. The possible hazards of local anesthetic agents in either moderate or large doses are not always fully appreciated. The toxic side effects following rapid systemic absorption may be the unsuspected cause of death following the clinical use of these substances. Data on 15 deaths after the administration of local anesthetic substances are summarized. Five case histories involving lidocaine (lignocaine, Xylocaine) and cocaine are presented in detail, including the results of toxicologic analysis. The literature relevant to similar fatalities is reviewed but contains little information relating to blood and tissue concentrations in fatal cases. It is hoped that this paper may assist in clarifying the cause of death in some previously problematic situations.", "PMID": 784894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6706", "title": "DNA restriction and modification systems in Salmonella. SQ, a new system derived by recombination between the SB system of Salmonella typhimurium and the SP system of Salmonella potsdam.", "content": "As the result of P1-mediated cotransduction with serB from Salmonella potsdam to the Escherichia coli/Salmonella typhimurium hybird 4617, one recombinant, L4004, was isolated which had a restriction-modification (R--M) system different from the SB and SP systems of its parents, and was designated SQ. The genes of SQ were allelic to those of the SB system of S. typhimurium and were shown by complementation experiments to be functionally related to those of the K system of E. coli. Evidence that the SQ system in L4004 arose as the result of a recombination event within the hsdS genes of SB and SP is discussed.", "contents": "DNA restriction and modification systems in Salmonella. SQ, a new system derived by recombination between the SB system of Salmonella typhimurium and the SP system of Salmonella potsdam. As the result of P1-mediated cotransduction with serB from Salmonella potsdam to the Escherichia coli/Salmonella typhimurium hybird 4617, one recombinant, L4004, was isolated which had a restriction-modification (R--M) system different from the SB and SP systems of its parents, and was designated SQ. The genes of SQ were allelic to those of the SB system of S. typhimurium and were shown by complementation experiments to be functionally related to those of the K system of E. coli. Evidence that the SQ system in L4004 arose as the result of a recombination event within the hsdS genes of SB and SP is discussed.", "PMID": 784901} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6707", "title": "Numerical taxonomy of aquatic Acinetobacter isolates.", "content": "Two hundred and seventy Gram-negative strains, representing aquatic members of the genus acinetobacter, were isolated and compared with 48 related clinical isolates and reference strains from a variety of genera. For each isolate, a total of 96 coded characters derived from 89 characteristics was determined using morphological, physiological, nutritional and biochemical features, in addition to sensitivities to several antibiotics and inhibitory agents. The data were analysed by computer to obtain a simple matching coefficient for each pair of strains. Clustering was performed by the unweighted pair-group method of association. Two major phenons were formed which excluded the oxidase-positive, motile or facultatively anaerobic strains. Within each phenon, three 'subphenons' were delimited. The two phenons, comprising 291 isolates, were tentatively differentiated at the species level, while their shared characteristics indicated that both phenons should be included in the genus Acinetobacter. Phenon 2 contained most of the clinical isolates and corresponded to the type species Aci. calcoaceticus as described originally by Baumann, Doudoroff & Stanier (1968). Phenon 1 was composed almost entirely of aquatic isolates and may prove to represent a second species of a less biochemically-active nature. Distinguishing characters have been suggested as diagnostic criteria for the differentiation of these two phenons.", "contents": "Numerical taxonomy of aquatic Acinetobacter isolates. Two hundred and seventy Gram-negative strains, representing aquatic members of the genus acinetobacter, were isolated and compared with 48 related clinical isolates and reference strains from a variety of genera. For each isolate, a total of 96 coded characters derived from 89 characteristics was determined using morphological, physiological, nutritional and biochemical features, in addition to sensitivities to several antibiotics and inhibitory agents. The data were analysed by computer to obtain a simple matching coefficient for each pair of strains. Clustering was performed by the unweighted pair-group method of association. Two major phenons were formed which excluded the oxidase-positive, motile or facultatively anaerobic strains. Within each phenon, three 'subphenons' were delimited. The two phenons, comprising 291 isolates, were tentatively differentiated at the species level, while their shared characteristics indicated that both phenons should be included in the genus Acinetobacter. Phenon 2 contained most of the clinical isolates and corresponded to the type species Aci. calcoaceticus as described originally by Baumann, Doudoroff & Stanier (1968). Phenon 1 was composed almost entirely of aquatic isolates and may prove to represent a second species of a less biochemically-active nature. Distinguishing characters have been suggested as diagnostic criteria for the differentiation of these two phenons.", "PMID": 784905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6708", "title": "The apparent ATP requirement for nitrogen fixation in growing Klebsiella pneumoniae.", "content": "The apparent ATP requirement for N2 fixation in Klebsiella pneumoniae was high (the ATP/N2 molar ratio was 29 when estimated in anaerobic glucose-limited chemostat cultures) compared with that determined previously in Azotobacter chroococcum and in Clostridium pasteurianum. The high value was probably not due to unfavourable temperature, phosphate concentration or pH. The apparent ATP requirement for N2 fixation was probably no lower in 02-limited chemostat cultures than in anaerobic glucose-limited chemostat cultures. When hydrogen was introduced into the atmosphere over the anaerobic glucose-limited chemostate culture, there was an increase in the apparent ATP requirement for N2 fixation and in the activity of nitrogenase in intact organisms. A comparison of these increases suggests that some ATP is wasted by the ATP-dependent H2-evolving activity of nitrogenase.", "contents": "The apparent ATP requirement for nitrogen fixation in growing Klebsiella pneumoniae. The apparent ATP requirement for N2 fixation in Klebsiella pneumoniae was high (the ATP/N2 molar ratio was 29 when estimated in anaerobic glucose-limited chemostat cultures) compared with that determined previously in Azotobacter chroococcum and in Clostridium pasteurianum. The high value was probably not due to unfavourable temperature, phosphate concentration or pH. The apparent ATP requirement for N2 fixation was probably no lower in 02-limited chemostat cultures than in anaerobic glucose-limited chemostat cultures. When hydrogen was introduced into the atmosphere over the anaerobic glucose-limited chemostate culture, there was an increase in the apparent ATP requirement for N2 fixation and in the activity of nitrogenase in intact organisms. A comparison of these increases suggests that some ATP is wasted by the ATP-dependent H2-evolving activity of nitrogenase.", "PMID": 784906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6709", "title": "Changes in the cell surface of the dimorphic forms of Candida albicans by treatment with hydrolytic enzymes.", "content": "The release of acid phosphatase and polysaccharide-peptide complexes by hydrolytic enzymes from the surface of the blastospore and mycelial forms of Candida albicans has been examined in cells from 4 h and 18 h cultures and the results correlated with the appearance of the treated cells in the electron microscope. Treatment with dithiothreitol was necessary for the degradative action of the enzymes to occur. Material released by all the treatments used had a similar qualitative composition, but the proportions of mannan, glucan, peptide and acid phosphatase varied with different treatments and with the type of cell examined. I,3-beta-Glucanase was required for major changes in the cell wall to be effected, but a significant amount of material was released with a chitinase preparation containing some protease activity. Protoplasts were obtained from all types of cell using Cytophaga lytic enzyme L1 which had I,3-beta-glucanase and protease activity, but the purified I,3-beta-glucanase and protease prepared from Streptomyces violaceus cultures required the presence of a chitinase before protoplasts were released. The bonding association between the major components which comprise the cell wall, and the spatial distribution of these macromolecules, varies appreciably between the two dimorphic forms and with the age of the culture.", "contents": "Changes in the cell surface of the dimorphic forms of Candida albicans by treatment with hydrolytic enzymes. The release of acid phosphatase and polysaccharide-peptide complexes by hydrolytic enzymes from the surface of the blastospore and mycelial forms of Candida albicans has been examined in cells from 4 h and 18 h cultures and the results correlated with the appearance of the treated cells in the electron microscope. Treatment with dithiothreitol was necessary for the degradative action of the enzymes to occur. Material released by all the treatments used had a similar qualitative composition, but the proportions of mannan, glucan, peptide and acid phosphatase varied with different treatments and with the type of cell examined. I,3-beta-Glucanase was required for major changes in the cell wall to be effected, but a significant amount of material was released with a chitinase preparation containing some protease activity. Protoplasts were obtained from all types of cell using Cytophaga lytic enzyme L1 which had I,3-beta-glucanase and protease activity, but the purified I,3-beta-glucanase and protease prepared from Streptomyces violaceus cultures required the presence of a chitinase before protoplasts were released. The bonding association between the major components which comprise the cell wall, and the spatial distribution of these macromolecules, varies appreciably between the two dimorphic forms and with the age of the culture.", "PMID": 784907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6710", "title": "Issues at the clinical-research interface: placebo effect control groups.", "content": "At the clinical-research interface, controls are a significant issue in group therapy evaluation. The authors describe and analyze their unique experience with placebo effect control groups conducted prior to brief, group psychotherapy for married couples. Procedures are outlined and participant reactions noted. Solicited ratings and spontaneous comments provide assessment data. The evidence suggests the feasibility of placebo effect control groups in the context studied. Proposed methodological refinements and clinical implications may be useful for future research efforts.", "contents": "Issues at the clinical-research interface: placebo effect control groups. At the clinical-research interface, controls are a significant issue in group therapy evaluation. The authors describe and analyze their unique experience with placebo effect control groups conducted prior to brief, group psychotherapy for married couples. Procedures are outlined and participant reactions noted. Solicited ratings and spontaneous comments provide assessment data. The evidence suggests the feasibility of placebo effect control groups in the context studied. Proposed methodological refinements and clinical implications may be useful for future research efforts.", "PMID": 784908} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6711", "title": "Physiological and pathological changes in tissue monoamine oxidase activity.", "content": "This article explores the possibility that malfunction of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (E.C. 1.4.3.4., MAO) could lead to aberrations in the catabolism of biogenic amines in the central nervous system and give rise to certain mental abnormalities. No conclusive evidence could be presented to substantiate this. Data on the normal function of the enyzme (for example its existence in multiple forms, the control of MAO activity by hormones or the independent development of MAO activities towards different substrates during maturation) are reviewed.", "contents": "Physiological and pathological changes in tissue monoamine oxidase activity. This article explores the possibility that malfunction of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (E.C. 1.4.3.4., MAO) could lead to aberrations in the catabolism of biogenic amines in the central nervous system and give rise to certain mental abnormalities. No conclusive evidence could be presented to substantiate this. Data on the normal function of the enyzme (for example its existence in multiple forms, the control of MAO activity by hormones or the independent development of MAO activities towards different substrates during maturation) are reviewed.", "PMID": 784909} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6712", "title": "Medicine through untinted glasses. The 1976 Harvey Cushing oration.", "content": "The 1976 Cushing orator takes a critical look at federal medical programs today, and at the health desires and needs of the public. He outlines the possible future roles of federal and state government and of the medical profession itself.", "contents": "Medicine through untinted glasses. The 1976 Harvey Cushing oration. The 1976 Cushing orator takes a critical look at federal medical programs today, and at the health desires and needs of the public. He outlines the possible future roles of federal and state government and of the medical profession itself.", "PMID": 784915} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6713", "title": "Lung uptake of 99mTc-sulfur colloid in falciparum malaria: case report.", "content": "Increased lung uptake of 99mTc-sulfur colloid was seen during liver scanning in a patient with falciparum malaria. This finding was due to the enhanced activity of the phagocytic cells of the reticuloendothelial system in the liver, spleen, and lung found in human and experimental malaria. Similar findings in other clinical situations and the relevant literature are reviewed.", "contents": "Lung uptake of 99mTc-sulfur colloid in falciparum malaria: case report. Increased lung uptake of 99mTc-sulfur colloid was seen during liver scanning in a patient with falciparum malaria. This finding was due to the enhanced activity of the phagocytic cells of the reticuloendothelial system in the liver, spleen, and lung found in human and experimental malaria. Similar findings in other clinical situations and the relevant literature are reviewed.", "PMID": 784917} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6714", "title": "Effect of reductones on glyoxalase I1.", "content": "The effect of some reductones on glyoxalase I prepared from animal and microbial origins has been studied. The enzyme was extracted from ox liver or baker's yeast and partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. Aliphatic reductones such as ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid 3-phosphate and triose reductone showed strong to medium inhibition, while dehydroascorbic acid showed no inhibition. Kinetic analysis indicated that the inhibition mechanism of ascorbic acid was uncompetitive. Varying extents of inhibition were observed among three kinds of diphenols belonging to aromatic reductones. They were in the order of increasing inhibitory power resorcinol, hydroquinone and catechol for the ox liver enzyme, and catechol, resorcinol and hydroquinone for the yeast enzyme. p-Benzoquinone, an oxidized reductone, exhibited marked inhibition on both enzymes. Its action seemed due to reaction with amino and/or sulfhydryl functions of enzyme protein and those of glutathione, one of the substrates.", "contents": "Effect of reductones on glyoxalase I1. The effect of some reductones on glyoxalase I prepared from animal and microbial origins has been studied. The enzyme was extracted from ox liver or baker's yeast and partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. Aliphatic reductones such as ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid 3-phosphate and triose reductone showed strong to medium inhibition, while dehydroascorbic acid showed no inhibition. Kinetic analysis indicated that the inhibition mechanism of ascorbic acid was uncompetitive. Varying extents of inhibition were observed among three kinds of diphenols belonging to aromatic reductones. They were in the order of increasing inhibitory power resorcinol, hydroquinone and catechol for the ox liver enzyme, and catechol, resorcinol and hydroquinone for the yeast enzyme. p-Benzoquinone, an oxidized reductone, exhibited marked inhibition on both enzymes. Its action seemed due to reaction with amino and/or sulfhydryl functions of enzyme protein and those of glutathione, one of the substrates.", "PMID": 784919} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6715", "title": "Studies on biological functions of 5'-methylthioadenosine vitamin B12-replacing effect for Ochromonas malhamensis.", "content": "An unidentified factor which can completely replace the vitamin B12 requirement of a protozoan, Ochromonas malhamensis, was found in commercial yeast extract powder. The factor showed a positive sugar test with orcinol reagent. The presence of sulfur was demonstrated with platinic iodide reagent. The molecular weight, 297, and the chemical formula, C11H15O3N5S, were determined by mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Infra-red and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated the presence of a thiomethyl group. The factor was hydrolyzed by treatment with acid into adenine and 5-methylthioribose, i.e., the sugar constituent of 5'-methylthioadenosine. The factor was identified as 5'-methylthioadenosine from the behavior exhibited in thin-layer chromatography and from microbiological tests for its vitamin B12-replacing effect.", "contents": "Studies on biological functions of 5'-methylthioadenosine vitamin B12-replacing effect for Ochromonas malhamensis. An unidentified factor which can completely replace the vitamin B12 requirement of a protozoan, Ochromonas malhamensis, was found in commercial yeast extract powder. The factor showed a positive sugar test with orcinol reagent. The presence of sulfur was demonstrated with platinic iodide reagent. The molecular weight, 297, and the chemical formula, C11H15O3N5S, were determined by mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Infra-red and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated the presence of a thiomethyl group. The factor was hydrolyzed by treatment with acid into adenine and 5-methylthioribose, i.e., the sugar constituent of 5'-methylthioadenosine. The factor was identified as 5'-methylthioadenosine from the behavior exhibited in thin-layer chromatography and from microbiological tests for its vitamin B12-replacing effect.", "PMID": 784920} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6716", "title": "Etching of enamel prior to application of fissure sealants.", "content": "Acid etching has been shown to be necessary to increase the bond strength of the polymeric fissure sealants Epoxylite 9075 and Nuva Seal to enamel. For Nuva Seal or Epoxylite 9075 it would appear that it does not matter which concentration between the concentration levels of 30 and 70% is used.", "contents": "Etching of enamel prior to application of fissure sealants. Acid etching has been shown to be necessary to increase the bond strength of the polymeric fissure sealants Epoxylite 9075 and Nuva Seal to enamel. For Nuva Seal or Epoxylite 9075 it would appear that it does not matter which concentration between the concentration levels of 30 and 70% is used.", "PMID": 784921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6717", "title": "A biochemical profile of glass-adherent cell populations containing multinucleated foreign body giant cells.", "content": "Some biochemical characteristics of peritoneal macrophages, subcutaneous macrophages and subcutaneous cell populations containing multinucleate giant cells were compared. Subcutaneous macrophages possessed higher concentrations of succinate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, aryl hydroxylase, free RNase II, lecithin and free fatty acids than peritoneal macrophages, while the latter had higher concentrations of 5' -nucleotidase esterified cholesterol. These differences may be due to environmental variations depending on their anatomical position or more likely to their degree of activation. As significant numbers of multinucleate giant cells appear in the subcutaneous population the concentration aryl hydroxylase, 5' -nucleotidase lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, free ribonuclease II and esterified cholesterol falls. The concentration of succinate dehydrogenase decreases but then rises while the concentration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase increases. These highlight the differences between cell populations containing multinucleated giant cells and those composed from their precursor mononuclear phagocytes only.", "contents": "A biochemical profile of glass-adherent cell populations containing multinucleated foreign body giant cells. Some biochemical characteristics of peritoneal macrophages, subcutaneous macrophages and subcutaneous cell populations containing multinucleate giant cells were compared. Subcutaneous macrophages possessed higher concentrations of succinate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, aryl hydroxylase, free RNase II, lecithin and free fatty acids than peritoneal macrophages, while the latter had higher concentrations of 5' -nucleotidase esterified cholesterol. These differences may be due to environmental variations depending on their anatomical position or more likely to their degree of activation. As significant numbers of multinucleate giant cells appear in the subcutaneous population the concentration aryl hydroxylase, 5' -nucleotidase lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, free ribonuclease II and esterified cholesterol falls. The concentration of succinate dehydrogenase decreases but then rises while the concentration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase increases. These highlight the differences between cell populations containing multinucleated giant cells and those composed from their precursor mononuclear phagocytes only.", "PMID": 784924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6718", "title": "Gentamicin and albumin-bilirubin binding. An in vivo study.", "content": "Ten newborn infants were given gentamicin intramuscularly. Over a postinjection interval of 12 hours, no significant change occurred in the total binding capacity of serum albumin for bilirubin or in concentrations of serum bilirubin levels. There was no correlation between concentrations of serum gentamicin and the total binding capacity or serum bilirubin. This study provides in vivo data that supports recent in vitro experiments showing that gentamicin does not alter bilirubin-albumin binding.", "contents": "Gentamicin and albumin-bilirubin binding. An in vivo study. Ten newborn infants were given gentamicin intramuscularly. Over a postinjection interval of 12 hours, no significant change occurred in the total binding capacity of serum albumin for bilirubin or in concentrations of serum bilirubin levels. There was no correlation between concentrations of serum gentamicin and the total binding capacity or serum bilirubin. This study provides in vivo data that supports recent in vitro experiments showing that gentamicin does not alter bilirubin-albumin binding.", "PMID": 784927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6719", "title": "Bacitracin differentiation for presumptive identification of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci: comparison of primary and purified plate testing.", "content": "The detection of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci by bacitracin susceptibility was examined, with the presumptive identification on primary blood agar plates compared with that on pure subcultured plates. A total of 638 group A streptococcus isolates was recovered from 4,632 throat swab specimens. Only about half of these isolates were identifiable on the primary plate, compared with 96% identifiable on pure subcultured plates. The unreliable results with bacitracin disk testing on primary plates were due to (1) too few colonies present in the vicinity of the disk or (2) colonies overgrown by oropharyngeal flora.", "contents": "Bacitracin differentiation for presumptive identification of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci: comparison of primary and purified plate testing. The detection of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci by bacitracin susceptibility was examined, with the presumptive identification on primary blood agar plates compared with that on pure subcultured plates. A total of 638 group A streptococcus isolates was recovered from 4,632 throat swab specimens. Only about half of these isolates were identifiable on the primary plate, compared with 96% identifiable on pure subcultured plates. The unreliable results with bacitracin disk testing on primary plates were due to (1) too few colonies present in the vicinity of the disk or (2) colonies overgrown by oropharyngeal flora.", "PMID": 784929} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6720", "title": "Successful retransplantation of bone marrow following failure of initial engraftment in a patient with aplastic anemia.", "content": "Histobompatible sibling bone marrow was transplanted to a patient withsevere aplastic anemia. The first transplant failed, but a second transplantfrom the same donor was successfully performed with a new and more potentimmunosuppressive regimen. Successful retransplantation after marrow graftrejection is now possible.", "contents": "Successful retransplantation of bone marrow following failure of initial engraftment in a patient with aplastic anemia. Histobompatible sibling bone marrow was transplanted to a patient withsevere aplastic anemia. The first transplant failed, but a second transplantfrom the same donor was successfully performed with a new and more potentimmunosuppressive regimen. Successful retransplantation after marrow graftrejection is now possible.", "PMID": 784930} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6721", "title": "Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn infant.", "content": "Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn infant can be difficult to distinguish from other cardiopulmonary causes of cyanosis during the newborn period. Infants with PPHN have cyanosis, tachypnea, acidemia, normal pulmonary parenchymal markings on the chest radiography, and anatomically normal hearts. We have identified and treated 11 infants and have noted several signs and symptoms not previously emphasized. These are cineangiocardiographic evidence of atrioventricular valve insufficiency in association with systolic murmurs and slow ventricular emptying, apnea, hypocalcemia, only a small rise in abdominal aortic blood oxygen tension during breathing of 100% oxygen, and no response to continuous positive airway pressure. Right-to-left shunting through the patent ductus arteriosus was documented in nine infants: in all six of those in whom simultaneous temporal and abdominal aortic blood oxygen tension measurements were made; in three by means of cardiac catheterization. Ten infants survived after variable courses and treatments which makes it difficult to ascribe improvement to any one therapy. The distinct increase in blood oxygen tension with tolazoline HCl and curare in some instances is discussed.", "contents": "Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn infant. Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn infant can be difficult to distinguish from other cardiopulmonary causes of cyanosis during the newborn period. Infants with PPHN have cyanosis, tachypnea, acidemia, normal pulmonary parenchymal markings on the chest radiography, and anatomically normal hearts. We have identified and treated 11 infants and have noted several signs and symptoms not previously emphasized. These are cineangiocardiographic evidence of atrioventricular valve insufficiency in association with systolic murmurs and slow ventricular emptying, apnea, hypocalcemia, only a small rise in abdominal aortic blood oxygen tension during breathing of 100% oxygen, and no response to continuous positive airway pressure. Right-to-left shunting through the patent ductus arteriosus was documented in nine infants: in all six of those in whom simultaneous temporal and abdominal aortic blood oxygen tension measurements were made; in three by means of cardiac catheterization. Ten infants survived after variable courses and treatments which makes it difficult to ascribe improvement to any one therapy. The distinct increase in blood oxygen tension with tolazoline HCl and curare in some instances is discussed.", "PMID": 784932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6722", "title": "Rorschach records of the Nazi war criminals: an experimental study after thirty years.", "content": "The Rorschach records of 17 Nazi war criminals (administered in 1946 by Kelley and Gilbert) were subjected to an experimental procedure wherein eight Nazi records and eight controls (matched for levels of mental health potential) were assessed blind by ten Rorschach experts. Multiple choice options allowed for classification on the basis of group characteristics or degree of potential. Nazi records were not identified as such; selection related to the cross-section of adjustment or inadequacy as reflected in both Nazi and control groups.", "contents": "Rorschach records of the Nazi war criminals: an experimental study after thirty years. The Rorschach records of 17 Nazi war criminals (administered in 1946 by Kelley and Gilbert) were subjected to an experimental procedure wherein eight Nazi records and eight controls (matched for levels of mental health potential) were assessed blind by ten Rorschach experts. Multiple choice options allowed for classification on the basis of group characteristics or degree of potential. Nazi records were not identified as such; selection related to the cross-section of adjustment or inadequacy as reflected in both Nazi and control groups.", "PMID": 784937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6723", "title": "The facade compulsive: a diagnostic formulation derived from projective testing.", "content": "A psychological \"type\" characterized by repetitive and compulsive action tendencies but not by obsessive thoughts was delineated. It was shown how this syndrome could be identified through differential inter-test patterning on projective techniques. The possibility of improving psychodiagnostic accuracy by stipulating expected configurations among tests in a battery was noted.", "contents": "The facade compulsive: a diagnostic formulation derived from projective testing. A psychological \"type\" characterized by repetitive and compulsive action tendencies but not by obsessive thoughts was delineated. It was shown how this syndrome could be identified through differential inter-test patterning on projective techniques. The possibility of improving psychodiagnostic accuracy by stipulating expected configurations among tests in a battery was noted.", "PMID": 784938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6724", "title": "Figure drawing as an expression of self-esteem.", "content": "Figure drawings were obtained from 97 preadolescent males who differed in self and behavioral assessments of self-esteem. These subjects had been selected from a much larger sample and represented five different types of self-esteem. The figure drawings were scored for 15 variables, dealing with formal characteristics, content, and global-interpretations of the total drawings. Five significant differences were obtained, with the content and global-interpretative categories proving more differentiating between self-esteem groups than did the formal characteristics. Behavioral expressions of self-esteem were more associated with figure drawing characteristics than were subjective evaluations. Discussion focuses on the nature of self-concept and self-esteem in children as a sensorimotor rather than symbolic expression.", "contents": "Figure drawing as an expression of self-esteem. Figure drawings were obtained from 97 preadolescent males who differed in self and behavioral assessments of self-esteem. These subjects had been selected from a much larger sample and represented five different types of self-esteem. The figure drawings were scored for 15 variables, dealing with formal characteristics, content, and global-interpretations of the total drawings. Five significant differences were obtained, with the content and global-interpretative categories proving more differentiating between self-esteem groups than did the formal characteristics. Behavioral expressions of self-esteem were more associated with figure drawing characteristics than were subjective evaluations. Discussion focuses on the nature of self-concept and self-esteem in children as a sensorimotor rather than symbolic expression.", "PMID": 784939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6725", "title": "First-drawn pictures: a cross-cultural investigation.", "content": "Fifty Jordanian male and female students at the University of Jordan, Jordan were asked to draw a person. A significantly larger number of women than men drew a picture of the opposite-sex first. This appears in line with Craddick's finding for American college students. The frequency of drawing opposite-sex pictures first as a phenomenon characteristic of Jordanian and American female college students was discussed in terms of sociocultural factors and considered in the sex-role frame of reference. Suggestions for future research were presented.", "contents": "First-drawn pictures: a cross-cultural investigation. Fifty Jordanian male and female students at the University of Jordan, Jordan were asked to draw a person. A significantly larger number of women than men drew a picture of the opposite-sex first. This appears in line with Craddick's finding for American college students. The frequency of drawing opposite-sex pictures first as a phenomenon characteristic of Jordanian and American female college students was discussed in terms of sociocultural factors and considered in the sex-role frame of reference. Suggestions for future research were presented.", "PMID": 784940} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6726", "title": "Predicting clinical judgment for a primary grade apperception battery.", "content": "A six-card Primary Grade Apperception Battery (three cards from the CAT and three from the SAM) was administered to one group of first grade children on a 4 month test-retest schedule and to a new group of first graders 1 year later. Two clinical psychologists read the protocols and made clinical judgments regarding home and school adjustment on a four-point scale. An initial regression formula to predict clinical judgment from objective apperception score data was derived. The formula was validated on the retest data and the new sample. The results indicate the derived apperception score reliably predicted clinical judgment. In general, the results also suggest the six card apperception battery may be a useful screening test for school and home adjustment for first and second grade children.", "contents": "Predicting clinical judgment for a primary grade apperception battery. A six-card Primary Grade Apperception Battery (three cards from the CAT and three from the SAM) was administered to one group of first grade children on a 4 month test-retest schedule and to a new group of first graders 1 year later. Two clinical psychologists read the protocols and made clinical judgments regarding home and school adjustment on a four-point scale. An initial regression formula to predict clinical judgment from objective apperception score data was derived. The formula was validated on the retest data and the new sample. The results indicate the derived apperception score reliably predicted clinical judgment. In general, the results also suggest the six card apperception battery may be a useful screening test for school and home adjustment for first and second grade children.", "PMID": 784941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6727", "title": "Relationships among measures of managerial personality traits.", "content": "Comparisons were made to determine the degree of convergence among three measures associated with leadership success in large, hierarchic organizations in the business sector: the Miner Sentence Completion Scale; the Ghiselli Self-Description Inventory; and the F-Scale, Correlational analyses and comparisons between means were made using college students and business manager samples. The results indicated considerable convergence for the first two measures, but not for the F-Scale. The F-Scale was related to the Miner Sentence Completion Scale in the student group, but relationships were nonexistent among the managers. Analyses of the individual F-Scale items which produced the relationship among the students suggested that early family-related experiences and attitudes may contribute to the development of motivation to manage, but lose their relevance for it later, under the onslaught of actual managerial experience.", "contents": "Relationships among measures of managerial personality traits. Comparisons were made to determine the degree of convergence among three measures associated with leadership success in large, hierarchic organizations in the business sector: the Miner Sentence Completion Scale; the Ghiselli Self-Description Inventory; and the F-Scale, Correlational analyses and comparisons between means were made using college students and business manager samples. The results indicated considerable convergence for the first two measures, but not for the F-Scale. The F-Scale was related to the Miner Sentence Completion Scale in the student group, but relationships were nonexistent among the managers. Analyses of the individual F-Scale items which produced the relationship among the students suggested that early family-related experiences and attitudes may contribute to the development of motivation to manage, but lose their relevance for it later, under the onslaught of actual managerial experience.", "PMID": 784942} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6728", "title": "Sociopathy, self-actualization, and time.", "content": "Male sociopaths (n = 15), and self-actualizers (n = 15) ages 18-30, were compared on 18 measures of temporal behavior obtained from estimation, projective, and questionnaire techniques. Subjects differed significantly on half of these measures including time accuracy, delay, dominance, relatedness, and evaluation of the various time modes. Results are discussed in terms of theoretical notions of time, positive levels of coping, and therapeutic modifications of time-linked behavior.", "contents": "Sociopathy, self-actualization, and time. Male sociopaths (n = 15), and self-actualizers (n = 15) ages 18-30, were compared on 18 measures of temporal behavior obtained from estimation, projective, and questionnaire techniques. Subjects differed significantly on half of these measures including time accuracy, delay, dominance, relatedness, and evaluation of the various time modes. Results are discussed in terms of theoretical notions of time, positive levels of coping, and therapeutic modifications of time-linked behavior.", "PMID": 784943} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6729", "title": "[Activity of the expiratory laryngeal motor neurons].", "content": "The activity of the whole recurrent nerve branch to expiratory laryngeal muscles, along with unitary activity of fibres from this branch were studied in cats. Conduction velocities of fibres ranged between 19.5-93 m/s. We used two types of preparations: low \"encephale isole \" (at C7 level) cats with concomitant light Dial anesthesia or without any anesthesia, or cats deeply anesthetized with Dial or chloralose-urethane. The vagus nerves were preserved. Under normocapnic conditions, the delay of recruitment (i.e. the lag between the interruption of phrenic nerve activity and the start of unitary expiratory recurrent nerve activity) increases as the residual phrenic nerve activity increases; in fact, the delay is nearly zero with unanesthetized or lightly anesthetized preparations (small residual phrenic activity), but can extend up to 800 ms with deeply anesthetized preparations (large and long-lasting residual activity) (fig. 4). Recurrent nerve units show a maximum firing rate at the beginning of a discharge; the rate then decreases (fig. 5). The maximum frequency is strongly reduced when residual phrenic activity is present (fig. 7). The discharge duration does not reach the expiratory pause duration. Rapidly conducting fibres are the firs ones to cease activity (fig. 5)...", "contents": "[Activity of the expiratory laryngeal motor neurons]. The activity of the whole recurrent nerve branch to expiratory laryngeal muscles, along with unitary activity of fibres from this branch were studied in cats. Conduction velocities of fibres ranged between 19.5-93 m/s. We used two types of preparations: low \"encephale isole \" (at C7 level) cats with concomitant light Dial anesthesia or without any anesthesia, or cats deeply anesthetized with Dial or chloralose-urethane. The vagus nerves were preserved. Under normocapnic conditions, the delay of recruitment (i.e. the lag between the interruption of phrenic nerve activity and the start of unitary expiratory recurrent nerve activity) increases as the residual phrenic nerve activity increases; in fact, the delay is nearly zero with unanesthetized or lightly anesthetized preparations (small residual phrenic activity), but can extend up to 800 ms with deeply anesthetized preparations (large and long-lasting residual activity) (fig. 4). Recurrent nerve units show a maximum firing rate at the beginning of a discharge; the rate then decreases (fig. 5). The maximum frequency is strongly reduced when residual phrenic activity is present (fig. 7). The discharge duration does not reach the expiratory pause duration. Rapidly conducting fibres are the firs ones to cease activity (fig. 5)...", "PMID": 784949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6730", "title": "Removable partial overdentures.", "content": "A technique for applying the overdenture concept to removable partial denture construction has been presented. Endodontically treated abutments are prepared with cast gold posts and copings over which removable partial dentures with conventional components are fabricated. No special materials or complicated laboratory techniques are required, and the maintenance and repair problems of precision attachments are avoided. A variety of potential uses and advantages of the technique are discussed.", "contents": "Removable partial overdentures. A technique for applying the overdenture concept to removable partial denture construction has been presented. Endodontically treated abutments are prepared with cast gold posts and copings over which removable partial dentures with conventional components are fabricated. No special materials or complicated laboratory techniques are required, and the maintenance and repair problems of precision attachments are avoided. A variety of potential uses and advantages of the technique are discussed.", "PMID": 784953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6731", "title": "The influence of fixed splints on mandibular flexure.", "content": "The degree of mandibular flexure during forced opening of the jaws with various fixed splints in place was measured. Significant results indicate that: (1) all splints tested reduce the amount of mandibular flexure; (2) the reduction of measured mandibular flexure cannot be explained solely by tooth movement, rather it is indicative of a limitation of bony flexure by fixed splints; (3) extensive mandibular splints flex during forced opening; and (4) fixed prostheses involving many teeth do not completely inhibit mandibular flexure. Inhibition of mandibular flexure apparently increases as more teeth are splinted and more rigid attachments are used.", "contents": "The influence of fixed splints on mandibular flexure. The degree of mandibular flexure during forced opening of the jaws with various fixed splints in place was measured. Significant results indicate that: (1) all splints tested reduce the amount of mandibular flexure; (2) the reduction of measured mandibular flexure cannot be explained solely by tooth movement, rather it is indicative of a limitation of bony flexure by fixed splints; (3) extensive mandibular splints flex during forced opening; and (4) fixed prostheses involving many teeth do not completely inhibit mandibular flexure. Inhibition of mandibular flexure apparently increases as more teeth are splinted and more rigid attachments are used.", "PMID": 784954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6732", "title": "An analysis of mesial rest-I-bar clasp designs.", "content": "The mesial rest-I-bar concept is the most important contribution to clasp partial denture design in the last 30 to 40 years. When used with discernment in situations where it is not contraindicated, it constitutes an excellent design for extension-base removable partial dentures. It has become the design of choice for an increasing number of dentists. Use of the three elements that make up the clasp assembly does not necessarily insure that the clasp will function as intended. There are situations for which it should not be used. Unless adequately adjusted after framework construction as well as during the maintenance program, the beneficial effects may be more imaginary than actual. Strict adherence to the mesial position for the rest is not rational for toothsupported dentures and may be questioned for some extension-base prostheses. I-bars have several advantages as direct retainers. However, no single type of retainer is applicable for all retentive situations, and other types should be selected where conditions are unfavorable for I-bar use. A framework which permits a slight amount of movement toward the edentulous residual ridge is an important consideration in design of extension-base removable partial dentures, particularly for those of the mandibular arch. However, compromise of this principle is sometimes necessary to satisfy other design requirements. Design of the framework is only one of the factors that contribute to a successful removable partial denture. Of at least equal importance is the adequacy of support provided by the denture base and the nature of the occlusion. If meticulous attention is directed to these two factors, the forces transmitted to the teeth through the framework can be kept to a minimum and within physiologic tolerance. Conversely, neglect of these considerations may cause a framework of any design to become destructive.", "contents": "An analysis of mesial rest-I-bar clasp designs. The mesial rest-I-bar concept is the most important contribution to clasp partial denture design in the last 30 to 40 years. When used with discernment in situations where it is not contraindicated, it constitutes an excellent design for extension-base removable partial dentures. It has become the design of choice for an increasing number of dentists. Use of the three elements that make up the clasp assembly does not necessarily insure that the clasp will function as intended. There are situations for which it should not be used. Unless adequately adjusted after framework construction as well as during the maintenance program, the beneficial effects may be more imaginary than actual. Strict adherence to the mesial position for the rest is not rational for toothsupported dentures and may be questioned for some extension-base prostheses. I-bars have several advantages as direct retainers. However, no single type of retainer is applicable for all retentive situations, and other types should be selected where conditions are unfavorable for I-bar use. A framework which permits a slight amount of movement toward the edentulous residual ridge is an important consideration in design of extension-base removable partial dentures, particularly for those of the mandibular arch. However, compromise of this principle is sometimes necessary to satisfy other design requirements. Design of the framework is only one of the factors that contribute to a successful removable partial denture. Of at least equal importance is the adequacy of support provided by the denture base and the nature of the occlusion. If meticulous attention is directed to these two factors, the forces transmitted to the teeth through the framework can be kept to a minimum and within physiologic tolerance. Conversely, neglect of these considerations may cause a framework of any design to become destructive.", "PMID": 784957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6733", "title": "Observations on cavity liners for composite resin restorations.", "content": "Adhesion or surface roughness and discoloration at the interface between pulpinsulating materials and composite resins were taken as indications for interaction between the resins and the insulating materials. Some interaction occurred between all insulating materials and resins investigated. After separation of the restorative resins, the interaction of Dycal with the different composite resins varied considerably and decreased in the following sequence: Opotow, Natural, and Adaptic. The interactions of ZOE with Natural and with Adaptic were similar and more pronounced than the interaction at the Adaptic-Dycal interface but less pronounced than at the Dycal-Natural interface. A very thin film of Tubulitec was found to adhere to the composite resins in some areas. The adherence of liners containing calcium hydroxide to dentin was found to be generally stronger than the bond between these liners and composite resins. Separation of the composite resins caused tears in the varnishes and frequently in Hydroxyline. Almost completely intact layers of the varnish Copalite were observed on dentin, but Zahnlack apparently dissolved to a great extent in the resins. Among the liners containing calcium hydroxide, Dycal and Tubulitec were found to give rise to a high pH in samples of saliva, but Hydroxyline did not. Porosity and a folded surface were observed for Hydroxyline, indicating the entrapment of the solvent beneath a dry superficial layer.", "contents": "Observations on cavity liners for composite resin restorations. Adhesion or surface roughness and discoloration at the interface between pulpinsulating materials and composite resins were taken as indications for interaction between the resins and the insulating materials. Some interaction occurred between all insulating materials and resins investigated. After separation of the restorative resins, the interaction of Dycal with the different composite resins varied considerably and decreased in the following sequence: Opotow, Natural, and Adaptic. The interactions of ZOE with Natural and with Adaptic were similar and more pronounced than the interaction at the Adaptic-Dycal interface but less pronounced than at the Dycal-Natural interface. A very thin film of Tubulitec was found to adhere to the composite resins in some areas. The adherence of liners containing calcium hydroxide to dentin was found to be generally stronger than the bond between these liners and composite resins. Separation of the composite resins caused tears in the varnishes and frequently in Hydroxyline. Almost completely intact layers of the varnish Copalite were observed on dentin, but Zahnlack apparently dissolved to a great extent in the resins. Among the liners containing calcium hydroxide, Dycal and Tubulitec were found to give rise to a high pH in samples of saliva, but Hydroxyline did not. Porosity and a folded surface were observed for Hydroxyline, indicating the entrapment of the solvent beneath a dry superficial layer.", "PMID": 784958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6734", "title": "The bonding properties of elastomer tray adhesives.", "content": "1. The surface yielded by the acrylic resin formed against tinfoil provided better retention for the rubber base than any other surface tested. 2. Wax consistently gave the worst results in spite of careful boiling out. 3. The use of wax or asbestos spacers would not degrade the resin surface if tinfoil, or presumably the more easily obtainable aluminum foil, were used as a separating medium. 4. For drying times of between 15 minutes and 72 hours, no significant change was found in bond strength of elastomer to tray material. 5. Drying times of less than 15 minutes were found to be inadequate and to decrease bond strength; they are clinically inadvisable. 6. If, as a result of unavoidable delay, a tray is painted and then left for a number of days prior to making the impression, satisfactory bonding will still occur. However, if the dentist wishes to apply a second coat and dry it for 15 minutes, an increase in bond strength is likely to occur. 7. In the six systems tested, failure occurred at varied levels, from a low of 20 p.s.i. to a high of 80 p.s.i. 8. In the silicone and polyether systems, cohesive failure of the elastomer occurred before the adhesive bond between elastomer and tray failed. This finding correlates with the clinical observation that silicones and polyethers are more difficult to remove completely from acrylic resin trays when an impression has to be repeated.", "contents": "The bonding properties of elastomer tray adhesives. 1. The surface yielded by the acrylic resin formed against tinfoil provided better retention for the rubber base than any other surface tested. 2. Wax consistently gave the worst results in spite of careful boiling out. 3. The use of wax or asbestos spacers would not degrade the resin surface if tinfoil, or presumably the more easily obtainable aluminum foil, were used as a separating medium. 4. For drying times of between 15 minutes and 72 hours, no significant change was found in bond strength of elastomer to tray material. 5. Drying times of less than 15 minutes were found to be inadequate and to decrease bond strength; they are clinically inadvisable. 6. If, as a result of unavoidable delay, a tray is painted and then left for a number of days prior to making the impression, satisfactory bonding will still occur. However, if the dentist wishes to apply a second coat and dry it for 15 minutes, an increase in bond strength is likely to occur. 7. In the six systems tested, failure occurred at varied levels, from a low of 20 p.s.i. to a high of 80 p.s.i. 8. In the silicone and polyether systems, cohesive failure of the elastomer occurred before the adhesive bond between elastomer and tray failed. This finding correlates with the clinical observation that silicones and polyethers are more difficult to remove completely from acrylic resin trays when an impression has to be repeated.", "PMID": 784960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6735", "title": "Comparative stability of two removable die systems.", "content": "The comparative stability of two removable die systems was evaluated. Under controlled conditions, ten casts, each with two removable dies, were constructed for each system for a total of 20 casts and 40 removable dies. Base-line pre- and postsectioning measurements to within 0.0001 inch in horizontal and vertical planes were recorded and differences calculated. Each die was removed and re-placed 30 times prior to any postsectioning measurement. The results indicated small inconsistent horizontal deviations and consistent vertical deviations for both systems. The Pindex system deviations were slightly less than those of the Di-Lok system, although t test values preclude any conclusion of significance. The results of this investigation indicate the need for dentists and dental laboratory technicians to exercise care in the utilization of any removable die system so as to obtain optimum accuracy and stability in the relationships of the components of that system.", "contents": "Comparative stability of two removable die systems. The comparative stability of two removable die systems was evaluated. Under controlled conditions, ten casts, each with two removable dies, were constructed for each system for a total of 20 casts and 40 removable dies. Base-line pre- and postsectioning measurements to within 0.0001 inch in horizontal and vertical planes were recorded and differences calculated. Each die was removed and re-placed 30 times prior to any postsectioning measurement. The results indicated small inconsistent horizontal deviations and consistent vertical deviations for both systems. The Pindex system deviations were slightly less than those of the Di-Lok system, although t test values preclude any conclusion of significance. The results of this investigation indicate the need for dentists and dental laboratory technicians to exercise care in the utilization of any removable die system so as to obtain optimum accuracy and stability in the relationships of the components of that system.", "PMID": 784961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6736", "title": "An individualized impression tray utilizing the patient's existing denture.", "content": "This technique utilizes patients' existing dentures to construct individualized impression trays. Some of the advantages are: (1) the trays are made within 30 minutes; (2) final impressions may be made at the first appointment; (3)it is an inexpensive and uncomplicated laboratory procedure readily taught to dental auxiliaries. (4) chair time is better utilized by both the dentist and patient.", "contents": "An individualized impression tray utilizing the patient's existing denture. This technique utilizes patients' existing dentures to construct individualized impression trays. Some of the advantages are: (1) the trays are made within 30 minutes; (2) final impressions may be made at the first appointment; (3)it is an inexpensive and uncomplicated laboratory procedure readily taught to dental auxiliaries. (4) chair time is better utilized by both the dentist and patient.", "PMID": 784962} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6737", "title": "The nature of information used in making clinical decisions in general practice.", "content": "This preliminary study indicates that in general practice:(1) Acquisition of appropriate clinical information is more often than not dependent on prior information of a highly selected kind available economically only to a personal doctor.(2) The amount of previous information which could be stored outside the brains of a personal doctor and his patient is relatively enormous and almost unlimited.(3) But, the amount of this externally stored previous information which will ever be used, referred to, or be clinically useful is minimal.(4) Logic branching systems for obtaining this essential clinical information for each episode are of two kinds. There is first the system which is universally appropriate to all patients and all diseases as a whole, a field in which the computer is becoming pre-eminent, but which also has its limitations. Secondly there is the highly personalised system, constituted by the clinical dialogue of the patient and his personal doctor, the structure of which, at present, defies any simplification and which we abandon at our peril.(5) Continuing care by group-practice teams operating under one roof eliminates the need for fragmentation of primary clinical records.(6) A simple up-dated manually-prepared paper summary of clinical problems encountered and therapeutic activity taken, may well be the essential core of this shared record. This would be backed up by the ad hoc clinical records of each health care professional as accessible, second level archives, conforming to some simple, systematic and universally accepted structure (Bjorn and Cross, 1970).It would be of great interest to know whether or not the same conclusions would be drawn from a similar study of the selected clinical problems which are dealt with by the hospital-based specialist services.", "contents": "The nature of information used in making clinical decisions in general practice. This preliminary study indicates that in general practice:(1) Acquisition of appropriate clinical information is more often than not dependent on prior information of a highly selected kind available economically only to a personal doctor.(2) The amount of previous information which could be stored outside the brains of a personal doctor and his patient is relatively enormous and almost unlimited.(3) But, the amount of this externally stored previous information which will ever be used, referred to, or be clinically useful is minimal.(4) Logic branching systems for obtaining this essential clinical information for each episode are of two kinds. There is first the system which is universally appropriate to all patients and all diseases as a whole, a field in which the computer is becoming pre-eminent, but which also has its limitations. Secondly there is the highly personalised system, constituted by the clinical dialogue of the patient and his personal doctor, the structure of which, at present, defies any simplification and which we abandon at our peril.(5) Continuing care by group-practice teams operating under one roof eliminates the need for fragmentation of primary clinical records.(6) A simple up-dated manually-prepared paper summary of clinical problems encountered and therapeutic activity taken, may well be the essential core of this shared record. This would be backed up by the ad hoc clinical records of each health care professional as accessible, second level archives, conforming to some simple, systematic and universally accepted structure (Bjorn and Cross, 1970).It would be of great interest to know whether or not the same conclusions would be drawn from a similar study of the selected clinical problems which are dealt with by the hospital-based specialist services.", "PMID": 784992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6738", "title": "[Esophageal atresia, brachio-cephalic arterial trunk and tracheomalacia (author's transl)].", "content": "The case of 6 children operated for type III esophageal atresia with re-establishment of continuity is reported owing to the association with anterior tracheal compression by the brachio-cephalic arterial trunk. In the 5 cases, control radiography after the intervention showed a tracheotomy opposite the superior esophageal pouch and sometimes a notch in the anterior trachea. In all of the cases, endoscopy confirmed the presence of compression of the anterior aspect of the trachea by the brachio-cephalic arterial trunk. In 2 cases, esophageal transit was normal, the signs of tracheal compression disappeared after section-reimplantation of the brachio-cephalic trunk. In the other cases esophageal complications existed: stenosis, choking during swallowing, reflux. The surgical treatment of these complications led to the disappearance of the respiratory disorders.", "contents": "[Esophageal atresia, brachio-cephalic arterial trunk and tracheomalacia (author's transl)]. The case of 6 children operated for type III esophageal atresia with re-establishment of continuity is reported owing to the association with anterior tracheal compression by the brachio-cephalic arterial trunk. In the 5 cases, control radiography after the intervention showed a tracheotomy opposite the superior esophageal pouch and sometimes a notch in the anterior trachea. In all of the cases, endoscopy confirmed the presence of compression of the anterior aspect of the trachea by the brachio-cephalic arterial trunk. In 2 cases, esophageal transit was normal, the signs of tracheal compression disappeared after section-reimplantation of the brachio-cephalic trunk. In the other cases esophageal complications existed: stenosis, choking during swallowing, reflux. The surgical treatment of these complications led to the disappearance of the respiratory disorders.", "PMID": 784989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6739", "title": "Congenital malformations associated with anencephaly and iniencephaly.", "content": "The necropsy reports of 294 cases of anencephaly and 50 cases of iniencephaly have been examined, and a tubulated list of associated malformations produced. Cases were divided by sex and the presence or absence of spina bifida. Forty-one per cent of the series had other malformations, and other malformations were more common in those cases with spina bifida than in those without. The most frequent single malformations were: hydronephrosis (8%), cleft palate (8%), diaphragmatic hernia (5%), exomphalos (5%), hare lip (4%), and horseshoe kidney (4%). It is suggested that the presence of other malformations in anencephaly or iniencephaly may imply some aetiological heterogeneity.", "contents": "Congenital malformations associated with anencephaly and iniencephaly. The necropsy reports of 294 cases of anencephaly and 50 cases of iniencephaly have been examined, and a tubulated list of associated malformations produced. Cases were divided by sex and the presence or absence of spina bifida. Forty-one per cent of the series had other malformations, and other malformations were more common in those cases with spina bifida than in those without. The most frequent single malformations were: hydronephrosis (8%), cleft palate (8%), diaphragmatic hernia (5%), exomphalos (5%), hare lip (4%), and horseshoe kidney (4%). It is suggested that the presence of other malformations in anencephaly or iniencephaly may imply some aetiological heterogeneity.", "PMID": 784997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6740", "title": "[Substraction in gastrointestinal angiography (author's transl)].", "content": "On the basis of a comparative study of 100 angiograms, the authors stress the value of photographic substraction in gastrointestinal angiography. From a technical viewpoint, after a brief review of the theoretical background, the authors emphasise the need to use reproductions of different tonality, and the problems of blurring due to movement, which may be overcome by the use of an effective premedication (diazepam) and by limiting the substraction to a very limited arca. From the standpoint of results, photographic substraction gives improved radiological data in the arterial phase in 60% of cases. This improvement concerns the prevertebral vessels. During the venous phase, in all cases there is an improvement in mesenterico-portal return and the visualisation of oesophageal varices. In all, photographic substraction, a simple technique, appears to be of value in gastrointestinal angiography essentially in the arteriographic study of the pancreas and of spleno-portal and mesenterico-portal venous return.", "contents": "[Substraction in gastrointestinal angiography (author's transl)]. On the basis of a comparative study of 100 angiograms, the authors stress the value of photographic substraction in gastrointestinal angiography. From a technical viewpoint, after a brief review of the theoretical background, the authors emphasise the need to use reproductions of different tonality, and the problems of blurring due to movement, which may be overcome by the use of an effective premedication (diazepam) and by limiting the substraction to a very limited arca. From the standpoint of results, photographic substraction gives improved radiological data in the arterial phase in 60% of cases. This improvement concerns the prevertebral vessels. During the venous phase, in all cases there is an improvement in mesenterico-portal return and the visualisation of oesophageal varices. In all, photographic substraction, a simple technique, appears to be of value in gastrointestinal angiography essentially in the arteriographic study of the pancreas and of spleno-portal and mesenterico-portal venous return.", "PMID": 784991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6741", "title": "Computer-based instruction and the health sciences library.", "content": "Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is being used or considered at a growing number of medical institutions. The health sciences library, in its role as the learning resource center, can provide long hours of supervised access and more efficient sharing of resources if the CAI terminals are located there. Placing terminals in the library does, however, incur costs of training library personnel and of space and equipment and presents new problems in cataloging and maintenance. Budgetary and curriculum design considerations must be addressed in advance of adopting CAI, but those are not primarily library decisions. It is concluded that if an instution integrates CAI into its educational program, CAI does belong in the health sciences library and is fully compatible with the media already in use and that projected for the future.", "contents": "Computer-based instruction and the health sciences library. Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is being used or considered at a growing number of medical institutions. The health sciences library, in its role as the learning resource center, can provide long hours of supervised access and more efficient sharing of resources if the CAI terminals are located there. Placing terminals in the library does, however, incur costs of training library personnel and of space and equipment and presents new problems in cataloging and maintenance. Budgetary and curriculum design considerations must be addressed in advance of adopting CAI, but those are not primarily library decisions. It is concluded that if an instution integrates CAI into its educational program, CAI does belong in the health sciences library and is fully compatible with the media already in use and that projected for the future.", "PMID": 784999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6742", "title": "Streptococci and aerococci associated with systemic infection in man.", "content": "A collection of 820 isolates of streptococci and aerococci from human blood or internal organs was classified by means of a set of cultural and biochemical tests. Of these, 719 (712 streptococci and 7 aerococci) were from patients believed to be suffering from a systemic infection: endocarditis 317; a purulent lesion in an internal organ (\"purulent disease\") 152; bacteriaemia 250. The endocarditis streptococci included members of all recognisable taxa, but only certain of these were common: Streptococcus sanguis, 16-4%; dextran-positive and usually mannitol-fermenting strains of S. bovis (S. bovis I), 15-1%; S. mutans, 14-2%; S. mitior, 13-2%. Streptococci of the \"alpha-haemolytic\" taxa (S. sanguis, S. mitior and related strains) formed only 44-8% of the total. When the percentage frequency of streptococcal taxa among the endocarditis and \"non-endocarditis\" isolates was compared, the dextran-forming taxa (S. mutans, S. bovis I, S. sanguis, and dextran-positive streptococci otherwise resembling S. mitior) all had higher \"endocarditis : non-endocarditis\" ratios than did any of the non-dextran-producing taxa. Endocarditis increased in frequency with age, and showed an excess of males over females up to the age of 65 years. In young patients (less than 35 years), \"alpha-haemolytic\" streptococci predominated; with increasing age, the proportion of other streptococci increased progressively but the absolute numbers of isolations of \"alpha-haemolytic\" streptococci did not fall. Infections with S. mutans were prominent in the age-group 35-54 years and with S. bovis I at ages greater than or equal to 55 years. A history of previous heart disease was more often obtained in endocarditis due to \"alpha-haemolytic\" streptococci than in other streptococcal endocarditis. The streptococcus most often isolated from purulent lesions in internal organs was S. milleri (29-3%). It was associated with brain abscess, meningitis, pleural empyema and a variety of intra-abdominal abscesses. The only common predisposing factor in endocarditis was previous heart damage. In other systemic streptococcal diseases, other general or local predisposing causes could be observed, mainly in infections with the \"pyogenic\" groupable streptococci, the enterococci and S. milleri.", "contents": "Streptococci and aerococci associated with systemic infection in man. A collection of 820 isolates of streptococci and aerococci from human blood or internal organs was classified by means of a set of cultural and biochemical tests. Of these, 719 (712 streptococci and 7 aerococci) were from patients believed to be suffering from a systemic infection: endocarditis 317; a purulent lesion in an internal organ (\"purulent disease\") 152; bacteriaemia 250. The endocarditis streptococci included members of all recognisable taxa, but only certain of these were common: Streptococcus sanguis, 16-4%; dextran-positive and usually mannitol-fermenting strains of S. bovis (S. bovis I), 15-1%; S. mutans, 14-2%; S. mitior, 13-2%. Streptococci of the \"alpha-haemolytic\" taxa (S. sanguis, S. mitior and related strains) formed only 44-8% of the total. When the percentage frequency of streptococcal taxa among the endocarditis and \"non-endocarditis\" isolates was compared, the dextran-forming taxa (S. mutans, S. bovis I, S. sanguis, and dextran-positive streptococci otherwise resembling S. mitior) all had higher \"endocarditis : non-endocarditis\" ratios than did any of the non-dextran-producing taxa. Endocarditis increased in frequency with age, and showed an excess of males over females up to the age of 65 years. In young patients (less than 35 years), \"alpha-haemolytic\" streptococci predominated; with increasing age, the proportion of other streptococci increased progressively but the absolute numbers of isolations of \"alpha-haemolytic\" streptococci did not fall. Infections with S. mutans were prominent in the age-group 35-54 years and with S. bovis I at ages greater than or equal to 55 years. A history of previous heart disease was more often obtained in endocarditis due to \"alpha-haemolytic\" streptococci than in other streptococcal endocarditis. The streptococcus most often isolated from purulent lesions in internal organs was S. milleri (29-3%). It was associated with brain abscess, meningitis, pleural empyema and a variety of intra-abdominal abscesses. The only common predisposing factor in endocarditis was previous heart damage. In other systemic streptococcal diseases, other general or local predisposing causes could be observed, mainly in infections with the \"pyogenic\" groupable streptococci, the enterococci and S. milleri.", "PMID": 785000} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6743", "title": "Antibodies to Candida after operations on the heart.", "content": "The occurrence of yeasts and antibodies to yeasts was studied in patients undergoing open-heart surgery without antifungal prophylaxis, and in a similar group receiving antifungal prophylaxis. An association was demonstrated between the occurrence of commensal yeasts and the appearance of antibodies. None of the patients developed overt systemic or superficial yeast infection. The antigenic stimulus for the post-operative production of antibodies appeared to be the increase in the yeast flora that occurred shortly after operation. When the commensal yeast population was suppressed by antifungal antibiotics, the antibody response was also reduced. The implications of these findings in the interpretation of serological tests for diagnosis of systemic yeast infections are discussed.", "contents": "Antibodies to Candida after operations on the heart. The occurrence of yeasts and antibodies to yeasts was studied in patients undergoing open-heart surgery without antifungal prophylaxis, and in a similar group receiving antifungal prophylaxis. An association was demonstrated between the occurrence of commensal yeasts and the appearance of antibodies. None of the patients developed overt systemic or superficial yeast infection. The antigenic stimulus for the post-operative production of antibodies appeared to be the increase in the yeast flora that occurred shortly after operation. When the commensal yeast population was suppressed by antifungal antibiotics, the antibody response was also reduced. The implications of these findings in the interpretation of serological tests for diagnosis of systemic yeast infections are discussed.", "PMID": 785001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6744", "title": "The infection of rat tongue mucosa in vitro with five species of Candida.", "content": "Orthokeratinised mucosa from the dorsal surface of neonatal rat tongue was maintained in culture and then infected with Candida albicans, C. tropicalis C. krusei, C. parapsilosis or C. guilliermondii for up to 45 h. The five species showed varying abilities to invade the tissues, which appeared to reflect their different pathogenicities. C. albicans was the only species able to invade all the tissues present, including the stratum corneum. C. tropicalis and C. krusei were able to invade connective tissue and the deeper nucleated cells of the epithelium but failed to penetrate the keratin layer, while C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii showed only slight invasion of the connective tissue. The keratin layer of rat tongue mucosa thus appeared to act as a barrier to invasion of the epithelium by anything but virulent species of candidal fungi. The results suggest that oral mucosa in vitro retains its structural integrity and that the tissues do not act solely as a passive growth medium through which any fungal strain might proliferate. It seems that this in-vitro system is representative of the in-vivo situation and forms a useful experimental model in which to investigate the host-fungal relationship in mucosal candidiasis.", "contents": "The infection of rat tongue mucosa in vitro with five species of Candida. Orthokeratinised mucosa from the dorsal surface of neonatal rat tongue was maintained in culture and then infected with Candida albicans, C. tropicalis C. krusei, C. parapsilosis or C. guilliermondii for up to 45 h. The five species showed varying abilities to invade the tissues, which appeared to reflect their different pathogenicities. C. albicans was the only species able to invade all the tissues present, including the stratum corneum. C. tropicalis and C. krusei were able to invade connective tissue and the deeper nucleated cells of the epithelium but failed to penetrate the keratin layer, while C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii showed only slight invasion of the connective tissue. The keratin layer of rat tongue mucosa thus appeared to act as a barrier to invasion of the epithelium by anything but virulent species of candidal fungi. The results suggest that oral mucosa in vitro retains its structural integrity and that the tissues do not act solely as a passive growth medium through which any fungal strain might proliferate. It seems that this in-vitro system is representative of the in-vivo situation and forms a useful experimental model in which to investigate the host-fungal relationship in mucosal candidiasis.", "PMID": 785002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6745", "title": "The relevance of growth rates in urine to the pathogenesis of urinary-tract infections due to Micrococcus subgroup 3 (Staphylococcus saprophyticus biotype 3).", "content": "A novobiocin-resistant \"biotype\" of Micrococcus subgroup 3 (Staphylococcus saprophyticus) is known to be a primary pathogen of the female urinary tract and to cause infections as severe as those produced by Escherichia coli. The growth characteristics of this virulent biotype were compared in vitro with those of other Micrococcaceae and of E. coli to determine whether rapid growth explains the virulence of the biotype. Nutrient broth was shown to have growth-supporting qualities that differed from those of urine and it was therefore unsuitable for these studies. In urine, the virulent biotype grew more slowly, had a longer lag period, and reached much lower final viable counts than did Escherichia coli. Surprisingly, the virulent biotype also grew more slowly and reached a lower final viable count than did several other Micrococcaceae isolated from the urinary tract of healthy women. Urine from women who had suffered a recent infection with the virulent biotype had growth-supporting properties similar to those of urine from healthy women. Experiments with filtered forestream urine suggested that urethral secretions do not contain a factor determining growth rates of this organism in urine. The possibility that virulent strains adapt to rapid growth in urine was excluded. No evidence was obtained that the virulent biotype inhibits the growth of other Micrococcaceae in urine. Ability to grow rapidly in urine does not therefore explain the virulence of novobiocin-resistant strains of subgroup-3 micrococci.", "contents": "The relevance of growth rates in urine to the pathogenesis of urinary-tract infections due to Micrococcus subgroup 3 (Staphylococcus saprophyticus biotype 3). A novobiocin-resistant \"biotype\" of Micrococcus subgroup 3 (Staphylococcus saprophyticus) is known to be a primary pathogen of the female urinary tract and to cause infections as severe as those produced by Escherichia coli. The growth characteristics of this virulent biotype were compared in vitro with those of other Micrococcaceae and of E. coli to determine whether rapid growth explains the virulence of the biotype. Nutrient broth was shown to have growth-supporting qualities that differed from those of urine and it was therefore unsuitable for these studies. In urine, the virulent biotype grew more slowly, had a longer lag period, and reached much lower final viable counts than did Escherichia coli. Surprisingly, the virulent biotype also grew more slowly and reached a lower final viable count than did several other Micrococcaceae isolated from the urinary tract of healthy women. Urine from women who had suffered a recent infection with the virulent biotype had growth-supporting properties similar to those of urine from healthy women. Experiments with filtered forestream urine suggested that urethral secretions do not contain a factor determining growth rates of this organism in urine. The possibility that virulent strains adapt to rapid growth in urine was excluded. No evidence was obtained that the virulent biotype inhibits the growth of other Micrococcaceae in urine. Ability to grow rapidly in urine does not therefore explain the virulence of novobiocin-resistant strains of subgroup-3 micrococci.", "PMID": 785003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6746", "title": "Antacid control of complications from acute gastroduodenal disease after burns.", "content": "To determine the effectiveness of hydrogen ion neutralization in preventing the clinical complications (hemmorrhage and perforation) of acute gastroduodenal disease after thermal injury, 48 patients with burns of greater than 35% total body surface were evaluated within 72 hours after injury. In a prospective, randomized fashion, patients were chosen to receive antacid or no-antacid therapy. An established lithiumflux technique was utilized to determine the integrity of the gastric mucosal barrier (GMB) before group selection. Only one of the 24 patients receiving antacid developed significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding; however, seven of 24 patients receiving no antacid experienced hemorrhage and gastric ulcer perforation (p less than 0.02). None of seven patients with GMB disruption who received antacid developed a clinical complication; however, six of 15 patients with GMB disruption receiving no antacid experienced clinical complications (p less than 0.05). Neutralization of gastric acid offers protection against the development of clinically significant ulcer complications in the burn patient.", "contents": "Antacid control of complications from acute gastroduodenal disease after burns. To determine the effectiveness of hydrogen ion neutralization in preventing the clinical complications (hemmorrhage and perforation) of acute gastroduodenal disease after thermal injury, 48 patients with burns of greater than 35% total body surface were evaluated within 72 hours after injury. In a prospective, randomized fashion, patients were chosen to receive antacid or no-antacid therapy. An established lithiumflux technique was utilized to determine the integrity of the gastric mucosal barrier (GMB) before group selection. Only one of the 24 patients receiving antacid developed significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding; however, seven of 24 patients receiving no antacid experienced hemorrhage and gastric ulcer perforation (p less than 0.02). None of seven patients with GMB disruption who received antacid developed a clinical complication; however, six of 15 patients with GMB disruption receiving no antacid experienced clinical complications (p less than 0.05). Neutralization of gastric acid offers protection against the development of clinically significant ulcer complications in the burn patient.", "PMID": 785019} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6747", "title": "Origin of the phospholipids of a lipid-containing virus that replicates in Escherichia coli: bacteriophage PR4.", "content": "Bacteriophage PR4 contains lipid and can reproduce in strains of Escherichia coli that carry an appropriate drug-resistance plasmid. Cultivated in either of two E. coli strains, PR4 acquires a lipid region that contains a relatively high level of phosphatidylglycerol and significant amounts of three phospholipids, including phosphatidylserine, which are present in only very low levels in the host cell membranes. To do this, however, PR4 does not significantly alter the relative levels of synthesis of the various E. coli phospholipids after infection. Production of PR4 virions from E. coli cultures labeled with 32PO4 either before or after infection showed that about two-thirds of the viral phospholipid is synthesized after infection. The use of E. coli as the host organism for PR4 should allow a detailed understanding of the assembly process of this lipid-containing virus due to the wealth of biochemical and genetic techniques available.", "contents": "Origin of the phospholipids of a lipid-containing virus that replicates in Escherichia coli: bacteriophage PR4. Bacteriophage PR4 contains lipid and can reproduce in strains of Escherichia coli that carry an appropriate drug-resistance plasmid. Cultivated in either of two E. coli strains, PR4 acquires a lipid region that contains a relatively high level of phosphatidylglycerol and significant amounts of three phospholipids, including phosphatidylserine, which are present in only very low levels in the host cell membranes. To do this, however, PR4 does not significantly alter the relative levels of synthesis of the various E. coli phospholipids after infection. Production of PR4 virions from E. coli cultures labeled with 32PO4 either before or after infection showed that about two-thirds of the viral phospholipid is synthesized after infection. The use of E. coli as the host organism for PR4 should allow a detailed understanding of the assembly process of this lipid-containing virus due to the wealth of biochemical and genetic techniques available.", "PMID": 785021} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6748", "title": "Genetic characterization of a phi80 transducing bacteriophage carrying the histidine operon of Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "A phi 80 transducing phage, phi 80imm lambdadhis, carrying the Salmonella his-gnd region, was characterized by immunity studies, tonB deletion analysis, and marker rescue analysis. Phi 80imm lambdadhis retains the phage immunity region of the phi 80-lambda hybrid phage from which it was derived. Bacterial genes replace most late phage genes. Deletion analysis shows the prophage gene order to be immlambda-his-gnd and indicates the orientation of the his operon to be hisOGDCBHAFIE-gnd. The structure of phi 80imm lambdadhis is remarkably similar to two independently isolated phi 80 phages that carry the his-gnd region of Escherichia coli and that, like phi80imm lambdahis, were derived by directed gene transposition to the tonB locus. A derivative of phi 80imm lambdadhis that is phi 80 immune is also reported.", "contents": "Genetic characterization of a phi80 transducing bacteriophage carrying the histidine operon of Salmonella typhimurium. A phi 80 transducing phage, phi 80imm lambdadhis, carrying the Salmonella his-gnd region, was characterized by immunity studies, tonB deletion analysis, and marker rescue analysis. Phi 80imm lambdadhis retains the phage immunity region of the phi 80-lambda hybrid phage from which it was derived. Bacterial genes replace most late phage genes. Deletion analysis shows the prophage gene order to be immlambda-his-gnd and indicates the orientation of the his operon to be hisOGDCBHAFIE-gnd. The structure of phi 80imm lambdadhis is remarkably similar to two independently isolated phi 80 phages that carry the his-gnd region of Escherichia coli and that, like phi80imm lambdahis, were derived by directed gene transposition to the tonB locus. A derivative of phi 80imm lambdadhis that is phi 80 immune is also reported.", "PMID": 785022} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6749", "title": "Replication of bacteriophage T4 DNA in vitro. I. Basic properties of the system.", "content": "A new in vitro system for T4 DNA replication was developed by concentrating cell lysates on cellophane disks. The time course of [3H]dTTP incorporation into DNA by the system was separated into two phases: one was a very rapid incorporation which was terminated within 2 min (phase I reaction), and the other was a slow but continuous incorporation thereafter (phase II reaction). More than half of the phase I reaction product was Escherichia coli DNA, but the phase II reaction was mostly T4 DNA. Phase II reaction required four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, ATP, Mg2+, and KCl. 5-Hydroxymethyldeoxycytidine triphosphate was essential for the reaction and not substitutable by dCTP. The presence of KCN or NaN3 in the reaction mixture did not interfere with [3H]dTTP incorporation, but the addition of deoxyribonuclease completely degraded the system. Alkaline sucrose sedimentation analysis of phage II reaction product revealed that phase II reaction proceeded by the discontinuous mode of DNA replication as in vivo. After T4 infection, the activity for phase II reaction appeared in parallel with the activity of T4 phage DNA replication in vivo.", "contents": "Replication of bacteriophage T4 DNA in vitro. I. Basic properties of the system. A new in vitro system for T4 DNA replication was developed by concentrating cell lysates on cellophane disks. The time course of [3H]dTTP incorporation into DNA by the system was separated into two phases: one was a very rapid incorporation which was terminated within 2 min (phase I reaction), and the other was a slow but continuous incorporation thereafter (phase II reaction). More than half of the phase I reaction product was Escherichia coli DNA, but the phase II reaction was mostly T4 DNA. Phase II reaction required four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, ATP, Mg2+, and KCl. 5-Hydroxymethyldeoxycytidine triphosphate was essential for the reaction and not substitutable by dCTP. The presence of KCN or NaN3 in the reaction mixture did not interfere with [3H]dTTP incorporation, but the addition of deoxyribonuclease completely degraded the system. Alkaline sucrose sedimentation analysis of phage II reaction product revealed that phase II reaction proceeded by the discontinuous mode of DNA replication as in vivo. After T4 infection, the activity for phase II reaction appeared in parallel with the activity of T4 phage DNA replication in vivo.", "PMID": 785023} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6750", "title": "Membrane protein biosynthesis in bacteriophage BF23-infected Escherichia coli.", "content": "When Escherichia coli is infected with bacteriophage BF23, two new proteins with molecular weights greater than 10,000, as indicated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, are found associated with the cells' membranes. One of these, found associated with both the inner and outer membrane, has a molecular weight of about 55,000 and is regulated by the A1 gene of this phage, a gene found on the spontaneously injected 8% piece of BF23 DNA, DNA that codes for the synthesis of proteins necessary for the injection of the whole phage genome. The other protein, often undetected in whole membrane preparations, is found exclusively associated with the inner membrane. Evidence indicates that this protein is also regulated by the initially injected 8% piece of the DNA.", "contents": "Membrane protein biosynthesis in bacteriophage BF23-infected Escherichia coli. When Escherichia coli is infected with bacteriophage BF23, two new proteins with molecular weights greater than 10,000, as indicated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, are found associated with the cells' membranes. One of these, found associated with both the inner and outer membrane, has a molecular weight of about 55,000 and is regulated by the A1 gene of this phage, a gene found on the spontaneously injected 8% piece of BF23 DNA, DNA that codes for the synthesis of proteins necessary for the injection of the whole phage genome. The other protein, often undetected in whole membrane preparations, is found exclusively associated with the inner membrane. Evidence indicates that this protein is also regulated by the initially injected 8% piece of the DNA.", "PMID": 785024} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6751", "title": "Process of infection with bacteriophage phi X174 XLI. Synthesis of defective phi X particles at 15 degrees C.", "content": "At 15 degrees C, phi X174-infected cells make single-stranded viral DNA fragments, varying in size from 0.2 to 0.9 times that of phi X DNA. In non-deproteinized lysates, this single-stranded DNA is found associated with proteins in particles sedimenting heterogeneously with an S20, w average of 80 to 90S. These particles do not differ appreciably from mature virus in polypeptide composition. Chase experiments, at 37 degrees C, of the label incorporated into this DNA at 15 degrees C suggest that both the single-stranded DNA fragments and the 80 to 90S particles are not precursors of virions but are defective end products.", "contents": "Process of infection with bacteriophage phi X174 XLI. Synthesis of defective phi X particles at 15 degrees C. At 15 degrees C, phi X174-infected cells make single-stranded viral DNA fragments, varying in size from 0.2 to 0.9 times that of phi X DNA. In non-deproteinized lysates, this single-stranded DNA is found associated with proteins in particles sedimenting heterogeneously with an S20, w average of 80 to 90S. These particles do not differ appreciably from mature virus in polypeptide composition. Chase experiments, at 37 degrees C, of the label incorporated into this DNA at 15 degrees C suggest that both the single-stranded DNA fragments and the 80 to 90S particles are not precursors of virions but are defective end products.", "PMID": 785025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6752", "title": "Genetic analysis of heterogeneous DNA circles formed after prophage Mu induction.", "content": "Induction of a Mu prophage in Escherichia coli Hfr strains lyosgenic for Mu cts62 leads to the generation of F' episomes. Each episome thus formed carries at least one copy of the Mu genome. These results suggest that integration of Mu is mandatory for the formation of the heterogeneous circles during the lytic cycle. The circles may be precursors for phage maturation.", "contents": "Genetic analysis of heterogeneous DNA circles formed after prophage Mu induction. Induction of a Mu prophage in Escherichia coli Hfr strains lyosgenic for Mu cts62 leads to the generation of F' episomes. Each episome thus formed carries at least one copy of the Mu genome. These results suggest that integration of Mu is mandatory for the formation of the heterogeneous circles during the lytic cycle. The circles may be precursors for phage maturation.", "PMID": 785026} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6753", "title": "Individual renal plasma flow determination in 2 minutes.", "content": "A method is described for determining effective renal plasma flow, using the renal counts 1 to 2 minutes after injection and applying background subtraction as a ratio to the total amount of radio-activity injected intravenously with appropriate correction for kidney depth. It appears that this simple approach for determination of effective renal plasma flow within a matter of 2 minutes is accurate and reliable, and should be useful for a number of applications when it is important to determine total and individual renal plasma flow. The approach is recommended as a screening procedure in lieu of the determination of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, with the additional advantages of gross morphology and determination of individual renal plasma flow in an absolute as well as relative manner.", "contents": "Individual renal plasma flow determination in 2 minutes. A method is described for determining effective renal plasma flow, using the renal counts 1 to 2 minutes after injection and applying background subtraction as a ratio to the total amount of radio-activity injected intravenously with appropriate correction for kidney depth. It appears that this simple approach for determination of effective renal plasma flow within a matter of 2 minutes is accurate and reliable, and should be useful for a number of applications when it is important to determine total and individual renal plasma flow. The approach is recommended as a screening procedure in lieu of the determination of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, with the additional advantages of gross morphology and determination of individual renal plasma flow in an absolute as well as relative manner.", "PMID": 785027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6754", "title": "Influence of rejection on graft survival after renal transplantation.", "content": "The clinical course was reviewed of 102 renal allograft recipients between December 1967 and December 1973. Only 4 of 21 patients (19 per cent) who had 2 or more episodes of rejection during the first 2 months had a functioning graft at the end of 1 year, compared to 24 of 30 patients (83 per cent) who had no rejection episodes. A similar trend was seen 2 to 6 months after transplantation. During the first 2 years vigorous immunosuppressive therapy for rejection in the first few months resulted in 12 deaths (44 per cent) of 27 patients. Subsequent to this immunosuppressive therapy was modified and grafts were removed if there was not a prompt recovery of function after treatment, which resulted in a significant decrease in mortality rate to 16 per cent. There also was improvement in the over-all survival of patients with functioning grafts from 37 to 56 per cent. Serious complications and mortality could be related to high dosage of steroids and severe leukopenia. A white blood count of less than 1,000 mm.3 on 3 successive days was associated with a mortality rate of 52 per cent, compared to 15 per cent in those without leukopenia. Serious consideration should be given to early graft removal in patients who have 2 or more episodes of rejection in the first few months after transplantation, particularly when there is not a prompt improvement in renal function after immunosuppressive therapy. High doses of steroids (greater than 1 mg. per kg. for more than 26 days during the first 60 days) should be avoided to decrease morbidity and mortality rates from serious infections. The results of histocompatibility (HL-A) matching in 72 donor-recipient pairs indicated an improved graft survival when there was a match of 2 or more antigens, which is supported by the results recently reported by the Transplant Registry. The results of mixed lymphocyte reactions in 20 live donor-recipient pairs showed a marked improvement in graft survival when there was less than 20 per cent stimulation and it appeared that this reaction was of more important prognostic significance than the results of histocompatibility (HL-A) matching in these patients.", "contents": "Influence of rejection on graft survival after renal transplantation. The clinical course was reviewed of 102 renal allograft recipients between December 1967 and December 1973. Only 4 of 21 patients (19 per cent) who had 2 or more episodes of rejection during the first 2 months had a functioning graft at the end of 1 year, compared to 24 of 30 patients (83 per cent) who had no rejection episodes. A similar trend was seen 2 to 6 months after transplantation. During the first 2 years vigorous immunosuppressive therapy for rejection in the first few months resulted in 12 deaths (44 per cent) of 27 patients. Subsequent to this immunosuppressive therapy was modified and grafts were removed if there was not a prompt recovery of function after treatment, which resulted in a significant decrease in mortality rate to 16 per cent. There also was improvement in the over-all survival of patients with functioning grafts from 37 to 56 per cent. Serious complications and mortality could be related to high dosage of steroids and severe leukopenia. A white blood count of less than 1,000 mm.3 on 3 successive days was associated with a mortality rate of 52 per cent, compared to 15 per cent in those without leukopenia. Serious consideration should be given to early graft removal in patients who have 2 or more episodes of rejection in the first few months after transplantation, particularly when there is not a prompt improvement in renal function after immunosuppressive therapy. High doses of steroids (greater than 1 mg. per kg. for more than 26 days during the first 60 days) should be avoided to decrease morbidity and mortality rates from serious infections. The results of histocompatibility (HL-A) matching in 72 donor-recipient pairs indicated an improved graft survival when there was a match of 2 or more antigens, which is supported by the results recently reported by the Transplant Registry. The results of mixed lymphocyte reactions in 20 live donor-recipient pairs showed a marked improvement in graft survival when there was less than 20 per cent stimulation and it appeared that this reaction was of more important prognostic significance than the results of histocompatibility (HL-A) matching in these patients.", "PMID": 785028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6755", "title": "Related living donor nephrectomy.", "content": "The improved survival figures for living related grafts suggest that this is an important source of kidneys in a renal allotransplant program. There is need to review repeatedly this source of kidneys and to evaluate the results and techniques. The supracostal incision best provides exposure for removal of the kidney without traumatic hilar dissection.", "contents": "Related living donor nephrectomy. The improved survival figures for living related grafts suggest that this is an important source of kidneys in a renal allotransplant program. There is need to review repeatedly this source of kidneys and to evaluate the results and techniques. The supracostal incision best provides exposure for removal of the kidney without traumatic hilar dissection.", "PMID": 785029} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6756", "title": "Meatal reconstruction.", "content": "A technique for repair of fossa navicularis and distal pendulous urethral strictures includes elevation of a ventral flap of penile skin, which is inverted and interposed into a distal urethrotomy. Epithelial strips created on the ventral penile skin and on the glans penis are sutured face-to-face permitting a directable urinary stream and cosmetically fine result. Results of a personal series of 7 patients are uniformly good.", "contents": "Meatal reconstruction. A technique for repair of fossa navicularis and distal pendulous urethral strictures includes elevation of a ventral flap of penile skin, which is inverted and interposed into a distal urethrotomy. Epithelial strips created on the ventral penile skin and on the glans penis are sutured face-to-face permitting a directable urinary stream and cosmetically fine result. Results of a personal series of 7 patients are uniformly good.", "PMID": 785030} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6757", "title": "The use of the omental pedicle graft in urinary tract reconstruction-.", "content": "The omentum is unique in that it is the only body tissue specifically developed for the resolution of infected process; it also regains its suppleness once healing has taken place. The characteristics are not shared by the periureteral and perivesical tissues so that a properly mobilized pedicle graft is valuable adjunct to be more difficult repairs and reconstructions of the urinary tract.", "contents": "The use of the omental pedicle graft in urinary tract reconstruction-. The omentum is unique in that it is the only body tissue specifically developed for the resolution of infected process; it also regains its suppleness once healing has taken place. The characteristics are not shared by the periureteral and perivesical tissues so that a properly mobilized pedicle graft is valuable adjunct to be more difficult repairs and reconstructions of the urinary tract.", "PMID": 785032} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6758", "title": "Acute pyelonephritis in a transplant patient with an ileal loop mimicking rejection.", "content": "The clinical picture of an enlargement in kidney size, a decrease in renal function and an increase in temperature in a patient with a transplanted kidney into an ileal loop presents a problem in differential diagnosis among rejection, acute tubular necrosis and acute pyelonephritis.", "contents": "Acute pyelonephritis in a transplant patient with an ileal loop mimicking rejection. The clinical picture of an enlargement in kidney size, a decrease in renal function and an increase in temperature in a patient with a transplanted kidney into an ileal loop presents a problem in differential diagnosis among rejection, acute tubular necrosis and acute pyelonephritis.", "PMID": 785033} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6759", "title": "Gram-negative bacillary meningitis therapy. Polyradiculitis following intralumbar aminoglycoside administration.", "content": "Gram-negative bacillary meningitis is a serious threat to patients with head trauma or altered immune systems, or those who have had neurosurgical procedures. The aminoglycoside antibiotics administered systemically and into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have proved useful in the treatment of these infections. Intralumbar and parenteral gentamicin sulfate and tobramycin sulfate were administered to an acromegalic woman with Klebsiella meningitis. She had objective evidence of adhesive arachnoiditis and symptoms of polyradiculitis. Cessation of the aminoglycoside administration resulted in symptomatic improvement, and reinstitution of therapy caused a recurrence of neurologic symptoms. Polyradiculitis may be a complication of the intralumbar administration of aminoglycosides.", "contents": "Gram-negative bacillary meningitis therapy. Polyradiculitis following intralumbar aminoglycoside administration. Gram-negative bacillary meningitis is a serious threat to patients with head trauma or altered immune systems, or those who have had neurosurgical procedures. The aminoglycoside antibiotics administered systemically and into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have proved useful in the treatment of these infections. Intralumbar and parenteral gentamicin sulfate and tobramycin sulfate were administered to an acromegalic woman with Klebsiella meningitis. She had objective evidence of adhesive arachnoiditis and symptoms of polyradiculitis. Cessation of the aminoglycoside administration resulted in symptomatic improvement, and reinstitution of therapy caused a recurrence of neurologic symptoms. Polyradiculitis may be a complication of the intralumbar administration of aminoglycosides.", "PMID": 785039} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6760", "title": "Lessons learned from a patient. Changing concepts rather than facts.", "content": "Many concepts pertaining to urinary tract infections and considered to be established or dogma are, in fact, incorrect or subject to modification. The physician should not be too rigid in his thinking regarding this disorder, as new knowledge constantly becomes available, disproving previously cherished beliefs. The case described appears to underscore this better than any hypothetical situation.", "contents": "Lessons learned from a patient. Changing concepts rather than facts. Many concepts pertaining to urinary tract infections and considered to be established or dogma are, in fact, incorrect or subject to modification. The physician should not be too rigid in his thinking regarding this disorder, as new knowledge constantly becomes available, disproving previously cherished beliefs. The case described appears to underscore this better than any hypothetical situation.", "PMID": 785040} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6761", "title": "Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation. A review of mechanisms and actions.", "content": "In situations characterized by a substantial decrease in lung compliance and a large alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation is often effective in enhancing arterial oxygen content. It may have a variable effect on cardiac output based in part on the level of end-expiratory pressure, the state of intravascular volume, and the pathophysiology of the underlying pulmonary abnormality. It is most beneficial in conditions manifesting diminished lung compliance. Evidence is clear that PEEP may decrease expiratory shunting by maintaining alveolar patency, thereby increasing functional residual capacity. It may not prevent and may actually favor accumulation of interstitial lung water. Commonly employed levels of PEEP result in a 7% incidence of pneumothorax. The most advantageous level of PEEP is variable and is determined by sequential monitoring of multiple physiologic indexes.", "contents": "Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation. A review of mechanisms and actions. In situations characterized by a substantial decrease in lung compliance and a large alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation is often effective in enhancing arterial oxygen content. It may have a variable effect on cardiac output based in part on the level of end-expiratory pressure, the state of intravascular volume, and the pathophysiology of the underlying pulmonary abnormality. It is most beneficial in conditions manifesting diminished lung compliance. Evidence is clear that PEEP may decrease expiratory shunting by maintaining alveolar patency, thereby increasing functional residual capacity. It may not prevent and may actually favor accumulation of interstitial lung water. Commonly employed levels of PEEP result in a 7% incidence of pneumothorax. The most advantageous level of PEEP is variable and is determined by sequential monitoring of multiple physiologic indexes.", "PMID": 785044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6762", "title": "Susceptibility to murine leprosy bacilli of nude mice.", "content": "Comparative observations were made on the development of experimental murine leprosy in various inbred strains of mice, including nude mice of congenital thymic aplasia. The susceptibility of these strains of mice to murine leprosy bacilli was evaluated by the development of leproma at the subcutaneous infection site and also by the involvement of visceral organs. Nude mice developed a much more severe disease than C3H mice which is the representative of the malignant type. Their high sensitivity was also demonstrated in the case of intraperitoneal infection. The observations in nude mice and other mouse strains confirmed our concept that experimental mouse leprosy can be classified into three clinical types, benign, intermediate and malignant, and suggested that such mouse strain differences are related with their cell-mediated immunity.", "contents": "Susceptibility to murine leprosy bacilli of nude mice. Comparative observations were made on the development of experimental murine leprosy in various inbred strains of mice, including nude mice of congenital thymic aplasia. The susceptibility of these strains of mice to murine leprosy bacilli was evaluated by the development of leproma at the subcutaneous infection site and also by the involvement of visceral organs. Nude mice developed a much more severe disease than C3H mice which is the representative of the malignant type. Their high sensitivity was also demonstrated in the case of intraperitoneal infection. The observations in nude mice and other mouse strains confirmed our concept that experimental mouse leprosy can be classified into three clinical types, benign, intermediate and malignant, and suggested that such mouse strain differences are related with their cell-mediated immunity.", "PMID": 785061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6763", "title": "Persistence of mumps viral antigens in mouse brain.", "content": "Newborn mice were infected intracerebrally with a fresh isolate of mumps virus. Although infectious virus could not be recovered after the acute infection, direct immunofluorescence demonstrated the persistence of mumps antigens for up to 100 days after the initial infection.", "contents": "Persistence of mumps viral antigens in mouse brain. Newborn mice were infected intracerebrally with a fresh isolate of mumps virus. Although infectious virus could not be recovered after the acute infection, direct immunofluorescence demonstrated the persistence of mumps antigens for up to 100 days after the initial infection.", "PMID": 785062} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6764", "title": "Further studies on the lethal effect of long-chain fatty acids on mycobacteria.", "content": "Mycobactericidal activity of long-chain fatty acids was confirmed by in vitro exposure of BCG. The killing effect was accompanied by inhibition of the membrane-bound acid phosphatase activity. Such active fatty acids were those having a stronger hemolytic activity (e.g., C12:0, C14:0, C18:1, C18:2). Heat-killed BCG cells or their cell walls adsorbed the toxic fatty acids, whereas the fatty acid-insensitive E. coli cells did not. It was suggested that the mycobactericidal action of long-chain fatty acids is due to their detergent-like action on the cytoplasmic membrane, and that the determinant factor for the fatty acid-sensitivitiy of bacteria is the property of the cell wall by which fatty acids are adsorbed so that the active site is brought into contact with the inner membrane.", "contents": "Further studies on the lethal effect of long-chain fatty acids on mycobacteria. Mycobactericidal activity of long-chain fatty acids was confirmed by in vitro exposure of BCG. The killing effect was accompanied by inhibition of the membrane-bound acid phosphatase activity. Such active fatty acids were those having a stronger hemolytic activity (e.g., C12:0, C14:0, C18:1, C18:2). Heat-killed BCG cells or their cell walls adsorbed the toxic fatty acids, whereas the fatty acid-insensitive E. coli cells did not. It was suggested that the mycobactericidal action of long-chain fatty acids is due to their detergent-like action on the cytoplasmic membrane, and that the determinant factor for the fatty acid-sensitivitiy of bacteria is the property of the cell wall by which fatty acids are adsorbed so that the active site is brought into contact with the inner membrane.", "PMID": 785063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6765", "title": "[Is a medical treatment of glaucomatous field defects possible? Results of a double blind study (author's transl)].", "content": "46 patients with field defects due to simple glaucoma were treated with beta-Acetyldigoxin (given as \"Placebo\") or with beta-acetyldigoxin and Bencyclan (given as Verum) in tablets over 6 months, under strict double-blind conditions and after the elimination of the learning effect of perimetry. 56 out of the 69 eyes which could be evaluated, showed no change of the field during that period, in spite of increasing field defects during the preceeding months in some of them. A deterioration of the field was observed in 3 eyes treated with placebo, 10 eyes became better, one with placebo and 9 with Verum. Digitalis can evidently stop a deterioration and, in exceptional cases, even enlarge the field. Bencyclan with digitalis was found to have a definitely better effect and enlarged field in 9 out of 41 eyes which were treated with the drug, probably by the change of viscosity of the blood perhaps in addition to vasodilation and a better action of the heart. The effect is statistically-significant (p less than 5%).", "contents": "[Is a medical treatment of glaucomatous field defects possible? Results of a double blind study (author's transl)]. 46 patients with field defects due to simple glaucoma were treated with beta-Acetyldigoxin (given as \"Placebo\") or with beta-acetyldigoxin and Bencyclan (given as Verum) in tablets over 6 months, under strict double-blind conditions and after the elimination of the learning effect of perimetry. 56 out of the 69 eyes which could be evaluated, showed no change of the field during that period, in spite of increasing field defects during the preceeding months in some of them. A deterioration of the field was observed in 3 eyes treated with placebo, 10 eyes became better, one with placebo and 9 with Verum. Digitalis can evidently stop a deterioration and, in exceptional cases, even enlarge the field. Bencyclan with digitalis was found to have a definitely better effect and enlarged field in 9 out of 41 eyes which were treated with the drug, probably by the change of viscosity of the blood perhaps in addition to vasodilation and a better action of the heart. The effect is statistically-significant (p less than 5%).", "PMID": 785084} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6766", "title": "[Closure of eyelid defects by transplantation of lid margin and tarsus (author's transl)].", "content": "An excellent repair of large eyelid defects can be obtained by the following procedure: reconstruction of the skin-surface by a sliding or rotating graft, while the lid margin and tarsus are rebuilt by a free transplant from the opposite lower lid. For upper eyelid defects a special incision was developed.", "contents": "[Closure of eyelid defects by transplantation of lid margin and tarsus (author's transl)]. An excellent repair of large eyelid defects can be obtained by the following procedure: reconstruction of the skin-surface by a sliding or rotating graft, while the lid margin and tarsus are rebuilt by a free transplant from the opposite lower lid. For upper eyelid defects a special incision was developed.", "PMID": 785085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6767", "title": "[Urgent keratoplasty for a corneal infection by actinomyces (author's transl)].", "content": "A 41-year-old man suffering from an actinomyces infection of the cornea of his right eye, was treated unsuccessfully with antibiotics especially intensive local and systematic therapy with penicillin, paracentesis of the anterior chamber with penicillin irrigation, and cautery of the corneal ulcer were fruitless. Finally, the corneal infection was cured by an urgent perforating keratoplasty.", "contents": "[Urgent keratoplasty for a corneal infection by actinomyces (author's transl)]. A 41-year-old man suffering from an actinomyces infection of the cornea of his right eye, was treated unsuccessfully with antibiotics especially intensive local and systematic therapy with penicillin, paracentesis of the anterior chamber with penicillin irrigation, and cautery of the corneal ulcer were fruitless. Finally, the corneal infection was cured by an urgent perforating keratoplasty.", "PMID": 785086} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6768", "title": "[Human ethanol-induced hyperlipoproteinemia (author's transl)].", "content": "Reversible hyperlipoproteinemia may be observed after ethanol loads in healthy man before any ethanol-induced disease is being established. Different pathogenetic ways to this acute ethanol-induced hyperlipoproteinemia have been investigated or postulated in recent years. Two main sites have appeared: changes in the metabolism of lipids and their precursors which depend from acutal oxidation of ethanol in the liver, and ethanol-induced activation of lipolysis in adipose tissue, transmitted by the sympathico-adrenal system. The changes in liver metabolism during ethanol oxidation have been well confirmed in many experiments, they nevertheless do not seem to lead to hyperlipoproteinemia in many experimental designs in animals and after drinkable amounts of ethanol in healthy man when lipolysis of adipose tissue is blocked and no food is ingested. After the intake of a fatty meal these triglycerides are becoming importance as a source of fatty acids. A possible increased de novo synthesis of palmitic acid may to a minor degree contribute to hypertriglyceridemia.", "contents": "[Human ethanol-induced hyperlipoproteinemia (author's transl)]. Reversible hyperlipoproteinemia may be observed after ethanol loads in healthy man before any ethanol-induced disease is being established. Different pathogenetic ways to this acute ethanol-induced hyperlipoproteinemia have been investigated or postulated in recent years. Two main sites have appeared: changes in the metabolism of lipids and their precursors which depend from acutal oxidation of ethanol in the liver, and ethanol-induced activation of lipolysis in adipose tissue, transmitted by the sympathico-adrenal system. The changes in liver metabolism during ethanol oxidation have been well confirmed in many experiments, they nevertheless do not seem to lead to hyperlipoproteinemia in many experimental designs in animals and after drinkable amounts of ethanol in healthy man when lipolysis of adipose tissue is blocked and no food is ingested. After the intake of a fatty meal these triglycerides are becoming importance as a source of fatty acids. A possible increased de novo synthesis of palmitic acid may to a minor degree contribute to hypertriglyceridemia.", "PMID": 785087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6769", "title": "The kidney in progressive systemic sclerosis: immunohistochemical and antibody elution studies.", "content": "Immunologic studies were performed on 11 renal specimens from seven patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Two patients had the chronic renal lesions of PSS and five had acute PSS renal disease. One of the latter patients underwent renal transplantation after developing acute renal failure with recurrence of lesions in the allograft. The lesions in the allograft were morphologically indistinguishable from the renal lesions of acute PSS. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed vascular localization of IgM along with early and late acting complement components C1Q, C4, and C3 in all specimens including the allograft. Fibrinogen localization was observed in the vasculature of patients with the acute form of the disease. Antiglobulin, detected by fluorescein-labeled, heat-aggregated gamma-globulin, was also present in vascular lesions from two of the specimens; Eluates of four of the kidneys including the allograft contained antinuclear antibodies. In addition, antiglobulin activity was present in eluates from three of the four kidneys, The findings suggest that (1) renal vascular lesions in PSS may result from injury via immune complexes composed of nuclear antigens and antibody, (2) the predominance of IgM in the vascular lesions may reflect the presence of rheumatoid factor in the immune complexes, and (3) a similar pathogenetic mechanism may have resulted in allograft failure following renal transplantation of a patient with PSS.", "contents": "The kidney in progressive systemic sclerosis: immunohistochemical and antibody elution studies. Immunologic studies were performed on 11 renal specimens from seven patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Two patients had the chronic renal lesions of PSS and five had acute PSS renal disease. One of the latter patients underwent renal transplantation after developing acute renal failure with recurrence of lesions in the allograft. The lesions in the allograft were morphologically indistinguishable from the renal lesions of acute PSS. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed vascular localization of IgM along with early and late acting complement components C1Q, C4, and C3 in all specimens including the allograft. Fibrinogen localization was observed in the vasculature of patients with the acute form of the disease. Antiglobulin, detected by fluorescein-labeled, heat-aggregated gamma-globulin, was also present in vascular lesions from two of the specimens; Eluates of four of the kidneys including the allograft contained antinuclear antibodies. In addition, antiglobulin activity was present in eluates from three of the four kidneys, The findings suggest that (1) renal vascular lesions in PSS may result from injury via immune complexes composed of nuclear antigens and antibody, (2) the predominance of IgM in the vascular lesions may reflect the presence of rheumatoid factor in the immune complexes, and (3) a similar pathogenetic mechanism may have resulted in allograft failure following renal transplantation of a patient with PSS.", "PMID": 785092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6770", "title": "Platelet inhibition of renal cortical fibrinolytic activity in the rabbit.", "content": "A fibrin slide test was utilized to study the effect of platelets and endotoxin on renal cortical fibrinolysis in rabbits. Cortical lysis was absent in kidney from animals made markedly thrombocytopenic with goat antirabbit platelet serum or endotoxin; light microscopy was normal and immunofluorescent microscopy for fibrin was negative. No loss of lysis was detected in kidney of animals given goat anti-rabbit albumin or isotonic saline. Plasma from animals with endotoxin or antiplatelet antibody-induced thrombocytopenia demonstrated an increased capacity to inhibit cortical fibrinolytic activity of normal rabbit kidney. Antiplatelet antibody could be substituted for the preparatory injection of endotoxin in the generalized Shwartzman reaction; a parallel rise in lysis inhibitory titer was detected in plasma from animals prepared with antibody or endotoxin. Although lysis was absent following incubation of normal renal cortex with washed platelets, no inhibition of lysis was found after incubation of normal cortex with endotoxin, histamine, serotonin, platelet membranes, or granules. Using a modified fibrin slide technique, a diffusable platelet inhibitor of lysis could be demonstrated. These studies indicate that platelets contain an inhibitor to renal cortical fibrinolysis which is released into the circulation upon platelet destruction. The findings also suggest that platelet destruction is the mechanism through which endotoxin inhibits cortical lysis.", "contents": "Platelet inhibition of renal cortical fibrinolytic activity in the rabbit. A fibrin slide test was utilized to study the effect of platelets and endotoxin on renal cortical fibrinolysis in rabbits. Cortical lysis was absent in kidney from animals made markedly thrombocytopenic with goat antirabbit platelet serum or endotoxin; light microscopy was normal and immunofluorescent microscopy for fibrin was negative. No loss of lysis was detected in kidney of animals given goat anti-rabbit albumin or isotonic saline. Plasma from animals with endotoxin or antiplatelet antibody-induced thrombocytopenia demonstrated an increased capacity to inhibit cortical fibrinolytic activity of normal rabbit kidney. Antiplatelet antibody could be substituted for the preparatory injection of endotoxin in the generalized Shwartzman reaction; a parallel rise in lysis inhibitory titer was detected in plasma from animals prepared with antibody or endotoxin. Although lysis was absent following incubation of normal renal cortex with washed platelets, no inhibition of lysis was found after incubation of normal cortex with endotoxin, histamine, serotonin, platelet membranes, or granules. Using a modified fibrin slide technique, a diffusable platelet inhibitor of lysis could be demonstrated. These studies indicate that platelets contain an inhibitor to renal cortical fibrinolysis which is released into the circulation upon platelet destruction. The findings also suggest that platelet destruction is the mechanism through which endotoxin inhibits cortical lysis.", "PMID": 785093} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6771", "title": "T and B cell patterns in irreversibly rejected human renal allografts. Correlation of morphology with surface markers and cytotoxic capacity of the isolated lymphoid infiltrates.", "content": "To define the composition and proliferative and functional activity of the rejection formed sheep erythrocyte rosettes (T cells), expressed surface Ig (B cells) or Fc receptors and specific lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxic activity. Small clumped lymphocytes (48.8 +/- 18.9 per cent) and plasma cells (18.8 +/- 10.9 per cent) were most common and correlated negatively (p less than 0.01). Percentages of surface Ig-bearing and small clumped lymphocytes correlated directly (p less than 0.05) as did the percentages of E rosette-forming and plasma cells (p less than 0.05). The percentages of surface Ig-bearing B cells correlated negatively with E rosette-forming T cells (p less than 0.05). Within this spectrum of rejection, three patterns could be identified. In the first pattern, humoral rejection (by immunofluorescence) was intense and cellular infiltration was primarily by surface Ig and Fc receptor-positive small clumped B lymphocytes. The second and most common pattern consisted of a mixed T and B cell infiltrate with intermediate to high lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxic activity and variable humoral rejection. In the third pattern, invitro studies showed primarily E rosette-forming T cells with paradoxically low lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxic activity. However, morphologic studies also revealed the highest percentages of plasma cells but only mild humoral rejection. Thus, combined morphologic and in vitro studies identified three patterns of protracted renal allograft rejection. Thus, combined morphologic and in vitro studies identified three patterns of protracted renal allograft rejection for which the percentages of plasma cells may provide a distinguishing morphologic marker. Furthermore, the degree of lymphocytic invasion of renal tubules and blood vessels may provide an estimate of lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxic activity.", "contents": "T and B cell patterns in irreversibly rejected human renal allografts. Correlation of morphology with surface markers and cytotoxic capacity of the isolated lymphoid infiltrates. To define the composition and proliferative and functional activity of the rejection formed sheep erythrocyte rosettes (T cells), expressed surface Ig (B cells) or Fc receptors and specific lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxic activity. Small clumped lymphocytes (48.8 +/- 18.9 per cent) and plasma cells (18.8 +/- 10.9 per cent) were most common and correlated negatively (p less than 0.01). Percentages of surface Ig-bearing and small clumped lymphocytes correlated directly (p less than 0.05) as did the percentages of E rosette-forming and plasma cells (p less than 0.05). The percentages of surface Ig-bearing B cells correlated negatively with E rosette-forming T cells (p less than 0.05). Within this spectrum of rejection, three patterns could be identified. In the first pattern, humoral rejection (by immunofluorescence) was intense and cellular infiltration was primarily by surface Ig and Fc receptor-positive small clumped B lymphocytes. The second and most common pattern consisted of a mixed T and B cell infiltrate with intermediate to high lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxic activity and variable humoral rejection. In the third pattern, invitro studies showed primarily E rosette-forming T cells with paradoxically low lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxic activity. However, morphologic studies also revealed the highest percentages of plasma cells but only mild humoral rejection. Thus, combined morphologic and in vitro studies identified three patterns of protracted renal allograft rejection. Thus, combined morphologic and in vitro studies identified three patterns of protracted renal allograft rejection for which the percentages of plasma cells may provide a distinguishing morphologic marker. Furthermore, the degree of lymphocytic invasion of renal tubules and blood vessels may provide an estimate of lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxic activity.", "PMID": 785094} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6772", "title": "Measurement of cardiac output by thermodilution in infants and children after open-heart operations.", "content": "Five hundred twenty-five measurements of cardiac output were made in 26 infants and children after primary repair of congenital cardiac defects. The Edwards Model 9500 thermodilution output computer was used. Cold indicator was injected into the right atrium; in 405 measurements the signal was sensed in pulmonary artery (PA) and in 120 in left atrium. One hundred seven measurements of output by dye dilution (DD) were made in 9 of the infants. Reproducibility was only slightly less good for thermodilution (ID) with PA sensing than for DD but was considerably worse with left atrial sensing. Outputs measured by TD agreed well with those by DD (r = 0.9065). Precautions necessary for accurate measurements and the advantages of TD in infants are discussed.", "contents": "Measurement of cardiac output by thermodilution in infants and children after open-heart operations. Five hundred twenty-five measurements of cardiac output were made in 26 infants and children after primary repair of congenital cardiac defects. The Edwards Model 9500 thermodilution output computer was used. Cold indicator was injected into the right atrium; in 405 measurements the signal was sensed in pulmonary artery (PA) and in 120 in left atrium. One hundred seven measurements of output by dye dilution (DD) were made in 9 of the infants. Reproducibility was only slightly less good for thermodilution (ID) with PA sensing than for DD but was considerably worse with left atrial sensing. Outputs measured by TD agreed well with those by DD (r = 0.9065). Precautions necessary for accurate measurements and the advantages of TD in infants are discussed.", "PMID": 785104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6773", "title": "Embolization of caval umbrella. Discussion and report of successful removal from the right ventricle.", "content": "The first case of successful diagnosis and operative removal of a vena caval umbrella which had become detached and migrated to the right ventricle is reported. Complications from the employment of this device are discussed. In all cases of umbrella embolization to the right heart and pulmonary arterial tree, immediate operative removal is indicated. Precautions regarding umbrella insertion which minimize the likelihood of dislodgment and embolization are also mentioned.", "contents": "Embolization of caval umbrella. Discussion and report of successful removal from the right ventricle. The first case of successful diagnosis and operative removal of a vena caval umbrella which had become detached and migrated to the right ventricle is reported. Complications from the employment of this device are discussed. In all cases of umbrella embolization to the right heart and pulmonary arterial tree, immediate operative removal is indicated. Precautions regarding umbrella insertion which minimize the likelihood of dislodgment and embolization are also mentioned.", "PMID": 785105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6774", "title": "Late development of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after repair of double-outlet right ventricle.", "content": "A 22-year-old woman had exertional chest pain and dyspnea secondary to left ventricular outflow tract obstruction more than a decade after repair of a type I double-outlet right ventricle. The obstruction was the result of (1) failure of the ventricular septal defect and the tunnel created between the left ventricle and aorta to enlarge commensurate with growth of the heart and (2) a markedly hypertrophied parietal band of the crista supraventricularis which surrounded and narrowed the aortic orifice. At reoperation, the ventricular septal defect and the tunnel were enlarged and the hypertrophied crista supraventricularis was partially resected. The patient is asymptomatic 6 months after operation.", "contents": "Late development of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after repair of double-outlet right ventricle. A 22-year-old woman had exertional chest pain and dyspnea secondary to left ventricular outflow tract obstruction more than a decade after repair of a type I double-outlet right ventricle. The obstruction was the result of (1) failure of the ventricular septal defect and the tunnel created between the left ventricle and aorta to enlarge commensurate with growth of the heart and (2) a markedly hypertrophied parietal band of the crista supraventricularis which surrounded and narrowed the aortic orifice. At reoperation, the ventricular septal defect and the tunnel were enlarged and the hypertrophied crista supraventricularis was partially resected. The patient is asymptomatic 6 months after operation.", "PMID": 785106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6775", "title": "Regional immunotherapy with intrapleural BCG for lung cancer.", "content": "A living vaccine, the bacille Calmette Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bovis, has been administered in a single postoperative intrapleural dose as a controlled equivalent of postoperative empyema in 38 patients following pulmonary resection for lung cancer. This form of regional immunotherapy is reasonably well tolerated if the vaccine is given in a limited dose and if a follow-up course of isoniazid (INH) is administered. In this report, the technical details of this new therapeutic program are reviewed. The preliminary findings in a randomized prospective clinical train of the technique indicate that patients with Stage I lung cancer are significantly benefitted by the treatment. Patients with more advanced disease are unimproved by this form of therapy.", "contents": "Regional immunotherapy with intrapleural BCG for lung cancer. A living vaccine, the bacille Calmette Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bovis, has been administered in a single postoperative intrapleural dose as a controlled equivalent of postoperative empyema in 38 patients following pulmonary resection for lung cancer. This form of regional immunotherapy is reasonably well tolerated if the vaccine is given in a limited dose and if a follow-up course of isoniazid (INH) is administered. In this report, the technical details of this new therapeutic program are reviewed. The preliminary findings in a randomized prospective clinical train of the technique indicate that patients with Stage I lung cancer are significantly benefitted by the treatment. Patients with more advanced disease are unimproved by this form of therapy.", "PMID": 785107} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6776", "title": "Clinical experience with the Lillehei-Kaster cardiac valve prosthesis.", "content": "This paper reviews our experience with the Lillehei-Kaster pivoting disc prosthesis in 155 patients with aortic and mitral valve disease. We employed 189 valves during the period 1971 to 1974. The early surgical mortality rates for isolated mitral, isolated aortic, and combined mitral and aortic valve replacements were 9 per cent, 14 per cent, and 3 per cent, respectively. Postoperatively, there was no evidence of significant hemolysis, and the gradients across the prostheses were satisfactory. Clinical evaluation of prosthetic function was made difficult by the infrequency of an opening click and the common occurrence of mid-diastolic murmurs even with minimal gradients. The most disturbing complication, which has led to our abandoning use of this valve, was thrombosis, which occurred in at least 10 per cent of the mitral and 5 per cent of the aortic valves. The cause is thought to be late prosthetic disproportion as the heart shrinks in size.", "contents": "Clinical experience with the Lillehei-Kaster cardiac valve prosthesis. This paper reviews our experience with the Lillehei-Kaster pivoting disc prosthesis in 155 patients with aortic and mitral valve disease. We employed 189 valves during the period 1971 to 1974. The early surgical mortality rates for isolated mitral, isolated aortic, and combined mitral and aortic valve replacements were 9 per cent, 14 per cent, and 3 per cent, respectively. Postoperatively, there was no evidence of significant hemolysis, and the gradients across the prostheses were satisfactory. Clinical evaluation of prosthetic function was made difficult by the infrequency of an opening click and the common occurrence of mid-diastolic murmurs even with minimal gradients. The most disturbing complication, which has led to our abandoning use of this valve, was thrombosis, which occurred in at least 10 per cent of the mitral and 5 per cent of the aortic valves. The cause is thought to be late prosthetic disproportion as the heart shrinks in size.", "PMID": 785108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6777", "title": "Lymphography in malignant histiocytosis: case report.", "content": "Malignant histiocytosis is an uncommon, progressive disease with a poor prognosis which is characterized by malaise, fever, lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. Lymphadenopathy is commonly present at presentation as well as during the course of the disease. The lymphographic findings in this case report were very similar to those encountered in malignant lymphoma, a not unexpected situation since the clinical and pathological resemblances to histiocytic lymphoma are striking.", "contents": "Lymphography in malignant histiocytosis: case report. Malignant histiocytosis is an uncommon, progressive disease with a poor prognosis which is characterized by malaise, fever, lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. Lymphadenopathy is commonly present at presentation as well as during the course of the disease. The lymphographic findings in this case report were very similar to those encountered in malignant lymphoma, a not unexpected situation since the clinical and pathological resemblances to histiocytic lymphoma are striking.", "PMID": 785110} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6778", "title": "Inclusion blennorrhea: a case report.", "content": "The case described here represents the first laboratory-confirmed case of inclusion blennorrhea at the Mayo Clinic since laboratory isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis was instituted in 1974. Treatment with a sulfonamide preparation proved effective. Further aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of inclusion blennorrhea are discussed.", "contents": "Inclusion blennorrhea: a case report. The case described here represents the first laboratory-confirmed case of inclusion blennorrhea at the Mayo Clinic since laboratory isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis was instituted in 1974. Treatment with a sulfonamide preparation proved effective. Further aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of inclusion blennorrhea are discussed.", "PMID": 785121} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6779", "title": "Effect of endotoxin and trypsin on the blood pressor response to catecholamines in normo- and hypothermic rabbits.", "content": "The action of endotoxin, trypsin or hypothermia on the vascular reactivity to catecholamines was investigated in rabbits, and with trypsin in normothermic dogs as well. In rabbits, LD10 of Escherichia coli 0111 endotoxin increased the blood pressor effect of i.v. adrenaline or noradrenaline with maxima at 60-90 min. LD50 endotoxin elicited a vascular hyporeactivity to catecholamines within an hour. 22 hours later, however, a hyperreactivity to catecholamines developed. At this time, repeated administration of LD50 endotoxin did not reduce the increased catecholamine responsiveness. Trypsin (i.v. 1.5 mg/kg) also potentiated the pressor effect of catecholamines in rabbits and dogs with maxima at 5-10 min. Higher trypsin doses induced a hyporeactivity. LD50 endotoxin in a single or a repeated dose after 22 hours did not decrease the blood pressure of cooled rabbits and failed to alter the vascular reactivity to adrenaline or noradrenaline. The blood pressure effect of trypsin differed in character in normo- and hypothermic rabbits, depending on the depth of cooling. Low body temperature eliminated the potentiating effect of trypsin to the blood pressor action of catecholamines. In normothermic rabbits pretreated with amino-pyrine and phenylbutazone, the blood pressure and the catecholamine potentiation effects of endotoxin or trypsin were inhibited or considerably reduced. The results support the significance of altered vascular reactivity to catecholamines under different pathologic conditions where endotoxin and/or proteases may occur.", "contents": "Effect of endotoxin and trypsin on the blood pressor response to catecholamines in normo- and hypothermic rabbits. The action of endotoxin, trypsin or hypothermia on the vascular reactivity to catecholamines was investigated in rabbits, and with trypsin in normothermic dogs as well. In rabbits, LD10 of Escherichia coli 0111 endotoxin increased the blood pressor effect of i.v. adrenaline or noradrenaline with maxima at 60-90 min. LD50 endotoxin elicited a vascular hyporeactivity to catecholamines within an hour. 22 hours later, however, a hyperreactivity to catecholamines developed. At this time, repeated administration of LD50 endotoxin did not reduce the increased catecholamine responsiveness. Trypsin (i.v. 1.5 mg/kg) also potentiated the pressor effect of catecholamines in rabbits and dogs with maxima at 5-10 min. Higher trypsin doses induced a hyporeactivity. LD50 endotoxin in a single or a repeated dose after 22 hours did not decrease the blood pressure of cooled rabbits and failed to alter the vascular reactivity to adrenaline or noradrenaline. The blood pressure effect of trypsin differed in character in normo- and hypothermic rabbits, depending on the depth of cooling. Low body temperature eliminated the potentiating effect of trypsin to the blood pressor action of catecholamines. In normothermic rabbits pretreated with amino-pyrine and phenylbutazone, the blood pressure and the catecholamine potentiation effects of endotoxin or trypsin were inhibited or considerably reduced. The results support the significance of altered vascular reactivity to catecholamines under different pathologic conditions where endotoxin and/or proteases may occur.", "PMID": 785125} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6780", "title": "Factors associated with changes in occupancy rates of California short-term hospitals: an analysis of statewide hospital discharge data.", "content": "Decline in per cent occupancy of California short-term hospitals between 1969 and 1972 was due principally to an increase in bed supply that exceeded population growth. A lesser contributory cause--decline in utilization--was due entirely to decreases in length-of-stay. Analysis of data from Statewide one-week discharge surveys, carried out in 1968 and 1970, indicates the decrease in average stay was largely centered in Medicare and Medi-Cal (Medicaid) pay classes. Admissions, however, did not decrease. These declines in stay predated the introduction of special increased restrictions on access to medical care into the Medi-Cal program in April 1970. Principal results of the study indicate that in California, government supervision of payment for hospital care has operated to reduce length-of-stay, but thus far does not seem to have affected admission rates. Insofar as these results may hold for other States, they seem to implay certain conditions that may be expected to occur with an extension of National Health insurance to the general population. Chief among these is a further depression of occupancy ratios if bed supply is held constant or increases relative to population. They also imply that further substantial reduction in hospital utilization under Medicare and Medicaid must be sought in admission rates rather than length-of-stay.", "contents": "Factors associated with changes in occupancy rates of California short-term hospitals: an analysis of statewide hospital discharge data. Decline in per cent occupancy of California short-term hospitals between 1969 and 1972 was due principally to an increase in bed supply that exceeded population growth. A lesser contributory cause--decline in utilization--was due entirely to decreases in length-of-stay. Analysis of data from Statewide one-week discharge surveys, carried out in 1968 and 1970, indicates the decrease in average stay was largely centered in Medicare and Medi-Cal (Medicaid) pay classes. Admissions, however, did not decrease. These declines in stay predated the introduction of special increased restrictions on access to medical care into the Medi-Cal program in April 1970. Principal results of the study indicate that in California, government supervision of payment for hospital care has operated to reduce length-of-stay, but thus far does not seem to have affected admission rates. Insofar as these results may hold for other States, they seem to implay certain conditions that may be expected to occur with an extension of National Health insurance to the general population. Chief among these is a further depression of occupancy ratios if bed supply is held constant or increases relative to population. They also imply that further substantial reduction in hospital utilization under Medicare and Medicaid must be sought in admission rates rather than length-of-stay.", "PMID": 785126} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6781", "title": "Patterns of births: implications for the incidence of elective induction.", "content": "This paper, using data for the State of Wisconsin on number of births by day of the week, presents indirect evidence for the widespread incidence of the practice of elective induction. It is found that substantially fewer births occur on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Controls for birth order, type of delivery, and time trend reinforce the possibility that elective inductions are responsible for the patterns found. Implications of the patterns found are discussed.", "contents": "Patterns of births: implications for the incidence of elective induction. This paper, using data for the State of Wisconsin on number of births by day of the week, presents indirect evidence for the widespread incidence of the practice of elective induction. It is found that substantially fewer births occur on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Controls for birth order, type of delivery, and time trend reinforce the possibility that elective inductions are responsible for the patterns found. Implications of the patterns found are discussed.", "PMID": 785127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6782", "title": "[Healing process of colonic anastomosis after contamination with Staphylococcus aureus (author's transl)].", "content": "In 30 rats the healing process of colonic anastomosis contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus was studied. At the same time on each animals a single- and double-layer anastomosis was performed. All sutures were infected during the surgical procedure with highly infectious S. aureus. The rats were sacrificed after 1, 2, 3, 4 days, and 2 1/2 weeks. Criteria for estimation were mainly visible abscess formations, leakage spots, bacteriologic and histologic examinations. After apparent inflammatory reactions were seen on the first postoperative days with a maximum on the 4th day, all sutures were completely healed and free of S. aureus after 2 1/2 weeks. As for the extent of infectious inflammation, the single-layer suture technique proved to be more resistant than the double layer.", "contents": "[Healing process of colonic anastomosis after contamination with Staphylococcus aureus (author's transl)]. In 30 rats the healing process of colonic anastomosis contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus was studied. At the same time on each animals a single- and double-layer anastomosis was performed. All sutures were infected during the surgical procedure with highly infectious S. aureus. The rats were sacrificed after 1, 2, 3, 4 days, and 2 1/2 weeks. Criteria for estimation were mainly visible abscess formations, leakage spots, bacteriologic and histologic examinations. After apparent inflammatory reactions were seen on the first postoperative days with a maximum on the 4th day, all sutures were completely healed and free of S. aureus after 2 1/2 weeks. As for the extent of infectious inflammation, the single-layer suture technique proved to be more resistant than the double layer.", "PMID": 785129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6783", "title": "Computer processing of audiological and vestibular data. II. A further note.", "content": "This paper provides an addendum to an earlier paper describing the development of a computer record system for patient data. The specific problems addressed pertain to the storage and retrieval of historical information, physical signs and diagnosis. Some preliminary comparisons of audiological and vestibular test results are given for groups of patients with diagnoses of acoustic neuroma, M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease, temporal bone fracture and vestibular neuronitis.", "contents": "Computer processing of audiological and vestibular data. II. A further note. This paper provides an addendum to an earlier paper describing the development of a computer record system for patient data. The specific problems addressed pertain to the storage and retrieval of historical information, physical signs and diagnosis. Some preliminary comparisons of audiological and vestibular test results are given for groups of patients with diagnoses of acoustic neuroma, M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease, temporal bone fracture and vestibular neuronitis.", "PMID": 785130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6784", "title": "The efficacy of \"conservative\" medical regimens on the rate of hearing losses in Meniere's syndrome: a retrospective computerized statistical analysis.", "content": "The records of 47 patients with M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's syndrome were analyzed in a retrospective computerized study to determine the effect of different medical regimens on the long term course of hearing loss. Four treatment groups, including histamine (subcutaneous), other vasodilators (oral), vitamins, and untreated controls were examined. Results suggest that there was no statistically significant difference among the four groups in the rates or absolute level of hearing loss or SRT despite different therapeutic regimens. The ability of these agents to conserve hearing in patients with M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's syndrome remains unproven on the basis of clinical and laboratory evidence.", "contents": "The efficacy of \"conservative\" medical regimens on the rate of hearing losses in Meniere's syndrome: a retrospective computerized statistical analysis. The records of 47 patients with M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's syndrome were analyzed in a retrospective computerized study to determine the effect of different medical regimens on the long term course of hearing loss. Four treatment groups, including histamine (subcutaneous), other vasodilators (oral), vitamins, and untreated controls were examined. Results suggest that there was no statistically significant difference among the four groups in the rates or absolute level of hearing loss or SRT despite different therapeutic regimens. The ability of these agents to conserve hearing in patients with M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's syndrome remains unproven on the basis of clinical and laboratory evidence.", "PMID": 785131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6785", "title": "Isolation of Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, the major antifungal principle of Curcumba zedoaria.", "content": "An antifungal principle of the dried rhizomes of Curcuma zedoaria was extracted with hot ethanol. By successive chromatography on neutral alumina and silica gel, three antibiotic compounds A, B, and C, all active against Trichophyton rubrum, Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, were obtained in chemically pure form. By uv, ir, pmr and ms analysis, the structure of the most abundant one of these compounds (C, 69.8%; H, 6,8%; and 0.23.4%) was assigned as ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC). The proposed structure was confirmed by synthesis and comparison of the chemical and biological properties of the natural and synthetic products. EPMC inhibits the growth of Trichophyton rubrum, Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Epidermophyton floccosum at a concentration less than 10 mug/ml; A. fumigatus, Penicillium purpurogenum, Trignoposis variabilis, Microsporum gypseum, Sclerotium rolifsii, Geotricular candiade, Fusarium oxysporum and Helminthosporium oryzale at a concentration less than 25 mug/ml; and Candida krusei and T. mentagrophytes At a concentration less than 50 mug/ml. The spores of T. rubrum Lose viability or ability to germinate when wxposed to its ethanolic solution (30 mug/ml) for 2 hours.", "contents": "Isolation of Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, the major antifungal principle of Curcumba zedoaria. An antifungal principle of the dried rhizomes of Curcuma zedoaria was extracted with hot ethanol. By successive chromatography on neutral alumina and silica gel, three antibiotic compounds A, B, and C, all active against Trichophyton rubrum, Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, were obtained in chemically pure form. By uv, ir, pmr and ms analysis, the structure of the most abundant one of these compounds (C, 69.8%; H, 6,8%; and 0.23.4%) was assigned as ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC). The proposed structure was confirmed by synthesis and comparison of the chemical and biological properties of the natural and synthetic products. EPMC inhibits the growth of Trichophyton rubrum, Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Epidermophyton floccosum at a concentration less than 10 mug/ml; A. fumigatus, Penicillium purpurogenum, Trignoposis variabilis, Microsporum gypseum, Sclerotium rolifsii, Geotricular candiade, Fusarium oxysporum and Helminthosporium oryzale at a concentration less than 25 mug/ml; and Candida krusei and T. mentagrophytes At a concentration less than 50 mug/ml. The spores of T. rubrum Lose viability or ability to germinate when wxposed to its ethanolic solution (30 mug/ml) for 2 hours.", "PMID": 785141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6786", "title": "Granulocyte transfusion therapy.", "content": "This paper summarizes the present state of knowledge in the field of granulocyte transfusion therapy and reviews the past literature. The various centrifugation and filtration methods for separation and collection of granulocytes are described and comparisons of their effectiveness are made. Clinical applications of granulocyte transfusions and the possible complications which may result are discussed. It is indicated that the role of granulocyte transfusion therapy will assume increasing importance in the future.", "contents": "Granulocyte transfusion therapy. This paper summarizes the present state of knowledge in the field of granulocyte transfusion therapy and reviews the past literature. The various centrifugation and filtration methods for separation and collection of granulocytes are described and comparisons of their effectiveness are made. Clinical applications of granulocyte transfusions and the possible complications which may result are discussed. It is indicated that the role of granulocyte transfusion therapy will assume increasing importance in the future.", "PMID": 785167} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6787", "title": "Perilymph fistula: a cause of auditory, vestibular, neurological and psychiatric disorder.", "content": "It is suggested that damage by mild trauma, viruses or bone disease to the otic capsule or to the membranes between the cochlea and the middle ear is common, and involved in many syndromes of obscure etiology. The clinical perilymph fistula (PF) syndrome can consist of any combination of the following: tinnitus, deafness, phonophobia, vertigo, ataxia, otalgia, facial palsy, headache, diplopia, blackouts, psychological distress. The following testable hypotheses are proposed: otitis media is due to perilymph in the middle ear, with secondary changes resulting from infection or inflammation: otosclerosis results from a slow leak in the presence of enzymes promoting bone growth: Meniere's syndrome follows reduced perilymph support for the endolymphatic system: Bell's palsy results from a perilymph provoked oedema in the bony facial nerve canal: PFs may be responsible for progressive rubella deafness, and for some cases of migraine, epilepsy, anxiety neurosis and hysteria: psychiatric sequelae of the PF syndrome predominate in the post-concussional syndrome and infantile autism: organisms can pass from the throat into the spinal fluid, causing meningitis or encephalitis. The tinnitus and vertigo are caused by random labyrinthine fluid movements, the headache and diplopia by reduced spinal fluid pressure.", "contents": "Perilymph fistula: a cause of auditory, vestibular, neurological and psychiatric disorder. It is suggested that damage by mild trauma, viruses or bone disease to the otic capsule or to the membranes between the cochlea and the middle ear is common, and involved in many syndromes of obscure etiology. The clinical perilymph fistula (PF) syndrome can consist of any combination of the following: tinnitus, deafness, phonophobia, vertigo, ataxia, otalgia, facial palsy, headache, diplopia, blackouts, psychological distress. The following testable hypotheses are proposed: otitis media is due to perilymph in the middle ear, with secondary changes resulting from infection or inflammation: otosclerosis results from a slow leak in the presence of enzymes promoting bone growth: Meniere's syndrome follows reduced perilymph support for the endolymphatic system: Bell's palsy results from a perilymph provoked oedema in the bony facial nerve canal: PFs may be responsible for progressive rubella deafness, and for some cases of migraine, epilepsy, anxiety neurosis and hysteria: psychiatric sequelae of the PF syndrome predominate in the post-concussional syndrome and infantile autism: organisms can pass from the throat into the spinal fluid, causing meningitis or encephalitis. The tinnitus and vertigo are caused by random labyrinthine fluid movements, the headache and diplopia by reduced spinal fluid pressure.", "PMID": 785162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6788", "title": "A new constant infusion radioisotopic technique for the noninvasive determination of cardiac output.", "content": "A constant infusion radioisotopic method for the noninvasive determination of cardiac output is introduced and validated in a series of 22 patients by comparison with simultaneous dye dilution or Fick measurements. The new bedside radioisotopic technique utilizes peripheral venous infusion of indium-113m, detection by a single external probe, and analysis of the time-concentration curve by a specially designed, multivariate computer model. The technique is entirely atraumatic, requiring neither injection into the central circulation nor intra-arterial cannulation. The correlation coefficient was 0.72 (p less than 0.001) between the radioisotopic and standard methods for cardiac output determinations. In addition, results in five patients with valvular regurgitation or intracardiac shunts support the validity of the constant infusion radioisotopic technique in these clinical settings in which the standard dye dilution methods for determining cardiac output are invalid. The techniques is applicable in a variety of clinical conditions in which the invasive techniques for cardiac output measurement are either impractical or not available.", "contents": "A new constant infusion radioisotopic technique for the noninvasive determination of cardiac output. A constant infusion radioisotopic method for the noninvasive determination of cardiac output is introduced and validated in a series of 22 patients by comparison with simultaneous dye dilution or Fick measurements. The new bedside radioisotopic technique utilizes peripheral venous infusion of indium-113m, detection by a single external probe, and analysis of the time-concentration curve by a specially designed, multivariate computer model. The technique is entirely atraumatic, requiring neither injection into the central circulation nor intra-arterial cannulation. The correlation coefficient was 0.72 (p less than 0.001) between the radioisotopic and standard methods for cardiac output determinations. In addition, results in five patients with valvular regurgitation or intracardiac shunts support the validity of the constant infusion radioisotopic technique in these clinical settings in which the standard dye dilution methods for determining cardiac output are invalid. The techniques is applicable in a variety of clinical conditions in which the invasive techniques for cardiac output measurement are either impractical or not available.", "PMID": 785164} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6789", "title": "Tuberculosis in renal transplant patients.", "content": "Infection of two renal transplant recipients with tuberculosis is reported. Autopsy findings are available in one case. The frequency of tuberculosis in such cases, treatment problems and prevention are discussed.", "contents": "Tuberculosis in renal transplant patients. Infection of two renal transplant recipients with tuberculosis is reported. Autopsy findings are available in one case. The frequency of tuberculosis in such cases, treatment problems and prevention are discussed.", "PMID": 785170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6790", "title": "Oral contraception and sexuality.", "content": "A search of the literature has been carried out to determined how oral contraceptives affect sexuality in women. Some studies featured a high incidence of loss of libido. This could perhaps be attributed to preparations containing progestational compounds. However, no adequate double-blind trial has confirmed this observation. Some psychological and pharmacological aspects of contraceptions are discussed. More research is needed to ascertain why women often lose their sexual interest when taking oral contraceptives.", "contents": "Oral contraception and sexuality. A search of the literature has been carried out to determined how oral contraceptives affect sexuality in women. Some studies featured a high incidence of loss of libido. This could perhaps be attributed to preparations containing progestational compounds. However, no adequate double-blind trial has confirmed this observation. Some psychological and pharmacological aspects of contraceptions are discussed. More research is needed to ascertain why women often lose their sexual interest when taking oral contraceptives.", "PMID": 785169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6791", "title": "[The effect of a new broad-spectrum antibiotic in bronchopulmonar and urinary infections (author's transl)].", "content": "117 clinical patients with infections of the urinary tract (nequals 47) or the bronchopulmonar system (n equals 70) were treated with a Sulfamoxol-Trimethoprim-combination in low dosage for 11 days. The clinical and bacteriological results were good in more than 80 p.c. although the diseases were severe and chronic. Therefore it can be stated that Sulfamoxol-Trimethoprim is comparable to the broad-spectrum antibiotics with respect to the antibacterial efficacy. Side-effects did not occur.", "contents": "[The effect of a new broad-spectrum antibiotic in bronchopulmonar and urinary infections (author's transl)]. 117 clinical patients with infections of the urinary tract (nequals 47) or the bronchopulmonar system (n equals 70) were treated with a Sulfamoxol-Trimethoprim-combination in low dosage for 11 days. The clinical and bacteriological results were good in more than 80 p.c. although the diseases were severe and chronic. Therefore it can be stated that Sulfamoxol-Trimethoprim is comparable to the broad-spectrum antibiotics with respect to the antibacterial efficacy. Side-effects did not occur.", "PMID": 785172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6792", "title": "Recognition of self and nonself, the crucial role of phagocytosis and lysosomal destruction of antigen.", "content": "Primitive animals possess the ability to take up foreign matter and degrade it intracellularly. It is unlikely that during the evolution of the immune apparatus this mode of dealing with the foreign material would be bypassed. It is suggested that phagocytosis and intracellular digestion of the antigen is the primary mode of defense, and that failing complete digestion of the antigen an antibody response occurs. Phagocytosis of the antigen is known to be a necessary step in the process of antibody formation. Following the uptake by macrophages, the antigen is concentrated within the lysosome and subjected to the action of hydrolytic enzymes. Lysosomes are also the sites of catabolism of body constituents, and are believed to contain enzymes necessary for complete digestion of self constituents. If the lysosomal enzymes can completely degrade the antigen, the latter's possible harmful effects would be destroyed. The organism then does not need to waste energy in the synthesis of specific antibody, the function of which now is redundant. If the lysosomal enzymes cannot hydrolyze the antigen completely, the hydrolysis-resistant fragment can be transferred to lymphocytes, where it can induce antibody synthesis. Thus, the ability of the host hydrolytic enzymes to degrade a substance completely constitutes the recognition of self and the inability to do so amounts to the recognition of nonself.", "contents": "Recognition of self and nonself, the crucial role of phagocytosis and lysosomal destruction of antigen. Primitive animals possess the ability to take up foreign matter and degrade it intracellularly. It is unlikely that during the evolution of the immune apparatus this mode of dealing with the foreign material would be bypassed. It is suggested that phagocytosis and intracellular digestion of the antigen is the primary mode of defense, and that failing complete digestion of the antigen an antibody response occurs. Phagocytosis of the antigen is known to be a necessary step in the process of antibody formation. Following the uptake by macrophages, the antigen is concentrated within the lysosome and subjected to the action of hydrolytic enzymes. Lysosomes are also the sites of catabolism of body constituents, and are believed to contain enzymes necessary for complete digestion of self constituents. If the lysosomal enzymes can completely degrade the antigen, the latter's possible harmful effects would be destroyed. The organism then does not need to waste energy in the synthesis of specific antibody, the function of which now is redundant. If the lysosomal enzymes cannot hydrolyze the antigen completely, the hydrolysis-resistant fragment can be transferred to lymphocytes, where it can induce antibody synthesis. Thus, the ability of the host hydrolytic enzymes to degrade a substance completely constitutes the recognition of self and the inability to do so amounts to the recognition of nonself.", "PMID": 785163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6793", "title": "[Renal function under parenteral application of aescinat (author's transl)].", "content": "18 persons with unimpaired renal function were examined, if the parenteral application of aescinat was followed by disturbances of renal function. 10 of these persons got for 3 days 10 mg of sodium-aescinat per day administered intravenously. The other test persons got for 6 days 20 mg of aescinat administered. There was no alteration in any of these cases either of serum electrolytes, blood sugar, creatinine, urea, urine analysis, creatinine clearance or hippuran clearance. We come to the conclusion that there has to be a strict indication for the application of aescinat in patients with threatening or apparent renal failure and a cautious dosage on the other hand. Patients with unimpaired renal function can be treated in normal dosage without great danger of renal or other side effects with aescinat for avoiding oedema while passing renal calculi or after plastic surgery.", "contents": "[Renal function under parenteral application of aescinat (author's transl)]. 18 persons with unimpaired renal function were examined, if the parenteral application of aescinat was followed by disturbances of renal function. 10 of these persons got for 3 days 10 mg of sodium-aescinat per day administered intravenously. The other test persons got for 6 days 20 mg of aescinat administered. There was no alteration in any of these cases either of serum electrolytes, blood sugar, creatinine, urea, urine analysis, creatinine clearance or hippuran clearance. We come to the conclusion that there has to be a strict indication for the application of aescinat in patients with threatening or apparent renal failure and a cautious dosage on the other hand. Patients with unimpaired renal function can be treated in normal dosage without great danger of renal or other side effects with aescinat for avoiding oedema while passing renal calculi or after plastic surgery.", "PMID": 785177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6794", "title": "[Sisomicin treatment of urinary tract infections (author's transl)].", "content": "In a study with 30 randomized patients the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and side effects of Sisomicin were determined. Half of the patients received one single intramuscular injection of 75 or 100mg (1.4 mg/kg) Sisomicin/day. The other cases were injected 50 or 75mg (1.9 or 2.1 mg/kg) b.i.d. The serum concentrations determined on the first and last days of treatment 1 hour after the application ranged between 4 and 5.3 mug/ml. After 6 hours the values decreased to 0.7-0.8 mug/ml. The elimination rate within 24 h amounted to 63-77%. Depending on the dosage group, the mean urinary concentrations/24 h amounted to 46-51 mug/ml or 63 to 92 mug/ml, respectively. The highest concentration measured during the first 8 hours amounted to 129 mug/ml after an administration of 1.4 mg/kg. In 18 of 29 cases a \"cure\" of urologic infections, most of which had been treated previously without success, could be achieved. Furthermore we observed 5 relapses, 3 failures and 3 reinfections, but no superinfection. The local and general tolerance of Sisomicin was good. 5 patients showed toxic reactions of the vestibular organ in the form of dizziness. In 1 case there was an excretion of granulated casts.", "contents": "[Sisomicin treatment of urinary tract infections (author's transl)]. In a study with 30 randomized patients the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and side effects of Sisomicin were determined. Half of the patients received one single intramuscular injection of 75 or 100mg (1.4 mg/kg) Sisomicin/day. The other cases were injected 50 or 75mg (1.9 or 2.1 mg/kg) b.i.d. The serum concentrations determined on the first and last days of treatment 1 hour after the application ranged between 4 and 5.3 mug/ml. After 6 hours the values decreased to 0.7-0.8 mug/ml. The elimination rate within 24 h amounted to 63-77%. Depending on the dosage group, the mean urinary concentrations/24 h amounted to 46-51 mug/ml or 63 to 92 mug/ml, respectively. The highest concentration measured during the first 8 hours amounted to 129 mug/ml after an administration of 1.4 mg/kg. In 18 of 29 cases a \"cure\" of urologic infections, most of which had been treated previously without success, could be achieved. Furthermore we observed 5 relapses, 3 failures and 3 reinfections, but no superinfection. The local and general tolerance of Sisomicin was good. 5 patients showed toxic reactions of the vestibular organ in the form of dizziness. In 1 case there was an excretion of granulated casts.", "PMID": 785178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6795", "title": "[Renal thrombohemolytic microangiopathy (author's transl)].", "content": "The clinical findings in three patients with renal thrombohemolytic microangiopathy are presented. The triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation and microangiopathic changes of the kidney leading to renal insufficiency is the characteristic feature of this disease. Beside the usual classification based on etiological factors (distinguishing between primary and symptomatic forms) a topographical classification (distinguishing between generalized forms and localized forms occuring in isolated organs) is suggested. The pathogenesis and therapy of this disorder are discussed.", "contents": "[Renal thrombohemolytic microangiopathy (author's transl)]. The clinical findings in three patients with renal thrombohemolytic microangiopathy are presented. The triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation and microangiopathic changes of the kidney leading to renal insufficiency is the characteristic feature of this disease. Beside the usual classification based on etiological factors (distinguishing between primary and symptomatic forms) a topographical classification (distinguishing between generalized forms and localized forms occuring in isolated organs) is suggested. The pathogenesis and therapy of this disorder are discussed.", "PMID": 785183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6796", "title": "[Significance of indirect hemagglutination test with polyvalent E. coli O antigens to diagnosis of pyelonephritis (author's transl)].", "content": "78% of 32 patients with acute E. coli pyelonephritis had significantly increased antibody titers to polyvalent E. coli antigens (PA). Only 14% of 42 patients with chronic E. coli pyelonephritis had increased antibody titers. 143 E. coli O groups were used in hemagglutination test distributed into 8 antigen pools. Antibody titers to common O groups were more elevated than those to uncommon O groups. The result showed that hemagglutination test with PA can be usefull for serologic diagnostic of acute pyelonephritis.", "contents": "[Significance of indirect hemagglutination test with polyvalent E. coli O antigens to diagnosis of pyelonephritis (author's transl)]. 78% of 32 patients with acute E. coli pyelonephritis had significantly increased antibody titers to polyvalent E. coli antigens (PA). Only 14% of 42 patients with chronic E. coli pyelonephritis had increased antibody titers. 143 E. coli O groups were used in hemagglutination test distributed into 8 antigen pools. Antibody titers to common O groups were more elevated than those to uncommon O groups. The result showed that hemagglutination test with PA can be usefull for serologic diagnostic of acute pyelonephritis.", "PMID": 785184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6797", "title": "A controlled clinical trial of fluorouracil plus imidazole carboxamide dimethyl triazeno plus vincristine plus bis-chloroethyl nitrosourea plus radiotherapy in stomach cancer.", "content": "The aim of this study was to seek a better treatment for patients with inoperable or recurrent stomach cancer. Seventy patients were randomly allocated to receive courses of treatment with either A (5-Fluorouracil plus radiotherapy) or B (5-Fluorouracil plus Imidazole Carboxamide Dimethyl Triazeno plus Vincristine plus Bis-Chloroethyl Nitrosourea plus radiotherapy). Only 59 of these patients were evaluable. The median survival time of patients allocated to Group A was 220 days and Group B was 199 days. Seventeen of 31 patients in Group A and 10 of 28 patients in Group B had objectively documented remission. The median survival time of responders was 222 days for Group A and 410 for Group B. While it would appear that those patients who respond to the more intensive treatment do better, a larger percentage of patients responded to the simpler treatment regimen of 5-Fluorouracil plus radiotherapy.", "contents": "A controlled clinical trial of fluorouracil plus imidazole carboxamide dimethyl triazeno plus vincristine plus bis-chloroethyl nitrosourea plus radiotherapy in stomach cancer. The aim of this study was to seek a better treatment for patients with inoperable or recurrent stomach cancer. Seventy patients were randomly allocated to receive courses of treatment with either A (5-Fluorouracil plus radiotherapy) or B (5-Fluorouracil plus Imidazole Carboxamide Dimethyl Triazeno plus Vincristine plus Bis-Chloroethyl Nitrosourea plus radiotherapy). Only 59 of these patients were evaluable. The median survival time of patients allocated to Group A was 220 days and Group B was 199 days. Seventeen of 31 patients in Group A and 10 of 28 patients in Group B had objectively documented remission. The median survival time of responders was 222 days for Group A and 410 for Group B. While it would appear that those patients who respond to the more intensive treatment do better, a larger percentage of patients responded to the simpler treatment regimen of 5-Fluorouracil plus radiotherapy.", "PMID": 785197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6798", "title": "Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in 171 children.", "content": "The initial features, response to therapy, complications, cause of death, and prognostic factors of 171 consecutive children with ANLL are described and compated to historical data for adults with ANLL and for children with ALL. Major differences between children and adults with ANLL include a higher frequency of CNS leukemia and a lower frequency of early deaths in the children. The most important differences between children with ANLL and ALL are the absence of a peak age of incidence in ANLL and the far better response to therapy in ALL. Among features present at 100,000/mm3 or above, and no palpable hepatomegaly had significantly longer survivals, while patients with platelet counts below 10,000/mm3 had significantly shorter survivals. The frequency and duration of remission were significantly better with three protocols used since 1968 than previously. However, even with these protocols, the results were far from satisfactory, with a complete remission frequency of 66%, a median duration of hematological remission of 6 months, and a median duration of survival of 10 months. The striking contrast of these results in childhood ANLL with current results in childhood ALL underscores the need for novel, imaginative therapeutic approaches for ANLL.", "contents": "Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in 171 children. The initial features, response to therapy, complications, cause of death, and prognostic factors of 171 consecutive children with ANLL are described and compated to historical data for adults with ANLL and for children with ALL. Major differences between children and adults with ANLL include a higher frequency of CNS leukemia and a lower frequency of early deaths in the children. The most important differences between children with ANLL and ALL are the absence of a peak age of incidence in ANLL and the far better response to therapy in ALL. Among features present at 100,000/mm3 or above, and no palpable hepatomegaly had significantly longer survivals, while patients with platelet counts below 10,000/mm3 had significantly shorter survivals. The frequency and duration of remission were significantly better with three protocols used since 1968 than previously. However, even with these protocols, the results were far from satisfactory, with a complete remission frequency of 66%, a median duration of hematological remission of 6 months, and a median duration of survival of 10 months. The striking contrast of these results in childhood ANLL with current results in childhood ALL underscores the need for novel, imaginative therapeutic approaches for ANLL.", "PMID": 785198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6799", "title": "The use of oral BCG in the treatment or metastatic malignant melanoma.", "content": "This study assess the effects of oral BCG, as a single agent, on tumor progression and on cell-mediated immune function in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma. Thirty patients were studied including 22 with measurable metastatic lesions and 8 with no detectable disease, following treatment of metastases by surgery, radiotherapy, or 5-(3, 3-dimethyl-1 -triazeno)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (DTIC; DIC). Oral BCG was given in doses of 120--240 mg, 1--3 times per week for periods ranging from 9 to 80 weeks and to total doses of from 1.2 to 20.1 gm. Patients were assessed by direct measurements of tumor mass, PPD skin test and in vitro blastogenic responses to PPD PHA. Of the 22 patient with measureable disease, 19 showed tumor progression and none showed regression of any lesion. Of the 8 without apparent disease, 5 remained stable and 3 had tumor recurrence. Of the total group of 30 patients, 8 showed some increased sensitivity to skin testing with PPD. Of 19 tested, 3 showed an increased PPD response in vitro, while 3 showed a decreased response. Six of 20 tested showed an increased PHA response in vitro. Oral BCG alone was not effective as an antitumor agent in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma.", "contents": "The use of oral BCG in the treatment or metastatic malignant melanoma. This study assess the effects of oral BCG, as a single agent, on tumor progression and on cell-mediated immune function in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma. Thirty patients were studied including 22 with measurable metastatic lesions and 8 with no detectable disease, following treatment of metastases by surgery, radiotherapy, or 5-(3, 3-dimethyl-1 -triazeno)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (DTIC; DIC). Oral BCG was given in doses of 120--240 mg, 1--3 times per week for periods ranging from 9 to 80 weeks and to total doses of from 1.2 to 20.1 gm. Patients were assessed by direct measurements of tumor mass, PPD skin test and in vitro blastogenic responses to PPD PHA. Of the 22 patient with measureable disease, 19 showed tumor progression and none showed regression of any lesion. Of the 8 without apparent disease, 5 remained stable and 3 had tumor recurrence. Of the total group of 30 patients, 8 showed some increased sensitivity to skin testing with PPD. Of 19 tested, 3 showed an increased PPD response in vitro, while 3 showed a decreased response. Six of 20 tested showed an increased PHA response in vitro. Oral BCG alone was not effective as an antitumor agent in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma.", "PMID": 785199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6800", "title": "The line spread function and modulation transfer function of a computed tomographic scanner.", "content": "A simple method to measure the line spread function of computed tomographic scanners has been developed. The line spread function of the EMI-Scanner was measured and the MTF of the scanner was calculated. The reproducibility of the method indicated this technique could be utilized to compare the spatial resolution of various computed tomographic scanners.", "contents": "The line spread function and modulation transfer function of a computed tomographic scanner. A simple method to measure the line spread function of computed tomographic scanners has been developed. The line spread function of the EMI-Scanner was measured and the MTF of the scanner was calculated. The reproducibility of the method indicated this technique could be utilized to compare the spatial resolution of various computed tomographic scanners.", "PMID": 785200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6801", "title": "Statistical limitations in x-ray reconstructive tomography.", "content": "Statistical fluctuations, or noise, in reconstructed tomograms are analyzed as a function of x-ray energy. The result is essentially constant for energies above 50 keV, assuming constant dose and spatial resolution, and is in close agreement with the actual performance of the EMI-Scanner (water-bag model). The noise is inversely proportional to the square of cell dimensions. For scanners without a water bag, the theoretical noise is approximately 30% less.", "contents": "Statistical limitations in x-ray reconstructive tomography. Statistical fluctuations, or noise, in reconstructed tomograms are analyzed as a function of x-ray energy. The result is essentially constant for energies above 50 keV, assuming constant dose and spatial resolution, and is in close agreement with the actual performance of the EMI-Scanner (water-bag model). The noise is inversely proportional to the square of cell dimensions. For scanners without a water bag, the theoretical noise is approximately 30% less.", "PMID": 785201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6802", "title": "Cytological and genetic studies of the life cycle of Saccharomycopsis lipolytica.", "content": "In the alkane yeast Saccharomycopsis lipolytica (formerly: Candida lipolytica) the variability in the ascospore number is caused by the absence of a correlation between the meiotic divisions and spore wall formation. In four spored yeasts, after meiosis II, a spore wall is formed around each of the four nuclei produced by meiosis II. However, in the most frequently occurring two spored asci of S. lipolytica, the two nuclei are already enveloped by the spore wall after meiosis I due to a delay of meiosis II. This division takes place within the spore during the maturation of the ascus. In this case germination of the binucleate ascospore is not preceded by a mitosis. It follows that the cells of the new haploid clones are mononucleate. In the three spored asci, which occur rarely, only one nucleus is surrounded by a spore wall after meiosis I; the other nucleus undergoes meosis II before the onset of spore wall formation. The result is one bincleate and two mononucleate spores. In the one spored asci the two meiotic divisions occur within the young ascosphore, i.e. spore wall formation starts immediately after development of the ascus. These cytological observations were substantiated by genetic data, which in addition confirmed the prediction that binucleate spores may be heterokaryotic. This occurs when there is a postreduction of at least one of the genes by which the parents of the cross differ. This also explains the high frequency of prototrophs in the progeny of non-allelic auxotrophs since random spore isolates are made without distinguishing between mono- and binucleate spores. The possibility of analysing offspring of binucleate spores by tetrad analysis is discussed. These findings enable us to understand the life cycle of S. lipolytica in detail and we are now in a position to start concerted breeding for strain improvement especially with respect to single cell protein production.", "contents": "Cytological and genetic studies of the life cycle of Saccharomycopsis lipolytica. In the alkane yeast Saccharomycopsis lipolytica (formerly: Candida lipolytica) the variability in the ascospore number is caused by the absence of a correlation between the meiotic divisions and spore wall formation. In four spored yeasts, after meiosis II, a spore wall is formed around each of the four nuclei produced by meiosis II. However, in the most frequently occurring two spored asci of S. lipolytica, the two nuclei are already enveloped by the spore wall after meiosis I due to a delay of meiosis II. This division takes place within the spore during the maturation of the ascus. In this case germination of the binucleate ascospore is not preceded by a mitosis. It follows that the cells of the new haploid clones are mononucleate. In the three spored asci, which occur rarely, only one nucleus is surrounded by a spore wall after meiosis I; the other nucleus undergoes meosis II before the onset of spore wall formation. The result is one bincleate and two mononucleate spores. In the one spored asci the two meiotic divisions occur within the young ascosphore, i.e. spore wall formation starts immediately after development of the ascus. These cytological observations were substantiated by genetic data, which in addition confirmed the prediction that binucleate spores may be heterokaryotic. This occurs when there is a postreduction of at least one of the genes by which the parents of the cross differ. This also explains the high frequency of prototrophs in the progeny of non-allelic auxotrophs since random spore isolates are made without distinguishing between mono- and binucleate spores. The possibility of analysing offspring of binucleate spores by tetrad analysis is discussed. These findings enable us to understand the life cycle of S. lipolytica in detail and we are now in a position to start concerted breeding for strain improvement especially with respect to single cell protein production.", "PMID": 785204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6803", "title": "The effects of \"cell age\" upon the lethal effects of physical and chemical mutagens in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Yeast cultures progressing from the exponential to the stationary phase of growth showed changes in cell sensitivity to physical agents such as UV light, heat shock at 52 degrees C and the chemical mutagens ethyl methane sulphonate, nitrous acid and mitomycin C. Exponential phree chemicals. The increased resistance of exponential phase cells to UV light was shown to be dependent upon the functional integrity of the RAD50 gene. Treatment of growing yeast cultures with radioactively labelled ethyl methane sulphonate indicated the preferential uptake of radioactivity during the sensitive exponential stage of growth. The results indicated that the differential uptake of the chemical mutagens was responsible for at least a fraction of the variations in cell sensitivity observed in yeast cultures at different phases of growth.", "contents": "The effects of \"cell age\" upon the lethal effects of physical and chemical mutagens in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast cultures progressing from the exponential to the stationary phase of growth showed changes in cell sensitivity to physical agents such as UV light, heat shock at 52 degrees C and the chemical mutagens ethyl methane sulphonate, nitrous acid and mitomycin C. Exponential phree chemicals. The increased resistance of exponential phase cells to UV light was shown to be dependent upon the functional integrity of the RAD50 gene. Treatment of growing yeast cultures with radioactively labelled ethyl methane sulphonate indicated the preferential uptake of radioactivity during the sensitive exponential stage of growth. The results indicated that the differential uptake of the chemical mutagens was responsible for at least a fraction of the variations in cell sensitivity observed in yeast cultures at different phases of growth.", "PMID": 785205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6804", "title": "Inducible, error-free DNA Repair in tsl recA mutants of E. coli.", "content": "Host of cell reactivation and UV reactivation and mutagenesis of UV-irradiated phage mu were measured in tsl recAplus and tsl recA host mutants. Host cell reactivation was slightly more efficient in the tsl recA strain. Phage was UV-reactivated in the tsl recA strain with about one-half the efficiency of that in the wild type strain, but there was no corresponding mutagenesis of phage. UV-reactivation was also slightly lower and mutagenesis several-fold lower than normal in the tsl recAplus strain. To account for these observations, we propose that there is an inducible, error-free pathway of DNA repair in E. coli that competes with error-prone repair for repair of phage lesions.", "contents": "Inducible, error-free DNA Repair in tsl recA mutants of E. coli. Host of cell reactivation and UV reactivation and mutagenesis of UV-irradiated phage mu were measured in tsl recAplus and tsl recA host mutants. Host cell reactivation was slightly more efficient in the tsl recA strain. Phage was UV-reactivated in the tsl recA strain with about one-half the efficiency of that in the wild type strain, but there was no corresponding mutagenesis of phage. UV-reactivation was also slightly lower and mutagenesis several-fold lower than normal in the tsl recAplus strain. To account for these observations, we propose that there is an inducible, error-free pathway of DNA repair in E. coli that competes with error-prone repair for repair of phage lesions.", "PMID": 785206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6805", "title": "Conjugation deficient E. coli K12 F- mutants with heptose-less lipopolysaccharide.", "content": "Two F- mutants deficient in conjugation with F-type donors are isolated and characterized. Phenotypically, these mutants are similar; they have heptose-less lipopolysaccharide and lack some outer membrane protein. Genotypically, they are different. One mutant harbors a point mutation in the 70 to 74 min region, while the other is deleted for the chromosomal region 6.5 to 8.5 min. Comparison of the properties of the conjugation-deficient mutants described in this paper with other such mutants suggests that an outer membrane protein is the receptor for the f-pilus.", "contents": "Conjugation deficient E. coli K12 F- mutants with heptose-less lipopolysaccharide. Two F- mutants deficient in conjugation with F-type donors are isolated and characterized. Phenotypically, these mutants are similar; they have heptose-less lipopolysaccharide and lack some outer membrane protein. Genotypically, they are different. One mutant harbors a point mutation in the 70 to 74 min region, while the other is deleted for the chromosomal region 6.5 to 8.5 min. Comparison of the properties of the conjugation-deficient mutants described in this paper with other such mutants suggests that an outer membrane protein is the receptor for the f-pilus.", "PMID": 785207} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6806", "title": "Effects of elevation of strain-ploidy on transmission and recombination of mitochondrial drug resistance genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "In order to study the effects of strainploidy on the transmission and recombination of the mitochondrial genes C, E and O conferring the resistance to chloramphenicol, erythromycin and oligomycin, respectively, haploids were crossed to diploids and the results of genetic analysis were compared with those from haploid X haploid crosses. All haploid X haploid crosses showed an increased transmission of diploid derived alleles, relative to haploid derived ones, but the pattern of increase differed between homosexual and heterosexual crosses. In omega-haploid X omega-diploid homosexual crosses, the increase was of roughly equal magnitude at the C, E and O LOCI: there was a polar co-transmission of the diploid derived alleles. In omega plus haploid by omega-diploid heterosexual crosses, on the contrary, a differential increase was observed at the different loci, the magnitude being the smallest at the C locus and the largest at the O locus. As a result, there was a preferential transmission in favor of the haploid derived C alleles and of the diploid derived O alleles. A near equal transmission from both parents was observed for the E alleles. A decrease and an increase in the recombination frequency were noticed in the above haploid by diploid homosexual and heterosexual crosses, respectively. The above phenomena were ascribed to different dosages of mitochrondrial genomes from parents. Experimental data were well accorded with the theoretical expectation which were obtained on the assumptions that diploids contain twice as many mitochondrial genomes as haploids, and that random pairings and recombination would occur among mitochrondrial genomes from parents. The elevation of strain-ploidy did not affect the recombination polarity which is under the control of the omega gene. It was theoretically predicted that a preferential transmission in favor of diploid derived alleles at all the C, E and O loci would be seen in omega-haploid x omega plus diploid heterosexual crosses as well as in omega plus haploid x omega plus diploid homosexual crosses, but that the magnitude of the polar transmission would vary depending upon the loci in the former crosses, while it would be the same at all the loci in the latter ones. The recombination frequency was predicted to decrease in both of these crosses.", "contents": "Effects of elevation of strain-ploidy on transmission and recombination of mitochondrial drug resistance genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In order to study the effects of strainploidy on the transmission and recombination of the mitochondrial genes C, E and O conferring the resistance to chloramphenicol, erythromycin and oligomycin, respectively, haploids were crossed to diploids and the results of genetic analysis were compared with those from haploid X haploid crosses. All haploid X haploid crosses showed an increased transmission of diploid derived alleles, relative to haploid derived ones, but the pattern of increase differed between homosexual and heterosexual crosses. In omega-haploid X omega-diploid homosexual crosses, the increase was of roughly equal magnitude at the C, E and O LOCI: there was a polar co-transmission of the diploid derived alleles. In omega plus haploid by omega-diploid heterosexual crosses, on the contrary, a differential increase was observed at the different loci, the magnitude being the smallest at the C locus and the largest at the O locus. As a result, there was a preferential transmission in favor of the haploid derived C alleles and of the diploid derived O alleles. A near equal transmission from both parents was observed for the E alleles. A decrease and an increase in the recombination frequency were noticed in the above haploid by diploid homosexual and heterosexual crosses, respectively. The above phenomena were ascribed to different dosages of mitochrondrial genomes from parents. Experimental data were well accorded with the theoretical expectation which were obtained on the assumptions that diploids contain twice as many mitochondrial genomes as haploids, and that random pairings and recombination would occur among mitochrondrial genomes from parents. The elevation of strain-ploidy did not affect the recombination polarity which is under the control of the omega gene. It was theoretically predicted that a preferential transmission in favor of diploid derived alleles at all the C, E and O loci would be seen in omega-haploid x omega plus diploid heterosexual crosses as well as in omega plus haploid x omega plus diploid homosexual crosses, but that the magnitude of the polar transmission would vary depending upon the loci in the former crosses, while it would be the same at all the loci in the latter ones. The recombination frequency was predicted to decrease in both of these crosses.", "PMID": 785208} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6807", "title": "Role of the bacterial and phage recombination systems and of DNA replication in genetic recombination of UV-irradiated phage Lambda.", "content": "In this paper are studied in E. coli K12 the influence of the bacterial Rec and phage mu Red recombination systems on the rescue of the O plus gene from the prophage by a superinfecting O minus phage, UV irradiated or not. In the absence of UV irradiation the Red system produces more recombinants than does the Rec system, and its action requires DNA replication. The presence of UV lesions in the mu DNA facilitates the action of the Rec system, which is more efficient in this instance than the Red system and can act in the absence of DNA replication. In all cases, there is a cooperation between the two generalized recombination systems.", "contents": "Role of the bacterial and phage recombination systems and of DNA replication in genetic recombination of UV-irradiated phage Lambda. In this paper are studied in E. coli K12 the influence of the bacterial Rec and phage mu Red recombination systems on the rescue of the O plus gene from the prophage by a superinfecting O minus phage, UV irradiated or not. In the absence of UV irradiation the Red system produces more recombinants than does the Rec system, and its action requires DNA replication. The presence of UV lesions in the mu DNA facilitates the action of the Rec system, which is more efficient in this instance than the Red system and can act in the absence of DNA replication. In all cases, there is a cooperation between the two generalized recombination systems.", "PMID": 785209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6808", "title": "DNA Degradation and reduced recombination following UV irradiation during meiosis in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).", "content": "Irradiation of meiotic yeast cells with moderate doses of ultraviolet irradiation (1,600 erg/mm2) leads to the arrest of premeiotic DNA synthesis, massive (5-40%) DNA degradation, and a 40-50% loss of cell viability. In contrast, such doses of UV irradiation had a minor effect on viability (15-20% loss) of logarithmically growing cells, and no comparable DNA degradation was observed in irradiated synchronized vegetative cells. Meiotic recombination is also affected by UV irradiation. When administered at a stage comparable to meiotic prophase, low doses of irradiation result in a reduction in recombination frequency without significantly affecting cell viability.", "contents": "DNA Degradation and reduced recombination following UV irradiation during meiosis in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Irradiation of meiotic yeast cells with moderate doses of ultraviolet irradiation (1,600 erg/mm2) leads to the arrest of premeiotic DNA synthesis, massive (5-40%) DNA degradation, and a 40-50% loss of cell viability. In contrast, such doses of UV irradiation had a minor effect on viability (15-20% loss) of logarithmically growing cells, and no comparable DNA degradation was observed in irradiated synchronized vegetative cells. Meiotic recombination is also affected by UV irradiation. When administered at a stage comparable to meiotic prophase, low doses of irradiation result in a reduction in recombination frequency without significantly affecting cell viability.", "PMID": 785210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6809", "title": "Electron microscopy of analysis of circular repetitive mitochondrial DNA molecules from genetically characterized rho- mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "1. We have studied mtDNA purified from nine p- petite mutants in which most of the wild type sequence has been deleted but the genetic markers conferring resistance to erythromycin of oligomycin or paromomycin have been retained. 2. All mtDNA contained numerous circular molecules. The size distribution of the circles conformed to a multimeric series which was characteristic for each mutant. We conclude that any one region of the wild type mtDNA molecule, when maintained in a p- clone, while other regions are deleted, can give rise to a multimeric series of circles. 3. In tandem straight repetitive mtDNAs the circles contain odd and even number of unit sequence repeats. In palindrome repetitive mtDNAs the circles contain mostly even number of unit sequence repeats. Thus, one straight or two inverted repeats constitute the monomeric unit of circularization. 4. We found that the frequency distribution of circles follows on a number basis a simple rule: frequency of numeric circles = 1/n frequency of monomeric circles, for n = 2, 3 and 4. Thus, on a mass basis each class represents the same fraction of total mtDNA and the mitochondrial genome has the same probability to constitute one monomeric circle or to be a part of n-meric circle. We interpret this finding that in vivo all molecules are circular. 5. Four mutants displayed a single multimeric series of circles ranging from 0.3 mum to 2.4 mum monomer circle length. Five mutants displayed multiple different multimeric series. In the latter case, the longest unit sequence repeat length was equal to the sum of the two shorter unit sequence repeat lengths. Sorting out, recombination and internal deletions of circular repetitive p- mtDNA molecules are discussed.", "contents": "Electron microscopy of analysis of circular repetitive mitochondrial DNA molecules from genetically characterized rho- mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 1. We have studied mtDNA purified from nine p- petite mutants in which most of the wild type sequence has been deleted but the genetic markers conferring resistance to erythromycin of oligomycin or paromomycin have been retained. 2. All mtDNA contained numerous circular molecules. The size distribution of the circles conformed to a multimeric series which was characteristic for each mutant. We conclude that any one region of the wild type mtDNA molecule, when maintained in a p- clone, while other regions are deleted, can give rise to a multimeric series of circles. 3. In tandem straight repetitive mtDNAs the circles contain odd and even number of unit sequence repeats. In palindrome repetitive mtDNAs the circles contain mostly even number of unit sequence repeats. Thus, one straight or two inverted repeats constitute the monomeric unit of circularization. 4. We found that the frequency distribution of circles follows on a number basis a simple rule: frequency of numeric circles = 1/n frequency of monomeric circles, for n = 2, 3 and 4. Thus, on a mass basis each class represents the same fraction of total mtDNA and the mitochondrial genome has the same probability to constitute one monomeric circle or to be a part of n-meric circle. We interpret this finding that in vivo all molecules are circular. 5. Four mutants displayed a single multimeric series of circles ranging from 0.3 mum to 2.4 mum monomer circle length. Five mutants displayed multiple different multimeric series. In the latter case, the longest unit sequence repeat length was equal to the sum of the two shorter unit sequence repeat lengths. Sorting out, recombination and internal deletions of circular repetitive p- mtDNA molecules are discussed.", "PMID": 785211} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6810", "title": "Rifampicin-induced protein synthesis: A pre-requisite for increased expression of the beta beta' operon in Escherichia coli.", "content": "In a rifS/rifR heterodiploid strain of E. coli, a 4 minute pulse of rifampicin can induce a prolonged (greater than 60 min) increase in the rate of synthesis of the RNA polymerase subunits, beta and beta'. The application of a constraint on the fidelity of protein synthesis during, but not after, the rifampicin pulse partially arrests the development of this capacity for subunit synthesis. I discuss the implications of these findings in relation to the control of the BB' operon in E. coli.", "contents": "Rifampicin-induced protein synthesis: A pre-requisite for increased expression of the beta beta' operon in Escherichia coli. In a rifS/rifR heterodiploid strain of E. coli, a 4 minute pulse of rifampicin can induce a prolonged (greater than 60 min) increase in the rate of synthesis of the RNA polymerase subunits, beta and beta'. The application of a constraint on the fidelity of protein synthesis during, but not after, the rifampicin pulse partially arrests the development of this capacity for subunit synthesis. I discuss the implications of these findings in relation to the control of the BB' operon in E. coli.", "PMID": 785212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6811", "title": "Effect of caffeine on the rho- -induction with ethidium bromide in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "It is shown that caffeine antagonizes petite-induction with ethidium bromide under non-growth conditions when administered during or after mutagenic treatment. Caffeine itself is shown to be a petite-inducing agent when cells are grown in liquid glucose-complete-medium in the presence of the drug. A possible mode of action of caffeine in the ethidium bromide induced petite-mutagenesis is discussed.", "contents": "Effect of caffeine on the rho- -induction with ethidium bromide in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is shown that caffeine antagonizes petite-induction with ethidium bromide under non-growth conditions when administered during or after mutagenic treatment. Caffeine itself is shown to be a petite-inducing agent when cells are grown in liquid glucose-complete-medium in the presence of the drug. A possible mode of action of caffeine in the ethidium bromide induced petite-mutagenesis is discussed.", "PMID": 785213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6812", "title": "Differential effects of nalidixate on the cell growth of respiratory competent strains and cytoplasmic petite mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Sodium nalidixate inhibited the cell growth and division of several respiratory competent strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A number of cytoplasmic petite strains (both spontaneous and induced by ethidium bromide) were shown to be more resistant to sodium nalidixate than the wild-type strains from which they were derived. There was considerable variation in sensitivity of different petites derived from the same wild-type. Usually petite strains which were induced by ethidium bromide were more resistant than spontaneously arising petites. The susceptibility of a wild-type strain to nalidixate was found to be least when the mitochondrial respiratory system was maximally repressed. It was also noted that sodium nalidixate (100 mug/ml) induced petite mutants.", "contents": "Differential effects of nalidixate on the cell growth of respiratory competent strains and cytoplasmic petite mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sodium nalidixate inhibited the cell growth and division of several respiratory competent strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A number of cytoplasmic petite strains (both spontaneous and induced by ethidium bromide) were shown to be more resistant to sodium nalidixate than the wild-type strains from which they were derived. There was considerable variation in sensitivity of different petites derived from the same wild-type. Usually petite strains which were induced by ethidium bromide were more resistant than spontaneously arising petites. The susceptibility of a wild-type strain to nalidixate was found to be least when the mitochondrial respiratory system was maximally repressed. It was also noted that sodium nalidixate (100 mug/ml) induced petite mutants.", "PMID": 785214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6813", "title": "Mapping of mitochondrial genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Populations and pedigree analysis of retention or loss of four genetic markers in Rho-cells.", "content": "1. Retention or loss of mitochondrial markers CR321, OR1, PR454, TR (gene loci RIB1, OLI1, PAR1, TSM1 respectively has been analysed in a large number of ethidium bromide induced primary rho-clones. Retention of one or more of the four markers with a single clone was observed frequently, only 20 to 25% of clones were found to be (TOCOOOPO). Primary clones retaining two or more of the four markers were found to be mixed, i.e. the primary rho- cell contained a heterogeneous population of variously deleted mitDNA molecules which segregated into different cell lines in the corresponding primary clone. 2. A representative sample of the population of ethidium bromide induced rho- mutants has been analysed by a first subcloning performed after some 30 cell generations of vegetative multiplication in the abscence of the drug. At this level the heterogeneous population of mitDNA molecules, generated by the mutagenic treatment in the primary cell, has been sorted out. The cells forming secondary clones are thus essentially homoplasmic. In contrast to primary clones, genotypes of secondary clones therefore could be determined unambiguously, and the frequency of cell types can be regarded as a faithful representation of the frequency of mitDNA molecules. Retention of markers was low, in less than 2% of secondary clones one or several markers have been found. This observation has been interpreted as indicating that induction of rho-mutants by ethidium bromide is accompanied by deletion of very large sequences of mitDNA in a very large fraction of mitDNA molecules. 3. Five individual rho-clones retaining the four markers TRCRORPR have been isolated and analysed for spontaneous deletion of one or several of these markers during successive subclonings (pedigree analysis). High genetic stability (98-99.5% per cell generation) has been observed in these clones. 4. A method has been developed allowing an unambiguous determination of the order of the four markers on a circular map. It is based on the concomitant loss of two markers and retention of the other two markers (double loss/double retention analysis). The results of four out of five pedigrees of individual rho-clones analysed (spontaneous deletion) and the results of the analysis of populations of secondary rho-clones (ethidium bromide induced deletion) were in full agreement and the order of genes has been determined as being P-T-C-O-P. In the fifth pedigree results suggest an inversion of the T and C markers. 5. Relative distances between pairs of markers have been derived from the frequencies of separation of markers by deletion and were found to be C-T less than C-O less than T-O less than T-P less than C-P less than O-P. Linkage of the four markers could be established, and distances calculated are additive. 6. The general relevance of this approach of mapping by deletion and the methods used for the determination of order and distances of mitochondrial genes has been discussed. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)", "contents": "Mapping of mitochondrial genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Populations and pedigree analysis of retention or loss of four genetic markers in Rho-cells. 1. Retention or loss of mitochondrial markers CR321, OR1, PR454, TR (gene loci RIB1, OLI1, PAR1, TSM1 respectively has been analysed in a large number of ethidium bromide induced primary rho-clones. Retention of one or more of the four markers with a single clone was observed frequently, only 20 to 25% of clones were found to be (TOCOOOPO). Primary clones retaining two or more of the four markers were found to be mixed, i.e. the primary rho- cell contained a heterogeneous population of variously deleted mitDNA molecules which segregated into different cell lines in the corresponding primary clone. 2. A representative sample of the population of ethidium bromide induced rho- mutants has been analysed by a first subcloning performed after some 30 cell generations of vegetative multiplication in the abscence of the drug. At this level the heterogeneous population of mitDNA molecules, generated by the mutagenic treatment in the primary cell, has been sorted out. The cells forming secondary clones are thus essentially homoplasmic. In contrast to primary clones, genotypes of secondary clones therefore could be determined unambiguously, and the frequency of cell types can be regarded as a faithful representation of the frequency of mitDNA molecules. Retention of markers was low, in less than 2% of secondary clones one or several markers have been found. This observation has been interpreted as indicating that induction of rho-mutants by ethidium bromide is accompanied by deletion of very large sequences of mitDNA in a very large fraction of mitDNA molecules. 3. Five individual rho-clones retaining the four markers TRCRORPR have been isolated and analysed for spontaneous deletion of one or several of these markers during successive subclonings (pedigree analysis). High genetic stability (98-99.5% per cell generation) has been observed in these clones. 4. A method has been developed allowing an unambiguous determination of the order of the four markers on a circular map. It is based on the concomitant loss of two markers and retention of the other two markers (double loss/double retention analysis). The results of four out of five pedigrees of individual rho-clones analysed (spontaneous deletion) and the results of the analysis of populations of secondary rho-clones (ethidium bromide induced deletion) were in full agreement and the order of genes has been determined as being P-T-C-O-P. In the fifth pedigree results suggest an inversion of the T and C markers. 5. Relative distances between pairs of markers have been derived from the frequencies of separation of markers by deletion and were found to be C-T less than C-O less than T-O less than T-P less than C-P less than O-P. Linkage of the four markers could be established, and distances calculated are additive. 6. The general relevance of this approach of mapping by deletion and the methods used for the determination of order and distances of mitochondrial genes has been discussed. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)", "PMID": 785215} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6814", "title": "Cytoplasmic inheritance of antimycin A resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Three antimycin resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are characterized genetically. The mutations have been shown to be cytoplasmically inherited by four criteria. The phenotype persists in diploids formed by a cross with a pO strain of yeast of the opposite mating type. Diploids heterozygous for the antimycin marker, however, show segregation of the resistance and sensitivity during mitosis. Tetrad analysis indicates a non-Mendelian segregation (4:0 and 0:4) of the mutations. The antimycin marker can be eliminated by ethidium bromide treatment under conditions that should have deleted all of the mitochondrial DNA.", "contents": "Cytoplasmic inheritance of antimycin A resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Three antimycin resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are characterized genetically. The mutations have been shown to be cytoplasmically inherited by four criteria. The phenotype persists in diploids formed by a cross with a pO strain of yeast of the opposite mating type. Diploids heterozygous for the antimycin marker, however, show segregation of the resistance and sensitivity during mitosis. Tetrad analysis indicates a non-Mendelian segregation (4:0 and 0:4) of the mutations. The antimycin marker can be eliminated by ethidium bromide treatment under conditions that should have deleted all of the mitochondrial DNA.", "PMID": 785216} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6815", "title": "Effect of tra mutations on F factor-specified immunity to lethal zygosis.", "content": "Hfr, F+, and F-prime cells are, unlike F- cells, insensitive to an excess of Hfr donor cells, indicating that there is an F factor mediated immunity to lethal zygosis (I1z). Results with Flac episomes carrying traJ, traS or various polar mutations in the tra region indicate that this immunity is independent of surface exclusion, of traJ control, and of all known genes within the tra operon. However, analysis of a series of strains with deletions in the F factor, extending from the right into the tra region, suggests that a gene for immunity to lethal zygosis is located within the tra region. We therefore conclude that I1z is genetically complex, and present a hypothesis to account for these results.", "contents": "Effect of tra mutations on F factor-specified immunity to lethal zygosis. Hfr, F+, and F-prime cells are, unlike F- cells, insensitive to an excess of Hfr donor cells, indicating that there is an F factor mediated immunity to lethal zygosis (I1z). Results with Flac episomes carrying traJ, traS or various polar mutations in the tra region indicate that this immunity is independent of surface exclusion, of traJ control, and of all known genes within the tra operon. However, analysis of a series of strains with deletions in the F factor, extending from the right into the tra region, suggests that a gene for immunity to lethal zygosis is located within the tra region. We therefore conclude that I1z is genetically complex, and present a hypothesis to account for these results.", "PMID": 785217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6816", "title": "Initial trp operon sequence in Escherichia coli is transcribed without coupling to translation.", "content": "The transcription of the \"leader\" region (Bronson et al., 1973) of the trp operon in Escherichia coli was studied in normal mutants which delete most of the operator-distal region of the operon [a deletion strain (trp OAEG) retaining only about one third of the \"leader\" region and two deletion strains (trpOAE14 and trpOAE2) retaining the whole \"leader\" region and an initial portion of the trpE], as well as in a strain with an intact trp operon, but with a temperature-sensitive lesion in ribosomal protein factor EFTs (strain HAK88). In these deletion mutants, mRNA molecules corresponding to the \"leader\" region were detected as most of the trp-specific mRNA. Less inhibition of transcription, of the promoter-proximal portion of the trp \"leader\" region than that of more distal genes of the operon, was found in chloramphenicol-treated cells of strain trpOAE14. It was also observed that transcription of the initial one third portion of the \"leader\" region was not repressed by tryptophan in strains trpOAE6 and trp OAE14. A similar effect of a translation block on transcription of the distal part of the \"leader\" region was observed with strain HAK88 at the nonpermissive temperature. In sedimentation analysis of polyribosomes containing the trp mRNA molecules from the deletion mutants, trp mRNA from strain trpOAE14 was found in monosomes and small polyribosomes, whereas the majority of the trp mRNA from strain trpOAE6 was found joined to a single ribosome or ribosomal subunit. These results suggest that ribosomes bind in vivo to a site(s) located in the middle of the \"leader\" mRNA sequence, and that the initial transcription of the trp operon does not require any connection to functional translational machinery, while continuation of RNA synthesis beyond a first ribosome binding site seems indispensably coupled to ribosome function.", "contents": "Initial trp operon sequence in Escherichia coli is transcribed without coupling to translation. The transcription of the \"leader\" region (Bronson et al., 1973) of the trp operon in Escherichia coli was studied in normal mutants which delete most of the operator-distal region of the operon [a deletion strain (trp OAEG) retaining only about one third of the \"leader\" region and two deletion strains (trpOAE14 and trpOAE2) retaining the whole \"leader\" region and an initial portion of the trpE], as well as in a strain with an intact trp operon, but with a temperature-sensitive lesion in ribosomal protein factor EFTs (strain HAK88). In these deletion mutants, mRNA molecules corresponding to the \"leader\" region were detected as most of the trp-specific mRNA. Less inhibition of transcription, of the promoter-proximal portion of the trp \"leader\" region than that of more distal genes of the operon, was found in chloramphenicol-treated cells of strain trpOAE14. It was also observed that transcription of the initial one third portion of the \"leader\" region was not repressed by tryptophan in strains trpOAE6 and trp OAE14. A similar effect of a translation block on transcription of the distal part of the \"leader\" region was observed with strain HAK88 at the nonpermissive temperature. In sedimentation analysis of polyribosomes containing the trp mRNA molecules from the deletion mutants, trp mRNA from strain trpOAE14 was found in monosomes and small polyribosomes, whereas the majority of the trp mRNA from strain trpOAE6 was found joined to a single ribosome or ribosomal subunit. These results suggest that ribosomes bind in vivo to a site(s) located in the middle of the \"leader\" mRNA sequence, and that the initial transcription of the trp operon does not require any connection to functional translational machinery, while continuation of RNA synthesis beyond a first ribosome binding site seems indispensably coupled to ribosome function.", "PMID": 785218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6817", "title": "Control of cI gene expression in bacteriophage lambda imm434, studied in an immunity/trp fusion made in vitro.", "content": "The trp genes of a lambda imm434 trp-transducing phage have been fused to the immunity region by deletion, in vitro, of the DNA between two targets for the restriction enzyme R.EcoRI. The resulting phage has been used to study the control of expression of the cI gene in vivo. The constitutive rate of expression of the cI gene is between 2 and 5% of the maximally stimulated rate. The products of the cII and cIII genes enhance expression of cI on infection of a sensitive host. The requirement for the cII product is more stringent than that for the cIII protein. The phage 434 repressor present in a 434-immune cell stimulates the rate of cI expression from a superinfecting homoimmune phage about fifteen-fold. This result strongly suggests that repressor stimulates its own synthesis by a direct effect on transcription of the cI gene.", "contents": "Control of cI gene expression in bacteriophage lambda imm434, studied in an immunity/trp fusion made in vitro. The trp genes of a lambda imm434 trp-transducing phage have been fused to the immunity region by deletion, in vitro, of the DNA between two targets for the restriction enzyme R.EcoRI. The resulting phage has been used to study the control of expression of the cI gene in vivo. The constitutive rate of expression of the cI gene is between 2 and 5% of the maximally stimulated rate. The products of the cII and cIII genes enhance expression of cI on infection of a sensitive host. The requirement for the cII product is more stringent than that for the cIII protein. The phage 434 repressor present in a 434-immune cell stimulates the rate of cI expression from a superinfecting homoimmune phage about fifteen-fold. This result strongly suggests that repressor stimulates its own synthesis by a direct effect on transcription of the cI gene.", "PMID": 785219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6818", "title": "The construction in vitro of transducing derivatives of phage lambda.", "content": "Methods are described for the construction of plaque-forming, transducing derivatives of phage lambda, using appropirate receptor genomes and fragments of DNA generated by the restriction enzymes endo R.EcoRI and endo R.HindIII. The general properties of the transducing derivatives are described and discussed. Plaque-forming phages carrying the E. coli trp, his, cysB, thyA, supD, supE, sup F, hsd, tna and lig genes have been isolated.", "contents": "The construction in vitro of transducing derivatives of phage lambda. Methods are described for the construction of plaque-forming, transducing derivatives of phage lambda, using appropirate receptor genomes and fragments of DNA generated by the restriction enzymes endo R.EcoRI and endo R.HindIII. The general properties of the transducing derivatives are described and discussed. Plaque-forming phages carrying the E. coli trp, his, cysB, thyA, supD, supE, sup F, hsd, tna and lig genes have been isolated.", "PMID": 785220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6819", "title": "Insertion sequence IS2 near the gene for prophage lambda excision.", "content": "In this study we characterize a variant of the lambdacI857S7 prophage, designated lambdabi2cI857S7, which carries a DNA insertion. The insertion sequence is IS2, and it resides in the antipolar orientation II just upstream from the gene for prophage excision (xis) at 61.6%lambda. This bi2 insertion mutant could prove valuable for studies on possible recombination functions of IS2 DNA and of its effect on the lambda integration and excision functions.", "contents": "Insertion sequence IS2 near the gene for prophage lambda excision. In this study we characterize a variant of the lambdacI857S7 prophage, designated lambdabi2cI857S7, which carries a DNA insertion. The insertion sequence is IS2, and it resides in the antipolar orientation II just upstream from the gene for prophage excision (xis) at 61.6%lambda. This bi2 insertion mutant could prove valuable for studies on possible recombination functions of IS2 DNA and of its effect on the lambda integration and excision functions.", "PMID": 785221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6820", "title": "N-terminal sequence of phage lambda repressor.", "content": "Lambda repressor was purified from an E. coli strain which produces 150 times more lambda repressor than a single lysogen. The sequence of the fifty N-terminal residues was determined by automated Edman degradation. It contains 43% of all arginine and lysine residues of the chain and constitutes according to the genetic data of Oppenheim et al. (1975) a substantial part of the operator-DNA-binding site of the repressor.", "contents": "N-terminal sequence of phage lambda repressor. Lambda repressor was purified from an E. coli strain which produces 150 times more lambda repressor than a single lysogen. The sequence of the fifty N-terminal residues was determined by automated Edman degradation. It contains 43% of all arginine and lysine residues of the chain and constitutes according to the genetic data of Oppenheim et al. (1975) a substantial part of the operator-DNA-binding site of the repressor.", "PMID": 785222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6821", "title": "A lethal mutation which affects the maturation of ribosomes.", "content": "A temperature sensitive mutant of Escherichia coli which fails to recover from prolonged carbon starvation, was found to be irreversibly killed by exposure to a nonpermissive temperature (43 degrees C), with a half-life of about half an hour. This bacteriocidal effect of the temperature could be reversed by a number of antibiotics which block protein synthesis but not by blocking DNA synthesis. At the nonpermissive temperature, RNA and the protein synthetic capacities decrease before the DNA synthetic capacity is decreased. Analysis of ribosomal proteins and methylation of them did not reveal any consistent differences between the parental and mutant strains. Analysis of the ribosomal RNA revealed that it is being synthesized in similar amounts as in the parental strain at the nonpermissive temperature, however, after chase its level is decreased. Moreover, the 17S precursor RNA is slow to mature to 16S rRNA in the mutant strain at the nonpermissive temperature. Thus, these studies suggest that the mutation studied here affects a late maturation step in the synthesis of the rRNA. Therefore the gene is designated rimH (for ribosomal modification). All the properties bestowee on the mutant strain are caused by a single pleiotropic mutation which maps at min 14 of the E. coli map. Three point transduction crosses suggest the order rimH, leuS, RNA, LIP. This gene maps outside the two known clusters for ribosomal structural genes.", "contents": "A lethal mutation which affects the maturation of ribosomes. A temperature sensitive mutant of Escherichia coli which fails to recover from prolonged carbon starvation, was found to be irreversibly killed by exposure to a nonpermissive temperature (43 degrees C), with a half-life of about half an hour. This bacteriocidal effect of the temperature could be reversed by a number of antibiotics which block protein synthesis but not by blocking DNA synthesis. At the nonpermissive temperature, RNA and the protein synthetic capacities decrease before the DNA synthetic capacity is decreased. Analysis of ribosomal proteins and methylation of them did not reveal any consistent differences between the parental and mutant strains. Analysis of the ribosomal RNA revealed that it is being synthesized in similar amounts as in the parental strain at the nonpermissive temperature, however, after chase its level is decreased. Moreover, the 17S precursor RNA is slow to mature to 16S rRNA in the mutant strain at the nonpermissive temperature. Thus, these studies suggest that the mutation studied here affects a late maturation step in the synthesis of the rRNA. Therefore the gene is designated rimH (for ribosomal modification). All the properties bestowee on the mutant strain are caused by a single pleiotropic mutation which maps at min 14 of the E. coli map. Three point transduction crosses suggest the order rimH, leuS, RNA, LIP. This gene maps outside the two known clusters for ribosomal structural genes.", "PMID": 785223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6822", "title": "Genetics of borrelidin resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerivisiae and properties of their threonyl-tRNA-synthetase.", "content": "Twenty-two borrelidin resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerivisiae were isolated, studied genetically and their threonyl-tRNA-synthetase was investigated. The borrelidin resistant mutants are classified into four groups. In the first group borrelidin resistance is coupled to the gene HOM3 coding for aspartokinase, in the second group to the gene LEU1. The borrelidin resistance in group three and four is not coupled to anyone of the genetic markers tested. Borrelidin resistance exhibited dominant behavior in all mutants except in the mutant of group 4. The properties of the ThrRS of the mutants of group one, two and four was found to be like the ones of the wild types. However the mutants of group three exhibit a structurally altered ThrRS, which is no longer inhibited by borrelidin.", "contents": "Genetics of borrelidin resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerivisiae and properties of their threonyl-tRNA-synthetase. Twenty-two borrelidin resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerivisiae were isolated, studied genetically and their threonyl-tRNA-synthetase was investigated. The borrelidin resistant mutants are classified into four groups. In the first group borrelidin resistance is coupled to the gene HOM3 coding for aspartokinase, in the second group to the gene LEU1. The borrelidin resistance in group three and four is not coupled to anyone of the genetic markers tested. Borrelidin resistance exhibited dominant behavior in all mutants except in the mutant of group 4. The properties of the ThrRS of the mutants of group one, two and four was found to be like the ones of the wild types. However the mutants of group three exhibit a structurally altered ThrRS, which is no longer inhibited by borrelidin.", "PMID": 785224} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6823", "title": "Effect of glucose starvation on the expression of transferred tsx genes in Escherichia coli K12 zygotes.", "content": "Escherichia coli K12 Hfr H Tsxs Strs and F- Pro- Tsxr His- Arg- Strr bacteria were conjugated in the absence of arginine with or without glucose. The efficiency of conjugation, measured by the frequency of Pro+ and His+ recombinants was not affected. Arginine starvation alone did not affect the tsxs gene expression which occurred in all the zygotes which had received the gene. In contrast, argine and glucose starvation allows tsxs expression only in those zygotes in which the donor gene had been integrated in the genome. As the glucose starvation brings on a destabilization of the messenger RNA synthesized by the F- cells in absence of arginine, the results can be interpreted as follows: the transferred tsxs genes are transitorily expressed in all the zygotes at the unintegrated state. After this transient period, only thsoe genes integrated in the chromosomes of the zygotes continue to be expressed.", "contents": "Effect of glucose starvation on the expression of transferred tsx genes in Escherichia coli K12 zygotes. Escherichia coli K12 Hfr H Tsxs Strs and F- Pro- Tsxr His- Arg- Strr bacteria were conjugated in the absence of arginine with or without glucose. The efficiency of conjugation, measured by the frequency of Pro+ and His+ recombinants was not affected. Arginine starvation alone did not affect the tsxs gene expression which occurred in all the zygotes which had received the gene. In contrast, argine and glucose starvation allows tsxs expression only in those zygotes in which the donor gene had been integrated in the genome. As the glucose starvation brings on a destabilization of the messenger RNA synthesized by the F- cells in absence of arginine, the results can be interpreted as follows: the transferred tsxs genes are transitorily expressed in all the zygotes at the unintegrated state. After this transient period, only thsoe genes integrated in the chromosomes of the zygotes continue to be expressed.", "PMID": 785225} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6824", "title": "Phenotypic instability in a tif-1 Mutant of Escherichia coli. I. Impairment in ribosomal function.", "content": "The mutant T44(lambda) of Escherichia coli K12, grown in the presence of adenine, develops an increased tolerance to streptomycin. In cultures grown on streptomycin, the ts character (tif) may temporarily be suppressed but, on further transfer, both the temperature-sensitive phenotype and streptomycin tolerance disappear. In a cell-free system, the relative efficiency of translation of MS2 and poly U messenger RNAs was, respectively, 75 and 50% lower in extracts from cultures grown at 37 degrees with adenine than in extracts from 30 degrees cultures. Similar results were obtained when adenine was added in vitro to an extract from a culture grown at 37 degrees in the absence of adenine, using MS2 RNA as messenger. Moreover, the 37 degrees extracts showed a much lower misincorporation of isoleucine into polyphenylalanine in the poly U system. In addition, the Mg++ concentration required for optimal translational acitvity was higher for the 37 degrees than for the 30 degrees extracts. Extracts from a culture grown in L medium at 37 degrees or from a tif-/F'tif+ merodiploid grown at 37 degrees with adenine behaved similarly to that from the 30 degrees culture when poly U was used as messenger RNA. It is suggested that the tif+ gene product may play a regulatory role in ribosomal function and the pleiotropic nature of the tif-1 mutation could be due to impairment of translational activity augmented by elevated temperature or by adenine.", "contents": "Phenotypic instability in a tif-1 Mutant of Escherichia coli. I. Impairment in ribosomal function. The mutant T44(lambda) of Escherichia coli K12, grown in the presence of adenine, develops an increased tolerance to streptomycin. In cultures grown on streptomycin, the ts character (tif) may temporarily be suppressed but, on further transfer, both the temperature-sensitive phenotype and streptomycin tolerance disappear. In a cell-free system, the relative efficiency of translation of MS2 and poly U messenger RNAs was, respectively, 75 and 50% lower in extracts from cultures grown at 37 degrees with adenine than in extracts from 30 degrees cultures. Similar results were obtained when adenine was added in vitro to an extract from a culture grown at 37 degrees in the absence of adenine, using MS2 RNA as messenger. Moreover, the 37 degrees extracts showed a much lower misincorporation of isoleucine into polyphenylalanine in the poly U system. In addition, the Mg++ concentration required for optimal translational acitvity was higher for the 37 degrees than for the 30 degrees extracts. Extracts from a culture grown in L medium at 37 degrees or from a tif-/F'tif+ merodiploid grown at 37 degrees with adenine behaved similarly to that from the 30 degrees culture when poly U was used as messenger RNA. It is suggested that the tif+ gene product may play a regulatory role in ribosomal function and the pleiotropic nature of the tif-1 mutation could be due to impairment of translational activity augmented by elevated temperature or by adenine.", "PMID": 785226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6825", "title": "Phenotypic instability in a tif-1 mutant of Escherichia coli. II. Recessiveness of the tif-1 mutation.", "content": "Merodiploids of the type tif-1/F'tif+, constructed in E. coli K12 strain T44(lambda), show that the tif-1 mutation is recessive with respect to induction of phage lambda and thermolability. An additional manifestation of tif-1 expression is increased tolerance to low levels of streptomycin (SM) and chloramphenicol (CM) and this, too, is abolished in the merodiploids.", "contents": "Phenotypic instability in a tif-1 mutant of Escherichia coli. II. Recessiveness of the tif-1 mutation. Merodiploids of the type tif-1/F'tif+, constructed in E. coli K12 strain T44(lambda), show that the tif-1 mutation is recessive with respect to induction of phage lambda and thermolability. An additional manifestation of tif-1 expression is increased tolerance to low levels of streptomycin (SM) and chloramphenicol (CM) and this, too, is abolished in the merodiploids.", "PMID": 785227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6826", "title": "Regional replication of the bacterial chromosome induced by derepression of prophage lambda. II. Direction and origin.", "content": "We have demonstrated previously by DNA-DNA hybridization that induction of lambda phage with wild type O and P genes results in an increase of bacterial DNA in the chromosomal region adjacent to the left of the prophage; is a segment between gal and attlambda (gal DNA) (Imae and Fukasawa, 1970). Evidence is presented in this report that such an increase of bacterial DNA is also seen in the region to the right of the prophage; a segment between bio and attlambda (bio DNA). We postulate therefore that the bidirectional replication of lambda DNA extends beyond the prophage and copies the neighboring host DNA until the prophage is excised. The model is verified by making use of excision-defective lambda phages. The synthesis of gal DNA (or bio DNA) slows down to a halt within 40 min after the induction in the normal lysogens. The results are attributed to the prophage excision: (1) In lysogens for lambdaint, synthesis of the bacterial DNA continues for longer times. (2) The synthesis of the bacterial DNA slows down to a halt in lysogens for lambdaxis or lambdab2 as in the control. However lambda DNA synthesis also slows down in parallel so that the amount of the bacterial DNA relative to that of lambda DNA synthesized by a given time stays constant from 20 min to 80 min. During that time the relative amount of the bacterial DNA rapidly decreases in the normal lysogen.", "contents": "Regional replication of the bacterial chromosome induced by derepression of prophage lambda. II. Direction and origin. We have demonstrated previously by DNA-DNA hybridization that induction of lambda phage with wild type O and P genes results in an increase of bacterial DNA in the chromosomal region adjacent to the left of the prophage; is a segment between gal and attlambda (gal DNA) (Imae and Fukasawa, 1970). Evidence is presented in this report that such an increase of bacterial DNA is also seen in the region to the right of the prophage; a segment between bio and attlambda (bio DNA). We postulate therefore that the bidirectional replication of lambda DNA extends beyond the prophage and copies the neighboring host DNA until the prophage is excised. The model is verified by making use of excision-defective lambda phages. The synthesis of gal DNA (or bio DNA) slows down to a halt within 40 min after the induction in the normal lysogens. The results are attributed to the prophage excision: (1) In lysogens for lambdaint, synthesis of the bacterial DNA continues for longer times. (2) The synthesis of the bacterial DNA slows down to a halt in lysogens for lambdaxis or lambdab2 as in the control. However lambda DNA synthesis also slows down in parallel so that the amount of the bacterial DNA relative to that of lambda DNA synthesized by a given time stays constant from 20 min to 80 min. During that time the relative amount of the bacterial DNA rapidly decreases in the normal lysogen.", "PMID": 785228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6827", "title": "Effect of chloramphenicol and the recB gene product on DNA metabolism in Escherichia coli K12 strains defective in DNA ligase.", "content": "We have examined DNA strand breakage, DNA degradation, and the rate of DNA synthesis in lig and lig-recB strains of Escherichia coli K12 incubated in the presence and absence of 3 mug/ml chloramphenicol. Substantial DNA strand breakage and DNA degradation is observed in the lig strain upon growth at 40 degrees C; however, such strand breakage and DNA degradation is not observed in th lig-recB strainl Incubation of the lig strain at 40 degrees C in the presence of 3 mug/ml chloramphenicol reduces the amount of DNA strand breakage and DNA degradation to the level observed in the lig-recB strain. Together, these results demonstrate that exonuclease V (the recBC gene product) is responsible for the increased DNA degradation associated with DNA ligase deficiency.", "contents": "Effect of chloramphenicol and the recB gene product on DNA metabolism in Escherichia coli K12 strains defective in DNA ligase. We have examined DNA strand breakage, DNA degradation, and the rate of DNA synthesis in lig and lig-recB strains of Escherichia coli K12 incubated in the presence and absence of 3 mug/ml chloramphenicol. Substantial DNA strand breakage and DNA degradation is observed in the lig strain upon growth at 40 degrees C; however, such strand breakage and DNA degradation is not observed in th lig-recB strainl Incubation of the lig strain at 40 degrees C in the presence of 3 mug/ml chloramphenicol reduces the amount of DNA strand breakage and DNA degradation to the level observed in the lig-recB strain. Together, these results demonstrate that exonuclease V (the recBC gene product) is responsible for the increased DNA degradation associated with DNA ligase deficiency.", "PMID": 785229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6828", "title": "Regulatory mutants of dihydrofolate reductase in Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "Trimethoprim inhibits dihydrofolate reductase. Mutations conferring trimethorpim-resistance on E coli K12 result in either an altered reductase with decreased affinity for the drug, or in 2-30 fold higher levels of the enzyme. Studies of the latter class of mutants indicate that dihydrofolate reductase is regulatdd by a diffusible molecule, and is probably under negative control. The regulatrory mutants, some of which are temperature-sensitive, act cis.", "contents": "Regulatory mutants of dihydrofolate reductase in Escherichia coli K12. Trimethoprim inhibits dihydrofolate reductase. Mutations conferring trimethorpim-resistance on E coli K12 result in either an altered reductase with decreased affinity for the drug, or in 2-30 fold higher levels of the enzyme. Studies of the latter class of mutants indicate that dihydrofolate reductase is regulatdd by a diffusible molecule, and is probably under negative control. The regulatrory mutants, some of which are temperature-sensitive, act cis.", "PMID": 785230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6829", "title": "The relation of the genes envA and ftsA in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The sequence of three genes involved in cell division in E. coli has been determined to be ftsA-envA-azi by three-point transduction experiments. An ftsA envA double mutant strain forms filaments at the restrictive temperature of 42 degrees C, and not chains, but, like the chain forming envA parent strain, is hypersensitive to rifampicin.", "contents": "The relation of the genes envA and ftsA in Escherichia coli. The sequence of three genes involved in cell division in E. coli has been determined to be ftsA-envA-azi by three-point transduction experiments. An ftsA envA double mutant strain forms filaments at the restrictive temperature of 42 degrees C, and not chains, but, like the chain forming envA parent strain, is hypersensitive to rifampicin.", "PMID": 785231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6830", "title": "Conformational peculiarities of tRNAMetf from E. coli as revealed by fluorescent methods.", "content": "Conformational transitions in several individual tRNAs (tRNAMetf, tRNAPhe from E. coli, tRNAVal1, tRNASer, tRNAPhe from yeast) have been studied under various environmental conditions. The binding isotherms studies for dyes-tRNA complexes exhibited similarities in conformational states of all tRNAs investigated at low ionic strength (0.01 M NaCl). By contrast, at high ionic strength (0.4 M NaCl or 2 X 10(-4) M Mg2+) a marked difference is found in structural features of tRNAMetf as compared with other tRNAs used. The tRNAMetf is the only tRNA species that does not reveal the strong type of complexes with ethidium bromide, acriflavine and acridine orange.", "contents": "Conformational peculiarities of tRNAMetf from E. coli as revealed by fluorescent methods. Conformational transitions in several individual tRNAs (tRNAMetf, tRNAPhe from E. coli, tRNAVal1, tRNASer, tRNAPhe from yeast) have been studied under various environmental conditions. The binding isotherms studies for dyes-tRNA complexes exhibited similarities in conformational states of all tRNAs investigated at low ionic strength (0.01 M NaCl). By contrast, at high ionic strength (0.4 M NaCl or 2 X 10(-4) M Mg2+) a marked difference is found in structural features of tRNAMetf as compared with other tRNAs used. The tRNAMetf is the only tRNA species that does not reveal the strong type of complexes with ethidium bromide, acriflavine and acridine orange.", "PMID": 785233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6831", "title": "[Several structural aspects of the interaction of yeast hexokinase with insulin].", "content": "It has been noted that due to formation of the complex with insuline light and hear resistance of hexokinase from baker's yeast rises. Variation of luminescence parameters shows structural modification of enzyme upon complex formation. On the basis of comparison the photoinactivation data and hexokinase photolysis conclusion has been drawn that the tryptophanyl residues are not directly involved in the enzyme active site, although play an important role in supporting the specific structure.", "contents": "[Several structural aspects of the interaction of yeast hexokinase with insulin]. It has been noted that due to formation of the complex with insuline light and hear resistance of hexokinase from baker's yeast rises. Variation of luminescence parameters shows structural modification of enzyme upon complex formation. On the basis of comparison the photoinactivation data and hexokinase photolysis conclusion has been drawn that the tryptophanyl residues are not directly involved in the enzyme active site, although play an important role in supporting the specific structure.", "PMID": 785235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6832", "title": "[Intramolecular mobility of pepsin].", "content": "By modifying four tyrosine residues in pepsin a derivative (aminopepsin) is obtained which is capable to conjugate with a fluorescent label DNS-Cl without loss of the catalytic activity. Rotational relaxation times of native pepsin and dansylated aminopepsin (DAP) are measured by a fluoresence polarization method. The values obtained are shown to be lower than those calculated for arigid pepsin globule. Possible sources of the obtained difference are discussed. A reversible or covalent blocking of pepsin or DAP active centres by specific inhibitors leads to an increase in rotational relaxation time values for these proteins reaching the magnitude which is very close to that calculated for a model of rigid pepsin. Brownian relaxation of pepsin and DAP reduced by beta-mercaptoethanol and of pepsinogen and some fragments of pepsine macromolecule in aqueous solutions is invigated as well. The results are intepreted as representing an intramolecular mobility or segmental flexibility of pepsin and DAP. With the use of the obtained and X-ray data a segmental model of dynamic pepsin structure is suggested. On the basis of this model some conclusions are drawn concerning a localization of a polypeptide which is split off from the N-terminus of pepsinogen during its activation. A possible role of segmental flexibility in the catalytic action of pepsin is considered.", "contents": "[Intramolecular mobility of pepsin]. By modifying four tyrosine residues in pepsin a derivative (aminopepsin) is obtained which is capable to conjugate with a fluorescent label DNS-Cl without loss of the catalytic activity. Rotational relaxation times of native pepsin and dansylated aminopepsin (DAP) are measured by a fluoresence polarization method. The values obtained are shown to be lower than those calculated for arigid pepsin globule. Possible sources of the obtained difference are discussed. A reversible or covalent blocking of pepsin or DAP active centres by specific inhibitors leads to an increase in rotational relaxation time values for these proteins reaching the magnitude which is very close to that calculated for a model of rigid pepsin. Brownian relaxation of pepsin and DAP reduced by beta-mercaptoethanol and of pepsinogen and some fragments of pepsine macromolecule in aqueous solutions is invigated as well. The results are intepreted as representing an intramolecular mobility or segmental flexibility of pepsin and DAP. With the use of the obtained and X-ray data a segmental model of dynamic pepsin structure is suggested. On the basis of this model some conclusions are drawn concerning a localization of a polypeptide which is split off from the N-terminus of pepsinogen during its activation. A possible role of segmental flexibility in the catalytic action of pepsin is considered.", "PMID": 785236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6833", "title": "[Catabolyte repression of Escherichia coli K12 mutants with defects in different systems of glucose transport].", "content": "The phenomenon of glucose catabolite repression was studied in E. coli mutants inable to transport this carbohydrate. The pts 1, H mutant P34 was much less sensitive to the repressive effect of glucose on beta-galactosidase synthesis than the parent type. The 1103 mutant devoid of enzyme 1 of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) behaves in the same way as P34 mutant after addition of glucose to casamino acid mineral medium. However, in minimal medium with succinate as the sole source of carbon, cells of the 1103 mutant show enhanced sensibility to transient glucose repression. The effect of hypersensibility disappears when the lac I mutation leading to constitutive the beta-galactosidase synthesis is introduced in 1103 mutant. It is shown that the enhanced sensibility of beta-galactosidase synthesis to glucose transient repression in 1103 mutant is an effect of the aburpt decrease in its growth rate in the presence of succinate and most probably this decrease leads to \"inducer exclusion\" of the lac operon. It is also shown that if one introduces the P34 mutation in strain JD3 devoid of one of the enzymes II for glucose (and due to this resistant to glucose catabolite respression) then the level of resistance in double mutant does not increase in spite of considerable supression of 14C glucose accumulation. In connection with this the role is discussed of separate components of the E. coli K 12 glucose transport system in realization of the phenomenon of catabolite repression.", "contents": "[Catabolyte repression of Escherichia coli K12 mutants with defects in different systems of glucose transport]. The phenomenon of glucose catabolite repression was studied in E. coli mutants inable to transport this carbohydrate. The pts 1, H mutant P34 was much less sensitive to the repressive effect of glucose on beta-galactosidase synthesis than the parent type. The 1103 mutant devoid of enzyme 1 of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) behaves in the same way as P34 mutant after addition of glucose to casamino acid mineral medium. However, in minimal medium with succinate as the sole source of carbon, cells of the 1103 mutant show enhanced sensibility to transient glucose repression. The effect of hypersensibility disappears when the lac I mutation leading to constitutive the beta-galactosidase synthesis is introduced in 1103 mutant. It is shown that the enhanced sensibility of beta-galactosidase synthesis to glucose transient repression in 1103 mutant is an effect of the aburpt decrease in its growth rate in the presence of succinate and most probably this decrease leads to \"inducer exclusion\" of the lac operon. It is also shown that if one introduces the P34 mutation in strain JD3 devoid of one of the enzymes II for glucose (and due to this resistant to glucose catabolite respression) then the level of resistance in double mutant does not increase in spite of considerable supression of 14C glucose accumulation. In connection with this the role is discussed of separate components of the E. coli K 12 glucose transport system in realization of the phenomenon of catabolite repression.", "PMID": 785237} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6834", "title": "[Chromosome structure, histones and gene activity in Drosophila].", "content": "The problem to be reviewed in this study concerns the mechanism of regulation of gene activity relied on the structural changes of the chromatin. The role of histones in the regulation of transcription is discussed on the basis of the results obtained by the authors and literature data. In particular, the results are presented of the investigations of decrease of the histone amount in the cell nucleus using the deficiency of histone structural genes. This leads both to the increase of the X-chromosome template activity and the inhibition of variegated position effect. The latter is also inhibited by feeding of larvae with T2-DNA. It is supposed that the chromatin structure is a mechanism of epigenetic changes and the gene inactivation due to the position effect inherited in cell lineages in an example of such epigenetic changes.", "contents": "[Chromosome structure, histones and gene activity in Drosophila]. The problem to be reviewed in this study concerns the mechanism of regulation of gene activity relied on the structural changes of the chromatin. The role of histones in the regulation of transcription is discussed on the basis of the results obtained by the authors and literature data. In particular, the results are presented of the investigations of decrease of the histone amount in the cell nucleus using the deficiency of histone structural genes. This leads both to the increase of the X-chromosome template activity and the inhibition of variegated position effect. The latter is also inhibited by feeding of larvae with T2-DNA. It is supposed that the chromatin structure is a mechanism of epigenetic changes and the gene inactivation due to the position effect inherited in cell lineages in an example of such epigenetic changes.", "PMID": 785238} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6835", "title": "Industrial mutagens and potential mutagens I. Halogenated aliphatic derivatives.", "content": "The halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons represent one of the most important categories of industrial chemicals from a consideration of volume, use categories, environmental and toxicological considerations and hence most importantly, potential population risk. The major halocarbons reviewed, primarily in terms of their occurrence, utility, stability, distribution, and levels of exposure as well as their metabolism, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity included: vinylchloride, vinylidene chloride, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, ethylene dichloride, ethylene dibromide, chloroprene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, fluorocarbons (trichlorofluoromethane and dichlorodifluoromethane), epichlorohydrin, halohydrins (2-chloro- and 2-bromoethanol) and haloethers (bis(chloromethyl); chloromethyl'-methyl; bis(2-chloroethyl)-and bis(2-chloroisopropyl)ether. In many instances, data were not available to assess world production, populations at risk and degrees of exposure. With the exception of vinylchloride, vinylidene chloride, epichlorohydrin and 2-halo ethanols, there is an acknowledged paucity of definitive mutagenicity data concerning the majority of halogenated hydrocarbons. Their ubiquitous distribution, and in a number of cases, their carcinogenicity both in man and animals, dictates the urgent need to more exhaustively investigate their potential mutagenicity.", "contents": "Industrial mutagens and potential mutagens I. Halogenated aliphatic derivatives. The halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons represent one of the most important categories of industrial chemicals from a consideration of volume, use categories, environmental and toxicological considerations and hence most importantly, potential population risk. The major halocarbons reviewed, primarily in terms of their occurrence, utility, stability, distribution, and levels of exposure as well as their metabolism, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity included: vinylchloride, vinylidene chloride, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, ethylene dichloride, ethylene dibromide, chloroprene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, fluorocarbons (trichlorofluoromethane and dichlorodifluoromethane), epichlorohydrin, halohydrins (2-chloro- and 2-bromoethanol) and haloethers (bis(chloromethyl); chloromethyl'-methyl; bis(2-chloroethyl)-and bis(2-chloroisopropyl)ether. In many instances, data were not available to assess world production, populations at risk and degrees of exposure. With the exception of vinylchloride, vinylidene chloride, epichlorohydrin and 2-halo ethanols, there is an acknowledged paucity of definitive mutagenicity data concerning the majority of halogenated hydrocarbons. Their ubiquitous distribution, and in a number of cases, their carcinogenicity both in man and animals, dictates the urgent need to more exhaustively investigate their potential mutagenicity.", "PMID": 785243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6836", "title": "A recombination-dependent replicating instability in Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "The aromatic amino acid-requiring mutant of Salmonella typhimurium aroD321 has a stable requirement for phenylalanine and tyrosine but is highly unstable in its requirement for tryptophan. Tryptophan requiring cells derived from this strain are themselves unstable and revert back to a requirement for only phenylalanine and tyrosine. This instability is cotransducible with the aroD region and is totally dependent on the presence of a rec+ gene in the cell. These observations are interpreted in terms of a gene duplicating and excising mechanism which is itself dependent upon the normal (rec+) recombinational ability of the cell.", "contents": "A recombination-dependent replicating instability in Salmonella typhimurium. The aromatic amino acid-requiring mutant of Salmonella typhimurium aroD321 has a stable requirement for phenylalanine and tyrosine but is highly unstable in its requirement for tryptophan. Tryptophan requiring cells derived from this strain are themselves unstable and revert back to a requirement for only phenylalanine and tyrosine. This instability is cotransducible with the aroD region and is totally dependent on the presence of a rec+ gene in the cell. These observations are interpreted in terms of a gene duplicating and excising mechanism which is itself dependent upon the normal (rec+) recombinational ability of the cell.", "PMID": 785244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6837", "title": "[Influence of proteins bound to single-stranded DNA on RNA and poly(A) synthesis. II. Protein--product of T4 phage gene 32].", "content": "It has been shown that the protein product of T4 bacteriophage gene 32 (protein 32) completely prevents RNA and poly(A) synthesis on the denatured DNA as a template at the protein/DNA ratio about 13:1. Under the same conditions protein 32 has no effect on these syntheses on the native DNA and inhibit poly(A) synthesis with oligo(dT)9 and oligo(dT)12 as a template, preventing binding of enzyme with oligonucleotide. It is possible that the unwinded regions of double-stranded DNA within transcription complexes are too small to allow cooperative binding of protein 32 or are unavailable for this protein. We suppose that the protein 32 and other \"unwinding\" protein plays not only \"protective\" and \"structural\" roles but also participates in the regulation of template activity of single-stranded DNA regions in the replicative forks.", "contents": "[Influence of proteins bound to single-stranded DNA on RNA and poly(A) synthesis. II. Protein--product of T4 phage gene 32]. It has been shown that the protein product of T4 bacteriophage gene 32 (protein 32) completely prevents RNA and poly(A) synthesis on the denatured DNA as a template at the protein/DNA ratio about 13:1. Under the same conditions protein 32 has no effect on these syntheses on the native DNA and inhibit poly(A) synthesis with oligo(dT)9 and oligo(dT)12 as a template, preventing binding of enzyme with oligonucleotide. It is possible that the unwinded regions of double-stranded DNA within transcription complexes are too small to allow cooperative binding of protein 32 or are unavailable for this protein. We suppose that the protein 32 and other \"unwinding\" protein plays not only \"protective\" and \"structural\" roles but also participates in the regulation of template activity of single-stranded DNA regions in the replicative forks.", "PMID": 785239} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6838", "title": "[Inhibiting effect of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine and its structural analogs on the process of enzymatic methylation of tRNA].", "content": "The action of S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (S-Ado-Hcy), its four structural analogues S-Ino-Hcy, S-Guo-Hcy, S-Urd-Hcy, S-Cyd-Hcy and the five corresponding sulfoxides on tRNA methylases has been investigated. The data obtained in the study of overall incorporation of 14CH3-groups into an unfractioned tRNA preparation suggested that both the affinity of the inhibitors tested for various methylases and the type of inhibition were different. The experiments performed with unfractioned tRNA preparation permit to get an idea of the average inhibitory potency of each of the compounds. The study of their action on individual tRNA methylases by means of fractionation of minor components produced demonstrated that the affinity of the inhibitors tested for various methylases was really different. Thus, S-Ado-Hcy, S-Ino-Hcy and S-Urd-Hcy practically do not inhibit m1A methylase but have the highest affinity for m5C methylase. In an experiment with tRNAPhe which is a substrate for a single, namely m5C methylase, the type of inhibition of this methylase by S-Cyd-Hcy was revealed; it was found to be non-competitive with respect to S-Ado-Met, and the S-Cyd-Hcy concentration reducing the methylation by 50 percent was 1.2-10(-4) M.", "contents": "[Inhibiting effect of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine and its structural analogs on the process of enzymatic methylation of tRNA]. The action of S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (S-Ado-Hcy), its four structural analogues S-Ino-Hcy, S-Guo-Hcy, S-Urd-Hcy, S-Cyd-Hcy and the five corresponding sulfoxides on tRNA methylases has been investigated. The data obtained in the study of overall incorporation of 14CH3-groups into an unfractioned tRNA preparation suggested that both the affinity of the inhibitors tested for various methylases and the type of inhibition were different. The experiments performed with unfractioned tRNA preparation permit to get an idea of the average inhibitory potency of each of the compounds. The study of their action on individual tRNA methylases by means of fractionation of minor components produced demonstrated that the affinity of the inhibitors tested for various methylases was really different. Thus, S-Ado-Hcy, S-Ino-Hcy and S-Urd-Hcy practically do not inhibit m1A methylase but have the highest affinity for m5C methylase. In an experiment with tRNAPhe which is a substrate for a single, namely m5C methylase, the type of inhibition of this methylase by S-Cyd-Hcy was revealed; it was found to be non-competitive with respect to S-Ado-Met, and the S-Cyd-Hcy concentration reducing the methylation by 50 percent was 1.2-10(-4) M.", "PMID": 785240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6839", "title": "Mutagenicity and toxicity of amitrole. III. Microbial tests.", "content": "Amitrole (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole) inhibits bacterial growth both in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium at a concentration of 0.5% in minimal medium. Repression of growth already occurs at a concentration of 0.1% of amitrole in this medium. In complete medium the bacteria tolerate concentrations of amitrole as high as 1.7-2.4% before growth ceases. Mutagenicity was tested by differential growth comparisons on E. coli strains W 3110 thy pol A1, defective in DNA polymerase I, and its revertant pol A+. Known mutagens (MMS, NTG, mitomycin C) were used as positive controls. Analogous negative results were also obtained in a revertant test when several trp mutant strains of Salmonella were used.", "contents": "Mutagenicity and toxicity of amitrole. III. Microbial tests. Amitrole (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole) inhibits bacterial growth both in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium at a concentration of 0.5% in minimal medium. Repression of growth already occurs at a concentration of 0.1% of amitrole in this medium. In complete medium the bacteria tolerate concentrations of amitrole as high as 1.7-2.4% before growth ceases. Mutagenicity was tested by differential growth comparisons on E. coli strains W 3110 thy pol A1, defective in DNA polymerase I, and its revertant pol A+. Known mutagens (MMS, NTG, mitomycin C) were used as positive controls. Analogous negative results were also obtained in a revertant test when several trp mutant strains of Salmonella were used.", "PMID": 785246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6840", "title": "Mutagenesis by 9,10-anthraquinone derivatives and related compounds in Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Ninety 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) derivatives and related anthracene derivatives were screened for mutagenicity with five Salmonella typhimurium tester strains with and without mammalian microsomal activation. About 35% of the compounds tested are considered to be mutagenic. Three patterns of mutagenesis were apparent. (1)Direct frameshift mutagenesis by certain AQ compounds bearing free hydroxyl groups. The most potent were anthragallol (1,2,3-trihydroxy-AQ), purpurin (1,2,4-trihydroxy-AQ) and anthraufin (1,5-dihydroxy-AQ). Some hydroxy-AQ compounds exhibited activation by mammalian microsomal preparations, particularly at lower concentrations, and the majority of mutagenic hydroxy-AQs appeared to revert strain TA1537 (his 3076) specifically.(2)Frameshift mutagenesis by certain AQ compounds with primary amino and, in a few cases, with secondary amino groups. Mammalian microsomes invariably potentiated frameshift mutagenesis, and activity with strain TA100 (sensitive to base pair substitution) is seen in a few cases, e.g. 1,2-diamino-AQ. (3)AQ compounds with one or more nitro groups. These derivatives exhibit the least specificity with regard to tester strain reverted and to microsomal activation. All seven nitro-AQ's tested were mutagenic. In those compounds with mixed \"mutagenic\" functional groups, the type of mutagenesis observed is usually N02 greater than 0H greater than NH2. AQs bearing halogens, sulfonate or alkyl groups were non-mutagenic, as were AQs substituted solely with secondary amines.", "contents": "Mutagenesis by 9,10-anthraquinone derivatives and related compounds in Salmonella typhimurium. Ninety 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) derivatives and related anthracene derivatives were screened for mutagenicity with five Salmonella typhimurium tester strains with and without mammalian microsomal activation. About 35% of the compounds tested are considered to be mutagenic. Three patterns of mutagenesis were apparent. (1)Direct frameshift mutagenesis by certain AQ compounds bearing free hydroxyl groups. The most potent were anthragallol (1,2,3-trihydroxy-AQ), purpurin (1,2,4-trihydroxy-AQ) and anthraufin (1,5-dihydroxy-AQ). Some hydroxy-AQ compounds exhibited activation by mammalian microsomal preparations, particularly at lower concentrations, and the majority of mutagenic hydroxy-AQs appeared to revert strain TA1537 (his 3076) specifically.(2)Frameshift mutagenesis by certain AQ compounds with primary amino and, in a few cases, with secondary amino groups. Mammalian microsomes invariably potentiated frameshift mutagenesis, and activity with strain TA100 (sensitive to base pair substitution) is seen in a few cases, e.g. 1,2-diamino-AQ. (3)AQ compounds with one or more nitro groups. These derivatives exhibit the least specificity with regard to tester strain reverted and to microsomal activation. All seven nitro-AQ's tested were mutagenic. In those compounds with mixed \"mutagenic\" functional groups, the type of mutagenesis observed is usually N02 greater than 0H greater than NH2. AQs bearing halogens, sulfonate or alkyl groups were non-mutagenic, as were AQs substituted solely with secondary amines.", "PMID": 785247} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6841", "title": "Mutagenicity and purative carcinogenicity tests of several polycyclic aromatic compounds associated with impurities of the insecticide methoxychlor.", "content": "Several polycyclic hydrocarbons, 3,6-dimethoxy-9,10-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-phenathrene, tetrakis(p-methoxyphenylyethylene and 3,6,11,14-tetramethoxydibenzo(g,p)chrysene, which are associated as impurities in commerical samples of the insecticide methoxychlor, have been tested in the Ames mutagenicity test with strains of Salmonella thyphimurium, TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 1538, and TA 98. Activation by liver microsomes induced with either phenobarbitol or Aroclor was examined. The only active compound was 3,6,11,14-tetramethoxydibenzo(g,p)chrysene, mutagenic (0.39 revertants/nmol) tostrain TA 98.", "contents": "Mutagenicity and purative carcinogenicity tests of several polycyclic aromatic compounds associated with impurities of the insecticide methoxychlor. Several polycyclic hydrocarbons, 3,6-dimethoxy-9,10-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-phenathrene, tetrakis(p-methoxyphenylyethylene and 3,6,11,14-tetramethoxydibenzo(g,p)chrysene, which are associated as impurities in commerical samples of the insecticide methoxychlor, have been tested in the Ames mutagenicity test with strains of Salmonella thyphimurium, TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 1538, and TA 98. Activation by liver microsomes induced with either phenobarbitol or Aroclor was examined. The only active compound was 3,6,11,14-tetramethoxydibenzo(g,p)chrysene, mutagenic (0.39 revertants/nmol) tostrain TA 98.", "PMID": 785248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6842", "title": "Mutagenic actions of chlorocholine chloride.", "content": "Chlorocholine chloride, at concentrations of 0.2 to 0.5 M (3.2 to 7.9%) between pH 5 and 8, showed no significant mutagenic effect whereas at the same concentrations at pH 9 it caused mutations, in a valine-sensitive strain of E. coli K12. Treatment of E. coli B with chlorocholine chloride at 0.5 M and pH 9 resulted in auxotrophic and regulatory deficient (valine-sensitive) mutants. The mutagenic effects of chlorocholine chloride were compared with the effects caused by the food additive NaHSO3.", "contents": "Mutagenic actions of chlorocholine chloride. Chlorocholine chloride, at concentrations of 0.2 to 0.5 M (3.2 to 7.9%) between pH 5 and 8, showed no significant mutagenic effect whereas at the same concentrations at pH 9 it caused mutations, in a valine-sensitive strain of E. coli K12. Treatment of E. coli B with chlorocholine chloride at 0.5 M and pH 9 resulted in auxotrophic and regulatory deficient (valine-sensitive) mutants. The mutagenic effects of chlorocholine chloride were compared with the effects caused by the food additive NaHSO3.", "PMID": 785249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6843", "title": "Infantile diarrhea produced by heat-stable enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.", "content": "Between December, 1974, and August 1975, intestinal illness occurred in 55 of 205 infants admitted to the special-care nurseries of a large children's hospital. Escherichia coli serotype 078:K80:H12, which produced a heat-stable enterotoxin, was isolated from 18 of 25 symptomatic infants as compared with 14 of 55 asymptomatic infants (P less than 0.001). Colistin administered prophylactically to 24 culture-negative asymptomatic infants did not prevent colonization in 10, whereas colonization did occur in 22 of 56 not receiving colistin (P = 1.0). This outbreak provides laboratory and epidemiologic evidence that heat-stable enterotoxigenic Esch. coli is pathogenic in human beings and produces infantile diarrhea.", "contents": "Infantile diarrhea produced by heat-stable enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Between December, 1974, and August 1975, intestinal illness occurred in 55 of 205 infants admitted to the special-care nurseries of a large children's hospital. Escherichia coli serotype 078:K80:H12, which produced a heat-stable enterotoxin, was isolated from 18 of 25 symptomatic infants as compared with 14 of 55 asymptomatic infants (P less than 0.001). Colistin administered prophylactically to 24 culture-negative asymptomatic infants did not prevent colonization in 10, whereas colonization did occur in 22 of 56 not receiving colistin (P = 1.0). This outbreak provides laboratory and epidemiologic evidence that heat-stable enterotoxigenic Esch. coli is pathogenic in human beings and produces infantile diarrhea.", "PMID": 785259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6844", "title": "[Porcine pepsin on some chemical and microbiological indices of cheeses produced with its participation].", "content": "The authors report data about the contents of non-protein nitrogen, bound and soluble nitrogen, free amino acids, monocarbonyl compounds and volatile fatty acids as well as about the sum of dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatives of carbonyl compounds and about the microflora. The greatest differences between experimental and control cheeses (produced with rennin) in the contents of the above-mentioned constituents were observed within the first 30 days. On day 60 of experimentation, these differences had smoothed down. It is concluded that a I:I mixture of porcine pepsin and rennin may be used for the production of small medium hard cheeses without impairing their quality of nutritive value.", "contents": "[Porcine pepsin on some chemical and microbiological indices of cheeses produced with its participation]. The authors report data about the contents of non-protein nitrogen, bound and soluble nitrogen, free amino acids, monocarbonyl compounds and volatile fatty acids as well as about the sum of dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatives of carbonyl compounds and about the microflora. The greatest differences between experimental and control cheeses (produced with rennin) in the contents of the above-mentioned constituents were observed within the first 30 days. On day 60 of experimentation, these differences had smoothed down. It is concluded that a I:I mixture of porcine pepsin and rennin may be used for the production of small medium hard cheeses without impairing their quality of nutritive value.", "PMID": 785263} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6845", "title": "[Safe use of microcrystalline cellulose in low-calorie foods].", "content": "The problems arising in using microcrystalline cellulose in the food industry are outlined. Like starch granules, microcrystalline cellulose is also persorbed by the human and animal organism. As long as the problem persists whether persorption is a normal, everyday process or a process which is detrimental in the long run, the statement that the use of greater amounts of microcrystalline cellulose for foods and pharmaceutical products is absolutely safe should be carefully examined.", "contents": "[Safe use of microcrystalline cellulose in low-calorie foods]. The problems arising in using microcrystalline cellulose in the food industry are outlined. Like starch granules, microcrystalline cellulose is also persorbed by the human and animal organism. As long as the problem persists whether persorption is a normal, everyday process or a process which is detrimental in the long run, the statement that the use of greater amounts of microcrystalline cellulose for foods and pharmaceutical products is absolutely safe should be carefully examined.", "PMID": 785264} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6846", "title": "[Two stages in the digestion of proteins by pepsin].", "content": "Studies on a monosubstrate system (pepsin - substrate) yielded values which characterize pepsin digestion as a multi-stage process. During the first stage, pepsin hydrolyzes the most accessible parts of the protein molecule, i.e., those portions of the peptide chains which are situated on the surface of the globule. During the stage of apparent cessation of the reaction, very few peptide bonds are hydrolyzed which are essential for the formation of the tertiary structure. After hydrolysis of these bonds, the inner parts of the globule become accessible, the hydrolysis of which proceeds more slowly.", "contents": "[Two stages in the digestion of proteins by pepsin]. Studies on a monosubstrate system (pepsin - substrate) yielded values which characterize pepsin digestion as a multi-stage process. During the first stage, pepsin hydrolyzes the most accessible parts of the protein molecule, i.e., those portions of the peptide chains which are situated on the surface of the globule. During the stage of apparent cessation of the reaction, very few peptide bonds are hydrolyzed which are essential for the formation of the tertiary structure. After hydrolysis of these bonds, the inner parts of the globule become accessible, the hydrolysis of which proceeds more slowly.", "PMID": 785266} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6847", "title": "Effect of nisin in saturated brine and storage on the quality of dried bolti fish (Tilapia nilotica).", "content": "Bolti fish which had been eviscerated and brined in a saturated brine containing 0.5 mg nisin/g of fish for 10, 15 and 20 min, were divided into two parts, one for dehydration and the second for sun-drying. The dried products were packed in polyethylene bags and stored at room temperature for 3 months. The quality attributes were estimated during processing and monthly during storage. Total volatile bases showed a certain increase after salting, drying and throughout storage periods; thiobarbituric acid value gave the same trend, total microbial load showed a slight increase during storage, but coliform bacteria were not present after salting.", "contents": "Effect of nisin in saturated brine and storage on the quality of dried bolti fish (Tilapia nilotica). Bolti fish which had been eviscerated and brined in a saturated brine containing 0.5 mg nisin/g of fish for 10, 15 and 20 min, were divided into two parts, one for dehydration and the second for sun-drying. The dried products were packed in polyethylene bags and stored at room temperature for 3 months. The quality attributes were estimated during processing and monthly during storage. Total volatile bases showed a certain increase after salting, drying and throughout storage periods; thiobarbituric acid value gave the same trend, total microbial load showed a slight increase during storage, but coliform bacteria were not present after salting.", "PMID": 785268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6848", "title": "Long term results of stereotaxic surgery for infantile dystonia and dyskinesia.", "content": "Our experience is based on a series of 25 patients suffering from infantile dyskinesias and dystonias who underwent stereotaxic surgery of basal ganglia. We first note the immediate good results (77%) obtained by thalamo-sub-thalamotomy. Concerning dyskinesia this type of surgery enjoys in an opinion a place of choice. Secondly we have been able to estimate secondary deterioration on long term results in patients examined 2 to 15 years post-operatively. In contrast to various results reported in the literature good long term results are not superior to 50%. Some deterioration is noted in patients operated on for choreo-athetosis over the age of 20. A pallido-subthalamic lesion is efficient at the beginning of the disease course since it improves motor performance and thereby helps possibilities of intellectual acquirement. Bilateral lesions have after improved I.Q. Effects of this treatment specially on spasticity must be discussed among other types of surgery.", "contents": "Long term results of stereotaxic surgery for infantile dystonia and dyskinesia. Our experience is based on a series of 25 patients suffering from infantile dyskinesias and dystonias who underwent stereotaxic surgery of basal ganglia. We first note the immediate good results (77%) obtained by thalamo-sub-thalamotomy. Concerning dyskinesia this type of surgery enjoys in an opinion a place of choice. Secondly we have been able to estimate secondary deterioration on long term results in patients examined 2 to 15 years post-operatively. In contrast to various results reported in the literature good long term results are not superior to 50%. Some deterioration is noted in patients operated on for choreo-athetosis over the age of 20. A pallido-subthalamic lesion is efficient at the beginning of the disease course since it improves motor performance and thereby helps possibilities of intellectual acquirement. Bilateral lesions have after improved I.Q. Effects of this treatment specially on spasticity must be discussed among other types of surgery.", "PMID": 785289} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6849", "title": "[Value of the use of a stereotaxic framework in the selective thermocoagulation of Gasser's ganglion].", "content": "Impressed by some inconvenients of the presently used method of ocagulation of the gasserian ganglion, authors bring forth the arguments that have led them to modify the \"freehand\" technique by making use of Rosomoff's cordotomy framework that fastens electrode and patients's head.", "contents": "[Value of the use of a stereotaxic framework in the selective thermocoagulation of Gasser's ganglion]. Impressed by some inconvenients of the presently used method of ocagulation of the gasserian ganglion, authors bring forth the arguments that have led them to modify the \"freehand\" technique by making use of Rosomoff's cordotomy framework that fastens electrode and patients's head.", "PMID": 785290} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6850", "title": "[Extra-intracranial anastomosis technic].", "content": "This is a report about the author's surgical experiences with extra-intracranial anastomosis. Special attention is drawn to various technical measures for avoiding postoperative complications. It seems very important to leave around the temporal superficial artery a mantle of connective tissue to preserve the vascular supply of the vessel wall and to facilitate safe manipulation of the artery. Further more the report deals with the bloodflow direction in the temporal superficial artery in relation to the middle cerebral artery- the flow should be directed to the trunk of the middle cerebral artery in order to effect an optimal perfusion of the supplying area of the middle cerebral artery. Approx. 8 to 10 mm should hold the incision in both arteries, end of temporal superficial and side of middle cerebral, to attain a wide opened junction between both arteries and to prevent obstruction. Attention is called to the risk of skin necrosis when using both, frontal and parietal branches of the temporal superficial artery. High value is set on covering the bone and dura deficiency with muscle lobe to prevent spreading and fistula of cerebral spinal fluid.", "contents": "[Extra-intracranial anastomosis technic]. This is a report about the author's surgical experiences with extra-intracranial anastomosis. Special attention is drawn to various technical measures for avoiding postoperative complications. It seems very important to leave around the temporal superficial artery a mantle of connective tissue to preserve the vascular supply of the vessel wall and to facilitate safe manipulation of the artery. Further more the report deals with the bloodflow direction in the temporal superficial artery in relation to the middle cerebral artery- the flow should be directed to the trunk of the middle cerebral artery in order to effect an optimal perfusion of the supplying area of the middle cerebral artery. Approx. 8 to 10 mm should hold the incision in both arteries, end of temporal superficial and side of middle cerebral, to attain a wide opened junction between both arteries and to prevent obstruction. Attention is called to the risk of skin necrosis when using both, frontal and parietal branches of the temporal superficial artery. High value is set on covering the bone and dura deficiency with muscle lobe to prevent spreading and fistula of cerebral spinal fluid.", "PMID": 785291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6851", "title": "Induction of LH surges by continuous infusion of LH-RH1.", "content": "Preovulatory LH surges were measured in cannulated proestrous rats. Such LH peaks were also obtained by infusing pentobarbital-blocked animals with LH-RH for periods of up to 20 h; this suggested that the pituitary LH stores were exhausted. However, the total amount of LH secreted appeared more or less determined by the LH-RH dose, indicating that the size of the releasable LH pool is not fixed.", "contents": "Induction of LH surges by continuous infusion of LH-RH1. Preovulatory LH surges were measured in cannulated proestrous rats. Such LH peaks were also obtained by infusing pentobarbital-blocked animals with LH-RH for periods of up to 20 h; this suggested that the pituitary LH stores were exhausted. However, the total amount of LH secreted appeared more or less determined by the LH-RH dose, indicating that the size of the releasable LH pool is not fixed.", "PMID": 785294} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6852", "title": "Potentiation of lordosis behavior by intrahypothalamic infusion of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.", "content": "Saline and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) were infused into the medial preoptic area (MPOA), arcuate nucleus (ARC), lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) and the cerebral cortex (CC), and the effects on sexual behavior were studied in estrone- (E-) primed ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Each cannulated, OVX female known to be sexually active was primed with E in doses too low to initiate consistent mating behavior. LRH infusion in either the MPOA or ARC faciliated sexual behavior as measured by the lordosis-to-mount (L/M) ratio; LRH infusion in the LHA or CC, as well as saline infusion in all neural sites, was ineffective in initiating comparable behavior patterns. The results concur with findings utilizing systemic LRH injections and support the notion that LRH may act directly on neural tissue to potentiate lordosis behavior in the female rat.", "contents": "Potentiation of lordosis behavior by intrahypothalamic infusion of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Saline and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) were infused into the medial preoptic area (MPOA), arcuate nucleus (ARC), lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) and the cerebral cortex (CC), and the effects on sexual behavior were studied in estrone- (E-) primed ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Each cannulated, OVX female known to be sexually active was primed with E in doses too low to initiate consistent mating behavior. LRH infusion in either the MPOA or ARC faciliated sexual behavior as measured by the lordosis-to-mount (L/M) ratio; LRH infusion in the LHA or CC, as well as saline infusion in all neural sites, was ineffective in initiating comparable behavior patterns. The results concur with findings utilizing systemic LRH injections and support the notion that LRH may act directly on neural tissue to potentiate lordosis behavior in the female rat.", "PMID": 785295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6853", "title": "The effects of pentobarbital and ether anesthesia on hypothalamic LH-RH in the rat.", "content": "The effects of ether and pentobarbital anesthesia on hypothalamic and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) LH-RH content were studied in male rats. Ether elevated hypothalamic LH-RH 30 min after a 3-min exposure; pentobarbital (30 mg/kgital (30mg/kg) caused no change. The ether-induced increase in LH-RH content was not affected by pretreatment with pentobarbital; however, the increase was abolished in animals subjected to hypothalamic deafferentation. Changes in CSF LH-RH generally paralleled the hypothalamic changes; ether, for example, elicited a significant rise. These results demonstrate the complex hypothalamo-pituitary-CSF interactions which occur in response to general anesthetics.", "contents": "The effects of pentobarbital and ether anesthesia on hypothalamic LH-RH in the rat. The effects of ether and pentobarbital anesthesia on hypothalamic and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) LH-RH content were studied in male rats. Ether elevated hypothalamic LH-RH 30 min after a 3-min exposure; pentobarbital (30 mg/kgital (30mg/kg) caused no change. The ether-induced increase in LH-RH content was not affected by pretreatment with pentobarbital; however, the increase was abolished in animals subjected to hypothalamic deafferentation. Changes in CSF LH-RH generally paralleled the hypothalamic changes; ether, for example, elicited a significant rise. These results demonstrate the complex hypothalamo-pituitary-CSF interactions which occur in response to general anesthetics.", "PMID": 785296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6854", "title": "A three year double blind investigation of the effects of lithium carbonate on serum protein-bound iodine in manic depressive patients.", "content": "In a controlled investigation of the long-term effect of lithium on protein-bound iodine (PBI), 17 manic-depressive patients were placed on lithium for 6 months then shifted on a double blind basis to lithium (8 patients) and placebo (9 patients), and followed for a maximum of 3 years. Serum PBIs and lithium levels were evaluated initially and every 3 months thereafter. The placebo group showed no significant change in PBI during the first 6 months while still on lithium. At 9- and 12-month evaluations, a rise in serum PBI was noted. Seven placebo patients with data available displayed a mean 6-month PBI of 6.26 +/- 0.67 mug% and at 9 months 7.07 +/- 0.63 mug% (p less than 0.02). Available data for 7 placebo patients at 6 and 12 months show means of 6.30 +/- 0.66 and 7.06 +/- 0.56 mug%, respectively (p less than 0.10). Patients on lithium during the entire study had a PBI of 6.95 +/- 0.81 mug% at 6 months, which dropped to 5.76 +/- 0.36 mug% (p less than 0.05) after an average of 810 days of treatment. The placebo group showed no statistically significant change in PBI.", "contents": "A three year double blind investigation of the effects of lithium carbonate on serum protein-bound iodine in manic depressive patients. In a controlled investigation of the long-term effect of lithium on protein-bound iodine (PBI), 17 manic-depressive patients were placed on lithium for 6 months then shifted on a double blind basis to lithium (8 patients) and placebo (9 patients), and followed for a maximum of 3 years. Serum PBIs and lithium levels were evaluated initially and every 3 months thereafter. The placebo group showed no significant change in PBI during the first 6 months while still on lithium. At 9- and 12-month evaluations, a rise in serum PBI was noted. Seven placebo patients with data available displayed a mean 6-month PBI of 6.26 +/- 0.67 mug% and at 9 months 7.07 +/- 0.63 mug% (p less than 0.02). Available data for 7 placebo patients at 6 and 12 months show means of 6.30 +/- 0.66 and 7.06 +/- 0.56 mug%, respectively (p less than 0.10). Patients on lithium during the entire study had a PBI of 6.95 +/- 0.81 mug% at 6 months, which dropped to 5.76 +/- 0.36 mug% (p less than 0.05) after an average of 810 days of treatment. The placebo group showed no statistically significant change in PBI.", "PMID": 785297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6855", "title": "Contrast enhancement by arterial perfusion during computerized tomography.", "content": "Contrast enhancement of computerized tomography is usually performed by means of intravenous injection of iodinated contrast materials. The authors have utilized a technique of direct arterial infusion of iodinated contrast material supplying intracranial arteries during computerized axial tomography. A representative case is presented with comparison scans which were obtained without contrast enhancement and with conventional intravenous infusion of contrast. Marked improvement of the enhancement was clearly demonstrated in this case, with abnormalities readily defined that were not seen with the conventional intravenous enhancement procedure.", "contents": "Contrast enhancement by arterial perfusion during computerized tomography. Contrast enhancement of computerized tomography is usually performed by means of intravenous injection of iodinated contrast materials. The authors have utilized a technique of direct arterial infusion of iodinated contrast material supplying intracranial arteries during computerized axial tomography. A representative case is presented with comparison scans which were obtained without contrast enhancement and with conventional intravenous infusion of contrast. Marked improvement of the enhancement was clearly demonstrated in this case, with abnormalities readily defined that were not seen with the conventional intravenous enhancement procedure.", "PMID": 785298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6856", "title": "Congenital spondylolysis of cervical vertebrae with spondylolisthesis anf frontal narrowing of the spinal canal. Report of two cases.", "content": "Two cases of cervical spondylolisthesis, due to a congenital defect in the pars interarticularis of C6, associated with spina bifida and elongation of the contralateral pars interarticularis, are reported. Tomography showed an abnormal direction of the articular facets of C6 and demonstrated a narrow frontal diameter of the cervical spinal canal at the level of the malformation. Gas myelography showed a slight compression of the cord. Unlike previously reported cases the patients had neurological findings which, in one case at least, were certainly referable to the spinal cord.", "contents": "Congenital spondylolysis of cervical vertebrae with spondylolisthesis anf frontal narrowing of the spinal canal. Report of two cases. Two cases of cervical spondylolisthesis, due to a congenital defect in the pars interarticularis of C6, associated with spina bifida and elongation of the contralateral pars interarticularis, are reported. Tomography showed an abnormal direction of the articular facets of C6 and demonstrated a narrow frontal diameter of the cervical spinal canal at the level of the malformation. Gas myelography showed a slight compression of the cord. Unlike previously reported cases the patients had neurological findings which, in one case at least, were certainly referable to the spinal cord.", "PMID": 785299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6857", "title": "Cranial computerized tomography in the diagnosis of brain disorders in infants and children.", "content": "Cranial computerized tomography (CCT) has opened new dimensions in the diagnosis of neuropediatric disorders. The results of this new method are comparable to gross neuropathology. Thereby it is often possible to avoid further invasive neuroradiological investigations. This is especially true of pneumoencephalography which, according to the present state of CCT, is no longer indicated. Optimal diagnostic results can be achieved only if the patients is cooperative and does not move his head during the scanning procedure. Therefore in infants general anaesthesia is necessary. Sedation alone has proved to be not sufficient. The numerous new findings gained by CCT cover nearly all types of intracranial lesions. First of all the direct visualization of brain tumours in their relations to the surrounding structures, the surprising findings in inflammatory diseases of the brain, and the impressive demonstration of brain anomalies make CCT superior to all conventional neuroradiological investigations. Only for planning a surgical intervention and in vascular disorders angiography remains irreplacable.", "contents": "Cranial computerized tomography in the diagnosis of brain disorders in infants and children. Cranial computerized tomography (CCT) has opened new dimensions in the diagnosis of neuropediatric disorders. The results of this new method are comparable to gross neuropathology. Thereby it is often possible to avoid further invasive neuroradiological investigations. This is especially true of pneumoencephalography which, according to the present state of CCT, is no longer indicated. Optimal diagnostic results can be achieved only if the patients is cooperative and does not move his head during the scanning procedure. Therefore in infants general anaesthesia is necessary. Sedation alone has proved to be not sufficient. The numerous new findings gained by CCT cover nearly all types of intracranial lesions. First of all the direct visualization of brain tumours in their relations to the surrounding structures, the surprising findings in inflammatory diseases of the brain, and the impressive demonstration of brain anomalies make CCT superior to all conventional neuroradiological investigations. Only for planning a surgical intervention and in vascular disorders angiography remains irreplacable.", "PMID": 785300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6858", "title": "Comparative costs to the Medicare program of seven prepaid group practices and controls.", "content": "This research was conducted in order to compare costs to the Medicare program for providing health care service to old people enrolled in two forms of health delivery organization: open market and prepaid group practice (pgp). Two data sources were employed: cost data provided by the Social Security Administration for seven prepaid group practices in five SMSAs and northern California and interviews conducted with administrators of the prepaid groups to determine: organizational sponsorship, incentive structure, pattern of selectivity of patients, and resource availability. Major findings are: (1) Enrollees in prepaid groups incur higher physician costs. This includes services provided by practitioners in and outside the plans. (2) Overall, prepaid groups demonstrate savings to the Medicare program in provider-initiated services- in hospital care and extended care facility services, but not in home health care. (3) Reduced spending in the hospital component does not imply reduction in the extended care facility or home service. (4) Outpatient costs in the hospital are generally higher in the open market modes, probably because this mode of care is viewed as an alternative to physician visits. (5) The greatest cost savings to the Medicare program are demonstrated by groups which are relatively small, yet hospital-based.", "contents": "Comparative costs to the Medicare program of seven prepaid group practices and controls. This research was conducted in order to compare costs to the Medicare program for providing health care service to old people enrolled in two forms of health delivery organization: open market and prepaid group practice (pgp). Two data sources were employed: cost data provided by the Social Security Administration for seven prepaid group practices in five SMSAs and northern California and interviews conducted with administrators of the prepaid groups to determine: organizational sponsorship, incentive structure, pattern of selectivity of patients, and resource availability. Major findings are: (1) Enrollees in prepaid groups incur higher physician costs. This includes services provided by practitioners in and outside the plans. (2) Overall, prepaid groups demonstrate savings to the Medicare program in provider-initiated services- in hospital care and extended care facility services, but not in home health care. (3) Reduced spending in the hospital component does not imply reduction in the extended care facility or home service. (4) Outpatient costs in the hospital are generally higher in the open market modes, probably because this mode of care is viewed as an alternative to physician visits. (5) The greatest cost savings to the Medicare program are demonstrated by groups which are relatively small, yet hospital-based.", "PMID": 785301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6859", "title": "Ammonia and uric acid formation after rapid intravenous fructose administration to healthy subjects and patients with compensated cirrhosis of the liver.", "content": "To seven healthy volunteers, 12 and 24 g i.v. fructose were administered in the form of 20% solution at a rate of 4 g/min. After both doses, during the 10th min after the completed intravenous administration, a statistically significant increase of serum ammonia and serum uric acid occurred. After 24 g, the rise of the uric acid level remains significant during the 40th min after administration, while ammonia values return to the basal level. Increments of ammonia and uric acid are higher after a larger fructose dose. Under the same set-up and at the same rate, 24 g fructose were administered to eight patients with compensated cirrhosis of the liver. The rise of uric acid was practically the same as in healthy subjects similar to the rise of the ammonia level during the 10th min after administration. 40 min after administration, however, the ammonia level in cirrhotic patients remained significantly raised, as compared with the initial level.", "contents": "Ammonia and uric acid formation after rapid intravenous fructose administration to healthy subjects and patients with compensated cirrhosis of the liver. To seven healthy volunteers, 12 and 24 g i.v. fructose were administered in the form of 20% solution at a rate of 4 g/min. After both doses, during the 10th min after the completed intravenous administration, a statistically significant increase of serum ammonia and serum uric acid occurred. After 24 g, the rise of the uric acid level remains significant during the 40th min after administration, while ammonia values return to the basal level. Increments of ammonia and uric acid are higher after a larger fructose dose. Under the same set-up and at the same rate, 24 g fructose were administered to eight patients with compensated cirrhosis of the liver. The rise of uric acid was practically the same as in healthy subjects similar to the rise of the ammonia level during the 10th min after administration. 40 min after administration, however, the ammonia level in cirrhotic patients remained significantly raised, as compared with the initial level.", "PMID": 785305} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6860", "title": "Development of digestive and absorptive function in the human fetus.", "content": "In the mature human newborn infant, only pancreatic alpha-amylase shows a very low but highly inducible activity. Other digestive enzymes, although not yet at adult levels, increase rapidly with age. Intestinal absorptive functions develop already during early and mid-pregnancy and are mostly at adult levels in the newborn infant. Fat absorption is usually low in the premature infant and increases rapidly during the first month.", "contents": "Development of digestive and absorptive function in the human fetus. In the mature human newborn infant, only pancreatic alpha-amylase shows a very low but highly inducible activity. Other digestive enzymes, although not yet at adult levels, increase rapidly with age. Intestinal absorptive functions develop already during early and mid-pregnancy and are mostly at adult levels in the newborn infant. Fat absorption is usually low in the premature infant and increases rapidly during the first month.", "PMID": 785306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6861", "title": "Renal biopsy: a review from experience.", "content": "A review of the use of percutaneous renal biopsy is presented, based on 12 years of personal experience. The place of biopsy today, and its role in diagnostic and investigative nephrology is discussed.", "contents": "Renal biopsy: a review from experience. A review of the use of percutaneous renal biopsy is presented, based on 12 years of personal experience. The place of biopsy today, and its role in diagnostic and investigative nephrology is discussed.", "PMID": 785320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6862", "title": "High circulating levels of glucagon and gastrin in anephric subjects.", "content": "Six nephrectomised patients undergoing chronic haemo-dialysis and six patients who have had renal transplantation were studied in comparison with a control group of healthy subjects. Their glucose, insulin, glucagon and gastrin levels were measured during a 50g oral glucose tolerance test which, in the dialysis group, was carried out just prior to a dialysis period. In this group fasting blood samples were obtained also on the morning immediately following dialysis. Glucagon levels were high in the dialysis group and gastrin levels were raised in both the dialysis and transplant groups. These abnormalities may be related to some of the clinical features of renal failure.", "contents": "High circulating levels of glucagon and gastrin in anephric subjects. Six nephrectomised patients undergoing chronic haemo-dialysis and six patients who have had renal transplantation were studied in comparison with a control group of healthy subjects. Their glucose, insulin, glucagon and gastrin levels were measured during a 50g oral glucose tolerance test which, in the dialysis group, was carried out just prior to a dialysis period. In this group fasting blood samples were obtained also on the morning immediately following dialysis. Glucagon levels were high in the dialysis group and gastrin levels were raised in both the dialysis and transplant groups. These abnormalities may be related to some of the clinical features of renal failure.", "PMID": 785321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6863", "title": "Irregular antibodies causing hemolytic disease of the newborn.", "content": "The known antigens associated with hemolytic disease of the newborn along with the degree of severity of the disease caused by each antigen are presented in Table 13. The genotype frequencies for the major blood groups have been presented in the text. It is hoped that this information will help the clinician in managing sensitization to irregular antibodies and in predicting the likelihood of future affected siblings. Proper periodic screening of the antenatal patient for irregular antibodies can alert the physician to a potential problem with hemolytic disease and alert the laboratory so that time is available to find acceptable donors. One should always remember that autologous blood transfusion can be used if time is available to obtain the blood. When the antenatal patient with an irregular antibody presents, the husband should be tested for the presence of the antigen. If present, the physician should determine the severity of the disease that can be caused by this antibody and manage the patient appropriately. It is hoped that with good antenatal care, the morbidity and mortality of hemolytic disease of the newborn can be diminished.", "contents": "Irregular antibodies causing hemolytic disease of the newborn. The known antigens associated with hemolytic disease of the newborn along with the degree of severity of the disease caused by each antigen are presented in Table 13. The genotype frequencies for the major blood groups have been presented in the text. It is hoped that this information will help the clinician in managing sensitization to irregular antibodies and in predicting the likelihood of future affected siblings. Proper periodic screening of the antenatal patient for irregular antibodies can alert the physician to a potential problem with hemolytic disease and alert the laboratory so that time is available to find acceptable donors. One should always remember that autologous blood transfusion can be used if time is available to obtain the blood. When the antenatal patient with an irregular antibody presents, the husband should be tested for the presence of the antigen. If present, the physician should determine the severity of the disease that can be caused by this antibody and manage the patient appropriately. It is hoped that with good antenatal care, the morbidity and mortality of hemolytic disease of the newborn can be diminished.", "PMID": 785325} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6864", "title": "Embryological pigment epithelial dystrophies.", "content": "The embryological pigment epithelial dystrophies may be due, although rather rarely, to chemical factors, such as antibiotics and thalidomide, to ionizing radiation and to infectious factors, syphilis or viral infections, such as mumps, measles, varicella, or cytomegalovirus. The most frequent and the most typical dystrophy is, nevertheless, the rubella epitheliopathy with its widespread scattered black pigment deposits, found predominantly in the posterior pole, and its unaffected visual functions. The macular dystrophy associated with deaf-mutism is also often due to a maternal rubella infection.", "contents": "Embryological pigment epithelial dystrophies. The embryological pigment epithelial dystrophies may be due, although rather rarely, to chemical factors, such as antibiotics and thalidomide, to ionizing radiation and to infectious factors, syphilis or viral infections, such as mumps, measles, varicella, or cytomegalovirus. The most frequent and the most typical dystrophy is, nevertheless, the rubella epitheliopathy with its widespread scattered black pigment deposits, found predominantly in the posterior pole, and its unaffected visual functions. The macular dystrophy associated with deaf-mutism is also often due to a maternal rubella infection.", "PMID": 785328} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6865", "title": "Computer data processing in the examination of retinal vessels in essential hypertension and atherosclerosis.", "content": "The mean retinal venoarterial width ratio in 100 healthy subjects was measured with a PZO stereoscopic microscope equipped with a calibrated ocular and with an automatic digital image transformer coupled with an ODRA 1204 computer. The mean value was estimated as equal to 1.21 with an SD of 0.071. The same study was performed in 75 atherosclerotic patients and 75 patients with essential hypertension. In the first group the mean retinal venoarterial width ratio amounted to 1.51 (SD 0.054), while in the second one it was equal to 1.53 (SD 0.079).", "contents": "Computer data processing in the examination of retinal vessels in essential hypertension and atherosclerosis. The mean retinal venoarterial width ratio in 100 healthy subjects was measured with a PZO stereoscopic microscope equipped with a calibrated ocular and with an automatic digital image transformer coupled with an ODRA 1204 computer. The mean value was estimated as equal to 1.21 with an SD of 0.071. The same study was performed in 75 atherosclerotic patients and 75 patients with essential hypertension. In the first group the mean retinal venoarterial width ratio amounted to 1.51 (SD 0.054), while in the second one it was equal to 1.53 (SD 0.079).", "PMID": 785329} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6866", "title": "[Compensatory hypertrophy of the kidney. I. - Search for the existence of a renal inhibitory substance (author's transl)].", "content": "In view of the theory of autoregulation of cell multiplication in a growth organ, we attempted to inhibit renal tubular cell hyperplasia in the remaining kidney 48 hours after controlateral nephrectomy. To do this we drew up a method of measurement of hyperplasia by measuring the rate of uptake of tritiated thymidine in the organ undergoing compensatory growth. We then injected renal cytosol. Whereas the rate of uptake of tritiated thymidine doubles in the growing kidney compared with control animals, the intravenous administration of renal cytosol reduces the renal uptake of the tracer to its basal level. We correlated this observation with the microscopic count of mitotic figures, and noted the existence of parallel fluctuations. Our results seem to support the initial working hypothesis but they do not exclude the possibility of a more complex regulatory mechanism in which serum stimulant factors may also play a role.", "contents": "[Compensatory hypertrophy of the kidney. I. - Search for the existence of a renal inhibitory substance (author's transl)]. In view of the theory of autoregulation of cell multiplication in a growth organ, we attempted to inhibit renal tubular cell hyperplasia in the remaining kidney 48 hours after controlateral nephrectomy. To do this we drew up a method of measurement of hyperplasia by measuring the rate of uptake of tritiated thymidine in the organ undergoing compensatory growth. We then injected renal cytosol. Whereas the rate of uptake of tritiated thymidine doubles in the growing kidney compared with control animals, the intravenous administration of renal cytosol reduces the renal uptake of the tracer to its basal level. We correlated this observation with the microscopic count of mitotic figures, and noted the existence of parallel fluctuations. Our results seem to support the initial working hypothesis but they do not exclude the possibility of a more complex regulatory mechanism in which serum stimulant factors may also play a role.", "PMID": 785342} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6867", "title": "[Compensatory renal hypertrophy. II. - Search for a serum stimulant factor (author's transl)].", "content": "In order to demonstrate in the uninephrectomised rat possible circulating serum factors which might induce an increase in the rate of synthesis of DNA in the remaining kidney, we injected intravenously to 125 g rats serum from similar rats uninephrectomised 24 to 48 hours previously. The injections preceded the administration of tritiated thymidine by 13 hours (1.5 ml), 5 hours (1 ml), or 2 hours (1 ml) depending on each group. The parameter studied was the radioactivity of the acid-insoluble fraction of 100 mg of kidney. We observed in uninephrectomised animals receiving no injection of serum that the rate of uptake of the tracer in the remaining kidney doubles 48 hours after nephrectomy but this uptake by the kidneys of unoperated rats is not modified by the injection of serum from similar rats whether uninephrectomised or not. Furthermore the addition of serum from uninephrectomised rats to slices of normal kidney under incubation does not modify the rate of synthesis of DNA. All these results are not in favour of a serum factor regulating compensatory renal hypertrophy.", "contents": "[Compensatory renal hypertrophy. II. - Search for a serum stimulant factor (author's transl)]. In order to demonstrate in the uninephrectomised rat possible circulating serum factors which might induce an increase in the rate of synthesis of DNA in the remaining kidney, we injected intravenously to 125 g rats serum from similar rats uninephrectomised 24 to 48 hours previously. The injections preceded the administration of tritiated thymidine by 13 hours (1.5 ml), 5 hours (1 ml), or 2 hours (1 ml) depending on each group. The parameter studied was the radioactivity of the acid-insoluble fraction of 100 mg of kidney. We observed in uninephrectomised animals receiving no injection of serum that the rate of uptake of the tracer in the remaining kidney doubles 48 hours after nephrectomy but this uptake by the kidneys of unoperated rats is not modified by the injection of serum from similar rats whether uninephrectomised or not. Furthermore the addition of serum from uninephrectomised rats to slices of normal kidney under incubation does not modify the rate of synthesis of DNA. All these results are not in favour of a serum factor regulating compensatory renal hypertrophy.", "PMID": 785343} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6868", "title": "[Gamasid ticks from voles in the Tatar Republic].", "content": "Gamasid mites from voles and their nests were studied in the Volga-Kama state reserve. 28 species of gamasid mites are reported. The parasitic species Hypoaspis heselhausi Oudms., Haemolaelaps glasgowi (Ewing) and Laelaps hilaris Koch are most abundant. Data are given on the seasonal variations in the number of parasite and free-living species.", "contents": "[Gamasid ticks from voles in the Tatar Republic]. Gamasid mites from voles and their nests were studied in the Volga-Kama state reserve. 28 species of gamasid mites are reported. The parasitic species Hypoaspis heselhausi Oudms., Haemolaelaps glasgowi (Ewing) and Laelaps hilaris Koch are most abundant. Data are given on the seasonal variations in the number of parasite and free-living species.", "PMID": 785339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6869", "title": "Laboratoire d'Hygi'ene de la Facult'e de M'edecine de Lyon Universit'e Claude-Bernard, Domaine Rockefeller, 8, avenue Rockefeller, 69373 Lyon Cedex 2 France.", "content": "The objective of this study was to investigate the false-positive reactions in the Kline, FTA200 and FTA-ABS tests in acute disseminated lupus erythematosus, polyarthritis and controls. Though the false-positive Kline tests are frequent in autoimmune diseases, false-positive FTA200 when made on non lyophilised treponema are uncommon. On the other hand, when lyophilised treponema are used as substrate for the immunofluorescence, false-positive FTA200 and FTA-ABS are more common in the patients with autoimmune diseases than in controls. The false-positives had two patterns of fluorescence \"beaded\" or \"homogeneous\". The present investigation suggests that the false-positive reactions of the beaded type are due to the presence of anti-DNA antibodies in the sera.", "contents": "Laboratoire d'Hygi'ene de la Facult'e de M'edecine de Lyon Universit'e Claude-Bernard, Domaine Rockefeller, 8, avenue Rockefeller, 69373 Lyon Cedex 2 France. The objective of this study was to investigate the false-positive reactions in the Kline, FTA200 and FTA-ABS tests in acute disseminated lupus erythematosus, polyarthritis and controls. Though the false-positive Kline tests are frequent in autoimmune diseases, false-positive FTA200 when made on non lyophilised treponema are uncommon. On the other hand, when lyophilised treponema are used as substrate for the immunofluorescence, false-positive FTA200 and FTA-ABS are more common in the patients with autoimmune diseases than in controls. The false-positives had two patterns of fluorescence \"beaded\" or \"homogeneous\". The present investigation suggests that the false-positive reactions of the beaded type are due to the presence of anti-DNA antibodies in the sera.", "PMID": 785344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6870", "title": "[Hypertensive arteriopathy: aortic histo-metabolic changes during postnatal ontogenesis in spontaneous hypertensive rats (Okamoto-Aoki strain) (author's transl)].", "content": "27 aortic histoenzymatic activities and 6 aortic macromolecular substances were comparatively studied in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar rats (3, 5, 13 and 16 month-old). The earlier aortic changes (3rd month) were only histoenzymatic: 5 Nase and LDH were increased in the entire aorta: some oxido-reductases increase near the intima. These early minor changes might represent some of the factors of the functional disturbance of the arterial smooth muscle cell. At the stage of stable hypertension (5th-13th month) two lesion patterns were seen: 1) metabolic: increase of the histoenzymatic activities involved in lipolysis, GAG anabolism, glycolysis, cell respiration, energizing metabolism and nucleotides-esterolysis. 2) Structural: cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia, interstitial fibrosis. The stimulus of the metabolic changes seems to be dual: 1) the hypertensive factor acting upon smooth muscle cells and/or vasa vasorum. 2) The intraarterial pressure increasing endothelial crossing and stimulating myocyte contraction. The structural change is more probably the reaction to elevated pressure; it has led to diffuse medial thickening providing a balance between hypertension and arterial wall stress. On the 16th month, the cell reaction developed in two ways: 1) increase of metabolic and morphogenetic activation of some cells. 2) irreversible degeneration in some other cell groups (media necrosis, cicatricial fibrosis, decrease of oxidoreductases and lipolytic activities, increase of lysosomal enzymes). Aortic lesions during spontaneous hypertension were less dramatic and occurred later than after experimental hypertension. Some of the observed histometabolic changes might lead to maintenance and worsening of hypertension.", "contents": "[Hypertensive arteriopathy: aortic histo-metabolic changes during postnatal ontogenesis in spontaneous hypertensive rats (Okamoto-Aoki strain) (author's transl)]. 27 aortic histoenzymatic activities and 6 aortic macromolecular substances were comparatively studied in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar rats (3, 5, 13 and 16 month-old). The earlier aortic changes (3rd month) were only histoenzymatic: 5 Nase and LDH were increased in the entire aorta: some oxido-reductases increase near the intima. These early minor changes might represent some of the factors of the functional disturbance of the arterial smooth muscle cell. At the stage of stable hypertension (5th-13th month) two lesion patterns were seen: 1) metabolic: increase of the histoenzymatic activities involved in lipolysis, GAG anabolism, glycolysis, cell respiration, energizing metabolism and nucleotides-esterolysis. 2) Structural: cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia, interstitial fibrosis. The stimulus of the metabolic changes seems to be dual: 1) the hypertensive factor acting upon smooth muscle cells and/or vasa vasorum. 2) The intraarterial pressure increasing endothelial crossing and stimulating myocyte contraction. The structural change is more probably the reaction to elevated pressure; it has led to diffuse medial thickening providing a balance between hypertension and arterial wall stress. On the 16th month, the cell reaction developed in two ways: 1) increase of metabolic and morphogenetic activation of some cells. 2) irreversible degeneration in some other cell groups (media necrosis, cicatricial fibrosis, decrease of oxidoreductases and lipolytic activities, increase of lysosomal enzymes). Aortic lesions during spontaneous hypertension were less dramatic and occurred later than after experimental hypertension. Some of the observed histometabolic changes might lead to maintenance and worsening of hypertension.", "PMID": 785345} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6871", "title": "Heterosaccharides derived from structural glycoproteins of the skin of two isogenic mouse (Mus musculus) strains C3H/He and C57BL/6.", "content": "1) Glycopeptides were prepared by pronase digestion of the urea extract of dermis of two isogenic mouse strains C3H/He and C57BL/6. 2) The major glycopeptide fractions from both strains contain, glucosamine, galactose, mannose, fucose and sialic acid. 3) The sugar composition, the behaviour on gel filtration and yields of the glycopeptides with identical electrophoretic mobilities, isolated from the two strains, were identical.", "contents": "Heterosaccharides derived from structural glycoproteins of the skin of two isogenic mouse (Mus musculus) strains C3H/He and C57BL/6. 1) Glycopeptides were prepared by pronase digestion of the urea extract of dermis of two isogenic mouse strains C3H/He and C57BL/6. 2) The major glycopeptide fractions from both strains contain, glucosamine, galactose, mannose, fucose and sialic acid. 3) The sugar composition, the behaviour on gel filtration and yields of the glycopeptides with identical electrophoretic mobilities, isolated from the two strains, were identical.", "PMID": 785346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6872", "title": "[Radioimmunoassays. Their application in toxicology (author's transl)].", "content": "The assays of toxic substances are often tedious and sometimes very difficult, due to the necessity of extraction from the biological fluids. This technical problem is avoided by radio-immuno-assay (RIA), and for this reason this methodology is increasing very rapidly in Toxicology. The authors review these RIA used presently in the field of toxic drugs and environmental polluants.", "contents": "[Radioimmunoassays. Their application in toxicology (author's transl)]. The assays of toxic substances are often tedious and sometimes very difficult, due to the necessity of extraction from the biological fluids. This technical problem is avoided by radio-immuno-assay (RIA), and for this reason this methodology is increasing very rapidly in Toxicology. The authors review these RIA used presently in the field of toxic drugs and environmental polluants.", "PMID": 785347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6873", "title": "[A new method for rapid determination of blood L-lactate using an enzymatic lactate sensor (author's transl)].", "content": "We determined the lactate concentration in 112 samples of arterial blood, simultaneously by two-different technic: 1) The usual enzymatic technic (plasmatic and intracellular lactates). 2) A new technic using an enzymatic lactate sensor (\"lactate analyzer 5400\") which measures the plasmatic lactates only. The data obtained with the two technics were very similar (r = 0,982). The small volume of blood used and the handiness and rapidity of the new procedure are to be noted.", "contents": "[A new method for rapid determination of blood L-lactate using an enzymatic lactate sensor (author's transl)]. We determined the lactate concentration in 112 samples of arterial blood, simultaneously by two-different technic: 1) The usual enzymatic technic (plasmatic and intracellular lactates). 2) A new technic using an enzymatic lactate sensor (\"lactate analyzer 5400\") which measures the plasmatic lactates only. The data obtained with the two technics were very similar (r = 0,982). The small volume of blood used and the handiness and rapidity of the new procedure are to be noted.", "PMID": 785348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6874", "title": "[Bumetanide, a new diuretic active during chronic renal failure (author's transl)].", "content": "Bumetanide is a new diuretic, which acts in the ascending limb of Henle's loop. The use of very high doses (5 to 40 mg/24 h) in 32 patients with advanced chronic renal insufficiency gave a clear diuretic effect in half the patients with a creatinine clearance of less than 3 ml/min and in 2/3 of the cases with a creatinine clearance between 3 and 10 ml/min. The efficacy of high doses of bumetanide, as well as their good tolerance shows an action of this new diuretic similar to that of furosemide.", "contents": "[Bumetanide, a new diuretic active during chronic renal failure (author's transl)]. Bumetanide is a new diuretic, which acts in the ascending limb of Henle's loop. The use of very high doses (5 to 40 mg/24 h) in 32 patients with advanced chronic renal insufficiency gave a clear diuretic effect in half the patients with a creatinine clearance of less than 3 ml/min and in 2/3 of the cases with a creatinine clearance between 3 and 10 ml/min. The efficacy of high doses of bumetanide, as well as their good tolerance shows an action of this new diuretic similar to that of furosemide.", "PMID": 785349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6875", "title": "Nosocomial transmission of group B streptococci.", "content": "Group B streptococci are an important cause of infant septicemia and meningitis. A prospective study of group B streptococcal colonization in a 300-bed community hospital disclosed rates of 29% of 297 third-trimester women, 37% of 242 newborn infants, and 45% of 22 hospital personnel. Colonized parturients were more frequently black and anemic on admission for delivery. Infant colonization was statistically associated with a positive maternal genital culture, low birthweight, and prematurity. Nosocomial transmission of group B streptococci was strongly suggested by observations that 41% of colonized infants were born to culture-negative women and such infants became colonized later in their hospital stay than did colonized infants born to colonized women. Furthermore, hospital personnel working in the labor-delivery and nursery areas had a significantly higher prevalence of the organism than did personnel from other areas. Clearly, more information is needed about the epidemiology of group B streptococcal disease before appropriate and rational control measures can be recommended.", "contents": "Nosocomial transmission of group B streptococci. Group B streptococci are an important cause of infant septicemia and meningitis. A prospective study of group B streptococcal colonization in a 300-bed community hospital disclosed rates of 29% of 297 third-trimester women, 37% of 242 newborn infants, and 45% of 22 hospital personnel. Colonized parturients were more frequently black and anemic on admission for delivery. Infant colonization was statistically associated with a positive maternal genital culture, low birthweight, and prematurity. Nosocomial transmission of group B streptococci was strongly suggested by observations that 41% of colonized infants were born to culture-negative women and such infants became colonized later in their hospital stay than did colonized infants born to colonized women. Furthermore, hospital personnel working in the labor-delivery and nursery areas had a significantly higher prevalence of the organism than did personnel from other areas. Clearly, more information is needed about the epidemiology of group B streptococcal disease before appropriate and rational control measures can be recommended.", "PMID": 785356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6876", "title": "Immunologic reconstitution in severe combined immunodeficiency following transplantation with parental bone marrow.", "content": "A 9-month-old girl with severe combined immunodeficiency was transplanted with BM cells from her father. The child had complete restoration of cell-mediated immune functions. Humoral immune functions remain absent nine months after transplant. Child and father were HL-A identical and their lymphocytes were nonreactive in mixed lymphocyte culture. The parents of the child were first cousins and shared an HL-A haplotype. In countries like Lebanon, where there is a high incidence of first-cousin marriages (15%) and where villages are relatively isolated, the search for histocompatible graft donors should extend beyond the siblings to other members of the family.", "contents": "Immunologic reconstitution in severe combined immunodeficiency following transplantation with parental bone marrow. A 9-month-old girl with severe combined immunodeficiency was transplanted with BM cells from her father. The child had complete restoration of cell-mediated immune functions. Humoral immune functions remain absent nine months after transplant. Child and father were HL-A identical and their lymphocytes were nonreactive in mixed lymphocyte culture. The parents of the child were first cousins and shared an HL-A haplotype. In countries like Lebanon, where there is a high incidence of first-cousin marriages (15%) and where villages are relatively isolated, the search for histocompatible graft donors should extend beyond the siblings to other members of the family.", "PMID": 785357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6877", "title": "Use of the Beery Visual-Motor Integration Test with partially sighted students.", "content": "The purpose of this research was to determine the difference in performance of partially sighted and sighted students on the Beery Visual-Motor Integration Test. Since this test is only standardized on sighted students, there are no norms for partially sighted students. 60 partially sighted students, ranging in age from 6 to 18 yr., were tested on Beery's Visual-Motor Integration Test. These students did not achieve as well as Beery's norms indicate his sighted population did. The average age of the partially sighted students was 3 yr., 8 mo. below that of Beery's seeing students. Partially sighted students had greater difficulty with certain test items than Beery's normal subjects. A special test which would rank geometric forms by development stages seems needed for partially seeing students.", "contents": "Use of the Beery Visual-Motor Integration Test with partially sighted students. The purpose of this research was to determine the difference in performance of partially sighted and sighted students on the Beery Visual-Motor Integration Test. Since this test is only standardized on sighted students, there are no norms for partially sighted students. 60 partially sighted students, ranging in age from 6 to 18 yr., were tested on Beery's Visual-Motor Integration Test. These students did not achieve as well as Beery's norms indicate his sighted population did. The average age of the partially sighted students was 3 yr., 8 mo. below that of Beery's seeing students. Partially sighted students had greater difficulty with certain test items than Beery's normal subjects. A special test which would rank geometric forms by development stages seems needed for partially seeing students.", "PMID": 785359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6878", "title": "Sport-related attitudes and the-Philosophies of Human Nature Scale.", "content": "The revised Philosophies of Human Nature scale was presented to 94 females and 94 males to develop normative data. There were no significant sex differences in the norms. A questionnaire about sports was presented at the same time to determine relationships between the two scales. Females who claimed frequent sports participation were less likely to have an internal locus of control and were less likely to believe that human beings are complex than females who claimed infrequent participation. A comparison of those who like and dislike sports gave no significant difference for either sex on the sub-scales of Philosophies of Human Nature. The findings are consistent with previous research which generally shows little or no effect of interest or participation in sports on personality traits.", "contents": "Sport-related attitudes and the-Philosophies of Human Nature Scale. The revised Philosophies of Human Nature scale was presented to 94 females and 94 males to develop normative data. There were no significant sex differences in the norms. A questionnaire about sports was presented at the same time to determine relationships between the two scales. Females who claimed frequent sports participation were less likely to have an internal locus of control and were less likely to believe that human beings are complex than females who claimed infrequent participation. A comparison of those who like and dislike sports gave no significant difference for either sex on the sub-scales of Philosophies of Human Nature. The findings are consistent with previous research which generally shows little or no effect of interest or participation in sports on personality traits.", "PMID": 785360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6879", "title": "Field-dependence and facial expressions.", "content": "Facially expressive and nonexpressive subjects (40 undergraduate women) were compared on a measure of field-dependence--independence. Expressives were significantly more field-independent than non-expressives. It was suggested that both social development and the situational context play important roles in determining the effects of perceptual style on nonverbal behavior.", "contents": "Field-dependence and facial expressions. Facially expressive and nonexpressive subjects (40 undergraduate women) were compared on a measure of field-dependence--independence. Expressives were significantly more field-independent than non-expressives. It was suggested that both social development and the situational context play important roles in determining the effects of perceptual style on nonverbal behavior.", "PMID": 785361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6880", "title": "Bibliography: supplement to Piaget's theory and exceptional children, 1963-1973.", "content": "A 59-item supplement to the bibliography which appeared in Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1975, 41, 225-261.", "contents": "Bibliography: supplement to Piaget's theory and exceptional children, 1963-1973. A 59-item supplement to the bibliography which appeared in Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1975, 41, 225-261.", "PMID": 785362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6881", "title": "Reaction times and Digit Symbol Test scores of girls identified as daydreamers by their teachers.", "content": "Reaction times and Digit Symbol scores of 14 9-yr.-old girls identified as \"daydreamers\" by their teachers were compared with those of 14 9-yr.-old girls not so identified. Daydreamers tended to have longer mean reaction times under all test conditions but the differences were small. The daydreamers completed significantly less of the Digit Symbol test than did the non daydreamers and also recalled significantly fewer symbols. The daydreamers had significantly larger variances for three of the four measures of outcome of the Digit Symbol test. These data support the hypothesis that girls identified as daydreamers on a questionnaire completed by their teachers did less well on certain tests of attention than girls not so identified.", "contents": "Reaction times and Digit Symbol Test scores of girls identified as daydreamers by their teachers. Reaction times and Digit Symbol scores of 14 9-yr.-old girls identified as \"daydreamers\" by their teachers were compared with those of 14 9-yr.-old girls not so identified. Daydreamers tended to have longer mean reaction times under all test conditions but the differences were small. The daydreamers completed significantly less of the Digit Symbol test than did the non daydreamers and also recalled significantly fewer symbols. The daydreamers had significantly larger variances for three of the four measures of outcome of the Digit Symbol test. These data support the hypothesis that girls identified as daydreamers on a questionnaire completed by their teachers did less well on certain tests of attention than girls not so identified.", "PMID": 785364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6882", "title": "Personality dimensions measured by projective techniques: a formulation based on structural analysis.", "content": "It is suggested that a better understanding and more effective use of projective techniques can be achieved by viewing each test in terms of the depth of personality assessed and its unique amalgamation of emotional and intellectual aspects of personality. With these considerations in mind, a refurbished definition of a projective test is presented and implications for the phenomenon of projection are discussed.", "contents": "Personality dimensions measured by projective techniques: a formulation based on structural analysis. It is suggested that a better understanding and more effective use of projective techniques can be achieved by viewing each test in terms of the depth of personality assessed and its unique amalgamation of emotional and intellectual aspects of personality. With these considerations in mind, a refurbished definition of a projective test is presented and implications for the phenomenon of projection are discussed.", "PMID": 785365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6883", "title": "Field dependence in visually and nonvisually involved learning disabled children.", "content": "39 visually and nonvisually perceptually impaired 8- to 11-yr.-old boys with learning disabilities were compared with a control group of 35 \"normal\" learners on the Rod-and-frame and Children's Embedded-figures Tests. Previous findings of greater field dependence of learning disabled children are confounded because the experimental tasks involved visual perception. In our study the 27 \"visuals\" were more field-dependent than either the 12 \"nonvisuals\" or the controls. The latter groups did not differ significantly from one another, which may in part be a function of the small sample of nonvisual children identified. Alternative explanations, e.g., the visual nature of the field-dependence measures and the lack of reading difficulty of the nonvisual group, are considered. For the visually disabled Ss only Vocabulary scores, suggesting that among such children those with higher verbal intelligence may be more field-independent.", "contents": "Field dependence in visually and nonvisually involved learning disabled children. 39 visually and nonvisually perceptually impaired 8- to 11-yr.-old boys with learning disabilities were compared with a control group of 35 \"normal\" learners on the Rod-and-frame and Children's Embedded-figures Tests. Previous findings of greater field dependence of learning disabled children are confounded because the experimental tasks involved visual perception. In our study the 27 \"visuals\" were more field-dependent than either the 12 \"nonvisuals\" or the controls. The latter groups did not differ significantly from one another, which may in part be a function of the small sample of nonvisual children identified. Alternative explanations, e.g., the visual nature of the field-dependence measures and the lack of reading difficulty of the nonvisual group, are considered. For the visually disabled Ss only Vocabulary scores, suggesting that among such children those with higher verbal intelligence may be more field-independent.", "PMID": 785367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6884", "title": "Copulatory behavior of pine voles (Microtus pinetorum).", "content": "7 male and 6 female pine voles, Microtus pinetorum, were observed in a total of 26 tests of copulatory behavior. They displayed a pattern with no lock intravaginal thrusting, ejaculation possible on a single insertion, and multiple ejaculations. The first ejaculatory series required approximately 5 min, with a mean of five intromissions and 36 thrusts. Post-ejaculatory intervals following the first series averaged 16 min. and increased in successive series.", "contents": "Copulatory behavior of pine voles (Microtus pinetorum). 7 male and 6 female pine voles, Microtus pinetorum, were observed in a total of 26 tests of copulatory behavior. They displayed a pattern with no lock intravaginal thrusting, ejaculation possible on a single insertion, and multiple ejaculations. The first ejaculatory series required approximately 5 min, with a mean of five intromissions and 36 thrusts. Post-ejaculatory intervals following the first series averaged 16 min. and increased in successive series.", "PMID": 785368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6885", "title": "Cytochalasin B: evidence for a membrane-directed action in B-cells from rat pancreatic islets.", "content": "In the presence of cytochalasin B (CCB) concentrations from 50 to 200 mug/ml there is a dose-dependant inhibition of insulin release from isolated rat pancreatic islets. Inhibition is unspecific with respect to glucose, leucine, tolbutamide or theophylline and is reversible. Production of 14CO2 from uniformly labeled D-glucose is decreased. Islets pretreated with an high (200 mug/ml) or low (10 mug/ml) CCB dose release more insulin in response to a subsequent glucose or leucine stimulus in a CCB free medium compared with controls. The data are compatible with a membrane-directed action of CCB.", "contents": "Cytochalasin B: evidence for a membrane-directed action in B-cells from rat pancreatic islets. In the presence of cytochalasin B (CCB) concentrations from 50 to 200 mug/ml there is a dose-dependant inhibition of insulin release from isolated rat pancreatic islets. Inhibition is unspecific with respect to glucose, leucine, tolbutamide or theophylline and is reversible. Production of 14CO2 from uniformly labeled D-glucose is decreased. Islets pretreated with an high (200 mug/ml) or low (10 mug/ml) CCB dose release more insulin in response to a subsequent glucose or leucine stimulus in a CCB free medium compared with controls. The data are compatible with a membrane-directed action of CCB.", "PMID": 785375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6886", "title": "An examination of the xenon clearance method.", "content": "A definition of cortical and juxta-medullary regions is suggested based on a grouping of nephrons of common flow characteristics. A possible error is suggested in the xenon clearance method of measuring the regional flows. Experiments to test the source of error and its magnitude are described. It is concluded that while the error is present its effect on conventional component analysis is small.", "contents": "An examination of the xenon clearance method. A definition of cortical and juxta-medullary regions is suggested based on a grouping of nephrons of common flow characteristics. A possible error is suggested in the xenon clearance method of measuring the regional flows. Experiments to test the source of error and its magnitude are described. It is concluded that while the error is present its effect on conventional component analysis is small.", "PMID": 785376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6887", "title": "The bulbar respiratory centre in the rabbit. II. Responses of respiratory neurons to intermittent electrical bulbar stimulation during in- or expiration.", "content": "In anesthetized rabbits, spirogram and diaphragmatic activity were examined during electrical stimulation of the bulbar lateral reticular formation. The activity of bulbar respiratory neurons was recorded contra- or ipsilaterally to the stimulation site. One volley of repetitive stimuli per breath was delivered during either inspiration of expiration. 1. Each volley of about 120 ms duration at 100 pulses per second, delivered early in inspiration, caused an immediate and transient inhibition of the diaphragmatic activity. An inspiratory rebound comprising lengthening of inspiration and increase in tidal volume occurred. a) \"Inspiratory\" and \"expiratory-inspiratory\" phase-spanning neurons exhibited inhibition during the volley. The burst discharge was lengthened and the spike density increased after stimulus. The same was true of some \"inspiratory-expiratory\" phase-spanning units. b) The discharge of most of the \"inspiratory-expiratory neurons was not inhibited. \"Expiratory\" units were excited. In both types of cells activation occurred which outlasted the volley. 2. When applied during expiration, the volley caused a short inspiratory twitch. a) \"Inspiratory\" and \"expiratory-inspiratory\" neurons exhibited a short post-stimulus firing and the spike density was increased. In some units of the latter type, however, the burst discharge was shortened. b) Most of the \"expiratory\" and \"inspiratory-expiratory\" neurons were not inhibited by the volley. Cells of the former type often produced post-stimulus after-discharge; the burst discharge of units belonging to the latter type was shortened. The effects of expiratory stimuli upon neuronal activity, however, were less consistent than those elicited by inspiratory volleys. 3. During spontaneous irregularities of single inspirations (short interruptions), EI and I neurons exhibited comparable burst pattern changes. The changes in pattern of IE and E units were also comparable and differed distinctly from the behaviour of the EI and I cells. No major differences in behaviour were observed between neurons which were inhibited during lung inflation (alpha units) and those which were activated during inflation (beta cells). The findings are in accord with the effects observed during electrical bulbar stimulation, suggesting that EI and I units are inspiratory-activating cells, whereas IE and E neurons may have an inspiratory-inhibitory function. 4. The conclusion is drawn that the effects of bulbar stimulation on the respiratory movements are the result of manipulation on intrinsic rhythmogenesis.", "contents": "The bulbar respiratory centre in the rabbit. II. Responses of respiratory neurons to intermittent electrical bulbar stimulation during in- or expiration. In anesthetized rabbits, spirogram and diaphragmatic activity were examined during electrical stimulation of the bulbar lateral reticular formation. The activity of bulbar respiratory neurons was recorded contra- or ipsilaterally to the stimulation site. One volley of repetitive stimuli per breath was delivered during either inspiration of expiration. 1. Each volley of about 120 ms duration at 100 pulses per second, delivered early in inspiration, caused an immediate and transient inhibition of the diaphragmatic activity. An inspiratory rebound comprising lengthening of inspiration and increase in tidal volume occurred. a) \"Inspiratory\" and \"expiratory-inspiratory\" phase-spanning neurons exhibited inhibition during the volley. The burst discharge was lengthened and the spike density increased after stimulus. The same was true of some \"inspiratory-expiratory\" phase-spanning units. b) The discharge of most of the \"inspiratory-expiratory neurons was not inhibited. \"Expiratory\" units were excited. In both types of cells activation occurred which outlasted the volley. 2. When applied during expiration, the volley caused a short inspiratory twitch. a) \"Inspiratory\" and \"expiratory-inspiratory\" neurons exhibited a short post-stimulus firing and the spike density was increased. In some units of the latter type, however, the burst discharge was shortened. b) Most of the \"expiratory\" and \"inspiratory-expiratory\" neurons were not inhibited by the volley. Cells of the former type often produced post-stimulus after-discharge; the burst discharge of units belonging to the latter type was shortened. The effects of expiratory stimuli upon neuronal activity, however, were less consistent than those elicited by inspiratory volleys. 3. During spontaneous irregularities of single inspirations (short interruptions), EI and I neurons exhibited comparable burst pattern changes. The changes in pattern of IE and E units were also comparable and differed distinctly from the behaviour of the EI and I cells. No major differences in behaviour were observed between neurons which were inhibited during lung inflation (alpha units) and those which were activated during inflation (beta cells). The findings are in accord with the effects observed during electrical bulbar stimulation, suggesting that EI and I units are inspiratory-activating cells, whereas IE and E neurons may have an inspiratory-inhibitory function. 4. The conclusion is drawn that the effects of bulbar stimulation on the respiratory movements are the result of manipulation on intrinsic rhythmogenesis.", "PMID": 785377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6888", "title": "Methylation of chromatin DNA.", "content": "E. coli DNA methylase has been used to methylate chromatin DNA in vitro. At saturation only 50% of the chromatin DNA becomes methylated. The methylated regions of chromatin correspond to that fraction of the chromatin which is sensitive to staphylococcal nuclease. Using in vitro methylated chromatin followed by nuclease digestion movement of chromatin proteins along the DNA can be detected. By this criterion, sonication of chromatin or precipitation with MnCl2 causes 10% of the previously uncovered methylated regions to become covered by protein. Reconstitution of methylated chromatin results in the randomization of the chromatin proteins. Using nuclei which were methylated in vitro we have demonstrated that a small degree of protein sliding does occur during the preparation of chromatin from nuclei. Finally, we have prepared open region DNA by polylysine titration. This procedure does not cause displacement of chromatin proteins.", "contents": "Methylation of chromatin DNA. E. coli DNA methylase has been used to methylate chromatin DNA in vitro. At saturation only 50% of the chromatin DNA becomes methylated. The methylated regions of chromatin correspond to that fraction of the chromatin which is sensitive to staphylococcal nuclease. Using in vitro methylated chromatin followed by nuclease digestion movement of chromatin proteins along the DNA can be detected. By this criterion, sonication of chromatin or precipitation with MnCl2 causes 10% of the previously uncovered methylated regions to become covered by protein. Reconstitution of methylated chromatin results in the randomization of the chromatin proteins. Using nuclei which were methylated in vitro we have demonstrated that a small degree of protein sliding does occur during the preparation of chromatin from nuclei. Finally, we have prepared open region DNA by polylysine titration. This procedure does not cause displacement of chromatin proteins.", "PMID": 785384} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6889", "title": "The separation of ribonucleic acids from Escherichia coli on lysin-agarose.", "content": "Lysine-agarose provides a simple means of separating RNA species of different moleecular weight. When RNA from Escherichia coli is added to a small column of lysine-agarose and elution is carried out at neutral pH with a shallow linear gradient of NaCl the RNA species are eluted according to size; 4S and 5S RNA species are completely separated and after a delay the 16S and 23S species are eluted as separate peaks. The process is very reproducible and the different species are eluted at a fixed salt concentration even when changes are made in the gradient, provided other conditions, under which the column is run remain constant.", "contents": "The separation of ribonucleic acids from Escherichia coli on lysin-agarose. Lysine-agarose provides a simple means of separating RNA species of different moleecular weight. When RNA from Escherichia coli is added to a small column of lysine-agarose and elution is carried out at neutral pH with a shallow linear gradient of NaCl the RNA species are eluted according to size; 4S and 5S RNA species are completely separated and after a delay the 16S and 23S species are eluted as separate peaks. The process is very reproducible and the different species are eluted at a fixed salt concentration even when changes are made in the gradient, provided other conditions, under which the column is run remain constant.", "PMID": 785385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6890", "title": "A clinical investigation into the effects of prednisolone treatment on ovarian function in heifers.", "content": "Four heifers displaying regular oestrus were treated daily with 30 mg prednisolone per 100 kg body weight from day 2 after oestrus (i.e. the day after ovulation) until slaughter. Two of the heifers were slaughtered on day 13 and the remaining two on day 26 after last oestrus. Three heifers that had regular oestrus cycles served as untreated controls. Both the treated and the untreated heifers were inspected and examined by rectal palpation during the period of treatment and the findings were compared. The control heifers had all normal ovarian function. In the prednisolone treated heifers, the corpora lutea were found to be small in size compared to the controls. Follicular activity also seemed to be increased. In spite of small corpora lutea and increased follicular activity, none of the prednisolone treated heifers showed signs of oestrogen influence, and the two animals slaughtered 26 days after the start of treatment, did not ovulate or show signs of oestrus. The effect of long-term treatment with corticosteroids on the development and function of the corpus luteum and on follicular activity, and the importance of corticosteroids in the pathogenesis of anovulatio and follicular cysts are discussed.", "contents": "A clinical investigation into the effects of prednisolone treatment on ovarian function in heifers. Four heifers displaying regular oestrus were treated daily with 30 mg prednisolone per 100 kg body weight from day 2 after oestrus (i.e. the day after ovulation) until slaughter. Two of the heifers were slaughtered on day 13 and the remaining two on day 26 after last oestrus. Three heifers that had regular oestrus cycles served as untreated controls. Both the treated and the untreated heifers were inspected and examined by rectal palpation during the period of treatment and the findings were compared. The control heifers had all normal ovarian function. In the prednisolone treated heifers, the corpora lutea were found to be small in size compared to the controls. Follicular activity also seemed to be increased. In spite of small corpora lutea and increased follicular activity, none of the prednisolone treated heifers showed signs of oestrogen influence, and the two animals slaughtered 26 days after the start of treatment, did not ovulate or show signs of oestrus. The effect of long-term treatment with corticosteroids on the development and function of the corpus luteum and on follicular activity, and the importance of corticosteroids in the pathogenesis of anovulatio and follicular cysts are discussed.", "PMID": 785381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6891", "title": "The validity of the total myocardial blood flow determination by means of 133Xe in regional ischemia.", "content": "Regional MBF in the ischemic and healthy left ventricular myocardium was measured in 21 mongrel dogs by means of locally injected 133Xe and its washout one week after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary. Simultaneously the total MBF was calculated from the precordial washout determination of 133Xe injected into the left coronary artery. The 133Xe measurements were compared with the regional 86Rb uptake. The values of total MBF determination after left coronary artery injection did not diminish adequately to the size of the ischemic area; these values were usually higher as compared with the calculated mean MBF evaluated from the regional left ventricular blood flow and did not agree with regional MBF in the intact left ventricular myocardium. The difference of perfusion between the necrotic and the healthy left ventricular myocardium determined from the local 133Xe washout was higher in comparison to 86Rb uptake. The method of total MBF determination by means of precordially determined 133Xe washout injected into the coronary artery yields artificially higher values in cases with greater ischemic areas. This may be accounted for by a low initial radioactivity of the hypoperfused areas and their negligible contribution to the total radioactivity changes produced predominantly by the well perfused areas. The relatively low 86Rb uptake difference in the healthy and the necrotic left ventricular myocardium may be caused by affected extraction coefficients of 86Rb in the necrotic tissue.", "contents": "The validity of the total myocardial blood flow determination by means of 133Xe in regional ischemia. Regional MBF in the ischemic and healthy left ventricular myocardium was measured in 21 mongrel dogs by means of locally injected 133Xe and its washout one week after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary. Simultaneously the total MBF was calculated from the precordial washout determination of 133Xe injected into the left coronary artery. The 133Xe measurements were compared with the regional 86Rb uptake. The values of total MBF determination after left coronary artery injection did not diminish adequately to the size of the ischemic area; these values were usually higher as compared with the calculated mean MBF evaluated from the regional left ventricular blood flow and did not agree with regional MBF in the intact left ventricular myocardium. The difference of perfusion between the necrotic and the healthy left ventricular myocardium determined from the local 133Xe washout was higher in comparison to 86Rb uptake. The method of total MBF determination by means of precordially determined 133Xe washout injected into the coronary artery yields artificially higher values in cases with greater ischemic areas. This may be accounted for by a low initial radioactivity of the hypoperfused areas and their negligible contribution to the total radioactivity changes produced predominantly by the well perfused areas. The relatively low 86Rb uptake difference in the healthy and the necrotic left ventricular myocardium may be caused by affected extraction coefficients of 86Rb in the necrotic tissue.", "PMID": 785386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6892", "title": "[The 57Co-excretion and absorption test in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia].", "content": "1971 Sorbie et al. described a simple 57Co-excretion test (16) as an aid in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. The authors found that renal excretion of a tracer dosis of 0,5 muCi 57CoCl2 was significantly elevated in patients with iron deficiency anemia (31% of the administered dose in 24 hours' urine) as compared with the controls (18%). Between 1972-1974 we performed the 57Co-excretion test in 29 patients with different kind of anemia and in 10 healthy volunteers. The test was modified by measurement of the serum activity 1, 2, 3, 7, 11 and 24 hours after the oral administration of the test dosis. In all anemias as well as in the control group we found the maximum of serum activity three hours after the oral administration of the tracer. The three hours serum activity was elevated only in patients with iron deficiency anemia (5,53%/1 serum) as compared with the control group (1,92%/1) and renal, tumor and infectious anemia (1,20%/1). p less than 0,001. The 57Co excretion was moderately elevated in most of the patients with iron dificiency anemia (average 31,5% 57Co-activity in 24 hours' urine) in comparison to the healthy controls (average 25,30%). Contrary to the results obtained by Sorbie et al. we found a wide range of fluctuation of the Co-excretion test in each group of patients with a poor statistical significance of p greater than 0,005.", "contents": "[The 57Co-excretion and absorption test in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia]. 1971 Sorbie et al. described a simple 57Co-excretion test (16) as an aid in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. The authors found that renal excretion of a tracer dosis of 0,5 muCi 57CoCl2 was significantly elevated in patients with iron deficiency anemia (31% of the administered dose in 24 hours' urine) as compared with the controls (18%). Between 1972-1974 we performed the 57Co-excretion test in 29 patients with different kind of anemia and in 10 healthy volunteers. The test was modified by measurement of the serum activity 1, 2, 3, 7, 11 and 24 hours after the oral administration of the test dosis. In all anemias as well as in the control group we found the maximum of serum activity three hours after the oral administration of the tracer. The three hours serum activity was elevated only in patients with iron deficiency anemia (5,53%/1 serum) as compared with the control group (1,92%/1) and renal, tumor and infectious anemia (1,20%/1). p less than 0,001. The 57Co excretion was moderately elevated in most of the patients with iron dificiency anemia (average 31,5% 57Co-activity in 24 hours' urine) in comparison to the healthy controls (average 25,30%). Contrary to the results obtained by Sorbie et al. we found a wide range of fluctuation of the Co-excretion test in each group of patients with a poor statistical significance of p greater than 0,005.", "PMID": 785387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6893", "title": "[Salmonella bacteria in double cream (author's transl)].", "content": "In June 1974 a serious outbreak salmonellosis was reported from the southeast of Sweden. The epidemic was caused by Salmonella typhimurium and spread by infected cream, packed in one-way paper-plastic containers. Ordinary pasteurization of cream purposely infected with the strain in question at 60 degrees for 38 sec or 67 degrees C for 4,5 sec, resulted in a reduction by more than 7 decimal logs (Table I). The decimal reduction time at 60 degrees in cream was estimated to roughly 1.3 sec. The cream, which caused the outbreak, was pasteurized at 90 degrees C for 2-3 sec, which should destroy all salmonella in raw cream. In Sweden pasteurized cream has to be stored at a temperature not higher than 8 degrees C. The isolated salmonella strain was not able to grow at + 8 degrees or at + 10 degrees C during 17 days in pasteurized or UHT-treated cream. During this storage the viable counts were reduced by 79% at 8 degrees and 54% at 10 degrees C. Minimum growth temperature of the strain was 11-12 degrees C. The mean generation time in pasteurized cream at 12 degrees was 9.4 hours and at 15 degrees C 3.4 hours (Fig. 1 and 2). The salmonella strain was able to grow in competition with other bacteria in pasteurized cream even at low levels of infection (Table II). An exposure to a higher temperature, followed by storage at + 8 degrees C did not cause a further growth of salmonella at the low temperature (Fig 3). To avoid a recurrence, the possibility of reinfection of the cream with salmonella has to be further decreased and the cream has to be stored at a low temperature during all the storage period.", "contents": "[Salmonella bacteria in double cream (author's transl)]. In June 1974 a serious outbreak salmonellosis was reported from the southeast of Sweden. The epidemic was caused by Salmonella typhimurium and spread by infected cream, packed in one-way paper-plastic containers. Ordinary pasteurization of cream purposely infected with the strain in question at 60 degrees for 38 sec or 67 degrees C for 4,5 sec, resulted in a reduction by more than 7 decimal logs (Table I). The decimal reduction time at 60 degrees in cream was estimated to roughly 1.3 sec. The cream, which caused the outbreak, was pasteurized at 90 degrees C for 2-3 sec, which should destroy all salmonella in raw cream. In Sweden pasteurized cream has to be stored at a temperature not higher than 8 degrees C. The isolated salmonella strain was not able to grow at + 8 degrees or at + 10 degrees C during 17 days in pasteurized or UHT-treated cream. During this storage the viable counts were reduced by 79% at 8 degrees and 54% at 10 degrees C. Minimum growth temperature of the strain was 11-12 degrees C. The mean generation time in pasteurized cream at 12 degrees was 9.4 hours and at 15 degrees C 3.4 hours (Fig. 1 and 2). The salmonella strain was able to grow in competition with other bacteria in pasteurized cream even at low levels of infection (Table II). An exposure to a higher temperature, followed by storage at + 8 degrees C did not cause a further growth of salmonella at the low temperature (Fig 3). To avoid a recurrence, the possibility of reinfection of the cream with salmonella has to be further decreased and the cream has to be stored at a low temperature during all the storage period.", "PMID": 785382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6894", "title": "[Technetium uptake in the parotid gland. Value of functional parameters in Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome].", "content": "Studies of the parotid function were performed on 22 subjects comprising 11 patients with Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and 11 normal controls using an Anger camera with digital data processing facility. After injection of 2 mCi of 99mTc-pertechnetate digital scintigrams of the face region were collected and stored onto magnetic tape. 50 minutes after injection the parotid glands were stimulated by administration of Pilocarpin. By subsequent processing of the data uptake curves were obtained for both parotid glands. In allowing for vascular activity three different methods were compared. The most satisfactory method with respect to discriminating the groups under study was using a background region located in the falx cerebri. From the corrected uptake curves a number of parameters were derived and their respective selectivity was investigated by statistical analysis. It is shown that the most suitable parameter characterizing the parotid function is given by the difference of maximum uptake before Pilocarpin stimulation and minimum uptake after stimulation.", "contents": "[Technetium uptake in the parotid gland. Value of functional parameters in Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome]. Studies of the parotid function were performed on 22 subjects comprising 11 patients with Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and 11 normal controls using an Anger camera with digital data processing facility. After injection of 2 mCi of 99mTc-pertechnetate digital scintigrams of the face region were collected and stored onto magnetic tape. 50 minutes after injection the parotid glands were stimulated by administration of Pilocarpin. By subsequent processing of the data uptake curves were obtained for both parotid glands. In allowing for vascular activity three different methods were compared. The most satisfactory method with respect to discriminating the groups under study was using a background region located in the falx cerebri. From the corrected uptake curves a number of parameters were derived and their respective selectivity was investigated by statistical analysis. It is shown that the most suitable parameter characterizing the parotid function is given by the difference of maximum uptake before Pilocarpin stimulation and minimum uptake after stimulation.", "PMID": 785388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6895", "title": "Narcotic antagonists. Treatment tool for addiction.", "content": "Narcotic antagonists have recently gained attention through research aimed at evaluating both biochemical effects and treatment potential for opiate addiction. Narcotic antagonists are a classification of drugs which block the euphoric (and all other) effects of opiates. Naltrexone is the most promising narcotic antagonist based on ability to produce blockade, length of duration, and relative absence of side effects. The narcotic antagonists offer an adjunctive or alternative method of treatment for opiate addicts based on Wikler's biobehavioral theory of conditioned abstinence. Narcotic antagonists are presently being investigated at seven research centers throughout the United States and may be available for clinical use in the future.", "contents": "Narcotic antagonists. Treatment tool for addiction. Narcotic antagonists have recently gained attention through research aimed at evaluating both biochemical effects and treatment potential for opiate addiction. Narcotic antagonists are a classification of drugs which block the euphoric (and all other) effects of opiates. Naltrexone is the most promising narcotic antagonist based on ability to produce blockade, length of duration, and relative absence of side effects. The narcotic antagonists offer an adjunctive or alternative method of treatment for opiate addicts based on Wikler's biobehavioral theory of conditioned abstinence. Narcotic antagonists are presently being investigated at seven research centers throughout the United States and may be available for clinical use in the future.", "PMID": 785400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6896", "title": "[Comparative tests of tetracian and of the new local anesthetic carticain in spinal anesthesiasa double placebo study].", "content": "Onset of effect, degree of effect and duration of effect of Tetracain (Pantocain) and Carticain (Ultracain) in hyperbaric solutions were compared on 60 subjects with spinal anesthesias. In the double-blind trial with individual randomization, no difference was found regarding the onset of action (latency period), the intensity of analgesia and the extent of the muscle blocking. With 151 +/- 48.9 min., the duration of analgesia with Carticain was distinctly and significantly shorter than in the case of Tetracain with 278 +/- 108.9 min., but thoroughly sufficient for the nature and duration of the surgical operations on pour patients, even in the postoperative phase.", "contents": "[Comparative tests of tetracian and of the new local anesthetic carticain in spinal anesthesiasa double placebo study]. Onset of effect, degree of effect and duration of effect of Tetracain (Pantocain) and Carticain (Ultracain) in hyperbaric solutions were compared on 60 subjects with spinal anesthesias. In the double-blind trial with individual randomization, no difference was found regarding the onset of action (latency period), the intensity of analgesia and the extent of the muscle blocking. With 151 +/- 48.9 min., the duration of analgesia with Carticain was distinctly and significantly shorter than in the case of Tetracain with 278 +/- 108.9 min., but thoroughly sufficient for the nature and duration of the surgical operations on pour patients, even in the postoperative phase.", "PMID": 785432} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6897", "title": "[Contralateral comparison between diflucortolone valeriante and flumethasone pivalate in ointments. Double-blind study].", "content": "Double blind study with contralateral comparison, between diflucortolon valerianat, 0.1% and the flumetason pivalat, 0.02% in pomades (ointments). Selection of 52 patients both sexes and variable ages with bilateral dermatological inflamatory lesions and with simetric preference: Psoriasis, \"eczema vario\" and neurodermatitis. In psoriasis, diflucortolon offered better results: the same occurred in the cases of eczema, and in neurodermatitis. The efficacy was similar. There were no appearances of negative secondary effects because of the used doses and time.", "contents": "[Contralateral comparison between diflucortolone valeriante and flumethasone pivalate in ointments. Double-blind study]. Double blind study with contralateral comparison, between diflucortolon valerianat, 0.1% and the flumetason pivalat, 0.02% in pomades (ointments). Selection of 52 patients both sexes and variable ages with bilateral dermatological inflamatory lesions and with simetric preference: Psoriasis, \"eczema vario\" and neurodermatitis. In psoriasis, diflucortolon offered better results: the same occurred in the cases of eczema, and in neurodermatitis. The efficacy was similar. There were no appearances of negative secondary effects because of the used doses and time.", "PMID": 785442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6898", "title": "Hypothyroidism.", "content": "We found biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism (low T3 and T4 and elevated TSH) in azotemic patients. Hemodialysis did not correct the hypothyroidism but renal transplantation did. The hypothyroidism is probably a consequence of impaired thyroidal elaboration of thyroid hormone, as well as decreased peripheral conversion of T4 to T3. The impaired thyroidal gland function may be secondary to the increased concentration of aryl acids found in chronic renal disease.", "contents": "Hypothyroidism. We found biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism (low T3 and T4 and elevated TSH) in azotemic patients. Hemodialysis did not correct the hypothyroidism but renal transplantation did. The hypothyroidism is probably a consequence of impaired thyroidal elaboration of thyroid hormone, as well as decreased peripheral conversion of T4 to T3. The impaired thyroidal gland function may be secondary to the increased concentration of aryl acids found in chronic renal disease.", "PMID": 785453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6899", "title": "Preformed cytotoxic antibody in patients subjected to thoracic duct drainage.", "content": "1. Patients subjected to TDD prior to transplantation had a 4-yr graft survival rate of 65% compared to a comparably HL-A-matched group in which the survival rate was 35%9 2. Patients classified as non-responders to tissue antigens have a much higher graft retention rate than responders. Responders subjected to TDD have a 1 yr graft survival rate of 62% compared to a comparably HL-A-matched group with a survival rate of 28%. 3. Individuals with a positive crossmatch or receiving second or third transplants and subjected to TDD do much better than such individuals not subjected to TDD.", "contents": "Preformed cytotoxic antibody in patients subjected to thoracic duct drainage. 1. Patients subjected to TDD prior to transplantation had a 4-yr graft survival rate of 65% compared to a comparably HL-A-matched group in which the survival rate was 35%9 2. Patients classified as non-responders to tissue antigens have a much higher graft retention rate than responders. Responders subjected to TDD have a 1 yr graft survival rate of 62% compared to a comparably HL-A-matched group with a survival rate of 28%. 3. Individuals with a positive crossmatch or receiving second or third transplants and subjected to TDD do much better than such individuals not subjected to TDD.", "PMID": 785455} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6900", "title": "Human cadaver kidney preservation using hypothermic hyperosmolar, intracellular washout solution.", "content": "The utilization of a hypothermic, hyperosmolar, intracellular washout solution for human kidney preservation was shown to be successful in 18 kidneys obtained from 9 heart beating cadavers. The ischemic interval ranged from 2 hrs and 57 mins to 39 hrs and 48 mins. All 18 kidneys functioned within 3 hrs of revascularization. Acute tubular necrosis with oliguria was noted in 4 of 6 patients with ischemic intervals longer than 20 hrs but not in the 12 patients obtaining kidneys preserved for 19 hrs or less. All patients with acute tubular necrosis required hemodialysis for one to 16 days post-transplantation with eventual recovery.", "contents": "Human cadaver kidney preservation using hypothermic hyperosmolar, intracellular washout solution. The utilization of a hypothermic, hyperosmolar, intracellular washout solution for human kidney preservation was shown to be successful in 18 kidneys obtained from 9 heart beating cadavers. The ischemic interval ranged from 2 hrs and 57 mins to 39 hrs and 48 mins. All 18 kidneys functioned within 3 hrs of revascularization. Acute tubular necrosis with oliguria was noted in 4 of 6 patients with ischemic intervals longer than 20 hrs but not in the 12 patients obtaining kidneys preserved for 19 hrs or less. All patients with acute tubular necrosis required hemodialysis for one to 16 days post-transplantation with eventual recovery.", "PMID": 785459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6901", "title": "The influence of protein concentration of the perfusate on weight gain and kidney transplant outcome.", "content": "We have described a technique to compare parameters of perfusion using canine kidneys. Using this system, we observed that weight gain during pulsatile perfusion varied inversely with perfusate albumin concentration. The weight gain was more rapid with albumin concentration below 4.0 Gm%. Perfusion characteristics deteriorated in association with early rapid weight gain, indicating greater ischemic damage to the kidneys perfused with the low protein perfusate. Finally, the protein concentration of cryoprecipitated plasms is low enough to cause a rapid increase in kidney weight, a condition predisposing to poor function upon re-implantation of the kidney.", "contents": "The influence of protein concentration of the perfusate on weight gain and kidney transplant outcome. We have described a technique to compare parameters of perfusion using canine kidneys. Using this system, we observed that weight gain during pulsatile perfusion varied inversely with perfusate albumin concentration. The weight gain was more rapid with albumin concentration below 4.0 Gm%. Perfusion characteristics deteriorated in association with early rapid weight gain, indicating greater ischemic damage to the kidneys perfused with the low protein perfusate. Finally, the protein concentration of cryoprecipitated plasms is low enough to cause a rapid increase in kidney weight, a condition predisposing to poor function upon re-implantation of the kidney.", "PMID": 785460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6902", "title": "Prolongation of allografts in animals with a new agent: tilorone.", "content": "Tilorone, a synthetic amino-alkoxyflorenone, has been demonstrated to prolong allografts in rats and dogs. Tilorone, in combination with low dose non-specific immunosuppression, appears to have an additive effect. Tilorone's mechanism of action is unclear at this time but may involve a combination of specific T lymphocyte depletion and interferon induction.", "contents": "Prolongation of allografts in animals with a new agent: tilorone. Tilorone, a synthetic amino-alkoxyflorenone, has been demonstrated to prolong allografts in rats and dogs. Tilorone, in combination with low dose non-specific immunosuppression, appears to have an additive effect. Tilorone's mechanism of action is unclear at this time but may involve a combination of specific T lymphocyte depletion and interferon induction.", "PMID": 785462} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6903", "title": "Sexual dysfunction in uremia.", "content": "A retrospective study of 50 chronic home hemodialysis patients and 20 transplant recipients revealed: 1) sexual dysfunction occurs with the development of renal insufficiency and does not appear to improve during chronic hemodialysis; 2) recovery may follow successful renal transplantation, but not always; 3) drug therapy appears beneficial in the treatment of uremic hypogonadism and sexual dysfunction; 4) professional couselling is of paramount importance and recommended during all phases of treatment.", "contents": "Sexual dysfunction in uremia. A retrospective study of 50 chronic home hemodialysis patients and 20 transplant recipients revealed: 1) sexual dysfunction occurs with the development of renal insufficiency and does not appear to improve during chronic hemodialysis; 2) recovery may follow successful renal transplantation, but not always; 3) drug therapy appears beneficial in the treatment of uremic hypogonadism and sexual dysfunction; 4) professional couselling is of paramount importance and recommended during all phases of treatment.", "PMID": 785469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6904", "title": "Characterization of 80-million-year-old mollusk shell proteins.", "content": "Fossil glycoproteins of the soluble organic matrix are present in an 80-million-year-old mollusk shell from the Late Cretaceous Period. Discrete molecular weight components, as determined by gel electrophoresis, are preserved. The fossil organic matrix was compared with the organic matrix of a living representative species of the same superfamily. A particular repeating amino acid sequence, found in contemporary mollusk shell proteins, was identified in the fossil glycoproteins. The ultrastructure, mineralogy, and chemistry of the inorganic components of the fossil and contemporary shells provide information on the state of preservation of the fossil. The use of fossil shell proteins to further our understanding of molecular evolution is discussed.", "contents": "Characterization of 80-million-year-old mollusk shell proteins. Fossil glycoproteins of the soluble organic matrix are present in an 80-million-year-old mollusk shell from the Late Cretaceous Period. Discrete molecular weight components, as determined by gel electrophoresis, are preserved. The fossil organic matrix was compared with the organic matrix of a living representative species of the same superfamily. A particular repeating amino acid sequence, found in contemporary mollusk shell proteins, was identified in the fossil glycoproteins. The ultrastructure, mineralogy, and chemistry of the inorganic components of the fossil and contemporary shells provide information on the state of preservation of the fossil. The use of fossil shell proteins to further our understanding of molecular evolution is discussed.", "PMID": 785470} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6905", "title": "In vitro system for induction of delayed early RNA of bacteriophage T4.", "content": "Concentrated lysates of Escherichia coli that had been infected with bacteriophage T4 in the presence of chloramphenicol show the same restriction of transcription in vitro as is found in vivo. Restricted lysates can be complemented with lysates from infected cells to induce production of delayed early RNA. Complementation takes place between the RNA polymerase of the restricted lysate and the DNA of the unrestricted lysate. We present evidence that delayed early RNA in these lysates is initiated at quasi-late (middle) promoters, and that such recognition is related to changes in the state of the template DNA.", "contents": "In vitro system for induction of delayed early RNA of bacteriophage T4. Concentrated lysates of Escherichia coli that had been infected with bacteriophage T4 in the presence of chloramphenicol show the same restriction of transcription in vitro as is found in vivo. Restricted lysates can be complemented with lysates from infected cells to induce production of delayed early RNA. Complementation takes place between the RNA polymerase of the restricted lysate and the DNA of the unrestricted lysate. We present evidence that delayed early RNA in these lysates is initiated at quasi-late (middle) promoters, and that such recognition is related to changes in the state of the template DNA.", "PMID": 785471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6906", "title": "Organization and energy-dependent growth of microtubules in cells.", "content": "The organization and growth of microtubules in cultured mouse macrophages and fibroblasts were examined by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy with antibodies to microtubule protein. In macrophages, microtubules converged at a samll region at the cytocenter. During depolymerization, and repolymerization, this region acted as a microtubule organizing center. Microtubule growth was energy-dependent, but unaffected by dibutyryl-adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate, cholera toxin, or dibutyryl-guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate. Fibroblasts, which did not show such a simple microtubule organization as macrophages, contained mainly one or two, but occasionally as many as four, organizing centers during repolymerization. These microtubule organizing centers often appeared as fluorescent rings with a dark center.", "contents": "Organization and energy-dependent growth of microtubules in cells. The organization and growth of microtubules in cultured mouse macrophages and fibroblasts were examined by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy with antibodies to microtubule protein. In macrophages, microtubules converged at a samll region at the cytocenter. During depolymerization, and repolymerization, this region acted as a microtubule organizing center. Microtubule growth was energy-dependent, but unaffected by dibutyryl-adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate, cholera toxin, or dibutyryl-guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate. Fibroblasts, which did not show such a simple microtubule organization as macrophages, contained mainly one or two, but occasionally as many as four, organizing centers during repolymerization. These microtubule organizing centers often appeared as fluorescent rings with a dark center.", "PMID": 785472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6907", "title": "Recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a DNA repair mutation associated with elevated mitotic gene conversion.", "content": "A mutant haploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been isolated that is sensitive to the alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate at a concentration of 0.01% (vol/vol). The strain also shows sensitivities to x-rays and ultra-violet light, which cosegregate with sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate as a single gene defect. An analysis of the sensitivity to ultraviolet light indicates that the mutation interferes with the excision of pyrimidine dimers. Diploids homozygous for the mutant gene exhibit elevated frequencies of spontaneous mitotic recombination at the ade6 locus. The results indicate that all the events are due to gene conversion. Mitotic recombination was also found to be elevated for three loci other than ade6. Thus, the recombinational effect seems not to be locus specific. Linkage and allelism tests indicate that the mutation is an allele of the known radiation-sensitive gene rad18. The various effects of this new rad18 allele (rad18-3) are discussed in terms of a defect in DNA repair mechanisms.", "contents": "Recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a DNA repair mutation associated with elevated mitotic gene conversion. A mutant haploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been isolated that is sensitive to the alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate at a concentration of 0.01% (vol/vol). The strain also shows sensitivities to x-rays and ultra-violet light, which cosegregate with sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate as a single gene defect. An analysis of the sensitivity to ultraviolet light indicates that the mutation interferes with the excision of pyrimidine dimers. Diploids homozygous for the mutant gene exhibit elevated frequencies of spontaneous mitotic recombination at the ade6 locus. The results indicate that all the events are due to gene conversion. Mitotic recombination was also found to be elevated for three loci other than ade6. Thus, the recombinational effect seems not to be locus specific. Linkage and allelism tests indicate that the mutation is an allele of the known radiation-sensitive gene rad18. The various effects of this new rad18 allele (rad18-3) are discussed in terms of a defect in DNA repair mechanisms.", "PMID": 785473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6908", "title": "Abnormal response to minor histocompatibility antigens in Obese strain chickens.", "content": "Obese strain chickens, which spontaneously develop autoimmune thyroiditis, were tested for their ability to tolerate skin allografts. Several procedures known to prolong graft survival in normal strains were employed. These included the use of skin matched at the major histocompatibility locus, grafting on the day of hatching, thymectomy, and x-irradiation. A dramatic difference between the Obese and the normal Cornell strain (the strain from which Obese was derived) was detected when both were thymectomized and grafted at hatching. Under these conditions eight of 13 normal but only one of 16 Obese strain birds retained their grafts for 50 days. This suggests the presence of an abnormal thymus or thymus-derived suppressor T cells in Obese strain chickens.", "contents": "Abnormal response to minor histocompatibility antigens in Obese strain chickens. Obese strain chickens, which spontaneously develop autoimmune thyroiditis, were tested for their ability to tolerate skin allografts. Several procedures known to prolong graft survival in normal strains were employed. These included the use of skin matched at the major histocompatibility locus, grafting on the day of hatching, thymectomy, and x-irradiation. A dramatic difference between the Obese and the normal Cornell strain (the strain from which Obese was derived) was detected when both were thymectomized and grafted at hatching. Under these conditions eight of 13 normal but only one of 16 Obese strain birds retained their grafts for 50 days. This suggests the presence of an abnormal thymus or thymus-derived suppressor T cells in Obese strain chickens.", "PMID": 785474} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6909", "title": "Clinical value of selective serial sectioning of laryngectomy specimens.", "content": "A simple routine pathology method for examining laryngectomy specimens has been presented which (1) gives the clinician information regarding the probability of total excision of the tumour; (2) allows more accurate staging of laryngeal tumours; (3) will act as a basis for evaluation of preoperative investigations and future clinical trials of treatment.", "contents": "Clinical value of selective serial sectioning of laryngectomy specimens. A simple routine pathology method for examining laryngectomy specimens has been presented which (1) gives the clinician information regarding the probability of total excision of the tumour; (2) allows more accurate staging of laryngeal tumours; (3) will act as a basis for evaluation of preoperative investigations and future clinical trials of treatment.", "PMID": 785476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6910", "title": "Origins of British geriatrics.", "content": "We may see from the foregoing account that British physicians have played a major part in the history of geriatric medicine. Other countries have no counterpart to J H Sheldon of Wolverhampton, whose work on the social medicine of old age was so fundamental, or George Adams of Belfast, to whom we owe such a debt of knowledge about cerebrovascular disease in the aged, or to Marjory Warren and the other pioneers mentioned above. Long may this tradition continue.", "contents": "Origins of British geriatrics. We may see from the foregoing account that British physicians have played a major part in the history of geriatric medicine. Other countries have no counterpart to J H Sheldon of Wolverhampton, whose work on the social medicine of old age was so fundamental, or George Adams of Belfast, to whom we owe such a debt of knowledge about cerebrovascular disease in the aged, or to Marjory Warren and the other pioneers mentioned above. Long may this tradition continue.", "PMID": 785477} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6911", "title": "Stability of injection solutions of vitamin B1. Part 2: Influence of lipoic acid.", "content": "DL-alpha-Lipoic acid at low concentrations increases the stability of thiamine hydrochloride solutions, however, at higher concentrations the degradation rate of the vitamin is enhanced. The optimum concentration of lipoic acid at which its stabilizing efficiency is maximum is shifted on the addition of 20 ppm of copper, from 0.5 to 1.0 mmole/1, indicating that this optimum concentration is dependent on heavy metal ions concentration in the solution. In the presence of copper, the degradation rate of the vitamin in solutions containing lipoic acid at concentrations higher than its optimum concentration is lower than that in corresponding solutions in the absence of added copper. On the other hand, below the optimum concentration, the degradation rate of thiamine hydrochloride solutions in the absence of copper is lower than that of the corresponding solutions to which 20 ppm copper have been added. This indicates that the presence of either free copper ions or an excess of lipoic acid is deleterious to the stability of the vitamin.", "contents": "Stability of injection solutions of vitamin B1. Part 2: Influence of lipoic acid. DL-alpha-Lipoic acid at low concentrations increases the stability of thiamine hydrochloride solutions, however, at higher concentrations the degradation rate of the vitamin is enhanced. The optimum concentration of lipoic acid at which its stabilizing efficiency is maximum is shifted on the addition of 20 ppm of copper, from 0.5 to 1.0 mmole/1, indicating that this optimum concentration is dependent on heavy metal ions concentration in the solution. In the presence of copper, the degradation rate of the vitamin in solutions containing lipoic acid at concentrations higher than its optimum concentration is lower than that in corresponding solutions in the absence of added copper. On the other hand, below the optimum concentration, the degradation rate of thiamine hydrochloride solutions in the absence of copper is lower than that of the corresponding solutions to which 20 ppm copper have been added. This indicates that the presence of either free copper ions or an excess of lipoic acid is deleterious to the stability of the vitamin.", "PMID": 785487} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6912", "title": "Breast reconstruction after a radical mastectomy.", "content": "A method of breast reconstruction, following a radical mastectomy, used a tubed flap of the tissue usually discarded during an abdominal lipectomy. This places the donor scar in an unnoticeable position. After migration, maneuvers such as denuding portions for insertion and overlap, and using a wrist attachment, have been of benefit in supplying adequate cover for an implant and in recreating an anterior axillary fold. The areola and nipple are obtained from the opposite breast. When indicated, a subcutaneous mastectomy of the opposite breast and insertion of an implant there equalizes the breasts and comforts the patient.", "contents": "Breast reconstruction after a radical mastectomy. A method of breast reconstruction, following a radical mastectomy, used a tubed flap of the tissue usually discarded during an abdominal lipectomy. This places the donor scar in an unnoticeable position. After migration, maneuvers such as denuding portions for insertion and overlap, and using a wrist attachment, have been of benefit in supplying adequate cover for an implant and in recreating an anterior axillary fold. The areola and nipple are obtained from the opposite breast. When indicated, a subcutaneous mastectomy of the opposite breast and insertion of an implant there equalizes the breasts and comforts the patient.", "PMID": 785497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6913", "title": "The early vascularization of onlay bone grafts.", "content": "On the basis of this work, several conclusions may be drawn. (1) Autogenous iliac crest onlay bone grafts in the rat vascularize as early as 3 days. (2) The presence or absence of periosteum transferred with the graft has no significant effect on the rate of vascularization. Neither was a difference noted when grafts were placed above or below the host periosteum. (3) The onlay bone grafts in this study appeared to be revascularized by vessel ingrowth. (4) Factors other than the ones controlled in this experiment may influence rate, quantity, and quality of the vascularization of bone grafts.", "contents": "The early vascularization of onlay bone grafts. On the basis of this work, several conclusions may be drawn. (1) Autogenous iliac crest onlay bone grafts in the rat vascularize as early as 3 days. (2) The presence or absence of periosteum transferred with the graft has no significant effect on the rate of vascularization. Neither was a difference noted when grafts were placed above or below the host periosteum. (3) The onlay bone grafts in this study appeared to be revascularized by vessel ingrowth. (4) Factors other than the ones controlled in this experiment may influence rate, quantity, and quality of the vascularization of bone grafts.", "PMID": 785498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6914", "title": "Bilateral reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex.", "content": "We present a method for reconstructing the nipple and areola bilaterally in one stage, one which produces a corrugated, elevated nipple and a glabrous pigmented areola. A satisfactory appearance has been maintained in 4 cases during a follow-up period of up to two years.", "contents": "Bilateral reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex. We present a method for reconstructing the nipple and areola bilaterally in one stage, one which produces a corrugated, elevated nipple and a glabrous pigmented areola. A satisfactory appearance has been maintained in 4 cases during a follow-up period of up to two years.", "PMID": 785499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6915", "title": "The location of the blood supply in random flaps.", "content": "The blood supply of random skin flaps in the pig is mainly in a microvascular plexus in the deeper layer of the dermis. However, there is vasculature in both the dermis and the subcutaneous fat, with good collaterals between the two systems.", "contents": "The location of the blood supply in random flaps. The blood supply of random skin flaps in the pig is mainly in a microvascular plexus in the deeper layer of the dermis. However, there is vasculature in both the dermis and the subcutaneous fat, with good collaterals between the two systems.", "PMID": 785500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6916", "title": "Sensory skin flaps for coverage of pressure sores in paraplegic patients. A preliminary report.", "content": "Sensory skin flaps represent a possible solution for the paraplegic who has the problem of recurrent pressure sores. An intercostal neurovascular island flap has been used in 3 cases to provide coverage for sacral ulcers. Sensation was retained to a variable degree in both adults and children. An attempt at coverage of an ischial ulcer with an intercostal neurovascular free flap is also reported. The practical and theoretical aspects of these procedures are discussed.", "contents": "Sensory skin flaps for coverage of pressure sores in paraplegic patients. A preliminary report. Sensory skin flaps represent a possible solution for the paraplegic who has the problem of recurrent pressure sores. An intercostal neurovascular island flap has been used in 3 cases to provide coverage for sacral ulcers. Sensation was retained to a variable degree in both adults and children. An attempt at coverage of an ischial ulcer with an intercostal neurovascular free flap is also reported. The practical and theoretical aspects of these procedures are discussed.", "PMID": 785501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6917", "title": "Reconstruction of eyelids and eyebrows in burned patients.", "content": "The records of 283 consecutive patients treated for facial burns were reviewed. Eighteen percent of these patients had significant deformities of the eyelids or adnexal structures and underwent surgical correction. Our experience in managing these patients is presented and discussed.", "contents": "Reconstruction of eyelids and eyebrows in burned patients. The records of 283 consecutive patients treated for facial burns were reviewed. Eighteen percent of these patients had significant deformities of the eyelids or adnexal structures and underwent surgical correction. Our experience in managing these patients is presented and discussed.", "PMID": 785502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6918", "title": "Limberg flap coverage for axillary defects resulting from excision of hidradenitis suppurativa.", "content": "After excision of the apocrine gland containing tissue, we advocate wound closure with a Limberg flap. Our results to date suggest that this approach, which combines definitive treatment with surgical economy, warrants an aggressive attitude toward even early cases of axillary \"apocrinitis\".", "contents": "Limberg flap coverage for axillary defects resulting from excision of hidradenitis suppurativa. After excision of the apocrine gland containing tissue, we advocate wound closure with a Limberg flap. Our results to date suggest that this approach, which combines definitive treatment with surgical economy, warrants an aggressive attitude toward even early cases of axillary \"apocrinitis\".", "PMID": 785503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6919", "title": "Primary breast reconstruction after a standard radical mastectomy by a free flap transfer. Case report.", "content": "We present a successful clinical case (perhaps the first) of primary reconstruction of the breast after radical mastectomy by use of a free skin-fat-muscle flap.", "contents": "Primary breast reconstruction after a standard radical mastectomy by a free flap transfer. Case report. We present a successful clinical case (perhaps the first) of primary reconstruction of the breast after radical mastectomy by use of a free skin-fat-muscle flap.", "PMID": 785505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6920", "title": "Reconstruction of the oral cavity with a free flap.", "content": "Free groin flaps were used successfully within the oral cavity in 4 patients after ablative operations for cancer. Preoperative or postoperative radiation (cobalt therapy) had no apparent detrimental effect on the survival of these free flaps.", "contents": "Reconstruction of the oral cavity with a free flap. Free groin flaps were used successfully within the oral cavity in 4 patients after ablative operations for cancer. Preoperative or postoperative radiation (cobalt therapy) had no apparent detrimental effect on the survival of these free flaps.", "PMID": 785508} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6921", "title": "The management of decubitus ulcers by muscle transposition. An 8-year review.", "content": "Our 8-year experience with the management of decubitus ulcers by means of muscle transposition and skin cover is reviewed. The role of infection and its management are discussed. Some modifications of our previous techniques and newer operative approaches are detailed. Our complications and follow-up results are presented.", "contents": "The management of decubitus ulcers by muscle transposition. An 8-year review. Our 8-year experience with the management of decubitus ulcers by means of muscle transposition and skin cover is reviewed. The role of infection and its management are discussed. Some modifications of our previous techniques and newer operative approaches are detailed. Our complications and follow-up results are presented.", "PMID": 785509} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6922", "title": "[Oskar Vogt, founder of the Moscow State Institute for Brain Research. History of German-Soviet scientific relations in the field of neurology].", "content": "Basing on not yet published archival documents the German neurobiologist Oskar Vogt is shown as a poineer in developing early cooperational connections in the field of neuro-sciences between Germany and Soviet-Union. On the historical background new aspects emerge for evaluating this progressive bourgois scientist, who devoted his energy to the young Soviet power.", "contents": "[Oskar Vogt, founder of the Moscow State Institute for Brain Research. History of German-Soviet scientific relations in the field of neurology]. Basing on not yet published archival documents the German neurobiologist Oskar Vogt is shown as a poineer in developing early cooperational connections in the field of neuro-sciences between Germany and Soviet-Union. On the historical background new aspects emerge for evaluating this progressive bourgois scientist, who devoted his energy to the young Soviet power.", "PMID": 785513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6923", "title": "The quarterly review of biology.", "content": "In recent years, the evidence suggesting that honey bees communicate with a \"dance language\" has been stronly attached on both theoretical and experimental grounds. An alternative theory has been proposed by which bees are supposed to use only odors to locate sources of food. A review of the evolution of the controversy isolates and analyzes the main issues. Early experiments which she fundamental problem in this important dispute has been that dancing bees advertise a food location with site-specific odoer information as well as symbolic distance and direction coordinates. A new technique has overcome this problem and demonstrated that von Frisch's dance language theory is, on the whole, correct. The apparently contradictory results of Wenner and his colleagues are shown to be due to their techniques for training bees. The dance-language controversy raises issues beyond how bees communicate. These include whether and when \"evolutionary\" arguments are useful, and to what extent Kuhn's scientific revolution paradign fits the dispute.", "contents": "The quarterly review of biology. In recent years, the evidence suggesting that honey bees communicate with a \"dance language\" has been stronly attached on both theoretical and experimental grounds. An alternative theory has been proposed by which bees are supposed to use only odors to locate sources of food. A review of the evolution of the controversy isolates and analyzes the main issues. Early experiments which she fundamental problem in this important dispute has been that dancing bees advertise a food location with site-specific odoer information as well as symbolic distance and direction coordinates. A new technique has overcome this problem and demonstrated that von Frisch's dance language theory is, on the whole, correct. The apparently contradictory results of Wenner and his colleagues are shown to be due to their techniques for training bees. The dance-language controversy raises issues beyond how bees communicate. These include whether and when \"evolutionary\" arguments are useful, and to what extent Kuhn's scientific revolution paradign fits the dispute.", "PMID": 785523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6924", "title": "Mammals in which females are larger than males.", "content": "Females are larger than males in more species of mammals than is generally supposed. A provisional list of the mammalian cases is provided. The phenomenon is not correlated with an unusually large degree of male parental investment, polyandry, greater aggressiveness in females than in males, greater development of weapons in females, female dominance, or matriarchy. The phenomenon may have evolved in a variety of ways, but it is rarely, if ever, the result of sexual selection acting upon the female sex. The most common selective pressures favoring large size in female mammals are probably those associated with the fact that a big mother is often a better mother and those resulting from more intense competintion among females for some resource than among males. It appears that, in general, more than one such pressure must affect the females of a species, and that their combined effects must not be countered by even stronger selective pressures favoring large size in males, before the result is that of larger size in the female sex. Sexual selection may often be operating upon the male sux in mammals even when it is smaller. Present knowledge about the species of mammals in which females are lager than males is quite rudimentary. Much more information is needed before we will be able to speak of the selective pressures accounting for the phenomenon with any reasomable degree of certainty. Perhaps the most fruitful approach would be a series of field studies of groups of related species in which females are larger in some species and males are larger in others.", "contents": "Mammals in which females are larger than males. Females are larger than males in more species of mammals than is generally supposed. A provisional list of the mammalian cases is provided. The phenomenon is not correlated with an unusually large degree of male parental investment, polyandry, greater aggressiveness in females than in males, greater development of weapons in females, female dominance, or matriarchy. The phenomenon may have evolved in a variety of ways, but it is rarely, if ever, the result of sexual selection acting upon the female sex. The most common selective pressures favoring large size in female mammals are probably those associated with the fact that a big mother is often a better mother and those resulting from more intense competintion among females for some resource than among males. It appears that, in general, more than one such pressure must affect the females of a species, and that their combined effects must not be countered by even stronger selective pressures favoring large size in males, before the result is that of larger size in the female sex. Sexual selection may often be operating upon the male sux in mammals even when it is smaller. Present knowledge about the species of mammals in which females are lager than males is quite rudimentary. Much more information is needed before we will be able to speak of the selective pressures accounting for the phenomenon with any reasomable degree of certainty. Perhaps the most fruitful approach would be a series of field studies of groups of related species in which females are larger in some species and males are larger in others.", "PMID": 785524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6925", "title": "[Identification of Candida albicans from various materials].", "content": "We examined 300 stipes of leavens coming from various material. Among these we identified 264 brances belonging to Candida king, utilizing the test for pseudomicelio production. Combininb with this test that of clamidospore production, the auxonogramma, culture media, we arrived to the classification of the species: C. Albicans 71%, C. Tropicalis 15.8%; C. Pseudotropicalis 0.6%; C. Krusei 0.3% C. Parapsilosis 0.3%. An analysis of the experiments utilized for the classification of the kind, proved that the test of germination is the most simple, rapid and safe method of ascrive the branches belonging to Candida kind to Albicans species.", "contents": "[Identification of Candida albicans from various materials]. We examined 300 stipes of leavens coming from various material. Among these we identified 264 brances belonging to Candida king, utilizing the test for pseudomicelio production. Combininb with this test that of clamidospore production, the auxonogramma, culture media, we arrived to the classification of the species: C. Albicans 71%, C. Tropicalis 15.8%; C. Pseudotropicalis 0.6%; C. Krusei 0.3% C. Parapsilosis 0.3%. An analysis of the experiments utilized for the classification of the kind, proved that the test of germination is the most simple, rapid and safe method of ascrive the branches belonging to Candida kind to Albicans species.", "PMID": 785526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6926", "title": "[Evaluation of electronic counting of platelets using the thrombocounter C].", "content": "The electronic counting of platelets can be nowadays performed by the Thrombocounter-C, which meets the requirements of a simple and fast use and yields the directs platelet concentration of whole blood. Preliminary experiences made with Thrombocounter-C showed the considerable accuracy of the method as well as its reproducibility which is superior to phase-contrast microscopic evaluation.", "contents": "[Evaluation of electronic counting of platelets using the thrombocounter C]. The electronic counting of platelets can be nowadays performed by the Thrombocounter-C, which meets the requirements of a simple and fast use and yields the directs platelet concentration of whole blood. Preliminary experiences made with Thrombocounter-C showed the considerable accuracy of the method as well as its reproducibility which is superior to phase-contrast microscopic evaluation.", "PMID": 785527} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6927", "title": "[Experimentation with a new simplified proof of the classic Rantz and Randall technic and of an automatic titrator for rapid determination of the antitreptolysin titre].", "content": "One thousand human sera have been tested for O-streptolysin antibodies, using classic Rantz and Randall technic and a simplified proof, based upon a single initial serum dilution 1 : 200 and the determination of five titers, corresponding to 250-332-500-666-1000 antistreptolysin units/ml. The semplified proof has the advantage over the classic technic, to lower down to a half, routinary work. The use of Titrator Sclavo, greatly reduces the time involved in the performance of both tests.", "contents": "[Experimentation with a new simplified proof of the classic Rantz and Randall technic and of an automatic titrator for rapid determination of the antitreptolysin titre]. One thousand human sera have been tested for O-streptolysin antibodies, using classic Rantz and Randall technic and a simplified proof, based upon a single initial serum dilution 1 : 200 and the determination of five titers, corresponding to 250-332-500-666-1000 antistreptolysin units/ml. The semplified proof has the advantage over the classic technic, to lower down to a half, routinary work. The use of Titrator Sclavo, greatly reduces the time involved in the performance of both tests.", "PMID": 785528} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6928", "title": "Modifications of gamma-ray sensitivity of bacterial membrane by pre-exposure to light.", "content": "The exposure of E.coli B/r cells to ultraviolet (UV) or to visible light prior to irradiation with gamma-rays modifies the sensitivity of the cell membrane to the radiation damage responsible for the loss of intracellular K+ content. The experiments reported in the paper have shown: 1. exposure of bacterial cells to sublethal doses of UV light increases their sensitivity to gamma-ray-induced membrane damage, while exposure to visible light has the opposite effect; 2. in combined exposures, the visible light, either given before or after the UV always produces a strong photoprotective effect. In either case, the photosensitizing effect of UV is completely suppressed; 3. the photoprotection decays with time if cell suspensions are left in the dark before gamma-irradiation. At 0 degrees C, the half-life of the photoprotective effect is 25 min at pH 7 and 100 min at pH 7.5. The decay is due to the presence of oxygen; 4. the light band responsible for the induction of photoprotection has been estimated to lie in the wavelength region between 540 and 580 nm.", "contents": "Modifications of gamma-ray sensitivity of bacterial membrane by pre-exposure to light. The exposure of E.coli B/r cells to ultraviolet (UV) or to visible light prior to irradiation with gamma-rays modifies the sensitivity of the cell membrane to the radiation damage responsible for the loss of intracellular K+ content. The experiments reported in the paper have shown: 1. exposure of bacterial cells to sublethal doses of UV light increases their sensitivity to gamma-ray-induced membrane damage, while exposure to visible light has the opposite effect; 2. in combined exposures, the visible light, either given before or after the UV always produces a strong photoprotective effect. In either case, the photosensitizing effect of UV is completely suppressed; 3. the photoprotection decays with time if cell suspensions are left in the dark before gamma-irradiation. At 0 degrees C, the half-life of the photoprotective effect is 25 min at pH 7 and 100 min at pH 7.5. The decay is due to the presence of oxygen; 4. the light band responsible for the induction of photoprotection has been estimated to lie in the wavelength region between 540 and 580 nm.", "PMID": 785529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6929", "title": "Microcalorimetric investigation of the metabolism of yeasts. V. Influence of ploidy on growth and metabolism.", "content": "Microcalorimetric experiments on growth and maintenance metabolism of Saccharomyces strains ranging from haploid to hexaploid are described. During growth, the mean dry weight, the mean volume and the maximum heat flux of the cells are nearly linear functions of ploidy. These parameters are correlated with the cell concentration in such a manner that the weight-specific heat production and the grown biomass are independent of ploidy. For the metabolism of maintenance, two levels of the specific heat flux are found, the lower of which is occupied by the haploids, diploids and triploids. The higher polyploids exhibit the higher level.", "contents": "Microcalorimetric investigation of the metabolism of yeasts. V. Influence of ploidy on growth and metabolism. Microcalorimetric experiments on growth and maintenance metabolism of Saccharomyces strains ranging from haploid to hexaploid are described. During growth, the mean dry weight, the mean volume and the maximum heat flux of the cells are nearly linear functions of ploidy. These parameters are correlated with the cell concentration in such a manner that the weight-specific heat production and the grown biomass are independent of ploidy. For the metabolism of maintenance, two levels of the specific heat flux are found, the lower of which is occupied by the haploids, diploids and triploids. The higher polyploids exhibit the higher level.", "PMID": 785530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6930", "title": "[Combined echographic and echoscopic examination of the upper abdomen (author's transl)].", "content": "A method for examination of the upper abdomen with a combination of real-time and stored B-mode technique is described. Some pathological findings are demonstrated. The combination of the methods considers the mechanical-technical advantages of these two apparatus. The complementary use can enhance the diagnostic accuracy.", "contents": "[Combined echographic and echoscopic examination of the upper abdomen (author's transl)]. A method for examination of the upper abdomen with a combination of real-time and stored B-mode technique is described. Some pathological findings are demonstrated. The combination of the methods considers the mechanical-technical advantages of these two apparatus. The complementary use can enhance the diagnostic accuracy.", "PMID": 785532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6931", "title": "Quantification of exercise capability and evaluation of physical capacity in man.", "content": "(1)Every type of exercise is in a sense a unique situation. However, all forms of muscular work do increase the metabolic rate and therefore it is of particular interest to analyse the involvement of the oxygen transport system. The oxygen uptake gives an accurate measure of the aerobic power, and it is highly related to the cardiac output. The VO2 max is under standardized conditions a highly reproducible characteristic of the individual's aerobic fitness. It is however, subject to variations under certain conditions (i.e., after prolonged inactivity, after training, as a consequence of cardiac diseases). The main factor behind such variations in VO2 max is proportional changes in the stroke volume. Therefore a recording of the heart rate during exercise at a given oxygen uptake will reflect these variations in longitudinal studies. Generally speaking, a high heart rate is usually associated with a low stroke volume. However, from this information it is not possible to tell whether this (poor) exercise response was caused by genetic factors, lack of training, impaired heart function, or other factors. (2) Data have been presented suggesting that the maximal transport of oxygen (cardiac output X oxygen content of arterial blood) is limited by the central circulation rather than by the tissues' ability to utilize the oxygen. (3) A multi-stage exercise test on a treadmill or bicycle ergometer will provide a measurement of the rate of work an individual is able to tolerate without symptoms or electro-cardiographic abnormalities...", "contents": "Quantification of exercise capability and evaluation of physical capacity in man. (1)Every type of exercise is in a sense a unique situation. However, all forms of muscular work do increase the metabolic rate and therefore it is of particular interest to analyse the involvement of the oxygen transport system. The oxygen uptake gives an accurate measure of the aerobic power, and it is highly related to the cardiac output. The VO2 max is under standardized conditions a highly reproducible characteristic of the individual's aerobic fitness. It is however, subject to variations under certain conditions (i.e., after prolonged inactivity, after training, as a consequence of cardiac diseases). The main factor behind such variations in VO2 max is proportional changes in the stroke volume. Therefore a recording of the heart rate during exercise at a given oxygen uptake will reflect these variations in longitudinal studies. Generally speaking, a high heart rate is usually associated with a low stroke volume. However, from this information it is not possible to tell whether this (poor) exercise response was caused by genetic factors, lack of training, impaired heart function, or other factors. (2) Data have been presented suggesting that the maximal transport of oxygen (cardiac output X oxygen content of arterial blood) is limited by the central circulation rather than by the tissues' ability to utilize the oxygen. (3) A multi-stage exercise test on a treadmill or bicycle ergometer will provide a measurement of the rate of work an individual is able to tolerate without symptoms or electro-cardiographic abnormalities...", "PMID": 785542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6932", "title": "[Sterilization by ionizing radiations (author's transl)].", "content": "The first part summarizes the general characteristics of ionizing radiations and their activity on microorganisms: lethal and mutagenic effects, sensitivity conditions. Different microbial species have different sensitivities: gram negative bacteria are more sensitive (D10 approximately 5-10 Krads), bacterial spores and viruses are more resistant (D10 approximately 1 Megarads). The second part considers the main applications of radiosterilization: some are at present in full development (medical and surgical disposable equipment); others are still at the experimental stage. Practical aspects, determination of sterilizing doses and control of radiosterilization are also described.", "contents": "[Sterilization by ionizing radiations (author's transl)]. The first part summarizes the general characteristics of ionizing radiations and their activity on microorganisms: lethal and mutagenic effects, sensitivity conditions. Different microbial species have different sensitivities: gram negative bacteria are more sensitive (D10 approximately 5-10 Krads), bacterial spores and viruses are more resistant (D10 approximately 1 Megarads). The second part considers the main applications of radiosterilization: some are at present in full development (medical and surgical disposable equipment); others are still at the experimental stage. Practical aspects, determination of sterilizing doses and control of radiosterilization are also described.", "PMID": 785552} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6933", "title": "Effect of the thymus on erythropoietin production in response to hypobaric hypoxia in mice.", "content": "Thymectomized, irradiated and syngeneic bone marrow-repopulated (TIR) mice, after hemopoietic recovery, were more effective in producing erythropoietin than normal controls in response to hypobaric hypoxia. Mice which were only thmectomized responded to hypoxia with more erythropoietin production than controls but less than TIR animals. It is suggested that lymphoid elements of thymic origin may produce inhibitors of the erythropoietic system. This may play a role in the anemia of lymphomas and certain other clinical syndromes.", "contents": "Effect of the thymus on erythropoietin production in response to hypobaric hypoxia in mice. Thymectomized, irradiated and syngeneic bone marrow-repopulated (TIR) mice, after hemopoietic recovery, were more effective in producing erythropoietin than normal controls in response to hypobaric hypoxia. Mice which were only thmectomized responded to hypoxia with more erythropoietin production than controls but less than TIR animals. It is suggested that lymphoid elements of thymic origin may produce inhibitors of the erythropoietic system. This may play a role in the anemia of lymphomas and certain other clinical syndromes.", "PMID": 785562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6934", "title": "Bioenergetics in clinical medicine. VI. adjunctive treatment of periodontal disease with coenzyme Q10.", "content": "Eighteen patients with periodontal disease and measurable pockets were treated on a double-blind basis with coenzyme Q10 and a maching placebo. The treatment was significant (p less than 0.01). Before decoding, all 8 patients receiving coenzyme Q10 and 7/10 patients receiving placebo were correctly assigned. Of the remaining 3 placebo patients, the status of one was borderline and could have been assigned to either group, and two improved due to better hygiene. Crevicular fluid flow as a measure of inflammation was newly monitored. Pocket-depth, periodontal health, calculus and plaque scores provided the most valuable data for evaluation.", "contents": "Bioenergetics in clinical medicine. VI. adjunctive treatment of periodontal disease with coenzyme Q10. Eighteen patients with periodontal disease and measurable pockets were treated on a double-blind basis with coenzyme Q10 and a maching placebo. The treatment was significant (p less than 0.01). Before decoding, all 8 patients receiving coenzyme Q10 and 7/10 patients receiving placebo were correctly assigned. Of the remaining 3 placebo patients, the status of one was borderline and could have been assigned to either group, and two improved due to better hygiene. Crevicular fluid flow as a measure of inflammation was newly monitored. Pocket-depth, periodontal health, calculus and plaque scores provided the most valuable data for evaluation.", "PMID": 785563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6935", "title": "Bioenergetics in clinical medicine. VIII. Adminstration of coenzyme Q10 to patients with essential hypertension.", "content": "Coenzyme Q10 has been administered to five patients having essential hypertension and deficiencies of activity of succinate dehydrogenase-co-enzyme Q10 reductase in leucocyte preparations ranging from 20-40%. For a 74-year old male, the systolic pressure was reduced (p less than 0.001), the diastolic pressure was reduced (p less than 0.05), the specific activity of the coenzyme Q10-enzyme was increased (p less than 0.001), and the deficiency of coenzyme Q10 activity was negated (p less than 0.01). Four patients receiving CoQ10 for 3-5 months showed reductions (p less than 0.05 to p less than 0.001) of diastolic pressure, and 3 of these 4 showed reductions (p less than 0.05 to p less than 0.01) of diastolic pressure. Initial deficiencies of enzyme activity were reduced (p less than 0.01 to 0.05) in two patients. Three other patients did not show the high level of deficiency on treatment as initially observed. These effects of CoQ10 on the reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressures, increase in CoQ10-enzyme activity, and reduction of CoQ10-deficiency are presumably due to improved bioenergetics through correction of a deficiency of coenzyme Q10.", "contents": "Bioenergetics in clinical medicine. VIII. Adminstration of coenzyme Q10 to patients with essential hypertension. Coenzyme Q10 has been administered to five patients having essential hypertension and deficiencies of activity of succinate dehydrogenase-co-enzyme Q10 reductase in leucocyte preparations ranging from 20-40%. For a 74-year old male, the systolic pressure was reduced (p less than 0.001), the diastolic pressure was reduced (p less than 0.05), the specific activity of the coenzyme Q10-enzyme was increased (p less than 0.001), and the deficiency of coenzyme Q10 activity was negated (p less than 0.01). Four patients receiving CoQ10 for 3-5 months showed reductions (p less than 0.05 to p less than 0.001) of diastolic pressure, and 3 of these 4 showed reductions (p less than 0.05 to p less than 0.01) of diastolic pressure. Initial deficiencies of enzyme activity were reduced (p less than 0.01 to 0.05) in two patients. Three other patients did not show the high level of deficiency on treatment as initially observed. These effects of CoQ10 on the reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressures, increase in CoQ10-enzyme activity, and reduction of CoQ10-deficiency are presumably due to improved bioenergetics through correction of a deficiency of coenzyme Q10.", "PMID": 785564} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6936", "title": "Successful treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome with prolonged continuous positive-pressure ventilation.", "content": "A 37 year-old man was admitted in severe acute respiratory failure after a surgical procedure. He was ventilated mechanically (FIO2 - 0.60), and had a Pa,O2 of 34 mmHg. Continuous positive-pressure ventilation was started and the Pa,O2 rose to 74 mmHg. This procedure was required for 18 days. During the period of the greater derangement of gas exchange, the venous admixture on inhalation of 40% oxygen was 80% and later 43%, whereas on inhalation of 100% oxygen it was 52% and later 35%. He was weaned from the respirator on the nineteenth day. If unevennes of ventilation--perfusion due to regional hypoventilation disappear on inhalation of 40% oxygen, a decrease of shunt on inhalation of 100% oxygen suggests impairment of diffusion.", "contents": "Successful treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome with prolonged continuous positive-pressure ventilation. A 37 year-old man was admitted in severe acute respiratory failure after a surgical procedure. He was ventilated mechanically (FIO2 - 0.60), and had a Pa,O2 of 34 mmHg. Continuous positive-pressure ventilation was started and the Pa,O2 rose to 74 mmHg. This procedure was required for 18 days. During the period of the greater derangement of gas exchange, the venous admixture on inhalation of 40% oxygen was 80% and later 43%, whereas on inhalation of 100% oxygen it was 52% and later 35%. He was weaned from the respirator on the nineteenth day. If unevennes of ventilation--perfusion due to regional hypoventilation disappear on inhalation of 40% oxygen, a decrease of shunt on inhalation of 100% oxygen suggests impairment of diffusion.", "PMID": 785565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6937", "title": "O2 transport in the alpaca (Lama pacos) at sea level and at 3,300 m.", "content": "Five male alpacas native to high altitude, of approximately 40 kg, were studied first at 3,300 m and again after a 3-month sojourn at sea level. Measurements were made with the animals standing, unsedated and breathing air. Cardiac output was measured by the dye dilution technique. Blood gas tensions and contents were measured in arterial and mixed venous blood. Blood samples were also equilibrated with different oxygen tensions to construct O2-Hb dissociation curves. The P50 was 17.8 and 19.7 torr at 3,300 m and at sea level, respectively. The higher P50 values at sea level were associated with higher values of base excess. PaO2 was lower at 3,300 m but SaO2 was always above 90%. No significant changes in [Hb], Hct, Q, CaO2 and CvO2 with changes in elevation were observed. PaCO2 tended to be lower at altitude indicating a mild hyperventilation. The values of PvO2 were lower than those reported for other mammals but similar to those of the llama. A higher PvO2 was measured in the alpacas at sea level. The alpaca under conditions of chronic hypoxia presents only minor cardiorespiratory adjustments suggesting the possibility of tissue characteristics well suited for life at high altitude.", "contents": "O2 transport in the alpaca (Lama pacos) at sea level and at 3,300 m. Five male alpacas native to high altitude, of approximately 40 kg, were studied first at 3,300 m and again after a 3-month sojourn at sea level. Measurements were made with the animals standing, unsedated and breathing air. Cardiac output was measured by the dye dilution technique. Blood gas tensions and contents were measured in arterial and mixed venous blood. Blood samples were also equilibrated with different oxygen tensions to construct O2-Hb dissociation curves. The P50 was 17.8 and 19.7 torr at 3,300 m and at sea level, respectively. The higher P50 values at sea level were associated with higher values of base excess. PaO2 was lower at 3,300 m but SaO2 was always above 90%. No significant changes in [Hb], Hct, Q, CaO2 and CvO2 with changes in elevation were observed. PaCO2 tended to be lower at altitude indicating a mild hyperventilation. The values of PvO2 were lower than those reported for other mammals but similar to those of the llama. A higher PvO2 was measured in the alpacas at sea level. The alpaca under conditions of chronic hypoxia presents only minor cardiorespiratory adjustments suggesting the possibility of tissue characteristics well suited for life at high altitude.", "PMID": 785566} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6938", "title": "[Progressive pseudomyopathic spinal amyotrophies (author's transl)].", "content": "Genetic, elettromyographic, enzymological and histological aspects of two cases of proximal pseudomyopathic spinal amyotrophy are described. The former is related to a typical Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander syndrom with characteristics of recessive autosomal heredity. It is related to a fifteen-years old patient who, since he was ten has been affected by progressively increasing muscular hypotrophy. It was localized mostly on the scapular girdle and less on the pelvic girdle, with tendency to extend to the distal muscles of the limbs, without fasciculations or sensory symptoms. Serum enzyme levels were normal. Both muscular biopsy and electromyographic tests yield reports testifying a spinal amyotrophy. The later is related to a spinal pelvic girdle amyotrophy arisen in a thirty-three-year old subject who since twenty-nine has started to present weakness and hypotrophy of pelvic girdle muscles and of the roots of the thighs particulary involving the adducent muscles. There were neither amyotrophies in other districts nor fasciculations. Serum enzyme levels were normal. Muscular biopsy clearly proved a neurogenic amyotrophy. E.M.G. showed signs of myogenic and neurogenic sufference. Problems concerning the nosographic delimitation of different spinal muscular atrophies are discussed on the ground of literature, too.", "contents": "[Progressive pseudomyopathic spinal amyotrophies (author's transl)]. Genetic, elettromyographic, enzymological and histological aspects of two cases of proximal pseudomyopathic spinal amyotrophy are described. The former is related to a typical Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander syndrom with characteristics of recessive autosomal heredity. It is related to a fifteen-years old patient who, since he was ten has been affected by progressively increasing muscular hypotrophy. It was localized mostly on the scapular girdle and less on the pelvic girdle, with tendency to extend to the distal muscles of the limbs, without fasciculations or sensory symptoms. Serum enzyme levels were normal. Both muscular biopsy and electromyographic tests yield reports testifying a spinal amyotrophy. The later is related to a spinal pelvic girdle amyotrophy arisen in a thirty-three-year old subject who since twenty-nine has started to present weakness and hypotrophy of pelvic girdle muscles and of the roots of the thighs particulary involving the adducent muscles. There were neither amyotrophies in other districts nor fasciculations. Serum enzyme levels were normal. Muscular biopsy clearly proved a neurogenic amyotrophy. E.M.G. showed signs of myogenic and neurogenic sufference. Problems concerning the nosographic delimitation of different spinal muscular atrophies are discussed on the ground of literature, too.", "PMID": 785577} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6939", "title": "[Outcome of Parkinsonism after two years of levodopa plus R04-4602 (author's transl)].", "content": "Twenty-one patients suffering from Parkinson disease were treated with L-Dopa together with an extra-cerebral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor (Ro4-4602) and with triesyphenidyl. Seven assessments of the patient's clinical condition were carried out over a period of two years with a number of neurological and psychometric tests. At the beginning of the second year of treatment, the signs and symptoms of Parkinson disease began to worsen with an increased disability. In the present paper two possibilities are discussed, namely whether the deterioration was the consequence of L-Dopa administration or whether this was simply the outcome of inadequacy of drug treatment during a period of natural worsening of the disease.", "contents": "[Outcome of Parkinsonism after two years of levodopa plus R04-4602 (author's transl)]. Twenty-one patients suffering from Parkinson disease were treated with L-Dopa together with an extra-cerebral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor (Ro4-4602) and with triesyphenidyl. Seven assessments of the patient's clinical condition were carried out over a period of two years with a number of neurological and psychometric tests. At the beginning of the second year of treatment, the signs and symptoms of Parkinson disease began to worsen with an increased disability. In the present paper two possibilities are discussed, namely whether the deterioration was the consequence of L-Dopa administration or whether this was simply the outcome of inadequacy of drug treatment during a period of natural worsening of the disease.", "PMID": 785578} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6940", "title": "[The efficacy of cytostatic therapy for malignant tumors as determined by x-rays].", "content": "Cytostatic or hormone therapy for malignant tumors has made some progress during the last few years. Total or, at least, extensive recession of bronchial carcinoma, metastasizing breast tumors and lymphogranulomatosis in Stage IV as the result of chemotherapy or hormone therapy was presented which was substantiated by x-rays.", "contents": "[The efficacy of cytostatic therapy for malignant tumors as determined by x-rays]. Cytostatic or hormone therapy for malignant tumors has made some progress during the last few years. Total or, at least, extensive recession of bronchial carcinoma, metastasizing breast tumors and lymphogranulomatosis in Stage IV as the result of chemotherapy or hormone therapy was presented which was substantiated by x-rays.", "PMID": 785582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6941", "title": "[Food protein quality. III Enzymatic ultrafiltrate digest (EUD) aminoacid index (author's transl)].", "content": "An aminoacid index for protein quality evaluation is presented, using a new model of enzymatic digestion of proteins in vitro. The EUD index is obtained determining on the ultrafiltrate the available aminoacids after digestion with pepsin, trypsin, pancretin and erepsin in an Amicon ultrafiltration cell. A very high correlation is obtained between EUD index and the biological values of 10 protein or food protein samples. The experimental validity of this in vitro method allow his utilization for direct evaluation of protein quality instead of the more complicated and time consuming biological tests.", "contents": "[Food protein quality. III Enzymatic ultrafiltrate digest (EUD) aminoacid index (author's transl)]. An aminoacid index for protein quality evaluation is presented, using a new model of enzymatic digestion of proteins in vitro. The EUD index is obtained determining on the ultrafiltrate the available aminoacids after digestion with pepsin, trypsin, pancretin and erepsin in an Amicon ultrafiltration cell. A very high correlation is obtained between EUD index and the biological values of 10 protein or food protein samples. The experimental validity of this in vitro method allow his utilization for direct evaluation of protein quality instead of the more complicated and time consuming biological tests.", "PMID": 785579} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6942", "title": "[Alterations caused by yeasts in vegetable flavoured soft drinks: effects of the manufacturing water (author's transl)].", "content": "Possible sources of yeast pollutions of soft drinks added with vegetable flavours and the factors affecting their magnitude were examined. The greatest role is played by the minerals contained in the manufacturing water. Pasteurization is the most useful practice for their control.", "contents": "[Alterations caused by yeasts in vegetable flavoured soft drinks: effects of the manufacturing water (author's transl)]. Possible sources of yeast pollutions of soft drinks added with vegetable flavours and the factors affecting their magnitude were examined. The greatest role is played by the minerals contained in the manufacturing water. Pasteurization is the most useful practice for their control.", "PMID": 785580} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6943", "title": "[The use of gamma radiations for the radicidation of dried egg albumen (author's transl].", "content": "The authors carried out an investigation on samples of dried egg albumen of industry and on experimental samples artificially contaminated, irradiated with gamma radiations, in view of defining the D10 value and the survival curve for the enterobacteriaceae and salmonellae in eff albumen. The results were discussed in view of a practical application of irradiation doses experimentally defined to the radicidation of this product.", "contents": "[The use of gamma radiations for the radicidation of dried egg albumen (author's transl]. The authors carried out an investigation on samples of dried egg albumen of industry and on experimental samples artificially contaminated, irradiated with gamma radiations, in view of defining the D10 value and the survival curve for the enterobacteriaceae and salmonellae in eff albumen. The results were discussed in view of a practical application of irradiation doses experimentally defined to the radicidation of this product.", "PMID": 785581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6944", "title": "Anaerobic and aerobic bacteriological studies in biliary tract disease.", "content": "Thirty-eight patients without biliary tract disease, 68 patients with gallbladder stones or acalculous chronic cholecystitis, 30 patients with common duct obstruction due to stones or strictures, and 28 patients with common duct obstruction due to tumors or chronic pancreatitis were investigated. Gallbladder bile or common duct bile was cultured anaerobically and aerobically. Anaerobic culture procedures were based on the use of a glove-box and prereduced, anaerobically sterilized media. Transportation of samples was based on evacuation of atmospheric air with oxygen-free carbon dioxide and transportation-time less than 30 minutes. Patients with biliary tract and patients with common duct obstruction not due to stones or strictures did not yield bacteria on culture. Twenty-two per cent of patients with disease of the gallbladder but normal common ducts and 87% of patients with common duct stones or strictures yielded bacteria on culture of the bile. Among 41 patients with infected bile, 39% yielded anaerobic bacteria, either in pure culture (12%) or in mixed culture with anaerobic bacteria (27%). B. fragilis and other non-sporing anaerobic bacteria were most frequently isolated, whereas Clostridium species were found in three patients only.", "contents": "Anaerobic and aerobic bacteriological studies in biliary tract disease. Thirty-eight patients without biliary tract disease, 68 patients with gallbladder stones or acalculous chronic cholecystitis, 30 patients with common duct obstruction due to stones or strictures, and 28 patients with common duct obstruction due to tumors or chronic pancreatitis were investigated. Gallbladder bile or common duct bile was cultured anaerobically and aerobically. Anaerobic culture procedures were based on the use of a glove-box and prereduced, anaerobically sterilized media. Transportation of samples was based on evacuation of atmospheric air with oxygen-free carbon dioxide and transportation-time less than 30 minutes. Patients with biliary tract and patients with common duct obstruction not due to stones or strictures did not yield bacteria on culture. Twenty-two per cent of patients with disease of the gallbladder but normal common ducts and 87% of patients with common duct stones or strictures yielded bacteria on culture of the bile. Among 41 patients with infected bile, 39% yielded anaerobic bacteria, either in pure culture (12%) or in mixed culture with anaerobic bacteria (27%). B. fragilis and other non-sporing anaerobic bacteria were most frequently isolated, whereas Clostridium species were found in three patients only.", "PMID": 785585} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6945", "title": "Immunohistochemical characterization of local immunoglobulin formation in Crohn's disease of the ileum.", "content": "Paired direct immunofluorescence was used to localize and differentially enumerate immunocytes containing the various immunoglobulin (Ig) classes in ileal bowel walls of patients with Crohn's disease. In slightly inflamed mucosa the total number of Ig-containing cells of an average \"tissue unit\" increased threefold compared with normal controls, but only minor changes occurred in class ratios. In severely inflamed mucosa with persisting glands, the total immunocyte number was increased by a factor of 12.2 compared with the control unit. For IgA, IgM, and IgG cells this increase was 9.0, 12.0, and 60.9, respectively. The immunocyte ratios for these three major Ig classes were 57.5:14.7:27.7 in the inflamed mucosa, and 83.1:11.4:5.4 in the histologically normal control mucosa. When severely inflamed specimens from the ileum and from the colon were compared, there was no statistically significant difference in absolute immunocyte counts or class distributions. IgD and IgE immunocytes were extremely rare, and no consistent increase was found in the inflamed mucosae. In both the ileum and the colon fairly dense immunocyte populations with a marked IgG-cell predominance were encountered in the deeper layers of the inflamed bowel wall. The possible pathogenetic consequences of the pronounced local \"over-production\" of IgG in inflammatory bowel disease are discussed.", "contents": "Immunohistochemical characterization of local immunoglobulin formation in Crohn's disease of the ileum. Paired direct immunofluorescence was used to localize and differentially enumerate immunocytes containing the various immunoglobulin (Ig) classes in ileal bowel walls of patients with Crohn's disease. In slightly inflamed mucosa the total number of Ig-containing cells of an average \"tissue unit\" increased threefold compared with normal controls, but only minor changes occurred in class ratios. In severely inflamed mucosa with persisting glands, the total immunocyte number was increased by a factor of 12.2 compared with the control unit. For IgA, IgM, and IgG cells this increase was 9.0, 12.0, and 60.9, respectively. The immunocyte ratios for these three major Ig classes were 57.5:14.7:27.7 in the inflamed mucosa, and 83.1:11.4:5.4 in the histologically normal control mucosa. When severely inflamed specimens from the ileum and from the colon were compared, there was no statistically significant difference in absolute immunocyte counts or class distributions. IgD and IgE immunocytes were extremely rare, and no consistent increase was found in the inflamed mucosae. In both the ileum and the colon fairly dense immunocyte populations with a marked IgG-cell predominance were encountered in the deeper layers of the inflamed bowel wall. The possible pathogenetic consequences of the pronounced local \"over-production\" of IgG in inflammatory bowel disease are discussed.", "PMID": 785586} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6946", "title": "Effect of a pepsin-inhibitory pentapeptide upon the peptic activity and acidity of gastric secretion.", "content": "The effect of a pepsin-inhibiting pentapeptide, pepstatin, upon the peptic activity and gastric acidity was investigated in 9 men with ulcer dyspepsia and a high acid output. Subtotal inhibition of peptic activity was obtained, basally as well as after broth stimulation, as early as 15 minutes after the method of administration, and the inhibition remained almost unchanged during the 60 minutes of the experimental period. The acidity was not affected by pepstatin. No side-effects occurred. The results confirm preliminary reports on the pepsin-inhibitory activity of the drug. It is concluded that pepstatin ought to be investigated with regard to its clinical effect upon peptic ulcer.", "contents": "Effect of a pepsin-inhibitory pentapeptide upon the peptic activity and acidity of gastric secretion. The effect of a pepsin-inhibiting pentapeptide, pepstatin, upon the peptic activity and gastric acidity was investigated in 9 men with ulcer dyspepsia and a high acid output. Subtotal inhibition of peptic activity was obtained, basally as well as after broth stimulation, as early as 15 minutes after the method of administration, and the inhibition remained almost unchanged during the 60 minutes of the experimental period. The acidity was not affected by pepstatin. No side-effects occurred. The results confirm preliminary reports on the pepsin-inhibitory activity of the drug. It is concluded that pepstatin ought to be investigated with regard to its clinical effect upon peptic ulcer.", "PMID": 785587} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6947", "title": "Antral gastrin cells. A correlation between the number of gastrin cells and the total concentration of gastrin in serum and in antral mucosa. A pilot investigation.", "content": "Correlation between the gastrin cell number of delineated by immunohistological staining and the gastrin content in blood and antral mucosa has been studied in biopsies from the antral region of the human stomach. With a semiquantitative score system of the antral gastrin cells, we found correlation between the number of cells and the gastrin content in mucosa and serum and the grade of atrophic pyloric gastritis in 52 patients with different gastric diseases. It is concluded that further studies will be necessary before it is possible to estimate the total mass of gastrin cells and thereby compare different clinical groups.", "contents": "Antral gastrin cells. A correlation between the number of gastrin cells and the total concentration of gastrin in serum and in antral mucosa. A pilot investigation. Correlation between the gastrin cell number of delineated by immunohistological staining and the gastrin content in blood and antral mucosa has been studied in biopsies from the antral region of the human stomach. With a semiquantitative score system of the antral gastrin cells, we found correlation between the number of cells and the gastrin content in mucosa and serum and the grade of atrophic pyloric gastritis in 52 patients with different gastric diseases. It is concluded that further studies will be necessary before it is possible to estimate the total mass of gastrin cells and thereby compare different clinical groups.", "PMID": 785588} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6948", "title": "[A new case of Caffey's disease].", "content": "With reference to a new case of Caffey's disease, or infantile cortical hyperostosis, of maxillary origin, the authors stress in particular the necessity to eliminate the possibility of Silverman's syndrome and the diagnostic problem posed by chronic tumefactions of the angle in children.", "contents": "[A new case of Caffey's disease]. With reference to a new case of Caffey's disease, or infantile cortical hyperostosis, of maxillary origin, the authors stress in particular the necessity to eliminate the possibility of Silverman's syndrome and the diagnostic problem posed by chronic tumefactions of the angle in children.", "PMID": 785584} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6949", "title": "Somatostatin inhibits insulin-stimulated gastrin release and gastric secretion of acid, pepsin, and intrinsic factor (IF) in duodenal ulcer patients.", "content": "The effect os somatostatin (0.6 mg/hour) on insulin-stimulated gastrin release and gastric secretion of acid, pepsin, and IF has been examined in 6 unoperated patients with duodenal ulcer. Gastrin release and gastric secretion of acid, pepsin, and IF in response to insulin alone (0.15 IU/kg bw. iv.) were significantly reduced by simultaneous administration of somatostatin. This finding indicates an inhibitory effect of somatostatin on insulin-induced gastrin release and gastrin secretion in addition to the already known effects of somatostatin.", "contents": "Somatostatin inhibits insulin-stimulated gastrin release and gastric secretion of acid, pepsin, and intrinsic factor (IF) in duodenal ulcer patients. The effect os somatostatin (0.6 mg/hour) on insulin-stimulated gastrin release and gastric secretion of acid, pepsin, and IF has been examined in 6 unoperated patients with duodenal ulcer. Gastrin release and gastric secretion of acid, pepsin, and IF in response to insulin alone (0.15 IU/kg bw. iv.) were significantly reduced by simultaneous administration of somatostatin. This finding indicates an inhibitory effect of somatostatin on insulin-induced gastrin release and gastrin secretion in addition to the already known effects of somatostatin.", "PMID": 785589} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6950", "title": "Effects on exocrine and endocrine rat pancreas of long-term administration of CCK-PZ (cholecystokinin-pancreozymin) or synthetic octapeptide - CCK-PZ.", "content": "Studies are presented dealing with the effects on exocrine and endocrine rat pancreas of repeated subcutaneous injections for 10 days of equivalent doses (Ivy dog units) of commercial (10% pure) cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK-PZ) and of the synthetic C-terminal octapeptide of CCK-PZ. Both rats treated with the commercial CCK-PZ and the octapeptide had an increase wet weight of the pancreas. Pancreatic concentrations of amylase, lipase, and trypsinogen increased in a parallel fashion after both kinds of hormonal treatment. Rats given the 10-day treatment with the commercial CCK-PZ preparation displayed a lower insulin response following an intravenous glucose load. The glucose tolerance, however, was slightly improved. The octapeptide treatment induced no alterations of the insulin or glucose levels after similar glucose loads. The insulin content and the concentration of protein in pancreatic tissue or glycogen in liver and muscle tissue were unaffected by both ways of treatment. Likewise no difference was found on glucose utilization in muscle tissue in vitro. It is concluded that equipotent doses of the synthetic octapeptide and the 10% pure CCK-PZ preparation induce a similar and parallel increase of the concentration of all three exocrine pancreatic enzymes. The inhibitory effect on glucose-induced insulin release exerted by the 10-day treatment with commercial CCK-PZ but not by the octapeptide is conceivably due to peptide impurities in the commercial CCK-PZ and/or to parts of the CCK-Pz molecule other than the C-terminal octapeptide.", "contents": "Effects on exocrine and endocrine rat pancreas of long-term administration of CCK-PZ (cholecystokinin-pancreozymin) or synthetic octapeptide - CCK-PZ. Studies are presented dealing with the effects on exocrine and endocrine rat pancreas of repeated subcutaneous injections for 10 days of equivalent doses (Ivy dog units) of commercial (10% pure) cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK-PZ) and of the synthetic C-terminal octapeptide of CCK-PZ. Both rats treated with the commercial CCK-PZ and the octapeptide had an increase wet weight of the pancreas. Pancreatic concentrations of amylase, lipase, and trypsinogen increased in a parallel fashion after both kinds of hormonal treatment. Rats given the 10-day treatment with the commercial CCK-PZ preparation displayed a lower insulin response following an intravenous glucose load. The glucose tolerance, however, was slightly improved. The octapeptide treatment induced no alterations of the insulin or glucose levels after similar glucose loads. The insulin content and the concentration of protein in pancreatic tissue or glycogen in liver and muscle tissue were unaffected by both ways of treatment. Likewise no difference was found on glucose utilization in muscle tissue in vitro. It is concluded that equipotent doses of the synthetic octapeptide and the 10% pure CCK-PZ preparation induce a similar and parallel increase of the concentration of all three exocrine pancreatic enzymes. The inhibitory effect on glucose-induced insulin release exerted by the 10-day treatment with commercial CCK-PZ but not by the octapeptide is conceivably due to peptide impurities in the commercial CCK-PZ and/or to parts of the CCK-Pz molecule other than the C-terminal octapeptide.", "PMID": 785590} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6951", "title": "A mechanism of migration inhibition involving components of the coagulation system.", "content": "Lymph from pigs given bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) and stimulated in the drainage area of a cannulated lymph node with tuberculin (PPD) had potent in vitro macrophage migration inhibitory activity. A similar observation has previously been made in sheep by other workers. In the sheep, part of, and in the pig, almost all of, this inhibitory activity was produced, not by a factor resembling the so-called 'migration inhibitory factor', but by a mechanism involving a protease and fibrinogen. It is suggested that exudate cells, having potent coagulation-promoting activity, can promote the deposition of fibrin about themselves, and thus 'trapped' are unable to migrate.", "contents": "A mechanism of migration inhibition involving components of the coagulation system. Lymph from pigs given bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) and stimulated in the drainage area of a cannulated lymph node with tuberculin (PPD) had potent in vitro macrophage migration inhibitory activity. A similar observation has previously been made in sheep by other workers. In the sheep, part of, and in the pig, almost all of, this inhibitory activity was produced, not by a factor resembling the so-called 'migration inhibitory factor', but by a mechanism involving a protease and fibrinogen. It is suggested that exudate cells, having potent coagulation-promoting activity, can promote the deposition of fibrin about themselves, and thus 'trapped' are unable to migrate.", "PMID": 785591} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6952", "title": "[Hemisection, tooth separation and root amputation].", "content": "It is possible to utilize a segment of multirooted tooth as a healthy abutment even though retention of the entire tooth is impossible due to advanced periodontal disease, carious lesion or endocontic failure. The criteria for success of tooth hemisection, root separation or root amputation is dependent on the following factors: -proper case selection based upon adequate diagnostic tests -periodontal condition (amount of supporting bone) surrounding the remaining segment -condition of the remaining dentition -the ability to establish optimal occlusal relationship with minimal traumatic forces -the ability to perform satisfactory endodontic procedures, using an aseptic technique -stabilization by means of fixed prosthesis -the ability to establish an environment amenable to optimal oral hygiene.", "contents": "[Hemisection, tooth separation and root amputation]. It is possible to utilize a segment of multirooted tooth as a healthy abutment even though retention of the entire tooth is impossible due to advanced periodontal disease, carious lesion or endocontic failure. The criteria for success of tooth hemisection, root separation or root amputation is dependent on the following factors: -proper case selection based upon adequate diagnostic tests -periodontal condition (amount of supporting bone) surrounding the remaining segment -condition of the remaining dentition -the ability to establish optimal occlusal relationship with minimal traumatic forces -the ability to perform satisfactory endodontic procedures, using an aseptic technique -stabilization by means of fixed prosthesis -the ability to establish an environment amenable to optimal oral hygiene.", "PMID": 785592} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6953", "title": "[Biophysical study on the effect of fluorine on calcified tissues].", "content": "The effects of ingestion of fluoride on the mineral substance of animal and human bones were studied. The topographical distribution at the microscopic level, and the Ca/P ratio in areas with high and low concentration of fluoride were analyzed by means of electron probe X-ray microanalysis; the crystallographic modification of bone mineral substance was evaluated by X-ray diffraction. The distribution pattern of fluoride was found to be related to bone remodeling, and the Ca/P ratio value tends to increase as a function of the fluoride content of the bone tissue. X-ray diffraction analysis shows a shortening of the a parameter of the bone apatite unit cell as a function of the fluoride content, which indicates the incorporation of fluoride in the crystalline network.", "contents": "[Biophysical study on the effect of fluorine on calcified tissues]. The effects of ingestion of fluoride on the mineral substance of animal and human bones were studied. The topographical distribution at the microscopic level, and the Ca/P ratio in areas with high and low concentration of fluoride were analyzed by means of electron probe X-ray microanalysis; the crystallographic modification of bone mineral substance was evaluated by X-ray diffraction. The distribution pattern of fluoride was found to be related to bone remodeling, and the Ca/P ratio value tends to increase as a function of the fluoride content of the bone tissue. X-ray diffraction analysis shows a shortening of the a parameter of the bone apatite unit cell as a function of the fluoride content, which indicates the incorporation of fluoride in the crystalline network.", "PMID": 785593} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6954", "title": "Long-term survival of skin allografts in mice treated with fractionated total lymphoid irradiation.", "content": "Treatment of recipient Balb/c mice with fractionated, high-dose total lymphoid irradiation, a procedure commonly used in the therapy of human malignant lymphomas, resulted in fivefold prolongation of the survival of C57BL/Ka skin allografts despite major histocompatibility differences between the strains (H-2d and H-2b, respectively). Infusion of 10(7) (C57BL/Ka x Balb/c)F1 bone marrow cells after total lymphoid irradiation further prolonged C57BL/Ka skin graft survival to more than 120 days. Total lymphoid irradiation may eventually prove useful in clinical organ transplantation.", "contents": "Long-term survival of skin allografts in mice treated with fractionated total lymphoid irradiation. Treatment of recipient Balb/c mice with fractionated, high-dose total lymphoid irradiation, a procedure commonly used in the therapy of human malignant lymphomas, resulted in fivefold prolongation of the survival of C57BL/Ka skin allografts despite major histocompatibility differences between the strains (H-2d and H-2b, respectively). Infusion of 10(7) (C57BL/Ka x Balb/c)F1 bone marrow cells after total lymphoid irradiation further prolonged C57BL/Ka skin graft survival to more than 120 days. Total lymphoid irradiation may eventually prove useful in clinical organ transplantation.", "PMID": 785599} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6955", "title": "Botulinum toxin: mechanism of presynaptic blockade.", "content": "The mechanism of action of botulinum toxin was analyzed by the use of calcium ionophores and black widow spider venom. Addition of calcium ionophores to nerve-muscle preparations blocked by botulinum toxin did not increase the frequency of miniature end plate potentials. However, the spider venom elicited a barrage of miniature end plate potentials after blockade by botulinum. Electron micrographs of preparations treated with botulinum toxin and then the spider venom revealed clumping of synaptic vesicles at release sites in the otherwise depleted nerve terminals. These findings indicate that the action of botulinum toxin is not due to deficient storage of acetylcholine in vesicles or blockade of calcium entry into nerve terminals. They suggest that the toxin interferes with the acetylcholine release process itself, possibly by blocking exocytosis at the release sites.", "contents": "Botulinum toxin: mechanism of presynaptic blockade. The mechanism of action of botulinum toxin was analyzed by the use of calcium ionophores and black widow spider venom. Addition of calcium ionophores to nerve-muscle preparations blocked by botulinum toxin did not increase the frequency of miniature end plate potentials. However, the spider venom elicited a barrage of miniature end plate potentials after blockade by botulinum. Electron micrographs of preparations treated with botulinum toxin and then the spider venom revealed clumping of synaptic vesicles at release sites in the otherwise depleted nerve terminals. These findings indicate that the action of botulinum toxin is not due to deficient storage of acetylcholine in vesicles or blockade of calcium entry into nerve terminals. They suggest that the toxin interferes with the acetylcholine release process itself, possibly by blocking exocytosis at the release sites.", "PMID": 785600} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6956", "title": "Histologic structures preserved for 21,300 years.", "content": "Histologic examination of rehydrated tissue samples from late Pleistocene (Alaskan) mammal mummies demonstrates that the preservative effect of freezing and drying extends to remains 15,000 to 25,000 years old. Some muscle and liver tissue retained identifiable histologic structures. Most tissues were completely disintegrated and partly replaced by masses of bacteria, an indication of considerable postmortem decay before the remains were entombed beneath the permafrost zone.", "contents": "Histologic structures preserved for 21,300 years. Histologic examination of rehydrated tissue samples from late Pleistocene (Alaskan) mammal mummies demonstrates that the preservative effect of freezing and drying extends to remains 15,000 to 25,000 years old. Some muscle and liver tissue retained identifiable histologic structures. Most tissues were completely disintegrated and partly replaced by masses of bacteria, an indication of considerable postmortem decay before the remains were entombed beneath the permafrost zone.", "PMID": 785601} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6957", "title": "Cytochrome P-450 and drug metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi: effects of phenobarbital.", "content": "The epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi hydroxylate drugs at substantial rates. The activity, which is of the mixed-function oxidase type, is increased by phenobarbital and is inhibited by CO, SKF 525-A, and metyrapone. The hydroxylation is paralleled by increases in free and membrane-bound ribosomes.", "contents": "Cytochrome P-450 and drug metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi: effects of phenobarbital. The epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi hydroxylate drugs at substantial rates. The activity, which is of the mixed-function oxidase type, is increased by phenobarbital and is inhibited by CO, SKF 525-A, and metyrapone. The hydroxylation is paralleled by increases in free and membrane-bound ribosomes.", "PMID": 785602} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6958", "title": "Connective tissue lysozyme in health and disease.", "content": "As the lysozyme story continues to unfold, rheumatic disease is one area where the study of this fascinating protein will be most important. The special biochemical features of lysozyme--its hexosaminidase function, its ability to bring about transglycosylation, its homology to alpha-lactalbumin, and its cationic nature--suggest that the connective tissues may prove to be the key to the understanding of the function of lysozyme. As methods for its accurate measurement become standardized, better data on the activity of the enzyme in various tissues and body fluids, in both health and disease, will be forthcoming. As additional studies are done to ascertain which of the hypothetical functions attributed to lysozyme are of significance in vivo, it will be the student of the connective tissues and the diseases thereof who can be expected to profit most from an udnerstanding of the role of lysozyme in mammalian biology.", "contents": "Connective tissue lysozyme in health and disease. As the lysozyme story continues to unfold, rheumatic disease is one area where the study of this fascinating protein will be most important. The special biochemical features of lysozyme--its hexosaminidase function, its ability to bring about transglycosylation, its homology to alpha-lactalbumin, and its cationic nature--suggest that the connective tissues may prove to be the key to the understanding of the function of lysozyme. As methods for its accurate measurement become standardized, better data on the activity of the enzyme in various tissues and body fluids, in both health and disease, will be forthcoming. As additional studies are done to ascertain which of the hypothetical functions attributed to lysozyme are of significance in vivo, it will be the student of the connective tissues and the diseases thereof who can be expected to profit most from an udnerstanding of the role of lysozyme in mammalian biology.", "PMID": 785604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6959", "title": "Surgical management of chronic hidradenitis suppurativa of the perineum.", "content": "Two cases of chronic hidradenitis suppurativa of the perineum are presented. Both patients suffered through many years of discomfort and social isolation, undergoing multiple temporizing procedures. The treatment course pursued is described in detail. It is hoped that a greater appreciation of the disabling nature of this disease will lead to earlier, definitive therapy.", "contents": "Surgical management of chronic hidradenitis suppurativa of the perineum. Two cases of chronic hidradenitis suppurativa of the perineum are presented. Both patients suffered through many years of discomfort and social isolation, undergoing multiple temporizing procedures. The treatment course pursued is described in detail. It is hoped that a greater appreciation of the disabling nature of this disease will lead to earlier, definitive therapy.", "PMID": 785606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6960", "title": "Practical aspects of assessing and preparing pulmonary cripples for surgery.", "content": "The problems presented by patients with advanced pulmonary disease both during and after operation are reviewed. Proper evaluation of the degree of respiratory impairment by simple but systematic bedside and laboratory function tests and blood gas studies is essential. Preparing these patients for surgery by postural drainage, intermittent positive pressure breathing, humidification, bronchodilators, and mucokynetics will decrease postoperative morbidity and mortality.", "contents": "Practical aspects of assessing and preparing pulmonary cripples for surgery. The problems presented by patients with advanced pulmonary disease both during and after operation are reviewed. Proper evaluation of the degree of respiratory impairment by simple but systematic bedside and laboratory function tests and blood gas studies is essential. Preparing these patients for surgery by postural drainage, intermittent positive pressure breathing, humidification, bronchodilators, and mucokynetics will decrease postoperative morbidity and mortality.", "PMID": 785607} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6961", "title": "Failure of aspirin to antagonize the antihypertensive effect of spironolactone in low-renin hypertension.", "content": "Aspirin has been shown to acutely block the natriuretic effect of spironolactone in the mineralocorticoid-treated normal rat, dog, and man. It has been suggested that aspirin is contraindicated in hypertensive patients receiving spironolactone. Five patients with low-renin essential hypertension and two with hypertension due to primary aldosteronism, all of whom have normalized their blood pressure on chronic spironolactone therapy, were cotreated in a double-blind fashion with either aspirin or aspirin-placebo during alternate six-week periods. Aspirin did not appear to alter the effect of spironolactone on blood pressure, serum electrolytes, urea nitrogen, or plasma renin activity.", "contents": "Failure of aspirin to antagonize the antihypertensive effect of spironolactone in low-renin hypertension. Aspirin has been shown to acutely block the natriuretic effect of spironolactone in the mineralocorticoid-treated normal rat, dog, and man. It has been suggested that aspirin is contraindicated in hypertensive patients receiving spironolactone. Five patients with low-renin essential hypertension and two with hypertension due to primary aldosteronism, all of whom have normalized their blood pressure on chronic spironolactone therapy, were cotreated in a double-blind fashion with either aspirin or aspirin-placebo during alternate six-week periods. Aspirin did not appear to alter the effect of spironolactone on blood pressure, serum electrolytes, urea nitrogen, or plasma renin activity.", "PMID": 785608} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6962", "title": "A comparative study to evaluate three separate computer programs for electrocardiographic interpretation.", "content": "To compare the efficiency and accuracy of three separate computer programs for interpreting electrocardiograms, 50 EKGs run on patients hospitalized in our institution were transmitted to each of the three participating computer programs. The EKGs were then inspected individually by three cardiologists who later correlated and compared their results with the interpretations provided by the computer. The computer program used by Telemed Corporation provided the greatest frequency of totally correct and clinically acceptable interpretations as well as the least number of unacceptable or incorrect interpretations. The Bonner program was an acceptable second. The Mayo-Smith program had a much larger number of disagreements with the clinical cardiologists, and was far less acceptable for clinical use in their opinion.", "contents": "A comparative study to evaluate three separate computer programs for electrocardiographic interpretation. To compare the efficiency and accuracy of three separate computer programs for interpreting electrocardiograms, 50 EKGs run on patients hospitalized in our institution were transmitted to each of the three participating computer programs. The EKGs were then inspected individually by three cardiologists who later correlated and compared their results with the interpretations provided by the computer. The computer program used by Telemed Corporation provided the greatest frequency of totally correct and clinically acceptable interpretations as well as the least number of unacceptable or incorrect interpretations. The Bonner program was an acceptable second. The Mayo-Smith program had a much larger number of disagreements with the clinical cardiologists, and was far less acceptable for clinical use in their opinion.", "PMID": 785612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6963", "title": "The histopathologic diagnosis of leprosy.", "content": "The objective of this paper is to encourage histopathologists to recognize and diagnose leprosy so that it can be treated effectively at the earliest stage possible, before irreversible deformities result. Recognition of the earliest form of leprosy-indeterminate-is emphasized. Histopathologic descriptions are made and illustrated for the principal types of leprosy. Emphasis is placed on (1) the need for dependable acid-fast staining of leprosy bacillus, (2) the non-specific infiltrate in indeterminate leprosy, and (3) the involvement of nerves in all types of leprosy.", "contents": "The histopathologic diagnosis of leprosy. The objective of this paper is to encourage histopathologists to recognize and diagnose leprosy so that it can be treated effectively at the earliest stage possible, before irreversible deformities result. Recognition of the earliest form of leprosy-indeterminate-is emphasized. Histopathologic descriptions are made and illustrated for the principal types of leprosy. Emphasis is placed on (1) the need for dependable acid-fast staining of leprosy bacillus, (2) the non-specific infiltrate in indeterminate leprosy, and (3) the involvement of nerves in all types of leprosy.", "PMID": 785613} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6964", "title": "The doctors who came to the Cape with the 1820 settlers.", "content": "Such information as can be found in the references given is set out regarding those doctors who emigrated form Britain with the British Settlers of 1820. It is regretted that so little information is obtainable as as they lived in strenuous times and must have done good work without the aids which seem indispensable to modern medicine.", "contents": "The doctors who came to the Cape with the 1820 settlers. Such information as can be found in the references given is set out regarding those doctors who emigrated form Britain with the British Settlers of 1820. It is regretted that so little information is obtainable as as they lived in strenuous times and must have done good work without the aids which seem indispensable to modern medicine.", "PMID": 785617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6965", "title": "Cross-matching assays of cell-mediated immunity for transplant patients.", "content": "Assays of cell-mediated immunity before transplantation were performed on 34 patients who were defined as being at high risk by the presence of preformed lymphocytotoxic antibodies and/or HL-A incompatibilities at FOUR locus. Assays for cell-mediated lympholysis type I (cml I) were performed in donor serum, and for CML II in recipient serum, to assess the possible effect of blocking factors in the patients' sera. A positive (greater than 5% specific Cr release) and in particular a greater than 10% Cr release correlated strongly with graft rejection. The correlation between CML II and graft survival was unimpressive. No clinically beneficial blocking factor was demonstrable in the patients's sera in that 5 of 6 patients with a positive CML I but a negative CML II rejected their grafts. Conversely, 6 of 8 patients with a positive CML II and a negative CML I had excellent long-term courses. The use of CML I assay in the selection of grafts for patients at high risk is recommended.", "contents": "Cross-matching assays of cell-mediated immunity for transplant patients. Assays of cell-mediated immunity before transplantation were performed on 34 patients who were defined as being at high risk by the presence of preformed lymphocytotoxic antibodies and/or HL-A incompatibilities at FOUR locus. Assays for cell-mediated lympholysis type I (cml I) were performed in donor serum, and for CML II in recipient serum, to assess the possible effect of blocking factors in the patients' sera. A positive (greater than 5% specific Cr release) and in particular a greater than 10% Cr release correlated strongly with graft rejection. The correlation between CML II and graft survival was unimpressive. No clinically beneficial blocking factor was demonstrable in the patients's sera in that 5 of 6 patients with a positive CML I but a negative CML II rejected their grafts. Conversely, 6 of 8 patients with a positive CML II and a negative CML I had excellent long-term courses. The use of CML I assay in the selection of grafts for patients at high risk is recommended.", "PMID": 785619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6966", "title": "HL-A and cadaver kidney transplantation. 7-year experience at Johannesburg General Hospital.", "content": "The role of HL-A matching in the clinical outcome of 159 consecutive first cadaver renal allografts at the Johannesburg General Hospital has been analysed over a 7-year period, April 1968-May 1975. Over-all actuarial graft survival was 69% at 1 year and 57% at 7 years. When all cases were considered together there was a trend towards improved graft survival with better grades of matching, but this was not statistically significant. Presensitisation had an adverse effect on graft survival. Donor-recipient combinations with no demonstrable FOUR locus mismatches provided a significantly superior graft survival rate of 82% 1-6 years after transplantation. The majority of these compatible for HL-A 7, 8 OR 12, and therefore may have been matched indirectly for lymphocyte activating determinants. Relatively inferior graft survival was observed with FOUR locus incompatibility in patients who had been presensitised, and when donor-recipient combinations had no serologically determined antigens in common, particularly in the donor \"full house\" situation. Despite these unfavourable immunogenetic circumstances, approximately 50% of grafts functioned well for long periods, and not infrequently clinical considerations took precedence over immunological considerations in the selection of recipients. This policy is justified by over-all results, the critical shortage of cadaver organs in relation to clinical requirements and the rare occurrence of combinations with superior HL-A matching. Specific allograft tolerance remains the goal of clinical organ transplantation.", "contents": "HL-A and cadaver kidney transplantation. 7-year experience at Johannesburg General Hospital. The role of HL-A matching in the clinical outcome of 159 consecutive first cadaver renal allografts at the Johannesburg General Hospital has been analysed over a 7-year period, April 1968-May 1975. Over-all actuarial graft survival was 69% at 1 year and 57% at 7 years. When all cases were considered together there was a trend towards improved graft survival with better grades of matching, but this was not statistically significant. Presensitisation had an adverse effect on graft survival. Donor-recipient combinations with no demonstrable FOUR locus mismatches provided a significantly superior graft survival rate of 82% 1-6 years after transplantation. The majority of these compatible for HL-A 7, 8 OR 12, and therefore may have been matched indirectly for lymphocyte activating determinants. Relatively inferior graft survival was observed with FOUR locus incompatibility in patients who had been presensitised, and when donor-recipient combinations had no serologically determined antigens in common, particularly in the donor \"full house\" situation. Despite these unfavourable immunogenetic circumstances, approximately 50% of grafts functioned well for long periods, and not infrequently clinical considerations took precedence over immunological considerations in the selection of recipients. This policy is justified by over-all results, the critical shortage of cadaver organs in relation to clinical requirements and the rare occurrence of combinations with superior HL-A matching. Specific allograft tolerance remains the goal of clinical organ transplantation.", "PMID": 785620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6967", "title": "Coagulation studies in long-term survivors after renal allograft transplantation.", "content": "Screening coagulation studies were carried out on 69 long-term survivors who had received renal allografts. Fibrinogen levels were significantly raised in this group. Factor VIII activity was increased in 7 of the 11 patients studied. Six long-term survivors of renal allografts demonstrated arterial thrombotic phenomena. The onset of the thrombotic episode occurred at a relatively young age. It is considered that the hypercoagulable state may contribute to the observed increased tendency towards arterial thrombotic phenomena.", "contents": "Coagulation studies in long-term survivors after renal allograft transplantation. Screening coagulation studies were carried out on 69 long-term survivors who had received renal allografts. Fibrinogen levels were significantly raised in this group. Factor VIII activity was increased in 7 of the 11 patients studied. Six long-term survivors of renal allografts demonstrated arterial thrombotic phenomena. The onset of the thrombotic episode occurred at a relatively young age. It is considered that the hypercoagulable state may contribute to the observed increased tendency towards arterial thrombotic phenomena.", "PMID": 785621} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6968", "title": "Pregnancy in renal transplant recipients.", "content": "Of the 48 female patients attending the outpatient clinic of the Johannesburg General Hospital Transplant Unit between January 1971 and December 1974, 10 became pregnant. Fifteen pregnancies were recorded, 6 of which ended in abortions. Ten infants were born from the remaining 9 pregnancies and 4 (40%) died in the neonatal period. The main cause of neonatal death was prematurity. One major congenital anomaly, a diaphragmatic hernia, was found. Maternal complications were mild and easily controlled, urinary infection being the commonest. One patient showed a moderate reduction in renal function. Obstruction of labour by the transplanted kidney was not encountered, and the two Caesarean sections were performed for obstetrical reasons unrelated to the renal transplant.", "contents": "Pregnancy in renal transplant recipients. Of the 48 female patients attending the outpatient clinic of the Johannesburg General Hospital Transplant Unit between January 1971 and December 1974, 10 became pregnant. Fifteen pregnancies were recorded, 6 of which ended in abortions. Ten infants were born from the remaining 9 pregnancies and 4 (40%) died in the neonatal period. The main cause of neonatal death was prematurity. One major congenital anomaly, a diaphragmatic hernia, was found. Maternal complications were mild and easily controlled, urinary infection being the commonest. One patient showed a moderate reduction in renal function. Obstruction of labour by the transplanted kidney was not encountered, and the two Caesarean sections were performed for obstetrical reasons unrelated to the renal transplant.", "PMID": 785622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6969", "title": "Hyperlipidaemia in renal transplant patients.", "content": "The prevalence, nature and possible aetiology of post-transplantation hyperlipidaemia were studied in 94 renal allograft recipients. Sixty-five per cent of the group had hypercholesterolaemia or hypertriglyceridaemia, and types IIb and IV were the commonest forms of hyperlipoproteinaemia encountered. The pathogenesis of post-transplantation hyperlipidaemia is complex. Hypertriglyceridaemia was maximal in the first year after transplantation and could be correlated with high corticosteroid dosage during this period. Thereafter hypertriglyceridaemia was less marked and was related to obesity, corbohydrate intolerance and basal insulin levels. Mean cholesterol levels were elevated throughout the post-transplantation period, varied little and could not be related to corticosteroid dosage, body weight, carbohydrate intolerance, basal insulin levels or renal dysfunction.", "contents": "Hyperlipidaemia in renal transplant patients. The prevalence, nature and possible aetiology of post-transplantation hyperlipidaemia were studied in 94 renal allograft recipients. Sixty-five per cent of the group had hypercholesterolaemia or hypertriglyceridaemia, and types IIb and IV were the commonest forms of hyperlipoproteinaemia encountered. The pathogenesis of post-transplantation hyperlipidaemia is complex. Hypertriglyceridaemia was maximal in the first year after transplantation and could be correlated with high corticosteroid dosage during this period. Thereafter hypertriglyceridaemia was less marked and was related to obesity, corbohydrate intolerance and basal insulin levels. Mean cholesterol levels were elevated throughout the post-transplantation period, varied little and could not be related to corticosteroid dosage, body weight, carbohydrate intolerance, basal insulin levels or renal dysfunction.", "PMID": 785623} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6970", "title": "Angiography after renal homotransplantation.", "content": "The role of angiography in the investigation of problems encountered among 181 patients who received renal transplants at the Johannesburg General Hospital is analysed. In all, 23 patients underwent arteriography or venography after transplantation for the investigation of problems such as renal dysfunction, hypertension and suspected renal vein or iliofemoral venous thrombosis.", "contents": "Angiography after renal homotransplantation. The role of angiography in the investigation of problems encountered among 181 patients who received renal transplants at the Johannesburg General Hospital is analysed. In all, 23 patients underwent arteriography or venography after transplantation for the investigation of problems such as renal dysfunction, hypertension and suspected renal vein or iliofemoral venous thrombosis.", "PMID": 785624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6971", "title": "Kaposi's sarcoma in an immunosuppressed renal allograft recipient.", "content": "A 47-year-old White man developed a buccal Kaposi's sarcoma 15 months after receiving a renal allograft. Atypical clinical and histological features were noted. A previous viral infection might have played a role in the occurrence of this patient's tumour but other possibilities of tumour induction in the immunosuppressed host are discussed. Although the condition is lethal when diagnosed after renal transplantation, this case report demonstrates that prompt diagnosis and radiotherapy may result in permanent cure.", "contents": "Kaposi's sarcoma in an immunosuppressed renal allograft recipient. A 47-year-old White man developed a buccal Kaposi's sarcoma 15 months after receiving a renal allograft. Atypical clinical and histological features were noted. A previous viral infection might have played a role in the occurrence of this patient's tumour but other possibilities of tumour induction in the immunosuppressed host are discussed. Although the condition is lethal when diagnosed after renal transplantation, this case report demonstrates that prompt diagnosis and radiotherapy may result in permanent cure.", "PMID": 785625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6972", "title": "Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection in a renal allograft recipient.", "content": "A patient who had received a renal allograft required intensive immunosuppression for a severe rejection episode. Four months after the graft he died of septicaemia and respiratory failure caused indirectly by a Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection. Patients from endemic areas who are to undergo a renal transplant should be screened for the parasite before receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Should this infection occur after transplantation, early diagnosis and treatment with thiabendazole is essential to prevent the high mortality rate associated with Strongyloides hyperinfection.", "contents": "Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection in a renal allograft recipient. A patient who had received a renal allograft required intensive immunosuppression for a severe rejection episode. Four months after the graft he died of septicaemia and respiratory failure caused indirectly by a Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection. Patients from endemic areas who are to undergo a renal transplant should be screened for the parasite before receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Should this infection occur after transplantation, early diagnosis and treatment with thiabendazole is essential to prevent the high mortality rate associated with Strongyloides hyperinfection.", "PMID": 785626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6973", "title": "Factors affecting plaque formation by Candida albicans infecting the chick chorio-allantoic membrane.", "content": "The numbers of plaques formed by Candida albicans in replicate inocula on the chick chorio--allantoic membrane (CAM) was not related to the size of the inocula. Washing the CAM with saline 1 h after inoculation recovered only 10% of the inoculum. After 5 h cells could not be recovered by washing. By contrast, counts on serial dilutions of homofenised eggs after inoculation showed that the organisms had retained their viability within the egg. Failure of the inoculum to recover in spite of survival of the organisms appears to be due to adhesion of the inoculum to the CAM and cohesion of the inoculum to form clumps. We suggest that clumps of a least 20 organism are needed to stimulate the CAM to proliferate and produce visible plaques. The clumping is random and this accounts for the variation in the number of plaques. The production of plaques by the CAM may depend on the clumping of a sufficient number of organisms to produce a critical concentration of extra-cellular enzymes which aid penetration of the CAM by the invading hyphae. The relevance of this to the lesions of mucocutaneous candidiasis has been considered.", "contents": "Factors affecting plaque formation by Candida albicans infecting the chick chorio-allantoic membrane. The numbers of plaques formed by Candida albicans in replicate inocula on the chick chorio--allantoic membrane (CAM) was not related to the size of the inocula. Washing the CAM with saline 1 h after inoculation recovered only 10% of the inoculum. After 5 h cells could not be recovered by washing. By contrast, counts on serial dilutions of homofenised eggs after inoculation showed that the organisms had retained their viability within the egg. Failure of the inoculum to recover in spite of survival of the organisms appears to be due to adhesion of the inoculum to the CAM and cohesion of the inoculum to form clumps. We suggest that clumps of a least 20 organism are needed to stimulate the CAM to proliferate and produce visible plaques. The clumping is random and this accounts for the variation in the number of plaques. The production of plaques by the CAM may depend on the clumping of a sufficient number of organisms to produce a critical concentration of extra-cellular enzymes which aid penetration of the CAM by the invading hyphae. The relevance of this to the lesions of mucocutaneous candidiasis has been considered.", "PMID": 785627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6974", "title": "Vaccine and Mycostatin in treatment of cryptococcosis of the respiratory tract.", "content": "Three cases of respiratory crytococcosis are described, one diagnosed only after thoracotomy and two after cytology. All were confirmed by cultures, biological and biochemical tests. The patients are alive and well 14 years, 5 years, and 5 years after treatment with crytococcal vaccines and mycostatin. Vaccines proved very effective when given intradermally in small doses and no dangerous reactions were encountered. Cytology of the sputum appears to be a very useful tool in diagnosis of fungal infections of the respiratory tract, especially when supravital staining is used. Difficulties in diagnosis, treatment, and significance of positive sputum findings are discussed.", "contents": "Vaccine and Mycostatin in treatment of cryptococcosis of the respiratory tract. Three cases of respiratory crytococcosis are described, one diagnosed only after thoracotomy and two after cytology. All were confirmed by cultures, biological and biochemical tests. The patients are alive and well 14 years, 5 years, and 5 years after treatment with crytococcal vaccines and mycostatin. Vaccines proved very effective when given intradermally in small doses and no dangerous reactions were encountered. Cytology of the sputum appears to be a very useful tool in diagnosis of fungal infections of the respiratory tract, especially when supravital staining is used. Difficulties in diagnosis, treatment, and significance of positive sputum findings are discussed.", "PMID": 785628} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6975", "title": "Atigenic similarity between Ceratocystis species and Sporothrix schenckii as observed by immunofluorescence.", "content": "Antigenic properties of Sporothrix schenckiii and 2 species of Ceratocystis (C. stenoceras and C. ulmi) were compared by indirect immunofluorescent staining technique. Both species of Ceratocystis and 2 strains of S. schenckii reacted equally well with the unabsorbed antisera against 2 strains of S. schenckii, indicating that these three species share common antigen. The absorption experiments showed that only S. schencki human strain demonstrated a unique antigen. These results support the hypothesis of Ceratocystis-Sporothrix complex in the point that both species have one major common antigen.", "contents": "Atigenic similarity between Ceratocystis species and Sporothrix schenckii as observed by immunofluorescence. Antigenic properties of Sporothrix schenckiii and 2 species of Ceratocystis (C. stenoceras and C. ulmi) were compared by indirect immunofluorescent staining technique. Both species of Ceratocystis and 2 strains of S. schenckii reacted equally well with the unabsorbed antisera against 2 strains of S. schenckii, indicating that these three species share common antigen. The absorption experiments showed that only S. schencki human strain demonstrated a unique antigen. These results support the hypothesis of Ceratocystis-Sporothrix complex in the point that both species have one major common antigen.", "PMID": 785629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6976", "title": "Pulmonary embolism.", "content": "Pulmonary embolism is a common and often fatal postoperative complication. Dyspnea is the most common clinical manifestation in pulmonary embolism, and other signs are frequently inconsistent and often vague. The chest film and electrocardiogram may be helpful in excluding other cardiorespiratory diseases but they are frequently unreliable in establishing an objective diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Documentation of a decreased arterial saturation provides suggestive evidence of pulmonary embolism. Lung scanning is a safe, sensitive procedure for the initial evaluation of symtoms suggestive of pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary arteriography may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis in certain patients. Anticoagulation is effective in the prevention and treatment of pulmonary embolism and proves successful in the vast majority of patients. Emboli that are not fatal gradually resolve in the pulmonary circulation. Vena caval interruption is occasionally beneficial in selected patients, especially those with septic emboli and cor pulmonale, but should only be performed when the indications are quite clear. Under certain selected circumstances pulmonary embolectomy may be indicated. Patients with massive embolism occluding more than one-half of the pulmonary arterial system and prooducing a markedly elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and severe hypoxemia may die in acute right heart failure. Intractable shock unresponsive to aggressive medical therapy in these patients represents an indication for pulmonary embolectomy. The hazards of these surgical procedures demand that a definite diagnosis of pulmonary embolism be made and a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment should be followed in all patients with the disorder.", "contents": "Pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism is a common and often fatal postoperative complication. Dyspnea is the most common clinical manifestation in pulmonary embolism, and other signs are frequently inconsistent and often vague. The chest film and electrocardiogram may be helpful in excluding other cardiorespiratory diseases but they are frequently unreliable in establishing an objective diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Documentation of a decreased arterial saturation provides suggestive evidence of pulmonary embolism. Lung scanning is a safe, sensitive procedure for the initial evaluation of symtoms suggestive of pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary arteriography may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis in certain patients. Anticoagulation is effective in the prevention and treatment of pulmonary embolism and proves successful in the vast majority of patients. Emboli that are not fatal gradually resolve in the pulmonary circulation. Vena caval interruption is occasionally beneficial in selected patients, especially those with septic emboli and cor pulmonale, but should only be performed when the indications are quite clear. Under certain selected circumstances pulmonary embolectomy may be indicated. Patients with massive embolism occluding more than one-half of the pulmonary arterial system and prooducing a markedly elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and severe hypoxemia may die in acute right heart failure. Intractable shock unresponsive to aggressive medical therapy in these patients represents an indication for pulmonary embolectomy. The hazards of these surgical procedures demand that a definite diagnosis of pulmonary embolism be made and a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment should be followed in all patients with the disorder.", "PMID": 785636} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6977", "title": "In vivo evaluation of nylon suture material by the scanning electron microscope.", "content": "Sixty common carotid arteries in rats were divided and anastomosed with four needles that differed in suture to needle diameter ratios. Scanning electron microscopic observations of the suture revealed endothelial bridges with associated fibrin, platelets and leukocytes arising from needle holes to adhere to the sutures within two hours of anastomosis. These earliest reported observations of suture endothelialization merit further investigation regarding the possibility of an arterial thrombosis occurring after suture.", "contents": "In vivo evaluation of nylon suture material by the scanning electron microscope. Sixty common carotid arteries in rats were divided and anastomosed with four needles that differed in suture to needle diameter ratios. Scanning electron microscopic observations of the suture revealed endothelial bridges with associated fibrin, platelets and leukocytes arising from needle holes to adhere to the sutures within two hours of anastomosis. These earliest reported observations of suture endothelialization merit further investigation regarding the possibility of an arterial thrombosis occurring after suture.", "PMID": 785639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6978", "title": "The role of gastrin in the treatment of sliding hiatal hernia with reflux using the reefing method of fundoplication.", "content": "Findings in this study correlated a low circulating gastrin level with an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter mechanism and abnormal reflux. Such reflux, in amounts causing esophagitis distally, was treated surgically by a mechanically simple method of fundoplication. The success of this reefing method of fundoplication was explained by using physiologically active sling fibers of the gastric fundus to augment the lower esophageal sphincter. Available gastrin was used more effectively in this manner. The high incidence of associated foregut diseases suggested an embryologic factor in the development of gastroesophageal reflux. The dilated hiatus and its attendant hernia had no apparent relationship to the development of reflux esophagitis. The term symptomatic sliding hiatal hernia, therefore, seemed to be a diagnostic and therapeutic misnomer.", "contents": "The role of gastrin in the treatment of sliding hiatal hernia with reflux using the reefing method of fundoplication. Findings in this study correlated a low circulating gastrin level with an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter mechanism and abnormal reflux. Such reflux, in amounts causing esophagitis distally, was treated surgically by a mechanically simple method of fundoplication. The success of this reefing method of fundoplication was explained by using physiologically active sling fibers of the gastric fundus to augment the lower esophageal sphincter. Available gastrin was used more effectively in this manner. The high incidence of associated foregut diseases suggested an embryologic factor in the development of gastroesophageal reflux. The dilated hiatus and its attendant hernia had no apparent relationship to the development of reflux esophagitis. The term symptomatic sliding hiatal hernia, therefore, seemed to be a diagnostic and therapeutic misnomer.", "PMID": 785638} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6979", "title": "Experience in the application of the transconjunctival route for surgical exposure in the orbital region.", "content": "The transconjunctival approach for surgical exploration of the orbital region is a simple, direct and uncomplicated method. It is in accordance with the desired goals of the surgeon, which is the avoidance of a conspicuous incision. Usually, the resulting scar is barely noticeable. This special approach can be used for a variety of clinical problems. A small number of complications may arise through the use of the transconjunctival approach, but with experience, appropriate maneuvers can be learned to avoid these minor problems. The transconjunctival approach to the orbital region should be used in carefully selected patients by those physicians who are well acquainted with the surgical anatomy of the orbit.", "contents": "Experience in the application of the transconjunctival route for surgical exposure in the orbital region. The transconjunctival approach for surgical exploration of the orbital region is a simple, direct and uncomplicated method. It is in accordance with the desired goals of the surgeon, which is the avoidance of a conspicuous incision. Usually, the resulting scar is barely noticeable. This special approach can be used for a variety of clinical problems. A small number of complications may arise through the use of the transconjunctival approach, but with experience, appropriate maneuvers can be learned to avoid these minor problems. The transconjunctival approach to the orbital region should be used in carefully selected patients by those physicians who are well acquainted with the surgical anatomy of the orbit.", "PMID": 785640} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6980", "title": "The high incidence of persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism after renal homotransplantation.", "content": "Sixty-eight patients were observed for a period of up to seven years after transplantation. Serum parathyroid hormone levels were measured in 41 patients; 17 patients had persistent hypercalcemia for a period of from one to seven years. Serum parathyroid hormone levels were elevated in seven of these 17 patients. Serum parathyroid hormone was elevated in 11 of the other 24 patients with normocalcemia. The function of the kidney was not affected either by the state of hypercalcemia or persistent hyperparathyroidism. Aseptic necrosis was significantly present in those of the hypercalcemic group. It is suggested that persistent hypercalcemia is an important precipitating, if not the main, cause of an aseptic necrotic condition of the bones.", "contents": "The high incidence of persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism after renal homotransplantation. Sixty-eight patients were observed for a period of up to seven years after transplantation. Serum parathyroid hormone levels were measured in 41 patients; 17 patients had persistent hypercalcemia for a period of from one to seven years. Serum parathyroid hormone levels were elevated in seven of these 17 patients. Serum parathyroid hormone was elevated in 11 of the other 24 patients with normocalcemia. The function of the kidney was not affected either by the state of hypercalcemia or persistent hyperparathyroidism. Aseptic necrosis was significantly present in those of the hypercalcemic group. It is suggested that persistent hypercalcemia is an important precipitating, if not the main, cause of an aseptic necrotic condition of the bones.", "PMID": 785641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6981", "title": "Technique for operation upon recurrent varicose veins.", "content": "At the time of a secondary operation, every effort should be made to avoid scar tissue from the previous operation. The procedure is relatively simple, if carried out through clean tissue. If an attempt is made to mobilize an incompetent saphenofemoral junction through scar tissue, the procedure can be time-consuming and exceedingly difficult because of the thick scar tissue and thin, friable recurrent varices. In the majority of secondary operations, it was found that the long saphenous vein had not been ligated flush with the femoral vein. In some patients, the long saphenous vein had been ligated properly, but the short saphenous vein or incompetent perforators had been missed. If all venous insufficiency is eliminated at its source, the surgical result should be excellent. Any postoperative residual varices can be eliminated by injections of sclerosing solution. Annual examinations are essential so that if any new varices appear, they can be obliterated by injections.", "contents": "Technique for operation upon recurrent varicose veins. At the time of a secondary operation, every effort should be made to avoid scar tissue from the previous operation. The procedure is relatively simple, if carried out through clean tissue. If an attempt is made to mobilize an incompetent saphenofemoral junction through scar tissue, the procedure can be time-consuming and exceedingly difficult because of the thick scar tissue and thin, friable recurrent varices. In the majority of secondary operations, it was found that the long saphenous vein had not been ligated flush with the femoral vein. In some patients, the long saphenous vein had been ligated properly, but the short saphenous vein or incompetent perforators had been missed. If all venous insufficiency is eliminated at its source, the surgical result should be excellent. Any postoperative residual varices can be eliminated by injections of sclerosing solution. Annual examinations are essential so that if any new varices appear, they can be obliterated by injections.", "PMID": 785642} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6982", "title": "Acute respiratory failure and intravascular coagulation.", "content": "The possible association between acute respiratory failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation was examined in eight patients with severe acute respiratory failure--a condition characterized by tachypnea, right to left intrapulmonary shunting of blood greater than 30 per cent of cardiac output, increased pulmonary artery pressure with low or normal pulmonary artery wedge pressure and roentgenologic interstitial pulmonary edema. Treatment consisted of mechanical ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure sufficient to minimize intrapulmonary shunting. There was no abnormality in platelet concentration fibrin split product concentration, fibrinogen concentration, prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time during the period of most severe respiratory failure in any patient. However, mean platelet concentration fell to 90,000+/-9,000 per cubic millimeter, less than 0.001, and mean fibrin split product levels rose to 60+/-10 micrograms per milliliter, p less than 0.05, the fourth day after the onset of acute respiratory failure. No significant change occurred in other coagulation parameters. Disseminated intravascular coagulation developed in none of the patients nor was there any correlation between coagulation abnormalities and severity of acute respiratory failure that would suggest a cause and effect relationship.", "contents": "Acute respiratory failure and intravascular coagulation. The possible association between acute respiratory failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation was examined in eight patients with severe acute respiratory failure--a condition characterized by tachypnea, right to left intrapulmonary shunting of blood greater than 30 per cent of cardiac output, increased pulmonary artery pressure with low or normal pulmonary artery wedge pressure and roentgenologic interstitial pulmonary edema. Treatment consisted of mechanical ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure sufficient to minimize intrapulmonary shunting. There was no abnormality in platelet concentration fibrin split product concentration, fibrinogen concentration, prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time during the period of most severe respiratory failure in any patient. However, mean platelet concentration fell to 90,000+/-9,000 per cubic millimeter, less than 0.001, and mean fibrin split product levels rose to 60+/-10 micrograms per milliliter, p less than 0.05, the fourth day after the onset of acute respiratory failure. No significant change occurred in other coagulation parameters. Disseminated intravascular coagulation developed in none of the patients nor was there any correlation between coagulation abnormalities and severity of acute respiratory failure that would suggest a cause and effect relationship.", "PMID": 785644} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6983", "title": "A rationale for intraperitoneally administered antibiotic therapy.", "content": "A satisfactory clinical response occurred in 96.7 per cent of 210 patients with proved bacterial peritonitis following appropriate surgical intervention and an antimicrobial regimen of 1 per cent cephalothin administered intraperitoneally, with supplementary antibiotics as indicated. Instillation of cephalothin achieves the therapeutic benefits of high intraperitoneal levels with an antibiotic of broad activity and minimum toxicity and permits flexibility in the choice of additional antimicrobial therapy. Adjuvant therapy with cephalothin did not result in peritoneal adhesions or significant abdominal pain. Clinical experience suggests that it may promote healing of anastomotic leaks. The results of this study indicate that intraperitoneally administered cephalothin is a significant factor in lowering the death rate in peritonitis.", "contents": "A rationale for intraperitoneally administered antibiotic therapy. A satisfactory clinical response occurred in 96.7 per cent of 210 patients with proved bacterial peritonitis following appropriate surgical intervention and an antimicrobial regimen of 1 per cent cephalothin administered intraperitoneally, with supplementary antibiotics as indicated. Instillation of cephalothin achieves the therapeutic benefits of high intraperitoneal levels with an antibiotic of broad activity and minimum toxicity and permits flexibility in the choice of additional antimicrobial therapy. Adjuvant therapy with cephalothin did not result in peritoneal adhesions or significant abdominal pain. Clinical experience suggests that it may promote healing of anastomotic leaks. The results of this study indicate that intraperitoneally administered cephalothin is a significant factor in lowering the death rate in peritonitis.", "PMID": 785645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6984", "title": "Continuous positive airway pressure in the prophylaxis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome.", "content": "After an operation upon the abdomen, certain patients have a high risk of developing acute respiratory failure or the adult respiratory distress syndrome. These patients at high risk have been mechanically ventilated during the postoperative period in an attempt to prevent the onset of respiratory insufficiency. As a method of prophylaxis, continuous positive airway pressure has the advantages of increasing the functional residual capacity with minimal effects on the cardiac output, low potential for barotrauma and simplicity of equipment. Alternate patients at risk following an operation on the upper part of the abdomen were placed on 8 centimeters of water continuous positive airway pressure for the first 24 hours postoperatively. Fifty-six controls and 56 patients receiving continuous positive airway pressure were studied. In ten controls, adult respiratory distress syndrome developed, and three died in respiratory failure. Only one of the group receiving continuous positive airway pressure met standard criteria for the diagnosis of adult respiratory distress syndrome. In addition, in 25 patients serving as controls, respiratory complications other than adult respiratory distress syndrome developed compared with the development in only 11 receiving continuous positive airway pressure9", "contents": "Continuous positive airway pressure in the prophylaxis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome. After an operation upon the abdomen, certain patients have a high risk of developing acute respiratory failure or the adult respiratory distress syndrome. These patients at high risk have been mechanically ventilated during the postoperative period in an attempt to prevent the onset of respiratory insufficiency. As a method of prophylaxis, continuous positive airway pressure has the advantages of increasing the functional residual capacity with minimal effects on the cardiac output, low potential for barotrauma and simplicity of equipment. Alternate patients at risk following an operation on the upper part of the abdomen were placed on 8 centimeters of water continuous positive airway pressure for the first 24 hours postoperatively. Fifty-six controls and 56 patients receiving continuous positive airway pressure were studied. In ten controls, adult respiratory distress syndrome developed, and three died in respiratory failure. Only one of the group receiving continuous positive airway pressure met standard criteria for the diagnosis of adult respiratory distress syndrome. In addition, in 25 patients serving as controls, respiratory complications other than adult respiratory distress syndrome developed compared with the development in only 11 receiving continuous positive airway pressure9", "PMID": 785646} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6985", "title": "Single layer anastomosis in the gastrointestinal tract.", "content": "Anastomotic leakage, often followed by serious morbidity or death, is an important complication of resection of the intestine. If surgical technique and judgment are sound, anastomotic leakage seldom occurs. In 205 elective, single layer anastomoses of stomach to duodenum, of small intestine, of colon and of colorectum, clinically apparent leakage did not occur except in one of 52 patients after colorectal anastomosis. After resection of the intestine performed as an emergency procedure, anastomotic leakage occurred but was infrequent and could clearly be attributed to poor judgment or technique. The results are presented to support a conviction that anastomotic leakage need seldom occur if surgical technique and judgment are sound and to draw attention anew to the efficacy and safety of single layer anastomosis.", "contents": "Single layer anastomosis in the gastrointestinal tract. Anastomotic leakage, often followed by serious morbidity or death, is an important complication of resection of the intestine. If surgical technique and judgment are sound, anastomotic leakage seldom occurs. In 205 elective, single layer anastomoses of stomach to duodenum, of small intestine, of colon and of colorectum, clinically apparent leakage did not occur except in one of 52 patients after colorectal anastomosis. After resection of the intestine performed as an emergency procedure, anastomotic leakage occurred but was infrequent and could clearly be attributed to poor judgment or technique. The results are presented to support a conviction that anastomotic leakage need seldom occur if surgical technique and judgment are sound and to draw attention anew to the efficacy and safety of single layer anastomosis.", "PMID": 785647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6986", "title": "Modification of the Hill technique for repair of hiatal hernia.", "content": "The major modification of this technique allows accurate placement of sutures through the median arcuate ligament and eliminates the dissection required to expose the aorta at the origin of the celiac artery. Use of a separate row of sutures to create a sling at the esophagogastric junction maintains the desired intraluminal diameter when the esophagogastric junction is secured to the median arcuate ligament.", "contents": "Modification of the Hill technique for repair of hiatal hernia. The major modification of this technique allows accurate placement of sutures through the median arcuate ligament and eliminates the dissection required to expose the aorta at the origin of the celiac artery. Use of a separate row of sutures to create a sling at the esophagogastric junction maintains the desired intraluminal diameter when the esophagogastric junction is secured to the median arcuate ligament.", "PMID": 785649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6987", "title": "Some fundamental applications of the Law of La Place in Neurosurgery.", "content": "The Law of La Place is a simple principle of physics, applicable to any fluid-filled vessel, relating stress on the wall of the vessel to the radius and transmural pressure. This principle has major implications for neurosurgery and examples are provided relating La Place's Principle to the genesis and treatment of hydrocephalus, the surgical clipping of cerebral aneurysms and the technic of surgical sponge hemostatis.", "contents": "Some fundamental applications of the Law of La Place in Neurosurgery. The Law of La Place is a simple principle of physics, applicable to any fluid-filled vessel, relating stress on the wall of the vessel to the radius and transmural pressure. This principle has major implications for neurosurgery and examples are provided relating La Place's Principle to the genesis and treatment of hydrocephalus, the surgical clipping of cerebral aneurysms and the technic of surgical sponge hemostatis.", "PMID": 785651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6988", "title": "Anterior anastomosis of the rectosigmoid colon: an experimental study.", "content": "Leakage in anastomoses below the peritoneal reflection after resection of the upper rectum and lower sigmoid colon has been studied in an experimental model in the dog. With blood alone or with blood and E. coli in the pelvis about the anastomosis, there was no significant increase in the frequency of leakage. With dead space about the anastomosis created by removal of pelvic fat and anterior tacking of the prostate and urinary bladder to the abdominal wall to simulate the human subject with a wide removal of intestine, mesentery, and pelvic fat for carcinoma, there was a high incidence of leakage. When the dead space about the anastomosis was filled with a pedicle graft of viable omentum, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of leakage. In this model dead space about the low anastomosis limiting contact with viable tissue that could adhere to, seal off, and finally revascularize the endangered intestine seemed to be a major cause of leakage. A pedicle graft of viable omentum that filled the dead space reduced the chance of leakage.", "contents": "Anterior anastomosis of the rectosigmoid colon: an experimental study. Leakage in anastomoses below the peritoneal reflection after resection of the upper rectum and lower sigmoid colon has been studied in an experimental model in the dog. With blood alone or with blood and E. coli in the pelvis about the anastomosis, there was no significant increase in the frequency of leakage. With dead space about the anastomosis created by removal of pelvic fat and anterior tacking of the prostate and urinary bladder to the abdominal wall to simulate the human subject with a wide removal of intestine, mesentery, and pelvic fat for carcinoma, there was a high incidence of leakage. When the dead space about the anastomosis was filled with a pedicle graft of viable omentum, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of leakage. In this model dead space about the low anastomosis limiting contact with viable tissue that could adhere to, seal off, and finally revascularize the endangered intestine seemed to be a major cause of leakage. A pedicle graft of viable omentum that filled the dead space reduced the chance of leakage.", "PMID": 785655} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6989", "title": "Computer-based consultation in \"care\" of the critically ill patient.", "content": "Despite far-reaching progress in all areas of surgery, methods of medical data analysis and communication have not kept pace with the increased rate of data acquisition. The needs to organize and communicate these data and to provide a medium for continuing education are great in critical-care areas where the amount and the diversity of data collected are enormous, and the number of surgical team members involved in patient care has grown proportionately. The computer-based Clinical Assessment, Research, and Education System (CARE) is a time-shared computer system now available on a national basis designed to provide a management and education aid for the treatment of critically ill surgical patients. An initial clinical assessment and operative note are entered by the surgeon from which an estimation of the initial fluid, blood, and electrolyte deficits are calculated. Daily doctor's progress notes, shift nurses' summaries of vital signs, clinical information, intake and output data, and drug administration, biochemical, cardiovascular, blood gas, and respiratory information are entered for each shift. From these, a metabolic balance is calculated; fluid, electrolyte, and caloric requirements are determined; cardiorespiratory parameters are computed; and various therapuetic suggestions and cautions are given to alert the physician to problems that may be arising. The surgeon-user is assisted in making the best critical-care decisions through computer-directed, interactive prompting which focuses on the most important clinical conditions and correlations and metabolic considerations and relates the important problem to the relevant literature.", "contents": "Computer-based consultation in \"care\" of the critically ill patient. Despite far-reaching progress in all areas of surgery, methods of medical data analysis and communication have not kept pace with the increased rate of data acquisition. The needs to organize and communicate these data and to provide a medium for continuing education are great in critical-care areas where the amount and the diversity of data collected are enormous, and the number of surgical team members involved in patient care has grown proportionately. The computer-based Clinical Assessment, Research, and Education System (CARE) is a time-shared computer system now available on a national basis designed to provide a management and education aid for the treatment of critically ill surgical patients. An initial clinical assessment and operative note are entered by the surgeon from which an estimation of the initial fluid, blood, and electrolyte deficits are calculated. Daily doctor's progress notes, shift nurses' summaries of vital signs, clinical information, intake and output data, and drug administration, biochemical, cardiovascular, blood gas, and respiratory information are entered for each shift. From these, a metabolic balance is calculated; fluid, electrolyte, and caloric requirements are determined; cardiorespiratory parameters are computed; and various therapuetic suggestions and cautions are given to alert the physician to problems that may be arising. The surgeon-user is assisted in making the best critical-care decisions through computer-directed, interactive prompting which focuses on the most important clinical conditions and correlations and metabolic considerations and relates the important problem to the relevant literature.", "PMID": 785656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6990", "title": "Visually evoked potentials: theory, techniques and clinical applications.", "content": "The visually evoked potential (VEP), the recording of which has recently been made possible by the development of computer averaging techniques, is a gross electrical signal generated by the occipital region of the cortex in response to visual stimulation. It is more specific than the electroencephalogram (EEG) and more sensitive to changes in the visual stimulus; thus, it can provide ophthalmologists and vision researchers with information about the human visual system that is unavailable by other methods. Clinically, the VEP is of special value in the areas of refraction, infant acuity, diseases of the optic nerve, color blindness, amblyopia and field defects. Theory, techniques and instrumentation are described, and applications of the VEP to clinical situations and to vision research are discussed.", "contents": "Visually evoked potentials: theory, techniques and clinical applications. The visually evoked potential (VEP), the recording of which has recently been made possible by the development of computer averaging techniques, is a gross electrical signal generated by the occipital region of the cortex in response to visual stimulation. It is more specific than the electroencephalogram (EEG) and more sensitive to changes in the visual stimulus; thus, it can provide ophthalmologists and vision researchers with information about the human visual system that is unavailable by other methods. Clinically, the VEP is of special value in the areas of refraction, infant acuity, diseases of the optic nerve, color blindness, amblyopia and field defects. Theory, techniques and instrumentation are described, and applications of the VEP to clinical situations and to vision research are discussed.", "PMID": 785653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6991", "title": "Symbiosis in Paramecium Bursaria.", "content": "Paramecium bursaria normally appears green dut to several hundred symbiotic Chlorella which are dispersed throughout its cytoplasm. The symbionts are situated within individual vacuoles and these alga-vacuole complexes grow and divide at a rate compatible with that of the paramecium. The symbiotic units also persist through conjugation and the subsequent reorganization of the host. Studies of the benefit of the symbiosis to the ciliate hosts have shown that they are able to grow and survive better than aposymbiotic animals in environments deficient in bacteria. The symbionts are also able to extract nourishment from the host when it is well fed and they are deprived of light. The biochemical nature of these exchanges has not been determined. Potential symbionts usually enter the host in food vacuoles. If they are ingested in sufficient numbers, they are able to interfere with the normal course of host digestion, perhaps by preventing the release of digestive enzymes into the food vacuole. All natural symbionts of P. bursaria appear able to reinfect aposymbiotic cells. Some freeliving strains of Chlorella and related algae are also infective, but these associations are relatively unstable and provide little evident benefit to the host. Host susceptibility to infection by certain strains of free-living algae is invariably lost with time. This loss is specific and often rapid, but it does not occur simultaneously in subcultures derived from the original susceptible culture. The basis for these susceptibility changes is still unknown, but they may be related to long-lasting effect of the previous symbionts on the digestive efficiency of the paramecium host.", "contents": "Symbiosis in Paramecium Bursaria. Paramecium bursaria normally appears green dut to several hundred symbiotic Chlorella which are dispersed throughout its cytoplasm. The symbionts are situated within individual vacuoles and these alga-vacuole complexes grow and divide at a rate compatible with that of the paramecium. The symbiotic units also persist through conjugation and the subsequent reorganization of the host. Studies of the benefit of the symbiosis to the ciliate hosts have shown that they are able to grow and survive better than aposymbiotic animals in environments deficient in bacteria. The symbionts are also able to extract nourishment from the host when it is well fed and they are deprived of light. The biochemical nature of these exchanges has not been determined. Potential symbionts usually enter the host in food vacuoles. If they are ingested in sufficient numbers, they are able to interfere with the normal course of host digestion, perhaps by preventing the release of digestive enzymes into the food vacuole. All natural symbionts of P. bursaria appear able to reinfect aposymbiotic cells. Some freeliving strains of Chlorella and related algae are also infective, but these associations are relatively unstable and provide little evident benefit to the host. Host susceptibility to infection by certain strains of free-living algae is invariably lost with time. This loss is specific and often rapid, but it does not occur simultaneously in subcultures derived from the original susceptible culture. The basis for these susceptibility changes is still unknown, but they may be related to long-lasting effect of the previous symbionts on the digestive efficiency of the paramecium host.", "PMID": 785659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6992", "title": "Cystoid maculopathy.", "content": "Cystoid macular edema has become the most common and troublesome complication following cataract extraction. New techniques in cataract extraction, such as phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implants have not eliminated the problem, and careful studies are needed to determine whether they exacerbate or diminish it. Cystoid macular edema occurs in many areas of ophthalmology: cataract surgery, retinal surgery, uveitis, ocular tumors, diabetes, and arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Every ophthalmologist must, therefore, be thoroughly acquainted with methods for its recognition and with the inflammatory and vascular factors in its development. Prognosis and treatment are discussed, and the major gaps in our present understanding of pathogenesis are indicated, including the manner by which the vitreous changes following lens extraction lead to inflammation and the reason for the specific susceptibility of the mascular and disc capillaries to the inflammatory stimulus. Some hypotheses are presented.", "contents": "Cystoid maculopathy. Cystoid macular edema has become the most common and troublesome complication following cataract extraction. New techniques in cataract extraction, such as phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implants have not eliminated the problem, and careful studies are needed to determine whether they exacerbate or diminish it. Cystoid macular edema occurs in many areas of ophthalmology: cataract surgery, retinal surgery, uveitis, ocular tumors, diabetes, and arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Every ophthalmologist must, therefore, be thoroughly acquainted with methods for its recognition and with the inflammatory and vascular factors in its development. Prognosis and treatment are discussed, and the major gaps in our present understanding of pathogenesis are indicated, including the manner by which the vitreous changes following lens extraction lead to inflammation and the reason for the specific susceptibility of the mascular and disc capillaries to the inflammatory stimulus. Some hypotheses are presented.", "PMID": 785652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6993", "title": "Gentamicin in ophthalmology.", "content": "Gentamicin, widely used in the treatment of ocular infections, is discussed in terms of its chemical structure, effectiveness against various organisms, and pharmacology. Dosages and methods of administration are detailed and toxic effects, reversible and irreversible, are noted.", "contents": "Gentamicin in ophthalmology. Gentamicin, widely used in the treatment of ocular infections, is discussed in terms of its chemical structure, effectiveness against various organisms, and pharmacology. Dosages and methods of administration are detailed and toxic effects, reversible and irreversible, are noted.", "PMID": 785654} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6994", "title": "In vitro and in vivo functions of thrombin-treated platelets.", "content": "Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation has been generally believed to be irreversible. However, thrombin-induced aggregation of washed platelets is reversible if fibrin formation is prevented or the fibrin which binds the platelets together is removed from the platelet aggregates. After treatment with high concentrations of thrombin (0.5 units/ml) single platelets can be recovered that have lost practically all of their releasable serotonin and adenine nucleotides. These platelets are able to aggregate upon addition of low concentrations of ADP in the presence of fibrinogen. They aggregate in response to the ionophore A23, 187 in the absence of added fibrinogen, whereas sodium arachidonate-induced aggregation requires added fibrinogen. Thrombin-treated platelets change their shape in response to collagen in the absence of fibrinogen, and will aggregate upon the addition of collagen providing fibrinogen is present. This response to collagen can be blocked with aspirin but not with a mixture of creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase. Upon a second exposure to thrombin, thrombin-pretreated platelets do not change their shape and do not undergo aggregation. Thrombin-pretreated platelets will not retract a thrombin-induced fibrin clot unless ADP, sodium arachidonate, the ionophore A23, 187 or collagen are added together with thrombin. The ability of thrombin-treated platelets to adhere to the exposed subendothelial surface of the rabbit aorta is reduced, compared with untreated control platelets. The thrombin-treated platelets shorten the bleeding time of thrombocytopenic rabbits. However, the are not as effective in shortening the bleeding time as normal control platelets. When injected into rabbits with a normal platelet count, the thrombin-treated platelets that circulate after infusion survive for the same length of time as untreated control platelets. These findings indicate that thrombin-induced platelet aggregation with extensive release of granule constituents is not irreversible and that thrombin treatment does not cause irreversible damage of all platelets that would lead to their immediate elimination from the circulation. Furthermore, these platelets can still be haemostatically effective. It is conceivable that platelets that have lost their amine storage granule contents during a release reaction in vivo, such as may occur in certain cases of intravascular coagulation and repeated episodes of thrombosis, may be found in the circulation of man.", "contents": "In vitro and in vivo functions of thrombin-treated platelets. Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation has been generally believed to be irreversible. However, thrombin-induced aggregation of washed platelets is reversible if fibrin formation is prevented or the fibrin which binds the platelets together is removed from the platelet aggregates. After treatment with high concentrations of thrombin (0.5 units/ml) single platelets can be recovered that have lost practically all of their releasable serotonin and adenine nucleotides. These platelets are able to aggregate upon addition of low concentrations of ADP in the presence of fibrinogen. They aggregate in response to the ionophore A23, 187 in the absence of added fibrinogen, whereas sodium arachidonate-induced aggregation requires added fibrinogen. Thrombin-treated platelets change their shape in response to collagen in the absence of fibrinogen, and will aggregate upon the addition of collagen providing fibrinogen is present. This response to collagen can be blocked with aspirin but not with a mixture of creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase. Upon a second exposure to thrombin, thrombin-pretreated platelets do not change their shape and do not undergo aggregation. Thrombin-pretreated platelets will not retract a thrombin-induced fibrin clot unless ADP, sodium arachidonate, the ionophore A23, 187 or collagen are added together with thrombin. The ability of thrombin-treated platelets to adhere to the exposed subendothelial surface of the rabbit aorta is reduced, compared with untreated control platelets. The thrombin-treated platelets shorten the bleeding time of thrombocytopenic rabbits. However, the are not as effective in shortening the bleeding time as normal control platelets. When injected into rabbits with a normal platelet count, the thrombin-treated platelets that circulate after infusion survive for the same length of time as untreated control platelets. These findings indicate that thrombin-induced platelet aggregation with extensive release of granule constituents is not irreversible and that thrombin treatment does not cause irreversible damage of all platelets that would lead to their immediate elimination from the circulation. Furthermore, these platelets can still be haemostatically effective. It is conceivable that platelets that have lost their amine storage granule contents during a release reaction in vivo, such as may occur in certain cases of intravascular coagulation and repeated episodes of thrombosis, may be found in the circulation of man.", "PMID": 785686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6995", "title": "Lipids as triggering factors in thrombosis.", "content": "An association has been established between acute and more persistent changes in lipid metabolism as reflected in plasma lipids, and platelet lipid metabolism. Platelet function is affected, particularly the activity and availability of platelet factor 3, however, also other changes making the platelets more sensitive to aggregating substances without interfering with the lipid part of platelet factor 3, have been documented. Experimental studies have demonstrated an increased tendency to thrombosis in animals given a diet with a high fat content with a high ratio of saturated to polyunsaturated fatty acids. Studies in man have mainly established a connection between dietary fats, plasma lipid abnormalities and frequency of coronary heart disease and clinical studies more directly relating thrombosis to lipid metabolism is highly warranted. Many open questions remain to be answered. Probably most relevant would be to understand how the antithrombotic mechanisms in the body are affected by changes in lipid metabolism. Even if thrombotic lesions are very common events in the western world our knowledge based on laboratory and experimental studies should indicate a much higher incidence, solely based on interactions between lipids and platelets in subjects exposed to our dietary habits and our way of life.", "contents": "Lipids as triggering factors in thrombosis. An association has been established between acute and more persistent changes in lipid metabolism as reflected in plasma lipids, and platelet lipid metabolism. Platelet function is affected, particularly the activity and availability of platelet factor 3, however, also other changes making the platelets more sensitive to aggregating substances without interfering with the lipid part of platelet factor 3, have been documented. Experimental studies have demonstrated an increased tendency to thrombosis in animals given a diet with a high fat content with a high ratio of saturated to polyunsaturated fatty acids. Studies in man have mainly established a connection between dietary fats, plasma lipid abnormalities and frequency of coronary heart disease and clinical studies more directly relating thrombosis to lipid metabolism is highly warranted. Many open questions remain to be answered. Probably most relevant would be to understand how the antithrombotic mechanisms in the body are affected by changes in lipid metabolism. Even if thrombotic lesions are very common events in the western world our knowledge based on laboratory and experimental studies should indicate a much higher incidence, solely based on interactions between lipids and platelets in subjects exposed to our dietary habits and our way of life.", "PMID": 785687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6996", "title": "Clinical trials in thrombosis: secondary prevention of myocardial infarction.", "content": "Numerous in vivo and in vitro experiments, investigating the inhibition of platelet aggregation and the prevention of experimentally-induced thrombosis, suggest that anti-platelet drugs, such as aspirin or the combination of aspirin, and dipyridamole or sulfinpyrazone, may be effective anti-thrombotic agents in man. Since 1971, seven randomized prospective trials and two case-control studies have been referenced in the literature or are currently being conducted, which evaluate the effects of aspirin, sulfinpyrazone, or dipyridamole in combination with aspirin in the secondary prevention of myocardial infarction. A critical review of these trials indicates a range of evidence from no difference to a favorable trend that anti-platelet drugs may serve as anti-thrombotic agents in man. To date, a definitive answer concerning the therapeutic effects of these drugs in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease is not available.", "contents": "Clinical trials in thrombosis: secondary prevention of myocardial infarction. Numerous in vivo and in vitro experiments, investigating the inhibition of platelet aggregation and the prevention of experimentally-induced thrombosis, suggest that anti-platelet drugs, such as aspirin or the combination of aspirin, and dipyridamole or sulfinpyrazone, may be effective anti-thrombotic agents in man. Since 1971, seven randomized prospective trials and two case-control studies have been referenced in the literature or are currently being conducted, which evaluate the effects of aspirin, sulfinpyrazone, or dipyridamole in combination with aspirin in the secondary prevention of myocardial infarction. A critical review of these trials indicates a range of evidence from no difference to a favorable trend that anti-platelet drugs may serve as anti-thrombotic agents in man. To date, a definitive answer concerning the therapeutic effects of these drugs in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease is not available.", "PMID": 785688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6997", "title": "Streptokinase and urokinase in the treatment of pulmonary thromboemboli; from a national cooperative study.", "content": "In Phase I of this study of 160 patients with pulmonary embolism, it was demonstrated that of 12 hours of urokinase accelerated the resolution of pulmonary thromboemboli compared to heparin alone. Phase II compared 12 hours of urokinase, 24 hours of urokinase and 24 hours of streptokinase in 167 patients. All patients had a clinical history and angiographic diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Patients were randomly allocated to treatment. All physicians making patient observations were unaware of drug assignment. Resolution of the thromboembolism 24-30 hours after therapy had been instituted was determined by pulmonary angiography, lung perfusion scans and cardiopulmonary hemodynamics. Twenty-four hours of urokinase did not demonstrate greater clot resolution than 12 hours of urokinase. Twenty-four hours of urokinase resulted in greater improvement than streptokinase in lung perfusion scans, but not in angiograms. In patients with massive embolism, this difference was statistically significant. Hemodynamic differences varied. Bleeding complications and morbidity due to allergic reactions with streptokinase and urokinase were minimal. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality in the three threatment groups. From the Phase I and Phase II data it is reasonable to conclude that all three regimens of thrombolytic therapy are more effective than heparin alone in accelerating resolution of pulmonary emboli. Thrombolytic therapy offers the clinician an alternative to pulmonary embolectomy.", "contents": "Streptokinase and urokinase in the treatment of pulmonary thromboemboli; from a national cooperative study. In Phase I of this study of 160 patients with pulmonary embolism, it was demonstrated that of 12 hours of urokinase accelerated the resolution of pulmonary thromboemboli compared to heparin alone. Phase II compared 12 hours of urokinase, 24 hours of urokinase and 24 hours of streptokinase in 167 patients. All patients had a clinical history and angiographic diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Patients were randomly allocated to treatment. All physicians making patient observations were unaware of drug assignment. Resolution of the thromboembolism 24-30 hours after therapy had been instituted was determined by pulmonary angiography, lung perfusion scans and cardiopulmonary hemodynamics. Twenty-four hours of urokinase did not demonstrate greater clot resolution than 12 hours of urokinase. Twenty-four hours of urokinase resulted in greater improvement than streptokinase in lung perfusion scans, but not in angiograms. In patients with massive embolism, this difference was statistically significant. Hemodynamic differences varied. Bleeding complications and morbidity due to allergic reactions with streptokinase and urokinase were minimal. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality in the three threatment groups. From the Phase I and Phase II data it is reasonable to conclude that all three regimens of thrombolytic therapy are more effective than heparin alone in accelerating resolution of pulmonary emboli. Thrombolytic therapy offers the clinician an alternative to pulmonary embolectomy.", "PMID": 785689} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6998", "title": "[Scours due to eschierichia coli in piglets (author's transl)].", "content": "Mortality from scours caused by E. coli was observed among piglets on a pig breeding and multiplying farm in 't Zand over a considerable period. As the usual method of treatment failed to produce the desired results, E. coli vaccine was administered to a number of farrowing sows. Alle piglets born to vaccinated sows were reared without any problems, whereas a number of piglets of non-vaccinated sows died from scours caused by E. coli. Moreover, the growth of piglets of vaccinated sows was superior to that of piglets of non-vaccinated sows. An optimum vaccination programme is described.", "contents": "[Scours due to eschierichia coli in piglets (author's transl)]. Mortality from scours caused by E. coli was observed among piglets on a pig breeding and multiplying farm in 't Zand over a considerable period. As the usual method of treatment failed to produce the desired results, E. coli vaccine was administered to a number of farrowing sows. Alle piglets born to vaccinated sows were reared without any problems, whereas a number of piglets of non-vaccinated sows died from scours caused by E. coli. Moreover, the growth of piglets of vaccinated sows was superior to that of piglets of non-vaccinated sows. An optimum vaccination programme is described.", "PMID": 785692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_6999", "title": "Fibrin degradation products in renal diseases.", "content": "Levels of serum fibrin degradation products (FDP) were determined in patients with acute nephritis, chronic nephritis, lupus nephritis and toxemia of pregnancy by the passive hemagglutination inhibition test. Serum FDP levels were less than 10 mug/ml in normal control adults, averaging 3.2 +/- 1.2 mug/ml. The incidence of serum FDP positive patients (more than 10 mug/ml) in those with acute nephritis, chronic nephritis, lupus nephritis and toxemia of pregnancy was 28%, 73%, 100% and 100%, respectively. Their serum FDP levels averaged 8.4 +/- 5.6 mug/ml, 16.0 +/- 5.9 mug/ml, 21.4 +/- 7.6 mug/ml and 35 mug/ml, respectively. Plasma fibrinogen levels, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, euglobulin lysis time and platelet counts were within normal limits in serum FDP positive patients with renal diseases, indicating that there was no severe disseminated intravascular coagulation. All FDP positive patients with renal diseases of immunological origin demonstrated the deposition of fibrin within glomeruli with complement and immunoglobulin deposits. However, FDP positive patients with toxemia of pregnancy demonstrated fibrin depositions within glomeruli without complement and immunoglobulin deposits. FDP D fragments of urine from lupus nephritis patients showed no changes in immunoelectrophoretic patterns by heat treatment, indicating that urine FDP was derived from secondary fibrinolysis.", "contents": "Fibrin degradation products in renal diseases. Levels of serum fibrin degradation products (FDP) were determined in patients with acute nephritis, chronic nephritis, lupus nephritis and toxemia of pregnancy by the passive hemagglutination inhibition test. Serum FDP levels were less than 10 mug/ml in normal control adults, averaging 3.2 +/- 1.2 mug/ml. The incidence of serum FDP positive patients (more than 10 mug/ml) in those with acute nephritis, chronic nephritis, lupus nephritis and toxemia of pregnancy was 28%, 73%, 100% and 100%, respectively. Their serum FDP levels averaged 8.4 +/- 5.6 mug/ml, 16.0 +/- 5.9 mug/ml, 21.4 +/- 7.6 mug/ml and 35 mug/ml, respectively. Plasma fibrinogen levels, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, euglobulin lysis time and platelet counts were within normal limits in serum FDP positive patients with renal diseases, indicating that there was no severe disseminated intravascular coagulation. All FDP positive patients with renal diseases of immunological origin demonstrated the deposition of fibrin within glomeruli with complement and immunoglobulin deposits. However, FDP positive patients with toxemia of pregnancy demonstrated fibrin depositions within glomeruli without complement and immunoglobulin deposits. FDP D fragments of urine from lupus nephritis patients showed no changes in immunoelectrophoretic patterns by heat treatment, indicating that urine FDP was derived from secondary fibrinolysis.", "PMID": 785695} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7000", "title": "LH- and FSH-releasing activities of synthetic tetrapeptide and synthetic LH-RH in rats.", "content": "Changes in serum LH and FSH were measured following injection of synthetic tetrapeptide (Glu-Tyr-Arg-Trp-NH2) or synthetic LH-RH into the femoral vein of oophorectomized rats. A considerable secretion of LH occurred after injection of synthetic tetrapeptide although its LH-releasing activity was less prominent than that observed after injection of LH-RH. No appreciable FSH-releasing activity was noted following injection of the tetrapeptide. A significant rise of LH and an observable, but extremely modest, rise of FSH with an indistinct peak were noted after single injection of synthetic LH-RH.", "contents": "LH- and FSH-releasing activities of synthetic tetrapeptide and synthetic LH-RH in rats. Changes in serum LH and FSH were measured following injection of synthetic tetrapeptide (Glu-Tyr-Arg-Trp-NH2) or synthetic LH-RH into the femoral vein of oophorectomized rats. A considerable secretion of LH occurred after injection of synthetic tetrapeptide although its LH-releasing activity was less prominent than that observed after injection of LH-RH. No appreciable FSH-releasing activity was noted following injection of the tetrapeptide. A significant rise of LH and an observable, but extremely modest, rise of FSH with an indistinct peak were noted after single injection of synthetic LH-RH.", "PMID": 785696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7001", "title": "Antigen inhibition on antibody forming cells at the level of effector cell.", "content": "In this study a possibility was examined that the specific antigen might inhibit antibody forming cells in order to know whether a non-T-cell-dependent mechanism of self-tolerance is present or not. If an autoantigen inhibits autoantibody forming cells, this inhibition may be one of the non-T-cell-dependent mechanisms of self-tolerance. Spleen cells from mice which were immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were incubated with SRBC and after an hour incubation erythrocytes added were removed. After 4 and 8 hr incubation, the plaques against SRBC were assayed by the plaque method. 1) After 8 hr incubation, SRBC reduced the plaque count to about 60% of the control aliquot incubating spleen cells with C3H mouse red blood cells. 2) This inhibition required 1% SRBC suspension, but despite increase in its concentration to more than 1% the degree of the inhibition remained constant. 3) This inhibition seemed to require neither T cells, macrophages nor the cells which display the cytotoxic activity in the antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.", "contents": "Antigen inhibition on antibody forming cells at the level of effector cell. In this study a possibility was examined that the specific antigen might inhibit antibody forming cells in order to know whether a non-T-cell-dependent mechanism of self-tolerance is present or not. If an autoantigen inhibits autoantibody forming cells, this inhibition may be one of the non-T-cell-dependent mechanisms of self-tolerance. Spleen cells from mice which were immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were incubated with SRBC and after an hour incubation erythrocytes added were removed. After 4 and 8 hr incubation, the plaques against SRBC were assayed by the plaque method. 1) After 8 hr incubation, SRBC reduced the plaque count to about 60% of the control aliquot incubating spleen cells with C3H mouse red blood cells. 2) This inhibition required 1% SRBC suspension, but despite increase in its concentration to more than 1% the degree of the inhibition remained constant. 3) This inhibition seemed to require neither T cells, macrophages nor the cells which display the cytotoxic activity in the antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.", "PMID": 785697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7002", "title": "Chemical and biological properties of hot water extract from delipidated cells of Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG.", "content": "A water-soluble fraction was isolated from delipidated cells of Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG by extraction with hot water. Chemical analyses revealed that the above fraction presumably consisted of a peptidoglycan containing 5-10% of nucleic acids. When it was injected into guinea pigs with Freund's incomplete adjuvant plus egg white albumin as antigen, an increase of circulating antibody was observed as shown by the augmented titers of precipitin and hemagglutinin. The results of skin test and corneal reaction indicated that the fraction mentioned above induced delayed hypersensitivity to egg white albumin. Footpad reaction in mice demonstrated that the above fraction induced delayed hypersensitivity to sheep red blood cells. It was confirmed in addition that the adjuvant activity of this fraction was not due to the presence of nucleic acids. This adjuvant-active fraction was designated as HSA (hot-water soluble adjuvant.", "contents": "Chemical and biological properties of hot water extract from delipidated cells of Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG. A water-soluble fraction was isolated from delipidated cells of Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG by extraction with hot water. Chemical analyses revealed that the above fraction presumably consisted of a peptidoglycan containing 5-10% of nucleic acids. When it was injected into guinea pigs with Freund's incomplete adjuvant plus egg white albumin as antigen, an increase of circulating antibody was observed as shown by the augmented titers of precipitin and hemagglutinin. The results of skin test and corneal reaction indicated that the fraction mentioned above induced delayed hypersensitivity to egg white albumin. Footpad reaction in mice demonstrated that the above fraction induced delayed hypersensitivity to sheep red blood cells. It was confirmed in addition that the adjuvant activity of this fraction was not due to the presence of nucleic acids. This adjuvant-active fraction was designated as HSA (hot-water soluble adjuvant.", "PMID": 785698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7003", "title": "A simple method to remove hemoglobin from antiserum.", "content": "Hemoglobin contamination in antiserum occurs frequently in immunohematology. The hemoglobin obscures the ring test for the observation of antigen-antibody reaction. A simple method to remove hemoglobin from antiserum is described in this paper. An appropriate amount of CM-Sephadex was added to antiserum containing hemoglobin and the mixture was packed into a cellulose tube, followed by dialysing against 0.01 M monobasic sodium phosphate solution (pH approx. 6). Equilibrating with stirring, the hemoglobin was completely adsorbed with CM-Sephadex so that hemoglobin-free antiserum was prepared without dilution of the antiserum. This method is useful for immunohematology.", "contents": "A simple method to remove hemoglobin from antiserum. Hemoglobin contamination in antiserum occurs frequently in immunohematology. The hemoglobin obscures the ring test for the observation of antigen-antibody reaction. A simple method to remove hemoglobin from antiserum is described in this paper. An appropriate amount of CM-Sephadex was added to antiserum containing hemoglobin and the mixture was packed into a cellulose tube, followed by dialysing against 0.01 M monobasic sodium phosphate solution (pH approx. 6). Equilibrating with stirring, the hemoglobin was completely adsorbed with CM-Sephadex so that hemoglobin-free antiserum was prepared without dilution of the antiserum. This method is useful for immunohematology.", "PMID": 785699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7004", "title": "[On the function-improving effect of rebasing].", "content": "The authors studied the rebasing technique of lower full dentures. For this purpose, they used the phonetic impression method according to the integral technique of Devin. From the results obtained it is concluded that the rebasing technique may be considered a rational, highly functional method.", "contents": "[On the function-improving effect of rebasing]. The authors studied the rebasing technique of lower full dentures. For this purpose, they used the phonetic impression method according to the integral technique of Devin. From the results obtained it is concluded that the rebasing technique may be considered a rational, highly functional method.", "PMID": 785707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7005", "title": "[Tooth preservation and tooth extraction within the framework of prevention-oriented treatment planning].", "content": "The improvement in efficiency of prosthodontic therapy is linked to a strategic basic conception, the question of tooth preservation and extraction being of particular importance. The decisive criterion may consists in answering the question whether the step intended might contribute to structure preservation and function securing till old age or might be detrimental to these objective. The stomatologist may play a passive or an active role in the strategy of treatment.", "contents": "[Tooth preservation and tooth extraction within the framework of prevention-oriented treatment planning]. The improvement in efficiency of prosthodontic therapy is linked to a strategic basic conception, the question of tooth preservation and extraction being of particular importance. The decisive criterion may consists in answering the question whether the step intended might contribute to structure preservation and function securing till old age or might be detrimental to these objective. The stomatologist may play a passive or an active role in the strategy of treatment.", "PMID": 785708} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7006", "title": "[The surgical treatment of lower-lip carcinoma].", "content": "After a brief presentation of methods for the treatment of carcinomas of the lower lip, the author describes a new surgical technique which is a judicious modification to the procedure indicated by Webster and Bernard. Its principle consists in repairing the tissue defect resulting from the excision of the lower lip by the additional surgical removal of one or two soft tissue triangles from the region of the nasolabial fold and in achieving primarily, by means of horizontal relieving incisions at the base of the lip defect, an extension of the mouth aperture. Since 1973, this technique has been mainly used at the Clinic and Policlinic of Maxillofacial Surgery of the Warsaw Medical Academy. The results obtained were satisfying from the functional and the aesthetical point of view. Up to now, no recurrences have been seen.", "contents": "[The surgical treatment of lower-lip carcinoma]. After a brief presentation of methods for the treatment of carcinomas of the lower lip, the author describes a new surgical technique which is a judicious modification to the procedure indicated by Webster and Bernard. Its principle consists in repairing the tissue defect resulting from the excision of the lower lip by the additional surgical removal of one or two soft tissue triangles from the region of the nasolabial fold and in achieving primarily, by means of horizontal relieving incisions at the base of the lip defect, an extension of the mouth aperture. Since 1973, this technique has been mainly used at the Clinic and Policlinic of Maxillofacial Surgery of the Warsaw Medical Academy. The results obtained were satisfying from the functional and the aesthetical point of view. Up to now, no recurrences have been seen.", "PMID": 785712} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7007", "title": "[Our experiments with various preprosthetic surgical interventions].", "content": "Of 371 subjects hospitalized for preprosthetic operations during the years 1960-1972, 182 were re-examined on whom 228 preprosthetic interventions had been performed. The results obtained with vestibuloplasty associated with free skin transplantation, which had been executed mainly in the upper jaw, were very encouraging. To achieve a direct comparison of the method indicated by Schuchardt with the so-called buccal-inlay technique, both procedures have been performed simultaneously in a number of patients. Of the other preprosthetic surgical techniques, the plastic operation on the floor of the mouth yielded good results, too. If the relatively strict indications for the submucous vestibuloplasty according to Obwegeser were observed, this technique also proved satisfactory, whereas the results of the vestibuloplasty with healing by second intention and those of our restorative plastic operation on the alveolar crest were not satisfying.", "contents": "[Our experiments with various preprosthetic surgical interventions]. Of 371 subjects hospitalized for preprosthetic operations during the years 1960-1972, 182 were re-examined on whom 228 preprosthetic interventions had been performed. The results obtained with vestibuloplasty associated with free skin transplantation, which had been executed mainly in the upper jaw, were very encouraging. To achieve a direct comparison of the method indicated by Schuchardt with the so-called buccal-inlay technique, both procedures have been performed simultaneously in a number of patients. Of the other preprosthetic surgical techniques, the plastic operation on the floor of the mouth yielded good results, too. If the relatively strict indications for the submucous vestibuloplasty according to Obwegeser were observed, this technique also proved satisfactory, whereas the results of the vestibuloplasty with healing by second intention and those of our restorative plastic operation on the alveolar crest were not satisfying.", "PMID": 785713} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7008", "title": "[Scientific basis for impression taking with silicone elastomers].", "content": "Starting from the chemical and physical processes which occur during the cross-linking of silicones, the author represents the material and processing properties of these impression compounds. He reports above all of the results of utilizationoriented studies which evidence the effects of different conditions of processing on the behaviour during impression taking and on the impression itself. Conclusions are drawn as to the appropriate use of silicone impression materials.", "contents": "[Scientific basis for impression taking with silicone elastomers]. Starting from the chemical and physical processes which occur during the cross-linking of silicones, the author represents the material and processing properties of these impression compounds. He reports above all of the results of utilizationoriented studies which evidence the effects of different conditions of processing on the behaviour during impression taking and on the impression itself. Conclusions are drawn as to the appropriate use of silicone impression materials.", "PMID": 785715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7009", "title": "Apolipoprotein localization in human cranial arteries, coronary arteries, and the aorta.", "content": "Apolipoproteins from human plasma high density (HDL), low density (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) were visualized in human arteries employing immunofluorescence techniques. Comparison between the localization patterns in extracranial and intracranial arteries and those in coronary arteries and the aorta was made. ApoA-I from HDL, apoB from LDL, and apoC-III from VLDL, as well as neutral lipid, were all localized to connective tissue and extracellular lipid pools in atherosclerotic lesions, and only to areas of intimal thickening in grossly \"uninvolved\" arteries. The degree of superposition of localizations was similiar in each vascular bed, and within the error resulting from the structural changes due to the focal nature of the atherosclerotic process. These results suggest a broad specificity in localization of apolipoproteins in most arterial lesions, and suggest that no differences in apolipoprotein accumulation exist between extracranial and intracranial arteries, coronary arteries, or the aorta. Variations in prevalence for atherosclerosis in each arterial bed must be accounted for on other bases.", "contents": "Apolipoprotein localization in human cranial arteries, coronary arteries, and the aorta. Apolipoproteins from human plasma high density (HDL), low density (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) were visualized in human arteries employing immunofluorescence techniques. Comparison between the localization patterns in extracranial and intracranial arteries and those in coronary arteries and the aorta was made. ApoA-I from HDL, apoB from LDL, and apoC-III from VLDL, as well as neutral lipid, were all localized to connective tissue and extracellular lipid pools in atherosclerotic lesions, and only to areas of intimal thickening in grossly \"uninvolved\" arteries. The degree of superposition of localizations was similiar in each vascular bed, and within the error resulting from the structural changes due to the focal nature of the atherosclerotic process. These results suggest a broad specificity in localization of apolipoproteins in most arterial lesions, and suggest that no differences in apolipoprotein accumulation exist between extracranial and intracranial arteries, coronary arteries, or the aorta. Variations in prevalence for atherosclerosis in each arterial bed must be accounted for on other bases.", "PMID": 785716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7010", "title": "Cerebral infarction in the Mongolian gerbil exacerbated by phenoxybenzamine treatment.", "content": "In a double-blind study, the effects of a large dose (20 mg per kilogram) of phenoxybenzamine (PBZ) on cerebral infarction were evaluated in 120 Mongolian gerbils. The left common carotid artery was ligated in 100 animals; a sham operation was done in 20 animals. One hour later, 25 animals were given 2 mg per kilogram of PBZ, 25 animals were given 20 mg per kilogram of phenoxybenzamine, and 50 animals were given 0.5 cc of nomal saline, all doses being repeated at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Five sham-operated animals were given 2 mg per kilogram of phenoxybenzamine, five were given 20 mg per kilogram of phenoxybenzamine and ten were given 0.5 cc of normal saline on the same treatment schedule. Morbidity and mortality were recorded for one week and then all surviving animals wer killed. All brains were studied for signs of infarction. Of the saline-treated animals, 32% had cerebral infarction and 81% of these died. Of the animals treated with phenoxybenzamine, 36% of those receiving 2 mg per kilogram and 68% (p less than 0.05) of those receiving 20 mg per kilogram had cerebral infarction and all of those with infarction died during the observation period. The animals receiving phenoxybenzamine had a larger stroke index than those treated with saline. The authors concluded that phenoxybenzamine is harmful in postischemic treatment of strokes.", "contents": "Cerebral infarction in the Mongolian gerbil exacerbated by phenoxybenzamine treatment. In a double-blind study, the effects of a large dose (20 mg per kilogram) of phenoxybenzamine (PBZ) on cerebral infarction were evaluated in 120 Mongolian gerbils. The left common carotid artery was ligated in 100 animals; a sham operation was done in 20 animals. One hour later, 25 animals were given 2 mg per kilogram of PBZ, 25 animals were given 20 mg per kilogram of phenoxybenzamine, and 50 animals were given 0.5 cc of nomal saline, all doses being repeated at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Five sham-operated animals were given 2 mg per kilogram of phenoxybenzamine, five were given 20 mg per kilogram of phenoxybenzamine and ten were given 0.5 cc of normal saline on the same treatment schedule. Morbidity and mortality were recorded for one week and then all surviving animals wer killed. All brains were studied for signs of infarction. Of the saline-treated animals, 32% had cerebral infarction and 81% of these died. Of the animals treated with phenoxybenzamine, 36% of those receiving 2 mg per kilogram and 68% (p less than 0.05) of those receiving 20 mg per kilogram had cerebral infarction and all of those with infarction died during the observation period. The animals receiving phenoxybenzamine had a larger stroke index than those treated with saline. The authors concluded that phenoxybenzamine is harmful in postischemic treatment of strokes.", "PMID": 785717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7011", "title": "Medical care in Ethiopia.", "content": "Ethiopia is one of the largest of the developing countries in Africa and it has features in public health which are common to all the underdeveloped countries--prevalence of communicable diseases and malnutrition, limited economic resources, numerous peasant agricultural communities, a large child population and shortages of trained staff and medical facilities. It is the purpose of this paper to trace the development of the health services in Ethiopia against this background and to outline the medical resources and methods of delivery of medical care which are evolving there. Although western medicine had been introduced into parts of Ethiopia by missionaries during the latter part of the last century, Swedish doctors and nurses having reached the Eritrean coast in 1866 (Ozanic, 1961) and although some of the hospitals in the existing health services date from the early 1900's onwards, all the major steps in establishing organised medical care have taken place within the three post-occupation decades from 1941-50, 1951-60 and 1961-70.", "contents": "Medical care in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is one of the largest of the developing countries in Africa and it has features in public health which are common to all the underdeveloped countries--prevalence of communicable diseases and malnutrition, limited economic resources, numerous peasant agricultural communities, a large child population and shortages of trained staff and medical facilities. It is the purpose of this paper to trace the development of the health services in Ethiopia against this background and to outline the medical resources and methods of delivery of medical care which are evolving there. Although western medicine had been introduced into parts of Ethiopia by missionaries during the latter part of the last century, Swedish doctors and nurses having reached the Eritrean coast in 1866 (Ozanic, 1961) and although some of the hospitals in the existing health services date from the early 1900's onwards, all the major steps in establishing organised medical care have taken place within the three post-occupation decades from 1941-50, 1951-60 and 1961-70.", "PMID": 785724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7012", "title": "Studies on the resistance of malaria to chloroquine and to a combination of chloroquine and pyrimethamine in Peninsular Malaysia.", "content": "In vivo chloroquine resistance surveys, which allowed for detection of late recrudescing RI resistance, were conducted in three regions of Peninsular Malaysia, which were previously not recognized as having appreciable drug resistance. Among the 485 Plasmodium falciparum infections tested resistance rates ranged locally from 20% to 67% in those with parasitaemias over 1,000 per mm3, and 5% to 59% in all parasitaemias. The region found to have the most serious resistance was western Pahang. In one study a combination of chloroquine and pyrimethamine proved no more efficacious than chloroquine alone. Most of the resistance encountered was the late recrudescing RI type. There was no apparent correlation between drug resistance and Anopheles balabacensis as this species was not found despite intensive collections in two of the three main regions. There was no evidence of resistance among the 222 P. vivax and 35 P. malariae infections also tested.", "contents": "Studies on the resistance of malaria to chloroquine and to a combination of chloroquine and pyrimethamine in Peninsular Malaysia. In vivo chloroquine resistance surveys, which allowed for detection of late recrudescing RI resistance, were conducted in three regions of Peninsular Malaysia, which were previously not recognized as having appreciable drug resistance. Among the 485 Plasmodium falciparum infections tested resistance rates ranged locally from 20% to 67% in those with parasitaemias over 1,000 per mm3, and 5% to 59% in all parasitaemias. The region found to have the most serious resistance was western Pahang. In one study a combination of chloroquine and pyrimethamine proved no more efficacious than chloroquine alone. Most of the resistance encountered was the late recrudescing RI type. There was no apparent correlation between drug resistance and Anopheles balabacensis as this species was not found despite intensive collections in two of the three main regions. There was no evidence of resistance among the 222 P. vivax and 35 P. malariae infections also tested.", "PMID": 785725} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7013", "title": "Studies of immediate adverse reactions to different doses of a slow-release preparation of isoniazid.", "content": "'Double-blind' studies were carried out to assess the incidence of immediate adverse reactions to different doses of a slow-release preparation of isoniazid (matrix isoniazid). Individual doses of 30 mg/kg matrix isoniazid were well-tolerated but higher doses resulted in giddiness, the incidence being dose-related. The giddiness was characterized by a late onset and was usually present even at 24 hours. A few patients complained of gastro-intestinal symptoms. It is concluded that matrix isoniazid can be given to Madras patients in doses of 30-40 mg/kg without risk of an undue incidence of immediate adverse reactions.", "contents": "Studies of immediate adverse reactions to different doses of a slow-release preparation of isoniazid. 'Double-blind' studies were carried out to assess the incidence of immediate adverse reactions to different doses of a slow-release preparation of isoniazid (matrix isoniazid). Individual doses of 30 mg/kg matrix isoniazid were well-tolerated but higher doses resulted in giddiness, the incidence being dose-related. The giddiness was characterized by a late onset and was usually present even at 24 hours. A few patients complained of gastro-intestinal symptoms. It is concluded that matrix isoniazid can be given to Madras patients in doses of 30-40 mg/kg without risk of an undue incidence of immediate adverse reactions.", "PMID": 785735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7014", "title": "A solid phase radioimmunoassay for pancreatic glucagon.", "content": "A solid phase radioimmunoassay procedure has been applied for the determination of glucagon and some variables of the assay procedure were studied. The sensitivity of the assay was 10 pg of glucagon for samples assayed in triplicate. This assay method which has a high precision and is technically simple as compared with other radioimmunoassays, was found to be suitable for studies on glucagon release in vitro.", "contents": "A solid phase radioimmunoassay for pancreatic glucagon. A solid phase radioimmunoassay procedure has been applied for the determination of glucagon and some variables of the assay procedure were studied. The sensitivity of the assay was 10 pg of glucagon for samples assayed in triplicate. This assay method which has a high precision and is technically simple as compared with other radioimmunoassays, was found to be suitable for studies on glucagon release in vitro.", "PMID": 785743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7015", "title": "[Biochemical mechanisms of skeletal muscle adaptation to increased activity].", "content": "The adaptation changes caused by the systematic muscular activity relate to morphology and functional properties of the muscular fibre subcellular structures, content and state of substrates and enzymes. There occurs not only an increase in the activity of enzymes but also a change in the ratio of the activities in polyenzymic systems. The increase in the enzymes activity is based on the substrate induction and derepression of the enzymes synthesis as well as changes in the isoenzymic spectra, sensitivity of the enzymic systems to hormones. All these changes are specific and determined by the functional profile of the muscles and character of the muscular activity. The energy supply of the adaptive synthesis of structural and enzymatic proteins, phospholipids and a more intensified synthesis of different substrates (glycogen, phosphocreatine) is based on regular changes occurring at rest determined by muscular activity and providing for a higher energy production during this period. Development and stabilization of the adaptation biochemical changes is under control of the chemical self-regulation of the metabolic cycles, neuro-trophic--somatic and sympathetic as well as of the endocrine regulation. At the different stages of adaptation its biochemical mechanisms have definite differences.", "contents": "[Biochemical mechanisms of skeletal muscle adaptation to increased activity]. The adaptation changes caused by the systematic muscular activity relate to morphology and functional properties of the muscular fibre subcellular structures, content and state of substrates and enzymes. There occurs not only an increase in the activity of enzymes but also a change in the ratio of the activities in polyenzymic systems. The increase in the enzymes activity is based on the substrate induction and derepression of the enzymes synthesis as well as changes in the isoenzymic spectra, sensitivity of the enzymic systems to hormones. All these changes are specific and determined by the functional profile of the muscles and character of the muscular activity. The energy supply of the adaptive synthesis of structural and enzymatic proteins, phospholipids and a more intensified synthesis of different substrates (glycogen, phosphocreatine) is based on regular changes occurring at rest determined by muscular activity and providing for a higher energy production during this period. Development and stabilization of the adaptation biochemical changes is under control of the chemical self-regulation of the metabolic cycles, neuro-trophic--somatic and sympathetic as well as of the endocrine regulation. At the different stages of adaptation its biochemical mechanisms have definite differences.", "PMID": 785736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7016", "title": "Kidney transplant from a patient with idiopathic hypercalciuria.", "content": "A case of renal transplantation is presented in which the donor had idiopathic hypercalciuria. The hypercalciuria persisted in the donor, but was not observed in the recipient. This fact suggests that, in this case, the cause of the hypercalciuria is the intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium ions.", "contents": "Kidney transplant from a patient with idiopathic hypercalciuria. A case of renal transplantation is presented in which the donor had idiopathic hypercalciuria. The hypercalciuria persisted in the donor, but was not observed in the recipient. This fact suggests that, in this case, the cause of the hypercalciuria is the intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium ions.", "PMID": 785744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7017", "title": "Intubation macrodacryocystography and quantitative scintillography: the \"complete\" lacrimal assessment.", "content": "Intubation MDCG with subtraction provides excellent visualization of the lacrimal excretory apparatus. Quantitative lacrimal scintillography is the most useful method of assessing lacrimal excretory function. These two investigations are complementary and may be performed simultaneously. They provide a rational basis for diagnosis and management of disease of the lacrimal drainage system.", "contents": "Intubation macrodacryocystography and quantitative scintillography: the \"complete\" lacrimal assessment. Intubation MDCG with subtraction provides excellent visualization of the lacrimal excretory apparatus. Quantitative lacrimal scintillography is the most useful method of assessing lacrimal excretory function. These two investigations are complementary and may be performed simultaneously. They provide a rational basis for diagnosis and management of disease of the lacrimal drainage system.", "PMID": 785750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7018", "title": "The extruding implant.", "content": "In both the treatment and prevention of implant extrusion, exacting surgical technique is necessary. The techniques involved are direct reimplantation of the implant, reinforcement of the tissue with patching and, for additional cosmetic revision, subperiosteal glass bead implantation or fornix reconstruction.", "contents": "The extruding implant. In both the treatment and prevention of implant extrusion, exacting surgical technique is necessary. The techniques involved are direct reimplantation of the implant, reinforcement of the tissue with patching and, for additional cosmetic revision, subperiosteal glass bead implantation or fornix reconstruction.", "PMID": 785751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7019", "title": "A new treatment for wrinkles.", "content": "A technique identified as threading is described for the treatment of wrinkles. Colorless 4-0 and 2-0 clear vicryl (Ethicon) has been threaded underneath the wrinkle for augmentation, and \"basket weaving\" has been applied to atrophic areas. As much as 40 feet of threads have been used at one time in the face. Complications are minimal, the results subtle, and the technique may be repeated. It is hoped that this concept will be developed further with the use of soft, colorless, nonabsorbable threading material (Prolene, Nurolon, Ethicon).", "contents": "A new treatment for wrinkles. A technique identified as threading is described for the treatment of wrinkles. Colorless 4-0 and 2-0 clear vicryl (Ethicon) has been threaded underneath the wrinkle for augmentation, and \"basket weaving\" has been applied to atrophic areas. As much as 40 feet of threads have been used at one time in the face. Complications are minimal, the results subtle, and the technique may be repeated. It is hoped that this concept will be developed further with the use of soft, colorless, nonabsorbable threading material (Prolene, Nurolon, Ethicon).", "PMID": 785753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7020", "title": "Composite pedicled rib flap for reconstruction of the mandible and face.", "content": "A new technique of bony and soft tissue augmentation to the mandible, face, and neck is presented. It consists of a composite soft tissue flap from the anterior chest, including two ribs attached and transposed without delay to the newly prepared tissue bed. The distal portion of this flap is de-epithelialized for soft tissue augmentation to the face. The ribs are wired to the mandible, and the flap is released in six to eight weeks. At that time, the proximal segment is de-epithelialized for further augmentation. The soft tissue mass is supported against gravity for three to four months with a chin strap. It is desirable to use this concept as a secondary procedure rather than associating it with the primary ablative technique. One can expect significant improvement in esthetics and contour from this technique.", "contents": "Composite pedicled rib flap for reconstruction of the mandible and face. A new technique of bony and soft tissue augmentation to the mandible, face, and neck is presented. It consists of a composite soft tissue flap from the anterior chest, including two ribs attached and transposed without delay to the newly prepared tissue bed. The distal portion of this flap is de-epithelialized for soft tissue augmentation to the face. The ribs are wired to the mandible, and the flap is released in six to eight weeks. At that time, the proximal segment is de-epithelialized for further augmentation. The soft tissue mass is supported against gravity for three to four months with a chin strap. It is desirable to use this concept as a secondary procedure rather than associating it with the primary ablative technique. One can expect significant improvement in esthetics and contour from this technique.", "PMID": 785756} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7021", "title": "Quadrangular rhytidoplasty.", "content": "A four-angled incision for the performance of rhytidoplasty has been utilized for the past 2-1/2 years. This approach has provided excellent results and is suggested as a flexible, cosmetic incision providing easy access to the temporal, malar, mandibular, and cervical integument.", "contents": "Quadrangular rhytidoplasty. A four-angled incision for the performance of rhytidoplasty has been utilized for the past 2-1/2 years. This approach has provided excellent results and is suggested as a flexible, cosmetic incision providing easy access to the temporal, malar, mandibular, and cervical integument.", "PMID": 785754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7022", "title": "Traction sutures in a tracheostomy using a ligature passer.", "content": "1. A history of tracheostomy is reported, indicating the relatively recent use of traction sutures. 2. The indications for a tracheostomy are listed. 3. The complications of a tracheostomy are mentioned briefly with emphasis on tube displacement and how this provides the rationale for the use of traction sutures. 4. The technique of placement of the traction sutures with the use of a new instrument, the ligature passer, is described. 4. An illustrative case is reported to demonstrate the significance of traction sutures.", "contents": "Traction sutures in a tracheostomy using a ligature passer. 1. A history of tracheostomy is reported, indicating the relatively recent use of traction sutures. 2. The indications for a tracheostomy are listed. 3. The complications of a tracheostomy are mentioned briefly with emphasis on tube displacement and how this provides the rationale for the use of traction sutures. 4. The technique of placement of the traction sutures with the use of a new instrument, the ligature passer, is described. 4. An illustrative case is reported to demonstrate the significance of traction sutures.", "PMID": 785758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7023", "title": "The injured larynx: a new surgical procedure for repair.", "content": "This case illustrates an instance by which serious stricture of the subglottic lumen was repaired by a composite pedicle graft. A half circular portion of the normal clavicle cortical bone was incorporated in a regional full-thickness pedicle graft. A defect in the cricoid cartilage and adjacent tissues was thus repaired successfully, preserving the patient's physiologic integrity as to breathing, speaking, coughing, eating, and drinking.", "contents": "The injured larynx: a new surgical procedure for repair. This case illustrates an instance by which serious stricture of the subglottic lumen was repaired by a composite pedicle graft. A half circular portion of the normal clavicle cortical bone was incorporated in a regional full-thickness pedicle graft. A defect in the cricoid cartilage and adjacent tissues was thus repaired successfully, preserving the patient's physiologic integrity as to breathing, speaking, coughing, eating, and drinking.", "PMID": 785757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7024", "title": "The Gordon Wilson lecture: function of blood platelets and their role in thrombosis.", "content": "The role of platelets in thrombosis has been reviewed. The possible relationship between platelets and thrombosis, vessel injury and the development of atherosclerosis is discussed. The implications of our understanding of platelets in thrombosis and clinical complications of arterial disease is reviewed together with possible value if drugs which modify platelet function.", "contents": "The Gordon Wilson lecture: function of blood platelets and their role in thrombosis. The role of platelets in thrombosis has been reviewed. The possible relationship between platelets and thrombosis, vessel injury and the development of atherosclerosis is discussed. The implications of our understanding of platelets in thrombosis and clinical complications of arterial disease is reviewed together with possible value if drugs which modify platelet function.", "PMID": 785767} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7025", "title": "[Pulmonary reaction to foreign bodies].", "content": "The response of the pulmonary tissue in a continuous stay of foreign bodies in the lung is characterized by chronic inflammation of the pulmonary tissue, deformation of the bronchial tree, atrophic, hyperplastic and dystrophic changes in the ciliated epithelium and its metaplastic degeneration into multitratum squamous epithelium. Chronic inflammation of the lung would develop mainly in bronchial injury with a foreign body or in impaired bronchial patency. In localization of metallic foreign bodies extrabronchially their incapsulation usually occurs.", "contents": "[Pulmonary reaction to foreign bodies]. The response of the pulmonary tissue in a continuous stay of foreign bodies in the lung is characterized by chronic inflammation of the pulmonary tissue, deformation of the bronchial tree, atrophic, hyperplastic and dystrophic changes in the ciliated epithelium and its metaplastic degeneration into multitratum squamous epithelium. Chronic inflammation of the lung would develop mainly in bronchial injury with a foreign body or in impaired bronchial patency. In localization of metallic foreign bodies extrabronchially their incapsulation usually occurs.", "PMID": 785781} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7026", "title": "[Correction of mandibular defects with preserved homologous bone sterilized in ethylene oxide].", "content": "The authors have elaborated the technic for procurement of homografts from the lower jaw bone taken from cadaver-donors, without observing aseptic rules, with their subsequent ethylene epoxide sterilization in a portable chamber. Experimental studies have demonstrated that ethylene epoxide renders no negative effect on osteoplastic properties of the homograft, the rate of its reconstruction was dependent on the method of preservation. The results of osteohomoplasty for mandibular defects in 46 patients are summarized.", "contents": "[Correction of mandibular defects with preserved homologous bone sterilized in ethylene oxide]. The authors have elaborated the technic for procurement of homografts from the lower jaw bone taken from cadaver-donors, without observing aseptic rules, with their subsequent ethylene epoxide sterilization in a portable chamber. Experimental studies have demonstrated that ethylene epoxide renders no negative effect on osteoplastic properties of the homograft, the rate of its reconstruction was dependent on the method of preservation. The results of osteohomoplasty for mandibular defects in 46 patients are summarized.", "PMID": 785782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7027", "title": "[Plastic correction of penetrating defects of the perioral region with flat epithelized skin flap].", "content": "For plastic replacement of penetrating defects of the adoral region the author suggests to use a flat epithelized skin graft formated proximal to the defect in the following regions: the nasolabial fold, chin, anterior chest surface and suprabrachial region. Such plastic material formated from non-free fatcutaneous graft and split dermatome transplant healing in conditions of burying has a bilateral epithelial cover.", "contents": "[Plastic correction of penetrating defects of the perioral region with flat epithelized skin flap]. For plastic replacement of penetrating defects of the adoral region the author suggests to use a flat epithelized skin graft formated proximal to the defect in the following regions: the nasolabial fold, chin, anterior chest surface and suprabrachial region. Such plastic material formated from non-free fatcutaneous graft and split dermatome transplant healing in conditions of burying has a bilateral epithelial cover.", "PMID": 785783} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7028", "title": "[Primary dermoplasty with cervical pedicle flap after resection of locally spread mouth tumors].", "content": "In the paper the authors report their experience with application of a jugular fatcutaneous pedicled graft for primary reconstruction of defects of the oral mucous membrane following resection of localy spread malignant tumors under conditions of preliminary radiotherapy. Results of the plasty in 30 patients are reported. The technic of cutting out the graft is described.", "contents": "[Primary dermoplasty with cervical pedicle flap after resection of locally spread mouth tumors]. In the paper the authors report their experience with application of a jugular fatcutaneous pedicled graft for primary reconstruction of defects of the oral mucous membrane following resection of localy spread malignant tumors under conditions of preliminary radiotherapy. Results of the plasty in 30 patients are reported. The technic of cutting out the graft is described.", "PMID": 785784} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7029", "title": "[Study of bacterial allergy in acute appendicitis by the method of leukocyte migration inhibition in vitro].", "content": "Under study was the effect of various bacterial allergens on the migration of blood leucocytes from capillaries in vitro in 23 patients with acute appendicitis and in 18 healthy individuals. Bacterial allergens wound suppress leucocytes migration in all patients. Most frequently, sensibilization to allergens of hemolytic staphylococcus and hemolytic streptococcus was found. In 4 healthy persons this methods indicated sensibilization to some allergens. The interaction of activity sensibilized lymphocytes and passively sensibilized polynuclears of the appendix with bacterial antigens is assumed to tigger the hyperergic reaction in acute appendicitis.", "contents": "[Study of bacterial allergy in acute appendicitis by the method of leukocyte migration inhibition in vitro]. Under study was the effect of various bacterial allergens on the migration of blood leucocytes from capillaries in vitro in 23 patients with acute appendicitis and in 18 healthy individuals. Bacterial allergens wound suppress leucocytes migration in all patients. Most frequently, sensibilization to allergens of hemolytic staphylococcus and hemolytic streptococcus was found. In 4 healthy persons this methods indicated sensibilization to some allergens. The interaction of activity sensibilized lymphocytes and passively sensibilized polynuclears of the appendix with bacterial antigens is assumed to tigger the hyperergic reaction in acute appendicitis.", "PMID": 785785} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7030", "title": "[Free dermoplasty in scalp wounds].", "content": "An analysis of treatment in 10 patients with scalp cranial wounds is reported. To find the optimum variant of free skin plasty in this kind of pathology experiments were carried out on 245 animals, on which basis the author recommends to use plastic reconstruction with full-thickness skin grafts, as being the most rational, placing them on the osseous bed treated up to the diploe, the adaptation of skin wound and graft edges and their fixation with sutures being absolutely imperative.", "contents": "[Free dermoplasty in scalp wounds]. An analysis of treatment in 10 patients with scalp cranial wounds is reported. To find the optimum variant of free skin plasty in this kind of pathology experiments were carried out on 245 animals, on which basis the author recommends to use plastic reconstruction with full-thickness skin grafts, as being the most rational, placing them on the osseous bed treated up to the diploe, the adaptation of skin wound and graft edges and their fixation with sutures being absolutely imperative.", "PMID": 785786} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7031", "title": "Fundamental aspects of ovum transfer in cattle.", "content": "Although it may ultimately be possible to fertilise ovarian follicular oocytes in vitro, superovulation and insemination are currently the only practical method for obtaining a supply of fertilised ova. It is likely that this will remain true for sometime to come. Pregnant mares serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) is almost universally used for inducing superovulation, and response to it has recently been more reliably achieved by using, in addition, prostaglandin F2alpha to induce oestrus in superovulated donors. The recovery of fertilised ova from donors depends on the expected site of the ova within the genital tract, but both surgical and non-surgical methods involve suspending the ova in a stream of fluid which is collected into glass cups and examined microscopically. A variety of in vivo and in vitro environmental conditions affect the success of transfer of fertilised ova. These include the healthy state of the recovered ovum, the storage medium, the method and length of storage, the age of the ovum and the synchronisation of oestrus of donor and recipient.", "contents": "Fundamental aspects of ovum transfer in cattle. Although it may ultimately be possible to fertilise ovarian follicular oocytes in vitro, superovulation and insemination are currently the only practical method for obtaining a supply of fertilised ova. It is likely that this will remain true for sometime to come. Pregnant mares serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) is almost universally used for inducing superovulation, and response to it has recently been more reliably achieved by using, in addition, prostaglandin F2alpha to induce oestrus in superovulated donors. The recovery of fertilised ova from donors depends on the expected site of the ova within the genital tract, but both surgical and non-surgical methods involve suspending the ova in a stream of fluid which is collected into glass cups and examined microscopically. A variety of in vivo and in vitro environmental conditions affect the success of transfer of fertilised ova. These include the healthy state of the recovered ovum, the storage medium, the method and length of storage, the age of the ovum and the synchronisation of oestrus of donor and recipient.", "PMID": 785792} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7032", "title": "Lamellar corneal transplantation in the horse.", "content": "Surgical correction of corneal opacities in horses has rarely been documented in detail and is still reported to be in the experimental stage. For this reason, studies of lamellar keratoplasty were conducted on the equine eye using a modified trephine with an adjustable inside quard for grafting of identical discs from the donor and the recipient cornea. Fourteen transplantations, seven with homografts and seven with heterografts, 15 and 9 mm in diameter, were performed. Sharp-edged, vertical, and regular outlined wound margins of the graft and host are essential for good adaptation and healing without tension. The details of instruments used, preoperative preparation, surgical technique, and postoperative care are described. Results indicated that this method is a feasible tool for the repair of corneal defects in the horse and may be usefully employed in an intention to restore vision.", "contents": "Lamellar corneal transplantation in the horse. Surgical correction of corneal opacities in horses has rarely been documented in detail and is still reported to be in the experimental stage. For this reason, studies of lamellar keratoplasty were conducted on the equine eye using a modified trephine with an adjustable inside quard for grafting of identical discs from the donor and the recipient cornea. Fourteen transplantations, seven with homografts and seven with heterografts, 15 and 9 mm in diameter, were performed. Sharp-edged, vertical, and regular outlined wound margins of the graft and host are essential for good adaptation and healing without tension. The details of instruments used, preoperative preparation, surgical technique, and postoperative care are described. Results indicated that this method is a feasible tool for the repair of corneal defects in the horse and may be usefully employed in an intention to restore vision.", "PMID": 785793} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7033", "title": "[Biochemical identification of Salmonella and coli bacteria and their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents].", "content": "Strains of enterobacteria, isolated from pathologic material (dead pigs, birds, lambs, sheep fetuses, swab fecal samples from calves) were biochemically identified by the methods of Costin, Le Minor, and Eming. One-hundred forty of them proved to belong to Escherichia coli and 236 -- to Salmonella. The sensitivity of the isolated bacteria to antibiotics (ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracyclin, kanamycin, neomycin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, oleandomycin polymyscin), sulfonamides (norsulfasol, sulfaguanidine, and sulfadimesine), and nitrofuran preparations (furazolidon and orafuran) was tested by the disk diffusion method. There was in a high per cent of the cases resistance to tetracyclin, erytromycin, oleandomycin, sulfanilamides, streptomycin, ampicillin, and comparatively well expressed susceptibility to polymyxin, furazolidon, orafuran, kanamycin, neomycin and chloramphenicol. Prevailing were the enterobacteria polyresistant to antibiotics, the observed resistance being expressed to 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 antibiotics at the same time (out of all nine of them that were studied). The only exception were Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella dublin which were resistant to 2 or 3 antibiotics only. In connection with the data obtained on the tolerance of enterobacteria to chemotherapeutics it is necessary to reevaluate the programmes for the prophylaxis and control of diseases in farm animals and birds caused by Escherichia coli Salmonella spp.", "contents": "[Biochemical identification of Salmonella and coli bacteria and their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents]. Strains of enterobacteria, isolated from pathologic material (dead pigs, birds, lambs, sheep fetuses, swab fecal samples from calves) were biochemically identified by the methods of Costin, Le Minor, and Eming. One-hundred forty of them proved to belong to Escherichia coli and 236 -- to Salmonella. The sensitivity of the isolated bacteria to antibiotics (ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracyclin, kanamycin, neomycin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, oleandomycin polymyscin), sulfonamides (norsulfasol, sulfaguanidine, and sulfadimesine), and nitrofuran preparations (furazolidon and orafuran) was tested by the disk diffusion method. There was in a high per cent of the cases resistance to tetracyclin, erytromycin, oleandomycin, sulfanilamides, streptomycin, ampicillin, and comparatively well expressed susceptibility to polymyxin, furazolidon, orafuran, kanamycin, neomycin and chloramphenicol. Prevailing were the enterobacteria polyresistant to antibiotics, the observed resistance being expressed to 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 antibiotics at the same time (out of all nine of them that were studied). The only exception were Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella dublin which were resistant to 2 or 3 antibiotics only. In connection with the data obtained on the tolerance of enterobacteria to chemotherapeutics it is necessary to reevaluate the programmes for the prophylaxis and control of diseases in farm animals and birds caused by Escherichia coli Salmonella spp.", "PMID": 785798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7034", "title": "[Sensitivity of E. coli strains to Fredericq-type colicins].", "content": "Studied was the spectrum of sensitivity of various Escherichia coli strains to the standard types of colicine after Fredericq. The strains were isolated from dead and emergency slaughtered animals as well as from food products of animal origin. It was found that regardless of the type (colicinogenic and noncolicinogenic) and the origin of the strains almost a monotype spectrum of sensitivity is observed. With but few exceptions the strains proved sensitive to colicine of the types V, D, E+I, F, C, I, J+I, K, Sj, S3+I, S4 and S5. The similarity referred to substantiates the expedience in determining the type of colicine of bacteria in epidemiologic and epizootiologic studies.", "contents": "[Sensitivity of E. coli strains to Fredericq-type colicins]. Studied was the spectrum of sensitivity of various Escherichia coli strains to the standard types of colicine after Fredericq. The strains were isolated from dead and emergency slaughtered animals as well as from food products of animal origin. It was found that regardless of the type (colicinogenic and noncolicinogenic) and the origin of the strains almost a monotype spectrum of sensitivity is observed. With but few exceptions the strains proved sensitive to colicine of the types V, D, E+I, F, C, I, J+I, K, Sj, S3+I, S4 and S5. The similarity referred to substantiates the expedience in determining the type of colicine of bacteria in epidemiologic and epizootiologic studies.", "PMID": 785799} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7035", "title": "[Study of the methods for detecting Salmonella in meat and viscera].", "content": "Studied were a toal 415 samples of viscera (musculature, liver, spleen, kidneys and a lymph node from skeletal musculature) taken from 83 emergency slaughtered pigs and cattle, and liver samples of 10 experimentally infected guinea pigs using direct immunofluorescent microscopy. All samples were preliminary kept in the tetrathionate-broth of M\u00fcller and Kaufmann, the broth for cultivation of Gramnegative bacteria, and in paraffin blocks, for 24 hours, in order to obtain more abundant growth of bacteria. The cultures were studied by the standard method of reseeding from liquid nutrient media at the 24th, 48th and 72nd hour. Highest per cent of correlation (89.4%) between the results of the immunofluorescence method and the cultural method was shown by enriching the growth in the tetrathionate-broth of M\u00fcller and Kaufmann. This suggests the use of immunofluorescence microscopy as a quick helpful method to detect Salmonella bacteria in the microbiologic inspection of meat.", "contents": "[Study of the methods for detecting Salmonella in meat and viscera]. Studied were a toal 415 samples of viscera (musculature, liver, spleen, kidneys and a lymph node from skeletal musculature) taken from 83 emergency slaughtered pigs and cattle, and liver samples of 10 experimentally infected guinea pigs using direct immunofluorescent microscopy. All samples were preliminary kept in the tetrathionate-broth of M\u00fcller and Kaufmann, the broth for cultivation of Gramnegative bacteria, and in paraffin blocks, for 24 hours, in order to obtain more abundant growth of bacteria. The cultures were studied by the standard method of reseeding from liquid nutrient media at the 24th, 48th and 72nd hour. Highest per cent of correlation (89.4%) between the results of the immunofluorescence method and the cultural method was shown by enriching the growth in the tetrathionate-broth of M\u00fcller and Kaufmann. This suggests the use of immunofluorescence microscopy as a quick helpful method to detect Salmonella bacteria in the microbiologic inspection of meat.", "PMID": 785800} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7036", "title": "[Clinical studies of an experimental suppurative surgical infection in cattle caused by Cornynebacterium pyogenes].", "content": "Studied were clinically and paraclinically six cattle manifesting an experimental suppurative surgery infection caused by Cornebacterium pyogenes, strain 1056. It was established that the infection assumes the course of septicaemia with metastases in the viscera, causing severe disturbances in the general condition and leading to death in most cases. Found were also anemia, leukopenia, that alternated with leukocytosis presenting nuclear shift to left, changes in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in terms of more rapid settling out of r. b. c. The urine presented protein and sediment consisting of 8 to 10 or numerous erythrocytes, 5 to 6 or 10 to 15 leukocytes, single to 8-10 kidney epithelium cells. The rumen content became alkaline, and the infusoria count dropped.", "contents": "[Clinical studies of an experimental suppurative surgical infection in cattle caused by Cornynebacterium pyogenes]. Studied were clinically and paraclinically six cattle manifesting an experimental suppurative surgery infection caused by Cornebacterium pyogenes, strain 1056. It was established that the infection assumes the course of septicaemia with metastases in the viscera, causing severe disturbances in the general condition and leading to death in most cases. Found were also anemia, leukopenia, that alternated with leukocytosis presenting nuclear shift to left, changes in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in terms of more rapid settling out of r. b. c. The urine presented protein and sediment consisting of 8 to 10 or numerous erythrocytes, 5 to 6 or 10 to 15 leukocytes, single to 8-10 kidney epithelium cells. The rumen content became alkaline, and the infusoria count dropped.", "PMID": 785801} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7037", "title": "[Developments in immunofluorescence (author's transl)].", "content": "This report presents a review of recent developments in immunofluorescence and their resultant applications. After a short introduction to the basic principles of immunofluorescence, this study deals with newer developments in utilizable fluorochromes, new methods in the production of antisera and fluorochrome-labelled conjugates and recent improvements in the optical system. In particular, the necessity of suitable characterization and examination in regard to the quality of the conjugates is described in detail. A separate chapter has been devoted to the rapidly-developing quantitative immunofluorescence technique and its application.", "contents": "[Developments in immunofluorescence (author's transl)]. This report presents a review of recent developments in immunofluorescence and their resultant applications. After a short introduction to the basic principles of immunofluorescence, this study deals with newer developments in utilizable fluorochromes, new methods in the production of antisera and fluorochrome-labelled conjugates and recent improvements in the optical system. In particular, the necessity of suitable characterization and examination in regard to the quality of the conjugates is described in detail. A separate chapter has been devoted to the rapidly-developing quantitative immunofluorescence technique and its application.", "PMID": 785819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7038", "title": "[Urology -- yesterday and today (author's transl)].", "content": "The developments in urology over the past 10 years both in regard to diagnosis and therapy are reviewed. The value of diagnostic procedures such as intravenous urography, angiography, isotope rhenogram and scintigram in tumours of the kidney and the significance of lymphangiography in the decision concerning the operability of tumours of the bladder, the prostate and the testicle are discussed. The importance of cytological examinations in the early diagnosis of cancer of the bladder and the prostate, as well as in the postoperative follow up of cases of bladder carcinoma is emphasized. Metabolic diseases such as renal calculus formation and renal hypertension are of great importance in regard to social aspects of medicine owing to their increasing occurrence. New urological equipment, as well as established instruments such as fibre optics and \"Urat-I\" for the treatment of bladder calculi, as well as cryotherapy of prostatic tumours is demonstrated. Coagulum pyelotomy is recommended for the treatment of friable stones in the renal pelvis and the calyces. This review of the current stand of development in the field of urology is coupled with proposals of a suitable training programme for future urologists.", "contents": "[Urology -- yesterday and today (author's transl)]. The developments in urology over the past 10 years both in regard to diagnosis and therapy are reviewed. The value of diagnostic procedures such as intravenous urography, angiography, isotope rhenogram and scintigram in tumours of the kidney and the significance of lymphangiography in the decision concerning the operability of tumours of the bladder, the prostate and the testicle are discussed. The importance of cytological examinations in the early diagnosis of cancer of the bladder and the prostate, as well as in the postoperative follow up of cases of bladder carcinoma is emphasized. Metabolic diseases such as renal calculus formation and renal hypertension are of great importance in regard to social aspects of medicine owing to their increasing occurrence. New urological equipment, as well as established instruments such as fibre optics and \"Urat-I\" for the treatment of bladder calculi, as well as cryotherapy of prostatic tumours is demonstrated. Coagulum pyelotomy is recommended for the treatment of friable stones in the renal pelvis and the calyces. This review of the current stand of development in the field of urology is coupled with proposals of a suitable training programme for future urologists.", "PMID": 785820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7039", "title": "[The effectiveness of autologous transplantation of spongy tissue of bone in accident surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "The use of autologous transplants of spongy tissue of bone has attained a standard place in the treatment of pseudoarthroses and of depressed fractures in the vicinity of joints. On the basis of experience gained during the implementation of this form of treatment at the Professorial Casualty Unit of the 2nd Department of Surgery, University of Vienna, during the years 1671--1974, guide lines are laid down for the achievement of a successful outcome of transplantation with a minimal complication rate.", "contents": "[The effectiveness of autologous transplantation of spongy tissue of bone in accident surgery (author's transl)]. The use of autologous transplants of spongy tissue of bone has attained a standard place in the treatment of pseudoarthroses and of depressed fractures in the vicinity of joints. On the basis of experience gained during the implementation of this form of treatment at the Professorial Casualty Unit of the 2nd Department of Surgery, University of Vienna, during the years 1671--1974, guide lines are laid down for the achievement of a successful outcome of transplantation with a minimal complication rate.", "PMID": 785821} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7040", "title": "[Renal transplantation in children (author's transl)].", "content": "During the past 2 years 7 children received kidneys from cadaveric donors. 2 transplants had to be removed because of irreversible chronic rejection and 1 recipient died on the 4th day after surgery. The remaining 4 recipients are doing well. In the evaluation of the results special emphasis is placed on the normalization of growth and puberty. The difficulties of psychosocial rehabilitation are stressed.", "contents": "[Renal transplantation in children (author's transl)]. During the past 2 years 7 children received kidneys from cadaveric donors. 2 transplants had to be removed because of irreversible chronic rejection and 1 recipient died on the 4th day after surgery. The remaining 4 recipients are doing well. In the evaluation of the results special emphasis is placed on the normalization of growth and puberty. The difficulties of psychosocial rehabilitation are stressed.", "PMID": 785822} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7041", "title": "Mutagenesis in bacteriophage T7. I. Chemically induced mutagenesis.", "content": "The mutagenesis in phage T7 after MMS-, HNO2-, hydroxylamine-, 5-BUdR-, and 2-AP-treatment in relation to host controlled functions is investigated. There was no dependence of the induction of mutations on the character of the host strains (rec, hcr). A back mutation system (amber system) and a forward mutation system (host range system) have been used. Substances which cause mainly transitions from GC to AT do not lead or only rarely lead to reversions of the amber system; but chemicals producing transitions from AT to GC do so.", "contents": "Mutagenesis in bacteriophage T7. I. Chemically induced mutagenesis. The mutagenesis in phage T7 after MMS-, HNO2-, hydroxylamine-, 5-BUdR-, and 2-AP-treatment in relation to host controlled functions is investigated. There was no dependence of the induction of mutations on the character of the host strains (rec, hcr). A back mutation system (amber system) and a forward mutation system (host range system) have been used. Substances which cause mainly transitions from GC to AT do not lead or only rarely lead to reversions of the amber system; but chemicals producing transitions from AT to GC do so.", "PMID": 785828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7042", "title": "Mutagenesis in bacteriophage T7. II. UV induced mutagenesis.", "content": "UV induced mutagenesis of bacteriophage T7 was investigated by using a forward mutation system (host range system) and a back mutation system (amber system). The results indicate a dependence of mutation of T7 after UV irradiation only on the rec gene controlled functions of the bacterial host. The functions controlled by pol and uvr genes have no influence. Among other types of mutations UV irradiation leads to transitions from AT to GC.", "contents": "Mutagenesis in bacteriophage T7. II. UV induced mutagenesis. UV induced mutagenesis of bacteriophage T7 was investigated by using a forward mutation system (host range system) and a back mutation system (amber system). The results indicate a dependence of mutation of T7 after UV irradiation only on the rec gene controlled functions of the bacterial host. The functions controlled by pol and uvr genes have no influence. Among other types of mutations UV irradiation leads to transitions from AT to GC.", "PMID": 785829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7043", "title": "[Clinical-pharmacological effective data on 3',4',-dipropionylhelveticosol].", "content": "In experiments of treatment carried out on 39 patients with cardiac insufficiency with tachyarrhythmia for the partially synthetic, new heart glycoside 3',4'-dipropionyl helveticosol the following clinico-pharmacological data of efficacy were approximately established on an average: level of full efficacy 2.7 mg, daily coefficient of disappearing 40%, coefficient of enteral absorption 30%, daily maintenance dose intravenously 1.1 mg and orally 3.7 mg.", "contents": "[Clinical-pharmacological effective data on 3',4',-dipropionylhelveticosol]. In experiments of treatment carried out on 39 patients with cardiac insufficiency with tachyarrhythmia for the partially synthetic, new heart glycoside 3',4'-dipropionyl helveticosol the following clinico-pharmacological data of efficacy were approximately established on an average: level of full efficacy 2.7 mg, daily coefficient of disappearing 40%, coefficient of enteral absorption 30%, daily maintenance dose intravenously 1.1 mg and orally 3.7 mg.", "PMID": 785835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7044", "title": "[Intrathoracal tumor with accompanying hypoglycemia].", "content": "The number of the Doege-Potter-syndrome cases described above is less than one hundred. Even rarer are thoracic tumours with associated hypoglycaemia. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of the syndrome have not been fully elucidated as yet. There are also divergencies about the etiology of hypoglycaemia. Several hypotheses are under discussion. Even our observation shows the difficulty of discovering the genesis of tumour-conditioned hypoglycaemia.", "contents": "[Intrathoracal tumor with accompanying hypoglycemia]. The number of the Doege-Potter-syndrome cases described above is less than one hundred. Even rarer are thoracic tumours with associated hypoglycaemia. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of the syndrome have not been fully elucidated as yet. There are also divergencies about the etiology of hypoglycaemia. Several hypotheses are under discussion. Even our observation shows the difficulty of discovering the genesis of tumour-conditioned hypoglycaemia.", "PMID": 785836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7045", "title": "[Pathomorphology of the duodenal stump after gastric resection (Billroth II)].", "content": "40 duodenal stumps formed following gastric resections according to Billroth II were studied. The most recent stump was 6 hours old, the oldest 35 years. With some exceptions the torus on the stump---due to the suture---disappears within one year and is replaced by a wide strip of scar tissue. Chronic inflammations due to foreign bodies, some with acute exacerbation, were proved histologically to persist even decades after the resection. These inflammations are closely related with the suture material and other foreign matter. In patients submitted to the Billroth II operation, lipomatosis in the pancreas occurred more rarely, whereas fibrosis set in more often.", "contents": "[Pathomorphology of the duodenal stump after gastric resection (Billroth II)]. 40 duodenal stumps formed following gastric resections according to Billroth II were studied. The most recent stump was 6 hours old, the oldest 35 years. With some exceptions the torus on the stump---due to the suture---disappears within one year and is replaced by a wide strip of scar tissue. Chronic inflammations due to foreign bodies, some with acute exacerbation, were proved histologically to persist even decades after the resection. These inflammations are closely related with the suture material and other foreign matter. In patients submitted to the Billroth II operation, lipomatosis in the pancreas occurred more rarely, whereas fibrosis set in more often.", "PMID": 785837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7046", "title": "[Motilin-range and analysis of its action].", "content": "Motilin is a polypeptide containing 22 amino-acids from the entero-chromaffin cells of the mucosa of the small intestine. Synthetic analogues (13-norleucine-motilin; 13-leucine-motilin) proved to be equal to the natural polypeptide in the biological aspects. Motilin primarily stimulates the motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract but inhibits gastrin evacuation. The contractile action of motilin does not take place by way of the nerves but through receptors on or in the smooth muscle cell itself. Motilin and cyclic adenosine-3':5'-monophosphate are functional antagonists in the contraction of the gastrointestinal musculature. Depending on the dosis, motilin increases gastric pepsin secretion and inhibits protein biosynthesis in the gastric mucosa itself. Radioimmunological motilin tests will help to determine which of the above-mentioned motilin actions are \"physiological\" and which of them merely \"pharmacological\".", "contents": "[Motilin-range and analysis of its action]. Motilin is a polypeptide containing 22 amino-acids from the entero-chromaffin cells of the mucosa of the small intestine. Synthetic analogues (13-norleucine-motilin; 13-leucine-motilin) proved to be equal to the natural polypeptide in the biological aspects. Motilin primarily stimulates the motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract but inhibits gastrin evacuation. The contractile action of motilin does not take place by way of the nerves but through receptors on or in the smooth muscle cell itself. Motilin and cyclic adenosine-3':5'-monophosphate are functional antagonists in the contraction of the gastrointestinal musculature. Depending on the dosis, motilin increases gastric pepsin secretion and inhibits protein biosynthesis in the gastric mucosa itself. Radioimmunological motilin tests will help to determine which of the above-mentioned motilin actions are \"physiological\" and which of them merely \"pharmacological\".", "PMID": 785838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7047", "title": "[Summary of work session 1: Blood coagulation in gastroenterology].", "content": "Part I: Immunological assays of clotting factors in the diagnosis of liver diseases. The immunological determination of Antithrombin III is a good measure of the capacity of the liver to synthesize plasma proteins. Antithrombin III concentration in serum correlated significantly with the prothrombin time and the activity of cholinesterase. The immunological determination of factor VIII related antigen seems to be important for the early recognition of the transition of an acute hepatitis into a chronic course. While following uncomplicated acute hepatitis the level of factor VIII related antigen is normal after 40 weeks, it remains high in cases which become chronic. Immunological assay of factor XIII seems to be not very useful in the diagnosis of liver diseases. Part II: Management of coagulation disturbances in liver diseases. Except cases of hepatic coma the hemostatic abnormalities in chronic liver diseases are rarely severe enough that correction is necessary. Prothrombin concentrates are considered by most of the discussants as unnecessary and potentially dangerous. Transfusion of platelets is only neccessary when the platelet count is below 40.000 and surgery is planned. It is uncertain whether patients with chronical liver disease and laboratory signs of DIC benefit from heparin therapy. Although laboratory tests may be improved, prognosis, especially in cases of acute oesophageal bleeding, seems to be not changed by this treatment.", "contents": "[Summary of work session 1: Blood coagulation in gastroenterology]. Part I: Immunological assays of clotting factors in the diagnosis of liver diseases. The immunological determination of Antithrombin III is a good measure of the capacity of the liver to synthesize plasma proteins. Antithrombin III concentration in serum correlated significantly with the prothrombin time and the activity of cholinesterase. The immunological determination of factor VIII related antigen seems to be important for the early recognition of the transition of an acute hepatitis into a chronic course. While following uncomplicated acute hepatitis the level of factor VIII related antigen is normal after 40 weeks, it remains high in cases which become chronic. Immunological assay of factor XIII seems to be not very useful in the diagnosis of liver diseases. Part II: Management of coagulation disturbances in liver diseases. Except cases of hepatic coma the hemostatic abnormalities in chronic liver diseases are rarely severe enough that correction is necessary. Prothrombin concentrates are considered by most of the discussants as unnecessary and potentially dangerous. Transfusion of platelets is only neccessary when the platelet count is below 40.000 and surgery is planned. It is uncertain whether patients with chronical liver disease and laboratory signs of DIC benefit from heparin therapy. Although laboratory tests may be improved, prognosis, especially in cases of acute oesophageal bleeding, seems to be not changed by this treatment.", "PMID": 785839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7048", "title": "Deviated lysis: Transfer of complement lytic activity to unsensitized cells II. Generation of the activity by inulin and by antigen antibody complexes.", "content": "Deviated lysis (d.l.) activity, i.e. lysis of unsensitized cells by lytic C activity, was generated via the classical pathway of Cactivation (ag ab complexes) and via the alternative pathway (inulin). The activity was observed on the surface of the activating particles and in the fluid phase. The activity was relatively stable at 32 degrees C. Its generation involved the C components C6 through C9 and possibly also C5.", "contents": "Deviated lysis: Transfer of complement lytic activity to unsensitized cells II. Generation of the activity by inulin and by antigen antibody complexes. Deviated lysis (d.l.) activity, i.e. lysis of unsensitized cells by lytic C activity, was generated via the classical pathway of Cactivation (ag ab complexes) and via the alternative pathway (inulin). The activity was observed on the surface of the activating particles and in the fluid phase. The activity was relatively stable at 32 degrees C. Its generation involved the C components C6 through C9 and possibly also C5.", "PMID": 785847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7049", "title": "Subpopulations of blood lymphocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "The peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations of 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were compared with those of 10 healthy donors using minor modifications of the mixed immunofluorescence and rosette test (1), rosette test using human 0 RhD erythrocytes coated with anti-RhD antibodies (2)and the miced rosette test (3). It was found that the percentages of lymphocytes exhibiting both immunoglobulin receptors and receptors for sheep erythrocytes, and lymphocytes with receptors for Fc part of IgG in the rheumatoid patients were increased. A hypothesis for the origin of these subpopulations is discussed.", "contents": "Subpopulations of blood lymphocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations of 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were compared with those of 10 healthy donors using minor modifications of the mixed immunofluorescence and rosette test (1), rosette test using human 0 RhD erythrocytes coated with anti-RhD antibodies (2)and the miced rosette test (3). It was found that the percentages of lymphocytes exhibiting both immunoglobulin receptors and receptors for sheep erythrocytes, and lymphocytes with receptors for Fc part of IgG in the rheumatoid patients were increased. A hypothesis for the origin of these subpopulations is discussed.", "PMID": 785848} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7050", "title": "Anatomical locus of the common enterobacterial antigen.", "content": "Cell walls, membrane vesicles and the soluble cytoplasmic components have been isolated from Escherichia coli 0:14 and Salmonella typhimurium and examined by electron microscopy as well as hemagglutination inhibition with heterologous antisera for enterobacterial common antigen (ECA). The outer and cytoplasmic membranes also were isolated and examined for common antigen. Although common antigen was present in the isolated surface structures it was not localized exclusively in these fractions. Additional experiments revealed that, whatever the nature of the integration of ECA of Kunin into the cell envelope, it is a much more stable association in E. coli 0:14 than in S. typhimurium.", "contents": "Anatomical locus of the common enterobacterial antigen. Cell walls, membrane vesicles and the soluble cytoplasmic components have been isolated from Escherichia coli 0:14 and Salmonella typhimurium and examined by electron microscopy as well as hemagglutination inhibition with heterologous antisera for enterobacterial common antigen (ECA). The outer and cytoplasmic membranes also were isolated and examined for common antigen. Although common antigen was present in the isolated surface structures it was not localized exclusively in these fractions. Additional experiments revealed that, whatever the nature of the integration of ECA of Kunin into the cell envelope, it is a much more stable association in E. coli 0:14 than in S. typhimurium.", "PMID": 785849} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7051", "title": "Specific lymphocyte transformation in murine malaria.", "content": "Lymphoblast transformation tests were performed on convalescent rats and mice, after infection with Plasmodium berghei had been reduced to latency. Spleen cells from immune animals reacted in vitro to specific plasmodial antigen and not to control antigen produced from non infected RBC. The response in vitro was dependent on the concentration of the antigen and the time of exposure to it. A correlation was observed between the parasitaemia of the convalescent animal during its acute infection and the reaction in vitro: the higher the parasitaemia the higher the in vitro simulation.", "contents": "Specific lymphocyte transformation in murine malaria. Lymphoblast transformation tests were performed on convalescent rats and mice, after infection with Plasmodium berghei had been reduced to latency. Spleen cells from immune animals reacted in vitro to specific plasmodial antigen and not to control antigen produced from non infected RBC. The response in vitro was dependent on the concentration of the antigen and the time of exposure to it. A correlation was observed between the parasitaemia of the convalescent animal during its acute infection and the reaction in vitro: the higher the parasitaemia the higher the in vitro simulation.", "PMID": 785850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7052", "title": "Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease.", "content": "A description if given of a male patient in whom a diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was made by brain biopsy. This is believed to be the first case of this syndrome reported from Papua New Guinea.", "contents": "Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease. A description if given of a male patient in whom a diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was made by brain biopsy. This is believed to be the first case of this syndrome reported from Papua New Guinea.", "PMID": 785862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7053", "title": "Deep vein thrombosis after renal transplantation.", "content": "Postoperative deep vein thrombosis has been demonstrated in four out of seven (57%) unselected patients undergoing homograft cadaveric renal transplantation, with pulmonary embolism in one. The diagnosis being made by using the combined 125I-fibrinogen and Doppler ultrasound techniques. The late onset of the deep vein thrombosis may be due to the heparin given interoperatively and postoperatively which acted as a prophylactic agent.", "contents": "Deep vein thrombosis after renal transplantation. Postoperative deep vein thrombosis has been demonstrated in four out of seven (57%) unselected patients undergoing homograft cadaveric renal transplantation, with pulmonary embolism in one. The diagnosis being made by using the combined 125I-fibrinogen and Doppler ultrasound techniques. The late onset of the deep vein thrombosis may be due to the heparin given interoperatively and postoperatively which acted as a prophylactic agent.", "PMID": 785859} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7054", "title": "[Clinical significance of hydramnios from the view point of current medicine].", "content": "In the period from 1.1. 1970 to 31.3 1975 we found under 11876 deliveries in 56 cases polyhydramnios (= 0,47%). Deformities by the newborns we have had in 8,9%! A timely observation and therapy of the polyhydramnios are able to diminish the risk for mother and child. The therapy of choise is a frequently transbdominal amniocentesis after localization of the placenta. A partus praematurus we could'nt avoid generally. An compulsory fetal monitoring of this patients is necessary, because many of this deliveries are high-risk deliveries.", "contents": "[Clinical significance of hydramnios from the view point of current medicine]. In the period from 1.1. 1970 to 31.3 1975 we found under 11876 deliveries in 56 cases polyhydramnios (= 0,47%). Deformities by the newborns we have had in 8,9%! A timely observation and therapy of the polyhydramnios are able to diminish the risk for mother and child. The therapy of choise is a frequently transbdominal amniocentesis after localization of the placenta. A partus praematurus we could'nt avoid generally. An compulsory fetal monitoring of this patients is necessary, because many of this deliveries are high-risk deliveries.", "PMID": 785874} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7055", "title": "[Diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of threatened abortion].", "content": "After legislation of therapeutic abortion in 1972 number of spontaneous abortions decreased about 30 per cent. In this paper causes, pathologic diagnosis, other diagnostic procedures and treatment of threatened abortions are discussed. Cytogenetic and ultrasonic methods should be extended. The effect of treatment in threatened abortions is still now not sure.", "contents": "[Diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of threatened abortion]. After legislation of therapeutic abortion in 1972 number of spontaneous abortions decreased about 30 per cent. In this paper causes, pathologic diagnosis, other diagnostic procedures and treatment of threatened abortions are discussed. Cytogenetic and ultrasonic methods should be extended. The effect of treatment in threatened abortions is still now not sure.", "PMID": 785873} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7056", "title": "[Problem of the relationship between pyelonephritis in pregnancy and ABO blood-group system].", "content": "In the present publication the attempt is made to show relationship between pyelonephritis and blood-group. A shift of the blood-group distribution in disfavour of blood-group O can be seen finding its expression especialy in the representation of the relationship between E. coli demonstration and blood groups.", "contents": "[Problem of the relationship between pyelonephritis in pregnancy and ABO blood-group system]. In the present publication the attempt is made to show relationship between pyelonephritis and blood-group. A shift of the blood-group distribution in disfavour of blood-group O can be seen finding its expression especialy in the representation of the relationship between E. coli demonstration and blood groups.", "PMID": 785875} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7057", "title": "[Early diagnosis of corpus-carcinoma. The Gravlee-Jet-Washer withdrawal method on--safety from iatrogenic lesions].", "content": "A short review is given about the development and method of cytology from the endometrium; the accuracy of aim and the advantage of the Jet-wash technique by Gravlee has been described. The practicability of obtaining the best material is discussed. Metastasis implantation by spreading the material is nearly impossible when accurate operating is done.", "contents": "[Early diagnosis of corpus-carcinoma. The Gravlee-Jet-Washer withdrawal method on--safety from iatrogenic lesions]. A short review is given about the development and method of cytology from the endometrium; the accuracy of aim and the advantage of the Jet-wash technique by Gravlee has been described. The practicability of obtaining the best material is discussed. Metastasis implantation by spreading the material is nearly impossible when accurate operating is done.", "PMID": 785876} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7058", "title": "[Use of the antiglobulin test for the purpose of detecting antibodies to enteropathogenic bacteria in biological fluids].", "content": "Use of IHAT with the addition of antiserum to immunoglobulins G, M, A increased the frequency of detection of antibodies to enteropathogenic bacteria in various biological fluids (blood, saliva, human milk, feces). At the same time the antiglobulin test permitted determination of the immunological class of these antibodies. In the substrates where the antibodies were subjected to an intensive action of proteolytic enzymes there was seen a decrease of the efficacy of the modified IHAT, but by results it exceeded the common IHAT. Antiglobulin test with the addition of antisera to immunoglobulins G, M and A could be recommended for the immunological study of the blood sera and of the external secretions for the purpose of the most reliable detection and determination of the immunological class of antibodies to enteropathogenic bacteria.", "contents": "[Use of the antiglobulin test for the purpose of detecting antibodies to enteropathogenic bacteria in biological fluids]. Use of IHAT with the addition of antiserum to immunoglobulins G, M, A increased the frequency of detection of antibodies to enteropathogenic bacteria in various biological fluids (blood, saliva, human milk, feces). At the same time the antiglobulin test permitted determination of the immunological class of these antibodies. In the substrates where the antibodies were subjected to an intensive action of proteolytic enzymes there was seen a decrease of the efficacy of the modified IHAT, but by results it exceeded the common IHAT. Antiglobulin test with the addition of antisera to immunoglobulins G, M and A could be recommended for the immunological study of the blood sera and of the external secretions for the purpose of the most reliable detection and determination of the immunological class of antibodies to enteropathogenic bacteria.", "PMID": 785878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7059", "title": "[Heterogeneity of the population of pseudotuberculosis microbe cultures].", "content": "Use of the method of oblique illumination of the colonies permitted to detect four variants of pseudotuberculosis microbe differing by the character of fluorescence, and also by virulence, toxicity and immunogenicity. Strains isolated from sick persons, carriers and rodents were characterized by polychromatic character of fluorescence of the colonies, whereas strains isolated from the external environment were monochromatic. Since colonies with a different fluorescence had different biological properties it can be supposed that the properties of each strain as a whole were determined by its quantitative and qualitative composition as of a heterogeneous population.", "contents": "[Heterogeneity of the population of pseudotuberculosis microbe cultures]. Use of the method of oblique illumination of the colonies permitted to detect four variants of pseudotuberculosis microbe differing by the character of fluorescence, and also by virulence, toxicity and immunogenicity. Strains isolated from sick persons, carriers and rodents were characterized by polychromatic character of fluorescence of the colonies, whereas strains isolated from the external environment were monochromatic. Since colonies with a different fluorescence had different biological properties it can be supposed that the properties of each strain as a whole were determined by its quantitative and qualitative composition as of a heterogeneous population.", "PMID": 785879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7060", "title": "[Antibody-containing cells in the mucosa of the large intestine of patients with acute bacterial dysentery].", "content": "The authors traced the dynamics of appearance, increase and disappearance of O-antibody-containing cells in the mucosa of the distal portion of the large intestine in patients suffering from acute Sonne and Flexner dysentery (aspiration biopsy of the mucosa). The antibodies were revealed by the indirect Coons method. The total number of cells per 1 mm2 of 4 mum of the mucosal section the number of lymphoid cells and the content of the antibody-containing cells in % per total cell count of the lymphoid tissue was calculated. It was revealed that the antibody-containing cells appeared on the 4th day of the disease, reached the maximum on the 7th--8th and disappeared on the 22nd--25th day. Cells of the plasmocytic series containing no antidysentery antibodies, were revealed in large amounts even at the remote periods (up to 6 months) after recovery.", "contents": "[Antibody-containing cells in the mucosa of the large intestine of patients with acute bacterial dysentery]. The authors traced the dynamics of appearance, increase and disappearance of O-antibody-containing cells in the mucosa of the distal portion of the large intestine in patients suffering from acute Sonne and Flexner dysentery (aspiration biopsy of the mucosa). The antibodies were revealed by the indirect Coons method. The total number of cells per 1 mm2 of 4 mum of the mucosal section the number of lymphoid cells and the content of the antibody-containing cells in % per total cell count of the lymphoid tissue was calculated. It was revealed that the antibody-containing cells appeared on the 4th day of the disease, reached the maximum on the 7th--8th and disappeared on the 22nd--25th day. Cells of the plasmocytic series containing no antidysentery antibodies, were revealed in large amounts even at the remote periods (up to 6 months) after recovery.", "PMID": 785886} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7061", "title": "[Feasibility of treating Sonne dysentery patients at home].", "content": "Results of studying possibility of treatment of 589 patients suffering from Sonne dysentery at home showed that their significance in the spread of infection was not greater than that of those treated at the hospital. Significance of the patients in the spread of infection in a family was determined by their age, severity of the disease, number and duration of excretion of the causative agent. It was concluded that patients with forme frustes or subclinical form of Sonne dysentery and also those revealed during the late periods of the disease could by treated at home.", "contents": "[Feasibility of treating Sonne dysentery patients at home]. Results of studying possibility of treatment of 589 patients suffering from Sonne dysentery at home showed that their significance in the spread of infection was not greater than that of those treated at the hospital. Significance of the patients in the spread of infection in a family was determined by their age, severity of the disease, number and duration of excretion of the causative agent. It was concluded that patients with forme frustes or subclinical form of Sonne dysentery and also those revealed during the late periods of the disease could by treated at home.", "PMID": 785887} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7062", "title": "[Contamination of fish by agents of botulism type F and differentiating it from type E].", "content": "A total of 1859 samples of fish and various sea animals were examined for contamination with causative agent of botulism. The cultural fluid of 4--5-day cultures of the samples was tested in the reaction of neutralization with the diagnostic antitoxic antibotulin sera. types A, B, C, E. The causative agents of botulism (types A--7,B--16, C--5, E--128) were revealed in 156 samples. The sera were diluted to the concentration of 1 IU/ml for differentiation of the toxins types B and F in the neutralization test. Of 128 samples which gave a positive reaction with the serum of type E, 75 were identified as type F. In connection with the aforesaid the authors recommended in all the cases of botulism of type E in man to carry out differential diagnosis between the causative agents of botulism of types E and F and, on the basis of these data, to solve the problem on the necessity of production of therapeutic antibotulin serum of type F.", "contents": "[Contamination of fish by agents of botulism type F and differentiating it from type E]. A total of 1859 samples of fish and various sea animals were examined for contamination with causative agent of botulism. The cultural fluid of 4--5-day cultures of the samples was tested in the reaction of neutralization with the diagnostic antitoxic antibotulin sera. types A, B, C, E. The causative agents of botulism (types A--7,B--16, C--5, E--128) were revealed in 156 samples. The sera were diluted to the concentration of 1 IU/ml for differentiation of the toxins types B and F in the neutralization test. Of 128 samples which gave a positive reaction with the serum of type E, 75 were identified as type F. In connection with the aforesaid the authors recommended in all the cases of botulism of type E in man to carry out differential diagnosis between the causative agents of botulism of types E and F and, on the basis of these data, to solve the problem on the necessity of production of therapeutic antibotulin serum of type F.", "PMID": 785888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7063", "title": "[Comparative study of group A streptococcal antigens. II. Comparative characteristics of several physico-chemical and immunochemical properties of partially purified M-protein and cytoplasmic protective antigen].", "content": "The authors carried out a comparative physico-chemical and immunochemical study of antigen obtained from the fraction of streptococcus cytoplasm by precipitation with ammonium sulfate, and partially purified M-protein. They proved to be heterogeneous by molecular-weight characteristics when tested by the methods of sedimentation analysis, disc-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. Results of immunoelectrophoresis and disc-electrophoresis pointed to the presence in these two antigens of significant structural differences. A common component in M-protein and the cytoplasmic antigen was revealed by the immunodiffuse test. Spectrophotometric data pointed to the fact that M-protein represented protein, and cytoplasmic antigen was chiefly a nucleoproteid.", "contents": "[Comparative study of group A streptococcal antigens. II. Comparative characteristics of several physico-chemical and immunochemical properties of partially purified M-protein and cytoplasmic protective antigen]. The authors carried out a comparative physico-chemical and immunochemical study of antigen obtained from the fraction of streptococcus cytoplasm by precipitation with ammonium sulfate, and partially purified M-protein. They proved to be heterogeneous by molecular-weight characteristics when tested by the methods of sedimentation analysis, disc-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. Results of immunoelectrophoresis and disc-electrophoresis pointed to the presence in these two antigens of significant structural differences. A common component in M-protein and the cytoplasmic antigen was revealed by the immunodiffuse test. Spectrophotometric data pointed to the fact that M-protein represented protein, and cytoplasmic antigen was chiefly a nucleoproteid.", "PMID": 785889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7064", "title": "[Kinetics of the immune response following syngenous transfer of bone marrow, thymus and spleen cells from donors under the influence of previously administered antigen].", "content": "The influence of the donor priming upon the recipient's immune response under conditons of syngenic transfer of nucleated cells of the bone marrow, thymus, spleen to the lethally irradiated recipients was studied, the recipients being immunized with sheep erythrocytes. A fall of total number of antibody-forming cells was observed in the recipients in priming. The number of hemolytic foci was increased the first day after priming in case of injection of the bone marrow cells from the intact donors and of the thymus cells from the immunized donors. On the third day of the experiment the number of these foci was three time less in comparison with the control. An increase of the hemolytic foci was discovered in the syngenic transfer of splenic cells affected by priming.", "contents": "[Kinetics of the immune response following syngenous transfer of bone marrow, thymus and spleen cells from donors under the influence of previously administered antigen]. The influence of the donor priming upon the recipient's immune response under conditons of syngenic transfer of nucleated cells of the bone marrow, thymus, spleen to the lethally irradiated recipients was studied, the recipients being immunized with sheep erythrocytes. A fall of total number of antibody-forming cells was observed in the recipients in priming. The number of hemolytic foci was increased the first day after priming in case of injection of the bone marrow cells from the intact donors and of the thymus cells from the immunized donors. On the third day of the experiment the number of these foci was three time less in comparison with the control. An increase of the hemolytic foci was discovered in the syngenic transfer of splenic cells affected by priming.", "PMID": 785890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7065", "title": "[Cytotoxic effect on L-cells of lymphotoxin obtained during hypersensitivity of the delayed type to streptococcal antigens].", "content": "A study was made (in vitro) of the cytotoxic action on the mouse L-cells of lymph otoxin obtained in cultivation with a thermostable fraction of streptococcus of the lymph node cells of guinea pigs with hypersensitivity of delayed type to the streptococcus antigens. The cytotoxic action was determined by the calculation of the number of the L-cells preserved in the monolayer after the action on it of a decanted fluid containing lymphotoxin. A marked cytotoxic action on the L-cells was produced only by decanted fluids obtained in cultivation of lymph node cells of guinea pigs sensitized by streptococcus culture with a specific antigen. In cultivation of lymphoid cells of the same animals with a nonspecific antigen (tuberculin) the decanted fluids produced no significant cytotoxic action on mous fibroblasts. The value of the cytotoxic effect depended on the dose of the thermostable fraction, with which the lymph node cells were incubated in the preparation of the decanted fluid, and also on the concentration of the lymph node cells in the initial suspension.", "contents": "[Cytotoxic effect on L-cells of lymphotoxin obtained during hypersensitivity of the delayed type to streptococcal antigens]. A study was made (in vitro) of the cytotoxic action on the mouse L-cells of lymph otoxin obtained in cultivation with a thermostable fraction of streptococcus of the lymph node cells of guinea pigs with hypersensitivity of delayed type to the streptococcus antigens. The cytotoxic action was determined by the calculation of the number of the L-cells preserved in the monolayer after the action on it of a decanted fluid containing lymphotoxin. A marked cytotoxic action on the L-cells was produced only by decanted fluids obtained in cultivation of lymph node cells of guinea pigs sensitized by streptococcus culture with a specific antigen. In cultivation of lymphoid cells of the same animals with a nonspecific antigen (tuberculin) the decanted fluids produced no significant cytotoxic action on mous fibroblasts. The value of the cytotoxic effect depended on the dose of the thermostable fraction, with which the lymph node cells were incubated in the preparation of the decanted fluid, and also on the concentration of the lymph node cells in the initial suspension.", "PMID": 785892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7066", "title": "[Influence of mutation in the gene-suppressor su-str on the virulence of Salmonella enteritidis].", "content": "Virulent and avirulent cells resistant to streptomycin were revealed in the population of avirulent streptomycin-resistant mutant (obtained from the supressor revertant str-d S. enteritidis mutant) in seeding on a medium with streptomycin. Transduction analysis of the isolated avirulent and virulent strains demonstrated that mutation in the gene-suppressor su-str+ led to the loss of virulence. In connection with the presence in the genom of suppressor revertants of the streptomycin-dependent mutants two mutations (su-su+ and str-d), which irrespective of one another led to the loss of virulence, a conclusion was drawn on the stability of avirulent properties of such strains and on future prospects for their use in the capacity of living vaccines.", "contents": "[Influence of mutation in the gene-suppressor su-str on the virulence of Salmonella enteritidis]. Virulent and avirulent cells resistant to streptomycin were revealed in the population of avirulent streptomycin-resistant mutant (obtained from the supressor revertant str-d S. enteritidis mutant) in seeding on a medium with streptomycin. Transduction analysis of the isolated avirulent and virulent strains demonstrated that mutation in the gene-suppressor su-str+ led to the loss of virulence. In connection with the presence in the genom of suppressor revertants of the streptomycin-dependent mutants two mutations (su-su+ and str-d), which irrespective of one another led to the loss of virulence, a conclusion was drawn on the stability of avirulent properties of such strains and on future prospects for their use in the capacity of living vaccines.", "PMID": 785903} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7067", "title": "[Biochemical and genetic characteristics of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and shigellae. IV. An electron microscopic study of pathogenic escherichia of serologic group 0124 and their recombinants].", "content": "Electron microscopic study of parental strains E. coli K12, E. coli 0124 : K72 (B17 and of recombinations demonstrated that their populations were nonhomogeneous and, along with the common ones, contained maxi- and mini-cells. By the character of flagellae and fimbria inheritance recombinations were distributed into two groups: similar to the donor and similar to the recipient. The data of electron microscopic determination of the flagellae and fimbria failed to coincide with the data on mobility and capacity to agglutinate erythrocytes in all the strains under study; this pointed to the nonhomogeneity of bacterial population in respect to these signs. There were revealed recombinations of E. coli O124 in which the majority of the population cells had flagellae, but proved to be immobile; this indicated a possibility of independent transfer of genes controlling the morphogenesis and the function of the flagellae to the E. coli O124 recombinations.", "contents": "[Biochemical and genetic characteristics of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and shigellae. IV. An electron microscopic study of pathogenic escherichia of serologic group 0124 and their recombinants]. Electron microscopic study of parental strains E. coli K12, E. coli 0124 : K72 (B17 and of recombinations demonstrated that their populations were nonhomogeneous and, along with the common ones, contained maxi- and mini-cells. By the character of flagellae and fimbria inheritance recombinations were distributed into two groups: similar to the donor and similar to the recipient. The data of electron microscopic determination of the flagellae and fimbria failed to coincide with the data on mobility and capacity to agglutinate erythrocytes in all the strains under study; this pointed to the nonhomogeneity of bacterial population in respect to these signs. There were revealed recombinations of E. coli O124 in which the majority of the population cells had flagellae, but proved to be immobile; this indicated a possibility of independent transfer of genes controlling the morphogenesis and the function of the flagellae to the E. coli O124 recombinations.", "PMID": 785904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7068", "title": "[Allergenic fractions of bacteria belonging to the enteric family. VII. Characteristics of the intracellular proteins comprising the allergenic substrate of Escherichia coli using ion exchange chromatography].", "content": "A method of successive chromatography on Sephadex G-50 and G-100 and DEAE-Sephadex A-50 was applied for separation of the allergenic complex of E. coli intracellular proteins into a number of immunochemically different or significantly differing fractions with a definite set of antigens. Results of analysis of the fractions obtained in the tests of increased sensitivity of delayed type (ISDT) in vivo and in vitro corresponded to the view of the immunological polyvalency of the allergenic substrate of enterobacteria. Four groups of antigens were distinguished by the ratio of the activity indices in the skin reactions of ISDT and in the tests of specific inhibition of macrophage migration. Singificance of individual antigens in the formation of the allergenic profile of bacterial cells is determined by their quantitative content and the extent of the allergenic activity.", "contents": "[Allergenic fractions of bacteria belonging to the enteric family. VII. Characteristics of the intracellular proteins comprising the allergenic substrate of Escherichia coli using ion exchange chromatography]. A method of successive chromatography on Sephadex G-50 and G-100 and DEAE-Sephadex A-50 was applied for separation of the allergenic complex of E. coli intracellular proteins into a number of immunochemically different or significantly differing fractions with a definite set of antigens. Results of analysis of the fractions obtained in the tests of increased sensitivity of delayed type (ISDT) in vivo and in vitro corresponded to the view of the immunological polyvalency of the allergenic substrate of enterobacteria. Four groups of antigens were distinguished by the ratio of the activity indices in the skin reactions of ISDT and in the tests of specific inhibition of macrophage migration. Singificance of individual antigens in the formation of the allergenic profile of bacterial cells is determined by their quantitative content and the extent of the allergenic activity.", "PMID": 785905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7069", "title": "[Type specific antistreptococcal antibodies in the passive hemagglutination test].", "content": "The authors present materials of the elaboration of a method of obtaining stable erythrocytic diagnostic agents from semipurified preparations of type-specific antigens of the hemolytic streptococcus of the 1st, 4th, 12th and 18th serotypes. Adequate specificity and high sensitivity of the passive hemagglutination test was shown in examination of the sera of experimental animals. In the sera of healthy children the type-specific antibodies were revealed with a different frequency at various seasons of the year; this was in inverse correlation with the level of scarlet fever morbidity.", "contents": "[Type specific antistreptococcal antibodies in the passive hemagglutination test]. The authors present materials of the elaboration of a method of obtaining stable erythrocytic diagnostic agents from semipurified preparations of type-specific antigens of the hemolytic streptococcus of the 1st, 4th, 12th and 18th serotypes. Adequate specificity and high sensitivity of the passive hemagglutination test was shown in examination of the sera of experimental animals. In the sera of healthy children the type-specific antibodies were revealed with a different frequency at various seasons of the year; this was in inverse correlation with the level of scarlet fever morbidity.", "PMID": 785907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7070", "title": "[Trial of the new chemical sorbed typhoid monovaccine P in a strictly controlled experiment].", "content": "A comparative study of the reactogenicity and immunologial activity of a new chemical sorbed typhoid monovaccine II, reference-vaccine (chemical sorbed monovaccine from tryptic antigens) and placebo-sorbent (hydroxy aluminium gel) was made under conditions of strictly gested monovaccine II, an equal capacity to induce formation of O- and Vi-antibodies, and also an accumulation of H-antibodies not induced by refrence-vaccine.", "contents": "[Trial of the new chemical sorbed typhoid monovaccine P in a strictly controlled experiment]. A comparative study of the reactogenicity and immunologial activity of a new chemical sorbed typhoid monovaccine II, reference-vaccine (chemical sorbed monovaccine from tryptic antigens) and placebo-sorbent (hydroxy aluminium gel) was made under conditions of strictly gested monovaccine II, an equal capacity to induce formation of O- and Vi-antibodies, and also an accumulation of H-antibodies not induced by refrence-vaccine.", "PMID": 785908} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7071", "title": "[Mechanism of the stimulating effect of protamines on the infectivity of DNA phages].", "content": "The interaction of styrin (protamine from sturgeon milt) with E. coli spheroplasts was investigated with the aid of the fluorescent probe--5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfonyl-chloride (DNS). Not less than 40% of the total (15 mug ml-1) DNA-protamine concentration was bound to spheroplasts. A part of the protein was found in the isolated membranes and inside the cell. There was a correlation between the binding of protein with spheroplasts and its biological action. The dansylation somehow decreased the protein stimulating activity in transfection.", "contents": "[Mechanism of the stimulating effect of protamines on the infectivity of DNA phages]. The interaction of styrin (protamine from sturgeon milt) with E. coli spheroplasts was investigated with the aid of the fluorescent probe--5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfonyl-chloride (DNS). Not less than 40% of the total (15 mug ml-1) DNA-protamine concentration was bound to spheroplasts. A part of the protein was found in the isolated membranes and inside the cell. There was a correlation between the binding of protein with spheroplasts and its biological action. The dansylation somehow decreased the protein stimulating activity in transfection.", "PMID": 785909} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7072", "title": "[Interaction of different types of cells in production of anti-influenzal antibodies. IV. Stimulation of B-lymphocytes by several biologically active substances].", "content": "Various biologicall-active preparations such as extracts of syngenous and allogenous thymus and LP S of Gram negative bacteria were administered to sublethally irradiated mice ascertain a possibility of replacement of T-lymphocytes in the production of antibodies to influenza virus. It appeared that the function of T-lymphocytes participating in the production of antibodies to influenza virus in mice could be replaced by the administration to these animals of extracts of the syngenous and allogenous thymus and LP S of Gram negative bacteria.", "contents": "[Interaction of different types of cells in production of anti-influenzal antibodies. IV. Stimulation of B-lymphocytes by several biologically active substances]. Various biologicall-active preparations such as extracts of syngenous and allogenous thymus and LP S of Gram negative bacteria were administered to sublethally irradiated mice ascertain a possibility of replacement of T-lymphocytes in the production of antibodies to influenza virus. It appeared that the function of T-lymphocytes participating in the production of antibodies to influenza virus in mice could be replaced by the administration to these animals of extracts of the syngenous and allogenous thymus and LP S of Gram negative bacteria.", "PMID": 785910} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7073", "title": "Insulin response to glucose infusion in thermal trauma in rats.", "content": "The basal serum insulin level, insulin response and glycogen storage in the liver and skeletal muscle during a glucose infusion were studied 20-24 hours after experimental infliction of a burn in the rat. As was found in earlier studies, the liver glycogen storage was normal, while the storage of glycogen in the muscle was markedly inhibited. This inhibition cannot have been due to an absolute insuline deficiency, which has been discussed, as both the basal fasting level of insulin and the insulin response to glucose infusion were normal after the burn.", "contents": "Insulin response to glucose infusion in thermal trauma in rats. The basal serum insulin level, insulin response and glycogen storage in the liver and skeletal muscle during a glucose infusion were studied 20-24 hours after experimental infliction of a burn in the rat. As was found in earlier studies, the liver glycogen storage was normal, while the storage of glycogen in the muscle was markedly inhibited. This inhibition cannot have been due to an absolute insuline deficiency, which has been discussed, as both the basal fasting level of insulin and the insulin response to glucose infusion were normal after the burn.", "PMID": 785914} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7074", "title": "Comparison of Dexon and Mersilene sutures in the closure of primary laparotomy incisions.", "content": "The study is a comparison of Dexon (polyglycolic acid) and Mersilene (polyester) sutures when employed for the primary closure of the peritoneum and aponeurotic layer in primary laparotomy incisions. The material comprises 308 closures of abdominal wounds with interrupted 2-0 sutures (United States Pharmacopeia) in the aponeurosis and continuous 2-0 suture of the peritoneum. One half of the wound was closed with Dexon and the other half with Mersilene, so that the patient acted as his own control. No significant difference was found between the two materials as evaluated from the occurrence of wound rupture within 10 days and incisional hernia within 90 days of the operation. Suture granulomas occurred in 9% of the half wounds sutured with Mersilene. The present clinical investigation demonstrates that Dexon sutures are as reliable as unabsorbable material. Dexon is superior to unabsorbable material as suture granulomas were not seen when Dexon was employed.", "contents": "Comparison of Dexon and Mersilene sutures in the closure of primary laparotomy incisions. The study is a comparison of Dexon (polyglycolic acid) and Mersilene (polyester) sutures when employed for the primary closure of the peritoneum and aponeurotic layer in primary laparotomy incisions. The material comprises 308 closures of abdominal wounds with interrupted 2-0 sutures (United States Pharmacopeia) in the aponeurosis and continuous 2-0 suture of the peritoneum. One half of the wound was closed with Dexon and the other half with Mersilene, so that the patient acted as his own control. No significant difference was found between the two materials as evaluated from the occurrence of wound rupture within 10 days and incisional hernia within 90 days of the operation. Suture granulomas occurred in 9% of the half wounds sutured with Mersilene. The present clinical investigation demonstrates that Dexon sutures are as reliable as unabsorbable material. Dexon is superior to unabsorbable material as suture granulomas were not seen when Dexon was employed.", "PMID": 785915} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7075", "title": "The pancreatic alpha and beta cells responses to 1-arginine and insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in hyperthyroidism.", "content": "In order to assess the secretory capacity of the pancreatic alpha and beta cells in patients with hyperthyroidism, the plasma glucagon and insulin responses to 1-arginine and insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in 12 patients were compared with those in 6 normal subjects. The response of beta cell to hypoglycaemia was evaluated by measuring the decrease in plasma C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR) level. There was a negligible rise in blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in the patients, whereas a significant increase occurred in normal subjects during the arginine infusion. Although no difference in the fasting plasma glucagon concentration between the two groups was found, 30 min after the beginning of the arginine infusion, the plasma glucagon levels rose to a peak of 252 +/- 35 pg/ml in the patients, a value significantly lower than 387 +/- 53 pg/ml in the normal subjects. The insulin-induced hypoglycaemia caused no significant difference in the peak values of plasma glucagon between the two groups. There was a sigificant difference in the peak values of plasma glucagon between the two groups; There was a significant fall in plasma CPR after the insulin injection in both groups but the per cent decrement was rather greater in the patients than in the normal subjects.", "contents": "The pancreatic alpha and beta cells responses to 1-arginine and insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in hyperthyroidism. In order to assess the secretory capacity of the pancreatic alpha and beta cells in patients with hyperthyroidism, the plasma glucagon and insulin responses to 1-arginine and insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in 12 patients were compared with those in 6 normal subjects. The response of beta cell to hypoglycaemia was evaluated by measuring the decrease in plasma C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR) level. There was a negligible rise in blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in the patients, whereas a significant increase occurred in normal subjects during the arginine infusion. Although no difference in the fasting plasma glucagon concentration between the two groups was found, 30 min after the beginning of the arginine infusion, the plasma glucagon levels rose to a peak of 252 +/- 35 pg/ml in the patients, a value significantly lower than 387 +/- 53 pg/ml in the normal subjects. The insulin-induced hypoglycaemia caused no significant difference in the peak values of plasma glucagon between the two groups. There was a sigificant difference in the peak values of plasma glucagon between the two groups; There was a significant fall in plasma CPR after the insulin injection in both groups but the per cent decrement was rather greater in the patients than in the normal subjects.", "PMID": 785921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7076", "title": "Are yeasts in vaginal smears intracellular or extracellular?", "content": "Using light microscopic cytodiagnosis the only thing that can be said about the position of the yeast cells in relation to the epithelial cells is that the epithelial cells and the parasite are very close to one another. It is not possible to say whether both elements are only temporarily projected above one another or in direct contact. This question can only be answered unequivocally with the aid of the electron microscope. It is possible to verify that the yeast cells, despite their size, are able to invade intact epithelial cells and are capable of reproduction within these same cells.", "contents": "Are yeasts in vaginal smears intracellular or extracellular? Using light microscopic cytodiagnosis the only thing that can be said about the position of the yeast cells in relation to the epithelial cells is that the epithelial cells and the parasite are very close to one another. It is not possible to say whether both elements are only temporarily projected above one another or in direct contact. This question can only be answered unequivocally with the aid of the electron microscope. It is possible to verify that the yeast cells, despite their size, are able to invade intact epithelial cells and are capable of reproduction within these same cells.", "PMID": 785917} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7077", "title": "Enhancement of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated rat pancreatic islets by human insulin antibodies.", "content": "Isolated pancreatic rat islets incubated in vitro were used as a bioassay system for investigating the influence of human insulin antibodies on insulin secretion. Serum samples with different titres of insulin antibodies were obtained from juvenile diabetics after various periods of insulin therapy. The insulin secretion of isolated islets is enhanced by insulin antibodies and positively correlated to the measured antibody titres in serum.", "contents": "Enhancement of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated rat pancreatic islets by human insulin antibodies. Isolated pancreatic rat islets incubated in vitro were used as a bioassay system for investigating the influence of human insulin antibodies on insulin secretion. Serum samples with different titres of insulin antibodies were obtained from juvenile diabetics after various periods of insulin therapy. The insulin secretion of isolated islets is enhanced by insulin antibodies and positively correlated to the measured antibody titres in serum.", "PMID": 785922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7078", "title": "Effects of androstenes, 5alpha-androstanes, 5beta-androstanes, oestrenes and oestratrienes on serum gonadotrophin levels and ventral prostate weights in gonadectomized, adult male rats.", "content": "The morphologic and metabolic effect of a single intracutaneous injection of homologous endocrine pancreas in Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) was studied in 100 mice and compared with control groups which had been (1) immunized with murine insulin in CFA, (2) injected with CFA alone, or had (3) received no treatment. There were no differences between the control groups as regards the morphology of the pancreatic islets, and the glucose tolerance was normal. Mice immunized with islet homogenate exhibited morphological changes in the form of degranulation and cytoplasmic disintegration. These changes involved B-cells as well as A2-cells and were present from 7 to 18 days after the immunization. A significant reduction in glucose tolerance was observed 14 days after the immunization. Another characteristic finding in the islets from the immunized mice was the extravascular presence of mononuclear, agranular cells which on the basis of their morphological criteria appeared to represent lymphocytes.", "contents": "Effects of androstenes, 5alpha-androstanes, 5beta-androstanes, oestrenes and oestratrienes on serum gonadotrophin levels and ventral prostate weights in gonadectomized, adult male rats. The morphologic and metabolic effect of a single intracutaneous injection of homologous endocrine pancreas in Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) was studied in 100 mice and compared with control groups which had been (1) immunized with murine insulin in CFA, (2) injected with CFA alone, or had (3) received no treatment. There were no differences between the control groups as regards the morphology of the pancreatic islets, and the glucose tolerance was normal. Mice immunized with islet homogenate exhibited morphological changes in the form of degranulation and cytoplasmic disintegration. These changes involved B-cells as well as A2-cells and were present from 7 to 18 days after the immunization. A significant reduction in glucose tolerance was observed 14 days after the immunization. Another characteristic finding in the islets from the immunized mice was the extravascular presence of mononuclear, agranular cells which on the basis of their morphological criteria appeared to represent lymphocytes.", "PMID": 785923} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7079", "title": "Morphology of experimental, organ-specific insulitis of the mouse pancreas.", "content": "The morphologic and metabolic effect of a single intracutaneous injection of homologous endocrine pancreas in Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) was studied in 100 mice and compared with control groups which had been (1) immunized with murine insulin in CFA, (2) injected with CFA alone, or had (3) received no treatment. There were no differences between the control groups as regards the morphology of the pancreatic islets, and the glucose tolerance was normal. Mice immunized with islet homogenate exhibited morphological changes in the form of degranulation and cytoplasmic disintegration. These changes involved B-cells as well as A2-cells and were present from 7 to 18 days after the immunization. A significant reduction in glucose tolerance was observed 14 days after the immunization. Another characteristic finding in the islets from the immunized mice was the extra-vascular presence of mononuclear, agranular cells which on the basis of their morphological criteria appeared to represent lymphocytes.", "contents": "Morphology of experimental, organ-specific insulitis of the mouse pancreas. The morphologic and metabolic effect of a single intracutaneous injection of homologous endocrine pancreas in Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) was studied in 100 mice and compared with control groups which had been (1) immunized with murine insulin in CFA, (2) injected with CFA alone, or had (3) received no treatment. There were no differences between the control groups as regards the morphology of the pancreatic islets, and the glucose tolerance was normal. Mice immunized with islet homogenate exhibited morphological changes in the form of degranulation and cytoplasmic disintegration. These changes involved B-cells as well as A2-cells and were present from 7 to 18 days after the immunization. A significant reduction in glucose tolerance was observed 14 days after the immunization. Another characteristic finding in the islets from the immunized mice was the extra-vascular presence of mononuclear, agranular cells which on the basis of their morphological criteria appeared to represent lymphocytes.", "PMID": 785924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7080", "title": "Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular system following testicular X-irradiATION.", "content": "Testes of adult, male rats were exposed to a total dose of 1500 R of X-irradiation. Testicular weight decreased from day 8 after X-ray treatment. This decrease was, however, preceded by an increment of the testis weight on day 4 following treatment. X-ray treatment of testes was associated with significant increases in serum FSH. Testicular irradiation had, however, no effect on ventral prostate and seminal vesicles weights. Serum testosterone increased only on day 1, 2 and 4 after irradiation, while serum LH levels tended to increase from day 8 post-irradiation. These changes were not significant, however, when compared with non-irradiated controls. At 7, 13 and 20 days following 1500 R of bilateral, testicular X-irradiation, the hypothalamic-pituitary unit was still capable of responding to exogenous gonadotrophin releasing factor. Serum FSH may in male rats by regulated at least partly by circulating steroids of testicular origin and partly by an unknown factor of non-interstitial cell nature.", "contents": "Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular system following testicular X-irradiATION. Testes of adult, male rats were exposed to a total dose of 1500 R of X-irradiation. Testicular weight decreased from day 8 after X-ray treatment. This decrease was, however, preceded by an increment of the testis weight on day 4 following treatment. X-ray treatment of testes was associated with significant increases in serum FSH. Testicular irradiation had, however, no effect on ventral prostate and seminal vesicles weights. Serum testosterone increased only on day 1, 2 and 4 after irradiation, while serum LH levels tended to increase from day 8 post-irradiation. These changes were not significant, however, when compared with non-irradiated controls. At 7, 13 and 20 days following 1500 R of bilateral, testicular X-irradiation, the hypothalamic-pituitary unit was still capable of responding to exogenous gonadotrophin releasing factor. Serum FSH may in male rats by regulated at least partly by circulating steroids of testicular origin and partly by an unknown factor of non-interstitial cell nature.", "PMID": 785925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7081", "title": "Comparison of buccal and nasal epithelial cells using a new cell development index and quantitative interference microscopy.", "content": "Cell area, cell dry mass, and three summary indices for tissue maturation were obtained for human buccal and nasal cells viewed in smears (five donors). The means for cell area and dry mass in the buccal smears were 3816 X 10(-8) cm2 and 2294 pg (1 pg=1 X 10(-12) g), respectively. The correlation coefficient for means of cell area and dry mass was r=0.03. The means for the three maturation indices used to characterize the cells viewed in buccal smears were: Cell Development Index (CDI), 486; Maturation Index (MI) 50.6; and Karyopyknotic Index (KPI), 0.028. The correlation coefficients for means were: CDI vs. MI, r=0.88; CDI vs. KPI, r=0.71; and MI vs. KPI, r=0.73. In the buccal smears, the cell types found most frequently were intermediate with round or oval nuclei, which altogether averaged about 90% of the total smear composition, while superficial cells (pyknotic ghost, and anucleate) comprised less than four per cent. In nasal smears, the means for cell area and dry mass were 867 X 10(-8) cm2 and 623 pg, respectively. The correlation coefficient for means of cell area and dry mass was r=0.74. The means for the maturation indices were: CDI, 816; MI, 91.2; and KPI, 0.79. The correlation coefficients for means were CDI vs. MI, r=0.93; CDI vs. KPI, r=0.97; and MI vs. KPI, r=0.85. In nasal smears, the anucleate cell type was found most frequently (about 75%) while intermediate cells with round or oval nuclei comprised approximately 13% of the total smear composition. When donor means for cell area and dry mass of buccal cells were combined for study, they were highly correlated (r=0.88). Similarly, when the maturation indices for buccal and nasal cells were combined for study, they were highly correlated: CDI vs. MI, r=0.99; CDI vs. KPI, r=0.99; and MI vs. KPI, r=0.99. Of the three indices, we believe that the CDI is the index best suited for use in studies of cell development because it is based on an inferred sequence of cellular and nuclear changes occurring during the maturation of epithelial cells. It provides a more detailed description of the cells observed in the smears. It also correlates highly in KPI and MI used in clinical and research efforts.", "contents": "Comparison of buccal and nasal epithelial cells using a new cell development index and quantitative interference microscopy. Cell area, cell dry mass, and three summary indices for tissue maturation were obtained for human buccal and nasal cells viewed in smears (five donors). The means for cell area and dry mass in the buccal smears were 3816 X 10(-8) cm2 and 2294 pg (1 pg=1 X 10(-12) g), respectively. The correlation coefficient for means of cell area and dry mass was r=0.03. The means for the three maturation indices used to characterize the cells viewed in buccal smears were: Cell Development Index (CDI), 486; Maturation Index (MI) 50.6; and Karyopyknotic Index (KPI), 0.028. The correlation coefficients for means were: CDI vs. MI, r=0.88; CDI vs. KPI, r=0.71; and MI vs. KPI, r=0.73. In the buccal smears, the cell types found most frequently were intermediate with round or oval nuclei, which altogether averaged about 90% of the total smear composition, while superficial cells (pyknotic ghost, and anucleate) comprised less than four per cent. In nasal smears, the means for cell area and dry mass were 867 X 10(-8) cm2 and 623 pg, respectively. The correlation coefficient for means of cell area and dry mass was r=0.74. The means for the maturation indices were: CDI, 816; MI, 91.2; and KPI, 0.79. The correlation coefficients for means were CDI vs. MI, r=0.93; CDI vs. KPI, r=0.97; and MI vs. KPI, r=0.85. In nasal smears, the anucleate cell type was found most frequently (about 75%) while intermediate cells with round or oval nuclei comprised approximately 13% of the total smear composition. When donor means for cell area and dry mass of buccal cells were combined for study, they were highly correlated (r=0.88). Similarly, when the maturation indices for buccal and nasal cells were combined for study, they were highly correlated: CDI vs. MI, r=0.99; CDI vs. KPI, r=0.99; and MI vs. KPI, r=0.99. Of the three indices, we believe that the CDI is the index best suited for use in studies of cell development because it is based on an inferred sequence of cellular and nuclear changes occurring during the maturation of epithelial cells. It provides a more detailed description of the cells observed in the smears. It also correlates highly in KPI and MI used in clinical and research efforts.", "PMID": 785918} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7082", "title": "[Gonadotropin releasing hormone test: diagnostic significance and limits in menstrual pathology].", "content": "The serum gonadotropin response to LH-RH (100 mug e.v.) in a group of women with various types of amenorrhea was critically evaluated. Most patients responded to rapid LH-RH injection with a significant rise in plasma LH and FSH. In the authors' opinion this response is observed in healthy women as well as in those with lesions, even severe ones, of the pituitary, so that quantification of the response does not supply reliable information on diagnosis and prognosis. On the other hand, a negative response to the injection of 100 mug LH-RH does not necessarily imply a pituitary lesion but is often a sign of altered hypothalamic function which can be diagnosed and in some instances restored by clomiphene administration.", "contents": "[Gonadotropin releasing hormone test: diagnostic significance and limits in menstrual pathology]. The serum gonadotropin response to LH-RH (100 mug e.v.) in a group of women with various types of amenorrhea was critically evaluated. Most patients responded to rapid LH-RH injection with a significant rise in plasma LH and FSH. In the authors' opinion this response is observed in healthy women as well as in those with lesions, even severe ones, of the pituitary, so that quantification of the response does not supply reliable information on diagnosis and prognosis. On the other hand, a negative response to the injection of 100 mug LH-RH does not necessarily imply a pituitary lesion but is often a sign of altered hypothalamic function which can be diagnosed and in some instances restored by clomiphene administration.", "PMID": 785926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7083", "title": "A reduction in multiple pregnancies following the use of a clomiphene citrate: human gonadotrophin sequence.", "content": "The results of stimulation with gonadotrophins at the Sterility Clinic (Crown Street) are presented. Two different techniques have been employed involving 86 patients. All patients have similar indications for treatment. All have received the same preliminary investigations and all have been treated previously with a minimum of three cycles of Clomiphene Citrate without satisfactory response (i.e. \"clomid failures). Technique (1) involved 51 patients and consisted of daily injections of Human Pituitary Gonadotrophin (H.P.G.) followed by an ovulating injection of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (H.C.G.) and a follow up injection of H.C.G. on post-ovulatory Day 7 or 8. This technique had a pregnancy rate of 64 per cent and a multiple pregnancy rate of 34 per cent. Technique (2) involved 35 patients and consisted of 5 days priming with Ethinyl Oestradiol and Clomiphene Citrate together, followed immediately by daily injections of H.P.G., then an ovulating injection of H.C.G. and a follow up injection of H.C.G. on post-ovulatory Day 7 or 8. The results of this variation in technique were a pregnancy rate of 69 percent, a multiple pregnancy rate of 8 percent. It is suggested that the use of Clomiphene Citrate in the latter technique acts as a \"buffer\" against the more extreme ovarian responses to H.P.G. acting alone and has the apparent advantage of a higher pregnancy rate, a lower multiple pregnancy rate and a reduction in the number of foetuses in each of the multiple pregnancies.", "contents": "A reduction in multiple pregnancies following the use of a clomiphene citrate: human gonadotrophin sequence. The results of stimulation with gonadotrophins at the Sterility Clinic (Crown Street) are presented. Two different techniques have been employed involving 86 patients. All patients have similar indications for treatment. All have received the same preliminary investigations and all have been treated previously with a minimum of three cycles of Clomiphene Citrate without satisfactory response (i.e. \"clomid failures). Technique (1) involved 51 patients and consisted of daily injections of Human Pituitary Gonadotrophin (H.P.G.) followed by an ovulating injection of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (H.C.G.) and a follow up injection of H.C.G. on post-ovulatory Day 7 or 8. This technique had a pregnancy rate of 64 per cent and a multiple pregnancy rate of 34 per cent. Technique (2) involved 35 patients and consisted of 5 days priming with Ethinyl Oestradiol and Clomiphene Citrate together, followed immediately by daily injections of H.P.G., then an ovulating injection of H.C.G. and a follow up injection of H.C.G. on post-ovulatory Day 7 or 8. The results of this variation in technique were a pregnancy rate of 69 percent, a multiple pregnancy rate of 8 percent. It is suggested that the use of Clomiphene Citrate in the latter technique acts as a \"buffer\" against the more extreme ovarian responses to H.P.G. acting alone and has the apparent advantage of a higher pregnancy rate, a lower multiple pregnancy rate and a reduction in the number of foetuses in each of the multiple pregnancies.", "PMID": 785927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7084", "title": "The antagonist effect of naloxone hydrochloride after neuroleptanaesthesia during neurosurgery.", "content": "The effects of naloxone were studied in 82 patients undergoing intracranial surgery under general anaesthesia with fentanyl or phenoperidine. After the operation was finished the patients' alertness, sensitivity to pain, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, tidal and minute volume were recorded parallel with arterial blood gas analyses prior to and immediately after the administration of varying amounts of naloxone i.v. in a single dose. These parameters were also repeatedly controlled for several hours in the postoperative period. The results show that a single i.v. naloxone dose of 1 mug/kg b.w. is effective in the rapid and definite reversal of the respiratory depression caused by the analgesics. This dose was neither correlated to the total amount of analgesics given, nor to the time period which elapsed between the last dose of the analgesic drug and the administration of naloxone. No side effects or complications were encountered when the indicated doses of naloxone were given. It is concluded that, even in a small single dose, naloxone effectively antagonises the respiratory depression caused by fentanyl and phenoperidine without totally eliminating the immediate postoperative analgesic effects of these agents.", "contents": "The antagonist effect of naloxone hydrochloride after neuroleptanaesthesia during neurosurgery. The effects of naloxone were studied in 82 patients undergoing intracranial surgery under general anaesthesia with fentanyl or phenoperidine. After the operation was finished the patients' alertness, sensitivity to pain, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, tidal and minute volume were recorded parallel with arterial blood gas analyses prior to and immediately after the administration of varying amounts of naloxone i.v. in a single dose. These parameters were also repeatedly controlled for several hours in the postoperative period. The results show that a single i.v. naloxone dose of 1 mug/kg b.w. is effective in the rapid and definite reversal of the respiratory depression caused by the analgesics. This dose was neither correlated to the total amount of analgesics given, nor to the time period which elapsed between the last dose of the analgesic drug and the administration of naloxone. No side effects or complications were encountered when the indicated doses of naloxone were given. It is concluded that, even in a small single dose, naloxone effectively antagonises the respiratory depression caused by fentanyl and phenoperidine without totally eliminating the immediate postoperative analgesic effects of these agents.", "PMID": 785928} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7085", "title": "Diazepam in emulsion form for intravenous usage.", "content": "Since aqueous solutions of diazepam were introduced into clinical practice, the problem has arisen of local vascular side effects after intravenous injection. A new preparation of diazepam as a lipid emulsion is presented. It was prepared by Vitrum and shows many similarities to Intralipid. A clinical trial was designed to study the incidence of pain in connection with the intravenous injection of diazepam and the incidence of subsequent thrombophlebitis. The preparation was used as a sedative to patients before gastroscopic investigation and as an inductor to general anaesthesia. In the material of 88 patients, thrombophlebitis was observed in 1.1%. Only 1 patient in the group of 314 patients studied complained of pain in connection with injection. The results observed were compared with previous investigations from the literature and with parallel control investigations. The new lipid emulsion form of the preparation was found to reduce significantly the incidence of local side effects involving the venous system. No significant difference in the therapeutic effect of the different preparative forms of the active substance was observed. The possible mechanisms involving the production of thrombophelbitis in connection with the injection of aqueous solutions of diazepam are discussed.", "contents": "Diazepam in emulsion form for intravenous usage. Since aqueous solutions of diazepam were introduced into clinical practice, the problem has arisen of local vascular side effects after intravenous injection. A new preparation of diazepam as a lipid emulsion is presented. It was prepared by Vitrum and shows many similarities to Intralipid. A clinical trial was designed to study the incidence of pain in connection with the intravenous injection of diazepam and the incidence of subsequent thrombophlebitis. The preparation was used as a sedative to patients before gastroscopic investigation and as an inductor to general anaesthesia. In the material of 88 patients, thrombophlebitis was observed in 1.1%. Only 1 patient in the group of 314 patients studied complained of pain in connection with injection. The results observed were compared with previous investigations from the literature and with parallel control investigations. The new lipid emulsion form of the preparation was found to reduce significantly the incidence of local side effects involving the venous system. No significant difference in the therapeutic effect of the different preparative forms of the active substance was observed. The possible mechanisms involving the production of thrombophelbitis in connection with the injection of aqueous solutions of diazepam are discussed.", "PMID": 785929} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7086", "title": "Breathing mechanics, dead space and gas exchange in the extremely obese, breathing spontaneously and during anaesthesia with intermittent positive pressure ventilation.", "content": "Breathing mechanics and gas exchange were studied in 10 extremely obese subjects (average weight 138 kg) prior to and during anaesthesia with mechanical ventilation. Breathing mechanics were analysed from measurements of transpulmonary pressure (during anaesthesia, trans-chest wall pressure as well) inspiratory gas flow and tidal volume. Gas exchange was studied by analysing inspired and from the Bohr equation, and the division into anatomical and alveolar dead space was arrived at by capnography. The patients were anaesthetised with neuroltpt agents and ventilated with an air-oxygen mixture. Lung compliance during spontaneous breathing was below normal and decreased further during artificial ventilation. Chest wall compliance measured during anaesthesia was within normal limits. Lung resistance was above normal during spontaneous breathing and increased further during mechanical ventilation. Total dead space was normal during spontaneous breathing and increased moderately during artificial ventilation, the increment coming mainly from alveolar dead space. A moderate hypoxaemia was recorded during spontaneous breathing, and the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference was slightly elevated. During anaesthesia this difference was markedly greater. It is concluded that the most probable reason for the relative hypoxaemia is right-to-left shunting.", "contents": "Breathing mechanics, dead space and gas exchange in the extremely obese, breathing spontaneously and during anaesthesia with intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Breathing mechanics and gas exchange were studied in 10 extremely obese subjects (average weight 138 kg) prior to and during anaesthesia with mechanical ventilation. Breathing mechanics were analysed from measurements of transpulmonary pressure (during anaesthesia, trans-chest wall pressure as well) inspiratory gas flow and tidal volume. Gas exchange was studied by analysing inspired and from the Bohr equation, and the division into anatomical and alveolar dead space was arrived at by capnography. The patients were anaesthetised with neuroltpt agents and ventilated with an air-oxygen mixture. Lung compliance during spontaneous breathing was below normal and decreased further during artificial ventilation. Chest wall compliance measured during anaesthesia was within normal limits. Lung resistance was above normal during spontaneous breathing and increased further during mechanical ventilation. Total dead space was normal during spontaneous breathing and increased moderately during artificial ventilation, the increment coming mainly from alveolar dead space. A moderate hypoxaemia was recorded during spontaneous breathing, and the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference was slightly elevated. During anaesthesia this difference was markedly greater. It is concluded that the most probable reason for the relative hypoxaemia is right-to-left shunting.", "PMID": 785930} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7087", "title": "Effect of glucose administration on the blood sugar and pancreatic islets of the frog, Rana tigrina.", "content": "Glucose evoked significant hyperglycemia in the frog, Rana tigrina, 0.5 h after the injection and it took a longer time to regain normoglycemia than mammals, thus exhibiting a low glucose tolerance. The islet tissue of injected animals showed degranulation and atrophy of beta-cells only, the alpha-cells remained almost normal. This damage suggests that the beta-cells of this frog are functionally like those of mammals and other vertebrates, and secrete insulin. A single dose of glucose was found incapable of producing permanent diabetes, and beta-cells damage was repairable at later stages. Excess of glucose in the blood seems to stimulate secretion of insulin by the beta-cells.", "contents": "Effect of glucose administration on the blood sugar and pancreatic islets of the frog, Rana tigrina. Glucose evoked significant hyperglycemia in the frog, Rana tigrina, 0.5 h after the injection and it took a longer time to regain normoglycemia than mammals, thus exhibiting a low glucose tolerance. The islet tissue of injected animals showed degranulation and atrophy of beta-cells only, the alpha-cells remained almost normal. This damage suggests that the beta-cells of this frog are functionally like those of mammals and other vertebrates, and secrete insulin. A single dose of glucose was found incapable of producing permanent diabetes, and beta-cells damage was repairable at later stages. Excess of glucose in the blood seems to stimulate secretion of insulin by the beta-cells.", "PMID": 785932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7088", "title": "Protein synthesis in muscle cultures from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Calcium and A23187 ionophore dependent changes.", "content": "Muscle samples for cultures were obtained from the quadriceps by open biopsy under local anesthesia in five patients with early stage of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and 10 controls. Primary cultures were grown in Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) with 20 per cent fetal calf serum. After 4 weeks, cells were trypsinized, counted, subcultured for 5 days in MEM with 5 per cent horse serum and finally incubated for 4 h with (3H) leucine. Ttal protein synthesis showed a significant decrease (half of control values) only in muscle cultures from patients with DMD. Addition of calclium chloride alone or with A23187 ionophore normalized this defect in protein synthesis. By contrast, myosin heavy chain synthesis was measured and found normal in all paitents.", "contents": "Protein synthesis in muscle cultures from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Calcium and A23187 ionophore dependent changes. Muscle samples for cultures were obtained from the quadriceps by open biopsy under local anesthesia in five patients with early stage of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and 10 controls. Primary cultures were grown in Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) with 20 per cent fetal calf serum. After 4 weeks, cells were trypsinized, counted, subcultured for 5 days in MEM with 5 per cent horse serum and finally incubated for 4 h with (3H) leucine. Ttal protein synthesis showed a significant decrease (half of control values) only in muscle cultures from patients with DMD. Addition of calclium chloride alone or with A23187 ionophore normalized this defect in protein synthesis. By contrast, myosin heavy chain synthesis was measured and found normal in all paitents.", "PMID": 785934} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7089", "title": "Penicillamine in multiple sclerosis. Therapeutic trial and design of uncontrolled pilot drug study.", "content": "Twenty-three patients with the chronic progressive or intermittent relapsing form of multiple sclerosis (MS) were treated with d-penicillamine over a period from 6 weeks to 12 months. Clinical effect was evaluated using Kurtzke's disability status scale with follow-up lasting from 7 weeks to 15 months. Fifteen patients remained unchanged, 7 became worse and 1 improved after the treatment. Administration of penicillamine to patients with MS resulted in an insignificant lowering of serum IgA, IgG and IgM levels. It is concluded that penicillamine neither prevented the occurrence of relapses nor slowed down the chronic progressive course of multiple sclerosis.", "contents": "Penicillamine in multiple sclerosis. Therapeutic trial and design of uncontrolled pilot drug study. Twenty-three patients with the chronic progressive or intermittent relapsing form of multiple sclerosis (MS) were treated with d-penicillamine over a period from 6 weeks to 12 months. Clinical effect was evaluated using Kurtzke's disability status scale with follow-up lasting from 7 weeks to 15 months. Fifteen patients remained unchanged, 7 became worse and 1 improved after the treatment. Administration of penicillamine to patients with MS resulted in an insignificant lowering of serum IgA, IgG and IgM levels. It is concluded that penicillamine neither prevented the occurrence of relapses nor slowed down the chronic progressive course of multiple sclerosis.", "PMID": 785935} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7090", "title": "Tranexamic acid (AMCA) and late hyphaema. A double blind study in cataract surgery.", "content": "A double blind study of the effect of tranexamic acid (AMCA) on late hyphaema after cataract surgery is reported. A total of 244 patients were included in the study after strict selection. It was shown that the incidence of late hyphaema in the treated group was significantly lower at the 5% level than that in the placebo group. The conclusion is made that the fibrinolytic inhibitor tranexamic acid can be used therapeutically or prophylactically to decrease the risk for re-bleeding after ocular surgery.", "contents": "Tranexamic acid (AMCA) and late hyphaema. A double blind study in cataract surgery. A double blind study of the effect of tranexamic acid (AMCA) on late hyphaema after cataract surgery is reported. A total of 244 patients were included in the study after strict selection. It was shown that the incidence of late hyphaema in the treated group was significantly lower at the 5% level than that in the placebo group. The conclusion is made that the fibrinolytic inhibitor tranexamic acid can be used therapeutically or prophylactically to decrease the risk for re-bleeding after ocular surgery.", "PMID": 785936} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7091", "title": "Results of treatment in myelomeningocele.", "content": "A follow-up study was made in 48 surviving children with myelomeningocele, the material being derived from a time when all infants were operated upon in the newborn period without primary selection. The follow-up revealed several children with severe physical handicap, whereas relatively few were both physically and intellectually handicapped. The results were compared with two earlier published studies of which one from Sheffield comprised cases where selection had not been applied and the other from Edinburgh in which certain criteria had been set up as contra-indications to early closure of the lesion. The effect of a hypothetical selection applied to the Swedish material is discussed. It is recommended that a uniform system of assessment in grading of handicap is applied to facilitate a comparison between different follow-up investigations.", "contents": "Results of treatment in myelomeningocele. A follow-up study was made in 48 surviving children with myelomeningocele, the material being derived from a time when all infants were operated upon in the newborn period without primary selection. The follow-up revealed several children with severe physical handicap, whereas relatively few were both physically and intellectually handicapped. The results were compared with two earlier published studies of which one from Sheffield comprised cases where selection had not been applied and the other from Edinburgh in which certain criteria had been set up as contra-indications to early closure of the lesion. The effect of a hypothetical selection applied to the Swedish material is discussed. It is recommended that a uniform system of assessment in grading of handicap is applied to facilitate a comparison between different follow-up investigations.", "PMID": 785938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7092", "title": "Group B streptococcal infection in the newborn. Criteria for early detection and treatment.", "content": "Recent reports indicate that the group B haemolytic streptococcus has now assumed a major role in neonatal septicaemia in the United Kingdom. Of particular concern are the absence of premonitory signs, the fulminating nature of the infection and the high mortality. 31 cases from which this organism was isolated during the first week of life included 5 cases of neonatal septicaemia, 4 of which proved fatal. An attempt was made (a) to identify the group of neonates at greatest risk and (b) to formulate guidelines for early detection and treatment. Study indicates the importance of apnoea as a sign of infection particularly in those infants who are preterm, of low birth weight and asphyxiated. There is need for aggressive bacteriological screening and early administration of antibiotics to prevent the high mortality from group B streptococcal infection.", "contents": "Group B streptococcal infection in the newborn. Criteria for early detection and treatment. Recent reports indicate that the group B haemolytic streptococcus has now assumed a major role in neonatal septicaemia in the United Kingdom. Of particular concern are the absence of premonitory signs, the fulminating nature of the infection and the high mortality. 31 cases from which this organism was isolated during the first week of life included 5 cases of neonatal septicaemia, 4 of which proved fatal. An attempt was made (a) to identify the group of neonates at greatest risk and (b) to formulate guidelines for early detection and treatment. Study indicates the importance of apnoea as a sign of infection particularly in those infants who are preterm, of low birth weight and asphyxiated. There is need for aggressive bacteriological screening and early administration of antibiotics to prevent the high mortality from group B streptococcal infection.", "PMID": 785939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7093", "title": "Antibody-coated bacteria in the urine of children with urinary tract infections.", "content": "The test for antibody-coated bacteria in urine for the diagnosis of the anatomical level of urinary tract infections was evaluated in children with UTI. The ability of the test to differentiate between an upper and lower infection is influenced by the antiglobulin preparation used, since too sensitive an antiglobulin probably detects nonspecifically bound antibodies. Staphylococcal protein A seems to be well suited for use as an antiglobulin in this test. Using staphylococcal protein A all children with X-ray findings suggesting renal damage had antibody-coated bacteria in the urine, however, nine infants and 5 children and clinical symptoms of pyelonephritis had a negative test. Of 28 children with clinical symptoms of cystitis only one had a positive test. Of 50 children with asymptomatic bacteriuria 9 had antibody-coated bacteria in the urine; 41 had not. The findings indicate that the method might be useful in establishing the anatomical level of urinary tract infection and might also be useful for screening children with asymptomatic bacteriuria who risk developing kidney infections.", "contents": "Antibody-coated bacteria in the urine of children with urinary tract infections. The test for antibody-coated bacteria in urine for the diagnosis of the anatomical level of urinary tract infections was evaluated in children with UTI. The ability of the test to differentiate between an upper and lower infection is influenced by the antiglobulin preparation used, since too sensitive an antiglobulin probably detects nonspecifically bound antibodies. Staphylococcal protein A seems to be well suited for use as an antiglobulin in this test. Using staphylococcal protein A all children with X-ray findings suggesting renal damage had antibody-coated bacteria in the urine, however, nine infants and 5 children and clinical symptoms of pyelonephritis had a negative test. Of 28 children with clinical symptoms of cystitis only one had a positive test. Of 50 children with asymptomatic bacteriuria 9 had antibody-coated bacteria in the urine; 41 had not. The findings indicate that the method might be useful in establishing the anatomical level of urinary tract infection and might also be useful for screening children with asymptomatic bacteriuria who risk developing kidney infections.", "PMID": 785940} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7094", "title": "A study of Russell bodies in human monoclonal plasma cells by means of immunofluorescence and electron microscopy.", "content": "Five patients with a serum M component were shown to possess plasma cells containing Russell bodies. Four of the patients suffered from multiple myeloma, whereas the fifth probably had a different disease or was in a premyeloma stage. The Russell bodies stained blue with the May-Gr\u00fcnwald-Giemsa stain and were found both in the nuclei and in the cytoplasm of the plasma cells. Ultrastructural studies showed that the Russell bodies were osmophilic and those located in the cytoplasm were always situated within the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The intranuclear Russell bodies were always surrounded by a triple layered membrane, and some evidence was obtained that these bodies were first formed within the perinuclear space of the cells. Immunofluorescence studies using anti-L chain conjugates showed a positive marginate straining of the intranuclear as well as the cytoplasmic Russell bodies of the cells from all patients. Only one patient had cells with Russell bodies which also stained their location in the plasma cells. It is concluded that some plasma cells in multiple myeloma may produce an excessive amount of L chains which, in combination with a failure in the secretion of immunoglobulin molecules, may lead to the formation of Russell bodies.", "contents": "A study of Russell bodies in human monoclonal plasma cells by means of immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Five patients with a serum M component were shown to possess plasma cells containing Russell bodies. Four of the patients suffered from multiple myeloma, whereas the fifth probably had a different disease or was in a premyeloma stage. The Russell bodies stained blue with the May-Gr\u00fcnwald-Giemsa stain and were found both in the nuclei and in the cytoplasm of the plasma cells. Ultrastructural studies showed that the Russell bodies were osmophilic and those located in the cytoplasm were always situated within the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The intranuclear Russell bodies were always surrounded by a triple layered membrane, and some evidence was obtained that these bodies were first formed within the perinuclear space of the cells. Immunofluorescence studies using anti-L chain conjugates showed a positive marginate straining of the intranuclear as well as the cytoplasmic Russell bodies of the cells from all patients. Only one patient had cells with Russell bodies which also stained their location in the plasma cells. It is concluded that some plasma cells in multiple myeloma may produce an excessive amount of L chains which, in combination with a failure in the secretion of immunoglobulin molecules, may lead to the formation of Russell bodies.", "PMID": 785941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7095", "title": "The diagnostic value of determination of IgM antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test.", "content": "The indirect fluorescent antibody technique for specific IgM and IgG antibodies was applied to paired sera from 33 patients with a current M. pneumoniae infection, along with the complement fixation test. A roughly parallel increase in antibody titres in all the three tests was observed; the ratio of IgM/IgG titres was, however, higher in patients below 20 years of age than in older patients. Rises in antibody titres were regularly observed in spite of the fact that most of the patients were treated with tetracycline or erythromycin during the acute phase of the disease. Serum specimens from 15 other patients lacking clinical data of a recent M. pneumoniae infection, but with stationary complement fixation titres, all showed IgG antibodies with stationary titers and, with the exception of three patients, a negative IgM antibody test. Sera from 20 individuals lacking complement fixing antibodies were also without demonstrable IgG and IgM antibodies. Sampling of serum from 9 of the pneumonia patients was repeated. The last IgM positive sample was collected up to six months after onset of the disease and all were found to be negative in the IgM test 8 to 10 months after onset of the illness in these treated patients. The implications of these findings for the serological diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infections are discussed.", "contents": "The diagnostic value of determination of IgM antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. The indirect fluorescent antibody technique for specific IgM and IgG antibodies was applied to paired sera from 33 patients with a current M. pneumoniae infection, along with the complement fixation test. A roughly parallel increase in antibody titres in all the three tests was observed; the ratio of IgM/IgG titres was, however, higher in patients below 20 years of age than in older patients. Rises in antibody titres were regularly observed in spite of the fact that most of the patients were treated with tetracycline or erythromycin during the acute phase of the disease. Serum specimens from 15 other patients lacking clinical data of a recent M. pneumoniae infection, but with stationary complement fixation titres, all showed IgG antibodies with stationary titers and, with the exception of three patients, a negative IgM antibody test. Sera from 20 individuals lacking complement fixing antibodies were also without demonstrable IgG and IgM antibodies. Sampling of serum from 9 of the pneumonia patients was repeated. The last IgM positive sample was collected up to six months after onset of the disease and all were found to be negative in the IgM test 8 to 10 months after onset of the illness in these treated patients. The implications of these findings for the serological diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infections are discussed.", "PMID": 785942} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7096", "title": "Comparison of cellular and humoral immunity against streptococcal and adult human oral mucosa antigens in relation to exacerbation or recurrent aphthous stomatitis.", "content": "Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and humoral mediated immunity (HMI) against streptococcal and adult human oral mucosa (AHOM) antigens were investigated in patients with inactive and active recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The CMI and HMI were examined by means of the leucocyte migration test (LMT) and a double layer immunofluorescence (IF) technique. The CMI against Streptococcus sanguis strain 2A, streptococcus pyogenes strain M5, and AHOM was significantly increased in inactive and active RAS. Significant difference between active and inactive RAS was only demonstrated when Strep. 2A was used as antigen in the leucocyte migration cultures. Longitudinal observations in relation to exacerbation of RAS revealed significant changes in the migration indices (MI) when Strep. 2A and AHOM were used as antigens. Extracts of Strep. M5 and other tissues as kidney and uterus did not show any significant changes of MI in relation to the exacerbation of RAS. The IF-investigations detected significantly raised IgG antibodies against washed whole cells of Streptococcus sanguis strain 2A and Streptococcus pyogenes strain M5 in sera from patients with RAS. The autoantibodies in RAS belonged to the immunoglobulin classes IgG and IgM. The detected antibodies were able to blind serum complement (C3). The distribution of endpoint titres (EPT) against Strep. 2A, Strep. M5, and AHOM antigens did not differ significantly in patients with active RAS in relation to those with inactive RAS. Furthermore, the EPT against Strep. 2A and AHOM were not significantly changed in relation to exacerbation of RAS. The present investigations show that CMI and HMI against streptococcal and AHOM antigens are characteristic features of RAS and indicate that the CMI against Strep. 2A and AHOM is significantly increased in relation to exacerbation of RAS.", "contents": "Comparison of cellular and humoral immunity against streptococcal and adult human oral mucosa antigens in relation to exacerbation or recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and humoral mediated immunity (HMI) against streptococcal and adult human oral mucosa (AHOM) antigens were investigated in patients with inactive and active recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The CMI and HMI were examined by means of the leucocyte migration test (LMT) and a double layer immunofluorescence (IF) technique. The CMI against Streptococcus sanguis strain 2A, streptococcus pyogenes strain M5, and AHOM was significantly increased in inactive and active RAS. Significant difference between active and inactive RAS was only demonstrated when Strep. 2A was used as antigen in the leucocyte migration cultures. Longitudinal observations in relation to exacerbation of RAS revealed significant changes in the migration indices (MI) when Strep. 2A and AHOM were used as antigens. Extracts of Strep. M5 and other tissues as kidney and uterus did not show any significant changes of MI in relation to the exacerbation of RAS. The IF-investigations detected significantly raised IgG antibodies against washed whole cells of Streptococcus sanguis strain 2A and Streptococcus pyogenes strain M5 in sera from patients with RAS. The autoantibodies in RAS belonged to the immunoglobulin classes IgG and IgM. The detected antibodies were able to blind serum complement (C3). The distribution of endpoint titres (EPT) against Strep. 2A, Strep. M5, and AHOM antigens did not differ significantly in patients with active RAS in relation to those with inactive RAS. Furthermore, the EPT against Strep. 2A and AHOM were not significantly changed in relation to exacerbation of RAS. The present investigations show that CMI and HMI against streptococcal and AHOM antigens are characteristic features of RAS and indicate that the CMI against Strep. 2A and AHOM is significantly increased in relation to exacerbation of RAS.", "PMID": 785943} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7097", "title": "IgA levels and carrier rate of Haemophilus influenzae and beta-haemolytic streptococci in children undergoing tonsillectomy.", "content": "Studies of IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE in serum and of IgG, IgA and IgM in saliva were performed in 52 children undergoing tonsillectomy. The results revealed that levels of IgA in serum and saliva in the patients were significantly reduced as compared with levels in age- and sex-related healthy controls (p less than 0.001 and less than 0.025 respectively). Recovery of beta-haemolytic streptococci and Haemophilus influenzae from the removed tonsils was also well correlated with low IgA in serum (p less than 0.01). A considerable lack of IgA fluorescing plasma cells in tonsillar tissue demonstrated in an earlier study of the same patients was consistent with carriage of beta-haemolytic streptococci and Haemophilus influenzae (p less than 0.01). The significant decrease in serum- and saliva IgA was only found among the youngest patients in this study. The hypothesis is raised that the decreased level of saliva IgA influences the increased tendency at pathogenic bacteria to adhere to and colonize on the tonsil mucosa, and furthermore, the lack of IgA plasma cells in the tonsils supports the view that IgA prevents penetration of microorganisms through the epithelial surface, secondarily establishing an acute inflammation of the tonsils.", "contents": "IgA levels and carrier rate of Haemophilus influenzae and beta-haemolytic streptococci in children undergoing tonsillectomy. Studies of IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE in serum and of IgG, IgA and IgM in saliva were performed in 52 children undergoing tonsillectomy. The results revealed that levels of IgA in serum and saliva in the patients were significantly reduced as compared with levels in age- and sex-related healthy controls (p less than 0.001 and less than 0.025 respectively). Recovery of beta-haemolytic streptococci and Haemophilus influenzae from the removed tonsils was also well correlated with low IgA in serum (p less than 0.01). A considerable lack of IgA fluorescing plasma cells in tonsillar tissue demonstrated in an earlier study of the same patients was consistent with carriage of beta-haemolytic streptococci and Haemophilus influenzae (p less than 0.01). The significant decrease in serum- and saliva IgA was only found among the youngest patients in this study. The hypothesis is raised that the decreased level of saliva IgA influences the increased tendency at pathogenic bacteria to adhere to and colonize on the tonsil mucosa, and furthermore, the lack of IgA plasma cells in the tonsils supports the view that IgA prevents penetration of microorganisms through the epithelial surface, secondarily establishing an acute inflammation of the tonsils.", "PMID": 785944} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7098", "title": "Hyperacute rejection of a kidney allograft may be caused by cytotoxic lymphocytes.", "content": "A case of hyperacute rejection of a kidney allograft is described in relation to the clinical, patho-anatomical, and immunological findings. An 18-year-old male was allotransplanted for the third time with a necrokidney from an unrelated HLA-A and B, full house identical and blood group ABO identical donor. Serological crossmatches performed with recipient sera harvested before and after transplantation were negative. In spite of this, the kidney suffered hyperacute rejection according to clinical and patho-anatomical criteria. The cellular, complement independent cytolytic capacity of recipient lymphocytes drawn before and after transplantation against donor lymphocytes was tested by the direct Cell Mediated Lympholysis (CML) test. This test was positive 24 hours after transplantation, whereas it had been negative before this. Lymphocytolysis was enhanced by inactivated recipient serum harvested before and after transplantation. These findings suggest that hyperacute rejection of a kidney allograft may be ascribed to presensitized, not necessarily circulating, effector lymphocytes either alone, or in concert with antibody(ies) not disclosed by conventional crossmatching.", "contents": "Hyperacute rejection of a kidney allograft may be caused by cytotoxic lymphocytes. A case of hyperacute rejection of a kidney allograft is described in relation to the clinical, patho-anatomical, and immunological findings. An 18-year-old male was allotransplanted for the third time with a necrokidney from an unrelated HLA-A and B, full house identical and blood group ABO identical donor. Serological crossmatches performed with recipient sera harvested before and after transplantation were negative. In spite of this, the kidney suffered hyperacute rejection according to clinical and patho-anatomical criteria. The cellular, complement independent cytolytic capacity of recipient lymphocytes drawn before and after transplantation against donor lymphocytes was tested by the direct Cell Mediated Lympholysis (CML) test. This test was positive 24 hours after transplantation, whereas it had been negative before this. Lymphocytolysis was enhanced by inactivated recipient serum harvested before and after transplantation. These findings suggest that hyperacute rejection of a kidney allograft may be ascribed to presensitized, not necessarily circulating, effector lymphocytes either alone, or in concert with antibody(ies) not disclosed by conventional crossmatching.", "PMID": 785945} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7099", "title": "Synergistic effect of alloantibodies or F(ab')2 and prednisone on murine split heart allograft survival.", "content": "Heterotopic grafting of split allogeneic mouse hearts across a strong H-2 barrier (A/Sn leads to A.CA) was used in a study of alloantibody or F (ab')2 induced enhancement. Strong specific binding of alloantibodies occurred in the graft. A marked synergistic effect on graft survival was observed after combined treatment of recipients with enhancing serum and prednisone. The highly dose-dependent enhancing effect of F (ab')2 was also strongly potentiated by supporting prednisone treatment. In vitro pre-incubation of the heart tissue with alloantiserum or F (ab')2 did not prolong graft survival; in contrast, C-mediated damage of the graft was suggested when serum was used.", "contents": "Synergistic effect of alloantibodies or F(ab')2 and prednisone on murine split heart allograft survival. Heterotopic grafting of split allogeneic mouse hearts across a strong H-2 barrier (A/Sn leads to A.CA) was used in a study of alloantibody or F (ab')2 induced enhancement. Strong specific binding of alloantibodies occurred in the graft. A marked synergistic effect on graft survival was observed after combined treatment of recipients with enhancing serum and prednisone. The highly dose-dependent enhancing effect of F (ab')2 was also strongly potentiated by supporting prednisone treatment. In vitro pre-incubation of the heart tissue with alloantiserum or F (ab')2 did not prolong graft survival; in contrast, C-mediated damage of the graft was suggested when serum was used.", "PMID": 785946} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7100", "title": "Prolongation of xenograft survival by infusion of heterologous antibodies against recipient serum.", "content": "Survival or renal xenografts from rabbit to cat has been prolonged by several hours by injection of antibodies against cat serum into the recipient. In control experiments the transplanted rabbit kidney was rejected by the cat in a few minutes.", "contents": "Prolongation of xenograft survival by infusion of heterologous antibodies against recipient serum. Survival or renal xenografts from rabbit to cat has been prolonged by several hours by injection of antibodies against cat serum into the recipient. In control experiments the transplanted rabbit kidney was rejected by the cat in a few minutes.", "PMID": 785947} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7101", "title": "Clinical observations of the treatment of tardive dyskinesia with haloperidol.", "content": "In the present study, after briefly describing the clinical characteristics of the neurologic syndromes provoked by the neuroleptic drugs and most particularly of the syndrome of tardive dyskinesia, we refer to the incidence of this latter syndrome and to the results obtained with the administration of haloperidol for a period of 16 weeks in 10 patients suffering from it. From the detailed analysis of 300 chronic schizophrenic patients, we detected this complication in 10 cases, which gives an incidence of 3,3%. With the administration of haloperidol, on the other hand, we obtained an excellent reduction of both the frequency and the intensity of the peristomal movements in nearly all the patients. This reduction was more remarkable in 2 of the patients who had manifested certain complications of the syndrome, mainly a difficulty in swallowing, followed by a considerable loss of weight in the one patient and by an intense perplexity and a tendency towards suicide in the other. The continued suppression of the above dyskinetic phenomena during the whole period of the trial allows us to conclude that haloperidal may be recommended for the maintenance treatment of the syndrome of tardive dyskinesia.", "contents": "Clinical observations of the treatment of tardive dyskinesia with haloperidol. In the present study, after briefly describing the clinical characteristics of the neurologic syndromes provoked by the neuroleptic drugs and most particularly of the syndrome of tardive dyskinesia, we refer to the incidence of this latter syndrome and to the results obtained with the administration of haloperidol for a period of 16 weeks in 10 patients suffering from it. From the detailed analysis of 300 chronic schizophrenic patients, we detected this complication in 10 cases, which gives an incidence of 3,3%. With the administration of haloperidol, on the other hand, we obtained an excellent reduction of both the frequency and the intensity of the peristomal movements in nearly all the patients. This reduction was more remarkable in 2 of the patients who had manifested certain complications of the syndrome, mainly a difficulty in swallowing, followed by a considerable loss of weight in the one patient and by an intense perplexity and a tendency towards suicide in the other. The continued suppression of the above dyskinetic phenomena during the whole period of the trial allows us to conclude that haloperidal may be recommended for the maintenance treatment of the syndrome of tardive dyskinesia.", "PMID": 785948} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7102", "title": "Ambulant treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms with carbamazepine: a formal multicentre doubl-blind comparison with placebo.", "content": "One hundred male out-patients were treated for alcohol withdrawal symptoms with either carbamazepine or placebo in a double-blind, multicentre trial carried out a five Finnish A-clinics (alcoholism treatment centres) in different parts of the country. In both the carbamazepine and the placebo groups two thirds of the patients completed the 7-day treatment successfully, and the final treatment results were considered equally good in both groups. However, the withdrawal symptoms, especially the sleep disturbances, subsided faster in the carbamazepine group than in the placebo group. The change in the total symptom score from the first day of treatment to the second was significantly greater in the carbamazepine group than in the placebo group. The patients' ability to work improved significantly faster in the carbamazepine group.", "contents": "Ambulant treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms with carbamazepine: a formal multicentre doubl-blind comparison with placebo. One hundred male out-patients were treated for alcohol withdrawal symptoms with either carbamazepine or placebo in a double-blind, multicentre trial carried out a five Finnish A-clinics (alcoholism treatment centres) in different parts of the country. In both the carbamazepine and the placebo groups two thirds of the patients completed the 7-day treatment successfully, and the final treatment results were considered equally good in both groups. However, the withdrawal symptoms, especially the sleep disturbances, subsided faster in the carbamazepine group than in the placebo group. The change in the total symptom score from the first day of treatment to the second was significantly greater in the carbamazepine group than in the placebo group. The patients' ability to work improved significantly faster in the carbamazepine group.", "PMID": 785949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7103", "title": "An evaluation of the double-blind design in a study comparing lithium carbonate with placebo.", "content": "As part of a study of drug treatment of aggressive behavior to be reported separately, we have evaluated the double-blind procedure in a recently completed comparison of the efficacy of lithium carbonate versus placebo in modifying aggressive behavior in nonpsychotic incarcerated delinquents. We conclude that the side effects of lithium carbonate are sufficient to reveal the medication to most subjects receiving it. Thus, while the study staff could not identify lithium-receivers at better than chance levels, and while subjects who received placebo could not identify their medication at better than chance levels, subjects who received lithium could accurately identify it. On a weekly symptom check list there was no difference between lithium and placebo groups on average lithium target symptoms reported during 4-week pre- and postmedication control periods; however, lithium-receivers reported significantly more target symptoms every week medication was administered. Of 16 subjects who quit the study, 14 had received lithium and nearly all of those who gave reasons for quitting specified side effects, most often nausea. The methodological problems of using lithium in a double-blind design might be overcome by employing a \"discontinuation\" design, or, speculatively, a double-blind, cross-over design utilizing an \"active placebo\".", "contents": "An evaluation of the double-blind design in a study comparing lithium carbonate with placebo. As part of a study of drug treatment of aggressive behavior to be reported separately, we have evaluated the double-blind procedure in a recently completed comparison of the efficacy of lithium carbonate versus placebo in modifying aggressive behavior in nonpsychotic incarcerated delinquents. We conclude that the side effects of lithium carbonate are sufficient to reveal the medication to most subjects receiving it. Thus, while the study staff could not identify lithium-receivers at better than chance levels, and while subjects who received placebo could not identify their medication at better than chance levels, subjects who received lithium could accurately identify it. On a weekly symptom check list there was no difference between lithium and placebo groups on average lithium target symptoms reported during 4-week pre- and postmedication control periods; however, lithium-receivers reported significantly more target symptoms every week medication was administered. Of 16 subjects who quit the study, 14 had received lithium and nearly all of those who gave reasons for quitting specified side effects, most often nausea. The methodological problems of using lithium in a double-blind design might be overcome by employing a \"discontinuation\" design, or, speculatively, a double-blind, cross-over design utilizing an \"active placebo\".", "PMID": 785950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7104", "title": "Gonadotropin response to synthetic gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) in chronic schizophrenia.", "content": "GnRH stimulation tests were performed in 15 adult male chronic hebephrenic schizophrenics and 15 oligophrenic controls, matched for age and length of hospitalization. GnRH was given at doses of 50, 100 and 150 gamma to five subjects of each type, and FSH and LH levels in the blood were assayed at 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 90 minutes. The tests were performed twice in schizophrenics off therapy and after 10, 20 and 30 days of chlorpromazine therapy (4 mg/kg body weight/day, per os). The controls were not given chlorpromazine and were tested only twice. Schizophrenics showed relative increases in both FSH and LH which were greater than those of the controls, and the response persisted longer. Chlorpromazine had no effect on the test.", "contents": "Gonadotropin response to synthetic gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) in chronic schizophrenia. GnRH stimulation tests were performed in 15 adult male chronic hebephrenic schizophrenics and 15 oligophrenic controls, matched for age and length of hospitalization. GnRH was given at doses of 50, 100 and 150 gamma to five subjects of each type, and FSH and LH levels in the blood were assayed at 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 90 minutes. The tests were performed twice in schizophrenics off therapy and after 10, 20 and 30 days of chlorpromazine therapy (4 mg/kg body weight/day, per os). The controls were not given chlorpromazine and were tested only twice. Schizophrenics showed relative increases in both FSH and LH which were greater than those of the controls, and the response persisted longer. Chlorpromazine had no effect on the test.", "PMID": 785951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7105", "title": "Piracetam-induced improvement of mental performance. A controlled study on normally aging individuals.", "content": "A double-blind, intra-individual cross-over comparison of the mental performance of 18 aging, non-deteriorated individuals during two 4-week periods of piracetam (1-acetamide-2-pyrrolidone) and placebo administration was performed using conventional and computerized perceptual-motor tasks. In a majority of these tasks the subjects did significantly better when on piracetam than on placebo, a finding consistent with ratings completed by two independent observers. The findings indicate new avenues for the treatment of individuals with reduced mental performance possibly related to disturbed alertness--a neglected group of psychiatric conditions.", "contents": "Piracetam-induced improvement of mental performance. A controlled study on normally aging individuals. A double-blind, intra-individual cross-over comparison of the mental performance of 18 aging, non-deteriorated individuals during two 4-week periods of piracetam (1-acetamide-2-pyrrolidone) and placebo administration was performed using conventional and computerized perceptual-motor tasks. In a majority of these tasks the subjects did significantly better when on piracetam than on placebo, a finding consistent with ratings completed by two independent observers. The findings indicate new avenues for the treatment of individuals with reduced mental performance possibly related to disturbed alertness--a neglected group of psychiatric conditions.", "PMID": 785952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7106", "title": "The Troms\u00f8o heart study. Methods and main results of the cross-sectional study.", "content": "The mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) in Norway increased rapidly during 1951-70, the highest mortality rates as well as the most rapid increases being found in Northern Norway. Several surveys of CHD were then planned, one of them is reported here. All men, 20-49 years of age, living in the municipality of Troms\u00f8o, Troms county, were called up for examination. In total, 6595 men, 74.4% of those invited, were examined. Cholesterol, triglyceride and Hb values, BP, body weight and height, the percentage of smokers, and cigarette consumption have been tabulated according to area, age, work schedule, health condition, physical activity and ethnic background. The results suggest that the relatively high mortality from CHD in Northern Norway is associated with high serum cholesterol concentrations as well as a relatively high prevalence of smoking. During the screening there were indications of changes in dietary habits in the municipality, presumably as a result of accompanying publicity.", "contents": "The Troms\u00f8o heart study. Methods and main results of the cross-sectional study. The mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) in Norway increased rapidly during 1951-70, the highest mortality rates as well as the most rapid increases being found in Northern Norway. Several surveys of CHD were then planned, one of them is reported here. All men, 20-49 years of age, living in the municipality of Troms\u00f8o, Troms county, were called up for examination. In total, 6595 men, 74.4% of those invited, were examined. Cholesterol, triglyceride and Hb values, BP, body weight and height, the percentage of smokers, and cigarette consumption have been tabulated according to area, age, work schedule, health condition, physical activity and ethnic background. The results suggest that the relatively high mortality from CHD in Northern Norway is associated with high serum cholesterol concentrations as well as a relatively high prevalence of smoking. During the screening there were indications of changes in dietary habits in the municipality, presumably as a result of accompanying publicity.", "PMID": 785953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7107", "title": "The functional pattern of the transplanted kidney during the first year.", "content": "Prospective studies on kidney function have been carried out 1-14 months after transplantation in two groups of recipients of renal transplants. Both groups were characterized by immediate graft function. The first group had transplants from living donors, the second had received cadaveric kidneys. In the first group a functional maximum (as measured by 125iothalamate, creatine and 131I-hippuran clearances) was reached during the first three weeks after transplantation, approximating 70% of the donors' bilateral preoperative function. In the second group kidney function was constant during the period of study, the values being almost identical with those observed in the first group. At investigation 12-14 months after transplantation, the two groups were compared with the remaining cadaveric transplants carried out during the period of study, the latter being primarily graft anuric. Graft function in the primarily anuric grafts was found to be poorer than in those with initial function. Graft survival, too, was poorer at one year in the group characterized by primary graft anuria than in the other groups. Graft survival at one year was 68% in cadaveric kidney transplants with good initial function.", "contents": "The functional pattern of the transplanted kidney during the first year. Prospective studies on kidney function have been carried out 1-14 months after transplantation in two groups of recipients of renal transplants. Both groups were characterized by immediate graft function. The first group had transplants from living donors, the second had received cadaveric kidneys. In the first group a functional maximum (as measured by 125iothalamate, creatine and 131I-hippuran clearances) was reached during the first three weeks after transplantation, approximating 70% of the donors' bilateral preoperative function. In the second group kidney function was constant during the period of study, the values being almost identical with those observed in the first group. At investigation 12-14 months after transplantation, the two groups were compared with the remaining cadaveric transplants carried out during the period of study, the latter being primarily graft anuric. Graft function in the primarily anuric grafts was found to be poorer than in those with initial function. Graft survival, too, was poorer at one year in the group characterized by primary graft anuria than in the other groups. Graft survival at one year was 68% in cadaveric kidney transplants with good initial function.", "PMID": 785954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7108", "title": "Complication rates of selective percutaneous transfemoral coronary arteriography. A review of 1094 consecutive examinations.", "content": "A review is presented of 1094 selective coronary artery studies during a 3-year period in which 7001 coronary artery injections were performed using the percutaneous transfemoral artery approach as described by Judkins. A total of 24 serious complications occurred, including 11 ventricular fibrillations, 5 asystoles or severe bradycardias, 3 acute myocardial infarctions and 5 cerebral vascular accidents. There were 5 deaths, giving an overall mortality rate of 0.46%. Causes of individual complications are analyzed. The incidence of serious cardiac complications did not differ significantly from that reported in the literature with the Sones technique. The Judkins technique is a simple and reliable method for selective coronary arteriography. In our opinion, the incidence of complications can be kept at an acceptably low level by meticulous examination techniques.", "contents": "Complication rates of selective percutaneous transfemoral coronary arteriography. A review of 1094 consecutive examinations. A review is presented of 1094 selective coronary artery studies during a 3-year period in which 7001 coronary artery injections were performed using the percutaneous transfemoral artery approach as described by Judkins. A total of 24 serious complications occurred, including 11 ventricular fibrillations, 5 asystoles or severe bradycardias, 3 acute myocardial infarctions and 5 cerebral vascular accidents. There were 5 deaths, giving an overall mortality rate of 0.46%. Causes of individual complications are analyzed. The incidence of serious cardiac complications did not differ significantly from that reported in the literature with the Sones technique. The Judkins technique is a simple and reliable method for selective coronary arteriography. In our opinion, the incidence of complications can be kept at an acceptably low level by meticulous examination techniques.", "PMID": 785955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7109", "title": "Psychological and social problems encountered in active treatment of chronic uraemia. II. The living donor.", "content": "Sixty-four kidney donors have been interviewed by a psychiatrist and given the Rorschach test 6 months-6 years after the transplantation. Twenty-three of these donors were also interviewed before the operation. In addition, each case was studied in detail at a case conference. On the basis of the data thus obtained, an analysis was made of the central dynamics of the donors' personalities, of how they had experienced the donation, and of how they had adapted to it. No psychic trauma was observed in 20 of the subjects, and in 5 of these the operation had apparently had a beneficial effect on their psychic well-being. That no trauma was observed in 8 additional donors was due largely to the effects of a multitude of other traumatic life experiences. Mild trauma had been experienced by 24 donors and moderate to severe by 12. In our study, the donation of a kidney to a sibling turned out to be more traumatic than the donation to a child, and a transplantation with an unsuccessful outcome was more often associated with psychic trauma to the donor than was a donation with a successful outcome. Psycho-social factors that substantially lessened the likelihood of trauma were: good inner resources, flexible defence mechanisms, good mental health and mild compulsive traits. Factors that favoured traumatization were: poor living conditions, interpersonal problems, limited inner resources, low self-esteem (narcissistic problems) and severe psychic deviancy. The results clearly show 1) that potential donors ought to be given adequate time not only to consider their decision but also to prepare themselves for the actural donation, and 2) that supportive help should be offered, both before and after transplantation, to donors whose psycho-social profiles reveal them to be vulnerable to traumatization.", "contents": "Psychological and social problems encountered in active treatment of chronic uraemia. II. The living donor. Sixty-four kidney donors have been interviewed by a psychiatrist and given the Rorschach test 6 months-6 years after the transplantation. Twenty-three of these donors were also interviewed before the operation. In addition, each case was studied in detail at a case conference. On the basis of the data thus obtained, an analysis was made of the central dynamics of the donors' personalities, of how they had experienced the donation, and of how they had adapted to it. No psychic trauma was observed in 20 of the subjects, and in 5 of these the operation had apparently had a beneficial effect on their psychic well-being. That no trauma was observed in 8 additional donors was due largely to the effects of a multitude of other traumatic life experiences. Mild trauma had been experienced by 24 donors and moderate to severe by 12. In our study, the donation of a kidney to a sibling turned out to be more traumatic than the donation to a child, and a transplantation with an unsuccessful outcome was more often associated with psychic trauma to the donor than was a donation with a successful outcome. Psycho-social factors that substantially lessened the likelihood of trauma were: good inner resources, flexible defence mechanisms, good mental health and mild compulsive traits. Factors that favoured traumatization were: poor living conditions, interpersonal problems, limited inner resources, low self-esteem (narcissistic problems) and severe psychic deviancy. The results clearly show 1) that potential donors ought to be given adequate time not only to consider their decision but also to prepare themselves for the actural donation, and 2) that supportive help should be offered, both before and after transplantation, to donors whose psycho-social profiles reveal them to be vulnerable to traumatization.", "PMID": 785956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7110", "title": "Late complications after primarily successful renal transplantation.", "content": "The occurrence of late renal and extrarenal complications of primarily successful kidney transplantations is surveyed. All cases in which some surgical or clinical complication, a rejection or complication of the treatment of rejection had occurred were omitted. Primarily, 46 out of 177 transplantations (26%) were completely successful. After six months, the continued course was entirely uneventful in 21 of these cases, while in 25 some kind of complication occurred 6-72 months after the primarily successful course, 19 renal in 17 patients and 23 extrarenal in 16. The complications could not be correlated to histocompatibility, sex, age or basic disease. It may be concluded that a favourable course during the first six months gives good hope of an uneventful continuation, although even serious complications may occur occasionally.", "contents": "Late complications after primarily successful renal transplantation. The occurrence of late renal and extrarenal complications of primarily successful kidney transplantations is surveyed. All cases in which some surgical or clinical complication, a rejection or complication of the treatment of rejection had occurred were omitted. Primarily, 46 out of 177 transplantations (26%) were completely successful. After six months, the continued course was entirely uneventful in 21 of these cases, while in 25 some kind of complication occurred 6-72 months after the primarily successful course, 19 renal in 17 patients and 23 extrarenal in 16. The complications could not be correlated to histocompatibility, sex, age or basic disease. It may be concluded that a favourable course during the first six months gives good hope of an uneventful continuation, although even serious complications may occur occasionally.", "PMID": 785957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7111", "title": "Iron absorption after renal transplantation.", "content": "Gastrointestinal iron absorption has been measured by means of whole body counting in 13 patients after renal allotransplantation. Whole body retention 14 days after oral administration of 10 muCi 59Fe together with a carrier dose of 9.9 mg Fe2+ was used as an expression of absorption. The percentage incorporation in the total erythrocyte mass of administered 59Fe (erythrocyte incorporation) and absorbed 59Fe (red cell utilization) was estimated as well. Geometric mean iron absorption was 12.4 +/- 2.5 (S.D.)% and geometric mean erythrocyte incorporation 11.1 +/- 3.0 (S.D.)% while arithmetic mean red cell utilization was 95.6 +/- 8.6 (S.E.M.)%. None of these parameters differed significantly from those obtained in normal subjects (p greater than 0.2, p greater than 0.1, pgreater than 0.3, respectively). Iron absorption and erythrocyte incorporation in renal transplanted patients did not differ significantly from the values measured in non-dialysed and dialysed patients with chronic renal failure (p greather than 0.1). The correlation between iron absorption and erythrocyte incorporation was highly significant (r = 0.96, p less than 0.001).", "contents": "Iron absorption after renal transplantation. Gastrointestinal iron absorption has been measured by means of whole body counting in 13 patients after renal allotransplantation. Whole body retention 14 days after oral administration of 10 muCi 59Fe together with a carrier dose of 9.9 mg Fe2+ was used as an expression of absorption. The percentage incorporation in the total erythrocyte mass of administered 59Fe (erythrocyte incorporation) and absorbed 59Fe (red cell utilization) was estimated as well. Geometric mean iron absorption was 12.4 +/- 2.5 (S.D.)% and geometric mean erythrocyte incorporation 11.1 +/- 3.0 (S.D.)% while arithmetic mean red cell utilization was 95.6 +/- 8.6 (S.E.M.)%. None of these parameters differed significantly from those obtained in normal subjects (p greater than 0.2, p greater than 0.1, pgreater than 0.3, respectively). Iron absorption and erythrocyte incorporation in renal transplanted patients did not differ significantly from the values measured in non-dialysed and dialysed patients with chronic renal failure (p greather than 0.1). The correlation between iron absorption and erythrocyte incorporation was highly significant (r = 0.96, p less than 0.001).", "PMID": 785958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7112", "title": "Cytostatic treatment of glomerular diseases. III. A double-blind cross-over study of the effect of cyclophosphamide report from a copenhagen study group of renal diseases.", "content": "Fifty patients with renal glomerular diseases entered a double-blind cross-over study on the effect of cyclophosphamide; 38 had received neither corticosteroids nor cytostatic drugs before joining the study. Cyclophosphamide was given for 4 months in doses decreasing from 3 to 1.5 mg/kg b.wt. Cyclophosphamide caused a 46% decrease in the 24-hour excretion of urinary protein and a decrease in serum creatinine within the normal range. Albumin, transferrin and IgA in urine, as well as albumin clearance and the sieving coefficient of albumin, changed parallel to the total urinary protein. The initial values of proteinuria and serum complement were of prognostic significance for the effect of cyclophosphamide in serum creatinine. We were unable to demonstrate a prognostic significance for the variables: clinical diagnosis, renal histology, arterial BP, initial values of serum creatinine and IgG, IgA and IgM in serum and urine. ESR appeared to be the most reliable acute phase reactant. No differences were found between the changes in renal histology during cyclophosphamide or placebo.", "contents": "Cytostatic treatment of glomerular diseases. III. A double-blind cross-over study of the effect of cyclophosphamide report from a copenhagen study group of renal diseases. Fifty patients with renal glomerular diseases entered a double-blind cross-over study on the effect of cyclophosphamide; 38 had received neither corticosteroids nor cytostatic drugs before joining the study. Cyclophosphamide was given for 4 months in doses decreasing from 3 to 1.5 mg/kg b.wt. Cyclophosphamide caused a 46% decrease in the 24-hour excretion of urinary protein and a decrease in serum creatinine within the normal range. Albumin, transferrin and IgA in urine, as well as albumin clearance and the sieving coefficient of albumin, changed parallel to the total urinary protein. The initial values of proteinuria and serum complement were of prognostic significance for the effect of cyclophosphamide in serum creatinine. We were unable to demonstrate a prognostic significance for the variables: clinical diagnosis, renal histology, arterial BP, initial values of serum creatinine and IgG, IgA and IgM in serum and urine. ESR appeared to be the most reliable acute phase reactant. No differences were found between the changes in renal histology during cyclophosphamide or placebo.", "PMID": 785959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7113", "title": "Day and night work: changes in cholesterol, uric acid, glucose and potassium in serum and in circadian patterns of urinary catecholamine excretion. A longitudinal cross-over study of railway workers.", "content": "Two groups of railway workers (n = 16 and n = 17) have been followed on their place of work during a period of shifts between day and night work. Catecholamine excretion in the urine and blood levels of lipids, glucose, uric acid, potassium and calcium were followed during the different phases of shift work. Dramatic fluctuations were noted in the diurnal pattern of catecholamine excretion during and after night work. Significant elevations in the serum levels of cholesterol, glucose, uric acid and potassium were observed during the first week after a night shift, and these changes could not be explained on the basis of shifts in the diurnal pattern or changes in dietary or other habits.", "contents": "Day and night work: changes in cholesterol, uric acid, glucose and potassium in serum and in circadian patterns of urinary catecholamine excretion. A longitudinal cross-over study of railway workers. Two groups of railway workers (n = 16 and n = 17) have been followed on their place of work during a period of shifts between day and night work. Catecholamine excretion in the urine and blood levels of lipids, glucose, uric acid, potassium and calcium were followed during the different phases of shift work. Dramatic fluctuations were noted in the diurnal pattern of catecholamine excretion during and after night work. Significant elevations in the serum levels of cholesterol, glucose, uric acid and potassium were observed during the first week after a night shift, and these changes could not be explained on the basis of shifts in the diurnal pattern or changes in dietary or other habits.", "PMID": 785960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7114", "title": "Treatment of hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia with magnesium.", "content": "A daily intake of 3 g magnesium (as magnesium oxide) for six weeks had no effect on serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride in 17 patients suffering from hypercholesterolaemia and/or hypertriglyceridaemia.", "contents": "Treatment of hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia with magnesium. A daily intake of 3 g magnesium (as magnesium oxide) for six weeks had no effect on serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride in 17 patients suffering from hypercholesterolaemia and/or hypertriglyceridaemia.", "PMID": 785961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7115", "title": "Renal handling of phosphate in relation to serum parathyroid hormone levels.", "content": "The relation between the renal handling of phosphate, expressed as the maximal tubular reabsorption of phosphate (TmP)/glomerular filtration rate (GFR) index, and the serum concentration of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (i-PTH) has been ivestigated in 15 patients with a very wide range of GFR, TmP/GFR and i-PTH. Seven patients had well functioning kidney allografts, with GFR ranging from 43.1 to 64.9 ml/min, while eight had varying degrees of chronic nephropathy, with GFR ranging from 26.7 to 2.3 ml/min. The TmP, the i-PTH concentration, the 51Cr EDTA clearance, the extracellular volume and the serum concentrations of calcium and standard bicarbonate were estimated during conditions where tubular reabsorption of phosphate was maximal. An inverse significant correlation was demonstrated between TmP/GFR and i-PTH (p less than 0.001), while none of the other investigated factors correlated to the TmP/GFR index. It is therefore concluded that the parathyroid hormone has a key role in the regulation of the tubular handling of phosphate in patients with impaired renal function.", "contents": "Renal handling of phosphate in relation to serum parathyroid hormone levels. The relation between the renal handling of phosphate, expressed as the maximal tubular reabsorption of phosphate (TmP)/glomerular filtration rate (GFR) index, and the serum concentration of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (i-PTH) has been ivestigated in 15 patients with a very wide range of GFR, TmP/GFR and i-PTH. Seven patients had well functioning kidney allografts, with GFR ranging from 43.1 to 64.9 ml/min, while eight had varying degrees of chronic nephropathy, with GFR ranging from 26.7 to 2.3 ml/min. The TmP, the i-PTH concentration, the 51Cr EDTA clearance, the extracellular volume and the serum concentrations of calcium and standard bicarbonate were estimated during conditions where tubular reabsorption of phosphate was maximal. An inverse significant correlation was demonstrated between TmP/GFR and i-PTH (p less than 0.001), while none of the other investigated factors correlated to the TmP/GFR index. It is therefore concluded that the parathyroid hormone has a key role in the regulation of the tubular handling of phosphate in patients with impaired renal function.", "PMID": 785962} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7116", "title": "Comparative study of circumferential nerve suture using the operating microscope. Electrophysiological and histological control.", "content": "The aim of this work is to try to compare the results of different methods of circumferential small nerve suture according to the degree of magnification and type of microsurgical technique. Four techniques were studied in forty Wistar rats. 1. Microsurgical suture with the Set technique. Magnification 25, accurate suture. 2. Microsurgical suture with simple end to end approximation. Magnification 25, accurate suture. 3. Same technique, but delayed suture. 4. Suture with a simple end to end approximation. Magnification 4. Four stitches for reapproximation. After four months the sutured nerves have been studied both electrophysiologically and histologically. The results show clearly that the so-called set technique associated with an accurate circumferential suture with eight stitches under high magnification gives by far the best results, the regeneration rate of the nerve being higher than 80%. The results in groups 3 and 4 are definitely less good. The simple bringing together of both stumps under low magnification with only four stitches (group 4) gives the worst results with only 20% of regeneration.", "contents": "Comparative study of circumferential nerve suture using the operating microscope. Electrophysiological and histological control. The aim of this work is to try to compare the results of different methods of circumferential small nerve suture according to the degree of magnification and type of microsurgical technique. Four techniques were studied in forty Wistar rats. 1. Microsurgical suture with the Set technique. Magnification 25, accurate suture. 2. Microsurgical suture with simple end to end approximation. Magnification 25, accurate suture. 3. Same technique, but delayed suture. 4. Suture with a simple end to end approximation. Magnification 4. Four stitches for reapproximation. After four months the sutured nerves have been studied both electrophysiologically and histologically. The results show clearly that the so-called set technique associated with an accurate circumferential suture with eight stitches under high magnification gives by far the best results, the regeneration rate of the nerve being higher than 80%. The results in groups 3 and 4 are definitely less good. The simple bringing together of both stumps under low magnification with only four stitches (group 4) gives the worst results with only 20% of regeneration.", "PMID": 785964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7117", "title": "Nerve suture without tension, a method for repairing transected peripheral nerves.", "content": "An analysis of primary epineural end to end sutures of transsected peripheral nerves, operated upon before 1970, showed good motor and sensory function in only 60%. With the new perineural suturing technique without tension and if necessary by using autologous nerves for bridging large nerve defects the good results raised to 87%.", "contents": "Nerve suture without tension, a method for repairing transected peripheral nerves. An analysis of primary epineural end to end sutures of transsected peripheral nerves, operated upon before 1970, showed good motor and sensory function in only 60%. With the new perineural suturing technique without tension and if necessary by using autologous nerves for bridging large nerve defects the good results raised to 87%.", "PMID": 785965} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7118", "title": "Autogenous cable nerve grafting instead of end to end anastomosis in secondary nerve suture.", "content": "A comparison of the results of 53 short cable nerve grafts and of 74 classical end to end nerve sutures is presented. The results of treatment with short nerve grafts are much the better. In the author's opinion good results in nerve grafting are related to the lack of tension in the suture line, and therefore to good revascularisation of the repaired nerve trunk. Autogenous cable nerve grafting is the method of choice for secondary repair of peripheral nerves.", "contents": "Autogenous cable nerve grafting instead of end to end anastomosis in secondary nerve suture. A comparison of the results of 53 short cable nerve grafts and of 74 classical end to end nerve sutures is presented. The results of treatment with short nerve grafts are much the better. In the author's opinion good results in nerve grafting are related to the lack of tension in the suture line, and therefore to good revascularisation of the repaired nerve trunk. Autogenous cable nerve grafting is the method of choice for secondary repair of peripheral nerves.", "PMID": 785966} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7119", "title": "Nerve regeneration following primary repair.", "content": "In nine selected cases a primary nerve repair was done. In all these patients a special suture was used. Applying clinical and neurophysiological tests, regeneration of the motor and sensory nerve fibres was followed for two years. A remarkable difference in growth rates of sensory and motor nerve fibres was observed. The average rate of growth of sensory nerve fibres was 5 mm a day, and of motor nerve fibres it was 1.7 mm a day. At the end of a two years' interval after operation, good recovery from the initial muscular atrophy was observed in all but two cases. Function of previously denervated muscles was nearly normal. Discrimination of points 4-10 mm apart was possible. Normal terminal conduction times along motor nerve fibres were found in five cases. Slightly prolonged times were found in four. Calculated conduction velocities in sensory nerve fibres were half to three quarters of normal times. All patients resumed their previous occupations.", "contents": "Nerve regeneration following primary repair. In nine selected cases a primary nerve repair was done. In all these patients a special suture was used. Applying clinical and neurophysiological tests, regeneration of the motor and sensory nerve fibres was followed for two years. A remarkable difference in growth rates of sensory and motor nerve fibres was observed. The average rate of growth of sensory nerve fibres was 5 mm a day, and of motor nerve fibres it was 1.7 mm a day. At the end of a two years' interval after operation, good recovery from the initial muscular atrophy was observed in all but two cases. Function of previously denervated muscles was nearly normal. Discrimination of points 4-10 mm apart was possible. Normal terminal conduction times along motor nerve fibres were found in five cases. Slightly prolonged times were found in four. Calculated conduction velocities in sensory nerve fibres were half to three quarters of normal times. All patients resumed their previous occupations.", "PMID": 785967} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7120", "title": "Comparative evaluation of various histological techniques for the rapid diagnosis of brain tumours.", "content": "Intraoperative procedures for the rapid histological diagnosis of space occupying intracranial processes are required. These currently include three major techniques: 1. crush preparations; 2. frozen sections with prefixation, and 3. frozen sections without prefixation. We have compared these techniques, using identical tissue material. While frozen sections of samples subjected to rapid fixation produce the best specimens, crush preparations are preferred wherever a well equipped laboratory is not available.", "contents": "Comparative evaluation of various histological techniques for the rapid diagnosis of brain tumours. Intraoperative procedures for the rapid histological diagnosis of space occupying intracranial processes are required. These currently include three major techniques: 1. crush preparations; 2. frozen sections with prefixation, and 3. frozen sections without prefixation. We have compared these techniques, using identical tissue material. While frozen sections of samples subjected to rapid fixation produce the best specimens, crush preparations are preferred wherever a well equipped laboratory is not available.", "PMID": 785968} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7121", "title": "Structure and function of chloroplast-type ferredoxins.", "content": "Comparison of various chloroplast-type ferredoxin sequences, chemical and enzymic modifications, reconstitution experiments, and fluorescence measurement of chloroplast-type ferredoxins have led to the following conclusions. 1. Tyrosine, histidine, and tryptophan residues are not directly involved in the oxidation-reduction mechanism of ferredoxins. The four indispensible cysteine residues in spinach ferredoxin which constitutes a part of the iron-sulfur cluster are located at residues 39, 44. 47 and 77. Two out of six cysteine residues in Spirulina ferredoxin could be easily modified with vinylpyridine without the loss of reconstitutive ability i.e. the apoferredoxin could be converted to the holoform by the addition of iron and sulfide. 2. Spinach ferredoxin was digested with carboxypeptidase A and the terminal alanine could be removed without loss of the spectral properties of native ferredoxin. However, the removal of the terminal three residues gave rise to the loss of reconstitutive ability. 3. The amino groups of spinach ferredoxin were modified by acetic anhydride and four residues were acetylated. The acetylated preparation of ferredoxin had an unique spectrum. Upon the addition of high concentration of ions the spectrum of this derivative resembled the spectrum of native ferredoxin. Acetylferredoxin did not combine with ferredoxin-NADP reductase, but upon the addition of moderate concentrations of cations, it did bind to this enzyme.", "contents": "Structure and function of chloroplast-type ferredoxins. Comparison of various chloroplast-type ferredoxin sequences, chemical and enzymic modifications, reconstitution experiments, and fluorescence measurement of chloroplast-type ferredoxins have led to the following conclusions. 1. Tyrosine, histidine, and tryptophan residues are not directly involved in the oxidation-reduction mechanism of ferredoxins. The four indispensible cysteine residues in spinach ferredoxin which constitutes a part of the iron-sulfur cluster are located at residues 39, 44. 47 and 77. Two out of six cysteine residues in Spirulina ferredoxin could be easily modified with vinylpyridine without the loss of reconstitutive ability i.e. the apoferredoxin could be converted to the holoform by the addition of iron and sulfide. 2. Spinach ferredoxin was digested with carboxypeptidase A and the terminal alanine could be removed without loss of the spectral properties of native ferredoxin. However, the removal of the terminal three residues gave rise to the loss of reconstitutive ability. 3. The amino groups of spinach ferredoxin were modified by acetic anhydride and four residues were acetylated. The acetylated preparation of ferredoxin had an unique spectrum. Upon the addition of high concentration of ions the spectrum of this derivative resembled the spectrum of native ferredoxin. Acetylferredoxin did not combine with ferredoxin-NADP reductase, but upon the addition of moderate concentrations of cations, it did bind to this enzyme.", "PMID": 785973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7122", "title": "Some properties of bovine pineal tryptophan hydroxylase.", "content": "Bovine pineal tryptophan hydroxylase is a pterin-dependent aromatic amino acid monooxygenase with a broad substrate specificity and with low Km values for the amino acid substrates, L-tryptophan and L-phenylalanine. p-Chlorophenylalanine, an inhibitor of the tryptophan hydroxylation in the brain, also serves as a good substrate of the bovine pineal enzyme. The full activity of this enzyme is detected in vitro only after preincubation with dithiothreitol under reductive conditions. The enzyme is profoundly and more or less specifically inhibited by L-5HTP, the product of tryptophan hydroxylation, suggesting a possible regulatory role of this hydroxylated amino acid. The Km of the enzyme for tetrahydrobiopterin, a presumed natural cofactor, is significantly higher than the expected tissue concentration if the cofactor is assumed to be uniformly distributed in the tissue. These properties of bovine pineal tryptophan hydroxylase are distinguishable from those of the hydroxylase in the brain indicating that the hydroxylation of tryptophan in the brain leading to the synthesis of serotonin and the reaction in the pineal gland leading to the formation of melatonin are catalyzed by different tryptophan hydroxylases and are probably under separate regulatory mechanisms.", "contents": "Some properties of bovine pineal tryptophan hydroxylase. Bovine pineal tryptophan hydroxylase is a pterin-dependent aromatic amino acid monooxygenase with a broad substrate specificity and with low Km values for the amino acid substrates, L-tryptophan and L-phenylalanine. p-Chlorophenylalanine, an inhibitor of the tryptophan hydroxylation in the brain, also serves as a good substrate of the bovine pineal enzyme. The full activity of this enzyme is detected in vitro only after preincubation with dithiothreitol under reductive conditions. The enzyme is profoundly and more or less specifically inhibited by L-5HTP, the product of tryptophan hydroxylation, suggesting a possible regulatory role of this hydroxylated amino acid. The Km of the enzyme for tetrahydrobiopterin, a presumed natural cofactor, is significantly higher than the expected tissue concentration if the cofactor is assumed to be uniformly distributed in the tissue. These properties of bovine pineal tryptophan hydroxylase are distinguishable from those of the hydroxylase in the brain indicating that the hydroxylation of tryptophan in the brain leading to the synthesis of serotonin and the reaction in the pineal gland leading to the formation of melatonin are catalyzed by different tryptophan hydroxylases and are probably under separate regulatory mechanisms.", "PMID": 785974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7123", "title": "A review: the agents and actions of sympathetic nerve and catecholamine inhibition of gastric mucosal function.", "content": "The role of the sympathetic nerve supply to the gastric mucosa in gastric physiology is discussed. It is concluded that they are inhibitory to gastric acid secretion, mucosal blood flow, pepsin secretion, gastric oxygen consumption and that these nerves also decrease the serum gastrin concentration. Sympathetic nerve stimulation always reduces the mucosal blood flow and it is suggested therefore, that the inhibition of gastric secretion could be secondary to vasoconstriction mediated by noradrenaline release. The evidence for these conclusions is considered alongside the available histological evidence. It is concluded that the remaining hurdle is to place these phenomena within our knowledge of gastric physiology.", "contents": "A review: the agents and actions of sympathetic nerve and catecholamine inhibition of gastric mucosal function. The role of the sympathetic nerve supply to the gastric mucosa in gastric physiology is discussed. It is concluded that they are inhibitory to gastric acid secretion, mucosal blood flow, pepsin secretion, gastric oxygen consumption and that these nerves also decrease the serum gastrin concentration. Sympathetic nerve stimulation always reduces the mucosal blood flow and it is suggested therefore, that the inhibition of gastric secretion could be secondary to vasoconstriction mediated by noradrenaline release. The evidence for these conclusions is considered alongside the available histological evidence. It is concluded that the remaining hurdle is to place these phenomena within our knowledge of gastric physiology.", "PMID": 785979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7124", "title": "Suramin stimulates B-lymphocyte proliferation in the mouse.", "content": "Suramin, a drug against trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis, stimulates in vitro mouse B-lymphocytes to transform into blastcells, to incorporate 3H-thymidine and to go into mitosis. Thymus cells (hydro-cortisone-sensitive or resistant) do not respond whereas cells from homozygous nude mice are stimulated. The large majority of the blast-cells have surface immunoglobulins, and the proportion of cells with intracellular immunoglobulin increases during the course of the cultures.", "contents": "Suramin stimulates B-lymphocyte proliferation in the mouse. Suramin, a drug against trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis, stimulates in vitro mouse B-lymphocytes to transform into blastcells, to incorporate 3H-thymidine and to go into mitosis. Thymus cells (hydro-cortisone-sensitive or resistant) do not respond whereas cells from homozygous nude mice are stimulated. The large majority of the blast-cells have surface immunoglobulins, and the proportion of cells with intracellular immunoglobulin increases during the course of the cultures.", "PMID": 785980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7125", "title": "Aspirin therapy in angina pectoris: effects on platelet aggregation, exercise tolerance, and electrocardiographic manifestations of ischemia.", "content": "If altered platelet function contributes to poorly perfused zones of myocardium in patients with angina pectoris, then specific antiplatelet therapy might improve cardiovascular function and exercise performance. Exercise tolerance on a bicycle ergometer, heart rate-blood pressure product, and ischemic ECG changes at exercise end-point were compared before and during oral aspirin therapy (2.4 Gm. per day for 2 weeks) in 11 normal subjecs and in 11 patients with stable angina pectoris. Platelet aggregation threshold in response to ADP and epinephrine was measured. Untreated patients had increased platelet aggregability when compared to normal subjects...", "contents": "Aspirin therapy in angina pectoris: effects on platelet aggregation, exercise tolerance, and electrocardiographic manifestations of ischemia. If altered platelet function contributes to poorly perfused zones of myocardium in patients with angina pectoris, then specific antiplatelet therapy might improve cardiovascular function and exercise performance. Exercise tolerance on a bicycle ergometer, heart rate-blood pressure product, and ischemic ECG changes at exercise end-point were compared before and during oral aspirin therapy (2.4 Gm. per day for 2 weeks) in 11 normal subjecs and in 11 patients with stable angina pectoris. Platelet aggregation threshold in response to ADP and epinephrine was measured. Untreated patients had increased platelet aggregability when compared to normal subjects...", "PMID": 785986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7126", "title": "Maintenance therapy with a new retard tablet preparation of procainamide.", "content": "The procainamide plasma concentration was followed during maintenance therapy with a new procainamide retard tablet preparation in 23 hospitalized patients suffering from acute or chronic coronary heart disease with complicating ventricular arrhythmias. After initial individually adjusted treatment with Pronestyl every third hour, either orally or intramuscularly, for at least eight dose intervals, the retard tablets were given at 6 hour intervals for 2 to 12 days, or more. In 19 patients with no major fluctuations in their circulatory or renal state, adequate and relatively stable plasma procainamide concentration was obtained upon a constant dose of the retard preparation. On an average, the difference from minimum to maximum concentration was 55 per cent within the 6 hour dose intervals. In four patients with unstable circulation and/or renal function, procainamide therapy had to be disrupted in two because of severe side effects and toxic concentrations, and the dose was adjusted in the remaining two. It is concluded that the formulation of procainamide tablet preparations has simplified procainamide therapy within and outside hospital and improved our possibilities to perform short-and long-term studies on the risk/ benefit ratio of procainamide treatment in patients with severe ventricular arrhythmias.", "contents": "Maintenance therapy with a new retard tablet preparation of procainamide. The procainamide plasma concentration was followed during maintenance therapy with a new procainamide retard tablet preparation in 23 hospitalized patients suffering from acute or chronic coronary heart disease with complicating ventricular arrhythmias. After initial individually adjusted treatment with Pronestyl every third hour, either orally or intramuscularly, for at least eight dose intervals, the retard tablets were given at 6 hour intervals for 2 to 12 days, or more. In 19 patients with no major fluctuations in their circulatory or renal state, adequate and relatively stable plasma procainamide concentration was obtained upon a constant dose of the retard preparation. On an average, the difference from minimum to maximum concentration was 55 per cent within the 6 hour dose intervals. In four patients with unstable circulation and/or renal function, procainamide therapy had to be disrupted in two because of severe side effects and toxic concentrations, and the dose was adjusted in the remaining two. It is concluded that the formulation of procainamide tablet preparations has simplified procainamide therapy within and outside hospital and improved our possibilities to perform short-and long-term studies on the risk/ benefit ratio of procainamide treatment in patients with severe ventricular arrhythmias.", "PMID": 785987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7127", "title": "Disopyramide: serum level and arrhythmia conversion.", "content": "The response of arrhythmias to oral disopyramide in relation to its serum levels has been documented. Disopyramide (100 mg.) was given orally, 6 or 8 hourly, to 16 patients with coronary or hypertensive heart disease who developed acute but stable cardiac arrhythmias (20 episodes) which persisted, despite bed rest and sedation with intravenous diazepam or diamorphine. Blood was taken when arrhythmia conversion was observed and the serum disopyramide levels were estimated by gas chromatography. Over-all control of arrhythmias was achieved in 13 (82 per cent) patients within 24 hours. Disopyramide-serum levels were as follows: effective for atrial arrhythmias, 2.80 to 3.18 mug per milliliter, and 3.27 to 7.48 mug per milliliter for ventricular; mean effective levels for all arrhythmias, 3.69 mug per milliliter; mean ineffective levels, 2.39 mug per milliliter (p less than 0.01). Side effects (prolongation of PR and QTc, fall of diastolic BP, urine retention) were observed with serum levels of 3.61 to 7.48 mug per milliliter (mean, 5.54 mug per milliliter) but they were not troublesome clinically. It is concluded that disopyramide is effective and safe with serum levels ranging from 2.39 to about 3.60 mug per milliliter, and this can be maintained with 100 mg., 8 hourly. The drug, however, should be given with caution to patients with severe myocardial disease or low arterial pressure and in the presence of an abnormal ECG.", "contents": "Disopyramide: serum level and arrhythmia conversion. The response of arrhythmias to oral disopyramide in relation to its serum levels has been documented. Disopyramide (100 mg.) was given orally, 6 or 8 hourly, to 16 patients with coronary or hypertensive heart disease who developed acute but stable cardiac arrhythmias (20 episodes) which persisted, despite bed rest and sedation with intravenous diazepam or diamorphine. Blood was taken when arrhythmia conversion was observed and the serum disopyramide levels were estimated by gas chromatography. Over-all control of arrhythmias was achieved in 13 (82 per cent) patients within 24 hours. Disopyramide-serum levels were as follows: effective for atrial arrhythmias, 2.80 to 3.18 mug per milliliter, and 3.27 to 7.48 mug per milliliter for ventricular; mean effective levels for all arrhythmias, 3.69 mug per milliliter; mean ineffective levels, 2.39 mug per milliliter (p less than 0.01). Side effects (prolongation of PR and QTc, fall of diastolic BP, urine retention) were observed with serum levels of 3.61 to 7.48 mug per milliliter (mean, 5.54 mug per milliliter) but they were not troublesome clinically. It is concluded that disopyramide is effective and safe with serum levels ranging from 2.39 to about 3.60 mug per milliliter, and this can be maintained with 100 mg., 8 hourly. The drug, however, should be given with caution to patients with severe myocardial disease or low arterial pressure and in the presence of an abnormal ECG.", "PMID": 785988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7128", "title": "Reduction of hospital mortality rate of acute myocardial infarction with glucose-insulin-potassium infusion.", "content": "Free fatty acids (FFA), the predominant myocardial energy substrate, are present in increased quantities immediately following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and may cause deleterious alterations in cardiac rhythm, oxygen consumption, and mechanical performance. In an attempt to suppress FFA and simultaneously increase the availability of carbohydrate as a myocardial substrate, 70 patients with unequivocal AMI were administered a right atrial infusion of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) (300 gm. of glucose, 50 U. of regular insulin, and 80 mEq. of KC1 per liter of H2O) at a constant rate of 0.5 to 2.0 ml. per kilogram per hour for 48 hours. A dramatic fall in FFA (944 +/- 57 to 289 +/- 16 muEq per liter, p less than 0.0005) occurred during GIK infusion, and FFA rebounded to 420 +/- 39 muEq per liter (p less than 0.005) when GIK was discontinued. The hospital mortality rate in the 70 GIK recipients was compared to that of 64 untreated patients (controls) from the same coronary-care unit during the previous year. GIK and control groups had similar severity of infarction as assessed by prognostic scales of Killip, Peel, and Norris, respectively. The hospital mortality rate was reduced in the GIK recipients compared to the control group (11/70 vs. 19/64, p less than 0.05). In patients without history of prior myocardial infarction, the mortality rate was reduced four-fold in GIK recipients compared to controls (6 vs. 24 per cent, p less than 0.05). Complications of GIK infusion were infrequent and included chiefly hyperglycemia and hyperkalemia, both of which dictated meticulous monitoring of serum chemistries. The data suggest that suppression of plasma FFA with GIK infusion may be associated with a significant reduction in the hospital mortality rate of acute myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Reduction of hospital mortality rate of acute myocardial infarction with glucose-insulin-potassium infusion. Free fatty acids (FFA), the predominant myocardial energy substrate, are present in increased quantities immediately following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and may cause deleterious alterations in cardiac rhythm, oxygen consumption, and mechanical performance. In an attempt to suppress FFA and simultaneously increase the availability of carbohydrate as a myocardial substrate, 70 patients with unequivocal AMI were administered a right atrial infusion of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) (300 gm. of glucose, 50 U. of regular insulin, and 80 mEq. of KC1 per liter of H2O) at a constant rate of 0.5 to 2.0 ml. per kilogram per hour for 48 hours. A dramatic fall in FFA (944 +/- 57 to 289 +/- 16 muEq per liter, p less than 0.0005) occurred during GIK infusion, and FFA rebounded to 420 +/- 39 muEq per liter (p less than 0.005) when GIK was discontinued. The hospital mortality rate in the 70 GIK recipients was compared to that of 64 untreated patients (controls) from the same coronary-care unit during the previous year. GIK and control groups had similar severity of infarction as assessed by prognostic scales of Killip, Peel, and Norris, respectively. The hospital mortality rate was reduced in the GIK recipients compared to the control group (11/70 vs. 19/64, p less than 0.05). In patients without history of prior myocardial infarction, the mortality rate was reduced four-fold in GIK recipients compared to controls (6 vs. 24 per cent, p less than 0.05). Complications of GIK infusion were infrequent and included chiefly hyperglycemia and hyperkalemia, both of which dictated meticulous monitoring of serum chemistries. The data suggest that suppression of plasma FFA with GIK infusion may be associated with a significant reduction in the hospital mortality rate of acute myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 785990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7129", "title": "A method for biological testing of containment systems for viral agents.", "content": "A technique utilizing coliphage as the test material has been developed and employed to evaluate the effectiveness of a containment system for zonal centrifugation of hepatits viruses. An Andersen Viable Particle Sampler which had been loaded with plates containing a base layer of agar nutrient with an overlay of E. coli- agar suspension was used to sample the test air. The containment system, which includes a HEPA filter, was challenged with an aerosolized suspension of coliphage.", "contents": "A method for biological testing of containment systems for viral agents. A technique utilizing coliphage as the test material has been developed and employed to evaluate the effectiveness of a containment system for zonal centrifugation of hepatits viruses. An Andersen Viable Particle Sampler which had been loaded with plates containing a base layer of agar nutrient with an overlay of E. coli- agar suspension was used to sample the test air. The containment system, which includes a HEPA filter, was challenged with an aerosolized suspension of coliphage.", "PMID": 785996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7130", "title": "Limitations of the computer in electrocardiographic interpretation.", "content": "Use of the computer for electrocardiographic interpretation has steadily increased over the past decade. Although acceptance by a majority of physicians has been slower than originally anticipated, it now appears assured. Nevertheless, the approach has limitations. These are primarily a result of the lack of objectivity in clinical electrocardiographic criteria for both measurement and diagnosis. The limitations are best judged by reviewing experience with a variety of programs. Currently this still involves abstracting from the reports of developers. Although not all developers have analyzed every portion of their programs, in general the data from one program apply to others; that is, all are with minor exceptions at the same \"state of the art.\" Awareness of the limits of computer performance allows a physician to use the computer properly in his current electrocardiographic practice.", "contents": "Limitations of the computer in electrocardiographic interpretation. Use of the computer for electrocardiographic interpretation has steadily increased over the past decade. Although acceptance by a majority of physicians has been slower than originally anticipated, it now appears assured. Nevertheless, the approach has limitations. These are primarily a result of the lack of objectivity in clinical electrocardiographic criteria for both measurement and diagnosis. The limitations are best judged by reviewing experience with a variety of programs. Currently this still involves abstracting from the reports of developers. Although not all developers have analyzed every portion of their programs, in general the data from one program apply to others; that is, all are with minor exceptions at the same \"state of the art.\" Awareness of the limits of computer performance allows a physician to use the computer properly in his current electrocardiographic practice.", "PMID": 785997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7131", "title": "Diet, nutrition, and cancer.", "content": "As the second leading cause of death in the United States, cancer is a major public health problem today. Cancer incidence varies worldwide and tends to change with migration. These epidemiological observations have led to the concept that environmental factors may be important in carcinogenesis. Diet and nutrition are receiving increased attention and the National Cancer Institute, as mandated by the Nation Cancer Act Amendments of 1974, is playing a major leadership role in expanding research efforts in the areas of environmental carcinogenesis, and nutrition in relation to cancer. The subject of diet, nutrition, and cancer is complex. Different types of cancer are not necessarily affected by dietary components in the same manner. Although the development of certain neoplasms may be repressed by specific dietary deficiencies, other types, particularly those of the liver and upper gastrointestinal tract, are actually augmented or potentiated by such deficienceis. In extrapolating results from animal experiments to humans, caution must be exercised because of possible differences in species response to the same dietary stimulus and because spontaneous tumors may react differently from experimentally-induced tumors. Diet and nutrition are viewed more appropriately as modifiers, rather than initiators, of tumorigenesis. Caloric intake, type and amount of fat, protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other dietary constituents have been studied in regard to their influence on the development of neoplasms. Dietary components may have opposing effects on tumorigenesis, i.e., protective and predisposing, and the consequence to the host will depend on the balance between these opposing forces. Studies conducted to date indicate that the modifying effect of diet and nutrition may be exerted through specific effects on 1) intestinal bacteria and substrates for bacterial metabolism, 2) microsomal mixed-function oxidase system, 3) endocrine system, 4) immunological system, 5) availability of metabolites for cell proliferations, and 6) rate of carcinogen transfer and duration of exposure to the carcinogen. More research is needed to elucidate the interaction between diet and each of these factors and to test the validity of the mechanisms proposed to explain such interactions. These studies will lead not only to a better understanding of carcinogenesis itself but also to a new understanding of the influence of diet on human physiology and metabolism.", "contents": "Diet, nutrition, and cancer. As the second leading cause of death in the United States, cancer is a major public health problem today. Cancer incidence varies worldwide and tends to change with migration. These epidemiological observations have led to the concept that environmental factors may be important in carcinogenesis. Diet and nutrition are receiving increased attention and the National Cancer Institute, as mandated by the Nation Cancer Act Amendments of 1974, is playing a major leadership role in expanding research efforts in the areas of environmental carcinogenesis, and nutrition in relation to cancer. The subject of diet, nutrition, and cancer is complex. Different types of cancer are not necessarily affected by dietary components in the same manner. Although the development of certain neoplasms may be repressed by specific dietary deficiencies, other types, particularly those of the liver and upper gastrointestinal tract, are actually augmented or potentiated by such deficienceis. In extrapolating results from animal experiments to humans, caution must be exercised because of possible differences in species response to the same dietary stimulus and because spontaneous tumors may react differently from experimentally-induced tumors. Diet and nutrition are viewed more appropriately as modifiers, rather than initiators, of tumorigenesis. Caloric intake, type and amount of fat, protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other dietary constituents have been studied in regard to their influence on the development of neoplasms. Dietary components may have opposing effects on tumorigenesis, i.e., protective and predisposing, and the consequence to the host will depend on the balance between these opposing forces. Studies conducted to date indicate that the modifying effect of diet and nutrition may be exerted through specific effects on 1) intestinal bacteria and substrates for bacterial metabolism, 2) microsomal mixed-function oxidase system, 3) endocrine system, 4) immunological system, 5) availability of metabolites for cell proliferations, and 6) rate of carcinogen transfer and duration of exposure to the carcinogen. More research is needed to elucidate the interaction between diet and each of these factors and to test the validity of the mechanisms proposed to explain such interactions. These studies will lead not only to a better understanding of carcinogenesis itself but also to a new understanding of the influence of diet on human physiology and metabolism.", "PMID": 786000} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7132", "title": "Ineffectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction: a double-blind study.", "content": "Our investigation was designed to retest the hypothesis of the efficacy of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) on weight reduction in obese women in a clinic setting. We sought to duplicate the Asher-Harper study (1973) which had found that the combination of 500 cal diet and HCG had a statistically significant benefit over the diet and placebo combination as evidenced by greater weight loss and decrease in hunger. Fifty-one women between the ages of 18 and 60 participated in our 32-day prospective, randomized, double-blind comparison of HCG versus placebo. Each patient was given the same diet (the one prescribed in the Asher-Harper study), was weighed daily Monday through Saturday and was counselled by one of the investigators who administered the injections. Laboratory studies were performed at the time of initial physical examinations and at the end of the study. Twenty of 25 in the HCG and 21 of 26 patients in the placebo groups completed 28 injections. There was no statistically significant difference in the means of the two groups in number of injections received, weight loss, percent of weight loss, hip and waist circumference, weight loss per injections, or in hunger ratings. HCG does not appear to enhance the effectiveness of a rigidly imposed regimen for weight reduction.", "contents": "Ineffectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction: a double-blind study. Our investigation was designed to retest the hypothesis of the efficacy of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) on weight reduction in obese women in a clinic setting. We sought to duplicate the Asher-Harper study (1973) which had found that the combination of 500 cal diet and HCG had a statistically significant benefit over the diet and placebo combination as evidenced by greater weight loss and decrease in hunger. Fifty-one women between the ages of 18 and 60 participated in our 32-day prospective, randomized, double-blind comparison of HCG versus placebo. Each patient was given the same diet (the one prescribed in the Asher-Harper study), was weighed daily Monday through Saturday and was counselled by one of the investigators who administered the injections. Laboratory studies were performed at the time of initial physical examinations and at the end of the study. Twenty of 25 in the HCG and 21 of 26 patients in the placebo groups completed 28 injections. There was no statistically significant difference in the means of the two groups in number of injections received, weight loss, percent of weight loss, hip and waist circumference, weight loss per injections, or in hunger ratings. HCG does not appear to enhance the effectiveness of a rigidly imposed regimen for weight reduction.", "PMID": 786001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7133", "title": "Fecal steroids in diarrhea. I. Acute shigellosis.", "content": "Fecal bile acid and neutral sterol patterns of five healthy adult male volunteers, who were challenged by a virulent Shigella flexneri 2a (M42-43) strain and developed dysentery were studied. It was observed that cholic acid was increased from 1.9 +/- 0.4% of total bile acid in the feces before infection to 14.5 +/- 2.1% during diarrhea (P less than 0.001). Chenodeoxycholic acid also was increased from 3.2 +/- 0.7 to 8.7 +/- 3.2% in diarrhea but the difference was not significant statistically. Deoxycholic and lithocholic acids constituted 34.1 +/- 4.1 and 40.5 +/- 2.8%, respectively, of total bile acid in the normal controls as compared to 13.9 +/- 2.5 and 24.8 +/- 2.5% for the same subjects during diarrhea (P less than 0.005). Total excretion of bile acids, expressed as mg/kg of body weight per day, were higher in diarrhea (5.4 +/- 1.0) than that in controls (4,2 +/- 1.0) but the difference was not statistically significant. In the neutral sterol fraction, unmodified cholesterol was increased during diarrhea (86.2 +/- 8.7 versus 25.0 +/- 4.8% of total cholesterol metabolites in controls, P less than 0.001). Coprostanol was decreased in shigellosis (12.2 +/- 8.2 versus 65.8 +/- 4.7% in controls, P less than 0.001). Epicoprostanol, coprostanone, and unidentified cholesterol metabolites also were reduced in shigellosis. The effect of diarrhea on the plant sterols was not as consistent. However, unidentified plant sterols were reduced significantly in shigellosis stools. Total excretion of cholesterol metabolites and plant sterols, when expressed as mg/kg of body weight per day, were 6.8 +/- 1.7 and 0.6 +/- 0.2), respectively, in Shigellosis. These values were not significantly different from the corresponding values for controls (10.3 +/- 3.0 and 0.8 +/- 0.2). One subject's stool samples were studied during infection for the sequence of bile acid alteration. A progressive reduction of bacterial activity upon fecal steroids was evident following the initial diarrheal episode. The production of coprostanol was correlated with 7 alpha-dehydroxylation of cholic acid (r = 0.937, P less than 0.001) and chenodeoxycholic acid (r = 0.755, P less than 0.01).", "contents": "Fecal steroids in diarrhea. I. Acute shigellosis. Fecal bile acid and neutral sterol patterns of five healthy adult male volunteers, who were challenged by a virulent Shigella flexneri 2a (M42-43) strain and developed dysentery were studied. It was observed that cholic acid was increased from 1.9 +/- 0.4% of total bile acid in the feces before infection to 14.5 +/- 2.1% during diarrhea (P less than 0.001). Chenodeoxycholic acid also was increased from 3.2 +/- 0.7 to 8.7 +/- 3.2% in diarrhea but the difference was not significant statistically. Deoxycholic and lithocholic acids constituted 34.1 +/- 4.1 and 40.5 +/- 2.8%, respectively, of total bile acid in the normal controls as compared to 13.9 +/- 2.5 and 24.8 +/- 2.5% for the same subjects during diarrhea (P less than 0.005). Total excretion of bile acids, expressed as mg/kg of body weight per day, were higher in diarrhea (5.4 +/- 1.0) than that in controls (4,2 +/- 1.0) but the difference was not statistically significant. In the neutral sterol fraction, unmodified cholesterol was increased during diarrhea (86.2 +/- 8.7 versus 25.0 +/- 4.8% of total cholesterol metabolites in controls, P less than 0.001). Coprostanol was decreased in shigellosis (12.2 +/- 8.2 versus 65.8 +/- 4.7% in controls, P less than 0.001). Epicoprostanol, coprostanone, and unidentified cholesterol metabolites also were reduced in shigellosis. The effect of diarrhea on the plant sterols was not as consistent. However, unidentified plant sterols were reduced significantly in shigellosis stools. Total excretion of cholesterol metabolites and plant sterols, when expressed as mg/kg of body weight per day, were 6.8 +/- 1.7 and 0.6 +/- 0.2), respectively, in Shigellosis. These values were not significantly different from the corresponding values for controls (10.3 +/- 3.0 and 0.8 +/- 0.2). One subject's stool samples were studied during infection for the sequence of bile acid alteration. A progressive reduction of bacterial activity upon fecal steroids was evident following the initial diarrheal episode. The production of coprostanol was correlated with 7 alpha-dehydroxylation of cholic acid (r = 0.937, P less than 0.001) and chenodeoxycholic acid (r = 0.755, P less than 0.01).", "PMID": 786002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7134", "title": "Group B streptococcal meningitis associated with otitis media.", "content": "A full-term infant of an appropriate size for gestational age was found to have meningitis due to Lancefield group B beta-hemolytic streptococci at 8 weeks of age. On admission, the baby had bulging tympanic membranes Lancefield group B beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from aspirate of the middle ear, supporting the importance of otitis media in the pathogenesis of late-onset Lancefield group B beta-hemolytic streptococcal meningitis.", "contents": "Group B streptococcal meningitis associated with otitis media. A full-term infant of an appropriate size for gestational age was found to have meningitis due to Lancefield group B beta-hemolytic streptococci at 8 weeks of age. On admission, the baby had bulging tympanic membranes Lancefield group B beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from aspirate of the middle ear, supporting the importance of otitis media in the pathogenesis of late-onset Lancefield group B beta-hemolytic streptococcal meningitis.", "PMID": 786004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7135", "title": "Hyperlipidemia after renal transplantation in children.", "content": "A cross-sectional survey of 32 children who received renal allografts was undertaken to evaluate lipid profiles in a pediatric transplant population. Ages ranged from 8 to 18 years, and serum creatinine concentrations varied from 0.5 to 5.6 mg/100 ml (mean, 1.4 mg/100 ml). Fifty percent of patients showed an abnormal lipoprotein electrophoresis, and these were evenly divided between type II and type IV patterns. The data suggest that patients with type II pattern tend to be receiving higher doses of prednisone, and increasing levels of cholesterol and triglyceride are also associated with higher corticosteroid dosages. In contrast to the observations of others in dialysis patients, measurements of glucose metabolism such as fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin levels were not associated with lipid abnormalities in this population. Lipid abnormalities following renal transplantation in children are similar to those described in adults, and may contribute to morbidity in the years following successful renal transplantation.", "contents": "Hyperlipidemia after renal transplantation in children. A cross-sectional survey of 32 children who received renal allografts was undertaken to evaluate lipid profiles in a pediatric transplant population. Ages ranged from 8 to 18 years, and serum creatinine concentrations varied from 0.5 to 5.6 mg/100 ml (mean, 1.4 mg/100 ml). Fifty percent of patients showed an abnormal lipoprotein electrophoresis, and these were evenly divided between type II and type IV patterns. The data suggest that patients with type II pattern tend to be receiving higher doses of prednisone, and increasing levels of cholesterol and triglyceride are also associated with higher corticosteroid dosages. In contrast to the observations of others in dialysis patients, measurements of glucose metabolism such as fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin levels were not associated with lipid abnormalities in this population. Lipid abnormalities following renal transplantation in children are similar to those described in adults, and may contribute to morbidity in the years following successful renal transplantation.", "PMID": 786005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7136", "title": "Hyperlipidemia in pediatric hemodialysis and renal transplant patients. Associated with coronary artery disease.", "content": "Fasting serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels were determined in 15 maintenance hemodialysis (MH) and 35 renal transplant (RT) patients. Fourteen of 15 MH patients (93%) had elevated triglyceride levels (greater than 140 mg/100 ml) compared to 11 of 35 RT recipients (31%) (P less than .001). Two of 15 MH patients (13%) had elevated cholesterol levels (greater than 230 mg/100 ml), compared to 18 of 35 RT recipients (51%) (P = .03). In MH patients, a positive correlation was noted between serum triglyceride levels and carbohydrate intake (P = .03). Autopsy material from 12 children who underwent MH or RT was compared to material from 16 age-matched controls; an increased collagenous content of intima, a possible early indicator of coronary artery disease, was noted more frequently (P less than .006) in index patients compared to controls. Our data demonstrate that hyperlipidemia is a frequent finding in pediatric patients treated with MH and RT, and may be associated with premature coronary artery disease.", "contents": "Hyperlipidemia in pediatric hemodialysis and renal transplant patients. Associated with coronary artery disease. Fasting serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels were determined in 15 maintenance hemodialysis (MH) and 35 renal transplant (RT) patients. Fourteen of 15 MH patients (93%) had elevated triglyceride levels (greater than 140 mg/100 ml) compared to 11 of 35 RT recipients (31%) (P less than .001). Two of 15 MH patients (13%) had elevated cholesterol levels (greater than 230 mg/100 ml), compared to 18 of 35 RT recipients (51%) (P = .03). In MH patients, a positive correlation was noted between serum triglyceride levels and carbohydrate intake (P = .03). Autopsy material from 12 children who underwent MH or RT was compared to material from 16 age-matched controls; an increased collagenous content of intima, a possible early indicator of coronary artery disease, was noted more frequently (P less than .006) in index patients compared to controls. Our data demonstrate that hyperlipidemia is a frequent finding in pediatric patients treated with MH and RT, and may be associated with premature coronary artery disease.", "PMID": 786006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7137", "title": "Aspirin-induced hepatic dysfunction in a patient with adult rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A patient with classical rheumatoid arthritis receiving high doses of aspirin developed significant elevation of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase. This patient had recently been on phenylbutazone and an initial liver biopsy, at the time of elevation of the transaminase revealed nonspecific mild fatty infiltration of the liver compatible with the pathology seen with rheumatoid disease. Because of the severity and activity of her rheumatoid arthritis, and thus the need to know whether aspirin was the etiologic factor in liver dysfunction, the patient was challenged with aspirin. SGOT elevation occurred after a 4-6 day lag period, which promptly remitted when salicylates were discontinued. A liver biopsy at this time revealed evidence for degeneration, regeneration, and mild focal mononuclear infiltration. Although previous reports note salicylate-related hepatocellular dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, these data clearly demonstrate the relationship of ASA to liver dysfunction in a patient with adult onset rheumatoid arthritis. This histologic picture as well as the clinical course of this patient's hepatic abnormality suggest a toxic rather than hypersensitivity etiology for this syndrome.", "contents": "Aspirin-induced hepatic dysfunction in a patient with adult rheumatoid arthritis. A patient with classical rheumatoid arthritis receiving high doses of aspirin developed significant elevation of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase. This patient had recently been on phenylbutazone and an initial liver biopsy, at the time of elevation of the transaminase revealed nonspecific mild fatty infiltration of the liver compatible with the pathology seen with rheumatoid disease. Because of the severity and activity of her rheumatoid arthritis, and thus the need to know whether aspirin was the etiologic factor in liver dysfunction, the patient was challenged with aspirin. SGOT elevation occurred after a 4-6 day lag period, which promptly remitted when salicylates were discontinued. A liver biopsy at this time revealed evidence for degeneration, regeneration, and mild focal mononuclear infiltration. Although previous reports note salicylate-related hepatocellular dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, these data clearly demonstrate the relationship of ASA to liver dysfunction in a patient with adult onset rheumatoid arthritis. This histologic picture as well as the clinical course of this patient's hepatic abnormality suggest a toxic rather than hypersensitivity etiology for this syndrome.", "PMID": 786007} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7138", "title": "The endoscopy corner: removal of foreign bodies from the upper intestinal tract with fiberoptic instruments.", "content": "Endoscopic removal of ingested foreign bodies should be attempted if the object is not spontaneously passed through the pylorus. This can be safely accomplished with the wire snare technic, or with special grasping forceps that are currently available.", "contents": "The endoscopy corner: removal of foreign bodies from the upper intestinal tract with fiberoptic instruments. Endoscopic removal of ingested foreign bodies should be attempted if the object is not spontaneously passed through the pylorus. This can be safely accomplished with the wire snare technic, or with special grasping forceps that are currently available.", "PMID": 786008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7139", "title": "Jaundice in pregnancy--1976.", "content": "An integrative survey is given of three disease processes, in which recent progress of a fundamental nature has been made, primarily affecting the liver, either coincident with or caused by the gravid state. The three conditions considered include (1) recurrent cholestasis of pregnancy (RCP), (2) viral hepatitis coincident with pregnancy, and (3) acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP). In addition to an assessment of our present knowledge with respect to RCP and AFLP, new genetic hypotheses are proposed. In the latter, the proposal of an ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, similar to that seen in Reye's syndrome, has potential therapeutic implications that are explored. In light of the currently available information on the interaction between maternal viral hepatitis and the variant forms of vertical maternal-fetal transmission, tentative recommendations regarding management of the newborn are suggested.", "contents": "Jaundice in pregnancy--1976. An integrative survey is given of three disease processes, in which recent progress of a fundamental nature has been made, primarily affecting the liver, either coincident with or caused by the gravid state. The three conditions considered include (1) recurrent cholestasis of pregnancy (RCP), (2) viral hepatitis coincident with pregnancy, and (3) acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP). In addition to an assessment of our present knowledge with respect to RCP and AFLP, new genetic hypotheses are proposed. In the latter, the proposal of an ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, similar to that seen in Reye's syndrome, has potential therapeutic implications that are explored. In light of the currently available information on the interaction between maternal viral hepatitis and the variant forms of vertical maternal-fetal transmission, tentative recommendations regarding management of the newborn are suggested.", "PMID": 786010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7140", "title": "The endothelial function of donor corneas: effects of delayed enucleation and refrigeration.", "content": "The endothelial viability of rabbit corneas subjected to various forms of cadaveric and moist chamber storage was evaluated by means of the specular microscope and the rate of stromal deturgescence during a temperature reversal response. Delays in the postmortem enucleation and refrigeration of potential donor corneas was shown to be detrimental to the functioning of the endothelium. To best preserve the endothelial function of donor corneas, the eyes should be removed as soon after death as possible and refrigerated at 4 degrees C. Refrigerated cadaveric storage was found not to be a substitute for early enucleation and refrigeration of the corneas. The limitations in the use of the rate of stromal deturgescence during a temperature reversal response as a quantitative indicator of endothelial function are discussed.", "contents": "The endothelial function of donor corneas: effects of delayed enucleation and refrigeration. The endothelial viability of rabbit corneas subjected to various forms of cadaveric and moist chamber storage was evaluated by means of the specular microscope and the rate of stromal deturgescence during a temperature reversal response. Delays in the postmortem enucleation and refrigeration of potential donor corneas was shown to be detrimental to the functioning of the endothelium. To best preserve the endothelial function of donor corneas, the eyes should be removed as soon after death as possible and refrigerated at 4 degrees C. Refrigerated cadaveric storage was found not to be a substitute for early enucleation and refrigeration of the corneas. The limitations in the use of the rate of stromal deturgescence during a temperature reversal response as a quantitative indicator of endothelial function are discussed.", "PMID": 786016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7141", "title": "A noninvasive method for detection and analysis of metals in the eye.", "content": "X-ray spectrometry appears to be a reliable and safe method for noninvasive detection and measurement of metals in the eye for clinical and experimental purposes. Preliminary results in rabbits show that the dissolution of small copper intraocular foreign bodies can be detected shortly after their implantation. The dissolution was measured repeatedly and described as a function of time. It is hoped that this method can supply data regarding the nature and the extent of dissociation of intraocular foreign bodies, thus supplementing methods which can give information regarding only their presence and location.", "contents": "A noninvasive method for detection and analysis of metals in the eye. X-ray spectrometry appears to be a reliable and safe method for noninvasive detection and measurement of metals in the eye for clinical and experimental purposes. Preliminary results in rabbits show that the dissolution of small copper intraocular foreign bodies can be detected shortly after their implantation. The dissolution was measured repeatedly and described as a function of time. It is hoped that this method can supply data regarding the nature and the extent of dissociation of intraocular foreign bodies, thus supplementing methods which can give information regarding only their presence and location.", "PMID": 786017} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7142", "title": "Middle Eastern intestinal lymphoma: report of a case and review of the literature.", "content": "A 20-year-old Persian man with Middle Eastern lymphoma is described, and 84 additional cases from the literature are reviewed. Basically, the disease is a malignant lymphoma which involves the upper small intestine (duodenum and proximal jejunum). It is associated with clubbing of the fingers, abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, and malabsorption, and frequently occurs in a younger age group than \"Western Hemisphere\" intestinal lymphoma. Some patients also have alpha heavy chain disease. The sex ratio is equal, and the disease occurs only in Middle Eastern and North African Moslems and Jews. Upper gastrointestinal radiographs are frequently diagnostic, and per oral small intestinal biopsy is nearly always diagnostic. Pathologically, the following features are characteristic for Middle Eastern lymphoma: partial or total villous atrophy with only mildly abnormal surface epithelium, sparsity of crypts, lymphatic dilatation, and infiltration of lamina propria by pleomorphic mononuclear cells which pepetrate the muscularis mucosa. The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease are unknown, but several hypotheses are discussed. Treatment by a variety of modalities is far from satisfactory, and the prognosis is much poorer than that observed in patients with the \"Western\" form of intestinal lymphoma. Other differences between Middle Eastern lymphoma and Western lymphoma are described in detail,", "contents": "Middle Eastern intestinal lymphoma: report of a case and review of the literature. A 20-year-old Persian man with Middle Eastern lymphoma is described, and 84 additional cases from the literature are reviewed. Basically, the disease is a malignant lymphoma which involves the upper small intestine (duodenum and proximal jejunum). It is associated with clubbing of the fingers, abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, and malabsorption, and frequently occurs in a younger age group than \"Western Hemisphere\" intestinal lymphoma. Some patients also have alpha heavy chain disease. The sex ratio is equal, and the disease occurs only in Middle Eastern and North African Moslems and Jews. Upper gastrointestinal radiographs are frequently diagnostic, and per oral small intestinal biopsy is nearly always diagnostic. Pathologically, the following features are characteristic for Middle Eastern lymphoma: partial or total villous atrophy with only mildly abnormal surface epithelium, sparsity of crypts, lymphatic dilatation, and infiltration of lamina propria by pleomorphic mononuclear cells which pepetrate the muscularis mucosa. The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease are unknown, but several hypotheses are discussed. Treatment by a variety of modalities is far from satisfactory, and the prognosis is much poorer than that observed in patients with the \"Western\" form of intestinal lymphoma. Other differences between Middle Eastern lymphoma and Western lymphoma are described in detail,", "PMID": 786012} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7143", "title": "Hypokalemia: causes, consequences and correction.", "content": "Hypokalemia poses a common diagnostic challenge with many potential etiologies. Multiple factors may contribute to this electrolyte deficiency in any given patient. Gastrointestinal potassium wasting usually is identifiable by an associated increase in fluid losses via biliary tract or bowel. A urinary potassium excretion of 20 mEq or more per day in the presence of a low serum potassium (less than 3.5 mEq/L) suggests inappropriate potassium wasting. Although diuretic therapy (loop diuretics, thiazides) undoubtedly is the most common cause of a potassium deficit, one also must consider abnormalities of the pituitary-adrenal axis, renal disorders including tumors, other drugs, and a variety of less well-defined entities. Potassium deficiency may produce both functional and structural defects in the kidneys, myocardium, skeletal muscle, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. Treatment is aimed at replacing potassium intravenously or orally or preventing further potassium loss (spironolactone, triamterene); when associated with a metabolic alkalosis (chloride deficiency), the replacement should be potassium chloride.", "contents": "Hypokalemia: causes, consequences and correction. Hypokalemia poses a common diagnostic challenge with many potential etiologies. Multiple factors may contribute to this electrolyte deficiency in any given patient. Gastrointestinal potassium wasting usually is identifiable by an associated increase in fluid losses via biliary tract or bowel. A urinary potassium excretion of 20 mEq or more per day in the presence of a low serum potassium (less than 3.5 mEq/L) suggests inappropriate potassium wasting. Although diuretic therapy (loop diuretics, thiazides) undoubtedly is the most common cause of a potassium deficit, one also must consider abnormalities of the pituitary-adrenal axis, renal disorders including tumors, other drugs, and a variety of less well-defined entities. Potassium deficiency may produce both functional and structural defects in the kidneys, myocardium, skeletal muscle, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. Treatment is aimed at replacing potassium intravenously or orally or preventing further potassium loss (spironolactone, triamterene); when associated with a metabolic alkalosis (chloride deficiency), the replacement should be potassium chloride.", "PMID": 786013} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7144", "title": "Circulatory and cellular immune responses to squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.", "content": "The sera from 176 patients with cervical cancer were examined by indirect immunofluorescence against cervical cancer cells (imprints of cervical cancer tissue). The mean serum titer in these patients was significantly higher than the titer in two control groups of identical size. These tumor-related antibodies were also higher in titer in sera from a small sample of nine husbands of cancer patients than in 18 control group patients. A cell-mediated immune response was studied with the use of leukocyte-migration inhibition from 39 blood specimens, including 23 patients with invasive epithelial carcinoma, five with intraepithelial carcinoma of the uterine cervix, six with other gynecologic diseases, and five without gynecologic disease. Migration inhibition was demonstrated for squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, suggesting a common specific cell-mediated response.", "contents": "Circulatory and cellular immune responses to squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The sera from 176 patients with cervical cancer were examined by indirect immunofluorescence against cervical cancer cells (imprints of cervical cancer tissue). The mean serum titer in these patients was significantly higher than the titer in two control groups of identical size. These tumor-related antibodies were also higher in titer in sera from a small sample of nine husbands of cancer patients than in 18 control group patients. A cell-mediated immune response was studied with the use of leukocyte-migration inhibition from 39 blood specimens, including 23 patients with invasive epithelial carcinoma, five with intraepithelial carcinoma of the uterine cervix, six with other gynecologic diseases, and five without gynecologic disease. Migration inhibition was demonstrated for squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, suggesting a common specific cell-mediated response.", "PMID": 786019} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7145", "title": "Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: antibody-coated bacteria, renal function, and intrauterine growth retardation.", "content": "Asymptomatic bacteriuria (greater than 100,000 microorganisms per milliliter) was found in 70 of 1,400 pregnant women without symptoms referable to the urinary tract (five per cent). With the fluorescent antibody (FA) tests, antibody-coated bacteria were demonstrated in specimens from 35 patients (50 per cent), indicating silent renal bacteriuria. Although confirmation by direct localization methods was not feasible in this group of patients, indirect evidence of renal function impairment associated with the presence of antibody-coated bacteria was suggested by results of the serum creatinine and creatinine clearance tests. The outcome of the pregnancy was compared for patients with bacteriuria (FA-negative or FA-positive tests). An association between the presence of asymptomatic renal bacteriuria and intrauterine growth retardation was noted. Thus, the patient with asymptomatic bacteriuria and a positive FA test is at greater risk of delivering an intrauterine growth-retarded infant.", "contents": "Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: antibody-coated bacteria, renal function, and intrauterine growth retardation. Asymptomatic bacteriuria (greater than 100,000 microorganisms per milliliter) was found in 70 of 1,400 pregnant women without symptoms referable to the urinary tract (five per cent). With the fluorescent antibody (FA) tests, antibody-coated bacteria were demonstrated in specimens from 35 patients (50 per cent), indicating silent renal bacteriuria. Although confirmation by direct localization methods was not feasible in this group of patients, indirect evidence of renal function impairment associated with the presence of antibody-coated bacteria was suggested by results of the serum creatinine and creatinine clearance tests. The outcome of the pregnancy was compared for patients with bacteriuria (FA-negative or FA-positive tests). An association between the presence of asymptomatic renal bacteriuria and intrauterine growth retardation was noted. Thus, the patient with asymptomatic bacteriuria and a positive FA test is at greater risk of delivering an intrauterine growth-retarded infant.", "PMID": 786021} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7146", "title": "Bacteriologic effects of prophylactic antibiotics in cesarean section.", "content": "An eight-hour course of prophylactic clindamycin and gentamicin was given to 54 service patients undergoing cesarean section. Aerobic and anaerobic endometrial cultures obtained from eight patients who developed endometritis after prophylaxis revealed major changes in flora. Compared to infected patients who had received no prophylaxis, the clindamycin-gentamicin group had marked decreases in aerobic and anaerobic cocci and Bacteroides but increases in E. coli and enterococci. However, this regimen was found to be no more effective than the previously reported regimen of ampicillin and kanamycin.", "contents": "Bacteriologic effects of prophylactic antibiotics in cesarean section. An eight-hour course of prophylactic clindamycin and gentamicin was given to 54 service patients undergoing cesarean section. Aerobic and anaerobic endometrial cultures obtained from eight patients who developed endometritis after prophylaxis revealed major changes in flora. Compared to infected patients who had received no prophylaxis, the clindamycin-gentamicin group had marked decreases in aerobic and anaerobic cocci and Bacteroides but increases in E. coli and enterococci. However, this regimen was found to be no more effective than the previously reported regimen of ampicillin and kanamycin.", "PMID": 786022} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7147", "title": "Examination of pharyngeal secretions to determine the etiology of pharyngitis.", "content": "Wright-stained throat smears from 174 outpatients with a chief complaint of sore throat were examined. In the presence of tonsillar and/or pharyngeal exudate, cervical lymphadenitis, temperature greater than or equal to 24 less than or equal to 72h, examination of the throat smears would have doubled the accuracy of differentiating streptococcal pharyngitis (SP) from nonstreptococcal pharyngitis (NSP). In the presence of one, two, three, or all four of the preceding presenting characteristics, examination of throat smears would have increased the diagnostic accuracy by 46, 50, 13, and 14 per cent, respectively. Examination of a Wright-stained throat smear may help distinguish SP from NSP among patients in an outpatient setting where follow-up and, therefore, treatment based on culture results may not be optimal.", "contents": "Examination of pharyngeal secretions to determine the etiology of pharyngitis. Wright-stained throat smears from 174 outpatients with a chief complaint of sore throat were examined. In the presence of tonsillar and/or pharyngeal exudate, cervical lymphadenitis, temperature greater than or equal to 24 less than or equal to 72h, examination of the throat smears would have doubled the accuracy of differentiating streptococcal pharyngitis (SP) from nonstreptococcal pharyngitis (NSP). In the presence of one, two, three, or all four of the preceding presenting characteristics, examination of throat smears would have increased the diagnostic accuracy by 46, 50, 13, and 14 per cent, respectively. Examination of a Wright-stained throat smear may help distinguish SP from NSP among patients in an outpatient setting where follow-up and, therefore, treatment based on culture results may not be optimal.", "PMID": 786018} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7148", "title": "Intra-amniotic urea and prostaglandin F2 alpha for midtrimester abortion: a modified regimen.", "content": "A study comparing intra-amniotic urea plus intravenous oxytocin and intra-amniotic urea with 10 mg. prostaglandin F2 alpha was completed. In addition, the results obtained with a further 150 patients receiving urea and prostaglandin are reported. Mean injection-abortion intervals ranged from 15.75 hours for urea-prostaglandin to 18.93 hours for urea-oxytocin. The advantages of urea-prostaglandin and suggested improvements are discussed. Over all, the method appears efficacious though incomplete abortions and cervical laceration are persistent problems.", "contents": "Intra-amniotic urea and prostaglandin F2 alpha for midtrimester abortion: a modified regimen. A study comparing intra-amniotic urea plus intravenous oxytocin and intra-amniotic urea with 10 mg. prostaglandin F2 alpha was completed. In addition, the results obtained with a further 150 patients receiving urea and prostaglandin are reported. Mean injection-abortion intervals ranged from 15.75 hours for urea-prostaglandin to 18.93 hours for urea-oxytocin. The advantages of urea-prostaglandin and suggested improvements are discussed. Over all, the method appears efficacious though incomplete abortions and cervical laceration are persistent problems.", "PMID": 786024} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7149", "title": "Mercury toxicity in the pregnant woman, fetus, and newborn infant. A review.", "content": "This paper reviews the reported cases of mercury poisoning in pregnancy and the data based on sources of contamination, maternal uptake, and distribution. It analyzes current knowledge of placental transfer of various mercury compounds, fetal uptake, and distribution. It identifies the embryopathic and fetal toxic effects of mercury in general while emphasizing the greater toxicity of methylmercury compounds. Since maternal exposure to methylmercury is primarily through fish consumption, it recommends that women of childbearing age should not consume more than 350 Gm. of fish per week. In addition, they should not be occupationally exposed to air concentrations of mercury vapor greater than 0.01 mg. per cubic meter, of inorganic and phenylmercuric compounds greater than 0.02 mg. per cubic meter, or any detectable concentration of methylmercury.", "contents": "Mercury toxicity in the pregnant woman, fetus, and newborn infant. A review. This paper reviews the reported cases of mercury poisoning in pregnancy and the data based on sources of contamination, maternal uptake, and distribution. It analyzes current knowledge of placental transfer of various mercury compounds, fetal uptake, and distribution. It identifies the embryopathic and fetal toxic effects of mercury in general while emphasizing the greater toxicity of methylmercury compounds. Since maternal exposure to methylmercury is primarily through fish consumption, it recommends that women of childbearing age should not consume more than 350 Gm. of fish per week. In addition, they should not be occupationally exposed to air concentrations of mercury vapor greater than 0.01 mg. per cubic meter, of inorganic and phenylmercuric compounds greater than 0.02 mg. per cubic meter, or any detectable concentration of methylmercury.", "PMID": 786026} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7150", "title": "Surgical correction of superior sulcus deformity occurring after enucleation.", "content": "A prefabricated, sculptured, subperiosteal orbital floor implant was used in six cases of cosmetically unacceptable deep superior eyelid sulcus that occurred after enucleation. The implant provided anterior and superior displacement of orbital contents. Surgical placement was similar to the approach for implant placement in orbital floor fracture and provided satisfactory cosmetic and functional results.", "contents": "Surgical correction of superior sulcus deformity occurring after enucleation. A prefabricated, sculptured, subperiosteal orbital floor implant was used in six cases of cosmetically unacceptable deep superior eyelid sulcus that occurred after enucleation. The implant provided anterior and superior displacement of orbital contents. Surgical placement was similar to the approach for implant placement in orbital floor fracture and provided satisfactory cosmetic and functional results.", "PMID": 786027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7151", "title": "Morphological changes in corneal endothelial cells after penetrating keratoplasty.", "content": "Fifteen patients who had had a successful penetrating keratoplasty were photographed with the clinical specular microscope and the resulting endothelial photomicrographs were analyzed. The average endothelial cell area was one to six times larger and the average endothelial cell perimeter was one to 2 1/2 times larger than that of a normal cornea of a subject the same age as the donor. In each corneal graft, endothelial cell areas and perimeters clustered tightly around a mean value, although the mean value for different corneas varied significantly. The thickness and transparency of each graft was normal, indicating that within the observed limits the success of the transplantation procedure did not depend on final endothelial cell size or perimeter.", "contents": "Morphological changes in corneal endothelial cells after penetrating keratoplasty. Fifteen patients who had had a successful penetrating keratoplasty were photographed with the clinical specular microscope and the resulting endothelial photomicrographs were analyzed. The average endothelial cell area was one to six times larger and the average endothelial cell perimeter was one to 2 1/2 times larger than that of a normal cornea of a subject the same age as the donor. In each corneal graft, endothelial cell areas and perimeters clustered tightly around a mean value, although the mean value for different corneas varied significantly. The thickness and transparency of each graft was normal, indicating that within the observed limits the success of the transplantation procedure did not depend on final endothelial cell size or perimeter.", "PMID": 786028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7152", "title": "Diet and atherosclerosis.", "content": "Because of the statistical establishment of elevated blood lipids as a risk factor in the development of atherosclerotic heart disease, most of the attempts to regulate blood lipids by diet are centered on the fat in the diet. The levels of blood lipids and the course of experimental atherosclerosis can be affected by other dietary components such as type and amount of protein, carbohydrate, and nonnutritive fiber. Interaction among the dietary components further affects serum lipids and atherosclerosis.", "contents": "Diet and atherosclerosis. Because of the statistical establishment of elevated blood lipids as a risk factor in the development of atherosclerotic heart disease, most of the attempts to regulate blood lipids by diet are centered on the fat in the diet. The levels of blood lipids and the course of experimental atherosclerosis can be affected by other dietary components such as type and amount of protein, carbohydrate, and nonnutritive fiber. Interaction among the dietary components further affects serum lipids and atherosclerosis.", "PMID": 786036} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7153", "title": "Influence of dietary factors on the pancreatotoxicity of ethionine.", "content": "Choline deficiency enhances greatly the pancreatotoxicity of DL-ethionine. Mice fed DL-ethionine with a choline-deficient diet develop a fatal acute hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis with fat necrosis (AHPN) in 5 days. Induction of the AHPN is completely prevented by dietary methionine and drastically reduced by dietary methionine and drastically reduced by dietary choline. The amount of proteins, carbohydrates, and fat in the diet influences its consumption by the animals and thus the severity of the pancreatic pathology. The histogenesis of the process is characterized by widespread alterations of the membranous organelles of the acinar cells, especially the endoplasmic reticulum and the zymogen granules. The onset of the hemorrhagic necrosis of the pancreas is due to an endogenous intraparenchymal activation of the zymogenic proteases, including proelastase. The new experimental model of AHPN appears to mimic very closely the clinical course, the anatomic pathologic lesions, and the postulated pathogenesis of the corresponding human disease.", "contents": "Influence of dietary factors on the pancreatotoxicity of ethionine. Choline deficiency enhances greatly the pancreatotoxicity of DL-ethionine. Mice fed DL-ethionine with a choline-deficient diet develop a fatal acute hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis with fat necrosis (AHPN) in 5 days. Induction of the AHPN is completely prevented by dietary methionine and drastically reduced by dietary methionine and drastically reduced by dietary choline. The amount of proteins, carbohydrates, and fat in the diet influences its consumption by the animals and thus the severity of the pancreatic pathology. The histogenesis of the process is characterized by widespread alterations of the membranous organelles of the acinar cells, especially the endoplasmic reticulum and the zymogen granules. The onset of the hemorrhagic necrosis of the pancreas is due to an endogenous intraparenchymal activation of the zymogenic proteases, including proelastase. The new experimental model of AHPN appears to mimic very closely the clinical course, the anatomic pathologic lesions, and the postulated pathogenesis of the corresponding human disease.", "PMID": 786037} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7154", "title": "The anthropological value of minor variants of the dental crown.", "content": "The incidences of 31 minor variants of the dental crown were scored from dental casts of samples taken from six European populations. Although several variants showed significant sex bias in one or other sample, only one (pits instead of furrow on premolar2) consistently favoured one sex. Associations between the variants were sought. Although few consistent associations were demonstrated, there was a possible tendency for extra cusps to occur together throughout the dentition. Distance statistics calculated between the samples were compatible with the expected genetical relationships of the samples, but only modern samples could be used since variants were destroyed by attrition in archeological samples. Before such distances can be considered reliable, it is necessary to know: (i)the extent to which environmental factors such as diet influence variant expression. (ii)whether or not variant bearing teeth are selectively destroyed by caries, which in civilised populations render a high proportion of most dentitions unscoreable.", "contents": "The anthropological value of minor variants of the dental crown. The incidences of 31 minor variants of the dental crown were scored from dental casts of samples taken from six European populations. Although several variants showed significant sex bias in one or other sample, only one (pits instead of furrow on premolar2) consistently favoured one sex. Associations between the variants were sought. Although few consistent associations were demonstrated, there was a possible tendency for extra cusps to occur together throughout the dentition. Distance statistics calculated between the samples were compatible with the expected genetical relationships of the samples, but only modern samples could be used since variants were destroyed by attrition in archeological samples. Before such distances can be considered reliable, it is necessary to know: (i)the extent to which environmental factors such as diet influence variant expression. (ii)whether or not variant bearing teeth are selectively destroyed by caries, which in civilised populations render a high proportion of most dentitions unscoreable.", "PMID": 786041} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7155", "title": "Distribution of fetal cardiac output: importance of pacemaker location.", "content": "Important questions exist about the relative roles of changes in heart rate versus extent of myocardial shortening in regulating fetal cardiac output, because increases in heart rate created by left atrial pacing have been shown to increase right ventricular output and decrease left ventricular output. Since the pacemaker site could importantly influence foramen ovale flow and, hence, each ventricle's output, changes in individual ventricular outputs were examined when both the right and left atria were paced at a rate of 270 beats/min in five acute and in eight chronically instrumented fetal lamb studies. With pacing of either atrium, total cardiac output was unchanged compared to control values. However, the right ventricle contributed more to total cardiac output with left atrial pacing (73% acute, 65% chronic) than with right atrial pacing (51% acute, 57% chronic). Converse changes were observed in left atrial pacing (27% acute, 35% chronic) as compared to right atrial pacing (49% acute, 43% chronic). Thus the disparity that exists normally in the contributions of the right and left ventricles to total cardiac output is accentuated with left atrial pacing and minimized with right atrial pacing. Pressure measurements demonstrated changes in the atrial pressure relations that would be expected to alter flow across the foramen ovale depending on the chamber initially activated. Previous experimental differences can, therefore, be attributed to changes in the magnitude of shunting across the foramen ovale and depend on pacemaker location.", "contents": "Distribution of fetal cardiac output: importance of pacemaker location. Important questions exist about the relative roles of changes in heart rate versus extent of myocardial shortening in regulating fetal cardiac output, because increases in heart rate created by left atrial pacing have been shown to increase right ventricular output and decrease left ventricular output. Since the pacemaker site could importantly influence foramen ovale flow and, hence, each ventricle's output, changes in individual ventricular outputs were examined when both the right and left atria were paced at a rate of 270 beats/min in five acute and in eight chronically instrumented fetal lamb studies. With pacing of either atrium, total cardiac output was unchanged compared to control values. However, the right ventricle contributed more to total cardiac output with left atrial pacing (73% acute, 65% chronic) than with right atrial pacing (51% acute, 57% chronic). Converse changes were observed in left atrial pacing (27% acute, 35% chronic) as compared to right atrial pacing (49% acute, 43% chronic). Thus the disparity that exists normally in the contributions of the right and left ventricles to total cardiac output is accentuated with left atrial pacing and minimized with right atrial pacing. Pressure measurements demonstrated changes in the atrial pressure relations that would be expected to alter flow across the foramen ovale depending on the chamber initially activated. Previous experimental differences can, therefore, be attributed to changes in the magnitude of shunting across the foramen ovale and depend on pacemaker location.", "PMID": 786042} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7156", "title": "Bioassay of endotoxin clearance in vivo and by perfused rat liver.", "content": "Endotoxin clearances in vivo and by the isolated perfused rat liver were evaluated via bioassay in lead-sensitized rats. A linear relationship between the probit of shock lethality and the endotoxin dose in the probit range of 4-6 was validated. Endotoxin clearance in normal, fed rats displayed a linear relationship between the logarithm of the blood endotoxin concentration and time throughout the period of 15-240 min at doses of 500 and 1,000 mug/ rat; the half-time values were 58-63 min. Decreasing the endotoxin dose to 250 mug resulted in multiphasic clearance curves. Induction of tolerance to endotoxin resulted in marked acceleration of endotoxin clearance. Endotoxin clearance from the isolated perfused rat liver was not influenced by serum or rat blood as compared to clearance from a balanced salt solution. These data suggest that a physiologically stressful dose of endotoxin is slowly cleared from the blood and, therefore, circulates for prolonged periods.", "contents": "Bioassay of endotoxin clearance in vivo and by perfused rat liver. Endotoxin clearances in vivo and by the isolated perfused rat liver were evaluated via bioassay in lead-sensitized rats. A linear relationship between the probit of shock lethality and the endotoxin dose in the probit range of 4-6 was validated. Endotoxin clearance in normal, fed rats displayed a linear relationship between the logarithm of the blood endotoxin concentration and time throughout the period of 15-240 min at doses of 500 and 1,000 mug/ rat; the half-time values were 58-63 min. Decreasing the endotoxin dose to 250 mug resulted in multiphasic clearance curves. Induction of tolerance to endotoxin resulted in marked acceleration of endotoxin clearance. Endotoxin clearance from the isolated perfused rat liver was not influenced by serum or rat blood as compared to clearance from a balanced salt solution. These data suggest that a physiologically stressful dose of endotoxin is slowly cleared from the blood and, therefore, circulates for prolonged periods.", "PMID": 786043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7157", "title": "Hypoglycemic depression of RES function.", "content": "The intravascular removal rates of colloidal carbon and of biologically active endotoxin by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) were evaluated as a function of blood-glucose levels. There was a significant negative correlation of carbon clearance half time on blood glucose in both saline-treated and insulin-treated rats. Insulin hypoglycemia depressed RES carbon clearance with the maximal effect occurring at blood glucose values below 30 mg/dl. Insulin hypoglycemia also severely impaired the intravascular removal of endotoxin as evaluated by lethality bioassay in lead-sensitized rats. It is concluded that blood glucose may modulate RES phagocytic function and that the hypoglycemia of endotoxin shock may augment the shock state due to impairment of RES host defense clearance functions.", "contents": "Hypoglycemic depression of RES function. The intravascular removal rates of colloidal carbon and of biologically active endotoxin by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) were evaluated as a function of blood-glucose levels. There was a significant negative correlation of carbon clearance half time on blood glucose in both saline-treated and insulin-treated rats. Insulin hypoglycemia depressed RES carbon clearance with the maximal effect occurring at blood glucose values below 30 mg/dl. Insulin hypoglycemia also severely impaired the intravascular removal of endotoxin as evaluated by lethality bioassay in lead-sensitized rats. It is concluded that blood glucose may modulate RES phagocytic function and that the hypoglycemia of endotoxin shock may augment the shock state due to impairment of RES host defense clearance functions.", "PMID": 786044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7158", "title": "Tracking difficulties and paranoid ideation during hashish and alcohol intoxication.", "content": "In a double-blind study using each subject as his own control, 6 normal subjects smoked 20 mg of THC within 10- and 45-minute periods (\"fast\" and \"slow\" conditions, respectively). Each subject also received placebo and doses of alcohol calculated to be as intoxicating as the THC doses. In fast conditions, THC induced greater difficulties with tracking information over time, greater disruptions of self-other interpersonal perceptions, and more persecutory ideation that did alcohol or placebo. Similar but less marked differences were found in the slow conditions. As hypothesized, changes in tracking difficulties, self-other metaperspectives, and persecutory ideation were substantially and significantly correlated.", "contents": "Tracking difficulties and paranoid ideation during hashish and alcohol intoxication. In a double-blind study using each subject as his own control, 6 normal subjects smoked 20 mg of THC within 10- and 45-minute periods (\"fast\" and \"slow\" conditions, respectively). Each subject also received placebo and doses of alcohol calculated to be as intoxicating as the THC doses. In fast conditions, THC induced greater difficulties with tracking information over time, greater disruptions of self-other interpersonal perceptions, and more persecutory ideation that did alcohol or placebo. Similar but less marked differences were found in the slow conditions. As hypothesized, changes in tracking difficulties, self-other metaperspectives, and persecutory ideation were substantially and significantly correlated.", "PMID": 786045} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7159", "title": "Free psychotherapy: an inquiry into resistance.", "content": "Psychotherapy for which the patient is not charged, such as that provided by the Veterans Administration system, can lead to unique conflicts and resistances within treatment. Patients may depreciate the value of therapy, feel obligated to the therapist, or expect him to make inappropriate nonfinancial demands. The authors present five cases illustrating that lack of a fee may become the focus of insoluble resistances to therapy, and suggest that, particularly in training situations, a token fee should be charged to obviate these difficulties.", "contents": "Free psychotherapy: an inquiry into resistance. Psychotherapy for which the patient is not charged, such as that provided by the Veterans Administration system, can lead to unique conflicts and resistances within treatment. Patients may depreciate the value of therapy, feel obligated to the therapist, or expect him to make inappropriate nonfinancial demands. The authors present five cases illustrating that lack of a fee may become the focus of insoluble resistances to therapy, and suggest that, particularly in training situations, a token fee should be charged to obviate these difficulties.", "PMID": 786046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7160", "title": "Overview: research on the psychology of women. I. Gender differences and sexual and reproductive life.", "content": "There has been a recent and rapid increase in research literature pertaining to women; this revolution in women's studies may be currently unequaled in any other field related to psychiatry. In this first part of a two-part article the author briefly discusses the social and intellectual contexts of research in this area. She reviews recent research on gender differences in behavior and on women's sexual and reproductive lives, including various aspects of the menstrual cycle, menopause, diseases of the reproductive organs, coitus, rape, childbirth, lactation, and fertility control. The second part will cover research on women in families, communities, work, and psychotherapy; and it will attempt to assess limitations of present knowledge and the anticipated directions and impact of future research.", "contents": "Overview: research on the psychology of women. I. Gender differences and sexual and reproductive life. There has been a recent and rapid increase in research literature pertaining to women; this revolution in women's studies may be currently unequaled in any other field related to psychiatry. In this first part of a two-part article the author briefly discusses the social and intellectual contexts of research in this area. She reviews recent research on gender differences in behavior and on women's sexual and reproductive lives, including various aspects of the menstrual cycle, menopause, diseases of the reproductive organs, coitus, rape, childbirth, lactation, and fertility control. The second part will cover research on women in families, communities, work, and psychotherapy; and it will attempt to assess limitations of present knowledge and the anticipated directions and impact of future research.", "PMID": 786048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7161", "title": "Factors affecting the use of physician services in a rural community.", "content": "This paper examines the relative importance of various independent variables for predicting five separate measures of physician utilization in a rural community. The independent variables include socioeconomic, demographic, attitudinal, and health status factors. The results are comparable to those of national studies which find that health status is the primary determinant of utilization. Income, price measures, and travel time are notable for their relative unimportance in this rural area. This suggests that resources are more likely to be allocated on the basis of medical need within a given health care market than across a number of market areas.", "contents": "Factors affecting the use of physician services in a rural community. This paper examines the relative importance of various independent variables for predicting five separate measures of physician utilization in a rural community. The independent variables include socioeconomic, demographic, attitudinal, and health status factors. The results are comparable to those of national studies which find that health status is the primary determinant of utilization. Income, price measures, and travel time are notable for their relative unimportance in this rural area. This suggests that resources are more likely to be allocated on the basis of medical need within a given health care market than across a number of market areas.", "PMID": 786050} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7162", "title": "A simple method of tracking mammals and locating triatomine vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in Amazonian forest.", "content": "A simple method of tracking mammals from capture points to their refuges was developed to study Trypanosoma cruzi reservoir-vector associations in Bel\u00e9m forest. A device containing a spool of fine line was carried by released mammals so that the line unwound under minimum tension as the animal proceeded and could be followed the day after release. Twenty-three triatomine bugs of five species were found with 3 of 15 mammals retrieved.", "contents": "A simple method of tracking mammals and locating triatomine vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in Amazonian forest. A simple method of tracking mammals from capture points to their refuges was developed to study Trypanosoma cruzi reservoir-vector associations in Bel\u00e9m forest. A device containing a spool of fine line was carried by released mammals so that the line unwound under minimum tension as the animal proceeded and could be followed the day after release. Twenty-three triatomine bugs of five species were found with 3 of 15 mammals retrieved.", "PMID": 786052} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7163", "title": "Morbidity of colostomy closure.", "content": "An unexpectedly high morbidity (28 per cent) followed colostomy closure in 100 patients. One patient died postoperatively because of sepsis resulting from disruption of the colon anastomosis. Wound infection (10 per cent), intraperitoneal abscess (1 per cent), bowel obstruction (7 per cent), and fecal fistula (4 per cent) were other significant complications. Wound sepsis was greater after primary than after delayed wound closure. Obstruction did not correlate with the use of either an open or closed technic of anastomosis. Three patients required reoperation for complications. Temporary colostomy was constructed for colon injury in 85 per cent of patients. In view of the considerable morbidity of colostomy closure, alternate technics of managing colon trauma should be considered. Such technics include primary closure and exteriorization of repaired colon. When temporary colostomy is unavoidable, closure is best done by open, two layer anastomosis with delayed wound closure. Colostomy should be recognized as an important procedure associated with significant morbidity.", "contents": "Morbidity of colostomy closure. An unexpectedly high morbidity (28 per cent) followed colostomy closure in 100 patients. One patient died postoperatively because of sepsis resulting from disruption of the colon anastomosis. Wound infection (10 per cent), intraperitoneal abscess (1 per cent), bowel obstruction (7 per cent), and fecal fistula (4 per cent) were other significant complications. Wound sepsis was greater after primary than after delayed wound closure. Obstruction did not correlate with the use of either an open or closed technic of anastomosis. Three patients required reoperation for complications. Temporary colostomy was constructed for colon injury in 85 per cent of patients. In view of the considerable morbidity of colostomy closure, alternate technics of managing colon trauma should be considered. Such technics include primary closure and exteriorization of repaired colon. When temporary colostomy is unavoidable, closure is best done by open, two layer anastomosis with delayed wound closure. Colostomy should be recognized as an important procedure associated with significant morbidity.", "PMID": 786053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7164", "title": "Technical considerations in elderly renal allograft recipients.", "content": "Atherosclerosis in renal allograft recipients necessitated modification of vascular anastomoses in 62 per cent of patients older than forty years in contrast with 10 per cent in younger patients. Three forms of vascular disease occurred: atherosclerotic occlusion, tortuosity of vessels, and disruption of plaques by vascular clamps. Successful modifications of the procedure and avoidance of ischemic graft injury are described including relocation of the transplanted ureter.", "contents": "Technical considerations in elderly renal allograft recipients. Atherosclerosis in renal allograft recipients necessitated modification of vascular anastomoses in 62 per cent of patients older than forty years in contrast with 10 per cent in younger patients. Three forms of vascular disease occurred: atherosclerotic occlusion, tortuosity of vessels, and disruption of plaques by vascular clamps. Successful modifications of the procedure and avoidance of ischemic graft injury are described including relocation of the transplanted ureter.", "PMID": 786054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7165", "title": "Sacrococcygeal dermoids and teratomas: historical review.", "content": "Palpable rectally, when not externally visible, sacrococcygeal teratomas have been recognized since antiquity, but their histologic segregation from other sacrococcygeal masses lagged into the twentieth century. That these tumors are potentially malignant, and that the incidence of this complication increases with age during infancy, was realized early this century, but it is only in the last two decades that the importance of (1) early surgery, (2) excision of the coccyx, and (3) a combined abdominosacral approach for lesions with retroperitoneal extension has been realized.", "contents": "Sacrococcygeal dermoids and teratomas: historical review. Palpable rectally, when not externally visible, sacrococcygeal teratomas have been recognized since antiquity, but their histologic segregation from other sacrococcygeal masses lagged into the twentieth century. That these tumors are potentially malignant, and that the incidence of this complication increases with age during infancy, was realized early this century, but it is only in the last two decades that the importance of (1) early surgery, (2) excision of the coccyx, and (3) a combined abdominosacral approach for lesions with retroperitoneal extension has been realized.", "PMID": 786055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7166", "title": "Johann Friedrich Meckel, the Younger (1781-1833).", "content": "Meckel's name is well known in the medical world because of the intestinal abnormality that carries his eponym. We are less familiar with his personal life and his far-reaching achievement as a prominent anatomist. Also described is his complex personality as well as the indelible impression he made on his contemporaries.", "contents": "Johann Friedrich Meckel, the Younger (1781-1833). Meckel's name is well known in the medical world because of the intestinal abnormality that carries his eponym. We are less familiar with his personal life and his far-reaching achievement as a prominent anatomist. Also described is his complex personality as well as the indelible impression he made on his contemporaries.", "PMID": 786056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7167", "title": "Repair of large chest wall defects using pedicle flaps.", "content": "Three cases of chest wall resection illustrate the use of three different full thickness pedicle flaps which can be used to cover almost any area of the anterior chest wall. The medially based acromiothoracic flap was swung inferiorly to cover a lateral defect. Laterally based abdominal wall and axillary flaps were used to cover more medial defects. In case III bilateral axillary flaps were necessary to cover a huge central defect after resection of the anterior sternum and anterior cartilages of seven ribs for a sebaceous carcinoma.", "contents": "Repair of large chest wall defects using pedicle flaps. Three cases of chest wall resection illustrate the use of three different full thickness pedicle flaps which can be used to cover almost any area of the anterior chest wall. The medially based acromiothoracic flap was swung inferiorly to cover a lateral defect. Laterally based abdominal wall and axillary flaps were used to cover more medial defects. In case III bilateral axillary flaps were necessary to cover a huge central defect after resection of the anterior sternum and anterior cartilages of seven ribs for a sebaceous carcinoma.", "PMID": 786057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7168", "title": "Contiguous cervical and deltopectoral flaps for skin lining and replacement with en bloc resection of cancer of the head and neck.", "content": "Contiguous cervical and deltopectoral flaps have several advantages in reconstruction of the head and neck after extirpation of cancer. The cervical skin provides an excellent color match for facial skin, and nonhair-bearing skin is available if lining of the oral cavity is required. The deltopectoral flap provides superior coverage for the carotid artery.", "contents": "Contiguous cervical and deltopectoral flaps for skin lining and replacement with en bloc resection of cancer of the head and neck. Contiguous cervical and deltopectoral flaps have several advantages in reconstruction of the head and neck after extirpation of cancer. The cervical skin provides an excellent color match for facial skin, and nonhair-bearing skin is available if lining of the oral cavity is required. The deltopectoral flap provides superior coverage for the carotid artery.", "PMID": 786058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7169", "title": "The many uses of polyurethane foam.", "content": "Self adherent foam padding has unlimited opportunities for plastic and general surgical use. Skin blisters do occur but less often than with tape. It may also be used over the shoulder and scapula where other types of more invasive immobilization were usually necessary and has also been effectively utilized as postmammoplasty support, as facial and postrhytidectomy dressings, and over leg grafts. Furthermore, it can be used for postpilonidal and axillary pad dressings.", "contents": "The many uses of polyurethane foam. Self adherent foam padding has unlimited opportunities for plastic and general surgical use. Skin blisters do occur but less often than with tape. It may also be used over the shoulder and scapula where other types of more invasive immobilization were usually necessary and has also been effectively utilized as postmammoplasty support, as facial and postrhytidectomy dressings, and over leg grafts. Furthermore, it can be used for postpilonidal and axillary pad dressings.", "PMID": 786059} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7170", "title": "Automatic perimetry in glaucoma visual field screening. A clinical study.", "content": "Automatic computerized perimetry was compared to careful manual selective perimetry (a variant of that proposed by Armaly) in 181 eyes of 100 patients from a glaucoma open-care unit. The results of the two methods were very similar. Thus all defects found were identified by the automatic perimeter, and one pathologic field was missed by the manual selective perimetry. The automatic examination gave 16% false positive results and the manual 11% when optimally performed. The false positives could be greatly reduced (to 4.4% and 3.3% respectively) by rescreening. In a comparison with \"routine\" perimetry, the automatic screening is shown to be superior.", "contents": "Automatic perimetry in glaucoma visual field screening. A clinical study. Automatic computerized perimetry was compared to careful manual selective perimetry (a variant of that proposed by Armaly) in 181 eyes of 100 patients from a glaucoma open-care unit. The results of the two methods were very similar. Thus all defects found were identified by the automatic perimeter, and one pathologic field was missed by the manual selective perimetry. The automatic examination gave 16% false positive results and the manual 11% when optimally performed. The false positives could be greatly reduced (to 4.4% and 3.3% respectively) by rescreening. In a comparison with \"routine\" perimetry, the automatic screening is shown to be superior.", "PMID": 786063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7171", "title": "[Acupuncture analgesia in China (author's transl)].", "content": "As part of an agreement between the Governments of the People's Republic of China and Canada, 10 Canadian Anaesthetists visited China for six weeks during April and May 1974. The delegation observed 87 surgical operations and 19 dental procedures conducted under acupuncture analgesia in 17 large hospital in Peking, Schichiachuang, Nanking, Shanghai and Canton. In this report, observations on acupuncture analgesia made during this visit are presented as well as information obtained in group discussions with Chinese physicians. In the author's opinion, the technique was successful in about 80% of the cases seen; these patients were awake during surgery without visible distress and exhibited a remarkable degree of analgesia immediately after surgery. However, in China, acupuncture analgesia is still considered in the experimental stage and only used in a limited number of standardized, elective surgical procedures, where confidence and the success of this technique have been established. For the successful use of this technique, patient and surgeon must co-operate fully. Acupuncture analgesia poses considerable limitations on the surgeon and requires careful surgical technique; the patient's co-operation must be assured by a suitable preparation. It appears, that acupuncture analgesia should be seen as an alternative to local anaesthesia rather than general anaesthesia; the latter is only used to a limited extent in China. In our present anaesthetic practice, acupuncture would appear to be of only very limited use, however, a further study of this phenomenon should contribute to our knowledge of the function of the nervous system.", "contents": "[Acupuncture analgesia in China (author's transl)]. As part of an agreement between the Governments of the People's Republic of China and Canada, 10 Canadian Anaesthetists visited China for six weeks during April and May 1974. The delegation observed 87 surgical operations and 19 dental procedures conducted under acupuncture analgesia in 17 large hospital in Peking, Schichiachuang, Nanking, Shanghai and Canton. In this report, observations on acupuncture analgesia made during this visit are presented as well as information obtained in group discussions with Chinese physicians. In the author's opinion, the technique was successful in about 80% of the cases seen; these patients were awake during surgery without visible distress and exhibited a remarkable degree of analgesia immediately after surgery. However, in China, acupuncture analgesia is still considered in the experimental stage and only used in a limited number of standardized, elective surgical procedures, where confidence and the success of this technique have been established. For the successful use of this technique, patient and surgeon must co-operate fully. Acupuncture analgesia poses considerable limitations on the surgeon and requires careful surgical technique; the patient's co-operation must be assured by a suitable preparation. It appears, that acupuncture analgesia should be seen as an alternative to local anaesthesia rather than general anaesthesia; the latter is only used to a limited extent in China. In our present anaesthetic practice, acupuncture would appear to be of only very limited use, however, a further study of this phenomenon should contribute to our knowledge of the function of the nervous system.", "PMID": 786064} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7172", "title": "Intracranial responses to PEEP.", "content": "Elevated intrathoracic pressure due to positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has the potential for increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) and reducing arterial blood pressure (BP). Such changes could critically reduce cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP = BP - ICP), This possibility was investigated in 15 cats with artificially-produced expanding intracranial masses (intracranial balloon). The interrelationships among ICP and central venous and arterial pressures were observed during application and removal of graded levels of PEEP (5, 10, 15 cm H2O). The electroencephalogram and pupillary diameters were monitored. At various levels of ICP, nine of the cats were given oleic acid intravenously to embolize the lung and cause pulmonary dysfunction. In cats not given oleic acid, PEEP caused a maximal reduction in cerebral perfusion pressure of 45 +/- 4 torr(SEM), accompanied by variable changes in ICP. PEEP application in the absence of oleic acid embolization of the lungs caused electroencephalographic abnormalities in 77% of these cats, while pupillary diameters increased in 56%. Animals embolized wwith oleic acid had significantly less (P less than .001) severe CPP reductions (mean 21 +/- 4 torr) than did the non-embolized animals, and developed no EEG change due to PEEP. However, increases in pupillary diameter still occurred in 33% of cats given oleic acid when PEEP was applied. In 82% of the PEEP applications (n = 44) in both experimental groups only insignificant increases in intracranial tension occurred (average peak ICP gain less than 1.5 torr). Abrupt increases in ICP exceeding 11 torr (15 cm H2O) occurred in four animals in each group. This happened most frequently (63 per cent) when the intracranial tension before PEEP was above 15 torr. Sudden removal of or reduction in PEEP was accompanied by increases in arterial and intracranial pressures in both groups, although this response was attenuated in the cats given oleic acid. The results indicate a potential for PEEP to evoke neurolgic complications in patients who have intracranial disease and that the presence of pulmonary disease may attenuate these deleterious side effects. Monitoring of neurologic function as well as blood-gas and cardiovascular effects of PEEP in patients who have intracranial disease is suggested.", "contents": "Intracranial responses to PEEP. Elevated intrathoracic pressure due to positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has the potential for increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) and reducing arterial blood pressure (BP). Such changes could critically reduce cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP = BP - ICP), This possibility was investigated in 15 cats with artificially-produced expanding intracranial masses (intracranial balloon). The interrelationships among ICP and central venous and arterial pressures were observed during application and removal of graded levels of PEEP (5, 10, 15 cm H2O). The electroencephalogram and pupillary diameters were monitored. At various levels of ICP, nine of the cats were given oleic acid intravenously to embolize the lung and cause pulmonary dysfunction. In cats not given oleic acid, PEEP caused a maximal reduction in cerebral perfusion pressure of 45 +/- 4 torr(SEM), accompanied by variable changes in ICP. PEEP application in the absence of oleic acid embolization of the lungs caused electroencephalographic abnormalities in 77% of these cats, while pupillary diameters increased in 56%. Animals embolized wwith oleic acid had significantly less (P less than .001) severe CPP reductions (mean 21 +/- 4 torr) than did the non-embolized animals, and developed no EEG change due to PEEP. However, increases in pupillary diameter still occurred in 33% of cats given oleic acid when PEEP was applied. In 82% of the PEEP applications (n = 44) in both experimental groups only insignificant increases in intracranial tension occurred (average peak ICP gain less than 1.5 torr). Abrupt increases in ICP exceeding 11 torr (15 cm H2O) occurred in four animals in each group. This happened most frequently (63 per cent) when the intracranial tension before PEEP was above 15 torr. Sudden removal of or reduction in PEEP was accompanied by increases in arterial and intracranial pressures in both groups, although this response was attenuated in the cats given oleic acid. The results indicate a potential for PEEP to evoke neurolgic complications in patients who have intracranial disease and that the presence of pulmonary disease may attenuate these deleterious side effects. Monitoring of neurologic function as well as blood-gas and cardiovascular effects of PEEP in patients who have intracranial disease is suggested.", "PMID": 786078} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7173", "title": "Mutagenicity of volatile anesthetics: halothane.", "content": "The mutagenicity of halothane was tested in an in-vitro microbial assay system employing two histidine-dependent mutants of Salmonella typhimurium, TA98 and TA100, Halothane in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 30 per cent was incubated with bacteria in the presence or absence of a metabolic activation system prepared from either rat liver treated with Aroclor 1254 or human liver. Trifluoroacetic acid, a major metabolite of halothane, and urine from patients anesthetized with halothane also were tested. Halothane, trifluoroacetic acid, and patients' urines were not mutagenic.", "contents": "Mutagenicity of volatile anesthetics: halothane. The mutagenicity of halothane was tested in an in-vitro microbial assay system employing two histidine-dependent mutants of Salmonella typhimurium, TA98 and TA100, Halothane in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 30 per cent was incubated with bacteria in the presence or absence of a metabolic activation system prepared from either rat liver treated with Aroclor 1254 or human liver. Trifluoroacetic acid, a major metabolite of halothane, and urine from patients anesthetized with halothane also were tested. Halothane, trifluoroacetic acid, and patients' urines were not mutagenic.", "PMID": 786079} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7174", "title": "IgE antibodies in bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.", "content": "Total serum IgE and serum IgE antibodies to A. fumigatus were quantitated in 143 patients with different forms of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Total serum IgE levels were elevated in all patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis but also in some other forms of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, thus limiting the diagnostic value of total serum IgE determination in this type of pulmonary mycotic infection. Specific IgE antibodies to A. fumigatus could be demonstrated in all patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, at least during an acute episode of their disease. Only two patients with a different form of bronchopulmonary aspergillos had slightly elevated levels of specific antibodies. Measurement of IgE antibodies specific to A. fumigatus by means of the RAST method, using high quantities of antigen coupled to cellulose discs so that inhibitory factors may not interfere, is a useful aid in the diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.", "contents": "IgE antibodies in bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Total serum IgE and serum IgE antibodies to A. fumigatus were quantitated in 143 patients with different forms of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Total serum IgE levels were elevated in all patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis but also in some other forms of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, thus limiting the diagnostic value of total serum IgE determination in this type of pulmonary mycotic infection. Specific IgE antibodies to A. fumigatus could be demonstrated in all patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, at least during an acute episode of their disease. Only two patients with a different form of bronchopulmonary aspergillos had slightly elevated levels of specific antibodies. Measurement of IgE antibodies specific to A. fumigatus by means of the RAST method, using high quantities of antigen coupled to cellulose discs so that inhibitory factors may not interfere, is a useful aid in the diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.", "PMID": 786083} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7175", "title": "The intestine in allergic diseases.", "content": "In this review I have described the pathophysiology of allergic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Situations where the intestine cannot be a complete barrier to foreign allergens and antigens were discussed and etiological factors of gastrointestinal allergy were detailed. Clinical features of gastrointestinal allergy include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and colic, intestinal hemorrhage and malabsorption as well as symptoms and signs outside the gastrointestinal tract such as chronic rhinitis and asthma in the respiratory system, urticaria, angioedema and eczema as dermatological signs, headache, insomnia, hyperkinesis as central nervous system manifestations, failure to thrive and anaphylaxis as constitutional reactions. Milk allergy was discussed as an example of food allergy. Immunology of the gastrointestinal tract was presented, with examples of four types of hypersensitivity reactions, and gastrointestinal disturbances of immunodeficiency disorders and syndromes were named. Lastly, the autoimmune mechanism and the gut were described, with particular discussion of ulcerative colitis as an example of an autoimmune disease.", "contents": "The intestine in allergic diseases. In this review I have described the pathophysiology of allergic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Situations where the intestine cannot be a complete barrier to foreign allergens and antigens were discussed and etiological factors of gastrointestinal allergy were detailed. Clinical features of gastrointestinal allergy include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and colic, intestinal hemorrhage and malabsorption as well as symptoms and signs outside the gastrointestinal tract such as chronic rhinitis and asthma in the respiratory system, urticaria, angioedema and eczema as dermatological signs, headache, insomnia, hyperkinesis as central nervous system manifestations, failure to thrive and anaphylaxis as constitutional reactions. Milk allergy was discussed as an example of food allergy. Immunology of the gastrointestinal tract was presented, with examples of four types of hypersensitivity reactions, and gastrointestinal disturbances of immunodeficiency disorders and syndromes were named. Lastly, the autoimmune mechanism and the gut were described, with particular discussion of ulcerative colitis as an example of an autoimmune disease.", "PMID": 786084} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7176", "title": "Etiologic diagnosis of diarrheal disease of calves: frequency and methods for detecting enterotoxin and K99 antigen production by Escherichia cola.", "content": "Escherichia coli isolated from calves in Minnesota and Montana were tested for enterotoxigenicity via bio-assay of cell-free broth culture fluid and for K99 antigen via a serum agglutination test. Infant mice were used to assay for heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), and adrenal cells in culture were used to assay for heat-labile enterotoxin (LT). Forty-six of the 345 E coli isolates produced ST enterotoxin, but none produced LT enterotoxin. Thirty-five of the 46 enterotoxigenic isolates had K99 antigen, and only 9 of 66 nonenterotoxigenic isolates so tested had this antigen. The enterotoxigenicity of 28 additional E coli isolates known or suspected to be calf enteropathogens and provided by investigators from 3 different laboratories was also tested. All isolates from 2 laboratories produced ST but not LT. All isolates from the 3rd laboratory produced LT but not ST. Escherichia coli organisms that were positive in the infant mouse assay also caused positive ligated, jejunal-loop responses in calves and in 9-day-old (but not in 5-week-old) pigs. It was concluded that the infant mouse and adrenal cell tests for ST and LT, combined with the agglutination test for K99, would be useful in the diagnosis of enteric enterotoxic colibacillosis of calves.", "contents": "Etiologic diagnosis of diarrheal disease of calves: frequency and methods for detecting enterotoxin and K99 antigen production by Escherichia cola. Escherichia coli isolated from calves in Minnesota and Montana were tested for enterotoxigenicity via bio-assay of cell-free broth culture fluid and for K99 antigen via a serum agglutination test. Infant mice were used to assay for heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), and adrenal cells in culture were used to assay for heat-labile enterotoxin (LT). Forty-six of the 345 E coli isolates produced ST enterotoxin, but none produced LT enterotoxin. Thirty-five of the 46 enterotoxigenic isolates had K99 antigen, and only 9 of 66 nonenterotoxigenic isolates so tested had this antigen. The enterotoxigenicity of 28 additional E coli isolates known or suspected to be calf enteropathogens and provided by investigators from 3 different laboratories was also tested. All isolates from 2 laboratories produced ST but not LT. All isolates from the 3rd laboratory produced LT but not ST. Escherichia coli organisms that were positive in the infant mouse assay also caused positive ligated, jejunal-loop responses in calves and in 9-day-old (but not in 5-week-old) pigs. It was concluded that the infant mouse and adrenal cell tests for ST and LT, combined with the agglutination test for K99, would be useful in the diagnosis of enteric enterotoxic colibacillosis of calves.", "PMID": 786085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7177", "title": "Characterization of a calf diarrheal coronavirus.", "content": "A coronavirus-like agent isolated from feces of a calf with diarrhea and attenuated by consecutive passage in a fetal bovine kidney cell line was characterized as a coronavirus. Negatively stained virions were approximately circular, had a mean diameter of 120 nm, and were covered with wide-spaced, petal-shaped projections about 20 nm long. Virions in ultrathin sections of infected cell monolayers had a mean diameter of 80 nm, lacked surface projections, and were found within cytoplasmic vesicles. Viral antigen was demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy to occur only in cytoplasm. Growth of the virus was not inhibited by 5-iodo-2'- deoxyuridine and actinomycin D. The virus was sensitive to ether, chloroform, deoxycholate, and heat treatment. However, thermosensitivity was stabilized in the presence of 1 M MgCl2; at pH 3, the virus was stable. Hemadsorption and hemagglutination were observed with erythrocytes of hamsters, mice, and rats but not with erythrocytes of cats, dogs, goats, sheep, cattle, horses, turkeys, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, geese, pigs, and man (type O). However, hemadsorption and hemagglutination were shown to be virus specific, since this could be inhibited by specific antiserum. Both infectivity and hemagglutinating activity were maximal at a particle density of 1.18 g/ml by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, indicating that hemagglutinin was part of the virion.", "contents": "Characterization of a calf diarrheal coronavirus. A coronavirus-like agent isolated from feces of a calf with diarrhea and attenuated by consecutive passage in a fetal bovine kidney cell line was characterized as a coronavirus. Negatively stained virions were approximately circular, had a mean diameter of 120 nm, and were covered with wide-spaced, petal-shaped projections about 20 nm long. Virions in ultrathin sections of infected cell monolayers had a mean diameter of 80 nm, lacked surface projections, and were found within cytoplasmic vesicles. Viral antigen was demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy to occur only in cytoplasm. Growth of the virus was not inhibited by 5-iodo-2'- deoxyuridine and actinomycin D. The virus was sensitive to ether, chloroform, deoxycholate, and heat treatment. However, thermosensitivity was stabilized in the presence of 1 M MgCl2; at pH 3, the virus was stable. Hemadsorption and hemagglutination were observed with erythrocytes of hamsters, mice, and rats but not with erythrocytes of cats, dogs, goats, sheep, cattle, horses, turkeys, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, geese, pigs, and man (type O). However, hemadsorption and hemagglutination were shown to be virus specific, since this could be inhibited by specific antiserum. Both infectivity and hemagglutinating activity were maximal at a particle density of 1.18 g/ml by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, indicating that hemagglutinin was part of the virion.", "PMID": 786086} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7178", "title": "Indirect fluorescent antibody test for the diagnosis of coronaviral enteritis of turkeys (bluecomb).", "content": "Frozen sections of intestine obtained from experimentally infected embryos were satisfactory as a suitable antigen in the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test for detection of antibodies to turkey coronaviral enteritis (TCE). Antibodies were detected in infected turkeys at 14 days after infection and persisted for at least 107 days when the 1st experiment was concluded. Antibodies were also detected in infected turkeys at 9 days after infection and persisted for at least 160 days when the 2nd experiment was terminated. The IFA test may be of value as a rapid and economical screening method for TCE antibodies.", "contents": "Indirect fluorescent antibody test for the diagnosis of coronaviral enteritis of turkeys (bluecomb). Frozen sections of intestine obtained from experimentally infected embryos were satisfactory as a suitable antigen in the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test for detection of antibodies to turkey coronaviral enteritis (TCE). Antibodies were detected in infected turkeys at 14 days after infection and persisted for at least 107 days when the 1st experiment was concluded. Antibodies were also detected in infected turkeys at 9 days after infection and persisted for at least 160 days when the 2nd experiment was terminated. The IFA test may be of value as a rapid and economical screening method for TCE antibodies.", "PMID": 786087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7179", "title": "Diagnosis of radiosensitive hypothalamic tumors without craniotomy: endocrine and neuroradiologic studies of intracranial atypical teratomas.", "content": "Three patients with intracranial atypical teratomas presented with symptoms of endocrine dysfunction (diabetes insipidus, hyperprolactinemia, and anterior hypopituitarism) suggestive of a hypothalamic disorder. Computer-assisted tomography done in two of the three cases enabled us to document the presence of a mass and institute radiotherapy, without prior neurosurgical exploration. Computer-assisted tomography also provided a safe and effective method of assessing the effects of radiotherapy.", "contents": "Diagnosis of radiosensitive hypothalamic tumors without craniotomy: endocrine and neuroradiologic studies of intracranial atypical teratomas. Three patients with intracranial atypical teratomas presented with symptoms of endocrine dysfunction (diabetes insipidus, hyperprolactinemia, and anterior hypopituitarism) suggestive of a hypothalamic disorder. Computer-assisted tomography done in two of the three cases enabled us to document the presence of a mass and institute radiotherapy, without prior neurosurgical exploration. Computer-assisted tomography also provided a safe and effective method of assessing the effects of radiotherapy.", "PMID": 786092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7180", "title": "Treponemal antigens in congenital and acquired syphilitic nephritis: demonstration by immunofluorescence studies.", "content": "Two patients, a 4-month-old infant girl with congenital syphilis and a 45-year-old man with secondary syphilis, had the nephrotic syndrome with glomerulonephritis. Immunoglobulins and treponemal antigenic material were seen in the glomeruli of both patients by immunofluorescence microscopic studies of renal tissue. Electron micrographs showed subepithelial electron dense deposits along the glomerular basement membrane. This confirms earlier suggestions that the renal injury is of an immune-complex type.", "contents": "Treponemal antigens in congenital and acquired syphilitic nephritis: demonstration by immunofluorescence studies. Two patients, a 4-month-old infant girl with congenital syphilis and a 45-year-old man with secondary syphilis, had the nephrotic syndrome with glomerulonephritis. Immunoglobulins and treponemal antigenic material were seen in the glomeruli of both patients by immunofluorescence microscopic studies of renal tissue. Electron micrographs showed subepithelial electron dense deposits along the glomerular basement membrane. This confirms earlier suggestions that the renal injury is of an immune-complex type.", "PMID": 786093} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7181", "title": "Current concepts of leukemia and lymphoma: etiology, pathogenesis, and therapy.", "content": "The cellular change (phenotypic) leading to leukemia may involve a disorder of leukocyte maturation, but the etiologic molecular change (genotypic) remains unknown. We present evidence here that human leukemic cells contain type-C viral information and consider the possible significance of this observation in the context of a working hypothesis. We reexamine reticuloendothelial neoplasms in the light of newer immunologic, cytochemical, and ultrastructural methods for identifying cells of the T-lymphocytic, B-lymphocytic, and monocyte-macrophage systems. Use of these methods has led to a challenging concept of malignant lymphomas as neoplasms of various anatomic and functional compartments of the immune system. Functional studies, although still in their inception, have already provided provocative clues in the etiology and pathophysiology of these disorders. Advances in laboratory research have been paralled by dramatic changes in clinical oncology, as evidenced by trends in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, and diffuse histocyte lymphoma.", "contents": "Current concepts of leukemia and lymphoma: etiology, pathogenesis, and therapy. The cellular change (phenotypic) leading to leukemia may involve a disorder of leukocyte maturation, but the etiologic molecular change (genotypic) remains unknown. We present evidence here that human leukemic cells contain type-C viral information and consider the possible significance of this observation in the context of a working hypothesis. We reexamine reticuloendothelial neoplasms in the light of newer immunologic, cytochemical, and ultrastructural methods for identifying cells of the T-lymphocytic, B-lymphocytic, and monocyte-macrophage systems. Use of these methods has led to a challenging concept of malignant lymphomas as neoplasms of various anatomic and functional compartments of the immune system. Functional studies, although still in their inception, have already provided provocative clues in the etiology and pathophysiology of these disorders. Advances in laboratory research have been paralled by dramatic changes in clinical oncology, as evidenced by trends in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, and diffuse histocyte lymphoma.", "PMID": 786094} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7182", "title": "[Gonadotropins].", "content": "The clinical usefulness of plasma LH and FSH radioimmunoassays, both in basal and dynamic conditions, is briefly discussed. While occasional LH and FSH determinations may indicate only a serious gonad failure, at least when high values are found, dynamic studies before and after LH-RH i.v. injection may suggest a hypothalamic or pituitary lesion. In this regard the LH-RH test is presented as the most evident demonstration of the utility of gonadotropin radioimmunoassay. Different patterns of response are presented and their correlation with menstrual disorders is discussed in view of different distribution (Tab.1). Moreover, the AA. suggest a primary hypothalamic deficiency in LH-RH in the cases of \"deficient\" response that, being a constant finding in different days, became a \"normal\" response after 3 days therapy with LH-RH infusion and returned to basal levels 2 months later. Equally, an \"exaggerated\" response consistenly found in some patients with secondary amenorrhea, is suspected to be of hypothalamic origin since \"normalization\" may be obtained after a similar LH-RH treatment.", "contents": "[Gonadotropins]. The clinical usefulness of plasma LH and FSH radioimmunoassays, both in basal and dynamic conditions, is briefly discussed. While occasional LH and FSH determinations may indicate only a serious gonad failure, at least when high values are found, dynamic studies before and after LH-RH i.v. injection may suggest a hypothalamic or pituitary lesion. In this regard the LH-RH test is presented as the most evident demonstration of the utility of gonadotropin radioimmunoassay. Different patterns of response are presented and their correlation with menstrual disorders is discussed in view of different distribution (Tab.1). Moreover, the AA. suggest a primary hypothalamic deficiency in LH-RH in the cases of \"deficient\" response that, being a constant finding in different days, became a \"normal\" response after 3 days therapy with LH-RH infusion and returned to basal levels 2 months later. Equally, an \"exaggerated\" response consistenly found in some patients with secondary amenorrhea, is suspected to be of hypothalamic origin since \"normalization\" may be obtained after a similar LH-RH treatment.", "PMID": 786100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7183", "title": "[Plasmid determined lactose positive character in (Enterobacter hafniae) and (Proteus morganii) (author's transl)].", "content": "The atypical lactose positive characters have been found to be plasmidmediated in 6 strains of Enterobacter hafniae and 2 strains of Proteus morganii. One of the P. morganii plasmid possesses the fi+ character, all the other plasmids belonging to the fi-group. Both plasmids of P. morganii could be transduced and remained then readily transferably by conjugation. Two of the E. hafniae plasmids were found unstable when harboured in Salmonella typhi grown at 40 degrees centigrade, when they were stable in the same strain grown at 37 degrees. The other plasmids were stable in the original strains, in S. typhi, in Escherichia coli both at 37 degrees and 40 degrees. These results are discussed according to investigation about (lactose plasmids) of which a bibliographic review is presented here.", "contents": "[Plasmid determined lactose positive character in (Enterobacter hafniae) and (Proteus morganii) (author's transl)]. The atypical lactose positive characters have been found to be plasmidmediated in 6 strains of Enterobacter hafniae and 2 strains of Proteus morganii. One of the P. morganii plasmid possesses the fi+ character, all the other plasmids belonging to the fi-group. Both plasmids of P. morganii could be transduced and remained then readily transferably by conjugation. Two of the E. hafniae plasmids were found unstable when harboured in Salmonella typhi grown at 40 degrees centigrade, when they were stable in the same strain grown at 37 degrees. The other plasmids were stable in the original strains, in S. typhi, in Escherichia coli both at 37 degrees and 40 degrees. These results are discussed according to investigation about (lactose plasmids) of which a bibliographic review is presented here.", "PMID": 786102} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7184", "title": "[A comparative study of different methods of determining the Tm of bacterial DNA (AUTHOR'S TRANSL)].", "content": "Melting point curves of DNA are used to calculate average GC content. Four methods of Tm determination are described and are used in the case of all DNA samples studied. The results presented confirme that thermal denaturation curves are asymetrical, and this limits the use of \"normal probability paper\" and \"regression lines\" methods. Best reproductibility is obtained by a study of the function (see article) followed by a linear interpolation of the median. This approach yields at the same time interesting information about bacterial DNA. The graphic determination of Tm appears to be the method for choice for routine analysis.", "contents": "[A comparative study of different methods of determining the Tm of bacterial DNA (AUTHOR'S TRANSL)]. Melting point curves of DNA are used to calculate average GC content. Four methods of Tm determination are described and are used in the case of all DNA samples studied. The results presented confirme that thermal denaturation curves are asymetrical, and this limits the use of \"normal probability paper\" and \"regression lines\" methods. Best reproductibility is obtained by a study of the function (see article) followed by a linear interpolation of the median. This approach yields at the same time interesting information about bacterial DNA. The graphic determination of Tm appears to be the method for choice for routine analysis.", "PMID": 786103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7185", "title": "[Characterization by zymograms of R factor-determined beta-lactamases: plasmids of defined and undefined compatibility groups (author's transl)].", "content": "An easy biochemical method is described, discriminating the beta-lacta-mases coded by various R factors. Electrophoretic mobility and substrate affinity of beta-lactamases were studied simultaneously for 7 different penicillins and cephalosporins. They are I like R factors assigned into different compatibility groups (N, P, com6, com7, com8, X and com 9), five R factors isolated from piglets faeces and one R factor, RU1, originated from Enterobacter aerogenes. Three electrophoretic types of beta-lactamases were determinated: 1) beta-lactamase which migrates towards the anode (enzyme coded by Bacillus cereus chromosome); 2) beta-lactamase of weak cathodic mobility (e. g. R6K); 3) beta-lactamase which migrates rapidly towards the cathode (e. g. R46, R71). Escherichia coli K12 strains synthesize a penicillinase of this third type, destroying penicillin G. The enzymatic and physicochemical properties are not modified by host bacteria, suggesting the possibility to study the plasmid in wild bacteria.", "contents": "[Characterization by zymograms of R factor-determined beta-lactamases: plasmids of defined and undefined compatibility groups (author's transl)]. An easy biochemical method is described, discriminating the beta-lacta-mases coded by various R factors. Electrophoretic mobility and substrate affinity of beta-lactamases were studied simultaneously for 7 different penicillins and cephalosporins. They are I like R factors assigned into different compatibility groups (N, P, com6, com7, com8, X and com 9), five R factors isolated from piglets faeces and one R factor, RU1, originated from Enterobacter aerogenes. Three electrophoretic types of beta-lactamases were determinated: 1) beta-lactamase which migrates towards the anode (enzyme coded by Bacillus cereus chromosome); 2) beta-lactamase of weak cathodic mobility (e. g. R6K); 3) beta-lactamase which migrates rapidly towards the cathode (e. g. R46, R71). Escherichia coli K12 strains synthesize a penicillinase of this third type, destroying penicillin G. The enzymatic and physicochemical properties are not modified by host bacteria, suggesting the possibility to study the plasmid in wild bacteria.", "PMID": 786104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7186", "title": "Studies on the ability of acetylcholine receptors to bind alpha-bungarotoxin after exposure to myasthenic serum.", "content": "The purpose of the present experiment was to determine if there is a factor in serum of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) that interferes with binding of (125I)-alpha-bungarotoxin to acetylcholine receptors of normal mouse diaphragm. Diaphragms were incubated aerobically for 1 hour in either Krebs-Henseleit solution, MG serum, or control serum, and then (125I)-alpha bungarotoxin was added for 2 further hours at a concentration of 1 mug/ml. After 12 rinses in Krebs-Henseleit solution for another hour, radioactivity was counted. Binding after exposure to MG serum was compared to that obtained after exposure to Krebs-Henseleit solution or control serum. Sixteen sera from 14 controls, 18 sera from 15 patients with moderate generalized MG, and seven sera from seven patients on alternate-day prednisone therapy (six with severe generalized MG, one with myasthenic syndrome) were tested by this method. No significant difference in alpha-bungarotoxin binding was observed between normal mouse diaphragm incubated in MG sera and those incubated in control sera.", "contents": "Studies on the ability of acetylcholine receptors to bind alpha-bungarotoxin after exposure to myasthenic serum. The purpose of the present experiment was to determine if there is a factor in serum of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) that interferes with binding of (125I)-alpha-bungarotoxin to acetylcholine receptors of normal mouse diaphragm. Diaphragms were incubated aerobically for 1 hour in either Krebs-Henseleit solution, MG serum, or control serum, and then (125I)-alpha bungarotoxin was added for 2 further hours at a concentration of 1 mug/ml. After 12 rinses in Krebs-Henseleit solution for another hour, radioactivity was counted. Binding after exposure to MG serum was compared to that obtained after exposure to Krebs-Henseleit solution or control serum. Sixteen sera from 14 controls, 18 sera from 15 patients with moderate generalized MG, and seven sera from seven patients on alternate-day prednisone therapy (six with severe generalized MG, one with myasthenic syndrome) were tested by this method. No significant difference in alpha-bungarotoxin binding was observed between normal mouse diaphragm incubated in MG sera and those incubated in control sera.", "PMID": 786110} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7187", "title": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and B-and T-cell activity in the peripheral blood of myasthenia gravis patients.", "content": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was found to be significantly decreased in whole blood as well as in purified lymphocyte preparations from myasthenia gravis patients. Decreased ADCC was found not to correlate with the clinical classification nor with the therapy regimen, including immunosuppressive agents. PHA, Con A, and PPD responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes was normal. Likewise no significant decrease was observed in the T-and B-cell distribution in the peripheral blood.", "contents": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and B-and T-cell activity in the peripheral blood of myasthenia gravis patients. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was found to be significantly decreased in whole blood as well as in purified lymphocyte preparations from myasthenia gravis patients. Decreased ADCC was found not to correlate with the clinical classification nor with the therapy regimen, including immunosuppressive agents. PHA, Con A, and PPD responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes was normal. Likewise no significant decrease was observed in the T-and B-cell distribution in the peripheral blood.", "PMID": 786113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7188", "title": "Myasthenia gravis: the role of immunological deficiency.", "content": "To evaluate further the association between myasthenia gravis and humoral immune deficiency, 92 sera from myasthenic patients were tested so as to determine titers against commensal E. coli, isohemagglutinin titers, and IgG and IgM concentrations. Results were compared with those obtained from normals, disease controls, and W27 positive arthropathy. On the basis of these three investigations it is concluded that subtle immunodeficiency is common in myasthenia gravis, and it is suggested that an immune defect might explain such diverse associations as thymic disease, HL-A antigens, and various autoimmune phenomena.", "contents": "Myasthenia gravis: the role of immunological deficiency. To evaluate further the association between myasthenia gravis and humoral immune deficiency, 92 sera from myasthenic patients were tested so as to determine titers against commensal E. coli, isohemagglutinin titers, and IgG and IgM concentrations. Results were compared with those obtained from normals, disease controls, and W27 positive arthropathy. On the basis of these three investigations it is concluded that subtle immunodeficiency is common in myasthenia gravis, and it is suggested that an immune defect might explain such diverse associations as thymic disease, HL-A antigens, and various autoimmune phenomena.", "PMID": 786114} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7189", "title": "The role of humoral and cellular immune factors in neuromuscular block in myasthenia gravis.", "content": "The neuromuscular block of myasthenia gravis appears to be due to decreased and abnormal responsiveness of the motor end plates to transmitter, and perhaps a decreased number of functioning end plates. The presence in myasthenic patients of serum globulins that bind to a bariety of cellular and subcellular components, and of thymic abnormalities, has encourage the search for humoral and cellular immune factors that may be responsible for the anatomic and functional defects. Attempts to demonstrate neuromuscular blocking activity in the serum have been inconclusive. While 30% to 48% of myasthenic patients have globulins that react with muscle membrane, striations, ribonucleporotein, and thymic epithelial cells, these globulins have not been shown to react with the end plate or acetylcholine receptor, or to impair neuromuscular transmission. Antinuclear, rheumatoid, antimitochondrial antithyroid, anti-smooth-muscle, and anti-gastric-parietal cell factors are found in the serum of 3% to 16% of myasthenic patients, but these are much more commonly present in other diseases. However, antibodies to acetylcholine receptor from electric tissue, which were recently reported in the serum of three fourths of myasthenic patients, may prove to be more directly related to the neuromuscular block. While the majority of myasthenic patients have thymic abnormalities, including thymoma in 9% of patients and hyperplastic thymus in 66% of patients, the remaining 25% of patients have normal, involuted, or undetectable thymus. Thymectomy has a favorable effect in about two thirds of myasthenic patients, but about one third of patients have no benefit. Thirty-two patients have been described who developed myasthenia gravis after total thymectomy and presumably in the absence of the thymus. Thymus lymphocytes of myasthenic patients have some differences from those of normal subjects, including a greater proportion of B cells, but their significance is not known. Attempts to demonstrate neuromuscular blocking activity in the thymus of myasthenic patients have been inconclusive. Blood lymphocytes of myasthenic patients also have some differences from those of normal subjects, including a lower proportion of T cells. The proportion of both T and B cells increased following thymectomy. While studies on the immunological reactivity of lymphocytes from myasthenic patients have shown some differences from those of normal subjects, neuromuscular blocking activity has not been demonstrated in these cells or in their extracts. There is increasing evidence that the neuromuscular block of myasthenia gravis is due to alteration of the acetylcholine receptor. The recent reports of antibodies to acetylcholine receptor in the serum of myasthenic patients suggests that these may be responsible for the neuromuscular block, but such action, and the cause of antibody release, remain to be determined.", "contents": "The role of humoral and cellular immune factors in neuromuscular block in myasthenia gravis. The neuromuscular block of myasthenia gravis appears to be due to decreased and abnormal responsiveness of the motor end plates to transmitter, and perhaps a decreased number of functioning end plates. The presence in myasthenic patients of serum globulins that bind to a bariety of cellular and subcellular components, and of thymic abnormalities, has encourage the search for humoral and cellular immune factors that may be responsible for the anatomic and functional defects. Attempts to demonstrate neuromuscular blocking activity in the serum have been inconclusive. While 30% to 48% of myasthenic patients have globulins that react with muscle membrane, striations, ribonucleporotein, and thymic epithelial cells, these globulins have not been shown to react with the end plate or acetylcholine receptor, or to impair neuromuscular transmission. Antinuclear, rheumatoid, antimitochondrial antithyroid, anti-smooth-muscle, and anti-gastric-parietal cell factors are found in the serum of 3% to 16% of myasthenic patients, but these are much more commonly present in other diseases. However, antibodies to acetylcholine receptor from electric tissue, which were recently reported in the serum of three fourths of myasthenic patients, may prove to be more directly related to the neuromuscular block. While the majority of myasthenic patients have thymic abnormalities, including thymoma in 9% of patients and hyperplastic thymus in 66% of patients, the remaining 25% of patients have normal, involuted, or undetectable thymus. Thymectomy has a favorable effect in about two thirds of myasthenic patients, but about one third of patients have no benefit. Thirty-two patients have been described who developed myasthenia gravis after total thymectomy and presumably in the absence of the thymus. Thymus lymphocytes of myasthenic patients have some differences from those of normal subjects, including a greater proportion of B cells, but their significance is not known. Attempts to demonstrate neuromuscular blocking activity in the thymus of myasthenic patients have been inconclusive. Blood lymphocytes of myasthenic patients also have some differences from those of normal subjects, including a lower proportion of T cells. The proportion of both T and B cells increased following thymectomy. While studies on the immunological reactivity of lymphocytes from myasthenic patients have shown some differences from those of normal subjects, neuromuscular blocking activity has not been demonstrated in these cells or in their extracts. There is increasing evidence that the neuromuscular block of myasthenia gravis is due to alteration of the acetylcholine receptor. The recent reports of antibodies to acetylcholine receptor in the serum of myasthenic patients suggests that these may be responsible for the neuromuscular block, but such action, and the cause of antibody release, remain to be determined.", "PMID": 786115} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7190", "title": "Ultrastructural studies on the acetylcholine receptor at motor end plates of normal and pathologic muscles.", "content": "The acetylcholine receptors at the mammalian motor end plate have been counted and their distribution there determined ultrastructurally. Electron microscope autoradiography applied to muscles labeled with alpha-(3H)bungarotoxin was used for this purpose. The receptors are distributed asymmetrically along the postsynaptic membrane, being concentrated at the fold crests-that portion nearest to the presynaptic membrane. The density of receptor sites at that region is estimated to be 20,000-25,000 per mum2 of membrane surface. This density holds for the several species and muscle types thus far examined and appears to be a constant parameter of the motor end plate. It determines the limit of responsiveness to acetylcholine. By contrast, the enzyme acetylcholinesterase is found to be distributed evenly over the folds and may reside in the intersynaptic matrix. When mouse diaphragm end plates from dystrophic animals or animals following 5-day denervation were similarly examined, no significant alterations in either the density or the distribution of the receptor sites were found. Similarly, dystrophic muscles in chickens possess an unaltered number of receptors at their end plates. A model is outlined to correlate receptor and cholinesterase concentrations with known aspects of transmitter release. These findings may have relevance to some of the electrophysiological abnormalities seen in myasthenia gravis.", "contents": "Ultrastructural studies on the acetylcholine receptor at motor end plates of normal and pathologic muscles. The acetylcholine receptors at the mammalian motor end plate have been counted and their distribution there determined ultrastructurally. Electron microscope autoradiography applied to muscles labeled with alpha-(3H)bungarotoxin was used for this purpose. The receptors are distributed asymmetrically along the postsynaptic membrane, being concentrated at the fold crests-that portion nearest to the presynaptic membrane. The density of receptor sites at that region is estimated to be 20,000-25,000 per mum2 of membrane surface. This density holds for the several species and muscle types thus far examined and appears to be a constant parameter of the motor end plate. It determines the limit of responsiveness to acetylcholine. By contrast, the enzyme acetylcholinesterase is found to be distributed evenly over the folds and may reside in the intersynaptic matrix. When mouse diaphragm end plates from dystrophic animals or animals following 5-day denervation were similarly examined, no significant alterations in either the density or the distribution of the receptor sites were found. Similarly, dystrophic muscles in chickens possess an unaltered number of receptors at their end plates. A model is outlined to correlate receptor and cholinesterase concentrations with known aspects of transmitter release. These findings may have relevance to some of the electrophysiological abnormalities seen in myasthenia gravis.", "PMID": 786117} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7191", "title": "Macrophage activity and clinical immunology. Origin and kinetics of mononuclear phagocytes.", "content": "The origin and kinetics of mononuclear phagocytes can only be studied after the cells have been properly characterized. The basis for such a characterization on morphological, cytochemical, functional, and immunological grounds has been discussed. The production and kinetics of mononuclear phagocytes during the normal steady state have been described and compared with the effect of an acute inflammatory stimulus on these parameters. The influence of hydrocortisone and azathioprine was also studied in this connection. The increased production and monocytosis seen during an acute inflammatory response have been shown to be regulated by a humoral factor. The concept of the mononuclear phagocyte system was also discussed and an outline of the participation of mononuclear phagocytes in pathological processes put forward.", "contents": "Macrophage activity and clinical immunology. Origin and kinetics of mononuclear phagocytes. The origin and kinetics of mononuclear phagocytes can only be studied after the cells have been properly characterized. The basis for such a characterization on morphological, cytochemical, functional, and immunological grounds has been discussed. The production and kinetics of mononuclear phagocytes during the normal steady state have been described and compared with the effect of an acute inflammatory stimulus on these parameters. The influence of hydrocortisone and azathioprine was also studied in this connection. The increased production and monocytosis seen during an acute inflammatory response have been shown to be regulated by a humoral factor. The concept of the mononuclear phagocyte system was also discussed and an outline of the participation of mononuclear phagocytes in pathological processes put forward.", "PMID": 786119} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7192", "title": "Macrophage reactivity in skin window of sarcoidosis patients.", "content": "We investigated 582 cases of sarcoidosis by the skin-window (Rebuck) method. The number of macrophages appearing in skin windows was significantly increased in 432 patients with sarcoidosis in the active phase. Further, increased numbers of macrophages in the windows were found in patients with a positive Kveim-Siltzbach test, high immunoglobulin levels, increased B lymphocytes, and decreased T lymphocytes. Passive transfer of delayed-type hypersensitivity was weaker and shorter in sarcoidosis patients with increased presence of macrophages than in healthy controls. A close correlation between high macrophage reactivity and the other sepcific immunological factors in sarcoidosis is suggested.", "contents": "Macrophage reactivity in skin window of sarcoidosis patients. We investigated 582 cases of sarcoidosis by the skin-window (Rebuck) method. The number of macrophages appearing in skin windows was significantly increased in 432 patients with sarcoidosis in the active phase. Further, increased numbers of macrophages in the windows were found in patients with a positive Kveim-Siltzbach test, high immunoglobulin levels, increased B lymphocytes, and decreased T lymphocytes. Passive transfer of delayed-type hypersensitivity was weaker and shorter in sarcoidosis patients with increased presence of macrophages than in healthy controls. A close correlation between high macrophage reactivity and the other sepcific immunological factors in sarcoidosis is suggested.", "PMID": 786121} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7193", "title": "Sarcoid lymphocytes: B- and T-cell quantitation.", "content": "Bone-marrow-derived B lymphocytes and thymus-dependent T lymphocytes were quantitated in a group of 38 patients with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis. B lymphocytes were identified by detecting surface immunoglobulins (Ig, IgG, IgM, and IgA) and complement receptors. T lymphocytes were identified by E-rosette assay. The untreated patients with both limited and disseminated disease had lymphopenia, reduced T-cell number, and low E/Ig cell ratios. Absolute numbers of circulating E-rosette lymphocytes did not show any correlation with cutaneous anergy. The numbers of Ig-bearing lymphocytes or the sum of the numbers of IgG, IgM, and IgA(GMA)-bearing lymphocytes were elevated in patients with disseminated disease, whereas the numbers of complement receptor lymphocytes were normal in all groups. It is proposed that this discrepancy of results on B-lymphocyte subpopulations might be explained by the presence of antibody or extrinsic antigen-antibody complexes bound to lymphocytes, as supported by elevated GMA/Ig ratios. The numbers of circulating B lymphocytes, as detected by any of three markers employed in this study, showed no correlation with the levels of serum immunoglobulins. The mechanisms of T-cell depletion and increase of immunoglobulin-bearing cells remain to be determined.", "contents": "Sarcoid lymphocytes: B- and T-cell quantitation. Bone-marrow-derived B lymphocytes and thymus-dependent T lymphocytes were quantitated in a group of 38 patients with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis. B lymphocytes were identified by detecting surface immunoglobulins (Ig, IgG, IgM, and IgA) and complement receptors. T lymphocytes were identified by E-rosette assay. The untreated patients with both limited and disseminated disease had lymphopenia, reduced T-cell number, and low E/Ig cell ratios. Absolute numbers of circulating E-rosette lymphocytes did not show any correlation with cutaneous anergy. The numbers of Ig-bearing lymphocytes or the sum of the numbers of IgG, IgM, and IgA(GMA)-bearing lymphocytes were elevated in patients with disseminated disease, whereas the numbers of complement receptor lymphocytes were normal in all groups. It is proposed that this discrepancy of results on B-lymphocyte subpopulations might be explained by the presence of antibody or extrinsic antigen-antibody complexes bound to lymphocytes, as supported by elevated GMA/Ig ratios. The numbers of circulating B lymphocytes, as detected by any of three markers employed in this study, showed no correlation with the levels of serum immunoglobulins. The mechanisms of T-cell depletion and increase of immunoglobulin-bearing cells remain to be determined.", "PMID": 786127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7194", "title": "Immunological studies in sarcoidosis: a comparison of in vivo and in vitro Kveim tests.", "content": "No migration inhibition was observed in the 46 patients or the 12 controls when the Danish Kveim antigen was used in the LMAT. No migration inhibition was found in 23 of the same patients when the LMT was employed using the same antigens (Table 3).", "contents": "Immunological studies in sarcoidosis: a comparison of in vivo and in vitro Kveim tests. No migration inhibition was observed in the 46 patients or the 12 controls when the Danish Kveim antigen was used in the LMAT. No migration inhibition was found in 23 of the same patients when the LMT was employed using the same antigens (Table 3).", "PMID": 786129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7195", "title": "Distribution and function of T- and B-cell subpopulations in sarcoidosis.", "content": "Some in vitro functions of purified T and B cells from PPD- and Candida albicans-negative sarcoidosis patients were analyzed. It appears that in those patients there is: 1) A decrease in the absolute number of T lymphocytes and an increase in the number of B cells; 2) a rather normal response of T lymphocytes to PHA and Con A; 3) a rather normal capacity of T and B cells to produce MIF in vitro; and 4) an ability of T cells from sarcoid patients (but not B cells) to produce LMF. These results suggest that the frequent deficit in cell-mediated immunity observed in sarcoidosis seems to correlate with a quantitative deficit in T cells. The cause of this T-cell deficit is unknown.", "contents": "Distribution and function of T- and B-cell subpopulations in sarcoidosis. Some in vitro functions of purified T and B cells from PPD- and Candida albicans-negative sarcoidosis patients were analyzed. It appears that in those patients there is: 1) A decrease in the absolute number of T lymphocytes and an increase in the number of B cells; 2) a rather normal response of T lymphocytes to PHA and Con A; 3) a rather normal capacity of T and B cells to produce MIF in vitro; and 4) an ability of T cells from sarcoid patients (but not B cells) to produce LMF. These results suggest that the frequent deficit in cell-mediated immunity observed in sarcoidosis seems to correlate with a quantitative deficit in T cells. The cause of this T-cell deficit is unknown.", "PMID": 786130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7196", "title": "Antibodies to T cells in sarcoidosis.", "content": "Antibodies to a proportion of T lymphocytes were detected in the sera of 9 of 15 patients with sarcoidosis. Patients were studied within one year of tissue diagnosis, none were taking steroids, and all had hilar adenopathy with pulmonary infiltrates (Stage II). Antibodies were identified by three assays using a panel of T cells purified (greater than or equal to 90%) from the peripheral blood of healthy donors by the nylon column technique. Nine of fifteen sarcoid inhibited the capacity of normal T cells to adhere to sheep red blood cells (E rosettes) with an average reduction of 33% (range 21-46%) from control values. Antibodies to T cells were also identified using the indirect immunofluorescent method; 7 of 15 sera contained antibodies (IgM and IgG) to a portion of T cells (mean 36%, range 24-52%). Four of these sera were also cytotoxic to a fraction (18-31%) of T cells when incubated (15 degrees, 90 min) in the presence of rabbit complement. The antibodies to T cells identified in the sera of sarcoid patients may account for some of the immunological abnormalities found in this disease.", "contents": "Antibodies to T cells in sarcoidosis. Antibodies to a proportion of T lymphocytes were detected in the sera of 9 of 15 patients with sarcoidosis. Patients were studied within one year of tissue diagnosis, none were taking steroids, and all had hilar adenopathy with pulmonary infiltrates (Stage II). Antibodies were identified by three assays using a panel of T cells purified (greater than or equal to 90%) from the peripheral blood of healthy donors by the nylon column technique. Nine of fifteen sarcoid inhibited the capacity of normal T cells to adhere to sheep red blood cells (E rosettes) with an average reduction of 33% (range 21-46%) from control values. Antibodies to T cells were also identified using the indirect immunofluorescent method; 7 of 15 sera contained antibodies (IgM and IgG) to a portion of T cells (mean 36%, range 24-52%). Four of these sera were also cytotoxic to a fraction (18-31%) of T cells when incubated (15 degrees, 90 min) in the presence of rabbit complement. The antibodies to T cells identified in the sera of sarcoid patients may account for some of the immunological abnormalities found in this disease.", "PMID": 786131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7197", "title": "Intraocular effects of pimaricin.", "content": "Pigmented rabbits weighing 3 to 6 lbs were given bilateral intraocular injections of 250 to 1,000 mug pimaricin. Following their injection, blood, aqueous and vitreous levels were determined at various time intervals during the first 24 hours and at 24 hour intervals thereafter for one week. In subsequent studies, pigmented rabbits were given bilateral intraocular injections of 5,000 spores of A. fumigatus and 30 hours later received intraocular injections of 250 to 1,000 mug pimaricin. These studies show that 250 mug of intraocular pimaricin is well tolerated in the infected and normal animal eye with therapeutic ocular levels maintained for over 24 hours. Drug levels above 250 mug, although relatively notoxic in the normal eye resulted in irreversible damage to ocular structures in the infected eye that could not be resolved. Thus in the case of fungal endophthalmitis involving the anterior segment which will lead to the ultimate loss of the eye, an injection of 250 mug of pimaricin might preserve useful vision.", "contents": "Intraocular effects of pimaricin. Pigmented rabbits weighing 3 to 6 lbs were given bilateral intraocular injections of 250 to 1,000 mug pimaricin. Following their injection, blood, aqueous and vitreous levels were determined at various time intervals during the first 24 hours and at 24 hour intervals thereafter for one week. In subsequent studies, pigmented rabbits were given bilateral intraocular injections of 5,000 spores of A. fumigatus and 30 hours later received intraocular injections of 250 to 1,000 mug pimaricin. These studies show that 250 mug of intraocular pimaricin is well tolerated in the infected and normal animal eye with therapeutic ocular levels maintained for over 24 hours. Drug levels above 250 mug, although relatively notoxic in the normal eye resulted in irreversible damage to ocular structures in the infected eye that could not be resolved. Thus in the case of fungal endophthalmitis involving the anterior segment which will lead to the ultimate loss of the eye, an injection of 250 mug of pimaricin might preserve useful vision.", "PMID": 786132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7198", "title": "[The colibacillosis of the pig (author's transl)].", "content": "A review of recent knowledges of the specific determinants of Escherichia coli pathogenicity allows the development of new effective immunisation against the colibacillosis of the pig. Especially experimental and field trials provide promising results by oral or parenteral vaccinations, with attenuated bacteria neutralising the effect of enterotoxins or with partially purified protein surface antigen preventing bacterial attachment to the intestinal wall. However it is necessary to bear in mind the necessity of not neglecting sanitary management.", "contents": "[The colibacillosis of the pig (author's transl)]. A review of recent knowledges of the specific determinants of Escherichia coli pathogenicity allows the development of new effective immunisation against the colibacillosis of the pig. Especially experimental and field trials provide promising results by oral or parenteral vaccinations, with attenuated bacteria neutralising the effect of enterotoxins or with partially purified protein surface antigen preventing bacterial attachment to the intestinal wall. However it is necessary to bear in mind the necessity of not neglecting sanitary management.", "PMID": 786133} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7199", "title": "Operative treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in innominate, subclavian and vertebral arteries. A follow-up study.", "content": "The follow-up study consists of 121 surgically treated atherosclerotic patients. The average age was 49 years and the male: female ratio 7:5. There were 165 obstructions or occlusions in this series. 59 of them suffered from a subclavian steal syndrome. Altogether 146 reconstructive procedures were perdormed. 78 of them were endarterectomies, 51 bypass graft operations, 15 transpositions of the subclavian artery to the common carotid artery and 2 were other procedures. Operative mortality occurred in 3 patients (2.5 %). Non fatal complications occurred in 26 patients, the most frequent of which was thrombosis ot the reconstructed artery (12 cases). In the follow-up study (mean follow-up time 3.5 years) data on 118 patients was available. During the follow-up time 15 patients had died of other reasons than cerebral ischaemia. 42 % of the patients considered the operative result good and 51 % satisfactory. 25 % of the patients were ar work before operation and 50 % after.", "contents": "Operative treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in innominate, subclavian and vertebral arteries. A follow-up study. The follow-up study consists of 121 surgically treated atherosclerotic patients. The average age was 49 years and the male: female ratio 7:5. There were 165 obstructions or occlusions in this series. 59 of them suffered from a subclavian steal syndrome. Altogether 146 reconstructive procedures were perdormed. 78 of them were endarterectomies, 51 bypass graft operations, 15 transpositions of the subclavian artery to the common carotid artery and 2 were other procedures. Operative mortality occurred in 3 patients (2.5 %). Non fatal complications occurred in 26 patients, the most frequent of which was thrombosis ot the reconstructed artery (12 cases). In the follow-up study (mean follow-up time 3.5 years) data on 118 patients was available. During the follow-up time 15 patients had died of other reasons than cerebral ischaemia. 42 % of the patients considered the operative result good and 51 % satisfactory. 25 % of the patients were ar work before operation and 50 % after.", "PMID": 786134} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7200", "title": "Comparison of anileridine and pethidine in patients with pain following upper abdominal surgery.", "content": "The analgesic potency of anileridine compared with pethidine was found to be 4:1 by measuring the effect on withdrawal movements resulting from pinching of the skin or surgery during N2O + O2 anaesthesia. The potency ratio was examined postoperatively as well. Sixty patients who had undergone upper abdominal surgery with standard anaesthesia were studied in a double-blind, between-patient two dose comparison. Each patient and an observer graded the degree of pain relief. Here again, anileridine proved 4 times as potent as pethidine. With higher doses the response to anileridine was of shorter duration than was the response to pethidine. Respiratory depression was very similar after equianalgesic doses. Blood pressure and pulse rate remained stable. The total incidence of side effects was higher after pethidine.", "contents": "Comparison of anileridine and pethidine in patients with pain following upper abdominal surgery. The analgesic potency of anileridine compared with pethidine was found to be 4:1 by measuring the effect on withdrawal movements resulting from pinching of the skin or surgery during N2O + O2 anaesthesia. The potency ratio was examined postoperatively as well. Sixty patients who had undergone upper abdominal surgery with standard anaesthesia were studied in a double-blind, between-patient two dose comparison. Each patient and an observer graded the degree of pain relief. Here again, anileridine proved 4 times as potent as pethidine. With higher doses the response to anileridine was of shorter duration than was the response to pethidine. Respiratory depression was very similar after equianalgesic doses. Blood pressure and pulse rate remained stable. The total incidence of side effects was higher after pethidine.", "PMID": 786135} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7201", "title": "[Action of colchicine and of spreading on the width of the chromatid fiber].", "content": "Chromatid fibers obtained from cells previously treated with colchicine were found more condensed, with a 22% greater fiber diameter than those from untreated cells. Chromatid fibers obtained by the Langmir trough technique showed a greater degree of elongation than fibers obtained by simple sedimentation.", "contents": "[Action of colchicine and of spreading on the width of the chromatid fiber]. Chromatid fibers obtained from cells previously treated with colchicine were found more condensed, with a 22% greater fiber diameter than those from untreated cells. Chromatid fibers obtained by the Langmir trough technique showed a greater degree of elongation than fibers obtained by simple sedimentation.", "PMID": 786138} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7202", "title": "Menarcheal age in Norway in the 19th century: a re-evaluation of the historical sources.", "content": "A fall in the age of menarche during the last fifty years is well documented from many parts of the world, among them Norway. Tanner says that this trend can be extended back at least to the middle of the last century, and he uses Norwegian sources to support this hypothesis. Re-examination of these Norwegian sources indicates that there was no fall at all during the ninetheenth century, and that the age at menarche was constant at approximately 16.0 years for the lower social classes throughout this period. It is also suggested that the age at menarche was constant at approximately 14 years for the higher social classes.", "contents": "Menarcheal age in Norway in the 19th century: a re-evaluation of the historical sources. A fall in the age of menarche during the last fifty years is well documented from many parts of the world, among them Norway. Tanner says that this trend can be extended back at least to the middle of the last century, and he uses Norwegian sources to support this hypothesis. Re-examination of these Norwegian sources indicates that there was no fall at all during the ninetheenth century, and that the age at menarche was constant at approximately 16.0 years for the lower social classes throughout this period. It is also suggested that the age at menarche was constant at approximately 14 years for the higher social classes.", "PMID": 786140} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7203", "title": "Communications: the driving force behind the accelerating rate of change.", "content": "The rate of change of all aspects of the life of mankind on this planet is accelerating at an ever-increasing pace. It is stated that this upheaval is directly attributable to technological changes and their interaction with social, economic and political changes. The hypothesis is advanced that this dramatically increasing rate of change is due to four unique innovations, all dealing with communications. The four are the spoken language, the written language, the printing press and the electronic computer. The accelerating rate of technological change is measured by the rate at which one hundred \"technological breakthroughs\" have appeared. In prehistoric times, such breakthroughs occurred tens or hundreds of thousands of years apart. Today, several appear each decade. Hope is expressed that this rapidly accelerating rate of change will enable mankind to cope with the major problems of our modern civilization. The problems specifically flagged out are population growth, human genetics, energy and pollution.", "contents": "Communications: the driving force behind the accelerating rate of change. The rate of change of all aspects of the life of mankind on this planet is accelerating at an ever-increasing pace. It is stated that this upheaval is directly attributable to technological changes and their interaction with social, economic and political changes. The hypothesis is advanced that this dramatically increasing rate of change is due to four unique innovations, all dealing with communications. The four are the spoken language, the written language, the printing press and the electronic computer. The accelerating rate of technological change is measured by the rate at which one hundred \"technological breakthroughs\" have appeared. In prehistoric times, such breakthroughs occurred tens or hundreds of thousands of years apart. Today, several appear each decade. Hope is expressed that this rapidly accelerating rate of change will enable mankind to cope with the major problems of our modern civilization. The problems specifically flagged out are population growth, human genetics, energy and pollution.", "PMID": 786136} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7204", "title": "Histologic changes associated with oral contraceptive usage.", "content": "Histologic changes associated with oral contraceptive usage have been described in the cervix, endometrium, myometrium, ovaries, breast, liver and blood vessels. Several types of lesions have been shown to occur frequently in women taking hormonal contraceptives. These include: (1) microglandular hyperplasia of the cervix; (2) endometrial gland regression and stromal decidualization (combination agents); (3) ovarian size reduction associated with cortical fibrosis, suppression of follicle growth and decreased luteinization; and (4) endothelial proliferation and subendothelial fibrosis in blood vessels generally. In addition, cases have begun to be reported in the past few years of adenocarcinoma of the cervix, carcinoma of the endometrium and tumors of the liver. Atypical but benign changes have also been described in myometrium and breast tissue, and neoplastic lesions in animals given hormonal contraceptive agents have been reported in these sites as well as in the ovary. The various types of changes that occur, both benign and malignant, correlate with known actions of the sex steroids.", "contents": "Histologic changes associated with oral contraceptive usage. Histologic changes associated with oral contraceptive usage have been described in the cervix, endometrium, myometrium, ovaries, breast, liver and blood vessels. Several types of lesions have been shown to occur frequently in women taking hormonal contraceptives. These include: (1) microglandular hyperplasia of the cervix; (2) endometrial gland regression and stromal decidualization (combination agents); (3) ovarian size reduction associated with cortical fibrosis, suppression of follicle growth and decreased luteinization; and (4) endothelial proliferation and subendothelial fibrosis in blood vessels generally. In addition, cases have begun to be reported in the past few years of adenocarcinoma of the cervix, carcinoma of the endometrium and tumors of the liver. Atypical but benign changes have also been described in myometrium and breast tissue, and neoplastic lesions in animals given hormonal contraceptive agents have been reported in these sites as well as in the ovary. The various types of changes that occur, both benign and malignant, correlate with known actions of the sex steroids.", "PMID": 786137} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7205", "title": "Studies of a cross-reactive idiotype associated with anti-para-azophenylarsonate antibodies of A/J mice.", "content": "We have reviewed studies of a cross-reactive idiotype (CRI), associated with anti-para-azophenylarsonate (anti-Ar) antibodies of A/J mice, and have presented some recent data. H chains from molecules with the CRI are homogeneous through the first hypervariable region whereas L chains show heterogeneity in the first framework segment. The constancy of N-terminal H chain sequences from 10 individual mice indicates that the framework is encoded by a germ-line gene, and that mutations have little effect on the observed framework sequence. H chains lacking the CRI show great heterogeneity in the first hypervariable segment, indicating a direct relationship between sequence and idiotype. Adult A/J mice can be suppressed with respect to the production of the CRI by administration of rabbit antiidiotypic antibody. When immunized, such mice produce anti-Ar antibodies with \"private\" idiotypes present at extremely low concentrations, or absent, in anti-Ar antibodies of other A/J mice. These private idiotypes can be transferred adoptively to mildly irradiated (200 r) syngeneic recipients with lymphoid cells, and serial transfers can be carried out after immunization. The original CRI remains suppressed. This presents the possibility of structural studies of anti-Ar antibodies varying in idiotype from a single strain. The work should also provide information on the degree of diversity of anti-Ar antibodies within the strain.", "contents": "Studies of a cross-reactive idiotype associated with anti-para-azophenylarsonate antibodies of A/J mice. We have reviewed studies of a cross-reactive idiotype (CRI), associated with anti-para-azophenylarsonate (anti-Ar) antibodies of A/J mice, and have presented some recent data. H chains from molecules with the CRI are homogeneous through the first hypervariable region whereas L chains show heterogeneity in the first framework segment. The constancy of N-terminal H chain sequences from 10 individual mice indicates that the framework is encoded by a germ-line gene, and that mutations have little effect on the observed framework sequence. H chains lacking the CRI show great heterogeneity in the first hypervariable segment, indicating a direct relationship between sequence and idiotype. Adult A/J mice can be suppressed with respect to the production of the CRI by administration of rabbit antiidiotypic antibody. When immunized, such mice produce anti-Ar antibodies with \"private\" idiotypes present at extremely low concentrations, or absent, in anti-Ar antibodies of other A/J mice. These private idiotypes can be transferred adoptively to mildly irradiated (200 r) syngeneic recipients with lymphoid cells, and serial transfers can be carried out after immunization. The original CRI remains suppressed. This presents the possibility of structural studies of anti-Ar antibodies varying in idiotype from a single strain. The work should also provide information on the degree of diversity of anti-Ar antibodies within the strain.", "PMID": 786141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7206", "title": "The repertoire of specificity of lymphoid cells: primary response and antigenic competition in microcultures.", "content": "Using a microculture system which permits the survival of very small numbers of active lymphoid cells, the frequency of units of response towards two non-crossing antigens, SRBC and phage phi17, is determined in long term cultures of calf lymph node cells. A much higher frequency, as hitherto reported using mouse spleen cells, is found: about one active unit of response towards either antigen per 8 x 10(3) cells. When microcultures are stimulated with the two antigens, phenomena of antigenic competition occur: a 40% depression of the response to each antigen takes place when the antigens are added simultaneously or when the second antigen is added at a later time within the first 2 days. When the interval between the two stimulations is 3 days, only the response to the first antigen takes place at the same level of frequency as that obtained from cultures which are stimulated only with this antigen. These results support the hypothesis of pluripotentiality of lymphoid cells. Each immunocompetent cell would contain a large repertoire of specificities; triggering with antigen would provoke a two stage differentiation process. The first stage lasting until 48 hours after stimulation would be reversible, whereas the second stage would be irreversible. The latter step would involve the phenomena of specific antibody synthesis. Theoretical implications of these results are discussed.", "contents": "The repertoire of specificity of lymphoid cells: primary response and antigenic competition in microcultures. Using a microculture system which permits the survival of very small numbers of active lymphoid cells, the frequency of units of response towards two non-crossing antigens, SRBC and phage phi17, is determined in long term cultures of calf lymph node cells. A much higher frequency, as hitherto reported using mouse spleen cells, is found: about one active unit of response towards either antigen per 8 x 10(3) cells. When microcultures are stimulated with the two antigens, phenomena of antigenic competition occur: a 40% depression of the response to each antigen takes place when the antigens are added simultaneously or when the second antigen is added at a later time within the first 2 days. When the interval between the two stimulations is 3 days, only the response to the first antigen takes place at the same level of frequency as that obtained from cultures which are stimulated only with this antigen. These results support the hypothesis of pluripotentiality of lymphoid cells. Each immunocompetent cell would contain a large repertoire of specificities; triggering with antigen would provoke a two stage differentiation process. The first stage lasting until 48 hours after stimulation would be reversible, whereas the second stage would be irreversible. The latter step would involve the phenomena of specific antibody synthesis. Theoretical implications of these results are discussed.", "PMID": 786143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7207", "title": "The biochemistry of mutagenesis.", "content": "Mutagenesis has remained an intriguing aspect of genetics since the beginning of this century, and its analysis has proceeded hand in hand with the elucidation of gene replication and expression. Interest in this area has further heightened with the growing awareness that numerous environmental agents may cause mutations in humans. These mutations may lead to metabolic as well as neoplastic diseases. Advances during the past 15 years have revealed two major classes of mutagenic mechanisms: directly induced base mispairing, and misrepair. Alkylating agents for instance, generate many different reaction products in DNA, but only two of these (O6-alkylguanine and O4-alkylthymine) are likely candidates for directly induced mispairing. He has also turned out to be an important mutagen, one that presents a particular serious challenge to large genomes; it converts cytosine to uracil and guanine to an analogue of cytosine. DNA lesions that interrupt DNA chain elongation, including many of other products of alkylation, often trigger an error-prone postreplication repair process. Current evidence suggests that this process involves in incorrect insertion of bases into gaps in progeny-strand DNA opposite such a lesion. Mutagenic mechanisms are subject to powerful genetic controls that include the activities of DNA polymerases in the selection of deoxynucleoside triphosphates and the removal of incorrectly inserted nucleotides.", "contents": "The biochemistry of mutagenesis. Mutagenesis has remained an intriguing aspect of genetics since the beginning of this century, and its analysis has proceeded hand in hand with the elucidation of gene replication and expression. Interest in this area has further heightened with the growing awareness that numerous environmental agents may cause mutations in humans. These mutations may lead to metabolic as well as neoplastic diseases. Advances during the past 15 years have revealed two major classes of mutagenic mechanisms: directly induced base mispairing, and misrepair. Alkylating agents for instance, generate many different reaction products in DNA, but only two of these (O6-alkylguanine and O4-alkylthymine) are likely candidates for directly induced mispairing. He has also turned out to be an important mutagen, one that presents a particular serious challenge to large genomes; it converts cytosine to uracil and guanine to an analogue of cytosine. DNA lesions that interrupt DNA chain elongation, including many of other products of alkylation, often trigger an error-prone postreplication repair process. Current evidence suggests that this process involves in incorrect insertion of bases into gaps in progeny-strand DNA opposite such a lesion. Mutagenic mechanisms are subject to powerful genetic controls that include the activities of DNA polymerases in the selection of deoxynucleoside triphosphates and the removal of incorrectly inserted nucleotides.", "PMID": 786147} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7208", "title": "Evolution in microcosm: the rapid somatic diversification of lymphocytes.", "content": "The characteristic task of the immune system is learning to respond specificially to entirely novel antigens. How it may do this is discussed under 6 headings. 1. -- Vertebrate and invertebrate immune strategies are contrasted. Whereas among invertebrates whole individuals appear to be selected for their immunological fitness, vertebrates have developed an internal population of lymphocytes among which variants arise and are selectively stimulated by antigen to give a response which protects the \"host\". 2. -- The genetic mechanism underlying this variation of lymphocytes is of great interest, but its discovery will not, given present ignorance of eukarote DNA, answer those questions about variation at the phenotypic level which are vital to the rest of immunology: e.g. when, how fast, and under what conditions do variantes arise? 3. -- A great deal of indirect evidence suggests that the production of entirely new variant lymphocytes occurs throughout life, particularly after antigenic stimulation. 4. -- Experimental approaches are discussed which might provide direct evidence for or against the idea of rapid variation among stimulated lymphocytes. The method used was based on detecting the cross-reactive specificity of antibody produced by single cells. 5. -- Evidence obtained with this technique is briefly described. There were two main kinds of experiment. In the first, rapid variation (at the rate of about one variation event per 30 divisions) was demonstrated within single clones of proliferating antibody-forming cells. In the second group of experiments, it was shown that certain uncommon antibody-forming cell specificities present at the peak of a primary response were entirely absent at earlier stages. 6. -- A new immunological paradigm may emerge from work on the generation of diversity and on active control of response. There may be relatively few types of lymphocytes with germ-line-coded receptors. These are stimulated by environmental antigens and mitogens, and perhaps by self stimulated by environmental antigens and mitogens, and perhaps by self antigens. Extensive proliferation and variation occurs, which in turn elicits suppressor reactions directed against antigen or against idiotypes of responding clones. The immune repertoire of the adult vertebrate is a product of the evolution of its lymphocytes under the competing pressures of antigenic stimulation and active suppression.", "contents": "Evolution in microcosm: the rapid somatic diversification of lymphocytes. The characteristic task of the immune system is learning to respond specificially to entirely novel antigens. How it may do this is discussed under 6 headings. 1. -- Vertebrate and invertebrate immune strategies are contrasted. Whereas among invertebrates whole individuals appear to be selected for their immunological fitness, vertebrates have developed an internal population of lymphocytes among which variants arise and are selectively stimulated by antigen to give a response which protects the \"host\". 2. -- The genetic mechanism underlying this variation of lymphocytes is of great interest, but its discovery will not, given present ignorance of eukarote DNA, answer those questions about variation at the phenotypic level which are vital to the rest of immunology: e.g. when, how fast, and under what conditions do variantes arise? 3. -- A great deal of indirect evidence suggests that the production of entirely new variant lymphocytes occurs throughout life, particularly after antigenic stimulation. 4. -- Experimental approaches are discussed which might provide direct evidence for or against the idea of rapid variation among stimulated lymphocytes. The method used was based on detecting the cross-reactive specificity of antibody produced by single cells. 5. -- Evidence obtained with this technique is briefly described. There were two main kinds of experiment. In the first, rapid variation (at the rate of about one variation event per 30 divisions) was demonstrated within single clones of proliferating antibody-forming cells. In the second group of experiments, it was shown that certain uncommon antibody-forming cell specificities present at the peak of a primary response were entirely absent at earlier stages. 6. -- A new immunological paradigm may emerge from work on the generation of diversity and on active control of response. There may be relatively few types of lymphocytes with germ-line-coded receptors. These are stimulated by environmental antigens and mitogens, and perhaps by self stimulated by environmental antigens and mitogens, and perhaps by self antigens. Extensive proliferation and variation occurs, which in turn elicits suppressor reactions directed against antigen or against idiotypes of responding clones. The immune repertoire of the adult vertebrate is a product of the evolution of its lymphocytes under the competing pressures of antigenic stimulation and active suppression.", "PMID": 786145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7209", "title": "Comparative aspects of glycoprotein structure.", "content": "Glycoproteins have a wide distribution in nature and serve a vast number of functions. There are glycoprotein enzymes and hormones; glycoproteins are found in blood and secretions, in cell membranes, and in connective tissue. Of all the biologically occurring macromolecules the glycoproteins, which consist of carbohydrate moieties convalently linked to a polypeptide backbone, represent the most diverse group, ranging from substances in which the carbohydrate component represents less than 1% of the total weight to those in which it represents over 80% of the total. The proteoglycans, which are classified separately from other glycoproteins and include the chondroitin sulfates, dermatan sulfates, and heparin primarily carbohydrate in the form of numerous heteropolysaccharide chains attached to a polypeptide chain at closely spaced intervals. The sugars that commonly occur in glycoproteins include galactose, mannose, glucose. N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, sialic acids, fucose, and xylose. The proteoglycans also contain various uronic and sulfated amino sugars.", "contents": "Comparative aspects of glycoprotein structure. Glycoproteins have a wide distribution in nature and serve a vast number of functions. There are glycoprotein enzymes and hormones; glycoproteins are found in blood and secretions, in cell membranes, and in connective tissue. Of all the biologically occurring macromolecules the glycoproteins, which consist of carbohydrate moieties convalently linked to a polypeptide backbone, represent the most diverse group, ranging from substances in which the carbohydrate component represents less than 1% of the total weight to those in which it represents over 80% of the total. The proteoglycans, which are classified separately from other glycoproteins and include the chondroitin sulfates, dermatan sulfates, and heparin primarily carbohydrate in the form of numerous heteropolysaccharide chains attached to a polypeptide chain at closely spaced intervals. The sugars that commonly occur in glycoproteins include galactose, mannose, glucose. N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, sialic acids, fucose, and xylose. The proteoglycans also contain various uronic and sulfated amino sugars.", "PMID": 786150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7210", "title": "Evidence for multipotentiality of antibody synthesizing cells.", "content": "Immunization of mice with two unrelated antigens or antigenic determinants regularly results in the appearance of hemolytic plaque forming cells (PFC) of each specificity and of some PFC (1-4%) reacting to both determinants. Micromanipulation of individual double PFC appearing after immunization with trinitrophenyl conjugated sheep erythrocytes (TNP-SRBC) into media containing indicator erythrocytes (native SRBC and TNP-horse RBC) and a soluble specific inhibitor (TNP-BSA or soluble SRBC antigen), showed that the specific inhibitor suppressed the lysis of the corresponding indicator but did not interfered with the lysis of the unrelated indicator. Persistance of one specific activity in spite of complete inhibition of the other indicated that these double PFC synthesize two different antibody molecules. The destiny of double cells was studied in individual cell cultures by micromanipulating them into wells containing heavily irradiated normal mouse spleen cells and both determinants (TNP-SRBC). Those double cells which divided they generated in 24 hours monospecific daughter PFC (either anti-TNP or anti-native SRBC). Individually cultured monospecific PFC from mice immunized with one antigen (native SRBC) generated daughter PFC of the same specificity. By contrast, monospecific PFC from mice immunized with TNP-SRBC generated PFC of either the same specificity of (more frequently) of the one the other specificity. Thus, immunization with substituted erythrocytes resulted in the development of three clonotypes: two clones each composed only of cells of either specificity (amphispecific clonotype). For the maintenance of this amphispecific clone, continuous presence in the culture media of both antigenic determinants was necessary. Removal of the one for 48 hours (but not for 24 hours) abolished the generation of daughter cells of the same specificity.", "contents": "Evidence for multipotentiality of antibody synthesizing cells. Immunization of mice with two unrelated antigens or antigenic determinants regularly results in the appearance of hemolytic plaque forming cells (PFC) of each specificity and of some PFC (1-4%) reacting to both determinants. Micromanipulation of individual double PFC appearing after immunization with trinitrophenyl conjugated sheep erythrocytes (TNP-SRBC) into media containing indicator erythrocytes (native SRBC and TNP-horse RBC) and a soluble specific inhibitor (TNP-BSA or soluble SRBC antigen), showed that the specific inhibitor suppressed the lysis of the corresponding indicator but did not interfered with the lysis of the unrelated indicator. Persistance of one specific activity in spite of complete inhibition of the other indicated that these double PFC synthesize two different antibody molecules. The destiny of double cells was studied in individual cell cultures by micromanipulating them into wells containing heavily irradiated normal mouse spleen cells and both determinants (TNP-SRBC). Those double cells which divided they generated in 24 hours monospecific daughter PFC (either anti-TNP or anti-native SRBC). Individually cultured monospecific PFC from mice immunized with one antigen (native SRBC) generated daughter PFC of the same specificity. By contrast, monospecific PFC from mice immunized with TNP-SRBC generated PFC of either the same specificity of (more frequently) of the one the other specificity. Thus, immunization with substituted erythrocytes resulted in the development of three clonotypes: two clones each composed only of cells of either specificity (amphispecific clonotype). For the maintenance of this amphispecific clone, continuous presence in the culture media of both antigenic determinants was necessary. Removal of the one for 48 hours (but not for 24 hours) abolished the generation of daughter cells of the same specificity.", "PMID": 786144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7211", "title": "1,4-Diaminobutane (putrescine), spermidine, and spermine.", "content": "As is evident from the above summary of the recent literature, plus many other papers not cited here, there is an extensive literature indicating the physiological significance of these amines. The most important studies can be summarized as follows. (a) Polyamines and their biosynthetic enzymes are ubiquitous. (b) Microbiological mutants have been described in which there is a definite requirement of polyamines for growth. (c) The concentration of polyamines and their biosynthesis enzymes increase when the growth rate increases. These increases usually precede or are simultaneous with increases in RNA, DNA, and protein levels. (d) Ornithine decarboxylase has a remarkably fast turnover rate in animal cells, and the level of this enzyme rapidly changes after a variety of growth stimuli. (e) Polyamines have a high affinity for nucleic acids and stabilize their secondary structure. They are found associated with DNA in bacteriophages and have a variety of stimulatory effects on DNA and RNA biosynthesis in vitro. (f) Polyamines stimulate protein synthesis in vivo and in vitro. (g) Polyamines protect spheroplasts and halophilic organisms for lysis, indicating their ability to stabilize membranes. Despite these observations, no specific mechanism has been firmly established for the action of the polyamines in vivo. It is clear that these compounds are physiologically important, however, and further work is necessary to establish the mechanism of their action.", "contents": "1,4-Diaminobutane (putrescine), spermidine, and spermine. As is evident from the above summary of the recent literature, plus many other papers not cited here, there is an extensive literature indicating the physiological significance of these amines. The most important studies can be summarized as follows. (a) Polyamines and their biosynthetic enzymes are ubiquitous. (b) Microbiological mutants have been described in which there is a definite requirement of polyamines for growth. (c) The concentration of polyamines and their biosynthesis enzymes increase when the growth rate increases. These increases usually precede or are simultaneous with increases in RNA, DNA, and protein levels. (d) Ornithine decarboxylase has a remarkably fast turnover rate in animal cells, and the level of this enzyme rapidly changes after a variety of growth stimuli. (e) Polyamines have a high affinity for nucleic acids and stabilize their secondary structure. They are found associated with DNA in bacteriophages and have a variety of stimulatory effects on DNA and RNA biosynthesis in vitro. (f) Polyamines stimulate protein synthesis in vivo and in vitro. (g) Polyamines protect spheroplasts and halophilic organisms for lysis, indicating their ability to stabilize membranes. Despite these observations, no specific mechanism has been firmly established for the action of the polyamines in vivo. It is clear that these compounds are physiologically important, however, and further work is necessary to establish the mechanism of their action.", "PMID": 786151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7212", "title": "The reovirus replicative cycle.", "content": "Soon after entry into their host cells ssRNA viruses form doule-stranded replicative intermediates. Most RNA viruses exist only transiently in this double-stranded form. Double-strand formation occurs irrespective of whether the genome is of the same or complementary polarity to viral mRNA. In contrast, reoviruses contain dsRNAs from the outset. Single, and not double, strands are the intracellular intermediates through which genetic information is transferred from parental to progeny reoviruses. Double strands are the repositories in which the information is stored. We emphasize this distinction because it permits dsRNA-containing viruses to replicate conservatively, a mode of replication that is not shared by any other viruses. One important consequence of the conservative mode of replication is that cellular enzymes never gain access to the reovirus genome but only to its ssRNA precursors.", "contents": "The reovirus replicative cycle. Soon after entry into their host cells ssRNA viruses form doule-stranded replicative intermediates. Most RNA viruses exist only transiently in this double-stranded form. Double-strand formation occurs irrespective of whether the genome is of the same or complementary polarity to viral mRNA. In contrast, reoviruses contain dsRNAs from the outset. Single, and not double, strands are the intracellular intermediates through which genetic information is transferred from parental to progeny reoviruses. Double strands are the repositories in which the information is stored. We emphasize this distinction because it permits dsRNA-containing viruses to replicate conservatively, a mode of replication that is not shared by any other viruses. One important consequence of the conservative mode of replication is that cellular enzymes never gain access to the reovirus genome but only to its ssRNA precursors.", "PMID": 786154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7213", "title": "Peroxidase-catalyzed halogenation.", "content": "Peroxidase-catalyzed halogenation reactions have been established as being important in the biosynthesis of the hormone thyroxine and in biological defense mechanisms. Recently these reactions have been recognized as valuable tools for the study of proteins as well as their arrangement in macromolecular structures. The pathways of peroxidase catalyses can be accommodated within the framework of the classical Chance-George mechanism. This implies that the initial steps of the reaction invariably involve oxidation of peroxidases by peroxides--and that the resulting derivative, compound I, is the oxidant of the halide ions. Such reactions may result either in the formation of hypohalous acids, or in halogenation of the enzyme apoprotein, followed by transhalogenation to substrate for halogenation. Chloro- and myeloperoxidases catalyze oxidation of all halide ions, except F-; oxidation of bromide and iodide is mediated by lactoperoxidase, but horseradish peroxidase only oxidizes iodide. All of the above enzymes except horseradish will oxidize the pseudo halide thiocyanate. The origins of this differentiation remain to be defined, but they presumably reflect significant variation in oxidation potential of different peroxidase-peroxide derivatives, rather than constraints on the peroxidase-donor interactions. As pointed out above, halogenation of the amino acids tyrosine and histidine or these residues in proteins can take place on the enzyme. This makes lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination selective. The amino acid residues in proteins that are iodinated depend not only on reactivity of the amino acid residue but also on its geometric location. Thus lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination can be a useful tool in the study of protein structure and function. It is also useful in establishing the geometric position of proteins within macromolecular structures. Thyroid peroxidase catalyzes iodination of thyroglobulin and is involved in a second important step, the coupling of the iodotyrosines to form thyroxine or triiodothyronine. A proposed mechanism for this reaction suggests that the oxidation is mediated by the iodoenzyme derivative mentioned above followed by a prototropic rearrangement and scission to form the ether bound of thyronine and a serine residue on thyroglobulin.", "contents": "Peroxidase-catalyzed halogenation. Peroxidase-catalyzed halogenation reactions have been established as being important in the biosynthesis of the hormone thyroxine and in biological defense mechanisms. Recently these reactions have been recognized as valuable tools for the study of proteins as well as their arrangement in macromolecular structures. The pathways of peroxidase catalyses can be accommodated within the framework of the classical Chance-George mechanism. This implies that the initial steps of the reaction invariably involve oxidation of peroxidases by peroxides--and that the resulting derivative, compound I, is the oxidant of the halide ions. Such reactions may result either in the formation of hypohalous acids, or in halogenation of the enzyme apoprotein, followed by transhalogenation to substrate for halogenation. Chloro- and myeloperoxidases catalyze oxidation of all halide ions, except F-; oxidation of bromide and iodide is mediated by lactoperoxidase, but horseradish peroxidase only oxidizes iodide. All of the above enzymes except horseradish will oxidize the pseudo halide thiocyanate. The origins of this differentiation remain to be defined, but they presumably reflect significant variation in oxidation potential of different peroxidase-peroxide derivatives, rather than constraints on the peroxidase-donor interactions. As pointed out above, halogenation of the amino acids tyrosine and histidine or these residues in proteins can take place on the enzyme. This makes lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination selective. The amino acid residues in proteins that are iodinated depend not only on reactivity of the amino acid residue but also on its geometric location. Thus lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination can be a useful tool in the study of protein structure and function. It is also useful in establishing the geometric position of proteins within macromolecular structures. Thyroid peroxidase catalyzes iodination of thyroglobulin and is involved in a second important step, the coupling of the iodotyrosines to form thyroxine or triiodothyronine. A proposed mechanism for this reaction suggests that the oxidation is mediated by the iodoenzyme derivative mentioned above followed by a prototropic rearrangement and scission to form the ether bound of thyronine and a serine residue on thyroglobulin.", "PMID": 786162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7214", "title": "Why hemispherectomy?", "content": "A series of ten cases of infantile hemiplegia with behaviour disorders and with of without fits treated by unilateral stereotactic amygdalotomy is described. Out of the eight cases with fits good releif was seen in six and amelioration of the seizures in two. The behavioural disorders were well controlled in all the patients. When this procedure is compared with hemispherectomy, it is felt that operation of stereotactic amygdalotomy can be done as the procedure of first choice. Some hypotheses have been advanced to explain the modus operandi of the operation.", "contents": "Why hemispherectomy? A series of ten cases of infantile hemiplegia with behaviour disorders and with of without fits treated by unilateral stereotactic amygdalotomy is described. Out of the eight cases with fits good releif was seen in six and amelioration of the seizures in two. The behavioural disorders were well controlled in all the patients. When this procedure is compared with hemispherectomy, it is felt that operation of stereotactic amygdalotomy can be done as the procedure of first choice. Some hypotheses have been advanced to explain the modus operandi of the operation.", "PMID": 786168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7215", "title": "Contemporary methodology of stereotactic neurosurgery.", "content": "A survey of stereotactic operations from neurosurgical centres, one in Madras and the other in Bratislava, shows that many stereotactic operations are of the combined type. From a methodological viewpoint, stereotactic preformances may be divided into simultaneous, successive, symmetrical, asymmetrical, and one-sided, respectively. Thus, the stereotactic operation differs from the traditional concept that the patient may be cured by a single surgical performance. The stereotactic treatment usually consists of a succession of tactical steps, which make up the strategy of the whole treatment.", "contents": "Contemporary methodology of stereotactic neurosurgery. A survey of stereotactic operations from neurosurgical centres, one in Madras and the other in Bratislava, shows that many stereotactic operations are of the combined type. From a methodological viewpoint, stereotactic preformances may be divided into simultaneous, successive, symmetrical, asymmetrical, and one-sided, respectively. Thus, the stereotactic operation differs from the traditional concept that the patient may be cured by a single surgical performance. The stereotactic treatment usually consists of a succession of tactical steps, which make up the strategy of the whole treatment.", "PMID": 786169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7216", "title": "Treatment of psoriasis with topically applied tretinoin and steroid ointment.", "content": "The sequential application of tretinoin and a corticosteroid ointment was considerably more effective in the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis than either drug alone in a pilot study. The best results were obtained with 0.3% tretinoin followed by a potent corticosteroid ointment. Combined therapy was particularly efficacious in steroid-resistant psoriasis, including that on the palms, elbows, and knees. Irritancy from the high-strength tretinoin was a potentially troublesome side-effect. Care must be taken to avoid drug contact on areas that are easily irritated.", "contents": "Treatment of psoriasis with topically applied tretinoin and steroid ointment. The sequential application of tretinoin and a corticosteroid ointment was considerably more effective in the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis than either drug alone in a pilot study. The best results were obtained with 0.3% tretinoin followed by a potent corticosteroid ointment. Combined therapy was particularly efficacious in steroid-resistant psoriasis, including that on the palms, elbows, and knees. Irritancy from the high-strength tretinoin was a potentially troublesome side-effect. Care must be taken to avoid drug contact on areas that are easily irritated.", "PMID": 786170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7217", "title": "Pyoderma Gangrenosum and rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Two patients had pyoderma gangrenosum and rheumatoid arthritis. Biopsy specimens of the cutaneous ulcers in the patients showed a necrotizing vasculitis. Complement (C3) and immunoglobulins were not detected in the skin lesions. There was no important impairment of cell-mediated immunity observed.", "contents": "Pyoderma Gangrenosum and rheumatoid arthritis. Two patients had pyoderma gangrenosum and rheumatoid arthritis. Biopsy specimens of the cutaneous ulcers in the patients showed a necrotizing vasculitis. Complement (C3) and immunoglobulins were not detected in the skin lesions. There was no important impairment of cell-mediated immunity observed.", "PMID": 786171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7218", "title": "Bullous pemphigoid and associated malignant neoplasms.", "content": "To evaluate the significance of the association of systemic malignant disease with bullous pemphigoid, we reviewed the records of patients with bullous pemphigold seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1960 and 1972. Data from 73 patients with bullous pemphigoid were compared with data from 146 controls (73 with contact dermatitis and 73 with psoriasis) matched for age, sex, and calendar year of diagnosis. In the three groups, eight patients with bullous pemphigoid, 11 with contact dermatitis, and ten with psoriasis were found to have malignant disease within the period covering the five years before and five years after the diagnosis of the skin disease. These data indicate that pemphigoid does not seem to be significantly associated with malignant disease.", "contents": "Bullous pemphigoid and associated malignant neoplasms. To evaluate the significance of the association of systemic malignant disease with bullous pemphigoid, we reviewed the records of patients with bullous pemphigold seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1960 and 1972. Data from 73 patients with bullous pemphigoid were compared with data from 146 controls (73 with contact dermatitis and 73 with psoriasis) matched for age, sex, and calendar year of diagnosis. In the three groups, eight patients with bullous pemphigoid, 11 with contact dermatitis, and ten with psoriasis were found to have malignant disease within the period covering the five years before and five years after the diagnosis of the skin disease. These data indicate that pemphigoid does not seem to be significantly associated with malignant disease.", "PMID": 786174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7219", "title": "Infection, dermatitis, increased IgE, and impaired neutrophil chemotaxis. A possible relationship.", "content": "Eleven patients with recurrent bacterial infections were found to have impaired neutrophil chemotaxis. The infections were primarily staphylococcal abscesses involving the skin and the respiratory tract. All patients had chronic eczematour dermatitis and an elevated level of serum IgE. The peripheral blood eosinophil count was equal to or greater than 10% of the circulating leukocytes in 10 of 11 patients. Associated findings in some patients included urticaria and oral or cutaneous Candida infection. These observations suggest a relationship between chronic dermatitis, elevated serum IgE level, eosinophilia, defective neutrophil chemotactic responsiveness, and recurrent pyogenic infections of skin and lungs.", "contents": "Infection, dermatitis, increased IgE, and impaired neutrophil chemotaxis. A possible relationship. Eleven patients with recurrent bacterial infections were found to have impaired neutrophil chemotaxis. The infections were primarily staphylococcal abscesses involving the skin and the respiratory tract. All patients had chronic eczematour dermatitis and an elevated level of serum IgE. The peripheral blood eosinophil count was equal to or greater than 10% of the circulating leukocytes in 10 of 11 patients. Associated findings in some patients included urticaria and oral or cutaneous Candida infection. These observations suggest a relationship between chronic dermatitis, elevated serum IgE level, eosinophilia, defective neutrophil chemotactic responsiveness, and recurrent pyogenic infections of skin and lungs.", "PMID": 786175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7220", "title": "Vesicular pemphigoid.", "content": "Seven patients had a chronic eruption of small vesicles that was initially considered to be atypical dermatitis herpetiformis. Histopathologic studies disclosed a subepidermal bulla that was compatible with either bullous pemphigoid or dermatitis herpetiformis. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated deposition of IgG or C3, Or both, at the basement-membrane zone (BMZ) in six of seven patients. In four patients, circulating BMZ antibodies were detected also. We belive that these cases represent a vesicular form of bullous pemphigoid.", "contents": "Vesicular pemphigoid. Seven patients had a chronic eruption of small vesicles that was initially considered to be atypical dermatitis herpetiformis. Histopathologic studies disclosed a subepidermal bulla that was compatible with either bullous pemphigoid or dermatitis herpetiformis. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated deposition of IgG or C3, Or both, at the basement-membrane zone (BMZ) in six of seven patients. In four patients, circulating BMZ antibodies were detected also. We belive that these cases represent a vesicular form of bullous pemphigoid.", "PMID": 786176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7221", "title": "Persistent acantholytic dermatosis. A variant of transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease).", "content": "A patient with unusual manifestations of transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease) has lesions that have persisted for more than three years. Biopsy specimen showed histologic changes previously unreported in Grover disease. In order to emphasize that this condition is not always transient, we have titled this entity \"persistent acantholytic dermatosis.\"", "contents": "Persistent acantholytic dermatosis. A variant of transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease). A patient with unusual manifestations of transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease) has lesions that have persisted for more than three years. Biopsy specimen showed histologic changes previously unreported in Grover disease. In order to emphasize that this condition is not always transient, we have titled this entity \"persistent acantholytic dermatosis.\"", "PMID": 786177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7222", "title": "Bullous transient acantholytic dermatosis.", "content": "We have been three cases of a bullous variant of transient acantholytic dermatosis. Skin biopsy specimens showed histopathologic changes identical to pemphigus foliaceus, but immunofluorescent studies showed no tissue-fixed or circulating antibodies to intercellular antigens. The bullous eruption lasted a few weeks to several months and healed without scarring or recurrence. The lesions healed with topical and/or systemic corticosteroid therapy.", "contents": "Bullous transient acantholytic dermatosis. We have been three cases of a bullous variant of transient acantholytic dermatosis. Skin biopsy specimens showed histopathologic changes identical to pemphigus foliaceus, but immunofluorescent studies showed no tissue-fixed or circulating antibodies to intercellular antigens. The bullous eruption lasted a few weeks to several months and healed without scarring or recurrence. The lesions healed with topical and/or systemic corticosteroid therapy.", "PMID": 786178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7223", "title": "Leishmania tropica infections in travellers.", "content": "Oriental sore (acute cutaneous leishmaniasis) is usually a self-limited infection of the skin caused by the protozoan Leishmania tropica. This disease is endemic to the Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and is seen in this country among travellers and immigrants. We found four cases at the University of Michigan and diagnosed and treated the disorder. Some of the treatments currently recommended for this disease are potentially toxic, and none have been proved to be of real value. Uncomplicated, acute cutaneous leishmaniasis (L tropica) may best be managed by withholding treatment and observing the patient.", "contents": "Leishmania tropica infections in travellers. Oriental sore (acute cutaneous leishmaniasis) is usually a self-limited infection of the skin caused by the protozoan Leishmania tropica. This disease is endemic to the Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and is seen in this country among travellers and immigrants. We found four cases at the University of Michigan and diagnosed and treated the disorder. Some of the treatments currently recommended for this disease are potentially toxic, and none have been proved to be of real value. Uncomplicated, acute cutaneous leishmaniasis (L tropica) may best be managed by withholding treatment and observing the patient.", "PMID": 786180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7224", "title": "Diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease by punch biopsy of rectum.", "content": "234 punch biopsy specimens of rectal tissue were taken from 112 children. In 94% of the patients the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease was confirmed or refuted by the first biopsy. There were no false-positive or false-negative results. One patient developed a serious complication, a pelvic haematoma.", "contents": "Diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease by punch biopsy of rectum. 234 punch biopsy specimens of rectal tissue were taken from 112 children. In 94% of the patients the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease was confirmed or refuted by the first biopsy. There were no false-positive or false-negative results. One patient developed a serious complication, a pelvic haematoma.", "PMID": 786181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7225", "title": "Coliform meningitis in the newborn.", "content": "Thirty-six patients with coliform meningitis in the 15-year period 1960-1974 are reported. Only 9 patients survived unscathed though the other 5 survivors were not seriously affected. During the septicaemic phase of the illness the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), though positive on culture, may be otherwise normal. Meningitis can ensue even when the patient is receiving antibiotics to which the organism is sensitive and the possible disadvantages of using a nondiffusible antibiotic must be appreciated. The CSF in Esch. coli meningitis can be persistently haemorrhagic which may cause difficulties in the initial diagnosis. It must be emphasized that infective illness in the newborn is often nonspecific in its presentation and that repeated bacteriological investigations are essential in neonates who are unwell.", "contents": "Coliform meningitis in the newborn. Thirty-six patients with coliform meningitis in the 15-year period 1960-1974 are reported. Only 9 patients survived unscathed though the other 5 survivors were not seriously affected. During the septicaemic phase of the illness the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), though positive on culture, may be otherwise normal. Meningitis can ensue even when the patient is receiving antibiotics to which the organism is sensitive and the possible disadvantages of using a nondiffusible antibiotic must be appreciated. The CSF in Esch. coli meningitis can be persistently haemorrhagic which may cause difficulties in the initial diagnosis. It must be emphasized that infective illness in the newborn is often nonspecific in its presentation and that repeated bacteriological investigations are essential in neonates who are unwell.", "PMID": 786182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7226", "title": "Infantile cortical hyperostosis.", "content": "The genetic aspects of infantile cortical hyperostosis are discussed. A pedigree is presented, based on the history and clinical and radiological investigations of all living members of the family, with data from 11 cases with the condition in two generations, and one possible case from a third generation. The data suggest that an autosomal dominant gene with varying expressivity could be responsible in this family and, though the genetic outlook is unfavourable, it is fully balanced by the benign character of the disease. A chronic form of infantile cortical hyperostosis affecting 2 girls and 1 boy in the family is described with a follow-up of 3 to 5 years. There was no deterioration in the general state of health of the patients and no abnormality was detected in laboratory investigations. At the end of the second year of life, curving of the long bones was usually present radiologically and the appositionless corticalis was paper thin with extended marrow cavity. With increasing age the bowing of the bones became less noticeable (but can be permanent in some cases), the corticalis thickened, while marrow cavity volume decreased. In the marrow cavities the remains of insufficiently resorbed original hyperostoses were seen. All the affected bones exhibited both numerous Park's stress lines and osteoporosis, more marked in the bones of the lower extremities. Even these changes disappeared with increasing age. Neither the metaphyses nor epiphyseal ossification centres were affected by the condition.", "contents": "Infantile cortical hyperostosis. The genetic aspects of infantile cortical hyperostosis are discussed. A pedigree is presented, based on the history and clinical and radiological investigations of all living members of the family, with data from 11 cases with the condition in two generations, and one possible case from a third generation. The data suggest that an autosomal dominant gene with varying expressivity could be responsible in this family and, though the genetic outlook is unfavourable, it is fully balanced by the benign character of the disease. A chronic form of infantile cortical hyperostosis affecting 2 girls and 1 boy in the family is described with a follow-up of 3 to 5 years. There was no deterioration in the general state of health of the patients and no abnormality was detected in laboratory investigations. At the end of the second year of life, curving of the long bones was usually present radiologically and the appositionless corticalis was paper thin with extended marrow cavity. With increasing age the bowing of the bones became less noticeable (but can be permanent in some cases), the corticalis thickened, while marrow cavity volume decreased. In the marrow cavities the remains of insufficiently resorbed original hyperostoses were seen. All the affected bones exhibited both numerous Park's stress lines and osteoporosis, more marked in the bones of the lower extremities. Even these changes disappeared with increasing age. Neither the metaphyses nor epiphyseal ossification centres were affected by the condition.", "PMID": 786183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7227", "title": "Utilization of acrylate-embedded large tissue samples in dermatohistology.", "content": "A method of embedding tissue in synthetic material which has seldom been used in dermatohistology is described in this communication. This process combines the preparative advantage of slight artifactual alteration of organic tissue and readily reproducible sections between 1 and 3 mu in thickness with the feature of light microscopy that tissue slices of \"normal\" dimensions can be prepared without difficulty. It avoids the disadvantages of the small dimensions of the preparations required for the ultramicroscope. With few exceptions, all staining methods applied to paraffin slices can also be used.", "contents": "Utilization of acrylate-embedded large tissue samples in dermatohistology. A method of embedding tissue in synthetic material which has seldom been used in dermatohistology is described in this communication. This process combines the preparative advantage of slight artifactual alteration of organic tissue and readily reproducible sections between 1 and 3 mu in thickness with the feature of light microscopy that tissue slices of \"normal\" dimensions can be prepared without difficulty. It avoids the disadvantages of the small dimensions of the preparations required for the ultramicroscope. With few exceptions, all staining methods applied to paraffin slices can also be used.", "PMID": 786184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7228", "title": "[Effects of Candida albicans on wound-healing in an animal model (author's transl)].", "content": "The effects of Candida albicans on the healing of experimental wounds in rats was investigated. Granulation tissue developing in implated polyvinylchloride chambers was quantified. The amount of granulation tissue in the yeast-contaminated wounds is significantly less in comparison to controls. The inhibitory effect is directly proprotional to the amount of inoculated yeasts and dependes on the presence of living yeast cells. The repair of ulcers is supposedly retarded by yeast contamination, as has been suggested previously by clinical observation.", "contents": "[Effects of Candida albicans on wound-healing in an animal model (author's transl)]. The effects of Candida albicans on the healing of experimental wounds in rats was investigated. Granulation tissue developing in implated polyvinylchloride chambers was quantified. The amount of granulation tissue in the yeast-contaminated wounds is significantly less in comparison to controls. The inhibitory effect is directly proprotional to the amount of inoculated yeasts and dependes on the presence of living yeast cells. The repair of ulcers is supposedly retarded by yeast contamination, as has been suggested previously by clinical observation.", "PMID": 786185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7229", "title": "Steroids in the treatment of clinical septic shock.", "content": "A prospective (Part I) and a retrospective (Part II) study were used to determine the safety and efficacy of corticosteroids in the treatment of septic shock. In Part I, 172 consecutive patients in septic shock admitted over an 8-year period were treated with either steroid or saline: 43 received dexamethasone (DMP), 43 received methylprednisolone (MPS), and 86 received saline. The study was double-blind and randomized, and the three groups were compared for age, severity of shock, presence of underlying disease, and year of study. In the 86 saline-treated patients, the mortality rate was 38.4% (33/86); in the steroid-treated patients, it was 10.4% (9/86). With MPS the mortality rate was 11.6% (5/43), and with DMP it was 9.3% (4/43). Thus, overall mortality was significantly less in the steroid-treated group than in the control group. Further, there was no significant difference in mortality rate between the DMP- and the MPS-treated patients. In Part II, 328 patients were studied retrospectively. One-hundred sixty were treated without steroid, and 168 were treated with either DMP or MPS. Again, the two groups of patients were compared for severity of shock, underlying disease, age, and year of study. Mortality among patients treated without steroid was 42.5% (68/160) and among patients treated with steroid was 14% (24/168); there was no significant difference in mortality rate between DMP- and MPS-treated patients. In Parts I and II combined, complications occurred in 6% of steroid-treated patients with no significant difference between DMP- and MPS-treated groups.", "contents": "Steroids in the treatment of clinical septic shock. A prospective (Part I) and a retrospective (Part II) study were used to determine the safety and efficacy of corticosteroids in the treatment of septic shock. In Part I, 172 consecutive patients in septic shock admitted over an 8-year period were treated with either steroid or saline: 43 received dexamethasone (DMP), 43 received methylprednisolone (MPS), and 86 received saline. The study was double-blind and randomized, and the three groups were compared for age, severity of shock, presence of underlying disease, and year of study. In the 86 saline-treated patients, the mortality rate was 38.4% (33/86); in the steroid-treated patients, it was 10.4% (9/86). With MPS the mortality rate was 11.6% (5/43), and with DMP it was 9.3% (4/43). Thus, overall mortality was significantly less in the steroid-treated group than in the control group. Further, there was no significant difference in mortality rate between the DMP- and the MPS-treated patients. In Part II, 328 patients were studied retrospectively. One-hundred sixty were treated without steroid, and 168 were treated with either DMP or MPS. Again, the two groups of patients were compared for severity of shock, underlying disease, age, and year of study. Mortality among patients treated without steroid was 42.5% (68/160) and among patients treated with steroid was 14% (24/168); there was no significant difference in mortality rate between DMP- and MPS-treated patients. In Parts I and II combined, complications occurred in 6% of steroid-treated patients with no significant difference between DMP- and MPS-treated groups.", "PMID": 786190} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7230", "title": "Factors in the differential rate of arteriosclerosis (AS) between long surviving renal transplant recipients and dialysis patients.", "content": "In this study, the incidence of clinical and autopsy arteriosclerosis (AS) was studied in over 300 renal transplant patients (RTP) followed in our clinic up to 13 years post-transplant. Of 45 RTP followed a mean of 10.45 years, the incidence of clinical AS was 6% or 0.58% per year at risk. The incidence of death from AS was 2.2% over 10 years or 0.22% per year at risk. There was no apparent tendency for increase of the risk incidence with increasing time post-transplantation up to 13 years. This incidence of clinical and death-related AS in long term RTP contrasts sharply with a quite high incidence of both clinical and death-related AS in long-term dialysis patients as reported by Scribner's group and both the European and U.S. Dialysis Registry. Of our RTP surviving a decade or more, 77% have normal serum triglycerides and 92% are normotensive, again contrasting sharply with a 70-80% incidence of hyperlipidemia and a 60-80% incidence of hypertension in long-term dialysis patients. These studies suggest that the high rate of accelerated AS in dialysis patients is largely reversed by successful renal transplantation, probably due to a lowering of both blood pressure and hyperlipidemia in the long-term RT patients. Practically, these results suggest that the superior survival of transplant patients over dialysis patients already evident at 10 year mark will widen further during the second post-transplantation decade.", "contents": "Factors in the differential rate of arteriosclerosis (AS) between long surviving renal transplant recipients and dialysis patients. In this study, the incidence of clinical and autopsy arteriosclerosis (AS) was studied in over 300 renal transplant patients (RTP) followed in our clinic up to 13 years post-transplant. Of 45 RTP followed a mean of 10.45 years, the incidence of clinical AS was 6% or 0.58% per year at risk. The incidence of death from AS was 2.2% over 10 years or 0.22% per year at risk. There was no apparent tendency for increase of the risk incidence with increasing time post-transplantation up to 13 years. This incidence of clinical and death-related AS in long term RTP contrasts sharply with a quite high incidence of both clinical and death-related AS in long-term dialysis patients as reported by Scribner's group and both the European and U.S. Dialysis Registry. Of our RTP surviving a decade or more, 77% have normal serum triglycerides and 92% are normotensive, again contrasting sharply with a 70-80% incidence of hyperlipidemia and a 60-80% incidence of hypertension in long-term dialysis patients. These studies suggest that the high rate of accelerated AS in dialysis patients is largely reversed by successful renal transplantation, probably due to a lowering of both blood pressure and hyperlipidemia in the long-term RT patients. Practically, these results suggest that the superior survival of transplant patients over dialysis patients already evident at 10 year mark will widen further during the second post-transplantation decade.", "PMID": 786191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7231", "title": "Seven years' experience with antilymphoblast globulin for renal transplantation from cadaver donors.", "content": "Antibody of the IgGab type can be isolated from horses immunized with cultured human lymphoblasts plus complete Freund's adjuvant. The essential steps for the production of a safe, potent anti-human lymphoblast globulin (ALG) are: A) the use of early bleedings after immunization to reduce the titer of antibodies which react with red blood cells and platelets; B) careful absorption with human red blood cell stroma and platelets; C) stabilization with non-crystalline silica dioxide; D) chromatography through QAE sephadex to remove pyrogens, microaggregates and possible inhibitors of ALG activity; E) careful safety testing in animals for toxicity and pyrogenicity; and F) testing in vitro for sterility. Such a purified horse ALG (IgGab) can be administered safely intravenously to patients to supplement a standardized immunosuppressive regimen incorporating azathioprine and prednisone. Under these circumstances, allergic reactions are very rare, antibodies to horse IgG do not develop, skin tests to horse IgG remain negative, and immune elimination of circulating horse IgG from the human circulation cannot be demonstrated. The overall results of ALG patient survival and transplant function after 184 consecutive first cadaver transplants at the University of Minnesota demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in both parameters accompanying increases in ALG dose while rigidly utilizing standardized doses of azathioprine and prednisone. There is a significant reduction in the number of grafts lost to rejection; significant reduction in the number of rejection episodes; significant delay in the onset of rejection episodes; but there is no increase in septic loss of patients or kidneys. These efforts could be seen in the gross data or when subgroups controlling for patient age, tissue typing were analyzed. Excluding patients at high risk did not alter the results. The beneficial effects of ALG were particularly striking in good matches. In the highest doses, ALG may be dangerous for older patients with poor matches who develop an increased incidence of septic loss of kidney and/or life. Thus, ALG appears to be a useful adjunct in the early management of cadaver transplants by reducing the incidence and frequency of rejection episodes. The dose should probably be reduced in the older patients who receive kidneys from badly mismatched donors. One cannot conclude from this study that ALG manufactured in other centers by this or other techniques, will accomplish the same results since the multiplicity of factors involved in the success and failure of transplants must be controlled so that the influence of intravening variables in the assessment of ALG effectiveness can be assessed.", "contents": "Seven years' experience with antilymphoblast globulin for renal transplantation from cadaver donors. Antibody of the IgGab type can be isolated from horses immunized with cultured human lymphoblasts plus complete Freund's adjuvant. The essential steps for the production of a safe, potent anti-human lymphoblast globulin (ALG) are: A) the use of early bleedings after immunization to reduce the titer of antibodies which react with red blood cells and platelets; B) careful absorption with human red blood cell stroma and platelets; C) stabilization with non-crystalline silica dioxide; D) chromatography through QAE sephadex to remove pyrogens, microaggregates and possible inhibitors of ALG activity; E) careful safety testing in animals for toxicity and pyrogenicity; and F) testing in vitro for sterility. Such a purified horse ALG (IgGab) can be administered safely intravenously to patients to supplement a standardized immunosuppressive regimen incorporating azathioprine and prednisone. Under these circumstances, allergic reactions are very rare, antibodies to horse IgG do not develop, skin tests to horse IgG remain negative, and immune elimination of circulating horse IgG from the human circulation cannot be demonstrated. The overall results of ALG patient survival and transplant function after 184 consecutive first cadaver transplants at the University of Minnesota demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in both parameters accompanying increases in ALG dose while rigidly utilizing standardized doses of azathioprine and prednisone. There is a significant reduction in the number of grafts lost to rejection; significant reduction in the number of rejection episodes; significant delay in the onset of rejection episodes; but there is no increase in septic loss of patients or kidneys. These efforts could be seen in the gross data or when subgroups controlling for patient age, tissue typing were analyzed. Excluding patients at high risk did not alter the results. The beneficial effects of ALG were particularly striking in good matches. In the highest doses, ALG may be dangerous for older patients with poor matches who develop an increased incidence of septic loss of kidney and/or life. Thus, ALG appears to be a useful adjunct in the early management of cadaver transplants by reducing the incidence and frequency of rejection episodes. The dose should probably be reduced in the older patients who receive kidneys from badly mismatched donors. One cannot conclude from this study that ALG manufactured in other centers by this or other techniques, will accomplish the same results since the multiplicity of factors involved in the success and failure of transplants must be controlled so that the influence of intravening variables in the assessment of ALG effectiveness can be assessed.", "PMID": 786192} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7232", "title": "Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a review including newer and experimental anti-inflammatory agents.", "content": "Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is often frustrating for patient and physician alike because of its chronic nature and our lack of knowledge about precise cause. It can be confused by the vast array of anti-inflammatory drugs now available, with new agents being added all the time. We present here an outline for a systematic treatment program that must be tailored to each patient's needs. It emphasizes a broad approach on the part of the physician and indicates that drugs comprise only one part of treatment. We review the drugs currently used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and include discussion of those newer antiinflammatory agents that should be available shortly. A rational scheme for the use of these drugs is proposed.", "contents": "Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a review including newer and experimental anti-inflammatory agents. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is often frustrating for patient and physician alike because of its chronic nature and our lack of knowledge about precise cause. It can be confused by the vast array of anti-inflammatory drugs now available, with new agents being added all the time. We present here an outline for a systematic treatment program that must be tailored to each patient's needs. It emphasizes a broad approach on the part of the physician and indicates that drugs comprise only one part of treatment. We review the drugs currently used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and include discussion of those newer antiinflammatory agents that should be available shortly. A rational scheme for the use of these drugs is proposed.", "PMID": 786193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7233", "title": "Nosocomial Salmonella epidemic.", "content": "A patient admitted to the hospital with diarrhea due to Salmonella heidelberg subsequently developed fatal disseminated salmonellosis, despite vigorous antimicrobial treatment. Beginning five weeks after the initial patient's death, nine patients developed hospital-acquired S heidelberg infections characterized by diarrhea (in seven) and bacteremia (in two). A careful search for salmonellosis among patients and hospital staff revealed two asymptomatic excretors. Extensive culturing of samples from the environment did not show any contaminated objects or reservoirs. The epidemic ended after initiation of an energetic handwashing campaign and isolation procedures. The strain of S heidelberg isolated was resistant to chloramphenicol, ampicillin, and gentamicin. Especially interesting in the epidemic were the prolonged time between death of the index case and the appearance of nosocomial cases, the high fatality rate, and the marked antibiotic resistance.", "contents": "Nosocomial Salmonella epidemic. A patient admitted to the hospital with diarrhea due to Salmonella heidelberg subsequently developed fatal disseminated salmonellosis, despite vigorous antimicrobial treatment. Beginning five weeks after the initial patient's death, nine patients developed hospital-acquired S heidelberg infections characterized by diarrhea (in seven) and bacteremia (in two). A careful search for salmonellosis among patients and hospital staff revealed two asymptomatic excretors. Extensive culturing of samples from the environment did not show any contaminated objects or reservoirs. The epidemic ended after initiation of an energetic handwashing campaign and isolation procedures. The strain of S heidelberg isolated was resistant to chloramphenicol, ampicillin, and gentamicin. Especially interesting in the epidemic were the prolonged time between death of the index case and the appearance of nosocomial cases, the high fatality rate, and the marked antibiotic resistance.", "PMID": 786195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7234", "title": "Asymmetric distribution of concanavalin A binding sites on yeast plasmalemma and vacuolar membrane.", "content": "Isolated vacuoles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae did not bind Concanavalin A (labelled with tritium or with a fluorescent dye) unless the vacuoles were rendered permeable and their inner membrane surface made accessible. Yeast protoplasts, on the other hand, bound large amounts of Concanavalin A on their surface, and the number of binding sites was not increased after a gentle lysis expected to expose also the inner surface of the plasmalemma. It is concluded that both the plasmalemma and the vacuolar membrane carry Concanavalin A binding sites exclusively on the surface opposite to the cytoplasmic matrix.", "contents": "Asymmetric distribution of concanavalin A binding sites on yeast plasmalemma and vacuolar membrane. Isolated vacuoles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae did not bind Concanavalin A (labelled with tritium or with a fluorescent dye) unless the vacuoles were rendered permeable and their inner membrane surface made accessible. Yeast protoplasts, on the other hand, bound large amounts of Concanavalin A on their surface, and the number of binding sites was not increased after a gentle lysis expected to expose also the inner surface of the plasmalemma. It is concluded that both the plasmalemma and the vacuolar membrane carry Concanavalin A binding sites exclusively on the surface opposite to the cytoplasmic matrix.", "PMID": 786196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7235", "title": "DNA synthesis by Escherichia coli B/r/l synchronized and grown under conditions of slow growth.", "content": "Escherichia coli B/r/l was synchronized by a novel method and its growth was followed in a minimal salts medium containing glucose, acetate, aspartate or succinate as the sole carbon source. Thymine incorporation experiments showed agreement with the Cooper-Helmstetter model for DNA synthesis, during the division cycle, both in glucose grown culture with a doubling time 57.5 min and in acetate, aspartate and succinate where the doubling time was extended up to 90 min. The ratio C/C + D was identical or close to that predicted by the model. Prolonged growth of the synchronized cultures prior to each experiment was practised in order to ensure their physiological state without causing any considerable deterioration of synchrony.", "contents": "DNA synthesis by Escherichia coli B/r/l synchronized and grown under conditions of slow growth. Escherichia coli B/r/l was synchronized by a novel method and its growth was followed in a minimal salts medium containing glucose, acetate, aspartate or succinate as the sole carbon source. Thymine incorporation experiments showed agreement with the Cooper-Helmstetter model for DNA synthesis, during the division cycle, both in glucose grown culture with a doubling time 57.5 min and in acetate, aspartate and succinate where the doubling time was extended up to 90 min. The ratio C/C + D was identical or close to that predicted by the model. Prolonged growth of the synchronized cultures prior to each experiment was practised in order to ensure their physiological state without causing any considerable deterioration of synchrony.", "PMID": 786197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7236", "title": "Behaviour of Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae and Escherichia coli grown together in chemostat culture.", "content": "When Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae and Escherichia coli were grown together in chemostat culture damped oscillations in the population densities of the organisms occurred followed by a sudden increase in bacterial numbers and a concommitant decrease in the number of amoebae. After the system had come to equilibrium altering the dilution rate resulted in a monotonic change in the experimental variables to new steady state levels. A square wave increase in the concentration of limiting nutrient in the feed medium during the oscillatory phase of culture produced a sinusoidal response indistinguishable from that prior to the perturbation. The results are more complicated than those predicted by simple models of microbial predator-prey dynamics although they correspond most nearly to models which incorporate saturation kinetics.", "contents": "Behaviour of Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae and Escherichia coli grown together in chemostat culture. When Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae and Escherichia coli were grown together in chemostat culture damped oscillations in the population densities of the organisms occurred followed by a sudden increase in bacterial numbers and a concommitant decrease in the number of amoebae. After the system had come to equilibrium altering the dilution rate resulted in a monotonic change in the experimental variables to new steady state levels. A square wave increase in the concentration of limiting nutrient in the feed medium during the oscillatory phase of culture produced a sinusoidal response indistinguishable from that prior to the perturbation. The results are more complicated than those predicted by simple models of microbial predator-prey dynamics although they correspond most nearly to models which incorporate saturation kinetics.", "PMID": 786198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7237", "title": "Localization of mannan at the surface of yeast protoplasts by scanning electron microscopy.", "content": "The beta(1-3)glucanase of Basidiomycete QM 806 was used to prepare Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis protoplasts. Plasma membranes isolated from S. cerevisiae contained a small amount of mannose and traces of glucose and ribose. Randomly distributed alpha-mannan was detected by scanning electron microscopy at the surface of prefixed protoplasts using colloidal gold labelled with Concanavalin A as a marker. C. utilis protoplasts were also marked with anti-mannan antibodies. Again the distribution of mannan was random. This experiment indicated also that plasma membrane mannan has the same immunochemical determinants as cell wall mannan. It is hypothesized that mannan is mainly located in the outer layer of plasma membranes.", "contents": "Localization of mannan at the surface of yeast protoplasts by scanning electron microscopy. The beta(1-3)glucanase of Basidiomycete QM 806 was used to prepare Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis protoplasts. Plasma membranes isolated from S. cerevisiae contained a small amount of mannose and traces of glucose and ribose. Randomly distributed alpha-mannan was detected by scanning electron microscopy at the surface of prefixed protoplasts using colloidal gold labelled with Concanavalin A as a marker. C. utilis protoplasts were also marked with anti-mannan antibodies. Again the distribution of mannan was random. This experiment indicated also that plasma membrane mannan has the same immunochemical determinants as cell wall mannan. It is hypothesized that mannan is mainly located in the outer layer of plasma membranes.", "PMID": 786199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7238", "title": "[Artificial intranasal bacterial invasion in the newborn calf. 1. Quantitative assessment of nasal secretion for certain groups of bacteria].", "content": "A technique has been developed for quantitative assessment of nasal secretion for the presence of specified groups of bacteria, as a contribution to microbiological treatment of the problem of artificial intranasal bacterial invasion in newborn and nursed calf. Some 10(6) to 10(7) bacteria were recorded from each gram of nasal secretion in calves exposed to natural bacterial invasion. Micrococci and green diplococci were very rare, with only 10(3) to 10(4) or hardly up to 10(5) bacteria per gram of nasal secretion. Streptococci were irregularly found in smaller counts. Bacteria of the coli group went up steeply on the second or not later than the third day of age, and the rise continued to the ninth day. Coliform germs accounted for high or even the highest percentage in total invasion during that period of time.", "contents": "[Artificial intranasal bacterial invasion in the newborn calf. 1. Quantitative assessment of nasal secretion for certain groups of bacteria]. A technique has been developed for quantitative assessment of nasal secretion for the presence of specified groups of bacteria, as a contribution to microbiological treatment of the problem of artificial intranasal bacterial invasion in newborn and nursed calf. Some 10(6) to 10(7) bacteria were recorded from each gram of nasal secretion in calves exposed to natural bacterial invasion. Micrococci and green diplococci were very rare, with only 10(3) to 10(4) or hardly up to 10(5) bacteria per gram of nasal secretion. Streptococci were irregularly found in smaller counts. Bacteria of the coli group went up steeply on the second or not later than the third day of age, and the rise continued to the ninth day. Coliform germs accounted for high or even the highest percentage in total invasion during that period of time.", "PMID": 786200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7239", "title": "[Artificial intranasal bacterial invasion in the newborn calf. 2. Artificial bacterial invasion using gram-positive and gram-negative strains].", "content": "A micrococcal and a diplocaccal strain isolated from the nasal space of a clinically intact nursed calf were used for artificial bacterial invasion in the first phase of the experiment. Application of bacterial suspension prepared from those strains had no effect upon the rise of coli counts in the nasal secretion of nursed calves during their first days of age nor upon the morbidity or mortality of all 677 test animals in comparison to 665 controls. Therefore, an avirulent E.-coli strain was used in subsequent bacterial invasion experiments. The strain was retrievable up to the seventh day of age, the count having been about 10(5) bacteria per gram nasal secretion. Application of a bacterial suspension prepared from that E.-coli strain did not reduce morbidity and mortality among 820 test animals that were compared to 809 controls. Results are discussed in this paper with reference to literature.", "contents": "[Artificial intranasal bacterial invasion in the newborn calf. 2. Artificial bacterial invasion using gram-positive and gram-negative strains]. A micrococcal and a diplocaccal strain isolated from the nasal space of a clinically intact nursed calf were used for artificial bacterial invasion in the first phase of the experiment. Application of bacterial suspension prepared from those strains had no effect upon the rise of coli counts in the nasal secretion of nursed calves during their first days of age nor upon the morbidity or mortality of all 677 test animals in comparison to 665 controls. Therefore, an avirulent E.-coli strain was used in subsequent bacterial invasion experiments. The strain was retrievable up to the seventh day of age, the count having been about 10(5) bacteria per gram nasal secretion. Application of a bacterial suspension prepared from that E.-coli strain did not reduce morbidity and mortality among 820 test animals that were compared to 809 controls. Results are discussed in this paper with reference to literature.", "PMID": 786201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7240", "title": "Two dosages of imipramine in hospitalized endogenous and neurotic depressives.", "content": "Fifty-one newly hospitalized depressed patients participated in a double-blind comparison of two dosage levels of imipramine hydrochloride (150 mg vs 300 mg daily). Although some patients were suffering from neurotic depressions, they, together with the endogenous depressives, were a severely depressed group who required hospitalization. Improvement occurred with both dosage regimens, although a greater and more consistent improvement was noted in the 300-mg group than in the 150-mg group. There were a few differences between the response of the endogenous and that of the neurotic depressives, as assessed by the physician and self=rating scales. However, endogenous depressives who received 150 mg were overrepresented in the treatment failure group. A comparison of the response of deluded and nondeluded depressives indicated that the deluded patients responded less well than the nondeluded depressives, although half of the delusional group did respond to the treatment.", "contents": "Two dosages of imipramine in hospitalized endogenous and neurotic depressives. Fifty-one newly hospitalized depressed patients participated in a double-blind comparison of two dosage levels of imipramine hydrochloride (150 mg vs 300 mg daily). Although some patients were suffering from neurotic depressions, they, together with the endogenous depressives, were a severely depressed group who required hospitalization. Improvement occurred with both dosage regimens, although a greater and more consistent improvement was noted in the 300-mg group than in the 150-mg group. There were a few differences between the response of the endogenous and that of the neurotic depressives, as assessed by the physician and self=rating scales. However, endogenous depressives who received 150 mg were overrepresented in the treatment failure group. A comparison of the response of deluded and nondeluded depressives indicated that the deluded patients responded less well than the nondeluded depressives, although half of the delusional group did respond to the treatment.", "PMID": 786204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7241", "title": "Paul Zweifel, pioneer fetal physiologist. A centennary tribute.", "content": "The demonstration by Paul Zweifel a hundred years ago (1876) that the fetus in utero consumes oxygen marks the beginning of the modern era of research on foetal physiology. The circumstances which led to the demonstration are reviewed, and its importance acknowledged anew as a tribute to Zweifel's many contributions to obstetrics and gynecology.", "contents": "Paul Zweifel, pioneer fetal physiologist. A centennary tribute. The demonstration by Paul Zweifel a hundred years ago (1876) that the fetus in utero consumes oxygen marks the beginning of the modern era of research on foetal physiology. The circumstances which led to the demonstration are reviewed, and its importance acknowledged anew as a tribute to Zweifel's many contributions to obstetrics and gynecology.", "PMID": 786205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7242", "title": "[Investigation of the dalcon shield by scanning and transmission electronmicroscopy and bacteriologic studies (author's transl)].", "content": "Bacteriologic studies and ultrastructural examination (scanning and transmission electron microscopy) was performed on twenty eight Dalcon Shields and the corresponding uteri. Microbiologic organism were detected in various degree. The results were compared with clinical results especially in regard to septicaemia in patients carrying the device.", "contents": "[Investigation of the dalcon shield by scanning and transmission electronmicroscopy and bacteriologic studies (author's transl)]. Bacteriologic studies and ultrastructural examination (scanning and transmission electron microscopy) was performed on twenty eight Dalcon Shields and the corresponding uteri. Microbiologic organism were detected in various degree. The results were compared with clinical results especially in regard to septicaemia in patients carrying the device.", "PMID": 786206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7243", "title": "[Isolation and characterization of the placental proteil pp1 (author's transl)].", "content": "The purification and characterization of the placental protein PP1 is described. The protein has been isolated from an aqueous extract of human term placentae using salt and ethanol fractionation procedures, gel filtration, preparative zone electrophoresis and chromatography on hydroxylapatite. PP1 sediments with 8.4 S and has a molecular weight of 160,000 daltons; it is composed of apparently four identical subunits, which have a molecular weight of 40,000 +/- 2000 daltons and are held together by non-covalent bonds. PP1 is a glycoprotein with a carbohydrate content of 2.7% and has the electrophoretic mobility of an alpha1-globulin. Immunochemical methods were used for the detection and quantitative determination of the protein. PP1 is not found in normal plasma or in erythrocytes; neither could it be detected in sera from pregnant women nor in sera from patients suffering from malignant diseases. PP1 is a tissue protein, but not specific for the placenta; it is also found in other human tissues. The average amount of PP1 extracted from one human term placenta was determined to be around 3 mg. Immunogluorescent studies revealed that the protein is located in the cytoplasma of the syncytium as well as in the stroma of the villi.", "contents": "[Isolation and characterization of the placental proteil pp1 (author's transl)]. The purification and characterization of the placental protein PP1 is described. The protein has been isolated from an aqueous extract of human term placentae using salt and ethanol fractionation procedures, gel filtration, preparative zone electrophoresis and chromatography on hydroxylapatite. PP1 sediments with 8.4 S and has a molecular weight of 160,000 daltons; it is composed of apparently four identical subunits, which have a molecular weight of 40,000 +/- 2000 daltons and are held together by non-covalent bonds. PP1 is a glycoprotein with a carbohydrate content of 2.7% and has the electrophoretic mobility of an alpha1-globulin. Immunochemical methods were used for the detection and quantitative determination of the protein. PP1 is not found in normal plasma or in erythrocytes; neither could it be detected in sera from pregnant women nor in sera from patients suffering from malignant diseases. PP1 is a tissue protein, but not specific for the placenta; it is also found in other human tissues. The average amount of PP1 extracted from one human term placenta was determined to be around 3 mg. Immunogluorescent studies revealed that the protein is located in the cytoplasma of the syncytium as well as in the stroma of the villi.", "PMID": 786207} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7244", "title": "Puncture perfusion of small tissue pieces for scanning electron microscopy.", "content": "Small tissue pieces for scanning electron microscopy were punctured, before fixation, with a needle and perfused through the needle with Ringer solution. This puncture perfusion sufficiently eliminated blood and tissue fluid from the tissue and was of excellent value in cleaning the small samples which were hardly cannulated for vascular irrigation. Resin injection by this needle puncture method reproduced not the tissue spaces but, almost exclusively, the blood vessels.", "contents": "Puncture perfusion of small tissue pieces for scanning electron microscopy. Small tissue pieces for scanning electron microscopy were punctured, before fixation, with a needle and perfused through the needle with Ringer solution. This puncture perfusion sufficiently eliminated blood and tissue fluid from the tissue and was of excellent value in cleaning the small samples which were hardly cannulated for vascular irrigation. Resin injection by this needle puncture method reproduced not the tissue spaces but, almost exclusively, the blood vessels.", "PMID": 786208} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7245", "title": "Immune processes in the course of infection with dysentery bacilli. I. Transfer of immunity by means of spleen cells.", "content": "Studies on the mechanisms of immune phenomena in the course of infections with dysentery bacilli in mice showed that injection of live Shigella sonnei phase I bacilli intravenously evokes the appearance in the spleen of cells by means of which immunity to a lethal dose of these microorganisms can be transferred into other mice. Immunity to a lethal dose of the bacteria was measured by the number of animals surviving the infection, and by the numbers of bacteria isolated from the organs of the animals. \"Active\" cells appeared in the spleen 4-8 days after immunization. Spleen cells obtained from mice earlier than 4-8 days after immunization, or from non-immunized mice, were inactive. The role of cell-mediated immunity, reactivity to endotoxins per se, and specific immunoglobulins in immunity to bacterial dysentery in mice are discussed.", "contents": "Immune processes in the course of infection with dysentery bacilli. I. Transfer of immunity by means of spleen cells. Studies on the mechanisms of immune phenomena in the course of infections with dysentery bacilli in mice showed that injection of live Shigella sonnei phase I bacilli intravenously evokes the appearance in the spleen of cells by means of which immunity to a lethal dose of these microorganisms can be transferred into other mice. Immunity to a lethal dose of the bacteria was measured by the number of animals surviving the infection, and by the numbers of bacteria isolated from the organs of the animals. \"Active\" cells appeared in the spleen 4-8 days after immunization. Spleen cells obtained from mice earlier than 4-8 days after immunization, or from non-immunized mice, were inactive. The role of cell-mediated immunity, reactivity to endotoxins per se, and specific immunoglobulins in immunity to bacterial dysentery in mice are discussed.", "PMID": 786209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7246", "title": "Immune processes in the course of infection with dysentery bacilli. II. Transfer of immunity by means of serum.", "content": "The role of antibodies in immunity to intravenous infection with dysentery bacilli was studied in mice. Serum from animals immunized with a single dose of live dysentery bacilli obtained at a varying intervals of time after immunization transferred immunity to other mice infected with lethal doses of the same bacilli. Passive immunity transferred with serum was diffrentiated. Sera obtained 4 to 8 days after immunization of the donors with sublethal doses of live Shigella sonnei phase I bacilli protected lethally infected recipients by inhibiting multiplication of the bacilli in the spleen and liver. Highest protective activity of this type was found in sera obtained 6 days after immunization of the donors. Sera obtained after 11 days and later protected the recipients from death, but only negligibly inhibited growth of the bacilli in the internal organs of the animals. It is suggested that immunity to intravenous infection with dysentery bacilli in mice follows a biphasic course. In the first phase, between days 4 and 8 after immunization, cell-mediated immunity and a specific humoral factor play the main role. In the second phase, specific immunoglobulins of the IgG class afford protection.", "contents": "Immune processes in the course of infection with dysentery bacilli. II. Transfer of immunity by means of serum. The role of antibodies in immunity to intravenous infection with dysentery bacilli was studied in mice. Serum from animals immunized with a single dose of live dysentery bacilli obtained at a varying intervals of time after immunization transferred immunity to other mice infected with lethal doses of the same bacilli. Passive immunity transferred with serum was diffrentiated. Sera obtained 4 to 8 days after immunization of the donors with sublethal doses of live Shigella sonnei phase I bacilli protected lethally infected recipients by inhibiting multiplication of the bacilli in the spleen and liver. Highest protective activity of this type was found in sera obtained 6 days after immunization of the donors. Sera obtained after 11 days and later protected the recipients from death, but only negligibly inhibited growth of the bacilli in the internal organs of the animals. It is suggested that immunity to intravenous infection with dysentery bacilli in mice follows a biphasic course. In the first phase, between days 4 and 8 after immunization, cell-mediated immunity and a specific humoral factor play the main role. In the second phase, specific immunoglobulins of the IgG class afford protection.", "PMID": 786210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7247", "title": "Pancreatic cancer. The dismal disease.", "content": "Pancreatic cancer, the fourth commonest cause of death in the United States, has a very poor prognosis, is increasing in incidence, and, in most cases, is not detected before it has spread beyond the pancreas. Partial, or total, pancreatectomy has increased five-year survival in only a small fraction of cases. New techniques are helpful in earlier diagnosis, but patients have to be selected for examination long before clinical signs or symptoms develop. Elderly patients who use alcohol and tobacco excessively and female diabetics may be at higher risk. Pathologists should examine pancreasduct epithelium at autopsy in patients in the fourth to sixth decades for atypia, papillary hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ, or other possible precursor changes. Diagnostic tumor, or oncofetal antigens, or a biochemical difference in isozyme activities, hopefully, may be developed. Some combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy may give better prognosis.", "contents": "Pancreatic cancer. The dismal disease. Pancreatic cancer, the fourth commonest cause of death in the United States, has a very poor prognosis, is increasing in incidence, and, in most cases, is not detected before it has spread beyond the pancreas. Partial, or total, pancreatectomy has increased five-year survival in only a small fraction of cases. New techniques are helpful in earlier diagnosis, but patients have to be selected for examination long before clinical signs or symptoms develop. Elderly patients who use alcohol and tobacco excessively and female diabetics may be at higher risk. Pathologists should examine pancreasduct epithelium at autopsy in patients in the fourth to sixth decades for atypia, papillary hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ, or other possible precursor changes. Diagnostic tumor, or oncofetal antigens, or a biochemical difference in isozyme activities, hopefully, may be developed. Some combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy may give better prognosis.", "PMID": 786211} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7248", "title": "Infection of armadillos with Mycobacterium leprae. Ultrastructural studies of peripheral nerve.", "content": "Peripheral nerves of armadillos were studied 16 to 30 months after intradermal or intravenous inoculation with Mycobacterium leprae. Numerous bacilli were found within macrophages, Schwann cells, and perineurial cells; endothelial cells, pericytes and fibroblasts were involved as well. The bacilli were characteristically contained in membrane-limited vacuoles that were interpreted as being phagosomes. Some of the phagosomes contained granular, membranous, and vesicular debris considered to be bacillary degradation products, suggesting that lysosomal activity was present within the phagosomes. Multivesicular bodies, a few of which contained bacilli, were abundant in macrophages and perineurial cells. An unusual proliferation of irregular tubulovesicular profiles was noted, especially in Schwann and perineurial cell cytoplasm, surrounding and within phagosomes containing bacilli. The pattern of cellular involvement of neural structures with M leprae was similar to that observed in lepromatous leprous neuritis in humans.", "contents": "Infection of armadillos with Mycobacterium leprae. Ultrastructural studies of peripheral nerve. Peripheral nerves of armadillos were studied 16 to 30 months after intradermal or intravenous inoculation with Mycobacterium leprae. Numerous bacilli were found within macrophages, Schwann cells, and perineurial cells; endothelial cells, pericytes and fibroblasts were involved as well. The bacilli were characteristically contained in membrane-limited vacuoles that were interpreted as being phagosomes. Some of the phagosomes contained granular, membranous, and vesicular debris considered to be bacillary degradation products, suggesting that lysosomal activity was present within the phagosomes. Multivesicular bodies, a few of which contained bacilli, were abundant in macrophages and perineurial cells. An unusual proliferation of irregular tubulovesicular profiles was noted, especially in Schwann and perineurial cell cytoplasm, surrounding and within phagosomes containing bacilli. The pattern of cellular involvement of neural structures with M leprae was similar to that observed in lepromatous leprous neuritis in humans.", "PMID": 786213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7249", "title": "Hepatic granulomas in leprosy. Their relation to bacteremia.", "content": "A clinicopathologic study of liver disease was conducted on 28 patients with leprosy who lived in Taiwan. None of the patients exhibited symptoms or signs of liver disease. Hepatic granulomas were found in 21 patients. Histologically, the infiltrates were epithelioid, foam cell, and histiocytic in type. Hepatic dysfunction was absent, except for mild sulfobromophthalein elevations in the severely infected cases. Hepatic granulomas correlated with the cutaneous reactions in lepromatous leprosy, but the association was poor for other stages of disease. Hepatic involvement varied with the severity of cutaneous infection and with the frequency and intensity of bacteremia. An estimated 1,000 to 10,000 acid-fast bacilli/ml of blood was required to generate the hepatic infiltrates.", "contents": "Hepatic granulomas in leprosy. Their relation to bacteremia. A clinicopathologic study of liver disease was conducted on 28 patients with leprosy who lived in Taiwan. None of the patients exhibited symptoms or signs of liver disease. Hepatic granulomas were found in 21 patients. Histologically, the infiltrates were epithelioid, foam cell, and histiocytic in type. Hepatic dysfunction was absent, except for mild sulfobromophthalein elevations in the severely infected cases. Hepatic granulomas correlated with the cutaneous reactions in lepromatous leprosy, but the association was poor for other stages of disease. Hepatic involvement varied with the severity of cutaneous infection and with the frequency and intensity of bacteremia. An estimated 1,000 to 10,000 acid-fast bacilli/ml of blood was required to generate the hepatic infiltrates.", "PMID": 786214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7250", "title": "Glomerular changes in dengue hemorrhagic fever.", "content": "Percutaneous needle biopsies were performed on the kidneys of 20 patients who had dengue hemorrhagic fever with some clinical manifestation of renal impairment. In ten cases IgG or IgM, or both, and C3 could be localized in the glomeruli, using the fluorescent antibody technique. In those cases in which immune complex was found, the biopsy had been done in the second week after the onset of fever. Electron microscopy showed focal thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, with hypertrophy of mesangial cells at the sites where the immune complex was shown. Dense, spherical particles, 40 to 50 nm in diameter, were found in 12 cases. Those particles were carried into the glomeruli by monocyte-like cells.", "contents": "Glomerular changes in dengue hemorrhagic fever. Percutaneous needle biopsies were performed on the kidneys of 20 patients who had dengue hemorrhagic fever with some clinical manifestation of renal impairment. In ten cases IgG or IgM, or both, and C3 could be localized in the glomeruli, using the fluorescent antibody technique. In those cases in which immune complex was found, the biopsy had been done in the second week after the onset of fever. Electron microscopy showed focal thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, with hypertrophy of mesangial cells at the sites where the immune complex was shown. Dense, spherical particles, 40 to 50 nm in diameter, were found in 12 cases. Those particles were carried into the glomeruli by monocyte-like cells.", "PMID": 786215} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7251", "title": "Surgery of the lower extremity in cerebral palsy: considerations and approaches.", "content": "This review of literature on surgery of the lower extremity in cerebral palsy includes a discussion of the criteria for determining the appropriateness of surgical therapy in the cerebral palsied child and descriptions of the major types of procedures performed.", "contents": "Surgery of the lower extremity in cerebral palsy: considerations and approaches. This review of literature on surgery of the lower extremity in cerebral palsy includes a discussion of the criteria for determining the appropriateness of surgical therapy in the cerebral palsied child and descriptions of the major types of procedures performed.", "PMID": 786217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7252", "title": "Efficacy of repeated pharmacotherapy in experimental acute poisonings with fluostigmine.", "content": "The effectiveness of repeated pharamacotherapy in acute poisonings with fluostigmine was studied in rats. It was demonstrated, that the second i.p. administration of obidoxime (40 mg/kg) was without effect. Repeated i.p. administration of atropine (10 mg/kg) shown marked efficacy only in animals treated previously with atropine (10 mg/kg) and diazepam (2.5 mg/kg). This procedure was without effect in animals treated just after intoxication with atropine (10 mg/kg) or atropine (10 mg/kg) and obidoxime (40 mg/kg). Subsequent administration of diazepam (2.5 mg/kg) or caramiphen (10 mg/kg) was without effect.", "contents": "Efficacy of repeated pharmacotherapy in experimental acute poisonings with fluostigmine. The effectiveness of repeated pharamacotherapy in acute poisonings with fluostigmine was studied in rats. It was demonstrated, that the second i.p. administration of obidoxime (40 mg/kg) was without effect. Repeated i.p. administration of atropine (10 mg/kg) shown marked efficacy only in animals treated previously with atropine (10 mg/kg) and diazepam (2.5 mg/kg). This procedure was without effect in animals treated just after intoxication with atropine (10 mg/kg) or atropine (10 mg/kg) and obidoxime (40 mg/kg). Subsequent administration of diazepam (2.5 mg/kg) or caramiphen (10 mg/kg) was without effect.", "PMID": 786218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7253", "title": "Simultaneous determination of influenza virus antihemagglutinin and antineuraminidase antibodies by means of the combined photometric ACU method I. conduct of test.", "content": "A modification of the photometric ACU (antibody concentration unit) method designated as combined ACU test is described by means of which the titers of both antihemagglutinin (AH) and antineuraminidase (AN) antibodies can be simultaneously determined, using intact homologous influenza virus. In addition, the constants describing the reactions of AH and AN antibodies with their antigens can be obtained. These constants were determined for a series of H2M2 and H3M2 influenza virus strains. This paper gives a detailed description of the conduct of test. The sensitivity and accuracy of AH antibody titration by means of the combinated ACU test was found to be the same as achieved by means of the original ACU test. The same conclusion was reached when comparing the titration of AN antibodies by means of the combined ACU test and of a modified ACU test which, in turn, has been found to be more sensitive and accurate than is AN antibody titration by the enzyme inhibition test. However, the sensitivity of AN antibody titration by the combined ACU test was found to decrease progressively as the ratio of AH to AN antibodies exceeded certain limits.", "contents": "Simultaneous determination of influenza virus antihemagglutinin and antineuraminidase antibodies by means of the combined photometric ACU method I. conduct of test. A modification of the photometric ACU (antibody concentration unit) method designated as combined ACU test is described by means of which the titers of both antihemagglutinin (AH) and antineuraminidase (AN) antibodies can be simultaneously determined, using intact homologous influenza virus. In addition, the constants describing the reactions of AH and AN antibodies with their antigens can be obtained. These constants were determined for a series of H2M2 and H3M2 influenza virus strains. This paper gives a detailed description of the conduct of test. The sensitivity and accuracy of AH antibody titration by means of the combinated ACU test was found to be the same as achieved by means of the original ACU test. The same conclusion was reached when comparing the titration of AN antibodies by means of the combined ACU test and of a modified ACU test which, in turn, has been found to be more sensitive and accurate than is AN antibody titration by the enzyme inhibition test. However, the sensitivity of AN antibody titration by the combined ACU test was found to decrease progressively as the ratio of AH to AN antibodies exceeded certain limits.", "PMID": 786219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7254", "title": "[A method of assessing the degree of vertical organization of cerebral cortical structures].", "content": "A method of obtaining a comparative quantitative evaluation of the vertical order of neurons in the cerebral cortex structures with the help ofinformational indices of the entropy and organization is proposed. The presence of the vertical column order of neurons is considered as a manifestation of a certain general regularly in the building of neural complexes. The morphological preparation (section) of the definitive process. The scheme of operations with the given record (morphological preparation) in the uork permits obtaining the values of the entropy and organization. In the example of the middle of layer III field 17 and sublayer III2 of layer 18 of the human new cortex it has been shown that the proposed method contributes to revealing the difference in the degree of the vertical order of neurons in these structures.", "contents": "[A method of assessing the degree of vertical organization of cerebral cortical structures]. A method of obtaining a comparative quantitative evaluation of the vertical order of neurons in the cerebral cortex structures with the help ofinformational indices of the entropy and organization is proposed. The presence of the vertical column order of neurons is considered as a manifestation of a certain general regularly in the building of neural complexes. The morphological preparation (section) of the definitive process. The scheme of operations with the given record (morphological preparation) in the uork permits obtaining the values of the entropy and organization. In the example of the middle of layer III field 17 and sublayer III2 of layer 18 of the human new cortex it has been shown that the proposed method contributes to revealing the difference in the degree of the vertical order of neurons in these structures.", "PMID": 786223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7255", "title": "[Cortico-striate spinal degeneration. Report of a case with pathological and clinical findings suggestive of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease].", "content": "A case suggestive of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in an adult with widespread lesions of the cerebral cortex, striatum and the spinal cord is reported. Anatomopathological studies showed neuronal degeneration, astrocytic proliferation, intense lymphoplasmocytic activity and slight spongiform degeneration. This inflammatory lymphocytic infiltration corroborates the hypothesis of viral etiology of this disease.", "contents": "[Cortico-striate spinal degeneration. Report of a case with pathological and clinical findings suggestive of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease]. A case suggestive of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in an adult with widespread lesions of the cerebral cortex, striatum and the spinal cord is reported. Anatomopathological studies showed neuronal degeneration, astrocytic proliferation, intense lymphoplasmocytic activity and slight spongiform degeneration. This inflammatory lymphocytic infiltration corroborates the hypothesis of viral etiology of this disease.", "PMID": 786225} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7256", "title": "Acquired toxoplasmic chorioretinitis.", "content": "A patient developed an acquired toxoplasmic chorioretinitis 11 days after exposure to infected animals. As systemic manifestations of the disease, the patient had rhinitis, sore throat, muscular pains, fatigue, cervical lymphadenopathy, and cardiac symptoms, with highly elevated Toxoplasma antibody titers. During treatment with prednisone, the chorioretinal lesion progressed to the macular area, but improvement was seen when pyrimethamine and sulfonamide therapy was started. The importance of this case relates to the unusual occurrence of acquired infection with systemic manifestations in toxoplasmic chorioretinitis and to the possibility of the transmission of toxoplasmosis by trophozoites in excretions.", "contents": "Acquired toxoplasmic chorioretinitis. A patient developed an acquired toxoplasmic chorioretinitis 11 days after exposure to infected animals. As systemic manifestations of the disease, the patient had rhinitis, sore throat, muscular pains, fatigue, cervical lymphadenopathy, and cardiac symptoms, with highly elevated Toxoplasma antibody titers. During treatment with prednisone, the chorioretinal lesion progressed to the macular area, but improvement was seen when pyrimethamine and sulfonamide therapy was started. The importance of this case relates to the unusual occurrence of acquired infection with systemic manifestations in toxoplasmic chorioretinitis and to the possibility of the transmission of toxoplasmosis by trophozoites in excretions.", "PMID": 786226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7257", "title": "Granulomatous necrotizing retinochoroiditis caused by Sporotrichum schenkii. Report of a case including immunofluorescence and electron microscopical studies.", "content": "A middle-aged man had blurred vision, redness, and pain in the right eye. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed slowly progressive necrotizing retinitis in the peripheral superonasal quadrant. The clinical impression was toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, but lesions failed to respond to steroids, pyrimethamine, and sulfonamides. The eye was enucleated and, histopathologically, showed necrotizing granulomatous retinochoroiditis and optic neuritis, numerous cigarshaped, yeast-like organisms located within the necrotic retina and subretinally, and a subretinal asteroid body. Organisms were identified as Sporotrichum schenkii by immunofluorescence techniques. Electron microscopical studies of the fungus disclosed an unusually thickened capsule with a well-developed cell wall, the outer portion of which exhibited a radiating pattern of granular filamentous material. The ability of S schenkii to cause endophthalmitis in a patient without apparent primary infection should be remembered in the differential diagnosis of a cryptogenic, slowly progressive intraocular infection.", "contents": "Granulomatous necrotizing retinochoroiditis caused by Sporotrichum schenkii. Report of a case including immunofluorescence and electron microscopical studies. A middle-aged man had blurred vision, redness, and pain in the right eye. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed slowly progressive necrotizing retinitis in the peripheral superonasal quadrant. The clinical impression was toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, but lesions failed to respond to steroids, pyrimethamine, and sulfonamides. The eye was enucleated and, histopathologically, showed necrotizing granulomatous retinochoroiditis and optic neuritis, numerous cigarshaped, yeast-like organisms located within the necrotic retina and subretinally, and a subretinal asteroid body. Organisms were identified as Sporotrichum schenkii by immunofluorescence techniques. Electron microscopical studies of the fungus disclosed an unusually thickened capsule with a well-developed cell wall, the outer portion of which exhibited a radiating pattern of granular filamentous material. The ability of S schenkii to cause endophthalmitis in a patient without apparent primary infection should be remembered in the differential diagnosis of a cryptogenic, slowly progressive intraocular infection.", "PMID": 786227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7258", "title": "Evaluation of the McCarey-Kaufman technique of corneal storage.", "content": "We present our evaluation of the McCarey-Kaufman (M-K) method of corneal storage. Sixty-six rabbit corneas were stored in the M-K medium at 4 C for periods of four, eight, and 12 days. Endothelial viability was assessed, using the specular microscope, the phenomenon of temperature reversal, and known inhibitors of endothelial cell function. Our results support those of McCarey and Kaufman, who showed that rabbit corneas will remain viable when stored by this technique. We were unable to support the contention that M-K medium-stored corneas are functionally superior to those corneas stored in moist chambers in the conventional manner. An unsuccessful attempt was made to correlate the function of the endothelium with either its morphological appearance as seen through the specular microscope or changes in ultrastructure as shown by transmission electron microscopy.", "contents": "Evaluation of the McCarey-Kaufman technique of corneal storage. We present our evaluation of the McCarey-Kaufman (M-K) method of corneal storage. Sixty-six rabbit corneas were stored in the M-K medium at 4 C for periods of four, eight, and 12 days. Endothelial viability was assessed, using the specular microscope, the phenomenon of temperature reversal, and known inhibitors of endothelial cell function. Our results support those of McCarey and Kaufman, who showed that rabbit corneas will remain viable when stored by this technique. We were unable to support the contention that M-K medium-stored corneas are functionally superior to those corneas stored in moist chambers in the conventional manner. An unsuccessful attempt was made to correlate the function of the endothelium with either its morphological appearance as seen through the specular microscope or changes in ultrastructure as shown by transmission electron microscopy.", "PMID": 786228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7259", "title": "Intraocular copper foreign bodies. Use of dexamethasone to suppress inflammation.", "content": "In an attempt to prevent the intense inflammatory response to intravitreal copper foreign bodies in the rabbit eye, varying dosages of dexamethasone sodium phosphate were administered daily via the subconjunctival route. The steroid appeared to behave systemically and had similar effects in both the injected and the noninjected eyes. Its effect was similar also regardless of the concentration of copper within the foreign body. Nine days of dexamethasone therapy prevented a substantial number of copper foreign bodies from becoming totally encapsulated during that time. Furthermore, a delay in the onset of the inflammatory response to the foreign body was noted. In a few instances, inflammation was completely suppressed during the entire course of therapy.", "contents": "Intraocular copper foreign bodies. Use of dexamethasone to suppress inflammation. In an attempt to prevent the intense inflammatory response to intravitreal copper foreign bodies in the rabbit eye, varying dosages of dexamethasone sodium phosphate were administered daily via the subconjunctival route. The steroid appeared to behave systemically and had similar effects in both the injected and the noninjected eyes. Its effect was similar also regardless of the concentration of copper within the foreign body. Nine days of dexamethasone therapy prevented a substantial number of copper foreign bodies from becoming totally encapsulated during that time. Furthermore, a delay in the onset of the inflammatory response to the foreign body was noted. In a few instances, inflammation was completely suppressed during the entire course of therapy.", "PMID": 786229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7260", "title": "Did George Washington die of quinsy?", "content": "After his second term as first president of the United States, George Washington retired to his Mount Vernon estate in 1796. It was there that he suddenly fell ill and died in December of 1799 after an illness lasting only 21 hours. His problem was first diagnosed as \"quinsy\" and later modified to \"Cynanche trachealis\". A review of the signs, symptoms, and clinical course of his fatal illness suggests that the cause of death was most likely an otolaryngologic emergency known as \"acute epiglottitis.\"", "contents": "Did George Washington die of quinsy? After his second term as first president of the United States, George Washington retired to his Mount Vernon estate in 1796. It was there that he suddenly fell ill and died in December of 1799 after an illness lasting only 21 hours. His problem was first diagnosed as \"quinsy\" and later modified to \"Cynanche trachealis\". A review of the signs, symptoms, and clinical course of his fatal illness suggests that the cause of death was most likely an otolaryngologic emergency known as \"acute epiglottitis.\"", "PMID": 786230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7261", "title": "Lymphomas of the masticator space.", "content": "Lymphomas that involved the masticatory space occurred in three patients. In one patient, the masticator space remained the sole manifestation for many years; in the other two patients, the masticator-space involvement was a local manifestation of constitutional disease. In all three patients, excisional biopsies and microscopical tissue examinations were carried out because of a mass deep to the parotid gland. The symptoms and signs are quite similar to those manifested in patients with infection. Surgical procedures other than incisional biopsy are not indicated. Irradiation and chemotherapy appear to be the treatments of choice.", "contents": "Lymphomas of the masticator space. Lymphomas that involved the masticatory space occurred in three patients. In one patient, the masticator space remained the sole manifestation for many years; in the other two patients, the masticator-space involvement was a local manifestation of constitutional disease. In all three patients, excisional biopsies and microscopical tissue examinations were carried out because of a mass deep to the parotid gland. The symptoms and signs are quite similar to those manifested in patients with infection. Surgical procedures other than incisional biopsy are not indicated. Irradiation and chemotherapy appear to be the treatments of choice.", "PMID": 786231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7262", "title": "Mucociliary function of the eustachian tube: assessment by saccharin test in patients with dry perforations of the tympanic membrane.", "content": "The mucociliary function of the Eustachian tube was assess in 44 patients with dry perforations of the lympanic membrane by means of the saccharin test. A saccharin crystal was placed on the mucous membrane of the middle ear as close to the orifice of the Eustachian tube as possible, and the time taken for the patient to taste the saccharin was measured. The function of the Eustachian tube was also assessed by means of the aspiration test and by the Valsalva maneuver. No relationship was found between the results of the saccharin test, aspiration test, and the Valsalva maneuver. However, a correlation seems to exist between the hearing improvement obtained as determined by the postoperative air-bone gap, the positive or negative results of the saccharin test, and (in cases with positive saccharin test) the saccharin perception time.", "contents": "Mucociliary function of the eustachian tube: assessment by saccharin test in patients with dry perforations of the tympanic membrane. The mucociliary function of the Eustachian tube was assess in 44 patients with dry perforations of the lympanic membrane by means of the saccharin test. A saccharin crystal was placed on the mucous membrane of the middle ear as close to the orifice of the Eustachian tube as possible, and the time taken for the patient to taste the saccharin was measured. The function of the Eustachian tube was also assessed by means of the aspiration test and by the Valsalva maneuver. No relationship was found between the results of the saccharin test, aspiration test, and the Valsalva maneuver. However, a correlation seems to exist between the hearing improvement obtained as determined by the postoperative air-bone gap, the positive or negative results of the saccharin test, and (in cases with positive saccharin test) the saccharin perception time.", "PMID": 786232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7263", "title": "Computerized tomography of the head: a preliminary report on its use in the diagnosis of internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine lesions.", "content": "Computerized tomography (CT) of the head in rapidly replacing other procedures in the diagnosis of lesions of the cerebellopontine angle and the internal auditory canal. The quality of the information is such that CT may become the only procedure necessary for the diagnostic examination. It substantially diminishes time, expense, and possible radiation hazard to the patient.", "contents": "Computerized tomography of the head: a preliminary report on its use in the diagnosis of internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine lesions. Computerized tomography (CT) of the head in rapidly replacing other procedures in the diagnosis of lesions of the cerebellopontine angle and the internal auditory canal. The quality of the information is such that CT may become the only procedure necessary for the diagnostic examination. It substantially diminishes time, expense, and possible radiation hazard to the patient.", "PMID": 786233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7264", "title": "Dr Alexander Graham Bell--audiologist and speech therapist.", "content": "Alexander Graham Bell is best known for his role in the invention of the telephone. However, he had a lifelong involvement in speech therapy and audiology besides many other medical investigations. He was also awarded an honorary MD degree from Heidelberg University. In this, the 100th anniversary of his invention of the telephone, his life and some of his medical interests are briefly reviewed.", "contents": "Dr Alexander Graham Bell--audiologist and speech therapist. Alexander Graham Bell is best known for his role in the invention of the telephone. However, he had a lifelong involvement in speech therapy and audiology besides many other medical investigations. He was also awarded an honorary MD degree from Heidelberg University. In this, the 100th anniversary of his invention of the telephone, his life and some of his medical interests are briefly reviewed.", "PMID": 786234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7265", "title": "Joseph Leidy: his contributions to otology.", "content": "Few men of science have contributed more to our understanding of the workings of nature than Joseph Leidy. Philosopher, anatomist, paleontologist, botanist, educator, and natural scientist in the purest sense of the work, Leidy's interest in the humanities and in all aspects of nature lent itself to his exact descriptions of new species and unchartered anatomic realms. His insistence on man's acquaintance with nature fostered a humanistic and sensitive approach to life, something that needs more emphasis today. This communication deals with Leidy's life, his philosophy, and his unique dedication to the study of nature. An appreciation and understanding of his anatomic expertise, particularly of the temporal bone, hopefully will sensitize the modern otologist to the heart and mind of one that preceded him.", "contents": "Joseph Leidy: his contributions to otology. Few men of science have contributed more to our understanding of the workings of nature than Joseph Leidy. Philosopher, anatomist, paleontologist, botanist, educator, and natural scientist in the purest sense of the work, Leidy's interest in the humanities and in all aspects of nature lent itself to his exact descriptions of new species and unchartered anatomic realms. His insistence on man's acquaintance with nature fostered a humanistic and sensitive approach to life, something that needs more emphasis today. This communication deals with Leidy's life, his philosophy, and his unique dedication to the study of nature. An appreciation and understanding of his anatomic expertise, particularly of the temporal bone, hopefully will sensitize the modern otologist to the heart and mind of one that preceded him.", "PMID": 786235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7266", "title": "Aneurysmal bone cysts.", "content": "Ten cases of aneurysmal bone cysts in various parts of the body are presented. Their features are analysed and the relevant literature is reviewed.", "contents": "Aneurysmal bone cysts. Ten cases of aneurysmal bone cysts in various parts of the body are presented. Their features are analysed and the relevant literature is reviewed.", "PMID": 786237} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7267", "title": "The treatment of intoed gait in spina bifida patients by lateral transfer of the medial hamstrings.", "content": "The operation of lateral transfer of the medial hamstring muscles is described. Its applicating in the management of intoed gait in spina bifida is discussed, and the results of eight such operations, performed on four children, are recorded. The operation was effective in correcting the intoed gait in all; however, there was no activity in the transferred muscles in one child.", "contents": "The treatment of intoed gait in spina bifida patients by lateral transfer of the medial hamstrings. The operation of lateral transfer of the medial hamstring muscles is described. Its applicating in the management of intoed gait in spina bifida is discussed, and the results of eight such operations, performed on four children, are recorded. The operation was effective in correcting the intoed gait in all; however, there was no activity in the transferred muscles in one child.", "PMID": 786238} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7268", "title": "The effect of dazomet on salmonellas on artificially contaminated eggs.", "content": "Salmonellas were isolated from the surface of only 1 of 21 artificially contaminated eggs after they had been treated with dazomet. By comparison salmonellas were isolated from the surface of 13 of the 21 untreated eggs. Penetration by the salmonellas through the shells to the shell membranes resulted from the immersion of warm eggs in a cold suspension of salmonella cells. While the dazomet treatment reduced the incidence of salmonellas within the shells and shell membranes, elimination of salmonellas from all eggs was not achieved. However, the numbers of surviving salmonellas on the eggs were small; a count of 4 per shell being recorded compared to greater than 110,000 per shell of the untreated eggs. The failure to achieve complete elimination of salmonellas within the shell and membranes appeared to be due to inadequate penetration of the fumigant to these structures.", "contents": "The effect of dazomet on salmonellas on artificially contaminated eggs. Salmonellas were isolated from the surface of only 1 of 21 artificially contaminated eggs after they had been treated with dazomet. By comparison salmonellas were isolated from the surface of 13 of the 21 untreated eggs. Penetration by the salmonellas through the shells to the shell membranes resulted from the immersion of warm eggs in a cold suspension of salmonella cells. While the dazomet treatment reduced the incidence of salmonellas within the shells and shell membranes, elimination of salmonellas from all eggs was not achieved. However, the numbers of surviving salmonellas on the eggs were small; a count of 4 per shell being recorded compared to greater than 110,000 per shell of the untreated eggs. The failure to achieve complete elimination of salmonellas within the shell and membranes appeared to be due to inadequate penetration of the fumigant to these structures.", "PMID": 786239} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7269", "title": "Fluorescent antibody test in diagnosis of ulcerative enteritis.", "content": "A direct fluorescent antibody (FA) test to demonstrate the presence of Clostridium colinum in cryostat sections of liver and intestine from chickens with ulcerative enteritis (\"quail disease\") was investigated. Both field cases and experimentally infected birds were studied by FA, bacterial isolation of the clostridium, and histopathology. The FA test proved highly specific for Cl. colinum. It was concluded that the described direct FA procedure offers simplicity and speed over bacterial isolation procedures for etiologic diagnosis of ulcerative enteritis.", "contents": "Fluorescent antibody test in diagnosis of ulcerative enteritis. A direct fluorescent antibody (FA) test to demonstrate the presence of Clostridium colinum in cryostat sections of liver and intestine from chickens with ulcerative enteritis (\"quail disease\") was investigated. Both field cases and experimentally infected birds were studied by FA, bacterial isolation of the clostridium, and histopathology. The FA test proved highly specific for Cl. colinum. It was concluded that the described direct FA procedure offers simplicity and speed over bacterial isolation procedures for etiologic diagnosis of ulcerative enteritis.", "PMID": 786246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7270", "title": "Examination of poultry litter for Salmonellae by direct culture and fluorescent antibody technique.", "content": "Direct culture and fluorescent antibody (FA) procedures were used for examining approximately 6200 samples of poultry floor or nest litter for salmonellae. Each sample was cultured directly in tetrathionate brilliant-green (TBG) broth, incubated at 42 C for 48 hours, and plated on brilliant green (BG) agar. The FA procedure was conducted from pools of 4-8 samples prepared by transferring 1 ml supernatant from TBG at 24 hr into 50 ml of either gram-negative (GN) broth, selenite cystine, or selenite brilliant-green sulfapyridine. After 6 hr of incubation at 42 C, BG agar plates were streaked from each pool, and smears were prepared for FA. Salmonella was isolated by plating from 268 of 854 pooled units. Recovery was 97% by direct culture, 86% from GN broth, and 57% from the selenite secondary enrichments. In the FA procedure, GN broth was superior to either of the selenites as the secondary medium from which to prepare smears, giving more FA-positive pools, a higher percentage of confirmed positives, and a lower percentage of false negative pools. FA examination of litter samples can be expedited by using sample pools. A major deficiency of the FA technique was the high percentage of false-positive reactions as judged by inability to isolate salmonellae. From litter cultured directly in TBG, salmonellae were isolated from 97% of the total number of pools culturally positive by combined culture methods.", "contents": "Examination of poultry litter for Salmonellae by direct culture and fluorescent antibody technique. Direct culture and fluorescent antibody (FA) procedures were used for examining approximately 6200 samples of poultry floor or nest litter for salmonellae. Each sample was cultured directly in tetrathionate brilliant-green (TBG) broth, incubated at 42 C for 48 hours, and plated on brilliant green (BG) agar. The FA procedure was conducted from pools of 4-8 samples prepared by transferring 1 ml supernatant from TBG at 24 hr into 50 ml of either gram-negative (GN) broth, selenite cystine, or selenite brilliant-green sulfapyridine. After 6 hr of incubation at 42 C, BG agar plates were streaked from each pool, and smears were prepared for FA. Salmonella was isolated by plating from 268 of 854 pooled units. Recovery was 97% by direct culture, 86% from GN broth, and 57% from the selenite secondary enrichments. In the FA procedure, GN broth was superior to either of the selenites as the secondary medium from which to prepare smears, giving more FA-positive pools, a higher percentage of confirmed positives, and a lower percentage of false negative pools. FA examination of litter samples can be expedited by using sample pools. A major deficiency of the FA technique was the high percentage of false-positive reactions as judged by inability to isolate salmonellae. From litter cultured directly in TBG, salmonellae were isolated from 97% of the total number of pools culturally positive by combined culture methods.", "PMID": 786247} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7271", "title": "Clinical trial with a new substance (PLP 100-127) in order to asses therapeutic efficacy and dependence creating properties.", "content": "The objectives of the study have been to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of PLP 100-127 (6-(4-methyl-l-piperazinyl) morphanthridin) on patients with moderate to severe insomnia, to evaluate safety and tolerance of the drug and to investigate whether or not the drug may have dependence producing properties through the possible development of mental and/or physical dependence. A clinical-therapeutical long-term comparsion as a double blind cross-over investigation between PLP 100-127 and nitrazepan is presented. 30 patients at Gaustad hospital, mainly long-term patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, were selected for the trial, which lasted for 38 weeks. There were 9 drop outs, mainly due to relapse of psychotic symptoms. PLP 100-127 seems to have a favorable effect on moderate and severe insomnia in patients suffering from severe mental diseases. It seems to be well tolerated in these groups of patients. No signs of dependence producing properties have been observed by the observation method here presented.", "contents": "Clinical trial with a new substance (PLP 100-127) in order to asses therapeutic efficacy and dependence creating properties. The objectives of the study have been to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of PLP 100-127 (6-(4-methyl-l-piperazinyl) morphanthridin) on patients with moderate to severe insomnia, to evaluate safety and tolerance of the drug and to investigate whether or not the drug may have dependence producing properties through the possible development of mental and/or physical dependence. A clinical-therapeutical long-term comparsion as a double blind cross-over investigation between PLP 100-127 and nitrazepan is presented. 30 patients at Gaustad hospital, mainly long-term patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, were selected for the trial, which lasted for 38 weeks. There were 9 drop outs, mainly due to relapse of psychotic symptoms. PLP 100-127 seems to have a favorable effect on moderate and severe insomnia in patients suffering from severe mental diseases. It seems to be well tolerated in these groups of patients. No signs of dependence producing properties have been observed by the observation method here presented.", "PMID": 786260} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7272", "title": "The specificity of a 7 alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "1. Thirty-eight steroids were tested as substrates for a 7 alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase preparation from a strain of Escherichia coli; an improved method of making the crude enzyme is described. 2. Steroids having a 7 alpha-hydroxyl group in the molecule were substrates except (a) when the 5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid side chain was shortened to less than four carbon atoms and (b) in certain cases when sulphate ester groups were present in the molecule. 3. For testing with the enzyme, a new specimen of 7 alpha-hydroxy-3,12-dioxo-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid was made, which had properties different from those previously described.", "contents": "The specificity of a 7 alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli. 1. Thirty-eight steroids were tested as substrates for a 7 alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase preparation from a strain of Escherichia coli; an improved method of making the crude enzyme is described. 2. Steroids having a 7 alpha-hydroxyl group in the molecule were substrates except (a) when the 5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid side chain was shortened to less than four carbon atoms and (b) in certain cases when sulphate ester groups were present in the molecule. 3. For testing with the enzyme, a new specimen of 7 alpha-hydroxy-3,12-dioxo-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid was made, which had properties different from those previously described.", "PMID": 786279} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7273", "title": "Replication of the deoxyribonucleic acid of multiple-drug-resistance factor in Escherichia coli.", "content": "1. It was shown that a system previously described for labelling R-factor DNA during transfer to an irradiated recipient strain of Escherichia coli did not allow high selectivity in the incorporation of thymine into R-factor DNA. 2. Lack of selectivity was shown to be due to cross-feeding from recipient to donor strain. 3. An improved system using a nalidixic acid-resistant recipient strain is described in which incorporation of thymine into the DNA of donor cells is minimized by addition of nalidixic acid after completion of transfer of the plasmid during conjugation.", "contents": "Replication of the deoxyribonucleic acid of multiple-drug-resistance factor in Escherichia coli. 1. It was shown that a system previously described for labelling R-factor DNA during transfer to an irradiated recipient strain of Escherichia coli did not allow high selectivity in the incorporation of thymine into R-factor DNA. 2. Lack of selectivity was shown to be due to cross-feeding from recipient to donor strain. 3. An improved system using a nalidixic acid-resistant recipient strain is described in which incorporation of thymine into the DNA of donor cells is minimized by addition of nalidixic acid after completion of transfer of the plasmid during conjugation.", "PMID": 786280} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7274", "title": "Histopathological and pharmacological studies on the action of a new anti-inflammatory agent (BR 700).", "content": "The effect of a new anti-inflammatory agent, 2-phenyl-4-p-chlorophenyl-thiazol-5-ylacetic acid (BR 700) on the development of cover slip granuloma was studied. The drug decreased macrophage emigration and delayed some characteristic processes of the mononuclear cells.", "contents": "Histopathological and pharmacological studies on the action of a new anti-inflammatory agent (BR 700). The effect of a new anti-inflammatory agent, 2-phenyl-4-p-chlorophenyl-thiazol-5-ylacetic acid (BR 700) on the development of cover slip granuloma was studied. The drug decreased macrophage emigration and delayed some characteristic processes of the mononuclear cells.", "PMID": 786299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7275", "title": "[The influence of pivmecillinam on the human gut flora (author's transl)].", "content": "The effect of pivaloyloxymethyl ester of 6-beta-[(hexahydro-1H-azepin-1-yl)-methyleneamino]-penicillanic acid (pivmecillinam, FL 1039) on the gut flora of human subjects was investigated at different doses. Following administration of 1.2 g or 2.4 g/die E. coli and other enterobacteriaceae species were markedly reduced. The response of enterococci and bacteroides species showed no uniformity. No overgrowth of the gut flora by Pseudomonas, Staphylococci or Candida was observed. Meanwhile it has been possible to inspect stool specimens of a patient who was suffering from a septicaemic Salmonella infection and was treated with a combination of pivmecillinam-HCl 4 X 800 mg/pivampicillin-HCl 4 X 350 mg/die for one month. After disappearance of Salmonellae during therapy enterobacteriaceae decreased to amounts of 10(2)--10(4), all strains of which were highly susceptible to mecillinam.", "contents": "[The influence of pivmecillinam on the human gut flora (author's transl)]. The effect of pivaloyloxymethyl ester of 6-beta-[(hexahydro-1H-azepin-1-yl)-methyleneamino]-penicillanic acid (pivmecillinam, FL 1039) on the gut flora of human subjects was investigated at different doses. Following administration of 1.2 g or 2.4 g/die E. coli and other enterobacteriaceae species were markedly reduced. The response of enterococci and bacteroides species showed no uniformity. No overgrowth of the gut flora by Pseudomonas, Staphylococci or Candida was observed. Meanwhile it has been possible to inspect stool specimens of a patient who was suffering from a septicaemic Salmonella infection and was treated with a combination of pivmecillinam-HCl 4 X 800 mg/pivampicillin-HCl 4 X 350 mg/die for one month. After disappearance of Salmonellae during therapy enterobacteriaceae decreased to amounts of 10(2)--10(4), all strains of which were highly susceptible to mecillinam.", "PMID": 786300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7276", "title": "[Betaines of quaternary salts of pyridine-2-and -4-aldoxim (author's transl)].", "content": "The monobetaine derived from the AChE-ractivator bis-[4-hydroxyiminomethyl-pyridinium-(1)-methyl]-either dichloride (obidoxim; Toxogonin), was shown to be in solution an intramolecular CT-complex. Some betaines of quaternary salts of pyridine-aldoximes were isolated.", "contents": "[Betaines of quaternary salts of pyridine-2-and -4-aldoxim (author's transl)]. The monobetaine derived from the AChE-ractivator bis-[4-hydroxyiminomethyl-pyridinium-(1)-methyl]-either dichloride (obidoxim; Toxogonin), was shown to be in solution an intramolecular CT-complex. Some betaines of quaternary salts of pyridine-aldoximes were isolated.", "PMID": 786301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7277", "title": "Characteristics of patients with serum antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens.", "content": "A distinguishing feature of the mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) syndrome is the presence in the serum of antibody in high titer to ribonucleoprotein (RNP). To determine whether this was an exclusive observation, a large rheumatic disease population was surveyed for the presence of antibody in high titer to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) including RNP. Of 650 sera examined, 440 (from 240 patients) had antinuclear antibody. Only 39 patients had serum antibody to ENA in titers greater than or equal to 1:200 dilution. In 16 the anti-ENA was shown by RNAse digestion to be anti-RNP. Although many clinical and laboratory characteristics were similar in these two groups, the patients more closely resembled the previously described MCTD syndrome and, importantly, less often had severe renal and central nervous system disease manifestations. Thus the presence of serum antibodies to ENA that are predominantly RNAse-sensitive (anti-RNP) helps to identify a rheumatic disease syndrome and also appears to have prognostic value.", "contents": "Characteristics of patients with serum antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens. A distinguishing feature of the mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) syndrome is the presence in the serum of antibody in high titer to ribonucleoprotein (RNP). To determine whether this was an exclusive observation, a large rheumatic disease population was surveyed for the presence of antibody in high titer to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) including RNP. Of 650 sera examined, 440 (from 240 patients) had antinuclear antibody. Only 39 patients had serum antibody to ENA in titers greater than or equal to 1:200 dilution. In 16 the anti-ENA was shown by RNAse digestion to be anti-RNP. Although many clinical and laboratory characteristics were similar in these two groups, the patients more closely resembled the previously described MCTD syndrome and, importantly, less often had severe renal and central nervous system disease manifestations. Thus the presence of serum antibodies to ENA that are predominantly RNAse-sensitive (anti-RNP) helps to identify a rheumatic disease syndrome and also appears to have prognostic value.", "PMID": 786296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7278", "title": "[On the efficacy of carbocromen in the treatment of myocardial infarction (author's transl)].", "content": "Comparative clinical trials on 100 infarcted patients have demonstrated the therapeutic superiority of 3-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-4-methyl-7-(carbethoxy-methoxy)-2-oxo-1,2-chromene-hydrochloride (carbocromen; Intensain). 50 patients were treated eith carbocromen and 50 with papaverine as controls. Overall improvement under the influence of carbocromen was observed. Carbocromen eliminates ischemic pain, in contrast to papaverine, without any change in blood pressure even in the case of i.v. administration. The typical pathological changes in the ECG were normalized more rapidly and disturbances in the cardiac rhythm have been observed in only one case in the carbocromen group, while in the papaverine group extrasystolic arrhythmias, paroxysmal fibrillation and disturbances in atrioentricular conduction often occurred. Acute cardiovascular insufficiency in carbocromen treated patients was observed in only one case, but in 6 patients of the papaverine group. Out of the patients who displayed the same unfavorable prognosis, 6 patients died of the papaverine group and only one of the carbocromen group. By all patients carbocromen was well tolerated and there were no side-effects. Due to the results of our investigations the application of carbocromen in the treatment and prophylaxis of myocardial infarction is of advantage.", "contents": "[On the efficacy of carbocromen in the treatment of myocardial infarction (author's transl)]. Comparative clinical trials on 100 infarcted patients have demonstrated the therapeutic superiority of 3-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-4-methyl-7-(carbethoxy-methoxy)-2-oxo-1,2-chromene-hydrochloride (carbocromen; Intensain). 50 patients were treated eith carbocromen and 50 with papaverine as controls. Overall improvement under the influence of carbocromen was observed. Carbocromen eliminates ischemic pain, in contrast to papaverine, without any change in blood pressure even in the case of i.v. administration. The typical pathological changes in the ECG were normalized more rapidly and disturbances in the cardiac rhythm have been observed in only one case in the carbocromen group, while in the papaverine group extrasystolic arrhythmias, paroxysmal fibrillation and disturbances in atrioentricular conduction often occurred. Acute cardiovascular insufficiency in carbocromen treated patients was observed in only one case, but in 6 patients of the papaverine group. Out of the patients who displayed the same unfavorable prognosis, 6 patients died of the papaverine group and only one of the carbocromen group. By all patients carbocromen was well tolerated and there were no side-effects. Due to the results of our investigations the application of carbocromen in the treatment and prophylaxis of myocardial infarction is of advantage.", "PMID": 786302} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7279", "title": "Significance of persisting serologic abnormalities in SLE.", "content": "The significance of abnormal serum anti-DNA and complement levels persisting in SLE patients on treatment has been explored. Instances when serologic abnormalities returned to normal were followed by a significantly longer mean duration of remission. When anti-DNA persisted at abnormal levels, a more severe exacerbation was likely to follow, although this result was not the case for persisting hypocomplementemia. These data did not result from two variants of SLE, one mild and one severe, because druation of remission correlated directly with dosage of steroid. Randomly discovered abnormalities in anti-DNA and complement levels were of limited predictive value, because they frequently persisted for over 1 year before exacerbations occurred. Hypocomplementemia resolved spontaneously without recognizable exacerbation in nearly half the observed instances.", "contents": "Significance of persisting serologic abnormalities in SLE. The significance of abnormal serum anti-DNA and complement levels persisting in SLE patients on treatment has been explored. Instances when serologic abnormalities returned to normal were followed by a significantly longer mean duration of remission. When anti-DNA persisted at abnormal levels, a more severe exacerbation was likely to follow, although this result was not the case for persisting hypocomplementemia. These data did not result from two variants of SLE, one mild and one severe, because druation of remission correlated directly with dosage of steroid. Randomly discovered abnormalities in anti-DNA and complement levels were of limited predictive value, because they frequently persisted for over 1 year before exacerbations occurred. Hypocomplementemia resolved spontaneously without recognizable exacerbation in nearly half the observed instances.", "PMID": 786295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7280", "title": "Comparison of the complement-fixing activity of antinuclear antibodies in lupus nephritis, mixed connective tissue disease, and scleroderma.", "content": "Complement-fixing antinuclear antibody (CFANA) titers were measured in 18 patients with lupus nephritis and were compared to titers in 22 patients with scleroderma and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) who had comparable ANA titers but lacked nephritis. CFANA titers were higher in SLE patients with nephritis than in a control group of SLE patients without nephritis but were no higher than in scleroderma or MCTD. Thus the striking differences in the prevalence of nephritis among these patients with high titer ANA cannot be explained by differences in complement fixation by these antibodies.", "contents": "Comparison of the complement-fixing activity of antinuclear antibodies in lupus nephritis, mixed connective tissue disease, and scleroderma. Complement-fixing antinuclear antibody (CFANA) titers were measured in 18 patients with lupus nephritis and were compared to titers in 22 patients with scleroderma and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) who had comparable ANA titers but lacked nephritis. CFANA titers were higher in SLE patients with nephritis than in a control group of SLE patients without nephritis but were no higher than in scleroderma or MCTD. Thus the striking differences in the prevalence of nephritis among these patients with high titer ANA cannot be explained by differences in complement fixation by these antibodies.", "PMID": 786297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7281", "title": "Effect of fenoprofen calcium on acute gouty arthritis.", "content": "Twenty-seven patients with thirty-six joints affected with acute gouty arthritis were treated with fenoprofen calcium for a duration not exceeding 8 days and with a variable dose not exceeding 3.2g daily. The results indicated that fenoprofen calcium was an effective drug in these patients. Side effects were modest.", "contents": "Effect of fenoprofen calcium on acute gouty arthritis. Twenty-seven patients with thirty-six joints affected with acute gouty arthritis were treated with fenoprofen calcium for a duration not exceeding 8 days and with a variable dose not exceeding 3.2g daily. The results indicated that fenoprofen calcium was an effective drug in these patients. Side effects were modest.", "PMID": 786298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7282", "title": "[Further results of a multi-centre clinical trial with the oral antidiabetic drug glisoxepide (author's transl)].", "content": "The oral antidiabetic agent 1-(hexahydro-1-H-azepin-1-yl)-3-(p-[2-(5-methyl-isoxazol-3-carboxamido)-ethyl]-phenylsulfonyl)-urea (glisoxepide, BS 4231, Pro-Diaban\u00bf) was studied in a multi-centre open clinical trial comprising 4337 patients and was found to be an effective therapeutic agent for maturity-onset diabetics. About 66% of the patients had been pre-treated with oral antidiabetics. 54.7% of those 3572 patients treated with Pro-Diaban for at least 3 months achieved stabilization, which was classified according to strict criteria as \"good\", 73.4% achieved at least \"satisfactory\" stabilization. 12.5% of the cases dropped out after having received at least 12 mg/day because of inadequate efficacy of Pro-Diaban; 51.9% of these patients dropped out in the first 3 months (early failures 6.9% of the total case number). 61.9% received their daily dose in one portion, 29% in two and 10% in three portions. 98% received maximally 16 mg, 70% maximally 8 mg, and 42% 4 mg per day. Hypoglycaemic episodes led in 0.9% to a termination of the trial. In 1.22% of the cases the trial was terminated because of side effects, in 0.18% of cases they consisted of allergic or suspected allergic complaints and in 0.69% they consisted mainly of gastro-intestinal symptoms. Of the side-effects which did not lead to a termination of the trial, dizziness, headache and nausea were the relatively more frequent symptoms. An analysis of the laboratory data under consideration of pathological and normal initial and subsequent values showed that under the influence of Pro-Diaban pathological data reverted to normal more frequently than initially normal values changed to pathological ones. The analysis of laboratory and blood pressure data from 4 subgroups of patients, e.g. patients with diseases of the liver or the kidneys and hyperlipaemic or hypertensive patients, revealed that those data of special interest in each subgroup had mostly improved or remained unchanged under Pro-Diaban.", "contents": "[Further results of a multi-centre clinical trial with the oral antidiabetic drug glisoxepide (author's transl)]. The oral antidiabetic agent 1-(hexahydro-1-H-azepin-1-yl)-3-(p-[2-(5-methyl-isoxazol-3-carboxamido)-ethyl]-phenylsulfonyl)-urea (glisoxepide, BS 4231, Pro-Diaban\u00bf) was studied in a multi-centre open clinical trial comprising 4337 patients and was found to be an effective therapeutic agent for maturity-onset diabetics. About 66% of the patients had been pre-treated with oral antidiabetics. 54.7% of those 3572 patients treated with Pro-Diaban for at least 3 months achieved stabilization, which was classified according to strict criteria as \"good\", 73.4% achieved at least \"satisfactory\" stabilization. 12.5% of the cases dropped out after having received at least 12 mg/day because of inadequate efficacy of Pro-Diaban; 51.9% of these patients dropped out in the first 3 months (early failures 6.9% of the total case number). 61.9% received their daily dose in one portion, 29% in two and 10% in three portions. 98% received maximally 16 mg, 70% maximally 8 mg, and 42% 4 mg per day. Hypoglycaemic episodes led in 0.9% to a termination of the trial. In 1.22% of the cases the trial was terminated because of side effects, in 0.18% of cases they consisted of allergic or suspected allergic complaints and in 0.69% they consisted mainly of gastro-intestinal symptoms. Of the side-effects which did not lead to a termination of the trial, dizziness, headache and nausea were the relatively more frequent symptoms. An analysis of the laboratory data under consideration of pathological and normal initial and subsequent values showed that under the influence of Pro-Diaban pathological data reverted to normal more frequently than initially normal values changed to pathological ones. The analysis of laboratory and blood pressure data from 4 subgroups of patients, e.g. patients with diseases of the liver or the kidneys and hyperlipaemic or hypertensive patients, revealed that those data of special interest in each subgroup had mostly improved or remained unchanged under Pro-Diaban.", "PMID": 786303} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7283", "title": "Areca nut: a review.", "content": "Areca cattechu Linn is commonly known as areca nut or betel nut. It is a very widely cultivated plant in eastern countries like India, Bangladesh, Ceylon, Malaya, the Philippines and Japan. The importance of this nut is due to its use for chewing purposes. It had an important place as a pharmaceutical in Ayurveda--the ancient Indian system of medicine--also in the Chinese medicinal practices. The pharmaceutical importance of areca nut is due to the presence of an alkaloid, arecoline. Synthetic arecoline hydrobromide is also shown to possess numerous pharmacological properties. Chewing of \"betel quid\" or areca nut is a typical oriental habit. Betel quid comprises betel leaf, areca nut, catechu, lime and sometimes also tobacco. It is shown that there exists a correlationship between betel quid or areca nut chewing habit and oral cancer. A number of investigators have been able to produce cellular changes such as leukoplakia by application of betel quid or areca nut extract to the buccal mucosa of different animal.", "contents": "Areca nut: a review. Areca cattechu Linn is commonly known as areca nut or betel nut. It is a very widely cultivated plant in eastern countries like India, Bangladesh, Ceylon, Malaya, the Philippines and Japan. The importance of this nut is due to its use for chewing purposes. It had an important place as a pharmaceutical in Ayurveda--the ancient Indian system of medicine--also in the Chinese medicinal practices. The pharmaceutical importance of areca nut is due to the presence of an alkaloid, arecoline. Synthetic arecoline hydrobromide is also shown to possess numerous pharmacological properties. Chewing of \"betel quid\" or areca nut is a typical oriental habit. Betel quid comprises betel leaf, areca nut, catechu, lime and sometimes also tobacco. It is shown that there exists a correlationship between betel quid or areca nut chewing habit and oral cancer. A number of investigators have been able to produce cellular changes such as leukoplakia by application of betel quid or areca nut extract to the buccal mucosa of different animal.", "PMID": 786304} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7284", "title": "[Methodological problems of the clinical research on rhythms in depressive patients (author's transl)].", "content": "The working hypothesis is discussed that desynchronized rhythmic functions are at the root of endogenous depression. Methods and problems of the clinical research on rhythms in depressives are concerned with the assessment of data, experimental conditions, technical procedures and the personality of the depressive patient in his predicament. Investigations of groups of patients are considered critically, the necessity of intraindividual long-term studies is emphasized.", "contents": "[Methodological problems of the clinical research on rhythms in depressive patients (author's transl)]. The working hypothesis is discussed that desynchronized rhythmic functions are at the root of endogenous depression. Methods and problems of the clinical research on rhythms in depressives are concerned with the assessment of data, experimental conditions, technical procedures and the personality of the depressive patient in his predicament. Investigations of groups of patients are considered critically, the necessity of intraindividual long-term studies is emphasized.", "PMID": 786308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7285", "title": "[Studies on a novel antidepressant (viloxazin) by means of time-series analysis of TV data].", "content": "19 depressed patients were treated with viloxazin (n = 9) or amitriptyline (n = 10) in a double-blind-trial. TV-tapes were produced for each patient on day 0, 10 and 20. These tapes were analysed with respect to the intensity of depression by 4 independent raters under the condition of a time-blind analysis. These 3 TV-tapes could easily be discriminated in the sense of a decreasing depressivity. The results suggest that the effect of viloxazin has a shorter delay than that of amitriptyline.", "contents": "[Studies on a novel antidepressant (viloxazin) by means of time-series analysis of TV data]. 19 depressed patients were treated with viloxazin (n = 9) or amitriptyline (n = 10) in a double-blind-trial. TV-tapes were produced for each patient on day 0, 10 and 20. These tapes were analysed with respect to the intensity of depression by 4 independent raters under the condition of a time-blind analysis. These 3 TV-tapes could easily be discriminated in the sense of a decreasing depressivity. The results suggest that the effect of viloxazin has a shorter delay than that of amitriptyline.", "PMID": 786309} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7286", "title": "[On the dose-effect relationship in the therapy with piracetam (author's transl)].", "content": "The effect of piracetam therapy with different dosages was studied in a double blind trial against placebo on its effect in psychoorganic syndrome of old age. 78 patients (61 females, 17 males) on the average of 73.2 years, showed statistically significant differences between piracetam therapy at a dosage of 3 X 1600 mg per day und placebo after a six week peroral therapy while no statistically significant differences between piracetam therapy at a dosage of 3X800 mg per day and placebo were found.", "contents": "[On the dose-effect relationship in the therapy with piracetam (author's transl)]. The effect of piracetam therapy with different dosages was studied in a double blind trial against placebo on its effect in psychoorganic syndrome of old age. 78 patients (61 females, 17 males) on the average of 73.2 years, showed statistically significant differences between piracetam therapy at a dosage of 3 X 1600 mg per day und placebo after a six week peroral therapy while no statistically significant differences between piracetam therapy at a dosage of 3X800 mg per day and placebo were found.", "PMID": 786310} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7287", "title": "[Comparison of the effects of the anthracene derivative danitracen (WA335-BS) and amitriptyline in depressive patients (author's transl)].", "content": "9,10-Dihydro-10-(1-methyl-4-piperidylidene)-9-anthrol (danitracen, WA 335) is a substance with a stronger peripheral and partly central antiserotonin and antihistamine effect than cyproheptadine. In 5 different hospitals, WA 335 (3 X 1 mg/die) was investigated versus amitriptyline (3 X 50 mg/die) in a double-blind study in 116 depressive patients of different nosology. In the end of the investigation period (20 days), under WA 335 treatment 67.7% and under ami-riptyline treatment 66.7% of the patients showed an improvement of 50% = decrease in the Hamilton depression score. However, a decrease of 50% in the selfrating scale (von Zerssen) was only shown by 57% of the patients under WA 335 administration and 51% under amitriptyline administration. There were no significant differences seen as regards course and side effects of the two drugs. Like amitriptyline, WA 335 shows sedative properties at the beginning of therapy.", "contents": "[Comparison of the effects of the anthracene derivative danitracen (WA335-BS) and amitriptyline in depressive patients (author's transl)]. 9,10-Dihydro-10-(1-methyl-4-piperidylidene)-9-anthrol (danitracen, WA 335) is a substance with a stronger peripheral and partly central antiserotonin and antihistamine effect than cyproheptadine. In 5 different hospitals, WA 335 (3 X 1 mg/die) was investigated versus amitriptyline (3 X 50 mg/die) in a double-blind study in 116 depressive patients of different nosology. In the end of the investigation period (20 days), under WA 335 treatment 67.7% and under ami-riptyline treatment 66.7% of the patients showed an improvement of 50% = decrease in the Hamilton depression score. However, a decrease of 50% in the selfrating scale (von Zerssen) was only shown by 57% of the patients under WA 335 administration and 51% under amitriptyline administration. There were no significant differences seen as regards course and side effects of the two drugs. Like amitriptyline, WA 335 shows sedative properties at the beginning of therapy.", "PMID": 786311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7288", "title": "Clinical and pharmacological effects of treatment with a new antidepressant.", "content": "The novel tetracyclic piperazino-azepine compound Org GB 94 (Tolvon, Tolvin) in a dose of 20 mg three times daily was found to be of save markedly and significantly less side-effects. Patients with reactive depression and those with endogenous depression reponded equally well to Org GB 94. No correlation was found between plasma levels of Org GB 94 and either clinical effects or side-effects. Org GB 94 did not alter the tyramine pressor response, in contrast to amitriptyline.", "contents": "Clinical and pharmacological effects of treatment with a new antidepressant. The novel tetracyclic piperazino-azepine compound Org GB 94 (Tolvon, Tolvin) in a dose of 20 mg three times daily was found to be of save markedly and significantly less side-effects. Patients with reactive depression and those with endogenous depression reponded equally well to Org GB 94. No correlation was found between plasma levels of Org GB 94 and either clinical effects or side-effects. Org GB 94 did not alter the tyramine pressor response, in contrast to amitriptyline.", "PMID": 786312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7289", "title": "[Double-blind comparative study on the effects of lofepramine and amitriptyline in depressive outpatients (author's transl)].", "content": "The anticholinergic side-effects of tricyclic antidepressants are unpleasant for the patients. Lofepramine, a new tricyclic antidepressant, has in animal studies been shown to have weak anticholinergic effects and a low acute toxicity. The aim of the present study was to see whether these pharmacological properties led to a lower rate of side-effects in depressed patients. In a double-blind trial 40 outpatients were treated with lofepramine or amitriptyline. Assessments were made with the Hamilton Scale, the Wakefield Self-Assessment Scale and a Side-effect Scale. 33 patients completed the trial. Both drugs proved effective. There were small differences in favour of lofepramine both in therapeutic efficacy and frequency of side-effects.", "contents": "[Double-blind comparative study on the effects of lofepramine and amitriptyline in depressive outpatients (author's transl)]. The anticholinergic side-effects of tricyclic antidepressants are unpleasant for the patients. Lofepramine, a new tricyclic antidepressant, has in animal studies been shown to have weak anticholinergic effects and a low acute toxicity. The aim of the present study was to see whether these pharmacological properties led to a lower rate of side-effects in depressed patients. In a double-blind trial 40 outpatients were treated with lofepramine or amitriptyline. Assessments were made with the Hamilton Scale, the Wakefield Self-Assessment Scale and a Side-effect Scale. 33 patients completed the trial. Both drugs proved effective. There were small differences in favour of lofepramine both in therapeutic efficacy and frequency of side-effects.", "PMID": 786313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7290", "title": "[Doubleblind study with the novel antidepressant viloxazine versus imipramine in 50 in-patients (author's transl)].", "content": "In this double-blind study on 50 depressive patients viloxazine in dosages between 150-300 mg/die, showed to be a very active and well tolerated thymoleptic substance. Its profile of activity seems similar to that of imipramine. The differences in favour of viloxazine were: a more rapid onset of its effect, a more balanced stimulation of energetical level versus clearing up to depressed mood, evident better results in patients aged over 50, fewer drop-outs on account of complications (especially confusional states or psychotic symptom provocations) and fewer side-effects such as vegetative disfunction, vertigo, and weight increase. More initial fatigue reactions, slight sleep disturbances and 3 hypertensive transient reactions must be emphasized on the side of viloxazine.", "contents": "[Doubleblind study with the novel antidepressant viloxazine versus imipramine in 50 in-patients (author's transl)]. In this double-blind study on 50 depressive patients viloxazine in dosages between 150-300 mg/die, showed to be a very active and well tolerated thymoleptic substance. Its profile of activity seems similar to that of imipramine. The differences in favour of viloxazine were: a more rapid onset of its effect, a more balanced stimulation of energetical level versus clearing up to depressed mood, evident better results in patients aged over 50, fewer drop-outs on account of complications (especially confusional states or psychotic symptom provocations) and fewer side-effects such as vegetative disfunction, vertigo, and weight increase. More initial fatigue reactions, slight sleep disturbances and 3 hypertensive transient reactions must be emphasized on the side of viloxazine.", "PMID": 786314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7291", "title": "[Are anticholinergics indispensable in the long-term therapy of neuroleptic-induced Parkinson syndrome? A withdrawal study (author's transl)].", "content": "53 patients with a neuroleptic-induced parkinson syndrome were suddenly withdrawn from their antiparkinson medication without changes in neuroleptic medication. All but 10 patients had been given antiparkinson drugs for more than 1 year. Slight and constant deterioration in their condition occurred in 4 female patients within 1-3 weeks following withdrawal. The neuroleptic dose was increased in 7 patients, a slight transient deterioration of the parkinson symptoms occurring in 2 cases. Investigation into the longitudinal course of the disease revealed that the intensity of symptoms is not always steady, but that certain variations occur. Our results confirm similar available studies in that the incidence of relapses in cases of neuroleptically conditioned Parkinson's disease is very low in patients with anti-parkinson medication for long period; this incidence of relapses amounts to 8% in our study.", "contents": "[Are anticholinergics indispensable in the long-term therapy of neuroleptic-induced Parkinson syndrome? A withdrawal study (author's transl)]. 53 patients with a neuroleptic-induced parkinson syndrome were suddenly withdrawn from their antiparkinson medication without changes in neuroleptic medication. All but 10 patients had been given antiparkinson drugs for more than 1 year. Slight and constant deterioration in their condition occurred in 4 female patients within 1-3 weeks following withdrawal. The neuroleptic dose was increased in 7 patients, a slight transient deterioration of the parkinson symptoms occurring in 2 cases. Investigation into the longitudinal course of the disease revealed that the intensity of symptoms is not always steady, but that certain variations occur. Our results confirm similar available studies in that the incidence of relapses in cases of neuroleptically conditioned Parkinson's disease is very low in patients with anti-parkinson medication for long period; this incidence of relapses amounts to 8% in our study.", "PMID": 786315} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7292", "title": "[Proceedings: D-Amphetamine in manic syndrome (author's transl)].", "content": "Six manic patients were acutely treated with 30 or 50 mg d-amphetamine, respectively. There was no intensification in any of these patients of gross manic behavior or single manic symptoms. Conversely, there was sedation and considerable reduction of manic symptomatology in all of them. This effect lasted for 1 to 3 h only. The clinical subgroup \"elated-grandiose\" was significantly, the subgroup \"paranoid-destructive\" was not significantly influenced. \"Drive\" and \"mood\" were similarly reduced. There was, however, no complete recovery from mania.", "contents": "[Proceedings: D-Amphetamine in manic syndrome (author's transl)]. Six manic patients were acutely treated with 30 or 50 mg d-amphetamine, respectively. There was no intensification in any of these patients of gross manic behavior or single manic symptoms. Conversely, there was sedation and considerable reduction of manic symptomatology in all of them. This effect lasted for 1 to 3 h only. The clinical subgroup \"elated-grandiose\" was significantly, the subgroup \"paranoid-destructive\" was not significantly influenced. \"Drive\" and \"mood\" were similarly reduced. There was, however, no complete recovery from mania.", "PMID": 786316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7293", "title": "[Double-blind study on the therapy of postural hypotension in psychotic patients under psychotropic medication (author's transl)].", "content": "13 psychotic patients developing various degrees of postural hypotension during neuroleptic or antidepressant treatment were additionally given either placebo or a mineralocorticoid or a sympathomimetic drug. As shown by Schellong tests during therapy the best effect on postural hypotension was achieved by the mineralocorticoid. The statistical evaluation of the randomised study was significant.", "contents": "[Double-blind study on the therapy of postural hypotension in psychotic patients under psychotropic medication (author's transl)]. 13 psychotic patients developing various degrees of postural hypotension during neuroleptic or antidepressant treatment were additionally given either placebo or a mineralocorticoid or a sympathomimetic drug. As shown by Schellong tests during therapy the best effect on postural hypotension was achieved by the mineralocorticoid. The statistical evaluation of the randomised study was significant.", "PMID": 786317} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7294", "title": "[Long-term tranquilizers - an alternative in medical practice (author's transl)].", "content": "Over a period of 7 to 12 weeks we studied 3 series of 274 patients with depressive and somatic complaints treated with the long-acting neuroleptic fluspirilene in a dosage of 1-1.5 mg weekly. By means of various rating scales it was compared to diazepam in regard to its tranquilizing effects. Fluspirilene showed good activating and antidepressive qualities, which were superior to those of diazepam, whereas somatic complaints responded equally well to both drugs. The indications for a long-acting tranquilizer with the advantage of a controllable application are being discussed.", "contents": "[Long-term tranquilizers - an alternative in medical practice (author's transl)]. Over a period of 7 to 12 weeks we studied 3 series of 274 patients with depressive and somatic complaints treated with the long-acting neuroleptic fluspirilene in a dosage of 1-1.5 mg weekly. By means of various rating scales it was compared to diazepam in regard to its tranquilizing effects. Fluspirilene showed good activating and antidepressive qualities, which were superior to those of diazepam, whereas somatic complaints responded equally well to both drugs. The indications for a long-acting tranquilizer with the advantage of a controllable application are being discussed.", "PMID": 786318} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7295", "title": "Focal glomerulonephritis.", "content": "Focal glomerulonephritis show a pathologic involvement of some glometuli and a normal aspect of the others. It happens in many different kidney diseases as SLE. Shonlein-Henoch syndrome, Goodpasture syndrome, recurrent hematuria. Although focal by light microscopy there is a diffuse pattern of immunoglobulins revealed by immunofluorescence techniques. There are clearly several different pathogenetic mechanisms and the factors which deterline the focal nature of the entity are poorly understood.", "contents": "Focal glomerulonephritis. Focal glomerulonephritis show a pathologic involvement of some glometuli and a normal aspect of the others. It happens in many different kidney diseases as SLE. Shonlein-Henoch syndrome, Goodpasture syndrome, recurrent hematuria. Although focal by light microscopy there is a diffuse pattern of immunoglobulins revealed by immunofluorescence techniques. There are clearly several different pathogenetic mechanisms and the factors which deterline the focal nature of the entity are poorly understood.", "PMID": 786321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7296", "title": "[Proliferative diffuse glomerulonephritis (author's transl)].", "content": "Some aspects of the diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis have been examined: initial renal failure, evolution of the lesions, crioglobulinemia. Thirty-five of 88 cases presented high urea levels, in 3 of them with acute renal failure transient hemodialysis treatment was needed, only one case progressed toward chronic renal failure. Anatomic alterations either in the case of exudative or proliferative damages improved but not up to complete healing: mesangial tickening and local proliferation has been observed. Crioglobulinemia was found in 14 of 21 cases. The disappearance in two cases of the crioglobulinemia was accompanied by a significative improvement of the hystology; a persistent crioglobulinemia usually accompanies unmodified histologic alterations.", "contents": "[Proliferative diffuse glomerulonephritis (author's transl)]. Some aspects of the diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis have been examined: initial renal failure, evolution of the lesions, crioglobulinemia. Thirty-five of 88 cases presented high urea levels, in 3 of them with acute renal failure transient hemodialysis treatment was needed, only one case progressed toward chronic renal failure. Anatomic alterations either in the case of exudative or proliferative damages improved but not up to complete healing: mesangial tickening and local proliferation has been observed. Crioglobulinemia was found in 14 of 21 cases. The disappearance in two cases of the crioglobulinemia was accompanied by a significative improvement of the hystology; a persistent crioglobulinemia usually accompanies unmodified histologic alterations.", "PMID": 786322} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7297", "title": "[Kidney preservation methods (author's transl)].", "content": "The results of preservation of the two kidneys of the same animal by two different techniques and then reimplanted on the same femoral artery, have been compared. The two methods are the following: 1) Short starting perfusion by Collins solution and than cold storage a 4 degrees C in the same solution. 2) Continuous perfusion by machine supplied by pulsatile pump, oxigenator, cooling. The first more impressive result by using continuous perfusion is the possibility of nullifying the effects of warm ischemia up to 30'. Kidney preservation with continuous perfusion is like to give less problems in the postoperatory period. Some weeks after transplantation however, the problems seems to increase in comparison with kidneys stored in Collins solution and not rarely sudden GFR decreases or anurias without immunologic rejection has been observed. Cautious conclusion should advise to use Collins solution when there has not been a long warm ischemia.", "contents": "[Kidney preservation methods (author's transl)]. The results of preservation of the two kidneys of the same animal by two different techniques and then reimplanted on the same femoral artery, have been compared. The two methods are the following: 1) Short starting perfusion by Collins solution and than cold storage a 4 degrees C in the same solution. 2) Continuous perfusion by machine supplied by pulsatile pump, oxigenator, cooling. The first more impressive result by using continuous perfusion is the possibility of nullifying the effects of warm ischemia up to 30'. Kidney preservation with continuous perfusion is like to give less problems in the postoperatory period. Some weeks after transplantation however, the problems seems to increase in comparison with kidneys stored in Collins solution and not rarely sudden GFR decreases or anurias without immunologic rejection has been observed. Cautious conclusion should advise to use Collins solution when there has not been a long warm ischemia.", "PMID": 786320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7298", "title": "Microvascular thrombosis in the pathogenesis of chronic renal disease.", "content": "Haemostatic involvement in the pathophysiology of renal disease has been evaluated kinetically. Renal microvascular platelet destruction is characteristic of several different pathologic processes in which there is damage to intrarenal endothelial cells. The hemostatic abnormalities may be partly modifiable by drugs which inhibit platelet function, rather than by anticoagulant, but there is as yet no evidence that interruption of platelet consumption will cause improvement in renal function.", "contents": "Microvascular thrombosis in the pathogenesis of chronic renal disease. Haemostatic involvement in the pathophysiology of renal disease has been evaluated kinetically. Renal microvascular platelet destruction is characteristic of several different pathologic processes in which there is damage to intrarenal endothelial cells. The hemostatic abnormalities may be partly modifiable by drugs which inhibit platelet function, rather than by anticoagulant, but there is as yet no evidence that interruption of platelet consumption will cause improvement in renal function.", "PMID": 786323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7299", "title": "Results of total correction of the tetralogy of Fallot. Long-term haemodynamic evaluation at rest and during exercise.", "content": "Postoperative haemodynamic evaluation was performed on 15 patients 7 to 14 years (mean, 11 years) after total intracardiac repair of Fallot's tetralogy. The average age of the patients at the time of postoperative catheterization was 20 years (range 12 to 29) and they were all asymptomatic. Before operation 11 patients were severely cyanosed and disabled and 4 had mild cyanosis with anoxic spells. The cardiac output and right heart pressures were measured at rest and after 5 minutes of submaximal exercise on a bicycle ergometer. It was shown that the degree of residual obstruction of the pulmonary outflow tract was slight and that the right ventricular/pulmonary arterial systolic gradient (RV/PA gradient) exceeded 20 mmHg (2-6 kPa) at rest in only 3 patients. The mean cardiac index at rest was 5-4 l min-1 m-2 which increased to 8-3 l min-1 m-2 during exercise. The response of the cardiac output during exercise was either normal or supranormal in 14 of the 15 patients. In the remaining patient the response was marginally below the normal range. Pulmonary valvular regurgitation was present in 8 patients but there was no detectable difference in the cardiac function of these patients compared with patients with competent pulmonary valves. Six of the patients investigated had also had cardiac catheterizations performed 1 to 4 years after operation. The results of the present study show that remarkably little change has occurred in their haemodynamic status in the intervening years. Though these results are encouraging, further studies are required to determine the eventual outcome of the RV pressure and volume overload.", "contents": "Results of total correction of the tetralogy of Fallot. Long-term haemodynamic evaluation at rest and during exercise. Postoperative haemodynamic evaluation was performed on 15 patients 7 to 14 years (mean, 11 years) after total intracardiac repair of Fallot's tetralogy. The average age of the patients at the time of postoperative catheterization was 20 years (range 12 to 29) and they were all asymptomatic. Before operation 11 patients were severely cyanosed and disabled and 4 had mild cyanosis with anoxic spells. The cardiac output and right heart pressures were measured at rest and after 5 minutes of submaximal exercise on a bicycle ergometer. It was shown that the degree of residual obstruction of the pulmonary outflow tract was slight and that the right ventricular/pulmonary arterial systolic gradient (RV/PA gradient) exceeded 20 mmHg (2-6 kPa) at rest in only 3 patients. The mean cardiac index at rest was 5-4 l min-1 m-2 which increased to 8-3 l min-1 m-2 during exercise. The response of the cardiac output during exercise was either normal or supranormal in 14 of the 15 patients. In the remaining patient the response was marginally below the normal range. Pulmonary valvular regurgitation was present in 8 patients but there was no detectable difference in the cardiac function of these patients compared with patients with competent pulmonary valves. Six of the patients investigated had also had cardiac catheterizations performed 1 to 4 years after operation. The results of the present study show that remarkably little change has occurred in their haemodynamic status in the intervening years. Though these results are encouraging, further studies are required to determine the eventual outcome of the RV pressure and volume overload.", "PMID": 786344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7300", "title": "Effects of trace anaesthetic gases on behavioural performance of volunteers.", "content": "Nitrous oxide and halothane, in concentrations as low as 50 p.p.m. and 1.0 p.p.m. respectively, caused measurable decrements in performance in psychological tests in healthy male volunteers. Nitrous oxide alone caused similar effects. The functions apparently most sensitive to these low concentrations of anaesthetic agents were visual perception, immediate memory, and a combination of perception, cognition and motor responses required in a task of divided attention to simultaneous visual and auditory stimuli. These effects were absent in subjects exposed to nitrous oxide 25 p.p.m. and halothane 0.5 p.p.m.", "contents": "Effects of trace anaesthetic gases on behavioural performance of volunteers. Nitrous oxide and halothane, in concentrations as low as 50 p.p.m. and 1.0 p.p.m. respectively, caused measurable decrements in performance in psychological tests in healthy male volunteers. Nitrous oxide alone caused similar effects. The functions apparently most sensitive to these low concentrations of anaesthetic agents were visual perception, immediate memory, and a combination of perception, cognition and motor responses required in a task of divided attention to simultaneous visual and auditory stimuli. These effects were absent in subjects exposed to nitrous oxide 25 p.p.m. and halothane 0.5 p.p.m.", "PMID": 786346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7301", "title": "Immune-mediated reactions to althesin (alphaxalone).", "content": "Measurements of complement conversion and white cell variations were made on sequential blood samples obtained from a single volunteer following repeated administration of Althesin. The results suggest a mechanism by which a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction to the drug might be mediated. Studies of patients receiving routine anaesthesia revealed a very high incidence of subclinical \"hypersensitivity\" reaction, some of which appear to be immune-mediated. These reactions occurred irrespective of whether the patients were induced with Althesin, methohexitone or propanidid.", "contents": "Immune-mediated reactions to althesin (alphaxalone). Measurements of complement conversion and white cell variations were made on sequential blood samples obtained from a single volunteer following repeated administration of Althesin. The results suggest a mechanism by which a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction to the drug might be mediated. Studies of patients receiving routine anaesthesia revealed a very high incidence of subclinical \"hypersensitivity\" reaction, some of which appear to be immune-mediated. These reactions occurred irrespective of whether the patients were induced with Althesin, methohexitone or propanidid.", "PMID": 786347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7302", "title": "The effects of adding adrenaline to etidocaine and lignocaine in extradural anaesthesia I: block characteristics and cardiovascular effects.", "content": "The addition of adrenaline 5 mug/ml, 1 : 200 000 to 1% etidocaine hydrochloride administered extradurally (L2-3) shortened significantly the onset time for sensory blockade, particularly with respect to the spread of the analgesia from the injection site, and shortened the already rapid onset of motor block. Etidocaine hydrochloride 1% plain caused a slower onset of block, laster longer and produced more profound analgesia over the caudal dermatomes than did 2% lignocaine hydrochloride. The motor block from plain etidocaine was more profound in its extent and lasted longer than that caused by lignocaine. With regard to cardiovascular variables, there were no significant differences between subjects receiving the plain etidocaine and the plain lignocaine. However, subjects receiving etidocaine with adrenaline exhibited increased cardiac stimulation and a decrease in total peripheral resistance over the first 150 min.", "contents": "The effects of adding adrenaline to etidocaine and lignocaine in extradural anaesthesia I: block characteristics and cardiovascular effects. The addition of adrenaline 5 mug/ml, 1 : 200 000 to 1% etidocaine hydrochloride administered extradurally (L2-3) shortened significantly the onset time for sensory blockade, particularly with respect to the spread of the analgesia from the injection site, and shortened the already rapid onset of motor block. Etidocaine hydrochloride 1% plain caused a slower onset of block, laster longer and produced more profound analgesia over the caudal dermatomes than did 2% lignocaine hydrochloride. The motor block from plain etidocaine was more profound in its extent and lasted longer than that caused by lignocaine. With regard to cardiovascular variables, there were no significant differences between subjects receiving the plain etidocaine and the plain lignocaine. However, subjects receiving etidocaine with adrenaline exhibited increased cardiac stimulation and a decrease in total peripheral resistance over the first 150 min.", "PMID": 786348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7303", "title": "Supplementation of general anaesthesia with narcotic analgesics.", "content": "Four analgesic drugs--fentanyl, phenoperidine, morphine and pethidine--were compared in a double-blind trial involving 113 patients paralysed and ventilated with nitrous oxide and oxygen. The differences between the drugs were relatively small. There were only slight differences in \"duration of action\", a term which is questioned in this context. Pethidine appeared to have a slightly longer duration of action than the other drugs. The problems inherent in studying analgesics in this manner are discussed.", "contents": "Supplementation of general anaesthesia with narcotic analgesics. Four analgesic drugs--fentanyl, phenoperidine, morphine and pethidine--were compared in a double-blind trial involving 113 patients paralysed and ventilated with nitrous oxide and oxygen. The differences between the drugs were relatively small. There were only slight differences in \"duration of action\", a term which is questioned in this context. Pethidine appeared to have a slightly longer duration of action than the other drugs. The problems inherent in studying analgesics in this manner are discussed.", "PMID": 786349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7304", "title": "Cardiac arrhythmia during outpatient dental anaesthesia: the advantages of a controlled ventilation technique.", "content": "Two techniques for endotracheal anaesthesia in dental outpatients have been compared: a spontaneous ventilation technique using nitrous oxide, oxygen and halothane, and a controlled ventilation technique using nitrous oxide and oxygen, with tubocurarine and fentanyl. The latter technique has several advantages: abolition of arrhythmias induced by surgery, more rapid and hence safer recovery, avoidance of suxamethonium, and avoidance of atmospheric contamination with and possible sensitization to halothane.", "contents": "Cardiac arrhythmia during outpatient dental anaesthesia: the advantages of a controlled ventilation technique. Two techniques for endotracheal anaesthesia in dental outpatients have been compared: a spontaneous ventilation technique using nitrous oxide, oxygen and halothane, and a controlled ventilation technique using nitrous oxide and oxygen, with tubocurarine and fentanyl. The latter technique has several advantages: abolition of arrhythmias induced by surgery, more rapid and hence safer recovery, avoidance of suxamethonium, and avoidance of atmospheric contamination with and possible sensitization to halothane.", "PMID": 786350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7305", "title": "The effect of suxamethonium alone and its interaction with gallamine on the indirectly elicited tetanic and single twitch contractions of skeletal muscle in man during anaesthesia.", "content": "Simultaneous measurements of tetanic and single twitch contractions of the adductor politics muscle in man were made during neuromuscular blockade induced by suxamethonium (0.2 mg/kg) under nitrous oxide, oxygen and pentazocine anaesthesia. 2. After a suitable control period, suxamethonium (0.2 mg/kg) was given intravenously and the same dose was repeated 15 min later. After a further 15 min gallamine (0.2 mg/kg) was administered intravenously. When recovery from gallamine reached a plateau on the tetanic contraction recording a third injection of suxamethonium was given. 3. In most patients, suxamethonium (0.2 mg/kg) caused a partial blockade of the single twitch and complete blockade of the tetanic contraction. In every instance, the tetanic contraction was more depressed and recovered more slowly than the single twitch which not only recovered promptly but also showed overshoot. 4. After gallamine marked antagonism to suxamethonium block developed and this was greater with the single twitch than with the tetanic contractions. 5. Tetanic-tension fade was observed after every injection of suxamethonium and the degree of fade was dependent on the frequency of the tetanic stimulation.", "contents": "The effect of suxamethonium alone and its interaction with gallamine on the indirectly elicited tetanic and single twitch contractions of skeletal muscle in man during anaesthesia. Simultaneous measurements of tetanic and single twitch contractions of the adductor politics muscle in man were made during neuromuscular blockade induced by suxamethonium (0.2 mg/kg) under nitrous oxide, oxygen and pentazocine anaesthesia. 2. After a suitable control period, suxamethonium (0.2 mg/kg) was given intravenously and the same dose was repeated 15 min later. After a further 15 min gallamine (0.2 mg/kg) was administered intravenously. When recovery from gallamine reached a plateau on the tetanic contraction recording a third injection of suxamethonium was given. 3. In most patients, suxamethonium (0.2 mg/kg) caused a partial blockade of the single twitch and complete blockade of the tetanic contraction. In every instance, the tetanic contraction was more depressed and recovered more slowly than the single twitch which not only recovered promptly but also showed overshoot. 4. After gallamine marked antagonism to suxamethonium block developed and this was greater with the single twitch than with the tetanic contractions. 5. Tetanic-tension fade was observed after every injection of suxamethonium and the degree of fade was dependent on the frequency of the tetanic stimulation.", "PMID": 786351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7306", "title": "Comparative trial of propranolol and practolol in hyperthyroidism.", "content": "The possible role of practolol in the management of hyperthyroidism has been studied by comparing it with propranolol. 2. In a double-blind cross-over trial, propranolol (40 mg), practolol (120 mg) and a placebo four times daily for one week were compared in twenty-one hyperthyroid patients by sequential analysis. 3. Judged by their effect on the symptoms and signs of thyrotoxicosis, both propranolol and practolol were significantly better than the placebo but no clear distinction could be made between the two active compounds. 4. Propranolol and practolol reduced heart rate by 24 and 17% respectively compared with placebo. 5. Patients generally preferred propranolol or practolol to placebo but this preference did not achieve significance with either drug. 6. Only in its effect on heart rate was practolol significantly inferior to propranolol, and it would appear to be a useful alternative to propranolol in the management of the peripheral manifestations of hyperthyroidism.", "contents": "Comparative trial of propranolol and practolol in hyperthyroidism. The possible role of practolol in the management of hyperthyroidism has been studied by comparing it with propranolol. 2. In a double-blind cross-over trial, propranolol (40 mg), practolol (120 mg) and a placebo four times daily for one week were compared in twenty-one hyperthyroid patients by sequential analysis. 3. Judged by their effect on the symptoms and signs of thyrotoxicosis, both propranolol and practolol were significantly better than the placebo but no clear distinction could be made between the two active compounds. 4. Propranolol and practolol reduced heart rate by 24 and 17% respectively compared with placebo. 5. Patients generally preferred propranolol or practolol to placebo but this preference did not achieve significance with either drug. 6. Only in its effect on heart rate was practolol significantly inferior to propranolol, and it would appear to be a useful alternative to propranolol in the management of the peripheral manifestations of hyperthyroidism.", "PMID": 786352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7307", "title": "Comparison of the effects of acebutolol (Sectral) and practolol (Eraldin) on airways obstruction in asthmatics.", "content": "The effects of oral practolol (Eraldin, I.C.I. Ltd) (300 mg) and acebutolol (Sectral, May & Baker Ltd) (300 mg) were compared in a placebo-controlled, crossover study in ten asthmatics. 2. Pulse rate, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and specific airways conductance were measured before and after a bronchodilator and the same procedure was repeated after taking acebutolol, practolol or placebo. 3. A mean increase in resting airways obstruction and reduction in bronchodilator response were evident with both drugs. The differences were statistically significant only after acebutolol for the logarithm of specific conductance. Mean plasma levels of the two drugs were similar. The response to both drugs was similar in the same patient and unrelated to severity of asthma. Mean reduction in resting pulse rate was statisitcally greater after acebutolol compared with placebo but not after practolol compared with placebo. 4. In any individual the beta-adrenoceptor blocking response is unpredictable and any beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug must be used with extreme caution in asthmatics.", "contents": "Comparison of the effects of acebutolol (Sectral) and practolol (Eraldin) on airways obstruction in asthmatics. The effects of oral practolol (Eraldin, I.C.I. Ltd) (300 mg) and acebutolol (Sectral, May & Baker Ltd) (300 mg) were compared in a placebo-controlled, crossover study in ten asthmatics. 2. Pulse rate, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and specific airways conductance were measured before and after a bronchodilator and the same procedure was repeated after taking acebutolol, practolol or placebo. 3. A mean increase in resting airways obstruction and reduction in bronchodilator response were evident with both drugs. The differences were statistically significant only after acebutolol for the logarithm of specific conductance. Mean plasma levels of the two drugs were similar. The response to both drugs was similar in the same patient and unrelated to severity of asthma. Mean reduction in resting pulse rate was statisitcally greater after acebutolol compared with placebo but not after practolol compared with placebo. 4. In any individual the beta-adrenoceptor blocking response is unpredictable and any beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug must be used with extreme caution in asthmatics.", "PMID": 786353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7308", "title": "Pharmacokinetic and pharmacological studies with tolamolol in man.", "content": "Pharmacokinetic and physiological variables were measured in six healthy subjects after intravenous and oral administration of tolamolol. 2. After intravenous injection of tolamolol (20 mg), there was a biphasic decline both in plasma concentration and attenuation of maximum exercise tachycardia. First and second phase half-lives of plasma concentration were 7 min and 2.5 h respectively. WReduction of maximum exercise tachycardia declined from 32 beats/min at 2 h to 19 beats/min at 8 hours. Clearance of tolamolol from blood ranged from 0.8-1.41 min-1. 3. After the oral administration of tolamolol (100 mg), the average volume of distribution was 220.1 and plasma concentration half-life 1.8 hours. After ten eight-hourly doses of 100 mg there was no accumulation of tolamolol and the half-life of plasma clearance was unchanged. 4. Hydroxytolamolol was detected in plasma in two of six subjects after oral tolamolol. 5. There was a significant positive correlation between reduction in maximum exercise heart rate and logarithm of plasma concentration of tolamolol after both oral and intravenous administration.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetic and pharmacological studies with tolamolol in man. Pharmacokinetic and physiological variables were measured in six healthy subjects after intravenous and oral administration of tolamolol. 2. After intravenous injection of tolamolol (20 mg), there was a biphasic decline both in plasma concentration and attenuation of maximum exercise tachycardia. First and second phase half-lives of plasma concentration were 7 min and 2.5 h respectively. WReduction of maximum exercise tachycardia declined from 32 beats/min at 2 h to 19 beats/min at 8 hours. Clearance of tolamolol from blood ranged from 0.8-1.41 min-1. 3. After the oral administration of tolamolol (100 mg), the average volume of distribution was 220.1 and plasma concentration half-life 1.8 hours. After ten eight-hourly doses of 100 mg there was no accumulation of tolamolol and the half-life of plasma clearance was unchanged. 4. Hydroxytolamolol was detected in plasma in two of six subjects after oral tolamolol. 5. There was a significant positive correlation between reduction in maximum exercise heart rate and logarithm of plasma concentration of tolamolol after both oral and intravenous administration.", "PMID": 786354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7309", "title": "Hepatic drug-oxidizing enzyme systems and urinary D-glucaric acid excretion in patients with congestive heart failure.", "content": "Drug-oxidizing enzyme systems in liver biopsy samples and the urinary excretion of D-glucaric acid were studied in two different groups of patients with cardiac insufficiency. 2. In one group of six patients, the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes had decreased considerably as compared with the control values, but in four liver samples from patients treated with oral hypoglycaemic agents for their diabetes, activities were higher than in control samples from ten patients. 3. In the other group of seven patients, the urinary excretion of D-glucaric acid (isolated by ion-exchange chromatography) was 60% lower than in the control group of nine humans, whereas in four patients taking antiepileptic agents excretion rate was higher than control values. 4. Because the age distribution was markedly different between cardiac insufficiency and control groups, it is difficult to conclude, if the impairment of drug metabolism was a consequence of the old age or of the disease process. However, drug-oxidizing enzyme systems seem to be inducible also in old age. 5. The results support further the opinion that the urinary excretion of D-glucaric acid may be one useful index in assessing an individual's capacity to metabolize foreign compounds especially in the patients with lowered drug metabolizing capacity.", "contents": "Hepatic drug-oxidizing enzyme systems and urinary D-glucaric acid excretion in patients with congestive heart failure. Drug-oxidizing enzyme systems in liver biopsy samples and the urinary excretion of D-glucaric acid were studied in two different groups of patients with cardiac insufficiency. 2. In one group of six patients, the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes had decreased considerably as compared with the control values, but in four liver samples from patients treated with oral hypoglycaemic agents for their diabetes, activities were higher than in control samples from ten patients. 3. In the other group of seven patients, the urinary excretion of D-glucaric acid (isolated by ion-exchange chromatography) was 60% lower than in the control group of nine humans, whereas in four patients taking antiepileptic agents excretion rate was higher than control values. 4. Because the age distribution was markedly different between cardiac insufficiency and control groups, it is difficult to conclude, if the impairment of drug metabolism was a consequence of the old age or of the disease process. However, drug-oxidizing enzyme systems seem to be inducible also in old age. 5. The results support further the opinion that the urinary excretion of D-glucaric acid may be one useful index in assessing an individual's capacity to metabolize foreign compounds especially in the patients with lowered drug metabolizing capacity.", "PMID": 786355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7310", "title": "Phenylbutazone: a clinico-pharmacological study in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A clinical trial of phenylbutazone in high dose (300 mg daily) and low dose (50 mg daily) is presented. 2. By analysis of the data by different methods, significant differences in clinical efficacy were shown between the two therapeutic regimes. 3. A relationship between the clinical effect and plasma level of phenylbutazone was demonstrated. 4. Some problems in the interpretation of plasma level-clinical effect correlates are discussed.", "contents": "Phenylbutazone: a clinico-pharmacological study in rheumatoid arthritis. A clinical trial of phenylbutazone in high dose (300 mg daily) and low dose (50 mg daily) is presented. 2. By analysis of the data by different methods, significant differences in clinical efficacy were shown between the two therapeutic regimes. 3. A relationship between the clinical effect and plasma level of phenylbutazone was demonstrated. 4. Some problems in the interpretation of plasma level-clinical effect correlates are discussed.", "PMID": 786356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7311", "title": "The administration of cephradine to patients in renal failure.", "content": "Cephradine was given to two control and twenty subjects with varying degrees of renal failure. Serum levels at various times were recorded and side-effects noted. Recommendations for dosage schedules for subjects with renal failure have been made.", "contents": "The administration of cephradine to patients in renal failure. Cephradine was given to two control and twenty subjects with varying degrees of renal failure. Serum levels at various times were recorded and side-effects noted. Recommendations for dosage schedules for subjects with renal failure have been made.", "PMID": 786357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7312", "title": "Control of epilepsy with a single daily dose of phenytoin sodium.", "content": "Fifty-three patients in an epileptic centre have been studied. All were receiving phenytoin and many were also receiving other antoconvulsant drugs. 2. Thirty-six patients took part in a three month cross over study. There was no significant change in the frequency of epileptic seizures or in the late morning serum concentration of phenytoin when the treatemtn was changed from two to three spaced doses of phenytoin sodium/day to a single dose at 12.00 hours. 3. Seventeen patients acted as a control group. They received phenytoin sodium as two or three spaced doses/day throughout the study. There was no significant change in the frequency of epileptic seizures or in the late morning serum concentration of phenytoin between the first and second three month periods of observation. 4. It is concluded that the total daily dose of phenytoin sodium may be given once daily without reduction of the anticonvulsant effect.", "contents": "Control of epilepsy with a single daily dose of phenytoin sodium. Fifty-three patients in an epileptic centre have been studied. All were receiving phenytoin and many were also receiving other antoconvulsant drugs. 2. Thirty-six patients took part in a three month cross over study. There was no significant change in the frequency of epileptic seizures or in the late morning serum concentration of phenytoin when the treatemtn was changed from two to three spaced doses of phenytoin sodium/day to a single dose at 12.00 hours. 3. Seventeen patients acted as a control group. They received phenytoin sodium as two or three spaced doses/day throughout the study. There was no significant change in the frequency of epileptic seizures or in the late morning serum concentration of phenytoin between the first and second three month periods of observation. 4. It is concluded that the total daily dose of phenytoin sodium may be given once daily without reduction of the anticonvulsant effect.", "PMID": 786358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7313", "title": "The planning of a clinical trials workshop.", "content": "The groundwork involved in the planning and running of a Clinical Trials Workshop using a computerized simulation exercise called 'Instant Experience' is described in detail. 2. Groups of six or seven students, each with an experienced tutor, are set the problem of designing a clinical trial protocol for a given drug. By using a computer programme, results can be generated for these designs according to pre-set rules laid down by the organizers. 3. The game itself acts as a vehicle for emphasizing the practical and theoretical problems associated with clinical trials. Further valuable information can be imparted during the group discussion periods when the trial design is being developed and during analysis of the results. 4. Limitations of this type of workshop include the need for students to have a working knowledge of clinical medicine and pharmacology, the competence of the tutors and organizers and the technical problems associated with computers and a comparatively rigid computer programme. 5. The value of this type of workshop lies in its ability to allow students to apply themselves to practical problems in clinical trials and to make mistakes with no harm to the patient.", "contents": "The planning of a clinical trials workshop. The groundwork involved in the planning and running of a Clinical Trials Workshop using a computerized simulation exercise called 'Instant Experience' is described in detail. 2. Groups of six or seven students, each with an experienced tutor, are set the problem of designing a clinical trial protocol for a given drug. By using a computer programme, results can be generated for these designs according to pre-set rules laid down by the organizers. 3. The game itself acts as a vehicle for emphasizing the practical and theoretical problems associated with clinical trials. Further valuable information can be imparted during the group discussion periods when the trial design is being developed and during analysis of the results. 4. Limitations of this type of workshop include the need for students to have a working knowledge of clinical medicine and pharmacology, the competence of the tutors and organizers and the technical problems associated with computers and a comparatively rigid computer programme. 5. The value of this type of workshop lies in its ability to allow students to apply themselves to practical problems in clinical trials and to make mistakes with no harm to the patient.", "PMID": 786359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7314", "title": "In vitro and in vivo evaluation of T and B lymphocyte functions in AKR mice.", "content": "To investigate whether AKR spontaneous leukaemogenesis is associated with a reduction in functional activity of T lymphocytes, the PHA response of AKR blood cells at different ages up to and including the preleukaemic period was studied. No significant differences were observed among young, adult and preleukaemic donors. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo AKR lymphocyte functions were compared with those of CBA lymphocytes by means of their response to stimulation with T and B lymphocyte selective mitogens (PHA, Con A and LSP respectively), and their response to immunization with thymus dependent (SRBC) or independent (LPS) antigens. We observed in vitro that while the B lymphocytes responded normally to mitogen, an intrinsic hyporeactivity to mitogens characterizes the T lymphocytes. Moreover, AKR mice exhibited a reduced in vivo response to both thymus dependent and independent antigens.", "contents": "In vitro and in vivo evaluation of T and B lymphocyte functions in AKR mice. To investigate whether AKR spontaneous leukaemogenesis is associated with a reduction in functional activity of T lymphocytes, the PHA response of AKR blood cells at different ages up to and including the preleukaemic period was studied. No significant differences were observed among young, adult and preleukaemic donors. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo AKR lymphocyte functions were compared with those of CBA lymphocytes by means of their response to stimulation with T and B lymphocyte selective mitogens (PHA, Con A and LSP respectively), and their response to immunization with thymus dependent (SRBC) or independent (LPS) antigens. We observed in vitro that while the B lymphocytes responded normally to mitogen, an intrinsic hyporeactivity to mitogens characterizes the T lymphocytes. Moreover, AKR mice exhibited a reduced in vivo response to both thymus dependent and independent antigens.", "PMID": 786361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7315", "title": "5-year follow-up of cytotoxic chemotherapy as an adjuvant to surgery in carcinoma of the bronchus.", "content": "This report gives the 5-year findings of a double-blind study of long-term cytotoxic chemotherapy as an adjuvant to surgery in patients receiving busulphan or cyclophosphamide for carcinoma of the bronchus compared with a group receiving a placebo. Of 243 patients initially allocated busulphan, 234 cyclophosphamide and 249 placebo, 28%, 27% and 34% respectively were alive at 5 years. There were significant associations between mortality from bronchial carcinoma and histological involvement of the resected intrathoracic nodes and the histology of the tumour. Haematological toxicity, especially thrombocytopenia, was frequent and severe in the busulphan series, and low platelet counts continued long after chemotherapy was stopped.", "contents": "5-year follow-up of cytotoxic chemotherapy as an adjuvant to surgery in carcinoma of the bronchus. This report gives the 5-year findings of a double-blind study of long-term cytotoxic chemotherapy as an adjuvant to surgery in patients receiving busulphan or cyclophosphamide for carcinoma of the bronchus compared with a group receiving a placebo. Of 243 patients initially allocated busulphan, 234 cyclophosphamide and 249 placebo, 28%, 27% and 34% respectively were alive at 5 years. There were significant associations between mortality from bronchial carcinoma and histological involvement of the resected intrathoracic nodes and the histology of the tumour. Haematological toxicity, especially thrombocytopenia, was frequent and severe in the busulphan series, and low platelet counts continued long after chemotherapy was stopped.", "PMID": 786362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7316", "title": "Magnesium dependence of the association kinetics of Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits.", "content": "The magnesium dependence of the Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits association has been investigated by the stopped-flow technique using isolated 30S and 50S particles depleted of polyamines and any initiation factor. Binding of the fluorescent probe bis(8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate) to the ribosomal proteins occurs through biphasic kinetics. A dark reaction corresponding to a very rapid, reversible complexation of the dye molecule is followed by a slow photochemical reaction that gives rise to irreversible addition of the probe. Only the 30S subparticle exhibits a magnesium-dependent conformational change from the kinetic analysis of the dark reaction. The 70S formation kinetics are limited by a conformational change of the 30S subunit if this particle is depleted of Mg2+ (1 mM Mg2+/50 mM K+), while its activated structure is restored by incubation with 8 mM Mg2+/50 mM K+. No rate-limiting conformation rearrangement of the 50S subunit could ever be evidenced. The Mg2+ dependence of the association kinetics of preactivated ribosomal particles is satisfactorily explained by electrostatic effects and/or formation of salt bridges, in agreement with the results of Wishnia and co-workers (Wishnia, A. Boussert, A., Graffe, M., Dessen, P., and Grunberg-Manago, M. (1975), J. Mol. Biol. 93, 499). Equilibrium studies indicate that the ribosomal preparations we used are of B type, according to Debey et al. (Debey, P., Hui Bon Hoa, G., Douzou, P., Godefroy-Colburn, T., Graffe, M., AND Grunberg-Manago, M. (1975) Biochemistry 14, 1553). The addition of spermidine results in a drastic fall of the need of Mg2+ for association, but it does not allow conversion of B-type particles into A-type ones at 25 degrees C. In addition to that, some 30S-bound spermidine appears to be involved directly in the coupling reaction.", "contents": "Magnesium dependence of the association kinetics of Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits. The magnesium dependence of the Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits association has been investigated by the stopped-flow technique using isolated 30S and 50S particles depleted of polyamines and any initiation factor. Binding of the fluorescent probe bis(8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate) to the ribosomal proteins occurs through biphasic kinetics. A dark reaction corresponding to a very rapid, reversible complexation of the dye molecule is followed by a slow photochemical reaction that gives rise to irreversible addition of the probe. Only the 30S subparticle exhibits a magnesium-dependent conformational change from the kinetic analysis of the dark reaction. The 70S formation kinetics are limited by a conformational change of the 30S subunit if this particle is depleted of Mg2+ (1 mM Mg2+/50 mM K+), while its activated structure is restored by incubation with 8 mM Mg2+/50 mM K+. No rate-limiting conformation rearrangement of the 50S subunit could ever be evidenced. The Mg2+ dependence of the association kinetics of preactivated ribosomal particles is satisfactorily explained by electrostatic effects and/or formation of salt bridges, in agreement with the results of Wishnia and co-workers (Wishnia, A. Boussert, A., Graffe, M., Dessen, P., and Grunberg-Manago, M. (1975), J. Mol. Biol. 93, 499). Equilibrium studies indicate that the ribosomal preparations we used are of B type, according to Debey et al. (Debey, P., Hui Bon Hoa, G., Douzou, P., Godefroy-Colburn, T., Graffe, M., AND Grunberg-Manago, M. (1975) Biochemistry 14, 1553). The addition of spermidine results in a drastic fall of the need of Mg2+ for association, but it does not allow conversion of B-type particles into A-type ones at 25 degrees C. In addition to that, some 30S-bound spermidine appears to be involved directly in the coupling reaction.", "PMID": 786363} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7317", "title": "Allosteric interpretation of Mg2+ binding to the denaturable Escherichia coli tRNAGlu2+.", "content": "The Mg2+ binding properties of the denaturable tRNAGlu2 from E. coli in 0.1 M Na+, pH7, are characterized by equilibrium dialysis. At 34 degrees C, where the native and denatured conformers are in equilibrium, Mg2+ binding is cooperative. By trapping the tRNA completely in the native conformation at 4 degrees C it is shown that native tRNAGlu2 possesses one strong binding site, K1 = 7.5 x 10(4) M-1 and approximately 36 weak sites with K2 = 8.3 x 10(2) M-1. A significantly lower affinity for the denatured conformer is indicated. We show that Mg2+ effects an allosteric transition from the low affinity denatured conformational state to the high affinity native state and develop the appropriate equations to fit the Mg2+ binding data with physically meaningful parameters. Our results also suggest the previously reported cooperative cation binding to tRNA arises from a cation induced conformational change to the native tRNA conformation and does not reflect the inherent Mg2+ binding properties of the native conformer.", "contents": "Allosteric interpretation of Mg2+ binding to the denaturable Escherichia coli tRNAGlu2+. The Mg2+ binding properties of the denaturable tRNAGlu2 from E. coli in 0.1 M Na+, pH7, are characterized by equilibrium dialysis. At 34 degrees C, where the native and denatured conformers are in equilibrium, Mg2+ binding is cooperative. By trapping the tRNA completely in the native conformation at 4 degrees C it is shown that native tRNAGlu2 possesses one strong binding site, K1 = 7.5 x 10(4) M-1 and approximately 36 weak sites with K2 = 8.3 x 10(2) M-1. A significantly lower affinity for the denatured conformer is indicated. We show that Mg2+ effects an allosteric transition from the low affinity denatured conformational state to the high affinity native state and develop the appropriate equations to fit the Mg2+ binding data with physically meaningful parameters. Our results also suggest the previously reported cooperative cation binding to tRNA arises from a cation induced conformational change to the native tRNA conformation and does not reflect the inherent Mg2+ binding properties of the native conformer.", "PMID": 786364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7318", "title": "Isolation and properties of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli. Some comparisons with the thermophilic enzyme from Bacillus stearothermophilus.", "content": "6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-phospho-D-gluconate:NADP oxidoreductase (decarboxylating), EC 1.1.1.44) of Escherichia coli MREp 600 has been isolated with the purpose of carrying out comparative studies with the thermostable enzyme previously isolated from Bacillus stearothermophilus (Veronese, F.M., Bocc\u00f9, E.,Fontana, A., Benassi,C.A., and Scoffone, E. (1974), Biochim, Biophys. Acta 334, 31). The purified enzyme appeared homogeneous by the criteria of disc gel electrophoresis with and without sodium dodecyl sulfate, ultracentrifugation, and gel filtration. The enzyme has enzymological and physiochemical properties similar to the enzyme isolated from other sources, including B. stearothermophilus. The E. coli enzyme has a mol wt of 100,000 +/- 3000 and is composed of two apparently identical subunits. The amino acid composition of both the mesophilic and thermophilic enzyme has been determined and found to present large similarities. The E. coli enzyme shows a high degree of specificity for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADP) and it is inhibited by reduced NADP (NADPH). Cysteine residues are involved in the catalytic activity, since on incubation of the enzyme with p-chloromercuribenzoate or 5.5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) strong inhibition occurs, activity being restored by treatment with excess of beta-mercaptoethanol. The substrate 6-phosphogluconate protects partially the enzyme from inactivation. Both the mesophilic and thermophilic 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases are inactivated by Rose Bengal in the presence of light by similar kinetics and protected against photoinactivation by the enzyme substrate. The E. coli enzyme, on the other hand, showed distinct differences in stability against heat and unfolding agents in respect to the B. stearothermophilus enzyme. Heating at 50 degrees C or incubation in 8 M urea results in rapid inactivation. The gross structure of the mesophilic and thermophilic enzyme was very similar as judged by circular dichroic measurements. The far-ultraviolet circular dichroic spectrum had a negative band centered at about 220 nm. In both cases, the fluorescence emission spectrum indicates that the environment of the tryptophan residues is similar, since both enzymes show an emission maximum at 334 nm upon excitation at 295 nm. Circular dichroism measured at various temperatures between 25 and 80 degrees C showed the mesophilic enzyme to be conformationally stable below about 45 degrees C and the thermophilic enzyme below 60 degrees C. The secondary structure of the E. coli enzyme was very sensitive to the denaturing action of urea, since in 8 M urea it rapidly unfolded. Partial renaturation after urea treatment occurred on dilution with buffer or dialysis, as evidenced by spectral properties of the renatured enzyme. The results show that the mesophilic and thermophilic enzymes are very similar and that differences in thermal stability depend on subtle differences in the architectures of the proteins.", "contents": "Isolation and properties of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli. Some comparisons with the thermophilic enzyme from Bacillus stearothermophilus. 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-phospho-D-gluconate:NADP oxidoreductase (decarboxylating), EC 1.1.1.44) of Escherichia coli MREp 600 has been isolated with the purpose of carrying out comparative studies with the thermostable enzyme previously isolated from Bacillus stearothermophilus (Veronese, F.M., Bocc\u00f9, E.,Fontana, A., Benassi,C.A., and Scoffone, E. (1974), Biochim, Biophys. Acta 334, 31). The purified enzyme appeared homogeneous by the criteria of disc gel electrophoresis with and without sodium dodecyl sulfate, ultracentrifugation, and gel filtration. The enzyme has enzymological and physiochemical properties similar to the enzyme isolated from other sources, including B. stearothermophilus. The E. coli enzyme has a mol wt of 100,000 +/- 3000 and is composed of two apparently identical subunits. The amino acid composition of both the mesophilic and thermophilic enzyme has been determined and found to present large similarities. The E. coli enzyme shows a high degree of specificity for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADP) and it is inhibited by reduced NADP (NADPH). Cysteine residues are involved in the catalytic activity, since on incubation of the enzyme with p-chloromercuribenzoate or 5.5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) strong inhibition occurs, activity being restored by treatment with excess of beta-mercaptoethanol. The substrate 6-phosphogluconate protects partially the enzyme from inactivation. Both the mesophilic and thermophilic 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases are inactivated by Rose Bengal in the presence of light by similar kinetics and protected against photoinactivation by the enzyme substrate. The E. coli enzyme, on the other hand, showed distinct differences in stability against heat and unfolding agents in respect to the B. stearothermophilus enzyme. Heating at 50 degrees C or incubation in 8 M urea results in rapid inactivation. The gross structure of the mesophilic and thermophilic enzyme was very similar as judged by circular dichroic measurements. The far-ultraviolet circular dichroic spectrum had a negative band centered at about 220 nm. In both cases, the fluorescence emission spectrum indicates that the environment of the tryptophan residues is similar, since both enzymes show an emission maximum at 334 nm upon excitation at 295 nm. Circular dichroism measured at various temperatures between 25 and 80 degrees C showed the mesophilic enzyme to be conformationally stable below about 45 degrees C and the thermophilic enzyme below 60 degrees C. The secondary structure of the E. coli enzyme was very sensitive to the denaturing action of urea, since in 8 M urea it rapidly unfolded. Partial renaturation after urea treatment occurred on dilution with buffer or dialysis, as evidenced by spectral properties of the renatured enzyme. The results show that the mesophilic and thermophilic enzymes are very similar and that differences in thermal stability depend on subtle differences in the architectures of the proteins.", "PMID": 786365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7319", "title": "Hydrolytic action of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast: \"chemical proofreading\" preventing acylation of tRNA(I1e) with misactivated valine.", "content": "Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-A, Val-tRNAVal-C-C-A, and Ile-tRNAIle-C-C-A, which accept their amino acid on the 2'-OH of the 3'-terminal adenosine, are hydrolyzed readily by their aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. If the 3'terminal adenosine in these tRNAs is replaced by either 3'-deoxyadenosine or formycin, little if any hydrolysis can be observed. Correspondingly Ser-tRNASer-C-C-A which accepts serine on the 3'-OH of the 3'-terminal adenosine is hydrolyzed by seryl-tRNA synthetase, whereas Ser-tRNASer-C-C-2'dA and Ser-tRNASer-C-C-F are not. Tyr-tRNATyr-C-C-A and all modified Tyr-tRNATyr-C-C-N, which can accept tyrosine on either the 2'OH or the 3'-OH of the 3'terminal adenosine, are not hydrolyzed by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. The data can be rationalized assuming that hydrolysis takes place only if the amino acid is bound to the nonaccepting OH and hence is not positioned at the amino acid binding site upon formation of the complex between aminoacyl-tRNA and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. In the formycin-carrying tRNA, the amino acid bound to the nonaccepting OH seems to be inaccessible to the enzymatic groups responsible for hydrolysis. Val-tRNAIle-C-C-3'dA and Ile-tRNAIle-C-C-3'DA cannot be hydrolyzed by isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase. Val-tRNAIle-C-C-A is hydrolyzed by the enzyme five times more rapidly than Ile-tRNAIle-C-C-A. Whereas Ile-tRNAIle-C-C-F is absolutely stable, Val-tRNAIle-C-C-F si hydrolyzed immediately. As shown by the earlier finding that valine misactivated by isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase cannot be permanently transferred to tRNAIle-C-C-A but to tRNAIle-C-C-3'dA, the 3'-OH is essential for preventing transfer of misactivated valine. It thus appears that valine is hydrolyzed off Val-tRNAIle-C-C-N if it is bound to the accepting 2'-OH in the binding site for isoleucine. A hypothesis is offered attempting to explain the experimental observations in mechanistic terms. We consider the hydrolytic action of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases as a general mechanism of \"chemical proofreading\" in the protein biosynthesis.", "contents": "Hydrolytic action of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast: \"chemical proofreading\" preventing acylation of tRNA(I1e) with misactivated valine. Phe-tRNAPhe-C-C-A, Val-tRNAVal-C-C-A, and Ile-tRNAIle-C-C-A, which accept their amino acid on the 2'-OH of the 3'-terminal adenosine, are hydrolyzed readily by their aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. If the 3'terminal adenosine in these tRNAs is replaced by either 3'-deoxyadenosine or formycin, little if any hydrolysis can be observed. Correspondingly Ser-tRNASer-C-C-A which accepts serine on the 3'-OH of the 3'-terminal adenosine is hydrolyzed by seryl-tRNA synthetase, whereas Ser-tRNASer-C-C-2'dA and Ser-tRNASer-C-C-F are not. Tyr-tRNATyr-C-C-A and all modified Tyr-tRNATyr-C-C-N, which can accept tyrosine on either the 2'OH or the 3'-OH of the 3'terminal adenosine, are not hydrolyzed by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. The data can be rationalized assuming that hydrolysis takes place only if the amino acid is bound to the nonaccepting OH and hence is not positioned at the amino acid binding site upon formation of the complex between aminoacyl-tRNA and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. In the formycin-carrying tRNA, the amino acid bound to the nonaccepting OH seems to be inaccessible to the enzymatic groups responsible for hydrolysis. Val-tRNAIle-C-C-3'dA and Ile-tRNAIle-C-C-3'DA cannot be hydrolyzed by isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase. Val-tRNAIle-C-C-A is hydrolyzed by the enzyme five times more rapidly than Ile-tRNAIle-C-C-A. Whereas Ile-tRNAIle-C-C-F is absolutely stable, Val-tRNAIle-C-C-F si hydrolyzed immediately. As shown by the earlier finding that valine misactivated by isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase cannot be permanently transferred to tRNAIle-C-C-A but to tRNAIle-C-C-3'dA, the 3'-OH is essential for preventing transfer of misactivated valine. It thus appears that valine is hydrolyzed off Val-tRNAIle-C-C-N if it is bound to the accepting 2'-OH in the binding site for isoleucine. A hypothesis is offered attempting to explain the experimental observations in mechanistic terms. We consider the hydrolytic action of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases as a general mechanism of \"chemical proofreading\" in the protein biosynthesis.", "PMID": 786367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7320", "title": "Reductive microbial conversion of anthracycline antibiotics.", "content": "Reductive conversion of several anthracycline glycosides to their 7-deoxyaglycones occurs during their microaerophilic incubation with strains of Aeromonas hydrophila, Citrobacter freundii, and Escherichia coli. Further, extracts of microaerophilically grown A. hydrophilia catalyze DPNH-dependent reductive conversion of the same compounds. Anthracycline substrates cleaved by both whole cells and by the cell-free system include steffimycin, steffimycin B, nogalamycin, cinerubin A, and daunomycin. Investigation of glycoside cleavage as a function of both time and anthracycline concentration demonstrated the superiority of A. hydrophila over C. freundii and E. coli in regard to reaction rate and efficiency of conversion. Interestingly, some degree of anaerobicity was required for glycoside cleavage by all three organisms. Evidence supporting 7-deoxyaglycone formation via direct reductive cleavage, as opposed to a multienzyme-catalyzed process involving hydrolysis followed by dehydration and reduction, includes the following. Equilibrium mixtures of glycoside substrate and 7-deoxyaglycone product prepared using both whole cells and their extracts display no anthracycline hydrolysis products. Further, authentic steffimycinone (aglycone), the expected product of hydrolytic sugar cleavage of steffimycin, was shown to be converted to 7-deoxysteffimycinone (7-deoxyaglycone) at a rate slower than steffimycin. These data indicate that, if steffimycinone were present as an unbound metabolic intermediate, it should have been visible in the equilibrium mixture, but none was detected.", "contents": "Reductive microbial conversion of anthracycline antibiotics. Reductive conversion of several anthracycline glycosides to their 7-deoxyaglycones occurs during their microaerophilic incubation with strains of Aeromonas hydrophila, Citrobacter freundii, and Escherichia coli. Further, extracts of microaerophilically grown A. hydrophilia catalyze DPNH-dependent reductive conversion of the same compounds. Anthracycline substrates cleaved by both whole cells and by the cell-free system include steffimycin, steffimycin B, nogalamycin, cinerubin A, and daunomycin. Investigation of glycoside cleavage as a function of both time and anthracycline concentration demonstrated the superiority of A. hydrophila over C. freundii and E. coli in regard to reaction rate and efficiency of conversion. Interestingly, some degree of anaerobicity was required for glycoside cleavage by all three organisms. Evidence supporting 7-deoxyaglycone formation via direct reductive cleavage, as opposed to a multienzyme-catalyzed process involving hydrolysis followed by dehydration and reduction, includes the following. Equilibrium mixtures of glycoside substrate and 7-deoxyaglycone product prepared using both whole cells and their extracts display no anthracycline hydrolysis products. Further, authentic steffimycinone (aglycone), the expected product of hydrolytic sugar cleavage of steffimycin, was shown to be converted to 7-deoxysteffimycinone (7-deoxyaglycone) at a rate slower than steffimycin. These data indicate that, if steffimycinone were present as an unbound metabolic intermediate, it should have been visible in the equilibrium mixture, but none was detected.", "PMID": 786368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7321", "title": "Purification of thymidylate synthetase from enzyme-poor sources by affinity chromatography.", "content": "The adsorption of thymidylate synthetase from Escherichia coli B to aminoalkyl-Sepharose with the increasing length of carbon chain (2--6 carbon atoms) was investigated. A correlation was found between the chain length and adsorption effectiveness, increasing from the two- to the six-carbon chain. A hydrophobic chromatography of the enzyme on aminobutyl-Sepharose gave about 20-fold purification. A new affinity chromatography carrier was synthesized containing tetrahydromethotrexate linked to aminoethyl-Sepharose via its carboxylic groups. The carrier adsorbed the enzyme from the crude preparation only in the presence of deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate (dUMP) in a concentration of 2 X 10(-5) M. The specifically adsorbed thymidylate synthetase was eluted with sacharose-containing buffers in which dUMP was omitted. The purification procedure was applied to a crude thymidylate synthetase preparation from resting E. coli, calf thymus, Sarcoma 180, and Gardner lymphosarcoma. The purified enzyme from all mentioned sources showed one protein band on disc electrophoresis corresponding to enzymatic activity. The formation of a reversible noncovalent complex enzyme-tetrahydromethotrexate-dUMP on the affinity column is supposed.", "contents": "Purification of thymidylate synthetase from enzyme-poor sources by affinity chromatography. The adsorption of thymidylate synthetase from Escherichia coli B to aminoalkyl-Sepharose with the increasing length of carbon chain (2--6 carbon atoms) was investigated. A correlation was found between the chain length and adsorption effectiveness, increasing from the two- to the six-carbon chain. A hydrophobic chromatography of the enzyme on aminobutyl-Sepharose gave about 20-fold purification. A new affinity chromatography carrier was synthesized containing tetrahydromethotrexate linked to aminoethyl-Sepharose via its carboxylic groups. The carrier adsorbed the enzyme from the crude preparation only in the presence of deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate (dUMP) in a concentration of 2 X 10(-5) M. The specifically adsorbed thymidylate synthetase was eluted with sacharose-containing buffers in which dUMP was omitted. The purification procedure was applied to a crude thymidylate synthetase preparation from resting E. coli, calf thymus, Sarcoma 180, and Gardner lymphosarcoma. The purified enzyme from all mentioned sources showed one protein band on disc electrophoresis corresponding to enzymatic activity. The formation of a reversible noncovalent complex enzyme-tetrahydromethotrexate-dUMP on the affinity column is supposed.", "PMID": 786369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7322", "title": "Circular dichroism study of the interaction of glutamyl-tRNA synthetase with tRNAGlu2.", "content": "The interaction of glutamyl-tRNA synthetase with tRNAGlu2 has been studied. The enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity, and consists of a single chain with a molecular weight of 59 000. The sedimentation coefficient (sdegrees20,w) was found to be 3.7 S and suggests this enzyme is quite asymmetric. The enzyme binds 1 mol of tRNAGlu2 and has a binding constant of 5 X 10(6) M-1 at pH 7.0 in 0.1 M sodium chloride. A circular dichroic study of the interaction under the same solvent conditions implied both the synthetase and tRNAGlu2 underwent a change in conformation as the complex was formed. In the case of the enzyme there appears to be some loss of alpha-helical structure. The tRNAGlu2 results can be interpreted to indicate a change in the conformation of one or more of the helical regions of this molecule. A residue in the anticodon loop, 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, has a distinct circular dichroic band at 340 nm in the free tRNAGlu2. As the complex is formed this band is shifted to the blue. This was interpreted to indicate that the enzyme forms a hydrogen bond with this residue in the anticodon loop, with a change in the conformation of the loop possibly also having occured.", "contents": "Circular dichroism study of the interaction of glutamyl-tRNA synthetase with tRNAGlu2. The interaction of glutamyl-tRNA synthetase with tRNAGlu2 has been studied. The enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity, and consists of a single chain with a molecular weight of 59 000. The sedimentation coefficient (sdegrees20,w) was found to be 3.7 S and suggests this enzyme is quite asymmetric. The enzyme binds 1 mol of tRNAGlu2 and has a binding constant of 5 X 10(6) M-1 at pH 7.0 in 0.1 M sodium chloride. A circular dichroic study of the interaction under the same solvent conditions implied both the synthetase and tRNAGlu2 underwent a change in conformation as the complex was formed. In the case of the enzyme there appears to be some loss of alpha-helical structure. The tRNAGlu2 results can be interpreted to indicate a change in the conformation of one or more of the helical regions of this molecule. A residue in the anticodon loop, 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, has a distinct circular dichroic band at 340 nm in the free tRNAGlu2. As the complex is formed this band is shifted to the blue. This was interpreted to indicate that the enzyme forms a hydrogen bond with this residue in the anticodon loop, with a change in the conformation of the loop possibly also having occured.", "PMID": 786370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7323", "title": "Energy metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae discrepancy between ATP balance and known metabolic functions.", "content": "The contribution of metabolic pathways to the catabolism of glucose, galactose and ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in aerobiosis has been studied. The results suggest that: 1. Of the total ATP formed in catabolism yeast obtain as much as 60% from ethylic fermentation during logarithmic growth on glucose. However, about 80% of ATP is formed in oxidation of galactose. Oxidation seems to be the only important catabolic pathway of ethanol. 2. The ratios between growth yield and ATP formed in catabolism were approx. 9, 7 and 3 g dry yeast/mol ATP in glucose, galactose and ethanol cultures, respectively. 3. The balance between ATP produced in catabolism of substrates and the requirements of ATP for the biosynthesis of cellular material indicates that as much as 60% of ATP is spent in functions other than net biosynthesis. 4. The rate of ATP expenditure in non net-biosynthetic functions during growth was approx. 20 mmol/g dry yeast per h. 5. In conditions in which no growth occurred but cell viability was maintained, that is, in the absence of exogenous carbon and nitrogen source, the ATP production rate was approx. 1 mmol ATP/g dry yeast per h. 6. These results indicate that the ATP required for maintaining the yeast alive, what would be considered maintenance energy \"sensu stricto\", is only a minor proportion of the ATP spent in non net-biosynthetic functions during growth. The identification of the processes related to growth which spend more energy than that required for net biosynthesis could lead to important insights in cell biology.", "contents": "Energy metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae discrepancy between ATP balance and known metabolic functions. The contribution of metabolic pathways to the catabolism of glucose, galactose and ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in aerobiosis has been studied. The results suggest that: 1. Of the total ATP formed in catabolism yeast obtain as much as 60% from ethylic fermentation during logarithmic growth on glucose. However, about 80% of ATP is formed in oxidation of galactose. Oxidation seems to be the only important catabolic pathway of ethanol. 2. The ratios between growth yield and ATP formed in catabolism were approx. 9, 7 and 3 g dry yeast/mol ATP in glucose, galactose and ethanol cultures, respectively. 3. The balance between ATP produced in catabolism of substrates and the requirements of ATP for the biosynthesis of cellular material indicates that as much as 60% of ATP is spent in functions other than net biosynthesis. 4. The rate of ATP expenditure in non net-biosynthetic functions during growth was approx. 20 mmol/g dry yeast per h. 5. In conditions in which no growth occurred but cell viability was maintained, that is, in the absence of exogenous carbon and nitrogen source, the ATP production rate was approx. 1 mmol ATP/g dry yeast per h. 6. These results indicate that the ATP required for maintaining the yeast alive, what would be considered maintenance energy \"sensu stricto\", is only a minor proportion of the ATP spent in non net-biosynthetic functions during growth. The identification of the processes related to growth which spend more energy than that required for net biosynthesis could lead to important insights in cell biology.", "PMID": 786371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7324", "title": "ATP concentration in Escherichia coli during oxygen toxicity.", "content": "Escherichia coli, strain E-26, grown in defined salts medium with glucose as the sole carbon and energy source, contained 1.50+/-0.16-10(6) molecules of ATP/cell. ATP was extracted with HC104 and assayed with a Dupont Luminescence Biometer using the luciferin-luciferase assay. Exposure during exponential growth at 37degreesC to 4.2 atm of oxygen resulted in complete growth cessation within 5 min, and to cyclic changes in cellular ATP concentration over a 2 h period. However, significant decrease in cellular ATP concentration occurred after growth inhibition in hyperbaric oxygen; hence, lack of ATP was not the cause of growth inhibition from oxygen toxicity.", "contents": "ATP concentration in Escherichia coli during oxygen toxicity. Escherichia coli, strain E-26, grown in defined salts medium with glucose as the sole carbon and energy source, contained 1.50+/-0.16-10(6) molecules of ATP/cell. ATP was extracted with HC104 and assayed with a Dupont Luminescence Biometer using the luciferin-luciferase assay. Exposure during exponential growth at 37degreesC to 4.2 atm of oxygen resulted in complete growth cessation within 5 min, and to cyclic changes in cellular ATP concentration over a 2 h period. However, significant decrease in cellular ATP concentration occurred after growth inhibition in hyperbaric oxygen; hence, lack of ATP was not the cause of growth inhibition from oxygen toxicity.", "PMID": 786372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7325", "title": "The isolation and properties of a DNA-directed RNA polymerase from yeast mitochondria.", "content": "A method is described for the rapid isolation of yeast mitochondrial DNA-directed RNA polymerase. The enzyme obtained had a specific activity of 1.56 nmol UMP incorporated per mg protein in 20 min at 37 degrees C, and is some 95% pure. This purified enzyme upon polyacrylamide gel elctrophoresis consists of a single polypeptide of 68 000 mol. wt. However, the enzyme forms aggregates easily which are affected by ionic strength, an increase decreasing the apparent molecular weight of the aggregates. This property also explains the presence of two peaks of activity upon DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The purified enzyme is still sensitive to rifamycin and to a number of rifamycin derivatives. The enzyme's sensitivity to rifamycin and rifamycin derivatives was compared with Escherichia coli and yeast nuclear RNA polymerases.", "contents": "The isolation and properties of a DNA-directed RNA polymerase from yeast mitochondria. A method is described for the rapid isolation of yeast mitochondrial DNA-directed RNA polymerase. The enzyme obtained had a specific activity of 1.56 nmol UMP incorporated per mg protein in 20 min at 37 degrees C, and is some 95% pure. This purified enzyme upon polyacrylamide gel elctrophoresis consists of a single polypeptide of 68 000 mol. wt. However, the enzyme forms aggregates easily which are affected by ionic strength, an increase decreasing the apparent molecular weight of the aggregates. This property also explains the presence of two peaks of activity upon DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The purified enzyme is still sensitive to rifamycin and to a number of rifamycin derivatives. The enzyme's sensitivity to rifamycin and rifamycin derivatives was compared with Escherichia coli and yeast nuclear RNA polymerases.", "PMID": 786373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7326", "title": "Spermine stabilizes the conformation of tRNAPhe in crystals.", "content": "Crystals from yeast tRNAPhe were dissolved and compared with tRNAPhe that had not been srystallized. A number of differences were found regarding the interaction with ethidium bromide, the melting point and the circular dichroic signal. These differences were assigned to the presence of spermine in the dissolved crystals indicating a transient stabilization of the conformation of tRNAPhe, probably as a tRNAPhe-spermine complex, after dissolving.", "contents": "Spermine stabilizes the conformation of tRNAPhe in crystals. Crystals from yeast tRNAPhe were dissolved and compared with tRNAPhe that had not been srystallized. A number of differences were found regarding the interaction with ethidium bromide, the melting point and the circular dichroic signal. These differences were assigned to the presence of spermine in the dissolved crystals indicating a transient stabilization of the conformation of tRNAPhe, probably as a tRNAPhe-spermine complex, after dissolving.", "PMID": 786374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7327", "title": "Permeability to cobalt ions and action of colicin K in a mutant that overproduces cardiolipin.", "content": "A mutant of Escherichia coli that produces excess cardiolipin becomes less capable of transporting Co2+. Cardiolipin therefore does not act as an ionophore under these conditions. Colicin K brings about the typical increase in permeability to Co2+ in the mutant.", "contents": "Permeability to cobalt ions and action of colicin K in a mutant that overproduces cardiolipin. A mutant of Escherichia coli that produces excess cardiolipin becomes less capable of transporting Co2+. Cardiolipin therefore does not act as an ionophore under these conditions. Colicin K brings about the typical increase in permeability to Co2+ in the mutant.", "PMID": 786375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7328", "title": "Effect of oral papaverine on cerebral blood flow in normals: evaluation by the xenon-133 inhalation method.", "content": "Several issues related to the use of vasoactive drugs in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders secondary to cerebrovascular insufficiency remain unresolved due to lack of a practical method for the quantitative measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF). The present report concerns the use of a noninvasive CBF method in the evaluation of a commonly used vasoactive drug (oral papaverine). Series CBF measurements were made by the Xe133 inhalation method in 21 healthy young adults, using a double-blind crossover experimental design. The findings show that oral papaverine (300 mg b.i.d.) significantly increases blood flow under conditions of both normal breathing and hyperventilation, the latter being used to induce cerebral vasoconstriction. There were large variations in individual response to the drug, and the average increase in CBF (6 to 9%) was smaller than that observed by other investigators using intravenous papaverine. No adverse reactions or alterations in blood pressure were encountered.", "contents": "Effect of oral papaverine on cerebral blood flow in normals: evaluation by the xenon-133 inhalation method. Several issues related to the use of vasoactive drugs in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders secondary to cerebrovascular insufficiency remain unresolved due to lack of a practical method for the quantitative measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF). The present report concerns the use of a noninvasive CBF method in the evaluation of a commonly used vasoactive drug (oral papaverine). Series CBF measurements were made by the Xe133 inhalation method in 21 healthy young adults, using a double-blind crossover experimental design. The findings show that oral papaverine (300 mg b.i.d.) significantly increases blood flow under conditions of both normal breathing and hyperventilation, the latter being used to induce cerebral vasoconstriction. There were large variations in individual response to the drug, and the average increase in CBF (6 to 9%) was smaller than that observed by other investigators using intravenous papaverine. No adverse reactions or alterations in blood pressure were encountered.", "PMID": 786379} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7329", "title": "Urinary excretion of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in depressed patients: modifications by amphetamine and lithium.", "content": "The excretion of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), the urinary metabolite which may best reflect brain norepinephrine, was measured in eight depressed patients on a longitudinal basis during the administration of placebo, d- and 1-amphetamine (30 mg/day), lithium carbonate (0.9 - 2.1 g/day), and d- and 1-amphetamine together with lithium. d-Amphetamine significantly decreased MHPG excretion. No significant change in MHPG was observed during administration of 1-amphetamine or when d- or 1-amphetamine was given together with lithium carbonate. Six patients responded with behavioral activation and euphoria to d-amphetamine, and these patients tended to have lower base line MHPG values in comparison to the nonresponders. Reductions in MHPG excretion during amphetamine administration were greatest in the patients with minimal behavioral responses to the drug, while some of the patients demonstrating more marked stimulant effects had elevated levels of MHPG during the amphetamine administration period. Variable changes, including elevated levels of MHPG in the responders, might represent the contribution of amphetamine-related changes in clinical state, including increased physical activity and (in two of the responding patients) the development of hypomania.", "contents": "Urinary excretion of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in depressed patients: modifications by amphetamine and lithium. The excretion of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), the urinary metabolite which may best reflect brain norepinephrine, was measured in eight depressed patients on a longitudinal basis during the administration of placebo, d- and 1-amphetamine (30 mg/day), lithium carbonate (0.9 - 2.1 g/day), and d- and 1-amphetamine together with lithium. d-Amphetamine significantly decreased MHPG excretion. No significant change in MHPG was observed during administration of 1-amphetamine or when d- or 1-amphetamine was given together with lithium carbonate. Six patients responded with behavioral activation and euphoria to d-amphetamine, and these patients tended to have lower base line MHPG values in comparison to the nonresponders. Reductions in MHPG excretion during amphetamine administration were greatest in the patients with minimal behavioral responses to the drug, while some of the patients demonstrating more marked stimulant effects had elevated levels of MHPG during the amphetamine administration period. Variable changes, including elevated levels of MHPG in the responders, might represent the contribution of amphetamine-related changes in clinical state, including increased physical activity and (in two of the responding patients) the development of hypomania.", "PMID": 786381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7330", "title": "Two cases of malaria presenting with psychiatric symptoms.", "content": "Mood and behavior disorder may appear either due to primary psychiatric disorder or may signify an underlying, frequently undetected, physical pathology. Two instances of malaria falciparum presenting with psychosocial symptomatology are described.", "contents": "Two cases of malaria presenting with psychiatric symptoms. Mood and behavior disorder may appear either due to primary psychiatric disorder or may signify an underlying, frequently undetected, physical pathology. Two instances of malaria falciparum presenting with psychosocial symptomatology are described.", "PMID": 786382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7331", "title": "A psychometric study of chronic cerebellar stimulation in man.", "content": "Groups of patients with intractable epilepsy or spasticity of varying etiologies underwent psychological testing before and during chronic cerebellar cortex stimulation, a neurosurgical technique designed for the relief of these symptoms. The battery of psychological tests permitted a standardized assessment of intellectual, memory, and perceptual functions. Other behavioral dimensions were assessed through structured interviews. No apparent declines in higher integrative functions followed shorter or longer term cerebellar stimulation. In contrast, stimulated patients tended to show increments in tests of recent memory and verbal output beyond that of unoperated comparison groups. Subjective reports of increased \"alertness\" and reduced depression and anxiety were also frequently given. Psychological and neural factors may both contribute to the observed behavioral alterations. It was concluded that the cerebellum participates in behavioral functions by modifying cortical and subcortical mechanisms relevant to integrative behavior and emotions. Specific hypotheses were presented.", "contents": "A psychometric study of chronic cerebellar stimulation in man. Groups of patients with intractable epilepsy or spasticity of varying etiologies underwent psychological testing before and during chronic cerebellar cortex stimulation, a neurosurgical technique designed for the relief of these symptoms. The battery of psychological tests permitted a standardized assessment of intellectual, memory, and perceptual functions. Other behavioral dimensions were assessed through structured interviews. No apparent declines in higher integrative functions followed shorter or longer term cerebellar stimulation. In contrast, stimulated patients tended to show increments in tests of recent memory and verbal output beyond that of unoperated comparison groups. Subjective reports of increased \"alertness\" and reduced depression and anxiety were also frequently given. Psychological and neural factors may both contribute to the observed behavioral alterations. It was concluded that the cerebellum participates in behavioral functions by modifying cortical and subcortical mechanisms relevant to integrative behavior and emotions. Specific hypotheses were presented.", "PMID": 786383} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7332", "title": "Distribution of transplantation antigens on cell surfaces.", "content": "Significant advances have been made over the past few years in elucidating the genetics, the chemical composition, and, more recently, the in situ relation of the major histocompatibility antigens of the mouse and man. Attempts to map the arrangement of individual antigens on the surface of cells have revealed that some antigens specified by a given subregion of both the H-2 and HL-A systems are in close proximity on the cell membrane and that attachment of antibody to one site to a certain degree blocks or inhibits the binding of antibody to the adjacent site. Allelic antigens in the H-2 system tend to inhibit binding. H-2D and H-2K antigens show either inhibition or noninteraction, possibly reflecting a cis-trans effect. Unlike with the H-2, inhibition of binding occurs only between HL-A antigens specified by homologous chromosomes. Also, a number of instances have been noted where inhibition of binding is unidirectional, possibly reflecting a polymeric nature of antigen or stratification of moieties at cell surface. Inhibition of antibody attachment between several alloantigenic systems on thymocytes in mice and also a variation in the mobility of the histocompatibility antigens suggest that the moieties bearing histocompatibility antigens are comprised of several gene products. Further work is needed to establish the validity of this assumption and to fully define the composition of these units. Ample data have been obtained from both biological and biophysical experiments to support the suggestion that single or multiple complexes of glycoproteins can move in the plane of the membrane. Although the composition of these cell membrane components remains a question, direct visualization by fluorescence and electron microscopy indicates that these moieties are small and, under natural conditions, distributed uniformly over the cell surface. Direct and indirect labeling techniques have shown that the complexes have no fixed position in the cell membrane and can be displaced laterally in the plane of the membrane without affecting the distribution of other surface molecules, such as sIg and species-specific antigens. Additional evidence suggests that H-2D and H-2K antigen complexes, as well as their gene products specified by different parent chromosomes, may be displaced separately. These observations are especially interesting and must be reconciled and data obtained by proximity analysis which indicate an association of some allelic products and possibly certain combinations of D and K antigens. Whether the differences noted in reactivity of the various surface antigens following attachment of antibodies are attributable to difference in size or to differences in the manner of their intercalation in the cell membrane remains to be elucidated. The rapid advances in elucidation of the molecular structure of biological membranes suggest that experimental work should be done on the biophysics of the structure of the antigenic sites and the mechanism of migration...", "contents": "Distribution of transplantation antigens on cell surfaces. Significant advances have been made over the past few years in elucidating the genetics, the chemical composition, and, more recently, the in situ relation of the major histocompatibility antigens of the mouse and man. Attempts to map the arrangement of individual antigens on the surface of cells have revealed that some antigens specified by a given subregion of both the H-2 and HL-A systems are in close proximity on the cell membrane and that attachment of antibody to one site to a certain degree blocks or inhibits the binding of antibody to the adjacent site. Allelic antigens in the H-2 system tend to inhibit binding. H-2D and H-2K antigens show either inhibition or noninteraction, possibly reflecting a cis-trans effect. Unlike with the H-2, inhibition of binding occurs only between HL-A antigens specified by homologous chromosomes. Also, a number of instances have been noted where inhibition of binding is unidirectional, possibly reflecting a polymeric nature of antigen or stratification of moieties at cell surface. Inhibition of antibody attachment between several alloantigenic systems on thymocytes in mice and also a variation in the mobility of the histocompatibility antigens suggest that the moieties bearing histocompatibility antigens are comprised of several gene products. Further work is needed to establish the validity of this assumption and to fully define the composition of these units. Ample data have been obtained from both biological and biophysical experiments to support the suggestion that single or multiple complexes of glycoproteins can move in the plane of the membrane. Although the composition of these cell membrane components remains a question, direct visualization by fluorescence and electron microscopy indicates that these moieties are small and, under natural conditions, distributed uniformly over the cell surface. Direct and indirect labeling techniques have shown that the complexes have no fixed position in the cell membrane and can be displaced laterally in the plane of the membrane without affecting the distribution of other surface molecules, such as sIg and species-specific antigens. Additional evidence suggests that H-2D and H-2K antigen complexes, as well as their gene products specified by different parent chromosomes, may be displaced separately. These observations are especially interesting and must be reconciled and data obtained by proximity analysis which indicate an association of some allelic products and possibly certain combinations of D and K antigens. Whether the differences noted in reactivity of the various surface antigens following attachment of antibodies are attributable to difference in size or to differences in the manner of their intercalation in the cell membrane remains to be elucidated. The rapid advances in elucidation of the molecular structure of biological membranes suggest that experimental work should be done on the biophysics of the structure of the antigenic sites and the mechanism of migration...", "PMID": 786389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7333", "title": "Intracellular localization and immunogenic capacities of phenotypic products of mouse histocompatibility genes.", "content": "The transplantation antigens are the phenotypic products of genes which control histocompatibility in vertebrate species. The products of major histocompatibility locus of the mouse, H-2, have been studied as a model. The H-2 transplantation antigens are expressed on cellular membranes in all tissues examined. These gene products have been isolated from cells associated with subcellular membranes. These membranes have been assayed both for their antigen content (antigenicity) and for their capacities to induce a primary humoral and a cell-mediated response (immunogenicity). In all tissues examined, the H-2 antigens (products of the K and D regions of H-2) were found expressed in high concentration on cell surface membrane. However, immunogenic activity was observed only with spleen and thymus preparations, consisting mainly of intracellular membranes (MLP). Immunogenic MLP was also isolated from lymphoblast and fibroblast cells, and again was derived mainly from endoplasmic reticulum. In other tissues, such as liver, kidney, and erythrocytes, H-2 antigens were found only on surface membrane and in an antigenic but nonimmunogenic form. A novel method for tagging surface membrane of mammalian cells is presented. It consists of binding, to whole cells in a covalent linkage, purified preparations of the beta-galactosidase of E. coli. The bound enzyme has proved to be an unambiguous marker for surface membrane. With this marker, the stability of surface membrane to shear forces during homogenization could be assessed. A number of considerations suggest that immunogenicity of transplantation antigens may be due to factor(s) present on the membranes in addition to the H-2 antigenic determinants. There are indications that these factors may be controlled by the I region of the H-2 complex. It is interesting to note that normal tissues which have Ia antigens on their surface membranes yield immunogenic MLP (spleen and thymus), whereas those without Ia surface antigens yield an antigenic MLP that has no immunogenic capacity (liver, kidney, and erythrocytes).", "contents": "Intracellular localization and immunogenic capacities of phenotypic products of mouse histocompatibility genes. The transplantation antigens are the phenotypic products of genes which control histocompatibility in vertebrate species. The products of major histocompatibility locus of the mouse, H-2, have been studied as a model. The H-2 transplantation antigens are expressed on cellular membranes in all tissues examined. These gene products have been isolated from cells associated with subcellular membranes. These membranes have been assayed both for their antigen content (antigenicity) and for their capacities to induce a primary humoral and a cell-mediated response (immunogenicity). In all tissues examined, the H-2 antigens (products of the K and D regions of H-2) were found expressed in high concentration on cell surface membrane. However, immunogenic activity was observed only with spleen and thymus preparations, consisting mainly of intracellular membranes (MLP). Immunogenic MLP was also isolated from lymphoblast and fibroblast cells, and again was derived mainly from endoplasmic reticulum. In other tissues, such as liver, kidney, and erythrocytes, H-2 antigens were found only on surface membrane and in an antigenic but nonimmunogenic form. A novel method for tagging surface membrane of mammalian cells is presented. It consists of binding, to whole cells in a covalent linkage, purified preparations of the beta-galactosidase of E. coli. The bound enzyme has proved to be an unambiguous marker for surface membrane. With this marker, the stability of surface membrane to shear forces during homogenization could be assessed. A number of considerations suggest that immunogenicity of transplantation antigens may be due to factor(s) present on the membranes in addition to the H-2 antigenic determinants. There are indications that these factors may be controlled by the I region of the H-2 complex. It is interesting to note that normal tissues which have Ia antigens on their surface membranes yield immunogenic MLP (spleen and thymus), whereas those without Ia surface antigens yield an antigenic MLP that has no immunogenic capacity (liver, kidney, and erythrocytes).", "PMID": 786391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7334", "title": "The lagged normal family of probability density functions applied to indicator-dilution curves.", "content": "The generalized lagged normal functions are a family of probability density functions whose members consist of a normal density function convolved with one or more exponential functions. The functions are not expressible in closed form, but an error function approximation procedure allows rapid and accurate calculation of the value of these functions. The approximation procedure can be used in conjunction with a nonlinear regression program to fit a lagged normal function to experimental data.", "contents": "The lagged normal family of probability density functions applied to indicator-dilution curves. The generalized lagged normal functions are a family of probability density functions whose members consist of a normal density function convolved with one or more exponential functions. The functions are not expressible in closed form, but an error function approximation procedure allows rapid and accurate calculation of the value of these functions. The approximation procedure can be used in conjunction with a nonlinear regression program to fit a lagged normal function to experimental data.", "PMID": 786393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7335", "title": "Decrease of endothelaemia during immunosuppression.", "content": "The counts of circulating endothelial cells estimated by a new quantitative method were significantly decreased in a group of patients after renal transplantation. Subsequent animal studies have shown that such a decrease may be attained by the administration of immunosuppressive drugs. The explanation of this observation may be based on the suppression of a normal endothelial cell replacement.", "contents": "Decrease of endothelaemia during immunosuppression. The counts of circulating endothelial cells estimated by a new quantitative method were significantly decreased in a group of patients after renal transplantation. Subsequent animal studies have shown that such a decrease may be attained by the administration of immunosuppressive drugs. The explanation of this observation may be based on the suppression of a normal endothelial cell replacement.", "PMID": 786394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7336", "title": "Casein phenotyping in witch's milk.", "content": "18 neonatal colostrum samples were analyzed by urea-starch-gel electrophoresis to determine their casein patterns. It was found that precise typing of both alpha-and beta-casein could be obtained after the secretory burst. This genetic marker can be employed at the family level.", "contents": "Casein phenotyping in witch's milk. 18 neonatal colostrum samples were analyzed by urea-starch-gel electrophoresis to determine their casein patterns. It was found that precise typing of both alpha-and beta-casein could be obtained after the secretory burst. This genetic marker can be employed at the family level.", "PMID": 786395} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7337", "title": "Simultaneous allotransplantation of kidney and spleen in dogs with or without previous splenectomy.", "content": "29 simultaneous kidney and spleen transplantations have been performed on dogs. Time of rejection, similar for both organs, occurs in a delay very close to the control series. No statistically difference of the day of rejection was observed in relation with the implantation of the spleen either on the iliac or on the mesenteric vessels. Splenectomy few weeks prior to transplantation had no effect on the day and the histological type of rejection of both transplanted organs.", "contents": "Simultaneous allotransplantation of kidney and spleen in dogs with or without previous splenectomy. 29 simultaneous kidney and spleen transplantations have been performed on dogs. Time of rejection, similar for both organs, occurs in a delay very close to the control series. No statistically difference of the day of rejection was observed in relation with the implantation of the spleen either on the iliac or on the mesenteric vessels. Splenectomy few weeks prior to transplantation had no effect on the day and the histological type of rejection of both transplanted organs.", "PMID": 786396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7338", "title": "Genetic resistance to marrow transplantation as a leukemia defense mechanism.", "content": "(C57 X AKR) F1 hybrid mice show genetic resistance to C57 parental bone marrow cells, but not to AKR parental bone marrow cells. (C3H X AKR) F1 hybrids show no genetic resistance to bone marrow transplantation from either parental strain. Transplantation of AKR lymphoma cells into lethally irradiated \"resistant\" (C57 X AKR) F1 and \"non-resistant\" (C3H X AKR) F1 hybrids produce lymphomatous spleen colonies in \"non-resistant\" hybrids but not in \"resistant\" hybrids. Thus \"resistant\" (C57 X AKR) F1 hybrids can recognize and reject AKR lymphoma cells, but not normal AKR bone marrow cells. A normal biological role of lymphoma surveillance is postulated for genetic resistance.", "contents": "Genetic resistance to marrow transplantation as a leukemia defense mechanism. (C57 X AKR) F1 hybrid mice show genetic resistance to C57 parental bone marrow cells, but not to AKR parental bone marrow cells. (C3H X AKR) F1 hybrids show no genetic resistance to bone marrow transplantation from either parental strain. Transplantation of AKR lymphoma cells into lethally irradiated \"resistant\" (C57 X AKR) F1 and \"non-resistant\" (C3H X AKR) F1 hybrids produce lymphomatous spleen colonies in \"non-resistant\" hybrids but not in \"resistant\" hybrids. Thus \"resistant\" (C57 X AKR) F1 hybrids can recognize and reject AKR lymphoma cells, but not normal AKR bone marrow cells. A normal biological role of lymphoma surveillance is postulated for genetic resistance.", "PMID": 786397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7339", "title": "Capillary migration of the cells of three murine tumours.", "content": "Cells of a murine myeloid leukemia, a lymphoid leukaemia, and a reticulosarcoma, were tested for their ability to migrate from capillary tubes. As compared with normal cells from the speeen, bone marrow, lymph nodes or peritoneal exudate, tumour cells migrated rather poorly. When present, the migration could be attributed to the existence of normal cells in the suspension of tumour cells. No correlation has been found between the migratory behaviour and the mode of growth of the tumour \"in vivo\".", "contents": "Capillary migration of the cells of three murine tumours. Cells of a murine myeloid leukemia, a lymphoid leukaemia, and a reticulosarcoma, were tested for their ability to migrate from capillary tubes. As compared with normal cells from the speeen, bone marrow, lymph nodes or peritoneal exudate, tumour cells migrated rather poorly. When present, the migration could be attributed to the existence of normal cells in the suspension of tumour cells. No correlation has been found between the migratory behaviour and the mode of growth of the tumour \"in vivo\".", "PMID": 786398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7340", "title": "Mobility measurement by analysis of fluorescence photobleaching recovery kinetics.", "content": "Fluorescence photobleaching recovery (FPR) denotes a method for measuring two-dimensional lateral mobility of fluorescent particles, for example, the motion of fluorescently labeled molecules in approximately 10 mum2 regions of a single cell surface. A small spot on the fluorescent surface is photobleached by a brief exposure to an intense focused laser beam, and the subsequent recovery of the fluorescence is monitored by the same, but attenuated, laser beam. Recovery occurs by replenishment of intact fluorophore in the bleached spot by lateral transport from the surrounding surface. We present the theoretical basis and some practical guidelines for simple, rigorous analysis of FPR experiments. Information obtainable from FPR experiments includes: (a) identification of transport process type, i.e. the admixture of random diffusion and uniform directed flow; (b) determination of the absolute mobility coefficient, i.e. the diffusion constant and/or flow velocity; and (c) the fraction of total fluorophore which is mobile. To illustrate the experimental method and to verify the theory for diffusion, we describe some model experiments on aqueous solutions of rhodamine 6G.", "contents": "Mobility measurement by analysis of fluorescence photobleaching recovery kinetics. Fluorescence photobleaching recovery (FPR) denotes a method for measuring two-dimensional lateral mobility of fluorescent particles, for example, the motion of fluorescently labeled molecules in approximately 10 mum2 regions of a single cell surface. A small spot on the fluorescent surface is photobleached by a brief exposure to an intense focused laser beam, and the subsequent recovery of the fluorescence is monitored by the same, but attenuated, laser beam. Recovery occurs by replenishment of intact fluorophore in the bleached spot by lateral transport from the surrounding surface. We present the theoretical basis and some practical guidelines for simple, rigorous analysis of FPR experiments. Information obtainable from FPR experiments includes: (a) identification of transport process type, i.e. the admixture of random diffusion and uniform directed flow; (b) determination of the absolute mobility coefficient, i.e. the diffusion constant and/or flow velocity; and (c) the fraction of total fluorophore which is mobile. To illustrate the experimental method and to verify the theory for diffusion, we describe some model experiments on aqueous solutions of rhodamine 6G.", "PMID": 786399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7341", "title": "Geometry of normal mammalian platelets by quantitative microscopic studies.", "content": "The shape distributions of normal and hardened human and rabbit erythrocytes and platelets were obtained for edge-on orientations of a few hundred freely rotating cells from analyses of microphotographs obtained similarly as by Ponder(1930, Q. J. Exp. Physiol. 20:29) by phase-contrast microscopy at 800 X magnification. Major average diameters (d) and thicknesses (t) were estimated for both normal and hardened cells, and were used to calculate an average geometric axis ratio, rp = t/d, which increases to unity as cells become more spherical. Our fixation procedure did not alter these shape parameters: rp was unchanged for erythrocytes, with d and t values similar to those reported by Ponder (1930); platelets had d X t = 3.6 +/- 0.7 mum X 0.9 +/- 0.3 mum and 3.1 +/- 0.4 mum X 0.6 +/- 0.3 mum, respectively, for human and rabbit cells, with rp = 0.26 and 0.20, respectively. Agreement in rp was found with data obtained by a novel rheo-optical method which allows for a direct statistical averaging for large populations (greater than 100 X 10(3) cells). Histograms and linear correlation studies were made of the above three parameters (d,t,rp), as well as volume (V), total surface area are (S), and sphericity index (S.I.) calculated for both \"prolate ellipsoid\" and \"disc with rounded edges\" models. Results indicate very high linear correlations between rp - t, rp - S. I., and d -S, with high correlations for t - V,d -V and S. Data are in agreement with the few reports in the literature determined by other methods, with the best model for platelets appearing to be an oblate spheroid.", "contents": "Geometry of normal mammalian platelets by quantitative microscopic studies. The shape distributions of normal and hardened human and rabbit erythrocytes and platelets were obtained for edge-on orientations of a few hundred freely rotating cells from analyses of microphotographs obtained similarly as by Ponder(1930, Q. J. Exp. Physiol. 20:29) by phase-contrast microscopy at 800 X magnification. Major average diameters (d) and thicknesses (t) were estimated for both normal and hardened cells, and were used to calculate an average geometric axis ratio, rp = t/d, which increases to unity as cells become more spherical. Our fixation procedure did not alter these shape parameters: rp was unchanged for erythrocytes, with d and t values similar to those reported by Ponder (1930); platelets had d X t = 3.6 +/- 0.7 mum X 0.9 +/- 0.3 mum and 3.1 +/- 0.4 mum X 0.6 +/- 0.3 mum, respectively, for human and rabbit cells, with rp = 0.26 and 0.20, respectively. Agreement in rp was found with data obtained by a novel rheo-optical method which allows for a direct statistical averaging for large populations (greater than 100 X 10(3) cells). Histograms and linear correlation studies were made of the above three parameters (d,t,rp), as well as volume (V), total surface area are (S), and sphericity index (S.I.) calculated for both \"prolate ellipsoid\" and \"disc with rounded edges\" models. Results indicate very high linear correlations between rp - t, rp - S. I., and d -S, with high correlations for t - V,d -V and S. Data are in agreement with the few reports in the literature determined by other methods, with the best model for platelets appearing to be an oblate spheroid.", "PMID": 786400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7342", "title": "The so20,w of unsheared DNA from whole cell lysates of Escherichia coli.", "content": "We present measurements of the sedimentation coefficients of DNA present in whole cell lysates of E. coli. The method used is a preparative version of the band sedimentation experiment of Bruner and Vinograd. We show that in order to obtain reliable data on the time dependence of sedimentation, it is necessary to accelerate and decelerate the rotor over much longer times than the standard centrifuge allows. We describe the necessary modifications to the preparative centrifuge and use them to determine the So20,W of unsheared E. coli DNA. The value for the fastest moving components in the lysate is 220 S. The molecular weight of the DNA corresponding to this sedimentation coefficient is probably 1.7 X 10(9) g/mole. However, alternative values cannot be ruled out.", "contents": "The so20,w of unsheared DNA from whole cell lysates of Escherichia coli. We present measurements of the sedimentation coefficients of DNA present in whole cell lysates of E. coli. The method used is a preparative version of the band sedimentation experiment of Bruner and Vinograd. We show that in order to obtain reliable data on the time dependence of sedimentation, it is necessary to accelerate and decelerate the rotor over much longer times than the standard centrifuge allows. We describe the necessary modifications to the preparative centrifuge and use them to determine the So20,W of unsheared E. coli DNA. The value for the fastest moving components in the lysate is 220 S. The molecular weight of the DNA corresponding to this sedimentation coefficient is probably 1.7 X 10(9) g/mole. However, alternative values cannot be ruled out.", "PMID": 786402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7343", "title": "Separation of tumor cells by density gradient centrifugation: recent work with human tumors and a discussion of the kind of quantitation needed in cell separation experiments.", "content": "The application of centrifugation to the purification of individual kinds of cells from tumors has been reviewed. Recent applications of a previously described isokinetic gradient to the purification of subpopulations of cells from human tumors are presented. Individual kinds of cells have been separated from Hodgkin's disease by a method described previously, and the cells from Hodgkin's disease which contain the tumor associated antigen described by Order and his colleagues have been identified for the first time. The importance of the thorough documentation of cell separation procedures is discussed, and we have specifically listed several kinds of data which we believe are important in the documentation of cell separation techniques.", "contents": "Separation of tumor cells by density gradient centrifugation: recent work with human tumors and a discussion of the kind of quantitation needed in cell separation experiments. The application of centrifugation to the purification of individual kinds of cells from tumors has been reviewed. Recent applications of a previously described isokinetic gradient to the purification of subpopulations of cells from human tumors are presented. Individual kinds of cells have been separated from Hodgkin's disease by a method described previously, and the cells from Hodgkin's disease which contain the tumor associated antigen described by Order and his colleagues have been identified for the first time. The importance of the thorough documentation of cell separation procedures is discussed, and we have specifically listed several kinds of data which we believe are important in the documentation of cell separation techniques.", "PMID": 786404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7344", "title": "Carbon dioxide inhibition of yeast growth in biomass production.", "content": "Saccharomyces cerevisiae was grown under aerobic and substrate-limiting conditions for efficient biomass production. Under these conditions, where the sugar substrate was fed incrementally, the growth pattern of the yeast cells was found to be uniform, as indicated by a constant respiratory quotient during the entire growing period. The effect of carbon dioxide was investigated by replacing portions of the nitrogen in the air stream with carbon dioxide, while maintaining the oxygen content at the normal 20% level, so that identical oxygen transfer rate and atmospheric pressure were maintained for all experiments with different partial pressures of carbon dioxide. Inhibition of yeast growth was negligible below 20% CO2 in the aeration mixture. Slight inhibition was noted at the 40% CO2 level and significant inhibition was noted above the 50% CO2 level, corresponding to 1.6 X 10(-2)M of dissolved CO2 in the fermentor broth. High carbon dioxide content in the gas phase also inhibited the fermentation activity of baker's yeast.", "contents": "Carbon dioxide inhibition of yeast growth in biomass production. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was grown under aerobic and substrate-limiting conditions for efficient biomass production. Under these conditions, where the sugar substrate was fed incrementally, the growth pattern of the yeast cells was found to be uniform, as indicated by a constant respiratory quotient during the entire growing period. The effect of carbon dioxide was investigated by replacing portions of the nitrogen in the air stream with carbon dioxide, while maintaining the oxygen content at the normal 20% level, so that identical oxygen transfer rate and atmospheric pressure were maintained for all experiments with different partial pressures of carbon dioxide. Inhibition of yeast growth was negligible below 20% CO2 in the aeration mixture. Slight inhibition was noted at the 40% CO2 level and significant inhibition was noted above the 50% CO2 level, corresponding to 1.6 X 10(-2)M of dissolved CO2 in the fermentor broth. High carbon dioxide content in the gas phase also inhibited the fermentation activity of baker's yeast.", "PMID": 786407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7345", "title": "Utilization of cellulosic materials through enzyamtic hydrolysis. I. Fermentation of hydrolysate to ethanol and single-cell protein.", "content": "Ethanol fermentation studies were conducted with Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC \"4126, to determine the optimal conditions of oxygen tension and feed sugar concentration. In long-term continuous culture maximum ethanol production was found to occur at 0.07 mmHg oxygen tension and 10% glucose feed concentration. Preliminary process design and cost studies are developed for industrial scale fermentations to produce ethanol and torula yeast from sugars obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of newsprint.", "contents": "Utilization of cellulosic materials through enzyamtic hydrolysis. I. Fermentation of hydrolysate to ethanol and single-cell protein. Ethanol fermentation studies were conducted with Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC \"4126, to determine the optimal conditions of oxygen tension and feed sugar concentration. In long-term continuous culture maximum ethanol production was found to occur at 0.07 mmHg oxygen tension and 10% glucose feed concentration. Preliminary process design and cost studies are developed for industrial scale fermentations to produce ethanol and torula yeast from sugars obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of newsprint.", "PMID": 786408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7346", "title": "Allogeneic marrow grafting for treatment of aplastic anemia: a follow-up on long-term survivors.", "content": "Eleven of twenty-four patients with severe aplastic anemia given marrow grafts from HLA-identical siblings between October 1970 and March 1973 are alive with normal marrow function and continued evidence of engraftment 3-5 yr later. Ten have been leading normal lives with no immunosuppressive or other drug therapy since day 100 postgrafting. One has had chronic graft-versus-host disease of the skin which is now slowly improving with no therapy. He returned to full-time employment in the summer of 1975. The long-term well-being of almost half of our initial patients emphasizes the importance of marrow transplantation for the treatment of severe aplastic anemia.", "contents": "Allogeneic marrow grafting for treatment of aplastic anemia: a follow-up on long-term survivors. Eleven of twenty-four patients with severe aplastic anemia given marrow grafts from HLA-identical siblings between October 1970 and March 1973 are alive with normal marrow function and continued evidence of engraftment 3-5 yr later. Ten have been leading normal lives with no immunosuppressive or other drug therapy since day 100 postgrafting. One has had chronic graft-versus-host disease of the skin which is now slowly improving with no therapy. He returned to full-time employment in the summer of 1975. The long-term well-being of almost half of our initial patients emphasizes the importance of marrow transplantation for the treatment of severe aplastic anemia.", "PMID": 786410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7347", "title": "Establishment of erythropoiesis following bone marrow transplantation in a patient with congenital hypoplastic anemia (Diamond-Blackfan syndrome).", "content": "Marrow transplantation was attempted in a 13-yr-old boy with congenital hypoplastic anemia who had never responded to corticosteroid therapy. Prior to the transplant, he had received 238 transfusions, at least 12 of which were from his father. He was prepared for grafting with antilymphocyte globulin, procarbazine, and total body irradiation (1000 rads). The patient, whose red cells were Group B, then received marrow cells from his Group O, histocompatible, sister. Thereafter, reticulocytes, Group O erythrocytes, and female leukocytes appeared in the peripheral blood. Erythroid precursors were seen in the patient's marrow for the first time in his life, and all lacked fluorescent Y chromosomes. Dividing cells were all female. After initially progressing well, the patient developed interstitial pneumonia and died 55 days after the transplant. The successful erythroid graft suggested that this patient's failure to produce red blood cells was due to a defective stem cell rather than to a humoral defect, plasma inhibitor, or abnormal marrow microenvironment. It suggested further that sibling marrow may be engrafted in patients who have received multiple transfusions, even from a parent.", "contents": "Establishment of erythropoiesis following bone marrow transplantation in a patient with congenital hypoplastic anemia (Diamond-Blackfan syndrome). Marrow transplantation was attempted in a 13-yr-old boy with congenital hypoplastic anemia who had never responded to corticosteroid therapy. Prior to the transplant, he had received 238 transfusions, at least 12 of which were from his father. He was prepared for grafting with antilymphocyte globulin, procarbazine, and total body irradiation (1000 rads). The patient, whose red cells were Group B, then received marrow cells from his Group O, histocompatible, sister. Thereafter, reticulocytes, Group O erythrocytes, and female leukocytes appeared in the peripheral blood. Erythroid precursors were seen in the patient's marrow for the first time in his life, and all lacked fluorescent Y chromosomes. Dividing cells were all female. After initially progressing well, the patient developed interstitial pneumonia and died 55 days after the transplant. The successful erythroid graft suggested that this patient's failure to produce red blood cells was due to a defective stem cell rather than to a humoral defect, plasma inhibitor, or abnormal marrow microenvironment. It suggested further that sibling marrow may be engrafted in patients who have received multiple transfusions, even from a parent.", "PMID": 786411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7348", "title": "Effect of sodium valproate on tardive dyskinesia.", "content": "The effect of sodium valproate, a drug which has been demonstrated to increase gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in the CNS, on tardive dyskinesia and psychiatric symptoms was investigated in a double-blind cross-over study on 32 chronic psychiatric patients. The oro-facial dyskinesias were totally or significantly relieved in 17 cases. During the active treatment period the involuntary movements of the extremities and dystonic spasms were also significantly relieved in 7 out of 9 patients. In two patients, however, the extrapyramidal symptoms became slightly worse. A significant improvement was noted in the psychiatric symptoms of 14 out of 32 patients during sodium valproate administration. The psychiatric state of 4 out of 32 patients deteriorated. Three was no correlation between the serum concentration of sodium valproate and its effect on the dyskinesia or on the psychiatric symptoms. Some of the elderly subjects showed a slight accumulation of the drug.", "contents": "Effect of sodium valproate on tardive dyskinesia. The effect of sodium valproate, a drug which has been demonstrated to increase gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in the CNS, on tardive dyskinesia and psychiatric symptoms was investigated in a double-blind cross-over study on 32 chronic psychiatric patients. The oro-facial dyskinesias were totally or significantly relieved in 17 cases. During the active treatment period the involuntary movements of the extremities and dystonic spasms were also significantly relieved in 7 out of 9 patients. In two patients, however, the extrapyramidal symptoms became slightly worse. A significant improvement was noted in the psychiatric symptoms of 14 out of 32 patients during sodium valproate administration. The psychiatric state of 4 out of 32 patients deteriorated. Three was no correlation between the serum concentration of sodium valproate and its effect on the dyskinesia or on the psychiatric symptoms. Some of the elderly subjects showed a slight accumulation of the drug.", "PMID": 786416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7349", "title": "A dialogue with Mandeville.", "content": "In A Treatise of the Hypochondriack and Hysterick Passions published in 1711, Bernard Mandeville, writing by way of Information of Patients' describes three dialogues between an imaginary physician, Philoperio, and his patient, a confirmed hypochondriac, Misomedion. The book is original in its conception inasmuch as it represents an early recorded conversation between a physician and his patient. As such it represents a development in the writing on therapeutic technique of the eighteenth century. Though Mandeville's originality has been emphasized by contemporary medical historians, this book seems to have had little influence on the therapeutic style of the physicians of his day.", "contents": "A dialogue with Mandeville. In A Treatise of the Hypochondriack and Hysterick Passions published in 1711, Bernard Mandeville, writing by way of Information of Patients' describes three dialogues between an imaginary physician, Philoperio, and his patient, a confirmed hypochondriac, Misomedion. The book is original in its conception inasmuch as it represents an early recorded conversation between a physician and his patient. As such it represents a development in the writing on therapeutic technique of the eighteenth century. Though Mandeville's originality has been emphasized by contemporary medical historians, this book seems to have had little influence on the therapeutic style of the physicians of his day.", "PMID": 786417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7350", "title": "The origins and practice of psychodrama.", "content": "Psychodrama, a method of human relations training and psychotherapy, is traced from its creation by Moreno fifty years ago to its present resurgence with the growth of 'humanistic' psychology. The basic techniques are described, together with Moreno's concepts of social interaction, e.g. encounter, spontaneity, the moment, cathersis and role playing. Its uses and limitations are discussed briefly.", "contents": "The origins and practice of psychodrama. Psychodrama, a method of human relations training and psychotherapy, is traced from its creation by Moreno fifty years ago to its present resurgence with the growth of 'humanistic' psychology. The basic techniques are described, together with Moreno's concepts of social interaction, e.g. encounter, spontaneity, the moment, cathersis and role playing. Its uses and limitations are discussed briefly.", "PMID": 786420} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7351", "title": "Disulfiram implantation: placebo, psychological deterrent, and pharmacological deterrent effects.", "content": "In an effort to examine the placebo, psychological deterrent, and pharmacological deterrent effects associated with implanted disulfiram, subjects were given either disulfiram implants or sham operations. Ethanol challenges elicited no disulfiram-ethanol reactions (DERs), indicating that at the time of the challenge neither a pharmacological deterrent nor a placebo effect was operating. Of the patients who resumed drinking, only those with disulfiram implants experienced DERs. Sham operation subjects continued to drink after their first post-challenge drink; four of five disulfiram implant recidivists remained abstinent following their experience of a DER. It is concluded that the pharmacological deterrent effect of the disulfiram implant may have been underestimated in previous reports.", "contents": "Disulfiram implantation: placebo, psychological deterrent, and pharmacological deterrent effects. In an effort to examine the placebo, psychological deterrent, and pharmacological deterrent effects associated with implanted disulfiram, subjects were given either disulfiram implants or sham operations. Ethanol challenges elicited no disulfiram-ethanol reactions (DERs), indicating that at the time of the challenge neither a pharmacological deterrent nor a placebo effect was operating. Of the patients who resumed drinking, only those with disulfiram implants experienced DERs. Sham operation subjects continued to drink after their first post-challenge drink; four of five disulfiram implant recidivists remained abstinent following their experience of a DER. It is concluded that the pharmacological deterrent effect of the disulfiram implant may have been underestimated in previous reports.", "PMID": 786421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7352", "title": "A comparative study of flurbiprofen and aspirin in soft tissue trauma.", "content": "A double blind study using flurbiprofen (2-(2-fluoro-4-biphenylyl propionic acid) 150 mg daily and soluble aspirin (3.6 g daily) for 5 days immediately after injury, was carried out in 52 soft tissue injuries to the lower limb in professional sportsmen. Flurbiprofen was more effective than aspirin in producing analgesia (when daily pain scores were considered) after day 2 (p less than 0.02); and flurbiprofen produced a more effective resolution of soft tissue trauma when days to training and match play were considered (p less than 0.05). The inhibitory effects of flurbiprofen on prostaglandin biosynthesis and tissue action are mentioned and the use of anti-inflammatory agents given immediately after soft tissue injuries discussed.", "contents": "A comparative study of flurbiprofen and aspirin in soft tissue trauma. A double blind study using flurbiprofen (2-(2-fluoro-4-biphenylyl propionic acid) 150 mg daily and soluble aspirin (3.6 g daily) for 5 days immediately after injury, was carried out in 52 soft tissue injuries to the lower limb in professional sportsmen. Flurbiprofen was more effective than aspirin in producing analgesia (when daily pain scores were considered) after day 2 (p less than 0.02); and flurbiprofen produced a more effective resolution of soft tissue trauma when days to training and match play were considered (p less than 0.05). The inhibitory effects of flurbiprofen on prostaglandin biosynthesis and tissue action are mentioned and the use of anti-inflammatory agents given immediately after soft tissue injuries discussed.", "PMID": 786422} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7353", "title": "New methods of imaging in diagnostic radiology Sylvanus Thompson Memorial Lecture.", "content": "A brief history of the recent developments in computer-assisted tomography (CAT) is presented. The development of whole-body scanners from the basic brain scanner, the trend towards higher-speed scanners using multiple detectors in a fan-type geometry, and some of the unsolved problems related to CAT scanners are discussed, as well as the potential use of whole-body scanning in radiotherapy treatment planning and in radiobiology. A review of recent developments in electrostatic imaging is presented and a new method of imaging called ionography is described in detail. It is shown how a single exposure can be used to produce a number of copies, each with a different amount of edge contrast, under the control of the radiologist. Further, it is shown how this can be done using a closed system so that the ionography chamber never needs to be opened. Some of the recent commercial developments in this field are described. It is suggested that in the future radiology departments may be replaced by departments of imaging, which will include all ways of obtaining diagnostic information and where such a department would be problem oriented rather than technique oriented. The need for basic scientific support by a medical physics and engineering group in such a department is emphasized.", "contents": "New methods of imaging in diagnostic radiology Sylvanus Thompson Memorial Lecture. A brief history of the recent developments in computer-assisted tomography (CAT) is presented. The development of whole-body scanners from the basic brain scanner, the trend towards higher-speed scanners using multiple detectors in a fan-type geometry, and some of the unsolved problems related to CAT scanners are discussed, as well as the potential use of whole-body scanning in radiotherapy treatment planning and in radiobiology. A review of recent developments in electrostatic imaging is presented and a new method of imaging called ionography is described in detail. It is shown how a single exposure can be used to produce a number of copies, each with a different amount of edge contrast, under the control of the radiologist. Further, it is shown how this can be done using a closed system so that the ionography chamber never needs to be opened. Some of the recent commercial developments in this field are described. It is suggested that in the future radiology departments may be replaced by departments of imaging, which will include all ways of obtaining diagnostic information and where such a department would be problem oriented rather than technique oriented. The need for basic scientific support by a medical physics and engineering group in such a department is emphasized.", "PMID": 786423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7354", "title": "Autotransplantation of the kidney for fibromuscular dysplasia of the renal arteries.", "content": "A young man was discovered to have symptomless hypertension, which subsequently proved to be caused by fibromuscular dysplasia of the renal arteries. Arterial disease was present on both sides but was more severe on the right. Samples of blood were obtained by selective catheterisation of each renal vein for the determination of plasma renin activity. The renal venous renin was greater on the right than on the left (ratio greater than 1-5 to 1) and secretion of renin by the left kidney was suppressed. Autotransplantation of the right kidney to the left internal iliac artery lowered the blood pressure at once and it has remained normal for 6 months. The implications of this procedure for the management of a bilateral disorder of the renal arteries, such as fibromuscular dysplasia, are discussed.", "contents": "Autotransplantation of the kidney for fibromuscular dysplasia of the renal arteries. A young man was discovered to have symptomless hypertension, which subsequently proved to be caused by fibromuscular dysplasia of the renal arteries. Arterial disease was present on both sides but was more severe on the right. Samples of blood were obtained by selective catheterisation of each renal vein for the determination of plasma renin activity. The renal venous renin was greater on the right than on the left (ratio greater than 1-5 to 1) and secretion of renin by the left kidney was suppressed. Autotransplantation of the right kidney to the left internal iliac artery lowered the blood pressure at once and it has remained normal for 6 months. The implications of this procedure for the management of a bilateral disorder of the renal arteries, such as fibromuscular dysplasia, are discussed.", "PMID": 786426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7355", "title": "Amputation for vascular disease.", "content": "Amputation for peripheral ischaemia still has a depressingly high early and late mortality, and morbidity and the end result are usually less than satisfactory. Individual surgeons probably see too few amputees to treat them with maximal efficiency, and these patients create a large burden on beds and resources. There is room for improvement in all aspects of our management of amputees. Primary healing rates might be better with less heroic attempts to obtain a distal amputation. Sepsis is lessened by the use of prophylactic antibiotics. Tight bandaging and the intra-operative fitting of prostheses are undesirable. Simple tests of skin blood pressure may aid prediction of the degree of ischaemia at the proposed level of limb section and the chances of healing. The late mortality is high and merits study of methods designed to reduce it such as long term anticoagulation.", "contents": "Amputation for vascular disease. Amputation for peripheral ischaemia still has a depressingly high early and late mortality, and morbidity and the end result are usually less than satisfactory. Individual surgeons probably see too few amputees to treat them with maximal efficiency, and these patients create a large burden on beds and resources. There is room for improvement in all aspects of our management of amputees. Primary healing rates might be better with less heroic attempts to obtain a distal amputation. Sepsis is lessened by the use of prophylactic antibiotics. Tight bandaging and the intra-operative fitting of prostheses are undesirable. Simple tests of skin blood pressure may aid prediction of the degree of ischaemia at the proposed level of limb section and the chances of healing. The late mortality is high and merits study of methods designed to reduce it such as long term anticoagulation.", "PMID": 786427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7356", "title": "Randomised controlled trial of antibiotics in patients with cough and purulent sputum.", "content": "Two hundred and twelve adults with cough and purulent sputum of up to one week's duration were allocated randomly to treatment with doxycycline or placebo capsules for up to 10 days. Cough, purulent sputum, feeling \"off colour,\" and time off work lasted as long in treatment and control groups, but running nose persisted for a shorter time in the doxycycline group. The number of new episodes of lower respiratory tract infections, vaginal infections, gastrointestinal upsets, and otitis media over the next six months were the same in both groups, but fewer new upper respiratory infections were experienced by the doxycycline-treated patients. There is no consensus among doctors about using antibiotics in patients with cough and purulent sputum, and these results indicate that otherwise healthy people with these symptoms will usually get better without antibiotic treatment.", "contents": "Randomised controlled trial of antibiotics in patients with cough and purulent sputum. Two hundred and twelve adults with cough and purulent sputum of up to one week's duration were allocated randomly to treatment with doxycycline or placebo capsules for up to 10 days. Cough, purulent sputum, feeling \"off colour,\" and time off work lasted as long in treatment and control groups, but running nose persisted for a shorter time in the doxycycline group. The number of new episodes of lower respiratory tract infections, vaginal infections, gastrointestinal upsets, and otitis media over the next six months were the same in both groups, but fewer new upper respiratory infections were experienced by the doxycycline-treated patients. There is no consensus among doctors about using antibiotics in patients with cough and purulent sputum, and these results indicate that otherwise healthy people with these symptoms will usually get better without antibiotic treatment.", "PMID": 786428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7357", "title": "Hyposensitisation with house dust mite vaccine in bronchial asthma.", "content": "In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of tyrosine-absorbed Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus vaccine no improvement was seen in 45 patients with asthma sensitive to house dust mite. In particular there was no significant improvement in symptom scores, spirometry, and skin and nasal challenge test results. Some patients in other studies have benefited from doses of vaccine much stronger than those now commercially available, but the incidence of side effects has also been high.", "contents": "Hyposensitisation with house dust mite vaccine in bronchial asthma. In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of tyrosine-absorbed Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus vaccine no improvement was seen in 45 patients with asthma sensitive to house dust mite. In particular there was no significant improvement in symptom scores, spirometry, and skin and nasal challenge test results. Some patients in other studies have benefited from doses of vaccine much stronger than those now commercially available, but the incidence of side effects has also been high.", "PMID": 786429} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7358", "title": "Bleeding in renal failure: a possible cause.", "content": "Increased concentrations of factor VIII-related antigen (VIIIRA), factor VIII-procoagulant activity (VIIC), and decreased factor VII-von Willebrand activity (VIIIVWF) were found in the plasma of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). This functional abnormality of the factor VII protein may partly explain the prolonged bleeding time commonly found in CRF. It was not improved by dialysis, but it was no longer found in patients with normally functioning grafted kidneys after the sixth month after transplantation. VIIIVWF levels remained decreased when compared with VIIIRA or VIIIC in transplanted patients undergoing acute reversible rejection soon after transplantation. Yet, not only VIIIC and VIIIRA but also VIIIVWF were greatly increased in patients with hyperacute irreversible rejection. Possibly a high VIIIVWF level in these patients is a thrombogenic factor.", "contents": "Bleeding in renal failure: a possible cause. Increased concentrations of factor VIII-related antigen (VIIIRA), factor VIII-procoagulant activity (VIIC), and decreased factor VII-von Willebrand activity (VIIIVWF) were found in the plasma of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). This functional abnormality of the factor VII protein may partly explain the prolonged bleeding time commonly found in CRF. It was not improved by dialysis, but it was no longer found in patients with normally functioning grafted kidneys after the sixth month after transplantation. VIIIVWF levels remained decreased when compared with VIIIRA or VIIIC in transplanted patients undergoing acute reversible rejection soon after transplantation. Yet, not only VIIIC and VIIIRA but also VIIIVWF were greatly increased in patients with hyperacute irreversible rejection. Possibly a high VIIIVWF level in these patients is a thrombogenic factor.", "PMID": 786433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7359", "title": "Computer interrogation of patients.", "content": "A system of routine interrogation of patients using a computer has been developed. It includes a visual display unit with a specially designed response keyboard, and the program has been designed to adapt to the individual patient. The system was evaluated objectively, using the criteria of accuracy in eliciting symptoms, acceptability to the patient, and cost. While doctors will always take the ultimate management decisions, it seems that machines can be programmed to undertake the routine interrogation of patients, elicit evidence accurately and acceptably, and calculate the probabilities of disease as effectively as doctors.", "contents": "Computer interrogation of patients. A system of routine interrogation of patients using a computer has been developed. It includes a visual display unit with a specially designed response keyboard, and the program has been designed to adapt to the individual patient. The system was evaluated objectively, using the criteria of accuracy in eliciting symptoms, acceptability to the patient, and cost. While doctors will always take the ultimate management decisions, it seems that machines can be programmed to undertake the routine interrogation of patients, elicit evidence accurately and acceptably, and calculate the probabilities of disease as effectively as doctors.", "PMID": 786434} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7360", "title": "IgM-FTA test in syphilis in adults. Its relation to clinical findings.", "content": "IgM-FTA tests have been carried out on 209 sera from 169 patients with treated or untreated syphilis at various stages and on 128 sera from 109 patients, born in areas where yaws is or was prevalent, with treated or untreated latent treponemal disease. IgM anti-treponemal antibody was found in virtually all cases of untreated early or early latent syphilis but in only 23 per cent. of sera from patients with untreated late latent syphilis. After treatment the antibody usually disappeared within one year, but it persisted in a minority of patients, including some treated for late symptomatic or congenital syphilis. Except in isolated cases there was no clinical evidence to suggest continued disease activity, although a third of the patient in whom the antibody persisted for more than 2 years after treatment were noted to be homosexuals. The test may assist in differentiating untreated early latent from late latent syphilis.", "contents": "IgM-FTA test in syphilis in adults. Its relation to clinical findings. IgM-FTA tests have been carried out on 209 sera from 169 patients with treated or untreated syphilis at various stages and on 128 sera from 109 patients, born in areas where yaws is or was prevalent, with treated or untreated latent treponemal disease. IgM anti-treponemal antibody was found in virtually all cases of untreated early or early latent syphilis but in only 23 per cent. of sera from patients with untreated late latent syphilis. After treatment the antibody usually disappeared within one year, but it persisted in a minority of patients, including some treated for late symptomatic or congenital syphilis. Except in isolated cases there was no clinical evidence to suggest continued disease activity, although a third of the patient in whom the antibody persisted for more than 2 years after treatment were noted to be homosexuals. The test may assist in differentiating untreated early latent from late latent syphilis.", "PMID": 786436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7361", "title": "Reactivity of lymphocytes from patients with syphilis towards T. pallidum antigen in the leucocyte migration and lymphocyte transformation tests.", "content": "The reactivity of lymphocytes to Treponema pallidum antigen was studied before and after treatment in nine patients with early syphilis using a leucocyte migration test and a lymphocyte transformation test. Lymphocyte reactivity was also investigated in six patients treated for syphilis within the last 4 years, and in five untreated patients with a positive result to the T. pallidum immobilization test, but negative results to other serum tests for syphilis antibodies and without any known exposure to risk of infection by syphilis. Ten seronegative patients with different dermatological disorders served as a control group. A significant increase in lymphocyte reactivity to T. pallidum antigen was recorded in both tests in vitro after treatment. There was no difference in lymphocyte reactivity to T. pallidum antigen between the other patients studied and the control group. In early syphilis the spontaneous migration was found to be inhibited before treatment. Tuberculin skin tests were also performed and found to be suppressed in patients with primary and secondary syphilis. No difference in phytohaemagglutinin response was found between any of the groups. Plasma from patients with primary and secondary syphilis was found to change the in vitro reactivity of normal lymphocytes when stimulated with different mitogens.", "contents": "Reactivity of lymphocytes from patients with syphilis towards T. pallidum antigen in the leucocyte migration and lymphocyte transformation tests. The reactivity of lymphocytes to Treponema pallidum antigen was studied before and after treatment in nine patients with early syphilis using a leucocyte migration test and a lymphocyte transformation test. Lymphocyte reactivity was also investigated in six patients treated for syphilis within the last 4 years, and in five untreated patients with a positive result to the T. pallidum immobilization test, but negative results to other serum tests for syphilis antibodies and without any known exposure to risk of infection by syphilis. Ten seronegative patients with different dermatological disorders served as a control group. A significant increase in lymphocyte reactivity to T. pallidum antigen was recorded in both tests in vitro after treatment. There was no difference in lymphocyte reactivity to T. pallidum antigen between the other patients studied and the control group. In early syphilis the spontaneous migration was found to be inhibited before treatment. Tuberculin skin tests were also performed and found to be suppressed in patients with primary and secondary syphilis. No difference in phytohaemagglutinin response was found between any of the groups. Plasma from patients with primary and secondary syphilis was found to change the in vitro reactivity of normal lymphocytes when stimulated with different mitogens.", "PMID": 786437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7362", "title": "Improved transport and culture system for the rapid diagnosis of gonorrhoea.", "content": "The Jembec/Neigon transport-and-culture system for the rapid diagnosis of gonorrhoea has been assessed by 167 sets of investigations in 128 named female contacts of infected men. The system offers the same advantages of efficiency and speed as the Transgrow transport-and-culture system, but it is also more flexible and much less time-consuming.", "contents": "Improved transport and culture system for the rapid diagnosis of gonorrhoea. The Jembec/Neigon transport-and-culture system for the rapid diagnosis of gonorrhoea has been assessed by 167 sets of investigations in 128 named female contacts of infected men. The system offers the same advantages of efficiency and speed as the Transgrow transport-and-culture system, but it is also more flexible and much less time-consuming.", "PMID": 786438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7363", "title": "Non-specific urethritis. A placebo-controlled trial of minocycline in conjunction with laboratory investigations.", "content": "The results of a double-blind therapeutic trial on 81 men suffering from non-specific urethritis (NSU) show that minocycline was more effective than a placebo. Before treatment Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from 31 per cent. of the men, ureaplasmas from 58 per cent., and Mycoplasma hominis from 7-5 per cent. There is evidence that chlamydiae are a cause of urethritis. However, after minocycline therapy improvement in the clinical response of patients from whom only ureaplasmas were isolated was less significant, so that the evidence that these organisms are pathogenic is less convincing. Possible reasons for this are discussed, as are the implications of finding minocycline-resistant ureaplasmas in at least 6 per cent. of the patients who harboured these organisms. The symptoms and signs of patients from whom micro-organisms were not isolated also improved after minocycline therapy, implying that the aetiological agents in this group of patients are antibiotic-sensitive. However, the results do not exclude the possibility that a minocycline-resistant agent is the cause of urethritis in a minority of patients.", "contents": "Non-specific urethritis. A placebo-controlled trial of minocycline in conjunction with laboratory investigations. The results of a double-blind therapeutic trial on 81 men suffering from non-specific urethritis (NSU) show that minocycline was more effective than a placebo. Before treatment Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from 31 per cent. of the men, ureaplasmas from 58 per cent., and Mycoplasma hominis from 7-5 per cent. There is evidence that chlamydiae are a cause of urethritis. However, after minocycline therapy improvement in the clinical response of patients from whom only ureaplasmas were isolated was less significant, so that the evidence that these organisms are pathogenic is less convincing. Possible reasons for this are discussed, as are the implications of finding minocycline-resistant ureaplasmas in at least 6 per cent. of the patients who harboured these organisms. The symptoms and signs of patients from whom micro-organisms were not isolated also improved after minocycline therapy, implying that the aetiological agents in this group of patients are antibiotic-sensitive. However, the results do not exclude the possibility that a minocycline-resistant agent is the cause of urethritis in a minority of patients.", "PMID": 786440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7364", "title": "Neutron scattering measurements with the label triangulation method on the 50 S subunit of E. coli ribosomes.", "content": "In the E. coli 50 S ribosomal subunit, proteins L7/L12 and L10 were deuterated by partial reconstitution. The distance between L7/L12 and L10 was measured by the label triangulation method and was found to be approximately 100 A or, with low probability, 60 to 70 A, depending on the concentration.", "contents": "Neutron scattering measurements with the label triangulation method on the 50 S subunit of E. coli ribosomes. In the E. coli 50 S ribosomal subunit, proteins L7/L12 and L10 were deuterated by partial reconstitution. The distance between L7/L12 and L10 was measured by the label triangulation method and was found to be approximately 100 A or, with low probability, 60 to 70 A, depending on the concentration.", "PMID": 786446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7365", "title": "The production of deuterated E. coli.", "content": "Our results indicate that the preparation of deuterated macromolecules for neutron scattering from E. coli can be done easily and relatively cheaply. The entry of deuterium into macromolecules of differing species during cell growth can be controlled by varying the D2O content of the medium and the choice of carbon sources, all in minimal medium. Considering the range of deuterations obtainable with simple protonated carbon sources, there seems to be no reason to use deuterated carbon sources except for the rare occasions when a fully deuterated specimen is required.", "contents": "The production of deuterated E. coli. Our results indicate that the preparation of deuterated macromolecules for neutron scattering from E. coli can be done easily and relatively cheaply. The entry of deuterium into macromolecules of differing species during cell growth can be controlled by varying the D2O content of the medium and the choice of carbon sources, all in minimal medium. Considering the range of deuterations obtainable with simple protonated carbon sources, there seems to be no reason to use deuterated carbon sources except for the rare occasions when a fully deuterated specimen is required.", "PMID": 786448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7366", "title": "The conversion of leucine to alpha-ketoisocaproic acid and its metabolic consequences for Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "The amino acid L-leucine serves as a good auxiliary nitrogen source for Escherichia coli K12, and in so doing is converted to alpha-ketoisocaproic acid which is excreted into the medium. L-Leucine does not serve as sole nitrogen source. Cells incubated with L-leucine as sole nitrogen source do not grow, although they do metabolize leucine, and accumulate ketoisocaproic acid in the medium. Where glycine is the only other nitrogen source, the presence of L-leucine greatly increases the growth rate even at concentrations so low that its contribution as nitrogen donor is unlikely to be important.", "contents": "The conversion of leucine to alpha-ketoisocaproic acid and its metabolic consequences for Escherichia coli K12. The amino acid L-leucine serves as a good auxiliary nitrogen source for Escherichia coli K12, and in so doing is converted to alpha-ketoisocaproic acid which is excreted into the medium. L-Leucine does not serve as sole nitrogen source. Cells incubated with L-leucine as sole nitrogen source do not grow, although they do metabolize leucine, and accumulate ketoisocaproic acid in the medium. Where glycine is the only other nitrogen source, the presence of L-leucine greatly increases the growth rate even at concentrations so low that its contribution as nitrogen donor is unlikely to be important.", "PMID": 786449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7367", "title": "ICMSF methods studies. VII. Indicator tests as substitutes for direct testing of dried foods and feeds for Salmonella.", "content": "The correlation between the occurrence of indicator organisms and salmonellae in the same sample homogenate of various classes of dried foods was studied. In the first phase of the work involving 5837 samples, 1943 contained fecal coliforms and 100 contained Salmonella. Fecal coliforms were not detected in 53 of the Salmonella-positive samples. In the second phase, an additional 637 samples were tested for the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, fecal coliforms, and Salmonella. Enterobacteriaceae were detected in 538 samples, coliforms in 506, fecal coliforms in 343, and Salmonella in 49. All Salmonella-politive samples were also positive for Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms. However, 6 of 49 Salmonella-positive samples were negative for fecal coliforms. Therefore, the use of the fecal coliform test as an index of Salmonella contamination would result in the rejection of Salmonella-negative foods and the acceptance of Salmonella-positive foods. It is concluded that none of these indicator groups are reliable as an index of Salmonella contamination in dried foods.", "contents": "ICMSF methods studies. VII. Indicator tests as substitutes for direct testing of dried foods and feeds for Salmonella. The correlation between the occurrence of indicator organisms and salmonellae in the same sample homogenate of various classes of dried foods was studied. In the first phase of the work involving 5837 samples, 1943 contained fecal coliforms and 100 contained Salmonella. Fecal coliforms were not detected in 53 of the Salmonella-positive samples. In the second phase, an additional 637 samples were tested for the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, fecal coliforms, and Salmonella. Enterobacteriaceae were detected in 538 samples, coliforms in 506, fecal coliforms in 343, and Salmonella in 49. All Salmonella-politive samples were also positive for Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms. However, 6 of 49 Salmonella-positive samples were negative for fecal coliforms. Therefore, the use of the fecal coliform test as an index of Salmonella contamination would result in the rejection of Salmonella-negative foods and the acceptance of Salmonella-positive foods. It is concluded that none of these indicator groups are reliable as an index of Salmonella contamination in dried foods.", "PMID": 786450} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7368", "title": "Isolation of bacteriophage lambda containing yeast ribosomal RNA genes: screening by in situ RNA hybridization to plaques.", "content": "We have developed an in situ hybridization technique which can be used to screen large numbers of hybrid bacteriophage for the presence of a particular inserted DNA sequence. Plaques of hybrid phage are formed on E. coli lawns on nitrocellulose filters, and their DNA is released, denatured, and fixed directly on the filters for hybridization to radioactive RNA probes. We have used this technique to isolate a number of hybrid bacteriophage lambda which contain EcoRl restriction fragments of the ribosomal RNA genes from yeast, and have examined the DNA from several of these phage.", "contents": "Isolation of bacteriophage lambda containing yeast ribosomal RNA genes: screening by in situ RNA hybridization to plaques. We have developed an in situ hybridization technique which can be used to screen large numbers of hybrid bacteriophage for the presence of a particular inserted DNA sequence. Plaques of hybrid phage are formed on E. coli lawns on nitrocellulose filters, and their DNA is released, denatured, and fixed directly on the filters for hybridization to radioactive RNA probes. We have used this technique to isolate a number of hybrid bacteriophage lambda which contain EcoRl restriction fragments of the ribosomal RNA genes from yeast, and have examined the DNA from several of these phage.", "PMID": 786462} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7369", "title": "Association of the folded chromosome with the cell envelope of E. coli: characterization of the proteins at the DNA-membrane attachment site.", "content": "Gentle lysis of E. coli cells in the presence of a DNA counterion (either 1.0 M NaCl or 5 mM spermidine) permits the isolation of the folded intact bacterial chromosome associated with membrane fragments. Most of the proteins in these chromosomes are also found in purified membrane preparations, and they can be identified as belonging to either the inner or the outer bacterial membrane. Ultraviolet irradiation of the membrane-attached chromosomes causes the formation of a stable complex between two inner membrane proteins (molecular weight 80,000 and 56,000 daltons) and 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-substituted DNA. The photochemical attachment of BrdU-substituted DNA to specific membrane proteins suggests that these proteins may be bound to the DNA in vivo. Such DNA-membrane-binding proteins may have a role in the attachment of the folded chromosome to the bacterial envelope.", "contents": "Association of the folded chromosome with the cell envelope of E. coli: characterization of the proteins at the DNA-membrane attachment site. Gentle lysis of E. coli cells in the presence of a DNA counterion (either 1.0 M NaCl or 5 mM spermidine) permits the isolation of the folded intact bacterial chromosome associated with membrane fragments. Most of the proteins in these chromosomes are also found in purified membrane preparations, and they can be identified as belonging to either the inner or the outer bacterial membrane. Ultraviolet irradiation of the membrane-attached chromosomes causes the formation of a stable complex between two inner membrane proteins (molecular weight 80,000 and 56,000 daltons) and 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-substituted DNA. The photochemical attachment of BrdU-substituted DNA to specific membrane proteins suggests that these proteins may be bound to the DNA in vivo. Such DNA-membrane-binding proteins may have a role in the attachment of the folded chromosome to the bacterial envelope.", "PMID": 786463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7370", "title": "Mutagenic activity of carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic nitrofurans and of urine of rats fed these compounds.", "content": "The nitrofurans, 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2), N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide (FANFT), nitrofurantoin, 5-nitro-2-furoic acid, 5-nitro-2-furamidoxime, 5-nitrofurfurylidene diacetate and the urine of rats fed these compounds, were assayed for mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA100FR1. All the nitrofurans were mutagenic in the order: AF-2 and FANFT greater than nitrofurantoin greater than 5-nitro-2-furamidoxime greater than 5-nitrofurfurylidene diacetate greater than 5-nitro-2-furoic acid. Strain TA100 was more sensitive than TA100FR1 to the mutagenic influence of these nitrofurans. Only the urine of rats fed AF-2, FANFT and nitrofurantoin had mutagenic activity. Again, TA100 was more sensitive than TA100FR1. The mutagenicity of the urine was not increased by treatment with beta-glucuronidase. AF-2, 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (deformylated product of FANFT) and nitrofurantoin were excreted in the urine of rats fed these compounds; whereas the other nitrofurans were not excreted.", "contents": "Mutagenic activity of carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic nitrofurans and of urine of rats fed these compounds. The nitrofurans, 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2), N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide (FANFT), nitrofurantoin, 5-nitro-2-furoic acid, 5-nitro-2-furamidoxime, 5-nitrofurfurylidene diacetate and the urine of rats fed these compounds, were assayed for mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA100FR1. All the nitrofurans were mutagenic in the order: AF-2 and FANFT greater than nitrofurantoin greater than 5-nitro-2-furamidoxime greater than 5-nitrofurfurylidene diacetate greater than 5-nitro-2-furoic acid. Strain TA100 was more sensitive than TA100FR1 to the mutagenic influence of these nitrofurans. Only the urine of rats fed AF-2, FANFT and nitrofurantoin had mutagenic activity. Again, TA100 was more sensitive than TA100FR1. The mutagenicity of the urine was not increased by treatment with beta-glucuronidase. AF-2, 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (deformylated product of FANFT) and nitrofurantoin were excreted in the urine of rats fed these compounds; whereas the other nitrofurans were not excreted.", "PMID": 786488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7371", "title": "[Extramucosal single-layer suture with multifilament stainless steel wires in surgery of the colon. Experimental research].", "content": "With a view to evaluating whether and how far a fuller case documentation may contribute to a better knowledge of the real possibilities of multifilament stainless steel wires in surgery of the colon, the Authors present and discuss the results they obtained during the course of experimental research on extramucosa single-layer sutures. In the light of their personal histological documents, they emphasize the absolute biological inertia of this suture material, a property which, together with the capacity of not suffering the colliquative action of germs, means that multifilament stainless steel wires can be given full rights of domicile in colon surgery.", "contents": "[Extramucosal single-layer suture with multifilament stainless steel wires in surgery of the colon. Experimental research]. With a view to evaluating whether and how far a fuller case documentation may contribute to a better knowledge of the real possibilities of multifilament stainless steel wires in surgery of the colon, the Authors present and discuss the results they obtained during the course of experimental research on extramucosa single-layer sutures. In the light of their personal histological documents, they emphasize the absolute biological inertia of this suture material, a property which, together with the capacity of not suffering the colliquative action of germs, means that multifilament stainless steel wires can be given full rights of domicile in colon surgery.", "PMID": 786489} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7372", "title": "Single-passage extraction and permeability estimation of sodium in normal dogs lungs.", "content": "Bolus injections of 24NaCl, 131I-albumin, and indocyanine green dye were made into the right atria of anesthetized, ventilated dogs. Blood was sampled from the femoral artery, and from the dilution curves, instantaneous extractions, E2(t), and area averaged extractions, E3(t), were calculated for sodium at various plasma flows (Fp). Flow reduction was produced by transient inferior vena cava obstruction. E2(t) and E3(t) within any dilution curve generally started off with a high value, then decreased with time. The E3 that occurred at the peak of the albumin-dilution curve were about 0.11 for plasma flow of 0.75 liter/min and tended to decrease as flow increased. Parallel study of the sodium extravascular space at equilibrium gave values of 0.3-0.4 g of plasma sodium per g of tissue, suggesting that this volume is not infinitely small. Since the E was low it is unlikely that the high initial E(t) and the decreasing E(t) were due to early back flux. Calculation of capillary permeability surface area product [PS = Fp loge (1 - E)] showed an increasing PS with plasma flows. The injection of 9-mum microspheres at low and high total blood flow gave evidence supporting a decrease of capillary surface area (S) with decreasing total blood flow. Regional pulmonary blood flow also showed marked heterogeneity. Because of the low average extraction of sodium in the lung, insensitivity of the method in normal lungs cannot be excluded.", "contents": "Single-passage extraction and permeability estimation of sodium in normal dogs lungs. Bolus injections of 24NaCl, 131I-albumin, and indocyanine green dye were made into the right atria of anesthetized, ventilated dogs. Blood was sampled from the femoral artery, and from the dilution curves, instantaneous extractions, E2(t), and area averaged extractions, E3(t), were calculated for sodium at various plasma flows (Fp). Flow reduction was produced by transient inferior vena cava obstruction. E2(t) and E3(t) within any dilution curve generally started off with a high value, then decreased with time. The E3 that occurred at the peak of the albumin-dilution curve were about 0.11 for plasma flow of 0.75 liter/min and tended to decrease as flow increased. Parallel study of the sodium extravascular space at equilibrium gave values of 0.3-0.4 g of plasma sodium per g of tissue, suggesting that this volume is not infinitely small. Since the E was low it is unlikely that the high initial E(t) and the decreasing E(t) were due to early back flux. Calculation of capillary permeability surface area product [PS = Fp loge (1 - E)] showed an increasing PS with plasma flows. The injection of 9-mum microspheres at low and high total blood flow gave evidence supporting a decrease of capillary surface area (S) with decreasing total blood flow. Regional pulmonary blood flow also showed marked heterogeneity. Because of the low average extraction of sodium in the lung, insensitivity of the method in normal lungs cannot be excluded.", "PMID": 786494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7373", "title": "Vasomotor control of capillary transit time heterogeneity in the canine coronary circulation.", "content": "A set of indicator-dilution studies of the coronary circulation of the intact functioning heart was carried out in the dog to provide a data base for defining the effect of changes in vasomotor control on the exchange of materials across the myocardial capillaries. The reference substance used was 125I-labeled albumin; the diffusible substance used was 14C-labeled sucrose. Model analyses of the data were carried out. In previous models of the capillary exchange in the coronary circulation, it had been assumed that a single capillary transit time is representative of the whole. The data acquired here indicate that there is a very large heterogeneity of capillary transit times in the intact heart, and that the single transit time model is approximately true only when the resistance vessels are maximally dilated. The present pattern of findings is explained best by a model of the coronary microcirculation based on capillary-large vessel units with a variable heterogeneity of flow or capillary lengths, hence of transit times. We conclude that a major determinant of the extraction of each diffusible substance, on a microscopic level, is the distribution of capillary transit times.", "contents": "Vasomotor control of capillary transit time heterogeneity in the canine coronary circulation. A set of indicator-dilution studies of the coronary circulation of the intact functioning heart was carried out in the dog to provide a data base for defining the effect of changes in vasomotor control on the exchange of materials across the myocardial capillaries. The reference substance used was 125I-labeled albumin; the diffusible substance used was 14C-labeled sucrose. Model analyses of the data were carried out. In previous models of the capillary exchange in the coronary circulation, it had been assumed that a single capillary transit time is representative of the whole. The data acquired here indicate that there is a very large heterogeneity of capillary transit times in the intact heart, and that the single transit time model is approximately true only when the resistance vessels are maximally dilated. The present pattern of findings is explained best by a model of the coronary microcirculation based on capillary-large vessel units with a variable heterogeneity of flow or capillary lengths, hence of transit times. We conclude that a major determinant of the extraction of each diffusible substance, on a microscopic level, is the distribution of capillary transit times.", "PMID": 786495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7374", "title": "Effect of steric restriction on the intracortical distribution of microspheres in the dog kidney.", "content": "The effect on the intracortical distribution of microspheres and radioactivity caused by steric hindrance of the free movement of spheres into afferent arterioles are described by two mathematical models. The results are compared with corresponding experimental data obtained in six kidneys from normotensive dogs. The first model (A) assumes that spheres are distributed as blood flow, regardless of their size, except for those having diameters greater than that of an afferent arteriole and which do not enter this vessel. The second model (B) includes the Ferry correction. The experimental data show that the percent recovery of spheres with diameters of 20-25 mum was significantly greater in the outer cortex and significantly less in the juxtamedullary cortex than recovery of the smaller spheres, and that the distribution of spheres with diameters of 10 mum to about 17 mum seems uninfluenced by the sphere size. The experimental results we have obtained fit best with model A. We found that according to both models steric restriction is a factor of major importance in relation to the intracortical distribution of spheres, and the analysis shows that the blood flow in the inner part of the renal cortex is grossly underestimated by the method of isotope labeled microspheres when diameters of 15 +/- 5 mum are used in the dog. Furthermore we found that dilation of the afferent arterioles will change the steric hindrance so that a redistribution of spheres and radioactivity may occur without any redistribution of blood flow. It is suggested that the results interpreted as redistribution of blood flow can be explained as due to altered steric hindrance alone, i.e., as a methodological artifact.", "contents": "Effect of steric restriction on the intracortical distribution of microspheres in the dog kidney. The effect on the intracortical distribution of microspheres and radioactivity caused by steric hindrance of the free movement of spheres into afferent arterioles are described by two mathematical models. The results are compared with corresponding experimental data obtained in six kidneys from normotensive dogs. The first model (A) assumes that spheres are distributed as blood flow, regardless of their size, except for those having diameters greater than that of an afferent arteriole and which do not enter this vessel. The second model (B) includes the Ferry correction. The experimental data show that the percent recovery of spheres with diameters of 20-25 mum was significantly greater in the outer cortex and significantly less in the juxtamedullary cortex than recovery of the smaller spheres, and that the distribution of spheres with diameters of 10 mum to about 17 mum seems uninfluenced by the sphere size. The experimental results we have obtained fit best with model A. We found that according to both models steric restriction is a factor of major importance in relation to the intracortical distribution of spheres, and the analysis shows that the blood flow in the inner part of the renal cortex is grossly underestimated by the method of isotope labeled microspheres when diameters of 15 +/- 5 mum are used in the dog. Furthermore we found that dilation of the afferent arterioles will change the steric hindrance so that a redistribution of spheres and radioactivity may occur without any redistribution of blood flow. It is suggested that the results interpreted as redistribution of blood flow can be explained as due to altered steric hindrance alone, i.e., as a methodological artifact.", "PMID": 786496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7375", "title": "Echocardiographic patterns of ventricular contraction in the Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome.", "content": "Echocardiograms of 52 patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome were investigated. Abnormal patterns of motion were observed in the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) and the interventricular septum (IVS). The abnormal LVPW motion was presumably specific for the syndrome and included early onset of the anterior motion which preceded the first heart sound (S1) and a premature peak formation of the anterior displacement which occurred before the second heart sound. The latter was usually followed by a second lower peak. These findings seem to suggest that both contraction and relaxation of LVPW begin earlier than normal due to ventricular pre-excitation initiated at or near the LVPW. The IVS abnormality characteristic of the syndrome was a posterior protrusion, the onset of which preceded S1. Subsequent motion of IVS was either paradoxical or hypokinetic during ejection. These IVS abnormalities were quite similar to those observed in left bundle branch block. The abnormal LVPW motion was observed in all 20 Type A patients and 10 of the 32 Type B patients. The abnormal IVS motion was observed in 10 Type B patients. We feel that echocardiography could be used as an auxiliary noninvasive means of locating the pre-excitation site in patients with WPW.", "contents": "Echocardiographic patterns of ventricular contraction in the Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. Echocardiograms of 52 patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome were investigated. Abnormal patterns of motion were observed in the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) and the interventricular septum (IVS). The abnormal LVPW motion was presumably specific for the syndrome and included early onset of the anterior motion which preceded the first heart sound (S1) and a premature peak formation of the anterior displacement which occurred before the second heart sound. The latter was usually followed by a second lower peak. These findings seem to suggest that both contraction and relaxation of LVPW begin earlier than normal due to ventricular pre-excitation initiated at or near the LVPW. The IVS abnormality characteristic of the syndrome was a posterior protrusion, the onset of which preceded S1. Subsequent motion of IVS was either paradoxical or hypokinetic during ejection. These IVS abnormalities were quite similar to those observed in left bundle branch block. The abnormal LVPW motion was observed in all 20 Type A patients and 10 of the 32 Type B patients. The abnormal IVS motion was observed in 10 Type B patients. We feel that echocardiography could be used as an auxiliary noninvasive means of locating the pre-excitation site in patients with WPW.", "PMID": 786498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7376", "title": "Intracardiac electrography in endocardial cushion defects.", "content": "Conduction of the sino-atrial impulse from the high right atrium to the ventricles was studied by intracardiac electrography in 21 unoperated patients, age 3 months to 11 years, with endocardial cushion defects (ECD). The high right atrium-to-low right atrium conduction time was prolonged in 15 of 18 subjects (mean 57 +/- 20 msec). The low right atrium-to-His bundle conduction time (LRA-H) was normal in 16 of 17 subjects (mean 82 +/- 30 msec), prolonged in one. The His-to-ventricle conduction time (H-V) was normal in 16 of 17 subjects (mean 37 +/- 8 msec), equivocally short in one. Nine patients with ECD, age 3 to 21 years, were studied postoperatively. One had an acquired complete atrioventricular block in the His bundle. Two had prolonged LRA-H and two prolonged LRA-H and two prolonged H-V. The surface ECG failed to identify accurately either prolonged atrioventricular conduction or the site of prolongation.", "contents": "Intracardiac electrography in endocardial cushion defects. Conduction of the sino-atrial impulse from the high right atrium to the ventricles was studied by intracardiac electrography in 21 unoperated patients, age 3 months to 11 years, with endocardial cushion defects (ECD). The high right atrium-to-low right atrium conduction time was prolonged in 15 of 18 subjects (mean 57 +/- 20 msec). The low right atrium-to-His bundle conduction time (LRA-H) was normal in 16 of 17 subjects (mean 82 +/- 30 msec), prolonged in one. The His-to-ventricle conduction time (H-V) was normal in 16 of 17 subjects (mean 37 +/- 8 msec), equivocally short in one. Nine patients with ECD, age 3 to 21 years, were studied postoperatively. One had an acquired complete atrioventricular block in the His bundle. Two had prolonged LRA-H and two prolonged LRA-H and two prolonged H-V. The surface ECG failed to identify accurately either prolonged atrioventricular conduction or the site of prolongation.", "PMID": 786499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7377", "title": "Noninvasive assessment of mitral insufficiency by transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound.", "content": "Instantaneous aortic arch blood velocity was recorded transcutaneously from the suprasternal notch, using a 2.2 MHz Doppler ultrasound unit, in 18 normals and 16 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization who had murmurs of mitral regurgitation. In normals aortic blood velocity rose rapidly in early systole to a midsystolic peak then fell to zero velocity. These roughly parabolic patterns had area ratios beneath the first and second halves of the curves measuring 52:48 +/- 3 (SD). With increasingly severe mitral regurgitation the pattern became skewed leftward such that the percent in the first half of systole ranged from 53-79%. From the angiograms of our sixteen patients an estimate of true percent regurgitation was made using the Fick cardiac output and ventricular volume measurements. When compared with the area under the first half of the velocity curve a strong correlation was found (r = 0.84) indicating that this Doppler technique can be used to evaluate mitral insufficiency.", "contents": "Noninvasive assessment of mitral insufficiency by transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound. Instantaneous aortic arch blood velocity was recorded transcutaneously from the suprasternal notch, using a 2.2 MHz Doppler ultrasound unit, in 18 normals and 16 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization who had murmurs of mitral regurgitation. In normals aortic blood velocity rose rapidly in early systole to a midsystolic peak then fell to zero velocity. These roughly parabolic patterns had area ratios beneath the first and second halves of the curves measuring 52:48 +/- 3 (SD). With increasingly severe mitral regurgitation the pattern became skewed leftward such that the percent in the first half of systole ranged from 53-79%. From the angiograms of our sixteen patients an estimate of true percent regurgitation was made using the Fick cardiac output and ventricular volume measurements. When compared with the area under the first half of the velocity curve a strong correlation was found (r = 0.84) indicating that this Doppler technique can be used to evaluate mitral insufficiency.", "PMID": 786500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7378", "title": "Acute hemodynamic interventions shift the diastolic pressure-volume curve in man.", "content": "Frame-by-frame analysis of angiograms in 16 patients revealed that hemodynamic interventions are capable of producing substantial shifts in the diastolic pressure-volume curve. Angiotensin raises blood pressure and shifts the entire pressure-volume curve up, and nitroprusside lowers blood pressure and shifts the curve down. Indirect measurements of pleural pressure in seven patients (via esophageal pressure) showed that pleural pressure changes were too small to account for these shifts. Analyzing our results in terms of a theoretical pressure-volume equation previously validated in dog studies did not show the observed shifts to be the product of acute changes in the elasticity of the myocardium itself. This same analysis suggested that indirect changes in the external mechanical constraints acting on the left ventricle such as the right ventricular pressure, the pericardium, and perhaps viscoelastic effects related to changes in filling rate account for the pressure-volume curve shifts with intervention. The fact that one cannot in general relate a specific volume to a given pressure in the face of hemodynamic interventions calls into question the use of end-diastolic pressure interchangeably with end-diastolic fiber length when interpreting systolic events in terms of the Frank-Starling mechanism.", "contents": "Acute hemodynamic interventions shift the diastolic pressure-volume curve in man. Frame-by-frame analysis of angiograms in 16 patients revealed that hemodynamic interventions are capable of producing substantial shifts in the diastolic pressure-volume curve. Angiotensin raises blood pressure and shifts the entire pressure-volume curve up, and nitroprusside lowers blood pressure and shifts the curve down. Indirect measurements of pleural pressure in seven patients (via esophageal pressure) showed that pleural pressure changes were too small to account for these shifts. Analyzing our results in terms of a theoretical pressure-volume equation previously validated in dog studies did not show the observed shifts to be the product of acute changes in the elasticity of the myocardium itself. This same analysis suggested that indirect changes in the external mechanical constraints acting on the left ventricle such as the right ventricular pressure, the pericardium, and perhaps viscoelastic effects related to changes in filling rate account for the pressure-volume curve shifts with intervention. The fact that one cannot in general relate a specific volume to a given pressure in the face of hemodynamic interventions calls into question the use of end-diastolic pressure interchangeably with end-diastolic fiber length when interpreting systolic events in terms of the Frank-Starling mechanism.", "PMID": 786501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7379", "title": "Response to exercise in patients after total surgical correction of Tetralogy of Fallot.", "content": "Heart rate, blood pressure, physical working capacity, and electrocardiographic changes were evaluated during upright bicycle exercise in 43 asymptomatic patients, aged seven to 41 years, one to 14 years after total surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TF). One hundred and nine normal subjects between the ages of five and 42 years served as controls. The patient and control groups, subdivided by sex and body surface area (BSA), were similar in height and weight. When comparing males to males and females to females with BSA greater than or equal to 1.2 m2, maximal heart rates and working capacities were lower in the patient groups than in the control groups. An inverse relationship was observed between maximal working capacity and age at surgery in both male and female patient groups. By contrast, especially in the males with BSA less than 1.2 m2, the mean maximal heart rates and working capacities did not differ significantly between the patient and control groups. Premature atrial or ventricular contractions were recorded in ten of 43 patients (23%) after exercise. Five of these ten patients had multifocal premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and four had unifocal PVC. In the five patients with multifocal PVC, a short burst of ventricular tachycardia occurred in two, coupling in one, and bigeminal rhythm in two. Cardiac arrhythmia was not observed in the control group. Although our current surgical results are excellent, this study suggests that impaired cardiovascular function persists after corrective surgery and that early surgical treatment may be more desirable. Furthermore, additional data suggest that the exercise procedure may be useful in detecting and managing patients who may develop life-threatening arrhythmias following intraventricular surgery.", "contents": "Response to exercise in patients after total surgical correction of Tetralogy of Fallot. Heart rate, blood pressure, physical working capacity, and electrocardiographic changes were evaluated during upright bicycle exercise in 43 asymptomatic patients, aged seven to 41 years, one to 14 years after total surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TF). One hundred and nine normal subjects between the ages of five and 42 years served as controls. The patient and control groups, subdivided by sex and body surface area (BSA), were similar in height and weight. When comparing males to males and females to females with BSA greater than or equal to 1.2 m2, maximal heart rates and working capacities were lower in the patient groups than in the control groups. An inverse relationship was observed between maximal working capacity and age at surgery in both male and female patient groups. By contrast, especially in the males with BSA less than 1.2 m2, the mean maximal heart rates and working capacities did not differ significantly between the patient and control groups. Premature atrial or ventricular contractions were recorded in ten of 43 patients (23%) after exercise. Five of these ten patients had multifocal premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and four had unifocal PVC. In the five patients with multifocal PVC, a short burst of ventricular tachycardia occurred in two, coupling in one, and bigeminal rhythm in two. Cardiac arrhythmia was not observed in the control group. Although our current surgical results are excellent, this study suggests that impaired cardiovascular function persists after corrective surgery and that early surgical treatment may be more desirable. Furthermore, additional data suggest that the exercise procedure may be useful in detecting and managing patients who may develop life-threatening arrhythmias following intraventricular surgery.", "PMID": 786502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7380", "title": "Effects of visibility of a prepalatal cleft on the evaluation of speech.", "content": "Sixty speech pathology students participated in a double-blind factorial experiment to assess the impact of a distorted lip and nares on the evaluation of various speech dimensions. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. All Ss read identical case studies about a child born with a cleft. One of two photographs was attached to each case study. One was an accurate photography of a girl with post-operative disfigurement. The second was of the same girl, but it had been retouched to eliminate the disfigurement. Half of the Ss in each photograph condition listened to a recording of a normal speaker while the other half of the Ss listened to a nasal speaker. The results of various analyses indicated that a visible disfigurement significantly affected the Ss evaluation of nasal speech, increasing their perception of nasality and of the need for speech therapy.", "contents": "Effects of visibility of a prepalatal cleft on the evaluation of speech. Sixty speech pathology students participated in a double-blind factorial experiment to assess the impact of a distorted lip and nares on the evaluation of various speech dimensions. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. All Ss read identical case studies about a child born with a cleft. One of two photographs was attached to each case study. One was an accurate photography of a girl with post-operative disfigurement. The second was of the same girl, but it had been retouched to eliminate the disfigurement. Half of the Ss in each photograph condition listened to a recording of a normal speaker while the other half of the Ss listened to a nasal speaker. The results of various analyses indicated that a visible disfigurement significantly affected the Ss evaluation of nasal speech, increasing their perception of nasality and of the need for speech therapy.", "PMID": 786504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7381", "title": "Treatment of cleft lip and palate during the Revolutionary war: bicentennial reflections.", "content": "Cleft palate surgery was not performed either in Europe or in America during the time of America's Revolutionary War. Cleft lip surgery was performed by the pinning and figure-of-eight thread method of closure in keeping with current European teachings on the subjects. This surgery was frequently performed by itinerant mendicants, charlatans, and also by the more legitimate members of the surgical community living in the 13 states at the time of the Revolution. A brief review of the surgical methods employed form the major portion of the article.", "contents": "Treatment of cleft lip and palate during the Revolutionary war: bicentennial reflections. Cleft palate surgery was not performed either in Europe or in America during the time of America's Revolutionary War. Cleft lip surgery was performed by the pinning and figure-of-eight thread method of closure in keeping with current European teachings on the subjects. This surgery was frequently performed by itinerant mendicants, charlatans, and also by the more legitimate members of the surgical community living in the 13 states at the time of the Revolution. A brief review of the surgical methods employed form the major portion of the article.", "PMID": 786505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7382", "title": "Congenital bilateral anorchia in childhood: a clinical, endocrine and therapeutic evaluation of twenty-one cases.", "content": "An evaluation of twenty-one boys, including a discordant pair of identical twins, is presented in whom bilateral anorchia was found with a negative family history and without history of breech presentation or of postnatal testicular trauma, torsion or orchitis. The most likely cause is prenatal testicular torsion. The incidence of the condition in our hospital is 1 in 177 cases of cryptorchidism. Prepubertal growth was normal before treatment, and testosterone replacement therapy allowed a normal pubertal growth spurt and skeletal maturation. Although demonstrable basal urinary testosterone was found in the subjects with a postpubertal bone age, most patients tested showed no increase after stimulation with human chorionic gonadotrophin. In the presence of a normal penis and scotum, such findings, together with a high basal FSH and an increased response of plasma LH to LHRH, make surgical exploration unnecessary. In the rare patient who shows a positive but subnormal response of testosterone to HCG, Leydig cells are presumed to be present either ectopically or in rudimentary testes, and further surgical exploration is indicated.", "contents": "Congenital bilateral anorchia in childhood: a clinical, endocrine and therapeutic evaluation of twenty-one cases. An evaluation of twenty-one boys, including a discordant pair of identical twins, is presented in whom bilateral anorchia was found with a negative family history and without history of breech presentation or of postnatal testicular trauma, torsion or orchitis. The most likely cause is prenatal testicular torsion. The incidence of the condition in our hospital is 1 in 177 cases of cryptorchidism. Prepubertal growth was normal before treatment, and testosterone replacement therapy allowed a normal pubertal growth spurt and skeletal maturation. Although demonstrable basal urinary testosterone was found in the subjects with a postpubertal bone age, most patients tested showed no increase after stimulation with human chorionic gonadotrophin. In the presence of a normal penis and scotum, such findings, together with a high basal FSH and an increased response of plasma LH to LHRH, make surgical exploration unnecessary. In the rare patient who shows a positive but subnormal response of testosterone to HCG, Leydig cells are presumed to be present either ectopically or in rudimentary testes, and further surgical exploration is indicated.", "PMID": 786507} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7383", "title": "Effect of oestradiol on gonadotrophin release induced by LHRH in men.", "content": "In order to study the role of the oestradiol on the feed-back mechanism, fourteen men were subjected to LHRH test before and after treatment with oestradiol. The oestrogen was administered i.m., 3 mug/kg/24 h and 150 mug/kg/24 h, in two groups of patients. Doses of 3 and 150 mug respectively produced a reduction of LH release of 74% and 60% below control. FSH response to LHRH was almost abolished by oestrogens. Our findings show that oestrogens in men decrease the pituitary response to LHRH.", "contents": "Effect of oestradiol on gonadotrophin release induced by LHRH in men. In order to study the role of the oestradiol on the feed-back mechanism, fourteen men were subjected to LHRH test before and after treatment with oestradiol. The oestrogen was administered i.m., 3 mug/kg/24 h and 150 mug/kg/24 h, in two groups of patients. Doses of 3 and 150 mug respectively produced a reduction of LH release of 74% and 60% below control. FSH response to LHRH was almost abolished by oestrogens. Our findings show that oestrogens in men decrease the pituitary response to LHRH.", "PMID": 786508} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7384", "title": "Significance of genetic factors for the plasma insulin response to glucose in healthy subjects.", "content": "The intravenous glucose tolerance and plasma insulin response to glucose infusion were analysed in a twin and family material, comprising 279 healthy subjects. The relation between the blood glucose and plasma insulin values was studied by an analysis of the principal eigenvalues. The variables obtained were corrected for sex, age and weight, and standardized with regard to mean and variance. The results showed that at least four of the variables have appreciable familial correlations, corresponding to a heritability (h2) varying between 0.38 and 0.72. These correlations could not be accounted for by common environment alone. Thus, the beta cell function in normal man, as measured by a glucose challenge test, appears to be genetically regulated.", "contents": "Significance of genetic factors for the plasma insulin response to glucose in healthy subjects. The intravenous glucose tolerance and plasma insulin response to glucose infusion were analysed in a twin and family material, comprising 279 healthy subjects. The relation between the blood glucose and plasma insulin values was studied by an analysis of the principal eigenvalues. The variables obtained were corrected for sex, age and weight, and standardized with regard to mean and variance. The results showed that at least four of the variables have appreciable familial correlations, corresponding to a heritability (h2) varying between 0.38 and 0.72. These correlations could not be accounted for by common environment alone. Thus, the beta cell function in normal man, as measured by a glucose challenge test, appears to be genetically regulated.", "PMID": 786513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7385", "title": "Congenital absence of gluteal muscles. Report of two sibs.", "content": "A family is described with the following features: 1) Two propositi, a male and a female, with congenital absence of gluteal muscles and with spina bifida occulta. 2) Both parents and two apparently normal siblings with sacral spina bifida occulta. 3) Two siblings of the propositi who died soon after birth, one with anencephaly and the other with a probable spina bifida. Two alternative hypotheses for the etiology of these malformations are suggested: first, the muscular defect could be caused by an autosomal recessive gene independent of the open neural-tube defects; second, both types of malformations could be due to the same autosomal recessive gene. Then compensatory muscular changes which allow the propositi to walk are discussed.", "contents": "Congenital absence of gluteal muscles. Report of two sibs. A family is described with the following features: 1) Two propositi, a male and a female, with congenital absence of gluteal muscles and with spina bifida occulta. 2) Both parents and two apparently normal siblings with sacral spina bifida occulta. 3) Two siblings of the propositi who died soon after birth, one with anencephaly and the other with a probable spina bifida. Two alternative hypotheses for the etiology of these malformations are suggested: first, the muscular defect could be caused by an autosomal recessive gene independent of the open neural-tube defects; second, both types of malformations could be due to the same autosomal recessive gene. Then compensatory muscular changes which allow the propositi to walk are discussed.", "PMID": 786514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7386", "title": "Autosomal reciprocal translocations and 13/14 translocations: a population study.", "content": "Fifteen children with autosomal reciprocal translocations were found in an incidence study of chromosome aberrations among 11,148 consecutively liveborn children in a Danish Maternity Hospital (1.34 per 1,000). The segregation rate of the balanced forms was 60% and that of unbalanced forms 4%; the frequency of familial cases was 73%. None of the probands or their relatives who carried the balanced translocation had any physical or mental abnormalities which could be associated with the chromosome aberration. We found two children with unbalanced translocations among the 45 relatives examined, but more studies of unselected population groups are needed before any segregation rates for unbalanced derivatives of autosomal reciprocal translocations can be estimated. We found a significantly higher frequency of abortions, stillbirths and perinatal deaths in the progeny of carriers with the translocation, compared with non-carriers in the same families. The unbalanced forms of autosomal reciprocal translocations in most cases are probably not compatible with the development of a foetus to a liveborn, healthy child. Fifteen children with 13/14 translocation were found among 11,148 consecutively liveborn children. Incidence, segregation rates and type of translocation are discussed. Fertility and risk for carriers of D/D translocations of producing children with autosomal trisomy are discussed.", "contents": "Autosomal reciprocal translocations and 13/14 translocations: a population study. Fifteen children with autosomal reciprocal translocations were found in an incidence study of chromosome aberrations among 11,148 consecutively liveborn children in a Danish Maternity Hospital (1.34 per 1,000). The segregation rate of the balanced forms was 60% and that of unbalanced forms 4%; the frequency of familial cases was 73%. None of the probands or their relatives who carried the balanced translocation had any physical or mental abnormalities which could be associated with the chromosome aberration. We found two children with unbalanced translocations among the 45 relatives examined, but more studies of unselected population groups are needed before any segregation rates for unbalanced derivatives of autosomal reciprocal translocations can be estimated. We found a significantly higher frequency of abortions, stillbirths and perinatal deaths in the progeny of carriers with the translocation, compared with non-carriers in the same families. The unbalanced forms of autosomal reciprocal translocations in most cases are probably not compatible with the development of a foetus to a liveborn, healthy child. Fifteen children with 13/14 translocation were found among 11,148 consecutively liveborn children. Incidence, segregation rates and type of translocation are discussed. Fertility and risk for carriers of D/D translocations of producing children with autosomal trisomy are discussed.", "PMID": 786515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7387", "title": "A membrane-associated autoantibody in a case of myasthenia gravis with chronic hepatitis.", "content": "A new antibody reacting with a cell membrane-related antigen is described in a patient with myasthenia gravis and chronic liver disease. The antibody gave a striking peripheral immunofluorescence in all cells tested and did not react with smooth muscle fibres, being distinct from anti-actin and anti-myosin antibodies. The antigen was widely distributed in human and animal tissues. The exact relationship of this antibody to the clinical condition is not obvious but its presence is further evidence of widespread disturbances of humoral immunity in myasthenia gravis.", "contents": "A membrane-associated autoantibody in a case of myasthenia gravis with chronic hepatitis. A new antibody reacting with a cell membrane-related antigen is described in a patient with myasthenia gravis and chronic liver disease. The antibody gave a striking peripheral immunofluorescence in all cells tested and did not react with smooth muscle fibres, being distinct from anti-actin and anti-myosin antibodies. The antigen was widely distributed in human and animal tissues. The exact relationship of this antibody to the clinical condition is not obvious but its presence is further evidence of widespread disturbances of humoral immunity in myasthenia gravis.", "PMID": 786517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7388", "title": "Liver cell surface localization of hepatitis B antigen and of immunoglobulins in acute and chronic hepatitis and in liver cirrhosis.", "content": "This paper describes immunofluorescence studies on liver cell surface localization of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and of IgG in acute and chronic hepatitis and in cirrhosis. In acute hepatitis B, HBsAg was found at the surface of hepatocytes in an early phase of the disease, but not during the recovery. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that immune reactions to HBsAg may be responsible for the liver cell lysis. In HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis the antigen was found in the cytoplasm, but not on the surface of the hepatocytes, while in HBsAg-negative cases the antigen could not be detected in the liver cells. Both in HBsAg-positive and in HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and cryptogenic cirrhosis IgG bound to the membrane of the hepatocytes could be detected, suggesting a role of antibodies in the pathogenesis of the disease.", "contents": "Liver cell surface localization of hepatitis B antigen and of immunoglobulins in acute and chronic hepatitis and in liver cirrhosis. This paper describes immunofluorescence studies on liver cell surface localization of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and of IgG in acute and chronic hepatitis and in cirrhosis. In acute hepatitis B, HBsAg was found at the surface of hepatocytes in an early phase of the disease, but not during the recovery. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that immune reactions to HBsAg may be responsible for the liver cell lysis. In HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis the antigen was found in the cytoplasm, but not on the surface of the hepatocytes, while in HBsAg-negative cases the antigen could not be detected in the liver cells. Both in HBsAg-positive and in HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and cryptogenic cirrhosis IgG bound to the membrane of the hepatocytes could be detected, suggesting a role of antibodies in the pathogenesis of the disease.", "PMID": 786518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7389", "title": "Studies on the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune renal tubulointerstitial disease in guinea-pigs. III. The role of adjuvants in the induction of disease.", "content": "Experimental renal tubulointerstitial disease is induced in guinea-pigs by anti-tubular basement membrane autoantibodies. The complete mechanism of mononuclear cell accumulation in the target organ is not known; however, in addition to antibody, complement and radiosensitive leucocytes are important. In the present experiments we explored the influence of adjuvant in the accumulation of mononuclear cells in kidneys of actively or passively immunized guinea-pigs. We found that renal disease could be induced without adjuvant, by multiple injections of rabbit tubular basement membrane. Lesions were comparable to those groups which received a single dose of antigen in Freund's complete or pertussis vaccine adjuvant. Passive transfer of nephritis confirmed that adjuvant is not necessary for either the accumulation of mononuclear cells or the formation of antibodies with particularly potent pathogenicity.", "contents": "Studies on the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune renal tubulointerstitial disease in guinea-pigs. III. The role of adjuvants in the induction of disease. Experimental renal tubulointerstitial disease is induced in guinea-pigs by anti-tubular basement membrane autoantibodies. The complete mechanism of mononuclear cell accumulation in the target organ is not known; however, in addition to antibody, complement and radiosensitive leucocytes are important. In the present experiments we explored the influence of adjuvant in the accumulation of mononuclear cells in kidneys of actively or passively immunized guinea-pigs. We found that renal disease could be induced without adjuvant, by multiple injections of rabbit tubular basement membrane. Lesions were comparable to those groups which received a single dose of antigen in Freund's complete or pertussis vaccine adjuvant. Passive transfer of nephritis confirmed that adjuvant is not necessary for either the accumulation of mononuclear cells or the formation of antibodies with particularly potent pathogenicity.", "PMID": 786519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7390", "title": "Heterogeneity of stem cells in severe combined immunodeficiency.", "content": "Two patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) having variable B-cell development have been shown to have marrow precursors of lymphoid cells which can be induced in vitro by thymic factors to express certain T-cell surface characteristics (HTLA+ phenotypes). Their marrow cells could not, however, be induced by these same factors to develop the E-rosette marker or functional activities of T lymphocytes. The marrow of these children also showed, when compared to that of normal adults, a different distribution of cellular elements on density gradient fractionation. The findings support the view that the disorder under study has a different pathogenesis from other forms of SCID previously analysed.", "contents": "Heterogeneity of stem cells in severe combined immunodeficiency. Two patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) having variable B-cell development have been shown to have marrow precursors of lymphoid cells which can be induced in vitro by thymic factors to express certain T-cell surface characteristics (HTLA+ phenotypes). Their marrow cells could not, however, be induced by these same factors to develop the E-rosette marker or functional activities of T lymphocytes. The marrow of these children also showed, when compared to that of normal adults, a different distribution of cellular elements on density gradient fractionation. The findings support the view that the disorder under study has a different pathogenesis from other forms of SCID previously analysed.", "PMID": 786520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7391", "title": "The Crithidia luciliae kinetoplast immunofluorescence test in systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "An immunofluorescence test for antibodies to native DNA, using the kinetoplast of Crithidia luciliae as substrate, has been assessed in comparison with the Farr precipitation technique, on a total of 395 sera from sixty-three patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 185 other hospital patients and sixty healthy controls. The immunofluorescence test appears to have great specificity as a diagnostic test for SLE, though lacking the sensitivity of the Farr technique. Like the latter, it is altered by immunosuppressive treatment, and in patients with SLE nephritis on immunosuppression it does not show good correlation with activity of renal disease. Its specificity and simplicity nevertheless make it a valuable clinical test.", "contents": "The Crithidia luciliae kinetoplast immunofluorescence test in systemic lupus erythematosus. An immunofluorescence test for antibodies to native DNA, using the kinetoplast of Crithidia luciliae as substrate, has been assessed in comparison with the Farr precipitation technique, on a total of 395 sera from sixty-three patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 185 other hospital patients and sixty healthy controls. The immunofluorescence test appears to have great specificity as a diagnostic test for SLE, though lacking the sensitivity of the Farr technique. Like the latter, it is altered by immunosuppressive treatment, and in patients with SLE nephritis on immunosuppression it does not show good correlation with activity of renal disease. Its specificity and simplicity nevertheless make it a valuable clinical test.", "PMID": 786521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7392", "title": "Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis accompanied by enhanced antibody production.", "content": "In four cases of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMCC) enhanced antibody production against candida antigen was detected in association iwth depressed cellular immunity. These patients showed extremely high agglutinin titre to candida antigen, while they were unable to mount delayed hypersensitivity reactions to candida antigen, tuberculin-purified protein derivative (PPD) or to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). They also showed prolonged survival of skin homografts. There was no correlation between migration inhibitory factor (MIF) production and blast transformation in response to candida antigen.", "contents": "Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis accompanied by enhanced antibody production. In four cases of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMCC) enhanced antibody production against candida antigen was detected in association iwth depressed cellular immunity. These patients showed extremely high agglutinin titre to candida antigen, while they were unable to mount delayed hypersensitivity reactions to candida antigen, tuberculin-purified protein derivative (PPD) or to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). They also showed prolonged survival of skin homografts. There was no correlation between migration inhibitory factor (MIF) production and blast transformation in response to candida antigen.", "PMID": 786522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7393", "title": "Cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck.", "content": "Melanoma of the head and neck, if diagnosed early and treated with aggressive appropriate surgical therapy, is potentially curable in up to 80 to 90 per cent of the cases. The use of microscopic staging by level of invasion and thickness of the tumor is helpful in determining the appropriate surgical procedure for the individual patient and is of prognostic significance. If possible, prophylactic incontinuity regional node dissection should be performed for melanomas of the head and neck that have invaded to Level III or deeper, especially those that are greater than 1.5 mm in thickness. The histological status of the regional nodes is beneficial both therapeutically and prognostically, in that patients who have negative nodes have a better prognosis than those with microscopically positive nodes. Also, these patients with microscopically positive nodes have a much better survival than those with macroscopically positive nodes. Melanoma of the head and neck should be treated very aggressively with wide excision of the primary tumor in order to prevent local recurrence and further spread of the disease. Since surgical treatment is the only effective curative measure for melanoma, all localized tumor in the region of the primary and solitary distant metastasis should be removed if possible. The adjunctive use of chemotherapy and immunotherapy when regional nodes are involved with melanoma is being studied and may be of some benefit. The combinations of surgical therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy offers the patient with advanced disease significant palliation, sometimes for prolonged periods. The treatment of head and neck melanoma is best summarized by the statement in the December 4, 1965 of The Lancet.-.29 \"The surgeon who first operates on a malignant melanoma has a great responsibility. Prompt and competent action will give the patient a chance of survival better than in most other forms of cancer. The only additional operative surgical skill required is the ability to cut and apply split skin grafts. If he lacks confidence therein, let the surgeon refer the case at once and certainly before he has ruined, by niggling interference, the patient's chance of survival.\"", "contents": "Cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck. Melanoma of the head and neck, if diagnosed early and treated with aggressive appropriate surgical therapy, is potentially curable in up to 80 to 90 per cent of the cases. The use of microscopic staging by level of invasion and thickness of the tumor is helpful in determining the appropriate surgical procedure for the individual patient and is of prognostic significance. If possible, prophylactic incontinuity regional node dissection should be performed for melanomas of the head and neck that have invaded to Level III or deeper, especially those that are greater than 1.5 mm in thickness. The histological status of the regional nodes is beneficial both therapeutically and prognostically, in that patients who have negative nodes have a better prognosis than those with microscopically positive nodes. Also, these patients with microscopically positive nodes have a much better survival than those with macroscopically positive nodes. Melanoma of the head and neck should be treated very aggressively with wide excision of the primary tumor in order to prevent local recurrence and further spread of the disease. Since surgical treatment is the only effective curative measure for melanoma, all localized tumor in the region of the primary and solitary distant metastasis should be removed if possible. The adjunctive use of chemotherapy and immunotherapy when regional nodes are involved with melanoma is being studied and may be of some benefit. The combinations of surgical therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy offers the patient with advanced disease significant palliation, sometimes for prolonged periods. The treatment of head and neck melanoma is best summarized by the statement in the December 4, 1965 of The Lancet.-.29 \"The surgeon who first operates on a malignant melanoma has a great responsibility. Prompt and competent action will give the patient a chance of survival better than in most other forms of cancer. The only additional operative surgical skill required is the ability to cut and apply split skin grafts. If he lacks confidence therein, let the surgeon refer the case at once and certainly before he has ruined, by niggling interference, the patient's chance of survival.\"", "PMID": 786526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7394", "title": "Microsurgical composite tissue transplantation: a method of immediate reconstruction of the head and neck.", "content": "A new approach utilizing microsurgical composite tissue transplantation is advocated for the management of difficult reconstructive problems in the region of the head and neck. This method is especially useful when local flap coverage may be inadequate. Morbidity and hospitalization is reduced and reconstruction is complete upon discharge from the hospital. Extirpative surgery for a malignancy can now have the defect reconstructed immediately with less disfigurement and psychological insult to the patient and family.", "contents": "Microsurgical composite tissue transplantation: a method of immediate reconstruction of the head and neck. A new approach utilizing microsurgical composite tissue transplantation is advocated for the management of difficult reconstructive problems in the region of the head and neck. This method is especially useful when local flap coverage may be inadequate. Morbidity and hospitalization is reduced and reconstruction is complete upon discharge from the hospital. Extirpative surgery for a malignancy can now have the defect reconstructed immediately with less disfigurement and psychological insult to the patient and family.", "PMID": 786529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7395", "title": "Cancer of the nose: ablation and repair.", "content": "Cancer of the nose is very common and lesions seen by reconstructive surgeons are often recurrent and extensive. Surgical removal of cancer of the nasal skin can usually be accomplished under local anesthesia, and in most instances frozen section histologic examination should be used to confirm the adequacy of excision. The location and three dimensional extent of the tumor will dictate the choices of repair or reconstruction as well as the timing thereof. Very small lesions can be excised with primary closure; other well circumscribed tumors can be excised and the defect closed with an appropriate nasal flap. In our experience most nasal skin cancers have been managed by excision and full-thickness skin grafting. We have found the skin of the neck and that of the preauricular region to provide the best skin cover except in the upper third of the nose where upper eyelid skin provides excellent coverage. We have used composite grafts from the ear to replace up to two-thirds of an alar rim. Nasolabial, cheek, and midline forehead flaps are useful in a variety of instances, but usually when less than one-half of the nose has been excised. We have been pleased, in most instances, with the Converse scalping flap for near total, subtotal, and extensive three-dimensional lower nasal defects. (Transverse superficial temporal artery pedicle flaps can be successfully used to reconstruct large nasal defects with adjacent cheek loss.) We have rarely used distant flaps. Regardless of what regional pedicle flap has been transferred to the nose, subsequent revisions of a relatively minor nature will nearly always enhance the result. Patients who have undergone extended total nasectomies are probably best managed with a prosthesis, as prognosis is often guarded and flap reconstruction may be quite unsatisfactory. In our experience, defects in lining and support can usually be repaired with local nasal tissue.", "contents": "Cancer of the nose: ablation and repair. Cancer of the nose is very common and lesions seen by reconstructive surgeons are often recurrent and extensive. Surgical removal of cancer of the nasal skin can usually be accomplished under local anesthesia, and in most instances frozen section histologic examination should be used to confirm the adequacy of excision. The location and three dimensional extent of the tumor will dictate the choices of repair or reconstruction as well as the timing thereof. Very small lesions can be excised with primary closure; other well circumscribed tumors can be excised and the defect closed with an appropriate nasal flap. In our experience most nasal skin cancers have been managed by excision and full-thickness skin grafting. We have found the skin of the neck and that of the preauricular region to provide the best skin cover except in the upper third of the nose where upper eyelid skin provides excellent coverage. We have used composite grafts from the ear to replace up to two-thirds of an alar rim. Nasolabial, cheek, and midline forehead flaps are useful in a variety of instances, but usually when less than one-half of the nose has been excised. We have been pleased, in most instances, with the Converse scalping flap for near total, subtotal, and extensive three-dimensional lower nasal defects. (Transverse superficial temporal artery pedicle flaps can be successfully used to reconstruct large nasal defects with adjacent cheek loss.) We have rarely used distant flaps. Regardless of what regional pedicle flap has been transferred to the nose, subsequent revisions of a relatively minor nature will nearly always enhance the result. Patients who have undergone extended total nasectomies are probably best managed with a prosthesis, as prognosis is often guarded and flap reconstruction may be quite unsatisfactory. In our experience, defects in lining and support can usually be repaired with local nasal tissue.", "PMID": 786530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7396", "title": "Facial resurfacing with the Limberg flap.", "content": "The Limberg flap is a valuable tool in teaching the art of local flap design. It is a very versatile addition to the armamentarium of any surgeon which provides a precise mathematical design for closure of both the primary and the secondary (donor) defect. The lines of maximum extensibility of the skin are crucial in the design of the rhomboid and the flap. Attention to these details avoids complications and assures good aesthetic and functional results.", "contents": "Facial resurfacing with the Limberg flap. The Limberg flap is a valuable tool in teaching the art of local flap design. It is a very versatile addition to the armamentarium of any surgeon which provides a precise mathematical design for closure of both the primary and the secondary (donor) defect. The lines of maximum extensibility of the skin are crucial in the design of the rhomboid and the flap. Attention to these details avoids complications and assures good aesthetic and functional results.", "PMID": 786531} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7397", "title": "Bone blood flow in the rat determined by the uptake of radioactive particles.", "content": "1. Two different suspensions of radioactive particles, 99Tcm-labelled microspheres and 59Fe-labelled resin particles, were injected into the rat central circulation in order to study the distribution of blood flow to the skeleton. 2. Measurements of particle uptake showed that the mean proportion of cardiac output flowing to the skeleton was 3-1%, a figure much lower than the valve of 27% found by Brookes (1970) in a similar experiment. 3. The blood flow per unit mass to individual bones covered a wide range.", "contents": "Bone blood flow in the rat determined by the uptake of radioactive particles. 1. Two different suspensions of radioactive particles, 99Tcm-labelled microspheres and 59Fe-labelled resin particles, were injected into the rat central circulation in order to study the distribution of blood flow to the skeleton. 2. Measurements of particle uptake showed that the mean proportion of cardiac output flowing to the skeleton was 3-1%, a figure much lower than the valve of 27% found by Brookes (1970) in a similar experiment. 3. The blood flow per unit mass to individual bones covered a wide range.", "PMID": 786532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7398", "title": "Dental visits, teeth remaining, and prosthetic appliances in a Norwegian urban population.", "content": "Of a random sample (177 persons) of 35-year-old Oslo citizens, 117 subjects (66.1%) attended a dental examination. Questionnaires were returned by mail from 28 of the non-respondents. The most common reason for not attending was \"difficulty in finding time for an appointment.\" About 89% of the respondents had visited a dentist regularly. Regular dental care seemed to be more common among people with a high level of education than among those with a low level of education. The most common treatment performed at the last dental visit was filling of cavities. The mean number of remaining teeth was 25.7. Females in the lower educational group had significantly less teeth than those in the higher educational group. No subjects were totally edentulous, but five persons had one edentulous jaw. Nine full or partial dentures were found. Twelve percent of the subjects had one or more fixed bridges, and 29.9% of the persons had one or more crown restorations. There seemed to be no differences between the sexes or educational levels in this respect.", "contents": "Dental visits, teeth remaining, and prosthetic appliances in a Norwegian urban population. Of a random sample (177 persons) of 35-year-old Oslo citizens, 117 subjects (66.1%) attended a dental examination. Questionnaires were returned by mail from 28 of the non-respondents. The most common reason for not attending was \"difficulty in finding time for an appointment.\" About 89% of the respondents had visited a dentist regularly. Regular dental care seemed to be more common among people with a high level of education than among those with a low level of education. The most common treatment performed at the last dental visit was filling of cavities. The mean number of remaining teeth was 25.7. Females in the lower educational group had significantly less teeth than those in the higher educational group. No subjects were totally edentulous, but five persons had one edentulous jaw. Nine full or partial dentures were found. Twelve percent of the subjects had one or more fixed bridges, and 29.9% of the persons had one or more crown restorations. There seemed to be no differences between the sexes or educational levels in this respect.", "PMID": 786537} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7399", "title": "Efficiency in clinical trials of caries preventive agents and methods.", "content": "The idea sequence of tests required to establish a caries prophylactic agent or procedure on a public health basis is described and a clear distinction is drawn between an experimental clinical trial, carried out under ideal conditions, and a community clinical trial carried out under real life conditions. Because of the artificial nature of an experimental clinical trial there are strict limitations placed on its objectives and the inferences that can be drawn from its results. Bearing these limitations in mind and using the data collected during a 3-year trial of a fluoride mouthrinse, two methods of improving the efficiency of experimental clinical trials of caries prophylactic agents are considered. Firstly, a reduction in length is suggested either by planning the trial to run for a shorter period in the first place or, alternatively, by stopping the trial when the criteria for success have been satisfied. Secondly, it is proposed that the number of subjects participating in the trial be reduced by excluding those whose contributions to the aims of the trial are likely to be low.", "contents": "Efficiency in clinical trials of caries preventive agents and methods. The idea sequence of tests required to establish a caries prophylactic agent or procedure on a public health basis is described and a clear distinction is drawn between an experimental clinical trial, carried out under ideal conditions, and a community clinical trial carried out under real life conditions. Because of the artificial nature of an experimental clinical trial there are strict limitations placed on its objectives and the inferences that can be drawn from its results. Bearing these limitations in mind and using the data collected during a 3-year trial of a fluoride mouthrinse, two methods of improving the efficiency of experimental clinical trials of caries prophylactic agents are considered. Firstly, a reduction in length is suggested either by planning the trial to run for a shorter period in the first place or, alternatively, by stopping the trial when the criteria for success have been satisfied. Secondly, it is proposed that the number of subjects participating in the trial be reduced by excluding those whose contributions to the aims of the trial are likely to be low.", "PMID": 786538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7400", "title": "Franz Kafka.", "content": "The hereditary and environmental influences on the genius of Kafka's personality are discussed. His exterior, somatic constitution is represented by photos taken during his lifetime as well as some posthumous, imaginary portraits and sculptures by various, mostly Prague, artists. The concept of the artist's psychic formation - his mental makeup - is documented from his diary, dreams, letters, literary work and reports by his friends. The whole proves his introversion, ambivalence, hypersensitivity, obstinancy, anxieties, behavioral anomalies, a life rich in fantasies and his underestimation of his own literary work. (He speaks about it as an idiosyncrasy, wishing it to be burned after his death.) Some little-known drawings by Kafka complement the picture of his talents and creativity. The psychological and psychopathological roots of his extraordinary position in the cultural awareness of his epoch are discussed.", "contents": "Franz Kafka. The hereditary and environmental influences on the genius of Kafka's personality are discussed. His exterior, somatic constitution is represented by photos taken during his lifetime as well as some posthumous, imaginary portraits and sculptures by various, mostly Prague, artists. The concept of the artist's psychic formation - his mental makeup - is documented from his diary, dreams, letters, literary work and reports by his friends. The whole proves his introversion, ambivalence, hypersensitivity, obstinancy, anxieties, behavioral anomalies, a life rich in fantasies and his underestimation of his own literary work. (He speaks about it as an idiosyncrasy, wishing it to be burned after his death.) Some little-known drawings by Kafka complement the picture of his talents and creativity. The psychological and psychopathological roots of his extraordinary position in the cultural awareness of his epoch are discussed.", "PMID": 786545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7401", "title": "Transformations of consciousness. A cartography, II. The perception-meditation continuum.", "content": "The Japanese Zen and Indian Yoga meditation techniques of zazen, dh\u0101rn\u0101, dhy\u0101n, savich\u0101r- and nirvich\u0101r-sam\u0101dhi are cartographed on a perception-meditation continuum of increasing trophotropic arousal. Certain psychophysiological characteristics and experiential dimensions of these hypometabolic states are discussed and it is proposed that observer-observed interactions or trans-substantiation (commonly termed 'reality') may not be subject to Goedelian restrictions if they proceed in hyper- and hypoaroused states. The meaning of aroused, non-verbal and logically non-Aristotelean states cannot be conveyed to individuals in a non-aroused state. The converse is also true when the relationship of arousal levels is reversed.", "contents": "Transformations of consciousness. A cartography, II. The perception-meditation continuum. The Japanese Zen and Indian Yoga meditation techniques of zazen, dh\u0101rn\u0101, dhy\u0101n, savich\u0101r- and nirvich\u0101r-sam\u0101dhi are cartographed on a perception-meditation continuum of increasing trophotropic arousal. Certain psychophysiological characteristics and experiential dimensions of these hypometabolic states are discussed and it is proposed that observer-observed interactions or trans-substantiation (commonly termed 'reality') may not be subject to Goedelian restrictions if they proceed in hyper- and hypoaroused states. The meaning of aroused, non-verbal and logically non-Aristotelean states cannot be conveyed to individuals in a non-aroused state. The converse is also true when the relationship of arousal levels is reversed.", "PMID": 786546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7402", "title": "Pictorial expression of ulcerative colitis.", "content": "The most prevalent emotional characteristics of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis are illustrated in pictures spontaneously drawn by a young patient while hospitalized. With the onset of the illness, the pathological content of the drawings surfaced. Using anthropomorphism of animals, the patient was able to identify with the story-book characters and reveal the problems of her own inner world and masked depression, which she was not able to express otherwise. Although she viewed herself at the center of the world, innocent and sensitive, she felt inferior and estranged from society. In defense, she withdrew from the hostile world and tried to hide self-directed aggression.", "contents": "Pictorial expression of ulcerative colitis. The most prevalent emotional characteristics of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis are illustrated in pictures spontaneously drawn by a young patient while hospitalized. With the onset of the illness, the pathological content of the drawings surfaced. Using anthropomorphism of animals, the patient was able to identify with the story-book characters and reveal the problems of her own inner world and masked depression, which she was not able to express otherwise. Although she viewed herself at the center of the world, innocent and sensitive, she felt inferior and estranged from society. In defense, she withdrew from the hostile world and tried to hide self-directed aggression.", "PMID": 786547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7403", "title": "Comparative study on gastric secretory function between benign gastric polyp and elevated type of early stomach cancer with special reference to histological findings of gastric mucosa.", "content": "In cases of elevated type of early cancer and benign polyp of the stomach, gastric analysis was performed and the results were compared with histological findings of gastric mucosa. Both clinical entities were found to show lowered acid and pepsin secretory functions reflecting severe and extensive atrophic changes of gastric mucosa. Dissociation in secretory disturbance between acid and pepsin was also noticed.", "contents": "Comparative study on gastric secretory function between benign gastric polyp and elevated type of early stomach cancer with special reference to histological findings of gastric mucosa. In cases of elevated type of early cancer and benign polyp of the stomach, gastric analysis was performed and the results were compared with histological findings of gastric mucosa. Both clinical entities were found to show lowered acid and pepsin secretory functions reflecting severe and extensive atrophic changes of gastric mucosa. Dissociation in secretory disturbance between acid and pepsin was also noticed.", "PMID": 786549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7404", "title": "Functional preservation of the mammalian kidney. IV. Functional effects of perfusion with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at normothermia.", "content": "Rabbit kidney were perfused at 37degreesC with various concentrations of DMSO in a K+-Mg2+-rich perfusate. The effects of DMSO on various functional parameters of the rabbit kidney perfused for 60 min were compared with the functional effects of perfusion without DMSO under the same conditions. DMSO produced deviations in vascular resistance and perfusate flow rate from control values. In kidneys perfused with 1.4 and 2.8 M DMSO these vascular changes resulted in changes in GFR at relatively unchanged filtration fractions. The closely parallel relationship between changes in GFR and urine flow in all groups indicates that perfusion per se or perfusion with DMSO may shift the regulation of urine flow rate from tubular reabsorption, which obtains in the in vivo situation, to glomerular filtration. This view was supported by the relatively unchanged parameters of Na+ reabsorption and fractional water excretion during perfusion with all concentrations of DMSO. Additionally, DMSO perfusion resulted in significantly greater weight gains than those observed in kidneys perfused without DMSO, and significantly depressed clearances of PAH, with 2.1 and 2.8 M DMSO.", "contents": "Functional preservation of the mammalian kidney. IV. Functional effects of perfusion with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at normothermia. Rabbit kidney were perfused at 37degreesC with various concentrations of DMSO in a K+-Mg2+-rich perfusate. The effects of DMSO on various functional parameters of the rabbit kidney perfused for 60 min were compared with the functional effects of perfusion without DMSO under the same conditions. DMSO produced deviations in vascular resistance and perfusate flow rate from control values. In kidneys perfused with 1.4 and 2.8 M DMSO these vascular changes resulted in changes in GFR at relatively unchanged filtration fractions. The closely parallel relationship between changes in GFR and urine flow in all groups indicates that perfusion per se or perfusion with DMSO may shift the regulation of urine flow rate from tubular reabsorption, which obtains in the in vivo situation, to glomerular filtration. This view was supported by the relatively unchanged parameters of Na+ reabsorption and fractional water excretion during perfusion with all concentrations of DMSO. Additionally, DMSO perfusion resulted in significantly greater weight gains than those observed in kidneys perfused without DMSO, and significantly depressed clearances of PAH, with 2.1 and 2.8 M DMSO.", "PMID": 786550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7405", "title": "The effect of freeze rate, duration of phase transition, and warming rate on survival of frozen canine kidneys.", "content": "The effect of cooling rate, warming rate, and duration of phase transition upon survival of frozen canine kidneys was investigated. In the present study, 11 kidneys out of 14 rapidly cooled (2--4degreesC/min) to --22degreesC and thawed (70--110degreesC/min) were viable following contralateral nephrectomy. The serum creatinine and BUN levels rose to a maximum of 8.4 and 30 mg%, respectively, on the eighth day post-contralateral nephrectomy. Average survival time was 10 days; however, two of the dogs in this group were allowed to survive, one for 3 months and one for over 2 years. Eight kidneys out of 16 slowly cooled (0.25-1.0degreesC/min) and either rapidly or slowly warmed (20-30degreesC/min) had function to produce small amounts of urine; however, they did not survive more than 5 days after contralateral nephrectomy. Cooling rates of 0.1 and 10degreesC/min were too harmful to the kidney to have renal function after reimplantation. The minimum renal cell damage as assessed by LDH and GOT in the post-freeze perfusate was found in the 2-4degreesC/min cooling rate following rapid warming (70degrees-110degreesC/min). Correlation of the duration of phase transition time to renal cell damage was linear for LDH and GOT (r=0.93). This result suggests that the duration of phase transition time also is an important factor during the freezing process, affecting post-thaw survival of canine kidneys.", "contents": "The effect of freeze rate, duration of phase transition, and warming rate on survival of frozen canine kidneys. The effect of cooling rate, warming rate, and duration of phase transition upon survival of frozen canine kidneys was investigated. In the present study, 11 kidneys out of 14 rapidly cooled (2--4degreesC/min) to --22degreesC and thawed (70--110degreesC/min) were viable following contralateral nephrectomy. The serum creatinine and BUN levels rose to a maximum of 8.4 and 30 mg%, respectively, on the eighth day post-contralateral nephrectomy. Average survival time was 10 days; however, two of the dogs in this group were allowed to survive, one for 3 months and one for over 2 years. Eight kidneys out of 16 slowly cooled (0.25-1.0degreesC/min) and either rapidly or slowly warmed (20-30degreesC/min) had function to produce small amounts of urine; however, they did not survive more than 5 days after contralateral nephrectomy. Cooling rates of 0.1 and 10degreesC/min were too harmful to the kidney to have renal function after reimplantation. The minimum renal cell damage as assessed by LDH and GOT in the post-freeze perfusate was found in the 2-4degreesC/min cooling rate following rapid warming (70degrees-110degreesC/min). Correlation of the duration of phase transition time to renal cell damage was linear for LDH and GOT (r=0.93). This result suggests that the duration of phase transition time also is an important factor during the freezing process, affecting post-thaw survival of canine kidneys.", "PMID": 786551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7406", "title": "Pulmonary function after recovery from the adult respiratory distress syndrome.", "content": "Eight adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome were treated with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation. The results of detailed examinations of pulmonary function in these eight patients obtained after different periods of time following discharge from the respiratory care unit were analyzed to determine the degree of disturbances in pulmonary function. For comparison, examinations of pulmonary function were also performed on two patients who were treated with zero end-expiratory pressure ventilation. This follow-up study showed remarkably few abnormalities. Whe present, restrictive disturbances in pulmonary function, especially decreased static compliance and diffusing capacity, were found. No correlation was found between the pulmonary-function results of the eight patients and the duration of the PEEP treatment, nor between the results and the time interval between treatment at the respiratory care unit and the moment of the pulmonary function studies.", "contents": "Pulmonary function after recovery from the adult respiratory distress syndrome. Eight adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome were treated with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation. The results of detailed examinations of pulmonary function in these eight patients obtained after different periods of time following discharge from the respiratory care unit were analyzed to determine the degree of disturbances in pulmonary function. For comparison, examinations of pulmonary function were also performed on two patients who were treated with zero end-expiratory pressure ventilation. This follow-up study showed remarkably few abnormalities. Whe present, restrictive disturbances in pulmonary function, especially decreased static compliance and diffusing capacity, were found. No correlation was found between the pulmonary-function results of the eight patients and the duration of the PEEP treatment, nor between the results and the time interval between treatment at the respiratory care unit and the moment of the pulmonary function studies.", "PMID": 786562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7407", "title": "Treatment of bronchopleural fistula during continuous positive pressure ventilation.", "content": "Pneumothorax as a complication of continuous positive pressure ventilation may result in the formation of bronchopleural fistula. If positive end-expiratory pressure cannot be sustained, the functional residual capacity and the ratio of alveolar ventilation to perfusion may decrease, and pulmonary gas exchange may be severely impaired. Recommended therapy includes removal of positive airway pressure and institution of negative intrapleural pressure via thoracostomy tube, but this may cause severe hypoxemia in patients with acute respiratory failure in spite of potentially toxic inspired oxygen concentrations. We applied positive intrapleural pressure equal to the end-expiratory airway pressure of three patients who developed bronchopleural fistula during therapy for acute respiratory failure. Positive intrapleural pressure facilitated resolution of the bronchopleural fistula in each case.", "contents": "Treatment of bronchopleural fistula during continuous positive pressure ventilation. Pneumothorax as a complication of continuous positive pressure ventilation may result in the formation of bronchopleural fistula. If positive end-expiratory pressure cannot be sustained, the functional residual capacity and the ratio of alveolar ventilation to perfusion may decrease, and pulmonary gas exchange may be severely impaired. Recommended therapy includes removal of positive airway pressure and institution of negative intrapleural pressure via thoracostomy tube, but this may cause severe hypoxemia in patients with acute respiratory failure in spite of potentially toxic inspired oxygen concentrations. We applied positive intrapleural pressure equal to the end-expiratory airway pressure of three patients who developed bronchopleural fistula during therapy for acute respiratory failure. Positive intrapleural pressure facilitated resolution of the bronchopleural fistula in each case.", "PMID": 786563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7408", "title": "The tethered spinal cord: its protean manifestations, diagnosis and surgical correction.", "content": "31 children with spina bifida occulta who have presented with back pain, scoliosis, a progressive neurological deficit involving lower limbs or a neurogenic bladder have been found to have a tethered spinal cord. Release of the tethered spinal cord has always relieved pain, frequently occrected a progressive scoliosis, and arrested or improved neurogenic foot deformities as well as neurogenic bladder.", "contents": "The tethered spinal cord: its protean manifestations, diagnosis and surgical correction. 31 children with spina bifida occulta who have presented with back pain, scoliosis, a progressive neurological deficit involving lower limbs or a neurogenic bladder have been found to have a tethered spinal cord. Release of the tethered spinal cord has always relieved pain, frequently occrected a progressive scoliosis, and arrested or improved neurogenic foot deformities as well as neurogenic bladder.", "PMID": 786565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7409", "title": "[Lymphocele following renal transplantation].", "content": "Lymphoceles as seen after renal transplantation are cystic swellings filled with lymph, situated beneath the lower end of the transplant on the iliac vessels. It seems that the lymph originates from lymphatics cut during operation. 5 such cases have been seen in our series of 268 renal allotransplantations. Symptoms arose 1 to 6 months after transplantation. According to our own experience and to 39 cases of the literature, deterioration of renal function because of compression of the ureter is the most common symptom. Therefore, intravenous pyelography is the main diagnostic means. Some cysts can be visualized by lymphangiography. Marsupialisation to the peritoneal cavity is the treatment of choice.", "contents": "[Lymphocele following renal transplantation]. Lymphoceles as seen after renal transplantation are cystic swellings filled with lymph, situated beneath the lower end of the transplant on the iliac vessels. It seems that the lymph originates from lymphatics cut during operation. 5 such cases have been seen in our series of 268 renal allotransplantations. Symptoms arose 1 to 6 months after transplantation. According to our own experience and to 39 cases of the literature, deterioration of renal function because of compression of the ureter is the most common symptom. Therefore, intravenous pyelography is the main diagnostic means. Some cysts can be visualized by lymphangiography. Marsupialisation to the peritoneal cavity is the treatment of choice.", "PMID": 786568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7410", "title": "[New formation of gallbladder calculi due to suture material--avoidable problem?].", "content": "Catgut material has proved to be perfectly stable in gall, thus facilitating precipitation and calculus formation. Therefore, polyglycolic acid suture material was tested under laboratory conditions. This material disintegrates completely within 9 weeks, and for this reason is recommended in operations on the biliary tract.", "contents": "[New formation of gallbladder calculi due to suture material--avoidable problem?]. Catgut material has proved to be perfectly stable in gall, thus facilitating precipitation and calculus formation. Therefore, polyglycolic acid suture material was tested under laboratory conditions. This material disintegrates completely within 9 weeks, and for this reason is recommended in operations on the biliary tract.", "PMID": 786569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7411", "title": "[Sclerosing of bleeding oesophageal varices (author's transl)].", "content": "Bleeding from oesophageal varices was stopped in two patients by percutaneous transhepatic transportal injection of 50% glucose and thrombin into the gastric coronary vein and the gastro-oesophageal varices draining into it. The only complication was a right-sided pleural effusion in one of the patients.", "contents": "[Sclerosing of bleeding oesophageal varices (author's transl)]. Bleeding from oesophageal varices was stopped in two patients by percutaneous transhepatic transportal injection of 50% glucose and thrombin into the gastric coronary vein and the gastro-oesophageal varices draining into it. The only complication was a right-sided pleural effusion in one of the patients.", "PMID": 786579} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7412", "title": "Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate: a new topical corticosteroid preliminary report.", "content": "Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate is a new non-fluorinated topical corticosteroid for use in psoriasis, eczema and other inflammatory dermatoses. In double-blind paired comparisons with other topical corticosteroids, the efficacy of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 0.1% has generally been indistinguishable from that of triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%, fluocinolone acetonide 0.025% or betamethasone 17-valerate 0.1% in patients with eczema or psoriasis. When applied to the face of patients with atrophy superimposed on rosacea and perioral dermatitis resulting from prolonged use of fluorinated topical corticosteroids, hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 0.1% did not prevent the beneficial effect of systemic tetracycline nor the disappearance of telangiectasis, and tended to be more effective than hydrocortisone 1%. This result suggests that hydrocortisone 17-butyrate may be suitable for long-term use on facial lesions, although the occurrence of moderate rebound eruption in about 10% of patients indicates the need for caution. The findings suggest that hydrocortisone 17-butyrate may be less liable to cause skin atrophy and adrenal suppression than some other potent topical corticosteroids, but trials to date have been too short to allow definite conclusions regarding possible long-term effects and have not involved infants or children.", "contents": "Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate: a new topical corticosteroid preliminary report. Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate is a new non-fluorinated topical corticosteroid for use in psoriasis, eczema and other inflammatory dermatoses. In double-blind paired comparisons with other topical corticosteroids, the efficacy of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 0.1% has generally been indistinguishable from that of triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%, fluocinolone acetonide 0.025% or betamethasone 17-valerate 0.1% in patients with eczema or psoriasis. When applied to the face of patients with atrophy superimposed on rosacea and perioral dermatitis resulting from prolonged use of fluorinated topical corticosteroids, hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 0.1% did not prevent the beneficial effect of systemic tetracycline nor the disappearance of telangiectasis, and tended to be more effective than hydrocortisone 1%. This result suggests that hydrocortisone 17-butyrate may be suitable for long-term use on facial lesions, although the occurrence of moderate rebound eruption in about 10% of patients indicates the need for caution. The findings suggest that hydrocortisone 17-butyrate may be less liable to cause skin atrophy and adrenal suppression than some other potent topical corticosteroids, but trials to date have been too short to allow definite conclusions regarding possible long-term effects and have not involved infants or children.", "PMID": 786608} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7413", "title": "Metoclopramide: a review of its pharmacological properties and clinical use.", "content": "Metoclopramide, 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxy-N-(2-diethyl-aminoethyl) benzamide, is advocated for use in gastro-intestinal diagnostics, and in treating various types of vomiting and a variety of functional and organic gastro-intestinal disorders. Published data have indicated that metoclopramide assists radiological identification of lesions in the small intestine, facilitates duodenal intubation and small intestine biopsy, and eases emergency endoscopy in upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage. Metoclopramide reduces post-operative vomiting and radiation sickness, and ameliorates some types of drug-induced vomiting. It may provide symptomatic relief in dyspepsia and possibly in vertigo, reflux oesophagitis and hiccups, but further controlled trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of metoclopramide in these proposed areas of use. It promotes gastric emptying prior to anaesthesia. Its effects in healing gastric ulcer and preventing relapse of duodenal ulcer remain unproven. Side-effects are few and transient, though alarming extrapyramidal reactions can occur in a small proportion of patients receiving therapeutic doses but more usually following excessive doses in young subjects. They respond rapidly to withdrawal of the drug.", "contents": "Metoclopramide: a review of its pharmacological properties and clinical use. Metoclopramide, 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxy-N-(2-diethyl-aminoethyl) benzamide, is advocated for use in gastro-intestinal diagnostics, and in treating various types of vomiting and a variety of functional and organic gastro-intestinal disorders. Published data have indicated that metoclopramide assists radiological identification of lesions in the small intestine, facilitates duodenal intubation and small intestine biopsy, and eases emergency endoscopy in upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage. Metoclopramide reduces post-operative vomiting and radiation sickness, and ameliorates some types of drug-induced vomiting. It may provide symptomatic relief in dyspepsia and possibly in vertigo, reflux oesophagitis and hiccups, but further controlled trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of metoclopramide in these proposed areas of use. It promotes gastric emptying prior to anaesthesia. Its effects in healing gastric ulcer and preventing relapse of duodenal ulcer remain unproven. Side-effects are few and transient, though alarming extrapyramidal reactions can occur in a small proportion of patients receiving therapeutic doses but more usually following excessive doses in young subjects. They respond rapidly to withdrawal of the drug.", "PMID": 786607} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7414", "title": "Antithrombotic drugs: part II.", "content": "The defibrinating agent ancrod has had limited clinical trial, but appears to give no advantages over heparin. Intravenous infusion of dextran, a glucose polymer, has been shown to have an antithrombotic effect in many experimental models of thrombosis. However, the evidence that dextran is a clinically valuable antithrombotic drug is conflicting. A number of controlled randomized studies have shown that dextran can prevent postoperative venous thromboembolism when a large volume of dextran 40 or 70 was infused rapidly during and after surgery. However, blood volume expansion during dextran treatment prohibits its use in patients with reduced cardiac reserve, and infrequent though sometimes severe, allergic reactions have been reported. Evidence that dextran is of value for the treatment of venous or arterial thromboembolism comes from uncontrolled studies and is not convincing. Many compounds have been shown to inhibit platelet function in vitro but only five of these drugs have been extensively evaluated as prophylactic or therapeutic antithrombotic agents in man. These are aspirin, sulphinpyrazone, dipyridamole, hydroxychloroquine and clofibrate. They have been evaluated mainly in patients with cerebral vascular disorders, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery ischaemia, venous thromboembolism, prosthetic heart valves, and in patients with arteriovenous shunts. The evaluation of the clinical effect of the platelet function suppressing drugs is in its early stages, but they appear to differ from each other in the spectrum of their clinical effectiveness, and they may be more effective in arterial than in venous thromboembolic disorders. Their role in the management of cerebral vascular disease and coronary artery disease is still uncertain, and should be clarified by the results of a number of multi-centre, prospective, randomized studies which are currently in progress. Three types of thrombolytic drugs have been evaluated clinically; the plasminogen activators streptokinase and urokinase, proteolytic enzymes such as plasmin, and agents which increase the level of endogenous plasminogen activator (e.g. anabolic steroids). Of these, the plasminogen activators now have a definite place in clinical practice. The plasminogen activators accelerate the lysis of recent venous thrombi and pulmonary emboli, and of arterial thrombi or emboli. Thrombolytic therapy with these agents should be considered particularly in patients with recent major pulmonary embolism, as lysis of recent emboli is rapid and substantial. It should also be considered in patients with recent extensive venous thrombosis, because total lysis of venous thrombi has been reported to result in long-term preservation of valve function, and is likely to prevent postphlebitic syndrome, though this has not been proven. However, plasminogen activator therapy carries a higher risk of bleeding than heparin treatment...", "contents": "Antithrombotic drugs: part II. The defibrinating agent ancrod has had limited clinical trial, but appears to give no advantages over heparin. Intravenous infusion of dextran, a glucose polymer, has been shown to have an antithrombotic effect in many experimental models of thrombosis. However, the evidence that dextran is a clinically valuable antithrombotic drug is conflicting. A number of controlled randomized studies have shown that dextran can prevent postoperative venous thromboembolism when a large volume of dextran 40 or 70 was infused rapidly during and after surgery. However, blood volume expansion during dextran treatment prohibits its use in patients with reduced cardiac reserve, and infrequent though sometimes severe, allergic reactions have been reported. Evidence that dextran is of value for the treatment of venous or arterial thromboembolism comes from uncontrolled studies and is not convincing. Many compounds have been shown to inhibit platelet function in vitro but only five of these drugs have been extensively evaluated as prophylactic or therapeutic antithrombotic agents in man. These are aspirin, sulphinpyrazone, dipyridamole, hydroxychloroquine and clofibrate. They have been evaluated mainly in patients with cerebral vascular disorders, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery ischaemia, venous thromboembolism, prosthetic heart valves, and in patients with arteriovenous shunts. The evaluation of the clinical effect of the platelet function suppressing drugs is in its early stages, but they appear to differ from each other in the spectrum of their clinical effectiveness, and they may be more effective in arterial than in venous thromboembolic disorders. Their role in the management of cerebral vascular disease and coronary artery disease is still uncertain, and should be clarified by the results of a number of multi-centre, prospective, randomized studies which are currently in progress. Three types of thrombolytic drugs have been evaluated clinically; the plasminogen activators streptokinase and urokinase, proteolytic enzymes such as plasmin, and agents which increase the level of endogenous plasminogen activator (e.g. anabolic steroids). Of these, the plasminogen activators now have a definite place in clinical practice. The plasminogen activators accelerate the lysis of recent venous thrombi and pulmonary emboli, and of arterial thrombi or emboli. Thrombolytic therapy with these agents should be considered particularly in patients with recent major pulmonary embolism, as lysis of recent emboli is rapid and substantial. It should also be considered in patients with recent extensive venous thrombosis, because total lysis of venous thrombi has been reported to result in long-term preservation of valve function, and is likely to prevent postphlebitic syndrome, though this has not been proven. However, plasminogen activator therapy carries a higher risk of bleeding than heparin treatment...", "PMID": 786606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7415", "title": "Comparison of the anti-LH/FSH-RH and anti-ovulatory activities of (D-Phe2, D-Leu6)-LH-RH and (D-Phe2, D-Ala6)-LH-RH.", "content": "The anti-LH/FSH-RH and antiovulatory activities of [D-Phe2, D-Leu6]-LH-RH and [D-Phe2, D-Ala6]-LH-RH were compared in rats. Both peptides inhibited the LH and FSH release induced by LH-RH in immature male rats, but, 4 hr after the injection, [D-Phe2, D-Leu6]-LH-RH still suppressed the LH and FSH release whereas the [D-Phe2, D-Ala6]-LH-RH did not. When the peptides were administered in equal doses on the afternoon of the day of proestrus in 4-day cycling rats, [D-Phe2, D-Leu6]-LH-RH more completely inhibited the ovulation occurring on the following morning than [D-Phe2, D-Ala6]-LH-RH. Thus, the incorporation of D-Leucine into position six of the decapeptide chain gives a more potent inhibitor than that resulting from the insertion of D-Alanine.", "contents": "Comparison of the anti-LH/FSH-RH and anti-ovulatory activities of (D-Phe2, D-Leu6)-LH-RH and (D-Phe2, D-Ala6)-LH-RH. The anti-LH/FSH-RH and antiovulatory activities of [D-Phe2, D-Leu6]-LH-RH and [D-Phe2, D-Ala6]-LH-RH were compared in rats. Both peptides inhibited the LH and FSH release induced by LH-RH in immature male rats, but, 4 hr after the injection, [D-Phe2, D-Leu6]-LH-RH still suppressed the LH and FSH release whereas the [D-Phe2, D-Ala6]-LH-RH did not. When the peptides were administered in equal doses on the afternoon of the day of proestrus in 4-day cycling rats, [D-Phe2, D-Leu6]-LH-RH more completely inhibited the ovulation occurring on the following morning than [D-Phe2, D-Ala6]-LH-RH. Thus, the incorporation of D-Leucine into position six of the decapeptide chain gives a more potent inhibitor than that resulting from the insertion of D-Alanine.", "PMID": 786612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7416", "title": "Effect of antihypertensive drugs on the renin-angiotensin system.", "content": "Renin release from the kidneys is controlled by four major mechanisms - renal baroreceptors, the macula densa, the sympathetic nervous system and other humoral and ionic influences. Recently, the importance of the sympathetic nervous system in modulating renin release for a variety of stimuli has become apparent. The sympathetic adrenergic nerves act on a specific beta-receptor to stimulate renin release from the kidney. Those antihypertensive drugs that inhibit adrenergic nerve transmission tend therefore to lower plasma renin. beta-Adrenoreceptor blocking drugs also generally lower plasma renin by specific inhibition of renal renin release both in animals and humans. Diuretics and vasodilators in contrast elevate plasma renin levels. Plasma renin levels in hypertensive patients are the net result of many diverse influences, and similarly in patients treated with antihypertensive drugs the plasma renin level often is the result of opposing influences. Plasma renin levels tend to return towards normal levels after treatment in hypertensive patients. Plasma renin levels may offer a guide to a more rational basis for antihypertensive therapy in the future. However, the primary aim in treatment of the hypertensive patient should be to lower his blood pressure, independent of the effect of plasma renin levels.", "contents": "Effect of antihypertensive drugs on the renin-angiotensin system. Renin release from the kidneys is controlled by four major mechanisms - renal baroreceptors, the macula densa, the sympathetic nervous system and other humoral and ionic influences. Recently, the importance of the sympathetic nervous system in modulating renin release for a variety of stimuli has become apparent. The sympathetic adrenergic nerves act on a specific beta-receptor to stimulate renin release from the kidney. Those antihypertensive drugs that inhibit adrenergic nerve transmission tend therefore to lower plasma renin. beta-Adrenoreceptor blocking drugs also generally lower plasma renin by specific inhibition of renal renin release both in animals and humans. Diuretics and vasodilators in contrast elevate plasma renin levels. Plasma renin levels in hypertensive patients are the net result of many diverse influences, and similarly in patients treated with antihypertensive drugs the plasma renin level often is the result of opposing influences. Plasma renin levels tend to return towards normal levels after treatment in hypertensive patients. Plasma renin levels may offer a guide to a more rational basis for antihypertensive therapy in the future. However, the primary aim in treatment of the hypertensive patient should be to lower his blood pressure, independent of the effect of plasma renin levels.", "PMID": 786609} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7417", "title": "The energetics of Escherichia coli during aerobic growth in continuous culture.", "content": "1. The energetics of Escherichia coli W growing aerobically in continuous culture have been investigated. Conditions were chosen such that growth was limited by the availability of carbon or oxygen (energy-limited cultures), or of ammonium of sulphate ions (excess energy cultures). 2. Under glycerol-limited conditions YmaxO2 (true molar growth yield with respect to oxygen) and YmaxATP (true molar growth yield with respect to ATP equivalents) were 50.9 g cells-mol O-02(-1) and 12.7 g cells-mol ATP equivalents-1 respectively; these values were not substantially altered during growth limited by oxygen, ammonium or sulphate. In contrast, M (the energy requirement for maintenance purposes) increased from approximately 2 mmol ATP equivalents-h-1-g cells-1 during energy-limited growth to 16.8 and 30.8 mmole ATP equivalents-h-1-g cells-1 when growth was limited by ammonium and sulphate ions respectively. 3. Replacement of glycerol by other limiting carbon sources caused YmaxATP to alter within the range 13.9 (glucose) to 7.1 (acetate) g cells-mol ATP equivalents-1 in the order glucose greater than galactose greather than arabinose greater than fructose greater than glycerol greater than fumarate greater than lactate greater than pyruvate greater than acetate. In each case the experimental value of YmaxATP was less than or equal to 55% of the theoretical value calculated from the known energy requirements for the biosynthesis of cell materials. 4. It is concluded from these results that neither M nor Ymax ATP are constant values for E. coli. M varies with the energy supply, being highest under excess energy growth conditions where it may reflect energy wastage by the cell. On the other hand, YmaxATP varies with the nature of the growth substrate and thus reflects the different energy requirements for the synthesis of cell material from different carbon sources.", "contents": "The energetics of Escherichia coli during aerobic growth in continuous culture. 1. The energetics of Escherichia coli W growing aerobically in continuous culture have been investigated. Conditions were chosen such that growth was limited by the availability of carbon or oxygen (energy-limited cultures), or of ammonium of sulphate ions (excess energy cultures). 2. Under glycerol-limited conditions YmaxO2 (true molar growth yield with respect to oxygen) and YmaxATP (true molar growth yield with respect to ATP equivalents) were 50.9 g cells-mol O-02(-1) and 12.7 g cells-mol ATP equivalents-1 respectively; these values were not substantially altered during growth limited by oxygen, ammonium or sulphate. In contrast, M (the energy requirement for maintenance purposes) increased from approximately 2 mmol ATP equivalents-h-1-g cells-1 during energy-limited growth to 16.8 and 30.8 mmole ATP equivalents-h-1-g cells-1 when growth was limited by ammonium and sulphate ions respectively. 3. Replacement of glycerol by other limiting carbon sources caused YmaxATP to alter within the range 13.9 (glucose) to 7.1 (acetate) g cells-mol ATP equivalents-1 in the order glucose greater than galactose greather than arabinose greater than fructose greater than glycerol greater than fumarate greater than lactate greater than pyruvate greater than acetate. In each case the experimental value of YmaxATP was less than or equal to 55% of the theoretical value calculated from the known energy requirements for the biosynthesis of cell materials. 4. It is concluded from these results that neither M nor Ymax ATP are constant values for E. coli. M varies with the energy supply, being highest under excess energy growth conditions where it may reflect energy wastage by the cell. On the other hand, YmaxATP varies with the nature of the growth substrate and thus reflects the different energy requirements for the synthesis of cell material from different carbon sources.", "PMID": 786616} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7418", "title": "Effects of antibodies to various molecular forms of a mutationally altered Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase on its activation by zinc.", "content": "Immunogenic and antigenic properties of a Zn2+ -deficient alkaline phosphatase produced in a mutant (U-47) of Escherichia coli have been studied. The native U-47 enzyme, that exists in a monomerdimer equilibrium, was used as immunogen. From the antisera obtained, four antibody populations directed to the various molecular forms of U-47 enzyme have been purified by affinity chromatography using specific antigens coupled to glutaraldehyde-activated beads of indubiose. 70% of the total antibody obtained was directed both to the monomeric and the dimeric forms, 9% was directed to the dimer but showed a low affinity for the monomer; 10% and 11% were specifically directed respectively to the monomer and the dimer. Each antibody population purified had a specific effect on the catalytic activity of the Zn2+ -activated U-47 enzyme. The anti-monomer-dimer and the anti-dimer-monomer inhibit to the same extent whereas the specific anti-monomer does not alter the activity significantly and the specific anti-dimer causes a 30% activation. The catalytic activity of the alkaline phosphatase produced in wild-type strains was also reduced by these anti-U-47 enzyme antibodies. However, whereas the anti-monomer had again very little effect, the anti-dimer-monomer and the anti-monomer-dimer inhibited this enzyme to different extents. The specific antidimer also inhibited this wild-type alkaline phosphate. Antibodies of high affinity to the dimeric form of U-47 enzyme, i.e. specific anti-dimer or anti-dimer-monomer, caused a 30% activation when they were added prior to the reactivation process by Zn2+. Specific anti-monomer strongly inhibited this reactivation process. The Fab fragment of the anti-wild-type phosphatase antibody, under the same conditions, caused a 300% activation. The extents of interactions of the various molecular forms of U-47 enzyme and of the wild-type enzyme with the anti-monomer-dimer and with the anti-dimer have been determined. U-47 enzyme monomeric form has three determinants exposed and the dimeric form has five determinants exposed for interacting with the anti-monomer-dimer antibody, the free wild-type enzyme has only two determinants exposed to this antibody. These determinants might be close to the active site or in another critical location since this antibody can reduce the catalytic activity of the wild-type enzyme to half the original value. The anti-dimer antibodies can interact with three determinants exposed at the surface of the free Zn2+ -reactivated U-47 enzyme and the non-covalent binding of one mole of inorganic phosphate results in the exposure of one more antigenic determinant.", "contents": "Effects of antibodies to various molecular forms of a mutationally altered Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase on its activation by zinc. Immunogenic and antigenic properties of a Zn2+ -deficient alkaline phosphatase produced in a mutant (U-47) of Escherichia coli have been studied. The native U-47 enzyme, that exists in a monomerdimer equilibrium, was used as immunogen. From the antisera obtained, four antibody populations directed to the various molecular forms of U-47 enzyme have been purified by affinity chromatography using specific antigens coupled to glutaraldehyde-activated beads of indubiose. 70% of the total antibody obtained was directed both to the monomeric and the dimeric forms, 9% was directed to the dimer but showed a low affinity for the monomer; 10% and 11% were specifically directed respectively to the monomer and the dimer. Each antibody population purified had a specific effect on the catalytic activity of the Zn2+ -activated U-47 enzyme. The anti-monomer-dimer and the anti-dimer-monomer inhibit to the same extent whereas the specific anti-monomer does not alter the activity significantly and the specific anti-dimer causes a 30% activation. The catalytic activity of the alkaline phosphatase produced in wild-type strains was also reduced by these anti-U-47 enzyme antibodies. However, whereas the anti-monomer had again very little effect, the anti-dimer-monomer and the anti-monomer-dimer inhibited this enzyme to different extents. The specific antidimer also inhibited this wild-type alkaline phosphate. Antibodies of high affinity to the dimeric form of U-47 enzyme, i.e. specific anti-dimer or anti-dimer-monomer, caused a 30% activation when they were added prior to the reactivation process by Zn2+. Specific anti-monomer strongly inhibited this reactivation process. The Fab fragment of the anti-wild-type phosphatase antibody, under the same conditions, caused a 300% activation. The extents of interactions of the various molecular forms of U-47 enzyme and of the wild-type enzyme with the anti-monomer-dimer and with the anti-dimer have been determined. U-47 enzyme monomeric form has three determinants exposed and the dimeric form has five determinants exposed for interacting with the anti-monomer-dimer antibody, the free wild-type enzyme has only two determinants exposed to this antibody. These determinants might be close to the active site or in another critical location since this antibody can reduce the catalytic activity of the wild-type enzyme to half the original value. The anti-dimer antibodies can interact with three determinants exposed at the surface of the free Zn2+ -reactivated U-47 enzyme and the non-covalent binding of one mole of inorganic phosphate results in the exposure of one more antigenic determinant.", "PMID": 786617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7419", "title": "L-Phenylalanine: tRNA ligase of Escherichia coli K10. The effect of O replaced by S substitution on substrate and ligand binding properties of ATP.", "content": "The Km and V values of the tRNA-charging reaction have been measured for L-phenylalanine:tRNA ligase and the geometric isomers of adenosine 5'-O-(1-thio)triphosphate, adenosine 5'-O-(2-thio)triphosphate and for 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate. All ATP analogs were found to be substrates with values of Km similar or (up to 10-fold) higher, and with values of V in the range of 10--30% compared with the natural substrate. The dissociation constants of the binary enzyme-nucleotide and ternary enzyme-nucleotide-L-phenylalaninol complexes were analysed as a function of the position of the sulfur atom indicating those phosphate groups which are involved in an enzyme-triphosphate interaction. The results are consistent with a participation of the beta and gamma-phosphate in the binary complex formation and an additional interaction at the positions of the alpha and beta-phosphate groups in the ternary complexes.", "contents": "L-Phenylalanine: tRNA ligase of Escherichia coli K10. The effect of O replaced by S substitution on substrate and ligand binding properties of ATP. The Km and V values of the tRNA-charging reaction have been measured for L-phenylalanine:tRNA ligase and the geometric isomers of adenosine 5'-O-(1-thio)triphosphate, adenosine 5'-O-(2-thio)triphosphate and for 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate. All ATP analogs were found to be substrates with values of Km similar or (up to 10-fold) higher, and with values of V in the range of 10--30% compared with the natural substrate. The dissociation constants of the binary enzyme-nucleotide and ternary enzyme-nucleotide-L-phenylalaninol complexes were analysed as a function of the position of the sulfur atom indicating those phosphate groups which are involved in an enzyme-triphosphate interaction. The results are consistent with a participation of the beta and gamma-phosphate in the binary complex formation and an additional interaction at the positions of the alpha and beta-phosphate groups in the ternary complexes.", "PMID": 786618} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7420", "title": "Affinity labelling of tRNA nucleotidyltransferase from baker's yeast with tRNAPhe modified on the 3'-terminus.", "content": "2'-Deoxy-2'-amino-cytidylic acid can be incorporated into position 75 of tRNAPhe from yeast by tRNA nucleotidyltransferase yielding tRNAPhe-C-C(2'NH2). tRNAPhe-C-C(2'NH2) can be reacted with the N-hydroxysuccinimide esters of bromoacetic acid of mercuriacetic acid to yield the derivatives tRNAPhe-C-C(2'NHCOCH2Br) and tRNAPhe-C-C(2'NHCOCH2Hg+OH-). Each of these reactive tRNAs inactivates tRNA nucleotidyltransferase from yeast with similar kinetics. The enzyme can be protected against inhibition by its substrates tRNAPhe-C and tRNAPhe-C-C as well as ATP and CTP. A covalent, isolatable 1:1 complex between tRNAPhe-C-C(2'NHCOCH2Br) and the enzyme was formed, but could not be found when the enzyme had previously been inactivated with p-hydroxymercuribenzoate.", "contents": "Affinity labelling of tRNA nucleotidyltransferase from baker's yeast with tRNAPhe modified on the 3'-terminus. 2'-Deoxy-2'-amino-cytidylic acid can be incorporated into position 75 of tRNAPhe from yeast by tRNA nucleotidyltransferase yielding tRNAPhe-C-C(2'NH2). tRNAPhe-C-C(2'NH2) can be reacted with the N-hydroxysuccinimide esters of bromoacetic acid of mercuriacetic acid to yield the derivatives tRNAPhe-C-C(2'NHCOCH2Br) and tRNAPhe-C-C(2'NHCOCH2Hg+OH-). Each of these reactive tRNAs inactivates tRNA nucleotidyltransferase from yeast with similar kinetics. The enzyme can be protected against inhibition by its substrates tRNAPhe-C and tRNAPhe-C-C as well as ATP and CTP. A covalent, isolatable 1:1 complex between tRNAPhe-C-C(2'NHCOCH2Br) and the enzyme was formed, but could not be found when the enzyme had previously been inactivated with p-hydroxymercuribenzoate.", "PMID": 786619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7421", "title": "Geometry of the protein S4 from Escherichia coli ribosomes.", "content": "The shape of protein S4 from Escherichia coli ribosomes in solution was determined by hydrodynamic methods and low-angle X-ray scattering. The molecular weight of 24000 determined by low-angle X-ray scattering is within 3% of that found by sedimentation equilibrium analysis and 8% of that determined by amino acid sequence work. The radius of gyration of 3.36 nm, the radius of gyration of the cross section of 0.41 nm and the hydrodynamic studies revealed that protein S4 is not spherical, but rather has a markedly extended shape. Calculations of different conformations, e.g. random coil, based on the parameters evaluated from hydrodynamic methods, revealed a rod-like structure of S4 with a length of 14 nm and a diameter of 1 nm. This is supported by a model of an equivalent scattering particle of uniform density based on all parameters obtained in this study.", "contents": "Geometry of the protein S4 from Escherichia coli ribosomes. The shape of protein S4 from Escherichia coli ribosomes in solution was determined by hydrodynamic methods and low-angle X-ray scattering. The molecular weight of 24000 determined by low-angle X-ray scattering is within 3% of that found by sedimentation equilibrium analysis and 8% of that determined by amino acid sequence work. The radius of gyration of 3.36 nm, the radius of gyration of the cross section of 0.41 nm and the hydrodynamic studies revealed that protein S4 is not spherical, but rather has a markedly extended shape. Calculations of different conformations, e.g. random coil, based on the parameters evaluated from hydrodynamic methods, revealed a rod-like structure of S4 with a length of 14 nm and a diameter of 1 nm. This is supported by a model of an equivalent scattering particle of uniform density based on all parameters obtained in this study.", "PMID": 786620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7422", "title": "Formation of dolichol monophosphate 2-deoxy-D-glucose and its interference with the glycosylation of mannoproteins in yeast.", "content": "A crude membrane fraction from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been found to catalyze 2-deoxy-D-glucose transfer from GDP-2-deoxy-D-glucose to endogeneous lipid and glycoprotein acceptor. Evidence will be represented that the glycolipid formed has properties characteristic dolichol monophosphate 2-deoxy-D-glucose. The 2-deoxy-D-glucosyl group can further be transferred from the glycolipid into a membrane-bound polymer fraction. More than 95% of the radioactivity incorporated can be released by beta-elimination, indicating an O-glycosidic linkage to serine or threonine. The only radioactive product obtained is 2-deoxy-D-glucose. When dolichol monophosphate 2-deoxy-[14C]glucose is incubated together with non-radioactive GDP-mannose subsequent beta-elimination yields no higher oligosaccharides in contrast to an experiment where dolichol monophosphate [14C]mannose and GDP-mannose are used as donors. The results are consistent with the assumption that the non-physiological nucleotide sugar interferes with GDP-mannose for mannosylation and terminates further elongation of the serine/threonine-bound oligomannose side chains. UDP-2-deoxy-D-glucose, used as donor, results also in the formation of a glycolipid. In this case, however, no polyprenol derivative is formed. Instead, the glycolipid displays properties characteristic of sphingolipid or a sterol glucoside.", "contents": "Formation of dolichol monophosphate 2-deoxy-D-glucose and its interference with the glycosylation of mannoproteins in yeast. A crude membrane fraction from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been found to catalyze 2-deoxy-D-glucose transfer from GDP-2-deoxy-D-glucose to endogeneous lipid and glycoprotein acceptor. Evidence will be represented that the glycolipid formed has properties characteristic dolichol monophosphate 2-deoxy-D-glucose. The 2-deoxy-D-glucosyl group can further be transferred from the glycolipid into a membrane-bound polymer fraction. More than 95% of the radioactivity incorporated can be released by beta-elimination, indicating an O-glycosidic linkage to serine or threonine. The only radioactive product obtained is 2-deoxy-D-glucose. When dolichol monophosphate 2-deoxy-[14C]glucose is incubated together with non-radioactive GDP-mannose subsequent beta-elimination yields no higher oligosaccharides in contrast to an experiment where dolichol monophosphate [14C]mannose and GDP-mannose are used as donors. The results are consistent with the assumption that the non-physiological nucleotide sugar interferes with GDP-mannose for mannosylation and terminates further elongation of the serine/threonine-bound oligomannose side chains. UDP-2-deoxy-D-glucose, used as donor, results also in the formation of a glycolipid. In this case, however, no polyprenol derivative is formed. Instead, the glycolipid displays properties characteristic of sphingolipid or a sterol glucoside.", "PMID": 786621} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7423", "title": "Polypeptide-chain elongation promoted by guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate.", "content": "In a purified system from Escherichia coli containing ribosomes complexed with poly(uridylic acid) and N-acetyl-phenylalanyl-tRNA, the nonhydrolyzable analog of GTP, guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Guo-5'-P2-NH-P), promotes polypeptide synthesis at a rate several times slower than GTP. The activity is completely dependent on elongation factors EF-T (i.e, EF-Ts + EF-Tu) and EF-G. Examination of individual steps of the elongation cycle in partial reactions shows that Guo-5'-P2-NH-P is as efficient as GTP in promoting the EF-T-dependent binding of phenylalanyl-tRNA to the ribosomal A site. In contrast, Guo-5'-P2-NH-P promotes the translocation-dependent binding of phenylalanyl-tRNA to a ribosome complexed with A-site-bound N-acetyl-phenylalanyl-tRNA much more slowly than GTP. This slow rate of binding is due to the presence of EF-G on the ribosome, and not to sluggish translocation, since (a) the rate remains slow even after translocation of N-acetylphenylalanyl-tRNA is completed, (b) it is greatly speeded up by removal of EF-G from the reaction mixture (after translocation has occurred), and (c) it is slowed down again by readdition of the factor. Moreover, with post-translocated ribosomes and in the absence of EF-G, formation of dipeptide subsequent to the EF-T-dependent binding of phenylalanyl-tRNA is much slower when binding of this substrate has been promoted by Guo-5'-P2-NH-P than it is when promoted by GTP. The results suggest that, during polymerization with Guo-5'-P2-NH-P, EF-G and EF-Tu are slowly released from the ribosome and, consequently, the steps of the elongation cycle subsequent to translocation and aminoacyl-tRNA binding (aminoacyl-tRNA binding and peptide bond formation, respectively) are delayed. Thus, durong elongation cycle, GTP hydrolysis is probably essential for fast release of the factors from the ribosome.", "contents": "Polypeptide-chain elongation promoted by guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate. In a purified system from Escherichia coli containing ribosomes complexed with poly(uridylic acid) and N-acetyl-phenylalanyl-tRNA, the nonhydrolyzable analog of GTP, guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Guo-5'-P2-NH-P), promotes polypeptide synthesis at a rate several times slower than GTP. The activity is completely dependent on elongation factors EF-T (i.e, EF-Ts + EF-Tu) and EF-G. Examination of individual steps of the elongation cycle in partial reactions shows that Guo-5'-P2-NH-P is as efficient as GTP in promoting the EF-T-dependent binding of phenylalanyl-tRNA to the ribosomal A site. In contrast, Guo-5'-P2-NH-P promotes the translocation-dependent binding of phenylalanyl-tRNA to a ribosome complexed with A-site-bound N-acetyl-phenylalanyl-tRNA much more slowly than GTP. This slow rate of binding is due to the presence of EF-G on the ribosome, and not to sluggish translocation, since (a) the rate remains slow even after translocation of N-acetylphenylalanyl-tRNA is completed, (b) it is greatly speeded up by removal of EF-G from the reaction mixture (after translocation has occurred), and (c) it is slowed down again by readdition of the factor. Moreover, with post-translocated ribosomes and in the absence of EF-G, formation of dipeptide subsequent to the EF-T-dependent binding of phenylalanyl-tRNA is much slower when binding of this substrate has been promoted by Guo-5'-P2-NH-P than it is when promoted by GTP. The results suggest that, during polymerization with Guo-5'-P2-NH-P, EF-G and EF-Tu are slowly released from the ribosome and, consequently, the steps of the elongation cycle subsequent to translocation and aminoacyl-tRNA binding (aminoacyl-tRNA binding and peptide bond formation, respectively) are delayed. Thus, durong elongation cycle, GTP hydrolysis is probably essential for fast release of the factors from the ribosome.", "PMID": 786622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7424", "title": "Purification, subunit structure and partial amino-acid sequence of anthranilate-5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase from the enteric bacterium Serratia marcescens.", "content": "The enzyme anthranilate-5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase from Serratia marcescens was purified to apparent homogeneity. The purification procedure included ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, Sephadex gel filtration and hydroxyapatite chromatography. The molecular weight of the native protein as determined on a calibrated Sephadex G-200 column was 45000. Dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of reducing agent revealed a subunit molecular weight of 43000 +/- 900, suggesting that the enzyme exists as a monomer. The sequence of the amino-terminal 38 residues revealed that three amino amino acids, glutamine (six residues), glutamic acid (five residues) and serine (five residues) comprised 42% of the sequence composition.", "contents": "Purification, subunit structure and partial amino-acid sequence of anthranilate-5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase from the enteric bacterium Serratia marcescens. The enzyme anthranilate-5-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase from Serratia marcescens was purified to apparent homogeneity. The purification procedure included ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, Sephadex gel filtration and hydroxyapatite chromatography. The molecular weight of the native protein as determined on a calibrated Sephadex G-200 column was 45000. Dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of reducing agent revealed a subunit molecular weight of 43000 +/- 900, suggesting that the enzyme exists as a monomer. The sequence of the amino-terminal 38 residues revealed that three amino amino acids, glutamine (six residues), glutamic acid (five residues) and serine (five residues) comprised 42% of the sequence composition.", "PMID": 786623} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7425", "title": "The role of Escherichia coli dna A gene and its integrative suppression in M13 coliphage DNA synthesis.", "content": "An F+ derivative of Escherichia coli E508 thermosensitive in dna A function (involved in DNA synthesis initiation), its revertant and an Hfr derivative of E508 (ts) in which the temperature-sensitive phenotype is suppressed by integrative suppression have been compared for their ability to support M13 phage DNA synthesis at the nonpermissive temperature. Upon infection at the nonpermissive temperature, both the revertant and the Hfr strain support normal phage replication while the temperature-sensitive mutant does not. However, when infection is carried out at a permissive temperature and the temperature is shifted up after infection, phage synthesis occurs in the temperature-sensitive mutant also, but in lesser quantity than in the revertant strain. Analysis of intracellular labeled phage DNA indicates: (a) parental replicative form DNA synthesis is not dependent on dna A function; (b) progeny replicative form DNA synthesis is strongly inhibited in the temperature-sensitive dna A mutant at the nonpermissive temperature; (c) progeny single-strand DNA synthesis does not absolutely require dna A function; (d) progeny single-strand DNA is present in the circular form. The implication of the host DNA replication in M13 DNA synthesis is discussed.", "contents": "The role of Escherichia coli dna A gene and its integrative suppression in M13 coliphage DNA synthesis. An F+ derivative of Escherichia coli E508 thermosensitive in dna A function (involved in DNA synthesis initiation), its revertant and an Hfr derivative of E508 (ts) in which the temperature-sensitive phenotype is suppressed by integrative suppression have been compared for their ability to support M13 phage DNA synthesis at the nonpermissive temperature. Upon infection at the nonpermissive temperature, both the revertant and the Hfr strain support normal phage replication while the temperature-sensitive mutant does not. However, when infection is carried out at a permissive temperature and the temperature is shifted up after infection, phage synthesis occurs in the temperature-sensitive mutant also, but in lesser quantity than in the revertant strain. Analysis of intracellular labeled phage DNA indicates: (a) parental replicative form DNA synthesis is not dependent on dna A function; (b) progeny replicative form DNA synthesis is strongly inhibited in the temperature-sensitive dna A mutant at the nonpermissive temperature; (c) progeny single-strand DNA synthesis does not absolutely require dna A function; (d) progeny single-strand DNA is present in the circular form. The implication of the host DNA replication in M13 DNA synthesis is discussed.", "PMID": 786624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7426", "title": "The role of Escherichia coli dnaG function in coliphage M13 DNA synthesis.", "content": "Examination of the role of Escherichia coli dnaG function in different stages of M13 phage DNA synthesis by ultracentrifugal analysis of intracellular phage DNA in a thermosensitive dnaG mutant shows that: (a) the formation of parental double-strand replicative-form DNA (rfDNA) from the infecting virus is independent of dnaG function; (b) the synthesis of progeny rfDNA requires dnaG product; (c) after a pool of rfDNA is made up, dnaG function is not required for the progeny single-strand DNA (ssDNA) synthesis. The ssDNAs produced under nonpermissive condition are mostly circular and biologically functional.", "contents": "The role of Escherichia coli dnaG function in coliphage M13 DNA synthesis. Examination of the role of Escherichia coli dnaG function in different stages of M13 phage DNA synthesis by ultracentrifugal analysis of intracellular phage DNA in a thermosensitive dnaG mutant shows that: (a) the formation of parental double-strand replicative-form DNA (rfDNA) from the infecting virus is independent of dnaG function; (b) the synthesis of progeny rfDNA requires dnaG product; (c) after a pool of rfDNA is made up, dnaG function is not required for the progeny single-strand DNA (ssDNA) synthesis. The ssDNAs produced under nonpermissive condition are mostly circular and biologically functional.", "PMID": 786625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7427", "title": "The O9 antigen of Escherichia coli. Structure of the polysaccharide chain.", "content": "The lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli O9:K30- was isolated in about 2% yield with aqueous 45% phenol at 65 degrees C, followed by ultracentrifugation. The polysaccharide moiety was obtained by graded hydrolysis and gel permeation chromatography. It consisted of a mannan which carried on its reducing end the core oligosaccharide of the R1 type. The mannan contained 1 leads to 2 and 1 leads to 3 linkages in a ratio of 3:2, as determined by methylation analysis and mass spectrometry. On periodate oxidation, 58% of the mannose residues were destroyed. Degradation of oligosaccharide mixtures with alpha-mannosidase from jack bean meal, as well as a specific rotation of [alpha]25D = +89 degrees indicated that all mannosyl linkages have the alpha-configuration. Smith degradation resulted in the liberation of mannosyl (1 leads to 3)-mannose (bound to glyceraldehyde), as established by methylation analysis. From these results we conclude that the O9 polysaccharide of E. coli has a pentasaccharide repeating unit of alpha-mannosyl(1 leads to 3)-alpha-mannosyl-(1 leads to 2)-alpha-mannosyl-(1 leads to 2)-alpha-mannosyl-(1 leads to 2)-mannose, which are joined in the polysaccharide through alpha-(1 leads to 3)-mannosyl linkages.", "contents": "The O9 antigen of Escherichia coli. Structure of the polysaccharide chain. The lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli O9:K30- was isolated in about 2% yield with aqueous 45% phenol at 65 degrees C, followed by ultracentrifugation. The polysaccharide moiety was obtained by graded hydrolysis and gel permeation chromatography. It consisted of a mannan which carried on its reducing end the core oligosaccharide of the R1 type. The mannan contained 1 leads to 2 and 1 leads to 3 linkages in a ratio of 3:2, as determined by methylation analysis and mass spectrometry. On periodate oxidation, 58% of the mannose residues were destroyed. Degradation of oligosaccharide mixtures with alpha-mannosidase from jack bean meal, as well as a specific rotation of [alpha]25D = +89 degrees indicated that all mannosyl linkages have the alpha-configuration. Smith degradation resulted in the liberation of mannosyl (1 leads to 3)-mannose (bound to glyceraldehyde), as established by methylation analysis. From these results we conclude that the O9 polysaccharide of E. coli has a pentasaccharide repeating unit of alpha-mannosyl(1 leads to 3)-alpha-mannosyl-(1 leads to 2)-alpha-mannosyl-(1 leads to 2)-alpha-mannosyl-(1 leads to 2)-mannose, which are joined in the polysaccharide through alpha-(1 leads to 3)-mannosyl linkages.", "PMID": 786626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7428", "title": "Raffinose metabolism in Escherichia coli K12. Purification and properties of a new alpha-galactosidase specified by a transmissible plasmid.", "content": "The utilization by Escherichia coli K12 of raffinose as sole carbon source depends on a new raffinose transport system, an invertase and an alpha-galactosidase specified by the Raf-plasmid D1021. The alpha-galactosidase was purified to homogeneity from a mutant strain with constitutive synthesis of the enzyme. alpha-Galactosidase hydrolyzes p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-galactoside (Km 0.14 mM), methyl-alpha-D-galactoside (Km 30mM), melibiose (Km 3.2 mM) and raffinose (Km 60 mM). The enzymatic activity is strongly inhibited by Ag+, p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid and, to a lesser extent, by iodoacetamide. Isoelectric focusing indicates the existence of one form of alpha-galactosidase with an isoelectric point of 5.1. The purified enzyme has an sw,20 value of 11.7 +/- 0.3S and a molecular weight of 329000 +/- 4000; this value is not reduced at high dilutions. When examined by dodecylsulphate gel electrophoresis, purified alpha-galactosidase yields a single subunit band of molecular weight 82000 suggesting that the intact enzyme consists of four subunits. Amino acid analysis indicates the presence of approximately 712 amino acid residues per quarter molecule including 8 half-cystine residues. No carbohydrate moiety has been detected. High resolution electron micrographs and Markham rotation of alpha-galactosidase show enzyme molecules of approximately 11 x 11 nm containing four globular subunits in a tetragonal arrangement. The plasmid-coded alpha-galactosidase differs from the homologous E. coli enzyme by substrate affinities, cofactor requirements, stability and toluene resistance. It can, therefore, be used as a marker enzyme suitable for the detection in vivo of Raf-plasmids.", "contents": "Raffinose metabolism in Escherichia coli K12. Purification and properties of a new alpha-galactosidase specified by a transmissible plasmid. The utilization by Escherichia coli K12 of raffinose as sole carbon source depends on a new raffinose transport system, an invertase and an alpha-galactosidase specified by the Raf-plasmid D1021. The alpha-galactosidase was purified to homogeneity from a mutant strain with constitutive synthesis of the enzyme. alpha-Galactosidase hydrolyzes p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-galactoside (Km 0.14 mM), methyl-alpha-D-galactoside (Km 30mM), melibiose (Km 3.2 mM) and raffinose (Km 60 mM). The enzymatic activity is strongly inhibited by Ag+, p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid and, to a lesser extent, by iodoacetamide. Isoelectric focusing indicates the existence of one form of alpha-galactosidase with an isoelectric point of 5.1. The purified enzyme has an sw,20 value of 11.7 +/- 0.3S and a molecular weight of 329000 +/- 4000; this value is not reduced at high dilutions. When examined by dodecylsulphate gel electrophoresis, purified alpha-galactosidase yields a single subunit band of molecular weight 82000 suggesting that the intact enzyme consists of four subunits. Amino acid analysis indicates the presence of approximately 712 amino acid residues per quarter molecule including 8 half-cystine residues. No carbohydrate moiety has been detected. High resolution electron micrographs and Markham rotation of alpha-galactosidase show enzyme molecules of approximately 11 x 11 nm containing four globular subunits in a tetragonal arrangement. The plasmid-coded alpha-galactosidase differs from the homologous E. coli enzyme by substrate affinities, cofactor requirements, stability and toluene resistance. It can, therefore, be used as a marker enzyme suitable for the detection in vivo of Raf-plasmids.", "PMID": 786627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7429", "title": "Use of a sequence-specific DNA-binding ligand to probe the environments of EcoRI restriction endonuclease cleavage sites.", "content": "The DNAs of bacteriophage lambda and adenovirus were incubated with the sequence-specific DNA-binding ligand 6,4'-diamidino-2-phenylindole. Digestion of the ligand-DNA complexes with EcoRI nuclease and subsequent agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the ligand inhibited nuclease activity at some sites, but not at others. The results suggest that diamidino-2-phynylindole can be used to probe the immediate environments of the EcoRI cleavage sites.", "contents": "Use of a sequence-specific DNA-binding ligand to probe the environments of EcoRI restriction endonuclease cleavage sites. The DNAs of bacteriophage lambda and adenovirus were incubated with the sequence-specific DNA-binding ligand 6,4'-diamidino-2-phenylindole. Digestion of the ligand-DNA complexes with EcoRI nuclease and subsequent agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the ligand inhibited nuclease activity at some sites, but not at others. The results suggest that diamidino-2-phynylindole can be used to probe the immediate environments of the EcoRI cleavage sites.", "PMID": 786629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7430", "title": "Binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to reconstituted subparticles of Escherichia coli large ribosomal subunits.", "content": "The activity of 50-S subunits to stimulate the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the 30-S subunits was lost when the particles were washed with LiCl concentrations higher than 1.0 M [Kazemie, M. (1975) Eur. J. Biochem. 58,501-510]. The particles could regain this activity when they were incubated with the corresponding LiCl washes. This effect of LiCl washes was used as an assay for identification of 50-S subunit proteins which are essential for binding of aminoacyl-tRNA. A protein mixture containing mainly Ll, Lll and L16 can reactivate 50-S \"core\" particles, consisting of 10 proteins and 23-S RNA, to bind aminoacyl-tRNAs in the presence of 30-S subunits. Besides 5-S RNA, protein L24 has a stimulatory effect on the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA. Proteins L2, L20 and L23 are possibly required for maintaining the 50-S subunits in the correct conformation for binding of aminoacyl-tRNAs.", "contents": "Binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to reconstituted subparticles of Escherichia coli large ribosomal subunits. The activity of 50-S subunits to stimulate the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the 30-S subunits was lost when the particles were washed with LiCl concentrations higher than 1.0 M [Kazemie, M. (1975) Eur. J. Biochem. 58,501-510]. The particles could regain this activity when they were incubated with the corresponding LiCl washes. This effect of LiCl washes was used as an assay for identification of 50-S subunit proteins which are essential for binding of aminoacyl-tRNA. A protein mixture containing mainly Ll, Lll and L16 can reactivate 50-S \"core\" particles, consisting of 10 proteins and 23-S RNA, to bind aminoacyl-tRNAs in the presence of 30-S subunits. Besides 5-S RNA, protein L24 has a stimulatory effect on the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA. Proteins L2, L20 and L23 are possibly required for maintaining the 50-S subunits in the correct conformation for binding of aminoacyl-tRNAs.", "PMID": 786630} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7431", "title": "Phospholipid and lipopolysaccharide in Proteus mirabilis and its stable protoplast L-form. Difference in content and fatty acid composition.", "content": "Cells of the stable protoplast L-form of Proteus mirabilis contain 1.5 to 2 times more extractable lipid, mostly phospholipid, per dry weight than cells of the bacterial form. Under identical conditions of cultivation the qualitative and quantitiative composition of the phospholipid is very similar in both cell forms. The range of mole percentages of individual phospholipid species is 78-80 for phosphatidylethanolamine, 10-13 for phosphatidylglycerol, 3.9-5.5 for diphosphatidylglycerol and 1.0-2.1 for lysophospholipid. However, all phospholipid species in the L-form differ from those of the bacterial form by a lower content of long-chain fatty acids and a higher content of short-chain fatty acids. Growth of the L-form in the presence of growth-stimulating horse serum results in a change of phospholipid composition accompanied by the uptake of phospholipid and fatty acids from the serum into L-form phospholipid. L-form protoplasts synthesize the same two types of lipopolysaccharide, I and II, that were previously identified in the bacterial form of Proteus mirabilis. However, only small amounts of the more hydrophilic lipopolysaccharide II are present in the L-form. Lipopolysaccharides from both cell forms have virtually identical polysaccharide compositions but differ strikingly in the relative content of fatty acids in their lipid-A moieties. Molar ratios of tetradecanoic acid, hexadeconoic acid and 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid are 5:1:6 in the bacterial form and 5:0:1:6 in the L-form grown in serum-free medium. The observated differences between the bacterial form and the protoplast L-form are interpreted as results of the adaptation of the L-form to life in the state lacking an envelope by formation of a physically more stable but still sufficiently fluid protoplast membrane. A rapid method based on fatty acid analysis for the simultaneous quantitative determination of phospholipid and lipopolysaccharide content of whole cells is reported.", "contents": "Phospholipid and lipopolysaccharide in Proteus mirabilis and its stable protoplast L-form. Difference in content and fatty acid composition. Cells of the stable protoplast L-form of Proteus mirabilis contain 1.5 to 2 times more extractable lipid, mostly phospholipid, per dry weight than cells of the bacterial form. Under identical conditions of cultivation the qualitative and quantitiative composition of the phospholipid is very similar in both cell forms. The range of mole percentages of individual phospholipid species is 78-80 for phosphatidylethanolamine, 10-13 for phosphatidylglycerol, 3.9-5.5 for diphosphatidylglycerol and 1.0-2.1 for lysophospholipid. However, all phospholipid species in the L-form differ from those of the bacterial form by a lower content of long-chain fatty acids and a higher content of short-chain fatty acids. Growth of the L-form in the presence of growth-stimulating horse serum results in a change of phospholipid composition accompanied by the uptake of phospholipid and fatty acids from the serum into L-form phospholipid. L-form protoplasts synthesize the same two types of lipopolysaccharide, I and II, that were previously identified in the bacterial form of Proteus mirabilis. However, only small amounts of the more hydrophilic lipopolysaccharide II are present in the L-form. Lipopolysaccharides from both cell forms have virtually identical polysaccharide compositions but differ strikingly in the relative content of fatty acids in their lipid-A moieties. Molar ratios of tetradecanoic acid, hexadeconoic acid and 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid are 5:1:6 in the bacterial form and 5:0:1:6 in the L-form grown in serum-free medium. The observated differences between the bacterial form and the protoplast L-form are interpreted as results of the adaptation of the L-form to life in the state lacking an envelope by formation of a physically more stable but still sufficiently fluid protoplast membrane. A rapid method based on fatty acid analysis for the simultaneous quantitative determination of phospholipid and lipopolysaccharide content of whole cells is reported.", "PMID": 786631} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7432", "title": "Isolation and characterization of a growth-cycle-reflecting, high-molecular-weight protein associated with Escherichia coli ribosomes.", "content": "A high-molecular-weight, acidic protein, acidic protein whose amount per ribosomal particle depends on the growth cycle is shown to be associated with Escherichia coli ribosomes. The protein is associated with ribosomes from cells harvested at different phases of the growth cycle, but a large increase in its amount is seen with ribosomes from post-exponential phase cells. The protein is only slightly washed off the ribosomes by 1 M NH4CL. When ribosomes are dissociated it remains entirely with the 30-S subunits. We have purified the protein to homogeneity. It has a molecular weight of 70 000 and its amino acid composition showed some resemblance to that of ribosomal protein S1. However, the two proteins ar-shown variation in the acetylation of L12 during the growth cycle, indicated that certain proteins of (or associated with) E. coli ribosmes may carry specific biochemical roles connected with cellular adaption toward the stationary phase.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of a growth-cycle-reflecting, high-molecular-weight protein associated with Escherichia coli ribosomes. A high-molecular-weight, acidic protein, acidic protein whose amount per ribosomal particle depends on the growth cycle is shown to be associated with Escherichia coli ribosomes. The protein is associated with ribosomes from cells harvested at different phases of the growth cycle, but a large increase in its amount is seen with ribosomes from post-exponential phase cells. The protein is only slightly washed off the ribosomes by 1 M NH4CL. When ribosomes are dissociated it remains entirely with the 30-S subunits. We have purified the protein to homogeneity. It has a molecular weight of 70 000 and its amino acid composition showed some resemblance to that of ribosomal protein S1. However, the two proteins ar-shown variation in the acetylation of L12 during the growth cycle, indicated that certain proteins of (or associated with) E. coli ribosmes may carry specific biochemical roles connected with cellular adaption toward the stationary phase.", "PMID": 786632} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7433", "title": "Indolmycin inhibits prokaryotic tryptophanyl-tRNA ligase.", "content": "Indolmycin specifically prevents the formation of tryptophanyl-tRNA in a prokaryotic system in vitro using Escherichia coli enzymes. However, the drug has little effect in an eukaryotic system in vitro (rat liver enzymes). Analysis of the type of inhibition revealed that indolmycin competes with tryptophan as a pure competitive inhibitor of prokaryotic tryptophanyl-tRNA ligase.", "contents": "Indolmycin inhibits prokaryotic tryptophanyl-tRNA ligase. Indolmycin specifically prevents the formation of tryptophanyl-tRNA in a prokaryotic system in vitro using Escherichia coli enzymes. However, the drug has little effect in an eukaryotic system in vitro (rat liver enzymes). Analysis of the type of inhibition revealed that indolmycin competes with tryptophan as a pure competitive inhibitor of prokaryotic tryptophanyl-tRNA ligase.", "PMID": 786633} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7434", "title": "Insulin action on glucose transport and calcium fluxes in developing muscle cells in vitro.", "content": "The glucose transport system of developing muscle cells in vitro is described. Uptake experiments showed stereospecificity but no saturation or competition. Km-values for early myoblasts could not be determined; with progressive development, the absolute amount of uptake increases and becomes insulin sensitive. Km-values of about 13 mM basal and 32 mM for insulin stimulation were determined and discussed with respect to the glucose transport mechanism. Basal and insulin-dependent transport were shown to be dependent on the presence of calcium in the medium. Moreover, the ionophore A 23187 could be shown to mimic the insulin effect on glucose uptake. 45Ca saturation and desaturation experiments showed that insulin enhances the \"mitochondrial\" calcium pool by 35% and increases the apparent \"cytoplasmic\" efflux rate constant by 50%. We propose that insulin increases the free cytoplasmic calcium concentration, which may be the intracellular signal for the stimulation of glucose transport.", "contents": "Insulin action on glucose transport and calcium fluxes in developing muscle cells in vitro. The glucose transport system of developing muscle cells in vitro is described. Uptake experiments showed stereospecificity but no saturation or competition. Km-values for early myoblasts could not be determined; with progressive development, the absolute amount of uptake increases and becomes insulin sensitive. Km-values of about 13 mM basal and 32 mM for insulin stimulation were determined and discussed with respect to the glucose transport mechanism. Basal and insulin-dependent transport were shown to be dependent on the presence of calcium in the medium. Moreover, the ionophore A 23187 could be shown to mimic the insulin effect on glucose uptake. 45Ca saturation and desaturation experiments showed that insulin enhances the \"mitochondrial\" calcium pool by 35% and increases the apparent \"cytoplasmic\" efflux rate constant by 50%. We propose that insulin increases the free cytoplasmic calcium concentration, which may be the intracellular signal for the stimulation of glucose transport.", "PMID": 786634} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7435", "title": "DNA-dependent DNA polymerase from yeast mitochondria. Dependence of enzyme activity on conditions of cell growth, and properties of the highly purified polymerase.", "content": "The activity of DNA polymerase was determined in gradient-purified mitochondria from yeast cells grown under a variety of conditions. The specific enzyme activity was found to be dependent on the degree of aeration of the cells, and on the carbon source used for the medium. It was sensitive to glucose repression, and was enhanced about two-fold by the growth of yeast cells in the presence of ethidium bromide. Mitochondria DNA polymerase was highly purified and several properties were determined. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation, and dodecylsulfate-polyacylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the following structure: a monomer of molecular weight around 60 000 aggregated under relatively high salt concentration (0.2 M phosphate buffer) to a dimer of about 120 000 which under low salt concentration (0.2 M Tris-HCl buffer) formed higher aggregates. For optimal activity an Mg2+ ion concentration of 50 mM was found necessary, Mn ions did not promote activity at any concentration tested (0.5--50 mM). Indeed, if added to Mg2+-containing assays, Mn2+ strongly inhibited enzyme activity at low concentrations. This might be an explanation for the inducation of mitochondrial mutants in yeast cells grown in the presence of Mn2+ ions. Mitochondrial DNA polymerase activity was strongly inhibited by low concentrations of the -SH reagent p-chloromercuribenzoate, the nucleotide analogue cytosine arabinoside triphosphate also exerted an inhibitory effect. An about 50% decrease of activity was observed in the presence of 1 mM o-phenanthroline in assay mixture containing DNA at about the Km concentration. The enzyme preferred a gapped template primer, poly(dA) - (dT)10, over nicked DNA and was unable to use a polyribonucleotide template, poly(rA) - (dT)10. In the purest preparations no exonuclease activity could be detected.", "contents": "DNA-dependent DNA polymerase from yeast mitochondria. Dependence of enzyme activity on conditions of cell growth, and properties of the highly purified polymerase. The activity of DNA polymerase was determined in gradient-purified mitochondria from yeast cells grown under a variety of conditions. The specific enzyme activity was found to be dependent on the degree of aeration of the cells, and on the carbon source used for the medium. It was sensitive to glucose repression, and was enhanced about two-fold by the growth of yeast cells in the presence of ethidium bromide. Mitochondria DNA polymerase was highly purified and several properties were determined. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation, and dodecylsulfate-polyacylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the following structure: a monomer of molecular weight around 60 000 aggregated under relatively high salt concentration (0.2 M phosphate buffer) to a dimer of about 120 000 which under low salt concentration (0.2 M Tris-HCl buffer) formed higher aggregates. For optimal activity an Mg2+ ion concentration of 50 mM was found necessary, Mn ions did not promote activity at any concentration tested (0.5--50 mM). Indeed, if added to Mg2+-containing assays, Mn2+ strongly inhibited enzyme activity at low concentrations. This might be an explanation for the inducation of mitochondrial mutants in yeast cells grown in the presence of Mn2+ ions. Mitochondrial DNA polymerase activity was strongly inhibited by low concentrations of the -SH reagent p-chloromercuribenzoate, the nucleotide analogue cytosine arabinoside triphosphate also exerted an inhibitory effect. An about 50% decrease of activity was observed in the presence of 1 mM o-phenanthroline in assay mixture containing DNA at about the Km concentration. The enzyme preferred a gapped template primer, poly(dA) - (dT)10, over nicked DNA and was unable to use a polyribonucleotide template, poly(rA) - (dT)10. In the purest preparations no exonuclease activity could be detected.", "PMID": 786635} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7436", "title": "The primary structure of a non-initiating methionine-specific tRNA from brewer's yeast.", "content": "tRNA3Met, one of the non-initiating methionine-specific tRNAs in brewer's yeast was purified from bulk tRNA labelled with [32P]phosphate by two column chromatographic steps. The primary structure of this tRNA was determined by the usual fingerprinting technique. Analyses of the isolated nucleotides and oligonucleotides from digests with pancreatic and T1 ribonucleases were in good agreement and stated that tRNA3Met consists of 76 nucleotide residues including 13 minor nucleotides. Overlaps from which the complete sequence could be deduced were derived from the analyses of 15 fragments obtained by partial digestion with T1 ribonuclease.", "contents": "The primary structure of a non-initiating methionine-specific tRNA from brewer's yeast. tRNA3Met, one of the non-initiating methionine-specific tRNAs in brewer's yeast was purified from bulk tRNA labelled with [32P]phosphate by two column chromatographic steps. The primary structure of this tRNA was determined by the usual fingerprinting technique. Analyses of the isolated nucleotides and oligonucleotides from digests with pancreatic and T1 ribonucleases were in good agreement and stated that tRNA3Met consists of 76 nucleotide residues including 13 minor nucleotides. Overlaps from which the complete sequence could be deduced were derived from the analyses of 15 fragments obtained by partial digestion with T1 ribonuclease.", "PMID": 786636} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7437", "title": "Molecular organization in bacterial cell membranes. Sulfhydryl groups and disulfide bridges in Streptomyces albus and Escherichia coli K 12 cytoplasmic membranes.", "content": "Plasma membranes from Streptomyces albus had 5.2 mol of sulfhydryl groups and 6 mol of disulfide bridges/50 kg proteins whereas Escherichia coli membranes had 3.4 mol sulfhydryl groups and 4 mol disulfide bridges/50 kg protein. About 66% of the sulfhydryl groups of S. albus membranes and 22% of those of E. coli membranes were readily accessible to titration with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-dinitrobenzoic acid). o-[3 Hydroxymercuri-2-methoxypropyl)-carbamyl]-phenoxyacetic acid (mersalyc acid) and p-chloromercuribenzoate were effective in solubilizing membrane proteins from the two bacteria. Other sulfhydryl group reagents, such as N-ethylmaleimide, iodoacetamide and iodoacetic acid, were less effective. Dithiothreitol affected the dodecylsulphate gel electrophoresis patterns of S. albus membranes and soluble fractions. This effect resulted from the reduction of pre-existing disulfide intramolecular bridges and some interchain disulfide formed during solubilization and/or storage. Dithiothreitol also affected the dodecylsulphate gel electrophoresis patterns of E. coli membranes and their soluble fractions. These results suggest that sulfhydryl groups and disulfide bridges play a role in the structural organization of these prokaryotic membranes.", "contents": "Molecular organization in bacterial cell membranes. Sulfhydryl groups and disulfide bridges in Streptomyces albus and Escherichia coli K 12 cytoplasmic membranes. Plasma membranes from Streptomyces albus had 5.2 mol of sulfhydryl groups and 6 mol of disulfide bridges/50 kg proteins whereas Escherichia coli membranes had 3.4 mol sulfhydryl groups and 4 mol disulfide bridges/50 kg protein. About 66% of the sulfhydryl groups of S. albus membranes and 22% of those of E. coli membranes were readily accessible to titration with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-dinitrobenzoic acid). o-[3 Hydroxymercuri-2-methoxypropyl)-carbamyl]-phenoxyacetic acid (mersalyc acid) and p-chloromercuribenzoate were effective in solubilizing membrane proteins from the two bacteria. Other sulfhydryl group reagents, such as N-ethylmaleimide, iodoacetamide and iodoacetic acid, were less effective. Dithiothreitol affected the dodecylsulphate gel electrophoresis patterns of S. albus membranes and soluble fractions. This effect resulted from the reduction of pre-existing disulfide intramolecular bridges and some interchain disulfide formed during solubilization and/or storage. Dithiothreitol also affected the dodecylsulphate gel electrophoresis patterns of E. coli membranes and their soluble fractions. These results suggest that sulfhydryl groups and disulfide bridges play a role in the structural organization of these prokaryotic membranes.", "PMID": 786637} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7438", "title": "Restriction-enzyme-cleavage maps of bacteriophage M13. Existence of an intergenic region on the M13 genome.", "content": "Replicative form DNA of bacteriophage M13 was cleaved into specific fragments by an endonuclease isolated from Hemophilus aegyptius (endoR.HaeII) and an endonuclease from Arthrobacter luteus (endoR.AluI). The fragments were ordered as to construct a circular map of the phage M13 genome by: (a) using each fragment as a primer for the synthesis in vitro of its respective neighbour and (b) digesting the isolated fragments with the Hemophilus aegyptius enzyme endoR.HaeII or the Hemophilus aphirophilus enzyme endoR.HapII and subsequent analysis of the overlapping sets of fragments. The resulting physical map was correlated with the M13 genetic map by marker rescue experiments with amber mutant phage DNAs and purified wild-type fragments. From the results of these analyses it has been concluded that gene II and gene V are contiguous on the genetic map. Evidence is provided that there is an internal start of RNA synthesis within the C-terminal region of gene II which then ultimately leads to the synthesis of X protein. Furthermore, we conclude that there is an intergenic space of considerable length (450-500 base pairs) which is located between gene II and gene IV on the M13 genome. The function of this intergenic region as the origin site for phage DNA replication is discussed.", "contents": "Restriction-enzyme-cleavage maps of bacteriophage M13. Existence of an intergenic region on the M13 genome. Replicative form DNA of bacteriophage M13 was cleaved into specific fragments by an endonuclease isolated from Hemophilus aegyptius (endoR.HaeII) and an endonuclease from Arthrobacter luteus (endoR.AluI). The fragments were ordered as to construct a circular map of the phage M13 genome by: (a) using each fragment as a primer for the synthesis in vitro of its respective neighbour and (b) digesting the isolated fragments with the Hemophilus aegyptius enzyme endoR.HaeII or the Hemophilus aphirophilus enzyme endoR.HapII and subsequent analysis of the overlapping sets of fragments. The resulting physical map was correlated with the M13 genetic map by marker rescue experiments with amber mutant phage DNAs and purified wild-type fragments. From the results of these analyses it has been concluded that gene II and gene V are contiguous on the genetic map. Evidence is provided that there is an internal start of RNA synthesis within the C-terminal region of gene II which then ultimately leads to the synthesis of X protein. Furthermore, we conclude that there is an intergenic space of considerable length (450-500 base pairs) which is located between gene II and gene IV on the M13 genome. The function of this intergenic region as the origin site for phage DNA replication is discussed.", "PMID": 786638} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7439", "title": "Unusual response to continuous positive pressure ventilation.", "content": "In a patient with acute respiratory failure due to aspiration pneumonia, PaO2 decrease and Qs/Qt increase were observed during continuous positive pressure ventilation. This paradoxical finding was attributted to vascular collapse in well ventilated upper alveoli associated with blood flow redistribution to dependent hypoventilated areas with low ventilation-perfusion relationships.", "contents": "Unusual response to continuous positive pressure ventilation. In a patient with acute respiratory failure due to aspiration pneumonia, PaO2 decrease and Qs/Qt increase were observed during continuous positive pressure ventilation. This paradoxical finding was attributted to vascular collapse in well ventilated upper alveoli associated with blood flow redistribution to dependent hypoventilated areas with low ventilation-perfusion relationships.", "PMID": 786639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7440", "title": "Synchronous bilateral lumbotomy.", "content": "The surgical technique of synchronous bilateral nephrectomy or nephrolithotomy is described. The operative details, the indications, advantages and complications are reported in this series of ten patients. These bilateral posterior vertical incisions with minimal cutting of abdominal musculature, together with rapid mobilisation of the patient and the absence of prolonged post-operative pain, provide a distinct advantage over conventional renal incisions.", "contents": "Synchronous bilateral lumbotomy. The surgical technique of synchronous bilateral nephrectomy or nephrolithotomy is described. The operative details, the indications, advantages and complications are reported in this series of ten patients. These bilateral posterior vertical incisions with minimal cutting of abdominal musculature, together with rapid mobilisation of the patient and the absence of prolonged post-operative pain, provide a distinct advantage over conventional renal incisions.", "PMID": 786641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7441", "title": "Review: artifical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Historical background, terminology and patho-physiology.", "content": "CPPV (continuous positive pressure ventilation) is obviously superior to IPPV (intermittent positive pressure ventilation) for the treatment of patients with acute respiratory insufficiency (ARI) and results within a few minutes in a considerable increase in the oxygen transport. The principle is to add a positive end-expiratory plateau (PEEP) to IPPV, with a subsequent increase in FRC (functional residual capacity) resulting in re-opening in first and foremost the declive alveolae, which can then once again take part in the gas exchange and possibly re-commence the disrupted surfactant production. In this manner the ventilation/perfusion ratio in the diseases lungs is normalized and the intrapulmonary shunting of venous blood (Qs/Qt) will decrease. At the same time the dead space ventilation fraction (VD/VT) normalizes and the compliance of the lungs (CL) increases. The PEEP value, which results in a maximum oxygen transport, and the lowest dead space fraction, also appears to result in the greatest total static compliance (CT) and the greatest increase in mixed venous oxygen tension (PVO2); this value can be termed \"optimal PEEP\". The greater the FRC is, with an airway pressure = atmospheric pressure, the lower the PEEP value required in order to obtain maximum oxygen transport. If the optimal PEEP value is exceeded the oxygen transport will fall because of a falling Qt (cardiac output) due to a reduction in venous return. CT and PVO2 will fall and VD/VT will increase. Increasing hyperinflation of the alveolae will result in a rising danger of alveolar rupture. The critical use of CPPV treatment means that the lungs may be safeguarded against high oxygen percents. The mortality of newborn infants with RDS (respiratory distress syndrome) has fallen considerably after the general introduction of CPPV and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressures). The same appears to be the case with adults suffering from ARI (acute respiratory insufficiency).", "contents": "Review: artifical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Historical background, terminology and patho-physiology. CPPV (continuous positive pressure ventilation) is obviously superior to IPPV (intermittent positive pressure ventilation) for the treatment of patients with acute respiratory insufficiency (ARI) and results within a few minutes in a considerable increase in the oxygen transport. The principle is to add a positive end-expiratory plateau (PEEP) to IPPV, with a subsequent increase in FRC (functional residual capacity) resulting in re-opening in first and foremost the declive alveolae, which can then once again take part in the gas exchange and possibly re-commence the disrupted surfactant production. In this manner the ventilation/perfusion ratio in the diseases lungs is normalized and the intrapulmonary shunting of venous blood (Qs/Qt) will decrease. At the same time the dead space ventilation fraction (VD/VT) normalizes and the compliance of the lungs (CL) increases. The PEEP value, which results in a maximum oxygen transport, and the lowest dead space fraction, also appears to result in the greatest total static compliance (CT) and the greatest increase in mixed venous oxygen tension (PVO2); this value can be termed \"optimal PEEP\". The greater the FRC is, with an airway pressure = atmospheric pressure, the lower the PEEP value required in order to obtain maximum oxygen transport. If the optimal PEEP value is exceeded the oxygen transport will fall because of a falling Qt (cardiac output) due to a reduction in venous return. CT and PVO2 will fall and VD/VT will increase. Increasing hyperinflation of the alveolae will result in a rising danger of alveolar rupture. The critical use of CPPV treatment means that the lungs may be safeguarded against high oxygen percents. The mortality of newborn infants with RDS (respiratory distress syndrome) has fallen considerably after the general introduction of CPPV and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressures). The same appears to be the case with adults suffering from ARI (acute respiratory insufficiency).", "PMID": 786640} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7442", "title": "Total replacement of both ureters by prostheses.", "content": "Complete bilateral ureteric replacement by silicone prosthesis is described in a patient suffering from retroperitoneal involvement from prostatic carcinoma. Immediate and long-term results were very satisfactory from a functional and social point of view and encourage consideration of this new surgical procedure in certain forms of ureteric obstruction.", "contents": "Total replacement of both ureters by prostheses. Complete bilateral ureteric replacement by silicone prosthesis is described in a patient suffering from retroperitoneal involvement from prostatic carcinoma. Immediate and long-term results were very satisfactory from a functional and social point of view and encourage consideration of this new surgical procedure in certain forms of ureteric obstruction.", "PMID": 786644} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7443", "title": "Preliminary evaluation of VM-26: a new epipodophyllotoxin derivative, in the treatment of urogenital tumours.", "content": "VM-26, a podophyllin derivative, is cytotoxic in vitro against cell cultures of bladder tumours. Intravenous therapy of vesical carcinoma produces only occasional responses. One total regression was observed in our series. Intravesical instillations are more effective. Topical treatment of papillomatosis led to total or partial regression in one half of cases. A significant reduction of recurrence rate following transurethral surgery was obtained in patients treated intravesically with VM-26 at weekly intervals.", "contents": "Preliminary evaluation of VM-26: a new epipodophyllotoxin derivative, in the treatment of urogenital tumours. VM-26, a podophyllin derivative, is cytotoxic in vitro against cell cultures of bladder tumours. Intravenous therapy of vesical carcinoma produces only occasional responses. One total regression was observed in our series. Intravesical instillations are more effective. Topical treatment of papillomatosis led to total or partial regression in one half of cases. A significant reduction of recurrence rate following transurethral surgery was obtained in patients treated intravesically with VM-26 at weekly intervals.", "PMID": 786645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7444", "title": "Experimental research on endotoxic shock in urology.", "content": "The endotoxic shock in urological surgery is more frequent due to the increased incidence of the gram-negative infections. More toxic than septic it suggests the hypothesis of a generalized Sanarelli-Schwartzman hypersensitivity phenomenon with hypercoagulation and microthromboses of small vessels. The hypothesis experimentally tested hold good in most cases at the same time requiring an anti-coagulant therapy as an improving effect.", "contents": "Experimental research on endotoxic shock in urology. The endotoxic shock in urological surgery is more frequent due to the increased incidence of the gram-negative infections. More toxic than septic it suggests the hypothesis of a generalized Sanarelli-Schwartzman hypersensitivity phenomenon with hypercoagulation and microthromboses of small vessels. The hypothesis experimentally tested hold good in most cases at the same time requiring an anti-coagulant therapy as an improving effect.", "PMID": 786647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7445", "title": "Ex vivo surgery on the renal allograft.", "content": "Ex vivo surgery has brought an important contribution to the solution of renovascular problems. In our experience, the simplest application of ex vivo surgical techniques has been the revision of the arterial anatomy of the renal allograft to facilitate subsequent implantation into the recipient. We report herein four cases of renal transplantation illustrating this approach.", "contents": "Ex vivo surgery on the renal allograft. Ex vivo surgery has brought an important contribution to the solution of renovascular problems. In our experience, the simplest application of ex vivo surgical techniques has been the revision of the arterial anatomy of the renal allograft to facilitate subsequent implantation into the recipient. We report herein four cases of renal transplantation illustrating this approach.", "PMID": 786648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7446", "title": "Severe renal insufficiency and renovascular hypertension.", "content": "Investigation in a patient aged 46 years with decompensated heart failure and severe renal insufficiency demonstrated a small, poorly functioning right kidney and severe stenosis of the left renal artery. Cardiac decompensation was corrected and the left kidney revascularised by autotransplantation. Renal function recovered considerably (FG 75/min) and the severe hypertension was reduced. In hypertension patients by main renal artery stenosis, renal autotransplantation is recommended, since it is a safe method without technical difficulty and has given good results. The mutual dependence of hypertension and renal insufficiency is reviewed. When renal function is poor, revascularisation of the stenosed kidney will lead to recovery. The hypertension will usually improve but will always become more responsive to drug therapy.", "contents": "Severe renal insufficiency and renovascular hypertension. Investigation in a patient aged 46 years with decompensated heart failure and severe renal insufficiency demonstrated a small, poorly functioning right kidney and severe stenosis of the left renal artery. Cardiac decompensation was corrected and the left kidney revascularised by autotransplantation. Renal function recovered considerably (FG 75/min) and the severe hypertension was reduced. In hypertension patients by main renal artery stenosis, renal autotransplantation is recommended, since it is a safe method without technical difficulty and has given good results. The mutual dependence of hypertension and renal insufficiency is reviewed. When renal function is poor, revascularisation of the stenosed kidney will lead to recovery. The hypertension will usually improve but will always become more responsive to drug therapy.", "PMID": 786649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7447", "title": "Tumour-associated antibodies against renal cell carcinomas detected by immunofluorescence.", "content": "Serum from 39 of 288 (13.5%) cancer patients contained antibodies detectable by immunofluorescence which reacted with frozen tumour sections from kidneys, prostate glands and ovaries. The serum did not react against areas of normal kidney taken from the same diseased organ. In comparison, 0.7% of normal persons and 3.8% of patients with non-malignant diseases had antibody activity. Sections from two colon carcinomas did not react with the serum. It is concluded that tumour-associated antibodies do not necessarily have histological type specificity and are worthy of further study.", "contents": "Tumour-associated antibodies against renal cell carcinomas detected by immunofluorescence. Serum from 39 of 288 (13.5%) cancer patients contained antibodies detectable by immunofluorescence which reacted with frozen tumour sections from kidneys, prostate glands and ovaries. The serum did not react against areas of normal kidney taken from the same diseased organ. In comparison, 0.7% of normal persons and 3.8% of patients with non-malignant diseases had antibody activity. Sections from two colon carcinomas did not react with the serum. It is concluded that tumour-associated antibodies do not necessarily have histological type specificity and are worthy of further study.", "PMID": 786650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7448", "title": "Extracorporeal repair of the renal artery for renovascular hypertension: a case report.", "content": "A case of successful correction of renovascular hypertension by means of extracorporeal repair of fibroplasia of the main trunk and an aneurysm of a secondary division branch of the left renal artery is presented. The ureter was not transected and a segment of the internal ilac artery with two branches was used for the substitution of the diseased renal artery segments. The kidney was preserved by intermittent flushing with iced Ringer's lactate solution. A probable post-operative arterial thrombosis of the repaired secondary branch was successfully treated with intravenous streptokinase. One year after the operation the patient is normotensive.", "contents": "Extracorporeal repair of the renal artery for renovascular hypertension: a case report. A case of successful correction of renovascular hypertension by means of extracorporeal repair of fibroplasia of the main trunk and an aneurysm of a secondary division branch of the left renal artery is presented. The ureter was not transected and a segment of the internal ilac artery with two branches was used for the substitution of the diseased renal artery segments. The kidney was preserved by intermittent flushing with iced Ringer's lactate solution. A probable post-operative arterial thrombosis of the repaired secondary branch was successfully treated with intravenous streptokinase. One year after the operation the patient is normotensive.", "PMID": 786652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7449", "title": "Urological complications in renal transplantation.", "content": "The urological complications associated with 128 consecutive renal transplants performed in the Department of Urology of the University Hospital Heidelberg between February 1967 and January 1975 are described. Extravesical ureteroneocystostomy has shown to be the preferable method for urinary tract reconstruction, providing satisfactory results in our hands. The technique of ureteroneocystostomy at the dome of the bladder, performed since 1967 in our series, is described and its advantages discussed. There was an overall incidence of urological complications of 21.2%. Major urological complications occurred in 18 patients (14.1%), urinary fistulae in 11 patients (8.6%), ureteric obstruction in 4 patients (3.2%) and spontaneous parenchymal ruptures in 3 patients (2.3%). Only two grafts were lost, due to spontaneous parenchymal ruptures. The mortality directly due to major urological complications was 5.6%. Minor complications (hydrocele, epididymitis, urethral stricture, urinary calculi) were seen in 9 patients (7%). Lymphoceles were not encountered. The management and outcome of urological complications are described.", "contents": "Urological complications in renal transplantation. The urological complications associated with 128 consecutive renal transplants performed in the Department of Urology of the University Hospital Heidelberg between February 1967 and January 1975 are described. Extravesical ureteroneocystostomy has shown to be the preferable method for urinary tract reconstruction, providing satisfactory results in our hands. The technique of ureteroneocystostomy at the dome of the bladder, performed since 1967 in our series, is described and its advantages discussed. There was an overall incidence of urological complications of 21.2%. Major urological complications occurred in 18 patients (14.1%), urinary fistulae in 11 patients (8.6%), ureteric obstruction in 4 patients (3.2%) and spontaneous parenchymal ruptures in 3 patients (2.3%). Only two grafts were lost, due to spontaneous parenchymal ruptures. The mortality directly due to major urological complications was 5.6%. Minor complications (hydrocele, epididymitis, urethral stricture, urinary calculi) were seen in 9 patients (7%). Lymphoceles were not encountered. The management and outcome of urological complications are described.", "PMID": 786653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7450", "title": "A new kidney transport container: a simple vessel for preservation and transport of kidneys and other organs.", "content": "A new vessel which improves conditions of preservation and transport of kidneys and other organs is presented. A Dewar container which provides an almost complete thermal insulation against the environment is chosen. The vessel contains the kidney and a cooling solution which melts at 4 degrees C. When it is closed the organ is exposed to this temperature and measurements show this to be constant for 70 h. The melting point can be lowered or raised as required. By choosing a greater amount of the cooling solution the duration of the working period can be prolonged.", "contents": "A new kidney transport container: a simple vessel for preservation and transport of kidneys and other organs. A new vessel which improves conditions of preservation and transport of kidneys and other organs is presented. A Dewar container which provides an almost complete thermal insulation against the environment is chosen. The vessel contains the kidney and a cooling solution which melts at 4 degrees C. When it is closed the organ is exposed to this temperature and measurements show this to be constant for 70 h. The melting point can be lowered or raised as required. By choosing a greater amount of the cooling solution the duration of the working period can be prolonged.", "PMID": 786654} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7451", "title": "Reconstruction of the ureter: a review of operative and functional aspects.", "content": "The importance of the urodynamic characteristics of the ureter are considered after plastic and reconstructive operations. Choice of the most suitable method is as important as good operative technique. The partial replacement of the lower end of the ureter by a bladder flap shows good results. Different types of bladder flap procedures do not influence the dynamics of the ureter as its continuity is preserved. Irrespective of the material used, failures of autoplastic or alloplastic segmental replacement are due to the lack of functional adaptation of the prostheses. By partial replacement good results may be obtained if vesico-ureteral reflux is avoided.", "contents": "Reconstruction of the ureter: a review of operative and functional aspects. The importance of the urodynamic characteristics of the ureter are considered after plastic and reconstructive operations. Choice of the most suitable method is as important as good operative technique. The partial replacement of the lower end of the ureter by a bladder flap shows good results. Different types of bladder flap procedures do not influence the dynamics of the ureter as its continuity is preserved. Irrespective of the material used, failures of autoplastic or alloplastic segmental replacement are due to the lack of functional adaptation of the prostheses. By partial replacement good results may be obtained if vesico-ureteral reflux is avoided.", "PMID": 786657} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7452", "title": "Urological aspects of primary retroperitoneal tumours.", "content": "An analysis of 50 primary retroperitoneal tumours is presented with emphasis on the urological aspect. 70-80% of the tumours were malignant and sarcomas predominate. The tumour mass was palpable in over 70% of the cases. Frequent involvement of the urinary tract caused lumbar pain in 78% of cases. Intravenous urography and retrograde pyelography are the greatest single aids in accurate diagnosis of primary retroperitoneal tumours since over 70% show abnormalities. Selective angiograms may define the size and operability of the tumour. When diagnosed, extirpation of the tumour is possible in only 30-40% of cases. Postoperative mortality is about 10%. Since 70% of these tumours are radiosensitive, radiotherapy improves the prognosis. Survival for more than 2 years after surgery is exceptional.", "contents": "Urological aspects of primary retroperitoneal tumours. An analysis of 50 primary retroperitoneal tumours is presented with emphasis on the urological aspect. 70-80% of the tumours were malignant and sarcomas predominate. The tumour mass was palpable in over 70% of the cases. Frequent involvement of the urinary tract caused lumbar pain in 78% of cases. Intravenous urography and retrograde pyelography are the greatest single aids in accurate diagnosis of primary retroperitoneal tumours since over 70% show abnormalities. Selective angiograms may define the size and operability of the tumour. When diagnosed, extirpation of the tumour is possible in only 30-40% of cases. Postoperative mortality is about 10%. Since 70% of these tumours are radiosensitive, radiotherapy improves the prognosis. Survival for more than 2 years after surgery is exceptional.", "PMID": 786659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7453", "title": "Pulmonary excretion of foreign bodies and necrotic material from the bladder wall.", "content": "Following injection of carbon suspension into the bladder wall of white rats, carbon particles were observed in the cytoplasm of cells located as the alveolar macrophages. Following injections of a solution of AgNO3 into the bladder wall of white rats, dark stained spots were observed in the cytoplasm of cells located as the alveolar macrophages. It is suggested that pulmonary excretion of carbon particles and silver stained necrotic material from the bladder wall takes place. These results may contribute to the problems involved by pulmonary changes observed in the X-irradiated patients with carcinoma of the bladder.", "contents": "Pulmonary excretion of foreign bodies and necrotic material from the bladder wall. Following injection of carbon suspension into the bladder wall of white rats, carbon particles were observed in the cytoplasm of cells located as the alveolar macrophages. Following injections of a solution of AgNO3 into the bladder wall of white rats, dark stained spots were observed in the cytoplasm of cells located as the alveolar macrophages. It is suggested that pulmonary excretion of carbon particles and silver stained necrotic material from the bladder wall takes place. These results may contribute to the problems involved by pulmonary changes observed in the X-irradiated patients with carcinoma of the bladder.", "PMID": 786660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7454", "title": "A comparison of the antihypertensive effect of atenolol (ICI 66 082) and propranolol.", "content": "Propranolol was given to 30 patients with essential hypertension following randomised, double-blind administration of either placebo or a new cardioselective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, atenolol (Tenormin, ICI 66 082). Both atenolol and propranolol caused statistically significant reduction of recumbent and erect blood pressure and heart rate. There were no important differences between these variables on comparison of atenolol and propranolol.", "contents": "A comparison of the antihypertensive effect of atenolol (ICI 66 082) and propranolol. Propranolol was given to 30 patients with essential hypertension following randomised, double-blind administration of either placebo or a new cardioselective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, atenolol (Tenormin, ICI 66 082). Both atenolol and propranolol caused statistically significant reduction of recumbent and erect blood pressure and heart rate. There were no important differences between these variables on comparison of atenolol and propranolol.", "PMID": 786662} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7455", "title": "Antagonism of endogenous mineralocorticoids in normal subjects by prorenoate potassium and spironolactone.", "content": "The pharmacological activity of single oral doses of a new aldosterone antagonist, prorenoate potassium, has been compared with spironolactone and placebo in a balanced double-blind crossover study in six healthy subject. Endogenous mineralocorticoids were stimulated by administration of frusemide followed by dietary sodium restriction, and the urinary excretion of electrolytes in response to prorenoate potassium, spironolactone and placebo was measured over a 24 hour period. Significant activity of prorenoate potassium and spironolactone was observed between 2 - 24 hours after medication, with peak activity at 6 - 8 hours. The active drugs significantly increased sodium excretion and the sodium : potassium (Na/K) ratio, but changes in potassium excretion were not significant. The total urine Na/K response to prorenoate potassium 45 mg was significantly greater than to spironolactone 100 mg.", "contents": "Antagonism of endogenous mineralocorticoids in normal subjects by prorenoate potassium and spironolactone. The pharmacological activity of single oral doses of a new aldosterone antagonist, prorenoate potassium, has been compared with spironolactone and placebo in a balanced double-blind crossover study in six healthy subject. Endogenous mineralocorticoids were stimulated by administration of frusemide followed by dietary sodium restriction, and the urinary excretion of electrolytes in response to prorenoate potassium, spironolactone and placebo was measured over a 24 hour period. Significant activity of prorenoate potassium and spironolactone was observed between 2 - 24 hours after medication, with peak activity at 6 - 8 hours. The active drugs significantly increased sodium excretion and the sodium : potassium (Na/K) ratio, but changes in potassium excretion were not significant. The total urine Na/K response to prorenoate potassium 45 mg was significantly greater than to spironolactone 100 mg.", "PMID": 786663} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7456", "title": "Arwin in peripheral arterial circulatory disorders: controlled multicentre trials.", "content": "The effect of Arwin on peripheral arterial occlusive disease has been studied in two multicentre trials. In the first, in cases of severe peripheral arterial circulatory disorders of the lower extremities with permanent rest pain (stages III and III + IV according to Fontaine) Arwin had a better intravenous therapeutic effect than anticoagulant treatment. A further trial was done to investigate whether subcutaneous administration of Arwin would have an effect superior to classical conservative therapy with vasodilator drugs in this type of disease. The results were assessed by sequential analysis. Arwin was again shown to be a much better treatment. Problems of medical documentation and statistics are discussed in relation to the value of sequential analysis.", "contents": "Arwin in peripheral arterial circulatory disorders: controlled multicentre trials. The effect of Arwin on peripheral arterial occlusive disease has been studied in two multicentre trials. In the first, in cases of severe peripheral arterial circulatory disorders of the lower extremities with permanent rest pain (stages III and III + IV according to Fontaine) Arwin had a better intravenous therapeutic effect than anticoagulant treatment. A further trial was done to investigate whether subcutaneous administration of Arwin would have an effect superior to classical conservative therapy with vasodilator drugs in this type of disease. The results were assessed by sequential analysis. Arwin was again shown to be a much better treatment. Problems of medical documentation and statistics are discussed in relation to the value of sequential analysis.", "PMID": 786664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7457", "title": "A controlled trial of intermittent oral acetylcysteine in the long-term treatment of chronic bronchitis.", "content": "In 69 out-patients with chronic bronchitis in 6 centres the effects of acetylcysteine 600 mg daily, 3 days a week for 6 months, and a placebo have been compared in a double-blind controlled trial. Thirty-five patients were treated with the mucolytic and 34 with the dummy preparation. In the former the clinical course of the chronic bronchitis improved to a greater extent and a significantly lower number of exacerbations was observed. The advantages of long-term oral treatment with the mucolytic in chronic bronchitis suggest that it may be useful as an alternative to long-term antibiotic prophylaxis, or to complement brief courses of antibiotics, in addition to the usual physiotherapy.", "contents": "A controlled trial of intermittent oral acetylcysteine in the long-term treatment of chronic bronchitis. In 69 out-patients with chronic bronchitis in 6 centres the effects of acetylcysteine 600 mg daily, 3 days a week for 6 months, and a placebo have been compared in a double-blind controlled trial. Thirty-five patients were treated with the mucolytic and 34 with the dummy preparation. In the former the clinical course of the chronic bronchitis improved to a greater extent and a significantly lower number of exacerbations was observed. The advantages of long-term oral treatment with the mucolytic in chronic bronchitis suggest that it may be useful as an alternative to long-term antibiotic prophylaxis, or to complement brief courses of antibiotics, in addition to the usual physiotherapy.", "PMID": 786665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7458", "title": "Disparity between clinical and immune responses in a controlled trial of azathioprine in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Drugs that interfere with the immune response in vitro, such as azathioprine (AZ), have been used extensively since 1964 in clinical therapeutic trials of autoimmune diseases. However, few adequately controlled studies are available concerning the concurrent effect of AZ on the immune and clinical responses to treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirty patients suffering from classical seropositive RA received AZ (1.5 - 2.0 mg/kg/day) and placebo in a controlled clinical cross-over study for two 12-week periods. Other treatments were kept constant throughout the entire 6 months. In terms of the clinical responses of joint count and grip strength patients receiving AZ improved markedly, in contrast to the placebo group. After 2 months, joint scanning revealed no progress of the disease in patients undergoing AZ treatment. Corresponding with the remarkably beneficial clinical effect of AZ, a significant drop in immunoglobulins was observed. However, since AZ failed to suppress in vivo specific antibody synthesis in RA, the question remains as to whether this drug actually does interfere with the autoimmunogenesis of the disease.", "contents": "Disparity between clinical and immune responses in a controlled trial of azathioprine in rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs that interfere with the immune response in vitro, such as azathioprine (AZ), have been used extensively since 1964 in clinical therapeutic trials of autoimmune diseases. However, few adequately controlled studies are available concerning the concurrent effect of AZ on the immune and clinical responses to treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirty patients suffering from classical seropositive RA received AZ (1.5 - 2.0 mg/kg/day) and placebo in a controlled clinical cross-over study for two 12-week periods. Other treatments were kept constant throughout the entire 6 months. In terms of the clinical responses of joint count and grip strength patients receiving AZ improved markedly, in contrast to the placebo group. After 2 months, joint scanning revealed no progress of the disease in patients undergoing AZ treatment. Corresponding with the remarkably beneficial clinical effect of AZ, a significant drop in immunoglobulins was observed. However, since AZ failed to suppress in vivo specific antibody synthesis in RA, the question remains as to whether this drug actually does interfere with the autoimmunogenesis of the disease.", "PMID": 786666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7459", "title": "Effect of paracetamol, mephenoxalone and their combination on pain following bone surgery.", "content": "Sixty patients suffering moderate postoperative pain after bone surgery were divided randomly into 3 treatment groups on the day following operation. Under double blind conditions they received either 400 mg mephenoxalone, a weak sedative, or 900 mg paracetamol, or the same doses of these drugs simultaneously, three times daily for three days. Pain scores determined by a surgeon 1, 2, 3, and 6 hours after administration of the first dose of the drug indicated that paracetamol and paracetamol + mephenoxalone had similar analgesic effects and were more effective than mephenoxalone alone. However, during repeated administration over 3 days, the mean effect of the drug combination was slightly better than that of paracetamol or mephenoxalone alone. The drug combination did not induce more sedation or gastrointestinal side effects than either drug alone.", "contents": "Effect of paracetamol, mephenoxalone and their combination on pain following bone surgery. Sixty patients suffering moderate postoperative pain after bone surgery were divided randomly into 3 treatment groups on the day following operation. Under double blind conditions they received either 400 mg mephenoxalone, a weak sedative, or 900 mg paracetamol, or the same doses of these drugs simultaneously, three times daily for three days. Pain scores determined by a surgeon 1, 2, 3, and 6 hours after administration of the first dose of the drug indicated that paracetamol and paracetamol + mephenoxalone had similar analgesic effects and were more effective than mephenoxalone alone. However, during repeated administration over 3 days, the mean effect of the drug combination was slightly better than that of paracetamol or mephenoxalone alone. The drug combination did not induce more sedation or gastrointestinal side effects than either drug alone.", "PMID": 786667} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7460", "title": "Determination of therapeutic serum concentrations of oral and parenteral meperidine by liquid chromatography.", "content": "A sensitive and specific method for estimation of serum meperidine by gas-liquid chromatography and its application in a clinical study are described. Patients were given, under double-blind conditions, either oral (75 or 150 mg) or intramuscular (50 or 100 mg) doses of meperidine for postoperative analgesia. Serum meperidine levels were measured 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours post-dose. Although wide variations of serum meperidine levels were observed among individuals within each group for each time period, the intramuscular route produced and sustained significantly higher serum levels than did the oral route. The mean concentration of meperidine (mug/100 ml +/- S.E.) for 100 mg i.m. was 37.7 +/- 3.8 at one hour and 23.4 +/-5.7 at three hours; for 150 mg orally it was 11.9 +/- 1.6 at one hour and 11.8 +/- 3.2 at three hours. A correlation observed between the intramuscular dose (in mg/kg body weight) and serum meperidine concentration attained at one hour indicated that 1 mg/kg meperidine i.m. will achieve a one-hour serum level of approximately 20 mug/100 ml, an apparent minimally effective level for analesia in most patients.", "contents": "Determination of therapeutic serum concentrations of oral and parenteral meperidine by liquid chromatography. A sensitive and specific method for estimation of serum meperidine by gas-liquid chromatography and its application in a clinical study are described. Patients were given, under double-blind conditions, either oral (75 or 150 mg) or intramuscular (50 or 100 mg) doses of meperidine for postoperative analgesia. Serum meperidine levels were measured 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours post-dose. Although wide variations of serum meperidine levels were observed among individuals within each group for each time period, the intramuscular route produced and sustained significantly higher serum levels than did the oral route. The mean concentration of meperidine (mug/100 ml +/- S.E.) for 100 mg i.m. was 37.7 +/- 3.8 at one hour and 23.4 +/-5.7 at three hours; for 150 mg orally it was 11.9 +/- 1.6 at one hour and 11.8 +/- 3.2 at three hours. A correlation observed between the intramuscular dose (in mg/kg body weight) and serum meperidine concentration attained at one hour indicated that 1 mg/kg meperidine i.m. will achieve a one-hour serum level of approximately 20 mug/100 ml, an apparent minimally effective level for analesia in most patients.", "PMID": 786668} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7461", "title": "Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of methyl proscillaridin in healthy man.", "content": "The aim of this study was to obtain data about the pharmacological properties of a new glycoside derivative in man. Plasma concentrations and ECG parameters were measured after oral and intravenous administration of a single dose of 1.2 mg methyl proscillaridin in 16 healthy volunteers, using a strictly randomized, two-period change-over design. Glycoside concentrations were measured using a modified 86Rb-erythrocyte-assay. QT-duration, corrected for frequency (QTc), was the principal variable measured in the ECG. By either route, there was a maximum plasma level after 1 hour, which had decreased to a minimum at 3 hours, followed by a second peak at 4 to 10 hours (orally greater than iv). From 10 to 72 hours the concentrations decreased with a median t 1/2 of 23.3 hours (iv) and 33.0 hours (orally). Comparison of the ratio of plasma concentrations following oral and iv administration resulted in a bioavailability of 69% using the 48 hour plasma levels, and 59% using the areas under the concentration-time curves. The mean QTc was maximally shortened to 28 msec at 1 hour after iv and to 19 msec at 10 hours after the oral dose. A distinct similarity between time-concentration and time-QTc curves was seen after the initial distribution phase, both after oral and intravenous administration. The new derivative shows a rapid elimination. Its bioavailability is reasonably high.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of methyl proscillaridin in healthy man. The aim of this study was to obtain data about the pharmacological properties of a new glycoside derivative in man. Plasma concentrations and ECG parameters were measured after oral and intravenous administration of a single dose of 1.2 mg methyl proscillaridin in 16 healthy volunteers, using a strictly randomized, two-period change-over design. Glycoside concentrations were measured using a modified 86Rb-erythrocyte-assay. QT-duration, corrected for frequency (QTc), was the principal variable measured in the ECG. By either route, there was a maximum plasma level after 1 hour, which had decreased to a minimum at 3 hours, followed by a second peak at 4 to 10 hours (orally greater than iv). From 10 to 72 hours the concentrations decreased with a median t 1/2 of 23.3 hours (iv) and 33.0 hours (orally). Comparison of the ratio of plasma concentrations following oral and iv administration resulted in a bioavailability of 69% using the 48 hour plasma levels, and 59% using the areas under the concentration-time curves. The mean QTc was maximally shortened to 28 msec at 1 hour after iv and to 19 msec at 10 hours after the oral dose. A distinct similarity between time-concentration and time-QTc curves was seen after the initial distribution phase, both after oral and intravenous administration. The new derivative shows a rapid elimination. Its bioavailability is reasonably high.", "PMID": 786669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7462", "title": "A double blind comparative trial of nomifensin and desimipramine in depression. Relationship between treatment and phenylethylamine excretion.", "content": "The effect of nomifensin (Hoechst 36984), a synthetic psychotropic drug whose structure differs from MAO inhibitors and tricyclics, was studied in a double blind comparative trial with desimipramine in patients with various depressive syndromes. Forty-three patients (23 in the nomifensin group and 20 in the desimipramine group) were studied for 6 weeks. Clinical follow-up was done with the Wittenborn scale (WPRS), Hamilton's rating scale for depression (HRS), Zung's scale (SDS), and the PEN inventory. The average daily dose was nomifensin 84 mg and desimipramine 76 mg. Changes in HRS, WPRS and SDS showed statistically significant improvement with both treatments. A moderate anxiolytic effect was found in the nomifensin group, whereas medication had to be discontinued in two desimipramine-treated patients because of its drive-enhancing effect. Urinary phenylethylamine excretion rose in 2 out of 8 patients after 5 weeks of treatment with nomifensin.", "contents": "A double blind comparative trial of nomifensin and desimipramine in depression. Relationship between treatment and phenylethylamine excretion. The effect of nomifensin (Hoechst 36984), a synthetic psychotropic drug whose structure differs from MAO inhibitors and tricyclics, was studied in a double blind comparative trial with desimipramine in patients with various depressive syndromes. Forty-three patients (23 in the nomifensin group and 20 in the desimipramine group) were studied for 6 weeks. Clinical follow-up was done with the Wittenborn scale (WPRS), Hamilton's rating scale for depression (HRS), Zung's scale (SDS), and the PEN inventory. The average daily dose was nomifensin 84 mg and desimipramine 76 mg. Changes in HRS, WPRS and SDS showed statistically significant improvement with both treatments. A moderate anxiolytic effect was found in the nomifensin group, whereas medication had to be discontinued in two desimipramine-treated patients because of its drive-enhancing effect. Urinary phenylethylamine excretion rose in 2 out of 8 patients after 5 weeks of treatment with nomifensin.", "PMID": 786670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7463", "title": "Effect of analgesic agents on emptying of the gallbladder in man.", "content": "A controlled study of the clinical pharmacology of the biliary tract has been made. The rate of gallbladder emptying induced by a fatty meal was taken as a parameter for assessment of the inhibitory effect of indoprofen, a new analgesic-anti-inflammatory drug, pentazocine and morphine. The compounds were administered as single doses by iv (indoprofen and pentazocine) or im (morphine) injection. Indoprofen up to 400 mg had no effect, whereas morphine and pentazocine exerted a significant inhibitory effect on emptying of the gallbladder. Adverse reactions of clinical significance were associated with morphine and pentazocine, but were negligible with indoprofen.", "contents": "Effect of analgesic agents on emptying of the gallbladder in man. A controlled study of the clinical pharmacology of the biliary tract has been made. The rate of gallbladder emptying induced by a fatty meal was taken as a parameter for assessment of the inhibitory effect of indoprofen, a new analgesic-anti-inflammatory drug, pentazocine and morphine. The compounds were administered as single doses by iv (indoprofen and pentazocine) or im (morphine) injection. Indoprofen up to 400 mg had no effect, whereas morphine and pentazocine exerted a significant inhibitory effect on emptying of the gallbladder. Adverse reactions of clinical significance were associated with morphine and pentazocine, but were negligible with indoprofen.", "PMID": 786671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7464", "title": "Differential antianginal responsiveness to acebutolol.", "content": "Six unselected males suffering from documented coronary insufficiency and grade II to III angina were submitted to graded multistage treadmill exercise test on 3 separate occasions, 3.5 hours after ingestion of either 0, 200 or 400 mg of acebutolol, a new cardioselective beta-blocker. Control measures included the random allocation to 6 balanced sequences of administration, the rigid standardisation of double-blind experimental conditions and measurements, and two types of variance analysis (latin-square and split-plot). Performance was evaluated by measuring time elapsed before occurrence of anginal pain and ECG changes, peak heart rate, peak double product (heart rate x systolic pressure), and peak oxygen consumption. The mean values for all 5 criteria showed improvement with the 200 mg dose of acebutolol, and even more so with 400 mg, but this overall effect resulted mainly from the excellent response of 3 of the patients. When patients were grouped into 2 categories of responders and non-responders, a significant Dose x Category interaction was found for all criteria. Furthermore, maximal response under acebutolol was negatively correlated with values under placebo (0 mg); this correlation reached significance for peak heart rate and peak double product. It is concluded that (a) in responders, the beneficial effect of acebutolol was significant on all 5 criteria (p less than 0.05), (b) patients definitely fell into 2 categories of responsiveness and (c) the sensitivity of responders was partly linked to their performance under placebo and partly to unidentified individual factors.", "contents": "Differential antianginal responsiveness to acebutolol. Six unselected males suffering from documented coronary insufficiency and grade II to III angina were submitted to graded multistage treadmill exercise test on 3 separate occasions, 3.5 hours after ingestion of either 0, 200 or 400 mg of acebutolol, a new cardioselective beta-blocker. Control measures included the random allocation to 6 balanced sequences of administration, the rigid standardisation of double-blind experimental conditions and measurements, and two types of variance analysis (latin-square and split-plot). Performance was evaluated by measuring time elapsed before occurrence of anginal pain and ECG changes, peak heart rate, peak double product (heart rate x systolic pressure), and peak oxygen consumption. The mean values for all 5 criteria showed improvement with the 200 mg dose of acebutolol, and even more so with 400 mg, but this overall effect resulted mainly from the excellent response of 3 of the patients. When patients were grouped into 2 categories of responders and non-responders, a significant Dose x Category interaction was found for all criteria. Furthermore, maximal response under acebutolol was negatively correlated with values under placebo (0 mg); this correlation reached significance for peak heart rate and peak double product. It is concluded that (a) in responders, the beneficial effect of acebutolol was significant on all 5 criteria (p less than 0.05), (b) patients definitely fell into 2 categories of responsiveness and (c) the sensitivity of responders was partly linked to their performance under placebo and partly to unidentified individual factors.", "PMID": 786672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7465", "title": "Hypotensive effect of oxprenolol in mild to moderate hypertension: a multicentre controlled study.", "content": "In a multicentre, double-blind, between-patient study the hypotensive effect of oxprenolol was investigated in 329 patients with mild to moderate hypertension. A factorial experimental design with three factors was chosen: oxprenolol--none or daily doses of 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg; dihydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively, none or 30 mg daily. Each treatment was given for 4 weeks after an adequate period of withdrawal from any other possible hypotensive therapy and one week of placebo wash-out. Irresponsive of the association with dihydralazine and/or hydrochlorothiazide, oxprenolol had a hypotensive effect linearly related to dose for standing systolic (P less than 0.05) and diastolic (P less than 0.01) pressure, and for lying diastolic (P less than 0.05) pressure. The additional of dihydralazine enhanced the time-course of the hypotensive effect of oxprenolol, particularly the 80 mg dose level. In general, the combination of oxprenolol with dihydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide caused larger reductions in blood pressure, particularly with oxprenolol 80 mg. In the latter group, the eventual falls in blood pressure were 30.5 and 14.4 mmHg for lying systolic and diastolic, respectively; and 32.1 and 20.0 mmHg for the standing systolic and diastolic pressures. The drug was well tolerated; major side effects (heart failure and bronchospasm) occurred in three patients.", "contents": "Hypotensive effect of oxprenolol in mild to moderate hypertension: a multicentre controlled study. In a multicentre, double-blind, between-patient study the hypotensive effect of oxprenolol was investigated in 329 patients with mild to moderate hypertension. A factorial experimental design with three factors was chosen: oxprenolol--none or daily doses of 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg; dihydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively, none or 30 mg daily. Each treatment was given for 4 weeks after an adequate period of withdrawal from any other possible hypotensive therapy and one week of placebo wash-out. Irresponsive of the association with dihydralazine and/or hydrochlorothiazide, oxprenolol had a hypotensive effect linearly related to dose for standing systolic (P less than 0.05) and diastolic (P less than 0.01) pressure, and for lying diastolic (P less than 0.05) pressure. The additional of dihydralazine enhanced the time-course of the hypotensive effect of oxprenolol, particularly the 80 mg dose level. In general, the combination of oxprenolol with dihydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide caused larger reductions in blood pressure, particularly with oxprenolol 80 mg. In the latter group, the eventual falls in blood pressure were 30.5 and 14.4 mmHg for lying systolic and diastolic, respectively; and 32.1 and 20.0 mmHg for the standing systolic and diastolic pressures. The drug was well tolerated; major side effects (heart failure and bronchospasm) occurred in three patients.", "PMID": 786673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7466", "title": "Relation between plasma concentrations and cardiovascular effects of oral oxprenolol in man.", "content": "Oxprenolol, 40, 80 and 160 mg, was administered orally to seven healthy volunteers. Over the following eight hours repeated measurements were made of the plasma concentrations and effects on heart rate, myocardial contractility (PEPc) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in recumbency, in the upright position and during physical effort at a work load of 120 watts on a bicycle ergometer. The maximum plasma levels and the area beneath the plasma concentration curves increased roughly in proportion to the dosage increment. No evidence of first-pass inactivation in the liver was found. The half-life of the drug in plasma was approximately 80 minutes, irrespective of the dose administered. Oxprenolol slowed heart rate, prolonged PEPc and lowered systolic blood pressure, by comparison with values recorded after a placebo. The effects were generally least marked in the recumbent position and most marked during effort, when a clear-cut dose-response relation was found. The pharmacodynamic effects of oxprenolol were compared with its concentration in plasma. Marked beta-receptor blockade still persisted eight hours after dosing, although at this time, after doses of 40 and 80 mg, the drug could not be detected in plasma.", "contents": "Relation between plasma concentrations and cardiovascular effects of oral oxprenolol in man. Oxprenolol, 40, 80 and 160 mg, was administered orally to seven healthy volunteers. Over the following eight hours repeated measurements were made of the plasma concentrations and effects on heart rate, myocardial contractility (PEPc) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in recumbency, in the upright position and during physical effort at a work load of 120 watts on a bicycle ergometer. The maximum plasma levels and the area beneath the plasma concentration curves increased roughly in proportion to the dosage increment. No evidence of first-pass inactivation in the liver was found. The half-life of the drug in plasma was approximately 80 minutes, irrespective of the dose administered. Oxprenolol slowed heart rate, prolonged PEPc and lowered systolic blood pressure, by comparison with values recorded after a placebo. The effects were generally least marked in the recumbent position and most marked during effort, when a clear-cut dose-response relation was found. The pharmacodynamic effects of oxprenolol were compared with its concentration in plasma. Marked beta-receptor blockade still persisted eight hours after dosing, although at this time, after doses of 40 and 80 mg, the drug could not be detected in plasma.", "PMID": 786674} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7467", "title": "Bioavailability of m-octopamine in man related to its metabolism.", "content": "The diminished sympathomimetic pressor activity of monohydroxylated phenylalkylamines after oral administration has been attributed to incomplete enteric absorption. Therefore, urinary excretion of the unchanged drug and its metabolites has been compared after intravenous and oral administration of 3H-m-octopamine to eight patients. Identical amounts of 3H-activity (80% of the dose) were excreted after the two routes of dosing, so enteric absorption has been assumed to be complete. Significant differences were found in the fraction of free urinary m-octopamine, which amounted to 10.5% of the dose after infusion and 0.58% after oral administration. The only metabolic pathways for m-octopamine are deamination and conjugation. Following oral administration the percentage of conjugates was considerably higher than after intravenous infusion. This metabolic pattern appears typical of all phenylalkylamines with a hydroxyl group in the meta position. Ring hydroxylation to catecholamines was not observed. The enzymes mainly responsible for conjugation after oral administration are located in the gut wall. The resulting \"\"first pass effect'', i.e. metabolism prior to the access to the central compartment, can account for the diminished pharmacodynamic effect after dosing by this route.", "contents": "Bioavailability of m-octopamine in man related to its metabolism. The diminished sympathomimetic pressor activity of monohydroxylated phenylalkylamines after oral administration has been attributed to incomplete enteric absorption. Therefore, urinary excretion of the unchanged drug and its metabolites has been compared after intravenous and oral administration of 3H-m-octopamine to eight patients. Identical amounts of 3H-activity (80% of the dose) were excreted after the two routes of dosing, so enteric absorption has been assumed to be complete. Significant differences were found in the fraction of free urinary m-octopamine, which amounted to 10.5% of the dose after infusion and 0.58% after oral administration. The only metabolic pathways for m-octopamine are deamination and conjugation. Following oral administration the percentage of conjugates was considerably higher than after intravenous infusion. This metabolic pattern appears typical of all phenylalkylamines with a hydroxyl group in the meta position. Ring hydroxylation to catecholamines was not observed. The enzymes mainly responsible for conjugation after oral administration are located in the gut wall. The resulting \"\"first pass effect'', i.e. metabolism prior to the access to the central compartment, can account for the diminished pharmacodynamic effect after dosing by this route.", "PMID": 786675} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7468", "title": "Double blind cross-over study of a new appetite suppressant AN 448.", "content": "The effects of a new appetite suppressant, AN 448, and a placebo have been compared in 30 obese individuals using a fully randomized double-blind cross-over design. 1 mg of AN 448 t.i.d. produced a significant degree of appetite suppression and a mean weight loss of more than 4 kg per individual over a 6 week period. Side effects were few and no haematological, renal or hepatic damage was observed.", "contents": "Double blind cross-over study of a new appetite suppressant AN 448. The effects of a new appetite suppressant, AN 448, and a placebo have been compared in 30 obese individuals using a fully randomized double-blind cross-over design. 1 mg of AN 448 t.i.d. produced a significant degree of appetite suppression and a mean weight loss of more than 4 kg per individual over a 6 week period. Side effects were few and no haematological, renal or hepatic damage was observed.", "PMID": 786676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7469", "title": "Effect of nifedipine on exercise tolerance in patients with angina pectoris.", "content": "To test if nifedipine, 10 mg sublingually, could increase exercise tolerance, ten patients with angina pectoris each performed two types of bicycle exercise test, one with a stepwise increase in load and the other with a continuously increasing load. The drug was given in a double-blind cross-over trial. Nifedipine raised the heart rate and diminished the systemic blood pressure at rest, on standing and during exercise at comparable loads. Work time was prolonged and higher work loads were achieved. The total work performed rose by 50 per cent in one of the tests and by 23 per cent in the other, about 50 minutes after taking the drug. The mechanism of the greater work capacity in angina pectoris after nifedipine was assumed to be diminished heart work due to a fall in systemic vascular resistance.", "contents": "Effect of nifedipine on exercise tolerance in patients with angina pectoris. To test if nifedipine, 10 mg sublingually, could increase exercise tolerance, ten patients with angina pectoris each performed two types of bicycle exercise test, one with a stepwise increase in load and the other with a continuously increasing load. The drug was given in a double-blind cross-over trial. Nifedipine raised the heart rate and diminished the systemic blood pressure at rest, on standing and during exercise at comparable loads. Work time was prolonged and higher work loads were achieved. The total work performed rose by 50 per cent in one of the tests and by 23 per cent in the other, about 50 minutes after taking the drug. The mechanism of the greater work capacity in angina pectoris after nifedipine was assumed to be diminished heart work due to a fall in systemic vascular resistance.", "PMID": 786677} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7470", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of di-n-propylacetate in epileptic patients.", "content": "The pharmacokinetics of the anti-epileptic drug di-n-propylacetate (DepakineR) have been studied in 7 patients, in whom plasma concentrations were determined during and following subchronic treatment. Elimination of the drug appeared to follow a monophasic exponential course; biological half lives were 8 to 15 hours. The data supported the assumption that an open one-compartment model can be used to describe the kinetics of dipropylacetate in man. The drug appeared to have a relatively restricted distribution: calculated relative distribution volumes ranged from 0.15 to 0.40 1/kg. There were large interindividual differences in clearance rate. The therapeutic range was considered to be between 50 and 100 mg/1 plasma. Plasma levels of phenobarbital were markedly raised during treatment with dipropylacetate for an unknown reason. Determination of the plasma concentrations of drugs at accurately fixed times appears to be a reliable method for pharmacotherapeutic monitoring of epileptic patients.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of di-n-propylacetate in epileptic patients. The pharmacokinetics of the anti-epileptic drug di-n-propylacetate (DepakineR) have been studied in 7 patients, in whom plasma concentrations were determined during and following subchronic treatment. Elimination of the drug appeared to follow a monophasic exponential course; biological half lives were 8 to 15 hours. The data supported the assumption that an open one-compartment model can be used to describe the kinetics of dipropylacetate in man. The drug appeared to have a relatively restricted distribution: calculated relative distribution volumes ranged from 0.15 to 0.40 1/kg. There were large interindividual differences in clearance rate. The therapeutic range was considered to be between 50 and 100 mg/1 plasma. Plasma levels of phenobarbital were markedly raised during treatment with dipropylacetate for an unknown reason. Determination of the plasma concentrations of drugs at accurately fixed times appears to be a reliable method for pharmacotherapeutic monitoring of epileptic patients.", "PMID": 786678} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7471", "title": "Bilateral surgical removal of impacted lower third molar teeth as a model for drug evaluation: a test with ibuprofen.", "content": "It was considered that double-blind crossover studies of therapeutic efficacy after acute injury could well be done in patients who required surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth from both sides of the lower jaw. In the present trial 24 healthy patients received either placebo or ibuprofen (Brufen: 400 mg three times daily), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, for 5 days commencing the day before surgery. Treatments were given on the two occasions when impacted wisdom teeth were to be removed from one side or other of the lower jaw. A number of objective and subjective parameters were recorded for paired comparison of the post-operative courses, including swelling, trismus and pain. A mechanical device which allows simple and accurate measurement of cheek swelling is described. On the 1st, 3rd and 5th post-operative days in the ibuprofen group the measured swelling averaged 93, 89 and 82%, respectively, of that in the placebo group; the corresponding alpha-values were 0.35, 0.06 and 0.07. Patients with less swelling after ibuprofen were not always those with a high serum concentration of the drug. Ibuprofen significantly reduced pain on the day of the operation. This may at least partly account for less trismus and the preference of the patients for their post-operative courses with ibuprofen. Examination of various haematological parameters did not reveal any significant difference between the two operations. Subjective scores indicated that neither wound-healing nor bleeding was affected by ibuprofen, nor were any side effects detected.", "contents": "Bilateral surgical removal of impacted lower third molar teeth as a model for drug evaluation: a test with ibuprofen. It was considered that double-blind crossover studies of therapeutic efficacy after acute injury could well be done in patients who required surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth from both sides of the lower jaw. In the present trial 24 healthy patients received either placebo or ibuprofen (Brufen: 400 mg three times daily), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, for 5 days commencing the day before surgery. Treatments were given on the two occasions when impacted wisdom teeth were to be removed from one side or other of the lower jaw. A number of objective and subjective parameters were recorded for paired comparison of the post-operative courses, including swelling, trismus and pain. A mechanical device which allows simple and accurate measurement of cheek swelling is described. On the 1st, 3rd and 5th post-operative days in the ibuprofen group the measured swelling averaged 93, 89 and 82%, respectively, of that in the placebo group; the corresponding alpha-values were 0.35, 0.06 and 0.07. Patients with less swelling after ibuprofen were not always those with a high serum concentration of the drug. Ibuprofen significantly reduced pain on the day of the operation. This may at least partly account for less trismus and the preference of the patients for their post-operative courses with ibuprofen. Examination of various haematological parameters did not reveal any significant difference between the two operations. Subjective scores indicated that neither wound-healing nor bleeding was affected by ibuprofen, nor were any side effects detected.", "PMID": 786680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7472", "title": "Effect of intravenous atropine and methylatropine on heart rate and secretion of saliva in man.", "content": "Intravenous atropine sulphate (0.25, 0.40, 0.75 and 1.50 mg), atropine methylnitrate (0.08, 0.13 and 0.25 mg) and saline were given to 72 healthy medical students. The effects on heart rate and rhythm, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and salivary secretion were studied. Salivation was inhibited by all the doses of the two drugs. There was a clear dose-response relationship and methylatropine was about 3 times as potent as atropine. Heart rate was accelerated by 0.75 and 1.50 mg atropine, and 0.25 mg methylatropine, whereas 0.25 mg atropine and 0.08 and 0.13 mg methylatropine induced bradycardia, which was considered to be due to a peripheral action. It is suggested that the drugs act as partial agonists at muscarinic receptors. No clear effect on blood pressure was seen, except for the highest dose of atropine, after which the diastolic pressure was increased. 20 out of 59 subjects who received anticholinergics developed supra-ventricular arrhythmias; with both drugs periods of nodal rhythm were most common. They appeared shortly after the injection and usually lasted for a few minutes.", "contents": "Effect of intravenous atropine and methylatropine on heart rate and secretion of saliva in man. Intravenous atropine sulphate (0.25, 0.40, 0.75 and 1.50 mg), atropine methylnitrate (0.08, 0.13 and 0.25 mg) and saline were given to 72 healthy medical students. The effects on heart rate and rhythm, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and salivary secretion were studied. Salivation was inhibited by all the doses of the two drugs. There was a clear dose-response relationship and methylatropine was about 3 times as potent as atropine. Heart rate was accelerated by 0.75 and 1.50 mg atropine, and 0.25 mg methylatropine, whereas 0.25 mg atropine and 0.08 and 0.13 mg methylatropine induced bradycardia, which was considered to be due to a peripheral action. It is suggested that the drugs act as partial agonists at muscarinic receptors. No clear effect on blood pressure was seen, except for the highest dose of atropine, after which the diastolic pressure was increased. 20 out of 59 subjects who received anticholinergics developed supra-ventricular arrhythmias; with both drugs periods of nodal rhythm were most common. They appeared shortly after the injection and usually lasted for a few minutes.", "PMID": 786681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7473", "title": "Exercise tolerance in patients with angina pectoris after pentaerythritol trinitrate and alprenolol studied by two different methods.", "content": "Exercise tolerance has been studied by two different methods, heart-rate-controlled exercise and stepwise increased load, in 12 patients with angina pectoris. The response to a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, alprenolol, and an alkyl nitrate derivative, pentaerythritol trinitrate (PETRIN) was studied by the two methods after double-blind administration of the drugs. Rating scales were used to quantitate the degree of dyspnoea, angina pectoris and tiredness in the legs. After PETRIN both methods showed significant increases in exercise tolerance (19 and 21 per cent). The heart-rate-controlled test showed a significant increase (33%) after alprenolol, but the change was not significant by the other method. In the patients studied, heart-rate-controlled exercise discriminated between active drug and placebo better than the stepwise increased load test, what might have been due to more optimal matching of the loads obtained in the heart-rate-controlled test. Indications are given about how to design an exercise study in patients with angina pectoris.", "contents": "Exercise tolerance in patients with angina pectoris after pentaerythritol trinitrate and alprenolol studied by two different methods. Exercise tolerance has been studied by two different methods, heart-rate-controlled exercise and stepwise increased load, in 12 patients with angina pectoris. The response to a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, alprenolol, and an alkyl nitrate derivative, pentaerythritol trinitrate (PETRIN) was studied by the two methods after double-blind administration of the drugs. Rating scales were used to quantitate the degree of dyspnoea, angina pectoris and tiredness in the legs. After PETRIN both methods showed significant increases in exercise tolerance (19 and 21 per cent). The heart-rate-controlled test showed a significant increase (33%) after alprenolol, but the change was not significant by the other method. In the patients studied, heart-rate-controlled exercise discriminated between active drug and placebo better than the stepwise increased load test, what might have been due to more optimal matching of the loads obtained in the heart-rate-controlled test. Indications are given about how to design an exercise study in patients with angina pectoris.", "PMID": 786682} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7474", "title": "Clinical pharmacology as seen through two of its journals.", "content": "The following article gives an overall view of the manuscripts that have been published in two journals dedicated to clinical pharmacology. Such an analysis can only be a quantitative one, since it is not possible to categorize the papers according to their scientific value. One reason for the fact that pharmacokinetic problems have found so much interest among clinical pharmacologists may be the scarcity of data available until recently. It may be expected, indeed the past year the tendency was already evident in the 'Europ. J. clin. Pharmacol.; that other fields of clinical pharmacology will be increasingly considered when a basic knowledge of pharmacokinetics has become available for standard therapeutics.", "contents": "Clinical pharmacology as seen through two of its journals. The following article gives an overall view of the manuscripts that have been published in two journals dedicated to clinical pharmacology. Such an analysis can only be a quantitative one, since it is not possible to categorize the papers according to their scientific value. One reason for the fact that pharmacokinetic problems have found so much interest among clinical pharmacologists may be the scarcity of data available until recently. It may be expected, indeed the past year the tendency was already evident in the 'Europ. J. clin. Pharmacol.; that other fields of clinical pharmacology will be increasingly considered when a basic knowledge of pharmacokinetics has become available for standard therapeutics.", "PMID": 786683} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7475", "title": "Treatment of benign essential hypertension: comparison of furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide.", "content": "Furosemide (Impugan) 12.5, 25 or 40 mg twice daily, has been compared as an antihypertensive with hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg twice daily and a placebo. A double blind, cross-over design was used with a run-in period of 4 weeks, preceding five 4-week periods of treatment with these compounds alone. There were 34 patients in the trial, 17 men and 17 women. Paired comparison showed that furosemide 25 or 40 mg twice daily and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg twice daily had a similar hypotensive effect, irrespective of the initial blood pressure. Furosemide 40 mg twice daily and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg twice daily caused a slight fall of blood pressure as compared with placebo (0.10 greater than p greater than 0.05, p less than 0.05). There was a distinct correlation between blood pressure and age. Serum K+ fell significantly during treatment, particularly with hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg twice daily, as well as with furosemide 25 or 40 mg twice daily. As compared with placebo, urinary output increased significantly after furosemide 12.5, 25 or 40 mg twice daily, but it rose only to a non-significant extent after hydrochlorothiazide. The fall of blood pressure and decrease in serum K+ were linearly related. There were only a few, mild side effects which did not necessitate discontinuation of the trial.", "contents": "Treatment of benign essential hypertension: comparison of furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide. Furosemide (Impugan) 12.5, 25 or 40 mg twice daily, has been compared as an antihypertensive with hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg twice daily and a placebo. A double blind, cross-over design was used with a run-in period of 4 weeks, preceding five 4-week periods of treatment with these compounds alone. There were 34 patients in the trial, 17 men and 17 women. Paired comparison showed that furosemide 25 or 40 mg twice daily and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg twice daily had a similar hypotensive effect, irrespective of the initial blood pressure. Furosemide 40 mg twice daily and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg twice daily caused a slight fall of blood pressure as compared with placebo (0.10 greater than p greater than 0.05, p less than 0.05). There was a distinct correlation between blood pressure and age. Serum K+ fell significantly during treatment, particularly with hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg twice daily, as well as with furosemide 25 or 40 mg twice daily. As compared with placebo, urinary output increased significantly after furosemide 12.5, 25 or 40 mg twice daily, but it rose only to a non-significant extent after hydrochlorothiazide. The fall of blood pressure and decrease in serum K+ were linearly related. There were only a few, mild side effects which did not necessitate discontinuation of the trial.", "PMID": 786684} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7476", "title": "The serum level approach to individualization of drug dosage.", "content": "The importance of individualizing the dosage of potent drugs in order to maximize their therapeutic effectiveness and safety is generally accepted. Whenever possible the dosage of a drug should be \"titrated\" directly in each patient against the intensity of its therapeutic or toxic actions. Unfortunately, for many drugs convenient clinical yardsticks of the intensity of their pharmacologic effects are lacking. Determination of the serum concentration of such compounds can help to guide adjustment of dosage during their therapeutic use. By measuring the serum level of drugs one bypasses the largest source of individual differences in dose-effect relationships-the pharmacokinetic variation between subjects. However, the relationship between the serum concentration of a drug and the intensity of its pharmacodynamic action is influenced by many other factors, which must always be considered in interpretation of serum levels. Therapeutic decisions should never be based soley on the serum concentration of a compound, nor can such measurements ever substitute for careful medical observation and judgement.", "contents": "The serum level approach to individualization of drug dosage. The importance of individualizing the dosage of potent drugs in order to maximize their therapeutic effectiveness and safety is generally accepted. Whenever possible the dosage of a drug should be \"titrated\" directly in each patient against the intensity of its therapeutic or toxic actions. Unfortunately, for many drugs convenient clinical yardsticks of the intensity of their pharmacologic effects are lacking. Determination of the serum concentration of such compounds can help to guide adjustment of dosage during their therapeutic use. By measuring the serum level of drugs one bypasses the largest source of individual differences in dose-effect relationships-the pharmacokinetic variation between subjects. However, the relationship between the serum concentration of a drug and the intensity of its pharmacodynamic action is influenced by many other factors, which must always be considered in interpretation of serum levels. Therapeutic decisions should never be based soley on the serum concentration of a compound, nor can such measurements ever substitute for careful medical observation and judgement.", "PMID": 786685} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7477", "title": "Effect of zinc sulphate on the absorption of tetracycline and doxycycline in man.", "content": "A possible interaction between zinc sulphate and tetracycline or doxycycline was examined in a cross-over study in seven volunteers. A single dose of zinc sulphate (45 mg Zn++) was given simultaneously with tetracycline hydrochloride (500 mg) or doxycyline chloride (200 mg). The serum concentration of tetracycline, the area under the serum tetracycline concentration-time curve and the excretion of tetracycline in urine were reduced by about 30% (p less than 0.05) from the respective control values. The absorption of doxycycline was not influenced significantly by zinc sulphate. The clinical significance of the zinc-tetracycline interaction seems to be of limited importance.", "contents": "Effect of zinc sulphate on the absorption of tetracycline and doxycycline in man. A possible interaction between zinc sulphate and tetracycline or doxycycline was examined in a cross-over study in seven volunteers. A single dose of zinc sulphate (45 mg Zn++) was given simultaneously with tetracycline hydrochloride (500 mg) or doxycyline chloride (200 mg). The serum concentration of tetracycline, the area under the serum tetracycline concentration-time curve and the excretion of tetracycline in urine were reduced by about 30% (p less than 0.05) from the respective control values. The absorption of doxycycline was not influenced significantly by zinc sulphate. The clinical significance of the zinc-tetracycline interaction seems to be of limited importance.", "PMID": 786686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7478", "title": "Biotransformation and pharmacokinetics of sulfinpyrazone (Anturan) in man.", "content": "The absorption, biotransformation and elimination of sulfinpyrazone, 1,2-diphenyl-3,5-dioxo-4-(2'-phenylsufinylethyl)-pyrazolidine, have been studied by administration of single 200 mg oral doses of a 14C-labelled preparation to two male volunteers. Absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract was rapid and complete and the plasma concentration of unchanged drug reached maximum values of 22.67 and 13.04 mug/ml, respectively, after 1 - 2 hours. The elimination half-life in the two subjects, calculated from the decline between 3 and 8 hours, was 2.7 and 2.2 hours. The integrated concentration of unchanged sulfinpyrazone in plasma, estimated from the area under the concentration curves (AUC), was almost as high as that of total 14C-substances, so the proportion of metabolized drug in plasma was low. In no case did the AUC of the three specifically determined metabolites. i.e. the sulphone G 31 442, the \"para-hydroxy\"=compound G 32 642 and the \"4-hydroxy\"- compound GP 52 097, exceed 4% of the sulfinpyrazone value. More than 95% of whole blood radioactivity was confined to plasma. The oral dose was rapidly and completely excreted, since within 4 days more than 95% was recovered, 85% from urine and 10% from faeces. A large proportion of the dose was excreted as unchanged drug in the two volunteers: 51 and 54% of total urinary radioactivity was present as sulfinpyrazone; 8.2 and 8.8% was present as \"para-hydroxy\"-metabolite, 2.7 and 3.0% as sulphone-metabolite, and 0.6 and 0.8% as \"4-hydroxy\"-metabolite. About 30% of urinary radioactivity consisted of highly polar metabolites. Spectroscopy of them showed that they were the C-beta-glucuronides of sulfinpyrazone (28%) and the corresponding sulfone (2%). In these metabolites the C(4) of the pyrazolidine ring was directly attached to glucuronic acid, and thus they represent a new type of biosynthetic conjugate.", "contents": "Biotransformation and pharmacokinetics of sulfinpyrazone (Anturan) in man. The absorption, biotransformation and elimination of sulfinpyrazone, 1,2-diphenyl-3,5-dioxo-4-(2'-phenylsufinylethyl)-pyrazolidine, have been studied by administration of single 200 mg oral doses of a 14C-labelled preparation to two male volunteers. Absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract was rapid and complete and the plasma concentration of unchanged drug reached maximum values of 22.67 and 13.04 mug/ml, respectively, after 1 - 2 hours. The elimination half-life in the two subjects, calculated from the decline between 3 and 8 hours, was 2.7 and 2.2 hours. The integrated concentration of unchanged sulfinpyrazone in plasma, estimated from the area under the concentration curves (AUC), was almost as high as that of total 14C-substances, so the proportion of metabolized drug in plasma was low. In no case did the AUC of the three specifically determined metabolites. i.e. the sulphone G 31 442, the \"para-hydroxy\"=compound G 32 642 and the \"4-hydroxy\"- compound GP 52 097, exceed 4% of the sulfinpyrazone value. More than 95% of whole blood radioactivity was confined to plasma. The oral dose was rapidly and completely excreted, since within 4 days more than 95% was recovered, 85% from urine and 10% from faeces. A large proportion of the dose was excreted as unchanged drug in the two volunteers: 51 and 54% of total urinary radioactivity was present as sulfinpyrazone; 8.2 and 8.8% was present as \"para-hydroxy\"-metabolite, 2.7 and 3.0% as sulphone-metabolite, and 0.6 and 0.8% as \"4-hydroxy\"-metabolite. About 30% of urinary radioactivity consisted of highly polar metabolites. Spectroscopy of them showed that they were the C-beta-glucuronides of sulfinpyrazone (28%) and the corresponding sulfone (2%). In these metabolites the C(4) of the pyrazolidine ring was directly attached to glucuronic acid, and thus they represent a new type of biosynthetic conjugate.", "PMID": 786687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7479", "title": "The metabolism of (-)-ephedrine in man.", "content": "The metabolic fate of orally administered (-)-[14C]-ephedrine has been studied in 3 human subjects and the urinary excretion of metabolites determined quantitatively by solvent extraction, paper chromatography and reverse isotope dilution procedures. Following an oral dose of the drug (0.35 mg/kg, 1.6 muCi), 97% of the dose was excreted in the urine within 48 h, 88% in the first 24 h. Unchanged drug was the major urinary excretory product (53-74%), with N-demethylation occurring to a variable extent (8-20%) although there was little interindividual variation in urine pH. Oxidative deamination was also variable (4-13%); the main identified products of this were benzoic acid (free and conjugated) and 1,2-dihydroxy-1-phenylpropane (free and conjugated). No phenolic metabolites could be detected, and thus it would appear that these compounds cannot be implicated in the acquisition of tolerance to ephedrine which can occur on repeated dosage.", "contents": "The metabolism of (-)-ephedrine in man. The metabolic fate of orally administered (-)-[14C]-ephedrine has been studied in 3 human subjects and the urinary excretion of metabolites determined quantitatively by solvent extraction, paper chromatography and reverse isotope dilution procedures. Following an oral dose of the drug (0.35 mg/kg, 1.6 muCi), 97% of the dose was excreted in the urine within 48 h, 88% in the first 24 h. Unchanged drug was the major urinary excretory product (53-74%), with N-demethylation occurring to a variable extent (8-20%) although there was little interindividual variation in urine pH. Oxidative deamination was also variable (4-13%); the main identified products of this were benzoic acid (free and conjugated) and 1,2-dihydroxy-1-phenylpropane (free and conjugated). No phenolic metabolites could be detected, and thus it would appear that these compounds cannot be implicated in the acquisition of tolerance to ephedrine which can occur on repeated dosage.", "PMID": 786688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7480", "title": "Comparison of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol and practolol combined with chlorthalidone.", "content": "A double blind cross-over trial of fixed doses of propranolol (640 mg/day) and the cardioselective drug practolol (1600 mg/day) was performed in 28 patients with essential hypertension whose blood pressure was not adequately controlled by chlorthalidone (100 mg 3 times weekly) alone. Chlorthalidone alone was given during the first (control) period, and it was continued throughout the propranolol and practolol treatment periods, each of 10 weeks. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lowered significantly by both the beta blocking drugs. The changes in blood pressure caused by altering the patient's position were the same after both beta blockers. Propranolol produced slightly lower values than practolol, but the difference was significant only for diastolic blood pressure in the sitting and supine positions. In individual patients the final blood pressure after propranolol was correlated with the final blood pressure after practolol. Only minimal side-effects of either drug were noticed. It is concluded that the doses employed both of propranolol and practolol had a good and approximately equal antihypertensive effect when combined with chlorthalidone treatment. There was no correlation between the final blood pressure and plasma renin activity.", "contents": "Comparison of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol and practolol combined with chlorthalidone. A double blind cross-over trial of fixed doses of propranolol (640 mg/day) and the cardioselective drug practolol (1600 mg/day) was performed in 28 patients with essential hypertension whose blood pressure was not adequately controlled by chlorthalidone (100 mg 3 times weekly) alone. Chlorthalidone alone was given during the first (control) period, and it was continued throughout the propranolol and practolol treatment periods, each of 10 weeks. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lowered significantly by both the beta blocking drugs. The changes in blood pressure caused by altering the patient's position were the same after both beta blockers. Propranolol produced slightly lower values than practolol, but the difference was significant only for diastolic blood pressure in the sitting and supine positions. In individual patients the final blood pressure after propranolol was correlated with the final blood pressure after practolol. Only minimal side-effects of either drug were noticed. It is concluded that the doses employed both of propranolol and practolol had a good and approximately equal antihypertensive effect when combined with chlorthalidone treatment. There was no correlation between the final blood pressure and plasma renin activity.", "PMID": 786689} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7481", "title": "Combination therapy of essential hypertension with pindolol (Visken) and hydralazine.", "content": "Thirty patients suffering from essential hypertension were treated successively with placebo, hydralazine alone, and pindolol (Visken) combined with hydralazine. Hydralazine caused a statistically significant reduction in blood pressure and an increase in pulse rate as compared with the placebo: palpitations were an irritating side-effect. The combination of hydralazine and pindolol resulted in an additional fall in blood pressure (p less than 0.001) and the pulse rate decreased (2 p less than 0.001). The combined treatment also had a favourable effect on palpitations and angina pectoris.", "contents": "Combination therapy of essential hypertension with pindolol (Visken) and hydralazine. Thirty patients suffering from essential hypertension were treated successively with placebo, hydralazine alone, and pindolol (Visken) combined with hydralazine. Hydralazine caused a statistically significant reduction in blood pressure and an increase in pulse rate as compared with the placebo: palpitations were an irritating side-effect. The combination of hydralazine and pindolol resulted in an additional fall in blood pressure (p less than 0.001) and the pulse rate decreased (2 p less than 0.001). The combined treatment also had a favourable effect on palpitations and angina pectoris.", "PMID": 786690} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7482", "title": "Effects of oxprenolol on the airways of normal and bronchitic subjects.", "content": "In a double blind trial in 11 control subjects and 12 bronchitic patients against an inert control oxprenolol produced significant worsening in airways obstruction in 6 control and in 7 patients. There was marked individual variation in response and no way was found to predict the susceptible subjects. Objective measurement of indices of airways obstruction and the effects of oxprenolol on them is essential where there is significant respiratory impairment. Great care must continue to be exercised since a significant proportion of bronchitic patients will be adversely affected by this drug.", "contents": "Effects of oxprenolol on the airways of normal and bronchitic subjects. In a double blind trial in 11 control subjects and 12 bronchitic patients against an inert control oxprenolol produced significant worsening in airways obstruction in 6 control and in 7 patients. There was marked individual variation in response and no way was found to predict the susceptible subjects. Objective measurement of indices of airways obstruction and the effects of oxprenolol on them is essential where there is significant respiratory impairment. Great care must continue to be exercised since a significant proportion of bronchitic patients will be adversely affected by this drug.", "PMID": 786691} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7483", "title": "Diuretic action of bumetanide in advanced chronic renal insufficiency.", "content": "The effect of bumetanide, a new potent diuretic, was studied in twelve patients with severe chronic renal failure (GFR 2.7 - 10.7 ml/min). Bumetanide 8 mg i.v. caused increased excretion of water and sodium in all patients. In some patients sodium excretion was greater than 50% of filtered load indicating an effect on proximal tubules. Bumetanide 2 mg i.v. was significantly less effective than 8 mg and a greater diuretic effect was produced by bumetanide 16 mg. In a comparative study bumetanide 8 mg was less potent than furosemide 250 mg, a finding in contrast to the potency rate ratio of 1/40 in other conditions. Side effects consisted of mild to moderate muscle pain and stiffness, especially localized in the neck, shoulders and calves. These side effects occurred only in patients with a GFR less than 5.3 ml/min. They were noted in all patients receiving 16 mg and in 3 out of 12 patients who took bumetanide 8 mg. There was no relationship between the occurrence of side effects and plasma bumetanide levels, electrolyte levels or the renal excretion of bumetanide and electrolytes.", "contents": "Diuretic action of bumetanide in advanced chronic renal insufficiency. The effect of bumetanide, a new potent diuretic, was studied in twelve patients with severe chronic renal failure (GFR 2.7 - 10.7 ml/min). Bumetanide 8 mg i.v. caused increased excretion of water and sodium in all patients. In some patients sodium excretion was greater than 50% of filtered load indicating an effect on proximal tubules. Bumetanide 2 mg i.v. was significantly less effective than 8 mg and a greater diuretic effect was produced by bumetanide 16 mg. In a comparative study bumetanide 8 mg was less potent than furosemide 250 mg, a finding in contrast to the potency rate ratio of 1/40 in other conditions. Side effects consisted of mild to moderate muscle pain and stiffness, especially localized in the neck, shoulders and calves. These side effects occurred only in patients with a GFR less than 5.3 ml/min. They were noted in all patients receiving 16 mg and in 3 out of 12 patients who took bumetanide 8 mg. There was no relationship between the occurrence of side effects and plasma bumetanide levels, electrolyte levels or the renal excretion of bumetanide and electrolytes.", "PMID": 786692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7484", "title": "Comparison of salmefamol with salbutamol aerosols in asthamatics.", "content": "In twelve asthmatic patients 200 mug of salmefamol and salbutamol given by metered aerosol produced a similar initial effect on FEV1, FVC and PEFR without significant effect on heart rate or blood pressure. The duration of effect of salbutamol was approximately 4 hours; there was still an appreciable effect from salmefamol at 8 hours.", "contents": "Comparison of salmefamol with salbutamol aerosols in asthamatics. In twelve asthmatic patients 200 mug of salmefamol and salbutamol given by metered aerosol produced a similar initial effect on FEV1, FVC and PEFR without significant effect on heart rate or blood pressure. The duration of effect of salbutamol was approximately 4 hours; there was still an appreciable effect from salmefamol at 8 hours.", "PMID": 786693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7485", "title": "Salmefamol orally in asthmatics - two doses compared.", "content": "The responses of twelve patients with chronic asthma to salmefamol 1 mg and 2 mg, taken orally, were compared in a double-blind cross-over study. Both produced a rise of 40-50% in PEFR and FEV1. Statistically significant improvements were maintained for three to four hours, and 20% improvements for four to six hours. There was no significantly different effect on ventilatory capacity between the two doses. After the 2 mg dose there was a statistically significant fall in diastolic blood pressure at 1 and 1 1/2 hours. Four patients experienced tremor and this was the only side-effect noted. The possible reasons for failure to demonstrate a greater effect with the higher dose are discussed.", "contents": "Salmefamol orally in asthmatics - two doses compared. The responses of twelve patients with chronic asthma to salmefamol 1 mg and 2 mg, taken orally, were compared in a double-blind cross-over study. Both produced a rise of 40-50% in PEFR and FEV1. Statistically significant improvements were maintained for three to four hours, and 20% improvements for four to six hours. There was no significantly different effect on ventilatory capacity between the two doses. After the 2 mg dose there was a statistically significant fall in diastolic blood pressure at 1 and 1 1/2 hours. Four patients experienced tremor and this was the only side-effect noted. The possible reasons for failure to demonstrate a greater effect with the higher dose are discussed.", "PMID": 786694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7486", "title": "Obituary--Prof. J. F. Heremans.", "content": "We sincerely regret to have to report the death of Professor Joseph F. Heremans on October 29th, 1975, at the age of 48. He was Professor of Internal Medicine and of Immunochemistry at the University of Louvain, Brussels and Director of the Department of Experimental Medicine at the new International Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Brussels, of which he was a founder member. He had also been an active member of the Editorial Board of European Journal of Immunology since its founding in 1970. As one could always depend upon his clever but fair criticism, he has done a great deal to help the development of the journal. We are extremely grateful to have had him as a colleague, coworker and friend.", "contents": "Obituary--Prof. J. F. Heremans. We sincerely regret to have to report the death of Professor Joseph F. Heremans on October 29th, 1975, at the age of 48. He was Professor of Internal Medicine and of Immunochemistry at the University of Louvain, Brussels and Director of the Department of Experimental Medicine at the new International Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Brussels, of which he was a founder member. He had also been an active member of the Editorial Board of European Journal of Immunology since its founding in 1970. As one could always depend upon his clever but fair criticism, he has done a great deal to help the development of the journal. We are extremely grateful to have had him as a colleague, coworker and friend.", "PMID": 786695} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7487", "title": "Cytophilic activity of enzymatically derived fragments of guinea pig IgG2.", "content": "The hydrolysis products from short term exposure of guinea pig IgG2 to papain and pepsin have been characterized. Papain hydrolysis liberates 4 types of Fc fragment, only one of which retains both an interchain disulfide bond and an intact CH2 domain, cFc, mol.wt. 56 000. The other three fragments noncovalently linked Fc (nFc) (mol.wt. 56 000), incomplete Fc (iFc) (mol.wt. 39 000) and Fc' (23 000) represent further degradation products of covalently linked complete Fc (cFc). The cytophilic activities of these fragments as well as F(ab')2 and pFc' from pepsin hydrolysis, were studied to determine the domain(s) responsible for binding to homologous peritoneal macrophages. Only the native immunoglobulin and the intact cFc manifested cytophilic activity; in particular pepsin-derived pFc' and Fc' were inactive. Following mild reduction and alkylation, performed to affect only the interchain disulfide bonds, the cytophilic activity of cFc was markedly reduced. The low cytophilic activity in the pFc' fragment suggests that the CH2 domains play a major part in binding to the macrophage Fc receptor through a site(s) stabilized by the interchain disulfide bonds.", "contents": "Cytophilic activity of enzymatically derived fragments of guinea pig IgG2. The hydrolysis products from short term exposure of guinea pig IgG2 to papain and pepsin have been characterized. Papain hydrolysis liberates 4 types of Fc fragment, only one of which retains both an interchain disulfide bond and an intact CH2 domain, cFc, mol.wt. 56 000. The other three fragments noncovalently linked Fc (nFc) (mol.wt. 56 000), incomplete Fc (iFc) (mol.wt. 39 000) and Fc' (23 000) represent further degradation products of covalently linked complete Fc (cFc). The cytophilic activities of these fragments as well as F(ab')2 and pFc' from pepsin hydrolysis, were studied to determine the domain(s) responsible for binding to homologous peritoneal macrophages. Only the native immunoglobulin and the intact cFc manifested cytophilic activity; in particular pepsin-derived pFc' and Fc' were inactive. Following mild reduction and alkylation, performed to affect only the interchain disulfide bonds, the cytophilic activity of cFc was markedly reduced. The low cytophilic activity in the pFc' fragment suggests that the CH2 domains play a major part in binding to the macrophage Fc receptor through a site(s) stabilized by the interchain disulfide bonds.", "PMID": 786696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7488", "title": "Effect of the concentration of inducing agent on the output of lymphokines in the guinea pig.", "content": "The production of migration inhibition (MIF) and mitogenic (MF) factors by cultured guinea pig lymph node cells was examined as a function of the concentration of antigen or concanavalin A (ConA). Maximum output of MIF was achieved at comparatively low levels of antigen and was equal to the maximum output by ConA. In contrast, MF output increased up to the highest antigen concentrations tested. Kinetic and chromatographic analysis revealed no differences between the MF produced at high and low antigen concentration.", "contents": "Effect of the concentration of inducing agent on the output of lymphokines in the guinea pig. The production of migration inhibition (MIF) and mitogenic (MF) factors by cultured guinea pig lymph node cells was examined as a function of the concentration of antigen or concanavalin A (ConA). Maximum output of MIF was achieved at comparatively low levels of antigen and was equal to the maximum output by ConA. In contrast, MF output increased up to the highest antigen concentrations tested. Kinetic and chromatographic analysis revealed no differences between the MF produced at high and low antigen concentration.", "PMID": 786697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7489", "title": "HLA antigens: rabbit antisera reacting with all A series or all B series specificities.", "content": "Papain-solubilized HLA antigens giving only two bands of 34 000 mol.wt. and 11 000 mol.wt. by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis and isolated from the cultured human lymphoblastoid cell line RPMI 4265, have been used to prepare antisera in rabbits. Antisera were raised against soluble products of the A (or 1 st) series of HLA, bearing the determinant HLA-A2 (A2 substance), or against a mixture of products of the B (or 2nd) series of HLA, bearing the determinants HLA-B7 and HLA-B12 (B7-12 substances). Rabbit antisera to A2 substance reacted primarily with A2 substance on Ouchterlony analysis, showing an apparent spur of cross-reactivity with B7-12 substances. Rabbit antisera to B7-12 substances reacted primarily with B7-12 substances, giving a spur of cross-reactivity with the A2 material. Neither antiserum precipitated beta-2microglobulin. Both types of sera reacted with membrane molecules of 43 000 mol.wt. and 11 000 mol.wt. by immune precipitation and gel electrophoresis in SDS of detergent-solubilized radiolabeled membranes from cultured cell lines, as predicted for sera directed towards HLA antigens. F(ab')2 fragments of the antibodies blocked the complement-mediated cytotoxicity of all HLA alloantisera tested for human peripheral blood lymphocytes. After absorption with B7-12 substances, F(ab')2 fragments of antisera to A2 substance only blocked the cytotoxicity of HLA alloantisera to A series specificities. After absorption with A2 substance, F(ab')2 fragments of rabbit antisera to B7-12 substances only blocked the cytotoxicity of HLA alloantisera to B series specificities. The results prove the existence of shared antigenic determinants between all members of the same series. These findings support the genetic evidence that A series HLA antigens are allelic products of a single locus, while B series HLA antigens are allelic products of a separate locus, by establishing some invariance of structure, presumably amino acid sequence, between members of the same series. The apparent cross-reactivity between A2 substance and B7-12 substances, and the ability of the unabsorbed F(ab')2 preparations to block the cytotoxicity of all HLA alloantisera, suggests that some determinants are common to both HLA loci. This may be considered to support the hypothesis that the two loci arose by gene duplication.", "contents": "HLA antigens: rabbit antisera reacting with all A series or all B series specificities. Papain-solubilized HLA antigens giving only two bands of 34 000 mol.wt. and 11 000 mol.wt. by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis and isolated from the cultured human lymphoblastoid cell line RPMI 4265, have been used to prepare antisera in rabbits. Antisera were raised against soluble products of the A (or 1 st) series of HLA, bearing the determinant HLA-A2 (A2 substance), or against a mixture of products of the B (or 2nd) series of HLA, bearing the determinants HLA-B7 and HLA-B12 (B7-12 substances). Rabbit antisera to A2 substance reacted primarily with A2 substance on Ouchterlony analysis, showing an apparent spur of cross-reactivity with B7-12 substances. Rabbit antisera to B7-12 substances reacted primarily with B7-12 substances, giving a spur of cross-reactivity with the A2 material. Neither antiserum precipitated beta-2microglobulin. Both types of sera reacted with membrane molecules of 43 000 mol.wt. and 11 000 mol.wt. by immune precipitation and gel electrophoresis in SDS of detergent-solubilized radiolabeled membranes from cultured cell lines, as predicted for sera directed towards HLA antigens. F(ab')2 fragments of the antibodies blocked the complement-mediated cytotoxicity of all HLA alloantisera tested for human peripheral blood lymphocytes. After absorption with B7-12 substances, F(ab')2 fragments of antisera to A2 substance only blocked the cytotoxicity of HLA alloantisera to A series specificities. After absorption with A2 substance, F(ab')2 fragments of rabbit antisera to B7-12 substances only blocked the cytotoxicity of HLA alloantisera to B series specificities. The results prove the existence of shared antigenic determinants between all members of the same series. These findings support the genetic evidence that A series HLA antigens are allelic products of a single locus, while B series HLA antigens are allelic products of a separate locus, by establishing some invariance of structure, presumably amino acid sequence, between members of the same series. The apparent cross-reactivity between A2 substance and B7-12 substances, and the ability of the unabsorbed F(ab')2 preparations to block the cytotoxicity of all HLA alloantisera, suggests that some determinants are common to both HLA loci. This may be considered to support the hypothesis that the two loci arose by gene duplication.", "PMID": 786698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7490", "title": "Structural and immunological similarities between HLA antigens from three loci.", "content": "HLA antigens are coded for by three closely linked loci. The gene products of the first and second locus are known to be very similar in overall structure. Antigens coded for by the third locus were examined with regard to their chemical and immunological relationship to the first and second loci gene products. It is demonstrated that the third locus antigens are composed of two types of polypeptide chains, the smaller of which is identical to beta2-microglobulin. The alloantigenic polypeptide chain has an apparent molecular weight of 48 000 when solubilized by detergen treatment and about 35 000 when released from the cell membrane by proteolysis. These data together with size and shape analyses by gel chromatography and sedimentation velocity determinations show that HLA antigens from the three subloci are indistinguishable with the techniques employed. Suggestive evidence was obtained that the third locus antigens are more sensitive to proteolysis than the first and second locus antigens. The similarity between the three gene products was also evident on cyanogen bromide fragmentation of the polypeptide chains. Furthermore, rabbit antibodies against antigens coded for by the first locus cross-reacted extensively with antigens from the second and third locus. This study therefore lends strong credence to the view that the three HLA antigen subloci have arisen by gene duplications of a common ancestral gene.", "contents": "Structural and immunological similarities between HLA antigens from three loci. HLA antigens are coded for by three closely linked loci. The gene products of the first and second locus are known to be very similar in overall structure. Antigens coded for by the third locus were examined with regard to their chemical and immunological relationship to the first and second loci gene products. It is demonstrated that the third locus antigens are composed of two types of polypeptide chains, the smaller of which is identical to beta2-microglobulin. The alloantigenic polypeptide chain has an apparent molecular weight of 48 000 when solubilized by detergen treatment and about 35 000 when released from the cell membrane by proteolysis. These data together with size and shape analyses by gel chromatography and sedimentation velocity determinations show that HLA antigens from the three subloci are indistinguishable with the techniques employed. Suggestive evidence was obtained that the third locus antigens are more sensitive to proteolysis than the first and second locus antigens. The similarity between the three gene products was also evident on cyanogen bromide fragmentation of the polypeptide chains. Furthermore, rabbit antibodies against antigens coded for by the first locus cross-reacted extensively with antigens from the second and third locus. This study therefore lends strong credence to the view that the three HLA antigen subloci have arisen by gene duplications of a common ancestral gene.", "PMID": 786699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7491", "title": "Dantrolene and the neuromuscular junction: evidence for intracellular calcium stores.", "content": "Dantrolene sodium (DaNa) markedly depressed the frequency of spontaneous miniature potentials at the frog neuromuscular junction. Its action is still observed at low [Ca2+]o and is little affected by temperature; its effect is not readily reversible. Theophylline antagonises the action of DaNa. DaNa prevents the stimulatory effect of the ionophore A23187 at 25 degrees C, but is ineffective in antagonising the action of X537A. DaNa and theophylline do not affect the functioning and integrity of mitochondria in vitro and it is suggested that DaNa acts at intracellular Ca2+ stores (other than the mitochondria) in the presynaptic terminals.", "contents": "Dantrolene and the neuromuscular junction: evidence for intracellular calcium stores. Dantrolene sodium (DaNa) markedly depressed the frequency of spontaneous miniature potentials at the frog neuromuscular junction. Its action is still observed at low [Ca2+]o and is little affected by temperature; its effect is not readily reversible. Theophylline antagonises the action of DaNa. DaNa prevents the stimulatory effect of the ionophore A23187 at 25 degrees C, but is ineffective in antagonising the action of X537A. DaNa and theophylline do not affect the functioning and integrity of mitochondria in vitro and it is suggested that DaNa acts at intracellular Ca2+ stores (other than the mitochondria) in the presynaptic terminals.", "PMID": 786700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7492", "title": "Release of renal prostaglandins during endotoxin-induced hypotension.", "content": "The appearance of prostaglandins in dog's blood during endotoxin-induced hypotension was studied by use of the dialysis modification of the blood bathed organ technique. An increase in prostaglandins, mainly E2 and F2alpha was found in renal venous blood, whereas no such increase was seen in blood from the abdominal aorta, the inferior vena cava or the femoral vein. Three possible trigger mechanisms for this increase i.e. hypotension, reduced flow and reflexogenic sympathetic stimulation, have been investigated. It is suggested that, in addition to these three factors, circulating hormones such as noradrenaline, angiotensin or bradykinin, play a role in this release mechanism. Administration of indomethacin produced a restoration of the systemic blood pressure to its pre-endotoxin value; concomitantly a disappearance of the prostaglandins from the circulation was observed. It is concluded that prostaglandins contribute to the hypotension induced by endotoxin. Whether they are beneficial or detrimental remains to be resolved.", "contents": "Release of renal prostaglandins during endotoxin-induced hypotension. The appearance of prostaglandins in dog's blood during endotoxin-induced hypotension was studied by use of the dialysis modification of the blood bathed organ technique. An increase in prostaglandins, mainly E2 and F2alpha was found in renal venous blood, whereas no such increase was seen in blood from the abdominal aorta, the inferior vena cava or the femoral vein. Three possible trigger mechanisms for this increase i.e. hypotension, reduced flow and reflexogenic sympathetic stimulation, have been investigated. It is suggested that, in addition to these three factors, circulating hormones such as noradrenaline, angiotensin or bradykinin, play a role in this release mechanism. Administration of indomethacin produced a restoration of the systemic blood pressure to its pre-endotoxin value; concomitantly a disappearance of the prostaglandins from the circulation was observed. It is concluded that prostaglandins contribute to the hypotension induced by endotoxin. Whether they are beneficial or detrimental remains to be resolved.", "PMID": 786701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7493", "title": "[Ribonuclease activity following partial hepatectomy in the liver of healthy and alloxan diabetic rats and histological findings in the islets of Langerhans (author's transl)].", "content": "What changes in the level of ribonuclease activity (RNase activity) can be observed in the regenerating liver of healthy and alloxan diabetic rats following partial hepatectomy? What coincidental alterations of the ratio A-cells to B-cells do occur in the islets of Langerhans? 120 male Wistar rats of averagely 180 g body weight were fed a standard diet (\"Rehbr\u00fccke\") with drinking water ad libitum. After deprivation of food for 15 hours the animals were sacrificed by heart puncture under ether anesthesia. The caudal part of the body was rinsed free from blood by ice-cooled physiological saline via the aorta. After removal of the livers each 2 g of liver tissue were homogenized in 0.25 M saccharose or 70% ethyl alcohol. For the study of impairment of ribonuclease activity in the liver following different lesions the animals were divided into 3 test groups of 35 animals each: group 1: alloxan diabetes; group 2: liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy; group 3: alloxan diabetes in combination with liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. From each group always 4 to 6 animals were sacrificed at the following time intervals: 2nd day and 4th day as well as after 3, 4 and 6 weeks. In 8 animals the enzymatic activity was not influenced. RNA content and dry weight of the livers of all test animals were determined. In liver homogenates with saccharose the ribonuclease activity was measured according to the method of FIERS (1961) using highly purified yeast RNA for substrate. This technique is especially suitable for raw tissue homogenates. After 30 min incubation at 37 degrees C and precipitation of the high-molecular polynucleotides as well as of protein by means of methylglycol and barium perchlorate the not precipitable low-molecular oligonucleotides which were produced by ribonuclease action, were spectrophotometrically measured in the supernatant at 260 nm. The deltaE-value was calculated for the employed quantity of RNA related to mg of protein brought into action. Demonstration and determination of the ribonuclease inhibitor was abandoned. Two different RNA substrate concentrations were used; in the higher concentration the activity was measured at pH 5.5 to 6 and 7.5, in the lower concentrations at pH 7. Protein measurement was performed after the method of LOWREY (LOWREY et al. 1951) as modified by GLASER and KLEINE (1962); blood sugar was determined in tail vein blood by means of o-toluidine technique. In the liver homogenate with ethyl alcohol the RNA extraction was modified according to the data given by OGUR and ROSEN (1950); RNA determination was done colorimetrically using orcin hydrochloric acid. For dry weight determination the same homogenate was used. Alloxan diabetes was induced by injecting the rats 175 mg/kg b.w. of alloxan after fasting for 24 hours. The 5% alloxan solution in citrate buffer (pH = 4) was prepared immediately before injection. For further experimentation only those animals with blood sugar values of greater than 300 mg/100 ml were employed...", "contents": "[Ribonuclease activity following partial hepatectomy in the liver of healthy and alloxan diabetic rats and histological findings in the islets of Langerhans (author's transl)]. What changes in the level of ribonuclease activity (RNase activity) can be observed in the regenerating liver of healthy and alloxan diabetic rats following partial hepatectomy? What coincidental alterations of the ratio A-cells to B-cells do occur in the islets of Langerhans? 120 male Wistar rats of averagely 180 g body weight were fed a standard diet (\"Rehbr\u00fccke\") with drinking water ad libitum. After deprivation of food for 15 hours the animals were sacrificed by heart puncture under ether anesthesia. The caudal part of the body was rinsed free from blood by ice-cooled physiological saline via the aorta. After removal of the livers each 2 g of liver tissue were homogenized in 0.25 M saccharose or 70% ethyl alcohol. For the study of impairment of ribonuclease activity in the liver following different lesions the animals were divided into 3 test groups of 35 animals each: group 1: alloxan diabetes; group 2: liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy; group 3: alloxan diabetes in combination with liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. From each group always 4 to 6 animals were sacrificed at the following time intervals: 2nd day and 4th day as well as after 3, 4 and 6 weeks. In 8 animals the enzymatic activity was not influenced. RNA content and dry weight of the livers of all test animals were determined. In liver homogenates with saccharose the ribonuclease activity was measured according to the method of FIERS (1961) using highly purified yeast RNA for substrate. This technique is especially suitable for raw tissue homogenates. After 30 min incubation at 37 degrees C and precipitation of the high-molecular polynucleotides as well as of protein by means of methylglycol and barium perchlorate the not precipitable low-molecular oligonucleotides which were produced by ribonuclease action, were spectrophotometrically measured in the supernatant at 260 nm. The deltaE-value was calculated for the employed quantity of RNA related to mg of protein brought into action. Demonstration and determination of the ribonuclease inhibitor was abandoned. Two different RNA substrate concentrations were used; in the higher concentration the activity was measured at pH 5.5 to 6 and 7.5, in the lower concentrations at pH 7. Protein measurement was performed after the method of LOWREY (LOWREY et al. 1951) as modified by GLASER and KLEINE (1962); blood sugar was determined in tail vein blood by means of o-toluidine technique. In the liver homogenate with ethyl alcohol the RNA extraction was modified according to the data given by OGUR and ROSEN (1950); RNA determination was done colorimetrically using orcin hydrochloric acid. For dry weight determination the same homogenate was used. Alloxan diabetes was induced by injecting the rats 175 mg/kg b.w. of alloxan after fasting for 24 hours. The 5% alloxan solution in citrate buffer (pH = 4) was prepared immediately before injection. For further experimentation only those animals with blood sugar values of greater than 300 mg/100 ml were employed...", "PMID": 786709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7494", "title": "[Electron microscopic investigation following canine pulmonary transplantation with regard to functional effects (author's transl)].", "content": "The function of alveolar macrophages in correlation with immunological stimulation, consequently also in pulmonary transplantation, are a subject of discussion. In this study the alveolar manifestations of rejection following pulmonary transplantation, are a subject of discussion. In this study the alveolar manifestations of rejection following pulmonary homotransplantation are investigated by electron microscopy. In 20 healthy dogs (body weight between 7 and 19 kg) a left side pulmonary homotransplantation was performed using a standardized method. 2 randomized groups of 10 animals each were formed, one undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, the other none. Needle biopsies (Menghini needles) were taken in both groups at the onset of rejection daily until death of the animals (on the 5th to 12th postoperative day). At death of the animals always total rejection of the homograft was observed. The other animals were subjected to a scheduled immunosuppressive therapy (KREUZER et al. 1973, RADASZKIEWICZ et al. 1974). Needle biopsies were taken only at the stage of a clinically or roentgenologically ascertained crisis of rejection. Before implantation of the homograft and 20 mins after occlusion of anastomoses and onset of circulation in the transplant biopsies were taken, too, to exclude early changes or alterations in the donor. The lung specimens 2 mm in size) obtained by biopsy were fixed in phosphate buffered OSO4 and buffered phosphate solution by usual alcohol series. After embedding in epon the specimens were studied by electron microscopy. In the group not undergoing immunosuppressive therapy beginning with the 3rd post-operative day perivascular lymphocytic and plasmacellular infiltrates were seen which increased during the course of rejection. In both groups a swelling and vacuolization of endoplasmatic reticulum, cytoplasmic microvilli with bridge formation accompanied by an increase of alveolar macrophages and by augmentation of lamellar bodies in granular pneumocytes were noted following operation. A correlation between the increase of lamellar bodies and increase of surfactant has been shown previously.", "contents": "[Electron microscopic investigation following canine pulmonary transplantation with regard to functional effects (author's transl)]. The function of alveolar macrophages in correlation with immunological stimulation, consequently also in pulmonary transplantation, are a subject of discussion. In this study the alveolar manifestations of rejection following pulmonary transplantation, are a subject of discussion. In this study the alveolar manifestations of rejection following pulmonary homotransplantation are investigated by electron microscopy. In 20 healthy dogs (body weight between 7 and 19 kg) a left side pulmonary homotransplantation was performed using a standardized method. 2 randomized groups of 10 animals each were formed, one undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, the other none. Needle biopsies (Menghini needles) were taken in both groups at the onset of rejection daily until death of the animals (on the 5th to 12th postoperative day). At death of the animals always total rejection of the homograft was observed. The other animals were subjected to a scheduled immunosuppressive therapy (KREUZER et al. 1973, RADASZKIEWICZ et al. 1974). Needle biopsies were taken only at the stage of a clinically or roentgenologically ascertained crisis of rejection. Before implantation of the homograft and 20 mins after occlusion of anastomoses and onset of circulation in the transplant biopsies were taken, too, to exclude early changes or alterations in the donor. The lung specimens 2 mm in size) obtained by biopsy were fixed in phosphate buffered OSO4 and buffered phosphate solution by usual alcohol series. After embedding in epon the specimens were studied by electron microscopy. In the group not undergoing immunosuppressive therapy beginning with the 3rd post-operative day perivascular lymphocytic and plasmacellular infiltrates were seen which increased during the course of rejection. In both groups a swelling and vacuolization of endoplasmatic reticulum, cytoplasmic microvilli with bridge formation accompanied by an increase of alveolar macrophages and by augmentation of lamellar bodies in granular pneumocytes were noted following operation. A correlation between the increase of lamellar bodies and increase of surfactant has been shown previously.", "PMID": 786710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7495", "title": "Growth inhibition and morphological changes caused by indomethacin in fibroblasts in vitro.", "content": "In a definite range of concentrations indomethacin inhibits the multiplication of fibroblasts in vitro without influencing their viability. The effect of lethal doses of indomethacin on the fine structure of normal and transformed fibroblasts was investigated by light and electron microscopy. The cells grown in flat monolayers became roundish and, varying in sequence, small zeiotic blebs were bulging at the external cell membrane. Beside coarse vesicular transformation of the endoplasmatic reticulum and extension of the perinuclear spaces ballooning of the mitochondria occurred. After breaking up of the vesicles of the endoplasmatic reticulum loosening of the cytoplasmic ground substance associated with enlargement of the hyaline plasma margins was observed in further progress of the experiment. The internal structures of the mitochondria were completely disorganized. In the ultrastructure of the fibroblasts altered by lethal doses of indomethacin no specific sites of drug action could be identified.", "contents": "Growth inhibition and morphological changes caused by indomethacin in fibroblasts in vitro. In a definite range of concentrations indomethacin inhibits the multiplication of fibroblasts in vitro without influencing their viability. The effect of lethal doses of indomethacin on the fine structure of normal and transformed fibroblasts was investigated by light and electron microscopy. The cells grown in flat monolayers became roundish and, varying in sequence, small zeiotic blebs were bulging at the external cell membrane. Beside coarse vesicular transformation of the endoplasmatic reticulum and extension of the perinuclear spaces ballooning of the mitochondria occurred. After breaking up of the vesicles of the endoplasmatic reticulum loosening of the cytoplasmic ground substance associated with enlargement of the hyaline plasma margins was observed in further progress of the experiment. The internal structures of the mitochondria were completely disorganized. In the ultrastructure of the fibroblasts altered by lethal doses of indomethacin no specific sites of drug action could be identified.", "PMID": 786711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7496", "title": "Protein synthesis and secretion in the cobalt chloride damaged exocrine pancreas of guinea pigs. An electron microscopic-autoradiographical and histochemical study.", "content": "The cobalt chloride induced disturbance of secretion in the pancreatic acinar cells of guinea pigs consists, on the one hand, in a continued but reduced synthesis of exportable enzyme proteins, on the other hand in an alteration of both function and structure of the Golgi apparatus and the mitochondriae, followed by a loss of zymogen granules and the occurence of numerous intracisternal granules. The latter are transported through the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum to the apical cell pole and discharged into the lumen of the acinus without any interposition of the Golgi apparatus.", "contents": "Protein synthesis and secretion in the cobalt chloride damaged exocrine pancreas of guinea pigs. An electron microscopic-autoradiographical and histochemical study. The cobalt chloride induced disturbance of secretion in the pancreatic acinar cells of guinea pigs consists, on the one hand, in a continued but reduced synthesis of exportable enzyme proteins, on the other hand in an alteration of both function and structure of the Golgi apparatus and the mitochondriae, followed by a loss of zymogen granules and the occurence of numerous intracisternal granules. The latter are transported through the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum to the apical cell pole and discharged into the lumen of the acinus without any interposition of the Golgi apparatus.", "PMID": 786712} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7497", "title": "The use of fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled lectins for immunohistochemical demonstration of saccharides.", "content": "Cryostat sections of various tissues from man, rat, mice, hamster, rabbit, guinea pig, sparrow and carp were examined by fluorescence microscopy after incubation with fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled Concanavalin A and Lens culinaris lectin. In the same tissue of various species no basic differences in the pattern of fluorescence were observed. In general, connective tissue structures were stained by both lectins in the same degree, whereas by fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled Concanavalin A additionally a varying staining of the cell surface and of cytoplasmic structures occurred. The results show the general presence of Concanavalin A and Lens culinaris lectin receptors in normal animal tissues.", "contents": "The use of fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled lectins for immunohistochemical demonstration of saccharides. Cryostat sections of various tissues from man, rat, mice, hamster, rabbit, guinea pig, sparrow and carp were examined by fluorescence microscopy after incubation with fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled Concanavalin A and Lens culinaris lectin. In the same tissue of various species no basic differences in the pattern of fluorescence were observed. In general, connective tissue structures were stained by both lectins in the same degree, whereas by fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled Concanavalin A additionally a varying staining of the cell surface and of cytoplasmic structures occurred. The results show the general presence of Concanavalin A and Lens culinaris lectin receptors in normal animal tissues.", "PMID": 786713} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7498", "title": "Electron microscopy of Kupffer cells in the orthotopic porcine liver homograft during the late stage after transplantation (phagocytosis of host cells by Kupffer cells).", "content": "Electron microscopical observations of macrophages (Kupffer cells) in the orthotopic porcine liver homograft in later stages after transplantation are described and demonstrated. The findings show close topographical relations between the Kupffer cells and hepatocyte debris, erythrocytes, thrombocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes. Besides an uptake of hepatocyte debris, a phagocytosis and degradation of apparently unaltered erythrocytes, thrombocytes and probably also lymphocytes by the macrophages were observed. The possible significance of these findings is discussed with regard to the immunological interactions between macrophages and lymphocytes, to the course of the rejection in the liver homograft, to the effect on the blood cells and platelets of the host organism, and thus to the long-term prognosis of liver transplantation.", "contents": "Electron microscopy of Kupffer cells in the orthotopic porcine liver homograft during the late stage after transplantation (phagocytosis of host cells by Kupffer cells). Electron microscopical observations of macrophages (Kupffer cells) in the orthotopic porcine liver homograft in later stages after transplantation are described and demonstrated. The findings show close topographical relations between the Kupffer cells and hepatocyte debris, erythrocytes, thrombocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes. Besides an uptake of hepatocyte debris, a phagocytosis and degradation of apparently unaltered erythrocytes, thrombocytes and probably also lymphocytes by the macrophages were observed. The possible significance of these findings is discussed with regard to the immunological interactions between macrophages and lymphocytes, to the course of the rejection in the liver homograft, to the effect on the blood cells and platelets of the host organism, and thus to the long-term prognosis of liver transplantation.", "PMID": 786714} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7499", "title": "[Experimental xenogenic immune pancreatitis. --Immunohistological, enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural studies (author's transl)].", "content": "Repeated intraperitoneal injections of anti-mouse pancreas rabbit serum or of anti-mouse pancreas guinea pig serum produce a chronical sclerotizing pancreatitis. This study has the aim to contribute to the further elucidation of the changes which occur in the acinar cells, as well as to the etiology and pathogenesis of immune pancreatitis, by means of immunohistological, enzyme histochemical and electron microscopic studies. Anti-mouse pancreas rabbit serum was obtained by sensitization of rabbits with an admixture of AB-mouse pancreas extract (100,000 g - supernatant) and complete Freund's adjuvant [details see NIZZE, Exp. Path. (1975a)]. The presence of precipitating mouse pancreas antibodies in the rabbit serum was ascertained by the agargel diffusion test according to Duchterlony (1958). The experiments were performed with 54 adult male white mice (AB colony strain) of 22 to 30 g.b.s. (averagely 26 g). The animals were divided into 4 groups which were treated as follows: 1. 24 mice with anti-mouse pancreas rabbit serum, 2. 12 mice with rabbit normal serum, 3. 12 mice with physiological saline, 4. 6 mice remained untreated (controls) Always 4 animals of the group 1 as well as each 2 of the groups 2 and 3 were administered in total 1, 3, 5, 9, 17 or 33 intraperitoneal injections of 0.3 ml of the correspondent serum or with physiological saline within 3 hours, 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 days. The last injection was regularly applied 3 hours before sacrification by decapitation. The time of sacrification was always at 11.00 o'clock a.m. For immunohistological and enzyme histochemical investigations 10 mum thick cryostat sections were prepared consisting of pancreatic specimens piled up to a bloc. In each case the tissue samples were taken from the experimental animals and from one control animal sacrificed at the same day. The sections were incubated in FITC-labelled anti-rabbit globulin goat serum at room temperature for 30 min in a moist chamber. For control of specificity were employed: a) initial incubation of equal sections with unlabelled anti-rabbit globulin goat serum for 30 min (\"\"blocking test''), b) pancreatic tissue specimens of each one untreated control animal present in the cryostat sections and thus incubated like the pancreatic tissue of the experimental animals, c) native nonincubated cryostat sections from the same bloc to exclude nonspecific autofluorescence. Evaluation of the sections was done in a Zeiss-Lg-microscope with HBO-50 high pressure mercury lamp. Exciter filters were UG 1/3.5 and 1/1.5, the eyepiece was screened with a GG 9/1 filter photographs were taken on ORWO X-ray film RS 2 (VEB Filmfabrik Wolfen). The enzyme histochemical studies were performed on cryostat sections of the same tissue bloc using the following methods: lead nitrate- or calcium-Co-method after GOMORI (1952) for demonstration of acid and alkaline phosphatase, naphthylacetate method (NACHLAS and SELIGMAN 1945) for nonspecific esterase, MTT-co-method (PEARSE et al...", "contents": "[Experimental xenogenic immune pancreatitis. --Immunohistological, enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural studies (author's transl)]. Repeated intraperitoneal injections of anti-mouse pancreas rabbit serum or of anti-mouse pancreas guinea pig serum produce a chronical sclerotizing pancreatitis. This study has the aim to contribute to the further elucidation of the changes which occur in the acinar cells, as well as to the etiology and pathogenesis of immune pancreatitis, by means of immunohistological, enzyme histochemical and electron microscopic studies. Anti-mouse pancreas rabbit serum was obtained by sensitization of rabbits with an admixture of AB-mouse pancreas extract (100,000 g - supernatant) and complete Freund's adjuvant [details see NIZZE, Exp. Path. (1975a)]. The presence of precipitating mouse pancreas antibodies in the rabbit serum was ascertained by the agargel diffusion test according to Duchterlony (1958). The experiments were performed with 54 adult male white mice (AB colony strain) of 22 to 30 g.b.s. (averagely 26 g). The animals were divided into 4 groups which were treated as follows: 1. 24 mice with anti-mouse pancreas rabbit serum, 2. 12 mice with rabbit normal serum, 3. 12 mice with physiological saline, 4. 6 mice remained untreated (controls) Always 4 animals of the group 1 as well as each 2 of the groups 2 and 3 were administered in total 1, 3, 5, 9, 17 or 33 intraperitoneal injections of 0.3 ml of the correspondent serum or with physiological saline within 3 hours, 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 days. The last injection was regularly applied 3 hours before sacrification by decapitation. The time of sacrification was always at 11.00 o'clock a.m. For immunohistological and enzyme histochemical investigations 10 mum thick cryostat sections were prepared consisting of pancreatic specimens piled up to a bloc. In each case the tissue samples were taken from the experimental animals and from one control animal sacrificed at the same day. The sections were incubated in FITC-labelled anti-rabbit globulin goat serum at room temperature for 30 min in a moist chamber. For control of specificity were employed: a) initial incubation of equal sections with unlabelled anti-rabbit globulin goat serum for 30 min (\"\"blocking test''), b) pancreatic tissue specimens of each one untreated control animal present in the cryostat sections and thus incubated like the pancreatic tissue of the experimental animals, c) native nonincubated cryostat sections from the same bloc to exclude nonspecific autofluorescence. Evaluation of the sections was done in a Zeiss-Lg-microscope with HBO-50 high pressure mercury lamp. Exciter filters were UG 1/3.5 and 1/1.5, the eyepiece was screened with a GG 9/1 filter photographs were taken on ORWO X-ray film RS 2 (VEB Filmfabrik Wolfen). The enzyme histochemical studies were performed on cryostat sections of the same tissue bloc using the following methods: lead nitrate- or calcium-Co-method after GOMORI (1952) for demonstration of acid and alkaline phosphatase, naphthylacetate method (NACHLAS and SELIGMAN 1945) for nonspecific esterase, MTT-co-method (PEARSE et al...", "PMID": 786715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7500", "title": "Electron microscopy of lymphocytes and hepatocytes in orthotopic liver homografts during the late rejection (target cell destruction by lymphocytes in vivo?).", "content": "The results of electron microscopical observations made on orthotopic procine liver homografts during the process of delayed rejection show close contacts between the cell membranes of lymphocytes and hepatocytes, the lymphocytes reaching the hepatocytes by incomplete and complete migration through the partially enlarged intracellular and intercellular gaps of the endothelial sinusoid lining. In addition, the lymphocytes are capable of coming into contact with the surfaces of hepatocytes through both intercellular and intracellular endothelial gaps by means of microvilli form and uropodlike cytoplasmic projections. The hepatocytes exhibit partly direct, partly indirect signs of a localized change of the cell membrane which is associated with abnormal permeability, partial peripheral lysis and colliquation necroses. Such alterations were frequently found to be located in the immediate neighborhood of both lymphocytes and lymphoid cells. The interpretation of these electron microscopical findings as being an expression of in vivo target cell destruction by lymphocytes is discussed.", "contents": "Electron microscopy of lymphocytes and hepatocytes in orthotopic liver homografts during the late rejection (target cell destruction by lymphocytes in vivo?). The results of electron microscopical observations made on orthotopic procine liver homografts during the process of delayed rejection show close contacts between the cell membranes of lymphocytes and hepatocytes, the lymphocytes reaching the hepatocytes by incomplete and complete migration through the partially enlarged intracellular and intercellular gaps of the endothelial sinusoid lining. In addition, the lymphocytes are capable of coming into contact with the surfaces of hepatocytes through both intercellular and intracellular endothelial gaps by means of microvilli form and uropodlike cytoplasmic projections. The hepatocytes exhibit partly direct, partly indirect signs of a localized change of the cell membrane which is associated with abnormal permeability, partial peripheral lysis and colliquation necroses. Such alterations were frequently found to be located in the immediate neighborhood of both lymphocytes and lymphoid cells. The interpretation of these electron microscopical findings as being an expression of in vivo target cell destruction by lymphocytes is discussed.", "PMID": 786716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7501", "title": "Chloral hydrate induced haploidization in Aspergillus nidulans.", "content": "This is the first report of induction of haploidization in Aspergillus nidulans by chloral hydrate, which is an efficient polyploidizing agent for higher plants and a psychotropic drug for man. A new procedure has been described to isolate haploids from diploids with a very high frequency, as compared to p-fluorophenylalanine, which is generally used for this purpose.", "contents": "Chloral hydrate induced haploidization in Aspergillus nidulans. This is the first report of induction of haploidization in Aspergillus nidulans by chloral hydrate, which is an efficient polyploidizing agent for higher plants and a psychotropic drug for man. A new procedure has been described to isolate haploids from diploids with a very high frequency, as compared to p-fluorophenylalanine, which is generally used for this purpose.", "PMID": 786720} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7502", "title": "Immunosuppressive effect of a mouse placenta fraction on H-2 incompatible split heart allografts.", "content": "A soluble placenta fraction from mice (A.CA) mated with H-2 histoincompatible males (A/Sn) significantly prolonged the survival of heterotopic A/Sn heart transplants in A.CA recipients. No prolongation of A/Sn heart graft survival was obtained with the corresponding A.CA placenta fraction after A.CA X A.CA mating.", "contents": "Immunosuppressive effect of a mouse placenta fraction on H-2 incompatible split heart allografts. A soluble placenta fraction from mice (A.CA) mated with H-2 histoincompatible males (A/Sn) significantly prolonged the survival of heterotopic A/Sn heart transplants in A.CA recipients. No prolongation of A/Sn heart graft survival was obtained with the corresponding A.CA placenta fraction after A.CA X A.CA mating.", "PMID": 786721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7503", "title": "Experimental autologous immune deposit nephritis in rats associated with mercuric chloride administration.", "content": "Serial administration of mercuric chloride to rats was followed by development of antibodies to tubular basement membrane and renal tubular epithelial antigen (RTE) and glomerulonephritis characterized by granular deposits of hosts IgG, C3 and RTE along the glomerular capillary walls. The glomerular fixed antibody was directed against RTE. These studies suggest that tubular injury by mercury may lead to release of RTE and autosensitization and subsequent antibody production to this antigen result in formation of and glomerular deposition of circulating immunopathogenic complexes (RTE-anti-RTE) and glomerular morphologic alterations.", "contents": "Experimental autologous immune deposit nephritis in rats associated with mercuric chloride administration. Serial administration of mercuric chloride to rats was followed by development of antibodies to tubular basement membrane and renal tubular epithelial antigen (RTE) and glomerulonephritis characterized by granular deposits of hosts IgG, C3 and RTE along the glomerular capillary walls. The glomerular fixed antibody was directed against RTE. These studies suggest that tubular injury by mercury may lead to release of RTE and autosensitization and subsequent antibody production to this antigen result in formation of and glomerular deposition of circulating immunopathogenic complexes (RTE-anti-RTE) and glomerular morphologic alterations.", "PMID": 786722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7504", "title": "Pineal gland biorhythms: N-acetyltransferase in chickens and rats.", "content": "Circadian rhythms have been identified in chemical factors involved in the metabolism of serotonin in the pineal gland. The rhythms are reviewed with respect to their characteristics and regulation by environmental lighting in vertebrates. Special emphasis has been given to the rhythm in pineal N-acetyltransferase activity in rats and chickens. This rhythm is not only apparent in a light-dark cycle in some birds and mammals, it also persists in constant dark. In constant light the rhythm is lost. The action of light is via the eyes in rats but extraretinal photoreceptors are involved in chickens. The details of the N-acetyltransferase activity rhythm include the presence of a refractory period for the rise in dark-time enzyme activity and the rapid turnoff of high dark-time activity by light. The N-acetyltransferase clock can be reset with a period of constant light in the chicken. Neural regulation of the rhythm in rats involves the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the superior cervical ganglion; in chickens, the ganglion is not necessary for the rhythm in light-dark cycles and the suprachiasmatic nucleus has not been studied.", "contents": "Pineal gland biorhythms: N-acetyltransferase in chickens and rats. Circadian rhythms have been identified in chemical factors involved in the metabolism of serotonin in the pineal gland. The rhythms are reviewed with respect to their characteristics and regulation by environmental lighting in vertebrates. Special emphasis has been given to the rhythm in pineal N-acetyltransferase activity in rats and chickens. This rhythm is not only apparent in a light-dark cycle in some birds and mammals, it also persists in constant dark. In constant light the rhythm is lost. The action of light is via the eyes in rats but extraretinal photoreceptors are involved in chickens. The details of the N-acetyltransferase activity rhythm include the presence of a refractory period for the rise in dark-time enzyme activity and the rapid turnoff of high dark-time activity by light. The N-acetyltransferase clock can be reset with a period of constant light in the chicken. Neural regulation of the rhythm in rats involves the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the superior cervical ganglion; in chickens, the ganglion is not necessary for the rhythm in light-dark cycles and the suprachiasmatic nucleus has not been studied.", "PMID": 786737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7505", "title": "Membranes and molecules in circadian systems.", "content": "A membrane clock model involving ions and ion transport is compatible with the limit cycle concept, biochemical studies, and the idea of phase shifting by ion gating. It provides an explanation for temperature compensation, and, by assuming that oscillating ion concentrations regulate the many different biochemical and physiological rhythms, it explains how diverse systems can be controlled by a single oscillatory mechanism. How ions control ion transport and which membranes are involved in the clock are two questions we have begun to explore.", "contents": "Membranes and molecules in circadian systems. A membrane clock model involving ions and ion transport is compatible with the limit cycle concept, biochemical studies, and the idea of phase shifting by ion gating. It provides an explanation for temperature compensation, and, by assuming that oscillating ion concentrations regulate the many different biochemical and physiological rhythms, it explains how diverse systems can be controlled by a single oscillatory mechanism. How ions control ion transport and which membranes are involved in the clock are two questions we have begun to explore.", "PMID": 786738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7506", "title": "Human circadian rhythms: a multioscillatory system.", "content": "After a brief review on temporal order within the human organism and implications for chronopharmacology, the paper discusses evidence indicating that the human circadian system consists of a multiplicity of oscillators. Subjects who live in isolation without time cues show free-running circadian rhythms deviating from 24 hours. Often, the activity rhythm (wakefulness and sleep) and other rhythmic variables (e.g., temperature) have the same circadian period of about 25 hours (referred to as the state of internal synchronization) but on occasions the activity period may become substantially longer (e.g., 33 hours) while the other rhythms continue with a period of about 25 hours. Such a state is termed internal desynchronization. There are also cases where the activity rhythm can reach extreme values of about 50 hours; to such a circa-bi-dian rhythm other variables are again synchronized, but in a 2:1 ratio. Internal desynchronization can occur both by shortening and by lengthening the activity rhythm. In these two cases the periods of other rhythms also change slightly in a direction opposite to that of the activity rhythm, indicating a loss of coupling between two classes of basic oscillators that both influence the two groups of overt rhythms but by different extents.", "contents": "Human circadian rhythms: a multioscillatory system. After a brief review on temporal order within the human organism and implications for chronopharmacology, the paper discusses evidence indicating that the human circadian system consists of a multiplicity of oscillators. Subjects who live in isolation without time cues show free-running circadian rhythms deviating from 24 hours. Often, the activity rhythm (wakefulness and sleep) and other rhythmic variables (e.g., temperature) have the same circadian period of about 25 hours (referred to as the state of internal synchronization) but on occasions the activity period may become substantially longer (e.g., 33 hours) while the other rhythms continue with a period of about 25 hours. Such a state is termed internal desynchronization. There are also cases where the activity rhythm can reach extreme values of about 50 hours; to such a circa-bi-dian rhythm other variables are again synchronized, but in a 2:1 ratio. Internal desynchronization can occur both by shortening and by lengthening the activity rhythm. In these two cases the periods of other rhythms also change slightly in a direction opposite to that of the activity rhythm, indicating a loss of coupling between two classes of basic oscillators that both influence the two groups of overt rhythms but by different extents.", "PMID": 786739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7507", "title": "Prostaglandins and local circulatory control.", "content": "The present paper reviews several lines of investigation have provided highly suggestive evidence for an important regulatory role for prostaglandins in the microcirculation. Aside from their profound vasodepressor effects in a number of animal species, including man, and their vasodilator activity in many local circulatory beds, endogenously administered prostaglandins of the E and A type also appear to reduce vascular responsiveness to a variety of vasoconstrictor agents. Furthermore, inhibition of endogenous synthesis and release of prostaglandins leads to a potentiation of vasoconstrictor responses. Thus it appears that the release of prostaglandins, an event that accompanies or is a consequence of vasoconstriction, can moderate the constrictor response and in this manner can contribute to the control of vascular reactivity. Administration of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis to tissues that under basal experimental conditions release prostaglandins, causes not only a decrease in prostaglandin output but also an increase in resting perfusion pressure. These results support the concept that prostaglandins that are released are essential in the control of vascular tone and resistance. Other evidence also suggests that prostaglandins participate in a variety of vascular responses, including the mediation of bradykinin vasodilation, functional hyperemia, and reactive hyperemia.", "contents": "Prostaglandins and local circulatory control. The present paper reviews several lines of investigation have provided highly suggestive evidence for an important regulatory role for prostaglandins in the microcirculation. Aside from their profound vasodepressor effects in a number of animal species, including man, and their vasodilator activity in many local circulatory beds, endogenously administered prostaglandins of the E and A type also appear to reduce vascular responsiveness to a variety of vasoconstrictor agents. Furthermore, inhibition of endogenous synthesis and release of prostaglandins leads to a potentiation of vasoconstrictor responses. Thus it appears that the release of prostaglandins, an event that accompanies or is a consequence of vasoconstriction, can moderate the constrictor response and in this manner can contribute to the control of vascular reactivity. Administration of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis to tissues that under basal experimental conditions release prostaglandins, causes not only a decrease in prostaglandin output but also an increase in resting perfusion pressure. These results support the concept that prostaglandins that are released are essential in the control of vascular tone and resistance. Other evidence also suggests that prostaglandins participate in a variety of vascular responses, including the mediation of bradykinin vasodilation, functional hyperemia, and reactive hyperemia.", "PMID": 786740} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7508", "title": "The synthesis and function of prostaglandins in the heart.", "content": "The isolated perfused rabbit heart has the capacity to rapidly synthesize, release, and inactivate prostaglandins (PGs) which can readily modulate coronary resistance and cardiac performance. Prostaglandin synthetase converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin-like substance in one passage across the heart. There is little evidence of functional prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity. Arachidonic acid and bradykinin produce a concentration-dependent decrease in coronary resistance directly associated with PG-like substance biosynthesis and release. An inhibitor of bradykinin destruction, the nonapeptide SQ-20881, markedly enhanced both the coronary vasodilation and PG-like substance release produced by cardiac injection of bradykinin. Indomethacin inhibited both the myocardial prostaglandin biosynthesis and the decrease in coronary resistance induced by bradykinin and arachidonic acid. In addition to direct effects on coronary vascular smooth muscle, prostaglandins produced in the heart apparently exert a modulating influence on efferent autonomic and on afferent cardiovascular and pain reflexes.", "contents": "The synthesis and function of prostaglandins in the heart. The isolated perfused rabbit heart has the capacity to rapidly synthesize, release, and inactivate prostaglandins (PGs) which can readily modulate coronary resistance and cardiac performance. Prostaglandin synthetase converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin-like substance in one passage across the heart. There is little evidence of functional prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity. Arachidonic acid and bradykinin produce a concentration-dependent decrease in coronary resistance directly associated with PG-like substance biosynthesis and release. An inhibitor of bradykinin destruction, the nonapeptide SQ-20881, markedly enhanced both the coronary vasodilation and PG-like substance release produced by cardiac injection of bradykinin. Indomethacin inhibited both the myocardial prostaglandin biosynthesis and the decrease in coronary resistance induced by bradykinin and arachidonic acid. In addition to direct effects on coronary vascular smooth muscle, prostaglandins produced in the heart apparently exert a modulating influence on efferent autonomic and on afferent cardiovascular and pain reflexes.", "PMID": 786741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7509", "title": "Prostaglandins as determinants of vascular reactivity.", "content": "Prostaglandins are primarily local or tissue hormones that have their effects at, or near to, the site of synthesis. Some blood vessels synthesize prostaglandins intramurally, where their local release influences vascular tone and reactivity. Endogenous prostaglandins (primarily prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) participate in the regulation of vascular reactivity by opposing the vasoconstrictor and antinatriuretic actions of circulating pressor hormones; and by braking the release of norepinephrine from vasoconstrictor nerves. The proposal that one or more prostaglandins affect vascular reactivity is supported by the following observations: enhanced vascular reactivity to pressor stimuli occurs in organs with low basal rates of prostaglandin synthesis and after inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase in organs with high biosynthetic capacity; and exogenous PGE2 reversibly inhibits the vasoconstrictor activity of pressor stimuli.", "contents": "Prostaglandins as determinants of vascular reactivity. Prostaglandins are primarily local or tissue hormones that have their effects at, or near to, the site of synthesis. Some blood vessels synthesize prostaglandins intramurally, where their local release influences vascular tone and reactivity. Endogenous prostaglandins (primarily prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) participate in the regulation of vascular reactivity by opposing the vasoconstrictor and antinatriuretic actions of circulating pressor hormones; and by braking the release of norepinephrine from vasoconstrictor nerves. The proposal that one or more prostaglandins affect vascular reactivity is supported by the following observations: enhanced vascular reactivity to pressor stimuli occurs in organs with low basal rates of prostaglandin synthesis and after inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase in organs with high biosynthetic capacity; and exogenous PGE2 reversibly inhibits the vasoconstrictor activity of pressor stimuli.", "PMID": 786742} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7510", "title": "Pituitary gonadotropin response in women with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia.", "content": "Inappropriate lactation and idiopathic hyperprolactinemia are frequently associated with amenorrhea. In these individuals, peripheral levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH) are usually normal, and luteinizing hormone (hLH) levels are often found in the low-normal range. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the functional capacity of the pituitary by the response of hFSH and hLH to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH). Six women with amenorrhea, inappropriate breast secretion, and idiopathic hyperprolactinemia (prolactin levels ranged from 45 to 355 ng/ml) were given 100 mug of Gn-RH intramuscularly. Serum hFSH and hLH levels were assessed in samples obtained at 15-minute intervals over the next 2-hour period. Initial hFSH levels were normal in all women, with a mean of 242 +/- 72 ng/ml. The absolute increase after Gn-RH administration averaged 486 +/- 193 ng/ml. Serum hLH was below normal in three of the six women, and normal in the remaining three women initially. The absolute increase averaged 1308 +/- 315 ng/ml. The greatest percentage increase in hLH was found in the women with the subnormal basal titers. In these women, hLH rose from a mean of 22 ng/ml to a mean of 1092 ng/ml. These data demonstate an exaggerated increase in hFSH and hLH levels after exogenous Gn-RH administration. This suggests that the amenorrhea associated with elevated serum prolactin levels is principally of hypothalamic origin.", "contents": "Pituitary gonadotropin response in women with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia. Inappropriate lactation and idiopathic hyperprolactinemia are frequently associated with amenorrhea. In these individuals, peripheral levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH) are usually normal, and luteinizing hormone (hLH) levels are often found in the low-normal range. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the functional capacity of the pituitary by the response of hFSH and hLH to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH). Six women with amenorrhea, inappropriate breast secretion, and idiopathic hyperprolactinemia (prolactin levels ranged from 45 to 355 ng/ml) were given 100 mug of Gn-RH intramuscularly. Serum hFSH and hLH levels were assessed in samples obtained at 15-minute intervals over the next 2-hour period. Initial hFSH levels were normal in all women, with a mean of 242 +/- 72 ng/ml. The absolute increase after Gn-RH administration averaged 486 +/- 193 ng/ml. Serum hLH was below normal in three of the six women, and normal in the remaining three women initially. The absolute increase averaged 1308 +/- 315 ng/ml. The greatest percentage increase in hLH was found in the women with the subnormal basal titers. In these women, hLH rose from a mean of 22 ng/ml to a mean of 1092 ng/ml. These data demonstate an exaggerated increase in hFSH and hLH levels after exogenous Gn-RH administration. This suggests that the amenorrhea associated with elevated serum prolactin levels is principally of hypothalamic origin.", "PMID": 786745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7511", "title": "Effects of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog on mating and fertility in rats.", "content": "A rhythmic antifertility effect of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) analog, [D-Ala6-des-Gly-NH210]-LH-RH-ethylamide (AY-25,205), administered intramuscularly every 3rd day staring in the afternoon of diestrus, was demonstrated in 4-day cyclic rats. The antifertility effect was achieved for a period of approximately four cycles when the females were allowed constant cohabitation with fertile males except for 24 hours following treatment. Unrestricted cohabitation resulted in some matings and pregnancies in the group treated every 3rd day and also in some of the groups treated every 4th day with restricted cohabitation. The antifertility effect of AY-25,205, with unrestricted cohabitation, disappeared when the second treatment was given 4 days after the first. It is presumed that the antifertility effect of AY-25,205 was achieved through its capacity to induce ovulation at a physiologically \"wrong time\" (i.e., 1 day before the expected day of proestrus) and through its effect on mating behavior. The present experimental models suggest that AY-25,205 or similar analogs could be potentially useful for a more reliable rhythm method of birth control in humans, by timing ovulation and narrowing the fertile period of the cycle.", "contents": "Effects of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog on mating and fertility in rats. A rhythmic antifertility effect of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) analog, [D-Ala6-des-Gly-NH210]-LH-RH-ethylamide (AY-25,205), administered intramuscularly every 3rd day staring in the afternoon of diestrus, was demonstrated in 4-day cyclic rats. The antifertility effect was achieved for a period of approximately four cycles when the females were allowed constant cohabitation with fertile males except for 24 hours following treatment. Unrestricted cohabitation resulted in some matings and pregnancies in the group treated every 3rd day and also in some of the groups treated every 4th day with restricted cohabitation. The antifertility effect of AY-25,205, with unrestricted cohabitation, disappeared when the second treatment was given 4 days after the first. It is presumed that the antifertility effect of AY-25,205 was achieved through its capacity to induce ovulation at a physiologically \"wrong time\" (i.e., 1 day before the expected day of proestrus) and through its effect on mating behavior. The present experimental models suggest that AY-25,205 or similar analogs could be potentially useful for a more reliable rhythm method of birth control in humans, by timing ovulation and narrowing the fertile period of the cycle.", "PMID": 786746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7512", "title": "Haemoglobin as a marker for bone marrow transplants in laboratory rats.", "content": "We made use of the genetic polymorphism of haemoglobin in the laboratory rat and developed a congenic strain LEW.Hb A differing from the original LEW strain in the type of haemoglobin. The exclusion of the histoincompatibility reactions allows a long-term follow-up of the bone marrow transplants on the basis of changes in the haemoglobin pattern.", "contents": "Haemoglobin as a marker for bone marrow transplants in laboratory rats. We made use of the genetic polymorphism of haemoglobin in the laboratory rat and developed a congenic strain LEW.Hb A differing from the original LEW strain in the type of haemoglobin. The exclusion of the histoincompatibility reactions allows a long-term follow-up of the bone marrow transplants on the basis of changes in the haemoglobin pattern.", "PMID": 786751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7513", "title": "Quantitative aspects of abolition of transplantation tolerance by the adoptive transfer of lymphoid cells.", "content": "It was found that with neonatally induced transplantation tolerance about 50% of the rats are insensitive, or little sensitive, to the adoptive transfer of immunity. The proportion of rejected and unrejected skin grafts in individual experiments did not show a direct dependence on the dose of transferred cells, and immune lymphocytes were as effective as non-immune cells. No dependence on the time post-transplantation was found. Only the results of the adoptive transfers performed after more than 120 days after transplantation indicated an increased resistance of the tolerant state. Also repeated transfers in which increasing doses of cells were used showed a relatively stable state of tolerance in some animals. It is discussed that the difference in the sensitivity to the adoptive transfer might reflect at least quantitative individual differences in the mechanism of the state of unresponsiveness in neonatally induced tolerance.", "contents": "Quantitative aspects of abolition of transplantation tolerance by the adoptive transfer of lymphoid cells. It was found that with neonatally induced transplantation tolerance about 50% of the rats are insensitive, or little sensitive, to the adoptive transfer of immunity. The proportion of rejected and unrejected skin grafts in individual experiments did not show a direct dependence on the dose of transferred cells, and immune lymphocytes were as effective as non-immune cells. No dependence on the time post-transplantation was found. Only the results of the adoptive transfers performed after more than 120 days after transplantation indicated an increased resistance of the tolerant state. Also repeated transfers in which increasing doses of cells were used showed a relatively stable state of tolerance in some animals. It is discussed that the difference in the sensitivity to the adoptive transfer might reflect at least quantitative individual differences in the mechanism of the state of unresponsiveness in neonatally induced tolerance.", "PMID": 786752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7514", "title": "Influence of thymosterin on immunological reactivity in New Zealand mice.", "content": "The influence of thymosterin on immunological reactivity of NZB mice was investigated. Thymosterin was administered three times per week for a period of six weeks to male and female NZB mice. Only lymphocytes from untreated female mice gave the positive results in the macrophage migration inhibition test using native DNA as the stimulating antigen. This effect was suppressed in thymosterin treated females. The administration of thymosterin therefore appears to correct the in vitro delayed hypersensitivity to DNA antigen.", "contents": "Influence of thymosterin on immunological reactivity in New Zealand mice. The influence of thymosterin on immunological reactivity of NZB mice was investigated. Thymosterin was administered three times per week for a period of six weeks to male and female NZB mice. Only lymphocytes from untreated female mice gave the positive results in the macrophage migration inhibition test using native DNA as the stimulating antigen. This effect was suppressed in thymosterin treated females. The administration of thymosterin therefore appears to correct the in vitro delayed hypersensitivity to DNA antigen.", "PMID": 786753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7515", "title": "[Effect of somatostatin on pancreatic endocrine--experiment by somatostatin infusion into the pancreaticoduodenal artery in dogs--(author's transl)].", "content": "The direct inhibitory action of somatostatin (cyclized SRIF) on the pancreatic endocrine function was investigated by a technique using pancreaticoduodenal arteriovenous system in vivo. Somatostatin was infused for 20 minutes at a speed of 2.5 mug/minute into the superior pancreaticoduodenal vein and femoral artery were measured before and every 5 minutes throughout the experiment for 30 minutes. The results were compared with those obtained from the control experiment which was carried out in the same time schedule under infusion of physiologic saline solution instead of somatostatin. Next, the effect of somatostatin on the glucose-induced insulin release from the pancreas was also evaluated. The following findings were obtained. (1) Somatostatin infused at a speed of 2.5 mug/minute into the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery caused a statistically significant inhibition of plasma levels of IRI and IRG and also pancreatic output of these hormones. With the sessation of somatostatin infusion an abrupt rise of the hormones were seen. This \"rebound\" phenomenon was more pronounced in insulin secretion than in glucagon. No significant changes in the plasma glucose levels in either the pancreaticoduodenal vein or the femoral artery throughout the experiment were found. (2)During infusion of somatostatin at a speed of 1.25 mug/minute, insulin response to glucose injected into the pancreaticoduodenal artery in a small dose, as well as having no effect on the plasma glucose level in systemic circulation, was also significantly inhibited. From these findings obtained by direct experiment using the pancreaticoduodenal arterio-venous system, it was confirmed that somatostatin exhibits a direct inhibitory action on pancreas endocrine in a very low concentration in vivo, and it was suggested that this action might be partly due to a reduction in pancreatic circulation.", "contents": "[Effect of somatostatin on pancreatic endocrine--experiment by somatostatin infusion into the pancreaticoduodenal artery in dogs--(author's transl)]. The direct inhibitory action of somatostatin (cyclized SRIF) on the pancreatic endocrine function was investigated by a technique using pancreaticoduodenal arteriovenous system in vivo. Somatostatin was infused for 20 minutes at a speed of 2.5 mug/minute into the superior pancreaticoduodenal vein and femoral artery were measured before and every 5 minutes throughout the experiment for 30 minutes. The results were compared with those obtained from the control experiment which was carried out in the same time schedule under infusion of physiologic saline solution instead of somatostatin. Next, the effect of somatostatin on the glucose-induced insulin release from the pancreas was also evaluated. The following findings were obtained. (1) Somatostatin infused at a speed of 2.5 mug/minute into the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery caused a statistically significant inhibition of plasma levels of IRI and IRG and also pancreatic output of these hormones. With the sessation of somatostatin infusion an abrupt rise of the hormones were seen. This \"rebound\" phenomenon was more pronounced in insulin secretion than in glucagon. No significant changes in the plasma glucose levels in either the pancreaticoduodenal vein or the femoral artery throughout the experiment were found. (2)During infusion of somatostatin at a speed of 1.25 mug/minute, insulin response to glucose injected into the pancreaticoduodenal artery in a small dose, as well as having no effect on the plasma glucose level in systemic circulation, was also significantly inhibited. From these findings obtained by direct experiment using the pancreaticoduodenal arterio-venous system, it was confirmed that somatostatin exhibits a direct inhibitory action on pancreas endocrine in a very low concentration in vivo, and it was suggested that this action might be partly due to a reduction in pancreatic circulation.", "PMID": 786754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7516", "title": "[The trophedema (Nonne-Milroy-Meige). Carcinogenesis as a rare complication].", "content": "The trophedema Nonne-Milroy-Meige has an exceptional position within the group of the primary lymphatic edemas (l.e.) because of its hereditary. Its frequency less than 1% of primary l.e. The trophedema is caused by a genetic determined defect of the morphogenese of parts of lymphatic system, which is mainly autosomal dominantly transmitted. It is morphologically and lymphografically characterized by a lack and reduction respectively of the number of lymphatic vessels. The trophedema results an emotional (cosmetic) and physical stress. Complicationes will rarely arise. In this paper it is described the case of the development of a cancer upon a trophedema, which seems to be the first case ever published. It will be shown, that an test-section have to be carried out in all cases of damages at a l.e. als soon as possible. The best conservative method at present used is the treatment with cortisone and hyaluronidase including bandage. However a real cure of the primary l.e. including the trophedema can not be attained by therapeutic methods presently used, because the defect of the lymphatic-vessels-system is hereditary. On the other hand therapeutic nihilism cannot be recommended.", "contents": "[The trophedema (Nonne-Milroy-Meige). Carcinogenesis as a rare complication]. The trophedema Nonne-Milroy-Meige has an exceptional position within the group of the primary lymphatic edemas (l.e.) because of its hereditary. Its frequency less than 1% of primary l.e. The trophedema is caused by a genetic determined defect of the morphogenese of parts of lymphatic system, which is mainly autosomal dominantly transmitted. It is morphologically and lymphografically characterized by a lack and reduction respectively of the number of lymphatic vessels. The trophedema results an emotional (cosmetic) and physical stress. Complicationes will rarely arise. In this paper it is described the case of the development of a cancer upon a trophedema, which seems to be the first case ever published. It will be shown, that an test-section have to be carried out in all cases of damages at a l.e. als soon as possible. The best conservative method at present used is the treatment with cortisone and hyaluronidase including bandage. However a real cure of the primary l.e. including the trophedema can not be attained by therapeutic methods presently used, because the defect of the lymphatic-vessels-system is hereditary. On the other hand therapeutic nihilism cannot be recommended.", "PMID": 786757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7517", "title": "Basement-membrane thickening and diabetic microangiopathy.", "content": "This report considers the pathophysiologic significance of capillary basement-membrane thickening in diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy and the relationship of capillary basement-membrane thickening to increased susceptibility to infections and to increased vascular permeability in diabetes. The evidence available (1) indicates that basement-membrane thickening affects most if not all capillaries of the diabetic and may contribute to increased susceptibility to infection and (2) suggests that increased capillary permeability in diabetes need not be attributed to basement-membrane changes per se, but rather may be due to changes in the cellular elements of the capillary wall.", "contents": "Basement-membrane thickening and diabetic microangiopathy. This report considers the pathophysiologic significance of capillary basement-membrane thickening in diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy and the relationship of capillary basement-membrane thickening to increased susceptibility to infections and to increased vascular permeability in diabetes. The evidence available (1) indicates that basement-membrane thickening affects most if not all capillaries of the diabetic and may contribute to increased susceptibility to infection and (2) suggests that increased capillary permeability in diabetes need not be attributed to basement-membrane changes per se, but rather may be due to changes in the cellular elements of the capillary wall.", "PMID": 786763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7518", "title": "Passive immunotherapy in HBs Ag fulminant hepatitis. Results on antigenaemia and survival.", "content": "19 patients with HBs Ag-positive fulminant hepatitis underwent exchange transfusions and anti-HBs-rich plasma infusions. Circulating HBs Ag disappeared in 17 cases. Circulating anti-HBs detected by RIA was higher in cases with liver regeneration. There was no correlation between circulating anti-HBs level and the amount of anti-HBs-rich plasma administered. Recovery was observed in 36% of the cases and liver regeneration in 47%. As the beneficial effect of such a treatment is not yet evident, a controlled trial should require pairing of patients with respect to the number of exchange transfusions and amount of real or placebo anti-HBs.", "contents": "Passive immunotherapy in HBs Ag fulminant hepatitis. Results on antigenaemia and survival. 19 patients with HBs Ag-positive fulminant hepatitis underwent exchange transfusions and anti-HBs-rich plasma infusions. Circulating HBs Ag disappeared in 17 cases. Circulating anti-HBs detected by RIA was higher in cases with liver regeneration. There was no correlation between circulating anti-HBs level and the amount of anti-HBs-rich plasma administered. Recovery was observed in 36% of the cases and liver regeneration in 47%. As the beneficial effect of such a treatment is not yet evident, a controlled trial should require pairing of patients with respect to the number of exchange transfusions and amount of real or placebo anti-HBs.", "PMID": 786764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7519", "title": "Calcium induced glucagon release in monolayer culture of the endocrine pancreas. Studies with ionophore A23187.", "content": "The possible role of Ca2+ in glucagon release has been investigated by the use of ionophore A23187. This ionophore permits Ca2+ entry down a suitable concentration gradient by complexing and releasing Ca2+, thereby acting as a carrier in plasma membranes. Cultured cells obtained by enzymatic digestion of pancreases from newborn rats were studied on the third day of culture. As expected the effects of the ionophore were dependent upon the presence of Ca2+ in the medium. However, either stimulation or inhibition of glucagon release resulted when different concentrations of ionophore and Ca2+ were used. With 1.0 mM Ca2+ in the medium, glucagon release was stimulated in the presence of 0.01 and 0.1 mug/ml ionophore, but inhibited in the presence of 3.0 and 10.0 mug/ml. With 0.1 mug/ml ionophore, glucagon release was stimulated by 0.3 and 1.0 mC Ca2+ but not by 2.5 mM Ca2+. With 10 mug/ml ionophore glucagon release was stimulated by 0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mM Ca2+, whereas at 1.0 mM, glucagon release was depressed. These findings suggest that by increasing Ca2+, glucagon is released from the A-cells, whereas too large an increase in Ca2+ is inhibitory. The effect to stimulate release was not completely specific for Ca2+ in that while the ionophore did not stimulate release in the presence of either Mg2+ or Sr2+ in the absence of Ca2+, it did stimulate release when Ba2+ was tested. Furthermore Ba2+ at 0.3 mM was stimulatory even in the absence of ionophore. Glucagon release in the absence of ionophore was also enhanced by addition of 30 mM Ca2+ or by omission of Ca2+ from the medium. It is concluded that Ca2+, which plays an essential role in the stimulus-secretion coupling in several different cell types, may be involved in the stimulation of glucagon release from the A-cells of the pancreas.", "contents": "Calcium induced glucagon release in monolayer culture of the endocrine pancreas. Studies with ionophore A23187. The possible role of Ca2+ in glucagon release has been investigated by the use of ionophore A23187. This ionophore permits Ca2+ entry down a suitable concentration gradient by complexing and releasing Ca2+, thereby acting as a carrier in plasma membranes. Cultured cells obtained by enzymatic digestion of pancreases from newborn rats were studied on the third day of culture. As expected the effects of the ionophore were dependent upon the presence of Ca2+ in the medium. However, either stimulation or inhibition of glucagon release resulted when different concentrations of ionophore and Ca2+ were used. With 1.0 mM Ca2+ in the medium, glucagon release was stimulated in the presence of 0.01 and 0.1 mug/ml ionophore, but inhibited in the presence of 3.0 and 10.0 mug/ml. With 0.1 mug/ml ionophore, glucagon release was stimulated by 0.3 and 1.0 mC Ca2+ but not by 2.5 mM Ca2+. With 10 mug/ml ionophore glucagon release was stimulated by 0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mM Ca2+, whereas at 1.0 mM, glucagon release was depressed. These findings suggest that by increasing Ca2+, glucagon is released from the A-cells, whereas too large an increase in Ca2+ is inhibitory. The effect to stimulate release was not completely specific for Ca2+ in that while the ionophore did not stimulate release in the presence of either Mg2+ or Sr2+ in the absence of Ca2+, it did stimulate release when Ba2+ was tested. Furthermore Ba2+ at 0.3 mM was stimulatory even in the absence of ionophore. Glucagon release in the absence of ionophore was also enhanced by addition of 30 mM Ca2+ or by omission of Ca2+ from the medium. It is concluded that Ca2+, which plays an essential role in the stimulus-secretion coupling in several different cell types, may be involved in the stimulation of glucagon release from the A-cells of the pancreas.", "PMID": 786765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7520", "title": "Enhanced glucagon secretion by pancreatic islets from prednisolone-treated mice.", "content": "This work was undertaken to study the effect of prednisolone on glucagon release in mouse pancreatic islets isolated by the collagenase technique. Pretreatment of the donors with prednisolone (0.2--0.3 mg daily) induced an increase in glucagon release both in the absence (1005+/-75, SEM, vs. 796+/-46 pg/10 islets/60 min, p=0.019) and in the presence of 7.5 mM arginine (1500+/-119 vs. 1236+/-61 pg/10 islets/60 min, p=0.05). The glucagon content of the islets was not modified by the treatment (28.6+/-1.1 vs. 28.0+/-1.1 ng/50 islets). The addition of prednisolone (5 - 10(-5) M) into the medium, failed to affect significantly glucagon secretion. In agreement with previous human studies, our data indicate that chronic glucocorticoid administration augments the secretory activity of the A-cell. This does not seem to be a result of increased glucagon synthesis nor a direct effect of glucocorticoids on the glucagon-releasing mechanism. Rather, environmental changes induced by these hormones could be responsible for A-cell hyperfunction.", "contents": "Enhanced glucagon secretion by pancreatic islets from prednisolone-treated mice. This work was undertaken to study the effect of prednisolone on glucagon release in mouse pancreatic islets isolated by the collagenase technique. Pretreatment of the donors with prednisolone (0.2--0.3 mg daily) induced an increase in glucagon release both in the absence (1005+/-75, SEM, vs. 796+/-46 pg/10 islets/60 min, p=0.019) and in the presence of 7.5 mM arginine (1500+/-119 vs. 1236+/-61 pg/10 islets/60 min, p=0.05). The glucagon content of the islets was not modified by the treatment (28.6+/-1.1 vs. 28.0+/-1.1 ng/50 islets). The addition of prednisolone (5 - 10(-5) M) into the medium, failed to affect significantly glucagon secretion. In agreement with previous human studies, our data indicate that chronic glucocorticoid administration augments the secretory activity of the A-cell. This does not seem to be a result of increased glucagon synthesis nor a direct effect of glucocorticoids on the glucagon-releasing mechanism. Rather, environmental changes induced by these hormones could be responsible for A-cell hyperfunction.", "PMID": 786766} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7521", "title": "Effect of sodium amylosulfate (Depepsen) on the healing of duodenal ulcer.", "content": "Thirty-five patients with active duodenal ulceration were included in a double blind randomized trial, the antiulcer agent sodium amylosulfate (Depepsen), being compared with placebo. Diagnosis and healing were determined by duodenoscopy. Results showed, in the whole series, 13 of 18 patients treated with Depepsen healed, whereas 10 of 17 healed on placebo (P = 0.04). In the group of 23 outpatients, 6 of 11 healed on Depepsen, and 5 of 12 healed on placebo (P = 0.55). It was concluded that Depepsen did not accelerate the healing of duodenal ulcer.", "contents": "Effect of sodium amylosulfate (Depepsen) on the healing of duodenal ulcer. Thirty-five patients with active duodenal ulceration were included in a double blind randomized trial, the antiulcer agent sodium amylosulfate (Depepsen), being compared with placebo. Diagnosis and healing were determined by duodenoscopy. Results showed, in the whole series, 13 of 18 patients treated with Depepsen healed, whereas 10 of 17 healed on placebo (P = 0.04). In the group of 23 outpatients, 6 of 11 healed on Depepsen, and 5 of 12 healed on placebo (P = 0.55). It was concluded that Depepsen did not accelerate the healing of duodenal ulcer.", "PMID": 786772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7522", "title": "A double blind crossover study of metoclopramide versus placebo for facilitating passage of multipurpose biopsy tube.", "content": "Intravenous metoclopramide (M) was compared to placebo (P) by a double blind crossover design to determine whether M was superior to P in difficult cases of intubation of the small intestine, using a multipurpose biopsy tube and capsule. Metoclopramide decreased intubation time in 20 volunteers successfully intubated with M and P (P less than 0.05). Of 9 subjects, 8 were intubated to ligament of Treitz with M but not with P (P less than 0.01). Of 29 volunteers, 22 were successfully intubated by 15 min when M was given, but only 9 of the 29 could be intubated in 15 min with P (P less then 0.001). Of 29 volunteers receiving M, 9 experienced side effects but none were serious. This study demonstrated that M is superior to P in decreasing intubation time of a small intestinal biopsy capsule and is particularly useful in patients who may not otherwise be sucessfully intubated.", "contents": "A double blind crossover study of metoclopramide versus placebo for facilitating passage of multipurpose biopsy tube. Intravenous metoclopramide (M) was compared to placebo (P) by a double blind crossover design to determine whether M was superior to P in difficult cases of intubation of the small intestine, using a multipurpose biopsy tube and capsule. Metoclopramide decreased intubation time in 20 volunteers successfully intubated with M and P (P less than 0.05). Of 9 subjects, 8 were intubated to ligament of Treitz with M but not with P (P less than 0.01). Of 29 volunteers, 22 were successfully intubated by 15 min when M was given, but only 9 of the 29 could be intubated in 15 min with P (P less then 0.001). Of 29 volunteers receiving M, 9 experienced side effects but none were serious. This study demonstrated that M is superior to P in decreasing intubation time of a small intestinal biopsy capsule and is particularly useful in patients who may not otherwise be sucessfully intubated.", "PMID": 786773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7523", "title": "Thialysine-resistant mutant of Salmonella typhimurium with a lesion in the thrA gene.", "content": "A mutant of Salmonella typhimurium was selected for its spontaneous resistance to the lysine analog, thialysine (S-2-aminoethyl cysteine). This strain, JB585, exhibits a number of pleiotropic properties including a partial growth requirement for threonine, resistance to thiaisoleucine and azaleucine, excretion of lysine and valine, and inhibition of growth by methionine. Genetic studies show that these properties are caused by a single mutation in the thrA gene which encodes the threonine-controlled aspartokinase-homoserine dehydrogenase activities. Enzyme assays demonstrated that the aspartokinase activity is unstable and the threonine-controlled homoserine dehydrogenase activity absent in extracts prepared from the mutant. These results explain the growth inhibition by methionine because the remaining homoserine dehydrogenase isoenzyme would be repressed by methionine, causing a limitation for threonine. The partial growth requirement for threonine during growth in glucose minimal medium may also, by producing an isoleucine limitation, cause derepression of the isoleucine-valine enzymes and provide an explanation for both the valine excretion, and azaleucine and thiaisoleucine resistance. The overproduction of lysine may confer the thialysine resistance.", "contents": "Thialysine-resistant mutant of Salmonella typhimurium with a lesion in the thrA gene. A mutant of Salmonella typhimurium was selected for its spontaneous resistance to the lysine analog, thialysine (S-2-aminoethyl cysteine). This strain, JB585, exhibits a number of pleiotropic properties including a partial growth requirement for threonine, resistance to thiaisoleucine and azaleucine, excretion of lysine and valine, and inhibition of growth by methionine. Genetic studies show that these properties are caused by a single mutation in the thrA gene which encodes the threonine-controlled aspartokinase-homoserine dehydrogenase activities. Enzyme assays demonstrated that the aspartokinase activity is unstable and the threonine-controlled homoserine dehydrogenase activity absent in extracts prepared from the mutant. These results explain the growth inhibition by methionine because the remaining homoserine dehydrogenase isoenzyme would be repressed by methionine, causing a limitation for threonine. The partial growth requirement for threonine during growth in glucose minimal medium may also, by producing an isoleucine limitation, cause derepression of the isoleucine-valine enzymes and provide an explanation for both the valine excretion, and azaleucine and thiaisoleucine resistance. The overproduction of lysine may confer the thialysine resistance.", "PMID": 786777} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7524", "title": "F' plasmids from HfrH and HfrC in recA- Escherichia coli.", "content": "We have isolated and characterized a number of clones resulting from matings of HfrH and HfrC cultures of Escherichia coli with auxotrophic recA- E. coli. As in Low's (1968) experiments, the recA- marker prevented integration of F' episomes into the vegetative chromosomes of the host. Both F'H F'C plasmids contained a great variety of non-selected nutritional markers. However, more F'H plasmids seemed to have expressed F+ characteristics than did F'C plasmids. These characteristics include (i) the presence of F-pili as determined by susceptibility to male-specific phages; (ii) fertility as determined by the merozygote's ability to transfer nutritional markers to an auxotrophic F- strain of E. coli; and (iii) a high degree of inheritability as estimated by the proportion of F' bacteria to F- bacteria in clones grown in a non-selective medium like broth. This proportion is seen to be affected by both factors that determine the probabilities that daughters of F' bacteria inherit the episome and from physiological factors that determine the rates of growth of F' and F- bacteria.", "contents": "F' plasmids from HfrH and HfrC in recA- Escherichia coli. We have isolated and characterized a number of clones resulting from matings of HfrH and HfrC cultures of Escherichia coli with auxotrophic recA- E. coli. As in Low's (1968) experiments, the recA- marker prevented integration of F' episomes into the vegetative chromosomes of the host. Both F'H F'C plasmids contained a great variety of non-selected nutritional markers. However, more F'H plasmids seemed to have expressed F+ characteristics than did F'C plasmids. These characteristics include (i) the presence of F-pili as determined by susceptibility to male-specific phages; (ii) fertility as determined by the merozygote's ability to transfer nutritional markers to an auxotrophic F- strain of E. coli; and (iii) a high degree of inheritability as estimated by the proportion of F' bacteria to F- bacteria in clones grown in a non-selective medium like broth. This proportion is seen to be affected by both factors that determine the probabilities that daughters of F' bacteria inherit the episome and from physiological factors that determine the rates of growth of F' and F- bacteria.", "PMID": 786778} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7525", "title": "Mutator activity of petite strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Petite strains in Saccharomyces exhibit enhanced spontaneous mutation rates of nuclear genes regardless of whether they are cytoplasmically or nuclearly inherited, or whether or not the cytoplasmic petite strains have mitochondrial DNA. In petite strains, the mutation rate for the nonsense allele lys1-1 is enhanced by a factor of 3-6 and for the missense allele his1-7 by a factor of 2 as compared with their grande counterparts. The reversion of a third allele, the putative frameshift mutation, hom3-10, is not enhanced in a petite background. The results indicate that the spontaneous mutation rate of an organism can be altered by indirect intracellular influences.", "contents": "Mutator activity of petite strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Petite strains in Saccharomyces exhibit enhanced spontaneous mutation rates of nuclear genes regardless of whether they are cytoplasmically or nuclearly inherited, or whether or not the cytoplasmic petite strains have mitochondrial DNA. In petite strains, the mutation rate for the nonsense allele lys1-1 is enhanced by a factor of 3-6 and for the missense allele his1-7 by a factor of 2 as compared with their grande counterparts. The reversion of a third allele, the putative frameshift mutation, hom3-10, is not enhanced in a petite background. The results indicate that the spontaneous mutation rate of an organism can be altered by indirect intracellular influences.", "PMID": 786779} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7526", "title": "Mutators in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: MUT1-1, MUT1-2 and MUT2-1.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to characterize two mutator stocks of yeast which were induced and selected on the basis of high spontaneous reversion rates of the suppressible \"ochre\" nonsense allele lys1-1. In the mutator stock VA-3, a single mutation, designated mut1-1, is responsible for the increase in the reversion rate of the ochre alleles lys1-1 and arg4-17. In stock VA-105, there are two separate mutator mutations. Tetrad analysis data showed these two loci are loosely linked. Based on complementation data, one of these mutations is at the same locus as mut1-1 and designated mut1-2. The second mutator of stock VA-105 was designated mut2-1. All three mutators are recessive. Both mut1-1 and mut1-2 give a high mutation rate for ochre nonsense suppressor (SUP) loci, but not for the ochre nonsense alleles. On the contrary, the mutation rates of the ochre alleles are greatly reduced. With the mutant mut2-1 there were mutations at both the lys1-1 site and its suppressors; mut2-1 is as effective as mut1-2 but not as effective as mut1-1 in inducing reversions of a missense mutant, his1-7. Neither mut1-1, mut1-2 nor mut2-1 were effective in inducing reversions of a putative frameshift mutation, hom3-10, or in inducing forward mutations to canavanine resistance.", "contents": "Mutators in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: MUT1-1, MUT1-2 and MUT2-1. The purpose of this study was to characterize two mutator stocks of yeast which were induced and selected on the basis of high spontaneous reversion rates of the suppressible \"ochre\" nonsense allele lys1-1. In the mutator stock VA-3, a single mutation, designated mut1-1, is responsible for the increase in the reversion rate of the ochre alleles lys1-1 and arg4-17. In stock VA-105, there are two separate mutator mutations. Tetrad analysis data showed these two loci are loosely linked. Based on complementation data, one of these mutations is at the same locus as mut1-1 and designated mut1-2. The second mutator of stock VA-105 was designated mut2-1. All three mutators are recessive. Both mut1-1 and mut1-2 give a high mutation rate for ochre nonsense suppressor (SUP) loci, but not for the ochre nonsense alleles. On the contrary, the mutation rates of the ochre alleles are greatly reduced. With the mutant mut2-1 there were mutations at both the lys1-1 site and its suppressors; mut2-1 is as effective as mut1-2 but not as effective as mut1-1 in inducing reversions of a missense mutant, his1-7. Neither mut1-1, mut1-2 nor mut2-1 were effective in inducing reversions of a putative frameshift mutation, hom3-10, or in inducing forward mutations to canavanine resistance.", "PMID": 786780} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7527", "title": "Mapping of trichodermin resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a genetic locus for a component of the 60S ribsomal subunit.", "content": "Resistance to the protein synthesis inhibitor trichodermin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been studied. A single recessive nuclear gene was responsible for resistance. The resistance locus, tcm1 was found to be closely linked (1 centi-morgan) to the locus pet 17 on the right arm of chromosome XV. The mutation to trichodermin resistance conferred resistance to other 12,13-epoxytrichothecenes and to the structurally unrelated antibiotic anisomycin.", "contents": "Mapping of trichodermin resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a genetic locus for a component of the 60S ribsomal subunit. Resistance to the protein synthesis inhibitor trichodermin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been studied. A single recessive nuclear gene was responsible for resistance. The resistance locus, tcm1 was found to be closely linked (1 centi-morgan) to the locus pet 17 on the right arm of chromosome XV. The mutation to trichodermin resistance conferred resistance to other 12,13-epoxytrichothecenes and to the structurally unrelated antibiotic anisomycin.", "PMID": 786781} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7528", "title": "Temperature-sensitive yeast mutants defective in meiotic recombination and replication.", "content": "A system is described for isolating temperature-sensitive mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with defects in early meiotic events. We used an otherwise haploid strain disomic (n+1) for chromosome III, and heteroallelic at the leucine-2 locus. Meiotic development was initiated by exposure of the strain to acetate sporulation medium, and monitored by the appearance of leucine-independent intragenic recombinants. Mutant isolation was based on the recovery of thermally induced defects in recombination. The temperature-sensitive characteristic was included to allow eventual characterizations of the temporal period during meiosis when each gene performs its essential function. Following mutagenesis with either ethyl methane sulfonate or nitrosoguanidine individual clones were tested at 34 degrees and 24 degrees for acetate-induced recombination. Starting with 2700 clones, derived from cells that survived mutagenic treatment, we isolated 48 strains with thermally induced lesions in recombination. In the majority of mutants premeiotic replication occurred normally, or nearly normally, at the restrictive temperature, indicating that the meiotic cycle was initiated and that there was a defect in an event required for intragenic recombination. We also detected mutants where the thermally induced lesion in recombination resulted from temperature-sensitive premeiotic DNA synthesis.", "contents": "Temperature-sensitive yeast mutants defective in meiotic recombination and replication. A system is described for isolating temperature-sensitive mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with defects in early meiotic events. We used an otherwise haploid strain disomic (n+1) for chromosome III, and heteroallelic at the leucine-2 locus. Meiotic development was initiated by exposure of the strain to acetate sporulation medium, and monitored by the appearance of leucine-independent intragenic recombinants. Mutant isolation was based on the recovery of thermally induced defects in recombination. The temperature-sensitive characteristic was included to allow eventual characterizations of the temporal period during meiosis when each gene performs its essential function. Following mutagenesis with either ethyl methane sulfonate or nitrosoguanidine individual clones were tested at 34 degrees and 24 degrees for acetate-induced recombination. Starting with 2700 clones, derived from cells that survived mutagenic treatment, we isolated 48 strains with thermally induced lesions in recombination. In the majority of mutants premeiotic replication occurred normally, or nearly normally, at the restrictive temperature, indicating that the meiotic cycle was initiated and that there was a defect in an event required for intragenic recombination. We also detected mutants where the thermally induced lesion in recombination resulted from temperature-sensitive premeiotic DNA synthesis.", "PMID": 786782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7529", "title": "Antibiotics in biliary disease: the relative importance of antibiotic concentrations in the bile and serum.", "content": "A randomised controlled trial has been performed in 150 patients undergoing biliary operations to determine whether an antibiotic which is excreted almost entirely in bile (rifamide) is to be preferred to one having satisfactory serum levels only (gentamicin). Patients were allocated to one of three groups: 50 received gentamicin, 50 received rifamide, and there were 50 controls who received no antibiotic cover. In the absence of duct obstruction, rifamide achieved extremely high bile levels but low serum concentrations. However, in jaundiced patients, both the bile and the serum concentrations of rifamide were too low to be of therapeutic value. The incidence of postoperative sepsis was not reduced by rifamide compared with controls. In contrast, gentamicin achieved adequate serum concentrations in 88% of patients. Despire poor bile levels, gentamicin was associated with a significant reduction of wound infection from 22% to 6% and septicaemia from 14% to 2% compared with controls. To reduce the septic complications of biliary operations, adequate serum levels of an effective antimicrobial are more important than an antibiotic, which is excreted almost entirely into the bile.", "contents": "Antibiotics in biliary disease: the relative importance of antibiotic concentrations in the bile and serum. A randomised controlled trial has been performed in 150 patients undergoing biliary operations to determine whether an antibiotic which is excreted almost entirely in bile (rifamide) is to be preferred to one having satisfactory serum levels only (gentamicin). Patients were allocated to one of three groups: 50 received gentamicin, 50 received rifamide, and there were 50 controls who received no antibiotic cover. In the absence of duct obstruction, rifamide achieved extremely high bile levels but low serum concentrations. However, in jaundiced patients, both the bile and the serum concentrations of rifamide were too low to be of therapeutic value. The incidence of postoperative sepsis was not reduced by rifamide compared with controls. In contrast, gentamicin achieved adequate serum concentrations in 88% of patients. Despire poor bile levels, gentamicin was associated with a significant reduction of wound infection from 22% to 6% and septicaemia from 14% to 2% compared with controls. To reduce the septic complications of biliary operations, adequate serum levels of an effective antimicrobial are more important than an antibiotic, which is excreted almost entirely into the bile.", "PMID": 786807} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7530", "title": "A double-blind comparison of sulpiride with chlordiazepoxide in neurosis.", "content": "The therapeutic effectiveness of sulpiride on various types of neurosis was compared with that of chlordiazepoxide on a double-blind basis. Global improvement, effectiveness on various types of neurosis, and side effects were studied for a period of two weeks. The subjects consisted of 41 males and 32 females. Neurosis including borderline case and vegetative dystonia was divided into eight different subtypes comprising borderline, neurasthenic state, hypochondria, obsessive neurosis or phobia, depressive neurosis, anxiety neurosis, vegetative dystonia, and others. A newly devised matched-pair method of comparison was employed to achieve even distribution of the eight subtypes of neurosis between the two drug groups. As a result 40 patients fell in the sulpiride group and 33 patients in the chlordiazepoxide group. The backgrounds of the paired patients matched closely. The daily dose was uniformly 150 mg for sulpiride and 30 mg for chlordiazepoxide in the first week but was raised (or lowered in some cases) to 225 mg and 45 mg, respectively, in the second week according to severity. The rate of global improvement was 79% for the sulpiride group and 90% for chlordiazepoxide group, and the difference did not reach statistical significance. Improvement by manifestation (13 symptom items) and type of neurosis also matched. Side effects occurred at a rate of 28% (sulpiride group) and 30% (chlordiazepoxide group), and also matched closely in incidence and variety. The authors concluded that sulpiride in appropriate doses is useful in the treatment of neurosis without causing extrapyramidal side effects.", "contents": "A double-blind comparison of sulpiride with chlordiazepoxide in neurosis. The therapeutic effectiveness of sulpiride on various types of neurosis was compared with that of chlordiazepoxide on a double-blind basis. Global improvement, effectiveness on various types of neurosis, and side effects were studied for a period of two weeks. The subjects consisted of 41 males and 32 females. Neurosis including borderline case and vegetative dystonia was divided into eight different subtypes comprising borderline, neurasthenic state, hypochondria, obsessive neurosis or phobia, depressive neurosis, anxiety neurosis, vegetative dystonia, and others. A newly devised matched-pair method of comparison was employed to achieve even distribution of the eight subtypes of neurosis between the two drug groups. As a result 40 patients fell in the sulpiride group and 33 patients in the chlordiazepoxide group. The backgrounds of the paired patients matched closely. The daily dose was uniformly 150 mg for sulpiride and 30 mg for chlordiazepoxide in the first week but was raised (or lowered in some cases) to 225 mg and 45 mg, respectively, in the second week according to severity. The rate of global improvement was 79% for the sulpiride group and 90% for chlordiazepoxide group, and the difference did not reach statistical significance. Improvement by manifestation (13 symptom items) and type of neurosis also matched. Side effects occurred at a rate of 28% (sulpiride group) and 30% (chlordiazepoxide group), and also matched closely in incidence and variety. The authors concluded that sulpiride in appropriate doses is useful in the treatment of neurosis without causing extrapyramidal side effects.", "PMID": 786820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7531", "title": "[Diagnosis of left-to-right shunt. Dye dilution curves in patients with left-to-right shunt during physical exertion and after beta-receptor blockade].", "content": "In 79 patients, suffering from central left-to-right shunts, dye-dilution curves were recorded partially using a peripheral venous injection site during reactive hyperaemia. 47 investigations were carried out during ergometer exercise in supine position. 32 patients received injections of 1-2 mg Propranolol or 0,4-0,8 mg Pindolol. During exercise dye-dilution curves showed characteristic alterations, indicating a decrease of the relative shunt-flow, whereas beta-receptor blocking agents increased the relative shunt-flow. Dye-dilution curves written during exercise may be helpful in evaluating the indication for operative closure in patients with small atrial or ventricular septal defects. beta-receptor blocking agents can facilitate diagnosis of left-to-right shunt as a screening test.", "contents": "[Diagnosis of left-to-right shunt. Dye dilution curves in patients with left-to-right shunt during physical exertion and after beta-receptor blockade]. In 79 patients, suffering from central left-to-right shunts, dye-dilution curves were recorded partially using a peripheral venous injection site during reactive hyperaemia. 47 investigations were carried out during ergometer exercise in supine position. 32 patients received injections of 1-2 mg Propranolol or 0,4-0,8 mg Pindolol. During exercise dye-dilution curves showed characteristic alterations, indicating a decrease of the relative shunt-flow, whereas beta-receptor blocking agents increased the relative shunt-flow. Dye-dilution curves written during exercise may be helpful in evaluating the indication for operative closure in patients with small atrial or ventricular septal defects. beta-receptor blocking agents can facilitate diagnosis of left-to-right shunt as a screening test.", "PMID": 786824} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7532", "title": "[Therapy of cervico-brachialgia. Controlled clinical comparison of a high-dose combination of neurotropic vitamins with an analgesic].", "content": "The study revealed that cervicobrachialgias (cervical syndrome) can be effectively treated with high-dosed neurotropic vitamins. This refers in particular to pain caused by pressure on the cervical plexus and paravertebral pain on pressur, Regarding paravertebral pain on pressure, it was possible to prove a significant superiority of the therapy with Neurotrat forte. The duration of therapy in both groups was, however, too short in order to prove a significant improvement regarding the lateral listing of the cervical spine. Both forms of treatment produced similar results in view of an improvement of impaired sensibility, paresthesia and alleviation of pain. In both groups side effects were only occasionally observed.", "contents": "[Therapy of cervico-brachialgia. Controlled clinical comparison of a high-dose combination of neurotropic vitamins with an analgesic]. The study revealed that cervicobrachialgias (cervical syndrome) can be effectively treated with high-dosed neurotropic vitamins. This refers in particular to pain caused by pressure on the cervical plexus and paravertebral pain on pressur, Regarding paravertebral pain on pressure, it was possible to prove a significant superiority of the therapy with Neurotrat forte. The duration of therapy in both groups was, however, too short in order to prove a significant improvement regarding the lateral listing of the cervical spine. Both forms of treatment produced similar results in view of an improvement of impaired sensibility, paresthesia and alleviation of pain. In both groups side effects were only occasionally observed.", "PMID": 786825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7533", "title": "[Plastic surgery in the face and neck area. Use of regional transposition flaps].", "content": "Principles of fashioning of regional transposition flaps are described. The advantages of these flaps in reconstructing defects in the neck and head areas are explained using suitable illustrations.", "contents": "[Plastic surgery in the face and neck area. Use of regional transposition flaps]. Principles of fashioning of regional transposition flaps are described. The advantages of these flaps in reconstructing defects in the neck and head areas are explained using suitable illustrations.", "PMID": 786826} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7534", "title": "[Physiological and pathological aging of the brain].", "content": "Also in the old age, the capability for a meaningful arrangement of life is dependent on the functional integrity of the brain. The processes of senile involution occurring physiologically do not exclude such a possibility. In normal aging, the reduction in the number of nerve cells and dendritic spines is small compared to pathological aging. There are no indications for transitions between normal and pathological aging. Senile dementia is an optionally occurring disease requiring an endogenous component for its manifestation. The psychic peculiarities occurring in the course of normal aging result mainly from environmental factors (i.e. psychic and social injuries). They need multidimentional treatment.", "contents": "[Physiological and pathological aging of the brain]. Also in the old age, the capability for a meaningful arrangement of life is dependent on the functional integrity of the brain. The processes of senile involution occurring physiologically do not exclude such a possibility. In normal aging, the reduction in the number of nerve cells and dendritic spines is small compared to pathological aging. There are no indications for transitions between normal and pathological aging. Senile dementia is an optionally occurring disease requiring an endogenous component for its manifestation. The psychic peculiarities occurring in the course of normal aging result mainly from environmental factors (i.e. psychic and social injuries). They need multidimentional treatment.", "PMID": 786827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7535", "title": "[Experiences with Epigard, a synthetic skin substitute, in the treatment of skin defects].", "content": "Epigard, a reticulated polyurethane foam laminated to a microporous polypropylene film, has been developed as a substitute for homograft and heterograft skin. After preliminary studies in animals, its clinical advantages and limitations were evaluated in 134 hospitilized patients with burn injuries and other skin defects. Examples for its indications are demonstrated and discussed. It is concluded that Epigard provides a satisfactory substitute for skin grafts with major advantages for ready availability, sterility and reduced cost.", "contents": "[Experiences with Epigard, a synthetic skin substitute, in the treatment of skin defects]. Epigard, a reticulated polyurethane foam laminated to a microporous polypropylene film, has been developed as a substitute for homograft and heterograft skin. After preliminary studies in animals, its clinical advantages and limitations were evaluated in 134 hospitilized patients with burn injuries and other skin defects. Examples for its indications are demonstrated and discussed. It is concluded that Epigard provides a satisfactory substitute for skin grafts with major advantages for ready availability, sterility and reduced cost.", "PMID": 786828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7536", "title": "[Functional-morphological kidney diagnosis in nuclear medicine].", "content": "Clinical indications and evaluation of basic nuclear medicine procedures (radionuclide-renography, rectilinear scanning) are discussed in regard to distinct diagnostic problems in urology and nephrology taking into account modern trends of their application. Additionally capabilities of special methods (sequential and functional scintigraphy, radionuclide-aortoangiography) are delineated including headlines of application from a clinician's point of view. Accuracy of the methods is presented based on a cooperational study of 17 nuclear medicine centers.", "contents": "[Functional-morphological kidney diagnosis in nuclear medicine]. Clinical indications and evaluation of basic nuclear medicine procedures (radionuclide-renography, rectilinear scanning) are discussed in regard to distinct diagnostic problems in urology and nephrology taking into account modern trends of their application. Additionally capabilities of special methods (sequential and functional scintigraphy, radionuclide-aortoangiography) are delineated including headlines of application from a clinician's point of view. Accuracy of the methods is presented based on a cooperational study of 17 nuclear medicine centers.", "PMID": 786829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7537", "title": "[Diagnostic strategy in diarrhea].", "content": "Planning the strategy in diagnosis of diarrhea some questions need to be answered: 1. Do the complaints in question fulfill the defined criteria of diarrhea? 2. Is it an acute diarrhea of infectious origin requiring fast microbiologic diagnosis? 3. Is it a chronic diarrhea? A) Do anamnestic findings and present status induce a certain suspected diagnosis, as in hyperthyreoidism, drugs, intestinal resections? B) Is a complete stepwise diagnostic planning needed as in Crohn's disease, insufficiency of the pancreas, non tropical sprue? Diagnostic measures have to be taken into consideration according to the answers given.", "contents": "[Diagnostic strategy in diarrhea]. Planning the strategy in diagnosis of diarrhea some questions need to be answered: 1. Do the complaints in question fulfill the defined criteria of diarrhea? 2. Is it an acute diarrhea of infectious origin requiring fast microbiologic diagnosis? 3. Is it a chronic diarrhea? A) Do anamnestic findings and present status induce a certain suspected diagnosis, as in hyperthyreoidism, drugs, intestinal resections? B) Is a complete stepwise diagnostic planning needed as in Crohn's disease, insufficiency of the pancreas, non tropical sprue? Diagnostic measures have to be taken into consideration according to the answers given.", "PMID": 786830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7538", "title": "[Treatment of ulcus cruris. Clinical experiences using the Ulcrux cream and powder].", "content": "In an open trial 102 ulcera cruris of chronic venous genesis were treated locally with both Ulcrux Powder and Ointment in 54 female and 48 male patients over a period of 30 days. A positive result was obtained as to the shrinking of the wound area, the diminution of the substance defect, the development of granulations and the tendency towards epithelialisation. The influence on the cleansing of the wounds and on traumatic pain was also very favourable. Due to the rapid cleaning of the ulcera from necrotic films and to the good healing up tendency the therapeutic result was considered good to excellent with 81 patients (79,4%). Local side effects did not occur; the compatibility was also considered good in all cases. These test results prove that the combined treatment of chronic venous ulcera cruris with Ulcrux Ointment and Powder has real therapeutic advantages and seems to be superior to the traditional local forms of treatment.", "contents": "[Treatment of ulcus cruris. Clinical experiences using the Ulcrux cream and powder]. In an open trial 102 ulcera cruris of chronic venous genesis were treated locally with both Ulcrux Powder and Ointment in 54 female and 48 male patients over a period of 30 days. A positive result was obtained as to the shrinking of the wound area, the diminution of the substance defect, the development of granulations and the tendency towards epithelialisation. The influence on the cleansing of the wounds and on traumatic pain was also very favourable. Due to the rapid cleaning of the ulcera from necrotic films and to the good healing up tendency the therapeutic result was considered good to excellent with 81 patients (79,4%). Local side effects did not occur; the compatibility was also considered good in all cases. These test results prove that the combined treatment of chronic venous ulcera cruris with Ulcrux Ointment and Powder has real therapeutic advantages and seems to be superior to the traditional local forms of treatment.", "PMID": 786831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7539", "title": "[Analgesic effect of Neuro-Demoplas in a double-blind test].", "content": "Neuro-Demoplas was compared in a double blind trial on behalf of its analgesic properties to another antiphologistic containing high dosage of vitamin B complex and Metamizol. The onset of action of Neuro-Demoplas to inhibit pain was clearly more rapid, more intensive and more durable than with the other antiphlogistic.", "contents": "[Analgesic effect of Neuro-Demoplas in a double-blind test]. Neuro-Demoplas was compared in a double blind trial on behalf of its analgesic properties to another antiphologistic containing high dosage of vitamin B complex and Metamizol. The onset of action of Neuro-Demoplas to inhibit pain was clearly more rapid, more intensive and more durable than with the other antiphlogistic.", "PMID": 786832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7540", "title": "[Amikacin in urinary tract infections with so-called problem pathogens].", "content": "Amikacin (Biklin) was applied in 33 patients with and without renal insufficiency, suffering of non-obstructive inflammations of the urinary tract, caused by multiple resistant hospital germs. The dosage was 125.0--1000.0 mg/die, injected as short infusion and solved in dextrose 5%. The serum and urine concentrations were measured simultaneously. In 18 cases an infection could not be seen after a control period of 8 days up to 4 weeks. Persistence of bacteria happened in five cases. Reinfection could be noted in 5 other cases. Side effects--as oto- or nephrotoxicity, pathological changes of the differential blood count, increasing of the serum transaminases and phosphatases--were seen neither during nor after the therapy.", "contents": "[Amikacin in urinary tract infections with so-called problem pathogens]. Amikacin (Biklin) was applied in 33 patients with and without renal insufficiency, suffering of non-obstructive inflammations of the urinary tract, caused by multiple resistant hospital germs. The dosage was 125.0--1000.0 mg/die, injected as short infusion and solved in dextrose 5%. The serum and urine concentrations were measured simultaneously. In 18 cases an infection could not be seen after a control period of 8 days up to 4 weeks. Persistence of bacteria happened in five cases. Reinfection could be noted in 5 other cases. Side effects--as oto- or nephrotoxicity, pathological changes of the differential blood count, increasing of the serum transaminases and phosphatases--were seen neither during nor after the therapy.", "PMID": 786834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7541", "title": "[The history of breast feeding].", "content": "The significance of breastfeeding, as considered millenniums ago, has been handed down by numerous contemporary reports and illustrations. The woman who suckles her baby has even since held an exceptional position in social life. In this essay the author describes the breastfeeding customs of far ancient people such as Egyptians, Greek, Romans and Indians. As a conclusion one might say that even today breastfeeding did not lose its importance for the relation between mother and child. It is an encouraging matter of fact that--unmindful of their emancipation--many \"modern\" mothers retain the breastfeeding habit. What would happen if breastfeeding was generally discredited, if mothers from all different countries would abandom breastfeeding in order to adopt bottle-feeding their children? Undoubtedly, that would not only cause a notable increase of the risks for the children's survival--which are due to many secondary factors--but, furthermore, it would mean an important expenditure for the budget for national economy which cannot be justified.", "contents": "[The history of breast feeding]. The significance of breastfeeding, as considered millenniums ago, has been handed down by numerous contemporary reports and illustrations. The woman who suckles her baby has even since held an exceptional position in social life. In this essay the author describes the breastfeeding customs of far ancient people such as Egyptians, Greek, Romans and Indians. As a conclusion one might say that even today breastfeeding did not lose its importance for the relation between mother and child. It is an encouraging matter of fact that--unmindful of their emancipation--many \"modern\" mothers retain the breastfeeding habit. What would happen if breastfeeding was generally discredited, if mothers from all different countries would abandom breastfeeding in order to adopt bottle-feeding their children? Undoubtedly, that would not only cause a notable increase of the risks for the children's survival--which are due to many secondary factors--but, furthermore, it would mean an important expenditure for the budget for national economy which cannot be justified.", "PMID": 786835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7542", "title": "[Cervix insufficiency].", "content": "Between 1965 and 1975, Shirodkar operations were performed on 144 patients (mean age 28,6 years). The most frequent diagnosis was incompetence of the internal cervical os, which accounted for 90% of the operations, the remaining 10% being prophylactic. Sutures were performed between the 14th and 16th week of gestation and 72,5% of these patients had normal births (mean gestation time 39 weeks). Without Shirodkar operation, out of 291 pregnancies studied, 26% resulted in normal birth; whilst with Shirodkar, 82% of 137 pregnancies were successfully delivered at term.", "contents": "[Cervix insufficiency]. Between 1965 and 1975, Shirodkar operations were performed on 144 patients (mean age 28,6 years). The most frequent diagnosis was incompetence of the internal cervical os, which accounted for 90% of the operations, the remaining 10% being prophylactic. Sutures were performed between the 14th and 16th week of gestation and 72,5% of these patients had normal births (mean gestation time 39 weeks). Without Shirodkar operation, out of 291 pregnancies studied, 26% resulted in normal birth; whilst with Shirodkar, 82% of 137 pregnancies were successfully delivered at term.", "PMID": 786836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7543", "title": "[Clarification of cytologically doubtful findings of the cervix by DNA-single-cell-fluorescence-cytophotometry].", "content": "By using single-cell-DNS-cytophotometry in 28 single cases and 11 follow-up studies it was possible to differentiate the doubtful cytological findings and the mild and moderate dysplasia concerning the expected biological behaviour (risk of degeneration). If there are histograms similar to those with normal or inflammatory altered squamous epithelium, which are classified as \"behaviour like a facultative precancerous lesion\", further clinical observation is necessary. Histograms which show aneuploidy and/or wide spread to the right side are classified as \"behaviour like an obligatory precancerous lesion\". In these cases a conization should be performed, even if the findings are cytomorphological Pap III or mild dysplasias.", "contents": "[Clarification of cytologically doubtful findings of the cervix by DNA-single-cell-fluorescence-cytophotometry]. By using single-cell-DNS-cytophotometry in 28 single cases and 11 follow-up studies it was possible to differentiate the doubtful cytological findings and the mild and moderate dysplasia concerning the expected biological behaviour (risk of degeneration). If there are histograms similar to those with normal or inflammatory altered squamous epithelium, which are classified as \"behaviour like a facultative precancerous lesion\", further clinical observation is necessary. Histograms which show aneuploidy and/or wide spread to the right side are classified as \"behaviour like an obligatory precancerous lesion\". In these cases a conization should be performed, even if the findings are cytomorphological Pap III or mild dysplasias.", "PMID": 786837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7544", "title": "[Therapy of progressive chronic polyarthritis. Clinical studies of the effectiveness of azathioprine].", "content": "The present paper reports on the experience obtained in patients during treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with Azathioprine. The duration of treatment was on the average 16.5 months (minimum 1 month, maximum 54 months). The arthritic pains could be alleviated or even stopped completely in 73% of the cases. In 53.6% of the cases the morning stiffness was influenced favourably. The analgetic dose could be reduced in 54% of patients, who additionally received analgetics. Rheumatic attacks appeared rarely and also were of shorter duration and less severe. Therefore it can be concluded that Azathioprine has decreased the progredience of the disease. The main side-effects were gastrointestinal upsets. In 2 cases therapy had to be discontinued due to leucopenia. The results show that Azathioprine seems to be valuable for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis. The overall effect can be considered as successful, but long-term therapy is necessary.", "contents": "[Therapy of progressive chronic polyarthritis. Clinical studies of the effectiveness of azathioprine]. The present paper reports on the experience obtained in patients during treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with Azathioprine. The duration of treatment was on the average 16.5 months (minimum 1 month, maximum 54 months). The arthritic pains could be alleviated or even stopped completely in 73% of the cases. In 53.6% of the cases the morning stiffness was influenced favourably. The analgetic dose could be reduced in 54% of patients, who additionally received analgetics. Rheumatic attacks appeared rarely and also were of shorter duration and less severe. Therefore it can be concluded that Azathioprine has decreased the progredience of the disease. The main side-effects were gastrointestinal upsets. In 2 cases therapy had to be discontinued due to leucopenia. The results show that Azathioprine seems to be valuable for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis. The overall effect can be considered as successful, but long-term therapy is necessary.", "PMID": 786838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7545", "title": "[Changes in hemostasis during epilespy treatment using dipropyl acetate. Extended study].", "content": "The influence of Dipropyl-Acetate (DPA, Ergenyl) on hemostasis parameters was examined in 12 patients. In 8 cases there was a prolongation of bleeding time, in 2 cases thrombocytopenia, in 6 out of 10 cases the platelet adhesiveness was pathologically reduced. We therefore recommend hemostasis-examinations--with emphasis on the thrombocytic system--in patients taking DPA.", "contents": "[Changes in hemostasis during epilespy treatment using dipropyl acetate. Extended study]. The influence of Dipropyl-Acetate (DPA, Ergenyl) on hemostasis parameters was examined in 12 patients. In 8 cases there was a prolongation of bleeding time, in 2 cases thrombocytopenia, in 6 out of 10 cases the platelet adhesiveness was pathologically reduced. We therefore recommend hemostasis-examinations--with emphasis on the thrombocytic system--in patients taking DPA.", "PMID": 786839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7546", "title": "[Effects and side effects of corticosteroids in allotransplantation].", "content": "The survival of rabbit skin allografts was significantly increased by local treatment of the grafts prior to transplantation. Triamcinolone acetonide proved to be the most effective compound from nine corticosteroids compared in this study. That its effect is mainly due to a local antiinflammatory activity could be clearly demonstrated after simultaneous transplantation of pretreated and untreated grafts on the same recipient and on pretreated second set grafts. In both experiments a significant prolongation of the survival of the pretreated grafts was observed. There were no side effects due to a general activity of the locally applied steroids. This was also confirmed by experiments with tritium-labelled Triamcinolone acetonide. By combining this local treatment with low dose general immunosuppression the same positive effect was seen without any side effects as with general treatment alone which, however, caused a high morbidity and mortality due to general side effects. The local pretreatment of kidney allografts with methylprednisolone did not increase the survival of the recipients in dogs. Comparative studies with general application of the steroids. Triamcinolone acetonide and methylprednisolone in rabbit skin allotransplantation revealed a superior immunosuppressive effect and a significantly lower risk of general side effects of Triamcinolone acetonide.", "contents": "[Effects and side effects of corticosteroids in allotransplantation]. The survival of rabbit skin allografts was significantly increased by local treatment of the grafts prior to transplantation. Triamcinolone acetonide proved to be the most effective compound from nine corticosteroids compared in this study. That its effect is mainly due to a local antiinflammatory activity could be clearly demonstrated after simultaneous transplantation of pretreated and untreated grafts on the same recipient and on pretreated second set grafts. In both experiments a significant prolongation of the survival of the pretreated grafts was observed. There were no side effects due to a general activity of the locally applied steroids. This was also confirmed by experiments with tritium-labelled Triamcinolone acetonide. By combining this local treatment with low dose general immunosuppression the same positive effect was seen without any side effects as with general treatment alone which, however, caused a high morbidity and mortality due to general side effects. The local pretreatment of kidney allografts with methylprednisolone did not increase the survival of the recipients in dogs. Comparative studies with general application of the steroids. Triamcinolone acetonide and methylprednisolone in rabbit skin allotransplantation revealed a superior immunosuppressive effect and a significantly lower risk of general side effects of Triamcinolone acetonide.", "PMID": 786840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7547", "title": "[Influence of intravenous steroid administration on kidney function].", "content": "The acute renal response to 1,0 g Prednisolon i.v. in kidney transplant recipients and normal controls was investigated. The results indicate an acute suppression of glomerular filtration rate (CIN, CCR) and effective plasma flow (CPAH). The reabsorption of sodium in the proximal tubule was shown to be impaired as a direct effect of the steroid infusion, as well as there was an increase in the filtered fraction of potassium. The creatinine clearance under treatment of high doses of steroids does not reflect the actual changes in glomerular filtration rate", "contents": "[Influence of intravenous steroid administration on kidney function]. The acute renal response to 1,0 g Prednisolon i.v. in kidney transplant recipients and normal controls was investigated. The results indicate an acute suppression of glomerular filtration rate (CIN, CCR) and effective plasma flow (CPAH). The reabsorption of sodium in the proximal tubule was shown to be impaired as a direct effect of the steroid infusion, as well as there was an increase in the filtered fraction of potassium. The creatinine clearance under treatment of high doses of steroids does not reflect the actual changes in glomerular filtration rate", "PMID": 786841} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7548", "title": "[Isolation and characterization of seryl- and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from yeast (author's transl)].", "content": "A procedure for the simultaneous isolation of seryl- and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from yeast is described. In addition some other synthetases as well as tRNA nucleotidyltransferase can be obtained in an enriched state. The isolated seryl- and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases were compared to earlier preparations with respect to purity, specific activity, and structure. Previous investigations with fluorescence spectroscopy and kinetic methods were complemented and extended by experiments on the specificity of aminoacylation and on the isolation, by sucrose gradient centrifugation, of complexes between synthetase and tRNA or tRNA fragments. A protection of synthetases against inactivation by addition of substrates was observed. The dissociation of seryl-tRNA synthetase, at low concentrations, into monomer subunits was investigated by chemical modification with bifunctional reagents and by kinetic experiments. By modification of SH-groups fluorescent dyes were incorporated into both, seryl- and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase which retained most of their activity. The binding of tRNAPhe to phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase which had been modified with pyrene maleimid was followed by fluorescence intensity measurements.", "contents": "[Isolation and characterization of seryl- and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from yeast (author's transl)]. A procedure for the simultaneous isolation of seryl- and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from yeast is described. In addition some other synthetases as well as tRNA nucleotidyltransferase can be obtained in an enriched state. The isolated seryl- and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases were compared to earlier preparations with respect to purity, specific activity, and structure. Previous investigations with fluorescence spectroscopy and kinetic methods were complemented and extended by experiments on the specificity of aminoacylation and on the isolation, by sucrose gradient centrifugation, of complexes between synthetase and tRNA or tRNA fragments. A protection of synthetases against inactivation by addition of substrates was observed. The dissociation of seryl-tRNA synthetase, at low concentrations, into monomer subunits was investigated by chemical modification with bifunctional reagents and by kinetic experiments. By modification of SH-groups fluorescent dyes were incorporated into both, seryl- and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase which retained most of their activity. The binding of tRNAPhe to phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase which had been modified with pyrene maleimid was followed by fluorescence intensity measurements.", "PMID": 786843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7549", "title": "Multiple forms of lysyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Lysyl-tRNA synthetase has been isolated from E. coli. The enzymatic activity elutes as three or four bands from a hydroxyl-apatite column. Polyacrylamide gel analysis shows that each of these bands contain more than one enzymatically active protein species. The molecular weights of the subunits of these species provides an explanation for the variation in the molecular weights previously reported for this enzyme.", "contents": "Multiple forms of lysyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli. Lysyl-tRNA synthetase has been isolated from E. coli. The enzymatic activity elutes as three or four bands from a hydroxyl-apatite column. Polyacrylamide gel analysis shows that each of these bands contain more than one enzymatically active protein species. The molecular weights of the subunits of these species provides an explanation for the variation in the molecular weights previously reported for this enzyme.", "PMID": 786844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7550", "title": "A computer package to facilitate compliance with utilization review requirements.", "content": "The Cumberland County CMHC in Fayetteville, North Carolina, developed a series of computer programs to produce the information that is required by area regional utilization review committees. There is a total of eight programs. The first establishes a master file and prints out all the information that has been gathered on all the clients. The other seven programs retrieve various portions of the data stored in the master file. The system does not require elaborate in-house computer equipment. It is easy to operate and benefits clients by enabling clinical staff to spend less time on documentation and more time on direct treatment.", "contents": "A computer package to facilitate compliance with utilization review requirements. The Cumberland County CMHC in Fayetteville, North Carolina, developed a series of computer programs to produce the information that is required by area regional utilization review committees. There is a total of eight programs. The first establishes a master file and prints out all the information that has been gathered on all the clients. The other seven programs retrieve various portions of the data stored in the master file. The system does not require elaborate in-house computer equipment. It is easy to operate and benefits clients by enabling clinical staff to spend less time on documentation and more time on direct treatment.", "PMID": 786846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7551", "title": "Membrane pathology of normal and malignant cells--a review.", "content": "The plasma membrane has been shown to play a critical role in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation, and pathologic change in the plasma membrane has been detected in neoplastic cells. This article reviews the structure and functions of biological membranes and discusses the differences that have been reported in the plasma membranes of normal and malignant cells that may be associated with neoplastic transformation.", "contents": "Membrane pathology of normal and malignant cells--a review. The plasma membrane has been shown to play a critical role in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation, and pathologic change in the plasma membrane has been detected in neoplastic cells. This article reviews the structure and functions of biological membranes and discusses the differences that have been reported in the plasma membranes of normal and malignant cells that may be associated with neoplastic transformation.", "PMID": 786849} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7552", "title": "Chromosome preparations from microplate cultures of man, dog, rat, and mouse.", "content": "A simple method for making chromosomal preparations from 10(5) leukocytes from man, dog, mouse, and rat and from 0.01 ml total human and dog blood is developed. The leukocytes and the peripheral blood are cultured in Cooke microtiter plates in a culture volume of 0.1 ml. The culture medium is R.P.M.I. 1640 supplemented with serum and phytohemagglutinin. The culture time is 72 or 96 h.", "contents": "Chromosome preparations from microplate cultures of man, dog, rat, and mouse. A simple method for making chromosomal preparations from 10(5) leukocytes from man, dog, mouse, and rat and from 0.01 ml total human and dog blood is developed. The leukocytes and the peripheral blood are cultured in Cooke microtiter plates in a culture volume of 0.1 ml. The culture medium is R.P.M.I. 1640 supplemented with serum and phytohemagglutinin. The culture time is 72 or 96 h.", "PMID": 786851} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7553", "title": "Human complementary component C'3: an appraisal.", "content": "Results obtained so far on the C3 polymorphism suggest that the system should be a valuable marker in population studies. The instability of the complement component C3 may, however, cause some practical problems in population genetic fieldwork, since a certain fraction of serum samples may be difficult to type with certainity due to storage alterations. Studies of the conversion rate and the concentration of C3 have shown that there is no significant difference between the phenotypes. And furthermore, the fact that there is good agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg distribution indicates that the conversion has had no appreciable selective effect on the phenotype distribution (Br\u00f6nnestam et al., 1971).", "contents": "Human complementary component C'3: an appraisal. Results obtained so far on the C3 polymorphism suggest that the system should be a valuable marker in population studies. The instability of the complement component C3 may, however, cause some practical problems in population genetic fieldwork, since a certain fraction of serum samples may be difficult to type with certainity due to storage alterations. Studies of the conversion rate and the concentration of C3 have shown that there is no significant difference between the phenotypes. And furthermore, the fact that there is good agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg distribution indicates that the conversion has had no appreciable selective effect on the phenotype distribution (Br\u00f6nnestam et al., 1971).", "PMID": 786850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7554", "title": "[Immunodiagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis author's transl)].", "content": "Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents a variety of immunological phenomena which can be of considerable diagnostic value. Of great significance is the determination of rheumatoid factors. Other autoantibodies are common but not specific for RA. Nevertheless the detection of such antibodies is beneficial for differential diagnostic considerations. Commonly demonstrated in rheumatoid arthritis are immune complexes which can be either soluble or within conclusions of circulating blood leucocytes or of synovial cells. Complement diminution can also be observed in RA, seldom in the serum, more often in synovial effusions. Like other humoral immune findings it lacks also disease specificity. A functional impairment of cellular immunity has also been postulated for rheumatoid arthritis, however the techniques for its demonstration are still cumbersome and cannot be easily used for routine diagnostic procedures. In conclusion, none of the immunological findings in RA is specific, however together with the anamnestic and clinical data it is possible to establish an exact diagnosis of this disease.", "contents": "[Immunodiagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis author's transl)]. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents a variety of immunological phenomena which can be of considerable diagnostic value. Of great significance is the determination of rheumatoid factors. Other autoantibodies are common but not specific for RA. Nevertheless the detection of such antibodies is beneficial for differential diagnostic considerations. Commonly demonstrated in rheumatoid arthritis are immune complexes which can be either soluble or within conclusions of circulating blood leucocytes or of synovial cells. Complement diminution can also be observed in RA, seldom in the serum, more often in synovial effusions. Like other humoral immune findings it lacks also disease specificity. A functional impairment of cellular immunity has also been postulated for rheumatoid arthritis, however the techniques for its demonstration are still cumbersome and cannot be easily used for routine diagnostic procedures. In conclusion, none of the immunological findings in RA is specific, however together with the anamnestic and clinical data it is possible to establish an exact diagnosis of this disease.", "PMID": 786855} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7555", "title": "[Application of the immunofluorescent (antibody technique) in clinical immunology I. Technical Considerations (author's transl)].", "content": "The main problem of fluorescent antibody techniques is the elimination of \"non-specific-staining (NSS)\". To assure specificity of the reactions the following points have to be taken into account. The preparation of monospecific antisera, the coupling and purification of fluorescent conjugates to achieve optimal molar fluorescein-protein (F/P)-ratios and of appropriate specificity controls. Furthermore the testing of the optimal method for tissue preparation or the investigation of isolated cells is necessary. The paper shows that there is need for a standardization of the fluorescent antibody technique to achieve comparable results in different laboratories.", "contents": "[Application of the immunofluorescent (antibody technique) in clinical immunology I. Technical Considerations (author's transl)]. The main problem of fluorescent antibody techniques is the elimination of \"non-specific-staining (NSS)\". To assure specificity of the reactions the following points have to be taken into account. The preparation of monospecific antisera, the coupling and purification of fluorescent conjugates to achieve optimal molar fluorescein-protein (F/P)-ratios and of appropriate specificity controls. Furthermore the testing of the optimal method for tissue preparation or the investigation of isolated cells is necessary. The paper shows that there is need for a standardization of the fluorescent antibody technique to achieve comparable results in different laboratories.", "PMID": 786856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7556", "title": "Effect on synthetic capacity of antibodies directed against receptors of allotype-bearing rabbit cells.", "content": "Rabbit immunoglobulin molecules possess antigenically distinct allotypic markers. Immunoglobulin molecules possessing such markers which are attached to the surfaces of lymphocyte precursors of antibody-forming cells are believed to serve as antigen receptors. Interactions between allotypic determinants and antibodies directed against them can provide useful models for the study of immunoregulatory phenomena. Exposure of a fetal or neonatal rabbit to antibodies against one of its immunoglobulin allotypes results in a persistent defect in expression of that type (allotype suppression). Some evidence indicates that this phenomenon involves specific active suppression by lymphoid cells. By examining the effects of anti-allotype antibodies on allotype-bearing lymphocytes in vitro, certain specific events surrounding the processes of lymphocyte ontogeny, and the differentiation and maturation of antibody-forming cells are being analyzed.", "contents": "Effect on synthetic capacity of antibodies directed against receptors of allotype-bearing rabbit cells. Rabbit immunoglobulin molecules possess antigenically distinct allotypic markers. Immunoglobulin molecules possessing such markers which are attached to the surfaces of lymphocyte precursors of antibody-forming cells are believed to serve as antigen receptors. Interactions between allotypic determinants and antibodies directed against them can provide useful models for the study of immunoregulatory phenomena. Exposure of a fetal or neonatal rabbit to antibodies against one of its immunoglobulin allotypes results in a persistent defect in expression of that type (allotype suppression). Some evidence indicates that this phenomenon involves specific active suppression by lymphoid cells. By examining the effects of anti-allotype antibodies on allotype-bearing lymphocytes in vitro, certain specific events surrounding the processes of lymphocyte ontogeny, and the differentiation and maturation of antibody-forming cells are being analyzed.", "PMID": 786860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7557", "title": "Properties of the Fc receptor on macrophages.", "content": "Macrophages and monocytes possess a surface receptor specific for the Fc region of certain subclasses of IgG. The binding site on IgG is localized within the Cgamma3 homology regions of the heavy chains. The intrinsic affinity of the receptor for IgG ranges from 10(6) to 10(8) M-1 depending on species and subclass of IgG. The most definitive studies on mouse macrophages indicate that IgG2a rapidly associates and dissociates from the receptor. The overall reaction is exothermic; increasing temperature lowers the intrinsic affinity. The Fc receptor, in common with many other membrane components, may be capped by polyvalent ligands under permissive conditions and capping is inhibited by azide. Data on the chemistry of the receptor is both sparse and conflicting. Sensitivity of the receptor of proteolytic enzymes has been clearly demonstrated for mouse macrophages although rabbit and guinea-pig cells appeared to carry resistant receptors. IgG-binding may be inhibited if cells are treated with phospholipases and certain group-specific reagents. Evidence is reviewed indicating that the Fc receptors found on various cell types are different. The macrophage Fc receptor appears to play a role in mediating phagocytosis and in non-immune cytotoxicity. Whether the receptor serves only to concentrates sensitized target cells at the cell surface or whether occupation of the receptors results in modulation of effector cell function remains to be determined.", "contents": "Properties of the Fc receptor on macrophages. Macrophages and monocytes possess a surface receptor specific for the Fc region of certain subclasses of IgG. The binding site on IgG is localized within the Cgamma3 homology regions of the heavy chains. The intrinsic affinity of the receptor for IgG ranges from 10(6) to 10(8) M-1 depending on species and subclass of IgG. The most definitive studies on mouse macrophages indicate that IgG2a rapidly associates and dissociates from the receptor. The overall reaction is exothermic; increasing temperature lowers the intrinsic affinity. The Fc receptor, in common with many other membrane components, may be capped by polyvalent ligands under permissive conditions and capping is inhibited by azide. Data on the chemistry of the receptor is both sparse and conflicting. Sensitivity of the receptor of proteolytic enzymes has been clearly demonstrated for mouse macrophages although rabbit and guinea-pig cells appeared to carry resistant receptors. IgG-binding may be inhibited if cells are treated with phospholipases and certain group-specific reagents. Evidence is reviewed indicating that the Fc receptors found on various cell types are different. The macrophage Fc receptor appears to play a role in mediating phagocytosis and in non-immune cytotoxicity. Whether the receptor serves only to concentrates sensitized target cells at the cell surface or whether occupation of the receptors results in modulation of effector cell function remains to be determined.", "PMID": 786861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7558", "title": "Evolutionary and developmental aspects of T-cell recognition.", "content": "Studies relating to the nature of the antigen-specific T-cell receptor are reviewed in the light of present knowledge of phylogenetic and ontogenetic development. It is suggested that this evidence supports the concept that immunoglobulin (Ig) is the T-cell receptor, and that the following conclusions may be tentatively drawn.", "contents": "Evolutionary and developmental aspects of T-cell recognition. Studies relating to the nature of the antigen-specific T-cell receptor are reviewed in the light of present knowledge of phylogenetic and ontogenetic development. It is suggested that this evidence supports the concept that immunoglobulin (Ig) is the T-cell receptor, and that the following conclusions may be tentatively drawn.", "PMID": 786862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7559", "title": "The immunology of the insulin receptor.", "content": "We have detected and characterized anti-insulin-receptor autoantibodies which circulate in several patients with insulin resistance diabetes. These antibodies are predominantly IgG and are polyclonal. They inhibit insulin binding to its receptor on a variety of tissues from widely separated species. Antibodies obtained from different patients appear to bind to different determinants on the receptor and alter receptor function in several ways. Some anti-receptor antibodies are capable of stimulating insulin-like effects on target tissues, while others block insulin-stimulated effects. Direct labeling of anti-receptor antibody with 125I permits use of these antibodies as an assay and probe of insulin receptors.", "contents": "The immunology of the insulin receptor. We have detected and characterized anti-insulin-receptor autoantibodies which circulate in several patients with insulin resistance diabetes. These antibodies are predominantly IgG and are polyclonal. They inhibit insulin binding to its receptor on a variety of tissues from widely separated species. Antibodies obtained from different patients appear to bind to different determinants on the receptor and alter receptor function in several ways. Some anti-receptor antibodies are capable of stimulating insulin-like effects on target tissues, while others block insulin-stimulated effects. Direct labeling of anti-receptor antibody with 125I permits use of these antibodies as an assay and probe of insulin receptors.", "PMID": 786863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7560", "title": "Immunological probes into the mechanism of cholera toxin action.", "content": "The use of antibodies to specific cell surface proteins or to ligands which interact with cell surface receptors is a powerful tool for analyzing the properties of membrane proteins and the consequences of specific cell surface ligand-receptor interactions. Two central observations concerning membrane structure and function, - the diffusibility of membrane proteins (1) and ligand-triggered modulation of specific receptors (2), have derived from the use of antibodies to analyze the properties of membrane proteins. In our study of the mechanism of action of cholera toxin, a protein which binds to a specific cell surface receptor and results in the activation of adenyl cyclase, considerable information has been gained through the use of immunological techniques. This review will briefly summarize the data underlying our current concept of cholera toxin action at the cell membrane and will emphasize those observations made through the use of immunological approaches.", "contents": "Immunological probes into the mechanism of cholera toxin action. The use of antibodies to specific cell surface proteins or to ligands which interact with cell surface receptors is a powerful tool for analyzing the properties of membrane proteins and the consequences of specific cell surface ligand-receptor interactions. Two central observations concerning membrane structure and function, - the diffusibility of membrane proteins (1) and ligand-triggered modulation of specific receptors (2), have derived from the use of antibodies to analyze the properties of membrane proteins. In our study of the mechanism of action of cholera toxin, a protein which binds to a specific cell surface receptor and results in the activation of adenyl cyclase, considerable information has been gained through the use of immunological techniques. This review will briefly summarize the data underlying our current concept of cholera toxin action at the cell membrane and will emphasize those observations made through the use of immunological approaches.", "PMID": 786864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7561", "title": "Some physical chemical aspects of receptor-ligand interactions.", "content": "Quantitative evaluations of a variety of binding reactions of interest to immunologists have usually assumed that the reactants are homogenously dispersed in solution for purposes of calculation. In fact, many of these reactions involve cell-bound \"receptors\" which are present at exceedingly high local concentrations on discrete particles. We describe how such a distribution can influence the experimentally measured binding constants. We also briefly consider the additional complexities introduced when multipoint attachment between the ligand and cell-bound receptors is possible, and discuss the possible biological implications.", "contents": "Some physical chemical aspects of receptor-ligand interactions. Quantitative evaluations of a variety of binding reactions of interest to immunologists have usually assumed that the reactants are homogenously dispersed in solution for purposes of calculation. In fact, many of these reactions involve cell-bound \"receptors\" which are present at exceedingly high local concentrations on discrete particles. We describe how such a distribution can influence the experimentally measured binding constants. We also briefly consider the additional complexities introduced when multipoint attachment between the ligand and cell-bound receptors is possible, and discuss the possible biological implications.", "PMID": 786865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7562", "title": "Antisera to mast cells and the receptor for IgE.", "content": "Recent studies on the receptor for IgE on rat mast cells and rat basophilic leukemia cells have established that this receptor has a molecular weight of about 60,000 daltons and is, at least in part, a protein. However, so far no antisera, monospecific for this receptor, are available. Only antisera to mast cells have been described. Such antisera are capable of releasing histamine from mast cells, but only in the presence of complement. In most instances such antisera were not specific for mast cells only, but in some cases they were rendered specific by absorption with lymph node cells or liver cells. One report demonstrates that such an absorbed antiserum was capable of inhibiting the binding of IgE to mast cells. Moreover, it precipitated several mast cell surface components. One of these possibly was the receptor for IgE.", "contents": "Antisera to mast cells and the receptor for IgE. Recent studies on the receptor for IgE on rat mast cells and rat basophilic leukemia cells have established that this receptor has a molecular weight of about 60,000 daltons and is, at least in part, a protein. However, so far no antisera, monospecific for this receptor, are available. Only antisera to mast cells have been described. Such antisera are capable of releasing histamine from mast cells, but only in the presence of complement. In most instances such antisera were not specific for mast cells only, but in some cases they were rendered specific by absorption with lymph node cells or liver cells. One report demonstrates that such an absorbed antiserum was capable of inhibiting the binding of IgE to mast cells. Moreover, it precipitated several mast cell surface components. One of these possibly was the receptor for IgE.", "PMID": 786866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7563", "title": "Inhibition of B lymphocyte activation by interaction with Fc receptors.", "content": "Much early work indicated that specific antibody can play an inhibitory role in the immune response. This inhibitory activity was found to be dependent on an intact Fc portion of the antibody used, both in vivo and in vitro. Thus a role for lymphocyte Fc receptors in regulations of the immune response was suggested. However, soluble antigen-antibody complexes, which bind to Fc receptors, do not appear to inhibit B cell activation. Recent experiments have demonstrated that antigen-antibody complexes immobilized on a surface strikingly inhibit LPS induced B cell mitogenesis and polyclonal antibody synthesis. Mechanisms for Fc receptor-mediated inhibition of B cell activation have been considered, and a model proposed to explain many of these findings as well as allow for antigen specific inhibition.", "contents": "Inhibition of B lymphocyte activation by interaction with Fc receptors. Much early work indicated that specific antibody can play an inhibitory role in the immune response. This inhibitory activity was found to be dependent on an intact Fc portion of the antibody used, both in vivo and in vitro. Thus a role for lymphocyte Fc receptors in regulations of the immune response was suggested. However, soluble antigen-antibody complexes, which bind to Fc receptors, do not appear to inhibit B cell activation. Recent experiments have demonstrated that antigen-antibody complexes immobilized on a surface strikingly inhibit LPS induced B cell mitogenesis and polyclonal antibody synthesis. Mechanisms for Fc receptor-mediated inhibition of B cell activation have been considered, and a model proposed to explain many of these findings as well as allow for antigen specific inhibition.", "PMID": 786867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7564", "title": "Characterization of the virulence and antigenic structure of Salmonella typhimurium strains with lipopolysaccharide core defects.", "content": "The virulence and antigenic characters of Salmonella typhimurium strains, identical except for known lipopolysaccharide core defects, were compared. Smooth strains multiplied extensively and killed most mice. Deep rough strains containing only heptose I or heptose I and II in the rough core were completely eliminated after 6 h, whereas more superficial rough strains containing additional core sugars could be detected in low numbers (10(4) colony-forming units/g of tissue) for at least 7 days postinjection. Normal human serum exhaustively absorbed with certain rough strains was tested for ability to kill other rough strains. Two strains with the most superficial defects (rfaJ, rfaL) each had a unique serological character; strains with deeper defects showed much cross-reactivity. Similarities between the susceptibility of strains to the bactericidal effect of specifically absorbed serum correlated, in some cases, with similarities in in vivo behavior.", "contents": "Characterization of the virulence and antigenic structure of Salmonella typhimurium strains with lipopolysaccharide core defects. The virulence and antigenic characters of Salmonella typhimurium strains, identical except for known lipopolysaccharide core defects, were compared. Smooth strains multiplied extensively and killed most mice. Deep rough strains containing only heptose I or heptose I and II in the rough core were completely eliminated after 6 h, whereas more superficial rough strains containing additional core sugars could be detected in low numbers (10(4) colony-forming units/g of tissue) for at least 7 days postinjection. Normal human serum exhaustively absorbed with certain rough strains was tested for ability to kill other rough strains. Two strains with the most superficial defects (rfaJ, rfaL) each had a unique serological character; strains with deeper defects showed much cross-reactivity. Similarities between the susceptibility of strains to the bactericidal effect of specifically absorbed serum correlated, in some cases, with similarities in in vivo behavior.", "PMID": 786875} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7565", "title": "Immunogenicity of a purified and carrier-complexed streptococcal lipoteichoic acid.", "content": "Solublie teichoic acid could not stimulate the formation of antibodies either as an aqueous solution or in an emulsion with Freund incomplete adjuvant. However, when given as precipitates with methylated bovine serum albumin, it stimulated strong anti-teichoic acid responses. High levels of anti-teichoic acid antibodies usually resulted in allergic symptoms upon secondary challenge either with immunogenic teichoic acid-methylated bovine albumin complexes or with non-immunogenic soluble teichoic acid. These symptoms suggested anaphylatic shock, but probably also included the formation of complement-consuming immune complexes.", "contents": "Immunogenicity of a purified and carrier-complexed streptococcal lipoteichoic acid. Solublie teichoic acid could not stimulate the formation of antibodies either as an aqueous solution or in an emulsion with Freund incomplete adjuvant. However, when given as precipitates with methylated bovine serum albumin, it stimulated strong anti-teichoic acid responses. High levels of anti-teichoic acid antibodies usually resulted in allergic symptoms upon secondary challenge either with immunogenic teichoic acid-methylated bovine albumin complexes or with non-immunogenic soluble teichoic acid. These symptoms suggested anaphylatic shock, but probably also included the formation of complement-consuming immune complexes.", "PMID": 786876} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7566", "title": "Role of platelets in the pathogenesis of canine endotoxin shock.", "content": "Endotoxin-platelet interactions are thought to be of major importance in the response of dogs and other species to bacterial endotoxin; the mechanisms postulated are: (i) the release of vasoactive substances, (ii) the formation of occlusive platelet aggregates, and (iii) induction of intravascular coagulation. The role of platelets in canine endotoxin shock was examined in animals with thrombocytopenia induced by estrogen pretreatment (less than 10,000 platelets/mm3) and in controls. After intravenously administered endotoxin, the hemodynamic responses, mortality, and gross necropsy findings were similar in both groups. These data indicate that endotoxin-platelet interactions are not determinative in the pathogenesis of canine endotoxin shock.", "contents": "Role of platelets in the pathogenesis of canine endotoxin shock. Endotoxin-platelet interactions are thought to be of major importance in the response of dogs and other species to bacterial endotoxin; the mechanisms postulated are: (i) the release of vasoactive substances, (ii) the formation of occlusive platelet aggregates, and (iii) induction of intravascular coagulation. The role of platelets in canine endotoxin shock was examined in animals with thrombocytopenia induced by estrogen pretreatment (less than 10,000 platelets/mm3) and in controls. After intravenously administered endotoxin, the hemodynamic responses, mortality, and gross necropsy findings were similar in both groups. These data indicate that endotoxin-platelet interactions are not determinative in the pathogenesis of canine endotoxin shock.", "PMID": 786877} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7567", "title": "Effect of enterobacterial common antigen on mouse virulence of Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "A series of nearly isogenic O4-12, and O-6,7 Salmonella typhimurium strains differing in regard to the enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) were constructed by conjugation. When tested in intraperitoneal infection of mice, the O-4,12 strains containing ECA were more virulent than their O-4,12 sister recombinants without ECA (P = less than 0.001). The same difference could be shown with ECA-positive and ECA-negative S. typhimurium derivatives, whose O antigens were of the group C type (O-6,7). The ECA-positive and ECA-negative O-4,12 strains did not differ in their growth rates in broth or clearance rates in vivo.", "contents": "Effect of enterobacterial common antigen on mouse virulence of Salmonella typhimurium. A series of nearly isogenic O4-12, and O-6,7 Salmonella typhimurium strains differing in regard to the enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) were constructed by conjugation. When tested in intraperitoneal infection of mice, the O-4,12 strains containing ECA were more virulent than their O-4,12 sister recombinants without ECA (P = less than 0.001). The same difference could be shown with ECA-positive and ECA-negative S. typhimurium derivatives, whose O antigens were of the group C type (O-6,7). The ECA-positive and ECA-negative O-4,12 strains did not differ in their growth rates in broth or clearance rates in vivo.", "PMID": 786878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7568", "title": "Treponema pallidum infection in subcutaneous polyethylene chambers in rabbits.", "content": "Male New Zealand white rabbits with subcutaneous polyethylene chambers in place for at least 3 months were inoculated by one of the following three methods: (i) \"intra-chamber\" (IC) inoculation with \"normal\" chamber fluid: (ii) intratesticular inoculation with Treponema pallidum; or (iii) IC inoculation with T. pallidum. Rabbits given dexamethasone only, oxisuran only, both drugs, or no drug were observed serially after inoculation. T. pallidum survived and temporarily multiplied to significant numbers within subucutaneous chambers after IC inoculation in rabbits given dexamethasone. In rabbits not treated with dexamethasone, T. pallidum counts in chamber fluid decreased rapidly and remained at low levels for 30 days after IC inoculation. Oxisuran appeared to have little or no effect on T. pallidum multiplication. All rabbits studied had a nonreactive serum and chamber fluid serological test for syphilis before inoculation. All rabbits inoculated with T. pallidum eventually developed reactive serum and chamber fluid serological tests. The IC route of inoculation was associated with a delay in the development of serum serological reactivity and with earlier chamber fluid reactivity as compared with the intratesticular route of inoculation. An immediate but transent influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes was associated with IC inoculation of T. pallidum. Chamber fluid total protein content declined very slightly in all groups of rabbits during the month after inoculations. Successful cultivation of T. pallidum in an in vivo setting suggests that this animal model may be useful in further studies of the biology of the organism of the pathogenesis, immunology, and treatment of syphilis.", "contents": "Treponema pallidum infection in subcutaneous polyethylene chambers in rabbits. Male New Zealand white rabbits with subcutaneous polyethylene chambers in place for at least 3 months were inoculated by one of the following three methods: (i) \"intra-chamber\" (IC) inoculation with \"normal\" chamber fluid: (ii) intratesticular inoculation with Treponema pallidum; or (iii) IC inoculation with T. pallidum. Rabbits given dexamethasone only, oxisuran only, both drugs, or no drug were observed serially after inoculation. T. pallidum survived and temporarily multiplied to significant numbers within subucutaneous chambers after IC inoculation in rabbits given dexamethasone. In rabbits not treated with dexamethasone, T. pallidum counts in chamber fluid decreased rapidly and remained at low levels for 30 days after IC inoculation. Oxisuran appeared to have little or no effect on T. pallidum multiplication. All rabbits studied had a nonreactive serum and chamber fluid serological test for syphilis before inoculation. All rabbits inoculated with T. pallidum eventually developed reactive serum and chamber fluid serological tests. The IC route of inoculation was associated with a delay in the development of serum serological reactivity and with earlier chamber fluid reactivity as compared with the intratesticular route of inoculation. An immediate but transent influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes was associated with IC inoculation of T. pallidum. Chamber fluid total protein content declined very slightly in all groups of rabbits during the month after inoculations. Successful cultivation of T. pallidum in an in vivo setting suggests that this animal model may be useful in further studies of the biology of the organism of the pathogenesis, immunology, and treatment of syphilis.", "PMID": 786879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7569", "title": "Distribution of dengue-2 antigens by electron immunocytochemistry.", "content": "The distribution of dengue-2 antigens was studied in infected monkey kidney cells (LLC MK2) using an indirect, horseradish peroxidase-conjugated immunoglobulin technique. This procedure allowed both light and electron microscopic examination of serial-step sections of individual cells cut in a plane perpendicular to the monolayer. Both virion and nonvirion antigens were identified on the plasma membrane with this technique. A diffuse cytoplasmic reaction product was also present. The intensity and distribution of the cytoplasmic reaction product was related to disruption of the plasma membrane.", "contents": "Distribution of dengue-2 antigens by electron immunocytochemistry. The distribution of dengue-2 antigens was studied in infected monkey kidney cells (LLC MK2) using an indirect, horseradish peroxidase-conjugated immunoglobulin technique. This procedure allowed both light and electron microscopic examination of serial-step sections of individual cells cut in a plane perpendicular to the monolayer. Both virion and nonvirion antigens were identified on the plasma membrane with this technique. A diffuse cytoplasmic reaction product was also present. The intensity and distribution of the cytoplasmic reaction product was related to disruption of the plasma membrane.", "PMID": 786880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7570", "title": "Partial purification and characterization of a heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli.", "content": "A partially purified enterotoxin was obtained from the growth medium of Escherichia coli strain 711 (P307), a derivative of E. coli K-12, by ultrafiltration, precipitation with ammonium sulfate, molecular sieving, and anion exchange column chromatography. The active moiety, which is heat-labile, behaved like a protein particle of 180,000 to 200,000 daltons during molecular sieving and ultracentrifugation. During polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE), it dissociated into two subunits with apparent molecular weights of 68,000 to 70,000 and 14,000 to 15,000. SDS-PAGE after heating in SDS changed the larger subunit to an apparent molecular weight of about 40,000; the smaller subunit did not change. The intact particle induced rounding of the cells in Y-1 mouse adrenal tumor cells used for assay. The detergent-dissociated molecules were not active. Proteolysis of the purified toxin by tolylsulfonyl phenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone-trypsin appeared to enhance its activity. The addition of serum to the assay medium resulted in partial depression of the activity. Activity was also abolished by preincubation of the toxin with either a rabbit antiserum to it or solutions containing GM1 ganglioside. The length of time needed to evoke a response in the assay system by fractions from different stages in the purification of the enterotoxin was a useful parameter in the evaluation of specific activity.", "contents": "Partial purification and characterization of a heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli. A partially purified enterotoxin was obtained from the growth medium of Escherichia coli strain 711 (P307), a derivative of E. coli K-12, by ultrafiltration, precipitation with ammonium sulfate, molecular sieving, and anion exchange column chromatography. The active moiety, which is heat-labile, behaved like a protein particle of 180,000 to 200,000 daltons during molecular sieving and ultracentrifugation. During polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE), it dissociated into two subunits with apparent molecular weights of 68,000 to 70,000 and 14,000 to 15,000. SDS-PAGE after heating in SDS changed the larger subunit to an apparent molecular weight of about 40,000; the smaller subunit did not change. The intact particle induced rounding of the cells in Y-1 mouse adrenal tumor cells used for assay. The detergent-dissociated molecules were not active. Proteolysis of the purified toxin by tolylsulfonyl phenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone-trypsin appeared to enhance its activity. The addition of serum to the assay medium resulted in partial depression of the activity. Activity was also abolished by preincubation of the toxin with either a rabbit antiserum to it or solutions containing GM1 ganglioside. The length of time needed to evoke a response in the assay system by fractions from different stages in the purification of the enterotoxin was a useful parameter in the evaluation of specific activity.", "PMID": 786881} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7571", "title": "Gastrointestinal candidiasis in rats treated with antibiotics, cortisone, and azathioprine.", "content": "Conventional albino rats treated with peroral chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and/or parenteral cortisone were challenged with Candida albicans Antibiotics and cortisone were equally effective in predisposing the animals to colonization by the fungus. All animals treated with both antibiotics and cortisone developed defined, focal, superficial invasion of the cornified squamous epithelium of the stomach next to its junction with the glandular mucosa, as well as focal superficial invasion of the esophagus. Equivalent yeast cell and mycelial inocula of C. albicans were equally effective in producing colonization and invasion of the gut. Dissemination of the fungus from the gut was not found even after the addition of azathioprine to the treatment regimen; however, such addition did predispose to more extensive and severe lesions of the esophagus and stomach. Approximately 25% of infected cortisone- and antibiotic-treated rats developed agglutinins against C. albicans by 22 to 23 days after challenge, whereas 15% developed precipitins. The antibiotic-cortisone-treated rat may be a useful and consistent experimental model in the study of gastrointestinal candidiasis.", "contents": "Gastrointestinal candidiasis in rats treated with antibiotics, cortisone, and azathioprine. Conventional albino rats treated with peroral chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and/or parenteral cortisone were challenged with Candida albicans Antibiotics and cortisone were equally effective in predisposing the animals to colonization by the fungus. All animals treated with both antibiotics and cortisone developed defined, focal, superficial invasion of the cornified squamous epithelium of the stomach next to its junction with the glandular mucosa, as well as focal superficial invasion of the esophagus. Equivalent yeast cell and mycelial inocula of C. albicans were equally effective in producing colonization and invasion of the gut. Dissemination of the fungus from the gut was not found even after the addition of azathioprine to the treatment regimen; however, such addition did predispose to more extensive and severe lesions of the esophagus and stomach. Approximately 25% of infected cortisone- and antibiotic-treated rats developed agglutinins against C. albicans by 22 to 23 days after challenge, whereas 15% developed precipitins. The antibiotic-cortisone-treated rat may be a useful and consistent experimental model in the study of gastrointestinal candidiasis.", "PMID": 786882} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7572", "title": "Bacterial competition as a means of preventing neonatal diarrhea in pigs.", "content": "Baby pigs orally inoculated with a porcine strain of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (K88+,Ent+) showed signs of depression, severe diarrhea, and, in some instances, death. Few, if any, signs of illness occurred if baby pigs were first inoculated with a K88 possessing non-enterotoxin-producing strain of E. coli.", "contents": "Bacterial competition as a means of preventing neonatal diarrhea in pigs. Baby pigs orally inoculated with a porcine strain of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (K88+,Ent+) showed signs of depression, severe diarrhea, and, in some instances, death. Few, if any, signs of illness occurred if baby pigs were first inoculated with a K88 possessing non-enterotoxin-producing strain of E. coli.", "PMID": 786883} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7573", "title": "Plasmid-mediated properties of a heat-stable enterotoxin-producing Escherichia coli associated with infantile diarrhea.", "content": "The plasmid mediation and transmissibility of heat-stable enterotoxin production and multiple antibiotic resistance have been demonstrated for Escherichia coli O78:K80:H12 epidemiologically incriminated in a hospital outbreak of infantile diarrhea. The conjugal transfer of a 67 X 10(6) - and a 30 X 10(6)-dalton plasmid was associated with the transfer of resistances and enterotoxin production, respectively. Using antibiotics to select E. coli K-12 transconjugants from a one-step bacterial cross, all of the monitored resistances were transferred concurrently, and 36% of the resistant transconjugants produced enterotoxin.", "contents": "Plasmid-mediated properties of a heat-stable enterotoxin-producing Escherichia coli associated with infantile diarrhea. The plasmid mediation and transmissibility of heat-stable enterotoxin production and multiple antibiotic resistance have been demonstrated for Escherichia coli O78:K80:H12 epidemiologically incriminated in a hospital outbreak of infantile diarrhea. The conjugal transfer of a 67 X 10(6) - and a 30 X 10(6)-dalton plasmid was associated with the transfer of resistances and enterotoxin production, respectively. Using antibiotics to select E. coli K-12 transconjugants from a one-step bacterial cross, all of the monitored resistances were transferred concurrently, and 36% of the resistant transconjugants produced enterotoxin.", "PMID": 786884} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7574", "title": "Depression of the immune response to sheep erythrocytes in mice infected with Taenia crassiceps larvae.", "content": "Intraperitoneal infection of mice with larvae of the cestode parasite Taenia crassiceps results in depression of both primary and secondary antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes in vivo. The depression is not associated with a shift in kinetics of the response. Both immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG responses are depressed, but IgG is depressed more than IgM in the secondary response. Secondary in vitro sheep erythrocyte responses are consistently depressed in both spleen and mesenteric lymph node cell preparations from infected mice, whereas primary in vitro sheep erythrocyte responses are consistently depressed in mesenteric lymph node cell preparations but not always in spleen cell preparations. These results are consistent with antigenic competition. The cell type or types involved in mediation of the immunological defect in the infected animals remain to be identified.", "contents": "Depression of the immune response to sheep erythrocytes in mice infected with Taenia crassiceps larvae. Intraperitoneal infection of mice with larvae of the cestode parasite Taenia crassiceps results in depression of both primary and secondary antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes in vivo. The depression is not associated with a shift in kinetics of the response. Both immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG responses are depressed, but IgG is depressed more than IgM in the secondary response. Secondary in vitro sheep erythrocyte responses are consistently depressed in both spleen and mesenteric lymph node cell preparations from infected mice, whereas primary in vitro sheep erythrocyte responses are consistently depressed in mesenteric lymph node cell preparations but not always in spleen cell preparations. These results are consistent with antigenic competition. The cell type or types involved in mediation of the immunological defect in the infected animals remain to be identified.", "PMID": 786885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7575", "title": "Influence of rodent malaria on the course of Leishmania enriettii infection of hamsters.", "content": "Plasmodium yoelii infection was established in hamsters, and the effect of this type of malaria on concurrent Leishmania enriettii infection was examined. It was found that the course of the L. enriettii infection was affected by P. yoelii and that this effect depended on the relative timing of the two infections. A chronic malarial infection with Plasmodium berghei was also established in hamsters, and this was found to affect the course of a concurrent L. enriettii infection in a similar manner to P. yoelii. These results are discussed in relation to current knowledge of the immunosuppressive effects of plasmodia.", "contents": "Influence of rodent malaria on the course of Leishmania enriettii infection of hamsters. Plasmodium yoelii infection was established in hamsters, and the effect of this type of malaria on concurrent Leishmania enriettii infection was examined. It was found that the course of the L. enriettii infection was affected by P. yoelii and that this effect depended on the relative timing of the two infections. A chronic malarial infection with Plasmodium berghei was also established in hamsters, and this was found to affect the course of a concurrent L. enriettii infection in a similar manner to P. yoelii. These results are discussed in relation to current knowledge of the immunosuppressive effects of plasmodia.", "PMID": 786886} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7576", "title": "Formation of crystalline deposits by several genera of the family Enterobacteriaceae.", "content": "Several species of bacteria from the family Enterobacteriaceae formed crystalline materials containing calcium when grown in a defined culture medium. Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Citrobacter freundii, and C. intermedius produced calcium pyrophosphate crystals. Edwardsiella tarda and Escherichia coli formed calcite III crystals, whereas Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Providencia stuartii, and Serratia marcescens produced hydroxyapatite crystals. Several of these bacteria have been isolated from the kidneys of patients with kidney stones, indicating that microorganisms may be involved in the enucleation process of kidney stone formation.", "contents": "Formation of crystalline deposits by several genera of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Several species of bacteria from the family Enterobacteriaceae formed crystalline materials containing calcium when grown in a defined culture medium. Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Citrobacter freundii, and C. intermedius produced calcium pyrophosphate crystals. Edwardsiella tarda and Escherichia coli formed calcite III crystals, whereas Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Providencia stuartii, and Serratia marcescens produced hydroxyapatite crystals. Several of these bacteria have been isolated from the kidneys of patients with kidney stones, indicating that microorganisms may be involved in the enucleation process of kidney stone formation.", "PMID": 786887} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7577", "title": "Phage conversion to hemagglutinin production in Clostridium botulinum types C and D.", "content": "Five toxigenic strains of Clostridium botulinum types C and D were incubated at 37 degrees C for 7 days in 15 ml of the following media: LYG medium, cooked-meat medium, egg meat medium, and N-Z-amine medium. The supernatants of these cultures were tested for hemagglutinin production with 1% erythrocytes obtained from mice, guinea pigs, chickens, sheep, monkeys, and humans. Four toxigenic strains produced hemagglutinin. The highest hemagglutinin titer was obtained with a combination of human erythrocytes and cultures incubated in LYG medium. When the same experiment was carried out with many nontoxigenic strains, hemagglutination was observed in only one strain, C-N71. Strains producing hemagglutinin also produced phages. The phages obtained from toxin- and hemagglutinin-producing strains converted nontoxigenic indicator strains to produce both toxin and hemagglutinin. The phage obtained from a toxin-positive hemagglutinin-negative strain could only induce cultures to produce toxin, and the phage from a toxin-negative hemagglutinin-positive strain could only induce production of hemagglutinin. These studies suggest that the production of hemagglutinin by C. botulinum types C and D is governed by bacteriophages and that hemagglutinin production can be transmitted separately or concomitantly with toxin production.", "contents": "Phage conversion to hemagglutinin production in Clostridium botulinum types C and D. Five toxigenic strains of Clostridium botulinum types C and D were incubated at 37 degrees C for 7 days in 15 ml of the following media: LYG medium, cooked-meat medium, egg meat medium, and N-Z-amine medium. The supernatants of these cultures were tested for hemagglutinin production with 1% erythrocytes obtained from mice, guinea pigs, chickens, sheep, monkeys, and humans. Four toxigenic strains produced hemagglutinin. The highest hemagglutinin titer was obtained with a combination of human erythrocytes and cultures incubated in LYG medium. When the same experiment was carried out with many nontoxigenic strains, hemagglutination was observed in only one strain, C-N71. Strains producing hemagglutinin also produced phages. The phages obtained from toxin- and hemagglutinin-producing strains converted nontoxigenic indicator strains to produce both toxin and hemagglutinin. The phage obtained from a toxin-positive hemagglutinin-negative strain could only induce cultures to produce toxin, and the phage from a toxin-negative hemagglutinin-positive strain could only induce production of hemagglutinin. These studies suggest that the production of hemagglutinin by C. botulinum types C and D is governed by bacteriophages and that hemagglutinin production can be transmitted separately or concomitantly with toxin production.", "PMID": 786888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7578", "title": "Variability of protection in inbred mice induced by a ribosomal vaccine prepared from Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Ribosomal vaccines prepared from Salmonella typhimurium were effective immunogens in A/J inbred mice and C3H/HeTex, inbred mice. However, ribosomal vaccines were not protective in C57BL/6J inbred mice. A/J mice were protected against lethal challenge by attenuated S. typhimurium live-cell, ribosomal, phenol, and heat-killed vaccines. C3H/HeTex mice were protected by live-cell, ribosomal, and phenol vaccines but not the heat-killed vaccine. Only the live-cell vaccine gave significant protection in the C57BL/6J inbred mice. A comparison of the kinetics of infection in sham-immunized mice and mice immunized with ribosomes showed that ribosome preparations elicited protection against Salmonella infection in mice inherently sensitive and resistant to Salmonella.", "contents": "Variability of protection in inbred mice induced by a ribosomal vaccine prepared from Salmonella typhimurium. Ribosomal vaccines prepared from Salmonella typhimurium were effective immunogens in A/J inbred mice and C3H/HeTex, inbred mice. However, ribosomal vaccines were not protective in C57BL/6J inbred mice. A/J mice were protected against lethal challenge by attenuated S. typhimurium live-cell, ribosomal, phenol, and heat-killed vaccines. C3H/HeTex mice were protected by live-cell, ribosomal, and phenol vaccines but not the heat-killed vaccine. Only the live-cell vaccine gave significant protection in the C57BL/6J inbred mice. A comparison of the kinetics of infection in sham-immunized mice and mice immunized with ribosomes showed that ribosome preparations elicited protection against Salmonella infection in mice inherently sensitive and resistant to Salmonella.", "PMID": 786889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7579", "title": "Isolation of skin permeability factors from culture filtrates of Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Engerotoxins isolated from Vibrio cholerae and toxigenic Escherichia coli cause permeability alterations in rabbit skin. Firm induration and erythema are observed within 18 to 24 h, and visualization of the reaction may be enhanced by intravenous injection of Pontamine sky blue dye. Two skin permeability factors (PF) have been found in culture filtrates of Salmonella typhimurium. A rapid acting factor, produced optimally in brain heart infusion broth at 37 degrees C by numerous Salmonella species, has a critical bluing time of 1 h after completion of skin testing. This rapid PF is heat stable at 100 degrees C for at least 4 h and has no associated induration. The delayed factor is heat labile, being completly destroyed within 30 min at 75 degrees C and causes marked duration of the rabbit skin within 18 h that is indistinguishable from the permeability reactions of V. cholerae and E. coli enterotoxins. Induration produced by the delayed PF is observed only after chromatography of the culture filtrate on a Sephadex G-100 column. Thus, the effects of the delayed PF appear to be masked or blocked by an inhibitor-like substance present in crude culture filtrates. Both early and delayed factors are estimated to have a molecular weight of at least 90,000. It is postulated that one or both of these factors may participate in the pathogenesis of Salmonella infections.", "contents": "Isolation of skin permeability factors from culture filtrates of Salmonella typhimurium. Engerotoxins isolated from Vibrio cholerae and toxigenic Escherichia coli cause permeability alterations in rabbit skin. Firm induration and erythema are observed within 18 to 24 h, and visualization of the reaction may be enhanced by intravenous injection of Pontamine sky blue dye. Two skin permeability factors (PF) have been found in culture filtrates of Salmonella typhimurium. A rapid acting factor, produced optimally in brain heart infusion broth at 37 degrees C by numerous Salmonella species, has a critical bluing time of 1 h after completion of skin testing. This rapid PF is heat stable at 100 degrees C for at least 4 h and has no associated induration. The delayed factor is heat labile, being completly destroyed within 30 min at 75 degrees C and causes marked duration of the rabbit skin within 18 h that is indistinguishable from the permeability reactions of V. cholerae and E. coli enterotoxins. Induration produced by the delayed PF is observed only after chromatography of the culture filtrate on a Sephadex G-100 column. Thus, the effects of the delayed PF appear to be masked or blocked by an inhibitor-like substance present in crude culture filtrates. Both early and delayed factors are estimated to have a molecular weight of at least 90,000. It is postulated that one or both of these factors may participate in the pathogenesis of Salmonella infections.", "PMID": 786890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7580", "title": "Nature of the effector cells responsible for antibody-dependent cell-mediated killing of Cryptococcus neoformans.", "content": "Studies were performed to identify the types of human peripheral blood leukocytes capable of killing Cryptococcus neoformans in the presence of anticryptococcal antibody in vitro. A total of 24.1 +/- 2.7% (mean +/- standard error of the mean of four experiments) of the original cryptococcal inoculum survived in a mixed mononuclear, cell preparation (approximately 30% monocytes) after 4 h of incubation at 37 degrees C with rabbit anticryptococcal antibody. When phagocytic cells were removed, there was 36.4 +/- 4.6% survival in six experiments, compared with 52.8% survival in the presence of purified granulocytes (mean of two experiments) and 96.9 +/- 1% survival in the presence of purified T cells. There was never any significant killing in control mixtures that contained leukocytes with normal rabbit serum nor in those that contained anticryptococcal antibody without effector leukocytes. Significant antibody-dependent fungicidal activity was seen with ratios of effector to target cells as low as 6.25:1. These observations indicate that multiple types of peripheral blood leukocytes, excluding T cells, are capable of antibody-dependent fungicidal activity.", "contents": "Nature of the effector cells responsible for antibody-dependent cell-mediated killing of Cryptococcus neoformans. Studies were performed to identify the types of human peripheral blood leukocytes capable of killing Cryptococcus neoformans in the presence of anticryptococcal antibody in vitro. A total of 24.1 +/- 2.7% (mean +/- standard error of the mean of four experiments) of the original cryptococcal inoculum survived in a mixed mononuclear, cell preparation (approximately 30% monocytes) after 4 h of incubation at 37 degrees C with rabbit anticryptococcal antibody. When phagocytic cells were removed, there was 36.4 +/- 4.6% survival in six experiments, compared with 52.8% survival in the presence of purified granulocytes (mean of two experiments) and 96.9 +/- 1% survival in the presence of purified T cells. There was never any significant killing in control mixtures that contained leukocytes with normal rabbit serum nor in those that contained anticryptococcal antibody without effector leukocytes. Significant antibody-dependent fungicidal activity was seen with ratios of effector to target cells as low as 6.25:1. These observations indicate that multiple types of peripheral blood leukocytes, excluding T cells, are capable of antibody-dependent fungicidal activity.", "PMID": 786891} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7581", "title": "Neonatally thymectomized Lewis rats infected with Mycobacterium leprae: response to primary infection, secondary challenge, and large inocula.", "content": "Several experiments were carried out to measure the ability of neonatally thymectomized Lewis rats (NTLR) to limit multiplication of Mycobacterium leprae. NTLR inoculated in one hind footpad with 10(7) viable M. leprae and challenged in the other hind footpad with 5 x 10(3) organisms simultaneously or 120 or 180 days later permitted multiplication in both sites. By contrast, immunologically intact rats similarly inoculated did not permit multiplication from either inoculum. NTLR and immunologically normal BALB/c mice were equally susceptible to infection with M. leprae, in that multiplication occurred regularly in the footpads of both species when inoculated with a bacterial suspension diluted to provide five organisms per footpad. Finally, multiplication occurred when five viable M. leprae diluted with 10(7) heat-killed organisms were inoculated into the footpads of NTLR. Although there was some evidence that NTLR are not completely immunosuppressed, NTLR appear to be capable of detecting much smaller proportions of viable M. leprae than can be detected by immunologically normal mice.", "contents": "Neonatally thymectomized Lewis rats infected with Mycobacterium leprae: response to primary infection, secondary challenge, and large inocula. Several experiments were carried out to measure the ability of neonatally thymectomized Lewis rats (NTLR) to limit multiplication of Mycobacterium leprae. NTLR inoculated in one hind footpad with 10(7) viable M. leprae and challenged in the other hind footpad with 5 x 10(3) organisms simultaneously or 120 or 180 days later permitted multiplication in both sites. By contrast, immunologically intact rats similarly inoculated did not permit multiplication from either inoculum. NTLR and immunologically normal BALB/c mice were equally susceptible to infection with M. leprae, in that multiplication occurred regularly in the footpads of both species when inoculated with a bacterial suspension diluted to provide five organisms per footpad. Finally, multiplication occurred when five viable M. leprae diluted with 10(7) heat-killed organisms were inoculated into the footpads of NTLR. Although there was some evidence that NTLR are not completely immunosuppressed, NTLR appear to be capable of detecting much smaller proportions of viable M. leprae than can be detected by immunologically normal mice.", "PMID": 786892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7582", "title": "Further purification of group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin and characterization of the purified toxin.", "content": "Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE) isolated from culture filtrates of strain NY-5 (type 10), and separated from other extracellular by differential solubility in ethanol and acetate-buffered saline, has previously been shown to exhibit a wide range of biological activities including erythrogenic activity, pyrogenicity, enhancement of susceptibility to endotoxin shock, blockage of the reticuloendothelial system immmunosuppression, and lymphocyte mitogenicity. Toxin prepared in this way was found to consist of hyaluronic acid and several proteins which could be distinguished by thin-layer polyacrylamide isoelectric focusing (IEF), SPE has been further purified by ion exchange chromatography on QAE-Sephadex columns. One of the fractions isolated from QAE-Sephadex, and shown to be a homogenous protein by thin-layer IEF and Ouchterlony with hyperimmune serum, was highly active erythrogenically, pyrogenically, and in enhancing susceptibility to endotoxin. This fraction was identified as exotoxin A. A second, less active fraction identified as SPE B showed similar activities, but differed from the other fraction antigenically and in net charge and molecular weight. These findings indicate that a single highly purified protein can mediate at least three of the biological activities attributed to SPE and NY-5 produces pyrogenic exotoxins A and B in vitro as well as in vivo.", "contents": "Further purification of group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin and characterization of the purified toxin. Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE) isolated from culture filtrates of strain NY-5 (type 10), and separated from other extracellular by differential solubility in ethanol and acetate-buffered saline, has previously been shown to exhibit a wide range of biological activities including erythrogenic activity, pyrogenicity, enhancement of susceptibility to endotoxin shock, blockage of the reticuloendothelial system immmunosuppression, and lymphocyte mitogenicity. Toxin prepared in this way was found to consist of hyaluronic acid and several proteins which could be distinguished by thin-layer polyacrylamide isoelectric focusing (IEF), SPE has been further purified by ion exchange chromatography on QAE-Sephadex columns. One of the fractions isolated from QAE-Sephadex, and shown to be a homogenous protein by thin-layer IEF and Ouchterlony with hyperimmune serum, was highly active erythrogenically, pyrogenically, and in enhancing susceptibility to endotoxin. This fraction was identified as exotoxin A. A second, less active fraction identified as SPE B showed similar activities, but differed from the other fraction antigenically and in net charge and molecular weight. These findings indicate that a single highly purified protein can mediate at least three of the biological activities attributed to SPE and NY-5 produces pyrogenic exotoxins A and B in vitro as well as in vivo.", "PMID": 786893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7583", "title": "Radioimmunofluorescent antibody technique for detection of reovirus antigen in cell culture.", "content": "Antibody against reovirus type I must partially purified and conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The FITC-labeled antibody was then conjugated with 125I. A gamma globulin fraction of normal sera was similarly labeled with FITC followed by a 131I label. The FITC + 125I-labeled immune reagent was then mixed on an equal protein basis with the FITC + 131I control reagent. This mixture was used to stain acetone-fixed reovirus-infected cover slips. After staining, the cover slips were examined by fluorescence microscopy. Infected cover slips demonstrated characteristic reovirus immunofluorescence, whereas uninfected cover slips were negative. After visual examination, the cover slips were placed in tubes and counted in a two-channel gamma analyzer. By comparing the quantitative isotope data with the qualtitative information from immunofluorescence on a single preparation, it was possible to correlate antigen production sites with quantitative production values.", "contents": "Radioimmunofluorescent antibody technique for detection of reovirus antigen in cell culture. Antibody against reovirus type I must partially purified and conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The FITC-labeled antibody was then conjugated with 125I. A gamma globulin fraction of normal sera was similarly labeled with FITC followed by a 131I label. The FITC + 125I-labeled immune reagent was then mixed on an equal protein basis with the FITC + 131I control reagent. This mixture was used to stain acetone-fixed reovirus-infected cover slips. After staining, the cover slips were examined by fluorescence microscopy. Infected cover slips demonstrated characteristic reovirus immunofluorescence, whereas uninfected cover slips were negative. After visual examination, the cover slips were placed in tubes and counted in a two-channel gamma analyzer. By comparing the quantitative isotope data with the qualtitative information from immunofluorescence on a single preparation, it was possible to correlate antigen production sites with quantitative production values.", "PMID": 786894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7584", "title": "T2 lipopolysaccharide antigen of Salmonella: comparison of the properties of T2 and mucoid forms.", "content": "The T2 form of Salmonella was found to resemble mucoid mutants to some extent by growing as rather slimy colonies, especially at low temperatures. Its sensitivity to rough-specific phages was greatly reduced at low temperature. However, the T2 form did not produce colanic acid. The mucoid mutants of Salmonella studies corresponded to previously described mucoid mutants of Escherichia coli culturally, chemically,and genetically.", "contents": "T2 lipopolysaccharide antigen of Salmonella: comparison of the properties of T2 and mucoid forms. The T2 form of Salmonella was found to resemble mucoid mutants to some extent by growing as rather slimy colonies, especially at low temperatures. Its sensitivity to rough-specific phages was greatly reduced at low temperature. However, the T2 form did not produce colanic acid. The mucoid mutants of Salmonella studies corresponded to previously described mucoid mutants of Escherichia coli culturally, chemically,and genetically.", "PMID": 786895} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7585", "title": "Plasmid-mediated resistance to the bactericidal effects of normal rabbit serum.", "content": "An Escherichia coli K-12 strain bearing the plasmids R1 or R100 was more resistant to the bactericidal activity of normal rabbit serum than was the same strain without a plasmid. When the plasmid R100 was transferred to several K-12 strains, the strains acquired resistance to serum bactericidal activity.", "contents": "Plasmid-mediated resistance to the bactericidal effects of normal rabbit serum. An Escherichia coli K-12 strain bearing the plasmids R1 or R100 was more resistant to the bactericidal activity of normal rabbit serum than was the same strain without a plasmid. When the plasmid R100 was transferred to several K-12 strains, the strains acquired resistance to serum bactericidal activity.", "PMID": 786896} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7586", "title": "Wear of dental tissues and materials.", "content": "Wear may result from physiological or pathological conditions and may be desirable, as in the reduction of an overcontoured restoration, or undesirable as in the production of cervical abrasion cavities. A variety of methods, including clinical testing, the use of wear machines and the measurement of related properties such as hardness or coefficient of friction have been used to investigate wear of tooth tissue and of dental materials. Because these methods may not reveal the nature of the wear process recent work has been directed to the study of surface failure resulting from a single sliding contact. Many clinical studies have been conducted but they are time consuming and difficult to quantify, nor do they allow of evaluation of different parameters contributing to the wear. Laboratory simulation of wear has been shown to be valuable in comparing materials of the same group but between-group comparisons may give anomalous results. The most rewarding studies have been those using a single or small number of passes of a suitable abrading point over the material since these permit determination of the actual process by which wear is produced.", "contents": "Wear of dental tissues and materials. Wear may result from physiological or pathological conditions and may be desirable, as in the reduction of an overcontoured restoration, or undesirable as in the production of cervical abrasion cavities. A variety of methods, including clinical testing, the use of wear machines and the measurement of related properties such as hardness or coefficient of friction have been used to investigate wear of tooth tissue and of dental materials. Because these methods may not reveal the nature of the wear process recent work has been directed to the study of surface failure resulting from a single sliding contact. Many clinical studies have been conducted but they are time consuming and difficult to quantify, nor do they allow of evaluation of different parameters contributing to the wear. Laboratory simulation of wear has been shown to be valuable in comparing materials of the same group but between-group comparisons may give anomalous results. The most rewarding studies have been those using a single or small number of passes of a suitable abrading point over the material since these permit determination of the actual process by which wear is produced.", "PMID": 786897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7587", "title": "A comparison of ultraviolet-curing and self-curing polymers in preventive, restorative and orthodontic dentistry.", "content": "Both self-cured and UV-cured resin-base dental materials are used in preventive, restorative, and orthodontic dentistry. Polymerization is initiated in both systems by free radicals. Self-curing materials generate free radicals by means of chemical compounds included in their formulation. UV-curing systems rely upon externally-supplied, long wavelength, ultraviolet radiation to produce free radicals within the material. Therefore, although the major chemical components of both systems are similar in many respects, each system has particular advantages and disadvantages over the other, which must be recognized by the practitioner. Substantial differences exist, for example, in the color stability of these two types of materials, because of the fact that the UV-cured system cannot include UV absorbers, which protect the self-cured systems from discoloration after exposure to sunlight. UV-cured systems require a limitation on the maximum depth of filled restorative that can be cured at one time, since the filler particles attenuate UV radiation. The limit-layer is generally established as 1-1-5 mm maximum thickness. Therefore, UV-cured filled systems are more time-consuming in restorations of deeper cavities. This liability is also in evidence as it affects the degree of polymerization of UV-cured filled systems. The uncertainty of complete polymerization is apparently responsible for highly erratic compressive strength data found with UV-cured restoratives. Normally, the amount of unpolymerized monomer is much less predictable in UV-cured systems, over that which is obtained in self-cured materials. The presence of a larger fraction of unpolymerized monomer creates a greater potential for pulpal injury from UV-cured restorative materials. The catalyst used in several UV-cured systems is benzoin methyl ether, a compound of rather high toxicity (LD50:300 mg/kg). The safety of using UV radiation in the vicinity of oral mucosa has not been firmly established. The design of the UV lamp should provide for focusing all radiation onto hard tissue. However, UV-cured systems do offer several advantages over self-cured systems. They normally are one-component systems and therefore are more convenient to use in certain types of applications, e.g., fissure sealing. UV-cured systems also provide an unlimited working time, an important advantage for specific applications.", "contents": "A comparison of ultraviolet-curing and self-curing polymers in preventive, restorative and orthodontic dentistry. Both self-cured and UV-cured resin-base dental materials are used in preventive, restorative, and orthodontic dentistry. Polymerization is initiated in both systems by free radicals. Self-curing materials generate free radicals by means of chemical compounds included in their formulation. UV-curing systems rely upon externally-supplied, long wavelength, ultraviolet radiation to produce free radicals within the material. Therefore, although the major chemical components of both systems are similar in many respects, each system has particular advantages and disadvantages over the other, which must be recognized by the practitioner. Substantial differences exist, for example, in the color stability of these two types of materials, because of the fact that the UV-cured system cannot include UV absorbers, which protect the self-cured systems from discoloration after exposure to sunlight. UV-cured systems require a limitation on the maximum depth of filled restorative that can be cured at one time, since the filler particles attenuate UV radiation. The limit-layer is generally established as 1-1-5 mm maximum thickness. Therefore, UV-cured filled systems are more time-consuming in restorations of deeper cavities. This liability is also in evidence as it affects the degree of polymerization of UV-cured filled systems. The uncertainty of complete polymerization is apparently responsible for highly erratic compressive strength data found with UV-cured restoratives. Normally, the amount of unpolymerized monomer is much less predictable in UV-cured systems, over that which is obtained in self-cured materials. The presence of a larger fraction of unpolymerized monomer creates a greater potential for pulpal injury from UV-cured restorative materials. The catalyst used in several UV-cured systems is benzoin methyl ether, a compound of rather high toxicity (LD50:300 mg/kg). The safety of using UV radiation in the vicinity of oral mucosa has not been firmly established. The design of the UV lamp should provide for focusing all radiation onto hard tissue. However, UV-cured systems do offer several advantages over self-cured systems. They normally are one-component systems and therefore are more convenient to use in certain types of applications, e.g., fissure sealing. UV-cured systems also provide an unlimited working time, an important advantage for specific applications.", "PMID": 786898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7588", "title": "Transactions of an international conference. Worldwide concern: better dental care for more people. An international collaborative study. How oral surveys were conducted.", "content": "A special form and field manuals defining examination criteria were prepared for recording the following: 1. Number of teeth present both primary and permanent 2. Periodontal disease (a) Oral hygiene using the simplified oral hygiene index. (b) Periodontal condition using a modified P.I. index. (c) Periodontal treatment requirements. 3. Dental caries The DMF index was used with separate coding for filled or crowned teeth having additional primary or secondary decay. 4. Dento facial anomalies Both treatment need and treatment status were recorded. 5. Prosthetic status Possession and requirements for partial or full dentures and bridges were recorded for the age groups 13-14 and 35-44. 6. Oral pathology Pathological conditions of the gingiva and oral mucosa. 7. Need for immediate attention Conditions causing or likely to cause pain or danger to general health unless immediate treatment was given. The recording was carried out using fibre optic illumination, disposable mirrors and sickle probes. X-rays were not utilized. Two roving epidemiologists first established reproducible criteria and then calibrated the local examiners. Re-calibration took place at intervals and repeat examinations of a small sample population ensured reproducibility of recordings. The completed charts were sent to the WHO Oral Health Unit where they were edited and the data transferred to computer tape for analysis. For the present reports three variables--number of carious teeth, caries treatment/need ratio and number of teeth with gingivitis were selected for special study.", "contents": "Transactions of an international conference. Worldwide concern: better dental care for more people. An international collaborative study. How oral surveys were conducted. A special form and field manuals defining examination criteria were prepared for recording the following: 1. Number of teeth present both primary and permanent 2. Periodontal disease (a) Oral hygiene using the simplified oral hygiene index. (b) Periodontal condition using a modified P.I. index. (c) Periodontal treatment requirements. 3. Dental caries The DMF index was used with separate coding for filled or crowned teeth having additional primary or secondary decay. 4. Dento facial anomalies Both treatment need and treatment status were recorded. 5. Prosthetic status Possession and requirements for partial or full dentures and bridges were recorded for the age groups 13-14 and 35-44. 6. Oral pathology Pathological conditions of the gingiva and oral mucosa. 7. Need for immediate attention Conditions causing or likely to cause pain or danger to general health unless immediate treatment was given. The recording was carried out using fibre optic illumination, disposable mirrors and sickle probes. X-rays were not utilized. Two roving epidemiologists first established reproducible criteria and then calibrated the local examiners. Re-calibration took place at intervals and repeat examinations of a small sample population ensured reproducibility of recordings. The completed charts were sent to the WHO Oral Health Unit where they were edited and the data transferred to computer tape for analysis. For the present reports three variables--number of carious teeth, caries treatment/need ratio and number of teeth with gingivitis were selected for special study.", "PMID": 786900} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7589", "title": "Depletion of complement in vivo and in vitro by extracts of Aspergillus fumigatus.", "content": "A new, nontoxic material extracted from Aspergillus fumigatus, is described with complement-depletion capacity both in vivo and in vitro. Extracts of the mycelium of A. fumigatus were found to haemolyse sheep red blood cells, to be lethal for mice and to convert C3 into its faster electrophoretic form when incubated with normal human serum. Conversion did not take place when purified C3 was used, suggesting that serum factors were required in the reaction. Adsorption of the extracts with activated carbon or heating at 100 degrees C for 30 min yielded detoxified materials devoid of both toxic and haemolytic properties but still capable of converting serum C3. In guinea pigs, administration of detoxified extracts was followed by complement depletion lasting not less than 48 h. Heating (100 degrees C for 30 min) extracts which had been previously detoxified by carbon adsorption resulted in a partial loss (40%) of their complement-inhibitory capacity indicating that part of the anticomplementarity of AFE was due to a heat-stable substance.", "contents": "Depletion of complement in vivo and in vitro by extracts of Aspergillus fumigatus. A new, nontoxic material extracted from Aspergillus fumigatus, is described with complement-depletion capacity both in vivo and in vitro. Extracts of the mycelium of A. fumigatus were found to haemolyse sheep red blood cells, to be lethal for mice and to convert C3 into its faster electrophoretic form when incubated with normal human serum. Conversion did not take place when purified C3 was used, suggesting that serum factors were required in the reaction. Adsorption of the extracts with activated carbon or heating at 100 degrees C for 30 min yielded detoxified materials devoid of both toxic and haemolytic properties but still capable of converting serum C3. In guinea pigs, administration of detoxified extracts was followed by complement depletion lasting not less than 48 h. Heating (100 degrees C for 30 min) extracts which had been previously detoxified by carbon adsorption resulted in a partial loss (40%) of their complement-inhibitory capacity indicating that part of the anticomplementarity of AFE was due to a heat-stable substance.", "PMID": 786901} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7590", "title": "Defective immune and phagocytic functions in uraemia and renal transplantation.", "content": "The humoral, cellular and neutrophil responses of uraemic patients maintained by haemodialysis were compared with those of renal transplant recipients. Humoral immunity was reduced only in the transplant group. Cell-mediated immunity was abnormal in both groups but more decreased in the transplant group studied particularly within 3 months of transplantation. The neutrophil bactericidal capacities were defective cellular immunity, but fatal infections occurred only in transplant patterns over 40 years of age with combined cellular and neutrophil defects. No single test was predictive of graft survival in uraemic patients. The depressed cellular immune responses in uraemia, of the degree seen in the immunosuppressed transplant recipient, may explain the better prognosis of renal transplants compared with other organ transplants.", "contents": "Defective immune and phagocytic functions in uraemia and renal transplantation. The humoral, cellular and neutrophil responses of uraemic patients maintained by haemodialysis were compared with those of renal transplant recipients. Humoral immunity was reduced only in the transplant group. Cell-mediated immunity was abnormal in both groups but more decreased in the transplant group studied particularly within 3 months of transplantation. The neutrophil bactericidal capacities were defective cellular immunity, but fatal infections occurred only in transplant patterns over 40 years of age with combined cellular and neutrophil defects. No single test was predictive of graft survival in uraemic patients. The depressed cellular immune responses in uraemia, of the degree seen in the immunosuppressed transplant recipient, may explain the better prognosis of renal transplants compared with other organ transplants.", "PMID": 786902} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7591", "title": "Dissociation of correlates of cellular immunity in man: functional heterogeneity within the antigen-reactive cell population?", "content": "Cellular immune responsiveness (CMI) to ubiquitous bacterial antigens was assessed in serial peripheral blood samples collected from normal subjects, employing three in vitro correlates of CMI in parallel. Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity (DCH) was also assessed on a number of occasions in these subjects. These experiments showed that the reactivity of peripheral blood leukocytes from normal individuals as measured in each of the in vitro tests fluctuated from day to day, and that the reactivity of cells functioning in each of the tests fluctuated independently of one another. In contrast, DCH reactivity in these individuals was not subject to such fluctuations. The results are discussed in terms of the periodic appearance of functionally distinct subpopulations of T lymphocytes in the peripheral circulation.", "contents": "Dissociation of correlates of cellular immunity in man: functional heterogeneity within the antigen-reactive cell population? Cellular immune responsiveness (CMI) to ubiquitous bacterial antigens was assessed in serial peripheral blood samples collected from normal subjects, employing three in vitro correlates of CMI in parallel. Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity (DCH) was also assessed on a number of occasions in these subjects. These experiments showed that the reactivity of peripheral blood leukocytes from normal individuals as measured in each of the in vitro tests fluctuated from day to day, and that the reactivity of cells functioning in each of the tests fluctuated independently of one another. In contrast, DCH reactivity in these individuals was not subject to such fluctuations. The results are discussed in terms of the periodic appearance of functionally distinct subpopulations of T lymphocytes in the peripheral circulation.", "PMID": 786903} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7592", "title": "Nonspecific macrophage activation by systemic adjuvants. Evaluation by lysosomal enzyme and in vitro tumoricidal activities.", "content": "Six systemic adjuvants: living bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG), hydrosoluble extracts from BCG and from Mycobacterium smegmatis, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, lentinan and levamisole, have been tested for their ability to induce macrophage activation in mice. The first four adjuvants mentioned increase phosphatase activity of peritoneal macrophages and make them nonspecifically cytotoxic for tumor cells in vitro. The intensity of these phenomena vary with route and time of administration. In contrast, lentinan and levamisole depress both these macrophage activities. Living BCG, extracts from BCG and from M. smegmatis, and the lipopolysaccharide increase the cytotoxic potential of normal macrophages in vitro, suggesting that these agents may exert a direct action on macrophages. Levamisole did not activate normal macrophages in vitro. The existence of a correlation between the capacity of adjuvants to stimulate macrophage tumoricidal activity and their efficiency in active cancer immunotherapy is discussed.", "contents": "Nonspecific macrophage activation by systemic adjuvants. Evaluation by lysosomal enzyme and in vitro tumoricidal activities. Six systemic adjuvants: living bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG), hydrosoluble extracts from BCG and from Mycobacterium smegmatis, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, lentinan and levamisole, have been tested for their ability to induce macrophage activation in mice. The first four adjuvants mentioned increase phosphatase activity of peritoneal macrophages and make them nonspecifically cytotoxic for tumor cells in vitro. The intensity of these phenomena vary with route and time of administration. In contrast, lentinan and levamisole depress both these macrophage activities. Living BCG, extracts from BCG and from M. smegmatis, and the lipopolysaccharide increase the cytotoxic potential of normal macrophages in vitro, suggesting that these agents may exert a direct action on macrophages. Levamisole did not activate normal macrophages in vitro. The existence of a correlation between the capacity of adjuvants to stimulate macrophage tumoricidal activity and their efficiency in active cancer immunotherapy is discussed.", "PMID": 786904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7593", "title": "The 1977 U.S. budget: a time for choice?", "content": "This paper continues to spin the thread of previous analyses of the bleakness of the budgetary outlook in the United States and the difficulty of change. The budget remains mortgaged by actions in previous years, and the economic outlook is uncertain. \"The politics of frugality\" has come to dominate the American political scene, but the President's choices to reduce spending on human resource programs by $18 billion are more apparent than real. The new Congressional review procedures, a reaction to the Watergate years, interrelate budget with health policy and highlight the necessity for action to control medical care prices if any new federal initiatives, e.g. national health insurances, are to be budgetarily feasible.", "contents": "The 1977 U.S. budget: a time for choice? This paper continues to spin the thread of previous analyses of the bleakness of the budgetary outlook in the United States and the difficulty of change. The budget remains mortgaged by actions in previous years, and the economic outlook is uncertain. \"The politics of frugality\" has come to dominate the American political scene, but the President's choices to reduce spending on human resource programs by $18 billion are more apparent than real. The new Congressional review procedures, a reaction to the Watergate years, interrelate budget with health policy and highlight the necessity for action to control medical care prices if any new federal initiatives, e.g. national health insurances, are to be budgetarily feasible.", "PMID": 786906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7594", "title": "Potassium metabolism in the normal and ischemic heart cell.", "content": "Potassium is an important electrolyte in heart cells and has the greatest membrane permeability in the unexcited state. Hence it is responsible for th generation of the resting membrane potential. Clinical disorders of conduction and impulse formation occur within physiological values of serum potassium. Potassium is indirectly involved in excitation-contraction coupling, and its relation to intracellular calcium metabolism is reviewed. While potassium movements within the cell are metabolic-dependent, it is also true that the activity of metabolic pathways is affected by changes in potassium concentration. During anoxia and ischemia, sodium and calcium are gained by the myocyte, and potassium and magnesium are lost by the cell. At the same time, the action potential duration is abbreviated, the slope of the action potential downstroke (phase 2) is increased, and the resting membrane potential may be reduced. A relationship between disturbances in intracellular potassium and ischemic arrhythmias appears likely.", "contents": "Potassium metabolism in the normal and ischemic heart cell. Potassium is an important electrolyte in heart cells and has the greatest membrane permeability in the unexcited state. Hence it is responsible for th generation of the resting membrane potential. Clinical disorders of conduction and impulse formation occur within physiological values of serum potassium. Potassium is indirectly involved in excitation-contraction coupling, and its relation to intracellular calcium metabolism is reviewed. While potassium movements within the cell are metabolic-dependent, it is also true that the activity of metabolic pathways is affected by changes in potassium concentration. During anoxia and ischemia, sodium and calcium are gained by the myocyte, and potassium and magnesium are lost by the cell. At the same time, the action potential duration is abbreviated, the slope of the action potential downstroke (phase 2) is increased, and the resting membrane potential may be reduced. A relationship between disturbances in intracellular potassium and ischemic arrhythmias appears likely.", "PMID": 786907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7595", "title": "Diclophenax sodium (Voltaren) in rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind comparison with indomethacin and placebo.", "content": "Diclophenac sodium, Voltaren, has been tested against indomethacin and placebo in a four-week double-blind between-patient trial in 182 patients with rheumatoid arhritis. The ameliorating effect of Voltaren on the usual clinical parameters was comparable to that of indomethacin, while no significant changes were observed in the placebo group. Side effects during treatment with Voltaren and indomethacin appeared mainly form the gastrointestinal tract and from CNS. While side effects from the gastrointestinal tract were similar in the two groups, side effects from the CNS appeared significantly less frequent during treatment with Voltaren than during treatment with indomethacin. No skin reactions, diarrhoea or gastrointestinal bleeding were observed in either group. Long-term studies are needed to establish the place of Voltaren in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "contents": "Diclophenax sodium (Voltaren) in rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind comparison with indomethacin and placebo. Diclophenac sodium, Voltaren, has been tested against indomethacin and placebo in a four-week double-blind between-patient trial in 182 patients with rheumatoid arhritis. The ameliorating effect of Voltaren on the usual clinical parameters was comparable to that of indomethacin, while no significant changes were observed in the placebo group. Side effects during treatment with Voltaren and indomethacin appeared mainly form the gastrointestinal tract and from CNS. While side effects from the gastrointestinal tract were similar in the two groups, side effects from the CNS appeared significantly less frequent during treatment with Voltaren than during treatment with indomethacin. No skin reactions, diarrhoea or gastrointestinal bleeding were observed in either group. Long-term studies are needed to establish the place of Voltaren in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "PMID": 786908} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7596", "title": "Role of peroxide in the radioprotective action of thiols in E. coli.", "content": "The radioprotective action of cysteamine (MEA) and cysteine in E. coli is due partly to autoxidatively generated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This effect, which predominates at low concentrations of the thiols (1-2 mM in neutral solution), is regularly correlated with a metabolic block, measured as inhibition of RNA synthesis. In experiments with E. coli 15 (autotroph) under exponential growth in complete medium, the role of H2O2 was demonstrated by (a) a decreased radioprotective action if catalase was present in the medium; (b) a radioprotective action of H2O2 added to the medium; (c) a decreased protective action in the absence of catalytically active copper; and (d) oxygen being required for the radioprotective action to develop. At higher concentrations of the thiols, their radioprotective action, and the accompanying metabolic block, are less dependent on H2O2 generation and presumably due to a different mechanism. The radioprotective action of H2O2 is possibly related to the radioprotective action in mammals of catalase inhibitors.", "contents": "Role of peroxide in the radioprotective action of thiols in E. coli. The radioprotective action of cysteamine (MEA) and cysteine in E. coli is due partly to autoxidatively generated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This effect, which predominates at low concentrations of the thiols (1-2 mM in neutral solution), is regularly correlated with a metabolic block, measured as inhibition of RNA synthesis. In experiments with E. coli 15 (autotroph) under exponential growth in complete medium, the role of H2O2 was demonstrated by (a) a decreased radioprotective action if catalase was present in the medium; (b) a radioprotective action of H2O2 added to the medium; (c) a decreased protective action in the absence of catalytically active copper; and (d) oxygen being required for the radioprotective action to develop. At higher concentrations of the thiols, their radioprotective action, and the accompanying metabolic block, are less dependent on H2O2 generation and presumably due to a different mechanism. The radioprotective action of H2O2 is possibly related to the radioprotective action in mammals of catalase inhibitors.", "PMID": 786921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7597", "title": "Forced duction, active force generation, and saccadic velocity tests.", "content": "The forced duction test reveals information about mechanical limitations to full ocular rotation. When voluntary ocular rotation is limited, and the forced duction test is completely free, paresis of an extraocular muscle is suggested. The active force generation test and saccadic velocity measurements both provide information about the active forces available to move the globe. Active force can be felt with the forceps in the force generation test. These forces can be measured quantitatively with the calibrated Scott forceps. The saccadic velocity test measures the work an extraocular muscle performs (the eye movement) but does not measure active force directly. The force available is inferred by comparing saccadic velocity measurements to normal control values. This test is especially useful in infants and children, in whom the force duction test cannot be done without general anesthesia, and whose cooperation is insufficient to allow force generation measurements to be performed. It is likely that future improvements in instrumentation and further knowledge of basic oculomotor mechanisms will increase the value of these techniques in clinical strabismus.", "contents": "Forced duction, active force generation, and saccadic velocity tests. The forced duction test reveals information about mechanical limitations to full ocular rotation. When voluntary ocular rotation is limited, and the forced duction test is completely free, paresis of an extraocular muscle is suggested. The active force generation test and saccadic velocity measurements both provide information about the active forces available to move the globe. Active force can be felt with the forceps in the force generation test. These forces can be measured quantitatively with the calibrated Scott forceps. The saccadic velocity test measures the work an extraocular muscle performs (the eye movement) but does not measure active force directly. The force available is inferred by comparing saccadic velocity measurements to normal control values. This test is especially useful in infants and children, in whom the force duction test cannot be done without general anesthesia, and whose cooperation is insufficient to allow force generation measurements to be performed. It is likely that future improvements in instrumentation and further knowledge of basic oculomotor mechanisms will increase the value of these techniques in clinical strabismus.", "PMID": 786926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7598", "title": "Clinical detection of rejection nephropathy using 125I-labelled fibrinogen.", "content": "Using a modified fibrinogen-uptake (FUT) test, 22 patients were investigated at various intervals after kidney transplantation. Eight of the patients had developed or showed early clinical signs of acute rejection crisis at the time of measurement. Another fourteen patients formed the control group with no evidence of florid rejection process. Comparison of the 125I-fibrinogen accumulation in the renal grafts between the two mentioned groups showed clear differences with high statistical significance (p less than 0.001). Uptake of labelled fibrinogen was increased in every acute rejection transplant. Histologically the kidneys with increased accumulation of fibrinogen showed extensive deposits of fibrin in blood vessels, glomeruli, intracapillary thrombi and in the interstitium. Except for the limitations discussed in this paper we consider this test to be of a great clinical value in the diagnosis of rejection episodes.", "contents": "Clinical detection of rejection nephropathy using 125I-labelled fibrinogen. Using a modified fibrinogen-uptake (FUT) test, 22 patients were investigated at various intervals after kidney transplantation. Eight of the patients had developed or showed early clinical signs of acute rejection crisis at the time of measurement. Another fourteen patients formed the control group with no evidence of florid rejection process. Comparison of the 125I-fibrinogen accumulation in the renal grafts between the two mentioned groups showed clear differences with high statistical significance (p less than 0.001). Uptake of labelled fibrinogen was increased in every acute rejection transplant. Histologically the kidneys with increased accumulation of fibrinogen showed extensive deposits of fibrin in blood vessels, glomeruli, intracapillary thrombi and in the interstitium. Except for the limitations discussed in this paper we consider this test to be of a great clinical value in the diagnosis of rejection episodes.", "PMID": 786930} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7599", "title": "The rate of skin allografts within the prostate.", "content": "There is good evidence demonstrating the absence of lymphatic drainage in the normal glandular prostate. In other organs, such as the brain and anterior chamber of the eye, this property is associated with an impaired response to foreign tissue antigens. We have examined the first set allograft survival of normal skin transplanted between strains of male inbred rats (Lewis leads to Fisher) to various sites including the prostate. The resulting data indicate that the prostate is not an immunologically privileged site when compared to the anterior chamber of the eye. However, prolonged first set allograft survival is seen in the prostate when compared to grafts placed orthotopically. These differences appear to be exaggerated or diminished, depending upon the particular foreign tissue used.", "contents": "The rate of skin allografts within the prostate. There is good evidence demonstrating the absence of lymphatic drainage in the normal glandular prostate. In other organs, such as the brain and anterior chamber of the eye, this property is associated with an impaired response to foreign tissue antigens. We have examined the first set allograft survival of normal skin transplanted between strains of male inbred rats (Lewis leads to Fisher) to various sites including the prostate. The resulting data indicate that the prostate is not an immunologically privileged site when compared to the anterior chamber of the eye. However, prolonged first set allograft survival is seen in the prostate when compared to grafts placed orthotopically. These differences appear to be exaggerated or diminished, depending upon the particular foreign tissue used.", "PMID": 786938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7600", "title": "Fungal infections after renal transplantation.", "content": "Fungal infections occurred in 3 of 22 renal transplants (13.6%). Two patients developed rhinocerebral phycomycosis, and Rhizopus arrhizus was isolated from cultures of the nasal conchae. Both patients were treated with systemic amphotericin B. Three-and-a-half months after transplantation the third patient developed an acute ureteral obstruction secondary to infection with Aspergillus nidulans; this necessitated removal of the graft. There was no immediate mortality associated with these fungal infections but there was immediate loss of the grafts in the two patients.", "contents": "Fungal infections after renal transplantation. Fungal infections occurred in 3 of 22 renal transplants (13.6%). Two patients developed rhinocerebral phycomycosis, and Rhizopus arrhizus was isolated from cultures of the nasal conchae. Both patients were treated with systemic amphotericin B. Three-and-a-half months after transplantation the third patient developed an acute ureteral obstruction secondary to infection with Aspergillus nidulans; this necessitated removal of the graft. There was no immediate mortality associated with these fungal infections but there was immediate loss of the grafts in the two patients.", "PMID": 786944} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7601", "title": "Comparative studies of baculovirus granulins and polyhedrins.", "content": "Granulins and polyhedrins from five baculoviruses exhibit similar chemical and physical properties. Although similarities are demonstrated, it has been shown that each of the proteins is different and apparently specific to a given virus. The granulins and polyhedrins exhibit a major polypeptide component of an estimated molecular weight of 28,000. Alkaline protease activity has been detected in each preparation. N-terminal analyses reflect differences between granulins and polyhedrins studied: granulosis virus = Asx, and nuclear polyhedrosis virus = Glx. Two-dimensional high-voltage electrophoresis of highly purified granulin and polyhedrin preparations reveals relatedness as well as differences among the proteins as assessed by electrophoretic migration patterns.", "contents": "Comparative studies of baculovirus granulins and polyhedrins. Granulins and polyhedrins from five baculoviruses exhibit similar chemical and physical properties. Although similarities are demonstrated, it has been shown that each of the proteins is different and apparently specific to a given virus. The granulins and polyhedrins exhibit a major polypeptide component of an estimated molecular weight of 28,000. Alkaline protease activity has been detected in each preparation. N-terminal analyses reflect differences between granulins and polyhedrins studied: granulosis virus = Asx, and nuclear polyhedrosis virus = Glx. Two-dimensional high-voltage electrophoresis of highly purified granulin and polyhedrin preparations reveals relatedness as well as differences among the proteins as assessed by electrophoretic migration patterns.", "PMID": 786939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7602", "title": "Cardiovascular changes in sepsis.", "content": "The hyperdynamic circulation characteristic of severe sepsis is not likely due to peripheral arteriovenous shunts since in skeletal muscle, at least, capillary blood flow is increased and varies directly with cardiac index. The finding that flow is normal in some septic patients who are severely ill and close to death suggests that blood flow can no longer be considered the critical factor explaining the death of the septic patient. Clearly, the commonly accepted sequence of low blood flow, tissue hypoxia, lactacidosis, and death does not apply to all patients dying from shock. The hyperdynamic circulatory state and the metabolic changes associated with severe sepsis may be related. Skeletal muscle capillary blood flow was increased in fasting normal subjects and septic postoperative patients, both of whom were catabolic. Therefore, elevated blood flow, which is characteristic of severe sepsis, may be a response to the catabolism of body protein required for energy production. If this concept of sepsis is accepted, it follows that treatment which heretofore has been aimed at increasing blood flow and blood pressure should be redirected to therapy which provides energy substrates and alters hormonal patterns to favor anabolism.", "contents": "Cardiovascular changes in sepsis. The hyperdynamic circulation characteristic of severe sepsis is not likely due to peripheral arteriovenous shunts since in skeletal muscle, at least, capillary blood flow is increased and varies directly with cardiac index. The finding that flow is normal in some septic patients who are severely ill and close to death suggests that blood flow can no longer be considered the critical factor explaining the death of the septic patient. Clearly, the commonly accepted sequence of low blood flow, tissue hypoxia, lactacidosis, and death does not apply to all patients dying from shock. The hyperdynamic circulatory state and the metabolic changes associated with severe sepsis may be related. Skeletal muscle capillary blood flow was increased in fasting normal subjects and septic postoperative patients, both of whom were catabolic. Therefore, elevated blood flow, which is characteristic of severe sepsis, may be a response to the catabolism of body protein required for energy production. If this concept of sepsis is accepted, it follows that treatment which heretofore has been aimed at increasing blood flow and blood pressure should be redirected to therapy which provides energy substrates and alters hormonal patterns to favor anabolism.", "PMID": 786954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7603", "title": "[Allergic rhinitis in children (author's transl)].", "content": "Some of the problems within the research field of allergology are discussed. The main topic is the new treatment of allergic nasal diseases with a local glucocorticosteroid. Beclomethasone dipropionate (Beconase) can be given intranasally without any risk of systemic side-effects. The drug is found very effective in the treatment of hay fever, vasomotor rhinitis and nasal polypi in adults. In a double-blind crossover trial with 19 hay fever children, aged 8-16 years, 18 preferred the active drug, none preferred the placebo and one had no preference. It is concluded that 400 mug beclomethasone dipropionate a day is a safe and very effective treatment of nasal hay fever symptoms in children.", "contents": "[Allergic rhinitis in children (author's transl)]. Some of the problems within the research field of allergology are discussed. The main topic is the new treatment of allergic nasal diseases with a local glucocorticosteroid. Beclomethasone dipropionate (Beconase) can be given intranasally without any risk of systemic side-effects. The drug is found very effective in the treatment of hay fever, vasomotor rhinitis and nasal polypi in adults. In a double-blind crossover trial with 19 hay fever children, aged 8-16 years, 18 preferred the active drug, none preferred the placebo and one had no preference. It is concluded that 400 mug beclomethasone dipropionate a day is a safe and very effective treatment of nasal hay fever symptoms in children.", "PMID": 786961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7604", "title": "Vesicular exanthema of swine.", "content": "Vesicular exanthema of swine (VES) was first recognized in 1932. At the time, eradication measures and, later, quarantine procedures were instituted and extension of the disease to surrounding farms appeared to have been prevented. Between 1932 and 1936, however, seemingly unrelated epizootics continued among swine herds being fed raw garbage. In 1936, VES disappeared only to reappear in 1939. The disease was contained within California until 1952, at which time it spread to all the major swine producing areas of the United States. The disease was eradicated in 1959, through the enforcement of laws prohibiting the feeding of raw garbage to swine. Other than the association with raw garbage, a reservoir for VES virus (VESV) was never found. In 1972, a virus isolated from California sea lions--and thus named the San Miguel sea lion virus (SMSV)--proved to be distinguishable from VESV. When SMSV was injected into swine, clinical signs of vesicular exanthema developed, leading to the conclusion that, for all practical purposes, SMSV and VESV were the same. To date, 5 species of marine mammals and 2 species of terrestrial mammals, including feral swine, have been shown to possess antibodies to 1 or more of the 4 distinct SMSV serotypes. Current evidence suggests that SMSV infections occur among both terrestrial and marine mammals inhabiting the California coastal zones. This and the practice of shipping frozen meats known to contain SMSV to mink ranches in Utah point to the possibility that domestic swine in the United States are occasionally being exposed to SMSV. Although marine mammals are a source of SMSV, the primary virus reservoir is thought to be 1 or more submammalian marine species common to the southern California coastline. Such a primary reservoir presumably is the source of a new SMSV serotypes infecting marine mammals and may have been the original source of the VESV serotypes that infected swine through the intermediary of raw garbage.", "contents": "Vesicular exanthema of swine. Vesicular exanthema of swine (VES) was first recognized in 1932. At the time, eradication measures and, later, quarantine procedures were instituted and extension of the disease to surrounding farms appeared to have been prevented. Between 1932 and 1936, however, seemingly unrelated epizootics continued among swine herds being fed raw garbage. In 1936, VES disappeared only to reappear in 1939. The disease was contained within California until 1952, at which time it spread to all the major swine producing areas of the United States. The disease was eradicated in 1959, through the enforcement of laws prohibiting the feeding of raw garbage to swine. Other than the association with raw garbage, a reservoir for VES virus (VESV) was never found. In 1972, a virus isolated from California sea lions--and thus named the San Miguel sea lion virus (SMSV)--proved to be distinguishable from VESV. When SMSV was injected into swine, clinical signs of vesicular exanthema developed, leading to the conclusion that, for all practical purposes, SMSV and VESV were the same. To date, 5 species of marine mammals and 2 species of terrestrial mammals, including feral swine, have been shown to possess antibodies to 1 or more of the 4 distinct SMSV serotypes. Current evidence suggests that SMSV infections occur among both terrestrial and marine mammals inhabiting the California coastal zones. This and the practice of shipping frozen meats known to contain SMSV to mink ranches in Utah point to the possibility that domestic swine in the United States are occasionally being exposed to SMSV. Although marine mammals are a source of SMSV, the primary virus reservoir is thought to be 1 or more submammalian marine species common to the southern California coastline. Such a primary reservoir presumably is the source of a new SMSV serotypes infecting marine mammals and may have been the original source of the VESV serotypes that infected swine through the intermediary of raw garbage.", "PMID": 786969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7605", "title": "Vesicular exanthema of swine and San Miguel sea lion virus.", "content": "San Miguel sea lion virus (SMSV), recently isolated from marine mammals, and vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV), which caused epizootics of vesicular exanthema of swine (VES) over a period of 24 years (1932 to 1956), may be the same virus. This finding is of particular interest because the source of the original VES epizootic was never identified, swine were the only known natural host of VESV, and VESV was thought to have been eradicated. The SMSV has been shown to be enzootic in 2 species of marine mammals found off the coast of California and to cause lesions in swine that are indistinguishable from those caused by VESV. Therefore, we should be alert to recognize situations in which swine might become exposed to SMSV and to consider SMSV in differential diagnoses of vesicular conditions.", "contents": "Vesicular exanthema of swine and San Miguel sea lion virus. San Miguel sea lion virus (SMSV), recently isolated from marine mammals, and vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV), which caused epizootics of vesicular exanthema of swine (VES) over a period of 24 years (1932 to 1956), may be the same virus. This finding is of particular interest because the source of the original VES epizootic was never identified, swine were the only known natural host of VESV, and VESV was thought to have been eradicated. The SMSV has been shown to be enzootic in 2 species of marine mammals found off the coast of California and to cause lesions in swine that are indistinguishable from those caused by VESV. Therefore, we should be alert to recognize situations in which swine might become exposed to SMSV and to consider SMSV in differential diagnoses of vesicular conditions.", "PMID": 786970} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7606", "title": "Baroreflex sensitivity and carotid sinus dimensions in dogs with coarctation.", "content": "Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) has not been assessed in coarctation, though it is diminished in renal and essential hypertension. Previous experimental studies of coarctation have dealt primarily with renal mechanisms of hypertension, and have relied on constricting the aorta in adult animals. We banded the thoracic aorta in newborn puppies, and performed studies 2 yr later. Blood pressure (BP) elevations, abundant chest wall collaterals, the absence of heart failure, and subsequent necropsy confirmed the full syndrome of natural coarctation in all dogs. Transient BP elevations were induced in conscious, unrestrained dogs with intravenous phenylephrine injections. Reflex bradycardia was quantitated by plotting each pulse interval in microseconds against BP of the preceding beat, and expressing BRS as the linear regression coefficient (slope) in ms/mmHg. Mean BRS in 10 dogs with coarctation did not differ significantly (P greater than 0.1) from 8 normal controls. Carotid sinus diameter (CSD) was also assessed. Carotid arteries were fixed in vivo by prolonged exposure to glutaraldehyde to prevent contraction, then were excised and measured in a calibrated microscope. Mean CSD in 10 dogs with coarctation was significantly greater (P less than 0.01) than in 10 control dogs. The unexpectedly normal BRS in experimental coarctation may be due to changes in CSD induced by hypertension; such changes may only develop in growing animals. Experimental studies of coarctation should use a preparation that mimics the natural lesion.", "contents": "Baroreflex sensitivity and carotid sinus dimensions in dogs with coarctation. Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) has not been assessed in coarctation, though it is diminished in renal and essential hypertension. Previous experimental studies of coarctation have dealt primarily with renal mechanisms of hypertension, and have relied on constricting the aorta in adult animals. We banded the thoracic aorta in newborn puppies, and performed studies 2 yr later. Blood pressure (BP) elevations, abundant chest wall collaterals, the absence of heart failure, and subsequent necropsy confirmed the full syndrome of natural coarctation in all dogs. Transient BP elevations were induced in conscious, unrestrained dogs with intravenous phenylephrine injections. Reflex bradycardia was quantitated by plotting each pulse interval in microseconds against BP of the preceding beat, and expressing BRS as the linear regression coefficient (slope) in ms/mmHg. Mean BRS in 10 dogs with coarctation did not differ significantly (P greater than 0.1) from 8 normal controls. Carotid sinus diameter (CSD) was also assessed. Carotid arteries were fixed in vivo by prolonged exposure to glutaraldehyde to prevent contraction, then were excised and measured in a calibrated microscope. Mean CSD in 10 dogs with coarctation was significantly greater (P less than 0.01) than in 10 control dogs. The unexpectedly normal BRS in experimental coarctation may be due to changes in CSD induced by hypertension; such changes may only develop in growing animals. Experimental studies of coarctation should use a preparation that mimics the natural lesion.", "PMID": 786971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7607", "title": "Comparison of spontaneous and positive-pressure breathing in supine normal subjects.", "content": "Distribution of ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) was studied with 133Xe in eight supine, normal subjects comparing spontaneous breathing (SB) and intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB). Tidal volume, inspiratory flow, and breathing frequency measured during SB were closely matched during automatically triggered IPPB. V and Q in the lung bases (adjacent to the diaphragm) were decreased relative to other regions during SB and further diminished by IPPB at similar volumes. During IPPB, basilar V and Q improved when tidal volume was increased; however; spontaneous hyperinflation resulted in significantly higher basilar V and Q than large tidal volumes delivered by IPPB. Thus, changes in lung volumes and gas exchange in the supine posture are attributable to impaired V and Q in the bases but not in dependent (posterior) regions. IPPB further reduces basilar V and Q, possibly due to loss of interdependence resulting from diminished respiratory muscle contraction. These findings may explain atelectasis during prolonged IPPB in supine patients. Although large tidal volumes improve basilar V during IPPB, spontaneous deep breaths are more effective and may prevent atelectasis better than IPPB at similar tidal volumes.", "contents": "Comparison of spontaneous and positive-pressure breathing in supine normal subjects. Distribution of ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) was studied with 133Xe in eight supine, normal subjects comparing spontaneous breathing (SB) and intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB). Tidal volume, inspiratory flow, and breathing frequency measured during SB were closely matched during automatically triggered IPPB. V and Q in the lung bases (adjacent to the diaphragm) were decreased relative to other regions during SB and further diminished by IPPB at similar volumes. During IPPB, basilar V and Q improved when tidal volume was increased; however; spontaneous hyperinflation resulted in significantly higher basilar V and Q than large tidal volumes delivered by IPPB. Thus, changes in lung volumes and gas exchange in the supine posture are attributable to impaired V and Q in the bases but not in dependent (posterior) regions. IPPB further reduces basilar V and Q, possibly due to loss of interdependence resulting from diminished respiratory muscle contraction. These findings may explain atelectasis during prolonged IPPB in supine patients. Although large tidal volumes improve basilar V during IPPB, spontaneous deep breaths are more effective and may prevent atelectasis better than IPPB at similar tidal volumes.", "PMID": 786972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7608", "title": "Quantitation of right-to-left shunting by double indicator and oxygen techniques.", "content": "An improved double indicator technique for quantitating right-to-left shunting has been validated in a canine right-heart bypass shunt model and compared to standard O2 shunt measurements in the same preparation. A bolus of dissolved sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and indocyanine green dye (ICG) is injected into systemic venous return and a single, time-averaged arterial blood sample is collected during the initial circulation of indicators. Because of its low solubility, SF6 is eliminated essentially quantitatively from blood traversing gas-filled alveoli; correction for volatile tracer in arterial blood derived from nonshunt pathways in therefore unnecessary. ICG remains confined to the vascular space and SF6 is not lost in shunt pathways. Ratios of SF6-ICG shunt to directly measured shunt averaged 0.99 +/- 0.27 (SD) in 55 comparisons of shunts ranging from 2 to 25% of cardiac output; differences between actual and measured shunt averaged 0.5 +/- 2.9% of cardiac output. Simultaneously determined ratios of O2 shunt to directly measured shunt averaged 0.98 +/- 0.48 in 34 comparisons; differences between actual and measured shunt were 0.7 +/- 3.4% of cardiac output.", "contents": "Quantitation of right-to-left shunting by double indicator and oxygen techniques. An improved double indicator technique for quantitating right-to-left shunting has been validated in a canine right-heart bypass shunt model and compared to standard O2 shunt measurements in the same preparation. A bolus of dissolved sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and indocyanine green dye (ICG) is injected into systemic venous return and a single, time-averaged arterial blood sample is collected during the initial circulation of indicators. Because of its low solubility, SF6 is eliminated essentially quantitatively from blood traversing gas-filled alveoli; correction for volatile tracer in arterial blood derived from nonshunt pathways in therefore unnecessary. ICG remains confined to the vascular space and SF6 is not lost in shunt pathways. Ratios of SF6-ICG shunt to directly measured shunt averaged 0.99 +/- 0.27 (SD) in 55 comparisons of shunts ranging from 2 to 25% of cardiac output; differences between actual and measured shunt averaged 0.5 +/- 2.9% of cardiac output. Simultaneously determined ratios of O2 shunt to directly measured shunt averaged 0.98 +/- 0.48 in 34 comparisons; differences between actual and measured shunt were 0.7 +/- 3.4% of cardiac output.", "PMID": 786973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7609", "title": "Employing electric shock with autistic children. A review of the side effects.", "content": "The use of electric shock in a punishment paradigm has continued to be a highly controversial issue in the treatment of autistic children. While the experimental literature argues for the effectiveness of the procedure for reducing maladaptive behaviors, some clinicians and researchers have expressed fear of possible negative side effects. The reported side effects of contingent electric shock were reviewed in an attempt to evaluate the validity of these fears. The review indicated that the majority of reported side effects of shock were of a positive nature. These positive effects included response generalization, increases in social behavior, and positive emotional behavior. The few negative side effects reported included fear of the shock apparatus, negative emotional behavior, and increases in other maladaptive behavior. The implication of these findings for the use of the shock procedure are discussed in terms of correct usage of the shock, therapist reservations, and alternative procedures.", "contents": "Employing electric shock with autistic children. A review of the side effects. The use of electric shock in a punishment paradigm has continued to be a highly controversial issue in the treatment of autistic children. While the experimental literature argues for the effectiveness of the procedure for reducing maladaptive behaviors, some clinicians and researchers have expressed fear of possible negative side effects. The reported side effects of contingent electric shock were reviewed in an attempt to evaluate the validity of these fears. The review indicated that the majority of reported side effects of shock were of a positive nature. These positive effects included response generalization, increases in social behavior, and positive emotional behavior. The few negative side effects reported included fear of the shock apparatus, negative emotional behavior, and increases in other maladaptive behavior. The implication of these findings for the use of the shock procedure are discussed in terms of correct usage of the shock, therapist reservations, and alternative procedures.", "PMID": 786974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7610", "title": "Myosin-free ghosts of single fibers and an attempt to re-form myosin filaments in the ghost fibers.", "content": "With the final aim of replacing myosin in a single muscle fiber, a technique for removing myosin almost completely from single fibers was developed and an attempt to \"re-form\" thick filaments in the myosin-free ghosts of single fibers was made. Complete removal of myosin from single glycerol-treated rabbit psoas fibers with Hasselbach-Schneider solution was difficult. However, when skinned glycerol-treated fibers were used and 1% (v/v) Triton X-100 was added to the Hasselbach-Schneider solution, almost complete removal of myosin was possible. The myosin-free ghosts of skinned single fibers were very fragile but retained the overall structure. In the ghost fibers, Z-membranes and thin filaments remained. The ghost fibers, after irrigation with myosin, underwent contraction upon addition of Mg-ATP. In the myosin-irrigated fibers, thick filaments were re-formed in lengths from one Z-membrane to the other Z-membrane of a sarcomere, running parallel to the thin filaments. The packing of these two filaments was not good. The isometric tension developed by the irrigated fibers upon addition of mg-ATP was about 10% of the tension developed by untreated fibers. The weak tension developed by irrigated fibers is probably due to the irregular packing of the thick and thin filaments in the fibers. The ghost fibers also contracted, though only slightly, upon addition of Mg-ATP after irrigation with heavy meromyosin.", "contents": "Myosin-free ghosts of single fibers and an attempt to re-form myosin filaments in the ghost fibers. With the final aim of replacing myosin in a single muscle fiber, a technique for removing myosin almost completely from single fibers was developed and an attempt to \"re-form\" thick filaments in the myosin-free ghosts of single fibers was made. Complete removal of myosin from single glycerol-treated rabbit psoas fibers with Hasselbach-Schneider solution was difficult. However, when skinned glycerol-treated fibers were used and 1% (v/v) Triton X-100 was added to the Hasselbach-Schneider solution, almost complete removal of myosin was possible. The myosin-free ghosts of skinned single fibers were very fragile but retained the overall structure. In the ghost fibers, Z-membranes and thin filaments remained. The ghost fibers, after irrigation with myosin, underwent contraction upon addition of Mg-ATP. In the myosin-irrigated fibers, thick filaments were re-formed in lengths from one Z-membrane to the other Z-membrane of a sarcomere, running parallel to the thin filaments. The packing of these two filaments was not good. The isometric tension developed by the irrigated fibers upon addition of mg-ATP was about 10% of the tension developed by untreated fibers. The weak tension developed by irrigated fibers is probably due to the irregular packing of the thick and thin filaments in the fibers. The ghost fibers also contracted, though only slightly, upon addition of Mg-ATP after irrigation with heavy meromyosin.", "PMID": 786979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7611", "title": "Development of a self-instructional program on pressure-controlled ventilators.", "content": "Discussed are the instructional development, materials, application, and evaluation of a program to train staff to apply pressure controlled ventilators correctly and to recognize and correct malfunctions in the apparatus. The self-instructional portion of the program requires slide sets, audiotapes, workbooks, and some of the sections require special apparatus. The rest of the program includes demonstrations, supervised practice, and experience in a recovery room. Compared to lecture technique, faculty teaching time has been reduced by half; teaching tends to be more satisfying, and the performance of students who complete the self-instructional part of the program is improved. For best results, the self-instructional materials must be supplemented with demonstrations and practice.", "contents": "Development of a self-instructional program on pressure-controlled ventilators. Discussed are the instructional development, materials, application, and evaluation of a program to train staff to apply pressure controlled ventilators correctly and to recognize and correct malfunctions in the apparatus. The self-instructional portion of the program requires slide sets, audiotapes, workbooks, and some of the sections require special apparatus. The rest of the program includes demonstrations, supervised practice, and experience in a recovery room. Compared to lecture technique, faculty teaching time has been reduced by half; teaching tends to be more satisfying, and the performance of students who complete the self-instructional part of the program is improved. For best results, the self-instructional materials must be supplemented with demonstrations and practice.", "PMID": 786980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7612", "title": "Stereochemistry of the formation of cysteine by O-acetylserine sulfhydrase.", "content": "The enzymatic preparation of (2S, 3R)- and (2S, 3S)-[3-3H] serine from the corresponding stereospecifically tritiated 3-P-glycerates is described. Following conversion into T-acetylserine, these substrates were used to establish the steric course of the O-acetylserine sulfhydrase reaction. The two samples of cysteine formed in this reaction were analyzed for their configuration at C-3. The results indicate that the replacement of the acetoxy by a sulfhydryl group in the O-acetylserine sulfhydrase reaction occurs with retention of configuration at carbon atom 3.", "contents": "Stereochemistry of the formation of cysteine by O-acetylserine sulfhydrase. The enzymatic preparation of (2S, 3R)- and (2S, 3S)-[3-3H] serine from the corresponding stereospecifically tritiated 3-P-glycerates is described. Following conversion into T-acetylserine, these substrates were used to establish the steric course of the O-acetylserine sulfhydrase reaction. The two samples of cysteine formed in this reaction were analyzed for their configuration at C-3. The results indicate that the replacement of the acetoxy by a sulfhydryl group in the O-acetylserine sulfhydrase reaction occurs with retention of configuration at carbon atom 3.", "PMID": 786982} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7613", "title": "Synthesis of ribosomal proteins L7L12 in relaxed and stringent strains of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The control of the synthesis of ribosomal proteins L7L12 (which lack histidine) was examined during growth and histidine starvation of stringent and relaxed histidine mutants. Since no ribosomes are synthesized during starvation, these proteins, in both the stringent and relaxed organisms, accumulated in the supernatant and were shown to possess both biological and physical characteristics typical of normal L7L12. However, the rate and extent of synthesis of these proteins during starvation is greater in the relaxed strain than in the stringent. These data suggest that the regulation of the synthesis of these proteins, similar to that of ribosomal RNA is regulated by the stringent control system. It was also shown that during normal growth of both organisms, L7L12 is also found in the supernatant as well as on the ribosomes. The L7L12 found in the supernatant under these conditions, however, appears to be different than ribosomal L7L12.", "contents": "Synthesis of ribosomal proteins L7L12 in relaxed and stringent strains of Escherichia coli. The control of the synthesis of ribosomal proteins L7L12 (which lack histidine) was examined during growth and histidine starvation of stringent and relaxed histidine mutants. Since no ribosomes are synthesized during starvation, these proteins, in both the stringent and relaxed organisms, accumulated in the supernatant and were shown to possess both biological and physical characteristics typical of normal L7L12. However, the rate and extent of synthesis of these proteins during starvation is greater in the relaxed strain than in the stringent. These data suggest that the regulation of the synthesis of these proteins, similar to that of ribosomal RNA is regulated by the stringent control system. It was also shown that during normal growth of both organisms, L7L12 is also found in the supernatant as well as on the ribosomes. The L7L12 found in the supernatant under these conditions, however, appears to be different than ribosomal L7L12.", "PMID": 786983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7614", "title": "Effect of estrogen on gene expression in the chick oviduct. Studies on the initiation of RNA synthesis on chromatin in vitro.", "content": "Studies on the effect of the temperature requirement for RNA chain initiation by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase on DNA, chromatin, and reconstituted chromatin were carried out in order to better understand the nature of the initiation process. Varying the temperature or ionic strength during preincubations had little effect on the formation of stable preinitiation complexes (RS complexes) between RNA polymerase and chromatin. This observation was in marked ocntrast to similar studies performed on native DNA and indicates that initiation sites for RNA synthesis on chromatin are different from those on double-stranded DNA and resemble more closely initiation of RNA synthesis on single-stranded DNA. These results suggest that the local unwinding of the initiation region which is required for RNA chain initiation on native DNA may not be a prerequisite for RNA initiation on chromatin. The results of studies on reconstituted chromatin devoid of different classes of chromatin proteins demonstrate that both histone and nonhistone fractions are essential in maintaining the characteristics inherent to initiation of RNA synthesis on chromatin. Removal of either moderatley lysine-rich histone or arginine-rich histone fractions led to the complete loss of the characteristic \"chromatin type\" initiation pattern for RNA synthesis, whereas, removing lysine-rich (Fi) histone had no effect. Single strand specific and double strand specific antibodies to DNA and a single strand specific nuclease were used as probes to examine the structure of chromatin sites for initiation of RNA synthesis. Their effects on RNA synthesis suggest that initiation sites on chromatin are not located in freely accessible single-stranded or double-stranded regions of DNA.", "contents": "Effect of estrogen on gene expression in the chick oviduct. Studies on the initiation of RNA synthesis on chromatin in vitro. Studies on the effect of the temperature requirement for RNA chain initiation by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase on DNA, chromatin, and reconstituted chromatin were carried out in order to better understand the nature of the initiation process. Varying the temperature or ionic strength during preincubations had little effect on the formation of stable preinitiation complexes (RS complexes) between RNA polymerase and chromatin. This observation was in marked ocntrast to similar studies performed on native DNA and indicates that initiation sites for RNA synthesis on chromatin are different from those on double-stranded DNA and resemble more closely initiation of RNA synthesis on single-stranded DNA. These results suggest that the local unwinding of the initiation region which is required for RNA chain initiation on native DNA may not be a prerequisite for RNA initiation on chromatin. The results of studies on reconstituted chromatin devoid of different classes of chromatin proteins demonstrate that both histone and nonhistone fractions are essential in maintaining the characteristics inherent to initiation of RNA synthesis on chromatin. Removal of either moderatley lysine-rich histone or arginine-rich histone fractions led to the complete loss of the characteristic \"chromatin type\" initiation pattern for RNA synthesis, whereas, removing lysine-rich (Fi) histone had no effect. Single strand specific and double strand specific antibodies to DNA and a single strand specific nuclease were used as probes to examine the structure of chromatin sites for initiation of RNA synthesis. Their effects on RNA synthesis suggest that initiation sites on chromatin are not located in freely accessible single-stranded or double-stranded regions of DNA.", "PMID": 786984} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7615", "title": "EcoRI endonuclease. Physical and catalytic properties of the homogenous enzyme.", "content": "A procedure for large scale isolation of Escherichia coli RI endonuclease in high yield has been developed. The purified enzyme is homogeneous as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and analytical sedimentation. The denatured and reduced form of the enzyme has a molecular weight of 28,500 +/- 500. In solution the enzyme exists as a mixture of dimers and tetramers of molecular weights 57,000 and 114,000, respectively. We estimate the dissociation constant for tetramer to dimer transition to be less than or approximately equal to 1 x 10-7 M. Steady state kinetic analysis of the endonuclease with ColE1 DNA as substrate showed that the enzyme obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics. At 37 degrees the turnover number is four double strand scissons per min, and the Km for ColE1 molecules is 8 x 10(-9) M. At 0 degrees the major product of endonuclease action contains only one single strand break in the RI site, and such molecules can dissociate from the enzyme. In contrast, at 30 degrees to 37 degrees, two single strand breaks are introduced into the RI sequence prior to dissociation of the enzyme. A transient enzyme-bound intermediate containing only one break in the RI site was observed in studies of a single turnover at 30 degrees. Kinetic analysis of this reaction indicates that the first break is introduced into the RI site with the first order rate constant of at least 40 min-1, while the second cleavage occurs with a rate constant of 14 min-1. Since the turnover number of the enzyme at 30 degress is only 0.72 min-1, these results indicate that the rate-limiting step is release of endonuclear from its DNA product.", "contents": "EcoRI endonuclease. Physical and catalytic properties of the homogenous enzyme. A procedure for large scale isolation of Escherichia coli RI endonuclease in high yield has been developed. The purified enzyme is homogeneous as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and analytical sedimentation. The denatured and reduced form of the enzyme has a molecular weight of 28,500 +/- 500. In solution the enzyme exists as a mixture of dimers and tetramers of molecular weights 57,000 and 114,000, respectively. We estimate the dissociation constant for tetramer to dimer transition to be less than or approximately equal to 1 x 10-7 M. Steady state kinetic analysis of the endonuclease with ColE1 DNA as substrate showed that the enzyme obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics. At 37 degrees the turnover number is four double strand scissons per min, and the Km for ColE1 molecules is 8 x 10(-9) M. At 0 degrees the major product of endonuclease action contains only one single strand break in the RI site, and such molecules can dissociate from the enzyme. In contrast, at 30 degrees to 37 degrees, two single strand breaks are introduced into the RI sequence prior to dissociation of the enzyme. A transient enzyme-bound intermediate containing only one break in the RI site was observed in studies of a single turnover at 30 degrees. Kinetic analysis of this reaction indicates that the first break is introduced into the RI site with the first order rate constant of at least 40 min-1, while the second cleavage occurs with a rate constant of 14 min-1. Since the turnover number of the enzyme at 30 degress is only 0.72 min-1, these results indicate that the rate-limiting step is release of endonuclear from its DNA product.", "PMID": 786985} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7616", "title": "The NADH dehydrogenase of the respiratory chain of Escherichia coli. I. Properties of the membrane-bound enzyme, its solubilization, and purification to near homogeneity.", "content": "The NADH dehydrogenase of the Escherichia coli respiratory chain has been identified by the following properties: (a) its location in membrane vesicles; (b) its inhibition by AMP in a fashion similar to that of the NADH oxidase; (c) its specificity for NADH, but not NADPH, with the same Km for NADH as that of the NADH oxidase; (d) its sensitivity when membrane-bound to inhibition by dicoumarol, rotenone, and 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, which are also inhibitors for the NADH oxidase. The NADH-dehydrogenase of the cytosol fraction (assayed as NADH-dichlorphenolindophenol reductase activity) differs substantially from the membrane-bound activity both in substrate specificity and in the inhibitors of the reaction. The respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase was extracted from isolated membrane vesicle preparations by solubilization in Triton X-100, and was purified in buffers containing that detergent. The purification employed chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, precipitation by 30% ethanol, and chromatography on hydroxyalapatite and DEAE-agarose. The most highly purified preparations of the enzyme were homogeneous in migration on polyacrylamide gels containing Triton X-100, at pH 9.5, where one band accounted for all of the protein and activity. Electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecul sulfate showed 1 band of molecular weight 38,000, which accounted for over 75% of the protein on the gel. Because of requirements for either Triton X-100 or phospholipid for activity of the purified enzyme, it is difficult to estimate the level of purification achieved over isolated membrane vesicles. However, we estimate that the enzyme was purified some 30-fold over membrane vesicles, or some 300-fold over whole cells.", "contents": "The NADH dehydrogenase of the respiratory chain of Escherichia coli. I. Properties of the membrane-bound enzyme, its solubilization, and purification to near homogeneity. The NADH dehydrogenase of the Escherichia coli respiratory chain has been identified by the following properties: (a) its location in membrane vesicles; (b) its inhibition by AMP in a fashion similar to that of the NADH oxidase; (c) its specificity for NADH, but not NADPH, with the same Km for NADH as that of the NADH oxidase; (d) its sensitivity when membrane-bound to inhibition by dicoumarol, rotenone, and 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, which are also inhibitors for the NADH oxidase. The NADH-dehydrogenase of the cytosol fraction (assayed as NADH-dichlorphenolindophenol reductase activity) differs substantially from the membrane-bound activity both in substrate specificity and in the inhibitors of the reaction. The respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase was extracted from isolated membrane vesicle preparations by solubilization in Triton X-100, and was purified in buffers containing that detergent. The purification employed chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, precipitation by 30% ethanol, and chromatography on hydroxyalapatite and DEAE-agarose. The most highly purified preparations of the enzyme were homogeneous in migration on polyacrylamide gels containing Triton X-100, at pH 9.5, where one band accounted for all of the protein and activity. Electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecul sulfate showed 1 band of molecular weight 38,000, which accounted for over 75% of the protein on the gel. Because of requirements for either Triton X-100 or phospholipid for activity of the purified enzyme, it is difficult to estimate the level of purification achieved over isolated membrane vesicles. However, we estimate that the enzyme was purified some 30-fold over membrane vesicles, or some 300-fold over whole cells.", "PMID": 786986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7617", "title": "Stimulus-secretion coupling of glucose-induced insulin release. Metabolism of alpha- and beta-D-glucose in isolated islets.", "content": "Alpha-D-Glucose is known to exert more marked insulinotropic action than B-D-glucose. Both anomers are phosphorylated at the same rate by rat islet homogenates. The islet glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase displays a preferential affinity towards beta-D-glucose-6-phosphate, and this coincides with a higher sorbitol content in the islets exposed to beta-D-glucose. On the contrary, the islet phosphoglucose isomerase is stereospecific for alpha-D-glucose 6-phosphate and, hence, the concentration of glucose 6-phosphate is lower and that of the alpha-anomer to lactate and CO2 is also higher than that of beta-D-glucose. This increased glycolytic flux is associated with a more marked inhibitory action on 14Ca efflux, a more pronounced stimulation of 45Ca net uptake and a higher rate of insulin release in the islets exposed to alpha-D-glucose. The more marked insulinotropic action of alpha- as a distinct from beta-D-glucose is thus compatible with the view that glycolysis represents the key component of the sensor device through which glucose is identified in the pancreatic B-cell as a stimulus for insulin release.", "contents": "Stimulus-secretion coupling of glucose-induced insulin release. Metabolism of alpha- and beta-D-glucose in isolated islets. Alpha-D-Glucose is known to exert more marked insulinotropic action than B-D-glucose. Both anomers are phosphorylated at the same rate by rat islet homogenates. The islet glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase displays a preferential affinity towards beta-D-glucose-6-phosphate, and this coincides with a higher sorbitol content in the islets exposed to beta-D-glucose. On the contrary, the islet phosphoglucose isomerase is stereospecific for alpha-D-glucose 6-phosphate and, hence, the concentration of glucose 6-phosphate is lower and that of the alpha-anomer to lactate and CO2 is also higher than that of beta-D-glucose. This increased glycolytic flux is associated with a more marked inhibitory action on 14Ca efflux, a more pronounced stimulation of 45Ca net uptake and a higher rate of insulin release in the islets exposed to alpha-D-glucose. The more marked insulinotropic action of alpha- as a distinct from beta-D-glucose is thus compatible with the view that glycolysis represents the key component of the sensor device through which glucose is identified in the pancreatic B-cell as a stimulus for insulin release.", "PMID": 786987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7618", "title": "Determination of ligand binding: partial and full saturation of aspartate transcarbamylase. Applicability of a filter assay to weakly binding ligands.", "content": "Carbamyl phosphate and succinate each bind to six sites in the hexameric aspartate transcarbamylase from Escherichia coli when both ligands are present in saturating concentrations. Their respective dissociation constants are 2.4 and 1400 muM. Positive homotropic interaction, shown earlier for the association of succinate with the enzyme in the presence of carbamyl phosphate (Changeux, J.-P., Gerhart, J.C., and Schachamn, H.K. (1968) Biochemistry 7, 513-538), is also found for carbamyl phosphate binding in the presence of succinate. Apparent half-of-the-sites saturation, previously described for carbamyl phosphate binding in the absence of succinate (Rosenbusch, J.P., and Griffin, J.H. (1973) J. Biol, Chem. 248, 5063-5066), also occurs when succinate binds to the enzyme in the absence of carbamyl phosphate. A second class of three low affinity sites for carbamyl phosphate could be detected in the enzyme when succinate was absent. These results indicate that aspartate transcarbamylase exists in an asymmetric state under several defined conditions. The results reported were obtained with a highly sensitive filter bonding assay, modified to allow the study of the protein-ligand interactions with dissociation constants in the millimolar range. The assay is described in detail. Its validity is demonstrated by the good correlation of the results obtained with those observed with independent methods.", "contents": "Determination of ligand binding: partial and full saturation of aspartate transcarbamylase. Applicability of a filter assay to weakly binding ligands. Carbamyl phosphate and succinate each bind to six sites in the hexameric aspartate transcarbamylase from Escherichia coli when both ligands are present in saturating concentrations. Their respective dissociation constants are 2.4 and 1400 muM. Positive homotropic interaction, shown earlier for the association of succinate with the enzyme in the presence of carbamyl phosphate (Changeux, J.-P., Gerhart, J.C., and Schachamn, H.K. (1968) Biochemistry 7, 513-538), is also found for carbamyl phosphate binding in the presence of succinate. Apparent half-of-the-sites saturation, previously described for carbamyl phosphate binding in the absence of succinate (Rosenbusch, J.P., and Griffin, J.H. (1973) J. Biol, Chem. 248, 5063-5066), also occurs when succinate binds to the enzyme in the absence of carbamyl phosphate. A second class of three low affinity sites for carbamyl phosphate could be detected in the enzyme when succinate was absent. These results indicate that aspartate transcarbamylase exists in an asymmetric state under several defined conditions. The results reported were obtained with a highly sensitive filter bonding assay, modified to allow the study of the protein-ligand interactions with dissociation constants in the millimolar range. The assay is described in detail. Its validity is demonstrated by the good correlation of the results obtained with those observed with independent methods.", "PMID": 786988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7619", "title": "45Calcium localization in islets of Langerhans, a study by electron-microscopic autoradiography.", "content": "Attempts were made to localize the sites of uptake of 45calcium in B cells of islets of Langerhans by electron-microscopic autoradiography. Despite the potential sources of error inherent in the partial loss of radioactivity during fixation, and in the relatively high energy of emission of this isotope, distribution of silver grains differed signficantly from random in all experiments. Grains were concentrated over mitochondria and to a lesser extent over storage granules. Incubation of islets in the presence of 10 mM glucose and isobutylmethyl-xanthine before fixation and autoradiography resulted in a small but not statistically significant reduction in silver grains associated with the mitochondria. These results further indicate a dominant role of mitochondria in the regulation of cytosolic calcium concentrations in pancreatic B cells.", "contents": "45Calcium localization in islets of Langerhans, a study by electron-microscopic autoradiography. Attempts were made to localize the sites of uptake of 45calcium in B cells of islets of Langerhans by electron-microscopic autoradiography. Despite the potential sources of error inherent in the partial loss of radioactivity during fixation, and in the relatively high energy of emission of this isotope, distribution of silver grains differed signficantly from random in all experiments. Grains were concentrated over mitochondria and to a lesser extent over storage granules. Incubation of islets in the presence of 10 mM glucose and isobutylmethyl-xanthine before fixation and autoradiography resulted in a small but not statistically significant reduction in silver grains associated with the mitochondria. These results further indicate a dominant role of mitochondria in the regulation of cytosolic calcium concentrations in pancreatic B cells.", "PMID": 786995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7620", "title": "Caffeic acid-containing medium for identification of Cryptococcus neoformans.", "content": "A new growth medium containing caffeic acid and ferric citrate is described. The pigment produced on this medium is specific for the identification of Cryptococcus neoformans and differentiates it from other cryptococci. The medium is more easily compounded and requires less time for pigment formation than the conventional Guizotia extract media. The medium is stable in the dry form as well as in the prepared form.", "contents": "Caffeic acid-containing medium for identification of Cryptococcus neoformans. A new growth medium containing caffeic acid and ferric citrate is described. The pigment produced on this medium is specific for the identification of Cryptococcus neoformans and differentiates it from other cryptococci. The medium is more easily compounded and requires less time for pigment formation than the conventional Guizotia extract media. The medium is stable in the dry form as well as in the prepared form.", "PMID": 786998} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7621", "title": "Clinical laboratory evaluation of the further improved Enterotube and Encise II.", "content": "The most recent improvements in the Enterotube coupled with Encise II permitted identification of routinely and abnormally reacting members of the family Enterobacteriaceae.", "contents": "Clinical laboratory evaluation of the further improved Enterotube and Encise II. The most recent improvements in the Enterotube coupled with Encise II permitted identification of routinely and abnormally reacting members of the family Enterobacteriaceae.", "PMID": 786999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7622", "title": "Immunofluorescence of yeast in urine.", "content": "A study of immunofluorescence of yeast in the urine was carried out in 18 patients with funguria in an effort to correlate gamma globulin coating with evidence of tissue invasion or as an indicator for institution of therapy. Positive immunofluorescence of yeast in urine is common but is neither indicative of upper urinary tract yeast invasion nor a useful guideline for beginning treatment.", "contents": "Immunofluorescence of yeast in urine. A study of immunofluorescence of yeast in the urine was carried out in 18 patients with funguria in an effort to correlate gamma globulin coating with evidence of tissue invasion or as an indicator for institution of therapy. Positive immunofluorescence of yeast in urine is common but is neither indicative of upper urinary tract yeast invasion nor a useful guideline for beginning treatment.", "PMID": 787000} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7623", "title": "Inhibitory effect of heparin on the Limulus test for endotoxin.", "content": "Heparin can inhibit the Limulus test for endotoxin unless 0.05 M CaCl(2) and 0.154 M NaCl are added to the lysate.", "contents": "Inhibitory effect of heparin on the Limulus test for endotoxin. Heparin can inhibit the Limulus test for endotoxin unless 0.05 M CaCl(2) and 0.154 M NaCl are added to the lysate.", "PMID": 787001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7624", "title": "Rapid diagnosis of mumps virus infections by immunofluorescence methods.", "content": "Mumps and its complications, particularly meningoencephalitis, is an important disease problem, and more rapid diagnostic methods are desirable. A study was made of immunofluorescence methods for the early detection of mumps virus isolated in cell cultures, or adsorbed directly from clinical specimens onto guinea pig erythrocytes. A specific diagnosis could be made in hours to 2 or 3 days utilizing immunofluorescence methods, in contrast to about 6 days by standard methods. Details of the direct immunofluorescence methods are presented, to encourage wider application in clinical virology laboratories.", "contents": "Rapid diagnosis of mumps virus infections by immunofluorescence methods. Mumps and its complications, particularly meningoencephalitis, is an important disease problem, and more rapid diagnostic methods are desirable. A study was made of immunofluorescence methods for the early detection of mumps virus isolated in cell cultures, or adsorbed directly from clinical specimens onto guinea pig erythrocytes. A specific diagnosis could be made in hours to 2 or 3 days utilizing immunofluorescence methods, in contrast to about 6 days by standard methods. Details of the direct immunofluorescence methods are presented, to encourage wider application in clinical virology laboratories.", "PMID": 787002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7625", "title": "Six-hour pigmentation test for the identification of Cryptococcus neoformans.", "content": "Cryptococcus neoformans colonies can be identified within 6 h using paper disks containing caffeic acid and ferric citrate. Indentification is based on the development of a dark brown pigment. Saprophytic Cryptococcus species and common clinically isolated yeasts do not develop the brown color. The concentration of the reagents and the method of storage of the impregnated paper disks are critical for the rapid and specific development of the pigment.", "contents": "Six-hour pigmentation test for the identification of Cryptococcus neoformans. Cryptococcus neoformans colonies can be identified within 6 h using paper disks containing caffeic acid and ferric citrate. Indentification is based on the development of a dark brown pigment. Saprophytic Cryptococcus species and common clinically isolated yeasts do not develop the brown color. The concentration of the reagents and the method of storage of the impregnated paper disks are critical for the rapid and specific development of the pigment.", "PMID": 787003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7626", "title": "Evaluation of reagin screen, a new serological test for syphilis.", "content": "A total of 1,020 serum and plasma specimens were tested using the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) card, Reagin Screen (RST) and Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption (FTA-ABS) tests. In 257 normal patients, all screening tests were nonreactive; the FTA-ABS test was reactive for one patient. In 588 patients with treated and untreated syphilis, the RST results were 91.7% in agreement with the VDRL and RPR results. In 175 patients with diseases that cause biological false reactions, the RST was 94% in agreement with the other screening tests. The titer of the RST was within one dilution of the corresponding VDRL titer in 91.7% of the 360 speciments tested and within one dilution of the RPR titer in 96.9% of 358 specimens quantitated by both tests.", "contents": "Evaluation of reagin screen, a new serological test for syphilis. A total of 1,020 serum and plasma specimens were tested using the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) card, Reagin Screen (RST) and Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption (FTA-ABS) tests. In 257 normal patients, all screening tests were nonreactive; the FTA-ABS test was reactive for one patient. In 588 patients with treated and untreated syphilis, the RST results were 91.7% in agreement with the VDRL and RPR results. In 175 patients with diseases that cause biological false reactions, the RST was 94% in agreement with the other screening tests. The titer of the RST was within one dilution of the corresponding VDRL titer in 91.7% of the 360 speciments tested and within one dilution of the RPR titer in 96.9% of 358 specimens quantitated by both tests.", "PMID": 787004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7627", "title": "Unclassified, citrate-positive member of the family Enterobacteriaceae resembling Escherichia coli.", "content": "Three isolates of an unclassified, oxidase-negative and citrate-positive, gram-negative bacillus belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae were studied. With the exception of the citrate reactions, these strains most closely resembled Escherichia coli in their biochemical reactivity.", "contents": "Unclassified, citrate-positive member of the family Enterobacteriaceae resembling Escherichia coli. Three isolates of an unclassified, oxidase-negative and citrate-positive, gram-negative bacillus belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae were studied. With the exception of the citrate reactions, these strains most closely resembled Escherichia coli in their biochemical reactivity.", "PMID": 787005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7628", "title": "Rapid spot test for the determination of esculin hydrolysis.", "content": "Esculin hydrolysis is a useful test in the differentiation of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria covering a wide spectrum of aerobes, facultative anaerobes, and anaerobes. Commonly utilized methods require a minimum of 18 h of incubation in broth or agar medium and utilize the production of a brown-black compound, due to the combination of ferric ions with the hydrolysis product esculetin, as indicator. A procedure is presented that requires 15 to 30 min for completion and utilizes fluorescence loss as the indicator of hydrolysis. Esculin fluoresces at 366 nm, whereas the hydrolysis product esculetin does not. Over 1,400 strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were tested. There was 98.4% of correlation between the spot test and esculin broth and 97% correlation with the bile-esculin agar.", "contents": "Rapid spot test for the determination of esculin hydrolysis. Esculin hydrolysis is a useful test in the differentiation of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria covering a wide spectrum of aerobes, facultative anaerobes, and anaerobes. Commonly utilized methods require a minimum of 18 h of incubation in broth or agar medium and utilize the production of a brown-black compound, due to the combination of ferric ions with the hydrolysis product esculetin, as indicator. A procedure is presented that requires 15 to 30 min for completion and utilizes fluorescence loss as the indicator of hydrolysis. Esculin fluoresces at 366 nm, whereas the hydrolysis product esculetin does not. Over 1,400 strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were tested. There was 98.4% of correlation between the spot test and esculin broth and 97% correlation with the bile-esculin agar.", "PMID": 787006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7629", "title": "Convenient system for multiple screening of microbial carbohydrate metabolism.", "content": "A rapid technique for inoculating carbohydrate oxidation and fermentation media is described. This method employs 24-well tissue culture trays and a multi-inoculator. Other applications are discussed.", "contents": "Convenient system for multiple screening of microbial carbohydrate metabolism. A rapid technique for inoculating carbohydrate oxidation and fermentation media is described. This method employs 24-well tissue culture trays and a multi-inoculator. Other applications are discussed.", "PMID": 787007} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7630", "title": "Comparison of the sensitivity of two methods for isolation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.", "content": "Throat swab specimens from 1,494 Marine Corps recruits were inoculated into vials containing diphasic (broth/agar) mycoplasma medium and also onto PPLO agar plates, which were subsequently overlayed with sheep erythrocytes in saline agar. Strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae were isolated from 89 (6%) of the specimens by one or both of the methods. Eight-one of the 89 (91%) positive specimens were cultured with diphasic medium, whereas only 42 (47%) were cultured with the overlay method (x2 = 7.44, P less than 0.01). The diphasic system for isolation of M. pneumoniae should be the method of choice in clinical and research application.", "contents": "Comparison of the sensitivity of two methods for isolation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Throat swab specimens from 1,494 Marine Corps recruits were inoculated into vials containing diphasic (broth/agar) mycoplasma medium and also onto PPLO agar plates, which were subsequently overlayed with sheep erythrocytes in saline agar. Strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae were isolated from 89 (6%) of the specimens by one or both of the methods. Eight-one of the 89 (91%) positive specimens were cultured with diphasic medium, whereas only 42 (47%) were cultured with the overlay method (x2 = 7.44, P less than 0.01). The diphasic system for isolation of M. pneumoniae should be the method of choice in clinical and research application.", "PMID": 787008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7631", "title": "Comparison of API and Minitek to Center for Disease Control methods for the biochemical characterization of anaerobes.", "content": "Two commercially available micromethod multitest systems (API, Analytab Products, Inc., Minitek-Bioquest) were compared with conventional tests suggested by the Center for Disease Control for the identification of anaerobes. Anaerobiosis for the microsystems was achieved using GasPak system (BBL), A total of 175 anaerobes, including 158 clinical isolates and 17 reference strains, were used. Gram morphology, gas-liquid chromatography data, and biochemical reactions from the Center for Disease Control and Virginia Polytechnic Institute anaerobic manuals were used to identify the organisms. The Minitek system included a new anaerobe inoculum broth and two new disks, dextrose without nitrate and nitrate reductase disks. The percentage of correlation of 12 biochemicals using Minitek and 11 biochemicals using the API were compared with the Center for Disease Control reactions. The percentage of correlation of both positive and negative reactions with the API anaerobic strip ranged from 70.8 to 99.4% and with the Minitek from 97.1 to 100%. The microsystems were also evaluated as to the ease of use, adaptabilty to a clinical laboratory, time, and cost.", "contents": "Comparison of API and Minitek to Center for Disease Control methods for the biochemical characterization of anaerobes. Two commercially available micromethod multitest systems (API, Analytab Products, Inc., Minitek-Bioquest) were compared with conventional tests suggested by the Center for Disease Control for the identification of anaerobes. Anaerobiosis for the microsystems was achieved using GasPak system (BBL), A total of 175 anaerobes, including 158 clinical isolates and 17 reference strains, were used. Gram morphology, gas-liquid chromatography data, and biochemical reactions from the Center for Disease Control and Virginia Polytechnic Institute anaerobic manuals were used to identify the organisms. The Minitek system included a new anaerobe inoculum broth and two new disks, dextrose without nitrate and nitrate reductase disks. The percentage of correlation of 12 biochemicals using Minitek and 11 biochemicals using the API were compared with the Center for Disease Control reactions. The percentage of correlation of both positive and negative reactions with the API anaerobic strip ranged from 70.8 to 99.4% and with the Minitek from 97.1 to 100%. The microsystems were also evaluated as to the ease of use, adaptabilty to a clinical laboratory, time, and cost.", "PMID": 787009} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7632", "title": "Rheumatoid factor-producing cells detected by direct hemolytic plaque assay.", "content": "Lymphocytes secreting anti-IgC antibodies, rheumatoid factors (RF), can be detected in the peripheral bloods, synovial fluids, and bone marrows of patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis by using a direct plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay with sheep erythrocytes sensitized with reduced and alkylated rabbit IgG hemolysin. The autospecific nature of the RF produced by RF-PFC was indicated by inhibition studies in which the order of patency was human IgG greater than rabbit IgG greater than bovine IgG. In metabolic studies puromycin, cycloheximide, and venblastine suppressed RF-PFC. Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were without effect. A need was recognized for using full tissue culture media during the cell separation and plaquing procedures to optimize detection of the RF-PFC. RF-PFC may appear in the blood of patients intermittently despite their continuing presence in the bone marrow. They have been found in the peripheral blood, especially during acutely exacerbating polyarticular synovitis, generalized vasculities, or generally active, aggressive disease. RF-PFC were found in synovial effusions of new or recrduescent acute synovitis. RF-PFC were observed to disappear from the peripheral circulation and the bone marrow during therapy with cytotoxic drugs. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the appearance of RF-PFC in the peripheral blood represents an anamnestic response to transiently appearing antigen. The nature of the antigen is not specified. The bone marrow may be a site of origin of RF-PFC.", "contents": "Rheumatoid factor-producing cells detected by direct hemolytic plaque assay. Lymphocytes secreting anti-IgC antibodies, rheumatoid factors (RF), can be detected in the peripheral bloods, synovial fluids, and bone marrows of patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis by using a direct plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay with sheep erythrocytes sensitized with reduced and alkylated rabbit IgG hemolysin. The autospecific nature of the RF produced by RF-PFC was indicated by inhibition studies in which the order of patency was human IgG greater than rabbit IgG greater than bovine IgG. In metabolic studies puromycin, cycloheximide, and venblastine suppressed RF-PFC. Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were without effect. A need was recognized for using full tissue culture media during the cell separation and plaquing procedures to optimize detection of the RF-PFC. RF-PFC may appear in the blood of patients intermittently despite their continuing presence in the bone marrow. They have been found in the peripheral blood, especially during acutely exacerbating polyarticular synovitis, generalized vasculities, or generally active, aggressive disease. RF-PFC were found in synovial effusions of new or recrduescent acute synovitis. RF-PFC were observed to disappear from the peripheral circulation and the bone marrow during therapy with cytotoxic drugs. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the appearance of RF-PFC in the peripheral blood represents an anamnestic response to transiently appearing antigen. The nature of the antigen is not specified. The bone marrow may be a site of origin of RF-PFC.", "PMID": 787010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7633", "title": "The role of lysosomal elastase in the digestion of Escherichia coli proteins by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: experiments with living leukocytes.", "content": "Human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) elastase has been implicated in various pathological conditions. However, its physiological role remains undefined. One possible function of this enzyme may be digestion of bacterial proteins after phagocytosis. To test this hypothesis, we prepared Escherichia coli labeled with [3H]arginine and treated these bacteria with a lipid-soluble, active-site-directed chloromethyl ketone inactivator of pancreatic and granulocyte elastases (carbobenzoxy-L-glycyl-L-leucyl-L-alanine chloromethyl ketone, dissolved in methanol). Control bacteria were treated with methanol alone. When E. coli pretreated with the inactivator were incubated with solutions of porcine pancreatic elastase or with PMN granule extract, release of trichloroacetic acid-soluble radioactivity was significantly lower than in the control E. coli. Similar results were obtained when treated and control E. coli were fed to viable human PMN. In contrast, release of trichloroacetic acid-soluble radioactivity from E. coli containing [3H]thymidine was not affected by pretreatment of bacteria with elastase inactivator before feeding them to PMN, suggesting that phagocytosis of E. coli had not been inhibited by the chloromethyl ketone. When treated and control bacteria were fed to PMN, no significant difference was observed in the activity of lysosomal beta-glucuronidase recovered from post-granule supernatant fractions of homogenized leukocytes, suggesting that lysosomal degranulation had not been suppressed by the inactivator. However, elastase activity of the same fractions was depressed if the leukocytes had phagocytized chloromethyl ketone-treated E. coli, suggesting that inhibition of PMN elastase had occurred. We conclude that PMN elastase participates in digestion of E. coli proteins by human PMN.", "contents": "The role of lysosomal elastase in the digestion of Escherichia coli proteins by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: experiments with living leukocytes. Human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) elastase has been implicated in various pathological conditions. However, its physiological role remains undefined. One possible function of this enzyme may be digestion of bacterial proteins after phagocytosis. To test this hypothesis, we prepared Escherichia coli labeled with [3H]arginine and treated these bacteria with a lipid-soluble, active-site-directed chloromethyl ketone inactivator of pancreatic and granulocyte elastases (carbobenzoxy-L-glycyl-L-leucyl-L-alanine chloromethyl ketone, dissolved in methanol). Control bacteria were treated with methanol alone. When E. coli pretreated with the inactivator were incubated with solutions of porcine pancreatic elastase or with PMN granule extract, release of trichloroacetic acid-soluble radioactivity was significantly lower than in the control E. coli. Similar results were obtained when treated and control E. coli were fed to viable human PMN. In contrast, release of trichloroacetic acid-soluble radioactivity from E. coli containing [3H]thymidine was not affected by pretreatment of bacteria with elastase inactivator before feeding them to PMN, suggesting that phagocytosis of E. coli had not been inhibited by the chloromethyl ketone. When treated and control bacteria were fed to PMN, no significant difference was observed in the activity of lysosomal beta-glucuronidase recovered from post-granule supernatant fractions of homogenized leukocytes, suggesting that lysosomal degranulation had not been suppressed by the inactivator. However, elastase activity of the same fractions was depressed if the leukocytes had phagocytized chloromethyl ketone-treated E. coli, suggesting that inhibition of PMN elastase had occurred. We conclude that PMN elastase participates in digestion of E. coli proteins by human PMN.", "PMID": 787011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7634", "title": "A comparison between conventional gingivectomy and a non-surgical regime in the treatment of periodontitis.", "content": "The treatment of periodontitis by scaling and oral hygiene instruction was compared with the same regime augmented by conventional gingivectomy. The procedures were allocated randomly to contralateral sides of the maxillary arches of 28 patients. Following both regimes there was significant reduction in Plaque Index, Gingival Index, crevicular fluid and depths of pockets. There was slight gain in attachment on the non-surgical sides, and a minor loss of attachment on the surgical sides. Comparing the two regimes, over the second half of the study there was no significant difference in Plaque Index or crevicular fluid; however, on the surgical sides there was significantly greater reduction in Gingival Index and depths of pockets. Residual pockets after either technique were associated with more inflammation than where sulcus depths were less than 2 mm. Retrospective comparisons of the initial depths of pockets with the final gingival status indicated that, when initial depths of pockets had been 3 mm or over, surgical treatment was more effective than non-surgical in reducing the final values of both depths of pockets and inflammation; this finding was statistically significant for some, but not all of the parameters. Treatment of shallow pockets by either technique was more effective than the treatment of deep pockets. Final Plaque Index values of zero were associated with significantly less inflammation and pocketing than where plaque deposits could be detected.", "contents": "A comparison between conventional gingivectomy and a non-surgical regime in the treatment of periodontitis. The treatment of periodontitis by scaling and oral hygiene instruction was compared with the same regime augmented by conventional gingivectomy. The procedures were allocated randomly to contralateral sides of the maxillary arches of 28 patients. Following both regimes there was significant reduction in Plaque Index, Gingival Index, crevicular fluid and depths of pockets. There was slight gain in attachment on the non-surgical sides, and a minor loss of attachment on the surgical sides. Comparing the two regimes, over the second half of the study there was no significant difference in Plaque Index or crevicular fluid; however, on the surgical sides there was significantly greater reduction in Gingival Index and depths of pockets. Residual pockets after either technique were associated with more inflammation than where sulcus depths were less than 2 mm. Retrospective comparisons of the initial depths of pockets with the final gingival status indicated that, when initial depths of pockets had been 3 mm or over, surgical treatment was more effective than non-surgical in reducing the final values of both depths of pockets and inflammation; this finding was statistically significant for some, but not all of the parameters. Treatment of shallow pockets by either technique was more effective than the treatment of deep pockets. Final Plaque Index values of zero were associated with significantly less inflammation and pocketing than where plaque deposits could be detected.", "PMID": 787013} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7635", "title": "Evaluating interactions between fenoprofen and propoxyphene: analgesia and adverse reports by postepisiotomy patients.", "content": "Groups of 30 postepisiotomy patients were administered single oral doses of fenoprofen calcium (0, 200, 400, or 600 mg acid equivalent) and/or propoxyphene napsylate (0, 50, 100, or 150 mg). The complete block design permits analysis of variance with determination of orthogonal medication contrasts. Evaluation of the analgesia scores indicates that both drugs were effective. In comparison with the appropriate placebo control, propoxyphene is associated with an increase in elicited adverse reports and fenoprofen is associated with a decrease in adverse reports. The two drugs are additive when given together.", "contents": "Evaluating interactions between fenoprofen and propoxyphene: analgesia and adverse reports by postepisiotomy patients. Groups of 30 postepisiotomy patients were administered single oral doses of fenoprofen calcium (0, 200, 400, or 600 mg acid equivalent) and/or propoxyphene napsylate (0, 50, 100, or 150 mg). The complete block design permits analysis of variance with determination of orthogonal medication contrasts. Evaluation of the analgesia scores indicates that both drugs were effective. In comparison with the appropriate placebo control, propoxyphene is associated with an increase in elicited adverse reports and fenoprofen is associated with a decrease in adverse reports. The two drugs are additive when given together.", "PMID": 787014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7636", "title": "Antiinflammatory drugs and gastrointestinal bleeding: a comparison of aspirin and ibuprofen.", "content": "Gastrointestinal blood loss provoked by short-term and long-term therapy with aspirin and ibuprofen was compared in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Blood loss was assessed by isotope counting of four-day stool collections after infusion of 51Cr-labeled autologous erythrocytes. After two weeks on drug or after one year on drug, aspirin consistently caused more bleeding than ibuprofen.", "contents": "Antiinflammatory drugs and gastrointestinal bleeding: a comparison of aspirin and ibuprofen. Gastrointestinal blood loss provoked by short-term and long-term therapy with aspirin and ibuprofen was compared in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Blood loss was assessed by isotope counting of four-day stool collections after infusion of 51Cr-labeled autologous erythrocytes. After two weeks on drug or after one year on drug, aspirin consistently caused more bleeding than ibuprofen.", "PMID": 787015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7637", "title": "The retentive ability of various cementing agents for polycarbonate crowns.", "content": "The following conclusions may be made within the limitations of this investigation. - A composite resin processed directly against a roughened stainless steel dye, similar in shape to a primary anterior tooth, which has been shaped to receive a polycarbonate crown, shows the highest retentive force measured in pounds per square inch (psi). - A polmethacrylate resin, when used as a cement, also shows high values, probably due to its ability to unite chemically with polycarbonated acrylic and to its low film thickness. - Composite resins of low viscosity, low film thickness, and high compressive and tensile strengths proved also to provide good retentive values and would contribute insolubility to a greater degree than the unfilled resin. - Polycarboxylate, zinc phosphate, and reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol cements are not to be recommended as agents for cementing polycarbonate crowns. - It can be recommended on the basis of retention only, composite crowns should be fabricated directly onto the tooth preparations of carious primary anterior teeth.", "contents": "The retentive ability of various cementing agents for polycarbonate crowns. The following conclusions may be made within the limitations of this investigation. - A composite resin processed directly against a roughened stainless steel dye, similar in shape to a primary anterior tooth, which has been shaped to receive a polycarbonate crown, shows the highest retentive force measured in pounds per square inch (psi). - A polmethacrylate resin, when used as a cement, also shows high values, probably due to its ability to unite chemically with polycarbonated acrylic and to its low film thickness. - Composite resins of low viscosity, low film thickness, and high compressive and tensile strengths proved also to provide good retentive values and would contribute insolubility to a greater degree than the unfilled resin. - Polycarboxylate, zinc phosphate, and reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol cements are not to be recommended as agents for cementing polycarbonate crowns. - It can be recommended on the basis of retention only, composite crowns should be fabricated directly onto the tooth preparations of carious primary anterior teeth.", "PMID": 787023} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7638", "title": "Semiporous reinforcing fillers for composite resins: I. Preparation of provisional glass formulations.", "content": "A conceptual means of obtaining improved bonding between filler particles and the polymeric binders of composites is presented. It involves preparing glass particles that separate into two interconnected vitreous phases when heated to an appropriate temperature, and then etching these to produce a porous surface layer. Candidate glass compositions were prepared and subjected to heat treatment in a gradient furnace. Compositions susceptible to phase separations were delineated.", "contents": "Semiporous reinforcing fillers for composite resins: I. Preparation of provisional glass formulations. A conceptual means of obtaining improved bonding between filler particles and the polymeric binders of composites is presented. It involves preparing glass particles that separate into two interconnected vitreous phases when heated to an appropriate temperature, and then etching these to produce a porous surface layer. Candidate glass compositions were prepared and subjected to heat treatment in a gradient furnace. Compositions susceptible to phase separations were delineated.", "PMID": 787030} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7639", "title": "Effect of brushing the teeth with a fluoride-containing and fluoridefree dentifrice on the gingiva of dogs.", "content": "The effect of brushing the teeth with a fluoride-containing or fluoridefree dentifrice on gingivitis induced by a soft diet was studied in four dogs. Changes in the gingival status were recorded at different stages of the experiment by the gingival indexes, which are a reflection of the external appearance, and by the amount of gingival fluid that is influenced by the pocket depth. The two factors appeared to be directly related although the range of the gingival index was much narrower than that of the amount of gingival fluid. No evident retardation in the improvement of the gingival condition occurred after brushing the teeth with a dentifrice that contained fluoride as compared with using a fluoridefree dentifrice or saline.", "contents": "Effect of brushing the teeth with a fluoride-containing and fluoridefree dentifrice on the gingiva of dogs. The effect of brushing the teeth with a fluoride-containing or fluoridefree dentifrice on gingivitis induced by a soft diet was studied in four dogs. Changes in the gingival status were recorded at different stages of the experiment by the gingival indexes, which are a reflection of the external appearance, and by the amount of gingival fluid that is influenced by the pocket depth. The two factors appeared to be directly related although the range of the gingival index was much narrower than that of the amount of gingival fluid. No evident retardation in the improvement of the gingival condition occurred after brushing the teeth with a dentifrice that contained fluoride as compared with using a fluoridefree dentifrice or saline.", "PMID": 787031} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7640", "title": "A medium for the isolation and enumeration of oral actinomycetaceae from dental plaque.", "content": "A supplemented, infusion-based medium that supports the growth of most oral Actinomycetaceae is described. The inclusion of Naf and colistin sulfate enabled actinomyces to be isolated from dental plaque in the presence of few other oral microorganisms.", "contents": "A medium for the isolation and enumeration of oral actinomycetaceae from dental plaque. A supplemented, infusion-based medium that supports the growth of most oral Actinomycetaceae is described. The inclusion of Naf and colistin sulfate enabled actinomyces to be isolated from dental plaque in the presence of few other oral microorganisms.", "PMID": 787032} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7641", "title": "The immediate overdenture.", "content": "The use of remaining roots of teeth enhances denture stability and retention. Teeth previously considered hopeless can now be used successfully as an aid in denture retention. The differential diagnosis for tooth selection and treatment is discussed, along with a step-by-step technique for constructing an immediate denture using prefabricated male and female attachments.", "contents": "The immediate overdenture. The use of remaining roots of teeth enhances denture stability and retention. Teeth previously considered hopeless can now be used successfully as an aid in denture retention. The differential diagnosis for tooth selection and treatment is discussed, along with a step-by-step technique for constructing an immediate denture using prefabricated male and female attachments.", "PMID": 787042} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7642", "title": "Laminate veneer restoration of permanent incisors.", "content": "Direct bonding of composite resins to fractured or discolored teeth has been shown to be a practical and effective method for restoring teeth. Previously, lack of uniform shade matching and excessive bulkiness of material have been associated with full veneer bonding. The ultraviolet light (Nuva-Lite) in our studies penetrates veneers as thick as 2 mm and effectively cures the filler material. We also have used cold-curing bonding materials (Concise and Adaptic) and they seem to be equally effective, although working time is shortened. We have had no clinical problems with this technique and after two years the veneers are intact (Fig 6). A technique has been presented that requires no tooth reduction, except where necessary for caries removal, or time-consuming contouring and color shading. Laminate veneers enable the dental practitioner to obtain consistent esthetics with minimal chair time. Further evaluation of this technique to restore malformed, fractured, or discolored permanent incisors is being conducted.", "contents": "Laminate veneer restoration of permanent incisors. Direct bonding of composite resins to fractured or discolored teeth has been shown to be a practical and effective method for restoring teeth. Previously, lack of uniform shade matching and excessive bulkiness of material have been associated with full veneer bonding. The ultraviolet light (Nuva-Lite) in our studies penetrates veneers as thick as 2 mm and effectively cures the filler material. We also have used cold-curing bonding materials (Concise and Adaptic) and they seem to be equally effective, although working time is shortened. We have had no clinical problems with this technique and after two years the veneers are intact (Fig 6). A technique has been presented that requires no tooth reduction, except where necessary for caries removal, or time-consuming contouring and color shading. Laminate veneers enable the dental practitioner to obtain consistent esthetics with minimal chair time. Further evaluation of this technique to restore malformed, fractured, or discolored permanent incisors is being conducted.", "PMID": 787043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7643", "title": "Silver points and gutta-percha and the role of root canal fillings.", "content": "Both gutta-percha and silver points can be used as root canal fillings with a high success rate although it is unlikely that either produces a \"hermetic\" seal. In the cases cited here, the canals remained dry even though they were not obturated for a considerable length of time (in one instance, for two years); this indicates that tissue fluids did not accumulate in the canals. Moreover, my findings indicate that root canal fillings are not necessary for healing. These observations indicate the need for investigation of the validity of the current concept of the role of the root canal filling in treatment.", "contents": "Silver points and gutta-percha and the role of root canal fillings. Both gutta-percha and silver points can be used as root canal fillings with a high success rate although it is unlikely that either produces a \"hermetic\" seal. In the cases cited here, the canals remained dry even though they were not obturated for a considerable length of time (in one instance, for two years); this indicates that tissue fluids did not accumulate in the canals. Moreover, my findings indicate that root canal fillings are not necessary for healing. These observations indicate the need for investigation of the validity of the current concept of the role of the root canal filling in treatment.", "PMID": 787046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7644", "title": "Treatment of periodontosis by combined orthodontic and periodontal approach: report of case.", "content": "Tooth movement into a suspected area of periodontosis is possible if sufficient time is allowed for filling of the socket. This report describes a 19-year-old woman with periodontosis who had orthodontic therapy and periodontal surgery five years after the initial examination. The disease was arrested and occlusion established through the combined approach of orthodontic and periodontic treatment.", "contents": "Treatment of periodontosis by combined orthodontic and periodontal approach: report of case. Tooth movement into a suspected area of periodontosis is possible if sufficient time is allowed for filling of the socket. This report describes a 19-year-old woman with periodontosis who had orthodontic therapy and periodontal surgery five years after the initial examination. The disease was arrested and occlusion established through the combined approach of orthodontic and periodontic treatment.", "PMID": 787047} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7645", "title": "Cytotoxic testing for food allergy: evaluation of reproducibility and correlation.", "content": "Cytotoxic food tests still present conflicting opinions concerning their validity. Nine atopic patients with or without a history of food allergy were studied along with 5 nonatopic patients. All tests were conducted in a double-blind fashion with 6 determinations for each of 10 food antigens. Reproducibility of the test (5/6 positive or negative) was demonstrated with wheat, milk, yeast, chocolate, and orange. In the nonatopic group, reproducible results were obtained for wheat, egg, yeast, chocolate, and chicken. Clinical correlation with 11 foods in 7 patients was demonstrated. However, there were 46 positive tests without correlation and 2 negative tests with positive histories. Therefore, there appears to be reproducibility of the tests to only 3 foods but no apparent correlation with clinical symptoms. At the present time, cytotoxic tests offer no reliable help in establishing the diagnosis of food allergy.", "contents": "Cytotoxic testing for food allergy: evaluation of reproducibility and correlation. Cytotoxic food tests still present conflicting opinions concerning their validity. Nine atopic patients with or without a history of food allergy were studied along with 5 nonatopic patients. All tests were conducted in a double-blind fashion with 6 determinations for each of 10 food antigens. Reproducibility of the test (5/6 positive or negative) was demonstrated with wheat, milk, yeast, chocolate, and orange. In the nonatopic group, reproducible results were obtained for wheat, egg, yeast, chocolate, and chicken. Clinical correlation with 11 foods in 7 patients was demonstrated. However, there were 46 positive tests without correlation and 2 negative tests with positive histories. Therefore, there appears to be reproducibility of the tests to only 3 foods but no apparent correlation with clinical symptoms. At the present time, cytotoxic tests offer no reliable help in establishing the diagnosis of food allergy.", "PMID": 787048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7646", "title": "An appraisal of Impregon as a deterrent of domestic fungus growth.", "content": "Impregon brand of tetrachlorsalicylanilide (TCSA) has been profferred widely as a household fungistatic agent, although its value remains unproved. To assess its effects, this agent was used as a laundry and paint additive and as a treatment for burlap rug backing; after recommended applications of Impregon, coded replicate materials were inoculated with mixed suspensions of fungus particles. No difference was evident in fungus growth points on fabric swatches washed in tap water with and without Impregon. However, growth on both of these was significantly greater than on samples laundered in tap water using only a commercial soap or liquid detergent. Fungus soiling of burlap was not clearly diminished by prescribed applications of Impregon solution 3 mo previously. Similarly, the addition of this agent to paint did not suppress fungus growth on Masonite plaques to which it had been applied. However, comparable levels of Impregon incorporated into agar media substantially inhibited spore germination. These findings suggest that the bioavailability of TCSA is insufficient to provide desired household antifungal effects when Impregon is used in accord with current recommendations.", "contents": "An appraisal of Impregon as a deterrent of domestic fungus growth. Impregon brand of tetrachlorsalicylanilide (TCSA) has been profferred widely as a household fungistatic agent, although its value remains unproved. To assess its effects, this agent was used as a laundry and paint additive and as a treatment for burlap rug backing; after recommended applications of Impregon, coded replicate materials were inoculated with mixed suspensions of fungus particles. No difference was evident in fungus growth points on fabric swatches washed in tap water with and without Impregon. However, growth on both of these was significantly greater than on samples laundered in tap water using only a commercial soap or liquid detergent. Fungus soiling of burlap was not clearly diminished by prescribed applications of Impregon solution 3 mo previously. Similarly, the addition of this agent to paint did not suppress fungus growth on Masonite plaques to which it had been applied. However, comparable levels of Impregon incorporated into agar media substantially inhibited spore germination. These findings suggest that the bioavailability of TCSA is insufficient to provide desired household antifungal effects when Impregon is used in accord with current recommendations.", "PMID": 787049} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7647", "title": "Acute effects of terbutaline and epinephrine on asthma. Double-blind crossover placebo study.", "content": "In order to assess the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous terbutaline 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg as compared to subcutaneous epinephrine, 28 stable asthmatics were studied. After control of environmental exposures in the clinical research facility at the University Hospitals of Case Western Reserve Medical School, the patients were entered into a double-blind crossover placebo-controlled 4-day study. All of the patients showed significant responses to both doses of terbutaline and after epinephrine as compared to placebo (greater than 15% increase in FEV1). In general, the side effects experienced were similar for 0.25 mg epinephrine and 0.25 mg terbutaline. They were slightly more pronounced with 0.5 mg of terbutaline. In terms of duration of action, there was a substantial difference between the duration of effect of subcutaneous epinephrine and subcutaneous terbutaline at both dosages. No cardiovascular side effects of any significance were noted in this study with either agent. We conclude that subcutaneous terbutaline is at least as effective as epinephrine in the management of reversible bronchospasm and may be considered a drug of choice in stable asthmatics.", "contents": "Acute effects of terbutaline and epinephrine on asthma. Double-blind crossover placebo study. In order to assess the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous terbutaline 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg as compared to subcutaneous epinephrine, 28 stable asthmatics were studied. After control of environmental exposures in the clinical research facility at the University Hospitals of Case Western Reserve Medical School, the patients were entered into a double-blind crossover placebo-controlled 4-day study. All of the patients showed significant responses to both doses of terbutaline and after epinephrine as compared to placebo (greater than 15% increase in FEV1). In general, the side effects experienced were similar for 0.25 mg epinephrine and 0.25 mg terbutaline. They were slightly more pronounced with 0.5 mg of terbutaline. In terms of duration of action, there was a substantial difference between the duration of effect of subcutaneous epinephrine and subcutaneous terbutaline at both dosages. No cardiovascular side effects of any significance were noted in this study with either agent. We conclude that subcutaneous terbutaline is at least as effective as epinephrine in the management of reversible bronchospasm and may be considered a drug of choice in stable asthmatics.", "PMID": 787050} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7648", "title": "Clinical implications of left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "Correlation of left ventricular filling pressure (55 patients) with the left ventricular stroke work index (61 patients) provided a rapid means of objectively determining ventricular performance after myocardial infarction. Pressure was monitored by means of the Swan-Ganz balloon-tipped catheter and thermal indicators were used for measuring cardiac output. A hemodynamic grouping of these myocardial infarction patients on the basis of the stroke work index showed close correlation with morbidity and mortality and provided a more accurate prognostic indicator than did the commonly used clinical predictors. Serial assessment of ventricular function further aided in defining the prognosis when it was not clear on admission. Thus, the levels of normal or abnormal ventricular function and the effect of therapeutic measures can be rapidly evaluated by determining the pressures and flows in patients with acute myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Clinical implications of left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Correlation of left ventricular filling pressure (55 patients) with the left ventricular stroke work index (61 patients) provided a rapid means of objectively determining ventricular performance after myocardial infarction. Pressure was monitored by means of the Swan-Ganz balloon-tipped catheter and thermal indicators were used for measuring cardiac output. A hemodynamic grouping of these myocardial infarction patients on the basis of the stroke work index showed close correlation with morbidity and mortality and provided a more accurate prognostic indicator than did the commonly used clinical predictors. Serial assessment of ventricular function further aided in defining the prognosis when it was not clear on admission. Thus, the levels of normal or abnormal ventricular function and the effect of therapeutic measures can be rapidly evaluated by determining the pressures and flows in patients with acute myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 787053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7649", "title": "Quantitative immunoautoradiography at the cellular level. II. Absolute measurements using labeled standard cells as a source of reference.", "content": "A quantitative autoradiographic method is presented for determining absolute amounts of 125I-labeled compounds on the surface of individual cells. Autoradiographic evaluation of single cell radioactivity is accomplished by comparing the silver grain densities over the specimen and a radioactive standard being exposed simultaneously. In order to obtain a reference source of comparable physical properties, surface-radioiodinated human erythrocytes are used, the radioactivity of which is determined in a crystal counter. A simple enzymatic method for preparing such standard erythrocytes of very uniform label density is described. Numerous experimental advantages derived from the use of the standard are discussed and demonstrated by examples employing various exposure times and different radioactive standards. Hereby, very similar results were obtained when the number of A-antigenic sites was quantified on single erythrocytes in different experiments. The quantification of membrane-bound IgM on single human lymphocytes is shown as another application of this scheme.", "contents": "Quantitative immunoautoradiography at the cellular level. II. Absolute measurements using labeled standard cells as a source of reference. A quantitative autoradiographic method is presented for determining absolute amounts of 125I-labeled compounds on the surface of individual cells. Autoradiographic evaluation of single cell radioactivity is accomplished by comparing the silver grain densities over the specimen and a radioactive standard being exposed simultaneously. In order to obtain a reference source of comparable physical properties, surface-radioiodinated human erythrocytes are used, the radioactivity of which is determined in a crystal counter. A simple enzymatic method for preparing such standard erythrocytes of very uniform label density is described. Numerous experimental advantages derived from the use of the standard are discussed and demonstrated by examples employing various exposure times and different radioactive standards. Hereby, very similar results were obtained when the number of A-antigenic sites was quantified on single erythrocytes in different experiments. The quantification of membrane-bound IgM on single human lymphocytes is shown as another application of this scheme.", "PMID": 787425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7650", "title": "An evaluation of the methods available for analysing results from migration inhibitory factor (MIF) test.", "content": "In order to illustrate the potential dangers in using some of the methods available for calculating migration inhibitory factor (MIF) activity, selected results have been analysed in a number of different ways. The weights corresponding to the migration areas were used in a single ratio expression and then in a double ratio formula to calculate migration inhibition. Conclusions from these results were made using both the arbitrary 20% inhibition to indicate MIF activity and a statistically-derived minimum percentage inhibition needed to demonstrate a significant effect. The procedure was then repeated using the square root of the weight equivalents of the migration areas. A double ratio expression was preferable to the single ratio formula as the former considered the information from all the control cultures. The degree of inhibition needed to demonstrate MIF activity varied between tests and for accurate interpretation of the results it was necessary to use a statistically derived minimum value for inhibition in each experiment. Use of the square root of the weight equivalents of migration areas in the double ratio method gave conclusions analogous to those using the actual weights. Use of the square root transformation narrowed the difference between sample means and caused a corresponding reduction in within-sample variability.", "contents": "An evaluation of the methods available for analysing results from migration inhibitory factor (MIF) test. In order to illustrate the potential dangers in using some of the methods available for calculating migration inhibitory factor (MIF) activity, selected results have been analysed in a number of different ways. The weights corresponding to the migration areas were used in a single ratio expression and then in a double ratio formula to calculate migration inhibition. Conclusions from these results were made using both the arbitrary 20% inhibition to indicate MIF activity and a statistically-derived minimum percentage inhibition needed to demonstrate a significant effect. The procedure was then repeated using the square root of the weight equivalents of the migration areas. A double ratio expression was preferable to the single ratio formula as the former considered the information from all the control cultures. The degree of inhibition needed to demonstrate MIF activity varied between tests and for accurate interpretation of the results it was necessary to use a statistically derived minimum value for inhibition in each experiment. Use of the square root of the weight equivalents of migration areas in the double ratio method gave conclusions analogous to those using the actual weights. Use of the square root transformation narrowed the difference between sample means and caused a corresponding reduction in within-sample variability.", "PMID": 787427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7651", "title": "Clinical presentations and mechanisms of necrotizing angitis of the skin.", "content": "Cutaneous necrotizing angiitis may be present as either palpable purpura or less commonly as recurrent urticaria, and each clinical presentation may be associated with hypocomplementemia or a normal complement system. A variety of mechanisms may be operative in the production of necrotic vascular skin lesions that appear as similar, recognizable morphologic lesions. These mechanisms include immune complexes, cellular-type hypersensitivity reactions, and initiation or modulation by mast cells. Two cellular patterns have been recognized in the skin of patients with cutaneous necrotizing angiitis that can be correlated with the involvement of the complement system in serum. In patients with hypocomplementemia, there is an infiltrate of neutrophils that is consistent with a process involving immune complexes; in patients with normocomplementemia there are lymphocytes and activated lymphocytes consistent with participation in part by cellular mechanisms. In both the hypocomplementemic and normocomplementemic forms and as well as in a unique patient in whom the mast cell may initiate the venular damage, the mast cell, which its content of chemical mediators, has the capacity to initiate as well as modulate subacute and chronic vascular damage.", "contents": "Clinical presentations and mechanisms of necrotizing angitis of the skin. Cutaneous necrotizing angiitis may be present as either palpable purpura or less commonly as recurrent urticaria, and each clinical presentation may be associated with hypocomplementemia or a normal complement system. A variety of mechanisms may be operative in the production of necrotic vascular skin lesions that appear as similar, recognizable morphologic lesions. These mechanisms include immune complexes, cellular-type hypersensitivity reactions, and initiation or modulation by mast cells. Two cellular patterns have been recognized in the skin of patients with cutaneous necrotizing angiitis that can be correlated with the involvement of the complement system in serum. In patients with hypocomplementemia, there is an infiltrate of neutrophils that is consistent with a process involving immune complexes; in patients with normocomplementemia there are lymphocytes and activated lymphocytes consistent with participation in part by cellular mechanisms. In both the hypocomplementemic and normocomplementemic forms and as well as in a unique patient in whom the mast cell may initiate the venular damage, the mast cell, which its content of chemical mediators, has the capacity to initiate as well as modulate subacute and chronic vascular damage.", "PMID": 787431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7652", "title": "Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: clues of a skin-thymus interaction.", "content": "The common cellular denominator of the neoplastic lymphocytes of the cutaneous lymphomas is the presence of membrane markers of T-cell identity. For this reason these disorders are grouped together as \"cutaneous T cell lymphomas\". These neoplastic T-cells have a characteristic tissue distribution (preferentially infiltrating the skin and sparing the bone marrow). The abnormal T-cells of the leukemic phase of these disorders produce large amounts of macrophage migration inhibitory factor, which may adversely affect macrophage mobilization, and also stimulate differentiation of B-cells into plasma cells. The antigenic properties, the usual slow rate of replication, and the circulatory route of these cells may be exploitable in the development of more specific therapeutic approaches to the management of affected patients. Although these T-cells have an affinity for the skin, the role of this organ in the proliferation and differentiation of these cells is as yet not established. Localization of the primary site(s) of proliferation awaits completion of in vivo kinetic studies. The neoplastic T-cells from such patients provide important cellular reagents for the study of diverse aspects of lymphocyte biology. They have already been used to investigate mechanisms of lymphocyte triggering, isolate histocompatibility antigens, and characterize anti-T-cell immunoglobulin from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.", "contents": "Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: clues of a skin-thymus interaction. The common cellular denominator of the neoplastic lymphocytes of the cutaneous lymphomas is the presence of membrane markers of T-cell identity. For this reason these disorders are grouped together as \"cutaneous T cell lymphomas\". These neoplastic T-cells have a characteristic tissue distribution (preferentially infiltrating the skin and sparing the bone marrow). The abnormal T-cells of the leukemic phase of these disorders produce large amounts of macrophage migration inhibitory factor, which may adversely affect macrophage mobilization, and also stimulate differentiation of B-cells into plasma cells. The antigenic properties, the usual slow rate of replication, and the circulatory route of these cells may be exploitable in the development of more specific therapeutic approaches to the management of affected patients. Although these T-cells have an affinity for the skin, the role of this organ in the proliferation and differentiation of these cells is as yet not established. Localization of the primary site(s) of proliferation awaits completion of in vivo kinetic studies. The neoplastic T-cells from such patients provide important cellular reagents for the study of diverse aspects of lymphocyte biology. They have already been used to investigate mechanisms of lymphocyte triggering, isolate histocompatibility antigens, and characterize anti-T-cell immunoglobulin from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.", "PMID": 787435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7653", "title": "Malignant melanoma.", "content": "Recent advances in our understanding of the pathology and prognosis of malignant melanoma make possible rationally designed immunotherapeutic studies. A number of immunologic studies suggest that there may be a specific immune response to melanoma-associated antigens in patients with melanoma; however, other studies have shown lack of specificity, so this issue remains to be definitively resolved. New immunotherapeutic agents, including BCG, TF, and levamisole, among others, offer the potential for improving therapy for patients.", "contents": "Malignant melanoma. Recent advances in our understanding of the pathology and prognosis of malignant melanoma make possible rationally designed immunotherapeutic studies. A number of immunologic studies suggest that there may be a specific immune response to melanoma-associated antigens in patients with melanoma; however, other studies have shown lack of specificity, so this issue remains to be definitively resolved. New immunotherapeutic agents, including BCG, TF, and levamisole, among others, offer the potential for improving therapy for patients.", "PMID": 787436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7654", "title": "Transfer mechanism of melanosomes in epidermal cell culture.", "content": "The mode of melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes in epidermal cell cultures has been examined with time-lapse cinematography and electron microscopy. A tip of a melanocyte dendrite containing melanosomes became enfolded by a recipient keratinocyte. It was then pinched off to form a cluster of melanosomes which initially seemed to be surrounded by two layers of membranes. The phagocytized dendrite was gradually decomposed and became an aggregate of melanosomes surrounded by a single membrane of the keratinocyte. The individual melanosomes were dispersed from the aggregate into the keratinocyte cytoplasm, depending on the size of melanosomes. The larger ones were single and smaller ones were complex. The mechanism of melanosome transfer in vitro is a type of cytophagocytosis. The entire process consists of two steps: the first is a cytophagic process and the second a melanosome dispersion process. The process is influenced by various exogenous factors.", "contents": "Transfer mechanism of melanosomes in epidermal cell culture. The mode of melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes in epidermal cell cultures has been examined with time-lapse cinematography and electron microscopy. A tip of a melanocyte dendrite containing melanosomes became enfolded by a recipient keratinocyte. It was then pinched off to form a cluster of melanosomes which initially seemed to be surrounded by two layers of membranes. The phagocytized dendrite was gradually decomposed and became an aggregate of melanosomes surrounded by a single membrane of the keratinocyte. The individual melanosomes were dispersed from the aggregate into the keratinocyte cytoplasm, depending on the size of melanosomes. The larger ones were single and smaller ones were complex. The mechanism of melanosome transfer in vitro is a type of cytophagocytosis. The entire process consists of two steps: the first is a cytophagic process and the second a melanosome dispersion process. The process is influenced by various exogenous factors.", "PMID": 787440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7655", "title": "Effect of enterotoxins of Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, and Shigella dysenteriae type 1 on fluid and electrolyte transport in the colon.", "content": "Experiments were designed to determine whether the enterotoxins of Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, and Shigella dysenteriae type 1 alter the movement of fluid and electrolytes in the rat cecum. Net secretion of water and sodium were observed after incubation of 1.67 X10(-5) mug of purified cholera toxin (choleragen)/ml for 18 hr or of 50 mug/ml for 3 hr. The effect of choleragen on cecal transport of water and electrolytes was related to the dose. In addition, choleragen increased cecal mucosal content of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic phosphate but did not alter the histology of the cecum. The results demonstrate that the colon responds to choleragen in a manner similar to that of other tissues. In contrast, the enterotoxins of both E. coli and S. dysenteriae type 1 failed to affect cecal transport of water and electrolytes. These observations may explain several phenomena associated with the diarrhea produced by bacterial enterotoxins.", "contents": "Effect of enterotoxins of Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, and Shigella dysenteriae type 1 on fluid and electrolyte transport in the colon. Experiments were designed to determine whether the enterotoxins of Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, and Shigella dysenteriae type 1 alter the movement of fluid and electrolytes in the rat cecum. Net secretion of water and sodium were observed after incubation of 1.67 X10(-5) mug of purified cholera toxin (choleragen)/ml for 18 hr or of 50 mug/ml for 3 hr. The effect of choleragen on cecal transport of water and electrolytes was related to the dose. In addition, choleragen increased cecal mucosal content of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic phosphate but did not alter the histology of the cecum. The results demonstrate that the colon responds to choleragen in a manner similar to that of other tissues. In contrast, the enterotoxins of both E. coli and S. dysenteriae type 1 failed to affect cecal transport of water and electrolytes. These observations may explain several phenomena associated with the diarrhea produced by bacterial enterotoxins.", "PMID": 787442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7656", "title": "Evaluation of the safety of amantadine-HC1 and the role of respiratory viral infections in children with cystic fibrosis.", "content": "Amantadine-HC1, an antiviral drug clinically effective against most strains of influenza A virus, was evaluated in a double-blind trial in 153 children with cystic fibrosis during the initial appearance of influenza A/England/42 virus in the New England area. Infection with this variant strain of influenza virus did not reach epidemic proportions during the study, so that the effectiveness of amantadine in this study population could not be fully assessed. However, the potential symptomatic and biochemical toxicity of amantadine was carefully monitored in a pediatric population. Serologic screening by complement fixation tests indicated that respiratory viruses may be important pathogens in exacerbations of respiratory disease in patients with cystic fibrosis.", "contents": "Evaluation of the safety of amantadine-HC1 and the role of respiratory viral infections in children with cystic fibrosis. Amantadine-HC1, an antiviral drug clinically effective against most strains of influenza A virus, was evaluated in a double-blind trial in 153 children with cystic fibrosis during the initial appearance of influenza A/England/42 virus in the New England area. Infection with this variant strain of influenza virus did not reach epidemic proportions during the study, so that the effectiveness of amantadine in this study population could not be fully assessed. However, the potential symptomatic and biochemical toxicity of amantadine was carefully monitored in a pediatric population. Serologic screening by complement fixation tests indicated that respiratory viruses may be important pathogens in exacerbations of respiratory disease in patients with cystic fibrosis.", "PMID": 787443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7657", "title": "Genetic resistance to lethal flavivirus encephalitis. I. Infection of congenic mice with Banzi virus.", "content": "Adult C3H/RV mice were highly resistant and adult C3H/He mice were highly susceptible to lethal encephalitis after intraperitoneal inoculation of Banzi virus (flavivirus), but the infectivity of the virus was the same for both strains of mice. Yields of virus were similar from lymphoid tissues of C3H/He and C3H/RV adult mice, but titers of virus in the brain were significantly lower in C3H/RV mice. Lesions of encephalitis developed in both strains but remained mild and self-limiting in C3H/RV mice, whereas widespread necrosis occurred in the brains of C3H/He mice. Resistance to lethal infection after intraperitoneal inoculation developed postnatally in C3H/RV mice and did not reach significant levels until mice were at least four weeks old. Mortality rates among C3H/RV and C3H/He mice were comparable after intracerebral inoculation of virus. Yields of virus, brain lesions, and immunofluorescent staining patterns for viral antigen were similar in intracerebrally inoculated C3H/He and C3H/RV mice. Results indicate that tissues of resistant and susceptible mice in vivo can support replication of Banzi virus about equally well. Thus, genetic resistance to lethal infection with Banzi virus in these strains of mice does not seem to be solely dependent on resistance of tissues to viral replication.", "contents": "Genetic resistance to lethal flavivirus encephalitis. I. Infection of congenic mice with Banzi virus. Adult C3H/RV mice were highly resistant and adult C3H/He mice were highly susceptible to lethal encephalitis after intraperitoneal inoculation of Banzi virus (flavivirus), but the infectivity of the virus was the same for both strains of mice. Yields of virus were similar from lymphoid tissues of C3H/He and C3H/RV adult mice, but titers of virus in the brain were significantly lower in C3H/RV mice. Lesions of encephalitis developed in both strains but remained mild and self-limiting in C3H/RV mice, whereas widespread necrosis occurred in the brains of C3H/He mice. Resistance to lethal infection after intraperitoneal inoculation developed postnatally in C3H/RV mice and did not reach significant levels until mice were at least four weeks old. Mortality rates among C3H/RV and C3H/He mice were comparable after intracerebral inoculation of virus. Yields of virus, brain lesions, and immunofluorescent staining patterns for viral antigen were similar in intracerebrally inoculated C3H/He and C3H/RV mice. Results indicate that tissues of resistant and susceptible mice in vivo can support replication of Banzi virus about equally well. Thus, genetic resistance to lethal infection with Banzi virus in these strains of mice does not seem to be solely dependent on resistance of tissues to viral replication.", "PMID": 787444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7658", "title": "Genetic resistance to lethal flavivrus encephalitis. II. Effect of immunosuppression.", "content": "Genetic resistance of C3H/RV mice to lethal infection with Banzi virus (flavivirus) was severely compromised by immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide, sublethal X-irradiation, or thymus (T-) cell depletion. The mortality rate among immunosuppressed mice was usually 100%, but average survival times were shorter for mice treated with cyclophosphamide or for X-irradiated mice (10 days) than for T-cell-depleted mice (17 days). Mice treated with cyclophosphamide had high titers of virus in brain, lymphoid tissues, pancreas, and serum. Viral antigen was widespread in brain and pancreas, and mice developed nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis and pancreatitis. Yields of virus, spread of viral antigen, and lesions in T-cell-depleted mice were similar but less severe. Mice treated with cyclophosphamide did not have detectable hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody. T-cell-depleted mice developed hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody but were not protected from lethal infection. These results indicate that genetic resistance of C3H/RV mice to Banzi virus requires immunological factors, and that T-cells play a significant role in resistance to infection with Banzi virus.", "contents": "Genetic resistance to lethal flavivrus encephalitis. II. Effect of immunosuppression. Genetic resistance of C3H/RV mice to lethal infection with Banzi virus (flavivirus) was severely compromised by immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide, sublethal X-irradiation, or thymus (T-) cell depletion. The mortality rate among immunosuppressed mice was usually 100%, but average survival times were shorter for mice treated with cyclophosphamide or for X-irradiated mice (10 days) than for T-cell-depleted mice (17 days). Mice treated with cyclophosphamide had high titers of virus in brain, lymphoid tissues, pancreas, and serum. Viral antigen was widespread in brain and pancreas, and mice developed nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis and pancreatitis. Yields of virus, spread of viral antigen, and lesions in T-cell-depleted mice were similar but less severe. Mice treated with cyclophosphamide did not have detectable hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody. T-cell-depleted mice developed hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody but were not protected from lethal infection. These results indicate that genetic resistance of C3H/RV mice to Banzi virus requires immunological factors, and that T-cells play a significant role in resistance to infection with Banzi virus.", "PMID": 787445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7659", "title": "An outbreak of nosocomial infection due to multiply resistant Serratia marcescens: evidence of interhospital spread.", "content": "Interhospital spread appeared to be responsible for a large epidemic of infections due to a strain of Serratia marcescens that was resistant to all currently available parenteral antibiotics. Between April 1, 1973 and January 1, 1975, 210 patients in four geographically separate hospitals in Nashville, Tennessee, were infected with the epidemic strain; 21 patients were bacteremic and eight died. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection accounted for the majority of isolates, and broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure appeared to promote the acquisition of the epidemic strain. The serotype (O1:H7) and phage type (186) of the organism were identical in all four hospitals, but background, sensitive strains of S. marcesens yielded a variety of other serotypes. Carriage on the hands of hospital personnel was implicated as the mode of spread within the hospital and apparently was the mode of transmission between the hospitals. Antibiotic resistance was largely episomally mediated, but resistance to gentamicin, cephalothin, and colistin was not transferable.", "contents": "An outbreak of nosocomial infection due to multiply resistant Serratia marcescens: evidence of interhospital spread. Interhospital spread appeared to be responsible for a large epidemic of infections due to a strain of Serratia marcescens that was resistant to all currently available parenteral antibiotics. Between April 1, 1973 and January 1, 1975, 210 patients in four geographically separate hospitals in Nashville, Tennessee, were infected with the epidemic strain; 21 patients were bacteremic and eight died. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection accounted for the majority of isolates, and broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure appeared to promote the acquisition of the epidemic strain. The serotype (O1:H7) and phage type (186) of the organism were identical in all four hospitals, but background, sensitive strains of S. marcesens yielded a variety of other serotypes. Carriage on the hands of hospital personnel was implicated as the mode of spread within the hospital and apparently was the mode of transmission between the hospitals. Antibiotic resistance was largely episomally mediated, but resistance to gentamicin, cephalothin, and colistin was not transferable.", "PMID": 787446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7660", "title": "Rapid microbiologic assay of tobramycin.", "content": "Different, rapid, plate diffusion assays of tobramycin in serum were compared with each other and with an overnight assay. These assays were done with Klebsiella edwardsii var. atlantae, which was resistant to many antibiotics. One of the rapid assays of tobramycin tested used a 1:50-1:100 dilution of an overnight culture, and results were recorded after incubation for 5 hr at 35 C. Two shorter assays were also tested with a 1:10 dilution of an overnight assay. The 5-hr assay was as reproducible and as accurate as the overnight assay. The 2.5-hr assay at 35 C proved to be an inaccurate method. Incubation of the assay at 40 C instead of 35 C resulted in more rapid growth of K. edwardsii and in the production by tobramycin of larger and sharper zones of inhibition. The 2.5-hr assay at 40 C was as reproducible and as accurate as the 5-hr and the overnight assays.", "contents": "Rapid microbiologic assay of tobramycin. Different, rapid, plate diffusion assays of tobramycin in serum were compared with each other and with an overnight assay. These assays were done with Klebsiella edwardsii var. atlantae, which was resistant to many antibiotics. One of the rapid assays of tobramycin tested used a 1:50-1:100 dilution of an overnight culture, and results were recorded after incubation for 5 hr at 35 C. Two shorter assays were also tested with a 1:10 dilution of an overnight assay. The 5-hr assay was as reproducible and as accurate as the overnight assay. The 2.5-hr assay at 35 C proved to be an inaccurate method. Incubation of the assay at 40 C instead of 35 C resulted in more rapid growth of K. edwardsii and in the production by tobramycin of larger and sharper zones of inhibition. The 2.5-hr assay at 40 C was as reproducible and as accurate as the 5-hr and the overnight assays.", "PMID": 787447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7661", "title": "Clinical evaluation of tobramycin in urinary tract infections.", "content": "Twenty-one patients with urinary tract infections due to Pseudomonas and coli-form bacilli were treated with 80-120 mg of tobramycin per day in two daily doses. Of these patients, 14 (67%) were cured, one improved, three (14%) showed no improvement, and three (14%) showed a substitution of the original pathogen by another organism. Urine cultures demonstrated rapid sterilization in the cases in which patients responsed well, and long-term sterility persisted in at least 50% of the subjects.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of tobramycin in urinary tract infections. Twenty-one patients with urinary tract infections due to Pseudomonas and coli-form bacilli were treated with 80-120 mg of tobramycin per day in two daily doses. Of these patients, 14 (67%) were cured, one improved, three (14%) showed no improvement, and three (14%) showed a substitution of the original pathogen by another organism. Urine cultures demonstrated rapid sterilization in the cases in which patients responsed well, and long-term sterility persisted in at least 50% of the subjects.", "PMID": 787448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7662", "title": "A randomized, comparative study of tobramycin and gentamicin in treatment of acute urinary tract infections.", "content": "Eighty patients with urinary tract infections were randomly divided into two equal groups; one group received tobramycin, and the other received gentamicin. The daily dose of antibiotic for each group was 3 mg/kg. Mean levels in serum were 4.5 and 4.7 mug/ml, respectively, 1 hr after an intramuscular injection, and the mean duration of therapy was 6.5 days. Mean ages and sex ratios were similar in the two groups. Essentially equal numbers of patients with pyelonephritis and cystitis were assigned randomly to each group. Eradication of infection was similar in patients in the two treatment groups, and there was not a significant number of relapses or reinfections in either group. Renal function was abnormal in seven patients treated with gentamicin and in two patients treated with tobramycin. One patient in the gentamicin group developed a skin eruption. Our data suggest that tobramycin is as effective as gentamicin in the treatment of acute urinary tract infection and may be less nephrotoxic at similar doses.", "contents": "A randomized, comparative study of tobramycin and gentamicin in treatment of acute urinary tract infections. Eighty patients with urinary tract infections were randomly divided into two equal groups; one group received tobramycin, and the other received gentamicin. The daily dose of antibiotic for each group was 3 mg/kg. Mean levels in serum were 4.5 and 4.7 mug/ml, respectively, 1 hr after an intramuscular injection, and the mean duration of therapy was 6.5 days. Mean ages and sex ratios were similar in the two groups. Essentially equal numbers of patients with pyelonephritis and cystitis were assigned randomly to each group. Eradication of infection was similar in patients in the two treatment groups, and there was not a significant number of relapses or reinfections in either group. Renal function was abnormal in seven patients treated with gentamicin and in two patients treated with tobramycin. One patient in the gentamicin group developed a skin eruption. Our data suggest that tobramycin is as effective as gentamicin in the treatment of acute urinary tract infection and may be less nephrotoxic at similar doses.", "PMID": 787449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7663", "title": "Tobramycin sulfate: a summary of worldwide experience from clinical trials.", "content": "Tobramycin sulfate, a new bactericidal aminoglycoside antibiotic, has been evaluated in 3,506 patients. Its in vitro activity is similar to that of other aminoglycoside antibiotics, except that it is more active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Clincal studies have shown that tobramycin sulfate is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of the infections listed below when they are caused by susceptible gram-negative organisms and by staphylococci: infections of the respiratory tract (including cystic fibrosis), central nervous system, skin, soft tissue, and bone (including burns); urinary tract and intraabdominal infections; and septicemia. The overall response was satisfactory in greater than 86% of the patients. Drug-related adverse effects were reported in 3.9% of the patients, and included reactions in the nervous system in 0.6% and in the kidney in 1.5%.", "contents": "Tobramycin sulfate: a summary of worldwide experience from clinical trials. Tobramycin sulfate, a new bactericidal aminoglycoside antibiotic, has been evaluated in 3,506 patients. Its in vitro activity is similar to that of other aminoglycoside antibiotics, except that it is more active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Clincal studies have shown that tobramycin sulfate is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of the infections listed below when they are caused by susceptible gram-negative organisms and by staphylococci: infections of the respiratory tract (including cystic fibrosis), central nervous system, skin, soft tissue, and bone (including burns); urinary tract and intraabdominal infections; and septicemia. The overall response was satisfactory in greater than 86% of the patients. Drug-related adverse effects were reported in 3.9% of the patients, and included reactions in the nervous system in 0.6% and in the kidney in 1.5%.", "PMID": 787450} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7664", "title": "Aspects of the pharmacology and toxicology of tobramycin in animals and humans.", "content": "The pharmacology and toxicology of tobramycin in animals and humans are reviewed. After intramuscular and intravenous administration, tobramycin diffuses throughout most body tissues and tissue fluids. Therapeutic concentrations can be obtained by intravitreal or intradural injections. Dogs tolerate intracisternal doses of 0.2 mg/kg without adverse reaction. The half-life of tobramycin in cochlear fluid of guinea pigs and in renal tissues of rats is significantly longer than the serum half-life in these species and is reflected in the ototoxic and nephrotoxic potential of tobramycin and other aminoglycosides. In man, the serum half-life of tobramycin is 2 hr; renal clearance, apparent volume of distribution, and recovery from urine are similar to those parameters for gentamicin. The serum half-life in neonates in prolonged (4.5-8.7 hr). Concentrations of tobramycin in serum are effectively reduced by hemodialysis, but peritoneal dialysis is less efficient in elimination of the antibiotic. Tobramycin crosses the placenta and is concentrated in the kidney and urine of the fetus.", "contents": "Aspects of the pharmacology and toxicology of tobramycin in animals and humans. The pharmacology and toxicology of tobramycin in animals and humans are reviewed. After intramuscular and intravenous administration, tobramycin diffuses throughout most body tissues and tissue fluids. Therapeutic concentrations can be obtained by intravitreal or intradural injections. Dogs tolerate intracisternal doses of 0.2 mg/kg without adverse reaction. The half-life of tobramycin in cochlear fluid of guinea pigs and in renal tissues of rats is significantly longer than the serum half-life in these species and is reflected in the ototoxic and nephrotoxic potential of tobramycin and other aminoglycosides. In man, the serum half-life of tobramycin is 2 hr; renal clearance, apparent volume of distribution, and recovery from urine are similar to those parameters for gentamicin. The serum half-life in neonates in prolonged (4.5-8.7 hr). Concentrations of tobramycin in serum are effectively reduced by hemodialysis, but peritoneal dialysis is less efficient in elimination of the antibiotic. Tobramycin crosses the placenta and is concentrated in the kidney and urine of the fetus.", "PMID": 787452} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7665", "title": "Depressed neutrophil chemotaxis in patients with chronic renal failure and after renal transplantation.", "content": "Polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and bactericidal ability were tested with neutrophlis from patients with chronic renal failure on conservative therapy, from others of regular peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, and from a group of patients who had received renal allografts. Chemotaxis was depressed in all groups. Phagocytosis was mildly impaired in the two groups on dialysis. The leukocytes of patients on conservative therapy had mildly decreased killing ability, whereas this function was normal in other groups tested. Sera from all patients, when activated with endotoxin, were poorly chemotactic to normal neutrophils, especially in those on conservative therapy and hemodialysis, but these sera functioned normally as opsonins for phagocytosis. The observed defect in chemotaxis could account, at least partly, for the frequency of bacterial infections in these patients.", "contents": "Depressed neutrophil chemotaxis in patients with chronic renal failure and after renal transplantation. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and bactericidal ability were tested with neutrophlis from patients with chronic renal failure on conservative therapy, from others of regular peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, and from a group of patients who had received renal allografts. Chemotaxis was depressed in all groups. Phagocytosis was mildly impaired in the two groups on dialysis. The leukocytes of patients on conservative therapy had mildly decreased killing ability, whereas this function was normal in other groups tested. Sera from all patients, when activated with endotoxin, were poorly chemotactic to normal neutrophils, especially in those on conservative therapy and hemodialysis, but these sera functioned normally as opsonins for phagocytosis. The observed defect in chemotaxis could account, at least partly, for the frequency of bacterial infections in these patients.", "PMID": 787456} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7666", "title": "Marginal neutrophil pool size in normal subjects and neutropenic patients as measured by epinephrine infusion.", "content": "The marginal granulocyte pool (MGP) was measured by epinephrine infusion in normal and neutropenic subjects. Neutrophil response curves to doses of 0.025 to 0.3 mg. in three normal subjects indicated that maximal neutrophil response was achieved by 0.1 mg. In 21 normal subjects, absolute neutrophils increased from 700 to 3,100 per microliter. The percentage increase ranged from 18 to 107 per cent of baseline. The per cent increase tended to be greater with low-normal baseline neutrophils than with high-normal neutrophils, although this relationship was not observed when increase was determined in absolute values. In neutropenic patients mean per cent increase of neutrophils was greater than observed in normal subjects, 121 vs. 50 per cent. Although the increase expressed in absolute neutrophil numbers was less in subjects with lower baseline neutrophil concentrations, there was an inverse correlation between the baseline neutrophil concentrations, there was an inverse correlation between the baseline neutrophils and the per cent increment following epinephrine. Mean increase was 200 per cent in patients with less than 200 neutrophils per microliter, compared with 61 per cent in patients with 1,000 to 1,500 neutrophils per microliter. These results indicate that circulating granulocyte pool (CGP) size may be misleading with respect to total blood neutrophils and in a sense confirm the concept of shift neutropenia, a decreased CGP and MGP as neutropenia becomes more profound suggests that shift neutropenia may be a normal physiologic methanism rather than a distinct neutropenic syndrome.", "contents": "Marginal neutrophil pool size in normal subjects and neutropenic patients as measured by epinephrine infusion. The marginal granulocyte pool (MGP) was measured by epinephrine infusion in normal and neutropenic subjects. Neutrophil response curves to doses of 0.025 to 0.3 mg. in three normal subjects indicated that maximal neutrophil response was achieved by 0.1 mg. In 21 normal subjects, absolute neutrophils increased from 700 to 3,100 per microliter. The percentage increase ranged from 18 to 107 per cent of baseline. The per cent increase tended to be greater with low-normal baseline neutrophils than with high-normal neutrophils, although this relationship was not observed when increase was determined in absolute values. In neutropenic patients mean per cent increase of neutrophils was greater than observed in normal subjects, 121 vs. 50 per cent. Although the increase expressed in absolute neutrophil numbers was less in subjects with lower baseline neutrophil concentrations, there was an inverse correlation between the baseline neutrophil concentrations, there was an inverse correlation between the baseline neutrophils and the per cent increment following epinephrine. Mean increase was 200 per cent in patients with less than 200 neutrophils per microliter, compared with 61 per cent in patients with 1,000 to 1,500 neutrophils per microliter. These results indicate that circulating granulocyte pool (CGP) size may be misleading with respect to total blood neutrophils and in a sense confirm the concept of shift neutropenia, a decreased CGP and MGP as neutropenia becomes more profound suggests that shift neutropenia may be a normal physiologic methanism rather than a distinct neutropenic syndrome.", "PMID": 787457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7667", "title": "Studies on the prolonged bleeding time in von Willebrand's disease.", "content": "Three experimental models have been employed to investigate the mechanism of the prolonged bleeding time in patients with von Willebrand's disease (vWd). 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), a synthetic analogue of the antidiuretic hormone, was administered to normal volunteers and patients with vWd in order to induce a short-term, endogenous increase of factor VIII procoagulant activity (VIIIAHF), factor VIII-related antigen (VIIIAGN), and Willebrand factor (VIIIVWF); and to investigate the relationship between bleeding time and plasma variations of factor VIII-associated properties. In normal subjects DDAVP administration was followed by a marked increase of VIIIAHF, VIIIAGN, and VIIIVWF; yet the bleeding time remained unchanged. The same parameters were also raised in two groups of patients with vWd. In a third group of patients with severe recessive vWd, factor VIII-associated properties, which were not measurable before the infusion, were unmodified. The bleeding time remained unchanged in all vWd patients. To investigate the effect of the exogenous increase of factor VIII-associated properties, cryoprecipitate was given to ten vWd patients before dental surgery. Despite the marked increase of VIIAHF, VIIAGN, and VIIVWF observed after the infusion, bleeding time was not shortened. Finally, in order to evaluate the hypothesis that factor VIII may exert its effect on primary hemostasis locally in the vessel wall, VIIIAGN and its relationship with the bleeding time were studied by direct immunofluorescence in gum-biopsy specimens obtained in vWd patients before cryoprecipitate infusion. No reaction could be elicited in five patients with severe, recessive vWd, whereas venules and arterioles stained positively in five patients with a moderate form of the disease. Immunofluorescence microscopy was also carried out in specimens obtained after cryoprecipitate at a time when the plasma defects were corrected but the long bleeding time was not modified; no reaction was detectable on the vessel wall of the three patients who were negative before the infusion.", "contents": "Studies on the prolonged bleeding time in von Willebrand's disease. Three experimental models have been employed to investigate the mechanism of the prolonged bleeding time in patients with von Willebrand's disease (vWd). 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), a synthetic analogue of the antidiuretic hormone, was administered to normal volunteers and patients with vWd in order to induce a short-term, endogenous increase of factor VIII procoagulant activity (VIIIAHF), factor VIII-related antigen (VIIIAGN), and Willebrand factor (VIIIVWF); and to investigate the relationship between bleeding time and plasma variations of factor VIII-associated properties. In normal subjects DDAVP administration was followed by a marked increase of VIIIAHF, VIIIAGN, and VIIIVWF; yet the bleeding time remained unchanged. The same parameters were also raised in two groups of patients with vWd. In a third group of patients with severe recessive vWd, factor VIII-associated properties, which were not measurable before the infusion, were unmodified. The bleeding time remained unchanged in all vWd patients. To investigate the effect of the exogenous increase of factor VIII-associated properties, cryoprecipitate was given to ten vWd patients before dental surgery. Despite the marked increase of VIIAHF, VIIAGN, and VIIVWF observed after the infusion, bleeding time was not shortened. Finally, in order to evaluate the hypothesis that factor VIII may exert its effect on primary hemostasis locally in the vessel wall, VIIIAGN and its relationship with the bleeding time were studied by direct immunofluorescence in gum-biopsy specimens obtained in vWd patients before cryoprecipitate infusion. No reaction could be elicited in five patients with severe, recessive vWd, whereas venules and arterioles stained positively in five patients with a moderate form of the disease. Immunofluorescence microscopy was also carried out in specimens obtained after cryoprecipitate at a time when the plasma defects were corrected but the long bleeding time was not modified; no reaction was detectable on the vessel wall of the three patients who were negative before the infusion.", "PMID": 787458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7668", "title": "Validation of the CO2 rebreathing method for measuring cardiac output in patients with hypertension or heart failure.", "content": "The CO2 rebreathing method, a noninvasive indirect Fick procedure, has been previously validated in normal subjects at supine rest and during exercise. In the present study 29 nearly simultaneous measurements of cardiac output were made by CO2 rebreathing and dye dilution in 17 patients with cardiovascular disease, 11 with hypertension, and six with congestive heart failure. Cardiac output at supine rest averaged 5.52 +/- 0.31 L. per minute by CO2 and 5.62 +/- 0.32 L. per minute by dye dilution (r = 0.93). Successive cardiac output measurements by rebreathing varied 6.0 +/- 1.1 per cent (r = 0.96) and by dye dilution, 6.5 +/- 0.9 per cent. Changes in cardiac output during exercise or after beta-adrenergic blockade were reflected by the CO2 method. It is concluded that the CO2 method provides reliable measurements of cardiac output both at rest and during exercise in patients with hypertension or congestive heart failure. Further validation of the method is needed in various disease states before it can be widely applied.", "contents": "Validation of the CO2 rebreathing method for measuring cardiac output in patients with hypertension or heart failure. The CO2 rebreathing method, a noninvasive indirect Fick procedure, has been previously validated in normal subjects at supine rest and during exercise. In the present study 29 nearly simultaneous measurements of cardiac output were made by CO2 rebreathing and dye dilution in 17 patients with cardiovascular disease, 11 with hypertension, and six with congestive heart failure. Cardiac output at supine rest averaged 5.52 +/- 0.31 L. per minute by CO2 and 5.62 +/- 0.32 L. per minute by dye dilution (r = 0.93). Successive cardiac output measurements by rebreathing varied 6.0 +/- 1.1 per cent (r = 0.96) and by dye dilution, 6.5 +/- 0.9 per cent. Changes in cardiac output during exercise or after beta-adrenergic blockade were reflected by the CO2 method. It is concluded that the CO2 method provides reliable measurements of cardiac output both at rest and during exercise in patients with hypertension or congestive heart failure. Further validation of the method is needed in various disease states before it can be widely applied.", "PMID": 787459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7669", "title": "Betahistine in M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease.", "content": "The effects of betahistine hydrochloride (Serc) on the clinical features of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease were assessed in two double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical studies. The diagnosis was based on a peripheral, fluctuating, recruiting, cochlear (sensorineural) deafness in one or both ears, tinnitus (usually of low tone) and paroxysmal attacks of rotational vertigo. Appropriate auditory and vestibular analyses confirmed the diagnosis. Twenty-four patients were admitted to the studies after careful screening over two-and-a-half years. Twenty-two patients completed the studies, ten of whom received betahistine and placebo for eight weeks each whereas the remaining twelve were given betahistine and placebo for twelve weeks each. the dose of betahistine was the same (16 mg. t.i.d.) in both studies. Daily symptom score cards kept by all patients throughout the studies showed a statistically significant preference for betahistine over placebo with regard to vertigo (p = 0-025), tinnitus (p = 0-010) and fullness of the ear (p = 0-036). Symptom scores of deafness and vomiting indicated trends in favour of betahistine but these did not attain statistical significance. Objective measurements of deafness (mean db. loss), however, showed a highly significant improvement in favour of betahistine, when compared with placebo (p less than 0-001). Vestibular testing revealed no important difference between betahistine and placebo. No unwanted effects or adverse reactions attributable to betahistine were observed during the studies.", "contents": "Betahistine in M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease. The effects of betahistine hydrochloride (Serc) on the clinical features of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease were assessed in two double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical studies. The diagnosis was based on a peripheral, fluctuating, recruiting, cochlear (sensorineural) deafness in one or both ears, tinnitus (usually of low tone) and paroxysmal attacks of rotational vertigo. Appropriate auditory and vestibular analyses confirmed the diagnosis. Twenty-four patients were admitted to the studies after careful screening over two-and-a-half years. Twenty-two patients completed the studies, ten of whom received betahistine and placebo for eight weeks each whereas the remaining twelve were given betahistine and placebo for twelve weeks each. the dose of betahistine was the same (16 mg. t.i.d.) in both studies. Daily symptom score cards kept by all patients throughout the studies showed a statistically significant preference for betahistine over placebo with regard to vertigo (p = 0-025), tinnitus (p = 0-010) and fullness of the ear (p = 0-036). Symptom scores of deafness and vomiting indicated trends in favour of betahistine but these did not attain statistical significance. Objective measurements of deafness (mean db. loss), however, showed a highly significant improvement in favour of betahistine, when compared with placebo (p less than 0-001). Vestibular testing revealed no important difference between betahistine and placebo. No unwanted effects or adverse reactions attributable to betahistine were observed during the studies.", "PMID": 787460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7670", "title": "Abnormal luteinizing hormone response patterns to synthetic gonadotrophin releasing hormone in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.", "content": "Basal gonadotrophin and sex steroid levels and responses to an intravenous injection of 100 mug gonadotrophin releasing hormone (Gn-RH) have been studied in 15 patients with polycystic ovaries. Mean basal LH concentration was raised and an excessive, exaggerated and prolonged response was observed after Gn-RH treatment, but patients could further be subdivided into two functional groups on the basis of their basal LH values and LH response patterns. Evidence was also produced which suggested a breakdown in the negative feedback mechanism in these patients.", "contents": "Abnormal luteinizing hormone response patterns to synthetic gonadotrophin releasing hormone in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Basal gonadotrophin and sex steroid levels and responses to an intravenous injection of 100 mug gonadotrophin releasing hormone (Gn-RH) have been studied in 15 patients with polycystic ovaries. Mean basal LH concentration was raised and an excessive, exaggerated and prolonged response was observed after Gn-RH treatment, but patients could further be subdivided into two functional groups on the basis of their basal LH values and LH response patterns. Evidence was also produced which suggested a breakdown in the negative feedback mechanism in these patients.", "PMID": 787466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7671", "title": "Masculinity-femininity in fathers of creative male adolescents.", "content": "This study investigated the relationship of paternal masculinity-femininity to filial creativity in a sample of high school students and their fathers. Thirty-one male high school students were identified as creative on the basis of teacher nominations and scores on the Remote Associates Test. An equal size control group of students matched on sex, educational level, grade point average, and geographical residence was formed. Fathers of both experimental and control students were administered a battery of tests which included a variety of masculinity-femininity measures. The results seem to support the general hypothesis that creativity is related to parental identification as a function of a less conventional sex-role stereotype, and the more specific hypothesis that there is a relation between paternal masculinity-femininity and filial creativity.", "contents": "Masculinity-femininity in fathers of creative male adolescents. This study investigated the relationship of paternal masculinity-femininity to filial creativity in a sample of high school students and their fathers. Thirty-one male high school students were identified as creative on the basis of teacher nominations and scores on the Remote Associates Test. An equal size control group of students matched on sex, educational level, grade point average, and geographical residence was formed. Fathers of both experimental and control students were administered a battery of tests which included a variety of masculinity-femininity measures. The results seem to support the general hypothesis that creativity is related to parental identification as a function of a less conventional sex-role stereotype, and the more specific hypothesis that there is a relation between paternal masculinity-femininity and filial creativity.", "PMID": 787473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7672", "title": "Inferior-border rib grafting for augmentation of the atrophic edentulous mandible.", "content": "Use of inferior-border grafting eliminates many of the problems associated with transoral onlay graft procedures. With an inferior-border graft, the graft does not bear the direct pressure of a prosthesis and allows for increase in mandibular height without as much loss of vestibule as in a transoral graft. A skin-graft vestibuloplasty is performed 6 to 12 months after rib grafting but the patient can wear a denture in the interim.", "contents": "Inferior-border rib grafting for augmentation of the atrophic edentulous mandible. Use of inferior-border grafting eliminates many of the problems associated with transoral onlay graft procedures. With an inferior-border graft, the graft does not bear the direct pressure of a prosthesis and allows for increase in mandibular height without as much loss of vestibule as in a transoral graft. A skin-graft vestibuloplasty is performed 6 to 12 months after rib grafting but the patient can wear a denture in the interim.", "PMID": 787481} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7673", "title": "One-stage interpositional bone grafting and vestibuloplasty of the atrophic maxilla.", "content": "A technique of one-stage autogenous bone grafting and submucous vestibuloplasty for reconstruction of the atrophic maxillary alveolar ridge has been presented. The advantages are described. Use of this procedure has currently been limited; however, initial success indicates this may be a valuable technique for use in the atrophic maxilla.", "contents": "One-stage interpositional bone grafting and vestibuloplasty of the atrophic maxilla. A technique of one-stage autogenous bone grafting and submucous vestibuloplasty for reconstruction of the atrophic maxillary alveolar ridge has been presented. The advantages are described. Use of this procedure has currently been limited; however, initial success indicates this may be a valuable technique for use in the atrophic maxilla.", "PMID": 787482} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7674", "title": "Electromyography of the rectum and colon in Hirschsprung's disease.", "content": "The electromyographic activity of the large bowel was studied in patients suffering from aganglionic megacolon and in comparable normal infants and children, using of an intraluminal electrode. Graphs obtained in control children showed a basic electrical rhythm of 4-6 waves/min with bursts of high frequency spikes, 3-4/sec, superimposed on the top of the slow waves. The recordings in Hirschprung's disease showed an irregular basic electrical rhythm with waves of variable duration and no high frequency potentials, as long as the electrode was positioned in the aganglionic zone. As soon as the electrode was introduced further up into the normally innervated colon the graph became identical to that seen in the normal bowel. Intraluminal electromyography of the rectum and colon seems to be a suitable procedure to diagnose aganglionosis of the rectum and the extent of the lesion.", "contents": "Electromyography of the rectum and colon in Hirschsprung's disease. The electromyographic activity of the large bowel was studied in patients suffering from aganglionic megacolon and in comparable normal infants and children, using of an intraluminal electrode. Graphs obtained in control children showed a basic electrical rhythm of 4-6 waves/min with bursts of high frequency spikes, 3-4/sec, superimposed on the top of the slow waves. The recordings in Hirschprung's disease showed an irregular basic electrical rhythm with waves of variable duration and no high frequency potentials, as long as the electrode was positioned in the aganglionic zone. As soon as the electrode was introduced further up into the normally innervated colon the graph became identical to that seen in the normal bowel. Intraluminal electromyography of the rectum and colon seems to be a suitable procedure to diagnose aganglionosis of the rectum and the extent of the lesion.", "PMID": 787484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7675", "title": "Further improvements in the transport of high-risk neonates.", "content": "The transport incubator used since 1972 was modified for the CPAP method (continuous positive airway pressure). A very generous indication for the use of this ventilatory assistance in the presence of very early clinical signs of respiratory distress syndrome before or during the transport into the Children's Hospital has contributed towards improving the survival rate of infants with a birth weight of 1001-1500 grams to 84,8% and for those below 1000 grams to 39,4%.", "contents": "Further improvements in the transport of high-risk neonates. The transport incubator used since 1972 was modified for the CPAP method (continuous positive airway pressure). A very generous indication for the use of this ventilatory assistance in the presence of very early clinical signs of respiratory distress syndrome before or during the transport into the Children's Hospital has contributed towards improving the survival rate of infants with a birth weight of 1001-1500 grams to 84,8% and for those below 1000 grams to 39,4%.", "PMID": 787485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7676", "title": "The gingival autograft and gingivectomy.", "content": "A rationale and technique for the utilization of the combined procedures of the gingival autograft and the gingivectomy technics for the purpose of pocket elimination and creation of an adequate zone of attached gingiva has been presented. It allows for the predictable and relatively atraumatic treatment of gingival problems in which there has been no deformity of the underlying osseous structures.", "contents": "The gingival autograft and gingivectomy. A rationale and technique for the utilization of the combined procedures of the gingival autograft and the gingivectomy technics for the purpose of pocket elimination and creation of an adequate zone of attached gingiva has been presented. It allows for the predictable and relatively atraumatic treatment of gingival problems in which there has been no deformity of the underlying osseous structures.", "PMID": 787487} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7677", "title": "Effects of scleral collagen upon the healing of experimental osseous wounds.", "content": "Standardized wounds were created in the femurs of 13 female white New Zealand rabbits and implanted with autogenous scleral connective tissue, Achilles bovine tendon collagen chips and cores of cancellous autogenous bone and marrow. A blood-filed wound served as a control. The dynamics of the healing of these wounds over periods of time ranging from 12 days to 3 months was studied by routine histology, fluorescent microscopy and by radiography. Rapid healing of the control and bone implant wounds occurred but was retarded by the implantation of sclera. Collagen chips provoked an active lymphocytic response and severely impeded the healing of the experimental wounds. These experiments were discussed in light of the current interest in allogenic scleral implants in periodontal therapy.", "contents": "Effects of scleral collagen upon the healing of experimental osseous wounds. Standardized wounds were created in the femurs of 13 female white New Zealand rabbits and implanted with autogenous scleral connective tissue, Achilles bovine tendon collagen chips and cores of cancellous autogenous bone and marrow. A blood-filed wound served as a control. The dynamics of the healing of these wounds over periods of time ranging from 12 days to 3 months was studied by routine histology, fluorescent microscopy and by radiography. Rapid healing of the control and bone implant wounds occurred but was retarded by the implantation of sclera. Collagen chips provoked an active lymphocytic response and severely impeded the healing of the experimental wounds. These experiments were discussed in light of the current interest in allogenic scleral implants in periodontal therapy.", "PMID": 787488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7678", "title": "Inhibitory effect of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate on pepsin activity.", "content": "The inhibitory effect of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate of hog pepsin activity was investigated over the pH 1.5-3.0 range. The inhibitory effect was studied using a natural substrate, hemoglobin, and a synthetic substrate, N-acetyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-diiodotyrosine. The mechanistic studies revealed that a substrate-inhibitor interaction was the major mechanism of inhibition with hemoglobin. However, some direct enzyme inhibition also was involved. With the synthetic substrate, the inhibition was due to a competition between the substrate and inhibitor molecules for the enzyme. The possible therapeutic significance of the inhibitory effect of the medicinal surfactant is discussed.", "contents": "Inhibitory effect of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate on pepsin activity. The inhibitory effect of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate of hog pepsin activity was investigated over the pH 1.5-3.0 range. The inhibitory effect was studied using a natural substrate, hemoglobin, and a synthetic substrate, N-acetyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-diiodotyrosine. The mechanistic studies revealed that a substrate-inhibitor interaction was the major mechanism of inhibition with hemoglobin. However, some direct enzyme inhibition also was involved. With the synthetic substrate, the inhibition was due to a competition between the substrate and inhibitor molecules for the enzyme. The possible therapeutic significance of the inhibitory effect of the medicinal surfactant is discussed.", "PMID": 787490} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7679", "title": "Antinauseant and antiemetic properties of bismuth subsalicylate in dogs and humans.", "content": "Laboratory and clinical investigations were carried out to determine the effectiveness of bismuth subsalicylate in allaying nausea by preventing the physical symptom of emesis. In normal conscious dogs, a bismuth subsalicylate formulation caused a dose-related reduction in the incidence of vomiting in response to an emetic dose of ipecac syrup. In normal human subjects, a bismuth subsalicylate suspension, unlike the placebo formulation, successfully subdued nausea and vomiting in 66.7 and 80% of the subjects, respectively, in response to ipecac syrup. Both findings demonstrate that bismuth subsalicylate can provide antiemetic action and that the decreases in the occurrence of emesis in humans and dogs parallels the decrease in nausea found in humans and the nausea suspected to occur prior to emesis in dogs.", "contents": "Antinauseant and antiemetic properties of bismuth subsalicylate in dogs and humans. Laboratory and clinical investigations were carried out to determine the effectiveness of bismuth subsalicylate in allaying nausea by preventing the physical symptom of emesis. In normal conscious dogs, a bismuth subsalicylate formulation caused a dose-related reduction in the incidence of vomiting in response to an emetic dose of ipecac syrup. In normal human subjects, a bismuth subsalicylate suspension, unlike the placebo formulation, successfully subdued nausea and vomiting in 66.7 and 80% of the subjects, respectively, in response to ipecac syrup. Both findings demonstrate that bismuth subsalicylate can provide antiemetic action and that the decreases in the occurrence of emesis in humans and dogs parallels the decrease in nausea found in humans and the nausea suspected to occur prior to emesis in dogs.", "PMID": 787491} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7680", "title": "[Calorimetric study of thermoregulatory mechanisms at the onset of sweating and during the menstrual cycle (author's transl)].", "content": "1 At the onset of sweating, tympanic (Tty), vaginal (Tva) and mean skin (Ts) temperature as well as the sudoral response were studied by direct and indirect calorimetry. Eight women with a normal ovulatory cycle were consecutively exposedt wice to 37 degrees C/20% rh during the follicular phase and again during the luteal phase. 2 Under our conditions, Tty may be used as an index of deep body temperature without any notable influence from ambient temperature. A weighting factor of chi = 0,7 was applied to the internal part of the body for the calculation of mean body temperature Tb. chi was determined by calorimetry, before and after the onset of sweating. 3 The onset of thermal sweating depends on a characteristic Tb corresponding to a specific caloric content of the body. Neither Tty, Tva, nor Ts, alone constitutes the specific stimulus leading to thermolysis by sweating. 4 The set point value (Tb \"set\") of the thermoregulatory system increases in the luteal phase, compared with that of the follicular phase. 5 Thermal regulation of the proportional control system shows a gain which is not modified during the menstrual cycle. 6 There is no relation between the shift of the set point value (Tb \"set\") and the increase of urine pregnandiol in the luteal phase. 7 The increase in basal body temperature and its maintenance during the post-ovulatory phase do not seem to be related to an increase in metabolic heat production.", "contents": "[Calorimetric study of thermoregulatory mechanisms at the onset of sweating and during the menstrual cycle (author's transl)]. 1 At the onset of sweating, tympanic (Tty), vaginal (Tva) and mean skin (Ts) temperature as well as the sudoral response were studied by direct and indirect calorimetry. Eight women with a normal ovulatory cycle were consecutively exposedt wice to 37 degrees C/20% rh during the follicular phase and again during the luteal phase. 2 Under our conditions, Tty may be used as an index of deep body temperature without any notable influence from ambient temperature. A weighting factor of chi = 0,7 was applied to the internal part of the body for the calculation of mean body temperature Tb. chi was determined by calorimetry, before and after the onset of sweating. 3 The onset of thermal sweating depends on a characteristic Tb corresponding to a specific caloric content of the body. Neither Tty, Tva, nor Ts, alone constitutes the specific stimulus leading to thermolysis by sweating. 4 The set point value (Tb \"set\") of the thermoregulatory system increases in the luteal phase, compared with that of the follicular phase. 5 Thermal regulation of the proportional control system shows a gain which is not modified during the menstrual cycle. 6 There is no relation between the shift of the set point value (Tb \"set\") and the increase of urine pregnandiol in the luteal phase. 7 The increase in basal body temperature and its maintenance during the post-ovulatory phase do not seem to be related to an increase in metabolic heat production.", "PMID": 787493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7681", "title": "[Discharge pattern of medullary respiratory neurones during thermal polypnea (author's transl)].", "content": "1 In \"encephale isole\" cats with a spinal section in C7, we have recorded the activity of 108 medullary inspiratory or expiratory neurones during normopnea or polypnea induced by local warming of the anterior hypothalamic region. The neurones were grouped according to their axon destination, their discharge pattern, and the correlation level between their unit activity and the phrenic neurogram. 2 In polypnea, 71% of inspiratory neurones remain active. Their firing rates, which increase during inspiratory discharges in normopnea, decrease during inspiratory discharges in polypnea. However, this inversion of discharge pattern is less marked than with phrenic motoneurones. 3 The reduction of activity in polypnea preferentially strikes certain types of neurones. While bulbo-spinal inspiratory neurones all remain active, the propriobulbar inspiratory neurones can be grouped into those which remain active and whose activity is well correlated with the phrenic neurogram, and those which become silent and showing a poor correlation. As a general rule, activity in polypnea and correlation (in normopnea) go together. 4 In polypnea, 56% of expiratory neurones cease discharging. This activity decrease applies to bulbo-spinal expiratory neurones (5 out of 14) and to propriobulbar expiratory neurones (20 out of 31). Among the expiratory neurones, only those with an elevated discharge firing rate and significant correlation coefficient values remain active in polypnea. At this time they generally exhibit a decreasing firing rate and emit only a few spikes in each burst. 5 The results suggest that during polypnea the genesis of the respiratory rhythm is dependent upon a different mechanism than in normopnea.", "contents": "[Discharge pattern of medullary respiratory neurones during thermal polypnea (author's transl)]. 1 In \"encephale isole\" cats with a spinal section in C7, we have recorded the activity of 108 medullary inspiratory or expiratory neurones during normopnea or polypnea induced by local warming of the anterior hypothalamic region. The neurones were grouped according to their axon destination, their discharge pattern, and the correlation level between their unit activity and the phrenic neurogram. 2 In polypnea, 71% of inspiratory neurones remain active. Their firing rates, which increase during inspiratory discharges in normopnea, decrease during inspiratory discharges in polypnea. However, this inversion of discharge pattern is less marked than with phrenic motoneurones. 3 The reduction of activity in polypnea preferentially strikes certain types of neurones. While bulbo-spinal inspiratory neurones all remain active, the propriobulbar inspiratory neurones can be grouped into those which remain active and whose activity is well correlated with the phrenic neurogram, and those which become silent and showing a poor correlation. As a general rule, activity in polypnea and correlation (in normopnea) go together. 4 In polypnea, 56% of expiratory neurones cease discharging. This activity decrease applies to bulbo-spinal expiratory neurones (5 out of 14) and to propriobulbar expiratory neurones (20 out of 31). Among the expiratory neurones, only those with an elevated discharge firing rate and significant correlation coefficient values remain active in polypnea. At this time they generally exhibit a decreasing firing rate and emit only a few spikes in each burst. 5 The results suggest that during polypnea the genesis of the respiratory rhythm is dependent upon a different mechanism than in normopnea.", "PMID": 787494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7682", "title": "Dolder bar joint mandibular overdenture: a technique for nonparallel abutment teeth.", "content": "A mandibular overdenture technique has been presented that utilizes the Dolder bar joint attachment. Endodontically treated lower canines were retained as abutments. Two techniques for attaching the bar to teeth with divergent root canals were discussed: (1) the Schubiger screw system for those teeth with extremely divergent canals and (2) the Stutz pivots system for teeth with only slightly divergent root canals. The use of the Dolder bar joint offers periodontally involved teeth an improved crown/root ratio and splinting of the teeth. Because the bar is close to the alveolar bone, forces of mastication exert much less leverage to the teeth. Finally, the bar joint offers slight vertical and rotational movement of the denture as well as a stressbreaker action.", "contents": "Dolder bar joint mandibular overdenture: a technique for nonparallel abutment teeth. A mandibular overdenture technique has been presented that utilizes the Dolder bar joint attachment. Endodontically treated lower canines were retained as abutments. Two techniques for attaching the bar to teeth with divergent root canals were discussed: (1) the Schubiger screw system for those teeth with extremely divergent canals and (2) the Stutz pivots system for teeth with only slightly divergent root canals. The use of the Dolder bar joint offers periodontally involved teeth an improved crown/root ratio and splinting of the teeth. Because the bar is close to the alveolar bone, forces of mastication exert much less leverage to the teeth. Finally, the bar joint offers slight vertical and rotational movement of the denture as well as a stressbreaker action.", "PMID": 787496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7683", "title": "Articulator selection for restorative dentistry.", "content": "There are many types of articulators that can be used for making fixed restorations. While unquestionably the most accurate, the fully adjustable instrument is not feasible or necessary for many forms of simple occlusal treatment. The effects of tooth-hinge axis radius, intercondylar distance, and condylar inclination on occlusal morphology have been discussed. Guidelines have been proposed for matching the type of articulator with the extent of treatment anticipated. The use of small, nonadjustable hinge articulators is not recommended.", "contents": "Articulator selection for restorative dentistry. There are many types of articulators that can be used for making fixed restorations. While unquestionably the most accurate, the fully adjustable instrument is not feasible or necessary for many forms of simple occlusal treatment. The effects of tooth-hinge axis radius, intercondylar distance, and condylar inclination on occlusal morphology have been discussed. Guidelines have been proposed for matching the type of articulator with the extent of treatment anticipated. The use of small, nonadjustable hinge articulators is not recommended.", "PMID": 787498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7684", "title": "Interim overdentures.", "content": "The construction of an interim overdenture using existing removable partial dentures with natural tooth crowns and artificial teeth can be a simple and economical method of providing patients with dentures while tissues heal and teeth are prepared and restored. A more definite prognosis for both the patient and his remaining dentition can be established before the final overdenture is completed. The procedures necessary to provide three types of interim overdentures have been outlined. Patients tolerate this method of changing their dentitions extremely well.", "contents": "Interim overdentures. The construction of an interim overdenture using existing removable partial dentures with natural tooth crowns and artificial teeth can be a simple and economical method of providing patients with dentures while tissues heal and teeth are prepared and restored. A more definite prognosis for both the patient and his remaining dentition can be established before the final overdenture is completed. The procedures necessary to provide three types of interim overdentures have been outlined. Patients tolerate this method of changing their dentitions extremely well.", "PMID": 787499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7685", "title": "Treatment planning for fixed and removable partial dentures: a periodontal view.", "content": "1. Chronic occlusal trauma of partial denture abutments may be observed in radiographs before other clinical symptoms are noticed. 2. Evaluation methods can determine when teeth are unsuitable to serve as abutments, but these methods may not be reliable to predict the capacity for some essentially normal teeth to accept additional stresses. 3. Whenever a potential abutment is tilted so that axial loading is questionable, no restoration should be made.", "contents": "Treatment planning for fixed and removable partial dentures: a periodontal view. 1. Chronic occlusal trauma of partial denture abutments may be observed in radiographs before other clinical symptoms are noticed. 2. Evaluation methods can determine when teeth are unsuitable to serve as abutments, but these methods may not be reliable to predict the capacity for some essentially normal teeth to accept additional stresses. 3. Whenever a potential abutment is tilted so that axial loading is questionable, no restoration should be made.", "PMID": 787500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7686", "title": "Characterization of gold-palladium-silver and palladium-silver for ceramic-metal restorations.", "content": "Properties, compositions, microstructures, and heat-treatment characteristics of three high-fusing white ceramic-metal alloys were studied. The materials displayed different compositions and as-cast microstructures, but similar tensile properties and heat-treatment responses. Hardness of cast specimens subjected to the porcelain firing cycle was increased by an additional 20 minute heat treatment at 1,300 degrees F.", "contents": "Characterization of gold-palladium-silver and palladium-silver for ceramic-metal restorations. Properties, compositions, microstructures, and heat-treatment characteristics of three high-fusing white ceramic-metal alloys were studied. The materials displayed different compositions and as-cast microstructures, but similar tensile properties and heat-treatment responses. Hardness of cast specimens subjected to the porcelain firing cycle was increased by an additional 20 minute heat treatment at 1,300 degrees F.", "PMID": 787501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7687", "title": "Complete denture prosthodontics for the radiation patient.", "content": "The increased use of radiation therapy for the control of oral cancer necessitates that all dentists concerned with the rehabilitation of oral cancer patients be familiar with this treatment modality. Radiologic equipment, the rationale for their use, and the sequelae to oral treatment are discussed. Misconceptions have developed concerning the advisability of prescribing complete dentures following radiation therapy. However, clinical experience in the Maxillofacial Unit at the University of California, San Francisco, indicates that most radiation patients can wear complete dentures. The need to follow sound prosthodontic techniques is advocated, along with a few modifications related specifically to the radiation patient. Patient cooperation and meticulous care during and following the placement of dentures are stressed to minimize the risk of tissue necrosis and to preserve the well-being of the patient.", "contents": "Complete denture prosthodontics for the radiation patient. The increased use of radiation therapy for the control of oral cancer necessitates that all dentists concerned with the rehabilitation of oral cancer patients be familiar with this treatment modality. Radiologic equipment, the rationale for their use, and the sequelae to oral treatment are discussed. Misconceptions have developed concerning the advisability of prescribing complete dentures following radiation therapy. However, clinical experience in the Maxillofacial Unit at the University of California, San Francisco, indicates that most radiation patients can wear complete dentures. The need to follow sound prosthodontic techniques is advocated, along with a few modifications related specifically to the radiation patient. Patient cooperation and meticulous care during and following the placement of dentures are stressed to minimize the risk of tissue necrosis and to preserve the well-being of the patient.", "PMID": 787502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7688", "title": "Obturator design for hemimaxillectomy patients.", "content": "The retention and stability of the obturator for the patient who has had a hemimaxillectomy are major problems. A removable partial denture with a swing-lock retentive design system will provide retention and stability due to the continuous splinting of the remaining teeth during function and a passive multiple retentive-clasp system during relaxation. However, because of the danger of the possible orthodontic action of the swing-lock system, special care should be taken when using this kind of design, and the patient should be closely observed.", "contents": "Obturator design for hemimaxillectomy patients. The retention and stability of the obturator for the patient who has had a hemimaxillectomy are major problems. A removable partial denture with a swing-lock retentive design system will provide retention and stability due to the continuous splinting of the remaining teeth during function and a passive multiple retentive-clasp system during relaxation. However, because of the danger of the possible orthodontic action of the swing-lock system, special care should be taken when using this kind of design, and the patient should be closely observed.", "PMID": 787503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7689", "title": "The neutral zone in complete dentures.", "content": "The neutral-zone philosophy is based upon the concept that for each individual patient, there exists within the denture space a specific area where the function of the musculature will not unseat the denture and where forces generated by the tongue are neutralized by the forces generated by the lips and cheeks. The influence of tooth position and flange contour on denture stability is equal to or greater than that of any other factor. We should not be dogmatic and insist that teeth be placed over the crest of the ridge, buccal or lingual to the ridge. Teeth should be placed as dictated by the musculature, and this will vary for different patients. Positioning artificial teeth in the neutral zone achieves two objectives. First, the teeth will not interfere with the normal muscle function, and second, the forces exerted by the musculature against the dentures are more favorable for stability and retention.", "contents": "The neutral zone in complete dentures. The neutral-zone philosophy is based upon the concept that for each individual patient, there exists within the denture space a specific area where the function of the musculature will not unseat the denture and where forces generated by the tongue are neutralized by the forces generated by the lips and cheeks. The influence of tooth position and flange contour on denture stability is equal to or greater than that of any other factor. We should not be dogmatic and insist that teeth be placed over the crest of the ridge, buccal or lingual to the ridge. Teeth should be placed as dictated by the musculature, and this will vary for different patients. Positioning artificial teeth in the neutral zone achieves two objectives. First, the teeth will not interfere with the normal muscle function, and second, the forces exerted by the musculature against the dentures are more favorable for stability and retention.", "PMID": 787504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7690", "title": "A silicone rubber attachment for primary retention of partial dentures.", "content": "A technique for primary retention of removable partial dentures has been described. A soft-tissue-borne restoration provides an increase in primary retention without an increase in forces to the abutment teeth, and the restoration requires a minimal outlay of time and money.", "contents": "A silicone rubber attachment for primary retention of partial dentures. A technique for primary retention of removable partial dentures has been described. A soft-tissue-borne restoration provides an increase in primary retention without an increase in forces to the abutment teeth, and the restoration requires a minimal outlay of time and money.", "PMID": 787505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7691", "title": "A study of distortion and surface hardness of improved artificial stone casts.", "content": "1. The single-pour technique is as accurate as the double-pour technique except for point 6 (palatal point). Here the double-pour technique has greater accuracy. Impression material thickness over point 6 was approximately 15 mm. 2. The double-pour technique produced specimens which had superficial hardness values significantly higher than those of casts produced by the single-pour technique. 3. Specimens made with slurry water showed no greater distortion than specimens from other techniques. Surfaces of the specimens made with slurry water were significantly harder than those of specimens made with distilled water. Both types of specimens were made with the single-pour technique. 4. No significant difference in distortion was found in specimens produced with varying thickness of irreversible hydrocolloid impression material over the occlusal pins.", "contents": "A study of distortion and surface hardness of improved artificial stone casts. 1. The single-pour technique is as accurate as the double-pour technique except for point 6 (palatal point). Here the double-pour technique has greater accuracy. Impression material thickness over point 6 was approximately 15 mm. 2. The double-pour technique produced specimens which had superficial hardness values significantly higher than those of casts produced by the single-pour technique. 3. Specimens made with slurry water showed no greater distortion than specimens from other techniques. Surfaces of the specimens made with slurry water were significantly harder than those of specimens made with distilled water. Both types of specimens were made with the single-pour technique. 4. No significant difference in distortion was found in specimens produced with varying thickness of irreversible hydrocolloid impression material over the occlusal pins.", "PMID": 787506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7692", "title": "Constructing cast crowns to fit existing removable partial denture clasps.", "content": "A step-by-step procedure has been presented for fabrication of a cast crown to fit an existing partial denture clasp. The procedure can be accomplished in two appointments, and the patient need not be subjected to the incovenience of being without the partial denture between office visits. It is an accurate and easy technique which gives uniform results and eliminates the need for remaking an adequate removable partial denture.", "contents": "Constructing cast crowns to fit existing removable partial denture clasps. A step-by-step procedure has been presented for fabrication of a cast crown to fit an existing partial denture clasp. The procedure can be accomplished in two appointments, and the patient need not be subjected to the incovenience of being without the partial denture between office visits. It is an accurate and easy technique which gives uniform results and eliminates the need for remaking an adequate removable partial denture.", "PMID": 787507} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7693", "title": "Role of the general dentist in maxillofacial prosthetics.", "content": "Care of oral cancer patients requires the opinions and coordinated efforts of various consultants or therapists functioning as a multidisciplinary team to treat individual patients' physical, social, and economic problems. The modern medical concept of total treatment of the patient must include dentistry. Every dentist with interest and training in the basic principles of maxillofacial prosthetics can offer invaluable assistance in the treatment of maxillofacial patients.", "contents": "Role of the general dentist in maxillofacial prosthetics. Care of oral cancer patients requires the opinions and coordinated efforts of various consultants or therapists functioning as a multidisciplinary team to treat individual patients' physical, social, and economic problems. The modern medical concept of total treatment of the patient must include dentistry. Every dentist with interest and training in the basic principles of maxillofacial prosthetics can offer invaluable assistance in the treatment of maxillofacial patients.", "PMID": 787508} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7694", "title": "The use of intraoral cores to repair complete and partial removable prostheses.", "content": "A technique has been described for repairing fractured dentures. The procedure entails use of an occlusal core to correctly position the broken pieces of the denture. This technique is also applicable for repair of removable partial dentures as well as complete dentures. When the cause of a fractured prosthesis can be traced to occlusal disharmony or poor fit, it is not expected that repairing the denture will solve the underlying cause.", "contents": "The use of intraoral cores to repair complete and partial removable prostheses. A technique has been described for repairing fractured dentures. The procedure entails use of an occlusal core to correctly position the broken pieces of the denture. This technique is also applicable for repair of removable partial dentures as well as complete dentures. When the cause of a fractured prosthesis can be traced to occlusal disharmony or poor fit, it is not expected that repairing the denture will solve the underlying cause.", "PMID": 787510} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7695", "title": "Electron microscopic study of Trypanosoma cruzi periplast in tissue cultures. I. Number and arrangement of the peripheral microtubules in the various forms of the parasite's life cycle.", "content": "In an electron microscopic study, counts of peripheral microtubules were made in spheromastigotes and trypomastigotes in tissue cultures of embryonic heart muscle cells. In interphase spheromastigotes there were, at the level of the nucleus, approximately 114 microtubules; in dividing forms, there were approximately 222. In trypomastigotes, the number of microtubules varied according to the level of the section--there were fewer than 40 tubules in the pointed ends of an organism, while in the central segment the number of these elements ranged from 60 to 115. The highest number of microtubules was found in the region containing the Golgi complex. The distance between the microtubules was constant, equalling 44 nm, even at the pointed ends of a trypanosome. This suggests that the microtubules course parallel to one another. Cross sections and randomly arranged, variable length, longitudinal sections of the tubules were noted around the kinetosomes in dividing organisms.", "contents": "Electron microscopic study of Trypanosoma cruzi periplast in tissue cultures. I. Number and arrangement of the peripheral microtubules in the various forms of the parasite's life cycle. In an electron microscopic study, counts of peripheral microtubules were made in spheromastigotes and trypomastigotes in tissue cultures of embryonic heart muscle cells. In interphase spheromastigotes there were, at the level of the nucleus, approximately 114 microtubules; in dividing forms, there were approximately 222. In trypomastigotes, the number of microtubules varied according to the level of the section--there were fewer than 40 tubules in the pointed ends of an organism, while in the central segment the number of these elements ranged from 60 to 115. The highest number of microtubules was found in the region containing the Golgi complex. The distance between the microtubules was constant, equalling 44 nm, even at the pointed ends of a trypanosome. This suggests that the microtubules course parallel to one another. Cross sections and randomly arranged, variable length, longitudinal sections of the tubules were noted around the kinetosomes in dividing organisms.", "PMID": 787513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7696", "title": "Night medication in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "The efficacy of indomethacin 100 mg, diazepam 10 mg, and placebo in producing sleep, relieving night pain, and reducing the severity of morning stiffness, was compared in 18 patients in hospital with active classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis.There was no statistically significant difference in the preference of patients or sleep score among the three forms of treatment. Both indomethacin and diazepam were more effective than placebo in relieving night pain. Indomethacin decreased, but diazepam increased, morning stiffness in comparison to placebo. Neither active therapy produced significant side-effects.", "contents": "Night medication in rheumatoid arthritis. The efficacy of indomethacin 100 mg, diazepam 10 mg, and placebo in producing sleep, relieving night pain, and reducing the severity of morning stiffness, was compared in 18 patients in hospital with active classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis.There was no statistically significant difference in the preference of patients or sleep score among the three forms of treatment. Both indomethacin and diazepam were more effective than placebo in relieving night pain. Indomethacin decreased, but diazepam increased, morning stiffness in comparison to placebo. Neither active therapy produced significant side-effects.", "PMID": 787518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7697", "title": "Suppression of LH-RH-induced ovulation in hamsters and rats by synthetic analogues of LH-RH.", "content": "Peptide antagonists of LH-RH, [D-Phe2, D-Phe6]-LH-RH, [D-Phe2,D-Leu6]-LH-RH, [D-Phe2, D-Ala6]-LH-RH, [D-Phe2, D-Phe3,D-Phe6]-LH-RH, [DesHis2, D-Leu6]-LH-RH, and [DesHis2, D-Phe6]-LH-RH, were examined for their ability to suppress LH-RH-induced ovulation in phenobarbital-blocked hamsters and Nembutal-blocked rats. All of these peptides, with the exception of [DesHis2, Phe6]- LH-RH suppressed ovulation to various degrees, but alos exhibited various degrees of agonistic activities. Complete suppression of ovulation was achieved in rats with 3 mg [D-Phe2,Phe3,-D-Phe6]-LH-RH given in 4 divided doses at 30-min intervals starting 2 hr before the LH-RH injection. It was found that LH levels had to be lower than 5 ng/ml (control: 20-9 ng/ml) to suppress ovulation. However, the extent of suppression of ovulationdid not correlate with the serum LH levels less than 5 ng/ml. The incidence of ovulation induced by the intrinsic LH-RH activity of some of these analogues was similar to or greater than that resulting from administration of LH-RH plus analogue, suggesting that the activity of LH-RH itself was eliminated by pretreatment with the analogues.", "contents": "Suppression of LH-RH-induced ovulation in hamsters and rats by synthetic analogues of LH-RH. Peptide antagonists of LH-RH, [D-Phe2, D-Phe6]-LH-RH, [D-Phe2,D-Leu6]-LH-RH, [D-Phe2, D-Ala6]-LH-RH, [D-Phe2, D-Phe3,D-Phe6]-LH-RH, [DesHis2, D-Leu6]-LH-RH, and [DesHis2, D-Phe6]-LH-RH, were examined for their ability to suppress LH-RH-induced ovulation in phenobarbital-blocked hamsters and Nembutal-blocked rats. All of these peptides, with the exception of [DesHis2, Phe6]- LH-RH suppressed ovulation to various degrees, but alos exhibited various degrees of agonistic activities. Complete suppression of ovulation was achieved in rats with 3 mg [D-Phe2,Phe3,-D-Phe6]-LH-RH given in 4 divided doses at 30-min intervals starting 2 hr before the LH-RH injection. It was found that LH levels had to be lower than 5 ng/ml (control: 20-9 ng/ml) to suppress ovulation. However, the extent of suppression of ovulationdid not correlate with the serum LH levels less than 5 ng/ml. The incidence of ovulation induced by the intrinsic LH-RH activity of some of these analogues was similar to or greater than that resulting from administration of LH-RH plus analogue, suggesting that the activity of LH-RH itself was eliminated by pretreatment with the analogues.", "PMID": 787519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7698", "title": "Update on the safety and efficacy of clomiphene citrate as a therapeutic agent.", "content": "Fifteen years have passed since our group first proposed the use of clomiphene citrate as an ovulation-inducing agent. Our 15-year experience with over 2,000 patients has not dampened our enthusiasm for this drug. The benefits have far outweighted the minor side effects or the possibility of multiple births. Serious birth defects were minimal and have been no greater than what one may expect in the general population. Clomiphene citrate has been a boon to womankind and deserves the confidence of both patient and physician: it is a drug with a record of utility and with but minor risks.", "contents": "Update on the safety and efficacy of clomiphene citrate as a therapeutic agent. Fifteen years have passed since our group first proposed the use of clomiphene citrate as an ovulation-inducing agent. Our 15-year experience with over 2,000 patients has not dampened our enthusiasm for this drug. The benefits have far outweighted the minor side effects or the possibility of multiple births. Serious birth defects were minimal and have been no greater than what one may expect in the general population. Clomiphene citrate has been a boon to womankind and deserves the confidence of both patient and physician: it is a drug with a record of utility and with but minor risks.", "PMID": 787524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7699", "title": "Antifungal activity of 4-substituted crotonic acid esters.", "content": "Twenty-three 4-substituted crotonic acid esters were tested for antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Mucor mucedo, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. For the analogues of the methyl ester containing substituents in the 4 position, the following order of fungitoxicity was observed: I greater than Br greater than Cl greater than CH3S greater than CH3O greater than F=H. Of the homologues of the esters of the 4-iodo and 4-bromo compounds which included methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, and n-hexyl, ethyl 4-iodocrotonate was most toxic to the four fungi at pH 7.0 in the presence of 10% beef serum (C. albicans, 18mug/ml, A. niger, 40 mug/ml, M. mucedo, 5 mug/ml, T. mentagrophytes, 4 mug/ml). It is believed that the mechanism of fungitoxicity is due, in part, to a nucleophilic reaction involving SH-containing compounds. This is based on the correlation of fungitoxicity with the order of leaving groups in the nucleophilic reaction and the protection against the toxicity of the test compounds to the fungi by cysteine and glutathione.", "contents": "Antifungal activity of 4-substituted crotonic acid esters. Twenty-three 4-substituted crotonic acid esters were tested for antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Mucor mucedo, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. For the analogues of the methyl ester containing substituents in the 4 position, the following order of fungitoxicity was observed: I greater than Br greater than Cl greater than CH3S greater than CH3O greater than F=H. Of the homologues of the esters of the 4-iodo and 4-bromo compounds which included methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, and n-hexyl, ethyl 4-iodocrotonate was most toxic to the four fungi at pH 7.0 in the presence of 10% beef serum (C. albicans, 18mug/ml, A. niger, 40 mug/ml, M. mucedo, 5 mug/ml, T. mentagrophytes, 4 mug/ml). It is believed that the mechanism of fungitoxicity is due, in part, to a nucleophilic reaction involving SH-containing compounds. This is based on the correlation of fungitoxicity with the order of leaving groups in the nucleophilic reaction and the protection against the toxicity of the test compounds to the fungi by cysteine and glutathione.", "PMID": 787525} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7700", "title": "Optical probes of membrane potential.", "content": "There are two basically different mechanisms for the fluorescence and absorption changes of merocyanine, cyanine and oxonol dyes. The permeant dyes (cyanine and oxonol dyes, with delocalized charges) work by a potential-dependent accumulation mechanism. These dyes show large (up to 80%) fluorescence and absorption changes with suspensions of cells, and the changes are complete in seconds. The impermeant dyes (merocyanine dyes, with localized charges) and the permeant dyes also show optical changes that take place in fractions of milliseconds. The rapid optical changes are relatively small (less than or equal to 5 X 10(-3)) but can often be easily detected in experiments with single cells. The rapid, nonaccumulative, optical changes result from membrane-localized dye movements. Cyanine dye-absorption changes occur because of a potential-dependent partition of dye between the membrane and the adjacent aqueous region at the high dye-concentration side of the membrane. Dimers and larger aggregates are formed in the aqueous region during the change. Merocyanine dyes may also work by the same mechanism. DiS-C3-(5) is presently the best dye for measuring membrane potentials of cells, organelles, and vesicles in suspension, but several other cyanines work nearly as well (P.J. Sims, A.S. Waggoner, C.-H. Wang, J.F. Hoffman, Biochemistry 13:3315, 1974). For each system, the ratio of dye to membrane must be varied until the optimum fluorescence change is found. A separate calibration curve must be obtained for each system. For measuring fluorescence and/or absorption changes in single cells, merocyanine 540 and diBA-C4-(5) work well but produce some photodynamic damage with high intensity illumination. A rhodanine merocyanine (WW-375) gives very large absorption changes and does not damage tissue during strong illumination. As the mechanisms of the optical changes are worked out, it should be possible to design and synthesize more sensitive, less toxic dyes that are easier to calibrate. And, as the mechanisms of the optical changes are worked out, these dyes may be useful for studying the structure and dynamics of excitable membranes.", "contents": "Optical probes of membrane potential. There are two basically different mechanisms for the fluorescence and absorption changes of merocyanine, cyanine and oxonol dyes. The permeant dyes (cyanine and oxonol dyes, with delocalized charges) work by a potential-dependent accumulation mechanism. These dyes show large (up to 80%) fluorescence and absorption changes with suspensions of cells, and the changes are complete in seconds. The impermeant dyes (merocyanine dyes, with localized charges) and the permeant dyes also show optical changes that take place in fractions of milliseconds. The rapid optical changes are relatively small (less than or equal to 5 X 10(-3)) but can often be easily detected in experiments with single cells. The rapid, nonaccumulative, optical changes result from membrane-localized dye movements. Cyanine dye-absorption changes occur because of a potential-dependent partition of dye between the membrane and the adjacent aqueous region at the high dye-concentration side of the membrane. Dimers and larger aggregates are formed in the aqueous region during the change. Merocyanine dyes may also work by the same mechanism. DiS-C3-(5) is presently the best dye for measuring membrane potentials of cells, organelles, and vesicles in suspension, but several other cyanines work nearly as well (P.J. Sims, A.S. Waggoner, C.-H. Wang, J.F. Hoffman, Biochemistry 13:3315, 1974). For each system, the ratio of dye to membrane must be varied until the optimum fluorescence change is found. A separate calibration curve must be obtained for each system. For measuring fluorescence and/or absorption changes in single cells, merocyanine 540 and diBA-C4-(5) work well but produce some photodynamic damage with high intensity illumination. A rhodanine merocyanine (WW-375) gives very large absorption changes and does not damage tissue during strong illumination. As the mechanisms of the optical changes are worked out, it should be possible to design and synthesize more sensitive, less toxic dyes that are easier to calibrate. And, as the mechanisms of the optical changes are worked out, these dyes may be useful for studying the structure and dynamics of excitable membranes.", "PMID": 787526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7701", "title": "Dielectric properties of yeast cells.", "content": "Dielectric measurements were made on suspensions of intact yeast cells over a frequency range of 10kHz to 100 MHz. The suspensions showed typical dielectric dispersions, which are considered to be caused by the presence of cytoplasmic membranes with sufficiently low conductivity. Since the conductivity of the cell wall was found to be of nearly the same value as that of the suspending medium, composed of Kcl solutions in a range from 10 to 80 mM, the cell wall may be ignored in establishing an electrical model of the cells suspended in such media. An analysis of the dielectric data was carried out by use of Pauly and Schwan's theory. The membrane capacitance was estimated to be 1.1+/-0.1 muF/cm2, which is compared with values reported so far for most biological membranes. The conductivity of the cell interior was almost unchanged with varying KCl concentrations and showed low values owing to the presence of less conducting particles, presumably intracellular organelles. The relatively low dielectric constant of about 50 obtained for the cell interior, in comparison with values of aqueous solutions, may be attributed also to the presence of intracellular organelles and proteins.", "contents": "Dielectric properties of yeast cells. Dielectric measurements were made on suspensions of intact yeast cells over a frequency range of 10kHz to 100 MHz. The suspensions showed typical dielectric dispersions, which are considered to be caused by the presence of cytoplasmic membranes with sufficiently low conductivity. Since the conductivity of the cell wall was found to be of nearly the same value as that of the suspending medium, composed of Kcl solutions in a range from 10 to 80 mM, the cell wall may be ignored in establishing an electrical model of the cells suspended in such media. An analysis of the dielectric data was carried out by use of Pauly and Schwan's theory. The membrane capacitance was estimated to be 1.1+/-0.1 muF/cm2, which is compared with values reported so far for most biological membranes. The conductivity of the cell interior was almost unchanged with varying KCl concentrations and showed low values owing to the presence of less conducting particles, presumably intracellular organelles. The relatively low dielectric constant of about 50 obtained for the cell interior, in comparison with values of aqueous solutions, may be attributed also to the presence of intracellular organelles and proteins.", "PMID": 787528} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7702", "title": "Permeability of a cell junction and the local cytoplasmic free ionized calcium concentration: a study with aequorin.", "content": "A technique is devised to determine the spatial distribution of the free ionized cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) inside a cell: Chironomus salivary gland cells are loaded with aequorin, and hte Ca2+-dependent light emission of the aequorin is scanned with an image-intensifier/television system. With this technique, the [Ca2+]i is determined simultaneously with junctional electrical coupling when Ca2+ is microinjected into the cells, or when the cells are exposed to metabolic inhibitors, Ca-transporting ionophores, or Ca-free medium. Ca microinjections elevating the [Ca2+]i in the junctional locale produce depression of junctional membrane conductance. When the [Ca2+]i elevation is confined to the vicinity of one cell junction, the conductance of that junction alone is depressed; other junctions of the same cell are not affected. The depression sets in as the [Ca2+]i rises in the junctional locale, and reverses after the [Ca2+]i falls to baseline. When the [Ca2+]i elevation is diffuse throughout the cell, the conductances of all junctions of the cell are depressed. The Ca injections produce no detectable [Ca2+]i elevations in cells adjacent to the injected one; the Ca-induced change in junctional membrane permeability seems fast enough to block appreciable transjunctional flow of Ca2+. Control injections of Cl- or K+ do not affect junctional conductance. The Ca injections that elevate [Ca2+]i sufficiently to depress junctional conductance also produce under the usual conditions an increase in nonjunctional membrane conductance and, hence, depolarization. But injections that elevate [Ca2+]i at the junction while largely avoiding nonjunctional membrane cause depression of junctional conductance with little or no depolarization. Moreover, elevations of [Ca2+]i in cells clamped near resting potential produce the depression, too. On the other hand, complete depolarization in K medium does not produce the depression, unless accompanied by [Ca2+]i elevation. Thus, the depolarization is neither necessary nor sufficient for depression of junctional conductance. Treatment with cyanide, dinitrophenol and ionophores X537A or A23187 produces diffuse elevation of [Ca2+]i associated with depression of junctional conductance. Prolonged exposure to Ca-free medium leads to fluctuation in [Ca2+]i where rise and fall of [Ca2+]i correlate respectively with fall and rise in junctional conductance.", "contents": "Permeability of a cell junction and the local cytoplasmic free ionized calcium concentration: a study with aequorin. A technique is devised to determine the spatial distribution of the free ionized cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) inside a cell: Chironomus salivary gland cells are loaded with aequorin, and hte Ca2+-dependent light emission of the aequorin is scanned with an image-intensifier/television system. With this technique, the [Ca2+]i is determined simultaneously with junctional electrical coupling when Ca2+ is microinjected into the cells, or when the cells are exposed to metabolic inhibitors, Ca-transporting ionophores, or Ca-free medium. Ca microinjections elevating the [Ca2+]i in the junctional locale produce depression of junctional membrane conductance. When the [Ca2+]i elevation is confined to the vicinity of one cell junction, the conductance of that junction alone is depressed; other junctions of the same cell are not affected. The depression sets in as the [Ca2+]i rises in the junctional locale, and reverses after the [Ca2+]i falls to baseline. When the [Ca2+]i elevation is diffuse throughout the cell, the conductances of all junctions of the cell are depressed. The Ca injections produce no detectable [Ca2+]i elevations in cells adjacent to the injected one; the Ca-induced change in junctional membrane permeability seems fast enough to block appreciable transjunctional flow of Ca2+. Control injections of Cl- or K+ do not affect junctional conductance. The Ca injections that elevate [Ca2+]i sufficiently to depress junctional conductance also produce under the usual conditions an increase in nonjunctional membrane conductance and, hence, depolarization. But injections that elevate [Ca2+]i at the junction while largely avoiding nonjunctional membrane cause depression of junctional conductance with little or no depolarization. Moreover, elevations of [Ca2+]i in cells clamped near resting potential produce the depression, too. On the other hand, complete depolarization in K medium does not produce the depression, unless accompanied by [Ca2+]i elevation. Thus, the depolarization is neither necessary nor sufficient for depression of junctional conductance. Treatment with cyanide, dinitrophenol and ionophores X537A or A23187 produces diffuse elevation of [Ca2+]i associated with depression of junctional conductance. Prolonged exposure to Ca-free medium leads to fluctuation in [Ca2+]i where rise and fall of [Ca2+]i correlate respectively with fall and rise in junctional conductance.", "PMID": 787527} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7703", "title": "Is the nexus necessary for cell-to-cell coupling of smooth muscle?", "content": "Electronmicroscopic study of electrically coupled smooth muscles was undertaken to determine the distribution of nexuses in various types of smooth muscle. The study revealed that while nexal structures were commonplace in some types of smooth muscle, they were very rare or absent in others, even though in some cases these cells were only a few nanometers distant from one another. The persistence in thin section of these structures in the main circular muscle of dog intestine after poor fixation, fixation under strain, cell shrinkage, and metabolic damage of various sorts seems to rule out the thesis that they are labile. The absence of nexuses in longitudinal muscle of dog intestine examined both by thin section and by freeze fracture suggests that in this tissue they are absent or very rare in vivo and cannot account for electrical coupling. Nexuses were discernible in thin sections of main circular muscle after a variety of experimental conditions of fixation. Metabolic inhibition or in vitro permanganate fixation partially destroyed nexal contacts. These procedures induced tissue, membrane apposition and an accompanying increase in the number of structures which resemble nexuses at low magnification (nexus-like structures). \"Nexus-like\" structures occurred in all smooth muscle fixed by in vitro permanganate associated with apposition of membranes and poor preservation of basement membrane. A technique of in vitro permanganate fixation was developed which prevented tissue swelling; consequently \"nexus-like\" structures were absent in tissues so treated. The suggestion is made that some structures described in the literature as nexuses, following permanganate fixation, may represent \"nexus-like\" structures. The balance of evidence suggests that nexuses need not be present for electrical coupling of some smooth muscle cells, in which other types of cell-to-cell contacts must be invoked.", "contents": "Is the nexus necessary for cell-to-cell coupling of smooth muscle? Electronmicroscopic study of electrically coupled smooth muscles was undertaken to determine the distribution of nexuses in various types of smooth muscle. The study revealed that while nexal structures were commonplace in some types of smooth muscle, they were very rare or absent in others, even though in some cases these cells were only a few nanometers distant from one another. The persistence in thin section of these structures in the main circular muscle of dog intestine after poor fixation, fixation under strain, cell shrinkage, and metabolic damage of various sorts seems to rule out the thesis that they are labile. The absence of nexuses in longitudinal muscle of dog intestine examined both by thin section and by freeze fracture suggests that in this tissue they are absent or very rare in vivo and cannot account for electrical coupling. Nexuses were discernible in thin sections of main circular muscle after a variety of experimental conditions of fixation. Metabolic inhibition or in vitro permanganate fixation partially destroyed nexal contacts. These procedures induced tissue, membrane apposition and an accompanying increase in the number of structures which resemble nexuses at low magnification (nexus-like structures). \"Nexus-like\" structures occurred in all smooth muscle fixed by in vitro permanganate associated with apposition of membranes and poor preservation of basement membrane. A technique of in vitro permanganate fixation was developed which prevented tissue swelling; consequently \"nexus-like\" structures were absent in tissues so treated. The suggestion is made that some structures described in the literature as nexuses, following permanganate fixation, may represent \"nexus-like\" structures. The balance of evidence suggests that nexuses need not be present for electrical coupling of some smooth muscle cells, in which other types of cell-to-cell contacts must be invoked.", "PMID": 787529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7704", "title": "Doublet frequencies and codon weighting in the DNA of Escherichia coli and its phages.", "content": "A compilation of nucleic acid sequences from E. coli and its phages has been analysed for the frequency of occurrence of nearest neighbour base doublets and codons. Several statistically significant deviations from random are found in both doublet and codon frequencies. The deviations in E. coli also appear to occur in lambda and in the coat protein gene of MS2, whereas T4 and other parts of the MS2 genome show different sequence properties. These and other findings are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that rapidity of translation of mRNAs in the E. coli system is dependent on doublet frequency and codon usage patterns.", "contents": "Doublet frequencies and codon weighting in the DNA of Escherichia coli and its phages. A compilation of nucleic acid sequences from E. coli and its phages has been analysed for the frequency of occurrence of nearest neighbour base doublets and codons. Several statistically significant deviations from random are found in both doublet and codon frequencies. The deviations in E. coli also appear to occur in lambda and in the coat protein gene of MS2, whereas T4 and other parts of the MS2 genome show different sequence properties. These and other findings are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that rapidity of translation of mRNAs in the E. coli system is dependent on doublet frequency and codon usage patterns.", "PMID": 787545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7705", "title": "Protocols for the dominant lethal test, host-mediated assay, and in vivo cytogenetic test used in the food and drug administration's review of substances in the gras (generally recognized as safe) list.", "content": "Protocols are described for the dominant lethal and in vivo cytogenetics test in rats and the host-mediated assay, using Salmonella typhimurium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in mice, as used by the Food and Drug Administration in its mutagenicity review of substances from the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) list. In addition proctolols are described for in vitro mutagenicity tests with S. typhimurium and S. cerevisiae and for statistical treatment for evaluation of data from dominant lethal tests.", "contents": "Protocols for the dominant lethal test, host-mediated assay, and in vivo cytogenetic test used in the food and drug administration's review of substances in the gras (generally recognized as safe) list. Protocols are described for the dominant lethal and in vivo cytogenetics test in rats and the host-mediated assay, using Salmonella typhimurium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in mice, as used by the Food and Drug Administration in its mutagenicity review of substances from the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) list. In addition proctolols are described for in vitro mutagenicity tests with S. typhimurium and S. cerevisiae and for statistical treatment for evaluation of data from dominant lethal tests.", "PMID": 787548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7706", "title": "[Ureteral replacement by jejunoplasty. New concepts, new techniques (author's transl)].", "content": "New concepts and new techniques permit the introduction in the urinary tract, of long or short segments of jejunum cut in a specific fashion. Their dynamic qualities allow not only perfect adaptation to a normal urinary tract, but also stimulate a rapid recuperation of pathological ureters. In addition to the dynamic qualities, the success of this is due to three main reasons: a good preoperative intestinal preparation; a new digestive suture utilised in the ante-mesenteric suture of the jejunoplasty; and finally, the introduction of a new type of running suture for the end to end anastomosis of ureter to jejunum. The anastomosis being leak-proof, the abdominal morbidity is non existent; we can envisage the suppression of catheters and drains. A preliminary study of three cases demonstrates the possible extension of the technique to long ureteral replacement with anti-reflux bladder reimplantation.", "contents": "[Ureteral replacement by jejunoplasty. New concepts, new techniques (author's transl)]. New concepts and new techniques permit the introduction in the urinary tract, of long or short segments of jejunum cut in a specific fashion. Their dynamic qualities allow not only perfect adaptation to a normal urinary tract, but also stimulate a rapid recuperation of pathological ureters. In addition to the dynamic qualities, the success of this is due to three main reasons: a good preoperative intestinal preparation; a new digestive suture utilised in the ante-mesenteric suture of the jejunoplasty; and finally, the introduction of a new type of running suture for the end to end anastomosis of ureter to jejunum. The anastomosis being leak-proof, the abdominal morbidity is non existent; we can envisage the suppression of catheters and drains. A preliminary study of three cases demonstrates the possible extension of the technique to long ureteral replacement with anti-reflux bladder reimplantation.", "PMID": 787551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7707", "title": "[Spontaneous ureterocolic fistula. Concerning one case reviewed in the litterature (author's transl)].", "content": "Among the entero-urinary fistulae, the most frequent are those fistulae which unite the sigmoid colon and the bladder. Fistulae between the ureter and the colon are ecxeptional as only two spontaneous ureterocolic fistulae have been reported. With reference to one case, the authors review the different complementary examinations which enable making the diagnosis and discuss the therapeutic attitude, which differs depending on whether the kidney above the fistula is functional or not.", "contents": "[Spontaneous ureterocolic fistula. Concerning one case reviewed in the litterature (author's transl)]. Among the entero-urinary fistulae, the most frequent are those fistulae which unite the sigmoid colon and the bladder. Fistulae between the ureter and the colon are ecxeptional as only two spontaneous ureterocolic fistulae have been reported. With reference to one case, the authors review the different complementary examinations which enable making the diagnosis and discuss the therapeutic attitude, which differs depending on whether the kidney above the fistula is functional or not.", "PMID": 787552} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7708", "title": "[Recto-sigmoid carcinoma after uretero-sigmoidostomy. One case, with a review of the literature (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of recto-sigmoid adenocarcinoma, developing 25 years after bilateral uretero-sigmo dostomy for extrophia vesicae in a 29 year old man. A study of the literature emphasises the long delay before its appearance, the gastrointestinal nature of the tumour and its grave prognosis. The pathogenesis of this lesion is unknown at present, and consideration should be given to the effects of urine on the digestive mucosa and the role of a possible inflammatory granuloma, but also the possibility of a urinary tract origin, despite the apparent histological contradiction.", "contents": "[Recto-sigmoid carcinoma after uretero-sigmoidostomy. One case, with a review of the literature (author's transl)]. A case of recto-sigmoid adenocarcinoma, developing 25 years after bilateral uretero-sigmo dostomy for extrophia vesicae in a 29 year old man. A study of the literature emphasises the long delay before its appearance, the gastrointestinal nature of the tumour and its grave prognosis. The pathogenesis of this lesion is unknown at present, and consideration should be given to the effects of urine on the digestive mucosa and the role of a possible inflammatory granuloma, but also the possibility of a urinary tract origin, despite the apparent histological contradiction.", "PMID": 787553} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7709", "title": "[Use of the epigastric artery in renal transplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "The location, length, calibre and wall-thickness of the epigastric artery make it particularly useful for anastomosis with the polar arteries of grafts with several renal arteries. It proved to be very useful in four renal transplants in man.", "contents": "[Use of the epigastric artery in renal transplantation (author's transl)]. The location, length, calibre and wall-thickness of the epigastric artery make it particularly useful for anastomosis with the polar arteries of grafts with several renal arteries. It proved to be very useful in four renal transplants in man.", "PMID": 787554} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7710", "title": "[Concerning 490 renal transplants in the rat, Technical study (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors carried out 490 renal transplants in the rat, in order to train two laboratory technicians with no previous surgical competence, in this microsurgery. The different techniques of vascular and urinary anastomoses are looked at with their advantages and disadvantages. Two years were necessary in order to obtain a percentage of immediate success of 75 per cent. But, secondary infections and mainly urinary complications in this experiment, prevent obtaining more than 50 per cent of graft which could be exploited on a long term basis, which limits the scientific value of the method.", "contents": "[Concerning 490 renal transplants in the rat, Technical study (author's transl)]. The authors carried out 490 renal transplants in the rat, in order to train two laboratory technicians with no previous surgical competence, in this microsurgery. The different techniques of vascular and urinary anastomoses are looked at with their advantages and disadvantages. Two years were necessary in order to obtain a percentage of immediate success of 75 per cent. But, secondary infections and mainly urinary complications in this experiment, prevent obtaining more than 50 per cent of graft which could be exploited on a long term basis, which limits the scientific value of the method.", "PMID": 787549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7711", "title": "[Surgical results of renal transplantation (62 cases) (author's transl)].", "content": "Over a period of 16 months, 62 renal transplantations were carried out by the same medicosurgical team. The follow-up period being 3 months for the most recent cases, 57 patients are still alive and 44 grafts are functional. No surgical complication was the cause of loss of a graft and even less so that of a transplanted patient. Reestablishment of urinary continuity was carried out by ureteroneosystostomy and no fistula or ureteral stenosis was noted. Only 5 vesical fistulae were related to this technique but they healed with no problem. Parietal infectious complications (32%) were much more preoccupying, and frequently the very cause of the majority of urinary complications. Finally vascular stenosis, found in a little more than 6 p. 100 of cases only lead to surgical restoration on one occasion. These different results are compared with those of other teams published today.", "contents": "[Surgical results of renal transplantation (62 cases) (author's transl)]. Over a period of 16 months, 62 renal transplantations were carried out by the same medicosurgical team. The follow-up period being 3 months for the most recent cases, 57 patients are still alive and 44 grafts are functional. No surgical complication was the cause of loss of a graft and even less so that of a transplanted patient. Reestablishment of urinary continuity was carried out by ureteroneosystostomy and no fistula or ureteral stenosis was noted. Only 5 vesical fistulae were related to this technique but they healed with no problem. Parietal infectious complications (32%) were much more preoccupying, and frequently the very cause of the majority of urinary complications. Finally vascular stenosis, found in a little more than 6 p. 100 of cases only lead to surgical restoration on one occasion. These different results are compared with those of other teams published today.", "PMID": 787550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7712", "title": "Cleavage of lambda DNA by a site-specific endonuclease from Serratia marcescens.", "content": "Three sites recognized by SmaI endonuclease, purified from Serratia marcescens SB, have been located on lambda DNA at 0.406, 0.656, and 0.825 fractional lengths from the left end of the DNA molecule.", "contents": "Cleavage of lambda DNA by a site-specific endonuclease from Serratia marcescens. Three sites recognized by SmaI endonuclease, purified from Serratia marcescens SB, have been located on lambda DNA at 0.406, 0.656, and 0.825 fractional lengths from the left end of the DNA molecule.", "PMID": 787556} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7713", "title": "Properties of condensed bacteriophage T4 DNA isolated from Escherichia coli infected with bacteriophage T4.", "content": "Methods developed for isolating bacterial nucleoids were applied to bacteria infected with phage T4. The replicating pool of T4 DNA was isolated as a particle composed of condensed T4 DNA and certain RNA and protein components of the cell. The particles have a narrow sedimentation profile (weight-average s=2,500S) and have, on average, a T4 DNA content similar to that of the infected cell. Their dimensions observed via electron and fluorescence microscopy are similar to the dimensions of the intracellular DNA pool. The DNA packaging density is less than that of the isolated bacterial nucleoid but appears to be roughly similar to its state in vivo. Host-cell proteins and T4-specific proteins bound to the DNA were characterized by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. The major host proteins are the RNA polymerase subunits and two envelope proteins (molecular weights, 36,000 and 31,000). Other major proteins of the host cell were absent or barely detectable. Single-strand breaks can be introduced into the DNA with gamma radiation or DNase without affecting its sedimentation rate. This and other studies of the effects of intercalated ethidium molecules have suggested that the average superhelical density of the condensed DNA is small. However, these studies also indicated that there may be a few domains in the DNA that become positively supercoiled in the presence of high concentrations of ethidium bromide. In contrast to the Escherichia coli nucleoid, the T4 DNA structure remains condensed after the RNA and protein components have been removed (although there may be slight relaxation in the state of condensation under these conditions).", "contents": "Properties of condensed bacteriophage T4 DNA isolated from Escherichia coli infected with bacteriophage T4. Methods developed for isolating bacterial nucleoids were applied to bacteria infected with phage T4. The replicating pool of T4 DNA was isolated as a particle composed of condensed T4 DNA and certain RNA and protein components of the cell. The particles have a narrow sedimentation profile (weight-average s=2,500S) and have, on average, a T4 DNA content similar to that of the infected cell. Their dimensions observed via electron and fluorescence microscopy are similar to the dimensions of the intracellular DNA pool. The DNA packaging density is less than that of the isolated bacterial nucleoid but appears to be roughly similar to its state in vivo. Host-cell proteins and T4-specific proteins bound to the DNA were characterized by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. The major host proteins are the RNA polymerase subunits and two envelope proteins (molecular weights, 36,000 and 31,000). Other major proteins of the host cell were absent or barely detectable. Single-strand breaks can be introduced into the DNA with gamma radiation or DNase without affecting its sedimentation rate. This and other studies of the effects of intercalated ethidium molecules have suggested that the average superhelical density of the condensed DNA is small. However, these studies also indicated that there may be a few domains in the DNA that become positively supercoiled in the presence of high concentrations of ethidium bromide. In contrast to the Escherichia coli nucleoid, the T4 DNA structure remains condensed after the RNA and protein components have been removed (although there may be slight relaxation in the state of condensation under these conditions).", "PMID": 787557} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7714", "title": "Occluded and nonoccluded nuclear polyhedrosis virus grown in Trichoplusia ni: comparative neutralization comparative infectivity, and in vitro growth studies.", "content": "Nuclear polyhedrosis virus infections of lepidopteran cells often result in the production of both occluded and nonoccluded virus. The characterization of these two different forms has been the subject of several papers. We have divided the nonoccluded virus (NOV) category further into plasma membrane-budded non-occluded virus (PMB-NOV), intracellular NOV, and hemolymph-derived NOV, and have done additional studies investigating the differences between these nonoccluded forms and the alkali-liberated forms from occlusions of the nuclear polyhedrosis viruses of Autographa californica and Rachiplusa ou. The methods used to discern differences and similarities among the forms were serological, biochemical, and visual, all related to their biological acitivity. Neutralization studies revealed that alkali-liberated virus and PMB-NOV had both similar and different antigens. Antisera raised against alkali-liberated virus from occlusions neutralized the alkali-liberated form of the virus, but did not neutralize the intracellular or extracellular nonoccluded forms. Antisera raised against the TN-368-13 PMB-NOV, however, neutralized the alkali-liberated forms as well as all forms of the NOV. Adsorption of this antisera with alkali-liberated virus did not diminish the neutralization titer against the nonoccluded forms, thus confirming the antigenic differences between the alkali-liberated and nonoccluded forms of the virus. Physical-infectious particle ratio calculations indicated that the PMB-NOV of Autographa californica are about 1,900-fold more infectious than the single-nucleocapsid-per-envelope alkali-liberated particles and about 1,700-fold more infectious than the multiple-nucleocapsid-per-envelope particles, as assayed in vitro. In addition, a study of viral growth kinetics monitored concurrently with the appearance of polyhedra showed that PMB-NOV production is shut down with the onset of polyhedron formation.", "contents": "Occluded and nonoccluded nuclear polyhedrosis virus grown in Trichoplusia ni: comparative neutralization comparative infectivity, and in vitro growth studies. Nuclear polyhedrosis virus infections of lepidopteran cells often result in the production of both occluded and nonoccluded virus. The characterization of these two different forms has been the subject of several papers. We have divided the nonoccluded virus (NOV) category further into plasma membrane-budded non-occluded virus (PMB-NOV), intracellular NOV, and hemolymph-derived NOV, and have done additional studies investigating the differences between these nonoccluded forms and the alkali-liberated forms from occlusions of the nuclear polyhedrosis viruses of Autographa californica and Rachiplusa ou. The methods used to discern differences and similarities among the forms were serological, biochemical, and visual, all related to their biological acitivity. Neutralization studies revealed that alkali-liberated virus and PMB-NOV had both similar and different antigens. Antisera raised against alkali-liberated virus from occlusions neutralized the alkali-liberated form of the virus, but did not neutralize the intracellular or extracellular nonoccluded forms. Antisera raised against the TN-368-13 PMB-NOV, however, neutralized the alkali-liberated forms as well as all forms of the NOV. Adsorption of this antisera with alkali-liberated virus did not diminish the neutralization titer against the nonoccluded forms, thus confirming the antigenic differences between the alkali-liberated and nonoccluded forms of the virus. Physical-infectious particle ratio calculations indicated that the PMB-NOV of Autographa californica are about 1,900-fold more infectious than the single-nucleocapsid-per-envelope alkali-liberated particles and about 1,700-fold more infectious than the multiple-nucleocapsid-per-envelope particles, as assayed in vitro. In addition, a study of viral growth kinetics monitored concurrently with the appearance of polyhedra showed that PMB-NOV production is shut down with the onset of polyhedron formation.", "PMID": 787558} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7715", "title": "Bacteriophage G4 DNA synthesis in temperature-sensitive dna mutants of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The synthesis of bacteriophage G4 DNA was examined in temperature-sensitive dna mutants under permissive and nonpermissive conditions. The infecting single-stranded G4 DNA was converted to the parental replicative form (RF) at the nonpermissive temperature in infected cells containing a temperature sensitive mutation in the dnaA, dnaB, dnaC, dnaE, or dnaG gene. The presence of 30 mug of chloramphenicol or 200 mug of rifampin per ml had no effect on parental RF synthesis in these mutants. Replication of G4 double-stranded RF DNA occurred at a normal rate in dnaAts cells at the nonpermissive temperature, but the rate was greatly reduced in cells containing a temperature-sensitive mutation in the dnaB, dnaC, dnaE, or dnaG gene. RF DNA replicated at normal rates in revertants of these dna temperature-sensitive host cells. The simplest interpretation of these observations is that none of the dna gene products tested is essential for the synthesis of the complementary DNA strand on the infecting single-stranded G4 DNA, whereas the dnaB, dnaC, dnaE, (DNA polymerase III), and dnaG gene products are all essential for replication of the double-stranded G4 RF DNA. The alternate possibility that one or more of the gene products are actually essential for G4 parental RF synthesis, even though this synthesis is not defective in the mutant hosts, is also discussed.", "contents": "Bacteriophage G4 DNA synthesis in temperature-sensitive dna mutants of Escherichia coli. The synthesis of bacteriophage G4 DNA was examined in temperature-sensitive dna mutants under permissive and nonpermissive conditions. The infecting single-stranded G4 DNA was converted to the parental replicative form (RF) at the nonpermissive temperature in infected cells containing a temperature sensitive mutation in the dnaA, dnaB, dnaC, dnaE, or dnaG gene. The presence of 30 mug of chloramphenicol or 200 mug of rifampin per ml had no effect on parental RF synthesis in these mutants. Replication of G4 double-stranded RF DNA occurred at a normal rate in dnaAts cells at the nonpermissive temperature, but the rate was greatly reduced in cells containing a temperature-sensitive mutation in the dnaB, dnaC, dnaE, or dnaG gene. RF DNA replicated at normal rates in revertants of these dna temperature-sensitive host cells. The simplest interpretation of these observations is that none of the dna gene products tested is essential for the synthesis of the complementary DNA strand on the infecting single-stranded G4 DNA, whereas the dnaB, dnaC, dnaE, (DNA polymerase III), and dnaG gene products are all essential for replication of the double-stranded G4 RF DNA. The alternate possibility that one or more of the gene products are actually essential for G4 parental RF synthesis, even though this synthesis is not defective in the mutant hosts, is also discussed.", "PMID": 787559} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7716", "title": "Shigellosis from swimming.", "content": "In Augsut 1974, 31 of 45 cases of Shigella sonnei infection in Dubuque, Iowa, were traced to swimming in an 8-km stretch of the Mississippi River. Comparison of the first case in each affected family with neighborhood controls showed a significant correlation between swimming and illness (P less than .0001). A significant association between diarrheal illness and swimming (P less than .0001) was also demonstrated by a retrospective survey of 60 families who had camped at a park beside the river; the attack rate for swimmers who got water in their mouths while swimming was 18%. They had been swimming in water where the mean fecal coliform count was 17,500 organisms per 100 ml; the federal recommended upper limit for swimming water is 200 per 100 ml. A water sample obtained at the park swimming area one month after authorities had banned swimming in the area yielded S sonnei with the same antibiogram, colicin type, and phage type as the isolates from six swimmers.\u00bf", "contents": "Shigellosis from swimming. In Augsut 1974, 31 of 45 cases of Shigella sonnei infection in Dubuque, Iowa, were traced to swimming in an 8-km stretch of the Mississippi River. Comparison of the first case in each affected family with neighborhood controls showed a significant correlation between swimming and illness (P less than .0001). A significant association between diarrheal illness and swimming (P less than .0001) was also demonstrated by a retrospective survey of 60 families who had camped at a park beside the river; the attack rate for swimmers who got water in their mouths while swimming was 18%. They had been swimming in water where the mean fecal coliform count was 17,500 organisms per 100 ml; the federal recommended upper limit for swimming water is 200 per 100 ml. A water sample obtained at the park swimming area one month after authorities had banned swimming in the area yielded S sonnei with the same antibiogram, colicin type, and phage type as the isolates from six swimmers.\u00bf", "PMID": 787562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7717", "title": "Interaction of rifampin and glucocorticoids. Adverse effect on renal allograft function.", "content": "Three renal transplant patients experienced progressive loss of renal allograft function during rifampin treatment for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Previous studies have shown that rifampin causes induction of enzymes in hepatic microsomes that increase the catabolism of glucocorticoids. Evidence is presented that in our patients, the loss of renal allograft function during rifampin therapy was the result of decreased glucocorticoid effect presumably related to increased catabolism of the glucocorticoid drug they received. Thus, the adverse effects of rifampin on renal transplant function might be overcome by increasing the dose of glucocorticoid drug.", "contents": "Interaction of rifampin and glucocorticoids. Adverse effect on renal allograft function. Three renal transplant patients experienced progressive loss of renal allograft function during rifampin treatment for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Previous studies have shown that rifampin causes induction of enzymes in hepatic microsomes that increase the catabolism of glucocorticoids. Evidence is presented that in our patients, the loss of renal allograft function during rifampin therapy was the result of decreased glucocorticoid effect presumably related to increased catabolism of the glucocorticoid drug they received. Thus, the adverse effects of rifampin on renal transplant function might be overcome by increasing the dose of glucocorticoid drug.", "PMID": 787563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7718", "title": "Measles in adults. An unforeseen consequence of immunization?", "content": "An outbreak of measles occurred in California in the first half of 1975, especially in the San Francisco Bay area. Of four adult patients with complicated cases, two were receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy, and both died from a giant-cell pneumonia. The clinical presentation in such cases may be atypical, and special viral isolation and immunofluorescent techniques may be diagnostically helpful. A significant (P less than .0005) trend toward the occurrence of measles in adolescents was observed in this epidemic, which may also occur in future epidemics elsewhere. With wide spread but incomplete immunization, it is possible for the nonimmunized to reach adulthood without acquiring natural infection. As a result, internists as well as pediatricians will have to consider the possibility of measles and be aware of its serious potential in the immunosuppressed patient.", "contents": "Measles in adults. An unforeseen consequence of immunization? An outbreak of measles occurred in California in the first half of 1975, especially in the San Francisco Bay area. Of four adult patients with complicated cases, two were receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy, and both died from a giant-cell pneumonia. The clinical presentation in such cases may be atypical, and special viral isolation and immunofluorescent techniques may be diagnostically helpful. A significant (P less than .0005) trend toward the occurrence of measles in adolescents was observed in this epidemic, which may also occur in future epidemics elsewhere. With wide spread but incomplete immunization, it is possible for the nonimmunized to reach adulthood without acquiring natural infection. As a result, internists as well as pediatricians will have to consider the possibility of measles and be aware of its serious potential in the immunosuppressed patient.", "PMID": 787566} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7719", "title": "Apparent recurrence of progressive systemic sclerosis in a renal allograft.", "content": "A young woman with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and renal failure who received a renal transplant from her mother suffered accelerated loss of allograft function in the absence of hyperacute rejection or severe hypertension. A biopsy specimen and pathologic examination of the transplanted organ showed a fluorescent antibody pattern and vascular changes that were indistinguishable from those in the patient's native kidneys. This clinical sequence is a departure from the relative success of renal transplantation in the few previously reported cases of PSS where it has been used as therapy for renal failure.", "contents": "Apparent recurrence of progressive systemic sclerosis in a renal allograft. A young woman with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and renal failure who received a renal transplant from her mother suffered accelerated loss of allograft function in the absence of hyperacute rejection or severe hypertension. A biopsy specimen and pathologic examination of the transplanted organ showed a fluorescent antibody pattern and vascular changes that were indistinguishable from those in the patient's native kidneys. This clinical sequence is a departure from the relative success of renal transplantation in the few previously reported cases of PSS where it has been used as therapy for renal failure.", "PMID": 787567} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7720", "title": "Epidemic streptococcal sore throat following a community picnic.", "content": "Following a picnic, nearly half of the persons who attended became ill. Sixty-three of 139 throat cultures were positive for group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Forty-seven of the positive cultures were available for typing, 34 of which harbored the epidemic strain, group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus type T-3/13/B3264. This contrasted with two of 204 controls who had not attended, but harbored the epidemic strain. Food preferences and illness rates implicated the potato salad, and from it the epidemic strain was isolated. The attack rate and case-to-infection ratio among those who attended the picnic was significantly greater for persons over 10 years of age. Prompt institution of chemoprophylaxis could possibly have prevented at least 50% of the cases.", "contents": "Epidemic streptococcal sore throat following a community picnic. Following a picnic, nearly half of the persons who attended became ill. Sixty-three of 139 throat cultures were positive for group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Forty-seven of the positive cultures were available for typing, 34 of which harbored the epidemic strain, group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus type T-3/13/B3264. This contrasted with two of 204 controls who had not attended, but harbored the epidemic strain. Food preferences and illness rates implicated the potato salad, and from it the epidemic strain was isolated. The attack rate and case-to-infection ratio among those who attended the picnic was significantly greater for persons over 10 years of age. Prompt institution of chemoprophylaxis could possibly have prevented at least 50% of the cases.", "PMID": 787568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7721", "title": "Patterns of fibrin deposition in the glomeruli of diseased kidneys.", "content": "Immunofluorescent studies were performed on 217 percutaneous renal biopsies on patients with various renal diseases, which were examined in detail to assess the amount, character, and distribution of fibrin deposits in the glomeruli. The fibrin deposits were classified into six different forms on immunohistologic grounds. These were adhesive, adhesive and occlusive, membranous, mesangial, crescent forming, and sclerotic types. The sclerotic type was further subdivided into 2 groups: periglomerular fibrosing, and sclerosis with occlusion types. In many instances, immunofluorescence may reveal a pattern which is commonly associated with a characteristic abnormality on light microscopy. Fibrin deposits were commonly correlated with the presence of glomerular immunoglobulin and betaIc/betaIa-globulin. These findings interpreted as the immune reaction within glomeruli leads to an initiation of the coagulation process. The patrular hyalinization are briefly discussed.", "contents": "Patterns of fibrin deposition in the glomeruli of diseased kidneys. Immunofluorescent studies were performed on 217 percutaneous renal biopsies on patients with various renal diseases, which were examined in detail to assess the amount, character, and distribution of fibrin deposits in the glomeruli. The fibrin deposits were classified into six different forms on immunohistologic grounds. These were adhesive, adhesive and occlusive, membranous, mesangial, crescent forming, and sclerotic types. The sclerotic type was further subdivided into 2 groups: periglomerular fibrosing, and sclerosis with occlusion types. In many instances, immunofluorescence may reveal a pattern which is commonly associated with a characteristic abnormality on light microscopy. Fibrin deposits were commonly correlated with the presence of glomerular immunoglobulin and betaIc/betaIa-globulin. These findings interpreted as the immune reaction within glomeruli leads to an initiation of the coagulation process. The patrular hyalinization are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 787570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7722", "title": "Adjuvant action of capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae on antibody response. V. Further biological properties of the active substance.", "content": "The neutral fraction (neutral CPS-K) of Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide (CPS-K) from type 1, Kasuya strain, has already been reported as the active substance responsible for the strong adjuvant effect of CPS-K. The present results demonstrate that neutral CPS-K exhibits further common biological activities with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from Salmonella enteritidis. The intensity of the lethality in mice of neutral CPS-K by the intraperitoneal route is very similar to that of LPS. Its lethality for mice by the intravenous (i.v.) route is significantly stronger than that of LPS, because the degree of increase in the sensitivity to their lethality by i.v. challenge is smaller for LPS than for neutral CPS-K. The intensity of the pyrogenicity of neutral CPS-K in rabbits is approximately one-tenth of that of LPS as judged by the minimal pyrogenic doses and fever indices. The skin-preparatory potency of neutral CPS-K for the dermal Shwartzman phenomenon in rabbits is also approximately one-tenth of that of LPS compared on the basis of the minimal skin-preparatory doses. When injected i.v., neutral CPS-K exhibits a provocative effect on hemorrhagic reactions in skin sites prepared with neutral CPS-K or LPS.", "contents": "Adjuvant action of capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae on antibody response. V. Further biological properties of the active substance. The neutral fraction (neutral CPS-K) of Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide (CPS-K) from type 1, Kasuya strain, has already been reported as the active substance responsible for the strong adjuvant effect of CPS-K. The present results demonstrate that neutral CPS-K exhibits further common biological activities with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from Salmonella enteritidis. The intensity of the lethality in mice of neutral CPS-K by the intraperitoneal route is very similar to that of LPS. Its lethality for mice by the intravenous (i.v.) route is significantly stronger than that of LPS, because the degree of increase in the sensitivity to their lethality by i.v. challenge is smaller for LPS than for neutral CPS-K. The intensity of the pyrogenicity of neutral CPS-K in rabbits is approximately one-tenth of that of LPS as judged by the minimal pyrogenic doses and fever indices. The skin-preparatory potency of neutral CPS-K for the dermal Shwartzman phenomenon in rabbits is also approximately one-tenth of that of LPS compared on the basis of the minimal skin-preparatory doses. When injected i.v., neutral CPS-K exhibits a provocative effect on hemorrhagic reactions in skin sites prepared with neutral CPS-K or LPS.", "PMID": 787603} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7723", "title": "An improved procedure of specific polysome precipitation with antibody.", "content": "The specific immunoprecipitation of polysomes prepared from a mouse myeloma, 31C, synthesizing an IgG1 immunoglobulin has been investigated. A reported method in which polysomes were coprecipitated by sequential addition of antibody to 31C myeloma protein, antigen (i.e., the 31C protein) and again the antibody, was used. Salt concentration greatly affected the immunoprecipitation of polysomes. In the presence of 100 mM KCl or NaCl, 10-20% of myeloma polysomes and only 1% of mouse liver polysomes were precipitated with the antibody to myeloma protein. On the other hand, 90% of the both polysomes were precipitated by the same antibody at a salt concentration of 10 mM. Triton X-100 and sucrose had little effect on preventing nonspecific binding of immunoglobulin to ribosomes. Experiments were carried out to obtain an optimal ratio of the amount of polysome to that of antibody and antigen to be added for the coprecipitation of polysomes. To date we have tried 25 mug of the first antibody, 14 mug of antigen added second to the polysomes and 38 mug of the antibody added finally and these were found to precipitate most efficiently one A260 unit of 31C polysomes.", "contents": "An improved procedure of specific polysome precipitation with antibody. The specific immunoprecipitation of polysomes prepared from a mouse myeloma, 31C, synthesizing an IgG1 immunoglobulin has been investigated. A reported method in which polysomes were coprecipitated by sequential addition of antibody to 31C myeloma protein, antigen (i.e., the 31C protein) and again the antibody, was used. Salt concentration greatly affected the immunoprecipitation of polysomes. In the presence of 100 mM KCl or NaCl, 10-20% of myeloma polysomes and only 1% of mouse liver polysomes were precipitated with the antibody to myeloma protein. On the other hand, 90% of the both polysomes were precipitated by the same antibody at a salt concentration of 10 mM. Triton X-100 and sucrose had little effect on preventing nonspecific binding of immunoglobulin to ribosomes. Experiments were carried out to obtain an optimal ratio of the amount of polysome to that of antibody and antigen to be added for the coprecipitation of polysomes. To date we have tried 25 mug of the first antibody, 14 mug of antigen added second to the polysomes and 38 mug of the antibody added finally and these were found to precipitate most efficiently one A260 unit of 31C polysomes.", "PMID": 787604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7724", "title": "Inhibition by thiopeptin of bacterial protein synthesis.", "content": "Thiopeptin, a sulfur-containing antibiotic, was found to inhibit protein synthesis in a bacterial ribosomal system. The pretreatment of ribosomal subunits with the antibiotic revealed that thiopeptin may act on the 50 S ribosomal subunit. The elongation of peptide chain on the ribosome is more profoundly blocked by the antibiotic than the initiation of protein synthesis. It was demonstrated that thiopeptin inhibits elongation factor (EF)-Tu-dependent GTP hydrolysis and binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome. The peptidyl transferase-catalyzed puromycin reaction is not significantly affected by the antibiotic. Thiopeptin inhibits EF-G-associated GTPase reaction, and translocation of peptidyl-tRNA and mRNA from the acceptor site to the donor site. Protein synthesis in ribosomal systems, obtained from rat liver and rabbit reticulocytes are insensitive to the antibiotic.", "contents": "Inhibition by thiopeptin of bacterial protein synthesis. Thiopeptin, a sulfur-containing antibiotic, was found to inhibit protein synthesis in a bacterial ribosomal system. The pretreatment of ribosomal subunits with the antibiotic revealed that thiopeptin may act on the 50 S ribosomal subunit. The elongation of peptide chain on the ribosome is more profoundly blocked by the antibiotic than the initiation of protein synthesis. It was demonstrated that thiopeptin inhibits elongation factor (EF)-Tu-dependent GTP hydrolysis and binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome. The peptidyl transferase-catalyzed puromycin reaction is not significantly affected by the antibiotic. Thiopeptin inhibits EF-G-associated GTPase reaction, and translocation of peptidyl-tRNA and mRNA from the acceptor site to the donor site. Protein synthesis in ribosomal systems, obtained from rat liver and rabbit reticulocytes are insensitive to the antibiotic.", "PMID": 787605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7725", "title": "Kidney transplant biopsies in the diagnosis and management of acute rejection reactions.", "content": "In 68 consecutive renal transplant biopsies, histopathologic changes and clinical status of the graft recipient, both at the time of biopsy as well as one month later, were evaluated by independent observers. Nine histologic features were graded semiquantitatively (scale, 0 to 4): glomerular endothelial swelling, proliferation, exudation and necrosis; interstitial edema and infiltrate: vascular endothelial edema, infiltration and necrosis. The total score for each biopsy was termed the acute rejection index (ARI). The validity of the ARI as a means of evaluation rejection reactions was established by correlating the ARI with a second, overall histopathologic categorization. Clinical status at the time of biopsy was classified by retrospective analysis of all clinical data except the biopsy. The mean ARI of patients with an acute clinical rejection was significantly higher than those of patients with just a chronic clinical rejection or no clinical rejection. The utility of the biopsy in predicting the response of the graft recipient to therapy was evaluated in those 46 patients in whom an acute rejection was diagnosed clinically and in whom a full and complete course of therapy for the acute clinical rejection was given. Of the 28 patients whom the pathologist predicted would response to therapy, 27 did show substantial improvement of their renal function up to one month following institution of treatment. Of the 18 patients whom the pathologist predicted would not respond to therapy, 15 had no clinical response. The data suggest that the transplant biopsy is helpful in 1) establishing the diagnosis of an acute rejection and 2) indicating whether or not the graft recipient will respond to standard immunosuppressive treatment for an acute rejection,", "contents": "Kidney transplant biopsies in the diagnosis and management of acute rejection reactions. In 68 consecutive renal transplant biopsies, histopathologic changes and clinical status of the graft recipient, both at the time of biopsy as well as one month later, were evaluated by independent observers. Nine histologic features were graded semiquantitatively (scale, 0 to 4): glomerular endothelial swelling, proliferation, exudation and necrosis; interstitial edema and infiltrate: vascular endothelial edema, infiltration and necrosis. The total score for each biopsy was termed the acute rejection index (ARI). The validity of the ARI as a means of evaluation rejection reactions was established by correlating the ARI with a second, overall histopathologic categorization. Clinical status at the time of biopsy was classified by retrospective analysis of all clinical data except the biopsy. The mean ARI of patients with an acute clinical rejection was significantly higher than those of patients with just a chronic clinical rejection or no clinical rejection. The utility of the biopsy in predicting the response of the graft recipient to therapy was evaluated in those 46 patients in whom an acute rejection was diagnosed clinically and in whom a full and complete course of therapy for the acute clinical rejection was given. Of the 28 patients whom the pathologist predicted would response to therapy, 27 did show substantial improvement of their renal function up to one month following institution of treatment. Of the 18 patients whom the pathologist predicted would not respond to therapy, 15 had no clinical response. The data suggest that the transplant biopsy is helpful in 1) establishing the diagnosis of an acute rejection and 2) indicating whether or not the graft recipient will respond to standard immunosuppressive treatment for an acute rejection,", "PMID": 787617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7726", "title": "The effect of uremia and transplantation on lymphocyte subpopulations.", "content": "The in vitro immune response of uremic and transplanted patients was studied by determining lymphocyte surface and functional markers. Because of lymphopenia, the absolute number of T and B cells are diminished in uremia and transplantation. The uremic state had a profound effect of T cell mitogenic response, while the relative number (%) of T cells was not reduced. B cell responses and relative numbers were significantly diminished. The early posttransplant period was associated with a significant reduction in both T and B cell response and relative numbers. All indexes returned toward normal late in the posttransplant course with reduction of immunosuppression and cessation of the uremic state. Horse anti-human lymphocyte globulin treatment caused a significant reduction in T cells and an increase in B cells. Prednisone therapy did not appear to influence the relative number of the lymphocyte subpopulation but did reduce the mitogenic responses. Changes in surface or functional markers did not prove useful in predicting rejection episodes in transplanted patients.", "contents": "The effect of uremia and transplantation on lymphocyte subpopulations. The in vitro immune response of uremic and transplanted patients was studied by determining lymphocyte surface and functional markers. Because of lymphopenia, the absolute number of T and B cells are diminished in uremia and transplantation. The uremic state had a profound effect of T cell mitogenic response, while the relative number (%) of T cells was not reduced. B cell responses and relative numbers were significantly diminished. The early posttransplant period was associated with a significant reduction in both T and B cell response and relative numbers. All indexes returned toward normal late in the posttransplant course with reduction of immunosuppression and cessation of the uremic state. Horse anti-human lymphocyte globulin treatment caused a significant reduction in T cells and an increase in B cells. Prednisone therapy did not appear to influence the relative number of the lymphocyte subpopulation but did reduce the mitogenic responses. Changes in surface or functional markers did not prove useful in predicting rejection episodes in transplanted patients.", "PMID": 787618} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7727", "title": "Effect of parathyroid hormone on phosphate reabsorption in the presence of acetazolamide.", "content": "The hypothesis that parathyroid hormone and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have a common mechanism or site of action on phosphate reabsorption by the renal tubule was tested by administration of parathyroid hormone in the absence and presence of acetazolamide in thyroparathyroidectomized dogs. Re-collection micropuncture and electron probe microanalysis methodologies were utilized. In the absence of acetazolamide, parathyroid hormone increased fractional delivery of phosphate (and volume) from the proximal tubule from 25 +/- 2 to 38 +/- 3%, P less than 0.025, and increased fractional phosphate excretion from 3.8 +/- 1.2 to 19.9 +/- 3.7%, P less than 0.005 (eight dogs). In the presence of acetazolamide, parathyroid hormone increased fractional delivery of phosphate (but not volume) from the proximal tubule from 50 +/- 4 to 58 +/- 5%, P less than 0.025, and increased fractional excretion of phosphate from 8.7 +/- 2.2 to 31.0 +/- 4.3%, P less than 0.001 (12 dogs). Thus, the effects of parathyroid hormone were additive to the effects of maximal inhibition of carbonic anhydrase indicating that parathyroid hormone and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have different mechanisms of action on phosphate reabsorption by the renal tubule. In addition, phosphate reabsorption beyond the point of micropuncture in the late proximal tubule was much more markedly inhibited by parathyroid hormone than by acetazolamide.", "contents": "Effect of parathyroid hormone on phosphate reabsorption in the presence of acetazolamide. The hypothesis that parathyroid hormone and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have a common mechanism or site of action on phosphate reabsorption by the renal tubule was tested by administration of parathyroid hormone in the absence and presence of acetazolamide in thyroparathyroidectomized dogs. Re-collection micropuncture and electron probe microanalysis methodologies were utilized. In the absence of acetazolamide, parathyroid hormone increased fractional delivery of phosphate (and volume) from the proximal tubule from 25 +/- 2 to 38 +/- 3%, P less than 0.025, and increased fractional phosphate excretion from 3.8 +/- 1.2 to 19.9 +/- 3.7%, P less than 0.005 (eight dogs). In the presence of acetazolamide, parathyroid hormone increased fractional delivery of phosphate (but not volume) from the proximal tubule from 50 +/- 4 to 58 +/- 5%, P less than 0.025, and increased fractional excretion of phosphate from 8.7 +/- 2.2 to 31.0 +/- 4.3%, P less than 0.001 (12 dogs). Thus, the effects of parathyroid hormone were additive to the effects of maximal inhibition of carbonic anhydrase indicating that parathyroid hormone and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have different mechanisms of action on phosphate reabsorption by the renal tubule. In addition, phosphate reabsorption beyond the point of micropuncture in the late proximal tubule was much more markedly inhibited by parathyroid hormone than by acetazolamide.", "PMID": 787619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7728", "title": "[Episcleral sealing with a safety-circlage in juxtabasal horse-shoe tear (author's transl)].", "content": "Primary cerclage with an additional radial episcleral implant is proposed for horseshoe tears with vitreous traction, but without retinal detachment. At the beginning of the operation, the two sutures of the cerclage on both sides of the retinal pathology are tied with a little stretch of the 2 mm silicone rod. Then the radial plombage is placed beneath the encircling element. Afterwards the rest of the cerclage is drawn up without stretch, and the site of crossing is fixed with two sutures. At the end of the operation the radial implant may be secured against lateral movements by one or two sutures. The whole procedure is aided by parabulbar injection of penicilline and a depot of dexamethasone. The main advantages are the abolition of any difficulties in the localization and fixation of the plombage, and the permanent buckling effect. In 37 cases operated in this way, no complications were observed (follow-up time 1/2-2 years). Contraindication to the proposed technique is a narrow chamber angle.", "contents": "[Episcleral sealing with a safety-circlage in juxtabasal horse-shoe tear (author's transl)]. Primary cerclage with an additional radial episcleral implant is proposed for horseshoe tears with vitreous traction, but without retinal detachment. At the beginning of the operation, the two sutures of the cerclage on both sides of the retinal pathology are tied with a little stretch of the 2 mm silicone rod. Then the radial plombage is placed beneath the encircling element. Afterwards the rest of the cerclage is drawn up without stretch, and the site of crossing is fixed with two sutures. At the end of the operation the radial implant may be secured against lateral movements by one or two sutures. The whole procedure is aided by parabulbar injection of penicilline and a depot of dexamethasone. The main advantages are the abolition of any difficulties in the localization and fixation of the plombage, and the permanent buckling effect. In 37 cases operated in this way, no complications were observed (follow-up time 1/2-2 years). Contraindication to the proposed technique is a narrow chamber angle.", "PMID": 787641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7729", "title": "[Treatment of the diabetic retinopathy with doxium-clofibrate (author's transl)].", "content": "28 patients with non proliferating exudative diabetic retinopathy were treated with 750 mg Doxium and 1500 mg Clofibrate daily during 8.6 months on an average. Before beginning--in the middle of the period of observation--and after finishing the treatment, a retinal fluorescein angiography was performed. The waxy exudates decreased in 11 patients (39.29%) and increased in 8 patients (28.57%). In 9 patients (32.14%) no change of the amount of the hard exudates was observed. The treatment was almost only in those angiopathies successful, in which the fluorescein angiography showed a preponderance of the hyperpermeability over the obliterating process of retinal capillaries.", "contents": "[Treatment of the diabetic retinopathy with doxium-clofibrate (author's transl)]. 28 patients with non proliferating exudative diabetic retinopathy were treated with 750 mg Doxium and 1500 mg Clofibrate daily during 8.6 months on an average. Before beginning--in the middle of the period of observation--and after finishing the treatment, a retinal fluorescein angiography was performed. The waxy exudates decreased in 11 patients (39.29%) and increased in 8 patients (28.57%). In 9 patients (32.14%) no change of the amount of the hard exudates was observed. The treatment was almost only in those angiopathies successful, in which the fluorescein angiography showed a preponderance of the hyperpermeability over the obliterating process of retinal capillaries.", "PMID": 787642} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7730", "title": "[Autologous corneal transplants in recurring herpes corneae (author's transl)].", "content": "This paper reports the results of penetrating corneal autokeratoplasty of a man 49 years of age with chronic herpetic keratitis in his good right eye. The keratoplasty was taken from the patient's left eye with amblyopia. The diameter in both keratoplasties was 7.1 mm. In both eyes clear grafts were obtained. Visual acuity of the right eye improved to 0.5! One year after the autokeratoplasty the grafts remained clear, showed no immune reactions and no tendency towards vascularization.", "contents": "[Autologous corneal transplants in recurring herpes corneae (author's transl)]. This paper reports the results of penetrating corneal autokeratoplasty of a man 49 years of age with chronic herpetic keratitis in his good right eye. The keratoplasty was taken from the patient's left eye with amblyopia. The diameter in both keratoplasties was 7.1 mm. In both eyes clear grafts were obtained. Visual acuity of the right eye improved to 0.5! One year after the autokeratoplasty the grafts remained clear, showed no immune reactions and no tendency towards vascularization.", "PMID": 787643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7731", "title": "[Plexiglas (PMMA) in the anterior chamber. An experimental study on biological compatibility].", "content": "For six months the anterior chambers of rabbits were examined at regular intervals with the slit-lamp photograph. The reactions of iris, aqueous, and cornea were observed after implanting one PMMA-disc (0.25 mm thickness and 1.5 mm diameter) through a lancet incision. At the place where the disc touched the iris one could see during the half year period hyperaemia iridis, ciliary injection, atrophia iridis, and foreign-substance-granuloma of the iris with partial adhesion of the iris wrinkles. The cause for these reactions is a toxin in the PMMA. Mechanical irritation and plastic alteration could be excluded by the experimental method.", "contents": "[Plexiglas (PMMA) in the anterior chamber. An experimental study on biological compatibility]. For six months the anterior chambers of rabbits were examined at regular intervals with the slit-lamp photograph. The reactions of iris, aqueous, and cornea were observed after implanting one PMMA-disc (0.25 mm thickness and 1.5 mm diameter) through a lancet incision. At the place where the disc touched the iris one could see during the half year period hyperaemia iridis, ciliary injection, atrophia iridis, and foreign-substance-granuloma of the iris with partial adhesion of the iris wrinkles. The cause for these reactions is a toxin in the PMMA. Mechanical irritation and plastic alteration could be excluded by the experimental method.", "PMID": 787645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7732", "title": "[Corneal changes after implantation of intralamellar teflon-membranes (author's transl)].", "content": "After intralamellar implantation of Teflon-membranes (4,0 mm/0,125 mm) without perforation there is an epithelial thinning over the membrane after 6 days, after 15 days metachromatical staining over the membrane is reduced, after 21 days there is a central defect of the cornea over the membrane and after 28 days the membrane is pushed out of the cornea. When Teflon-membranes (4,0 mm/0,125 mm) are inserted with one central perforation or three perforations of 1 mm epithelial thinning, reduced metachromasia and defects of the cornea over the membrane occurred later. But even these membranes are pushed out of the cornea after some time. The results with thinner Teflon-membranes (4.0 mm/0.05 mm) do not show much difference. The reason for the reduced metachromasia of the cornea over Teflon-membranes seems to be a lower rate of syntheses of glycosaminoglycanes because of the reduced glucose content in this part of the cornea. As the experiments with the intracorneal control-pockets without implantation of a Teflon-membrane show, wound-healing is not responsible for the reduced metachromasia over the membrane.", "contents": "[Corneal changes after implantation of intralamellar teflon-membranes (author's transl)]. After intralamellar implantation of Teflon-membranes (4,0 mm/0,125 mm) without perforation there is an epithelial thinning over the membrane after 6 days, after 15 days metachromatical staining over the membrane is reduced, after 21 days there is a central defect of the cornea over the membrane and after 28 days the membrane is pushed out of the cornea. When Teflon-membranes (4,0 mm/0,125 mm) are inserted with one central perforation or three perforations of 1 mm epithelial thinning, reduced metachromasia and defects of the cornea over the membrane occurred later. But even these membranes are pushed out of the cornea after some time. The results with thinner Teflon-membranes (4.0 mm/0.05 mm) do not show much difference. The reason for the reduced metachromasia of the cornea over Teflon-membranes seems to be a lower rate of syntheses of glycosaminoglycanes because of the reduced glucose content in this part of the cornea. As the experiments with the intracorneal control-pockets without implantation of a Teflon-membrane show, wound-healing is not responsible for the reduced metachromasia over the membrane.", "PMID": 787646} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7733", "title": "[Tectonic keratoplasties using cryopreserved corneae (author's transl)].", "content": "It is reported on the treatment of severe chronic corneal diseases using cryopreserved corneae being sutured on the diseased cornea. In the majority of the patients (total number 13) defect healing was achieved. The advantages of this surgical procedure are discussed.", "contents": "[Tectonic keratoplasties using cryopreserved corneae (author's transl)]. It is reported on the treatment of severe chronic corneal diseases using cryopreserved corneae being sutured on the diseased cornea. In the majority of the patients (total number 13) defect healing was achieved. The advantages of this surgical procedure are discussed.", "PMID": 787647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7734", "title": "[A non traumatic suture for corneal lacerations (author's transl)].", "content": "A suturing technique for cases of corneal trauma is discussed, by means of which, the complications formerly incurred with a running-suture may be avoided. Suture infections, ulceration and the formation of scars in the center of the cornea, as well as the subjective \"scratchy\" feeling reported by patients, can be largely or totally eliminated, because the single knot is buried in the conjunctiva at the limbus.", "contents": "[A non traumatic suture for corneal lacerations (author's transl)]. A suturing technique for cases of corneal trauma is discussed, by means of which, the complications formerly incurred with a running-suture may be avoided. Suture infections, ulceration and the formation of scars in the center of the cornea, as well as the subjective \"scratchy\" feeling reported by patients, can be largely or totally eliminated, because the single knot is buried in the conjunctiva at the limbus.", "PMID": 787648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7735", "title": "[Misdiagnosis of \"chalazion\" (author's transl)].", "content": "The diagnosis of the often occurring \"chalazion\" usually puts no problems in diagnostic and therapeutical view. It must be considered, however, that already small particularities of the clinical findings point to other i.e. benign or even malignant processes. An analysis of a number of cases from 1969 to 1975 of the University Eye Clinic M\u00fcnster showed in 21 out of 89 histologically examined tissue specimen another diagnosis. In 8 patients a malignant degeneration of tissue was histologically stated. The authors describe some cases, where during a longer period of time the malignant character of the disease was not diagnosed due to the misdiagnosed \"chalazion\".", "contents": "[Misdiagnosis of \"chalazion\" (author's transl)]. The diagnosis of the often occurring \"chalazion\" usually puts no problems in diagnostic and therapeutical view. It must be considered, however, that already small particularities of the clinical findings point to other i.e. benign or even malignant processes. An analysis of a number of cases from 1969 to 1975 of the University Eye Clinic M\u00fcnster showed in 21 out of 89 histologically examined tissue specimen another diagnosis. In 8 patients a malignant degeneration of tissue was histologically stated. The authors describe some cases, where during a longer period of time the malignant character of the disease was not diagnosed due to the misdiagnosed \"chalazion\".", "PMID": 787649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7736", "title": "[Reconstruction of the upper eyelid (author's transl)].", "content": "An excellent rebuilding after complete or nearly complete loss of the upper eyelid can be performed by the following technique: Replacement of lid margin, tarsus and conjunctiva by two free grafts from the right and left lower lid, while the skin-muscle-layer is replaced by a pedicle skin graft.", "contents": "[Reconstruction of the upper eyelid (author's transl)]. An excellent rebuilding after complete or nearly complete loss of the upper eyelid can be performed by the following technique: Replacement of lid margin, tarsus and conjunctiva by two free grafts from the right and left lower lid, while the skin-muscle-layer is replaced by a pedicle skin graft.", "PMID": 787651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7737", "title": "[Hyperkinetic syndrome (author's transl)].", "content": "This review reports on symptoms, prevalence, etiopathogenesis, prognosis and course, therapy as well as on theory of the hyperkinetic syndrome.", "contents": "[Hyperkinetic syndrome (author's transl)]. This review reports on symptoms, prevalence, etiopathogenesis, prognosis and course, therapy as well as on theory of the hyperkinetic syndrome.", "PMID": 787652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7738", "title": "[Immunological studies in childhood coeliac disease (author's transl)].", "content": "The predominance of IgA-containing plasma cells over IgM-containing plasma cells in the normal small bowel mucosa is well documented. In coeliac patients relatively higher numbers of IgM-positive cells were found by several authors in varying degrees. We investigated the proportion of IgA-, IgM and IgG- containing plasma cells in small bowel biopsy material from 21 coeliac children and 24 controls by means of the immunofluorescent double-staining technique. A greater increase of IgM-cells than has previously been described was found. Additionally anti-reticulin antibodies, precipitating antibodies to gliadin and immunoglobuline levels in the serum were determined and tissue typing was performed in a number of these children, and the correlations of these single results were studied. Although these immunological investigations can not substitute the examination of small bowel mucosa biopsies by means of the dissecting microscope and conventional histological methods, they are a valuable diagnostic aid and could help to avoid unnecessary repeat biopsies. They are of help in monitoring the course and therapy in coeliac patients.", "contents": "[Immunological studies in childhood coeliac disease (author's transl)]. The predominance of IgA-containing plasma cells over IgM-containing plasma cells in the normal small bowel mucosa is well documented. In coeliac patients relatively higher numbers of IgM-positive cells were found by several authors in varying degrees. We investigated the proportion of IgA-, IgM and IgG- containing plasma cells in small bowel biopsy material from 21 coeliac children and 24 controls by means of the immunofluorescent double-staining technique. A greater increase of IgM-cells than has previously been described was found. Additionally anti-reticulin antibodies, precipitating antibodies to gliadin and immunoglobuline levels in the serum were determined and tissue typing was performed in a number of these children, and the correlations of these single results were studied. Although these immunological investigations can not substitute the examination of small bowel mucosa biopsies by means of the dissecting microscope and conventional histological methods, they are a valuable diagnostic aid and could help to avoid unnecessary repeat biopsies. They are of help in monitoring the course and therapy in coeliac patients.", "PMID": 787653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7739", "title": "Hyperlipidemias in patients with kidney transplants.", "content": "Serum lipids in 58 renal transplant recipients were related to duration of follow-up, relative body weight, steroid medication, proteinuria and graft performance. Hyperlipidemia was observed between the 4th month and the end of the first year after transplantation in 83% of the patients. Thereafter, the frequency of hyperlipidaemia appeared to decrease: at 4 to 7 years only 61% of the subjects continued to exhibit abnormal high serum lipids. Three mechanisms leading to hyperlipidaemia were identified: 1) overweight, 2) steroid mediation, 3) proteinuria. A forth apparent mechanism was impaired transplant function.", "contents": "Hyperlipidemias in patients with kidney transplants. Serum lipids in 58 renal transplant recipients were related to duration of follow-up, relative body weight, steroid medication, proteinuria and graft performance. Hyperlipidemia was observed between the 4th month and the end of the first year after transplantation in 83% of the patients. Thereafter, the frequency of hyperlipidaemia appeared to decrease: at 4 to 7 years only 61% of the subjects continued to exhibit abnormal high serum lipids. Three mechanisms leading to hyperlipidaemia were identified: 1) overweight, 2) steroid mediation, 3) proteinuria. A forth apparent mechanism was impaired transplant function.", "PMID": 787655} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7740", "title": "Transfer of tumor specific immunity with \"immune\" RNA: prospects for the treatment of human cancer.", "content": "Ribonucleic acids extracted from specifically sensitized lymphoid cells (I-RNA) have been shown to transfer specific immunoreactivity to normal non-immune lymphoid cells. Evidence for the transfer by I-RNA, of immune responses to tumor-associated antigens of animal and human neoplasms, in vivo and in vitro, is reviewed. Results obtained in our laboratory and in other laboratories indicate that xenogeneic, allogeneic and syngeneic I-RNA extracts mediate specific cytotoxicity to tumor cells, in vitro, and mediate transplantation resistance and tumor rejection responses in vivo. Our results suggest that I-RNA preparations fail to elicit immune responses directed against \"self\" antigens. By contrast, I-RNA's directed against \"non-self\" tumor-associated antigens appear to induce lymphocytes to effect specific anti-tumor immune responses. The mechanisms responsible for the failure of I-RNA to initiate immune responses against \"self\" antigens are not known at present and demand investigation. Preliminary results of a clinical Phase I trial of immunotherapy with xenogeneic I-RNA in selected cancer patients are reviewed. I-RNA might offer promise as a new modality for the immunotherapy of human cancer.", "contents": "Transfer of tumor specific immunity with \"immune\" RNA: prospects for the treatment of human cancer. Ribonucleic acids extracted from specifically sensitized lymphoid cells (I-RNA) have been shown to transfer specific immunoreactivity to normal non-immune lymphoid cells. Evidence for the transfer by I-RNA, of immune responses to tumor-associated antigens of animal and human neoplasms, in vivo and in vitro, is reviewed. Results obtained in our laboratory and in other laboratories indicate that xenogeneic, allogeneic and syngeneic I-RNA extracts mediate specific cytotoxicity to tumor cells, in vitro, and mediate transplantation resistance and tumor rejection responses in vivo. Our results suggest that I-RNA preparations fail to elicit immune responses directed against \"self\" antigens. By contrast, I-RNA's directed against \"non-self\" tumor-associated antigens appear to induce lymphocytes to effect specific anti-tumor immune responses. The mechanisms responsible for the failure of I-RNA to initiate immune responses against \"self\" antigens are not known at present and demand investigation. Preliminary results of a clinical Phase I trial of immunotherapy with xenogeneic I-RNA in selected cancer patients are reviewed. I-RNA might offer promise as a new modality for the immunotherapy of human cancer.", "PMID": 787654} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7741", "title": "Characterization and distribution of collagen types in arterial heterografts originating from the calf carotis.", "content": "The immunohistochemical results showed that the distribution of the collagen types in calf carotis is the same as that found in human arteries. Mechanically prepared and ficin-treated vessels showed a removal of cells, elastic fibres and type II collagen. The remaining collagen meshwork was shown by immunohistochemical methods and also by amino acid analysis to be type I collagen. Because of its structural, chemical and immunological properties, the protease treated, aldehyde stabilised Arteria carotis communis of the calf is suitable as a replacement material for arterial segments. Initial successes using man as a recipient support the stated conclusion.", "contents": "Characterization and distribution of collagen types in arterial heterografts originating from the calf carotis. The immunohistochemical results showed that the distribution of the collagen types in calf carotis is the same as that found in human arteries. Mechanically prepared and ficin-treated vessels showed a removal of cells, elastic fibres and type II collagen. The remaining collagen meshwork was shown by immunohistochemical methods and also by amino acid analysis to be type I collagen. Because of its structural, chemical and immunological properties, the protease treated, aldehyde stabilised Arteria carotis communis of the calf is suitable as a replacement material for arterial segments. Initial successes using man as a recipient support the stated conclusion.", "PMID": 787656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7742", "title": "Enteritis in a conventional rabbit colony.", "content": "Necrotic typhlitis, often accompanied with necrotic liver foci, was frequently observed in a conventional rabbit colony during the years 1965-1969. Although different serotypes of Escherichia coli could be cultured from the diseased caeca, many cases occurred from which no Escherichia coli could be isolated. Assuming that the disease might be bacteriological in origin, tetracycline was administered, and mortality decreased. The prevalence of tetracycline-resistant Escherichia coli strains makes application of an alternative therapy desirable.", "contents": "Enteritis in a conventional rabbit colony. Necrotic typhlitis, often accompanied with necrotic liver foci, was frequently observed in a conventional rabbit colony during the years 1965-1969. Although different serotypes of Escherichia coli could be cultured from the diseased caeca, many cases occurred from which no Escherichia coli could be isolated. Assuming that the disease might be bacteriological in origin, tetracycline was administered, and mortality decreased. The prevalence of tetracycline-resistant Escherichia coli strains makes application of an alternative therapy desirable.", "PMID": 787665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7743", "title": "An outbreak of rabbit enteritis: pathological and microbiological findings and possible therapeutic regime.", "content": "Mortality, averaging about 30% of young born throughout the year, was severest at 5-10 weeks of age, from just before weaning until about 4 weeks after, especially in large litters of 10-11 young. The organism most characteristically associated with enteritis was Escherichia coli. Preliminary experiments suggested that restriction of food decreases the death rate from enteritis among young rabbits.", "contents": "An outbreak of rabbit enteritis: pathological and microbiological findings and possible therapeutic regime. Mortality, averaging about 30% of young born throughout the year, was severest at 5-10 weeks of age, from just before weaning until about 4 weeks after, especially in large litters of 10-11 young. The organism most characteristically associated with enteritis was Escherichia coli. Preliminary experiments suggested that restriction of food decreases the death rate from enteritis among young rabbits.", "PMID": 787666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7744", "title": "A naturally acquired infection of laboratory mice with Klebsiella capsule type 6.", "content": "An epizootic causing high morbidity and high mortality in Swiss White and Nude mice over a period of 3 weeks was caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae Capsule type 6, which is considered to be nonpathogenic for mice. Experimental inoculation of this organism into laboratory animals caused death within 36 hours, further substantiating its virulence.", "contents": "A naturally acquired infection of laboratory mice with Klebsiella capsule type 6. An epizootic causing high morbidity and high mortality in Swiss White and Nude mice over a period of 3 weeks was caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae Capsule type 6, which is considered to be nonpathogenic for mice. Experimental inoculation of this organism into laboratory animals caused death within 36 hours, further substantiating its virulence.", "PMID": 787669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7745", "title": "Transmission of enteritis in the Syrian hamster.", "content": "Twenty-six of 39 Syrian hamsters obtained by this laboratory from a pet supplier had enteritis and showed signs of \"wet tail.\" An enteritis was reproduced in healthy hamsters by oral inoculation of homogenized ilea and jejuna from the diseased hamsters. The most characteristic pathologicfeatures were a variably enlarged distal jejunum and ileum and granulomatous lesions in the ileal subserosal wall. Histologic findings included a greatly hyperplastic jejunal and ileal mucosa that frequently contained submucosal accumulations of inflammatory cells. Often mucosal glands extended into these areas. The gross and histologic lesions produced were identical to those described in proliferative ileitis. Bacterial cultures from infected tissues consistently grew a slow lactose-fermenting Escherichia coli. Although diarrhea could be produced by oral inoculation of the organism, the typical morphologic lesions were not produced.", "contents": "Transmission of enteritis in the Syrian hamster. Twenty-six of 39 Syrian hamsters obtained by this laboratory from a pet supplier had enteritis and showed signs of \"wet tail.\" An enteritis was reproduced in healthy hamsters by oral inoculation of homogenized ilea and jejuna from the diseased hamsters. The most characteristic pathologicfeatures were a variably enlarged distal jejunum and ileum and granulomatous lesions in the ileal subserosal wall. Histologic findings included a greatly hyperplastic jejunal and ileal mucosa that frequently contained submucosal accumulations of inflammatory cells. Often mucosal glands extended into these areas. The gross and histologic lesions produced were identical to those described in proliferative ileitis. Bacterial cultures from infected tissues consistently grew a slow lactose-fermenting Escherichia coli. Although diarrhea could be produced by oral inoculation of the organism, the typical morphologic lesions were not produced.", "PMID": 787670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7746", "title": "Nutrition of the domestic rabbit.", "content": "Recent studies on the nutritional needs of the rabbit were reviewed. Emphasis was placed on fiber utilization by rabbits, digestibility of forage protein, and unique aspects of mineral and vitamin requirements. In spite of the herbivorous nature of rabbits, their ability to digest fiber is low. Indigestible fiber may have a role in preventing enteritis. While lacking the ability to efficiently digest fiber, rabbits do make efficient use of forage protein, in contrast to most other monogastric animals. Differences in serum calcium homeostasis and calcium excretion as compared with other animals were discussed. The interrelationship between vitamin E and selenium appears different in the rabbit compared with other species. The limited information available on rabbit nutrition suggests that rabbits are unusual in their metabolism of several nutrients; because of their wide use in biological research, more extensive information on nutritional and metabolic characteristics of rabbits is needed.", "contents": "Nutrition of the domestic rabbit. Recent studies on the nutritional needs of the rabbit were reviewed. Emphasis was placed on fiber utilization by rabbits, digestibility of forage protein, and unique aspects of mineral and vitamin requirements. In spite of the herbivorous nature of rabbits, their ability to digest fiber is low. Indigestible fiber may have a role in preventing enteritis. While lacking the ability to efficiently digest fiber, rabbits do make efficient use of forage protein, in contrast to most other monogastric animals. Differences in serum calcium homeostasis and calcium excretion as compared with other animals were discussed. The interrelationship between vitamin E and selenium appears different in the rabbit compared with other species. The limited information available on rabbit nutrition suggests that rabbits are unusual in their metabolism of several nutrients; because of their wide use in biological research, more extensive information on nutritional and metabolic characteristics of rabbits is needed.", "PMID": 787671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7747", "title": "Protein and amino acid requirements of the laboratory rabbit.", "content": "The arginine requirement of the growing rabbit has been re-investigated and found to vary depending upon the pattern of the indispensable amino acids other than arginine. The requirement was higher on a pattern simulating isolated soy protein than on a pattern that contributed essentially the requirement pattern. The rabbit has been found sensitive to protein quality in the same way as other monogastric animals, including the rat and the chick. Interestingly, soy protein appears to provide a superior amino acid pattern to whole egg. Also, casein may be limiting in arginine for the growing rabbit.", "contents": "Protein and amino acid requirements of the laboratory rabbit. The arginine requirement of the growing rabbit has been re-investigated and found to vary depending upon the pattern of the indispensable amino acids other than arginine. The requirement was higher on a pattern simulating isolated soy protein than on a pattern that contributed essentially the requirement pattern. The rabbit has been found sensitive to protein quality in the same way as other monogastric animals, including the rat and the chick. Interestingly, soy protein appears to provide a superior amino acid pattern to whole egg. Also, casein may be limiting in arginine for the growing rabbit.", "PMID": 787672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7748", "title": "The meadow vole as an experimental animal.", "content": "A meadow vole colony has been in operation at The Pennsylvania State University for 6 yr. The breeding colony consists of 16 breeding harems of 1 male and 2-4 females per cage. Over 2,500 weanlings have been available each year for various experiments. Primary emphasis has been directed toward determination of the weanling's nutritional requirements. Adults have been used to study plant factors associated with the palatability of forages. This information has been used to devise specific bioassay procedures to study the relative nutritional value of a wide range of cultivated crop species. Weanlings have been used to evaluate the quantity and quality of protein available for growth from cereal grains and soybeans as well as the energy available for growth from temperate and tropical forages. Studies of antiquality constituents with weanlings have led to the indentification of a toxic constituent in crownvetch forage and the verification of undersirable constituents in raw soybeans and forages. Studies with adults have assisted in clarifying the effects of forage saponins and alkaloids on the paltability response of adult voles. Each of these studies have provided some type of new and useful information that has implications in either nonruminant or ruminant responses to crop plants.", "contents": "The meadow vole as an experimental animal. A meadow vole colony has been in operation at The Pennsylvania State University for 6 yr. The breeding colony consists of 16 breeding harems of 1 male and 2-4 females per cage. Over 2,500 weanlings have been available each year for various experiments. Primary emphasis has been directed toward determination of the weanling's nutritional requirements. Adults have been used to study plant factors associated with the palatability of forages. This information has been used to devise specific bioassay procedures to study the relative nutritional value of a wide range of cultivated crop species. Weanlings have been used to evaluate the quantity and quality of protein available for growth from cereal grains and soybeans as well as the energy available for growth from temperate and tropical forages. Studies of antiquality constituents with weanlings have led to the indentification of a toxic constituent in crownvetch forage and the verification of undersirable constituents in raw soybeans and forages. Studies with adults have assisted in clarifying the effects of forage saponins and alkaloids on the paltability response of adult voles. Each of these studies have provided some type of new and useful information that has implications in either nonruminant or ruminant responses to crop plants.", "PMID": 787673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7749", "title": "Nutritional idiosyncrasies of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).", "content": "The golden hamster has a compartmentalized stomach consisting of a forestomach and a glandular stomach. The forestomach is lined with keratinized epithelium and contains an active microbiol population capable of significant cellulolytic activity. This organ is not essential for life and is the first entrance point for swallowed feed. The hamster, while having a protein requirement like that of the rat, utilizes protein much differently. It ranks soybean meal above a fish protein concentrate and does not utilize added crystalline essential amino acids as such. Acceptance of the hamster as a nutritional surrogate of the rat seems unwarranted.", "contents": "Nutritional idiosyncrasies of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). The golden hamster has a compartmentalized stomach consisting of a forestomach and a glandular stomach. The forestomach is lined with keratinized epithelium and contains an active microbiol population capable of significant cellulolytic activity. This organ is not essential for life and is the first entrance point for swallowed feed. The hamster, while having a protein requirement like that of the rat, utilizes protein much differently. It ranks soybean meal above a fish protein concentrate and does not utilize added crystalline essential amino acids as such. Acceptance of the hamster as a nutritional surrogate of the rat seems unwarranted.", "PMID": 787674} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7750", "title": "The neglect and abuse of children and youth: the scope of the problem and the school's role.", "content": "We have attempted to define the spectrum of maltreatment of children seen in our current society. The potential for abuse in the child's caretaker, a child who is somewhat different, and a stressful situation are ingredients which often interact to produce maltreatment. The maltreatment rendered to the child includes many mechanisms ranging from direct blows from a variety of objects, to violently shaking the child, to neglect. The spectrum of the pathological findings is as varied as the means to inflict the trauma or neglect and involves every organ system. The predominate pathology of abuse is located in the central nervous system, bones and cutaneous tissues. The school's role primarily involves awareness of the problem of maltreatment, a method of approach to identify and report \"suspected\" cases, and the documentation of the injuries or neglect which have been observed. The school plays an important role in the follow-up of individual cases in providing a supporting environment for the child and coordinating with other agencies dealing with the family. The school personnel and all professionals must work together if adequate services are to be provided to protect children and rehabilitate families.", "contents": "The neglect and abuse of children and youth: the scope of the problem and the school's role. We have attempted to define the spectrum of maltreatment of children seen in our current society. The potential for abuse in the child's caretaker, a child who is somewhat different, and a stressful situation are ingredients which often interact to produce maltreatment. The maltreatment rendered to the child includes many mechanisms ranging from direct blows from a variety of objects, to violently shaking the child, to neglect. The spectrum of the pathological findings is as varied as the means to inflict the trauma or neglect and involves every organ system. The predominate pathology of abuse is located in the central nervous system, bones and cutaneous tissues. The school's role primarily involves awareness of the problem of maltreatment, a method of approach to identify and report \"suspected\" cases, and the documentation of the injuries or neglect which have been observed. The school plays an important role in the follow-up of individual cases in providing a supporting environment for the child and coordinating with other agencies dealing with the family. The school personnel and all professionals must work together if adequate services are to be provided to protect children and rehabilitate families.", "PMID": 787679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7751", "title": "Diaphragm pacing: histopathological changes in the phrenic nerve following long-term electrical stimulation.", "content": "Phrenic nerves were obtained at autopsy from 7 patients with chronic ventilatory insufficiency. One or both nerves had been subjected to electrical stimulation to pace the diaphragm for about 2 months to 4 years. Sections of the nerves made from above, at the level of, and below the site of application of the cuff electrode were studied microscopically. In most specimens, focal areas of demyelination were seen ranging from severity from swelling and fragmentation of isolated fibers to focal myelin destruction with phagocytic activity and total removal of myelin with fibrosis. Some axone loss was seen. The fact that the nerves from 2 patients, each stimulated for about 2 years, showed no changes suggests that injury to the nerve was not caused by the electrical stimuli but rather was secondary to the technique of application and fixation of the cuff electrode to the nerve.", "contents": "Diaphragm pacing: histopathological changes in the phrenic nerve following long-term electrical stimulation. Phrenic nerves were obtained at autopsy from 7 patients with chronic ventilatory insufficiency. One or both nerves had been subjected to electrical stimulation to pace the diaphragm for about 2 months to 4 years. Sections of the nerves made from above, at the level of, and below the site of application of the cuff electrode were studied microscopically. In most specimens, focal areas of demyelination were seen ranging from severity from swelling and fragmentation of isolated fibers to focal myelin destruction with phagocytic activity and total removal of myelin with fibrosis. Some axone loss was seen. The fact that the nerves from 2 patients, each stimulated for about 2 years, showed no changes suggests that injury to the nerve was not caused by the electrical stimuli but rather was secondary to the technique of application and fixation of the cuff electrode to the nerve.", "PMID": 787685} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7752", "title": "The effect of a target date based utilization review program on length of stay.", "content": "This study was conducted to determine whether implementation of a specific formalized concurrent utilization review system which involved making a prior determination of length of stay had any more effect on average length of stay than continuance of a utilization review method not involving assignment of such a target date. The system studied was the Pre-Discharge Utilization Review (PDUR) program used for Medicaid patients in Pennsylvania. Analysis was conducted using discharge abstracts for Medicaid patients under age 65 who were discharged with one of 14 common diagnoses for certain Allegheny County hospitals in 1972 and 1973. Comparisons were made for each individual diagnosis to control for possible differences in case mix. Results indicate that there was no general reduction in length of stay which could be attributed to the PDUR program.", "contents": "The effect of a target date based utilization review program on length of stay. This study was conducted to determine whether implementation of a specific formalized concurrent utilization review system which involved making a prior determination of length of stay had any more effect on average length of stay than continuance of a utilization review method not involving assignment of such a target date. The system studied was the Pre-Discharge Utilization Review (PDUR) program used for Medicaid patients in Pennsylvania. Analysis was conducted using discharge abstracts for Medicaid patients under age 65 who were discharged with one of 14 common diagnoses for certain Allegheny County hospitals in 1972 and 1973. Comparisons were made for each individual diagnosis to control for possible differences in case mix. Results indicate that there was no general reduction in length of stay which could be attributed to the PDUR program.", "PMID": 787698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7753", "title": "Cost and quality control of laboratory services: the New York City medicaid centralized laboratory proposal.", "content": "Faced with constantly increasing costs for the provision of laboratory services to Medicaid recipients, the New York City Department of Health last year attempted to implement a program to fundamentally restructure the organizational patterns and financing mechanisms of New York City's clinical laboratory industry. The program, based on competitive bidding, gave one laboratory in each of New York's five boroughs exclusive rights to process Medicaid lab samples and replaced presently existing fee-for-service reimbursement mechanisms with a unique system combining unit pricing and capitation. This paper outlines the principal provisions of the City's proposed contract, analyzes the underlying motivations of the City's decision, and describes the reactions of the existing laboratory service delivery system. In addition, the generic problems of implementing effective administrative techniques for cost and quality control of laboratory services are discussed.", "contents": "Cost and quality control of laboratory services: the New York City medicaid centralized laboratory proposal. Faced with constantly increasing costs for the provision of laboratory services to Medicaid recipients, the New York City Department of Health last year attempted to implement a program to fundamentally restructure the organizational patterns and financing mechanisms of New York City's clinical laboratory industry. The program, based on competitive bidding, gave one laboratory in each of New York's five boroughs exclusive rights to process Medicaid lab samples and replaced presently existing fee-for-service reimbursement mechanisms with a unique system combining unit pricing and capitation. This paper outlines the principal provisions of the City's proposed contract, analyzes the underlying motivations of the City's decision, and describes the reactions of the existing laboratory service delivery system. In addition, the generic problems of implementing effective administrative techniques for cost and quality control of laboratory services are discussed.", "PMID": 787699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7754", "title": "[Complications in modern treatment of posttraumatic osteomyelitis (author's transl)].", "content": "Several conditions must be accomplished for successful treatment of posttraumatic osteomyelitis, as there are stability in fracture region, surgical debridement, wound irrigation, cancellous bone transplantation and skin grafting. All this surgical methods involve possibilitis of complications. The most of them can be avoided observing certain rules of management.", "contents": "[Complications in modern treatment of posttraumatic osteomyelitis (author's transl)]. Several conditions must be accomplished for successful treatment of posttraumatic osteomyelitis, as there are stability in fracture region, surgical debridement, wound irrigation, cancellous bone transplantation and skin grafting. All this surgical methods involve possibilitis of complications. The most of them can be avoided observing certain rules of management.", "PMID": 787704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7755", "title": "Flap reconstruction in major surgery of the head and neck.", "content": "The challenging restoration of form and function in radical surgery of the head and neck demands sound concepts and proper execution in reconstruction. Flaps are most frequently employed in reconstruction, following major surgery because of their rich blood supply and cosmetic superiority. Of the many types of flaps known, the midline forhead flap, temporoforehead flap, mastoid-occipital flap, tongue flap, and deltopectoral flap have enjoyed most popularity. The design and application of these flaps are discussed. Our techniques in reconstruction of the oral cavity, hypopharynx, esophagus, nose, Andy-Gump deformities (anterior jaw complex resection), pharyngo-orocutaneous fistulas, and radionecrosis of the mandible are presented.", "contents": "Flap reconstruction in major surgery of the head and neck. The challenging restoration of form and function in radical surgery of the head and neck demands sound concepts and proper execution in reconstruction. Flaps are most frequently employed in reconstruction, following major surgery because of their rich blood supply and cosmetic superiority. Of the many types of flaps known, the midline forhead flap, temporoforehead flap, mastoid-occipital flap, tongue flap, and deltopectoral flap have enjoyed most popularity. The design and application of these flaps are discussed. Our techniques in reconstruction of the oral cavity, hypopharynx, esophagus, nose, Andy-Gump deformities (anterior jaw complex resection), pharyngo-orocutaneous fistulas, and radionecrosis of the mandible are presented.", "PMID": 787705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7756", "title": "The actions of parathyroid hormone on bone: relation to bone remodeling and turnover, calcium homeostasis, and metabolic bone disease. Part IV of IV parts: The state of the bones in uremic hyperaparathyroidism--the mechanisms of skeletal resistance to PTH in renal failure and pseudohypoparathyroidism and the role of PTH in osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, and osteofluorosis.", "content": "In early chronic renal failure, the state of the bones resembles that of type II primary hyperparathyroidism. Cortical bone becomes thinner and more porous, and there is increased extent of surface remodeling. These changes are followed in turn by osteomalacia and osteitis fibrosa, although sometimes these may be alternate rather than successive stages. Bone turnover is less than would be expected for the elevation of PTH level, probably because of 1,25 (OH)2D3 deficiency. The resorption velocity and lamellar bone appositional rates are depressed, but woven bone appositional rate may be increased, possibly because of hyperphosphatemia. Bone mass reflects the summation of three independent processes: loss of lamellar bone due to hyperparathyroidism (depending on the extent of insulation by osteoid); accumulation of partly mineralized osteoid because of osteomalacia; accumulation of woven bone because of osteitis fibrosa. Osteosclerosis may be growth-related metaphyseal, subchondral or diffuse axial, and periosteal neostosis may also occur. Some patients on hemodialysis lose bone because of planing rather than lacunar or dissecting resorption, combined with depression of both lamellar and woven bone formation. Hyperparathyroid bone disease tends to improve slowly after renal transplantation. Persistent hypocalcemia reflects a defect in the calcium homeostatic system and cannot be explained solely by the known stimuli to secondary hyperparathyroidism. The increment in plasma calcium in response to PTH infusion is subnormal, both in early chronic and in acute renal failure, probably because of 1,25(OH)2D3 deficiency. This is also the most likely explanation for the depressed level of blood-bone equilibrium. The activity of all three of the PTH responsive cell systems in bone is depressed in renal failure, probably because all three require 1,25(OH)2D3 in order to function normally. In pseudohypoparathyroidism, as in chronic renal failure, hypocalcemia results from a defect in the regulation of the blood-bone equilibrium. The bone-remodeling system shows all gradations of response, from slight depression of bone turnover to overt osteitis fibrosa, but bone turnover is never as low as in PTH deficiency. These differences may reflect the presence or absence of resistance to PTH of the osteoprogenitor cell as well as of the calcium homeostatic system, or may be due to varying degrees of 1,25(OH)2D3 deficiency, as in chronic renal failure. An increase in plasma calcium in response to PTH can occur either in the untreated state or after treatment with vitamin D because either the error-correcting or remodeling system remains responsive to PTH. Pseudohypoparathyroidism may be subdivided into three types, depending on whether the urinary cyclic-AMP response to PTH remains defective despite treatment with vitamin D, improves with treatment, or is normal before treatment. Only the former is associated with the genetic syndrome of Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy...", "contents": "The actions of parathyroid hormone on bone: relation to bone remodeling and turnover, calcium homeostasis, and metabolic bone disease. Part IV of IV parts: The state of the bones in uremic hyperaparathyroidism--the mechanisms of skeletal resistance to PTH in renal failure and pseudohypoparathyroidism and the role of PTH in osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, and osteofluorosis. In early chronic renal failure, the state of the bones resembles that of type II primary hyperparathyroidism. Cortical bone becomes thinner and more porous, and there is increased extent of surface remodeling. These changes are followed in turn by osteomalacia and osteitis fibrosa, although sometimes these may be alternate rather than successive stages. Bone turnover is less than would be expected for the elevation of PTH level, probably because of 1,25 (OH)2D3 deficiency. The resorption velocity and lamellar bone appositional rates are depressed, but woven bone appositional rate may be increased, possibly because of hyperphosphatemia. Bone mass reflects the summation of three independent processes: loss of lamellar bone due to hyperparathyroidism (depending on the extent of insulation by osteoid); accumulation of partly mineralized osteoid because of osteomalacia; accumulation of woven bone because of osteitis fibrosa. Osteosclerosis may be growth-related metaphyseal, subchondral or diffuse axial, and periosteal neostosis may also occur. Some patients on hemodialysis lose bone because of planing rather than lacunar or dissecting resorption, combined with depression of both lamellar and woven bone formation. Hyperparathyroid bone disease tends to improve slowly after renal transplantation. Persistent hypocalcemia reflects a defect in the calcium homeostatic system and cannot be explained solely by the known stimuli to secondary hyperparathyroidism. The increment in plasma calcium in response to PTH infusion is subnormal, both in early chronic and in acute renal failure, probably because of 1,25(OH)2D3 deficiency. This is also the most likely explanation for the depressed level of blood-bone equilibrium. The activity of all three of the PTH responsive cell systems in bone is depressed in renal failure, probably because all three require 1,25(OH)2D3 in order to function normally. In pseudohypoparathyroidism, as in chronic renal failure, hypocalcemia results from a defect in the regulation of the blood-bone equilibrium. The bone-remodeling system shows all gradations of response, from slight depression of bone turnover to overt osteitis fibrosa, but bone turnover is never as low as in PTH deficiency. These differences may reflect the presence or absence of resistance to PTH of the osteoprogenitor cell as well as of the calcium homeostatic system, or may be due to varying degrees of 1,25(OH)2D3 deficiency, as in chronic renal failure. An increase in plasma calcium in response to PTH can occur either in the untreated state or after treatment with vitamin D because either the error-correcting or remodeling system remains responsive to PTH. Pseudohypoparathyroidism may be subdivided into three types, depending on whether the urinary cyclic-AMP response to PTH remains defective despite treatment with vitamin D, improves with treatment, or is normal before treatment. Only the former is associated with the genetic syndrome of Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy...", "PMID": 787723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7757", "title": "Preparation and counts of particles in electron microscopy: application of negative stain in the agarfiltration method.", "content": "The agarfiltration method, published by Kellenberger and Arber in 1957, has been adapted to negative stain with sodium phosphotungstate and uranyl acetate. The technique is described in detail including all recent improvements. The precision obtainable in particle counts is discussed for agarfiltration and sprayed droplets.", "contents": "Preparation and counts of particles in electron microscopy: application of negative stain in the agarfiltration method. The agarfiltration method, published by Kellenberger and Arber in 1957, has been adapted to negative stain with sodium phosphotungstate and uranyl acetate. The technique is described in detail including all recent improvements. The precision obtainable in particle counts is discussed for agarfiltration and sprayed droplets.", "PMID": 787724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7758", "title": "Treatment of migraine attacks with an analgesic combination (Mersyndol).", "content": "The relief of acute migraine attacks with an analgesic/antihistamine combination containing paracetamol, codeine phosphate, doxylamine succinate and caffeine (Mersyndol) compared with that achieved with a placebo has been studied in a double-blind, crossover trial. Mersyndol emerged as significantly better than placebo in the complete relief of migraine pain, and was clearly superior to placebo in partially relieving the pain of migraine. These results suggest that it could be a useful alternative to ergotamine, and a comparative trial with ergotamine is suggested. Side effects with this combination were fairly common but mild, and consisted mainly of drowsiness caused by the antihistamine component.", "contents": "Treatment of migraine attacks with an analgesic combination (Mersyndol). The relief of acute migraine attacks with an analgesic/antihistamine combination containing paracetamol, codeine phosphate, doxylamine succinate and caffeine (Mersyndol) compared with that achieved with a placebo has been studied in a double-blind, crossover trial. Mersyndol emerged as significantly better than placebo in the complete relief of migraine pain, and was clearly superior to placebo in partially relieving the pain of migraine. These results suggest that it could be a useful alternative to ergotamine, and a comparative trial with ergotamine is suggested. Side effects with this combination were fairly common but mild, and consisted mainly of drowsiness caused by the antihistamine component.", "PMID": 787738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7759", "title": "The evolution of counterpulsation techniques.", "content": "Assisted circulation techniques are an outgrowth of extracorporeal pump oxygenator systems developed in the mid 1950s. But the differences in physiology of total perfusions and of parital perfusions for assisting circulation delayed the clinical application of the intra-aortic balloon. The problems and risks in providing circulation assistance and the approaches used to overcome them are discussed. The various counterpulsation techniques are described and data presented to demonstrate the increased survival in patients with myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock.", "contents": "The evolution of counterpulsation techniques. Assisted circulation techniques are an outgrowth of extracorporeal pump oxygenator systems developed in the mid 1950s. But the differences in physiology of total perfusions and of parital perfusions for assisting circulation delayed the clinical application of the intra-aortic balloon. The problems and risks in providing circulation assistance and the approaches used to overcome them are discussed. The various counterpulsation techniques are described and data presented to demonstrate the increased survival in patients with myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock.", "PMID": 787735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7760", "title": "[Effects of lowly dosed gestagen pill Exlutona on carbohydrate and fat metabolism (author's transl)].", "content": "Due to the precautions stopping of megestrol containing oral contraceptives the prescription of oral contraceptives has again become problematic. Oral contraceptives taken over a longer period can cause occasionally side effects which then cause a stopping of these medicaments. In order to get a survey of possible effects on the carbohydrate and fat metabolism 60 patients at the age of 16-26 years who had not been pregnant were observed over a longer period and their laboratory parameters (serum insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, total lipids) were controlled. Significant changes were only found in the total lipids in the sense of a reduction of the total lipid level. A marked reduction was found with the triglycerides. Basing on these results and taking into consideration the occasionally occurring menstrual irregularity this lowly dosed gestagen pill Exlutona can be recommended not only to young girls but also to patients who often suffer from a relative contraindication because of adiposity, hypertension and subclinical diabetes.", "contents": "[Effects of lowly dosed gestagen pill Exlutona on carbohydrate and fat metabolism (author's transl)]. Due to the precautions stopping of megestrol containing oral contraceptives the prescription of oral contraceptives has again become problematic. Oral contraceptives taken over a longer period can cause occasionally side effects which then cause a stopping of these medicaments. In order to get a survey of possible effects on the carbohydrate and fat metabolism 60 patients at the age of 16-26 years who had not been pregnant were observed over a longer period and their laboratory parameters (serum insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, total lipids) were controlled. Significant changes were only found in the total lipids in the sense of a reduction of the total lipid level. A marked reduction was found with the triglycerides. Basing on these results and taking into consideration the occasionally occurring menstrual irregularity this lowly dosed gestagen pill Exlutona can be recommended not only to young girls but also to patients who often suffer from a relative contraindication because of adiposity, hypertension and subclinical diabetes.", "PMID": 787744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7761", "title": "[Experiences in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with 90-yttrium-silicate (author's transl)].", "content": "In 29 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis 90-Yttrium-silicate was instillated 48 times into the knee. An improvement was seen in 41 cases. The success lasted in 3 of 10 so far observed cases more than one year. No side effects were seen. Less than 1 p.c. of the instillated substance was leaving the joint.", "contents": "[Experiences in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with 90-yttrium-silicate (author's transl)]. In 29 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis 90-Yttrium-silicate was instillated 48 times into the knee. An improvement was seen in 41 cases. The success lasted in 3 of 10 so far observed cases more than one year. No side effects were seen. Less than 1 p.c. of the instillated substance was leaving the joint.", "PMID": 787745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7762", "title": "The development of mechanical assistance to the failing human heart.", "content": "Mechanical systems designed to support the failing heart temporarily or permanently are briefly described. Of these systems, most are still in the experimental laboratory, but several devices have had limited trial in patients. One for temporary use, the intra-aortic balloon pump, is now routinely used as adjunctive support for selected patients undergoing open-heart surgery. The development of these systems followed experimental demonstration that by manipulating arterial pressure and flow, it would be possible to increase coronary blood flow and diminish left ventricular work.", "contents": "The development of mechanical assistance to the failing human heart. Mechanical systems designed to support the failing heart temporarily or permanently are briefly described. Of these systems, most are still in the experimental laboratory, but several devices have had limited trial in patients. One for temporary use, the intra-aortic balloon pump, is now routinely used as adjunctive support for selected patients undergoing open-heart surgery. The development of these systems followed experimental demonstration that by manipulating arterial pressure and flow, it would be possible to increase coronary blood flow and diminish left ventricular work.", "PMID": 787736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7763", "title": "An investigation of the binding sites of proteins S8, L23 and L24 on the ribosomal RNAs of Escherichia coli by electron microscopy.", "content": "An electron microscopic method was used to investigate the binding regions of proteins S8 on 16S RNA, and proteins L23 and L24 on 23S RNA. Regions of the RNA that were not stabilised by the protein were completely denatured in 80% dimethyl-sulfoxide. The lengths of these denatured RNA regions were compared with that of the whole denatured RNA. Conclusions are drawn concerning the approximate location of the three proteins and these results are correlated with both RNA structural data and RNA sequence data on the RNA binding regions of the proteins.", "contents": "An investigation of the binding sites of proteins S8, L23 and L24 on the ribosomal RNAs of Escherichia coli by electron microscopy. An electron microscopic method was used to investigate the binding regions of proteins S8 on 16S RNA, and proteins L23 and L24 on 23S RNA. Regions of the RNA that were not stabilised by the protein were completely denatured in 80% dimethyl-sulfoxide. The lengths of these denatured RNA regions were compared with that of the whole denatured RNA. Conclusions are drawn concerning the approximate location of the three proteins and these results are correlated with both RNA structural data and RNA sequence data on the RNA binding regions of the proteins.", "PMID": 787753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7764", "title": "Altered synthesis and stability of RNA polymerase holoenzyme subunits in mutants of Escherichia coli with mutations in the beta or beta' subunit genes.", "content": "Bacteria with specific temperature sensitive lethal mutations in the gene for the beta' subunit of RNA polymerase synthesize both the beta and beta' subunits at a several fold higher rate at 42 degrees C than wild-type cells relative to total protein. Synthesis of the alpha and sigma subunits proceeds at essentially the wild-type rates under these conditions. In contrast, a mutant with a temperature sensitive lethal mutation in the beta subunit gene synthesizes beta and beta' at 42 degrees C at slightly lower rates than wild-type, while alpha and sigma synthesis is not significantly altered. In all of the mutants at 42 degrees C, newly synthesized alpha subunits are stable, while the beta, beta' and sigma subunits are rapidly degraded. The apparent uncoupling of betabeta' and alpha subunit synthesis seen in the beta' mutants at 42 degrees C might suggest that the synthesis of these subunits is at least in part controlled by different mechanisms.", "contents": "Altered synthesis and stability of RNA polymerase holoenzyme subunits in mutants of Escherichia coli with mutations in the beta or beta' subunit genes. Bacteria with specific temperature sensitive lethal mutations in the gene for the beta' subunit of RNA polymerase synthesize both the beta and beta' subunits at a several fold higher rate at 42 degrees C than wild-type cells relative to total protein. Synthesis of the alpha and sigma subunits proceeds at essentially the wild-type rates under these conditions. In contrast, a mutant with a temperature sensitive lethal mutation in the beta subunit gene synthesizes beta and beta' at 42 degrees C at slightly lower rates than wild-type, while alpha and sigma synthesis is not significantly altered. In all of the mutants at 42 degrees C, newly synthesized alpha subunits are stable, while the beta, beta' and sigma subunits are rapidly degraded. The apparent uncoupling of betabeta' and alpha subunit synthesis seen in the beta' mutants at 42 degrees C might suggest that the synthesis of these subunits is at least in part controlled by different mechanisms.", "PMID": 787754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7765", "title": "Characterization of yeast ribosomal DNA fragments generated by EcoR1 restriction endonuclease.", "content": "The action of Escherichia coli restriction endonuclease R1 (EcoR1) on DNA isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (strain MAR-33) generates three predominent homogenously sized DNA fragments (species of 1.8, 2.2 and 2.5 kilo nucleotide base pairs (KB). Many DNA species of molecular weight greater than 2 million daltons can be recognized upon incomplete EcoR1 digestion of yeast DNA. Four additional DNA species ranging from 0.3--0.9 KB can be identified as the second major class of EcoR1-yeast DNA products. Hybridization with radioactive ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and competition with nonradioactive rRNA show that of the three predominent EcoR1-yeast DNA species, the 2.5 KB species hybridizes only with the 25S rRNA while the lighter 1.8 KB species hybridizes with the 18S rRNA. The intermediate DNA species of 2.2 KB hybridizes to a small extent with the 25S rRNA and could be a result of the presence of the 2.5 KB DNA species. The mass proportions and hybridization values of these 3 DNA species account for about 60% of the total ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The 5 Eco-R1-yeast DNA species of less than 0.9 KB (4 major and 1 minor species) hybridize to varying degrees with the 2 rRNA and can be grouped in two classes. In one class there are 3 DNA species that hybridize exclusively with the 18S rRNA. In the second class there are 2 DNA species that besides hybridizing predominently with the 25S rRNA also hybridize with the 18S rRNA. The 7 EcoR1-yeast DNA species (excluding the 2.2 KB DNA species) that hybridize with the two rRNA account for nearly a 5 million dalton DNA segment, which is very close to the anticipated gene size of rRNA precursor molecule. If the 2.2 KB DNA species is a part of the rDNA that is not transcribed or 5 sRNA then the cistron encoding the rRNA in S. cerevisiae has at least 8 EcoR1 recognition sites resulting in 8 DNA fragments upon digestion with the EcoR1. Consideration is given to the relationship of the rRNA species generated by EcoR1 digestion and the chromosomes containing ribosomal cistrons.", "contents": "Characterization of yeast ribosomal DNA fragments generated by EcoR1 restriction endonuclease. The action of Escherichia coli restriction endonuclease R1 (EcoR1) on DNA isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (strain MAR-33) generates three predominent homogenously sized DNA fragments (species of 1.8, 2.2 and 2.5 kilo nucleotide base pairs (KB). Many DNA species of molecular weight greater than 2 million daltons can be recognized upon incomplete EcoR1 digestion of yeast DNA. Four additional DNA species ranging from 0.3--0.9 KB can be identified as the second major class of EcoR1-yeast DNA products. Hybridization with radioactive ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and competition with nonradioactive rRNA show that of the three predominent EcoR1-yeast DNA species, the 2.5 KB species hybridizes only with the 25S rRNA while the lighter 1.8 KB species hybridizes with the 18S rRNA. The intermediate DNA species of 2.2 KB hybridizes to a small extent with the 25S rRNA and could be a result of the presence of the 2.5 KB DNA species. The mass proportions and hybridization values of these 3 DNA species account for about 60% of the total ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The 5 Eco-R1-yeast DNA species of less than 0.9 KB (4 major and 1 minor species) hybridize to varying degrees with the 2 rRNA and can be grouped in two classes. In one class there are 3 DNA species that hybridize exclusively with the 18S rRNA. In the second class there are 2 DNA species that besides hybridizing predominently with the 25S rRNA also hybridize with the 18S rRNA. The 7 EcoR1-yeast DNA species (excluding the 2.2 KB DNA species) that hybridize with the two rRNA account for nearly a 5 million dalton DNA segment, which is very close to the anticipated gene size of rRNA precursor molecule. If the 2.2 KB DNA species is a part of the rDNA that is not transcribed or 5 sRNA then the cistron encoding the rRNA in S. cerevisiae has at least 8 EcoR1 recognition sites resulting in 8 DNA fragments upon digestion with the EcoR1. Consideration is given to the relationship of the rRNA species generated by EcoR1 digestion and the chromosomes containing ribosomal cistrons.", "PMID": 787755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7766", "title": "Transcription of Escherichia coli ribosomal DNA in Proteus mirabilis.", "content": "Transcription of Escherichia coli ribosomal DNA introduced into Proteus mirabilis on F14 is described. We have developed an assay for E. coli coded ribosomal RNA involving fingerprinting of ribonuclease T1 digests of RNA isolated from ribosomal subunits. Sequence differences in the ribosomal RNA of the two species have allowed us to detect E. coli coded 16S, 23S, and 5S ribosomal RNA in ribosomal subunits of the E. coli-P. mirabilis hybrid. The proportion of E. coli coded rRNA in the hybrid is found at a level which is compatible with the number of E. coli (and P. mirabilis) ribosomal DNA sequences. The resulting ribosomal RNA appears in ribosomes in a form which indicates extensive compatibility of E. coli coded ribosomal RNA with P. mirabilis ribosomal proteins and maturational factors.", "contents": "Transcription of Escherichia coli ribosomal DNA in Proteus mirabilis. Transcription of Escherichia coli ribosomal DNA introduced into Proteus mirabilis on F14 is described. We have developed an assay for E. coli coded ribosomal RNA involving fingerprinting of ribonuclease T1 digests of RNA isolated from ribosomal subunits. Sequence differences in the ribosomal RNA of the two species have allowed us to detect E. coli coded 16S, 23S, and 5S ribosomal RNA in ribosomal subunits of the E. coli-P. mirabilis hybrid. The proportion of E. coli coded rRNA in the hybrid is found at a level which is compatible with the number of E. coli (and P. mirabilis) ribosomal DNA sequences. The resulting ribosomal RNA appears in ribosomes in a form which indicates extensive compatibility of E. coli coded ribosomal RNA with P. mirabilis ribosomal proteins and maturational factors.", "PMID": 787756} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7767", "title": "Growth of coliphage BF23 on rough strains of Salmonella typhimurium: the bfe locus.", "content": "Coliphage BF23 develops in Salmonella typhimurium rough strains. The phage is neither restricted nor modified by S. typhimurium. The growth patterns of the phage were slightly different in S. typhimurium than in Escherichia coli, although phage propagated on S. typhimurium is identical to the phage propagated in E. coli by several criteria used. Mutants of S. typhimurium resistant to BF23 were isolated and found to map (by P22- and Pl-mediated transduction) in the same position as bfe mutants of E. coli. The order of genes was: metB - argC - bfe - rif - purD - metA. Phage BF23 does not form plaques on smooth S. typhimurium strains, since the phage fails to adsorb irreversibly to smooth cells. Nevertheless, on solid agar, the phage prevents growth of many (but not all) smooth strains. Moreover, UV- and alkali-inactivated phage BF23, although unable to form plaques on sensitive hosts, retains the ability to prevent growth of the host on solid medium. This ability is sensitive to protease and resistant to DNAse and RNase. Heat treatment of the phage causes rapid loss of the cell-growth-preventing-ability whereas the ability to form plaques is lost much more slowly. These results lead to a proposal that phage BF23 virions carry a colicin-like factor that kills sensitive cells.", "contents": "Growth of coliphage BF23 on rough strains of Salmonella typhimurium: the bfe locus. Coliphage BF23 develops in Salmonella typhimurium rough strains. The phage is neither restricted nor modified by S. typhimurium. The growth patterns of the phage were slightly different in S. typhimurium than in Escherichia coli, although phage propagated on S. typhimurium is identical to the phage propagated in E. coli by several criteria used. Mutants of S. typhimurium resistant to BF23 were isolated and found to map (by P22- and Pl-mediated transduction) in the same position as bfe mutants of E. coli. The order of genes was: metB - argC - bfe - rif - purD - metA. Phage BF23 does not form plaques on smooth S. typhimurium strains, since the phage fails to adsorb irreversibly to smooth cells. Nevertheless, on solid agar, the phage prevents growth of many (but not all) smooth strains. Moreover, UV- and alkali-inactivated phage BF23, although unable to form plaques on sensitive hosts, retains the ability to prevent growth of the host on solid medium. This ability is sensitive to protease and resistant to DNAse and RNase. Heat treatment of the phage causes rapid loss of the cell-growth-preventing-ability whereas the ability to form plaques is lost much more slowly. These results lead to a proposal that phage BF23 virions carry a colicin-like factor that kills sensitive cells.", "PMID": 787757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7768", "title": "Expression of the guanine operon of Escherichia coli as analyzed by bacteriophage lambda induced mutations.", "content": "Studies were made on two guanine-requiring strains of Escherichia coli isolated independently as a result of insertion of prophage gamma into one of the structural genes of the guanine operon. These mutants do not exhibit any detectable guaB function but express the guaA function constitutively at a low level, presumably due to transcription from the pI promoter on the prophage. Various types of plaque-forming gua-transducing phages were generated from these lysogens. The approximate location and the mode of substitution of the gua genes in the phage genome were determined. These results clearly indicate that the gene guaB is located closer to the operator-promoter region of the gua operon than is guaA, and the gene order is \"operator\"-guaB-guaA.", "contents": "Expression of the guanine operon of Escherichia coli as analyzed by bacteriophage lambda induced mutations. Studies were made on two guanine-requiring strains of Escherichia coli isolated independently as a result of insertion of prophage gamma into one of the structural genes of the guanine operon. These mutants do not exhibit any detectable guaB function but express the guaA function constitutively at a low level, presumably due to transcription from the pI promoter on the prophage. Various types of plaque-forming gua-transducing phages were generated from these lysogens. The approximate location and the mode of substitution of the gua genes in the phage genome were determined. These results clearly indicate that the gene guaB is located closer to the operator-promoter region of the gua operon than is guaA, and the gene order is \"operator\"-guaB-guaA.", "PMID": 787758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7769", "title": "A simple method for the isolation and characterization of thymidylate uptaking mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The mutant tmpl--10ts which confers thermosensitive auxotrophy for thymidylate is employed for the selection of 5'-dTMP uptaking mutants. At the nonpermissive temperature yeast cells phenotypically wild type for thymidylate uptake can grow for only 3 to 4 generations in the presence of 10(-2) M 5'-dTMP. Thymidylate utilizing mutants (tum mutants) were isolated which can grow in the presence of 12 to 24 mug 5'-dTMP/ml. Genetical analysis revealed one of these mutant strains to be a double mutant, tuml tum2. For normal growth haploid thymidylate auxotrophic strains require approximately 360 mug 5'-dTMP/ml when tuml and 24 mug 5'-dTMP when tum2 is present, respectively. Cells prototrophic for thymidylate (TMP) harbouring tuml tum2 will also take up 5'-dTMP and incorporate it specifically into their DNA. Thymidylate utilization in such strains is independent of functional mitochondria, as similar incorporation of labelled 5'-dTMP is found in isogenic strains with rho+, rho- and rho0 status. Optimal stimulation of the 5'-dTMP uptaking principle in haploid TMP strains is found at 4 mug5'-dTMP/ml when tuml and tum2 are present.", "contents": "A simple method for the isolation and characterization of thymidylate uptaking mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The mutant tmpl--10ts which confers thermosensitive auxotrophy for thymidylate is employed for the selection of 5'-dTMP uptaking mutants. At the nonpermissive temperature yeast cells phenotypically wild type for thymidylate uptake can grow for only 3 to 4 generations in the presence of 10(-2) M 5'-dTMP. Thymidylate utilizing mutants (tum mutants) were isolated which can grow in the presence of 12 to 24 mug 5'-dTMP/ml. Genetical analysis revealed one of these mutant strains to be a double mutant, tuml tum2. For normal growth haploid thymidylate auxotrophic strains require approximately 360 mug 5'-dTMP/ml when tuml and 24 mug 5'-dTMP when tum2 is present, respectively. Cells prototrophic for thymidylate (TMP) harbouring tuml tum2 will also take up 5'-dTMP and incorporate it specifically into their DNA. Thymidylate utilization in such strains is independent of functional mitochondria, as similar incorporation of labelled 5'-dTMP is found in isogenic strains with rho+, rho- and rho0 status. Optimal stimulation of the 5'-dTMP uptaking principle in haploid TMP strains is found at 4 mug5'-dTMP/ml when tuml and tum2 are present.", "PMID": 787759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7770", "title": "Modulation of RNA polymerase specificity by ppGpp.", "content": "ppGpp alters the initiation specificity of RNA polymerase holoenzyme in vitro in a direction which mimics the stringent response in vivo. The transition temperature for opening rRNA promoters is increased by the nucleotide, that for opening phi80 promoters is unaffected. This implies that RNA polymerase can discriminate between different types of promoter. ppGpp may act by effecting a structural change in the enzyme.", "contents": "Modulation of RNA polymerase specificity by ppGpp. ppGpp alters the initiation specificity of RNA polymerase holoenzyme in vitro in a direction which mimics the stringent response in vivo. The transition temperature for opening rRNA promoters is increased by the nucleotide, that for opening phi80 promoters is unaffected. This implies that RNA polymerase can discriminate between different types of promoter. ppGpp may act by effecting a structural change in the enzyme.", "PMID": 787760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7771", "title": "Evidence that the gene uvrB is indispensable for a polymerase I deficient strain of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Conclusive evidence in presented to show that the gene uvrA is dispensable, but the uvrB is indispensable for an Escherichia coli strain carrying gene polA1. We constructed strains E139 (sup-126 polAl uvrB59) and E159 (sup-126 polAl uvrA43) where mutations polAl, uvrB59 and uvrA43 are amber mutations and mutation sup-126 is an amber suppressor mutation effective at 30 degrees C but not at 42 degrees C. At 42 degrees C, strain E139 is inviable but strain E159 viable whereas both are viable at 30 degrees C. Revertants of E139 viable at 42 degrees C occurred spontaneously at a frequency of about 3 X 10(-4). One of the revertants was shown to be caused by suppressor mutation, designated spu, rather than back mutation of the gene uvrB59 or polAl or amber suppressor mutation. Viabilities of the revertants varied from 10(-3) to 1.0 at 42 degrees C compared with those of 30 degrees C. At 42 degrees C, all the revertants with normal viabilities at 42 degrees C were non-filamentous in contrast to the filamentous character of E139. However, strain E159 was viable at 42 degrees C despite its filamentous character. We conclude that the gene uvrB is involved not only in excision repair but also in normal growth in a polA background.", "contents": "Evidence that the gene uvrB is indispensable for a polymerase I deficient strain of Escherichia coli K-12. Conclusive evidence in presented to show that the gene uvrA is dispensable, but the uvrB is indispensable for an Escherichia coli strain carrying gene polA1. We constructed strains E139 (sup-126 polAl uvrB59) and E159 (sup-126 polAl uvrA43) where mutations polAl, uvrB59 and uvrA43 are amber mutations and mutation sup-126 is an amber suppressor mutation effective at 30 degrees C but not at 42 degrees C. At 42 degrees C, strain E139 is inviable but strain E159 viable whereas both are viable at 30 degrees C. Revertants of E139 viable at 42 degrees C occurred spontaneously at a frequency of about 3 X 10(-4). One of the revertants was shown to be caused by suppressor mutation, designated spu, rather than back mutation of the gene uvrB59 or polAl or amber suppressor mutation. Viabilities of the revertants varied from 10(-3) to 1.0 at 42 degrees C compared with those of 30 degrees C. At 42 degrees C, all the revertants with normal viabilities at 42 degrees C were non-filamentous in contrast to the filamentous character of E139. However, strain E159 was viable at 42 degrees C despite its filamentous character. We conclude that the gene uvrB is involved not only in excision repair but also in normal growth in a polA background.", "PMID": 787761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7772", "title": "Influence of cultural conditions and mutations on the composition of the outer membrane proteins of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Various Escherichia coli strains differ in the composition of their major outer membrane proteins. However, all E. coli K12 strains tested possess the same major outer membrane proteins a, b, c and d, although quantitative differences were detected. The influence of growth conditions on the composition of the major outer membrane proteins of E. coli was analyzed. It was found that neither the growth phase at which the cells are harvested, nor the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids has a considerable influence on the composition of these proteins. However, the composition of the growth medium, and, to a less extent, the growth temperature, have a pronounced influence. Certain mutants, changed in the composition of their lipopolysaccharide, are deficient in protein b. Also mutants deficient in protein c and d respectively, are described. Proteins b and c of E. coli K12 were found to be associated with peptidoglycan. Protein bands, corresponding with flagellin and pilin respectively, were identified.", "contents": "Influence of cultural conditions and mutations on the composition of the outer membrane proteins of Escherichia coli. Various Escherichia coli strains differ in the composition of their major outer membrane proteins. However, all E. coli K12 strains tested possess the same major outer membrane proteins a, b, c and d, although quantitative differences were detected. The influence of growth conditions on the composition of the major outer membrane proteins of E. coli was analyzed. It was found that neither the growth phase at which the cells are harvested, nor the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids has a considerable influence on the composition of these proteins. However, the composition of the growth medium, and, to a less extent, the growth temperature, have a pronounced influence. Certain mutants, changed in the composition of their lipopolysaccharide, are deficient in protein b. Also mutants deficient in protein c and d respectively, are described. Proteins b and c of E. coli K12 were found to be associated with peptidoglycan. Protein bands, corresponding with flagellin and pilin respectively, were identified.", "PMID": 787762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7773", "title": "Heptose-deficient mutants of Escherichia coli K12 deficient in up to three major outer membrane proteins.", "content": "Mutants of Escherichia coli K12, deficient in up to three major outer membrane proteins b, c and d have been constructed. Mutants that lack the lipopolysaccharide sugar heptose are deficient in protein b. All heptose-deficient strains are supersensitive to lysozyme, various antibiotics and detergents. They excrete the periplasmic enzyme ribonuclease I. Mutants deficient in proteins c and/or d have the same sensitivity towards these compounds as the parent strain. Cells of single, double and triple mutants are all rod-shaped. Electrophoretic analysis of cell envelope proteins indicates that in some mutants the protein deficiency is partially compensated for by increased amounts of one or two of the other major outer membrane proteins. Heptose-deficient strains have an increased amount of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate.", "contents": "Heptose-deficient mutants of Escherichia coli K12 deficient in up to three major outer membrane proteins. Mutants of Escherichia coli K12, deficient in up to three major outer membrane proteins b, c and d have been constructed. Mutants that lack the lipopolysaccharide sugar heptose are deficient in protein b. All heptose-deficient strains are supersensitive to lysozyme, various antibiotics and detergents. They excrete the periplasmic enzyme ribonuclease I. Mutants deficient in proteins c and/or d have the same sensitivity towards these compounds as the parent strain. Cells of single, double and triple mutants are all rod-shaped. Electrophoretic analysis of cell envelope proteins indicates that in some mutants the protein deficiency is partially compensated for by increased amounts of one or two of the other major outer membrane proteins. Heptose-deficient strains have an increased amount of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate.", "PMID": 787763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7774", "title": "Phage T4 infection restricts rRNA synthesis by E. coli RNA polymerase.", "content": "RNA polymerase from T4 infected cells supplemented with E. coli sigma polypeptide has a lower affinity for rRNA promoters than RNA polymerase from uninfected cells. The pattern of transcription by the phage modified polymerase is qualitatively similar to that of the vegetative polymerase in the presence of ppGpp. We suggest that E. coli polymerase holoenzyme normally exists in at least two conformational states, one with a high affinity for rRNA promoters and another with a low affinity, and that T4 infection stabilises the low affinity form.", "contents": "Phage T4 infection restricts rRNA synthesis by E. coli RNA polymerase. RNA polymerase from T4 infected cells supplemented with E. coli sigma polypeptide has a lower affinity for rRNA promoters than RNA polymerase from uninfected cells. The pattern of transcription by the phage modified polymerase is qualitatively similar to that of the vegetative polymerase in the presence of ppGpp. We suggest that E. coli polymerase holoenzyme normally exists in at least two conformational states, one with a high affinity for rRNA promoters and another with a low affinity, and that T4 infection stabilises the low affinity form.", "PMID": 787764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7775", "title": "Mapping of the polA locus of Escherichia coli K12: orientation in the amino- and carboxy-termini of the cistron.", "content": "Three mutations of the polA cistron, the structural gene for DNA polymerase I of E. coli, have been ordered by three factor transductional crosses. The three mutant polymerase species have altered properties which may be ascribed to defects located in different portions of the polypeptide chain. Our data indicate that the amino terminal end is encoded by the end of the polA cistron nearer to metE and that transcription and translation proceed clockwise on the E. coli circular map towards the rha locus.", "contents": "Mapping of the polA locus of Escherichia coli K12: orientation in the amino- and carboxy-termini of the cistron. Three mutations of the polA cistron, the structural gene for DNA polymerase I of E. coli, have been ordered by three factor transductional crosses. The three mutant polymerase species have altered properties which may be ascribed to defects located in different portions of the polypeptide chain. Our data indicate that the amino terminal end is encoded by the end of the polA cistron nearer to metE and that transcription and translation proceed clockwise on the E. coli circular map towards the rha locus.", "PMID": 787765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7776", "title": "Properties of plasmids constructed by the in vitro insertion of DNA from Rhizobium leguminosarum or Proteus mirabilis into RP4.", "content": "Plasmids have been constructed by insertion of DNA from Rhizobium leguminosarum or Proteus mirabilis into RP4 (an R factor of group P). Such recombinant plasmids retain the wide host range of the parental plasmid, being as efficiently transmissible as the unmodified RP4 and are stably maintained in rapidly growing cultures. The recombinant plasmids, even though each contained a DNA sequence absolutely identical with that of the host strain, are no more efficient at mobilizing the transfer of chromosomal genetic information from that host strain than was unmodified RP4. We therefore conclude that an unknown factor must be essential in the process of chromosome mobilization and rate limiting for that process.", "contents": "Properties of plasmids constructed by the in vitro insertion of DNA from Rhizobium leguminosarum or Proteus mirabilis into RP4. Plasmids have been constructed by insertion of DNA from Rhizobium leguminosarum or Proteus mirabilis into RP4 (an R factor of group P). Such recombinant plasmids retain the wide host range of the parental plasmid, being as efficiently transmissible as the unmodified RP4 and are stably maintained in rapidly growing cultures. The recombinant plasmids, even though each contained a DNA sequence absolutely identical with that of the host strain, are no more efficient at mobilizing the transfer of chromosomal genetic information from that host strain than was unmodified RP4. We therefore conclude that an unknown factor must be essential in the process of chromosome mobilization and rate limiting for that process.", "PMID": 787766} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7777", "title": "ColE plasmid replication in DNA polymerase I-deficient strains of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Replication of the non-conjugative plasmids ColE1, ColE2 and Col3 has been examined in a number of DNA polymerase I-deficient strains, two of which contain the amber mutation polA1 along with either of two temperature-sensitive supF amber suppressors. These latter two strains produce reduced amounts of DNA polymerase I polymerizing activity of similar, if not identical properties to that produced by polA+ strains. Our results indicate that the ColE plasmids require different amounts of DNA polymerase I for stable plasmid maintenance. Moreover whereas all three plasmids are maintained in a strain defective in the 5' leads to 3' exonuclease activity of DNA polymerase I, ColE2 and ColE3 are not stably maintained between 30 degrees and 43 degrees in a number of DNA POLYMERASE I-deficient strains that are temperature-sensitive for ColE1 replication.", "contents": "ColE plasmid replication in DNA polymerase I-deficient strains of Escherichia coli. Replication of the non-conjugative plasmids ColE1, ColE2 and Col3 has been examined in a number of DNA polymerase I-deficient strains, two of which contain the amber mutation polA1 along with either of two temperature-sensitive supF amber suppressors. These latter two strains produce reduced amounts of DNA polymerase I polymerizing activity of similar, if not identical properties to that produced by polA+ strains. Our results indicate that the ColE plasmids require different amounts of DNA polymerase I for stable plasmid maintenance. Moreover whereas all three plasmids are maintained in a strain defective in the 5' leads to 3' exonuclease activity of DNA polymerase I, ColE2 and ColE3 are not stably maintained between 30 degrees and 43 degrees in a number of DNA POLYMERASE I-deficient strains that are temperature-sensitive for ColE1 replication.", "PMID": 787767} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7778", "title": "Characterization of a ts beta' mutant RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli.", "content": "RNA polymerase isolated from ts XH56, a conditional lethal mutant unable to grow and synthesize RNA at 42 degrees, was found to be temperature sensitive in vitro. The mutation affects the beta' subunit as determined by mixed reconstitution of isolated subunits from wild-type and mutant enzyme. The mutant RNA polymerase is unstable; addition of glycerol stabilizes the enzyme and increases its activity on native DNA. In addition, the mutant enzymes is sensitive to high ionic strength. Both high temperature and high ionic strength do not affect chain elongation; thus, the mutation renders the enzyme unable either to bind to or melt out promotor sites. From these data we conclude that the beta' subunit plays an important role in promotor selection.", "contents": "Characterization of a ts beta' mutant RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli. RNA polymerase isolated from ts XH56, a conditional lethal mutant unable to grow and synthesize RNA at 42 degrees, was found to be temperature sensitive in vitro. The mutation affects the beta' subunit as determined by mixed reconstitution of isolated subunits from wild-type and mutant enzyme. The mutant RNA polymerase is unstable; addition of glycerol stabilizes the enzyme and increases its activity on native DNA. In addition, the mutant enzymes is sensitive to high ionic strength. Both high temperature and high ionic strength do not affect chain elongation; thus, the mutation renders the enzyme unable either to bind to or melt out promotor sites. From these data we conclude that the beta' subunit plays an important role in promotor selection.", "PMID": 787768} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7779", "title": "Relation between drug-induced central nervous system effects and plasma levels of diazepam in man.", "content": "Pharmacodynamic effects and plasma levels of diazepam were studied in healthy male volunteers at different dose levels. Responses to diazepam were quantified, using instruments which measured body sway (statometry) and psychomotor performance (stressalyser tests). High dose-related correlations were obtained between drug-induced changes in test parameters and drug plasma levels, both with regard to stimulant and depressive effects. Techniques were devised for evaluating and comparing the efficacy and usefulness of different types of tests, taking into account critical thresholds, slopes and error estimates, correcting for changes in predrug levels and control (nondrug) trials.", "contents": "Relation between drug-induced central nervous system effects and plasma levels of diazepam in man. Pharmacodynamic effects and plasma levels of diazepam were studied in healthy male volunteers at different dose levels. Responses to diazepam were quantified, using instruments which measured body sway (statometry) and psychomotor performance (stressalyser tests). High dose-related correlations were obtained between drug-induced changes in test parameters and drug plasma levels, both with regard to stimulant and depressive effects. Techniques were devised for evaluating and comparing the efficacy and usefulness of different types of tests, taking into account critical thresholds, slopes and error estimates, correcting for changes in predrug levels and control (nondrug) trials.", "PMID": 787769} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7780", "title": "Effect of active metabolites of chlordiazepoxide and diazepam, alone or in combination with alcohol, on psychomotor skills related to driving.", "content": "The interaction of the main metabolites of diazepam and chlordiazepoxide with alcohol was measured in two double-blind crossover subacute experiments on 40 healthy young volunteers. The drugs were administered for 2 weeks each. The variables measured were choice reaction time and accuracy, eye-hand coordination, divided attention, flicker fusion, proprioception, and nystagmus. ChL, MO and O significantly enhanced the alcohol-induced impairment of psychomotor skills whereas DMD did so only exceptionally on some subjects in the choice reaction test. It is concluded that the diazepam-alcohol interaction on psychomotor skills is mainly due to the parent compound. No correlations between the serum levels of the agents and the changes of performance were found.", "contents": "Effect of active metabolites of chlordiazepoxide and diazepam, alone or in combination with alcohol, on psychomotor skills related to driving. The interaction of the main metabolites of diazepam and chlordiazepoxide with alcohol was measured in two double-blind crossover subacute experiments on 40 healthy young volunteers. The drugs were administered for 2 weeks each. The variables measured were choice reaction time and accuracy, eye-hand coordination, divided attention, flicker fusion, proprioception, and nystagmus. ChL, MO and O significantly enhanced the alcohol-induced impairment of psychomotor skills whereas DMD did so only exceptionally on some subjects in the choice reaction test. It is concluded that the diazepam-alcohol interaction on psychomotor skills is mainly due to the parent compound. No correlations between the serum levels of the agents and the changes of performance were found.", "PMID": 787770} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7781", "title": "Mechanism of the mutagenic action of hydroxylamine. X. Certain specificities in the mutagenesis of N-hydroxy and N-methoxy analogs of cytosine and adenine derivatives.", "content": "In contrast with N4-methoxycytidine, N6-methoxyadenosine and the corresponding 2'-deoxynucleosides, N4-hydroxycytidine readily penetrates cells of Escherichia coli. Apparently this explains the non-mutagenicity of the N-methoxy compounds when added to an E. coli suspension, and the potent mutagenic effects of the N4-hydroxy analogs under the same conditions. 1-Deazaadenosine and N9- and N1-hydroxyalkyl-substituted adenines and cytosines, inhibitors of adenosine and cytidinedeaminases, are also incapable of crossing the E. coli cell wall.", "contents": "Mechanism of the mutagenic action of hydroxylamine. X. Certain specificities in the mutagenesis of N-hydroxy and N-methoxy analogs of cytosine and adenine derivatives. In contrast with N4-methoxycytidine, N6-methoxyadenosine and the corresponding 2'-deoxynucleosides, N4-hydroxycytidine readily penetrates cells of Escherichia coli. Apparently this explains the non-mutagenicity of the N-methoxy compounds when added to an E. coli suspension, and the potent mutagenic effects of the N4-hydroxy analogs under the same conditions. 1-Deazaadenosine and N9- and N1-hydroxyalkyl-substituted adenines and cytosines, inhibitors of adenosine and cytidinedeaminases, are also incapable of crossing the E. coli cell wall.", "PMID": 787774} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7782", "title": "The genetic instability and mutagenic interaction of chromosomal duplications present together in haploid strains of Aspergillus nidulans.", "content": "Previous work has shown that strains of Aspergillus nidulans with a chromosome segment in duplicate (one in normal position, one translocated to another chromosome) are unstable. Deletions occur from either duplicate segment. The present work has shown that when a chromosome I duplication and a chromosome III duplication are together in a haploid, deletions from the intact III duplication generally precede deletions from particular sections of the I duplication. Furthermore, the III duplication can enhance to some (but not major) extent the frequency of deletions from the I duplication. After the III duplication becomes reduced in size as a result of the loss of chromosomal material from the translocated duplicate III segment, such a reduced III duplication can greatly enhance the frequency of deletions from the I duplication. In other words, a III duplication of reduced size can promote far more deletions from the I duplication than the intact III duplication. The major increase in the deletional instability of the I duplication as promoted by the reduced III duplication is confined to the translocated duplicate I segment. The reduced III duplication can induce deletions from a section of the translocated duplicate I segment in accord with a temporal programme, and it appears that a particular region of the I duplication is far more under the mutagenic influence of the reduced III duplication than another region. Moreover, there is indication that there is a differential effect of two generally different genetic backgrounds on the susceptibility of duplication-regions to deletion. Possible mechanisms involved in such chromosomal instability are proposed. A manner in which genetic instability may be related to development is also proposed.", "contents": "The genetic instability and mutagenic interaction of chromosomal duplications present together in haploid strains of Aspergillus nidulans. Previous work has shown that strains of Aspergillus nidulans with a chromosome segment in duplicate (one in normal position, one translocated to another chromosome) are unstable. Deletions occur from either duplicate segment. The present work has shown that when a chromosome I duplication and a chromosome III duplication are together in a haploid, deletions from the intact III duplication generally precede deletions from particular sections of the I duplication. Furthermore, the III duplication can enhance to some (but not major) extent the frequency of deletions from the I duplication. After the III duplication becomes reduced in size as a result of the loss of chromosomal material from the translocated duplicate III segment, such a reduced III duplication can greatly enhance the frequency of deletions from the I duplication. In other words, a III duplication of reduced size can promote far more deletions from the I duplication than the intact III duplication. The major increase in the deletional instability of the I duplication as promoted by the reduced III duplication is confined to the translocated duplicate I segment. The reduced III duplication can induce deletions from a section of the translocated duplicate I segment in accord with a temporal programme, and it appears that a particular region of the I duplication is far more under the mutagenic influence of the reduced III duplication than another region. Moreover, there is indication that there is a differential effect of two generally different genetic backgrounds on the susceptibility of duplication-regions to deletion. Possible mechanisms involved in such chromosomal instability are proposed. A manner in which genetic instability may be related to development is also proposed.", "PMID": 787776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7783", "title": "Development of diabetic vascular lesions in normal kidneys transplanted into patients with diabetes mellitus.", "content": "We examined renal-transplant tissue from 12 diabetic and 28 nondiabetic patients who had had a renal graft for at least two years. In 10 diabetic patients arteriolar hyalinosis lesions developed in the graft. In six these lesions involved both afferent and efferent limbs of glomerular arterioles - a pathological finding virtually diagnostic of diabetes mellitus. In all cases these lesions were present within five years of transplantation. Only three of the 28 nondiabetic patients had hyaline vascular changes (P less than 0.001), which occurred only in rare vessels, did not appear within the first five years after transplantation and did not involve both afferent and efferent arterioles, One diabetic patient had nodular glomerulosclerosis. Thus, the first clearly distinguishable lesion of diabetes to occur with frequency in normal kidneys transplanted into diabetic patients is arteriolar hyalinosis.", "contents": "Development of diabetic vascular lesions in normal kidneys transplanted into patients with diabetes mellitus. We examined renal-transplant tissue from 12 diabetic and 28 nondiabetic patients who had had a renal graft for at least two years. In 10 diabetic patients arteriolar hyalinosis lesions developed in the graft. In six these lesions involved both afferent and efferent limbs of glomerular arterioles - a pathological finding virtually diagnostic of diabetes mellitus. In all cases these lesions were present within five years of transplantation. Only three of the 28 nondiabetic patients had hyaline vascular changes (P less than 0.001), which occurred only in rare vessels, did not appear within the first five years after transplantation and did not involve both afferent and efferent arterioles, One diabetic patient had nodular glomerulosclerosis. Thus, the first clearly distinguishable lesion of diabetes to occur with frequency in normal kidneys transplanted into diabetic patients is arteriolar hyalinosis.", "PMID": 787786} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7784", "title": "Vitamin C and acute illness in Navajo school children.", "content": "To evaluate earlier observations, including our own, showing usefulness of vitamin C for managing the common cold, we performed a double-blind trial of vitamin C versus placebo in 868 children. There was no difference in number becoming ill (133 versus 129), number of episodes (166 versus 159) or mean illness duration (5.5 versus 5.8 days) between the groups. Children receiving vitamin C had fewer throat cultures yielding beta-hemolytic streptococcus (six versus 13, P less than 0.10), but no difference in overall complicated illness rate (24 versus 25). Plasma ascorbic acid levels were higher in the vitamin group 24 to 26 hours after supplementation (1.28 versus 1.04 mg per 100 ml, P less than 0.01). Children with high plasma ascorbic acid concentrations had longer mean illness (6.8 versus 4.0 days, P less than 0.05) than those with low levels. Vitamin C does not seem to be an effective prophylactic or therapeutic agent for upper respiratory illness.", "contents": "Vitamin C and acute illness in Navajo school children. To evaluate earlier observations, including our own, showing usefulness of vitamin C for managing the common cold, we performed a double-blind trial of vitamin C versus placebo in 868 children. There was no difference in number becoming ill (133 versus 129), number of episodes (166 versus 159) or mean illness duration (5.5 versus 5.8 days) between the groups. Children receiving vitamin C had fewer throat cultures yielding beta-hemolytic streptococcus (six versus 13, P less than 0.10), but no difference in overall complicated illness rate (24 versus 25). Plasma ascorbic acid levels were higher in the vitamin group 24 to 26 hours after supplementation (1.28 versus 1.04 mg per 100 ml, P less than 0.01). Children with high plasma ascorbic acid concentrations had longer mean illness (6.8 versus 4.0 days, P less than 0.05) than those with low levels. Vitamin C does not seem to be an effective prophylactic or therapeutic agent for upper respiratory illness.", "PMID": 787788} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7785", "title": "Progression to uremia after remission of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.", "content": "Whether or not poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis advances over the long term to uremia remains an unsettled issue. We documented ultimate progression to renal failure in six patients who were observed at onset with the typical clinical and morphologic features of acute nephritis after proved beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection. Within one year, renal function returned essentially to normal in all, as the proliferative changes in glomeruli subsided, Subsequently, increasing renal failure developed in these patients over periods ranging from two to 12 years, during which all were hypertensive. As the renal disease progressed, glomeruli showed increasing sclerosis in the absence of proliferation, and fibrohyaline thickening of renal arterioles appeared.", "contents": "Progression to uremia after remission of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. Whether or not poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis advances over the long term to uremia remains an unsettled issue. We documented ultimate progression to renal failure in six patients who were observed at onset with the typical clinical and morphologic features of acute nephritis after proved beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection. Within one year, renal function returned essentially to normal in all, as the proliferative changes in glomeruli subsided, Subsequently, increasing renal failure developed in these patients over periods ranging from two to 12 years, during which all were hypertensive. As the renal disease progressed, glomeruli showed increasing sclerosis in the absence of proliferation, and fibrohyaline thickening of renal arterioles appeared.", "PMID": 787789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7786", "title": "The carriage of Candida albicans in the mouths of rats treated with tetracycline briefly or for a prolonged period.", "content": "Rats given tetracycline in their drinking water for one week were orally inoculated with Candida albicans in the following week. Colonization of the mouth by the fungus resulted, whether the rats continued to receive tetracycline or not, over a period of 22 weeks. Histological changes indicative of oral candidosis were also found both in rats maintained on tetracycline throughout the experiment and in animals given the drug only initially. It is suggested that exposure to tetracycline as tested in this experiment causes a lasting reduction in the rat's ability to expel C. albicans, or an enhancement of the organism's colonizing propensities.", "contents": "The carriage of Candida albicans in the mouths of rats treated with tetracycline briefly or for a prolonged period. Rats given tetracycline in their drinking water for one week were orally inoculated with Candida albicans in the following week. Colonization of the mouth by the fungus resulted, whether the rats continued to receive tetracycline or not, over a period of 22 weeks. Histological changes indicative of oral candidosis were also found both in rats maintained on tetracycline throughout the experiment and in animals given the drug only initially. It is suggested that exposure to tetracycline as tested in this experiment causes a lasting reduction in the rat's ability to expel C. albicans, or an enhancement of the organism's colonizing propensities.", "PMID": 787792} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7787", "title": "Brain monoamines and parkinsonism.", "content": "In Parkinson's disease there is a derangement of the metabolism of at least 3 major brain monoamines, namely, dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT). Of these alterations the severe deficiency of DA in the striatum is most characteristic, being (a) found in Parkinsonian syndromes of any etiology and (b) significantly correlated with the degree of cell loss in the substantia nigra, and the severity of the main symptoms. On the basis of neurochemical-clinical correlations Parkinson's disease may be subdivided into (a) an asymptomatic stage during which the striatal DA deficiency may reach a marked degree but can be compensated by the remaining DA neurons, and (b) the stage of decompensation (i.e. clinically manifest disease) which ensues when the depetion of striatal DA reaches 70% or more. L-Dopa's main feature as a specific antiparkinson drug may be seen in its potential to revert the decompensated stage of the disease to the stage of functional compensation. This is in many cases possible because (a) the DA turnover in the remaining DA neurons is increased, providing for a high rate of formation (from L-dopa) and release of DA; (b) the \"denervated\" striatal receptors are supersensitive to DA; and (c) the newly-formed DA can be expected to reach a wide area of the striatum due to the high degree of divergence of the dopaminergic innervation. Compared with the striatal DA deficiency, the degree of NE and 5-HT decrease in the Parkinsonian brain is moderate. The decrease in NE may be due to the (moderate) cell loss in the locus coeruleus; at present no morphological basis for the lowering of brain 5-HT is known. The functional significance of the changes in brain NE may be an aggravation of akinesia. The decrease in brain 5-HT may be related to aspects of Parkinson's disease in turn related to affective behavior and mood.", "contents": "Brain monoamines and parkinsonism. In Parkinson's disease there is a derangement of the metabolism of at least 3 major brain monoamines, namely, dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT). Of these alterations the severe deficiency of DA in the striatum is most characteristic, being (a) found in Parkinsonian syndromes of any etiology and (b) significantly correlated with the degree of cell loss in the substantia nigra, and the severity of the main symptoms. On the basis of neurochemical-clinical correlations Parkinson's disease may be subdivided into (a) an asymptomatic stage during which the striatal DA deficiency may reach a marked degree but can be compensated by the remaining DA neurons, and (b) the stage of decompensation (i.e. clinically manifest disease) which ensues when the depetion of striatal DA reaches 70% or more. L-Dopa's main feature as a specific antiparkinson drug may be seen in its potential to revert the decompensated stage of the disease to the stage of functional compensation. This is in many cases possible because (a) the DA turnover in the remaining DA neurons is increased, providing for a high rate of formation (from L-dopa) and release of DA; (b) the \"denervated\" striatal receptors are supersensitive to DA; and (c) the newly-formed DA can be expected to reach a wide area of the striatum due to the high degree of divergence of the dopaminergic innervation. Compared with the striatal DA deficiency, the degree of NE and 5-HT decrease in the Parkinsonian brain is moderate. The decrease in NE may be due to the (moderate) cell loss in the locus coeruleus; at present no morphological basis for the lowering of brain 5-HT is known. The functional significance of the changes in brain NE may be an aggravation of akinesia. The decrease in brain 5-HT may be related to aspects of Parkinson's disease in turn related to affective behavior and mood.", "PMID": 787796} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7788", "title": "Aggression and the brain monoamines: what are the answers, but of more importance what are the questions...?", "content": "Experiments involving three models of aggression (shock-induced fighting, ranacide and septal lesion-induced hyperirritability) are employed to demonstrate classically different sub-types of aggressive behavior. These categories are shown to be distinct entities when compared on the basis of hormonal dependency, central anatomical and peripheral autonomic involvement and inhibition or enhancement through pharmacological manipulations. Investigations into brain monoamine functioning (norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin) demonstrate the heterogeneity of correlations which may exist between aggressive behaviors and brain amines. Data are analyzed on the basis of individual amine alterations and changes in monoaminergic neuronal balances. Thus, higher levels of shock-induced aggressive behavior is associated with higher NE/5-HT and DA/K-HT ratioes whereas similar alterations in these biochemical indices occur without observable changes in ranacide behavior. Septal lesion induced hyperirritability is correlated with precisely opposite aminergic changes, namely, decreases in NE/5-HT ratioes. These results demonstrate the necessity of precise aggressive model evaluation prior to attempts at biochemical mechanism elucidation.", "contents": "Aggression and the brain monoamines: what are the answers, but of more importance what are the questions...? Experiments involving three models of aggression (shock-induced fighting, ranacide and septal lesion-induced hyperirritability) are employed to demonstrate classically different sub-types of aggressive behavior. These categories are shown to be distinct entities when compared on the basis of hormonal dependency, central anatomical and peripheral autonomic involvement and inhibition or enhancement through pharmacological manipulations. Investigations into brain monoamine functioning (norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin) demonstrate the heterogeneity of correlations which may exist between aggressive behaviors and brain amines. Data are analyzed on the basis of individual amine alterations and changes in monoaminergic neuronal balances. Thus, higher levels of shock-induced aggressive behavior is associated with higher NE/5-HT and DA/K-HT ratioes whereas similar alterations in these biochemical indices occur without observable changes in ranacide behavior. Septal lesion induced hyperirritability is correlated with precisely opposite aminergic changes, namely, decreases in NE/5-HT ratioes. These results demonstrate the necessity of precise aggressive model evaluation prior to attempts at biochemical mechanism elucidation.", "PMID": 787797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7789", "title": "Development of polylactic/glycolic acid delivery systems for use in treatment of narcotic addiction.", "content": "Implantable polylactic/glycolic acid matrix systems have successfully provided the sustained release of naltrexone to mice for periods of up to 200 days. In vitro and in vivo release rates have been determined by measuring chemical concentrations in pH 7 buffer solution and urine, respectively, and in vivo efficacy has been measured by direct challenge with morphine (Dewey-Harris mouse tail-flick test). Dosage forms of small implantable cylinders, 1/16'' diameter, (25 mg/rod, one rod/mouse) containing 33% by weight naltrexone pamoate in 90 L(+)/10 polylactic/glycolic acid have sustained the delivery of chemical for 20 days. Delivery of chemical from dosage forms of 1/16'' diameter spherical beads (3 mg/bead, 3 beads/mouse) containing 33% by weight naltrexone base in 90 L(+)/10 polylactic/glycolic acid was sustained for 60 days. Earlier a similar bead type dosage form of 75 L(+)/25 polylactic/glycolic acid containing 50% by weight naltrexone base and coated with the pure polymer provided controlled release for 25 days. Polymerization conditions which incorporate the use of pharmacologically suitable catalysts and yield products reproducibly have have been delineated. Techniques for sterilization of the final implant have been screened.", "contents": "Development of polylactic/glycolic acid delivery systems for use in treatment of narcotic addiction. Implantable polylactic/glycolic acid matrix systems have successfully provided the sustained release of naltrexone to mice for periods of up to 200 days. In vitro and in vivo release rates have been determined by measuring chemical concentrations in pH 7 buffer solution and urine, respectively, and in vivo efficacy has been measured by direct challenge with morphine (Dewey-Harris mouse tail-flick test). Dosage forms of small implantable cylinders, 1/16'' diameter, (25 mg/rod, one rod/mouse) containing 33% by weight naltrexone pamoate in 90 L(+)/10 polylactic/glycolic acid have sustained the delivery of chemical for 20 days. Delivery of chemical from dosage forms of 1/16'' diameter spherical beads (3 mg/bead, 3 beads/mouse) containing 33% by weight naltrexone base in 90 L(+)/10 polylactic/glycolic acid was sustained for 60 days. Earlier a similar bead type dosage form of 75 L(+)/25 polylactic/glycolic acid containing 50% by weight naltrexone base and coated with the pure polymer provided controlled release for 25 days. Polymerization conditions which incorporate the use of pharmacologically suitable catalysts and yield products reproducibly have have been delineated. Techniques for sterilization of the final implant have been screened.", "PMID": 787798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7790", "title": "A critical appraisal of \"Lokalisationslehre\" in the brain.", "content": "Localization of function in the brain is the attempt to correlate well-defined functions with circumscribed areas of the brain which can be characterized by their cytoarchitecture. The proof that such correlations exist and can be considered legitimate is demonstrated in the bedside neurologic diagnosis. This discussion, however, aims to show how many failures have already been made with this procedure and the still-existent dangers of repeating them.", "contents": "A critical appraisal of \"Lokalisationslehre\" in the brain. Localization of function in the brain is the attempt to correlate well-defined functions with circumscribed areas of the brain which can be characterized by their cytoarchitecture. The proof that such correlations exist and can be considered legitimate is demonstrated in the bedside neurologic diagnosis. This discussion, however, aims to show how many failures have already been made with this procedure and the still-existent dangers of repeating them.", "PMID": 787806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7791", "title": "Alfred Werner's research in organic stereochemistry.", "content": "Although Werner is best known as the founder of coordination chemistry and the systematizer of structural inorganic chemistry, he was trained primarily as an organic chemist, and his interest in organic chemistry continued throughout his entire career. The present article briefly reviews some of Werner's contributions to organic chemistry, especially his studies of oximes, hydroxamic and hydroximic acids, phenanthrenes, syntheses, oxonium salts, dyestuffs, and optical activity.", "contents": "Alfred Werner's research in organic stereochemistry. Although Werner is best known as the founder of coordination chemistry and the systematizer of structural inorganic chemistry, he was trained primarily as an organic chemist, and his interest in organic chemistry continued throughout his entire career. The present article briefly reviews some of Werner's contributions to organic chemistry, especially his studies of oximes, hydroxamic and hydroximic acids, phenanthrenes, syntheses, oxonium salts, dyestuffs, and optical activity.", "PMID": 787808} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7792", "title": "[Plant protection and environment].", "content": "Modern plant production cannot do without chemical pesticides, houever, this requires continued supervision. This control is especially necessary with regard to the incidence of pests and the methods for their elimination with special consideration of residue control. Ecologic plant protection in accordance with the environment will be one of the most important factors in guaranteeing human food in future.", "contents": "[Plant protection and environment]. Modern plant production cannot do without chemical pesticides, houever, this requires continued supervision. This control is especially necessary with regard to the incidence of pests and the methods for their elimination with special consideration of residue control. Ecologic plant protection in accordance with the environment will be one of the most important factors in guaranteeing human food in future.", "PMID": 787810} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7793", "title": "[Phospholipid metabolism in transformed lymphocytes. Molecular mechanism of activation].", "content": "An early consequence of lymphocyte stimulation by mitogens is the increased turnover of phospholipid fatty acid moieties. The enzymes catalyzing the selective transfer of fatty acids exhibit a high affinity for highly unsaturated fatty acids. The activation of these acyltransferases leads to a higher content of polyenoic fatty acids and consequently to an increased membrane fluidity.", "contents": "[Phospholipid metabolism in transformed lymphocytes. Molecular mechanism of activation]. An early consequence of lymphocyte stimulation by mitogens is the increased turnover of phospholipid fatty acid moieties. The enzymes catalyzing the selective transfer of fatty acids exhibit a high affinity for highly unsaturated fatty acids. The activation of these acyltransferases leads to a higher content of polyenoic fatty acids and consequently to an increased membrane fluidity.", "PMID": 787811} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7794", "title": "Scintigraphic skeletal changes in uremic patients on regular hemodialysis.", "content": "99Tcm-polyphosphate (Tc-PP) bone scintigraphy was performed in 30 consecutive uremic patients on regular hemodialysis and compared with a normal control group. 27 of the patients (90%) had pathological accumulation on the scintigrams, while roentgenographic abnormalities were present in only 10 patients (33%), indicating that scintigraphy is superior to X-ray in the early detection of skeletal changes in uremic patients. In the group with the most pronounced uptake on the scintigrams there was a preponderance of previously kidney-transplanted patients, while no correlation could be demonstrated between the severity of the scintigraphic findings and the duration of the hemodialysis period, the anephric state of the patients, the underlying kidney disease or the sex. It is suggested that intensive glucocorticoid treatment, even of short duration in the previously kidney-transplanted patients, may aggravate uremic osteodystrophy.", "contents": "Scintigraphic skeletal changes in uremic patients on regular hemodialysis. 99Tcm-polyphosphate (Tc-PP) bone scintigraphy was performed in 30 consecutive uremic patients on regular hemodialysis and compared with a normal control group. 27 of the patients (90%) had pathological accumulation on the scintigrams, while roentgenographic abnormalities were present in only 10 patients (33%), indicating that scintigraphy is superior to X-ray in the early detection of skeletal changes in uremic patients. In the group with the most pronounced uptake on the scintigrams there was a preponderance of previously kidney-transplanted patients, while no correlation could be demonstrated between the severity of the scintigraphic findings and the duration of the hemodialysis period, the anephric state of the patients, the underlying kidney disease or the sex. It is suggested that intensive glucocorticoid treatment, even of short duration in the previously kidney-transplanted patients, may aggravate uremic osteodystrophy.", "PMID": 787816} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7795", "title": "Prognostic significance of hepatitis B antigenemia in kidney transplantation.", "content": "Serial hepatitis B antigen (HBAg) serum screenings were performed in 98 cadaver kidney transplant recipients: 51 were persistently found HBAg-negative while 47 became HBAg-positive, the majority of them acquiring HBAg postoperatively. In 28 patients, HB antigenemia persisted over 6 months postoperatively. 1- and 2-year graft survival rates were significantly greater in HBAg-positive than in HBAg-negative recipients. This finding suggests that HBAg tolerance is due to the ill-defined processes which determine kidney graft tolerance.", "contents": "Prognostic significance of hepatitis B antigenemia in kidney transplantation. Serial hepatitis B antigen (HBAg) serum screenings were performed in 98 cadaver kidney transplant recipients: 51 were persistently found HBAg-negative while 47 became HBAg-positive, the majority of them acquiring HBAg postoperatively. In 28 patients, HB antigenemia persisted over 6 months postoperatively. 1- and 2-year graft survival rates were significantly greater in HBAg-positive than in HBAg-negative recipients. This finding suggests that HBAg tolerance is due to the ill-defined processes which determine kidney graft tolerance.", "PMID": 787817} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7796", "title": "Secondary hyperparathyroidism in human kidney transplant recipients.", "content": "76 kidney transplant recipients who were up to 4 years post transplant, were studied to assess the incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism. All patients had good renal function with a mean serum creatinine of 1.4 mg/100 ml. Secondary hyperparathyroidism, as evidenced by increased serum parathyroid hormone levels, was present in 53 of the 76 patients (66%) and radiologic bone disease in 26 of the 76 patients (34%), while hypercalcemia (serum calcium greater than 11.0 mg/100 ml) occurred in only 6 patients (8.5%). The incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism decreased slightly with time following transplantation, but the degree of secondary hyperparathyroidism as indicated by the levels of serum parathyroid hormone at various times following renal transplantation was essentially similar. The causes for the persistence of this condition are not totally known, but it was found that its incidence was related to the duration of dialysis prior to transplantation.", "contents": "Secondary hyperparathyroidism in human kidney transplant recipients. 76 kidney transplant recipients who were up to 4 years post transplant, were studied to assess the incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism. All patients had good renal function with a mean serum creatinine of 1.4 mg/100 ml. Secondary hyperparathyroidism, as evidenced by increased serum parathyroid hormone levels, was present in 53 of the 76 patients (66%) and radiologic bone disease in 26 of the 76 patients (34%), while hypercalcemia (serum calcium greater than 11.0 mg/100 ml) occurred in only 6 patients (8.5%). The incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism decreased slightly with time following transplantation, but the degree of secondary hyperparathyroidism as indicated by the levels of serum parathyroid hormone at various times following renal transplantation was essentially similar. The causes for the persistence of this condition are not totally known, but it was found that its incidence was related to the duration of dialysis prior to transplantation.", "PMID": 787818} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7797", "title": "[Present state of pain surgery].", "content": "This report presented to the Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 de Neurochirurgie de Langue Fran\u00e7aise is based on 34 years of unique practice in neurosurgical management of pain; during that long period the author and his associates have collected an unusually large experience in almost every field of neurosurgical management of pain; they have improved or fully devised several new techniques which allow them to ground an appreciation of the procedures still worthy to be used in various pain syndromes. The first part of the report deals with \"Cybernetics of pain\". This rather long chapter is based both on classical data and personal observations on man during and following operations, meant to relieve pain. Though supporting HEAD and HOLMES, theory on Control of protopathic by epicritic Stimuli, the authors consider that the type of pain associated with noxious stimulation as representative of just one among other types of pain, not induced by nociception and not associated with protection reflexes. Sensory deafferentation as can be produced by amputations, herpes zoster, dorsal column or medullary lesions, cannot be included in Sherrington's scheme of psychical mechanisms associated with protection reflexes and yet is responsible for most of the chronic unbearable and often intractable pain. Moreover, an important modulation of pain as such depends on conditioning, on inherited and acquired patterns of behaviour and on a multiplicating factor which is provisionally named \"algogenic neurosis\". The fact that an intact nucleus ventralis posterolateralis is a necessity for a \"no pain status\" tends to prove that this thalamic nucleus acts as a major inhibiting relay on the pain integrating system and for several additional reasons is the level of integration of epicritic versus protopathic stimuli in case of true nociception...", "contents": "[Present state of pain surgery]. This report presented to the Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 de Neurochirurgie de Langue Fran\u00e7aise is based on 34 years of unique practice in neurosurgical management of pain; during that long period the author and his associates have collected an unusually large experience in almost every field of neurosurgical management of pain; they have improved or fully devised several new techniques which allow them to ground an appreciation of the procedures still worthy to be used in various pain syndromes. The first part of the report deals with \"Cybernetics of pain\". This rather long chapter is based both on classical data and personal observations on man during and following operations, meant to relieve pain. Though supporting HEAD and HOLMES, theory on Control of protopathic by epicritic Stimuli, the authors consider that the type of pain associated with noxious stimulation as representative of just one among other types of pain, not induced by nociception and not associated with protection reflexes. Sensory deafferentation as can be produced by amputations, herpes zoster, dorsal column or medullary lesions, cannot be included in Sherrington's scheme of psychical mechanisms associated with protection reflexes and yet is responsible for most of the chronic unbearable and often intractable pain. Moreover, an important modulation of pain as such depends on conditioning, on inherited and acquired patterns of behaviour and on a multiplicating factor which is provisionally named \"algogenic neurosis\". The fact that an intact nucleus ventralis posterolateralis is a necessity for a \"no pain status\" tends to prove that this thalamic nucleus acts as a major inhibiting relay on the pain integrating system and for several additional reasons is the level of integration of epicritic versus protopathic stimuli in case of true nociception...", "PMID": 787819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7798", "title": "Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in peripheral plasma and hypothalamus of normal and ovariectomized rats.", "content": "Plasma and hypothalamic LHRH was measured by specific radioimmuno-assay in intact and ovariectomized rats, and the values were correlated with peripheral plasma (PP) FSH and LH titers. At most stages of the estrous cycle, plasma LHRH was either undetectable or present at very minimal values. An increase in PP LHRH concentration was observed in some animals between 13.00 and 20.00 h on proestrus. The mean elevation in LHRH was greatest in rats when blood samples were taken by decapitation; elevation was somewhat less when samples were taken from etherized rats and minimal when taken from rats bearing indwelling jugular cannulae. LHRH was elevated in approximately half the ovariectomized animals; repeated samples were drawn at 15-min intervals from intrajugular cannulae. In animals with LHRH elevations, LHRH was highly variable, which indicates that it is released in pulsatile fashion. Plasma LHRH and LH titers were correlated in ovariectomized animals. The relatively low correlation between LHRH and LH may be explained by the fact that a pulse of LHRH can elicit LH release over a considerable time span; also, LHRH is cleared much more rapidly from the circulation than is LH, as revealed by the time course of disappearance of exogenous LHRH given by bolus injection. In intact rats, hypothalamic LHRH content was slightly lower at 10.00 h on diestrus day 1 than at other sample times. LHRH was significantly lower 4 weeks following ovariectomy compared to levels in intact rats at any sample time. It would appear that LHRH's resynthesis does not keep pace with its release in ovariectomized rats, resulting in a decline in hypothalamic stores.", "contents": "Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in peripheral plasma and hypothalamus of normal and ovariectomized rats. Plasma and hypothalamic LHRH was measured by specific radioimmuno-assay in intact and ovariectomized rats, and the values were correlated with peripheral plasma (PP) FSH and LH titers. At most stages of the estrous cycle, plasma LHRH was either undetectable or present at very minimal values. An increase in PP LHRH concentration was observed in some animals between 13.00 and 20.00 h on proestrus. The mean elevation in LHRH was greatest in rats when blood samples were taken by decapitation; elevation was somewhat less when samples were taken from etherized rats and minimal when taken from rats bearing indwelling jugular cannulae. LHRH was elevated in approximately half the ovariectomized animals; repeated samples were drawn at 15-min intervals from intrajugular cannulae. In animals with LHRH elevations, LHRH was highly variable, which indicates that it is released in pulsatile fashion. Plasma LHRH and LH titers were correlated in ovariectomized animals. The relatively low correlation between LHRH and LH may be explained by the fact that a pulse of LHRH can elicit LH release over a considerable time span; also, LHRH is cleared much more rapidly from the circulation than is LH, as revealed by the time course of disappearance of exogenous LHRH given by bolus injection. In intact rats, hypothalamic LHRH content was slightly lower at 10.00 h on diestrus day 1 than at other sample times. LHRH was significantly lower 4 weeks following ovariectomy compared to levels in intact rats at any sample time. It would appear that LHRH's resynthesis does not keep pace with its release in ovariectomized rats, resulting in a decline in hypothalamic stores.", "PMID": 787820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7799", "title": "Sensitivity patterns of urinary pathogens in the Southland community and a study of sewage flora.", "content": "The overall sensitivity pattern of the three main urinary pathogens to the commonly used oral antibodies exceeded 80 percent. The incidence of multiple resistant Escherichia coli was 8 percent. The resistant patterns of the sewage E. coli resembled that of the resistant urinary E. coli. However only one-third of the resistant urinary E. coli showed multiple resistance whereas two-thirds of the resistant E. coli in the sewage showed this feature. The resistance transfer was low in organisms isolated from the sewage. Regular surveillance of this type may be useful as a guide to therapy and may reflect the impact of continued antibiotic usage in the community.", "contents": "Sensitivity patterns of urinary pathogens in the Southland community and a study of sewage flora. The overall sensitivity pattern of the three main urinary pathogens to the commonly used oral antibodies exceeded 80 percent. The incidence of multiple resistant Escherichia coli was 8 percent. The resistant patterns of the sewage E. coli resembled that of the resistant urinary E. coli. However only one-third of the resistant urinary E. coli showed multiple resistance whereas two-thirds of the resistant E. coli in the sewage showed this feature. The resistance transfer was low in organisms isolated from the sewage. Regular surveillance of this type may be useful as a guide to therapy and may reflect the impact of continued antibiotic usage in the community.", "PMID": 787846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7800", "title": "Hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone: physiologic and clinical considerations.", "content": "Despite the efforts of a large number of investigators, the role of GnRH in clinical gynecology is uncertain. At present, its greatest utility is in research directed toward the understanding of hypothalamic-pituitary interrelationships. However, a clear understanding of the hypothalamic control of gonadotropin secretion awaits the actual measurement of the secretion of GnRH by the hypothalamus. In addition, a better understanding of the ability of the pituitary to secrete gonadotropins in various disorders of menstruation and maturation will probably be achieved through the determination of the capacity of the pituitary to synthesize as well as release gonadotropins in response to GnRH. Such determinations will probably utilize repeated or continuous infusions of GnRH rather than the currently more popular single injection technique. Finally, GnRH may be useful in the induction of ovulation. A definition of its role in ovulation induction awaits the results of additional clinical studies. Understanding of the nature of hypothalamic control of the pituitary is as yet incomplete. The availability of hypothalamic releasing factors will make it possible to study in greater detail the mechanisms by which the fine regulation of the endocrine system is achieved.", "contents": "Hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone: physiologic and clinical considerations. Despite the efforts of a large number of investigators, the role of GnRH in clinical gynecology is uncertain. At present, its greatest utility is in research directed toward the understanding of hypothalamic-pituitary interrelationships. However, a clear understanding of the hypothalamic control of gonadotropin secretion awaits the actual measurement of the secretion of GnRH by the hypothalamus. In addition, a better understanding of the ability of the pituitary to secrete gonadotropins in various disorders of menstruation and maturation will probably be achieved through the determination of the capacity of the pituitary to synthesize as well as release gonadotropins in response to GnRH. Such determinations will probably utilize repeated or continuous infusions of GnRH rather than the currently more popular single injection technique. Finally, GnRH may be useful in the induction of ovulation. A definition of its role in ovulation induction awaits the results of additional clinical studies. Understanding of the nature of hypothalamic control of the pituitary is as yet incomplete. The availability of hypothalamic releasing factors will make it possible to study in greater detail the mechanisms by which the fine regulation of the endocrine system is achieved.", "PMID": 787856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7801", "title": "Toxemia of pregnancy. Part II. Immunofluorescent studies with placental connective tissue antisera: the possibility of characteristic lesions.", "content": "Seventeen placentas from term gestation complicated by toxemia of pregnancy and 17 normal controls were tested by the fluorescent antibody technic. Antisera to normal placental connective tissue and toxemic placental connective tissue were used. The antisera were obtained by the injection into rabbits of placental extracts rich in connective tissue elements from normal and toxemic placentas. The antitoxemic antisera, after absorption with soluble sonic fraction of normal placentas, stained the following elements exclusively in 14 of the 17 placentas: part of the syncytial knots, fibrillar elements in the adventitia of blood vessels, and amorphous deposition of connective tissue. In each of the remaining three placentas at least two of the lesions were observed. The observation of bright fluorescence in part of the syncytiotrophoblasts and the syncytial knots in toxemic placentas led to the suggestion that they arise late in pregnancy during the disease. The thin fibrillar elements and the amorphous deposition of connective tissue were documented in the various developmental stages in toxemic and normal placentas as well. These findings established possible characteristic lesions in the placenta of pregnancies complicated by toxemia.", "contents": "Toxemia of pregnancy. Part II. Immunofluorescent studies with placental connective tissue antisera: the possibility of characteristic lesions. Seventeen placentas from term gestation complicated by toxemia of pregnancy and 17 normal controls were tested by the fluorescent antibody technic. Antisera to normal placental connective tissue and toxemic placental connective tissue were used. The antisera were obtained by the injection into rabbits of placental extracts rich in connective tissue elements from normal and toxemic placentas. The antitoxemic antisera, after absorption with soluble sonic fraction of normal placentas, stained the following elements exclusively in 14 of the 17 placentas: part of the syncytial knots, fibrillar elements in the adventitia of blood vessels, and amorphous deposition of connective tissue. In each of the remaining three placentas at least two of the lesions were observed. The observation of bright fluorescence in part of the syncytiotrophoblasts and the syncytial knots in toxemic placentas led to the suggestion that they arise late in pregnancy during the disease. The thin fibrillar elements and the amorphous deposition of connective tissue were documented in the various developmental stages in toxemic and normal placentas as well. These findings established possible characteristic lesions in the placenta of pregnancies complicated by toxemia.", "PMID": 787857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7802", "title": "Recurrence of vulvovaginal candidosis during pregnancy. Comparison of miconazole vs nystatin treatment.", "content": "The efficacy of miconazole and nystatin in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidosis was compared in a multicenter trial involving 94 pregnant patients. All patients had subjective complaints and were mycologically positive. Miconazole 2% vaginal cream was applied once daily for at least 10 days by 45 patients, whereas the 49 others received nystatin tablets for intravaginal application during 7 to 9 days. At the first examination following treatment, the cure rate with miconazole was 83% and with nystatin 68%. Follow-up examinations revealed a significantly lower recurrence rate in the miconazole-treated group. No important adverse experiences were noted.", "contents": "Recurrence of vulvovaginal candidosis during pregnancy. Comparison of miconazole vs nystatin treatment. The efficacy of miconazole and nystatin in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidosis was compared in a multicenter trial involving 94 pregnant patients. All patients had subjective complaints and were mycologically positive. Miconazole 2% vaginal cream was applied once daily for at least 10 days by 45 patients, whereas the 49 others received nystatin tablets for intravaginal application during 7 to 9 days. At the first examination following treatment, the cure rate with miconazole was 83% and with nystatin 68%. Follow-up examinations revealed a significantly lower recurrence rate in the miconazole-treated group. No important adverse experiences were noted.", "PMID": 787858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7803", "title": "Cyanoacrylate for closure of wounds in the oral mucosa in dogs.", "content": "The local clinical and histological reactions resulting from the use of a tissue adhesive, isobutylcyanoacrylate, were studied in the oral cavity of dogs. In each of 4 animals, 6 pairs of parallel incisions were made in the buccal mucosa. One incision in each pair was closed with adhesive material while the other incision was sutured with silk. The wounds were studied clinically and histologically at intervals ranging from 2 to 21 days. Clinically there were differences in the healing between gland glued and sutured incisions during the first 11 days. After 11 days the healing reactions were approximately the same in both groups. Histologically, the adhesive caused a delayed and disturbed healing of both the epithelium and connective tissue compared with that observed when sutures were used. As a result of this investigation, isobutylcyanoacrylate is not recommended for use instead of conventional and modern suturing materials when closing intraoral wounds.", "contents": "Cyanoacrylate for closure of wounds in the oral mucosa in dogs. The local clinical and histological reactions resulting from the use of a tissue adhesive, isobutylcyanoacrylate, were studied in the oral cavity of dogs. In each of 4 animals, 6 pairs of parallel incisions were made in the buccal mucosa. One incision in each pair was closed with adhesive material while the other incision was sutured with silk. The wounds were studied clinically and histologically at intervals ranging from 2 to 21 days. Clinically there were differences in the healing between gland glued and sutured incisions during the first 11 days. After 11 days the healing reactions were approximately the same in both groups. Histologically, the adhesive caused a delayed and disturbed healing of both the epithelium and connective tissue compared with that observed when sutures were used. As a result of this investigation, isobutylcyanoacrylate is not recommended for use instead of conventional and modern suturing materials when closing intraoral wounds.", "PMID": 787859} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7804", "title": "Ocular infections caused by unusual gram-negative bacteria.", "content": "The isolation of 24 strains of gram-negative bacilli from eye infections is discussed. The primocultures were obtained at an incubation temperature of 25 and 30 degrees C, but never at 37 degrees C. These observations show that we have to look for these germs at 30 degrees C in every case of eye infection.", "contents": "Ocular infections caused by unusual gram-negative bacteria. The isolation of 24 strains of gram-negative bacilli from eye infections is discussed. The primocultures were obtained at an incubation temperature of 25 and 30 degrees C, but never at 37 degrees C. These observations show that we have to look for these germs at 30 degrees C in every case of eye infection.", "PMID": 787860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7805", "title": "The use of freeze-dried bone in middle-third face advancements.", "content": "A considerable quantity of bone is required for grafting in most middle-third face advancements. In many patients, especially children, the additional surgery needed to obtain large quantities of autogenous bone adds considerable time and morbidity to the primary operative procedure. During the past 3 years we have utilized freeze-dried bone allografts processed by the Tissue Bank, Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland. Eighteen patients undergoing various types of middle-third face advancement have received allografts and have been followed closely for at least 12 months postoperatively. Although the duration of follow-up is limited, the results to date have been encouraging. Osteotomies in all eighteen patients healed. Nine of the eighteen patients studied had no complications and healed uneventfully. Four patients developed infections postoperatively, necessitating partial removal of the graft material, and all subsequently healed without further difficulty. Four patients had intraoral exposure of the grafts postoperatively--three in the pterygoid maxillary area and one in the palate. However, no clinical infections developed in these patients and the exposed grafts healed uneventfully. One patient extruded a small sequestrum of bone, without infection, 2 years postoperatively.", "contents": "The use of freeze-dried bone in middle-third face advancements. A considerable quantity of bone is required for grafting in most middle-third face advancements. In many patients, especially children, the additional surgery needed to obtain large quantities of autogenous bone adds considerable time and morbidity to the primary operative procedure. During the past 3 years we have utilized freeze-dried bone allografts processed by the Tissue Bank, Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland. Eighteen patients undergoing various types of middle-third face advancement have received allografts and have been followed closely for at least 12 months postoperatively. Although the duration of follow-up is limited, the results to date have been encouraging. Osteotomies in all eighteen patients healed. Nine of the eighteen patients studied had no complications and healed uneventfully. Four patients developed infections postoperatively, necessitating partial removal of the graft material, and all subsequently healed without further difficulty. Four patients had intraoral exposure of the grafts postoperatively--three in the pterygoid maxillary area and one in the palate. However, no clinical infections developed in these patients and the exposed grafts healed uneventfully. One patient extruded a small sequestrum of bone, without infection, 2 years postoperatively.", "PMID": 787861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7806", "title": "Desquamative gingivitis. Clinical, histopathologic, and immunopathologic investigations.", "content": "Desquamative gingivitis is not a disease sui generis but is a descriptive term for a condition that requires thorough clinical evaluation and histopathologic and immunopathologic studies for accurate diagnosis. The present study emphasizes this statement. Six of seven patients with \"desquamative gingivitis\" were placed in a category of \"possible cicatricial pemphigoid.\" During a 3-year observation period, five of six cases evolved into unequivocal cicatricial pemphigoid. Our studies lend credence to a hypothesis that immunopathologic mechanisms are operative in some forms of desquamative gingivitis.", "contents": "Desquamative gingivitis. Clinical, histopathologic, and immunopathologic investigations. Desquamative gingivitis is not a disease sui generis but is a descriptive term for a condition that requires thorough clinical evaluation and histopathologic and immunopathologic studies for accurate diagnosis. The present study emphasizes this statement. Six of seven patients with \"desquamative gingivitis\" were placed in a category of \"possible cicatricial pemphigoid.\" During a 3-year observation period, five of six cases evolved into unequivocal cicatricial pemphigoid. Our studies lend credence to a hypothesis that immunopathologic mechanisms are operative in some forms of desquamative gingivitis.", "PMID": 787862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7807", "title": "Surgical correction of mandibular prognathism.", "content": "Procedures used in the correction of certain forms of mandibular prognathism are described. All but one of these techniques allow an immediate functional healing, which is considered to be most important. Since no single procedure can correct all the different forms of mandibular prognathism, each case is individually planned and a \"custom-tailored\" technique is applied.", "contents": "Surgical correction of mandibular prognathism. Procedures used in the correction of certain forms of mandibular prognathism are described. All but one of these techniques allow an immediate functional healing, which is considered to be most important. Since no single procedure can correct all the different forms of mandibular prognathism, each case is individually planned and a \"custom-tailored\" technique is applied.", "PMID": 787863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7808", "title": "Cancellous-marrow bone grafts in irradiated tissue.", "content": "Discontinuity defects of the mandible have been successfully treated by means of cancellous-marrow grafting techniques. This method of reconstruction has not been widely reported in the repair of defects in mandibles that have been exposed to radiation therapy. In the two cases presented in this article, the patients were previously treated for oral squamous-cell carcinoma by irradiation and partial mandibulectomy. Later, cancellous-marrow grafts were implanted. One patient received 3,000 rads of Cobalt-60 and had the body of the right mandible resected. The subsequent grafting procedure was successful in this patient. The second patient received 6,000 rads of Cobalt-60 and underwent resection of the mandible anterior to the molar region. The subsequent graft failed in this case.", "contents": "Cancellous-marrow bone grafts in irradiated tissue. Discontinuity defects of the mandible have been successfully treated by means of cancellous-marrow grafting techniques. This method of reconstruction has not been widely reported in the repair of defects in mandibles that have been exposed to radiation therapy. In the two cases presented in this article, the patients were previously treated for oral squamous-cell carcinoma by irradiation and partial mandibulectomy. Later, cancellous-marrow grafts were implanted. One patient received 3,000 rads of Cobalt-60 and had the body of the right mandible resected. The subsequent grafting procedure was successful in this patient. The second patient received 6,000 rads of Cobalt-60 and underwent resection of the mandible anterior to the molar region. The subsequent graft failed in this case.", "PMID": 787864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7809", "title": "Polypoid spindle-cell carcinoma (pleomorphic carcinoma). Report of a case occurring on tongue and review of the literature.", "content": "A case of spindle-cell carcinoma (pleomorphic carcinoma), a rare polypoid tumor of the tongue, is reported. The characteristic clinical, gross, and microscopic features of this peculiar lesion and its common sites of location are presented. Origin and pathogenesis of the sarcoma-like elements of the lesion are discussed and the literature on the subject is reviewed. Sites of apparent transition between the spindle cell elements of the tumor and the overlying epithelium were observed in light microscopic sections, and the electron micrographs of the spindle-cell portion of the lesion demonstrated the presence of tonofilaments and desmosomes in many tumor cells. These findings support the concept that this group of lesions are pleomorphic variants of squamous-cell carcinoma with predominantly spindle-cell pattern. Current evidence in the literature also suggests that metaplastic transformation of the tumor cells into mesenchymal elements may take place in some of these lesions, and that \"metaplastic carcinoma\" may probably be a more proper designation for them.", "contents": "Polypoid spindle-cell carcinoma (pleomorphic carcinoma). Report of a case occurring on tongue and review of the literature. A case of spindle-cell carcinoma (pleomorphic carcinoma), a rare polypoid tumor of the tongue, is reported. The characteristic clinical, gross, and microscopic features of this peculiar lesion and its common sites of location are presented. Origin and pathogenesis of the sarcoma-like elements of the lesion are discussed and the literature on the subject is reviewed. Sites of apparent transition between the spindle cell elements of the tumor and the overlying epithelium were observed in light microscopic sections, and the electron micrographs of the spindle-cell portion of the lesion demonstrated the presence of tonofilaments and desmosomes in many tumor cells. These findings support the concept that this group of lesions are pleomorphic variants of squamous-cell carcinoma with predominantly spindle-cell pattern. Current evidence in the literature also suggests that metaplastic transformation of the tumor cells into mesenchymal elements may take place in some of these lesions, and that \"metaplastic carcinoma\" may probably be a more proper designation for them.", "PMID": 787865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7810", "title": "The evolutionary significance of phase-separated microsystems.", "content": "The source, preparation, and properties of phase-separated systems such as lipid layers, coacervate droplets, sulphobes, and proteinoid microspheres are reviewed. These microsystems are of interest as partial models for the cell and as partial or total models for the protocell. Conceptual benefits from study of such models are: clues to experiments on origins, insights into principles of action and, in some instances, presumable models of the origin of the protocell. The benefits to evolution of organized chemical units are many, and can in part be analyzed. Ease of formation suggests that such units would have arisen early in primondiae organic evolution. Integration of these various concepts and the results of consequent experiments have contributed to the developing theory of the origins of primordial and of contemporary life.", "contents": "The evolutionary significance of phase-separated microsystems. The source, preparation, and properties of phase-separated systems such as lipid layers, coacervate droplets, sulphobes, and proteinoid microspheres are reviewed. These microsystems are of interest as partial models for the cell and as partial or total models for the protocell. Conceptual benefits from study of such models are: clues to experiments on origins, insights into principles of action and, in some instances, presumable models of the origin of the protocell. The benefits to evolution of organized chemical units are many, and can in part be analyzed. Ease of formation suggests that such units would have arisen early in primondiae organic evolution. Integration of these various concepts and the results of consequent experiments have contributed to the developing theory of the origins of primordial and of contemporary life.", "PMID": 787866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7811", "title": "Microbiological and epidemiological study of streptococcal sore throat at a children's clinic: a one-year study.", "content": "From October 1973 to September 1974, throat cultures were taken from 578 patients who referred to the Children's Clinic with upper respiratory tract infection. One hundred fifty-one (26%) of the sick children yielded beta-hemolytic streptococci and 427 (74%) of the pharyngitis cases were considered as viral. The most susceptible ages for streptococcal and viral pharyngitis were 5-8 and 2-6 years respectively. The peak seasonal incidence for streptococcal sore throat was from late autumn to early spring. There was a positive correlation between the incidence of upper respiratory infection and streptococcal isolation. From 100 strains of beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated and tested, 86 were group \"A\", 4 group \"C\", 2 group \"G\" and 8 non-groupable. From 86 group \"A\" strains. 71 (82%) were typable by agglutination (\"T\"-typing), but only 49 (57%) by precipitation (\"M\"-typing). The most prevalent \"M\" types were types 1 and 12. There was 95% correlation between serological and bacitracin disk method for grouping of hemolytic streptococci. All strains isolated were sensitive to penicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol, but 11 strains were resistant to tetracyclin.", "contents": "Microbiological and epidemiological study of streptococcal sore throat at a children's clinic: a one-year study. From October 1973 to September 1974, throat cultures were taken from 578 patients who referred to the Children's Clinic with upper respiratory tract infection. One hundred fifty-one (26%) of the sick children yielded beta-hemolytic streptococci and 427 (74%) of the pharyngitis cases were considered as viral. The most susceptible ages for streptococcal and viral pharyngitis were 5-8 and 2-6 years respectively. The peak seasonal incidence for streptococcal sore throat was from late autumn to early spring. There was a positive correlation between the incidence of upper respiratory infection and streptococcal isolation. From 100 strains of beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated and tested, 86 were group \"A\", 4 group \"C\", 2 group \"G\" and 8 non-groupable. From 86 group \"A\" strains. 71 (82%) were typable by agglutination (\"T\"-typing), but only 49 (57%) by precipitation (\"M\"-typing). The most prevalent \"M\" types were types 1 and 12. There was 95% correlation between serological and bacitracin disk method for grouping of hemolytic streptococci. All strains isolated were sensitive to penicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol, but 11 strains were resistant to tetracyclin.", "PMID": 787894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7812", "title": "Colonic malakoplakia in a child: report of a case and review of literature.", "content": "The fifth case of colonic malakoplakia involving children under the age of 13 years is reported. Rectoscopic findings were strongly suggestive of a colonic carcinoma. A detailed review of literature on malakoplakia is also made.", "contents": "Colonic malakoplakia in a child: report of a case and review of literature. The fifth case of colonic malakoplakia involving children under the age of 13 years is reported. Rectoscopic findings were strongly suggestive of a colonic carcinoma. A detailed review of literature on malakoplakia is also made.", "PMID": 787895} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7813", "title": "Pure red cell aplasia.", "content": "The so-called pure red cell aplasia or hypoplasia may occur in various instances: 1- Congenital form, usually occuring in childhood; 2-Drug-induced types; 3-The forms associated with thymoma, carcinoma and hypogamma-globulinemia; and 4-As an isolated syndrome. In the etiology of congenital PRCA some immune mechanisms are considered to be important but the role of a genetic factor in producing the syndrome is more acceptable, although the exact pathogenesis of impairment of erythropoiesis is not clear. Disregarding the drug-induced types of the aplasia, acquired PRCA with or without thymoma is produced by immunologic mechanisms. Finding some factors such as antibody against erythroblast nuclei, inhibitor of heme synthesis and recently a cytotoxic factor that are in gamma G-globulin fraction of plasma of PRCA patients support the idea that the syndrome is of immunologic origin. It seems that the thymoma is only a manifestation of impaired immunologic state, and its role in producing the aplasia is a subject of controversy. Besides, we can not say that all cases of PRCA have the same pathogenesis and further investigations are necessary to provide some informations about the pathogenesis of this syndrome.", "contents": "Pure red cell aplasia. The so-called pure red cell aplasia or hypoplasia may occur in various instances: 1- Congenital form, usually occuring in childhood; 2-Drug-induced types; 3-The forms associated with thymoma, carcinoma and hypogamma-globulinemia; and 4-As an isolated syndrome. In the etiology of congenital PRCA some immune mechanisms are considered to be important but the role of a genetic factor in producing the syndrome is more acceptable, although the exact pathogenesis of impairment of erythropoiesis is not clear. Disregarding the drug-induced types of the aplasia, acquired PRCA with or without thymoma is produced by immunologic mechanisms. Finding some factors such as antibody against erythroblast nuclei, inhibitor of heme synthesis and recently a cytotoxic factor that are in gamma G-globulin fraction of plasma of PRCA patients support the idea that the syndrome is of immunologic origin. It seems that the thymoma is only a manifestation of impaired immunologic state, and its role in producing the aplasia is a subject of controversy. Besides, we can not say that all cases of PRCA have the same pathogenesis and further investigations are necessary to provide some informations about the pathogenesis of this syndrome.", "PMID": 787896} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7814", "title": "Hepatitis B antigen screening in South Australian and Northern Territory blood donors.", "content": "A standard counterelectrophoresis method has been used to screen almost 250,000 samples from South Australian and Northern Territory blood donors since 1971. The initial incidence of approximately one hepatitis B antigen positive donor per thousand has diminished as these donors have been excluded from further blood donation. There is a predominance of males in the series, and more of the hepatitis B antigen carriers are in the younger age groups than expected. A higher than expected incidence of hepatitis B antigen positives has been noted in Northern Territory donors. Follow-up of donors found to be hepatitis B antigen positive has shown that the majority remain positive for more than two years without developing overt hepatitis. These individuals may represent a long-term asymptomatic carrier state.", "contents": "Hepatitis B antigen screening in South Australian and Northern Territory blood donors. A standard counterelectrophoresis method has been used to screen almost 250,000 samples from South Australian and Northern Territory blood donors since 1971. The initial incidence of approximately one hepatitis B antigen positive donor per thousand has diminished as these donors have been excluded from further blood donation. There is a predominance of males in the series, and more of the hepatitis B antigen carriers are in the younger age groups than expected. A higher than expected incidence of hepatitis B antigen positives has been noted in Northern Territory donors. Follow-up of donors found to be hepatitis B antigen positive has shown that the majority remain positive for more than two years without developing overt hepatitis. These individuals may represent a long-term asymptomatic carrier state.", "PMID": 787899} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7815", "title": "The electron microscopic localization of nephrotoxic antibodies in isolated glomeruli.", "content": "Scanning electron microscopy showed that most glomeruli isolated by sieving from normal and nephrotoxic rats were cleanly decapsulated and undisrupted. An anti-IgG antibody-horesradish peroxidase conjugate was applied to such isolated glomeruli and also to slices of renal cortex which were sebsequently embedded in epoxy resin. Linear staining along the glomerular basement membranes of nephrotoxic rats was evident and subendothelial electron-dense deposits were shown to contain anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody. Whereas the linear reaction was faint and limited to superficial parts of glomeruli in tissue slices, it was intense and present in most regions of all of the isolated glomeruli. Thus, the fine details of the distribution of intraglomerular antibody are more clearly and consistently demonstrated in isolated glomeruli than in kidney slices.", "contents": "The electron microscopic localization of nephrotoxic antibodies in isolated glomeruli. Scanning electron microscopy showed that most glomeruli isolated by sieving from normal and nephrotoxic rats were cleanly decapsulated and undisrupted. An anti-IgG antibody-horesradish peroxidase conjugate was applied to such isolated glomeruli and also to slices of renal cortex which were sebsequently embedded in epoxy resin. Linear staining along the glomerular basement membranes of nephrotoxic rats was evident and subendothelial electron-dense deposits were shown to contain anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody. Whereas the linear reaction was faint and limited to superficial parts of glomeruli in tissue slices, it was intense and present in most regions of all of the isolated glomeruli. Thus, the fine details of the distribution of intraglomerular antibody are more clearly and consistently demonstrated in isolated glomeruli than in kidney slices.", "PMID": 787901} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7816", "title": "Studies on the infectivity of tropical African strains of Plasmodium falciparum to some southern European vectors of malaria.", "content": "Preliminary experiments in Garki, Nigeria, with A. atroparvus from Italy have shown a refractoriness to infection with the local strain of P. falciparum. Comparative studies involving A. labranchiae and two strains of A. atroparvus, all from Italy, and one local strain of A. gambiae species B, were carried out at Kismu, Kenya. While oocysts developed in 77% of A. gambiae and, from day 14 onwards, 100% of the oocyst positive mosquitos had sporozoites in the salivary glands, oocysts were seen in only 4% of one of the A. atroparvus strains; the development of these oocysts appeared to be arrested at an early stage. A labranchiae and the other strain of A. atroparvus showed no oocysts. None of the Italian mosquito strains was positive for sporozoites. It is concluded that the importation of falciparum malaria cases from tropical Africa is unlikely to produce epidemics in those southern European areas where A. labranchiae and A. atroparvus used to be malaria vectors.", "contents": "Studies on the infectivity of tropical African strains of Plasmodium falciparum to some southern European vectors of malaria. Preliminary experiments in Garki, Nigeria, with A. atroparvus from Italy have shown a refractoriness to infection with the local strain of P. falciparum. Comparative studies involving A. labranchiae and two strains of A. atroparvus, all from Italy, and one local strain of A. gambiae species B, were carried out at Kismu, Kenya. While oocysts developed in 77% of A. gambiae and, from day 14 onwards, 100% of the oocyst positive mosquitos had sporozoites in the salivary glands, oocysts were seen in only 4% of one of the A. atroparvus strains; the development of these oocysts appeared to be arrested at an early stage. A labranchiae and the other strain of A. atroparvus showed no oocysts. None of the Italian mosquito strains was positive for sporozoites. It is concluded that the importation of falciparum malaria cases from tropical Africa is unlikely to produce epidemics in those southern European areas where A. labranchiae and A. atroparvus used to be malaria vectors.", "PMID": 787897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7817", "title": "The use of analytical electron microscopy in the study of three species of Aspergillaceae.", "content": "The combination of electron beam scanning and X-ray detection allows to use the scanning electron probe microanalyzer as a sensitive microscope to elemental constitution. This made it possible to investigate three species of the Aspergillus nidulans group: A. nidulans, A. unguis, A. variecolor. Qualitative differences were found between the three species. The application of microanalysis is regarded as a useful addition to more conventional methods used in histochemical studies. The advantages of examining specimens which have not been submitted to fixation, dehydration and embedding are briefly discussed.", "contents": "The use of analytical electron microscopy in the study of three species of Aspergillaceae. The combination of electron beam scanning and X-ray detection allows to use the scanning electron probe microanalyzer as a sensitive microscope to elemental constitution. This made it possible to investigate three species of the Aspergillus nidulans group: A. nidulans, A. unguis, A. variecolor. Qualitative differences were found between the three species. The application of microanalysis is regarded as a useful addition to more conventional methods used in histochemical studies. The advantages of examining specimens which have not been submitted to fixation, dehydration and embedding are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 787898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7818", "title": "Attempts to induce hepatic uridine diphosphate glucuronyl transferase in genetically deficient Gunn rats by grafting of normal liver tissue.", "content": "Liver from normal Wistar rats was grafted into the liver of homozygous Gunn rats which are deficient in UDP glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) (bilirubin) activity. After 3 months, UDPGT activity (bilirubin) remained absent in microsomal suspensions of liver from recipient rats and no bilirubin glucuronide was detected in their bile.", "contents": "Attempts to induce hepatic uridine diphosphate glucuronyl transferase in genetically deficient Gunn rats by grafting of normal liver tissue. Liver from normal Wistar rats was grafted into the liver of homozygous Gunn rats which are deficient in UDP glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) (bilirubin) activity. After 3 months, UDPGT activity (bilirubin) remained absent in microsomal suspensions of liver from recipient rats and no bilirubin glucuronide was detected in their bile.", "PMID": 787908} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7819", "title": "Central nervous system patholgoy associated with mask ventilation in the very low birthweight infant: a new etiology for intracerebellar hemorrhages.", "content": "Mask-applied ventilatory support was noted to cause severe head molding in infants with birthweights under 1,501 gm. To determine if this molding was detrimental to the infant, the neonatal course and autopsy findings were reviewed for 106 infants. Twenty significant intracerebellar hemorrhages were found. An association between these hemorrhages and mask-applied positive pressure ventilation was demonstrated (P = .05). This relationship was maintained when all cases of generalized bleeding dyscrasia were removed (P = .021). It is proposed that the distortional forces produced by the mask attachment, together with the buffeting effect of intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, are causally related to the production of intracerebellar hemorrhages by direct contusion, by ischemic stasis, or by altered venous drainage. The authors urge strong caution when dealing with the small premature infant in using any attachment device that causes molding of the cranial vault, particularly in the occipital area.", "contents": "Central nervous system patholgoy associated with mask ventilation in the very low birthweight infant: a new etiology for intracerebellar hemorrhages. Mask-applied ventilatory support was noted to cause severe head molding in infants with birthweights under 1,501 gm. To determine if this molding was detrimental to the infant, the neonatal course and autopsy findings were reviewed for 106 infants. Twenty significant intracerebellar hemorrhages were found. An association between these hemorrhages and mask-applied positive pressure ventilation was demonstrated (P = .05). This relationship was maintained when all cases of generalized bleeding dyscrasia were removed (P = .021). It is proposed that the distortional forces produced by the mask attachment, together with the buffeting effect of intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, are causally related to the production of intracerebellar hemorrhages by direct contusion, by ischemic stasis, or by altered venous drainage. The authors urge strong caution when dealing with the small premature infant in using any attachment device that causes molding of the cranial vault, particularly in the occipital area.", "PMID": 787912} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7820", "title": "Cephalexin compared to ampicillin treatment of otitis media.", "content": "Cephalexin was compared to ampicillin for the treatment of otitis media in a randomized study. Bacteriologic diagnosis was sought by needle tympanocentesis in 179 children. No overall statistically significant differences were noted between the two groups; however, 20 patients who received cephalexin had a poor response to therapy whereas only five recipients of ampicillin responded poorly. A significant difference (P less than .05) between the two regimens was noted when Hemophilus influenzae was recovered. Fifty per cent of the children with H. influenzae otitis media who were treated with cephalexin responded poorly; no patients receiving ampicillin had a poor response. Our data suggest that the use of cephalexin monohydrate is not warranted for treatment of otitis media due to H. influenzae even when the isolate proves sensitive to this drug in vitro. In selected patients with otitis media caused by Staphylococcus aureus which is resistant to penicillin, cephalexin may provide effective treatment.", "contents": "Cephalexin compared to ampicillin treatment of otitis media. Cephalexin was compared to ampicillin for the treatment of otitis media in a randomized study. Bacteriologic diagnosis was sought by needle tympanocentesis in 179 children. No overall statistically significant differences were noted between the two groups; however, 20 patients who received cephalexin had a poor response to therapy whereas only five recipients of ampicillin responded poorly. A significant difference (P less than .05) between the two regimens was noted when Hemophilus influenzae was recovered. Fifty per cent of the children with H. influenzae otitis media who were treated with cephalexin responded poorly; no patients receiving ampicillin had a poor response. Our data suggest that the use of cephalexin monohydrate is not warranted for treatment of otitis media due to H. influenzae even when the isolate proves sensitive to this drug in vitro. In selected patients with otitis media caused by Staphylococcus aureus which is resistant to penicillin, cephalexin may provide effective treatment.", "PMID": 787913} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7821", "title": "The spectrum of ischemic bowel disease in the newborn.", "content": "In this review the author's opinion regarding the etiology of most cases of perinatal and neonatal bowel ischemia has been stated. It is recognized that the changes brough about by hypoxia (splanchnic shutdown, bowel ischemia) represent the \"soil\" on which other \"seeds\" can prosper. In its simplest form following acute ischemia, the processes of repair take over, leading to functional recovery and a presumably normal bowel. In those patients with more extensive initial damage, degrees of stenosis and even atresia may be expected as a result of the healing of the bowel. Rapidly evolving ischemia may produce perforations; these may be restricted and involve only very small areas of bowel or may be part of a more generalized involvement, possibly even with multiple perforations. In other infants, alterations of bacterial flora could contribute to the clinical picture of \"necrotizing enterocolitis,\" and gas may or may not be present in the bowel wall. If the process of ischemia has been relatively mild, or bacterial overgrowth not particularly marked, some of the more obscure functional syndromes may be noted. The persistence of these obscure syndromes may in turn be related to incomplete phases of regeneration of the bowel that fall short of producing stenosis but lead to a mucosa that is not optimally functional.", "contents": "The spectrum of ischemic bowel disease in the newborn. In this review the author's opinion regarding the etiology of most cases of perinatal and neonatal bowel ischemia has been stated. It is recognized that the changes brough about by hypoxia (splanchnic shutdown, bowel ischemia) represent the \"soil\" on which other \"seeds\" can prosper. In its simplest form following acute ischemia, the processes of repair take over, leading to functional recovery and a presumably normal bowel. In those patients with more extensive initial damage, degrees of stenosis and even atresia may be expected as a result of the healing of the bowel. Rapidly evolving ischemia may produce perforations; these may be restricted and involve only very small areas of bowel or may be part of a more generalized involvement, possibly even with multiple perforations. In other infants, alterations of bacterial flora could contribute to the clinical picture of \"necrotizing enterocolitis,\" and gas may or may not be present in the bowel wall. If the process of ischemia has been relatively mild, or bacterial overgrowth not particularly marked, some of the more obscure functional syndromes may be noted. The persistence of these obscure syndromes may in turn be related to incomplete phases of regeneration of the bowel that fall short of producing stenosis but lead to a mucosa that is not optimally functional.", "PMID": 787916} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7822", "title": "Comparison of the reactions of chemically reactive analogs of U-G-A and of A-U-G with ribosomes of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The chemically reactive analog of U-G-A, 5'-(4-(Bromo-[2-14C] acetamido) phenylphospho) - uridylyl-(3'-5') - guanylyl-(3'-5') adenosine has a 20 fold lower affinity to 70S ribosomes than the corresponding analog of A-U-G though the U-G-A analog also preferentially reacts with protein S18 of 70S ribosomes. This reaction programs ribosomes for EF-T dependent Trp-tRNATrp-suIII binding. Therefore, it is concluded that this protein is part of the A'-site of the ribosomal codon binding site. Reaction of the U-G-A analog with 30S subunits lead to a predominant crosslinking of U-G-A to proteins S4 and S18. In contrast, a comparable reaction of the A-U-G analog with 30S subunits lead to a predominant crosslinking of A-U-G to proteins S4 and S12 (Pongs, O., Stoffler, G.A., Lanka, E., (1975) J. Mol. Biol. 99, 301). Since protein S12 is located at the 'P' site of the ribosomal codon binding site, it is proposed that the U-G-A analog does not bind at this site.", "contents": "Comparison of the reactions of chemically reactive analogs of U-G-A and of A-U-G with ribosomes of Escherichia coli. The chemically reactive analog of U-G-A, 5'-(4-(Bromo-[2-14C] acetamido) phenylphospho) - uridylyl-(3'-5') - guanylyl-(3'-5') adenosine has a 20 fold lower affinity to 70S ribosomes than the corresponding analog of A-U-G though the U-G-A analog also preferentially reacts with protein S18 of 70S ribosomes. This reaction programs ribosomes for EF-T dependent Trp-tRNATrp-suIII binding. Therefore, it is concluded that this protein is part of the A'-site of the ribosomal codon binding site. Reaction of the U-G-A analog with 30S subunits lead to a predominant crosslinking of U-G-A to proteins S4 and S18. In contrast, a comparable reaction of the A-U-G analog with 30S subunits lead to a predominant crosslinking of A-U-G to proteins S4 and S12 (Pongs, O., Stoffler, G.A., Lanka, E., (1975) J. Mol. Biol. 99, 301). Since protein S12 is located at the 'P' site of the ribosomal codon binding site, it is proposed that the U-G-A analog does not bind at this site.", "PMID": 787925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7823", "title": "Control of RNA synthesis by chromatin proteins.", "content": "The effect of chromatin proteins on template activity has been studied. Using both E. coli RNA polymerase and calf thymmus polymerase B we have measured the number of initiation sites on chromatin and various histone-DNA complexes. Chromatin can be reconstituted with histone proteins alone and this complex is still a restricted template for RNA synthesis. The removal of histone f1 causes a large increase in the template activity. Chromatin is then treated with Micrococcal nuclease and the DNA fragments protected from nuclease attack (\"covered DNA\") are isolated. Alternatively, the chromatin is titrated with poly-D-lysine, and by successive treatment with Pronase and nuclease, the DNA regions accessible to polylysine are isolated (\"open DNA\"). Both fractions were tested for template activity. It was found that RNA polymerase initiation sites are distributed equally in open and covered region DNA.", "contents": "Control of RNA synthesis by chromatin proteins. The effect of chromatin proteins on template activity has been studied. Using both E. coli RNA polymerase and calf thymmus polymerase B we have measured the number of initiation sites on chromatin and various histone-DNA complexes. Chromatin can be reconstituted with histone proteins alone and this complex is still a restricted template for RNA synthesis. The removal of histone f1 causes a large increase in the template activity. Chromatin is then treated with Micrococcal nuclease and the DNA fragments protected from nuclease attack (\"covered DNA\") are isolated. Alternatively, the chromatin is titrated with poly-D-lysine, and by successive treatment with Pronase and nuclease, the DNA regions accessible to polylysine are isolated (\"open DNA\"). Both fractions were tested for template activity. It was found that RNA polymerase initiation sites are distributed equally in open and covered region DNA.", "PMID": 787926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7824", "title": "Evidence that 16S RNA from E. coli can assume two different biologically active conformations.", "content": "We have recently shown that 16S RNA can be extracted from 30S ribosomes by an acetic acid-urea precipitation procedure which yields RNA capable of binding 13 individual ribosomal proteins. This is in contrast to phenol extracted 16S RNA which can specifically associate with only 7 proteins2-7. In the experiments reported here, we demonstrate that the difference in protein binding capacities is due to a relatiely more \"open\" configuration possessed by the acetic acid-urea 16S RNA. Under identical conditions, acetic acid-urea 16S RNA is more susceptible to limited T1-RNase digestion than is phenol-16S RNA. In addition, acetic acid-urea RNA shows a relatively slower electrophoretic mobility. The observable difference in conformation between the two types of RNA is lost by storage at-70 degrees C. This loss is accompanied by a reduction in protein binding capacity of the acetic acid-urea 16S RNA.", "contents": "Evidence that 16S RNA from E. coli can assume two different biologically active conformations. We have recently shown that 16S RNA can be extracted from 30S ribosomes by an acetic acid-urea precipitation procedure which yields RNA capable of binding 13 individual ribosomal proteins. This is in contrast to phenol extracted 16S RNA which can specifically associate with only 7 proteins2-7. In the experiments reported here, we demonstrate that the difference in protein binding capacities is due to a relatiely more \"open\" configuration possessed by the acetic acid-urea 16S RNA. Under identical conditions, acetic acid-urea 16S RNA is more susceptible to limited T1-RNase digestion than is phenol-16S RNA. In addition, acetic acid-urea RNA shows a relatively slower electrophoretic mobility. The observable difference in conformation between the two types of RNA is lost by storage at-70 degrees C. This loss is accompanied by a reduction in protein binding capacity of the acetic acid-urea 16S RNA.", "PMID": 787927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7825", "title": "Conversion of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase to a template independent enzyme.", "content": "Preparations of RNA polymerase (E.C.2.7.7.6) from uninfected Escherichia coli, T4 infected Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus when centrifuged in sucrose gradients in the absence of magnesium ions gave rise to five peaks, all of which were able to form polymers from ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates in the absence of template or primer. All of the peaks obtained from the Escherichia coli enzyme appeared to contain the subunit alpha and beta and, in addition, polypeptides which appeared to be derived from the subunit beta.", "contents": "Conversion of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase to a template independent enzyme. Preparations of RNA polymerase (E.C.2.7.7.6) from uninfected Escherichia coli, T4 infected Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus when centrifuged in sucrose gradients in the absence of magnesium ions gave rise to five peaks, all of which were able to form polymers from ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates in the absence of template or primer. All of the peaks obtained from the Escherichia coli enzyme appeared to contain the subunit alpha and beta and, in addition, polypeptides which appeared to be derived from the subunit beta.", "PMID": 787928} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7826", "title": "Integration of synthetic globin genes into an E. coli plasmid.", "content": "Rabbit globin mRNA has been purified and used as a template by reverse transcriptase. The resulting duplex molecule consisting of rabbit globin mRNA/cNDA has been linked in vitro to Eco RI cleaved plasmid Col E1 DNA. Transformation of E. coli C6OO by this recombinant molecule has been achieved. Transformed bacteria acquire the colicin EQ immunity of Col E1 and a closed circular DNA species of 4.40-4.45 x 10 (6) daltons in molecular weight, an increase of 2.0-2.5 x 10(5) daltons compared to that of the parent plasmid DNA. In addition , 3H cDNA synthesized from globin RNA hybridized perferentially to the recombinant plasmid DNA.", "contents": "Integration of synthetic globin genes into an E. coli plasmid. Rabbit globin mRNA has been purified and used as a template by reverse transcriptase. The resulting duplex molecule consisting of rabbit globin mRNA/cNDA has been linked in vitro to Eco RI cleaved plasmid Col E1 DNA. Transformation of E. coli C6OO by this recombinant molecule has been achieved. Transformed bacteria acquire the colicin EQ immunity of Col E1 and a closed circular DNA species of 4.40-4.45 x 10 (6) daltons in molecular weight, an increase of 2.0-2.5 x 10(5) daltons compared to that of the parent plasmid DNA. In addition , 3H cDNA synthesized from globin RNA hybridized perferentially to the recombinant plasmid DNA.", "PMID": 787929} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7827", "title": "ATP-analogues as substrates for the leucyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli MRE 600.", "content": "No analogous nucleoside triphosphate was found which acts as well as ATP in binding to and supporting catalysis of leucyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli MRE 600. However, there are numerous nucleotides which are able to replace ATP, but with lower efficiency. The 6-amino group of the adenine ring and the 2'-hydroxyl group of the ribose ring are essential for binding and catalytic activity. Alterations in the triphosphate moiety of the molecule can cause drastic changes in Km and/or Vmax, whereas alterations of the imidazole ring and substitutions at the 8-position of the adenine ring cause only minor losses of catalytic activity.", "contents": "ATP-analogues as substrates for the leucyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli MRE 600. No analogous nucleoside triphosphate was found which acts as well as ATP in binding to and supporting catalysis of leucyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli MRE 600. However, there are numerous nucleotides which are able to replace ATP, but with lower efficiency. The 6-amino group of the adenine ring and the 2'-hydroxyl group of the ribose ring are essential for binding and catalytic activity. Alterations in the triphosphate moiety of the molecule can cause drastic changes in Km and/or Vmax, whereas alterations of the imidazole ring and substitutions at the 8-position of the adenine ring cause only minor losses of catalytic activity.", "PMID": 787930} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7828", "title": "Increased isoleucine acceptance by sulfur-deficient transfer RNA from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Sulfur-deficient tRNA, isolated from Escherichia coli HfrC, rel-, met-, cys-, lambda, after cysteine starvation, was found to have an increased acceptance of isoleucine in proportion to the deficiency of 4-thiouridine. Isoleucine acceptance was not altered in the presence of other amino acids of CTP, and the higher acceptance was observed over a wide range of magnesium, isoleucine, tRNA and enzyme concentrations. The Vmax value for sulfur-deficient tRNA was more than three times greater than observed for normal tRNA. Methylated albumin kieselguhr (MAK) chromatography revealed three isoacceptor peak for normal tRNA, while sulfur-deficient tRNA was missing tRNAile, and exhibited a larger, shifted peaks for tRNA normal tRNA, while sulfur-deficient tRNA was missing tRNAille 2, and exhibited a large shifted peak for tRNAile 3 . Treatment with crude RNA sulfurtransferase both lowered the isoleucine acceptance for sulfur-deficient tRNA to that seen for normal tRNA, and restored the missing isoacceptor on MAK. The possibility that thionucleotides may play a role in the aminoacylation of tRNAile in E. coli is discussed.", "contents": "Increased isoleucine acceptance by sulfur-deficient transfer RNA from Escherichia coli. Sulfur-deficient tRNA, isolated from Escherichia coli HfrC, rel-, met-, cys-, lambda, after cysteine starvation, was found to have an increased acceptance of isoleucine in proportion to the deficiency of 4-thiouridine. Isoleucine acceptance was not altered in the presence of other amino acids of CTP, and the higher acceptance was observed over a wide range of magnesium, isoleucine, tRNA and enzyme concentrations. The Vmax value for sulfur-deficient tRNA was more than three times greater than observed for normal tRNA. Methylated albumin kieselguhr (MAK) chromatography revealed three isoacceptor peak for normal tRNA, while sulfur-deficient tRNA was missing tRNAile, and exhibited a larger, shifted peaks for tRNA normal tRNA, while sulfur-deficient tRNA was missing tRNAille 2, and exhibited a large shifted peak for tRNAile 3 . Treatment with crude RNA sulfurtransferase both lowered the isoleucine acceptance for sulfur-deficient tRNA to that seen for normal tRNA, and restored the missing isoacceptor on MAK. The possibility that thionucleotides may play a role in the aminoacylation of tRNAile in E. coli is discussed.", "PMID": 787931} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7829", "title": "The kinetics of E. coli RNA polymerase.", "content": "Using an assay specific for chain elongation of E. coli RNA polymerase the kinetics of this propagation reaction have been studied. The kinetic behaviour is consistent woth the mathematical model formulated for this multisubstrate enzyme. The effect of increasing salt concentration on the kinetics of the reaction indicated that DNA unwinding is probably a necessary step in the propagation step, although this may not be the rate limiting step under all conditions.", "contents": "The kinetics of E. coli RNA polymerase. Using an assay specific for chain elongation of E. coli RNA polymerase the kinetics of this propagation reaction have been studied. The kinetic behaviour is consistent woth the mathematical model formulated for this multisubstrate enzyme. The effect of increasing salt concentration on the kinetics of the reaction indicated that DNA unwinding is probably a necessary step in the propagation step, although this may not be the rate limiting step under all conditions.", "PMID": 787932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7830", "title": "RNA chain elongation on a chromatin template.", "content": "The rate of RNA chain elongation has been measured with DNA and chromatin as template. RNA propagation on chromatin is about 50% of the rate found with DNA. Kinetic experiments demonstrate that the inhibition is not due to interference with the addition of the nucleoside triphosphates. Analysis of the dependence of propagation on the Tm of DNA shows that the chromatin proteins interfere with the translocation of the RNA polymerase along the DNA template.", "contents": "RNA chain elongation on a chromatin template. The rate of RNA chain elongation has been measured with DNA and chromatin as template. RNA propagation on chromatin is about 50% of the rate found with DNA. Kinetic experiments demonstrate that the inhibition is not due to interference with the addition of the nucleoside triphosphates. Analysis of the dependence of propagation on the Tm of DNA shows that the chromatin proteins interfere with the translocation of the RNA polymerase along the DNA template.", "PMID": 787933} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7831", "title": "A comparative X-ray diffraction and circular dichroism study of DNA compact particles formed in water-salt solutions, containing poly(ethylene glycol).", "content": "Comparative CD and X-ray diffraction studies of DNA compact particules which were obtained in PEG-containing water-salt solutions, have been carried out. Compact particles, formed from native DNA, produce a psi CD spectrum (characterized by a negative band at lambda-270 nm) and a small-angle X-ray diffraction pattern, which shows two reflections: I at 34-40 A and II at 80-90 A (together with its second-order reflection). Compact particules, formed from DNA molecules with partially disordered secondary structure, do not produce the psi CD spectrum and the reflection I, while the reflection II remains unchanged. It is suggested that the spacing of 34-40 A is associated with a side-by-side packing of DNA fragments in \"microcrystallization' regions in compact particules and that such \"microcrystallization' accounts for the generation of the psi CD spectrum.", "contents": "A comparative X-ray diffraction and circular dichroism study of DNA compact particles formed in water-salt solutions, containing poly(ethylene glycol). Comparative CD and X-ray diffraction studies of DNA compact particules which were obtained in PEG-containing water-salt solutions, have been carried out. Compact particles, formed from native DNA, produce a psi CD spectrum (characterized by a negative band at lambda-270 nm) and a small-angle X-ray diffraction pattern, which shows two reflections: I at 34-40 A and II at 80-90 A (together with its second-order reflection). Compact particules, formed from DNA molecules with partially disordered secondary structure, do not produce the psi CD spectrum and the reflection I, while the reflection II remains unchanged. It is suggested that the spacing of 34-40 A is associated with a side-by-side packing of DNA fragments in \"microcrystallization' regions in compact particules and that such \"microcrystallization' accounts for the generation of the psi CD spectrum.", "PMID": 787935} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7832", "title": "The kinetics of binding of U-U-C-A to a dodecanucleotide anticodon fragment from yeast tRNA-Phe.", "content": "The kinetics of U-U-C-A binding to the dodecanucleotide (A-Cm-U-Gm-A-A-Y-A-psi-m5C-U-Gp) isolated from the anticodon region of yeast tRNA-Phe are similar to the kinetics of binding of U-U-C-A to intact tRNA-Phe. A large enhancement in binding constant over that predicted for U-U-C-A-U-G-A-A is observed for both the complexes of dodecanucleotide and tRNA-Phe with U-U-C-A. This strongly suggests that both the anticodon loop in tRNA-Phe and the dodecanucleotide can form four base pairs with U-U-C-A. Furthermore, the enhanced stability cannot be attributed to a special conformation of the anticodon loop, but instead the anticodon loop is probably flexible. A likely explanation for the increased binding is the effect of non-base-paired ends. This increased thermodynamic stability comes from a larger entropy gain rather than a larger enthalpy decrease.", "contents": "The kinetics of binding of U-U-C-A to a dodecanucleotide anticodon fragment from yeast tRNA-Phe. The kinetics of U-U-C-A binding to the dodecanucleotide (A-Cm-U-Gm-A-A-Y-A-psi-m5C-U-Gp) isolated from the anticodon region of yeast tRNA-Phe are similar to the kinetics of binding of U-U-C-A to intact tRNA-Phe. A large enhancement in binding constant over that predicted for U-U-C-A-U-G-A-A is observed for both the complexes of dodecanucleotide and tRNA-Phe with U-U-C-A. This strongly suggests that both the anticodon loop in tRNA-Phe and the dodecanucleotide can form four base pairs with U-U-C-A. Furthermore, the enhanced stability cannot be attributed to a special conformation of the anticodon loop, but instead the anticodon loop is probably flexible. A likely explanation for the increased binding is the effect of non-base-paired ends. This increased thermodynamic stability comes from a larger entropy gain rather than a larger enthalpy decrease.", "PMID": 787934} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7833", "title": "Arangement of transfer-RNA -genes in yeast.", "content": "The redundancy and the arrangement of the genes for specific transfer ribonucleic acids in yeast were studied by the hybridization techniques developed by Birnstiel et al., e.g.[1]. The redundancy was found to be in the order of 10 genes for tRNA1Met, tRNA3Met, tRNA2Ser, and tRNA-Pro. High molecular weight yeast DNA was fractionated by density gradient centrifugation in cesium chloride and the [32p]tRNAs were hybridized to the single fractions. The results together with earlier findings [2] suggest that the cistrons for these tRNAs are arranged in tandem interspersed by 6 to 10 times longer segments of spacer DNA which varies in (G+C) content for the different tRNA species.", "contents": "Arangement of transfer-RNA -genes in yeast. The redundancy and the arrangement of the genes for specific transfer ribonucleic acids in yeast were studied by the hybridization techniques developed by Birnstiel et al., e.g.[1]. The redundancy was found to be in the order of 10 genes for tRNA1Met, tRNA3Met, tRNA2Ser, and tRNA-Pro. High molecular weight yeast DNA was fractionated by density gradient centrifugation in cesium chloride and the [32p]tRNAs were hybridized to the single fractions. The results together with earlier findings [2] suggest that the cistrons for these tRNAs are arranged in tandem interspersed by 6 to 10 times longer segments of spacer DNA which varies in (G+C) content for the different tRNA species.", "PMID": 787936} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7834", "title": "A simple method for DNA restriction site mapping.", "content": "When a DNA molecule, enzymatically labelled with 32p at one end, is partially digested with a restriction enzyme labelled tdna fragments are obtained which form an overlapping series of molecules, all with a common labelled terminus. ta restriction map can then be constructed from an analysis of the size distribution of these molecules. This technique has been used for the restriction site mapping of cloned histone DNA (h22) where as many as 35 cleavage sites may be accurately determined in a single experiment.", "contents": "A simple method for DNA restriction site mapping. When a DNA molecule, enzymatically labelled with 32p at one end, is partially digested with a restriction enzyme labelled tdna fragments are obtained which form an overlapping series of molecules, all with a common labelled terminus. ta restriction map can then be constructed from an analysis of the size distribution of these molecules. This technique has been used for the restriction site mapping of cloned histone DNA (h22) where as many as 35 cleavage sites may be accurately determined in a single experiment.", "PMID": 787937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7835", "title": "Florence Nightingale and the Salisbury incident.", "content": "Florence Nightingale's astute handling of mismanagement in Free Gifts Stores during the Crimean War underscored her administrative ability. Miss Nightingale went to Scutari ostensibly to nurse the British soldiers, and while there encountered innumerable instances of administrative and managerial ineffectiveness and difficulties. Among these were the problems in the accountability and deployment of supplies as well as the assignment and supervision of female personnel-an untried situation. The article identifies the misdirected organizational management which occasioned the introduction of women into British war nursing and the voluntary participation of the British citizenry in providing supplies and comfort for the Army. Through analysis of Miss Nightingale's and others' private correspondence, the problems of personnel management and supply distribution are brought into sharp focus. The interplay of policies and principles to which Miss Nightingale subscribed, the human frailty of one of her women, Miss Nightingale's illness, and the confusion and stress which characterized the Crimean War are discussed. The compassion, understanding, and rectitude as well as the human values to which Miss Nightingale subscribed in protecting a woman guilty of a breach of trust and felony and the troublesome slanderous attack to which Miss Nightingale was subjected at the instigation of her foes on the home front provide a background for the presentation of the Salisbury affair as an interesting aspect of historical research into the life of the Victorian heroine.", "contents": "Florence Nightingale and the Salisbury incident. Florence Nightingale's astute handling of mismanagement in Free Gifts Stores during the Crimean War underscored her administrative ability. Miss Nightingale went to Scutari ostensibly to nurse the British soldiers, and while there encountered innumerable instances of administrative and managerial ineffectiveness and difficulties. Among these were the problems in the accountability and deployment of supplies as well as the assignment and supervision of female personnel-an untried situation. The article identifies the misdirected organizational management which occasioned the introduction of women into British war nursing and the voluntary participation of the British citizenry in providing supplies and comfort for the Army. Through analysis of Miss Nightingale's and others' private correspondence, the problems of personnel management and supply distribution are brought into sharp focus. The interplay of policies and principles to which Miss Nightingale subscribed, the human frailty of one of her women, Miss Nightingale's illness, and the confusion and stress which characterized the Crimean War are discussed. The compassion, understanding, and rectitude as well as the human values to which Miss Nightingale subscribed in protecting a woman guilty of a breach of trust and felony and the troublesome slanderous attack to which Miss Nightingale was subjected at the instigation of her foes on the home front provide a background for the presentation of the Salisbury affair as an interesting aspect of historical research into the life of the Victorian heroine.", "PMID": 787939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7836", "title": "Propranolol, renin and hypertension: a review.", "content": "When plasma renin activity is related to sodium balance as evaluated from urinary sodium excretion, a physiological index of normality is obtained along with the ability to detect subtle variations in renin secretion. This has made it possible to correlate more closely the antihypertensive action of propranolol with the renin level. Propranolol reduced renin in all patients but did not lower blood pressure in low renin hypertensive states. It was dramatically effective in lowering blood pressure of high renin and some normal renin patients. Its antihypertensive effect was directly related to the pretreatment renin level and also to the absolute decrement in renin reduction achieved. This was true in malignant, renal, renovasular, and essential hypertension. Altogether, these findings point to the involvement of the renin-aldosterone axis in these hypertensive states. They suggest that a major component of the antihypertensive action of propranolol is consequent to an antirenin effect which is perhaps neurologically mediated. Accordingly, in addition to its therapeutic values, the response to propranolol may provide a pharmacological indicator of the renin involvement in essential hypertension and it also may be a useful adjunct for predicting surgical curability of renovascular hypertension.", "contents": "Propranolol, renin and hypertension: a review. When plasma renin activity is related to sodium balance as evaluated from urinary sodium excretion, a physiological index of normality is obtained along with the ability to detect subtle variations in renin secretion. This has made it possible to correlate more closely the antihypertensive action of propranolol with the renin level. Propranolol reduced renin in all patients but did not lower blood pressure in low renin hypertensive states. It was dramatically effective in lowering blood pressure of high renin and some normal renin patients. Its antihypertensive effect was directly related to the pretreatment renin level and also to the absolute decrement in renin reduction achieved. This was true in malignant, renal, renovasular, and essential hypertension. Altogether, these findings point to the involvement of the renin-aldosterone axis in these hypertensive states. They suggest that a major component of the antihypertensive action of propranolol is consequent to an antirenin effect which is perhaps neurologically mediated. Accordingly, in addition to its therapeutic values, the response to propranolol may provide a pharmacological indicator of the renin involvement in essential hypertension and it also may be a useful adjunct for predicting surgical curability of renovascular hypertension.", "PMID": 787950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7837", "title": "Central hypotensive effect of propranolol.", "content": "Propranolol is an antihypertensive drug whose mode of action in lowering arterial pressure remains undecided. Animal experiments indicate that an action within the central nervous system (CNS) contributes to the hypotensive effect. Intravenous infusion of propranolol to the conscious rabbit lowers arterial pressure and this is accompanied by a decrease in preganglionic sympathetic nervous activity. This indicates that propranolol decreases sympathetic nervous outflow by a central action and since the dextro isomer of propranolol does not exert such an effect then this action must be related to beta-adrenoceptor blockade.", "contents": "Central hypotensive effect of propranolol. Propranolol is an antihypertensive drug whose mode of action in lowering arterial pressure remains undecided. Animal experiments indicate that an action within the central nervous system (CNS) contributes to the hypotensive effect. Intravenous infusion of propranolol to the conscious rabbit lowers arterial pressure and this is accompanied by a decrease in preganglionic sympathetic nervous activity. This indicates that propranolol decreases sympathetic nervous outflow by a central action and since the dextro isomer of propranolol does not exert such an effect then this action must be related to beta-adrenoceptor blockade.", "PMID": 787951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7838", "title": "Propranolol and experimental myocardial infarction: substrate effects.", "content": "Propranolol is known to decrease ischaemic damage in developing myocardial infarction. Besides acting on mechanical parameters which help determine the balance of oxygen supply and oxygen demand in the ischaemic tissue, propranolol decreases the myocardial uptake of free fatty acids and increases that of glucose. It is suggested that propranolol may favourably alter developing myocardial infarction in dogs by altering the supply of substrates reaching the ischaemic zone. However, propranolol also decreases enzyme release from isolated rat hearts with coronary ligation at a relative constant arterial free fatty acid concentration. Propranolol causes more marked depression of mechanical function and of heart rate in hearts perfused with free fatty acids than with glucose. It is suggested that the glucose-promoting and anti-lipolytic actions of propranool might be important not only in decreasing infarct size but also in helping to prevent undesirable side effects in hearts with experimental myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Propranolol and experimental myocardial infarction: substrate effects. Propranolol is known to decrease ischaemic damage in developing myocardial infarction. Besides acting on mechanical parameters which help determine the balance of oxygen supply and oxygen demand in the ischaemic tissue, propranolol decreases the myocardial uptake of free fatty acids and increases that of glucose. It is suggested that propranolol may favourably alter developing myocardial infarction in dogs by altering the supply of substrates reaching the ischaemic zone. However, propranolol also decreases enzyme release from isolated rat hearts with coronary ligation at a relative constant arterial free fatty acid concentration. Propranolol causes more marked depression of mechanical function and of heart rate in hearts perfused with free fatty acids than with glucose. It is suggested that the glucose-promoting and anti-lipolytic actions of propranool might be important not only in decreasing infarct size but also in helping to prevent undesirable side effects in hearts with experimental myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 787952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7839", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of propranolol: a review.", "content": "The pharmacokinetics of propranolol vary according to the route and duration of administration. After i.v. administration, the decline in drug concentrations is biphasic and the drug is cleared very efficiently by the liver, so that its elimination is dependent largely on liver blood flow. Although the drug is some 90-95% bound to plasma, hepatic removal is so avid that both bound and free forms are extracted. Consequently, hepatic elimination is unaffected by drug binding in blood, In contrast, the distribution of drug into the tissues is reduced by plasma binding, so that drug half-life (T 1/2), which varies from 11/2-3 hours among individuals is more prolonged in people with relatively low plasma binding. Recent evidence shows that at all times after i.v. administration the beta-blocking effects of propranolol are related to its plasma concentrations according to the receptor theory. In addition individual differences in the response due to a given total concentration are largely due to variations in plasma binding, the drug's effects being a function of free (unbound) drug in plasma water. After the administration of single oral doses, hepatic extraction remains high and much of the dose is eliminated from hepatic portal blood during transfer from the gut, so that little drug reaches the systemic circulation. In addition, significant amounts of an active metabolite, 4-OH propranolol, are produced so that 2 hours after dosing, propranolol appears more potent that its plasma levels would suggest. With continued administration, the avid removal process becomes saturated, extraction ratio falls and propranolol accumulates some 2-fold. Drug T 1/2 is prolonged to 3-6 hours under these conditions, the ratio of propranolol to its active metabolite increases so that most of its effects can be attributed to the parent drug. Perhaps the most important kinetic fact to emerge is the 20-fold variation in plasma levels found after chronic administration of the same oral dose to different patients. This accounts for most of the individual variation in dosage requirements. Concerning propranolol withdrawal, there is no evidence that the effects of the drug last longer than appropriate for its T 1/2, so that larger doses last longer. Nonetheless, 24-48 hours is more that sufficient for the effects of the drug to dissipate. In view of the rebound angina, arrhythmias and infarction that may occur, abrupt withdrawal should be avoided if possible.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of propranolol: a review. The pharmacokinetics of propranolol vary according to the route and duration of administration. After i.v. administration, the decline in drug concentrations is biphasic and the drug is cleared very efficiently by the liver, so that its elimination is dependent largely on liver blood flow. Although the drug is some 90-95% bound to plasma, hepatic removal is so avid that both bound and free forms are extracted. Consequently, hepatic elimination is unaffected by drug binding in blood, In contrast, the distribution of drug into the tissues is reduced by plasma binding, so that drug half-life (T 1/2), which varies from 11/2-3 hours among individuals is more prolonged in people with relatively low plasma binding. Recent evidence shows that at all times after i.v. administration the beta-blocking effects of propranolol are related to its plasma concentrations according to the receptor theory. In addition individual differences in the response due to a given total concentration are largely due to variations in plasma binding, the drug's effects being a function of free (unbound) drug in plasma water. After the administration of single oral doses, hepatic extraction remains high and much of the dose is eliminated from hepatic portal blood during transfer from the gut, so that little drug reaches the systemic circulation. In addition, significant amounts of an active metabolite, 4-OH propranolol, are produced so that 2 hours after dosing, propranolol appears more potent that its plasma levels would suggest. With continued administration, the avid removal process becomes saturated, extraction ratio falls and propranolol accumulates some 2-fold. Drug T 1/2 is prolonged to 3-6 hours under these conditions, the ratio of propranolol to its active metabolite increases so that most of its effects can be attributed to the parent drug. Perhaps the most important kinetic fact to emerge is the 20-fold variation in plasma levels found after chronic administration of the same oral dose to different patients. This accounts for most of the individual variation in dosage requirements. Concerning propranolol withdrawal, there is no evidence that the effects of the drug last longer than appropriate for its T 1/2, so that larger doses last longer. Nonetheless, 24-48 hours is more that sufficient for the effects of the drug to dissipate. In view of the rebound angina, arrhythmias and infarction that may occur, abrupt withdrawal should be avoided if possible.", "PMID": 787953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7840", "title": "Propranolol in the treatment of angina: a review.", "content": "The use of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs in angina pectoris was one of the original indications for these drugs suggested by Black. An anti-anginal effect was demonstrated with the first beta-adrenergic blocking drug, pronethalol, that was used clinically. This benefit in angina was confirmed in the early trials with propranolol in 1964-65. Although some definite anti-anginal effect can be demonstrated with low fixed dosage, evidence suggested that those trials which used a higher and a variable dose displayed a greater anti-anginal action of the drug. After a two dose trial (Gillam and Prichard, 1966,) demonstrated a dose dependent anti-anginal effect, a log-dose response study demonstrated a progressive reduction in angina attacks as dosage was increased (Prichard and Gillam, 1971). While a highly significant effect was found with an average dose of 52 mg a day a progressive reduction in angina attacks was found with logarithmic increases in dosage up to an average of 417 mg a day. Dosage in this trial was adjusted to produce a supine heart rate of 55-60 beats/minute provided this was not prevented by side effects. As the dosage of 417 mg a day was still on the straight line part of the dose response curve and therefore suboptimal, we not adjust dosage to produce a standing heart rate of 55-60. Fully meaningful comparative trials require that optimum dose of the drugs being compared are used. A variable dose comparative trial comparing propranolol and practolol, showed propranolol was the more effective agent. More recently a variable dose comparative trial of sotalol and propranolol indicated propranolol had greater anti-anginal action although sotalol, unlike practolol, was more effective than low dose propranolol. The use of beta-blocking agents in angina pectoris is relatively safe provided that the contraindications of asthma and cardiac insufficiency are observed and that treatment is commenced at a low dosage. The most dramatic change in the sympathetic environment of the heart takes place when treatment with a beta-blocking drug is commenced. The greatest danger of precipitating heart failure is therefore at the beginning of treatment even with a small starting dose. Once treatment has begun even an increase of 25% per dose represents a small pharmacological increment as there is no great change in the sympathetic drive to the heart. The larger dosage of beta-blocking drugs required for optimum treatment of angina may be gradually approached, but it has been my experience that heart failure is not likely to be precipitated at larger doses, provided they are not used initially. In other than mild angina pectoris the average optimum dosage of propranolol is 500-800 mg a day, similar, or perhaps more than the average dose in hypertension.", "contents": "Propranolol in the treatment of angina: a review. The use of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs in angina pectoris was one of the original indications for these drugs suggested by Black. An anti-anginal effect was demonstrated with the first beta-adrenergic blocking drug, pronethalol, that was used clinically. This benefit in angina was confirmed in the early trials with propranolol in 1964-65. Although some definite anti-anginal effect can be demonstrated with low fixed dosage, evidence suggested that those trials which used a higher and a variable dose displayed a greater anti-anginal action of the drug. After a two dose trial (Gillam and Prichard, 1966,) demonstrated a dose dependent anti-anginal effect, a log-dose response study demonstrated a progressive reduction in angina attacks as dosage was increased (Prichard and Gillam, 1971). While a highly significant effect was found with an average dose of 52 mg a day a progressive reduction in angina attacks was found with logarithmic increases in dosage up to an average of 417 mg a day. Dosage in this trial was adjusted to produce a supine heart rate of 55-60 beats/minute provided this was not prevented by side effects. As the dosage of 417 mg a day was still on the straight line part of the dose response curve and therefore suboptimal, we not adjust dosage to produce a standing heart rate of 55-60. Fully meaningful comparative trials require that optimum dose of the drugs being compared are used. A variable dose comparative trial comparing propranolol and practolol, showed propranolol was the more effective agent. More recently a variable dose comparative trial of sotalol and propranolol indicated propranolol had greater anti-anginal action although sotalol, unlike practolol, was more effective than low dose propranolol. The use of beta-blocking agents in angina pectoris is relatively safe provided that the contraindications of asthma and cardiac insufficiency are observed and that treatment is commenced at a low dosage. The most dramatic change in the sympathetic environment of the heart takes place when treatment with a beta-blocking drug is commenced. The greatest danger of precipitating heart failure is therefore at the beginning of treatment even with a small starting dose. Once treatment has begun even an increase of 25% per dose represents a small pharmacological increment as there is no great change in the sympathetic drive to the heart. The larger dosage of beta-blocking drugs required for optimum treatment of angina may be gradually approached, but it has been my experience that heart failure is not likely to be precipitated at larger doses, provided they are not used initially. In other than mild angina pectoris the average optimum dosage of propranolol is 500-800 mg a day, similar, or perhaps more than the average dose in hypertension.", "PMID": 787954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7841", "title": "Haemodynamic effects of propranolol in hypertension: a review.", "content": "Like hypertension which is a multifactorial disease, the blood pressure response to propranolol cannot be explained by one mechanism alone to the exclusion of all others. Acute (intravenous) administration of propranolol lowers cardiac output and slows heart rate but does not significantly alter blood pressure. With continued therapy however, blood pressure (in responders) is gradually reduced while cardiac output and rate remains low, indicating a readaptation of total peripheral resistance (TPR) to the new haemodynamic conditions. This relatively complex interplay of factors and the predominant role of TPR in blood pressure response help explain why haemodynamic indices (such as elevated heart rate and cardiac output) were found of little value in predicting response to therapy and the failure of propranolol to control transient pressor responses associated with stress; although the increase of output in response to stress was blocked pressure rose due to increase in TPR. Therefore, despite the obvious cardiac effects of beta-adrenergic blockade, a blood pressure response to propranolol cannot be used as an index of cardiac participation in that hypertension. The long-term changes in TPR were significantly (P less than 0-02) correlated with reduction in plasma renin activity (PRA). This association does not necessarily imply a causal relationship since PRA suppression occurs at lower doses and much more rapidly than alterations in blood pressure. Further, the hypotensive effect obtained by adding propranolol to diuretic therapy was not associated with a significant reduction in PRA. However, the absence of correlation in a group of patients between blood pressure response to propranolol and its effect on other biological variables does not mean that these variables have no role in the hypotensive response. In fact, in some specific conditions the change in one variable might assume particular importance; thus in the markedly hyperkinetic circulation induced by potent vasodilators, reducing cardiac rate and output may play a major role in controlling persistent hypertension.", "contents": "Haemodynamic effects of propranolol in hypertension: a review. Like hypertension which is a multifactorial disease, the blood pressure response to propranolol cannot be explained by one mechanism alone to the exclusion of all others. Acute (intravenous) administration of propranolol lowers cardiac output and slows heart rate but does not significantly alter blood pressure. With continued therapy however, blood pressure (in responders) is gradually reduced while cardiac output and rate remains low, indicating a readaptation of total peripheral resistance (TPR) to the new haemodynamic conditions. This relatively complex interplay of factors and the predominant role of TPR in blood pressure response help explain why haemodynamic indices (such as elevated heart rate and cardiac output) were found of little value in predicting response to therapy and the failure of propranolol to control transient pressor responses associated with stress; although the increase of output in response to stress was blocked pressure rose due to increase in TPR. Therefore, despite the obvious cardiac effects of beta-adrenergic blockade, a blood pressure response to propranolol cannot be used as an index of cardiac participation in that hypertension. The long-term changes in TPR were significantly (P less than 0-02) correlated with reduction in plasma renin activity (PRA). This association does not necessarily imply a causal relationship since PRA suppression occurs at lower doses and much more rapidly than alterations in blood pressure. Further, the hypotensive effect obtained by adding propranolol to diuretic therapy was not associated with a significant reduction in PRA. However, the absence of correlation in a group of patients between blood pressure response to propranolol and its effect on other biological variables does not mean that these variables have no role in the hypotensive response. In fact, in some specific conditions the change in one variable might assume particular importance; thus in the markedly hyperkinetic circulation induced by potent vasodilators, reducing cardiac rate and output may play a major role in controlling persistent hypertension.", "PMID": 787955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7842", "title": "Propranolol in the treatment of alchoholism: a review.", "content": "In the withdrawal phase of chronic alcoholism, hyperkinetic circulation, characterized by increased cardiac output, is the rule. Even in alcoholics who have been sober for a long time, increased cardiac output is very common and these changes are similar to those seen in some patients with labile hypertension. This could be caused by psychic tension. In the withdrawal phase propranolol was found to normalize the circulation and to reverse the decreased peripheral vascular resistance. We observed that the patients seemed to be calm after 40 mg of propranolol by mouth. In a double blind study of propranolol and placebo this effect was confirmed and in another study 120 mg of propranolol a day was compared to 30 mg of diazepam a day (double-blind, crossover). Using different psychological methods all significant differences are in favour of propranolol. The findings are in agreement with other reports. It is our clinical impression that propranolol is a useful drug for psychic tension symptoms in chronic alcoholism. Very few side effects have been found.", "contents": "Propranolol in the treatment of alchoholism: a review. In the withdrawal phase of chronic alcoholism, hyperkinetic circulation, characterized by increased cardiac output, is the rule. Even in alcoholics who have been sober for a long time, increased cardiac output is very common and these changes are similar to those seen in some patients with labile hypertension. This could be caused by psychic tension. In the withdrawal phase propranolol was found to normalize the circulation and to reverse the decreased peripheral vascular resistance. We observed that the patients seemed to be calm after 40 mg of propranolol by mouth. In a double blind study of propranolol and placebo this effect was confirmed and in another study 120 mg of propranolol a day was compared to 30 mg of diazepam a day (double-blind, crossover). Using different psychological methods all significant differences are in favour of propranolol. The findings are in agreement with other reports. It is our clinical impression that propranolol is a useful drug for psychic tension symptoms in chronic alcoholism. Very few side effects have been found.", "PMID": 787956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7843", "title": "Propranolol in the treatment of anxiety.", "content": "Since 1964, of 725 patients presenting with anxiety syndromes, 513 were treated with propranolol for periods of several days to over 10 years, some intermittently, others virtually without interruption. Of these, 237 had previously received or were receiving psychotropic drugs, mostly benzodiazepines and/or phenothiazines, which had proved ineffective or deleterious. Dosage was adjusted to achieve an optimum clinical response and a relatively high degree of beta-blockade, as judged by the virtual abolition of orthostatic and hyperventilatory tachycardia. As a rule, 80-320 mg daily sufficed, but increments up to 1200 mg were temporarily required to control bizarre or unusually intense symptoms. With few exceptions, the somatic and psychic symptoms were relieved or moderated and overall functional capacity was restored. Depression, evident in 50% of the patients, usually lifted, but persisted in one-third as a lone symptom responsive to antidepressants. Propranolol requirements usually diminished and lasting remissions were not infrequent. The effects of propranolol contrasted sharply with those experienced by the patients receiving tranquillizers. Single-blind placebo trials involving 76 cases endorsed the specificity of the response to beta-blockade. This long term study reveals that effective control of the somatic and psychic symptoms of anxiety can be achieved with propranolol in appropriate dosage.", "contents": "Propranolol in the treatment of anxiety. Since 1964, of 725 patients presenting with anxiety syndromes, 513 were treated with propranolol for periods of several days to over 10 years, some intermittently, others virtually without interruption. Of these, 237 had previously received or were receiving psychotropic drugs, mostly benzodiazepines and/or phenothiazines, which had proved ineffective or deleterious. Dosage was adjusted to achieve an optimum clinical response and a relatively high degree of beta-blockade, as judged by the virtual abolition of orthostatic and hyperventilatory tachycardia. As a rule, 80-320 mg daily sufficed, but increments up to 1200 mg were temporarily required to control bizarre or unusually intense symptoms. With few exceptions, the somatic and psychic symptoms were relieved or moderated and overall functional capacity was restored. Depression, evident in 50% of the patients, usually lifted, but persisted in one-third as a lone symptom responsive to antidepressants. Propranolol requirements usually diminished and lasting remissions were not infrequent. The effects of propranolol contrasted sharply with those experienced by the patients receiving tranquillizers. Single-blind placebo trials involving 76 cases endorsed the specificity of the response to beta-blockade. This long term study reveals that effective control of the somatic and psychic symptoms of anxiety can be achieved with propranolol in appropriate dosage.", "PMID": 787957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7844", "title": "Treatment of migraine with propranolol.", "content": "Thirty patients suffering from intractable, repetitive migraine took part in a double-blind single-crossover trial to compare the effect of propranolol (at 120 mg per day) with that of placebo. During propranolol treatment the frequency of migraine attacks was reduced significantly, by more that 50% in 9 patients and by less that 50% in a further 9. In the remainder propranlol showed no advantage over placebo. It is concluded that, as propranolol has only few and mild side effects, it is a useful drug for preventing migraine attacks. As the pathogenesis of migraine is not completely understood, the mode of action of propranolol in preventing attacks cannot be fully explained. It has been possible, however, to relate some of the effects of beta-receptor antagonism to current knowledge of the condition.", "contents": "Treatment of migraine with propranolol. Thirty patients suffering from intractable, repetitive migraine took part in a double-blind single-crossover trial to compare the effect of propranolol (at 120 mg per day) with that of placebo. During propranolol treatment the frequency of migraine attacks was reduced significantly, by more that 50% in 9 patients and by less that 50% in a further 9. In the remainder propranlol showed no advantage over placebo. It is concluded that, as propranolol has only few and mild side effects, it is a useful drug for preventing migraine attacks. As the pathogenesis of migraine is not completely understood, the mode of action of propranolol in preventing attacks cannot be fully explained. It has been possible, however, to relate some of the effects of beta-receptor antagonism to current knowledge of the condition.", "PMID": 787958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7845", "title": "Irritable colon syndrome treated with an antispasmodic drug.", "content": "It was concluded that the trial had demonstrated therapeutic effects from dicyclomine in comparison with the placebo. Thus, the differences recorded, some of which were statistically significant, were all in favour of the active drug, despite the fact that a carry-over effect was apparent in the patients treated with dicyclomine first.", "contents": "Irritable colon syndrome treated with an antispasmodic drug. It was concluded that the trial had demonstrated therapeutic effects from dicyclomine in comparison with the placebo. Thus, the differences recorded, some of which were statistically significant, were all in favour of the active drug, despite the fact that a carry-over effect was apparent in the patients treated with dicyclomine first.", "PMID": 787960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7846", "title": "[Serratia marcescens infection in intensive care units (author's transl)].", "content": "The increased incidence of Serratia marcescens infection at the intensive care unit of the Department of Anaesthetics, General Hospital Altona, was investigated. The properties of this microorganism are described and its role in cross infections is discussed. The frequent occurrence of Serratia marcescens in mixed infections and its tendency to grow on tissue surfaces are pointed out. The presence of Serratia marcescens was demonstrated in 23 of 107 patients treated in the intensive care unit; an infection with Serratia was established in 13 of the 23 cases. Four patients died. As vital functions were severely impaired in these cases death could not be attributed solely to the Serratia infection. Preventive and therapeutic measures are reviewed.", "contents": "[Serratia marcescens infection in intensive care units (author's transl)]. The increased incidence of Serratia marcescens infection at the intensive care unit of the Department of Anaesthetics, General Hospital Altona, was investigated. The properties of this microorganism are described and its role in cross infections is discussed. The frequent occurrence of Serratia marcescens in mixed infections and its tendency to grow on tissue surfaces are pointed out. The presence of Serratia marcescens was demonstrated in 23 of 107 patients treated in the intensive care unit; an infection with Serratia was established in 13 of the 23 cases. Four patients died. As vital functions were severely impaired in these cases death could not be attributed solely to the Serratia infection. Preventive and therapeutic measures are reviewed.", "PMID": 787963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7847", "title": "[Haemodynamic studies during anaesthesia with etomidate and neflurance in ge-iatric patients].", "content": "The influence of combined anaesthesia with enflurance and etomidate on the haemodynamics of the main and pulmonary vasculary systems was studied in geriatric patients. The results showed a decrease in cardiac output with consecutiv fall of the mean arterial pressure and a significant increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure. According to our experiences there are less complications in cardiac andpulmonary system, when enflurance is combined with etomidate.", "contents": "[Haemodynamic studies during anaesthesia with etomidate and neflurance in ge-iatric patients]. The influence of combined anaesthesia with enflurance and etomidate on the haemodynamics of the main and pulmonary vasculary systems was studied in geriatric patients. The results showed a decrease in cardiac output with consecutiv fall of the mean arterial pressure and a significant increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure. According to our experiences there are less complications in cardiac andpulmonary system, when enflurance is combined with etomidate.", "PMID": 787964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7848", "title": "[Premedication with doxepin (author's transl)].", "content": "The effects of doxepin on the circulation and its anxiety relieving properties were studied in 67 patients who were premedicated with this drug before surgical operations. The findings showed that doxepin is very suitable for premedication on account of its sedative, tranquilizing and analgesic properties. It also reduced secretion of mucus and saliva. In a few cases it caused mild orthostatic circulatory dysregulation. The drug was well tolerated and has proved its value for routine administration.", "contents": "[Premedication with doxepin (author's transl)]. The effects of doxepin on the circulation and its anxiety relieving properties were studied in 67 patients who were premedicated with this drug before surgical operations. The findings showed that doxepin is very suitable for premedication on account of its sedative, tranquilizing and analgesic properties. It also reduced secretion of mucus and saliva. In a few cases it caused mild orthostatic circulatory dysregulation. The drug was well tolerated and has proved its value for routine administration.", "PMID": 787965} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7849", "title": "Improved procedures for the purification of selected vitamin K-dependent proteins.", "content": "Improved methods are described to obtain bovine prothrombin, Factor IX, Protein C, and autoprothrombin III (Factor X, Auto-III) in purified form. The prothrombin had a specific activity of 4,340 Iowa units/mg. Theoretically, a preparation of clean thrombin should have a specific activity of 8,200 U/mg, because 47.08% of the protein in prothrombin is lost when thrombin forms. Such thrombin preparations have been obtained (Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 121, 372 (1967)). The prothrombin concentration of bovine plasma is near 60 mg/liter. Protein C, first isolated by Stenflo (J. Biol. Chem. 251, 355 (1976)), was found to be the precursor of autoprothrombin II-A (Auto-II-A), discovered earlier (Thromb. Diath. Haemorrh. 5, 218 (1960)). Protein C (Factor XIV) was converted to Auto-II-A (Factor XIVa) by thrombin. Digesting purified Auto-III with purified thrombin removed a small glycopeptide from the COOH-terminal end of the heavy chain to yield Auto-IIIm. Auto-III thrombin leads to Auto-IIIm + peptide. Auto-IIIm was not converted to the active enzyme with thromboplastin, and furthermore, inhibited the activation of purified native Auto-III with thromboplastin. Auto-IIIm was also not converted to the active enzymes when the procoagulants consisted of purified Factor VIII, purified Factor IXa, platelet factor 3 and calcium ions. The \"activation peptide\" released by RVV-X from the NH2-terminal end of the heavy chain and the active enzyme (Auto-Cm) were purified. Auto-III was also activated with purified RVV-X. The same \"actid of Auto-Cm. Purified Factor IX developed anticoagulant activity when reacted with an optimum concentration of purified thrombin. A suitable reagent for the assay of Factor IX was prepared by removing prothrombin complex from anticoagulated bovine plasma and restoring the prothrombin and Auto-III concentration with use of the respective purified proenzymes.", "contents": "Improved procedures for the purification of selected vitamin K-dependent proteins. Improved methods are described to obtain bovine prothrombin, Factor IX, Protein C, and autoprothrombin III (Factor X, Auto-III) in purified form. The prothrombin had a specific activity of 4,340 Iowa units/mg. Theoretically, a preparation of clean thrombin should have a specific activity of 8,200 U/mg, because 47.08% of the protein in prothrombin is lost when thrombin forms. Such thrombin preparations have been obtained (Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 121, 372 (1967)). The prothrombin concentration of bovine plasma is near 60 mg/liter. Protein C, first isolated by Stenflo (J. Biol. Chem. 251, 355 (1976)), was found to be the precursor of autoprothrombin II-A (Auto-II-A), discovered earlier (Thromb. Diath. Haemorrh. 5, 218 (1960)). Protein C (Factor XIV) was converted to Auto-II-A (Factor XIVa) by thrombin. Digesting purified Auto-III with purified thrombin removed a small glycopeptide from the COOH-terminal end of the heavy chain to yield Auto-IIIm. Auto-III thrombin leads to Auto-IIIm + peptide. Auto-IIIm was not converted to the active enzyme with thromboplastin, and furthermore, inhibited the activation of purified native Auto-III with thromboplastin. Auto-IIIm was also not converted to the active enzymes when the procoagulants consisted of purified Factor VIII, purified Factor IXa, platelet factor 3 and calcium ions. The \"activation peptide\" released by RVV-X from the NH2-terminal end of the heavy chain and the active enzyme (Auto-Cm) were purified. Auto-III was also activated with purified RVV-X. The same \"actid of Auto-Cm. Purified Factor IX developed anticoagulant activity when reacted with an optimum concentration of purified thrombin. A suitable reagent for the assay of Factor IX was prepared by removing prothrombin complex from anticoagulated bovine plasma and restoring the prothrombin and Auto-III concentration with use of the respective purified proenzymes.", "PMID": 787972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7850", "title": "Stereochemistry of polymerization by DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase from Escherichia coli: an investigation with a diastereomeric ATP-analogue.", "content": "The phosphodiester bond formation by DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase, nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) can in principle result in retention, inversion, or racemization of configuration at the alpha-phosphorus of the nucleoside 5'-triphosphate being polymerized. As a first step in elucidating the stereochemistry of this reaction, one diastereomer (A) of adenosine 5'-O-(1-thiotriphosphate) (ATPalphaS) was polymerized with UTP in the presence of poly(dA-dT)-poly(dA-dT). The resulting polymer was enzymatically cleaved to uridine 2',3'-cyclic phosphorothioate which was determined to be the endo-isomer by comparison with an authentic sample. This shows that no reacemization had occurred and that isomer A of ATPalphaS gives a phosphorothioate diester bond with the R-configuration. Whether this represents inversion of retention of configuration awaits elucidation of the absolute configuration of isomer A for ATPalphaS.", "contents": "Stereochemistry of polymerization by DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase from Escherichia coli: an investigation with a diastereomeric ATP-analogue. The phosphodiester bond formation by DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase, nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) can in principle result in retention, inversion, or racemization of configuration at the alpha-phosphorus of the nucleoside 5'-triphosphate being polymerized. As a first step in elucidating the stereochemistry of this reaction, one diastereomer (A) of adenosine 5'-O-(1-thiotriphosphate) (ATPalphaS) was polymerized with UTP in the presence of poly(dA-dT)-poly(dA-dT). The resulting polymer was enzymatically cleaved to uridine 2',3'-cyclic phosphorothioate which was determined to be the endo-isomer by comparison with an authentic sample. This shows that no reacemization had occurred and that isomer A of ATPalphaS gives a phosphorothioate diester bond with the R-configuration. Whether this represents inversion of retention of configuration awaits elucidation of the absolute configuration of isomer A for ATPalphaS.", "PMID": 787980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7851", "title": "On the mechanism of genetic recombination: electron microscopic observation of recombination intermediates.", "content": "This paper deals with the nature of recombination intermediates. Using the electron microscope to study the DNA of the plasmid colicin E1, we have observed more than 800 molecules that appear to represent intermediates in the process of recombination. Specifically, after isolating colicin DNA and linearizing it with the restriction enzyme EcoRI, we find crossed molecules with twice the normal colicin DNA content. These forms consist of two genome-length elements held together at a region of DNA homology. The molecules can be recovered from wild type and Rec B-C host cells but are not present among the colicin DNA forms isolated from recombination-deficient Rec A cells. We have termed the experimentally observed molecules \"chi forms\" and believe that they represent the recombination intermediate of the Holliday model.", "contents": "On the mechanism of genetic recombination: electron microscopic observation of recombination intermediates. This paper deals with the nature of recombination intermediates. Using the electron microscope to study the DNA of the plasmid colicin E1, we have observed more than 800 molecules that appear to represent intermediates in the process of recombination. Specifically, after isolating colicin DNA and linearizing it with the restriction enzyme EcoRI, we find crossed molecules with twice the normal colicin DNA content. These forms consist of two genome-length elements held together at a region of DNA homology. The molecules can be recovered from wild type and Rec B-C host cells but are not present among the colicin DNA forms isolated from recombination-deficient Rec A cells. We have termed the experimentally observed molecules \"chi forms\" and believe that they represent the recombination intermediate of the Holliday model.", "PMID": 787981} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7852", "title": "Circular DNA of a yeast episome with two inverted repeats: structural analysis by a restriction enzyme and electron microscopy.", "content": "Small circular DNA molecules from genetically characterized clones of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been studied by restriction endonuclease analysis and electron microscopy. The circular monomers (6000 bases) are shown to contain two inverted repeats of the same sequence (600 bases) situated opposite each other along the perimeter. Four endonuclease EcoRI fragments are obtained in 1:1:1:1 stoichiometry, and their sum gives a length of about 12,000 bases. The two large fragments and the two small ones differ from each other by 200 bases. We propose a model for the structure of the monomer molecule. Two classes of monomers can be generated by intramolecular recombinations within inverted repeats; they differ by the relative orientation of nonrepeated segments. The structure of dimers as predicted by the model is verified by self-renaturation of single-stranded circles. Inverted repeats in circular molecules may be related to the insertion release faculty of II episome in the chromosomes.", "contents": "Circular DNA of a yeast episome with two inverted repeats: structural analysis by a restriction enzyme and electron microscopy. Small circular DNA molecules from genetically characterized clones of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been studied by restriction endonuclease analysis and electron microscopy. The circular monomers (6000 bases) are shown to contain two inverted repeats of the same sequence (600 bases) situated opposite each other along the perimeter. Four endonuclease EcoRI fragments are obtained in 1:1:1:1 stoichiometry, and their sum gives a length of about 12,000 bases. The two large fragments and the two small ones differ from each other by 200 bases. We propose a model for the structure of the monomer molecule. Two classes of monomers can be generated by intramolecular recombinations within inverted repeats; they differ by the relative orientation of nonrepeated segments. The structure of dimers as predicted by the model is verified by self-renaturation of single-stranded circles. Inverted repeats in circular molecules may be related to the insertion release faculty of II episome in the chromosomes.", "PMID": 787982} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7853", "title": "Specific binding of formylated initiator-tRNA to Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.", "content": "E. coli fMet-tRNAfMEet and E. coli RNA plymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase; EC 2.7.7.6; nucleoside-triphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase) form a 1:1 complex with an apparent association constant of 9.0 X 10(6)M-1 at 37 degrees. The affinity of polymerase to tRNA depends on the tRNA as well as the formyl methionine moiety. Core polymerase has a greatly reduced affinity for initiator tRNA. Optimal binding conditions are similar to those that are also optimal for binding initiator tRNA to ribosomes. Binding of initiator tRNA to polymerase stimulates the transcription of lambda plac DNA, as determined in a crude cell-free system for beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23; beta-D-galactoside galactohydrolase) synthesis as well as in a highly purified transcription system.", "contents": "Specific binding of formylated initiator-tRNA to Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. E. coli fMet-tRNAfMEet and E. coli RNA plymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase; EC 2.7.7.6; nucleoside-triphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase) form a 1:1 complex with an apparent association constant of 9.0 X 10(6)M-1 at 37 degrees. The affinity of polymerase to tRNA depends on the tRNA as well as the formyl methionine moiety. Core polymerase has a greatly reduced affinity for initiator tRNA. Optimal binding conditions are similar to those that are also optimal for binding initiator tRNA to ribosomes. Binding of initiator tRNA to polymerase stimulates the transcription of lambda plac DNA, as determined in a crude cell-free system for beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23; beta-D-galactoside galactohydrolase) synthesis as well as in a highly purified transcription system.", "PMID": 787983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7854", "title": "Isolation of a set of hybrid lac repressors made in vitro between normal lac repressor and its homogeneous tryptic core.", "content": "Lactose repressor can be renatured from 8 M guanidine-HCl solution. The renatured repressor is tetrameric and shows DNA binding activity. Thus it becomes possible to obtain hybrid tetramers in vitro between normal repressor and repressor defective in DNA binding by simultaneous denaturation and renaturation. In order to facilitate the separation of the different hybrids, we have used a lac repressor derivative that does not bind DNA, which is missing the amino-terminal 59 residues of the polypeptide chain (homogeneous tryptic core). The hybrids resulting from the mixed renaturation of homogeneous tryptic core and normal repressor can be separated by electrophoresis on Cellogel. The hybrids have been recovered, and a preliminary characterization of their DNA-binding properties is reported.", "contents": "Isolation of a set of hybrid lac repressors made in vitro between normal lac repressor and its homogeneous tryptic core. Lactose repressor can be renatured from 8 M guanidine-HCl solution. The renatured repressor is tetrameric and shows DNA binding activity. Thus it becomes possible to obtain hybrid tetramers in vitro between normal repressor and repressor defective in DNA binding by simultaneous denaturation and renaturation. In order to facilitate the separation of the different hybrids, we have used a lac repressor derivative that does not bind DNA, which is missing the amino-terminal 59 residues of the polypeptide chain (homogeneous tryptic core). The hybrids resulting from the mixed renaturation of homogeneous tryptic core and normal repressor can be separated by electrophoresis on Cellogel. The hybrids have been recovered, and a preliminary characterization of their DNA-binding properties is reported.", "PMID": 787984} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7855", "title": "The identification of the mot gene product with Escherichia coli-lambda hybrids.", "content": "Molecular cloning techniques were used to construct lambda-E. coli hybrid bacteriophage carrying genes involved in bacterial flagellar motility (mot) and chemotaxis (cheA). A series of hybrid bacteriophage without each of these genes was also prepared. When paralyzed mutants of E. coli were infected with lambda that carried the mot gene, the ability of the bacterium to swim was rapidly restored. The restoration of motility was the result of the synthesis and insertion into the cell membrane of a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 31,000 (the Mot protein). Another polypeptide with a mobility on acrylamide gel electrophoresis which corresponded to a molecular weight of 39,000 was associated with the cheA gene. The presence of this polypeptide alone was not sufficient to restore chemotactic activity to mutant cheA strains. It was suggested that only a portion of the cheA gene was cloned, and thus the 39,000 protein may be a partial product of the cheA gene, or the product of a second mot gene.", "contents": "The identification of the mot gene product with Escherichia coli-lambda hybrids. Molecular cloning techniques were used to construct lambda-E. coli hybrid bacteriophage carrying genes involved in bacterial flagellar motility (mot) and chemotaxis (cheA). A series of hybrid bacteriophage without each of these genes was also prepared. When paralyzed mutants of E. coli were infected with lambda that carried the mot gene, the ability of the bacterium to swim was rapidly restored. The restoration of motility was the result of the synthesis and insertion into the cell membrane of a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 31,000 (the Mot protein). Another polypeptide with a mobility on acrylamide gel electrophoresis which corresponded to a molecular weight of 39,000 was associated with the cheA gene. The presence of this polypeptide alone was not sufficient to restore chemotactic activity to mutant cheA strains. It was suggested that only a portion of the cheA gene was cloned, and thus the 39,000 protein may be a partial product of the cheA gene, or the product of a second mot gene.", "PMID": 787985} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7856", "title": "DNA dependent synthesis of protein L12 from escherichia coli ribosomes, in vitro.", "content": "The in vitro synthesis of ribosomal protein L12 has been obtained in a coupled system with DNA extracted from the transducing phage lambdarifd18 as template. In addition, a second protein (molecular weight of 16,000) with immunological, chemical, and ribosome-binding characteristics similar to L12 is formed in this in vitro system. The synthesis of both proteins is depressed by one-half when guanosine-5'-diphosphate-3'-diphosphate is added to the reaction mixture.", "contents": "DNA dependent synthesis of protein L12 from escherichia coli ribosomes, in vitro. The in vitro synthesis of ribosomal protein L12 has been obtained in a coupled system with DNA extracted from the transducing phage lambdarifd18 as template. In addition, a second protein (molecular weight of 16,000) with immunological, chemical, and ribosome-binding characteristics similar to L12 is formed in this in vitro system. The synthesis of both proteins is depressed by one-half when guanosine-5'-diphosphate-3'-diphosphate is added to the reaction mixture.", "PMID": 787986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7857", "title": "Localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) to central and peripheral neurons.", "content": "The localization of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) has been studied with immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoanalysis. VIP immunoreactivity is present in gastrointestinal nerves, which constitute a quantitatively important nerve population that may be intrinsic to the gut wall. VIP-immunoreactive neurons are also found within the ventromedial hypothalamus and give off processes that travel latteral to the third ventricle. Results of radioimmunoanalysis strongly indicate that the immunoreactive material represents true VIP. Thus VIP, at present a gastrointestinal hormone candidate, appears to represent a new neuronal peptide occurring in both the central and peripheral nervous system.", "contents": "Localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) to central and peripheral neurons. The localization of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) has been studied with immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoanalysis. VIP immunoreactivity is present in gastrointestinal nerves, which constitute a quantitatively important nerve population that may be intrinsic to the gut wall. VIP-immunoreactive neurons are also found within the ventromedial hypothalamus and give off processes that travel latteral to the third ventricle. Results of radioimmunoanalysis strongly indicate that the immunoreactive material represents true VIP. Thus VIP, at present a gastrointestinal hormone candidate, appears to represent a new neuronal peptide occurring in both the central and peripheral nervous system.", "PMID": 787988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7858", "title": "Localization of the neurofilament protein in neuroblastoma cells by immunofluorescent staining.", "content": "Neurofilament protein (54,000-56,000 daltons) has been localized in murine neuroblastoma cells by indirect immunofluorescent staining with antisera to purified calf brain neurofilament protein. In some cells with only short processes, specific staining of fibrous material was present in the perinuclear region while in other cells similar fibers, coiled to varying degrees, were present in other regions of the cytoplasm. In cells with longer processes a stained fiber extended throughout each process. The staining pattern observed followed the distribution of bundles of 100 A filaments as determined by electron microscopy. The fibers did not stain with antisera to tubulin or tropomyosin. The observations reported strongly indicate (i) that neurofilament protein isolated from calf brain is antigenically related to a component of the bundles of 100 A filaments in neuroblastoma cells, and (ii) that the neurofilament protein is an integral part of bundles of 100 A filaments in neuroblastoma cells, while neither tubulin nor tropomyosin is present in these bundles.", "contents": "Localization of the neurofilament protein in neuroblastoma cells by immunofluorescent staining. Neurofilament protein (54,000-56,000 daltons) has been localized in murine neuroblastoma cells by indirect immunofluorescent staining with antisera to purified calf brain neurofilament protein. In some cells with only short processes, specific staining of fibrous material was present in the perinuclear region while in other cells similar fibers, coiled to varying degrees, were present in other regions of the cytoplasm. In cells with longer processes a stained fiber extended throughout each process. The staining pattern observed followed the distribution of bundles of 100 A filaments as determined by electron microscopy. The fibers did not stain with antisera to tubulin or tropomyosin. The observations reported strongly indicate (i) that neurofilament protein isolated from calf brain is antigenically related to a component of the bundles of 100 A filaments in neuroblastoma cells, and (ii) that the neurofilament protein is an integral part of bundles of 100 A filaments in neuroblastoma cells, while neither tubulin nor tropomyosin is present in these bundles.", "PMID": 787987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7859", "title": "Specialized transduction of colicin E1 DNA in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Genetic studies were made on E. coli K-12 TM96, which carries recombinant molecules constructed by in vitro combination of colicin E1 DNA and a DNA fragment of E. coli for guanine synthesis derived from transducing phage. The recombinant molecules existed as stable plasmids within the cell and contained genes for colicin E1 immunity and the guaA enzyme (xanthosine 5'-monophosphate aminase) together with a part of the lambda genome, R through J: (R-A-F-J)+. A block of the lambda genome, int through Q, was not detected in the recombinant molecule. Thus, this recombinant molecule was named ColEl-coslambda-guaA, and the specialized tranduction of the ColEl-coslambda-guA DNA into various E. coli K-12 cells by lambda phage was described. Lysates prepared by lytic infection of lambda phage onto TM96 or by induction of TM96(lambda) lysogens contained transducing particles which could transduce gua-deleted E. coli to stable guaA+ cells. These transductants were proved to have similar genetic properties as those of TM96. The frequency of transduction was not affected by the presence of an attachement site for lambda, prophage lambda, colicin E1 plasmids, or the recA property within gua-deleted recipient cells. Transducing particles were resistant to EDTA treatment and most of them had an average density of about 1.472. This value corresponds to that of lambda phage particles, which contain about 72% of the lenght of lambda DNA.", "contents": "Specialized transduction of colicin E1 DNA in Escherichia coli K-12. Genetic studies were made on E. coli K-12 TM96, which carries recombinant molecules constructed by in vitro combination of colicin E1 DNA and a DNA fragment of E. coli for guanine synthesis derived from transducing phage. The recombinant molecules existed as stable plasmids within the cell and contained genes for colicin E1 immunity and the guaA enzyme (xanthosine 5'-monophosphate aminase) together with a part of the lambda genome, R through J: (R-A-F-J)+. A block of the lambda genome, int through Q, was not detected in the recombinant molecule. Thus, this recombinant molecule was named ColEl-coslambda-guaA, and the specialized tranduction of the ColEl-coslambda-guA DNA into various E. coli K-12 cells by lambda phage was described. Lysates prepared by lytic infection of lambda phage onto TM96 or by induction of TM96(lambda) lysogens contained transducing particles which could transduce gua-deleted E. coli to stable guaA+ cells. These transductants were proved to have similar genetic properties as those of TM96. The frequency of transduction was not affected by the presence of an attachement site for lambda, prophage lambda, colicin E1 plasmids, or the recA property within gua-deleted recipient cells. Transducing particles were resistant to EDTA treatment and most of them had an average density of about 1.472. This value corresponds to that of lambda phage particles, which contain about 72% of the lenght of lambda DNA.", "PMID": 787989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7860", "title": "Growth of transplanted tails of infant rats in adolescent allogeneic recipients.", "content": "The tails of newborn rats, consisting of slender continuous cones of avascular cartilage, were transplanted in subcutaneous spaces of allogeneic adolescents; colloidal carbon was injected in a vein before the transplants were harvested on days 7-28. Between 97 and 100% of the transplants were accepted, underwent differentiation into bone with bone marrow, and grew at a brisk rate. Acceptance was recognized by (i) a zebra-stripe effect, visible in the gross, resulting from accumulation of carbon in reticuloendothelial cells; (ii) increase of alkaline phosphatase [or-thophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (alkaline optimum), EC 3.1.3.1] and of incorporated 45Ca in the transplant; and (iii) the presence of dense cortical bone with lacunae populated with osteocytes demonstrable by histology. Differentiation of the cartilaginous transplant into bone with subsequent growth of the transplant occurred in recipients fed sucrose as their sole ration.", "contents": "Growth of transplanted tails of infant rats in adolescent allogeneic recipients. The tails of newborn rats, consisting of slender continuous cones of avascular cartilage, were transplanted in subcutaneous spaces of allogeneic adolescents; colloidal carbon was injected in a vein before the transplants were harvested on days 7-28. Between 97 and 100% of the transplants were accepted, underwent differentiation into bone with bone marrow, and grew at a brisk rate. Acceptance was recognized by (i) a zebra-stripe effect, visible in the gross, resulting from accumulation of carbon in reticuloendothelial cells; (ii) increase of alkaline phosphatase [or-thophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (alkaline optimum), EC 3.1.3.1] and of incorporated 45Ca in the transplant; and (iii) the presence of dense cortical bone with lacunae populated with osteocytes demonstrable by histology. Differentiation of the cartilaginous transplant into bone with subsequent growth of the transplant occurred in recipients fed sucrose as their sole ration.", "PMID": 787990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7861", "title": "The hydrolysis of biologically active peptides by bovine lung tissue factor (thromboplastin).", "content": "Tissue factor apoprotein and relipidated tissue factor preparations extensively hydrolyze bradykinin, Lys-bradykinin, Met-Lys-bradykinin, substance P, [Asp1, Ile5]-angiotensin II, [Asp1, Ile5]-angiotensin I, and human fibrinopeptide A while acting more slowly on [Sar1, Ile5]-angiotensin II, [Me2Gly1, Ile5]-angiotensin II, bradykinin potentiating pentapeptide from B. jararaca, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, melanocyte stimulating hormone-release-inhibiting factor (Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2), and oxytocin. No hydrolysis of thyrotropin-releasing factor or bradykinin potentiating nonapeptide from B. jararaca is observed. Relipidated and apoprotein tissue factor act at identical rates under the conditions of the assay. Dansylation and chromatography of tissue factor-peptide incubation mixtures further indicate that relipidated and apoprotein tissue factor also hydrolyze peptides by identical mechanisms. No fewer than six bonds are hydrolyzed in bradykinin while the angiotensins and substance P are degraded to constituent amino acids. Only the N-terminal alanine is released from fibrinopeptide A. 2-Mercaptoethanol greatly inhibits the hydrolysis of bradykinin by relipidated tissue factor.", "contents": "The hydrolysis of biologically active peptides by bovine lung tissue factor (thromboplastin). Tissue factor apoprotein and relipidated tissue factor preparations extensively hydrolyze bradykinin, Lys-bradykinin, Met-Lys-bradykinin, substance P, [Asp1, Ile5]-angiotensin II, [Asp1, Ile5]-angiotensin I, and human fibrinopeptide A while acting more slowly on [Sar1, Ile5]-angiotensin II, [Me2Gly1, Ile5]-angiotensin II, bradykinin potentiating pentapeptide from B. jararaca, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, melanocyte stimulating hormone-release-inhibiting factor (Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2), and oxytocin. No hydrolysis of thyrotropin-releasing factor or bradykinin potentiating nonapeptide from B. jararaca is observed. Relipidated and apoprotein tissue factor act at identical rates under the conditions of the assay. Dansylation and chromatography of tissue factor-peptide incubation mixtures further indicate that relipidated and apoprotein tissue factor also hydrolyze peptides by identical mechanisms. No fewer than six bonds are hydrolyzed in bradykinin while the angiotensins and substance P are degraded to constituent amino acids. Only the N-terminal alanine is released from fibrinopeptide A. 2-Mercaptoethanol greatly inhibits the hydrolysis of bradykinin by relipidated tissue factor.", "PMID": 787991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7862", "title": "Noxiptilin (Agedal)--a new tricyclic antidepressant with a faster onset of action? A double-blind, multicentre comparison with amitriptyline.", "content": "Five psychiatric hospitals in Norway took part in this double blind clinical trial, in which noxiptilin (Agedal) was compared with amitriptyline in hospitalized patients with primary depressive illness. According to total randomization, each patient received either noxiptilin or amitriptyline in semiflexible dosage, usually to a maximum dialy dose of 200-250 mg, for at least three, and possibly six weeks. Thirty patients received noxiptilin and 32 received amitriptyline for at least three weeks. The \"total\" improvement was assessed in two different ways: 1) By direct global assessment; according to this method, there was a non-significant tendency towards greater improvement on amitriptyline after three and sex weeks, in female and male patients alike. 2) By percentage reduction in total score on Hamilton's rating scale for depression; according to this method, there was a significantly greater improvement on noxiptilin after one week in female but not in male patients. After 2, 3 and 6 weeks there were no significant differences. Thus, this trial seems to support earlier claims that noxiptilin has a faster onset of action than amitriptyline. The two drugs did not differ significantly in their effect on any single symptom, nor in their effect on different types of depression. Both drugs had a better effect in patients with duration of present illness less than three months, than in patients with a duration longer than three months. Noxiptilin had a significantly better effect than amitriptyline in patients with insidious onset of present illness, whereas there was a strong (but non-significant) tendency for a better effect of amitriptyline in patients with a more acute onset of illness. No satisfactory explanation can be offered for this unexpected finding.", "contents": "Noxiptilin (Agedal)--a new tricyclic antidepressant with a faster onset of action? A double-blind, multicentre comparison with amitriptyline. Five psychiatric hospitals in Norway took part in this double blind clinical trial, in which noxiptilin (Agedal) was compared with amitriptyline in hospitalized patients with primary depressive illness. According to total randomization, each patient received either noxiptilin or amitriptyline in semiflexible dosage, usually to a maximum dialy dose of 200-250 mg, for at least three, and possibly six weeks. Thirty patients received noxiptilin and 32 received amitriptyline for at least three weeks. The \"total\" improvement was assessed in two different ways: 1) By direct global assessment; according to this method, there was a non-significant tendency towards greater improvement on amitriptyline after three and sex weeks, in female and male patients alike. 2) By percentage reduction in total score on Hamilton's rating scale for depression; according to this method, there was a significantly greater improvement on noxiptilin after one week in female but not in male patients. After 2, 3 and 6 weeks there were no significant differences. Thus, this trial seems to support earlier claims that noxiptilin has a faster onset of action than amitriptyline. The two drugs did not differ significantly in their effect on any single symptom, nor in their effect on different types of depression. Both drugs had a better effect in patients with duration of present illness less than three months, than in patients with a duration longer than three months. Noxiptilin had a significantly better effect than amitriptyline in patients with insidious onset of present illness, whereas there was a strong (but non-significant) tendency for a better effect of amitriptyline in patients with a more acute onset of illness. No satisfactory explanation can be offered for this unexpected finding.", "PMID": 788000} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7863", "title": "[The assessment of neuroleptogenic extrapyramidal syndroms in psychopharmacological research (author's transl)].", "content": "Methodological questions of clinical observation and classification of drug-induced extrapyramidal symptomatology are discussed. In our experimental approach we examined two groups of 20 acute schizophrenic patients each. The patients were treated for 4 weeks under double-blind conditions with the butyrophenone derivative Haloperidol and with the benzoxazepine derivative Loxapin respectively. The extrapyramidal disturbances appearing under these medications were studied. The patients were examined by means of the EPS-scale by Simpson and Angus weekly, before, during and after this treatment as well as under a subsequent therapy with a longacting neuroleptic. Extrapyramidal disturbances appearing between these fixed rating times were noted in a check list. According to a classification propased by Chien and Di-Mascio the symptomatology of extrapyramidal disturbances under neuroleptic therapy can be divided into \"permanent neuroleptic manifestations\" on the one hand and \"paroxysmal neurodysleptic manifestations\" on the other. While Haloperidol caused more distinct symptoms of permanent neuroleptic manifestations, acute neurodysleptic reactions appeared more frequently under Loxapin therapy.", "contents": "[The assessment of neuroleptogenic extrapyramidal syndroms in psychopharmacological research (author's transl)]. Methodological questions of clinical observation and classification of drug-induced extrapyramidal symptomatology are discussed. In our experimental approach we examined two groups of 20 acute schizophrenic patients each. The patients were treated for 4 weeks under double-blind conditions with the butyrophenone derivative Haloperidol and with the benzoxazepine derivative Loxapin respectively. The extrapyramidal disturbances appearing under these medications were studied. The patients were examined by means of the EPS-scale by Simpson and Angus weekly, before, during and after this treatment as well as under a subsequent therapy with a longacting neuroleptic. Extrapyramidal disturbances appearing between these fixed rating times were noted in a check list. According to a classification propased by Chien and Di-Mascio the symptomatology of extrapyramidal disturbances under neuroleptic therapy can be divided into \"permanent neuroleptic manifestations\" on the one hand and \"paroxysmal neurodysleptic manifestations\" on the other. While Haloperidol caused more distinct symptoms of permanent neuroleptic manifestations, acute neurodysleptic reactions appeared more frequently under Loxapin therapy.", "PMID": 788001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7864", "title": "Effect of lithium on neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia compared with placebo in a double-blind cross-over trial.", "content": "15 hospitalized patients suffering from neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesias participated in a double-blind cross-over study of lithium sulphate and placebo. Each drug was given for 3 weeks. The results were evaluated by means of the video-tape technique. Lithium sulphate induced a slight, but significant reduction in the tardive dyskinesia. Lithium had, in addition, a suppressive effect on psychomotor agitation and aggression. The concentrations of homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were determined in the cerebro-spinal fluid from five patients. It is concluded that lithium can be used with advantage in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia with only moderate intensity, particularly when the movement disturbances are accompanied by psychomotor restlessness. Finally, the effect of lithium on the central aminergic transmitter substances is discussed in relation to the existing hypotheses on the pathophysiology of tardive dyskinesia.", "contents": "Effect of lithium on neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia compared with placebo in a double-blind cross-over trial. 15 hospitalized patients suffering from neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesias participated in a double-blind cross-over study of lithium sulphate and placebo. Each drug was given for 3 weeks. The results were evaluated by means of the video-tape technique. Lithium sulphate induced a slight, but significant reduction in the tardive dyskinesia. Lithium had, in addition, a suppressive effect on psychomotor agitation and aggression. The concentrations of homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were determined in the cerebro-spinal fluid from five patients. It is concluded that lithium can be used with advantage in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia with only moderate intensity, particularly when the movement disturbances are accompanied by psychomotor restlessness. Finally, the effect of lithium on the central aminergic transmitter substances is discussed in relation to the existing hypotheses on the pathophysiology of tardive dyskinesia.", "PMID": 788002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7865", "title": "[The significance of standardized evaluation scales in psychiatric diagnosis as exemplified by the therapeutic intervention with desmethyl-loxapine (author's transl)].", "content": "Taking into account the particular problems of psychiatric classification the advantages and disadvantages of standardised rating scales are discussed. The authors come to the conclusion that these instruments at present are irreplaceable in psychopathological research because of their reliability in transmitting information and the possibility of quantifying psychopathological syndromes. The use of four rating scales which are little known yet within German speaking countries in demonstrated by means of a psychopharmacological investigation on the clinical effects of Desmethyl-Loxapine. These rating scales are: 1. the Hamilton-Psychiatric-Rating-Scale for Depression 2. the Wittenborn-Psychiatric-Rating-Scale 3. the Structured Clinical Interview (Burdock and Hardesty) and 4. the Befindlichkeits-Skala (Condition-Scale). Desmethyl-Loxapine was given in an open study as an antidepressant to 16 patients with different depressive syndromes. The results of treatment which lasted 3 to 4 weeks are discussed. The good therapeutic efficacy of Desmethyl-Loxapine was mainly due to its marked anxiolytic effect. All accomplished clinical examinations showed an excellent tolerance of this drug.", "contents": "[The significance of standardized evaluation scales in psychiatric diagnosis as exemplified by the therapeutic intervention with desmethyl-loxapine (author's transl)]. Taking into account the particular problems of psychiatric classification the advantages and disadvantages of standardised rating scales are discussed. The authors come to the conclusion that these instruments at present are irreplaceable in psychopathological research because of their reliability in transmitting information and the possibility of quantifying psychopathological syndromes. The use of four rating scales which are little known yet within German speaking countries in demonstrated by means of a psychopharmacological investigation on the clinical effects of Desmethyl-Loxapine. These rating scales are: 1. the Hamilton-Psychiatric-Rating-Scale for Depression 2. the Wittenborn-Psychiatric-Rating-Scale 3. the Structured Clinical Interview (Burdock and Hardesty) and 4. the Befindlichkeits-Skala (Condition-Scale). Desmethyl-Loxapine was given in an open study as an antidepressant to 16 patients with different depressive syndromes. The results of treatment which lasted 3 to 4 weeks are discussed. The good therapeutic efficacy of Desmethyl-Loxapine was mainly due to its marked anxiolytic effect. All accomplished clinical examinations showed an excellent tolerance of this drug.", "PMID": 788003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7866", "title": "[Pilot study of 2-pyrrolidon-acetamid (generic name: piracetam) (author's transl)].", "content": "Ten chronic schizophrenics were tested by clinical observations, psychological tests (FPI, LEV, d 2) and ratings with the Wittenborn-Psychiatric-Ratings-Scales (WPRS) before and after taking 2-pyrrolidon-acetamid. The improvement of obstructive, apathy, withdrawal and affective flatness in seven patients justify a double-blind psychometric evaluation concerning the effect of Piracetam on the schizophrenic deficiency states.", "contents": "[Pilot study of 2-pyrrolidon-acetamid (generic name: piracetam) (author's transl)]. Ten chronic schizophrenics were tested by clinical observations, psychological tests (FPI, LEV, d 2) and ratings with the Wittenborn-Psychiatric-Ratings-Scales (WPRS) before and after taking 2-pyrrolidon-acetamid. The improvement of obstructive, apathy, withdrawal and affective flatness in seven patients justify a double-blind psychometric evaluation concerning the effect of Piracetam on the schizophrenic deficiency states.", "PMID": 788004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7867", "title": "Numerical analysis of cardiopulmonary blood volumes in 113In(m) radiocardiography.", "content": "A theory of streamline flow of a viscous liquid was applied to the calculation of cardiac and pulmonary parameters (minute volume, stroke volume, right heart, pulmonary and left heart blood volumes) in a radiocardiographic model based on the modified gamma function. The practical feasibility of the formulations was tested using a physical flow model. The cardiopulmonary blood volumes measured from 14 normal subjects were consistent with the results obtained by more complex techniques. The present method is manageable on a small computer and is well suited to clinical routine use in connection with standard single detector 113In(m) radiocardiography.", "contents": "Numerical analysis of cardiopulmonary blood volumes in 113In(m) radiocardiography. A theory of streamline flow of a viscous liquid was applied to the calculation of cardiac and pulmonary parameters (minute volume, stroke volume, right heart, pulmonary and left heart blood volumes) in a radiocardiographic model based on the modified gamma function. The practical feasibility of the formulations was tested using a physical flow model. The cardiopulmonary blood volumes measured from 14 normal subjects were consistent with the results obtained by more complex techniques. The present method is manageable on a small computer and is well suited to clinical routine use in connection with standard single detector 113In(m) radiocardiography.", "PMID": 788006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7868", "title": "Diagnostic radiology of the colon and rectum. Review of the European radiological literature.", "content": "European radiological literature of the year 1975 reviewed, concerning colon diseases. Subjects like colon preparation, appendicitis, lymphoid hyperplasia, juvenile polyposis, villous adenomata, angiography in bleeding diverticulosis and lymphomata of the colon have been described in that year. Most attention is paid to the colon with oral laxatives and without enemas.", "contents": "Diagnostic radiology of the colon and rectum. Review of the European radiological literature. European radiological literature of the year 1975 reviewed, concerning colon diseases. Subjects like colon preparation, appendicitis, lymphoid hyperplasia, juvenile polyposis, villous adenomata, angiography in bleeding diverticulosis and lymphomata of the colon have been described in that year. Most attention is paid to the colon with oral laxatives and without enemas.", "PMID": 788028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7869", "title": "Renal prostaglandins for induction of labour-a dual clinical advantage in toxemia of pregnancy.", "content": "Prostaglandin A is known to be an antihypertensive vasodepressor agent produced by the kidney and has the basic potentialities of a hormone. No information is available at present concerning its effect on the human pregnant uterus and whether it can be used as an oxytocic compound to induce labour. The uterine stimulating and labour inducing ability of PGA1 was evaluated in 10 cases; seven patients were suffering from pregnancy toxemia while three were normal pregnancies near full term. Cardiotocographic tracings showed that uterine activity was markedly stimulated to a degree sufficient to induce labour. Continuous i.v. infusions at a rate of 0.25-1.0 mug/Kgm/min given over a fixed period of only 6 hours resulted in delivery in all cases except one following the discontinuation of administration. Beneficial effects on blood pressure were observed in toxemic subjects. Potentially serious FHR patterns and occasional hypertonus during therapy were seen and stress the need for more information to evaluate the safety, optimum dosage and duration of infusion as well as the place of this approach in clinical practice for the management of pregnancy toxemia. The absence of antidiuretic effect, the hypotensive response and uterine stimulating property of PGA1 indicate a possible advantage in toxemia of pregnancy as compared to oxytocin infusions.", "contents": "Renal prostaglandins for induction of labour-a dual clinical advantage in toxemia of pregnancy. Prostaglandin A is known to be an antihypertensive vasodepressor agent produced by the kidney and has the basic potentialities of a hormone. No information is available at present concerning its effect on the human pregnant uterus and whether it can be used as an oxytocic compound to induce labour. The uterine stimulating and labour inducing ability of PGA1 was evaluated in 10 cases; seven patients were suffering from pregnancy toxemia while three were normal pregnancies near full term. Cardiotocographic tracings showed that uterine activity was markedly stimulated to a degree sufficient to induce labour. Continuous i.v. infusions at a rate of 0.25-1.0 mug/Kgm/min given over a fixed period of only 6 hours resulted in delivery in all cases except one following the discontinuation of administration. Beneficial effects on blood pressure were observed in toxemic subjects. Potentially serious FHR patterns and occasional hypertonus during therapy were seen and stress the need for more information to evaluate the safety, optimum dosage and duration of infusion as well as the place of this approach in clinical practice for the management of pregnancy toxemia. The absence of antidiuretic effect, the hypotensive response and uterine stimulating property of PGA1 indicate a possible advantage in toxemia of pregnancy as compared to oxytocin infusions.", "PMID": 788055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7870", "title": "Prevention of hyaline membrane disease with plasminogen. Preliminary report of a cooperative study.", "content": "Five hundred premature infants were treated in a double blind, randomized study with intravenous plasminogen or placebo within 60 minutes of birth. There was a significant decrease in severe clinical respiratory distress, death due to hyaline membrane disease and total mortality in the plasminogen treated infants as compared to the controls.", "contents": "Prevention of hyaline membrane disease with plasminogen. Preliminary report of a cooperative study. Five hundred premature infants were treated in a double blind, randomized study with intravenous plasminogen or placebo within 60 minutes of birth. There was a significant decrease in severe clinical respiratory distress, death due to hyaline membrane disease and total mortality in the plasminogen treated infants as compared to the controls.", "PMID": 788079} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7871", "title": "Experimental infection of the bovine udder with the induced L phase of Streptococcus agalactiae.", "content": "Two out of 30 strains of Streptococcus agalactiae produced stable L phase variants when passaged on hypertonic agar containing penicillin. Streptococcal L phase variants were inoculated into six quarters of cows. The cows were observed for three months but the L phase was not reisolated and no reversion took place, the cows remaining free from streptococcal infection.", "contents": "Experimental infection of the bovine udder with the induced L phase of Streptococcus agalactiae. Two out of 30 strains of Streptococcus agalactiae produced stable L phase variants when passaged on hypertonic agar containing penicillin. Streptococcal L phase variants were inoculated into six quarters of cows. The cows were observed for three months but the L phase was not reisolated and no reversion took place, the cows remaining free from streptococcal infection.", "PMID": 788080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7872", "title": "[Preparation and biological trials of antimalarial sulfa embonates].", "content": "With the purpose of obtaining salts of sulfonamides with low toxicity but prolonged action, embonates of seven known sulfonamides, with antimalarila activity, were prepared by double exchange reaction between embonic acid and the antimalarial agents. Six of the seven embonates prepared showed activity against Plasmodium berghei in experimentally infected mice, one of them being significantly more active than the original sulfonamide (sulfadimethoxine).", "contents": "[Preparation and biological trials of antimalarial sulfa embonates]. With the purpose of obtaining salts of sulfonamides with low toxicity but prolonged action, embonates of seven known sulfonamides, with antimalarila activity, were prepared by double exchange reaction between embonic acid and the antimalarial agents. Six of the seven embonates prepared showed activity against Plasmodium berghei in experimentally infected mice, one of them being significantly more active than the original sulfonamide (sulfadimethoxine).", "PMID": 788077} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7873", "title": "[Study of isolated nerve fibers in primary hypertrophic neuritis].", "content": "This report describes pathological changes of myelin, cells and axons of teased nerve fibers from three cases (two having a family history) of primary hypertrophic neuritis with onion bulb formations seen in aptic and electron microscopy. Segmental demyelination and subsequent remyelination occurred in most myelinated fibers isolated. Besides this classical pattern, in some fibers large pseudo-wallerian ovoids of myelin with preservation of the axon, demonstrated by silver counterstaining, were found. This pseudo-wallerian degeneration is thus a primary demyelination and axonal degeneration remains a rare finding. A quantitative evaluation of the different patterns of myelin degeneration has been established. The study of cellular proliferation has shown clustering of nuclei scattered along the fiber. In some fibers the changes of the myelin sheath are encountered without Schwann-cell accummulation, while in others cellular proliferation is prominent without obvious myelin abnormalities. Cellular proliferation has also been seen in unmyelinated fibers (Remak fibers). In some neural tubes devoid of axis cylinders striking Schwann-cell accumulation remains, giving may in some places to fusiform enlargement of the \"Schwann-cell tube\". These \"Schwann-cell tubes\" appear as one of the late stage changes occuring in hypertrophic neuritis.", "contents": "[Study of isolated nerve fibers in primary hypertrophic neuritis]. This report describes pathological changes of myelin, cells and axons of teased nerve fibers from three cases (two having a family history) of primary hypertrophic neuritis with onion bulb formations seen in aptic and electron microscopy. Segmental demyelination and subsequent remyelination occurred in most myelinated fibers isolated. Besides this classical pattern, in some fibers large pseudo-wallerian ovoids of myelin with preservation of the axon, demonstrated by silver counterstaining, were found. This pseudo-wallerian degeneration is thus a primary demyelination and axonal degeneration remains a rare finding. A quantitative evaluation of the different patterns of myelin degeneration has been established. The study of cellular proliferation has shown clustering of nuclei scattered along the fiber. In some fibers the changes of the myelin sheath are encountered without Schwann-cell accummulation, while in others cellular proliferation is prominent without obvious myelin abnormalities. Cellular proliferation has also been seen in unmyelinated fibers (Remak fibers). In some neural tubes devoid of axis cylinders striking Schwann-cell accumulation remains, giving may in some places to fusiform enlargement of the \"Schwann-cell tube\". These \"Schwann-cell tubes\" appear as one of the late stage changes occuring in hypertrophic neuritis.", "PMID": 788098} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7874", "title": "[Quantitative and qualitative study of ABH antigens of cis AB blood group].", "content": "Fourteen cis AB blood samples belonging to 6 families from Belgium, France, Japan and Germany were studied with quantitative agglutination and fixation assay. Results showed that ABH antigens of cis AB erythrocytes significantly differ from \"trans\" AB controls: the H amount is higher than in trans AB and similar to that of A2 controls; the A amount is similar to that of A2 cells; the number of A sites per cell as measured with a 125-I labelled IgG anti-A from a rabbit ranges from 170 000 to 580 000 in cis AB samples; the A1 reactivity seems to be related to the A antigen density of erythrocytes more than to a specific A1 antigen; the B reactivity is quite normal with immune anti-B sera but weak with naturally-occurring anti-B from A individuals. The reaction of B antigen of cis AB cells with a naturally-occurring anti-B from an A1O person exhibits a weaker enthalpy change than in trans AB cells. Most cis AB sera have anti-B activity, essentially at 4 degrees C. In saliva A and H substances are found in normal amounts but B substance is only evidenced by inhibition of autologous cells agglutination. Data obtained from this study do not favour any proposed hypothesis to explain the cis AB gene formation (crossing-over between A and B genes or A gene mutation).", "contents": "[Quantitative and qualitative study of ABH antigens of cis AB blood group]. Fourteen cis AB blood samples belonging to 6 families from Belgium, France, Japan and Germany were studied with quantitative agglutination and fixation assay. Results showed that ABH antigens of cis AB erythrocytes significantly differ from \"trans\" AB controls: the H amount is higher than in trans AB and similar to that of A2 controls; the A amount is similar to that of A2 cells; the number of A sites per cell as measured with a 125-I labelled IgG anti-A from a rabbit ranges from 170 000 to 580 000 in cis AB samples; the A1 reactivity seems to be related to the A antigen density of erythrocytes more than to a specific A1 antigen; the B reactivity is quite normal with immune anti-B sera but weak with naturally-occurring anti-B from A individuals. The reaction of B antigen of cis AB cells with a naturally-occurring anti-B from an A1O person exhibits a weaker enthalpy change than in trans AB cells. Most cis AB sera have anti-B activity, essentially at 4 degrees C. In saliva A and H substances are found in normal amounts but B substance is only evidenced by inhibition of autologous cells agglutination. Data obtained from this study do not favour any proposed hypothesis to explain the cis AB gene formation (crossing-over between A and B genes or A gene mutation).", "PMID": 788099} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7875", "title": "[I antigenicity of the Bombay red cells].", "content": "Different homogeneous IgM cold agglutinins have been used to determine the antigen site density of Oh and OHm erythrocytes in comparison with O (H). The equilibrium constants and the delta Ho and delta S o have been measured. When H antigen is absent on the O red blood cells, there is no apparition of new I and i antigenic sites. Competition between gene products converting i into I and Hh genes for a common precursor substance appears unlikely. Nevertheless, the affinity of all antibodies tested increases with Oh and OHm cells and the thermodynamic parameters are accordingly modified. These results could be explained by: either a lesser steric hindrance in the absence of H antigen, the I determinants that are normally hidden by H antigen become more accessible, or by a modification of the molecular environment, as the interaction between fucosyl and N-acetyl residue of the penultimate sugar on the basic oligo-saccharidic chain is abolished. The structure of some I determinants may be modified, particularly of those which include the beta-D-Glu-NAc. Another explanation for these peculiar reactivities could be the substitution on the Bombay cells of this fucose by a neuraminyl residue. In the Sch. siblings, a heterozygous Hh subject was evidenced. His thermodynamic characteristics are nearing those of the hh propositus; the hypothesis of a competition between fucosyl and neuraminyltransferases for the same substrate is then proposed.", "contents": "[I antigenicity of the Bombay red cells]. Different homogeneous IgM cold agglutinins have been used to determine the antigen site density of Oh and OHm erythrocytes in comparison with O (H). The equilibrium constants and the delta Ho and delta S o have been measured. When H antigen is absent on the O red blood cells, there is no apparition of new I and i antigenic sites. Competition between gene products converting i into I and Hh genes for a common precursor substance appears unlikely. Nevertheless, the affinity of all antibodies tested increases with Oh and OHm cells and the thermodynamic parameters are accordingly modified. These results could be explained by: either a lesser steric hindrance in the absence of H antigen, the I determinants that are normally hidden by H antigen become more accessible, or by a modification of the molecular environment, as the interaction between fucosyl and N-acetyl residue of the penultimate sugar on the basic oligo-saccharidic chain is abolished. The structure of some I determinants may be modified, particularly of those which include the beta-D-Glu-NAc. Another explanation for these peculiar reactivities could be the substitution on the Bombay cells of this fucose by a neuraminyl residue. In the Sch. siblings, a heterozygous Hh subject was evidenced. His thermodynamic characteristics are nearing those of the hh propositus; the hypothesis of a competition between fucosyl and neuraminyltransferases for the same substrate is then proposed.", "PMID": 788104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7876", "title": "[Polyagglutinability due to Hempas antigen].", "content": "A new antigen has been recently discoverd in patients with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II. The acronyme Hempas was proposed for this disease as a remind of the main morphological feature of erythroblasts (hereditary erythroblastic multinuclearity) and the characteristic serological findings (positive acidified serum test). The patients red cells are agglutinated and lysed by an IgM cold reacting antibody present in the serum of most normal subjects and not previously recognized. This behaviour is thus reminding of cells carrying antigens such as T, Tn, Cad or acquired B. As for T and Tn cells, sialic acid and electrophoretic mobility are reduced, but in contrast, agglutinability of Hempas cells is enhanced by enzyme treatment. Agglutination by anti H and anti Pr specific reagents is reduced. I and mainly i activity are strongly increased. The relationship between the membrane abnormalities of Hempas red cells and the failure of normoblasts to divide their cytoplasm i still largely unknown.", "contents": "[Polyagglutinability due to Hempas antigen]. A new antigen has been recently discoverd in patients with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II. The acronyme Hempas was proposed for this disease as a remind of the main morphological feature of erythroblasts (hereditary erythroblastic multinuclearity) and the characteristic serological findings (positive acidified serum test). The patients red cells are agglutinated and lysed by an IgM cold reacting antibody present in the serum of most normal subjects and not previously recognized. This behaviour is thus reminding of cells carrying antigens such as T, Tn, Cad or acquired B. As for T and Tn cells, sialic acid and electrophoretic mobility are reduced, but in contrast, agglutinability of Hempas cells is enhanced by enzyme treatment. Agglutination by anti H and anti Pr specific reagents is reduced. I and mainly i activity are strongly increased. The relationship between the membrane abnormalities of Hempas red cells and the failure of normoblasts to divide their cytoplasm i still largely unknown.", "PMID": 788106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7877", "title": "[Current evaluation of the classical Werner test and its correlation with current in vitro E.T.R. technics].", "content": "The authors evaluated the current standing of the classical 131I uptake test, together with its subsidiary stimulation and suppression tests, and its correlation to clinical diagnosis and the in vitro ETR (Effective Thyroxine Ratio) technique. In the 349 cases studied, a good correlation was found between the previous diagnosis--made by means of 131I uptake test--and the clinics and symptomatology, and very particularly, the in vitro ETR test. The authors conclude that the combination of both tests is sufficiently reliable for the diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction.", "contents": "[Current evaluation of the classical Werner test and its correlation with current in vitro E.T.R. technics]. The authors evaluated the current standing of the classical 131I uptake test, together with its subsidiary stimulation and suppression tests, and its correlation to clinical diagnosis and the in vitro ETR (Effective Thyroxine Ratio) technique. In the 349 cases studied, a good correlation was found between the previous diagnosis--made by means of 131I uptake test--and the clinics and symptomatology, and very particularly, the in vitro ETR test. The authors conclude that the combination of both tests is sufficiently reliable for the diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction.", "PMID": 788111} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7878", "title": "Dapsone in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "After a preliminary period of observation, 71 patients with consistently active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were given dapsone 50 mg daily for one week, then 100 mg daily. There was a significant improvement in subjective clinical state and there were significant falls in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and the ESR; the Rose-Waaler titre (RW) did not fall. The results were compared with those in 78 patients who had gold. Subjective clinical improvement was slower with gold, but from six weeks the pattern of changes in clinical score, CRP and ESR was similar for both drugs. The RW fell during gold treatment. The results suggest dapsone is effective in RA; over-all it appears to be slightly less effective than gold but much less toxic.", "contents": "Dapsone in rheumatoid arthritis. After a preliminary period of observation, 71 patients with consistently active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were given dapsone 50 mg daily for one week, then 100 mg daily. There was a significant improvement in subjective clinical state and there were significant falls in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and the ESR; the Rose-Waaler titre (RW) did not fall. The results were compared with those in 78 patients who had gold. Subjective clinical improvement was slower with gold, but from six weeks the pattern of changes in clinical score, CRP and ESR was similar for both drugs. The RW fell during gold treatment. The results suggest dapsone is effective in RA; over-all it appears to be slightly less effective than gold but much less toxic.", "PMID": 788118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7879", "title": "[Mutagenic activity of pesticides (author's transl)].", "content": "The mutagenicity of sixty pesticides was investigated in three strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using reversion from histidine and methionine auxotrophy as a measure of the induced mutation. Mutagenesis was observed in twenty three compounds; the strains employed exhibit different susceptibility to the mutagenic action. In view of the data obtained the possible mechanisms of action of the different class of compounds are discussed.", "contents": "[Mutagenic activity of pesticides (author's transl)]. The mutagenicity of sixty pesticides was investigated in three strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using reversion from histidine and methionine auxotrophy as a measure of the induced mutation. Mutagenesis was observed in twenty three compounds; the strains employed exhibit different susceptibility to the mutagenic action. In view of the data obtained the possible mechanisms of action of the different class of compounds are discussed.", "PMID": 788121} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7880", "title": "Mild stimulation of serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) release following large doses of intravenously given glycine to children of normal pituitary function.", "content": "In healthy, sexually immature children of both sexes serum IRI levels rose more than expected from random inter-individual variation (i.e. more than 3 standard deviations of the basal level) in 10 out of 21 subjects loaded by glycine. The IRI release by glycine though moderate and not constant is, however, unquestionable. The growth hormone (GH) secretory response to glycine did not change according to the occurrence and/or magnitude of IRI release. It was concluded that GH and IRI stimulatory properties of glycine given intravenously in large doses are completely unrelated.", "contents": "Mild stimulation of serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) release following large doses of intravenously given glycine to children of normal pituitary function. In healthy, sexually immature children of both sexes serum IRI levels rose more than expected from random inter-individual variation (i.e. more than 3 standard deviations of the basal level) in 10 out of 21 subjects loaded by glycine. The IRI release by glycine though moderate and not constant is, however, unquestionable. The growth hormone (GH) secretory response to glycine did not change according to the occurrence and/or magnitude of IRI release. It was concluded that GH and IRI stimulatory properties of glycine given intravenously in large doses are completely unrelated.", "PMID": 788133} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7881", "title": "Nonsecretory myelomatosis without intracellular immunoglobulin. Immunofluorescent and ultramicroscopic studies.", "content": "A patient with multiple myeloma is reported with severe hypogammaglobulinaemia but without monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-component) in the serum or Bence Jones protein in the urine. In May-Gr\u00fcnwald-Giemsa stained bone marrow film 45% of the cells resembled plasma cells. Marrow immunofluorescent studies showed no increase of immunoglobulin containing cells. Ultrastructural studies showed a large number of cells with a well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and other morphological features characteristic for plasma cells.", "contents": "Nonsecretory myelomatosis without intracellular immunoglobulin. Immunofluorescent and ultramicroscopic studies. A patient with multiple myeloma is reported with severe hypogammaglobulinaemia but without monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-component) in the serum or Bence Jones protein in the urine. In May-Gr\u00fcnwald-Giemsa stained bone marrow film 45% of the cells resembled plasma cells. Marrow immunofluorescent studies showed no increase of immunoglobulin containing cells. Ultrastructural studies showed a large number of cells with a well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and other morphological features characteristic for plasma cells.", "PMID": 788138} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7882", "title": "Microbiological aspects on peritonsillar abscesses.", "content": "In 37 patients with unilateral quinsy put was collected with a syringe technique and bacteriologically examined. Beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 17 abscesses; in 8 of these, however, together with other bacteria, mainly anaerobes. Anaerobic bacteria, often more than one species, were found in 28 abscesses. Streptococcal serology including AST-O, Streptozyme and separate ADNAse test showed high titres or titre rises in 22 out of 30 examined cases. There was one case with beta-hemolytic streptococci in the abscess but negative serology. In the remaining cases a possible primary etiological role of anaerobes is suggested. The effect of combined surgical drainage and treatment with antibiotics (ampicillin or penicillin V) was good.", "contents": "Microbiological aspects on peritonsillar abscesses. In 37 patients with unilateral quinsy put was collected with a syringe technique and bacteriologically examined. Beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 17 abscesses; in 8 of these, however, together with other bacteria, mainly anaerobes. Anaerobic bacteria, often more than one species, were found in 28 abscesses. Streptococcal serology including AST-O, Streptozyme and separate ADNAse test showed high titres or titre rises in 22 out of 30 examined cases. There was one case with beta-hemolytic streptococci in the abscess but negative serology. In the remaining cases a possible primary etiological role of anaerobes is suggested. The effect of combined surgical drainage and treatment with antibiotics (ampicillin or penicillin V) was good.", "PMID": 788140} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7883", "title": "Streptococcal types in impetigo and acute glomerulonephritis among children in Addis Ababa.", "content": "Studies on the streptococcal epidemiology of impetigo in children below 12 years of age in Addis Ababa indicated that most streptococci isolated belonged to the classic serological impetigo strains. Streptococcal type 9 seemed to be a new impetigo strain. Several cases of severe acute glomerulonephritis on impetigo basis were observed during the study.", "contents": "Streptococcal types in impetigo and acute glomerulonephritis among children in Addis Ababa. Studies on the streptococcal epidemiology of impetigo in children below 12 years of age in Addis Ababa indicated that most streptococci isolated belonged to the classic serological impetigo strains. Streptococcal type 9 seemed to be a new impetigo strain. Several cases of severe acute glomerulonephritis on impetigo basis were observed during the study.", "PMID": 788141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7884", "title": "Vaccination against meningococcal group A disease in Finland 1974-75.", "content": "Meningococcal group A polysaccharide vaccine was used in children 3 months to 5 years of age in the winter 1974-75 during an epidemic caused by sulphanamide-resistant group A meningococci. In 3 provinces, the vaccine was offered on a double-blind basis, using Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccaride vaccine as control. Approximately 100 000 children were vaccinated with either one of the vaccines. In the Kymi province, approximately 22 000 children representing 90% of the child population of this age received the meningococcus vacine. Infants below 18 months received a booster dose of vaccine 3 months after the first dose. The meningococcus vaccine caused local symptoms in 71%, mild systemic reactions in 37%, and high fever (38.5 degrees C or more) in 1.8% The haemophilus vaccine produced fewer side effects. No clinical infections caused by group A meningococci were reported in the first 6 months after vaccination among those who had received the meningococcal vaccine. At the same time, group A cases continued to appear in other age groups and other areas of the country.", "contents": "Vaccination against meningococcal group A disease in Finland 1974-75. Meningococcal group A polysaccharide vaccine was used in children 3 months to 5 years of age in the winter 1974-75 during an epidemic caused by sulphanamide-resistant group A meningococci. In 3 provinces, the vaccine was offered on a double-blind basis, using Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccaride vaccine as control. Approximately 100 000 children were vaccinated with either one of the vaccines. In the Kymi province, approximately 22 000 children representing 90% of the child population of this age received the meningococcus vacine. Infants below 18 months received a booster dose of vaccine 3 months after the first dose. The meningococcus vaccine caused local symptoms in 71%, mild systemic reactions in 37%, and high fever (38.5 degrees C or more) in 1.8% The haemophilus vaccine produced fewer side effects. No clinical infections caused by group A meningococci were reported in the first 6 months after vaccination among those who had received the meningococcal vaccine. At the same time, group A cases continued to appear in other age groups and other areas of the country.", "PMID": 788143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7885", "title": "Yersinia enterocolitica infection in patients with acute surgical abdominal disease. A prospective study.", "content": "The rate of yersiniosis in patients with acute abdominal disease was studied in a 16-month prospective investigation in 1972-1973 of 205 acutely ill patients referred to a surgical clinic of a Copenhagen City hospital with complaints of abdominal pain suggestive of appendicitis. Yersinia enterocolitica, biotype 4, was isolated from 11 patients (5.4%), 8 of whom were children. Yersinia was grown from faeces in 8 cases and from appendix of all 9 patients operated upon. Rising or falling agglutinin titres larger than or equal to 100, indicative of yersiniosis, were found in 22 patients (10.7%) including all bacteriologically verified cases. Eight additional patients (3.9%) had less significant titres larger than or equal to 100, suggestive of recent or present infection. 28 patients (13.7%) had insignificant titres, including 3 with antibodies against serotype 9. In all cases except these 3, antibodies were against Y. enterocolitica, serotype 3. A differential diagnosis between Y. enterocolitica infection and other types of appendicitis could not be made within this highly selected group of patients using available clinical data. All cases were rather mild and self-limiting. It is suggested that in future epidemiological and other studies of yersiniosis, early bacteriological and serological examinations be carried out.", "contents": "Yersinia enterocolitica infection in patients with acute surgical abdominal disease. A prospective study. The rate of yersiniosis in patients with acute abdominal disease was studied in a 16-month prospective investigation in 1972-1973 of 205 acutely ill patients referred to a surgical clinic of a Copenhagen City hospital with complaints of abdominal pain suggestive of appendicitis. Yersinia enterocolitica, biotype 4, was isolated from 11 patients (5.4%), 8 of whom were children. Yersinia was grown from faeces in 8 cases and from appendix of all 9 patients operated upon. Rising or falling agglutinin titres larger than or equal to 100, indicative of yersiniosis, were found in 22 patients (10.7%) including all bacteriologically verified cases. Eight additional patients (3.9%) had less significant titres larger than or equal to 100, suggestive of recent or present infection. 28 patients (13.7%) had insignificant titres, including 3 with antibodies against serotype 9. In all cases except these 3, antibodies were against Y. enterocolitica, serotype 3. A differential diagnosis between Y. enterocolitica infection and other types of appendicitis could not be made within this highly selected group of patients using available clinical data. All cases were rather mild and self-limiting. It is suggested that in future epidemiological and other studies of yersiniosis, early bacteriological and serological examinations be carried out.", "PMID": 788144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7886", "title": "A NEW Escherichia coli O-group, O159, associated with outbreaks of enteritis in infants.", "content": "An outbreak of enteritis occurred amongst babies in a nursery unit. 25 babies were affected and 5 required intravenous therapy; there were not fatalities. From 24 of the 25 babies affected, an Escherichia coli with a previously undescribed O-antigen was isolated. An outbreak of diarrhoea had taken place in the same hospital a year before and re-examiniation of cultures of E. coli isolated at that time showed that 5 of the 15 babies affected had been excreting E. coli with the same O-antigen. Isolates from 10 of the babies were tested for enterotoxin production in the infant mouse model and 4 gave a positive response. The new O-antigen has been accepted into the international serotyping scheme and has been designated E. coli O159.", "contents": "A NEW Escherichia coli O-group, O159, associated with outbreaks of enteritis in infants. An outbreak of enteritis occurred amongst babies in a nursery unit. 25 babies were affected and 5 required intravenous therapy; there were not fatalities. From 24 of the 25 babies affected, an Escherichia coli with a previously undescribed O-antigen was isolated. An outbreak of diarrhoea had taken place in the same hospital a year before and re-examiniation of cultures of E. coli isolated at that time showed that 5 of the 15 babies affected had been excreting E. coli with the same O-antigen. Isolates from 10 of the babies were tested for enterotoxin production in the infant mouse model and 4 gave a positive response. The new O-antigen has been accepted into the international serotyping scheme and has been designated E. coli O159.", "PMID": 788145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7887", "title": "Streptococcus zooepidemicus (group C streptococci) as a cause of human infection.", "content": "Cervical lymphadenitis with high fever and respiratory distress in a 3-year-old boy is reported. Group C streptococci were isolated from the boy's throat and these were identified as Streptococcus zooepidemicus. The patient recovered after treatment with penicillin. Strep. zooepidemicus is extremely rare as a causative organism of human infections. Even symptomless carriers are very rare. Group C streptococci isolated from humans normally belong to the species Strep. equisimilis.", "contents": "Streptococcus zooepidemicus (group C streptococci) as a cause of human infection. Cervical lymphadenitis with high fever and respiratory distress in a 3-year-old boy is reported. Group C streptococci were isolated from the boy's throat and these were identified as Streptococcus zooepidemicus. The patient recovered after treatment with penicillin. Strep. zooepidemicus is extremely rare as a causative organism of human infections. Even symptomless carriers are very rare. Group C streptococci isolated from humans normally belong to the species Strep. equisimilis.", "PMID": 788146} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7888", "title": "Neonatal osteomyelitis caused by group B streptococci.", "content": "A 3-week-old infant with a group B streptococcal osteomyelitis is described. On admission swelling and fluctuation were combined with local erythema in the right ankle joint region. Group B streptococci, type Ib, were isolated both from blood and from the local focus in the ankle. The diagnosis was further confirmed by X-ray examination showing a lytic lesion in the talus. The child was successfully treated with penicillin, initially in combination with kanamycin.", "contents": "Neonatal osteomyelitis caused by group B streptococci. A 3-week-old infant with a group B streptococcal osteomyelitis is described. On admission swelling and fluctuation were combined with local erythema in the right ankle joint region. Group B streptococci, type Ib, were isolated both from blood and from the local focus in the ankle. The diagnosis was further confirmed by X-ray examination showing a lytic lesion in the talus. The child was successfully treated with penicillin, initially in combination with kanamycin.", "PMID": 788147} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7889", "title": "A study on the mutagenic activity of styrene and styrene oxide.", "content": "Styrene oxide is multagenic, without metabolic activation, to S. typhimurium strains TA 1535 and TA 100, which have been devised to detect mutagens causing base-pair substitutions. Styrene seems to be mutagenic toward the same strains, but only after metabolic activation. The toxicity of both styrene and styrene oxide make the construction of reliable dose-response curves rather difficult. Diethylmaleate and 3,3,3-trichloropropene oxide enhanced the mutagenicity of styrene oxide in the presence of homogenate; this result indicates the participation of epoxide hydratase and glutathione S-oxide transferase in the metabolism of styrene oxide. These two chemicals did not influence the mutagenic activity of styrene. Styrene glycol and 4-tert-butyl-brenzcatechin were not mutagenic to any of the strains studied. Results show that further, more detailed experimental and, possibly, epidemiologic studies are warranted.", "contents": "A study on the mutagenic activity of styrene and styrene oxide. Styrene oxide is multagenic, without metabolic activation, to S. typhimurium strains TA 1535 and TA 100, which have been devised to detect mutagens causing base-pair substitutions. Styrene seems to be mutagenic toward the same strains, but only after metabolic activation. The toxicity of both styrene and styrene oxide make the construction of reliable dose-response curves rather difficult. Diethylmaleate and 3,3,3-trichloropropene oxide enhanced the mutagenicity of styrene oxide in the presence of homogenate; this result indicates the participation of epoxide hydratase and glutathione S-oxide transferase in the metabolism of styrene oxide. These two chemicals did not influence the mutagenic activity of styrene. Styrene glycol and 4-tert-butyl-brenzcatechin were not mutagenic to any of the strains studied. Results show that further, more detailed experimental and, possibly, epidemiologic studies are warranted.", "PMID": 788148} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7890", "title": "Effect of a short, heavy exposure to lead dust upon blood lead level, erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity and urinary excretion of lead delta-aminolevulinic acid coproporphyrin. Results of a 6-month follow-up of two male subjects.", "content": "During 1 h two healthy volunteers, not earlier exposed occupationally to lead, inhaled about 100 mg of lead as a mixture of lead oxides and lead sulfate. Maximum blood lead (PbB) concentrations of about 0.5 mg/1 and minimum blood cell delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activities (ALAD) (6% of the preexposure values) were observed within 38 h after exposure. PbB and ALAD returned to preexposure levels after about 300 and 150 days. A highly significant correlation between ALAD and PbB was seen even at lead levels in the range 0.1-0.2 mg/1. Delta-aminolevulinic acid, coproporphyrin and lead in the urine (ALAU, CPU, and PbU, respectively) increased. The peak levels occurred after about 15 h for ALAU and CPU and after about 24 h for PbU. There was a very good correlation between log PbU and lin PbB. ALAU increased already at PbB levels of about 0.3 mg/1.", "contents": "Effect of a short, heavy exposure to lead dust upon blood lead level, erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity and urinary excretion of lead delta-aminolevulinic acid coproporphyrin. Results of a 6-month follow-up of two male subjects. During 1 h two healthy volunteers, not earlier exposed occupationally to lead, inhaled about 100 mg of lead as a mixture of lead oxides and lead sulfate. Maximum blood lead (PbB) concentrations of about 0.5 mg/1 and minimum blood cell delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activities (ALAD) (6% of the preexposure values) were observed within 38 h after exposure. PbB and ALAD returned to preexposure levels after about 300 and 150 days. A highly significant correlation between ALAD and PbB was seen even at lead levels in the range 0.1-0.2 mg/1. Delta-aminolevulinic acid, coproporphyrin and lead in the urine (ALAU, CPU, and PbU, respectively) increased. The peak levels occurred after about 15 h for ALAU and CPU and after about 24 h for PbU. There was a very good correlation between log PbU and lin PbB. ALAU increased already at PbB levels of about 0.3 mg/1.", "PMID": 788149} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7891", "title": "Antibacterial synergism: a proposal for chemotherapeutic potentiation between trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole.", "content": "Sulfamethoxazole and other sulfa drugs are moderately potent inhibitors of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase. They also significantly potentiate the inhibition of this enzyme by trimethoprim. The molecular basis for inhibition potentiation is the simultaneous binding of trimethoprim and sulfa by the enzyme. This potentiation may explain the synergism observed when these drugs are used in antibacterial chemotherapy.", "contents": "Antibacterial synergism: a proposal for chemotherapeutic potentiation between trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. Sulfamethoxazole and other sulfa drugs are moderately potent inhibitors of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase. They also significantly potentiate the inhibition of this enzyme by trimethoprim. The molecular basis for inhibition potentiation is the simultaneous binding of trimethoprim and sulfa by the enzyme. This potentiation may explain the synergism observed when these drugs are used in antibacterial chemotherapy.", "PMID": 788154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7892", "title": "Structural studies on des-pentapeptide (B26-30)-insulin. I. The preparation and properties of des-pentapeptide-insulin.", "content": "It has been suggested in our previous reports that the B-chain C-terminal peptide sequence of the insulin molecule plays an important role in the primary biological activity of this hormone. It is interesting, therefore, to study the structure-function relationship of a series of related insulin analogues. An improved method has been used in this paper for the preparation of des-pentapeptide (B26-30)-insulin (DPI) suitable for the growth of single crystals. These crystals possess 88% of the receptor binding activity of insulin and exhibit hormonal activity of 20 I.U. per milligramme in the mouse convulsion test. In the presence of zinc ions, DPI cross-reacts immunologically with insulin antibody.", "contents": "Structural studies on des-pentapeptide (B26-30)-insulin. I. The preparation and properties of des-pentapeptide-insulin. It has been suggested in our previous reports that the B-chain C-terminal peptide sequence of the insulin molecule plays an important role in the primary biological activity of this hormone. It is interesting, therefore, to study the structure-function relationship of a series of related insulin analogues. An improved method has been used in this paper for the preparation of des-pentapeptide (B26-30)-insulin (DPI) suitable for the growth of single crystals. These crystals possess 88% of the receptor binding activity of insulin and exhibit hormonal activity of 20 I.U. per milligramme in the mouse convulsion test. In the presence of zinc ions, DPI cross-reacts immunologically with insulin antibody.", "PMID": 788152} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7893", "title": "Anaerobic infections: diagnosis and treatment.", "content": "Anaerobic bacteria outnumber aerobic bacteria in normal flora in the oropharynx and gastrointestinal tract. They are important and frequent causes of infection, although they often go unrecognized except in the classic and very distincitve clostridial infections and intoxications-gas gangrene, botulism, and tetanus. Although anaerobic infections often originate close to a muscosal surface where anaerobes are part of the normal flora, they may occur anywhere in the body via direct of hematogenous spread. Clues to diagnosis include a foul-smelling discharge, gas, necrotic tissue, abscess formation, the unique morphology of certain anaerobes on Gram's Stain, and failure to obtain growth on aerobic culture despite the presence of organisms on Gram-stained direct smear. Predisposing conditions include aspiration, vascular insufficiency, trauma, malignancy, and previous antimicrobial therapy. Clinical suspicion requires confirmation of diagnosis by appropriate collecting, transport and culturing of specimens while excluding contamination with anaerobes from the normal flora. Treatment usually requires a combination of surgical and medical measures. Penicillin G is the drug of choice for virtually all anaerobic infections except those caused by Bacteroides fragilis, which require chloramphenicol or clindamycin. Investigational agents also appear promising in the treatment of anaerobic infections.", "contents": "Anaerobic infections: diagnosis and treatment. Anaerobic bacteria outnumber aerobic bacteria in normal flora in the oropharynx and gastrointestinal tract. They are important and frequent causes of infection, although they often go unrecognized except in the classic and very distincitve clostridial infections and intoxications-gas gangrene, botulism, and tetanus. Although anaerobic infections often originate close to a muscosal surface where anaerobes are part of the normal flora, they may occur anywhere in the body via direct of hematogenous spread. Clues to diagnosis include a foul-smelling discharge, gas, necrotic tissue, abscess formation, the unique morphology of certain anaerobes on Gram's Stain, and failure to obtain growth on aerobic culture despite the presence of organisms on Gram-stained direct smear. Predisposing conditions include aspiration, vascular insufficiency, trauma, malignancy, and previous antimicrobial therapy. Clinical suspicion requires confirmation of diagnosis by appropriate collecting, transport and culturing of specimens while excluding contamination with anaerobes from the normal flora. Treatment usually requires a combination of surgical and medical measures. Penicillin G is the drug of choice for virtually all anaerobic infections except those caused by Bacteroides fragilis, which require chloramphenicol or clindamycin. Investigational agents also appear promising in the treatment of anaerobic infections.", "PMID": 788160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7894", "title": "Serologic diagnosis of syphilis: an update.", "content": "Tests used in the serologic diagnosis of syphilis can be divided into two main groups: nontreponemal (reagin) tests and treponemal tests. The most widely used nontreponemal test is the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) slide test, and the standard treponemal test is the manual fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) test. These tests and other newer tests available for the serologic diagnosis of syphilis are reviewed, with emphasis placed on their current clinical usefulness.", "contents": "Serologic diagnosis of syphilis: an update. Tests used in the serologic diagnosis of syphilis can be divided into two main groups: nontreponemal (reagin) tests and treponemal tests. The most widely used nontreponemal test is the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) slide test, and the standard treponemal test is the manual fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) test. These tests and other newer tests available for the serologic diagnosis of syphilis are reviewed, with emphasis placed on their current clinical usefulness.", "PMID": 788161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7895", "title": "Renal failure in infectious mononucleosis.", "content": "An 18-year-old man developed generalized lymphadenopathy and interstitial renal disease which progressed to irreversible renal failure. Serologic studies evidenced the recent onset of infectious mononucleosis, and prior exposure to Epstein-Barr virus was demonstrated. Lymph node, liver, and renal biopsies showed mononuclear cell infiltration consistent with infectious mononucleosis. Although renal involvement in infectious mononucleosis rarely is severe, an association between infectious mononucleosis and renal failure is suggested in this patient.", "contents": "Renal failure in infectious mononucleosis. An 18-year-old man developed generalized lymphadenopathy and interstitial renal disease which progressed to irreversible renal failure. Serologic studies evidenced the recent onset of infectious mononucleosis, and prior exposure to Epstein-Barr virus was demonstrated. Lymph node, liver, and renal biopsies showed mononuclear cell infiltration consistent with infectious mononucleosis. Although renal involvement in infectious mononucleosis rarely is severe, an association between infectious mononucleosis and renal failure is suggested in this patient.", "PMID": 788163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7896", "title": "Fournier's gangrene of the penis.", "content": "Fournier's gangrene is a rare, fulminant, though generally localizaed disease of the scrotum and penis. Three cases are presented in which the sexual practices of the patients may have played a role in the etiology. Hospitalization, parenteral antibiotics, and appropriate surgical treatment are required.", "contents": "Fournier's gangrene of the penis. Fournier's gangrene is a rare, fulminant, though generally localizaed disease of the scrotum and penis. Three cases are presented in which the sexual practices of the patients may have played a role in the etiology. Hospitalization, parenteral antibiotics, and appropriate surgical treatment are required.", "PMID": 788164} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7897", "title": "Free groin flap to the hand with end-to-side vessel anastomosis.", "content": "A single case of successful free groin flap transfer to the hand is presented. Its use demonstrates a distinct advantage of free flap transfer, preventing dependent edema and enforced immobilization of the hand necessitated by conventional technics. It also demonstrates a successful end-to-side microarterial anastomosis, thus allowing a continued normal blood supply to the hand.", "contents": "Free groin flap to the hand with end-to-side vessel anastomosis. A single case of successful free groin flap transfer to the hand is presented. Its use demonstrates a distinct advantage of free flap transfer, preventing dependent edema and enforced immobilization of the hand necessitated by conventional technics. It also demonstrates a successful end-to-side microarterial anastomosis, thus allowing a continued normal blood supply to the hand.", "PMID": 788165} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7898", "title": "History of mental health services in South Africa. Part XIII. The National Council for Mental Health.", "content": "The National Council for Mental Health was born out of the coming together of the Society for the Care of the Feebleminded in Cape Town and a society with similar aims in Johannesburg in 1920. The Council's headquarters were in Cape Town until 1926 and were then moved to Johannesburg. The Council's work has always been essentially informative with the aim of enlightening the public on mental health and of urging the Government to provide better facilities. It has encouraged the establishment of local mental health societies in the main centres, and has subsidised them. It has had a great share in removing the stigma attached to mental illness.", "contents": "History of mental health services in South Africa. Part XIII. The National Council for Mental Health. The National Council for Mental Health was born out of the coming together of the Society for the Care of the Feebleminded in Cape Town and a society with similar aims in Johannesburg in 1920. The Council's headquarters were in Cape Town until 1926 and were then moved to Johannesburg. The Council's work has always been essentially informative with the aim of enlightening the public on mental health and of urging the Government to provide better facilities. It has encouraged the establishment of local mental health societies in the main centres, and has subsidised them. It has had a great share in removing the stigma attached to mental illness.", "PMID": 788195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7899", "title": "A medical paradox: curative versus preventive medicine.", "content": "A familiar medical contrast is presented as part of a modern medical problem. The problem it reflects is the relative importance of preventive and curative services for medical practitioners, which is already, or will shortly resolve itself into, a dilemma of whether medical men should stress preventive medicine to the possible detriment of curative medicine. It is submitted that the solution to both problem and dilemma should be sought against the background of history and philosophy, where they are seen to be expressions of an eternal paradox--that of the relative value of the individual in relation to the family, group, or community. If the submission is valid, then the answer to the problem is not a purely medical exercise, nor is the dilemma purely a 'doctor's dilemma'. The paradox, being eternal, is not soluble in our time, but the community must, on the urging of the medical profession, find a general solution to the problem--'a public consensus for out time'. This must be followed by public demand for a parliamentary solution--'decision-making ex consensus'. It is argued that although the latter programme does not come easily to democracy, it can be achieved through public consensus if action is taken by the leaders of thought in appropriate categories. Initiative must be exercised by the medical profession, but public consensus can only be achieved in consultation with the leaders of all learned professions, civil servants and legislators. It must then be presented fairly and without bias to the public. In the meantime, the medical profession must formulate its own 'medical consensus' and the doctor must resolve his personal dilemma according to formulated law, public or medical consensus or, in the last resort, according to his conviction and conscience. This method of solving a problem will almost certainly be applicable to other and more recent medical problems such as the population explosion, selective abortion and euthanasia.", "contents": "A medical paradox: curative versus preventive medicine. A familiar medical contrast is presented as part of a modern medical problem. The problem it reflects is the relative importance of preventive and curative services for medical practitioners, which is already, or will shortly resolve itself into, a dilemma of whether medical men should stress preventive medicine to the possible detriment of curative medicine. It is submitted that the solution to both problem and dilemma should be sought against the background of history and philosophy, where they are seen to be expressions of an eternal paradox--that of the relative value of the individual in relation to the family, group, or community. If the submission is valid, then the answer to the problem is not a purely medical exercise, nor is the dilemma purely a 'doctor's dilemma'. The paradox, being eternal, is not soluble in our time, but the community must, on the urging of the medical profession, find a general solution to the problem--'a public consensus for out time'. This must be followed by public demand for a parliamentary solution--'decision-making ex consensus'. It is argued that although the latter programme does not come easily to democracy, it can be achieved through public consensus if action is taken by the leaders of thought in appropriate categories. Initiative must be exercised by the medical profession, but public consensus can only be achieved in consultation with the leaders of all learned professions, civil servants and legislators. It must then be presented fairly and without bias to the public. In the meantime, the medical profession must formulate its own 'medical consensus' and the doctor must resolve his personal dilemma according to formulated law, public or medical consensus or, in the last resort, according to his conviction and conscience. This method of solving a problem will almost certainly be applicable to other and more recent medical problems such as the population explosion, selective abortion and euthanasia.", "PMID": 788197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7900", "title": "The role of diagnositc ultrasound in the assessment of masses in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.", "content": "The usefulness and advantages of diagnostic ultrasound (sonar) scanning as an aid in the investigation of soft-tissue masses, are illustrated in a number of patients with such masses in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. These illustrative cases show that sonar scanning can reveal the size, shape, anatomical relations, and consistency of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal masses. Sonar scanning is particularly valuable in differentiating cystic from solid masses. Furthermore, clinically unsuspected masses can be detected. Sonar scanning is harmless, relatively quick, non-invasive and causes no pain or discomfort. These factors are of particular importance in postoperative and acutely ill patients.", "contents": "The role of diagnositc ultrasound in the assessment of masses in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. The usefulness and advantages of diagnostic ultrasound (sonar) scanning as an aid in the investigation of soft-tissue masses, are illustrated in a number of patients with such masses in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. These illustrative cases show that sonar scanning can reveal the size, shape, anatomical relations, and consistency of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal masses. Sonar scanning is particularly valuable in differentiating cystic from solid masses. Furthermore, clinically unsuspected masses can be detected. Sonar scanning is harmless, relatively quick, non-invasive and causes no pain or discomfort. These factors are of particular importance in postoperative and acutely ill patients.", "PMID": 788199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7901", "title": "Philo on circumcision.", "content": "Circumcision has been regarded through the ages from many points of view, lay and religious, and the reasons advanced for its practice are diverse and often rationalised to counter assertions of its irrationality. This article includes an argumentum ad circumcisionem centred in the scholarly opinions of Philo Judaeus of Alexandria.", "contents": "Philo on circumcision. Circumcision has been regarded through the ages from many points of view, lay and religious, and the reasons advanced for its practice are diverse and often rationalised to counter assertions of its irrationality. This article includes an argumentum ad circumcisionem centred in the scholarly opinions of Philo Judaeus of Alexandria.", "PMID": 788200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7902", "title": "Geographical boundaries of facial reconstruction.", "content": "The principle of considering defined areas of the face as separate entities when planning reconstructive procedures is explained. The resurfacing of these individual areas is discussed, and the priorities in the order of reconstruction are defined.", "contents": "Geographical boundaries of facial reconstruction. The principle of considering defined areas of the face as separate entities when planning reconstructive procedures is explained. The resurfacing of these individual areas is discussed, and the priorities in the order of reconstruction are defined.", "PMID": 788201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7903", "title": "Closure of abdominal incisions with subcutaneous catheters.", "content": "Five hundred patients who underwent a variety of major abdominal operations had primary closure of their abdominal incisions. The technique of closure included the use of catheters in the subcutaneous space with suction, except when an antibiotic solution was being instilled every 8 hours of the first 9 days after operation. The rate of postoperative wound infection in these 500 patients, a group which included 140 patients who had contaminated or dirty wounds, was 0.8 percent. Infection developed in only one (0.47 percent) of the 211 patients who underwent major colon procedures. No significant side-effects of treatment were observed.", "contents": "Closure of abdominal incisions with subcutaneous catheters. Five hundred patients who underwent a variety of major abdominal operations had primary closure of their abdominal incisions. The technique of closure included the use of catheters in the subcutaneous space with suction, except when an antibiotic solution was being instilled every 8 hours of the first 9 days after operation. The rate of postoperative wound infection in these 500 patients, a group which included 140 patients who had contaminated or dirty wounds, was 0.8 percent. Infection developed in only one (0.47 percent) of the 211 patients who underwent major colon procedures. No significant side-effects of treatment were observed.", "PMID": 788206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7904", "title": "Aspergillus prosthetic valve endocarditis.", "content": "The clinical, laboratory, and histopathological features of seven cases of Aspergillus fumigatus prosthetic valve endocarditis are presented. The exact nature of the lesion, a combination of infective fungal endocarditis and thrombosis on the prosthetic valve, is discussed and the difficulties in clinical diagnosis are emphasized. Helpful indications were sudden unexplained heart failure with the appearance of new murmurs, and emboli to large or medium-sized systemic arteries. Fever and anaemia were inconstant, and in no case was blood culture or precipitin investigation helpful. Spore contamination of operating theatre air was the likely source of infection, and measures taken to overcome this and other predisposing factors are discussed. Since medical diagnosis is usually late and the few reported cures in this condition have included replacement of the prosthesis, early surgical intervention combined with antifungal chemotherapy is advised.", "contents": "Aspergillus prosthetic valve endocarditis. The clinical, laboratory, and histopathological features of seven cases of Aspergillus fumigatus prosthetic valve endocarditis are presented. The exact nature of the lesion, a combination of infective fungal endocarditis and thrombosis on the prosthetic valve, is discussed and the difficulties in clinical diagnosis are emphasized. Helpful indications were sudden unexplained heart failure with the appearance of new murmurs, and emboli to large or medium-sized systemic arteries. Fever and anaemia were inconstant, and in no case was blood culture or precipitin investigation helpful. Spore contamination of operating theatre air was the likely source of infection, and measures taken to overcome this and other predisposing factors are discussed. Since medical diagnosis is usually late and the few reported cures in this condition have included replacement of the prosthesis, early surgical intervention combined with antifungal chemotherapy is advised.", "PMID": 788218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7905", "title": "[Use of radio-immuno-assay of gonadotropic hormones in farm animals (author's transl)].", "content": "The determination of the concentration of gonadotropic hormones in the peripheral plasma of farm animals by radio-immuno-assay is described. Particular attention was paid to the determination of ovine, bovine and porcine LH using an anti-ovine-LH serum. This serum was found to be specific for LH, and there was no cross-reaction with FSH. Cross-reactions with TSH cannot be ruled out. The usefulness of this antiserum was tested in studying the release of LH during oestrus (in sheep), after injection of LH-RH (in cattle and pigs) and after weaning (in pigs). The results are in accordance with those reported in the literature.", "contents": "[Use of radio-immuno-assay of gonadotropic hormones in farm animals (author's transl)]. The determination of the concentration of gonadotropic hormones in the peripheral plasma of farm animals by radio-immuno-assay is described. Particular attention was paid to the determination of ovine, bovine and porcine LH using an anti-ovine-LH serum. This serum was found to be specific for LH, and there was no cross-reaction with FSH. Cross-reactions with TSH cannot be ruled out. The usefulness of this antiserum was tested in studying the release of LH during oestrus (in sheep), after injection of LH-RH (in cattle and pigs) and after weaning (in pigs). The results are in accordance with those reported in the literature.", "PMID": 788227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7906", "title": "Prolonged survival of rat leg allografts due to immunological enhancement.", "content": "Attempts were made to induce a prolonged survival of leg allografts in rats by means of immunological enhancement. AS rats injected with AS anti-August antiserum accepted (AS X August)F1 kidney allografts for longer than 50 days, but rejected F1 leg allografts within 12-16 days. However, AS rats bearing established, enhanced (AS X August)F1 kidneys accepted F1 leg allografts for periods of 21-207 days. The possibility is discussed that composite tissue allografts can manifest prolonged survival provided that their recipients have passed through the \"induction phase\" of enhancement and reached the \"steady-state\" or maintenance phase.", "contents": "Prolonged survival of rat leg allografts due to immunological enhancement. Attempts were made to induce a prolonged survival of leg allografts in rats by means of immunological enhancement. AS rats injected with AS anti-August antiserum accepted (AS X August)F1 kidney allografts for longer than 50 days, but rejected F1 leg allografts within 12-16 days. However, AS rats bearing established, enhanced (AS X August)F1 kidneys accepted F1 leg allografts for periods of 21-207 days. The possibility is discussed that composite tissue allografts can manifest prolonged survival provided that their recipients have passed through the \"induction phase\" of enhancement and reached the \"steady-state\" or maintenance phase.", "PMID": 788242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7907", "title": "Preparation and characterization of antithymocyte serum and globulin without stem cell activity.", "content": "Immunosuppressive antimouse and antihuman thymocyte sera and antihuman T lymphocyte sera, raised in rabbits, inhibited colony formation in vitro by bone marrow stem cells. Absorption of the antisera with fetal liver, or isolation of the gamma-globulin from the antisera, removed the inhibitory effect on bone marrow stem cells but left the anti T lymphocyte activity unimpaired. Absorption with cultured lymphoblasts (B cell lines) failed to remove the affinity of the globulins for B lymphocytes.", "contents": "Preparation and characterization of antithymocyte serum and globulin without stem cell activity. Immunosuppressive antimouse and antihuman thymocyte sera and antihuman T lymphocyte sera, raised in rabbits, inhibited colony formation in vitro by bone marrow stem cells. Absorption of the antisera with fetal liver, or isolation of the gamma-globulin from the antisera, removed the inhibitory effect on bone marrow stem cells but left the anti T lymphocyte activity unimpaired. Absorption with cultured lymphoblasts (B cell lines) failed to remove the affinity of the globulins for B lymphocytes.", "PMID": 788243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7908", "title": "The fate of experimental organ-cultured corneal xenografts.", "content": "Human, chicken, and guineapig corneas organ cultured (O.C.) from 1 to 4 weeks were transplanted intralamellarly into rabbits. Chicken and guinea pid corneal xenografts O.C 3 to 4 weeks had statistically significant delayed rejection times reject. Histologically, O.C. xenografts with delayed rejection or nonrejection were hypocellular. Chicken xenografts O.C. 4 weeks in which recipient (autochthonous) rabbit serum replaced the calf serum routinely used in the media also had a significant delay in rejection time when compared to fresh controls or chicken xenografts stored in pooled (allogeneic) rabbit serum. The rejection time of human corneal xenografts O.C. FOR PERIODS UP TO 4 WEEKS WAS NOt delayed. These data suggest that in this model, prolonged survival of xenografts after O.C. is species specific and represents a form of immunological modification, possibly reduced antigenicity sedondary to donor hypocellularity.", "contents": "The fate of experimental organ-cultured corneal xenografts. Human, chicken, and guineapig corneas organ cultured (O.C.) from 1 to 4 weeks were transplanted intralamellarly into rabbits. Chicken and guinea pid corneal xenografts O.C 3 to 4 weeks had statistically significant delayed rejection times reject. Histologically, O.C. xenografts with delayed rejection or nonrejection were hypocellular. Chicken xenografts O.C. 4 weeks in which recipient (autochthonous) rabbit serum replaced the calf serum routinely used in the media also had a significant delay in rejection time when compared to fresh controls or chicken xenografts stored in pooled (allogeneic) rabbit serum. The rejection time of human corneal xenografts O.C. FOR PERIODS UP TO 4 WEEKS WAS NOt delayed. These data suggest that in this model, prolonged survival of xenografts after O.C. is species specific and represents a form of immunological modification, possibly reduced antigenicity sedondary to donor hypocellularity.", "PMID": 788244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7909", "title": "Ischemic versus cytotoxic damage in the white graft reaction. Its relationship to hyperacute kidney rejection.", "content": "\"White\" skin grafts on appropriately sensitized allografted mice are ischemic and necrotic. The ischemia occurs because of failure to form anastomoses between host and graft vessels. This failure is not due to altered host vascular function but correlated with obliterative (nonthrombotic, non-necrotizing) changes of graft vessels at the interface. It appears that the ischemia of white grafts, in contrast to that observed in hyperacutely rejected renal allografts, is not the cause of the necrosis, but vice versa. The necrosis of white grafts, which begins during the first 24 hr after their placement, is probably related to a very early immune assault on the graft as a whole. The nature and the pathways of this immune assault are not the subject of this study.", "contents": "Ischemic versus cytotoxic damage in the white graft reaction. Its relationship to hyperacute kidney rejection. \"White\" skin grafts on appropriately sensitized allografted mice are ischemic and necrotic. The ischemia occurs because of failure to form anastomoses between host and graft vessels. This failure is not due to altered host vascular function but correlated with obliterative (nonthrombotic, non-necrotizing) changes of graft vessels at the interface. It appears that the ischemia of white grafts, in contrast to that observed in hyperacutely rejected renal allografts, is not the cause of the necrosis, but vice versa. The necrosis of white grafts, which begins during the first 24 hr after their placement, is probably related to a very early immune assault on the graft as a whole. The nature and the pathways of this immune assault are not the subject of this study.", "PMID": 788247} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7910", "title": "Hair growth cycles and wave patterns in \"nude\" mice.", "content": "Hair growth cycles and waves were studied through five generations of hair growth in C57BL/6Icr \"nude\" mice. One group of nudes received thymus grafts, a second group was composed of athymid nudes and a third consisted of heterozygous (nu/&) haired littermates. The results showed that hair growth cycles and wave patterns were essentially the same in thymus-restored nudes and athymic nudes which indicated that thymus did not play a role in these phenomena. The time interval between hair cycles was considerably shorter in both groups of nude mice as compared to heterozygotes (nu/&). Finally, the hair growth wave pattern in nude mice did not change throughout the generation of hair growth whereas profound changes in wave patterns were observed in heterozygous (nu/&) littermates.", "contents": "Hair growth cycles and wave patterns in \"nude\" mice. Hair growth cycles and waves were studied through five generations of hair growth in C57BL/6Icr \"nude\" mice. One group of nudes received thymus grafts, a second group was composed of athymid nudes and a third consisted of heterozygous (nu/&) haired littermates. The results showed that hair growth cycles and wave patterns were essentially the same in thymus-restored nudes and athymic nudes which indicated that thymus did not play a role in these phenomena. The time interval between hair cycles was considerably shorter in both groups of nude mice as compared to heterozygotes (nu/&). Finally, the hair growth wave pattern in nude mice did not change throughout the generation of hair growth whereas profound changes in wave patterns were observed in heterozygous (nu/&) littermates.", "PMID": 788248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7911", "title": "Rentran. An on-line computer-based regional kidney transplant matching system.", "content": "An interactive on-line computerized renal transplant matching system called RENTRAN which serves the Southwest Kidney Transplant Region is described. The region consists of one transplant center in Arkansas, two in Oklahoma, and six in Texas. The computer used is the DECsystem-10 located in the Medical Computing Resources Center at Dallas. RENTRAN participants have remotely located standard interactive computer terminals and gain access to the computer by dialing over normal telephone lines. Functions provided by RENTRAN include obtaining instructions, performing a donor-recipient match, obtaining a list of potential recipients, making a user comment or adding, updating or deleting a potential recipient record. Either long or short formats for dialog with the computer system are available for inexperienced and experienced and users, respectively. In the time period from August 1,1973, when the system went into production on February 1, 1976, there have been in excess of 232 matches attempted and approximately 142 kidneys have been transplanted according to RENTRAN results. There are about 361 recipients currently on the data base. The system was developed with funds provided by the Texas Regional Medical Program. Expenses of maintaining the system as well as occasional programmed improvements as deemed appropriate by the Southwest Kidney Transplant Region Registry Committee on the basis of user comments are provided through a $25 per year charge to patients for being listed on the data base.", "contents": "Rentran. An on-line computer-based regional kidney transplant matching system. An interactive on-line computerized renal transplant matching system called RENTRAN which serves the Southwest Kidney Transplant Region is described. The region consists of one transplant center in Arkansas, two in Oklahoma, and six in Texas. The computer used is the DECsystem-10 located in the Medical Computing Resources Center at Dallas. RENTRAN participants have remotely located standard interactive computer terminals and gain access to the computer by dialing over normal telephone lines. Functions provided by RENTRAN include obtaining instructions, performing a donor-recipient match, obtaining a list of potential recipients, making a user comment or adding, updating or deleting a potential recipient record. Either long or short formats for dialog with the computer system are available for inexperienced and experienced and users, respectively. In the time period from August 1,1973, when the system went into production on February 1, 1976, there have been in excess of 232 matches attempted and approximately 142 kidneys have been transplanted according to RENTRAN results. There are about 361 recipients currently on the data base. The system was developed with funds provided by the Texas Regional Medical Program. Expenses of maintaining the system as well as occasional programmed improvements as deemed appropriate by the Southwest Kidney Transplant Region Registry Committee on the basis of user comments are provided through a $25 per year charge to patients for being listed on the data base.", "PMID": 788249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7912", "title": "Prolongation of allograft survival by combination therapy with anti-thymocyte serum and anti-immunoglobulin.", "content": "Heterologous anti-immunoglobulin (AI) is a potent immunosuppressive agent which compares favorably to anti-thymocyte serum (ATS) in inhibiting E and EAC-rosette formation and diminishing the secondary antibody response to sheep erythrocytes and E. coli lipopolysaccharide. AI prolongs H-2 incompatible skin allograft survival than either antiserum used alone, without evidence of toxicity to recipient mice. AI does not cause significant immune complex glomerular or renovascular deposition and may act by interference with antigen binding.", "contents": "Prolongation of allograft survival by combination therapy with anti-thymocyte serum and anti-immunoglobulin. Heterologous anti-immunoglobulin (AI) is a potent immunosuppressive agent which compares favorably to anti-thymocyte serum (ATS) in inhibiting E and EAC-rosette formation and diminishing the secondary antibody response to sheep erythrocytes and E. coli lipopolysaccharide. AI prolongs H-2 incompatible skin allograft survival than either antiserum used alone, without evidence of toxicity to recipient mice. AI does not cause significant immune complex glomerular or renovascular deposition and may act by interference with antigen binding.", "PMID": 788250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7913", "title": "A technique for liver transplantation in the inbred mouse.", "content": "The technique of liver grafting to the kidney of inbred mice was used to characterise ultrastructurally liver rejection under controlled conditions. Electron microscopy showed that liver rejection was initiated by intimate contract between the hepatocytes and the infiltrating large lymphoid cells and brought about by means of narrow cytoplasmic processes extended from the latter. This was prevented by ATS-immunosuppressive treatment.", "contents": "A technique for liver transplantation in the inbred mouse. The technique of liver grafting to the kidney of inbred mice was used to characterise ultrastructurally liver rejection under controlled conditions. Electron microscopy showed that liver rejection was initiated by intimate contract between the hepatocytes and the infiltrating large lymphoid cells and brought about by means of narrow cytoplasmic processes extended from the latter. This was prevented by ATS-immunosuppressive treatment.", "PMID": 788251} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7914", "title": "Histocompatibility in the rabbit. The effect of imbreeding on skin graft survival time.", "content": "Skin grafts were exchanged between siblings from 16 inbreeding lines of rabbits. Progressive inbreeding and genome fixation through 12 generations of brother X sister matings does not produce a concomitant increase in graft survival time but instead produces a heterogenous response reflecting the residual segregation of individual histocompatibility loci. Grafts exchanged between RL-A incompatible siblings were not maintained for more than 12 days, regardless of the degree of inbreeding. The frequency distributions of the survival times of grafts exchanged between animals from all inbreeding lines from each generation, F5 through F8, agree best with the expected values calculated by assuming that 17 independent histocompatibility loci, with 95% confidence limits of 11 and 28 loci, must be matched to assure acceptance of skin grafts for 60 days or more. However, in animals from line Sh5b, only 3 significant histocompatibility loci appear to be segregating. Two of the significant histocompatibility loci segregating in line Sh5b have not geen identified;the third significant locus is either the Hg blood group locus or is linked to the Hg locus. Established loci that remain polymorphic during intensive inbreeding may be important in the development of a model transplantation system; as inbreeding progresses these established loci may be maekers for histocompatiblity loci thathave a significant effect on allograft survival time.", "contents": "Histocompatibility in the rabbit. The effect of imbreeding on skin graft survival time. Skin grafts were exchanged between siblings from 16 inbreeding lines of rabbits. Progressive inbreeding and genome fixation through 12 generations of brother X sister matings does not produce a concomitant increase in graft survival time but instead produces a heterogenous response reflecting the residual segregation of individual histocompatibility loci. Grafts exchanged between RL-A incompatible siblings were not maintained for more than 12 days, regardless of the degree of inbreeding. The frequency distributions of the survival times of grafts exchanged between animals from all inbreeding lines from each generation, F5 through F8, agree best with the expected values calculated by assuming that 17 independent histocompatibility loci, with 95% confidence limits of 11 and 28 loci, must be matched to assure acceptance of skin grafts for 60 days or more. However, in animals from line Sh5b, only 3 significant histocompatibility loci appear to be segregating. Two of the significant histocompatibility loci segregating in line Sh5b have not geen identified;the third significant locus is either the Hg blood group locus or is linked to the Hg locus. Established loci that remain polymorphic during intensive inbreeding may be important in the development of a model transplantation system; as inbreeding progresses these established loci may be maekers for histocompatiblity loci thathave a significant effect on allograft survival time.", "PMID": 788252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7915", "title": "The liver and immune responses. I. Regional lymph node response in rats to injection of semi-allogeneic adult liver cells.", "content": "Regional lymph node response in F1 hybrid rats in injection of parental adult liver cells was investigated. More than a 10-fold increase in node weight over the uninjected control node was observed on day 11 following injection of 60 X10(6) parental liver cells. The node weight gain was both dose and time dependent although 10 times more liver cells were required than the lymphocyte. Injection of either irradiated (600 rads) or cultured (30 days) liver cells did not reduce the reactivity. The liver cells prepared from 18-day-old fetuses, 70% hepatectomized or portacaval shunted rats were all shown to be reactive, the latter being far superior. This phenomenon is immunological since only parental (semi-allogeneic) but not syngeneic liver cells gave the reaction although a hybrid resistance cannot be denied. Possible mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are discussed.", "contents": "The liver and immune responses. I. Regional lymph node response in rats to injection of semi-allogeneic adult liver cells. Regional lymph node response in F1 hybrid rats in injection of parental adult liver cells was investigated. More than a 10-fold increase in node weight over the uninjected control node was observed on day 11 following injection of 60 X10(6) parental liver cells. The node weight gain was both dose and time dependent although 10 times more liver cells were required than the lymphocyte. Injection of either irradiated (600 rads) or cultured (30 days) liver cells did not reduce the reactivity. The liver cells prepared from 18-day-old fetuses, 70% hepatectomized or portacaval shunted rats were all shown to be reactive, the latter being far superior. This phenomenon is immunological since only parental (semi-allogeneic) but not syngeneic liver cells gave the reaction although a hybrid resistance cannot be denied. Possible mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are discussed.", "PMID": 788253} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7916", "title": "The fate of serially transplanted bone marrow cell populations from young and old donors.", "content": "Two bone marrow cell populations, separately identifiable by means of chromosome markers, were serially transferred at 8-10 week intervals through lethally irradiated syngeneic recipients. This system allowed a precise comparison of populations derived from young and old donors; no consistent differences were observed. Both donor populations ceased to replicate after 4-5 transfers. Although more than 10(3) spleen colony-forming units were transferred, the number of colones proliferating in the bone marrow fell sharply between the second and third transfer-generations. Regenerating host cells accounted for an increasing proportion of the miroses scord in the third and subsequent transfer generations. It is concluded that many of the stem cells of bone marrow subjected to two or more transfers have decreased powers of self renewal. The results suggest that stem cells of adult mouse bone marrow are capable of undergoing, at most, between 80 and 200 mitoses. This limitation is very possibly innate, but the possibility that it is an artifact of the serial transfer system cannot be entirely ruled out.", "contents": "The fate of serially transplanted bone marrow cell populations from young and old donors. Two bone marrow cell populations, separately identifiable by means of chromosome markers, were serially transferred at 8-10 week intervals through lethally irradiated syngeneic recipients. This system allowed a precise comparison of populations derived from young and old donors; no consistent differences were observed. Both donor populations ceased to replicate after 4-5 transfers. Although more than 10(3) spleen colony-forming units were transferred, the number of colones proliferating in the bone marrow fell sharply between the second and third transfer-generations. Regenerating host cells accounted for an increasing proportion of the miroses scord in the third and subsequent transfer generations. It is concluded that many of the stem cells of bone marrow subjected to two or more transfers have decreased powers of self renewal. The results suggest that stem cells of adult mouse bone marrow are capable of undergoing, at most, between 80 and 200 mitoses. This limitation is very possibly innate, but the possibility that it is an artifact of the serial transfer system cannot be entirely ruled out.", "PMID": 788254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7917", "title": "Immunological studies in onchocerciasis in Cameroon.", "content": "Immunological studies were undertaken in a group of twenty patients with varying clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis. Significantly higher levels of immunoconglutinin, IgG and IgM, and alterations in C3 levels were found in the patient group than in controls. IgG and IgM complement-fixing antibodies to microfilariae of O.volvulus were detected in the sera of these patients. The lymphocyte transformation rate following PHA stimulation was high in patients with localised skin lesions in which the microfilariae were difficult to demonstrate in contrast to the low transformation rate obtained in those with diffuse lesions and in whom microfilariae were readily detected in skin biopsies. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "Immunological studies in onchocerciasis in Cameroon. Immunological studies were undertaken in a group of twenty patients with varying clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis. Significantly higher levels of immunoconglutinin, IgG and IgM, and alterations in C3 levels were found in the patient group than in controls. IgG and IgM complement-fixing antibodies to microfilariae of O.volvulus were detected in the sera of these patients. The lymphocyte transformation rate following PHA stimulation was high in patients with localised skin lesions in which the microfilariae were difficult to demonstrate in contrast to the low transformation rate obtained in those with diffuse lesions and in whom microfilariae were readily detected in skin biopsies. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 788262} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7918", "title": "Parasitic infections in humans in West Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia.", "content": "A survey was carried out among inhabitants of eight villages in West Kalimantan Province (Borneo), whereby blood smears were examined for malaria, stools examined for intestinal parasites and sera tested by the indirect hemagglutination test for antibodies to Entamoeba histolytica and toxoplasma gondii. The prevalence of malaria among 3017 people examined was 5.6% (Plasmodium vivax 2.8%, Plasmodium falciparum 2.8%). Brugia malayi microfilariae were found in 3.6% and Wuchereria bancrofti in 0.3%. Ninety-seven percent of 2101 stool specimens examined contained evidence of intestinal parasites. Trichuris trichiura (90%) was most common followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (76%), hookworm, (60%), Etamoeba coli (23%), Entamoeba histolytica (6%), Endolimax nana (6%), Iodamoeba butschlii (4%), Giardia lamblia (3%), Chilomastix mesnili (1%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (1%). Other parasites found were Entamoeba hartmanni, Trichomonas hominis, Balantidium coli, Enterobius vermicularis, Hymenolepis nana, Echinostoma sp. and Physalopterid, Dicrocoeliid, and Heterophyid type-eggs. The amoeba prevalence rate was 30%. Indirect hemagglutination antibody titers equal to or greater than 1:128 for Entamoeba histolytica and 1:256 for Toxoplasma gondii were detected in 7% and 3%, respectively, of 1511 sera tested.", "contents": "Parasitic infections in humans in West Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia. A survey was carried out among inhabitants of eight villages in West Kalimantan Province (Borneo), whereby blood smears were examined for malaria, stools examined for intestinal parasites and sera tested by the indirect hemagglutination test for antibodies to Entamoeba histolytica and toxoplasma gondii. The prevalence of malaria among 3017 people examined was 5.6% (Plasmodium vivax 2.8%, Plasmodium falciparum 2.8%). Brugia malayi microfilariae were found in 3.6% and Wuchereria bancrofti in 0.3%. Ninety-seven percent of 2101 stool specimens examined contained evidence of intestinal parasites. Trichuris trichiura (90%) was most common followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (76%), hookworm, (60%), Etamoeba coli (23%), Entamoeba histolytica (6%), Endolimax nana (6%), Iodamoeba butschlii (4%), Giardia lamblia (3%), Chilomastix mesnili (1%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (1%). Other parasites found were Entamoeba hartmanni, Trichomonas hominis, Balantidium coli, Enterobius vermicularis, Hymenolepis nana, Echinostoma sp. and Physalopterid, Dicrocoeliid, and Heterophyid type-eggs. The amoeba prevalence rate was 30%. Indirect hemagglutination antibody titers equal to or greater than 1:128 for Entamoeba histolytica and 1:256 for Toxoplasma gondii were detected in 7% and 3%, respectively, of 1511 sera tested.", "PMID": 788263} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7919", "title": "Counter immunoelectrophoresis technique in laboratory diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.", "content": "Fifty cerebrospinal fluid specimens were studied by counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), Gram's staining and culture techniques. Out of 33 test cases of pneumococcal, meningococcal and Haemophilus influenzae meningitides, 31 cases, were CIE positive, 24 were detected by Gram's staining while 27 were positive by culture. The 17 cases which served as controls did not give false positive results. The CIE is recommeded as an adjunct to bacterial culture in laboratory diagnosis of bacterial meningitis especially in areas where there is poor control of drug usage by people with resultant self antibiotic medication which makes definite bacterial meningitis specimens \"sterile\" on culture.", "contents": "Counter immunoelectrophoresis technique in laboratory diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Fifty cerebrospinal fluid specimens were studied by counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), Gram's staining and culture techniques. Out of 33 test cases of pneumococcal, meningococcal and Haemophilus influenzae meningitides, 31 cases, were CIE positive, 24 were detected by Gram's staining while 27 were positive by culture. The 17 cases which served as controls did not give false positive results. The CIE is recommeded as an adjunct to bacterial culture in laboratory diagnosis of bacterial meningitis especially in areas where there is poor control of drug usage by people with resultant self antibiotic medication which makes definite bacterial meningitis specimens \"sterile\" on culture.", "PMID": 788264} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7920", "title": "Bacterial enteropathogens in Malaysian shellfish.", "content": "Three species of commonly eaten shellfish found in Malaysian coastal waters were examined for the presence of common bacterial enteropathogens. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, non-agglutinating vibrios, and various serotypes of enteropathogenic E. coli were isolated from a large proportion of them. Salmonella were isolated in two instances. High colony counts with evidence of faecal contamination indicated the strong possibility of pulltion being the cause for the presence of these enteropathogens. Methods of cooking and eating these shellfish enhance their likelihood of acting as vehicles of diarrhoeal disease.", "contents": "Bacterial enteropathogens in Malaysian shellfish. Three species of commonly eaten shellfish found in Malaysian coastal waters were examined for the presence of common bacterial enteropathogens. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, non-agglutinating vibrios, and various serotypes of enteropathogenic E. coli were isolated from a large proportion of them. Salmonella were isolated in two instances. High colony counts with evidence of faecal contamination indicated the strong possibility of pulltion being the cause for the presence of these enteropathogens. Methods of cooking and eating these shellfish enhance their likelihood of acting as vehicles of diarrhoeal disease.", "PMID": 788266} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7921", "title": "Caprine pneumonia. II. Biochemical characterisation and serological identification of mycoplasmas.", "content": "Thirty strains Mycoplasma isolated from pneumonic lungs of goats were chracterised biochemically and serologically. On the basis of biochemical characteristics, the strains were divided into three groups. (A) Eighteen strains which fermented glucose and mannose, digested serum and reduced tetrazolium, (B) 10 strains which reduced tetrazolium, formed \"film and spots\" and possessed phosphatase activity and (C) two strains which catabolised arginine only. Serologically group A strains were identified as M. mycoides subspecies, group B strains could not be fully identified but on the basis of immunofluorescence and biochemical reactions were put in the M. agalactiae subspecies; there are to be further investigated. Group C strains were identified as M. arginini.", "contents": "Caprine pneumonia. II. Biochemical characterisation and serological identification of mycoplasmas. Thirty strains Mycoplasma isolated from pneumonic lungs of goats were chracterised biochemically and serologically. On the basis of biochemical characteristics, the strains were divided into three groups. (A) Eighteen strains which fermented glucose and mannose, digested serum and reduced tetrazolium, (B) 10 strains which reduced tetrazolium, formed \"film and spots\" and possessed phosphatase activity and (C) two strains which catabolised arginine only. Serologically group A strains were identified as M. mycoides subspecies, group B strains could not be fully identified but on the basis of immunofluorescence and biochemical reactions were put in the M. agalactiae subspecies; there are to be further investigated. Group C strains were identified as M. arginini.", "PMID": 788268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7922", "title": "[Urological complications following renal transplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "Between December 1964 and April 1974, 216 renal transplants were performed on 200 recipients at the University Clinic of the Cantonal Hospital at Z\u00fcrich. The ureteroneocystostomy was performed in most cases, a pyeloureterostomy being done only five times. 12% of all recipients (24 patients) developed serious urological postoperative complications involving 27 (14.3%) of the transplants, with four cases being fatal. Not considered as a serious complication were urinary infections and retention due to clotting, both of which could be treated conservatively with success. Of the more serious cases, 8 involved stenosis of the ureter, 4 compression of the ureter, 2 obstruction of the ureter, and 4 bladder fistulation. In 10 of these cases the complication can be related to imperfect operative technique in respect to transplanting the donor kidney. Preserving sufficient ureter vascularization is of paramount importance, and consideration must be given to increased vulnerability to infection as a result of the immunosuppressive therapy. Extreme stripping of the pyelon and ureter can result in stenosis and necrosis of the ureter. The treatment of urinary passage complications has not been standardized. However, fistula closure and operative correction of ureter obstruction must be carried out quickly.", "contents": "[Urological complications following renal transplantation (author's transl)]. Between December 1964 and April 1974, 216 renal transplants were performed on 200 recipients at the University Clinic of the Cantonal Hospital at Z\u00fcrich. The ureteroneocystostomy was performed in most cases, a pyeloureterostomy being done only five times. 12% of all recipients (24 patients) developed serious urological postoperative complications involving 27 (14.3%) of the transplants, with four cases being fatal. Not considered as a serious complication were urinary infections and retention due to clotting, both of which could be treated conservatively with success. Of the more serious cases, 8 involved stenosis of the ureter, 4 compression of the ureter, 2 obstruction of the ureter, and 4 bladder fistulation. In 10 of these cases the complication can be related to imperfect operative technique in respect to transplanting the donor kidney. Preserving sufficient ureter vascularization is of paramount importance, and consideration must be given to increased vulnerability to infection as a result of the immunosuppressive therapy. Extreme stripping of the pyelon and ureter can result in stenosis and necrosis of the ureter. The treatment of urinary passage complications has not been standardized. However, fistula closure and operative correction of ureter obstruction must be carried out quickly.", "PMID": 788283} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7923", "title": "[Contribution on the surgical correction of penile and penoscrotal hypospadias (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors present a modification of the penoscrotal method of operation for the treatment of penile and penoscrotal hypospadias. The operating technique employed by the authors differs from the original method in that the urethra is formed from a strip of skin from the penis and scrotum. The so far good results are shown, and the importance of careful pre- and postoperative treatment for the success of the operation is pointed out.", "contents": "[Contribution on the surgical correction of penile and penoscrotal hypospadias (author's transl)]. The authors present a modification of the penoscrotal method of operation for the treatment of penile and penoscrotal hypospadias. The operating technique employed by the authors differs from the original method in that the urethra is formed from a strip of skin from the penis and scrotum. The so far good results are shown, and the importance of careful pre- and postoperative treatment for the success of the operation is pointed out.", "PMID": 788289} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7924", "title": "[Obstructive uropathy by perirenal lymphocele, a rare complication after renal transplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "One lymphocele was observed in 151 renal transplants. Ureteral compression led to obstructive uropathy with decreased renal function. The clinical symptomatology, diagnostic procedures and management of lymphoceles is described and discussed. Lymphoceles can mimic the clinical pattern of rejection. The most important data of 21 lymphoceles reported in the literature are reviewed. The formation of lymphoceles may be prevented by careful ligation of all lymphatics transected during dissection of the recipient vessels. Intraperitoneal marsupialization is the therapy of choice in case of persistent lymph leakage and recurrency.", "contents": "[Obstructive uropathy by perirenal lymphocele, a rare complication after renal transplantation (author's transl)]. One lymphocele was observed in 151 renal transplants. Ureteral compression led to obstructive uropathy with decreased renal function. The clinical symptomatology, diagnostic procedures and management of lymphoceles is described and discussed. Lymphoceles can mimic the clinical pattern of rejection. The most important data of 21 lymphoceles reported in the literature are reviewed. The formation of lymphoceles may be prevented by careful ligation of all lymphatics transected during dissection of the recipient vessels. Intraperitoneal marsupialization is the therapy of choice in case of persistent lymph leakage and recurrency.", "PMID": 788290} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7925", "title": "Manifestations of renal cell carcinoma.", "content": "Patients with renal cell carcinoma often have no specific localizing symptoms or signs, and their presentation will often involve many organ systems. Since 40 per cent of these patients do not have genitourinary symptoms, care must be taken to avoid being misled by normal findings on urinalysis. More than 50 per cent of patients with renal cell carcinoma have vague symptoms suggesting a gastrointestinal origin; thus if primary gastrointestinal studies do not disclose a cause for these symptoms, excretory urography must be included as a screening procedure.", "contents": "Manifestations of renal cell carcinoma. Patients with renal cell carcinoma often have no specific localizing symptoms or signs, and their presentation will often involve many organ systems. Since 40 per cent of these patients do not have genitourinary symptoms, care must be taken to avoid being misled by normal findings on urinalysis. More than 50 per cent of patients with renal cell carcinoma have vague symptoms suggesting a gastrointestinal origin; thus if primary gastrointestinal studies do not disclose a cause for these symptoms, excretory urography must be included as a screening procedure.", "PMID": 788291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7926", "title": "Plasma insulin and glucose levels after renal transplantation.", "content": "Plasma insulin and glucose levels were measured before and for twenty-four hours after operation in 13 patients who had undergone renal transplantation, 4 who had undergone bilateral nephrectomy, and 5 who had undergone donor nephrectomy. Postoperative hyperglycemia was noted in all patients, but the hyperglycemia was much greater after renal transplantation. Peripheral insulin antagonism rather than decreased insulin secretion appeared to account for the hyperglycemia. The peripheral insulin antagonism was largely due to surgical stress, but intravenous immunosuppressive medications contributed to the exaggerated hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin antagonism observed in the transplant patient.", "contents": "Plasma insulin and glucose levels after renal transplantation. Plasma insulin and glucose levels were measured before and for twenty-four hours after operation in 13 patients who had undergone renal transplantation, 4 who had undergone bilateral nephrectomy, and 5 who had undergone donor nephrectomy. Postoperative hyperglycemia was noted in all patients, but the hyperglycemia was much greater after renal transplantation. Peripheral insulin antagonism rather than decreased insulin secretion appeared to account for the hyperglycemia. The peripheral insulin antagonism was largely due to surgical stress, but intravenous immunosuppressive medications contributed to the exaggerated hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin antagonism observed in the transplant patient.", "PMID": 788292} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7927", "title": "Comparison of flutamide (SCH-13521) and diethylstilbestrol in untreated advanced prostatic cancer.", "content": "A double-blind study comparing the efficacy of flutamide (SH-13521) and diethylstilbestrol in 15 patients with advanced, previously untreated adenocarcinoma in the prostate in herein presented. Patients receiving diethylstilbestrol, 1 mg. daily, remained stable without evidence of progression of their disease for an average of 25.6 weeks while those receiving either high-or low-dose flutamide showed no objective progression for an average of thirty weeks. There were no complete remissions, and no signficant side effects were seen with either of these agents. In this small series of hormonally untreated Stage D prostatic cancer patients, neither agent displayed significant superiority.", "contents": "Comparison of flutamide (SCH-13521) and diethylstilbestrol in untreated advanced prostatic cancer. A double-blind study comparing the efficacy of flutamide (SH-13521) and diethylstilbestrol in 15 patients with advanced, previously untreated adenocarcinoma in the prostate in herein presented. Patients receiving diethylstilbestrol, 1 mg. daily, remained stable without evidence of progression of their disease for an average of 25.6 weeks while those receiving either high-or low-dose flutamide showed no objective progression for an average of thirty weeks. There were no complete remissions, and no signficant side effects were seen with either of these agents. In this small series of hormonally untreated Stage D prostatic cancer patients, neither agent displayed significant superiority.", "PMID": 788293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7928", "title": "Room temperature incubation of dipslide urine cultures.", "content": "Two hundred and fifty urine specimens selected at random were cultured simultaneously by routine methods and on dipslides containing MacConkey agar and cystine-lactose electrolyte deficient agar with colistin (CLED-colistin agar) at room temperature incubation. There were six major and five minor differences between the two methods in interpretation of results. Many of these differences were due to the fact that CLED-colistin agar fails to support the growth of many gram-positive species, and that the dipslide tended to overestimate the colony count. Nevertheless there was sufficient agreement between the two methods to suggest that dipslides can be used effectively in office or clinic without the need for an incubator.", "contents": "Room temperature incubation of dipslide urine cultures. Two hundred and fifty urine specimens selected at random were cultured simultaneously by routine methods and on dipslides containing MacConkey agar and cystine-lactose electrolyte deficient agar with colistin (CLED-colistin agar) at room temperature incubation. There were six major and five minor differences between the two methods in interpretation of results. Many of these differences were due to the fact that CLED-colistin agar fails to support the growth of many gram-positive species, and that the dipslide tended to overestimate the colony count. Nevertheless there was sufficient agreement between the two methods to suggest that dipslides can be used effectively in office or clinic without the need for an incubator.", "PMID": 788294} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7929", "title": "Arteriovenous fistula complicating renal transplantation.", "content": "A case of arteriovenous fistula of the major transplant vessels contributing to posttransplant hypertension hypertension and severe microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is reported. Improvement in blood pressure and correction of anemia followed ligation of the fistula. This case reinforces the need for diagnostic evaluation of all patients with sustained post-transplant hypertension.", "contents": "Arteriovenous fistula complicating renal transplantation. A case of arteriovenous fistula of the major transplant vessels contributing to posttransplant hypertension hypertension and severe microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is reported. Improvement in blood pressure and correction of anemia followed ligation of the fistula. This case reinforces the need for diagnostic evaluation of all patients with sustained post-transplant hypertension.", "PMID": 788295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7930", "title": "Review of erythroplasia of Queyrat and its treatment.", "content": "EQ (erythroplasia of Queyrat) manifests itself by single or multiple asymptomatic papules or plaques on the glans penis, or periurethrally, predominantly in uncircumcised men, age range from twenty to eighty years of age. The bright red lesions may be ulcerated. The disease progresses slowly, and the interval between onset and diagnosis may be years. The cause is unknown. Diagnosis is confirmed only by histologic examination. A therapeutic regimen of 5 per cent 5-fluorouracil cream applied to lesion(s) twice daily for four to five weeks has produced a high cure rate and maintained penile integrity and function.", "contents": "Review of erythroplasia of Queyrat and its treatment. EQ (erythroplasia of Queyrat) manifests itself by single or multiple asymptomatic papules or plaques on the glans penis, or periurethrally, predominantly in uncircumcised men, age range from twenty to eighty years of age. The bright red lesions may be ulcerated. The disease progresses slowly, and the interval between onset and diagnosis may be years. The cause is unknown. Diagnosis is confirmed only by histologic examination. A therapeutic regimen of 5 per cent 5-fluorouracil cream applied to lesion(s) twice daily for four to five weeks has produced a high cure rate and maintained penile integrity and function.", "PMID": 788296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7931", "title": "Reticulum cell sarcoma of testes.", "content": "Seven cases of primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the testes have been added to the world literature, bringing the total to 83 cases. Primary reticulum cell sarcoma should be suspected in all patients over the age of fifty years who have a testicular mass. There is a marked tendency of bilateral involvement of this tumor, as well as an association with cutaneous and pharyngeal lesions. Although there have been a few long-term survivors, over-all prognosis is poor.", "contents": "Reticulum cell sarcoma of testes. Seven cases of primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the testes have been added to the world literature, bringing the total to 83 cases. Primary reticulum cell sarcoma should be suspected in all patients over the age of fifty years who have a testicular mass. There is a marked tendency of bilateral involvement of this tumor, as well as an association with cutaneous and pharyngeal lesions. Although there have been a few long-term survivors, over-all prognosis is poor.", "PMID": 788297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7932", "title": "Transcervical thymectomy in renal transplant recipients: surgical complications and possible effect on long-term allograft survival.", "content": "Between January 1963 and December 1967, 59 renal transplant recipients underwent thymectomy with or without splenectomy as an adjuvant to standard immunosuppression. All thymectomies were performed transcervically. By internal comparison long-term renal allograft survival was better in recipients who had thymectomy, when compared to those who did not. There were no significant surgical complications associated with transcervical thymectomy and the completeness of thymectomy was judged satisfactory. The role of thymectomy as an adjuvant operation in human renal transplant recipients should be re-examined.", "contents": "Transcervical thymectomy in renal transplant recipients: surgical complications and possible effect on long-term allograft survival. Between January 1963 and December 1967, 59 renal transplant recipients underwent thymectomy with or without splenectomy as an adjuvant to standard immunosuppression. All thymectomies were performed transcervically. By internal comparison long-term renal allograft survival was better in recipients who had thymectomy, when compared to those who did not. There were no significant surgical complications associated with transcervical thymectomy and the completeness of thymectomy was judged satisfactory. The role of thymectomy as an adjuvant operation in human renal transplant recipients should be re-examined.", "PMID": 788300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7933", "title": "The use of the omental pedicle graft in urinary tract reconstruction.", "content": "The omentum is unique in that it is the only body tissue specifically developed for the resolution of infected process; it also regains its suppleness once healing has taken place. These characteristics are not shared by the peri-ureteral and per-vesical tissues so that a properly mobilized pedicle graft is a valuable adjunct to the more difficult repairs and reconstructions of the urinary tract.", "contents": "The use of the omental pedicle graft in urinary tract reconstruction. The omentum is unique in that it is the only body tissue specifically developed for the resolution of infected process; it also regains its suppleness once healing has taken place. These characteristics are not shared by the peri-ureteral and per-vesical tissues so that a properly mobilized pedicle graft is a valuable adjunct to the more difficult repairs and reconstructions of the urinary tract.", "PMID": 788301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7934", "title": "Transcanal tympanoplasty: a 15-year report.", "content": "The data presented would seem to support the following conclusions: 1. Transcanal tympanoplasty employing connective tissue underlay grafts, ossicular bone prostheses, and avoidance of mastoid exposure, unless irreversible disease is present, seems to meet contemporary standards of efficacy, safety, and long-term stability when performed on patients with either chronic suppurative otitis or atelectatic otitis. 2. Although chronic suppurative otitis and atelectatic otitis have differing characteristics and are of seemingly different pathogenesis, no statistical differences were found in the pattern of ossicular destruction or in their response to surgical intervation. Hearing results, long-term stability of results, and pattern of complications had no significant differences. 3. Hearing results in those patients with destruction of the malleus handle in whom an L-shaped prosthesis was used were significantly different and poorer than when the malleus was present. A different approach, perhaps employing homograft tympanic membrane with incorporated malleus and staging, may be indicated for these patients. 4. The use of polymeric silicone film and homograft nasal cartilage was associated with a significant number of complications and has been abandoned, substituting instead absorbable gelatin film and ossicular bone transplants. 5. Since no significant changes were seen following one year's observation, this period would seem to be statistically suitable for analysis of results. This conclusion can only be applied to those patients with either chronic suppurative otitis or atelectatic otitis and in whom the surgical procedures herein described were applied.", "contents": "Transcanal tympanoplasty: a 15-year report. The data presented would seem to support the following conclusions: 1. Transcanal tympanoplasty employing connective tissue underlay grafts, ossicular bone prostheses, and avoidance of mastoid exposure, unless irreversible disease is present, seems to meet contemporary standards of efficacy, safety, and long-term stability when performed on patients with either chronic suppurative otitis or atelectatic otitis. 2. Although chronic suppurative otitis and atelectatic otitis have differing characteristics and are of seemingly different pathogenesis, no statistical differences were found in the pattern of ossicular destruction or in their response to surgical intervation. Hearing results, long-term stability of results, and pattern of complications had no significant differences. 3. Hearing results in those patients with destruction of the malleus handle in whom an L-shaped prosthesis was used were significantly different and poorer than when the malleus was present. A different approach, perhaps employing homograft tympanic membrane with incorporated malleus and staging, may be indicated for these patients. 4. The use of polymeric silicone film and homograft nasal cartilage was associated with a significant number of complications and has been abandoned, substituting instead absorbable gelatin film and ossicular bone transplants. 5. Since no significant changes were seen following one year's observation, this period would seem to be statistically suitable for analysis of results. This conclusion can only be applied to those patients with either chronic suppurative otitis or atelectatic otitis and in whom the surgical procedures herein described were applied.", "PMID": 788298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7935", "title": "The era of home urine cultures.", "content": "The parents of 289 children performed bacteriuria screening with a self-administered dip-strip culture, which was inoculated, incubated and interpreted in the home. Simultaneous pour-plate quantitative cultures and laboratory tested dip-strip cultures were done on the same urine specimen that had been tested at home. The dip-strip culture was reliable (89 percent) in detecting significant bacteriuria with home administration and interpretation. Only 1.6 percent falsely positive results occurred in the home testing. The dip-strip home cultures are an effective way to screen or followup patients with bacteriuria.", "contents": "The era of home urine cultures. The parents of 289 children performed bacteriuria screening with a self-administered dip-strip culture, which was inoculated, incubated and interpreted in the home. Simultaneous pour-plate quantitative cultures and laboratory tested dip-strip cultures were done on the same urine specimen that had been tested at home. The dip-strip culture was reliable (89 percent) in detecting significant bacteriuria with home administration and interpretation. Only 1.6 percent falsely positive results occurred in the home testing. The dip-strip home cultures are an effective way to screen or followup patients with bacteriuria.", "PMID": 788306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7936", "title": "Influence of rejection on graft survival after renal transplantation.", "content": "The clinical course was reviewed of 102 renal allograft recipients between December 1967 and December 1973. Only 4 of 21 patients (19 per cent) who had 2 or more episodes of rejection during the first 2 months had a functioning graft at the end of 1 year, compared to 24 of 30 patients (83 per cent) who had no rejection episodes. A similar trend was seen 2 to 6 months after transplantation. During the first 2 years vigorous immunosuppressive therapy for rejection in the first few months resulted in 12 deaths (44 per cent) of 27 patients. Subsequent to this immunosuppressive therapy was modified and grafts were removed if there was not a prompt recovery of function after treatment, which resulted in a significant decrease in mortality rate to 16 per cent. There also was improvement in the over-all survival of patients with functioning grafts from 37 to 56 per cent. Serious complications and mortality could be related to high dosage of steroids and severe leukopenia. A white blood count of less than 1,000 m m.3 on 3 successive days was associated with a mortality rate of 52 per cent, compared to 15 per cent in those without leukopenia. Serious consideration should be given to early graft removal in patients who have 2 or more episodes of rejection in the first few months after transplantation, particularly when there is not a prompt improvement in renal function after immunosuppressive therapy. High doses of steroids (greater than 1 mg. per kg. for more than 26 days during the first 60 days) should be avoided to decrease morbidity and mortality rates from serious infections. The results of histocompatibility (HL-A) matching in 72 donor-recipient pairs indicated an improved graft survival when there was a match of 2 or more antigens, which is supported by the results recently reported by the Transplant Registry. The results of mixed lymphocyte reactions in 20 live donor-recipient pairs showed a marked improvement in graft survival when there was less than 20 per cent stimulation and it appeared that this reaction was of more important prognostic significance than the results of histocompatibility (HL-A) matching in these patients.", "contents": "Influence of rejection on graft survival after renal transplantation. The clinical course was reviewed of 102 renal allograft recipients between December 1967 and December 1973. Only 4 of 21 patients (19 per cent) who had 2 or more episodes of rejection during the first 2 months had a functioning graft at the end of 1 year, compared to 24 of 30 patients (83 per cent) who had no rejection episodes. A similar trend was seen 2 to 6 months after transplantation. During the first 2 years vigorous immunosuppressive therapy for rejection in the first few months resulted in 12 deaths (44 per cent) of 27 patients. Subsequent to this immunosuppressive therapy was modified and grafts were removed if there was not a prompt recovery of function after treatment, which resulted in a significant decrease in mortality rate to 16 per cent. There also was improvement in the over-all survival of patients with functioning grafts from 37 to 56 per cent. Serious complications and mortality could be related to high dosage of steroids and severe leukopenia. A white blood count of less than 1,000 m m.3 on 3 successive days was associated with a mortality rate of 52 per cent, compared to 15 per cent in those without leukopenia. Serious consideration should be given to early graft removal in patients who have 2 or more episodes of rejection in the first few months after transplantation, particularly when there is not a prompt improvement in renal function after immunosuppressive therapy. High doses of steroids (greater than 1 mg. per kg. for more than 26 days during the first 60 days) should be avoided to decrease morbidity and mortality rates from serious infections. The results of histocompatibility (HL-A) matching in 72 donor-recipient pairs indicated an improved graft survival when there was a match of 2 or more antigens, which is supported by the results recently reported by the Transplant Registry. The results of mixed lymphocyte reactions in 20 live donor-recipient pairs showed a marked improvement in graft survival when there was less than 20 per cent stimulation and it appeared that this reaction was of more important prognostic significance than the results of histocompatibility (HL-A) matching in these patients.", "PMID": 788307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7937", "title": "[Edematous form of acute pancreatitis].", "content": "Among a numerous contingent of patients with acute edematous peritonitis a group of 135 subjects with a pure form of acute edematous peritonitis was singled out. A sharp differentiation between proper acute pancreatitis and associated one and the fact, that these patients are singled out as a separate group are of certain clinical importance. Proper acute pancreatitis is characterized by primary affection of pancreatic vessels but not by the mechanic obstruction of the ducts.", "contents": "[Edematous form of acute pancreatitis]. Among a numerous contingent of patients with acute edematous peritonitis a group of 135 subjects with a pure form of acute edematous peritonitis was singled out. A sharp differentiation between proper acute pancreatitis and associated one and the fact, that these patients are singled out as a separate group are of certain clinical importance. Proper acute pancreatitis is characterized by primary affection of pancreatic vessels but not by the mechanic obstruction of the ducts.", "PMID": 788312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7938", "title": "[Osteocartilaginous homoplasty in surgery of focal lesions of the femur head].", "content": "The present communication is concerned with the problem of using osteocartilaginous homoplasty for diseases of the coxa of a nontuberculous origin. The data of observations over 53 operated patients (aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, gigantic cell tumor, deformating arthrosis, etc.) are reported. The procedure was a failure in 4 patients.", "contents": "[Osteocartilaginous homoplasty in surgery of focal lesions of the femur head]. The present communication is concerned with the problem of using osteocartilaginous homoplasty for diseases of the coxa of a nontuberculous origin. The data of observations over 53 operated patients (aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, gigantic cell tumor, deformating arthrosis, etc.) are reported. The procedure was a failure in 4 patients.", "PMID": 788313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7939", "title": "[Free dermatoplasty in melanoblastomas treated by perfusion chemotherapy].", "content": "In the paper, the data on the immediate and late results of skin tranplantation in the complex treatment of limb melanoblastomas are reported. The latter consisted in a one-moment massive regional chemotherapy by perfusion of the extremity (iliac, femoral, brachial) with antitumor drugs, against which background melanoblastoma was excised electrosurgically, and lymphadenectomy was performed. The defect of the limb tissues, which was located on the foot or leg in 61 cases, was replaced by a free skin graft. The results of the plastic repair were followed up within the terms from 1 to 10 years.", "contents": "[Free dermatoplasty in melanoblastomas treated by perfusion chemotherapy]. In the paper, the data on the immediate and late results of skin tranplantation in the complex treatment of limb melanoblastomas are reported. The latter consisted in a one-moment massive regional chemotherapy by perfusion of the extremity (iliac, femoral, brachial) with antitumor drugs, against which background melanoblastoma was excised electrosurgically, and lymphadenectomy was performed. The defect of the limb tissues, which was located on the foot or leg in 61 cases, was replaced by a free skin graft. The results of the plastic repair were followed up within the terms from 1 to 10 years.", "PMID": 788314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7940", "title": "[Treatment of Mallory-Weiss syndrome].", "content": "The author has observed Mallory-Weiss syndrome in 13 patients. In 3 patients bleeding was arrested by conservative measures, 10 patients were operated upon. The operative procedures employed are described. The author reports one case of necrosis of the left hepatic lobe due to ligation of the left hepatic artery abnormally running from the left gastric artery with lethal issue. It is concluded that conservative therapy is to be used only in cases of rapid arresting of bleeding.", "contents": "[Treatment of Mallory-Weiss syndrome]. The author has observed Mallory-Weiss syndrome in 13 patients. In 3 patients bleeding was arrested by conservative measures, 10 patients were operated upon. The operative procedures employed are described. The author reports one case of necrosis of the left hepatic lobe due to ligation of the left hepatic artery abnormally running from the left gastric artery with lethal issue. It is concluded that conservative therapy is to be used only in cases of rapid arresting of bleeding.", "PMID": 788315} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7941", "title": "[Use of Kiel bone in plastic surgery of jaw defects].", "content": "A 5-year clinical experience with the use of Kiel bone in different osteoplastic operations on jaws in 67 patients is described. The implants proved to be effective in replacement of defects not associated with an impairment of the jaw bone integrity. Infection of the bed tissues was considered to be contraindication to implantation.", "contents": "[Use of Kiel bone in plastic surgery of jaw defects]. A 5-year clinical experience with the use of Kiel bone in different osteoplastic operations on jaws in 67 patients is described. The implants proved to be effective in replacement of defects not associated with an impairment of the jaw bone integrity. Infection of the bed tissues was considered to be contraindication to implantation.", "PMID": 788316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7942", "title": "Anaemia and veal calf production.", "content": "Calves have been raised for veal on liquid diets containing different amounts of iron. A concentration of 25-30 mg soluble iron/kg dietary dry matter provided sufficient haemaglobin for normal appetite, growth and oxygen transport, and also produced carcases light coloured enough for the veal trade. When anaemia was induced in calves or sheep the first measurable response from the animals was a fall in appetite which provided a more sensitive indicator than more complicated physiological or biochemical measurements.", "contents": "Anaemia and veal calf production. Calves have been raised for veal on liquid diets containing different amounts of iron. A concentration of 25-30 mg soluble iron/kg dietary dry matter provided sufficient haemaglobin for normal appetite, growth and oxygen transport, and also produced carcases light coloured enough for the veal trade. When anaemia was induced in calves or sheep the first measurable response from the animals was a fall in appetite which provided a more sensitive indicator than more complicated physiological or biochemical measurements.", "PMID": 788321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7943", "title": "Suspected botulism in foxhounds.", "content": "An outbreak of acute paralysis in a pack of foxhounds, which followed the ingestion of raw and partially cooked meat, was almost certainly due to botulism. Botulinal toxin was detected in the serum of one of three hounds which recovered, and Clostridium botulinum type C was present in a sample of meat remaining from a batch fed to the hounds.", "contents": "Suspected botulism in foxhounds. An outbreak of acute paralysis in a pack of foxhounds, which followed the ingestion of raw and partially cooked meat, was almost certainly due to botulism. Botulinal toxin was detected in the serum of one of three hounds which recovered, and Clostridium botulinum type C was present in a sample of meat remaining from a batch fed to the hounds.", "PMID": 788323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7944", "title": "Diagnosis and treatment of Amanita phalloides-type mushroom poisoning: use of thioctic acid.", "content": "The number of cases of mushroom poisoning is increasing as a result of the increasing popularity of \"wild\" mushroom consumption. Amanitin and phalloidin cytotoxins found in some Amanita and Galerina species produce the most severe and frequent life-threatening symptoms of Amanita phalloidestype poisoning. Delay in onset of symptoms, individual susceptibility variation and lack of rapid and reliable identification have contributed to the significant morbidity and mortality of this type of poisoning.A rapid chromatographic assay for identifying the potent cytotoxins and apparently successful management using thioctic acid of two cases of A. phalloides-type mushroom poisoning are reported. All known cases of A. phalloides-type mushroom poisoning treated with thioctic acid in the United States are summarized.", "contents": "Diagnosis and treatment of Amanita phalloides-type mushroom poisoning: use of thioctic acid. The number of cases of mushroom poisoning is increasing as a result of the increasing popularity of \"wild\" mushroom consumption. Amanitin and phalloidin cytotoxins found in some Amanita and Galerina species produce the most severe and frequent life-threatening symptoms of Amanita phalloidestype poisoning. Delay in onset of symptoms, individual susceptibility variation and lack of rapid and reliable identification have contributed to the significant morbidity and mortality of this type of poisoning.A rapid chromatographic assay for identifying the potent cytotoxins and apparently successful management using thioctic acid of two cases of A. phalloides-type mushroom poisoning are reported. All known cases of A. phalloides-type mushroom poisoning treated with thioctic acid in the United States are summarized.", "PMID": 788340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7945", "title": "[Therapeutic problems in status epilepticus (author's transl)].", "content": "A review is given of the present state of knowledge and current concepts of the causative factors involved in, and the pathological mechanisms underlying status epilepticus. A synopsis of the commonly-applied therapeutic methods is presented. A step-wise therapeutic procedure is advised for the different stages of status epilepticus. Treatment is directed towards a lowering of cerebral excitability (hydantoin, diazepam), the prevention of brain oedema (osmotherapy, positive pressure respiration) and the avoidance of the development of secondary complications (antibiotics, intensive care). In every case the requisite investigations should be undertaken in order to clarify the aetiology.", "contents": "[Therapeutic problems in status epilepticus (author's transl)]. A review is given of the present state of knowledge and current concepts of the causative factors involved in, and the pathological mechanisms underlying status epilepticus. A synopsis of the commonly-applied therapeutic methods is presented. A step-wise therapeutic procedure is advised for the different stages of status epilepticus. Treatment is directed towards a lowering of cerebral excitability (hydantoin, diazepam), the prevention of brain oedema (osmotherapy, positive pressure respiration) and the avoidance of the development of secondary complications (antibiotics, intensive care). In every case the requisite investigations should be undertaken in order to clarify the aetiology.", "PMID": 788345} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7946", "title": "[Neuropathology of renal transplantation (author's transl)].", "content": "The neuropathological features are presented of an autopsy series of 43 renal transplant recipients. Inflammatory CNS lesions were found in 18 cases and were attributable to secondary CNS involvement in bacterial or fungal septicaemia (8 cases) or in localized extraneural infections (5 cases). Mixed bacterial-fungal infection and bacterial-fungal-viral triple infection were seen in one case each. Isolated toxoplasmic granulomas were observed in two cases. No tissue changes typical of CNS viral infections, including cytomegaly, were found except for small glial nodules in the brain stem in 7 cases. Massive intracerebral haemorrhages were seen in 2 cases after haemodialysis; subdural haematoma occurred once. Non-specific changes including brain oedema and diffuse glial poliodystrophy were found in many cases; vascular lesions and purpura occurred only seldom. A meningocerebellar malignant lymphoma, probably of metastatic origin was found in one case. Clinico-pathological correlation was poor in 5 cases; this is considered to be due to immunosuppressive therapy, which may mask either clinical expression of severe CNS lesions or morphological expression of viral encephalitis.", "contents": "[Neuropathology of renal transplantation (author's transl)]. The neuropathological features are presented of an autopsy series of 43 renal transplant recipients. Inflammatory CNS lesions were found in 18 cases and were attributable to secondary CNS involvement in bacterial or fungal septicaemia (8 cases) or in localized extraneural infections (5 cases). Mixed bacterial-fungal infection and bacterial-fungal-viral triple infection were seen in one case each. Isolated toxoplasmic granulomas were observed in two cases. No tissue changes typical of CNS viral infections, including cytomegaly, were found except for small glial nodules in the brain stem in 7 cases. Massive intracerebral haemorrhages were seen in 2 cases after haemodialysis; subdural haematoma occurred once. Non-specific changes including brain oedema and diffuse glial poliodystrophy were found in many cases; vascular lesions and purpura occurred only seldom. A meningocerebellar malignant lymphoma, probably of metastatic origin was found in one case. Clinico-pathological correlation was poor in 5 cases; this is considered to be due to immunosuppressive therapy, which may mask either clinical expression of severe CNS lesions or morphological expression of viral encephalitis.", "PMID": 788346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7947", "title": "[Splenectomy for traumatic rupture of the spleen in childhood and its sequaelae].", "content": "This study was undertaken in order to assess the clinical and immunological consequences of splenectomy for traumatic reasons in childhood. Immunological testing of 22 persons 1 to 20 years subsequent to removal of the spleen for traumatic rupture between the ages of 3 and 6 revealed diminished or absent agglutinins in 10 cases and diminished or absent opsonins to E. coli in 16 cases. All patients were in good health and no clinical evidence of increased susceptibility to severe infections was found postoperatively. It is, therefore, assumed that the diagnosed defects had been compensated for by other immunological mechanisms. In contrast to the opinions of other authors, it is concluded that splenectomy in childhood between the ages of 3 and 6 does not appear to carry greater risks than in later years.", "contents": "[Splenectomy for traumatic rupture of the spleen in childhood and its sequaelae]. This study was undertaken in order to assess the clinical and immunological consequences of splenectomy for traumatic reasons in childhood. Immunological testing of 22 persons 1 to 20 years subsequent to removal of the spleen for traumatic rupture between the ages of 3 and 6 revealed diminished or absent agglutinins in 10 cases and diminished or absent opsonins to E. coli in 16 cases. All patients were in good health and no clinical evidence of increased susceptibility to severe infections was found postoperatively. It is, therefore, assumed that the diagnosed defects had been compensated for by other immunological mechanisms. In contrast to the opinions of other authors, it is concluded that splenectomy in childhood between the ages of 3 and 6 does not appear to carry greater risks than in later years.", "PMID": 788347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7948", "title": "Bacterial leaching of waste uranium materials.", "content": "The effect of ferrobacteria and thiobacteria on the leaching of waste uranium materials from which 70-80% of uranium was previously leached by classical chemical hydrometallurgical procedure has been investigated. The bacteria used are found in the ore and the mine water of Zletovska River locality, Yugoslavia. Parameters of biological leaching were examined in the laboratory. Leaching conditions were changed with the aim of increasing the amount of uranium leached. The effect of pyrite added to the waste materials before the beginning of leaching has also been examined. Uranium leaching is directly proportional to the composition and number of ferrobacteria and thiobacteria, and increased by almost twice the value obtained from the same starting materials without using bacteria. Increased sulphuric acid concentrations stimulate considerably the rate of leaching. Uranium leaching is increased up to 20% while sulphuric acid consumption is simultaneously decreased by the addition of pyrite. Uranium concentrations in starting waste materials used for leaching were extremely low (0.0278 and 0.372% U) but about 60% recovery of uranium was obtained, with relatively low consumption of sulphuric acid.", "contents": "Bacterial leaching of waste uranium materials. The effect of ferrobacteria and thiobacteria on the leaching of waste uranium materials from which 70-80% of uranium was previously leached by classical chemical hydrometallurgical procedure has been investigated. The bacteria used are found in the ore and the mine water of Zletovska River locality, Yugoslavia. Parameters of biological leaching were examined in the laboratory. Leaching conditions were changed with the aim of increasing the amount of uranium leached. The effect of pyrite added to the waste materials before the beginning of leaching has also been examined. Uranium leaching is directly proportional to the composition and number of ferrobacteria and thiobacteria, and increased by almost twice the value obtained from the same starting materials without using bacteria. Increased sulphuric acid concentrations stimulate considerably the rate of leaching. Uranium leaching is increased up to 20% while sulphuric acid consumption is simultaneously decreased by the addition of pyrite. Uranium concentrations in starting waste materials used for leaching were extremely low (0.0278 and 0.372% U) but about 60% recovery of uranium was obtained, with relatively low consumption of sulphuric acid.", "PMID": 788361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7949", "title": "[The anodically moving thermolabile antigen (ATA) of gram-negative bacteria: its molecular heterogeneity and its chemical composition].", "content": "The anodically-moving thermolabile antigen (ATA) of gram-negative bacteria represents a glycolipoprote in. In aqueous solution ATA exhibits heterogeneity of the molecular size, the range varying between 2.10(4) and 8.10(5) Daltons. In the molecular range between 5.10(4) and 8.10(5) all the molecular states give precipitation lines with the corresponding antisera. It could be shown that all the molecular states of ATA are formed by different aggregation of the same subunit with a molecular weight of approximatively 22000.", "contents": "[The anodically moving thermolabile antigen (ATA) of gram-negative bacteria: its molecular heterogeneity and its chemical composition]. The anodically-moving thermolabile antigen (ATA) of gram-negative bacteria represents a glycolipoprote in. In aqueous solution ATA exhibits heterogeneity of the molecular size, the range varying between 2.10(4) and 8.10(5) Daltons. In the molecular range between 5.10(4) and 8.10(5) all the molecular states give precipitation lines with the corresponding antisera. It could be shown that all the molecular states of ATA are formed by different aggregation of the same subunit with a molecular weight of approximatively 22000.", "PMID": 788362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7950", "title": "[Health hazards: asbestos--a review (author's transl)].", "content": "The health hazards caused by asbestos are reviewed and some conclusions are drawn. Asbestos and the materials containing a high percentage of asbestos cannot completely be substituted by other materials without dangerous health effects. It is to be expected that the use of asbestos will still increase. An important health hazard has become evident among asbestos insulation workers. But also in other branches the application of asbestos is widespread. It seems to be difficult to find substitutes meeting the same requirements for using like asbestos. Rock-wool and glass fibres are used more and more in exchange for asbestos. Registers for asbestos workers and asbestos working places are established in several countries. The main causes of death induced by asbestos among asbestos workers are asbestosis. mesothelioma and cancer. For the evaluation and assessment of cancer risk due to asbestos epidemiological studies have to be conducted. Even a short period of exposure to low quantities of asbestos fibres proves to be a health hazard causing certain diseases (diffuse pulmonary fibrosis, pleural hyalinosis, pleural calcifications, mesothelioma) after more than 20 years. For avoiding occupational disease hazards among asbestos workers the dust level on the working place has to be lowered to acceptable concentrations (maximal allowable concentrations). The identification of dust sources of asbestos, the application of practice codes for handling of asbestos, the substitution of asbestos by materials without dangerous health effects, and dust control at source are the most effective directions of hygienic practice. The health protection requires annual medical examinations of all persons exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos.", "contents": "[Health hazards: asbestos--a review (author's transl)]. The health hazards caused by asbestos are reviewed and some conclusions are drawn. Asbestos and the materials containing a high percentage of asbestos cannot completely be substituted by other materials without dangerous health effects. It is to be expected that the use of asbestos will still increase. An important health hazard has become evident among asbestos insulation workers. But also in other branches the application of asbestos is widespread. It seems to be difficult to find substitutes meeting the same requirements for using like asbestos. Rock-wool and glass fibres are used more and more in exchange for asbestos. Registers for asbestos workers and asbestos working places are established in several countries. The main causes of death induced by asbestos among asbestos workers are asbestosis. mesothelioma and cancer. For the evaluation and assessment of cancer risk due to asbestos epidemiological studies have to be conducted. Even a short period of exposure to low quantities of asbestos fibres proves to be a health hazard causing certain diseases (diffuse pulmonary fibrosis, pleural hyalinosis, pleural calcifications, mesothelioma) after more than 20 years. For avoiding occupational disease hazards among asbestos workers the dust level on the working place has to be lowered to acceptable concentrations (maximal allowable concentrations). The identification of dust sources of asbestos, the application of practice codes for handling of asbestos, the substitution of asbestos by materials without dangerous health effects, and dust control at source are the most effective directions of hygienic practice. The health protection requires annual medical examinations of all persons exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos.", "PMID": 788371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7951", "title": "[Organ diseases treated as neuroses--a psychotherapeutic task].", "content": "On the basis of experiences with haemophilics is reported on the significance and possible neurotic digestion of organic diseases. In 60 outpatients the reasons of the verbal causes evoking the false treatment are described. Insufficient and exaggerated informations can be maldigested in the same way. In the drawing test examples are given, the therapeutic demands are discussed.", "contents": "[Organ diseases treated as neuroses--a psychotherapeutic task]. On the basis of experiences with haemophilics is reported on the significance and possible neurotic digestion of organic diseases. In 60 outpatients the reasons of the verbal causes evoking the false treatment are described. Insufficient and exaggerated informations can be maldigested in the same way. In the drawing test examples are given, the therapeutic demands are discussed.", "PMID": 788375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7952", "title": "[Microbiological diagnosis of pyelonephritis].", "content": "Microbiological methods occupy an important place in the diagnosis of pyelonephritis. Taking into consideration still open problems, the principles of the bacteriological and serological diagnosis of infections of the urinary tract are discussed.", "contents": "[Microbiological diagnosis of pyelonephritis]. Microbiological methods occupy an important place in the diagnosis of pyelonephritis. Taking into consideration still open problems, the principles of the bacteriological and serological diagnosis of infections of the urinary tract are discussed.", "PMID": 788376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7953", "title": "[Histological diagnosis of glomerulonephritis].", "content": "The morphological diagnosis of glomerulonephritis is a descriptive one. On the basis of the classification after Kettler and co-workers several forms are discussed in short and certain interrelations of these forms are indicated. Data concerning floridity are mostly expected, sometimes, however, they are possible only with reservation. Only with the help of the usual paraffin histology in a part of the biopsy cylinders no clear diagnoses can be made. Above all often the exclusion of minimal glomerular changes is not possible. Newer morphological investigation methods are an essential diag-microscopy; the question of the floridity of nostic enrichment, i.e. the semi-microsection technique, the immunohistology and the electron glomerulonephritis is best to be answered immunohistologically.", "contents": "[Histological diagnosis of glomerulonephritis]. The morphological diagnosis of glomerulonephritis is a descriptive one. On the basis of the classification after Kettler and co-workers several forms are discussed in short and certain interrelations of these forms are indicated. Data concerning floridity are mostly expected, sometimes, however, they are possible only with reservation. Only with the help of the usual paraffin histology in a part of the biopsy cylinders no clear diagnoses can be made. Above all often the exclusion of minimal glomerular changes is not possible. Newer morphological investigation methods are an essential diag-microscopy; the question of the floridity of nostic enrichment, i.e. the semi-microsection technique, the immunohistology and the electron glomerulonephritis is best to be answered immunohistologically.", "PMID": 788377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7954", "title": "[Segmental wall movement of the left ventricle in healthy persons and myocardial infarct patients studied by a catheter-less nuclear medical method (camera-cinematography of the heart)].", "content": "Camera-Kinematography is a nearly noninvasive method to investigate regional motion of the myocard, and allows evaluation of the function of the heart. About 20 min after injection of 15-20 mCi of 99mTC-Human-Serum-Albumin, when the tracer is distributed homogenously within the bloodpool, data acquisition starts. Myocardial wall motion is represented in an appropriate quasi three-dimensional form. In this representation scars can be revealed as \"silent\" (akinetic) regions, aneurysms by asynchronic motion. Time activity curves for arbitrarily chosen regions can be calculated and give an equivalent for regional volume changes. 16 patients with an old infarction have been investigated. In fourteen cases the location and extent of regions with abnormal motion could be evaluated. Only two cases of a small posterior wall infarction did not show deviations from normal contraction pattern.", "contents": "[Segmental wall movement of the left ventricle in healthy persons and myocardial infarct patients studied by a catheter-less nuclear medical method (camera-cinematography of the heart)]. Camera-Kinematography is a nearly noninvasive method to investigate regional motion of the myocard, and allows evaluation of the function of the heart. About 20 min after injection of 15-20 mCi of 99mTC-Human-Serum-Albumin, when the tracer is distributed homogenously within the bloodpool, data acquisition starts. Myocardial wall motion is represented in an appropriate quasi three-dimensional form. In this representation scars can be revealed as \"silent\" (akinetic) regions, aneurysms by asynchronic motion. Time activity curves for arbitrarily chosen regions can be calculated and give an equivalent for regional volume changes. 16 patients with an old infarction have been investigated. In fourteen cases the location and extent of regions with abnormal motion could be evaluated. Only two cases of a small posterior wall infarction did not show deviations from normal contraction pattern.", "PMID": 788387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7955", "title": "[Posttraumatic pyogenic and granulomatous encephalitis. An animal experimental contribution on inflammation (author's transl)].", "content": "The present studies were performed to elucidate the factors responsible for the relative resistance of the brain to bacterial infections. As a model, group A streptococci were used to produce an experimental brain infection in mice. Attention was focussed on the activity of brain macrophages, the function of which to date is poorly understood. The primary purpose of the experiments was to compare the types of inflammation elicited in the brain by the injection of either killed or living group A streptococci. As a result, two fundamentally different types of encephalitis were observed histologically. A granulomatous inflammation was induced by killed streptococci; when deposited in the brain by intracerebral injection, these were phagocytosed by invading mononuclear macrophages and polymorphonuclear granulocytes during the first day p.i. There was no necrosis of brain tissue excepting the stab wound at the site of injection. The number of granulocytes in the inflammatory infiltrates decreased during the first week p.i. whereas, during the same period, the number of macrophages forming granuloma-like cell accummulations increased. At the beginning of the third week a fading of the granulomatous encephalitis was observed. In contrast, living streptococci produced a pyogenic inflammation of the meninges as well as of the grey and white matter in the region of the stab wound combined with extended tissue necrosis surrounding deposits of bacteria. This pyogenic infection progressed until the end of the first week, forming a brain abscess. A phlegmonous spreading of the pyogenic inflammation predominantly in the white matter and pyocephalus internus was also observed. In contrast to the increase of mononuclear macrophages in the border zone of the abscesses, the granulocytic inflammation decreased. During the second and third weeks p.i. granulation tissue consisting of proliferating connective tissue cells, macrophages and lymphocytes replaced pyogenic necrosis. A secondary purpose was to determine the fate of living and killed streptococci within the pyogenic and granulomatous encephalitis. In these studies immunohistologic, electron microscopic, bacteriologic and serologic methods were employed in addition to the techniques already mentioned. In the majority of the experimental animals streptococci were killed by granulocytes within the first week after injection of the living bacteria. At this time, most of the streptococci were contained within granulocytes and macrophages located to the periphery of the brain abscesses. Corresponding to the granulomatous encephalitis produced by injection of killed streptococci it was possible to detect persistent cell wall material in macrophages by immunohistology. By electronmicroscopy streptococci and their cell walls were found within the phagocytic vacuoles of macrophages. During the course of degradation the group-specific cell wall carbohydrate was enzymatically converted into the group A-variant specific structure...", "contents": "[Posttraumatic pyogenic and granulomatous encephalitis. An animal experimental contribution on inflammation (author's transl)]. The present studies were performed to elucidate the factors responsible for the relative resistance of the brain to bacterial infections. As a model, group A streptococci were used to produce an experimental brain infection in mice. Attention was focussed on the activity of brain macrophages, the function of which to date is poorly understood. The primary purpose of the experiments was to compare the types of inflammation elicited in the brain by the injection of either killed or living group A streptococci. As a result, two fundamentally different types of encephalitis were observed histologically. A granulomatous inflammation was induced by killed streptococci; when deposited in the brain by intracerebral injection, these were phagocytosed by invading mononuclear macrophages and polymorphonuclear granulocytes during the first day p.i. There was no necrosis of brain tissue excepting the stab wound at the site of injection. The number of granulocytes in the inflammatory infiltrates decreased during the first week p.i. whereas, during the same period, the number of macrophages forming granuloma-like cell accummulations increased. At the beginning of the third week a fading of the granulomatous encephalitis was observed. In contrast, living streptococci produced a pyogenic inflammation of the meninges as well as of the grey and white matter in the region of the stab wound combined with extended tissue necrosis surrounding deposits of bacteria. This pyogenic infection progressed until the end of the first week, forming a brain abscess. A phlegmonous spreading of the pyogenic inflammation predominantly in the white matter and pyocephalus internus was also observed. In contrast to the increase of mononuclear macrophages in the border zone of the abscesses, the granulocytic inflammation decreased. During the second and third weeks p.i. granulation tissue consisting of proliferating connective tissue cells, macrophages and lymphocytes replaced pyogenic necrosis. A secondary purpose was to determine the fate of living and killed streptococci within the pyogenic and granulomatous encephalitis. In these studies immunohistologic, electron microscopic, bacteriologic and serologic methods were employed in addition to the techniques already mentioned. In the majority of the experimental animals streptococci were killed by granulocytes within the first week after injection of the living bacteria. At this time, most of the streptococci were contained within granulocytes and macrophages located to the periphery of the brain abscesses. Corresponding to the granulomatous encephalitis produced by injection of killed streptococci it was possible to detect persistent cell wall material in macrophages by immunohistology. By electronmicroscopy streptococci and their cell walls were found within the phagocytic vacuoles of macrophages. During the course of degradation the group-specific cell wall carbohydrate was enzymatically converted into the group A-variant specific structure...", "PMID": 788396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7956", "title": "[Modification of glycylglycine dipeptidase activity in the human ovary using follicle stimulating hormone. I].", "content": "The glycyl glycine dipeptidase activity under the in vitro influence of two follicle-stimulating hormone preparations of different concentration was investigated in 36 ovaries. A significant impediment was observed under Folistiman, whereas under Anthrogon the impediment could only be detected with higher concentrations. The FSH/ICSH relation evidently plays an important role in this respect. The results are in support of the statement that the glycyl glycine activity in vivo also depends on the gonadotrophin production. At the same time they affirm the fact that not only endopeptidases play a role in the hormone metabolism of the ovary.", "contents": "[Modification of glycylglycine dipeptidase activity in the human ovary using follicle stimulating hormone. I]. The glycyl glycine dipeptidase activity under the in vitro influence of two follicle-stimulating hormone preparations of different concentration was investigated in 36 ovaries. A significant impediment was observed under Folistiman, whereas under Anthrogon the impediment could only be detected with higher concentrations. The FSH/ICSH relation evidently plays an important role in this respect. The results are in support of the statement that the glycyl glycine activity in vivo also depends on the gonadotrophin production. At the same time they affirm the fact that not only endopeptidases play a role in the hormone metabolism of the ovary.", "PMID": 788408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7957", "title": "[Treatment of functional sterility using a clomiphene-Sterolibrin combination].", "content": "Out of 252 women with primary or secondary sterility, 107 women with functional sterility with anovulation cycles were selected for hormonal therapy. These women received Clomifen citrate after menstruation, and a push dose of an oestroprogestative combination, Sterolibirin, before menstruation. After this therapy, in 71 women (66%) ovulation cycles were produced; of this number, 49 women (46%) became pregnant to date. No statistically significant correlations could be revealed with respect to the ages of the women treated, duration of sterility, duration of medication, nor between the respective results achieved in women with primary and secondary sterility.", "contents": "[Treatment of functional sterility using a clomiphene-Sterolibrin combination]. Out of 252 women with primary or secondary sterility, 107 women with functional sterility with anovulation cycles were selected for hormonal therapy. These women received Clomifen citrate after menstruation, and a push dose of an oestroprogestative combination, Sterolibirin, before menstruation. After this therapy, in 71 women (66%) ovulation cycles were produced; of this number, 49 women (46%) became pregnant to date. No statistically significant correlations could be revealed with respect to the ages of the women treated, duration of sterility, duration of medication, nor between the respective results achieved in women with primary and secondary sterility.", "PMID": 788409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7958", "title": "[The detection of aeromonads of the \"hydrophila-punctata-group\" within the hygienic control of drinking water (author's transl)].", "content": "The first part brings a retrospective analysis of bacteriological water examinations at single wells at which within a new one year examination period E. coli, coliforms and colony count determinations were performed and in addition the water samples were examined regarding Aeromonas of the \"Hydrophila-Punctata-Group\". The single wells have been divided in five groups because of the pre-testing and reexamination results and because of the local circumstances. They are summarized in the tables 1-5. The second part reports about the findings of the examination regarding the relation of aerogenic to anaerogenic Aeromonads in wells close to the shore in the direction of infiltration. It also reports about flat wells without influence of surface water in ground-water areas with relatively porous surface layer. Whilst in river water loaded with sewage the anaerogenic Aeromonads dominate the population up to about 80% their proportion diminishes in the shore filtrate so that within a certain distance, in groundwater filtered through the shore, only aerogenic Aeromonads are found. Also, from the water of flat wells with relatively porous surface layer exclusively aerogenic Aeromonads colonies have been isolated. Proceeding from these results the findings of the single wells divided in the groups 1-5 have been discussed. Because the aerogenic Aeromonads have not been found in deep wells but more or less frequently in flat wells the proof of anaerogenic Aeromonas obviously demonstrates a pollution of surface water loaded with sewage.", "contents": "[The detection of aeromonads of the \"hydrophila-punctata-group\" within the hygienic control of drinking water (author's transl)]. The first part brings a retrospective analysis of bacteriological water examinations at single wells at which within a new one year examination period E. coli, coliforms and colony count determinations were performed and in addition the water samples were examined regarding Aeromonas of the \"Hydrophila-Punctata-Group\". The single wells have been divided in five groups because of the pre-testing and reexamination results and because of the local circumstances. They are summarized in the tables 1-5. The second part reports about the findings of the examination regarding the relation of aerogenic to anaerogenic Aeromonads in wells close to the shore in the direction of infiltration. It also reports about flat wells without influence of surface water in ground-water areas with relatively porous surface layer. Whilst in river water loaded with sewage the anaerogenic Aeromonads dominate the population up to about 80% their proportion diminishes in the shore filtrate so that within a certain distance, in groundwater filtered through the shore, only aerogenic Aeromonads are found. Also, from the water of flat wells with relatively porous surface layer exclusively aerogenic Aeromonads colonies have been isolated. Proceeding from these results the findings of the single wells divided in the groups 1-5 have been discussed. Because the aerogenic Aeromonads have not been found in deep wells but more or less frequently in flat wells the proof of anaerogenic Aeromonas obviously demonstrates a pollution of surface water loaded with sewage.", "PMID": 788410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7959", "title": "[Microbial invasion of the intestine in colonising agamas (Agama agama) from the aspect of hygienic water control in tropical areas of West Africa (author's transl)].", "content": "Agamae are regularly found in great numbers in the neighbourhood of water supply plants and excrements of these animals can be traced to the plants proper. In order to ascertain the cause of drinking water infections, 37 Agamae were cought, immediately killed and the bowel contents examined. It was found that the Agamae have no uniform microbial population and that none of the aerobically cultivated bacterial species is present in all animals (Tablet 1 indicates the species for each animal). With regard to the hygienic inspection of drinking water it is important to know that only some of the Agamae discharge E. coli or coliform bacteria with the excrements and that 7 out of 12 animals which excrete large quantities of salmonellae were not found to harbour E. coli or coliform bacteria in their bowels. Under these circumstances the prerequisite to be met by the indicator function for E. coli and coliform bacteria no longer exists for water infections brought about by reptile excrements. The detection of salmonellae in water must be given priority over the detection of E. coli and coliform bacteria if - as happens in West Africa - the spread of salmonellae by reptiles or other animals, which do not excrete E. coli or coliform bacteria regularly, must be considered.", "contents": "[Microbial invasion of the intestine in colonising agamas (Agama agama) from the aspect of hygienic water control in tropical areas of West Africa (author's transl)]. Agamae are regularly found in great numbers in the neighbourhood of water supply plants and excrements of these animals can be traced to the plants proper. In order to ascertain the cause of drinking water infections, 37 Agamae were cought, immediately killed and the bowel contents examined. It was found that the Agamae have no uniform microbial population and that none of the aerobically cultivated bacterial species is present in all animals (Tablet 1 indicates the species for each animal). With regard to the hygienic inspection of drinking water it is important to know that only some of the Agamae discharge E. coli or coliform bacteria with the excrements and that 7 out of 12 animals which excrete large quantities of salmonellae were not found to harbour E. coli or coliform bacteria in their bowels. Under these circumstances the prerequisite to be met by the indicator function for E. coli and coliform bacteria no longer exists for water infections brought about by reptile excrements. The detection of salmonellae in water must be given priority over the detection of E. coli and coliform bacteria if - as happens in West Africa - the spread of salmonellae by reptiles or other animals, which do not excrete E. coli or coliform bacteria regularly, must be considered.", "PMID": 788411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7960", "title": "[A rapid technique for isolation of Escherichia coli type I in food (author's transl)].", "content": "A rapid isolation method for E. coli Type I is being presented: A 4-6 hours resuscitation period at 24 +/- 3 degrees C is immediately followed by the 44 +/- 0.1 degrees C incubation period. Using this method the result can be read off after 24 hours, in exceptional cases after 48 hours. This technique enables the demonstration of an hygienic parameter important for food microbiology within a short time. Examinations will now be started in the Federal Health Office with the aim for defining E. coli-standards for various foods. It is planed to recommend these standards to the federal health authorities for including them in appropriate food regulations.", "contents": "[A rapid technique for isolation of Escherichia coli type I in food (author's transl)]. A rapid isolation method for E. coli Type I is being presented: A 4-6 hours resuscitation period at 24 +/- 3 degrees C is immediately followed by the 44 +/- 0.1 degrees C incubation period. Using this method the result can be read off after 24 hours, in exceptional cases after 48 hours. This technique enables the demonstration of an hygienic parameter important for food microbiology within a short time. Examinations will now be started in the Federal Health Office with the aim for defining E. coli-standards for various foods. It is planed to recommend these standards to the federal health authorities for including them in appropriate food regulations.", "PMID": 788412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7961", "title": "Activity of methoxyamine-modified f2 RNA in initiation and elongation steps of protein synthesis.", "content": "1. Messenger activity of phage f2 RNA modified with methoxyamine under non-denaturing conditions was studied in E. coli-free system. The incorporation of amino acids into phage polypeptides was decreased, and the synthesis of phage-specific proteins was diminished. The RNA replicase synthesis was more affected than synthesis of coat protein. The impaired messenger activity of the methoxyamine-modified f2 RNA was due to the blocking of elongation process by modified cytosines present in RNA chain. 2. Specificity of f2 RNA to stimulate ribosomal binding predominantly at the coat protein initiation site was not affected by methoxyamine-treatment, as demonstrated by unchanged binding of f[3H]Met-tRNA and [14C]alanyl-tRNA to ribosomes. 3. Unfolding of f2 RNA molecule on treatment with methoxyamine in the presence of guanidine-HCl resulted in a significant increase of RNA capacity to direct fMet-tRNA binding to ribosomes. Sucrose-density gradient profiles revealed the formation of polysome-like initiation complexes indicating that ribosomes were able to bind at many hitherto inaccessible initiation codons in RNA molecules. fMet-tRNA bound to ribosomes in the presence of unfolded RNA was found to be fully reactive with puromycin.", "contents": "Activity of methoxyamine-modified f2 RNA in initiation and elongation steps of protein synthesis. 1. Messenger activity of phage f2 RNA modified with methoxyamine under non-denaturing conditions was studied in E. coli-free system. The incorporation of amino acids into phage polypeptides was decreased, and the synthesis of phage-specific proteins was diminished. The RNA replicase synthesis was more affected than synthesis of coat protein. The impaired messenger activity of the methoxyamine-modified f2 RNA was due to the blocking of elongation process by modified cytosines present in RNA chain. 2. Specificity of f2 RNA to stimulate ribosomal binding predominantly at the coat protein initiation site was not affected by methoxyamine-treatment, as demonstrated by unchanged binding of f[3H]Met-tRNA and [14C]alanyl-tRNA to ribosomes. 3. Unfolding of f2 RNA molecule on treatment with methoxyamine in the presence of guanidine-HCl resulted in a significant increase of RNA capacity to direct fMet-tRNA binding to ribosomes. Sucrose-density gradient profiles revealed the formation of polysome-like initiation complexes indicating that ribosomes were able to bind at many hitherto inaccessible initiation codons in RNA molecules. fMet-tRNA bound to ribosomes in the presence of unfolded RNA was found to be fully reactive with puromycin.", "PMID": 788415} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7962", "title": "[RNA and protein biosynthesis in toluene treated E. coli B].", "content": "The conditions for RNA- and protein synthesis in toluenized E. coli B are investigated. The kinetics of RNA- and protein synthesis indicate that a coupled synthesis of both macromolecules takes place in these preparations. Treatment with 1% Brij 58 alters the permeability of toluenized E. coli in such a way that the protein synthesis depends on the addition of supernatant proteins (chromotographed S100 from E. coli) and tRNA.", "contents": "[RNA and protein biosynthesis in toluene treated E. coli B]. The conditions for RNA- and protein synthesis in toluenized E. coli B are investigated. The kinetics of RNA- and protein synthesis indicate that a coupled synthesis of both macromolecules takes place in these preparations. Treatment with 1% Brij 58 alters the permeability of toluenized E. coli in such a way that the protein synthesis depends on the addition of supernatant proteins (chromotographed S100 from E. coli) and tRNA.", "PMID": 788417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7963", "title": "Serum phospholipids in bilharzial hepatic fibrosis and chronic active hepatitis.", "content": "The various serum phospholipid fractions were quantitated by thin layer chromatography in 33 patients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis, 11 patients with chronic active hepatitis and 25 normal human subjects. In bilharzial hepatic fibrosis, the total serum phospholipid level showed a significant drop, while in chronic active hepatitis it was significantly elevated above the normal level of the controls. In both groups of patients, the percentage of phospholipids analyzed as lecithin was significantly elevated. The percentage of total phospholipids analyzed as sphingomyelin tended to be within the normal range of controls while the percentages of lysolecithin and cephalin fractions were significantly decreased. The increase in the relative percentage of lecithin with the simultaneous decrease of the relative percentage of lysolecithin was referred to the decrease of the lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase enzyme activity in the plasma of these patients.", "contents": "Serum phospholipids in bilharzial hepatic fibrosis and chronic active hepatitis. The various serum phospholipid fractions were quantitated by thin layer chromatography in 33 patients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis, 11 patients with chronic active hepatitis and 25 normal human subjects. In bilharzial hepatic fibrosis, the total serum phospholipid level showed a significant drop, while in chronic active hepatitis it was significantly elevated above the normal level of the controls. In both groups of patients, the percentage of phospholipids analyzed as lecithin was significantly elevated. The percentage of total phospholipids analyzed as sphingomyelin tended to be within the normal range of controls while the percentages of lysolecithin and cephalin fractions were significantly decreased. The increase in the relative percentage of lecithin with the simultaneous decrease of the relative percentage of lysolecithin was referred to the decrease of the lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase enzyme activity in the plasma of these patients.", "PMID": 788418} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7964", "title": "Bood glucose level in pregnancy.", "content": "Oral glucose tolerance curves were constructed for 50 normal pregnant women, 25 pre-diabetics and 25 cases of diabetic pregnant women of different degrees of disturbance in carbohydrate metabolism. The mean rise in blood glucose level after the intake of 50 g glucose, was 53% in normal cases, and only 41% in the prediabetic cases, due to increased insulin secretion in the prediabetic group. This group of pregnants gave flat-topped curves in 60% of the cases studied, as compared to 10% of the normal pregnant cases in the same study. This was attributed to delayed insulin secretion in the prediabetic group. On the other hand, all diabetic cases gave peaked glucose tolerance curves during the first hour after glucose intake. The results of insulin-glucose tolerance test, effect of fasting for four hours and tolbutamide sensitivity test suggested that the prediabetic pregnants showed hyperinsulinemia which became evident during fasting. The pancreas of the prediabetic responds more readily, by the release of insulin, to the stimulus of oral hypoglycemic agents, such as sodium tolbutamide, than in the case of normal pregnants. Measurements of serum inorganic phosphorus, serum potassium and serum alkaline phosphatase of these 3 groups of pregnants, showed a definite disturbance in the liver function of the prediabetics which became more obvious in the diabetic group.", "contents": "Bood glucose level in pregnancy. Oral glucose tolerance curves were constructed for 50 normal pregnant women, 25 pre-diabetics and 25 cases of diabetic pregnant women of different degrees of disturbance in carbohydrate metabolism. The mean rise in blood glucose level after the intake of 50 g glucose, was 53% in normal cases, and only 41% in the prediabetic cases, due to increased insulin secretion in the prediabetic group. This group of pregnants gave flat-topped curves in 60% of the cases studied, as compared to 10% of the normal pregnant cases in the same study. This was attributed to delayed insulin secretion in the prediabetic group. On the other hand, all diabetic cases gave peaked glucose tolerance curves during the first hour after glucose intake. The results of insulin-glucose tolerance test, effect of fasting for four hours and tolbutamide sensitivity test suggested that the prediabetic pregnants showed hyperinsulinemia which became evident during fasting. The pancreas of the prediabetic responds more readily, by the release of insulin, to the stimulus of oral hypoglycemic agents, such as sodium tolbutamide, than in the case of normal pregnants. Measurements of serum inorganic phosphorus, serum potassium and serum alkaline phosphatase of these 3 groups of pregnants, showed a definite disturbance in the liver function of the prediabetics which became more obvious in the diabetic group.", "PMID": 788419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7965", "title": "[Macrophage membrane potential test: an electrophysiological modification of the Field-Caspary test in melanoma patients].", "content": "In modification of the cytopherometric test according to FIELD and CASPARY [3] were studied the influence of the cell-free supernatant (lymphokine) of the lymphocyte antigen reaction on the transmembrane potential of macrophages obtained from guinea pigs (peritoneal exsudate cells PEC). Macrophage membrane potential (MMP) was determined by glass microelectrode technique. In agreement with histological and clinical findings in malignant melanoma and Dubreuilh's disease with malignatization we observed a depolarization of the macrophage membrane up to 40% as compared with controls. A depolarization up to 60% was obtained in patients having undergone BCG vaccination, if the antigen used was PPD. In control persons and in non-malignant pigmentary tumors (such as foreign body granuloma) we found no variation of MMP. The results indicate that cell mediated immunity is closely correlated with membrane permeabilities, ion gradients and cell metabolism.", "contents": "[Macrophage membrane potential test: an electrophysiological modification of the Field-Caspary test in melanoma patients]. In modification of the cytopherometric test according to FIELD and CASPARY [3] were studied the influence of the cell-free supernatant (lymphokine) of the lymphocyte antigen reaction on the transmembrane potential of macrophages obtained from guinea pigs (peritoneal exsudate cells PEC). Macrophage membrane potential (MMP) was determined by glass microelectrode technique. In agreement with histological and clinical findings in malignant melanoma and Dubreuilh's disease with malignatization we observed a depolarization of the macrophage membrane up to 40% as compared with controls. A depolarization up to 60% was obtained in patients having undergone BCG vaccination, if the antigen used was PPD. In control persons and in non-malignant pigmentary tumors (such as foreign body granuloma) we found no variation of MMP. The results indicate that cell mediated immunity is closely correlated with membrane permeabilities, ion gradients and cell metabolism.", "PMID": 788420} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7966", "title": "Urinary catecholamines and their metabolites in diabetes.", "content": "Total, free, and conjugated urinary catecholamines and their metabolites are studied in diabetes before and after treatment. There are abnormalities in catecholamines metabolism and their metabolites caused by the diabetic condition. The 24 hour urinary excretion of the total catecholamines is significantly increased in diabetics. Epinephrine, as a free fraction, conjugated fraction, and, consequently, as a total metabolite, is significantly increased. No change in dopamine concentration is observed in diabetes although dopamine is known to inhibit insuline release. No sex difference is, however, observed in the diabetic patients with regards to the catecholamines excretion. After controlling the diabetic state, abnormalities in catecholamine metabolism and their metabolites are normalized.", "contents": "Urinary catecholamines and their metabolites in diabetes. Total, free, and conjugated urinary catecholamines and their metabolites are studied in diabetes before and after treatment. There are abnormalities in catecholamines metabolism and their metabolites caused by the diabetic condition. The 24 hour urinary excretion of the total catecholamines is significantly increased in diabetics. Epinephrine, as a free fraction, conjugated fraction, and, consequently, as a total metabolite, is significantly increased. No change in dopamine concentration is observed in diabetes although dopamine is known to inhibit insuline release. No sex difference is, however, observed in the diabetic patients with regards to the catecholamines excretion. After controlling the diabetic state, abnormalities in catecholamine metabolism and their metabolites are normalized.", "PMID": 788421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7967", "title": "[Histidine tolerance in low skin histidase activity].", "content": "An oral histidine loading test (100 mg L-His/kg body weight) was performed in 8 deaf patients with low histidase activity in the str. corneum of the skin. Beside an elevated plasma phenylalanine level resulting in a Phe/Tyr-quotient of 1,09 +/- 0,15 the basal level of histidine was slightly enhanced in patients with deafness, but without statistical significance. After histidine loading no differences of the histidine tolerance curves could be observed suggesting the heterozygosity state for histidinaemia. Thin-layer chromatographic investigation of imidazole compounds revealed some abnormal findings after loading. The results are discussed with regard to the clinical and biochemical heterogeneity of histidinaemia.", "contents": "[Histidine tolerance in low skin histidase activity]. An oral histidine loading test (100 mg L-His/kg body weight) was performed in 8 deaf patients with low histidase activity in the str. corneum of the skin. Beside an elevated plasma phenylalanine level resulting in a Phe/Tyr-quotient of 1,09 +/- 0,15 the basal level of histidine was slightly enhanced in patients with deafness, but without statistical significance. After histidine loading no differences of the histidine tolerance curves could be observed suggesting the heterozygosity state for histidinaemia. Thin-layer chromatographic investigation of imidazole compounds revealed some abnormal findings after loading. The results are discussed with regard to the clinical and biochemical heterogeneity of histidinaemia.", "PMID": 788422} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7968", "title": "[Structural and immunochemical studies on the immunoglobulin of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). III. Valence and affinity of antidinitrophenyl-antibodies].", "content": "Carps were immunized with DNP conjugated to human serum albumin, bovine gamma globulin and Brucella abortus. The antibodies were isolated by immunoadsorption. The intrinsic average association constant (Ko) of the antibodies was determined by equilibrium dialysis and ammonium sulphate precipitation employing the monovalent hapten tritiated epsilon-DNP-L-lysine. The tetrameric carp IgM possesses four measurable combining sites per molecule. The affinity (Ko) of the isolated antibodies varied from less than 10(4) M-1 to 2,5-10(5) M-1. The highest determined affinity in the whole serum was 4,4-10(5) M-1. The affinity of antibodies, which was determined in the whole serum was 1,1--1,45 times higher than the affinity of specifically purified antibodies. The selective influence of the antibody isolation procedure was unimportant. The affinity of these IgM antibodies increased twice during the first stage following immunization and did not change significantly over a 25-month period.", "contents": "[Structural and immunochemical studies on the immunoglobulin of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). III. Valence and affinity of antidinitrophenyl-antibodies]. Carps were immunized with DNP conjugated to human serum albumin, bovine gamma globulin and Brucella abortus. The antibodies were isolated by immunoadsorption. The intrinsic average association constant (Ko) of the antibodies was determined by equilibrium dialysis and ammonium sulphate precipitation employing the monovalent hapten tritiated epsilon-DNP-L-lysine. The tetrameric carp IgM possesses four measurable combining sites per molecule. The affinity (Ko) of the isolated antibodies varied from less than 10(4) M-1 to 2,5-10(5) M-1. The highest determined affinity in the whole serum was 4,4-10(5) M-1. The affinity of antibodies, which was determined in the whole serum was 1,1--1,45 times higher than the affinity of specifically purified antibodies. The selective influence of the antibody isolation procedure was unimportant. The affinity of these IgM antibodies increased twice during the first stage following immunization and did not change significantly over a 25-month period.", "PMID": 788423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7969", "title": "Modulation of the hexose induced suppression of glucagon secretion by somatostatin on isolated pancreatic rat islets.", "content": "Somatostatin inhibits in a dose-dependent manner the glucagon secretion in the presence of up to 5 mM glucose, whereas the suppressed glucagon release in the presence of greater than or equal to 10 mM glucose, 10 mM glyceraldehyde, 30 mM fructose or 30 mM mannose is characterized by an increase of hormone release under the influence of somatostatin.", "contents": "Modulation of the hexose induced suppression of glucagon secretion by somatostatin on isolated pancreatic rat islets. Somatostatin inhibits in a dose-dependent manner the glucagon secretion in the presence of up to 5 mM glucose, whereas the suppressed glucagon release in the presence of greater than or equal to 10 mM glucose, 10 mM glyceraldehyde, 30 mM fructose or 30 mM mannose is characterized by an increase of hormone release under the influence of somatostatin.", "PMID": 788424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7970", "title": "The effect of surgery on carbohydrate metabolism. II. Insulin response during surgery.", "content": "Serum-immunoreactive insulin response on glucose load was observed during the operation of 13 patients. The tests were performed on the same patients also 5 days prior to operation. The patients were divided into two groups according to the performed operation which was either intra- or extraperitoneal. Glucose tolerance during operation remained unchanged, but the serum insulin level was considerably lower. A certain difference was detected between intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal operations in this respect, though the trend of the changes was the same. The probable pathomechanism of the lacking insulin secretion on glucose is discussed.", "contents": "The effect of surgery on carbohydrate metabolism. II. Insulin response during surgery. Serum-immunoreactive insulin response on glucose load was observed during the operation of 13 patients. The tests were performed on the same patients also 5 days prior to operation. The patients were divided into two groups according to the performed operation which was either intra- or extraperitoneal. Glucose tolerance during operation remained unchanged, but the serum insulin level was considerably lower. A certain difference was detected between intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal operations in this respect, though the trend of the changes was the same. The probable pathomechanism of the lacking insulin secretion on glucose is discussed.", "PMID": 788425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7971", "title": "[Securing of intestinal sutures].", "content": "End-to-end small intestinal anastomoses were performed in 20 dogs. In four dogs, the anastomosis was secured by distant single line stitches. These animals died of peritonitis. In the other animals the suture was covered with Surgicel and fixed by means of Histoacryl-N-Blau adhesive. In these cases, no insufficiency developed and in two cases were only adhesions and intestinal obstruction, respectively, observed. All the animals survived the operation. The method is recommended for securing intestinal anastomoses and stumps in patients.", "contents": "[Securing of intestinal sutures]. End-to-end small intestinal anastomoses were performed in 20 dogs. In four dogs, the anastomosis was secured by distant single line stitches. These animals died of peritonitis. In the other animals the suture was covered with Surgicel and fixed by means of Histoacryl-N-Blau adhesive. In these cases, no insufficiency developed and in two cases were only adhesions and intestinal obstruction, respectively, observed. All the animals survived the operation. The method is recommended for securing intestinal anastomoses and stumps in patients.", "PMID": 788426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7972", "title": "The insulin tolerance test after pre-treatment with dexamethasone.", "content": "The plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroid and serum GH responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia were studied in 25 healthy volunteers. The results of a control insulin tolerance test were compared with those of 2 similar tests which were performed after pre-treatment with dexamethasone 0.5 and 1.0 mg, respectively. The GH response to hypoglycaemia was significantly lower in women than in men in all 3 tests. In men, but not in women, the GH response was lower after pre-treatment with 1 mg dexamethasone than in the other 2 tests. The plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroid response was significantly greater after pre-treatment with 0.5 mg dexamethasone than in the control test, and was at least as good after 1 mg dexamethasone. After pre-treatment with dexamethasone the subjects experienced less discomfort and a shorter duration of sweating than in the control insulin tolerance test. Pre-treatment with 1 mg dexamethasone also has other advantages. Thus, the basal plasma cortisol level is low and stable, which facilitates estimation of the magnitude of the cortisol response. Furthermore, information is obtained about the dexamethasone suppression response.", "contents": "The insulin tolerance test after pre-treatment with dexamethasone. The plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroid and serum GH responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia were studied in 25 healthy volunteers. The results of a control insulin tolerance test were compared with those of 2 similar tests which were performed after pre-treatment with dexamethasone 0.5 and 1.0 mg, respectively. The GH response to hypoglycaemia was significantly lower in women than in men in all 3 tests. In men, but not in women, the GH response was lower after pre-treatment with 1 mg dexamethasone than in the other 2 tests. The plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroid response was significantly greater after pre-treatment with 0.5 mg dexamethasone than in the control test, and was at least as good after 1 mg dexamethasone. After pre-treatment with dexamethasone the subjects experienced less discomfort and a shorter duration of sweating than in the control insulin tolerance test. Pre-treatment with 1 mg dexamethasone also has other advantages. Thus, the basal plasma cortisol level is low and stable, which facilitates estimation of the magnitude of the cortisol response. Furthermore, information is obtained about the dexamethasone suppression response.", "PMID": 788430} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7973", "title": "Biological effects of a new and potent progestagen. A clinical study.", "content": "The biological effects of a new synthetic progestagen, Org 2969 (13-ethyl-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-17 alpha-pregn-4-en-20-yn-17-ol) were studied in healthy normally menstruating women. Two of them were given 0.125 mg, five 0.060 mg and two 0.030 mg of Org 2969 daily on days 1-20 during one menstrual cycle. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, progesterone and oestradiol were analyzed on days 8-23 in order to evaluate the function of the hypophyseal-ovarian axis. The serum concentrations of aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and bilirubin were determined to evaluate possible side effects on live function on days 8, 15 and 23. Serum cortisol was measured on days 8 and 23. The basal body temperature was recorded daily during the whole cycle, and endometrium biopsies were taken on days 21 or 22 of the cycle. All samples were taken similaryl during the treatment cycle and the preceding control cycle. According to the hormone determinations, all the treatment cycles were anovulatory except in one woman receiving the lowest dose. The treatment led to decreased spinnbarkeit, arborization and sperum penetration in the cervical mucus. Liver function tests and serum cortisol remained unchanged during the treatment.", "contents": "Biological effects of a new and potent progestagen. A clinical study. The biological effects of a new synthetic progestagen, Org 2969 (13-ethyl-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-17 alpha-pregn-4-en-20-yn-17-ol) were studied in healthy normally menstruating women. Two of them were given 0.125 mg, five 0.060 mg and two 0.030 mg of Org 2969 daily on days 1-20 during one menstrual cycle. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, progesterone and oestradiol were analyzed on days 8-23 in order to evaluate the function of the hypophyseal-ovarian axis. The serum concentrations of aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and bilirubin were determined to evaluate possible side effects on live function on days 8, 15 and 23. Serum cortisol was measured on days 8 and 23. The basal body temperature was recorded daily during the whole cycle, and endometrium biopsies were taken on days 21 or 22 of the cycle. All samples were taken similaryl during the treatment cycle and the preceding control cycle. According to the hormone determinations, all the treatment cycles were anovulatory except in one woman receiving the lowest dose. The treatment led to decreased spinnbarkeit, arborization and sperum penetration in the cervical mucus. Liver function tests and serum cortisol remained unchanged during the treatment.", "PMID": 788431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7974", "title": "Ontogeny of four cell types in fetal rat islets using histochemical techniques.", "content": "The pancreas of the fetal rat was collected from the first appearance of the pancreatic bud at 11 days of gestation, and every day thereafter until birth. After birth the neonatal pancreas was collected every day for one week, and at intervals thereafter. Fetal B-cells were stained with Gomori's aldehyde fuchsin at 16 1/2 days, and with the immunofluorescent technique for insulin at 14 days. The A-cells were stained as early as 13 days using the fluorescent antibody technique for glucagon. The D-cells first stained at 17 days with pseudoisocyanin. A 4th cell type was found which stained black with silver nitrate, using a method derived from the Grimelius technique for A-cells. This 4th cell type appeared at 15 days in the fetus, reaching its greatest abundance around 19 days, and then declined in numbers after birth until adulthood, when occasionally one or two cells were found.", "contents": "Ontogeny of four cell types in fetal rat islets using histochemical techniques. The pancreas of the fetal rat was collected from the first appearance of the pancreatic bud at 11 days of gestation, and every day thereafter until birth. After birth the neonatal pancreas was collected every day for one week, and at intervals thereafter. Fetal B-cells were stained with Gomori's aldehyde fuchsin at 16 1/2 days, and with the immunofluorescent technique for insulin at 14 days. The A-cells were stained as early as 13 days using the fluorescent antibody technique for glucagon. The D-cells first stained at 17 days with pseudoisocyanin. A 4th cell type was found which stained black with silver nitrate, using a method derived from the Grimelius technique for A-cells. This 4th cell type appeared at 15 days in the fetus, reaching its greatest abundance around 19 days, and then declined in numbers after birth until adulthood, when occasionally one or two cells were found.", "PMID": 788427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7975", "title": "Studies on the mechanism of centpiperalone-induced hypoglycemia.", "content": "The effect of centpiperalone [2-piperazino-4(3H)-quinazolinone monoacetate], a potent hypoglycemic compound on glucose and oxygen uptake, and lactic acid formation by rat hemidiaphragms suspended in glucose-phosphate buffer in Warburg bath at 37 degrees C and 80 shakes/min was studied in vitro. Although centpiperalone enhanced glucose and oxygen uptake by itself, no increment in the above parameters was seen when insulin was added simultaneously along with centpiperalone. Preincubation of hemidiaphragms with centpiperalone and their subsequent incubation with insulin did not indicate any potentiation of insulin action as indicated by uptake of oxygen and glucose. However when 16 times diluted serum from centpiperalone-treated rats was added to hemidiaphragms suspended in glucose-phosphate buffer, significant increase in glycogen content was observed compared to that seen in hemidiaphragms after addition of serum from normal untreated and alloxanized centpiperalone-fed rats. Definite degranulation of B-cells was seen in centpiperalone-fed rats using the aldehyde fuchsin staining technique. These data strongly suggest that centpiperalone induces hypoglycemia through liberation of insulin from B-cells.", "contents": "Studies on the mechanism of centpiperalone-induced hypoglycemia. The effect of centpiperalone [2-piperazino-4(3H)-quinazolinone monoacetate], a potent hypoglycemic compound on glucose and oxygen uptake, and lactic acid formation by rat hemidiaphragms suspended in glucose-phosphate buffer in Warburg bath at 37 degrees C and 80 shakes/min was studied in vitro. Although centpiperalone enhanced glucose and oxygen uptake by itself, no increment in the above parameters was seen when insulin was added simultaneously along with centpiperalone. Preincubation of hemidiaphragms with centpiperalone and their subsequent incubation with insulin did not indicate any potentiation of insulin action as indicated by uptake of oxygen and glucose. However when 16 times diluted serum from centpiperalone-treated rats was added to hemidiaphragms suspended in glucose-phosphate buffer, significant increase in glycogen content was observed compared to that seen in hemidiaphragms after addition of serum from normal untreated and alloxanized centpiperalone-fed rats. Definite degranulation of B-cells was seen in centpiperalone-fed rats using the aldehyde fuchsin staining technique. These data strongly suggest that centpiperalone induces hypoglycemia through liberation of insulin from B-cells.", "PMID": 788428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7976", "title": "[Dynamic tests with GN-RH L-dopa, clomiphene, HCG and HMG in normal adult men].", "content": "The plasma levels of gonadotrophins, androgens (expressed as testosterone) and 17beta-oestradiol in response to GnRH, L-dopa, clomiphene, HCG and HMG administration have been assayed by radioimmunological mehtods in 70 normal adult males. In keeping wih findings reported in the literature, the results obtained confirm the usefulness of dynamic stimulation with GnRH, clomiphene, and HCG in andrology for the purpose of evaluating the efficiency and integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular system and of its individual glandular components. On the other hand, the administration of L-dopa and HMG does not appear to yield clinically useful findings.", "contents": "[Dynamic tests with GN-RH L-dopa, clomiphene, HCG and HMG in normal adult men]. The plasma levels of gonadotrophins, androgens (expressed as testosterone) and 17beta-oestradiol in response to GnRH, L-dopa, clomiphene, HCG and HMG administration have been assayed by radioimmunological mehtods in 70 normal adult males. In keeping wih findings reported in the literature, the results obtained confirm the usefulness of dynamic stimulation with GnRH, clomiphene, and HCG in andrology for the purpose of evaluating the efficiency and integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular system and of its individual glandular components. On the other hand, the administration of L-dopa and HMG does not appear to yield clinically useful findings.", "PMID": 788433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7977", "title": "Mast cell sensitizing antibodies in experimental myositis.", "content": "Mast cell sensitizing antibodies, direct mast cell degranulation and positive delayed skin tests were detected in guinea pigs and rats during experimental paralysis provoked by inoculation with acetylcholine receptors from the Electrophorus electricus. The animals also developed fluorescent antibodies to the sarcolemma, and massive myositis with histological changes in muscles similar to those characterizing clinical polymyositis.", "contents": "Mast cell sensitizing antibodies in experimental myositis. Mast cell sensitizing antibodies, direct mast cell degranulation and positive delayed skin tests were detected in guinea pigs and rats during experimental paralysis provoked by inoculation with acetylcholine receptors from the Electrophorus electricus. The animals also developed fluorescent antibodies to the sarcolemma, and massive myositis with histological changes in muscles similar to those characterizing clinical polymyositis.", "PMID": 788436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7978", "title": "[Development of the pancreas of the urodele amphibian, Pleurodeles waltlii (Michah). A morphologic and ultrastructural study in vivo].", "content": "The study of the pancreas development in Pleurodeles waltlii Michah (amphibian urodele) shows the following characteristics: 1) The dorsal rudiment is formed the first, even before the irrigation of the tree producing branchial buds (end of stage 30). This rudiment is formed by isolation of cells rich in vitellus from the dorsal wall of the archenteron. The ventral rudiment, which is massive and more developed on the right side than on the left, appears only a few hours later. The two rudiments fuse at the eclosion time (after stage 35). (2) The elements of the exocrine pancreas, which are the first formed, take place little before the eclosion (stage 33b). They come from the transformation of the cells rich in vitellus, with embryonic character. Solid masses of these cells are first formed and then hollowed in tubules which secondarily join the central pancreatic canal of rudiments. (3) The endocrine elements, which are as rare in the larva as in the adult, appear only after the eclosion. The B cells are formed first (stage 35).", "contents": "[Development of the pancreas of the urodele amphibian, Pleurodeles waltlii (Michah). A morphologic and ultrastructural study in vivo]. The study of the pancreas development in Pleurodeles waltlii Michah (amphibian urodele) shows the following characteristics: 1) The dorsal rudiment is formed the first, even before the irrigation of the tree producing branchial buds (end of stage 30). This rudiment is formed by isolation of cells rich in vitellus from the dorsal wall of the archenteron. The ventral rudiment, which is massive and more developed on the right side than on the left, appears only a few hours later. The two rudiments fuse at the eclosion time (after stage 35). (2) The elements of the exocrine pancreas, which are the first formed, take place little before the eclosion (stage 33b). They come from the transformation of the cells rich in vitellus, with embryonic character. Solid masses of these cells are first formed and then hollowed in tubules which secondarily join the central pancreatic canal of rudiments. (3) The endocrine elements, which are as rare in the larva as in the adult, appear only after the eclosion. The B cells are formed first (stage 35).", "PMID": 788437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7979", "title": "Effects of synthetic secretin on gastric secretion in man.", "content": "Five healthy subjects received on one occasion 2 mug/kg-hour of pentagastrin alone and on another occasion in combination with synthetic secretin (Schwarz/Mann) in the dose of 2 U/kg-hour. The gastric and duodenal contents were collected continuously through a gastroduodenal Lagerl\u00f6f tube. Polyethylene glycol and 57Co labelled vitamin B12 were used as non absorbable markers in the duodenum and in the stomach, respectively. In each subject synthetic secretin inhibited acid (mean inhibition 17 percent) and stimulated pepsin secretin (mean stimulation 49 percent). The findings indicate that these actions are properties of secretin itself.", "contents": "Effects of synthetic secretin on gastric secretion in man. Five healthy subjects received on one occasion 2 mug/kg-hour of pentagastrin alone and on another occasion in combination with synthetic secretin (Schwarz/Mann) in the dose of 2 U/kg-hour. The gastric and duodenal contents were collected continuously through a gastroduodenal Lagerl\u00f6f tube. Polyethylene glycol and 57Co labelled vitamin B12 were used as non absorbable markers in the duodenum and in the stomach, respectively. In each subject synthetic secretin inhibited acid (mean inhibition 17 percent) and stimulated pepsin secretin (mean stimulation 49 percent). The findings indicate that these actions are properties of secretin itself.", "PMID": 788435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7980", "title": "[Pharmacokinetic study of sodium di-n-propylacetate (usual tablet and enteric coated tablet with delayed absorption) (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors study the blood levels of DPA after ingestion of the drug in the usual tablet form and after ingestion of an enteric coated tablet with delayed intestinal absorption. They emphasize the fast and very variable absorption of the drug in the usual tablet form which makes necessary the administration of several doses each day. They find a slower absorption from the enteric coated tablet resulting incumulative effects. This form allows an easier administration schedule (one dose in the morning and one dose in the evening). Moreover, the blood levels show less variation during a twenty-four-hour period. Undoubtedly, this new form is an improvement in comparison with the usual tablet.", "contents": "[Pharmacokinetic study of sodium di-n-propylacetate (usual tablet and enteric coated tablet with delayed absorption) (author's transl)]. The authors study the blood levels of DPA after ingestion of the drug in the usual tablet form and after ingestion of an enteric coated tablet with delayed intestinal absorption. They emphasize the fast and very variable absorption of the drug in the usual tablet form which makes necessary the administration of several doses each day. They find a slower absorption from the enteric coated tablet resulting incumulative effects. This form allows an easier administration schedule (one dose in the morning and one dose in the evening). Moreover, the blood levels show less variation during a twenty-four-hour period. Undoubtedly, this new form is an improvement in comparison with the usual tablet.", "PMID": 788439} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7981", "title": "[Primary reticulosarcoma of the central nervous system (author's transl)].", "content": "Among the last 7000 consecutive autopsies from our department, nine cases of primary reticulum cell sarcoma (non hodgkinian malignant lymphoma) of the central nervous system were discovered. Another case was found by cerebral biopsy. There were six males and four females (mean age 43.5 years). Mean duration of illness to time of death was 4.6 months. Gross examination revealed a wide range of neuropathological lesions (multifocal or diffusely infiltrating the parenchyma) and predominant in the cerebral hemispheres. Review of this materal underlines the difficulty of clinical diagnosis and the need to search for a more specific tratement.", "contents": "[Primary reticulosarcoma of the central nervous system (author's transl)]. Among the last 7000 consecutive autopsies from our department, nine cases of primary reticulum cell sarcoma (non hodgkinian malignant lymphoma) of the central nervous system were discovered. Another case was found by cerebral biopsy. There were six males and four females (mean age 43.5 years). Mean duration of illness to time of death was 4.6 months. Gross examination revealed a wide range of neuropathological lesions (multifocal or diffusely infiltrating the parenchyma) and predominant in the cerebral hemispheres. Review of this materal underlines the difficulty of clinical diagnosis and the need to search for a more specific tratement.", "PMID": 788440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7982", "title": "Analysis of a multicentre trial of a new low-dose oral contraceptive in Great Britain.", "content": "An oral contraceptive containing D-norgestrel 150 mug. and ethinol oestradiol 30 mug. (Neovletta) was tested in 682 British women during more than 6,000 cycles. The pregnancy rate was 0.2 per 100 woman-years with the exclusion of pregnancies that followed admitted errors of tablet-taking, and 0.8 per 100 woman-years when they were included. 92.2 per cent of cycles were within 28 +/- 3 days. withdrawal-bleeding was missed in 3.3 per cent of cycles. Spotting occurred in 9.3 per cent of cycles and breakthrough bleeding in 5.8 per cent. Total bleeding averaged 4.71 days per cycle. Concurrent symptoms likely to be attributable to the pill were few and only 10.3 per cent of subjects withdrew because of them. It can be concluded that this formulation is extremely well tolerated and highly effective.", "contents": "Analysis of a multicentre trial of a new low-dose oral contraceptive in Great Britain. An oral contraceptive containing D-norgestrel 150 mug. and ethinol oestradiol 30 mug. (Neovletta) was tested in 682 British women during more than 6,000 cycles. The pregnancy rate was 0.2 per 100 woman-years with the exclusion of pregnancies that followed admitted errors of tablet-taking, and 0.8 per 100 woman-years when they were included. 92.2 per cent of cycles were within 28 +/- 3 days. withdrawal-bleeding was missed in 3.3 per cent of cycles. Spotting occurred in 9.3 per cent of cycles and breakthrough bleeding in 5.8 per cent. Total bleeding averaged 4.71 days per cycle. Concurrent symptoms likely to be attributable to the pill were few and only 10.3 per cent of subjects withdrew because of them. It can be concluded that this formulation is extremely well tolerated and highly effective.", "PMID": 788447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7983", "title": "Four years overall experience with a new low estrogen -- low progestogen oral contraceptive.", "content": "The reliability and the overall clinical acceptance of a new combined oral contraceptive, containing 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg of D-norgestrel, was studied in 102 patients over 1,731 cycles. The results have been accumulated over a period of four years, some of the subjects still using the presented formulation. No pregnancy occurred during the observation period. Out of the totally observed cycles, 94.3 per cent had a duration of 28 +/- 2 days. In only 1.7 per cent of the cycles did withdrawal bleeding fail to appear. Spotting and breakthrough bleeding occurred 3.6 and 3.8 per cent of the cycles respectively. The incidence of side-effects reported by the users and commonly associated with oral contraceptive use was relatively low.", "contents": "Four years overall experience with a new low estrogen -- low progestogen oral contraceptive. The reliability and the overall clinical acceptance of a new combined oral contraceptive, containing 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg of D-norgestrel, was studied in 102 patients over 1,731 cycles. The results have been accumulated over a period of four years, some of the subjects still using the presented formulation. No pregnancy occurred during the observation period. Out of the totally observed cycles, 94.3 per cent had a duration of 28 +/- 2 days. In only 1.7 per cent of the cycles did withdrawal bleeding fail to appear. Spotting and breakthrough bleeding occurred 3.6 and 3.8 per cent of the cycles respectively. The incidence of side-effects reported by the users and commonly associated with oral contraceptive use was relatively low.", "PMID": 788448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7984", "title": "Preliminary results from a swedish multicenter trial of a new low dose combined oral contraceptive.", "content": "Neovletta, a new combined low estrogen -- low progestogen oral contraceptive was investigated in 226 women over 1921 cycles at three different clinics. This report constitutes a preliminary evaluation of a large scale multicenter study being conducted in Sweden. No pregnancy was reported during the observation period. The length of menstrual cycle was generally 28 days and withdrawal bleeding during the tablet free period was missed in only 0.9 per cent of the cycles. The duration of menstruation was shortened by about one day. The amount of menstrual flow, as registered by the women, showed a reduction during treatment. Spotting and breakthrough bleeding were increased during the first three treatment cycles, whereas from the fourth to 12th cycles the incidence of these bleeding irregularities was not much different from pretreatment values. A total of 46 women (20 per cent) discontinued treatment due to side-effects of which bleeding irregularities constituted the major problem.", "contents": "Preliminary results from a swedish multicenter trial of a new low dose combined oral contraceptive. Neovletta, a new combined low estrogen -- low progestogen oral contraceptive was investigated in 226 women over 1921 cycles at three different clinics. This report constitutes a preliminary evaluation of a large scale multicenter study being conducted in Sweden. No pregnancy was reported during the observation period. The length of menstrual cycle was generally 28 days and withdrawal bleeding during the tablet free period was missed in only 0.9 per cent of the cycles. The duration of menstruation was shortened by about one day. The amount of menstrual flow, as registered by the women, showed a reduction during treatment. Spotting and breakthrough bleeding were increased during the first three treatment cycles, whereas from the fourth to 12th cycles the incidence of these bleeding irregularities was not much different from pretreatment values. A total of 46 women (20 per cent) discontinued treatment due to side-effects of which bleeding irregularities constituted the major problem.", "PMID": 788449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7985", "title": "Chromatographic separation of human salivary peroxidases.", "content": "A series of rapid and simple chromatographic purification procedures for peroxidase-like enzymes occurring in the human oral cavity is presented. Samples of whole saliva, parotid saliva, gingival exudate and various bacterial preparations contain peroxidases which were purified using molecular exclusion and ion exchange chromatography, and isoelectric focusing. Salivary lactoperoxidase can be easily separated from bacterial and leucocyte peroxidase activity by the methods presented.", "contents": "Chromatographic separation of human salivary peroxidases. A series of rapid and simple chromatographic purification procedures for peroxidase-like enzymes occurring in the human oral cavity is presented. Samples of whole saliva, parotid saliva, gingival exudate and various bacterial preparations contain peroxidases which were purified using molecular exclusion and ion exchange chromatography, and isoelectric focusing. Salivary lactoperoxidase can be easily separated from bacterial and leucocyte peroxidase activity by the methods presented.", "PMID": 788450} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7986", "title": "The use of isoxsuprine in essential dysmenorrhea. A controlled clinical study.", "content": "The \"uterus-specific\" beta-adrenoceptor stimulator isoxsuprine was used for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in a double-blind controlled clinical study. No significant beneficial effect of the drug was evident.", "contents": "The use of isoxsuprine in essential dysmenorrhea. A controlled clinical study. The \"uterus-specific\" beta-adrenoceptor stimulator isoxsuprine was used for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in a double-blind controlled clinical study. No significant beneficial effect of the drug was evident.", "PMID": 788451} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7987", "title": "Cervical bacterial flora in women fitted with a copper-releasing intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUD).", "content": "A bacterial culture was taken from the cervix in 85 sexually active women before, and 3 and 6 months after, insertion of either a copper-releasing or an inert intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUD). Sixty had a Copper-T (TCu-200) and 25 a Lippes loop D. Although in more than a quarter of the patients the bacterial flora increased slightly in diversity and abundance after IUD insertion, there was no difference in effect between the TCu-200 and Lippes loop D.", "contents": "Cervical bacterial flora in women fitted with a copper-releasing intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUD). A bacterial culture was taken from the cervix in 85 sexually active women before, and 3 and 6 months after, insertion of either a copper-releasing or an inert intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUD). Sixty had a Copper-T (TCu-200) and 25 a Lippes loop D. Although in more than a quarter of the patients the bacterial flora increased slightly in diversity and abundance after IUD insertion, there was no difference in effect between the TCu-200 and Lippes loop D.", "PMID": 788452} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7988", "title": "The use of salbutamol in obstetrics.", "content": "Sympathomimetic amines have been used with the aim of abolishing uterine contractions. On the basis of results from an in vivo technique for testing the specificity and affinity of the beta2-receptor stimulating agents, salbutamol was used for a clinical trial. Five case histories were selected in order to illustrate the possibility of utilizing salbutamol in emergency cases with the aim of achieving uterine relaxation during the period of time between the admission of the patient and the commencement of delivery by, for example, caesarean section.", "contents": "The use of salbutamol in obstetrics. Sympathomimetic amines have been used with the aim of abolishing uterine contractions. On the basis of results from an in vivo technique for testing the specificity and affinity of the beta2-receptor stimulating agents, salbutamol was used for a clinical trial. Five case histories were selected in order to illustrate the possibility of utilizing salbutamol in emergency cases with the aim of achieving uterine relaxation during the period of time between the admission of the patient and the commencement of delivery by, for example, caesarean section.", "PMID": 788453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7989", "title": "[Measure of nasal permeability in expertestimony].", "content": "After guoting the different origins of the post-traumatic ventilatory disorder, the author describes the working of the two valves, liminal and turbinal, which adjust, among normal man, the intranasal flow of the respiratory currents. Then, he describes anterior and posterior rhinomanometry, used furniture and measured parameters. Finally, the author gives the methodology of according to the nature of the ventilatory disorder, and the normal values of rhinomanometric parameters.", "contents": "[Measure of nasal permeability in expertestimony]. After guoting the different origins of the post-traumatic ventilatory disorder, the author describes the working of the two valves, liminal and turbinal, which adjust, among normal man, the intranasal flow of the respiratory currents. Then, he describes anterior and posterior rhinomanometry, used furniture and measured parameters. Finally, the author gives the methodology of according to the nature of the ventilatory disorder, and the normal values of rhinomanometric parameters.", "PMID": 788456} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7990", "title": "The influence of infection on the content of lysosomal enzymes in rat Kupffer cells and hepatocytes.", "content": "The activities of beta-glucuronidase, arylsulphatase A and acid DNAase were measured in homogenates from Kupffer cells and hepatocytes prepared from germ-free, monocontaminated and conventional rats. The cells were prepared from a liver cell suspension obtained by treating the perfused liver with collagenase. Kupffer cells from germ-free rats were found to have lower lysosomal enzyme activities than cells obtained from conventional rats. Monocontaminated animals (E. coli or Streptococcus pyogenes) showed intermediate activities. Our data indicate that the level of lysosomal enzymes in macrophages is a function of the endocytic activity of these cells.", "contents": "The influence of infection on the content of lysosomal enzymes in rat Kupffer cells and hepatocytes. The activities of beta-glucuronidase, arylsulphatase A and acid DNAase were measured in homogenates from Kupffer cells and hepatocytes prepared from germ-free, monocontaminated and conventional rats. The cells were prepared from a liver cell suspension obtained by treating the perfused liver with collagenase. Kupffer cells from germ-free rats were found to have lower lysosomal enzyme activities than cells obtained from conventional rats. Monocontaminated animals (E. coli or Streptococcus pyogenes) showed intermediate activities. Our data indicate that the level of lysosomal enzymes in macrophages is a function of the endocytic activity of these cells.", "PMID": 788460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7991", "title": "The bactericidal action of benzoic acid and sodium acetate on the gram-negative flora of dialysis fluid.", "content": "Benzoic acid in concentrations from 0.18 per cent and upwards exerted a bactericidal action on the gram-negative flora of dialysis fluid at pH 4.75 in vitro. At a concentration of 0.32 per cent, a reduction of 10(5) was obtained with 24 hours. Sulphonamide resistance did not affect the bactericidal action. The killing effect was hardly more than directly proportional to the concentration of benzoic acid. Increasing inoculum decreased the bactericidal effect. Therefore, benbzoic acid should not be used as an artificial kidney disinfectant when the concentration of microorganisms exceeded 10(5.5)/0.1 ml.", "contents": "The bactericidal action of benzoic acid and sodium acetate on the gram-negative flora of dialysis fluid. Benzoic acid in concentrations from 0.18 per cent and upwards exerted a bactericidal action on the gram-negative flora of dialysis fluid at pH 4.75 in vitro. At a concentration of 0.32 per cent, a reduction of 10(5) was obtained with 24 hours. Sulphonamide resistance did not affect the bactericidal action. The killing effect was hardly more than directly proportional to the concentration of benzoic acid. Increasing inoculum decreased the bactericidal effect. Therefore, benbzoic acid should not be used as an artificial kidney disinfectant when the concentration of microorganisms exceeded 10(5.5)/0.1 ml.", "PMID": 788461} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7992", "title": "[Personality of the dyslexic child. Clinical data and contribution of projective technics].", "content": "The present paper focuses its attention on the personality disorders among relatively old dyslexic children whose symptom persists beyong logopedic reeducations of a long duration. The degree of disorientation of our subjects runs parallel to the degree of fragmentation of personality. In the Rorschach and TAT tests, the image of the Self is ill-differenciated from a poorly structured maternal image and pleads for a primary defect of the mother-child relation at a preobjectal level. The paternal function is obvious but ill-invested, therefore the relationship between severe and persisting dyslexia on the one hand, and psychosis on the other.", "contents": "[Personality of the dyslexic child. Clinical data and contribution of projective technics]. The present paper focuses its attention on the personality disorders among relatively old dyslexic children whose symptom persists beyong logopedic reeducations of a long duration. The degree of disorientation of our subjects runs parallel to the degree of fragmentation of personality. In the Rorschach and TAT tests, the image of the Self is ill-differenciated from a poorly structured maternal image and pleads for a primary defect of the mother-child relation at a preobjectal level. The paternal function is obvious but ill-invested, therefore the relationship between severe and persisting dyslexia on the one hand, and psychosis on the other.", "PMID": 788463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7993", "title": "[Double-blind comparison between amitriptyline Diffucaps and ordinary amitriptyline in sleep disorders of depressive origin].", "content": "Within the conditions of the double-blind trial, it appears that long-acting amitriptyline (Diffucaps), given at the dosage of 25 mg at the evening meal, is more active and better tolerated than a dosage of 40 mg of ordinary amitriptyline at bedtime in depressive sleep disorders.", "contents": "[Double-blind comparison between amitriptyline Diffucaps and ordinary amitriptyline in sleep disorders of depressive origin]. Within the conditions of the double-blind trial, it appears that long-acting amitriptyline (Diffucaps), given at the dosage of 25 mg at the evening meal, is more active and better tolerated than a dosage of 40 mg of ordinary amitriptyline at bedtime in depressive sleep disorders.", "PMID": 788464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7994", "title": "[Trial of a new therapeutic agent, Pervincamine, in the post-concussion syndrome of patients with head injuries. Application of a double-blind control system and sequential analysis].", "content": "The authors have studied the influence of Pervincamine on the postconcussional syndrome in a group of 30 patients with cranial trauma examined for at least six months after their accident. The double blind testing was utilised and the patients were followed at regular intervals spanning three weeks. Each patient was evaluated by semi-directed interviews and tests of \"double barrage\" of Zazzo and the 15 words test of Rey. In addition, an EEG was performed at the beginning and the end of the study. Statistical analysis of the evolution of symptoms and the results obtained by psychological testing has revealed the positive action of Pervincamine on the postconcussional syndrome and on mental as well as motor functioning in general. Furthermore, the secondary effects of this product are negligible.", "contents": "[Trial of a new therapeutic agent, Pervincamine, in the post-concussion syndrome of patients with head injuries. Application of a double-blind control system and sequential analysis]. The authors have studied the influence of Pervincamine on the postconcussional syndrome in a group of 30 patients with cranial trauma examined for at least six months after their accident. The double blind testing was utilised and the patients were followed at regular intervals spanning three weeks. Each patient was evaluated by semi-directed interviews and tests of \"double barrage\" of Zazzo and the 15 words test of Rey. In addition, an EEG was performed at the beginning and the end of the study. Statistical analysis of the evolution of symptoms and the results obtained by psychological testing has revealed the positive action of Pervincamine on the postconcussional syndrome and on mental as well as motor functioning in general. Furthermore, the secondary effects of this product are negligible.", "PMID": 788465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7995", "title": "Regulation of methionine synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae operates through independent signals: methionyl-tRNAmet and S-adenosylmethionine.", "content": "The synthesis of at least six enzymes implicated in methionine biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated pleiotropically by two independent regulatory systems. Repression of enzyme synthesis is promoted either by exogenous methonine or by exogenous S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). The regulatory system acting in methionine mediated repression seems to comprise methionyl-tRNA-met as a co-repressor and the other system, acting in SAM repression, comprises SAM as a co-repressor. This concept gives a role in regulation to the two activated forms of methionine. Moreover, evidence is presented that the \"SAM repressor\" probably acts at a post-transcriptional level while the \"met-tRNAmet repressor\" would be active at the transcriptional level. These conclusions have been based on two series of experiments: one using a mutant bearing a modified methionyl-tRNA synthetase [L-methionine: tRNA-met ligase (AMP-forming) E.C.6.1.1.10] and one studying the kinetics of depression of synthesis of one of the biosynthetic enzymes after repression either by exogenous methionine or by exogenous SAM. Our results are strengthened by the use of two different drugs: one inhibiting messenger RNA synthesis and the other inhibiting protein synthesis.", "contents": "Regulation of methionine synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae operates through independent signals: methionyl-tRNAmet and S-adenosylmethionine. The synthesis of at least six enzymes implicated in methionine biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated pleiotropically by two independent regulatory systems. Repression of enzyme synthesis is promoted either by exogenous methonine or by exogenous S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). The regulatory system acting in methionine mediated repression seems to comprise methionyl-tRNA-met as a co-repressor and the other system, acting in SAM repression, comprises SAM as a co-repressor. This concept gives a role in regulation to the two activated forms of methionine. Moreover, evidence is presented that the \"SAM repressor\" probably acts at a post-transcriptional level while the \"met-tRNAmet repressor\" would be active at the transcriptional level. These conclusions have been based on two series of experiments: one using a mutant bearing a modified methionyl-tRNA synthetase [L-methionine: tRNA-met ligase (AMP-forming) E.C.6.1.1.10] and one studying the kinetics of depression of synthesis of one of the biosynthetic enzymes after repression either by exogenous methionine or by exogenous SAM. Our results are strengthened by the use of two different drugs: one inhibiting messenger RNA synthesis and the other inhibiting protein synthesis.", "PMID": 788467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7996", "title": "Regulation of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis.", "content": "Formation of branched-chain amino acids in microorganisms is controlled mainly by end-product inhibition of the enzyme action but also by repression of enzyme synthesis. The two mechanisms may be interrelated. Regulation of the metabolite flow by end-product inhibition is realized by the inhibition of threonine deaminase by isoleucine; inhibition of acetohydroxy acid synthetase by valine and inhibition of alpha-isopropylmalate synthetase by leucine. Acetohydroxy acid synthetase has a key position in the pathway, since the enzyme catalyzes not only the synthesis of acetolactate, the valine and isoleucine precursor from pyruvate, but also that of acetohydroxybutyrate, the isoleucine precursar from alpha-ketobutyrate and pyruvate. Quenching of valine pathway by valine would be expected to be accompanied by a quenching of the isoleucine pathway as well. Nevertheless, aceto-hydroxybutyrate is formed rather than acetolactate, since alpha-ketobutyrate has a greater affinity to the enzyme than pyruvate and the inhibitory effect of valine is directly proportional to substrate concentration. It could completely reverse the inhibition. Regulation on the physiological level of the pathways to the branched-chain amino acids occurs by the repression of the leucine and isoleucine-valine biosynthetic enzymes. A phenotypic derepression caused by valine was detectable in the case of the latter biosynthetic enzymes. The idea that aminoacyl tRNA formation is a necessary reaction in the formation of the 'repressor\" has been supported by numerous data. Indeed, some of the latest reports suggest that aminoacyl tRNA interaction with feedback sensitive enzyme may play an important role in the repression.", "contents": "Regulation of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis. Formation of branched-chain amino acids in microorganisms is controlled mainly by end-product inhibition of the enzyme action but also by repression of enzyme synthesis. The two mechanisms may be interrelated. Regulation of the metabolite flow by end-product inhibition is realized by the inhibition of threonine deaminase by isoleucine; inhibition of acetohydroxy acid synthetase by valine and inhibition of alpha-isopropylmalate synthetase by leucine. Acetohydroxy acid synthetase has a key position in the pathway, since the enzyme catalyzes not only the synthesis of acetolactate, the valine and isoleucine precursor from pyruvate, but also that of acetohydroxybutyrate, the isoleucine precursar from alpha-ketobutyrate and pyruvate. Quenching of valine pathway by valine would be expected to be accompanied by a quenching of the isoleucine pathway as well. Nevertheless, aceto-hydroxybutyrate is formed rather than acetolactate, since alpha-ketobutyrate has a greater affinity to the enzyme than pyruvate and the inhibitory effect of valine is directly proportional to substrate concentration. It could completely reverse the inhibition. Regulation on the physiological level of the pathways to the branched-chain amino acids occurs by the repression of the leucine and isoleucine-valine biosynthetic enzymes. A phenotypic derepression caused by valine was detectable in the case of the latter biosynthetic enzymes. The idea that aminoacyl tRNA formation is a necessary reaction in the formation of the 'repressor\" has been supported by numerous data. Indeed, some of the latest reports suggest that aminoacyl tRNA interaction with feedback sensitive enzyme may play an important role in the repression.", "PMID": 788468} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7997", "title": "Gene expression of the histidine operon.", "content": "Histidine biosynthesis in Salmonella typhi-murium and Escherichia coli is regulated through repression and feedback inhibition. Repression is triggered by the intracellular level of histidyl-tRNA whereas feedback inhibition is brought about by histidine itself, an allosteric inhibitor of the first biosynthetic enzyme. Several lines of evidence indicate that these two processes are interconnected and the first biosynthetic enzyme is itself a regulatory molecule for the his operon. The regulation seems to be exerted in a negative fashion, although a positive control cannot be excluded.", "contents": "Gene expression of the histidine operon. Histidine biosynthesis in Salmonella typhi-murium and Escherichia coli is regulated through repression and feedback inhibition. Repression is triggered by the intracellular level of histidyl-tRNA whereas feedback inhibition is brought about by histidine itself, an allosteric inhibitor of the first biosynthetic enzyme. Several lines of evidence indicate that these two processes are interconnected and the first biosynthetic enzyme is itself a regulatory molecule for the his operon. The regulation seems to be exerted in a negative fashion, although a positive control cannot be excluded.", "PMID": 788469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7998", "title": "Nonassociative explanations of behavioral changes induced by central cholinergic drugs.", "content": "Studies concerning the effects of cholinergic stimulants and blockers on habituation, alternation, classical and instrumental conditioning, differentiation, and discrimination are summarized and discussed. This analysis suggests that many results originally ascribed to associative changes can be more economically accounted for by nonassociative factors inherent in the experiments. Furthermore, the data show that neither one of the more economical nonassuciative explanations at either the sensory, the drive, or the response level can by itself account for the complex interactions observed. The studies dealing with drug effects in lesioned animals, and those using intracerebral treatments, point out several sites of action of muscarinic agonists and antagonists in the septum, the hippocampus, the amygdala, the striatum, the hypothalamus, midline thalamic nuclei, and the reticular formation. Therefore, the provisional conclusion must be that central muscarinic systems subserve several functions, ranging from the modulation of consummatory responses to the control of motor-act differentiation. Both the drug and the lesion studies show not only that the fronto-limbic system has a considerable role in the latter process, but also that the localization of motor-act differentiation under a given drive depends both on the category of the cue, and on the category of the response. Some comparisons between the effects of muscarinic agonists and blockers and those of other drugs indicate that the alteration of sensory-motor relations caused by the former can be separated from (i) the motor hyperactivity caused by amphetamine, which is relatively less dependent on sensory factors; (ii) the selective (response enhancements caused by the indole hallucinogen LSD25, which appear to be amenable to a disinhibition of drive; (iii) the attenuation of punishment suppression by sedative and antianxiety agents (benzodiazepines and subhypnotic doses of barbiturates); and (iv) the hyperarousal or hyperreactivity syndrome induced by compounds which deplete central 5-hydroixytryphamine stores, such as panachlorophenylalanine.", "contents": "Nonassociative explanations of behavioral changes induced by central cholinergic drugs. Studies concerning the effects of cholinergic stimulants and blockers on habituation, alternation, classical and instrumental conditioning, differentiation, and discrimination are summarized and discussed. This analysis suggests that many results originally ascribed to associative changes can be more economically accounted for by nonassociative factors inherent in the experiments. Furthermore, the data show that neither one of the more economical nonassuciative explanations at either the sensory, the drive, or the response level can by itself account for the complex interactions observed. The studies dealing with drug effects in lesioned animals, and those using intracerebral treatments, point out several sites of action of muscarinic agonists and antagonists in the septum, the hippocampus, the amygdala, the striatum, the hypothalamus, midline thalamic nuclei, and the reticular formation. Therefore, the provisional conclusion must be that central muscarinic systems subserve several functions, ranging from the modulation of consummatory responses to the control of motor-act differentiation. Both the drug and the lesion studies show not only that the fronto-limbic system has a considerable role in the latter process, but also that the localization of motor-act differentiation under a given drive depends both on the category of the cue, and on the category of the response. Some comparisons between the effects of muscarinic agonists and blockers and those of other drugs indicate that the alteration of sensory-motor relations caused by the former can be separated from (i) the motor hyperactivity caused by amphetamine, which is relatively less dependent on sensory factors; (ii) the selective (response enhancements caused by the indole hallucinogen LSD25, which appear to be amenable to a disinhibition of drive; (iii) the attenuation of punishment suppression by sedative and antianxiety agents (benzodiazepines and subhypnotic doses of barbiturates); and (iv) the hyperarousal or hyperreactivity syndrome induced by compounds which deplete central 5-hydroixytryphamine stores, such as panachlorophenylalanine.", "PMID": 788471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_7999", "title": "Computer detection of premature ventricular complexes: a modified approach.", "content": "The accuracy of a data reduction system for arrhythmia detection in identifying premature ventricular complexes was evaluated in continuous tape records of 30 patients in a coronary care unit. Computer analysis was performed with a Honeywell 316 digital computer. Threshold values for dominant complexes were automatically determined and recognition of premature ventricular complexes was based on differences in QRS configuration, timing and T wave configuration from the dominant complexes. Verification of the computer accuracy in detecting premature ventricular complexes was made with visual beat by beat inspection using a two channel strip chart recorder with simultaneous recording of the electrocardiogram and computer signal. This procedure allowed for exact beat to beat correlation and, thus, absolute determination of false positive and false negative identification. From 0.5 to 6 continuous hours of monitoring per patient (average 3.5 hours) were analyzed for a total of 105 monitoring hours. The basic cardiac rhythms noted were normal sinus rhythm, sinue arrhythmia, sinus tachycardia, demand pacemaker rhythm, atrial fibrillation and atrioventricular (A-V) dissociation with junctional rhythm. Premature ventricular complexes were evident in 28 tapes (93 percent) including 12 (43% with multifocal premature ventricular complexes and 3 (11 percent) with ventricular tachycardia. The visual count of premature ventricular complexes totaled 7,921. Of these, 7,542 (95 percent) were properly classified by the computer. The total computer count was 8.717, representing a 13 percent false positive and 5 percent false negative identification rate. The false positive identifications of premature ventricular complexes occurred during periods of 10 seconds or more of continuous noise artifact and in the presence of atrial premature complexes conducted aberrantly. When these sections of tape were excluded, the computer had a less than 2 percent false negative and 3 percent false positive rate of identification of premature ventricular complexes.", "contents": "Computer detection of premature ventricular complexes: a modified approach. The accuracy of a data reduction system for arrhythmia detection in identifying premature ventricular complexes was evaluated in continuous tape records of 30 patients in a coronary care unit. Computer analysis was performed with a Honeywell 316 digital computer. Threshold values for dominant complexes were automatically determined and recognition of premature ventricular complexes was based on differences in QRS configuration, timing and T wave configuration from the dominant complexes. Verification of the computer accuracy in detecting premature ventricular complexes was made with visual beat by beat inspection using a two channel strip chart recorder with simultaneous recording of the electrocardiogram and computer signal. This procedure allowed for exact beat to beat correlation and, thus, absolute determination of false positive and false negative identification. From 0.5 to 6 continuous hours of monitoring per patient (average 3.5 hours) were analyzed for a total of 105 monitoring hours. The basic cardiac rhythms noted were normal sinus rhythm, sinue arrhythmia, sinus tachycardia, demand pacemaker rhythm, atrial fibrillation and atrioventricular (A-V) dissociation with junctional rhythm. Premature ventricular complexes were evident in 28 tapes (93 percent) including 12 (43% with multifocal premature ventricular complexes and 3 (11 percent) with ventricular tachycardia. The visual count of premature ventricular complexes totaled 7,921. Of these, 7,542 (95 percent) were properly classified by the computer. The total computer count was 8.717, representing a 13 percent false positive and 5 percent false negative identification rate. The false positive identifications of premature ventricular complexes occurred during periods of 10 seconds or more of continuous noise artifact and in the presence of atrial premature complexes conducted aberrantly. When these sections of tape were excluded, the computer had a less than 2 percent false negative and 3 percent false positive rate of identification of premature ventricular complexes.", "PMID": 788491} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8000", "title": "Electron microscopic immunohistochemical localization of vasopressin and neurophysin in the median eminence of normal and adrenalectomized rats.", "content": "Using an immunoperoxidase technique at the ultrastructural level, vasopressin (VP) and neurophysin (NP) were localized in the axons of the median eminence of normal and adrenalectomized rats. Whereas VP and NP were generally found in 150-nm granules in the internal zone of the normal rat median eminence, in the adrenalectomized rat, many granules of about 80 to 100 nm in diameter were found to contain NP and VP in the external zone of the median eminence.", "contents": "Electron microscopic immunohistochemical localization of vasopressin and neurophysin in the median eminence of normal and adrenalectomized rats. Using an immunoperoxidase technique at the ultrastructural level, vasopressin (VP) and neurophysin (NP) were localized in the axons of the median eminence of normal and adrenalectomized rats. Whereas VP and NP were generally found in 150-nm granules in the internal zone of the normal rat median eminence, in the adrenalectomized rat, many granules of about 80 to 100 nm in diameter were found to contain NP and VP in the external zone of the median eminence.", "PMID": 788492} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8001", "title": "Immunohistochemical localization of somatostatin, insulin and glucagon in the principal islets of the anglerfish (Lophius americanus) and the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctata) (1) (2).", "content": "Somatostatin, insulin and glucagon were localized in the principal islets of the anglerfish (Lophius americanus) and the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctata) by means of the unlabeled antibody-peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical method. Both species showed a similar ratio of positive cells 9:6:4 (insulin:somatostatin:glucagon), but the interrelations of the three cell types differed between species. The large number of somatostatin-positive cells may be indicative of an important role for this hormone in teleost physiology. The principal islets appear to be a good source of tissue for further work on somatostatin.", "contents": "Immunohistochemical localization of somatostatin, insulin and glucagon in the principal islets of the anglerfish (Lophius americanus) and the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctata) (1) (2). Somatostatin, insulin and glucagon were localized in the principal islets of the anglerfish (Lophius americanus) and the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctata) by means of the unlabeled antibody-peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical method. Both species showed a similar ratio of positive cells 9:6:4 (insulin:somatostatin:glucagon), but the interrelations of the three cell types differed between species. The large number of somatostatin-positive cells may be indicative of an important role for this hormone in teleost physiology. The principal islets appear to be a good source of tissue for further work on somatostatin.", "PMID": 788493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8002", "title": "Growth of infants fed a zinc supplemented formula.", "content": "Some infant milk formulae have a lower zinc content than the original cow's milk. Zinc is a nutrient necessary for growth and, in this double-blind controlled study, the effects of supplementing Similac with iron with 4 mg/liter of zinc were determined. By 6 months of age, mean growth increments for the supplemented male infants were 2.1 cm greater in length (P less than 0.025) and 535 g greater in weight (P less than 0.05) than for male controls. Growth increments for female test and control infants did not differ significantly. Plasma zinc levels were, at 3 months of age, significantly higher for both male and female supplemented infants. By 6 months, only the male supplemented infants maintained significantly higherplasma zinc levels (P less than 0.025). The addition of zinc was associated with a lower incidence of disturbed gastrointestinal function (P less than 0.005) and not accompanied by any signs of toxicity.", "contents": "Growth of infants fed a zinc supplemented formula. Some infant milk formulae have a lower zinc content than the original cow's milk. Zinc is a nutrient necessary for growth and, in this double-blind controlled study, the effects of supplementing Similac with iron with 4 mg/liter of zinc were determined. By 6 months of age, mean growth increments for the supplemented male infants were 2.1 cm greater in length (P less than 0.025) and 535 g greater in weight (P less than 0.05) than for male controls. Growth increments for female test and control infants did not differ significantly. Plasma zinc levels were, at 3 months of age, significantly higher for both male and female supplemented infants. By 6 months, only the male supplemented infants maintained significantly higherplasma zinc levels (P less than 0.025). The addition of zinc was associated with a lower incidence of disturbed gastrointestinal function (P less than 0.005) and not accompanied by any signs of toxicity.", "PMID": 788494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8003", "title": "Comparison of serum calcium measurements with respect to five models of atomic absorption spectrometers using NBS-AACC calcium reference method and isotope-dilution mass spectrometry as the definitive method.", "content": "Utilizing the recently described reference method for calcium (NBS-AACC) and the recently developed definitive (referee) NBS method for serum calcium measurement by isotopedilution mass spectrometry (IDMS), an evaluation of five recent-model atomic absorption spectrometers was carried out. Under optimal conditions of instrument operation using aqueous standards, significant differences were found during the comparative analyses of three lyophilized pool samples and one liquid serum pool sample. Use of the NBS-AACC serum calcium protocol did not guarantee analytic results within +/- 2% of the IDMS value. In four of eight comparisons, differences from IDMS greater than 2% were observed. Several variables were studied to account for these differences. It was shown that a serum matrix, when present in standards used to bracket the unknown sample, reduced differences between instruments in four of four instances and improved the accuracy of the results from a range of -1.1 to +3.5% to +0.1 to +1.0%. It is concluded that a serum sample with a verified IDMS calcium value is a valuable tool that establishes an accurate and stable reference point for serum calcium measurement. The use of transfer-of-NBS-technology multipliers is suggested. Regional quality control serum pools and clinical chemistry survey sample materials that have been analyzed for calcium concentration by the NBS-IDMS definitive method are examples of these multipliers.", "contents": "Comparison of serum calcium measurements with respect to five models of atomic absorption spectrometers using NBS-AACC calcium reference method and isotope-dilution mass spectrometry as the definitive method. Utilizing the recently described reference method for calcium (NBS-AACC) and the recently developed definitive (referee) NBS method for serum calcium measurement by isotopedilution mass spectrometry (IDMS), an evaluation of five recent-model atomic absorption spectrometers was carried out. Under optimal conditions of instrument operation using aqueous standards, significant differences were found during the comparative analyses of three lyophilized pool samples and one liquid serum pool sample. Use of the NBS-AACC serum calcium protocol did not guarantee analytic results within +/- 2% of the IDMS value. In four of eight comparisons, differences from IDMS greater than 2% were observed. Several variables were studied to account for these differences. It was shown that a serum matrix, when present in standards used to bracket the unknown sample, reduced differences between instruments in four of four instances and improved the accuracy of the results from a range of -1.1 to +3.5% to +0.1 to +1.0%. It is concluded that a serum sample with a verified IDMS calcium value is a valuable tool that establishes an accurate and stable reference point for serum calcium measurement. The use of transfer-of-NBS-technology multipliers is suggested. Regional quality control serum pools and clinical chemistry survey sample materials that have been analyzed for calcium concentration by the NBS-IDMS definitive method are examples of these multipliers.", "PMID": 788497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8004", "title": "Euthanasia legislation: a survey and a model act.", "content": "With increasing frequency, state legislators have been proposing legislation which would permit euthanasia--the allowance of \"death with dignity\" --under certain circumstances. These proposals indicate varying degrees of awareness of the issues and problems involved in drafting euthanasia legislation. The Article focuses on such issues and problems, studies the methods proposed by legislators to deal with them, and offers a Modle Euthanasia Act designed to achieve their optimal solution.", "contents": "Euthanasia legislation: a survey and a model act. With increasing frequency, state legislators have been proposing legislation which would permit euthanasia--the allowance of \"death with dignity\" --under certain circumstances. These proposals indicate varying degrees of awareness of the issues and problems involved in drafting euthanasia legislation. The Article focuses on such issues and problems, studies the methods proposed by legislators to deal with them, and offers a Modle Euthanasia Act designed to achieve their optimal solution.", "PMID": 788508} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8005", "title": "Federal health planning, part 1: legislative background.", "content": "U.S. federal health planning legislation is discussed. The Hill-Burton, Comprehensive Health Planning and Regional Medical programs--early legislative initiatives in health planning--are described, and their effectiveness is discussed.", "contents": "Federal health planning, part 1: legislative background. U.S. federal health planning legislation is discussed. The Hill-Burton, Comprehensive Health Planning and Regional Medical programs--early legislative initiatives in health planning--are described, and their effectiveness is discussed.", "PMID": 788510} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8006", "title": "Ascites in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Report of six cases and physiopathologic approach.", "content": "Six patients with chronic uremia in whom ascites developed during maintenance hemodialysis are described. Their clinical and biochemical findings are reviewed and compared with data of 10 hemodialyzed patients without ascites. Liver cirrhosis was the origin of ascites in only one case. Hypoalbuminemia, liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, peritonitis, peritoneal tuberculosis and carcinomatosis were uniformly absent in the other patients. Long-term and marked overhydration seems to be at the origin of ascites. Lack of peripheral edema, probably due to ascites compartmentalization, was a constant finding in every noncirrhotic patient with ascites. When long-term overhydration was stopped after successful kidney transplantation or by means of diminished water and salt ingestion, reversal of the syndrome was attained. Nevertheless, ascites because of liver cirrhosis was not influenced by means of kidney transplantation. In three patients with ascites who did not receive a transplant, a significant reduction in water and salt ingestion was reached after intensive psychotherapy which led to reversal of the ascitic syndrome. In one anephric patient ascites did not develop despite water overloading. Survival has not been influenced by the formation of ascites. Further research is needed to determine the mechanism of sodium transfer across the peritoneal membrane. Influence of humoral factors can be considered, if an active transport mechanism could be demonstrated.", "contents": "Ascites in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Report of six cases and physiopathologic approach. Six patients with chronic uremia in whom ascites developed during maintenance hemodialysis are described. Their clinical and biochemical findings are reviewed and compared with data of 10 hemodialyzed patients without ascites. Liver cirrhosis was the origin of ascites in only one case. Hypoalbuminemia, liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, peritonitis, peritoneal tuberculosis and carcinomatosis were uniformly absent in the other patients. Long-term and marked overhydration seems to be at the origin of ascites. Lack of peripheral edema, probably due to ascites compartmentalization, was a constant finding in every noncirrhotic patient with ascites. When long-term overhydration was stopped after successful kidney transplantation or by means of diminished water and salt ingestion, reversal of the syndrome was attained. Nevertheless, ascites because of liver cirrhosis was not influenced by means of kidney transplantation. In three patients with ascites who did not receive a transplant, a significant reduction in water and salt ingestion was reached after intensive psychotherapy which led to reversal of the ascitic syndrome. In one anephric patient ascites did not develop despite water overloading. Survival has not been influenced by the formation of ascites. Further research is needed to determine the mechanism of sodium transfer across the peritoneal membrane. Influence of humoral factors can be considered, if an active transport mechanism could be demonstrated.", "PMID": 788511} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8007", "title": "Simultaneous antibiotic levels in \"breakthrough\" gram-negative rod bacteremia.", "content": "Of 237 cases of gram-negative rod bacteremia observed at the UCLA Medical Center during a 12 month period, 52 (22 per cent) occurred while the patient was receiving antibiotics which inhibited the infecting organism by disc diffusion tests. One half of the plasma samples available from 42 such patients with \"breakthrough\" bacteremia had subinhibitory circulating antibiotic levels when cultures were positive. Sepsis documented within 72 hours of initiation of therapy was usually due to antibiotic-sensitive Esch. coli and was associated with inadequate antibiotic levels; the patient was usually treated with a penicillin or cephalosporin. The source of bacteremia was most frequently the urinary tract or the biliary tree. In contrast, sepsis occurring more than 72 hours after the administration of antibiotics was frequently caused by multiple antibiotic-resistant Esch. coli in patients treated with gentamicin in adequate dosage and was associated with leukopenia or undrained purulent collections. Therapy ultimately failed in 20 cases (48 per cent): in early \"breakthrough\" bacteremia, failure was associated with subinhibitory antibiotic levels, and in late \"breakthrough\" bacteremias with inadequate drainage or impaired host defenses.", "contents": "Simultaneous antibiotic levels in \"breakthrough\" gram-negative rod bacteremia. Of 237 cases of gram-negative rod bacteremia observed at the UCLA Medical Center during a 12 month period, 52 (22 per cent) occurred while the patient was receiving antibiotics which inhibited the infecting organism by disc diffusion tests. One half of the plasma samples available from 42 such patients with \"breakthrough\" bacteremia had subinhibitory circulating antibiotic levels when cultures were positive. Sepsis documented within 72 hours of initiation of therapy was usually due to antibiotic-sensitive Esch. coli and was associated with inadequate antibiotic levels; the patient was usually treated with a penicillin or cephalosporin. The source of bacteremia was most frequently the urinary tract or the biliary tree. In contrast, sepsis occurring more than 72 hours after the administration of antibiotics was frequently caused by multiple antibiotic-resistant Esch. coli in patients treated with gentamicin in adequate dosage and was associated with leukopenia or undrained purulent collections. Therapy ultimately failed in 20 cases (48 per cent): in early \"breakthrough\" bacteremia, failure was associated with subinhibitory antibiotic levels, and in late \"breakthrough\" bacteremias with inadequate drainage or impaired host defenses.", "PMID": 788512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8008", "title": "Serious infections in adults due to group B streptococci. Clinical and serotypic characterization.", "content": "Serious infections in adults due to group B streptococci have been infrequently reported. We describe 24 such patients. Bacteremic pyelonephritis, pneumonitis and endometritis were the most common clinical syndromes observed. Group B streptococci infections tended to occur in patients with underlying illnesses, particularly genitourinary disorders and diabetes mellitus. Mortality was surprisingly low (8 per cent). Type III was the serotype most commonly isolated, and there was no significant correlation of different serotypes with specific organ-system involvement. Group B streptococcal isolates from these patients were uniformly sensitive to penicillin, ampicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin and clindamycin; all were highly resistant to kanamycin. Eighty-seven per cent were resistant to tetracycline. Although consistently sensitive to penicillin, the minimal inhibitory concentrations were significantly higher for group B than group A streptococci (p less than 0.0005).", "contents": "Serious infections in adults due to group B streptococci. Clinical and serotypic characterization. Serious infections in adults due to group B streptococci have been infrequently reported. We describe 24 such patients. Bacteremic pyelonephritis, pneumonitis and endometritis were the most common clinical syndromes observed. Group B streptococci infections tended to occur in patients with underlying illnesses, particularly genitourinary disorders and diabetes mellitus. Mortality was surprisingly low (8 per cent). Type III was the serotype most commonly isolated, and there was no significant correlation of different serotypes with specific organ-system involvement. Group B streptococcal isolates from these patients were uniformly sensitive to penicillin, ampicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin and clindamycin; all were highly resistant to kanamycin. Eighty-seven per cent were resistant to tetracycline. Although consistently sensitive to penicillin, the minimal inhibitory concentrations were significantly higher for group B than group A streptococci (p less than 0.0005).", "PMID": 788513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8009", "title": "Purpura fulminans.", "content": "Purpura fulminans is a rare disease characterized by cutaneous ecchymosis, hypotension and fever associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation. It usually follows a preparatory infectious illness. A case in a 55 year old woman challenges the concept that this disease is limited to childhood. A review of 100 case reports is presented in which the often quoted high mortality of 90 per cent is found to be no longer tenable.", "contents": "Purpura fulminans. Purpura fulminans is a rare disease characterized by cutaneous ecchymosis, hypotension and fever associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation. It usually follows a preparatory infectious illness. A case in a 55 year old woman challenges the concept that this disease is limited to childhood. A review of 100 case reports is presented in which the often quoted high mortality of 90 per cent is found to be no longer tenable.", "PMID": 788514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8010", "title": "Relationship of institution size to quality of care: a review of the literature.", "content": "The existing empirical literature on the relationship of institution size and quality of care was reviewed. Quality of care was discussed along four dimensions: (a) resident-care practices, (b) behavioral functioning, (c) discharge rates, and (d) extent of parental and community involvement. Care has been found to be generally more adequate in smaller institutions. However, considerable variation in quality of care has been reported among small community-based facilities. Little evidence was found that the behavioral functioning of residents is different in institutions of different sizes. There are essentially no data on discharge rates of institutions of different sizes. There is some evidence suggesting that parental and community involvement may be enhanced in community-based facilities.", "contents": "Relationship of institution size to quality of care: a review of the literature. The existing empirical literature on the relationship of institution size and quality of care was reviewed. Quality of care was discussed along four dimensions: (a) resident-care practices, (b) behavioral functioning, (c) discharge rates, and (d) extent of parental and community involvement. Care has been found to be generally more adequate in smaller institutions. However, considerable variation in quality of care has been reported among small community-based facilities. Little evidence was found that the behavioral functioning of residents is different in institutions of different sizes. There are essentially no data on discharge rates of institutions of different sizes. There is some evidence suggesting that parental and community involvement may be enhanced in community-based facilities.", "PMID": 788515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8011", "title": "Reflection-impulsivity and reading recognition ability among mildly retarded children.", "content": "The Matching Familiar Figures test of reflection-impulsivity and a test of reading recognition ability (Standard Reading Inventory) were administered to 236 youngsters (ages 8 to 17 years) who were in programs for educable mentally retarded students. Age was, of course, associated with reading recognition, but there was no relationship between Matching Familiar Figures and Standard Reading Inventory scores with age and IQ controlled. This finding casts doubt on the association of reflection-impulsivity as defined by performance on the Matching Familiar Figures test and the ability of retarded children to decode words.", "contents": "Reflection-impulsivity and reading recognition ability among mildly retarded children. The Matching Familiar Figures test of reflection-impulsivity and a test of reading recognition ability (Standard Reading Inventory) were administered to 236 youngsters (ages 8 to 17 years) who were in programs for educable mentally retarded students. Age was, of course, associated with reading recognition, but there was no relationship between Matching Familiar Figures and Standard Reading Inventory scores with age and IQ controlled. This finding casts doubt on the association of reflection-impulsivity as defined by performance on the Matching Familiar Figures test and the ability of retarded children to decode words.", "PMID": 788516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8012", "title": "Developmental stages of occupational therapy and the feminist movement.", "content": "Developmental stages characterize the growth of both the feminist movement and the field of occupational therapy. The human development stages described by Erik Erikson are used to compare the growth stages of these two groups to the human sequence. It is hypothesized that both female-dominated groups began with an \"infancy\" period in the early 1900s characterized by the beginnings of identity and confidence in their respective groups. Both continued to develop through stages corresponding to the childhood stages characterized by Erikson and into the adolescent acting out stages as characterized by the demonstrations of the 1960s. Present and future trends are explored in relation to developmental stages, as well as to implications for the field of occupational therapy in education, theory, and practice.", "contents": "Developmental stages of occupational therapy and the feminist movement. Developmental stages characterize the growth of both the feminist movement and the field of occupational therapy. The human development stages described by Erik Erikson are used to compare the growth stages of these two groups to the human sequence. It is hypothesized that both female-dominated groups began with an \"infancy\" period in the early 1900s characterized by the beginnings of identity and confidence in their respective groups. Both continued to develop through stages corresponding to the childhood stages characterized by Erikson and into the adolescent acting out stages as characterized by the demonstrations of the 1960s. Present and future trends are explored in relation to developmental stages, as well as to implications for the field of occupational therapy in education, theory, and practice.", "PMID": 788519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8013", "title": "A study of dentition in pre-Columbian skulls.", "content": "Dentition in pre-Hispanic Mexican skulls has been examined in ancient Tenochtitlan--present-day Mexico City--and many different regions of the country, recently excavated. We have reached the conclusion that then, as now, there existed similar dental anomalies in number and position: the lack of certain teeth and the impaction of third molars and upper canines. So far, we have found decay only in back teeth Figs. 11 and 12 A and B). Most frequent was attrition, the severe wearing away of the chewing surface, which must certainly have been due to the primitive diet of seed, hard and dry, mixed with some abrasive material, produced by the grinding of stone against stone (metate) (Figs. 13 and 14) and the use of the teeth as tools. Finally, we should emphasize that we still find shovel-shaped teeth in the pre-Columbian dentition of Mongoloid influence, as well as in some of the present-day Mexican population.", "contents": "A study of dentition in pre-Columbian skulls. Dentition in pre-Hispanic Mexican skulls has been examined in ancient Tenochtitlan--present-day Mexico City--and many different regions of the country, recently excavated. We have reached the conclusion that then, as now, there existed similar dental anomalies in number and position: the lack of certain teeth and the impaction of third molars and upper canines. So far, we have found decay only in back teeth Figs. 11 and 12 A and B). Most frequent was attrition, the severe wearing away of the chewing surface, which must certainly have been due to the primitive diet of seed, hard and dry, mixed with some abrasive material, produced by the grinding of stone against stone (metate) (Figs. 13 and 14) and the use of the teeth as tools. Finally, we should emphasize that we still find shovel-shaped teeth in the pre-Columbian dentition of Mongoloid influence, as well as in some of the present-day Mexican population.", "PMID": 788520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8014", "title": "Preventing enamel decalcification during orthodontic treatment.", "content": "One hundred thirty-two extracted premolar teeth were selected and divided into four equal groups. The first group of thirty-three teeth received a topical application of acidulated phosphate fluoride; the second group, a topical application of stannous fluoride; the third group, an application of a polymeric adhesive coating; the fourth group was left untreated to serve as a control. On each tooth a loosely fitted orthodontic band was cemented to place. After cementation, the band was broken to simulate a loose orthodontic band in vivo. The four groups of teeth were simultaneously immersed in a decalcifying gelatin and were left undisturbed for 11 weeks. The teeth were then removed and a record was made of the decalcification produced. A chi-square test was used to compare the teeth in each group to those in every other group. Compared to a control group of teeth, those teeth treated with polymeric adhesive coating, acidulated phosphate fluoride, or stannous fluoride produced a statistically significant reduction in decalcification of the tooth surfaces beneath loose orthodontic bands. For a one-application technique, the polymeric adhesive coating provided more protection against decalcification of teeth under loose orthondontic bands than did either acidulated phosphate fluoride or stannous flouride.", "contents": "Preventing enamel decalcification during orthodontic treatment. One hundred thirty-two extracted premolar teeth were selected and divided into four equal groups. The first group of thirty-three teeth received a topical application of acidulated phosphate fluoride; the second group, a topical application of stannous fluoride; the third group, an application of a polymeric adhesive coating; the fourth group was left untreated to serve as a control. On each tooth a loosely fitted orthodontic band was cemented to place. After cementation, the band was broken to simulate a loose orthodontic band in vivo. The four groups of teeth were simultaneously immersed in a decalcifying gelatin and were left undisturbed for 11 weeks. The teeth were then removed and a record was made of the decalcification produced. A chi-square test was used to compare the teeth in each group to those in every other group. Compared to a control group of teeth, those teeth treated with polymeric adhesive coating, acidulated phosphate fluoride, or stannous fluoride produced a statistically significant reduction in decalcification of the tooth surfaces beneath loose orthodontic bands. For a one-application technique, the polymeric adhesive coating provided more protection against decalcification of teeth under loose orthondontic bands than did either acidulated phosphate fluoride or stannous flouride.", "PMID": 788521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8015", "title": "Bicarbonate modulation of glucose-9nduced biphasic insulin release by rat islets.", "content": "The role of HCO3 ions in pancreatic beta-cell functions was evaluated with isolated rat islets. The early phase of insulin release was absent when HCO3 ions were omitted from the medium prior to glucose stimuation, but was augmented if HCO3- withdrawal or reintroduction coincided with glucose increase. The inhibition of the late phase augmented as a function of the duration of HCO3- absence, and its reversibility upon readmission of the anion was delayed. Theophylline and cytochalasin B partially corrected the inhibition of the late phase but failed to restore a rapid response. In the presence of 5 mM NaHCO3, the early response was delayed but the total response was normal. In a HCO3--free medium, glucose oxidation and utilization and glucose transport in islet cells were unaltered. Uptake of calcium was reduced in the absence of HCO3 ions, but normal in 5 mM HCO3-. The results document the importance of HCO3- in insulin release and show that the two phases of glucose-induced secretion are differentially modified by its omission. Some of these findings may be explained by alterations in Ca++ uptake by islet cells. It is suggested that the mechanisms regulating insulin granule extrusion upon stimulation by glucose may be partially different for the two phases of release.", "contents": "Bicarbonate modulation of glucose-9nduced biphasic insulin release by rat islets. The role of HCO3 ions in pancreatic beta-cell functions was evaluated with isolated rat islets. The early phase of insulin release was absent when HCO3 ions were omitted from the medium prior to glucose stimuation, but was augmented if HCO3- withdrawal or reintroduction coincided with glucose increase. The inhibition of the late phase augmented as a function of the duration of HCO3- absence, and its reversibility upon readmission of the anion was delayed. Theophylline and cytochalasin B partially corrected the inhibition of the late phase but failed to restore a rapid response. In the presence of 5 mM NaHCO3, the early response was delayed but the total response was normal. In a HCO3--free medium, glucose oxidation and utilization and glucose transport in islet cells were unaltered. Uptake of calcium was reduced in the absence of HCO3 ions, but normal in 5 mM HCO3-. The results document the importance of HCO3- in insulin release and show that the two phases of glucose-induced secretion are differentially modified by its omission. Some of these findings may be explained by alterations in Ca++ uptake by islet cells. It is suggested that the mechanisms regulating insulin granule extrusion upon stimulation by glucose may be partially different for the two phases of release.", "PMID": 788525} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8016", "title": "Uptake of bile acids by perfused rat liver.", "content": "The uptake of 14C-labeled cholic, taurocholic, and chenodeoxycholic acid by the perfused rat liver was studied to characterize the mechanism responsible for hepatic uptake of bile acids. A rapid-injection multiple indicator-dilution technique and the three-compartment model of Goresky were employed. The kinetics of hepatic uptake of the three bile acids could be described by the Michaelis-Menten equation. The maximal uptake velocities (Vmax) were 24.9 +/- 2.2 (mean +/- SD), 20.8 +/- 1.2, 1.2, and 11.4 +/- 0.9 nmol/s-g liver for cholic, taurocholic, and chenodeoxycholic acid, respectively. The corresponding apparent half-saturation constants (Km) were 526 +/- 125, 258 +/- 43, and 236 +/- 48 nmol/g liver. Competitive inhibition could be demonstrated between cholate and taurocholate as well as between cholate and chenodeoxycholate. Substitution of 94% of the Na+ in the perfusion medium decreased the Vmax and the apparent Km of taurocholate uptake by 68 and 55%, respectively. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that bile acids are taken up into the hepatocyte by Na+-dependent carrier-mediated transport.", "contents": "Uptake of bile acids by perfused rat liver. The uptake of 14C-labeled cholic, taurocholic, and chenodeoxycholic acid by the perfused rat liver was studied to characterize the mechanism responsible for hepatic uptake of bile acids. A rapid-injection multiple indicator-dilution technique and the three-compartment model of Goresky were employed. The kinetics of hepatic uptake of the three bile acids could be described by the Michaelis-Menten equation. The maximal uptake velocities (Vmax) were 24.9 +/- 2.2 (mean +/- SD), 20.8 +/- 1.2, 1.2, and 11.4 +/- 0.9 nmol/s-g liver for cholic, taurocholic, and chenodeoxycholic acid, respectively. The corresponding apparent half-saturation constants (Km) were 526 +/- 125, 258 +/- 43, and 236 +/- 48 nmol/g liver. Competitive inhibition could be demonstrated between cholate and taurocholate as well as between cholate and chenodeoxycholate. Substitution of 94% of the Na+ in the perfusion medium decreased the Vmax and the apparent Km of taurocholate uptake by 68 and 55%, respectively. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that bile acids are taken up into the hepatocyte by Na+-dependent carrier-mediated transport.", "PMID": 788526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8017", "title": "Overview: research on the psychology of women. II. Women in families, work, and psychotherapy.", "content": "In the first part of this overview the author reviewed research on gender differences in behavior and women's sexual and reproductive lives, and discussed the social and intellectual context of the recent knowledge explosion in women's studies. In this second part she reviews recent research on selected aspects of the social psychology of women's lives. Highlighted themes include women in relationship to family structure and child rearing, work and achievement motivation, and implications for the psychiatric treatment of women that can be drawn from the psychotherapy research literature. She briefly assesses the possible impact of research in these areas on psychiatric theory and practice.", "contents": "Overview: research on the psychology of women. II. Women in families, work, and psychotherapy. In the first part of this overview the author reviewed research on gender differences in behavior and women's sexual and reproductive lives, and discussed the social and intellectual context of the recent knowledge explosion in women's studies. In this second part she reviews recent research on selected aspects of the social psychology of women's lives. Highlighted themes include women in relationship to family structure and child rearing, work and achievement motivation, and implications for the psychiatric treatment of women that can be drawn from the psychotherapy research literature. She briefly assesses the possible impact of research in these areas on psychiatric theory and practice.", "PMID": 788527} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8018", "title": "The functions and regulation of the arousal of anger.", "content": "Anger is paradoxically one of the most talked about but least studied of human emotions. The author presents a model of anger arousal that emphasizes the adaptive as well as the maladaptive roles of anger in terms of the diverse functions anger serves in affecting behavior. In light of the fact that competence in anger management involves dealing with stress situations that require patience, composure, and constructive thought for their resolution, he discusses cognitive self-control processes affecting the regulation of anger.", "contents": "The functions and regulation of the arousal of anger. Anger is paradoxically one of the most talked about but least studied of human emotions. The author presents a model of anger arousal that emphasizes the adaptive as well as the maladaptive roles of anger in terms of the diverse functions anger serves in affecting behavior. In light of the fact that competence in anger management involves dealing with stress situations that require patience, composure, and constructive thought for their resolution, he discusses cognitive self-control processes affecting the regulation of anger.", "PMID": 788528} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8019", "title": "Negative effects of melatonin on depression.", "content": "In order to test the efficacy of the pineal neurohumor melatonin on depression, the hormone was administered in varying doses to six moderately to severely depressed patients and two patients with Huntington's chorea in double-blind crossover study. Melatonin exacerbated symptoms of dysphoria in these patients, as well as causing a loss of sleep and weight and a drop in oral temperature. Melatonin increased cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and calcium in three of four patients studied. The authors discuss the implications of this finding.", "contents": "Negative effects of melatonin on depression. In order to test the efficacy of the pineal neurohumor melatonin on depression, the hormone was administered in varying doses to six moderately to severely depressed patients and two patients with Huntington's chorea in double-blind crossover study. Melatonin exacerbated symptoms of dysphoria in these patients, as well as causing a loss of sleep and weight and a drop in oral temperature. Melatonin increased cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and calcium in three of four patients studied. The authors discuss the implications of this finding.", "PMID": 788529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8020", "title": "A cognitive approach to experimental amnesia.", "content": "A review of selected experiments indicates that not all examples of experimental amnesia are due to the failure of a memory to fixate. Briefly, the argument is that the fixation of a memory occurs within a very short time and that its retrieval is aided if it is coded into a contextual memory system. An amnesic agent serves to block (inhibit) memories rather than disrupt them and has its effects on active memories, whatever their age. In sum, the empirical retrograde amnesia gradient does not necessarily support traditional consolidation theory.", "contents": "A cognitive approach to experimental amnesia. A review of selected experiments indicates that not all examples of experimental amnesia are due to the failure of a memory to fixate. Briefly, the argument is that the fixation of a memory occurs within a very short time and that its retrieval is aided if it is coded into a contextual memory system. An amnesic agent serves to block (inhibit) memories rather than disrupt them and has its effects on active memories, whatever their age. In sum, the empirical retrograde amnesia gradient does not necessarily support traditional consolidation theory.", "PMID": 788530} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8021", "title": "An evaluation of a hospital stay regulatory mechanism.", "content": "The results of an evaluation of a predischarge utilization review program [PDUR] for Medicaid Patients are presented. A group of hospitals in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, participated in this program on a voluntary basis prior to the program's being mandated statewide. All other hospitals in the county experienced retrospective review of Medicaid cases. Our analysis incorporates both types of hospitals in a quasi-experimental design. We found that during the period studied the length of stay of Medicaid patients fell proportionately more than that of the Blue Cross patients in both groups of hospitals; the relative decrease in the length of stay began to occur prior to the introduction of the PDUR program, but no differential effect of the PDUR review process could be demonstrated. The decline in the length of stay was, however, more continuous and smooth in those hospitals participating in the program.", "contents": "An evaluation of a hospital stay regulatory mechanism. The results of an evaluation of a predischarge utilization review program [PDUR] for Medicaid Patients are presented. A group of hospitals in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, participated in this program on a voluntary basis prior to the program's being mandated statewide. All other hospitals in the county experienced retrospective review of Medicaid cases. Our analysis incorporates both types of hospitals in a quasi-experimental design. We found that during the period studied the length of stay of Medicaid patients fell proportionately more than that of the Blue Cross patients in both groups of hospitals; the relative decrease in the length of stay began to occur prior to the introduction of the PDUR program, but no differential effect of the PDUR review process could be demonstrated. The decline in the length of stay was, however, more continuous and smooth in those hospitals participating in the program.", "PMID": 788531} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8022", "title": "Compensatory renal enlargement in older patients.", "content": "Renal size (product of length and width) was measured at urography before and after nephrectomy performed for tumor in 33 patients aged 38-78 years (mean, 59). In 88% a statistically significant enlargement of the remaining kidney was found (P less than .001). Earlier reports stating that compensatory renal hypertrophy does not occur in older patients cannot be supported.", "contents": "Compensatory renal enlargement in older patients. Renal size (product of length and width) was measured at urography before and after nephrectomy performed for tumor in 33 patients aged 38-78 years (mean, 59). In 88% a statistically significant enlargement of the remaining kidney was found (P less than .001). Earlier reports stating that compensatory renal hypertrophy does not occur in older patients cannot be supported.", "PMID": 788534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8023", "title": "Pulmonary telangiectasia.", "content": "Pulmonary telangiectasia is an uncommon developmental anomaly characterized by minute arteriovenous fistulae disseminated throughout both lungs. It should be suspected in patients with cyanosis and digital clubbing who do not have chronic lung disease or a cyanotic cardiac anomaly. The presence of telangiectases of skin or mucous membranes in the patient or members of his family is an important diagnostic clue. The chest film usually shows a coarse spidery appearance of the peripheral vascular markings in the lungs. More specific findings are obtained in the pulmonary angiogram where the normally invisible capillary phase is replaced by irregular vascular channels bridging the peripheral branches of pulmonary arteries and veins. The intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt may be confirmed by pulmonary scintigraphy using technetium-labeled albumin. Two cases are presented with a brief review of the literature.", "contents": "Pulmonary telangiectasia. Pulmonary telangiectasia is an uncommon developmental anomaly characterized by minute arteriovenous fistulae disseminated throughout both lungs. It should be suspected in patients with cyanosis and digital clubbing who do not have chronic lung disease or a cyanotic cardiac anomaly. The presence of telangiectases of skin or mucous membranes in the patient or members of his family is an important diagnostic clue. The chest film usually shows a coarse spidery appearance of the peripheral vascular markings in the lungs. More specific findings are obtained in the pulmonary angiogram where the normally invisible capillary phase is replaced by irregular vascular channels bridging the peripheral branches of pulmonary arteries and veins. The intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt may be confirmed by pulmonary scintigraphy using technetium-labeled albumin. Two cases are presented with a brief review of the literature.", "PMID": 788535} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8024", "title": "A new versatile breathing system for CPPB. The application of PEPP during assisted and controlled ventilation or demand flow CPAP during spontaneous ventilation, with or without IMV.", "content": "A system is described which has been designed to improve the management of patients requiring CPPB. It makes use of a modified Bird Mark 7 or 8 ventilator adapted with a PEPP compensator and a new breathing circuit. This versatile unit provides several advantages over other currently available systems and makes it possible to apply PEPP during controlled and/or assisted ventilation as well as CPAP during spontaneous respiration, with IMV if another servo ventilator is included. This system has been in clinical use for 2 years and has proved to be highly reliable and efficient in both adults and children.", "contents": "A new versatile breathing system for CPPB. The application of PEPP during assisted and controlled ventilation or demand flow CPAP during spontaneous ventilation, with or without IMV. A system is described which has been designed to improve the management of patients requiring CPPB. It makes use of a modified Bird Mark 7 or 8 ventilator adapted with a PEPP compensator and a new breathing circuit. This versatile unit provides several advantages over other currently available systems and makes it possible to apply PEPP during controlled and/or assisted ventilation as well as CPAP during spontaneous respiration, with IMV if another servo ventilator is included. This system has been in clinical use for 2 years and has proved to be highly reliable and efficient in both adults and children.", "PMID": 788545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8025", "title": "Stanislav Klikovich (1853-1910). Pioneer of nitrous oxide and oxygen analgesia.", "content": "The career and work of Stanislav Klikovich (1853-1910) has been reviewed. He was born in Russian occupied Poland and was a pioneer of the use of analgesic concentrations of nitrous oxide in oxygen for many painful conditions including childbirth. He based his clinical work on sound research and animal and human experimentation and recognised that the analgesic state was distinct from anaesthesia.", "contents": "Stanislav Klikovich (1853-1910). Pioneer of nitrous oxide and oxygen analgesia. The career and work of Stanislav Klikovich (1853-1910) has been reviewed. He was born in Russian occupied Poland and was a pioneer of the use of analgesic concentrations of nitrous oxide in oxygen for many painful conditions including childbirth. He based his clinical work on sound research and animal and human experimentation and recognised that the analgesic state was distinct from anaesthesia.", "PMID": 788546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8026", "title": "Continuous positive airway pressure in children.", "content": "Difficulties in the treatment of respiratory disturbances in children and the principles and rationale of continuous positive airway pressure respiration (CPAP) are discussed. The authors present personal experiences with this method, based on 88 cases, and the clinical usefulness and safety of CPAP. Development of acute respiratory failure in children after operations, mainly, after cardiac operations, during penumonia, lung oedema and respiratory distress syndrome in newborns, were effectively prevented on condition, however, that diagnosis was made sufficiently early. Systemic recording of PA-aO2 significantly contributed to early diagnosis. The use of CPAP allowed lower oxygen concentrations in the respiratory air to be used.", "contents": "Continuous positive airway pressure in children. Difficulties in the treatment of respiratory disturbances in children and the principles and rationale of continuous positive airway pressure respiration (CPAP) are discussed. The authors present personal experiences with this method, based on 88 cases, and the clinical usefulness and safety of CPAP. Development of acute respiratory failure in children after operations, mainly, after cardiac operations, during penumonia, lung oedema and respiratory distress syndrome in newborns, were effectively prevented on condition, however, that diagnosis was made sufficiently early. Systemic recording of PA-aO2 significantly contributed to early diagnosis. The use of CPAP allowed lower oxygen concentrations in the respiratory air to be used.", "PMID": 788547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8027", "title": "Train-of-four fade and edrophonium antagonism of neuromuscular block by succinylcholine in man.", "content": "Thumb twitch in response to train-of-four stimulation (2 Hz for 2 sec) of the ulnar nerve was measured in 36 patients anesthetized with halothane and N2O and paralyzed with succinylcholine chloride (SCC). Train-of-four fade was detected whenever a block was produced. The train-of-four ratio decreased with continued exposure to SCC. Edrophonium effect was predictable by the train-of-four ratio in a semiquantitative manner, a high ratio predicting block enhancement and a low ratio, antagonism. When calculated at 30 to 50 percent recovery (from complete block), a train-of-four ratio of 0.4 or less reliably predicts antagonism. The magnitude of antagonism is also predictable in a semiquantitative manner, although complete antagonism cannot be ascertained. The lower the ratio, the more effective the antagonism becomes. Train-of-four fade, therefore, appears to be a consistent and sensitive quantitative sign of phase II neuromuscular block by SCC in man.", "contents": "Train-of-four fade and edrophonium antagonism of neuromuscular block by succinylcholine in man. Thumb twitch in response to train-of-four stimulation (2 Hz for 2 sec) of the ulnar nerve was measured in 36 patients anesthetized with halothane and N2O and paralyzed with succinylcholine chloride (SCC). Train-of-four fade was detected whenever a block was produced. The train-of-four ratio decreased with continued exposure to SCC. Edrophonium effect was predictable by the train-of-four ratio in a semiquantitative manner, a high ratio predicting block enhancement and a low ratio, antagonism. When calculated at 30 to 50 percent recovery (from complete block), a train-of-four ratio of 0.4 or less reliably predicts antagonism. The magnitude of antagonism is also predictable in a semiquantitative manner, although complete antagonism cannot be ascertained. The lower the ratio, the more effective the antagonism becomes. Train-of-four fade, therefore, appears to be a consistent and sensitive quantitative sign of phase II neuromuscular block by SCC in man.", "PMID": 788548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8028", "title": "Neutrophil chemotaxis during and after general anesthesia and operation.", "content": "The neutrophil granulocytes of 43 patients undergoing general anesthesia and operation were examined to determine if altered function occurs during these procedures. Neutrophil chemotaxis, random migration, and total and differential leukocyte counts were determined immediately before anesthesia; after 35 to 60 minutes of anesthesia but before operation; 60 minutes after initiation of operation; and 60 minutes after operation. Anesthetic agents included 1 to 3.5% enflurane, 0.5 to 2% halothane, or 0.5 to 1.1 mg/kg of morphine plus N2O-O2 (60:40). Neutrophil and total white blood cell counts were uninfluenced by any of the anesthetics; however, marked rises in both occurred during operation and persisted postoperatively after each of the anesthetic technics. Neutrophil chemotaxis was reduced an average of 36, 32, and 21%, respectively, by halothane, enflurane, and morphine before operation and 20, 10, and 5% intraoperatively. Preoperative reductions in chemotaxis were statistically significant after all anesthetics. However, only halothane produced a significant intraoperative reduction in chemotaxis. Postoperative neutrophil chemotaxis did not differ from control (preanesthesia) values after any of the anesthetics. Halothane and enflurane reduced leukocytic random migration before but not after operation. Morphine had no effect on random migration at any time. These data demonstrate that anesthesia impairs neutrophil function in man but that operation appears to reverse this depression.", "contents": "Neutrophil chemotaxis during and after general anesthesia and operation. The neutrophil granulocytes of 43 patients undergoing general anesthesia and operation were examined to determine if altered function occurs during these procedures. Neutrophil chemotaxis, random migration, and total and differential leukocyte counts were determined immediately before anesthesia; after 35 to 60 minutes of anesthesia but before operation; 60 minutes after initiation of operation; and 60 minutes after operation. Anesthetic agents included 1 to 3.5% enflurane, 0.5 to 2% halothane, or 0.5 to 1.1 mg/kg of morphine plus N2O-O2 (60:40). Neutrophil and total white blood cell counts were uninfluenced by any of the anesthetics; however, marked rises in both occurred during operation and persisted postoperatively after each of the anesthetic technics. Neutrophil chemotaxis was reduced an average of 36, 32, and 21%, respectively, by halothane, enflurane, and morphine before operation and 20, 10, and 5% intraoperatively. Preoperative reductions in chemotaxis were statistically significant after all anesthetics. However, only halothane produced a significant intraoperative reduction in chemotaxis. Postoperative neutrophil chemotaxis did not differ from control (preanesthesia) values after any of the anesthetics. Halothane and enflurane reduced leukocytic random migration before but not after operation. Morphine had no effect on random migration at any time. These data demonstrate that anesthesia impairs neutrophil function in man but that operation appears to reverse this depression.", "PMID": 788549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8029", "title": "Hypertension and decreased renal blood flow following methylene blue injection.", "content": "Renal blood flow (RBF) and arterial blood pressure (BP) were monitored in 12 patients undergoing nephrolithotomy in the lateral flexed position. All patients were preoxygenated and were anesthetized with sodium thiopental, N2O, O2, and fentanyl. Maintenance relaxation was obtained with pancuronium bromide. Arterial pressure was monitored by percutaneous arterial catheter. Following exposure of the kidney and renal pedicle, an electromagnetic flow probe was attached to the renal artery and baseline flows recorded. Following baseline measurements, 20 ml of 1 percent methylene blue was given intravenously. All patients studied showed an immediate rise in BP, and 11/12 showed a simultaneous decrease in RBF. The average fall in RBF was 35 percent at one minute. Both parameters returned to normal values on the average in 177 seconds. The decreased RBF appeared to be part of a generalized vasoconstrition caused either by sympathetic reflexes or by the direct action of methylene blue.", "contents": "Hypertension and decreased renal blood flow following methylene blue injection. Renal blood flow (RBF) and arterial blood pressure (BP) were monitored in 12 patients undergoing nephrolithotomy in the lateral flexed position. All patients were preoxygenated and were anesthetized with sodium thiopental, N2O, O2, and fentanyl. Maintenance relaxation was obtained with pancuronium bromide. Arterial pressure was monitored by percutaneous arterial catheter. Following exposure of the kidney and renal pedicle, an electromagnetic flow probe was attached to the renal artery and baseline flows recorded. Following baseline measurements, 20 ml of 1 percent methylene blue was given intravenously. All patients studied showed an immediate rise in BP, and 11/12 showed a simultaneous decrease in RBF. The average fall in RBF was 35 percent at one minute. Both parameters returned to normal values on the average in 177 seconds. The decreased RBF appeared to be part of a generalized vasoconstrition caused either by sympathetic reflexes or by the direct action of methylene blue.", "PMID": 788550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8030", "title": "The physiologic effect of an intravenous glucocorticoid in bronchial asthma.", "content": "The intent of this investigation was to determine the acute effect on the airways of a single dose of intravenous corticosteroid in patients with severe bronchospasm. Following the intravenous injection of corticosteroid the initial response occurred at one to two hours and peaked at four hours. Significant changes occurred at four to six hours in central airways and in smaller airways.", "contents": "The physiologic effect of an intravenous glucocorticoid in bronchial asthma. The intent of this investigation was to determine the acute effect on the airways of a single dose of intravenous corticosteroid in patients with severe bronchospasm. Following the intravenous injection of corticosteroid the initial response occurred at one to two hours and peaked at four hours. Significant changes occurred at four to six hours in central airways and in smaller airways.", "PMID": 788558} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8031", "title": "[Cytochrome P450. Its importance in toxicology. II. Regulation of its biosynthesis and its activity. Activation and inhibition].", "content": "The authors emphasize the influence of hormonal and nutritional factors on the activity level of microsomal enzymes. Induction process of hepatic cytochrome P450 and microsomal enzymes by xenobiotics are described. The existence of different types of hemoprotein P450 in response to the action of different inductors is discussed. We also propose some hypothesis concerning the action mechanism of inhibitors of microsomal enzymes and we point out the role of environmental pollutants.", "contents": "[Cytochrome P450. Its importance in toxicology. II. Regulation of its biosynthesis and its activity. Activation and inhibition]. The authors emphasize the influence of hormonal and nutritional factors on the activity level of microsomal enzymes. Induction process of hepatic cytochrome P450 and microsomal enzymes by xenobiotics are described. The existence of different types of hemoprotein P450 in response to the action of different inductors is discussed. We also propose some hypothesis concerning the action mechanism of inhibitors of microsomal enzymes and we point out the role of environmental pollutants.", "PMID": 788561} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8032", "title": "[Urinary infection and its development. Current diagnostic biological data].", "content": "The main object of the present article was to show that, independently of the clinical symptoms, the results of three laboratory examinations permit one to make the diagnosis of urinary infection and its degree of severity. 1) Bacteriuria equal or greater than 10(3) bacteria per ml is already significant of an urinary infection and infection of tissues of the urinary tree. If leukocyturia accompanies this bacteriuria, this does not necessarily show the degree of the infection. 2) The demonstration of specific serum antibodies of the bacterial species responsible for the infection (agglutination technique) is evidence of infection of tissues of the urinary tree, sometimes before the onset of radiological lesions. Furthermore, supervision of the course of the titer of these antibodies assesses the efficacy of the antibiotic treatment undertaken. 3) Using an immunofluorescent technique, the discovery of bacteria antibody immune complexes in the urinary sediment is also a sign of infection of the tissues of the urinary tree.", "contents": "[Urinary infection and its development. Current diagnostic biological data]. The main object of the present article was to show that, independently of the clinical symptoms, the results of three laboratory examinations permit one to make the diagnosis of urinary infection and its degree of severity. 1) Bacteriuria equal or greater than 10(3) bacteria per ml is already significant of an urinary infection and infection of tissues of the urinary tree. If leukocyturia accompanies this bacteriuria, this does not necessarily show the degree of the infection. 2) The demonstration of specific serum antibodies of the bacterial species responsible for the infection (agglutination technique) is evidence of infection of tissues of the urinary tree, sometimes before the onset of radiological lesions. Furthermore, supervision of the course of the titer of these antibodies assesses the efficacy of the antibiotic treatment undertaken. 3) Using an immunofluorescent technique, the discovery of bacteria antibody immune complexes in the urinary sediment is also a sign of infection of the tissues of the urinary tree.", "PMID": 788562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8033", "title": "[Morphological changes of the cell surface during phagocytosis of asbestos fibers].", "content": "The Sandersand Shubik transparent chamber inserted in the golden hamster cheek pouch has been found a simple and easy technique to study the in vivo phagocytosis of asbestos fibers. Use of this device in a scanning and transmission electron microscopy study provided a three-dimension view of some phases of the process, of the cell-fiber relationships as well as of the modifications which occured on the cell surfaces in contact with the fibers in the chambers. The advantages presented by this experimental model over the others are discussed as well as some recent data regarding the cytotoxic effect of the asbestos fibres.", "contents": "[Morphological changes of the cell surface during phagocytosis of asbestos fibers]. The Sandersand Shubik transparent chamber inserted in the golden hamster cheek pouch has been found a simple and easy technique to study the in vivo phagocytosis of asbestos fibers. Use of this device in a scanning and transmission electron microscopy study provided a three-dimension view of some phases of the process, of the cell-fiber relationships as well as of the modifications which occured on the cell surfaces in contact with the fibers in the chambers. The advantages presented by this experimental model over the others are discussed as well as some recent data regarding the cytotoxic effect of the asbestos fibres.", "PMID": 788559} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8034", "title": "Pathologic features and mechanisms of hypoxemia in adult respiratory distress syndrome.", "content": "In 45 consecutive patients referred for severe hypoxemia (Pao2 less than 100 mm Hg on positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cm H2O and fraction of inspired O2 of 1.0), physiologic studies of gas exchange were correlated with pathologic features from 36 open lung biopsies and 15 autopsies. Three distinct groups were defined. Group 1 included 11 patients with the most severe hypoxia (Pao2, 47 +/- 12 mm Hg), minimal Pao2 response to a 10 cm H2O increase in positive end-expiratory pressure (+2.0 +/- 4.0 mm Hg), and a fixed shunt at all fractions of inspired O2. Pathologic study showed edema, exudation, and hemorrhage to the point of consolidation. In group 2 were 13 patients who had less severe hypoxia (Pao2, 60 +/- 17 mm Hg) and a moderate Pao2 response to a 10 cm H2O increase in positive end-expiratory pressure (+15 +/- 8 mm Hg), but whose maximal response was slowly achieved (30 min to several hours). Pathologic examination showed extensive fibrosis. The 21 patients in group 3 had the least hypoxia (66 +/- 15 mm Hg), and had a rapid and marked improvement in Pao2 with a 10 cm H2O increase in positive end-expiratory pressure (+68 +/- 59 mm Hg). Pathologic features were similar to but less severe than those in group 1. Venous admixture increased with decreasing inspired concentrations of O2, indicating diffusion or ventilation-perfusion abnormalities in groups 2 and 3. Prognosis was best for group 3, with 10 of 21 long-term survivors. Two of 11 group 1 patients survived, but only after prolonged periods of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Despite biopsy evidence of extensive fibrosis, 3 of 13 in group 2 survived with moderate to good pulmonary function, including 1 survivor who had had extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Such combined physiologic and pathologic studies are useful (1) for optimal respiratory care, (2) for prognosis, (3) for development of indications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and (4) for better understanding of the pathophysiology of adult respiratory distress syndrome.", "contents": "Pathologic features and mechanisms of hypoxemia in adult respiratory distress syndrome. In 45 consecutive patients referred for severe hypoxemia (Pao2 less than 100 mm Hg on positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cm H2O and fraction of inspired O2 of 1.0), physiologic studies of gas exchange were correlated with pathologic features from 36 open lung biopsies and 15 autopsies. Three distinct groups were defined. Group 1 included 11 patients with the most severe hypoxia (Pao2, 47 +/- 12 mm Hg), minimal Pao2 response to a 10 cm H2O increase in positive end-expiratory pressure (+2.0 +/- 4.0 mm Hg), and a fixed shunt at all fractions of inspired O2. Pathologic study showed edema, exudation, and hemorrhage to the point of consolidation. In group 2 were 13 patients who had less severe hypoxia (Pao2, 60 +/- 17 mm Hg) and a moderate Pao2 response to a 10 cm H2O increase in positive end-expiratory pressure (+15 +/- 8 mm Hg), but whose maximal response was slowly achieved (30 min to several hours). Pathologic examination showed extensive fibrosis. The 21 patients in group 3 had the least hypoxia (66 +/- 15 mm Hg), and had a rapid and marked improvement in Pao2 with a 10 cm H2O increase in positive end-expiratory pressure (+68 +/- 59 mm Hg). Pathologic features were similar to but less severe than those in group 1. Venous admixture increased with decreasing inspired concentrations of O2, indicating diffusion or ventilation-perfusion abnormalities in groups 2 and 3. Prognosis was best for group 3, with 10 of 21 long-term survivors. Two of 11 group 1 patients survived, but only after prolonged periods of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Despite biopsy evidence of extensive fibrosis, 3 of 13 in group 2 survived with moderate to good pulmonary function, including 1 survivor who had had extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Such combined physiologic and pathologic studies are useful (1) for optimal respiratory care, (2) for prognosis, (3) for development of indications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and (4) for better understanding of the pathophysiology of adult respiratory distress syndrome.", "PMID": 788563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8035", "title": "Interaction between fibrous dust and cells in vitro.", "content": "Studies carried out jointly with macrophages, fibroblasts and epithelial cells in vitro, have shown that the long fibers of asbestos or glass are incorporated in a special way. Phagocytosis of the long fibers is delayed and/or remains incomplete. Incomplete incorporation of the fiber causes a localized discontinuity in the cell membrane. There results continuous liberation of intra-cellular enzymes, which is compensated for by an increasing glycolytic metabolism. The effect of fibrous dusts cannot be compared with those of granular SiO2-dusts. Fibrous dusts, e.g. asbestos and glass fibers, induce the formation of polykaryotic giant cells by way of fusion; asbestos possibly also causes the interspecific fusion of cells. There are indications that in the process of asbestos induced cell fusioning integrated virus genomes are activated and infectious virus are released. The interaction between the cell and fiber causes a chronic irritation of the cell, which is discussed as a factor for tumour induction. There seems to be a causal relationship between the fibrogenic and carcinogenic effects of anorganic dusts and their shape, i.e. their length and diameter, regardless of their chemical composition. Thus the fibrogenic and carcinogenic effect is limited by a minimal length and a maximal diameter.", "contents": "Interaction between fibrous dust and cells in vitro. Studies carried out jointly with macrophages, fibroblasts and epithelial cells in vitro, have shown that the long fibers of asbestos or glass are incorporated in a special way. Phagocytosis of the long fibers is delayed and/or remains incomplete. Incomplete incorporation of the fiber causes a localized discontinuity in the cell membrane. There results continuous liberation of intra-cellular enzymes, which is compensated for by an increasing glycolytic metabolism. The effect of fibrous dusts cannot be compared with those of granular SiO2-dusts. Fibrous dusts, e.g. asbestos and glass fibers, induce the formation of polykaryotic giant cells by way of fusion; asbestos possibly also causes the interspecific fusion of cells. There are indications that in the process of asbestos induced cell fusioning integrated virus genomes are activated and infectious virus are released. The interaction between the cell and fiber causes a chronic irritation of the cell, which is discussed as a factor for tumour induction. There seems to be a causal relationship between the fibrogenic and carcinogenic effects of anorganic dusts and their shape, i.e. their length and diameter, regardless of their chemical composition. Thus the fibrogenic and carcinogenic effect is limited by a minimal length and a maximal diameter.", "PMID": 788560} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8036", "title": "Incidence of serum antibodies to several Aspergillus species and to Candida albicans in cystic fibrosis.", "content": "The incidence of serum IgE antibodies to several species of aspergillus and the incidence of serum precipitins to these species and to Candida albicans were determined in 22 children with cystic fibrosis, 17 children with bronchial asthma, and 18 control subjects. IgE antibodies were found in 50 per cent of the patients with cystic fibrosis and in 29 per cent of the patients with bronchial asthma; none was found in the control subjects. Precipitins to aspergillus species were present in 59 per cent of the patients with cystic fibrosis, 35 per cent of the patients with bronchial asthma, and 11 per cent of the control subjects. Greater differences were noted when the total number of precipitin bands in each group was compared. There was a trend for the more severe cases of cystic fibrosis (based on the Shwachman-Kulczycki score) to have a greater incidence of precipitins and a lower frequency of IgE antibodies to aspergillus than the milder cases. Candida precipitins were found more frequently in patients with cystic fibrosis (45 per cent) than in patients with bronchial asthma (18 per cent); none was found in the control group. The potential role of fungal hypersensitivity in cystic fibrosis and the therapeutic implications are discussed in light of these findings.", "contents": "Incidence of serum antibodies to several Aspergillus species and to Candida albicans in cystic fibrosis. The incidence of serum IgE antibodies to several species of aspergillus and the incidence of serum precipitins to these species and to Candida albicans were determined in 22 children with cystic fibrosis, 17 children with bronchial asthma, and 18 control subjects. IgE antibodies were found in 50 per cent of the patients with cystic fibrosis and in 29 per cent of the patients with bronchial asthma; none was found in the control subjects. Precipitins to aspergillus species were present in 59 per cent of the patients with cystic fibrosis, 35 per cent of the patients with bronchial asthma, and 11 per cent of the control subjects. Greater differences were noted when the total number of precipitin bands in each group was compared. There was a trend for the more severe cases of cystic fibrosis (based on the Shwachman-Kulczycki score) to have a greater incidence of precipitins and a lower frequency of IgE antibodies to aspergillus than the milder cases. Candida precipitins were found more frequently in patients with cystic fibrosis (45 per cent) than in patients with bronchial asthma (18 per cent); none was found in the control group. The potential role of fungal hypersensitivity in cystic fibrosis and the therapeutic implications are discussed in light of these findings.", "PMID": 788564} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8037", "title": "Fatal Neisseria (Branhamella) catarrhalis pneumonia in an immunodeficient host.", "content": "A 64-year-old man with far-advanced IgA multiple myeloma presented with fulminant and rapidly fatal bronchopneumonia. Gram stains of expectorated sputum and of transtracheal aspirate revealed gram-negative intracellular and extracellular diplococci. Cultures of these specimens yielded Neisseria catarrhalis. Subsequent histologic examination of the lung confirmed the presence of numerous gram-negative diplococci in the alveolar spaces. The pathogenic potential of this nasopharyngeal commensal is discussed in both the normal and the immunosuppressed host.", "contents": "Fatal Neisseria (Branhamella) catarrhalis pneumonia in an immunodeficient host. A 64-year-old man with far-advanced IgA multiple myeloma presented with fulminant and rapidly fatal bronchopneumonia. Gram stains of expectorated sputum and of transtracheal aspirate revealed gram-negative intracellular and extracellular diplococci. Cultures of these specimens yielded Neisseria catarrhalis. Subsequent histologic examination of the lung confirmed the presence of numerous gram-negative diplococci in the alveolar spaces. The pathogenic potential of this nasopharyngeal commensal is discussed in both the normal and the immunosuppressed host.", "PMID": 788567} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8038", "title": "A new heat-stable acid phosphatase test for mycobacteria.", "content": "The heat-stable (70degrees C) acid phosphatase test performed by the method of Kind and King is a simple method for differentiating Mycobacterium kansasii, M. marinum, M. gastri, M. nonchromogenicum, and M. triviale from other slowly growing mycobacteria, and M. fortuitum from other rapidly growing acid-fast bacilli.", "contents": "A new heat-stable acid phosphatase test for mycobacteria. The heat-stable (70degrees C) acid phosphatase test performed by the method of Kind and King is a simple method for differentiating Mycobacterium kansasii, M. marinum, M. gastri, M. nonchromogenicum, and M. triviale from other slowly growing mycobacteria, and M. fortuitum from other rapidly growing acid-fast bacilli.", "PMID": 788568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8039", "title": "Controlled clinical trial of four 6-month regimens of chemotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis. Second report. Second East African/British Medical Research Council Study.", "content": "A comparison has been made of the relapse rates between 7 and 30 months for four 6-month regimens. Streptomycin plus isoniazid plus rifampicin had a relapse rate of 2 per cent of 171 patients; isoniazid plus rifampicin had a relapse rate of 7 per cent of 164. An initial 2 months of streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide, when followed by thiacetazone plus isoniazid, had a relapse rate of 7 per cent of 179, and when followed by streptomycin plus isoniazid plus pyrazinamide twice a week the relapse rate was 4 per cent of 159 patients. Of the 36 relapses, 32 occurred in the first 6 months after stopping chemotherapy and 35 were with drug-susceptible organisms. The difference between the relapse rate on the streptomycin plus isoniazid plus rifampicin regimen and the isoniazid plus rifampicin and thiacetazone plus isoniazid regimens approached significance (P =0.06 for both comparisons).", "contents": "Controlled clinical trial of four 6-month regimens of chemotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis. Second report. Second East African/British Medical Research Council Study. A comparison has been made of the relapse rates between 7 and 30 months for four 6-month regimens. Streptomycin plus isoniazid plus rifampicin had a relapse rate of 2 per cent of 171 patients; isoniazid plus rifampicin had a relapse rate of 7 per cent of 164. An initial 2 months of streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide, when followed by thiacetazone plus isoniazid, had a relapse rate of 7 per cent of 179, and when followed by streptomycin plus isoniazid plus pyrazinamide twice a week the relapse rate was 4 per cent of 159 patients. Of the 36 relapses, 32 occurred in the first 6 months after stopping chemotherapy and 35 were with drug-susceptible organisms. The difference between the relapse rate on the streptomycin plus isoniazid plus rifampicin regimen and the isoniazid plus rifampicin and thiacetazone plus isoniazid regimens approached significance (P =0.06 for both comparisons).", "PMID": 788570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8040", "title": "Transbronchial biopsy for the diagnosis of lung transplant rejection. Comparison with needle and open-lung biopsy techniques in canine lung allografts.", "content": "The accurate diagnosis of lung transplant rejection requires histologic examination of the grafted lung. Because transbronchial lung biopsy has been advocated as an effective diagnostic procedure for a variety of lung diseases, it was elected to assess this technique in rejecting transplanted lungs. Twenty-two dogs received allografts and underwent simultaneous lung biopsy by 3 techniques when signs of rejection occurred. Open lung biopsy was diagnostic of rejection in all instances. Transthoracic needle biopsy correlated with the open biopsy in 59 per cent of the cases. No specimen obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy provided sufficient material to permit fulfillment of the strict histologic criteria needed to diagnose allograft rejection. Although transbronchial lung biopsy is successful in many pulmonary infiltrative processes, it appears to be inadequate for the diagnosis of lung allograft rejection.", "contents": "Transbronchial biopsy for the diagnosis of lung transplant rejection. Comparison with needle and open-lung biopsy techniques in canine lung allografts. The accurate diagnosis of lung transplant rejection requires histologic examination of the grafted lung. Because transbronchial lung biopsy has been advocated as an effective diagnostic procedure for a variety of lung diseases, it was elected to assess this technique in rejecting transplanted lungs. Twenty-two dogs received allografts and underwent simultaneous lung biopsy by 3 techniques when signs of rejection occurred. Open lung biopsy was diagnostic of rejection in all instances. Transthoracic needle biopsy correlated with the open biopsy in 59 per cent of the cases. No specimen obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy provided sufficient material to permit fulfillment of the strict histologic criteria needed to diagnose allograft rejection. Although transbronchial lung biopsy is successful in many pulmonary infiltrative processes, it appears to be inadequate for the diagnosis of lung allograft rejection.", "PMID": 788571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8041", "title": "Diazo replication of the lung: an improved methodology.", "content": "The methodology of diazo replication has been improved to provide replicas of 60 mum-thick lung sections with high contrast and sharp delineation of airways and air spaces. The newly introduced techniques are critical temperature control, embedment in isopentane, Bismarck brown staining, and parallel light, halogen lamp illumination.", "contents": "Diazo replication of the lung: an improved methodology. The methodology of diazo replication has been improved to provide replicas of 60 mum-thick lung sections with high contrast and sharp delineation of airways and air spaces. The newly introduced techniques are critical temperature control, embedment in isopentane, Bismarck brown staining, and parallel light, halogen lamp illumination.", "PMID": 788573} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8042", "title": "Critical sequelae in biliary tract disease.", "content": "The high incidence of calculous biliary tract disease accounts for surgical operation upon the biliary tract disease accounts for surgical operation upon the biliary tract being the most frequently performed within the abdomen. Untreated surgically critical sequelae tend to occur with advancing age and duration of the disease. The more common of these are: acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis, biliary enteric fistulas, liver abscess, related pancreatitis, and biliary cirrhosis. The greater the pathological changes in the biliary tract and the more debilitated the individual, the greater is the risk of surgery. However, the risk is even greater without operation.", "contents": "Critical sequelae in biliary tract disease. The high incidence of calculous biliary tract disease accounts for surgical operation upon the biliary tract disease accounts for surgical operation upon the biliary tract being the most frequently performed within the abdomen. Untreated surgically critical sequelae tend to occur with advancing age and duration of the disease. The more common of these are: acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis, biliary enteric fistulas, liver abscess, related pancreatitis, and biliary cirrhosis. The greater the pathological changes in the biliary tract and the more debilitated the individual, the greater is the risk of surgery. However, the risk is even greater without operation.", "PMID": 788579} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8043", "title": "Carcinoma arising in thyroglossal duct remnants.", "content": "Papillary adenocarcinoma arising in a thyroglossal cyst is described in a 38-year-old man to make a total of 83 cases in the literature. Most cases appear to be benign thyroglossal duct cysts. The malignant nature of the lesion was recognized only after the permanent pathology sections were reviewed. Paillary carcinoma was the most common type of carcinoma arising in thyroglossal duct remnants. Local resection by the Sistrunk method is the standard treatment when the malignancy has not extended beyond the confines of the cyst. The differentiation between a carcinoma arising in a thyroglossal duct remnant and a metastatic papillary carcinoma from an occult primary in the main thyroid gland is discussed.", "contents": "Carcinoma arising in thyroglossal duct remnants. Papillary adenocarcinoma arising in a thyroglossal cyst is described in a 38-year-old man to make a total of 83 cases in the literature. Most cases appear to be benign thyroglossal duct cysts. The malignant nature of the lesion was recognized only after the permanent pathology sections were reviewed. Paillary carcinoma was the most common type of carcinoma arising in thyroglossal duct remnants. Local resection by the Sistrunk method is the standard treatment when the malignancy has not extended beyond the confines of the cyst. The differentiation between a carcinoma arising in a thyroglossal duct remnant and a metastatic papillary carcinoma from an occult primary in the main thyroid gland is discussed.", "PMID": 788580} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8044", "title": "Antibody response to influenza vaccination in renal transplant patients: correlation with allograft function.", "content": "Thirty renal transplant recipients received 0.5 ml of Influenza Virus Vaccine, Bivalent, USP, intramuscularly. Serum hemagglutination-inhibiting and nasal secretory neutralizing antibodies were measured before and 3 to 4 weeks after vaccination. Creatinine clearance and urinary protein excretion were measured before and weekly for 4 to 8 weeks after vaccination. Ten of 13 patients (77%) with creatinine clearance of greater than or equal to 70 ml/min-1.73m2 (group I) had greater than or equal to a fourfold increase in hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody titers to influenza A or B virus after vaccination, while only six of 17 patients (35%) with creatinine clearance of greater than 70 ml/min-1.73m2 (group II) had a similar increase (chi-square = 5.129; P less than 0.05). Six of 13 patients (46%) in group I had greater than or equal to a fourfold increase in neutralizing antibody titers to influenza A or B virus after vaccination, whereas none in group II had a similar increase (chi-square = 7.135; P less than 0.01). There were no adverse effects on the allografts. Only minor side effects were noted in a few patients. Because of its safety and antigenicity, influenza vaccination should be offered to renal transplant recipients particularly during threats of epidemic outbreaks.", "contents": "Antibody response to influenza vaccination in renal transplant patients: correlation with allograft function. Thirty renal transplant recipients received 0.5 ml of Influenza Virus Vaccine, Bivalent, USP, intramuscularly. Serum hemagglutination-inhibiting and nasal secretory neutralizing antibodies were measured before and 3 to 4 weeks after vaccination. Creatinine clearance and urinary protein excretion were measured before and weekly for 4 to 8 weeks after vaccination. Ten of 13 patients (77%) with creatinine clearance of greater than or equal to 70 ml/min-1.73m2 (group I) had greater than or equal to a fourfold increase in hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody titers to influenza A or B virus after vaccination, while only six of 17 patients (35%) with creatinine clearance of greater than 70 ml/min-1.73m2 (group II) had a similar increase (chi-square = 5.129; P less than 0.05). Six of 13 patients (46%) in group I had greater than or equal to a fourfold increase in neutralizing antibody titers to influenza A or B virus after vaccination, whereas none in group II had a similar increase (chi-square = 7.135; P less than 0.01). There were no adverse effects on the allografts. Only minor side effects were noted in a few patients. Because of its safety and antigenicity, influenza vaccination should be offered to renal transplant recipients particularly during threats of epidemic outbreaks.", "PMID": 788581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8045", "title": "Pathogenesis of Osler's nodes.", "content": "Four patients in whom endocarditis had been verified at autopsy had the pathogenic organism isolated from aspirates of Osler's nodes. In three cases the responsible organism was identified in Gram stains made from aspirates. The etiologic agent was Staphylococcus aureus in three cases and Candida albicans in one case. Histologic examination of an Osler's node from one of the patients with S. aureus endocarditis showed a microabscess in the papillary dermis together with microemboli in nearby dermal arterioles. Workers previously have interpreted similar histologic findings as consistent with perivasculitis resulting from an immunologic reaction to the pathogenic organism. The present findings support Osler's original contention that the skin lesions that bear his name are \"in all of probability caused by minute emboli\".", "contents": "Pathogenesis of Osler's nodes. Four patients in whom endocarditis had been verified at autopsy had the pathogenic organism isolated from aspirates of Osler's nodes. In three cases the responsible organism was identified in Gram stains made from aspirates. The etiologic agent was Staphylococcus aureus in three cases and Candida albicans in one case. Histologic examination of an Osler's node from one of the patients with S. aureus endocarditis showed a microabscess in the papillary dermis together with microemboli in nearby dermal arterioles. Workers previously have interpreted similar histologic findings as consistent with perivasculitis resulting from an immunologic reaction to the pathogenic organism. The present findings support Osler's original contention that the skin lesions that bear his name are \"in all of probability caused by minute emboli\".", "PMID": 788582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8046", "title": "Minocycline.", "content": "Minocycline has proved to have a wider spectrum of activity against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and has enhanced tissue penetration when compared with its tetracycline congeners. The latter, and possibly the former, can be related to its increased lipophilicity in the physiologic pH range. It appears to be a superior chemoprophylactic agent against sulfonamide-resistant meningococci that do not become minocycline resistant as a result of treatment. The clinical promise of this agent has been dimmed, however, by recent reports of vestibular toxicity manifest in ambulatory patients. Though data on the frequency and severity of these symptoms are in some conflict, minocycline cannot currently be recommended for general clinical use.", "contents": "Minocycline. Minocycline has proved to have a wider spectrum of activity against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and has enhanced tissue penetration when compared with its tetracycline congeners. The latter, and possibly the former, can be related to its increased lipophilicity in the physiologic pH range. It appears to be a superior chemoprophylactic agent against sulfonamide-resistant meningococci that do not become minocycline resistant as a result of treatment. The clinical promise of this agent has been dimmed, however, by recent reports of vestibular toxicity manifest in ambulatory patients. Though data on the frequency and severity of these symptoms are in some conflict, minocycline cannot currently be recommended for general clinical use.", "PMID": 788583} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8047", "title": "The liver and the antigens of hepatitis B.", "content": "A decade ago an antigen was identified by immunodiffusion and subsequently proved to be closely associated with hepatitis B virus. Further studies showed that hepatitis B virus circulates as a large particle containing a protein coat and a DNA core, and that excess coat particles are produced and circulate freely. Immunization with surface protein produced protective antibodies, and this led to the development of a prototype vaccine. Patients with hepatitis may develop a variety of extrahepatic manifestations, including polyarteritis, vasculitis, and glomerulonephritis. These associated symptoms may be due to immune complexes consisting of hepatitis B surface antigen and its antibody. The role of cellular immunity in hepatitis B is unknown. The relation between type B virus and the liver is both destructive (leading to severe acute hepatic disease and eventually to cirrhosis) and symbiotic (existing among carriers who have neither liver disease nor symptoms). If the factors that cause these divergent courses were delineated and understood, the results may lead to the prevention and cure of hepatitis B and its sequelae.", "contents": "The liver and the antigens of hepatitis B. A decade ago an antigen was identified by immunodiffusion and subsequently proved to be closely associated with hepatitis B virus. Further studies showed that hepatitis B virus circulates as a large particle containing a protein coat and a DNA core, and that excess coat particles are produced and circulate freely. Immunization with surface protein produced protective antibodies, and this led to the development of a prototype vaccine. Patients with hepatitis may develop a variety of extrahepatic manifestations, including polyarteritis, vasculitis, and glomerulonephritis. These associated symptoms may be due to immune complexes consisting of hepatitis B surface antigen and its antibody. The role of cellular immunity in hepatitis B is unknown. The relation between type B virus and the liver is both destructive (leading to severe acute hepatic disease and eventually to cirrhosis) and symbiotic (existing among carriers who have neither liver disease nor symptoms). If the factors that cause these divergent courses were delineated and understood, the results may lead to the prevention and cure of hepatitis B and its sequelae.", "PMID": 788584} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8048", "title": "Influenza in 1918: recollections of the epidemic in Philadelphia.", "content": "When the great influenza epidemic struck Philadelphia in 1918, the author was just starting his third year at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. After a single lecture on influenza, classes for the third and fourth year students were suspended while he and his mates manned an emergency hospital, in which they worked under little or no medical supervision and in the presence of an alarming patient mortality. This essay describes what happened in the hospital, and in the city as a whole, during the pandemic. Certain features of the clinical course of most patients permit the hope that modern therapy will prevent a repetition of the horrendous mortality.", "contents": "Influenza in 1918: recollections of the epidemic in Philadelphia. When the great influenza epidemic struck Philadelphia in 1918, the author was just starting his third year at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. After a single lecture on influenza, classes for the third and fourth year students were suspended while he and his mates manned an emergency hospital, in which they worked under little or no medical supervision and in the presence of an alarming patient mortality. This essay describes what happened in the hospital, and in the city as a whole, during the pandemic. Certain features of the clinical course of most patients permit the hope that modern therapy will prevent a repetition of the horrendous mortality.", "PMID": 788585} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8049", "title": "[The concept of madness in Talmudic literature and its commentaries].", "content": "In spite of their spatial and temporal dispersion, the talmudic literature and its commentaries proceed from a fundamental unity. On one hand, the definition of madness are, a priori, extremely rigid; originally, they were exemplaries, quoted to resolve practical problems. On the other hand, the handling of these definitions requires a very important suppleness in the jurisprudence of legal implications of madness. Obviously, the dialectics of the rabbis show the care to respect the personal life of the individual and the spiritual life of the community. And if these conceptions have still an application nowadays, that is because the Talmud speaks of the mad and not of the mental ill without any cross-checking between the socio-legal model of madness and the medical model.", "contents": "[The concept of madness in Talmudic literature and its commentaries]. In spite of their spatial and temporal dispersion, the talmudic literature and its commentaries proceed from a fundamental unity. On one hand, the definition of madness are, a priori, extremely rigid; originally, they were exemplaries, quoted to resolve practical problems. On the other hand, the handling of these definitions requires a very important suppleness in the jurisprudence of legal implications of madness. Obviously, the dialectics of the rabbis show the care to respect the personal life of the individual and the spiritual life of the community. And if these conceptions have still an application nowadays, that is because the Talmud speaks of the mad and not of the mental ill without any cross-checking between the socio-legal model of madness and the medical model.", "PMID": 788597} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8050", "title": "[Neurophysiological and biological bases of active and passive avoidance behaviors. Somatic consequences. Behavioral level. Semantic problems].", "content": "After a discussion concerning the semantic contents of terms such as: emotions, pulsions, motivations, as much from the physiological as from the psychological point of view as well as with regard to the role of the processes of memory and learning in their elaboration, the neurophysiological plane of fundamental behaviour patterns is approached. The role of the dorsomedian amygdala and of the lateral hypothalamus in the processes of behavioural activation as well as that of the septal area, of the hippocampus, of the lateral amygdala, of the ventro-median hypothalamus in the processes of inhibition are recalled. The action upon the environment and the reaction to the environment (conditioned or unconditioned) of this system are studied. Anxiety is considered as resulting from the inhibition of action and its endogenous or exogenous causes, as well as the mechanisms of its disappearance, are examined. The distinction between hypophyso-corticoadrenal alarm reaction and sympatho-adrenergic defence reaction is recalled. Basing himself upon the experimental work of his laboratory, the author shows that in the defence reaction it is necessary to make the distinction between the sympathetic reaction, noradrenergic, brrenergic reaction, medullo-adrenal, controlled by the system of behavioural activation. He shows the interest of such a distinction on the physio-pathological plane. Finally he approaches the biochemical level, that of the neuro-modulators and of their central role. He suggests that the effect alpha of catecholamines and the nicotinic effect of acetylcholine indeed seem to have a direct role in the control of synaptic activity, while the beta effect and the muscarinic effect could have a secondary role through the intermediary of the synthesis of cAMP and cGMP respectively. The second messengers would intervene principally in the neuronal protein synthesis and the long term memory. The work ends with a rapid summary concerning the biochemical and neurophysiological mechanisms of drugs which act upon behaviour patterns. This summary is based on the outline previously elaborated.", "contents": "[Neurophysiological and biological bases of active and passive avoidance behaviors. Somatic consequences. Behavioral level. Semantic problems]. After a discussion concerning the semantic contents of terms such as: emotions, pulsions, motivations, as much from the physiological as from the psychological point of view as well as with regard to the role of the processes of memory and learning in their elaboration, the neurophysiological plane of fundamental behaviour patterns is approached. The role of the dorsomedian amygdala and of the lateral hypothalamus in the processes of behavioural activation as well as that of the septal area, of the hippocampus, of the lateral amygdala, of the ventro-median hypothalamus in the processes of inhibition are recalled. The action upon the environment and the reaction to the environment (conditioned or unconditioned) of this system are studied. Anxiety is considered as resulting from the inhibition of action and its endogenous or exogenous causes, as well as the mechanisms of its disappearance, are examined. The distinction between hypophyso-corticoadrenal alarm reaction and sympatho-adrenergic defence reaction is recalled. Basing himself upon the experimental work of his laboratory, the author shows that in the defence reaction it is necessary to make the distinction between the sympathetic reaction, noradrenergic, brrenergic reaction, medullo-adrenal, controlled by the system of behavioural activation. He shows the interest of such a distinction on the physio-pathological plane. Finally he approaches the biochemical level, that of the neuro-modulators and of their central role. He suggests that the effect alpha of catecholamines and the nicotinic effect of acetylcholine indeed seem to have a direct role in the control of synaptic activity, while the beta effect and the muscarinic effect could have a secondary role through the intermediary of the synthesis of cAMP and cGMP respectively. The second messengers would intervene principally in the neuronal protein synthesis and the long term memory. The work ends with a rapid summary concerning the biochemical and neurophysiological mechanisms of drugs which act upon behaviour patterns. This summary is based on the outline previously elaborated.", "PMID": 788600} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8051", "title": "[Epilepsy and Szondi test].", "content": "After having briefly recalled the different studies of epilepsy done on the basis of the Szondi test, the author proposes to study the drive structure of three groups of epileptics (19 cases of primary generalized epilepsy, 18 cases of partial temporal lobe epilepsy, 31 cases of partial non-temporal epilepsy) with the purpose of finding possible differences in psychological drive among the three groups and, at the same time, evaluating the test's capacity for discrimination by using the statistical method. The three groups show the same type of profile generally characterized by an extreme need for acceptance and affection (h + !, C- + !) counteracted by a strong repression (hy - !, k -) resulting in agressiveness (s + !). However, statistical analysis (chi square test), the drive formula, the drive class and the EKP showed that, beyond this shared area, there are differences among the three groups. The author then attempts to sort out the meaning of these differences. Finally, based on certain passages from Szondi as well as the test results, the author puts forward an hypothesis linking the psychological drive problematic in primary generalized epilepsies to a very early disturbance in the history of the individual's psychic development, the origins of which would go back to a split in the unity between mother and child. On the other hand, drive disturbances in partial epilepsies would be considered secondary to the illness.", "contents": "[Epilepsy and Szondi test]. After having briefly recalled the different studies of epilepsy done on the basis of the Szondi test, the author proposes to study the drive structure of three groups of epileptics (19 cases of primary generalized epilepsy, 18 cases of partial temporal lobe epilepsy, 31 cases of partial non-temporal epilepsy) with the purpose of finding possible differences in psychological drive among the three groups and, at the same time, evaluating the test's capacity for discrimination by using the statistical method. The three groups show the same type of profile generally characterized by an extreme need for acceptance and affection (h + !, C- + !) counteracted by a strong repression (hy - !, k -) resulting in agressiveness (s + !). However, statistical analysis (chi square test), the drive formula, the drive class and the EKP showed that, beyond this shared area, there are differences among the three groups. The author then attempts to sort out the meaning of these differences. Finally, based on certain passages from Szondi as well as the test results, the author puts forward an hypothesis linking the psychological drive problematic in primary generalized epilepsies to a very early disturbance in the history of the individual's psychic development, the origins of which would go back to a split in the unity between mother and child. On the other hand, drive disturbances in partial epilepsies would be considered secondary to the illness.", "PMID": 788602} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8052", "title": "[Empirical research in psychotherapy. Recent studies in the English-language literature].", "content": "Empirical psychotherapeutic research has much progressed in the last teen years. In that field the american-english workers afford a great number of meaningfull studies and papers. Very definite experimental work has been made in subjects like therapeutic situation, therapist ways, patient's reactions and outcome facts or content analysis studies, in assessment of results and processes. In that paper an approach is made of: 1 degree psychotherapeutic research general trends, 2 degrees results from various theroretical orientations: psychoanalytic, behaviour therapy, Rogers or Balint, 3 degrees evaluation of main factors for therapeutic sessions, 4 degrees special fields like brief psychotherapies or group therapies.", "contents": "[Empirical research in psychotherapy. Recent studies in the English-language literature]. Empirical psychotherapeutic research has much progressed in the last teen years. In that field the american-english workers afford a great number of meaningfull studies and papers. Very definite experimental work has been made in subjects like therapeutic situation, therapist ways, patient's reactions and outcome facts or content analysis studies, in assessment of results and processes. In that paper an approach is made of: 1 degree psychotherapeutic research general trends, 2 degrees results from various theroretical orientations: psychoanalytic, behaviour therapy, Rogers or Balint, 3 degrees evaluation of main factors for therapeutic sessions, 4 degrees special fields like brief psychotherapies or group therapies.", "PMID": 788603} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8053", "title": "[Indications for relaxation in geriatrics].", "content": "On a three years base experience in the geriatiic department of Geneva's University Psychiatric Clinic the paper studies the problem of selecting aged patients to be treated by relaxation according to the method of J. De Ajuriaguerra et M. Cahen. Observations are presented in an attempt to define three main points: a) the role played by relaxation when there is an objective [corrected] impairment of the body's integrity; b) relaxation effect on aged persons neurotic states evolution; c) the reality of considering dementia as a counter-indication of relaxation therapy. These remarks complete those presented previously about the training of therapists in relaxation, the type of control to be organized for them and their patients, the technical management of the cure, the place of relaxation in the post graduate psychiatric training, the effects of the therapy on the patients human environnement behavior in and out of the hospital, the way body is perceived through relaxation by the aged patients and it's consequences on the adjustment of an aging person.", "contents": "[Indications for relaxation in geriatrics]. On a three years base experience in the geriatiic department of Geneva's University Psychiatric Clinic the paper studies the problem of selecting aged patients to be treated by relaxation according to the method of J. De Ajuriaguerra et M. Cahen. Observations are presented in an attempt to define three main points: a) the role played by relaxation when there is an objective [corrected] impairment of the body's integrity; b) relaxation effect on aged persons neurotic states evolution; c) the reality of considering dementia as a counter-indication of relaxation therapy. These remarks complete those presented previously about the training of therapists in relaxation, the type of control to be organized for them and their patients, the technical management of the cure, the place of relaxation in the post graduate psychiatric training, the effects of the therapy on the patients human environnement behavior in and out of the hospital, the way body is perceived through relaxation by the aged patients and it's consequences on the adjustment of an aging person.", "PMID": 788605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8054", "title": "[Distinction between beta-lactamases of immunotypes 1 or 2 using a new beta-lactam antbiotic (author's transl)].", "content": "The resistance of Gram negative bacteria to ampicillin and carbenicillin is often associated with the presence of plasmidic transferable beta-lactamase (class III of Richmond and Sykes). Using immunological and physico-chemical tests, two sub-classes have been identified. The sensitivity of Escherichia coli K12 with plasmid P111 (immunotype 1) or plasmid P453 (immunotype 2) determined by means of the minimal inhibitory concentrations, contrasts significantly with a new beta-lactam antibiotic, X-587. Study of the kinetic constants (Km, Vmax) of the beta-lactamases confirms and explains this difference. Thus we have a simple and rapid method for differentiation of these 2 types of enzymes.", "contents": "[Distinction between beta-lactamases of immunotypes 1 or 2 using a new beta-lactam antbiotic (author's transl)]. The resistance of Gram negative bacteria to ampicillin and carbenicillin is often associated with the presence of plasmidic transferable beta-lactamase (class III of Richmond and Sykes). Using immunological and physico-chemical tests, two sub-classes have been identified. The sensitivity of Escherichia coli K12 with plasmid P111 (immunotype 1) or plasmid P453 (immunotype 2) determined by means of the minimal inhibitory concentrations, contrasts significantly with a new beta-lactam antibiotic, X-587. Study of the kinetic constants (Km, Vmax) of the beta-lactamases confirms and explains this difference. Thus we have a simple and rapid method for differentiation of these 2 types of enzymes.", "PMID": 788607} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8055", "title": "[Influence of air enriched with oxygen injection on the bacterial yield during the fermentation and correction of the anti-foam effect (author's transl)].", "content": "Addition of an anti-foam such as the silicon \"Rhodorsil\" during fermentation provokes an important diminution of the dissolved oxygen rate and an interruption of bacterial growth. Injection of air enriched with oxygen prevents the interruption of bacterial growth.", "contents": "[Influence of air enriched with oxygen injection on the bacterial yield during the fermentation and correction of the anti-foam effect (author's transl)]. Addition of an anti-foam such as the silicon \"Rhodorsil\" during fermentation provokes an important diminution of the dissolved oxygen rate and an interruption of bacterial growth. Injection of air enriched with oxygen prevents the interruption of bacterial growth.", "PMID": 788608} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8056", "title": "[Severe epistaxis in hemorrhagic syndromes (excepting Rendu-Osler disease)].", "content": "The existence of a general abnormality in haemostasis causes more copious and protracted haemorrhage but does not, in theory, cause epistaxis. Abnormalities in primary haemostasis are at the root of these serious haemorrhages (thrombocytopenia and Willebrand's disease). Haemophilia is more rarely the trigger for intractable epistaxis. Treatment consists of local measures and replacement therapy. In all cases local treatment should have as little traumatic effect as possible in order to avoid a recurrence of haemorrhage when compression is removed. In women with abnormal constitutional haemostasis, establishment of anovulatory cycles by means of oestro-progestatives prescribed to combat menorrhagia often lessens the seriousness of these epistaxes. Replacement therapy consists of platelet transfusions for thrombocytopenia, the introduction of Willebrand's factor for Willebrand's disease and antihaemophilic factors for haemophilia.", "contents": "[Severe epistaxis in hemorrhagic syndromes (excepting Rendu-Osler disease)]. The existence of a general abnormality in haemostasis causes more copious and protracted haemorrhage but does not, in theory, cause epistaxis. Abnormalities in primary haemostasis are at the root of these serious haemorrhages (thrombocytopenia and Willebrand's disease). Haemophilia is more rarely the trigger for intractable epistaxis. Treatment consists of local measures and replacement therapy. In all cases local treatment should have as little traumatic effect as possible in order to avoid a recurrence of haemorrhage when compression is removed. In women with abnormal constitutional haemostasis, establishment of anovulatory cycles by means of oestro-progestatives prescribed to combat menorrhagia often lessens the seriousness of these epistaxes. Replacement therapy consists of platelet transfusions for thrombocytopenia, the introduction of Willebrand's factor for Willebrand's disease and antihaemophilic factors for haemophilia.", "PMID": 788610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8057", "title": "Keratinization of the oral epithelium.", "content": "The morphology of the keratinizing epithelia in the mouth is reviwed in the light of recent knowledge. There appears to be a spectrum of degrees of keratinization rather than distinct types, and a degree of keratinization is reflected in the degree of packing and orientation of tonofilaments. The role of keratohyaline and other granules in the process is discussed and it is suggested that modification of the cell membrane is an important part of keratinization. Although the potential of the various areas in the mucosa is genetically determined and appears early in fetal life, the connective tissue exerts an influence on the extent of keratinization of the surface in a manner which is not understood.", "contents": "Keratinization of the oral epithelium. The morphology of the keratinizing epithelia in the mouth is reviwed in the light of recent knowledge. There appears to be a spectrum of degrees of keratinization rather than distinct types, and a degree of keratinization is reflected in the degree of packing and orientation of tonofilaments. The role of keratohyaline and other granules in the process is discussed and it is suggested that modification of the cell membrane is an important part of keratinization. Although the potential of the various areas in the mucosa is genetically determined and appears early in fetal life, the connective tissue exerts an influence on the extent of keratinization of the surface in a manner which is not understood.", "PMID": 788618} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8058", "title": "[Severe epistaxis caused by carotid artery rupture].", "content": "Epistaxis due to rupture of the carotid, usually occurs as a result of cranial or closed cranio-facial traumatism. Heamorrhage is secondary to the formation of post-traumatic arterial aneurysms or arterio-venous fistulas. Frequently, the lesion is along the intra-cavernous pathway of the internal carotid. Rupture of a spontaneous arterial aneurysm in the sphenoidal sinus is, however, extremely rare. Carotid arteriography is the main method of investigation, and this method alone is capable of detecting the carotid lesion. In addition to obvious cases, it should be requested in cases of severe, copious and recurrent epistaxis when interrogation of the patient reveals the merest hint of trauma, often a long time previously. Immediate treatment consists of anterior bilateral and naso-pharyngeal tampnage. This allows enough time for arteriography to be carried out under the most favourable conditions and also testing for carotid substitution. In order to ensure permanent thrombosis of the aneurysmal pocket or the arteriovenous fistula, most methods resolve themselves into occlusion of the carotid axis. Cervical ligature of the carotid on its own, and isolated trapping have given way to techniques employing either a combination of trapping and embolization, or the placing of a balloon probe without trapping. At present, Serbinenko is advocating using balloons released when arteriography is carried out, obliterating the fistula and left in position permanently. Finally, there is the method by which the sphenoidal sinus is approached para-lateronasally after ethmoidectomy: this is an effective method which is much less incursive than the endo-cranial approach.", "contents": "[Severe epistaxis caused by carotid artery rupture]. Epistaxis due to rupture of the carotid, usually occurs as a result of cranial or closed cranio-facial traumatism. Heamorrhage is secondary to the formation of post-traumatic arterial aneurysms or arterio-venous fistulas. Frequently, the lesion is along the intra-cavernous pathway of the internal carotid. Rupture of a spontaneous arterial aneurysm in the sphenoidal sinus is, however, extremely rare. Carotid arteriography is the main method of investigation, and this method alone is capable of detecting the carotid lesion. In addition to obvious cases, it should be requested in cases of severe, copious and recurrent epistaxis when interrogation of the patient reveals the merest hint of trauma, often a long time previously. Immediate treatment consists of anterior bilateral and naso-pharyngeal tampnage. This allows enough time for arteriography to be carried out under the most favourable conditions and also testing for carotid substitution. In order to ensure permanent thrombosis of the aneurysmal pocket or the arteriovenous fistula, most methods resolve themselves into occlusion of the carotid axis. Cervical ligature of the carotid on its own, and isolated trapping have given way to techniques employing either a combination of trapping and embolization, or the placing of a balloon probe without trapping. At present, Serbinenko is advocating using balloons released when arteriography is carried out, obliterating the fistula and left in position permanently. Finally, there is the method by which the sphenoidal sinus is approached para-lateronasally after ethmoidectomy: this is an effective method which is much less incursive than the endo-cranial approach.", "PMID": 788611} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8059", "title": "[Treatment of epistaxis of carotid origin by rhino-sinusal route].", "content": "Epistaxis of carotid origin usually calls for adventurous and complicated techniques such as trapping, embolization or releasable balloons. But there is an O.-R.-L. technique which is no less effective: the direct rhino-sinusal approach to the sphenoidal sinus followed by tenting or occlusion through the fascia lata. This tamponage, when applied very close to the source of the bleeding, has proved very effective and only cuts off the carotid axis progressively and is generally well-tolerated. To set against theoretically possible risks of extensive thrombosis are the indisputable practical advantages. In particular, any O.-R.-L. practitioner well versed in surgery of the sinuses can follow this procedure. Several cases are described.", "contents": "[Treatment of epistaxis of carotid origin by rhino-sinusal route]. Epistaxis of carotid origin usually calls for adventurous and complicated techniques such as trapping, embolization or releasable balloons. But there is an O.-R.-L. technique which is no less effective: the direct rhino-sinusal approach to the sphenoidal sinus followed by tenting or occlusion through the fascia lata. This tamponage, when applied very close to the source of the bleeding, has proved very effective and only cuts off the carotid axis progressively and is generally well-tolerated. To set against theoretically possible risks of extensive thrombosis are the indisputable practical advantages. In particular, any O.-R.-L. practitioner well versed in surgery of the sinuses can follow this procedure. Several cases are described.", "PMID": 788612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8060", "title": "[Current treatment of Rendu-Osler disease, excluding radiation].", "content": "All the methods available to O.-R.-L. practitioners for the treatment of epistaxis in Rendu-Osler disease are reviewed. In an emergency, gentleness is essential. Over the long term, procrastination for as long as possible is advisable. Super-selective arteriography and embolization are of great value in an emergency and can give some good long-term results. In fact, there is not one exclusive curative therapy. Estrogenotherapy has its advocates. Saunder's dermoplasty gives variable results, but these can be improved upon if a broad access route is used and dermoplasty extended to above and behind the nasal fossae. Because of its aggressive nature, irradiation must be kept as a last resort.", "contents": "[Current treatment of Rendu-Osler disease, excluding radiation]. All the methods available to O.-R.-L. practitioners for the treatment of epistaxis in Rendu-Osler disease are reviewed. In an emergency, gentleness is essential. Over the long term, procrastination for as long as possible is advisable. Super-selective arteriography and embolization are of great value in an emergency and can give some good long-term results. In fact, there is not one exclusive curative therapy. Estrogenotherapy has its advocates. Saunder's dermoplasty gives variable results, but these can be improved upon if a broad access route is used and dermoplasty extended to above and behind the nasal fossae. Because of its aggressive nature, irradiation must be kept as a last resort.", "PMID": 788614} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8061", "title": "Orchidectomy and immune response.", "content": "The effects of orchidectomy on the structure and function of lymphoid tissues in mice have been studied. Both pre- and postpuberal orchidectomy caused relative hypertrophy of the thymus. There was also an increase in size of peripheral lymph nodes to reach a sustained maximum (6 weeks). Sychronous thymectomy and orchidectomy prevented the lymph node enlargement that follows orchidectomy alone. Enlargement of the thymus was due to increased numbers of thymocytes, and it could be abrogated by administration of androgens. Orchidectomy was associated with an acceleration of rejection of skin allografts which was prevented by androgen administration and abrogated by antilymphocyte serum. The reactivity of orchidectomized mice to sheep red blood cells and the early response to oxazolone, which is limited by thymus-processed cells, was increased, whereas production of antibodies to oxazolone, skin allografts, and pneumococcal polysaccharide was unchanged. It is suggested that orchidectomy increases cell-mediated immune responses but has no direct effect upon responses that are mainly dependent on B cells. Orchidectomy prolongs the interval between the subcutaneous injection of methylcholanthrene and the appearance of subcutaneous sarcomas. In tumour transplantation experiments orchidectomy casued protection against the Meth A tumour grown in ascitic or subcutaneous form. This protection was counteracted by antilymphocyte serum and partially countered by adult thymectomy combined with orchidectomy. In contrast, the appearance in AKR mice of spontaneous leukaemia, a tumour known to be thymus dependent, was increased after orchidectomy. The results of experiments with hypopituitary mice suggested that the effects of orchidectomy on immune response result from androgen withdrawal rather than interference with the hormonal milieu.", "contents": "Orchidectomy and immune response. The effects of orchidectomy on the structure and function of lymphoid tissues in mice have been studied. Both pre- and postpuberal orchidectomy caused relative hypertrophy of the thymus. There was also an increase in size of peripheral lymph nodes to reach a sustained maximum (6 weeks). Sychronous thymectomy and orchidectomy prevented the lymph node enlargement that follows orchidectomy alone. Enlargement of the thymus was due to increased numbers of thymocytes, and it could be abrogated by administration of androgens. Orchidectomy was associated with an acceleration of rejection of skin allografts which was prevented by androgen administration and abrogated by antilymphocyte serum. The reactivity of orchidectomized mice to sheep red blood cells and the early response to oxazolone, which is limited by thymus-processed cells, was increased, whereas production of antibodies to oxazolone, skin allografts, and pneumococcal polysaccharide was unchanged. It is suggested that orchidectomy increases cell-mediated immune responses but has no direct effect upon responses that are mainly dependent on B cells. Orchidectomy prolongs the interval between the subcutaneous injection of methylcholanthrene and the appearance of subcutaneous sarcomas. In tumour transplantation experiments orchidectomy casued protection against the Meth A tumour grown in ascitic or subcutaneous form. This protection was counteracted by antilymphocyte serum and partially countered by adult thymectomy combined with orchidectomy. In contrast, the appearance in AKR mice of spontaneous leukaemia, a tumour known to be thymus dependent, was increased after orchidectomy. The results of experiments with hypopituitary mice suggested that the effects of orchidectomy on immune response result from androgen withdrawal rather than interference with the hormonal milieu.", "PMID": 788619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8062", "title": "[Contribution to study of Ixodidae (Acarina, Ixodoidea) in Cantabric Mountains (Spain) (author's transl)].", "content": "Five Ixodidae species parasites of small mammals have been identified in North-western Spain and particularly on the cantabrique Mountains. The authors mention that among these species there are Ixodes acuminatus (Neumann, 1901) and Ixodes trianguliceps (Birula, 1895), which according to their own knowledge, have never been noticed in the Iberian Peninsula so far.", "contents": "[Contribution to study of Ixodidae (Acarina, Ixodoidea) in Cantabric Mountains (Spain) (author's transl)]. Five Ixodidae species parasites of small mammals have been identified in North-western Spain and particularly on the cantabrique Mountains. The authors mention that among these species there are Ixodes acuminatus (Neumann, 1901) and Ixodes trianguliceps (Birula, 1895), which according to their own knowledge, have never been noticed in the Iberian Peninsula so far.", "PMID": 788615} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8063", "title": "[Management of severe epistaxis caused by so-called vascular or hypervascular tumors].", "content": "The authors begin by recalling the various tumoral conditions responsible for severe epistaxis. They differentiate between: angiomas and pseudo-tumoral angiomatous formations, vascular or so-called vascular tumours and hypervascularized tumours. In an emergency, immediate tamponage is essential. Treatment is also preventive: a gentle clinical examination and biopsies in the operating theatre. Particular stress should be laid on the contribution of super-selective arteriography which enables embolization to be carried out during the investigation. Embolization is particularly advocated, notably in cases of naso-pharyngeal fibroma, when there is a tumoral projection obstructing the pterygo-maxillary fossa or when there is considerable vascularization stemming from a branch of the external carotid other than the internal maxillary. Whatever the situation, any embolization, if it is to be permanently effective should be followed within 48 to 72 hours by surgical excision.", "contents": "[Management of severe epistaxis caused by so-called vascular or hypervascular tumors]. The authors begin by recalling the various tumoral conditions responsible for severe epistaxis. They differentiate between: angiomas and pseudo-tumoral angiomatous formations, vascular or so-called vascular tumours and hypervascularized tumours. In an emergency, immediate tamponage is essential. Treatment is also preventive: a gentle clinical examination and biopsies in the operating theatre. Particular stress should be laid on the contribution of super-selective arteriography which enables embolization to be carried out during the investigation. Embolization is particularly advocated, notably in cases of naso-pharyngeal fibroma, when there is a tumoral projection obstructing the pterygo-maxillary fossa or when there is considerable vascularization stemming from a branch of the external carotid other than the internal maxillary. Whatever the situation, any embolization, if it is to be permanently effective should be followed within 48 to 72 hours by surgical excision.", "PMID": 788613} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8064", "title": "The antiemetic effect of dixyrazine in postoperative patients-- a double-blind study.", "content": "A double-blind controlled study based on 197 women undergoing legal abortion (part I) or gynaecological surgery (part II) was employed to estimate the antiemetic effect of dixyrazine. Dixyrazine or part I) or intramuscularly at the end of anaesthesia (part II) and repeated when necessary. The follow-up period lasted 12 and 18 hours, respectively. Overall, a marked antiemetic response in the dixyrazine groups was observed when compared with the placebo treated groups in both part I and II (p less than 0.001). Dixyrazine proved to be superior to placebo especially in patients who were not prone to nausea or who received no major postoperative analgesics (p less than 0.001).", "contents": "The antiemetic effect of dixyrazine in postoperative patients-- a double-blind study. A double-blind controlled study based on 197 women undergoing legal abortion (part I) or gynaecological surgery (part II) was employed to estimate the antiemetic effect of dixyrazine. Dixyrazine or part I) or intramuscularly at the end of anaesthesia (part II) and repeated when necessary. The follow-up period lasted 12 and 18 hours, respectively. Overall, a marked antiemetic response in the dixyrazine groups was observed when compared with the placebo treated groups in both part I and II (p less than 0.001). Dixyrazine proved to be superior to placebo especially in patients who were not prone to nausea or who received no major postoperative analgesics (p less than 0.001).", "PMID": 788625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8065", "title": "Effect of sediments on the survival of Escherichia coli in marine waters.", "content": "Escherichia coli, a fecal coliform, was found to survive for longer periods of time in unsterile natural seawater when sediment material was present than in seawater alone, and at least on one occasion growth was observed to occur. This enteric bacterium was found to increase rapidly in number in autoclaved natural seawater and autoclaved sediment taken from areas receiving domestic wastes, even when the seawater had salinities as high as 34 g/kg. However, in autoclaved seawater, growth was always more gradual and never reached numbers as high as those observed when sediment was present. It was found that nutrients were easily eluted from the sediment after autoclaving or upon addition to artificial seawater, but little elution occured during mixing of the sediments with unsterile natural seawater. The longer survival of E. coli in the sediment is attributed to the greater content of organic matter present in the sediment than the sweater. These laboratory results, in part, could explain why on a volume basis larger numbers of coliforms and fecal coliforms and fecal coliforms were found in estuarine sediments than the overlaying water at field sites.", "contents": "Effect of sediments on the survival of Escherichia coli in marine waters. Escherichia coli, a fecal coliform, was found to survive for longer periods of time in unsterile natural seawater when sediment material was present than in seawater alone, and at least on one occasion growth was observed to occur. This enteric bacterium was found to increase rapidly in number in autoclaved natural seawater and autoclaved sediment taken from areas receiving domestic wastes, even when the seawater had salinities as high as 34 g/kg. However, in autoclaved seawater, growth was always more gradual and never reached numbers as high as those observed when sediment was present. It was found that nutrients were easily eluted from the sediment after autoclaving or upon addition to artificial seawater, but little elution occured during mixing of the sediments with unsterile natural seawater. The longer survival of E. coli in the sediment is attributed to the greater content of organic matter present in the sediment than the sweater. These laboratory results, in part, could explain why on a volume basis larger numbers of coliforms and fecal coliforms and fecal coliforms were found in estuarine sediments than the overlaying water at field sites.", "PMID": 788634} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8066", "title": "Influence of postirradiation incubation temperature on recovery of radiation-injured Clostridium botulinum 62A spores.", "content": "The number of colonies formed by unirradiated Clostridium botulinum 62A spores was independent of temperature, in the range from 20 to 45 degrees C (in 5 degrees C increments); no colonies developed at 50 degrees C. Spores irradiated at 1.2 or 1.4 Mrads produced more macrocolonies at 40 degrees C than at higher or lower temperatures. Apparently, radiation-injured spores were capable of repair of 40 degrees C than at the other temperatures studied. More than 99% of the radiation (1.2 Mrads) survivors were injured and were unable to form macrocolonies in the presence of 5% NaCl. The germinated radiation-injured spores were also sensitive to dilution, resulting in the loss of viability of 77 to 79% of the radiation survivors. At 30 and 40 degrees C, the irradiated spores did not differ significantly in the extent of germination (greater than 99% at both 30 and 40 degrees C), emergence (64% at 30 degrees C and 67% at 40 degrees C), and the maximum number of emerged cells that started to elongate (69% at 30 degrees C and 79% at 40 degrees C). However, elongation was remarkably more extensive at 40 degrees C than at 30 degrees C. Many elongated cells lysed within 48 h at 30 degrees C, indicating an impaired repair mechanism. If the radiation-injured spores were incubated at 40 degrees C in the recovery (repair) medium for 8 to 10 h, they germinated, emerged, and elongated extensively and were capable of repair. If, after 8 to 10 h at 40 degrees C, these cultures were shifted to 30 degrees C, the recovery at 30 increased by more than eightfold, resulting in similar colony counts at 30 and 40 degrees C. Thus, repair appeared to be associated with outgrowth. Repair did not occur in the presence of chloramphenicol at 40 degrees C, whereas penicillin had no effect, suggesting that the repair involved protein synthesis but did not require multiplication.", "contents": "Influence of postirradiation incubation temperature on recovery of radiation-injured Clostridium botulinum 62A spores. The number of colonies formed by unirradiated Clostridium botulinum 62A spores was independent of temperature, in the range from 20 to 45 degrees C (in 5 degrees C increments); no colonies developed at 50 degrees C. Spores irradiated at 1.2 or 1.4 Mrads produced more macrocolonies at 40 degrees C than at higher or lower temperatures. Apparently, radiation-injured spores were capable of repair of 40 degrees C than at the other temperatures studied. More than 99% of the radiation (1.2 Mrads) survivors were injured and were unable to form macrocolonies in the presence of 5% NaCl. The germinated radiation-injured spores were also sensitive to dilution, resulting in the loss of viability of 77 to 79% of the radiation survivors. At 30 and 40 degrees C, the irradiated spores did not differ significantly in the extent of germination (greater than 99% at both 30 and 40 degrees C), emergence (64% at 30 degrees C and 67% at 40 degrees C), and the maximum number of emerged cells that started to elongate (69% at 30 degrees C and 79% at 40 degrees C). However, elongation was remarkably more extensive at 40 degrees C than at 30 degrees C. Many elongated cells lysed within 48 h at 30 degrees C, indicating an impaired repair mechanism. If the radiation-injured spores were incubated at 40 degrees C in the recovery (repair) medium for 8 to 10 h, they germinated, emerged, and elongated extensively and were capable of repair. If, after 8 to 10 h at 40 degrees C, these cultures were shifted to 30 degrees C, the recovery at 30 increased by more than eightfold, resulting in similar colony counts at 30 and 40 degrees C. Thus, repair appeared to be associated with outgrowth. Repair did not occur in the presence of chloramphenicol at 40 degrees C, whereas penicillin had no effect, suggesting that the repair involved protein synthesis but did not require multiplication.", "PMID": 788635} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8067", "title": "Phage typing system for Salmonella enteritidis.", "content": "A system is described for the phage typing of Salmonella enteritidis. The system was developed using a number of bacteriophages that were isolated from sewage.", "contents": "Phage typing system for Salmonella enteritidis. A system is described for the phage typing of Salmonella enteritidis. The system was developed using a number of bacteriophages that were isolated from sewage.", "PMID": 788636} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8068", "title": "Spiral plate count method for the examination of raw and pasteurized milk.", "content": "The spiral plate count method (SPLPC) was compared with the standard plate count (SPC) method by examining 201 samples of raw and pasteurized milk. Although the means of the two methods differed significantly at alpha = 0.01,the difference was less than 10% and was not considered to be of any practical importance. The pooled replicate variances of both methods were less than 0.003, indicating good agreement between duplicate plates, with the variance of the SPLPC slightly less than that of the SPC. We believe this study indicates that the SPLPC could be substituted for the SPC in the bacteriological examination of milk.", "contents": "Spiral plate count method for the examination of raw and pasteurized milk. The spiral plate count method (SPLPC) was compared with the standard plate count (SPC) method by examining 201 samples of raw and pasteurized milk. Although the means of the two methods differed significantly at alpha = 0.01,the difference was less than 10% and was not considered to be of any practical importance. The pooled replicate variances of both methods were less than 0.003, indicating good agreement between duplicate plates, with the variance of the SPLPC slightly less than that of the SPC. We believe this study indicates that the SPLPC could be substituted for the SPC in the bacteriological examination of milk.", "PMID": 788637} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8069", "title": "Influence of possible disinfectant transfer on Staphylococcus aureus plate counts after agar contact sampling.", "content": "Asbestos-vinyl tile floor panels were mopped with three types of chemical disinfectant product, as well as after contact, with the untreated control panel were prepared according to the manufacturer's label instructions. Similar floor panels were inoculated artificially with Staphylococcus aureus. RODAC (replicate organism detection and counting) surface sampling plates were pressed to the disinfectant-treated panels or to the untreated control panel and then immediately pressed to sampling sites on the artificially inoculated floor panels. Plate counts were determined after contact with panels treated with each type of disinfectant, product, as well as after contact with the untreated control panel. Results indicate that disinfectant residues on environmental surfaces do not alter the average plate counts obtained by RODAC samplings.", "contents": "Influence of possible disinfectant transfer on Staphylococcus aureus plate counts after agar contact sampling. Asbestos-vinyl tile floor panels were mopped with three types of chemical disinfectant product, as well as after contact, with the untreated control panel were prepared according to the manufacturer's label instructions. Similar floor panels were inoculated artificially with Staphylococcus aureus. RODAC (replicate organism detection and counting) surface sampling plates were pressed to the disinfectant-treated panels or to the untreated control panel and then immediately pressed to sampling sites on the artificially inoculated floor panels. Plate counts were determined after contact with panels treated with each type of disinfectant, product, as well as after contact with the untreated control panel. Results indicate that disinfectant residues on environmental surfaces do not alter the average plate counts obtained by RODAC samplings.", "PMID": 788638} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8070", "title": "Characterization of microbial isolates from an estuarine ecosystem: relationship of hydrocarbon utilization to ambient hydrocarbon concentrations.", "content": "Water collected at 12 sites in the Neuse River estuary of North Carolina was analyzed for total viable counts on three isolation media (Trypticase soy agar [TSA], marine agar 2216, Sabouraud agar) and total hydrocarbons by fluorescence spectroscopy. Counts of 3.9 X 10(1) to 3.8 X 10(3) cells/ml were found for total heterotrophs, well within the range commonly reported for marine and estuarine waters. Generally, marine agar 2216 gave higher counts than TSA at stations with salinities greater than 6.0 mg/ml; TSA gave higher counts than marine agar 2216 at sites with salinities less than 4.0 mg/ml. The microbial species isolated on the three media agree well with those previously reported for estuarine microbial communities. Water analyses, using XAD-2 resin and fluorescence spectroscopy, revealed petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in the range of 5 to 79 ng/ml. Representatives of the microbial species isolated from these communities were tested individually for their ability to grow using kerosene as a sole source of carbon and energy. At all but two stations, the majority of the species isolated were able to grow on hydrocarbons, indicating that this ability is widespread even in environments not subjected to high levels of hydrocarbon pollution.", "contents": "Characterization of microbial isolates from an estuarine ecosystem: relationship of hydrocarbon utilization to ambient hydrocarbon concentrations. Water collected at 12 sites in the Neuse River estuary of North Carolina was analyzed for total viable counts on three isolation media (Trypticase soy agar [TSA], marine agar 2216, Sabouraud agar) and total hydrocarbons by fluorescence spectroscopy. Counts of 3.9 X 10(1) to 3.8 X 10(3) cells/ml were found for total heterotrophs, well within the range commonly reported for marine and estuarine waters. Generally, marine agar 2216 gave higher counts than TSA at stations with salinities greater than 6.0 mg/ml; TSA gave higher counts than marine agar 2216 at sites with salinities less than 4.0 mg/ml. The microbial species isolated on the three media agree well with those previously reported for estuarine microbial communities. Water analyses, using XAD-2 resin and fluorescence spectroscopy, revealed petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in the range of 5 to 79 ng/ml. Representatives of the microbial species isolated from these communities were tested individually for their ability to grow using kerosene as a sole source of carbon and energy. At all but two stations, the majority of the species isolated were able to grow on hydrocarbons, indicating that this ability is widespread even in environments not subjected to high levels of hydrocarbon pollution.", "PMID": 788639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8071", "title": "Specimen housing unit for cinemicrographic studies in the vertical plane.", "content": "A compact housing unit for low-power (X6 to X50) cinemicrographic studies of microbial specimens in the vertical plane is described. This unit was used successfully to record the development of a \"halo\" of cells around subsurface colonies of Escherichia coli.", "contents": "Specimen housing unit for cinemicrographic studies in the vertical plane. A compact housing unit for low-power (X6 to X50) cinemicrographic studies of microbial specimens in the vertical plane is described. This unit was used successfully to record the development of a \"halo\" of cells around subsurface colonies of Escherichia coli.", "PMID": 788640} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8072", "title": "Evaluation of millipore HA and HC membrane filters for the enumeration of indicator bacteria.", "content": "Millipore type HA and HC membrane filters were compared for recoveries of total coliforms, fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci from natural waters and wastewater effluents. Bacterial and fecal coliform recovery was better on HC than on HA filters.", "contents": "Evaluation of millipore HA and HC membrane filters for the enumeration of indicator bacteria. Millipore type HA and HC membrane filters were compared for recoveries of total coliforms, fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci from natural waters and wastewater effluents. Bacterial and fecal coliform recovery was better on HC than on HA filters.", "PMID": 788641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8073", "title": "[Influence of temperature on the rate of spermatogenesis, duration of spermatogenic activity and development of secondary sex characteristics in the wall-lizard, Lacerta muralis L. (Reptilia, Lacertidae)].", "content": "A series of experiments was carried out primarily between the 22nd of March and the 27th of June, on 60 Lacerta muralis maintained either under semi-natural conditions in large enclosures or in constant-temperature cabinets maintained at 17.5 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 22.5 degrees C and 27.5 degrees C with a natural photoperiod. Following an injection of tritiated thymidine, the animals were sacrificed at regular intervals and the rate of spermatogenesis was deduced from the progression of the radioactive front in the seminiferous epithelium. The following results were obtained: 1. The rate of spermatogenesis is temperature dependent and increases by a factor of approximately 1.2 per degree centigrade between 17.5 and 27.5 degrees C. The rate is seven times greater at 27.5 degrees C than at 17.5 degrees C. 2. Under semi-natural conditions the interval leptotene-spermatozooid lasts 70 days, slightly less than that found at a constant temperature of 22.5 degrees C. 3. Under semi-natural conditions the rate of spermatogenesis was similar to that in August-September, April-May and May-June which indicates that the lizards were able to maintain their body temperature at an equivalent level by behavioural temperature regulation during the greater part of their activity period. 4. Under semi-natural conditions, or at temperatures in excess of 22 degrees C, spermiogenesis lasts 1.8 times as long as meiosis. 5. At constant temperatures lower than 21 degrees C the development of the cellular lineage is aressted at the young spermatid stage. 6. Constant temperatures between 17.5 and 22.5 degrees C had no effect on the time of involution of the testis at the start of summer. 7. At low constant temperatures, secondary sexual characteristics regress before the usual time: after 4 weeks at 20 degrees C and after 8 weeks at 17.5 degrees C. An expected regression after 8 weeks produced after exposure to a temperature of 22.5 degrees C is probably due to factors other than temperature. 8. In the case of different individuals kept either under natural, semi-natural or experimental conditions, there was no close relationship observed between the time of involution of the seminiferous tubules and regression of secondary sexual characters. ters. 9. These results confirm the concept of endogenous control of sexual regression at the commencement of summer and argue in favour of 2 separate gonadotrophic hormones in reptiles.", "contents": "[Influence of temperature on the rate of spermatogenesis, duration of spermatogenic activity and development of secondary sex characteristics in the wall-lizard, Lacerta muralis L. (Reptilia, Lacertidae)]. A series of experiments was carried out primarily between the 22nd of March and the 27th of June, on 60 Lacerta muralis maintained either under semi-natural conditions in large enclosures or in constant-temperature cabinets maintained at 17.5 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 22.5 degrees C and 27.5 degrees C with a natural photoperiod. Following an injection of tritiated thymidine, the animals were sacrificed at regular intervals and the rate of spermatogenesis was deduced from the progression of the radioactive front in the seminiferous epithelium. The following results were obtained: 1. The rate of spermatogenesis is temperature dependent and increases by a factor of approximately 1.2 per degree centigrade between 17.5 and 27.5 degrees C. The rate is seven times greater at 27.5 degrees C than at 17.5 degrees C. 2. Under semi-natural conditions the interval leptotene-spermatozooid lasts 70 days, slightly less than that found at a constant temperature of 22.5 degrees C. 3. Under semi-natural conditions the rate of spermatogenesis was similar to that in August-September, April-May and May-June which indicates that the lizards were able to maintain their body temperature at an equivalent level by behavioural temperature regulation during the greater part of their activity period. 4. Under semi-natural conditions, or at temperatures in excess of 22 degrees C, spermiogenesis lasts 1.8 times as long as meiosis. 5. At constant temperatures lower than 21 degrees C the development of the cellular lineage is aressted at the young spermatid stage. 6. Constant temperatures between 17.5 and 22.5 degrees C had no effect on the time of involution of the testis at the start of summer. 7. At low constant temperatures, secondary sexual characteristics regress before the usual time: after 4 weeks at 20 degrees C and after 8 weeks at 17.5 degrees C. An expected regression after 8 weeks produced after exposure to a temperature of 22.5 degrees C is probably due to factors other than temperature. 8. In the case of different individuals kept either under natural, semi-natural or experimental conditions, there was no close relationship observed between the time of involution of the seminiferous tubules and regression of secondary sexual characters. ters. 9. These results confirm the concept of endogenous control of sexual regression at the commencement of summer and argue in favour of 2 separate gonadotrophic hormones in reptiles.", "PMID": 788642} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8074", "title": "A histochemical study of vegetative innervation of blood-vessels of serosa.", "content": "Research was carried out into the morphological substrate of the dual (sympathetic and parasympathetic) innervation of blood-vessels of the serosa, including the vessels of microcirculatory system. Tests were carried out on total preparations of the pericardium, pleura and peritoneum of dogs and cats. Using histochemical methods to show up adrenergic (Falck-Hillarp's method) and cholinergic (Koelle-Gomori's method) nerve structures the architectonics of both components of vasomotor innervation in various parts of the arterial and venous sytem of the serosa was described a gradient of their saturation with adrenergic and cholinergic innervation structures gradually decrease, the vessels branching out shown and entering the region of the terminal blood supply. Vegetative innervation of the precapillary arterioles and capillaries appears inconsistent and is mainly restricted to single synaptic contacts arising along the route of adrenergic and cholinergic terminals. In vessels of the venus system, including postcapillary venules and small collecting veins, vegetative innervation (adrenergic and cholinergic) invariably appears scanty and frequently can not be detected at all.", "contents": "A histochemical study of vegetative innervation of blood-vessels of serosa. Research was carried out into the morphological substrate of the dual (sympathetic and parasympathetic) innervation of blood-vessels of the serosa, including the vessels of microcirculatory system. Tests were carried out on total preparations of the pericardium, pleura and peritoneum of dogs and cats. Using histochemical methods to show up adrenergic (Falck-Hillarp's method) and cholinergic (Koelle-Gomori's method) nerve structures the architectonics of both components of vasomotor innervation in various parts of the arterial and venous sytem of the serosa was described a gradient of their saturation with adrenergic and cholinergic innervation structures gradually decrease, the vessels branching out shown and entering the region of the terminal blood supply. Vegetative innervation of the precapillary arterioles and capillaries appears inconsistent and is mainly restricted to single synaptic contacts arising along the route of adrenergic and cholinergic terminals. In vessels of the venus system, including postcapillary venules and small collecting veins, vegetative innervation (adrenergic and cholinergic) invariably appears scanty and frequently can not be detected at all.", "PMID": 788643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8075", "title": "Detection of circulating IgG aggregates and immune complexes using 125I protein A from Staphylococcus aureus.", "content": "A method for detection of circulating immune complexes by the use of 125I labelled staphylococcal protein A is described. In a polyethylene glycol solution as little as 1-2 mg/l of soluble heat aggregated human IgG could be quantitated. Variables which might influence the assay were examined. Separation of immune complexes in serum from monomeric IgG was essential and achieved by gel chromatography on Sephadex G200. This assay may be suitable for clinical routine for detection and quantitation of immune complexes. A preliminary study on the clinical application of the method is presented. 58% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 42% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis had increased levels of immune aggregates in serum compared to a group of healthy individuals.", "contents": "Detection of circulating IgG aggregates and immune complexes using 125I protein A from Staphylococcus aureus. A method for detection of circulating immune complexes by the use of 125I labelled staphylococcal protein A is described. In a polyethylene glycol solution as little as 1-2 mg/l of soluble heat aggregated human IgG could be quantitated. Variables which might influence the assay were examined. Separation of immune complexes in serum from monomeric IgG was essential and achieved by gel chromatography on Sephadex G200. This assay may be suitable for clinical routine for detection and quantitation of immune complexes. A preliminary study on the clinical application of the method is presented. 58% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 42% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis had increased levels of immune aggregates in serum compared to a group of healthy individuals.", "PMID": 788651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8076", "title": "A prospective study to determine the efficacy of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis.", "content": "This study is a double \"blind\" prospective evaluation of the efficacy of antibiotics (Ampicillin) in the treatment of acute alcohol-induced and idiopathic pancreatitis. Fifty-eight patients with acute pancreatitis were randomly divided into antibiotic and non-antibiotic treatment groups. The two groups were comparable clinically at the onset of the study and other than for antibiotics received identical therapy. The patients without antibiotics had a clinical course equal or slightly more favorable than the antibiotic treatment group in all parameters examined. These data indicate that prophylactic use of Ampicillin is not indicated in patients with routine acute alcohol-induced or idiopathic pancreatitis. The role of prophylactic antibiotics in patients with pancreatitis related to biliary calculi and those with more severe varieties of acute hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis remains to be more clearly defined.", "contents": "A prospective study to determine the efficacy of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis. This study is a double \"blind\" prospective evaluation of the efficacy of antibiotics (Ampicillin) in the treatment of acute alcohol-induced and idiopathic pancreatitis. Fifty-eight patients with acute pancreatitis were randomly divided into antibiotic and non-antibiotic treatment groups. The two groups were comparable clinically at the onset of the study and other than for antibiotics received identical therapy. The patients without antibiotics had a clinical course equal or slightly more favorable than the antibiotic treatment group in all parameters examined. These data indicate that prophylactic use of Ampicillin is not indicated in patients with routine acute alcohol-induced or idiopathic pancreatitis. The role of prophylactic antibiotics in patients with pancreatitis related to biliary calculi and those with more severe varieties of acute hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis remains to be more clearly defined.", "PMID": 788655} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8077", "title": "The chemotherapy of rodent malaria, XXIV. The blood schizontocidal action of erythromycin upon Plasmodium berghei.", "content": "Erythromycin inhibits chloroquine-induced pigment clumping in Plasmodium berghei in vitro. The drug was therefore tested against infections of P. berghei in mice and was found to be active at non-toxic doses. Given orally, the stearate salt was more effective than the base, but subcutaneously the base was more effective than the stearate. Erythromycin potentiated the action of chloroquine against two chloroquine-resistant strains of rodent malaria, the mildly resistant NS, and the highly resistant RC strains of P. berghei, but not against the drug-sensitive N strain.", "contents": "The chemotherapy of rodent malaria, XXIV. The blood schizontocidal action of erythromycin upon Plasmodium berghei. Erythromycin inhibits chloroquine-induced pigment clumping in Plasmodium berghei in vitro. The drug was therefore tested against infections of P. berghei in mice and was found to be active at non-toxic doses. Given orally, the stearate salt was more effective than the base, but subcutaneously the base was more effective than the stearate. Erythromycin potentiated the action of chloroquine against two chloroquine-resistant strains of rodent malaria, the mildly resistant NS, and the highly resistant RC strains of P. berghei, but not against the drug-sensitive N strain.", "PMID": 788656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8078", "title": "[Clinical importance and epidemiological position of chronic carriers of Australia antigen (HB Ag)].", "content": "A complete examination of the position of the healthy carrier of the Australia antigen is here exposed. This type of carrier appears to day not a healthy but a carrier of a minimal sort of hepatitis. The outline is however silent and for that reason very dangerous in the all conditions of life of the carrier. The problem of the prophylaxis is now very open.", "contents": "[Clinical importance and epidemiological position of chronic carriers of Australia antigen (HB Ag)]. A complete examination of the position of the healthy carrier of the Australia antigen is here exposed. This type of carrier appears to day not a healthy but a carrier of a minimal sort of hepatitis. The outline is however silent and for that reason very dangerous in the all conditions of life of the carrier. The problem of the prophylaxis is now very open.", "PMID": 788652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8079", "title": "[Use of potassium chloride hypertonic saline solution (3M KC1) for extraction of soluble antigens from Candida albicans].", "content": "Soluble antigens have been obtained from Candida albicans cultures of different age treated with hypertonic salt solution (3M KC1). The antigens reached against anti-Candida immune sera in double diffusion agar test, also after adsorption of immune serum on Candida cells. Electron microscopic pictures revealed a marked reduction of the outer layers of 3M KC1 extracted cells.", "contents": "[Use of potassium chloride hypertonic saline solution (3M KC1) for extraction of soluble antigens from Candida albicans]. Soluble antigens have been obtained from Candida albicans cultures of different age treated with hypertonic salt solution (3M KC1). The antigens reached against anti-Candida immune sera in double diffusion agar test, also after adsorption of immune serum on Candida cells. Electron microscopic pictures revealed a marked reduction of the outer layers of 3M KC1 extracted cells.", "PMID": 788653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8080", "title": "The chemotherapy of rodent malaria, XXV. Antimalarial activity of WR 122,455 (a 9-phenanthrenemethanol) in vivo and in vitro.", "content": "WR 122,455, 3,6-bis-(trifluoromethyl)-alpha-(2-piperidinyl)-9-phenanthrenemethanol HCl, suppresses infection with drug-sensitive Plasmodium berghei N strain in mice. It acts rapidly and affects all the stages of the asexual intraerythrocytic parasites, the effective dose levels being about three times those of chloroquine and one-twelfth to one-fifteenth those of quinine. Under the influence of WR 122,455 haemozoin seems to disappear from the affected parasites following an initial coarsening of the fine pigment granules. These changes are similar to those exerted by quinine. Large doses of WR 122,455 have a residual affect due in part, at least, to deposition of insoluble material in the tissues. The drug appears to exert an antagonistic action on chloroquine when both drugs are administered simultaneously. It has no causal prophylactic effect. In vitro WR 122,455 is a competitive antagonist of chloroquine in a similar manner to quinine, and appears to have a dissociation constant (Ki) of 2-26 x 10(-8) M, making it about 18 times as active as quinine. WR 122,455 interacts strongly with calf thymus DNA, but the mechanism of interaction has yet to be defined. Mice tolerate single doses of a saline/Tween 80 suspensions up to about 400 mg/kg but sc administration induces necrotic changes at the injection site. Up to 30 mg/kg daily po for seven consecutive days is well tolerated systemically but local tissue reaction may occur if the drug is given by the sc or ip routes. However, systemically up to 60 mg/kg is tolerated sc or ip. The relation of WR 122,455 to drug resistant malaria will be reported later.", "contents": "The chemotherapy of rodent malaria, XXV. Antimalarial activity of WR 122,455 (a 9-phenanthrenemethanol) in vivo and in vitro. WR 122,455, 3,6-bis-(trifluoromethyl)-alpha-(2-piperidinyl)-9-phenanthrenemethanol HCl, suppresses infection with drug-sensitive Plasmodium berghei N strain in mice. It acts rapidly and affects all the stages of the asexual intraerythrocytic parasites, the effective dose levels being about three times those of chloroquine and one-twelfth to one-fifteenth those of quinine. Under the influence of WR 122,455 haemozoin seems to disappear from the affected parasites following an initial coarsening of the fine pigment granules. These changes are similar to those exerted by quinine. Large doses of WR 122,455 have a residual affect due in part, at least, to deposition of insoluble material in the tissues. The drug appears to exert an antagonistic action on chloroquine when both drugs are administered simultaneously. It has no causal prophylactic effect. In vitro WR 122,455 is a competitive antagonist of chloroquine in a similar manner to quinine, and appears to have a dissociation constant (Ki) of 2-26 x 10(-8) M, making it about 18 times as active as quinine. WR 122,455 interacts strongly with calf thymus DNA, but the mechanism of interaction has yet to be defined. Mice tolerate single doses of a saline/Tween 80 suspensions up to about 400 mg/kg but sc administration induces necrotic changes at the injection site. Up to 30 mg/kg daily po for seven consecutive days is well tolerated systemically but local tissue reaction may occur if the drug is given by the sc or ip routes. However, systemically up to 60 mg/kg is tolerated sc or ip. The relation of WR 122,455 to drug resistant malaria will be reported later.", "PMID": 788657} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8081", "title": "The chemotherapy of rodent malaria, XXVI. The potential value of WR 122,455 (a 9-phenanthrenemethanol) against drug-resistant malaria parasites.", "content": "The phenanthrenemethanol compound WR 122,455 is an effective blood schizontocide against lines of Plasmodium berghei that are highly resistant to primaquine, sulphonamides, pyrimethamine and cycloguanil. It is also active against the NS line that is moderately resistant to chloroquine. WR 122,455 is inactive against the RC line which is highly resistant to chloroquine. Resistance to WR 122,455 is fairly readily developed by the drug-sensitive N strain of P. berghei, using a relapse technique. Resistance develops very readily to the NS line of P. berghei. Both resistant lines exhibit cross-resistance to quinine, but a roughly normal response to chloroquine, primaquine, sulphonamides, dapsone, pyrimethamine and cycloguanil. Resistance to WR 122,455 is stable through cyclical transmission and through cryopreservation, as well as in the absence of drug selection pressure. The resistant parasites have an essentially normal morphology and virulence. A warning is given against the widescale use of WR 122,455 or similar new drugs for human malaria other than in a suitable combination, in order to minimize the danger of the development of resistance to them.", "contents": "The chemotherapy of rodent malaria, XXVI. The potential value of WR 122,455 (a 9-phenanthrenemethanol) against drug-resistant malaria parasites. The phenanthrenemethanol compound WR 122,455 is an effective blood schizontocide against lines of Plasmodium berghei that are highly resistant to primaquine, sulphonamides, pyrimethamine and cycloguanil. It is also active against the NS line that is moderately resistant to chloroquine. WR 122,455 is inactive against the RC line which is highly resistant to chloroquine. Resistance to WR 122,455 is fairly readily developed by the drug-sensitive N strain of P. berghei, using a relapse technique. Resistance develops very readily to the NS line of P. berghei. Both resistant lines exhibit cross-resistance to quinine, but a roughly normal response to chloroquine, primaquine, sulphonamides, dapsone, pyrimethamine and cycloguanil. Resistance to WR 122,455 is stable through cyclical transmission and through cryopreservation, as well as in the absence of drug selection pressure. The resistant parasites have an essentially normal morphology and virulence. A warning is given against the widescale use of WR 122,455 or similar new drugs for human malaria other than in a suitable combination, in order to minimize the danger of the development of resistance to them.", "PMID": 788658} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8082", "title": "Application of immunofluorescence to detection of antibody in Leishmania infections.", "content": "Indirect immunofluorescence was used for determination of antibody in human cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, mice infected with Leishmania tropica and guinea pigs infected with L. enriettii. Results indicated that antibody in mice is detectable 23 days after infection with L. tropica. The antibody titre correlates well with the extent of infection. In guinea pigs infected with L. enriettii, antibody appears much faster and is detectable 12 days after infection. Here also the antibody titre increased during the course of infection until about 76 days at which time the leishmanial lesion was at its height. Guinea pigs having metastatic lesions consistently showed a high titre of antibody. In several cases of human cutaneous leishmaniasis antibody was detectable at the titre of not more than 1/128. In five cases of suspected systemic leishmaniasis antibody titre was much greater than in cutaneous leishmanial infection. Upon characterization of anti-leishmanial serum of guinea pig with DEAE-cellulose chromatography and analysis of the fractions by immunoelectrophoresis, it was found that the antibody activity detected by the indirect immunofluorescence resided in the gamma2 portion of guinea pig globulin.", "contents": "Application of immunofluorescence to detection of antibody in Leishmania infections. Indirect immunofluorescence was used for determination of antibody in human cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, mice infected with Leishmania tropica and guinea pigs infected with L. enriettii. Results indicated that antibody in mice is detectable 23 days after infection with L. tropica. The antibody titre correlates well with the extent of infection. In guinea pigs infected with L. enriettii, antibody appears much faster and is detectable 12 days after infection. Here also the antibody titre increased during the course of infection until about 76 days at which time the leishmanial lesion was at its height. Guinea pigs having metastatic lesions consistently showed a high titre of antibody. In several cases of human cutaneous leishmaniasis antibody was detectable at the titre of not more than 1/128. In five cases of suspected systemic leishmaniasis antibody titre was much greater than in cutaneous leishmanial infection. Upon characterization of anti-leishmanial serum of guinea pig with DEAE-cellulose chromatography and analysis of the fractions by immunoelectrophoresis, it was found that the antibody activity detected by the indirect immunofluorescence resided in the gamma2 portion of guinea pig globulin.", "PMID": 788659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8083", "title": "[Bacterial flora of the conjunctival sac of the horse].", "content": "The AA. report the results of taxonomic research conducted on the conjunctival sac of 59 horses for identification of the present bacterial flora. In the controlled animals, it was observed, at the level of the considered niche, a community constituted of normal bacterial populations, but not autochtonous in the significance they attributed from DUBOS et al., relative to the characterization of the indigenous microbiota of the intestine. The isolated normal bacterial flora seems to be constituted of: Micrococcus (subgroup 6 of Baird-Parker, M. luteus, Micrococcus spp.) isolated in 49,15% of the samples; Staphylococcus aureus and St. epidermidis (18,64%); Moraxella osloensis, M. phenylpiruvica, M. equi and Moraxella spp. (11,86%); Bacillus cereus (11,86%); Neisseria catarrhalis (8,47%); Streptococcus equi and Str. zooepidemicus (6,77%); Corynebacterium spp. (6,77%) and Acinetobacter lwoffi (5,08%). The AA. have found, besides, a particular group of bacteria of uncertain classification, attributed to the coryneforms and found in 30,50% of the examined horses. So-called transient bacteria taxa have been considered are Streptomyces spp., isolated in the 10,16% of the controlled subjects, Aerococcus viridans and Bacillus spp. found in only one equine.", "contents": "[Bacterial flora of the conjunctival sac of the horse]. The AA. report the results of taxonomic research conducted on the conjunctival sac of 59 horses for identification of the present bacterial flora. In the controlled animals, it was observed, at the level of the considered niche, a community constituted of normal bacterial populations, but not autochtonous in the significance they attributed from DUBOS et al., relative to the characterization of the indigenous microbiota of the intestine. The isolated normal bacterial flora seems to be constituted of: Micrococcus (subgroup 6 of Baird-Parker, M. luteus, Micrococcus spp.) isolated in 49,15% of the samples; Staphylococcus aureus and St. epidermidis (18,64%); Moraxella osloensis, M. phenylpiruvica, M. equi and Moraxella spp. (11,86%); Bacillus cereus (11,86%); Neisseria catarrhalis (8,47%); Streptococcus equi and Str. zooepidemicus (6,77%); Corynebacterium spp. (6,77%) and Acinetobacter lwoffi (5,08%). The AA. have found, besides, a particular group of bacteria of uncertain classification, attributed to the coryneforms and found in 30,50% of the examined horses. So-called transient bacteria taxa have been considered are Streptomyces spp., isolated in the 10,16% of the controlled subjects, Aerococcus viridans and Bacillus spp. found in only one equine.", "PMID": 788654} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8084", "title": "The incidence of venous thrombosis following long-term transvenous pacing.", "content": "Long-term cardiac pacing with permanent transvenous electrodes has achieved wide acceptance with only occasional reports of venous obstruction and edema. To determine the incidence of venous abnormalities associated with transvenous electrodes, 34 venograms were obtained in 32 patients paced 18 months or longer. Eleven venograms demonstrated severe obstruction with collateral circulation communicating with the opposite cervical and innominate venous channels; 7 of these showed total occlusion. Seven venograms revealed no obstruction. The remaining 16 venograms showed venous stenosis without collaterals. It is concluded that venous abnormalities associated with permanent transvenous pacing occur commonly but are not usually associated with arm or facial edema.", "contents": "The incidence of venous thrombosis following long-term transvenous pacing. Long-term cardiac pacing with permanent transvenous electrodes has achieved wide acceptance with only occasional reports of venous obstruction and edema. To determine the incidence of venous abnormalities associated with transvenous electrodes, 34 venograms were obtained in 32 patients paced 18 months or longer. Eleven venograms demonstrated severe obstruction with collateral circulation communicating with the opposite cervical and innominate venous channels; 7 of these showed total occlusion. Seven venograms revealed no obstruction. The remaining 16 venograms showed venous stenosis without collaterals. It is concluded that venous abnormalities associated with permanent transvenous pacing occur commonly but are not usually associated with arm or facial edema.", "PMID": 788660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8085", "title": "Human heart transplantation: current status.", "content": "The overall survival rate for 97 heart transplant recipients operated on from 1968 to 1975 has been 49% at one year and 23% at five years. Progressive improvement in one-year survival has been achieved, from 22% in 1968 to 62% in 1974. The major factors responsible for increasing survival are better understanding and management of acute and chronic rejection. Current results suggest that heart transplantation deserves wider application in the treatment of selected patients with end-stage myocardial insufficiency.", "contents": "Human heart transplantation: current status. The overall survival rate for 97 heart transplant recipients operated on from 1968 to 1975 has been 49% at one year and 23% at five years. Progressive improvement in one-year survival has been achieved, from 22% in 1968 to 62% in 1974. The major factors responsible for increasing survival are better understanding and management of acute and chronic rejection. Current results suggest that heart transplantation deserves wider application in the treatment of selected patients with end-stage myocardial insufficiency.", "PMID": 788661} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8086", "title": "Noninvasive diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis.", "content": "Eighty-five patients suspected of having lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) participated in a prospective study to test the diagnostic accuracy of four noninvasive techniques: Doppler ultrasonic flow study, electrical impedance plethysmography, the serial dilution protamine sulfate test, and an extensive physical examination. Ascending radiocontrast phlebography was the diagnostic standard of reference. We found that (1) when both Doppler and impedance examinations were positive, the diagnosis of DVT could be considered virtually certain; (2) impedance and Doppler examinations, when used in combination, were reliable screening tests capable of establishing or excluding the presence of thigh DVT; (3) physical examination and the serial dilution protamine sulfate test were unreliable screening techniques for DVT; (4) techniques other than the noninvasive methods investigated were needed to reliably detect or to exclude popliteal and call DVT.", "contents": "Noninvasive diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis. Eighty-five patients suspected of having lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) participated in a prospective study to test the diagnostic accuracy of four noninvasive techniques: Doppler ultrasonic flow study, electrical impedance plethysmography, the serial dilution protamine sulfate test, and an extensive physical examination. Ascending radiocontrast phlebography was the diagnostic standard of reference. We found that (1) when both Doppler and impedance examinations were positive, the diagnosis of DVT could be considered virtually certain; (2) impedance and Doppler examinations, when used in combination, were reliable screening tests capable of establishing or excluding the presence of thigh DVT; (3) physical examination and the serial dilution protamine sulfate test were unreliable screening techniques for DVT; (4) techniques other than the noninvasive methods investigated were needed to reliably detect or to exclude popliteal and call DVT.", "PMID": 788665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8087", "title": "Gentamicin-associated acute renal failure.", "content": "Five patients are described in whom only gentamicin sulfate appeared responsible for acute renal failure. Subjects received 1.2 to 2.88 gm over 12 to 18 days. All were over 45 years of age, and premorbid kidney abnormalities may have enhanced susceptibility to toxic effects of the drug. Renal failure appeared 8 to 17 days after beginning gentamicin therapy and was characterized by creatinine clearances 4 to 10 ml/min, urine to plasma creatinine ratios less than 20, urinary sodium concentrations 16 to 60 mEq/liter, proteinuria, and cylindruria. Oliguria was not observed and this feature may impair recognition of kidney damage. Clinical recovery required an average of 42 days and was complete in four of five patients. Gentamicin alone may be nephrotoxic and should be given with particular caution to the elderly and those with even mild kidney abnormalities.", "contents": "Gentamicin-associated acute renal failure. Five patients are described in whom only gentamicin sulfate appeared responsible for acute renal failure. Subjects received 1.2 to 2.88 gm over 12 to 18 days. All were over 45 years of age, and premorbid kidney abnormalities may have enhanced susceptibility to toxic effects of the drug. Renal failure appeared 8 to 17 days after beginning gentamicin therapy and was characterized by creatinine clearances 4 to 10 ml/min, urine to plasma creatinine ratios less than 20, urinary sodium concentrations 16 to 60 mEq/liter, proteinuria, and cylindruria. Oliguria was not observed and this feature may impair recognition of kidney damage. Clinical recovery required an average of 42 days and was complete in four of five patients. Gentamicin alone may be nephrotoxic and should be given with particular caution to the elderly and those with even mild kidney abnormalities.", "PMID": 788666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8088", "title": "Hemodialysis in diabetics: complications in insulin-dependent patients accepted for renal transplantation.", "content": "The hemodialysis complications in 67 insulin-dependent diabetic patients accepted for renal transplantation were compared with those in 67 nondiabetic hemodialysis patients. Eleven of the 67 diabetic patients died before receiving a renal transplant-four of myocardial infarction, three of dialysis-related causes, and four of infections. One of the 67 nondiabetic patients died of infection before transplantation. The diabetic patients experienced more complications on dialysis than did the nondiabetic patients; they were more hypertensive and required more ultrafiltration during dialysis. In addition, the diabetic patients had a higher incidence of hypertensive episodes during dialysis, as well as a high incidence of predialysis hyperglycemia. These findings suggest that diabetic patients with renal failure should be dialyzed more frequently and transplanted as soon as possible in order to decrease the complications associated with hemodialysis.", "contents": "Hemodialysis in diabetics: complications in insulin-dependent patients accepted for renal transplantation. The hemodialysis complications in 67 insulin-dependent diabetic patients accepted for renal transplantation were compared with those in 67 nondiabetic hemodialysis patients. Eleven of the 67 diabetic patients died before receiving a renal transplant-four of myocardial infarction, three of dialysis-related causes, and four of infections. One of the 67 nondiabetic patients died of infection before transplantation. The diabetic patients experienced more complications on dialysis than did the nondiabetic patients; they were more hypertensive and required more ultrafiltration during dialysis. In addition, the diabetic patients had a higher incidence of hypertensive episodes during dialysis, as well as a high incidence of predialysis hyperglycemia. These findings suggest that diabetic patients with renal failure should be dialyzed more frequently and transplanted as soon as possible in order to decrease the complications associated with hemodialysis.", "PMID": 788667} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8089", "title": "[Attempt to treat a case of chronic familial granulomatous disease by allogenic bone marrow transplantation].", "content": "A bone marrow graft was performed in a 3 1/2 year old boy suffering from chronic granulomatous disease. Donor-recipient matching was complete in the ABO, HL-A and M.L.C. systems. The number of injected cells amounted to 5.4 X 10(9) (3.6 X 10(8) cells/kg body weight). The immunosuppression regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide and A.L.S. before the graft, and methotrexate after it. Neither graft versus host reaction, nor secondary infection developed. The take of the graft was monitored by the Gm allotypes. Rejection, however, occurred after 2 months.", "contents": "[Attempt to treat a case of chronic familial granulomatous disease by allogenic bone marrow transplantation]. A bone marrow graft was performed in a 3 1/2 year old boy suffering from chronic granulomatous disease. Donor-recipient matching was complete in the ABO, HL-A and M.L.C. systems. The number of injected cells amounted to 5.4 X 10(9) (3.6 X 10(8) cells/kg body weight). The immunosuppression regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide and A.L.S. before the graft, and methotrexate after it. Neither graft versus host reaction, nor secondary infection developed. The take of the graft was monitored by the Gm allotypes. Rejection, however, occurred after 2 months.", "PMID": 788668} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8090", "title": "[Neuro-psychological development of a group of children with neonatal respiratory distress treated with intermittent positive-pressure respirator].", "content": "The first results of long-term evolution of 99 children, most of which were premature, and who survived after intermittent positive pressure respiration for hyaline membrane disease, have been analyzed. No matched series could be set up. With a follow-up ranging from 3 1/2 years to 6 years, 51% of the children were normal, 12.5% presented with severe neurological and psychological sequellae, 31% had acceptable, sometimes slight handicap. As compared with series of the literature, prognosis was improved with intensive care and artificial respiration. This is far more obvious for the children at stage III, of which none survived without artificial respiration.", "contents": "[Neuro-psychological development of a group of children with neonatal respiratory distress treated with intermittent positive-pressure respirator]. The first results of long-term evolution of 99 children, most of which were premature, and who survived after intermittent positive pressure respiration for hyaline membrane disease, have been analyzed. No matched series could be set up. With a follow-up ranging from 3 1/2 years to 6 years, 51% of the children were normal, 12.5% presented with severe neurological and psychological sequellae, 31% had acceptable, sometimes slight handicap. As compared with series of the literature, prognosis was improved with intensive care and artificial respiration. This is far more obvious for the children at stage III, of which none survived without artificial respiration.", "PMID": 788669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8091", "title": "[Endocrine exploration in Prader-Labhardt-Willi syndrome].", "content": "In nine children with Prader-Labhardt-Willi syndrome, some tests of anterior pituitary functions and insulin secretion have been performed. The endocrine disturbances found in these cases have been those commonly encountered in obese and/or cryptorchid subjects, so that they do not allow to ascertain a primary hypothalamo-pituitary defect.", "contents": "[Endocrine exploration in Prader-Labhardt-Willi syndrome]. In nine children with Prader-Labhardt-Willi syndrome, some tests of anterior pituitary functions and insulin secretion have been performed. The endocrine disturbances found in these cases have been those commonly encountered in obese and/or cryptorchid subjects, so that they do not allow to ascertain a primary hypothalamo-pituitary defect.", "PMID": 788670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8092", "title": "Schizo-affective psychosis: fact or fiction? A survey of the literature.", "content": "The classification of functional psychoses has traditionally been dichotomous with schizophrenia and manic-depressive disorder, which are considered separate entities. However, the psychiatric literature is replete with descriptions of psychoses with mixed features. A variety of names has been applied to these psychoses, including the term \"schizo-affective.\" Confusion exists regarding the nature of these psychoses, much of it resulting from a tendency to limit investigation to an acute view of symptom complexes. This article examines the schizo-affective states across a variety of dimensions, including the acute symptomatologic picture, response to lithium carbonate therapy, follow-up studies, family history, and genetics. While the term \"schizo-affective,\" as commonly used, probably describes a heterogeneous group of psychoses, considerable evidence supports the hypothesis that at least a subgroup of these psychoses has a definite relationship to the major affective disorders.", "contents": "Schizo-affective psychosis: fact or fiction? A survey of the literature. The classification of functional psychoses has traditionally been dichotomous with schizophrenia and manic-depressive disorder, which are considered separate entities. However, the psychiatric literature is replete with descriptions of psychoses with mixed features. A variety of names has been applied to these psychoses, including the term \"schizo-affective.\" Confusion exists regarding the nature of these psychoses, much of it resulting from a tendency to limit investigation to an acute view of symptom complexes. This article examines the schizo-affective states across a variety of dimensions, including the acute symptomatologic picture, response to lithium carbonate therapy, follow-up studies, family history, and genetics. While the term \"schizo-affective,\" as commonly used, probably describes a heterogeneous group of psychoses, considerable evidence supports the hypothesis that at least a subgroup of these psychoses has a definite relationship to the major affective disorders.", "PMID": 788671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8093", "title": "Glycerinated glycol methacrylate mounting medium in highlighting non-coated or glycerin-substituted microsamples under the scanning electron microscope.", "content": "Glycol methacrylate hardened with 10-15% glycerin showed no charging and gave dark contrast in the scanning electron microscope with an acceleration voltage of 25kV and a specimen current of 1x10(-10) A. Using human blood cells, it was shown that this conductively treated resin is a useful mounting substrate to highlight the non-coated microsamples or to obtain their highly contrasted images under the scanning electron microscope. It was also demonstrated that the glycerin-substituted blood cells can be scanned with little shrinkage.", "contents": "Glycerinated glycol methacrylate mounting medium in highlighting non-coated or glycerin-substituted microsamples under the scanning electron microscope. Glycol methacrylate hardened with 10-15% glycerin showed no charging and gave dark contrast in the scanning electron microscope with an acceleration voltage of 25kV and a specimen current of 1x10(-10) A. Using human blood cells, it was shown that this conductively treated resin is a useful mounting substrate to highlight the non-coated microsamples or to obtain their highly contrasted images under the scanning electron microscope. It was also demonstrated that the glycerin-substituted blood cells can be scanned with little shrinkage.", "PMID": 788672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8094", "title": "Corrosion casts of lymphatics.", "content": "After direct injection of Mercox into the thyroid parenchyma we obtained the corrosion casts of lymphatics to be observed by scanning electron microscopy. It seems reasonable to deduce from the following points that these corrosion casts were of the lymphatic system: 1) variable size of columnar vessels, 2) their three-dimensional anastomoses, 3) occurrence of blind endings, 4) V-shaped reliefs on parts of the columns, certainly indicative of valves, 5) bead-like structures formed by closure of valves, 6) depressions and surrounding saw-toothed figures on the surfaces of the casts, probably corresponding to the nuclei and boundaries of endothelial cells. The method described in this study seems useful in the study of the structures and changes of lymphatics in various organs.", "contents": "Corrosion casts of lymphatics. After direct injection of Mercox into the thyroid parenchyma we obtained the corrosion casts of lymphatics to be observed by scanning electron microscopy. It seems reasonable to deduce from the following points that these corrosion casts were of the lymphatic system: 1) variable size of columnar vessels, 2) their three-dimensional anastomoses, 3) occurrence of blind endings, 4) V-shaped reliefs on parts of the columns, certainly indicative of valves, 5) bead-like structures formed by closure of valves, 6) depressions and surrounding saw-toothed figures on the surfaces of the casts, probably corresponding to the nuclei and boundaries of endothelial cells. The method described in this study seems useful in the study of the structures and changes of lymphatics in various organs.", "PMID": 788673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8095", "title": "Immunohistochemical demonstration of glucagon- and GLI-containing cells in the canine gut and pancreas.", "content": "Cells possessing glucagon- and glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLI) were studied by an indirect immunofluorescence technique in the normal canine gastrointestinal mucosa and pancreas. Glucagon-immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the basal-granulated cells in the deeper portion of the fundic gland of the stomach as well as in the A cells of the pancreatic islet. GLI-positive basal-granulated cells were found in the fundus of the stomach, jejunum, ileum and colon. None of them were found in the pyloric antrum and duodenum. Careful examination of the immunofluorescence specimens gave us the impression that essentially every GLI-positive cell in the gastric fundus and pancreas contained glucagon. It was observed that the GLI-positive cells in the jejunum, ileum and colon were open in type reaching the lumen with their tapered luminal process, whereas the glucagon/GLI-positive cells in the stomach were always separated from the lument by a layer of other epithelial cells so that they were close in type. The possible difference in the way of stimulus-reception between the GLI-positive cells in the intestine and glucagon/GLI-positive cells in the stomach was discussed with particular reference to the idea that basal-granulated cells could receive information for their secretory activity not only from the gut lumen but also from the blood side.", "contents": "Immunohistochemical demonstration of glucagon- and GLI-containing cells in the canine gut and pancreas. Cells possessing glucagon- and glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLI) were studied by an indirect immunofluorescence technique in the normal canine gastrointestinal mucosa and pancreas. Glucagon-immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the basal-granulated cells in the deeper portion of the fundic gland of the stomach as well as in the A cells of the pancreatic islet. GLI-positive basal-granulated cells were found in the fundus of the stomach, jejunum, ileum and colon. None of them were found in the pyloric antrum and duodenum. Careful examination of the immunofluorescence specimens gave us the impression that essentially every GLI-positive cell in the gastric fundus and pancreas contained glucagon. It was observed that the GLI-positive cells in the jejunum, ileum and colon were open in type reaching the lumen with their tapered luminal process, whereas the glucagon/GLI-positive cells in the stomach were always separated from the lument by a layer of other epithelial cells so that they were close in type. The possible difference in the way of stimulus-reception between the GLI-positive cells in the intestine and glucagon/GLI-positive cells in the stomach was discussed with particular reference to the idea that basal-granulated cells could receive information for their secretory activity not only from the gut lumen but also from the blood side.", "PMID": 788674} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8096", "title": "Relaxation training: effects on the communicative ability of aphasic adults.", "content": "A verbal test battery (VTB) of four 15-item tests was administered to 16 aphasic adults following a period of relaxation training and a control period. Results indicate that verbal communication of aphasic persons is positively influenced by relaxation training. Subjects had significantly higher overall VTB scores and naming test scores following relaxation. Findings are discussed in terms of the use of relaxation procedures as an adjunct to conventional language therapy approaches for the aphasic adult.", "contents": "Relaxation training: effects on the communicative ability of aphasic adults. A verbal test battery (VTB) of four 15-item tests was administered to 16 aphasic adults following a period of relaxation training and a control period. Results indicate that verbal communication of aphasic persons is positively influenced by relaxation training. Subjects had significantly higher overall VTB scores and naming test scores following relaxation. Findings are discussed in terms of the use of relaxation procedures as an adjunct to conventional language therapy approaches for the aphasic adult.", "PMID": 788675} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8097", "title": "Thromboembolic disease in renal allograft recipients. What is its clinical significance?", "content": "Detailed analysis of the clinical data and autopsy material of 100 consecutive renal transplant recipients revealed significant thromboembolic disease in 25 patients and a total of 41 complications. In six of them, thromboembolism was associated with sepsis. Nine patients died (20% of total number of deaths) due to a primary thromboembolic event. The incidence of pulmonary embolism was 14%; myocardial infarction, 3%; cerebrovascular disease, 4%; renal artery thrombosis, 2%; renal vein thrombosis, 3%; thrombophlebitis/deep vein thrombosis, 13%; and miscellaneous, 2%. The incidence of thromboembolism was higher in patients older than 40 years of age (P = .02) and during the earlier months after transplantation. We summarize the general incidence and mortality related to thromboembolism and discuss the factors predisposing the graft recipient to thromboembolic disease. Prevention and therapy of this complication should decrease the morbidity and mortality in graft recipients and enhance the success of renal transplantation.", "contents": "Thromboembolic disease in renal allograft recipients. What is its clinical significance? Detailed analysis of the clinical data and autopsy material of 100 consecutive renal transplant recipients revealed significant thromboembolic disease in 25 patients and a total of 41 complications. In six of them, thromboembolism was associated with sepsis. Nine patients died (20% of total number of deaths) due to a primary thromboembolic event. The incidence of pulmonary embolism was 14%; myocardial infarction, 3%; cerebrovascular disease, 4%; renal artery thrombosis, 2%; renal vein thrombosis, 3%; thrombophlebitis/deep vein thrombosis, 13%; and miscellaneous, 2%. The incidence of thromboembolism was higher in patients older than 40 years of age (P = .02) and during the earlier months after transplantation. We summarize the general incidence and mortality related to thromboembolism and discuss the factors predisposing the graft recipient to thromboembolic disease. Prevention and therapy of this complication should decrease the morbidity and mortality in graft recipients and enhance the success of renal transplantation.", "PMID": 788676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8098", "title": "Cadaver kidney preservation with Viacell organ perfusion apparatus.", "content": "Sixty-five kidneys (63 homografts and two autografts) underwent ex vivo preservation for periods of up to 34 hours with the Viacell renal perfusion system. Eighty percent of the homografts and both of the autografts functioned immediately. A correlation existed between poor perfusion characteristics and poor immediate function. Prolonged perfusion with this apparatus (more than 20 hours) probably had no deleterious effect on ultimate than 20 hours) probably had no deleterious effect on ultimate graft function. The machine offers portability, rapid refitting, and the ability to perfuse each kidney separately.", "contents": "Cadaver kidney preservation with Viacell organ perfusion apparatus. Sixty-five kidneys (63 homografts and two autografts) underwent ex vivo preservation for periods of up to 34 hours with the Viacell renal perfusion system. Eighty percent of the homografts and both of the autografts functioned immediately. A correlation existed between poor perfusion characteristics and poor immediate function. Prolonged perfusion with this apparatus (more than 20 hours) probably had no deleterious effect on ultimate than 20 hours) probably had no deleterious effect on ultimate graft function. The machine offers portability, rapid refitting, and the ability to perfuse each kidney separately.", "PMID": 788677} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8099", "title": "Analysis of 75 discarded cadaver kidneys.", "content": "Of 431 cadaver kidneys available for transplantation, 75 were discarded after a period of pulsatile perfusion. Kidneys were discarded because of poor flow, multiple arteries with segmental obstruction, prolonged warm ischemia time, perfusion pump malfunction, and lack of donor cells for cross-matching, among other reasons. Certain selected variables common to transplantated kidneys and kidneys discarded have been analyzed. The most significant finding was that 70% of transplanted kidneys came from donors who had recieved pretreatment with either phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, or phentolaminemesylate. Only 33.3% of kidneys discarded were taken from donors who had received such pretreatment (P less than .01). Attention is focused on the need for careful consideration of the technical aspects of donor nephrectomy as well as the need for donor pretreatment, in order to decrease the number of discarded kidneys.", "contents": "Analysis of 75 discarded cadaver kidneys. Of 431 cadaver kidneys available for transplantation, 75 were discarded after a period of pulsatile perfusion. Kidneys were discarded because of poor flow, multiple arteries with segmental obstruction, prolonged warm ischemia time, perfusion pump malfunction, and lack of donor cells for cross-matching, among other reasons. Certain selected variables common to transplantated kidneys and kidneys discarded have been analyzed. The most significant finding was that 70% of transplanted kidneys came from donors who had recieved pretreatment with either phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, or phentolaminemesylate. Only 33.3% of kidneys discarded were taken from donors who had received such pretreatment (P less than .01). Attention is focused on the need for careful consideration of the technical aspects of donor nephrectomy as well as the need for donor pretreatment, in order to decrease the number of discarded kidneys.", "PMID": 788678} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8100", "title": "Venous embolus to a transplanted kidney. Diagnosis and treatment.", "content": "We are reporting the first case, to our knowledge, of a venous embolus to a transplanted kidney. The embolus occurred five days after transplantation of a cadaver kidney in a 31-year-old woman who was receiving estrogen-progesterone therapy for menorrhagia. Five hours after acute onset of left flank pain and anuria, the embolus was identified at the anastomosis of the donor renal vein to the external iliac vein. The embolus was manipulated distally in the external iliac vein and excluded by proximal division of the vein. Recovery was eventually complete, despite two major postoperative complications, acute tubular necrosis and a perirenal hematoma secondary to heparin sodium therapy. Radionuclide scanning was critically important in establishing the diagnosis and in assessing the potential for the kidney to recover from acute tubular necrosis. On the basis of this experience, we believe that prompt surgical intervention is indicated for acute venous occlusion.", "contents": "Venous embolus to a transplanted kidney. Diagnosis and treatment. We are reporting the first case, to our knowledge, of a venous embolus to a transplanted kidney. The embolus occurred five days after transplantation of a cadaver kidney in a 31-year-old woman who was receiving estrogen-progesterone therapy for menorrhagia. Five hours after acute onset of left flank pain and anuria, the embolus was identified at the anastomosis of the donor renal vein to the external iliac vein. The embolus was manipulated distally in the external iliac vein and excluded by proximal division of the vein. Recovery was eventually complete, despite two major postoperative complications, acute tubular necrosis and a perirenal hematoma secondary to heparin sodium therapy. Radionuclide scanning was critically important in establishing the diagnosis and in assessing the potential for the kidney to recover from acute tubular necrosis. On the basis of this experience, we believe that prompt surgical intervention is indicated for acute venous occlusion.", "PMID": 788679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8101", "title": "Administration of obidoxime tablets to man. Plasma levels and side reactions.", "content": "Twenty-four male volunteers were given obidoxime tablets in quantities ranging from 1.84-3.58 g in a single dose, or 7.36 g divided into 4 equal doses. With the lowest dose, average peak plasma level of the drug was 1.9 mug/ml and after the highest single dose it was 5.6 mug/ml, both attained 1.5 h after administration. In the multiple-dosed individuals, plasma levels of the oxime increased gradually following each additional dose, reaching a peak of 3.5 mug/ml after the last dose. Thirteen individuals complained of one or more of the following side effects: pallor, nausea, pyrosis, headache, generalized weakness, sore throat, and paresthesia of the face muscles. Activities of blood cholinesterase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, as well as hematocrit values, heart rate, and blood pressure were not affected. It is postulated that due to the undesirable side effects, the general use of obidoxime tablets should not be recommended. However, prophylactic oral treatment with obidoxime could be considered for persons at high risk of organophosphate poisoning or when parenteral administration might not be feasible.", "contents": "Administration of obidoxime tablets to man. Plasma levels and side reactions. Twenty-four male volunteers were given obidoxime tablets in quantities ranging from 1.84-3.58 g in a single dose, or 7.36 g divided into 4 equal doses. With the lowest dose, average peak plasma level of the drug was 1.9 mug/ml and after the highest single dose it was 5.6 mug/ml, both attained 1.5 h after administration. In the multiple-dosed individuals, plasma levels of the oxime increased gradually following each additional dose, reaching a peak of 3.5 mug/ml after the last dose. Thirteen individuals complained of one or more of the following side effects: pallor, nausea, pyrosis, headache, generalized weakness, sore throat, and paresthesia of the face muscles. Activities of blood cholinesterase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, as well as hematocrit values, heart rate, and blood pressure were not affected. It is postulated that due to the undesirable side effects, the general use of obidoxime tablets should not be recommended. However, prophylactic oral treatment with obidoxime could be considered for persons at high risk of organophosphate poisoning or when parenteral administration might not be feasible.", "PMID": 788681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8102", "title": "Measles virus: study of induced transfer of biological properties. II. Fluorescence studies on rescue of neurotropic strain in cell culture.", "content": "HeLa cells are non-permissive for the neurotropic suckling mouse strain of measles virus (MMV), but are permissive for cell-adapted Edmonston strain of measles virus (EDm). Fluorescence and electron microscopy demonstrated no membrane fluorescence and no membrane associated viral components, as well as characteristic lack of nuclear antigen after MMV infection of HeLa cells. This appearance differs markedly from the membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear fluorescence after Edm infection of HeLa cells. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrates fusion of the two dissimilar syncytia after mixed infection. This suggests Edm envelopment of MMV nucleocapsids may be the means of MMV rescue in this system.", "contents": "Measles virus: study of induced transfer of biological properties. II. Fluorescence studies on rescue of neurotropic strain in cell culture. HeLa cells are non-permissive for the neurotropic suckling mouse strain of measles virus (MMV), but are permissive for cell-adapted Edmonston strain of measles virus (EDm). Fluorescence and electron microscopy demonstrated no membrane fluorescence and no membrane associated viral components, as well as characteristic lack of nuclear antigen after MMV infection of HeLa cells. This appearance differs markedly from the membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear fluorescence after Edm infection of HeLa cells. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrates fusion of the two dissimilar syncytia after mixed infection. This suggests Edm envelopment of MMV nucleocapsids may be the means of MMV rescue in this system.", "PMID": 788682} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8103", "title": "Early repeated corneal grafts.", "content": "Case reports are presented of four corneal grafts that were replaced 7 to 26 days after the initial surgery. The reasons for regrafting were incomplete epithelialization of the donor cornea by the host, poor donor material, and ring synechiae with secondary glaucoma. All regrafts in these cases have remained transparent. The advantages of early regrafting include earlier visual rehabilitation, avoidance of host corneal vascularization, and prevention of fibrotic organization of synechiae when present. Despite the prevalent notion that early corneal regrafting is inadvisable, when faced with a corneal graft that has little chance of success and then only with prolonged and intensive treatment, we believe that early regrafting may be advisable.", "contents": "Early repeated corneal grafts. Case reports are presented of four corneal grafts that were replaced 7 to 26 days after the initial surgery. The reasons for regrafting were incomplete epithelialization of the donor cornea by the host, poor donor material, and ring synechiae with secondary glaucoma. All regrafts in these cases have remained transparent. The advantages of early regrafting include earlier visual rehabilitation, avoidance of host corneal vascularization, and prevention of fibrotic organization of synechiae when present. Despite the prevalent notion that early corneal regrafting is inadvisable, when faced with a corneal graft that has little chance of success and then only with prolonged and intensive treatment, we believe that early regrafting may be advisable.", "PMID": 788690} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8104", "title": "The endothelium of clear corneal transplants.", "content": "The endothelium of 36 clear penetrating keratoplasties, performed 1 to 19 years previously, was examined and photographed with the clinical specular microscope. There were fewer central endothelial cells in the transplants than in normal corneas. There was no significant correlation between graft endothelial cell density and corneal thickness, rejection episodes, the disease necessitating kertoplasty, or the method of donor tissue preservation. Corneas transplanted from younger donors to younger recipients had significantly more central endothelial cells. Transplanted corneas appeared to lose endothelial cells over a period of time, just as normal corneas do.", "contents": "The endothelium of clear corneal transplants. The endothelium of 36 clear penetrating keratoplasties, performed 1 to 19 years previously, was examined and photographed with the clinical specular microscope. There were fewer central endothelial cells in the transplants than in normal corneas. There was no significant correlation between graft endothelial cell density and corneal thickness, rejection episodes, the disease necessitating kertoplasty, or the method of donor tissue preservation. Corneas transplanted from younger donors to younger recipients had significantly more central endothelial cells. Transplanted corneas appeared to lose endothelial cells over a period of time, just as normal corneas do.", "PMID": 788691} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8105", "title": "Human conjunctivitis. I. Diagnostic evaluation.", "content": "One hundred forty-three patients (207 eyes) with conjunctivitis or blepharoconjunctivitis were studied. Attempts were made to establish an etiologic diagnosis by clinical and laboratory methods. The etiologic diagnosis that was made on the basis of the initial clinical examination correlated poorly with the results of standard laboratory tests. Conversely, the standard laboratory evaluation failed to establish a definitive diagnosis in the majority of cases. These findings suggest that the diagnostic dogmatism prevalent in conjunctivitis is unwarranted. Morphologic signs and routine laboratory tests leave us without a verified etiologic diagnosis in a substantial number of cases.\u00bf", "contents": "Human conjunctivitis. I. Diagnostic evaluation. One hundred forty-three patients (207 eyes) with conjunctivitis or blepharoconjunctivitis were studied. Attempts were made to establish an etiologic diagnosis by clinical and laboratory methods. The etiologic diagnosis that was made on the basis of the initial clinical examination correlated poorly with the results of standard laboratory tests. Conversely, the standard laboratory evaluation failed to establish a definitive diagnosis in the majority of cases. These findings suggest that the diagnostic dogmatism prevalent in conjunctivitis is unwarranted. Morphologic signs and routine laboratory tests leave us without a verified etiologic diagnosis in a substantial number of cases.\u00bf", "PMID": 788692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8106", "title": "The maxillary sinus: a surgical approach via a gingivomucoperiosteal flap.", "content": "The classic surgical approach to the maxillary sinus described originally by Caldwell and Luc, which is still very much in use, calls for an incision in the upper part of the buccal vestibulum. This incision has many disadvantages. A surgical technique that uses the full-thickness gingivomucoperiosteal flap avoids these disadvantages. This method was used in 74 cases during the last three years,and the results have been most satisfactory.", "contents": "The maxillary sinus: a surgical approach via a gingivomucoperiosteal flap. The classic surgical approach to the maxillary sinus described originally by Caldwell and Luc, which is still very much in use, calls for an incision in the upper part of the buccal vestibulum. This incision has many disadvantages. A surgical technique that uses the full-thickness gingivomucoperiosteal flap avoids these disadvantages. This method was used in 74 cases during the last three years,and the results have been most satisfactory.", "PMID": 788693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8107", "title": "Effect of prostaglandin E2 on the healing of gastric ulcers: a double-blind endoscopic trail.", "content": "A double-blind trial was performed to assess the effect of prostaglandin E2 on the healing of gastric ulcers. The prostaglandin preparation was given orally in doses of 1 mg, 6 hourly for two weeks to ten subjects with proven gastric ulcer. The control group consisted of ten subjects with proven gastric ulcer, without prostaglandin treatment. Gastric ulcer healing was assessed endoscopically with a duodenofiberscope. The maximum diameter of the ulcer crater was determined endoscopically just before and after two weeks of treatment. In the prostaglandin group, complete healing was seen in two cases, considerable healing (50% and more) in three cases, and the overall mean healing rate was 42%. In the control group, complete healing was seen in none, considerable healing in one case, and the overall mean healing rate was 14-3%. The difference, statistically, was significant. The results show that prostaglandin E2 is effective in promoting the healing of gastric ulcers.", "contents": "Effect of prostaglandin E2 on the healing of gastric ulcers: a double-blind endoscopic trail. A double-blind trial was performed to assess the effect of prostaglandin E2 on the healing of gastric ulcers. The prostaglandin preparation was given orally in doses of 1 mg, 6 hourly for two weeks to ten subjects with proven gastric ulcer. The control group consisted of ten subjects with proven gastric ulcer, without prostaglandin treatment. Gastric ulcer healing was assessed endoscopically with a duodenofiberscope. The maximum diameter of the ulcer crater was determined endoscopically just before and after two weeks of treatment. In the prostaglandin group, complete healing was seen in two cases, considerable healing (50% and more) in three cases, and the overall mean healing rate was 42%. In the control group, complete healing was seen in none, considerable healing in one case, and the overall mean healing rate was 14-3%. The difference, statistically, was significant. The results show that prostaglandin E2 is effective in promoting the healing of gastric ulcers.", "PMID": 788694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8108", "title": "Ventricular visualization on the brain scan associated with a corpus callosum tumour.", "content": "Ventricular visualization and a corpus callosum abnormality were diagnosed by brain scan and confirmed subsequently. Post mortem revealed an infiltrating microglioma impinging also on the floor of the lateral ventricle giving a naked eye appearance consistent with a granular inflammatory reaction of the ventricular surface.", "contents": "Ventricular visualization on the brain scan associated with a corpus callosum tumour. Ventricular visualization and a corpus callosum abnormality were diagnosed by brain scan and confirmed subsequently. Post mortem revealed an infiltrating microglioma impinging also on the floor of the lateral ventricle giving a naked eye appearance consistent with a granular inflammatory reaction of the ventricular surface.", "PMID": 788695} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8109", "title": "Calcium metabolism after renal transplantation.", "content": "Calcium metabolism was studied in four patients who had undergone renal transplantation from eight to 19 months previously. The studies included conventional biochemical and radiological parameters, undecalcified bone histology and metabolic balances. The only abnormality found was biochemical and histologic evidence of mild hyperparathyroidism. All patients were in approximate calcium balance, and there was no evidence of osteoporosis, osteomalacia or osteitis fibrosa. It is suggested that transplantation patients with stable, well functioning grafts and normal biochemical and radiologic parameters are unlikely to have or to be at risk of developing metabolic bone disease.", "contents": "Calcium metabolism after renal transplantation. Calcium metabolism was studied in four patients who had undergone renal transplantation from eight to 19 months previously. The studies included conventional biochemical and radiological parameters, undecalcified bone histology and metabolic balances. The only abnormality found was biochemical and histologic evidence of mild hyperparathyroidism. All patients were in approximate calcium balance, and there was no evidence of osteoporosis, osteomalacia or osteitis fibrosa. It is suggested that transplantation patients with stable, well functioning grafts and normal biochemical and radiologic parameters are unlikely to have or to be at risk of developing metabolic bone disease.", "PMID": 788696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8110", "title": "Space flight effects on the hemopoietic function of bone marrow of the rat.", "content": "The 22-d orbital flight of rats onboard the Cosmos-605 biosatellite was followed by inhibition of erythroblastosis, alteration in the morphology of megakaryocytes, and stimulation of myelopoiesis. These changes returned to normal 27 d postflight. The colony-forming capacity and pattern of differentiation of hemopoietic stem cells of bone marrow of flight rats remained undisturbed.", "contents": "Space flight effects on the hemopoietic function of bone marrow of the rat. The 22-d orbital flight of rats onboard the Cosmos-605 biosatellite was followed by inhibition of erythroblastosis, alteration in the morphology of megakaryocytes, and stimulation of myelopoiesis. These changes returned to normal 27 d postflight. The colony-forming capacity and pattern of differentiation of hemopoietic stem cells of bone marrow of flight rats remained undisturbed.", "PMID": 788697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8111", "title": "[Foil-mounted sections of entire lungs (Gough-sections). Technic and diagnostic significance (author's transl)].", "content": "The diagnostic significance of sectioning of entire lungs (Gough-sections) was investigated by application of different staining methods. The stained sections were mounted on transparent cellophan-foils. Macroscopic and microscopic results are satisfactory after staining for iron and neutral fat and after application of particular enzymatic reactions. This method is especially recommended in topographic problems.", "contents": "[Foil-mounted sections of entire lungs (Gough-sections). Technic and diagnostic significance (author's transl)]. The diagnostic significance of sectioning of entire lungs (Gough-sections) was investigated by application of different staining methods. The stained sections were mounted on transparent cellophan-foils. Macroscopic and microscopic results are satisfactory after staining for iron and neutral fat and after application of particular enzymatic reactions. This method is especially recommended in topographic problems.", "PMID": 788700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8112", "title": "[Effect of nicotine in pigs (author's transl)].", "content": "18 pigs in which venous catheters were positioned for long-term use were injected with nicotine in physiological saline: group 1: 1 mg without anaesthesia; group 2: 1 mg/animal, Hypnodil-anaesthesia; group 3: 0.0143 mg/kg body weight, Hypnodil-anaesthesia. The dose of 1 mg is corresponding to that amount of nicotine contained in the main smoke of a commercially used cigarette. The dose of 0.143 mg/kg body weight is calculated per 1 kg body weight assuming that a man of 70 kg body weight resorbes the total amount of nicotine (1 mg) after maximum inhalation. Application of 1 mg induced the following alterations: sino-auricular block, AV-block of first and second degree, asystolia up to 2 seconds, short decrease in blood pressure and bradycardia as well as flattening and/or inversion and biphasic reaction of T. A longer lasting increase in blood pressure was observed in non-anaesthesized animals. Animals treated with 0.0143 mg/kg body weight showed AV-block of first degree with subsequent extrasystoles. Blood pressure, heart rate and T-wave showed no alterations. Decisive for the induction and extent of acute disturbances seems to be the dose of nicotine. Therefore, a decrease of the nicotine content seems to be indicated toward a \"less harmful cigarette\".", "contents": "[Effect of nicotine in pigs (author's transl)]. 18 pigs in which venous catheters were positioned for long-term use were injected with nicotine in physiological saline: group 1: 1 mg without anaesthesia; group 2: 1 mg/animal, Hypnodil-anaesthesia; group 3: 0.0143 mg/kg body weight, Hypnodil-anaesthesia. The dose of 1 mg is corresponding to that amount of nicotine contained in the main smoke of a commercially used cigarette. The dose of 0.143 mg/kg body weight is calculated per 1 kg body weight assuming that a man of 70 kg body weight resorbes the total amount of nicotine (1 mg) after maximum inhalation. Application of 1 mg induced the following alterations: sino-auricular block, AV-block of first and second degree, asystolia up to 2 seconds, short decrease in blood pressure and bradycardia as well as flattening and/or inversion and biphasic reaction of T. A longer lasting increase in blood pressure was observed in non-anaesthesized animals. Animals treated with 0.0143 mg/kg body weight showed AV-block of first degree with subsequent extrasystoles. Blood pressure, heart rate and T-wave showed no alterations. Decisive for the induction and extent of acute disturbances seems to be the dose of nicotine. Therefore, a decrease of the nicotine content seems to be indicated toward a \"less harmful cigarette\".", "PMID": 788699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8113", "title": "Biochemical adaptations for flight in the insect.", "content": "1. Flight by insects is characterized by the most intense respiration known in biology and also the most controlled. Thus insect flight muscle may be the tissue of choice for the study of biochemical adaptation in the control of catabolism and biological oxidations, and many of the results obtained with insects have a significance and a relevance that transcend the boundaries between classes. In insects, such as the blowfly, flight is distinguished additionally by high wingbeat frequencies and an asynchronous type of excitation-contraction coupling. In spite of this intense muscular work, metabolic processes are not limited by the availability of oxygen. Also of importance is the morphological organization of the flight muscle and mitochondria, which have evolved ultrastructurally and biochemically into an effective catabolic machine. 2. In the fly, carbohydrate, principally glycogen, is the sole metabolic fuel; fats are not used in flight and enzymes concerned with fatty acid utilization are virtually lacking. Glycogenolysis does not lead to lactic acid; instead, the end products of glycolysis are pyruvate and alpha-glycerophosphate. The alpha-glycerophosphate cycle provides a mechanism not only for the reoxidation of glycolytically produced NADH but also for the stoicheiometric formation from each molecule of hexose equivalent of two molecules of pyruvate, which are then available for oxidation via the tricarboxylate cycle. The absence of dicarboxylate and tricarboxylate carriers from the mitochondria ensures that tricarboxylate-cycle intermediates do not exit from the mitochondrion but that pyruvate is oxidized to completion. On initiation of flight, mitochondrial oxidation of pyruvate is impeded by the lack of tricarboxylate-cycle intermediates for the generation of oxaloacetate. This is circumvented by the oxidation of proline. 3. The controls on metabolism in flight muscle, i.e. (1) glycogenolysis at phosphorylase and phosphorylase kinase, (2) glycolysis at phosphofructokinase, (3) alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, (4) proline dehydrogenase and (5) tricarboxylate cycle at isocitrate dehydrogenase, are effected by the phosphate potential and/or Ca2+. It is suggested that the metabolic changes, such as those seen in the rest-to-flight transition, are achieved by the concerted actions of these effectors at the different loci.", "contents": "Biochemical adaptations for flight in the insect. 1. Flight by insects is characterized by the most intense respiration known in biology and also the most controlled. Thus insect flight muscle may be the tissue of choice for the study of biochemical adaptation in the control of catabolism and biological oxidations, and many of the results obtained with insects have a significance and a relevance that transcend the boundaries between classes. In insects, such as the blowfly, flight is distinguished additionally by high wingbeat frequencies and an asynchronous type of excitation-contraction coupling. In spite of this intense muscular work, metabolic processes are not limited by the availability of oxygen. Also of importance is the morphological organization of the flight muscle and mitochondria, which have evolved ultrastructurally and biochemically into an effective catabolic machine. 2. In the fly, carbohydrate, principally glycogen, is the sole metabolic fuel; fats are not used in flight and enzymes concerned with fatty acid utilization are virtually lacking. Glycogenolysis does not lead to lactic acid; instead, the end products of glycolysis are pyruvate and alpha-glycerophosphate. The alpha-glycerophosphate cycle provides a mechanism not only for the reoxidation of glycolytically produced NADH but also for the stoicheiometric formation from each molecule of hexose equivalent of two molecules of pyruvate, which are then available for oxidation via the tricarboxylate cycle. The absence of dicarboxylate and tricarboxylate carriers from the mitochondria ensures that tricarboxylate-cycle intermediates do not exit from the mitochondrion but that pyruvate is oxidized to completion. On initiation of flight, mitochondrial oxidation of pyruvate is impeded by the lack of tricarboxylate-cycle intermediates for the generation of oxaloacetate. This is circumvented by the oxidation of proline. 3. The controls on metabolism in flight muscle, i.e. (1) glycogenolysis at phosphorylase and phosphorylase kinase, (2) glycolysis at phosphofructokinase, (3) alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, (4) proline dehydrogenase and (5) tricarboxylate cycle at isocitrate dehydrogenase, are effected by the phosphate potential and/or Ca2+. It is suggested that the metabolic changes, such as those seen in the rest-to-flight transition, are achieved by the concerted actions of these effectors at the different loci.", "PMID": 788715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8114", "title": "Metabolic consequences of submersion asphyxia in mammals and birds.", "content": "On submersion, the cardiovascular system of naturally diving animals is virtually transformed into a heart-brain-lung preparation as the result of intense and highly selective neurogenic vasoconstriction. A supply of oxygen from the circulating blood cells to the heart and the brain is thereby secured. Peripheral tissues, e.g. muscles and kidneys, have to depend on local stores of oxygen, i.e. myoglobin, or, when these are exhausted, on anaerobic metabolism. In spite of such physiological adjustments, however, arterial pO2 will inevitably decrease throughout the underwater episode. In prolonged dives values lower than 10mmHg can be observed. Moreover, the ischaemia in the peripheral tissues will, in some animals, e.g. arctic seals and whales, result in a profound decrease in the temperature of tissues such as the skin. The aim of the present report is to review some of the more important biochemical mechanisms that allow diving mammals and birds to cope with the above-mentioned combined asphyxic and temperature stresses for prolonged periods. Some of the osmotic problems arising from the rapid wash-out of acidic metabolic end products from the previously ischaemic tissues on emergence are also discussed.", "contents": "Metabolic consequences of submersion asphyxia in mammals and birds. On submersion, the cardiovascular system of naturally diving animals is virtually transformed into a heart-brain-lung preparation as the result of intense and highly selective neurogenic vasoconstriction. A supply of oxygen from the circulating blood cells to the heart and the brain is thereby secured. Peripheral tissues, e.g. muscles and kidneys, have to depend on local stores of oxygen, i.e. myoglobin, or, when these are exhausted, on anaerobic metabolism. In spite of such physiological adjustments, however, arterial pO2 will inevitably decrease throughout the underwater episode. In prolonged dives values lower than 10mmHg can be observed. Moreover, the ischaemia in the peripheral tissues will, in some animals, e.g. arctic seals and whales, result in a profound decrease in the temperature of tissues such as the skin. The aim of the present report is to review some of the more important biochemical mechanisms that allow diving mammals and birds to cope with the above-mentioned combined asphyxic and temperature stresses for prolonged periods. Some of the osmotic problems arising from the rapid wash-out of acidic metabolic end products from the previously ischaemic tissues on emergence are also discussed.", "PMID": 788716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8115", "title": "Adaptations with respect to salinity.", "content": "Amino acids contribute up to about 50% of the intracellular osmotic pressure of aquatic invertebrates. Since their concentration varies according to the salinity of the medium (high in sea water, low in fresh water) euryhaline invertebrates are good models for studying the mechanisms involved in the control of amino acid metabolism. During hyperosmotic stress CO2 production and O2 consumption decrease whereas the reverse is true when the animal is submitted to a hypo-osmotic stress. Nitrogen excretion (as NH3) increases in media of low salinity and the concentration of cyclic AMP increases during hyperosmotic stress. Moreover, blood proteins and haemocyanin are more concentrated in individuals adapted to media of low salinity. To explain the situation, three main mechanisms can be considered: (a) hydrolysis and synthesis of blood proteins; (b) transport of amino acids across the cell membrane; (c) control of the turnover rate of some amino acids. Results obtained on whole animals as well as on isolated tissues indicate that some amino acids are released from the cells and carried via the haemolymph to the posterior pairs of gills where they are oxidized (mechanisms b) or to an organ (hepatopancreas ?) Where they are used for blood protein synthesis (mechanism a). The use of labelled substrates demonstrates that the turnover rate of amino acids is controlled by the salinity of the environment (mechanism c). It is suggested that inorganic ions trigger the metabolic response by directing reducing equivalents toward oxygen or 2-oxo acids through control of the catalytic activity of dehydrogenases.", "contents": "Adaptations with respect to salinity. Amino acids contribute up to about 50% of the intracellular osmotic pressure of aquatic invertebrates. Since their concentration varies according to the salinity of the medium (high in sea water, low in fresh water) euryhaline invertebrates are good models for studying the mechanisms involved in the control of amino acid metabolism. During hyperosmotic stress CO2 production and O2 consumption decrease whereas the reverse is true when the animal is submitted to a hypo-osmotic stress. Nitrogen excretion (as NH3) increases in media of low salinity and the concentration of cyclic AMP increases during hyperosmotic stress. Moreover, blood proteins and haemocyanin are more concentrated in individuals adapted to media of low salinity. To explain the situation, three main mechanisms can be considered: (a) hydrolysis and synthesis of blood proteins; (b) transport of amino acids across the cell membrane; (c) control of the turnover rate of some amino acids. Results obtained on whole animals as well as on isolated tissues indicate that some amino acids are released from the cells and carried via the haemolymph to the posterior pairs of gills where they are oxidized (mechanisms b) or to an organ (hepatopancreas ?) Where they are used for blood protein synthesis (mechanism a). The use of labelled substrates demonstrates that the turnover rate of amino acids is controlled by the salinity of the environment (mechanism c). It is suggested that inorganic ions trigger the metabolic response by directing reducing equivalents toward oxygen or 2-oxo acids through control of the catalytic activity of dehydrogenases.", "PMID": 788717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8116", "title": "Design of metabolic and enzymic machinery to fit lifestyle and environment.", "content": "Biochemical theory, spectacular as its growth has been in the last half-century, finds its experimental basis in a remarkably few organisms. The rat, the ox, the pig, the hen plus a few micro-organisms consitute the primary source of biochemistry's experimental material, while, by contrast, modern systematics estimates a bewildering and often overlooked diversity of over 10(6) animal species. As a result of this highly limited 'sampling' of nature, classical biochemistry has supplied an equally limited insight into how far biochemical mechanisms can be extended or adapted for (1) allowing an organism's exploitation of its environment and (2) accommodating environmental change. The situation has improved in more recent years, so that it is now possible to decipher at least the broad strategic outlines of biochemical adaptation to the environment. This essay focuses particular attention on the influence of O2 availability on muscle metabolic organization and control. By drawing examples of muscle metabolism spanning a range from obligate-anaerobic to obligate-aerobic organization, it is possible to demonstrate that certain kinds of metabolic features are highly conserved, whereas others are changed time and time again, in different combinations and permutations. The latter properties constitute the 'raw material' for adapting metabolism to specific O2 regimes, and include (1) the kinds and amounts of enzymes present in muscle, (2) the fine regulatory circuitry allowing for controlled transition from low to high work loads and (3) compensation mechanisms for the adjustment of enzyme reactions with respect to such external parameters as temperature, pressure, salinity and so forth. Within the inescapable limitations of phylogenetic origins and the time available for responding to specific environmental conditions, adequate adaptations of the fundamental design of muscle metabolism have evolved to exploit environments differing greatly in O2 availability and to accommodate a wide range of muscle functions.", "contents": "Design of metabolic and enzymic machinery to fit lifestyle and environment. Biochemical theory, spectacular as its growth has been in the last half-century, finds its experimental basis in a remarkably few organisms. The rat, the ox, the pig, the hen plus a few micro-organisms consitute the primary source of biochemistry's experimental material, while, by contrast, modern systematics estimates a bewildering and often overlooked diversity of over 10(6) animal species. As a result of this highly limited 'sampling' of nature, classical biochemistry has supplied an equally limited insight into how far biochemical mechanisms can be extended or adapted for (1) allowing an organism's exploitation of its environment and (2) accommodating environmental change. The situation has improved in more recent years, so that it is now possible to decipher at least the broad strategic outlines of biochemical adaptation to the environment. This essay focuses particular attention on the influence of O2 availability on muscle metabolic organization and control. By drawing examples of muscle metabolism spanning a range from obligate-anaerobic to obligate-aerobic organization, it is possible to demonstrate that certain kinds of metabolic features are highly conserved, whereas others are changed time and time again, in different combinations and permutations. The latter properties constitute the 'raw material' for adapting metabolism to specific O2 regimes, and include (1) the kinds and amounts of enzymes present in muscle, (2) the fine regulatory circuitry allowing for controlled transition from low to high work loads and (3) compensation mechanisms for the adjustment of enzyme reactions with respect to such external parameters as temperature, pressure, salinity and so forth. Within the inescapable limitations of phylogenetic origins and the time available for responding to specific environmental conditions, adequate adaptations of the fundamental design of muscle metabolism have evolved to exploit environments differing greatly in O2 availability and to accommodate a wide range of muscle functions.", "PMID": 788718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8117", "title": "Temperature: a \"shaping force' in protein evolution.", "content": "1. Comparisons of homologous enzymes from species adapted to widely different temperatures reveal that ligand-binding affinities are rigorously conserved. This is interpreted to mean that a critical relationship between ligand-binding ability and intracellular ligand concentrations must be maintained for proper enzymic regulation. 2. The catalytic efficiencies of enzyme homologues differ in temperature-compensatory manners. Activation free energies are proportional to adaptation temperature and, consequently, low-temperature-adapted enzymes have the highest substrate turnover numbers. 3. Temperature compensatory adjustments in catalytic efficiency may be achieved by altering the number of weak bonds that form or break during a catalytic conformational change. Support for this hypothesis comes from the finding that activation enthalpy and activation entropy values co-vary in a regular manner and by magnitudes consistent with different amounts of weak-bond formation/rupture during catalytic activation in differnt enzyme homologues. 4. Adaptive adjustments in ligand-binding energetics may also involve utilization of the energy changes that occur during conformational changes. This mechanism would permit enzymes with identical binding-site chemistries to display adaptively different ligand affinities. 5. The greater heat-stabilities of enzymes from warm-adapted species may cause these enzymes to be less efficient catalysts than cold-adapted heat-labile enzymes. Heat-stable enzymes may have to break more weak bonds during a catalytic conformational change than do cold-adapted enzymes. The requirements for thermal stability and high catalytic efficiency thus appear to force an adaptational 'compromise'.", "contents": "Temperature: a \"shaping force' in protein evolution. 1. Comparisons of homologous enzymes from species adapted to widely different temperatures reveal that ligand-binding affinities are rigorously conserved. This is interpreted to mean that a critical relationship between ligand-binding ability and intracellular ligand concentrations must be maintained for proper enzymic regulation. 2. The catalytic efficiencies of enzyme homologues differ in temperature-compensatory manners. Activation free energies are proportional to adaptation temperature and, consequently, low-temperature-adapted enzymes have the highest substrate turnover numbers. 3. Temperature compensatory adjustments in catalytic efficiency may be achieved by altering the number of weak bonds that form or break during a catalytic conformational change. Support for this hypothesis comes from the finding that activation enthalpy and activation entropy values co-vary in a regular manner and by magnitudes consistent with different amounts of weak-bond formation/rupture during catalytic activation in differnt enzyme homologues. 4. Adaptive adjustments in ligand-binding energetics may also involve utilization of the energy changes that occur during conformational changes. This mechanism would permit enzymes with identical binding-site chemistries to display adaptively different ligand affinities. 5. The greater heat-stabilities of enzymes from warm-adapted species may cause these enzymes to be less efficient catalysts than cold-adapted heat-labile enzymes. Heat-stable enzymes may have to break more weak bonds during a catalytic conformational change than do cold-adapted enzymes. The requirements for thermal stability and high catalytic efficiency thus appear to force an adaptational 'compromise'.", "PMID": 788719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8118", "title": "Halofenate in the treatment of type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Double blind comparison with clofibrate.", "content": "A double-blind study comparing halofenate, a new lipid-lowering investigation drug, with an established drug, clofibrate, was conducted on 33 clinic patients with Type II hyperlipoproteinemia for a period of 48-96 weeks. All but 10 patients had some type of symptomatic major vascular disease. With respect to serum cholesterol levels, a comparable proportion (56-59%) of patients in each group responded to the respective treatment but the magnitude of lowering was substantially less for the halofenate responders (12% mean decrease versus 25%). Type IIa patients in both groups were more likely than Type IIb patients to have a favorable cholesterol-lowering response. Weight gain of 5% or greater was prejudicial to cholesterol lowering. In the case of serum triglycerides, the proportion of patients responding to clofibrate treatment was somewhat greater (87% versus 57% for halofenate) but the mean magnitude of lowering (27-34%) was comparable for responders in the two groups. Weight gain did not influence appreciably the triglyceride-lowering effect. Elevated concentrations of triglyceride (Type IIb) in the control period favored a triglyceride lowering response by clofibrate but was only a moderate influence on the response to halofenate.", "contents": "Halofenate in the treatment of type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Double blind comparison with clofibrate. A double-blind study comparing halofenate, a new lipid-lowering investigation drug, with an established drug, clofibrate, was conducted on 33 clinic patients with Type II hyperlipoproteinemia for a period of 48-96 weeks. All but 10 patients had some type of symptomatic major vascular disease. With respect to serum cholesterol levels, a comparable proportion (56-59%) of patients in each group responded to the respective treatment but the magnitude of lowering was substantially less for the halofenate responders (12% mean decrease versus 25%). Type IIa patients in both groups were more likely than Type IIb patients to have a favorable cholesterol-lowering response. Weight gain of 5% or greater was prejudicial to cholesterol lowering. In the case of serum triglycerides, the proportion of patients responding to clofibrate treatment was somewhat greater (87% versus 57% for halofenate) but the mean magnitude of lowering (27-34%) was comparable for responders in the two groups. Weight gain did not influence appreciably the triglyceride-lowering effect. Elevated concentrations of triglyceride (Type IIb) in the control period favored a triglyceride lowering response by clofibrate but was only a moderate influence on the response to halofenate.", "PMID": 788722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8119", "title": "Arrhythmias in two patients with left ventricular bypass transplants.", "content": "Two patients who underwent left ventricular bypass transplants are described. Both patients sustained postoperative rhythm disturbances of their own hearts during sinus rhythm of the donor hearts. Illustrative examples of atrial flutter, ventricular flutter, ventricular fibrillation, blocked atrial extrasystoles, and double ventricular parasystole in the recipient hearts are presented. The patients tolerated all these arrhythmias well during uninterrupted sinus rhythm in the donor heart. The problems in interpretation of arrhythmias in the presence of two hearts are discussed.", "contents": "Arrhythmias in two patients with left ventricular bypass transplants. Two patients who underwent left ventricular bypass transplants are described. Both patients sustained postoperative rhythm disturbances of their own hearts during sinus rhythm of the donor hearts. Illustrative examples of atrial flutter, ventricular flutter, ventricular fibrillation, blocked atrial extrasystoles, and double ventricular parasystole in the recipient hearts are presented. The patients tolerated all these arrhythmias well during uninterrupted sinus rhythm in the donor heart. The problems in interpretation of arrhythmias in the presence of two hearts are discussed.", "PMID": 788729} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8120", "title": "Comparison of 12-lead and computer-analysed 3 orthogonal lead electocardiogram in coronary artery disease.", "content": "The computer-analysed 3 orthogonal lead system (\"3-lead ECG\") provides a rapid and consistent interpretation of the electrocardiogram. In 102 patients undergoing selective coronary arteriography, the ability of such a system to predict the presence of absence of coronary artery disease and the site of myocardial ischaemia was compared with that of the conventional scalar electrocardiogram interpreted by cardiologists (\"12-lead ECG\"). Each system predicted the site of myocardial ischaemia with equal accuracy. The 3-lead ECG was a more sensitive index (3-lead ECG sensitivity=77%; 12-lead ECG sensitivity=70%) but less specific (3-lead ECG specificity=74%; 12-lead ECG specificity=78%). In coronary artery disease, the predictive \"index of merit\" for the 3-lead ECG was 0-51, compared with 0-48 for the 12-lead ECG. These results provide further justification for the routine use of the 3 orthogonal lead electrocardiogram.", "contents": "Comparison of 12-lead and computer-analysed 3 orthogonal lead electocardiogram in coronary artery disease. The computer-analysed 3 orthogonal lead system (\"3-lead ECG\") provides a rapid and consistent interpretation of the electrocardiogram. In 102 patients undergoing selective coronary arteriography, the ability of such a system to predict the presence of absence of coronary artery disease and the site of myocardial ischaemia was compared with that of the conventional scalar electrocardiogram interpreted by cardiologists (\"12-lead ECG\"). Each system predicted the site of myocardial ischaemia with equal accuracy. The 3-lead ECG was a more sensitive index (3-lead ECG sensitivity=77%; 12-lead ECG sensitivity=70%) but less specific (3-lead ECG specificity=74%; 12-lead ECG specificity=78%). In coronary artery disease, the predictive \"index of merit\" for the 3-lead ECG was 0-51, compared with 0-48 for the 12-lead ECG. These results provide further justification for the routine use of the 3 orthogonal lead electrocardiogram.", "PMID": 788730} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8121", "title": "Effect of indomethacin in asthma: evidence against a role for prostaglandins in its pathogenesis.", "content": "1. A clinical trial of the effects of indomethacin (200 mg daily) failed to show any objective evidence of improvement in six patients. 2. The same dose failed to inhibit exercise and antigen challenge induced bronchoconstriction, and this was considered to be evidence against the hypothesis that prostaglandins act as chemical mediatros in the pathogenesis of asthma.", "contents": "Effect of indomethacin in asthma: evidence against a role for prostaglandins in its pathogenesis. 1. A clinical trial of the effects of indomethacin (200 mg daily) failed to show any objective evidence of improvement in six patients. 2. The same dose failed to inhibit exercise and antigen challenge induced bronchoconstriction, and this was considered to be evidence against the hypothesis that prostaglandins act as chemical mediatros in the pathogenesis of asthma.", "PMID": 788731} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8122", "title": "Pralidoxime mesylate absorption and heart rate response to atropine sulphate following intramuscular administration of solution mixtures.", "content": "1. The oxime pralidoxime mesylate (P2S) and atropine sulphate, alone and mixed, have been administered intramuscularly to forty-four human subjects. Doses of 750 mg and 500 mg P2S and 2.0 mg atropine sulphate were used. 2. The presence of P2S had no significant influence, as judged by effect on heart rate, on the absorption of atropine although there was a tendency for atropine to exert its effects more rapidly when administered mixed with P2S. 3. No significant difference in the rate of uptake of P2S as judged by plasma levels following injection, between a combined (plus atropines) and single (P2S alone) intramuscular injection was found.", "contents": "Pralidoxime mesylate absorption and heart rate response to atropine sulphate following intramuscular administration of solution mixtures. 1. The oxime pralidoxime mesylate (P2S) and atropine sulphate, alone and mixed, have been administered intramuscularly to forty-four human subjects. Doses of 750 mg and 500 mg P2S and 2.0 mg atropine sulphate were used. 2. The presence of P2S had no significant influence, as judged by effect on heart rate, on the absorption of atropine although there was a tendency for atropine to exert its effects more rapidly when administered mixed with P2S. 3. No significant difference in the rate of uptake of P2S as judged by plasma levels following injection, between a combined (plus atropines) and single (P2S alone) intramuscular injection was found.", "PMID": 788732} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8123", "title": "The use of isoniazid as a marker to monitor the self-administration of medicaments.", "content": "1. Isoniazid was used as a marker to monitor the regularity of drug self-administration in a trial of chemoprophylaxis against natural influenza infection. Two hundred and sixty-two volunteers were treated for five weeks with a synthetic isoquinoline compound (U.K. 2371) or a matching placebo. 2. Five marker tablets containing isoniazid (150 mg) were incorporated into each regimen and their ingestion monitored by testing for acetylisoniazid in the urine. 3. Positive evidence of marker tablet consumption was obtained on 75% of the occasions on which urine samples were requested. The results obtained among the volunteers from each treatment group who returned urine specimens as requested (92%) indicated that they had swallowed at least 81% of their prescribed tablets. 4. The findings of the study suggest that when used in this way isoniazid is a very suitable compound for use on a few occasions for monitoring the self-administration of drugs in clinical trials.", "contents": "The use of isoniazid as a marker to monitor the self-administration of medicaments. 1. Isoniazid was used as a marker to monitor the regularity of drug self-administration in a trial of chemoprophylaxis against natural influenza infection. Two hundred and sixty-two volunteers were treated for five weeks with a synthetic isoquinoline compound (U.K. 2371) or a matching placebo. 2. Five marker tablets containing isoniazid (150 mg) were incorporated into each regimen and their ingestion monitored by testing for acetylisoniazid in the urine. 3. Positive evidence of marker tablet consumption was obtained on 75% of the occasions on which urine samples were requested. The results obtained among the volunteers from each treatment group who returned urine specimens as requested (92%) indicated that they had swallowed at least 81% of their prescribed tablets. 4. The findings of the study suggest that when used in this way isoniazid is a very suitable compound for use on a few occasions for monitoring the self-administration of drugs in clinical trials.", "PMID": 788733} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8124", "title": "Preliminary assessment of flutiorex, a new anorectic drug, in man.", "content": "1 The effects of +/--flutiorex, a new anorectic agent, on food intake, the sympathetic nervous system and the central nervous system were compared to those of fenfluramine and a placebo in a double-blind trial involving six healthy volunteers. 2. Flutiorex exerts a singificant anorectic effect and was shown to be approximately twice as potent as fenfluramine in this regard. 3 Flutiorex induces a definite alpha-adrenergic sympathomimetic stimulation as was shown by a rise in systolic blood pressure and the development of marked mydriasis. 4 Flutiorex is a central nervous system stimulant producing an increase in critical flicker frequency. It does not, however, influence psychomotor coordination as reflected in the pursuit rotor test. 5 Serial determinations of blood and urine levels of flutiorex and its deethylated metabolite, norflutiorex, showed that flutiorex is rapidly absorbed and deethylated, accumulates in large quantities in the tissues and, like its metabolite, is excreted in the urine in very small quantities. Blood levels of norflutiorex appear to remain elevated longer than those fo flutiorex.", "contents": "Preliminary assessment of flutiorex, a new anorectic drug, in man. 1 The effects of +/--flutiorex, a new anorectic agent, on food intake, the sympathetic nervous system and the central nervous system were compared to those of fenfluramine and a placebo in a double-blind trial involving six healthy volunteers. 2. Flutiorex exerts a singificant anorectic effect and was shown to be approximately twice as potent as fenfluramine in this regard. 3 Flutiorex induces a definite alpha-adrenergic sympathomimetic stimulation as was shown by a rise in systolic blood pressure and the development of marked mydriasis. 4 Flutiorex is a central nervous system stimulant producing an increase in critical flicker frequency. It does not, however, influence psychomotor coordination as reflected in the pursuit rotor test. 5 Serial determinations of blood and urine levels of flutiorex and its deethylated metabolite, norflutiorex, showed that flutiorex is rapidly absorbed and deethylated, accumulates in large quantities in the tissues and, like its metabolite, is excreted in the urine in very small quantities. Blood levels of norflutiorex appear to remain elevated longer than those fo flutiorex.", "PMID": 788737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8125", "title": "Comparison of salmefamol and salbutamol in patients with chronic airways obstruction.", "content": "1 Inhaled salmefamol, in doses of 100 mug and 200 mug has been compared with inhaled salbutamol, in a dose of 200 mug, and with placebo in patients with airways obstruction. 2 Both salmefamol and salbutamol are potent bronchodilators with a signficantly superior action over placebo at all times up to 8 h after treatment. 3 The mean peak percentage increases in FEV produced by the three active preparations were similar. The decline from peak values was significantly slower with salmefamol than with salbutamol. Neither drug produced tachycardia.", "contents": "Comparison of salmefamol and salbutamol in patients with chronic airways obstruction. 1 Inhaled salmefamol, in doses of 100 mug and 200 mug has been compared with inhaled salbutamol, in a dose of 200 mug, and with placebo in patients with airways obstruction. 2 Both salmefamol and salbutamol are potent bronchodilators with a signficantly superior action over placebo at all times up to 8 h after treatment. 3 The mean peak percentage increases in FEV produced by the three active preparations were similar. The decline from peak values was significantly slower with salmefamol than with salbutamol. Neither drug produced tachycardia.", "PMID": 788738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8126", "title": "Plasma concentration of phenylbutazone and its therapeutic effect-studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "1 Phenylbutazone in doses of 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/day has been given for four periods of 3 weeks to seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The trial was double-blind and the order of administration of doses was arranged to eliminate order and carry-over effects. 2 Before the trial and at the end of each period, the patient's responses were assessed by measurement of the duration of morning stiffness, the pain score, paracetamol tablet count, grip strength, digital joint size and articular index. 3 The plasma phenybutazone concentration was measured by gas-liquid chromatography and was also predicted by prior measurement of the phenazone half-life. 4. Compared with the pretreatment period, phenylbutazone had a significant therapeutic effect, as judged by morning stiffness, pain score and articular index, in a dose of 50 mg/day, but no statistically significant differences in effect were seen between the various doses of phenylbutazone. 5 There were no significant coorelations between the plasma concentration of phenylbutazone and any of the clinical assessments. 6 The plasma phenylbutazone concentration agreed closely with that predicted at doses of 50 and 100 mg, but at higher doses the plasma concentration was significantly lower than predicted (P less than 0.05). This may have been due to saturation of the protein binding sites at these doses.", "contents": "Plasma concentration of phenylbutazone and its therapeutic effect-studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 1 Phenylbutazone in doses of 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/day has been given for four periods of 3 weeks to seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The trial was double-blind and the order of administration of doses was arranged to eliminate order and carry-over effects. 2 Before the trial and at the end of each period, the patient's responses were assessed by measurement of the duration of morning stiffness, the pain score, paracetamol tablet count, grip strength, digital joint size and articular index. 3 The plasma phenybutazone concentration was measured by gas-liquid chromatography and was also predicted by prior measurement of the phenazone half-life. 4. Compared with the pretreatment period, phenylbutazone had a significant therapeutic effect, as judged by morning stiffness, pain score and articular index, in a dose of 50 mg/day, but no statistically significant differences in effect were seen between the various doses of phenylbutazone. 5 There were no significant coorelations between the plasma concentration of phenylbutazone and any of the clinical assessments. 6 The plasma phenylbutazone concentration agreed closely with that predicted at doses of 50 and 100 mg, but at higher doses the plasma concentration was significantly lower than predicted (P less than 0.05). This may have been due to saturation of the protein binding sites at these doses.", "PMID": 788739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8127", "title": "Blood pressure responses to noradrenaline and dopamine infusions in Parkinson's disease and the Shy-Drager syndrome.", "content": "Studies of pulse rate and blood pressure responses to graded intravenous infusions of noradrenaline and dopamine were performed on five patients with Parkinson's disease, five with the Shy-Drager syndrome and seven healthy subject. Cardiovascular reflex responses to standing and to the Valsalva manoeuvre were found to be preserved in all patients with Parkinson's disease but to be grossly defective or absent in all with the Shy-Drager syndrome. Each subject received separate intravenous infusions of L-noradrenaline and dopamine, delivered at increasing rates, until a 30% rise in systolic blood pressure was achieved. Heart rate decreased during pressor responses to noradrenaline in control subjects and patients with Parkinson's disease, but increased in those with the Shy-Drager syndrome. Heart rate increased during pressor responses to dopamine in all subjects. Compared to control subjects supersensitivity to noradrenaline was observed both in patients with Parkinson's disease and, to a greater extent, in those with the Shy-Drager syndrome. Subsensitivity to dopamine was observed in patients with Parkinson's disease, but supersensitivity in those with the Shy-Drager syndrome.", "contents": "Blood pressure responses to noradrenaline and dopamine infusions in Parkinson's disease and the Shy-Drager syndrome. Studies of pulse rate and blood pressure responses to graded intravenous infusions of noradrenaline and dopamine were performed on five patients with Parkinson's disease, five with the Shy-Drager syndrome and seven healthy subject. Cardiovascular reflex responses to standing and to the Valsalva manoeuvre were found to be preserved in all patients with Parkinson's disease but to be grossly defective or absent in all with the Shy-Drager syndrome. Each subject received separate intravenous infusions of L-noradrenaline and dopamine, delivered at increasing rates, until a 30% rise in systolic blood pressure was achieved. Heart rate decreased during pressor responses to noradrenaline in control subjects and patients with Parkinson's disease, but increased in those with the Shy-Drager syndrome. Heart rate increased during pressor responses to dopamine in all subjects. Compared to control subjects supersensitivity to noradrenaline was observed both in patients with Parkinson's disease and, to a greater extent, in those with the Shy-Drager syndrome. Subsensitivity to dopamine was observed in patients with Parkinson's disease, but supersensitivity in those with the Shy-Drager syndrome.", "PMID": 788743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8128", "title": "The effect of nisoxetine (Lilly compound 94939), a potential antidepressant, on biogenic amine uptake in man.", "content": "Preclinical studies with nisoxetine (Compound 94939) (3-[o-Methoxyphenoxy]-N-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine HCl) had shown it to have antidepressant properties and to be almost devoid of anticholinergic activity and depressant effects on cardiac conduction (in contrast to the commonly used tricyclic antidepressants from which nisoxetine significantly differs in structure). Placebo and nisoxetine (10-20 mg b.d. for 7 days) were administered to normal volunteers in a single-bind crossover study. Adverse side effects were minimal. There were no significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure seen when no other drugs were given. The effect of nisoxetine on uptake of biogenic amines was utilized to study its mechanism of action. The transient rise in blood pressure seen after an intravenous bolus of tyramine decreased by one-half to two-thirds while the rise in blood pressure upon continuous noradrenaline infusion was enhanced some two-to eight-fold. Both effects occurred after on dose and were greater with larger doses and chronic administration. In vitro, nisoxetine inhibits 5-HT uptake into platelets. However, platelets harvested from subjects receiving chronic nisoxetine administration did accumulate 5-HT. Plasma concentration of nisoxetine in these individuals was shown to be lower than that needed to block 5-HT uptake. We concluded that nisoxetine, in safe doses, specifically increased the sensitivity of noradrenaline and decreased tyramine responsiveness, presumably by blocking uptake at the axonal membrane. In contrast, in these clinical doses it had virtually no effect on 5-HT uptake into platelets.", "contents": "The effect of nisoxetine (Lilly compound 94939), a potential antidepressant, on biogenic amine uptake in man. Preclinical studies with nisoxetine (Compound 94939) (3-[o-Methoxyphenoxy]-N-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine HCl) had shown it to have antidepressant properties and to be almost devoid of anticholinergic activity and depressant effects on cardiac conduction (in contrast to the commonly used tricyclic antidepressants from which nisoxetine significantly differs in structure). Placebo and nisoxetine (10-20 mg b.d. for 7 days) were administered to normal volunteers in a single-bind crossover study. Adverse side effects were minimal. There were no significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure seen when no other drugs were given. The effect of nisoxetine on uptake of biogenic amines was utilized to study its mechanism of action. The transient rise in blood pressure seen after an intravenous bolus of tyramine decreased by one-half to two-thirds while the rise in blood pressure upon continuous noradrenaline infusion was enhanced some two-to eight-fold. Both effects occurred after on dose and were greater with larger doses and chronic administration. In vitro, nisoxetine inhibits 5-HT uptake into platelets. However, platelets harvested from subjects receiving chronic nisoxetine administration did accumulate 5-HT. Plasma concentration of nisoxetine in these individuals was shown to be lower than that needed to block 5-HT uptake. We concluded that nisoxetine, in safe doses, specifically increased the sensitivity of noradrenaline and decreased tyramine responsiveness, presumably by blocking uptake at the axonal membrane. In contrast, in these clinical doses it had virtually no effect on 5-HT uptake into platelets.", "PMID": 788744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8129", "title": "Determination of the optimum dose of subcutaneous salbutamol in asthmatic patients.", "content": "Saline and salbutamol (250 mug, 500 mug, 750 mug, and 1000 mug) injections were administered under double-blind conditions to seven chronic stable asthmatic patients. The response on the respiratory system (FEV1, FVC) and cardiovascular system (pulse rate, blood pressure and ECG) was monitored for 3 hours. Increasing the dose of salbutamol increased the peak and weighted average effects of FEV1 and pulse rate. The optimum dose, a titration of desired increases in FEV1 and undesirable increases in pulse rate, is 500 mug but doses up to 1000 mug may be administered if necessary.", "contents": "Determination of the optimum dose of subcutaneous salbutamol in asthmatic patients. Saline and salbutamol (250 mug, 500 mug, 750 mug, and 1000 mug) injections were administered under double-blind conditions to seven chronic stable asthmatic patients. The response on the respiratory system (FEV1, FVC) and cardiovascular system (pulse rate, blood pressure and ECG) was monitored for 3 hours. Increasing the dose of salbutamol increased the peak and weighted average effects of FEV1 and pulse rate. The optimum dose, a titration of desired increases in FEV1 and undesirable increases in pulse rate, is 500 mug but doses up to 1000 mug may be administered if necessary.", "PMID": 788745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8130", "title": "Comparison of propranolol and practolol in the management of hyperthyroidism.", "content": "Twenty-one hyperthyroid patients participated in an 8-week double-blind crossover trial of propranolol and practolol, and the effecte of these drugs on the clinical and metabolic features of the disease were studied. Propranolol was marginally more effective than practolol, as measured by the hyperthyroid diagnostic index and anxiety scale. Propranolol produced a significant reduction in the serum concentration ratio of tri-iodothyronine to thyroxine, compatible with partial inhibition of peripheral deiodination of thyroxine. Adverse reactions occurred more frequently with propranolol than with practolol. In veiw of the efficacy of practoloo, further trials in hyperthyroid patients of newer beta1-adrenoceptor antagonists, preferably without partial agonist activity, are indicated.", "contents": "Comparison of propranolol and practolol in the management of hyperthyroidism. Twenty-one hyperthyroid patients participated in an 8-week double-blind crossover trial of propranolol and practolol, and the effecte of these drugs on the clinical and metabolic features of the disease were studied. Propranolol was marginally more effective than practolol, as measured by the hyperthyroid diagnostic index and anxiety scale. Propranolol produced a significant reduction in the serum concentration ratio of tri-iodothyronine to thyroxine, compatible with partial inhibition of peripheral deiodination of thyroxine. Adverse reactions occurred more frequently with propranolol than with practolol. In veiw of the efficacy of practoloo, further trials in hyperthyroid patients of newer beta1-adrenoceptor antagonists, preferably without partial agonist activity, are indicated.", "PMID": 788746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8131", "title": "Lithium and the antidiuretic hormone.", "content": "The effect of lithium on the urine concentrating response to antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and the excretion of ADH has been studied in rats and man. The maximum urine osmolarity following 18 h dehydration and Pitressin (5 u) was decreased in three out of four patients during lithium treatment compared to their response to the same test in the absence of lithium. In a fifth patient, tested only during lithium treatment, the urine remained hypotonic to plasma throughout this test. Lithium increased the excretion of ADH in non-polyuric patients from 9-22 mu/24 h in the absence of lithium to 36-202 mu/24 - during lithium treatment. In four patients with lithium-induced polyuria, a diuretic acting on the distal tubules, clorexolone, reduced the polyuria. Lithium increased urine volume and the excretion of ADH in four rats receiving lithium in their diet. The response to exogenous ADH was decreased during lithium administration.", "contents": "Lithium and the antidiuretic hormone. The effect of lithium on the urine concentrating response to antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and the excretion of ADH has been studied in rats and man. The maximum urine osmolarity following 18 h dehydration and Pitressin (5 u) was decreased in three out of four patients during lithium treatment compared to their response to the same test in the absence of lithium. In a fifth patient, tested only during lithium treatment, the urine remained hypotonic to plasma throughout this test. Lithium increased the excretion of ADH in non-polyuric patients from 9-22 mu/24 h in the absence of lithium to 36-202 mu/24 - during lithium treatment. In four patients with lithium-induced polyuria, a diuretic acting on the distal tubules, clorexolone, reduced the polyuria. Lithium increased urine volume and the excretion of ADH in four rats receiving lithium in their diet. The response to exogenous ADH was decreased during lithium administration.", "PMID": 788747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8132", "title": "How double blind is double blind? And does it matter?", "content": "In an apparently double blind crossover study, two experienced measurement technicians were able to identify many of the treatment periods. They most often correctly identified aspirin, a drug with prominent effects and side effects. It is argued that in many circumstances it is better to use a blind observer who is not concerned with the giving of treatment or the collection of side effects.", "contents": "How double blind is double blind? And does it matter? In an apparently double blind crossover study, two experienced measurement technicians were able to identify many of the treatment periods. They most often correctly identified aspirin, a drug with prominent effects and side effects. It is argued that in many circumstances it is better to use a blind observer who is not concerned with the giving of treatment or the collection of side effects.", "PMID": 788748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8133", "title": "A comparison of slow release with conventional oxprenolol: plasma concentrations and clinical effects.", "content": "1 Plasma concentrations of oxprenolol have been compared in six healthy volunteers after 80 and 160 mg doses of a new slow release (SR) oxprenolol preparation, after an 80 ng dose of conventional oxprenolol (CO), and after the second of two 80 mg doses of conventional oxprenolol given 12 h apart. Basal pulse rates and blood pressures, and pulse rates before and after a standard exercise test have been compared after the four active treatments and after a placebo. 2 Peak plasma concentrations of oxprenolol attained after 160 mg of the slow release preparation were similar to the peak concentrations after the single 80 mg dose of conventional oxprenolol. Higher concentrations, however, persisted for much longer after the slow release preparations than after the conventional preparations. 3 Neither oxprenolol formulation had any effect on resting pulse rate or blood pressure in normotensive volunteers. 4 Comparison with placebo showed that the single dose of the conventional oxprenolol produced a significant reduction in exercise induced tachycardia for 8 h whereas the high dose of the slow release preparation produced a similar reduction which lasted for at least 14 hours.", "contents": "A comparison of slow release with conventional oxprenolol: plasma concentrations and clinical effects. 1 Plasma concentrations of oxprenolol have been compared in six healthy volunteers after 80 and 160 mg doses of a new slow release (SR) oxprenolol preparation, after an 80 ng dose of conventional oxprenolol (CO), and after the second of two 80 mg doses of conventional oxprenolol given 12 h apart. Basal pulse rates and blood pressures, and pulse rates before and after a standard exercise test have been compared after the four active treatments and after a placebo. 2 Peak plasma concentrations of oxprenolol attained after 160 mg of the slow release preparation were similar to the peak concentrations after the single 80 mg dose of conventional oxprenolol. Higher concentrations, however, persisted for much longer after the slow release preparations than after the conventional preparations. 3 Neither oxprenolol formulation had any effect on resting pulse rate or blood pressure in normotensive volunteers. 4 Comparison with placebo showed that the single dose of the conventional oxprenolol produced a significant reduction in exercise induced tachycardia for 8 h whereas the high dose of the slow release preparation produced a similar reduction which lasted for at least 14 hours.", "PMID": 788749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8134", "title": "The pharmacodynamics of single doses of prorenoate potasssium and spironolactone in fludrocortisone treated normal subjects.", "content": "1 The pharmacodynamic profile of single oral doses of prorenoate potassium (40 mg) and spironolactone (100 mg), as judged by reversal of the effects of fludrocostisone on the urinary electrolyte composition, was compared to that of placebo in a double-blind crossover study in six healthy subjects. 2 Both drugs showed evidence of significant activity in all periods between 2-16 h after treatment, and the time course of their activity was very similar. 3 In the total 24 h period after treatment both drugs significantly increased sodium excretion, the Na/K ratio and the log 10 Na/K ratio over placebo values, and urine potassium concentration was significantly reduced. Changes in urine volume and in potassium excretion were not significant. 4 The responses to prorenoate potassium (40 mg) were not significantly different from those to spironolactone 100 mg), and were very similar as judged by the urine log 10 Na/K ratio, indicating that the two drugs were approximately equiactive at these doses. 5 Reductions in urinary potassium excretion, when expressed in relation to the amount of sodium excreted, were significantly larger after prorenoate potassium than after spironolactone, confirming a qualitative difference in the pharmacological activity of the two drugs which has been reported previously.", "contents": "The pharmacodynamics of single doses of prorenoate potasssium and spironolactone in fludrocortisone treated normal subjects. 1 The pharmacodynamic profile of single oral doses of prorenoate potassium (40 mg) and spironolactone (100 mg), as judged by reversal of the effects of fludrocostisone on the urinary electrolyte composition, was compared to that of placebo in a double-blind crossover study in six healthy subjects. 2 Both drugs showed evidence of significant activity in all periods between 2-16 h after treatment, and the time course of their activity was very similar. 3 In the total 24 h period after treatment both drugs significantly increased sodium excretion, the Na/K ratio and the log 10 Na/K ratio over placebo values, and urine potassium concentration was significantly reduced. Changes in urine volume and in potassium excretion were not significant. 4 The responses to prorenoate potassium (40 mg) were not significantly different from those to spironolactone 100 mg), and were very similar as judged by the urine log 10 Na/K ratio, indicating that the two drugs were approximately equiactive at these doses. 5 Reductions in urinary potassium excretion, when expressed in relation to the amount of sodium excreted, were significantly larger after prorenoate potassium than after spironolactone, confirming a qualitative difference in the pharmacological activity of the two drugs which has been reported previously.", "PMID": 788750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8135", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of indoramin in man.", "content": "1 The fate of oral and intravenous indoramin has been studied after single doses in man using the 14C labelled drug. Plasma concentrations of indoramin have been determined during chronic oral antihypertensive therapy employing a stable isotope dilution assay. 2 Following singleoral dosing the drug is well absorbed and extensively metabolised. Faecal excretion in 72 h accounts for 46% of the administered radioactivity of which approximately 4% is associated with indoramin. Less than 2% of the radioactivity in urine is accountable as the concentration of total metabolites. Peak plasma levels both of drug and metabolites occur 1-2 h after dosing, the maximal lowering of blood pressure occurring at this time. 3 The clearance of indoramin, determined after intravenous administration is of the same order as liver blood flow. In the isolated perfused rat liver, the extraction ratio is 0.98.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of indoramin in man. 1 The fate of oral and intravenous indoramin has been studied after single doses in man using the 14C labelled drug. Plasma concentrations of indoramin have been determined during chronic oral antihypertensive therapy employing a stable isotope dilution assay. 2 Following singleoral dosing the drug is well absorbed and extensively metabolised. Faecal excretion in 72 h accounts for 46% of the administered radioactivity of which approximately 4% is associated with indoramin. Less than 2% of the radioactivity in urine is accountable as the concentration of total metabolites. Peak plasma levels both of drug and metabolites occur 1-2 h after dosing, the maximal lowering of blood pressure occurring at this time. 3 The clearance of indoramin, determined after intravenous administration is of the same order as liver blood flow. In the isolated perfused rat liver, the extraction ratio is 0.98.", "PMID": 788751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8136", "title": "The effect on blood pressure of beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs administered once daily and their duration of action when therapy is ceased.", "content": "The control of blood pressure achieved was similar whether pindolol or propranolol was given once or three times daily. When the drugs were ceased the antihypertensive effect lasted for longer than 24 h. There was no rebound hypertension. The full effect of the drug on blood pressure was seen within 24 h of its recommencement. Changes in blood pressure, pulse rate, and plasma renin activity occurred but these were not considered to be causally related. The response of plasma renin activity to posture was ablated when the patients were receiving beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs.", "contents": "The effect on blood pressure of beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs administered once daily and their duration of action when therapy is ceased. The control of blood pressure achieved was similar whether pindolol or propranolol was given once or three times daily. When the drugs were ceased the antihypertensive effect lasted for longer than 24 h. There was no rebound hypertension. The full effect of the drug on blood pressure was seen within 24 h of its recommencement. Changes in blood pressure, pulse rate, and plasma renin activity occurred but these were not considered to be causally related. The response of plasma renin activity to posture was ablated when the patients were receiving beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs.", "PMID": 788758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8137", "title": "Hydrallazine or phentolamine as adjuncts to beta-adrenoceptor blockade/thiazide therapy in hypertension.", "content": "Ten patients not maximally controlled on an oxprenolo/cyclopenthiazide regimen for moderately severe hypertension were treated in a double blind crossover trial with either hydrallazine (75-150 mg/day) or phentolamine (60-120 mg/day) or placebo in addition to their other therapy. Additional phentolamine therapy did not lower blood pressure significantly when compared with placebo. Additional hydrallazine (75-150 mg/day) produced an approximate 10 mm, Hg fall in diastolic blood pressure, but no significant fall in systolic blood pressure. Pulse rates did not alter with the addition of hydrallazine or phentolamine. In patients who fail to attain optimal blood pressure response to beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs it is suggested that the addition of hydrallazine is a useful measure.", "contents": "Hydrallazine or phentolamine as adjuncts to beta-adrenoceptor blockade/thiazide therapy in hypertension. Ten patients not maximally controlled on an oxprenolo/cyclopenthiazide regimen for moderately severe hypertension were treated in a double blind crossover trial with either hydrallazine (75-150 mg/day) or phentolamine (60-120 mg/day) or placebo in addition to their other therapy. Additional phentolamine therapy did not lower blood pressure significantly when compared with placebo. Additional hydrallazine (75-150 mg/day) produced an approximate 10 mm, Hg fall in diastolic blood pressure, but no significant fall in systolic blood pressure. Pulse rates did not alter with the addition of hydrallazine or phentolamine. In patients who fail to attain optimal blood pressure response to beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs it is suggested that the addition of hydrallazine is a useful measure.", "PMID": 788759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8138", "title": "A trial of brolitene in the treatment of spasticity.", "content": "A new anti-spasticity agent, brolitene, has been assessed in patients with spasticity of spinal or cerebral origin. Twenty-seven patients were entered in a double-blind cross-over trial lasting 6 weeks, using a fixed dose of six tablets (1200 mg brolitene) per day. Clinical assessment failed to show any therapeutic effect in the seventeen patients completing the trial, except in one with multiple sclerosis. Ten patients had to be withdrawn from the trial, six while being treated with the active agent.", "contents": "A trial of brolitene in the treatment of spasticity. A new anti-spasticity agent, brolitene, has been assessed in patients with spasticity of spinal or cerebral origin. Twenty-seven patients were entered in a double-blind cross-over trial lasting 6 weeks, using a fixed dose of six tablets (1200 mg brolitene) per day. Clinical assessment failed to show any therapeutic effect in the seventeen patients completing the trial, except in one with multiple sclerosis. Ten patients had to be withdrawn from the trial, six while being treated with the active agent.", "PMID": 788760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8139", "title": "Effect of amantadine on drug-induced parkisonism: relationship between plasma levels and effect.", "content": "Amantadine, administered at a dose of 200 mg/day, antagonized the extapyramidal symptomatology induced by neuroleptic drugs in fifteen psychiatric patients. Steady-state levels were reached within 4-7 days of treatment. Individual plasma levels ranged from 200-900 ng/ml. Apparent plasma half-lives varied from 10-28.5 h with an apparent VD of 200-400 litres. A significant relationship was found between the plasma levels of amantadine and the effects on the extrapyramidal symptomatology. The data suggest a direct effect of amantadine on dopaminergic receptors.", "contents": "Effect of amantadine on drug-induced parkisonism: relationship between plasma levels and effect. Amantadine, administered at a dose of 200 mg/day, antagonized the extapyramidal symptomatology induced by neuroleptic drugs in fifteen psychiatric patients. Steady-state levels were reached within 4-7 days of treatment. Individual plasma levels ranged from 200-900 ng/ml. Apparent plasma half-lives varied from 10-28.5 h with an apparent VD of 200-400 litres. A significant relationship was found between the plasma levels of amantadine and the effects on the extrapyramidal symptomatology. The data suggest a direct effect of amantadine on dopaminergic receptors.", "PMID": 788761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8140", "title": "Induction of resistance or enhancement to a transplantable murine plasmacytoma by transfer of non-immune leucocytes.", "content": "Newborn mice have a lower spontaneous resistance to the growth of a syngeneic plasmacytoma (MOPC-460) as compared to adult mice. The transfer of different leucocyte populations from non-immunized adult donors to newborn mice influence in a dual way the resistance to MOPC-460 growth, depending on the number of cells transferred. The transfer of a low number of neutrophils, thymus or spleen cells enhances the MOPC-460 takes. Higher numbers of neutrophils, thymus or bone marrow cells induce an effective protenction. By contrast, macrophages over a dose of 1 X 10(4) constantly produce a reduction of tumour growth.", "contents": "Induction of resistance or enhancement to a transplantable murine plasmacytoma by transfer of non-immune leucocytes. Newborn mice have a lower spontaneous resistance to the growth of a syngeneic plasmacytoma (MOPC-460) as compared to adult mice. The transfer of different leucocyte populations from non-immunized adult donors to newborn mice influence in a dual way the resistance to MOPC-460 growth, depending on the number of cells transferred. The transfer of a low number of neutrophils, thymus or spleen cells enhances the MOPC-460 takes. Higher numbers of neutrophils, thymus or bone marrow cells induce an effective protenction. By contrast, macrophages over a dose of 1 X 10(4) constantly produce a reduction of tumour growth.", "PMID": 788762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8141", "title": "Transformation of epithelioma adenoides cysticum into multiple rodent ulcers: fact or fallacy. A historical vignette.", "content": "This historical study has examined the persistent controversy about the propensity of epithelioma adenoides cysticum (EAC) to transform into multiple rodent ulcers, by reviewing cases reported through the years that seemed to support the idea. After focusing on the biological behaviour and natural history of the tumours and comparing them with our present knowledge of the behaviour of EAC, we believe that these cases were incorrectly diagnosed. Rather than EAC, they were probably examples of the naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. The latter syndrome was actually established by the recognition that patients who have multiple rodent ulcers that appear early in life and behave aggressively usually have a constellation of associated developmental defects and that the tumours sould be classified as genetically determined basal cell carcinomas and not as EAC.", "contents": "Transformation of epithelioma adenoides cysticum into multiple rodent ulcers: fact or fallacy. A historical vignette. This historical study has examined the persistent controversy about the propensity of epithelioma adenoides cysticum (EAC) to transform into multiple rodent ulcers, by reviewing cases reported through the years that seemed to support the idea. After focusing on the biological behaviour and natural history of the tumours and comparing them with our present knowledge of the behaviour of EAC, we believe that these cases were incorrectly diagnosed. Rather than EAC, they were probably examples of the naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. The latter syndrome was actually established by the recognition that patients who have multiple rodent ulcers that appear early in life and behave aggressively usually have a constellation of associated developmental defects and that the tumours sould be classified as genetically determined basal cell carcinomas and not as EAC.", "PMID": 788764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8142", "title": "Lysosomal hydrolases of the epidermis. 6. Changes in disease.", "content": "The activities of 14 acid hydrolases have been measured in normal and diseased human epidermis. Our findings were as follows: (i) Increased hydrolase activity was common in lesions; the clinically uninvolved skin of patients, however, invariably showed normal values. (2) The pattern of change was independent of the nature of the didease, the arylsulphatases and beta-glucosidase usually showing the greatest elevations. (3) The magnitude of the changes differed from disease to disease, being most marked in the lesions of psoriasis. (4) Ichthyosiform erythroderma was exceptional in showing elevated levels of the galactosidases and cathepsins B1 and D. We suggest that (with the exception of ichthyosiform erythroderma) the abnormalities which we have observed may be related to the proliferative rate of the epidermis.", "contents": "Lysosomal hydrolases of the epidermis. 6. Changes in disease. The activities of 14 acid hydrolases have been measured in normal and diseased human epidermis. Our findings were as follows: (i) Increased hydrolase activity was common in lesions; the clinically uninvolved skin of patients, however, invariably showed normal values. (2) The pattern of change was independent of the nature of the didease, the arylsulphatases and beta-glucosidase usually showing the greatest elevations. (3) The magnitude of the changes differed from disease to disease, being most marked in the lesions of psoriasis. (4) Ichthyosiform erythroderma was exceptional in showing elevated levels of the galactosidases and cathepsins B1 and D. We suggest that (with the exception of ichthyosiform erythroderma) the abnormalities which we have observed may be related to the proliferative rate of the epidermis.", "PMID": 788765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8143", "title": "Alternative pathway complement activation:a possible mechanism inducing skin lesions in benign gonococcal spesis.", "content": "In order to elucidate the pathogenesis of the skin lesions in 'benign gonococcal sepsis' direct immunofluorescence of an early macular lesion and routine histopathology of a mature papulopustular lesion in a patient with septic gonococcal dermatitis have been performed. Histopathology of the mature skin lesion revelaed a pattenr of 'allergic vasculitis'. Direct immunofluorescence showed exclusively deposits of C3 around and within the capillaries and in the basement membrane zone. No specific IgG, IgM, IgA or C4 deposits could be demonstrated. This, together with serological findings and reports from the literature, suggests an important pathogenetic function for complement, activated through the alternative pathway by means of gonococcal endotoxic lipopolysaccharide, in the pathogenesis of the skin lesions in benign gonococcal sepsis.", "contents": "Alternative pathway complement activation:a possible mechanism inducing skin lesions in benign gonococcal spesis. In order to elucidate the pathogenesis of the skin lesions in 'benign gonococcal sepsis' direct immunofluorescence of an early macular lesion and routine histopathology of a mature papulopustular lesion in a patient with septic gonococcal dermatitis have been performed. Histopathology of the mature skin lesion revelaed a pattenr of 'allergic vasculitis'. Direct immunofluorescence showed exclusively deposits of C3 around and within the capillaries and in the basement membrane zone. No specific IgG, IgM, IgA or C4 deposits could be demonstrated. This, together with serological findings and reports from the literature, suggests an important pathogenetic function for complement, activated through the alternative pathway by means of gonococcal endotoxic lipopolysaccharide, in the pathogenesis of the skin lesions in benign gonococcal sepsis.", "PMID": 788766} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8144", "title": "A double-blind trial of clomocycline in the treatment of persistent palmoplantar pustulosis.", "content": "Sixty patients with persistent palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) were treated with clomocycline (Megaclor) in a double-blind, cross-over trial in an attempt to establish whether the condition responds to tetracycline. Each patient received 3 months each of clomocycline and placebo in random order. Forty patients completed the trial. Twenty-two failed to respond to either treatment, fifteen improved on clomocycline, two improved on placebo and one placebo and one improbed on both treatments. These results are highly significant (P = 0-003) and suggest that clomocycline may suppress pustulation in some patients. The twenty-two 'non-responders' were compared with the eighteen 'responders' for sex, age, length of history and associated psoriasis but no significant differences were found. Difficulties in assessment and the possiblity of improvement deing due to spontaneous remission are discussed. Further follow-up of both groups suggested that clomocycline used over long periods favourably influenced the course of the disease in the 'responder' group.", "contents": "A double-blind trial of clomocycline in the treatment of persistent palmoplantar pustulosis. Sixty patients with persistent palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) were treated with clomocycline (Megaclor) in a double-blind, cross-over trial in an attempt to establish whether the condition responds to tetracycline. Each patient received 3 months each of clomocycline and placebo in random order. Forty patients completed the trial. Twenty-two failed to respond to either treatment, fifteen improved on clomocycline, two improved on placebo and one placebo and one improbed on both treatments. These results are highly significant (P = 0-003) and suggest that clomocycline may suppress pustulation in some patients. The twenty-two 'non-responders' were compared with the eighteen 'responders' for sex, age, length of history and associated psoriasis but no significant differences were found. Difficulties in assessment and the possiblity of improvement deing due to spontaneous remission are discussed. Further follow-up of both groups suggested that clomocycline used over long periods favourably influenced the course of the disease in the 'responder' group.", "PMID": 788767} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8145", "title": "Co-operative double-blind trial of an antibiotic/corticoid combination in impetiginized atopic dermatitis.", "content": "This double-blind study of an antibiotic coritcosteroid combination, the antibiotic alone and the corticosteroid alone, compared their clinical and microbiological effect in infected atopic dermatitis. Combination therapy reduced the mean scores for infection, inflammation and overall severity to a greater extent than the antibiotic or corticosteroid alone. The clinical and microbiological date are discussed in terms of relevance to clinical use.", "contents": "Co-operative double-blind trial of an antibiotic/corticoid combination in impetiginized atopic dermatitis. This double-blind study of an antibiotic coritcosteroid combination, the antibiotic alone and the corticosteroid alone, compared their clinical and microbiological effect in infected atopic dermatitis. Combination therapy reduced the mean scores for infection, inflammation and overall severity to a greater extent than the antibiotic or corticosteroid alone. The clinical and microbiological date are discussed in terms of relevance to clinical use.", "PMID": 788768} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8146", "title": "Practical applications of the Quantimet 720, an image analysing computer, in the field of investigative dermatology.", "content": "Image analysing computers can perform quantitative measurements of epidermal thickness, sebaceous gland volume, and labelling indices of epidermis easily, rapidly and automatically. All these parameters are extremely important in investigative dermatology and this paper describes how they are measured using the Quantimet 720.", "contents": "Practical applications of the Quantimet 720, an image analysing computer, in the field of investigative dermatology. Image analysing computers can perform quantitative measurements of epidermal thickness, sebaceous gland volume, and labelling indices of epidermis easily, rapidly and automatically. All these parameters are extremely important in investigative dermatology and this paper describes how they are measured using the Quantimet 720.", "PMID": 788769} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8147", "title": "The lines of Blaschko: a review and reconsideration: Observations of the cause of certain unusual linear conditions of the skin.", "content": "Blaschko's lines are the pattern assumed by many different naevoid and acquired skin diseases on the human skin and mucosae. They were described and drawn by Blaschko 75 years ago. These lines are to be distinguished from other linear patterns such as Voight's lines, Langer's lines, and the lines of innervation of the spinal nerves. They do not follow any known nervous, vascular or lymphatic structures in the skin. The epidermis and its appendageal structures, the melanocytes, the vascular system, and the fatty hypoderm, all, separately or in combination, may be involved in the morphological manifestations which follow Blaschko's lines. Many of the naevoid skin conditions are lifelong (e.g. linear sebaceous naevus, unilateral naevoid telangiectasia); many of the acquired skin diseases (e.g. lichen striatus, linear psoriasis) are of relatively short duration (e.g. 1-2 years). The cause of the distribution pattern is unknown. It is possibly a form of human 'mosaicism' where certain specific cells or groups of cells react differently from other cells due to chromosomal abnormalities. The embryological explanation of Blaschko's lines is not at all clear. Other markers in addition to the skin findings are needed to determine the time and the nature of the change responsible for these lines. The main purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of Blaschko's lines into the medical, paramedical, and general biological fields of science. In this way, it is hoped that some inter-reaction can occur between those who regularly see Blaschko's lines and those who regularly see and study other chromosomal and embryological abnormalities.", "contents": "The lines of Blaschko: a review and reconsideration: Observations of the cause of certain unusual linear conditions of the skin. Blaschko's lines are the pattern assumed by many different naevoid and acquired skin diseases on the human skin and mucosae. They were described and drawn by Blaschko 75 years ago. These lines are to be distinguished from other linear patterns such as Voight's lines, Langer's lines, and the lines of innervation of the spinal nerves. They do not follow any known nervous, vascular or lymphatic structures in the skin. The epidermis and its appendageal structures, the melanocytes, the vascular system, and the fatty hypoderm, all, separately or in combination, may be involved in the morphological manifestations which follow Blaschko's lines. Many of the naevoid skin conditions are lifelong (e.g. linear sebaceous naevus, unilateral naevoid telangiectasia); many of the acquired skin diseases (e.g. lichen striatus, linear psoriasis) are of relatively short duration (e.g. 1-2 years). The cause of the distribution pattern is unknown. It is possibly a form of human 'mosaicism' where certain specific cells or groups of cells react differently from other cells due to chromosomal abnormalities. The embryological explanation of Blaschko's lines is not at all clear. Other markers in addition to the skin findings are needed to determine the time and the nature of the change responsible for these lines. The main purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of Blaschko's lines into the medical, paramedical, and general biological fields of science. In this way, it is hoped that some inter-reaction can occur between those who regularly see Blaschko's lines and those who regularly see and study other chromosomal and embryological abnormalities.", "PMID": 788770} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8148", "title": "Blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). II. Cell surface marker analysis of \"lymphoid\" and myeloid cases.", "content": "Fourteen cases of philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) positive chronic myeloid leukaemia in blast transformation have been investigated using cell surface markers. Morphologically eight cases were lymphoid and the remainder myeloid in appearance. All cases were negative with surface markers for thymocytes and T and B lymphocytes. Five of the lymphoid cases reacted with an antiserum specific for acute lymphoid leukaemia )ALL) of non-T non-B type and were also weakly reactive with a lymphocyte reactive antiserum. A sixth patient, whose blast cells were anti-ALL negative (ALL-) at presentation, subsequently developed central nervous system leukaemia with anti-ALL positive (ALL+) blast cells in the CSF. In all cases the leukaemic blast cells showed greatly diminished expression of cholera toxin receptors when compared to granulocytic cells from the chronic phase of CML. This parallels weak or negligible expression of the cholera toxin receptor in ALL and AML. These results suggest that the blastic phase of CML may involve different cellular derivatives of a pluripotential stem cell in which the primary malignant/genetic changes reside. The blast crisis of CML can therefore be heterogeneous with respect to cellular expression and in a significant proportion of patients involves a cell which is by membrane markers and morphological criteria indistinguishable from that seen in the common form of ALL. In these cases the Philadelphia chromosome may be the only distinguishing cellular characteristic.", "contents": "Blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). II. Cell surface marker analysis of \"lymphoid\" and myeloid cases. Fourteen cases of philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) positive chronic myeloid leukaemia in blast transformation have been investigated using cell surface markers. Morphologically eight cases were lymphoid and the remainder myeloid in appearance. All cases were negative with surface markers for thymocytes and T and B lymphocytes. Five of the lymphoid cases reacted with an antiserum specific for acute lymphoid leukaemia )ALL) of non-T non-B type and were also weakly reactive with a lymphocyte reactive antiserum. A sixth patient, whose blast cells were anti-ALL negative (ALL-) at presentation, subsequently developed central nervous system leukaemia with anti-ALL positive (ALL+) blast cells in the CSF. In all cases the leukaemic blast cells showed greatly diminished expression of cholera toxin receptors when compared to granulocytic cells from the chronic phase of CML. This parallels weak or negligible expression of the cholera toxin receptor in ALL and AML. These results suggest that the blastic phase of CML may involve different cellular derivatives of a pluripotential stem cell in which the primary malignant/genetic changes reside. The blast crisis of CML can therefore be heterogeneous with respect to cellular expression and in a significant proportion of patients involves a cell which is by membrane markers and morphological criteria indistinguishable from that seen in the common form of ALL. In these cases the Philadelphia chromosome may be the only distinguishing cellular characteristic.", "PMID": 788772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8149", "title": "Effects of terbutaline on myometrial activity, uterine blood flow, and lower abdominal pain in women with primary dysmenorrhoea.", "content": "The effects of the selective beta2-receptor stimulator terbutaline (0-25 to 0-5 mg given intravenously) on myometrial activity, local uterine blood flow, and lower abdominal pain were examined during the first day of menstruation in 11 women with severe primary dysmenorrhoea. All had maximum intrauterine pressures between 200 and 350 mm Hg. During uterine contractions of high amplitude or long duration, the local endometrial blood flow decreased markedly, and the patients experienced the most intense pain. Terbutaline inhibited the myometrial activity, increased the blood flow, and relieved the pain.", "contents": "Effects of terbutaline on myometrial activity, uterine blood flow, and lower abdominal pain in women with primary dysmenorrhoea. The effects of the selective beta2-receptor stimulator terbutaline (0-25 to 0-5 mg given intravenously) on myometrial activity, local uterine blood flow, and lower abdominal pain were examined during the first day of menstruation in 11 women with severe primary dysmenorrhoea. All had maximum intrauterine pressures between 200 and 350 mm Hg. During uterine contractions of high amplitude or long duration, the local endometrial blood flow decreased markedly, and the patients experienced the most intense pain. Terbutaline inhibited the myometrial activity, increased the blood flow, and relieved the pain.", "PMID": 788773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8150", "title": "Serum prolactin and the suppression of lactation.", "content": "Bromocriptine (2 bromo-alpha-ergocryptine), stilboestrol, clomiphene citrate, testosterone propionate and a placebo were given to 75 postpartum women for the suppression of puerperal lactation. An additional 15 women who breast-fed their babies served as a control group. Blood samples were taken for the determination of serum prolactin levels by a specific homologous double antibody radioimmunoassay. Concurrently, the clinical effectiveness of the various treatments was assessed. High levels of prolactin were found at the time of delivery. Bromocriptine effectively reduced serum prolactin and prevented lactation; stilboestrol increased serum prolactin and partially suppressed lactation; clomiphene citrate and testosterone propionate both lowered serum prolactin levels and partially suppressed lactation. The placebo showed almost no effect on serum prolactin. It appeared that bromocriptine was the drug of choice in the suppression of puerperal lactation.", "contents": "Serum prolactin and the suppression of lactation. Bromocriptine (2 bromo-alpha-ergocryptine), stilboestrol, clomiphene citrate, testosterone propionate and a placebo were given to 75 postpartum women for the suppression of puerperal lactation. An additional 15 women who breast-fed their babies served as a control group. Blood samples were taken for the determination of serum prolactin levels by a specific homologous double antibody radioimmunoassay. Concurrently, the clinical effectiveness of the various treatments was assessed. High levels of prolactin were found at the time of delivery. Bromocriptine effectively reduced serum prolactin and prevented lactation; stilboestrol increased serum prolactin and partially suppressed lactation; clomiphene citrate and testosterone propionate both lowered serum prolactin levels and partially suppressed lactation. The placebo showed almost no effect on serum prolactin. It appeared that bromocriptine was the drug of choice in the suppression of puerperal lactation.", "PMID": 788774} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8151", "title": "Quantitative determination of the number of secondary and tertiary structure base pairs in transfer RNA in solution.", "content": "Resonances in the low-field (11-15 ppm) nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (NMR) of tRNA molecules arise from secondary and tertiary structure base pairs (1 resonance for each base pair) as well as tertiary structure hydrogen bonds. An accurate method for integrating the low-field spectra has been developed and applied to seven different tRNA. In the presence of high levels of magnesium (10 mM free magnesium) the number of resonances (base pairs) per molecule is typically 3-4 more than the number predicted by the cloverleaf model. These results confirm our recent proposal that, under proper conditions, most tRNA exhibit 3-4 tertiary structure interactions in solution, which are also observed in x-ray diffraction studies of yeast tRNAPhe. In addition to common resonances in the 11-15 ppm region, there are common resonances at 10.5 and 9.5 ppm. A critique of methods used to integrate the low-field spectra is given and possible sources of error are indicated. The discrepancy between our present results and previous studies, which indicated that the number of base pairs per molecule was close to the number predicted by the cloverleaf model, can be attributed partly to differences in magnesium concentration and partly to inaccuracies inherent in the integration methods used.", "contents": "Quantitative determination of the number of secondary and tertiary structure base pairs in transfer RNA in solution. Resonances in the low-field (11-15 ppm) nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (NMR) of tRNA molecules arise from secondary and tertiary structure base pairs (1 resonance for each base pair) as well as tertiary structure hydrogen bonds. An accurate method for integrating the low-field spectra has been developed and applied to seven different tRNA. In the presence of high levels of magnesium (10 mM free magnesium) the number of resonances (base pairs) per molecule is typically 3-4 more than the number predicted by the cloverleaf model. These results confirm our recent proposal that, under proper conditions, most tRNA exhibit 3-4 tertiary structure interactions in solution, which are also observed in x-ray diffraction studies of yeast tRNAPhe. In addition to common resonances in the 11-15 ppm region, there are common resonances at 10.5 and 9.5 ppm. A critique of methods used to integrate the low-field spectra is given and possible sources of error are indicated. The discrepancy between our present results and previous studies, which indicated that the number of base pairs per molecule was close to the number predicted by the cloverleaf model, can be attributed partly to differences in magnesium concentration and partly to inaccuracies inherent in the integration methods used.", "PMID": 788776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8152", "title": "Physical characterization of a ribosomal nucleoprotein complex.", "content": "The complex between ribosomal protein L24 and its RNA binding site (that region of the 23S RNA which the protein protects from ribonuclease digestion) has been studied by various physicochemical methods. The RNA is composed of two fragments of about 160 and 140 nucleotides which interact with each other to form the L24 binding site. Circular dichroism spectroscopy suggests that the two interacting fragments have a unique region of secondary structure which is not present in either of the two components alone; hence there are important structural interactions between regions of the RNA which are separated in the primary sequence. Addition of the L24 protein to the RNA site promotes a structural change associated with base unstacking, but with little or no change in the hydrogen-bonded base pairing. Heat activation is not required for complex formation. Thermal denaturation studies reveal a broad featureless transition and the amount of hypochromic change indicates that the RNA site contains less secondary structure than other RNAs such as tRNA and total rRNA. Temperature-jump relaxation measurements on the mechanism of unfolding of the RNA show a concerted melting of the entire secondary and tertiary structure, which is altered upon addition of the protein. A structrual basis for this RNA-protein complex is discussed.", "contents": "Physical characterization of a ribosomal nucleoprotein complex. The complex between ribosomal protein L24 and its RNA binding site (that region of the 23S RNA which the protein protects from ribonuclease digestion) has been studied by various physicochemical methods. The RNA is composed of two fragments of about 160 and 140 nucleotides which interact with each other to form the L24 binding site. Circular dichroism spectroscopy suggests that the two interacting fragments have a unique region of secondary structure which is not present in either of the two components alone; hence there are important structural interactions between regions of the RNA which are separated in the primary sequence. Addition of the L24 protein to the RNA site promotes a structural change associated with base unstacking, but with little or no change in the hydrogen-bonded base pairing. Heat activation is not required for complex formation. Thermal denaturation studies reveal a broad featureless transition and the amount of hypochromic change indicates that the RNA site contains less secondary structure than other RNAs such as tRNA and total rRNA. Temperature-jump relaxation measurements on the mechanism of unfolding of the RNA show a concerted melting of the entire secondary and tertiary structure, which is altered upon addition of the protein. A structrual basis for this RNA-protein complex is discussed.", "PMID": 788777} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8153", "title": "Changes in rotational motion of a cell-bound fluorophore caused by colicin E1: a study by fluorescence polarization and differential polarized phase fluorometry.", "content": "The stationary fluorescence polarization and the differential phase delay of the polarized components of the fluorescence of 1-phenylnaphthylamine in Escherichia coli suspensions were measured before and after addition of colicin E1. Both sets of measurements register an increase in the rotational relaxation time of the fluorescent probe when colicin is present. These increases are absent in an E. coli mutant tolerant to colicin E1. The physical interpretation of the changes demands separate estimation of the fraction f2 of the emitting fluorophores that change their properties upon colicin addition and of the rotational relaxation time p2 of this fraction, following the colicin-induced changes. By themselves, the steady state polarizaiton observations permit only the conclusion that f2 must be in the range of 1-0.06 and the change in p2/pi between 1.5 and a value larger than 10. Combination of the data of stationary polarization with those of differential phase fluorometry results in an important reduction in the uncertainty:f2 must be in the range 1-0.33 and the change in p2/pi in the range 1.5-2.5.", "contents": "Changes in rotational motion of a cell-bound fluorophore caused by colicin E1: a study by fluorescence polarization and differential polarized phase fluorometry. The stationary fluorescence polarization and the differential phase delay of the polarized components of the fluorescence of 1-phenylnaphthylamine in Escherichia coli suspensions were measured before and after addition of colicin E1. Both sets of measurements register an increase in the rotational relaxation time of the fluorescent probe when colicin is present. These increases are absent in an E. coli mutant tolerant to colicin E1. The physical interpretation of the changes demands separate estimation of the fraction f2 of the emitting fluorophores that change their properties upon colicin addition and of the rotational relaxation time p2 of this fraction, following the colicin-induced changes. By themselves, the steady state polarizaiton observations permit only the conclusion that f2 must be in the range of 1-0.06 and the change in p2/pi between 1.5 and a value larger than 10. Combination of the data of stationary polarization with those of differential phase fluorometry results in an important reduction in the uncertainty:f2 must be in the range 1-0.33 and the change in p2/pi in the range 1.5-2.5.", "PMID": 788778} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8154", "title": "Equilibrium measurements of the interactions of guanine nucleotides with Escherichia coli elongation factor G and the ribosome.", "content": "The interactions among Escherichia coli elongation factor G (EF-G), guanine nucleotides, ribosomes, and fusidic acid were investigated by a number of physical techniques. Equilibrium dialysis studies demonstrated the existence of a binary EF-G-GDP complex. This complex forms with a stoichiometry of ca 1:1 and an apparent Ka of 2.5 X 10(5) M-1. While no evidence was obtained for the formation of a ribosome-GDP complex, in the presence of ribosomes, the apparent Ka for guanosine diphosphate (GDP) increased 40-fold over that for binding to EF-G alone. Although the apparent Ka increased, the stoichiometry remained ca. 1 mol of GDP/mol of EF-G. An upper limit of 1.3 X 10(7) M-1 was calculated for the Ka for binding of ribosomes to the EF-G-GDP complex. Fusidic acid had no effect on the apparent Ka's for either the EF-G-GDP or EF-G-beta, gamma-methyleneguanosine triphosphate (GMP-P(CH2)P)=ribosome complexes, but markedly increased the Ka for GDP in the EF-G-GDP-ribosome complex without altering the stoichiometry. The apparent Ka for GDP was shown to be dependent upon the fusidic acid concentration. In addition, the rate of GDP exchange into the quaternary EF-G-GDP-ribosome-fusidic acid complex was inversely related to the fusidic acid concentration. All of the data obtained in these studies suggest that the formation and dissociation of complexes involving EF-G and guanine nucleotides is ordered. GDP is the first component to bind to EF-G, followed by the ribosome, and, finally, fusidic acid. This conclusion is consistent with the kinetic mechanism for the hydrolysis of GTP by EF-G and the ribosome proposed in the preceding paper of this issue (Rohrbach and Bodley (1976b). In addition to these binding studies, guanine nucleotides have also been shown to protect EF-G against both limited trypsinolysis and chemical modification by N-ethylmaleimide. These observations offer additional evidence for the existence of a guanine nucleotide binding site on EF-G.", "contents": "Equilibrium measurements of the interactions of guanine nucleotides with Escherichia coli elongation factor G and the ribosome. The interactions among Escherichia coli elongation factor G (EF-G), guanine nucleotides, ribosomes, and fusidic acid were investigated by a number of physical techniques. Equilibrium dialysis studies demonstrated the existence of a binary EF-G-GDP complex. This complex forms with a stoichiometry of ca 1:1 and an apparent Ka of 2.5 X 10(5) M-1. While no evidence was obtained for the formation of a ribosome-GDP complex, in the presence of ribosomes, the apparent Ka for guanosine diphosphate (GDP) increased 40-fold over that for binding to EF-G alone. Although the apparent Ka increased, the stoichiometry remained ca. 1 mol of GDP/mol of EF-G. An upper limit of 1.3 X 10(7) M-1 was calculated for the Ka for binding of ribosomes to the EF-G-GDP complex. Fusidic acid had no effect on the apparent Ka's for either the EF-G-GDP or EF-G-beta, gamma-methyleneguanosine triphosphate (GMP-P(CH2)P)=ribosome complexes, but markedly increased the Ka for GDP in the EF-G-GDP-ribosome complex without altering the stoichiometry. The apparent Ka for GDP was shown to be dependent upon the fusidic acid concentration. In addition, the rate of GDP exchange into the quaternary EF-G-GDP-ribosome-fusidic acid complex was inversely related to the fusidic acid concentration. All of the data obtained in these studies suggest that the formation and dissociation of complexes involving EF-G and guanine nucleotides is ordered. GDP is the first component to bind to EF-G, followed by the ribosome, and, finally, fusidic acid. This conclusion is consistent with the kinetic mechanism for the hydrolysis of GTP by EF-G and the ribosome proposed in the preceding paper of this issue (Rohrbach and Bodley (1976b). In addition to these binding studies, guanine nucleotides have also been shown to protect EF-G against both limited trypsinolysis and chemical modification by N-ethylmaleimide. These observations offer additional evidence for the existence of a guanine nucleotide binding site on EF-G.", "PMID": 788779} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8155", "title": "A carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance study of hyperactive and hypoactive derivatives of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone: des-Gly-NH210-[DLeu6]LH-RH ethylamide and des-Gly-NH210-[L-Leu6]LH-RH ethylamide.", "content": "The carbon-13 (13C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) behavior of the hyperactive analogue of luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), des-Gly-NH2(10)-[D-Leu6]LH-RH ethylamide, has been studied. The spectra are compared with those of the hypoactive des-Gly-NH2(10)-[L-Leu6]LH-RH ethylamide. Spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) of 13C at natural abundance have been obtained for both peptides at 25 and 68 MHz in aqueous solution and used as monitors of flexibility at each carbon atom in the peptide backbone and side chains. The [D-Leu6]-and [L-Leu6]-sub-stituted analogues show equal degrees of freedom within the peptide backbone and side chains. Substitution of the glycine amide moiety in position 10 by an ethylamide group causes an increase in flexibility of the backbone at that position. The increase in flexibility is not transmitted to the adjacent prolyl residue. The C-terminal peptide link at position 10 is proposed to restrict the flexibility of the prolyl residue in position 9, thus maintaining the motional characteristics of the LH-RH peptide backbone in the des-Gly-NH2(10)-[Leu6]LH-RH ethylamide analogues. There were no significant differences in the 13C chemical shifts or T1 values between the hypoactive and hyperactive analogues in aqueous solution which would explain the differences in biological activity. Interaction between receptor and hormone may thus be required to induce, or select, the biologically active conformation of the hormone.", "contents": "A carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance study of hyperactive and hypoactive derivatives of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone: des-Gly-NH210-[DLeu6]LH-RH ethylamide and des-Gly-NH210-[L-Leu6]LH-RH ethylamide. The carbon-13 (13C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) behavior of the hyperactive analogue of luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), des-Gly-NH2(10)-[D-Leu6]LH-RH ethylamide, has been studied. The spectra are compared with those of the hypoactive des-Gly-NH2(10)-[L-Leu6]LH-RH ethylamide. Spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) of 13C at natural abundance have been obtained for both peptides at 25 and 68 MHz in aqueous solution and used as monitors of flexibility at each carbon atom in the peptide backbone and side chains. The [D-Leu6]-and [L-Leu6]-sub-stituted analogues show equal degrees of freedom within the peptide backbone and side chains. Substitution of the glycine amide moiety in position 10 by an ethylamide group causes an increase in flexibility of the backbone at that position. The increase in flexibility is not transmitted to the adjacent prolyl residue. The C-terminal peptide link at position 10 is proposed to restrict the flexibility of the prolyl residue in position 9, thus maintaining the motional characteristics of the LH-RH peptide backbone in the des-Gly-NH2(10)-[Leu6]LH-RH ethylamide analogues. There were no significant differences in the 13C chemical shifts or T1 values between the hypoactive and hyperactive analogues in aqueous solution which would explain the differences in biological activity. Interaction between receptor and hormone may thus be required to induce, or select, the biologically active conformation of the hormone.", "PMID": 788780} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8156", "title": "Cooperative and noncooperative binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to tryptophan synthase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "An improved purification procedure for the beta2 subunit of tryptophan synthase from from Escherichia coli has led to an essentially pure and stable preparation with a specific enzymatic activity that is 30% higher than the previously reported maximum value. Sedimentation analysis shows that the apo-beta2 subunit is monodisperse and dimeric down to a concentration of 0.02 mg of protein/ml. The binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (pyridoxal-P) to the apo-beta2 subunit and to the alpha2-apo-beta2 complex was studied by equilibrium dialysis and spectroscopic titration. Both the beta2 subunit and the alpha2beta2 complex bind 2 mol of pyridoxal-P with no unspecific binding observable at higher concentrations of pyridoxal-P. The binding of pyridoxal-P to the apo-beta2 subunit is cooperative (Hill coefficient nH = 1.7). The data have been fitted to the Adair equation, yielding the apparent microscopic dissociation constants for the complexes with one and two bound ligand molecules. They differ by a factor of 38, suggesting that the apo- and holo-beta2 subunits have distinct conformations. The binding of pyridoxal-P to the alpha2-apo-beta2 complex is noncooperative with a value of the dissociation constant intermediate between the two values of the beta2 subunit. This finding suggests that the alpha subunit may stabilize a third conformational state of the beta2 subunit.", "contents": "Cooperative and noncooperative binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to tryptophan synthase from Escherichia coli. An improved purification procedure for the beta2 subunit of tryptophan synthase from from Escherichia coli has led to an essentially pure and stable preparation with a specific enzymatic activity that is 30% higher than the previously reported maximum value. Sedimentation analysis shows that the apo-beta2 subunit is monodisperse and dimeric down to a concentration of 0.02 mg of protein/ml. The binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (pyridoxal-P) to the apo-beta2 subunit and to the alpha2-apo-beta2 complex was studied by equilibrium dialysis and spectroscopic titration. Both the beta2 subunit and the alpha2beta2 complex bind 2 mol of pyridoxal-P with no unspecific binding observable at higher concentrations of pyridoxal-P. The binding of pyridoxal-P to the apo-beta2 subunit is cooperative (Hill coefficient nH = 1.7). The data have been fitted to the Adair equation, yielding the apparent microscopic dissociation constants for the complexes with one and two bound ligand molecules. They differ by a factor of 38, suggesting that the apo- and holo-beta2 subunits have distinct conformations. The binding of pyridoxal-P to the alpha2-apo-beta2 complex is noncooperative with a value of the dissociation constant intermediate between the two values of the beta2 subunit. This finding suggests that the alpha subunit may stabilize a third conformational state of the beta2 subunit.", "PMID": 788781} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8157", "title": "Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation time studies on the manganese(II) ion complex with succinyl coenzyme A synthetase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Nuclear magnetic resonance, as well as electron paramagnetic resonance, experiments were carried out in a study of the Mn(II) ion complex with phosphorylated succinyl-CoA synthetase. For high specific activity enzyme samples, there are 3.5 +/- 0.7 metal ion binding sites per enzyme molecule with indistinguishable dissociation constants (KD = 6.9 X 10(-4) M). However, for enzyme samples with a lower specific activity yet equivalent purity, there are 1.6 strong metal ion binding sites (KD = 6.6 X 10(-4) M) and 2.0 weak metal ion binding sites (KD = 4.0 X 10(-3) M), a result that is easily reconciled with the alpha2beta2 subunit structure of the enzyme. Water proton relaxation rate measurements indicate that each strongly bound Mn(II) ion is coordinated to three water molecules. The present results strongly suggest that the existence of nearly 4 high-affinity metal binding sites per enzyme molecule is related to the integrity or configuration of that portion of the molecule which interacts with substrates.", "contents": "Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation time studies on the manganese(II) ion complex with succinyl coenzyme A synthetase from Escherichia coli. Nuclear magnetic resonance, as well as electron paramagnetic resonance, experiments were carried out in a study of the Mn(II) ion complex with phosphorylated succinyl-CoA synthetase. For high specific activity enzyme samples, there are 3.5 +/- 0.7 metal ion binding sites per enzyme molecule with indistinguishable dissociation constants (KD = 6.9 X 10(-4) M). However, for enzyme samples with a lower specific activity yet equivalent purity, there are 1.6 strong metal ion binding sites (KD = 6.6 X 10(-4) M) and 2.0 weak metal ion binding sites (KD = 4.0 X 10(-3) M), a result that is easily reconciled with the alpha2beta2 subunit structure of the enzyme. Water proton relaxation rate measurements indicate that each strongly bound Mn(II) ion is coordinated to three water molecules. The present results strongly suggest that the existence of nearly 4 high-affinity metal binding sites per enzyme molecule is related to the integrity or configuration of that portion of the molecule which interacts with substrates.", "PMID": 788782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8158", "title": "An elastic protein from the cortical layer of the sea-urchin egg.", "content": "An elastic protein was isolated from the cortical layer of the fertilized eggs of two species of sea-urchin. Young's modulus of the fiber of the sea-urchin protein was approximately 1-10(7) dyne/cm2. The amino acid compositions of the elastic protein from the two species of sea-urchin eggs were very similar to that of connectin, elastic protein from vertebrate skeletal muscle. The fluorescent antibody against muscle connectin stained the cortical layer of the sea-urchin egg. It appears that the elastic protein is responsible for the elasticity of the egg cortex.", "contents": "An elastic protein from the cortical layer of the sea-urchin egg. An elastic protein was isolated from the cortical layer of the fertilized eggs of two species of sea-urchin. Young's modulus of the fiber of the sea-urchin protein was approximately 1-10(7) dyne/cm2. The amino acid compositions of the elastic protein from the two species of sea-urchin eggs were very similar to that of connectin, elastic protein from vertebrate skeletal muscle. The fluorescent antibody against muscle connectin stained the cortical layer of the sea-urchin egg. It appears that the elastic protein is responsible for the elasticity of the egg cortex.", "PMID": 788783} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8159", "title": "Escherichia coli DNA polymerases II and III: activation by magnesium or by manganous ions.", "content": "Escherichia coli DNA polymerases II and III have been extensively studied in vitro when activated with Mg2+. The Mn2+-activated polymerization reactions are considered here, and shown to differ from the Mg2+-activated reactions. The Mn2+-activated DNA polymerase II reaction requires K+ or spermidine, and the effects of monovalent cation and polyamine are additive. In contrast, the Mg2+-activated reaction does not require, but is stimulated by, K+ or spermidine, in a non-additive manner. Under optimal conditions, DNA polymerase II is activated better with Mn2+ than it is with Mg2+, suggesting a physiological role for the Mn2+-activated enzyme. The observed preference for Mn2+ over Mg2+ in reaction kinetics and at high DNA template concentrations suggest that Mg2+ may preferentially activate the associated exonuclease activity. At 29 degrees C, the Mn2+-activated DNA polymerase III reaction is stimulated by K+ and inhibited by ethanol or phosphatidylethanolamine. In contrast, the latter compounds and Triton X-100 increase the initial rate of the Mg2+-activated reaction, whereas K+ inhibits this reaction at all concentrations. The K+ inhibition is reduced at low Mg concentrations when Mn2+ is also present. After stimulating the initial reaction rate, ethanol causes a rapid decrease in the rate of the Mg2+-activated reaction during incubation at 20 degrees C. At 27 degrees C, all surface-active compounds inhibit the Mg2+-activated reaction. Preincubation of the enzyme at 30 degrees C or below with DNA template and divalent cation increases the initial reaction rate, suggesting that formation of an enzyme-divalent cation-DNA template complex occurs as the first step in DNA polymerase III catalysis. The apparent Km at 21 degrees C for gapped calf thymus DNA was 25 muM with Mn2+ and 125 muM with Mg2+ for DNA polymerase III, and 18 muM at 30 degrees C for DNA polymerase II with either Mn2+ or Mg2+. Reactions with poly[d(A-T)] were enhanced by Mn2+ relative to Mg2+, and activity with poly(rA)-poly(dT) was Mn2+ dependent for both enzymes.", "contents": "Escherichia coli DNA polymerases II and III: activation by magnesium or by manganous ions. Escherichia coli DNA polymerases II and III have been extensively studied in vitro when activated with Mg2+. The Mn2+-activated polymerization reactions are considered here, and shown to differ from the Mg2+-activated reactions. The Mn2+-activated DNA polymerase II reaction requires K+ or spermidine, and the effects of monovalent cation and polyamine are additive. In contrast, the Mg2+-activated reaction does not require, but is stimulated by, K+ or spermidine, in a non-additive manner. Under optimal conditions, DNA polymerase II is activated better with Mn2+ than it is with Mg2+, suggesting a physiological role for the Mn2+-activated enzyme. The observed preference for Mn2+ over Mg2+ in reaction kinetics and at high DNA template concentrations suggest that Mg2+ may preferentially activate the associated exonuclease activity. At 29 degrees C, the Mn2+-activated DNA polymerase III reaction is stimulated by K+ and inhibited by ethanol or phosphatidylethanolamine. In contrast, the latter compounds and Triton X-100 increase the initial rate of the Mg2+-activated reaction, whereas K+ inhibits this reaction at all concentrations. The K+ inhibition is reduced at low Mg concentrations when Mn2+ is also present. After stimulating the initial reaction rate, ethanol causes a rapid decrease in the rate of the Mg2+-activated reaction during incubation at 20 degrees C. At 27 degrees C, all surface-active compounds inhibit the Mg2+-activated reaction. Preincubation of the enzyme at 30 degrees C or below with DNA template and divalent cation increases the initial reaction rate, suggesting that formation of an enzyme-divalent cation-DNA template complex occurs as the first step in DNA polymerase III catalysis. The apparent Km at 21 degrees C for gapped calf thymus DNA was 25 muM with Mn2+ and 125 muM with Mg2+ for DNA polymerase III, and 18 muM at 30 degrees C for DNA polymerase II with either Mn2+ or Mg2+. Reactions with poly[d(A-T)] were enhanced by Mn2+ relative to Mg2+, and activity with poly(rA)-poly(dT) was Mn2+ dependent for both enzymes.", "PMID": 788784} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8160", "title": "DNA repair and recovery in Escherichia coli after psoralen and angelicin photosensitization.", "content": "The correlation between DNA repair and recovery of biological functions was studied using three wild type strains of Escherichia coli and two skinphotosensitizing furocoumarins, psoralen and angelicin, which are well known specific reagents of the pyrimidine bases of DNA. In addition to mono-adducts psoralen is able to form a high number of inter-strand cross-links, while angelicin forms only mono-adducts. Both of these damages were repaired, in a short time, in the following way: at first DNA was cut into small pieces that were then rejoined into molecules of normal size, free from cross-links, while the furocoumarin residue was split from DNA almost quantitatively. Recovery of biological functions was studied performing photosensitization experiments in such a manner that the same amounts of psoralen or of angelicin were linked to bacterial DNA. DNA synthesis, tested just after the damage, was inhibited in a similar extent by both drugs. The same bacteria, however, showed a very different colony-forming capacity; angelicin was much less effective than psoralen with a D37 dose about 2.7 times higher. A similar picture was obtained studying DNA synthesis at different times after photosensitization: in the bacteria damaged by angelicin it was restored while no recovery was observed in cells photosensitized by psoralen. These results suggest that both mono-adducts and cross-links can be chemically repaired more or less in a quantitative measure, but that repair of cross-links in much less effective on cell recovery; this behaviour is very probably connected with the different repair mechanisms of mono-adducts and of cross-links.", "contents": "DNA repair and recovery in Escherichia coli after psoralen and angelicin photosensitization. The correlation between DNA repair and recovery of biological functions was studied using three wild type strains of Escherichia coli and two skinphotosensitizing furocoumarins, psoralen and angelicin, which are well known specific reagents of the pyrimidine bases of DNA. In addition to mono-adducts psoralen is able to form a high number of inter-strand cross-links, while angelicin forms only mono-adducts. Both of these damages were repaired, in a short time, in the following way: at first DNA was cut into small pieces that were then rejoined into molecules of normal size, free from cross-links, while the furocoumarin residue was split from DNA almost quantitatively. Recovery of biological functions was studied performing photosensitization experiments in such a manner that the same amounts of psoralen or of angelicin were linked to bacterial DNA. DNA synthesis, tested just after the damage, was inhibited in a similar extent by both drugs. The same bacteria, however, showed a very different colony-forming capacity; angelicin was much less effective than psoralen with a D37 dose about 2.7 times higher. A similar picture was obtained studying DNA synthesis at different times after photosensitization: in the bacteria damaged by angelicin it was restored while no recovery was observed in cells photosensitized by psoralen. These results suggest that both mono-adducts and cross-links can be chemically repaired more or less in a quantitative measure, but that repair of cross-links in much less effective on cell recovery; this behaviour is very probably connected with the different repair mechanisms of mono-adducts and of cross-links.", "PMID": 788785} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8161", "title": "Ribosomal subunit entry into polysomes in yeast.", "content": "The kinetics of entry of newly synthesized 40 S and 60 S ribosomal subunits into yeast polysomes is described. The entry times for 40 S and 60 S subunits were found to be 3 and 8 min, respectively. The kinetics of entry of 40 S subunits into large polysomes is found to be different from the kinetics of entry of 60 S subunits into large polysomes.", "contents": "Ribosomal subunit entry into polysomes in yeast. The kinetics of entry of newly synthesized 40 S and 60 S ribosomal subunits into yeast polysomes is described. The entry times for 40 S and 60 S subunits were found to be 3 and 8 min, respectively. The kinetics of entry of 40 S subunits into large polysomes is found to be different from the kinetics of entry of 60 S subunits into large polysomes.", "PMID": 788786} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8162", "title": "Addition by ATP: RNA adenylyltransferase from Escherichia coli of 3'-linked oligo(A) to bacteriophage Qbeta RNA and its effect on RNA replication.", "content": "An oligo(A) or poly(A) segment was added in a stepwise fashion to the 3'-end of bacteriophage Qbeta-RNA with the aid of ATP : RNA adenylyltransferase from Escherichia coli. Nearly all RNA molecules, present in the reaction mixture, could be polyadenylated. For tail lengths not exceeding 200 nucleotide residues, the physical properties of Qbeta-RNA-poly(A) were found to be only slightly different from those of the original RNA. The polyadenylated RNA was purifed by affinity chromatography. The properties of Qbeta-RNA with oligo(A) tails of different average lengths were investigated in the in vitro replication reaction. Almost complete abolishment of template activity, even by short oligo(A) stretches, was found. Furthermore, polyadenylated Qbeta-RNA inhibited the normal replication reaction of Qbeta-RNA by removal of host factor HFI, in the same way as does free poly(A).", "contents": "Addition by ATP: RNA adenylyltransferase from Escherichia coli of 3'-linked oligo(A) to bacteriophage Qbeta RNA and its effect on RNA replication. An oligo(A) or poly(A) segment was added in a stepwise fashion to the 3'-end of bacteriophage Qbeta-RNA with the aid of ATP : RNA adenylyltransferase from Escherichia coli. Nearly all RNA molecules, present in the reaction mixture, could be polyadenylated. For tail lengths not exceeding 200 nucleotide residues, the physical properties of Qbeta-RNA-poly(A) were found to be only slightly different from those of the original RNA. The polyadenylated RNA was purifed by affinity chromatography. The properties of Qbeta-RNA with oligo(A) tails of different average lengths were investigated in the in vitro replication reaction. Almost complete abolishment of template activity, even by short oligo(A) stretches, was found. Furthermore, polyadenylated Qbeta-RNA inhibited the normal replication reaction of Qbeta-RNA by removal of host factor HFI, in the same way as does free poly(A).", "PMID": 788787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8163", "title": "Mutational change of membrane architecture. Mutants of Escherichia coli K12 missing major proteins of the outer cell envelope membrane.", "content": "Mutants of Escherichia coli have been analyzed which miss two of the major proteins of the outer cell envelope membrane. The two proteins I and II, normally are present at high concentrations (about 10(5) copies per cell). In such mutants, as compared with wild type, the phospholipid-to-protein ratio in the outer membrane has increased by a factor of 2.3 causing a considerable difference in density between wild type and mutant membranes. The concentrations of two other major components of the outer membrane, lipopolysaccharide and Braun's lipoprotein, did not change. The protein-deficient mutants do not exhibit gross functional defects in vitro. An increased sensitivity to EDTA and a slight such increase to dodecyl sulfate (but not to deoxycholate or Triton X-100) was observed, loss of so-called periplasmic enzymes was not found, and other differences to wild type are marginal. The mutants can grow with normal morphology. It is not possible, however, to prepare \"ghosts\" (particles of size and shape of the cell without murein, surrounded by a derivative of the outer membrane, and possessing the major proteins of this membrane) from them. This fact confirms our earlier suggestion that the proteins in question are required for the shape maintenance phenomenon in ghosts, and the mutants reject the speculation that these proteins are involved in the expression of the genetic information specifying cellular shape. Freeze-fracturing showed that in mutant cells, and in sharp contrast to wild type, the far predominant fracture plane is within the outer membrane. The concentration of the well known densely packed particles at the outer, concave leaflet of this fracture plane is greatly reduced. It was not possible, however, to clearly establish that one or the other protein is part of these particles because these ultrastructural differences were not apparent in mutants missing either one of the proteins only. The biochemical and ultrastructural data allow the conclusion that the loss of two major proteins and the concomitant increase of phospholipid concentration has changed the architecture of the outer membrane from a highly oriented structure, with a large fraction of protein-protein interaction, to one predominantly exhibiting planar lipid bilayer characteristics. E. coli thus can assemble rather different outer membranes, a fact excluding that outer membrane formation constitutes a highly ordered or strictly sequential assembly-line process.", "contents": "Mutational change of membrane architecture. Mutants of Escherichia coli K12 missing major proteins of the outer cell envelope membrane. Mutants of Escherichia coli have been analyzed which miss two of the major proteins of the outer cell envelope membrane. The two proteins I and II, normally are present at high concentrations (about 10(5) copies per cell). In such mutants, as compared with wild type, the phospholipid-to-protein ratio in the outer membrane has increased by a factor of 2.3 causing a considerable difference in density between wild type and mutant membranes. The concentrations of two other major components of the outer membrane, lipopolysaccharide and Braun's lipoprotein, did not change. The protein-deficient mutants do not exhibit gross functional defects in vitro. An increased sensitivity to EDTA and a slight such increase to dodecyl sulfate (but not to deoxycholate or Triton X-100) was observed, loss of so-called periplasmic enzymes was not found, and other differences to wild type are marginal. The mutants can grow with normal morphology. It is not possible, however, to prepare \"ghosts\" (particles of size and shape of the cell without murein, surrounded by a derivative of the outer membrane, and possessing the major proteins of this membrane) from them. This fact confirms our earlier suggestion that the proteins in question are required for the shape maintenance phenomenon in ghosts, and the mutants reject the speculation that these proteins are involved in the expression of the genetic information specifying cellular shape. Freeze-fracturing showed that in mutant cells, and in sharp contrast to wild type, the far predominant fracture plane is within the outer membrane. The concentration of the well known densely packed particles at the outer, concave leaflet of this fracture plane is greatly reduced. It was not possible, however, to clearly establish that one or the other protein is part of these particles because these ultrastructural differences were not apparent in mutants missing either one of the proteins only. The biochemical and ultrastructural data allow the conclusion that the loss of two major proteins and the concomitant increase of phospholipid concentration has changed the architecture of the outer membrane from a highly oriented structure, with a large fraction of protein-protein interaction, to one predominantly exhibiting planar lipid bilayer characteristics. E. coli thus can assemble rather different outer membranes, a fact excluding that outer membrane formation constitutes a highly ordered or strictly sequential assembly-line process.", "PMID": 788790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8164", "title": "Effect of antihistamines and chlorpromazine on the calcium-induced hyperpolarization of the Amphiuma red cell membrane.", "content": "1. It has previously been demonstrated that an increase in extracellular Ca2+ conce-tratio- induces a trandient increase in K+ permeability and associated hyperpolarization of the red cell membrane of the giant salamander, Amphiuma meand. This phenomenon is analogous to the Ca2+-induced KCl loss observed in ATP-depleted human red cells and red cell ghosts. 2. Histamine, which enhances the Ca2+-induced K+ loss from depleted human red cells, is without effect on this Ca2+-induced hyperpolarization of Amphiuma red cells. 3. Promethazine (10 muM) and mepyramine (1 mM), which inhibit the Ca2+-induced K+ loss in depleted human red cells, also block the Ca2+-related hyperpolarization of Amphiuma erythrocytes. 4. Chlorpromazine (25 muM), despite being a weak antihistamine, is equally effective in blocking the Ca2+-induced hyperpolarization of Amphiuma red cells. 5. Ionophore A23187 causes a large and sustained Ca2+/K+-dependent hyperpolarization even in the presence of normal (1.8 mM) concentrations of Ca2+. This hyperpolarization is relatively insensitive to chlorpromazine and promethazine. 6. The inhibition of the Ca2+-induced hyperpolarization of the Amphiuma red cell membrane by chlorpromazine and promethazine may berelated to their properties as local anaesthetics.", "contents": "Effect of antihistamines and chlorpromazine on the calcium-induced hyperpolarization of the Amphiuma red cell membrane. 1. It has previously been demonstrated that an increase in extracellular Ca2+ conce-tratio- induces a trandient increase in K+ permeability and associated hyperpolarization of the red cell membrane of the giant salamander, Amphiuma meand. This phenomenon is analogous to the Ca2+-induced KCl loss observed in ATP-depleted human red cells and red cell ghosts. 2. Histamine, which enhances the Ca2+-induced K+ loss from depleted human red cells, is without effect on this Ca2+-induced hyperpolarization of Amphiuma red cells. 3. Promethazine (10 muM) and mepyramine (1 mM), which inhibit the Ca2+-induced K+ loss in depleted human red cells, also block the Ca2+-related hyperpolarization of Amphiuma erythrocytes. 4. Chlorpromazine (25 muM), despite being a weak antihistamine, is equally effective in blocking the Ca2+-induced hyperpolarization of Amphiuma red cells. 5. Ionophore A23187 causes a large and sustained Ca2+/K+-dependent hyperpolarization even in the presence of normal (1.8 mM) concentrations of Ca2+. This hyperpolarization is relatively insensitive to chlorpromazine and promethazine. 6. The inhibition of the Ca2+-induced hyperpolarization of the Amphiuma red cell membrane by chlorpromazine and promethazine may berelated to their properties as local anaesthetics.", "PMID": 788791} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8165", "title": "Nitrate, fumarate, and oxygen as electron acceptors for a late step in microbial heme synthesis.", "content": "Nitrate can serve as anaerobic electron acceptor for the oxidation of protoporphyrinogen to protoporphyrin in cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli grown anaerobically in the presence of nitrate. Two kinds of experiments indicated this: anaerobic protoporphyrin formation from protoporphyrinogen, followed spectrophotometrically, was markedly stimulated by addition of nitrate; and anaerobic protoheme formation from protoporphyrinogen, determined by extraction procedures, was markedly stimulated by addition of nitrate. In contrast, anaerobic protoheme formation from protoporphyrin was not dependent upon addition of nitrate. This was the first demonstration of the ability of nitrate to serve as electron acceptor for this late step of heme synthesis. Previous studies with mammalian and yeast mitochondria had indicated an obligatory requirement for molecular oxygen at this step. In confirmation of our previous preliminary report, fumarate was also shown to be an electron acceptor for anaerobic protoporphyrinogen oxidation in extracts of E. coli grown anaerobically on fumarate. For the first time, anaerobic protoheme formation from protoporphyrinogen, but not from protoporphyrin, was shown to be dependent upon the addition of fumarate. The importance of these findings is 2-fold. First, they establish that enzymatic protoporphyrinogen oxidation can occur in the absence of molecular oxygen, in contrast to previous observations using mammalian and yeast mitochondria. Secondly, these findings help explain the ability of some facultative and anaerobic bacteria to form very large amounts of heme compounds, such as cytochrome pigments, when grown anaerobically in the presence of nitrate or fumarate. In fact, denitrifying bacteria are known to form more cytochromes when grown anaerobically than during aerobic growth. An unexpected finding was that extracts of another bacterium, Staphylococcus epidermidis, exhibited very little ability to oxidize protoporphyrinogen to protoporphyrin as compared to E. coli extracts. This finding suggests some fundamental differences in these two organisms in this key step in heme synthesis. It is known that these two facultative organisms also differ in that E. coli synthesizes cytochrome during both aerobic and anaerobic growth, while Staphylococcus only synthesizes cytochromes when grown aerobically.", "contents": "Nitrate, fumarate, and oxygen as electron acceptors for a late step in microbial heme synthesis. Nitrate can serve as anaerobic electron acceptor for the oxidation of protoporphyrinogen to protoporphyrin in cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli grown anaerobically in the presence of nitrate. Two kinds of experiments indicated this: anaerobic protoporphyrin formation from protoporphyrinogen, followed spectrophotometrically, was markedly stimulated by addition of nitrate; and anaerobic protoheme formation from protoporphyrinogen, determined by extraction procedures, was markedly stimulated by addition of nitrate. In contrast, anaerobic protoheme formation from protoporphyrin was not dependent upon addition of nitrate. This was the first demonstration of the ability of nitrate to serve as electron acceptor for this late step of heme synthesis. Previous studies with mammalian and yeast mitochondria had indicated an obligatory requirement for molecular oxygen at this step. In confirmation of our previous preliminary report, fumarate was also shown to be an electron acceptor for anaerobic protoporphyrinogen oxidation in extracts of E. coli grown anaerobically on fumarate. For the first time, anaerobic protoheme formation from protoporphyrinogen, but not from protoporphyrin, was shown to be dependent upon the addition of fumarate. The importance of these findings is 2-fold. First, they establish that enzymatic protoporphyrinogen oxidation can occur in the absence of molecular oxygen, in contrast to previous observations using mammalian and yeast mitochondria. Secondly, these findings help explain the ability of some facultative and anaerobic bacteria to form very large amounts of heme compounds, such as cytochrome pigments, when grown anaerobically in the presence of nitrate or fumarate. In fact, denitrifying bacteria are known to form more cytochromes when grown anaerobically than during aerobic growth. An unexpected finding was that extracts of another bacterium, Staphylococcus epidermidis, exhibited very little ability to oxidize protoporphyrinogen to protoporphyrin as compared to E. coli extracts. This finding suggests some fundamental differences in these two organisms in this key step in heme synthesis. It is known that these two facultative organisms also differ in that E. coli synthesizes cytochrome during both aerobic and anaerobic growth, while Staphylococcus only synthesizes cytochromes when grown aerobically.", "PMID": 788792} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8166", "title": "Some properties of yeast mitochondria prepared by a rapid mechanical procedure.", "content": "A method is described for preparing yeast mitochondria rapidly (within one hour) by using the MSK Bronwill Cell homogenizer. Yeast mitochondria obtained by the method exhibit relatively good respiratory controls and ADP/O ratios. The method is convenient for small or large amounts of yeast cells (from 5 to a hundred grams, wet weight) and gave a yield of 3 to 5 mg protein/g wet weight of yeast mitochondria.", "contents": "Some properties of yeast mitochondria prepared by a rapid mechanical procedure. A method is described for preparing yeast mitochondria rapidly (within one hour) by using the MSK Bronwill Cell homogenizer. Yeast mitochondria obtained by the method exhibit relatively good respiratory controls and ADP/O ratios. The method is convenient for small or large amounts of yeast cells (from 5 to a hundred grams, wet weight) and gave a yield of 3 to 5 mg protein/g wet weight of yeast mitochondria.", "PMID": 788796} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8167", "title": "[Interaction of dansyl-dipeptidyl-tRNA with E. coli ribosomes].", "content": "Dansyl-dipeptidyl-tRNA is found to bind with ribosomes in the presence of polyU much more efficiently than AcPhe-tRNA. 30-80% OF introduced danysl-dipeptidyl-tRNA is in a complex with ribosomes and reacts with puromycin in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+. A significant binding of dansyl-dipeptidyl-tRNA both for acceptor and donor ribosome regions is observed in the presence of 10 mMg2+, unlike AcPhe-tRNA, which is capable of the binding only at 20 mM Mg2+. A peptide transfer from dansyl-dipeptidyl-tRNA on puromycin takes place at 10 mM Mg2+ in the absence of template, while AcPhe-tRNA efficiently interacts with puromycin only at 20 mM Mg2+. The data obtained suggest that the increase of hydrophobity of a peptide residue in peptidyl-tRNA increases its binding in peptidyl transferase of ribosomes.", "contents": "[Interaction of dansyl-dipeptidyl-tRNA with E. coli ribosomes]. Dansyl-dipeptidyl-tRNA is found to bind with ribosomes in the presence of polyU much more efficiently than AcPhe-tRNA. 30-80% OF introduced danysl-dipeptidyl-tRNA is in a complex with ribosomes and reacts with puromycin in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+. A significant binding of dansyl-dipeptidyl-tRNA both for acceptor and donor ribosome regions is observed in the presence of 10 mMg2+, unlike AcPhe-tRNA, which is capable of the binding only at 20 mM Mg2+. A peptide transfer from dansyl-dipeptidyl-tRNA on puromycin takes place at 10 mM Mg2+ in the absence of template, while AcPhe-tRNA efficiently interacts with puromycin only at 20 mM Mg2+. The data obtained suggest that the increase of hydrophobity of a peptide residue in peptidyl-tRNA increases its binding in peptidyl transferase of ribosomes.", "PMID": 788800} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8168", "title": "X-ray small-angle studies of the pyruvate dehydrogenase core complex from Escherichia coli K-12. I. Overall structure of the core complex.", "content": "The pyruvate dehydrogenase core complex from E. coli K-12, defined as the multienzyme complex which can be obtained with a unique polypeptide chain composition, has been investigated in solution with the X-ray small-angle technique. The molecular mass of the core complex of 3.78-10(6) daltons verifies the ratio of polypeptide chains of 16:16:16 of the three enzyme components, pyruvate dehydrogenase, dihydrolipoamide transacetylase, and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, present in the complex. In connection with the values obtained for the radius of gyration (156.5A), volume (1.07(7) A3) and amount of solvent associated with the complex (1.03 g/g) a loose packing of subunits in the complex has to be assumed. The maximum diameter of the core complex of 433 A, as determined from the correlation function, corroborates the large extension of the complex. The comparison of experimental and theoretical scattering curves reveals a relatively isometric overall shape of the core complex.", "contents": "X-ray small-angle studies of the pyruvate dehydrogenase core complex from Escherichia coli K-12. I. Overall structure of the core complex. The pyruvate dehydrogenase core complex from E. coli K-12, defined as the multienzyme complex which can be obtained with a unique polypeptide chain composition, has been investigated in solution with the X-ray small-angle technique. The molecular mass of the core complex of 3.78-10(6) daltons verifies the ratio of polypeptide chains of 16:16:16 of the three enzyme components, pyruvate dehydrogenase, dihydrolipoamide transacetylase, and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, present in the complex. In connection with the values obtained for the radius of gyration (156.5A), volume (1.07(7) A3) and amount of solvent associated with the complex (1.03 g/g) a loose packing of subunits in the complex has to be assumed. The maximum diameter of the core complex of 433 A, as determined from the correlation function, corroborates the large extension of the complex. The comparison of experimental and theoretical scattering curves reveals a relatively isometric overall shape of the core complex.", "PMID": 788804} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8169", "title": "X-ray small-angle studies of the pyruvate dehydrogenase core complex from Escherichia coli K-12. II. Subunit structure of the core complex.", "content": "The interpretation of X-ray small-angle data of the pyruvate dehydrogenase core complex from E. coli K-12 reveals the fine structure of the complex. Specific inner surface (7.07-10(-2 A-1), inner surface (7.60 - 10(5) A2), MEAN TRANSVERSAL LENGTH (56.6 A), coherence length (123.5 A), structural factor (1.1), and coherence area (3.27 - 10(4) A2) have been determined as further structural parameters characterizing the colloidal distribution of matter. Fouier transformations of scattered intensity and of structural amplitude have been carried out and show the existence of slightly disturbed spherical symmetry of the complex built up from subunits. The mean diameter of the three different subunit components of about 78 A was determined from the correlation function or from the distance distribution. The number of subunits in the complex was ascertained to be 40. The radial excess electron density distribution shows the arrangement of the core complex from a \"core\" (formed by the transacetylase components) with a small hole inside and a \"shell\" (formed by the pyruvate dehydrogenase and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase components). Although not representing a unique solution, a lot of model calculations indicate how the complex is arranged from subunits. At each edge of a cubic centre, the edge formed by two chains of transacetylase, two chains of pyruvate dehydrogenase and two chains of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase components are arranged according to the best fit. Far-reaching conformity between experimental results and model was established.", "contents": "X-ray small-angle studies of the pyruvate dehydrogenase core complex from Escherichia coli K-12. II. Subunit structure of the core complex. The interpretation of X-ray small-angle data of the pyruvate dehydrogenase core complex from E. coli K-12 reveals the fine structure of the complex. Specific inner surface (7.07-10(-2 A-1), inner surface (7.60 - 10(5) A2), MEAN TRANSVERSAL LENGTH (56.6 A), coherence length (123.5 A), structural factor (1.1), and coherence area (3.27 - 10(4) A2) have been determined as further structural parameters characterizing the colloidal distribution of matter. Fouier transformations of scattered intensity and of structural amplitude have been carried out and show the existence of slightly disturbed spherical symmetry of the complex built up from subunits. The mean diameter of the three different subunit components of about 78 A was determined from the correlation function or from the distance distribution. The number of subunits in the complex was ascertained to be 40. The radial excess electron density distribution shows the arrangement of the core complex from a \"core\" (formed by the transacetylase components) with a small hole inside and a \"shell\" (formed by the pyruvate dehydrogenase and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase components). Although not representing a unique solution, a lot of model calculations indicate how the complex is arranged from subunits. At each edge of a cubic centre, the edge formed by two chains of transacetylase, two chains of pyruvate dehydrogenase and two chains of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase components are arranged according to the best fit. Far-reaching conformity between experimental results and model was established.", "PMID": 788805} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8170", "title": "Metabolism of branched medium chain length fatty acid. II--beta-oxidation of sodium dipropylacetate in rats.", "content": "Catabolic intermediates of sodium dipropylacetate, an anticonvulsant drug, in the urine extracts of the drug-treated rats were examined by the aid of gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Eleven drug-specific peaks were estimated as unmetabolized sodium dipropylacetate, succinic acid, 2-n-propyl-3-hydroxypentanoic acid, 2-n-propyl-4-hydroxypentanoic acid, 2-n-propyl-3-oxopentanoic acid, 2-n-propyl-5-hydroxypentanoic acid, adipic acid, 2-n-propylglutaric acid, dipropylacetic acid glucuronide, propionic acid and 3-heptanone. Administration of sodium dipropylacetate with isoleucine to rats resulted in the disappearance of 2-n-propyl-3-oxopentanoic acid and a considerable decrease in 2-n-propyl-3-hydroxypentanoic acid. These data indicated that beta-oxidation was involved in the metabolism of sodium dipropylacetate as well as glucuronide conjugation and omega oxidation.", "contents": "Metabolism of branched medium chain length fatty acid. II--beta-oxidation of sodium dipropylacetate in rats. Catabolic intermediates of sodium dipropylacetate, an anticonvulsant drug, in the urine extracts of the drug-treated rats were examined by the aid of gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Eleven drug-specific peaks were estimated as unmetabolized sodium dipropylacetate, succinic acid, 2-n-propyl-3-hydroxypentanoic acid, 2-n-propyl-4-hydroxypentanoic acid, 2-n-propyl-3-oxopentanoic acid, 2-n-propyl-5-hydroxypentanoic acid, adipic acid, 2-n-propylglutaric acid, dipropylacetic acid glucuronide, propionic acid and 3-heptanone. Administration of sodium dipropylacetate with isoleucine to rats resulted in the disappearance of 2-n-propyl-3-oxopentanoic acid and a considerable decrease in 2-n-propyl-3-hydroxypentanoic acid. These data indicated that beta-oxidation was involved in the metabolism of sodium dipropylacetate as well as glucuronide conjugation and omega oxidation.", "PMID": 788806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8171", "title": "Glycogen storage diseases.", "content": "Each of 12 types of glycogen storage disease (GSD O-XI) is delineated by clinical, biochemical and histologic features that allow its identification in future patients. GSD II occurs in 2 forms that are not both encountered in the same family. GSD IIa is the infantile fatal form with cardiomegaly, increased cardiac glycogen concentration and cardiac failure; GSD IIb is the adult form with clinically normal heart and normal cardiac glycogen concentration. Nonetheless, the heart muscle of both forms is equally deficient in acid alpha-glucosidase activity, and this raises questions as to the latter's role in the pathophysiology of GSD II. The appearance of hepatocytes in GSD IIa becomes normal after the administration of alpha-glucosidase. Using electron microscopy of uncultured amniotic fluid cells, the prenatal diagnosis of GSD IIa is feasible within one day after the amniocentesis. GSD VI and IX are instances of benign hepatomegaly except when GSD IX and III occur in the same child; one such patient died suddenly at home. There are 2 modes of inheritance in GSD IX: one (GSD IXa) is autosomal recessive, the other one (GSD IXb) is X-linked recessive. In either form the Km of the remaining liver phosphorylase kinase is normal. Both forms of GSD IX have the normal blood sugar response to glucagon, whereas GSD VI does not. Equally, the glucagon tolerance curve is flat in GSD XI although in vitro activity of glycolytic enzymes is normal. The in vivo administration of glucagon in GSD XI is followed by the normal increase of both urinary 3'5'-AMP and hepatic phosphorylase activity. GSD V may have increased activity of muscle phosphorylase kinase. Deficiencies of debrancher, liver phosphorylase and liver phosphorylase kinase can occur singly or in combination. Before any novel treatment of GSD is initiated, one should obtain tissue for the biochemical determination of the exact type of GSD. This is so because the clinical signs may not indicate the type with the necessary precision, and because some types are compatible with normal life and thus may not require therapy, especially if the latter is unproved and potentially dangerous.", "contents": "Glycogen storage diseases. Each of 12 types of glycogen storage disease (GSD O-XI) is delineated by clinical, biochemical and histologic features that allow its identification in future patients. GSD II occurs in 2 forms that are not both encountered in the same family. GSD IIa is the infantile fatal form with cardiomegaly, increased cardiac glycogen concentration and cardiac failure; GSD IIb is the adult form with clinically normal heart and normal cardiac glycogen concentration. Nonetheless, the heart muscle of both forms is equally deficient in acid alpha-glucosidase activity, and this raises questions as to the latter's role in the pathophysiology of GSD II. The appearance of hepatocytes in GSD IIa becomes normal after the administration of alpha-glucosidase. Using electron microscopy of uncultured amniotic fluid cells, the prenatal diagnosis of GSD IIa is feasible within one day after the amniocentesis. GSD VI and IX are instances of benign hepatomegaly except when GSD IX and III occur in the same child; one such patient died suddenly at home. There are 2 modes of inheritance in GSD IX: one (GSD IXa) is autosomal recessive, the other one (GSD IXb) is X-linked recessive. In either form the Km of the remaining liver phosphorylase kinase is normal. Both forms of GSD IX have the normal blood sugar response to glucagon, whereas GSD VI does not. Equally, the glucagon tolerance curve is flat in GSD XI although in vitro activity of glycolytic enzymes is normal. The in vivo administration of glucagon in GSD XI is followed by the normal increase of both urinary 3'5'-AMP and hepatic phosphorylase activity. GSD V may have increased activity of muscle phosphorylase kinase. Deficiencies of debrancher, liver phosphorylase and liver phosphorylase kinase can occur singly or in combination. Before any novel treatment of GSD is initiated, one should obtain tissue for the biochemical determination of the exact type of GSD. This is so because the clinical signs may not indicate the type with the necessary precision, and because some types are compatible with normal life and thus may not require therapy, especially if the latter is unproved and potentially dangerous.", "PMID": 788807} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8172", "title": "Marrow regeneration after mechanical depletion.", "content": "The origin of marrow regeneration after mechanical depletion was reinvestigated in mouse chimeras. The results were compatible with the local origin of stem cells from remnants of incompletely removed marrow, but not with their origin from a common precursor of both bone and hemopoietic cell lines. In transplanted femurs depleted by a modified technique of in vivo evacuation of marrow, hemopoietic regeneration failed to occur. The presence of hemopoietic stem cells in the Haversian canals was thus excluded. The demonstration of ample hemopoiesis with minimal bone formation in nondepleted controls in which bone marrow initially became necrotic provided new evidence that osteogenesis was not a prerequisite of hemopoietic regeneration.", "contents": "Marrow regeneration after mechanical depletion. The origin of marrow regeneration after mechanical depletion was reinvestigated in mouse chimeras. The results were compatible with the local origin of stem cells from remnants of incompletely removed marrow, but not with their origin from a common precursor of both bone and hemopoietic cell lines. In transplanted femurs depleted by a modified technique of in vivo evacuation of marrow, hemopoietic regeneration failed to occur. The presence of hemopoietic stem cells in the Haversian canals was thus excluded. The demonstration of ample hemopoiesis with minimal bone formation in nondepleted controls in which bone marrow initially became necrotic provided new evidence that osteogenesis was not a prerequisite of hemopoietic regeneration.", "PMID": 788813} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8173", "title": "Lymphosarcoma cell leukemia: the contribution of cell surface study to diagnosis.", "content": "Cell surface immunoglobulin, complement receptor, and spontaneous rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes were investigated in 43 patients with malignant lymphoma, including 13 with lymphosarcoma cell leukemia, and in 59 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The quantity of immunoglobulin on the lymphocyte surface was estimated from the intensity of fluorescent staining with fluorescein-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antisera. At least two, and probably three, B cell species could be recognized by cell surface study. Cells from chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma had sparse amounts of surface immunoglobulin, while the cells of diffuse poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma had large quantities of this material. Nodular lymphoma probably represented a third B-cell subtype with intermediate amounts of surface immunoglobulin. The lymphocytes of chronic lymphosarcoma cell leukemia exhibited the intense surface staining, which was characteristic of the underlying poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (diffuse or nodular), and could be readily distinguished from the faint-staining chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.", "contents": "Lymphosarcoma cell leukemia: the contribution of cell surface study to diagnosis. Cell surface immunoglobulin, complement receptor, and spontaneous rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes were investigated in 43 patients with malignant lymphoma, including 13 with lymphosarcoma cell leukemia, and in 59 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The quantity of immunoglobulin on the lymphocyte surface was estimated from the intensity of fluorescent staining with fluorescein-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antisera. At least two, and probably three, B cell species could be recognized by cell surface study. Cells from chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma had sparse amounts of surface immunoglobulin, while the cells of diffuse poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma had large quantities of this material. Nodular lymphoma probably represented a third B-cell subtype with intermediate amounts of surface immunoglobulin. The lymphocytes of chronic lymphosarcoma cell leukemia exhibited the intense surface staining, which was characteristic of the underlying poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (diffuse or nodular), and could be readily distinguished from the faint-staining chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.", "PMID": 788814} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8174", "title": "A method for the recognition and separation of human blood monocytes on density gradients.", "content": "The density distribution of human mononuclear blood leukocytes was studied in order to define the optimal conditions for the separation of monocytes and lymphocytes by isopycnic centrifugation. Under standardized conditions, two populations of cells with partially overlapping, normally distributed densities were consistently found. The cells with the lowest density were recognized as monocytes, using phagocytosis and size distribution analysis as criteria. Since the density of monocytes continuously increased during the centrifugation, optimal separation of monocytes and lymphocytes could only be achieved by limiting the time of centrifugation to 10 min at 2200 g and 4 degrees C. The separation on discontinuous density gradients decreased when the load exceeded 8 X 10(6) mononuclear cells per sq cm. Analysis of the composition of the two cell populations obtained after separation on a three-layer discontinuous gradient revealed that the contamination of the monocytes with lymphocytes was due to the partial overlapping density distributions of both cell types. A small and a large scale method for isolation of monocytes from blood on discontinuous density gradients are presented. Under the described conditions, a preparation of functionally intact monocytes can be obtained which is comparable, both in yield and purity, to those obtained by methods based on surface adherence without the drawbacks of the latter methods.", "contents": "A method for the recognition and separation of human blood monocytes on density gradients. The density distribution of human mononuclear blood leukocytes was studied in order to define the optimal conditions for the separation of monocytes and lymphocytes by isopycnic centrifugation. Under standardized conditions, two populations of cells with partially overlapping, normally distributed densities were consistently found. The cells with the lowest density were recognized as monocytes, using phagocytosis and size distribution analysis as criteria. Since the density of monocytes continuously increased during the centrifugation, optimal separation of monocytes and lymphocytes could only be achieved by limiting the time of centrifugation to 10 min at 2200 g and 4 degrees C. The separation on discontinuous density gradients decreased when the load exceeded 8 X 10(6) mononuclear cells per sq cm. Analysis of the composition of the two cell populations obtained after separation on a three-layer discontinuous gradient revealed that the contamination of the monocytes with lymphocytes was due to the partial overlapping density distributions of both cell types. A small and a large scale method for isolation of monocytes from blood on discontinuous density gradients are presented. Under the described conditions, a preparation of functionally intact monocytes can be obtained which is comparable, both in yield and purity, to those obtained by methods based on surface adherence without the drawbacks of the latter methods.", "PMID": 788815} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8175", "title": "Evaluation of library service to rural physician associate program students.", "content": "Medical students participating in the Rural Physician Associate Program in Minnesota enjoy a unique educational experience, but local library resources are not adequate to support the program. To rectify this deficiency a library service program has been initiated, with the computer-based bibliography and photoduplication the principal service elements. Because of positive evaluation by the students, the service will be continued and expanded.", "contents": "Evaluation of library service to rural physician associate program students. Medical students participating in the Rural Physician Associate Program in Minnesota enjoy a unique educational experience, but local library resources are not adequate to support the program. To rectify this deficiency a library service program has been initiated, with the computer-based bibliography and photoduplication the principal service elements. Because of positive evaluation by the students, the service will be continued and expanded.", "PMID": 788816} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8176", "title": "A randomized controlled trial of vitamin C in the prevention and amelioration of the common cold.", "content": "A randomized controlled trial of the effect of 1 g ascorbic acid per day in the prevention of the common cold was conducted on 688 adult women. There is evidence of a small reduction by vitamin C in the mean number of chest colds, but no evidence of any effect on simple colds. The existence of a subgroup of vulnerable women in the community who benefit from vitamin C was considered but further examination of the data gives no support to this conclusion.", "contents": "A randomized controlled trial of vitamin C in the prevention and amelioration of the common cold. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of 1 g ascorbic acid per day in the prevention of the common cold was conducted on 688 adult women. There is evidence of a small reduction by vitamin C in the mean number of chest colds, but no evidence of any effect on simple colds. The existence of a subgroup of vulnerable women in the community who benefit from vitamin C was considered but further examination of the data gives no support to this conclusion.", "PMID": 788820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8177", "title": "Degree of physical handicap, education, and occupation of 51 adults with spina bifida.", "content": "51 adults with spina bifida, aged between 18 and 56 years, resident in South Wales, were interviewed in their home. Although only four had obvious hydrocephalus, one-third of them were severely handicapped and a further 40% had moderate handicap. Over half of them had had their secondary education in a normal school, with the remainder having special schooling or home tuition. Seventy per cent of the series was in normal, full-time occupation, including half those severely handicapped. Those in work were largely in managerial/technical, clerical, and light manual occupations. It is concluded that extendance and training, followed by special job placement, would help to integrate them into the community. These patients show that, in the absence of mental retardation, even severe physical handicap is no bar to normal occupation and that paralysis and incontinence alone are probably not valid selection factors for or against 'aggressive' treatment for spina bifida.", "contents": "Degree of physical handicap, education, and occupation of 51 adults with spina bifida. 51 adults with spina bifida, aged between 18 and 56 years, resident in South Wales, were interviewed in their home. Although only four had obvious hydrocephalus, one-third of them were severely handicapped and a further 40% had moderate handicap. Over half of them had had their secondary education in a normal school, with the remainder having special schooling or home tuition. Seventy per cent of the series was in normal, full-time occupation, including half those severely handicapped. Those in work were largely in managerial/technical, clerical, and light manual occupations. It is concluded that extendance and training, followed by special job placement, would help to integrate them into the community. These patients show that, in the absence of mental retardation, even severe physical handicap is no bar to normal occupation and that paralysis and incontinence alone are probably not valid selection factors for or against 'aggressive' treatment for spina bifida.", "PMID": 788821} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8178", "title": "Creativity and schizophrenia: an equality of empirical constructs.", "content": "The possibility that schizophrenia and creativity are two aspects of the same process is discussed, and parallels between different types of schizophrenia and different factors of creativity are sought. The discussion begins at a theoretical level,but its main thrust is an analysis of the research literature at an empirical level. Similarities are pointed out between tasks used for the purpose of operationally defining the schizophrenic 'deficit' and tasks used to define creativity. Some evidence is found for different subtypes of schizophrenics exhibiting different factors or types of creativity.", "contents": "Creativity and schizophrenia: an equality of empirical constructs. The possibility that schizophrenia and creativity are two aspects of the same process is discussed, and parallels between different types of schizophrenia and different factors of creativity are sought. The discussion begins at a theoretical level,but its main thrust is an analysis of the research literature at an empirical level. Similarities are pointed out between tasks used for the purpose of operationally defining the schizophrenic 'deficit' and tasks used to define creativity. Some evidence is found for different subtypes of schizophrenics exhibiting different factors or types of creativity.", "PMID": 788823} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8179", "title": "A computer-based technique for measurement of renal parenchymal area on intravenous urograms.", "content": "Accurate measurement of the renal parenchymal area of intravenous urograms is discribed using a graphic tablet with a pressure-sensitive surfact linked on-line to a computer. The area outlined on the tablet is immediately computed and shown in square centimetres on a television screen and on a data print-out. The renal areas of 22 patients' urograms were studied before the three months after renal stone removal under local hypothermia. Renal function was measured by creatinine clearance. Conventional measurements of renal length, width and area were also performed for comparison. Results confirmed that while overall kidney size was reduced following operation, the parenchymal area and creatinine clearance were unaltered. This computer-based technique is simple to perform, quick and accurate, and provides quantitative information on intravenous urograms.", "contents": "A computer-based technique for measurement of renal parenchymal area on intravenous urograms. Accurate measurement of the renal parenchymal area of intravenous urograms is discribed using a graphic tablet with a pressure-sensitive surfact linked on-line to a computer. The area outlined on the tablet is immediately computed and shown in square centimetres on a television screen and on a data print-out. The renal areas of 22 patients' urograms were studied before the three months after renal stone removal under local hypothermia. Renal function was measured by creatinine clearance. Conventional measurements of renal length, width and area were also performed for comparison. Results confirmed that while overall kidney size was reduced following operation, the parenchymal area and creatinine clearance were unaltered. This computer-based technique is simple to perform, quick and accurate, and provides quantitative information on intravenous urograms.", "PMID": 788826} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8180", "title": "Liver and gall-bladder imaging with technetium-99m dihydorthioctic acid and technetium-99m pyridoxylidene glutamate-a study in the young pig.", "content": "Seventeen scans on ten young pigs were performed after injection of Technetium-99m labelled dihydrothioctic acid (99Tcm-DHT) and Technetium-99m labelled pyridoxylidene glutamate (99Tcm-PG) using a gamma-camera. Sequential images of the liver, gall-bladder and intestine were observed in all healthy animals. 99Tcm-DHT produced the clearer liver images, whereas 99Tcm-PG produced more rapid and intense gall-bladder images. Analysis of hepatic bile in three animals also suggested a more rapid and higher concentration of 99Tcm-PG than 99Tcm-DHT (36% vs. 4% of the injected dose over two hours). Bowel images were not seen in an animal that had undergone exicision of the extrahepatic biliary tract, but scans performed after hepaticojejunostomy demonstrated intestinal transit of isotope. This study shows that the hepatobiliary system can be easily imaged using Technetium-99m labelled compounds which are excreted into bile. These agents may be useful in the diagnosis of obstructive lesions of the extrahepatic biliary tract of adults and infants.", "contents": "Liver and gall-bladder imaging with technetium-99m dihydorthioctic acid and technetium-99m pyridoxylidene glutamate-a study in the young pig. Seventeen scans on ten young pigs were performed after injection of Technetium-99m labelled dihydrothioctic acid (99Tcm-DHT) and Technetium-99m labelled pyridoxylidene glutamate (99Tcm-PG) using a gamma-camera. Sequential images of the liver, gall-bladder and intestine were observed in all healthy animals. 99Tcm-DHT produced the clearer liver images, whereas 99Tcm-PG produced more rapid and intense gall-bladder images. Analysis of hepatic bile in three animals also suggested a more rapid and higher concentration of 99Tcm-PG than 99Tcm-DHT (36% vs. 4% of the injected dose over two hours). Bowel images were not seen in an animal that had undergone exicision of the extrahepatic biliary tract, but scans performed after hepaticojejunostomy demonstrated intestinal transit of isotope. This study shows that the hepatobiliary system can be easily imaged using Technetium-99m labelled compounds which are excreted into bile. These agents may be useful in the diagnosis of obstructive lesions of the extrahepatic biliary tract of adults and infants.", "PMID": 788827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8181", "title": "Graded compression for preventing deep venous thrombosis.", "content": "The physiological effects of static compression of the leg have recently been reinvestigated. Graded compression extending from the ankle to the upper thigh produces the maximum increase in velocity of femoral vein blood flow and the maximum decrease in clearance times of contrast media and radioisotopes from the deep veins of the calf. This type of compression may be easily produced by a specially designed elastic stocking. Graded compression was used in a controlled clinical trial of 98 patients undergoing major operations to assess its effect on isotopically diagnosed deep vein thrombosis. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis was 49% in the control group and 23% in the treated groups. No complications were caused by the stockings. Carefully designed and correctly applied static compression is a safe and effective method of reducing the incidence of deep vein thrombosis.", "contents": "Graded compression for preventing deep venous thrombosis. The physiological effects of static compression of the leg have recently been reinvestigated. Graded compression extending from the ankle to the upper thigh produces the maximum increase in velocity of femoral vein blood flow and the maximum decrease in clearance times of contrast media and radioisotopes from the deep veins of the calf. This type of compression may be easily produced by a specially designed elastic stocking. Graded compression was used in a controlled clinical trial of 98 patients undergoing major operations to assess its effect on isotopically diagnosed deep vein thrombosis. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis was 49% in the control group and 23% in the treated groups. No complications were caused by the stockings. Carefully designed and correctly applied static compression is a safe and effective method of reducing the incidence of deep vein thrombosis.", "PMID": 788855} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8182", "title": "Changes in nystagmus on raising body temperature in clinically suspected and proved multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Electronystagmography was used to record the appearance or alteration of nystagmus after raising the body temperature by a heat cradle. Nystagmus was increased or provoked in 13 out of 15 patients with clinically proved multiple sclerosis, in eight out of 12 suspected cases, but in no normal controls. No positive results were obtained in 12 patients with other neurological diseases, even when nystagmus was part of the clinical picutre. The technique is simple to use and may have a role in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.", "contents": "Changes in nystagmus on raising body temperature in clinically suspected and proved multiple sclerosis. Electronystagmography was used to record the appearance or alteration of nystagmus after raising the body temperature by a heat cradle. Nystagmus was increased or provoked in 13 out of 15 patients with clinically proved multiple sclerosis, in eight out of 12 suspected cases, but in no normal controls. No positive results were obtained in 12 patients with other neurological diseases, even when nystagmus was part of the clinical picutre. The technique is simple to use and may have a role in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.", "PMID": 788856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8183", "title": "Stimulation-dependent depression of readily releasable neurotransmitter pools in brain.", "content": "Previously accumulated GABA was released from isolated forebrain synaptosomes with repeated calcium stimulation in elevated-potassium medium. Fractional release (calcium-dependent) in response to a second calcium pulse (90-120 sec later) was depressed to approximately 60% of initial release. Neither initial GABA release nor the subsequent depression of release was affected by variations in the labelling duration. Stimulation-dependent depression of labelled GABA and norepinephrine release was demonstrated from both cerebral cortex and cerebellum synaptosomal preparations. In addition, depression resulted from prior stimulation in the presence of veratridine, A23187 or elevated-potassium. Although release of previously accumulated GABA was depressed by calcium stimulation, the release of GABA accumulated between stimulations was not. Release of this recently accumulated GABA was indistinguishable from the initial release of previously accumulated GABA and larger than the subsequently depressed release from the previously accumulated pools. These data imply (1) that the depressed release resulted from a decrease of available transmitter in pools that support secretion processes, (2) that depressed release did not result from a depression of stimulus-secretion coupling processes, and (3) that transmitter accumulated subsequent to release events is released preferentially to transmitter accumulated prior to the intervening stimulation.", "contents": "Stimulation-dependent depression of readily releasable neurotransmitter pools in brain. Previously accumulated GABA was released from isolated forebrain synaptosomes with repeated calcium stimulation in elevated-potassium medium. Fractional release (calcium-dependent) in response to a second calcium pulse (90-120 sec later) was depressed to approximately 60% of initial release. Neither initial GABA release nor the subsequent depression of release was affected by variations in the labelling duration. Stimulation-dependent depression of labelled GABA and norepinephrine release was demonstrated from both cerebral cortex and cerebellum synaptosomal preparations. In addition, depression resulted from prior stimulation in the presence of veratridine, A23187 or elevated-potassium. Although release of previously accumulated GABA was depressed by calcium stimulation, the release of GABA accumulated between stimulations was not. Release of this recently accumulated GABA was indistinguishable from the initial release of previously accumulated GABA and larger than the subsequently depressed release from the previously accumulated pools. These data imply (1) that the depressed release resulted from a decrease of available transmitter in pools that support secretion processes, (2) that depressed release did not result from a depression of stimulus-secretion coupling processes, and (3) that transmitter accumulated subsequent to release events is released preferentially to transmitter accumulated prior to the intervening stimulation.", "PMID": 788858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8184", "title": "Immunocytochemical localization of glutamate decarboxylase in rat substantia nigra.", "content": "L-Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD, EC 4.1.1.15), the enzyme which catalyzes the alpha-decarboxylation of L-glutamate to form gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), was localized both light and electron microscopically in rat substantia nigra by an immunoperoxidase method. Large amounts of GAD-positive reaction produce were seen throughout the substantia nigra in light microscopic preparations, and it appeared to be localized in punctate structures that were apposed to dendrites and somata. Electron microscopic studies revealed that most of the axon terminals in the substantia nigra were filled with GAD-positive reaction product and formed both axodendritic and axosomatic synapses. Many dendrites were extensively surrounded by GAD-positive terminals which most commonly formed symmetric synaptic junctions, although some formed asymmetric synpatic junctions. The results of this investigation are consistent with biochemical, pharmacological and physiological data which have indicated that neurons of the neostriatum and globus pallidus exert a GABA-mediated, postsynaptic inhibition upon the neurons of the substantia nigra. These findings provide another example in the vertebrate central nervous system where Golgi I projection neurons are inhibitory and use GABA as their neurotransmitter.", "contents": "Immunocytochemical localization of glutamate decarboxylase in rat substantia nigra. L-Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD, EC 4.1.1.15), the enzyme which catalyzes the alpha-decarboxylation of L-glutamate to form gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), was localized both light and electron microscopically in rat substantia nigra by an immunoperoxidase method. Large amounts of GAD-positive reaction produce were seen throughout the substantia nigra in light microscopic preparations, and it appeared to be localized in punctate structures that were apposed to dendrites and somata. Electron microscopic studies revealed that most of the axon terminals in the substantia nigra were filled with GAD-positive reaction product and formed both axodendritic and axosomatic synapses. Many dendrites were extensively surrounded by GAD-positive terminals which most commonly formed symmetric synaptic junctions, although some formed asymmetric synpatic junctions. The results of this investigation are consistent with biochemical, pharmacological and physiological data which have indicated that neurons of the neostriatum and globus pallidus exert a GABA-mediated, postsynaptic inhibition upon the neurons of the substantia nigra. These findings provide another example in the vertebrate central nervous system where Golgi I projection neurons are inhibitory and use GABA as their neurotransmitter.", "PMID": 788859} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8185", "title": "Microscope-enlarger for macrophotography of histological sections.", "content": "A microscope-enlarger is described which can be used to produce 20 cm by 25 cm negatives of histological sections at magnifications up to 1,000 diameters, without loss of image quality or reduction of resolution. Standard flat-field microscope optics are used, and the apparatus is adjustable for Koehler illumination. Various microscope components (nosepiece, condenser carrier, etc.) are mounted upon carriers which ride upon a rigid vertical track. A 20 cm by 25 cm film holder is placed upon the base of the device, and illumination is controlled by a photographic timer. The microscope-enlarger has been used to produce large format negatives of Nissl-stained sections of the barins of sea lamprey larvae and to trace the course of Golgi-impregnated and cobalt-filled cells. Further uses of the device in autoradiographic and histochemical studies are mentioned.", "contents": "Microscope-enlarger for macrophotography of histological sections. A microscope-enlarger is described which can be used to produce 20 cm by 25 cm negatives of histological sections at magnifications up to 1,000 diameters, without loss of image quality or reduction of resolution. Standard flat-field microscope optics are used, and the apparatus is adjustable for Koehler illumination. Various microscope components (nosepiece, condenser carrier, etc.) are mounted upon carriers which ride upon a rigid vertical track. A 20 cm by 25 cm film holder is placed upon the base of the device, and illumination is controlled by a photographic timer. The microscope-enlarger has been used to produce large format negatives of Nissl-stained sections of the barins of sea lamprey larvae and to trace the course of Golgi-impregnated and cobalt-filled cells. Further uses of the device in autoradiographic and histochemical studies are mentioned.", "PMID": 788860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8186", "title": "Modification of rabbit head holder to increase speed and accuracy of stereotaxic surgery.", "content": "Modification of a rabbit stereotaxic head holder is described. The changes are designed to reduce the amount of time required to establish the horizontal zero plane and to increase the accuracy of stereotaxic surgery by providing greater instrument stability.", "contents": "Modification of rabbit head holder to increase speed and accuracy of stereotaxic surgery. Modification of a rabbit stereotaxic head holder is described. The changes are designed to reduce the amount of time required to establish the horizontal zero plane and to increase the accuracy of stereotaxic surgery by providing greater instrument stability.", "PMID": 788861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8187", "title": "An ultrastructural analysis of protoplast-spheroplast induction in Cryptococcus neoformans.", "content": "Protoplasts-spheroplasts of a human isolate of Cryptococcus neoformans were prepared using the gut enzyme of Helix pomatia. The induction process, as studied by transmission electron microscopy, occurred in two stages. Early in the induction process, protoplasts-spheroplasts emerged from whole cells through a break in the cell wall-capsule envelope. Later, a gradual dissolution of the entire cell wall occurred releasing the intact protoplast-spheroplast. A comparison of protoplasts-spheroplasts with normal untreated cells revealed that the degree of cellular vacuolation as well as the resolution of cellular organelles was similar.", "contents": "An ultrastructural analysis of protoplast-spheroplast induction in Cryptococcus neoformans. Protoplasts-spheroplasts of a human isolate of Cryptococcus neoformans were prepared using the gut enzyme of Helix pomatia. The induction process, as studied by transmission electron microscopy, occurred in two stages. Early in the induction process, protoplasts-spheroplasts emerged from whole cells through a break in the cell wall-capsule envelope. Later, a gradual dissolution of the entire cell wall occurred releasing the intact protoplast-spheroplast. A comparison of protoplasts-spheroplasts with normal untreated cells revealed that the degree of cellular vacuolation as well as the resolution of cellular organelles was similar.", "PMID": 788868} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8188", "title": "Influence of temperature on growth of lipopolysaccharide-deficient (rough) mutants of Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella minnesota.", "content": "Smooth strains of Salmonella typhimurium and S. minnesota, and chemotypes Ra, Rb, and Rc, which are deficient in lipopolysaccharide components of the somatic side chains and outer core region, grow normally on nutrient agar and nutrient broth up to 45 degrees C. However, most mutants with defects in the heptose region of the LPS (chemotypes Rd2 and Re) do not grow on this medium at 42 degrees C or above; a few grow at 42 degrees C but not at 45 degrees C. In liquid medium (nutrient broth, or phosphate minimal medium), growth, measured as turbidity or as colony-forming units, stops 60 to 90 min after shift from 30 to 42 degrees C; DNA and protein synthesis cease at the same time. Growth does not reoccur at 42 degrees C; protein synthesis and growth reinitiate upon shift to 30 or 37 degrees C. Growth cessation does not alter cell morphology in the phase-contrast microscope. Growth of heptose-deficient strains at 42 degrees C in nutrient broth is restored by MgCl2 (0.5 mM), NaCl (50 mM), or sucrose (100 mM). Sensitivity to smooth-specific and rough-specific phages, and analysis of LPS composition, indicate that heptose-deficient mutants grown at temperatures from 30 to 45 degrees C, and in the presence or absence of high salt, do not contain heptose or O-specific sugars in their LPS.", "contents": "Influence of temperature on growth of lipopolysaccharide-deficient (rough) mutants of Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella minnesota. Smooth strains of Salmonella typhimurium and S. minnesota, and chemotypes Ra, Rb, and Rc, which are deficient in lipopolysaccharide components of the somatic side chains and outer core region, grow normally on nutrient agar and nutrient broth up to 45 degrees C. However, most mutants with defects in the heptose region of the LPS (chemotypes Rd2 and Re) do not grow on this medium at 42 degrees C or above; a few grow at 42 degrees C but not at 45 degrees C. In liquid medium (nutrient broth, or phosphate minimal medium), growth, measured as turbidity or as colony-forming units, stops 60 to 90 min after shift from 30 to 42 degrees C; DNA and protein synthesis cease at the same time. Growth does not reoccur at 42 degrees C; protein synthesis and growth reinitiate upon shift to 30 or 37 degrees C. Growth cessation does not alter cell morphology in the phase-contrast microscope. Growth of heptose-deficient strains at 42 degrees C in nutrient broth is restored by MgCl2 (0.5 mM), NaCl (50 mM), or sucrose (100 mM). Sensitivity to smooth-specific and rough-specific phages, and analysis of LPS composition, indicate that heptose-deficient mutants grown at temperatures from 30 to 45 degrees C, and in the presence or absence of high salt, do not contain heptose or O-specific sugars in their LPS.", "PMID": 788869} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8189", "title": "Accelerated detection of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in diagnostic specimens.", "content": "Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus could be demonstrated earlier in mice inoculated with clinical specimens if the mice were sacrificed before they appeared sick for examination by the fluorescent antibody technique. In the procedure, the optimal route for inoculation was intracerebral and the best organ tested for staining was the brain.", "contents": "Accelerated detection of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in diagnostic specimens. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus could be demonstrated earlier in mice inoculated with clinical specimens if the mice were sacrificed before they appeared sick for examination by the fluorescent antibody technique. In the procedure, the optimal route for inoculation was intracerebral and the best organ tested for staining was the brain.", "PMID": 788870} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8190", "title": "The respiratory metabolism of Mycobacterium lepraemurium.", "content": "The respiratory metabolism of Mycobacterium lepraemurium isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats lepromata using several substrates was investigated. None of the intermediates of the glycolysis cycle as well as of the tricarboxylic acid cycle except succinate was oxidized by purified whole suspensions of M. lepraemurium. Likewise, many sulfur compounds such as cystine, thiourea, thioacetate, thiodiglycol, mercaptoact and some sulfhydryl compounds, e.g., cysteine, dithioerythritol, dithiorthritol, and penicillamine were readily oxidized by murine bacillary suspensions, whereas thioglycolate, thioglucose, and reduced glutathione were oxidized at a slow rate. Succinate was not or was very poorly oxidized by normal cells probably because of impermeability of the cell wall but the addition of succinate to the cell suspensions frozen for 1 min at -40 degrees C considerably enhanced oxygen uptake over the endogenous value. The oxidation of succinate was unaffected by inhibitors rotenone, atabrine, and amytal but was markedly inhibited by thenoyltrifluoroacetone, antimycin A, 2-N-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, and cyanide. The thiol-binding agents, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and N-ethylmaleimide were also effective inhibitors of succinate oxidation but the process was not affected by uncouplers dinitrophenol, dibromophenol, pentachlorophenol, and carbonyl-cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone. The results indicated that succinate oxidation by M. lepraemurium was mediated by oxidative enzymes involving an electron transport chain with oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor.", "contents": "The respiratory metabolism of Mycobacterium lepraemurium. The respiratory metabolism of Mycobacterium lepraemurium isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats lepromata using several substrates was investigated. None of the intermediates of the glycolysis cycle as well as of the tricarboxylic acid cycle except succinate was oxidized by purified whole suspensions of M. lepraemurium. Likewise, many sulfur compounds such as cystine, thiourea, thioacetate, thiodiglycol, mercaptoact and some sulfhydryl compounds, e.g., cysteine, dithioerythritol, dithiorthritol, and penicillamine were readily oxidized by murine bacillary suspensions, whereas thioglycolate, thioglucose, and reduced glutathione were oxidized at a slow rate. Succinate was not or was very poorly oxidized by normal cells probably because of impermeability of the cell wall but the addition of succinate to the cell suspensions frozen for 1 min at -40 degrees C considerably enhanced oxygen uptake over the endogenous value. The oxidation of succinate was unaffected by inhibitors rotenone, atabrine, and amytal but was markedly inhibited by thenoyltrifluoroacetone, antimycin A, 2-N-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, and cyanide. The thiol-binding agents, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and N-ethylmaleimide were also effective inhibitors of succinate oxidation but the process was not affected by uncouplers dinitrophenol, dibromophenol, pentachlorophenol, and carbonyl-cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone. The results indicated that succinate oxidation by M. lepraemurium was mediated by oxidative enzymes involving an electron transport chain with oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor.", "PMID": 788872} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8191", "title": "Respiratory activity as a determinant of radiation survival response.", "content": "Respiration is depressed in irradiated bacteria reaching a minimum level in most strains at 1-3 h after exposure when incubated in growth medium. Since a delay in response is observed, direct action on respiratory enzymes is unlikely. The dosage response of respiration varies widely in the strains studied with Do's from 15 kR for Escherichia coli BS-1 to 1200 kR for Micrococcus radiodurans. All strains exhibit two-component dosage-response curves. Escherichia coli BS-1 uniquely possesses a positive-sloped second component suggesting a major disruption of respiratory control. A relationship exists between the responses of respiration and survival to a 50-kR exposure in the strains studied. When E. coli B/r is grown in 0.4% glucose reaching a pH of 5.3, a condition known to increase radiation survival considerably, a large increase in radioresistance of respiration is found. 2-Mercaptoethylamine (MEA), a radioprotective agent, also produces proportionate radioprotection of respiration and survival. In M. radiodurans protection is afforded to respiration at doses which produce no measurable effect on survival. These facts suggest that respiration is a major factor in influencing cell survival and may be the principal mechanism through which chemical agents modify radiation response.", "contents": "Respiratory activity as a determinant of radiation survival response. Respiration is depressed in irradiated bacteria reaching a minimum level in most strains at 1-3 h after exposure when incubated in growth medium. Since a delay in response is observed, direct action on respiratory enzymes is unlikely. The dosage response of respiration varies widely in the strains studied with Do's from 15 kR for Escherichia coli BS-1 to 1200 kR for Micrococcus radiodurans. All strains exhibit two-component dosage-response curves. Escherichia coli BS-1 uniquely possesses a positive-sloped second component suggesting a major disruption of respiratory control. A relationship exists between the responses of respiration and survival to a 50-kR exposure in the strains studied. When E. coli B/r is grown in 0.4% glucose reaching a pH of 5.3, a condition known to increase radiation survival considerably, a large increase in radioresistance of respiration is found. 2-Mercaptoethylamine (MEA), a radioprotective agent, also produces proportionate radioprotection of respiration and survival. In M. radiodurans protection is afforded to respiration at doses which produce no measurable effect on survival. These facts suggest that respiration is a major factor in influencing cell survival and may be the principal mechanism through which chemical agents modify radiation response.", "PMID": 788873} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8192", "title": "Surgical treatment of hydatid disease of the liver.", "content": "Hydatid disease in southern Ontario is becoming more frequent because of infection in the large immigrant population. Review of 25 cases of hydatid disease of the liver has clarified the clinical features, diagnostic approach and methods of treatment. The commonest presenting symptoms were pain, mass or hepatomegaly, and jaundice. Diagnosis was confirmed, and cysts were localized, by Casoni skin testing, hepatic scanning and angiography. Surgical treatment consisted either of resection, excision or enucleation, and evacuation of the cyst. Two patients were treated by left lateral segmental resection, 6 by either wedge excision of the cyst or enucleation, and 14 by evacuation of cyst contents with or without drainage with the aid of a technique designed to prevent spillage of cyst contents at operation. None of the 14 treated by means of this technique developed recurrent disease, but in 4 of the patients treated by wedge excision or enucleation the cyst contents spilled at operation, resulting in recurrent disease in 2. Controlled cyst evacuation, with tube drainage for infected cavities and those communicating with the biliary tract is the recommended form of treatment in the management of hepatic hydatid disease.", "contents": "Surgical treatment of hydatid disease of the liver. Hydatid disease in southern Ontario is becoming more frequent because of infection in the large immigrant population. Review of 25 cases of hydatid disease of the liver has clarified the clinical features, diagnostic approach and methods of treatment. The commonest presenting symptoms were pain, mass or hepatomegaly, and jaundice. Diagnosis was confirmed, and cysts were localized, by Casoni skin testing, hepatic scanning and angiography. Surgical treatment consisted either of resection, excision or enucleation, and evacuation of the cyst. Two patients were treated by left lateral segmental resection, 6 by either wedge excision of the cyst or enucleation, and 14 by evacuation of cyst contents with or without drainage with the aid of a technique designed to prevent spillage of cyst contents at operation. None of the 14 treated by means of this technique developed recurrent disease, but in 4 of the patients treated by wedge excision or enucleation the cyst contents spilled at operation, resulting in recurrent disease in 2. Controlled cyst evacuation, with tube drainage for infected cavities and those communicating with the biliary tract is the recommended form of treatment in the management of hepatic hydatid disease.", "PMID": 788876} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8193", "title": "Pilonidal sinus of the umbilicus.", "content": "Only 15 cases of pilonidal sinus of the umbilicus have so far been reported. A 16th case is described; it supports the theory of acquired origin of the disease. The case fulfilled the criterion for pilonidal sinus--the 36-year-old man had a hair in the infected umbilical cyst. The cyst and umbilicus were excised. The umbilicus was not reconstructed because of the danger of recurrence. It is recommended that a careful search be carried out for hair in all patients with an infected umbilicus.", "contents": "Pilonidal sinus of the umbilicus. Only 15 cases of pilonidal sinus of the umbilicus have so far been reported. A 16th case is described; it supports the theory of acquired origin of the disease. The case fulfilled the criterion for pilonidal sinus--the 36-year-old man had a hair in the infected umbilical cyst. The cyst and umbilicus were excised. The umbilicus was not reconstructed because of the danger of recurrence. It is recommended that a careful search be carried out for hair in all patients with an infected umbilicus.", "PMID": 788877} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8194", "title": "Malignant lymphoma of the thyroid gland.", "content": "Malignant lymphoma of the thyroid gland is a rare entity; only 200 cases have been reported to date since 1960. Four patients with this disease presented at the Kingston clinic of the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation. Those with localized malignant lymphoma, particularly the histiocytic types, responded favourably to resection of as much of the tumour as possible and subsequent local radiation with cobalt-60 telecurietherapy (3000 to 4000 rads in 3 to 4 weeks). The results of local radiation alone after a biopsy in patients with inoperable localized diseases are encouraging; it is possible, but not yet established, that some of these patients are cured. It has been suggested that the tumour is dependent on thyroid-stimulating hormone but conclusive evidence is not yet available.", "contents": "Malignant lymphoma of the thyroid gland. Malignant lymphoma of the thyroid gland is a rare entity; only 200 cases have been reported to date since 1960. Four patients with this disease presented at the Kingston clinic of the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation. Those with localized malignant lymphoma, particularly the histiocytic types, responded favourably to resection of as much of the tumour as possible and subsequent local radiation with cobalt-60 telecurietherapy (3000 to 4000 rads in 3 to 4 weeks). The results of local radiation alone after a biopsy in patients with inoperable localized diseases are encouraging; it is possible, but not yet established, that some of these patients are cured. It has been suggested that the tumour is dependent on thyroid-stimulating hormone but conclusive evidence is not yet available.", "PMID": 788878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8195", "title": "Early medicine and surgery in Calgary.", "content": "The medical history of the Calgary area can be divided into three periods: the early period before the coming of the North West Mounted Police in 1874, the middle period from 1875 to 1905, during which Fort Calgary was built and the first surgeons settled in the West, and the third period from 1905 to the present. George Alexander Kennedy was the first surgeon of the middle period. He encouraged proper sanitation, fresh air, and avoidance of cold, damp and dirt. He recommended special treatment for various systemic diseases, used chloroform in October 1880 and was known to have treated skull fractures, extradural hemorrhages, prostatic obstruction, postabortion hemorrhage, ascites and pleural effusion. Henderson, Brett, Lindsay, Rouleau, Lafferty and Mackid were the other six pioneer surgeons of the middle period. Mackid's son Ludwig took over his father's practice after studying in Europe and the United States. When he died in November 1975 at the age of 93, the last link with the pioneer surgeons of Calgary was broken.", "contents": "Early medicine and surgery in Calgary. The medical history of the Calgary area can be divided into three periods: the early period before the coming of the North West Mounted Police in 1874, the middle period from 1875 to 1905, during which Fort Calgary was built and the first surgeons settled in the West, and the third period from 1905 to the present. George Alexander Kennedy was the first surgeon of the middle period. He encouraged proper sanitation, fresh air, and avoidance of cold, damp and dirt. He recommended special treatment for various systemic diseases, used chloroform in October 1880 and was known to have treated skull fractures, extradural hemorrhages, prostatic obstruction, postabortion hemorrhage, ascites and pleural effusion. Henderson, Brett, Lindsay, Rouleau, Lafferty and Mackid were the other six pioneer surgeons of the middle period. Mackid's son Ludwig took over his father's practice after studying in Europe and the United States. When he died in November 1975 at the age of 93, the last link with the pioneer surgeons of Calgary was broken.", "PMID": 788879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8196", "title": "Epidemic shigellosis on a worktrain in Labrador.", "content": "An epidemic of shigellosis occurred on a worktrain in western Labrador in October 1974. During the outbreak 62 persons out of a crew of 91 became ill, 11 having recurrent illness; 14 were hospitalized. Epidemiologic analysis with laboratory confirmation implicated unchlorinated and contaminated lake water as the source of the epidemic. Faulty design of water storage tanks perpetuated the use of contaminated water; hence a second wave of illness occurred. The tanks were then thoroughly drained, cleaned and repaired. Many deficiencies in sanitation measures (most of which have since been rectified) were noted at the site of the epidemic as well as at other locations along the railway. Careful sanitation controls are essential in rapidly developing areas of northern Canada.", "contents": "Epidemic shigellosis on a worktrain in Labrador. An epidemic of shigellosis occurred on a worktrain in western Labrador in October 1974. During the outbreak 62 persons out of a crew of 91 became ill, 11 having recurrent illness; 14 were hospitalized. Epidemiologic analysis with laboratory confirmation implicated unchlorinated and contaminated lake water as the source of the epidemic. Faulty design of water storage tanks perpetuated the use of contaminated water; hence a second wave of illness occurred. The tanks were then thoroughly drained, cleaned and repaired. Many deficiencies in sanitation measures (most of which have since been rectified) were noted at the site of the epidemic as well as at other locations along the railway. Careful sanitation controls are essential in rapidly developing areas of northern Canada.", "PMID": 788882} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8197", "title": "Extranodal presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in the testis.", "content": "The clinical and pathologic features of six patients, each of whom exhibited a testicular mass as the first sign of a lymphoma, are discussed. All underwent extensive staging procedures. Retroperitoneal lymph nodes and bone were frequent sites of extratesticular involvement early in the disease. Later widespread dissemination to multiple organs occurred in five of six patients. CNS involvement was a prominent feature of advancing disease. One patient was apparently cured by orchiectomy alone. Although the others exhibited partial responses to chemotherapy and radiation, the disease was fatal to all of them within a year of orchiectomy. Early, aggressive systemic treatment of these patients appears necessary.", "contents": "Extranodal presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in the testis. The clinical and pathologic features of six patients, each of whom exhibited a testicular mass as the first sign of a lymphoma, are discussed. All underwent extensive staging procedures. Retroperitoneal lymph nodes and bone were frequent sites of extratesticular involvement early in the disease. Later widespread dissemination to multiple organs occurred in five of six patients. CNS involvement was a prominent feature of advancing disease. One patient was apparently cured by orchiectomy alone. Although the others exhibited partial responses to chemotherapy and radiation, the disease was fatal to all of them within a year of orchiectomy. Early, aggressive systemic treatment of these patients appears necessary.", "PMID": 788888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8198", "title": "Cyclophoshamide treatment of patients with localized and regional neuroblastoma: A randomized study.", "content": "A randomized study was conducted to determine the effect of cyclophosphamide on the rate of recurrence and metastases in children with localized and regional neuroblastoma. One hundred and thirty-four patients were entered and 113 were suitable for analysis. All patients had surgical resection of the primary tumor when possible, postoperative irradiation to the tumor bed when indicated for gross residual disease, and 49/113 received cyclophosphamide, 10 mg/kg/day orally for 7-10 days every 28 days for 1 year. A difference was found in the rate of metastases between the patients who did and did not receive chemotherapy; the overall survival of about 80% in both groups was better than anticipated. All relapses occurred during the first year; there were none in 27 Stage I patients, 8/52 in Stage II and 13/34 in Stage III. Toxicity was minimal, with only two patients developing hemorrhagic cystitis that prevented continued therapy.", "contents": "Cyclophoshamide treatment of patients with localized and regional neuroblastoma: A randomized study. A randomized study was conducted to determine the effect of cyclophosphamide on the rate of recurrence and metastases in children with localized and regional neuroblastoma. One hundred and thirty-four patients were entered and 113 were suitable for analysis. All patients had surgical resection of the primary tumor when possible, postoperative irradiation to the tumor bed when indicated for gross residual disease, and 49/113 received cyclophosphamide, 10 mg/kg/day orally for 7-10 days every 28 days for 1 year. A difference was found in the rate of metastases between the patients who did and did not receive chemotherapy; the overall survival of about 80% in both groups was better than anticipated. All relapses occurred during the first year; there were none in 27 Stage I patients, 8/52 in Stage II and 13/34 in Stage III. Toxicity was minimal, with only two patients developing hemorrhagic cystitis that prevented continued therapy.", "PMID": 788889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8199", "title": "Factors influencing survival of children with nonmetastatic neuroblastoma.", "content": "A randomized study was designed to determine the effect of intermittent oral cyclophosphamide on the rate of metastases in children with localized and regional neuroblastoma. Secondary objectives of the study were to determine the value of the proposed staging system, to measure the influence of the peripheral lymphocyte count on prognosis, and to study the effect of the primary tumor site and regional node involvement. Since there was no difference in survival in the two groups of patients, whether or not they received chemotherapy, all 113 children were treated as a single group for the analysis of the secondary objectives. The proposed staging served as a good indicator of prognosis with a significant difference in survival seen between each of three stages. It was not possible to detect a significant influence by the three other prognostic variables studied, peripheral lymphocytes, primary site and regional node involvement. Small numbers in the various subgroups studied may account for the failure of differences to achieve statistical significance.", "contents": "Factors influencing survival of children with nonmetastatic neuroblastoma. A randomized study was designed to determine the effect of intermittent oral cyclophosphamide on the rate of metastases in children with localized and regional neuroblastoma. Secondary objectives of the study were to determine the value of the proposed staging system, to measure the influence of the peripheral lymphocyte count on prognosis, and to study the effect of the primary tumor site and regional node involvement. Since there was no difference in survival in the two groups of patients, whether or not they received chemotherapy, all 113 children were treated as a single group for the analysis of the secondary objectives. The proposed staging served as a good indicator of prognosis with a significant difference in survival seen between each of three stages. It was not possible to detect a significant influence by the three other prognostic variables studied, peripheral lymphocytes, primary site and regional node involvement. Small numbers in the various subgroups studied may account for the failure of differences to achieve statistical significance.", "PMID": 788890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8200", "title": "Sequential and combination chemotherapy of advanced gastric cancer.", "content": "One hundred and forty-six previously untreated patients with advanced gastric cancer were assigned at random to therapy with the following regimens: 1) Methyl CCNU alone; 2) Methyl CCNU with cyclophosphamide induction; 3) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) + methyl CCNU; and 4) 5-FU + methyl CCNU with cyclophosphamide induction. Cyclophosphamide induction produced an objective response rate of only 8%. In addition, it added to hematologic toxicity and detracted from the therapeutic activity of subsequent treatment. Methyl CCNU was relatively ineffective therapy with an overall objective response rate of 8%. The response rate to 5-FU + methyl CCNU without cyclophosphamide induction was 40% and this was significantly superior to all other regimens. The survival time of all patients treated with 5-FU + methyl CCNU was significantly superior to that of all patients treated with methyl CCNU alone.", "contents": "Sequential and combination chemotherapy of advanced gastric cancer. One hundred and forty-six previously untreated patients with advanced gastric cancer were assigned at random to therapy with the following regimens: 1) Methyl CCNU alone; 2) Methyl CCNU with cyclophosphamide induction; 3) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) + methyl CCNU; and 4) 5-FU + methyl CCNU with cyclophosphamide induction. Cyclophosphamide induction produced an objective response rate of only 8%. In addition, it added to hematologic toxicity and detracted from the therapeutic activity of subsequent treatment. Methyl CCNU was relatively ineffective therapy with an overall objective response rate of 8%. The response rate to 5-FU + methyl CCNU without cyclophosphamide induction was 40% and this was significantly superior to all other regimens. The survival time of all patients treated with 5-FU + methyl CCNU was significantly superior to that of all patients treated with methyl CCNU alone.", "PMID": 788891} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8201", "title": "A comparative study of the antitumor effectiveness of E. coli and Erwinia asparaginases.", "content": "The relative antineoplastic effectiveness of E. coli and Erwinia asparaginases was tested against lymphoid leukemias EARAD-1 and L5178Y/CA55. E. coli and Erwinia asparaginases had similar clearance rates from plasma in mice, and at a dose of 250 IU/kg body weight both enzymes lowered plasma asparagine to undetectable levels. Nevertheless, the dosage of Erwinia asparaginase needed to cause similar prolongation of median survival time in leukemic mice was at least twice that of E. coli asparaginase. The factors which may be responsible for the more potent therapeutic effectiveness of the E. coli asparaginase are discussed.", "contents": "A comparative study of the antitumor effectiveness of E. coli and Erwinia asparaginases. The relative antineoplastic effectiveness of E. coli and Erwinia asparaginases was tested against lymphoid leukemias EARAD-1 and L5178Y/CA55. E. coli and Erwinia asparaginases had similar clearance rates from plasma in mice, and at a dose of 250 IU/kg body weight both enzymes lowered plasma asparagine to undetectable levels. Nevertheless, the dosage of Erwinia asparaginase needed to cause similar prolongation of median survival time in leukemic mice was at least twice that of E. coli asparaginase. The factors which may be responsible for the more potent therapeutic effectiveness of the E. coli asparaginase are discussed.", "PMID": 788892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8202", "title": "Mutagenicity of cyclic nitrosamines in Escherichia coli following activation with rat liver microsomes.", "content": "Ten cyclic nitrosamines were tested for mutagenicity in Escherichia coli after incubation in vitro with 9000 X g microsomal supernatants prepared from rat liver, and the results were compared with carcinogenicity data from the same species. None of the compounds was mutagenic in the absence of microsomes. Seven carcinogenic compounds, nitrosopyrrolidine, nitrosopiperidine, nitrosohexamethyleneimine, nitrosoheptamethyleneimine, nitrosomorpholine, dinitrosopiperazine, and dinitrosohomopiperzine, were mutagenic after microsomal activation. One compound, nitrosohepamethyleneimine, was toxic to the bacteria. Two noncarcinogens, 1-nitrosopiperazine and 1-methyl-4-nitrosopiperazine, and 1 strong carcinogen, 2,6-dimethyldinitrosopiperazine, were not mutagenic with or without microsomal incubation. The liver microsome preparation activated equally well those compounds that are liver carcinogens in Sprague-Dawley rats, and compounds for which the liver is not a target organ.", "contents": "Mutagenicity of cyclic nitrosamines in Escherichia coli following activation with rat liver microsomes. Ten cyclic nitrosamines were tested for mutagenicity in Escherichia coli after incubation in vitro with 9000 X g microsomal supernatants prepared from rat liver, and the results were compared with carcinogenicity data from the same species. None of the compounds was mutagenic in the absence of microsomes. Seven carcinogenic compounds, nitrosopyrrolidine, nitrosopiperidine, nitrosohexamethyleneimine, nitrosoheptamethyleneimine, nitrosomorpholine, dinitrosopiperazine, and dinitrosohomopiperzine, were mutagenic after microsomal activation. One compound, nitrosohepamethyleneimine, was toxic to the bacteria. Two noncarcinogens, 1-nitrosopiperazine and 1-methyl-4-nitrosopiperazine, and 1 strong carcinogen, 2,6-dimethyldinitrosopiperazine, were not mutagenic with or without microsomal incubation. The liver microsome preparation activated equally well those compounds that are liver carcinogens in Sprague-Dawley rats, and compounds for which the liver is not a target organ.", "PMID": 788895} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8203", "title": "Correlations between humoral immunity and successful chemotherapy-immunotherapy.", "content": "Experiments were designed to evaluate the characteristics of the humoral immune response induced by active immunotherapy, both specific (neuraminidase-treated tumore cells) and nonspecific (Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin organisms), in the L1210-C57BL/6 X DBA/2F tumor-host system. Tumor burden was minimized with chemotherapy (1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea) prior to immunotherapy. A marked increase in the concentration of serum immunoglobulins (immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G, and immunoglobulin G) was observed following successful therapy. The highest concentration of these immunoglobulins was found in mice given both Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase-treated cells and B. Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin after chemotheraphy. Tumor-specific immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G, as measured by indirect immunofluorescnece, were detected in the sera during the course of successful therapy. Positive immunofluorescence was not observed with progressive sera. Complement-dependent cytotoxic activity against L1210 cells was first detected 5 days after immunotherapy, and increased for several weeks. A high level of cytotoxic activity correlated with successful therapy, whereas low levels were foun in treated mice with recurring tumors. Serum cytotoxicity was not detected in untreated mice with progressively growing tumor.", "contents": "Correlations between humoral immunity and successful chemotherapy-immunotherapy. Experiments were designed to evaluate the characteristics of the humoral immune response induced by active immunotherapy, both specific (neuraminidase-treated tumore cells) and nonspecific (Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin organisms), in the L1210-C57BL/6 X DBA/2F tumor-host system. Tumor burden was minimized with chemotherapy (1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea) prior to immunotherapy. A marked increase in the concentration of serum immunoglobulins (immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G, and immunoglobulin G) was observed following successful therapy. The highest concentration of these immunoglobulins was found in mice given both Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase-treated cells and B. Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin after chemotheraphy. Tumor-specific immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G, as measured by indirect immunofluorescnece, were detected in the sera during the course of successful therapy. Positive immunofluorescence was not observed with progressive sera. Complement-dependent cytotoxic activity against L1210 cells was first detected 5 days after immunotherapy, and increased for several weeks. A high level of cytotoxic activity correlated with successful therapy, whereas low levels were foun in treated mice with recurring tumors. Serum cytotoxicity was not detected in untreated mice with progressively growing tumor.", "PMID": 788896} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8204", "title": "Mechanism of Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin-induced suppression of metastases in a poorly immunogenic fibrosarcoma.", "content": "Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) reduces the rate of spontaneous pulmonary metastases from a poorly immunogenic fibrosarcoma. To be effective, BCG (1 X 10(6) organisms) must be given in admixture with (1 X 10(6)) tumor cells at the time of transplantation. Reduction of metastasis at this dosage of BCG occurs without a change in the size of the primarytumor or the extent of necrosis within it. Tumors transplanted in admixture with spleen cells from BCG-exposed donors reduced the number of metastases, while spleen cells from normal or tumor-bearing donors had no effect on metastases. Fewer total tumor cells and clumps are collected from the venous effluent of tumors transplanted with BCG than from control tumors. The BCG-treated tumors have more host macrophages intimately associated with the effluent tumor cells then did controls. These data indicate that BCG can inhibit the metastatic potential of a weakly immunogenic fibrosarcoma. The mechanism of this effect appears to be a depression of entry or tumor cells into the tumor vascular channels which may be related to the interaction of tumor cells with BCG-stimulated macrophages.", "contents": "Mechanism of Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin-induced suppression of metastases in a poorly immunogenic fibrosarcoma. Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) reduces the rate of spontaneous pulmonary metastases from a poorly immunogenic fibrosarcoma. To be effective, BCG (1 X 10(6) organisms) must be given in admixture with (1 X 10(6)) tumor cells at the time of transplantation. Reduction of metastasis at this dosage of BCG occurs without a change in the size of the primarytumor or the extent of necrosis within it. Tumors transplanted in admixture with spleen cells from BCG-exposed donors reduced the number of metastases, while spleen cells from normal or tumor-bearing donors had no effect on metastases. Fewer total tumor cells and clumps are collected from the venous effluent of tumors transplanted with BCG than from control tumors. The BCG-treated tumors have more host macrophages intimately associated with the effluent tumor cells then did controls. These data indicate that BCG can inhibit the metastatic potential of a weakly immunogenic fibrosarcoma. The mechanism of this effect appears to be a depression of entry or tumor cells into the tumor vascular channels which may be related to the interaction of tumor cells with BCG-stimulated macrophages.", "PMID": 788897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8205", "title": "Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of benzo(a)pyrene arene oxides, phenols, quinones, and dihydrodiols in bacterial and mammalian cells.", "content": "Twenty-nine benzo(a)pyrene derivatives were tested for mutagenic acitivity without metabolic activation in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, and TA1538 and in Chinese hamster V79 cells. The compounds studied included 4 arene oxides, all 12 isomeric phenols, 5 quinones, and 8 dihydrodiols. Benzo(a)pyrene 4,5-oxide was the most mutagenic of the compounds tested in both the bacterial and mammalian systems. The other arene oxides [benzo(a)pyrene 7,8-, 9,10-, and 11,12-oxides] were only weakly mutagenic in the S. typhimurium strains. However, in Chinese hamster V79 cells benzo(a)pyrene 11,12-oxide. Among the phenols, 6-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and 12-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene were moderately mutagenic in strain TA98 of S. typhimurium, and 6-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene was moderately mutagenic in V79 cells. The other 10 phenols, 5 quinones [benzo(a)pyrene 1,6-, 3,6-, 4,5-, 6, 12-, and 11,12-quinones] and 8 dihydrodiols [benzo(a)pyrene cis-4,5,trans-4,5-, cis-7,8-, trans-7,8-, cis-9,10-, trans-9,10-, cis-11,12-, and trans-11, 12-dihydrodiols] were eitherinactive or only weekly mutagenic. 1-Hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene were weakly mutagenic in strain TA98 of S. typhimurium, and benzo(a)pyrene 7,8-dihydrodiol was weakly mutagenic in V79 cells. Benzo(a)pyrene 11,12-quinone was extremely cytotoxic to the V79 cells but had no observable toxicity in the bacterial strains.", "contents": "Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of benzo(a)pyrene arene oxides, phenols, quinones, and dihydrodiols in bacterial and mammalian cells. Twenty-nine benzo(a)pyrene derivatives were tested for mutagenic acitivity without metabolic activation in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, and TA1538 and in Chinese hamster V79 cells. The compounds studied included 4 arene oxides, all 12 isomeric phenols, 5 quinones, and 8 dihydrodiols. Benzo(a)pyrene 4,5-oxide was the most mutagenic of the compounds tested in both the bacterial and mammalian systems. The other arene oxides [benzo(a)pyrene 7,8-, 9,10-, and 11,12-oxides] were only weakly mutagenic in the S. typhimurium strains. However, in Chinese hamster V79 cells benzo(a)pyrene 11,12-oxide. Among the phenols, 6-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and 12-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene were moderately mutagenic in strain TA98 of S. typhimurium, and 6-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene was moderately mutagenic in V79 cells. The other 10 phenols, 5 quinones [benzo(a)pyrene 1,6-, 3,6-, 4,5-, 6, 12-, and 11,12-quinones] and 8 dihydrodiols [benzo(a)pyrene cis-4,5,trans-4,5-, cis-7,8-, trans-7,8-, cis-9,10-, trans-9,10-, cis-11,12-, and trans-11, 12-dihydrodiols] were eitherinactive or only weekly mutagenic. 1-Hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene were weakly mutagenic in strain TA98 of S. typhimurium, and benzo(a)pyrene 7,8-dihydrodiol was weakly mutagenic in V79 cells. Benzo(a)pyrene 11,12-quinone was extremely cytotoxic to the V79 cells but had no observable toxicity in the bacterial strains.", "PMID": 788898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8206", "title": "Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of benzo(a)pyrene benzo-ring epoxides.", "content": "Four benzo-ring epoxides of the environmental carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (BP) were tested for mutagenic and cytotoxic activity in 3 strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA1538, TA98, and TA100) and in Chinese hamster V79 cells. Although very unstable in aqueous solution, 7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-0beta,10beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (diol epoxide 1), with the 7-hydroxyl group on the same face of the molecule as the epoxide oxygen, was 1.5 to 4 times as mutagenic in the bacterial strains as was its more stable stereoisomer 7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10beta-epoxy-7,8,9.10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (diol epoxide 2). In V79 cells, diol epoxide 1 had one-third the mutagenic activity of diol epoxide 2 but was at least 10 times more labile than diol epoxide 2 in the tissue culture medium. The half-life of diol epoxide 1 in tissue culture medium was about 30 sec, whereas the half-life of diol epoxide 2 was between 6 and 12 min. 9,10-Epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene, which is saturated in the benzo ring, is also very unstable and has mutagenic activity equal to or greater than diol epoxide 1 in the bacterial and mammalian cells. 7,8-Epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene was more stable in aqueous solution than any of the 9,10-epoxides of BP but was much less mutagenic in both the bacterial and mammalian cells. In v79 cells, diol epoxides 1 and 2 and 9,10-opoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene were more than 40 times more cytotoxic than 7,8-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene. The mutagenicity of the 2 tetrahydro epoxides toward strain TA98 of S. typhimurium was readily abolished by purified epoxide hydrase, whereas the mutagenic activity of the 2 diol epoxides was relatively unaffected by coincubation with the enzyme.", "contents": "Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of benzo(a)pyrene benzo-ring epoxides. Four benzo-ring epoxides of the environmental carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (BP) were tested for mutagenic and cytotoxic activity in 3 strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA1538, TA98, and TA100) and in Chinese hamster V79 cells. Although very unstable in aqueous solution, 7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-0beta,10beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (diol epoxide 1), with the 7-hydroxyl group on the same face of the molecule as the epoxide oxygen, was 1.5 to 4 times as mutagenic in the bacterial strains as was its more stable stereoisomer 7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10beta-epoxy-7,8,9.10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (diol epoxide 2). In V79 cells, diol epoxide 1 had one-third the mutagenic activity of diol epoxide 2 but was at least 10 times more labile than diol epoxide 2 in the tissue culture medium. The half-life of diol epoxide 1 in tissue culture medium was about 30 sec, whereas the half-life of diol epoxide 2 was between 6 and 12 min. 9,10-Epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene, which is saturated in the benzo ring, is also very unstable and has mutagenic activity equal to or greater than diol epoxide 1 in the bacterial and mammalian cells. 7,8-Epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene was more stable in aqueous solution than any of the 9,10-epoxides of BP but was much less mutagenic in both the bacterial and mammalian cells. In v79 cells, diol epoxides 1 and 2 and 9,10-opoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene were more than 40 times more cytotoxic than 7,8-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene. The mutagenicity of the 2 tetrahydro epoxides toward strain TA98 of S. typhimurium was readily abolished by purified epoxide hydrase, whereas the mutagenic activity of the 2 diol epoxides was relatively unaffected by coincubation with the enzyme.", "PMID": 788899} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8207", "title": "Participation of teratocarcinoma cells in mouse embryo development.", "content": "Teratocarcinoma cells (OTT 6050) from 129 SvSl C P mice were transferred into blastocysts from random bred Swiss albino mice. The blastocysts were placed in the uteri of foster mothers and the adults resulting from these blastocysts were studied for evidence of an effect of the transferred malignant cells. Sixty adults resulted from the experiments, and one of the adult mice that had received teratocarcinoma cells in the blastocyst stage showed several stripes of agouti hair. All the adult animals received grafts of skin from animals identical to those supplying the cells. The animals that resulted from blastocysts into which cells had been transferred maintained skin grafts for a significantly longer period than did controls. These experiments indicate that the transferred malignant cells were able to establish small colonies in the embryos and that some of these cells persisted into the adult.", "contents": "Participation of teratocarcinoma cells in mouse embryo development. Teratocarcinoma cells (OTT 6050) from 129 SvSl C P mice were transferred into blastocysts from random bred Swiss albino mice. The blastocysts were placed in the uteri of foster mothers and the adults resulting from these blastocysts were studied for evidence of an effect of the transferred malignant cells. Sixty adults resulted from the experiments, and one of the adult mice that had received teratocarcinoma cells in the blastocyst stage showed several stripes of agouti hair. All the adult animals received grafts of skin from animals identical to those supplying the cells. The animals that resulted from blastocysts into which cells had been transferred maintained skin grafts for a significantly longer period than did controls. These experiments indicate that the transferred malignant cells were able to establish small colonies in the embryos and that some of these cells persisted into the adult.", "PMID": 788901} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8208", "title": "Neural basis for the genesis and control of arrhythmias associated with myocardial infarction.", "content": "Alterations of autonomic tone appear to have important effects on the electrical stability of the heart. Since altered electrical stability, ventricular fibrillation, is the cause of death in the majority of patients who die from ischemic heart disease, the effects of the autonomic nervous system on ventricular electrical stability have been examined. Increased vagal tone increases the electrical stability of the heart and reduces the incidence of spontaneous ventricular fibrillation after coronary occlusion. These salutary effects of increased cholinergic tone appear to be mediated by cholinergic innervation of the ventricular conducting system. Conversely, increased adrenergic tone decreases the electrical stability of the heart and increases the propensity of the heart to develop ventricular arrhythmias during coronary occlusion. The interaction of the adrenergic and cholinergic system during myocardial ischemia may be one of the important determinants of survival in patients with coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Neural basis for the genesis and control of arrhythmias associated with myocardial infarction. Alterations of autonomic tone appear to have important effects on the electrical stability of the heart. Since altered electrical stability, ventricular fibrillation, is the cause of death in the majority of patients who die from ischemic heart disease, the effects of the autonomic nervous system on ventricular electrical stability have been examined. Increased vagal tone increases the electrical stability of the heart and reduces the incidence of spontaneous ventricular fibrillation after coronary occlusion. These salutary effects of increased cholinergic tone appear to be mediated by cholinergic innervation of the ventricular conducting system. Conversely, increased adrenergic tone decreases the electrical stability of the heart and increases the propensity of the heart to develop ventricular arrhythmias during coronary occlusion. The interaction of the adrenergic and cholinergic system during myocardial ischemia may be one of the important determinants of survival in patients with coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 788902} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8209", "title": "Autonomic nervous system and arrhythmias: studies in the transplanted denervated human heart.", "content": "The function of the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) was evaluated by comparison of normal subjects with cardiac transplant recipients. By use of standard intracardiac His bundle recording techniques, the following conclusions regarding basic cardiac electrophysiology were drawn: (1) the sinus node functions normally at rest despite autonomic denervation; (2) the AV node does not show the expected decrease in functional refractory period with increased heart rate in the denervated state, and (3) the adrenergic receptor of the cardiac conduction system does not depend upon autonomic innervation to function normally. Electrophysiologic studies of digitalis demonstrated: (1) in therapeutic doses, the AV nodal blocking effect of digitalis is autonomically mediated; (2) sinus node slowing by digitalis also requires an intact autonomic innervation. Arrhythmia analysis in 47 transplant patients revealed an increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in autonomic cardiac denervation. In addition, sudden death in the ischemic denervated heart does occur, weakening the concept of a primary role of the cardiac ANS in this phenomenon.", "contents": "Autonomic nervous system and arrhythmias: studies in the transplanted denervated human heart. The function of the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) was evaluated by comparison of normal subjects with cardiac transplant recipients. By use of standard intracardiac His bundle recording techniques, the following conclusions regarding basic cardiac electrophysiology were drawn: (1) the sinus node functions normally at rest despite autonomic denervation; (2) the AV node does not show the expected decrease in functional refractory period with increased heart rate in the denervated state, and (3) the adrenergic receptor of the cardiac conduction system does not depend upon autonomic innervation to function normally. Electrophysiologic studies of digitalis demonstrated: (1) in therapeutic doses, the AV nodal blocking effect of digitalis is autonomically mediated; (2) sinus node slowing by digitalis also requires an intact autonomic innervation. Arrhythmia analysis in 47 transplant patients revealed an increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in autonomic cardiac denervation. In addition, sudden death in the ischemic denervated heart does occur, weakening the concept of a primary role of the cardiac ANS in this phenomenon.", "PMID": 788903} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8210", "title": "Central and peripheral catecholamine mechanisms in circulatory control.", "content": "Catecholamine-containing neurones participate in cardiovascular regulation not only through the peripheral sympathetic nervous system but also by central nervous adrenergic mechanisms. Impairment of peripheral sympathetic activity leads to baroreflex impairment and postural hypotension. While changes in central function may alter baroreflex sensitivity, supine hypotension with preservation of postural compensation is more common. Levodopa has been demonstrated to exert both central and peripheral effects on blood pressure in parkinsonian patients.", "contents": "Central and peripheral catecholamine mechanisms in circulatory control. Catecholamine-containing neurones participate in cardiovascular regulation not only through the peripheral sympathetic nervous system but also by central nervous adrenergic mechanisms. Impairment of peripheral sympathetic activity leads to baroreflex impairment and postural hypotension. While changes in central function may alter baroreflex sensitivity, supine hypotension with preservation of postural compensation is more common. Levodopa has been demonstrated to exert both central and peripheral effects on blood pressure in parkinsonian patients.", "PMID": 788904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8211", "title": "Orthostatic hypotension in neurological disease.", "content": "It is now recognized that orthostatic hypotension occurs as a complication of many neurological diseases. An account is given of some of those in which it may develop. The pathological lesions frequently allow studies to be made of physiological mechanisms remaining in the isolated parts of the nervous system. For example transection of the cervical spinal cord causes complete separation of peripheral sympathetic pathways from the control of the brain. It was possible, therefore, to examine the control of renin release and also cerebral blood flow regulation during change of blood pressure in patients with some of these disorders. Evidence has been obtained that the renin-angiotensin system is active in paraplegia and in many other patients with orthostatic hypotension. In addition symptoms of cerebrovascular insufficiency are minimized by the retention of autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with failure of sympathetic function. Autoregulation maintains CBF within wide limits of blood pressure and symptoms of orthostatic hypotension only develop if the blood pressure falls below the lower limit, usually about 70 mm Hg.", "contents": "Orthostatic hypotension in neurological disease. It is now recognized that orthostatic hypotension occurs as a complication of many neurological diseases. An account is given of some of those in which it may develop. The pathological lesions frequently allow studies to be made of physiological mechanisms remaining in the isolated parts of the nervous system. For example transection of the cervical spinal cord causes complete separation of peripheral sympathetic pathways from the control of the brain. It was possible, therefore, to examine the control of renin release and also cerebral blood flow regulation during change of blood pressure in patients with some of these disorders. Evidence has been obtained that the renin-angiotensin system is active in paraplegia and in many other patients with orthostatic hypotension. In addition symptoms of cerebrovascular insufficiency are minimized by the retention of autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with failure of sympathetic function. Autoregulation maintains CBF within wide limits of blood pressure and symptoms of orthostatic hypotension only develop if the blood pressure falls below the lower limit, usually about 70 mm Hg.", "PMID": 788905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8212", "title": "[Orthostatic hypotension in the aged].", "content": "Caird and his colleagues reported posture-dependent falls in systolic blood pressure of 20 mm Hg and more in 24% of a population aged 65 and above. In about 5% of the group, moreover, the falls were in excess of 40 mm Hg. Our investigations in 160 residents in an old people's home in the age range 59-88 years largely confirmed Caird's figures. Using Schellong's test we recorded systolic pressure falls of 20 mm Hg and more in 25% of our subjects. These cases of circulatory dysregulation were all manifestations of the hypodynamic form of the orthostatic syndrome. This means that only systolic blood pressure fell, diastolic pressure as well as heart rate being largely unaffected. The phenomenon appears to be due to age-related deterioration in circulatory regulation; at least no evidence has been found to suggest that it has a specific aetiology. In a double-blind cross-over study the effect of dihydroergotamine (DHE) was compared to placebo in 40 patients. Half the patients were given 2 mg DHE three times daily for 14 days and the other half placebo tablets; following 1 week's wash-out, the treatments were then reversed for a further 2-week period. Schellong's test (measurement of blood pressure and pulse after 10 min in the supine position and then after 1, 2, 5 and 10 min standing) was performed at the beginning and end of each treatment period. The average falls in upright systolic pressure for all 40 patients were as follows: before treatment 20 mm Hg (150 leads to 130); end of placebo period 19 mm Hg (147 leads to 128); end of DHE periods 7 mm Hg (145 leads to 138). The differences between the values recorded after treatment with DHE and the other two values are statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Similarly there was a significant difference in the numbers of patients experiencing dizziness during Schellong's test (16-17 out of 40 patients before treatment and after placebo, 6 out of 38 patients after DHE). From this finding conclusions can be drawn regarding the causes of vertigo in old age.", "contents": "[Orthostatic hypotension in the aged]. Caird and his colleagues reported posture-dependent falls in systolic blood pressure of 20 mm Hg and more in 24% of a population aged 65 and above. In about 5% of the group, moreover, the falls were in excess of 40 mm Hg. Our investigations in 160 residents in an old people's home in the age range 59-88 years largely confirmed Caird's figures. Using Schellong's test we recorded systolic pressure falls of 20 mm Hg and more in 25% of our subjects. These cases of circulatory dysregulation were all manifestations of the hypodynamic form of the orthostatic syndrome. This means that only systolic blood pressure fell, diastolic pressure as well as heart rate being largely unaffected. The phenomenon appears to be due to age-related deterioration in circulatory regulation; at least no evidence has been found to suggest that it has a specific aetiology. In a double-blind cross-over study the effect of dihydroergotamine (DHE) was compared to placebo in 40 patients. Half the patients were given 2 mg DHE three times daily for 14 days and the other half placebo tablets; following 1 week's wash-out, the treatments were then reversed for a further 2-week period. Schellong's test (measurement of blood pressure and pulse after 10 min in the supine position and then after 1, 2, 5 and 10 min standing) was performed at the beginning and end of each treatment period. The average falls in upright systolic pressure for all 40 patients were as follows: before treatment 20 mm Hg (150 leads to 130); end of placebo period 19 mm Hg (147 leads to 128); end of DHE periods 7 mm Hg (145 leads to 138). The differences between the values recorded after treatment with DHE and the other two values are statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Similarly there was a significant difference in the numbers of patients experiencing dizziness during Schellong's test (16-17 out of 40 patients before treatment and after placebo, 6 out of 38 patients after DHE). From this finding conclusions can be drawn regarding the causes of vertigo in old age.", "PMID": 788907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8213", "title": "Effect of selected drugs on arterial pressure response to upright posture.", "content": "Orthostatic hypotension may be secondary to a variety of factors, prominent among which is administration of drugs effecting autonomic function. Therapy of orthostatic hypotension has been successful using a directly acting sympathomimetic amine, ethylnorphenylephrine, which has a distinctive spectrum of alpha, beta1, and beta2 adrenergic agonist properties. The directly acting vasoconstrictor, dihydroergotamine, is effective, producing hemodynamic patterns reflecting a selective effect on capacitance vessels. Orthostatic hypotension secondary to the administration of L-dopa should usually respond to peripheral decarboxylase inhibition by agents such as alpha-methyldopahydrazine. The combined administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors with indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines will increase arterial pressure, but must be considered quite risky in light of inherently poor ability to regulate dose-response relationships and prior clinical experience with excessive arterial pressure elevation.", "contents": "Effect of selected drugs on arterial pressure response to upright posture. Orthostatic hypotension may be secondary to a variety of factors, prominent among which is administration of drugs effecting autonomic function. Therapy of orthostatic hypotension has been successful using a directly acting sympathomimetic amine, ethylnorphenylephrine, which has a distinctive spectrum of alpha, beta1, and beta2 adrenergic agonist properties. The directly acting vasoconstrictor, dihydroergotamine, is effective, producing hemodynamic patterns reflecting a selective effect on capacitance vessels. Orthostatic hypotension secondary to the administration of L-dopa should usually respond to peripheral decarboxylase inhibition by agents such as alpha-methyldopahydrazine. The combined administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors with indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines will increase arterial pressure, but must be considered quite risky in light of inherently poor ability to regulate dose-response relationships and prior clinical experience with excessive arterial pressure elevation.", "PMID": 788908} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8214", "title": "A controlled study with Dihydergot on patients with orthostatic dysregulation.", "content": "(1) 36 outpatients with a manifest orthostatic syndrome were the subject of a double-blind study to investigate the influence of Dihydergot and a placebo over a 4-week period. (2) In the majority of subjects, the dosage was 1 tablet (2.5 mg) 3 times a day. (3) In the test group with Dihydergot (17 subjects), a normalization of circulatory regulation occurred in all cases. (4) In contrast, the placebo group (19 patients) showed no changes. (5) The subjective complaints of which only a part can be attributed to the orthostatic syndrome, largely disappeared through the treatment with Dihydergot, while those in the placebo group were not altered. This may be explained by the central stabilizing effect of Dihydergot which complements the hemodynamic properties.", "contents": "A controlled study with Dihydergot on patients with orthostatic dysregulation. (1) 36 outpatients with a manifest orthostatic syndrome were the subject of a double-blind study to investigate the influence of Dihydergot and a placebo over a 4-week period. (2) In the majority of subjects, the dosage was 1 tablet (2.5 mg) 3 times a day. (3) In the test group with Dihydergot (17 subjects), a normalization of circulatory regulation occurred in all cases. (4) In contrast, the placebo group (19 patients) showed no changes. (5) The subjective complaints of which only a part can be attributed to the orthostatic syndrome, largely disappeared through the treatment with Dihydergot, while those in the placebo group were not altered. This may be explained by the central stabilizing effect of Dihydergot which complements the hemodynamic properties.", "PMID": 788910} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8215", "title": "Proliferation of lamellar whorls in arcuate neurons of the hypothalamus of castrated and morphine-treated male rats.", "content": "A comprehensive ultrastructural examination of one cross-sectional level (middle 1/3) of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (AH) of male rats several weeks after castration or after two weeks of morphine treatment confirmed a marked increased in lamellar whorls of endoplasmic reticulum in AH neurons in each group. A comparable incidence of AH whorls was not detected in rats treated with lactose, those treated for only 1--3 days with morphine, or in those given testosterone plus morphine for 2 weeks. It is postulated that the testosterone deficiency following either castration or chronic morphine treatment stimulated the observed increase in AH whorls. A close correspondence was noted between the distribution within the AH of neurons containing whorls and those reported by others to contain luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH). The possibility that whorls may be a marker for hypothalamic neurons which play a role in the LH-RH regulatory system warrants further consideration.", "contents": "Proliferation of lamellar whorls in arcuate neurons of the hypothalamus of castrated and morphine-treated male rats. A comprehensive ultrastructural examination of one cross-sectional level (middle 1/3) of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (AH) of male rats several weeks after castration or after two weeks of morphine treatment confirmed a marked increased in lamellar whorls of endoplasmic reticulum in AH neurons in each group. A comparable incidence of AH whorls was not detected in rats treated with lactose, those treated for only 1--3 days with morphine, or in those given testosterone plus morphine for 2 weeks. It is postulated that the testosterone deficiency following either castration or chronic morphine treatment stimulated the observed increase in AH whorls. A close correspondence was noted between the distribution within the AH of neurons containing whorls and those reported by others to contain luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH). The possibility that whorls may be a marker for hypothalamic neurons which play a role in the LH-RH regulatory system warrants further consideration.", "PMID": 788916} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8216", "title": "Histone genes of the sea urchin (S. purpuratus) cloned in E coli: order, polarity, and strandedness of the five histone-coding and spacer regions.", "content": "Sea urchin (S. purpuratus) histone DNA of constructed plasmid chimeras cloned in E. coli was cleaved with the restriction endonucleases Eco RI, Hind III, Sal I. Bam I, and Hha I. The resulting fragments were ordered and isolated directly from agarose gels or cloned into other plasmids. Each fragment hybridized to one or another of the five histone mRNAs and elucidated the order of the histone genes in each of the cloned fragments. Some DNA did not hybridize to histone mRNAs and was identified as spacer DNA located between coding regions. Total sea urchin DNA was cleaved with restriction endonucleases, fractionated on agarose gels, and hybridized to histone mRNAs or histone DNA. The results revealed the order of the five histone genes in the histone gene repeat unit and demonstrate that the histone spacer DNA have little sequence homology to other genes. ExonucleaseIII digestion of specific linear chimeric histone DNA plasmids followed by hybridization with mRNAs demonstrated the existence of all five histone genes on one strand of DNA and the 5'-3' polarity of that strand. These results, in conjunction with the data of Wu et al. (1976), allow us to construct a map of coding and spacer sequences in the transcribed strand of S. purpuratus histone gene repeat unit: (see article).", "contents": "Histone genes of the sea urchin (S. purpuratus) cloned in E coli: order, polarity, and strandedness of the five histone-coding and spacer regions. Sea urchin (S. purpuratus) histone DNA of constructed plasmid chimeras cloned in E. coli was cleaved with the restriction endonucleases Eco RI, Hind III, Sal I. Bam I, and Hha I. The resulting fragments were ordered and isolated directly from agarose gels or cloned into other plasmids. Each fragment hybridized to one or another of the five histone mRNAs and elucidated the order of the histone genes in each of the cloned fragments. Some DNA did not hybridize to histone mRNAs and was identified as spacer DNA located between coding regions. Total sea urchin DNA was cleaved with restriction endonucleases, fractionated on agarose gels, and hybridized to histone mRNAs or histone DNA. The results revealed the order of the five histone genes in the histone gene repeat unit and demonstrate that the histone spacer DNA have little sequence homology to other genes. ExonucleaseIII digestion of specific linear chimeric histone DNA plasmids followed by hybridization with mRNAs demonstrated the existence of all five histone genes on one strand of DNA and the 5'-3' polarity of that strand. These results, in conjunction with the data of Wu et al. (1976), allow us to construct a map of coding and spacer sequences in the transcribed strand of S. purpuratus histone gene repeat unit: (see article).", "PMID": 788917} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8217", "title": "The relative positions of sea urchin histone genes on the chimeric plasmids pSp2 and pSp17 as studied by electronmicroscopy.", "content": "The relative positions of the sea urchin histone genes and the spacer regions on the chimeric plasmids pS p2 and pSp17 have been mapped by hybridizing total histonemessenger RNA to single strands of the plasmid DNAs. The lengths and spacing between the several RNA:DNA duplex regions on the single strands of DNA were measured by the gene 32-ethidium bromide electron microscope mapping method. We find that the genes are interdigitated with spacer sequences of different lengths; that there are three coding sequences on pSp2, all on the same strand, with the relative order H1, H4, and B4; and that there are two coding sequences on pSp17, both on the same strand, corresponding to the messages denoted B1 and B2-B3, where B4, B1, and B2-3 are electrophoretically resolved components of histone mRNA, all of size intermediate between the larger H1 and the smaller H4 message.", "contents": "The relative positions of sea urchin histone genes on the chimeric plasmids pSp2 and pSp17 as studied by electronmicroscopy. The relative positions of the sea urchin histone genes and the spacer regions on the chimeric plasmids pS p2 and pSp17 have been mapped by hybridizing total histonemessenger RNA to single strands of the plasmid DNAs. The lengths and spacing between the several RNA:DNA duplex regions on the single strands of DNA were measured by the gene 32-ethidium bromide electron microscope mapping method. We find that the genes are interdigitated with spacer sequences of different lengths; that there are three coding sequences on pSp2, all on the same strand, with the relative order H1, H4, and B4; and that there are two coding sequences on pSp17, both on the same strand, corresponding to the messages denoted B1 and B2-B3, where B4, B1, and B2-3 are electrophoretically resolved components of histone mRNA, all of size intermediate between the larger H1 and the smaller H4 message.", "PMID": 788918} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8218", "title": "A colony bank containing synthetic Col El hybrid plasmids representative of the entire E. coli genome.", "content": "Using the poly(dA-dT) \"connector\" method (Lobbanand Kaiser, 1973), a population of annealed hybrid circular DNAs was constructed in vitro; each hybrid DNA circle contained one molecule of poly(dT)-tailed Col El-DNA (LRI) annealed to any one of a collection of poly(dA)-tailed linear DNA fragments, produced originally by shearing total E. coli DNA to an average size of 8.5 x 10(6) daltons. This annealed DNA preparation (12 mug) was used to transform an F+ recA E. coli strain (JA200), selecting transformants by their resistance to colicin El. A collection or \"bank\" pf pver 2000 colicin El-resistant clones was thereby obtained, 70% of which were shown to contain hybrid Col El DNA (E. coli) plasmids. This colony bank is large enough to include hybrid plasmids representative of the entire E. coli genome. Individual plasmids have been readily identified by replica mating the collection onto plates seeded with cultures of various F- auxotrophic recipients, selecting for complementation of the auxotrophic markers by F-mediated transfer of hybrid plasmids to the F- recipients. In this manner, over 80 hybrid Col El-DNA (E. coli), plasmid-bearing clones have been identified in the colony bank, and about 40 known E. coli genes have been tentatively assigned to these various plasmids. The hybrid plasmids are transferred efficiently from F+ donors to appropriate F- recipients. The use of this method to establish similar colony banks in E. coli containing hybrid plasmids representative of various simple eucaryotic genomes is discussed.", "contents": "A colony bank containing synthetic Col El hybrid plasmids representative of the entire E. coli genome. Using the poly(dA-dT) \"connector\" method (Lobbanand Kaiser, 1973), a population of annealed hybrid circular DNAs was constructed in vitro; each hybrid DNA circle contained one molecule of poly(dT)-tailed Col El-DNA (LRI) annealed to any one of a collection of poly(dA)-tailed linear DNA fragments, produced originally by shearing total E. coli DNA to an average size of 8.5 x 10(6) daltons. This annealed DNA preparation (12 mug) was used to transform an F+ recA E. coli strain (JA200), selecting transformants by their resistance to colicin El. A collection or \"bank\" pf pver 2000 colicin El-resistant clones was thereby obtained, 70% of which were shown to contain hybrid Col El DNA (E. coli) plasmids. This colony bank is large enough to include hybrid plasmids representative of the entire E. coli genome. Individual plasmids have been readily identified by replica mating the collection onto plates seeded with cultures of various F- auxotrophic recipients, selecting for complementation of the auxotrophic markers by F-mediated transfer of hybrid plasmids to the F- recipients. In this manner, over 80 hybrid Col El-DNA (E. coli), plasmid-bearing clones have been identified in the colony bank, and about 40 known E. coli genes have been tentatively assigned to these various plasmids. The hybrid plasmids are transferred efficiently from F+ donors to appropriate F- recipients. The use of this method to establish similar colony banks in E. coli containing hybrid plasmids representative of various simple eucaryotic genomes is discussed.", "PMID": 788919} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8219", "title": "Organomercury poisoning in Iraq: history prior to the 1971-72 outbreak.", "content": "Mercury has been used medically in the Middle East since time immemorial. Organomercury compounds were first used as seed dressings in Iraq in 1955. During the years 1955-59, 200 cases of poisoning occurred. A more clearly defined outbreak occurred in 1960, involving approximately 1000 hospital admissions. Twelve patients from two families affected in this outbreak were re-examined in 1973, and showed considerable improvement.", "contents": "Organomercury poisoning in Iraq: history prior to the 1971-72 outbreak. Mercury has been used medically in the Middle East since time immemorial. Organomercury compounds were first used as seed dressings in Iraq in 1955. During the years 1955-59, 200 cases of poisoning occurred. A more clearly defined outbreak occurred in 1960, involving approximately 1000 hospital admissions. Twelve patients from two families affected in this outbreak were re-examined in 1973, and showed considerable improvement.", "PMID": 788949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8220", "title": "RAST using crude and purified anti-IgE.", "content": "The sensitivity of the RAST using anti-IgE in 125I-labelled IgG fractions of sheep antiserum was compared to that using anti-IgE purified by immunosorbent techniques in tests with three allergens (grass pollens, Aspergillus fumigatus and the detergent enzyme \"Alcalase\") on sera from 248 workers in a detergent factory. Both anti-IgE reagents measure the same antibody but the RAST procedure using the crude anti-IgE reagent is less sensitive than that using the immunosorbent-purified anti-IgE in its ability to detect circulating IgE in subjects with positive skin-prick tests. In general the agreement between positive RAST and positive skin test was improved when only skin tests equal to or greater than 3 mm were considered positive. With Alcalase, antigen non-specific binding by the crude anti-IgE reagent may give false positive results. Optimal conditions for the preparation of allergosorbents with this allergen are defined. Predictive equations relating the results of RAST and skin test show that the hitherto arbitrary definition of a positive RAST result is statistically valid.", "contents": "RAST using crude and purified anti-IgE. The sensitivity of the RAST using anti-IgE in 125I-labelled IgG fractions of sheep antiserum was compared to that using anti-IgE purified by immunosorbent techniques in tests with three allergens (grass pollens, Aspergillus fumigatus and the detergent enzyme \"Alcalase\") on sera from 248 workers in a detergent factory. Both anti-IgE reagents measure the same antibody but the RAST procedure using the crude anti-IgE reagent is less sensitive than that using the immunosorbent-purified anti-IgE in its ability to detect circulating IgE in subjects with positive skin-prick tests. In general the agreement between positive RAST and positive skin test was improved when only skin tests equal to or greater than 3 mm were considered positive. With Alcalase, antigen non-specific binding by the crude anti-IgE reagent may give false positive results. Optimal conditions for the preparation of allergosorbents with this allergen are defined. Predictive equations relating the results of RAST and skin test show that the hitherto arbitrary definition of a positive RAST result is statistically valid.", "PMID": 788951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8221", "title": "The effects of alternate-day corticosteroid therapy on delayed hypersensitivity skin responses.", "content": "Alternate-day corticosteroid therapy had been shown to have a suppressive effect on delayed hypersensitivity skin responses elicited on repeated skin testing in an asthmatic population. While the clinical meaning is not clear, it indicates that alternate-day corticosteroid therapy may have a subtle effect on cellular hypersensitivity responses.", "contents": "The effects of alternate-day corticosteroid therapy on delayed hypersensitivity skin responses. Alternate-day corticosteroid therapy had been shown to have a suppressive effect on delayed hypersensitivity skin responses elicited on repeated skin testing in an asthmatic population. While the clinical meaning is not clear, it indicates that alternate-day corticosteroid therapy may have a subtle effect on cellular hypersensitivity responses.", "PMID": 788952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8222", "title": "Use of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to analyze underivatized volatile human or animal constituents of clinical interest.", "content": "The study of volatilizable components in human and animal samples by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry is reviewed for the years 1970--1975. Only naturally volatile, underivatized compounds are considered, from sources such as body fluids, tissues, and breath. Where possible, the clinical samples are discussed in terms of normal profiling, aberrations associated with disease states, and specific compound analyses. A brief descriptive technical section is included, stressing types of sample preparation currently being used.", "contents": "Use of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to analyze underivatized volatile human or animal constituents of clinical interest. The study of volatilizable components in human and animal samples by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry is reviewed for the years 1970--1975. Only naturally volatile, underivatized compounds are considered, from sources such as body fluids, tissues, and breath. Where possible, the clinical samples are discussed in terms of normal profiling, aberrations associated with disease states, and specific compound analyses. A brief descriptive technical section is included, stressing types of sample preparation currently being used.", "PMID": 788953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8223", "title": "Difficulties and pitfalls in the interpretation of screening tests for the detection of inborn errors of metabolism.", "content": "A review of factors which may be responsible for false positive and false negative results in a screening program for the detection of inborn errors of metabolism is presented. Administration of medication, dietary therapy, chemical treatment of specimens, delay in analysis, hypersensitivity of procedures utilized, interfering metabolites and inadequate metabolic development or enzymatic maturation in the patient may all produce results resembling an actual inborn error of metabolism. Inadequate nutritional intake prior to procurement of specimen and loss of material during analytical procedures may produce false negative results. As well, certain less severe variants of inborn errors may present in an unusual manner or may only present during periods of stress to the patient. These factors are discussed in relation to the performance of a metabolic screening program. It is suggested that these progrms should be performed by specialized, central laboratories experienced in the complexities of detection of inborn errors of metabolism.", "contents": "Difficulties and pitfalls in the interpretation of screening tests for the detection of inborn errors of metabolism. A review of factors which may be responsible for false positive and false negative results in a screening program for the detection of inborn errors of metabolism is presented. Administration of medication, dietary therapy, chemical treatment of specimens, delay in analysis, hypersensitivity of procedures utilized, interfering metabolites and inadequate metabolic development or enzymatic maturation in the patient may all produce results resembling an actual inborn error of metabolism. Inadequate nutritional intake prior to procurement of specimen and loss of material during analytical procedures may produce false negative results. As well, certain less severe variants of inborn errors may present in an unusual manner or may only present during periods of stress to the patient. These factors are discussed in relation to the performance of a metabolic screening program. It is suggested that these progrms should be performed by specialized, central laboratories experienced in the complexities of detection of inborn errors of metabolism.", "PMID": 788955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8224", "title": "Long-term study of humoral immune response in patients with chronic pyelonephritis.", "content": "Indirect immunofluorescence was used for the measurement of serum antibody titers against the hemologous urinary strain of infecting organism in patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis. The passive hemagglutination technique was employed for comparison. The antibody response of the patients was followed-up for a period of two to four years. In contrast to titers determined by hemagglutination, antibody titers determined by immunofluorescence were found to be persistently elevated, and the indirect immunofluorescence technique is considered a sensitive and reliable method for the serological diagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis.", "contents": "Long-term study of humoral immune response in patients with chronic pyelonephritis. Indirect immunofluorescence was used for the measurement of serum antibody titers against the hemologous urinary strain of infecting organism in patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis. The passive hemagglutination technique was employed for comparison. The antibody response of the patients was followed-up for a period of two to four years. In contrast to titers determined by hemagglutination, antibody titers determined by immunofluorescence were found to be persistently elevated, and the indirect immunofluorescence technique is considered a sensitive and reliable method for the serological diagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis.", "PMID": 788977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8225", "title": "Control of plasma aldosterone in terminal renal failure before and after nephrectomy and after renal transplantation.", "content": "In two patients with terminal renal failure the night-day rhythm of plasma aldosterone (PA) renin activity (PRA) and plasma cortisol (PC) were examined before and after bilateral nephrectomy and after renal transplantation. Before nephrectomy changes in abnormally high PA coincided with PC whereas no significant correlation was observed between PA and PRA. In the anephric state secretory episodes of PA occurred independent from those of PC while PRA was undetectable. After renal transplantation a lack of night-day variation in renin secretion was observed in both patients; only one of the two patients showed episodic secretion of PA while PC was suppressed in both patients probably due to the chronic administration of prednisone. Our results indicate, that before nephrectomy under the conditions described in this study plasma aldosterone was predominantly controlled by ACTH. In the anephric state and after renal transplantation other (yet unidentified) factors might have caused episodic secretion of aldosterone. Finally, the lack of night-day variation and secretory episodes in renin secretion after transplantation points to an important role of the sympathetic nervous system in the control of circadian and episodic renal renin release.", "contents": "Control of plasma aldosterone in terminal renal failure before and after nephrectomy and after renal transplantation. In two patients with terminal renal failure the night-day rhythm of plasma aldosterone (PA) renin activity (PRA) and plasma cortisol (PC) were examined before and after bilateral nephrectomy and after renal transplantation. Before nephrectomy changes in abnormally high PA coincided with PC whereas no significant correlation was observed between PA and PRA. In the anephric state secretory episodes of PA occurred independent from those of PC while PRA was undetectable. After renal transplantation a lack of night-day variation in renin secretion was observed in both patients; only one of the two patients showed episodic secretion of PA while PC was suppressed in both patients probably due to the chronic administration of prednisone. Our results indicate, that before nephrectomy under the conditions described in this study plasma aldosterone was predominantly controlled by ACTH. In the anephric state and after renal transplantation other (yet unidentified) factors might have caused episodic secretion of aldosterone. Finally, the lack of night-day variation and secretory episodes in renin secretion after transplantation points to an important role of the sympathetic nervous system in the control of circadian and episodic renal renin release.", "PMID": 788978} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8226", "title": "Multiple arterial occlusions and hypertension probably caused by an oral contraceptive: a patient in whom the development of renovascular hypertension has been followed.", "content": "An 18-year-old woman taking an oral contraceptive was admitted to hospital because of a stroke due to occlusion of three branches of the right middle cerebral artery. She later developed renovascular hypertension due to occlusion of one of two renal arteries on the right side. Occlusion of the ceoliac artery was also found. The circumstances suggest that the occlusions were caused by multiple emboli, the source of which could not be identified. The kidney with the circulatory disturbance was shown to have a persistent abnormal renin secretion three and six months after the stroke, but the peripheral renin level was lower at the second investigation. Cardiac function studies revealed an alarming degree of left ventricular hypertrophy, and satisfactory blood pressure control could not be maintained despite increasing antihypertensive therapy. Surgical corrrction of the circulatory disturbance promptly led to normotension without drugs, and the patient has remained normotensive during the postoperative observation period of twelve months. The oral contraceptive was probably responsible for precipitating the vascular occlusions, but no predisposing factors or warning symptoms were present to identify this patient as being at risk.", "contents": "Multiple arterial occlusions and hypertension probably caused by an oral contraceptive: a patient in whom the development of renovascular hypertension has been followed. An 18-year-old woman taking an oral contraceptive was admitted to hospital because of a stroke due to occlusion of three branches of the right middle cerebral artery. She later developed renovascular hypertension due to occlusion of one of two renal arteries on the right side. Occlusion of the ceoliac artery was also found. The circumstances suggest that the occlusions were caused by multiple emboli, the source of which could not be identified. The kidney with the circulatory disturbance was shown to have a persistent abnormal renin secretion three and six months after the stroke, but the peripheral renin level was lower at the second investigation. Cardiac function studies revealed an alarming degree of left ventricular hypertrophy, and satisfactory blood pressure control could not be maintained despite increasing antihypertensive therapy. Surgical corrrction of the circulatory disturbance promptly led to normotension without drugs, and the patient has remained normotensive during the postoperative observation period of twelve months. The oral contraceptive was probably responsible for precipitating the vascular occlusions, but no predisposing factors or warning symptoms were present to identify this patient as being at risk.", "PMID": 788979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8227", "title": "The evolution of total knee arthroplasty.", "content": "The current status of knee replacement surgery suggests that high density polyethylene and chrome cobalt alloy or stainless steel are acceptable materials for use in the intra-articular environment of the knee; that prosthetic components of knee units can be firmly fixed in bone with methylmethacrylate; and that a wide range of prosthetic units are available which will provide acceptable clinical results if used within the limits for which they have been designed. The indications for total knee arthroplasty have been designed. The indications for total knee arthroplasty have become reasonably simple and straightforward. Contraindications for the use of the various units available are relatively obscure and very seldom stressed. Each unit available will fail, however, if used under conditions of bone loss, deformity, and ligamentous instability for which it was not designed. The importance of the surgeon understanding and respecting the limitations of the total knee unit he chooses, and skillfully adapting it to the pathologic anatomy and pathophysiology of the patient's knee cannot be overemphasized.", "contents": "The evolution of total knee arthroplasty. The current status of knee replacement surgery suggests that high density polyethylene and chrome cobalt alloy or stainless steel are acceptable materials for use in the intra-articular environment of the knee; that prosthetic components of knee units can be firmly fixed in bone with methylmethacrylate; and that a wide range of prosthetic units are available which will provide acceptable clinical results if used within the limits for which they have been designed. The indications for total knee arthroplasty have been designed. The indications for total knee arthroplasty have become reasonably simple and straightforward. Contraindications for the use of the various units available are relatively obscure and very seldom stressed. Each unit available will fail, however, if used under conditions of bone loss, deformity, and ligamentous instability for which it was not designed. The importance of the surgeon understanding and respecting the limitations of the total knee unit he chooses, and skillfully adapting it to the pathologic anatomy and pathophysiology of the patient's knee cannot be overemphasized.", "PMID": 788985} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8228", "title": "\"Uniformed\" consent and the wealthy volunteer: an analysis of patient volunteers in a clinical trial of a new anti-inflammatory drug.", "content": "After a 16-week clinical trial of a new anti-inflammatory drug, the participants were given a factual test to determine whether they had understood and remembered the information given them when consent was solicited. They filled out a questionnaire about their reasons for volunteering and their views on clinical studies and on medical practice in general. Demographic information was also obtained. Two thirds of the participants did not remember that they had been informed about potential risk (gastrointestinal ulceration). Some subjects remembered, but misunderstood, what they had been told; others developed erroneous ideas about the trial and the study drug. The volunteers agreed to participate in the study to help both their own arthritis and that of other patients. They took pride in their self-sacrifice and in being commended by their friends for their altruism. Analysis of the demographic data shows that indigent persons are not necessarily the most likely to participate in clinical trials. Two thirds of the subjects were from the middle class. The median family income was $13,000. To improve the informed consent procedure, we recommend group meetings in which the participants in a clinical trial can discuss the protocol and the risks of the study. Obtaining consent again, after initial anxiety has decreased, may improve comprehension.", "contents": "\"Uniformed\" consent and the wealthy volunteer: an analysis of patient volunteers in a clinical trial of a new anti-inflammatory drug. After a 16-week clinical trial of a new anti-inflammatory drug, the participants were given a factual test to determine whether they had understood and remembered the information given them when consent was solicited. They filled out a questionnaire about their reasons for volunteering and their views on clinical studies and on medical practice in general. Demographic information was also obtained. Two thirds of the participants did not remember that they had been informed about potential risk (gastrointestinal ulceration). Some subjects remembered, but misunderstood, what they had been told; others developed erroneous ideas about the trial and the study drug. The volunteers agreed to participate in the study to help both their own arthritis and that of other patients. They took pride in their self-sacrifice and in being commended by their friends for their altruism. Analysis of the demographic data shows that indigent persons are not necessarily the most likely to participate in clinical trials. Two thirds of the subjects were from the middle class. The median family income was $13,000. To improve the informed consent procedure, we recommend group meetings in which the participants in a clinical trial can discuss the protocol and the risks of the study. Obtaining consent again, after initial anxiety has decreased, may improve comprehension.", "PMID": 788988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8229", "title": "Bumetanide, a new loop diuretic.", "content": "The effect of bumetanide on renal function has been compared with that of furosemide and a placebo in a double-blind study of 9 healthy young men. The sequence for oral administration of the drug was subjected to a random assignation based upon the Latin-square methodology under three different conditions. (1) Normal hydration: The administration of bumetanide (2 mg) produced within the next 4 hr a diuresis comparable to that induced by 80 mg of furosemide. Urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and uric acid also followed comparable patterns. Phosphaturia occurred only under bumetanide. The effect of bumetanide seemed longer lasting. (2) Water loading: The effects of bumetanide and furosemide were comparable with the exception of the phosphaturic effect induced by bumetanide. The action of both diuretics on the diluting segment of the nephron was well demonstrated by the marked depression of CH2O. (3) Water deprivation: The effects of the two diuretics were comparable, including depression tCH20. In none of these conditions did the placebo produce any significant effect.", "contents": "Bumetanide, a new loop diuretic. The effect of bumetanide on renal function has been compared with that of furosemide and a placebo in a double-blind study of 9 healthy young men. The sequence for oral administration of the drug was subjected to a random assignation based upon the Latin-square methodology under three different conditions. (1) Normal hydration: The administration of bumetanide (2 mg) produced within the next 4 hr a diuresis comparable to that induced by 80 mg of furosemide. Urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and uric acid also followed comparable patterns. Phosphaturia occurred only under bumetanide. The effect of bumetanide seemed longer lasting. (2) Water loading: The effects of bumetanide and furosemide were comparable with the exception of the phosphaturic effect induced by bumetanide. The action of both diuretics on the diluting segment of the nephron was well demonstrated by the marked depression of CH2O. (3) Water deprivation: The effects of the two diuretics were comparable, including depression tCH20. In none of these conditions did the placebo produce any significant effect.", "PMID": 788989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8230", "title": "Side effects of levomethadone and racemic methadone in a maintenance program.", "content": "Sixty-six patients participated in a double-blind, crossover study comparing side effects, drug use, clinic attendance, and dose changes on levomethadone and d,l (racemic) methadone. The hypothesis under examination was that dextromethadone, while adding no narcotic actions to the racemate, was contributing to side effects. An earlier single-blind pilot study showed that 9 out of 11 side effects improved while patients were receiving levomethadone, but this larger study did not duplicate those results. Analysis of 25 variables showed no significant between levo- and racemic methadone. There appears to be no advantage in levomethadone over racemic methadone in the treatment of patients in maintenance programs.", "contents": "Side effects of levomethadone and racemic methadone in a maintenance program. Sixty-six patients participated in a double-blind, crossover study comparing side effects, drug use, clinic attendance, and dose changes on levomethadone and d,l (racemic) methadone. The hypothesis under examination was that dextromethadone, while adding no narcotic actions to the racemate, was contributing to side effects. An earlier single-blind pilot study showed that 9 out of 11 side effects improved while patients were receiving levomethadone, but this larger study did not duplicate those results. Analysis of 25 variables showed no significant between levo- and racemic methadone. There appears to be no advantage in levomethadone over racemic methadone in the treatment of patients in maintenance programs.", "PMID": 788990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8231", "title": "N-desmethyldiazepam: a new metabolite of chlordiazepoxide in man.", "content": "Following administration of chlordiazepoxide HCl to man, N-desmethyldiazepam, a known metabolite of diazepam (Valium), was identified in plasma. The metabolite was identified on the basis of its thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) mobility, electron-capture gas-chromatographic (EC-GC) retention time, and mass spectrum relative to authentic N-desmethyldiazepam. Plasma levels of N-desmethyldiazepam in subjects receiving both single and chronic doses of chlordiazepoxide were determined by an EC-GC method with a limit of sensitivity of 10 ng/ml using 2-ml samples and by a radioimmunoassay procedure which had a limit of sensitivity of 20 ng/ml using a 0.1-ml sample. Both assay methods gave good agreement for the levels of N-desmethyldiazepam. In subjects receiving a single 30-mg oral or intravenous dose of chlordiazepoxide, measurable levels of N-desmethyldiazepam in plasma (10 to 60 ng/ml) were obtained 24 to 72 hr after administration. In 5 subjects receiving 10 mg of chlordiazepoxide three times a day, steady-state levels of N-desmethyldiazepam in plasma were reached after about 1 wk of administration. The mean maximum and minimum steady-state levels of N-desmethyldiazepam were 260 and 220 ng/ml of plasma, respectively. Similar steady-state levels were observed on treatment with 30 mg of chlordiazepoxide over 24 hr.", "contents": "N-desmethyldiazepam: a new metabolite of chlordiazepoxide in man. Following administration of chlordiazepoxide HCl to man, N-desmethyldiazepam, a known metabolite of diazepam (Valium), was identified in plasma. The metabolite was identified on the basis of its thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) mobility, electron-capture gas-chromatographic (EC-GC) retention time, and mass spectrum relative to authentic N-desmethyldiazepam. Plasma levels of N-desmethyldiazepam in subjects receiving both single and chronic doses of chlordiazepoxide were determined by an EC-GC method with a limit of sensitivity of 10 ng/ml using 2-ml samples and by a radioimmunoassay procedure which had a limit of sensitivity of 20 ng/ml using a 0.1-ml sample. Both assay methods gave good agreement for the levels of N-desmethyldiazepam. In subjects receiving a single 30-mg oral or intravenous dose of chlordiazepoxide, measurable levels of N-desmethyldiazepam in plasma (10 to 60 ng/ml) were obtained 24 to 72 hr after administration. In 5 subjects receiving 10 mg of chlordiazepoxide three times a day, steady-state levels of N-desmethyldiazepam in plasma were reached after about 1 wk of administration. The mean maximum and minimum steady-state levels of N-desmethyldiazepam were 260 and 220 ng/ml of plasma, respectively. Similar steady-state levels were observed on treatment with 30 mg of chlordiazepoxide over 24 hr.", "PMID": 788991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8232", "title": "Nortriptyline plasma levels and therapeutic response.", "content": "Eighteen depressed outpatients were treated for 6 wk with a mean daily dose of 121 mg of nortriptyline. The mean plasma level was 138 ng/ml during treatment. Therapeutic response was monitored by the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and the Hamilton Depression Scale administrered by two psychiatrists blind to the tricyclic used, dose, and plasma levels. Eight patients recovered (Hamilton less than or equal to 6) by the fourth week and 12 by the sixth week. During the steady-state (wk 4 to 6) there was a positive correlation between the weekly Hamilton scores and the weekly nortriptyline levels (p less than 0.01). The 9 patients with mean plasma levels between 50 and 139 ng/ml had a better therapeutic response after 6 wk measured by percent recovered (p less than 0.005). Zung score (p less than 0.05), and Hamilton score (p less than 0.025) than the 9 patients with mean plasma levels between 140 and 260 ng/ml.", "contents": "Nortriptyline plasma levels and therapeutic response. Eighteen depressed outpatients were treated for 6 wk with a mean daily dose of 121 mg of nortriptyline. The mean plasma level was 138 ng/ml during treatment. Therapeutic response was monitored by the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and the Hamilton Depression Scale administrered by two psychiatrists blind to the tricyclic used, dose, and plasma levels. Eight patients recovered (Hamilton less than or equal to 6) by the fourth week and 12 by the sixth week. During the steady-state (wk 4 to 6) there was a positive correlation between the weekly Hamilton scores and the weekly nortriptyline levels (p less than 0.01). The 9 patients with mean plasma levels between 50 and 139 ng/ml had a better therapeutic response after 6 wk measured by percent recovered (p less than 0.005). Zung score (p less than 0.05), and Hamilton score (p less than 0.025) than the 9 patients with mean plasma levels between 140 and 260 ng/ml.", "PMID": 788992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8233", "title": "Asprin and codeine in two postpartum pain models.", "content": "Aspirin and codeine, standard reference analgesics, are frequently used as positive controls in clinical trials of new oral analgesics. In randomized parallel double-blind studies, single doses of aspirin and codeine were compared with placebo in episiotomy pain (99 patients) and in postpartum uterine pain (130 patients), common models in analgesic trials. With aspirin, 600 and 1,200 mg, in episiotomy pain, analgesia as measured by pain intensity difference (PID) scores began within 1 hr, peaked at the second hour (p less than 0.01), and continued to the fifth hour (p less than 0.01). In uterine pain, responses with aspirin, 650 mg, were observed to be equally good. With codeine, 60 mg, in episiotomy pain measurable analgesia was present by the second hour and was significant at the fourth hour (p less than 0.05); in uterine pain, responses were indistinguishable from placebo throughout an 8-hr time-course. Codeine seemed ineffective and therefore umacceptable as a positive control in uterine pain. These data imply that the two postpartum pain models are qualitatively different: episiotomy pain seems sensitive to both aspirin and codeine, while uterine pain appears sensitive to aspirin but not to codeine.", "contents": "Asprin and codeine in two postpartum pain models. Aspirin and codeine, standard reference analgesics, are frequently used as positive controls in clinical trials of new oral analgesics. In randomized parallel double-blind studies, single doses of aspirin and codeine were compared with placebo in episiotomy pain (99 patients) and in postpartum uterine pain (130 patients), common models in analgesic trials. With aspirin, 600 and 1,200 mg, in episiotomy pain, analgesia as measured by pain intensity difference (PID) scores began within 1 hr, peaked at the second hour (p less than 0.01), and continued to the fifth hour (p less than 0.01). In uterine pain, responses with aspirin, 650 mg, were observed to be equally good. With codeine, 60 mg, in episiotomy pain measurable analgesia was present by the second hour and was significant at the fourth hour (p less than 0.05); in uterine pain, responses were indistinguishable from placebo throughout an 8-hr time-course. Codeine seemed ineffective and therefore umacceptable as a positive control in uterine pain. These data imply that the two postpartum pain models are qualitatively different: episiotomy pain seems sensitive to both aspirin and codeine, while uterine pain appears sensitive to aspirin but not to codeine.", "PMID": 788993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8234", "title": "Effect of renal transplantation on protein binding of drugs in serum of donor and recipient.", "content": "Blood samples were obtained periodically before and for about 3 mo after renal transplantation from a donor (mother) and a recipient (9-yr-old son with bilateral nephrectomy) for determination of serum protein binding of salicylate and sulfisoxazole. Ten days after the transplant, the recipient had an acute rejection episode which was treated successfully. The free fraction values of the drugs in serum of the recipient was considerably above normal before transplantation, decreased to normal within 2 days after transplantation, increased again several days before the rejection episode and remained elevated for about 50 days, and then returned to normal. Serum protein binding of the drugs in the serum of the donor was decreased for only a few days after transplantation and then returned to normal.", "contents": "Effect of renal transplantation on protein binding of drugs in serum of donor and recipient. Blood samples were obtained periodically before and for about 3 mo after renal transplantation from a donor (mother) and a recipient (9-yr-old son with bilateral nephrectomy) for determination of serum protein binding of salicylate and sulfisoxazole. Ten days after the transplant, the recipient had an acute rejection episode which was treated successfully. The free fraction values of the drugs in serum of the recipient was considerably above normal before transplantation, decreased to normal within 2 days after transplantation, increased again several days before the rejection episode and remained elevated for about 50 days, and then returned to normal. Serum protein binding of the drugs in the serum of the donor was decreased for only a few days after transplantation and then returned to normal.", "PMID": 788994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8235", "title": "Congenital malformations in the frontonasal area: their pathogenesis and classification.", "content": "The observation of 235 patients affected by abnormalities in the frontonasal area, has led the author to reinvestigate this complex chapter of the human congenital malformations. A complete critical review of the literature has been made in order to find the possible correlations between the available cases and those previously reported and to establish a simple morphogenetic classification that may embody them all, even transitional forms.", "contents": "Congenital malformations in the frontonasal area: their pathogenesis and classification. The observation of 235 patients affected by abnormalities in the frontonasal area, has led the author to reinvestigate this complex chapter of the human congenital malformations. A complete critical review of the literature has been made in order to find the possible correlations between the available cases and those previously reported and to establish a simple morphogenetic classification that may embody them all, even transitional forms.", "PMID": 788998} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8236", "title": "Facial atrophy.", "content": "The author's personal experience with 84 patients demonstrating varying degrees of facial atrophy is reported. Of these, 59 patients had forms of progressive hemifacial atrophy. Hemifacial atrophy seems best classified into two groups: those who demonstrate inflammatory changes during the course of the disease as opposed to the more benign or noninflammatory types. The inflammatory type of hemifacial atrophy is usually associated with skin and ophthalmic pathology. It is suggested that it is often difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between Romberg's disease and hemifacial atrophy from scleroderma; therefore, these terms might best be eliminated in classifying hemifacial atrophy. The etiology of facial atrophy remains unknown in the overwhelming majority of cases.", "contents": "Facial atrophy. The author's personal experience with 84 patients demonstrating varying degrees of facial atrophy is reported. Of these, 59 patients had forms of progressive hemifacial atrophy. Hemifacial atrophy seems best classified into two groups: those who demonstrate inflammatory changes during the course of the disease as opposed to the more benign or noninflammatory types. The inflammatory type of hemifacial atrophy is usually associated with skin and ophthalmic pathology. It is suggested that it is often difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between Romberg's disease and hemifacial atrophy from scleroderma; therefore, these terms might best be eliminated in classifying hemifacial atrophy. The etiology of facial atrophy remains unknown in the overwhelming majority of cases.", "PMID": 788999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8237", "title": "Vertebral malformations and associated somaticovisceral abnormalities.", "content": "Numerous references to spine abnormalities and associated somatic and/or visceral abnormalities are reported. An implication is present in each that the association is more than just coincidental and some cause and effect relationship might exist. A series of cases was collected in which congenital spine abnormalities were noted on roentgenograms from patients evaluated for varied reasons. Other roentgenograms of these patients and their medical records were reviewed in an attempt to find associated congenital abnormalities. Another group of patients with known congenital visceral malformations had their roentgenograms reviewed to see if they had spinal variations. It was found that patients with congenital vertebral malformations had an extremely high rate of associated visceral abnormalities, especially of the heart and kidneys. Other relationships between the spine and viscera include congenital lesions of the gastrointestinal and respiratory system and other parts of the renal system. This study also suggests the possible relationship between vesicoureteral reflux and spina bifida occulta. Embryologic considerations yield likely reasons for the relationships which have been suggested previously and are emphasised and augmented by this investigation. The supporting argument that a definite relationship exists between spinal variations and visceral abnormalities, as well as the embryologic reasons, is presented in this review of our selected cases and the appropriate literature.", "contents": "Vertebral malformations and associated somaticovisceral abnormalities. Numerous references to spine abnormalities and associated somatic and/or visceral abnormalities are reported. An implication is present in each that the association is more than just coincidental and some cause and effect relationship might exist. A series of cases was collected in which congenital spine abnormalities were noted on roentgenograms from patients evaluated for varied reasons. Other roentgenograms of these patients and their medical records were reviewed in an attempt to find associated congenital abnormalities. Another group of patients with known congenital visceral malformations had their roentgenograms reviewed to see if they had spinal variations. It was found that patients with congenital vertebral malformations had an extremely high rate of associated visceral abnormalities, especially of the heart and kidneys. Other relationships between the spine and viscera include congenital lesions of the gastrointestinal and respiratory system and other parts of the renal system. This study also suggests the possible relationship between vesicoureteral reflux and spina bifida occulta. Embryologic considerations yield likely reasons for the relationships which have been suggested previously and are emphasised and augmented by this investigation. The supporting argument that a definite relationship exists between spinal variations and visceral abnormalities, as well as the embryologic reasons, is presented in this review of our selected cases and the appropriate literature.", "PMID": 789003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8238", "title": "The evolving picture of diabetes.", "content": "The clinical picture of diabetes has changed dramatically in recent years. The early promise of insulin has remained unfulfilled. Its beneficial effects have permitted the development of severe complications in a dramatically increased number of diabetics. Present research is encouraging, but the disease obviously requires a determined, aggressive, and concerted attack, so that we may fully understand the nature of the diabetic syndrome, as well as its treatment, cure, and prevention.", "contents": "The evolving picture of diabetes. The clinical picture of diabetes has changed dramatically in recent years. The early promise of insulin has remained unfulfilled. Its beneficial effects have permitted the development of severe complications in a dramatically increased number of diabetics. Present research is encouraging, but the disease obviously requires a determined, aggressive, and concerted attack, so that we may fully understand the nature of the diabetic syndrome, as well as its treatment, cure, and prevention.", "PMID": 789006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8239", "title": "Technetium-99m labeled agents for skeletal imaging.", "content": "Technetium-99m labeled radiopharmaceuticals are the currently accepted agents of choice for skeletal imaging. Their introduction in 1971 literally initiated a new era in clinical bone scanning. The development of techniques for reducing Tc(VII) with Sn(II) provided the means for complexing this useful radionuclide with various phosphorus-containing compounds which were already known to be avid bone seekers. Long chain polyphosphates were widely used at first, but have been superceded by pyrophosphate and its organic analogs, the diphosphonates. Pyrophosphate is characterized chemically by P--O--P bonds, and the diphosphonates by P--C--P bonds. The chemical forms of their complexes with tin and technetium are not known, but they behave in many respects as weak chelates. Labeling efficiencies for 99mTc of 95% or better are routinely obtainable with both \"in house\" preparations and commercial kits. Proper molar concentrations and ratios of phosphorus-compound to tin are necessary for both for good labeling and to achieve optimum tissue distribution. Unreacted TcO4- and reduced unbound 99mTc are both potential contaminants in these preparations and must be considered in radiochemical quality control. In vivo tissue distribution and kinetics of the 99mTc-Sn-phosphorus compounds differ with details of preparation, category of agent, and clinical status of the patient. Blood clearance is multi-exponential, with skeletal uptake and urinary clearance accounting for most of the activity. Scanning may be started in 2 1/2 to 4 hr, at which time skeletal activity is on the order of 40 to 50% of the injected dose. The primary indication for bone scanning remains the detection of metastases from extraskeletal malignancies, and the 99mTc labeled agents are more sensitive than either radiographs or Fluorine-18 for demonstrating active lesions. In addition, many new applications in evaluating benign bone disease have widened the clinical scope of skeletal imaging which is rapidly becoming one of the most important studies in nuclear medicine.", "contents": "Technetium-99m labeled agents for skeletal imaging. Technetium-99m labeled radiopharmaceuticals are the currently accepted agents of choice for skeletal imaging. Their introduction in 1971 literally initiated a new era in clinical bone scanning. The development of techniques for reducing Tc(VII) with Sn(II) provided the means for complexing this useful radionuclide with various phosphorus-containing compounds which were already known to be avid bone seekers. Long chain polyphosphates were widely used at first, but have been superceded by pyrophosphate and its organic analogs, the diphosphonates. Pyrophosphate is characterized chemically by P--O--P bonds, and the diphosphonates by P--C--P bonds. The chemical forms of their complexes with tin and technetium are not known, but they behave in many respects as weak chelates. Labeling efficiencies for 99mTc of 95% or better are routinely obtainable with both \"in house\" preparations and commercial kits. Proper molar concentrations and ratios of phosphorus-compound to tin are necessary for both for good labeling and to achieve optimum tissue distribution. Unreacted TcO4- and reduced unbound 99mTc are both potential contaminants in these preparations and must be considered in radiochemical quality control. In vivo tissue distribution and kinetics of the 99mTc-Sn-phosphorus compounds differ with details of preparation, category of agent, and clinical status of the patient. Blood clearance is multi-exponential, with skeletal uptake and urinary clearance accounting for most of the activity. Scanning may be started in 2 1/2 to 4 hr, at which time skeletal activity is on the order of 40 to 50% of the injected dose. The primary indication for bone scanning remains the detection of metastases from extraskeletal malignancies, and the 99mTc labeled agents are more sensitive than either radiographs or Fluorine-18 for demonstrating active lesions. In addition, many new applications in evaluating benign bone disease have widened the clinical scope of skeletal imaging which is rapidly becoming one of the most important studies in nuclear medicine.", "PMID": 789010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8240", "title": "Radionuclide angiography with 99m technetium-RBCs.", "content": "When properly labeled 99mTc-RBCs are injected into a patient, these labeled cells are fairly stable in the circulation thus allowing scintigraphic studies on cardiovascular system. Among various modified techniques published for 99mTc-RBCs labeling, incubation of RBCs with 99mTc pertechnetate then with tin yielded 99mTc-RBCs most stable in the circulation. Average labeling efficiency of 99mTc-RBCs was 66%. After an injection of about 10 mCi 99mTc-RBCs, clear images of the heart chambers and major vessels could be obtained using a gamma camera. Resolution of vascular structures improved significantly when images were taken using gamma camera equipped with pinhole collimator. Radionuclide angiography with 99mTc-RBCs was very useful in detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm, evaluation of mediastinal mass--thoracic aortic aneurysm, and detection of abnormality in a smaller vessel such as carotid artery. Advantages of this procedure are (1) the technique is simple and noninvasive; (2) it has capability of functional evaluation by obtaining flow study; and (3) multiple and repetitive static views can be obtained even several hours after an injection.", "contents": "Radionuclide angiography with 99m technetium-RBCs. When properly labeled 99mTc-RBCs are injected into a patient, these labeled cells are fairly stable in the circulation thus allowing scintigraphic studies on cardiovascular system. Among various modified techniques published for 99mTc-RBCs labeling, incubation of RBCs with 99mTc pertechnetate then with tin yielded 99mTc-RBCs most stable in the circulation. Average labeling efficiency of 99mTc-RBCs was 66%. After an injection of about 10 mCi 99mTc-RBCs, clear images of the heart chambers and major vessels could be obtained using a gamma camera. Resolution of vascular structures improved significantly when images were taken using gamma camera equipped with pinhole collimator. Radionuclide angiography with 99mTc-RBCs was very useful in detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm, evaluation of mediastinal mass--thoracic aortic aneurysm, and detection of abnormality in a smaller vessel such as carotid artery. Advantages of this procedure are (1) the technique is simple and noninvasive; (2) it has capability of functional evaluation by obtaining flow study; and (3) multiple and repetitive static views can be obtained even several hours after an injection.", "PMID": 789011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8241", "title": "Differential diagnosis of benign and malignant renal masses.", "content": "The high incidence of renal mass lesions, particularly the frequent occurrence of renal cysts in elderly patients, makes the differentiation of benign from malignant renal mass lesions an important clinical challenge. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is important for establishing the prognosis and for avoiding unnecessary surgery, with its increased morbidity and expense, when benignity can be established confidently. A broad spectrum of radiographically related imaging and biopsy techniques are currently available for the detection and characterization of renal mass lesions. In addition to plain film findings and radiographic contrast studies, nuclear medicine techniques and ultrasound analysis of renal mass lesions have made significant contribution to accurate differentiation of cysts from solid masses. Ultrasound scanning and cyst puncture in particular have attained critical significance in the workup of renal masses; Several recent publications analyze the accuracy, comparative costs, complications, and cumulative confidence of the various available procedures. An accuracy of 95% or greater appears attainable when definitive interpretation of the appropriate test is technically achieved, The current review will discuss the recent literature concerning renal mass lesions. The techniques and findings which should lead to acceptable confidence in the nonoperative differentiation of renal masses will be discussed. Factors regarding safety, accuracy, and expense will be considered.", "contents": "Differential diagnosis of benign and malignant renal masses. The high incidence of renal mass lesions, particularly the frequent occurrence of renal cysts in elderly patients, makes the differentiation of benign from malignant renal mass lesions an important clinical challenge. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is important for establishing the prognosis and for avoiding unnecessary surgery, with its increased morbidity and expense, when benignity can be established confidently. A broad spectrum of radiographically related imaging and biopsy techniques are currently available for the detection and characterization of renal mass lesions. In addition to plain film findings and radiographic contrast studies, nuclear medicine techniques and ultrasound analysis of renal mass lesions have made significant contribution to accurate differentiation of cysts from solid masses. Ultrasound scanning and cyst puncture in particular have attained critical significance in the workup of renal masses; Several recent publications analyze the accuracy, comparative costs, complications, and cumulative confidence of the various available procedures. An accuracy of 95% or greater appears attainable when definitive interpretation of the appropriate test is technically achieved, The current review will discuss the recent literature concerning renal mass lesions. The techniques and findings which should lead to acceptable confidence in the nonoperative differentiation of renal masses will be discussed. Factors regarding safety, accuracy, and expense will be considered.", "PMID": 789012} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8242", "title": "European experience with prenatal diagnosis of congenital disease: a survey of 6121 cases.", "content": "The results of 6121 prenatal diagnoses established by 46 centers in eight West-European countries are reported. The percentage of \"spontaneous\" abortions following early amniocentesis (1.4%) does not seem to exceed the normal rate of spontaneous abortion in this period of pregnancy. A total of nearly 300 affected fetuses was detected, and in all but 5 instances the parents asked for interruption of the pregnancy. The majority of prenatal monitoring (75%) was carried out because of an increased risk of chromosomal aberration. In the group with higher maternal age 2.8% of the fetuses were affected; this figure was 4.6% for mothers older than 38 years. Monitoring because of an earlier child with trisomy 21 showed 1.3% fetuses with a chromosomal aberration, and 1.7% abnormal karyotypes were detected in the group where amniocentesis was performed for \"miscellaneous reasons.\" In pregnancies where a parental translocation has been demonstrated, 6.7% of the fetuses showed an unbalanced karyotype and 25% were balanced carriers. Also discussed are results and organizatioal problems of prenatal monitoring for inherited metabolic disorders (206 analyses for 23 different enzyme defects) and for neural tube defects (about 2700 cases).", "contents": "European experience with prenatal diagnosis of congenital disease: a survey of 6121 cases. The results of 6121 prenatal diagnoses established by 46 centers in eight West-European countries are reported. The percentage of \"spontaneous\" abortions following early amniocentesis (1.4%) does not seem to exceed the normal rate of spontaneous abortion in this period of pregnancy. A total of nearly 300 affected fetuses was detected, and in all but 5 instances the parents asked for interruption of the pregnancy. The majority of prenatal monitoring (75%) was carried out because of an increased risk of chromosomal aberration. In the group with higher maternal age 2.8% of the fetuses were affected; this figure was 4.6% for mothers older than 38 years. Monitoring because of an earlier child with trisomy 21 showed 1.3% fetuses with a chromosomal aberration, and 1.7% abnormal karyotypes were detected in the group where amniocentesis was performed for \"miscellaneous reasons.\" In pregnancies where a parental translocation has been demonstrated, 6.7% of the fetuses showed an unbalanced karyotype and 25% were balanced carriers. Also discussed are results and organizatioal problems of prenatal monitoring for inherited metabolic disorders (206 analyses for 23 different enzyme defects) and for neural tube defects (about 2700 cases).", "PMID": 789015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8243", "title": "Bronchodilator effect of a new oral beta adrenoreceptor stimulant, Th1165a. A comparison with metaproterenol sulfate.", "content": "In a single-blind study the short-term effects of oral administration of Th1165a (5, 10, 15, and 20 mg), metaproterenol sulfate (Alupent) (20 mg), and placebo on ventilatory function, pulse rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were compared over a period of six hours in ten patients with stable, reversible obstructive airway disease. Both Th1165a (5, 10, 15 and 20 mg) and metaproterenol administration caused significant bronchodilation of rapid onset (30 minutes), but the bronchodilator effect of Th1165a (10, 15, and 20 mg) was greater and lasted longer (six hours vs three hours) than that of metaproterenol. A dose-dependent bronchodilator effect was recognizable after administration of Th1165a. The 20-mg dose of metaproterenol sulfate and the 5-mg and 10-mg doses of Th1165a produced minimal side effects. Larger doses (15 and 20 mg of Th1165a caused significant increases in pulse rate. Mild and transient tremors were the most common side effect after administration of Th1165a.", "contents": "Bronchodilator effect of a new oral beta adrenoreceptor stimulant, Th1165a. A comparison with metaproterenol sulfate. In a single-blind study the short-term effects of oral administration of Th1165a (5, 10, 15, and 20 mg), metaproterenol sulfate (Alupent) (20 mg), and placebo on ventilatory function, pulse rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were compared over a period of six hours in ten patients with stable, reversible obstructive airway disease. Both Th1165a (5, 10, 15 and 20 mg) and metaproterenol administration caused significant bronchodilation of rapid onset (30 minutes), but the bronchodilator effect of Th1165a (10, 15, and 20 mg) was greater and lasted longer (six hours vs three hours) than that of metaproterenol. A dose-dependent bronchodilator effect was recognizable after administration of Th1165a. The 20-mg dose of metaproterenol sulfate and the 5-mg and 10-mg doses of Th1165a produced minimal side effects. Larger doses (15 and 20 mg of Th1165a caused significant increases in pulse rate. Mild and transient tremors were the most common side effect after administration of Th1165a.", "PMID": 789024} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8244", "title": "Effect of oral administration of delta-tetrahydrocannabinol on airway mechanics in normal and asthmatic subjects.", "content": "We performed a double-blind study on the effect of oral administration of 10 mg of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol on specific airway conductance (Gaw/VL) and the maximal expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (Vmax 50%) in six control and six asthmatic subjects. In control subjects, there was a slight but statistically significant increase in Gaw/VL after oral administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol; however, there was no significant increase in Vmax 50%. One of the asthmatic patients developed severe bronchoconstriction following administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol; among the remaining five patients, there were variable changes in Gaw/VL and Vmax 50% after oral administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, but mean changes were not significant. Mild effects on the central nervous system (CNS) were observed in three subjects; six subjects, three of whom had unpleasant mood changes, had more prominent CNS effects. We concluded that oral administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol is unlikely to be of therepeutic value in asthma, since its bronchodilator action was mild and inconstant and was associated with significant CNS effects. Moreover, one asthmatic patient developed severe bronchoconstriction following oral administration of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol.", "contents": "Effect of oral administration of delta-tetrahydrocannabinol on airway mechanics in normal and asthmatic subjects. We performed a double-blind study on the effect of oral administration of 10 mg of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol on specific airway conductance (Gaw/VL) and the maximal expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (Vmax 50%) in six control and six asthmatic subjects. In control subjects, there was a slight but statistically significant increase in Gaw/VL after oral administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol; however, there was no significant increase in Vmax 50%. One of the asthmatic patients developed severe bronchoconstriction following administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol; among the remaining five patients, there were variable changes in Gaw/VL and Vmax 50% after oral administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, but mean changes were not significant. Mild effects on the central nervous system (CNS) were observed in three subjects; six subjects, three of whom had unpleasant mood changes, had more prominent CNS effects. We concluded that oral administration of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol is unlikely to be of therepeutic value in asthma, since its bronchodilator action was mild and inconstant and was associated with significant CNS effects. Moreover, one asthmatic patient developed severe bronchoconstriction following oral administration of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol.", "PMID": 789025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8245", "title": "Effect of cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular disease on one-minute oxygen uptake.", "content": "A simplified method for estimation of one-minute oxygen uptake (VO2-1) during treadmill grade walking at vertical power requirements of 250, 750, and 1,000 kg-meters/min was devised, where power=weight (kg) X grade (fractional) X walking speed. All subjects were men. There were 29 controls, 34 subjects with coronary arterial disease (of whom 18 had had myocardial infarction), nine subjects with diffuse pulmonary disease, and four subjects with ischemic vascular disease. Abnormally reduced values for VO2-1 were related to these diseases and, more specifically, to a history of myocardial infarction and (in pulmonary subjects) to reduced single-breath diffusing capacity. Lowest values of VO2-1 for a group were found in ischemic vascular disease. Reduced response of VO2-1 may therefore be caused by central defects of oxygen transport.", "contents": "Effect of cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular disease on one-minute oxygen uptake. A simplified method for estimation of one-minute oxygen uptake (VO2-1) during treadmill grade walking at vertical power requirements of 250, 750, and 1,000 kg-meters/min was devised, where power=weight (kg) X grade (fractional) X walking speed. All subjects were men. There were 29 controls, 34 subjects with coronary arterial disease (of whom 18 had had myocardial infarction), nine subjects with diffuse pulmonary disease, and four subjects with ischemic vascular disease. Abnormally reduced values for VO2-1 were related to these diseases and, more specifically, to a history of myocardial infarction and (in pulmonary subjects) to reduced single-breath diffusing capacity. Lowest values of VO2-1 for a group were found in ischemic vascular disease. Reduced response of VO2-1 may therefore be caused by central defects of oxygen transport.", "PMID": 789026} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8246", "title": "S-carboxymethylcysteine in the fluidification of sputum and treatment of chronic airway obstruction.", "content": "The clinical results and changes in sputum found in both a short-term inpatient trial and a subsequent long-term outpatient investigation (three-month double-blind controlled study) of 82 patients with chronic bronchitis treated with a new mucolytic agent, S-carboxymethylcysteine (Mucodyne), are reported. Fluidification of sputum with reduction in certain measurements of the viscosity of morning sputum aliquots, associated with improvement in the ability to cough up bronchial secretions, significant increase in sputum volume output, and improvement in ventilation (as estimated by the forced expiratory volume in one second), were observed in both trials as dose-related responses, with an increase in the ease of expectoration and a reduction in cough frequency and dyspnea. Therapy with S-carboxymethylcysteine was well tolerated, and there were no serious adverse effects, either immediate or delayed. We suggest that the effect of the drug in fluidifying sputum may be due to a mucoregulatory mechanism which reverses the sputum macromolecular disturbances seen in chronic bronchitis.", "contents": "S-carboxymethylcysteine in the fluidification of sputum and treatment of chronic airway obstruction. The clinical results and changes in sputum found in both a short-term inpatient trial and a subsequent long-term outpatient investigation (three-month double-blind controlled study) of 82 patients with chronic bronchitis treated with a new mucolytic agent, S-carboxymethylcysteine (Mucodyne), are reported. Fluidification of sputum with reduction in certain measurements of the viscosity of morning sputum aliquots, associated with improvement in the ability to cough up bronchial secretions, significant increase in sputum volume output, and improvement in ventilation (as estimated by the forced expiratory volume in one second), were observed in both trials as dose-related responses, with an increase in the ease of expectoration and a reduction in cough frequency and dyspnea. Therapy with S-carboxymethylcysteine was well tolerated, and there were no serious adverse effects, either immediate or delayed. We suggest that the effect of the drug in fluidifying sputum may be due to a mucoregulatory mechanism which reverses the sputum macromolecular disturbances seen in chronic bronchitis.", "PMID": 789027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8247", "title": "Surgical correction of diffuse supravalvular aortic stenosis involving the branches of the aortic arch.", "content": "A case of diffuse supravalvular aortic stenosis including the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and its branches is presented. The operative procedure employed for correction is presented in detail and discussed. This is the first report of the successful surgical treatment of this type of malformation.", "contents": "Surgical correction of diffuse supravalvular aortic stenosis involving the branches of the aortic arch. A case of diffuse supravalvular aortic stenosis including the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and its branches is presented. The operative procedure employed for correction is presented in detail and discussed. This is the first report of the successful surgical treatment of this type of malformation.", "PMID": 789029} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8248", "title": "Combination amphotericin B-rifampin therapy for pulmonary aspergillosis in a leukemic patient.", "content": "Pulmonary aspergillosis developed in a 62-year-old man with acute myelogenous leukemia. Therapy with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine was begun. Synergy between amphotericin B and rifampin was demonstrated in vitro, and therapy with firampin replaced 5-fluorocytosine. Progressive clearing of the pulmonary lesion ensued, suggesting in vivo efficacy as well. Further studies of patients utilizing this regimen are warranted.", "contents": "Combination amphotericin B-rifampin therapy for pulmonary aspergillosis in a leukemic patient. Pulmonary aspergillosis developed in a 62-year-old man with acute myelogenous leukemia. Therapy with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine was begun. Synergy between amphotericin B and rifampin was demonstrated in vitro, and therapy with firampin replaced 5-fluorocytosine. Progressive clearing of the pulmonary lesion ensued, suggesting in vivo efficacy as well. Further studies of patients utilizing this regimen are warranted.", "PMID": 789031} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8249", "title": "Circadian variation in 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in human blood.", "content": "This study investigates, on a circadian basis, the variation in blood serotonin for a group of 64 healthy persons (volunteers of a Bundeswehr-Ausbildungskompanie); a pronounced circadian rhythm of 5-HT has been found. The variation in daily absolute levels is influenced by novelty stress; by this we refer to the stress resulting from initial contact between the person sampling blood and the patient. Obviously this diminishes as blood is repeatedly withdrawn from the same individual. Exposure to this situation results in an overall decrease in serotonin levels and a modification of the circadian pattern.", "contents": "Circadian variation in 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in human blood. This study investigates, on a circadian basis, the variation in blood serotonin for a group of 64 healthy persons (volunteers of a Bundeswehr-Ausbildungskompanie); a pronounced circadian rhythm of 5-HT has been found. The variation in daily absolute levels is influenced by novelty stress; by this we refer to the stress resulting from initial contact between the person sampling blood and the patient. Obviously this diminishes as blood is repeatedly withdrawn from the same individual. Exposure to this situation results in an overall decrease in serotonin levels and a modification of the circadian pattern.", "PMID": 789033} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8250", "title": "Drug-induced antinuclear antibodies and lupus syndromes.", "content": "Drugs capable of triggering the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus may be divided into those that do so by pharmacological properties of their own and those that do so by eliciting allergic reactions which bring about lupus. Drugs in the first group vary in their potency to activate lupus. They all elicit antinuclear antibodies in the majority of patients who receive them but they only cause lupus in a small percentage of patients. This dichotomy suggests that a predisposition is required for the development of lupus upon intake of these drugs. The mechanism whereby these drugs elicit antinuclear antibodies seems to relate to coupling to and/or modification of, nuclear antigens. The patterns of antinuclear antibodies elicited by these drugs in individuals who receive them correlate well with their known reactivity with various nuclear antigens.", "contents": "Drug-induced antinuclear antibodies and lupus syndromes. Drugs capable of triggering the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus may be divided into those that do so by pharmacological properties of their own and those that do so by eliciting allergic reactions which bring about lupus. Drugs in the first group vary in their potency to activate lupus. They all elicit antinuclear antibodies in the majority of patients who receive them but they only cause lupus in a small percentage of patients. This dichotomy suggests that a predisposition is required for the development of lupus upon intake of these drugs. The mechanism whereby these drugs elicit antinuclear antibodies seems to relate to coupling to and/or modification of, nuclear antigens. The patterns of antinuclear antibodies elicited by these drugs in individuals who receive them correlate well with their known reactivity with various nuclear antigens.", "PMID": 789044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8251", "title": "Antithrombotic drugs: part I.", "content": "There are three categories of antithrombotic agents: drugs which prevent fibrin fromation (the anticoagulants and defibrinating enzymes), drugs which prevent platelet adhesion or aggregation (the antiplatelet drugs), and thrombolytic drugs which induce fibrin degradation. Clinical studies have now led to a better understanding of the relative value of these drugs in different thrombotic disorders. In addition, knowledge of the mechanism of action of some of these drugs has recently been much advanced. The anticoagulant drugs in clinical use are heparin and the oral anticoagulants. Heparin is a potent inhibitor of several steps on the intrinsic coagulation pathway through its effect on a plasma cofactor, antithrombin III. its action is immediate, but heparin must be given parenterally. Oral anticoagulants act more slowly, by reducing the hepatic synthesis of biologically active factors II, VII, IX and X, but can be given by mouth. Heparin is therefore most suitable for starting anticoagulant treatment, while oral anticoagulants are generally used for prolonged therapy. The value of the anticoagulants as antithrombotic agents has been best assessed by studying their effectiveness in preventing and treating venous thromboembolic disease. Oral anticoagulants have been repeatedly shown to prevent venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients at high risk of developing these complications. However, the increased risk of postoperative bleeding has prevented their widespread use for this purpose in surgical patients. Recently, the use of low doses of heparin, given subcutaneously before and after surgery, has been shown to markedly reduce the incidence of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (including fatal pulmonary embolism) after major elective abdominal surgery, and to produce only a slight increase of postoperative bleeding. This represents a major advance in anticoagulant prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism insurgical patients. However, low dose heparin prophylasix is relatively ineffective in patients having hip surgery, and has not been evaluated in patients having other types of orthopaidic surgery. There is direct evidence that antocoagulant therapy prevents death and recurrent embolism in patients who have developed pulmonary embolism, and considerable indirect evidence that it prevents pulmonary embolism, and considerable indirect evidence that it prevents pulmonary embolism (and death from pulmonary embolism) in patients who have venous thrombosis. The incidence of further venous thromboembolism or bleeding during treatment appears to be minimised when heparin is given by continuous intravenous infusion in a dose sufficient to produce a moderate, but no excessive, prolongation of a heparin-sensitive, in vitro coagulation test. The tests most commonly used to monitor heparin therapy was based on either the whole blood clotting time or the activated partial thromboplastin time...", "contents": "Antithrombotic drugs: part I. There are three categories of antithrombotic agents: drugs which prevent fibrin fromation (the anticoagulants and defibrinating enzymes), drugs which prevent platelet adhesion or aggregation (the antiplatelet drugs), and thrombolytic drugs which induce fibrin degradation. Clinical studies have now led to a better understanding of the relative value of these drugs in different thrombotic disorders. In addition, knowledge of the mechanism of action of some of these drugs has recently been much advanced. The anticoagulant drugs in clinical use are heparin and the oral anticoagulants. Heparin is a potent inhibitor of several steps on the intrinsic coagulation pathway through its effect on a plasma cofactor, antithrombin III. its action is immediate, but heparin must be given parenterally. Oral anticoagulants act more slowly, by reducing the hepatic synthesis of biologically active factors II, VII, IX and X, but can be given by mouth. Heparin is therefore most suitable for starting anticoagulant treatment, while oral anticoagulants are generally used for prolonged therapy. The value of the anticoagulants as antithrombotic agents has been best assessed by studying their effectiveness in preventing and treating venous thromboembolic disease. Oral anticoagulants have been repeatedly shown to prevent venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients at high risk of developing these complications. However, the increased risk of postoperative bleeding has prevented their widespread use for this purpose in surgical patients. Recently, the use of low doses of heparin, given subcutaneously before and after surgery, has been shown to markedly reduce the incidence of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (including fatal pulmonary embolism) after major elective abdominal surgery, and to produce only a slight increase of postoperative bleeding. This represents a major advance in anticoagulant prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism insurgical patients. However, low dose heparin prophylasix is relatively ineffective in patients having hip surgery, and has not been evaluated in patients having other types of orthopaidic surgery. There is direct evidence that antocoagulant therapy prevents death and recurrent embolism in patients who have developed pulmonary embolism, and considerable indirect evidence that it prevents pulmonary embolism, and considerable indirect evidence that it prevents pulmonary embolism (and death from pulmonary embolism) in patients who have venous thrombosis. The incidence of further venous thromboembolism or bleeding during treatment appears to be minimised when heparin is given by continuous intravenous infusion in a dose sufficient to produce a moderate, but no excessive, prolongation of a heparin-sensitive, in vitro coagulation test. The tests most commonly used to monitor heparin therapy was based on either the whole blood clotting time or the activated partial thromboplastin time...", "PMID": 789043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8252", "title": "Tobramycin: a review of its antibacterial and pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic use.", "content": "Tobramycin is a new aminoglycoside antibiotic with a broad antibacterial spectrum in vitro, and pharmacokinetic properties similar to those for gentamicin. Tobramycin is more active than gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and active against many gentamicin resistant strains, but is not active against enterobacteriaceae resistant to gentamicin. Theoretically, tobramycin has an advantage over gentamicin against infections caused by P. aeruginosa, but any advantage in clinical practice has yet to be adequately demonstrated. Clinical experience with tobramycin is considerably less than with gentamicin. Whilst tobramycin appears to offer no clear advantages over gentamicin against sensitive organisms it is indicated in infection caused by strains of P. aeruginosa which are resistant to gentamicin, but sensitive to tobramycin. Like gentamicin, tobramycin acts synergistically with corbenicillin and the cephalosporins. The efficacy of the tobramycin-carbenicillin combination has been shown in endocarditis caused by P. aeruginosa which was unresponsive to gentamicin plus carbenicillin. Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity similar to that seen with other animoglycosides have been encountered in therapeutic trials with tobramycin and wider clinical experience is necessary to determine the relative incidence of these side-effects with gentamicin and tobramycin used under similar conditions. Antimicrobial activity: In comparative studies, in vitro, tobramycin is more active than gentamicin against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Similarly, the inhibitory index, which is the ratio between the serum concentration attained at usual therapuetic doses and the minimum inhibitory concentration, for Pseudomonas aeruginosa is higher for tobramycin than for gentamicin. Against Gram-negative bacteria other than Pseudomonas spp. the spectrum of activity of tobramycin is similar to that of gentamicin. For most species the activity of tobramycin is slightly less than that of gentamicin. Gentamicin is consistently more active than tobramycin against Serratia marcescens. Like other aminoglycoside antibiotics, tobramycin is active in vitro in low concentrations against Staphylococcus aureus. Tobramycin is essentially inactive against Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci). Maner aminoglycosides and of other antibiotics against various bacteria in vitro, but comparisons between studies cannot always be interpreted literally because the activity of many antibiotics in vitro, including tobramycin, is influenced by the nature of the culture media and the presence of certain salts. The sensitivity of P. aeruginosa to tobramycin is influenced by the magnesium, and calcium content of the culture media whilst that of all species is reduced by sodium ions. Wide variations in the concentration of these ions may result in divergent MIC values and an inappropriate choice of antibacterial agent to treat pseudomonas infection...", "contents": "Tobramycin: a review of its antibacterial and pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic use. Tobramycin is a new aminoglycoside antibiotic with a broad antibacterial spectrum in vitro, and pharmacokinetic properties similar to those for gentamicin. Tobramycin is more active than gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and active against many gentamicin resistant strains, but is not active against enterobacteriaceae resistant to gentamicin. Theoretically, tobramycin has an advantage over gentamicin against infections caused by P. aeruginosa, but any advantage in clinical practice has yet to be adequately demonstrated. Clinical experience with tobramycin is considerably less than with gentamicin. Whilst tobramycin appears to offer no clear advantages over gentamicin against sensitive organisms it is indicated in infection caused by strains of P. aeruginosa which are resistant to gentamicin, but sensitive to tobramycin. Like gentamicin, tobramycin acts synergistically with corbenicillin and the cephalosporins. The efficacy of the tobramycin-carbenicillin combination has been shown in endocarditis caused by P. aeruginosa which was unresponsive to gentamicin plus carbenicillin. Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity similar to that seen with other animoglycosides have been encountered in therapeutic trials with tobramycin and wider clinical experience is necessary to determine the relative incidence of these side-effects with gentamicin and tobramycin used under similar conditions. Antimicrobial activity: In comparative studies, in vitro, tobramycin is more active than gentamicin against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Similarly, the inhibitory index, which is the ratio between the serum concentration attained at usual therapuetic doses and the minimum inhibitory concentration, for Pseudomonas aeruginosa is higher for tobramycin than for gentamicin. Against Gram-negative bacteria other than Pseudomonas spp. the spectrum of activity of tobramycin is similar to that of gentamicin. For most species the activity of tobramycin is slightly less than that of gentamicin. Gentamicin is consistently more active than tobramycin against Serratia marcescens. Like other aminoglycoside antibiotics, tobramycin is active in vitro in low concentrations against Staphylococcus aureus. Tobramycin is essentially inactive against Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci). Maner aminoglycosides and of other antibiotics against various bacteria in vitro, but comparisons between studies cannot always be interpreted literally because the activity of many antibiotics in vitro, including tobramycin, is influenced by the nature of the culture media and the presence of certain salts. The sensitivity of P. aeruginosa to tobramycin is influenced by the magnesium, and calcium content of the culture media whilst that of all species is reduced by sodium ions. Wide variations in the concentration of these ions may result in divergent MIC values and an inappropriate choice of antibacterial agent to treat pseudomonas infection...", "PMID": 789045} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8253", "title": "Bone complications of anticonvulsants.", "content": "Anticonculsant drug-induced disorders in mineral and bone metabolism are apparently quite common. Current evidence indicates that these drugs derange bone metabolism, both through induction of increased hepatic catabolism of vitamin D and its biologically active products, as well as by direct effects on membrane cation transport systems. The significant clinical manifestions of the disorder include rickets with defective bone development, decreased bone mass with increased risk of pathological fracture and reductions in serum calcium levels which may predispose to increased seizure frequency. There is a broad range of clinical presentation with a number of factors -- drug dose, duration of therapy, vitamin D intake, amount of sunlight exposure, degree of physical activity and presence of other concurrent diseases -- which appear to determine the severity of the clinical manifestations. Current evidence indicates that appropriate vitamin D and calcium supplementation can significantly reduce the clinical manifestations of this disorder. All patients receiving chronic anticonvulsant drug therapy should be carefully evaluted for the presence of drug-induced osteomalacia and treated appropriately with vitamin D. This is especially important in those patients in whom the presence of multiple risk factors indicates an increased likelihood of deranged mineral metabolism.", "contents": "Bone complications of anticonvulsants. Anticonculsant drug-induced disorders in mineral and bone metabolism are apparently quite common. Current evidence indicates that these drugs derange bone metabolism, both through induction of increased hepatic catabolism of vitamin D and its biologically active products, as well as by direct effects on membrane cation transport systems. The significant clinical manifestions of the disorder include rickets with defective bone development, decreased bone mass with increased risk of pathological fracture and reductions in serum calcium levels which may predispose to increased seizure frequency. There is a broad range of clinical presentation with a number of factors -- drug dose, duration of therapy, vitamin D intake, amount of sunlight exposure, degree of physical activity and presence of other concurrent diseases -- which appear to determine the severity of the clinical manifestations. Current evidence indicates that appropriate vitamin D and calcium supplementation can significantly reduce the clinical manifestations of this disorder. All patients receiving chronic anticonvulsant drug therapy should be carefully evaluted for the presence of drug-induced osteomalacia and treated appropriately with vitamin D. This is especially important in those patients in whom the presence of multiple risk factors indicates an increased likelihood of deranged mineral metabolism.", "PMID": 789046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8254", "title": "Paediatric anaesthesia: pharmacological considerations.", "content": "The young infant differs from the adult in his quantitative responses to many anaesthetic drugs and adjuncts. In the neonate, the larger extracellular fluid volume and blood volume, the smaller muscle mass and fat stores, and presumable greater blood flow to the central organs, not only influence the distribution of drugs to their active site but also secondary redistribution. The neonatal hepatic anzyme systems responsible for the metabolism of drugs are incompletely developed or absent. Glomerular filtration, important for drug excretion, is inefficient by adult standards. The neonate has increased toxicity and sensitivity to a variety of sedative-hypnotics, narcotics, and local anaesthetics. On the other hand, the infant requires more suxamethonium (succinylcholine) and ketamine on a weight basis that does the adult. The response of some infants to non-depolarising muscle relaxants resembles that of the myasthenic patients. The rate of uptake of alveolar levels of inhalation anesthetics is more rapid in infants and children than in adults. In addition, the neonate requires more anaesthetic than the adult for a given surgical stimulus. Biotransformation of inhalation anaesthetics is limited in neonates. Awareness of these pharmacological differences and their probable explanations allows one to provide rational, safer anaesthesia to infants.", "contents": "Paediatric anaesthesia: pharmacological considerations. The young infant differs from the adult in his quantitative responses to many anaesthetic drugs and adjuncts. In the neonate, the larger extracellular fluid volume and blood volume, the smaller muscle mass and fat stores, and presumable greater blood flow to the central organs, not only influence the distribution of drugs to their active site but also secondary redistribution. The neonatal hepatic anzyme systems responsible for the metabolism of drugs are incompletely developed or absent. Glomerular filtration, important for drug excretion, is inefficient by adult standards. The neonate has increased toxicity and sensitivity to a variety of sedative-hypnotics, narcotics, and local anaesthetics. On the other hand, the infant requires more suxamethonium (succinylcholine) and ketamine on a weight basis that does the adult. The response of some infants to non-depolarising muscle relaxants resembles that of the myasthenic patients. The rate of uptake of alveolar levels of inhalation anesthetics is more rapid in infants and children than in adults. In addition, the neonate requires more anaesthetic than the adult for a given surgical stimulus. Biotransformation of inhalation anaesthetics is limited in neonates. Awareness of these pharmacological differences and their probable explanations allows one to provide rational, safer anaesthesia to infants.", "PMID": 789047} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8255", "title": "Ultrastructure of B-cells of Langerhans islets in rats after the administration of L-leucine.", "content": "The results of studies with electron microscope supported the earlier biochemical findings on the stimulation of insulin secretion with the aid of L-leucine. The changes of the cell organelles of B-cells showed that both the synthesis and the release of insulin were activated, while the secretion by specific granules was unchanged. The stimulation of B-cells was accompanied by numerous membrane-like structures (\"myelin-like figures\") which were presumably formed from the endoplasmic reticulum.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of B-cells of Langerhans islets in rats after the administration of L-leucine. The results of studies with electron microscope supported the earlier biochemical findings on the stimulation of insulin secretion with the aid of L-leucine. The changes of the cell organelles of B-cells showed that both the synthesis and the release of insulin were activated, while the secretion by specific granules was unchanged. The stimulation of B-cells was accompanied by numerous membrane-like structures (\"myelin-like figures\") which were presumably formed from the endoplasmic reticulum.", "PMID": 789053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8256", "title": "Pancreatic beta cell replication: effects of hexose sugars.", "content": "Neonatal rat pancreatic monolayer cultures were utilized to investigate the effects of various hexose sugars on insulin release and beta cell replication. Sugars tested were D-glucose, L-glucose, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, D-mannose and D-fructose. These agents were added at varying concentrations to a control medium containing a baseline level of 5.5 mM D-glucose. Replication was estimated by incubating cultures with [3H]thymidine and determining the frequency of beta cell labelling in aldehyde-thionin stained radioautographs. Although the addition of D-glucose to the control medium resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in both insulin release and beta cell replication, the sensitivity of these two processes to glucose differed. Insulin release was stimulated by a 2.75 mM elevation in the D-glucose concentration of the control medium, while an elevation of 11 mM D-glucose was required to increase the frequency of beta cell replication. Moreover, while insulin release was maximally stimulated by an 11 mM elevation in the concentration of D-glucose, the frequency of replication continued to rise as the concentration of D-glucose was further increased. The specificity of these responses to D-glucose was demonstrated by the inability of 11 mM L-glucose or 11 mM 3-O-methyl-D-glucose to stimulate beta cell replication. D-mannose and D-fructose were less potent insulin secretagogues than D-glucose on an equimolar basis and neither compound enhanced beta cell replication at a concentration of 11 mM. However, higher concentrations of D-mannose (16.5 and 22 mM) enhanced beta cell replication, while comparable concentrations of D-fructose did not. These results indicate that the sensitivity of insulin release and beta cell replication to D-glucose differ, and that in addition to D-glucose, D-mannose is also capable of stimulating beta cell replication.", "contents": "Pancreatic beta cell replication: effects of hexose sugars. Neonatal rat pancreatic monolayer cultures were utilized to investigate the effects of various hexose sugars on insulin release and beta cell replication. Sugars tested were D-glucose, L-glucose, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, D-mannose and D-fructose. These agents were added at varying concentrations to a control medium containing a baseline level of 5.5 mM D-glucose. Replication was estimated by incubating cultures with [3H]thymidine and determining the frequency of beta cell labelling in aldehyde-thionin stained radioautographs. Although the addition of D-glucose to the control medium resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in both insulin release and beta cell replication, the sensitivity of these two processes to glucose differed. Insulin release was stimulated by a 2.75 mM elevation in the D-glucose concentration of the control medium, while an elevation of 11 mM D-glucose was required to increase the frequency of beta cell replication. Moreover, while insulin release was maximally stimulated by an 11 mM elevation in the concentration of D-glucose, the frequency of replication continued to rise as the concentration of D-glucose was further increased. The specificity of these responses to D-glucose was demonstrated by the inability of 11 mM L-glucose or 11 mM 3-O-methyl-D-glucose to stimulate beta cell replication. D-mannose and D-fructose were less potent insulin secretagogues than D-glucose on an equimolar basis and neither compound enhanced beta cell replication at a concentration of 11 mM. However, higher concentrations of D-mannose (16.5 and 22 mM) enhanced beta cell replication, while comparable concentrations of D-fructose did not. These results indicate that the sensitivity of insulin release and beta cell replication to D-glucose differ, and that in addition to D-glucose, D-mannose is also capable of stimulating beta cell replication.", "PMID": 789054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8257", "title": "Detection of endogenous immunoreactive prolactin in rat mammary epithelial cells during lactation.", "content": "The question of whether endogenous prolactin might be detectable in normally lactating rat mammary glands (LMG) was examined by light microscopic immunohistochemistry. In an initial study, sections of LMG were incubated sequentially with I) rabbit anti-rat prolactin (APRL); II) anti-rabbit gamma globulin: peroxidase conjugate (ARgammaG-per), prepared from goat anti-rabbit gamma globulin and horseradish peroxidase, and III) 3,3'-diaminobenzidine mixed with H2O2(DAB). Use of this three-step procedure led to staining of stromal, parenchymal and intraluminal elements. However, control procedures which ommitted step I produced similar staining, caused by direct binding of the ARgammaG-per to endogenous tissue components (possibly rat immunoglobulins). This precluded detection of indirect, APRL-linked, binding of ARgammaG-per. In subsequent experiments, direct binding of ARgammaG-per was prevented by preincubating LMG sections with goat anti-monkey gamma globulin (AMgammaG), following which, the three-step reaction sequence (APRL, ARgammaG-per and DAB) led to APRL-dependent staining, both within the alveolar lumina and in the apices of epithelial cells. This staining, presumably of endogenous prolactin, appeared to be specific, since it did not occur when absorbed APRL (APRL admixed with highly purified rat prolactin) was substituted for APRL in step I of the reaction sequence. In contrast, when an incubation with purified rat prolactin was interposed between the AMgammaG pretreatment and the three-step reaction sequence, staining of epithelial elements was intensified, indicating that these cells had contained unoccupied prolactin-binding sites. The apparent presence of both prolactin-binding sites and endogenous immunoreactive prolactin in LMG alveolar cells strongly suggests that this protein hormone can enter these target cells under physiological conditions.", "contents": "Detection of endogenous immunoreactive prolactin in rat mammary epithelial cells during lactation. The question of whether endogenous prolactin might be detectable in normally lactating rat mammary glands (LMG) was examined by light microscopic immunohistochemistry. In an initial study, sections of LMG were incubated sequentially with I) rabbit anti-rat prolactin (APRL); II) anti-rabbit gamma globulin: peroxidase conjugate (ARgammaG-per), prepared from goat anti-rabbit gamma globulin and horseradish peroxidase, and III) 3,3'-diaminobenzidine mixed with H2O2(DAB). Use of this three-step procedure led to staining of stromal, parenchymal and intraluminal elements. However, control procedures which ommitted step I produced similar staining, caused by direct binding of the ARgammaG-per to endogenous tissue components (possibly rat immunoglobulins). This precluded detection of indirect, APRL-linked, binding of ARgammaG-per. In subsequent experiments, direct binding of ARgammaG-per was prevented by preincubating LMG sections with goat anti-monkey gamma globulin (AMgammaG), following which, the three-step reaction sequence (APRL, ARgammaG-per and DAB) led to APRL-dependent staining, both within the alveolar lumina and in the apices of epithelial cells. This staining, presumably of endogenous prolactin, appeared to be specific, since it did not occur when absorbed APRL (APRL admixed with highly purified rat prolactin) was substituted for APRL in step I of the reaction sequence. In contrast, when an incubation with purified rat prolactin was interposed between the AMgammaG pretreatment and the three-step reaction sequence, staining of epithelial elements was intensified, indicating that these cells had contained unoccupied prolactin-binding sites. The apparent presence of both prolactin-binding sites and endogenous immunoreactive prolactin in LMG alveolar cells strongly suggests that this protein hormone can enter these target cells under physiological conditions.", "PMID": 789055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8258", "title": "Properties and applications of pyrethroids.", "content": "Improved understanding of the factors determining the insecticidal activity, the mammalian toxicity, and the stability in air and light of natural and synthetic pyrethroids has led to a series of new compounds with a very favorable combination of properties. Their characteristics include outstanding potency to insects, low toxicity to mammals associated with rapid metabolic breakdown and, in appropriate cases, adequate stability on plant surfaces even in bright sunlight. Initial tests indicate that even the more stable compounds are degraded rapidly in soil, so if the trials at present in progress reveal no toxicological or environmental hazards, within a few years synthetic pyrethroids should be available to control a wide range of domestic, veterinary, horticultural, agricultural, and forest pests at low rates of application.", "contents": "Properties and applications of pyrethroids. Improved understanding of the factors determining the insecticidal activity, the mammalian toxicity, and the stability in air and light of natural and synthetic pyrethroids has led to a series of new compounds with a very favorable combination of properties. Their characteristics include outstanding potency to insects, low toxicity to mammals associated with rapid metabolic breakdown and, in appropriate cases, adequate stability on plant surfaces even in bright sunlight. Initial tests indicate that even the more stable compounds are degraded rapidly in soil, so if the trials at present in progress reveal no toxicological or environmental hazards, within a few years synthetic pyrethroids should be available to control a wide range of domestic, veterinary, horticultural, agricultural, and forest pests at low rates of application.", "PMID": 789056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8259", "title": "Control and management of insect populations by chemosterilants.", "content": "Chemosterilants, i.e., chemical compounds that interfere with the reproduction potential of sexually reproducing organisms, can be used in three new approaches to insect control. In the sterile-insect release technique, the principal problem is to develop compounds and methods for their application that would not result in introducing harmful residues into the environment. Because of the unusual and often unique circumstances connected with releasing large numbers of sterilized insects, the residue problem and its cost-benefit aspects must be examined individually for each intended control or eradication program. In the direct application technique, chemosterilants must meet the same efficiency and safety standards required from approved insecticides. Combined insecticidal and sterilizing activity is characteristic for some compounds now being investigated. In the genetic technique, chemosterilants may be used for inducing heritable changes in the insect's genome under laboratory conditions, and such procedures would not present any residue problems. Only the first two chemosterilant techniques are approaching practical application, and their safety aspects require detailed evaluation and assessment.", "contents": "Control and management of insect populations by chemosterilants. Chemosterilants, i.e., chemical compounds that interfere with the reproduction potential of sexually reproducing organisms, can be used in three new approaches to insect control. In the sterile-insect release technique, the principal problem is to develop compounds and methods for their application that would not result in introducing harmful residues into the environment. Because of the unusual and often unique circumstances connected with releasing large numbers of sterilized insects, the residue problem and its cost-benefit aspects must be examined individually for each intended control or eradication program. In the direct application technique, chemosterilants must meet the same efficiency and safety standards required from approved insecticides. Combined insecticidal and sterilizing activity is characteristic for some compounds now being investigated. In the genetic technique, chemosterilants may be used for inducing heritable changes in the insect's genome under laboratory conditions, and such procedures would not present any residue problems. Only the first two chemosterilant techniques are approaching practical application, and their safety aspects require detailed evaluation and assessment.", "PMID": 789057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8260", "title": "Naturally occurring insecticides.", "content": "Naturally occurring insecticides are abundant and varied in their effects, though but a few are articles of commerce. Even for these, pyrethrum, nicotine, rotenone, hellebore, ryania, and sabadilla, there is a paucity of information on mammalian toxicology and environmental effects. In general, these materials are characterized favorably by low acute toxicity and ready dissipation in nature. Unfavorable aspects of natural insecticides are the contained mixture of active and inactive components and the low active ingredient content on a crop yield basis pointing to a high unit cost. Natural insecticides can serve additionally as leads to unnatural mimics, of which the commercially successful synthetic pyrethroids are prime examples. The chemical nature, relationship of insecticidal activity to chemical structure, occurrence, production, and utilization, registered uses, metabolism, and insect and mammalian toxicity are reviewed.", "contents": "Naturally occurring insecticides. Naturally occurring insecticides are abundant and varied in their effects, though but a few are articles of commerce. Even for these, pyrethrum, nicotine, rotenone, hellebore, ryania, and sabadilla, there is a paucity of information on mammalian toxicology and environmental effects. In general, these materials are characterized favorably by low acute toxicity and ready dissipation in nature. Unfavorable aspects of natural insecticides are the contained mixture of active and inactive components and the low active ingredient content on a crop yield basis pointing to a high unit cost. Natural insecticides can serve additionally as leads to unnatural mimics, of which the commercially successful synthetic pyrethroids are prime examples. The chemical nature, relationship of insecticidal activity to chemical structure, occurrence, production, and utilization, registered uses, metabolism, and insect and mammalian toxicity are reviewed.", "PMID": 789058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8261", "title": "Environmental and toxicological aspects of insect growth regulators.", "content": "Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are a class of new chemicals that interfere with maturation and reproduction in insects. Proposed hypotheses on the biochemical mechanism of action are presented herein. The environmental aspects as metabolism in soils, plants, insects, and animals suggest strongly that these chemicals undergo rapid degradation and metabolism to innocuous metabolites. The toxicological properties determined for registration of the IGR methoprene, isopropyl (E,E)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,4-dodecadienoate, reflected no significant effects against any of the species tested. Toxicological evaluations in swine, sheep, hamsters, rats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and cattle revealed no clinical signs of toxicosis. Additionally, teratological studies in swine, sheep, hamsters, rats, and rabbits also resulted in no observable effects in the animals at the levels administered.", "contents": "Environmental and toxicological aspects of insect growth regulators. Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are a class of new chemicals that interfere with maturation and reproduction in insects. Proposed hypotheses on the biochemical mechanism of action are presented herein. The environmental aspects as metabolism in soils, plants, insects, and animals suggest strongly that these chemicals undergo rapid degradation and metabolism to innocuous metabolites. The toxicological properties determined for registration of the IGR methoprene, isopropyl (E,E)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,4-dodecadienoate, reflected no significant effects against any of the species tested. Toxicological evaluations in swine, sheep, hamsters, rats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and cattle revealed no clinical signs of toxicosis. Additionally, teratological studies in swine, sheep, hamsters, rats, and rabbits also resulted in no observable effects in the animals at the levels administered.", "PMID": 789059} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8262", "title": "Utilization of pheromones in the population management of moth pests.", "content": "Pheromones are substances emitted by one individual of a species and eliciting a specific response in a second individual of the same species. In moths (Lepidoptera) generally females lure males for mating by emission of a sex attractant pheromone comprised of either one or more components. Since 1966 the identification of the pheromone blends of many moth pests has allowed investigations into the use of these messengers for population manipulation. Pheromone-baited traps may be used both to detect pest presence and to estimate population density, so that conventional control tactics can be employed only as required and timed precisely for maximum effectiveness. Attractant traps also can be utilized for direct population suppression when the traps are deployed at a density effective in reducing mating success sufficiently to achieve control. A third use pattern of pheromones and related compounds is disruption of pheromone communication via atmospheric permeation with synthetic disruptants. The behavioral modifications involved in disruption of communication may include habituation of the normal response sequence (alteration of the pheromone response threshold) and \"confusion\" (inability of the organism to perceive and orient to the naturally emitted lure). Disruption of communication employing the natural pheromone components as the disruptant has been most successful, although nonattractant behavioral modifiers structurally similar to the pheromone components also may prove useful. Possible future resistance to direct pheromone manipulation may be expected to involve the evolution of behavioral and sensory changes that minimize the informational overlap between the natural pheromone system and the pheromone control technique.", "contents": "Utilization of pheromones in the population management of moth pests. Pheromones are substances emitted by one individual of a species and eliciting a specific response in a second individual of the same species. In moths (Lepidoptera) generally females lure males for mating by emission of a sex attractant pheromone comprised of either one or more components. Since 1966 the identification of the pheromone blends of many moth pests has allowed investigations into the use of these messengers for population manipulation. Pheromone-baited traps may be used both to detect pest presence and to estimate population density, so that conventional control tactics can be employed only as required and timed precisely for maximum effectiveness. Attractant traps also can be utilized for direct population suppression when the traps are deployed at a density effective in reducing mating success sufficiently to achieve control. A third use pattern of pheromones and related compounds is disruption of pheromone communication via atmospheric permeation with synthetic disruptants. The behavioral modifications involved in disruption of communication may include habituation of the normal response sequence (alteration of the pheromone response threshold) and \"confusion\" (inability of the organism to perceive and orient to the naturally emitted lure). Disruption of communication employing the natural pheromone components as the disruptant has been most successful, although nonattractant behavioral modifiers structurally similar to the pheromone components also may prove useful. Possible future resistance to direct pheromone manipulation may be expected to involve the evolution of behavioral and sensory changes that minimize the informational overlap between the natural pheromone system and the pheromone control technique.", "PMID": 789060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8263", "title": "Role of phermones and kairmones for insect suppression systems and their possible health and environmental impacts.", "content": "Insects produce pheromones as a chemical communication system to facilitate reproduction. These highly active chemical attractants have been synthesized for some of the most important insect pests, including the boll weevil, gypsy moth, codling moth, tobacco budworm, European corn borer, and several bark beetles. While none of the synthetic sex attractants have yet been developed for use in insect control, they offer opportunities for the future both as control agents and to greatly improved insect detection. Investigations are underway on insect trapping systems employing the phermones and on air permeation techniques to disrupt insect reproduction. The pheromones are generally highly species-specific and are not likely to pose hazards to nontarget organisms in the environment. Toxicological studies indicate that they are low in toxicity to mammals, birds, and fish, but adequate toxicological data are necessary before they can be registered for use in insect control. Another new class of compounds called kaironomes has been discovered. These chemicals are involved in the detection of hosts or prey by insect parasites and predators. Kairomones may prove useful in manipulating natural or released biological agents for more effective biological control of insect pests. No information is yet available on the toxicology of these chemicals.", "contents": "Role of phermones and kairmones for insect suppression systems and their possible health and environmental impacts. Insects produce pheromones as a chemical communication system to facilitate reproduction. These highly active chemical attractants have been synthesized for some of the most important insect pests, including the boll weevil, gypsy moth, codling moth, tobacco budworm, European corn borer, and several bark beetles. While none of the synthetic sex attractants have yet been developed for use in insect control, they offer opportunities for the future both as control agents and to greatly improved insect detection. Investigations are underway on insect trapping systems employing the phermones and on air permeation techniques to disrupt insect reproduction. The pheromones are generally highly species-specific and are not likely to pose hazards to nontarget organisms in the environment. Toxicological studies indicate that they are low in toxicity to mammals, birds, and fish, but adequate toxicological data are necessary before they can be registered for use in insect control. Another new class of compounds called kaironomes has been discovered. These chemicals are involved in the detection of hosts or prey by insect parasites and predators. Kairomones may prove useful in manipulating natural or released biological agents for more effective biological control of insect pests. No information is yet available on the toxicology of these chemicals.", "PMID": 789061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8264", "title": "Degradation, metabolism and toxicity of synthetic pyrethroids.", "content": "Synthetic pyrethroidal compounds undergo biodegradation in mammals both oxidatively and hydrolytically, and depending on the type of compound, either of the pathways may predominate. Thus, (+) - or (+/-) -trans isomers of the chrysanthemumate ester of primary alcohols such as fenothrin, furamethrin, proparthrin, resmethrin, and tetramethrin (and possibly permethrin, too) are metabolized mainly through hydrolysis of the ester linkage, with subsequent oxidation and/or conjugation of the component alcohol and acid moieties. On the other hand, the corresponding (+)-cis enantiometers and chrysanthemumate of secondary alcohols like allethrin are resistant to hydrolytic attack, and biodegraded via oxidation at various sites of the molecule. These rapid metabolic degradations, together with the presumable incomplete absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, would generally contribute to the low acute toxicity of synthetic pyrethroids. These compounds are neither skin irritants nor skin sensitizers, and inhalation toxicity as well as dermal toxicity are fairly low. Neither is teratogenic in rats, mice, and/or rabbits or mutagenic on various bacterial strains. Subacute and chronic feeding of higher amounts of the compounds to rats invariably causes some histopathological changes in liver; however, these are neither indicative nor suggestive of tumorigenicity. Based on existing toxicological information, the present recommended use patterns might afford sufficient safety margin on human population. However, in extending usage to agricultural pest control, much more extensive investigations should be forthcoming from both chemical and biological aspects, since there is scant information on the fate of these pyrethroids in the environment. Also several of the compounds may be very toxic to certain kinds of fish and arthropods.", "contents": "Degradation, metabolism and toxicity of synthetic pyrethroids. Synthetic pyrethroidal compounds undergo biodegradation in mammals both oxidatively and hydrolytically, and depending on the type of compound, either of the pathways may predominate. Thus, (+) - or (+/-) -trans isomers of the chrysanthemumate ester of primary alcohols such as fenothrin, furamethrin, proparthrin, resmethrin, and tetramethrin (and possibly permethrin, too) are metabolized mainly through hydrolysis of the ester linkage, with subsequent oxidation and/or conjugation of the component alcohol and acid moieties. On the other hand, the corresponding (+)-cis enantiometers and chrysanthemumate of secondary alcohols like allethrin are resistant to hydrolytic attack, and biodegraded via oxidation at various sites of the molecule. These rapid metabolic degradations, together with the presumable incomplete absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, would generally contribute to the low acute toxicity of synthetic pyrethroids. These compounds are neither skin irritants nor skin sensitizers, and inhalation toxicity as well as dermal toxicity are fairly low. Neither is teratogenic in rats, mice, and/or rabbits or mutagenic on various bacterial strains. Subacute and chronic feeding of higher amounts of the compounds to rats invariably causes some histopathological changes in liver; however, these are neither indicative nor suggestive of tumorigenicity. Based on existing toxicological information, the present recommended use patterns might afford sufficient safety margin on human population. However, in extending usage to agricultural pest control, much more extensive investigations should be forthcoming from both chemical and biological aspects, since there is scant information on the fate of these pyrethroids in the environment. Also several of the compounds may be very toxic to certain kinds of fish and arthropods.", "PMID": 789062} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8265", "title": "Entomopathogens: ecological manipulation of natural associations.", "content": "The control of insect pests with entomopathogens is unique, in that naturally occurring host-pathogen relations are manipulated to the benefit of man: protecting agricultural crops and forests or controlling insect vectors of disease. The isolation and identification of a virulent pathogen is the initial step in the development of a potential control agent. Production of the pathogen in adequate quantities must be possible either in vivo (insects) or in vitro (artificial medium). To insure usefulness, the pathogen must remain viable in the formulated form and after application in the field. Since inactivation rather than persistence is a problem, the pathogens must be formulated, protected, and applied to insure satisfactory pest control action. Studying the natural host--pathogen interactions will be necessary in order to manipulate the pathogen effectively, by introducing it at the most opportune time in the life cycle of the target pest. Generally, insect pathogens are more selective than conventional pesticides; this will limit their use and industrial development. Development, at least in part, by the public sector may be necessary and desirable. The most promising areas for the use of pathogens are in integrated pest management and in situations where pests have developed resistance to chemical control.", "contents": "Entomopathogens: ecological manipulation of natural associations. The control of insect pests with entomopathogens is unique, in that naturally occurring host-pathogen relations are manipulated to the benefit of man: protecting agricultural crops and forests or controlling insect vectors of disease. The isolation and identification of a virulent pathogen is the initial step in the development of a potential control agent. Production of the pathogen in adequate quantities must be possible either in vivo (insects) or in vitro (artificial medium). To insure usefulness, the pathogen must remain viable in the formulated form and after application in the field. Since inactivation rather than persistence is a problem, the pathogens must be formulated, protected, and applied to insure satisfactory pest control action. Studying the natural host--pathogen interactions will be necessary in order to manipulate the pathogen effectively, by introducing it at the most opportune time in the life cycle of the target pest. Generally, insect pathogens are more selective than conventional pesticides; this will limit their use and industrial development. Development, at least in part, by the public sector may be necessary and desirable. The most promising areas for the use of pathogens are in integrated pest management and in situations where pests have developed resistance to chemical control.", "PMID": 789063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8266", "title": "Integrated pest management in the U.S.: progress and promise.", "content": "In the U.S., where heavy use of insecticides has been commonplace for years, the development of proper integrated insect pest control cannot get underway unless there is a changed use pattern for such chemicals. A changed use pattern, however, cannot be accomplished without much study to establish the requirements for integrated control for each major crop situation. In this paper recent developments in a number of crop areas in the U.S. in which the necessary study has been begun are reviewed. Important phases in the development of integrated control programs include: the single tactics phase, the multitactic phase, phase, the biological monitoring phase, the modeling phase, the management and optimization phase, and the implementation phase. Several crops are discussed in relation to how far along we are in the development of practical programs of insect pest control. These are cotton, apples, alfalfa, soybeans, citrus, corn, cereal grains, tobacco and pine forests. Several of these programs have already made substantial headway, e.g., those for cotton, alfalfa, apples, tobacco, and soybeans, although the accomplishments have not been even or parellel with respect to the phases of development where progress has been good. The review of developments in these crops suggests that programs of control for individual crops and perhaps for complexes of associated crops will be developed according to specific needs of the crop, the geographic area and the pests, the technologies available and the socioeconomic and political factors of relevance. The tendency will be toward greater use of science in pest control decision-making, with extensive use of biological monitoring to establish realistic levels of threatened damage to the crop, and greater concern given to possible profit reductions and environmental disturbances of applying an insecticide, as well as the possible gain from doing so.", "contents": "Integrated pest management in the U.S.: progress and promise. In the U.S., where heavy use of insecticides has been commonplace for years, the development of proper integrated insect pest control cannot get underway unless there is a changed use pattern for such chemicals. A changed use pattern, however, cannot be accomplished without much study to establish the requirements for integrated control for each major crop situation. In this paper recent developments in a number of crop areas in the U.S. in which the necessary study has been begun are reviewed. Important phases in the development of integrated control programs include: the single tactics phase, the multitactic phase, phase, the biological monitoring phase, the modeling phase, the management and optimization phase, and the implementation phase. Several crops are discussed in relation to how far along we are in the development of practical programs of insect pest control. These are cotton, apples, alfalfa, soybeans, citrus, corn, cereal grains, tobacco and pine forests. Several of these programs have already made substantial headway, e.g., those for cotton, alfalfa, apples, tobacco, and soybeans, although the accomplishments have not been even or parellel with respect to the phases of development where progress has been good. The review of developments in these crops suggests that programs of control for individual crops and perhaps for complexes of associated crops will be developed according to specific needs of the crop, the geographic area and the pests, the technologies available and the socioeconomic and political factors of relevance. The tendency will be toward greater use of science in pest control decision-making, with extensive use of biological monitoring to establish realistic levels of threatened damage to the crop, and greater concern given to possible profit reductions and environmental disturbances of applying an insecticide, as well as the possible gain from doing so.", "PMID": 789064} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8267", "title": "Evaluation of a possible role for antimutagens, antiteratogens, and anticarcinogens in reducing environmental health hazards.", "content": "The use of protective agents (e.g., sulfhydryl compounds, certain vitamins, amino acids, cations, and antibiotics) offers a novel and promising means of dealing with the ever increasing burden of environmental hazards facing man. Through the daily uptake of minimal doses as a prophylactic measure by the most endangered groups of the population or by direct mixing of the appropriate protective agent with the inducer (e.g., pesticides or anticancer drugs) it should be possible to reduce or prevent some of the most serious toxic side effects including those of a mutagenic, teratogenic or carcinogenic nature. Among some of the most outstanding protection examples cited are the antimutagenic, antiteratogenic and anticarcinogenic effects of L-cystein, and of some of the vitamins. However, in view of our limited understanding of protection mechanisms in this fairly new field of research and due to the toxic side effects of some of the protection agents themselves, a large-scale application of this approach cannot be recommended as yet. More research is urgently needed to study protection mechanisms in suitable standardized model systems and to develop safer and more efficient protective agents.", "contents": "Evaluation of a possible role for antimutagens, antiteratogens, and anticarcinogens in reducing environmental health hazards. The use of protective agents (e.g., sulfhydryl compounds, certain vitamins, amino acids, cations, and antibiotics) offers a novel and promising means of dealing with the ever increasing burden of environmental hazards facing man. Through the daily uptake of minimal doses as a prophylactic measure by the most endangered groups of the population or by direct mixing of the appropriate protective agent with the inducer (e.g., pesticides or anticancer drugs) it should be possible to reduce or prevent some of the most serious toxic side effects including those of a mutagenic, teratogenic or carcinogenic nature. Among some of the most outstanding protection examples cited are the antimutagenic, antiteratogenic and anticarcinogenic effects of L-cystein, and of some of the vitamins. However, in view of our limited understanding of protection mechanisms in this fairly new field of research and due to the toxic side effects of some of the protection agents themselves, a large-scale application of this approach cannot be recommended as yet. More research is urgently needed to study protection mechanisms in suitable standardized model systems and to develop safer and more efficient protective agents.", "PMID": 789065} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8268", "title": "Coal hydrogenation and environmental health.", "content": "Planning of coal hydrogenation processes, such as liquifaction and gasification, requires consideration of public health implications. Commercial plants will require coal quantities greater than or equal to 20,000 tons/day and the large size of these plants calls for careful consideration of the potential health hazards from the wastes and products of such processes. Analysis of pollution potential can roughly be divided into three categories: raw material structure and constituents, process design, and mode of plant operation. Identifiable pollutants include hydrogen cyanide, phenols, cresols, carbonyl and hydrogen sulfides, ammonia, mercaptans, thiocyanides, aniline, arsenic, trace metals and various polycyclic hydrocarbons. One study of workers in a hydrogenation process has revealed an incidence of skin cancer 16-37 times that expected in the chemical industry. In addition, a number of high boiling point liquid products were identified as being carcinogenic, and air concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene up to 18,000 mug/1000 m3 were reported. Health statistics on occupational groups in other coal conversion industries have shown significantly higher lung cancer rates, relative to groups without such occupational exposures. These data suggest that coal hydrogenation plants must be carefully planned and controlled to avoid harm to environmentally and occupationally exposed populations.", "contents": "Coal hydrogenation and environmental health. Planning of coal hydrogenation processes, such as liquifaction and gasification, requires consideration of public health implications. Commercial plants will require coal quantities greater than or equal to 20,000 tons/day and the large size of these plants calls for careful consideration of the potential health hazards from the wastes and products of such processes. Analysis of pollution potential can roughly be divided into three categories: raw material structure and constituents, process design, and mode of plant operation. Identifiable pollutants include hydrogen cyanide, phenols, cresols, carbonyl and hydrogen sulfides, ammonia, mercaptans, thiocyanides, aniline, arsenic, trace metals and various polycyclic hydrocarbons. One study of workers in a hydrogenation process has revealed an incidence of skin cancer 16-37 times that expected in the chemical industry. In addition, a number of high boiling point liquid products were identified as being carcinogenic, and air concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene up to 18,000 mug/1000 m3 were reported. Health statistics on occupational groups in other coal conversion industries have shown significantly higher lung cancer rates, relative to groups without such occupational exposures. These data suggest that coal hydrogenation plants must be carefully planned and controlled to avoid harm to environmentally and occupationally exposed populations.", "PMID": 789066} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8269", "title": "Methylenedioxyphenyl insecticide synergists as potential human health hazards.", "content": "The effects of methylenedioxyphenyl insecticide synergists on human health arise, not from their intrinsic toxicity which is relatively low, but from their dual effect on the oxidative detoxication or intoxication processes of the body. They are able to inhibit these reactions by two mechanisms. They are substrates for mixed function oxidation and, thus, compete with other xenobiotics for available enzyme, and an intermediate in their metabolism is able to bind with cytochrome P-450 to form an inactive complex which absorbs maximally at 455 nm. In addition, they are able to activate xenobiotic metabolism by induction (the increased synthesis and retention) of microsomal oxidative enzymes. Evidence for these effects is presented, including spectroscopic and enzyme kinetic data. Correlations with existing in vivo observations are outlined. The inhibition and induction of cytochrome P-450, the central enzyme in the metabolism of xenobiotics, thus provides the focus for consideration of methylenedioxyphenyl synergists as potential hazards.", "contents": "Methylenedioxyphenyl insecticide synergists as potential human health hazards. The effects of methylenedioxyphenyl insecticide synergists on human health arise, not from their intrinsic toxicity which is relatively low, but from their dual effect on the oxidative detoxication or intoxication processes of the body. They are able to inhibit these reactions by two mechanisms. They are substrates for mixed function oxidation and, thus, compete with other xenobiotics for available enzyme, and an intermediate in their metabolism is able to bind with cytochrome P-450 to form an inactive complex which absorbs maximally at 455 nm. In addition, they are able to activate xenobiotic metabolism by induction (the increased synthesis and retention) of microsomal oxidative enzymes. Evidence for these effects is presented, including spectroscopic and enzyme kinetic data. Correlations with existing in vivo observations are outlined. The inhibition and induction of cytochrome P-450, the central enzyme in the metabolism of xenobiotics, thus provides the focus for consideration of methylenedioxyphenyl synergists as potential hazards.", "PMID": 789067} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8270", "title": "Potential hazards of fumigant residues.", "content": "A spectrum of fumigants (primarily ethylene dibromide, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, ethylene oxide, symdibromotetetrachloroethane, 1,3-dichloropropene, dichlorovos, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide) as well as their degradation products in foodstuffs and soil have been examined mainly in regard to the potential mutagenicity of their residues.", "contents": "Potential hazards of fumigant residues. A spectrum of fumigants (primarily ethylene dibromide, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, ethylene oxide, symdibromotetetrachloroethane, 1,3-dichloropropene, dichlorovos, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide) as well as their degradation products in foodstuffs and soil have been examined mainly in regard to the potential mutagenicity of their residues.", "PMID": 789068} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8271", "title": "Toxicity and health effects of selected organotin compounds: a review.", "content": "The toxicity of selected tin compounds is reviewed. Over the years, a variety of uses has been found for organic and inorganic tin compounds, as fungicides, as stablizers in plastics, moluscicides, and miticides; they have also been suggested as insect chemosterilants and for other industrial uses. Many of these products are unpalatable when mixed into diets and have been suggested as rodent repellents. Inhaling tin as dust or fumes may cause a benign pneumoconiosis in exposed workers. The organotin compounds can be divided into alkyltin and aryltin compounds. The trimethyl and triethyltin compounds are well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and are the most toxic in this group. Triethyltin particularly produces status spongiosus of the white matter of the central nervous system. Most of the other alkyl and aryl tin compounds are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and are less toxic when given orally than when given parentally. Only one compound, tricyclohexyltin hydroxide, is now registered by the Environmental Protection Agency as a miticide. This product produces skin irritation in rabbits. Studies should be conducted to determine whether it causes contact dermatitis in humans.", "contents": "Toxicity and health effects of selected organotin compounds: a review. The toxicity of selected tin compounds is reviewed. Over the years, a variety of uses has been found for organic and inorganic tin compounds, as fungicides, as stablizers in plastics, moluscicides, and miticides; they have also been suggested as insect chemosterilants and for other industrial uses. Many of these products are unpalatable when mixed into diets and have been suggested as rodent repellents. Inhaling tin as dust or fumes may cause a benign pneumoconiosis in exposed workers. The organotin compounds can be divided into alkyltin and aryltin compounds. The trimethyl and triethyltin compounds are well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and are the most toxic in this group. Triethyltin particularly produces status spongiosus of the white matter of the central nervous system. Most of the other alkyl and aryl tin compounds are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and are less toxic when given orally than when given parentally. Only one compound, tricyclohexyltin hydroxide, is now registered by the Environmental Protection Agency as a miticide. This product produces skin irritation in rabbits. Studies should be conducted to determine whether it causes contact dermatitis in humans.", "PMID": 789069} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8272", "title": "Chemistry, biological activity, and uses of formamidine pesticides.", "content": "The formamidines, a relatively new group of acaricide-insecticides, are novel both in their range of biological activities and in their mode of action, which is presently unknown. This paper is a review of the historical development, properties, structures, uses, and chemistry of this group of pesticides, with particular emphasis on chlordimeform (Galecron or Fundal), N'-4-chloro-o-tolyl-N,N-dimethylformamidine, and amitraz, 1,3=di-(2,4-dimethylphenylimino)-2-methyl-2-azapropane. Their biological activity and uses are defined by their toxicity to spider mites, ticks, and certain insects, and they are particularly effective against juvenile and resistant forms of these organisms. A significant, but poorly understood feature of their field effectiveness is their breadth of toxic action which includes direct lethality, excitant-repellant behavioral effects, and chemosterilization. They are generally of low hazard for nontarget species with the significant exception of predaceous mites. Several aspects of the chemistry of these compounds are considered, including structure--activity relations, synthetic pathways, isomerism and configuration, and their chemical and environmental stability. A significant feature of the metabolism and toxicity of these agents is the possible activation of chlordimeform by N-demethylation in vivo. Strong evidence for this has been presented with the cattle tick, but recent results discussed here suggest that in other species, i.e., mice, German cockroaches or black cutworm eggs, N-demethylation is neither a strong activation nor a detoxication reaction.", "contents": "Chemistry, biological activity, and uses of formamidine pesticides. The formamidines, a relatively new group of acaricide-insecticides, are novel both in their range of biological activities and in their mode of action, which is presently unknown. This paper is a review of the historical development, properties, structures, uses, and chemistry of this group of pesticides, with particular emphasis on chlordimeform (Galecron or Fundal), N'-4-chloro-o-tolyl-N,N-dimethylformamidine, and amitraz, 1,3=di-(2,4-dimethylphenylimino)-2-methyl-2-azapropane. Their biological activity and uses are defined by their toxicity to spider mites, ticks, and certain insects, and they are particularly effective against juvenile and resistant forms of these organisms. A significant, but poorly understood feature of their field effectiveness is their breadth of toxic action which includes direct lethality, excitant-repellant behavioral effects, and chemosterilization. They are generally of low hazard for nontarget species with the significant exception of predaceous mites. Several aspects of the chemistry of these compounds are considered, including structure--activity relations, synthetic pathways, isomerism and configuration, and their chemical and environmental stability. A significant feature of the metabolism and toxicity of these agents is the possible activation of chlordimeform by N-demethylation in vivo. Strong evidence for this has been presented with the cattle tick, but recent results discussed here suggest that in other species, i.e., mice, German cockroaches or black cutworm eggs, N-demethylation is neither a strong activation nor a detoxication reaction.", "PMID": 789070} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8273", "title": "Properties and actions of bridged diphenyl acaricides.", "content": "The properties and actions of the bridged diphenyl acaricides are discussed. These pesticides, which are more or less structurally related to DDT, were the first of the specific acaricides to be developed. They exhibit remarkable properties of specificity, being primarily toxic to phytophagous mites but of very low toxicity to most nontarget species, including insects, fish, birds, and mammals. Although many important facets of their broad mode of action are understood, virtually nothing is known of their primary mode of action or the underlying bases of their specificities. In most ways they are model compounds for integrated control and pest management activities and thus merit greater attention than they have received to elucidate the fundamentals underlying their unusual properties and actions.", "contents": "Properties and actions of bridged diphenyl acaricides. The properties and actions of the bridged diphenyl acaricides are discussed. These pesticides, which are more or less structurally related to DDT, were the first of the specific acaricides to be developed. They exhibit remarkable properties of specificity, being primarily toxic to phytophagous mites but of very low toxicity to most nontarget species, including insects, fish, birds, and mammals. Although many important facets of their broad mode of action are understood, virtually nothing is known of their primary mode of action or the underlying bases of their specificities. In most ways they are model compounds for integrated control and pest management activities and thus merit greater attention than they have received to elucidate the fundamentals underlying their unusual properties and actions.", "PMID": 789071} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8274", "title": "Chemistry and toxicology of quinoxaline, organotin, organofluorine, and formamidine acaricides.", "content": "Quinoxaline, organotin, organofluorine, and formamidine compounds are among the newer pesticide chemicals used for acarine control. Included in these four classes are some of the most selective synthetic organic toxicants currently in the acaricide/insecticide arsenal. Oxythioquinox, Plictran (tricyclohexylhydroxytin), Nissol [2-fluoro-N-methyl-N-(1-naphthyl)acetamide], and chlordimeform are examples of quinoxaline, organotin, organofluorine, and formamidine acaricides, respectively. The chemistry and toxicology of these and related compounds are discussed.", "contents": "Chemistry and toxicology of quinoxaline, organotin, organofluorine, and formamidine acaricides. Quinoxaline, organotin, organofluorine, and formamidine compounds are among the newer pesticide chemicals used for acarine control. Included in these four classes are some of the most selective synthetic organic toxicants currently in the acaricide/insecticide arsenal. Oxythioquinox, Plictran (tricyclohexylhydroxytin), Nissol [2-fluoro-N-methyl-N-(1-naphthyl)acetamide], and chlordimeform are examples of quinoxaline, organotin, organofluorine, and formamidine acaricides, respectively. The chemistry and toxicology of these and related compounds are discussed.", "PMID": 789072} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8275", "title": "Yeast hexokinase. A fluorescence temperature-jump study of the kinetics of the binding of glucose to the monomer forms of hexokinases P-I and P-II.", "content": "The binding of glucose to the monomeric forms of hexokinases P-I and P-II in Tris and phosphate buffers at pH 8.0 in the presence of 1 mol l-1 KCl has been studied using the fluorescence temperature-jump technique. For both isozymes only one relaxation time was observed; values of tau-1 increased linearly with increasing concentration of free reacting partners. The apparent second-order rate constant for association was about 2 X 10(6) 1 mol-1 s-1 for both isozymes; the differences in the stabilities of the complexes with P-I and P-II are entirely attributable to the fact that glucose dissociates more slowly from its complex with P-I than P-II (approximately 300 s-1 and 1100 s-1 respectively). Although the kinetic data are compatible with a single-step mechanism for glucose binding the association rate constant was much lower than that expected for a diffusion-limited rate of encounter. Other mechanisms for describing an induced-fit are discussed. It is shown that the data are incompatible with a slow 'prior-isomerization' pathway of substrate binding, but are consistent with a 'substrate-guided' pathway involving isomerization of the enzyme-substrate complex.", "contents": "Yeast hexokinase. A fluorescence temperature-jump study of the kinetics of the binding of glucose to the monomer forms of hexokinases P-I and P-II. The binding of glucose to the monomeric forms of hexokinases P-I and P-II in Tris and phosphate buffers at pH 8.0 in the presence of 1 mol l-1 KCl has been studied using the fluorescence temperature-jump technique. For both isozymes only one relaxation time was observed; values of tau-1 increased linearly with increasing concentration of free reacting partners. The apparent second-order rate constant for association was about 2 X 10(6) 1 mol-1 s-1 for both isozymes; the differences in the stabilities of the complexes with P-I and P-II are entirely attributable to the fact that glucose dissociates more slowly from its complex with P-I than P-II (approximately 300 s-1 and 1100 s-1 respectively). Although the kinetic data are compatible with a single-step mechanism for glucose binding the association rate constant was much lower than that expected for a diffusion-limited rate of encounter. Other mechanisms for describing an induced-fit are discussed. It is shown that the data are incompatible with a slow 'prior-isomerization' pathway of substrate binding, but are consistent with a 'substrate-guided' pathway involving isomerization of the enzyme-substrate complex.", "PMID": 789076} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8276", "title": "Controlled proteolysis of flavocytochrome b2. Characterization of a 15000-dalton heme-binding core and comparison with detergent solubilized cytochrome b5.", "content": "It is known that each subunit of the tetrameric flavocytochrome b2 can be cleaved by yeast proteases to fragments of molecular weight 33-36000 and 21 000, with some modification of catalytic properties, but without destruction of the oligomeric state of the protein. We report here experimental conditions which enabled us to simulate this specific cleavage in a controlled fashion with chymotrypsin and subtilisin. With trypsin and papain, on the other hand, it was not found possible to stop the digestion in such a way as to obtain a homogeneous still active product. A characterization of the enzymatic forms obtained by digestion with chymotrypsin and subtilisin at 0 degrees C shows that modification of enzymatic and solubility properties occurs in a stepwise fashion. It is also ccluded that cleavage by yeast proteases is accompanied by loss of 10 to 25 residues. At 37 degrees C, chymotrypsin digestion yields a heme-binding core of molecular weight 15 000, larger than the already characterized tryptic heme-binding core by about 40 residues. Although the latter is known to be very similar to trypsin-solubilized cytochrome b5, the lack of aggregation of the former in aqueous solution, its amino acid composition and circular dichroism spectra do not point to a similarity of its additional peptide segment with the hydrophobic tail of detergent-solubilized cytochrome b5.", "contents": "Controlled proteolysis of flavocytochrome b2. Characterization of a 15000-dalton heme-binding core and comparison with detergent solubilized cytochrome b5. It is known that each subunit of the tetrameric flavocytochrome b2 can be cleaved by yeast proteases to fragments of molecular weight 33-36000 and 21 000, with some modification of catalytic properties, but without destruction of the oligomeric state of the protein. We report here experimental conditions which enabled us to simulate this specific cleavage in a controlled fashion with chymotrypsin and subtilisin. With trypsin and papain, on the other hand, it was not found possible to stop the digestion in such a way as to obtain a homogeneous still active product. A characterization of the enzymatic forms obtained by digestion with chymotrypsin and subtilisin at 0 degrees C shows that modification of enzymatic and solubility properties occurs in a stepwise fashion. It is also ccluded that cleavage by yeast proteases is accompanied by loss of 10 to 25 residues. At 37 degrees C, chymotrypsin digestion yields a heme-binding core of molecular weight 15 000, larger than the already characterized tryptic heme-binding core by about 40 residues. Although the latter is known to be very similar to trypsin-solubilized cytochrome b5, the lack of aggregation of the former in aqueous solution, its amino acid composition and circular dichroism spectra do not point to a similarity of its additional peptide segment with the hydrophobic tail of detergent-solubilized cytochrome b5.", "PMID": 789077} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8277", "title": "Molecular model for 5-S RNA. A small-angle x-ray scattering study of native, denatured and aggregated 5-S RNA from Escherichia coli ribosomes.", "content": "A tertiary structural model is suggested for Escherichia coli 5-S RNA that consists of one large and two small double helices arranged in the form of the letter Y. This model is consistent with the small-angle X-ray scattering data of native 5-S RNA, measured in the angular range 20 less than or equal to 140 mrad. The radium of gyration is 3.61 +- 0.1 Nm. Denatured 5-S RNA yields a much lower radius of gyration, 2.7 nm, which might indicate that during denaturation one minor double-helical arm of the Y-shaped structure partially collapses into single-stranded areas. At high concentrations (60 mg/ml) of 5-S RNA, the X-ray scattering data indicate that 5-S RNA is aggregated.", "contents": "Molecular model for 5-S RNA. A small-angle x-ray scattering study of native, denatured and aggregated 5-S RNA from Escherichia coli ribosomes. A tertiary structural model is suggested for Escherichia coli 5-S RNA that consists of one large and two small double helices arranged in the form of the letter Y. This model is consistent with the small-angle X-ray scattering data of native 5-S RNA, measured in the angular range 20 less than or equal to 140 mrad. The radium of gyration is 3.61 +- 0.1 Nm. Denatured 5-S RNA yields a much lower radius of gyration, 2.7 nm, which might indicate that during denaturation one minor double-helical arm of the Y-shaped structure partially collapses into single-stranded areas. At high concentrations (60 mg/ml) of 5-S RNA, the X-ray scattering data indicate that 5-S RNA is aggregated.", "PMID": 789078} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8278", "title": "Comparative potency of atenolol and propranolol as beta-adrenergic blocking agents in man.", "content": "The comparative potency of two beta-blockers, propranolol and atenolol, in the inhibition of exercise tachycardia and isoproterenol-tachycardia has been studied in two groups of hypertensive patients, using oral doses which were increased weekly. A linear correlation was observed between the reduction in exercise tachycardia and the dose of each drug, up to a daily dose of propranolol 480 mg and atenolol 600 mg. Propranolol was slightly (0.7/1) more potent in decreasing maximal exercise tachycardia than atenolol when tested in low doses (below 100 mg); at higher doses (480 mg) no differences were found. However, atenolol was 10 times less potent than propranolol in blocking isoprenaline-induced tachycardia, which seems to be related to the cardioselectivity of atenolol.", "contents": "Comparative potency of atenolol and propranolol as beta-adrenergic blocking agents in man. The comparative potency of two beta-blockers, propranolol and atenolol, in the inhibition of exercise tachycardia and isoproterenol-tachycardia has been studied in two groups of hypertensive patients, using oral doses which were increased weekly. A linear correlation was observed between the reduction in exercise tachycardia and the dose of each drug, up to a daily dose of propranolol 480 mg and atenolol 600 mg. Propranolol was slightly (0.7/1) more potent in decreasing maximal exercise tachycardia than atenolol when tested in low doses (below 100 mg); at higher doses (480 mg) no differences were found. However, atenolol was 10 times less potent than propranolol in blocking isoprenaline-induced tachycardia, which seems to be related to the cardioselectivity of atenolol.", "PMID": 789082} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8279", "title": "Long-term lithium treatment: effect on simulated driving and other psychological tests.", "content": "The effect of lithium administered for six months on simulated car driving and other psychological tests was studied in patients with Meni\u00e8re's disease. The dose of lithium was adjusted every two weeks to maintain the serum level between 0.7 and 1.0 mmol/1. The trial was double-blind and cross-over in type, the effect of lithium being compared with a placebo. The subjects were within the normal range of Beck's depression scale and Marke-Nyman's temperament scale. Lithium was found neither to influence the simulated driving nor to affect the scores in the two rating scales. The only specific complaints observed during lithium treatment were tremor and increased thirst.", "contents": "Long-term lithium treatment: effect on simulated driving and other psychological tests. The effect of lithium administered for six months on simulated car driving and other psychological tests was studied in patients with Meni\u00e8re's disease. The dose of lithium was adjusted every two weeks to maintain the serum level between 0.7 and 1.0 mmol/1. The trial was double-blind and cross-over in type, the effect of lithium being compared with a placebo. The subjects were within the normal range of Beck's depression scale and Marke-Nyman's temperament scale. Lithium was found neither to influence the simulated driving nor to affect the scores in the two rating scales. The only specific complaints observed during lithium treatment were tremor and increased thirst.", "PMID": 789083} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8280", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of sisomicin in patients with normal and impaired renal function; its efficacy in urinary tract infection.", "content": "Serum concentration, biological half-life, distribution space and serum clearance of sisomicin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, have been studied in twenty-three patients in comparison with the pharmacokinetics of 125I-labelled iothalamate, a compound only filtered by the kidney. 10 patients had normal or borderline abnormal serum creatinine (less than 1,5 mg/100 ml), 8 had various degrees of renal insufficiency (serum creatinine 1.7-9.6 mg/100 ml) and 6 were being treated by intermittent haemodialysis. After intravenous injection of sisomicin 1 mg/kg body weight in patients with normal or borderline renal function its half-life was 3.5 h, very similar to that of iothalamate, 3.2 h. The mean distribution space was 20.1% per cent of body weight; iothalamate, 23.7%. In patients with renal insufficiency there was a positive correlation between serum creatinine level and the half-life of sisomicin, and an even stronger correlation between the clearances of iothalamate and sisomicin. In patients dependent on haemodialysis, the mean serum half-life between dialysis was 40 h, compared to approximately 100 hours for iothalamate, which implies additional extrarenal clearance or tubular secretion of sisomicin. The results of pharmacokinetic studies indicated that a regime of sisomicin 1 mg/kg every 8 to 12 hours in patients with normal renal function would result in serum and urine levels sufficiently high to treat most urinary tract infections. In patients with impaired renal function the dosage interval should be increased according to the serum creatinine level, and in patients dependent on haemodialysis one standard dose at the end of each dialysis period should suffice. 9 patients with a chronic urinary tract infection severely complicated by an underlying disease were treated according to this dosage regimen with a satisfactory bacteriological and clinical result. No adverse reactions or signs of accumulation were observed.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of sisomicin in patients with normal and impaired renal function; its efficacy in urinary tract infection. Serum concentration, biological half-life, distribution space and serum clearance of sisomicin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, have been studied in twenty-three patients in comparison with the pharmacokinetics of 125I-labelled iothalamate, a compound only filtered by the kidney. 10 patients had normal or borderline abnormal serum creatinine (less than 1,5 mg/100 ml), 8 had various degrees of renal insufficiency (serum creatinine 1.7-9.6 mg/100 ml) and 6 were being treated by intermittent haemodialysis. After intravenous injection of sisomicin 1 mg/kg body weight in patients with normal or borderline renal function its half-life was 3.5 h, very similar to that of iothalamate, 3.2 h. The mean distribution space was 20.1% per cent of body weight; iothalamate, 23.7%. In patients with renal insufficiency there was a positive correlation between serum creatinine level and the half-life of sisomicin, and an even stronger correlation between the clearances of iothalamate and sisomicin. In patients dependent on haemodialysis, the mean serum half-life between dialysis was 40 h, compared to approximately 100 hours for iothalamate, which implies additional extrarenal clearance or tubular secretion of sisomicin. The results of pharmacokinetic studies indicated that a regime of sisomicin 1 mg/kg every 8 to 12 hours in patients with normal renal function would result in serum and urine levels sufficiently high to treat most urinary tract infections. In patients with impaired renal function the dosage interval should be increased according to the serum creatinine level, and in patients dependent on haemodialysis one standard dose at the end of each dialysis period should suffice. 9 patients with a chronic urinary tract infection severely complicated by an underlying disease were treated according to this dosage regimen with a satisfactory bacteriological and clinical result. No adverse reactions or signs of accumulation were observed.", "PMID": 789084} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8281", "title": "Clinical pharmacokinetics of pancuronium bromide.", "content": "Plasma concentrations of pancuronium bromide have been studied in seven surgical patients following a 6 mg intravenous bolus injection of the drug for neuromuscular blockade. Concurrently, evoked muscle twitch response was monitored for each patient as a measure of the pharmacodynamic effect of the drug. The plasma decay curve for pancuronium was found to be biphasic and after rigorous statistical analysis the data were interpreted according to a 2-compartment open model. The half-life of the beta-phase varied between 89.5 and 161.5 min. The apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment ranged from 62.9 to145.5 ml/kg and the plasma clearance from 57.6 to 187.3 ml/min. At the first sign of recovery from neuro-muscular blockade the mean pancuronium plasma level was found to be 0.218 mcg/ml. The mean duration of action as measured from time of onset of paralysis to 20% recovery was 83.4 min with the plasma level at 20% being 0.169 mcg/ml corresponding to 45.4% of dose remaining to be eliminated from the body.", "contents": "Clinical pharmacokinetics of pancuronium bromide. Plasma concentrations of pancuronium bromide have been studied in seven surgical patients following a 6 mg intravenous bolus injection of the drug for neuromuscular blockade. Concurrently, evoked muscle twitch response was monitored for each patient as a measure of the pharmacodynamic effect of the drug. The plasma decay curve for pancuronium was found to be biphasic and after rigorous statistical analysis the data were interpreted according to a 2-compartment open model. The half-life of the beta-phase varied between 89.5 and 161.5 min. The apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment ranged from 62.9 to145.5 ml/kg and the plasma clearance from 57.6 to 187.3 ml/min. At the first sign of recovery from neuro-muscular blockade the mean pancuronium plasma level was found to be 0.218 mcg/ml. The mean duration of action as measured from time of onset of paralysis to 20% recovery was 83.4 min with the plasma level at 20% being 0.169 mcg/ml corresponding to 45.4% of dose remaining to be eliminated from the body.", "PMID": 789085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8282", "title": "Soluble HL-A antigens in serum. I. Isolation and purification.", "content": "A new method was developed which utilizes fractional salting out, gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the isolation and purification of soluble HL-A antigens from serum. The method produced purified antigens possessing HL-A 5,9 specificities with yield up to 60% of that detected in the original serum. Up to 150-fold increase in specific HL-A antigenic activity above that in the starting material could be achieved as measured by the ability of the purified antigens to specifically inhibit the cytotoxic activity of HL-A alloantisera against selected target cells. Electrophoretically purified HL-A antigens with different specificities appear to have a similar molecular size, i.e. 33 000, but differ in their electric charge properties, beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) seems to be noncovalently associated with HL-A antigens present in serum, but during purification beta2m in progressively lost until at the final purification by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the material is completely devoid of beta2m.", "contents": "Soluble HL-A antigens in serum. I. Isolation and purification. A new method was developed which utilizes fractional salting out, gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the isolation and purification of soluble HL-A antigens from serum. The method produced purified antigens possessing HL-A 5,9 specificities with yield up to 60% of that detected in the original serum. Up to 150-fold increase in specific HL-A antigenic activity above that in the starting material could be achieved as measured by the ability of the purified antigens to specifically inhibit the cytotoxic activity of HL-A alloantisera against selected target cells. Electrophoretically purified HL-A antigens with different specificities appear to have a similar molecular size, i.e. 33 000, but differ in their electric charge properties, beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) seems to be noncovalently associated with HL-A antigens present in serum, but during purification beta2m in progressively lost until at the final purification by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the material is completely devoid of beta2m.", "PMID": 789087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8283", "title": "Production of migration inhibitory factor and lymphotoxin by non-T cells.", "content": "Treatment of tuberculin-sensitive guinea pig spleen or lymph node cells with a burro anti-T cell serum plus complement diminished markedly the number of functionally detectable T cells, but did not affect the amount of migration inhibitory factor (MIF) or lymphotoxin produced by the residual T cell-depleted populations.", "contents": "Production of migration inhibitory factor and lymphotoxin by non-T cells. Treatment of tuberculin-sensitive guinea pig spleen or lymph node cells with a burro anti-T cell serum plus complement diminished markedly the number of functionally detectable T cells, but did not affect the amount of migration inhibitory factor (MIF) or lymphotoxin produced by the residual T cell-depleted populations.", "PMID": 789088} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8284", "title": "Cell surface immunoglobulin. XII. Localization of immunoglobulin on murine lymphocytes by scanning immunoelectromicroscopy.", "content": "The localization of immunoglobulin (Ig) on the surface of murine splenic lymphocytes has been studied with the scanning electron microscope (SEM), using a rabbit F(ab')2 hybrid antibody directed against mouse Ig and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) with TMV as a morphological marker. 35% of spleen cells and 3% of thymus cells were labeled by this method. Labeled cells were usually small lymphocytes with moderate numbers of microvilli. The Ig molecules were randomly distributed on the lymphocyte surface, appearing on microvilli as well as on the smooth surface of the cell.", "contents": "Cell surface immunoglobulin. XII. Localization of immunoglobulin on murine lymphocytes by scanning immunoelectromicroscopy. The localization of immunoglobulin (Ig) on the surface of murine splenic lymphocytes has been studied with the scanning electron microscope (SEM), using a rabbit F(ab')2 hybrid antibody directed against mouse Ig and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) with TMV as a morphological marker. 35% of spleen cells and 3% of thymus cells were labeled by this method. Labeled cells were usually small lymphocytes with moderate numbers of microvilli. The Ig molecules were randomly distributed on the lymphocyte surface, appearing on microvilli as well as on the smooth surface of the cell.", "PMID": 789089} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8285", "title": "A new method of radioiodine labeling of polyanionic macromolecules for radioimmunoassay.", "content": "A method is described for radiolabeling polyanionic macromolecules by the formation of an electrostatic complex with a radioiodinated tyramine conjugated DEAE-dextran. Data is presented on the use of this technique for the detection and quantitation of immunospecific binding of polynitrophenylated proteins, deoxyribonucleic acids, and cell surface antigens.", "contents": "A new method of radioiodine labeling of polyanionic macromolecules for radioimmunoassay. A method is described for radiolabeling polyanionic macromolecules by the formation of an electrostatic complex with a radioiodinated tyramine conjugated DEAE-dextran. Data is presented on the use of this technique for the detection and quantitation of immunospecific binding of polynitrophenylated proteins, deoxyribonucleic acids, and cell surface antigens.", "PMID": 789090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8286", "title": "Antibody production to lipopolysaccharide in thymectomized Xenopus.", "content": "Xenopus toadlets, some of which had been thymectomized as larvae, were immunized with E. coli lipopolysaccharide. Antibody titers were similar in thymectomized and intact toadlets. Antibody was exclusively IgM. The results suggest that a division into thymus-dependent and thymus-independent anti-body responses extends at least as far back in phylogeny as the amphibians.", "contents": "Antibody production to lipopolysaccharide in thymectomized Xenopus. Xenopus toadlets, some of which had been thymectomized as larvae, were immunized with E. coli lipopolysaccharide. Antibody titers were similar in thymectomized and intact toadlets. Antibody was exclusively IgM. The results suggest that a division into thymus-dependent and thymus-independent anti-body responses extends at least as far back in phylogeny as the amphibians.", "PMID": 789091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8287", "title": "Participation of immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes in the production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor.", "content": "The role of immunoglobulin-bearing cells in the production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) by tuberculin-stimulated lymphocytes of guinea pigs, immunized with complete Freund's adjuvant, was studied. It was found that: (1) pretreatment of lymphocytes with rabbit anti-guinea pig IgG (anti-IgG) does not block antigen-induced MIF production. (2) Passage of lymphocytes through double layer IgG-anti-IgG gelatin bead columns (the preparation of which is described) abolishes MIF formation by the eluted cells. Cells retained on the columns can be recovered and where shown to produce MIF, when stimulated by antigen. (3) Pulsing of lymphocytes with anti-IgG, for 2 h at 37degreesC, results in MIF synthesis by the cells cultured in medium, in the absence of specific antigen. These findings indicate that cells bearing Ig or Ig fragments are either able to secrete MIF themselves, upon stimulation with antigen or anti-IgG, or are required for MIF production by a different cell type.", "contents": "Participation of immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes in the production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor. The role of immunoglobulin-bearing cells in the production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) by tuberculin-stimulated lymphocytes of guinea pigs, immunized with complete Freund's adjuvant, was studied. It was found that: (1) pretreatment of lymphocytes with rabbit anti-guinea pig IgG (anti-IgG) does not block antigen-induced MIF production. (2) Passage of lymphocytes through double layer IgG-anti-IgG gelatin bead columns (the preparation of which is described) abolishes MIF formation by the eluted cells. Cells retained on the columns can be recovered and where shown to produce MIF, when stimulated by antigen. (3) Pulsing of lymphocytes with anti-IgG, for 2 h at 37degreesC, results in MIF synthesis by the cells cultured in medium, in the absence of specific antigen. These findings indicate that cells bearing Ig or Ig fragments are either able to secrete MIF themselves, upon stimulation with antigen or anti-IgG, or are required for MIF production by a different cell type.", "PMID": 789092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8288", "title": "Specific enrichment of antigen-binding receptors from sensitized murine lymphocytes.", "content": "Splenic T and B lymphocytes from sensitized mice were adsorbed to antigen-coated nylon discs and realesed from the discs by temperature shift as described by Kiefer, H., (Eur. J. Immunol. 1973. 3: 181 and 1975. 5:624). After cell release, lymphocyte-derived antigen-binding material could be recovered from the discs. A major fraction of the activity (70 -80%) binds to anti-immunoglobulin immunosorbents. A minor fraction does not detectably cross-react with gamma, mu, alpha and kappa immunoglobulin poly-peptide chains. When filtrated through Sephadex G-200, the bulk of activity of both fractions elutes in the region of 7 S serum antibody. However, as demonstrated for (4-hydroxy-3-nitro-phenyl)acetyl (NP)-binding material from C57BL/6 lymphocytes, the average affinity for antigen of the two fractions is drastically lower than that of humoral antibody, and the average affinity of the minor fraction is lower than that of the major fraction. The fraction of lymphocyte-derived antigen-binding material that does not adsorb to insolubilized anti-immunoglobulin serum was found to be proportional to the fraction of T lymphocytes in the input cell population and may therefore represent antigen-binding T lymphocyte surface receptors.", "contents": "Specific enrichment of antigen-binding receptors from sensitized murine lymphocytes. Splenic T and B lymphocytes from sensitized mice were adsorbed to antigen-coated nylon discs and realesed from the discs by temperature shift as described by Kiefer, H., (Eur. J. Immunol. 1973. 3: 181 and 1975. 5:624). After cell release, lymphocyte-derived antigen-binding material could be recovered from the discs. A major fraction of the activity (70 -80%) binds to anti-immunoglobulin immunosorbents. A minor fraction does not detectably cross-react with gamma, mu, alpha and kappa immunoglobulin poly-peptide chains. When filtrated through Sephadex G-200, the bulk of activity of both fractions elutes in the region of 7 S serum antibody. However, as demonstrated for (4-hydroxy-3-nitro-phenyl)acetyl (NP)-binding material from C57BL/6 lymphocytes, the average affinity for antigen of the two fractions is drastically lower than that of humoral antibody, and the average affinity of the minor fraction is lower than that of the major fraction. The fraction of lymphocyte-derived antigen-binding material that does not adsorb to insolubilized anti-immunoglobulin serum was found to be proportional to the fraction of T lymphocytes in the input cell population and may therefore represent antigen-binding T lymphocyte surface receptors.", "PMID": 789093} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8289", "title": "Nature of cells binding anti-IgE in rats immunized with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: IgE synthesis in regional nodes and concentration in mucosal mast cells.", "content": "The possibility that IgE is a secretory immunoglobulin has been examined by studying the tissue and cellular localization of IgE in rats infested with the enteric parasite, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. The lamina propria of the small intestine and the colonic and pulmonary mucosal surfaces contained numerous anti-IgE-binding cells, but these were shown to be mast cells and not plasma cells. The major site of IgE synthesis was the regional lymph node of the small intestine, the mesenteric node, which contained large numbers of IgE-secreting plasma cells. Smaller numbers of IgE-secreting plasma cells were also found in the axillary node, which drained the site of larvae injection. Peyer's patches, the intrapulmonary bronchial lymphoid tissue and the spleen contained few, if any, IgE-secreting plasma cells. The significance of the IgE which was readily demonstrated in germinal centers of the mesenteric lymph nodes, the Peyer's patches and the axillary lymph nodes, is not known. In contrast to the infested animals, the lymphoid organs of normal rats rarely contained any IgE-CONTAINING CELLS; An unexpected observation was that mast cells in mucosal organs appear to contain intracellular IgE, differing in this respect from connective tissue mast cells. Mast cells lying between epithelial cells, the \"globule leukocytes\", also appear to contain intracellular IgE, and it is suggested that such cells may be responsible for the presence of IgE in exocrine secretions. This study does not support the suggestion that IgE is a secretory immunoglobulin with a physiology analogous to that of IgA.", "contents": "Nature of cells binding anti-IgE in rats immunized with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: IgE synthesis in regional nodes and concentration in mucosal mast cells. The possibility that IgE is a secretory immunoglobulin has been examined by studying the tissue and cellular localization of IgE in rats infested with the enteric parasite, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. The lamina propria of the small intestine and the colonic and pulmonary mucosal surfaces contained numerous anti-IgE-binding cells, but these were shown to be mast cells and not plasma cells. The major site of IgE synthesis was the regional lymph node of the small intestine, the mesenteric node, which contained large numbers of IgE-secreting plasma cells. Smaller numbers of IgE-secreting plasma cells were also found in the axillary node, which drained the site of larvae injection. Peyer's patches, the intrapulmonary bronchial lymphoid tissue and the spleen contained few, if any, IgE-secreting plasma cells. The significance of the IgE which was readily demonstrated in germinal centers of the mesenteric lymph nodes, the Peyer's patches and the axillary lymph nodes, is not known. In contrast to the infested animals, the lymphoid organs of normal rats rarely contained any IgE-CONTAINING CELLS; An unexpected observation was that mast cells in mucosal organs appear to contain intracellular IgE, differing in this respect from connective tissue mast cells. Mast cells lying between epithelial cells, the \"globule leukocytes\", also appear to contain intracellular IgE, and it is suggested that such cells may be responsible for the presence of IgE in exocrine secretions. This study does not support the suggestion that IgE is a secretory immunoglobulin with a physiology analogous to that of IgA.", "PMID": 789094} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8290", "title": "Immunosuppressive activity of submaxillary gland extracts of the mouse. I. Effect on antibody formation in response to sheep red blood cells.", "content": "Aqueous extracts of mouse submaxillary glands yield six peaks on Sephadex G-75 columns, each containing several molecular species. Two of these fractions (III and IV) have a profound effect on the immune response. When given a day before immunization with sheep erythrocytes, the number of antibody-producing cells is reduced ten-fold or more, and the switch from IgM to IgG is virtually absent. Administration two days before or on the day of immunization results in about 50% depression; outside this range there is no effect. The dose-response curve is of sigmoid shape, with the median at about 0.5 mg of fraction III/40 g mouse, reaching an asymptote after doses of greater than or equal to 5 mg at about 5% of the response of untreated mice. Depression of the primary response does not prevent the development of immunological memory: the secondary response is typical in the early and predominant appearance of IgG-producing cells, although their numbers are somewhat lower than in the controls which received no treatment before primary immunization. Treatment on the day before boosting abrogates the secondary response. The immunotranquilizer from mouse submaxillary glands acts equally well on syngeneic and allogeneic recipients, affecting the earliest stage of the immune response. The results are compatible with the induction of a temporary block in the development of helper T cells.", "contents": "Immunosuppressive activity of submaxillary gland extracts of the mouse. I. Effect on antibody formation in response to sheep red blood cells. Aqueous extracts of mouse submaxillary glands yield six peaks on Sephadex G-75 columns, each containing several molecular species. Two of these fractions (III and IV) have a profound effect on the immune response. When given a day before immunization with sheep erythrocytes, the number of antibody-producing cells is reduced ten-fold or more, and the switch from IgM to IgG is virtually absent. Administration two days before or on the day of immunization results in about 50% depression; outside this range there is no effect. The dose-response curve is of sigmoid shape, with the median at about 0.5 mg of fraction III/40 g mouse, reaching an asymptote after doses of greater than or equal to 5 mg at about 5% of the response of untreated mice. Depression of the primary response does not prevent the development of immunological memory: the secondary response is typical in the early and predominant appearance of IgG-producing cells, although their numbers are somewhat lower than in the controls which received no treatment before primary immunization. Treatment on the day before boosting abrogates the secondary response. The immunotranquilizer from mouse submaxillary glands acts equally well on syngeneic and allogeneic recipients, affecting the earliest stage of the immune response. The results are compatible with the induction of a temporary block in the development of helper T cells.", "PMID": 789095} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8291", "title": "A plaque assay for all cells secreting Ig of a given type or class.", "content": "A modification of the hemolytic plaque assay using protein A-coated red cells is described which makes use of the fact that the Fc portion of IgG binds to protein A. A number of murine plasmacytomas secreting different classes of Ig have been tested for plaque formation with these indicator red cells. In the presence of complement-binding antibodies specific for the corresponding class of secreted Ig, between 10 and 70% of all plated myeloma cells formed plaques. The assay shows a prozone effect in excess of antibody, suggesting that complexes of antibody and secreted Ig effect lysis of the target cells. This assay can be used to enumerate cells secreting any molecules for which complement-binding antibodies are available.", "contents": "A plaque assay for all cells secreting Ig of a given type or class. A modification of the hemolytic plaque assay using protein A-coated red cells is described which makes use of the fact that the Fc portion of IgG binds to protein A. A number of murine plasmacytomas secreting different classes of Ig have been tested for plaque formation with these indicator red cells. In the presence of complement-binding antibodies specific for the corresponding class of secreted Ig, between 10 and 70% of all plated myeloma cells formed plaques. The assay shows a prozone effect in excess of antibody, suggesting that complexes of antibody and secreted Ig effect lysis of the target cells. This assay can be used to enumerate cells secreting any molecules for which complement-binding antibodies are available.", "PMID": 789096} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8292", "title": "Thymus dependency of bone marrow stem cell proliferation in response to certain antigens.", "content": "The activity of mouse bone marrow CFU's following systemic injection of antigen has been investigated. In normal mice quiescent CFU's may be triggered into cycle after antigenic challenge. Prior adult thymectomy prevents stimulation of CFU if thymus-dependent antigens are injected but not when thymus-independent antigens or non-specific stimuli are used. Similar results were obtained in congenitally athymic mice. This seems to indicate an independent pathway for CFU triggering for each cell lineage and for T and B cells.", "contents": "Thymus dependency of bone marrow stem cell proliferation in response to certain antigens. The activity of mouse bone marrow CFU's following systemic injection of antigen has been investigated. In normal mice quiescent CFU's may be triggered into cycle after antigenic challenge. Prior adult thymectomy prevents stimulation of CFU if thymus-dependent antigens are injected but not when thymus-independent antigens or non-specific stimuli are used. Similar results were obtained in congenitally athymic mice. This seems to indicate an independent pathway for CFU triggering for each cell lineage and for T and B cells.", "PMID": 789103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8293", "title": "Comparative survey on enzyme localization, ultrastructural arrangement and functional organization in the optic tectum of non-mammalian vertegrates.", "content": "The histochemical localization of some enzymatic activities is surveyed in the optic tectum of vertebrates from cyclostomes to birds. These data are compared with results arising from ultrastructural and experimental works in order to outline some possible connections between enzyme localization and functional organization of the optic tectum. The most interesting result derives from acetylcholinesterase which, in the majority of vertebrate species, is localized in tectal layers in which visual and other sensitive afferents discharge. Such a situation, together with some experimental and developmental results, suggests that cholinergic mechanisms play an important role in the function of the optic tectum and that these mechanisms are worthy of further and more detailed investigations.", "contents": "Comparative survey on enzyme localization, ultrastructural arrangement and functional organization in the optic tectum of non-mammalian vertegrates. The histochemical localization of some enzymatic activities is surveyed in the optic tectum of vertebrates from cyclostomes to birds. These data are compared with results arising from ultrastructural and experimental works in order to outline some possible connections between enzyme localization and functional organization of the optic tectum. The most interesting result derives from acetylcholinesterase which, in the majority of vertebrate species, is localized in tectal layers in which visual and other sensitive afferents discharge. Such a situation, together with some experimental and developmental results, suggests that cholinergic mechanisms play an important role in the function of the optic tectum and that these mechanisms are worthy of further and more detailed investigations.", "PMID": 789106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8294", "title": "Calorimetric characterization of microorganisms.", "content": "A short survey is given on recent calorimetric studies of microbial growth, which raised the question whether calorimetrically obtained thermograms can be used for identification of different organisms. Advantages and the efficiency of the method are critically discussed.", "contents": "Calorimetric characterization of microorganisms. A short survey is given on recent calorimetric studies of microbial growth, which raised the question whether calorimetrically obtained thermograms can be used for identification of different organisms. Advantages and the efficiency of the method are critically discussed.", "PMID": 789107} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8295", "title": "Capping of concanavalin A- or ricin-binding sites does not influence phagocytosis in polymorphonuclear leukocytes.", "content": "Rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were capped with territin-conjugated concanavalin A or ricin, and then allowed to phagocytose yeast cells. Phagocytic activity and lectin distribution were determined by ultrastructural morphometry. Capped PMNs were found to phagocytose as efficiently as control PMNs, and always to ingest the particles with a lectin-free portion of their plasma membrane. This clearly indicates that concanavalin A- and ricin-binding sites of the PMN membrane are not involved in the recognition and phagocytosis of yeast particles.", "contents": "Capping of concanavalin A- or ricin-binding sites does not influence phagocytosis in polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were capped with territin-conjugated concanavalin A or ricin, and then allowed to phagocytose yeast cells. Phagocytic activity and lectin distribution were determined by ultrastructural morphometry. Capped PMNs were found to phagocytose as efficiently as control PMNs, and always to ingest the particles with a lectin-free portion of their plasma membrane. This clearly indicates that concanavalin A- and ricin-binding sites of the PMN membrane are not involved in the recognition and phagocytosis of yeast particles.", "PMID": 789108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8296", "title": "The relationship between the pituitary response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and the ovulatory response to clomiphene citrate.", "content": "Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), at a dose level of 10 mug, was administered intravenously to 31 patients, 9 with oligomenorrhea and 22 with secondary amenorrhea. A serum luteinizing hormone level higher than 45 mIU/ml at 30 or 45 minutes after injection was considered to be a \"positive response\" to LH-RH. All 9 patients in the oligomenorrheic group and 11 of the 22 patients with secondary amenorrhea had a \"positive\" response. The patients were then treated with increasing doses of clomiphene citrate until an ovulatory dose was reached. Eight of the nine patients with oligomenorrhea ovulated with doses of up to 150 mg of clomiphene daily for 5 days. Of the 11 patients in the group with secondary amenorrhea who had a \"positive\" response to LH-RH, 7 ovulated at a dose of 150 mg (or less) of clomiphene citrate, while only 1 of the 11 patients with a \"negative\" response ovulated while receiving a similar dosage of clomiphene. These results suggest that a simplified LH-RH test might be of value in selecting the level of therapy for ovulation induction.", "contents": "The relationship between the pituitary response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and the ovulatory response to clomiphene citrate. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), at a dose level of 10 mug, was administered intravenously to 31 patients, 9 with oligomenorrhea and 22 with secondary amenorrhea. A serum luteinizing hormone level higher than 45 mIU/ml at 30 or 45 minutes after injection was considered to be a \"positive response\" to LH-RH. All 9 patients in the oligomenorrheic group and 11 of the 22 patients with secondary amenorrhea had a \"positive\" response. The patients were then treated with increasing doses of clomiphene citrate until an ovulatory dose was reached. Eight of the nine patients with oligomenorrhea ovulated with doses of up to 150 mg of clomiphene daily for 5 days. Of the 11 patients in the group with secondary amenorrhea who had a \"positive\" response to LH-RH, 7 ovulated at a dose of 150 mg (or less) of clomiphene citrate, while only 1 of the 11 patients with a \"negative\" response ovulated while receiving a similar dosage of clomiphene. These results suggest that a simplified LH-RH test might be of value in selecting the level of therapy for ovulation induction.", "PMID": 789117} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8297", "title": "Prolonged elevation of luteinizing hormone (LH) after intranasal administration of an analog of LH-releasing hormone.", "content": "[D-Leu-6,desGly-NH2-10]-LH-RH-ethylamide, an analog of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), was administered by intranasal spray or tube to 18 healthy men. A significant release of LH occurred within 15 minutes and was sustained for as long as 12 hours in what appeared to be a diphasic response. Both the spray and rhinyl tube were shown to be effective methods for releasing LH by intranasal administration of the LH-RH analog.", "contents": "Prolonged elevation of luteinizing hormone (LH) after intranasal administration of an analog of LH-releasing hormone. [D-Leu-6,desGly-NH2-10]-LH-RH-ethylamide, an analog of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), was administered by intranasal spray or tube to 18 healthy men. A significant release of LH occurred within 15 minutes and was sustained for as long as 12 hours in what appeared to be a diphasic response. Both the spray and rhinyl tube were shown to be effective methods for releasing LH by intranasal administration of the LH-RH analog.", "PMID": 789118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8298", "title": "Behavior of the lysosomal system during organ perfusion. An inquiry into the mechanism of hepatic proteolysis.", "content": "In this chapter we have attempted to provide some insight into a mechanism(s) of protein degradation in liver which we believe is implicated in the physiological regulation of free amino acid pools. The association we have observed between regulatory effects of insulin and amino acids in the perfused rat liver and physical alterations of the lysosomal system in similarly treated livers suggests that the final stage of the process is localized within the lysosomal-vacuolar system. The present studies show that perfusion of the isolated rat liver is in itself a potent stimulus to general proteolysis, an effect which is associated with increases in lysosomal size, density and sensitivity to osmotic shock. Since the osmotic and density alterations can be prevented or reversed by the provision of insulin or amino acid mixtures, we believe these agents normally act to restrain some inherent proteolytic process. Although the attendant lysosomal alterations are similar in many respects to those induced by glucagon, they differ sharply from the latter in having no sequestered organelles or evident membrane structures and the fact that they rise in the absence of any increase in the tissue level of cyclic AMP. Aside from the obvious problem of evaluating the quantitative importance of the lysosomal system in hepatic proteolysis, three interesting problems remain to be solved: (1) the nature of the proteins involved, (2) their mode of acquisition by the lysosome, and (3) the relationship of this inherent proteolytic process to glucagon or cyclic AMP-induced cellular autophagy. With regard to the former it seems reasonably clear from our studies and those of others that protein substrate does not gain access to lysosomal proteases by the direct penetration of lysosomal membranes, but more likely by fusion of a preexisting lysosome with some, as yet undefined, membrane-bound element. Whether such an element is formed in a manner analogous to that of the precursor vacuoles in autophagy (Ericsson 1969) or by some other process is not known. Closely related to this is the question of the nature of the substrate and the factors determining its uptake by the lysosome. Space does not permit us to review evidence from a number of laboratories which suggests that the turnover of intracellular protein may be a function of size (Dehlinger and Schimke 1971; Dice et al. 1973), charge (Dice and Goldberg 1975), or conformational stability (Li and Knox 1972; Ballard et al. 1974). We have no idea at the moment whether the mechanism we have outlined will eventually be shown to encompass a wide range of turnover of intracellular proteins or, alternatively, whether it will be limited to a certain class of proteins that turnover as a unit. While there is undoubtedly far more specificity in the regulation of intracellular proteins than our present data indicate, we do not view this as an incompatibility, but rather as another aspect of a complex problem we are only beginning to understand.", "contents": "Behavior of the lysosomal system during organ perfusion. An inquiry into the mechanism of hepatic proteolysis. In this chapter we have attempted to provide some insight into a mechanism(s) of protein degradation in liver which we believe is implicated in the physiological regulation of free amino acid pools. The association we have observed between regulatory effects of insulin and amino acids in the perfused rat liver and physical alterations of the lysosomal system in similarly treated livers suggests that the final stage of the process is localized within the lysosomal-vacuolar system. The present studies show that perfusion of the isolated rat liver is in itself a potent stimulus to general proteolysis, an effect which is associated with increases in lysosomal size, density and sensitivity to osmotic shock. Since the osmotic and density alterations can be prevented or reversed by the provision of insulin or amino acid mixtures, we believe these agents normally act to restrain some inherent proteolytic process. Although the attendant lysosomal alterations are similar in many respects to those induced by glucagon, they differ sharply from the latter in having no sequestered organelles or evident membrane structures and the fact that they rise in the absence of any increase in the tissue level of cyclic AMP. Aside from the obvious problem of evaluating the quantitative importance of the lysosomal system in hepatic proteolysis, three interesting problems remain to be solved: (1) the nature of the proteins involved, (2) their mode of acquisition by the lysosome, and (3) the relationship of this inherent proteolytic process to glucagon or cyclic AMP-induced cellular autophagy. With regard to the former it seems reasonably clear from our studies and those of others that protein substrate does not gain access to lysosomal proteases by the direct penetration of lysosomal membranes, but more likely by fusion of a preexisting lysosome with some, as yet undefined, membrane-bound element. Whether such an element is formed in a manner analogous to that of the precursor vacuoles in autophagy (Ericsson 1969) or by some other process is not known. Closely related to this is the question of the nature of the substrate and the factors determining its uptake by the lysosome. Space does not permit us to review evidence from a number of laboratories which suggests that the turnover of intracellular protein may be a function of size (Dehlinger and Schimke 1971; Dice et al. 1973), charge (Dice and Goldberg 1975), or conformational stability (Li and Knox 1972; Ballard et al. 1974). We have no idea at the moment whether the mechanism we have outlined will eventually be shown to encompass a wide range of turnover of intracellular proteins or, alternatively, whether it will be limited to a certain class of proteins that turnover as a unit. While there is undoubtedly far more specificity in the regulation of intracellular proteins than our present data indicate, we do not view this as an incompatibility, but rather as another aspect of a complex problem we are only beginning to understand.", "PMID": 789126} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8299", "title": "Heavy metals and lysosomes.", "content": "Much can be gained by reassessing the processes which determine the ability of lysosomes to take up or exclude, sequester and mobilize heavy metals. To achieve a better understanding of these events, the chemical forms, intracellular pathways and modes of delivery of metals to lysosomes, as well as the specific physiologic ligands and molecular targets susceptible to metal toxicity have to be identified. None of these can be derived from measurements of metal contents of whole lysosomal fractions because the metal's \"effective concentration\" at a specific target site may be affected by the binding properties of the lysosomal ligand as well as by those of cation carrier proteins present in the cytosol (e.g., metallothionein), and by interactions with and competitions by other cellular organelles. Therefore, the possibility of such events diminishing or enhancing a metal's direct effect observable in in vitro systems has to be considered before extrapolating to the in vivo situation. Another pitfall to be wary of is the equation of an organelle's relative affinity for a metal in vitro with its susceptibility to the metal's toxic effects. This is evident, albeit at a tissue level rather than at that of organelles, from the discordance between the low affinity of nervous tissue for lead and this metal's pronounced encephalopathic effect. The answers to some of the questions raised in this review may possibly lead to pharmacologic applications, particularly to the development of effective agents for the removal from or the inactivation of toxic metals deposited in lysosomes. At present, considerable uncertainty exists regarding the possible interaction of therapeutic chelating agents with lysosomes in vivo. We do not know, for example, whether the contrasts between the remarkable effectiveness of penicillamine in mobilizing copper from tissues and the limited effectiveness of desferioxamine in removing excess iron stores can be accounted for by differences in accessibility of these two chelators to lysosomes. Or, alternatively, can these differences in effectiveness be related to different ligands or macromolecules interacting with each metal? At least part of the lysosomal iron is bound to ferritin molecules which may not be susceptible to the action of chelating agents after incorporation. Such speculation is not without foundation since ferritin molecules are heterogeneous. However, whether this heterogeneity, which is reflected in different organ-specific patterns of distribution (Powell et al. 1973), is the result of differing affinities of the isoferritins for specific subcellular organelles has not been established. It is conceivable that ferritin molecules present in the cytoplasm may be subtly different from those taken up by lysosomes, implying that the latter are endowed with capabilities for selection of specific macromolecules...", "contents": "Heavy metals and lysosomes. Much can be gained by reassessing the processes which determine the ability of lysosomes to take up or exclude, sequester and mobilize heavy metals. To achieve a better understanding of these events, the chemical forms, intracellular pathways and modes of delivery of metals to lysosomes, as well as the specific physiologic ligands and molecular targets susceptible to metal toxicity have to be identified. None of these can be derived from measurements of metal contents of whole lysosomal fractions because the metal's \"effective concentration\" at a specific target site may be affected by the binding properties of the lysosomal ligand as well as by those of cation carrier proteins present in the cytosol (e.g., metallothionein), and by interactions with and competitions by other cellular organelles. Therefore, the possibility of such events diminishing or enhancing a metal's direct effect observable in in vitro systems has to be considered before extrapolating to the in vivo situation. Another pitfall to be wary of is the equation of an organelle's relative affinity for a metal in vitro with its susceptibility to the metal's toxic effects. This is evident, albeit at a tissue level rather than at that of organelles, from the discordance between the low affinity of nervous tissue for lead and this metal's pronounced encephalopathic effect. The answers to some of the questions raised in this review may possibly lead to pharmacologic applications, particularly to the development of effective agents for the removal from or the inactivation of toxic metals deposited in lysosomes. At present, considerable uncertainty exists regarding the possible interaction of therapeutic chelating agents with lysosomes in vivo. We do not know, for example, whether the contrasts between the remarkable effectiveness of penicillamine in mobilizing copper from tissues and the limited effectiveness of desferioxamine in removing excess iron stores can be accounted for by differences in accessibility of these two chelators to lysosomes. Or, alternatively, can these differences in effectiveness be related to different ligands or macromolecules interacting with each metal? At least part of the lysosomal iron is bound to ferritin molecules which may not be susceptible to the action of chelating agents after incorporation. Such speculation is not without foundation since ferritin molecules are heterogeneous. However, whether this heterogeneity, which is reflected in different organ-specific patterns of distribution (Powell et al. 1973), is the result of differing affinities of the isoferritins for specific subcellular organelles has not been established. It is conceivable that ferritin molecules present in the cytoplasm may be subtly different from those taken up by lysosomes, implying that the latter are endowed with capabilities for selection of specific macromolecules...", "PMID": 789127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8300", "title": "Secretion of lysosomal enzymes induced by immune complexes and complement.", "content": "Immune complexes react with neutrophils and macrophages by way of surface membrane Fc receptors. Alternatively, after fixation of complement, interaction may be with membrane C3b receptors. As a result, phagocytosis is induced. A consequence of this process is the liberation to the extracellular medium of lysosomal constituents. In neutrophils, fusion of granules with phagocytic vacuoles liberates the contents to the outside because some of the vacuoles, for various reasons, are inefficiently closed off. Alternatively, reaction of neutrophils in vitro or in vivo with immune complexes and/or activated complement components (C3b, C3a, C5a, C567) on surfaces too large to be phagocytosed, induces direct exocytosis of granules with consequent release of constituents. In both cases the liberation of lysosomal constituents is a secretory process, does not involve cell lysis, and resembles closely the secretory reactions of other widely differing cell types.", "contents": "Secretion of lysosomal enzymes induced by immune complexes and complement. Immune complexes react with neutrophils and macrophages by way of surface membrane Fc receptors. Alternatively, after fixation of complement, interaction may be with membrane C3b receptors. As a result, phagocytosis is induced. A consequence of this process is the liberation to the extracellular medium of lysosomal constituents. In neutrophils, fusion of granules with phagocytic vacuoles liberates the contents to the outside because some of the vacuoles, for various reasons, are inefficiently closed off. Alternatively, reaction of neutrophils in vitro or in vivo with immune complexes and/or activated complement components (C3b, C3a, C5a, C567) on surfaces too large to be phagocytosed, induces direct exocytosis of granules with consequent release of constituents. In both cases the liberation of lysosomal constituents is a secretory process, does not involve cell lysis, and resembles closely the secretory reactions of other widely differing cell types.", "PMID": 789129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8301", "title": "[Studies on the secretion of gonadotropins in patients with collagen diseases].", "content": "It is well known that majority of patients with collagen diseases are women and that collagen diseases take turn for the worse or the better when the secretion of sex hormones changes greatly at menarche, pregnancy, delivery or menopause. These facts suggest that sex hormones are involved in the pathophysiology of collagen diseases. In the present study, the responses of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels following the intravenous injection of 100 mug luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LR-RH) were investigated in 34 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results obtained were as follows: 1) The magnitude of plasma LH response to LH-RH in 29 mature female patients with SLE was significantly greater than that in normal subjects. 2) On the other hand, the magnitude of plasma FSH response to LH-RH in patients with SLE was comparable to that in control subjects. 3) In patients with RA who have normal menstrual cycles, the magnitude of increase in plasma LH and FSH levels after the injection of LH-RH was the almost same as that in normal subjects. Increased responses in plasma LH and FSH levels to LH-RH were observed in 7 patients with RA who were 3 menopausal females and 4 aged males. These findings suggest that the secretion of LH, but not FSH, in response to LH-RH might augment in patients with SLE. On the other hand, in RA patients the function of the pituitary-gonadal axis might maintain within normal limits. For that reason, I guess the following possibilities: 1) In patients with SLE the pathological changes of the disease reached to the ovary and ovarial function was slightly suppressed and then a hypersecretion of LH was observed, 2) the hypothalamus was attacked with the disease and then an unknown mechanism caused the hypersecretion of LH.", "contents": "[Studies on the secretion of gonadotropins in patients with collagen diseases]. It is well known that majority of patients with collagen diseases are women and that collagen diseases take turn for the worse or the better when the secretion of sex hormones changes greatly at menarche, pregnancy, delivery or menopause. These facts suggest that sex hormones are involved in the pathophysiology of collagen diseases. In the present study, the responses of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels following the intravenous injection of 100 mug luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LR-RH) were investigated in 34 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results obtained were as follows: 1) The magnitude of plasma LH response to LH-RH in 29 mature female patients with SLE was significantly greater than that in normal subjects. 2) On the other hand, the magnitude of plasma FSH response to LH-RH in patients with SLE was comparable to that in control subjects. 3) In patients with RA who have normal menstrual cycles, the magnitude of increase in plasma LH and FSH levels after the injection of LH-RH was the almost same as that in normal subjects. Increased responses in plasma LH and FSH levels to LH-RH were observed in 7 patients with RA who were 3 menopausal females and 4 aged males. These findings suggest that the secretion of LH, but not FSH, in response to LH-RH might augment in patients with SLE. On the other hand, in RA patients the function of the pituitary-gonadal axis might maintain within normal limits. For that reason, I guess the following possibilities: 1) In patients with SLE the pathological changes of the disease reached to the ovary and ovarial function was slightly suppressed and then a hypersecretion of LH was observed, 2) the hypothalamus was attacked with the disease and then an unknown mechanism caused the hypersecretion of LH.", "PMID": 789133} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8302", "title": "Pituitary and adrenal control of pancreatic endocrine function in the duck.", "content": "Recent clinical and immunological data suggest that the classical concept of \"idiopathic autoimmune diseases\" is to be revised. In a normal population, autoimmunity reactions against thyroid gland, gastric mucosa and adrenals develop slowly with increasing age and are found more frequently in women than in men (at least so far as thyroid antibodies are concerned) as is lowering of the functional activity of T lymphocytes. Diabetes takes its place among a series of factors diminishing immunocyte reactivity, and thus enhancing the development of the autoimmunity process. This may perhaps be promoted in some way by genetic factors, perhaps those which also play a definite though as yet ill-defined role in determining the emergence of diabetes. For the present, diabetes mellitus itself must only rarely be considered a consequence of an autoimmune process and then only in certain insulin-dependent cases. By contrast, diabetes appears frequently to be an activator of autoimmune phenomena against tissues other than pancreas, namely thyroid gland, adrenals and gastric mucosa. Awareness of these associations should encourage physicians to seek latent humoral or cellular evidence of autoimmune phenomena in diabetics; this would favour the early recognition of clinically important abnormalities which may accompany the diabetes.", "contents": "Pituitary and adrenal control of pancreatic endocrine function in the duck. Recent clinical and immunological data suggest that the classical concept of \"idiopathic autoimmune diseases\" is to be revised. In a normal population, autoimmunity reactions against thyroid gland, gastric mucosa and adrenals develop slowly with increasing age and are found more frequently in women than in men (at least so far as thyroid antibodies are concerned) as is lowering of the functional activity of T lymphocytes. Diabetes takes its place among a series of factors diminishing immunocyte reactivity, and thus enhancing the development of the autoimmunity process. This may perhaps be promoted in some way by genetic factors, perhaps those which also play a definite though as yet ill-defined role in determining the emergence of diabetes. For the present, diabetes mellitus itself must only rarely be considered a consequence of an autoimmune process and then only in certain insulin-dependent cases. By contrast, diabetes appears frequently to be an activator of autoimmune phenomena against tissues other than pancreas, namely thyroid gland, adrenals and gastric mucosa. Awareness of these associations should encourage physicians to seek latent humoral or cellular evidence of autoimmune phenomena in diabetics; this would favour the early recognition of clinically important abnormalities which may accompany the diabetes.", "PMID": 789141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8303", "title": "Study of glucagon secretion using in vitro perifusion of rat pancreas pieces.", "content": "The in vitro perifusion technique of rat pancreatic tissue has been studied in respect of sensitivity and reproducibility regarding alpha-2-cell function. Convenient and quickly performed, it allows the kinetic analysis of humoral factors of glucagon release when the blood vessels are too small to be cannulated, for instance in case of fetal pancreas and of tumor tissue. A2 cells in the perifused pancreatic tissue release glucagon in response to arginine, norepinephrine and the decrease of glucose concentration in the medium. The sensitivity of this preparation is lower than that of the perfused pancreas: this may be related to unphysiological conditions of fluid circulation, of the degradation of the stimuli and degradation of the hormone released. Satisfactory conditions of perifusion flow rate and amount of panceatic tissue have been defined and several protective agents have been tested.", "contents": "Study of glucagon secretion using in vitro perifusion of rat pancreas pieces. The in vitro perifusion technique of rat pancreatic tissue has been studied in respect of sensitivity and reproducibility regarding alpha-2-cell function. Convenient and quickly performed, it allows the kinetic analysis of humoral factors of glucagon release when the blood vessels are too small to be cannulated, for instance in case of fetal pancreas and of tumor tissue. A2 cells in the perifused pancreatic tissue release glucagon in response to arginine, norepinephrine and the decrease of glucose concentration in the medium. The sensitivity of this preparation is lower than that of the perfused pancreas: this may be related to unphysiological conditions of fluid circulation, of the degradation of the stimuli and degradation of the hormone released. Satisfactory conditions of perifusion flow rate and amount of panceatic tissue have been defined and several protective agents have been tested.", "PMID": 789143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8304", "title": "[Participation of catecholamines in the inhibition of insulin secretion and stimulation of glucagon release during exercise and stress (author's transl)].", "content": "The participation of catecholamines in the inhibition of insulin secretion and stimulation of glucagon release during exercise and stress is reviewed. In rats injected with guinea-pig anti-insulin serum and either compelled to swim or exposed to electrical shocks, the rate of insulin secretion is markedly inhibited, mimicking the situation found after administration of exogenous epinephrine. Prior injection of phentolamine abolishes the exercise-induced inhibition of insulin release. These findings support the concept that such an inhibition is due to activation of the alpha-adrenergic receptors of the beta-cell by endogenously released catecholamines. In addition to inhibiting insulin secretion, epinephrine is shown to stimulate glucagon release in vitro, using pieces of pancreas from duct-ligaturated rats incubated at both low and high glucose concentrations. Augmentation of glucagon release is also observed in vivo during exercise or stress. It is concluded that the hormonal regulation under the latter situations is opptimally oriented for the mobilization of energetic substrates such as glucose and fatty acids.dicale (INSERM), H\u00f2pital des Enfants Malades, Paris.", "contents": "[Participation of catecholamines in the inhibition of insulin secretion and stimulation of glucagon release during exercise and stress (author's transl)]. The participation of catecholamines in the inhibition of insulin secretion and stimulation of glucagon release during exercise and stress is reviewed. In rats injected with guinea-pig anti-insulin serum and either compelled to swim or exposed to electrical shocks, the rate of insulin secretion is markedly inhibited, mimicking the situation found after administration of exogenous epinephrine. Prior injection of phentolamine abolishes the exercise-induced inhibition of insulin release. These findings support the concept that such an inhibition is due to activation of the alpha-adrenergic receptors of the beta-cell by endogenously released catecholamines. In addition to inhibiting insulin secretion, epinephrine is shown to stimulate glucagon release in vitro, using pieces of pancreas from duct-ligaturated rats incubated at both low and high glucose concentrations. Augmentation of glucagon release is also observed in vivo during exercise or stress. It is concluded that the hormonal regulation under the latter situations is opptimally oriented for the mobilization of energetic substrates such as glucose and fatty acids.dicale (INSERM), H\u00f2pital des Enfants Malades, Paris.", "PMID": 789144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8305", "title": "Feed-back inhibition of insulin secretion in subjects with high and low insulin response to glucose.", "content": "The plasma insulin response to two successive stimulations by glucose was measured in 12 healthy subjects, 5 of whom demonstrated subnormal insulin responses to glucose infusion (low insulin responders). 15 g of glucose were injected rapidly i.v. at 0 and 20 min, and blood glucose and plasma insulin levels determined at intervals of 2-10 min. In both groups, the peak elevation of plasma insulin, and the peak insulinogenic index, were significantly inhibited at the second stimulation. The degree of inhibition was smaller in subjects with low insulin response. The integrated insulin response and the integrated insulinogenic index during the 20 min following glucose administration were also significantly inhibited at the second glucose challenge in subjects with low insulin responders. The degree of inhibition of the second insulin response (20-40 min) shows significant correlation with the insulinogenic index of the first response (0-20 min) in the total material. It is suggested that this inhibition of insulin release on repeating the stimulus, (a) may offer an explanation sustained stimulation by glucose; (b) is probably generated by the phenomenon of insulin secretion, and (c) might thus represent a negative feed-back loop in insulin secretion. (d) Decreased insulin secretion in low responders is not due to the presence of increased inhibition.", "contents": "Feed-back inhibition of insulin secretion in subjects with high and low insulin response to glucose. The plasma insulin response to two successive stimulations by glucose was measured in 12 healthy subjects, 5 of whom demonstrated subnormal insulin responses to glucose infusion (low insulin responders). 15 g of glucose were injected rapidly i.v. at 0 and 20 min, and blood glucose and plasma insulin levels determined at intervals of 2-10 min. In both groups, the peak elevation of plasma insulin, and the peak insulinogenic index, were significantly inhibited at the second stimulation. The degree of inhibition was smaller in subjects with low insulin response. The integrated insulin response and the integrated insulinogenic index during the 20 min following glucose administration were also significantly inhibited at the second glucose challenge in subjects with low insulin responders. The degree of inhibition of the second insulin response (20-40 min) shows significant correlation with the insulinogenic index of the first response (0-20 min) in the total material. It is suggested that this inhibition of insulin release on repeating the stimulus, (a) may offer an explanation sustained stimulation by glucose; (b) is probably generated by the phenomenon of insulin secretion, and (c) might thus represent a negative feed-back loop in insulin secretion. (d) Decreased insulin secretion in low responders is not due to the presence of increased inhibition.", "PMID": 789145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8306", "title": "[Genetics of diabetes mellitus (author's transl)].", "content": "Since Pincus and White's claim in 1933 that diabetes mellitus is an inherited disease, the precise mode of inheritance remains a matter of dispute. The reason for the controversy is that the geneticist is confronted with a number of impediments to genetic analysis. As pointed by Neel, \"diabetes mellitus is in many respects a geneticists nightmare\". The obstacles are : 1) a precise definition of diabetes is difficult to establish, 2) the frequency of the disease which is sex and age dependent is not well known, 3) the probability of genetic heterogeneity is great but whether early onset and late onset diabetes are different genetic diseases or the same one remains controversial, 4) the basic defect (s) is unknown, 5) environmental factors (e.g. nutritional status) influence the frequency of the disease. Despite these problems many studies have been devoted to the mode of inheritance of diabetes mellitus. Many authors favour an autosomal recessive mechanism. However, low penetrance (25 %) is necessary to support this mode of inheritance. Simple autosomal dominant mode of inheritance has also been suggested, but this pattern fits only few families. The majority of geneticists think, at the present time, that diabetes has a multifactorial mode of inhritance. The heritability which express the extent to which the phenotypes exhibited by parents are transmitted to their offspring is in the neighbourhood of 50%. Many arguments favour this mode of inheritance: 1) low penetrance is necessary to aistinct genetic diseases, and especially in chronic glaucoma, which also have a multifactorial mode of inheritance; in particular, one must note the association between glucose intolerance and ocular hypertension induced by dexamethasone, 3) the association between diabetes and antigen A of the ABO system and antigens HL-A8 and W 15 of the HL-A system.", "contents": "[Genetics of diabetes mellitus (author's transl)]. Since Pincus and White's claim in 1933 that diabetes mellitus is an inherited disease, the precise mode of inheritance remains a matter of dispute. The reason for the controversy is that the geneticist is confronted with a number of impediments to genetic analysis. As pointed by Neel, \"diabetes mellitus is in many respects a geneticists nightmare\". The obstacles are : 1) a precise definition of diabetes is difficult to establish, 2) the frequency of the disease which is sex and age dependent is not well known, 3) the probability of genetic heterogeneity is great but whether early onset and late onset diabetes are different genetic diseases or the same one remains controversial, 4) the basic defect (s) is unknown, 5) environmental factors (e.g. nutritional status) influence the frequency of the disease. Despite these problems many studies have been devoted to the mode of inheritance of diabetes mellitus. Many authors favour an autosomal recessive mechanism. However, low penetrance (25 %) is necessary to support this mode of inheritance. Simple autosomal dominant mode of inheritance has also been suggested, but this pattern fits only few families. The majority of geneticists think, at the present time, that diabetes has a multifactorial mode of inhritance. The heritability which express the extent to which the phenotypes exhibited by parents are transmitted to their offspring is in the neighbourhood of 50%. Many arguments favour this mode of inheritance: 1) low penetrance is necessary to aistinct genetic diseases, and especially in chronic glaucoma, which also have a multifactorial mode of inheritance; in particular, one must note the association between glucose intolerance and ocular hypertension induced by dexamethasone, 3) the association between diabetes and antigen A of the ABO system and antigens HL-A8 and W 15 of the HL-A system.", "PMID": 789146} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8307", "title": "Inhibitory and augmentative effects of oestradiol on LH-RH-induced release of LH by anterior pituitary glands from intact female rats in vitro.", "content": "Anterior pituitary glands from intact dioestrous female rats were incubated in vitro and the LH released into the medium was measured at hourly intervals. The effect of a supramaximally active dose of LH-RH was first inhibited and later augmented by oestradiol added to the medium. The augmented response also occurred when LH-RH was absent during the preceding phase of the incubation. Both effects of oestradiol could be blocked by cycloheximide, which agent, however, also partly inhibited the response to LH-RH.", "contents": "Inhibitory and augmentative effects of oestradiol on LH-RH-induced release of LH by anterior pituitary glands from intact female rats in vitro. Anterior pituitary glands from intact dioestrous female rats were incubated in vitro and the LH released into the medium was measured at hourly intervals. The effect of a supramaximally active dose of LH-RH was first inhibited and later augmented by oestradiol added to the medium. The augmented response also occurred when LH-RH was absent during the preceding phase of the incubation. Both effects of oestradiol could be blocked by cycloheximide, which agent, however, also partly inhibited the response to LH-RH.", "PMID": 789157} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8308", "title": "Luteinizing release hormone tests in impotent diabetic males.", "content": "Assessment of pituitary-gonadal function was made in impotent diabetic males using luteinizing hormone-release hormone tests. Serum testosterone, sex-hormone-binding globulin capacity, and basal and incremental gonadotrophin concentrations in the impotent diabetics were similar to those in control diabetics, suggesting a primary neurologic rather than an endocrine defect as the cause of the impotence.", "contents": "Luteinizing release hormone tests in impotent diabetic males. Assessment of pituitary-gonadal function was made in impotent diabetic males using luteinizing hormone-release hormone tests. Serum testosterone, sex-hormone-binding globulin capacity, and basal and incremental gonadotrophin concentrations in the impotent diabetics were similar to those in control diabetics, suggesting a primary neurologic rather than an endocrine defect as the cause of the impotence.", "PMID": 789159} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8309", "title": "Anencephalus in the Oxford Record Linkage Study area.", "content": "The incidence of anencephalus in the largely rural areas of Oxfordshire and west Berkshire from 1965 to 1972 was ascertained from the files of the Oxford Record Linkage Study as 1-49 per 1000 total births. There was little variation within the area, but there was a marked increase in incidence over the eight years of the study. There was a slight seasonal variation, with an excess of conceptions in the first two quarters of the year, a slight excess of births to primiparous women and to women aged between 20 and 24 years. There was an increase in incidence with falling social class, with a significant excess of fathers who were printers, painters and decorators, transport drivers or in the armed forces. Among 115 siblings, 11 (9-6 per cent) had defects of the central nervous system, and the incidence of anencephalus among twins was twice as high as expected.", "contents": "Anencephalus in the Oxford Record Linkage Study area. The incidence of anencephalus in the largely rural areas of Oxfordshire and west Berkshire from 1965 to 1972 was ascertained from the files of the Oxford Record Linkage Study as 1-49 per 1000 total births. There was little variation within the area, but there was a marked increase in incidence over the eight years of the study. There was a slight seasonal variation, with an excess of conceptions in the first two quarters of the year, a slight excess of births to primiparous women and to women aged between 20 and 24 years. There was an increase in incidence with falling social class, with a significant excess of fathers who were printers, painters and decorators, transport drivers or in the armed forces. Among 115 siblings, 11 (9-6 per cent) had defects of the central nervous system, and the incidence of anencephalus among twins was twice as high as expected.", "PMID": 789160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8310", "title": "Issues and problems in remedial education.", "content": "Children with reading and other education problems present for help to a wide variety of professionals from different disciplines. At present there appears to be a wide gulf between sophisticated assessments and effective remedial intervention. This paper examines some of the issues involed in providing and evaluating remedial education, and the issues of definition, measurement and prevalence; it is concluded that as many as 20 per cent of 10-year-olds in inner cities in the United Kingdom may require extra help with reading. The evidence suggests that, over-all, remedial help is not at present very effective. A concerted research programme is needed to identify effective approaches. Constructive suggestions are advanced whereby such a research programme would make a significant contribution to services for children with educational problems.", "contents": "Issues and problems in remedial education. Children with reading and other education problems present for help to a wide variety of professionals from different disciplines. At present there appears to be a wide gulf between sophisticated assessments and effective remedial intervention. This paper examines some of the issues involed in providing and evaluating remedial education, and the issues of definition, measurement and prevalence; it is concluded that as many as 20 per cent of 10-year-olds in inner cities in the United Kingdom may require extra help with reading. The evidence suggests that, over-all, remedial help is not at present very effective. A concerted research programme is needed to identify effective approaches. Constructive suggestions are advanced whereby such a research programme would make a significant contribution to services for children with educational problems.", "PMID": 789162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8311", "title": "Proinsulin synthesis in islets of Langerhans from spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus). Comparison with rats and mice.", "content": "Proinsulin synthesis in response to different concentrations of glucose has been studied in islets of Langerhans of acomys, rat and mouse. The response to increased glucose was small in acomys when compared with rat or mouse. The time course of the effect of glucose on proinsulin synthesis was also studied in sequential 15 min periods up to 60 min. With 5.5 mM glucose the rate of 3H-leucine incorporation for acomys islets were greater over the periods 15-30, 30-45 and 45-60 min after the addition of glucose to the islets than at 0-15 min. By contrast rat islets exhibited a greater glucose-induced stimulation between 15-30 and 30-45 min relative to the 0-15 min period and a further increase of the incorporation rate between 45 and 60 min. With 27.5 mM glucose acceleration of incorporation relative to the first 15 min period occurred at 15-30 min; it was then stable up to 60 min for islets both from acomys and from rat. Incorporation into total protein was much greater in acomys than in rat or mouse: thus in 2.75 mM glucose, acomys islets incorporated 5 and 19 times more 3H-leucine into total protein than did islets from rat or mouse respectively. In 27.5 mM glucose the incorporation into total protein of the islets from acomys was 4 and 13 times greater. Islet content of insulin was similar for all three species. No significant changes in ATP content were observed in response to changes in glucose concentration from 2.75 to 27.5 mM. The results demonstrate a decreased responsiveness of proinsulin synthesis to glucose in acomys and are discussed in terms of the known decreased sensitivity of insulin release in this animal.", "contents": "Proinsulin synthesis in islets of Langerhans from spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus). Comparison with rats and mice. Proinsulin synthesis in response to different concentrations of glucose has been studied in islets of Langerhans of acomys, rat and mouse. The response to increased glucose was small in acomys when compared with rat or mouse. The time course of the effect of glucose on proinsulin synthesis was also studied in sequential 15 min periods up to 60 min. With 5.5 mM glucose the rate of 3H-leucine incorporation for acomys islets were greater over the periods 15-30, 30-45 and 45-60 min after the addition of glucose to the islets than at 0-15 min. By contrast rat islets exhibited a greater glucose-induced stimulation between 15-30 and 30-45 min relative to the 0-15 min period and a further increase of the incorporation rate between 45 and 60 min. With 27.5 mM glucose acceleration of incorporation relative to the first 15 min period occurred at 15-30 min; it was then stable up to 60 min for islets both from acomys and from rat. Incorporation into total protein was much greater in acomys than in rat or mouse: thus in 2.75 mM glucose, acomys islets incorporated 5 and 19 times more 3H-leucine into total protein than did islets from rat or mouse respectively. In 27.5 mM glucose the incorporation into total protein of the islets from acomys was 4 and 13 times greater. Islet content of insulin was similar for all three species. No significant changes in ATP content were observed in response to changes in glucose concentration from 2.75 to 27.5 mM. The results demonstrate a decreased responsiveness of proinsulin synthesis to glucose in acomys and are discussed in terms of the known decreased sensitivity of insulin release in this animal.", "PMID": 789163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8312", "title": "The inhibition of insulin secretion from the perfused rat pancreas after thyroxine treatment.", "content": "Thyroxine treatment did not significantly affect the immediate insulin secretory response of the perfused rat pancreas, but it inhibited the late phase of D-glucose-induced insulin secretion. Thyroxine treatment did not inhibit D-glyceraldehyde-, D-mannose-, and tolbutamide-induced insulin release from the perfused pancreas. An increase in the D-glucose concentration of the perfusion medium as well as feeding of the rats did not restore insulin secretion after thyroxine treatment. The inhibition of D-glucose-induced insulin release in response to thyroxine treatment was reversed after addition of either D-glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, DL-glyceric acid, pyruvate, or alpha-ketobutyrate to the perfusion medium. Tolbutamide, L-glucose, D-fructose, D-mannose, L-lactate, and propionic acid were not able to overcome the inhibition of D-glucose-induced insulin secretion. Except for alpha-ketobutyrate all substances which were effective in reversing the inhibition of D-glucose-induced insulin release were glycolytic intermediates. Comparing the glycolytic alpha-ketoacid pyruvate and the non-glycolytic ketoacid alpha-ketobutyrate, the only part common to both substances was the ketoacid moiety. It is concluded from these findings that the ketoacid moiety of the alpha-ketoacids plays an important role in reversing the effect of thyroxine on D-glucose-induced insulin release.", "contents": "The inhibition of insulin secretion from the perfused rat pancreas after thyroxine treatment. Thyroxine treatment did not significantly affect the immediate insulin secretory response of the perfused rat pancreas, but it inhibited the late phase of D-glucose-induced insulin secretion. Thyroxine treatment did not inhibit D-glyceraldehyde-, D-mannose-, and tolbutamide-induced insulin release from the perfused pancreas. An increase in the D-glucose concentration of the perfusion medium as well as feeding of the rats did not restore insulin secretion after thyroxine treatment. The inhibition of D-glucose-induced insulin release in response to thyroxine treatment was reversed after addition of either D-glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, DL-glyceric acid, pyruvate, or alpha-ketobutyrate to the perfusion medium. Tolbutamide, L-glucose, D-fructose, D-mannose, L-lactate, and propionic acid were not able to overcome the inhibition of D-glucose-induced insulin secretion. Except for alpha-ketobutyrate all substances which were effective in reversing the inhibition of D-glucose-induced insulin release were glycolytic intermediates. Comparing the glycolytic alpha-ketoacid pyruvate and the non-glycolytic ketoacid alpha-ketobutyrate, the only part common to both substances was the ketoacid moiety. It is concluded from these findings that the ketoacid moiety of the alpha-ketoacids plays an important role in reversing the effect of thyroxine on D-glucose-induced insulin release.", "PMID": 789164} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8313", "title": "Diagnosis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater by duodenofiberscopy: simultaneous attempt on endoscopic observation, aspiration cytology, retrograde pancreatocholangiography and biopsy.", "content": "Clinical features and validity of a duodenofiberscopic examination for the diagnosis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater were evaluated on 13 cases preoperatively diagnosed endoscopically. Followings are the conclusions derived. 1) Average age was 59.8 years. Incidence was equal among men and women. 2) As initial symptoms, general fatigue and easy fatigability or symptoms of cholangitis should be emphasized. 3) Other important symptoms include jaundice, fever with chills and weight loss. Abdominal pain, when present, was noted as one of symptoms of cholangitis in most cases. 4) Important laboratory findings include elevated serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, positive occult blood in stool. 5) Carcinomas of the papilla of Vater were divided into 3 types (type I, II and III) according to endoscopical and pathological findings. Clinical features and laboratory findings were discussed in relation to the type of lesions. Characteristic endoscopic findings of each type of the lesions were described. Validity of aspiration cytology, pancreatocholangiography and biopsy under duodeno-fiberscopic observation was also discussed. As a result, duodenofiberscopy was considered to be the most useful method for the diagnosis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater because it provides us with an opportunity to perform simultaneously an endoscopic observation, aspiration cytology, pancreatocholangiography and biopsy.", "contents": "Diagnosis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater by duodenofiberscopy: simultaneous attempt on endoscopic observation, aspiration cytology, retrograde pancreatocholangiography and biopsy. Clinical features and validity of a duodenofiberscopic examination for the diagnosis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater were evaluated on 13 cases preoperatively diagnosed endoscopically. Followings are the conclusions derived. 1) Average age was 59.8 years. Incidence was equal among men and women. 2) As initial symptoms, general fatigue and easy fatigability or symptoms of cholangitis should be emphasized. 3) Other important symptoms include jaundice, fever with chills and weight loss. Abdominal pain, when present, was noted as one of symptoms of cholangitis in most cases. 4) Important laboratory findings include elevated serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, positive occult blood in stool. 5) Carcinomas of the papilla of Vater were divided into 3 types (type I, II and III) according to endoscopical and pathological findings. Clinical features and laboratory findings were discussed in relation to the type of lesions. Characteristic endoscopic findings of each type of the lesions were described. Validity of aspiration cytology, pancreatocholangiography and biopsy under duodeno-fiberscopic observation was also discussed. As a result, duodenofiberscopy was considered to be the most useful method for the diagnosis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater because it provides us with an opportunity to perform simultaneously an endoscopic observation, aspiration cytology, pancreatocholangiography and biopsy.", "PMID": 789167} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8314", "title": "Ultrastructural studies of human acute pancreatitis.", "content": "The pancreatic tissue from a patient with acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis was studied by routine electron microscopic observation. The remarkable change was the destruction of pancreatic acinar units. 1) The acinar lumen was dilated with filling of fibrillar materials, which occasionally contained degenerated cellular components or neutrophils. 2) Accumulations of fibrillar materials were present at the periphery in the acinar cells, especially depositted thickly at the basal portion. 3) In some acinar cells, the accumulation of fibrillar materials occupied the entire acinar cell, accompanied by disappearance of luminal margin, and the intracellular fibrillar materials were mixed with acinar lumen contents. 4) The acinar units which showed above described changes had almost intact basal lamina.", "contents": "Ultrastructural studies of human acute pancreatitis. The pancreatic tissue from a patient with acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis was studied by routine electron microscopic observation. The remarkable change was the destruction of pancreatic acinar units. 1) The acinar lumen was dilated with filling of fibrillar materials, which occasionally contained degenerated cellular components or neutrophils. 2) Accumulations of fibrillar materials were present at the periphery in the acinar cells, especially depositted thickly at the basal portion. 3) In some acinar cells, the accumulation of fibrillar materials occupied the entire acinar cell, accompanied by disappearance of luminal margin, and the intracellular fibrillar materials were mixed with acinar lumen contents. 4) The acinar units which showed above described changes had almost intact basal lamina.", "PMID": 789168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8315", "title": "Comparison of dose-response curves between acid and pepsin to betazole hydrochloride in the dog with gastric fistula.", "content": "Secretory responses to subcutaneously or intravenously administered betazole hydrochloride of graded doses were compared between acid and pepsin in the dog with gastric fistula. Although the dose related increments in acid and pepsin outputs were parallel in the range of lower doses than 2.0 to 3.0 mg/kg body weight of betazole hydrochloride, higher doses caused in decrease in pepsin output, but did not in acid output. It was pointed out that the dose of betazole hydrochloride that stimulates acid secretion maximally dose not correspond to the maximal stimulation for pepsin secretion in the dog.", "contents": "Comparison of dose-response curves between acid and pepsin to betazole hydrochloride in the dog with gastric fistula. Secretory responses to subcutaneously or intravenously administered betazole hydrochloride of graded doses were compared between acid and pepsin in the dog with gastric fistula. Although the dose related increments in acid and pepsin outputs were parallel in the range of lower doses than 2.0 to 3.0 mg/kg body weight of betazole hydrochloride, higher doses caused in decrease in pepsin output, but did not in acid output. It was pointed out that the dose of betazole hydrochloride that stimulates acid secretion maximally dose not correspond to the maximal stimulation for pepsin secretion in the dog.", "PMID": 789169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8316", "title": "Clinical course of peptic ulcer and the effect of pharmacotherapy:--multi-institutional double-blind controlled study--.", "content": "Comparative clinical trials were conducted by the double-blind technique in a series of 302 cases of gastric ulcer at fifteen medical institutions in order to investigate the clinical course of peptic ulceration and the effect of pharmacotherapy on it, using N-acetyl-L-glutamine aluminum complex (KW) as test drug and basic aluminum sucrose sulfate (UL) as reference drug as well as an inactive placebo of lactose (PL) with the results as follows: In 12 weeks of treatment with inactive placebo, a higher cure rates were noted in inpatients than in outpatients, and in patients with ulceration in the corpus ventriculi than in those with ulceration at the angulus. The overall evaluation of therapeutic responses indicated that, both KW and UL were significantly superior in efficacy to placebo in 12 weeks of therapy. These two medicaments displayed different modes of efficacy, possibly reflecting their different mechanisms of pharmacologic action. The efficacy of the medicaments was particularly superior in outpatients and patients with peptic ulceration at the gastric angle both of which showed lower rates of response to placebo.", "contents": "Clinical course of peptic ulcer and the effect of pharmacotherapy:--multi-institutional double-blind controlled study--. Comparative clinical trials were conducted by the double-blind technique in a series of 302 cases of gastric ulcer at fifteen medical institutions in order to investigate the clinical course of peptic ulceration and the effect of pharmacotherapy on it, using N-acetyl-L-glutamine aluminum complex (KW) as test drug and basic aluminum sucrose sulfate (UL) as reference drug as well as an inactive placebo of lactose (PL) with the results as follows: In 12 weeks of treatment with inactive placebo, a higher cure rates were noted in inpatients than in outpatients, and in patients with ulceration in the corpus ventriculi than in those with ulceration at the angulus. The overall evaluation of therapeutic responses indicated that, both KW and UL were significantly superior in efficacy to placebo in 12 weeks of therapy. These two medicaments displayed different modes of efficacy, possibly reflecting their different mechanisms of pharmacologic action. The efficacy of the medicaments was particularly superior in outpatients and patients with peptic ulceration at the gastric angle both of which showed lower rates of response to placebo.", "PMID": 789170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8317", "title": "Malignant lymphoma of large intestine --15-year experience and review of literature.", "content": "From our experience of malignant lymphoma in the large intestine and reviewing the Japanese literature, it might be concluded that this particular lesion was extremely rare, and was found predominantly in the right side of the colon. In contrast to the other malignant neoplasms in the large intestine, malignant lymphoma was found fairly often in children, which was accompanied by intussusception not infrequently.", "contents": "Malignant lymphoma of large intestine --15-year experience and review of literature. From our experience of malignant lymphoma in the large intestine and reviewing the Japanese literature, it might be concluded that this particular lesion was extremely rare, and was found predominantly in the right side of the colon. In contrast to the other malignant neoplasms in the large intestine, malignant lymphoma was found fairly often in children, which was accompanied by intussusception not infrequently.", "PMID": 789171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8318", "title": "Natural histamines.", "content": "Twelve histamines have been so far identified in living animal tissues. The two reactive sites of the histamine molecule involved in the production of these derivatives are represented by the imino nitrogen of the nucleus and the amino group of the lateral chain. The ring imino nitrogen may be methylated, to form 3-methylhistamine, or conjugated with ribose to give origin to histamine riboside, ribotide and dinucleotide. The amino group of thelateral chain, in its turn, may be methylated (N'-methyl-histamine, N',N'-dimethylhistamine), conjugated with aliphatic acids (N'-imidazoleproprionylhistamine, N'-urocanylhistamine) or amino acids (beta-alanylhistamine or carcinine), and finally linked, through a methyl group, to the imidazole nucleus to give origin to imidazo-c-pyridine derivatives or cyclized histamines. The biosynthesis of the above natural histamines and their physiological significance are discussed.", "contents": "Natural histamines. Twelve histamines have been so far identified in living animal tissues. The two reactive sites of the histamine molecule involved in the production of these derivatives are represented by the imino nitrogen of the nucleus and the amino group of the lateral chain. The ring imino nitrogen may be methylated, to form 3-methylhistamine, or conjugated with ribose to give origin to histamine riboside, ribotide and dinucleotide. The amino group of thelateral chain, in its turn, may be methylated (N'-methyl-histamine, N',N'-dimethylhistamine), conjugated with aliphatic acids (N'-imidazoleproprionylhistamine, N'-urocanylhistamine) or amino acids (beta-alanylhistamine or carcinine), and finally linked, through a methyl group, to the imidazole nucleus to give origin to imidazo-c-pyridine derivatives or cyclized histamines. The biosynthesis of the above natural histamines and their physiological significance are discussed.", "PMID": 789173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8319", "title": "[Effect of adenine, adenosine and adenylic nucleotides on the mutagenic effect of hydroxylamine].", "content": "The effect of some adenyl precursors of DNA synthesis on the mutagenic activity of hydroxylamine (HA) is studied. It is shown that the addition of adenine to a suspension of Escherichia coli B cells increases the yield of mutants by more than two times as compared with HA alone. The effects of adenosine, AMP and dAMP are somewhat different. It is suggested that the increase of the HA mutagenic effect produced by the addition of adenine may be due to: 1) the excess of the amount of adenylic precursors of DNA synthesis over guanilic ones, which promotes the erroneous base-pairing during the replication of the HA modified template; 2) the modification of adenylic precursors by HA into N6-oxy-dATP, and their incorporation into DNA. The mutagenic effect of N6-hydroxyadenosine, the product of the adenine modification by HA, in E. coli B pur- was studied. The experiments showed that N6-hydroxyadenosine induced about 1% of mutations, a relatively low lethal effect (the cell survival was 80%), and provided a high mutagenic action of this compound.", "contents": "[Effect of adenine, adenosine and adenylic nucleotides on the mutagenic effect of hydroxylamine]. The effect of some adenyl precursors of DNA synthesis on the mutagenic activity of hydroxylamine (HA) is studied. It is shown that the addition of adenine to a suspension of Escherichia coli B cells increases the yield of mutants by more than two times as compared with HA alone. The effects of adenosine, AMP and dAMP are somewhat different. It is suggested that the increase of the HA mutagenic effect produced by the addition of adenine may be due to: 1) the excess of the amount of adenylic precursors of DNA synthesis over guanilic ones, which promotes the erroneous base-pairing during the replication of the HA modified template; 2) the modification of adenylic precursors by HA into N6-oxy-dATP, and their incorporation into DNA. The mutagenic effect of N6-hydroxyadenosine, the product of the adenine modification by HA, in E. coli B pur- was studied. The experiments showed that N6-hydroxyadenosine induced about 1% of mutations, a relatively low lethal effect (the cell survival was 80%), and provided a high mutagenic action of this compound.", "PMID": 789179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8320", "title": "[Differences in the mutagenic effectiveness of N-nitrosomethyl- and N-nitrosoethylurea acting on bacterial DNA in vivo].", "content": "Chemically induced lethals and reversion frequencies of two mutants of Salmonella typhimurium LT-2 1530 and 1532 were examined. Prototrophic mutants to histidine independence occurred by two different mechanisms and were induced by nitrous acid, hydroxylamine, N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU), N-nitrosoethylurea (NEU) and N, N, nitrosodimethylurea (NDMU). The ability of the mutants to revert was affected by the chemical structure (in the row of N-nitrosoalkylurea - by alkyl group) of the mutagen. NEU is found to induce in bacterial DNA only base pair substitutions; NMU and NDMU - deletions and base pair substitutions. An original model of deletion mechanism with Goldwait endonuclease II participation is proposed.", "contents": "[Differences in the mutagenic effectiveness of N-nitrosomethyl- and N-nitrosoethylurea acting on bacterial DNA in vivo]. Chemically induced lethals and reversion frequencies of two mutants of Salmonella typhimurium LT-2 1530 and 1532 were examined. Prototrophic mutants to histidine independence occurred by two different mechanisms and were induced by nitrous acid, hydroxylamine, N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU), N-nitrosoethylurea (NEU) and N, N, nitrosodimethylurea (NDMU). The ability of the mutants to revert was affected by the chemical structure (in the row of N-nitrosoalkylurea - by alkyl group) of the mutagen. NEU is found to induce in bacterial DNA only base pair substitutions; NMU and NDMU - deletions and base pair substitutions. An original model of deletion mechanism with Goldwait endonuclease II participation is proposed.", "PMID": 789181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8321", "title": "Coeliac disease, gluten-free diet, and malignancy.", "content": "Two hundred and two patients with coeliac disease or idiopathic steatorrhoea previously reported from this unit have been reviewed after a further 10 years of follow-up. Of 20 more deaths, 10 were due to malignancy. A separate study was made of all patients with histologically confirmed coeliac disease seen to the end of 1972 and followed up to the end of 1974. Twenty-one of the 43 deaths in this series were due to malignant tumours, of which 13 were reticulum cell sarcomas. There was no evidence that patients showing sub-optimal clinical response to gluten withdrawal or persisting falt jejunal biopsies were more prone to die of cancer. A gluten-free diet did not appear to be effective in preventing malignant complications, but a longer follow-up of patients will be necessary to provide a final answer to this question.", "contents": "Coeliac disease, gluten-free diet, and malignancy. Two hundred and two patients with coeliac disease or idiopathic steatorrhoea previously reported from this unit have been reviewed after a further 10 years of follow-up. Of 20 more deaths, 10 were due to malignancy. A separate study was made of all patients with histologically confirmed coeliac disease seen to the end of 1972 and followed up to the end of 1974. Twenty-one of the 43 deaths in this series were due to malignant tumours, of which 13 were reticulum cell sarcomas. There was no evidence that patients showing sub-optimal clinical response to gluten withdrawal or persisting falt jejunal biopsies were more prone to die of cancer. A gluten-free diet did not appear to be effective in preventing malignant complications, but a longer follow-up of patients will be necessary to provide a final answer to this question.", "PMID": 789184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8322", "title": "Transfer of computer-aided diagnosis of dyspepsia from one geographical area to another.", "content": "This paper reports a comparison in Airedale District General Hospital between computer-aided diagnosis of dyspepsia and endoscopy in a prospective unselected series of 165 patients. Patients were interviewed immediately before endoscopy and the findings analysed by a small desk-top computer-aided system. Each 'new' patient was compared by the computer with a group of 360 similar patients from Leeds (25 miles away). Overall, 83% of the positive lesions found at endoscopy were correctly predicted by the computer, including all but three of the 22 cases of gastric cancer. It is suggested (1) that there is little loss of accuracy in transferring the computer-aided system from one locality to another; and (2) that a computer-aided analysis of the patient interview may be of value in selecting 'high-risk' patients for intensive investigation.", "contents": "Transfer of computer-aided diagnosis of dyspepsia from one geographical area to another. This paper reports a comparison in Airedale District General Hospital between computer-aided diagnosis of dyspepsia and endoscopy in a prospective unselected series of 165 patients. Patients were interviewed immediately before endoscopy and the findings analysed by a small desk-top computer-aided system. Each 'new' patient was compared by the computer with a group of 360 similar patients from Leeds (25 miles away). Overall, 83% of the positive lesions found at endoscopy were correctly predicted by the computer, including all but three of the 22 cases of gastric cancer. It is suggested (1) that there is little loss of accuracy in transferring the computer-aided system from one locality to another; and (2) that a computer-aided analysis of the patient interview may be of value in selecting 'high-risk' patients for intensive investigation.", "PMID": 789185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8323", "title": "Tranexamic acid and upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage--a double-blind trial.", "content": "The efficacy of antifibrinolytic therapy in the management of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage has been investigated in a double-blind clinical trial. Two-hundred patients were studied using tranexamic acid, a potent antifibrinolytic agent. Of these, 103 were in the treatment group and 97 in the control group. Patients were analysed to determine severity of initial blood loss, transfusion requirements, together with the incidence of recurrent bleeding, surgical intervention, and death. Final diagnosis as to the site of bleeding was arrived at using endoscopy, barium studies, and the findings at operation and necropsy. The groups were well matched as regards severity of initial haemorrhage, age, sex, aetiological diagnosis, and precipitating factors. A significant difference was observed in the requirement for surgical intervention to control continuing or recurrent haemorrhage. Twenty-three of 97 in the control group and seven of 103 in the treatment group required surgery. There appeared to be a reduction in the transfusion rate after the first three days of hospitalization in the treatment group. There were no significant differences in mortality or in side-effects between the two groups.", "contents": "Tranexamic acid and upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage--a double-blind trial. The efficacy of antifibrinolytic therapy in the management of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage has been investigated in a double-blind clinical trial. Two-hundred patients were studied using tranexamic acid, a potent antifibrinolytic agent. Of these, 103 were in the treatment group and 97 in the control group. Patients were analysed to determine severity of initial blood loss, transfusion requirements, together with the incidence of recurrent bleeding, surgical intervention, and death. Final diagnosis as to the site of bleeding was arrived at using endoscopy, barium studies, and the findings at operation and necropsy. The groups were well matched as regards severity of initial haemorrhage, age, sex, aetiological diagnosis, and precipitating factors. A significant difference was observed in the requirement for surgical intervention to control continuing or recurrent haemorrhage. Twenty-three of 97 in the control group and seven of 103 in the treatment group required surgery. There appeared to be a reduction in the transfusion rate after the first three days of hospitalization in the treatment group. There were no significant differences in mortality or in side-effects between the two groups.", "PMID": 789186} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8324", "title": "The changing pattern of pyogenic infections of the hand.", "content": "Four hundred cases of pyogenic hand infection treated in 1947 are compared with a similar number of cases treated in 1974.", "contents": "The changing pattern of pyogenic infections of the hand. Four hundred cases of pyogenic hand infection treated in 1947 are compared with a similar number of cases treated in 1974.", "PMID": 789187} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8325", "title": "Can HMOs improve health care for the poor?", "content": "Routine and preventive health services are underutilized by low-income groups, who make greater use of inpatient and emergency services than the population at large. Studies reported on in this article suggest that the low-income population might be more effectively served, and at less expense, by health maintenance organizations that provide service on a prepaid, capitation basis.", "contents": "Can HMOs improve health care for the poor? Routine and preventive health services are underutilized by low-income groups, who make greater use of inpatient and emergency services than the population at large. Studies reported on in this article suggest that the low-income population might be more effectively served, and at less expense, by health maintenance organizations that provide service on a prepaid, capitation basis.", "PMID": 789190} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8326", "title": "Treating sexual dysfunction in dialysis and transplant patients.", "content": "Sexual dysfunction can be a significant problem for patients with end-stage renal disease and other chronic or disabling conditions. To a large extent, however, social workers and other professionals have overlooked the special needs of patients whose sexual capacities have been affected by illness or injury. This article presents an assessment and treatment model for helping such patients.", "contents": "Treating sexual dysfunction in dialysis and transplant patients. Sexual dysfunction can be a significant problem for patients with end-stage renal disease and other chronic or disabling conditions. To a large extent, however, social workers and other professionals have overlooked the special needs of patients whose sexual capacities have been affected by illness or injury. This article presents an assessment and treatment model for helping such patients.", "PMID": 789191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8327", "title": "The Peckham Experiment revisited: cultivating health.", "content": "The Peckham Experiment, begun in London in 1935, was a combination health and recreation center that embodied a visionary, ecological approach to health care. In the face of the continued and costly failure of today's episodic medical services, the author invites us to re-examine Peckham and perhaps take a cue from the past for the future.", "contents": "The Peckham Experiment revisited: cultivating health. The Peckham Experiment, begun in London in 1935, was a combination health and recreation center that embodied a visionary, ecological approach to health care. In the face of the continued and costly failure of today's episodic medical services, the author invites us to re-examine Peckham and perhaps take a cue from the past for the future.", "PMID": 789192} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8328", "title": "[Increase of brain serotonin and its metabolite in rats caused by meclofenoxate].", "content": "Influence of meclofenoxate (MF) on the 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents in the cortex, diencephalon and brain stem of the rat was studied with the following results. MF caused a dose-dependent elevation of 5-HIAA level in the three different brain regions and particularly in the brain stem. An increase of 5-HT was also noted in the brain stem, whereas 5-HT in the diencephalon tended to decrease. The increase of 5-HT after pargyline was accelerated and the pargyline-induced decrease of 5-HIAA was equally inhibited by MF and probenecid, which suggests that MF blocks the efflux of 5-HIAA from the brain. The effects of MF on the brain 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents were identical with those of its hydrolysate, p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid.", "contents": "[Increase of brain serotonin and its metabolite in rats caused by meclofenoxate]. Influence of meclofenoxate (MF) on the 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents in the cortex, diencephalon and brain stem of the rat was studied with the following results. MF caused a dose-dependent elevation of 5-HIAA level in the three different brain regions and particularly in the brain stem. An increase of 5-HT was also noted in the brain stem, whereas 5-HT in the diencephalon tended to decrease. The increase of 5-HT after pargyline was accelerated and the pargyline-induced decrease of 5-HIAA was equally inhibited by MF and probenecid, which suggests that MF blocks the efflux of 5-HIAA from the brain. The effects of MF on the brain 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents were identical with those of its hydrolysate, p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid.", "PMID": 789196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8329", "title": "Selection of auxotrophic mutants in Saccharomyces cerebisiae by a snail enzyme digestion method.", "content": "Yeast cells in the stationary phase of growth are relatively resistant to snail enzyme digestion. This resistance was shown to decrease abruptly in the course of only 3-5 duplications, when stationary cells were allowed to grow in a fresh medium. The selective digestion of growing prototrophs from a mutagenized culture in minimal medium by snail enzyme was applied to increase the proportion of auxotrophs which remained relatively resistant.", "contents": "Selection of auxotrophic mutants in Saccharomyces cerebisiae by a snail enzyme digestion method. Yeast cells in the stationary phase of growth are relatively resistant to snail enzyme digestion. This resistance was shown to decrease abruptly in the course of only 3-5 duplications, when stationary cells were allowed to grow in a fresh medium. The selective digestion of growing prototrophs from a mutagenized culture in minimal medium by snail enzyme was applied to increase the proportion of auxotrophs which remained relatively resistant.", "PMID": 789198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8330", "title": "The broth effect and mutation frequency decline in cells of Escherichia coli after irradiation with UV-light.", "content": "Dependence of the broth effect and the phenomenon of mutation frequency decline on dose of the applied UV radiation was investigated in the strain Escherichia coli B/r Hcr+ thy trp. Reversions to Trp+ were followed. The degree of the broth effect and the mutation frequency decline is minimal within the range of UV doses corresponding to a survival of cells lower than 10(-1). In connection with the two effects, excision of thymine dimers, initiation of synthesis, synthesis and degradation of DNA were also investigated. It was found that stimulation or inhibition of an inaccurate postreplication repair mechanism, rather than inhibition or stimulation of excision of thymine dimers, are responsible for the broth effect and the mutation frequency decline, respectively.", "contents": "The broth effect and mutation frequency decline in cells of Escherichia coli after irradiation with UV-light. Dependence of the broth effect and the phenomenon of mutation frequency decline on dose of the applied UV radiation was investigated in the strain Escherichia coli B/r Hcr+ thy trp. Reversions to Trp+ were followed. The degree of the broth effect and the mutation frequency decline is minimal within the range of UV doses corresponding to a survival of cells lower than 10(-1). In connection with the two effects, excision of thymine dimers, initiation of synthesis, synthesis and degradation of DNA were also investigated. It was found that stimulation or inhibition of an inaccurate postreplication repair mechanism, rather than inhibition or stimulation of excision of thymine dimers, are responsible for the broth effect and the mutation frequency decline, respectively.", "PMID": 789199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8331", "title": "[Elements of Spanish psychiatry].", "content": "The development of a psychiatric science in Spain took place on various levels. To this end an examination was made as to the cultural-historical side with the Christian and stoical tradition as well as to the ethnologic-psychological side, especially with the aspect of inferiority and pride taking into consideration the reflection of these problems in the so-called \"generation of 1898\". Furthermore, linguistic aspects were taken into consideration as the example of the Spanish term \"\"gana\" and the expressions of the Valencian dialect in the Middle Ages show. The \"forerunner\"-psychiatry as well as the significance of the first European Christian mental hospital in 1409 were described. The examination comes to the conclusion that whilst the Spanish psychiatry, after comparatively late maturity, followed the German phenomenological school, it still succeeded in enriching this school with conceptions of its own, such as the vital fear (L\u00f3pez Ibor) and physiodynamic factors.", "contents": "[Elements of Spanish psychiatry]. The development of a psychiatric science in Spain took place on various levels. To this end an examination was made as to the cultural-historical side with the Christian and stoical tradition as well as to the ethnologic-psychological side, especially with the aspect of inferiority and pride taking into consideration the reflection of these problems in the so-called \"generation of 1898\". Furthermore, linguistic aspects were taken into consideration as the example of the Spanish term \"\"gana\" and the expressions of the Valencian dialect in the Middle Ages show. The \"forerunner\"-psychiatry as well as the significance of the first European Christian mental hospital in 1409 were described. The examination comes to the conclusion that whilst the Spanish psychiatry, after comparatively late maturity, followed the German phenomenological school, it still succeeded in enriching this school with conceptions of its own, such as the vital fear (L\u00f3pez Ibor) and physiodynamic factors.", "PMID": 789218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8332", "title": "[Clinical studies on Frubienzyme in a controlled double-blind trial].", "content": "In a controlled clinical trial Frubienzym (throat lozenges with 5 mg lysozyme, 2 mg papaine and 200 I.U. bacitracin) or placebo have been given to 100 patients with pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis for 4 days. Under treatment with Frubienzym reddening, swelling, matter and mucus in the throat, coughing, swelling and pain of lymphatic ganglions and pain of swallowing vanished more quickly than under placebo. The differences were significant (p less than 0,05, p less than 0,001 or even p less than 0,001; U-test of Wilcoxon, Man and Whitney). There were no side effects which could be attributed to Frubienzym.", "contents": "[Clinical studies on Frubienzyme in a controlled double-blind trial]. In a controlled clinical trial Frubienzym (throat lozenges with 5 mg lysozyme, 2 mg papaine and 200 I.U. bacitracin) or placebo have been given to 100 patients with pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis for 4 days. Under treatment with Frubienzym reddening, swelling, matter and mucus in the throat, coughing, swelling and pain of lymphatic ganglions and pain of swallowing vanished more quickly than under placebo. The differences were significant (p less than 0,05, p less than 0,001 or even p less than 0,001; U-test of Wilcoxon, Man and Whitney). There were no side effects which could be attributed to Frubienzym.", "PMID": 789219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8333", "title": "Evidence for a hypophyseal factor that stimulates insulin secretion by the pancreas (insulotrophine?)", "content": "The continuous infusion of glucose (1 mg/kg/min) via the carotid artery in anesthetized dogs produced a biphasic pattern of insulin secretion. The first peak reached a maximum 3 min after glucose infusion and decreased to basal level at 7 min. As long as glucose infusion persisted a slow and maintained increase in insulin level in the pancreatico-duodenal vein was observed. The same amount of glucose infused in to the carotid arteries of hypophysectomized dogs, failed to induce any change in plasma insulin level. Plasma sample obtained from the jugular vein of dogs receiving glucose via the carotid arteries were infused into a second dog via the pancreatico-duodenal artery. One minute after the onset of infusion a rise in insulin was observed in the pancreatico-duodenal vein. The stimulating effect was not due to the high blood glucose level present in the jugular vein of dogs undergoing the cephalic glucose infusion. Infusion through the pancreatico-duodenal artery of a glucose solution at a concentration equal to the highest blood glucose level observed in the jugular vein did not evoke insulin secretion. Plasma samples obtained from the jugular vein of dogs receiving saline via the carotid arteries did not evoke insulin secretion when receiving into the pancreatico-duodenal arteries of dogs. Pancreatic infusion of plasma obtained from the jugular vein of hypophysectomized dogs infused glucose through the carotid arteries did not evoke any pancreatic response. These findings are demonstrative of the presence of a hypophyseal humoral insulin stimulating factor in the jugular vein of dogs receiving a cephalic glucose load.", "contents": "Evidence for a hypophyseal factor that stimulates insulin secretion by the pancreas (insulotrophine?). The continuous infusion of glucose (1 mg/kg/min) via the carotid artery in anesthetized dogs produced a biphasic pattern of insulin secretion. The first peak reached a maximum 3 min after glucose infusion and decreased to basal level at 7 min. As long as glucose infusion persisted a slow and maintained increase in insulin level in the pancreatico-duodenal vein was observed. The same amount of glucose infused in to the carotid arteries of hypophysectomized dogs, failed to induce any change in plasma insulin level. Plasma sample obtained from the jugular vein of dogs receiving glucose via the carotid arteries were infused into a second dog via the pancreatico-duodenal artery. One minute after the onset of infusion a rise in insulin was observed in the pancreatico-duodenal vein. The stimulating effect was not due to the high blood glucose level present in the jugular vein of dogs undergoing the cephalic glucose infusion. Infusion through the pancreatico-duodenal artery of a glucose solution at a concentration equal to the highest blood glucose level observed in the jugular vein did not evoke insulin secretion. Plasma samples obtained from the jugular vein of dogs receiving saline via the carotid arteries did not evoke insulin secretion when receiving into the pancreatico-duodenal arteries of dogs. Pancreatic infusion of plasma obtained from the jugular vein of hypophysectomized dogs infused glucose through the carotid arteries did not evoke any pancreatic response. These findings are demonstrative of the presence of a hypophyseal humoral insulin stimulating factor in the jugular vein of dogs receiving a cephalic glucose load.", "PMID": 789220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8334", "title": "Ionophore A23187-induced insulin secretion in the isolated, perfused dog pancreas.", "content": "Perfusion of ionophore A23187 (10 muM) in the isolated dog pancreas resulted in a monophasic release of insulin. Ionophore A23187 (10 muM) failed, however, to elicit insulin secretion when added to calcium deficient (0.1 mmoles/L) perfusate. Simultaneous reintroduction of calcium (1.27 mmoles/L) and discontinuance of ionophore A23187 following calcium deficient periods caused a monophasic secretion of insulin which was quantitatively very similar (41,400 +/- 13,800 muU) to that stimulated by ionophore during normocalcemic perfusion. With reference to the current literature, these results suggest that ionophore A23187 elicits insulin secretion in the perfused dog pancreas preparation by increasing the level of free intracellular calcium, a process which is dependent upon a normal extracellular ionic calcium concentration.", "contents": "Ionophore A23187-induced insulin secretion in the isolated, perfused dog pancreas. Perfusion of ionophore A23187 (10 muM) in the isolated dog pancreas resulted in a monophasic release of insulin. Ionophore A23187 (10 muM) failed, however, to elicit insulin secretion when added to calcium deficient (0.1 mmoles/L) perfusate. Simultaneous reintroduction of calcium (1.27 mmoles/L) and discontinuance of ionophore A23187 following calcium deficient periods caused a monophasic secretion of insulin which was quantitatively very similar (41,400 +/- 13,800 muU) to that stimulated by ionophore during normocalcemic perfusion. With reference to the current literature, these results suggest that ionophore A23187 elicits insulin secretion in the perfused dog pancreas preparation by increasing the level of free intracellular calcium, a process which is dependent upon a normal extracellular ionic calcium concentration.", "PMID": 789221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8335", "title": "Effects of iodoacetate and fluoride on islate respiration and insulin biosynthesis.", "content": "Fluoride and iodoacetate inhibited the oxidation of glucose by islets of Langerhans isolated from the rat pancreas. Fifty % inhibition occurred with either 17 mM fluoride or 0.5 mM iodoacetate. The rate of insulin biosynthesis was more strongly inhibited by these inhibitors, especially fluoride. Fifty % inhibition occurred with approximately 1.5 mM fluoride. At high concentrations of iodoacetate and fluoride, the inhibitory effect on insulin synthesis was not reversed to a significant degree by the addition of pyruvate in the incubation medium. In addition to inhibiting the glycolysis and depriving islets of energy essential for the biosynthesis of insulin, fluoride probably exerts a direct inhibitory influence on the biosynthetic mechanism. A separate experiment with [6-14C]glucose indicated that 0.2 mM iodoacetate does not inhibit glycolysis completely.", "contents": "Effects of iodoacetate and fluoride on islate respiration and insulin biosynthesis. Fluoride and iodoacetate inhibited the oxidation of glucose by islets of Langerhans isolated from the rat pancreas. Fifty % inhibition occurred with either 17 mM fluoride or 0.5 mM iodoacetate. The rate of insulin biosynthesis was more strongly inhibited by these inhibitors, especially fluoride. Fifty % inhibition occurred with approximately 1.5 mM fluoride. At high concentrations of iodoacetate and fluoride, the inhibitory effect on insulin synthesis was not reversed to a significant degree by the addition of pyruvate in the incubation medium. In addition to inhibiting the glycolysis and depriving islets of energy essential for the biosynthesis of insulin, fluoride probably exerts a direct inhibitory influence on the biosynthetic mechanism. A separate experiment with [6-14C]glucose indicated that 0.2 mM iodoacetate does not inhibit glycolysis completely.", "PMID": 789222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8336", "title": "[32P] Orthophosphate efflux from pancreatic islets: graded response to glucose stimulation.", "content": "The dose-response relationships of the glucose-induced rapid transient efflux of [32P] orthophosphate from prelabeled pancreatic islets (\"phosphate flush\") have been investigated. Threshold levels for eliciting a \"phosphate flush\" were between 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml glucose, the apparent \"Km\" for this event was 1.0-1.5 mg per ml and the apparent \"Vmax\" was reached at ambient glucose concentrations between 1.5 and 2.0 mg per ml. This dose-response curve is somewhat shifted to the left in comparison with previously published data for glucose-induced insulin release. Thus, the \"phosphate flush\" appears to display a more narrow dose-response curve to ambient glucose concentrations than the actual release of insulin. It is proposed that this may constitute further evidence that the \"phosphate flush\" reflects an early step in stimulus-secretion coupling and that there may be some loss of sensitivity as the glucose signal is transmitted from the site of recognition to the final site of hormone release.", "contents": "[32P] Orthophosphate efflux from pancreatic islets: graded response to glucose stimulation. The dose-response relationships of the glucose-induced rapid transient efflux of [32P] orthophosphate from prelabeled pancreatic islets (\"phosphate flush\") have been investigated. Threshold levels for eliciting a \"phosphate flush\" were between 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml glucose, the apparent \"Km\" for this event was 1.0-1.5 mg per ml and the apparent \"Vmax\" was reached at ambient glucose concentrations between 1.5 and 2.0 mg per ml. This dose-response curve is somewhat shifted to the left in comparison with previously published data for glucose-induced insulin release. Thus, the \"phosphate flush\" appears to display a more narrow dose-response curve to ambient glucose concentrations than the actual release of insulin. It is proposed that this may constitute further evidence that the \"phosphate flush\" reflects an early step in stimulus-secretion coupling and that there may be some loss of sensitivity as the glucose signal is transmitted from the site of recognition to the final site of hormone release.", "PMID": 789223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8337", "title": "Autoreactivity developing spontaneously in cultured mouse spleen cells. II. Comparison of cytotoxicity of cultured male and female spleen cells.", "content": "Male and female spleen cells were compared before and after culture for their cytotoxicity to autologous-embryo fibroblasts. Cultures of male cells developed significantly greater reactivity than cultures of female cells. Moreover, while the cytotoxicity derived from cultures of male cells was totally abolished by treatment of effector cells with a mouse anti-T cell antiserum, such an antiserum had less affect on the effector cells of female mouse cultures.", "contents": "Autoreactivity developing spontaneously in cultured mouse spleen cells. II. Comparison of cytotoxicity of cultured male and female spleen cells. Male and female spleen cells were compared before and after culture for their cytotoxicity to autologous-embryo fibroblasts. Cultures of male cells developed significantly greater reactivity than cultures of female cells. Moreover, while the cytotoxicity derived from cultures of male cells was totally abolished by treatment of effector cells with a mouse anti-T cell antiserum, such an antiserum had less affect on the effector cells of female mouse cultures.", "PMID": 789230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8338", "title": "Comparative studies on the actions of antigen and polyclonal B-cell activator in differentiation and proliferation of B-cells and B memory cells.", "content": "Using the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPS-K) as a polyclonal B-cell activator (PBA) and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) as a T cell-dependent antigen, we compared the ability of PBA and antigen to differentiate (generate antibody-forming cells, AFC) and proliferate (generate immunological memory) virgin B cells and B memory cells. In vitro CPS-K induced the differentiation of IgM virgin B cells, IgM B memory cells and IgG B memory cells to AFC, as well as or better than SRBC. The differentiation of B memory cells to AFC by CPS-K did not require the participation of macrophages or T cells, whereas the action of SRBC depended strictly upon the helper actions of these cells. The responsiveness to CPS-K and SRBC of normal and antigen-primed spleen cells as judged by anti-SRBC PFC responses in vitro was markedly decreased after stimulation of virgin B cells and B memory cells in vivo by CPS-K injection into normal or primed mice but greatly increased after the injection of SRBC. The decrease in the responsiveness to CPS-K of spleen cells from mice treated with CPS-K appeared principally due to exhaustion of the functions of B cells and B memory cells. From the present data it has been concluded that the signals required for the differentiation and proliferation of B cells of B memory cells are different from each other, the signal for differentiation being provided by either antigen (SRBC) or PBA (CPS-K), while the signal for proliferation only by antigen.", "contents": "Comparative studies on the actions of antigen and polyclonal B-cell activator in differentiation and proliferation of B-cells and B memory cells. Using the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPS-K) as a polyclonal B-cell activator (PBA) and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) as a T cell-dependent antigen, we compared the ability of PBA and antigen to differentiate (generate antibody-forming cells, AFC) and proliferate (generate immunological memory) virgin B cells and B memory cells. In vitro CPS-K induced the differentiation of IgM virgin B cells, IgM B memory cells and IgG B memory cells to AFC, as well as or better than SRBC. The differentiation of B memory cells to AFC by CPS-K did not require the participation of macrophages or T cells, whereas the action of SRBC depended strictly upon the helper actions of these cells. The responsiveness to CPS-K and SRBC of normal and antigen-primed spleen cells as judged by anti-SRBC PFC responses in vitro was markedly decreased after stimulation of virgin B cells and B memory cells in vivo by CPS-K injection into normal or primed mice but greatly increased after the injection of SRBC. The decrease in the responsiveness to CPS-K of spleen cells from mice treated with CPS-K appeared principally due to exhaustion of the functions of B cells and B memory cells. From the present data it has been concluded that the signals required for the differentiation and proliferation of B cells of B memory cells are different from each other, the signal for differentiation being provided by either antigen (SRBC) or PBA (CPS-K), while the signal for proliferation only by antigen.", "PMID": 789231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8339", "title": "Immunological studies of human placentae: subclass and fragment specificity of binding of aggregated IgG by placental endothelial cells.", "content": "Fluorescein-conjugated heat-aggregated human IgG binds to endothelial cells of foetal stem vessels in cryostat sections of normal, full-term human placentae. No binding was observed using native human IgG of heat-aggregated human albumin, IgM or IgA2. No inhibition of binding of heat-aggregated human IgG was observed by pre-treatment of placental tissue sections with native IgG or non-aggregated Fc fragments. The binding was blocked using heat-aggregated Fc fragments prepared from IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 myeloma proteins, but not with heat-aggregated human light chains, Fab and F(ab)2 fragments of human IgG, or with heat-aggregated human IgM and IgA2. It is suggested that the placental endothelial cell receptor for aggregated IgG may function to keep immune complexes from entering the foetal circulation.", "contents": "Immunological studies of human placentae: subclass and fragment specificity of binding of aggregated IgG by placental endothelial cells. Fluorescein-conjugated heat-aggregated human IgG binds to endothelial cells of foetal stem vessels in cryostat sections of normal, full-term human placentae. No binding was observed using native human IgG of heat-aggregated human albumin, IgM or IgA2. No inhibition of binding of heat-aggregated human IgG was observed by pre-treatment of placental tissue sections with native IgG or non-aggregated Fc fragments. The binding was blocked using heat-aggregated Fc fragments prepared from IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 myeloma proteins, but not with heat-aggregated human light chains, Fab and F(ab)2 fragments of human IgG, or with heat-aggregated human IgM and IgA2. It is suggested that the placental endothelial cell receptor for aggregated IgG may function to keep immune complexes from entering the foetal circulation.", "PMID": 789232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8340", "title": "The use of 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as an affinity label for the antigen receptor of delayed hypersensitivity.", "content": "The passive transfer of delayed contact sensitivity to dinitrophenyl can be specifically inhibited by brief treatment of lymph node cells (LNC) from sensitized guinea-pigs with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNFB). Analysis of KC1 extracts of LNC previously treated with (3H)DNFB, using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed a peak of radioactivity present in both sensitive and normal cell extracts as well as a peak found only in sensitive cell extracts. Cell-free extracts appeared capable of transmitting delayed-onset skin reactivity to non-sensitized recipients.", "contents": "The use of 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as an affinity label for the antigen receptor of delayed hypersensitivity. The passive transfer of delayed contact sensitivity to dinitrophenyl can be specifically inhibited by brief treatment of lymph node cells (LNC) from sensitized guinea-pigs with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNFB). Analysis of KC1 extracts of LNC previously treated with (3H)DNFB, using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed a peak of radioactivity present in both sensitive and normal cell extracts as well as a peak found only in sensitive cell extracts. Cell-free extracts appeared capable of transmitting delayed-onset skin reactivity to non-sensitized recipients.", "PMID": 789233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8341", "title": "Nonspecific resistance against infection with Salmonella typhi and Salmonella typhimurium induced in mice by cord factor (trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate) and its analogues.", "content": "Mice pretreated intraperitoneally with trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate (cord factor) were protected against an intraperitoneal challenge with Salmonella typhi strain Ty2 or Salmonella typhimurium strain SR 11. The nonspecific resistance to S. typhi and S. typhimurium was still detectable 7 and 14 days, respectively, after administration of cord factor. The effect of cord factor was local. Synthetic analogues of cord factor--trehalose-6,6'-dipalmitate and trehalose monopalmitate--also induced nonspecific resistance to the above virulent bacteria. The results are discussed.", "contents": "Nonspecific resistance against infection with Salmonella typhi and Salmonella typhimurium induced in mice by cord factor (trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate) and its analogues. Mice pretreated intraperitoneally with trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate (cord factor) were protected against an intraperitoneal challenge with Salmonella typhi strain Ty2 or Salmonella typhimurium strain SR 11. The nonspecific resistance to S. typhi and S. typhimurium was still detectable 7 and 14 days, respectively, after administration of cord factor. The effect of cord factor was local. Synthetic analogues of cord factor--trehalose-6,6'-dipalmitate and trehalose monopalmitate--also induced nonspecific resistance to the above virulent bacteria. The results are discussed.", "PMID": 789240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8342", "title": "Comparative evaluation of dexamethasone with cyclophosphamide, chloramphenicol and cyproheptadine hydrochloride as immunosuppressive agents on skin homografts in rats and rabbits.", "content": "An experimental study on immunosuppressive action of cyclophosphamide, chloramphenicol and cyproheptadine hydrochloride in comparison with the control and dexamethasone was undertaken on skin homografts in rabbits and rats. The survival period of skin homografts in cyclophosphamide treated group was significantly increased (P less than 0.01) in rabbits, but there was insignificant increase in rats (P greater than 0.01). With chloramphenicol there was significant increase in survival period in both the species (P less than 0.01). Cyproheptadine did not show significant result in any of the species. The probable mechanisms of immunosuppressive action have been discussed.", "contents": "Comparative evaluation of dexamethasone with cyclophosphamide, chloramphenicol and cyproheptadine hydrochloride as immunosuppressive agents on skin homografts in rats and rabbits. An experimental study on immunosuppressive action of cyclophosphamide, chloramphenicol and cyproheptadine hydrochloride in comparison with the control and dexamethasone was undertaken on skin homografts in rabbits and rats. The survival period of skin homografts in cyclophosphamide treated group was significantly increased (P less than 0.01) in rabbits, but there was insignificant increase in rats (P greater than 0.01). With chloramphenicol there was significant increase in survival period in both the species (P less than 0.01). Cyproheptadine did not show significant result in any of the species. The probable mechanisms of immunosuppressive action have been discussed.", "PMID": 789237} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8343", "title": "Isolation of a low-molecular-weight antibacterial system from human amniotic fluid.", "content": "A low-molecular-weight antibacterial system has been isolated from human amniotic fluid. The bacterial inhibitor requires the metal cation zinc and a peptide with a molecular weight of 630. The peptide component was purified using ultrafiltration, gel filtration, and ion-exchange chromatography. It can be inactivated by digestion with carboxypeptidase. The amino acid composition of the peptide is: 3 glutamine-glutamic acid, 2 glycine, and 1 lysine. Removal of zinc from the peptide has been shown to remove bacterial inhibitory activity.", "contents": "Isolation of a low-molecular-weight antibacterial system from human amniotic fluid. A low-molecular-weight antibacterial system has been isolated from human amniotic fluid. The bacterial inhibitor requires the metal cation zinc and a peptide with a molecular weight of 630. The peptide component was purified using ultrafiltration, gel filtration, and ion-exchange chromatography. It can be inactivated by digestion with carboxypeptidase. The amino acid composition of the peptide is: 3 glutamine-glutamic acid, 2 glycine, and 1 lysine. Removal of zinc from the peptide has been shown to remove bacterial inhibitory activity.", "PMID": 789241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8344", "title": "Electron microscopic and radioisotopic studies on cap formation in Toxoplasma gondii.", "content": "Trophozoites of Toxoplasma gondii from mouse peritoneal exudate are capable of shedding antibodies with which they have been previously coated. The antibodies are first moved towards the anterior pole of the parasite, at which they form a \"cap\". From the pole they are shed into the environment in the form of antigen-antibody complexes. An internalization of the accumulated material has never been encountered. Most probably, the observed phenomenon reflects a mechanism by which the parasite evades the host's immune response.", "contents": "Electron microscopic and radioisotopic studies on cap formation in Toxoplasma gondii. Trophozoites of Toxoplasma gondii from mouse peritoneal exudate are capable of shedding antibodies with which they have been previously coated. The antibodies are first moved towards the anterior pole of the parasite, at which they form a \"cap\". From the pole they are shed into the environment in the form of antigen-antibody complexes. An internalization of the accumulated material has never been encountered. Most probably, the observed phenomenon reflects a mechanism by which the parasite evades the host's immune response.", "PMID": 789242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8345", "title": "Persistence, pathogenesis, and morphology of an L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes adapted to physiological isotonic conditions when in immunosuppressed mice.", "content": "Evidence obtained using nonimmunosuppressed and newborn mice suggests that the immune response of the host plays a role in the rapid removal of a physiologically isotonic L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes, since its inability to persist in vivo was not due to osmotic lysis. With mice immunosuppressed with methylprednisolone sodium succinate, viability and detection of this L-form by fluorescent antibody was prolonged for at least 2 weeks, the approximate duration of immunosuppression in these mice. However, heat-killed L-form cells only persisted for 3 days in such mice. Therefore, persistence of a viable L-form in these treated mice was not simply due to the lack of removal of L-forms by a compromised host. At no time was there any indication of illness in nonimmunosuppressed or immunosuppressed mice after L-form injection, and all internal organs, when examined macroscopically, remained normal. Thus, overt pathogenesis was not a characteristic of this L-form in a suitable host even when its immune response had been compromised. The microscopic morphology of the L-form after isolation from immunosuppressed mice changed drastically. It was typically micrococcal in appearance and exemplified the cellular variability achievable by this organism in vivo. Also, streptolysin S production was increased markedly by passage of the L-form in immunosuppressed mice. However, M protein, as a cellular component, was not detected serologically, nor was any reformation of a rigid cell wall apparent by electron microscopy after isolation of this streptococcal L-form from such mice.", "contents": "Persistence, pathogenesis, and morphology of an L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes adapted to physiological isotonic conditions when in immunosuppressed mice. Evidence obtained using nonimmunosuppressed and newborn mice suggests that the immune response of the host plays a role in the rapid removal of a physiologically isotonic L-form of Streptococcus pyogenes, since its inability to persist in vivo was not due to osmotic lysis. With mice immunosuppressed with methylprednisolone sodium succinate, viability and detection of this L-form by fluorescent antibody was prolonged for at least 2 weeks, the approximate duration of immunosuppression in these mice. However, heat-killed L-form cells only persisted for 3 days in such mice. Therefore, persistence of a viable L-form in these treated mice was not simply due to the lack of removal of L-forms by a compromised host. At no time was there any indication of illness in nonimmunosuppressed or immunosuppressed mice after L-form injection, and all internal organs, when examined macroscopically, remained normal. Thus, overt pathogenesis was not a characteristic of this L-form in a suitable host even when its immune response had been compromised. The microscopic morphology of the L-form after isolation from immunosuppressed mice changed drastically. It was typically micrococcal in appearance and exemplified the cellular variability achievable by this organism in vivo. Also, streptolysin S production was increased markedly by passage of the L-form in immunosuppressed mice. However, M protein, as a cellular component, was not detected serologically, nor was any reformation of a rigid cell wall apparent by electron microscopy after isolation of this streptococcal L-form from such mice.", "PMID": 789243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8346", "title": "Limulus amebocyte lysate reaction with streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin.", "content": "Three immunologically distinct pyrogenic exotoxins derived from group A streptococci were found to cause coagulation of limulus amebocyte lysate. These exotoxins were shown to be several thousand times less active for lysate coagulation than gram-negative endotoxin.", "contents": "Limulus amebocyte lysate reaction with streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin. Three immunologically distinct pyrogenic exotoxins derived from group A streptococci were found to cause coagulation of limulus amebocyte lysate. These exotoxins were shown to be several thousand times less active for lysate coagulation than gram-negative endotoxin.", "PMID": 789244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8347", "title": "[Bacteriological studies in outpatients with acute urinary tract infections with particular reference to the resistance spectrum (author's transl)].", "content": "Bacteriological investigation of urinary samples from 1,926 non-hospitalised patients with documented or suspected acute urinary tract infection revealed organisms pathogenic for the urinary tract in 56.4% of the patients, who came from various parts of West Germany. Prevalent pathogens were E. coli (69%) and Proteus mirabilis (14%). E. coli and P. mirabilis demonstrated a low rate of resistance against ampicillin, the cephalosporines, gentamicin, tobramycin, and also against nitrofurantoin, nalidixine acid and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole. The situation was more unfavourable in the case of Klebsiella and indolpositive Proteus species however, there being a noticeably high proportion of strains resistant to gentamicin and tobramycin.", "contents": "[Bacteriological studies in outpatients with acute urinary tract infections with particular reference to the resistance spectrum (author's transl)]. Bacteriological investigation of urinary samples from 1,926 non-hospitalised patients with documented or suspected acute urinary tract infection revealed organisms pathogenic for the urinary tract in 56.4% of the patients, who came from various parts of West Germany. Prevalent pathogens were E. coli (69%) and Proteus mirabilis (14%). E. coli and P. mirabilis demonstrated a low rate of resistance against ampicillin, the cephalosporines, gentamicin, tobramycin, and also against nitrofurantoin, nalidixine acid and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole. The situation was more unfavourable in the case of Klebsiella and indolpositive Proteus species however, there being a noticeably high proportion of strains resistant to gentamicin and tobramycin.", "PMID": 789245} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8348", "title": "[Antimicrobial effectiveness of sisomicin. I: In vitro activity of sisomicin compared with gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin and kanamycin (author's transl)].", "content": "The aminoglycosides sisomicin, gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin and kanamycin are highly active against staphylococci including the penicillinase-positive strains. Sisomicin is more effective than amikacin and kanamycin. Mixed infections with staphylococci and Enterobacteriaceae or Pseudomonas aeruginosa are thus on indication for treatment with sisomicin or other aminoglycosides. Infections with E. coli, Enterobacter, susceptible Klebsiella, and susceptible Pseudomonas strains can be treated with sisomicin, gentamicin or tobramycin. In such cases sisomicin is the most effective antibiotic because of its high antimicrobial activity. In infections with these organisms amikacin can also be used for treatment especially if there is resistance to other aminoglycosides. In hospital-acquired infections with Serratia marcescens amikacin and sisomicin are the drugs of choice. Both aminoglycosides have to be given in high doses in infections with Serratia because of the high inhibitory concentration for Serratia. Sisomicin demonstrates a high antimicrobial activity particularly against indole-positive Proteus species such as Proteus vulgaris and Proteus morganii, Enterobacter, and gentamicin-sensitive Pseudomonas strains. In infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa tobramycin is the most effective bactericidal antibiotic. Amikacin is the drug of choice against gentamicin-resistant Pseudomonas strains which are also not infrequently resistant to other aminoglycosides. The low proportion of resistance to sisomicin of 7,6% in 370 organisms is only exceeded by amikacin with a rate of 0,6% (resistance to tobramycin 11,4%, gentamicin, 13,2% and kanamycin 42,4%). The low rate of resistance and the high antimicrobial activity are essential advantages of sisomicin.", "contents": "[Antimicrobial effectiveness of sisomicin. I: In vitro activity of sisomicin compared with gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin and kanamycin (author's transl)]. The aminoglycosides sisomicin, gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin and kanamycin are highly active against staphylococci including the penicillinase-positive strains. Sisomicin is more effective than amikacin and kanamycin. Mixed infections with staphylococci and Enterobacteriaceae or Pseudomonas aeruginosa are thus on indication for treatment with sisomicin or other aminoglycosides. Infections with E. coli, Enterobacter, susceptible Klebsiella, and susceptible Pseudomonas strains can be treated with sisomicin, gentamicin or tobramycin. In such cases sisomicin is the most effective antibiotic because of its high antimicrobial activity. In infections with these organisms amikacin can also be used for treatment especially if there is resistance to other aminoglycosides. In hospital-acquired infections with Serratia marcescens amikacin and sisomicin are the drugs of choice. Both aminoglycosides have to be given in high doses in infections with Serratia because of the high inhibitory concentration for Serratia. Sisomicin demonstrates a high antimicrobial activity particularly against indole-positive Proteus species such as Proteus vulgaris and Proteus morganii, Enterobacter, and gentamicin-sensitive Pseudomonas strains. In infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa tobramycin is the most effective bactericidal antibiotic. Amikacin is the drug of choice against gentamicin-resistant Pseudomonas strains which are also not infrequently resistant to other aminoglycosides. The low proportion of resistance to sisomicin of 7,6% in 370 organisms is only exceeded by amikacin with a rate of 0,6% (resistance to tobramycin 11,4%, gentamicin, 13,2% and kanamycin 42,4%). The low rate of resistance and the high antimicrobial activity are essential advantages of sisomicin.", "PMID": 789246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8349", "title": "[Changes in the antibiotic sensitivity of urinary tract pathogens (author's transl)].", "content": "The resistance of 2,314 bacterial strains from 1968 to 1972 was investigated drawing on case histories from the Munich University Urological Clinic. Using the disc-diffusion method 12,160 sensitivity tests were conducted with these strains against gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, ampicillin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol. The material was compiled from 35,000 individual data by means of modern electronic data processing and evaluated according to variable criteria. As expected the incidence of resistance in hospital-acquired pathogens was considerably higher than that in community-acquired pathogens; however, the resistance pattern of hosptial-acquired pathogens remained essentially unchanged from 1968 to 1972, whereas a significant increase of resistance in community-acquired infections was recorded. It can thus be concluded that the methods used in this clinic for combatting hospital infection and a more critical attitude towards anti-bacterial therapy have had positive results. An express warning is issued against unspecific antibacterial therapy which is often administered outside the clinic on the pretext of long-term therapy. In the light of the resistance situation of urinary tract pathogens, antibiotics should be used sparingly, keeping in mind the acidification of urine and the wash-out principle by means of high fluid intake.", "contents": "[Changes in the antibiotic sensitivity of urinary tract pathogens (author's transl)]. The resistance of 2,314 bacterial strains from 1968 to 1972 was investigated drawing on case histories from the Munich University Urological Clinic. Using the disc-diffusion method 12,160 sensitivity tests were conducted with these strains against gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, ampicillin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol. The material was compiled from 35,000 individual data by means of modern electronic data processing and evaluated according to variable criteria. As expected the incidence of resistance in hospital-acquired pathogens was considerably higher than that in community-acquired pathogens; however, the resistance pattern of hosptial-acquired pathogens remained essentially unchanged from 1968 to 1972, whereas a significant increase of resistance in community-acquired infections was recorded. It can thus be concluded that the methods used in this clinic for combatting hospital infection and a more critical attitude towards anti-bacterial therapy have had positive results. An express warning is issued against unspecific antibacterial therapy which is often administered outside the clinic on the pretext of long-term therapy. In the light of the resistance situation of urinary tract pathogens, antibiotics should be used sparingly, keeping in mind the acidification of urine and the wash-out principle by means of high fluid intake.", "PMID": 789247} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8350", "title": "Effect of active and passive immunizations with lipid A and salmonella minnesota Re 595 on gram-negative infections in mice.", "content": "The capacity of lipid A, a structure common to the lipopolysaccharide cores of all gram-negative bacteria, to serve as an active immunizing agent in mice and to protect these animals against gram-negative infections was investigated. Active immunization experiments were also performed with the Re mutant of Salmonella minnesota 595 which carries a lipopolysaccharide composed of lipid A and three residues of ketodeoxyoctonic acid. Single injections of lipid A complexed to acid-hydrolyzed bacteria as carriers failed to induce specific protection against subsequent challenge infections with E. coli O4 and S. breslau. Repeated injections of lipid A resulted in good protection against intraperitoneal challenge with S. breslau and partial protection against intravenous challenge with the same organism but did not alter the sensitivity of mice to challenge infections with E. coli or Pasteurella multocida. Whole antisera or serum fractions from rabbits in which high titers against lipid A had been attained by repeated intravenous injections of the antigen did not protect mice against challenge infections with E. coli O4. In contrast a single injection of the Re mutant of S. minnesota antigen in combination with incomplete Freund's adjuvant provided substantial protection against an otherwise lethal intraperitoneal infection with S. breslau over a period of at least 45 days. Repeated application of the Re antigen resulted in partial protection against experimental infections with E. coli O4, S. breslau and Pasteurella multocida. Injections of S. minnesota Re 595 antiserum provided better protection against an E. coli O4 infection than lipid A sera or antibodies of the IgG or IgM type directed against this antigen.", "contents": "Effect of active and passive immunizations with lipid A and salmonella minnesota Re 595 on gram-negative infections in mice. The capacity of lipid A, a structure common to the lipopolysaccharide cores of all gram-negative bacteria, to serve as an active immunizing agent in mice and to protect these animals against gram-negative infections was investigated. Active immunization experiments were also performed with the Re mutant of Salmonella minnesota 595 which carries a lipopolysaccharide composed of lipid A and three residues of ketodeoxyoctonic acid. Single injections of lipid A complexed to acid-hydrolyzed bacteria as carriers failed to induce specific protection against subsequent challenge infections with E. coli O4 and S. breslau. Repeated injections of lipid A resulted in good protection against intraperitoneal challenge with S. breslau and partial protection against intravenous challenge with the same organism but did not alter the sensitivity of mice to challenge infections with E. coli or Pasteurella multocida. Whole antisera or serum fractions from rabbits in which high titers against lipid A had been attained by repeated intravenous injections of the antigen did not protect mice against challenge infections with E. coli O4. In contrast a single injection of the Re mutant of S. minnesota antigen in combination with incomplete Freund's adjuvant provided substantial protection against an otherwise lethal intraperitoneal infection with S. breslau over a period of at least 45 days. Repeated application of the Re antigen resulted in partial protection against experimental infections with E. coli O4, S. breslau and Pasteurella multocida. Injections of S. minnesota Re 595 antiserum provided better protection against an E. coli O4 infection than lipid A sera or antibodies of the IgG or IgM type directed against this antigen.", "PMID": 789248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8351", "title": "Colonization of caesarean section babies by Excherichia coli.", "content": "Eight babies all delivered by Caesarean section were observed for evidence of colonization by E. coli from birth until discharge from hospital 10 to 14 days later. Faecal specimens were cultured daily for E. coli as were swabs from the rectum, groin, umbilicus, head, hands und mouth. Different serotypes of E. coli were isolated from four babies on day 1, one baby on day 2, one baby on day 7 and two babies on day 9. Three babies excreted more than one serotype of E. coli. Serotypes of E. coli isolated from the faeces and rectum were usually isolated from the groin but less often from the umbilicus. Other sides were rarely colonized. In all instances except one the primary site of colonization appeared to be the gastrointestinal tract. Colonization by E. coli was influenced by antibiotic therapy and possibly by the method of feeding.", "contents": "Colonization of caesarean section babies by Excherichia coli. Eight babies all delivered by Caesarean section were observed for evidence of colonization by E. coli from birth until discharge from hospital 10 to 14 days later. Faecal specimens were cultured daily for E. coli as were swabs from the rectum, groin, umbilicus, head, hands und mouth. Different serotypes of E. coli were isolated from four babies on day 1, one baby on day 2, one baby on day 7 and two babies on day 9. Three babies excreted more than one serotype of E. coli. Serotypes of E. coli isolated from the faeces and rectum were usually isolated from the groin but less often from the umbilicus. Other sides were rarely colonized. In all instances except one the primary site of colonization appeared to be the gastrointestinal tract. Colonization by E. coli was influenced by antibiotic therapy and possibly by the method of feeding.", "PMID": 789249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8352", "title": "Escherichia coli isolated from babies delivered by caesarean section and their environment.", "content": "The sources from which eight Caesarean section babies acquired E. coli are described and the probable routes by which the organisms reached the babies are outlined. Suggestions are made concerning the control of the spread of E. coli in premature nurseries and during outbreaks of E. coli gastroenteritis.", "contents": "Escherichia coli isolated from babies delivered by caesarean section and their environment. The sources from which eight Caesarean section babies acquired E. coli are described and the probable routes by which the organisms reached the babies are outlined. Suggestions are made concerning the control of the spread of E. coli in premature nurseries and during outbreaks of E. coli gastroenteritis.", "PMID": 789250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8353", "title": "Escherichia coli in a maternity ward.", "content": "The Escherichia coli isolated from faecal and nasal swabs from all babies present in a maternity ward were serotyped and their anbitiotic resistance patterns and fermentation characteristics with six carbohydrates were determined. These were compared with E. coli isolated from hands and clothing of attendants and samples of ward air. The results suggest that mothers may be the primary source of E. coli in the ward but the colonized babies themselves provide the main reservoir of nursery E. coli. As most of these serotypes of E. coli were found on the attendant's hands or clothing or in the air, it is difficult to assess transmission routes for E. coli, particularly as some strains appear to possess a greater inherent ability to colonize babies than others. By the use of markers other than O antigens it was possible to characterize strains to a far greater extent.", "contents": "Escherichia coli in a maternity ward. The Escherichia coli isolated from faecal and nasal swabs from all babies present in a maternity ward were serotyped and their anbitiotic resistance patterns and fermentation characteristics with six carbohydrates were determined. These were compared with E. coli isolated from hands and clothing of attendants and samples of ward air. The results suggest that mothers may be the primary source of E. coli in the ward but the colonized babies themselves provide the main reservoir of nursery E. coli. As most of these serotypes of E. coli were found on the attendant's hands or clothing or in the air, it is difficult to assess transmission routes for E. coli, particularly as some strains appear to possess a greater inherent ability to colonize babies than others. By the use of markers other than O antigens it was possible to characterize strains to a far greater extent.", "PMID": 789251} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8354", "title": "[Antibody binding bacteria in the urine in chronic pyelonephritis].", "content": "Using the direct immunofluorescence technique antibody-coated bacteria were demonstrated in urine samples from 49 of 57 patients with the clinical diagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis, but were not observed in urines from 11 patients with cystitis. A correlation rate was found between the presence of antibody-coated bacteria in the urine seidment and elevated serum antibody titers in the pyelonephritis group as determined by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Patients with elevated serum antibody titers without antibody-coated bacteria in the urine, and vice versa, were also found. Patients with cystitis did not have elevated serum antibody titers against the homologous strain isolated from the urine. The clinical diagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis could be confirmed in 86.5% of patients taking into account the presence of antibody-coated bacteria and/or elevated serum antibody titers.", "contents": "[Antibody binding bacteria in the urine in chronic pyelonephritis]. Using the direct immunofluorescence technique antibody-coated bacteria were demonstrated in urine samples from 49 of 57 patients with the clinical diagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis, but were not observed in urines from 11 patients with cystitis. A correlation rate was found between the presence of antibody-coated bacteria in the urine seidment and elevated serum antibody titers in the pyelonephritis group as determined by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Patients with elevated serum antibody titers without antibody-coated bacteria in the urine, and vice versa, were also found. Patients with cystitis did not have elevated serum antibody titers against the homologous strain isolated from the urine. The clinical diagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis could be confirmed in 86.5% of patients taking into account the presence of antibody-coated bacteria and/or elevated serum antibody titers.", "PMID": 789252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8355", "title": "[The liver concentration of cephradin and cephacetril and their elimination in the bile].", "content": "Liver biopsies and serum samples were collected after intravenous application of 2 g cephradin (n = 13) or 2 g cephacetril (n = 11) during surgery. There was no difference in the serum levels of cephradin and cephacetril. 30 min. after i.v. application of cephradin the liver tissue concentration was 72.62 mcg/g. 30 min. after i.v. cephacetril the liver tissue concentration was 5.83 mcg/g. The quotient of liver tissue concentration to serum concentration for cephradin was between 0.36 and 0.83, and for cephacetril between 0.02 and 0.16. The excretion of cephradin and cephacetril in human bile was studied by collecting bile samples from the common bile duct via T-tube drainage (n = 17). Cholecystomized patients were given 2 g of antibiotics intravenously. Serum levels of cephradin were 263 mcg/ml 5 min after application, and 22 mcg/ml after 240 min. Serum levels of cephradin were 263 mcg/ml 5 min after application, and 22 mcg/ml after 240 min. Serum levels of cephacetril were 193 mcg/ml 5 min after application, and 27 mcg/ml after 240 min. The highest levels of cephradin in the bile were found 75 min after injection at a concentration of 86.4 mcg/ml; the highest level for cephacetril was 21.8 mcg/ml at 15 min. In patients with hyperbilirubinaemia cephradin reached a mean maximum concentration of 29.6 mcg/ml in bile samples, in comparison to 117.4 mcg/ml in normal patients, while no difference was seen with cephacetril. After intravenous administration of 2 g cephradin biliary concentration are achieved which may be sufficiently high to be effective not only against the very sensitive gram-positive organisms, but also against most strains of E. coli, Klebsiella and indol-negative Proteus. Cephradin is effective in the treatment of cholangitis and intrahepatic abscesses, as was observed in 18 patients. A free bile-flow is essential.", "contents": "[The liver concentration of cephradin and cephacetril and their elimination in the bile]. Liver biopsies and serum samples were collected after intravenous application of 2 g cephradin (n = 13) or 2 g cephacetril (n = 11) during surgery. There was no difference in the serum levels of cephradin and cephacetril. 30 min. after i.v. application of cephradin the liver tissue concentration was 72.62 mcg/g. 30 min. after i.v. cephacetril the liver tissue concentration was 5.83 mcg/g. The quotient of liver tissue concentration to serum concentration for cephradin was between 0.36 and 0.83, and for cephacetril between 0.02 and 0.16. The excretion of cephradin and cephacetril in human bile was studied by collecting bile samples from the common bile duct via T-tube drainage (n = 17). Cholecystomized patients were given 2 g of antibiotics intravenously. Serum levels of cephradin were 263 mcg/ml 5 min after application, and 22 mcg/ml after 240 min. Serum levels of cephradin were 263 mcg/ml 5 min after application, and 22 mcg/ml after 240 min. Serum levels of cephacetril were 193 mcg/ml 5 min after application, and 27 mcg/ml after 240 min. The highest levels of cephradin in the bile were found 75 min after injection at a concentration of 86.4 mcg/ml; the highest level for cephacetril was 21.8 mcg/ml at 15 min. In patients with hyperbilirubinaemia cephradin reached a mean maximum concentration of 29.6 mcg/ml in bile samples, in comparison to 117.4 mcg/ml in normal patients, while no difference was seen with cephacetril. After intravenous administration of 2 g cephradin biliary concentration are achieved which may be sufficiently high to be effective not only against the very sensitive gram-positive organisms, but also against most strains of E. coli, Klebsiella and indol-negative Proteus. Cephradin is effective in the treatment of cholangitis and intrahepatic abscesses, as was observed in 18 patients. A free bile-flow is essential.", "PMID": 789253} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8356", "title": "The acquisition of Escherichia coli by new-born babies.", "content": "In discussing the background of these studies the importance of faecal carriage of Gram negative organisms by hospital patients is stressed. In many instances it was shown that transmission is by an oral route. This discussion leads on to an assessment of the dose required for Escherichia coli to implant in the bowel. The difficulties of studying the spread of E. coli within a faecal specimen are discussed. A number of papers are quoted which show that E. coli are present in the vagina of women and that the acquisition of these E. coli by babies is related to the length of time that the birth takes, and that there is a relationship between the E. coli found in the faeces of the mothers, the mucus swallowed by the babies at birth and subsequently in the faeces of the babies. Most of the eralier studies quoted deal predominantly with enteropathogenic serotypes, but it was later shown that other serotypes can be similarly acquired by the babies. Although this appears to be the general method by which babies acquire their faecal E. coli, it is well established that they can also be obtained from the environment, hence ward outbreaks of infantile gastroenteritis. Studies on normally delivered babies show that generally two thirds obtain their faecal E. coli from their mothers while the rest appear to pick up environmental strains. Very detailed biochemical and serological studies need to be performed to assess this. Caesarian section babies are generally not likely to become colonized by their mothers' faecal E. coli and studies are described which show that the babies faeces or rectal swabs are usually the first areas colonized and that the E. coli are spread from there. Extensive environmental studies suggest that contaminated hands and uniforms of the nursing staff may be the main vector for transmitting E. coli. There is a wide variety of E. coli serotypes present in a maternity ward at any time and these are related to the presence of the babies excreting them. A variation in the ability of strains to spread was noted.", "contents": "The acquisition of Escherichia coli by new-born babies. In discussing the background of these studies the importance of faecal carriage of Gram negative organisms by hospital patients is stressed. In many instances it was shown that transmission is by an oral route. This discussion leads on to an assessment of the dose required for Escherichia coli to implant in the bowel. The difficulties of studying the spread of E. coli within a faecal specimen are discussed. A number of papers are quoted which show that E. coli are present in the vagina of women and that the acquisition of these E. coli by babies is related to the length of time that the birth takes, and that there is a relationship between the E. coli found in the faeces of the mothers, the mucus swallowed by the babies at birth and subsequently in the faeces of the babies. Most of the eralier studies quoted deal predominantly with enteropathogenic serotypes, but it was later shown that other serotypes can be similarly acquired by the babies. Although this appears to be the general method by which babies acquire their faecal E. coli, it is well established that they can also be obtained from the environment, hence ward outbreaks of infantile gastroenteritis. Studies on normally delivered babies show that generally two thirds obtain their faecal E. coli from their mothers while the rest appear to pick up environmental strains. Very detailed biochemical and serological studies need to be performed to assess this. Caesarian section babies are generally not likely to become colonized by their mothers' faecal E. coli and studies are described which show that the babies faeces or rectal swabs are usually the first areas colonized and that the E. coli are spread from there. Extensive environmental studies suggest that contaminated hands and uniforms of the nursing staff may be the main vector for transmitting E. coli. There is a wide variety of E. coli serotypes present in a maternity ward at any time and these are related to the presence of the babies excreting them. A variation in the ability of strains to spread was noted.", "PMID": 789255} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8357", "title": "Chemotherapy of typhoid fever: a review of literature.", "content": "Until the last few years, chloramphenicol was recognized positively as the drug of choice in the treatment of acute typhoid fever. Its hematoxicity, as well as the recently observed epidemic and the present endemic occurrence of S. typhi strains with R-factor-mediated resistance to chloramphenicol in Mexico, India and South-EAst Asia, render the clinical evaluation of new antibacterial agents extremely important. By means of a literature review on controlled comparative trials, the value of thiamphenicol, ampicillin, amoxycillin, furazolidone and co-trimoxazole as alternative drugs for the treatment of acute typhoid fever is examined. Co-trimoxazole seems to be the drug of choice in the treatment of acute typhoid fever. For the treatment of the chronic typhoid carrier ampicillin is most frequently used, but amoxycillin and co-trimoxazole seem to be just as effective.", "contents": "Chemotherapy of typhoid fever: a review of literature. Until the last few years, chloramphenicol was recognized positively as the drug of choice in the treatment of acute typhoid fever. Its hematoxicity, as well as the recently observed epidemic and the present endemic occurrence of S. typhi strains with R-factor-mediated resistance to chloramphenicol in Mexico, India and South-EAst Asia, render the clinical evaluation of new antibacterial agents extremely important. By means of a literature review on controlled comparative trials, the value of thiamphenicol, ampicillin, amoxycillin, furazolidone and co-trimoxazole as alternative drugs for the treatment of acute typhoid fever is examined. Co-trimoxazole seems to be the drug of choice in the treatment of acute typhoid fever. For the treatment of the chronic typhoid carrier ampicillin is most frequently used, but amoxycillin and co-trimoxazole seem to be just as effective.", "PMID": 789254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8358", "title": "Properties of the K562 cell line, derived from a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia.", "content": "The K562 cell line derived from a CML patient in blast crisis was examined for properties of B and T lymphocytes and cell lines. K562 lacks the B markers of immunoglobulins, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome and associated nuclear antigen, and receptors for EBV. A low proportion of cells from rosettes with sheep erythrocytes, the frequency of which is considerably increased after neuraminidase treatment. Unlike B lines but like T lines, K562 cells are lysed rapidly by C'/Fc receptor-positive human blood leukocytes and do not stimulate MLC reactions. On the other hand, K562 lacks T antigen, high radiosensitivity and sensitivity to growth inhibition by thymidine. The cells do not contain N-APase, an enzyme found in all lines derived from lymphoid cells and in lymphoproliferative diseases. By scanning electron microscopy, K562 cells were seen to be rounded and relatively smooth, with small numbers of short microvilli resembling undifferentiated leukemic cells. A few cells had narrow ridge-like profiles and small ruffles similar to granulocytic leukemic cells. K562 is strongly positive for immunoglobuln Fc receptors and pinocytosis, but does not phagocytose or mediate antibody-dependent phagocytosis or cytolysis. Among histochemical stains, K562 is positive for esterase, lipid, and acid phosphatase. There seems to be no doubt that K562 is not a B cell line. While it has some T cell properties, these are not exclusive. Some of its characteristics indicate that it is probably not lymphoid. Due to its low level of differentiation, its nature cannot be stated with certainty. On the basis of the possible presence of the cellular marker of chronic myeloid leukemia, the Ph chromosome, it may be regarded as belonging to the granulocytic series of cells.", "contents": "Properties of the K562 cell line, derived from a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia. The K562 cell line derived from a CML patient in blast crisis was examined for properties of B and T lymphocytes and cell lines. K562 lacks the B markers of immunoglobulins, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome and associated nuclear antigen, and receptors for EBV. A low proportion of cells from rosettes with sheep erythrocytes, the frequency of which is considerably increased after neuraminidase treatment. Unlike B lines but like T lines, K562 cells are lysed rapidly by C'/Fc receptor-positive human blood leukocytes and do not stimulate MLC reactions. On the other hand, K562 lacks T antigen, high radiosensitivity and sensitivity to growth inhibition by thymidine. The cells do not contain N-APase, an enzyme found in all lines derived from lymphoid cells and in lymphoproliferative diseases. By scanning electron microscopy, K562 cells were seen to be rounded and relatively smooth, with small numbers of short microvilli resembling undifferentiated leukemic cells. A few cells had narrow ridge-like profiles and small ruffles similar to granulocytic leukemic cells. K562 is strongly positive for immunoglobuln Fc receptors and pinocytosis, but does not phagocytose or mediate antibody-dependent phagocytosis or cytolysis. Among histochemical stains, K562 is positive for esterase, lipid, and acid phosphatase. There seems to be no doubt that K562 is not a B cell line. While it has some T cell properties, these are not exclusive. Some of its characteristics indicate that it is probably not lymphoid. Due to its low level of differentiation, its nature cannot be stated with certainty. On the basis of the possible presence of the cellular marker of chronic myeloid leukemia, the Ph chromosome, it may be regarded as belonging to the granulocytic series of cells.", "PMID": 789258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8359", "title": "Emergence of a subpopulation of lymphocytes bearing theta antigen and complement receptor during tumor growth.", "content": "Spleens from BALB/c mice transplanted with mammary tumors display a significant increase in the percentage of lymphocytes bearing complement receptors (CRL) while the percentage of cells bearing surface immunoglobulins (SIg) remains unchanged in comparison with that in spleens from normal animals. Upon separation on nylon columns, the increase in CRL in the spleens from tumor-bearing mice was limited to the non-adherent cell population. Simultaneous maker analysis disclosed that these CRL lacked detectable SIg. Indirect immunofluorescence indicated that these cells possessed theta antigen. Absence of SIg and the presence of theta antigen coupled with the restricted occurrence of these cells in the nylon-non-adherent population which responded to PHA and Con A but not to LPS indicate that these cells may constitute a subset of T cells. The paucity of this subpopulation of spleen lymphocytes in normal spleen suggests that their emergence is related to tumor growth.", "contents": "Emergence of a subpopulation of lymphocytes bearing theta antigen and complement receptor during tumor growth. Spleens from BALB/c mice transplanted with mammary tumors display a significant increase in the percentage of lymphocytes bearing complement receptors (CRL) while the percentage of cells bearing surface immunoglobulins (SIg) remains unchanged in comparison with that in spleens from normal animals. Upon separation on nylon columns, the increase in CRL in the spleens from tumor-bearing mice was limited to the non-adherent cell population. Simultaneous maker analysis disclosed that these CRL lacked detectable SIg. Indirect immunofluorescence indicated that these cells possessed theta antigen. Absence of SIg and the presence of theta antigen coupled with the restricted occurrence of these cells in the nylon-non-adherent population which responded to PHA and Con A but not to LPS indicate that these cells may constitute a subset of T cells. The paucity of this subpopulation of spleen lymphocytes in normal spleen suggests that their emergence is related to tumor growth.", "PMID": 789259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8360", "title": "Sequential changes in the numbers of B and T lymphocytes and other leukocytes in the blood in Marek's disease.", "content": "Numbers of B, T and total lymphocytes, monocytes, heterophils, eosinophils and basophils have been examined in the peripheral blood of chickens between 2 and 42 days after infection with Marek's disease virus. During the stage of the acute restrictively productive virus infection of lymphoid tissues at 2-9 days after infection, absolute numbers of B cells, T cells, total lymphocytes and heterophils were increased, those of monocytes and eosinophils were decreased, and those of basophils were unchanged. The lymphoproliferative phase of the disease, from 21-42 days after infection leading to lymphoma formation, was accompanied by an increase in T cells, total lymphocytes and possibly eosinophils, and a decrease in B cells, monocytes, heterophils and basophils. The T-cell increase following infection occurred only in female birds, and there were more lymphomas in females than in males. The increase in lymphocytes in the blood of six birds with leukemia was mainly due to an increase in T cells, but in one bird B cells were also increased. Blast cells and atypical lymphoid cells were increased in leukemic birds. Regression coefficients were calculated between different pairs of leukocytes in infected and uninfected birds at different stages of the disease. Particularly noteworthy were the associations between B and T cell numbers, which indicated constant proportions of these cells irrespective of total numbers, possibly due to a common control mechanism.", "contents": "Sequential changes in the numbers of B and T lymphocytes and other leukocytes in the blood in Marek's disease. Numbers of B, T and total lymphocytes, monocytes, heterophils, eosinophils and basophils have been examined in the peripheral blood of chickens between 2 and 42 days after infection with Marek's disease virus. During the stage of the acute restrictively productive virus infection of lymphoid tissues at 2-9 days after infection, absolute numbers of B cells, T cells, total lymphocytes and heterophils were increased, those of monocytes and eosinophils were decreased, and those of basophils were unchanged. The lymphoproliferative phase of the disease, from 21-42 days after infection leading to lymphoma formation, was accompanied by an increase in T cells, total lymphocytes and possibly eosinophils, and a decrease in B cells, monocytes, heterophils and basophils. The T-cell increase following infection occurred only in female birds, and there were more lymphomas in females than in males. The increase in lymphocytes in the blood of six birds with leukemia was mainly due to an increase in T cells, but in one bird B cells were also increased. Blast cells and atypical lymphoid cells were increased in leukemic birds. Regression coefficients were calculated between different pairs of leukocytes in infected and uninfected birds at different stages of the disease. Particularly noteworthy were the associations between B and T cell numbers, which indicated constant proportions of these cells irrespective of total numbers, possibly due to a common control mechanism.", "PMID": 789260} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8361", "title": "Results obtained with fractionated ifosfamide massive-dose treatment in generalized malignant tumours.", "content": "In 409 sufferers from various malignant tumours, we used the cytostatic Ifosfamide (ASTAZ4942) in fractionated doses. The total i.v. dose averaging 300 mg/kg bodyweight, was either spread over 5 consecutive days (5 X 60 mg/kg i.v.) or over 10 consecutive days (10 X 30 mg/kg). At the same time, most patients were irradiated, the radiation dose usually being only one tenth the antitumour dose. Infections and electrolyte imbalance were first treated before Ifosfamide therapy was instituted. Cases of advanced cerebral sclerosis, thrombopenia below 75,000/cmm, cerebral metastases, impaired renal function and inadequate cooperation of the patient were excluded from the studies. To prevent and control side effects, various premedications and adjuvants are required: Antiemetics, prevention of cystitis and infections, cardiovascular agents etc. Corticosteroids are contraindicated. Out of 360 assessable patients 101 had a full remission, 150 a partial remission, 79 were failures; 30 cases were not evaluated. Good results were seen especially in ovarian carcinoma, mammary carcinoma and microcellular bronchial carcinoma. Particularly striking is the drug's effectiveness in testicular tumours including teratomas, osteosarcomas, chondrosarcomas and myosarcomas as well as in some adenocarcinomas of the gastro-intestinal tract, particularly pancreatic carcinoma. In lymphoreticular tumours and haemoblastoses, its potency is less pronounced. The side effects of Ifosfamide are the same as those of other alkylating agents. They are reversible and can usually be controlled or even avoided by adequate preventive measures. In the order of incidence we observed: Alopecia, leukopenia, fall in haemoglobin, cystitis, intercurrent infections, nausea and vomiting as well as cerebral disorders. Since haemorrhagic cystitis considerably interferes with Ifosfamide treatment, its prevention is of essential importance. Because of possible complications and specific premedication and adjuvant measures for their control, this type of treatment should for the present only be carried out by oncologists or special cancer centres.", "contents": "Results obtained with fractionated ifosfamide massive-dose treatment in generalized malignant tumours. In 409 sufferers from various malignant tumours, we used the cytostatic Ifosfamide (ASTAZ4942) in fractionated doses. The total i.v. dose averaging 300 mg/kg bodyweight, was either spread over 5 consecutive days (5 X 60 mg/kg i.v.) or over 10 consecutive days (10 X 30 mg/kg). At the same time, most patients were irradiated, the radiation dose usually being only one tenth the antitumour dose. Infections and electrolyte imbalance were first treated before Ifosfamide therapy was instituted. Cases of advanced cerebral sclerosis, thrombopenia below 75,000/cmm, cerebral metastases, impaired renal function and inadequate cooperation of the patient were excluded from the studies. To prevent and control side effects, various premedications and adjuvants are required: Antiemetics, prevention of cystitis and infections, cardiovascular agents etc. Corticosteroids are contraindicated. Out of 360 assessable patients 101 had a full remission, 150 a partial remission, 79 were failures; 30 cases were not evaluated. Good results were seen especially in ovarian carcinoma, mammary carcinoma and microcellular bronchial carcinoma. Particularly striking is the drug's effectiveness in testicular tumours including teratomas, osteosarcomas, chondrosarcomas and myosarcomas as well as in some adenocarcinomas of the gastro-intestinal tract, particularly pancreatic carcinoma. In lymphoreticular tumours and haemoblastoses, its potency is less pronounced. The side effects of Ifosfamide are the same as those of other alkylating agents. They are reversible and can usually be controlled or even avoided by adequate preventive measures. In the order of incidence we observed: Alopecia, leukopenia, fall in haemoglobin, cystitis, intercurrent infections, nausea and vomiting as well as cerebral disorders. Since haemorrhagic cystitis considerably interferes with Ifosfamide treatment, its prevention is of essential importance. Because of possible complications and specific premedication and adjuvant measures for their control, this type of treatment should for the present only be carried out by oncologists or special cancer centres.", "PMID": 789266} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8362", "title": "[The number of subjects or patients in clinical pharmacological studies].", "content": "A technique permitting without preliminary informations the assessment of the minimal number of test persons or patients to be studied in clinicopharmacological investigations dealing with multiple variables (vital functions, laboratory data) is reported. The procedure is applicable to investigations using data recorded at different time intervals and concomitant variables (basic values at the start of the investigation, age, and body weight). The minimal number of test persons or patients is estimated from the results of a formal examination. In this examination is tested whether a multivariate analysis of a therapeutic effect using all data only once and simultaneously is based on sufficient degrees of freedom of the error variance.", "contents": "[The number of subjects or patients in clinical pharmacological studies]. A technique permitting without preliminary informations the assessment of the minimal number of test persons or patients to be studied in clinicopharmacological investigations dealing with multiple variables (vital functions, laboratory data) is reported. The procedure is applicable to investigations using data recorded at different time intervals and concomitant variables (basic values at the start of the investigation, age, and body weight). The minimal number of test persons or patients is estimated from the results of a formal examination. In this examination is tested whether a multivariate analysis of a therapeutic effect using all data only once and simultaneously is based on sufficient degrees of freedom of the error variance.", "PMID": 789267} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8363", "title": "Radiometric studies of Mycobacterium lepraemurium.", "content": "The radiometric method has been applied for studying the metabolism of M. lepraemurium and the conditions which might force or inhibit its metabolic activity in vitro. These organisms assimilate and oxidize (U-14C) glycerol, and (U-14C) acetate, but are unable to oxidize (U-14C) glucose, (U-14C) pyruvate, (U-14C) glycine and 14C-formate. When incubated at 30 degrees C M. lepraemurium oxidizes (U-14C) acetate to 14CO2 faster than 37 degrees C. The smae effect was observed with increasing concentrations of polysorbate 80 (Tween 80), or the 14C-substrate. No change in metabolic rate was observed when the organisms were kept at -20 degrees C for 12 days. Although tried several times, it was not possible to demonstrate any \"inhibitors\" of bacterial metabolism in the reaction system. The radiometric method seems to be an important tool for studying metabolic pathways and the influence of physical and biochemical factors on the metabolism of M. lepraemurium in vitro.", "contents": "Radiometric studies of Mycobacterium lepraemurium. The radiometric method has been applied for studying the metabolism of M. lepraemurium and the conditions which might force or inhibit its metabolic activity in vitro. These organisms assimilate and oxidize (U-14C) glycerol, and (U-14C) acetate, but are unable to oxidize (U-14C) glucose, (U-14C) pyruvate, (U-14C) glycine and 14C-formate. When incubated at 30 degrees C M. lepraemurium oxidizes (U-14C) acetate to 14CO2 faster than 37 degrees C. The smae effect was observed with increasing concentrations of polysorbate 80 (Tween 80), or the 14C-substrate. No change in metabolic rate was observed when the organisms were kept at -20 degrees C for 12 days. Although tried several times, it was not possible to demonstrate any \"inhibitors\" of bacterial metabolism in the reaction system. The radiometric method seems to be an important tool for studying metabolic pathways and the influence of physical and biochemical factors on the metabolism of M. lepraemurium in vitro.", "PMID": 789261} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8364", "title": "Separation of M. leprae from human leproma and the development of a cytoplasmic skin test antigen from purified bacilli.", "content": "A successful method for purification of M. leprae from human leproma without subjection to heat has been developed. The \"floater\" phenomenon has been described which consists of bacillary tendency to float in the supernate when bacilli which are not autoclaved are separated from tissues by enzymatic digestion. A method for preparing cytoplasmic fractions from purified M. leprae has been developed for the production of a skin test antigen for leprosy. The cytoplasmic fraction of M. leprae elicited positive skin test responses in people with tuberculoid leprosy and negative responses in lepromatous leprosy. Cytoplasmic preparations from purified M. leprae had little cross-reactive relationship with the organism BCG. The small particulate fraction elicited positive reactions in PPD-S negative as well as BCG vaccinated individuals.", "contents": "Separation of M. leprae from human leproma and the development of a cytoplasmic skin test antigen from purified bacilli. A successful method for purification of M. leprae from human leproma without subjection to heat has been developed. The \"floater\" phenomenon has been described which consists of bacillary tendency to float in the supernate when bacilli which are not autoclaved are separated from tissues by enzymatic digestion. A method for preparing cytoplasmic fractions from purified M. leprae has been developed for the production of a skin test antigen for leprosy. The cytoplasmic fraction of M. leprae elicited positive skin test responses in people with tuberculoid leprosy and negative responses in lepromatous leprosy. Cytoplasmic preparations from purified M. leprae had little cross-reactive relationship with the organism BCG. The small particulate fraction elicited positive reactions in PPD-S negative as well as BCG vaccinated individuals.", "PMID": 789262} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8365", "title": "Double-blind comparison of phlebitis associated with cefazolin and cephalothin.", "content": "In a double-blind, crossover study in 28 patients having infections susceptible to cephalosporins (mostly Staphylococcus or Streptococcus), phlebitis developed in twice as many patients (46.4%) receiving intravenous cephalothin within 48 hours, as in patients (21.4%) receiving intravenous cefazolin over the same time period. Likewise, drug therapy had to be discontinued more frequently with cephalothin (39%) than with cefazolin (21%), and the percentage of patients reporting pain or discomfort scores of 1+ or higher was greater with cephalothin (46.4%) than with cefazolin (21.4%). In our study, the intravenous administration of cefazolin was associated with a lower incidence of phlebitis than was cephalothin.", "contents": "Double-blind comparison of phlebitis associated with cefazolin and cephalothin. In a double-blind, crossover study in 28 patients having infections susceptible to cephalosporins (mostly Staphylococcus or Streptococcus), phlebitis developed in twice as many patients (46.4%) receiving intravenous cephalothin within 48 hours, as in patients (21.4%) receiving intravenous cefazolin over the same time period. Likewise, drug therapy had to be discontinued more frequently with cephalothin (39%) than with cefazolin (21%), and the percentage of patients reporting pain or discomfort scores of 1+ or higher was greater with cephalothin (46.4%) than with cefazolin (21.4%). In our study, the intravenous administration of cefazolin was associated with a lower incidence of phlebitis than was cephalothin.", "PMID": 789268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8366", "title": "Macrophage function in leprosy.", "content": "The macrophage function in patients with leprosy was assessed by estimating histochemically the acid phosphatase activity in skin biopsies and by assessment of phagocytic and lytic capability of in vitro cultured macrophages derived from peripheral blood monocytes, challenged with live M. leprae. Acid phosphatase was demonstrated in skin biopsies of different groups of leprosy patients classified according to the Ridley and Jopling scale. The degree of acid phosphatase positivity was correlated with clinical spectrum, Bacterial and Morphologic Indices and treatment status. Peripheral blood monocytes from patients with leprosy, either tuberculoid or lepromatous, were cultured in monolayers and challenged with M. leprae. The phagocytosis and lysis of mycobacteria by macrophages was observed at different time intervals from the 1st to the 28th day. The morphology of the macrophages in different types of leprosy was also studied. The results suggest that macrophages from patients with either tuberculoid or lepromatous leprosy are not by themselves capable of lysing live M. leprae. Live M. leprae injected into the foot pad of Wistar strain of rats evoked similar responses on the tenth day, in normal and protein deficient animals.", "contents": "Macrophage function in leprosy. The macrophage function in patients with leprosy was assessed by estimating histochemically the acid phosphatase activity in skin biopsies and by assessment of phagocytic and lytic capability of in vitro cultured macrophages derived from peripheral blood monocytes, challenged with live M. leprae. Acid phosphatase was demonstrated in skin biopsies of different groups of leprosy patients classified according to the Ridley and Jopling scale. The degree of acid phosphatase positivity was correlated with clinical spectrum, Bacterial and Morphologic Indices and treatment status. Peripheral blood monocytes from patients with leprosy, either tuberculoid or lepromatous, were cultured in monolayers and challenged with M. leprae. The phagocytosis and lysis of mycobacteria by macrophages was observed at different time intervals from the 1st to the 28th day. The morphology of the macrophages in different types of leprosy was also studied. The results suggest that macrophages from patients with either tuberculoid or lepromatous leprosy are not by themselves capable of lysing live M. leprae. Live M. leprae injected into the foot pad of Wistar strain of rats evoked similar responses on the tenth day, in normal and protein deficient animals.", "PMID": 789263} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8367", "title": "The genetic control of liquid-holding recovery and U.V.-induced repair resistance in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Liquid-holding treatment in non-nutrient solutions after U.V.-exposure results in an increased resistance of wild-type (RAD) yeast cells to a second U.V.-treatment (repair resistance). U.V.-sensitive (rad) mutants of yeast which show variation in their response to liquid-holding treatment and a second U.V.-dose-range have been classified into two groups. Mutants of Group 1 show increased viability after post-U.V.-liquid-holding treatment and show repair resistance. In contrast, mutants of Group 2 which show reduced viability during post-U.V.-liquid-holding treatment have the same U.V.-sensitivity, both before and after liquid-holding treatment. Genetic analysis of crosses of the rad mutants to wild-type cultures indicate that the phenotype of repair resistance to U.V.-treatment is under genetic control and depends on the presence of alleles of radiation sensitivity genes, which also confer the property of liquid-holding recovery.", "contents": "The genetic control of liquid-holding recovery and U.V.-induced repair resistance in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Liquid-holding treatment in non-nutrient solutions after U.V.-exposure results in an increased resistance of wild-type (RAD) yeast cells to a second U.V.-treatment (repair resistance). U.V.-sensitive (rad) mutants of yeast which show variation in their response to liquid-holding treatment and a second U.V.-dose-range have been classified into two groups. Mutants of Group 1 show increased viability after post-U.V.-liquid-holding treatment and show repair resistance. In contrast, mutants of Group 2 which show reduced viability during post-U.V.-liquid-holding treatment have the same U.V.-sensitivity, both before and after liquid-holding treatment. Genetic analysis of crosses of the rad mutants to wild-type cultures indicate that the phenotype of repair resistance to U.V.-treatment is under genetic control and depends on the presence of alleles of radiation sensitivity genes, which also confer the property of liquid-holding recovery.", "PMID": 789272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8368", "title": "The analysis of single-strand breaks in E. coli using a curve-fitting procedure.", "content": "A curve-fitting technique has been used to analyse the activity profiles occurring when the tritium labelled DNA of irradiated E. coli is sedimented in an alkaline sucrose gradient. The fitted curve is a modification of an expression derived elsewhere, which assumes that DNA of unit length undergoes scissions at random positions on the DNA strand. The theoretical curves fit the data well, even after considerable repair or excision of the radiation damage has been effected by cellular enzymes. The profile resulting from sedimentation of unirradiated DNA may be fitted with the same theoretical expression provided that the velocity of centrifugation is not too high. The number of single-strand breaks derived from the analysis is almost unaffected by the presence of extraneous activity at the top or bottom of the sucrose gradient. The method is therefore more reliable than many other methods used to analyse sedimentation data.", "contents": "The analysis of single-strand breaks in E. coli using a curve-fitting procedure. A curve-fitting technique has been used to analyse the activity profiles occurring when the tritium labelled DNA of irradiated E. coli is sedimented in an alkaline sucrose gradient. The fitted curve is a modification of an expression derived elsewhere, which assumes that DNA of unit length undergoes scissions at random positions on the DNA strand. The theoretical curves fit the data well, even after considerable repair or excision of the radiation damage has been effected by cellular enzymes. The profile resulting from sedimentation of unirradiated DNA may be fitted with the same theoretical expression provided that the velocity of centrifugation is not too high. The number of single-strand breaks derived from the analysis is almost unaffected by the presence of extraneous activity at the top or bottom of the sucrose gradient. The method is therefore more reliable than many other methods used to analyse sedimentation data.", "PMID": 789273} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8369", "title": "The myocardium.", "content": "A comparison of some of the mechanical properties of cardiac with other types of muscle has been made, showing that, except for the speed of some responses, cardiac muscle is similar to other types of muscle. Furthermore, the techniques used in both living and glycerol-extracted insect fibrillar and vertebrate skeletal muscle are applicable to heart muscle, where the focus of the technique is now on cross-bridge mechanics and energetics. It is particularly encouraging to see many well known phenomena such as inactivation with shortening, stress related increases in active force, and the Fenn effect begin to find some more specific relation to cross-bridge mechanical and chemical activity. The high compliance of cardiac preparations still clouds the interpretation of data obtained from whole muscle preparations; however, the reduced compliance of glycerol-extracted cardiac muscle offers some hope of obviating some series compliance. Indeed, the correspondence in mechanical responses of living and glycerol-extracted preparations shows that glycerol preparations are of great utility since the time dependence of activation also can be removed in these studies. A more complete analysis of muscle models, in which the cross-bridge contribution to muscle elasticity is more realistically evaluated, should help in relating muscle measurements to cross-bridge activity. Furthermore, studies on both living and glycerol-extracted cardiac muscle, particularly if sarcomere length can be controlled, offer new hope of closing the perpetual gap in our understanding of cardiac muscle physiology relative to skeletal muscle.", "contents": "The myocardium. A comparison of some of the mechanical properties of cardiac with other types of muscle has been made, showing that, except for the speed of some responses, cardiac muscle is similar to other types of muscle. Furthermore, the techniques used in both living and glycerol-extracted insect fibrillar and vertebrate skeletal muscle are applicable to heart muscle, where the focus of the technique is now on cross-bridge mechanics and energetics. It is particularly encouraging to see many well known phenomena such as inactivation with shortening, stress related increases in active force, and the Fenn effect begin to find some more specific relation to cross-bridge mechanical and chemical activity. The high compliance of cardiac preparations still clouds the interpretation of data obtained from whole muscle preparations; however, the reduced compliance of glycerol-extracted cardiac muscle offers some hope of obviating some series compliance. Indeed, the correspondence in mechanical responses of living and glycerol-extracted preparations shows that glycerol preparations are of great utility since the time dependence of activation also can be removed in these studies. A more complete analysis of muscle models, in which the cross-bridge contribution to muscle elasticity is more realistically evaluated, should help in relating muscle measurements to cross-bridge activity. Furthermore, studies on both living and glycerol-extracted cardiac muscle, particularly if sarcomere length can be controlled, offer new hope of closing the perpetual gap in our understanding of cardiac muscle physiology relative to skeletal muscle.", "PMID": 789281} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8370", "title": "The effect of cation ionophores on intraocular pressure.", "content": "The ionophores A23187 and X537A, which increase the permeability of cell membranes to calcium and other divalent cations, produced significant elevation of intraocular pressure in rabbits. Topical instillation of these ionophores in concentrations of 1.0 and 0.1 per cent were effective. Aqueous humor protein and facility of outflow were similar in ionophore-treated and control eyes. Pretreatment with indomethacin did not block the intraocular pressure rise induced by A23187. Alterations of intracellular calcium might control cellular processes within the eye as in many other biological systems.", "contents": "The effect of cation ionophores on intraocular pressure. The ionophores A23187 and X537A, which increase the permeability of cell membranes to calcium and other divalent cations, produced significant elevation of intraocular pressure in rabbits. Topical instillation of these ionophores in concentrations of 1.0 and 0.1 per cent were effective. Aqueous humor protein and facility of outflow were similar in ionophore-treated and control eyes. Pretreatment with indomethacin did not block the intraocular pressure rise induced by A23187. Alterations of intracellular calcium might control cellular processes within the eye as in many other biological systems.", "PMID": 789284} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8371", "title": "Nonspecific stimulation of a secondary ocular antibody response.", "content": "Rabbits injected intravitreally with bovine gamma globulin (BGG) into the right eyes were challenged 3 months later by an intravitreal injection of ovalbumin (OA) into the left eyes. The rabbits were killed 6, 7, and 9 days after challenge and the number of cells producing antibody to both OA and BGG were enumerated. The uveal tract cells of all left eyes produced anti-BGG even though no BGG had been injected into the left eyes. The uveal tract response to OA was less pronounced and typical of a primary response. High anti-BGG titers were found in the aqueous and vitreous humors of the left eyes of many of the rabbits. The reasons for this apparently non-specific stimulation of a secondary response in the absence of specific antigenic challenge are discussed.", "contents": "Nonspecific stimulation of a secondary ocular antibody response. Rabbits injected intravitreally with bovine gamma globulin (BGG) into the right eyes were challenged 3 months later by an intravitreal injection of ovalbumin (OA) into the left eyes. The rabbits were killed 6, 7, and 9 days after challenge and the number of cells producing antibody to both OA and BGG were enumerated. The uveal tract cells of all left eyes produced anti-BGG even though no BGG had been injected into the left eyes. The uveal tract response to OA was less pronounced and typical of a primary response. High anti-BGG titers were found in the aqueous and vitreous humors of the left eyes of many of the rabbits. The reasons for this apparently non-specific stimulation of a secondary response in the absence of specific antigenic challenge are discussed.", "PMID": 789285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8372", "title": "Pathological fractures due to metastases.", "content": "The authors review the literature and report on the treatment of metastatic pathological fractures, on the basis of their own experience of 51 operations. They review the radiological and pathological aspects of the lesions, and the methods of investigation. They stress the need for close collaboration between oncologists, radiologists and orthopedic surgeons, and emphasize the role of surgical treatment in the restoration of function and the relief of pain, by stable synthesis of the affected part. The methods employed are those used in traumatology, together with arthroprosthetic replacement. The importance of ensuring a stable synthesis, for the patients' limited life expectancy, justifies the use of acrylic cement, which often establishes continuity that otherwise would not be attainable. The indications for operation are not related to prolonging life but only to improvement in the quality of remaining life as measured by absence of pain and recovery of function. The results should be assessed primarily from the patient's point of view, the aim being to restore his mode of living before the fracture occurred. This has psychological as well as functional value.", "contents": "Pathological fractures due to metastases. The authors review the literature and report on the treatment of metastatic pathological fractures, on the basis of their own experience of 51 operations. They review the radiological and pathological aspects of the lesions, and the methods of investigation. They stress the need for close collaboration between oncologists, radiologists and orthopedic surgeons, and emphasize the role of surgical treatment in the restoration of function and the relief of pain, by stable synthesis of the affected part. The methods employed are those used in traumatology, together with arthroprosthetic replacement. The importance of ensuring a stable synthesis, for the patients' limited life expectancy, justifies the use of acrylic cement, which often establishes continuity that otherwise would not be attainable. The indications for operation are not related to prolonging life but only to improvement in the quality of remaining life as measured by absence of pain and recovery of function. The results should be assessed primarily from the patient's point of view, the aim being to restore his mode of living before the fracture occurred. This has psychological as well as functional value.", "PMID": 789286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8373", "title": "Non-union of the humerus after internal fixation-treatment by intramedullary nailing and grafting.", "content": "The results of fifteen cases of non-union of the humerus following treatment of the fracture by internal fixation are presented. In these cases there are skin, soft tissue and bone problems which complicate the treatment, which is therefore not free of complications. The authors advocate endomedullary nailing accompanied by bone grafting as the simplest and safest procedure.", "contents": "Non-union of the humerus after internal fixation-treatment by intramedullary nailing and grafting. The results of fifteen cases of non-union of the humerus following treatment of the fracture by internal fixation are presented. In these cases there are skin, soft tissue and bone problems which complicate the treatment, which is therefore not free of complications. The authors advocate endomedullary nailing accompanied by bone grafting as the simplest and safest procedure.", "PMID": 789288} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8374", "title": "An air sampling technique for hepatitis B surface antigen.", "content": "A filter-rinse technique capable of detecting low levels of airborne hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was devised and evaluated. Laboratory tests showed the procedure to have an efficiency of 22% with a coefficient of variation of 11% and a capability of detecting as little as 5 x 10(-5) ml of aerosolized antigen positive serum in a single air sample. The technique was field-tested in a hemodialysis center serving a patient population with a high prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity. The antigen was not detected in any of 60 air samples collected under conditions favoring the occurrence of aerosols.", "contents": "An air sampling technique for hepatitis B surface antigen. A filter-rinse technique capable of detecting low levels of airborne hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was devised and evaluated. Laboratory tests showed the procedure to have an efficiency of 22% with a coefficient of variation of 11% and a capability of detecting as little as 5 x 10(-5) ml of aerosolized antigen positive serum in a single air sample. The technique was field-tested in a hemodialysis center serving a patient population with a high prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity. The antigen was not detected in any of 60 air samples collected under conditions favoring the occurrence of aerosols.", "PMID": 789291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8375", "title": "Transferable drug resistance associated with coliforms isolated from hospital and domestic sewage.", "content": "The incidence of antibiotic-resistant fecal coliforms in raw and treated hospital and municipal wastes was investigated to determine whether such wastes may serve as reservoirs for the spread of resistant bacteria and resistance transfer factors. Multiple resistance occurred in 87.8% of isolates from hospital and 42.6% of isolates from municipal wastes. Antibiotic resistance was transferable to Escherichia coli and Salmonella cholerae-suis recipient strains from 62.3% of resistant isolates from hospital and 90.9% of resistant isolates from municipal wastes, and from 56.2% of all isolates from hospital and 45.9% of all isolates from municipal wastes. Numbers of multiply-resistant fecal coliforms decreased during passage through a sewage treatment plant, but their proportion did not change appreciably, although proportions exhibiting resistance to 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 drugs decreased. A study of transfer in sewage indicated that transfer of resistance from donors present in sewage to pathogenic Salmonella strains can occur under appropriate conditions. The data suggest that both raw and treated wastes, and especially those from hospitals, may serve as reservoirs for the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and transferable resistance in the environment.", "contents": "Transferable drug resistance associated with coliforms isolated from hospital and domestic sewage. The incidence of antibiotic-resistant fecal coliforms in raw and treated hospital and municipal wastes was investigated to determine whether such wastes may serve as reservoirs for the spread of resistant bacteria and resistance transfer factors. Multiple resistance occurred in 87.8% of isolates from hospital and 42.6% of isolates from municipal wastes. Antibiotic resistance was transferable to Escherichia coli and Salmonella cholerae-suis recipient strains from 62.3% of resistant isolates from hospital and 90.9% of resistant isolates from municipal wastes, and from 56.2% of all isolates from hospital and 45.9% of all isolates from municipal wastes. Numbers of multiply-resistant fecal coliforms decreased during passage through a sewage treatment plant, but their proportion did not change appreciably, although proportions exhibiting resistance to 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 drugs decreased. A study of transfer in sewage indicated that transfer of resistance from donors present in sewage to pathogenic Salmonella strains can occur under appropriate conditions. The data suggest that both raw and treated wastes, and especially those from hospitals, may serve as reservoirs for the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and transferable resistance in the environment.", "PMID": 789292} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8376", "title": "A patch-graft technique for correction of pulmonic stenosis in dogs.", "content": "Pulmonic stenosis in 6 dogs were corrected surgically by means of a patch-graft technique, without using cardiac bypass or venous occlusion. Five of the 6 dogs have remained clinically normal for 4 to 40 months following surgery. The stenosis in 1 dog was inadequately repaired. The technique resulted in minimal blood loss, no mortality, and was easily adapted to the minimal size of several of the affected dogs. When performed correctly, the technique relieved the stenosis wherever it occurred (viz, supravalvular, valvular, subvalvular, infundibular, or any combination). The success of the procedure was determined, in part, by pre- and postoperative pressure measurements at the time of surgery, and by periodic physical, radiographic, and electrocardiographic examinations after surgery.", "contents": "A patch-graft technique for correction of pulmonic stenosis in dogs. Pulmonic stenosis in 6 dogs were corrected surgically by means of a patch-graft technique, without using cardiac bypass or venous occlusion. Five of the 6 dogs have remained clinically normal for 4 to 40 months following surgery. The stenosis in 1 dog was inadequately repaired. The technique resulted in minimal blood loss, no mortality, and was easily adapted to the minimal size of several of the affected dogs. When performed correctly, the technique relieved the stenosis wherever it occurred (viz, supravalvular, valvular, subvalvular, infundibular, or any combination). The success of the procedure was determined, in part, by pre- and postoperative pressure measurements at the time of surgery, and by periodic physical, radiographic, and electrocardiographic examinations after surgery.", "PMID": 789311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8377", "title": "Tuberculosis in greater kudu.", "content": "Four greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) died while maintained in captivity at a zoo. Necropsy revealed tuberculous lesions in the lungs, spleen, and thoracic lymph nodes. Histopathologic findings included granulomas with Langhans' giant cells, necrosis, and mineralization. Acid-fast organisms isolated from tissues of each kudu were identified as Mycobacterium bovis.", "contents": "Tuberculosis in greater kudu. Four greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) died while maintained in captivity at a zoo. Necropsy revealed tuberculous lesions in the lungs, spleen, and thoracic lymph nodes. Histopathologic findings included granulomas with Langhans' giant cells, necrosis, and mineralization. Acid-fast organisms isolated from tissues of each kudu were identified as Mycobacterium bovis.", "PMID": 789313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8378", "title": "Salmonella and Aspergillus infections in common loons overwintering in Florida.", "content": "During a 5-year period (1970-1975), 190 common loons (Gavia immer) from overwintering populations on the east and west coasts of Florida were examined for evidence of infectious diseases. Salmonella spp (representing 8 serotypes) were isolated from 27 (14%) of the loons, and lesions typical of those produced by Aspergillus fumigatus were found in 34 (18%) of the loons. Seven loons were infected with Salmonella spp and had lesions typical of aspergillus infection. The largest number of loons (124) was obtained during the winter of 1973-1974, in connection with an offshore oil spill. There was no significant difference between the isolation rates of Salmonella spp from oiled vs nonoiled loons, but the occurrence of aspergillosis was higher in nonoiled than in oiled loons.", "contents": "Salmonella and Aspergillus infections in common loons overwintering in Florida. During a 5-year period (1970-1975), 190 common loons (Gavia immer) from overwintering populations on the east and west coasts of Florida were examined for evidence of infectious diseases. Salmonella spp (representing 8 serotypes) were isolated from 27 (14%) of the loons, and lesions typical of those produced by Aspergillus fumigatus were found in 34 (18%) of the loons. Seven loons were infected with Salmonella spp and had lesions typical of aspergillus infection. The largest number of loons (124) was obtained during the winter of 1973-1974, in connection with an offshore oil spill. There was no significant difference between the isolation rates of Salmonella spp from oiled vs nonoiled loons, but the occurrence of aspergillosis was higher in nonoiled than in oiled loons.", "PMID": 789314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8379", "title": "Genealogy of the words \"audiology\" and \"audiologist\".", "content": "A chronology of the use of the words Audiology and Audiologist is traced through a number of American professional and trade journals. The coining of the word Audiology has been credited variously to Mayer B. A. Schier, Willard B. Hargrave, Stanley Nowak, Norton Canfield, and Raymond Carhart. Attempts to document published use of the word before 1946 were unsuccessful.", "contents": "Genealogy of the words \"audiology\" and \"audiologist\". A chronology of the use of the words Audiology and Audiologist is traced through a number of American professional and trade journals. The coining of the word Audiology has been credited variously to Mayer B. A. Schier, Willard B. Hargrave, Stanley Nowak, Norton Canfield, and Raymond Carhart. Attempts to document published use of the word before 1946 were unsuccessful.", "PMID": 789309} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8380", "title": "Technical note: an apparatus for exploring dynamic auditory localization.", "content": "The purpose was to develop and test an apparatus for objective specification of localization of a moving acoustic target. The system involves computer analysis and graphic display of vectors created from rotational and linear potentiometers that are activated by listeners using a hand-held pointer as they track an acoustic event.", "contents": "Technical note: an apparatus for exploring dynamic auditory localization. The purpose was to develop and test an apparatus for objective specification of localization of a moving acoustic target. The system involves computer analysis and graphic display of vectors created from rotational and linear potentiometers that are activated by listeners using a hand-held pointer as they track an acoustic event.", "PMID": 789310} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8381", "title": "Pulmonary nocardiosis in an orangutan.", "content": "Pulmonary nocardiosis was diagnosed in an adult male orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) being maintained in an outdoor facility. Periodically, the orangutan had had clinical signs of an upper respiratory tract infection, as evidenced by slight nasal discharge and cough. At the terminal stage, the orangutan had acute respiratory embarrassment, with epistaxis, and died before diagnosis could be made and treatment initiated. Gross necropsy findings included fibrosis of the pulmonary parenchyma as well as evidence of air sac infection, extensive pneumonia, and extensive chronic pleuritis. Microscopically, some of the lung sections had alveoli filled with polymorphonuclear cells, with other sections being diffusely fibrotic; the areas of fibrosis contained interspersed foci of polymorphonuclear cell infiltration. Many of the latter areas contained organism colonized in the form of granules that resembled those seen in actinomycosis. These organisms were gram-positive and branched, and measured close to 1 mum in diameter. Nocardia asteroides was isolated from the pulmonary tissue.", "contents": "Pulmonary nocardiosis in an orangutan. Pulmonary nocardiosis was diagnosed in an adult male orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) being maintained in an outdoor facility. Periodically, the orangutan had had clinical signs of an upper respiratory tract infection, as evidenced by slight nasal discharge and cough. At the terminal stage, the orangutan had acute respiratory embarrassment, with epistaxis, and died before diagnosis could be made and treatment initiated. Gross necropsy findings included fibrosis of the pulmonary parenchyma as well as evidence of air sac infection, extensive pneumonia, and extensive chronic pleuritis. Microscopically, some of the lung sections had alveoli filled with polymorphonuclear cells, with other sections being diffusely fibrotic; the areas of fibrosis contained interspersed foci of polymorphonuclear cell infiltration. Many of the latter areas contained organism colonized in the form of granules that resembled those seen in actinomycosis. These organisms were gram-positive and branched, and measured close to 1 mum in diameter. Nocardia asteroides was isolated from the pulmonary tissue.", "PMID": 789315} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8382", "title": "Treatment of monocrotophos-poisoned birds of prey with pralidoxime iodide.", "content": "Monocrotophos, and organophosphorus insecticide, was sprayed by farmers to control a plague of levant voles in alfalfa fields. Large numbers of birds of prey attracted by the dying and dead voles developed secondary poisoning after eating the voles. Paralysis of skeletal muscles was the principal clinical finding in these birds. Many of the birds died but some were treated with pralidoxime iodide, 100 mg/kg of body weight, given by intramuscular injection. All treated birds recovered, some in a very short time.", "contents": "Treatment of monocrotophos-poisoned birds of prey with pralidoxime iodide. Monocrotophos, and organophosphorus insecticide, was sprayed by farmers to control a plague of levant voles in alfalfa fields. Large numbers of birds of prey attracted by the dying and dead voles developed secondary poisoning after eating the voles. Paralysis of skeletal muscles was the principal clinical finding in these birds. Many of the birds died but some were treated with pralidoxime iodide, 100 mg/kg of body weight, given by intramuscular injection. All treated birds recovered, some in a very short time.", "PMID": 789316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8383", "title": "Binding of plant lectins to mycoplasma cells and membranes.", "content": "The binding of iodinated wheat germ agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin, and concanavalin A to mycoplasma cells and membranes was examined. All mycoplasmas studied specifically bound concanavalin A or R. communis agglutinin and, to a lesser degree, wheat germ agglutinin. The binding of lectins to whole cells was similar to that recorded for membranes, suggesting that significant binding only occurred on the outer surface of the mycoplasma membrane. Proteolysis of the membrane almost always increased the capacity to bind lectins, which indicates that additional carbohydrate groups on the mycoplasma membrane are masked by a protein layer or protein complexes on the membrane. The observation that carbohydrates are apparently exposed on the surface of mycoplasma membranes should stimulate more concentrated study on the isolation and chemical characterization of these substances since it is quite likely that they are responsible for a variety of reactions between mycoplasmas and host cells.", "contents": "Binding of plant lectins to mycoplasma cells and membranes. The binding of iodinated wheat germ agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin, and concanavalin A to mycoplasma cells and membranes was examined. All mycoplasmas studied specifically bound concanavalin A or R. communis agglutinin and, to a lesser degree, wheat germ agglutinin. The binding of lectins to whole cells was similar to that recorded for membranes, suggesting that significant binding only occurred on the outer surface of the mycoplasma membrane. Proteolysis of the membrane almost always increased the capacity to bind lectins, which indicates that additional carbohydrate groups on the mycoplasma membrane are masked by a protein layer or protein complexes on the membrane. The observation that carbohydrates are apparently exposed on the surface of mycoplasma membranes should stimulate more concentrated study on the isolation and chemical characterization of these substances since it is quite likely that they are responsible for a variety of reactions between mycoplasmas and host cells.", "PMID": 789327} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8384", "title": "Regulation of ribonucleic acid synthesis in spheroplasts, cold-shocked cells, and toluene-treated cells of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The effects on the stringent control of ribosomal ribonculeic acid synthesis of the removal of cell wall, cold-shock treatment of cells, LiCl treatment of toluene-treated cells, and hypotonic treatment of spheroplasts were examined using Escherichia coli rel+ cells. Neither the removal of cell wall with penicillin or lysozyme nor the cold-shock treatment of the cells had an effect on the stringent control. The control mechanism, however, disappeared after the LiCl treatment of the toluene-treated cells, with the release of some protein component(s), possibly from the cytoplasmic membrane. The hypotonic and other treatments of spheroplasts, which disrupt the cytoplasmic membrane, also led to the abolishment of the control mechanism. These results suggested that the operation of the stringent control of ribosomal ribonucleic acid synthesis requires the cytoplasmic membrane, in which some proteins labile with LiCl treatment are embedded.", "contents": "Regulation of ribonucleic acid synthesis in spheroplasts, cold-shocked cells, and toluene-treated cells of Escherichia coli. The effects on the stringent control of ribosomal ribonculeic acid synthesis of the removal of cell wall, cold-shock treatment of cells, LiCl treatment of toluene-treated cells, and hypotonic treatment of spheroplasts were examined using Escherichia coli rel+ cells. Neither the removal of cell wall with penicillin or lysozyme nor the cold-shock treatment of the cells had an effect on the stringent control. The control mechanism, however, disappeared after the LiCl treatment of the toluene-treated cells, with the release of some protein component(s), possibly from the cytoplasmic membrane. The hypotonic and other treatments of spheroplasts, which disrupt the cytoplasmic membrane, also led to the abolishment of the control mechanism. These results suggested that the operation of the stringent control of ribosomal ribonucleic acid synthesis requires the cytoplasmic membrane, in which some proteins labile with LiCl treatment are embedded.", "PMID": 789328} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8385", "title": "Independence of deoxyribonucleic acid replication and initiation from membrane fluidity and the supply of unsaturated fatty acids in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Mutant derivatives of the unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph K1062 were employed to investigate whether the supposedly membrane-bound bacterial replication machinery requires for its replicatory functions a fluid membrane environment as is known for several membrane-associated protein functions. Temperatures Tt for fluid reversible nonfluid phase transitions of membrane phospholipids are raised from below 18 to 38 degrees C when mutant cells are supplemented with elaidate instead of with oleate. In this experimental system current or synchroneously initiated new rounds of DNA replication are shown in vivo to continue 8 degrees below Tt, provided appropriate corrections for the concurrent cellular metabolic breakdown are considered. Temperature rate profiles for in vitro deoxyribonucleic acid replication rates measured in lysates of either oleate- or elaidate-supplemented cells yield congruent Arrhenius plots without discontinuities at corresponding Tt positions. We conclude that neither the start nor the propagation of replication forks depends on a fluid membrane. The capacity for the assembly of new replication complexes was studied in replication-aligned cells either shifted from oleate to elaidate (at temperatures below Tt for newly synthesized phospholipids) or starved for oleate. Regardless of whether unsaturated fatty acids are exchanged or completely withheld, new replication complexes can be normally assembled and initiated. These results do not support the conclusions reached by Fralick and Lark (1973) that the availability of unsaturated fatty acids is a prerequisite for the assembly of a functional replication complex.", "contents": "Independence of deoxyribonucleic acid replication and initiation from membrane fluidity and the supply of unsaturated fatty acids in Escherichia coli. Mutant derivatives of the unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph K1062 were employed to investigate whether the supposedly membrane-bound bacterial replication machinery requires for its replicatory functions a fluid membrane environment as is known for several membrane-associated protein functions. Temperatures Tt for fluid reversible nonfluid phase transitions of membrane phospholipids are raised from below 18 to 38 degrees C when mutant cells are supplemented with elaidate instead of with oleate. In this experimental system current or synchroneously initiated new rounds of DNA replication are shown in vivo to continue 8 degrees below Tt, provided appropriate corrections for the concurrent cellular metabolic breakdown are considered. Temperature rate profiles for in vitro deoxyribonucleic acid replication rates measured in lysates of either oleate- or elaidate-supplemented cells yield congruent Arrhenius plots without discontinuities at corresponding Tt positions. We conclude that neither the start nor the propagation of replication forks depends on a fluid membrane. The capacity for the assembly of new replication complexes was studied in replication-aligned cells either shifted from oleate to elaidate (at temperatures below Tt for newly synthesized phospholipids) or starved for oleate. Regardless of whether unsaturated fatty acids are exchanged or completely withheld, new replication complexes can be normally assembled and initiated. These results do not support the conclusions reached by Fralick and Lark (1973) that the availability of unsaturated fatty acids is a prerequisite for the assembly of a functional replication complex.", "PMID": 789329} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8386", "title": "Prediction of the rate of glucose utilization from cellular levels of glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate in Escherichia coli.", "content": "A comprehensive equation, upsilon = VM/[1 + (A0.5/Fru-P2)n] [ 1 + (Glc-6-P/I0.5)], has been proposed to represent the quantitative interrelationships between the rate of glucose utilization and the levels of glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-1,6-diphosphate in the intact Escherichia coli cell. This comprehensive equation was derived from empirical equations that describe the relationship between the rate of glucose utilization and one of these hexose phosphates in metabolic situations where the other hexoses phosphate was not altered. In the experiments described in this report, treatment of nitrogen (NH4+)-starved cultures of E. coli W4597 (K) with various concentrations of sodium azide altered the levels of both hexose phosphates as well as the rate of glucose utilization. In each case the observed rate and the rate predicted by the comprehensive equation agreed closely, substantiating the validity of this comprehensive relationship as a quantitative indicator of metabolic events in the intact cell. The mechanism of metabolic regulation that is represented by this equation is discussed in light of the cellular levels of adenosine 5'-triphosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate observed in these experiments.", "contents": "Prediction of the rate of glucose utilization from cellular levels of glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate in Escherichia coli. A comprehensive equation, upsilon = VM/[1 + (A0.5/Fru-P2)n] [ 1 + (Glc-6-P/I0.5)], has been proposed to represent the quantitative interrelationships between the rate of glucose utilization and the levels of glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-1,6-diphosphate in the intact Escherichia coli cell. This comprehensive equation was derived from empirical equations that describe the relationship between the rate of glucose utilization and one of these hexose phosphates in metabolic situations where the other hexoses phosphate was not altered. In the experiments described in this report, treatment of nitrogen (NH4+)-starved cultures of E. coli W4597 (K) with various concentrations of sodium azide altered the levels of both hexose phosphates as well as the rate of glucose utilization. In each case the observed rate and the rate predicted by the comprehensive equation agreed closely, substantiating the validity of this comprehensive relationship as a quantitative indicator of metabolic events in the intact cell. The mechanism of metabolic regulation that is represented by this equation is discussed in light of the cellular levels of adenosine 5'-triphosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate observed in these experiments.", "PMID": 789330} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8387", "title": "Isolation of pseudorevertants of lac oc mutants: selection system for superoperator mutations.", "content": "A selection procedure and rapid screening test are described that allow the isolation of rarely occurring pseudorevertants of lac oc mutants. These techniques were developed with the aim of isolating superoperator (os) mutants in which a secondary mutation in the operator would increase the affinity of the repressor of superoperator, thereby overcoming the effect of the oc mutation. The occurrence of superoperator mutants is predicted on the basis of a probable twofold symmetry in the lac repressor-operator recognition. Over 2,300 oc pseudorevertants were isolated and screened. In vitro measurements of the affinity of lac repressor for the operator region indicate that, among these, one oc pseudorevertant probably results from an oc mutation. The selection procedure also yielded other types of regulatory mutants that behave as promoter mutants and as i gene mutants in which the repressor is capable of overcoming an oc mutation.", "contents": "Isolation of pseudorevertants of lac oc mutants: selection system for superoperator mutations. A selection procedure and rapid screening test are described that allow the isolation of rarely occurring pseudorevertants of lac oc mutants. These techniques were developed with the aim of isolating superoperator (os) mutants in which a secondary mutation in the operator would increase the affinity of the repressor of superoperator, thereby overcoming the effect of the oc mutation. The occurrence of superoperator mutants is predicted on the basis of a probable twofold symmetry in the lac repressor-operator recognition. Over 2,300 oc pseudorevertants were isolated and screened. In vitro measurements of the affinity of lac repressor for the operator region indicate that, among these, one oc pseudorevertant probably results from an oc mutation. The selection procedure also yielded other types of regulatory mutants that behave as promoter mutants and as i gene mutants in which the repressor is capable of overcoming an oc mutation.", "PMID": 789331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8388", "title": "Recognition properties of the beta subunit of Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase.", "content": "Changes in the phage protein patterns obtained by gel electrophoresis of extracts from phage S13 and phiX174 infection of rifampin-resistant hosts suggest that the beta subunit of ribonucleic acid polymerase of Escherichia coli has a function in the recognition of promoter or terminator sites or both. The altered protein patterns also provide information on the location of some ribonucleic acid polymerase recognition signals in S13 deoxyribonucleic acid. There is a promoter site before gene A, which lies either in gene H or between H and A. There is evidence for a promotor between genes C and D or in gene C. There is either a terminator or a promoter somewhere between the end of gene D and the beginning of gene F.", "contents": "Recognition properties of the beta subunit of Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase. Changes in the phage protein patterns obtained by gel electrophoresis of extracts from phage S13 and phiX174 infection of rifampin-resistant hosts suggest that the beta subunit of ribonucleic acid polymerase of Escherichia coli has a function in the recognition of promoter or terminator sites or both. The altered protein patterns also provide information on the location of some ribonucleic acid polymerase recognition signals in S13 deoxyribonucleic acid. There is a promoter site before gene A, which lies either in gene H or between H and A. There is evidence for a promotor between genes C and D or in gene C. There is either a terminator or a promoter somewhere between the end of gene D and the beginning of gene F.", "PMID": 789332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8389", "title": "Ultraviolet light protection, enhancement of ultraviolet light mutagenesis, and mutator effect of plasmid R46 in Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Plasmid R46 partially protected Salmonella typhimurium, wild type or uvrB or polA, against the lethal effect of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, but did not protect recA mutants. The plasmid also increased frequency of UV-induced reversion to His+ in all tested his point mutants (wild type for UV sensitivity), including amber, ochre, UGA, missense, and frame-shift mutants. Plasmid R46 also increased UV-induced reversion to His+ in uvrB and polA strains, but no UV mutagenic effect was detected in R- or R46-carrying recA derivatives of a his (amber) mutant. The spontaneous reversion frequency of his nonsense mutants of all classes, and of some his missense mutants, was increased about 10-fold when the strains carried R46, but the plasmid had no effect on the spontaneous reversion frequency of some other his missense mutations or of reversion rate of his frame-shift mutants (except for two uvrB derivatives of one single-base insertion mutant). The plasmid increased the ability of wild-type, polA, and uvrB hosts to support plaque production by UV-irradiated phage, and made strain LT2 hisG46 less sensitive to methyl methane sulfonate and to X rays and more responsive to the mutagenic effect of visible-light irradiation. R46 increased spontaneous reversion frequency of a his (amber) rec+ strain, but had no such effect in its recA sublines. Since the plasmid in the absence of host recA function fails to produce its mutator effect, or to confer UV protection or to enhance UV mutagenesis, these three effects may be produced via some mechanism involved in recA-dependent deoxyribonucleic acid repair, perhaps by an increase in activity of the \"error prone\" component of the inducible repair pathway.", "contents": "Ultraviolet light protection, enhancement of ultraviolet light mutagenesis, and mutator effect of plasmid R46 in Salmonella typhimurium. Plasmid R46 partially protected Salmonella typhimurium, wild type or uvrB or polA, against the lethal effect of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, but did not protect recA mutants. The plasmid also increased frequency of UV-induced reversion to His+ in all tested his point mutants (wild type for UV sensitivity), including amber, ochre, UGA, missense, and frame-shift mutants. Plasmid R46 also increased UV-induced reversion to His+ in uvrB and polA strains, but no UV mutagenic effect was detected in R- or R46-carrying recA derivatives of a his (amber) mutant. The spontaneous reversion frequency of his nonsense mutants of all classes, and of some his missense mutants, was increased about 10-fold when the strains carried R46, but the plasmid had no effect on the spontaneous reversion frequency of some other his missense mutations or of reversion rate of his frame-shift mutants (except for two uvrB derivatives of one single-base insertion mutant). The plasmid increased the ability of wild-type, polA, and uvrB hosts to support plaque production by UV-irradiated phage, and made strain LT2 hisG46 less sensitive to methyl methane sulfonate and to X rays and more responsive to the mutagenic effect of visible-light irradiation. R46 increased spontaneous reversion frequency of a his (amber) rec+ strain, but had no such effect in its recA sublines. Since the plasmid in the absence of host recA function fails to produce its mutator effect, or to confer UV protection or to enhance UV mutagenesis, these three effects may be produced via some mechanism involved in recA-dependent deoxyribonucleic acid repair, perhaps by an increase in activity of the \"error prone\" component of the inducible repair pathway.", "PMID": 789333} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8390", "title": "Characterization of the hybridization between purified 16S and 23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid and ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid from Escherichia coli.", "content": "An assay to distinguish specifically between 16S and 23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) has been developed. The assay involves hybridization of radioactive rRNA to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from lambdailv5 transducing phage, which carries an rRNA transcription unit. Radioactive 16S or 23S rRNA can be specifically and completely competed from hybrids by using highly purified nonradioactive 16S or 23S competitor RNA, respectively. The preparation and purification of 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA are described in detail. The hybridization assay is extremely sensitive and efficient; 65 to 70% or more of the input radioactivity hybridizes to specific DNA in the absence of homologous competitor RNA, and at saturation virtually all of the specific DNA sequences are hybridized to rRNA. The results indicate that: (i) the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA prepared as described are greater than 99% pure, (ii) 16S RRNA and 23S rRNA hybridize with equal efficiency and in equal molar amounts of lambdailv5 DNA; (iii) at saturation, about one molecule of 16S and one molecule of 23S rRNA are hybridized per genome equivalent of lambda ilv 5 DNA; (iv) essentially no cross-hybridization occurs between 16S and 23S rRNA; and (v) the sequence homology between 16S and 23S rRNA is negligible.", "contents": "Characterization of the hybridization between purified 16S and 23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid and ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid from Escherichia coli. An assay to distinguish specifically between 16S and 23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) has been developed. The assay involves hybridization of radioactive rRNA to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from lambdailv5 transducing phage, which carries an rRNA transcription unit. Radioactive 16S or 23S rRNA can be specifically and completely competed from hybrids by using highly purified nonradioactive 16S or 23S competitor RNA, respectively. The preparation and purification of 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA are described in detail. The hybridization assay is extremely sensitive and efficient; 65 to 70% or more of the input radioactivity hybridizes to specific DNA in the absence of homologous competitor RNA, and at saturation virtually all of the specific DNA sequences are hybridized to rRNA. The results indicate that: (i) the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA prepared as described are greater than 99% pure, (ii) 16S RRNA and 23S rRNA hybridize with equal efficiency and in equal molar amounts of lambdailv5 DNA; (iii) at saturation, about one molecule of 16S and one molecule of 23S rRNA are hybridized per genome equivalent of lambda ilv 5 DNA; (iv) essentially no cross-hybridization occurs between 16S and 23S rRNA; and (v) the sequence homology between 16S and 23S rRNA is negligible.", "PMID": 789334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8391", "title": "Isolation of specialized transducing bacteriophages carrying deletions of the regulatory region of the Escherichia coli K-12 tryptophan operon.", "content": "A lysogen of a wild-type strain of Escherichia coli K-12 carrying a heat-inducible lambda-phi80 hybrid prophage was induced to yield transducing phages carrying all of the structural genes of the tryptophan operon. The presence or absence of elements of the trp regulatory region was determined by examining the effects of lambda genes N and cI on trp gene expression. The phages were further characterized by transduction studies and by examining anthranilate synthetase (EC 4.1.3.27) (TRYPE+D) synthesis in the presence of the lambda cI product. A number of phages deleted for the trp promoter were found. Recombination studies between trpOc bacteria and the transducing phages have yielded information that can be used to order the trp end points of some phages and to provide an estimate of the size of the trp promoter region.", "contents": "Isolation of specialized transducing bacteriophages carrying deletions of the regulatory region of the Escherichia coli K-12 tryptophan operon. A lysogen of a wild-type strain of Escherichia coli K-12 carrying a heat-inducible lambda-phi80 hybrid prophage was induced to yield transducing phages carrying all of the structural genes of the tryptophan operon. The presence or absence of elements of the trp regulatory region was determined by examining the effects of lambda genes N and cI on trp gene expression. The phages were further characterized by transduction studies and by examining anthranilate synthetase (EC 4.1.3.27) (TRYPE+D) synthesis in the presence of the lambda cI product. A number of phages deleted for the trp promoter were found. Recombination studies between trpOc bacteria and the transducing phages have yielded information that can be used to order the trp end points of some phages and to provide an estimate of the size of the trp promoter region.", "PMID": 789335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8392", "title": "Regulation of purine utilization in bacteria. VII. Involvement of membrane-associated nucleoside phosphorylase in the uptake and the base-mediated loss of the ribose moiety of nucleosides by Salmonella typhimurium membrane vesicles.", "content": "Although uridine and adenosine are converted by membrane-associated nucleoside phosphorylases to ribose-1-phosphate (ribose-1-P) and the corresponding bases (uracil and adenine), only ribose -1-P is accumulated within Salmonella typhimurium LT2 membrane vesicles. In accordance with these observations, no uptake is observed when the vesicles are incubated with the bases or nucleosides labeled in their base moieties. The vesicles lack a transport system for ribos-1-P, since excess ribose-1-P does not inhibit the uptake of the ribose moiety of uridine. In addition, there is no exchange with preaccumulatedribose-1-P. Thus, uridine, rather than ribose-1-P, must serve as the initially transported substrate. The uptake of the ribose portion of uridine is coupled to electron transport, and the levels to which ribose-1-P are accumulated may be reduced by adding various bases to the reaction mixtures. The bases appear to inhibit the uridine phosphorylase reaction and/or cause an efflux of ribose-1-P from the vesicles. This loss of ribose-1-P reflects the accumulation of nucleosides in the external medium after being synthesized within the membranes. Synthesis of the nucleosides from intravesicular ribose-1-P and exogenous base proceeds even though the bases are not accumulated by the vesicles. Furthermore, ribose-1-P cannot significantly inhibit uridine phosphorylase activity unless the membranes are disrupted. These observations indicate that the membrane-associated nucleoside phosphorylases may have a transmembranal orientation with their base and ribose-1-P binding sites on opposite sides of the membranes. Such an asymmetric arrangement of these enzymes may facilitate the uptake of the ribosyl moiety of nucleosides by a group translocation mechanism. Thus, nucleosides may be cleaved during the membrane transport process, with the resultant bases delivered to the external environment while ribose-1-P is shunted to the intravesicular space.", "contents": "Regulation of purine utilization in bacteria. VII. Involvement of membrane-associated nucleoside phosphorylase in the uptake and the base-mediated loss of the ribose moiety of nucleosides by Salmonella typhimurium membrane vesicles. Although uridine and adenosine are converted by membrane-associated nucleoside phosphorylases to ribose-1-phosphate (ribose-1-P) and the corresponding bases (uracil and adenine), only ribose -1-P is accumulated within Salmonella typhimurium LT2 membrane vesicles. In accordance with these observations, no uptake is observed when the vesicles are incubated with the bases or nucleosides labeled in their base moieties. The vesicles lack a transport system for ribos-1-P, since excess ribose-1-P does not inhibit the uptake of the ribose moiety of uridine. In addition, there is no exchange with preaccumulatedribose-1-P. Thus, uridine, rather than ribose-1-P, must serve as the initially transported substrate. The uptake of the ribose portion of uridine is coupled to electron transport, and the levels to which ribose-1-P are accumulated may be reduced by adding various bases to the reaction mixtures. The bases appear to inhibit the uridine phosphorylase reaction and/or cause an efflux of ribose-1-P from the vesicles. This loss of ribose-1-P reflects the accumulation of nucleosides in the external medium after being synthesized within the membranes. Synthesis of the nucleosides from intravesicular ribose-1-P and exogenous base proceeds even though the bases are not accumulated by the vesicles. Furthermore, ribose-1-P cannot significantly inhibit uridine phosphorylase activity unless the membranes are disrupted. These observations indicate that the membrane-associated nucleoside phosphorylases may have a transmembranal orientation with their base and ribose-1-P binding sites on opposite sides of the membranes. Such an asymmetric arrangement of these enzymes may facilitate the uptake of the ribosyl moiety of nucleosides by a group translocation mechanism. Thus, nucleosides may be cleaved during the membrane transport process, with the resultant bases delivered to the external environment while ribose-1-P is shunted to the intravesicular space.", "PMID": 789336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8393", "title": "Growth response of Escherichia coli to nutritional shift-up: immediate division stimulation in slow-growing cells.", "content": "When Escherichia coli 15T- cells growing exponentially at 70- to 80-min doubling times are subjected to a nutritional shift-up via glucose addition, cell division continues at the preshift rate for about 70 min (rate maintenance). The same cells growing at doubling times of 120 min or longer, however, begin to divide at a new faster rate immediately upon glucose addition. In both the rate maintenance and immediate division situations, cell mass, as measured by optical density (OD), begins to increase immediately upon shift-up. Consequently, the OD/cell pattern differs in the two growth-rate transitions. During rate maintenance, the OD/cell ratio increases dramatically for 60 to 70 min, and then slows appreciably and approaches the OD/cell characteristic of the new medium. During immediate division situations, the OD/cell increases only slightly for the first 180 +/- min; then the rate of increase accelerates but does not stop at the OD/cell characteristic of the new medium. Immediate division upon nutritional shift-up apparently depends upon initial doubling times in excess of 115 to 120 min and provision of a readily metabolized carbon source supporting doubling times of about 40 min. Similar immediate division occurs in E. coli B/r and K-12.", "contents": "Growth response of Escherichia coli to nutritional shift-up: immediate division stimulation in slow-growing cells. When Escherichia coli 15T- cells growing exponentially at 70- to 80-min doubling times are subjected to a nutritional shift-up via glucose addition, cell division continues at the preshift rate for about 70 min (rate maintenance). The same cells growing at doubling times of 120 min or longer, however, begin to divide at a new faster rate immediately upon glucose addition. In both the rate maintenance and immediate division situations, cell mass, as measured by optical density (OD), begins to increase immediately upon shift-up. Consequently, the OD/cell pattern differs in the two growth-rate transitions. During rate maintenance, the OD/cell ratio increases dramatically for 60 to 70 min, and then slows appreciably and approaches the OD/cell characteristic of the new medium. During immediate division situations, the OD/cell increases only slightly for the first 180 +/- min; then the rate of increase accelerates but does not stop at the OD/cell characteristic of the new medium. Immediate division upon nutritional shift-up apparently depends upon initial doubling times in excess of 115 to 120 min and provision of a readily metabolized carbon source supporting doubling times of about 40 min. Similar immediate division occurs in E. coli B/r and K-12.", "PMID": 789337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8394", "title": "Escherichia coli ornithine carbamolytransferase isoenzymes: evolutionary significance and the isolation of lambdaargF and lambdaargI transducing bacteriophages.", "content": "Among the Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli K-12 is the only strain known to have two structural genes (argF and argI) for ornithine carbamoyltransferase. The two gene products interact to form a family of four functional isoenzymes, respectively designated FFF, FFI, FII, and III. The FFF and III isoenzymes exhibit nearly identical kinetic parameters in the conditions applied. FFF is more thermolabile than III; this allows the straightforward characterization of new transducing phages carrying either argF or argI. The bearing of the available information regarding ornithine carbamoyltransferase isoenzymes on the evolution of the ancestral E. coli chromosome is reconsidered.", "contents": "Escherichia coli ornithine carbamolytransferase isoenzymes: evolutionary significance and the isolation of lambdaargF and lambdaargI transducing bacteriophages. Among the Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli K-12 is the only strain known to have two structural genes (argF and argI) for ornithine carbamoyltransferase. The two gene products interact to form a family of four functional isoenzymes, respectively designated FFF, FFI, FII, and III. The FFF and III isoenzymes exhibit nearly identical kinetic parameters in the conditions applied. FFF is more thermolabile than III; this allows the straightforward characterization of new transducing phages carrying either argF or argI. The bearing of the available information regarding ornithine carbamoyltransferase isoenzymes on the evolution of the ancestral E. coli chromosome is reconsidered.", "PMID": 789338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8395", "title": "Mutational alteration of a nitrogen-fixing bacterium to sensitivity to infection by bacteriophage Mu: isolation of nif mutations of Klebsiella pneumoniae M5al induced by Mu.", "content": "The nitrogen-fixing bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae M5al is not sensitive to infection by bacteriophage Mu. A mutant of K. pneumoniae that is sensitive to Mu infection was isolated. Several Mu-induced auxotrophic mutations of K. pneumoniae including nif, trp, and rtl were isolated and genetically characterized. Evidence is presented that the Mu-induced mutations of nif arise as the result of insertion of Mu within (or near) the nif operon(s). The rtl locus, which determines the ability to utilize ribitol as a carbon source, was found to be linked to nif loci.", "contents": "Mutational alteration of a nitrogen-fixing bacterium to sensitivity to infection by bacteriophage Mu: isolation of nif mutations of Klebsiella pneumoniae M5al induced by Mu. The nitrogen-fixing bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae M5al is not sensitive to infection by bacteriophage Mu. A mutant of K. pneumoniae that is sensitive to Mu infection was isolated. Several Mu-induced auxotrophic mutations of K. pneumoniae including nif, trp, and rtl were isolated and genetically characterized. Evidence is presented that the Mu-induced mutations of nif arise as the result of insertion of Mu within (or near) the nif operon(s). The rtl locus, which determines the ability to utilize ribitol as a carbon source, was found to be linked to nif loci.", "PMID": 789339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8396", "title": "Effect of 1,10-phenanthroline on bacterial conjugation in Escherichia coli K-12: inhibition of maturation from preliminary mates into effective mates.", "content": "The addition of 1 mM orthophenanthroline (OP) into a mating mixture drastically reduced the production of recombinants. Examination of the effect of OP on each step of conjugation showed that the effect on the following steps could not account for the up to 500-fold reduction of recombinant formation: (i) preliminary mate formation and (ii) deoxyribonucleic acid transfer and integration. Taking these results and additional experiments together, we conclude that OP inhibits the maturation of preliminary mates into effective mates. Kinetic experiments showed that there were two phases in the maturation of preliminary (OP-sensitive) mates into effective (OP-resistant) mates. The half-time (the time required to reach 50% OP-resistant mates) was 2.5 min for the first phase and 4 min for the second phase, with an overall half-time of 7.5 min. In contrast, only 3 min was required to reach 50% Zn2+-resistant mates. The difference in half-time suggests that there is an intermediate step involved to form an effective mate from a preliminary mate.", "contents": "Effect of 1,10-phenanthroline on bacterial conjugation in Escherichia coli K-12: inhibition of maturation from preliminary mates into effective mates. The addition of 1 mM orthophenanthroline (OP) into a mating mixture drastically reduced the production of recombinants. Examination of the effect of OP on each step of conjugation showed that the effect on the following steps could not account for the up to 500-fold reduction of recombinant formation: (i) preliminary mate formation and (ii) deoxyribonucleic acid transfer and integration. Taking these results and additional experiments together, we conclude that OP inhibits the maturation of preliminary mates into effective mates. Kinetic experiments showed that there were two phases in the maturation of preliminary (OP-sensitive) mates into effective (OP-resistant) mates. The half-time (the time required to reach 50% OP-resistant mates) was 2.5 min for the first phase and 4 min for the second phase, with an overall half-time of 7.5 min. In contrast, only 3 min was required to reach 50% Zn2+-resistant mates. The difference in half-time suggests that there is an intermediate step involved to form an effective mate from a preliminary mate.", "PMID": 789340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8397", "title": "Rapid micromethod for the purification of Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase and the preparation of bacterial extracts active in ribonucleic acid synthesis.", "content": "A rapid micromethod is described for the preparation of nucleic acid-free extracts from Escherichia coli that involves precipitation with polyethylene glycol. Extracts can be prepared from growing cells in 75 min by three short, low-speed centrifugations. The extract did not inhibit added purified ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase, suggesting that major inhibitors of RNA synthesis had been removed. This extract should be ideal for assessing the properties of mutant RNA polymerases. The rapid chromatography of the extracts with step elution from deoxyribonucleic acid- and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose columns resulted in high yields of substantially pure RNA polymerase. We used this technique to purify 35S-labeled RNA polymerase. This system should find application for the purification of small quantities of other bacterial RNA polymerases that share the general chromatographic properties of E. coli RNA polymerase.", "contents": "Rapid micromethod for the purification of Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase and the preparation of bacterial extracts active in ribonucleic acid synthesis. A rapid micromethod is described for the preparation of nucleic acid-free extracts from Escherichia coli that involves precipitation with polyethylene glycol. Extracts can be prepared from growing cells in 75 min by three short, low-speed centrifugations. The extract did not inhibit added purified ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase, suggesting that major inhibitors of RNA synthesis had been removed. This extract should be ideal for assessing the properties of mutant RNA polymerases. The rapid chromatography of the extracts with step elution from deoxyribonucleic acid- and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose columns resulted in high yields of substantially pure RNA polymerase. We used this technique to purify 35S-labeled RNA polymerase. This system should find application for the purification of small quantities of other bacterial RNA polymerases that share the general chromatographic properties of E. coli RNA polymerase.", "PMID": 789341} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8398", "title": "Structural and regulatory mutations allowing utilization of citrulline or carbamoylaspartate as a source of carbamoylphosphate in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Escherichia coli mutants lacking carbamoylphosphate synthase require arginine and uracil for growth. It is, however, possible to obtain mutants in which carbamoylphosphate is obtained by phosphorolysis of citrulline or carbamyolaspartate. Citrulline utilizers are argG bradytrophs or strains in which the synthesis of ornithine carbamoyltransferase (either of the F or I type) is specifically depressed by unstable chromosomal rearrangements or stable mutations that presumably affect the operators of those genes. Carbamoylaspartate utilization as a source of carbamoylphosphate appears to require more than one mutation; the best-understood strains are pyrD pyrH or pyrC pyrH mutants in which aspartate carbamoyltransferase activity is high and the pool of cytidine triphosphate (feedback inhibitor of aspartate carbamoyl-transferase) is presumably low and in which channeling of carbamoylaspartate towards pyrimidine biosynthesis is considerably reduced. Selection of enzyme overproducers based on a metabolic dependency for a reversed enzymatic reaction can be regarded as a means for isolating regulatory mutants.", "contents": "Structural and regulatory mutations allowing utilization of citrulline or carbamoylaspartate as a source of carbamoylphosphate in Escherichia coli K-12. Escherichia coli mutants lacking carbamoylphosphate synthase require arginine and uracil for growth. It is, however, possible to obtain mutants in which carbamoylphosphate is obtained by phosphorolysis of citrulline or carbamyolaspartate. Citrulline utilizers are argG bradytrophs or strains in which the synthesis of ornithine carbamoyltransferase (either of the F or I type) is specifically depressed by unstable chromosomal rearrangements or stable mutations that presumably affect the operators of those genes. Carbamoylaspartate utilization as a source of carbamoylphosphate appears to require more than one mutation; the best-understood strains are pyrD pyrH or pyrC pyrH mutants in which aspartate carbamoyltransferase activity is high and the pool of cytidine triphosphate (feedback inhibitor of aspartate carbamoyl-transferase) is presumably low and in which channeling of carbamoylaspartate towards pyrimidine biosynthesis is considerably reduced. Selection of enzyme overproducers based on a metabolic dependency for a reversed enzymatic reaction can be regarded as a means for isolating regulatory mutants.", "PMID": 789342} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8399", "title": "Cysteine and methionine content of the Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase subunits.", "content": "We describe a procedure that allows cysteine and methionine content to be determined on microgram amounts of partially purified protein. The only requirements are that the protein can be obtained as a pure band after electrophoresis on a polyacrylamide gel and that some data on amino acid content be available. This method involves double labeling by growing bacterial cells with [3H]leucine and [35S]SO4 and determining the ratio of these radioisotopes incorporated into the ribonucleic acid polymerase subunits. The relative specific activities of [3H]leucine and [35S]cysteine and methionine are determined from the ratio of these isotopes incorporated into beta-galactosidase, the leucine, cysteine, and methionine contents of which are known. We have used this procedure to determine the sulfur content of the subunits of Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase. These new data are necessary to quantitate the rates of synthesis of these subunits by in vivo labeling with [35S]SO4.", "contents": "Cysteine and methionine content of the Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase subunits. We describe a procedure that allows cysteine and methionine content to be determined on microgram amounts of partially purified protein. The only requirements are that the protein can be obtained as a pure band after electrophoresis on a polyacrylamide gel and that some data on amino acid content be available. This method involves double labeling by growing bacterial cells with [3H]leucine and [35S]SO4 and determining the ratio of these radioisotopes incorporated into the ribonucleic acid polymerase subunits. The relative specific activities of [3H]leucine and [35S]cysteine and methionine are determined from the ratio of these isotopes incorporated into beta-galactosidase, the leucine, cysteine, and methionine contents of which are known. We have used this procedure to determine the sulfur content of the subunits of Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase. These new data are necessary to quantitate the rates of synthesis of these subunits by in vivo labeling with [35S]SO4.", "PMID": 789343} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8400", "title": "Characterization of SmSu plasmids by restriction endonuclease cleavage and compatibility testing.", "content": "Twelve plasmids carrying genes for streptomycin and sulfonamide resistance were studied for the number and distribution of sites on the plasmid moleucles susceptible to cleavage by the restriction endonuclease EcoRI. Ten of the twelve were found to have a single cut site, one plasmid (R678) had three such sites, and plasmid PB165, which was isolated as three supercoiled deoxyribonucleic acid species with molecular weights 7.4 x 10(6), 14.7 x 10(6), and 21.4 x 10(6) was reduced to a single (linear) species of molecular weight 7.6 x 10(6) after cutting with EcoRI. We conclude that PB165 forms oligomers in Escherichia coli and that the number of copies of these per chromosome is more consistant and that the number of copies of these per chromosome is more consistent with a negative than a positive control mechanism for plasmid replication. Compatibility testing of a positive control mechanism for plasmid replication. Compatibility testing of these plasmids showed they all belong to the same incompatibility group, which we designate IncQ, suggesting that they may have come from a common ancestor.", "contents": "Characterization of SmSu plasmids by restriction endonuclease cleavage and compatibility testing. Twelve plasmids carrying genes for streptomycin and sulfonamide resistance were studied for the number and distribution of sites on the plasmid moleucles susceptible to cleavage by the restriction endonuclease EcoRI. Ten of the twelve were found to have a single cut site, one plasmid (R678) had three such sites, and plasmid PB165, which was isolated as three supercoiled deoxyribonucleic acid species with molecular weights 7.4 x 10(6), 14.7 x 10(6), and 21.4 x 10(6) was reduced to a single (linear) species of molecular weight 7.6 x 10(6) after cutting with EcoRI. We conclude that PB165 forms oligomers in Escherichia coli and that the number of copies of these per chromosome is more consistant and that the number of copies of these per chromosome is more consistent with a negative than a positive control mechanism for plasmid replication. Compatibility testing of a positive control mechanism for plasmid replication. Compatibility testing of these plasmids showed they all belong to the same incompatibility group, which we designate IncQ, suggesting that they may have come from a common ancestor.", "PMID": 789344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8401", "title": "Septum formation-defective mutant of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Mutants of Escherichia coli defective in septum initiation, as well as in septum formation were obtained spontaneously, without mutagenic treatment, by selection of rifampin-tolerant mutants of an antibiotic-permeable strain carrying the envA mutation. The disturbed phenotype was in all mutants aggrevated the low incubation temperatures. One allele, sefA1, was studied in detail. Septum initiation, as well as septum formation, was promoted by high cell densities or by the addition of low concentrations of certain antibiotics, e.g., rifampin and chloramphenicol, to low-density cultures. The observed rifampicin depencence was studied in detail. These experiments indicated that a very modest shift-down situation suppressed the phenotype and enabled constrictions to proceed to cell separation. The rifampicin sensitivity of the partially purified deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase was not affected by the sefA1 allele, which is located close to proA and is thus distinct from envA. Growth parameters during the shift to 25 degrees C were followed in a transductant carrying HE SEFA1 allele. This constriction was characteristically blunt and did not lead to cell separation. At the time of formation of these frozen constrictions, clear zones representing a separation of wall from cytoplasmic membrane appeared. These polar tips did not inhibit expansion of the cell envelope. The phenotype of cells carrying the sefA1 allele suggests a disturbed relationship among protoplasm expansion, envelope growth, and septum formation. It is thought that the blunt constrictions observed are caused by an inability of the two septal peptidoglycan layers to fuse during an early stage of septation.", "contents": "Septum formation-defective mutant of Escherichia coli. Mutants of Escherichia coli defective in septum initiation, as well as in septum formation were obtained spontaneously, without mutagenic treatment, by selection of rifampin-tolerant mutants of an antibiotic-permeable strain carrying the envA mutation. The disturbed phenotype was in all mutants aggrevated the low incubation temperatures. One allele, sefA1, was studied in detail. Septum initiation, as well as septum formation, was promoted by high cell densities or by the addition of low concentrations of certain antibiotics, e.g., rifampin and chloramphenicol, to low-density cultures. The observed rifampicin depencence was studied in detail. These experiments indicated that a very modest shift-down situation suppressed the phenotype and enabled constrictions to proceed to cell separation. The rifampicin sensitivity of the partially purified deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase was not affected by the sefA1 allele, which is located close to proA and is thus distinct from envA. Growth parameters during the shift to 25 degrees C were followed in a transductant carrying HE SEFA1 allele. This constriction was characteristically blunt and did not lead to cell separation. At the time of formation of these frozen constrictions, clear zones representing a separation of wall from cytoplasmic membrane appeared. These polar tips did not inhibit expansion of the cell envelope. The phenotype of cells carrying the sefA1 allele suggests a disturbed relationship among protoplasm expansion, envelope growth, and septum formation. It is thought that the blunt constrictions observed are caused by an inability of the two septal peptidoglycan layers to fuse during an early stage of septation.", "PMID": 789345} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8402", "title": "Transposition of a plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid sequence that mediates ampicillin resistance: independence from host rec functions and orientation of insertion.", "content": "Insertion of the transposable deoxyribonucleic acid sequence that specifies the TEM beta-lactamase (TnA) occurred in at least 19 sites on the 5.5 x 10(6)-dalton plasmid RSF1010. There was no significant difference in the frequency of transposition or in the distribution of TnA insertion sites for recombinant plasmids isolated from recombination-proficient (rec+) or recombination-deficient (rec-) bacterial host cells. The site and orientation of TnA insertions were determined by both heteroduplex analysis and enzymatic digestion with restriction endonucleases. Insertion in the gene encoding for sulfonamide resistance occurred without circular permutation in one or the other of two distinct orientations. Insertions in orientation P were strongly polar on distal gene expression, whereas insertions in orientation M were mutagenic but not polar. In addition, we have observed that TnA elements from different R plasmids show fine structural heterogeneity, and that TnA insertion at a site adjacent to the origin of replication causes an increase in plasmid copy number.", "contents": "Transposition of a plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid sequence that mediates ampicillin resistance: independence from host rec functions and orientation of insertion. Insertion of the transposable deoxyribonucleic acid sequence that specifies the TEM beta-lactamase (TnA) occurred in at least 19 sites on the 5.5 x 10(6)-dalton plasmid RSF1010. There was no significant difference in the frequency of transposition or in the distribution of TnA insertion sites for recombinant plasmids isolated from recombination-proficient (rec+) or recombination-deficient (rec-) bacterial host cells. The site and orientation of TnA insertions were determined by both heteroduplex analysis and enzymatic digestion with restriction endonucleases. Insertion in the gene encoding for sulfonamide resistance occurred without circular permutation in one or the other of two distinct orientations. Insertions in orientation P were strongly polar on distal gene expression, whereas insertions in orientation M were mutagenic but not polar. In addition, we have observed that TnA elements from different R plasmids show fine structural heterogeneity, and that TnA insertion at a site adjacent to the origin of replication causes an increase in plasmid copy number.", "PMID": 789346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8403", "title": "Light microscopy of basidia, basidiospores, and nuclei in spores and hyphae of Filobasidiella neoformans (Cryptococcus neoformans).", "content": "Three hypha-forming strains of Cryptococcus neoformans were induced to form basidia and basidiospores. Light microscopy showed that basidia formed at the ends of terminal hyphal cells and were able to produce from a few to many basidiospores. The morphology of the sexual structures indicated that these strains belonged to the recently described perfect state of C. neoformans, Filobasidiella neoformans. The average dimensions of the basidiospores were 1.9 mum in width by 2.7 mum in length. Giemsa staining revealed that dikaryotic cells were formed in all three strains. Only one strain had both terminal and subterminal dikaryons, indicating functional clamp connections, whereas the two remaining strains had dikaryons restricted to the terminal cells. Basidiospores of two strains were mononucleate, and yeast cell clones derived from single basidiospores of these two strains were able to complete the sexual life cycle, thus indicating their primary homothallic nature.", "contents": "Light microscopy of basidia, basidiospores, and nuclei in spores and hyphae of Filobasidiella neoformans (Cryptococcus neoformans). Three hypha-forming strains of Cryptococcus neoformans were induced to form basidia and basidiospores. Light microscopy showed that basidia formed at the ends of terminal hyphal cells and were able to produce from a few to many basidiospores. The morphology of the sexual structures indicated that these strains belonged to the recently described perfect state of C. neoformans, Filobasidiella neoformans. The average dimensions of the basidiospores were 1.9 mum in width by 2.7 mum in length. Giemsa staining revealed that dikaryotic cells were formed in all three strains. Only one strain had both terminal and subterminal dikaryons, indicating functional clamp connections, whereas the two remaining strains had dikaryons restricted to the terminal cells. Basidiospores of two strains were mononucleate, and yeast cell clones derived from single basidiospores of these two strains were able to complete the sexual life cycle, thus indicating their primary homothallic nature.", "PMID": 789347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8404", "title": "Molecular cloning of an Escherichia coli plasmid determinant than encodes for the production of heat-stable enterotoxin.", "content": "A conjugative plasmid, ESF0041 was isolated from an enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli from calves. ESF0041 was found to be 65 x 10(6) daltons in mass of a member of the F incompatibility complex. Acquisition of ESF0041 by E. coli K-12 was invariably associated with the capacity to produce heat-stable (ST) enterotoxin. ESF0041 and pSC101 deoxyribonucleic acids were cleaved with EcoRI, and the fragments were ligated with polynucleotide ligase. Transformation of E. coli K-12 with the ligation mixture led to the isolation of an ST+ clone. Further analysis of the plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid from this clone showed that a structural gene(s) associated with ST biosynthesis had been isolated as a 5.7 x 10(6)-dalton ESF0041 fragment in pSC101. In turn, 5.7 x 10(6)-dalton fragment was ligated to a multicopy COLE1 derivative, RSF2124, so that toxin synthesis was amplified about threefold.", "contents": "Molecular cloning of an Escherichia coli plasmid determinant than encodes for the production of heat-stable enterotoxin. A conjugative plasmid, ESF0041 was isolated from an enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli from calves. ESF0041 was found to be 65 x 10(6) daltons in mass of a member of the F incompatibility complex. Acquisition of ESF0041 by E. coli K-12 was invariably associated with the capacity to produce heat-stable (ST) enterotoxin. ESF0041 and pSC101 deoxyribonucleic acids were cleaved with EcoRI, and the fragments were ligated with polynucleotide ligase. Transformation of E. coli K-12 with the ligation mixture led to the isolation of an ST+ clone. Further analysis of the plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid from this clone showed that a structural gene(s) associated with ST biosynthesis had been isolated as a 5.7 x 10(6)-dalton ESF0041 fragment in pSC101. In turn, 5.7 x 10(6)-dalton fragment was ligated to a multicopy COLE1 derivative, RSF2124, so that toxin synthesis was amplified about threefold.", "PMID": 789348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8405", "title": "Relationship of Bdellovibrio elongation and fission to host cell size.", "content": "The extent of Bdellovibrio growth, and hence progeny produced in infected cells, appears to depend upon host cell size as determined from the ratio of ultimitate length of Bdellovibrio to host cell area calculated from light microscopy.", "contents": "Relationship of Bdellovibrio elongation and fission to host cell size. The extent of Bdellovibrio growth, and hence progeny produced in infected cells, appears to depend upon host cell size as determined from the ratio of ultimitate length of Bdellovibrio to host cell area calculated from light microscopy.", "PMID": 789349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8406", "title": "Convenient method for detecting 14CO2 in multiple samples: application to rapid screening for mutants.", "content": "A procedure is presented for the rapid screening of bacterial colonies to detect mutants unable to produce 14CO2 from a labeled precursor. The method is especially useful for mass screening for mutants that cannot be easily detected by their phenotypic characteristics.", "contents": "Convenient method for detecting 14CO2 in multiple samples: application to rapid screening for mutants. A procedure is presented for the rapid screening of bacterial colonies to detect mutants unable to produce 14CO2 from a labeled precursor. The method is especially useful for mass screening for mutants that cannot be easily detected by their phenotypic characteristics.", "PMID": 789350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8407", "title": "Genetic location of the gene (ush) specifying periplasmic uridine 5'-diphosphate glucose hydrolase (5'-nucleotidase) in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Further genetic mapping to two- and three-factor crosses show that the ush gene is closely linked to two other genes hemG and pisA, and that the probable gene order is proC-hemG-plsA-ush-gal.", "contents": "Genetic location of the gene (ush) specifying periplasmic uridine 5'-diphosphate glucose hydrolase (5'-nucleotidase) in Escherichia coli K-12. Further genetic mapping to two- and three-factor crosses show that the ush gene is closely linked to two other genes hemG and pisA, and that the probable gene order is proC-hemG-plsA-ush-gal.", "PMID": 789351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8408", "title": "Regulation of arginine biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: isolation of a cis-dominant, constitutive mutant for ornithine carbamoyltransferase synthesis.", "content": "A cis-dominant mutation linked to argF, the structural gene specifying ornithine carbamoyltransferase, and affecting the control of the synthesis of this enzyme has been obtained. The level of ornithine carbamoyltransferase in this mutation is depressed and less repressible by addition of L-arginine than it is in the wild-type strain. Of 38 tetrads analyzed, resulting from a cross of a strain harboring this mutation with a strain carrying an argF- mutation, none was a tetratype or a nonparental ditype. This operator mutation helps to define a negative mode of control of the synthesis of the arginine biosynthetic enzymes, as had been suggested earlier upon the isolation of argRI- (arg80), argRII- (arg81), and argRIII- (arg82) specific regulatory mutations.", "contents": "Regulation of arginine biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: isolation of a cis-dominant, constitutive mutant for ornithine carbamoyltransferase synthesis. A cis-dominant mutation linked to argF, the structural gene specifying ornithine carbamoyltransferase, and affecting the control of the synthesis of this enzyme has been obtained. The level of ornithine carbamoyltransferase in this mutation is depressed and less repressible by addition of L-arginine than it is in the wild-type strain. Of 38 tetrads analyzed, resulting from a cross of a strain harboring this mutation with a strain carrying an argF- mutation, none was a tetratype or a nonparental ditype. This operator mutation helps to define a negative mode of control of the synthesis of the arginine biosynthetic enzymes, as had been suggested earlier upon the isolation of argRI- (arg80), argRII- (arg81), and argRIII- (arg82) specific regulatory mutations.", "PMID": 789352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8409", "title": "Iron-requiring mutant of Escherichia coli carrying a deletion in the aroG-nadA region of the chromosome.", "content": "A mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 carrying a deletion in the aroG-nadA region of the genome requires a high concentration of iron for growth. The strain is chromium sensitive, and in the presence of citrate lower concentrations of iron support cell growth. The deletion mutant lost a gene between aroG and nadA that is responsible for the uptake of iron.", "contents": "Iron-requiring mutant of Escherichia coli carrying a deletion in the aroG-nadA region of the chromosome. A mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 carrying a deletion in the aroG-nadA region of the genome requires a high concentration of iron for growth. The strain is chromium sensitive, and in the presence of citrate lower concentrations of iron support cell growth. The deletion mutant lost a gene between aroG and nadA that is responsible for the uptake of iron.", "PMID": 789353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8410", "title": "Rate of synthesis of polyadenylate-containing ribonucleic acid during the yeast cell cycle.", "content": "The rate of synthesis of polyadenylate-containing ribonucleic acid is constant throughout the cell cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "contents": "Rate of synthesis of polyadenylate-containing ribonucleic acid during the yeast cell cycle. The rate of synthesis of polyadenylate-containing ribonucleic acid is constant throughout the cell cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "PMID": 789354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8411", "title": "Thiogalactoside transacetylase of the lactose operon as an enzyme for detoxification.", "content": "Thigalactoside transacetylase, the lacA gene product, confers selective advantage to cells of Escherichia coli K-12 growing on beta-galactosides in the presence of non-metabolizable analogues.", "contents": "Thiogalactoside transacetylase of the lactose operon as an enzyme for detoxification. Thigalactoside transacetylase, the lacA gene product, confers selective advantage to cells of Escherichia coli K-12 growing on beta-galactosides in the presence of non-metabolizable analogues.", "PMID": 789355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8412", "title": "Enzyme secretion in Escherichia coli: synthesis of alkaline phosphatase and acid hexose phosphatase in the absence of phospholipid synthesis.", "content": "De novo synthesis of two periplasmic enzymes in Escherichia coli, alkaline phosphatase and acid hexose phosphatase, have been studied in the presence and absence of new phospholipid synthesis. Alkaline phosphatase synthesis was initiated by a temperature shift in a strain carrying a phoA amber mutation and a temperature-sensitive suppressor mutation; acid hexose phosphatase was studied after relief of catabolite repression. Glycerol auxotrophs (gpsA) were used to control phospholipid synthesis. Synthesis of both enzymes proceeded at a normal rate for 0.5 to 1.0 generation of growth, although it was then curtailed. It is concluded that secretion of these enzymes is not obligatorily coupled to new net phospholipid synthesis.", "contents": "Enzyme secretion in Escherichia coli: synthesis of alkaline phosphatase and acid hexose phosphatase in the absence of phospholipid synthesis. De novo synthesis of two periplasmic enzymes in Escherichia coli, alkaline phosphatase and acid hexose phosphatase, have been studied in the presence and absence of new phospholipid synthesis. Alkaline phosphatase synthesis was initiated by a temperature shift in a strain carrying a phoA amber mutation and a temperature-sensitive suppressor mutation; acid hexose phosphatase was studied after relief of catabolite repression. Glycerol auxotrophs (gpsA) were used to control phospholipid synthesis. Synthesis of both enzymes proceeded at a normal rate for 0.5 to 1.0 generation of growth, although it was then curtailed. It is concluded that secretion of these enzymes is not obligatorily coupled to new net phospholipid synthesis.", "PMID": 789356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8413", "title": "Isolation and characterization of mutations creating high-efficiency transcription initiation signals within the trp operon of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Two different mutational events generate promoter-active deoxyribonucleic acid sequences within the trp operon of Escherichia coli, probably through single base-pair changes. The mutations, obtained after ethyl methane sulfonate mutagenesis by selecting for elevated lac gene expression in a trp-lac fusion, are cis dominant and trans recessive with respect to their effects on the synthesis of downstream enzymes. One of the mutants (trpD11), obtained repeatedly under the selective conditions employed, prevents the formation of active phosphoribosyltransferase. The second mutation, trp3B, has no effects on any trp enzyme. By deletion mapping, trpD11 was localized near the operator-distal end of trpD, outside the segment of deoxyribonucleic acid that contains the low-efficiency internal promoter trpP2. Reversion to prototrophy of trpD11 was greatly stimulated by 2-aminopurine and ethyl methane sulfonate. Tests with suppressors indicated that trpD11 is a UAA (ochre) nonsense mutation. Under repression conditions, strains harboring either lesion in a normal trp operon synthesize the tryptophan biosynthetic enzymes in a noncoordinate fashion. The products of the operator-distal structural genes trpC, trpB, and trpA are formed at rates approximately 15-fold higher than those of wild type. The enzymes encoded by operator-proximal genes trpE and trpD are low or not detectable. Under derepression conditions, coordinate expression of the operon was observed.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of mutations creating high-efficiency transcription initiation signals within the trp operon of Escherichia coli. Two different mutational events generate promoter-active deoxyribonucleic acid sequences within the trp operon of Escherichia coli, probably through single base-pair changes. The mutations, obtained after ethyl methane sulfonate mutagenesis by selecting for elevated lac gene expression in a trp-lac fusion, are cis dominant and trans recessive with respect to their effects on the synthesis of downstream enzymes. One of the mutants (trpD11), obtained repeatedly under the selective conditions employed, prevents the formation of active phosphoribosyltransferase. The second mutation, trp3B, has no effects on any trp enzyme. By deletion mapping, trpD11 was localized near the operator-distal end of trpD, outside the segment of deoxyribonucleic acid that contains the low-efficiency internal promoter trpP2. Reversion to prototrophy of trpD11 was greatly stimulated by 2-aminopurine and ethyl methane sulfonate. Tests with suppressors indicated that trpD11 is a UAA (ochre) nonsense mutation. Under repression conditions, strains harboring either lesion in a normal trp operon synthesize the tryptophan biosynthetic enzymes in a noncoordinate fashion. The products of the operator-distal structural genes trpC, trpB, and trpA are formed at rates approximately 15-fold higher than those of wild type. The enzymes encoded by operator-proximal genes trpE and trpD are low or not detectable. Under derepression conditions, coordinate expression of the operon was observed.", "PMID": 789357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8414", "title": "TolF locus in Escherichia coli: chromosomal location and relationship to loci cmlB and tolD.", "content": "The tentative map position on the Escherichia coli chromosome of the tolF locus, determining tolerance to colicins A, E2, E3, K, and L, has been confirmed by three-point transduction. It lies between the aroA and pyrD loci at about 21 min on the linkage map of Bachmann et al. (1976). The cmlB locus, determining increased resistance to the antibiotics chloramphenicol and tetracycline, also lies in this region (Reeve, 1966). Phenotypic and genetic comparison of isogenic strains that carry a mutation in either the tolF or cmlB locus makes it likely that these loci are closely related or identical. The tolD locus determining tolerance to colicins E2 and E3 as well as increased resistance to antibiotics has been reported to be located close to the aroA locus as a result of conjugation experiments (Eriksson-Grennberg et al. 1965). However, tolD did not cotransduce with any of several loci in this region, indicating that the mutation is not located within the region of the genetic map corresponding to approximately 19 to 22.5 min.", "contents": "TolF locus in Escherichia coli: chromosomal location and relationship to loci cmlB and tolD. The tentative map position on the Escherichia coli chromosome of the tolF locus, determining tolerance to colicins A, E2, E3, K, and L, has been confirmed by three-point transduction. It lies between the aroA and pyrD loci at about 21 min on the linkage map of Bachmann et al. (1976). The cmlB locus, determining increased resistance to the antibiotics chloramphenicol and tetracycline, also lies in this region (Reeve, 1966). Phenotypic and genetic comparison of isogenic strains that carry a mutation in either the tolF or cmlB locus makes it likely that these loci are closely related or identical. The tolD locus determining tolerance to colicins E2 and E3 as well as increased resistance to antibiotics has been reported to be located close to the aroA locus as a result of conjugation experiments (Eriksson-Grennberg et al. 1965). However, tolD did not cotransduce with any of several loci in this region, indicating that the mutation is not located within the region of the genetic map corresponding to approximately 19 to 22.5 min.", "PMID": 789358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8415", "title": "Repression of alkaline phosphatase in Salmonella typhimurium carrying a phoA+ phoR- episome from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Salmonella typhimurium does not produce alkaline phosphatase (nor beta-galactosidase). Nevertheless, it has the function of the phoR+ regulatory gene but lacks the function of the lacI+ regulatory gene. Several periplasmic proteins are derepressed when cells of S. typhimurium are starved for inorganic phosphate. The role of phoR is discussed.", "contents": "Repression of alkaline phosphatase in Salmonella typhimurium carrying a phoA+ phoR- episome from Escherichia coli. Salmonella typhimurium does not produce alkaline phosphatase (nor beta-galactosidase). Nevertheless, it has the function of the phoR+ regulatory gene but lacks the function of the lacI+ regulatory gene. Several periplasmic proteins are derepressed when cells of S. typhimurium are starved for inorganic phosphate. The role of phoR is discussed.", "PMID": 789359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8416", "title": "Protoplast formation in Escherichia coli.", "content": "A procedure for protoplast formation in Escherichia coli is described. Removal of the cell wall was confirmed by examination of cells in thin-section preparations.", "contents": "Protoplast formation in Escherichia coli. A procedure for protoplast formation in Escherichia coli is described. Removal of the cell wall was confirmed by examination of cells in thin-section preparations.", "PMID": 789360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8417", "title": "Escherichia coli mutant lacking 4-thiouridine in its transfer ribonucleic acid.", "content": "A mutant of Escherichia coli has been isolated that lacks 4-thiouridine, a rare base in transfer ribonucleic acid. The mutant grows at the same rate as wild-type cells. It shows little near-ultraviolet-induced growth delay, thus supporting earlier hypotheses that 4-thiouridine in transfer ribonucleic acid is the chromophore for this growth delay.", "contents": "Escherichia coli mutant lacking 4-thiouridine in its transfer ribonucleic acid. A mutant of Escherichia coli has been isolated that lacks 4-thiouridine, a rare base in transfer ribonucleic acid. The mutant grows at the same rate as wild-type cells. It shows little near-ultraviolet-induced growth delay, thus supporting earlier hypotheses that 4-thiouridine in transfer ribonucleic acid is the chromophore for this growth delay.", "PMID": 789361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8418", "title": "New types of Escherichia coli recombination-deficient mutants.", "content": "A set of Escherichia coli mutants deficient in intramolecular recombination and different from those previously found is described. All have temperature-sensitive lethal mutations. The mutants have been characterized with respect to the following properties: the Pap phenotype, deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, sensitivity to ultraviolet light, ability to support the growth of phage lambda, filament formation, and mutation frequency.", "contents": "New types of Escherichia coli recombination-deficient mutants. A set of Escherichia coli mutants deficient in intramolecular recombination and different from those previously found is described. All have temperature-sensitive lethal mutations. The mutants have been characterized with respect to the following properties: the Pap phenotype, deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, sensitivity to ultraviolet light, ability to support the growth of phage lambda, filament formation, and mutation frequency.", "PMID": 789362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8419", "title": "Adenosine utilization in cordycepin-sensitive mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "A purine-requiring, wild-type yeast strain was cordycepin resistant and failed to grow in medium containing adenosine; in contrast, a cordycepin-sensitive mutant (also purine requiring) grew well in medium containing adenosine. The cordycepin-sensitive mutant incorporated [8-14C]adenosine at nine times the wild-type rate, and adenosine completely fulfilled the purine requirement of the cells. Exogenous adenosine rapidly entered the mutant cells, apparently as free nucleoside, and was phosphorylated; uptake displayed concentration-dependent saturation kinetics (Km, 6 mM). Within 10 min 14C radioactivity was being incorporated into nucleic acids.", "contents": "Adenosine utilization in cordycepin-sensitive mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A purine-requiring, wild-type yeast strain was cordycepin resistant and failed to grow in medium containing adenosine; in contrast, a cordycepin-sensitive mutant (also purine requiring) grew well in medium containing adenosine. The cordycepin-sensitive mutant incorporated [8-14C]adenosine at nine times the wild-type rate, and adenosine completely fulfilled the purine requirement of the cells. Exogenous adenosine rapidly entered the mutant cells, apparently as free nucleoside, and was phosphorylated; uptake displayed concentration-dependent saturation kinetics (Km, 6 mM). Within 10 min 14C radioactivity was being incorporated into nucleic acids.", "PMID": 789363} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8420", "title": "Aminoacyl transfer RNA formation. Binding of cations to transfer RNA and its role in aminoacyl transfer RNA formation.", "content": "The role of cations (polyamines and Mg2+) in isoleucyl-tRNA formation catalyzed by purified isolecuyl-tRNA synthetase [EC 6.1.1.5] from Escherichia coli was studied. It was found that spermine, spermidine, and Mg2+ bind to tRNA and that when bound to these cations, tRNA acts as substrate of aminoacylation without requiring further cations. These findings suggest that the primary function of cations in aminoacyl-tRNA formation is to bind to tRNA to stabilize its structure, not to bind to the enzyme to activate it.", "contents": "Aminoacyl transfer RNA formation. Binding of cations to transfer RNA and its role in aminoacyl transfer RNA formation. The role of cations (polyamines and Mg2+) in isoleucyl-tRNA formation catalyzed by purified isolecuyl-tRNA synthetase [EC 6.1.1.5] from Escherichia coli was studied. It was found that spermine, spermidine, and Mg2+ bind to tRNA and that when bound to these cations, tRNA acts as substrate of aminoacylation without requiring further cations. These findings suggest that the primary function of cations in aminoacyl-tRNA formation is to bind to tRNA to stabilize its structure, not to bind to the enzyme to activate it.", "PMID": 789364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8421", "title": "D-Serine dehydratase from Escherichia coli. Essential arginine residue at the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate binding site.", "content": "D-Serine apodehydratase from Escherichia coli is rapidly inactivated by butanedione in K+ borate buffer or by phenylglyoxal in K+ phosphate buffer at pH 8, 25 degrees. Pyridoxal-P protects against the inactivation. Modification of the apoenzyme abolishes its ability to bind the cofactor, pyridoxal-P, but the apparent Km for the substrate, D-serine, is not altered. The concentration dependence of the rate of butanedione inactivation in K+ borate buffer indicates that it is a two-step process with one butanedione bound per molecule of apoenzyme to give an inactive complex; half-maximal rate of inactivation is obtained at 37 mM butanedione. Butanedione inactivation is fully reversed following removal of excess reagent and borate. Similar studies with [14C]phenylglyoxal show that in the presence of pyridoxal-P at least 2 arginine residues may be modified without loss of activity. In the absence of pyridoxal-P modification of a single additional arginine residue results in loss of activity. Results with both inactivating reagents thus demonstrate that a critical arginine residue participates in binding of the coenzyme, pyridoxal-P. The stoichiometry of phenylglyoxal incorporation into the enzyme is different in the presence and absence of borate. Under both conditions incorporated phenylglyoxal is slowly lost on dialysis at neutral pH. A possible explanation of these effects is discussed.", "contents": "D-Serine dehydratase from Escherichia coli. Essential arginine residue at the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate binding site. D-Serine apodehydratase from Escherichia coli is rapidly inactivated by butanedione in K+ borate buffer or by phenylglyoxal in K+ phosphate buffer at pH 8, 25 degrees. Pyridoxal-P protects against the inactivation. Modification of the apoenzyme abolishes its ability to bind the cofactor, pyridoxal-P, but the apparent Km for the substrate, D-serine, is not altered. The concentration dependence of the rate of butanedione inactivation in K+ borate buffer indicates that it is a two-step process with one butanedione bound per molecule of apoenzyme to give an inactive complex; half-maximal rate of inactivation is obtained at 37 mM butanedione. Butanedione inactivation is fully reversed following removal of excess reagent and borate. Similar studies with [14C]phenylglyoxal show that in the presence of pyridoxal-P at least 2 arginine residues may be modified without loss of activity. In the absence of pyridoxal-P modification of a single additional arginine residue results in loss of activity. Results with both inactivating reagents thus demonstrate that a critical arginine residue participates in binding of the coenzyme, pyridoxal-P. The stoichiometry of phenylglyoxal incorporation into the enzyme is different in the presence and absence of borate. Under both conditions incorporated phenylglyoxal is slowly lost on dialysis at neutral pH. A possible explanation of these effects is discussed.", "PMID": 789365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8422", "title": "Further studies on the isolation and properties of polyriboadenylate polymerase from Escherichia coli PR7 (RNase I-, pnp).", "content": "Polyriboadenylate polymerase was isolated from Escherichia coli PR7 (RNase I-, pnp) in good yield and high purity. The enzyme catalyzes the polymerization of ATP and ADP. These polymerizations show an initial lag which can be removed by the addition of poly(A). However, poly(A) does not function as a primer. UDP and CDP can also serve as substrates but with decreased efficiency. The polymerization of CDP is enhanced by the presence of an oligonucleotide which again does not function as a primer. Polymerization of [gamma-32P]ATP or [beta-32P]ADP result in products with no radioactivity. The product formed from [alpha-32P]ATP on hydrolysis with alkali yields labeled pAp and 2',3'-AMP; thus the enzyme synthesizes poly(A) chains de novo. During the polymerization of ATP, no burst of free ADP can be detected and the time course of phosphate release from ATP ro ADP follows very closely the kinetics of polymerization. dATP and dADP are effective inhibitors of poly(A) synthesis from either ATP or ADP. Sulfhydryl reagents inhibit only the polymerization of ATP and the inhibition is fully reversed by dithiothreitol. However, the enzyme can be protected from sulfhydryl reagents by preincubation with either ATP or ADP in the absence of Mg2+ which is required for polymerization. Studies using acrylamide gel electrophoresis indicate that the polymerization activity with either ATP or nucleoside diphosphates resides in the same protein. The enzyme catalyzes the following exchanges: 32Pi into ADP, 32Pi into ATP, and [14C] ADP into ATP in the presence of phosphate. While the enzyme catalyzes the phosphorolysis of its own product, (pAp-(Ap)nA), it fails to cleave the dephosphorylated product, (Ap(Ap)nA), or ribosomal RNA or tRNA in the presence of inorganic phosphate. The differences and similarities between poly(A) polymerase and polynucleotide phosphorylase are discussed. Based on the 32P exchange studies and other properties of poly(A) polymerase, a plausible mechanism for its action is proposed.", "contents": "Further studies on the isolation and properties of polyriboadenylate polymerase from Escherichia coli PR7 (RNase I-, pnp). Polyriboadenylate polymerase was isolated from Escherichia coli PR7 (RNase I-, pnp) in good yield and high purity. The enzyme catalyzes the polymerization of ATP and ADP. These polymerizations show an initial lag which can be removed by the addition of poly(A). However, poly(A) does not function as a primer. UDP and CDP can also serve as substrates but with decreased efficiency. The polymerization of CDP is enhanced by the presence of an oligonucleotide which again does not function as a primer. Polymerization of [gamma-32P]ATP or [beta-32P]ADP result in products with no radioactivity. The product formed from [alpha-32P]ATP on hydrolysis with alkali yields labeled pAp and 2',3'-AMP; thus the enzyme synthesizes poly(A) chains de novo. During the polymerization of ATP, no burst of free ADP can be detected and the time course of phosphate release from ATP ro ADP follows very closely the kinetics of polymerization. dATP and dADP are effective inhibitors of poly(A) synthesis from either ATP or ADP. Sulfhydryl reagents inhibit only the polymerization of ATP and the inhibition is fully reversed by dithiothreitol. However, the enzyme can be protected from sulfhydryl reagents by preincubation with either ATP or ADP in the absence of Mg2+ which is required for polymerization. Studies using acrylamide gel electrophoresis indicate that the polymerization activity with either ATP or nucleoside diphosphates resides in the same protein. The enzyme catalyzes the following exchanges: 32Pi into ADP, 32Pi into ATP, and [14C] ADP into ATP in the presence of phosphate. While the enzyme catalyzes the phosphorolysis of its own product, (pAp-(Ap)nA), it fails to cleave the dephosphorylated product, (Ap(Ap)nA), or ribosomal RNA or tRNA in the presence of inorganic phosphate. The differences and similarities between poly(A) polymerase and polynucleotide phosphorylase are discussed. Based on the 32P exchange studies and other properties of poly(A) polymerase, a plausible mechanism for its action is proposed.", "PMID": 789366} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8423", "title": "Interactions of adenosine diphosphate-ribosylated elongation factor 2 with ribosomes.", "content": "The binding of adenosine diphosphate-ribosylated elongation factor 2 (ADPRib-EF-2) to ribosomes was inhibited both in the presence and absence of GTP in proportion to the amounts of unmodified EF-2 added. Concomitant with this inhibition, an increase in the activity of ribosome-bound EF-2 in polyphenylalanine synthesis was observed. On the other hand, the addition of ADPRib-EF-2 reduced the rate of poly(Phe) synthesis observed in the presence of a saturating amount of EF-2 and increased the amount of EF-2 required for the half-maximal rate of poly(Phe) synthesis. Phe-tRNA, nonenzymatically bound to the ribosome in the presence of poly(U), inhibited the subsequent binding of ADPHRib-EF-2. The same ribosomal population appeared to preferentially bind either aminoacyl-tRNA or ADPRib-EF-2. The Scatchard plot of the binding of ADPRib-EF-2 to the ribosome in the presence of GTP revealed the presence of two ribosomal binding sites (or ribosomal populations) with apparent different affinities for the modified factor (K371 degrees d,1 = 6.6 nM and K37 degrees d,2 = 126 nM). At saturating concentrations of ADPRib-EF-2, a maximum of about 1 molecule of the factor was bound per ribosome. The binding of ADPRib-EF-2 to the ribosome was stimulated by GTP. The binding of radioactive GTP to the ribosome was observed concomitantly with the binding of ADPRib-EF-2. One mole of GTP was bound per mole of ADPRib-EF-2. No significant difference could be found in the binding of GTP to ribosome required in the presence of either EF-2 or ADPRib-EF-2. The binding of ADPRib-EF-2 to the ribosome required the presence of Mg2+ and reached a maximum at 5 mM. The binding was greatest at K+ concentrations below 20 mM. ADPRib-EF-2 was bound primarily to the large ribosomal subunit. A slight, but reproducible binding to the 40 S subunit was also observed. The addition of 40 S to 60 S subunits stimulated the binding of ADPRib-EF-2. GTP displayed a stimulatory effect on the binding only in the presence of recombined subunits. Human ADPRib-EF-2 was bound to rat liver ribosomes as efficiently as to human tonsil ribosomes, while the binding to Escherichia coli ribosomes was insignificant.", "contents": "Interactions of adenosine diphosphate-ribosylated elongation factor 2 with ribosomes. The binding of adenosine diphosphate-ribosylated elongation factor 2 (ADPRib-EF-2) to ribosomes was inhibited both in the presence and absence of GTP in proportion to the amounts of unmodified EF-2 added. Concomitant with this inhibition, an increase in the activity of ribosome-bound EF-2 in polyphenylalanine synthesis was observed. On the other hand, the addition of ADPRib-EF-2 reduced the rate of poly(Phe) synthesis observed in the presence of a saturating amount of EF-2 and increased the amount of EF-2 required for the half-maximal rate of poly(Phe) synthesis. Phe-tRNA, nonenzymatically bound to the ribosome in the presence of poly(U), inhibited the subsequent binding of ADPHRib-EF-2. The same ribosomal population appeared to preferentially bind either aminoacyl-tRNA or ADPRib-EF-2. The Scatchard plot of the binding of ADPRib-EF-2 to the ribosome in the presence of GTP revealed the presence of two ribosomal binding sites (or ribosomal populations) with apparent different affinities for the modified factor (K371 degrees d,1 = 6.6 nM and K37 degrees d,2 = 126 nM). At saturating concentrations of ADPRib-EF-2, a maximum of about 1 molecule of the factor was bound per ribosome. The binding of ADPRib-EF-2 to the ribosome was stimulated by GTP. The binding of radioactive GTP to the ribosome was observed concomitantly with the binding of ADPRib-EF-2. One mole of GTP was bound per mole of ADPRib-EF-2. No significant difference could be found in the binding of GTP to ribosome required in the presence of either EF-2 or ADPRib-EF-2. The binding of ADPRib-EF-2 to the ribosome required the presence of Mg2+ and reached a maximum at 5 mM. The binding was greatest at K+ concentrations below 20 mM. ADPRib-EF-2 was bound primarily to the large ribosomal subunit. A slight, but reproducible binding to the 40 S subunit was also observed. The addition of 40 S to 60 S subunits stimulated the binding of ADPRib-EF-2. GTP displayed a stimulatory effect on the binding only in the presence of recombined subunits. Human ADPRib-EF-2 was bound to rat liver ribosomes as efficiently as to human tonsil ribosomes, while the binding to Escherichia coli ribosomes was insignificant.", "PMID": 789367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8424", "title": "Sugar transport. Properties of mutant bacteria defective in proteins of the phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system.", "content": "The bacterial phosphotransferase system (PTS) catalyzes the transfer of the phosphoryl group from phosphoenolpyruvate to its sugar substrates, PTS sugars, concomitant with the translocation of these sugars across the bacterial membrane. The phosphorylation of a given sugar requires four proteins, two general proteins, Enzyme I, and the histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein of the PTS (HPr), used for all sugars, and a pair of proteins specific for that sugar, designated an Enzyme II complex. The phosphotransferase system has been implicated in regulating the induction of synthesis of some catabolic enzyme systems required for the utilization of sugars that are not substrates of the phosphotransferase system, and this and the accompanying reports are concerned with this phenomenon in Salmonell typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Mutants defective in Enzyme I (ptsI), HPr (ptsH), and certain Enzymes II were isolated, and their abilities to ferment and grow on a wide range of sugars and other compounds were determined. The mutants showed the expected properties on PTS sugars, but in addition, ptsH and tight ptsI mutants were unable to utilize certain non-PTS sugars, including maltose, melibiose, glycerol, glycerol-P, mannose-6-P, and, in E. coli, lactose. Leaky Enzyme I mutants could utilize these carbohydrates, but were unable to use them in the presence of a PTS sugar such as methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside. In accord with the results reported by other laboratories, the inability of the mutants to utilize the non-PTS sugars was explained by the fact that these cells could not be normally induced to synthesize the corresponding catabolic enzyme systmes. This phenomenon is designated PTS-mediated repression. PTS-mediated repression was also observed in wild type cells, but by comparing wild type and leaky pts mutants it was shown that the sensitivity to repression by PTS sugars was greatest in mutants containing the lowest levels of Enzyme I or HPr. Furthermore, ptsI mutants containing a second site mutation in a gene for an Enzyme II were not repressed by the sugar substrate of that Enzyme II, although repression by other PTS sugars was not affected. Transport and other studies further indicated that neither appreciable uptake nor metabolism of the PTS sugars was required for these compounds to effect repression. The ptsH mutants showed the same phenotypic properties as the ptsI mutants with some important exceptions. First, they could ferment and grow on a PTS sugar, fructose. Second, after growth on fructose, (and to a lesser extent on glucose or mannose), such mutants were capable of utilizing other PTS sugars for a few generations. Third, growth of the ptsH mutants on fructose relieved PTS-mediated repression; after growth on fructose, but not on lactate, the mutants could grow for several generations on non-PTS sugars. Preliminary experiments indicated that growth on fructose resulted in the formation of one or more proteins that could substitute for HPr in the utilization of both PTS and non-PTS sugars.", "contents": "Sugar transport. Properties of mutant bacteria defective in proteins of the phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system. The bacterial phosphotransferase system (PTS) catalyzes the transfer of the phosphoryl group from phosphoenolpyruvate to its sugar substrates, PTS sugars, concomitant with the translocation of these sugars across the bacterial membrane. The phosphorylation of a given sugar requires four proteins, two general proteins, Enzyme I, and the histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein of the PTS (HPr), used for all sugars, and a pair of proteins specific for that sugar, designated an Enzyme II complex. The phosphotransferase system has been implicated in regulating the induction of synthesis of some catabolic enzyme systems required for the utilization of sugars that are not substrates of the phosphotransferase system, and this and the accompanying reports are concerned with this phenomenon in Salmonell typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Mutants defective in Enzyme I (ptsI), HPr (ptsH), and certain Enzymes II were isolated, and their abilities to ferment and grow on a wide range of sugars and other compounds were determined. The mutants showed the expected properties on PTS sugars, but in addition, ptsH and tight ptsI mutants were unable to utilize certain non-PTS sugars, including maltose, melibiose, glycerol, glycerol-P, mannose-6-P, and, in E. coli, lactose. Leaky Enzyme I mutants could utilize these carbohydrates, but were unable to use them in the presence of a PTS sugar such as methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside. In accord with the results reported by other laboratories, the inability of the mutants to utilize the non-PTS sugars was explained by the fact that these cells could not be normally induced to synthesize the corresponding catabolic enzyme systmes. This phenomenon is designated PTS-mediated repression. PTS-mediated repression was also observed in wild type cells, but by comparing wild type and leaky pts mutants it was shown that the sensitivity to repression by PTS sugars was greatest in mutants containing the lowest levels of Enzyme I or HPr. Furthermore, ptsI mutants containing a second site mutation in a gene for an Enzyme II were not repressed by the sugar substrate of that Enzyme II, although repression by other PTS sugars was not affected. Transport and other studies further indicated that neither appreciable uptake nor metabolism of the PTS sugars was required for these compounds to effect repression. The ptsH mutants showed the same phenotypic properties as the ptsI mutants with some important exceptions. First, they could ferment and grow on a PTS sugar, fructose. Second, after growth on fructose, (and to a lesser extent on glucose or mannose), such mutants were capable of utilizing other PTS sugars for a few generations. Third, growth of the ptsH mutants on fructose relieved PTS-mediated repression; after growth on fructose, but not on lactate, the mutants could grow for several generations on non-PTS sugars. Preliminary experiments indicated that growth on fructose resulted in the formation of one or more proteins that could substitute for HPr in the utilization of both PTS and non-PTS sugars.", "PMID": 789368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8425", "title": "Sugar transport. The crr mutation: its effect on repression of enzyme synthesis.", "content": "The accompanying report describes phosphotransferase system-mediated repression in mutants of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli defective in Enzyme I and histidine-containing phosphate carrier protein (HPr), the general proteins of the phosphotransferase system (PTS). Such repression prevented the cells from synthesizing the catabolic systems required for utilization of the non-PTS compounds glycerol, maltose, melibiose, mannose 6-phosphate, and alpha-glycerol phosphate. This defect can be overcome by introducing a single mutation, designated crr, into the pts mutants. The pts crr double mutants can be induced to synthesize the non-PTS catabolic systems and can therefore grow on the non-PTS sugars. The crr gene is closely linked to but not part of the pts operon, and may be a regulatory gene for the operon. Assay of the PTS proteins in crr mutants showed that the only component detectably affected was a sugar-specific protein of the PTS, Factor IIIG1c, involved in the phsophorylation of glucose (and methyl alpha-glucoside). In some crr mutants Factor IIIG1c was not detected, whereas in others it was present at reduced levels. Thus the crr gene appears to code for or regulate the synthesis of this protein. In addition to the general crr mutants, several classes of sugar-specific crr mutants were isolated. For example, maltose-, melibiose-, and glycerol-specific crr mutants were isolated, each being inducible for the corresponding catabolic enzyme system but not for the others. Unlike the general crr gene, the sugar-specific crr genes do not map near the pts operon.", "contents": "Sugar transport. The crr mutation: its effect on repression of enzyme synthesis. The accompanying report describes phosphotransferase system-mediated repression in mutants of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli defective in Enzyme I and histidine-containing phosphate carrier protein (HPr), the general proteins of the phosphotransferase system (PTS). Such repression prevented the cells from synthesizing the catabolic systems required for utilization of the non-PTS compounds glycerol, maltose, melibiose, mannose 6-phosphate, and alpha-glycerol phosphate. This defect can be overcome by introducing a single mutation, designated crr, into the pts mutants. The pts crr double mutants can be induced to synthesize the non-PTS catabolic systems and can therefore grow on the non-PTS sugars. The crr gene is closely linked to but not part of the pts operon, and may be a regulatory gene for the operon. Assay of the PTS proteins in crr mutants showed that the only component detectably affected was a sugar-specific protein of the PTS, Factor IIIG1c, involved in the phsophorylation of glucose (and methyl alpha-glucoside). In some crr mutants Factor IIIG1c was not detected, whereas in others it was present at reduced levels. Thus the crr gene appears to code for or regulate the synthesis of this protein. In addition to the general crr mutants, several classes of sugar-specific crr mutants were isolated. For example, maltose-, melibiose-, and glycerol-specific crr mutants were isolated, each being inducible for the corresponding catabolic enzyme system but not for the others. Unlike the general crr gene, the sugar-specific crr genes do not map near the pts operon.", "PMID": 789369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8426", "title": "Sugar transport. 2nducer exclusion and regulation of the melibiose, maltose, glycerol, and lactose transport systems by the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system.", "content": "The bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) can repress the synthesis of certain catabolic enzyme systems in Salmonelly typhimurium and Escherichia coli. The present studies are concerned with an explanation of PTS-mediated repression by studying induction of the catabolic systems required for utilization of the non-PTS sugars glycerol, maltose, melibiose, and lactose. Repression of synthesis of these enzyme systems by various concentrations of PTS sugars was studied in wild type cells, in pts mutants, and in pts crr double mutants described in the accompanying reports (Saier, M. H., Jr., Simoni, R. D., and Roseman, S (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 6584-6597: Saier, M. H., Jr., and Roseman, S. (1976) J. Biol. Chem., 6598-6605). The extent of repression was found to correlate with the degree of inhibition of uptake of the inducing non-PTS sugars. In both uninduced cells and cells fully induced for the respective transport system listed above, PTS sugars inhibited these transport systems. With both induced and uninduced cell types pts mutants were much more sensitive than wild type cells, while pts crr double mutants were completely resistant to the effects of the PTS sugars. Kinetic studies with the fully induced cells indicated that inhibition of transport by PTS sugars was reversible, that it affected the Vmax rather than the Km of entry, and that PTS sugars did not inhibit the efflux of the non-PTS sugars. These and other results indicate that inhibition did not result from competition between the PTS and non-PTS sugars for the transport systems, nor to competition for metabolic energy. Inhibition appears to require interaction of the PTS sugar with its membrane-bound Enzyme II complex, but whether concomitant uptake and phosphorylation of trace quantities of the PTS sugars is also required remains to be determined.", "contents": "Sugar transport. 2nducer exclusion and regulation of the melibiose, maltose, glycerol, and lactose transport systems by the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system. The bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) can repress the synthesis of certain catabolic enzyme systems in Salmonelly typhimurium and Escherichia coli. The present studies are concerned with an explanation of PTS-mediated repression by studying induction of the catabolic systems required for utilization of the non-PTS sugars glycerol, maltose, melibiose, and lactose. Repression of synthesis of these enzyme systems by various concentrations of PTS sugars was studied in wild type cells, in pts mutants, and in pts crr double mutants described in the accompanying reports (Saier, M. H., Jr., Simoni, R. D., and Roseman, S (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 6584-6597: Saier, M. H., Jr., and Roseman, S. (1976) J. Biol. Chem., 6598-6605). The extent of repression was found to correlate with the degree of inhibition of uptake of the inducing non-PTS sugars. In both uninduced cells and cells fully induced for the respective transport system listed above, PTS sugars inhibited these transport systems. With both induced and uninduced cell types pts mutants were much more sensitive than wild type cells, while pts crr double mutants were completely resistant to the effects of the PTS sugars. Kinetic studies with the fully induced cells indicated that inhibition of transport by PTS sugars was reversible, that it affected the Vmax rather than the Km of entry, and that PTS sugars did not inhibit the efflux of the non-PTS sugars. These and other results indicate that inhibition did not result from competition between the PTS and non-PTS sugars for the transport systems, nor to competition for metabolic energy. Inhibition appears to require interaction of the PTS sugar with its membrane-bound Enzyme II complex, but whether concomitant uptake and phosphorylation of trace quantities of the PTS sugars is also required remains to be determined.", "PMID": 789370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8427", "title": "Purification of the carbodiimide-reactive protein component of the ATP energy-transducing system of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The ATP-energy transducing system in membranes of Escherichia coli is inhibited by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The protein component of this complex with which carbodiimides covalently react to inhibit function was previously identified by labeling wild type and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-resistant mutants with dicyclohexyl[14C]carbodiimide (Fillingame, R. H. (1975) J. Bacteriol. 124, 870-883). This specific carbodiimide-reactive protein has now been purified. The protein was extracted from the membrane with chloroform:methanol and chromatographed on DEAE-cellulose and hydroxypropyl Spehadex G-50 in this sulvent mixture. The resultant 700-fold purification yielded a protein that was homogeneous on dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis and virtually free of phospholipid. It remained soluble in neutral chloroform:methanol throughout the purification procedure. The amino acid composition of the purified protein was extraordinary in that only 16% of the amino acids present could be considered polar. Histidine, serine, cysteine, and tryptophan were not found. Abnormally high contents of methionine, glycine, alanine, and leucine were present. One mole of lysine and threonine were found/mole of dicyclohexyl[14C]carbodiimide bound. The minimum molecular weight based on the amino acid composition was 8400. The specific carbodiimide-reactive protein has also been purified without prior modification by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The unmodified protein eluted from DEAE-cellulose at a higher salt concentration than the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-modified form, which suggested that the reaction with the carbodiimide neutralized the negative charge. Only one-third of the total carbodiimide-reactive protein in the membrane was modified by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide under conditions which maximally inhibited adenosine triphosphatase activity. These results rais the possibility that the carbodiimide-reactive protein may be present as an oligomer in the energy-transducing complex. The purification of the unmodified carbodiimide-reactive protein should permit assessment of tis biological function, particularly its role in the protein-translocation process that is catalyzed by this energy-transducing complex.", "contents": "Purification of the carbodiimide-reactive protein component of the ATP energy-transducing system of Escherichia coli. The ATP-energy transducing system in membranes of Escherichia coli is inhibited by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The protein component of this complex with which carbodiimides covalently react to inhibit function was previously identified by labeling wild type and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-resistant mutants with dicyclohexyl[14C]carbodiimide (Fillingame, R. H. (1975) J. Bacteriol. 124, 870-883). This specific carbodiimide-reactive protein has now been purified. The protein was extracted from the membrane with chloroform:methanol and chromatographed on DEAE-cellulose and hydroxypropyl Spehadex G-50 in this sulvent mixture. The resultant 700-fold purification yielded a protein that was homogeneous on dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis and virtually free of phospholipid. It remained soluble in neutral chloroform:methanol throughout the purification procedure. The amino acid composition of the purified protein was extraordinary in that only 16% of the amino acids present could be considered polar. Histidine, serine, cysteine, and tryptophan were not found. Abnormally high contents of methionine, glycine, alanine, and leucine were present. One mole of lysine and threonine were found/mole of dicyclohexyl[14C]carbodiimide bound. The minimum molecular weight based on the amino acid composition was 8400. The specific carbodiimide-reactive protein has also been purified without prior modification by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The unmodified protein eluted from DEAE-cellulose at a higher salt concentration than the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-modified form, which suggested that the reaction with the carbodiimide neutralized the negative charge. Only one-third of the total carbodiimide-reactive protein in the membrane was modified by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide under conditions which maximally inhibited adenosine triphosphatase activity. These results rais the possibility that the carbodiimide-reactive protein may be present as an oligomer in the energy-transducing complex. The purification of the unmodified carbodiimide-reactive protein should permit assessment of tis biological function, particularly its role in the protein-translocation process that is catalyzed by this energy-transducing complex.", "PMID": 789371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8428", "title": "Polyamine stimulation and cation requirements of rabbit liver tRNA nucleotidyltransferase.", "content": "We have examined the cation requirements of rabbit liver tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. The enzyme had an absolute requirement fo a divalent cation which could be satisfied by Mg2+, Mn2+ or Co2+. In contrast to the Escherichia coli enzyme, we have found no evidence to implicate Zn2+ in the action of rabbit liver tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. We have also identified a second cation requirement which was satisfied by divalent or monovalent cation or polyamines. The polyamines, spermine and spermidine, were most effective leading to 3-fold higher rates of nucleotide incorporation than could be obtained at any concentration of the other cations. However, the polyamines were not an absolute requirement for enzyme activity. The polyamine stimulation of tRNA nucleotidyltransferase was not due to alteration of the pH or ionic strength of the reaction mixture or reactivation of denatured tRNA or enzyme. Polyamines also had no effect on the apparent Km values of the substrates. Spermine increased the specificity of the enzyme for tRNA substrates and also inhibited the reverse action. Our results suggest that polyamines may be the normal counterions for tRNA in vivo, and that they affect the rate-limiting step in tRNA nucleotidyltransferase catalysis.", "contents": "Polyamine stimulation and cation requirements of rabbit liver tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. We have examined the cation requirements of rabbit liver tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. The enzyme had an absolute requirement fo a divalent cation which could be satisfied by Mg2+, Mn2+ or Co2+. In contrast to the Escherichia coli enzyme, we have found no evidence to implicate Zn2+ in the action of rabbit liver tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. We have also identified a second cation requirement which was satisfied by divalent or monovalent cation or polyamines. The polyamines, spermine and spermidine, were most effective leading to 3-fold higher rates of nucleotide incorporation than could be obtained at any concentration of the other cations. However, the polyamines were not an absolute requirement for enzyme activity. The polyamine stimulation of tRNA nucleotidyltransferase was not due to alteration of the pH or ionic strength of the reaction mixture or reactivation of denatured tRNA or enzyme. Polyamines also had no effect on the apparent Km values of the substrates. Spermine increased the specificity of the enzyme for tRNA substrates and also inhibited the reverse action. Our results suggest that polyamines may be the normal counterions for tRNA in vivo, and that they affect the rate-limiting step in tRNA nucleotidyltransferase catalysis.", "PMID": 789372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8429", "title": "Effect of lipids on the reconstitution of D-lactate oxidase in Escherichia coli membrane vesicles.", "content": "An unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph lacking D-lactate dehydrogenase activity has been isolated from Escherichia coli ML 308-225 dld-3. While NADH oxidase activity in membrane vesicles prepared from the mutant cells grown in a variety of unsaturated fatty acids is comparable to that of previously isolated fatty acid auxotrophs, D-lactate oxidase activity is absent. However, D-lactate oxidase ativity can be restored when vesicles are incubated with a purified preparation of D-lactate dehydrogenase obtained from wild type cells. The effect of altering the fatty acid composition of the membrane on the reconstitution of D-lactate oxidase activity was examined. Binding of purified D-lactate dehydrogenase was not affected by either the lipid composition of the membrane vesicles or the temperature during reconstitution. However, the reconstitution of D-lactate oxidase activity was strongly influenced by the fatty acid composition of the membrane lipids. The temperature dependence of the reconstituted activity was analyzed. Temperature transitions were not observed with membrane vesicles supplemented with oleic or linolenic acid but palmitelaidic acid-enriched vesicles exhibited a transition temperature at 30 degrees. Attempts to reconstitute the elaidic-supplemented vesicles at temperatures below 30 degrees failed to yield active D-lactate oxidase and the vesicles aggregated. At 42 degrees, aggregation did not occur and D-lactate oxidase activity was obtained to a level of 10% of that found with membranes from the parent strain (ML 308-225). These results suggest that although binding of D-lactate dehydrogenase is independent of the physical state of the membrane, reconstitution of the D-lactate oxidase activity in membrane vesicles is dependent upon the fatty acid composition of the phospholipid, hence the physical state of the membrane.", "contents": "Effect of lipids on the reconstitution of D-lactate oxidase in Escherichia coli membrane vesicles. An unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph lacking D-lactate dehydrogenase activity has been isolated from Escherichia coli ML 308-225 dld-3. While NADH oxidase activity in membrane vesicles prepared from the mutant cells grown in a variety of unsaturated fatty acids is comparable to that of previously isolated fatty acid auxotrophs, D-lactate oxidase activity is absent. However, D-lactate oxidase ativity can be restored when vesicles are incubated with a purified preparation of D-lactate dehydrogenase obtained from wild type cells. The effect of altering the fatty acid composition of the membrane on the reconstitution of D-lactate oxidase activity was examined. Binding of purified D-lactate dehydrogenase was not affected by either the lipid composition of the membrane vesicles or the temperature during reconstitution. However, the reconstitution of D-lactate oxidase activity was strongly influenced by the fatty acid composition of the membrane lipids. The temperature dependence of the reconstituted activity was analyzed. Temperature transitions were not observed with membrane vesicles supplemented with oleic or linolenic acid but palmitelaidic acid-enriched vesicles exhibited a transition temperature at 30 degrees. Attempts to reconstitute the elaidic-supplemented vesicles at temperatures below 30 degrees failed to yield active D-lactate oxidase and the vesicles aggregated. At 42 degrees, aggregation did not occur and D-lactate oxidase activity was obtained to a level of 10% of that found with membranes from the parent strain (ML 308-225). These results suggest that although binding of D-lactate dehydrogenase is independent of the physical state of the membrane, reconstitution of the D-lactate oxidase activity in membrane vesicles is dependent upon the fatty acid composition of the phospholipid, hence the physical state of the membrane.", "PMID": 789373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8430", "title": "Metabolic fate of 3,4-dihydroxybutyl-1-phosphonate in Escherichia coli.", "content": "3,4-Dihydroxy[3-(3)H]butyl-1-phosphonate, and analogue of glycerol 3-phosphate, is incorporated into a very polar lipid material by cultures of Escherichia coli strain 8 and in vitro by CDP-diglyceride:sn-glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatidyltransferase. These labeled lipids have been fractionated by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, revealing that only one labeled compound is formed in vitro, while four are synthesized in vivo. The main component of the material formed by intact cells has been shown to be identical with that produced enzymatically. This species has been identified as the phosphonic acid analogue of phosphatidylglycerophosphate [(1,2-diacyl)-sn-glyceryl-D-4'-phosphoryloxy-3'-hydroxybutyl-1'-phosphonate]. Hydrolysis of this novel lipid with phospholipase C resulted in the production of diglyceride and a water-soluble derivative of 3,4-dihydroxybutyl-1-phosphonate and inorganic phosphate in a molar ratio of 1.03/1. Enzymatic analysis of the phosphonate liberated in this manner showed it to be the D enantiomer, thereby confirming the proposed structure of the lipid analogue. The analogue of phosphatidylglycerophosphate did not turn over and appeared to have no precursor-product relationship to the other labeled lipids derived from 3,4-dihydroxy[3-(3)H]butyl-1-phosphonate in vivo. Analysis of the other three labeled products revealed the tritium to be present on glycerol 3-phosphate and not intact phosphonate, indicating some metabolic degradation of the latter. Examination of cell components other than lipids revealed little incorporation of label, while a significant amount of tritium was found to be present in a distillable form, 3H2O. Experiments with mutants of E. coli lacking the known glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenases indicated that these enzymes are not responsible for the removal of tritium from from 3,4-dihydroxy[3-(3)H]butyl-1-phosphonate in vivo. Indirect evidence suggests that the inhibition of cell growth by this analogue is not due to its catabolic products.", "contents": "Metabolic fate of 3,4-dihydroxybutyl-1-phosphonate in Escherichia coli. 3,4-Dihydroxy[3-(3)H]butyl-1-phosphonate, and analogue of glycerol 3-phosphate, is incorporated into a very polar lipid material by cultures of Escherichia coli strain 8 and in vitro by CDP-diglyceride:sn-glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatidyltransferase. These labeled lipids have been fractionated by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, revealing that only one labeled compound is formed in vitro, while four are synthesized in vivo. The main component of the material formed by intact cells has been shown to be identical with that produced enzymatically. This species has been identified as the phosphonic acid analogue of phosphatidylglycerophosphate [(1,2-diacyl)-sn-glyceryl-D-4'-phosphoryloxy-3'-hydroxybutyl-1'-phosphonate]. Hydrolysis of this novel lipid with phospholipase C resulted in the production of diglyceride and a water-soluble derivative of 3,4-dihydroxybutyl-1-phosphonate and inorganic phosphate in a molar ratio of 1.03/1. Enzymatic analysis of the phosphonate liberated in this manner showed it to be the D enantiomer, thereby confirming the proposed structure of the lipid analogue. The analogue of phosphatidylglycerophosphate did not turn over and appeared to have no precursor-product relationship to the other labeled lipids derived from 3,4-dihydroxy[3-(3)H]butyl-1-phosphonate in vivo. Analysis of the other three labeled products revealed the tritium to be present on glycerol 3-phosphate and not intact phosphonate, indicating some metabolic degradation of the latter. Examination of cell components other than lipids revealed little incorporation of label, while a significant amount of tritium was found to be present in a distillable form, 3H2O. Experiments with mutants of E. coli lacking the known glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenases indicated that these enzymes are not responsible for the removal of tritium from from 3,4-dihydroxy[3-(3)H]butyl-1-phosphonate in vivo. Indirect evidence suggests that the inhibition of cell growth by this analogue is not due to its catabolic products.", "PMID": 789374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8431", "title": "Aminoacyl-tRNA conformation. Information from steroid and oligonucleotide probes.", "content": "The conformations of aminoacyl- and deacylated tRNA Phe (yeast) have been compared by using the steroid progesterone and the tetranucleotides U-C-C-C and C-G-A-A as probes of transfer RNA ordered structure. U-C-C-C is complementary to G18-G19-G20-A21 in the dihydrouridine loop and C-G-A-A is complementary to T54-psi55-C56-G57 in the ribosylthymine loop. None of the probes bound to deacylated tRNA Phe but all three bound to phenylalanyl-tRNA Phe, with molar association constants of the order of 10(4) M-1. The oligonucleotide binding data imply that the tertiary hydrogen bonds between G18 and psi55, G19 and C56, T54 and m1A58, and A21 and the ribose of U8 (Quigley, G. J., Wang, A. H. J., Seeman, N. C., Suddath, F. L., Rich, A., Sussman, J. L., and Kim, S. H., (1975) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 4866-4870) are destabilized or broken on aminoacylation, unmasking the sequence T-psi-C-G thought to be involved in ribosome binding of aminoacyl-tRNA. The presumed progesterone binding site is G18-G19-G20, which is part of the binding site for U-C-C-C. Competition was not, however, observed between these two probes; model building has shown that they could, theoretically, bind simultaneously. Since progesterone bound to N-acetyl-Phe-tRNA Phe, the introduction of the additional positive charge on aminoacylation is not sufficient per se to explain the conformational change. The association of progesterone with peptidyl-tRNA Phe was similar to that with aminoacyl-tRNA Phe, implying that no further conformational change takes place in the region of the steroid binding site on formation of a peptide bond.", "contents": "Aminoacyl-tRNA conformation. Information from steroid and oligonucleotide probes. The conformations of aminoacyl- and deacylated tRNA Phe (yeast) have been compared by using the steroid progesterone and the tetranucleotides U-C-C-C and C-G-A-A as probes of transfer RNA ordered structure. U-C-C-C is complementary to G18-G19-G20-A21 in the dihydrouridine loop and C-G-A-A is complementary to T54-psi55-C56-G57 in the ribosylthymine loop. None of the probes bound to deacylated tRNA Phe but all three bound to phenylalanyl-tRNA Phe, with molar association constants of the order of 10(4) M-1. The oligonucleotide binding data imply that the tertiary hydrogen bonds between G18 and psi55, G19 and C56, T54 and m1A58, and A21 and the ribose of U8 (Quigley, G. J., Wang, A. H. J., Seeman, N. C., Suddath, F. L., Rich, A., Sussman, J. L., and Kim, S. H., (1975) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 4866-4870) are destabilized or broken on aminoacylation, unmasking the sequence T-psi-C-G thought to be involved in ribosome binding of aminoacyl-tRNA. The presumed progesterone binding site is G18-G19-G20, which is part of the binding site for U-C-C-C. Competition was not, however, observed between these two probes; model building has shown that they could, theoretically, bind simultaneously. Since progesterone bound to N-acetyl-Phe-tRNA Phe, the introduction of the additional positive charge on aminoacylation is not sufficient per se to explain the conformational change. The association of progesterone with peptidyl-tRNA Phe was similar to that with aminoacyl-tRNA Phe, implying that no further conformational change takes place in the region of the steroid binding site on formation of a peptide bond.", "PMID": 789375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8432", "title": "Microcalorimetric study of the binding of thiodigalactoside to the lactose permease M protein of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The energetics of the binding of thiodigalatoside onto vesicles of Escherichia coli containing M protein is described. The Kd determined from equilibrium dialysis was 5-10(-5) M. The enthalpy change (deltaH) was measured by calorimetry. The derived deltaG and deltaH values allowed estimation of the entropic change associated with the binding reaction. The control experiments were made with membranes from cells that were not induced for the lac system. All the experiments were carried out in presence of 10(-2) M sodium azide to prevent any concentration of thiodigalactoside into the vesicles. It was concluded that such membrane vesicles which are in a de-energized state are able to bine thiodigalactoside specifically with a Kd corresponding to the Km of the entry of beta-galactoside measured with intact, active cells.", "contents": "Microcalorimetric study of the binding of thiodigalactoside to the lactose permease M protein of Escherichia coli. The energetics of the binding of thiodigalatoside onto vesicles of Escherichia coli containing M protein is described. The Kd determined from equilibrium dialysis was 5-10(-5) M. The enthalpy change (deltaH) was measured by calorimetry. The derived deltaG and deltaH values allowed estimation of the entropic change associated with the binding reaction. The control experiments were made with membranes from cells that were not induced for the lac system. All the experiments were carried out in presence of 10(-2) M sodium azide to prevent any concentration of thiodigalactoside into the vesicles. It was concluded that such membrane vesicles which are in a de-energized state are able to bine thiodigalactoside specifically with a Kd corresponding to the Km of the entry of beta-galactoside measured with intact, active cells.", "PMID": 789376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8433", "title": "Isotope labeling of free and aminoacyl transfer RNA synthetase-bound transfer RNA.", "content": "The structural organization of the complex of Escherichia coli Ile-tRNA synthetase and tRNA Ile has been studied by isotope labeling of purine units in the tRNA. Free or bound tRNA is incubated in tritiated water for 5 to 15 h at 37 degrees in order to incorporate tritium into the C-8 positions of purine units. (Previous work has shown that the labeling rate of a purine is very sensitive to its microenvironment.) Under conditions where exchange-out does not occur, the nucleic acid is digested with nucleases and purines are subsequently isolated from known locations in the structure. Four purines are substantially perturbed by bound Ile-tRNA synthetase; in each case, the rate of labeling is retarded in the presence of the synthetase. The four purines occur at or near the 3' terminus and at the interface of the dihydrouridine stem and loop. These bases occur in segments of the tRNA that previous photochemical cross-linking studies have identified as important for synthetase-tRNA interactions. It appears that the effects observed on these sites are caused by their direct interaction with or shielding by the bound synthetase. In addition, two other sites, one in the anticodon and one in the amino acid acceptor-T psi C helix, appear to be perturbed (retarded labeling rates) by the bound enzyme. The data also suggest there is no significant conformational change in the tRNA upon binding to the synthetase.", "contents": "Isotope labeling of free and aminoacyl transfer RNA synthetase-bound transfer RNA. The structural organization of the complex of Escherichia coli Ile-tRNA synthetase and tRNA Ile has been studied by isotope labeling of purine units in the tRNA. Free or bound tRNA is incubated in tritiated water for 5 to 15 h at 37 degrees in order to incorporate tritium into the C-8 positions of purine units. (Previous work has shown that the labeling rate of a purine is very sensitive to its microenvironment.) Under conditions where exchange-out does not occur, the nucleic acid is digested with nucleases and purines are subsequently isolated from known locations in the structure. Four purines are substantially perturbed by bound Ile-tRNA synthetase; in each case, the rate of labeling is retarded in the presence of the synthetase. The four purines occur at or near the 3' terminus and at the interface of the dihydrouridine stem and loop. These bases occur in segments of the tRNA that previous photochemical cross-linking studies have identified as important for synthetase-tRNA interactions. It appears that the effects observed on these sites are caused by their direct interaction with or shielding by the bound synthetase. In addition, two other sites, one in the anticodon and one in the amino acid acceptor-T psi C helix, appear to be perturbed (retarded labeling rates) by the bound enzyme. The data also suggest there is no significant conformational change in the tRNA upon binding to the synthetase.", "PMID": 789377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8434", "title": "The bone-metal interface following hip nailing.", "content": "In order to establish a base line for tissue reaction in relationship to loaded implanted foreign materials that might be used for comparison with new materials, the interface between the trabecular bone in the femoral head and hip nails has been studied in 20 specimens. The interface consists of four distinguishable layers: a cellular layer at the surface, a layer of fibrovascular connective tissue, a layer of collagenous connective tissue and/or fibrocartilage, and a peri-implant bone plate. Even 10 years after insertion of the nail this interface remained cellularly active, the activity presumably being related to the different modulus of elasticity between the metal and the surrounding trabecular bone.", "contents": "The bone-metal interface following hip nailing. In order to establish a base line for tissue reaction in relationship to loaded implanted foreign materials that might be used for comparison with new materials, the interface between the trabecular bone in the femoral head and hip nails has been studied in 20 specimens. The interface consists of four distinguishable layers: a cellular layer at the surface, a layer of fibrovascular connective tissue, a layer of collagenous connective tissue and/or fibrocartilage, and a peri-implant bone plate. Even 10 years after insertion of the nail this interface remained cellularly active, the activity presumably being related to the different modulus of elasticity between the metal and the surrounding trabecular bone.", "PMID": 789378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8435", "title": "Prevention of venous thromboembolism by administration of hydroxychloroquine. A preliminary report.", "content": "A placebo or the antimalarial agent hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), which inhibits platelet adhesiveness, and, to a lesser extent, platelet aggregation, was given to 100 patients between forty and ninety-five years old (average age, seventy-four years) who had either fractures or orthopaedic operations involving the skeleton between the knee and the pelvis. Medication was started at the time of admission in a blind, randomized way, fifty patients receiving hydroxychloroquine (200 milligrams three times a day) and fifty, a placebo. No untoward bleeding complications were noted in the treated group. Eight instances of thromboembolism were encountered in the control group as compared with one in the hydroxychloroquine-treated group, a statistically significant difference at the 1.5 per cent level.", "contents": "Prevention of venous thromboembolism by administration of hydroxychloroquine. A preliminary report. A placebo or the antimalarial agent hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), which inhibits platelet adhesiveness, and, to a lesser extent, platelet aggregation, was given to 100 patients between forty and ninety-five years old (average age, seventy-four years) who had either fractures or orthopaedic operations involving the skeleton between the knee and the pelvis. Medication was started at the time of admission in a blind, randomized way, fifty patients receiving hydroxychloroquine (200 milligrams three times a day) and fifty, a placebo. No untoward bleeding complications were noted in the treated group. Eight instances of thromboembolism were encountered in the control group as compared with one in the hydroxychloroquine-treated group, a statistically significant difference at the 1.5 per cent level.", "PMID": 789380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8436", "title": "Historical notes on computerized axial tomography.", "content": "The original experiments on computerized tomography at the Central Research Laboratories of EMI are discussed. Examples trace the history of improvement in definition and process time, leading to results from the first EMI Scanner which was installed in the Atkinson Morley's Hospital in September 1971.", "contents": "Historical notes on computerized axial tomography. The original experiments on computerized tomography at the Central Research Laboratories of EMI are discussed. Examples trace the history of improvement in definition and process time, leading to results from the first EMI Scanner which was installed in the Atkinson Morley's Hospital in September 1971.", "PMID": 789383} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8437", "title": "Cell surface saccharides of Trypanosoma lewis i. II. Lectin-mediated agglutination and fine-structure cytochemical detection of lectin-binding sites.", "content": "Bloodstream (BSF) and culture forms (CF) of Trypanosoma lewisi were specifically agglutinated with the plant lectins concanavalin A (Con A), soybean agglutinin (SBA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and fucose-binding protein (FBP). Lectin-mediated cell agglutination was inhibited, and reversed in the presence of specific lectin-binding saccharides. Cells were agglutinated randomly with all lectins suggesting a uniform distribution in the trypanosome cell surface of the lectin-binding saccharide ligands. The BSF and CF were not agglutinated with phytohaemagglutinin-M, phytohaemagglutinin-P, or influenza virions. Living trypsinized BSF, which lacked a surface coat, gave agglutination results with the lectins identical to those obtained with living intact BSF. Glutaraldehyde- or formalin-fixed intact and trypsinized BSF gave results similar to those obtained with living cells and SBA, WGA, and FBP. However, intact, fixed BSF gave much lower agglutination levels with Con A than trypsinized-fixed, living intact, or living trypsinized BSF cells. Intact and trypsinized living and fixed CF gave identical agglutination results with each of the lectins. Living and fixed cells treated extensively with the glycoside hydrolases alpha-amylase, dextranase, and neuraminidase gave results with the lectins identical to those obtained with untreated cells. Con A bound at the cell surface was visualized with an iron-dextran (Fe-Dex) conjugate. Dense iron marker particles were distributed randomly in the intact BSF surface coat. The Con A-bound Fe-Dex marker was present on the pellicular and flagellar membrane outer lamina of trypsinized BSF and intact CF cells. Horseradish peroxidase (HRPO)-diaminobenzidine (DAB) coupled reactions also were used to visualize surface-bound Con A. Dense Con A-HRPO-DAB deposits were present uniformly in the BSF surface coat, and on the membranes of trypsinized BSF and intact CF trypanosomes. SBA and WGA were conjugated to HRPO and these used in DAB-coupled reactions at the ultrastructure level. Results obtained with the HRPO-conjugated lectins were similar in surface localization and distribution to those obtained with the Con A-HRPO-DAB preparations. Treatment of BSF and CF with the several glycoside hydrolases produced no apparent enhanced or reduced reactivity for the lectins in any of the fine-structure cytochemistry experiments. The cumulative results indicate that ligands similar or identical to alpha-D-mannose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylglucosamine, and alpha-L-fucose are constituents in the extracellular surface coat matrix of T. lewisi BSF. Similar conclusions also pertain to the pellicular and flagellar membrane ligands of the BSF and CF cells. Moreover, results obtained with the glycoside hydrolases and influenza virions suggest that the T. lewisi cell surface ligands are not associated directly with repetitively bonded alpha-I,4- and alpha-I,6-D-glucans or sialic acid moieties.", "contents": "Cell surface saccharides of Trypanosoma lewis i. II. Lectin-mediated agglutination and fine-structure cytochemical detection of lectin-binding sites. Bloodstream (BSF) and culture forms (CF) of Trypanosoma lewisi were specifically agglutinated with the plant lectins concanavalin A (Con A), soybean agglutinin (SBA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and fucose-binding protein (FBP). Lectin-mediated cell agglutination was inhibited, and reversed in the presence of specific lectin-binding saccharides. Cells were agglutinated randomly with all lectins suggesting a uniform distribution in the trypanosome cell surface of the lectin-binding saccharide ligands. The BSF and CF were not agglutinated with phytohaemagglutinin-M, phytohaemagglutinin-P, or influenza virions. Living trypsinized BSF, which lacked a surface coat, gave agglutination results with the lectins identical to those obtained with living intact BSF. Glutaraldehyde- or formalin-fixed intact and trypsinized BSF gave results similar to those obtained with living cells and SBA, WGA, and FBP. However, intact, fixed BSF gave much lower agglutination levels with Con A than trypsinized-fixed, living intact, or living trypsinized BSF cells. Intact and trypsinized living and fixed CF gave identical agglutination results with each of the lectins. Living and fixed cells treated extensively with the glycoside hydrolases alpha-amylase, dextranase, and neuraminidase gave results with the lectins identical to those obtained with untreated cells. Con A bound at the cell surface was visualized with an iron-dextran (Fe-Dex) conjugate. Dense iron marker particles were distributed randomly in the intact BSF surface coat. The Con A-bound Fe-Dex marker was present on the pellicular and flagellar membrane outer lamina of trypsinized BSF and intact CF cells. Horseradish peroxidase (HRPO)-diaminobenzidine (DAB) coupled reactions also were used to visualize surface-bound Con A. Dense Con A-HRPO-DAB deposits were present uniformly in the BSF surface coat, and on the membranes of trypsinized BSF and intact CF trypanosomes. SBA and WGA were conjugated to HRPO and these used in DAB-coupled reactions at the ultrastructure level. Results obtained with the HRPO-conjugated lectins were similar in surface localization and distribution to those obtained with the Con A-HRPO-DAB preparations. Treatment of BSF and CF with the several glycoside hydrolases produced no apparent enhanced or reduced reactivity for the lectins in any of the fine-structure cytochemistry experiments. The cumulative results indicate that ligands similar or identical to alpha-D-mannose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylglucosamine, and alpha-L-fucose are constituents in the extracellular surface coat matrix of T. lewisi BSF. Similar conclusions also pertain to the pellicular and flagellar membrane ligands of the BSF and CF cells. Moreover, results obtained with the glycoside hydrolases and influenza virions suggest that the T. lewisi cell surface ligands are not associated directly with repetitively bonded alpha-I,4- and alpha-I,6-D-glucans or sialic acid moieties.", "PMID": 789385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8438", "title": "Spindle birefringence of isolated mitotic apparatus: further evidence for two birefringent spindle components.", "content": "We studied sea-urchin zygote mitotic apparatus (MA) isolated in hexylene glycol, transferred immediately to a glycerol-dimethylsulphoxide medium, and stored for 2 weeks at room temperature. Treatment with 0-5 M KC1 caused loss of 45% of the birefringence, but microtubules remained intact (as seen electron microscopically in glutaraldehyde-fixed MA), and tubulin was not extracted (as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). These results suggest that a non-tubulin component which is extracted by the KC1 contributes 45% of the MA birefringence. Further evidence for this conclusion came from indirect immunofluorescence experiments. Non-extracted (control) MA were fixed with formaldehyde and reacted with antibody against tubulin; there was intense staining of the spindle fibres and astral rays. Electron microscopically, however, microtubules were not present in formaldehyde-fixed MA. Since formaldehyde fixation caused breakdown of microtubules but the tubulin remained in the MA (as judged by reaction with antibodies) we suggest that after microtubule breakdown the tubulin remains in the MA because it is bound to a peri-microtubule spindle component (which we call 'substance gamma'). When KCl-extracted MA were fixed with formaldehyde and reacted with antibody against tubulin there was very little staining of spindle fibres and astral rays. Electron microscopically, formaldehyde caused microtubule breakdown, and since the tubulin is lost from formaldehydefixed, KC1-extracted MA (as judged by reaction with antibodies), we suggest that the tubulin-binding component, substance gamma, is extracted by the 0-5 M KC1. Pressure treatment caused the asters not to stain with antibody against tubulin, suggesting that the stability of substance gamma is different in different regions of the mitotic apparatus.", "contents": "Spindle birefringence of isolated mitotic apparatus: further evidence for two birefringent spindle components. We studied sea-urchin zygote mitotic apparatus (MA) isolated in hexylene glycol, transferred immediately to a glycerol-dimethylsulphoxide medium, and stored for 2 weeks at room temperature. Treatment with 0-5 M KC1 caused loss of 45% of the birefringence, but microtubules remained intact (as seen electron microscopically in glutaraldehyde-fixed MA), and tubulin was not extracted (as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). These results suggest that a non-tubulin component which is extracted by the KC1 contributes 45% of the MA birefringence. Further evidence for this conclusion came from indirect immunofluorescence experiments. Non-extracted (control) MA were fixed with formaldehyde and reacted with antibody against tubulin; there was intense staining of the spindle fibres and astral rays. Electron microscopically, however, microtubules were not present in formaldehyde-fixed MA. Since formaldehyde fixation caused breakdown of microtubules but the tubulin remained in the MA (as judged by reaction with antibodies) we suggest that after microtubule breakdown the tubulin remains in the MA because it is bound to a peri-microtubule spindle component (which we call 'substance gamma'). When KCl-extracted MA were fixed with formaldehyde and reacted with antibody against tubulin there was very little staining of spindle fibres and astral rays. Electron microscopically, formaldehyde caused microtubule breakdown, and since the tubulin is lost from formaldehydefixed, KC1-extracted MA (as judged by reaction with antibodies), we suggest that the tubulin-binding component, substance gamma, is extracted by the 0-5 M KC1. Pressure treatment caused the asters not to stain with antibody against tubulin, suggesting that the stability of substance gamma is different in different regions of the mitotic apparatus.", "PMID": 789386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8439", "title": "Studies on the mechanism of circus movement in dissociated embryonic cells of a teleost, Oryzias latipes: fine-structural observations.", "content": "The fine structure of lobopodia in dissociated embryonic cells of the freshwater fish, Oryzias latipes, was observed with the electron microscope in order to understand the mechanism of the circus movements which they display. Dense material (grandular or fibrillar) is present in the zone between the lobopodium and the endoplasm, as well as in the cortical layer around the cell circumference. The direction of lobopodial movement is related to the distribution of this dense material. The band between the lobopodium and the endoplasm is conspicuous and is connected to the cortical dense layer around the cell periphery at the advancing front of the lobopodium, while the dense material is usually almost absent beneath the cell membrane in the anterior region of the lobopodium. The band between lobopodium and endoplasm is blurred or disrupted near the hind end of the lobopodiu, where the peripheral dense layer is well developed. In situ localization of actin/heavy meromyosin complexes in the cell showed that the dense material has actin-like properties. Cytochalasin B(0-5 mug/ml) induced constriction of the neck of the bleb, shrinkage of the endoplasm, and herniation of the endoplasmic contents to the enlarged hemispherical bleb, and thus arrested the circus movement. On the basis of these results, an hypothesis concerning the mechanism of circus movement is proposed and discussed.", "contents": "Studies on the mechanism of circus movement in dissociated embryonic cells of a teleost, Oryzias latipes: fine-structural observations. The fine structure of lobopodia in dissociated embryonic cells of the freshwater fish, Oryzias latipes, was observed with the electron microscope in order to understand the mechanism of the circus movements which they display. Dense material (grandular or fibrillar) is present in the zone between the lobopodium and the endoplasm, as well as in the cortical layer around the cell circumference. The direction of lobopodial movement is related to the distribution of this dense material. The band between the lobopodium and the endoplasm is conspicuous and is connected to the cortical dense layer around the cell periphery at the advancing front of the lobopodium, while the dense material is usually almost absent beneath the cell membrane in the anterior region of the lobopodium. The band between lobopodium and endoplasm is blurred or disrupted near the hind end of the lobopodiu, where the peripheral dense layer is well developed. In situ localization of actin/heavy meromyosin complexes in the cell showed that the dense material has actin-like properties. Cytochalasin B(0-5 mug/ml) induced constriction of the neck of the bleb, shrinkage of the endoplasm, and herniation of the endoplasmic contents to the enlarged hemispherical bleb, and thus arrested the circus movement. On the basis of these results, an hypothesis concerning the mechanism of circus movement is proposed and discussed.", "PMID": 789387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8440", "title": "Application of glass capillary-column gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to the studies of human diseases.", "content": "Open-tubular glass capillary columns have been used in gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and computer methods to study human diseases. Patients with maple syrup urine disease excrete not only alpha-keto and alpha-hydroxy acids but also six other metabolites which hitherto have been overlooked. The GC-MS methods demonstrated that a group of patients suffering from hereditary progressive loss of hearing have an impaired metabolism of leucine, leading to the accumulation of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid and 3-methylcrotonylglycine. GC using the capillary columns proved suitable for mapping of the carbohydrate profile of human seminal fluid and for the analyses of organic compounds accumulating in human adipose tissue. The high resolving power and long life of the glass capillary columns suggest that they will be valuable in the diagnosis and study of human disorders.", "contents": "Application of glass capillary-column gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to the studies of human diseases. Open-tubular glass capillary columns have been used in gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and computer methods to study human diseases. Patients with maple syrup urine disease excrete not only alpha-keto and alpha-hydroxy acids but also six other metabolites which hitherto have been overlooked. The GC-MS methods demonstrated that a group of patients suffering from hereditary progressive loss of hearing have an impaired metabolism of leucine, leading to the accumulation of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid and 3-methylcrotonylglycine. GC using the capillary columns proved suitable for mapping of the carbohydrate profile of human seminal fluid and for the analyses of organic compounds accumulating in human adipose tissue. The high resolving power and long life of the glass capillary columns suggest that they will be valuable in the diagnosis and study of human disorders.", "PMID": 789388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8441", "title": "Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric-computer methods in the study of drug metabolism.", "content": "The computer-assisted interpretation of repetitively scanned mass spectra can be of great value in the analysis of a complex mixture even in the absence of a library of reference spectra. We have written a set of interpretation programs for a PDP11/45 laboratory computer. A file structure is used that combines economy of storage with ease of creation and retrieval. User interaction is by a simple command language implemented by an interpreter. The program structure is such that additional functions can be added easily.", "contents": "Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric-computer methods in the study of drug metabolism. The computer-assisted interpretation of repetitively scanned mass spectra can be of great value in the analysis of a complex mixture even in the absence of a library of reference spectra. We have written a set of interpretation programs for a PDP11/45 laboratory computer. A file structure is used that combines economy of storage with ease of creation and retrieval. User interaction is by a simple command language implemented by an interpreter. The program structure is such that additional functions can be added easily.", "PMID": 789389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8442", "title": "Radioimmunoassay and chromatographic similarity of circulating endogenous gonadotropin releasing hormone and hypothalamic extracts in man.", "content": "A highly sensitive radioimmunoassay for the gonadotropin releasing hormone has been developed in order to study its physiological importance in man. In view of the expected low concentrations in peripheral blood, large volumes of human plasma were extracted by two different methods and characteristics of the radioimmunoassayable material compared with those of synthetic decapeptide and extracts of human hypothalami. The results indicate that radioimmunoassayable gonadotropin releasing hormone is present in some human plasmas but the plasma concentration are less than 2.5 pg/ml. Peripheral levels were more consistently measurable in women at midcycle and after the menopause. The hormone was undetectable in the plasma of normel men, human cerebrospinal fluid, and fetal cerebral tissue, but was present in fetal hypothalami.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay and chromatographic similarity of circulating endogenous gonadotropin releasing hormone and hypothalamic extracts in man. A highly sensitive radioimmunoassay for the gonadotropin releasing hormone has been developed in order to study its physiological importance in man. In view of the expected low concentrations in peripheral blood, large volumes of human plasma were extracted by two different methods and characteristics of the radioimmunoassayable material compared with those of synthetic decapeptide and extracts of human hypothalami. The results indicate that radioimmunoassayable gonadotropin releasing hormone is present in some human plasmas but the plasma concentration are less than 2.5 pg/ml. Peripheral levels were more consistently measurable in women at midcycle and after the menopause. The hormone was undetectable in the plasma of normel men, human cerebrospinal fluid, and fetal cerebral tissue, but was present in fetal hypothalami.", "PMID": 789391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8443", "title": "Semi-microtechnique for the biochemical characterization of anaerobic bacteria.", "content": "A semi-micromethod is described for characterizing anaerobic bacteria by substrate utilization. Small volumes of individual substrates were placed in the wells of plastic microtiter trays. When heavy inocula and a colorimetric indicator were used, complete results were available after 30 h of incubation. Microtiter trays containing a range of substrates can be stored at -20 degrees C. The method is accurate, economical, and convenient for use in a hospital microbiology laboratory.", "contents": "Semi-microtechnique for the biochemical characterization of anaerobic bacteria. A semi-micromethod is described for characterizing anaerobic bacteria by substrate utilization. Small volumes of individual substrates were placed in the wells of plastic microtiter trays. When heavy inocula and a colorimetric indicator were used, complete results were available after 30 h of incubation. Microtiter trays containing a range of substrates can be stored at -20 degrees C. The method is accurate, economical, and convenient for use in a hospital microbiology laboratory.", "PMID": 789392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8444", "title": "Absence of wide-zone, alpha-hemolytic streptococci in children with pharyngitis.", "content": "Wide-zone, alpha-hemolytic streptococci are potential sources of false-positive throat cultures since they can be misinterpreted as beta-hemolytic streptococci. However, quantitative information regarding their occurrence in sick children was not available. Throat swabs from 312 children with pharyngitis were processed conventionally and also with pour-plate methods and examination of the positive cultures under magnification. One-third of all cultures were positive for beta-hemolytic streptococci. There were no significant differences in the number of positive cultures among or between the different methods. Wide-zone, alpha-streptococci were found in none of the cultures. Therefore, they are unlikely to be a common cause of false-positive cultures in children with pharyngitis.", "contents": "Absence of wide-zone, alpha-hemolytic streptococci in children with pharyngitis. Wide-zone, alpha-hemolytic streptococci are potential sources of false-positive throat cultures since they can be misinterpreted as beta-hemolytic streptococci. However, quantitative information regarding their occurrence in sick children was not available. Throat swabs from 312 children with pharyngitis were processed conventionally and also with pour-plate methods and examination of the positive cultures under magnification. One-third of all cultures were positive for beta-hemolytic streptococci. There were no significant differences in the number of positive cultures among or between the different methods. Wide-zone, alpha-streptococci were found in none of the cultures. Therefore, they are unlikely to be a common cause of false-positive cultures in children with pharyngitis.", "PMID": 789393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8445", "title": "Immunoglobulin specificity for the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test conjugate.", "content": "Quantitative indirect immunofluorescence tests have demonstrated the predominance of immunoglobulin G antibody in most stages of syphilis. A class-specific anti-human immunoglobulin G conjugate is recommended to replace the present fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test conjugate. This would allow further definition and standardization of the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test.", "contents": "Immunoglobulin specificity for the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test conjugate. Quantitative indirect immunofluorescence tests have demonstrated the predominance of immunoglobulin G antibody in most stages of syphilis. A class-specific anti-human immunoglobulin G conjugate is recommended to replace the present fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test conjugate. This would allow further definition and standardization of the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test.", "PMID": 789394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8446", "title": "Examination of various cell culture techniques for co-incubation of virulent Treponema pallidum (Nichols I strain) under anaerobic conditions.", "content": "Treponema pallidum (Nichols virulent) was incubated with and without cells in cell culture medium reduced to -275 mV Ecal, pH 7.3, under deoxygenated conditions. Five to ten percent of the treponemes attached to cells and remained motile for at least 120 h in cell-treponeme systems of co-incubation. Virulent treponemes could be detected after 120 to 144 h in the supernatant fluids of cell-treponeme co-incubation cultures and in cell-free tubes containing medium harvested from aerobically cultivated mammalian cells. Medium supplemented with ox serum ultrafiltrate, pyruvate, and sodium thioglycolate and gas mixtures containing H2 and CO2 enhanced treponemal survival. Increases in treponemal numbers were observed using dark-field microscopy but were not substantiated using the rabbit lesion test. Continuous passage of the treponeme was not achieved in vitro.", "contents": "Examination of various cell culture techniques for co-incubation of virulent Treponema pallidum (Nichols I strain) under anaerobic conditions. Treponema pallidum (Nichols virulent) was incubated with and without cells in cell culture medium reduced to -275 mV Ecal, pH 7.3, under deoxygenated conditions. Five to ten percent of the treponemes attached to cells and remained motile for at least 120 h in cell-treponeme systems of co-incubation. Virulent treponemes could be detected after 120 to 144 h in the supernatant fluids of cell-treponeme co-incubation cultures and in cell-free tubes containing medium harvested from aerobically cultivated mammalian cells. Medium supplemented with ox serum ultrafiltrate, pyruvate, and sodium thioglycolate and gas mixtures containing H2 and CO2 enhanced treponemal survival. Increases in treponemal numbers were observed using dark-field microscopy but were not substantiated using the rabbit lesion test. Continuous passage of the treponeme was not achieved in vitro.", "PMID": 789395} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8447", "title": "Improved medium for detecting pigment production by group B streptococci.", "content": "The production of pigment which can be used for presumptive identification of group B streptococci is sometimes weak and difficult to observe in Columbia agar stab cultures. A medium which is whiter and affords better visibility of this pigment is described.", "contents": "Improved medium for detecting pigment production by group B streptococci. The production of pigment which can be used for presumptive identification of group B streptococci is sometimes weak and difficult to observe in Columbia agar stab cultures. A medium which is whiter and affords better visibility of this pigment is described.", "PMID": 789396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8448", "title": "Production of antibody in induced granulomas.", "content": "A method of producing antibodies in artificially induced granulomas with various microbial antigens is examined.", "contents": "Production of antibody in induced granulomas. A method of producing antibodies in artificially induced granulomas with various microbial antigens is examined.", "PMID": 789397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8449", "title": "Effects of meditation on personality and values.", "content": "The purpose of this research was to verify the effect of Zen meditation on personality and values. Two groups of Ss were formed, an experimental group of 9 Ss and a control group of 14 Ss. The California Psychological Inventory and the Study of Values were administered to both groups at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The EG practised Zen meditation for the 5 months between the two testing sessions. While both groups were equivalent at pretest time, significant differences on the Do and Cs scales of the CPI were found at the posttest.", "contents": "Effects of meditation on personality and values. The purpose of this research was to verify the effect of Zen meditation on personality and values. Two groups of Ss were formed, an experimental group of 9 Ss and a control group of 14 Ss. The California Psychological Inventory and the Study of Values were administered to both groups at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The EG practised Zen meditation for the 5 months between the two testing sessions. While both groups were equivalent at pretest time, significant differences on the Do and Cs scales of the CPI were found at the posttest.", "PMID": 789398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8450", "title": "Rational emotive therapy-a study of initial therapy sessions of Albert Ellis.", "content": "Because psychotherapy is what a therapist does, and not necessarily what he says he does, it is important to observe the activity of leaders in the field during their sessions. Twenty taped initial psychotherapy sessions by Albert Ellis were selected randomly from 70 recently recorded ones. Typescripts of each session were made, and two raters naive to the purposes were trained to place each of Ellis' statements into 1 of 17 categories. Each category consisted of a therapeutic technique. Some of these were ones that Ellis did during the 20 sessions examined was related very closely to what he has claimed to do, but that he did vary considerably from client to client.", "contents": "Rational emotive therapy-a study of initial therapy sessions of Albert Ellis. Because psychotherapy is what a therapist does, and not necessarily what he says he does, it is important to observe the activity of leaders in the field during their sessions. Twenty taped initial psychotherapy sessions by Albert Ellis were selected randomly from 70 recently recorded ones. Typescripts of each session were made, and two raters naive to the purposes were trained to place each of Ellis' statements into 1 of 17 categories. Each category consisted of a therapeutic technique. Some of these were ones that Ellis did during the 20 sessions examined was related very closely to what he has claimed to do, but that he did vary considerably from client to client.", "PMID": 789399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8451", "title": "Aggressive behavior and the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration (P-F) Study.", "content": "The current status of the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration (P-F) Study, a measure of aggressive verbal behavior in response to frustration at the developmental levels of the child, the adolescent and the adult, is described. Conceived as generically or essentially self-assertive, aggression can be viewed as affirmative or negative, constructive or destructive in effect. Six categories, three under direction and three under type, have been conceptualized to define the modes of aggressive response. These interrelated categories combine into nine scoring factors. Norms at the various age levels have been established, and the reliability and validity of the instrument have veen determined. Pragmatic validity has been shown in the investigation of behavior disorders, psychosomatic conditions, delinquency, school adjustment, and a large variety of vocational and social problems. The P-F has been adapted and standardized world-wide (France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Argentina, Brazil, India, Japan). Its applicability in cross-cultural research has been demonstrated.", "contents": "Aggressive behavior and the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration (P-F) Study. The current status of the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration (P-F) Study, a measure of aggressive verbal behavior in response to frustration at the developmental levels of the child, the adolescent and the adult, is described. Conceived as generically or essentially self-assertive, aggression can be viewed as affirmative or negative, constructive or destructive in effect. Six categories, three under direction and three under type, have been conceptualized to define the modes of aggressive response. These interrelated categories combine into nine scoring factors. Norms at the various age levels have been established, and the reliability and validity of the instrument have veen determined. Pragmatic validity has been shown in the investigation of behavior disorders, psychosomatic conditions, delinquency, school adjustment, and a large variety of vocational and social problems. The P-F has been adapted and standardized world-wide (France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Argentina, Brazil, India, Japan). Its applicability in cross-cultural research has been demonstrated.", "PMID": 789400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8452", "title": "Measles inclusion-body encephalitis in a child with treated acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.", "content": "A child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, being treated in the UKALL II Trial, had while in remission an attack of measles and made a normal recovery. Four months later she developed an acute encephalopathy and died within two weeks. The brain showed mild inflammatory features and widespread inclusion bodies in neurones and glial cells. Immunofluorescence proved an infection with measles virus. Similar cases have been called SSPE; reasons are given for preferring the term \"measles inclusion-body encephalitis\".", "contents": "Measles inclusion-body encephalitis in a child with treated acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. A child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, being treated in the UKALL II Trial, had while in remission an attack of measles and made a normal recovery. Four months later she developed an acute encephalopathy and died within two weeks. The brain showed mild inflammatory features and widespread inclusion bodies in neurones and glial cells. Immunofluorescence proved an infection with measles virus. Similar cases have been called SSPE; reasons are given for preferring the term \"measles inclusion-body encephalitis\".", "PMID": 789401} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8453", "title": "Solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen.", "content": "The preliminary results of a solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are presented. This method has been compared with the solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) for HBsAg in dilution series of four HBsAg positive sera four national reference panels (The Laboratory Panel of the Central Laboratory of the Blood Transfusion Service of the Netherlands Red Cross, USA BOB Reference Panels Nos 2 and 3, and the 1st Panel of the National Reference Centre for virus Hepatitis at the Institute of Hygiene of the University of G\u00f6ttingen, West Germany). In addition, the two test methods were compared in a weekly (up to 16 weeks) follow-up of 14 patients with acute viral hepatitis B. It was seen that, both by reading EIA test results with the naked eye and by colorimetric reading, the sensitivity and specificity of this test method compared very favourably with those of the RIA. EIA may have a slightly lower sensitivity than RIA for the subtype ad, while its sensitivity for the subtype ay may be slightly higher than that of RIA. These minor sensitivity differences may be due to the specificity profiles of the antisera used.", "contents": "Solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen. The preliminary results of a solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are presented. This method has been compared with the solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) for HBsAg in dilution series of four HBsAg positive sera four national reference panels (The Laboratory Panel of the Central Laboratory of the Blood Transfusion Service of the Netherlands Red Cross, USA BOB Reference Panels Nos 2 and 3, and the 1st Panel of the National Reference Centre for virus Hepatitis at the Institute of Hygiene of the University of G\u00f6ttingen, West Germany). In addition, the two test methods were compared in a weekly (up to 16 weeks) follow-up of 14 patients with acute viral hepatitis B. It was seen that, both by reading EIA test results with the naked eye and by colorimetric reading, the sensitivity and specificity of this test method compared very favourably with those of the RIA. EIA may have a slightly lower sensitivity than RIA for the subtype ad, while its sensitivity for the subtype ay may be slightly higher than that of RIA. These minor sensitivity differences may be due to the specificity profiles of the antisera used.", "PMID": 789402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8454", "title": "Isolation of L-forms by blood culture.", "content": "Culture media for the isolation of bacterial L-forms from the blood were studied. The most successful media had an osmolality of more than 1100 mosm/kg and this appeared to be a critical factor in determining success.", "contents": "Isolation of L-forms by blood culture. Culture media for the isolation of bacterial L-forms from the blood were studied. The most successful media had an osmolality of more than 1100 mosm/kg and this appeared to be a critical factor in determining success.", "PMID": 789403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8455", "title": "Immunological phenomena in the jejunum and serum after reintroduction of dietary gluten in children with treated coeliac disease.", "content": "Jejunal mucosal immunoglobulin-containing cells of all three major classes (IgA, IgM, IgG) were increased in coeliac children on gluten-containing diets but only IgM cell numbers were raised in those on gluten-free diets. Patients with subtotal villous atrophy had greater numbers of immunoglobulin-containing cells than patients with normal mucosa. In previously treated patients studied before and after three months on a gluten-containing diet ther was an increase in all three classes of cell, IgM containing cells showing the greatest proportional rise. Basement membrane staining with anti-IgA serum occurred in coeliacs and was most intense in untreated patients. Apart from one patient with very low levels of serum IgA, serum immunoglobulins did not differ from normal. However, after reintroduction of gluten to the diet a significant fall in serum IgM concentrations occurred compared with levels in the same patients while on gluten-free diets. It seems probable that both IgA and IgM systems are important in the immunopathogenesis of the small intestinal lesion of childhood coeliac disease.", "contents": "Immunological phenomena in the jejunum and serum after reintroduction of dietary gluten in children with treated coeliac disease. Jejunal mucosal immunoglobulin-containing cells of all three major classes (IgA, IgM, IgG) were increased in coeliac children on gluten-containing diets but only IgM cell numbers were raised in those on gluten-free diets. Patients with subtotal villous atrophy had greater numbers of immunoglobulin-containing cells than patients with normal mucosa. In previously treated patients studied before and after three months on a gluten-containing diet ther was an increase in all three classes of cell, IgM containing cells showing the greatest proportional rise. Basement membrane staining with anti-IgA serum occurred in coeliacs and was most intense in untreated patients. Apart from one patient with very low levels of serum IgA, serum immunoglobulins did not differ from normal. However, after reintroduction of gluten to the diet a significant fall in serum IgM concentrations occurred compared with levels in the same patients while on gluten-free diets. It seems probable that both IgA and IgM systems are important in the immunopathogenesis of the small intestinal lesion of childhood coeliac disease.", "PMID": 789405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8456", "title": "Significance of urinary C3 excretion in glomerulonephritis.", "content": "The third component of complement (C3) was measured in the urine of 98 patients with a variety of renal diseases. Renal biopsy was performed on 83 of the patients and examined by light, electron, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Urinary C3 was detected in cases of membranous glomerulonephritis, mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and renal amuloidosis. It was not detected in minimal lesion glomerulonephritis; in cases of proliferative glomerulonephritis it was detected only in those showing histological evidence of a progressive lesion. Concentrations were low or undetectable in cases of non-immunological renal diseases. There was a good correlation between urinary C3 concentrations and the deposition of C3 in glomerular capillary walls, as seen by immunofluorescence microscopy, and there was no correlation with the degree or selectivity of proteinuria. Urinary C3 excretion appears to be an accurate indicator of continuing activity of disease. It is suggested that the presence of C3 in urine is due to complement fixation by immune complexes in glomerular capillary walls, and that urinary C3 estimations have potential applications in the study of glomerulonephritis.", "contents": "Significance of urinary C3 excretion in glomerulonephritis. The third component of complement (C3) was measured in the urine of 98 patients with a variety of renal diseases. Renal biopsy was performed on 83 of the patients and examined by light, electron, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Urinary C3 was detected in cases of membranous glomerulonephritis, mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and renal amuloidosis. It was not detected in minimal lesion glomerulonephritis; in cases of proliferative glomerulonephritis it was detected only in those showing histological evidence of a progressive lesion. Concentrations were low or undetectable in cases of non-immunological renal diseases. There was a good correlation between urinary C3 concentrations and the deposition of C3 in glomerular capillary walls, as seen by immunofluorescence microscopy, and there was no correlation with the degree or selectivity of proteinuria. Urinary C3 excretion appears to be an accurate indicator of continuing activity of disease. It is suggested that the presence of C3 in urine is due to complement fixation by immune complexes in glomerular capillary walls, and that urinary C3 estimations have potential applications in the study of glomerulonephritis.", "PMID": 789406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8457", "title": "Immune potential in human uraemia. 1. Relationship of glomerular filtration rate to depression of immune potential.", "content": "Aspects of immune potential in uraemic subjects, categorized by glomerular filtration rate, were intercompared and compared with results obtained from a group of normal volunteers. Evidence is presented to show that depression of both cellular and humoral immune potential occurs with progressive reduction of glomerular filtration rate. Lymphocyte transformation testing to the non-specific mitogen PHA revealed a significant elevation of blastogenic response in uraemia after 96 hours of incubation.", "contents": "Immune potential in human uraemia. 1. Relationship of glomerular filtration rate to depression of immune potential. Aspects of immune potential in uraemic subjects, categorized by glomerular filtration rate, were intercompared and compared with results obtained from a group of normal volunteers. Evidence is presented to show that depression of both cellular and humoral immune potential occurs with progressive reduction of glomerular filtration rate. Lymphocyte transformation testing to the non-specific mitogen PHA revealed a significant elevation of blastogenic response in uraemia after 96 hours of incubation.", "PMID": 789407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8458", "title": "Immune potential in human uraemia. 2. Changes after regular haemodialysis therapy.", "content": "Parameters of both humoral and cellular immune potential were measured in a group of patients with severe renal failure before and after three months' regular haemodialysis therapy. Evidence is presented of improvement in cellular immune potential and of a tendency of the response of lymphocytes to PHA to return to normal. No improvement in humoral responsiveness was demonstrable, and it is suggested that uraemic patients on regular haemodialysis may have an impaired capacity to establish new immunological memory.", "contents": "Immune potential in human uraemia. 2. Changes after regular haemodialysis therapy. Parameters of both humoral and cellular immune potential were measured in a group of patients with severe renal failure before and after three months' regular haemodialysis therapy. Evidence is presented of improvement in cellular immune potential and of a tendency of the response of lymphocytes to PHA to return to normal. No improvement in humoral responsiveness was demonstrable, and it is suggested that uraemic patients on regular haemodialysis may have an impaired capacity to establish new immunological memory.", "PMID": 789408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8459", "title": "Haemophilus aphrophilus endocarditis in pregnancy.", "content": "The clinical and microbiological features of a case of Haemophilus aphrophilus endocarditis in pregnancy are described. The complicating effect of pregnancy on treatment and the difficulties in identifying the organism in the laboratory are discussed.", "contents": "Haemophilus aphrophilus endocarditis in pregnancy. The clinical and microbiological features of a case of Haemophilus aphrophilus endocarditis in pregnancy are described. The complicating effect of pregnancy on treatment and the difficulties in identifying the organism in the laboratory are discussed.", "PMID": 789409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8460", "title": "Effectiveness of bumetanide in nephrotic syndrome: a double-blind crossover study with furosemide.", "content": "A double-blind crossover study was undertaken to delineate the renal tubular sites of action of bumetanide and to compare its effects upon electrolyte excretion to that of furosemide in six nephrotic patients with various degrees of renal insufficiency. Bumetanide was found to be a potent oral natriuretic agent without producing changes in either GFR or effective renal plasma flow. The natriuresis was associated with inhibition of proximal tubular transport as evidenced by an increased distal delivery (CH2O+CNA+K) and inhibition of sodium transport in the loop of Henle as shown by a fall in CH2O/CH2O+CC1 during sustained water diuresis and an unchanged TCH2O with continued hydropenia. The increases in free-water clearance induced by furosemide and bumetanide were equivalent, but bumetanide produced significantly higher flow rate, greater solute delivery from the proximal tubule, and a greater natriuresis. The data indicate that at the dosages used, bumetanide has a proportionately greater inhibitory effect than furosemide in both the proximal tubule and the ascending limb of the loop of Henle.", "contents": "Effectiveness of bumetanide in nephrotic syndrome: a double-blind crossover study with furosemide. A double-blind crossover study was undertaken to delineate the renal tubular sites of action of bumetanide and to compare its effects upon electrolyte excretion to that of furosemide in six nephrotic patients with various degrees of renal insufficiency. Bumetanide was found to be a potent oral natriuretic agent without producing changes in either GFR or effective renal plasma flow. The natriuresis was associated with inhibition of proximal tubular transport as evidenced by an increased distal delivery (CH2O+CNA+K) and inhibition of sodium transport in the loop of Henle as shown by a fall in CH2O/CH2O+CC1 during sustained water diuresis and an unchanged TCH2O with continued hydropenia. The increases in free-water clearance induced by furosemide and bumetanide were equivalent, but bumetanide produced significantly higher flow rate, greater solute delivery from the proximal tubule, and a greater natriuresis. The data indicate that at the dosages used, bumetanide has a proportionately greater inhibitory effect than furosemide in both the proximal tubule and the ascending limb of the loop of Henle.", "PMID": 789411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8461", "title": "Long-term effects of minoxidil in the treatment of malignant hypertension in chronic renal failure.", "content": "Thirteen acutely symptomatic malignant hypertensive patients were treated with minoxidil in combination with a beta-adrenergic blocking agent and diuretics or dialysis. The degree of endorgan involvement varied, with the kidney being the most compromised in 11 of 13 patients. In 12 of 13 patients, MABP (mean arterial blood pressure) fell significantly within 72 hours, P less than 0.005. After 20 months of therapy, all have now had a favorable response, with a mean reduction in MABP of 48 mm Hg, and with no adverse cardiac disturbances. In addition, the patients with mild azotemia had an improvement in renal function as determined by a reduction in serum creatinine. PRA (peripheral renin activity) rose with the addition of minoxidil despite therapeutic concentration of serum propranolol and a reduction in MABP and heart rate. It was also noted that those patients who had been on guanethidine prior to minoxidil had a more pronounced lowering of MABP within 72 hours of minoxidil therapy. It is concluded that minoxidil is a safe, fast, and effective agent to achieve rapid and sustained control of MABP in malignant hypertensive states associated with chronic renal insufficiency.", "contents": "Long-term effects of minoxidil in the treatment of malignant hypertension in chronic renal failure. Thirteen acutely symptomatic malignant hypertensive patients were treated with minoxidil in combination with a beta-adrenergic blocking agent and diuretics or dialysis. The degree of endorgan involvement varied, with the kidney being the most compromised in 11 of 13 patients. In 12 of 13 patients, MABP (mean arterial blood pressure) fell significantly within 72 hours, P less than 0.005. After 20 months of therapy, all have now had a favorable response, with a mean reduction in MABP of 48 mm Hg, and with no adverse cardiac disturbances. In addition, the patients with mild azotemia had an improvement in renal function as determined by a reduction in serum creatinine. PRA (peripheral renin activity) rose with the addition of minoxidil despite therapeutic concentration of serum propranolol and a reduction in MABP and heart rate. It was also noted that those patients who had been on guanethidine prior to minoxidil had a more pronounced lowering of MABP within 72 hours of minoxidil therapy. It is concluded that minoxidil is a safe, fast, and effective agent to achieve rapid and sustained control of MABP in malignant hypertensive states associated with chronic renal insufficiency.", "PMID": 789412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8462", "title": "Diuretic and clinical effects of low-dose furosemide in congestive heart failure patients.", "content": "A dose of 20 mg furosemide in congestive heart failure patients produces a significant diuretic and natriuretic effect. The peak effect was observed within 60-120 minutes in most patients. Twenty-four congestive heart failure patients were hospitalized for evaluation and management. Two withdrew from the study, and in three there was a prolonged (several months) remission of manifestations of congestive heart failure. The remaining 19 patients were treated with 40 mg furosemide per day for a four-week period. Six required 80 to 120 mg furosemide per day, and 13 were controlled on 40 mg per day. On 20 mg twice per day, one of the 13 patients dropped out voluntarily, two required a higher dose of furosemide, and 10 were controlled on this regimen for a four-week period. When dosage was reduced to 20 mg per day, five of the ten patients were controlled for an additional four weeks or longer, and five required higher doses of furosemide. Results of this study suggest that in congestive heart failure patients, 20 mg furosemide per day has significant diuretic and natriuretic properties. It also demonstrates that a number of patients with cardiac decompensation can be controlled on a relatively low dosage of furosemide and that periodic reevaluation of clinical status and diuretic requirements for maintenance therapy is of critical importance in management of patients with congestive heart failure.", "contents": "Diuretic and clinical effects of low-dose furosemide in congestive heart failure patients. A dose of 20 mg furosemide in congestive heart failure patients produces a significant diuretic and natriuretic effect. The peak effect was observed within 60-120 minutes in most patients. Twenty-four congestive heart failure patients were hospitalized for evaluation and management. Two withdrew from the study, and in three there was a prolonged (several months) remission of manifestations of congestive heart failure. The remaining 19 patients were treated with 40 mg furosemide per day for a four-week period. Six required 80 to 120 mg furosemide per day, and 13 were controlled on 40 mg per day. On 20 mg twice per day, one of the 13 patients dropped out voluntarily, two required a higher dose of furosemide, and 10 were controlled on this regimen for a four-week period. When dosage was reduced to 20 mg per day, five of the ten patients were controlled for an additional four weeks or longer, and five required higher doses of furosemide. Results of this study suggest that in congestive heart failure patients, 20 mg furosemide per day has significant diuretic and natriuretic properties. It also demonstrates that a number of patients with cardiac decompensation can be controlled on a relatively low dosage of furosemide and that periodic reevaluation of clinical status and diuretic requirements for maintenance therapy is of critical importance in management of patients with congestive heart failure.", "PMID": 789413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8463", "title": "Shortened duration of action of 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) in patients with diabetes insipidus requiring high doses of peroral antidiuretic drugs.", "content": "The antidiuretic effects of graded intravenous and intranasal doses of a new vasopressin analogue (DDAVP) were investigated in two groups of patients with pituitary diabetes insipidus. In the first group, three patients with a high requirement of maintenance doses of peroral anti-diuretic drugs were included; and in the second group, ten patients with a normal (usual) requirement were included. Comparing the antidiuretic responses during 24-hour collection periods, DDAVP, on a microgram basis, was less effective in the \"high peroral-dose requirement\" patients. The duration of action of single intravenous doses (0.04-24 micrograms) of DDAVP was significantly shortened in the \"high peroral-dose requirement\" group. However, comparing the peak responses induced by increasing doses of DDAVP in the two groups, there was no demonstrable diminution in the anti-diuretic ability of DDAVP in the \"high peroral-dose requirement\" patients. Although the possibility of a smaller remnant reserve of ADH was also considered, shortened duration of action ot DDAVP suggests more probably enhanced metabolic breakdown of vasopressin in \"high peroral-dose requirement\" patients.", "contents": "Shortened duration of action of 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) in patients with diabetes insipidus requiring high doses of peroral antidiuretic drugs. The antidiuretic effects of graded intravenous and intranasal doses of a new vasopressin analogue (DDAVP) were investigated in two groups of patients with pituitary diabetes insipidus. In the first group, three patients with a high requirement of maintenance doses of peroral anti-diuretic drugs were included; and in the second group, ten patients with a normal (usual) requirement were included. Comparing the antidiuretic responses during 24-hour collection periods, DDAVP, on a microgram basis, was less effective in the \"high peroral-dose requirement\" patients. The duration of action of single intravenous doses (0.04-24 micrograms) of DDAVP was significantly shortened in the \"high peroral-dose requirement\" group. However, comparing the peak responses induced by increasing doses of DDAVP in the two groups, there was no demonstrable diminution in the anti-diuretic ability of DDAVP in the \"high peroral-dose requirement\" patients. Although the possibility of a smaller remnant reserve of ADH was also considered, shortened duration of action ot DDAVP suggests more probably enhanced metabolic breakdown of vasopressin in \"high peroral-dose requirement\" patients.", "PMID": 789414} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8464", "title": "The pathogenesis of parvovirus-induced cerebellar hypoplasia in the Syrian hamster, Mesocricetus auratus. Fluorescent antibody, foliation, cytoarchitectonic, Golgi and electron microscopic studies.", "content": "Cerebellar histogenesis was studied in hamsters infected at birth with a parvovirus, rat virus strain PRE 308. Cerebellar granule cell precursors in these animals were selectively infected and lysed in the external germinal layer before their migration to form the internal granular layer. The effects of the absence of granule cells on cerebellar development and especially on the development of the Purkinje cells and their dendrites was analyzed using fluorescent antibody. Golgi, conventional paraffin, and electron microscopic methods. This study represents the first Golgi and ultrastructural study of the pathogenesis of rat virus infections in the cerebellum. The destruction of the granule cell precursors resulted in a dysplastic cerebellar hypoplasia with total disruption of normal cerebellar stratification and cytoarchitectonics. The Purkinje cells developed misshapen, progressively disoriented dendritic stems lacking tertiary dendrites and studded with numerous spines, devoid of afferent synaptic contacts (naked spines) and encased by glial processes. These developmental studies, together with the mouse mutant studies, demonstrated that the spines of the Purkinje cells were elaborated in the absence of both tertiary dendrites and afferent parallel fiber contacts. Such data suggested that spine formation, once triggered, was intrinsically programmed rather than being dependent on the development of parallel fiber contacts. Despite the loss of a major interneuronal component and disintegration of normal cytoarchitectonic relationships, synapses in the cerebellar cortex developed normally as long as both the pre- and post-synaptic elements were present. Thus synaptic specificity is maintained in the face of gross disruption of cytoarchitectonic relationships. If either the pre- or post-synaptic portion of a contact was absent, then glial processes isolated the persisting element or aberrant contacts formed. In addition to glial encasement of naked spines, there were dendrodendritic articulations between Purkinje cell dendrites, some of which were joined by septate, plaque-like junctions. Aberrant synaptic contacts between mossy and climbing fiber glomeruli and the smooth surface of the Purkinje cell somata were found rarely. In addition to these contacts which also occur in the hypoplastic cerebella produced by other methods, previously undescribed non-synaptic spine-articulations between Purkinje cell dendrites were seen. The role played by granule cells and their axons in Purkinje cell development appeared to be two-fold. First, the development of the orderly array of parallel fibers in the normal animal played a role in orienting and flattening the dendritic trees of Purkinje cells. Second, the formation of tertiary dendritic branches appeared to depend primarily upon the presence of an external germinal layer throughout this stage of Purkinje cell development. By contrast, dendritic spines developed and persisted in the absence of granule cells.", "contents": "The pathogenesis of parvovirus-induced cerebellar hypoplasia in the Syrian hamster, Mesocricetus auratus. Fluorescent antibody, foliation, cytoarchitectonic, Golgi and electron microscopic studies. Cerebellar histogenesis was studied in hamsters infected at birth with a parvovirus, rat virus strain PRE 308. Cerebellar granule cell precursors in these animals were selectively infected and lysed in the external germinal layer before their migration to form the internal granular layer. The effects of the absence of granule cells on cerebellar development and especially on the development of the Purkinje cells and their dendrites was analyzed using fluorescent antibody. Golgi, conventional paraffin, and electron microscopic methods. This study represents the first Golgi and ultrastructural study of the pathogenesis of rat virus infections in the cerebellum. The destruction of the granule cell precursors resulted in a dysplastic cerebellar hypoplasia with total disruption of normal cerebellar stratification and cytoarchitectonics. The Purkinje cells developed misshapen, progressively disoriented dendritic stems lacking tertiary dendrites and studded with numerous spines, devoid of afferent synaptic contacts (naked spines) and encased by glial processes. These developmental studies, together with the mouse mutant studies, demonstrated that the spines of the Purkinje cells were elaborated in the absence of both tertiary dendrites and afferent parallel fiber contacts. Such data suggested that spine formation, once triggered, was intrinsically programmed rather than being dependent on the development of parallel fiber contacts. Despite the loss of a major interneuronal component and disintegration of normal cytoarchitectonic relationships, synapses in the cerebellar cortex developed normally as long as both the pre- and post-synaptic elements were present. Thus synaptic specificity is maintained in the face of gross disruption of cytoarchitectonic relationships. If either the pre- or post-synaptic portion of a contact was absent, then glial processes isolated the persisting element or aberrant contacts formed. In addition to glial encasement of naked spines, there were dendrodendritic articulations between Purkinje cell dendrites, some of which were joined by septate, plaque-like junctions. Aberrant synaptic contacts between mossy and climbing fiber glomeruli and the smooth surface of the Purkinje cell somata were found rarely. In addition to these contacts which also occur in the hypoplastic cerebella produced by other methods, previously undescribed non-synaptic spine-articulations between Purkinje cell dendrites were seen. The role played by granule cells and their axons in Purkinje cell development appeared to be two-fold. First, the development of the orderly array of parallel fibers in the normal animal played a role in orienting and flattening the dendritic trees of Purkinje cells. Second, the formation of tertiary dendritic branches appeared to depend primarily upon the presence of an external germinal layer throughout this stage of Purkinje cell development. By contrast, dendritic spines developed and persisted in the absence of granule cells.", "PMID": 789416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8465", "title": "Isolation of sialic acid from casein and reclamation of residual casein.", "content": "Crystalline sialic acid was isolated in 50 to 60% yields from a commercial grade of dry isoelectric casein by Warren's hydrolysis procedure. One part of casein was heated at 80 C/60 min in ten parts of .18 N sulfuric acid (pH 1.5). A crude sialic acid preparation (7.8%) was obtained from the hydrolysate after addition of calcium hydroxide to remove protein at pH 4.6 and sulfate as calcium sulfate at pH 7.0 followed by concentration and lyophilization of the soluble material. Highly purified sialic acid (95%) was obtained by chromatography on Dowex-1 X 8 with a gradient of 0 to 2 M sodium acetate. The sialic acid positive fraction was passed through Duolite C20H followed by lyophilization. Slow evaporation of a concentrated solution of this material produced typical crystals of N-acetylneuraminic acid. The study also included an examination of the properties of the residual sialic acid-free casein. Electrophoretic patterns, solubility properties, rennet sensitivity, and viscous character revealed that the residual casein was remarkably similar to intact casein. However, the calcium sensitivity of this modified protein was increased in the presence of .1 M calcium chloride.", "contents": "Isolation of sialic acid from casein and reclamation of residual casein. Crystalline sialic acid was isolated in 50 to 60% yields from a commercial grade of dry isoelectric casein by Warren's hydrolysis procedure. One part of casein was heated at 80 C/60 min in ten parts of .18 N sulfuric acid (pH 1.5). A crude sialic acid preparation (7.8%) was obtained from the hydrolysate after addition of calcium hydroxide to remove protein at pH 4.6 and sulfate as calcium sulfate at pH 7.0 followed by concentration and lyophilization of the soluble material. Highly purified sialic acid (95%) was obtained by chromatography on Dowex-1 X 8 with a gradient of 0 to 2 M sodium acetate. The sialic acid positive fraction was passed through Duolite C20H followed by lyophilization. Slow evaporation of a concentrated solution of this material produced typical crystals of N-acetylneuraminic acid. The study also included an examination of the properties of the residual sialic acid-free casein. Electrophoretic patterns, solubility properties, rennet sensitivity, and viscous character revealed that the residual casein was remarkably similar to intact casein. However, the calcium sensitivity of this modified protein was increased in the presence of .1 M calcium chloride.", "PMID": 789417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8466", "title": "Effect of intravenous L-isoleucine infusion upon concentration of free isoleucine in milk.", "content": "The growth of Streptococcus agalactiae in milk is inhibited by elevated free isoleucine. Free amino acid concentrations in both plasma and milk from three lactating dairy cows were studied after intravenous infusions of L-isoleucine at 62, 300, 380, and 840 mumol/kg of body weight. Free isoleucine was lower in milk than in plasma. The concentration of free isoleucine in plasma increased after infusions of isoleucine at the three higher amounts. The highest concentration of free isoleucine in milk measured was 1.5 mumol/100 ml of skin milk. This was observed after infusion of isoleucine for 12 h at 380 mumol/kg of body weight. Free isoleucine in both plasma and milk dropped to the preinfusion concentrations a short time after the isoleucine infusions were stopped. When relatively large quantities of isoleucine were infused into the blood of cows, free isoleucine in blood increased as much as twofold. The source of free isoleucine in milk appeared to be free isoleucine in plasma, but isoleucine in milk only reached concentrations that would give about 50% of the growth inhibition of S. agalactiae obtainable with isoleucine in vitro. It would be difficult to elevate free isoleucine in milk by dietary manipulation sufficiently to inhibit S. agalactiae.", "contents": "Effect of intravenous L-isoleucine infusion upon concentration of free isoleucine in milk. The growth of Streptococcus agalactiae in milk is inhibited by elevated free isoleucine. Free amino acid concentrations in both plasma and milk from three lactating dairy cows were studied after intravenous infusions of L-isoleucine at 62, 300, 380, and 840 mumol/kg of body weight. Free isoleucine was lower in milk than in plasma. The concentration of free isoleucine in plasma increased after infusions of isoleucine at the three higher amounts. The highest concentration of free isoleucine in milk measured was 1.5 mumol/100 ml of skin milk. This was observed after infusion of isoleucine for 12 h at 380 mumol/kg of body weight. Free isoleucine in both plasma and milk dropped to the preinfusion concentrations a short time after the isoleucine infusions were stopped. When relatively large quantities of isoleucine were infused into the blood of cows, free isoleucine in blood increased as much as twofold. The source of free isoleucine in milk appeared to be free isoleucine in plasma, but isoleucine in milk only reached concentrations that would give about 50% of the growth inhibition of S. agalactiae obtainable with isoleucine in vitro. It would be difficult to elevate free isoleucine in milk by dietary manipulation sufficiently to inhibit S. agalactiae.", "PMID": 789418} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8467", "title": "Direct bonding applied to space maintenance.", "content": "Based on the conditions of this study, the following conclusions were reached: A success rate of 70 percent seems to justify further investigation into direct bonded space maintainers. A space maintainer directly bonded to the buccal surfaces seems to be efficient in maintaining single tooth spaces. Primary-to-primary appliances were more successful than the primary-to-permanent appliances, which suggests that incomplete first permanent molar eruption and a posterior location affect appliance durability.", "contents": "Direct bonding applied to space maintenance. Based on the conditions of this study, the following conclusions were reached: A success rate of 70 percent seems to justify further investigation into direct bonded space maintainers. A space maintainer directly bonded to the buccal surfaces seems to be efficient in maintaining single tooth spaces. Primary-to-primary appliances were more successful than the primary-to-permanent appliances, which suggests that incomplete first permanent molar eruption and a posterior location affect appliance durability.", "PMID": 789420} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8468", "title": "In vitro retentive strength of fixed bridges constructed with acrylic pontics and an ultraviolet-light-polymerized resin.", "content": "The in vitro retentive strength of 24 test bridges was studied. The bridges were maxillary canine to central incisor spans, and an acrylic pontic replaced the lateral incisors. The pontic was retained by a resin polymerized with ultraviolet light. The mean forces necessary to dislodge the pontic bonded to natural teeth in the three-unit bridges were determined to be 41.5 lb for a force applied toward the incisal edge and 55.8 lb for a force applied toward the gingival ridge. A promising clinical application of this technique is suggested.", "contents": "In vitro retentive strength of fixed bridges constructed with acrylic pontics and an ultraviolet-light-polymerized resin. The in vitro retentive strength of 24 test bridges was studied. The bridges were maxillary canine to central incisor spans, and an acrylic pontic replaced the lateral incisors. The pontic was retained by a resin polymerized with ultraviolet light. The mean forces necessary to dislodge the pontic bonded to natural teeth in the three-unit bridges were determined to be 41.5 lb for a force applied toward the incisal edge and 55.8 lb for a force applied toward the gingival ridge. A promising clinical application of this technique is suggested.", "PMID": 789432} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8469", "title": "A brief review of some properties of alpha-methylnorepinephrine.", "content": "The research literature can be confusing because of the vast number of nonproprietary names used by various authors for a specific drug. An attempt is made here to clarify the ambiguity regarding the stereoisomer, (-) erythro-alpha-methylnorepinephrine. This agent is used in dentistry as a vasoconstrictor (Neo-Cobefrin) and although its pharmacologic activilty is weaker than that of (-) norepinephrine, it appears that this agent can have significant pharmacologic effects at higher doses. Effects reported have consisted of decreased or increased blood pressure because of the activation of beta receptors or alpha receptors, respectively.", "contents": "A brief review of some properties of alpha-methylnorepinephrine. The research literature can be confusing because of the vast number of nonproprietary names used by various authors for a specific drug. An attempt is made here to clarify the ambiguity regarding the stereoisomer, (-) erythro-alpha-methylnorepinephrine. This agent is used in dentistry as a vasoconstrictor (Neo-Cobefrin) and although its pharmacologic activilty is weaker than that of (-) norepinephrine, it appears that this agent can have significant pharmacologic effects at higher doses. Effects reported have consisted of decreased or increased blood pressure because of the activation of beta receptors or alpha receptors, respectively.", "PMID": 789434} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8470", "title": "Clinical evaluation of the phase contrast microscope as a motivational aid in oral hygiene.", "content": "In a pilot study, phase contrast microscope and plane microscope demonstrations of plaque were compared in two controlled groups to evaluate their relative effect on long-term motivation toward good oral hygiene. Plaque and calculus scores were used as indexes. During a seven-month period, the group using the phase contrast microscope showed statistically significant imporvement in plaque scores compared with the group using the plane microscope. However, the difference in actual plaque amounts between groups was of a small magnitude and cannot be considered clinically significant. Both groups showed significant statistical improvement in plaque scores at seven months as compared with pretests socres. This maintained plaquereduction at seven months was of a magnitude that could be clinically significant.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of the phase contrast microscope as a motivational aid in oral hygiene. In a pilot study, phase contrast microscope and plane microscope demonstrations of plaque were compared in two controlled groups to evaluate their relative effect on long-term motivation toward good oral hygiene. Plaque and calculus scores were used as indexes. During a seven-month period, the group using the phase contrast microscope showed statistically significant imporvement in plaque scores compared with the group using the plane microscope. However, the difference in actual plaque amounts between groups was of a small magnitude and cannot be considered clinically significant. Both groups showed significant statistical improvement in plaque scores at seven months as compared with pretests socres. This maintained plaquereduction at seven months was of a magnitude that could be clinically significant.", "PMID": 789435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8471", "title": "Treatment of ragweed hay fever with an intranasal spray containing fluinsolide, a new synthetic corticosteroid.", "content": "Flunisolide, a new synthetic fluorinated corticosteroid, was administered as a nasal spray via a squeeze bottle to patients with ragweed hay fever for 4 wk during the hay fever season. Fifty-one patients, paired on the basis of similar skin sensitivity to intradermal ragweed (greater than or equal to 10-1 PNU/ml), were randomly assigned in a double-blind manner either an aerosol-containing flunisolide dissolved in vehicle (a mixture of polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol) or vehicle alone. Flunisolide was sprayed as a 0.025% solution two times in each nostril twice a day. Forty-eight patients completed the study. Three patients dropped out for reasons unrelated to flunisolide usage. On the basis of physician interviews and daily symptom dairy scores, patients receiving flunisolide showed significant improvement of hay fever symptoms when compared to their counterparts receiving vehicle. No systemic steroid side effects were observed. Morning plasma cortisol levels measured prio to and after 3 wk of flunisolide therapy showed no significant difference between the treatment groups. Adverse local effects were minor and were noted less frequently with flunisolide than with vehicle. Flunisolide's topical efficacy and lack of adrenal suppression provide distinct advantages over other steroid preparations available in the United States for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.", "contents": "Treatment of ragweed hay fever with an intranasal spray containing fluinsolide, a new synthetic corticosteroid. Flunisolide, a new synthetic fluorinated corticosteroid, was administered as a nasal spray via a squeeze bottle to patients with ragweed hay fever for 4 wk during the hay fever season. Fifty-one patients, paired on the basis of similar skin sensitivity to intradermal ragweed (greater than or equal to 10-1 PNU/ml), were randomly assigned in a double-blind manner either an aerosol-containing flunisolide dissolved in vehicle (a mixture of polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol) or vehicle alone. Flunisolide was sprayed as a 0.025% solution two times in each nostril twice a day. Forty-eight patients completed the study. Three patients dropped out for reasons unrelated to flunisolide usage. On the basis of physician interviews and daily symptom dairy scores, patients receiving flunisolide showed significant improvement of hay fever symptoms when compared to their counterparts receiving vehicle. No systemic steroid side effects were observed. Morning plasma cortisol levels measured prio to and after 3 wk of flunisolide therapy showed no significant difference between the treatment groups. Adverse local effects were minor and were noted less frequently with flunisolide than with vehicle. Flunisolide's topical efficacy and lack of adrenal suppression provide distinct advantages over other steroid preparations available in the United States for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.", "PMID": 789436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8472", "title": "Diet therapy in the U.S. in the past 200 years. A Bicentennial study.", "content": "Although diet therapy is a concept of the twentieth century, its foundations were laid by such men as Sanctorius in the sixteenth century, Lavoisier in the eighteenth century, and Beaumont in the nineteenth century, whose detailed notes reflected amazingly accurate observations. With the advent of scientific medicine, research provided the knowledge on which diet therapy was built. Data on food composition, which began to be available around the turn of the century, was important to the therapeutic dietitian, and, at mid-century, formed the basis for the development of the first Exchange Lists (only revised this year). Diets early in the century involved rigid routines, in contrast with the trend today to consider the individual. World War I marked the emergence of the trained dietitian and changes in diet therapy, as knowledge of the biologic sciences and the practice of medium expanded. Research on metabolism led to control of hemoglobin and the red cell anemias, while growing knowledge of the role of pancreatic secretions in metabolism made near-normal lives possible for those with diabetes. The dietitian today finds herself in the position of interpreter of scientific findings, developing meal patterns which not only correct poor food habits but are acceptable to patients. More recently, she has been concerned with problems in modification of fat intake in the interest of possible prevention of cardiovascular disease. Obesity and its prevention remain problems. The practice of diet therapy is subject to vogues, as is science, but the challenge to the dietitian remains: that of serving each patient through the best possible use of her education, skill, and sensitivity.", "contents": "Diet therapy in the U.S. in the past 200 years. A Bicentennial study. Although diet therapy is a concept of the twentieth century, its foundations were laid by such men as Sanctorius in the sixteenth century, Lavoisier in the eighteenth century, and Beaumont in the nineteenth century, whose detailed notes reflected amazingly accurate observations. With the advent of scientific medicine, research provided the knowledge on which diet therapy was built. Data on food composition, which began to be available around the turn of the century, was important to the therapeutic dietitian, and, at mid-century, formed the basis for the development of the first Exchange Lists (only revised this year). Diets early in the century involved rigid routines, in contrast with the trend today to consider the individual. World War I marked the emergence of the trained dietitian and changes in diet therapy, as knowledge of the biologic sciences and the practice of medium expanded. Research on metabolism led to control of hemoglobin and the red cell anemias, while growing knowledge of the role of pancreatic secretions in metabolism made near-normal lives possible for those with diabetes. The dietitian today finds herself in the position of interpreter of scientific findings, developing meal patterns which not only correct poor food habits but are acceptable to patients. More recently, she has been concerned with problems in modification of fat intake in the interest of possible prevention of cardiovascular disease. Obesity and its prevention remain problems. The practice of diet therapy is subject to vogues, as is science, but the challenge to the dietitian remains: that of serving each patient through the best possible use of her education, skill, and sensitivity.", "PMID": 789438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8473", "title": "Dietary fiber--in historical perspective.", "content": "Epidemiologic reports have linked how intakes of dietary fiber with numerous diseases and abnormal conditions. They range from diverticulitis to coronary thrombosis, from simple constipation to possible carcinoma of the colon. The supposed etiology underlying these and other conditions is discussed in terms of the properties of cellulose, lignin, and hemicelluloses, including pectin, which collectively make up dietary fiber. Other major organic components of plant foods, apart from fiber, protein, fat, sugars and starches, are considered briefly. The desirability of improved nomenclature is emphasized. Urgently needed is a thorough study of the biochemistry and metabolism, using experimental animals, of dietary fiber in foods. Only when this is done can there be a good understanding of the mechanisms involved and a realization of the possibilities suggested by the epidemiologic studies.", "contents": "Dietary fiber--in historical perspective. Epidemiologic reports have linked how intakes of dietary fiber with numerous diseases and abnormal conditions. They range from diverticulitis to coronary thrombosis, from simple constipation to possible carcinoma of the colon. The supposed etiology underlying these and other conditions is discussed in terms of the properties of cellulose, lignin, and hemicelluloses, including pectin, which collectively make up dietary fiber. Other major organic components of plant foods, apart from fiber, protein, fat, sugars and starches, are considered briefly. The desirability of improved nomenclature is emphasized. Urgently needed is a thorough study of the biochemistry and metabolism, using experimental animals, of dietary fiber in foods. Only when this is done can there be a good understanding of the mechanisms involved and a realization of the possibilities suggested by the epidemiologic studies.", "PMID": 789439} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8474", "title": "Ascorbic acid and fractures in children with myelomeningocele.", "content": "Ascorbic acid intake of sixty-seven patients with myelomeningocele, ages one through eight years, was evaluated in two groups, fracture and non-fracture, to compare their intake of ascorbic acid from food-plus-supplement, food-only, and supplement-only with the recommended allowances. Intake from food-plus-supplement exceeded the allowance for 90 per cent of the fracture and 83 per cent of the non-fractured patients. Intake from food-only exceeded the recommended allowance in 79 per cent of the fracture and 75 per cent of the non-fracture subjects. All supplementations exceeded 100 per cent of the recommended allowance. There was no significant difference in the ascorbic acid intakes of fracture and non-fracture patients. Since there was no apparent correlation between fractures and ascorbic acid intake, we do not recommend ascorbic acid supplementation to prevent fractures. If such high levels are suggested, the potentially harmful effects of excessive ascorbic acid in growing children must be carefully considered.", "contents": "Ascorbic acid and fractures in children with myelomeningocele. Ascorbic acid intake of sixty-seven patients with myelomeningocele, ages one through eight years, was evaluated in two groups, fracture and non-fracture, to compare their intake of ascorbic acid from food-plus-supplement, food-only, and supplement-only with the recommended allowances. Intake from food-plus-supplement exceeded the allowance for 90 per cent of the fracture and 83 per cent of the non-fractured patients. Intake from food-only exceeded the recommended allowance in 79 per cent of the fracture and 75 per cent of the non-fracture subjects. All supplementations exceeded 100 per cent of the recommended allowance. There was no significant difference in the ascorbic acid intakes of fracture and non-fracture patients. Since there was no apparent correlation between fractures and ascorbic acid intake, we do not recommend ascorbic acid supplementation to prevent fractures. If such high levels are suggested, the potentially harmful effects of excessive ascorbic acid in growing children must be carefully considered.", "PMID": 789440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8475", "title": "Some factors that may alter consumption of animal products. A review.", "content": "Trends in consumption of animal products are discussed, including reasons for changes. Although consumption of some products has increased--notably that of broilers and beef--for other products, it has declined, i.e., total dairy products and eggs. Evidence shows that consumers desire a lower fat content in both meat and dairy products, although, in the case of meat, minimal levels are necessary for palatability. Overall, it is suggested that consumers are concerned with nutritional quality and are influenced by health-related concerns. The use of vegetable proteins as extenders and substitutes for animal proteins is reviewed, with the conclusion that they will continue to influence consumption of animal products.", "contents": "Some factors that may alter consumption of animal products. A review. Trends in consumption of animal products are discussed, including reasons for changes. Although consumption of some products has increased--notably that of broilers and beef--for other products, it has declined, i.e., total dairy products and eggs. Evidence shows that consumers desire a lower fat content in both meat and dairy products, although, in the case of meat, minimal levels are necessary for palatability. Overall, it is suggested that consumers are concerned with nutritional quality and are influenced by health-related concerns. The use of vegetable proteins as extenders and substitutes for animal proteins is reviewed, with the conclusion that they will continue to influence consumption of animal products.", "PMID": 789441} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8476", "title": "Plasma protein immunocytochemistry and polysaccharide cytochemistry at the surface of alveolar and endothelial cells in the rat lung.", "content": "Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry of plasma proteins and cytochemistry of polysaccharides with ruthenium red and concanavalin A were combined with different types of fixation with or without prior vascular or airway washing, to study the surface of capillary endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells of the blood-air barrier in the rat lung. The endothelial and epithelial cell surface layers were found to have two components: a moveable part belonging to the cellular microenvironement made of plasma proteins and a deeper glucidic or anionic fixed part bound to the plasma membranes (cell coat).", "contents": "Plasma protein immunocytochemistry and polysaccharide cytochemistry at the surface of alveolar and endothelial cells in the rat lung. Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry of plasma proteins and cytochemistry of polysaccharides with ruthenium red and concanavalin A were combined with different types of fixation with or without prior vascular or airway washing, to study the surface of capillary endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells of the blood-air barrier in the rat lung. The endothelial and epithelial cell surface layers were found to have two components: a moveable part belonging to the cellular microenvironement made of plasma proteins and a deeper glucidic or anionic fixed part bound to the plasma membranes (cell coat).", "PMID": 789758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8477", "title": "[Simultaneous study of the placental, myometrial and cervical circulations (indium 113 and anemometric thermometry). 3). Double blind study of the action of intravenous ritodrine during normal pregnancy].", "content": "The authors measure the changes in placental and myometrial blood flow using an isotope technique with Indium 113. They calculate an index of the variation in placental blood flow (I.V. D.P.) and an index of variation of myomoetfrial blood flow (I.V.D.M.) after injecting Ritodrine or a placebo between the 28th and the 36th week of pregnancy. This study was carried out in 26 normal women. At the same time using Brotanek's technique changes in the cervical blood flow were registered. No change in the placental, myometrial or cervical blood flows were noted while Ritodrine was being transfused intravenously.", "contents": "[Simultaneous study of the placental, myometrial and cervical circulations (indium 113 and anemometric thermometry). 3). Double blind study of the action of intravenous ritodrine during normal pregnancy]. The authors measure the changes in placental and myometrial blood flow using an isotope technique with Indium 113. They calculate an index of the variation in placental blood flow (I.V. D.P.) and an index of variation of myomoetfrial blood flow (I.V.D.M.) after injecting Ritodrine or a placebo between the 28th and the 36th week of pregnancy. This study was carried out in 26 normal women. At the same time using Brotanek's technique changes in the cervical blood flow were registered. No change in the placental, myometrial or cervical blood flows were noted while Ritodrine was being transfused intravenously.", "PMID": 789445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8478", "title": "[High risk factors of breast cancer].", "content": "The authors analyse the various high-risk factors for breast cancer which have been described by many authors and their relative importance and intricacies. Some of these factors are concerned with the age of the patient, some with the time the periods started, some with the time the menopause occured and whether this was natural or artificial.", "contents": "[High risk factors of breast cancer]. The authors analyse the various high-risk factors for breast cancer which have been described by many authors and their relative importance and intricacies. Some of these factors are concerned with the age of the patient, some with the time the periods started, some with the time the menopause occured and whether this was natural or artificial.", "PMID": 789446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8479", "title": "Salmonella in the American cockroach: evaluation of vector potential through dosed feeding experiments.", "content": "Restrained American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana L., were fed graded doses of Salmonella typhimurium ranging from 1-6 X 10(3) to 2-0 X 10(6), and their faeces assayed daily for the pathogen. Only 4 specimens out of 117 demonstrated multiplication of salmonellas, which was unrelated to size of input. When data of persistence regardless of actual numbers were expressed as percentage Salmonella-positive faecal-days, and these transformed to probits, a graph of percentage-positive faecal-days versus log dose allowed a calculation of the CD 50, or contaminative dose required for 50% of the faecal-days to be infective. The CD 50 for this cockroach species was 1-4 X 10(6) Salmonella.", "contents": "Salmonella in the American cockroach: evaluation of vector potential through dosed feeding experiments. Restrained American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana L., were fed graded doses of Salmonella typhimurium ranging from 1-6 X 10(3) to 2-0 X 10(6), and their faeces assayed daily for the pathogen. Only 4 specimens out of 117 demonstrated multiplication of salmonellas, which was unrelated to size of input. When data of persistence regardless of actual numbers were expressed as percentage Salmonella-positive faecal-days, and these transformed to probits, a graph of percentage-positive faecal-days versus log dose allowed a calculation of the CD 50, or contaminative dose required for 50% of the faecal-days to be infective. The CD 50 for this cockroach species was 1-4 X 10(6) Salmonella.", "PMID": 789761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8480", "title": "Effect of various milk feeds on numbers of Escherichia coli and Bidifobacterium in the stools of new-born infants.", "content": "Escherichia coli was found in a similar proportion of stool specimens from infants who were breast-fed and from others fed on three different artificial-milk preparations. When E. coli was present its mean colony count in the stools of breast-fed infants was within the range of the mean counts for infants receiving the artificial -milk feeds. There was no consistent relation between high counts of bifidobacteria (Lactobacillus bifidus) and low counts of E. coli. This suggests that measures aimed at implanting or stimulating the growth of bifidobacteria in the large intestine of artificially fed infants may not greatly influence the E. coli population therein. The results are discussed in relation to the protection of artifically fed infants from E. coli enteritis.", "contents": "Effect of various milk feeds on numbers of Escherichia coli and Bidifobacterium in the stools of new-born infants. Escherichia coli was found in a similar proportion of stool specimens from infants who were breast-fed and from others fed on three different artificial-milk preparations. When E. coli was present its mean colony count in the stools of breast-fed infants was within the range of the mean counts for infants receiving the artificial -milk feeds. There was no consistent relation between high counts of bifidobacteria (Lactobacillus bifidus) and low counts of E. coli. This suggests that measures aimed at implanting or stimulating the growth of bifidobacteria in the large intestine of artificially fed infants may not greatly influence the E. coli population therein. The results are discussed in relation to the protection of artifically fed infants from E. coli enteritis.", "PMID": 789762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8481", "title": "A modified haemagglutination inhibition test for rubella antibodies, using standardized, freeze-dried reagents. Report of a comparative multi-centre trial.", "content": "A modified haemagglutination inhibition test for rubella antibodies, using standardized freeze-dried reagents, was developed and compared with haemagglutination inhibition tests using fresh erythrocytes. This comparison was made in collaboration with six European laboratories. A total of 4205 serum samples were tested. The results show that: (1) Sensitivity and reliability of the modified test are good; (2) the modified test can be performed in polystyrene microtitration plates.", "contents": "A modified haemagglutination inhibition test for rubella antibodies, using standardized, freeze-dried reagents. Report of a comparative multi-centre trial. A modified haemagglutination inhibition test for rubella antibodies, using standardized freeze-dried reagents, was developed and compared with haemagglutination inhibition tests using fresh erythrocytes. This comparison was made in collaboration with six European laboratories. A total of 4205 serum samples were tested. The results show that: (1) Sensitivity and reliability of the modified test are good; (2) the modified test can be performed in polystyrene microtitration plates.", "PMID": 789763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8482", "title": "Modified Vi tests in the screening of typhoid carriers.", "content": "Two tests for the estimation of Vi antibody in sera were studied and their validity in the screening of typhoid carriers was assessed. One was a modified Vi haemagglutination test in which Vi-coated glutaraldehyde-fixed erythrocytes were used as the antigen and Vi antibody resistant to treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol was titrated. The other was a fluorescent Vi antibody test in which acetone-fixed bacterial Vi cells were used as the antigen and the total Vi antibody was titrated. In both tests, the antigens used were stable so that standardization of the tests would not be difficult. The modified Vi haemagglutination test was found equally sensitive but more specific in giving less false positives than the conventional Vi haemagglutination test. The fluorescent Vi antibody test was however found superior to both tests not only in giving less false positives but also in detecting more typhoid carriers.", "contents": "Modified Vi tests in the screening of typhoid carriers. Two tests for the estimation of Vi antibody in sera were studied and their validity in the screening of typhoid carriers was assessed. One was a modified Vi haemagglutination test in which Vi-coated glutaraldehyde-fixed erythrocytes were used as the antigen and Vi antibody resistant to treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol was titrated. The other was a fluorescent Vi antibody test in which acetone-fixed bacterial Vi cells were used as the antigen and the total Vi antibody was titrated. In both tests, the antigens used were stable so that standardization of the tests would not be difficult. The modified Vi haemagglutination test was found equally sensitive but more specific in giving less false positives than the conventional Vi haemagglutination test. The fluorescent Vi antibody test was however found superior to both tests not only in giving less false positives but also in detecting more typhoid carriers.", "PMID": 789764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8483", "title": "Comparison of cotton swab versus algiante swab sampling method in the bacteriological examination of broiler chickens.", "content": "Comparison of bacterial counts of poultry carcass skin by the cotton swab and alginate swab methods showed no differences between the two sampling methods in total counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts. Also no differences were found in Salmonella isolations.", "contents": "Comparison of cotton swab versus algiante swab sampling method in the bacteriological examination of broiler chickens. Comparison of bacterial counts of poultry carcass skin by the cotton swab and alginate swab methods showed no differences between the two sampling methods in total counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts. Also no differences were found in Salmonella isolations.", "PMID": 789765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8484", "title": "Appearance of functional lymphocytes in fetal liver.", "content": "During ontogeny of the mouse, cells bearing surface Ig first appear at approximately 16 days of gestation. To characterize B cell differentiation during embryogenesis further, we have measured several functional activities of B cells and their precursors. B cell function was measured in two assays, response to sheep red blood cells in a transplantation assay, and response in vitro to a B cell mitogen. By both assays, B function is first detectable at 16 days, the same time that Ig-positive cells appear. The immediate precursors of B cells, PB cells,3 can also be measured by a transplantation assay. This activity is first detectable in fetal liver at 13 days. The yolk sac at 13 days does not contain significant PB activity even though both fetal liver and yolk sac contain pluripotent stem cells, spleen colony-forming units, at that time. Tese data are consistent with the hypothesis that the development of B lymphocytes occurrs early in ontogeny and that the fetal liver may provide the inductive stimulus for B cell maturation.", "contents": "Appearance of functional lymphocytes in fetal liver. During ontogeny of the mouse, cells bearing surface Ig first appear at approximately 16 days of gestation. To characterize B cell differentiation during embryogenesis further, we have measured several functional activities of B cells and their precursors. B cell function was measured in two assays, response to sheep red blood cells in a transplantation assay, and response in vitro to a B cell mitogen. By both assays, B function is first detectable at 16 days, the same time that Ig-positive cells appear. The immediate precursors of B cells, PB cells,3 can also be measured by a transplantation assay. This activity is first detectable in fetal liver at 13 days. The yolk sac at 13 days does not contain significant PB activity even though both fetal liver and yolk sac contain pluripotent stem cells, spleen colony-forming units, at that time. Tese data are consistent with the hypothesis that the development of B lymphocytes occurrs early in ontogeny and that the fetal liver may provide the inductive stimulus for B cell maturation.", "PMID": 789766} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8485", "title": "Perturbation of lymphocyte circulation in experimental murine leprosy. I. Description of the defect.", "content": "Infection of Lewis rats with Mycobacterium lepraemurium is characterized by granulomatous pathology primarily involving the paracortical areas of lymph nodes and periarteriolar lymphocyte sheaths of the splenic white pulp. Intravenous infusion of radiolabeled thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL)2 from normal syngeneic donors failed to produce a significant increase of cell output and radioactivity in the thoracic duct lymph of infected rats as compared with a marked increase in matched control recipients. Conversely, the migration of TDL from infected donor rats was normal in uninfected control rats that had been infused with serum from infected donors. The onset of the lymphocyte traffic disturbance takes place between 2 and 6 weeks after inoculation of viable M. lepraemurium. However, inoculation of heat-killed organisms produces little perturbation of lymphocyte circulation. Thus, the abnormal circulation of TDL in rats with active infection appears to be secondary to granulomatous pathology in lymphoid organs that disturbs cell traffic through these organs.", "contents": "Perturbation of lymphocyte circulation in experimental murine leprosy. I. Description of the defect. Infection of Lewis rats with Mycobacterium lepraemurium is characterized by granulomatous pathology primarily involving the paracortical areas of lymph nodes and periarteriolar lymphocyte sheaths of the splenic white pulp. Intravenous infusion of radiolabeled thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL)2 from normal syngeneic donors failed to produce a significant increase of cell output and radioactivity in the thoracic duct lymph of infected rats as compared with a marked increase in matched control recipients. Conversely, the migration of TDL from infected donor rats was normal in uninfected control rats that had been infused with serum from infected donors. The onset of the lymphocyte traffic disturbance takes place between 2 and 6 weeks after inoculation of viable M. lepraemurium. However, inoculation of heat-killed organisms produces little perturbation of lymphocyte circulation. Thus, the abnormal circulation of TDL in rats with active infection appears to be secondary to granulomatous pathology in lymphoid organs that disturbs cell traffic through these organs.", "PMID": 789767} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8486", "title": "Perturbation of lymphocyte circulation in experimental murine leprosy. II. Nature of the defect.", "content": "Intravenous infusion of radiolabeled thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL)2 from normal syngeneic donors to rats experimentally infected with Mycobacterium lepraemurium fails to produce a significant increase of cell output and radioactivity within the thoracic duct lymph. Conversely, ther is a marked increase in cell counts and radioactivity in the thoracic duct lymph of control recipients. Splenectomy of infected rats prior to the infusion significantly increased the ouptut of cells and radioactivity from the TD of these rats although it was not restored to normal. Serial quantitation of radioactivity in lymphoid organs of infected rats after infusion of 51Cr-labeled TDL revealed significantly increased uptake by the spleen as compared with the spleens of controls. Thus, the spleen of infected rats was a major trap for recirculating TDL. TDL were also trapped to a lesser extent by the lymph nodes and liver of infected rats. The circulation of TDL was not disturbed significantly in control rats with massive splenomegaly and red pulp hyperactivity induced by i.p. injection of methyl cellulose. Since murine leprosy preferentially involves the periarteriolar lymphocyte sheaths of the splenic white pulp and paracortical area of lymph nodes, it is suggested that the disturbance of lymphocyte circulation is secondary to pathology within these areas.", "contents": "Perturbation of lymphocyte circulation in experimental murine leprosy. II. Nature of the defect. Intravenous infusion of radiolabeled thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL)2 from normal syngeneic donors to rats experimentally infected with Mycobacterium lepraemurium fails to produce a significant increase of cell output and radioactivity within the thoracic duct lymph. Conversely, ther is a marked increase in cell counts and radioactivity in the thoracic duct lymph of control recipients. Splenectomy of infected rats prior to the infusion significantly increased the ouptut of cells and radioactivity from the TD of these rats although it was not restored to normal. Serial quantitation of radioactivity in lymphoid organs of infected rats after infusion of 51Cr-labeled TDL revealed significantly increased uptake by the spleen as compared with the spleens of controls. Thus, the spleen of infected rats was a major trap for recirculating TDL. TDL were also trapped to a lesser extent by the lymph nodes and liver of infected rats. The circulation of TDL was not disturbed significantly in control rats with massive splenomegaly and red pulp hyperactivity induced by i.p. injection of methyl cellulose. Since murine leprosy preferentially involves the periarteriolar lymphocyte sheaths of the splenic white pulp and paracortical area of lymph nodes, it is suggested that the disturbance of lymphocyte circulation is secondary to pathology within these areas.", "PMID": 789768} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8487", "title": "Cross-reactions between 2, 4-dinitrophenyl and menadione (vitamin K3) and the general problem of antibody specificity.", "content": "Early and late antisera to 2, 4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) and to menadione (K3)4 were compared for reactivity with diverse DNP and K3 ligands. Late antisera were generally more reactive (higher affinity) than early antibodies. Nevertheless, the early antibodies had higher affinity for homologous ligands than late antibodies had for heterologous ligands; the exception, a small (ca. 5%) and possibly heteroclitic subset from late anti-DNP sera, had higher affinity for K3-butyrate than for DNP-lysine. Early antisera appeared to be more specific than late antisera by one criterion (the precipitin reaction), but less specific by a more fundamental criterion (KO/KX, the ratio of intrinsic affinities for homologous and cross-reacting ligands). By several methods (precipitation, binding to heterologous immunoadsorbants) 25 to 75% of the antibodies in both anti-DNP and anti-K3 sera were cross-reactive; even more cross-reactivity was evident by equilibrium dialysis, where it appeared that virtually all anti-DNP antibodies can bind K3 and that virtually all anti-K3 can bind DNP. This extreme level of cross-reaction is not as \"strange\" as was once thought, it seems unwarranted to regard this cross-reaction as support for the view that antibodies in general are multispecific.", "contents": "Cross-reactions between 2, 4-dinitrophenyl and menadione (vitamin K3) and the general problem of antibody specificity. Early and late antisera to 2, 4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) and to menadione (K3)4 were compared for reactivity with diverse DNP and K3 ligands. Late antisera were generally more reactive (higher affinity) than early antibodies. Nevertheless, the early antibodies had higher affinity for homologous ligands than late antibodies had for heterologous ligands; the exception, a small (ca. 5%) and possibly heteroclitic subset from late anti-DNP sera, had higher affinity for K3-butyrate than for DNP-lysine. Early antisera appeared to be more specific than late antisera by one criterion (the precipitin reaction), but less specific by a more fundamental criterion (KO/KX, the ratio of intrinsic affinities for homologous and cross-reacting ligands). By several methods (precipitation, binding to heterologous immunoadsorbants) 25 to 75% of the antibodies in both anti-DNP and anti-K3 sera were cross-reactive; even more cross-reactivity was evident by equilibrium dialysis, where it appeared that virtually all anti-DNP antibodies can bind K3 and that virtually all anti-K3 can bind DNP. This extreme level of cross-reaction is not as \"strange\" as was once thought, it seems unwarranted to regard this cross-reaction as support for the view that antibodies in general are multispecific.", "PMID": 789769} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8488", "title": "Demonstration of human nephritogenic tubular antigen in the serum and organs by radioimmunoassay.", "content": "Nephritogenic tubular epithelial antigen (Tub-Ag), which had been found in immune complexes deposited along the glomerular capillary walls of some patients with idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis, was solubilized from renal tubuli of humans by Pronase digestion. Soluble Tub-Ag was then purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex. Three DEAE fractions, designated as 0.07 M, 0.13M, and 0.23 M fractions, raised antibodies in rabbits and fluoresceinated antibodies against any of these fractions reacted exclusively with luminal layer of proximal tubular epithelia. Among three fluoresceinated antibodies, however, only the one directed to 0.07 M fraction bound with immune complexes which were deposited along the glomerular capilary walls of the patients with Tub-Ag (DEAE 0.07 M fraction) was physicochemically homogenous with a S20 value of 8.2. Utilizing 125I-labeled Tub-Ag, a sensitive and quantitave radioimmunoassay of Tub-Ag was developed. Tub-Ag was demonstrated to occur naturally in serum and urine, as well as in all the organs tested including kidney, intestine, liver, spleen, stomach, heart, and lung. Tub-Ag was detected even in the sera of anephric patients on maintenance hemodialysis (60.8 +/- 7.8 radioimmunoassay units/ml), although at slightly lower levels than in those of normal individuals (69.9 +/- 10.6 units/ml). The size of serum Tub-Ag was identical to that of molecules bearing Tub-Ag activity solubilized by Pronase from all the organs tested, indicating that circulating Tub-Ag was maintained mainly by organs other than kidneys.", "contents": "Demonstration of human nephritogenic tubular antigen in the serum and organs by radioimmunoassay. Nephritogenic tubular epithelial antigen (Tub-Ag), which had been found in immune complexes deposited along the glomerular capillary walls of some patients with idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis, was solubilized from renal tubuli of humans by Pronase digestion. Soluble Tub-Ag was then purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex. Three DEAE fractions, designated as 0.07 M, 0.13M, and 0.23 M fractions, raised antibodies in rabbits and fluoresceinated antibodies against any of these fractions reacted exclusively with luminal layer of proximal tubular epithelia. Among three fluoresceinated antibodies, however, only the one directed to 0.07 M fraction bound with immune complexes which were deposited along the glomerular capilary walls of the patients with Tub-Ag (DEAE 0.07 M fraction) was physicochemically homogenous with a S20 value of 8.2. Utilizing 125I-labeled Tub-Ag, a sensitive and quantitave radioimmunoassay of Tub-Ag was developed. Tub-Ag was demonstrated to occur naturally in serum and urine, as well as in all the organs tested including kidney, intestine, liver, spleen, stomach, heart, and lung. Tub-Ag was detected even in the sera of anephric patients on maintenance hemodialysis (60.8 +/- 7.8 radioimmunoassay units/ml), although at slightly lower levels than in those of normal individuals (69.9 +/- 10.6 units/ml). The size of serum Tub-Ag was identical to that of molecules bearing Tub-Ag activity solubilized by Pronase from all the organs tested, indicating that circulating Tub-Ag was maintained mainly by organs other than kidneys.", "PMID": 789770} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8489", "title": "Comparison of the pyrogenicity, Limulus activity mitogenicity and complement reactivity of several bacterial endotoxins and related compounds.", "content": "The correlation of mitogenicity, complement activation, pyrogenicity and Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) gelation induced by 17 bacterial endotoxins (LPS), modified endotoxins, related compounds, and other B cell mitogens was examined. With the use of these compounds, a significant correlation was found between pyrogenicity and mitogenicity (r = 0.85, p is less than 0.0005), pyrogenicity and LAL reactivity (r = 0.84, p is less than 0.0005), and mitogenicity and LAL reactivity (r = 0.72, p is less than 0.0025). In contrast, complement activation by these compounds did not correlate with mitogenicity, pyrogenicity or LAL reactivity (r = 0.09, p is greater than 0.4; r = -0.17, p is greater than 0.3; r = 0.17, p is greater than 0.3, respectively). These results suggest that a specific chemical configuration may induce mitogenicity, pyrogenicity, and LAL reactivity which differs from that responsible for complement activation.", "contents": "Comparison of the pyrogenicity, Limulus activity mitogenicity and complement reactivity of several bacterial endotoxins and related compounds. The correlation of mitogenicity, complement activation, pyrogenicity and Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) gelation induced by 17 bacterial endotoxins (LPS), modified endotoxins, related compounds, and other B cell mitogens was examined. With the use of these compounds, a significant correlation was found between pyrogenicity and mitogenicity (r = 0.85, p is less than 0.0005), pyrogenicity and LAL reactivity (r = 0.84, p is less than 0.0005), and mitogenicity and LAL reactivity (r = 0.72, p is less than 0.0025). In contrast, complement activation by these compounds did not correlate with mitogenicity, pyrogenicity or LAL reactivity (r = 0.09, p is greater than 0.4; r = -0.17, p is greater than 0.3; r = 0.17, p is greater than 0.3, respectively). These results suggest that a specific chemical configuration may induce mitogenicity, pyrogenicity, and LAL reactivity which differs from that responsible for complement activation.", "PMID": 789771} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8490", "title": "In vitro responses of CBA/N mice: spleen cells of mice with an X-linked defect that precludes immune responses to several thymus-independent antigens can respond to TNP-lipopolysaccharide.", "content": "Spleen cells from CBA/N mice with an X-linked B cell defect were examined for their ability to form antibody in vitro after stimulation with the T-independent antigen TNP-LPS. In contradistinction to their failure to respond to some conventional T-independent antigens such as type III pneumococcal polysaccharide or DNP-AECM-Ficoll, spleen cells from (CBA/N X DBA/2)F1 male mice were able to make a specific anti-TNP PFC response after culture with TNP-LPS. Their response differed from that of phenotypically normal (CBA/N X DBA/2)F1 female littermate spleen cells in that more TNP-LPS was required to elicit the peak anti-TNP response and the anti-TNP antibody secreted by F1 male cells was of lower avidity than that of F1 female cells. The polyclonal antibody response to unsubstituted LPS did not differ substantially between normal and defective B cells. Tnymus-derived cells were not required for the TNP-LPS response by either F1 male or female cells. We conclude that CBA/NB cells can respond to certain T-independent antigens that are able either to induce a very strong activating signal upon ligand-surface receptor interaction and/or to stimulate immature B cells (with a characteristic high surfact immunoglobulin profile) which fail to respond to antigens like DNP-AECM-Ficoll.", "contents": "In vitro responses of CBA/N mice: spleen cells of mice with an X-linked defect that precludes immune responses to several thymus-independent antigens can respond to TNP-lipopolysaccharide. Spleen cells from CBA/N mice with an X-linked B cell defect were examined for their ability to form antibody in vitro after stimulation with the T-independent antigen TNP-LPS. In contradistinction to their failure to respond to some conventional T-independent antigens such as type III pneumococcal polysaccharide or DNP-AECM-Ficoll, spleen cells from (CBA/N X DBA/2)F1 male mice were able to make a specific anti-TNP PFC response after culture with TNP-LPS. Their response differed from that of phenotypically normal (CBA/N X DBA/2)F1 female littermate spleen cells in that more TNP-LPS was required to elicit the peak anti-TNP response and the anti-TNP antibody secreted by F1 male cells was of lower avidity than that of F1 female cells. The polyclonal antibody response to unsubstituted LPS did not differ substantially between normal and defective B cells. Tnymus-derived cells were not required for the TNP-LPS response by either F1 male or female cells. We conclude that CBA/NB cells can respond to certain T-independent antigens that are able either to induce a very strong activating signal upon ligand-surface receptor interaction and/or to stimulate immature B cells (with a characteristic high surfact immunoglobulin profile) which fail to respond to antigens like DNP-AECM-Ficoll.", "PMID": 789772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8491", "title": "Antibody quantitation using an immunoadsorbent and the unlabeled antibody enzyme method.", "content": "Measurement of specific immunoadsorbent-bound antibodies has been accomplished by the unlabeled antibody enzyme method (Sternberger et al., 1970). Sepharose-4B containing specific antigen (or ligand) is treated with diluted specific immune serum (primary serum), such as 1 ml of serum diluted 6000-20,000 fold. followed by antiserum against immunoglobulin G (IgG) of the primary serum and then by peroxidase-antiperoxidase (antigen-antibody) complex (PAP) derived from the same species as the primary serum. Radiolabeled primary antibody and anti-IgG have confirmed the stoichiometry of the reaction. The immunoabsorbent binds the antibody of interest quantitatively and to equal extent after 15 min or 48 h. The enzymatic activity of the PAP complex followed a direct linear relationship to its concentration indicating the stability of binding in the PAP complex. A direct relation between the enzymatic activity measured when both the primary antiserum and the anti-IgG are used allows for quantitation of the antibody level of the primary serum.", "contents": "Antibody quantitation using an immunoadsorbent and the unlabeled antibody enzyme method. Measurement of specific immunoadsorbent-bound antibodies has been accomplished by the unlabeled antibody enzyme method (Sternberger et al., 1970). Sepharose-4B containing specific antigen (or ligand) is treated with diluted specific immune serum (primary serum), such as 1 ml of serum diluted 6000-20,000 fold. followed by antiserum against immunoglobulin G (IgG) of the primary serum and then by peroxidase-antiperoxidase (antigen-antibody) complex (PAP) derived from the same species as the primary serum. Radiolabeled primary antibody and anti-IgG have confirmed the stoichiometry of the reaction. The immunoabsorbent binds the antibody of interest quantitatively and to equal extent after 15 min or 48 h. The enzymatic activity of the PAP complex followed a direct linear relationship to its concentration indicating the stability of binding in the PAP complex. A direct relation between the enzymatic activity measured when both the primary antiserum and the anti-IgG are used allows for quantitation of the antibody level of the primary serum.", "PMID": 789773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8492", "title": "Density gradient electrophoresis of mouse spleen lymphocytes: separation of T and B cell fractions.", "content": "Preparative electrophoresis in an isotonic Ficoll--sucrose density gradient has been employed for the separation of mouse (C57Bl/6J) spleen lymphocyte subpopulations. The separated cells were pooled into six fractions according to their relative position (Rp) within the total cell distribution. In general, the high mobility cells were identified as T lymphocytes. These cells exhibited immunofluorescence upon reaction with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated mouse anti-theta globulin and responded in vitro to phytohemagglutinin stimulation. The low mobility cells were activated in vitro by E. coli lipopolysaccharide and showed immunofluorescence upon reaction with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated anti-mouse Ig which is typical of mouse B lymphocytes. Both T and B cells were completely isolated from each other in certain fractions of very high and very low mobility, respectively. Overlapping of the two distributions was observed in the intermediate mobility fractions. The method which utilizes an inexpensive commercially available apparatus should be useful for the preparation of other lymphocyte subpopulations differing in surface charge.", "contents": "Density gradient electrophoresis of mouse spleen lymphocytes: separation of T and B cell fractions. Preparative electrophoresis in an isotonic Ficoll--sucrose density gradient has been employed for the separation of mouse (C57Bl/6J) spleen lymphocyte subpopulations. The separated cells were pooled into six fractions according to their relative position (Rp) within the total cell distribution. In general, the high mobility cells were identified as T lymphocytes. These cells exhibited immunofluorescence upon reaction with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated mouse anti-theta globulin and responded in vitro to phytohemagglutinin stimulation. The low mobility cells were activated in vitro by E. coli lipopolysaccharide and showed immunofluorescence upon reaction with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated anti-mouse Ig which is typical of mouse B lymphocytes. Both T and B cells were completely isolated from each other in certain fractions of very high and very low mobility, respectively. Overlapping of the two distributions was observed in the intermediate mobility fractions. The method which utilizes an inexpensive commercially available apparatus should be useful for the preparation of other lymphocyte subpopulations differing in surface charge.", "PMID": 789774} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8493", "title": "The use of immunoprecipitation to study the synthesis and cleavage processing of viral proteins.", "content": "Several factors have been considered in developing an immunoprecipitation procedure which minimizes the background of non-immunospecifically precipitated protein. The procedure evolved utilizes the technique of direct immunoprecipitation (specific antibody plus sufficient unlabeled antigen to form a precipitable complex). High speed centrifugation of the cell extract immediately prior to immunoprecipitation and the use of test tubes coated with silicone greatly reduced background precipitation.", "contents": "The use of immunoprecipitation to study the synthesis and cleavage processing of viral proteins. Several factors have been considered in developing an immunoprecipitation procedure which minimizes the background of non-immunospecifically precipitated protein. The procedure evolved utilizes the technique of direct immunoprecipitation (specific antibody plus sufficient unlabeled antigen to form a precipitable complex). High speed centrifugation of the cell extract immediately prior to immunoprecipitation and the use of test tubes coated with silicone greatly reduced background precipitation.", "PMID": 789775} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8494", "title": "Passive hemagglutination procedure for group A streptococcal polysaccharide.", "content": "A passive hemagglutination procedure for detection of antibody to group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus polysaccharide is described. The polysaccharide was conjugated to human gamma globulin and the complex adsorbed onto stabilized human erythrocytes. Antigen coated cells were used to measure antibody levels in normal human sera and in rabbit antisera.", "contents": "Passive hemagglutination procedure for group A streptococcal polysaccharide. A passive hemagglutination procedure for detection of antibody to group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus polysaccharide is described. The polysaccharide was conjugated to human gamma globulin and the complex adsorbed onto stabilized human erythrocytes. Antigen coated cells were used to measure antibody levels in normal human sera and in rabbit antisera.", "PMID": 789776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8495", "title": "The significance of 125I as a tracer for lymphocytes, liver cells and erythrocytes after iodination by the lactoperoxidase-H2O2 technique.", "content": "Human erythrocytes, porcine and rat liver cells, porcine spleen lymphocytes and cultured human lymphoma cells (266 Bl) have been labelled with 125I by the lactoperoxidase-H2O2 method. Large amounts of radioactivity were released when the iodinated cells were incubated in different buffers, and the rate of the release varied considerably between the different cells. Incubation at a higher temperature increased the release rate, while metabolic inhibitors such as iodoacetamide, trasylol or sodium azide did not. When collagenase was used during the preparation of spleen lymphocytes, the rate of the radioactivity release was decreased about 50%. Several findings indicated that the released radioactivity originated from free iodide. When the labelled lymphocytes were treated with a nonionic detergent, Nonidet P-40, 90% of the total radioactivity was solubilized. Only 10-15% of the radioactivity was stably bound in macromolecular material. The remaining part, corresponding to the amount of radioactivity released during incubation, was shown to be free iodide. It is concluded that the significance of the 125I-label in living cells has to be studied in each case at the specific experimental conditions used. After the unspecifically trapped iodide is released--normally after about 2 h--the label is considered to be useful for studies with intact cells.", "contents": "The significance of 125I as a tracer for lymphocytes, liver cells and erythrocytes after iodination by the lactoperoxidase-H2O2 technique. Human erythrocytes, porcine and rat liver cells, porcine spleen lymphocytes and cultured human lymphoma cells (266 Bl) have been labelled with 125I by the lactoperoxidase-H2O2 method. Large amounts of radioactivity were released when the iodinated cells were incubated in different buffers, and the rate of the release varied considerably between the different cells. Incubation at a higher temperature increased the release rate, while metabolic inhibitors such as iodoacetamide, trasylol or sodium azide did not. When collagenase was used during the preparation of spleen lymphocytes, the rate of the radioactivity release was decreased about 50%. Several findings indicated that the released radioactivity originated from free iodide. When the labelled lymphocytes were treated with a nonionic detergent, Nonidet P-40, 90% of the total radioactivity was solubilized. Only 10-15% of the radioactivity was stably bound in macromolecular material. The remaining part, corresponding to the amount of radioactivity released during incubation, was shown to be free iodide. It is concluded that the significance of the 125I-label in living cells has to be studied in each case at the specific experimental conditions used. After the unspecifically trapped iodide is released--normally after about 2 h--the label is considered to be useful for studies with intact cells.", "PMID": 789777} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8496", "title": "Measurement of chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in filters by counting the number of cells in a single plane and comparison with leading front method.", "content": "A method is described for measuring the chemotactic response in filters of human neutrophils by counting the number of cells in a single plane at a constant distance below the top of the filters. This method gives results that are similar to those obtained by counting the total number of cells that have migrated into the filters. The results obtained by this method are compared with the leading front method. Under most conditions the results are similar whether obtained by the leading front or cell number methods except that counting the number of cells is often more sensitive. In the presence of p-nitrophenyl 4-chlorobutylphosphonate, however, the chemotactic response appeared to be inhibited as determined by counting the number of cells stimulated to migrate but enhanced as measured by the leading front method.", "contents": "Measurement of chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in filters by counting the number of cells in a single plane and comparison with leading front method. A method is described for measuring the chemotactic response in filters of human neutrophils by counting the number of cells in a single plane at a constant distance below the top of the filters. This method gives results that are similar to those obtained by counting the total number of cells that have migrated into the filters. The results obtained by this method are compared with the leading front method. Under most conditions the results are similar whether obtained by the leading front or cell number methods except that counting the number of cells is often more sensitive. In the presence of p-nitrophenyl 4-chlorobutylphosphonate, however, the chemotactic response appeared to be inhibited as determined by counting the number of cells stimulated to migrate but enhanced as measured by the leading front method.", "PMID": 789778} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8497", "title": "Cenetic and immunological aspects of litter size in the mouse.", "content": "The effects of antigenic differences between mother and fetus on implantation number and on post-implantation mortality were studied. No evidence was found to support the hypothesis that these two measurements were affected by such antigenic differences or by prior immunization of the mother to paternal antigens.", "contents": "Cenetic and immunological aspects of litter size in the mouse. The effects of antigenic differences between mother and fetus on implantation number and on post-implantation mortality were studied. No evidence was found to support the hypothesis that these two measurements were affected by such antigenic differences or by prior immunization of the mother to paternal antigens.", "PMID": 789780} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8498", "title": "Lamellar ichthyosis: long-term graft studies on congenitally athymic nude mice.", "content": "Whole-skin grafts from a patient with lamellar ichthyosis were maintained on athymic nude mice for periods of 6 weeks to 4 months with excellent preservation of all gross and histologic features of the disease. In recombinant grafts composed of lamellar ichthyosis epidermis and normal dermis grown for periods up to 87 days on nude mice, the abnormal epidermis retained all the features of lamellar ichthyosis. Similar results were found in recombinants of lamellar ichthyosis epidermis and dermis. In recombinant grafts of normal epidermis and lamellar ichthyosis dermis, the epidermis remained normal and did not become ichthyotic. These observations support the hypothesis that the defective gene in lamellar ichthyosis acts directly on the epidermis as opposed to acting indirectly through a systemic abnormality or through an effect on neighboring dermis.", "contents": "Lamellar ichthyosis: long-term graft studies on congenitally athymic nude mice. Whole-skin grafts from a patient with lamellar ichthyosis were maintained on athymic nude mice for periods of 6 weeks to 4 months with excellent preservation of all gross and histologic features of the disease. In recombinant grafts composed of lamellar ichthyosis epidermis and normal dermis grown for periods up to 87 days on nude mice, the abnormal epidermis retained all the features of lamellar ichthyosis. Similar results were found in recombinants of lamellar ichthyosis epidermis and dermis. In recombinant grafts of normal epidermis and lamellar ichthyosis dermis, the epidermis remained normal and did not become ichthyotic. These observations support the hypothesis that the defective gene in lamellar ichthyosis acts directly on the epidermis as opposed to acting indirectly through a systemic abnormality or through an effect on neighboring dermis.", "PMID": 789781} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8499", "title": "Ultraviolet-induced dna repair synthesis in lymphocytes from patients with actinic keratosis.", "content": "Actinic keratosis is an epidermal cancer in situ. Extensive exposure to sunlight is considered as a contributing factor to the etiology of this tumor. Ultraviolet (UV) light of solar radiation induces structural damage in DNA, which may give rise to mutations and transformed cells if the damage is not repaired. Repair of UV-induced DNA lesions is an essential property of human cells. The conditions so far reported to have defective DNA repair are all associated with an increased incidence of malignancy. Do patients with actinic keratosis also exhibit a reduced capacity to repair UV-induced DNA lesions? DNA repair synthesis in peripheral leukocytes was studied in 10 patients with actinic keratosis and 10 healthy subjects of corresponding age. After irradiation with various doses of UV light the leukocytes were incubated for 2 hr with [3H]thymidine in the presence of hydroxyurea. A dose-response relationship for the UV-induced DNA repair synthesis was established for each individual. The average repair capacity in the patients with actinic keratosis was about 30% below that of the controls. The difference is statistically significant (p less than 0.02). Reduced DNA repair synthesis may therefore be an important factor in the etiology of actinic keratosis.", "contents": "Ultraviolet-induced dna repair synthesis in lymphocytes from patients with actinic keratosis. Actinic keratosis is an epidermal cancer in situ. Extensive exposure to sunlight is considered as a contributing factor to the etiology of this tumor. Ultraviolet (UV) light of solar radiation induces structural damage in DNA, which may give rise to mutations and transformed cells if the damage is not repaired. Repair of UV-induced DNA lesions is an essential property of human cells. The conditions so far reported to have defective DNA repair are all associated with an increased incidence of malignancy. Do patients with actinic keratosis also exhibit a reduced capacity to repair UV-induced DNA lesions? DNA repair synthesis in peripheral leukocytes was studied in 10 patients with actinic keratosis and 10 healthy subjects of corresponding age. After irradiation with various doses of UV light the leukocytes were incubated for 2 hr with [3H]thymidine in the presence of hydroxyurea. A dose-response relationship for the UV-induced DNA repair synthesis was established for each individual. The average repair capacity in the patients with actinic keratosis was about 30% below that of the controls. The difference is statistically significant (p less than 0.02). Reduced DNA repair synthesis may therefore be an important factor in the etiology of actinic keratosis.", "PMID": 789782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8500", "title": "Rubidium release: a rapid and sensitive assay for amphotericin B.", "content": "A new assay for amphotericin B has been devised with use of the release of a radioactive potassium analogue (86rubidium; 86Rb) from Candida parapsilosis. The 86Rb-release assay is rapid, highly sensitive, and reproducible. Amphotericin B levels of 0.06-2.0 mug/ml can be measured in serum, whereas as little as 0.015 mug of amphotericin B/ml can be detected in spinal fluid. The greater sensitivity of the assay in spinal fluid as compared with that in serum may be the result of binding of the amphotericin molecules by serum components, thus decreasing the amount of amphotericin free to interact with the fungal membrane.", "contents": "Rubidium release: a rapid and sensitive assay for amphotericin B. A new assay for amphotericin B has been devised with use of the release of a radioactive potassium analogue (86rubidium; 86Rb) from Candida parapsilosis. The 86Rb-release assay is rapid, highly sensitive, and reproducible. Amphotericin B levels of 0.06-2.0 mug/ml can be measured in serum, whereas as little as 0.015 mug of amphotericin B/ml can be detected in spinal fluid. The greater sensitivity of the assay in spinal fluid as compared with that in serum may be the result of binding of the amphotericin molecules by serum components, thus decreasing the amount of amphotericin free to interact with the fungal membrane.", "PMID": 789783} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8501", "title": "beta-Lactamases and resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins in Serratia marcescens.", "content": "Strains of Serratia marcescens fall into one of two groups with respect to their resistance to to beta-lactum antibiotics. Most strains are highly resistant to cephalosporins but are significantly more susceptible to ampicillin and carbenicillin, whereas other strains are highly resistant to both penicillins and cephalosporins. Strains in the former category produce small amounts of an inducible cephalosporinase, which appears to be chromosomally mediated. Strains in the latter class also elaborate large amounts of a noninducible penicillinase-cephalosporinase, which is plasmidmediated. Ability to produce this type of enzyme can be transferred to Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli and may be lost spontaneously or after exposure of S. marcescens to \"curing\" agents.", "contents": "beta-Lactamases and resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins in Serratia marcescens. Strains of Serratia marcescens fall into one of two groups with respect to their resistance to to beta-lactum antibiotics. Most strains are highly resistant to cephalosporins but are significantly more susceptible to ampicillin and carbenicillin, whereas other strains are highly resistant to both penicillins and cephalosporins. Strains in the former category produce small amounts of an inducible cephalosporinase, which appears to be chromosomally mediated. Strains in the latter class also elaborate large amounts of a noninducible penicillinase-cephalosporinase, which is plasmidmediated. Ability to produce this type of enzyme can be transferred to Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli and may be lost spontaneously or after exposure of S. marcescens to \"curing\" agents.", "PMID": 789784} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8502", "title": "The eosinophil stimulation promoter test in murine and human Trichinella spiralis infection.", "content": "A test for the lymphokine eosinophil stimulation promoter (ESP) has been adapted to the study of Trichinella spiralis infections in mice and has been used as an aid in the diagnosis of trichinosis in a patient. With use of soluble antigen extracted from T. spiralis larvae and peritoneal exudate cells rich in eosinophils obtained from mice with trichinosis of four weeks' duration, a dose-response curve was constructed and analyzed. The soluble larval antigens greatly enhanced the migration of eosinophils from the mice with trichinosis but had no effect on the eosinophils from mice with schistosomiasis, nor did soluble schistosome egg antigens have any effect on the cells from mice with trichinosis. On two occasions peripheral white blood cells from a patient with presumed T. spiralis infection gave strongly positive results in ESP tests on stimulation with soluble larval antigen, but the cells did not respond significantly to soluble schistosome egg antigen; the result in the ESP test was positive before the patient's serum produced a weakly positive agglutination response.", "contents": "The eosinophil stimulation promoter test in murine and human Trichinella spiralis infection. A test for the lymphokine eosinophil stimulation promoter (ESP) has been adapted to the study of Trichinella spiralis infections in mice and has been used as an aid in the diagnosis of trichinosis in a patient. With use of soluble antigen extracted from T. spiralis larvae and peritoneal exudate cells rich in eosinophils obtained from mice with trichinosis of four weeks' duration, a dose-response curve was constructed and analyzed. The soluble larval antigens greatly enhanced the migration of eosinophils from the mice with trichinosis but had no effect on the eosinophils from mice with schistosomiasis, nor did soluble schistosome egg antigens have any effect on the cells from mice with trichinosis. On two occasions peripheral white blood cells from a patient with presumed T. spiralis infection gave strongly positive results in ESP tests on stimulation with soluble larval antigen, but the cells did not respond significantly to soluble schistosome egg antigen; the result in the ESP test was positive before the patient's serum produced a weakly positive agglutination response.", "PMID": 789785} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8503", "title": "Nocardial infections in the United States, 1972-1974.", "content": "A survey of members of the Infectious Diseases Society of America indicated that nocardial infections are not rare. Probably between 500 and 1,000 cases are recognized in the United States each year, of which 85% are serious pulmonary or systemic infections. Although nocardial infections are usually opportunistic infections in the compromised host, at least 15% of the infections in this series occurred in patients without a definable predisposing condition. Nocardial infections occurred in a random geographic distribution within this country, with affected males outnumbering females by 3:1. Most patients were between the ages of 21 and 50 years; however, the age range was broad. The number and variety of infections caused by Nocardia species other than Nocardia species other than Nocardia asteroides have been underestimated. Between 8.6% and 18.8% of pulmonary-systemic infections in this series were caused by species of Nocardia other than N. asteroides.", "contents": "Nocardial infections in the United States, 1972-1974. A survey of members of the Infectious Diseases Society of America indicated that nocardial infections are not rare. Probably between 500 and 1,000 cases are recognized in the United States each year, of which 85% are serious pulmonary or systemic infections. Although nocardial infections are usually opportunistic infections in the compromised host, at least 15% of the infections in this series occurred in patients without a definable predisposing condition. Nocardial infections occurred in a random geographic distribution within this country, with affected males outnumbering females by 3:1. Most patients were between the ages of 21 and 50 years; however, the age range was broad. The number and variety of infections caused by Nocardia species other than Nocardia species other than Nocardia asteroides have been underestimated. Between 8.6% and 18.8% of pulmonary-systemic infections in this series were caused by species of Nocardia other than N. asteroides.", "PMID": 789786} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8504", "title": "Effect of culture media on the antifungal activity of miconazole and amphotericin B methyl ester.", "content": "The capacity of four culture media to obfuscate the antifungal activity of miconazole and amphotericin B methyl ester was evaluated qualitatively by examination of five isolates each of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Torulopsis glabrata, and Cryptococcus neoformans, and quantitatively by determination of the absolute minimal inhibitory concentrations for a strain of C. albicans. Miconazole, like the predecessor imidazole (clotrimazole), was antagonized by two complex, undefined media (Sabouraud's glucose and brain-heart infusion agars) but not by either of two synthetic formulations (synthetic amino acid medium, fungal and modified yeast-nitrogen base). The antifungal activity of amphotericin B methyl ester, like that of the parent compound amphotericin B, was not materially affected by the culture medium used for testing. When added separately to synthetic amino acid medium (fungal), neither purines nor pyrimidines antagonized miconazole. Ether extraction of Sabouraud's glucose agar failed to diminish the antagonism of this medium for miconazole.", "contents": "Effect of culture media on the antifungal activity of miconazole and amphotericin B methyl ester. The capacity of four culture media to obfuscate the antifungal activity of miconazole and amphotericin B methyl ester was evaluated qualitatively by examination of five isolates each of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Torulopsis glabrata, and Cryptococcus neoformans, and quantitatively by determination of the absolute minimal inhibitory concentrations for a strain of C. albicans. Miconazole, like the predecessor imidazole (clotrimazole), was antagonized by two complex, undefined media (Sabouraud's glucose and brain-heart infusion agars) but not by either of two synthetic formulations (synthetic amino acid medium, fungal and modified yeast-nitrogen base). The antifungal activity of amphotericin B methyl ester, like that of the parent compound amphotericin B, was not materially affected by the culture medium used for testing. When added separately to synthetic amino acid medium (fungal), neither purines nor pyrimidines antagonized miconazole. Ether extraction of Sabouraud's glucose agar failed to diminish the antagonism of this medium for miconazole.", "PMID": 789787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8505", "title": "Specific and Nonspecific immunity to Serratia marcescens infection.", "content": "By specific active or passive immunization, mice were protected against lethal infection with Serratia marcescens. Animals that were immunized against organisms of the challenge strain O serotype survived, whereas animals that were immunized against other serratia O serotypes did not survive. Protective sera (from convalescent partients or immunized rabbits) contained a specific complement-independent opsonin. These sera also contained passive hemagglutinating and bacterial agglutinating antibodies in high titer. The protective and complement-independent opsonizing antibodies were associated with IgG fractions of the serum, while the agglutinating antibodies were primarily associated with the IgM. Mice also survived infection with Serratia after immunization against the Re595 Salmonella minnesota mutant. However, complement-independent opsonizing antibody was not demonstrated in these cross-protective sera.", "contents": "Specific and Nonspecific immunity to Serratia marcescens infection. By specific active or passive immunization, mice were protected against lethal infection with Serratia marcescens. Animals that were immunized against organisms of the challenge strain O serotype survived, whereas animals that were immunized against other serratia O serotypes did not survive. Protective sera (from convalescent partients or immunized rabbits) contained a specific complement-independent opsonin. These sera also contained passive hemagglutinating and bacterial agglutinating antibodies in high titer. The protective and complement-independent opsonizing antibodies were associated with IgG fractions of the serum, while the agglutinating antibodies were primarily associated with the IgM. Mice also survived infection with Serratia after immunization against the Re595 Salmonella minnesota mutant. However, complement-independent opsonizing antibody was not demonstrated in these cross-protective sera.", "PMID": 789788} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8506", "title": "Resistance to chloramphenicol and ampicillin of Salmonella typhimurium in Ontario, Canada.", "content": "Combined resistance to chloramphenicol and ampicillin in Salmonella typhimurium is appearing in Canada. Five cases of this type of infection have been noted. The isolates are resistant to streptomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline, in addition to ampicillin and and chloramphenicol; four isolates are also resistant to kanamycin. In each isolate the determinant for chloramphenicol resistance is linked to a conjugative plasmid. Four of the chloramphenicol plasmids appear to be related in resistance pattern, level of antibiotic resistance mediated, and temperature sensitivity of mating ability. The same four plasmids are associated in the primary isolates of Salmonella with three different kinds of genetic units mediating resistance to ampicillin. In only one of the five strains are the genes for chloramphenicol and ampicillin resistance linked in the same plasmid.", "contents": "Resistance to chloramphenicol and ampicillin of Salmonella typhimurium in Ontario, Canada. Combined resistance to chloramphenicol and ampicillin in Salmonella typhimurium is appearing in Canada. Five cases of this type of infection have been noted. The isolates are resistant to streptomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline, in addition to ampicillin and and chloramphenicol; four isolates are also resistant to kanamycin. In each isolate the determinant for chloramphenicol resistance is linked to a conjugative plasmid. Four of the chloramphenicol plasmids appear to be related in resistance pattern, level of antibiotic resistance mediated, and temperature sensitivity of mating ability. The same four plasmids are associated in the primary isolates of Salmonella with three different kinds of genetic units mediating resistance to ampicillin. In only one of the five strains are the genes for chloramphenicol and ampicillin resistance linked in the same plasmid.", "PMID": 789789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8507", "title": "Variation in urease activity of endemic hospital strains of Proteus rettgeri and Providencia stuartii.", "content": "Both urease-positive and urease-negative Proteeae isolated from cross-infected patients in the same hospitals and, in three cases, from the same patients were examined for their biochemical reactions and somatic (O-) antigens. All isolates gave the same reactions in 17 biochemical tests and possessed O-antigens characteristic of Providenic O-type strains 4 or 17. Study of the isolates indicated that endemic strains are capable of undergoing variation in urease activity. In the current classification urease-positive and urease-negative strains are classified as Proteus rettgeri and Providencia stuartii, respectively. The observed variation in urease activity of nosocomial isolates of Proteeae suggests that taxonomy should be modified so that all such strains would be accommodated in a single group.", "contents": "Variation in urease activity of endemic hospital strains of Proteus rettgeri and Providencia stuartii. Both urease-positive and urease-negative Proteeae isolated from cross-infected patients in the same hospitals and, in three cases, from the same patients were examined for their biochemical reactions and somatic (O-) antigens. All isolates gave the same reactions in 17 biochemical tests and possessed O-antigens characteristic of Providenic O-type strains 4 or 17. Study of the isolates indicated that endemic strains are capable of undergoing variation in urease activity. In the current classification urease-positive and urease-negative strains are classified as Proteus rettgeri and Providencia stuartii, respectively. The observed variation in urease activity of nosocomial isolates of Proteeae suggests that taxonomy should be modified so that all such strains would be accommodated in a single group.", "PMID": 789790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8508", "title": "Comparative efficacy of neuraminidase-specific and conventional influenza virus vaccines in induction of antibody to neuraminidase in humans.", "content": "Groups of college students received either conventional A/England/42/72 (H3N2) vaccine (X-37), an antigenic hybrid (Heq1N2) vaccine (X-38) containing the same neuraminidase (and thus effectively neuraminidase-monospecific), or a placebo injection. The vaccines contained 798 and 643 chick cell-agglutinating units per dose, respectively, and equivalent immunogenic units of N2 as defined in antigenic extinction tests in rabbits. All subjects had antibody to N2 before immunization, and mean initial titers were comparable in both vaccine groups. Homotypic hemagglutination-inhibition response to vaccine hemagglutinin was slightly more frequent (77%) but of lower magnitude in the students vaccinated with X-38 than in those vaccinated with X-37. Significant antibody response to N2 was observed in 25% of those vaccinated with X-37 and in 69% of those vaccinated with X-38. Mean antibody response to N2 was twofold greater in those vaccinated with X-38. Heterotypic hemagglutination-inhibition was seen in 56% of those receiving X-38 vaccine. In preliminary plaque-inhibition titrations this heterotypic antibody did not have neuralizing activity. Testing of antibody response to N2 with earlier neuraminidase antigens demonstrated \"original antigenic sin\" from earlier priming. The superiority of the \"neuraminidase-specific\" X-38 (Heq1N2) vaccine as an immunogen for antibody to neuraminidase may reflect different processing of N2 when it is associated with a hemagglutinin to which the study population has not been previously exposed.", "contents": "Comparative efficacy of neuraminidase-specific and conventional influenza virus vaccines in induction of antibody to neuraminidase in humans. Groups of college students received either conventional A/England/42/72 (H3N2) vaccine (X-37), an antigenic hybrid (Heq1N2) vaccine (X-38) containing the same neuraminidase (and thus effectively neuraminidase-monospecific), or a placebo injection. The vaccines contained 798 and 643 chick cell-agglutinating units per dose, respectively, and equivalent immunogenic units of N2 as defined in antigenic extinction tests in rabbits. All subjects had antibody to N2 before immunization, and mean initial titers were comparable in both vaccine groups. Homotypic hemagglutination-inhibition response to vaccine hemagglutinin was slightly more frequent (77%) but of lower magnitude in the students vaccinated with X-38 than in those vaccinated with X-37. Significant antibody response to N2 was observed in 25% of those vaccinated with X-37 and in 69% of those vaccinated with X-38. Mean antibody response to N2 was twofold greater in those vaccinated with X-38. Heterotypic hemagglutination-inhibition was seen in 56% of those receiving X-38 vaccine. In preliminary plaque-inhibition titrations this heterotypic antibody did not have neuralizing activity. Testing of antibody response to N2 with earlier neuraminidase antigens demonstrated \"original antigenic sin\" from earlier priming. The superiority of the \"neuraminidase-specific\" X-38 (Heq1N2) vaccine as an immunogen for antibody to neuraminidase may reflect different processing of N2 when it is associated with a hemagglutinin to which the study population has not been previously exposed.", "PMID": 789791} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8509", "title": "Dynamic mini-computer graphics analysis of long-term electrocardiographic tape recordings.", "content": "The full graphic capabilities of a minicomputer have been applied to rapid and versatile analysis of long-term electrocardiographic tape recordings. Interfaced to a standard Avionics tape analyzer, the system's multiple display options provide a powerful tool for arrhythmia detection in a reasonable amount of time. Detection accuracy of the system compares very favorably with previously published figures for computer EKG monitoring. Quantitation of arrhythmic beats is an integral feature of the tape scanning. A method for analog display of randomly selectable EKG complexes is also described.", "contents": "Dynamic mini-computer graphics analysis of long-term electrocardiographic tape recordings. The full graphic capabilities of a minicomputer have been applied to rapid and versatile analysis of long-term electrocardiographic tape recordings. Interfaced to a standard Avionics tape analyzer, the system's multiple display options provide a powerful tool for arrhythmia detection in a reasonable amount of time. Detection accuracy of the system compares very favorably with previously published figures for computer EKG monitoring. Quantitation of arrhythmic beats is an integral feature of the tape scanning. A method for analog display of randomly selectable EKG complexes is also described.", "PMID": 789802} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8510", "title": "On differences between the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surges of 4- and 5-day cyclic rats.", "content": "Preovulatory LH surges were studied in rats with ovarian cycles of 4 days (4d-rats) and 5 days (5d-rats). In 5d-rats the maximal peak height was about twice that observed in 4d-rats, whereas in 4d-rats peaks occurred about 1-5 h later than in 5d-rats and were much less consistently timed. From experiments in which LH releasing hormone (LH-RH) was infused into pentobarbitone-blocked pro-oestrous rats, it was concluded that (a) differences between the two types of preovulatory LH surges originate within the central nervous system, and (b) pro-oestrous LH-RH secretion may not be restricted to the period in which increased LH levels in blood were found, but may exceed this period for a considerable time.", "contents": "On differences between the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surges of 4- and 5-day cyclic rats. Preovulatory LH surges were studied in rats with ovarian cycles of 4 days (4d-rats) and 5 days (5d-rats). In 5d-rats the maximal peak height was about twice that observed in 4d-rats, whereas in 4d-rats peaks occurred about 1-5 h later than in 5d-rats and were much less consistently timed. From experiments in which LH releasing hormone (LH-RH) was infused into pentobarbitone-blocked pro-oestrous rats, it was concluded that (a) differences between the two types of preovulatory LH surges originate within the central nervous system, and (b) pro-oestrous LH-RH secretion may not be restricted to the period in which increased LH levels in blood were found, but may exceed this period for a considerable time.", "PMID": 789803} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8511", "title": "Immunoreactive luteinizing hormone releasing factor in pituitary stalk blood from female rats: sex steroid modulation of response to electrical stimulation of preoptic area or median eminence.", "content": "The effects of sex steroid hormones on the responsiveness of the neural mechanism responsible for the secretion of LH-RF have been examined in the female rat. Responsiveness was determined at pro-oestrus by measuring the increments in immunoreactive LH-RF of pituitary stalk blood produced by electrical stimulation of the medial preoptic area or median eminence. Ovariectomy on the morning of dioestrus reduced the LH-RF response to preoptic stimulation while oestradiol benzoate (OB) or testosterone propionate (TP) administered immediately after ovariectomy significantly augmented the response. The facilitatory effect of TP was possibly due to its conversion to an aromatized derivative since 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone monobenzoate was ineffective. Progesterone did not facilitate preoptic responsiveness, and, when administered to animals ovariectomized at 12.00 h of pro-oestrus, reduced the LH-RF response at 18.00 h the same day. Stimulation of the median eminence produced a significantly greater increment in LH-RF than stimulation of the preoptic area. The facilitatory action of OB on the LH-RF response was less marked for median eminence compared with preoptic stimulation. The administration of ICI 46474 at 17.00 h of dioestrus did not reduce preoptic responsiveness on the morning of the next day, suggesting that this compound does not act as an 'antioestrogen' at the level of the preoptic area.", "contents": "Immunoreactive luteinizing hormone releasing factor in pituitary stalk blood from female rats: sex steroid modulation of response to electrical stimulation of preoptic area or median eminence. The effects of sex steroid hormones on the responsiveness of the neural mechanism responsible for the secretion of LH-RF have been examined in the female rat. Responsiveness was determined at pro-oestrus by measuring the increments in immunoreactive LH-RF of pituitary stalk blood produced by electrical stimulation of the medial preoptic area or median eminence. Ovariectomy on the morning of dioestrus reduced the LH-RF response to preoptic stimulation while oestradiol benzoate (OB) or testosterone propionate (TP) administered immediately after ovariectomy significantly augmented the response. The facilitatory effect of TP was possibly due to its conversion to an aromatized derivative since 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone monobenzoate was ineffective. Progesterone did not facilitate preoptic responsiveness, and, when administered to animals ovariectomized at 12.00 h of pro-oestrus, reduced the LH-RF response at 18.00 h the same day. Stimulation of the median eminence produced a significantly greater increment in LH-RF than stimulation of the preoptic area. The facilitatory action of OB on the LH-RF response was less marked for median eminence compared with preoptic stimulation. The administration of ICI 46474 at 17.00 h of dioestrus did not reduce preoptic responsiveness on the morning of the next day, suggesting that this compound does not act as an 'antioestrogen' at the level of the preoptic area.", "PMID": 789804} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8512", "title": "Secretion of luteinizing hormone caused by continuous infusions of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in the long-term ovariectomized rat: effect of oestrogen pretreatment.", "content": "Continuous infusions of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) into phenobarbitone-treated long-term ovariectomized rats, resulted in patterns of LH secretion which were determined by the blood LH-RH concentration. Infusions of 52 ng LH-RH/h caused steadily increasing ple maintained for the rest of the experiment (9h). A similar course of plasma LH concentration was observed as a result of infusions of 104 ng LH-RH/h, though in this case LH concentrations reached higher levels than those induced by infusion of 52 ng LH-RH/h. Higher rates of LH-RH infusion (208 and 416 ng/h), however, induced clear-cut LH peaks, which reached their maximal plasma values after 2-3 h of infusion and then declined again until, at the end of the experiment, they were only slightly higher than the LH levels induced by infusions of 52 ng LH-RH/h. A similar series of LH-RH infusions given to ovariectomized rats pretreated with oestradiol benzoate during 3 days (the rats were injected daily with 7 mug steroid), produced a highly augmented response of the pituitary gland, but all LH-RH concentrations infused induced rather sharp LH peaks, reaching their maximum after 2-3 h of infusion. After 5 h of infusion the descending parts of all these peaks appeared to converge. In both control and oestradiol benzoate-pretreated rats there appeared to be a linear relationship between the logarithm of the blood LH-RH concentration and the maximal plasma LH values on one hand, and the amount of LH secreted during the first 5 h of infusion on the other. Furthermore, it appeared that the longer the period of oestrogen action, the more the response of the pituitary gland to a certain dose of LH-RH was enhanced.", "contents": "Secretion of luteinizing hormone caused by continuous infusions of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in the long-term ovariectomized rat: effect of oestrogen pretreatment. Continuous infusions of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) into phenobarbitone-treated long-term ovariectomized rats, resulted in patterns of LH secretion which were determined by the blood LH-RH concentration. Infusions of 52 ng LH-RH/h caused steadily increasing ple maintained for the rest of the experiment (9h). A similar course of plasma LH concentration was observed as a result of infusions of 104 ng LH-RH/h, though in this case LH concentrations reached higher levels than those induced by infusion of 52 ng LH-RH/h. Higher rates of LH-RH infusion (208 and 416 ng/h), however, induced clear-cut LH peaks, which reached their maximal plasma values after 2-3 h of infusion and then declined again until, at the end of the experiment, they were only slightly higher than the LH levels induced by infusions of 52 ng LH-RH/h. A similar series of LH-RH infusions given to ovariectomized rats pretreated with oestradiol benzoate during 3 days (the rats were injected daily with 7 mug steroid), produced a highly augmented response of the pituitary gland, but all LH-RH concentrations infused induced rather sharp LH peaks, reaching their maximum after 2-3 h of infusion. After 5 h of infusion the descending parts of all these peaks appeared to converge. In both control and oestradiol benzoate-pretreated rats there appeared to be a linear relationship between the logarithm of the blood LH-RH concentration and the maximal plasma LH values on one hand, and the amount of LH secreted during the first 5 h of infusion on the other. Furthermore, it appeared that the longer the period of oestrogen action, the more the response of the pituitary gland to a certain dose of LH-RH was enhanced.", "PMID": 789806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8513", "title": "The interrelationship between progesterone and luteinizing hormone during the ovulation cycle of the hen (Gallus domesticus).", "content": "The existence of a circadian rhythm in the sensitivity of the hypothalamus of the laying hen to stimulation by progesterone was investigated by injecting 0.5 mg progesterone subcutaneously during the proposed period of maximum insensitivity. Following this treatment increases in plasma concentrations of both LH and progesterone were observed which were comparable to the spontaneous preovulatory rises in the plasma levels of the hormones. The ability of either progesterone or luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) to induce premature ovulation varied according to the stage of follicular development. Neither hormone was more than 28% effective when injected within 6.5 h of the previous ovulation, whereas both hormones were 100% effective approximately 27 h after the terminal ovulation of a clutch sequence. Failure to ovulate in response to LH-RH given 6.5 h after ovulation was associated with a lack of progesterone secretion. Both LH and progesterone were secreted when ovulation was induced by injections of either LH-RH or progesterone, and LH was secreted in response to progesterone given 6.5 h after ovulation. These results demonstrate that progesterone stimulates the secretion of LH and LH stimulates the secretion of progesterone. The precise physiological role of these two hormones, however, was not established.", "contents": "The interrelationship between progesterone and luteinizing hormone during the ovulation cycle of the hen (Gallus domesticus). The existence of a circadian rhythm in the sensitivity of the hypothalamus of the laying hen to stimulation by progesterone was investigated by injecting 0.5 mg progesterone subcutaneously during the proposed period of maximum insensitivity. Following this treatment increases in plasma concentrations of both LH and progesterone were observed which were comparable to the spontaneous preovulatory rises in the plasma levels of the hormones. The ability of either progesterone or luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) to induce premature ovulation varied according to the stage of follicular development. Neither hormone was more than 28% effective when injected within 6.5 h of the previous ovulation, whereas both hormones were 100% effective approximately 27 h after the terminal ovulation of a clutch sequence. Failure to ovulate in response to LH-RH given 6.5 h after ovulation was associated with a lack of progesterone secretion. Both LH and progesterone were secreted when ovulation was induced by injections of either LH-RH or progesterone, and LH was secreted in response to progesterone given 6.5 h after ovulation. These results demonstrate that progesterone stimulates the secretion of LH and LH stimulates the secretion of progesterone. The precise physiological role of these two hormones, however, was not established.", "PMID": 789807} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8514", "title": "A simplified procedure for preparing myogenic cells for culture.", "content": "A procedure involving mechanical agitation referred to as vortexing is compared to a trypsin procedure for obtaining myogenic cells for culture. The vortex procedure appears to be at least as useful as the trypsin procedure and has several advantages including speed, the elimination of chemical disruptive agent, elimination of collagen coating of culture dishes and earlier onset of fusion.", "contents": "A simplified procedure for preparing myogenic cells for culture. A procedure involving mechanical agitation referred to as vortexing is compared to a trypsin procedure for obtaining myogenic cells for culture. The vortex procedure appears to be at least as useful as the trypsin procedure and has several advantages including speed, the elimination of chemical disruptive agent, elimination of collagen coating of culture dishes and earlier onset of fusion.", "PMID": 789809} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8515", "title": "Antibodies reacting with cytoplasm of subthalamic and caudate nuclei neurons in chorea and acute rheumatic fever.", "content": "46% of sera from 30 children with rheumatic chorea showed IgG antibody reacting with neuronal cytoplasm of human caudate and subthalamic nuclei. The antibody was also detected in 14% of 50 children with active rheumatic carditis. 55 normal control sera, as well as 148 sera from a broad variety of other disease states showed a low prevalence (1.8-4.0%) of positive reactions. In rheumatic chorea the presence of anti-neuronal antibody appeared to correlate with severity and duration of clinical attacks. Antibody reacting with neuronal cytoplasm was completely removed by absorption with Group A streptococcal membranes or with isolated human neurons from caudate nucleus. Partial absorption of antibody was also recorded using Group A cell wall preparations but not with Group A carbohydrate. No absorption of positive reactions was seen with streptococcal Group D membranes or cell walls. In rheumatic chorea, anti-neuronal antibody appeared to represent cross-reaction with antigens shared by Group A streptococcal membranes.", "contents": "Antibodies reacting with cytoplasm of subthalamic and caudate nuclei neurons in chorea and acute rheumatic fever. 46% of sera from 30 children with rheumatic chorea showed IgG antibody reacting with neuronal cytoplasm of human caudate and subthalamic nuclei. The antibody was also detected in 14% of 50 children with active rheumatic carditis. 55 normal control sera, as well as 148 sera from a broad variety of other disease states showed a low prevalence (1.8-4.0%) of positive reactions. In rheumatic chorea the presence of anti-neuronal antibody appeared to correlate with severity and duration of clinical attacks. Antibody reacting with neuronal cytoplasm was completely removed by absorption with Group A streptococcal membranes or with isolated human neurons from caudate nucleus. Partial absorption of antibody was also recorded using Group A cell wall preparations but not with Group A carbohydrate. No absorption of positive reactions was seen with streptococcal Group D membranes or cell walls. In rheumatic chorea, anti-neuronal antibody appeared to represent cross-reaction with antigens shared by Group A streptococcal membranes.", "PMID": 789810} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8516", "title": "Specific elimination of cytotoxic effector cells. I. Adsorptive behavior of effectors and their precursors and spleen cell monolayers.", "content": "Monolayers formed of normal mouse spleen cells attached to polystyrene coated with poly-L-lysine were tested for their ability to bind specifically antigen-reactive cells in normal or primed mouse spleen. 88 to greater than 98% of the activity of cytotoxic populations was removed by a single adsorption. However, normal spleen cells or spleen cells previously primed in vitro could not be depleted of their capacity to be sensitized, even when adsorption effectively removed all residual cytotoxic activity from the same previously primed population. In fact, exposure to an immunoadsorbent augmented the ultimate cytotoxicity generated in a nonspecific fashion. This augmentation was especially dramatic in the case of a previously primed population and may have reflected the removal of a nonspecific suppressor. If antigen-reactive precursors cannot be removed efficiently by adsorption, other approaches to the generation of tolerant lymphoid populations, such as specific suppression of precursor differentiation must be sought.", "contents": "Specific elimination of cytotoxic effector cells. I. Adsorptive behavior of effectors and their precursors and spleen cell monolayers. Monolayers formed of normal mouse spleen cells attached to polystyrene coated with poly-L-lysine were tested for their ability to bind specifically antigen-reactive cells in normal or primed mouse spleen. 88 to greater than 98% of the activity of cytotoxic populations was removed by a single adsorption. However, normal spleen cells or spleen cells previously primed in vitro could not be depleted of their capacity to be sensitized, even when adsorption effectively removed all residual cytotoxic activity from the same previously primed population. In fact, exposure to an immunoadsorbent augmented the ultimate cytotoxicity generated in a nonspecific fashion. This augmentation was especially dramatic in the case of a previously primed population and may have reflected the removal of a nonspecific suppressor. If antigen-reactive precursors cannot be removed efficiently by adsorption, other approaches to the generation of tolerant lymphoid populations, such as specific suppression of precursor differentiation must be sought.", "PMID": 789811} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8517", "title": "The formation of a dissociable plasmid cointegrate from the Flac factor and the resident plasmid of Salmonella typhimurium LT2.", "content": "The Flac factor showed unstable maintenance in Salmonella typhimurium dnaC MP10LT2. The properties of a more stable lac+ derivate (SD-1) are described. SD-1 was ts and carried the fi+ property and the ability to transfer the lac+ character. It contained a large plasmid of molecular weight about 129 X 10(6) DALTONS. The properties of SD-1 and its derivatives suggested that the large plasmid was a cointegate of Flac and the MP10lt2 plasmid. Lac+ transfer was efficient from SD-1 to M799 MP10LT2 and one lac+ exconjugant contained the intact cointegrate. The cointegrate was not successfully transferred to strains lacking MP10LT2. It dissociated into apparently unaltered Flac and MP10LT2 plasmids, but the deletion of small parts of one or both plasmids during cointegrate formation could not be ruled out. Cointegrate dissociation was more marked in M799 than in SD-1 especially during growth in glucose-Casamino acids minimal medium. In the presence of R1drd19, the cointegrate (like the MP10LT2 plasmid) was stable maintained in the dnaC strain; maintenance of Flac was, however, unstable. It seems likely that replication of the cointegrate was controlled by the MP10LT2 plasmid constitutent.", "contents": "The formation of a dissociable plasmid cointegrate from the Flac factor and the resident plasmid of Salmonella typhimurium LT2. The Flac factor showed unstable maintenance in Salmonella typhimurium dnaC MP10LT2. The properties of a more stable lac+ derivate (SD-1) are described. SD-1 was ts and carried the fi+ property and the ability to transfer the lac+ character. It contained a large plasmid of molecular weight about 129 X 10(6) DALTONS. The properties of SD-1 and its derivatives suggested that the large plasmid was a cointegate of Flac and the MP10lt2 plasmid. Lac+ transfer was efficient from SD-1 to M799 MP10LT2 and one lac+ exconjugant contained the intact cointegrate. The cointegrate was not successfully transferred to strains lacking MP10LT2. It dissociated into apparently unaltered Flac and MP10LT2 plasmids, but the deletion of small parts of one or both plasmids during cointegrate formation could not be ruled out. Cointegrate dissociation was more marked in M799 than in SD-1 especially during growth in glucose-Casamino acids minimal medium. In the presence of R1drd19, the cointegrate (like the MP10LT2 plasmid) was stable maintained in the dnaC strain; maintenance of Flac was, however, unstable. It seems likely that replication of the cointegrate was controlled by the MP10LT2 plasmid constitutent.", "PMID": 789812} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8518", "title": "The interaction of amphotericin B methyl ester with protoplasts of Candida albicans.", "content": "The interaction of amphotericin B methyl ester (AME) with protoplasts of Candida albicans was measured indirectly by following the incorporation of [U-14C]phenylalanine into the acid-insoluble material. The inhibitory effects of AME at the minimum inhibitory concentration were prevented by the addition of 85 mM-KCl and 45 mM-MgCl2, as shown by Liras & Lampen (1974) for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In C. albicans, pretreatment of the yeast before anti-biotic addition was unnecessary. KCl and MgCl2 did not prevent AME from binding to the protoplast membrane. This interaction was reversed by incubating the protoplasts in the presence of the protecting salts.", "contents": "The interaction of amphotericin B methyl ester with protoplasts of Candida albicans. The interaction of amphotericin B methyl ester (AME) with protoplasts of Candida albicans was measured indirectly by following the incorporation of [U-14C]phenylalanine into the acid-insoluble material. The inhibitory effects of AME at the minimum inhibitory concentration were prevented by the addition of 85 mM-KCl and 45 mM-MgCl2, as shown by Liras & Lampen (1974) for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In C. albicans, pretreatment of the yeast before anti-biotic addition was unnecessary. KCl and MgCl2 did not prevent AME from binding to the protoplast membrane. This interaction was reversed by incubating the protoplasts in the presence of the protecting salts.", "PMID": 789813} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8519", "title": "Isolation of rough mutants of Klebsiella aerogenes and their synthesis of polysaccharides.", "content": "Two mutants which lacked both capsular and lipopolysaccharide O-antigen polysaccharides were isolated from Klebsiella aerogenes serotype 2 by phage selection; these were designated rough mutants. The polysaccharide fractions solubilized by partial acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide from both the wild type and mutants were chromatographed on Sephadex G-50. Analysis of the fractions obtained confirmed that the rough mutants lacked the galactan portion of the molecule, which is analogous to the Salmonella O-antigen polysaccharide. Membranes prepared from wild-type K. aerogenes, from a non-mucoid strain (lacking capsule only), and from one of the rough mutants were used in incubation mixtures to compare the biosynthesis of polysaccharides by these organisms. The incorporation of sugar nucleotides into both lipid intermediates and polymer was followed. Results show that the transferases were apparently present in all membranes, while the polymerases were absent in both the non-mucoid and rough mutants.", "contents": "Isolation of rough mutants of Klebsiella aerogenes and their synthesis of polysaccharides. Two mutants which lacked both capsular and lipopolysaccharide O-antigen polysaccharides were isolated from Klebsiella aerogenes serotype 2 by phage selection; these were designated rough mutants. The polysaccharide fractions solubilized by partial acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide from both the wild type and mutants were chromatographed on Sephadex G-50. Analysis of the fractions obtained confirmed that the rough mutants lacked the galactan portion of the molecule, which is analogous to the Salmonella O-antigen polysaccharide. Membranes prepared from wild-type K. aerogenes, from a non-mucoid strain (lacking capsule only), and from one of the rough mutants were used in incubation mixtures to compare the biosynthesis of polysaccharides by these organisms. The incorporation of sugar nucleotides into both lipid intermediates and polymer was followed. Results show that the transferases were apparently present in all membranes, while the polymerases were absent in both the non-mucoid and rough mutants.", "PMID": 789814} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8520", "title": "The regulation of diaminopimelate decarboxylase activity in Escherichia coli strain w.", "content": "Activity of diaminopimelate decarboxylase in Escherichia coli strain W, growing in an aerated fermenter, was only slightly (14%) repressed by 2 mM-lysine when approximately equimolar diaminopimelate was present in the medium. Lysine alone caused 78% repression. Diaminopimelate did not interfere with uptake of lysine by growing organisms. Organisms grown in medium containing diaminopimelate, without lysine, had a decarboxylase activity 24% higher than organisms from minimal medium. The extent of repression by pyridoxine (56% when added to minimal medium) was decreased (to 31%) when diaminopimelate was also present in the medium. A diaminopimelate-requiring mutant, with limited ability to take up diaminopimelate, formed almost three times less diaminopimelate decarboxylase than did a diaminopimelate-requiring second-stage mutant that had an increased rate of transport of this amino acid. The internal concentration of diaminopimelate thus probably regulates the activity of the decarboxylase by induction. Lysine might not directly repress the enzyme but might give an apparent repression by restricting the biosynthesis of diaminopimelate. This restriction is probably not caused only by inhibition or repression of aspartokinase. Lysine and threonine together, though not singly, almost completely inhibited aspartokinase in vitro but caused less apparent repression of diaminopimelate decarboxylase than did lysine alone. Lysine plus diaminopimelate strongly repressed the lysine-sensitive aspartokinase (85%) without much affecting diaminopimelate decarboxylase formation, and pyridoxine repressed the decarboxylase without affecting aspartokinase.", "contents": "The regulation of diaminopimelate decarboxylase activity in Escherichia coli strain w. Activity of diaminopimelate decarboxylase in Escherichia coli strain W, growing in an aerated fermenter, was only slightly (14%) repressed by 2 mM-lysine when approximately equimolar diaminopimelate was present in the medium. Lysine alone caused 78% repression. Diaminopimelate did not interfere with uptake of lysine by growing organisms. Organisms grown in medium containing diaminopimelate, without lysine, had a decarboxylase activity 24% higher than organisms from minimal medium. The extent of repression by pyridoxine (56% when added to minimal medium) was decreased (to 31%) when diaminopimelate was also present in the medium. A diaminopimelate-requiring mutant, with limited ability to take up diaminopimelate, formed almost three times less diaminopimelate decarboxylase than did a diaminopimelate-requiring second-stage mutant that had an increased rate of transport of this amino acid. The internal concentration of diaminopimelate thus probably regulates the activity of the decarboxylase by induction. Lysine might not directly repress the enzyme but might give an apparent repression by restricting the biosynthesis of diaminopimelate. This restriction is probably not caused only by inhibition or repression of aspartokinase. Lysine and threonine together, though not singly, almost completely inhibited aspartokinase in vitro but caused less apparent repression of diaminopimelate decarboxylase than did lysine alone. Lysine plus diaminopimelate strongly repressed the lysine-sensitive aspartokinase (85%) without much affecting diaminopimelate decarboxylase formation, and pyridoxine repressed the decarboxylase without affecting aspartokinase.", "PMID": 789815} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8521", "title": "Derivation and properties of Proteus mirabilis systems for high frequency transduction of streptomycin--sulphonamide and streptomycin-sulphonamide--kanamycin resistances.", "content": "Properties of two transducing systems with phages capable of high frequency transduction (HFT) of streptomycin and sulphonamide resistance markers of the V group plasmid R905, and of these markers plus the kanamycin resistance marker derived from a previously described HFT phage 5006MHFTak, are described. Transducing particles of the former phage, named 5006MHFTsus, were detected using the replica-plate technique in an ultraviolet-induced lysate of Proteus mirabilis strain PM5006 transduced to streptomycin and sulphonamide resistance by phage 5006M grown on PM5006 carrying R905. Phage 5006MHFTsusk was also detected by the replica-plate technique in ultraviolet-induced lysates of of phage 5006MHFTsus transductants retransduced to ampicillin and kanamycin resistance by phage 5006MHFTak. Both phages were serologically identical to the parent phage 5006M. Ultraviolet-induced lysates transduced their markers to PM5006 at frequencies of about 5 X 10(-2)/plaque-forming unit adsorbed for both the phages. With phage 5006MHFTsusk, this frequency was increased about 10-fold by simultaneous infection of recipients with homologous non-transducing phage, while phage 5006MHFTsus transductions only underwent a twofold increase. Transductants took about 60 min to express complete resistance to 50 mug streptomycin/ml, and resistance to 1600 mug sulphadiazine/ml was complete within 120 min after phage adsorption. Phage 5006MHFTsusk was slightly more resistant to ultraviolet inaction of its transducing potential and reasons are given for the belief that transductants of both phages are heterogenote-like. Both phage lysates were also capable of generalized transduction and, like previously described HFT phages, lysates transduced the leucine marker at increased frequencies. Using previously described extra- and intra-species phages hosts, it was found that the phages could transduce in single infection and were defective in the lysogenic conversion function as well as in a maturation step. Possible modes of formation of the HFT particles are discussed9", "contents": "Derivation and properties of Proteus mirabilis systems for high frequency transduction of streptomycin--sulphonamide and streptomycin-sulphonamide--kanamycin resistances. Properties of two transducing systems with phages capable of high frequency transduction (HFT) of streptomycin and sulphonamide resistance markers of the V group plasmid R905, and of these markers plus the kanamycin resistance marker derived from a previously described HFT phage 5006MHFTak, are described. Transducing particles of the former phage, named 5006MHFTsus, were detected using the replica-plate technique in an ultraviolet-induced lysate of Proteus mirabilis strain PM5006 transduced to streptomycin and sulphonamide resistance by phage 5006M grown on PM5006 carrying R905. Phage 5006MHFTsusk was also detected by the replica-plate technique in ultraviolet-induced lysates of of phage 5006MHFTsus transductants retransduced to ampicillin and kanamycin resistance by phage 5006MHFTak. Both phages were serologically identical to the parent phage 5006M. Ultraviolet-induced lysates transduced their markers to PM5006 at frequencies of about 5 X 10(-2)/plaque-forming unit adsorbed for both the phages. With phage 5006MHFTsusk, this frequency was increased about 10-fold by simultaneous infection of recipients with homologous non-transducing phage, while phage 5006MHFTsus transductions only underwent a twofold increase. Transductants took about 60 min to express complete resistance to 50 mug streptomycin/ml, and resistance to 1600 mug sulphadiazine/ml was complete within 120 min after phage adsorption. Phage 5006MHFTsusk was slightly more resistant to ultraviolet inaction of its transducing potential and reasons are given for the belief that transductants of both phages are heterogenote-like. Both phage lysates were also capable of generalized transduction and, like previously described HFT phages, lysates transduced the leucine marker at increased frequencies. Using previously described extra- and intra-species phages hosts, it was found that the phages could transduce in single infection and were defective in the lysogenic conversion function as well as in a maturation step. Possible modes of formation of the HFT particles are discussed9", "PMID": 789816} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8522", "title": "The detection of viruses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).", "content": "The use of enzyme-linked antibodies for the detection of two morphologically different plant viruses is described. The technique is extremely sensitive, enabling assay of the viruses at concentrations as low as 10 to 100 ng/ml both in purified preparations and in crude plant extracts.", "contents": "The detection of viruses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The use of enzyme-linked antibodies for the detection of two morphologically different plant viruses is described. The technique is extremely sensitive, enabling assay of the viruses at concentrations as low as 10 to 100 ng/ml both in purified preparations and in crude plant extracts.", "PMID": 789817} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8523", "title": "A provisional classification of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses based on the sizes of the RNA genome segments.", "content": "The RNA genome segments of thirty-three isolates of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses (CPVs) were examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Major differences were observed in the gel profiles of the RNA segments from many of the viruses; differences which were reinforced by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the virus structural proteins. As a result of these studies, a provisional classification scheme for CPVs is proposed, where viruses with similar RNA gel profiles are included within the same 'type', while isolates differing in the molecular weights of most, or all of the RNA segments are assigned to different types. Using this system, eleven distinct CPV types were recognized. All eleven CPV types, like reoviruses, probably contain ten segments of RNA with a toatl mol. wt. of approx. 15 X 10(6).", "contents": "A provisional classification of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses based on the sizes of the RNA genome segments. The RNA genome segments of thirty-three isolates of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses (CPVs) were examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Major differences were observed in the gel profiles of the RNA segments from many of the viruses; differences which were reinforced by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the virus structural proteins. As a result of these studies, a provisional classification scheme for CPVs is proposed, where viruses with similar RNA gel profiles are included within the same 'type', while isolates differing in the molecular weights of most, or all of the RNA segments are assigned to different types. Using this system, eleven distinct CPV types were recognized. All eleven CPV types, like reoviruses, probably contain ten segments of RNA with a toatl mol. wt. of approx. 15 X 10(6).", "PMID": 789818} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8524", "title": "Impact of the seclusion room experience.", "content": "The seclusion room is a repository of intense feeling and strongly held opinion for members of psychiatric inpatient units. Patients, nurses, and doctors often find themselves in intrapsychic and/or interpersonal conflict over its use and misuse. Perhaps because of general discomfort, relatively little is known about what a patient actually experiences while secluded. In this report, we utilized an unexpected source of information on the meaning of the seclusion room experience for our patients: their art productions. The observations are based upon our therapeutic and research experience with acutely schizophrenic patients hospitalized on an NIMH clinical research unit located in NIH's Clinical Center. On this unit, pharmacotherapy was not used during investigation periods and, in keeping with the unit's treatment philosophy, was used sparingly or not at all during noninvestigative periods. As a result, the seclusion room was used frequently for severe management problems. Systematic collection of art productions was a routine part of the research protocol. Patients attended three individual art therapy sessions: during drug-free periods 2 to 3 weeks after admission, 2 to 3 weeks before discharge, and at follow-up 1 year after admission. The patient was asked to use pastels to draw the following pictures: a free picture (patient's choice), a self-portrait, a picture of his/her psychiatric illness, a picture of any hallucination experienced, and a picture of any delusion experienced. After completing each picture, the patient was encouraged to discuss it. Sixty-two patients were evaluated with this methodology. Particulary noteworthy is the fact that in no instance was a patient requested to draw a picture about a seclusion room experience. Nevertheless, over one third of the patients did so, underscoring the prominence of the experience for them. Furthermore, these pictures did not emerge from a large array of patient art, but from only threee art sessions per patient. The nature of the pictures fell into the following patterns: a) pleasurable hallucinations occurring while in seclusion; b) frightening delusions connected with the experience of seclusion; c) strong nondelusional feelings about being in seclusion (often the picture of the psychiatric illness was a representation of the seclusion room experience); d) special focus on the staff member in attendance outside the seclusion room door. The implications of these graphic expressions are discussed, with particular emphasis on the impact of the seclusion room experience for the patient.", "contents": "Impact of the seclusion room experience. The seclusion room is a repository of intense feeling and strongly held opinion for members of psychiatric inpatient units. Patients, nurses, and doctors often find themselves in intrapsychic and/or interpersonal conflict over its use and misuse. Perhaps because of general discomfort, relatively little is known about what a patient actually experiences while secluded. In this report, we utilized an unexpected source of information on the meaning of the seclusion room experience for our patients: their art productions. The observations are based upon our therapeutic and research experience with acutely schizophrenic patients hospitalized on an NIMH clinical research unit located in NIH's Clinical Center. On this unit, pharmacotherapy was not used during investigation periods and, in keeping with the unit's treatment philosophy, was used sparingly or not at all during noninvestigative periods. As a result, the seclusion room was used frequently for severe management problems. Systematic collection of art productions was a routine part of the research protocol. Patients attended three individual art therapy sessions: during drug-free periods 2 to 3 weeks after admission, 2 to 3 weeks before discharge, and at follow-up 1 year after admission. The patient was asked to use pastels to draw the following pictures: a free picture (patient's choice), a self-portrait, a picture of his/her psychiatric illness, a picture of any hallucination experienced, and a picture of any delusion experienced. After completing each picture, the patient was encouraged to discuss it. Sixty-two patients were evaluated with this methodology. Particulary noteworthy is the fact that in no instance was a patient requested to draw a picture about a seclusion room experience. Nevertheless, over one third of the patients did so, underscoring the prominence of the experience for them. Furthermore, these pictures did not emerge from a large array of patient art, but from only threee art sessions per patient. The nature of the pictures fell into the following patterns: a) pleasurable hallucinations occurring while in seclusion; b) frightening delusions connected with the experience of seclusion; c) strong nondelusional feelings about being in seclusion (often the picture of the psychiatric illness was a representation of the seclusion room experience); d) special focus on the staff member in attendance outside the seclusion room door. The implications of these graphic expressions are discussed, with particular emphasis on the impact of the seclusion room experience for the patient.", "PMID": 789819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8525", "title": "Histochemical fluorescence studies of brain monoamines in goldthioglucose-treated rabbits.", "content": "Fluorescence histochemical experiment of brain monoamines and chemical analysis of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in goldthioglucose (GTG)-treated rabbits were performed. The fluorescence of brain catecholamines (CA) and 5-HT were strengthened in intensity until first week after treatment and reduced from second week. Body weight in GTG-treated rabbits showed decreasing tendency in the period when monoamine fluorescence was strengthened and increased when monoamine fluorescence was lowered in intensity. Content of brain 5-HT second day after treatment showed an increasing tendency in the cortex. In comparison with EEG findings by Matsumura, it is speculated that there is correspondence between slow wave in EEG and increased fluorescence of brain monoamines and between spiky and decreased fluorescence.", "contents": "Histochemical fluorescence studies of brain monoamines in goldthioglucose-treated rabbits. Fluorescence histochemical experiment of brain monoamines and chemical analysis of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in goldthioglucose (GTG)-treated rabbits were performed. The fluorescence of brain catecholamines (CA) and 5-HT were strengthened in intensity until first week after treatment and reduced from second week. Body weight in GTG-treated rabbits showed decreasing tendency in the period when monoamine fluorescence was strengthened and increased when monoamine fluorescence was lowered in intensity. Content of brain 5-HT second day after treatment showed an increasing tendency in the cortex. In comparison with EEG findings by Matsumura, it is speculated that there is correspondence between slow wave in EEG and increased fluorescence of brain monoamines and between spiky and decreased fluorescence.", "PMID": 789820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8526", "title": "Serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine metabolites in transcendental meditation-technique.", "content": "The highly significant increase of 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid) in Transcendental Meditation technique suggests systemic serotonin as \"rest and fulfillment hormone\" of deactivation-relaxation. Furthermore 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine, serotonin) is considered to be the EC-cell (enterochromaffine-cell) hormone requested by Fujita and Kobayashi and its role for EEG synchronisation via area postrema chemoreceptor as anti arousal agent is being discussed. The significant decrease of the catecholamine metabolite VMA (vanillic-mandelic acid) in meditators, that is associated with a reciprocal increase of 5-HIAA supports as a feedback necessity the \"rest and fulfillment response\" versus \"fight and flight\". As the adreno medullary tissue serves for hormonal reinforcement of orthosympathetic activity, the Enterochromaffine Cell System (having taken the form of distinct organs in some species as octopus and discoglossus) is suggested to serve via serotonin for humoral reinforcement of parasympathetic activity in deep relaxation.", "contents": "Serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine metabolites in transcendental meditation-technique. The highly significant increase of 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid) in Transcendental Meditation technique suggests systemic serotonin as \"rest and fulfillment hormone\" of deactivation-relaxation. Furthermore 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine, serotonin) is considered to be the EC-cell (enterochromaffine-cell) hormone requested by Fujita and Kobayashi and its role for EEG synchronisation via area postrema chemoreceptor as anti arousal agent is being discussed. The significant decrease of the catecholamine metabolite VMA (vanillic-mandelic acid) in meditators, that is associated with a reciprocal increase of 5-HIAA supports as a feedback necessity the \"rest and fulfillment response\" versus \"fight and flight\". As the adreno medullary tissue serves for hormonal reinforcement of orthosympathetic activity, the Enterochromaffine Cell System (having taken the form of distinct organs in some species as octopus and discoglossus) is suggested to serve via serotonin for humoral reinforcement of parasympathetic activity in deep relaxation.", "PMID": 789821} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8527", "title": "Human brain in tissue culture. Part. 5. Identification of glial cells by immunofluorescence.", "content": "Glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein was demonstrated by immunofluorescence in both primary and long-term cultures of adult human brain cells explanted from normal, neoplastic and non-neoplastic CNS diseases, and in mouse brain cells subcultivated in vitro. GFA protein was present in the cytoplasm of at least 4 distinct cell types and persisted throughout the finite lifetime of brain cell cultures.", "contents": "Human brain in tissue culture. Part. 5. Identification of glial cells by immunofluorescence. Glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein was demonstrated by immunofluorescence in both primary and long-term cultures of adult human brain cells explanted from normal, neoplastic and non-neoplastic CNS diseases, and in mouse brain cells subcultivated in vitro. GFA protein was present in the cytoplasm of at least 4 distinct cell types and persisted throughout the finite lifetime of brain cell cultures.", "PMID": 789822} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8528", "title": "Progressive muscular dystrophy. Functional improvement after a renal allograft.", "content": "From his first years a child showed signs of a primary and rapidly developing muscular dystrophy. The diagnosis was established by an increased serum CK level and by electromyography and muscle biopsies. Afterwards this child developed a severe renal deficiency which needed binephrectomy and the graft of a normal kidney. During the few months just after the graft, the disability increased and the patient could not stand upright by himself. Later on, he gradually became able to walk on his own and without bracing. He could climb stairs and stand up from the floor. The CK activity returned to normal. At present, 4 years after the graft (the patient is 16 years), the improvement of his functional abilities is constant, although the CK activity has increased again. In this article we give evidence that this patient suffers from a primary muscular dystrophy. We discuss the type of dystrophy concerned. We believe that it is the graft of a normal kidney which was responsible for the improvement observed, and not the physiotherapy or the drugs administered after the graft.", "contents": "Progressive muscular dystrophy. Functional improvement after a renal allograft. From his first years a child showed signs of a primary and rapidly developing muscular dystrophy. The diagnosis was established by an increased serum CK level and by electromyography and muscle biopsies. Afterwards this child developed a severe renal deficiency which needed binephrectomy and the graft of a normal kidney. During the few months just after the graft, the disability increased and the patient could not stand upright by himself. Later on, he gradually became able to walk on his own and without bracing. He could climb stairs and stand up from the floor. The CK activity returned to normal. At present, 4 years after the graft (the patient is 16 years), the improvement of his functional abilities is constant, although the CK activity has increased again. In this article we give evidence that this patient suffers from a primary muscular dystrophy. We discuss the type of dystrophy concerned. We believe that it is the graft of a normal kidney which was responsible for the improvement observed, and not the physiotherapy or the drugs administered after the graft.", "PMID": 789825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8529", "title": "Two separate membrane-bound antigens on human glioma cells in tissue culture detected with sera from glioma patients by immunofluorescence.", "content": "Sera from patients with malignant and benign gliomas, as well as sera from healthy donors, were tested by indirect immunofluorescence to detect antibodies against antigens on the membrane of glioblastoma, astrocytoma, reactive perimetastatic glia, normal glia and fibroblasts in tissue culture. Sera from glioblastoma patients reacted with glioblastoma, astrocytoma and reactive glial cells; they were negative on normal glia and on fibroblasts, whereas sera from astrocytoma patients were unreactive. Sera from control patients were positive in 7 out of 15 cases, although some differences were noted in the pattern of reaction. Absorption with astrocytoma powder, with glioblastoma and reactive glial cells indicated that all the positive cell lines expressed an astrocytoma-associated antigen \"A\", while only glioblastoma lines and reactive glial line shared a supplementary antigen \"G\". Neither of these 2 antigens seemed to be present in significant amount in normal brain, since the positive reactions could not be abolished by absorption with normal brain powder. The relationship between these 2 antigens and the process of increasing malignancy in gliomas is briefly discussed.", "contents": "Two separate membrane-bound antigens on human glioma cells in tissue culture detected with sera from glioma patients by immunofluorescence. Sera from patients with malignant and benign gliomas, as well as sera from healthy donors, were tested by indirect immunofluorescence to detect antibodies against antigens on the membrane of glioblastoma, astrocytoma, reactive perimetastatic glia, normal glia and fibroblasts in tissue culture. Sera from glioblastoma patients reacted with glioblastoma, astrocytoma and reactive glial cells; they were negative on normal glia and on fibroblasts, whereas sera from astrocytoma patients were unreactive. Sera from control patients were positive in 7 out of 15 cases, although some differences were noted in the pattern of reaction. Absorption with astrocytoma powder, with glioblastoma and reactive glial cells indicated that all the positive cell lines expressed an astrocytoma-associated antigen \"A\", while only glioblastoma lines and reactive glial line shared a supplementary antigen \"G\". Neither of these 2 antigens seemed to be present in significant amount in normal brain, since the positive reactions could not be abolished by absorption with normal brain powder. The relationship between these 2 antigens and the process of increasing malignancy in gliomas is briefly discussed.", "PMID": 789826} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8530", "title": "Double-blind evaluation of intradiscal chymopapain for herniated lumbar discs. Early results.", "content": "The authors report 66 patients with signs, symptoms, and a myelographic abnormality of herniated lumbar disc, who were not responsive to conservative treatment. The discs were injected at random with either chymopapain or a placebo. Neither patient nor surgeon knew which agent was used until after the results had been tabulated. Unless early laminectomy was necessary for intractable pain, all patients were followed for 2 months or more. There was no statistically significant difference in incidence or quality of improvement between the two groups: chymopapain was successful in 58% while placebo was successful in 49% (p = 0.15). Early results from this study indicate that most, if not all, of the putative effectiveness of chemonucleolysis probably derives from a placebo effect.", "contents": "Double-blind evaluation of intradiscal chymopapain for herniated lumbar discs. Early results. The authors report 66 patients with signs, symptoms, and a myelographic abnormality of herniated lumbar disc, who were not responsive to conservative treatment. The discs were injected at random with either chymopapain or a placebo. Neither patient nor surgeon knew which agent was used until after the results had been tabulated. Unless early laminectomy was necessary for intractable pain, all patients were followed for 2 months or more. There was no statistically significant difference in incidence or quality of improvement between the two groups: chymopapain was successful in 58% while placebo was successful in 49% (p = 0.15). Early results from this study indicate that most, if not all, of the putative effectiveness of chemonucleolysis probably derives from a placebo effect.", "PMID": 789827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8531", "title": "Pyruvic acid as an etching agent.", "content": "Phosphoric acid at different concentrations has been extensively used as an etching agent to improve bonding of dental materials to enamel surfaces. Recently attention has been drawn to the possible use of polyfunctional organic acids as conditioning agents. The object of this investigation was to determine the optimal concentration of pyruvic acid as an etching agent. A commercial composite resin with an intermediary bonding system supplied with 37% H3PO4 as an etching agent was used as the control system. In addition, a comparative study was carried out to evaluate 37% H3PO4, 20% lactic acid and the optimal concentration of pyruvic acid as conditioning solutions. Etching enamel surfaces with 10% pyruvic acid resulted in the optimal tensile bond strength of the resin to etched enamel surfaces. The use of 10% pyruvic acid did not adversely affect the bond strength of the resin system when compared to enamel surfaces etched with 37% H3PO4 for the same time period. Significantly lower tensile bond strengths were recorded on enamel surfaces etched with 20% lactic acid. The rate and depth of etching obtained with 37% H3PO4 can be considerably reduced by using 10% pyruvic acid as the conditioning agent.", "contents": "Pyruvic acid as an etching agent. Phosphoric acid at different concentrations has been extensively used as an etching agent to improve bonding of dental materials to enamel surfaces. Recently attention has been drawn to the possible use of polyfunctional organic acids as conditioning agents. The object of this investigation was to determine the optimal concentration of pyruvic acid as an etching agent. A commercial composite resin with an intermediary bonding system supplied with 37% H3PO4 as an etching agent was used as the control system. In addition, a comparative study was carried out to evaluate 37% H3PO4, 20% lactic acid and the optimal concentration of pyruvic acid as conditioning solutions. Etching enamel surfaces with 10% pyruvic acid resulted in the optimal tensile bond strength of the resin to etched enamel surfaces. The use of 10% pyruvic acid did not adversely affect the bond strength of the resin system when compared to enamel surfaces etched with 37% H3PO4 for the same time period. Significantly lower tensile bond strengths were recorded on enamel surfaces etched with 20% lactic acid. The rate and depth of etching obtained with 37% H3PO4 can be considerably reduced by using 10% pyruvic acid as the conditioning agent.", "PMID": 789829} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8532", "title": "The use of root abutments in the support of complete dentures.", "content": "A clinical study of the use of root abutments as an aid to the support of complete dentures is presented. This technique offers a realistic alternative for patients who are reluctant to face the loss of their remaining natural teeth and the wearing of complete dentures. The abutments enhance the support and stability of the dentures and appear to slow the rate of alveolar resorption. The clinical procedures are straightforward and can be readily applied in general dental practice.", "contents": "The use of root abutments in the support of complete dentures. A clinical study of the use of root abutments as an aid to the support of complete dentures is presented. This technique offers a realistic alternative for patients who are reluctant to face the loss of their remaining natural teeth and the wearing of complete dentures. The abutments enhance the support and stability of the dentures and appear to slow the rate of alveolar resorption. The clinical procedures are straightforward and can be readily applied in general dental practice.", "PMID": 789830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8533", "title": "The long term bonding of a polymeric fissure sealant to stannous fluoride treated enamel.", "content": "A report is presented of extended studies of tensile bond strength of Nuva Seal to fluoride-treated enamel 1 week, 3 months and 9 months after application. The differences in strength were not statistically significant. The use of stannous fluoride as the topical agent did not lead to any marked evidence of enamel staining.", "contents": "The long term bonding of a polymeric fissure sealant to stannous fluoride treated enamel. A report is presented of extended studies of tensile bond strength of Nuva Seal to fluoride-treated enamel 1 week, 3 months and 9 months after application. The differences in strength were not statistically significant. The use of stannous fluoride as the topical agent did not lead to any marked evidence of enamel staining.", "PMID": 789831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8534", "title": "Marginal leakage with different composite restorative materials in vitro. Effect of cavity design.", "content": "In this preliminary study the degree of marginal leakage was assessed for different cavity designs using both ultra violet-curing and self-curing composite restorative materials and sealants. Butt joint restorations placed in etched and sealant primed cavities failed to prevent leakage. Both saucer-shaped and funnel-shaped cavities and cavities with rounded margins were able to prevent leakage when the restorations were bonded to etched and sealant primed peripheral enamel. Further, less than 1 mm of gingival enamel available for bonding seemed to be sufficient in most instances to prevent leakage.", "contents": "Marginal leakage with different composite restorative materials in vitro. Effect of cavity design. In this preliminary study the degree of marginal leakage was assessed for different cavity designs using both ultra violet-curing and self-curing composite restorative materials and sealants. Butt joint restorations placed in etched and sealant primed cavities failed to prevent leakage. Both saucer-shaped and funnel-shaped cavities and cavities with rounded margins were able to prevent leakage when the restorations were bonded to etched and sealant primed peripheral enamel. Further, less than 1 mm of gingival enamel available for bonding seemed to be sufficient in most instances to prevent leakage.", "PMID": 789832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8535", "title": "Stress distribution within circumferential clasp arms.", "content": "An analysis of stress distributions within circumferential clasp arms with various tapers, was undertaken in an effort to (1) determine the area of maximum stress concentration in both tapered and non-tapered clasps, and (2) to compare this point of maximum stress concentration with the area of frequent clasp breakage. The non-tapered clasp showed better distribution of stresses than the tapered clasps. The less favourable stress concentrations could result in eventual failure of the clasp when coupled with other factors such as porosities. The maximum shear stresses in the non-tapered clasp also were lower than those in the tapered clasps. As the taper of the clasp became more accentuated, the magnitude of the stresses increased and shifted towards the tip of the clasp. The maximum tensile stress calculated in a replica of a chromium-cobalt-nickel clasp was in the order of 34 MN/m2 which is well below the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy. This observation leads to the proposal that failure of clasps is a function not only of design but also of other variables, such as porosities, surface irregularities, and fatigue.", "contents": "Stress distribution within circumferential clasp arms. An analysis of stress distributions within circumferential clasp arms with various tapers, was undertaken in an effort to (1) determine the area of maximum stress concentration in both tapered and non-tapered clasps, and (2) to compare this point of maximum stress concentration with the area of frequent clasp breakage. The non-tapered clasp showed better distribution of stresses than the tapered clasps. The less favourable stress concentrations could result in eventual failure of the clasp when coupled with other factors such as porosities. The maximum shear stresses in the non-tapered clasp also were lower than those in the tapered clasps. As the taper of the clasp became more accentuated, the magnitude of the stresses increased and shifted towards the tip of the clasp. The maximum tensile stress calculated in a replica of a chromium-cobalt-nickel clasp was in the order of 34 MN/m2 which is well below the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy. This observation leads to the proposal that failure of clasps is a function not only of design but also of other variables, such as porosities, surface irregularities, and fatigue.", "PMID": 789833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8536", "title": "The linear model: a statistical tool applied to psychophysical research in dental prosthetics.", "content": "The construction of a linear model is described, and its function in analysing variations in the perception of comfortable mandibular occlusal positions is explained. In principle, the model combines analyses of variance and regression in a number of simple computer operations. Data from a clinical study were used to demonstrate the analytical capacity of a specific model, designed to estimate the effect of factors, which were supposed to influence the perception of comfortable mandibular positions.", "contents": "The linear model: a statistical tool applied to psychophysical research in dental prosthetics. The construction of a linear model is described, and its function in analysing variations in the perception of comfortable mandibular occlusal positions is explained. In principle, the model combines analyses of variance and regression in a number of simple computer operations. Data from a clinical study were used to demonstrate the analytical capacity of a specific model, designed to estimate the effect of factors, which were supposed to influence the perception of comfortable mandibular positions.", "PMID": 789834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8537", "title": "The cross sectional area of diaphragmatic muscle fibres in emphysema, measured by an automated image analysis system.", "content": "The cross-sectional area of diaphragmatic muscle fibres was measured using a Quantimet 720 image analysis system in 18 patients with emphysema and six control non-emphysematous patients. The technique proved to be an accurate method of measuring muscle fibre area and much more rapid than the previously described methods. The mean cross-sectional area of the muscle fibres in the emphysematous group was 1069-5 mum2 and this was significantly greater than the mean of the control group which was 851-0 mum2. In the emphysematous group nine patients who died from chronic airways obstruction had a larger mean muscle fibre area than the nine patients with non-fatal respiratory disease. The emphysematous patients showed a marked increase in the number of very large muscle fibres (2000-2200 mum2) in the diaphrahm and also an increased variation in size from fibre to fibre. The increase in muscle fibre size showed a positive correlation with ventricular weight but not with the amount of emphysema in the lungs. It would appear that although the excursion of the diaphragm is reduced in emphysema the muscle fibres do not atrophy but in fact undergo work hypertrophy. This is presumably due to the horizontal shortening of the muscle fibres, when the diaphragm is working at a poor mechanical advantage, because it cannot descend normally in emphysematous patients.", "contents": "The cross sectional area of diaphragmatic muscle fibres in emphysema, measured by an automated image analysis system. The cross-sectional area of diaphragmatic muscle fibres was measured using a Quantimet 720 image analysis system in 18 patients with emphysema and six control non-emphysematous patients. The technique proved to be an accurate method of measuring muscle fibre area and much more rapid than the previously described methods. The mean cross-sectional area of the muscle fibres in the emphysematous group was 1069-5 mum2 and this was significantly greater than the mean of the control group which was 851-0 mum2. In the emphysematous group nine patients who died from chronic airways obstruction had a larger mean muscle fibre area than the nine patients with non-fatal respiratory disease. The emphysematous patients showed a marked increase in the number of very large muscle fibres (2000-2200 mum2) in the diaphrahm and also an increased variation in size from fibre to fibre. The increase in muscle fibre size showed a positive correlation with ventricular weight but not with the amount of emphysema in the lungs. It would appear that although the excursion of the diaphragm is reduced in emphysema the muscle fibres do not atrophy but in fact undergo work hypertrophy. This is presumably due to the horizontal shortening of the muscle fibres, when the diaphragm is working at a poor mechanical advantage, because it cannot descend normally in emphysematous patients.", "PMID": 789835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8538", "title": "An ultrastructural analysis of lympho-reticular cell interactions in primary cultures of human non-lymphoid neoplasms and lymphomas.", "content": "The morphology and interactions of lymphoreticular cells in cultures of human tumour tissue was studied by transmission and surface scanning electron microscopy. Macrophages are very common in non-lymphoid neoplasms and vary considerably in shape and surface morphology, with features of mature stimulated cells. Lymphocytes adhere to macrophages more often than to tumour cells. Close contact between macrophages and tumour cells also occurs, but there is no evidence that the infiltrating macrophages or lymphocytes have an overt cytotoxic effect under these cultural conditions. A variety of interactions are seen in cultures of Hodgkin's lymphoma, lymphosarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma. The only cultural characteristics that may be specific for lymphoma tissue are large intravacuolar collections of lymphocytes within macrophages or giant cells and the rare close spatial relationship between lymphocytes and degenerate macrophages, the latter particularly in Hodgkin's lymphoma. These observations demonstrate the disturbed cellular interrelationships that exist in lymphoma tissue.", "contents": "An ultrastructural analysis of lympho-reticular cell interactions in primary cultures of human non-lymphoid neoplasms and lymphomas. The morphology and interactions of lymphoreticular cells in cultures of human tumour tissue was studied by transmission and surface scanning electron microscopy. Macrophages are very common in non-lymphoid neoplasms and vary considerably in shape and surface morphology, with features of mature stimulated cells. Lymphocytes adhere to macrophages more often than to tumour cells. Close contact between macrophages and tumour cells also occurs, but there is no evidence that the infiltrating macrophages or lymphocytes have an overt cytotoxic effect under these cultural conditions. A variety of interactions are seen in cultures of Hodgkin's lymphoma, lymphosarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma. The only cultural characteristics that may be specific for lymphoma tissue are large intravacuolar collections of lymphocytes within macrophages or giant cells and the rare close spatial relationship between lymphocytes and degenerate macrophages, the latter particularly in Hodgkin's lymphoma. These observations demonstrate the disturbed cellular interrelationships that exist in lymphoma tissue.", "PMID": 789836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8539", "title": "Canine leptospirosis: an immunopathological study of interstitial nephritis due to Leptospira canicola.", "content": "In an attempt to define the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in acute interstitial nephritis due to Leptospira canicola the kidneys of 14 dogs were subjected to histological immunofluorescence and elution studies. Leptospiral antigen was found in three sites within the kidney; as discrete organisms in the proximal tubules, as granular deposits in the cytoplasm of macrophages and in large extracellular clumps in the interstitium. Deposits of IgG were also detected in the latter site and in plasma cells found in the surrounding cellular infiltrate. Anti-leptospiral antibody, mainly of the IgG class, was detected in renal eluates using both agglutination-lysis and indirect immunofluorescence. From these findings it was considered that the cellular infiltrates found in the kidneys of dogs suffering from acute leptospiral nephritis have two main functions; firstly, the local production of anti-leptospiral antibody and, secondly, phagocytosis.", "contents": "Canine leptospirosis: an immunopathological study of interstitial nephritis due to Leptospira canicola. In an attempt to define the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in acute interstitial nephritis due to Leptospira canicola the kidneys of 14 dogs were subjected to histological immunofluorescence and elution studies. Leptospiral antigen was found in three sites within the kidney; as discrete organisms in the proximal tubules, as granular deposits in the cytoplasm of macrophages and in large extracellular clumps in the interstitium. Deposits of IgG were also detected in the latter site and in plasma cells found in the surrounding cellular infiltrate. Anti-leptospiral antibody, mainly of the IgG class, was detected in renal eluates using both agglutination-lysis and indirect immunofluorescence. From these findings it was considered that the cellular infiltrates found in the kidneys of dogs suffering from acute leptospiral nephritis have two main functions; firstly, the local production of anti-leptospiral antibody and, secondly, phagocytosis.", "PMID": 789837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8540", "title": "Pathology of the cervical spine in rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled study of 44 spines.", "content": "Cervical spines (with occiputs) of 44 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were compared with 44 control spines from patients without RA, matched for sex and age. There were six severe and seven slight atlanto-axial dislocations (both horizontal and vertical, two of which had been treated surgically) in the RA group and none in the control group. Ankylosis, synchondrosis, syndesmosis, bone erosions, and redness of synovial tissue in the atlanto-axial, atlanto-occipital and cervical intervertebral joints were more frequent in the RA group than in the control spines. The lesions permitting the best discrimination between the RA and control groups were used to calculate an overall score for the whole cervical spine. Sixteen of the 44 RA patients scored higher than the highest control value; only nine scored lower than the median control score. A higher score than the average value found for the RA spines was obtained by the male patients, the patients with seropositivity or subcutaneous nodules, the patients treated with corticosteroids, the patients who died in the Department of Rheumatology, and those whose death was related to the RA itself or to the treatment given.", "contents": "Pathology of the cervical spine in rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled study of 44 spines. Cervical spines (with occiputs) of 44 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were compared with 44 control spines from patients without RA, matched for sex and age. There were six severe and seven slight atlanto-axial dislocations (both horizontal and vertical, two of which had been treated surgically) in the RA group and none in the control group. Ankylosis, synchondrosis, syndesmosis, bone erosions, and redness of synovial tissue in the atlanto-axial, atlanto-occipital and cervical intervertebral joints were more frequent in the RA group than in the control spines. The lesions permitting the best discrimination between the RA and control groups were used to calculate an overall score for the whole cervical spine. Sixteen of the 44 RA patients scored higher than the highest control value; only nine scored lower than the median control score. A higher score than the average value found for the RA spines was obtained by the male patients, the patients with seropositivity or subcutaneous nodules, the patients treated with corticosteroids, the patients who died in the Department of Rheumatology, and those whose death was related to the RA itself or to the treatment given.", "PMID": 789838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8541", "title": "Skin lesions, angioedema, eosinophilia, and hypocomplementemia.", "content": "A six-year-old girl with recurrent urticaria and angioedema, vasculitis, and probable renal disease exhibited marked blood eosinophilia, increased levels of serum IgE, circulating Clq precipitins, and hypocomplementemia with evidence of activation of complement by the classic pathway. Biopsies of skin and muscle revealed heavy infiltrations of the vessel walls with eosinophils. Immunofluorescence studies revealed deposition of IgM, IgE, and C3 in the vessel walls. Exacerbations of the disease were associated with an increase in the eosinophil count and a decrease in the serum levels of C4 and C3. Remission was achieved with corticosteroid therapy. This patient has many features in common with the syndrome of skin lesions, angioedema, and hypocomplementemia recently described in adults.", "contents": "Skin lesions, angioedema, eosinophilia, and hypocomplementemia. A six-year-old girl with recurrent urticaria and angioedema, vasculitis, and probable renal disease exhibited marked blood eosinophilia, increased levels of serum IgE, circulating Clq precipitins, and hypocomplementemia with evidence of activation of complement by the classic pathway. Biopsies of skin and muscle revealed heavy infiltrations of the vessel walls with eosinophils. Immunofluorescence studies revealed deposition of IgM, IgE, and C3 in the vessel walls. Exacerbations of the disease were associated with an increase in the eosinophil count and a decrease in the serum levels of C4 and C3. Remission was achieved with corticosteroid therapy. This patient has many features in common with the syndrome of skin lesions, angioedema, and hypocomplementemia recently described in adults.", "PMID": 789839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8542", "title": "Parathyroid function in uremic children during periods of renal insufficiency, hemodialysis, and transplantation.", "content": "Function of the parathyroid gland was evaluated in children with renal insufficiency prior to and after imitation of hemodialysis, and again following renal transplantation. Serum levels of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone responded appropriately to increases or decreases of serum calcium concentrations in the three groups. Functional and histologic studies in the children with renal insufficiency demonstrated the cause of their elevated circulating levels of iPTH to be diffuse parathyroid hyperplasia. During hemodialysis, the serum concentration of calcium rose and that of iPTH decreased, when the calcium gradient between the dialysate and the blood favored movement of calcium into the body. During treatment with prednisolone (20 mg/kg intravenously) for reversal of renal transplant rejection, the serum concentration of calcium decreased and that of iPTH increased. These observations suggest that autonomy of the parathyroid gland rarely occurs in children with renal insufficiency, and that hemodialysis using a dialysate with a high concentration of calcium might assist in retarding the progression of renal osteodystrophy. Furthermore, if hyperparathyroidism contributes in part to growth failure in children with chronic renal disease, steroid-induced changes in cirulating iPTH following renal transplantation may inhibit growth.", "contents": "Parathyroid function in uremic children during periods of renal insufficiency, hemodialysis, and transplantation. Function of the parathyroid gland was evaluated in children with renal insufficiency prior to and after imitation of hemodialysis, and again following renal transplantation. Serum levels of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone responded appropriately to increases or decreases of serum calcium concentrations in the three groups. Functional and histologic studies in the children with renal insufficiency demonstrated the cause of their elevated circulating levels of iPTH to be diffuse parathyroid hyperplasia. During hemodialysis, the serum concentration of calcium rose and that of iPTH decreased, when the calcium gradient between the dialysate and the blood favored movement of calcium into the body. During treatment with prednisolone (20 mg/kg intravenously) for reversal of renal transplant rejection, the serum concentration of calcium decreased and that of iPTH increased. These observations suggest that autonomy of the parathyroid gland rarely occurs in children with renal insufficiency, and that hemodialysis using a dialysate with a high concentration of calcium might assist in retarding the progression of renal osteodystrophy. Furthermore, if hyperparathyroidism contributes in part to growth failure in children with chronic renal disease, steroid-induced changes in cirulating iPTH following renal transplantation may inhibit growth.", "PMID": 789840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8543", "title": "A prolonged nursery epidemic associated with a newly recognized type of group A streptococcus.", "content": "During a six-month period 69 infants in a newborn nursery were colonized with group A streptococci. Fifty-one had omphalitis, two infected circumcision wounds, and one each had meningitis, primary peritonitis, and conjunctivitis. Thirteen infants were asymptomatically colonized. Control of the epidemic was difficult. Benzathine penicillin prophylaxis to all infants suppressed active infection but did not eradicate asymptomatic colonization of the umbilical cord. Triple dye treatment of the umbilical cord plus benzathine penicillin prophylaxis eradicated the infection from the nursery. The epidemic streptococcus was a newly recognized \"\"skin strain,'' provisional type strain 5656-S, not previously known to cause epidemic disease or serious systemic infections.", "contents": "A prolonged nursery epidemic associated with a newly recognized type of group A streptococcus. During a six-month period 69 infants in a newborn nursery were colonized with group A streptococci. Fifty-one had omphalitis, two infected circumcision wounds, and one each had meningitis, primary peritonitis, and conjunctivitis. Thirteen infants were asymptomatically colonized. Control of the epidemic was difficult. Benzathine penicillin prophylaxis to all infants suppressed active infection but did not eradicate asymptomatic colonization of the umbilical cord. Triple dye treatment of the umbilical cord plus benzathine penicillin prophylaxis eradicated the infection from the nursery. The epidemic streptococcus was a newly recognized \"\"skin strain,'' provisional type strain 5656-S, not previously known to cause epidemic disease or serious systemic infections.", "PMID": 789841} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8544", "title": "Bactericidal capacity of monocytes of newborn infants.", "content": "The peripheral leukocytes of newborn infants and of adult volunteers were studied after separation of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells. Monocytes were identified and quantitated with the aid of histochemical staining. The in vitro killing capacity of PMN and of monocytes was assayed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The monocytes of both infants and adults were significantly less active than were their PMN, but the bactericidal capacity did not differ appreciably between newborn and adult cells of either type.", "contents": "Bactericidal capacity of monocytes of newborn infants. The peripheral leukocytes of newborn infants and of adult volunteers were studied after separation of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells. Monocytes were identified and quantitated with the aid of histochemical staining. The in vitro killing capacity of PMN and of monocytes was assayed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The monocytes of both infants and adults were significantly less active than were their PMN, but the bactericidal capacity did not differ appreciably between newborn and adult cells of either type.", "PMID": 789842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8545", "title": "Beclomethasone dipropionate in long-term treatment of asthma in children.", "content": "Beclomethasone dipropionate was found to be effective in reducing symptoms of asthma in children. There was no measurable influence on pulmonary function. An 18-month follow-up did not show untoward side effects on adrenal function, growth, serum electrolytes, and hepatic and renal functions with a dose of 100 mug three times daily. The treatment predisposes to the colonization with Candida albicans in the oropharynx.", "contents": "Beclomethasone dipropionate in long-term treatment of asthma in children. Beclomethasone dipropionate was found to be effective in reducing symptoms of asthma in children. There was no measurable influence on pulmonary function. An 18-month follow-up did not show untoward side effects on adrenal function, growth, serum electrolytes, and hepatic and renal functions with a dose of 100 mug three times daily. The treatment predisposes to the colonization with Candida albicans in the oropharynx.", "PMID": 789844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8546", "title": "Theophylline pharmacokinetics in premature infants with apnea.", "content": "The pharmacokinetics of theophylline were examined in eight low-birth-weight infants (gestation: 26-32 weeks: birth-weight: 887-1,480 gm), who received the drug for treatment of primary apnea. The drug was assayed by high pressure liquid chromatography. The final dosage was 1 to 3 mg/kg/6 hour at 25 to 37 days of age. At the time, theophylline had a prolonged half-life ranging from 13 to 29 hours, a relatively large volume of distribution of 0.65 to 2.86 1/kg, and a small body clearance of 23 to 68 ml/hr/kg. The extremely slow and variable elimination of theophylline must be considered in treatment of apneic infants. The initial dosage regimen suggested is a loading dose of 6 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 2 mg/kg/ 12 hours, with adjustments made based on monitoring of the serum concentration and on an increased biotransformation capability as maturation occurs.", "contents": "Theophylline pharmacokinetics in premature infants with apnea. The pharmacokinetics of theophylline were examined in eight low-birth-weight infants (gestation: 26-32 weeks: birth-weight: 887-1,480 gm), who received the drug for treatment of primary apnea. The drug was assayed by high pressure liquid chromatography. The final dosage was 1 to 3 mg/kg/6 hour at 25 to 37 days of age. At the time, theophylline had a prolonged half-life ranging from 13 to 29 hours, a relatively large volume of distribution of 0.65 to 2.86 1/kg, and a small body clearance of 23 to 68 ml/hr/kg. The extremely slow and variable elimination of theophylline must be considered in treatment of apneic infants. The initial dosage regimen suggested is a loading dose of 6 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 2 mg/kg/ 12 hours, with adjustments made based on monitoring of the serum concentration and on an increased biotransformation capability as maturation occurs.", "PMID": 789845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8547", "title": "Cultivation of the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium berghei in primary bone marrow cells.", "content": "Cultures of primary bone marrow cells, obtained from the tibiae and femora of hamsters (HBM), mice (MBM), or rats (RBM) were inoculated with red cells infected with Plasmodium berghei, P. vinckei vinckei, or P. knowlesi. Merozoites, rings, trophozoites, schizonts and a few gametocytes were seen in HBM and MBM cells inoculated with P. berghe-infected red cells. At 1 to 2 or 3 days after inoculation in HBM and MBM, the number of intracellular asexual stages decreased slightly or remained the same, whereas at 3 to 7 or 8 days a 4 to 7-fold increase occurred. Parasites then decreased in number from days 8 to 11 and no parasites were seen on day 12. Intracellular parasites were most numerous at 7 and 8 days in MBM and HBM cultures, respectively. Mice injected with supernatant or cells from control cultures (without cultured cells) or primary cultures inoculated 1 and 2 days earlier with P. berghei- or P. vinckei vinckei-infected red cells always became infected. Mice injected with material from 3-day-old control and experimental cultures usually became infected, and those injected with 4- to 12-day-old cultures never became infected.", "contents": "Cultivation of the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium berghei in primary bone marrow cells. Cultures of primary bone marrow cells, obtained from the tibiae and femora of hamsters (HBM), mice (MBM), or rats (RBM) were inoculated with red cells infected with Plasmodium berghei, P. vinckei vinckei, or P. knowlesi. Merozoites, rings, trophozoites, schizonts and a few gametocytes were seen in HBM and MBM cells inoculated with P. berghe-infected red cells. At 1 to 2 or 3 days after inoculation in HBM and MBM, the number of intracellular asexual stages decreased slightly or remained the same, whereas at 3 to 7 or 8 days a 4 to 7-fold increase occurred. Parasites then decreased in number from days 8 to 11 and no parasites were seen on day 12. Intracellular parasites were most numerous at 7 and 8 days in MBM and HBM cultures, respectively. Mice injected with supernatant or cells from control cultures (without cultured cells) or primary cultures inoculated 1 and 2 days earlier with P. berghei- or P. vinckei vinckei-infected red cells always became infected. Mice injected with material from 3-day-old control and experimental cultures usually became infected, and those injected with 4- to 12-day-old cultures never became infected.", "PMID": 789846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8548", "title": "Schizont-infected cell enrichment in rodent malaria.", "content": "Mouse erythrocytes parasitized with Plasmodium berghei or Plasmodium yoelii were separated by ultracentrifugation using preformed isodensity gradients of the discontinuous type. Three fractions were obtained following centrifugation, the upper of which contained greater than 90% of all schizont-infected cells added to the gradient. The gradient material, Stractan II, is an arabinogalactan polysaccharide and appears to yield results similar to those available using gradients of bovine serum albumin. Cells are not altered morphologically or physiologically (as assessed by infectivity) by the treatment.", "contents": "Schizont-infected cell enrichment in rodent malaria. Mouse erythrocytes parasitized with Plasmodium berghei or Plasmodium yoelii were separated by ultracentrifugation using preformed isodensity gradients of the discontinuous type. Three fractions were obtained following centrifugation, the upper of which contained greater than 90% of all schizont-infected cells added to the gradient. The gradient material, Stractan II, is an arabinogalactan polysaccharide and appears to yield results similar to those available using gradients of bovine serum albumin. Cells are not altered morphologically or physiologically (as assessed by infectivity) by the treatment.", "PMID": 789847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8549", "title": "Stimulation of resistance in mice to sporozoite-induced Plasmodium berghei malaria by injections of avian exoerythrocytic forms.", "content": "Mice received a series of injections of formalin-killed merozoites (FKM) of exoerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium fallax prior to challenge with sporozoites of P. berghei. In one study 4 of 16 FKM-immunized mice never exhibited parasitized erythrocytes after 2 challenges of 10(4) P. berghei sporozoites each, while all control animals died with high parasitemias. FKM-immunized mice were as susceptible as control mice to infections initiated with parasitized erythrocytes. In a second study, 14 of 16 mice immunized via the intravenous (i.v.) or combined intramuscular (i.m.) and i.v. routes were immune to an initial challenge with 10(4) sporozoites, but were susceptible to a second challenge. Three injections of FKM via the i.m. or intraperitoneal routes did not elicit a protective response against sporozoite challenge. Sera harvested from FKM-immunized and control mice prior to challenge produced no visible CSP reaction with P. berghei sporozoites, nor was infectivity of sporozoites altered after incubation in sera, showing that SNA was absent. In additional experiments results were less encouraging. An attempt to repeat the result of the second experiment failed. Each of 5 mice which received the same number of FKM by a similar schedule became infected after sporozoite challenge. In an additional study the immunization schedule was increased from 3 to 7 injections of FKM and 40% of FKM-immunized mice resisted challenge. However, mice which had received FKM prior to sporozoite challenge consistently displayed an increased prepatent period compared with control animals. A department from methods of the more successful studies was necessitated in these later studies in which FKM were harvested from cell cultures maintained for longer periods of time.", "contents": "Stimulation of resistance in mice to sporozoite-induced Plasmodium berghei malaria by injections of avian exoerythrocytic forms. Mice received a series of injections of formalin-killed merozoites (FKM) of exoerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium fallax prior to challenge with sporozoites of P. berghei. In one study 4 of 16 FKM-immunized mice never exhibited parasitized erythrocytes after 2 challenges of 10(4) P. berghei sporozoites each, while all control animals died with high parasitemias. FKM-immunized mice were as susceptible as control mice to infections initiated with parasitized erythrocytes. In a second study, 14 of 16 mice immunized via the intravenous (i.v.) or combined intramuscular (i.m.) and i.v. routes were immune to an initial challenge with 10(4) sporozoites, but were susceptible to a second challenge. Three injections of FKM via the i.m. or intraperitoneal routes did not elicit a protective response against sporozoite challenge. Sera harvested from FKM-immunized and control mice prior to challenge produced no visible CSP reaction with P. berghei sporozoites, nor was infectivity of sporozoites altered after incubation in sera, showing that SNA was absent. In additional experiments results were less encouraging. An attempt to repeat the result of the second experiment failed. Each of 5 mice which received the same number of FKM by a similar schedule became infected after sporozoite challenge. In an additional study the immunization schedule was increased from 3 to 7 injections of FKM and 40% of FKM-immunized mice resisted challenge. However, mice which had received FKM prior to sporozoite challenge consistently displayed an increased prepatent period compared with control animals. A department from methods of the more successful studies was necessitated in these later studies in which FKM were harvested from cell cultures maintained for longer periods of time.", "PMID": 789848} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8550", "title": "A fluidic-controlled, miniature respirator with a new positive airway pressure device.", "content": "A simple and miniature respirator was developed providing controlled ventilation and application of a positive airway pressure. The positive airway pressure is achieved by an airflow through a canula into the airways. During expiration the direction of this insufflated air-flow is changed and the dynamic pressure necessary for it manifests itself as a positive airway pressure. Mechanical ventilation functions according to the principle of the Ayre-T-Piece: flow direction and, therefore ventilation, is controlled by occlusion of the expiratory limb. Occlusion is brought about by inflating a balloon. The inflation of the balloon is controlled by fluidic-circuits. They allow setting of frequency, duration of inspiration and pressure limit. As the above mentioned system for creating a positive airway pressure is integrated, mechanical ventilation with PEEP is achieved. Tests on a lung model were performed to establish the variables which influence the amount of positive pressure produced by an air-flow through a canula into a tube. Results indicate that the positive pressure obtained is inversely correlated to the diameter of tube and canula and varies with the angle of inflow (Tab. I, II, Fig. 4). The pressure-rise-velocity depicted in Fig. 5 suggests that sighing is possible in an open system. On an anencephalic newborn pressure-flow-ratios were established (Fig. 6). Pressure-time curves during spontaneous breathing, CPAP assisted breathing and sighing combined with CPAP were recorded in a 3 month old baby (Fig. 7, 8, 9). The discussion states the technical performance of the respirator (frequency 100/min-1/3 min., tidal volume 5-100 ml, controlled ventilation with pressure limitation, application of PEEP) and additional advantages (no apparatus deadspace, disposable i.e. sterile air supply-system, the miniature dimensions 10 x 10 x 5 cm, versatility and simple therefore technically reliable construction).", "contents": "A fluidic-controlled, miniature respirator with a new positive airway pressure device. A simple and miniature respirator was developed providing controlled ventilation and application of a positive airway pressure. The positive airway pressure is achieved by an airflow through a canula into the airways. During expiration the direction of this insufflated air-flow is changed and the dynamic pressure necessary for it manifests itself as a positive airway pressure. Mechanical ventilation functions according to the principle of the Ayre-T-Piece: flow direction and, therefore ventilation, is controlled by occlusion of the expiratory limb. Occlusion is brought about by inflating a balloon. The inflation of the balloon is controlled by fluidic-circuits. They allow setting of frequency, duration of inspiration and pressure limit. As the above mentioned system for creating a positive airway pressure is integrated, mechanical ventilation with PEEP is achieved. Tests on a lung model were performed to establish the variables which influence the amount of positive pressure produced by an air-flow through a canula into a tube. Results indicate that the positive pressure obtained is inversely correlated to the diameter of tube and canula and varies with the angle of inflow (Tab. I, II, Fig. 4). The pressure-rise-velocity depicted in Fig. 5 suggests that sighing is possible in an open system. On an anencephalic newborn pressure-flow-ratios were established (Fig. 6). Pressure-time curves during spontaneous breathing, CPAP assisted breathing and sighing combined with CPAP were recorded in a 3 month old baby (Fig. 7, 8, 9). The discussion states the technical performance of the respirator (frequency 100/min-1/3 min., tidal volume 5-100 ml, controlled ventilation with pressure limitation, application of PEEP) and additional advantages (no apparatus deadspace, disposable i.e. sterile air supply-system, the miniature dimensions 10 x 10 x 5 cm, versatility and simple therefore technically reliable construction).", "PMID": 789851} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8551", "title": "The effect of folic acid on gingival health.", "content": "On days 0 and 30 of a double blind study, two groups of 15 subjects each were evaluated using a plaque index, a gingival index, a gingival exudate flow and fasting plasma folic acid levels. Group I received 2 mg of folic acid twice daily for 30 days while Group II received a placebo. Results of the study seem to indicate that folic acid supplemented to the diet may increase the resistance of the gingiva to local irritants and thus lead to a reduction in inflammation.", "contents": "The effect of folic acid on gingival health. On days 0 and 30 of a double blind study, two groups of 15 subjects each were evaluated using a plaque index, a gingival index, a gingival exudate flow and fasting plasma folic acid levels. Group I received 2 mg of folic acid twice daily for 30 days while Group II received a placebo. Results of the study seem to indicate that folic acid supplemented to the diet may increase the resistance of the gingiva to local irritants and thus lead to a reduction in inflammation.", "PMID": 789852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8552", "title": "Microbial contamination of dental units and ultrasonic scalers.", "content": "Microbial contamination of the water system in 12 dental units and nine ultrasonic scalers was investigated. Water samples from ultrasonic scalers, high-speed handpieces and water syringe lines showed microbial concentrations of up to 2.6 million, 3.3 million and 190,000 colony forming units/ml respectively. Flushing the lines for 2 minutes reduced the microbial levels, but complete elimination of all bacteria was not achieved. The infectious potential of contaminated water, to the dentists and patients, particularly the compromised host is discussed.", "contents": "Microbial contamination of dental units and ultrasonic scalers. Microbial contamination of the water system in 12 dental units and nine ultrasonic scalers was investigated. Water samples from ultrasonic scalers, high-speed handpieces and water syringe lines showed microbial concentrations of up to 2.6 million, 3.3 million and 190,000 colony forming units/ml respectively. Flushing the lines for 2 minutes reduced the microbial levels, but complete elimination of all bacteria was not achieved. The infectious potential of contaminated water, to the dentists and patients, particularly the compromised host is discussed.", "PMID": 789853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8553", "title": "Synthesis and properties of mesoionic pyrimido[1,2-b-a1pyridazine-2,4-diones and mesoionic pyridazino[2,3-a-a1-s-trizine-2,4-diones: mesoionic analogs structurally related to fervenulin.", "content": "Derivatives of two new and unusual classes of heterocycles, possessing structural similarities to the broad spectrum antibiotic fervenulin, were synthesized and examined for in vitro antimicrobial activity. Only three of 17 mesoionic pyrimido[1,2-b]pyridazine-2,4-diones exhibited evidence of antimicrobial activity while seven of eight mesoionic pyridazino[2,3-a]-s-triazine-2,4-diones were active against one or more microorganisms. Susceptibility toward attack by nucleophiles of both mesoionic pyridazino[2,3-a]-s-triazine-2,4-diones and fervenulin was observed.", "contents": "Synthesis and properties of mesoionic pyrimido[1,2-b-a1pyridazine-2,4-diones and mesoionic pyridazino[2,3-a-a1-s-trizine-2,4-diones: mesoionic analogs structurally related to fervenulin. Derivatives of two new and unusual classes of heterocycles, possessing structural similarities to the broad spectrum antibiotic fervenulin, were synthesized and examined for in vitro antimicrobial activity. Only three of 17 mesoionic pyrimido[1,2-b]pyridazine-2,4-diones exhibited evidence of antimicrobial activity while seven of eight mesoionic pyridazino[2,3-a]-s-triazine-2,4-diones were active against one or more microorganisms. Susceptibility toward attack by nucleophiles of both mesoionic pyridazino[2,3-a]-s-triazine-2,4-diones and fervenulin was observed.", "PMID": 789854} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8554", "title": "Pharmacokinetics and plasma binding of diazepam in man, dog, rabbit, guinea pig and rat.", "content": "The pharmacokinetics and plasma binding of diazepam were compared in man, dog, rabbit, guinea pig and rat. Diazepam (D) and its major metabolite, desmethyl-diazepam, were measured in blood and plasma by a specific and sensitive gas-liquid chromatography assay with an electron capture detector. After an intravenous bolus injection plasma levels of D declined biexponentially in all species examined and the data were analyzed according to the two-compartment open model. The binding of D and desmethyldiazepam has been determined at therapeutic concentrations by equilibrium dialysis in man (96.8 and 96.6%, respectively), dog (96.0 and 95.9%), rabbit (89.9 and 94.7%), guinea pig (91.3 and 78.6%) and rat (86.3 and 90.5%). In man, the elimination half-life, T1/2(beta), increased significantly (P less than .01) with decreasing total plasma clearance (Cl). Plasma binding affected Vd and Cl, but only Cl increased significantly (P less than .05), if more free D was available. This indicates that unbound drug is rate-determining for clearance by the liver, and that D fits into the restrictive elimination class in man. In the four animal species tested, Cl was a direct linear function of the body surface area. T1/2(beta) and the rates of drug clearance were characteristic figures for each species: from 1.1 hours and 81.6 ml/min/kg in the rat to 32.9 hours and 0.35 ml/min/kg in man, whereas T1/2(alpha), the half-life of distribution, varied only approximately 3-fold (0.3-1.0 hours) in the different species. A considerably higher extraction ratio than the unbound fraction of diazepam exists in these animal species, and blood clearance exceeds liver blood flow, giving reason to assume a much higher ability of the liver to metabolize D, and a species-dependent extrahepatic metabolism. The large variations described suggest that pharmacokinetic data or plasma binding results cannot simply be extrapolated to man.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics and plasma binding of diazepam in man, dog, rabbit, guinea pig and rat. The pharmacokinetics and plasma binding of diazepam were compared in man, dog, rabbit, guinea pig and rat. Diazepam (D) and its major metabolite, desmethyl-diazepam, were measured in blood and plasma by a specific and sensitive gas-liquid chromatography assay with an electron capture detector. After an intravenous bolus injection plasma levels of D declined biexponentially in all species examined and the data were analyzed according to the two-compartment open model. The binding of D and desmethyldiazepam has been determined at therapeutic concentrations by equilibrium dialysis in man (96.8 and 96.6%, respectively), dog (96.0 and 95.9%), rabbit (89.9 and 94.7%), guinea pig (91.3 and 78.6%) and rat (86.3 and 90.5%). In man, the elimination half-life, T1/2(beta), increased significantly (P less than .01) with decreasing total plasma clearance (Cl). Plasma binding affected Vd and Cl, but only Cl increased significantly (P less than .05), if more free D was available. This indicates that unbound drug is rate-determining for clearance by the liver, and that D fits into the restrictive elimination class in man. In the four animal species tested, Cl was a direct linear function of the body surface area. T1/2(beta) and the rates of drug clearance were characteristic figures for each species: from 1.1 hours and 81.6 ml/min/kg in the rat to 32.9 hours and 0.35 ml/min/kg in man, whereas T1/2(alpha), the half-life of distribution, varied only approximately 3-fold (0.3-1.0 hours) in the different species. A considerably higher extraction ratio than the unbound fraction of diazepam exists in these animal species, and blood clearance exceeds liver blood flow, giving reason to assume a much higher ability of the liver to metabolize D, and a species-dependent extrahepatic metabolism. The large variations described suggest that pharmacokinetic data or plasma binding results cannot simply be extrapolated to man.", "PMID": 789856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8555", "title": "Pepsin secretion in the anaesthetized cat and the effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation.", "content": "1. Experiments were performed on chloralose anaesthetized cats and gastric mucosal blood flow, acid and pepsin secretions were measured. Gastric mucosal pepsin and protein contents were measured at the end of the experiments which were done in three groups: gastrin (A), vagal (B), vagal and sympathetic nerve (C) stimulations. 2. Vagal stimulation significantly reduced (76%) the pepsin content of gastric mucosa compared with gastrin stimulated animals, none of which secreted pepsin. 3. The sum of the secreted and extracted pepsins for all the three groups was not significantly different. There was no significant difference in the extracted protein from any of the groups. 4. Gastric mucosal blood flow, acid and pepsin outputs all had significant correlations with time during the first 70 min of vagal stimulation. During the period 80-160 min of vagal stimulation acid secretion and mucosal blood flow were not correlated with time but pepsin output declined significantly. From 170 to 220 min of vagal stimulation, acid and pepsin outputs and mucosal blood flow were not correlated with time. 5. The assumed pepsin store during each period was calculated and after 40 min of vagal stimulation there is a constant percentage pepsin output from this assumed store. 6. There is some data to suggest that pepsinogen synthesis was occurring during the period 170-220 min of vagal stimulation. 7. Sympathetic nerve stimulation which started at 160 min after the beginning of sustained vagal stimulation, significantly inhibited gastric acid secretion and mucosal blood flow, and in addition it significantly inhibited pepsin secretion. This is consistent with the hypothesis that sympathetic nerve inhibition of gastric mucosal function is mediated by a vasoconstrictor mechanism.", "contents": "Pepsin secretion in the anaesthetized cat and the effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation. 1. Experiments were performed on chloralose anaesthetized cats and gastric mucosal blood flow, acid and pepsin secretions were measured. Gastric mucosal pepsin and protein contents were measured at the end of the experiments which were done in three groups: gastrin (A), vagal (B), vagal and sympathetic nerve (C) stimulations. 2. Vagal stimulation significantly reduced (76%) the pepsin content of gastric mucosa compared with gastrin stimulated animals, none of which secreted pepsin. 3. The sum of the secreted and extracted pepsins for all the three groups was not significantly different. There was no significant difference in the extracted protein from any of the groups. 4. Gastric mucosal blood flow, acid and pepsin outputs all had significant correlations with time during the first 70 min of vagal stimulation. During the period 80-160 min of vagal stimulation acid secretion and mucosal blood flow were not correlated with time but pepsin output declined significantly. From 170 to 220 min of vagal stimulation, acid and pepsin outputs and mucosal blood flow were not correlated with time. 5. The assumed pepsin store during each period was calculated and after 40 min of vagal stimulation there is a constant percentage pepsin output from this assumed store. 6. There is some data to suggest that pepsinogen synthesis was occurring during the period 170-220 min of vagal stimulation. 7. Sympathetic nerve stimulation which started at 160 min after the beginning of sustained vagal stimulation, significantly inhibited gastric acid secretion and mucosal blood flow, and in addition it significantly inhibited pepsin secretion. This is consistent with the hypothesis that sympathetic nerve inhibition of gastric mucosal function is mediated by a vasoconstrictor mechanism.", "PMID": 789860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8556", "title": "Adrenal and pancreatic endocrine responses to hypoxia in the conscious calf.", "content": "1. Pancreatic and adrenal responses to intense hypoxia have been examined in conscious unrestrained calves 3-5 weeks after birth. 2. The outputs of both cortisol and corticosterone from the right adrenal gland rose steadily in response to hypoxia and this cortical secretory response was accompanied by a pronounced increase in blood flow through the gland. The changes in both steroid output and adrenal blood flow corresponded with those which occur in response to supramaximal doses of corticotrophin in calves of the same age. 3. Neither adrenaline nor noradrenaline were released in significant amounts from the adrenal medulla until the arterial PO2 had fallen below 15 mmHg. Such severe hypoxia caused secretion of catecholamines at rates comparable with those recorded during maximal stimulation of the sympathetic innervation to the gland in anaesthetized calves. The response to intense hypoxia in these conscious calves differed from that which occurs under anaesthesia in that the amount of adrenaline released was invariably greater than that of noradrenaline. 4. Severe hypoxia produced a rapid but transient increase in plasma glucagon concentration, followed by a pronounced rise in plasma glucose concentration in animals with abundant liver glycogen. No change in plasma insulin concentration was observed during hypoxia although it rose subsequently in response to hyperglycaemia. 5. Bilateral section of the splanchnic nerves virtually abolished the release of catecholamines in response to hypoxia but the adrenal cortical and pancreatic responses did not appear to be affected.", "contents": "Adrenal and pancreatic endocrine responses to hypoxia in the conscious calf. 1. Pancreatic and adrenal responses to intense hypoxia have been examined in conscious unrestrained calves 3-5 weeks after birth. 2. The outputs of both cortisol and corticosterone from the right adrenal gland rose steadily in response to hypoxia and this cortical secretory response was accompanied by a pronounced increase in blood flow through the gland. The changes in both steroid output and adrenal blood flow corresponded with those which occur in response to supramaximal doses of corticotrophin in calves of the same age. 3. Neither adrenaline nor noradrenaline were released in significant amounts from the adrenal medulla until the arterial PO2 had fallen below 15 mmHg. Such severe hypoxia caused secretion of catecholamines at rates comparable with those recorded during maximal stimulation of the sympathetic innervation to the gland in anaesthetized calves. The response to intense hypoxia in these conscious calves differed from that which occurs under anaesthesia in that the amount of adrenaline released was invariably greater than that of noradrenaline. 4. Severe hypoxia produced a rapid but transient increase in plasma glucagon concentration, followed by a pronounced rise in plasma glucose concentration in animals with abundant liver glycogen. No change in plasma insulin concentration was observed during hypoxia although it rose subsequently in response to hyperglycaemia. 5. Bilateral section of the splanchnic nerves virtually abolished the release of catecholamines in response to hypoxia but the adrenal cortical and pancreatic responses did not appear to be affected.", "PMID": 789861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8557", "title": "Controlling anomalies of vertical dimension and speech.", "content": "In this article, definite ways and means have been discussed for controlling the the verticale dimension of occlusion by using certain tooth-to-tooth and tooth-to-tissue relations that exist in normal speech. The primary emphasis is placed on managing the problems encountered in the most troublesome types of patients--those with Class II occlusions, the tongue thrusters, and those who lisp. It is not easy to identify those patients in whom these problems previously existed after they become edentulous. An Analytical Control Chart has been introduced which can be used to separate these problem patients from the normal ones, and a step-by-step procedure for their management can be followed. Also the phases of this approach which are beneficial in restorative dentistry are reviewed.", "contents": "Controlling anomalies of vertical dimension and speech. In this article, definite ways and means have been discussed for controlling the the verticale dimension of occlusion by using certain tooth-to-tooth and tooth-to-tissue relations that exist in normal speech. The primary emphasis is placed on managing the problems encountered in the most troublesome types of patients--those with Class II occlusions, the tongue thrusters, and those who lisp. It is not easy to identify those patients in whom these problems previously existed after they become edentulous. An Analytical Control Chart has been introduced which can be used to separate these problem patients from the normal ones, and a step-by-step procedure for their management can be followed. Also the phases of this approach which are beneficial in restorative dentistry are reviewed.", "PMID": 789862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8558", "title": "The residual ridge in partially edentulous patients.", "content": "The residual ridge which forms after the extraction of teeth is characterized by a loss of substance when compared with the dentulous ridge. The residual ridge shrinks in an apical direction and shifts lingually. This remodeling pattern takes place mainly at the expense of the bony crest, the buccal plate of the alveolar process, and the gingival tissues covering it. The lingual positioning of the residual ridge crest was observed in maxillary and mandibular specimens in all the regions of the jaws and regardless of the number of teeth missing. Cross sections of the residual ridge were square, parabolic, or tapered. The base of the pontic for a fixed partial denture should be made buccolingually as the mirror image of the crest of the residual ridge it is to contact, and it should follow mesiodistally the contour and length of the clinical crowns of the adjacent abutment teeth.", "contents": "The residual ridge in partially edentulous patients. The residual ridge which forms after the extraction of teeth is characterized by a loss of substance when compared with the dentulous ridge. The residual ridge shrinks in an apical direction and shifts lingually. This remodeling pattern takes place mainly at the expense of the bony crest, the buccal plate of the alveolar process, and the gingival tissues covering it. The lingual positioning of the residual ridge crest was observed in maxillary and mandibular specimens in all the regions of the jaws and regardless of the number of teeth missing. Cross sections of the residual ridge were square, parabolic, or tapered. The base of the pontic for a fixed partial denture should be made buccolingually as the mirror image of the crest of the residual ridge it is to contact, and it should follow mesiodistally the contour and length of the clinical crowns of the adjacent abutment teeth.", "PMID": 789863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8559", "title": "A stent for a split-thickness skin graft vestibuloplasty.", "content": "Accepting the requirement that there must be intimate contact between a split-thickness skin graft and the underlying periosteum in a vestibuloplasty, a method of forming a stent to meet this.criterion is presented. The procedure uses an overextended impression and a custom-made acrylic resin base. Two methods of modifying the base with a secondary impression to form a stent at the time of the operation are described.", "contents": "A stent for a split-thickness skin graft vestibuloplasty. Accepting the requirement that there must be intimate contact between a split-thickness skin graft and the underlying periosteum in a vestibuloplasty, a method of forming a stent to meet this.criterion is presented. The procedure uses an overextended impression and a custom-made acrylic resin base. Two methods of modifying the base with a secondary impression to form a stent at the time of the operation are described.", "PMID": 789867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8560", "title": "Relationship of investing medium to occlusal changes and vertical opening during denture construction.", "content": "Four groups of 20 dentures with nonanatomic teeth were processed using four different investing techniques. The incisal guide pin was measured and recorded before processing and again after processing and remounting of each denture on the articulator. The difference between the two readings indicated vertical changes during processing. The least vertical opening and a complete absence of occlusal changes occurred in the dentures invested in the plaster of paris core with an artificial stone cap. The following conclusions were made: (1) Vertical opening in denture processing can be minimized by investing in plaster of paris molds with a stone occlusal matrix. (2) Tooth movement is minimized by the use of this investment combination. (3) Inadequate investing procedures contribute to vertical opening and occlusal discrepancies. (4) Vertical opening of dentures processed by compression molding technique may be due to other factors. This can only be determined by further investigation.", "contents": "Relationship of investing medium to occlusal changes and vertical opening during denture construction. Four groups of 20 dentures with nonanatomic teeth were processed using four different investing techniques. The incisal guide pin was measured and recorded before processing and again after processing and remounting of each denture on the articulator. The difference between the two readings indicated vertical changes during processing. The least vertical opening and a complete absence of occlusal changes occurred in the dentures invested in the plaster of paris core with an artificial stone cap. The following conclusions were made: (1) Vertical opening in denture processing can be minimized by investing in plaster of paris molds with a stone occlusal matrix. (2) Tooth movement is minimized by the use of this investment combination. (3) Inadequate investing procedures contribute to vertical opening and occlusal discrepancies. (4) Vertical opening of dentures processed by compression molding technique may be due to other factors. This can only be determined by further investigation.", "PMID": 789871} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8561", "title": "The bond strengths of resin systems to etched enamel.", "content": "This study was undertaken to compare the resin-enamel bond strengths of seven anterior restorative resins using the acid-etch technique. Six of the materials (Restodent, Enamelite, Smile, Nuva-System, Concise, and Adaptic) were composite resins. Only one, Sevriton, was an unfilled resin. Of the seven, only Sevriton and Smile were not designed for the acid-etch technique. Of the materials tested, Sevriton and Enamelite had the weakest bonds. There was no significant difference in the bond strength among Nuva-System, Smile, and Restodent; the bonds of all these were stronger than those of Sevriton and Enamelite. Concise showed a significantly greater bond strength than all the other materials in the study except Adaptic and the Nuva-System. The resin-enamel bond strength of Adaptic was of a greater magnitude than that of all other test materials.", "contents": "The bond strengths of resin systems to etched enamel. This study was undertaken to compare the resin-enamel bond strengths of seven anterior restorative resins using the acid-etch technique. Six of the materials (Restodent, Enamelite, Smile, Nuva-System, Concise, and Adaptic) were composite resins. Only one, Sevriton, was an unfilled resin. Of the seven, only Sevriton and Smile were not designed for the acid-etch technique. Of the materials tested, Sevriton and Enamelite had the weakest bonds. There was no significant difference in the bond strength among Nuva-System, Smile, and Restodent; the bonds of all these were stronger than those of Sevriton and Enamelite. Concise showed a significantly greater bond strength than all the other materials in the study except Adaptic and the Nuva-System. The resin-enamel bond strength of Adaptic was of a greater magnitude than that of all other test materials.", "PMID": 789872} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8562", "title": "Porcelain shoulder adaptation using direct refractory dies.", "content": "Eleven direct refractory dies were made from separate polysulfide rubber impressions of two Dentoform teeth which had been prepared for porcelain-fused-to-gold veneer crowns with labial porcelain shoulders. Porcelain veneer crowns were built and fired directly on the dies, following the manufacturer's instructions and using a common laboratory technique. The finished crowns were seated on the Dentoform teeth, and the porcelain-tooth adaptation was measured with a micrometer eyepiece in a dissecting microscope. In general, the study indicated that by use of a direct refractory die, the porcelain adaptation of an average porcelain shoulder veneer crown could be made to fall within the tolerances of a clinically acceptable gold margin (39 mu).21 The crown could likewise be made to adapt closer than the normal thickness of cement film may allow (20 to 40 mu).22 However the adaptation of many crowns was more uneven than the above statements would tend to indicate. The study also showed that with great care and a limited number of firings, margins of a lesser thickness than a piece of 0.001 inch (25.4 mu) platinum foil could be attained. There appears to be promise in the use of a direct refractory die material. However, more studies are needed to overcome some of the problems in the technique described.", "contents": "Porcelain shoulder adaptation using direct refractory dies. Eleven direct refractory dies were made from separate polysulfide rubber impressions of two Dentoform teeth which had been prepared for porcelain-fused-to-gold veneer crowns with labial porcelain shoulders. Porcelain veneer crowns were built and fired directly on the dies, following the manufacturer's instructions and using a common laboratory technique. The finished crowns were seated on the Dentoform teeth, and the porcelain-tooth adaptation was measured with a micrometer eyepiece in a dissecting microscope. In general, the study indicated that by use of a direct refractory die, the porcelain adaptation of an average porcelain shoulder veneer crown could be made to fall within the tolerances of a clinically acceptable gold margin (39 mu).21 The crown could likewise be made to adapt closer than the normal thickness of cement film may allow (20 to 40 mu).22 However the adaptation of many crowns was more uneven than the above statements would tend to indicate. The study also showed that with great care and a limited number of firings, margins of a lesser thickness than a piece of 0.001 inch (25.4 mu) platinum foil could be attained. There appears to be promise in the use of a direct refractory die material. However, more studies are needed to overcome some of the problems in the technique described.", "PMID": 789873} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8563", "title": "Midline granuloma and Wegener's granulomatosis: clinical & therapeutic considerations.", "content": "Midline granuloma (MG), limited Wegener's granulomatosis (LWG), and generalized Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) have been viewed by some investigators as representing an interrelated disease spectrum. Others believe that MG and WG are two distinct clinicopathologic entities. A series of cases is presented suggesting that therapy of MG should be individualized. Treatment may include corticosteroids, high-dose irradiation, and/or immunosuppressive drugs. LWG may be treated initially with corticosteroids alone, but lack of response requires the addition of an immunosuppressive agent. WG should be treated with an immunosuppressive drug and, at times, corticosteroids as well. None of the cases of MG described in this report progressed to WG. This may be interpreted as supporting the contention that MG and WG are separate diseases. Alternatively, aggressive treatment of MG with irradiation or immunosuppressives may prevent its transition to more generalized disease.", "contents": "Midline granuloma and Wegener's granulomatosis: clinical & therapeutic considerations. Midline granuloma (MG), limited Wegener's granulomatosis (LWG), and generalized Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) have been viewed by some investigators as representing an interrelated disease spectrum. Others believe that MG and WG are two distinct clinicopathologic entities. A series of cases is presented suggesting that therapy of MG should be individualized. Treatment may include corticosteroids, high-dose irradiation, and/or immunosuppressive drugs. LWG may be treated initially with corticosteroids alone, but lack of response requires the addition of an immunosuppressive agent. WG should be treated with an immunosuppressive drug and, at times, corticosteroids as well. None of the cases of MG described in this report progressed to WG. This may be interpreted as supporting the contention that MG and WG are separate diseases. Alternatively, aggressive treatment of MG with irradiation or immunosuppressives may prevent its transition to more generalized disease.", "PMID": 789880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8564", "title": "Renal damage in systemic lupus erythematosus with normal renal function.", "content": "Renal biopsies were performed on 12 patients with definite systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with normal renal function. Three had had previous nephropathy which responded to treatment, with return of urinalysis and function to normal. Specimens were studied using light microscopy (LM), immunofluorescence (IF), and electron microscopy (EM). Mild to moderate abnormalities were found in all patients. Changes by LM (primarily hypercellularity) were found in 11 specimens (no glomeruli were obtained in one) and classified as inactive. IF studies were positive in eight of the 12 biopsies with either focal or diffuse distribution of IgG, IgM, and/or C3. EM changes were observed in all cases and were of mild to moderate severity. They included focal to multifocal glomerular hypercellularity, basement membrane thickening, foot process fusion, and mesangial and intramembranous electron dense deposits. No subepithelial or subendothelial deposits were found. Microtubular structures were present in three specimens. These data suggest that careful study of renal biopsy specimens may reveal evidence of kidney involvement in all patients with SLE.", "contents": "Renal damage in systemic lupus erythematosus with normal renal function. Renal biopsies were performed on 12 patients with definite systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with normal renal function. Three had had previous nephropathy which responded to treatment, with return of urinalysis and function to normal. Specimens were studied using light microscopy (LM), immunofluorescence (IF), and electron microscopy (EM). Mild to moderate abnormalities were found in all patients. Changes by LM (primarily hypercellularity) were found in 11 specimens (no glomeruli were obtained in one) and classified as inactive. IF studies were positive in eight of the 12 biopsies with either focal or diffuse distribution of IgG, IgM, and/or C3. EM changes were observed in all cases and were of mild to moderate severity. They included focal to multifocal glomerular hypercellularity, basement membrane thickening, foot process fusion, and mesangial and intramembranous electron dense deposits. No subepithelial or subendothelial deposits were found. Microtubular structures were present in three specimens. These data suggest that careful study of renal biopsy specimens may reveal evidence of kidney involvement in all patients with SLE.", "PMID": 789881} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8565", "title": "Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds. 20. Thiophosphorus hydrazones.", "content": "Six pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde, one pyridine N-oxide 2-carboxaldehyde, and five diketone thiophosphoric hydrazones, three thiophosphoric hydrazides, and two cupric chelates were synthesized. The chelates and nine of the hydrazones were tested against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Seven of these latter agents were administered concurrently with either cupric and/or ferrous salts to mice bearing this tumor. The greatest activity was found with the chelate, cimethyl pyridine-2-carboxyaldehyde phosphorothioic hydrazone-copper (1:1). The hydrazone portion of this chelate also formed a ligand-copper (2:1) complex. Although all of the hydrazones but one were inactive when evaluated alone, the concurrent injection of cupric ion increased survival times by an avoli alkaline phosphatase was found to be inhibited by two thiosemicarbazones in a manner similar to that previously reported by these agents against alkaline phosphatase derived from Sarcoma 180-6-thiopurine resistant ascites cells. None of the 14 hydrazides or hydrazones tested against E. coli enzyme displayed significant inhibition.", "contents": "Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds. 20. Thiophosphorus hydrazones. Six pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde, one pyridine N-oxide 2-carboxaldehyde, and five diketone thiophosphoric hydrazones, three thiophosphoric hydrazides, and two cupric chelates were synthesized. The chelates and nine of the hydrazones were tested against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Seven of these latter agents were administered concurrently with either cupric and/or ferrous salts to mice bearing this tumor. The greatest activity was found with the chelate, cimethyl pyridine-2-carboxyaldehyde phosphorothioic hydrazone-copper (1:1). The hydrazone portion of this chelate also formed a ligand-copper (2:1) complex. Although all of the hydrazones but one were inactive when evaluated alone, the concurrent injection of cupric ion increased survival times by an avoli alkaline phosphatase was found to be inhibited by two thiosemicarbazones in a manner similar to that previously reported by these agents against alkaline phosphatase derived from Sarcoma 180-6-thiopurine resistant ascites cells. None of the 14 hydrazides or hydrazones tested against E. coli enzyme displayed significant inhibition.", "PMID": 789882} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8566", "title": "Family medicine: an historical perspective.", "content": "The relatively new specialty, family practice, has stimulated a renewed interest in personal, comprehensive care of the entire family. This approach to patient care is derived from the general practice tradition. The development of family practice as a specialty occurred at the end of a long period of decline in general practice. Understandably, the founders of family practice sought to identify and change or eliminate factors contributing to this decline. Organized efforts to effect these changes began with the establishment of the American Medical Association Section on General Practice in 1946 and the American Academy of General Practice in 1947 and culminated with the final approval of the new discipline as a medical specialty in 1969. The success of this new specialty is a tribute to the efforts and careful planning of its founders.", "contents": "Family medicine: an historical perspective. The relatively new specialty, family practice, has stimulated a renewed interest in personal, comprehensive care of the entire family. This approach to patient care is derived from the general practice tradition. The development of family practice as a specialty occurred at the end of a long period of decline in general practice. Understandably, the founders of family practice sought to identify and change or eliminate factors contributing to this decline. Organized efforts to effect these changes began with the establishment of the American Medical Association Section on General Practice in 1946 and the American Academy of General Practice in 1947 and culminated with the final approval of the new discipline as a medical specialty in 1969. The success of this new specialty is a tribute to the efforts and careful planning of its founders.", "PMID": 789884} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8567", "title": "Ca++ fluxes in isolated cells of rat pancreas. effect of secretagogues and different Ca++ concentrations.", "content": "Secretagogues of pancreatic enzyme secretion, the hormones pancreozymin, carbamylcholine, gastrin I, the octapeptide of pancreozymin, and caerulein as well as the Ca++ -ionophore A 23187 stimulate 45Ca efflux from isolated pancreatic cells. The non-secretagogic hormones adrenaline, isoproterenol, secretion, as well as dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and dibutyryl cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate have no effect on 45Ca efflux. Atropine blocks the stimulatory effect of carbamylcholine on 45Ca efflux complately, but not that of pancreozymin. A graphical analysis of the Ca++ efflux curves reveals at least three phases: a first phase, probably derived from Ca++ bound to the plasma membrane; a second phase, possibly representing Ca++ efflux from cytosol of the cells; and a third phase, probably from mitochondria or other cellular particles. The Ca++ efflux of all phases is stimulated by pancreozymin and carbamylcholine. Ca++ efflux is not significantly effected by the presence or absence of Ca++ in the incubation medium. Metabolic inhibitors of ATP production. Antimycin A and dinitrophenol, which inhibit Ca++ uptake into mitochondria, stimulate Ca++ efflux from the isolated cells remarkably, but inhibit the slow phase of Ca++ influx, indicating the role of mitochondria as an intracellular Ca++ compartment. Measurements of the 45Ca++ influx at different Ca++ concentrations in the medium reveal saturation type kinetics, which are compatible with a carrier or channel model. The hormones mentioned above stimulate the rate of Ca++ translocation. The data suggest that secretagogues of pancreatic enzyme secretion act by increasing the rate of Ca++ transport most likely at the level of the cell membrane and that Ca++ exchange diffusion does not contribute to the 45Ca++ fluxes.", "contents": "Ca++ fluxes in isolated cells of rat pancreas. effect of secretagogues and different Ca++ concentrations. Secretagogues of pancreatic enzyme secretion, the hormones pancreozymin, carbamylcholine, gastrin I, the octapeptide of pancreozymin, and caerulein as well as the Ca++ -ionophore A 23187 stimulate 45Ca efflux from isolated pancreatic cells. The non-secretagogic hormones adrenaline, isoproterenol, secretion, as well as dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and dibutyryl cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate have no effect on 45Ca efflux. Atropine blocks the stimulatory effect of carbamylcholine on 45Ca efflux complately, but not that of pancreozymin. A graphical analysis of the Ca++ efflux curves reveals at least three phases: a first phase, probably derived from Ca++ bound to the plasma membrane; a second phase, possibly representing Ca++ efflux from cytosol of the cells; and a third phase, probably from mitochondria or other cellular particles. The Ca++ efflux of all phases is stimulated by pancreozymin and carbamylcholine. Ca++ efflux is not significantly effected by the presence or absence of Ca++ in the incubation medium. Metabolic inhibitors of ATP production. Antimycin A and dinitrophenol, which inhibit Ca++ uptake into mitochondria, stimulate Ca++ efflux from the isolated cells remarkably, but inhibit the slow phase of Ca++ influx, indicating the role of mitochondria as an intracellular Ca++ compartment. Measurements of the 45Ca++ influx at different Ca++ concentrations in the medium reveal saturation type kinetics, which are compatible with a carrier or channel model. The hormones mentioned above stimulate the rate of Ca++ translocation. The data suggest that secretagogues of pancreatic enzyme secretion act by increasing the rate of Ca++ transport most likely at the level of the cell membrane and that Ca++ exchange diffusion does not contribute to the 45Ca++ fluxes.", "PMID": 789885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8568", "title": "Errors in area measurement in thick sections, with special reference to trabecular bone.", "content": "A formula is derived for the errors caused by section thickness in the measurement of the mean cross-sectional areas of opaque material embedded in a transparent medium. There are some simplifying assumptions which can only be justified by limiting the maximum thickness of the section, but no restriction whatever is placed upon the shape of the opaque material. For isotropic materials a very simple formula is found, relating the relative error in cross-sectional area to measurements of area and boundary profile length on the section surface. The effect of anisotropy in the material may be very large. To illustrate this, numerical calculations are made for two particular classes of simple anisotropic material, those which might be made from isotropic materials by linear distortions.", "contents": "Errors in area measurement in thick sections, with special reference to trabecular bone. A formula is derived for the errors caused by section thickness in the measurement of the mean cross-sectional areas of opaque material embedded in a transparent medium. There are some simplifying assumptions which can only be justified by limiting the maximum thickness of the section, but no restriction whatever is placed upon the shape of the opaque material. For isotropic materials a very simple formula is found, relating the relative error in cross-sectional area to measurements of area and boundary profile length on the section surface. The effect of anisotropy in the material may be very large. To illustrate this, numerical calculations are made for two particular classes of simple anisotropic material, those which might be made from isotropic materials by linear distortions.", "PMID": 789889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8569", "title": "Superconductivity--a possible mechanism for non-thermal biological effects of microwaves.", "content": "Recent evidence for high temperature superconductivity in lipids and in a protein and for a role for superconductivity in growth and nerve processes, combined with experimental demonstration of microwave effects on probable superconductive tunneling in carbon films at room temperature, suggest the possibility that non-thermal effects of microwaves on biological systems may occur by a superconductive mechanism.", "contents": "Superconductivity--a possible mechanism for non-thermal biological effects of microwaves. Recent evidence for high temperature superconductivity in lipids and in a protein and for a role for superconductivity in growth and nerve processes, combined with experimental demonstration of microwave effects on probable superconductive tunneling in carbon films at room temperature, suggest the possibility that non-thermal effects of microwaves on biological systems may occur by a superconductive mechanism.", "PMID": 789890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8570", "title": "Properties and synthesis of tubulin in neuroblastoma cells.", "content": "Cloned neuroblastoma cell lines derived from the spontaneous mouse tumor C-1300 were used to study nerve cell differentiation. Our findings included a) morphologic and electrical differentiation was induced by the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide to the culture medium of some of the neuroblastoma clonal lines; b) a contrasting difference existed between the percentage of the phenylalanine-specific, tRNA species deficient in the peroxy Y-nucleoside in the mouse embryo or rat brain (6-10%) and that of mouse neuroblastoma cells (85%); c) the assembly of neuroblastoma microtubules and neurofilaments that are necessary for neurite outgrowth proceeded from preexisting pools of tubulin and actin, but a sustained level of phosphorylated tubulin was not required for this regulation; and d) the in vitro translation of tubulin and actin was accomplished with mRNA from rat brains in a wheat-germ cellfree system.", "contents": "Properties and synthesis of tubulin in neuroblastoma cells. Cloned neuroblastoma cell lines derived from the spontaneous mouse tumor C-1300 were used to study nerve cell differentiation. Our findings included a) morphologic and electrical differentiation was induced by the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide to the culture medium of some of the neuroblastoma clonal lines; b) a contrasting difference existed between the percentage of the phenylalanine-specific, tRNA species deficient in the peroxy Y-nucleoside in the mouse embryo or rat brain (6-10%) and that of mouse neuroblastoma cells (85%); c) the assembly of neuroblastoma microtubules and neurofilaments that are necessary for neurite outgrowth proceeded from preexisting pools of tubulin and actin, but a sustained level of phosphorylated tubulin was not required for this regulation; and d) the in vitro translation of tubulin and actin was accomplished with mRNA from rat brains in a wheat-germ cellfree system.", "PMID": 789906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8571", "title": "Control of expression of differentiated functions in neuroblastoma cell hybrids.", "content": "Cell hybrids have been extensively utilized for gene mapping; more than 50 enzymes and nonenzyme proteins have been assigned to individual human chromosomes. Hybrids have also been used in the study of differentiation; fusions involving mouse or human neuroblastoma cells and various nonneuronal lines resulted in hybrid cells that continued to express neuronspecific functions. The expression of the differentiated state is, however, not an all-or-none phenomenon: One neuronal trait may be evident in such hybrids, in the absence of others. The potential usefulness of the human neuroblastoma hybrids for the assignment of genes involved in the expression of differentiated functions to specific chromosomes is discussed.", "contents": "Control of expression of differentiated functions in neuroblastoma cell hybrids. Cell hybrids have been extensively utilized for gene mapping; more than 50 enzymes and nonenzyme proteins have been assigned to individual human chromosomes. Hybrids have also been used in the study of differentiation; fusions involving mouse or human neuroblastoma cells and various nonneuronal lines resulted in hybrid cells that continued to express neuronspecific functions. The expression of the differentiated state is, however, not an all-or-none phenomenon: One neuronal trait may be evident in such hybrids, in the absence of others. The potential usefulness of the human neuroblastoma hybrids for the assignment of genes involved in the expression of differentiated functions to specific chromosomes is discussed.", "PMID": 789907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8572", "title": "Interaction between Trypanosoma brucei and Plasmodium berghei in concurrent infections in mice.", "content": "In conccurrent infection of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Plasmodium berghei yoelii in mice, potentiation of one parasite by the other was observed, especially the malaria by the trypanosome infection. The effect appeared early in the infection. It is suggested that the mutual potentiation of the two infections was probably due to immuno-suppression which both organisms are capable of inducing in the host.", "contents": "Interaction between Trypanosoma brucei and Plasmodium berghei in concurrent infections in mice. In conccurrent infection of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Plasmodium berghei yoelii in mice, potentiation of one parasite by the other was observed, especially the malaria by the trypanosome infection. The effect appeared early in the infection. It is suggested that the mutual potentiation of the two infections was probably due to immuno-suppression which both organisms are capable of inducing in the host.", "PMID": 789909} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8573", "title": "Replicative bacteriophage DNA synthesis in plasmolyzed T4-infected cells: evidence for two independent pathways to DNA.", "content": "Bacteriophage T4-infected Escherichia coli rendered permeable to nucleotides by sucrose plasmolysis exhibited two apparently separate pathways or channels to T4 DNA with respect to the utilization of exogenously supplied substrates. By one pathway, individual labeled ribonucleotides, thymidine (tdR), and 5-hydroxymethyl-dCMP could be incorporated into phage DNA. Incorporation of each of these labeled compounds was not dependent upon the addition of the other deoxyribonucleotide precursors, suggesting that a functioning de novo pathway to deoxyribonucleotides was being monitored. The second pathway or reaction required all four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates or the deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates together with ATP. However, in this reaction, dTTP was not replaced by TdR. The two pathways were also distinguished on the basis of their apparent Mg2+ requirements and responses to N-ethylmaleimide, micrococcal nuclease, and to hydroxyurea, which is a specific inhibitor of ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase. Separate products were synthesized by the two channels, as shown by density-gradient experiments and velocity sedimentation analysis. Each of the pathways required the products of the T4 DNA synthesis genes. Furthermore, DNA synthesis by each pathway appeared to be coupled to the functioning of several of the phage-induced enzymes involved in deoxyribonucleotide biosynthesis. Both systems represent replicative phage DNA synthesis as determined by CsCl density-gradient analysis. Autoradiographic and other studies provided evidence that both pathways occur in the same cell. Further studies were carried out on the direct role of dCMP hydroxymethylase in T4 DNA replication. Temperature-shift experiments in plasmolyzed cells using a temperature-sensitive mutant furnished strong evidence that this gene product is necessary in DNA replication and is not functioning by allowing preinitiation of DNA before plasmolysis.", "contents": "Replicative bacteriophage DNA synthesis in plasmolyzed T4-infected cells: evidence for two independent pathways to DNA. Bacteriophage T4-infected Escherichia coli rendered permeable to nucleotides by sucrose plasmolysis exhibited two apparently separate pathways or channels to T4 DNA with respect to the utilization of exogenously supplied substrates. By one pathway, individual labeled ribonucleotides, thymidine (tdR), and 5-hydroxymethyl-dCMP could be incorporated into phage DNA. Incorporation of each of these labeled compounds was not dependent upon the addition of the other deoxyribonucleotide precursors, suggesting that a functioning de novo pathway to deoxyribonucleotides was being monitored. The second pathway or reaction required all four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates or the deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates together with ATP. However, in this reaction, dTTP was not replaced by TdR. The two pathways were also distinguished on the basis of their apparent Mg2+ requirements and responses to N-ethylmaleimide, micrococcal nuclease, and to hydroxyurea, which is a specific inhibitor of ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase. Separate products were synthesized by the two channels, as shown by density-gradient experiments and velocity sedimentation analysis. Each of the pathways required the products of the T4 DNA synthesis genes. Furthermore, DNA synthesis by each pathway appeared to be coupled to the functioning of several of the phage-induced enzymes involved in deoxyribonucleotide biosynthesis. Both systems represent replicative phage DNA synthesis as determined by CsCl density-gradient analysis. Autoradiographic and other studies provided evidence that both pathways occur in the same cell. Further studies were carried out on the direct role of dCMP hydroxymethylase in T4 DNA replication. Temperature-shift experiments in plasmolyzed cells using a temperature-sensitive mutant furnished strong evidence that this gene product is necessary in DNA replication and is not functioning by allowing preinitiation of DNA before plasmolysis.", "PMID": 789911} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8574", "title": "DNA of minute virus of mice: self-priming, nonpermuted, single-stranded genome with a 5'-terminal hairpin duplex.", "content": "The genome of the nondefective parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVM) is a linear DNA molecular weight 1.48 x 10(6), which is single stranded for approximately 94% of its length. In contrast to the genomes from defective parvoviruses MVM DNA does not contain a detectable inverted terminal redundancy. A combination of enzymatic and physical techniques has shown that the molecule contains a stable hairpin duplex of approximately 130 base pairs located at the 5' terminus of the genome. MVM DNA is efficiently utilized as a template-primer by a number of DNA polymerases, including reverse transcriptases. Polymerases lacking 5' to 3' exonuclease activity yield a duplex DNA product with a molecular weight 1.96 times that of the viral genome, in which the newly synthesized complementary strand is covalently attached to the template. This duplex contains an internal \"nick\" that can be sealed by DNA ligase to produce a self-complementary single-strand circle. The MVM DNA duplex is cleaved twice by EcoR-RI restriction endonuclease to yield three distinct fragments in molar amounts. These results suggest that the initiation of DNA synthesis in vitro occurs at a point within 100 bases of the 3' end of the genome, using the 3' terminus of viral DNA as a primer, and that the sequence of nucleotides in the genome is not permuted.", "contents": "DNA of minute virus of mice: self-priming, nonpermuted, single-stranded genome with a 5'-terminal hairpin duplex. The genome of the nondefective parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVM) is a linear DNA molecular weight 1.48 x 10(6), which is single stranded for approximately 94% of its length. In contrast to the genomes from defective parvoviruses MVM DNA does not contain a detectable inverted terminal redundancy. A combination of enzymatic and physical techniques has shown that the molecule contains a stable hairpin duplex of approximately 130 base pairs located at the 5' terminus of the genome. MVM DNA is efficiently utilized as a template-primer by a number of DNA polymerases, including reverse transcriptases. Polymerases lacking 5' to 3' exonuclease activity yield a duplex DNA product with a molecular weight 1.96 times that of the viral genome, in which the newly synthesized complementary strand is covalently attached to the template. This duplex contains an internal \"nick\" that can be sealed by DNA ligase to produce a self-complementary single-strand circle. The MVM DNA duplex is cleaved twice by EcoR-RI restriction endonuclease to yield three distinct fragments in molar amounts. These results suggest that the initiation of DNA synthesis in vitro occurs at a point within 100 bases of the 3' end of the genome, using the 3' terminus of viral DNA as a primer, and that the sequence of nucleotides in the genome is not permuted.", "PMID": 789912} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8575", "title": "Bacteriophage-specific DNA-binding proteins in P22-lysogenic and in P22-infected Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Crude extracts of Salmonella typhimurium lysogenic for phages P22 or L contain proteins that specifically retain phage DNA on nitrocellulose filters. Three DNA-binding activities were found after infection with P22. One is P22 specific, accounts for the largest proportion of DNA-binding proteins, and corresponds most likely to the c2 repressor. An early transient binding activity measured with both P22 and L DNA was found to be directly related to the expression of genes c1 and c3. A third, late binding activity for P22 and L DNA is related to phage production.", "contents": "Bacteriophage-specific DNA-binding proteins in P22-lysogenic and in P22-infected Salmonella typhimurium. Crude extracts of Salmonella typhimurium lysogenic for phages P22 or L contain proteins that specifically retain phage DNA on nitrocellulose filters. Three DNA-binding activities were found after infection with P22. One is P22 specific, accounts for the largest proportion of DNA-binding proteins, and corresponds most likely to the c2 repressor. An early transient binding activity measured with both P22 and L DNA was found to be directly related to the expression of genes c1 and c3. A third, late binding activity for P22 and L DNA is related to phage production.", "PMID": 789913} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8576", "title": "Some limitations and pitfalls of excretory urography.", "content": "A review of some of the more important limitations and pitfalls in the interpretation of excretory urograms is presented. Although there is no infallible method of avoiding interpretive errors it is suggested that the development of good viewing habits, including an orderly and systematic appraisal of each film, coupled with a physiologically oriented approach to film interpretation will reduce mistakes significantly. Similarly, many pitfalls may be circumvented by the simple expedient of close collaboration between urologist and radiologist, and by the reluctance of either to accept urography that is suboptimal by current standards.", "contents": "Some limitations and pitfalls of excretory urography. A review of some of the more important limitations and pitfalls in the interpretation of excretory urograms is presented. Although there is no infallible method of avoiding interpretive errors it is suggested that the development of good viewing habits, including an orderly and systematic appraisal of each film, coupled with a physiologically oriented approach to film interpretation will reduce mistakes significantly. Similarly, many pitfalls may be circumvented by the simple expedient of close collaboration between urologist and radiologist, and by the reluctance of either to accept urography that is suboptimal by current standards.", "PMID": 789915} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8577", "title": "Bacterial rep- mutations that block development of small DNA bacteriophages late in infection.", "content": "Several related mutants of Escherichia coli C have been isolated that block the growth of the small icosahedral DNA phages phiX174 and S13 late in infection. Phage G6 is also blocked, at a stage not yet known. Growth of the filamentous phage M13, though not blocked, is affected in these strains. These host mutations co-transduce with ilv at high frequency, as do rep- mutations. However, the new mutants, designated groL-, differ from previously studied rep- mutants in that they permit synthesis of progeny replicative-form DNA. The groL- mutants are blocked in synthesis of stable single-stranded DNA of phiX174 and related phages. They are gro+ for P2. Evidence that groL- mutations and rep- mutations are in the same gene is presented. Spontaneous mutants (ogr) of phiX174, S13, and the G phages can grow on groL- strains. The ogr mutations are located in the phage's major capsid gene, F, as determined by complementation tests. There are numerous sites for mutation to ogr. Some mutations in genes A and F interfere with the ogr property when combined with an ogr mutation on the same genome. The ogr mutations are cis acting in a groL- cell; i.e., an ogr mutant gives very poor rescue of a non-ogr mutant. The wild-type form of each G phage appears to be naturally in the ogr mutant state for one or more groL- strains. It is suggested that a complex between F and rep proteins is involved in phage maturation. The A protein appears to interact with this complex.", "contents": "Bacterial rep- mutations that block development of small DNA bacteriophages late in infection. Several related mutants of Escherichia coli C have been isolated that block the growth of the small icosahedral DNA phages phiX174 and S13 late in infection. Phage G6 is also blocked, at a stage not yet known. Growth of the filamentous phage M13, though not blocked, is affected in these strains. These host mutations co-transduce with ilv at high frequency, as do rep- mutations. However, the new mutants, designated groL-, differ from previously studied rep- mutants in that they permit synthesis of progeny replicative-form DNA. The groL- mutants are blocked in synthesis of stable single-stranded DNA of phiX174 and related phages. They are gro+ for P2. Evidence that groL- mutations and rep- mutations are in the same gene is presented. Spontaneous mutants (ogr) of phiX174, S13, and the G phages can grow on groL- strains. The ogr mutations are located in the phage's major capsid gene, F, as determined by complementation tests. There are numerous sites for mutation to ogr. Some mutations in genes A and F interfere with the ogr property when combined with an ogr mutation on the same genome. The ogr mutations are cis acting in a groL- cell; i.e., an ogr mutant gives very poor rescue of a non-ogr mutant. The wild-type form of each G phage appears to be naturally in the ogr mutant state for one or more groL- strains. It is suggested that a complex between F and rep proteins is involved in phage maturation. The A protein appears to interact with this complex.", "PMID": 789914} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8578", "title": "The urographic findings in acute pyelonephritis: non-obstructive hydronephrosis.", "content": "Excretory urography was performed on 4 patients early in the course of acute pyelonephritis. These studies showed dilatation of the involved collecting system without obstruction. The dilatation resolved after therapy in 3 patients and was not present on a previous excretory urogram in the fourth. Although previous studies have shown that the excretory urogram is usually normal in cases of acute pyleonephritis these cases demonstrate that this disease can produce dilatation of the collecting system and mimic obstruction.", "contents": "The urographic findings in acute pyelonephritis: non-obstructive hydronephrosis. Excretory urography was performed on 4 patients early in the course of acute pyelonephritis. These studies showed dilatation of the involved collecting system without obstruction. The dilatation resolved after therapy in 3 patients and was not present on a previous excretory urogram in the fourth. Although previous studies have shown that the excretory urogram is usually normal in cases of acute pyleonephritis these cases demonstrate that this disease can produce dilatation of the collecting system and mimic obstruction.", "PMID": 789916} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8579", "title": "Scintiphotography in the early diagnosis of urine leakage following renal transplantation.", "content": "The use of radionuclides in the evaluation of postoperative renal transplantation patients has proved to be an effective technique for the early diagnosis of urinary extravasation. It has the advantage of demonstrating the existence of urine leakage prior to visualization of extravasation on conventional cystograms and excretory urograms. It has the additional advantage of requiring no urological instrumentation and can be repeated as often as clinically indicated.", "contents": "Scintiphotography in the early diagnosis of urine leakage following renal transplantation. The use of radionuclides in the evaluation of postoperative renal transplantation patients has proved to be an effective technique for the early diagnosis of urinary extravasation. It has the advantage of demonstrating the existence of urine leakage prior to visualization of extravasation on conventional cystograms and excretory urograms. It has the additional advantage of requiring no urological instrumentation and can be repeated as often as clinically indicated.", "PMID": 789917} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8580", "title": "Serratia marcescens and the urologist.", "content": "Serratia marcescens, long considered a non-pathogen, is now found to be responsible for outbreaks of nosocomial infections. An outbreak of Serratia infection at 2 institutions is reported, in which 253 cultures of Serratia were grown and 115 patients were involved. The 3 most important conditions that preceded isolation of Serratia were the use of indwelling urethral catheters, antibiotic therapy and operation. All infections were acquired in the hospital. An epidemiological survey showed that the organism is present in the environment, even in the absence of active infection.", "contents": "Serratia marcescens and the urologist. Serratia marcescens, long considered a non-pathogen, is now found to be responsible for outbreaks of nosocomial infections. An outbreak of Serratia infection at 2 institutions is reported, in which 253 cultures of Serratia were grown and 115 patients were involved. The 3 most important conditions that preceded isolation of Serratia were the use of indwelling urethral catheters, antibiotic therapy and operation. All infections were acquired in the hospital. An epidemiological survey showed that the organism is present in the environment, even in the absence of active infection.", "PMID": 789918} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8581", "title": "The control of postoperative wound pain with the use of bupivacaine injections.", "content": "In a study of 50 operative cases 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride solution was injected in the area of the subcostal nerves at the time of closure of the wound except in 2 with previously noted infection. In the latter 2 cases the solution was injected when the wound was opened. No untoward results were noted from these injections and a definite decrease in the use of analgesics was required. In addition, there is preliminary evidence that peristalsis and flatus occur much earlier in cases in which the solution was used compared to a control group. Respiration was enhanced, earlier patient mobility was noted and the general depression from injectable analgesics was avoided.", "contents": "The control of postoperative wound pain with the use of bupivacaine injections. In a study of 50 operative cases 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride solution was injected in the area of the subcostal nerves at the time of closure of the wound except in 2 with previously noted infection. In the latter 2 cases the solution was injected when the wound was opened. No untoward results were noted from these injections and a definite decrease in the use of analgesics was required. In addition, there is preliminary evidence that peristalsis and flatus occur much earlier in cases in which the solution was used compared to a control group. Respiration was enhanced, earlier patient mobility was noted and the general depression from injectable analgesics was avoided.", "PMID": 789919} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8582", "title": "Use of defunctionalized bladders in pediatric renal transplantation.", "content": "Congenital urinary tract anomalies are common causes of renal insufficiency and failure in children. Frequently, the hydroureteronephrosis and/or bladder damage from previous reconstructive procedures is so severe that supravesical diversion is required. Renal transplantation in these cases is sometimes avoided because of implied urologic and infectious complications, and the early loss of the homograft. Nevertheless, newer techniques have been developed for transplantation in patients with end stage renal disease and defunctionalized bladders. Herein is described the use of defunctionalized bladders as receptors of renal homografts in 5 of 42 transplant recipients seen during the last 4 years.", "contents": "Use of defunctionalized bladders in pediatric renal transplantation. Congenital urinary tract anomalies are common causes of renal insufficiency and failure in children. Frequently, the hydroureteronephrosis and/or bladder damage from previous reconstructive procedures is so severe that supravesical diversion is required. Renal transplantation in these cases is sometimes avoided because of implied urologic and infectious complications, and the early loss of the homograft. Nevertheless, newer techniques have been developed for transplantation in patients with end stage renal disease and defunctionalized bladders. Herein is described the use of defunctionalized bladders as receptors of renal homografts in 5 of 42 transplant recipients seen during the last 4 years.", "PMID": 789920} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8583", "title": "Pseudorejection: the Page kidney phenomenon in renal allografts.", "content": "A case of renal allograft pseudorejection owing to perinephric hematoma is presented and the Page kidney phenomenon is discussed as the pathophysiologic mechanism. The term pseudorejection is introduced and defined as a remediable form of graft dysfunction resulting from renal parenchymal compression. Sonography was helpful, in addition to the standard diagnostic modalities in making the diagnosis. Early recognition and decompression of a peritransplant hematoma or lymphocele may decrease graft loss from this insidious entity.", "contents": "Pseudorejection: the Page kidney phenomenon in renal allografts. A case of renal allograft pseudorejection owing to perinephric hematoma is presented and the Page kidney phenomenon is discussed as the pathophysiologic mechanism. The term pseudorejection is introduced and defined as a remediable form of graft dysfunction resulting from renal parenchymal compression. Sonography was helpful, in addition to the standard diagnostic modalities in making the diagnosis. Early recognition and decompression of a peritransplant hematoma or lymphocele may decrease graft loss from this insidious entity.", "PMID": 789921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8584", "title": "Idiopathic ureterolithiasis in a renal transplant patient.", "content": "Only 9 cases of ureteral stone formation in renal transplant recipients have been reported previously. The majority of these occurred in association with hyperparathyroidism. We herein describe a case in which a ureteral calculus caused partial obstruction within 3 months in a euparathyroid recipient of a living related renal transplant.", "contents": "Idiopathic ureterolithiasis in a renal transplant patient. Only 9 cases of ureteral stone formation in renal transplant recipients have been reported previously. The majority of these occurred in association with hyperparathyroidism. We herein describe a case in which a ureteral calculus caused partial obstruction within 3 months in a euparathyroid recipient of a living related renal transplant.", "PMID": 789922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8585", "title": "Foreign body in bladder and perivesicular inflammation masquerading as pelvic lipomatosis.", "content": "Inverted teardrop-shaped bladder deformity ofetn is caused by pelvic lipomatosis or perivesical accumulation of extravasated blood or urine, or both. A foreign body (toothpick) lodged in the bladder and resulting in urinary infection and perivesical inflammation also was found to be capable of causing this unusual bladder deformity. The bladder contour returned to normal after removal of the foreign body and treatment of infection.", "contents": "Foreign body in bladder and perivesicular inflammation masquerading as pelvic lipomatosis. Inverted teardrop-shaped bladder deformity ofetn is caused by pelvic lipomatosis or perivesical accumulation of extravasated blood or urine, or both. A foreign body (toothpick) lodged in the bladder and resulting in urinary infection and perivesical inflammation also was found to be capable of causing this unusual bladder deformity. The bladder contour returned to normal after removal of the foreign body and treatment of infection.", "PMID": 789923} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8586", "title": "Reduction perineoplasty for scrotal elephantiasis: a method of surgical reconstruction of the penis and scrotum.", "content": "Scrotal elephantiasis can be insidious in onset, idiopathic as to cause and debilitating in progress. The massive scrotal enlargement results in a sac-like structure that first envelopes and then completely covers the penis, testes and the regional spermatic cord structures, causing loss of topographic identification. The urethra leads into a stratified, squamous epithelial-lined canal, which traverses the edematous subcutaneous tissue to open irregularly at the inferior aspect of the scrotal bag. The difficulty of acquiring sustained periods of cleanliness, the incontinence of urine despite an intact urethral sphincter, the unesthetic gross appearance and the loss of libido and mechanical copulation function are the significant symptoms and signs that indicate the extent of the debility. A form of treatment that would alleviate this distressful state and would be feasibly applicable should be worthy of critical consideration. Therefore, a case of a reduction scrotoplasty (reduction perineoplasty) for idiopathic lymphedema of the penis and scrotum is presented.", "contents": "Reduction perineoplasty for scrotal elephantiasis: a method of surgical reconstruction of the penis and scrotum. Scrotal elephantiasis can be insidious in onset, idiopathic as to cause and debilitating in progress. The massive scrotal enlargement results in a sac-like structure that first envelopes and then completely covers the penis, testes and the regional spermatic cord structures, causing loss of topographic identification. The urethra leads into a stratified, squamous epithelial-lined canal, which traverses the edematous subcutaneous tissue to open irregularly at the inferior aspect of the scrotal bag. The difficulty of acquiring sustained periods of cleanliness, the incontinence of urine despite an intact urethral sphincter, the unesthetic gross appearance and the loss of libido and mechanical copulation function are the significant symptoms and signs that indicate the extent of the debility. A form of treatment that would alleviate this distressful state and would be feasibly applicable should be worthy of critical consideration. Therefore, a case of a reduction scrotoplasty (reduction perineoplasty) for idiopathic lymphedema of the penis and scrotum is presented.", "PMID": 789924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8587", "title": "Rehabilitation after cardiac transplantation.", "content": "The physical, occupational, and social status of 56 patients who survived six or more months after cardiac transplantation at Stanford University Medical Center was reviewed. Fifty-one (91%) were classified as successfully rehabilitated. Four (7%) retained substantial physical disability, and one (2%) experienced psychiatric disability. These results demonstrate the therapeutic usefulness of cardiac transplantation in carefully selected recipients.", "contents": "Rehabilitation after cardiac transplantation. The physical, occupational, and social status of 56 patients who survived six or more months after cardiac transplantation at Stanford University Medical Center was reviewed. Fifty-one (91%) were classified as successfully rehabilitated. Four (7%) retained substantial physical disability, and one (2%) experienced psychiatric disability. These results demonstrate the therapeutic usefulness of cardiac transplantation in carefully selected recipients.", "PMID": 789925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8588", "title": "Pancreatic abscess with Haemophilus influenzae and Eikenella corrodens.", "content": "An infected pancreatic pseudocyst was caused in part by Haemophilus influenzae and Eikenella corrodens. To my knowledge, neither organism has been isolated previously from pancreatic abscesses. I believe that the infecting bacteria originated in the oropharynx and descended through the duodenum.", "contents": "Pancreatic abscess with Haemophilus influenzae and Eikenella corrodens. An infected pancreatic pseudocyst was caused in part by Haemophilus influenzae and Eikenella corrodens. To my knowledge, neither organism has been isolated previously from pancreatic abscesses. I believe that the infecting bacteria originated in the oropharynx and descended through the duodenum.", "PMID": 789926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8589", "title": "Persistence of Treponema pallidum following penicillin G therapy. Report of two cases.", "content": "The isolation of Treponema pallidum from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from two adult patients, both of whom had normal CSF values except for positive fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) tests and both of whom had received currently recommended courses of penicillin, raises important considerations in the treatment of neurosyphilis in adults.", "contents": "Persistence of Treponema pallidum following penicillin G therapy. Report of two cases. The isolation of Treponema pallidum from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from two adult patients, both of whom had normal CSF values except for positive fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) tests and both of whom had received currently recommended courses of penicillin, raises important considerations in the treatment of neurosyphilis in adults.", "PMID": 789927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8590", "title": "Transition in the character of immunological memory in mice after immunization. I. Memory for IgM and IgG antibody responses.", "content": "The immunological memory in antibody response of mice to bovine serum albumin was investigated at the level of IgM and IgG antibody-forming cells, The antigen at a dose much lower than required for eliciting a detectable level of the primary antibody response could latently activate the immune machinery to an extent adquate for specific recall, whereas higher doses of antigen were effective in evoking strong anamnestic response. The potentiality to develop the anamnestic response was found even in the latent phase of the primary antibody response and was maintained for more than 2 months. The immunological memory acquired in an early phase after the primary immunization mainly involved IgM antibody response and late memory concerned IgG response.", "contents": "Transition in the character of immunological memory in mice after immunization. I. Memory for IgM and IgG antibody responses. The immunological memory in antibody response of mice to bovine serum albumin was investigated at the level of IgM and IgG antibody-forming cells, The antigen at a dose much lower than required for eliciting a detectable level of the primary antibody response could latently activate the immune machinery to an extent adquate for specific recall, whereas higher doses of antigen were effective in evoking strong anamnestic response. The potentiality to develop the anamnestic response was found even in the latent phase of the primary antibody response and was maintained for more than 2 months. The immunological memory acquired in an early phase after the primary immunization mainly involved IgM antibody response and late memory concerned IgG response.", "PMID": 789950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8591", "title": "Clinical study of second kidney transplantation.", "content": "During the period from November 1972 to February 1975, 39 patients received second renal grafts in our institution. The clinical course of the patients was analyzed and compared with 121 patients who received only one graft during the same period. The graft survival either from living related or cadaveric sources was inferior in the second graft group. However, mortality was not increased by re-transplantation. Major differences were noted in the occurrence of hyperacute or accelerated type rejections. There was a high incidence of this type of rejection in the second graft group, especially in the simultaneous retransplant group.", "contents": "Clinical study of second kidney transplantation. During the period from November 1972 to February 1975, 39 patients received second renal grafts in our institution. The clinical course of the patients was analyzed and compared with 121 patients who received only one graft during the same period. The graft survival either from living related or cadaveric sources was inferior in the second graft group. However, mortality was not increased by re-transplantation. Major differences were noted in the occurrence of hyperacute or accelerated type rejections. There was a high incidence of this type of rejection in the second graft group, especially in the simultaneous retransplant group.", "PMID": 789953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8592", "title": "[ECG changes during a stenocardia attack caused by physical loading].", "content": "ECG was examined during anginal attacks caused by dosaged bicycle tests in 200 patients with chronic coronary insufficiency of varying degree. In 79.5% of the patients the anginal attack was accompanied by ECG changes. The ECG changes preceeded the appearance of anginal attack precursors. Half of the patients, mainly those with infrequent attacks of retrosternal pains recurring not daily, and only under extreme physical exercises, could continue the test for 2 min. and longer despite the appearance of transitory ECG changes, and do on with it until the development of anginal attack precursors. Proper attention to this fact seems to be of importance for the evaluation of the reserve of coronary circulation in patients with chronic coronary insufficiency.", "contents": "[ECG changes during a stenocardia attack caused by physical loading]. ECG was examined during anginal attacks caused by dosaged bicycle tests in 200 patients with chronic coronary insufficiency of varying degree. In 79.5% of the patients the anginal attack was accompanied by ECG changes. The ECG changes preceeded the appearance of anginal attack precursors. Half of the patients, mainly those with infrequent attacks of retrosternal pains recurring not daily, and only under extreme physical exercises, could continue the test for 2 min. and longer despite the appearance of transitory ECG changes, and do on with it until the development of anginal attack precursors. Proper attention to this fact seems to be of importance for the evaluation of the reserve of coronary circulation in patients with chronic coronary insufficiency.", "PMID": 789964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8593", "title": "[Cardiac insufficiency in ischemic heart disease].", "content": "The presented analysis deals with the physiopathological mechanisms of the debelopment of postinfarction cardiac insufficiency and the clinical peculiarities of its manifestations. It is emphasized that the leading cause of cardiac insufficiency consists in a reduction of the contractile function of the left ventricular myocardium due to the development of asynergy in the cicatrical zone. The addition of several accompanying factors, such as heart mitralization, tachysystolic form of ventricular fibrillation, repeated infarction with a growing asynergic zone, aggravate the course of cardiac insufficiency providing for the development of hypertension in the general circulation system.", "contents": "[Cardiac insufficiency in ischemic heart disease]. The presented analysis deals with the physiopathological mechanisms of the debelopment of postinfarction cardiac insufficiency and the clinical peculiarities of its manifestations. It is emphasized that the leading cause of cardiac insufficiency consists in a reduction of the contractile function of the left ventricular myocardium due to the development of asynergy in the cicatrical zone. The addition of several accompanying factors, such as heart mitralization, tachysystolic form of ventricular fibrillation, repeated infarction with a growing asynergic zone, aggravate the course of cardiac insufficiency providing for the development of hypertension in the general circulation system.", "PMID": 789966} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8594", "title": "[Effect of hydrocortisone on some indices of cardiac activity and of the greater circulation in acquired heart defects].", "content": "The catheterization technique was used to study the effect of 100 mg of water soluble hydrocortisone \"Russel\" upon the cardiac activity and greater circulation in patients with acquired heart diseases. Hydrocortisone was found to produce different effects upon the cardiac output and tonicity of the greater circulation vessels--increases or decreases them, or does not change at all. The varying dynamics of these indices serves as a manifestation of the optimizing effect of hydrocortisone on the cardiovascular system, depends on the initial values of the parameters in question, and is directed towards normalizing the oxygen consumption in the body (its blood flow). No direct correlation was found between the cardiac output and the pressure in the ventricles in patients with acquired heart diseases prior to and following hydrocortisone administration.", "contents": "[Effect of hydrocortisone on some indices of cardiac activity and of the greater circulation in acquired heart defects]. The catheterization technique was used to study the effect of 100 mg of water soluble hydrocortisone \"Russel\" upon the cardiac activity and greater circulation in patients with acquired heart diseases. Hydrocortisone was found to produce different effects upon the cardiac output and tonicity of the greater circulation vessels--increases or decreases them, or does not change at all. The varying dynamics of these indices serves as a manifestation of the optimizing effect of hydrocortisone on the cardiovascular system, depends on the initial values of the parameters in question, and is directed towards normalizing the oxygen consumption in the body (its blood flow). No direct correlation was found between the cardiac output and the pressure in the ventricles in patients with acquired heart diseases prior to and following hydrocortisone administration.", "PMID": 789967} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8595", "title": "[Daniel Bernoulli (author's transl)].", "content": "History in medicine receives life only from personalities. This is a report on the physician and mathematician Daniel Bernoulli which considers also his relationship to his father Johann Bernoulli and also his ambivalent relationship to his mothertown Basel. Very interesting parallels to the life of Hermann Helmholtz are demonstrated. Daniel Bernoulli, later professor of physics, lectured a mathematically based functional anatomy; in this connection he dealt profoundly with the eye and its function. The author deals with Bernoulli's work on muscle contraction (demonstrated on the abducens muscle) and on the elementary perimetric determination of the blind spot.", "contents": "[Daniel Bernoulli (author's transl)]. History in medicine receives life only from personalities. This is a report on the physician and mathematician Daniel Bernoulli which considers also his relationship to his father Johann Bernoulli and also his ambivalent relationship to his mothertown Basel. Very interesting parallels to the life of Hermann Helmholtz are demonstrated. Daniel Bernoulli, later professor of physics, lectured a mathematically based functional anatomy; in this connection he dealt profoundly with the eye and its function. The author deals with Bernoulli's work on muscle contraction (demonstrated on the abducens muscle) and on the elementary perimetric determination of the blind spot.", "PMID": 789989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8596", "title": "[Julius Hirschberg (1843-1925), ophthalmologist and medical historian (author's transl)].", "content": "Julius Hirschberg of Berlin was one of the most brilliant ophthalmologists of his time. As a surgeon and as the editor of the \"Centralblatt f\u00fcr praktische Augenheilkunde\" (1877-1919) he enjoyed a world-wide reputation. He devised an electrical hand magnet for the extraction of intraocular foreign bodies (1879 - see Duke-Elder, System of ophthalmology, vol. 14/I, p.616) and investigated, among many other aspects of clinical ophthalmology, the ocular manifestations of general disease (e.g. diabetes). Hirschberg's greatest achievement is his History of ophthalmology, from the ancient Egyptians down to 1900 AD (\"Geschichte der Augenheikunde\" 1899-1919, 9 vols., 4700 p.). Because Hirschberg mastered not only several modern languages, but also Greek, Latin and Arabic, he was able to familiarize his readers with the original thoughts or even words of the earlier authors. Belonging himself to a positivistic and optimistic generation, he based his narratian on men, facts and tangible progress. Many problems which are discussed by modern historians of science have already been masterly treated by Hirschberg; reading his \"Geschichte\" is still worthwhile, even for English speaking scholars.", "contents": "[Julius Hirschberg (1843-1925), ophthalmologist and medical historian (author's transl)]. Julius Hirschberg of Berlin was one of the most brilliant ophthalmologists of his time. As a surgeon and as the editor of the \"Centralblatt f\u00fcr praktische Augenheilkunde\" (1877-1919) he enjoyed a world-wide reputation. He devised an electrical hand magnet for the extraction of intraocular foreign bodies (1879 - see Duke-Elder, System of ophthalmology, vol. 14/I, p.616) and investigated, among many other aspects of clinical ophthalmology, the ocular manifestations of general disease (e.g. diabetes). Hirschberg's greatest achievement is his History of ophthalmology, from the ancient Egyptians down to 1900 AD (\"Geschichte der Augenheikunde\" 1899-1919, 9 vols., 4700 p.). Because Hirschberg mastered not only several modern languages, but also Greek, Latin and Arabic, he was able to familiarize his readers with the original thoughts or even words of the earlier authors. Belonging himself to a positivistic and optimistic generation, he based his narratian on men, facts and tangible progress. Many problems which are discussed by modern historians of science have already been masterly treated by Hirschberg; reading his \"Geschichte\" is still worthwhile, even for English speaking scholars.", "PMID": 789990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8597", "title": "[Excentric lamellar graft in cases of recurrent pterygium (author's transl)].", "content": "A description is given of a technique using a lamellar graft for the treatment of recurrent pterygium. The rate of recurrence is smaller than when compared to the results obtained by treatment with simple lamellar keratectomy.", "contents": "[Excentric lamellar graft in cases of recurrent pterygium (author's transl)]. A description is given of a technique using a lamellar graft for the treatment of recurrent pterygium. The rate of recurrence is smaller than when compared to the results obtained by treatment with simple lamellar keratectomy.", "PMID": 789991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8598", "title": "[The treatment of candida-albicans-endophthalmitis (author's transl)].", "content": "A widespread septicaemia with candida albicans, which occurs most commonly after excessive therapy with antibiotics and steroids or after immunsuppressive therapy, may produce an endogenous endophthalmitis. We observed 7 such cases treated with 5-fluorocytosine (Ancotil, Roche). The treatment was successful in 5 cases. There were no serious side-effects observed from this drug.", "contents": "[The treatment of candida-albicans-endophthalmitis (author's transl)]. A widespread septicaemia with candida albicans, which occurs most commonly after excessive therapy with antibiotics and steroids or after immunsuppressive therapy, may produce an endogenous endophthalmitis. We observed 7 such cases treated with 5-fluorocytosine (Ancotil, Roche). The treatment was successful in 5 cases. There were no serious side-effects observed from this drug.", "PMID": 789992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8599", "title": "[The development of the hydrophilic contact lens and the optical and therapeutical significance (author's transl)].", "content": "The development of soft lenses is recent compared to the history of hard lenses. In cooperation with chemists an appropriate material was developed which was found more suitable than all previously used hard material for close contact with the cornea. The development of the soft lens from the modest start up to the most advanced soft lens is shown in tables demonstrating the therapeutic results in young children with unilateral aphakia. During the development the scepticism of many experts had to be overcome. To day the soft lens is a contact optical and thereapeutic aid of great significance.", "contents": "[The development of the hydrophilic contact lens and the optical and therapeutical significance (author's transl)]. The development of soft lenses is recent compared to the history of hard lenses. In cooperation with chemists an appropriate material was developed which was found more suitable than all previously used hard material for close contact with the cornea. The development of the soft lens from the modest start up to the most advanced soft lens is shown in tables demonstrating the therapeutic results in young children with unilateral aphakia. During the development the scepticism of many experts had to be overcome. To day the soft lens is a contact optical and thereapeutic aid of great significance.", "PMID": 789994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8600", "title": "[Simple repairs for loss of eyelid substance (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors present the simple technics of eye lid repair. The loss of skin and possibly of M. orbicularis oculi, is differentiated from that of the complete thickness of the eye-lid. The first can be treated by free Thiersch or Wolfe-Krause-split-skin graft or full thickness skin grafts, the second by direct suture or by various local advancement flaps according to the \"quarter\" rule of Mustard\u00e9.", "contents": "[Simple repairs for loss of eyelid substance (author's transl)]. The authors present the simple technics of eye lid repair. The loss of skin and possibly of M. orbicularis oculi, is differentiated from that of the complete thickness of the eye-lid. The first can be treated by free Thiersch or Wolfe-Krause-split-skin graft or full thickness skin grafts, the second by direct suture or by various local advancement flaps according to the \"quarter\" rule of Mustard\u00e9.", "PMID": 789995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8601", "title": "[Complex repairs for loss of eyelid substance (author's transl)].", "content": "The repair of large defects of the lid region may require complex reconstruction using skin, tarsus and conjunctival grafts or flaps. The authors have classified the lesions in three groups: inner canthus, lower lid and upper lid. For each group, the more applicable technics are described.", "contents": "[Complex repairs for loss of eyelid substance (author's transl)]. The repair of large defects of the lid region may require complex reconstruction using skin, tarsus and conjunctival grafts or flaps. The authors have classified the lesions in three groups: inner canthus, lower lid and upper lid. For each group, the more applicable technics are described.", "PMID": 789996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8602", "title": "[Two-stage full-thickness skin grafts to cover extensive lid defects (author's transl)].", "content": "Delayed full-thickness skin grafts present an alternative means of treatment to flaps for the closure of deep defects in the lid region. They are indicated wherever there is a risk of recurrence of the causative process which might lead to the loss of the transposed skin.", "contents": "[Two-stage full-thickness skin grafts to cover extensive lid defects (author's transl)]. Delayed full-thickness skin grafts present an alternative means of treatment to flaps for the closure of deep defects in the lid region. They are indicated wherever there is a risk of recurrence of the causative process which might lead to the loss of the transposed skin.", "PMID": 789997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8603", "title": "[Recurring, infiltrative and destructive lipo-granuloma of the lid following treatment of relative stenosis of the lower canaliculus (author's transl)].", "content": "The application of fat-containing ointment to the horizontal part of the lower canaliculus produced within 12 weeks a rapidly growing Lipoid-Granuloma of the whole lower lid. A recurrence shortly after surgical removal of the tumor necessitated surgical reconstruction of the lid.", "contents": "[Recurring, infiltrative and destructive lipo-granuloma of the lid following treatment of relative stenosis of the lower canaliculus (author's transl)]. The application of fat-containing ointment to the horizontal part of the lower canaliculus produced within 12 weeks a rapidly growing Lipoid-Granuloma of the whole lower lid. A recurrence shortly after surgical removal of the tumor necessitated surgical reconstruction of the lid.", "PMID": 789998} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8604", "title": "[Advances in the automation of perimetry (author's transl)].", "content": "The most important improvements and innovations since 1973 in the automatic perimeter Octopus are described. On the one hand, they include instrumental modifications, namely spatial separation of the perimeter from its control panel, the introduction of step motors in order to increase the accuracy of setting of the stimulus coordinates, the tilting of the perimeter cupola and patient in order to increase stability and comfort of the latter, a fully automated fixation control system, the use of a magnetic-tape recording system, providing analytical programs for the computer and recording computer-answers at the same time. On the other hand, progress has been made in the optimisation of threshold determination methods in the visual field and in the design of methods for the graphical display of the sensitivity distribution across the visual field.", "contents": "[Advances in the automation of perimetry (author's transl)]. The most important improvements and innovations since 1973 in the automatic perimeter Octopus are described. On the one hand, they include instrumental modifications, namely spatial separation of the perimeter from its control panel, the introduction of step motors in order to increase the accuracy of setting of the stimulus coordinates, the tilting of the perimeter cupola and patient in order to increase stability and comfort of the latter, a fully automated fixation control system, the use of a magnetic-tape recording system, providing analytical programs for the computer and recording computer-answers at the same time. On the other hand, progress has been made in the optimisation of threshold determination methods in the visual field and in the design of methods for the graphical display of the sensitivity distribution across the visual field.", "PMID": 789999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8605", "title": "[Reconstruction of the medical canthal area (author's transl)].", "content": "Defects of the medial canthal area with partial full-thickness loss of the upper and lower eye-lid can be repaired by the following technique: closure of the larger lid defect by a free transplant of tarsus and lid margin from the opposite lower lid and a sliding skin flap. The minor lid defect is closed by a pedicled tarso-conjunctival flap and a free or sliding skin graft.", "contents": "[Reconstruction of the medical canthal area (author's transl)]. Defects of the medial canthal area with partial full-thickness loss of the upper and lower eye-lid can be repaired by the following technique: closure of the larger lid defect by a free transplant of tarsus and lid margin from the opposite lower lid and a sliding skin flap. The minor lid defect is closed by a pedicled tarso-conjunctival flap and a free or sliding skin graft.", "PMID": 790000} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8606", "title": "[Sexchromatin determination in a corneal graft in adult cystinosis (author's transl)].", "content": "On the basis of the distribution of F-bodies (Y-Chromatin) and Barr-bodies (X-Chromatin) in a lamellar keratoplasty from a female donor and in the surrounding male corneal tissue of a 55-year-old male patient with adult cystinosis a few female corneal epithelial cells could be identified 7 years after corneal tissue-graft had been performed. It was concluded that after keratoplasty epithelial cells grow into each other, i.e. from the graft to the host tissue and vice versa. The fact that even after 7 years female epithelial cells from the donor can still be detected is put down to the metabolic condition resulting in cystinosis.", "contents": "[Sexchromatin determination in a corneal graft in adult cystinosis (author's transl)]. On the basis of the distribution of F-bodies (Y-Chromatin) and Barr-bodies (X-Chromatin) in a lamellar keratoplasty from a female donor and in the surrounding male corneal tissue of a 55-year-old male patient with adult cystinosis a few female corneal epithelial cells could be identified 7 years after corneal tissue-graft had been performed. It was concluded that after keratoplasty epithelial cells grow into each other, i.e. from the graft to the host tissue and vice versa. The fact that even after 7 years female epithelial cells from the donor can still be detected is put down to the metabolic condition resulting in cystinosis.", "PMID": 790001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8607", "title": "[Determination of cardiac output by means of an automatized thermal dilution technique (author's transl)].", "content": "Cardiac output was measured in 55 patients by the direct Fick method and an automatized thermodilution method. The results showed a good correlation (correlation factor r = 0.87, regression equation y = 0.91 x + 0.59). For the thermodilution method ice-cold normal saline solution as indicator substance was injected into the right atrium. The temperature-time-curve was measured by a thermistor located in the pulmonary artery. The area of indicator dilution was determined by electronic integration, the calculated cardiac output appeared as 1/min in digital display.", "contents": "[Determination of cardiac output by means of an automatized thermal dilution technique (author's transl)]. Cardiac output was measured in 55 patients by the direct Fick method and an automatized thermodilution method. The results showed a good correlation (correlation factor r = 0.87, regression equation y = 0.91 x + 0.59). For the thermodilution method ice-cold normal saline solution as indicator substance was injected into the right atrium. The temperature-time-curve was measured by a thermistor located in the pulmonary artery. The area of indicator dilution was determined by electronic integration, the calculated cardiac output appeared as 1/min in digital display.", "PMID": 790005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8608", "title": "Immunological characterization of lymphoproliferative disorders by membrane markers.", "content": "The characterization of lymphocyte subpopulations by means of surface markers improved our understanding of the immunopathology of lymphoproliferative disorders. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia an accumulation of B-lymphocytes have been documented. The antibody deficiency syndrome in these patients might well reflect a maturation defect of the leukemic B-lymphocytes. In patients with Hodgkin's disease the relative number of B- and T-lymphocytes in the blood was not markedly altered in comparison to normal controls. An increased proliferation primarily of T-lymphocytes however, might suggest their accelerated turnover as an indication of the host response. In most patients with \"Non-Hodgkin\" lymphomas high numbers of B-lymphocytes were found in affected lymph nodes, and these appear occasionally in the peripheral blood. Differences in immunopathological manifestations of the various subgroups of the \"Non-Hodgkin\" lymphomas are emphasized and the rare occurrence of lymphomas of T-lymphocytes (mainly observed in lymphoblastic lymphomas and in S\u00e9zary syndrome) is discussed. Immunopathological alterations in immunocytomas and the myelomas are considered in respect to the involvement of B-lymphocytes at different stages of maturation.", "contents": "Immunological characterization of lymphoproliferative disorders by membrane markers. The characterization of lymphocyte subpopulations by means of surface markers improved our understanding of the immunopathology of lymphoproliferative disorders. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia an accumulation of B-lymphocytes have been documented. The antibody deficiency syndrome in these patients might well reflect a maturation defect of the leukemic B-lymphocytes. In patients with Hodgkin's disease the relative number of B- and T-lymphocytes in the blood was not markedly altered in comparison to normal controls. An increased proliferation primarily of T-lymphocytes however, might suggest their accelerated turnover as an indication of the host response. In most patients with \"Non-Hodgkin\" lymphomas high numbers of B-lymphocytes were found in affected lymph nodes, and these appear occasionally in the peripheral blood. Differences in immunopathological manifestations of the various subgroups of the \"Non-Hodgkin\" lymphomas are emphasized and the rare occurrence of lymphomas of T-lymphocytes (mainly observed in lymphoblastic lymphomas and in S\u00e9zary syndrome) is discussed. Immunopathological alterations in immunocytomas and the myelomas are considered in respect to the involvement of B-lymphocytes at different stages of maturation.", "PMID": 790006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8609", "title": "The effect of minoxidil on blood pressure and plasma renin activity in patients with essential and renal hypertension.", "content": "The effect of the new vasodilator, minoxidil, on blood pressure and plasma renin activity was studied in 21 hypertensive patients: 12 patients with essential and 9 with renal hypertension. The average maximum dosage of minoxidil was 27.9 +/- 6.0 mg/day (M +/- SD). Average duration of treatment was 84.5 days. During the observation period the average systolic blood pressure fell from 195 +/- 18 to 159 +/- 7 mm Hg (M +/- SD), and the mean diastolic blood pressure fell from 120 +/- 8.3 to 92.5 +/- 8 mm Hg (p less than 0.01). These patients had been treated earlier with other antihypertensive agents, such as reserpine, saluretics, hydralazine, alpha-methyldopa, and clonidine, without any significant reduction in blood pressure. Before treatment, plasma renin activity after resting was 59 +/- 6.4 ng/ml/16 h (M +/- SE) and after saluretics and orthostasis 89 +/- 12.7 ng/ml/16 h. After treatment, the decline in renin value after resting was statistically significant: 42.7 +/- 3.3 ng/ml/16 h (p less than 0.05), and the stimulated renin had fallen to 70 +/- 3.4 ng/ml/16 h (p greater than 0.1). A comparison of the renin stimulation values of patients with renal hypertension also revealed a significant reduction (p less than 0.01). Side effects which appeared at a daily dose of 15 to 30 mg consisted mainly of tachycardia and fluid retention and could be controlled by the administration of propranolol and chlorthalidone. In 5 women and in 1 man was observed a cosmetically disturbing, reversible hypertrichosis. Orthostatic hypotension was observed in one patient. Minoxidil is an effective antihypertensive agent. However, because of its side effects, it generally must be administered with beta-receptor blocking agents and saluretics. It is possible that its blood pressure lowering effect is due, at least in part, to a suppression of the plasma renin activity.", "contents": "The effect of minoxidil on blood pressure and plasma renin activity in patients with essential and renal hypertension. The effect of the new vasodilator, minoxidil, on blood pressure and plasma renin activity was studied in 21 hypertensive patients: 12 patients with essential and 9 with renal hypertension. The average maximum dosage of minoxidil was 27.9 +/- 6.0 mg/day (M +/- SD). Average duration of treatment was 84.5 days. During the observation period the average systolic blood pressure fell from 195 +/- 18 to 159 +/- 7 mm Hg (M +/- SD), and the mean diastolic blood pressure fell from 120 +/- 8.3 to 92.5 +/- 8 mm Hg (p less than 0.01). These patients had been treated earlier with other antihypertensive agents, such as reserpine, saluretics, hydralazine, alpha-methyldopa, and clonidine, without any significant reduction in blood pressure. Before treatment, plasma renin activity after resting was 59 +/- 6.4 ng/ml/16 h (M +/- SE) and after saluretics and orthostasis 89 +/- 12.7 ng/ml/16 h. After treatment, the decline in renin value after resting was statistically significant: 42.7 +/- 3.3 ng/ml/16 h (p less than 0.05), and the stimulated renin had fallen to 70 +/- 3.4 ng/ml/16 h (p greater than 0.1). A comparison of the renin stimulation values of patients with renal hypertension also revealed a significant reduction (p less than 0.01). Side effects which appeared at a daily dose of 15 to 30 mg consisted mainly of tachycardia and fluid retention and could be controlled by the administration of propranolol and chlorthalidone. In 5 women and in 1 man was observed a cosmetically disturbing, reversible hypertrichosis. Orthostatic hypotension was observed in one patient. Minoxidil is an effective antihypertensive agent. However, because of its side effects, it generally must be administered with beta-receptor blocking agents and saluretics. It is possible that its blood pressure lowering effect is due, at least in part, to a suppression of the plasma renin activity.", "PMID": 790007} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8610", "title": "Medical treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcer.", "content": "Antacids prove ready if only temporary relief of the symptoms of ulcers. Physicians have been able to increase the rate of healing of gastric ulcers by advising patients to stop smoking and then either admit them to hospital for bed-rest, or use carbenoxolone sodium as an outpatient therapy. The early trials of some other drugs have shown increase in rate of healing of gastric ulcer, but there is no medical treatment which will prevent the high recurrence rate of benign gastric ulcer. The limited data indicate that adequate medical reduction in acid secretion and enhancement of mucosal resistance may benefit patients with duodenal ulcer.", "contents": "Medical treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcer. Antacids prove ready if only temporary relief of the symptoms of ulcers. Physicians have been able to increase the rate of healing of gastric ulcers by advising patients to stop smoking and then either admit them to hospital for bed-rest, or use carbenoxolone sodium as an outpatient therapy. The early trials of some other drugs have shown increase in rate of healing of gastric ulcer, but there is no medical treatment which will prevent the high recurrence rate of benign gastric ulcer. The limited data indicate that adequate medical reduction in acid secretion and enhancement of mucosal resistance may benefit patients with duodenal ulcer.", "PMID": 790009} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8611", "title": "Marburg experiment on surgical research: a five-years' experience on the cooperation between clinical and theoretical surgeons.", "content": "The organisation of surgical research in Marburg is an experiment which has run for five-years and war carried out in attempt to establish a cooperation between clinical and theoretical surgeons (scientists in basic research). The experiment was started 1970 by creating a Division of Experimental Surgery and Pathological Biochemistry at the Surgery Clinic of the University. Structures and functions in this experiment were 6 small working teams, special services for the teams and for the whole Department of Surgery as well as a training programme in surgical research for theoretical surgeons. Success and failure in the experiment were evaluated by criteria testing three principal functions of surgical research: Training of clinical and theoretical surgeons in methods and techniques of surgical research, performance of controlled clinical trials and basic research in surgery. The early results of the Marburg experiment seem to be promising.", "contents": "Marburg experiment on surgical research: a five-years' experience on the cooperation between clinical and theoretical surgeons. The organisation of surgical research in Marburg is an experiment which has run for five-years and war carried out in attempt to establish a cooperation between clinical and theoretical surgeons (scientists in basic research). The experiment was started 1970 by creating a Division of Experimental Surgery and Pathological Biochemistry at the Surgery Clinic of the University. Structures and functions in this experiment were 6 small working teams, special services for the teams and for the whole Department of Surgery as well as a training programme in surgical research for theoretical surgeons. Success and failure in the experiment were evaluated by criteria testing three principal functions of surgical research: Training of clinical and theoretical surgeons in methods and techniques of surgical research, performance of controlled clinical trials and basic research in surgery. The early results of the Marburg experiment seem to be promising.", "PMID": 790010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8612", "title": "Changing trends in the surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer.", "content": "On the basis of fully or partly controlled clinical trials the long term results of several standard operations for duodenal ulcer have been compared--subtotal gastrectomy, truncal vagotomy and antrectomy, truncal vagotomy and gastro-enterostomy, truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty, selective vagotomy and pyloroplasty and proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage. Few statistically significant differences emerge but the following observations seems to be justified: (a) Subtotal gastrectomy and vagotomy and antrectomy probably offer better protection against recurrent ulceration than any of the other operations examined, but the greater intrinsic operative risks of these two resection procedures is emphasized. (b) Disturbances of alimentary function occur to a variable extent after all operations but appear to be least troublesome after proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage. In particular this operation is followed by a negligible incidence of diarrhoea compared with truncal vagotomy procedures. (c) On overall (Visick) grading the two resection operations and proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage do better than truncal vagotomy with drainage, proximal gastric vagotomy being specially notable for the relatively small proportion of patients in category 3 after its use. Surgical strategy in the choice of elevtive operation for duodenal ulcer is discussed.", "contents": "Changing trends in the surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer. On the basis of fully or partly controlled clinical trials the long term results of several standard operations for duodenal ulcer have been compared--subtotal gastrectomy, truncal vagotomy and antrectomy, truncal vagotomy and gastro-enterostomy, truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty, selective vagotomy and pyloroplasty and proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage. Few statistically significant differences emerge but the following observations seems to be justified: (a) Subtotal gastrectomy and vagotomy and antrectomy probably offer better protection against recurrent ulceration than any of the other operations examined, but the greater intrinsic operative risks of these two resection procedures is emphasized. (b) Disturbances of alimentary function occur to a variable extent after all operations but appear to be least troublesome after proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage. In particular this operation is followed by a negligible incidence of diarrhoea compared with truncal vagotomy procedures. (c) On overall (Visick) grading the two resection operations and proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage do better than truncal vagotomy with drainage, proximal gastric vagotomy being specially notable for the relatively small proportion of patients in category 3 after its use. Surgical strategy in the choice of elevtive operation for duodenal ulcer is discussed.", "PMID": 790011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8613", "title": "Immunohistological study on collagen in cartilage-bone metamorphosis and degenerative osteoarthrosis.", "content": "Synthesis of collagen by chondrocytes was studied by immunofluorescence using antibodies specific for type I, II and III collagen. The following tissues and culture conditions were chosen for this immunohistological study: normal articular cartilage, epiphyseal growth cartilage, cartilage undergoing osteoarthrotic degeneration, suspension culture and monolayer culture. While type II collagen is the unique collagen all over hyaline cartilage, type I collagen is produced by hypertrophic chondrocytes in the growth plate. In addition, chondrocytes in osteoarthrotic areas of articular cartilage synthesize type I collagen. Under in vitro culture conditions, chondrocytes initially product type II collagen and synthesize later on type I collagen. The change of synthesis from type II to type I collagen is more rapid in monolayer than in suspension culture. It is concluded that the presence of matrix compounds and the cellmatrix interaction as well are necessary to maintain synthesis of type II collagen in chondrocytes. Alterations in the cell-matrix interactions are shown to occur in the hypertrophic zone of the epiphyseal growth plate, in cartilage undergoing osteoarthrotic degeneration as well as in chondrocytes grown in culture. Thus, change in the control of gene activity may subsequently lead to change in collagen synthesis. It is possible that the synthesis of type I collagen, which cannot fulfil the physiological function of a structural element in cartilageneous tissue, is a crucial factor in the process of osteoarthrosis.", "contents": "Immunohistological study on collagen in cartilage-bone metamorphosis and degenerative osteoarthrosis. Synthesis of collagen by chondrocytes was studied by immunofluorescence using antibodies specific for type I, II and III collagen. The following tissues and culture conditions were chosen for this immunohistological study: normal articular cartilage, epiphyseal growth cartilage, cartilage undergoing osteoarthrotic degeneration, suspension culture and monolayer culture. While type II collagen is the unique collagen all over hyaline cartilage, type I collagen is produced by hypertrophic chondrocytes in the growth plate. In addition, chondrocytes in osteoarthrotic areas of articular cartilage synthesize type I collagen. Under in vitro culture conditions, chondrocytes initially product type II collagen and synthesize later on type I collagen. The change of synthesis from type II to type I collagen is more rapid in monolayer than in suspension culture. It is concluded that the presence of matrix compounds and the cellmatrix interaction as well are necessary to maintain synthesis of type II collagen in chondrocytes. Alterations in the cell-matrix interactions are shown to occur in the hypertrophic zone of the epiphyseal growth plate, in cartilage undergoing osteoarthrotic degeneration as well as in chondrocytes grown in culture. Thus, change in the control of gene activity may subsequently lead to change in collagen synthesis. It is possible that the synthesis of type I collagen, which cannot fulfil the physiological function of a structural element in cartilageneous tissue, is a crucial factor in the process of osteoarthrosis.", "PMID": 790012} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8614", "title": "Dienes typing of Proteus strains isolated from barrier-maintained animals.", "content": "The possible use of Dienes' phenomenon for typing proteus strains as an aid to bacteriological monitoring of barrier-maintained animal units was investigated. It was rare for more than 1 Dienes' type to be isolated from an individual animal. A persistent relationship between 1 or 2 Diene's types and each strain of animal was demonstrated, although these same types were shown to be capable of causing clinical disease in their normal host. The findings suggest that Dienes' phenomenon may be of value in detecting outside contamination of barrier-maintained animals and also might usefully be applied to experimental epidemiological studies.", "contents": "Dienes typing of Proteus strains isolated from barrier-maintained animals. The possible use of Dienes' phenomenon for typing proteus strains as an aid to bacteriological monitoring of barrier-maintained animal units was investigated. It was rare for more than 1 Dienes' type to be isolated from an individual animal. A persistent relationship between 1 or 2 Diene's types and each strain of animal was demonstrated, although these same types were shown to be capable of causing clinical disease in their normal host. The findings suggest that Dienes' phenomenon may be of value in detecting outside contamination of barrier-maintained animals and also might usefully be applied to experimental epidemiological studies.", "PMID": 790014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8615", "title": "Assessment of nasalization in the speech of deaf children.", "content": "Nasality is widely recognized as a problem in the speech of many deaf people. This paper describes one approach to the assessment of nasalization and to the development of visual aids to assist in training of velopharyngeal control. The approach involves detection of the velopharyngeal opening during voiced sounds by means of a small accelerometer attached to the nose, and presentation of the accelerometer output on a computer-controlled visual display. The display may be used as a training aid, or for the purpose of analyzing either recorded or live speech. Objective data are presented on some of the properties of the accelerometer output for the speech of people with normal hearing and of a number of children whose hearing is severely impaired. These data show inadequate velopharyngeal control, particularly improper nasalization of certain vowels, for a significant number of the deaf children. For a group of the hearing-impaired children, subjective judgments of the adequacy of velopharyngeal control and of other speech attributes were obtained. Correlations among these judgments and relations between judgments of adequacy of velopharyngeal control and the objective measures of nasalization are shown. Some comments are made on the development of procedures for the training of velopharyngeal control using the display as an aid.", "contents": "Assessment of nasalization in the speech of deaf children. Nasality is widely recognized as a problem in the speech of many deaf people. This paper describes one approach to the assessment of nasalization and to the development of visual aids to assist in training of velopharyngeal control. The approach involves detection of the velopharyngeal opening during voiced sounds by means of a small accelerometer attached to the nose, and presentation of the accelerometer output on a computer-controlled visual display. The display may be used as a training aid, or for the purpose of analyzing either recorded or live speech. Objective data are presented on some of the properties of the accelerometer output for the speech of people with normal hearing and of a number of children whose hearing is severely impaired. These data show inadequate velopharyngeal control, particularly improper nasalization of certain vowels, for a significant number of the deaf children. For a group of the hearing-impaired children, subjective judgments of the adequacy of velopharyngeal control and of other speech attributes were obtained. Correlations among these judgments and relations between judgments of adequacy of velopharyngeal control and the objective measures of nasalization are shown. Some comments are made on the development of procedures for the training of velopharyngeal control using the display as an aid.", "PMID": 790016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8616", "title": "The changing face of peptic ulcer in the elderly.", "content": "The elderly patient presents a challenge to the physician both in recognition of peptic ulcer disease and in long term management. Only with close observation and an awareness of the higher complication rate can a successful therapeutic approach be developed.", "contents": "The changing face of peptic ulcer in the elderly. The elderly patient presents a challenge to the physician both in recognition of peptic ulcer disease and in long term management. Only with close observation and an awareness of the higher complication rate can a successful therapeutic approach be developed.", "PMID": 790045} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8617", "title": "Host factors and infectious diseases in the elderly.", "content": "Because of declining function of their immunologic and other organ systems, elderly individuals are more susceptible to certain types of infections of their heart valves, meninges, urinary tract, and skin. They may develop serious sepsis with subtle clinical signs and symptoms, which makes accurate diagnosis difficult. The antimicrobial agents of choice for use against the organisms most commonly responsible for these septic symdromes are listed in Tables 2, 3, and 4. Some methods of preventing these infections are discussed, but further studies to verify old techniques and establish new ones are needed.", "contents": "Host factors and infectious diseases in the elderly. Because of declining function of their immunologic and other organ systems, elderly individuals are more susceptible to certain types of infections of their heart valves, meninges, urinary tract, and skin. They may develop serious sepsis with subtle clinical signs and symptoms, which makes accurate diagnosis difficult. The antimicrobial agents of choice for use against the organisms most commonly responsible for these septic symdromes are listed in Tables 2, 3, and 4. Some methods of preventing these infections are discussed, but further studies to verify old techniques and establish new ones are needed.", "PMID": 790048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8618", "title": "[Direct immunofluorescence in cutaneous lupus erythematosus].", "content": "A study of the Direct Immunofluorescence Method in skin biopsies of 62 patients with discoid lupus erythematosus is presented. All the specimens were examined to determine the presence of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) and complement (C3) on the different histological structures of the skin. The presence of immunoglobulins and complement was detected not only in the basement membrane of the lesion but also on the hyaline bodies, collagen fibres, dermal capillaries, basal membrane of hair follicles, dermal inflammatory cells, sweat glands and arrector pili muscles. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "[Direct immunofluorescence in cutaneous lupus erythematosus]. A study of the Direct Immunofluorescence Method in skin biopsies of 62 patients with discoid lupus erythematosus is presented. All the specimens were examined to determine the presence of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) and complement (C3) on the different histological structures of the skin. The presence of immunoglobulins and complement was detected not only in the basement membrane of the lesion but also on the hyaline bodies, collagen fibres, dermal capillaries, basal membrane of hair follicles, dermal inflammatory cells, sweat glands and arrector pili muscles. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 790052} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8619", "title": "[Congenital psoriasiform erythroderma with bullous eruptions].", "content": "A 39 years old female patient with congenital erythroderma is reported. The condition was considered as the non bullous type of Brocq's congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma until recently. The patient was admitted as she had generalized erythema, desquamation and oedema, pyrexia and oliguria. The scales were fine and small, quite different from those of lamellar ichthyosis. The patient developed a recidivant pustular eruption on palms, face and trunk. So the diagnosis was changed to congenital psoriasiform erythroderma and this was supported by histopathological examination of both scaling and pustular lesions. There was a remarkable improvement on amethopterin therapy. The case is discussed and the relevant litterature is reviewed.", "contents": "[Congenital psoriasiform erythroderma with bullous eruptions]. A 39 years old female patient with congenital erythroderma is reported. The condition was considered as the non bullous type of Brocq's congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma until recently. The patient was admitted as she had generalized erythema, desquamation and oedema, pyrexia and oliguria. The scales were fine and small, quite different from those of lamellar ichthyosis. The patient developed a recidivant pustular eruption on palms, face and trunk. So the diagnosis was changed to congenital psoriasiform erythroderma and this was supported by histopathological examination of both scaling and pustular lesions. There was a remarkable improvement on amethopterin therapy. The case is discussed and the relevant litterature is reviewed.", "PMID": 790053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8620", "title": "[Spontaneous rupture of the allografted kidney (author's transl)].", "content": "Spontaneous rupture of allografted kidneys occurred in 6 cases after 95 renal transplantations performed in the Department of General Surgery at the University Clinic in Essen. An analysis of this complication after renal transplantation is presented considering our own experience and 60 cases from the literature. The characteristic symptoms which were found in all cases consisted of oliguria, pain and swelling of the graft site and signs of hemorrhage. In 90% transplant rupture occurred within 3 weeks postoperatively. The surgical therapy should preserve the ruptured organ whenever possible. In 5 of our 6 cases we were successful in preserving the graft by suturing the tear. The analysis of the etiologic factors of 66 cases shows that oedema of the renal graft is the most common finding. A possible etiological factor seems to be the method of organ preservation.", "contents": "[Spontaneous rupture of the allografted kidney (author's transl)]. Spontaneous rupture of allografted kidneys occurred in 6 cases after 95 renal transplantations performed in the Department of General Surgery at the University Clinic in Essen. An analysis of this complication after renal transplantation is presented considering our own experience and 60 cases from the literature. The characteristic symptoms which were found in all cases consisted of oliguria, pain and swelling of the graft site and signs of hemorrhage. In 90% transplant rupture occurred within 3 weeks postoperatively. The surgical therapy should preserve the ruptured organ whenever possible. In 5 of our 6 cases we were successful in preserving the graft by suturing the tear. The analysis of the etiologic factors of 66 cases shows that oedema of the renal graft is the most common finding. A possible etiological factor seems to be the method of organ preservation.", "PMID": 790058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8621", "title": "Horizontal tongue flap in repair of tonsillar palatal defect.", "content": "Local tissue, when available, seems superior to utilizing distant tissue for reconstruction of the tonsillar fossa region. Repair of the defect employing a horizontal posteriorly based tongue flap has been useful. It has the advantage of minimal decrease in the remaining tongue bulk and mobility, requires only 90 degrees rotation, and can be used after radiation therapy or ligation of the ipsilateral lingual artery.", "contents": "Horizontal tongue flap in repair of tonsillar palatal defect. Local tissue, when available, seems superior to utilizing distant tissue for reconstruction of the tonsillar fossa region. Repair of the defect employing a horizontal posteriorly based tongue flap has been useful. It has the advantage of minimal decrease in the remaining tongue bulk and mobility, requires only 90 degrees rotation, and can be used after radiation therapy or ligation of the ipsilateral lingual artery.", "PMID": 790059} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8622", "title": "Rhomboid flap principles and common variations.", "content": "The rhomboid flap was initially popularized by a Russian, Alexander Limberg, and modified by Claude Dufourmentel of Paris. Numerous variations on the flap have been proposed more recently by Webster and Gunter. This flap has found its way into the practice of most surgeons doing head and neck surgery, with its primary advantage being that it is an extremely simple flap operation to learn, with great versatility. The general principles and their clinical application are presented in order to increase proper utilization of the flap.", "contents": "Rhomboid flap principles and common variations. The rhomboid flap was initially popularized by a Russian, Alexander Limberg, and modified by Claude Dufourmentel of Paris. Numerous variations on the flap have been proposed more recently by Webster and Gunter. This flap has found its way into the practice of most surgeons doing head and neck surgery, with its primary advantage being that it is an extremely simple flap operation to learn, with great versatility. The general principles and their clinical application are presented in order to increase proper utilization of the flap.", "PMID": 790060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8623", "title": "Dermal grafts: an alternative technique.", "content": "The drum dermatome technique for obtaining dermal grafts is described. Results using this technique are equivalent to conventional methods using a mechanical dermatome.", "contents": "Dermal grafts: an alternative technique. The drum dermatome technique for obtaining dermal grafts is described. Results using this technique are equivalent to conventional methods using a mechanical dermatome.", "PMID": 790061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8624", "title": "LH and FSH responses to luteinizing releasing hormone in normal fertile women.", "content": "These studies were designed to permit calculation of bioassay dose-response curves for luteinizing releasing hormone (LRH) during three phases of the menstrual cycle in normal women. No previous data permit such estimations. Synthetic LRH was administered as a single i.v. bolus injection to 18 normal women. The dose levels were 30, 100, and 300 mug administered in the follicular, preovulary, or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in a 3(2) factorial design. Each subject was injected with the same dose in two different phases of the same cycle. The total number of injections given to the entire group of women was 36. For comparative purposes, the same doses (30, 100, and 300 mug) were administered to eugonadal men. In absolute as well as in relative terms, the highest maximal responses were observed in the preovulatory phase, and the lowest in the follicular phase. Measured as the area under the time-response curve, the highest maximal responses were observed in the luteal phase. The duration of the elevation in LH and FSH in response to LRH showed no significant relation to the phases of the cycle but, for both hormones, was related to the dose of LRH administered. Dose-response curves were established for both LH and FSH in all three phases of the cycle, but only in the preovulatory and luteal phases were the F ratios significant for LH. For FSH, the F ratio was only significant in the luteal phase. The potency of LRH was found to increase throughout the cycle, culminating in the luteal phase. The potency in the early follicular phase was similar to that in normal, adult, human males. Throughout these studies the FSH:LH ratio remained less than one. During the normal menstrual cycle follicle growth is initiated by FSH secretion and the FSH:LH ratio is greater than one. These findings indicate that a factor other than the decapeptide, LRH, must stimulate FSH secretion during the follicular phase. Since any modulating hormonal factors (e.g., gonadal steroids) would be present during our studies, modulation of pituitary response to endogenous LRH can not explain the relative increase in FSH (compared to LH) seen in the early follicular phase of women. Lastly, the slopes of the dose-response curves for LRH stimulation of LH vary with phase of the menstrual cycle. The slope was least in follicular phase, greater with ovulatory phase, and greatest for luteal phase (when LH-FSH secretion is lowest). These data indicate that the differences in response to LRH are not simply alteration of potency (or quantitative differences) but differences in a qualitative response. Furthermore, endogenous LRH secretion must be lowest during the luteal phase, when response to exogenous LRH is greatest. It is common to test pituitary LH-FSH secretory ability by administering 100 mug of LRH intravenously. The 95% confidence intervals for the relative maximal responses to 100 mug LRH in normal, fertile women on the third day of the menstrual cycle were 200%-700% for LH, and 150-200% for FSH.", "contents": "LH and FSH responses to luteinizing releasing hormone in normal fertile women. These studies were designed to permit calculation of bioassay dose-response curves for luteinizing releasing hormone (LRH) during three phases of the menstrual cycle in normal women. No previous data permit such estimations. Synthetic LRH was administered as a single i.v. bolus injection to 18 normal women. The dose levels were 30, 100, and 300 mug administered in the follicular, preovulary, or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in a 3(2) factorial design. Each subject was injected with the same dose in two different phases of the same cycle. The total number of injections given to the entire group of women was 36. For comparative purposes, the same doses (30, 100, and 300 mug) were administered to eugonadal men. In absolute as well as in relative terms, the highest maximal responses were observed in the preovulatory phase, and the lowest in the follicular phase. Measured as the area under the time-response curve, the highest maximal responses were observed in the luteal phase. The duration of the elevation in LH and FSH in response to LRH showed no significant relation to the phases of the cycle but, for both hormones, was related to the dose of LRH administered. Dose-response curves were established for both LH and FSH in all three phases of the cycle, but only in the preovulatory and luteal phases were the F ratios significant for LH. For FSH, the F ratio was only significant in the luteal phase. The potency of LRH was found to increase throughout the cycle, culminating in the luteal phase. The potency in the early follicular phase was similar to that in normal, adult, human males. Throughout these studies the FSH:LH ratio remained less than one. During the normal menstrual cycle follicle growth is initiated by FSH secretion and the FSH:LH ratio is greater than one. These findings indicate that a factor other than the decapeptide, LRH, must stimulate FSH secretion during the follicular phase. Since any modulating hormonal factors (e.g., gonadal steroids) would be present during our studies, modulation of pituitary response to endogenous LRH can not explain the relative increase in FSH (compared to LH) seen in the early follicular phase of women. Lastly, the slopes of the dose-response curves for LRH stimulation of LH vary with phase of the menstrual cycle. The slope was least in follicular phase, greater with ovulatory phase, and greatest for luteal phase (when LH-FSH secretion is lowest). These data indicate that the differences in response to LRH are not simply alteration of potency (or quantitative differences) but differences in a qualitative response. Furthermore, endogenous LRH secretion must be lowest during the luteal phase, when response to exogenous LRH is greatest. It is common to test pituitary LH-FSH secretory ability by administering 100 mug of LRH intravenously. The 95% confidence intervals for the relative maximal responses to 100 mug LRH in normal, fertile women on the third day of the menstrual cycle were 200%-700% for LH, and 150-200% for FSH.", "PMID": 790081} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8625", "title": "Metabolism of branched-chain amino acids in altered nutrition.", "content": "Plasma concentrations of the branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) are more prominently affected than the concentrations of other amino acids by changes in dietary-caloric, protein, fat, and carbohydrate-intake in man. For example, within a day of starvation or protein deprivation, there are increases or decreases, respectively, in concentrations of these amino acids in the plasma of healthy human volunteers. The cellular mechanisms of these changes have been investigated in rats, since the changes in the plasma branched-chain amino acid concentrations in response to the previously stated dietary alterations are similar to those found in man. Among the tissues studied (liver, skeletal muscle, heart, kidney, and intestine) only liver and the skeletal muscle exhibit changes in branched-chain amino acid concentrations in response to dietary alteation. Changes in plasma concentrations appear to reflect more intimately those of the muscle than theliver. After 8 days of starvation, there is a 25% decrease in the muscle protein, but after 8 days of protein deprivation, there is no significant change in the muscle mass. Increases in concentrations of branched-chain amino acids in the muscle are much smaller than the amounts of these amino acids lost as protein constituents form the muscle during fasting. Changes in tissue transport, transamination, oxidation, or metabolic conversions of branched-chain amino acids in tissues. It is concluded that increased muscle protein breakdown, which provides substrates for enhanced gluconeogenesis in the liver and enhanced branched-chain amino acid oxidation in the muscle, is the major mechanism of hyperbranched-chain aminoacdemia in starvation. On the other hand, the principal factors in the development of hypobranched-chain aminoacidemia during protein deprivation are absence of exogenous amino acids as well as curtailed muscle protein breakdown.", "contents": "Metabolism of branched-chain amino acids in altered nutrition. Plasma concentrations of the branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) are more prominently affected than the concentrations of other amino acids by changes in dietary-caloric, protein, fat, and carbohydrate-intake in man. For example, within a day of starvation or protein deprivation, there are increases or decreases, respectively, in concentrations of these amino acids in the plasma of healthy human volunteers. The cellular mechanisms of these changes have been investigated in rats, since the changes in the plasma branched-chain amino acid concentrations in response to the previously stated dietary alterations are similar to those found in man. Among the tissues studied (liver, skeletal muscle, heart, kidney, and intestine) only liver and the skeletal muscle exhibit changes in branched-chain amino acid concentrations in response to dietary alteation. Changes in plasma concentrations appear to reflect more intimately those of the muscle than theliver. After 8 days of starvation, there is a 25% decrease in the muscle protein, but after 8 days of protein deprivation, there is no significant change in the muscle mass. Increases in concentrations of branched-chain amino acids in the muscle are much smaller than the amounts of these amino acids lost as protein constituents form the muscle during fasting. Changes in tissue transport, transamination, oxidation, or metabolic conversions of branched-chain amino acids in tissues. It is concluded that increased muscle protein breakdown, which provides substrates for enhanced gluconeogenesis in the liver and enhanced branched-chain amino acid oxidation in the muscle, is the major mechanism of hyperbranched-chain aminoacdemia in starvation. On the other hand, the principal factors in the development of hypobranched-chain aminoacidemia during protein deprivation are absence of exogenous amino acids as well as curtailed muscle protein breakdown.", "PMID": 790082} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8626", "title": "Structure-function relationship: immunologic.", "content": "It is suggested that the antigenic site of glucagon for the specific sera is located within the 24-29 section of the molecule and within the 2-23 section for the fully cross-reacting sera. Biologically inactivated glucagon may retain immunoreactivity in spite of the loss of receptor-binding activity.", "contents": "Structure-function relationship: immunologic. It is suggested that the antigenic site of glucagon for the specific sera is located within the 24-29 section of the molecule and within the 2-23 section for the fully cross-reacting sera. Biologically inactivated glucagon may retain immunoreactivity in spite of the loss of receptor-binding activity.", "PMID": 790083} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8627", "title": "[Induced filament formation in S. enteritidis by means of different sodium and chloride salts and different carbohydrates].", "content": "We have previously observed filament formation in S. enteritidis which grew on media containing different salts and carbohydrates. In this study, sodium citrate, sod. carbonate, sod. molybdate, sod. acetate, sod. sulfate, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, saccharose and glucose were used as inducing agents. Different concentrations of most of the above substances were effective in filament formation in S. enteritidis. Temperature (37 degrees C and room temperature), pH of media and state of media (liquid and solid) are also found to be effective in filament formation in some levels.", "contents": "[Induced filament formation in S. enteritidis by means of different sodium and chloride salts and different carbohydrates]. We have previously observed filament formation in S. enteritidis which grew on media containing different salts and carbohydrates. In this study, sodium citrate, sod. carbonate, sod. molybdate, sod. acetate, sod. sulfate, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, saccharose and glucose were used as inducing agents. Different concentrations of most of the above substances were effective in filament formation in S. enteritidis. Temperature (37 degrees C and room temperature), pH of media and state of media (liquid and solid) are also found to be effective in filament formation in some levels.", "PMID": 790103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8628", "title": "[106 cases of infantile diarrhea caused by enteropathogenic E. coli 0111:B4 serotype in a 1974 epidemic in Ankara].", "content": "106 Enteropathogenic E. coli (E.P.E.C.) 0111 : B4 were isolated from the stools of children with gastro enteritis. 101 of these came from different pediatric wards, 5. from outpatient clinics with no history of previous hospital contact. In 16 months different E.P.E.C. serotypes were isolated, these are shown table VI. In spite of the uniformity of the serotype isolated during 1974 epidemic various serotypes were isolated in subsequent years. Among these serotypes 0111 : B4 was most prevalent, consisting of 47.3% of all isolations.", "contents": "[106 cases of infantile diarrhea caused by enteropathogenic E. coli 0111:B4 serotype in a 1974 epidemic in Ankara]. 106 Enteropathogenic E. coli (E.P.E.C.) 0111 : B4 were isolated from the stools of children with gastro enteritis. 101 of these came from different pediatric wards, 5. from outpatient clinics with no history of previous hospital contact. In 16 months different E.P.E.C. serotypes were isolated, these are shown table VI. In spite of the uniformity of the serotype isolated during 1974 epidemic various serotypes were isolated in subsequent years. Among these serotypes 0111 : B4 was most prevalent, consisting of 47.3% of all isolations.", "PMID": 790104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8629", "title": "[The isolation of two of yersina pseudotuberculosis from wild animals in different regions of Turkey].", "content": "Two strains of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were isolated from wild animals collected from different regions in Anatolia. Skin test with Y. pseudotuberculosis antigen on human subjects in various parts of Turkey gave a high percentage of positive results. It seems probable that this microorganism can cause infections in man transmitted by wild animals.", "contents": "[The isolation of two of yersina pseudotuberculosis from wild animals in different regions of Turkey]. Two strains of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were isolated from wild animals collected from different regions in Anatolia. Skin test with Y. pseudotuberculosis antigen on human subjects in various parts of Turkey gave a high percentage of positive results. It seems probable that this microorganism can cause infections in man transmitted by wild animals.", "PMID": 790105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8630", "title": "[Oxidation of aliphatic alcohols and acids by yeasts capable and incapable of growth on n-alkanes].", "content": "Yeast cultures, capable and incapable fo growth on hydrocarbons, were tested for their ability to oxidize aliphatic alcohols and acids, intermediate products of n-alkane degradation. The cultures belonging to 7 genera and 13 species did not grow on liquid paraffins and tetradecane. However, they grew on tetradecanol and oxidized aliphatic alcohols and fatty acids, the pattern of oxidation of the substrates being the same as in the case of alkane-oxidizing yeast cultures grown on glucose. None of 45 yeast strains (12 genera and 36 species) which did not grow on paraffin was able to oxidize tetradecane. As follows from this and earlier evidence (Lozinov et al., 1976a), the only reaction typical of yeasts capable of growth on n-alkanes is the oxigenase reaction of their oxidation to alcohols.", "contents": "[Oxidation of aliphatic alcohols and acids by yeasts capable and incapable of growth on n-alkanes]. Yeast cultures, capable and incapable fo growth on hydrocarbons, were tested for their ability to oxidize aliphatic alcohols and acids, intermediate products of n-alkane degradation. The cultures belonging to 7 genera and 13 species did not grow on liquid paraffins and tetradecane. However, they grew on tetradecanol and oxidized aliphatic alcohols and fatty acids, the pattern of oxidation of the substrates being the same as in the case of alkane-oxidizing yeast cultures grown on glucose. None of 45 yeast strains (12 genera and 36 species) which did not grow on paraffin was able to oxidize tetradecane. As follows from this and earlier evidence (Lozinov et al., 1976a), the only reaction typical of yeasts capable of growth on n-alkanes is the oxigenase reaction of their oxidation to alcohols.", "PMID": 790100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8631", "title": "[Comparison of various aspects of normal and filament forms of S. enteritidis IV].", "content": "Induced filament formation of S. enteritidis by means of sodium chloride was previously reported. In this study various aspects of normal and filament forms of S. enteritidis are compared. Filament forms had lost some of their biochemical activities when compared with the normal forms of S. enteritidis. There was no serological difference between the two forms. We were unable to show any difference in antibiotic sensitivity, because concentrated sodium chloride inhibited cell growth. No difference was observed between the two forms in pathogenity against mice. The resistance to heat was decreased in filament forms. In addition to these, staining and spreading of nuclear elements showed some variations in the young and old filaments.", "contents": "[Comparison of various aspects of normal and filament forms of S. enteritidis IV]. Induced filament formation of S. enteritidis by means of sodium chloride was previously reported. In this study various aspects of normal and filament forms of S. enteritidis are compared. Filament forms had lost some of their biochemical activities when compared with the normal forms of S. enteritidis. There was no serological difference between the two forms. We were unable to show any difference in antibiotic sensitivity, because concentrated sodium chloride inhibited cell growth. No difference was observed between the two forms in pathogenity against mice. The resistance to heat was decreased in filament forms. In addition to these, staining and spreading of nuclear elements showed some variations in the young and old filaments.", "PMID": 790106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8632", "title": "[Change in the composition of Candida albicans cells during development of resistance to polyene antibiotics].", "content": "The composition of lipid and protein components of the membrane structures was studied in the strains of Candida albicans susceptible and resistant to polyene antibiotics. The content of sterols was lower and the content of free fatty acids was higher in the cells of resistant strains cf. susceptible strains. The composition of sterols was also different in the resistant strains: analysis of absorption spectra of sterol extracts in heptane in UV revealed complete absence of ergosterol, the main component of the susceptible strain, and appearance of a heterogenous peak at 215--240 nm.", "contents": "[Change in the composition of Candida albicans cells during development of resistance to polyene antibiotics]. The composition of lipid and protein components of the membrane structures was studied in the strains of Candida albicans susceptible and resistant to polyene antibiotics. The content of sterols was lower and the content of free fatty acids was higher in the cells of resistant strains cf. susceptible strains. The composition of sterols was also different in the resistant strains: analysis of absorption spectra of sterol extracts in heptane in UV revealed complete absence of ergosterol, the main component of the susceptible strain, and appearance of a heterogenous peak at 215--240 nm.", "PMID": 790101} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8633", "title": "[ 771 Shigella strains isolated in a 15-year period from Americans living in Ankara. Comparisons with Shigella strains isolated from Turkish natives].", "content": "The author had worked as a bacteriologist in Ankara American Air Force Hospital from 1958 to 1972. During this period of time he was able to isolate 771 shigella strains from the American patients of the hospital. The amounts and the percentages of the subgroups are listed below together with the two other Ankara City Pediatric hospital results (see article). american community lived in Ankara for 15 years and shared many aspects which were important in shigella epidemiology like using city's tap water, shopping from the same green groceries to by fruits and vegetables so on. For shigella cases Ankara had seasonal alterations in July and August being the peak months. Americans, disease followed that course exactly. The big difference was being the local people of the city had those epidemics with the flexneri strains but Americans had them with the sonnei strains. To show the possible sources which could infect the community time to time and make sonnei predominant yielded negative result. All the patients stools were cultured. Sensitivity studies employing \"plate disk diffusion\" techniques were done. All patients treated accordingly. Stools checked for routine carriership exams. None become a chronic carrier. American installations had their shops, clubs, mess halls. The food handlers of these places had checked routinely by the preventive medicine office. None found infected. Only at 1963 the amount of flexneri isolations were higher than sonnei. All the remaining years sonnei were predominant. Antibiotic sensitivity studies showed no differences between subtypes. Except streptomycin and sulphamide strains stayed fairly sensitive to other antibiotics. Resistance factors contained maximum 6 markers. The little Americans community in Ankara consisted a unique and highly socioeconomic-wise developed group of the city. Many attempts to find the answer for the question is \"who is infecting who\" was always fruitless. That gives the impression as if the Americans were more sensitive to the shigella infections caused by sonnei strains for some reason. In another words Americans were more resistant to the infections other than sonnei.", "contents": "[ 771 Shigella strains isolated in a 15-year period from Americans living in Ankara. Comparisons with Shigella strains isolated from Turkish natives]. The author had worked as a bacteriologist in Ankara American Air Force Hospital from 1958 to 1972. During this period of time he was able to isolate 771 shigella strains from the American patients of the hospital. The amounts and the percentages of the subgroups are listed below together with the two other Ankara City Pediatric hospital results (see article). american community lived in Ankara for 15 years and shared many aspects which were important in shigella epidemiology like using city's tap water, shopping from the same green groceries to by fruits and vegetables so on. For shigella cases Ankara had seasonal alterations in July and August being the peak months. Americans, disease followed that course exactly. The big difference was being the local people of the city had those epidemics with the flexneri strains but Americans had them with the sonnei strains. To show the possible sources which could infect the community time to time and make sonnei predominant yielded negative result. All the patients stools were cultured. Sensitivity studies employing \"plate disk diffusion\" techniques were done. All patients treated accordingly. Stools checked for routine carriership exams. None become a chronic carrier. American installations had their shops, clubs, mess halls. The food handlers of these places had checked routinely by the preventive medicine office. None found infected. Only at 1963 the amount of flexneri isolations were higher than sonnei. All the remaining years sonnei were predominant. Antibiotic sensitivity studies showed no differences between subtypes. Except streptomycin and sulphamide strains stayed fairly sensitive to other antibiotics. Resistance factors contained maximum 6 markers. The little Americans community in Ankara consisted a unique and highly socioeconomic-wise developed group of the city. Many attempts to find the answer for the question is \"who is infecting who\" was always fruitless. That gives the impression as if the Americans were more sensitive to the shigella infections caused by sonnei strains for some reason. In another words Americans were more resistant to the infections other than sonnei.", "PMID": 790107} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8634", "title": "[Use of ultrasound in the quantitative estimation of soil and rhizospheric microorganisms].", "content": "Ultrasonic treatment of soil, though being very effective for desorption of cells and deaggregation of microcolonies, may damage and kill microorganisms. Possible application and effectiveness of ultrasonic treatment was studied in this work with chernozem (dry and wet samples), rhizosphere and rhizoplane of pea. An ultrasonic disintegrator of low frequency is recommended for dry soils. Ultrasound cannot be recommended for treating rhizosphere and rhizoplane of plants without checking its effectiveness in each case.", "contents": "[Use of ultrasound in the quantitative estimation of soil and rhizospheric microorganisms]. Ultrasonic treatment of soil, though being very effective for desorption of cells and deaggregation of microcolonies, may damage and kill microorganisms. Possible application and effectiveness of ultrasonic treatment was studied in this work with chernozem (dry and wet samples), rhizosphere and rhizoplane of pea. An ultrasonic disintegrator of low frequency is recommended for dry soils. Ultrasound cannot be recommended for treating rhizosphere and rhizoplane of plants without checking its effectiveness in each case.", "PMID": 790102} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8635", "title": "[Enteropathogenic E. coli strains isolated in our laboratory within the last 8 months].", "content": "63 E. coli strains were isolated and typed seriologically from feces samples sent to our laboratory from infants suffering from diarrhea in March-October 1975. 5 out of these strains were typed as 0111 : B4, one as 055 : B5 and another one as 0125 : B15, which are generally regarded as enteropathogenic E. coli. Also sensitivity test were carried out and many of these strains were found to be multiple antibiotic resistant.", "contents": "[Enteropathogenic E. coli strains isolated in our laboratory within the last 8 months]. 63 E. coli strains were isolated and typed seriologically from feces samples sent to our laboratory from infants suffering from diarrhea in March-October 1975. 5 out of these strains were typed as 0111 : B4, one as 055 : B5 and another one as 0125 : B15, which are generally regarded as enteropathogenic E. coli. Also sensitivity test were carried out and many of these strains were found to be multiple antibiotic resistant.", "PMID": 790108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8636", "title": "[Antigenic relationships between various strains of Candida albicans].", "content": "In this short communication the results of cross agglutination and absorption tests among seven standard Candida albicans strains (C. albicans CBS - 562, C. albicans CBS - 1899 (C. truncata), C. albicans CBS - 2695, C. albicans CBS - 5144 (C. intestinals), C., albicans CBS - 5145 (C. biliaria) are given. It showed that these microrganisms have the same antigenic structure.", "contents": "[Antigenic relationships between various strains of Candida albicans]. In this short communication the results of cross agglutination and absorption tests among seven standard Candida albicans strains (C. albicans CBS - 562, C. albicans CBS - 1899 (C. truncata), C. albicans CBS - 2695, C. albicans CBS - 5144 (C. intestinals), C., albicans CBS - 5145 (C. biliaria) are given. It showed that these microrganisms have the same antigenic structure.", "PMID": 790109} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8637", "title": "Controlled evaluation of the beta adrenoceptor blocking drug oxprenolol in anxiety.", "content": "An investigation of the effectiveness of the beta adrenoceptor blocking drug oxprenolol in the treatment of primary clinical anxiety is reported. A controlled double-blind evaluation of oxprenolol versus diazepam and placebo was carried out. The results of the trial showed diazepam to be generally more effective and to produce a more rapid onset of symptom reduction than oxprenolol. The role of beta adrenergic blocking drugs in the treatment of clinical anxiety and related syndromes is discussed.", "contents": "Controlled evaluation of the beta adrenoceptor blocking drug oxprenolol in anxiety. An investigation of the effectiveness of the beta adrenoceptor blocking drug oxprenolol in the treatment of primary clinical anxiety is reported. A controlled double-blind evaluation of oxprenolol versus diazepam and placebo was carried out. The results of the trial showed diazepam to be generally more effective and to produce a more rapid onset of symptom reduction than oxprenolol. The role of beta adrenergic blocking drugs in the treatment of clinical anxiety and related syndromes is discussed.", "PMID": 790112} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8638", "title": "Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol for asthmatic children requiring maintenance oral steroid therapy.", "content": "A single-blind crossover trial comparing beclomethasone dipropionate by inhalation with prednisolone by mouth in the treatment of asthmatic children over a period of 10 months is reported. Fourteen children aged between nine and 16 years entered the trial. All had severe chronic asthma requiring maintenance oral prednisolone therapy in doses ranging from 2 to 7-5 mg/day. Beclomethasone dipropionate given by inhalation in a dose of 400 mug/day was found to be a satisfactory alternative to prednisolone by mouth for controlling the symptoms of asthma. During the course of this trial, three of the children died suddenly during acute exacerbations of asthma. All three had evidence of extensive inflammation of the tracheobronchial tree.", "contents": "Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol for asthmatic children requiring maintenance oral steroid therapy. A single-blind crossover trial comparing beclomethasone dipropionate by inhalation with prednisolone by mouth in the treatment of asthmatic children over a period of 10 months is reported. Fourteen children aged between nine and 16 years entered the trial. All had severe chronic asthma requiring maintenance oral prednisolone therapy in doses ranging from 2 to 7-5 mg/day. Beclomethasone dipropionate given by inhalation in a dose of 400 mug/day was found to be a satisfactory alternative to prednisolone by mouth for controlling the symptoms of asthma. During the course of this trial, three of the children died suddenly during acute exacerbations of asthma. All three had evidence of extensive inflammation of the tracheobronchial tree.", "PMID": 790113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8639", "title": "Effect of 15 (R) 15 methyl prostaglandin E2 on the healing of gastric ulcers: a double-blind endoscopic study.", "content": "A double-blind trial was carried out to assess the effect of 15 (R) 15 methyl prostaglandin E2 on the healing of gastric ulcers. The prostaglandin preparation was given orally in doses of 150 mug every 6 hours for two weeks to 10 subjects with proven gastric ulcer. The control group consisted of 10 subjects with proven gastric ulcer, who did not receive prostaglandin treatment. All were in hospital, and at rest in bed. Ulcer healing was assessed endoscopically with a duodenofibrescope. The maximum diameter of the ulcer crater was determined endoscopically just before and after two weeks of treatment. In the prostaglandin group, complete healing was seen in three cases and considerable healing (50% and more) in five cases, and the overall mean healing rate was 63-3%. In the control group, complete healing was seen in no case and considerable healing in one case, and the overall mean healing rate was 17-1%. The difference was highly significant. The results confirm the belief that 15 (R) 15 methyl prostaglandin E2 is effective in promoting the healing of gastric ulcers.20", "contents": "Effect of 15 (R) 15 methyl prostaglandin E2 on the healing of gastric ulcers: a double-blind endoscopic study. A double-blind trial was carried out to assess the effect of 15 (R) 15 methyl prostaglandin E2 on the healing of gastric ulcers. The prostaglandin preparation was given orally in doses of 150 mug every 6 hours for two weeks to 10 subjects with proven gastric ulcer. The control group consisted of 10 subjects with proven gastric ulcer, who did not receive prostaglandin treatment. All were in hospital, and at rest in bed. Ulcer healing was assessed endoscopically with a duodenofibrescope. The maximum diameter of the ulcer crater was determined endoscopically just before and after two weeks of treatment. In the prostaglandin group, complete healing was seen in three cases and considerable healing (50% and more) in five cases, and the overall mean healing rate was 63-3%. In the control group, complete healing was seen in no case and considerable healing in one case, and the overall mean healing rate was 17-1%. The difference was highly significant. The results confirm the belief that 15 (R) 15 methyl prostaglandin E2 is effective in promoting the healing of gastric ulcers.20", "PMID": 790118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8640", "title": "[Evidence for the action of raubasine from a new formulation of Lamuran tablets].", "content": "It was possible in a controlled double-blind study to demonstrate by means of dynamographic measurements the action of raubasine in patients with cerebrovascular disorders. A new formulation of Lamuran tablets (MF706d) was used for the investigation. This formulation has an improved in-vitro dissolution rate for raubasine that is largely independent of pH. In the raubasine group (10 patients aged 47 to 81 years, including 6 cases of anacidity) there was after one and two weeks treatment with dialy doses of 90 mg raubasine a significant reduction of the raised vascular resistance and pulsewave velocity and systolic blood pressure in the internal carotid artery which indicate an improvement in cerebral haemodynamics. In contrast, no significant changes in these parameters could be found in the placebo group (9 patients aged 52 to 83 years). The therapeutic relevance of the haemodynamic effects was supported by a simultaneous clinical improvement.", "contents": "[Evidence for the action of raubasine from a new formulation of Lamuran tablets]. It was possible in a controlled double-blind study to demonstrate by means of dynamographic measurements the action of raubasine in patients with cerebrovascular disorders. A new formulation of Lamuran tablets (MF706d) was used for the investigation. This formulation has an improved in-vitro dissolution rate for raubasine that is largely independent of pH. In the raubasine group (10 patients aged 47 to 81 years, including 6 cases of anacidity) there was after one and two weeks treatment with dialy doses of 90 mg raubasine a significant reduction of the raised vascular resistance and pulsewave velocity and systolic blood pressure in the internal carotid artery which indicate an improvement in cerebral haemodynamics. In contrast, no significant changes in these parameters could be found in the placebo group (9 patients aged 52 to 83 years). The therapeutic relevance of the haemodynamic effects was supported by a simultaneous clinical improvement.", "PMID": 790125} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8641", "title": "[Action of raubasine (new formulation) in arterial occlusive diseases (author's transl)].", "content": "A double blind cross-over study under acute experimental conditions was carried out in 26 patients with angiographically confirmed occlusion in one or two limbs in order to see whether a change in the formulation of raubasine preparations improves the circulation in diseased limbs. Either 100mg raubasine or placebo tablets were administered in a randomized order. Blood flow at rest and \"peak-flow\" after total arterial occlusion for 3 min showed a significant improvement under raubasine compared with the pre-occlusion period whilst these parameters were not affected by placebo. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate remained almost constant under raubasine whilst they were reduced under placebo. A similar response was seen in a subgroup of 19 patients with occlusion of the femoral artery. It can thus be said that in the present investigation the new formulation of raubasine preparation (MF 706d) has been shown in a double blind study to improve both the blood flow at rest and the \"peak-flow\" to a significant degree in patients with arterial occlusions.", "contents": "[Action of raubasine (new formulation) in arterial occlusive diseases (author's transl)]. A double blind cross-over study under acute experimental conditions was carried out in 26 patients with angiographically confirmed occlusion in one or two limbs in order to see whether a change in the formulation of raubasine preparations improves the circulation in diseased limbs. Either 100mg raubasine or placebo tablets were administered in a randomized order. Blood flow at rest and \"peak-flow\" after total arterial occlusion for 3 min showed a significant improvement under raubasine compared with the pre-occlusion period whilst these parameters were not affected by placebo. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate remained almost constant under raubasine whilst they were reduced under placebo. A similar response was seen in a subgroup of 19 patients with occlusion of the femoral artery. It can thus be said that in the present investigation the new formulation of raubasine preparation (MF 706d) has been shown in a double blind study to improve both the blood flow at rest and the \"peak-flow\" to a significant degree in patients with arterial occlusions.", "PMID": 790128} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8642", "title": "[Bencyclan (Fludilat) in the treatment of patients with ischaemic cerebral infarction (author's transl)].", "content": "In 50 patients suffering from local cerebral circulation disturbances the effects of bencyclan--administered intravenously in a dosis of 500 mg per day--were evaluated under double-blind conditions. At the same time all patients received digitalis and physiotherapy. Besides a detailed recording of the neurological and psychopathological status a number of psychological tests were applied in order to get objective data about psychomotor function, cerebro-organic capacity and mood. The control recordings after a three weeks' treatment demonstrated an improvement of the clinical as well as the psychological parameters in either group. There were no marked, statistically significant differences in the extent of improvement between the bencyclan and the placebo group; that means bencyclan has no effect on the signs of ischaemic cerebrovascular disease, which exceeds the effects of digitalis and physiotherapy.", "contents": "[Bencyclan (Fludilat) in the treatment of patients with ischaemic cerebral infarction (author's transl)]. In 50 patients suffering from local cerebral circulation disturbances the effects of bencyclan--administered intravenously in a dosis of 500 mg per day--were evaluated under double-blind conditions. At the same time all patients received digitalis and physiotherapy. Besides a detailed recording of the neurological and psychopathological status a number of psychological tests were applied in order to get objective data about psychomotor function, cerebro-organic capacity and mood. The control recordings after a three weeks' treatment demonstrated an improvement of the clinical as well as the psychological parameters in either group. There were no marked, statistically significant differences in the extent of improvement between the bencyclan and the placebo group; that means bencyclan has no effect on the signs of ischaemic cerebrovascular disease, which exceeds the effects of digitalis and physiotherapy.", "PMID": 790129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8643", "title": "Template properties of human DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II.", "content": "DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II has been purified from lymphocytes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Form II polymerase and Escherichia coli RNA polymerase have been used to study the transcription of human DNA and chromatin. The hybridization kinetics of the transcripts of DNA and chromatin by the human polymerase are quite different; chromatin transcripts hybridized to DNA at a much slower rate than DNA transcripts, whereas the transcripts of DNA and chromatin by bacterial polymerase have similar hybridization kinetics.", "contents": "Template properties of human DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II. DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II has been purified from lymphocytes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Form II polymerase and Escherichia coli RNA polymerase have been used to study the transcription of human DNA and chromatin. The hybridization kinetics of the transcripts of DNA and chromatin by the human polymerase are quite different; chromatin transcripts hybridized to DNA at a much slower rate than DNA transcripts, whereas the transcripts of DNA and chromatin by bacterial polymerase have similar hybridization kinetics.", "PMID": 790145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8644", "title": "Early consolidation chemotherapy for adults with acute leukemia in remission.", "content": "Three courses of intensive consolidation therapy were administered to 13 patients with acute leukemia after they achieved complete remission. The patients were randomly allocated to receive their therapy in or out of a protected environment unit and with or without antibiotic prophylaxis. The results suggest that the protected-environment-prophylactic-antibiotic program may have protected the patients from infection, although the numbers in each group are too small for meaningful comparison. However, early consolidation therapy was not beneficial, since the duration of remission and survival of these patients was less than that of a group of comparable patients who received only conventional maintenance therapy.", "contents": "Early consolidation chemotherapy for adults with acute leukemia in remission. Three courses of intensive consolidation therapy were administered to 13 patients with acute leukemia after they achieved complete remission. The patients were randomly allocated to receive their therapy in or out of a protected environment unit and with or without antibiotic prophylaxis. The results suggest that the protected-environment-prophylactic-antibiotic program may have protected the patients from infection, although the numbers in each group are too small for meaningful comparison. However, early consolidation therapy was not beneficial, since the duration of remission and survival of these patients was less than that of a group of comparable patients who received only conventional maintenance therapy.", "PMID": 790146} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8645", "title": "Polarity and the regulation of the ilv gene cluster in Escherichia coli strain K-12.", "content": "A series of Mu-1 induced isoleucine and valine auxotrophs derived from the wild type K-12 strain of Escherichia coli and from a valine resistant (ilvO-) mutant were examined. It was concluded that the genes ilvE, ilvD and ilvA constitute a single operon and are transcribed from E to A. Furthermore, the ilvG gene, expressed only in ilvO- strains, does not lie between ilvE and ilvD as previously assumed. A mutation in rho was examined for its effect on the ilvEDA operon. One effect of the rho- mutation was a mimicking of an isoleucine limitation signal. A model for the regulation of the ilvEDA operon is discussed. The model involves multiple attentuation sites and a possible role for the ilvO locus which lies at the distal end of the ilvEDA operon (but is not part of it). Supportive evidence for the proposed direction of transcription was obtained by examination of a series of gammailv transducing phages.", "contents": "Polarity and the regulation of the ilv gene cluster in Escherichia coli strain K-12. A series of Mu-1 induced isoleucine and valine auxotrophs derived from the wild type K-12 strain of Escherichia coli and from a valine resistant (ilvO-) mutant were examined. It was concluded that the genes ilvE, ilvD and ilvA constitute a single operon and are transcribed from E to A. Furthermore, the ilvG gene, expressed only in ilvO- strains, does not lie between ilvE and ilvD as previously assumed. A mutation in rho was examined for its effect on the ilvEDA operon. One effect of the rho- mutation was a mimicking of an isoleucine limitation signal. A model for the regulation of the ilvEDA operon is discussed. The model involves multiple attentuation sites and a possible role for the ilvO locus which lies at the distal end of the ilvEDA operon (but is not part of it). Supportive evidence for the proposed direction of transcription was obtained by examination of a series of gammailv transducing phages.", "PMID": 790150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8646", "title": "Induction kinetics of mutagenic DNA repair activity in E. coli following ultraviolet irradiation.", "content": "Ultraviolet mutagenesis of phage gamma is produced by host functions which are inducible by ultraviolet irradiation of the host cell. Induction kinetics and the half life of the inducible mutagenic DNA repair (SOS-repair) in E.coli have been determined using phage gamma assays. At 37 degrees C, both mutagenic and repair activities are maximal approximately 30 min following irradiation and decay with a half life of approximately 30 min. The presence of 100 mug/ml chloramphenicol during the first 40 min after irradiation completely abolishes induction of repair and mutagenesis. The ultraviolet induction pattern of SOS repair very much resembles that of gamma prophage in lysogenic induction (Monk and Kinross, 1975).", "contents": "Induction kinetics of mutagenic DNA repair activity in E. coli following ultraviolet irradiation. Ultraviolet mutagenesis of phage gamma is produced by host functions which are inducible by ultraviolet irradiation of the host cell. Induction kinetics and the half life of the inducible mutagenic DNA repair (SOS-repair) in E.coli have been determined using phage gamma assays. At 37 degrees C, both mutagenic and repair activities are maximal approximately 30 min following irradiation and decay with a half life of approximately 30 min. The presence of 100 mug/ml chloramphenicol during the first 40 min after irradiation completely abolishes induction of repair and mutagenesis. The ultraviolet induction pattern of SOS repair very much resembles that of gamma prophage in lysogenic induction (Monk and Kinross, 1975).", "PMID": 790151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8647", "title": "The molecular mechanism of virus induction. I. A procedure for the biochemical assay of prophage induction.", "content": "The basic conditions for use of a new biochemical assay of bacteriophage induction are described. This method is based on the read-through transcription of the tryptophan operon integrated into an \"early\" transcribed region of the bacteriophage phi80 or gamma genome. Inactivation of repressor molecules was assayed by measuring, in the presence of tryptophan, anthranilate synthetase activity in an Escherichia coli (trpE-) phi80 or gamma lysogen infected with phi80ptrp or gammaptrp, respectively, and treated with mitomycin C or UV irradiation. This method provides a sensitive and easy means to analyze the induction process.", "contents": "The molecular mechanism of virus induction. I. A procedure for the biochemical assay of prophage induction. The basic conditions for use of a new biochemical assay of bacteriophage induction are described. This method is based on the read-through transcription of the tryptophan operon integrated into an \"early\" transcribed region of the bacteriophage phi80 or gamma genome. Inactivation of repressor molecules was assayed by measuring, in the presence of tryptophan, anthranilate synthetase activity in an Escherichia coli (trpE-) phi80 or gamma lysogen infected with phi80ptrp or gammaptrp, respectively, and treated with mitomycin C or UV irradiation. This method provides a sensitive and easy means to analyze the induction process.", "PMID": 790152} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8648", "title": "Host factor requirements and some properties of phiXtB. An evolutionary aspect of phiX-type phages.", "content": "Replication of phiXtB, a capsid mutant of bacteriophage phiX174, depends on the host functions directed by the E.coli genes dnaE, dnaF, dnaG, dnaZ, lig and rep. The cellular products of dnaA, dnaB, dnaC(D), dnaI, dnaP, polA, polB and xth genes are, however, dispensable for the viral growth. In these host factor requirements, phiXtB resembles phages phiK and St-1 rather than phiX174. Host ranges of phiXtB, St-1 and phiK overlap considerably, and growth temperature of the three phages is somewhat higher than that of phiX174. Furthermore, phiXtB is, like phiK, inactivated by antiserum against St-1. phiXtB may thus fill an evolutionary gap between the phiX174 group and the St-1 group.", "contents": "Host factor requirements and some properties of phiXtB. An evolutionary aspect of phiX-type phages. Replication of phiXtB, a capsid mutant of bacteriophage phiX174, depends on the host functions directed by the E.coli genes dnaE, dnaF, dnaG, dnaZ, lig and rep. The cellular products of dnaA, dnaB, dnaC(D), dnaI, dnaP, polA, polB and xth genes are, however, dispensable for the viral growth. In these host factor requirements, phiXtB resembles phages phiK and St-1 rather than phiX174. Host ranges of phiXtB, St-1 and phiK overlap considerably, and growth temperature of the three phages is somewhat higher than that of phiX174. Furthermore, phiXtB is, like phiK, inactivated by antiserum against St-1. phiXtB may thus fill an evolutionary gap between the phiX174 group and the St-1 group.", "PMID": 790153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8649", "title": "A mutation affecting expression of the gene coding for serine transacetylase in Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "A 1,2,4-triazole resistant mutant of S. typhimurium has been isolated, in which serine transacetylase activity is seven times higher than in wild type. Partially purified serine transacetylase from a strain carrying the trz-312 mutation has kinetic properties which are virtually identical to those of the wild type enzyme and binds to O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase A to form a cysteine synthetase complex which is also indistinguishable from that found in wild type. Thus the increased activity of serine transacetylase associated with trz-312 appears to result from increased quantities of a kinetically normal, enzyme protein. Resistance to 1,2,4-triazole is probably due to the ability of trz-312 strains to synthesize O-acetyl-L-serine at a rapid enough rate to compensate for that utilized by the O-acetylserine triazolylase reaction. Genetic mapping experiments, using P1-mediated transduction, show that trz-312 is 91-99% linked to cysE, the structural gene for serine transacetylase. The results of three point crosses indicate that this mutation is located at one extreme end of the cysE locus, as would be expected for a promotor mutation.", "contents": "A mutation affecting expression of the gene coding for serine transacetylase in Salmonella typhimurium. A 1,2,4-triazole resistant mutant of S. typhimurium has been isolated, in which serine transacetylase activity is seven times higher than in wild type. Partially purified serine transacetylase from a strain carrying the trz-312 mutation has kinetic properties which are virtually identical to those of the wild type enzyme and binds to O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase A to form a cysteine synthetase complex which is also indistinguishable from that found in wild type. Thus the increased activity of serine transacetylase associated with trz-312 appears to result from increased quantities of a kinetically normal, enzyme protein. Resistance to 1,2,4-triazole is probably due to the ability of trz-312 strains to synthesize O-acetyl-L-serine at a rapid enough rate to compensate for that utilized by the O-acetylserine triazolylase reaction. Genetic mapping experiments, using P1-mediated transduction, show that trz-312 is 91-99% linked to cysE, the structural gene for serine transacetylase. The results of three point crosses indicate that this mutation is located at one extreme end of the cysE locus, as would be expected for a promotor mutation.", "PMID": 790154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8650", "title": "The induction of mitotic gene conversion by chemical and physical mutagens as a function of culture age in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Cultures of yeast progressing from the exponential to the stationary phase of growth show increased resistance to the lethal effects of the chemical mutagens nitrous acid, ethyl methane sulphonate and mitomycin C and increased sensitivity to the lethal effects of UV light. Induced mitotic intragenic recombination produced by gene conversion also shows variation in its response to the growth phase after mutagen treatment. Higher frequencies of recombination per surviving cell were found after nitrous acid and ethyl methane sulphonate treatment of stationary phase cells whereas identical frequencies were produced by UV and mitomycin C treatment in both growth phases. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that the more nitrous acid and ethyl methane sulphonate resistant stationary phase cells were more active in postreplication repair. The sensitivity of exponential phase cells to nitrous acid and ethyl methane sulphonate may result from both increased mutagen uptake and reduced postreplication repair activity. In contrast, irrespective of growth phase all cells surviving UV and mitomycin C treatment appear to have undergone identical levels of post-replication repair.", "contents": "The induction of mitotic gene conversion by chemical and physical mutagens as a function of culture age in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cultures of yeast progressing from the exponential to the stationary phase of growth show increased resistance to the lethal effects of the chemical mutagens nitrous acid, ethyl methane sulphonate and mitomycin C and increased sensitivity to the lethal effects of UV light. Induced mitotic intragenic recombination produced by gene conversion also shows variation in its response to the growth phase after mutagen treatment. Higher frequencies of recombination per surviving cell were found after nitrous acid and ethyl methane sulphonate treatment of stationary phase cells whereas identical frequencies were produced by UV and mitomycin C treatment in both growth phases. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that the more nitrous acid and ethyl methane sulphonate resistant stationary phase cells were more active in postreplication repair. The sensitivity of exponential phase cells to nitrous acid and ethyl methane sulphonate may result from both increased mutagen uptake and reduced postreplication repair activity. In contrast, irrespective of growth phase all cells surviving UV and mitomycin C treatment appear to have undergone identical levels of post-replication repair.", "PMID": 790155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8651", "title": "Efficient suppression of the requirement for N function of bacteriophage lambda by a Rho-defective E.coli suA mutant.", "content": "The E. coli suA mutant (T82), which is a suppressor of polarity by virtue of its impaired transcription termination factor (rho) activity, is shown to be an efficient suppressor of lambdaN- mutants. The relief of the N requirement by this host is reflected in a substantial restoration of growth and N-dependent beta-galactosidase expression as well as in a partial relief of polarity of N-defective phages.", "contents": "Efficient suppression of the requirement for N function of bacteriophage lambda by a Rho-defective E.coli suA mutant. The E. coli suA mutant (T82), which is a suppressor of polarity by virtue of its impaired transcription termination factor (rho) activity, is shown to be an efficient suppressor of lambdaN- mutants. The relief of the N requirement by this host is reflected in a substantial restoration of growth and N-dependent beta-galactosidase expression as well as in a partial relief of polarity of N-defective phages.", "PMID": 790156} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8652", "title": "Specificity of polarity suppression in E. coli: correction of defects in gene N, but not in gene Q, of phage lambda.", "content": "The bacterial mutation psuA1, known as (suA) a polarity suppressor, partially relieves all N defects in bacteriophage lambda growth. No evidence is found that psuA1 relieves Q defects in lambda growth. Specific mechanisms of action by the N and Q gene products are discussed. The psuA1 mutation was also found to suppress IS1 type but not IS2 type insertion mutations in lambda.", "contents": "Specificity of polarity suppression in E. coli: correction of defects in gene N, but not in gene Q, of phage lambda. The bacterial mutation psuA1, known as (suA) a polarity suppressor, partially relieves all N defects in bacteriophage lambda growth. No evidence is found that psuA1 relieves Q defects in lambda growth. Specific mechanisms of action by the N and Q gene products are discussed. The psuA1 mutation was also found to suppress IS1 type but not IS2 type insertion mutations in lambda.", "PMID": 790157} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8653", "title": "The role of mitochondria in carbon catabolite repression in yeast.", "content": "The role of mitochondria in carbon catabolite repression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated by comparing normal, respiratory competent (RHO) strains with their mitochondrially inherited, respiratory deficient mutant derivatives (rho). Formation of maltase and invertase was used as an indicator system for the effect of carbon catabolite repression on carbon catabolic reactions. Fermentation rates for glucose, maltose and sucrose were the same in RHO and rho strains. Specific activities of maltase and invertase were usually higher in the rho-mutants. A very pronounced difference in invertase levels was observed when cells were grown on maltose; rho-mutants had around 30 times more invertase than their RHO parent strains. The fact that rho-mutants were much less sensitive to carbon catabolite repression of invertase synthesis than their RHO parents was used to search for the mitochondrial factor(s) or function(s) involved in carbon catabolite repression. A possible metabolic influence of mitochondria on this system of regulation was tested after growth of RHO strains under anaerobic conditions (no respiration nor oxidative phosphorylation), in the presence of KCN (respiration inhibited), dinitrophenol (uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation) and of both inhibitors anaerobic conditions and dinitrophenol had no effect on the extent of invertase repression. KCN reduced the degree of repression but not to the level found in rho-mutants. A combination of both inhibitors gave the same results as with KCN alone. Erythromycin and chloramphenicol were used as specific inhibitors of mitochondrial protein synthesis. Erythromycin prevented the formation of mitochondrial respiratory systems but did not induce rho-mutants under the conditions used. However, repression of invertase was as strong as in the absence of the inhibitor. Chloramphenicol led only to a slight reduction of the respiratory systems and did not affect invertase levels. A combination of both antibiotics had about the same effect as growth in the presence of KCN. The results showed that mitochondria are involved in carbon catabolite repression and they cause an increase in the degree of repression. These effects cannot be due to mere metabolic activities nor to factors made on the mitochondrial protein synthesizing machinery. This regulatory role of mitochondria is observed as long as an intact mitochondrial genome is maintained.", "contents": "The role of mitochondria in carbon catabolite repression in yeast. The role of mitochondria in carbon catabolite repression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated by comparing normal, respiratory competent (RHO) strains with their mitochondrially inherited, respiratory deficient mutant derivatives (rho). Formation of maltase and invertase was used as an indicator system for the effect of carbon catabolite repression on carbon catabolic reactions. Fermentation rates for glucose, maltose and sucrose were the same in RHO and rho strains. Specific activities of maltase and invertase were usually higher in the rho-mutants. A very pronounced difference in invertase levels was observed when cells were grown on maltose; rho-mutants had around 30 times more invertase than their RHO parent strains. The fact that rho-mutants were much less sensitive to carbon catabolite repression of invertase synthesis than their RHO parents was used to search for the mitochondrial factor(s) or function(s) involved in carbon catabolite repression. A possible metabolic influence of mitochondria on this system of regulation was tested after growth of RHO strains under anaerobic conditions (no respiration nor oxidative phosphorylation), in the presence of KCN (respiration inhibited), dinitrophenol (uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation) and of both inhibitors anaerobic conditions and dinitrophenol had no effect on the extent of invertase repression. KCN reduced the degree of repression but not to the level found in rho-mutants. A combination of both inhibitors gave the same results as with KCN alone. Erythromycin and chloramphenicol were used as specific inhibitors of mitochondrial protein synthesis. Erythromycin prevented the formation of mitochondrial respiratory systems but did not induce rho-mutants under the conditions used. However, repression of invertase was as strong as in the absence of the inhibitor. Chloramphenicol led only to a slight reduction of the respiratory systems and did not affect invertase levels. A combination of both antibiotics had about the same effect as growth in the presence of KCN. The results showed that mitochondria are involved in carbon catabolite repression and they cause an increase in the degree of repression. These effects cannot be due to mere metabolic activities nor to factors made on the mitochondrial protein synthesizing machinery. This regulatory role of mitochondria is observed as long as an intact mitochondrial genome is maintained.", "PMID": 790158} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8654", "title": "Genetic mapping of chromosomal mutations affecting the replication of the F-factor of Escherichia coli.", "content": "A genetic study has been performed on a set of mutations which prevent the replication of F-factors in Escherichia coli K-12. The gene affected is designated seg and has been located by transduction in the serB-thr segment of the chromosome. The seg gene does not appear to be related to the dnaC locus.", "contents": "Genetic mapping of chromosomal mutations affecting the replication of the F-factor of Escherichia coli. A genetic study has been performed on a set of mutations which prevent the replication of F-factors in Escherichia coli K-12. The gene affected is designated seg and has been located by transduction in the serB-thr segment of the chromosome. The seg gene does not appear to be related to the dnaC locus.", "PMID": 790159} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8655", "title": "Regulation of the level of yeasts citrate synthase by oxygen availability.", "content": "The activity of yeasts citrate synthase in cells grown under different hypoxic conditions has been investigated. A linear relationship between the citrate synthase activity and the respiratory capacity of the cells has been found. When Saccharomyces cerevisiae was grown on fermentable substrates the activity decreased as the concentration of sugars in the medium increased. The enzyme of the yeast Rhodoturula showed a high activity in spite of the existence of high sugar concentration in the culture medium. Neither feed-back repression by glutamate nor feed-forward induction by ammonia has been found in bakers' yeast. The results suggest that the regulation of the enzyme by oxygen availability takes place by the \"\"de novo'' synthesis of the enzyme.", "contents": "Regulation of the level of yeasts citrate synthase by oxygen availability. The activity of yeasts citrate synthase in cells grown under different hypoxic conditions has been investigated. A linear relationship between the citrate synthase activity and the respiratory capacity of the cells has been found. When Saccharomyces cerevisiae was grown on fermentable substrates the activity decreased as the concentration of sugars in the medium increased. The enzyme of the yeast Rhodoturula showed a high activity in spite of the existence of high sugar concentration in the culture medium. Neither feed-back repression by glutamate nor feed-forward induction by ammonia has been found in bakers' yeast. The results suggest that the regulation of the enzyme by oxygen availability takes place by the \"\"de novo'' synthesis of the enzyme.", "PMID": 790160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8656", "title": "Molecular aspects of control in epidermal differentiation.", "content": "The mammalian epidermis is organized into layers of structurally different cells--the basal, spinous, granular and cornified layers--which represent steps in the differentiative process that terminates in cornification and desquamation. Investigation of the molecular mechanisms that control this ordered sequence of events provides clues to the etiology of certain epidermal pathologies. DNA synthesis and mitosis are normally restricted to the basal layer. Several substances have been implicated in the mitotic control of epidermal cells, the loss of mitotic activity being the first major step in normal keratinization. Investigations performed in this laboratory indicate that isolated differentiated nuclei can replicate their DNA which they are inhibited from doing in situ. Addition of a high speed supernate from homogenized differentiated cells inhibited this synthetic activity in vitro suggesting the existence of a cytoplasmic inhibitor of DNA synthesis. It is not known whether mitotic inhibition in differentiated epidermal cells is a function of the inhibition of DNA replication. Contrary to previous assumptions, recent experimental evidence clearly indicates that, unlike DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis occurs in differentiated cells. Correlated with this synthetic activity is the observation that a protein rich in histidine is specifically formed in the granular cells. This protein appears to be a component of the keratohyalin granules which fill the cells of the granular layer. Investigations were conducted in this laboratory to determine whether control of the synthesis of this protein occurs at the level of translation or transcription. Translation, in vitro, of mRNA obtained from isolated populations of each epidermal cell type suggested that control of protein synthesis in the differentiating epidermis is transcriptional, i.e. only in the granular cell is there an mRNA for the histidine-rich protein. Transcription, in vitro, of chormatin isolated from the separated cell populations produced RNA with a ratio of cytidine to uracil consistent with the predicted mRNA for this protein thus providing additional support for the hypothesis that epidermal differentiation is controlled at the level of 'gene-readout'.", "contents": "Molecular aspects of control in epidermal differentiation. The mammalian epidermis is organized into layers of structurally different cells--the basal, spinous, granular and cornified layers--which represent steps in the differentiative process that terminates in cornification and desquamation. Investigation of the molecular mechanisms that control this ordered sequence of events provides clues to the etiology of certain epidermal pathologies. DNA synthesis and mitosis are normally restricted to the basal layer. Several substances have been implicated in the mitotic control of epidermal cells, the loss of mitotic activity being the first major step in normal keratinization. Investigations performed in this laboratory indicate that isolated differentiated nuclei can replicate their DNA which they are inhibited from doing in situ. Addition of a high speed supernate from homogenized differentiated cells inhibited this synthetic activity in vitro suggesting the existence of a cytoplasmic inhibitor of DNA synthesis. It is not known whether mitotic inhibition in differentiated epidermal cells is a function of the inhibition of DNA replication. Contrary to previous assumptions, recent experimental evidence clearly indicates that, unlike DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis occurs in differentiated cells. Correlated with this synthetic activity is the observation that a protein rich in histidine is specifically formed in the granular cells. This protein appears to be a component of the keratohyalin granules which fill the cells of the granular layer. Investigations were conducted in this laboratory to determine whether control of the synthesis of this protein occurs at the level of translation or transcription. Translation, in vitro, of mRNA obtained from isolated populations of each epidermal cell type suggested that control of protein synthesis in the differentiating epidermis is transcriptional, i.e. only in the granular cell is there an mRNA for the histidine-rich protein. Transcription, in vitro, of chormatin isolated from the separated cell populations produced RNA with a ratio of cytidine to uracil consistent with the predicted mRNA for this protein thus providing additional support for the hypothesis that epidermal differentiation is controlled at the level of 'gene-readout'.", "PMID": 790161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8657", "title": "Serotonin and myoclonus.", "content": "Biochemical studies of serotonin metabolism and a therapeutic trial of L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP) in combination with carbidopa were carried out in 19 patients with myoclonus. In 6 patients with intention myoclonus, the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, a metabolite of serotonin was found to be significantly decreased. L-5-HTP with carbidopa dramatically decreased the frequency and intensity of myoclonus, particularly in those patients with a diagnosis of postanoxic intention myoclonus. The major side effects have been anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and mental stimulation. We suggest that a deficiency of brain serotonin is causally related to myoclonic muscle movements and the therapeutic efficacy of L-5-HTP plus carbidopa may be due to the repletion of serotonin in regions of the brain where serotoninergic neurons have degenerated.", "contents": "Serotonin and myoclonus. Biochemical studies of serotonin metabolism and a therapeutic trial of L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP) in combination with carbidopa were carried out in 19 patients with myoclonus. In 6 patients with intention myoclonus, the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, a metabolite of serotonin was found to be significantly decreased. L-5-HTP with carbidopa dramatically decreased the frequency and intensity of myoclonus, particularly in those patients with a diagnosis of postanoxic intention myoclonus. The major side effects have been anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and mental stimulation. We suggest that a deficiency of brain serotonin is causally related to myoclonic muscle movements and the therapeutic efficacy of L-5-HTP plus carbidopa may be due to the repletion of serotonin in regions of the brain where serotoninergic neurons have degenerated.", "PMID": 790170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8658", "title": "Serotonergic functions in man.", "content": "Abundant preclinical evidence suggests that serotonin-containing neural systems may participate in the regulation of both extrapyramidal and neuroendocrine function. In an attempt to examine these possibilities in man, patients with various neurologic disorders received drugs believed to facilitate or inhibit serotonergic function. Extrapyramidal signs in patients with parkinsonism or Huntington's disease showed no consistent change with L-tryptophan or parachlorophenylalanine. Unexpectedly, L-5-hydroxytryptophan, given in combination with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, caused a worsening of parkinsonian akinesia and rigidity. Fenfluramine, at doses which appeared to diminish central serotonin but not dopamine turnover, had no consistent effect on the severity of involuntary movements in patients with Huntington's chorea, but did produce a significant rise in plasma prolactin.", "contents": "Serotonergic functions in man. Abundant preclinical evidence suggests that serotonin-containing neural systems may participate in the regulation of both extrapyramidal and neuroendocrine function. In an attempt to examine these possibilities in man, patients with various neurologic disorders received drugs believed to facilitate or inhibit serotonergic function. Extrapyramidal signs in patients with parkinsonism or Huntington's disease showed no consistent change with L-tryptophan or parachlorophenylalanine. Unexpectedly, L-5-hydroxytryptophan, given in combination with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, caused a worsening of parkinsonian akinesia and rigidity. Fenfluramine, at doses which appeared to diminish central serotonin but not dopamine turnover, had no consistent effect on the severity of involuntary movements in patients with Huntington's chorea, but did produce a significant rise in plasma prolactin.", "PMID": 790171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8659", "title": "An epidemic of mysterious cardiopulmonary arrests.", "content": "Over a six-week period, a striking increase in the incidence of cardiopulmonary arrests occurred at the Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Hospital, Criminal administration of a muscle-paralyzing agent was implicated. An epidemiologic investigation les to a description of the classic features of an epidemic; time, place, person, agent and mode of transmission. Control of the agent and susceptible patients led to cessation of the epidemic. Although the perpetrator was not specifically identified, the concurrent criminal investigation was aided by the data developed in the medical investigation. On the basis of this experience, we propose a surveilliance mechanism for early detection of increased critical incidents, such as cardiopulmonary arrests, and a scheme for systematically examining similar events.", "contents": "An epidemic of mysterious cardiopulmonary arrests. Over a six-week period, a striking increase in the incidence of cardiopulmonary arrests occurred at the Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Hospital, Criminal administration of a muscle-paralyzing agent was implicated. An epidemiologic investigation les to a description of the classic features of an epidemic; time, place, person, agent and mode of transmission. Control of the agent and susceptible patients led to cessation of the epidemic. Although the perpetrator was not specifically identified, the concurrent criminal investigation was aided by the data developed in the medical investigation. On the basis of this experience, we propose a surveilliance mechanism for early detection of increased critical incidents, such as cardiopulmonary arrests, and a scheme for systematically examining similar events.", "PMID": 790178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8660", "title": "Maternal-fetal relation. Absence of an immunologic blocking factor from the serum of women with chronic abortions.", "content": "We investigated an immunologic mechanism that might explain the apparent \"tolerant\" state of the mother during pregnancy. Cellular-immune reactivity in vitro to paternal alloantigens was demonstrated in multigravid women by production of lymphocyte migration inhibitory factor. Serum from normal multigravid women contained a factor that blocked production of migration inhibitory factor by maternal lymphocytes to paternal antigens in a specific manner. The blocking factor was an IgG antibody whose activity was removed by absorption with paternal lymphocytes but not with pooled human platelets. We tested the biologic importance of this blocking factor in women who have difficulty maintaining a normal term pregnancy. Our observations indicate that women who experience idiopathic spontaneous abortions produce lymphocyte migration inhibitory factor to paternal alloantigens, but their serums lack the blocking factor. The presence of the serum blocking factor during pregnancy may contribute to the success of the fetus as an allograft.", "contents": "Maternal-fetal relation. Absence of an immunologic blocking factor from the serum of women with chronic abortions. We investigated an immunologic mechanism that might explain the apparent \"tolerant\" state of the mother during pregnancy. Cellular-immune reactivity in vitro to paternal alloantigens was demonstrated in multigravid women by production of lymphocyte migration inhibitory factor. Serum from normal multigravid women contained a factor that blocked production of migration inhibitory factor by maternal lymphocytes to paternal antigens in a specific manner. The blocking factor was an IgG antibody whose activity was removed by absorption with paternal lymphocytes but not with pooled human platelets. We tested the biologic importance of this blocking factor in women who have difficulty maintaining a normal term pregnancy. Our observations indicate that women who experience idiopathic spontaneous abortions produce lymphocyte migration inhibitory factor to paternal alloantigens, but their serums lack the blocking factor. The presence of the serum blocking factor during pregnancy may contribute to the success of the fetus as an allograft.", "PMID": 790183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8661", "title": "Perfusion nephropathy in human transplants.", "content": "To determine whether perfusion preservation affected the structure and survival of kidney transplants, we correlated clinical and histologic data in 77 kidneys biopsied one hour after transplantation. Twenty-one of 36 perfusion-preserved kidneys had a glomerular capillary lesion suggestive of intravascular coagulation. None of 41 kidneys preserved by hypothermia alone had this lesion. Presence of the lesion did not correlate with donor or recipient characteristics, warm or cold ischemia time, HLA match, percentage of preformed lymphocytotoxic antibody titers or perfusion characteristics. Of 21 transplants with the lesion, nine required nephrectomy by one month, and one-month serum creatinine was less than 2.0 mg per deciliter in only three of the remaining 12 transplants. We conclude that perfusion preservation may cause pathologic changes that may adversely affect kidney-transplant function. The causes of the pathologic process remain unclear.", "contents": "Perfusion nephropathy in human transplants. To determine whether perfusion preservation affected the structure and survival of kidney transplants, we correlated clinical and histologic data in 77 kidneys biopsied one hour after transplantation. Twenty-one of 36 perfusion-preserved kidneys had a glomerular capillary lesion suggestive of intravascular coagulation. None of 41 kidneys preserved by hypothermia alone had this lesion. Presence of the lesion did not correlate with donor or recipient characteristics, warm or cold ischemia time, HLA match, percentage of preformed lymphocytotoxic antibody titers or perfusion characteristics. Of 21 transplants with the lesion, nine required nephrectomy by one month, and one-month serum creatinine was less than 2.0 mg per deciliter in only three of the remaining 12 transplants. We conclude that perfusion preservation may cause pathologic changes that may adversely affect kidney-transplant function. The causes of the pathologic process remain unclear.", "PMID": 790184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8662", "title": "Lake sediments as indicators of heavy-metal pollution.", "content": "Heavy metals are one of the most toxic forms of environmental pollutants, constituting a threat both to aquatic life and the quality of drinking water. By analyzing lake sediments, it is possible to determine the provenance, distribution, extent, and also the possible hazards of metal contamination. Sedimentary cores, in particular, provide the means for evaluating the different influences from natural and civilizational sources; they represent a historical record of the metal accumulations which have taken place during the past decades as a result of population growth and industrial development.", "contents": "Lake sediments as indicators of heavy-metal pollution. Heavy metals are one of the most toxic forms of environmental pollutants, constituting a threat both to aquatic life and the quality of drinking water. By analyzing lake sediments, it is possible to determine the provenance, distribution, extent, and also the possible hazards of metal contamination. Sedimentary cores, in particular, provide the means for evaluating the different influences from natural and civilizational sources; they represent a historical record of the metal accumulations which have taken place during the past decades as a result of population growth and industrial development.", "PMID": 790198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8663", "title": "Studies on specific humoral immunity in leukemia.", "content": "The paper concerns some results in studies on humoral immunity in human and animal leukemia obtained in author's laboratory (1970-1974). The data presented here disclose immunological mechanisms of mice viral leukemogenesis (cytotoxic and blocking antibodies interrelations). The existence of specific humoral immune response in acute leukemia patients was established (immunoglobulins with the properties of antibodies were revealed in 42.6% of patients). Different forms of specific humoral immunity manifestations in different types of leukemia were distinguished (areactive, nonspecific, cytotoxic, blocking and mixed forms.", "contents": "Studies on specific humoral immunity in leukemia. The paper concerns some results in studies on humoral immunity in human and animal leukemia obtained in author's laboratory (1970-1974). The data presented here disclose immunological mechanisms of mice viral leukemogenesis (cytotoxic and blocking antibodies interrelations). The existence of specific humoral immune response in acute leukemia patients was established (immunoglobulins with the properties of antibodies were revealed in 42.6% of patients). Different forms of specific humoral immunity manifestations in different types of leukemia were distinguished (areactive, nonspecific, cytotoxic, blocking and mixed forms.", "PMID": 790209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8664", "title": "Realization of genetic information programming the synthesis of pepsinogen-pepsin in the mucous membrane and tumors of the stomach in man.", "content": "Up to 19--20 fractions of separate RNA species and groups have been revealed in malignant tumors of the stomach and mucous membrane of patients with stomach cancer, ulcer and polyposis of the stomach by means of the method of analytical and preparative electrophoresis in 2.5% polyacrylamide gel. A more intensive incorporation of 14C uridine both into the nuclear and separate fractions of cytoplasmic RNA was observed in stomach tumors in comparison with the stomach mucous membrane of man. Pepsinogen-pepsin was synthesized by bound polysoms of the stomach mucous membrane. In stomach malignant tumors of man the polysomes were not capable of synthesizing this enzyme. Fractions of messenger RNA with sedimentation constants 16S-17S, possessing the ability to stimulate pepsinogen-pepsin synthesis in vitro, have been isolated from cytoplasmic RNA of a pig stomach mucous membrane.", "contents": "Realization of genetic information programming the synthesis of pepsinogen-pepsin in the mucous membrane and tumors of the stomach in man. Up to 19--20 fractions of separate RNA species and groups have been revealed in malignant tumors of the stomach and mucous membrane of patients with stomach cancer, ulcer and polyposis of the stomach by means of the method of analytical and preparative electrophoresis in 2.5% polyacrylamide gel. A more intensive incorporation of 14C uridine both into the nuclear and separate fractions of cytoplasmic RNA was observed in stomach tumors in comparison with the stomach mucous membrane of man. Pepsinogen-pepsin was synthesized by bound polysoms of the stomach mucous membrane. In stomach malignant tumors of man the polysomes were not capable of synthesizing this enzyme. Fractions of messenger RNA with sedimentation constants 16S-17S, possessing the ability to stimulate pepsinogen-pepsin synthesis in vitro, have been isolated from cytoplasmic RNA of a pig stomach mucous membrane.", "PMID": 790210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8665", "title": "[A case of hemangioblastoma associated with spina bifida occulta, persistent metopic suture, thyroid adenocarcinoma, vertebro-occipital anastomosis and erythrocytosis (author's transl)].", "content": "We presented a case of hemangioblastoma associated with spina bifida occulta, persistent metopic suture, thyroid adenocarcinoma, vertebro-occipital anastomosis and erythrocytosis. We have not found a hemangioblastoma with these associations, as far as we have seen in the literature. 36-year-old male was admitted with complaints of nausea, vomiting and ataxic gait in June, 1970. On admission, the examination revealed no evidence of increased intracranial pressure except for elevated CSF pressure by lumbar puncture and incoordination. The peripheral blood count disclosed slight erythrocythemia. Vertebral angiography revealed a vascular lesion of 2.0 cm in diameter situated almost in the midline of caudal cerebellum receiving its blood supply from the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery. In addition, a right vertebro-occipital anastomosis was visualized. Plain reoentgenograms showed persistent metopic suture and spina bifida occulta of C 5 - 6. After admission, installation of Ommaya reservoir and decompressive suboccipital craniectomy were performed, and a thyroid papillary adenocarcinoma was totally removed. After discharge, he had been well for two years until a month previously to the second admission, when he commenced to have again headache, nausea, and vomiting with ataxic gait. Vertebral angiography showed the tumor enlarged in size measuring 4.0 X 5.0 cm and the tumor stain was more irregular and less homogenous than 3 years before. Brain scan revealed an increased uptake in the midline of the posterior fossa. After readmission, in April, 1973, he gradually developed dysphagia, disturbance of articulation and inactivity of mentality and died from pneumonia in October, 1974. Autopsy revealed a vascular tumor originated from the medial portion of the right cerebellum and the tumor showed multiple cyst formation in the rostral part in contrast to the caudal solid mass. Histologically the tumor tissue was composed of capillaries supported by fine argyrophilic fibers, large clear interstitial cells containing lipid granules and hemosiderin pigment. Carcinoma of the right lobe of the thyroid was found with metastasis to the bone marrow, lungs and anterior cervical lymphnodes and lymphnodes at the left supraclavicular angle. Bone marrow showed marked erythropoiesis. The case reported here provides an evidence to suggest that there is more than a random relationship between hemangioblastoma, dysraphic state and thyroid carcinoma. The other association, the vertebrooccipital anastomosis may result from the enhanced demand of blood supply by hemangioblastoma but this speculation needs further examination.", "contents": "[A case of hemangioblastoma associated with spina bifida occulta, persistent metopic suture, thyroid adenocarcinoma, vertebro-occipital anastomosis and erythrocytosis (author's transl)]. We presented a case of hemangioblastoma associated with spina bifida occulta, persistent metopic suture, thyroid adenocarcinoma, vertebro-occipital anastomosis and erythrocytosis. We have not found a hemangioblastoma with these associations, as far as we have seen in the literature. 36-year-old male was admitted with complaints of nausea, vomiting and ataxic gait in June, 1970. On admission, the examination revealed no evidence of increased intracranial pressure except for elevated CSF pressure by lumbar puncture and incoordination. The peripheral blood count disclosed slight erythrocythemia. Vertebral angiography revealed a vascular lesion of 2.0 cm in diameter situated almost in the midline of caudal cerebellum receiving its blood supply from the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery. In addition, a right vertebro-occipital anastomosis was visualized. Plain reoentgenograms showed persistent metopic suture and spina bifida occulta of C 5 - 6. After admission, installation of Ommaya reservoir and decompressive suboccipital craniectomy were performed, and a thyroid papillary adenocarcinoma was totally removed. After discharge, he had been well for two years until a month previously to the second admission, when he commenced to have again headache, nausea, and vomiting with ataxic gait. Vertebral angiography showed the tumor enlarged in size measuring 4.0 X 5.0 cm and the tumor stain was more irregular and less homogenous than 3 years before. Brain scan revealed an increased uptake in the midline of the posterior fossa. After readmission, in April, 1973, he gradually developed dysphagia, disturbance of articulation and inactivity of mentality and died from pneumonia in October, 1974. Autopsy revealed a vascular tumor originated from the medial portion of the right cerebellum and the tumor showed multiple cyst formation in the rostral part in contrast to the caudal solid mass. Histologically the tumor tissue was composed of capillaries supported by fine argyrophilic fibers, large clear interstitial cells containing lipid granules and hemosiderin pigment. Carcinoma of the right lobe of the thyroid was found with metastasis to the bone marrow, lungs and anterior cervical lymphnodes and lymphnodes at the left supraclavicular angle. Bone marrow showed marked erythropoiesis. The case reported here provides an evidence to suggest that there is more than a random relationship between hemangioblastoma, dysraphic state and thyroid carcinoma. The other association, the vertebrooccipital anastomosis may result from the enhanced demand of blood supply by hemangioblastoma but this speculation needs further examination.", "PMID": 790213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8666", "title": "Olfacto-genital dysplasia in the female.", "content": "The clinical syndrome of OGD in the female is displayed as hypogonadism and most commonly type I hyposmia (\"anosmia\"). The main pathologic findings are absence of the olfactory bulbs and tracts, hypoplasia of the hypothalamus, a normal pituitary gland, and normal appearing, although unstimulated, ovaries. The syndrome of OGD may be considered as an attenuated form of holoprosencephaly. Various facial abnormalities have been observed in patients with OGD and their families. Thorough neurologic examination may reveal other abnormalities. In the majority of cases the etiology of OGD is not known; however, among about one-fourth of the females, other members of the family exhibit either OGD or anosmia, implying a genetic basis. In this familial form of OGD some pedigrees suggest an X-chromosomal pattern and others, an autosomal inheritance pattern. Although hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is usually considered the only endocrinologic abnormality, stimulatory test of pituitary and hypothalamic function may reveal poor responses of growth hormone. ACTH, prolactin, and possibly MSH. The administration of LRH has shown varying pituitary gonadotropin responses, implying, in some instances, an associated pituitary malfunction. However, these observations may be the result of variations in technic and, therefore, further data are necessary to clarify this issue. Cyclic estrogen and progestin administration stimulates secondary sexual sex characteristics. Exogenous gonadotropins are capable of stimulating ovarian steroidogenesis and, in most patients, inducing ovulation. Thre pregnancies have been reported.", "contents": "Olfacto-genital dysplasia in the female. The clinical syndrome of OGD in the female is displayed as hypogonadism and most commonly type I hyposmia (\"anosmia\"). The main pathologic findings are absence of the olfactory bulbs and tracts, hypoplasia of the hypothalamus, a normal pituitary gland, and normal appearing, although unstimulated, ovaries. The syndrome of OGD may be considered as an attenuated form of holoprosencephaly. Various facial abnormalities have been observed in patients with OGD and their families. Thorough neurologic examination may reveal other abnormalities. In the majority of cases the etiology of OGD is not known; however, among about one-fourth of the females, other members of the family exhibit either OGD or anosmia, implying a genetic basis. In this familial form of OGD some pedigrees suggest an X-chromosomal pattern and others, an autosomal inheritance pattern. Although hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is usually considered the only endocrinologic abnormality, stimulatory test of pituitary and hypothalamic function may reveal poor responses of growth hormone. ACTH, prolactin, and possibly MSH. The administration of LRH has shown varying pituitary gonadotropin responses, implying, in some instances, an associated pituitary malfunction. However, these observations may be the result of variations in technic and, therefore, further data are necessary to clarify this issue. Cyclic estrogen and progestin administration stimulates secondary sexual sex characteristics. Exogenous gonadotropins are capable of stimulating ovarian steroidogenesis and, in most patients, inducing ovulation. Thre pregnancies have been reported.", "PMID": 790240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8667", "title": "Rupture of the liver associated with pregnancy: a review of the literature and report of 2 cases.", "content": "Spontaneous rupture of the liver associated with pregnancy is a rare and grave complication. The maternal mortality is 59 per cent, the fetal mortality 62 per cent. The only hope of salvage is recognition of the characteristic signs and symptoms with prompt surgical intervention. Eighty-nine cases are reviewed and two cases are added, one in the puerperium who died, and a second, a primigravida who survived but who had residual hypertension.", "contents": "Rupture of the liver associated with pregnancy: a review of the literature and report of 2 cases. Spontaneous rupture of the liver associated with pregnancy is a rare and grave complication. The maternal mortality is 59 per cent, the fetal mortality 62 per cent. The only hope of salvage is recognition of the characteristic signs and symptoms with prompt surgical intervention. Eighty-nine cases are reviewed and two cases are added, one in the puerperium who died, and a second, a primigravida who survived but who had residual hypertension.", "PMID": 790241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8668", "title": "Production of experimental toxemia in the pregnant dog.", "content": "The aortas of 14 pregnant bitches were treated 1 to 3 weeks before term, producing a stricture that reduced the lumen from an average normal of 7-11 mm to 2.1 mm in diameter. Nine animals developed hypertension, 3 had significant proteinuria, and 1 had fluid retention. Light microscopy revealed moderate or severe glomerular lesions in 9 animals characterized by endotlial cell swelling, mesangial cell proliferation, and focal basement membrane thickening; electron microscopy revealed mesangial enlargement and electron-dense deposits. Immunofluorescence with rabbit anti-dog fibrinogen showed glomerular deposition of fibrinogen or its breakdown products in 11 of 12 cases so studied. Focal necrosis was seen in the liver in 5 cases, and diffuse hemorrhagic infarction of the placenta was present in all animals. None of these changes was found in nonpregnant or in sham-operated controls.", "contents": "Production of experimental toxemia in the pregnant dog. The aortas of 14 pregnant bitches were treated 1 to 3 weeks before term, producing a stricture that reduced the lumen from an average normal of 7-11 mm to 2.1 mm in diameter. Nine animals developed hypertension, 3 had significant proteinuria, and 1 had fluid retention. Light microscopy revealed moderate or severe glomerular lesions in 9 animals characterized by endotlial cell swelling, mesangial cell proliferation, and focal basement membrane thickening; electron microscopy revealed mesangial enlargement and electron-dense deposits. Immunofluorescence with rabbit anti-dog fibrinogen showed glomerular deposition of fibrinogen or its breakdown products in 11 of 12 cases so studied. Focal necrosis was seen in the liver in 5 cases, and diffuse hemorrhagic infarction of the placenta was present in all animals. None of these changes was found in nonpregnant or in sham-operated controls.", "PMID": 790242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8669", "title": "On the characteristics of acetylene-oxygen flames used in dental casting.", "content": "In a specially designed casting and gas measuring equipment the melting process used in dentistry for Co-Cr alloys using the acetylene-oxygen flame as heating source were investigated. The influence of different gas mixtures in the flame and different crucible temperatures on: 1. The temperature increase in the alloy. 2. The melting time of the alloy. 3. The temperature in the alloy when all the metal has melted and forms the spherical shape--the Bull's eye stage. 4. The melting time when different amounts of alloy were used in the melt. 5. The temperature increase and melting time when flux are used. 6. Different distances between the torch and the alloy. were studied. The results showed that the melting process is mainly governed by the heating effect and the chemical character of the parts of the flame used and also on the initial temperature of the crucible.", "contents": "On the characteristics of acetylene-oxygen flames used in dental casting. In a specially designed casting and gas measuring equipment the melting process used in dentistry for Co-Cr alloys using the acetylene-oxygen flame as heating source were investigated. The influence of different gas mixtures in the flame and different crucible temperatures on: 1. The temperature increase in the alloy. 2. The melting time of the alloy. 3. The temperature in the alloy when all the metal has melted and forms the spherical shape--the Bull's eye stage. 4. The melting time when different amounts of alloy were used in the melt. 5. The temperature increase and melting time when flux are used. 6. Different distances between the torch and the alloy. were studied. The results showed that the melting process is mainly governed by the heating effect and the chemical character of the parts of the flame used and also on the initial temperature of the crucible.", "PMID": 790243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8670", "title": "Influence of different types of acetylene-oxygen flames on the carbon content of a dental Co-Cr alloy.", "content": "The influence of different acetylene-oxygen flames on the carbon content of a dental cobalt-chromium alloy, type A, was studied under standardised casting conditions. The alloy was cast, both immediately after the formation of the Bull's eye and after prolonging the melting time. Further, the effect of re-casting, varying the amount of alloy casted and using different sections of the same acetylene-oxygen flame when melting was studied. The results showed on the one hand that the chemical character of the section of flame used and not the gasmixture as such determined the carbon content of the casting, and on the other that the acetylene-oxygen flames can increase but not decrease the carbon content in the casting. Increase of the carbon content of a cobalt-chromium alloy causes a considerable change in its microstructure.", "contents": "Influence of different types of acetylene-oxygen flames on the carbon content of a dental Co-Cr alloy. The influence of different acetylene-oxygen flames on the carbon content of a dental cobalt-chromium alloy, type A, was studied under standardised casting conditions. The alloy was cast, both immediately after the formation of the Bull's eye and after prolonging the melting time. Further, the effect of re-casting, varying the amount of alloy casted and using different sections of the same acetylene-oxygen flame when melting was studied. The results showed on the one hand that the chemical character of the section of flame used and not the gasmixture as such determined the carbon content of the casting, and on the other that the acetylene-oxygen flames can increase but not decrease the carbon content in the casting. Increase of the carbon content of a cobalt-chromium alloy causes a considerable change in its microstructure.", "PMID": 790244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8671", "title": "Immunocompetence of pinealectomized and simultaneously pinealectomized and thymectomized rats.", "content": "The cellular and antibody-mediated immune responsiveness was studied in adult rats which had the pineal and/or the thymus gland removed within 36 hours after birth. The immunolgical parameters measured were: Skin graft rejection, haemolytic plaque formation, and haemagglutinating antibody formation in response to sheep red blood cells and the stimulation of lymphoid cells from the spleen by phytohaemagglutinin in lipopolysaccharide. The removal of the pineal gland had little effect on the degree of immunocompetence in normal or immunosuppressed animals. In some of the immunological tests an accelerated response was observed, which suggests that lymphoid cells from pinealectomized or pinealectomized-thymectomized animals proliferate more rapidly upon contact with antigen or mitogen. This accelerated cell proliferation, unlike the immunodepression of the host, could explain the enhanced growth of transplantable tumors observed in pinealectomized animals.", "contents": "Immunocompetence of pinealectomized and simultaneously pinealectomized and thymectomized rats. The cellular and antibody-mediated immune responsiveness was studied in adult rats which had the pineal and/or the thymus gland removed within 36 hours after birth. The immunolgical parameters measured were: Skin graft rejection, haemolytic plaque formation, and haemagglutinating antibody formation in response to sheep red blood cells and the stimulation of lymphoid cells from the spleen by phytohaemagglutinin in lipopolysaccharide. The removal of the pineal gland had little effect on the degree of immunocompetence in normal or immunosuppressed animals. In some of the immunological tests an accelerated response was observed, which suggests that lymphoid cells from pinealectomized or pinealectomized-thymectomized animals proliferate more rapidly upon contact with antigen or mitogen. This accelerated cell proliferation, unlike the immunodepression of the host, could explain the enhanced growth of transplantable tumors observed in pinealectomized animals.", "PMID": 790248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8672", "title": "Possible mechanisms of combination effects in chemical carcinogenesis.", "content": "In order to understand variations in thresholds to chemical carcinogens, it is important to appreciate, besides the genetic determinants, those many environmental factors which are at play, at all times, modifying the thresholds for chemical carcinogenesis. An understanding of the mechanisms of action of these factors may make it possible to tackle the difficult problem of determining human threshold levels.", "contents": "Possible mechanisms of combination effects in chemical carcinogenesis. In order to understand variations in thresholds to chemical carcinogens, it is important to appreciate, besides the genetic determinants, those many environmental factors which are at play, at all times, modifying the thresholds for chemical carcinogenesis. An understanding of the mechanisms of action of these factors may make it possible to tackle the difficult problem of determining human threshold levels.", "PMID": 790249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8673", "title": "Cancer in humans: exposures and responses in a real world.", "content": "Cancer causation in humans is at least a three-dimensional problem too often viewed from only two dimensions, especially as far as the two-dimensional results (dose versus response) of cancer induction tests in animals are viewed. The expression of a cancer represents a critical convergence of additional factors in the third dimension which include metabolic variables, many of which may involve secondary mechanisms. Many of these mechanisms are involved in the causation pattern of cancer in humans and can be expected to operate within the dose-response considerations observed in the fields of toxicology and pharmacology. The expression of critical reactions of cells in relatively unprotected tissues may occur more readily after exposures involving fewer molecules of one \"carcinogen\" as compared to another \"carcinogen\". Results from animal tests may have limited human relevance in some instances and detract us from consideration of the more fundamental factors involved in the etiology of human cancer. A precipitous rush to \"zero tolerances\" for all animal carcinogens may impair our efforts to prevent the worst \"causes\" of cancer induction in humans.", "contents": "Cancer in humans: exposures and responses in a real world. Cancer causation in humans is at least a three-dimensional problem too often viewed from only two dimensions, especially as far as the two-dimensional results (dose versus response) of cancer induction tests in animals are viewed. The expression of a cancer represents a critical convergence of additional factors in the third dimension which include metabolic variables, many of which may involve secondary mechanisms. Many of these mechanisms are involved in the causation pattern of cancer in humans and can be expected to operate within the dose-response considerations observed in the fields of toxicology and pharmacology. The expression of critical reactions of cells in relatively unprotected tissues may occur more readily after exposures involving fewer molecules of one \"carcinogen\" as compared to another \"carcinogen\". Results from animal tests may have limited human relevance in some instances and detract us from consideration of the more fundamental factors involved in the etiology of human cancer. A precipitous rush to \"zero tolerances\" for all animal carcinogens may impair our efforts to prevent the worst \"causes\" of cancer induction in humans.", "PMID": 790250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8674", "title": "Brass intraocular foreign body: early intervention and combined surgical approach.", "content": "The rapid development of suppurative reaction in response to a copper-containing intraocular foreign body disposes the eye to a poor prognosis. An intraocular brass foreign body case involving cornea, iris, lens, vitreous and retina was satisfactorily managed by early foreign body removal and corneal transplantation followed by scleral buckling for retinal detachment. Early intervention is advocated as alternative management with expectation of improvement in the prognosis for recovery of useful visual function.", "contents": "Brass intraocular foreign body: early intervention and combined surgical approach. The rapid development of suppurative reaction in response to a copper-containing intraocular foreign body disposes the eye to a poor prognosis. An intraocular brass foreign body case involving cornea, iris, lens, vitreous and retina was satisfactorily managed by early foreign body removal and corneal transplantation followed by scleral buckling for retinal detachment. Early intervention is advocated as alternative management with expectation of improvement in the prognosis for recovery of useful visual function.", "PMID": 790251} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8675", "title": "The salivary secretions in health and disease.", "content": "The potential usefulness of analysis of the salivary secretions in diagnosis and prognosis is beginning to be explored in depth. The preliminary work already undertaken indicates that modern methods applied to this secretion may provide information that is different from that obtained in other body fluids. Saliva is collected at the point of its manufacture and, therefore, is unaffected by collection or storage in the body. It is the product both of protein synthesis within the glands and of most of the known water and electrolyte exchange mechanisms. Salivary composition is affected by both autonomic and hormonal stimuli. As the specific influence of each of these factors is better understood, studies of this fluid will provide important clues to the understanding of disease and the evaluation of therapy. There are few places in the body where it is possible directly, utilizing a non-invasive technique, to examine the product of a large number of important biological processes. It is obvious that careful handling of collection and analytic techniques are essential if these secretions are to be utilized. Future investigations in clinical situations should take full advantage of the strong base of knowledge of the physiology of these glands. Development of this field depends on careful clinical investigations designed to make full use of our current knowledge.", "contents": "The salivary secretions in health and disease. The potential usefulness of analysis of the salivary secretions in diagnosis and prognosis is beginning to be explored in depth. The preliminary work already undertaken indicates that modern methods applied to this secretion may provide information that is different from that obtained in other body fluids. Saliva is collected at the point of its manufacture and, therefore, is unaffected by collection or storage in the body. It is the product both of protein synthesis within the glands and of most of the known water and electrolyte exchange mechanisms. Salivary composition is affected by both autonomic and hormonal stimuli. As the specific influence of each of these factors is better understood, studies of this fluid will provide important clues to the understanding of disease and the evaluation of therapy. There are few places in the body where it is possible directly, utilizing a non-invasive technique, to examine the product of a large number of important biological processes. It is obvious that careful handling of collection and analytic techniques are essential if these secretions are to be utilized. Future investigations in clinical situations should take full advantage of the strong base of knowledge of the physiology of these glands. Development of this field depends on careful clinical investigations designed to make full use of our current knowledge.", "PMID": 790252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8676", "title": "Reticulum-cell sarcoma of the mandible.", "content": "A case of reticulum-cell sarcoma of the mandible is presented. This case is of interest because a secondary primary malignancy was diagnosed in a patient with Hodgkin's disease and a localized osteomyelitis. If reticulum-cell sarcoma of bone, which is highly radiosensitive, is diagnosed at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate has been reported at 73 per cent when treated by irradiation; radical surgery is not indicated.", "contents": "Reticulum-cell sarcoma of the mandible. A case of reticulum-cell sarcoma of the mandible is presented. This case is of interest because a secondary primary malignancy was diagnosed in a patient with Hodgkin's disease and a localized osteomyelitis. If reticulum-cell sarcoma of bone, which is highly radiosensitive, is diagnosed at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate has been reported at 73 per cent when treated by irradiation; radical surgery is not indicated.", "PMID": 790253} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8677", "title": "[Acute urological management of children with myelomeningocele (author's transl)].", "content": "A summary on the possibilities of urological investigations of patients with myelomeningocele during the first days of life shows, that the i.v. Pyelography, the mictiurationcystourethrogram and the cystosphincteromanography are suitable techniques for early detection of obstructive uropathy. From these investigations the indecations for proper operative techniques can be derived.", "contents": "[Acute urological management of children with myelomeningocele (author's transl)]. A summary on the possibilities of urological investigations of patients with myelomeningocele during the first days of life shows, that the i.v. Pyelography, the mictiurationcystourethrogram and the cystosphincteromanography are suitable techniques for early detection of obstructive uropathy. From these investigations the indecations for proper operative techniques can be derived.", "PMID": 790268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8678", "title": "[Dynamic study of osmotic resistance of red cells in sickle cell anemia (author's transl)].", "content": "A study of the osmotic resistance of red cells from normal subjects (AA), patients with the sickle cell trait (heterozygous subjects) (AS) and homozygous subjects (SS) was carried out using a dynamic automatic micro-method: Danon's fragiligraph, permitting one to obtain simultaneous recording of cumulative and derivative curves of the hemolytic process. 15 samples of red cells of each of the three categories were studied. Fragiligrams obtained from SS red cells showed that they became hemolysed later and in a more progressive fashion than the normal red cells AA. The AS red cells occupied an intermediate position. 5 samples of each category of red cells were studied after various times of incubation in the presence of a reducing substance (sodium metabisulphite). It was shown that the red cells containing hemoglobin S were still more resistant to osmotic hemolysis when hemoglobin was in the deoxygenated form and this proportional to the quantity of deoxygenated hemoglobin, without the brutal process of sickling producing any special modification in the shape of the curve. The role of the membrane is considered.", "contents": "[Dynamic study of osmotic resistance of red cells in sickle cell anemia (author's transl)]. A study of the osmotic resistance of red cells from normal subjects (AA), patients with the sickle cell trait (heterozygous subjects) (AS) and homozygous subjects (SS) was carried out using a dynamic automatic micro-method: Danon's fragiligraph, permitting one to obtain simultaneous recording of cumulative and derivative curves of the hemolytic process. 15 samples of red cells of each of the three categories were studied. Fragiligrams obtained from SS red cells showed that they became hemolysed later and in a more progressive fashion than the normal red cells AA. The AS red cells occupied an intermediate position. 5 samples of each category of red cells were studied after various times of incubation in the presence of a reducing substance (sodium metabisulphite). It was shown that the red cells containing hemoglobin S were still more resistant to osmotic hemolysis when hemoglobin was in the deoxygenated form and this proportional to the quantity of deoxygenated hemoglobin, without the brutal process of sickling producing any special modification in the shape of the curve. The role of the membrane is considered.", "PMID": 790270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8679", "title": "[Pancreatic secretion in rats. A comparative study of basal and stimulated secretions in acute and chronic fistula conditions (author's transl)].", "content": "Two types of pancreatic fistulas were directly compared in Wistar rats, to define more accurately the differences between collecting pancreatic juice under anesthesia (acute fistula) and in awake restrained animals (chronic fistula). Basal outputs of water, bicarbonate and total protein were about then times larger in chronic than in acute animals; they could be larger than the maximal secretory rate in anaesthetized rats. As a corollary, the chronic preparation was less sensitive to ecbolic and hydrelatic stimulations, with respect to basal levels. It is concluded that chronic fistula rats display a highly stimulated state of pancreatic secretion, probably due to the potentiation of several neurohumoral factors. Whatever this stimulation originates from, it renders the model less suitable for studies on ancreatic stimulating agents. On the contrary, anaesthetized rats displayed a low secretion more responsive to stimulating agents.", "contents": "[Pancreatic secretion in rats. A comparative study of basal and stimulated secretions in acute and chronic fistula conditions (author's transl)]. Two types of pancreatic fistulas were directly compared in Wistar rats, to define more accurately the differences between collecting pancreatic juice under anesthesia (acute fistula) and in awake restrained animals (chronic fistula). Basal outputs of water, bicarbonate and total protein were about then times larger in chronic than in acute animals; they could be larger than the maximal secretory rate in anaesthetized rats. As a corollary, the chronic preparation was less sensitive to ecbolic and hydrelatic stimulations, with respect to basal levels. It is concluded that chronic fistula rats display a highly stimulated state of pancreatic secretion, probably due to the potentiation of several neurohumoral factors. Whatever this stimulation originates from, it renders the model less suitable for studies on ancreatic stimulating agents. On the contrary, anaesthetized rats displayed a low secretion more responsive to stimulating agents.", "PMID": 790271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8680", "title": "[Transient acanthocytosis in a patient with liver cirrhosis. Study of red cell and plasma lipids (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors report a case of major acanthocytosis which regressed spontaneously in a cirrhotic patient. The usual lipid abnormalities: considerable rise in free red cell cholesterol and lesser rise in phospholipid, regressed concommitantly to the disappearance of acanthocytes. No change in the main liver function tests was, however, observed. The etiological mechanisms of acanthocytosis in cirrhosis are probably multiple, and their interactions are compplex. The exchange of abnormal lipoproteins between the plasma and the red cell membrane is the last theory to be considered. On the other hand, no argument could explain the disappearance of the acanthocytosis, this phenomenon is considered up to now irreversible and a sign of the gravity of hepatic lesions.", "contents": "[Transient acanthocytosis in a patient with liver cirrhosis. Study of red cell and plasma lipids (author's transl)]. The authors report a case of major acanthocytosis which regressed spontaneously in a cirrhotic patient. The usual lipid abnormalities: considerable rise in free red cell cholesterol and lesser rise in phospholipid, regressed concommitantly to the disappearance of acanthocytes. No change in the main liver function tests was, however, observed. The etiological mechanisms of acanthocytosis in cirrhosis are probably multiple, and their interactions are compplex. The exchange of abnormal lipoproteins between the plasma and the red cell membrane is the last theory to be considered. On the other hand, no argument could explain the disappearance of the acanthocytosis, this phenomenon is considered up to now irreversible and a sign of the gravity of hepatic lesions.", "PMID": 790272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8681", "title": "[Cytological classification of adult acute leukemia (author's transl)].", "content": "134 cases of acute leukemia in adults were classified according a \"double blind\" cytological diagnosis, a cytochemical study, and lysozyme assay. Each type has distinct characters, allowing a good nosological definition. The histochemical methods, as well as lysozyme assay are usually unnecessary, particularly in well differenciated myeloblastic, promyelocytic or myelo-monocytic acute leukemia. They are, on the contrary, frequently useful in poorly differenciated myeloblastic or monoblastic leukemia. But, they cannot help to solve every problem in cytological diagnosis: there are still 10% of undifferenciated acute leukemia, the lymphoblastic acute leukemia are not clearly defined and 4% of cases of acute leukemia have atypical characters leading to difficulties in cytological classification. The need for new methods and markers is emphasized.", "contents": "[Cytological classification of adult acute leukemia (author's transl)]. 134 cases of acute leukemia in adults were classified according a \"double blind\" cytological diagnosis, a cytochemical study, and lysozyme assay. Each type has distinct characters, allowing a good nosological definition. The histochemical methods, as well as lysozyme assay are usually unnecessary, particularly in well differenciated myeloblastic, promyelocytic or myelo-monocytic acute leukemia. They are, on the contrary, frequently useful in poorly differenciated myeloblastic or monoblastic leukemia. But, they cannot help to solve every problem in cytological diagnosis: there are still 10% of undifferenciated acute leukemia, the lymphoblastic acute leukemia are not clearly defined and 4% of cases of acute leukemia have atypical characters leading to difficulties in cytological classification. The need for new methods and markers is emphasized.", "PMID": 790273} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8682", "title": "[Action of pyridinol carbamate on hetero-immune Masugi nephritis in the rat (author's transl)].", "content": "Pyridinol-carbamate (P.C.) is a new substance with various properties including an anti-inflammatory (anti-kinin) and an antiplatelet aggregation activity. Since a coagulation process has been demonstrated in Masugi nephritis in Rats, we investigated the effect of P.C. in this experimental model. P.C. (150 mg/kg/day) was given orally from day 1 to day 28. It prevented partially the G.N.: proteinuria was significantly lower than in nephritic untreated animals with a reduction of seromucoid blood levels and B.U.N. Histological examination revealed that glomerular injury was limited in treated animals specially with regards to G.B.M. alterations and deposits.", "contents": "[Action of pyridinol carbamate on hetero-immune Masugi nephritis in the rat (author's transl)]. Pyridinol-carbamate (P.C.) is a new substance with various properties including an anti-inflammatory (anti-kinin) and an antiplatelet aggregation activity. Since a coagulation process has been demonstrated in Masugi nephritis in Rats, we investigated the effect of P.C. in this experimental model. P.C. (150 mg/kg/day) was given orally from day 1 to day 28. It prevented partially the G.N.: proteinuria was significantly lower than in nephritic untreated animals with a reduction of seromucoid blood levels and B.U.N. Histological examination revealed that glomerular injury was limited in treated animals specially with regards to G.B.M. alterations and deposits.", "PMID": 790274} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8683", "title": "[Analysis of radio-isotope tests \"in vivo\" and \"in vitro\" in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Statistical study of parameters obtained from routine investigations in normal and hyperthyroid subjects (author's transl].", "content": "Considering recent progress which permits routine direct estimation of circulating iodinated hormones, classical investigations based on plasma iodine fractions (PBI 127, BEI 127, 127 IH) must be considered out of date for the routine diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. The best possible approach for the detection of hyperthyroidism by radio-isotope tests in vitro consists of associating a determination of the free thyroxine index and tri-iodothyronine. Certain types of hyperthyroidism, mainly in the goup of toxic adenomas, escape this detection in vitro, and justify the use of conventional in vivo tests whenever this diagnosis is suspected.", "contents": "[Analysis of radio-isotope tests \"in vivo\" and \"in vitro\" in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Statistical study of parameters obtained from routine investigations in normal and hyperthyroid subjects (author's transl]. Considering recent progress which permits routine direct estimation of circulating iodinated hormones, classical investigations based on plasma iodine fractions (PBI 127, BEI 127, 127 IH) must be considered out of date for the routine diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. The best possible approach for the detection of hyperthyroidism by radio-isotope tests in vitro consists of associating a determination of the free thyroxine index and tri-iodothyronine. Certain types of hyperthyroidism, mainly in the goup of toxic adenomas, escape this detection in vitro, and justify the use of conventional in vivo tests whenever this diagnosis is suspected.", "PMID": 790275} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8684", "title": "[The role of thrombosis in renal allograft rejection (author's transl)].", "content": "Platelets and intravascular coagulation are involed in the pathogenesis of renal allotransplant rejection phenomena: fibrin deposition is a prominent feature of hyperacute rejection; arteriolar microthromboses when they are present, worsen the prognosis of an acute reversible rejection; the organisation of platelets and fibrin deposits on the intima may lead to the \"endarteritis obilterans\" of chronic bascular rejection. The interactions between endothelium, platelets, coagulation, fibrinolysis and cellular or humoral effectors of the immune respone were studied and special reference was made to their role in vascular rejection. The poor prognosis in vasuclar lesions justifies therapeutic trials with drugs inhibiting the early events of thrombogenesis.", "contents": "[The role of thrombosis in renal allograft rejection (author's transl)]. Platelets and intravascular coagulation are involed in the pathogenesis of renal allotransplant rejection phenomena: fibrin deposition is a prominent feature of hyperacute rejection; arteriolar microthromboses when they are present, worsen the prognosis of an acute reversible rejection; the organisation of platelets and fibrin deposits on the intima may lead to the \"endarteritis obilterans\" of chronic bascular rejection. The interactions between endothelium, platelets, coagulation, fibrinolysis and cellular or humoral effectors of the immune respone were studied and special reference was made to their role in vascular rejection. The poor prognosis in vasuclar lesions justifies therapeutic trials with drugs inhibiting the early events of thrombogenesis.", "PMID": 790276} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8685", "title": "Indirect immunofluorescent identification of Acanthamoeba causing meningoencephalitis.", "content": "The majority of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis cases in man have been caused by Naegleria, although three new cases have been identified due to Acanthamoeba. These cases showed a somewhat chronic course and death occurred 2 to 6 weeks after onset. The etiological agent in two cases was identified as belonging to the group of A. castellanii and the third case was identified as due to A. culbertsoni. The identification was performed post-mortem.", "contents": "Indirect immunofluorescent identification of Acanthamoeba causing meningoencephalitis. The majority of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis cases in man have been caused by Naegleria, although three new cases have been identified due to Acanthamoeba. These cases showed a somewhat chronic course and death occurred 2 to 6 weeks after onset. The etiological agent in two cases was identified as belonging to the group of A. castellanii and the third case was identified as due to A. culbertsoni. The identification was performed post-mortem.", "PMID": 790277} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8686", "title": "[Kinetic study of human lymphocytes transformation in culture by lectin from Pisum sativum (author's transl)].", "content": "Some vegetable extract have haemagglutinating activity and are able to transform lymphocytes in culture. The comparative activities of lectin from Pisum sativum and other lectins already used (phytohaere shown. This lectin can be isolated in a highly purified form which is described. Purification of the human blood lymphocytes is obtained through nylon columns and measurement of transformation and proliferation by means of 3 H thymidine incorporation. Normal lymphocyte stimulation can be obtained within a range of concentrations of stimulants can be obtained within a range of concentrations of stimulants and the curves with PHA or lectin from Pisum show a peak of blastogenic activity. The activity of lectin from Pisum sativum was studied in this way on blood cultures of 8 chronic lymphocytic leukaemias and 5 immunodeficient patients. It appeared that lectin from Pisum and PHA have the same activity. The response of human peripheral lymphocytes to various mitogenic agents in vitro does not point out the proliferative abnormal cell and may not be used to detect different populations of human lymphocytes.", "contents": "[Kinetic study of human lymphocytes transformation in culture by lectin from Pisum sativum (author's transl)]. Some vegetable extract have haemagglutinating activity and are able to transform lymphocytes in culture. The comparative activities of lectin from Pisum sativum and other lectins already used (phytohaere shown. This lectin can be isolated in a highly purified form which is described. Purification of the human blood lymphocytes is obtained through nylon columns and measurement of transformation and proliferation by means of 3 H thymidine incorporation. Normal lymphocyte stimulation can be obtained within a range of concentrations of stimulants can be obtained within a range of concentrations of stimulants and the curves with PHA or lectin from Pisum show a peak of blastogenic activity. The activity of lectin from Pisum sativum was studied in this way on blood cultures of 8 chronic lymphocytic leukaemias and 5 immunodeficient patients. It appeared that lectin from Pisum and PHA have the same activity. The response of human peripheral lymphocytes to various mitogenic agents in vitro does not point out the proliferative abnormal cell and may not be used to detect different populations of human lymphocytes.", "PMID": 790278} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8687", "title": "[Degree of granularity of the atrial cardiocytes. Morphometric study in rats subjected to different types of water and sodium load (author's transl)].", "content": "Morphometric analysis was applied to the evaluation of the atrial cardiocytes specific granules, in rats subjected to different types of water and sodium load. In control animals, the right atrium is more granulated than the left one and the interauricular septum. Ipsilateral atrium and auricle have the same index of granularity. Five types of water and sodium load were tested - I. Full water restriction - II. Sodium restriction with normal water intake - III. Controls - IV. Sodium overloading - V. Sodium and Doca overloading. From groups I to V, the index of granularity decreases progressively. The same phenomenon does not appear in the left atrium, except for the group II (sodium restriction) whose index is higher (p less than 0.001) than in the other groups. These data are not incompatible with the existence of a relationship between the presence of atrial specific granules and the atrial volosensitivity. An analogy between these cells and the myopithelioid cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus is then suggested.", "contents": "[Degree of granularity of the atrial cardiocytes. Morphometric study in rats subjected to different types of water and sodium load (author's transl)]. Morphometric analysis was applied to the evaluation of the atrial cardiocytes specific granules, in rats subjected to different types of water and sodium load. In control animals, the right atrium is more granulated than the left one and the interauricular septum. Ipsilateral atrium and auricle have the same index of granularity. Five types of water and sodium load were tested - I. Full water restriction - II. Sodium restriction with normal water intake - III. Controls - IV. Sodium overloading - V. Sodium and Doca overloading. From groups I to V, the index of granularity decreases progressively. The same phenomenon does not appear in the left atrium, except for the group II (sodium restriction) whose index is higher (p less than 0.001) than in the other groups. These data are not incompatible with the existence of a relationship between the presence of atrial specific granules and the atrial volosensitivity. An analogy between these cells and the myopithelioid cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus is then suggested.", "PMID": 790280} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8688", "title": "Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) and right to left shunting in immature goats.", "content": "Immature fetal goats were exteriorized by caesarean section and catheters were placed in a pulmonary vein (PV), carotid artery (CA), femoral artery (FA), and the main pulmonary artery (PA). The goats were ventilated at 7.5 and 15 cm H20 positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) between control periods at 0 PEEP. Right to left shunting (Qs/Qt) was calculated for three anatomic sites: lung, foramen ovale, and ductus arteriosus, and for two summation shunts: preductal and total. Total Qs/Qt increased in 8 of 14 animals at 7.5 cm H2O PEEP and in 7 of 12 animals at 15 cm H2O PEEP. Intrapulmonary shunting increased in only one experiment. The increase in total Qs/Qt resulted from elevated extrapulmonary shunting, always including the ductus arteriosus. The variation in response to PEEP was from animal to animal and not from one level to another within one animal. Changes in total Qs/Qt on PEEP did not correlate with the size of control Qs/Qt at any site.", "contents": "Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) and right to left shunting in immature goats. Immature fetal goats were exteriorized by caesarean section and catheters were placed in a pulmonary vein (PV), carotid artery (CA), femoral artery (FA), and the main pulmonary artery (PA). The goats were ventilated at 7.5 and 15 cm H20 positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) between control periods at 0 PEEP. Right to left shunting (Qs/Qt) was calculated for three anatomic sites: lung, foramen ovale, and ductus arteriosus, and for two summation shunts: preductal and total. Total Qs/Qt increased in 8 of 14 animals at 7.5 cm H2O PEEP and in 7 of 12 animals at 15 cm H2O PEEP. Intrapulmonary shunting increased in only one experiment. The increase in total Qs/Qt resulted from elevated extrapulmonary shunting, always including the ductus arteriosus. The variation in response to PEEP was from animal to animal and not from one level to another within one animal. Changes in total Qs/Qt on PEEP did not correlate with the size of control Qs/Qt at any site.", "PMID": 790281} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8689", "title": "The paradoxical effect of adrenergic and methylxanthine drugs in cystic fibrosis.", "content": "This study examined the effect of aerosolized isoproterenol and oral theophylline on pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis (CF) to determine how often these drugs are beneficial and whether there is a correlation between response to isoproterenol and response to oral theophylline. After obtaining baseline pulmonary function tests before and after isoproterenol aerosol, 12 patients with CF were put on a double-blind trial of high-dosage theophylline (10 mg/kg three times per day) or placebo for four weeks and were then switched to the alternate regimen for the next four weeks. Patients had weekly evaluations of pulmonary function and plasma theophylline determinations. Gastrointestinal side effects were common with theophylline. The responses to aerosolized bronchodilators were inconsistent from week to week. After aerosolized bronchodilator, five of 12 patients had an average increase of 10% or more in FEF45%-55% and FEF70%-80%. While taking oral theophylline, five patients had a 10% or more decrease in FEF 45%-55% and six patients had a decrease in FEF70%-80%. We conclude that there was no concordance between response to isoproterenol and theophylline, and that adrenergic and methylxanthine drugs must be used with caution in patients with CF.", "contents": "The paradoxical effect of adrenergic and methylxanthine drugs in cystic fibrosis. This study examined the effect of aerosolized isoproterenol and oral theophylline on pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis (CF) to determine how often these drugs are beneficial and whether there is a correlation between response to isoproterenol and response to oral theophylline. After obtaining baseline pulmonary function tests before and after isoproterenol aerosol, 12 patients with CF were put on a double-blind trial of high-dosage theophylline (10 mg/kg three times per day) or placebo for four weeks and were then switched to the alternate regimen for the next four weeks. Patients had weekly evaluations of pulmonary function and plasma theophylline determinations. Gastrointestinal side effects were common with theophylline. The responses to aerosolized bronchodilators were inconsistent from week to week. After aerosolized bronchodilator, five of 12 patients had an average increase of 10% or more in FEF45%-55% and FEF70%-80%. While taking oral theophylline, five patients had a 10% or more decrease in FEF 45%-55% and six patients had a decrease in FEF70%-80%. We conclude that there was no concordance between response to isoproterenol and theophylline, and that adrenergic and methylxanthine drugs must be used with caution in patients with CF.", "PMID": 790287} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8690", "title": "Anxiety and perceptual articulation.", "content": "The study investigated Witkin's suggestion that low manifest anxiety is associated with relatively high perceptual articulation, whereas high anxiety is associated with relatively low perceptual articulation. Previous research typically has not provided adequate control for subjects' IQ; therefore, results may have been confounded by differences in subjects' ability. The study attempted to clarify the relationship between state and trait anxiety and perceptual articulation when IQ was controlled for 60 female subjects, who fell within a predetermined IQ range and were blocked into low, moderate and high A-Trait groups. Half of each group was assigned to either low or high ego-involving conditions. All subjects completed the Embedded-figures Test, Gestalt Completion and Concealed Words Test. Contrary to Witkin, the study yielded no significant relationship between anxiety and perceptual articulation.", "contents": "Anxiety and perceptual articulation. The study investigated Witkin's suggestion that low manifest anxiety is associated with relatively high perceptual articulation, whereas high anxiety is associated with relatively low perceptual articulation. Previous research typically has not provided adequate control for subjects' IQ; therefore, results may have been confounded by differences in subjects' ability. The study attempted to clarify the relationship between state and trait anxiety and perceptual articulation when IQ was controlled for 60 female subjects, who fell within a predetermined IQ range and were blocked into low, moderate and high A-Trait groups. Half of each group was assigned to either low or high ego-involving conditions. All subjects completed the Embedded-figures Test, Gestalt Completion and Concealed Words Test. Contrary to Witkin, the study yielded no significant relationship between anxiety and perceptual articulation.", "PMID": 790292} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8691", "title": "Effects of imipramine and methylphenidate on perceptual-motor performance of hyperactive children.", "content": "Perceptual-motor effects of imipramine and methylphenidate were evaluated in a double-blind study of 47 hyperactive children. No effects were found for imipramine, although methylphenidate improved performance on several tests. Improvement due to methylphenidate was not related to base-line scores. A discriminant function was computed to compare baseline perceptual-motor scores of the hyperactive and 41 normal children. Only half of the hyperactive children were clearly discriminated from normal children by the discriminant function. The digit-span test, which was not sensitive to methylphenidate, effectively discriminated hyperactive from normal children.", "contents": "Effects of imipramine and methylphenidate on perceptual-motor performance of hyperactive children. Perceptual-motor effects of imipramine and methylphenidate were evaluated in a double-blind study of 47 hyperactive children. No effects were found for imipramine, although methylphenidate improved performance on several tests. Improvement due to methylphenidate was not related to base-line scores. A discriminant function was computed to compare baseline perceptual-motor scores of the hyperactive and 41 normal children. Only half of the hyperactive children were clearly discriminated from normal children by the discriminant function. The digit-span test, which was not sensitive to methylphenidate, effectively discriminated hyperactive from normal children.", "PMID": 790293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8692", "title": "Anxiety reduction associated with meditation: home study.", "content": "The effects of a new meditation technique were investigated; 159 A.R.E. members were randomly assigned either to a treatment or control group with the former learning the new technique using a home-study workbook manual and the latter continuing their customary meditational techniques. Analysis of variance (repeated measures) was used to compare group means of the scale scores yielded by two instruments, the IPAT Anxiety Scale (Self-analysis Form) and the Mooney Problem Check List, Adult Form (Mooney & Gordon, 1950). Unlike the control group, the treatment group reported highly significant reduction on the IPAT Anxiety Scale scores after 28 days of meditating with the new approach but no significant differences were found on the check list variables for either the treatment or control group. Implications of the findings for mental health professionals (psychiatrists, clinical and counseling psychologists) are briefly discussed.", "contents": "Anxiety reduction associated with meditation: home study. The effects of a new meditation technique were investigated; 159 A.R.E. members were randomly assigned either to a treatment or control group with the former learning the new technique using a home-study workbook manual and the latter continuing their customary meditational techniques. Analysis of variance (repeated measures) was used to compare group means of the scale scores yielded by two instruments, the IPAT Anxiety Scale (Self-analysis Form) and the Mooney Problem Check List, Adult Form (Mooney & Gordon, 1950). Unlike the control group, the treatment group reported highly significant reduction on the IPAT Anxiety Scale scores after 28 days of meditating with the new approach but no significant differences were found on the check list variables for either the treatment or control group. Implications of the findings for mental health professionals (psychiatrists, clinical and counseling psychologists) are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 790294} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8693", "title": "Field-dependence and stability of self-view.", "content": "Contrary to Witkin's opinion, field-dependent individuals are expected to show higher stability of self-view than field-independent individuals. 73 Belgian second-year university students were submitted to the Group Embedded Figures Test. The Five Personality Factor Test measuring extraversion, friendliness, emotional instability, conscientiousness and general culture, was administered to each student for self-description (self-report) and to both parents for description of the student (mother's report and father's report). The decrease of correlation between self-report and parent's report as a function of the degree of student's field-independence supports the author's hypothesis. Results are interpreted in terms of closer attention of field-independent individuals to relevant cues.", "contents": "Field-dependence and stability of self-view. Contrary to Witkin's opinion, field-dependent individuals are expected to show higher stability of self-view than field-independent individuals. 73 Belgian second-year university students were submitted to the Group Embedded Figures Test. The Five Personality Factor Test measuring extraversion, friendliness, emotional instability, conscientiousness and general culture, was administered to each student for self-description (self-report) and to both parents for description of the student (mother's report and father's report). The decrease of correlation between self-report and parent's report as a function of the degree of student's field-independence supports the author's hypothesis. Results are interpreted in terms of closer attention of field-independent individuals to relevant cues.", "PMID": 790295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8694", "title": "Effects of transcendental meditation on fine motor skill.", "content": "46 college female volunteers were given 66 10-sec. trials on the pursuit rotor task in 3 practice sessions (18, 30, and 18 trials/sessions). After the first 18 trials, the 23 subjects who were practiced Transcendental Meditators mediated for a 20-min. period followed by a 5-min. \"waking\" phase prior to the performance of a further 30 trials on the rotor. A 4-min. rest was taken before resuming practice for the final 18 trials. The other 23 subjects, who were not meditators, followed the same procedures except instead of mediating they sat quietly with closed eyes. In terms of performance, learning, reminiscence and intra-individual variability, the two groups were similar. These results were not in accordance with the expectations that these parameters would reflect the facilitative effects of Transcendental Meditation on alertness, awareness, consistency, and resistance to stress. After the meditation session, inter-individual variability was increased for the mediation group. While the conclusion that the practice of Transcendental Meditation does not benefit acquisition of fine perceptual-motor skill appears strong, further investigation would assist in obtaining a more complete understanding of such effects on perceptual-motor behavior.", "contents": "Effects of transcendental meditation on fine motor skill. 46 college female volunteers were given 66 10-sec. trials on the pursuit rotor task in 3 practice sessions (18, 30, and 18 trials/sessions). After the first 18 trials, the 23 subjects who were practiced Transcendental Meditators mediated for a 20-min. period followed by a 5-min. \"waking\" phase prior to the performance of a further 30 trials on the rotor. A 4-min. rest was taken before resuming practice for the final 18 trials. The other 23 subjects, who were not meditators, followed the same procedures except instead of mediating they sat quietly with closed eyes. In terms of performance, learning, reminiscence and intra-individual variability, the two groups were similar. These results were not in accordance with the expectations that these parameters would reflect the facilitative effects of Transcendental Meditation on alertness, awareness, consistency, and resistance to stress. After the meditation session, inter-individual variability was increased for the mediation group. While the conclusion that the practice of Transcendental Meditation does not benefit acquisition of fine perceptual-motor skill appears strong, further investigation would assist in obtaining a more complete understanding of such effects on perceptual-motor behavior.", "PMID": 790296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8695", "title": "The occurrence of a \"SME\"-defect-like abnormality in the head of spermatozoa from a Norwegian Landrace boar.", "content": "A spermhead-defect appearing in 15-20 per cent of the spermatozoa from a Norwegian Landrace boar with a slightly impaired fertility was studied in light and electron microscope. The defect had the shape of a circumferential, somewhat elevated area containing a cystic structure located within the nucleus. In some of the sections observed in electron microscope a communication could be found between the cyst and the acrosome, indicating that a deviating development of the latter could be involved in the formation of the defect. In some spermatozoa the occurrence of the cyst was combined with the presence of an apical defect of the acrosome. From ultrastructural studies of spermatids the development of the cystic defect was found to have reached a rather advanced stage early in the acrosome-phase of the spermateliosis. As a whole the observations correspond very well with those made in connection with the socalled \"SME\"-defect first found in a Danish Landrace boar.", "contents": "The occurrence of a \"SME\"-defect-like abnormality in the head of spermatozoa from a Norwegian Landrace boar. A spermhead-defect appearing in 15-20 per cent of the spermatozoa from a Norwegian Landrace boar with a slightly impaired fertility was studied in light and electron microscope. The defect had the shape of a circumferential, somewhat elevated area containing a cystic structure located within the nucleus. In some of the sections observed in electron microscope a communication could be found between the cyst and the acrosome, indicating that a deviating development of the latter could be involved in the formation of the defect. In some spermatozoa the occurrence of the cyst was combined with the presence of an apical defect of the acrosome. From ultrastructural studies of spermatids the development of the cystic defect was found to have reached a rather advanced stage early in the acrosome-phase of the spermateliosis. As a whole the observations correspond very well with those made in connection with the socalled \"SME\"-defect first found in a Danish Landrace boar.", "PMID": 790305} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8696", "title": "Differences between enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from neonatal E. coli diarrhoea (N.C.D.) and post weaning diarrhoea (P.W.D.) in pigs.", "content": "Significant differences have been proved between strains of E. coli isolated from neonatal E. coli diarrhoea (N.C.D.) and post weaning diarrhoea (P.W.D.). The biochemical differences were pronounced in the criteria sucrose, dulcitol, adonitol and urease when comparing the total number of strains from the two syndromes. However, adonitol positive strains were only found among strains of the serogroup O 149:K91(B) of which all the N.C.D.. strains were positive and only 8 of the 86 P.W.D. strains were adonitol fermenters. The dominant fermentation pattern of the N.C.D. strains were sucrose--, dulcitol--, urease--. Contrary the P.W.D. strains were sucrose +, dulcitol +, and 56.6 per cent urease + (Table III). In the possible plasmid determined characters significant differences were found in the ability to produce the K88 antigen and the colicins. The K88 antigen was demonstrated in 97.9 per cent of the N.C.D. strains and 6.2 per cent of the P.W.D. strains whereas 40.6 and 79.6% respectively were colicinogenic. In the serogroup O 149:K91(B) 90.7% of the P.W.D. strains and 47.6% of the N.C.D. strains produced colicins (Table V). The impairment of these features in the pathogenesis of neonatal E. coli diarrhoea, post weaning diarrhoea and the possible causality of the domination of the serogroup O 149:K91(B) is discussed. Furthermore it seems justified to relate the syndrome designation to the serotype of porcine enteropathogenic E. coli strains as it will be difficult to compare strains described from different research workers.", "contents": "Differences between enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from neonatal E. coli diarrhoea (N.C.D.) and post weaning diarrhoea (P.W.D.) in pigs. Significant differences have been proved between strains of E. coli isolated from neonatal E. coli diarrhoea (N.C.D.) and post weaning diarrhoea (P.W.D.). The biochemical differences were pronounced in the criteria sucrose, dulcitol, adonitol and urease when comparing the total number of strains from the two syndromes. However, adonitol positive strains were only found among strains of the serogroup O 149:K91(B) of which all the N.C.D.. strains were positive and only 8 of the 86 P.W.D. strains were adonitol fermenters. The dominant fermentation pattern of the N.C.D. strains were sucrose--, dulcitol--, urease--. Contrary the P.W.D. strains were sucrose +, dulcitol +, and 56.6 per cent urease + (Table III). In the possible plasmid determined characters significant differences were found in the ability to produce the K88 antigen and the colicins. The K88 antigen was demonstrated in 97.9 per cent of the N.C.D. strains and 6.2 per cent of the P.W.D. strains whereas 40.6 and 79.6% respectively were colicinogenic. In the serogroup O 149:K91(B) 90.7% of the P.W.D. strains and 47.6% of the N.C.D. strains produced colicins (Table V). The impairment of these features in the pathogenesis of neonatal E. coli diarrhoea, post weaning diarrhoea and the possible causality of the domination of the serogroup O 149:K91(B) is discussed. Furthermore it seems justified to relate the syndrome designation to the serotype of porcine enteropathogenic E. coli strains as it will be difficult to compare strains described from different research workers.", "PMID": 790306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8697", "title": "A shortcut method for estimation of Escherichia coli in Sewage and receiving water.", "content": "A simplified method not yet widespread in Scandinavia for the assessment of E. coli in sewage and recipients with McConkey broth for 24 hours at 44 degrees C is recommended. 87 pairs of samples were examined at 37 degrees C and later at 44 degrees C, and directly at 44 degrees C. Also the reduction of the incubation time from 48 to 24 hours was studied. Direct incubation gave a loss of half a tube per sample, while shortening of the incubation period from 48 to 24 hours gave a smaller loss. The proposed alteration of the procedure for the examination of sewage and recipients means a slight loss of precision but this is more than compensated for by the possibility of examining more samples. The survey of the recipients can therefore be better and the control more effective.", "contents": "A shortcut method for estimation of Escherichia coli in Sewage and receiving water. A simplified method not yet widespread in Scandinavia for the assessment of E. coli in sewage and recipients with McConkey broth for 24 hours at 44 degrees C is recommended. 87 pairs of samples were examined at 37 degrees C and later at 44 degrees C, and directly at 44 degrees C. Also the reduction of the incubation time from 48 to 24 hours was studied. Direct incubation gave a loss of half a tube per sample, while shortening of the incubation period from 48 to 24 hours gave a smaller loss. The proposed alteration of the procedure for the examination of sewage and recipients means a slight loss of precision but this is more than compensated for by the possibility of examining more samples. The survey of the recipients can therefore be better and the control more effective.", "PMID": 790307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8698", "title": "[Isolation of Campylobacter fetus in two herds of sheep in Sweden (author's transl)].", "content": "In two herds of sheep with numerous abortions Campylobacter fetus subspecies intestinalis was isolated from fetuses, fetal membranes, and faecal specimens. In herd A, with good hygiene, 12 ewes out of 250 aborted. In herd B, with poor hygiene, 54 out of 171 ewes aborted and 14 of them died; for a further 9 ewes the lambs died postnatally. The clinical course in both herds shows that proper supervision and possibilities of prompt isolation of aborting ewes can substantially reduce the spread of infection within the herd. The isolated strains of C. fetus subsp. intestinalis were catalase-positive, did not grow in deep culture on 0.5% semisolid agar, reduced nitrate, did not grow in 3,5% NaCl, but grew in 1% ox bile and 1% glycine. All the strains were negative with respect to H2S production on TSI but positive on lead-acetate strips. In serological tests, positive agglutination titres were demonstrated only in aborting ewes from herd B. Positive titres were also demonstrated in a ram from the same herd.", "contents": "[Isolation of Campylobacter fetus in two herds of sheep in Sweden (author's transl)]. In two herds of sheep with numerous abortions Campylobacter fetus subspecies intestinalis was isolated from fetuses, fetal membranes, and faecal specimens. In herd A, with good hygiene, 12 ewes out of 250 aborted. In herd B, with poor hygiene, 54 out of 171 ewes aborted and 14 of them died; for a further 9 ewes the lambs died postnatally. The clinical course in both herds shows that proper supervision and possibilities of prompt isolation of aborting ewes can substantially reduce the spread of infection within the herd. The isolated strains of C. fetus subsp. intestinalis were catalase-positive, did not grow in deep culture on 0.5% semisolid agar, reduced nitrate, did not grow in 3,5% NaCl, but grew in 1% ox bile and 1% glycine. All the strains were negative with respect to H2S production on TSI but positive on lead-acetate strips. In serological tests, positive agglutination titres were demonstrated only in aborting ewes from herd B. Positive titres were also demonstrated in a ram from the same herd.", "PMID": 790309} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8699", "title": "[Cyclophosphamide-vincristine-prednisone combination in the treatment of lympho- and reticulosarcomas in adults (60 cases)].", "content": "60 patients with non Hodgkin's lymphomas were treated with a CVP induction regimen, either alone (stage IV) or in combination with radiotherapy (stages I, II, III). The response rates for lymphocytic and histiocytic lymphomas were 80 and 86%. The complete remission rates were 68 and 71% with a median duration respectively of 13 and 5.5 months. Nodular types did respond better than diffuse both in lymphocytic (CR rate 85% vs 44%; median duration 24 months +, vs 2.5) and histiocytic lymphoma (CR rate 100% vs 0%). In lymphocytic lymphomas, survival in the responding group was 90% at 24 months, vs 20% only in the non responding group (median survival 14.5 months). In the group with nodular lymphocytic lymphoma responding to therapy, there was a 100% survival rate at 24 months. The median survival for patients treated with chemotherapy alone (stage IV) and not responding to therapy, was 22 months, vs 14.5 months in the whole non responder group (stages I, II, III, IV) suggesting a detrimental effect of radiotherapy in the non responding group. In histiocytic lymphomas, the median survivals were respectively 19 months and 3 months in the responding and non responding groups. These results corroborate the excellent efficacy of the CVP regimen. They also indicate that, faced to a CVP induction, 2 major prognosis factors are the histologic type and the nature of the response to therapy.", "contents": "[Cyclophosphamide-vincristine-prednisone combination in the treatment of lympho- and reticulosarcomas in adults (60 cases)]. 60 patients with non Hodgkin's lymphomas were treated with a CVP induction regimen, either alone (stage IV) or in combination with radiotherapy (stages I, II, III). The response rates for lymphocytic and histiocytic lymphomas were 80 and 86%. The complete remission rates were 68 and 71% with a median duration respectively of 13 and 5.5 months. Nodular types did respond better than diffuse both in lymphocytic (CR rate 85% vs 44%; median duration 24 months +, vs 2.5) and histiocytic lymphoma (CR rate 100% vs 0%). In lymphocytic lymphomas, survival in the responding group was 90% at 24 months, vs 20% only in the non responding group (median survival 14.5 months). In the group with nodular lymphocytic lymphoma responding to therapy, there was a 100% survival rate at 24 months. The median survival for patients treated with chemotherapy alone (stage IV) and not responding to therapy, was 22 months, vs 14.5 months in the whole non responder group (stages I, II, III, IV) suggesting a detrimental effect of radiotherapy in the non responding group. In histiocytic lymphomas, the median survivals were respectively 19 months and 3 months in the responding and non responding groups. These results corroborate the excellent efficacy of the CVP regimen. They also indicate that, faced to a CVP induction, 2 major prognosis factors are the histologic type and the nature of the response to therapy.", "PMID": 790316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8700", "title": "[Polycystic kidney treated by iterative hemodialysis and kidney transplantation. 25 cases].", "content": "Between January 1968 and December 1975, 25 patients (13 men and 12 women) were treated in the dialysis and transplantation unit of the Brugmann Hospital for terminal renal insufficiency secondary to polycystic disease. Nine patients (36%) underwent repeated surgery in order to ensure adequate successful vascular access for haemodialysis, whilst only 14.1% of patients suffering from renal insifficiency of another cause had to undergo operation on more than one occasion in order to be treated. In the majority of cases vasospasm was responsible for the obliteration of internal or external arterio-venous shunts. It was particularly common in women with a normal or low blood pressure. In this group, 3/4 of the patients needed several operations in order to make dialysis possible. Fourteen patients underwent bilateral nephrectomy. One death occurred in a patient who had received a renal transplant during the same operation. Fifteen kidney grafts were carried out and percentages of functional transplants at one and two years were 45.4 and 37.8% respectively. These poor results may be explained by the fact that 13 of our 15 patients were aged more than 40 years.", "contents": "[Polycystic kidney treated by iterative hemodialysis and kidney transplantation. 25 cases]. Between January 1968 and December 1975, 25 patients (13 men and 12 women) were treated in the dialysis and transplantation unit of the Brugmann Hospital for terminal renal insufficiency secondary to polycystic disease. Nine patients (36%) underwent repeated surgery in order to ensure adequate successful vascular access for haemodialysis, whilst only 14.1% of patients suffering from renal insifficiency of another cause had to undergo operation on more than one occasion in order to be treated. In the majority of cases vasospasm was responsible for the obliteration of internal or external arterio-venous shunts. It was particularly common in women with a normal or low blood pressure. In this group, 3/4 of the patients needed several operations in order to make dialysis possible. Fourteen patients underwent bilateral nephrectomy. One death occurred in a patient who had received a renal transplant during the same operation. Fifteen kidney grafts were carried out and percentages of functional transplants at one and two years were 45.4 and 37.8% respectively. These poor results may be explained by the fact that 13 of our 15 patients were aged more than 40 years.", "PMID": 790320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8701", "title": "Psychiatric aspects of chronic renal disease.", "content": "Life-extending treatment for end-stage renal disease is now accepted standard procedure when feasible. The spectrum of treatable patients is expanding to include many with serious emotional problems. This expansion places an added burden on staff and patient alike, as the stresses produced often cause significiant dysphoria even in the patient who is well integrated emotionally. Psychiatric morbidity must be expected and managed as well as circumstacnes will allow. As in most other human endeavors, patients who are likely to be successful are the fortunate few who can adapt to difficult and chronic stresses, undergo positive emotional experiences, and have a supportive family, satisfying work, solid identity, and comfortable self-esteem--in short, those with good mental health. The discussion speculates on personality or life-experience variables that might have prognostic usefulness.", "contents": "Psychiatric aspects of chronic renal disease. Life-extending treatment for end-stage renal disease is now accepted standard procedure when feasible. The spectrum of treatable patients is expanding to include many with serious emotional problems. This expansion places an added burden on staff and patient alike, as the stresses produced often cause significiant dysphoria even in the patient who is well integrated emotionally. Psychiatric morbidity must be expected and managed as well as circumstacnes will allow. As in most other human endeavors, patients who are likely to be successful are the fortunate few who can adapt to difficult and chronic stresses, undergo positive emotional experiences, and have a supportive family, satisfying work, solid identity, and comfortable self-esteem--in short, those with good mental health. The discussion speculates on personality or life-experience variables that might have prognostic usefulness.", "PMID": 790348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8702", "title": "Urinary tract infections in children and adolescents.", "content": "Recent advances in the understanding of urinary tract anatomy, function, and disease should lead to a reassessment of the clinical approach to urinary tract infection. Many traditional concepts must be seriously questioned in light of new information. These include the belief that pyuria or \"typical\" signs and symtoms are diagnostic. Diagnosis depends on detection of persistent bacteriuria by careful screening and culture of properly collected uring specimens. Once diagnosis is confirmed, oral administration of a single antibiotic for ten days is usually effective. Patients with suspected pyelonephritis or with recurrent or unresponsive urinary tract infection should be treated with two antibiotics. Success of treatment must always be confirmed by culture after discontinuance of therapy. In all cases, follow-up every one to two months should continue until the patients have remained free of infection for a period of one year. Refractory cases may require radiologic study and referral to a urologist.", "contents": "Urinary tract infections in children and adolescents. Recent advances in the understanding of urinary tract anatomy, function, and disease should lead to a reassessment of the clinical approach to urinary tract infection. Many traditional concepts must be seriously questioned in light of new information. These include the belief that pyuria or \"typical\" signs and symtoms are diagnostic. Diagnosis depends on detection of persistent bacteriuria by careful screening and culture of properly collected uring specimens. Once diagnosis is confirmed, oral administration of a single antibiotic for ten days is usually effective. Patients with suspected pyelonephritis or with recurrent or unresponsive urinary tract infection should be treated with two antibiotics. Success of treatment must always be confirmed by culture after discontinuance of therapy. In all cases, follow-up every one to two months should continue until the patients have remained free of infection for a period of one year. Refractory cases may require radiologic study and referral to a urologist.", "PMID": 790349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8703", "title": "Betahistine hydrochloride in M\u00e9ni\u00e9re's disease.", "content": "A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial was performed to assess the effect of betahistine hydrochloride (Serc) in M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease. The diagnosis was based on paroxysmal attacks of rotational vertigo, with tinnitus, and a fluctuating sensori-neural deafness, together with the results of auditory and vestigular tests. Twenty-eight patients were admitted to the trial over 3 years. Twenty-two patients completed the trial. In total, they received betahistine 32 mg daily, for a period of 16 weeks, and placebo also for the same length of time, preceded in every case by a 4-week pre-treatment period. Daily symptom score cards were kept. There was a statistically significant improvement in favour of the drug with regard to vertigo, tinnitus and deafness. Vertigo was the most responsive symptom. No adverse reactions were observed.", "contents": "Betahistine hydrochloride in M\u00e9ni\u00e9re's disease. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial was performed to assess the effect of betahistine hydrochloride (Serc) in M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease. The diagnosis was based on paroxysmal attacks of rotational vertigo, with tinnitus, and a fluctuating sensori-neural deafness, together with the results of auditory and vestigular tests. Twenty-eight patients were admitted to the trial over 3 years. Twenty-two patients completed the trial. In total, they received betahistine 32 mg daily, for a period of 16 weeks, and placebo also for the same length of time, preceded in every case by a 4-week pre-treatment period. Daily symptom score cards were kept. There was a statistically significant improvement in favour of the drug with regard to vertigo, tinnitus and deafness. Vertigo was the most responsive symptom. No adverse reactions were observed.", "PMID": 790351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8704", "title": "The involvement of serotonin in the mechanism of central action of apomorphine.", "content": "The paper reviews and summarizes the results obtained in a series of experimental papers on the action of apomorphine on central serotonin mechanisms. Apomorphine accelerates utilization of serotonin in the central nervous system, this effect being a consequence of stimulation of central dopamine receptors. The activation of serotonergic mechanisms may be responsible for the hypothermizing action of apomorphine in rats and mice, pi modulates the locomotor stimulation produced by apomorphine in the rat, and does not influence the apomorphine-induced stereotypy in the rat.", "contents": "The involvement of serotonin in the mechanism of central action of apomorphine. The paper reviews and summarizes the results obtained in a series of experimental papers on the action of apomorphine on central serotonin mechanisms. Apomorphine accelerates utilization of serotonin in the central nervous system, this effect being a consequence of stimulation of central dopamine receptors. The activation of serotonergic mechanisms may be responsible for the hypothermizing action of apomorphine in rats and mice, pi modulates the locomotor stimulation produced by apomorphine in the rat, and does not influence the apomorphine-induced stereotypy in the rat.", "PMID": 790347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8705", "title": "[Pulmonary, pleural and pericardial manifestations of rickettsiosis].", "content": "The authors report four observations of rickettsioses with R. conori (3 cases) or R. mooseri (1 case) with pericardial, pleural or pulmonary manifestations (2 cases). On this occasion, they recall that diagnosis of rickettsiosis can only be made on precise conditions: compatible clinical syndrome, significantly increasing then decreasing antibodies level, negative bacteriological and viral investigations and effectiveness of particular antibiotics. They also recall the main characteristics of pericardites, pleurisies, and pneumopathies produced by rickettsiae, probably more frequently than previously thought.", "contents": "[Pulmonary, pleural and pericardial manifestations of rickettsiosis]. The authors report four observations of rickettsioses with R. conori (3 cases) or R. mooseri (1 case) with pericardial, pleural or pulmonary manifestations (2 cases). On this occasion, they recall that diagnosis of rickettsiosis can only be made on precise conditions: compatible clinical syndrome, significantly increasing then decreasing antibodies level, negative bacteriological and viral investigations and effectiveness of particular antibiotics. They also recall the main characteristics of pericardites, pleurisies, and pneumopathies produced by rickettsiae, probably more frequently than previously thought.", "PMID": 790356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8706", "title": "A double blind trial of gefarnate and placebo in the treatment of gastric ulcer.", "content": "Forty-five patients with chronic gastric ulcers were treated as out-patients in a double-blind comparison of gefarnate (geranyl farnesylacetate), 50 mg four times daily, with the same number of dummy capsules daily for five weeks. The mean percentage reduction in ulcer size assessed by radiography was 70-4 per cent in the gefarnate patients compared with 27-8 per cent in those receiving placebo capsules. This difference is statistically significant (p less than 0-05, with a two-tailed test). No change in the electrolyte balance occurred in any of the patients and no side-effects were reported. These results suggest that gefarnate promotes the healing of gastric ulcers in ambulant patients. Its apparent absence of side-effects makes it a safe ans useful drug.", "contents": "A double blind trial of gefarnate and placebo in the treatment of gastric ulcer. Forty-five patients with chronic gastric ulcers were treated as out-patients in a double-blind comparison of gefarnate (geranyl farnesylacetate), 50 mg four times daily, with the same number of dummy capsules daily for five weeks. The mean percentage reduction in ulcer size assessed by radiography was 70-4 per cent in the gefarnate patients compared with 27-8 per cent in those receiving placebo capsules. This difference is statistically significant (p less than 0-05, with a two-tailed test). No change in the electrolyte balance occurred in any of the patients and no side-effects were reported. These results suggest that gefarnate promotes the healing of gastric ulcers in ambulant patients. Its apparent absence of side-effects makes it a safe ans useful drug.", "PMID": 790358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8707", "title": "Evaluation of an oral contraceptive containing only progestogen.", "content": "In the results from this series ethynodiol diacetate (\"Femulen\") was found to be a reliable and acceptable oral contraceptive with a decreased risk of severe side-effects. A review of oral contraception (Jackson, 1973) supports the view that the progestogen-only pill has a useful part to play in modern oral contraception.", "contents": "Evaluation of an oral contraceptive containing only progestogen. In the results from this series ethynodiol diacetate (\"Femulen\") was found to be a reliable and acceptable oral contraceptive with a decreased risk of severe side-effects. A review of oral contraception (Jackson, 1973) supports the view that the progestogen-only pill has a useful part to play in modern oral contraception.", "PMID": 790359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8708", "title": "[Control of cross infection in intensive care units].", "content": "Quantitative determinations of antibiotic susceptibility established that infections occurring in intensive care units were predominantly exogenous cross infections. The most frequently isolated strains were: Klebsiella, Enterobacteriaceae, Serratia marcescens and Proteus mirabilis. The majority of the strains showed multiple resistance. Despite adequate antibiotic therapy a number of patients died of the infection. Many of the methods of disinfection were found to be inadequate, especially as regarded washbasins, face flannels, ultrasound inhalers, respirators and other apparatus. The fact that many of the isolated strains are capable of multiplying in water is not receiving sufficient attention.", "contents": "[Control of cross infection in intensive care units]. Quantitative determinations of antibiotic susceptibility established that infections occurring in intensive care units were predominantly exogenous cross infections. The most frequently isolated strains were: Klebsiella, Enterobacteriaceae, Serratia marcescens and Proteus mirabilis. The majority of the strains showed multiple resistance. Despite adequate antibiotic therapy a number of patients died of the infection. Many of the methods of disinfection were found to be inadequate, especially as regarded washbasins, face flannels, ultrasound inhalers, respirators and other apparatus. The fact that many of the isolated strains are capable of multiplying in water is not receiving sufficient attention.", "PMID": 790370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8709", "title": "[Disinfection of the inspired and expired air during artificial respiration with humified gases].", "content": "The water in the nebulizer of respirators is a potential source of infection for patients receiving artificial respiration. Interposition of a special equipment that will produce ozone-free ultraviolet radiation will prevent infection of the patient by the inspired humidified air, even if the bacterial count in the nebulizer fluid is very high. Interposition of the same equipment on the expiratory side is also recommended to minimize the risk of infection of the environment by bacteria in the expired air.", "contents": "[Disinfection of the inspired and expired air during artificial respiration with humified gases]. The water in the nebulizer of respirators is a potential source of infection for patients receiving artificial respiration. Interposition of a special equipment that will produce ozone-free ultraviolet radiation will prevent infection of the patient by the inspired humidified air, even if the bacterial count in the nebulizer fluid is very high. Interposition of the same equipment on the expiratory side is also recommended to minimize the risk of infection of the environment by bacteria in the expired air.", "PMID": 790371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8710", "title": "Insulin release and phosphate ion efflux from rat pancreatic islets induced by L-leucine and its nonmetabolizable analogue, 2-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid.", "content": "When isolated rat pancreatic islets that had been labeled with 32P were exposed to 10mM L-leucine in a microperifusion system, there was a transitory, immediate heightened efflux of [32P]phosphate ions. Commencement of the phosphate flush coincided with the first release of insulin, and it occurred in the absence or presence of nonstimulatory levels of glucose (0.5 mg/ml). The effects of leucine upon phosphate efflux were not inhibited by D-mannoheptulose, whereas glucose-induced stimulations were suppressed. The phosphate flush could be induced also by the nonmetabolizable analogue of leucine, 2-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid. Like insulin release, the effect was stereospecific, with only one of the four stereoisomers, (-)-b-aminobicycloheptane carboxylic acid, being active. Analogue-induced phosphate and insulin release were totally suppressed in a medium containing D2O, but on reversion to H2O the efflux of both hormone and anion occured. It is concluded that insulin secretion from islet beta cells and the release of phosphate ions showed the same specificity for nutrient secretagogues and that both can be triggered even in the absence of exogenous oxidizable fuels. However, the partial dissociation of the dose-response curves for the two phenomena lends support to the contention that the phosphate flush reflects an earlier event in the sequence of stimulus-secretion coupling.", "contents": "Insulin release and phosphate ion efflux from rat pancreatic islets induced by L-leucine and its nonmetabolizable analogue, 2-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid. When isolated rat pancreatic islets that had been labeled with 32P were exposed to 10mM L-leucine in a microperifusion system, there was a transitory, immediate heightened efflux of [32P]phosphate ions. Commencement of the phosphate flush coincided with the first release of insulin, and it occurred in the absence or presence of nonstimulatory levels of glucose (0.5 mg/ml). The effects of leucine upon phosphate efflux were not inhibited by D-mannoheptulose, whereas glucose-induced stimulations were suppressed. The phosphate flush could be induced also by the nonmetabolizable analogue of leucine, 2-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid. Like insulin release, the effect was stereospecific, with only one of the four stereoisomers, (-)-b-aminobicycloheptane carboxylic acid, being active. Analogue-induced phosphate and insulin release were totally suppressed in a medium containing D2O, but on reversion to H2O the efflux of both hormone and anion occured. It is concluded that insulin secretion from islet beta cells and the release of phosphate ions showed the same specificity for nutrient secretagogues and that both can be triggered even in the absence of exogenous oxidizable fuels. However, the partial dissociation of the dose-response curves for the two phenomena lends support to the contention that the phosphate flush reflects an earlier event in the sequence of stimulus-secretion coupling.", "PMID": 790384} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8711", "title": "Conversion of beta-galactosidase to a membrane-bound state by gene fusion.", "content": "We have isolated a series of strains in which the lacZ gene has been fused to one of the maltose operons, such that the synthesis of beta-galactosidase (beta-D-galactoside galactohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.23) is inducible by maltose. The most frequent event that generates such fusions results in strains in which an intact lacZ gene has become a part of the malE,F operon. By using a special selection procedure, we have detected much rarer fusion events resulting in an altered beta-galactosidase molecule. In these strains, we presume that there is a hybrid protein molecule produced, comprised of an NH2-terminal amino acid sequence from a maltose transport protein (malF) and a COOH-terminal amino acid sequence from beta-galactosidase. The hybrid protein, which still retains some beta-galactosidase activity, is found in the cytoplasmic membrane. These results provide information on the component of the malF gene essential for incorporation of its product into the membrane.", "contents": "Conversion of beta-galactosidase to a membrane-bound state by gene fusion. We have isolated a series of strains in which the lacZ gene has been fused to one of the maltose operons, such that the synthesis of beta-galactosidase (beta-D-galactoside galactohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.23) is inducible by maltose. The most frequent event that generates such fusions results in strains in which an intact lacZ gene has become a part of the malE,F operon. By using a special selection procedure, we have detected much rarer fusion events resulting in an altered beta-galactosidase molecule. In these strains, we presume that there is a hybrid protein molecule produced, comprised of an NH2-terminal amino acid sequence from a maltose transport protein (malF) and a COOH-terminal amino acid sequence from beta-galactosidase. The hybrid protein, which still retains some beta-galactosidase activity, is found in the cytoplasmic membrane. These results provide information on the component of the malF gene essential for incorporation of its product into the membrane.", "PMID": 790385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8712", "title": "lac repressor: 3-fluorotyrosine substitution for nuclear magnetic resonance studies.", "content": "This paper describes the isolation of 3-fluorotyrosine-substituted lac repressor, and its 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum. From the spectrum, one can conclude that for each of the four identical subunits of the repressor there are four or five surface tyrosines, two buried or internal tyrosines, and one tyrosine with an phenolic group ionized or involved in a hydrogen bond. Conditions are described that can be used for the 3-fluorotyrosine substitution of a variety of Escherichia coli proteins for 19F nuclear magnetic resonance studies.", "contents": "lac repressor: 3-fluorotyrosine substitution for nuclear magnetic resonance studies. This paper describes the isolation of 3-fluorotyrosine-substituted lac repressor, and its 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum. From the spectrum, one can conclude that for each of the four identical subunits of the repressor there are four or five surface tyrosines, two buried or internal tyrosines, and one tyrosine with an phenolic group ionized or involved in a hydrogen bond. Conditions are described that can be used for the 3-fluorotyrosine substitution of a variety of Escherichia coli proteins for 19F nuclear magnetic resonance studies.", "PMID": 790386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8713", "title": "Amplification in Escherichia coli of enzymes involved in genetic recombination: construction of hybrid ColE1 plasmids carrying the structural gene for exonuclease I.", "content": "Endo-R-HindIII restriction endonuclease fragments obtained from F30 and pMB9 plasmid DNAs were ligated in vitro and used to transform a recB21 recC22 sbcB15 strain of E. coli K-12. The inability of this strain to stably maintain pMB9 alone permitted the isolation of transformants that carried hybrid plasmids containing the sbcB+ allele. These transformants became sensitive to ultraviolet light and recombination defieient and showed a 25-fold increase in the level of exonuclease I activity. The stability of the sbcB hybrid plasmids and their effects on exonuclease I activity have also been determined in wild-type and recA1 genetic backgrounds. The presence of the plasmids results in a 7-fold increase in the level of exonuclease I in a wild-type strain and 15-fold increase in a recA1 strain. The increased activity in the recA1 mutant appears to be a result of increased plasmid stability in this genetic background.", "contents": "Amplification in Escherichia coli of enzymes involved in genetic recombination: construction of hybrid ColE1 plasmids carrying the structural gene for exonuclease I. Endo-R-HindIII restriction endonuclease fragments obtained from F30 and pMB9 plasmid DNAs were ligated in vitro and used to transform a recB21 recC22 sbcB15 strain of E. coli K-12. The inability of this strain to stably maintain pMB9 alone permitted the isolation of transformants that carried hybrid plasmids containing the sbcB+ allele. These transformants became sensitive to ultraviolet light and recombination defieient and showed a 25-fold increase in the level of exonuclease I activity. The stability of the sbcB hybrid plasmids and their effects on exonuclease I activity have also been determined in wild-type and recA1 genetic backgrounds. The presence of the plasmids results in a 7-fold increase in the level of exonuclease I in a wild-type strain and 15-fold increase in a recA1 strain. The increased activity in the recA1 mutant appears to be a result of increased plasmid stability in this genetic background.", "PMID": 790387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8714", "title": "Regulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity by guanine nucleotides: in vivo test in potassium-depleted Escherichia coli.", "content": "The observation that guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) is an activator and guanosine 5'-diphosphate-3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) is an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (L-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17) of Escherichia coli [E. H\u00f6ltt\u00e4 et al. (1974) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 59, 1104-1111] has been confirmed. The hypothesis that synthesis of both polyamine and RNA in E. coli is regulated in vivo by these nucleotides was tested in E. coli B-207. On transfer of this K+-requiring, amino-acid-deficient strigent strain from K+-medium to Na+-medium, the organism stops protein synthesis, maintains a high rate of RNA synthesis, and increases putrescine synthesis from ornithine manyfold. Under these conditions, the cells do not markedly change their contents of GTP and ppGpp. The proposed mechanism of regulation of RNA and putrescine synthesis by guanine nucleotides does not appear to explain the metabolic phenomena observed in this organism during K+ deficiency. Nevertheless, amino acid depletion in K+-medium does result in a marked increase in ppGpp.", "contents": "Regulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity by guanine nucleotides: in vivo test in potassium-depleted Escherichia coli. The observation that guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) is an activator and guanosine 5'-diphosphate-3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) is an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (L-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17) of Escherichia coli [E. H\u00f6ltt\u00e4 et al. (1974) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 59, 1104-1111] has been confirmed. The hypothesis that synthesis of both polyamine and RNA in E. coli is regulated in vivo by these nucleotides was tested in E. coli B-207. On transfer of this K+-requiring, amino-acid-deficient strigent strain from K+-medium to Na+-medium, the organism stops protein synthesis, maintains a high rate of RNA synthesis, and increases putrescine synthesis from ornithine manyfold. Under these conditions, the cells do not markedly change their contents of GTP and ppGpp. The proposed mechanism of regulation of RNA and putrescine synthesis by guanine nucleotides does not appear to explain the metabolic phenomena observed in this organism during K+ deficiency. Nevertheless, amino acid depletion in K+-medium does result in a marked increase in ppGpp.", "PMID": 790388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8715", "title": "Mechanism of DNA elongation catalyzed by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III, dnaZ protein, and DNA elongation factors I and III.", "content": "Elongation of a primed single-stranded DNA template catalyzed by E. coli DNA polymerase III (DNA nucleotidyltransferase, deoxynucleosidetriphosphate:DNA deoxynucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.7) requires dnaZ protein and two other protein factors, DNA elongation factors I and III. The reaction occurs by the following mechanism: (i) dnaZ protein and DNA elongation factor III together catalyze the transfer of DNA elongation factor I to a primed DNA template. This transfer reaction requires ATP or dATP in addition to dnaZ protein, DNA elongation factors I and III, and primed template; it does not require DNA polymerase III. (ii) DNA polymerase III binds to the complex of DNA elongation factor I with primed template; it does not bind to primed template which is not complexed with DNA elongation factor I. This binding reaction proceeds in the absence of ATP or dATP as cofactor, dnaZ protein, and DNA elongation factor III and without additional DNA elongation factor I. (iii) The complex of DNA polymerase III, DNA elongation factor I, and primed template catalyzes DNA synthesis upon the addition of dNTPs.", "contents": "Mechanism of DNA elongation catalyzed by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III, dnaZ protein, and DNA elongation factors I and III. Elongation of a primed single-stranded DNA template catalyzed by E. coli DNA polymerase III (DNA nucleotidyltransferase, deoxynucleosidetriphosphate:DNA deoxynucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.7) requires dnaZ protein and two other protein factors, DNA elongation factors I and III. The reaction occurs by the following mechanism: (i) dnaZ protein and DNA elongation factor III together catalyze the transfer of DNA elongation factor I to a primed DNA template. This transfer reaction requires ATP or dATP in addition to dnaZ protein, DNA elongation factors I and III, and primed template; it does not require DNA polymerase III. (ii) DNA polymerase III binds to the complex of DNA elongation factor I with primed template; it does not bind to primed template which is not complexed with DNA elongation factor I. This binding reaction proceeds in the absence of ATP or dATP as cofactor, dnaZ protein, and DNA elongation factor III and without additional DNA elongation factor I. (iii) The complex of DNA polymerase III, DNA elongation factor I, and primed template catalyzes DNA synthesis upon the addition of dNTPs.", "PMID": 790389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8716", "title": "The functional repressor parts of a tetrameric lac repressor-beta-galactosidase chimaera are organized as dimers.", "content": "The chimaeric protein repressor-galactosidase, in which fully active lac repressor is covalently linked to the active enzyme beta-galactosidase, was used as a system for probing the quaternary structure of lac repressor. Electron micrographs revealed repressor-galactosidase to be a tetrameric aggregate. When lac repressor, alone, was crosslinked with dimethyl suberimidate, dimers, trimers, tetramers, and oligomers of the protein subunit were produced, whereas crosslinking of the tetrameric repressor-galactosidase resulted in the production of only dimers of the chimaera. Treatment of lac repressor with iodine resulted in the formation of protein dimers; the same result was obtained with repressor-galactosidase. After limited proteolysis of lac repressor, no crosslinking was obtained after treatment with dimethyl suberimidate, whereas iodine still produced a covalent linkage. These results are interpreted as evidence that the lac repressor parts of the tetrameric repressor-galactosidase-chimaera are organized as dimers on the tetrameric-beta-galactosidase core. Because this chimaera has been previously shown to have normal repressor activity [B. M\u00fcller-Hill and J. Kania (1974) Nature, 249,561-563], we conclude that lac repressor still is biologically active as a dimeric aggregate.", "contents": "The functional repressor parts of a tetrameric lac repressor-beta-galactosidase chimaera are organized as dimers. The chimaeric protein repressor-galactosidase, in which fully active lac repressor is covalently linked to the active enzyme beta-galactosidase, was used as a system for probing the quaternary structure of lac repressor. Electron micrographs revealed repressor-galactosidase to be a tetrameric aggregate. When lac repressor, alone, was crosslinked with dimethyl suberimidate, dimers, trimers, tetramers, and oligomers of the protein subunit were produced, whereas crosslinking of the tetrameric repressor-galactosidase resulted in the production of only dimers of the chimaera. Treatment of lac repressor with iodine resulted in the formation of protein dimers; the same result was obtained with repressor-galactosidase. After limited proteolysis of lac repressor, no crosslinking was obtained after treatment with dimethyl suberimidate, whereas iodine still produced a covalent linkage. These results are interpreted as evidence that the lac repressor parts of the tetrameric repressor-galactosidase-chimaera are organized as dimers on the tetrameric-beta-galactosidase core. Because this chimaera has been previously shown to have normal repressor activity [B. M\u00fcller-Hill and J. Kania (1974) Nature, 249,561-563], we conclude that lac repressor still is biologically active as a dimeric aggregate.", "PMID": 790390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8717", "title": "A mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae defective for nuclear fusion.", "content": "A mutant unable to fuse nuclei during mating has been isolated from standard wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Tetrad analysis of the mutation responsible for this defect (kar1-1) shows that it segregates as a single Mendelian factor. The defect kn kaf1-1 appears to be nuclear limited. Cytological and genetic evidence shows that in this mutant the events associated with zygote formation are normal until the point of nuclear fusion. The consequence of this defect is the formation of a multinucleate zygote which in subsequent divisions can segregate heterokaryons and haploid heterplasmons.", "contents": "A mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae defective for nuclear fusion. A mutant unable to fuse nuclei during mating has been isolated from standard wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Tetrad analysis of the mutation responsible for this defect (kar1-1) shows that it segregates as a single Mendelian factor. The defect kn kaf1-1 appears to be nuclear limited. Cytological and genetic evidence shows that in this mutant the events associated with zygote formation are normal until the point of nuclear fusion. The consequence of this defect is the formation of a multinucleate zygote which in subsequent divisions can segregate heterokaryons and haploid heterplasmons.", "PMID": 790391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8718", "title": "Polyclonal activation of bone-marrow-derived lymphocytes from human peripheral blood measured by a direct plaque-forming cell assay.", "content": "A culture and assay system for the stimulation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes with polyclonal activators of bone-marrow-derived lymphocytes (B cells), such as pokeweed mitogen and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, and subsequent measurement of single cell antibody production by a hemolysis-in-bel direct plaque-forming cell assay against sheep erythrocytes has been established. The critical culture requirements have been delineated and a new highly sensitive ultrathin gel assay method has been described. Under these conditions a substantial and highly reproducible plaque-forming cell response was detected in normal human peripheral blood. This system can be readily used to explore the complex events associated with activation of human B cells.", "contents": "Polyclonal activation of bone-marrow-derived lymphocytes from human peripheral blood measured by a direct plaque-forming cell assay. A culture and assay system for the stimulation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes with polyclonal activators of bone-marrow-derived lymphocytes (B cells), such as pokeweed mitogen and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, and subsequent measurement of single cell antibody production by a hemolysis-in-bel direct plaque-forming cell assay against sheep erythrocytes has been established. The critical culture requirements have been delineated and a new highly sensitive ultrathin gel assay method has been described. Under these conditions a substantial and highly reproducible plaque-forming cell response was detected in normal human peripheral blood. This system can be readily used to explore the complex events associated with activation of human B cells.", "PMID": 790392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8719", "title": "Prophage lambda induction of Escherichia coli K12 envA uvrB: a highly sensitive test for potential carcinogens.", "content": "A simple, inexpensive, and sensitive test for potential carcinogens based upon the property of carcinogens to induce prophage lambda is described. By using chemicals activated with microsomal enzymes and E. coli K12 permeable (envA) tester bacteria also deficient in DNA repair (uvrB), the range of carcinogens detected in a lysogenic induction test (inductest) has been extended. We have provided the evidence that, after activation, carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons such as benzo[a5pyrene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induce prophage lambda. Three variants of the test have been developed (inductests I, II, and III), which are as sensitive as the mutagenicity test of Ames et al. [Ames, B. N., McCann, J. and Yamasaki, E. (1975) Mutat. Res. 31, 347-364]. Inductests II and III provide a quantitative estimation of the inducing activity of a carcinogen. With the latter test, one can determine: (i) the cellular toxic effect of a carcinogen and (ii) the kinetics of appearance and disappearance of active metabolites. For two series of chemicals, aflatoxins and benz[a]anthracenes, there is a good correlation between their carcinogenic activity in rodents and their prophage inducing activity in bacteria. The fact that the majority of the cell population is induced makes it possible to test the inducing activity of carcinogens at the biochemical level, e.g., by measuring lambda repressor inactivation.", "contents": "Prophage lambda induction of Escherichia coli K12 envA uvrB: a highly sensitive test for potential carcinogens. A simple, inexpensive, and sensitive test for potential carcinogens based upon the property of carcinogens to induce prophage lambda is described. By using chemicals activated with microsomal enzymes and E. coli K12 permeable (envA) tester bacteria also deficient in DNA repair (uvrB), the range of carcinogens detected in a lysogenic induction test (inductest) has been extended. We have provided the evidence that, after activation, carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons such as benzo[a5pyrene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induce prophage lambda. Three variants of the test have been developed (inductests I, II, and III), which are as sensitive as the mutagenicity test of Ames et al. [Ames, B. N., McCann, J. and Yamasaki, E. (1975) Mutat. Res. 31, 347-364]. Inductests II and III provide a quantitative estimation of the inducing activity of a carcinogen. With the latter test, one can determine: (i) the cellular toxic effect of a carcinogen and (ii) the kinetics of appearance and disappearance of active metabolites. For two series of chemicals, aflatoxins and benz[a]anthracenes, there is a good correlation between their carcinogenic activity in rodents and their prophage inducing activity in bacteria. The fact that the majority of the cell population is induced makes it possible to test the inducing activity of carcinogens at the biochemical level, e.g., by measuring lambda repressor inactivation.", "PMID": 790393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8720", "title": "Changes in the metabolism of hypothalamic norepinephrine associated with the onset of maternal behavior in the nulliparous rat.", "content": "Both norepinephrine (NE) and its major metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), were assayed both in the hypothalamus of nulliparous rats that had behaved maternally toward foster young and in the hypothalamus of those that had failed to behave maternally. It was found that the maternally-behaving animals had both lower concentrations of NE and higher concentrations of MHPG as compared with their nonresponding counterparts. These data parallel those reported for the puerperal female and suggest that the onset of maternal behavior may be mediated by increased transmission across hypothalamic noradrenergic synapses.", "contents": "Changes in the metabolism of hypothalamic norepinephrine associated with the onset of maternal behavior in the nulliparous rat. Both norepinephrine (NE) and its major metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), were assayed both in the hypothalamus of nulliparous rats that had behaved maternally toward foster young and in the hypothalamus of those that had failed to behave maternally. It was found that the maternally-behaving animals had both lower concentrations of NE and higher concentrations of MHPG as compared with their nonresponding counterparts. These data parallel those reported for the puerperal female and suggest that the onset of maternal behavior may be mediated by increased transmission across hypothalamic noradrenergic synapses.", "PMID": 790399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8721", "title": "Relationship between antidepressant effect and plasma level of nortriptyline. Clinical studies.", "content": "Strong evidence has been found for the assumption that NT inhibits its own antidepressive effect at high, but non toxic plasma levels in patients suffering from endogenous depression. Based on three investigations we will recommend an optimal therapeutic plasma range for NT between 50 and 150 ng NT/ml.", "contents": "Relationship between antidepressant effect and plasma level of nortriptyline. Clinical studies. Strong evidence has been found for the assumption that NT inhibits its own antidepressive effect at high, but non toxic plasma levels in patients suffering from endogenous depression. Based on three investigations we will recommend an optimal therapeutic plasma range for NT between 50 and 150 ng NT/ml.", "PMID": 790409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8722", "title": "[New diagnostic strategies in psychiatry by means of video-technique. I. The use of time-blind video analysis for the evaluation of antidepressant drug trials (author's transl)].", "content": "The use of audio-video methods allowed the decrease of subjective factors influencing ratings of psychopathological phenomina. TV-stored interviews, recorded at separate days, may be compared almost simultaneously. In this study a rating of severity of depression was made of patients under antidepressive medication on days 0, 10, 20. (Mianserin was compared with Amitriptyline in a double-blind-trial). This method rendered it possible to detect significant differences between therapeutic profiles over time. The same result was reached independently by both investigators. The judgement of depression was based on a global impression and not on the evaluation of isolated psychopathological symptoms. No absolute measurement of depression was possible. The described method of a time-blind-analysis of TV-stored interviews constitutes a considerable progress in the assessment of a drug's profile in time, particularly if rating-scales are used in the same manner.", "contents": "[New diagnostic strategies in psychiatry by means of video-technique. I. The use of time-blind video analysis for the evaluation of antidepressant drug trials (author's transl)]. The use of audio-video methods allowed the decrease of subjective factors influencing ratings of psychopathological phenomina. TV-stored interviews, recorded at separate days, may be compared almost simultaneously. In this study a rating of severity of depression was made of patients under antidepressive medication on days 0, 10, 20. (Mianserin was compared with Amitriptyline in a double-blind-trial). This method rendered it possible to detect significant differences between therapeutic profiles over time. The same result was reached independently by both investigators. The judgement of depression was based on a global impression and not on the evaluation of isolated psychopathological symptoms. No absolute measurement of depression was possible. The described method of a time-blind-analysis of TV-stored interviews constitutes a considerable progress in the assessment of a drug's profile in time, particularly if rating-scales are used in the same manner.", "PMID": 790410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8723", "title": "Lithium in tardive dyskinesia.", "content": "A single blind trial and a placebo controlled double blind trial of lithium were carried out in elderly patients with tardive dyskinesia. In the pilot study, neuroleptics were continued: in the controlled trial, neuroleptics were discontinued. The results of both studies were essentially negative. Thus, the suppression effect of neuroleptics is much more dramatic than anything seen in the two studies. Several reasons for this were discussed namely, the severity and chronicity of the symptoms.", "contents": "Lithium in tardive dyskinesia. A single blind trial and a placebo controlled double blind trial of lithium were carried out in elderly patients with tardive dyskinesia. In the pilot study, neuroleptics were continued: in the controlled trial, neuroleptics were discontinued. The results of both studies were essentially negative. Thus, the suppression effect of neuroleptics is much more dramatic than anything seen in the two studies. Several reasons for this were discussed namely, the severity and chronicity of the symptoms.", "PMID": 790411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8724", "title": "A double blind comparison of lithium carbonate and ludiomil in the prophylaxis of unipolar affective illness.", "content": "A double-blind prospective study was carried out comparing the prophylactic effect of maprotiline and lithium carbonate over a period of 1 year in patients suffering from recurrent affective disorders. The average Affective Morbidity Index was lower, but not significantly so, in patients treated with lithium. A further analysis based on dividing patients into those with no affective morbidity and those who showed some affective morbidity during the study, demonstrated lithium carbonate to be significantly superior to maprotiline in both the group as a whole and in unipolar depressives.", "contents": "A double blind comparison of lithium carbonate and ludiomil in the prophylaxis of unipolar affective illness. A double-blind prospective study was carried out comparing the prophylactic effect of maprotiline and lithium carbonate over a period of 1 year in patients suffering from recurrent affective disorders. The average Affective Morbidity Index was lower, but not significantly so, in patients treated with lithium. A further analysis based on dividing patients into those with no affective morbidity and those who showed some affective morbidity during the study, demonstrated lithium carbonate to be significantly superior to maprotiline in both the group as a whole and in unipolar depressives.", "PMID": 790412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8725", "title": "The initiation of long-term pharmacotherapy in schizophrenia: dosage and side effect comparisons between oral and depot fluphenazine.", "content": "This report focuses on two comparisons between oral and depot fluphenazine specifically FPZ decanoate: 1) can equivalent dosages for the two drugs be established and do these equivalencies change over six months of treatment; 2) what are the side effects seen with the two drugs during the early weeks of administration. Patients in the study receive either oral or depot FPZ as the active treatment but in order to preserve double blind conditions, they are also given the other treatment in placebo form. No dosage equivalence is established by the protocol, however, if dosage is adjusted, both forms must be changed and in the same direction. During the first weeks of treatment there is a linear relationship between the two dosage forms but a range of relatively low dosages of the oral compound (5-20 mg) is associated with a single dose (25 mg/q 3 weeks) of FPZ decanoate. At higher dosages of the oral drug the relationship is linear. Side effects of some kind are noted in over 60 percent of patients in both treatment groups after four weeks of treatment, while symptoms of at least moderate severity occur in almost 40 percent. Only symptoms involving the extrapyramidal system and sleep disturbance are observed in more than 20 percent of the patients. Benztropine was prescribed only if needed and was administered to 65% of patients. In general, those receiving benztropine had more side effects than those who did not. These differences reached significance for extrapyramidal symptoms and depression. Based on these data, we conclude that at the dosages used in this study there are no side effect differences between these two forms of fluphenazine in the early weeks of administration. Dosage equivalence between the two drugs can be set within the range of 5-60 mg/day oral and 12.5-100 mg/three weeks depot.", "contents": "The initiation of long-term pharmacotherapy in schizophrenia: dosage and side effect comparisons between oral and depot fluphenazine. This report focuses on two comparisons between oral and depot fluphenazine specifically FPZ decanoate: 1) can equivalent dosages for the two drugs be established and do these equivalencies change over six months of treatment; 2) what are the side effects seen with the two drugs during the early weeks of administration. Patients in the study receive either oral or depot FPZ as the active treatment but in order to preserve double blind conditions, they are also given the other treatment in placebo form. No dosage equivalence is established by the protocol, however, if dosage is adjusted, both forms must be changed and in the same direction. During the first weeks of treatment there is a linear relationship between the two dosage forms but a range of relatively low dosages of the oral compound (5-20 mg) is associated with a single dose (25 mg/q 3 weeks) of FPZ decanoate. At higher dosages of the oral drug the relationship is linear. Side effects of some kind are noted in over 60 percent of patients in both treatment groups after four weeks of treatment, while symptoms of at least moderate severity occur in almost 40 percent. Only symptoms involving the extrapyramidal system and sleep disturbance are observed in more than 20 percent of the patients. Benztropine was prescribed only if needed and was administered to 65% of patients. In general, those receiving benztropine had more side effects than those who did not. These differences reached significance for extrapyramidal symptoms and depression. Based on these data, we conclude that at the dosages used in this study there are no side effect differences between these two forms of fluphenazine in the early weeks of administration. Dosage equivalence between the two drugs can be set within the range of 5-60 mg/day oral and 12.5-100 mg/three weeks depot.", "PMID": 790413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8726", "title": "Monitoring plasma concentrations of neuroleptics.", "content": "Among the neuroleptics chlorpromazine has been the most extensively studied despite its complex metabolic pathways. Several metabolites, in particular 7-hydroxychlorpromazine, are psychotropically active. Oral phenothiazines are extensively metabolised \"first-pass\" through the liver. The relationship between clinical response and plasma concentrations of neuroleptics is tenous. The reasons for the lack of correlation include spontaneous remission in some patients, problems with flexible dosage schedules, the type of patient studied, differences in metabolic patterns, induction of metabolism in the liver, interactions with other drugs, and variations in plasma protein binding. Alternative research strategies might be to study metabolically less complex drugs such as haloperidol or to relate clinical response to autonomic, extrapyramidal, EEG, biochemical or endocrine measures.", "contents": "Monitoring plasma concentrations of neuroleptics. Among the neuroleptics chlorpromazine has been the most extensively studied despite its complex metabolic pathways. Several metabolites, in particular 7-hydroxychlorpromazine, are psychotropically active. Oral phenothiazines are extensively metabolised \"first-pass\" through the liver. The relationship between clinical response and plasma concentrations of neuroleptics is tenous. The reasons for the lack of correlation include spontaneous remission in some patients, problems with flexible dosage schedules, the type of patient studied, differences in metabolic patterns, induction of metabolism in the liver, interactions with other drugs, and variations in plasma protein binding. Alternative research strategies might be to study metabolically less complex drugs such as haloperidol or to relate clinical response to autonomic, extrapyramidal, EEG, biochemical or endocrine measures.", "PMID": 790414} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8727", "title": "Silver impregnation method for neurons and myelinated axons of acult central nervous system.", "content": "A new method has been developed for silver impregnation of neurons and myelinated axons in the cerebral cortex of the adult dog. By this method principal types of neurons including pyramidal, stellate, fusiform, horizontal neurons of Layer I, and special auditory neurons are colored black with a clear background, while myelinated fibers in the same piece of tissue are colored yellow. The yellow hue appears limited to the myelin sheath. Meyelinated axons of all sizes in the molecular layer, radial bundles, and deep tangential strata accept the stain. Comparison with data from other experiments indicates that osmium tetroxide inhibits the yellow staining of the myelinated axons, and that formaldehyde promotes such staining in conjunction with ammonium ions and sucrose.", "contents": "Silver impregnation method for neurons and myelinated axons of acult central nervous system. A new method has been developed for silver impregnation of neurons and myelinated axons in the cerebral cortex of the adult dog. By this method principal types of neurons including pyramidal, stellate, fusiform, horizontal neurons of Layer I, and special auditory neurons are colored black with a clear background, while myelinated fibers in the same piece of tissue are colored yellow. The yellow hue appears limited to the myelin sheath. Meyelinated axons of all sizes in the molecular layer, radial bundles, and deep tangential strata accept the stain. Comparison with data from other experiments indicates that osmium tetroxide inhibits the yellow staining of the myelinated axons, and that formaldehyde promotes such staining in conjunction with ammonium ions and sucrose.", "PMID": 790421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8728", "title": "In vivo synchronization of murine sarcoma 37 ascites tumor cells by use of hydroxyurea.", "content": "Synchrony of DNA synthesis in mouse sarcoma 37 ascites cells was achieved in vivo by injection of 0.75 mg hydroxyurea per gram weight of mouse. DNA synthesis was gauged by comparing 3H-labeled thymidine incorporation, under defined conditions, to total DNA measured colorimetrically. DNA synthesis in the sarcoma 37 cells fell to negligible levels 4 hours after injection and remained at or below levels observed in randomly dividing cells up to 18 hours after injection. A sharp increase in DNA synthesis occurred at 20 hours, followed by a decline again at 22 hours after hydroxyurea injection. DNA synthesis in the intestine remained below control values at 20 hours.", "contents": "In vivo synchronization of murine sarcoma 37 ascites tumor cells by use of hydroxyurea. Synchrony of DNA synthesis in mouse sarcoma 37 ascites cells was achieved in vivo by injection of 0.75 mg hydroxyurea per gram weight of mouse. DNA synthesis was gauged by comparing 3H-labeled thymidine incorporation, under defined conditions, to total DNA measured colorimetrically. DNA synthesis in the sarcoma 37 cells fell to negligible levels 4 hours after injection and remained at or below levels observed in randomly dividing cells up to 18 hours after injection. A sharp increase in DNA synthesis occurred at 20 hours, followed by a decline again at 22 hours after hydroxyurea injection. DNA synthesis in the intestine remained below control values at 20 hours.", "PMID": 790422} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8729", "title": "Biological ion exchanger resins; IX. Isolation and partial identification of a potassium sensitive contractile-like protein from E. coli.", "content": "A protein fraction with actin-like characteristics has been isolated from E. coli. The fraction (referred to as A-L fraction) undergoes reversible increases in molecular weight under the same catalytic conditions that polymerize actin, exhibits a distinct peak on SDS electrophoresis at the characteristic molecular weight for actin, depends primarily on potassium for its polymerization, and is not \"polymerized\" by sodium. A-L fraction in the monomeric form was eluted in the void volume of a Sepharose 6B column, suggesting a large Stoke's radius and a molecular weight in excess of 400,000. The fraction contained 30% RNA by weight that proved refractory to experimental efforts at removal.", "contents": "Biological ion exchanger resins; IX. Isolation and partial identification of a potassium sensitive contractile-like protein from E. coli. A protein fraction with actin-like characteristics has been isolated from E. coli. The fraction (referred to as A-L fraction) undergoes reversible increases in molecular weight under the same catalytic conditions that polymerize actin, exhibits a distinct peak on SDS electrophoresis at the characteristic molecular weight for actin, depends primarily on potassium for its polymerization, and is not \"polymerized\" by sodium. A-L fraction in the monomeric form was eluted in the void volume of a Sepharose 6B column, suggesting a large Stoke's radius and a molecular weight in excess of 400,000. The fraction contained 30% RNA by weight that proved refractory to experimental efforts at removal.", "PMID": 790423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8730", "title": "Uterine luteolytic hormone: a physiological role for prostaglandin F2alpha.", "content": "To summarize luteal function during pregnancy briefly, there are physiological processes initiated by the embryo and/or conceptus in early pregnancy that serve to prolong the life-span of the corpus luteum. Some of these processes are well defined, but others remain more obscure. The corpus luteum is maintained in a functional state throughout pregnancy (at least in those species described in this review), even though in several species progesterone production by the corpus luteum is not required after the first third of the gestational period. The cessation of secretory function by the corpus luteum of pregnancy at the end of gestation is apparently actively induced. There is evidence in some species (especially the goat) that this is due to PGF2alpha released from the uterus or placenta. It is concluded that the occurrence of luteal regression in several species of mammal can be attributed to the physiological release of PGF2alpha from both the pregnant and nonpregnant uterus.", "contents": "Uterine luteolytic hormone: a physiological role for prostaglandin F2alpha. To summarize luteal function during pregnancy briefly, there are physiological processes initiated by the embryo and/or conceptus in early pregnancy that serve to prolong the life-span of the corpus luteum. Some of these processes are well defined, but others remain more obscure. The corpus luteum is maintained in a functional state throughout pregnancy (at least in those species described in this review), even though in several species progesterone production by the corpus luteum is not required after the first third of the gestational period. The cessation of secretory function by the corpus luteum of pregnancy at the end of gestation is apparently actively induced. There is evidence in some species (especially the goat) that this is due to PGF2alpha released from the uterus or placenta. It is concluded that the occurrence of luteal regression in several species of mammal can be attributed to the physiological release of PGF2alpha from both the pregnant and nonpregnant uterus.", "PMID": 790424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8731", "title": "Free dorsalis pedis sensory flap to the hand, with microneurovascular anastomoses.", "content": "Since 1973 we have transferred various kinds of free flaps by microvascular surgery. In hand reconstruction, the free flap is less often required than in repairs of other sites, such as the leg. However, the importance of restoring sensibility in the hand is evident. Recently, we have transferred thin dorsalis pedis flaps as sensory free flaps in 5 cases of hand reconstruction, and we describe our experiences with them.", "contents": "Free dorsalis pedis sensory flap to the hand, with microneurovascular anastomoses. Since 1973 we have transferred various kinds of free flaps by microvascular surgery. In hand reconstruction, the free flap is less often required than in repairs of other sites, such as the leg. However, the importance of restoring sensibility in the hand is evident. Recently, we have transferred thin dorsalis pedis flaps as sensory free flaps in 5 cases of hand reconstruction, and we describe our experiences with them.", "PMID": 790428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8732", "title": "The intimal healing of microvascular anastomoses.", "content": "Examination with the S.E.M. shows that 5 days after surgery the microanastomoses area is covered with pseudointima, and the regeneration of the intima is completed within two weeks. Comparing the two different suture techniques (large bites and small bites), there are no differences between them in the resultant patency rates. The large bites produce less immediate leakages. There were no significant differences in the process of intimal healing.", "contents": "The intimal healing of microvascular anastomoses. Examination with the S.E.M. shows that 5 days after surgery the microanastomoses area is covered with pseudointima, and the regeneration of the intima is completed within two weeks. Comparing the two different suture techniques (large bites and small bites), there are no differences between them in the resultant patency rates. The large bites produce less immediate leakages. There were no significant differences in the process of intimal healing.", "PMID": 790429} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8733", "title": "Liquid holding recovery in stationary and log phase cultures of diploid yeast exposed to gamma and alpha radiations.", "content": "The kinetics of liquid-holding recovery (LHR) in diploid yeast after gamma and alpha irradiation is studied. In case of stationary phase culture the rate and extent of LHR is found to be greater for gamma-ray-induced damage than for alpha-ray-induced damage. At 10% survival level, the half-time for recovery is 5.2 h for gamma-ray damage and 12 h for alpha-ray damage. Further, while the recovery factor for alpha damage reaches saturation at 5% survival level, that for gamma damage continues to increase as survival level decreases. Oxygen is required for the recovery process during LH after gamma irradiation. The cells can recover to the same extent from both oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent components of damage. Log phase cells containing a high per cent of budding cells, however, exhibit negative liquid holding effect after gamma irradiation.", "contents": "Liquid holding recovery in stationary and log phase cultures of diploid yeast exposed to gamma and alpha radiations. The kinetics of liquid-holding recovery (LHR) in diploid yeast after gamma and alpha irradiation is studied. In case of stationary phase culture the rate and extent of LHR is found to be greater for gamma-ray-induced damage than for alpha-ray-induced damage. At 10% survival level, the half-time for recovery is 5.2 h for gamma-ray damage and 12 h for alpha-ray damage. Further, while the recovery factor for alpha damage reaches saturation at 5% survival level, that for gamma damage continues to increase as survival level decreases. Oxygen is required for the recovery process during LH after gamma irradiation. The cells can recover to the same extent from both oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent components of damage. Log phase cells containing a high per cent of budding cells, however, exhibit negative liquid holding effect after gamma irradiation.", "PMID": 790443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8734", "title": "Physical and radiobiological bases of the use of 125I in the management of thyrotoxicosis.", "content": "Increasing interest is recently shown in the use of 125I as an alternative isotope to 131I for the management of thyrotoxicosis based on the postulate that there is a relative sparing of the reproductive integrity of the thyroid follicular cell and a consequent possibility of smaller incidence of hypothyroidism after therapy. A review of the dosimetric, radiobiological anc clinical aspects of the use of 125I are presented here. For the same activity though 125I gives smaller mean gland dose than 131I, the dose computations at microscopic level have revealed that there is a preferential irradiation of the apical membrane compared to the nucleus of the follicular cell. The ratio of the dose to the apical membrane and that to the nucleus increases with the decrease of the percentage colloid mass of the gland. Radiobiological significance of this non-uniform dose distribution across a follicular cell, with 125I , is brought out using rat thyroid as the biological system. For the same mean gland dose the follicular cell survival is larger with 125I than with 131I. 24 H radioiodine uptake is reduced in case of 131I treatment whereas it is not affected with 125I. Pilot clinical trials using 125I for the management of thyrotoxicosis are underway in some centres. Preliminary results from centres using doses 3--4 times that of the conventional 131I dose are not very different from those with conventional 131I therapy. Centres that used doses same as or less than the conventional 131I doses, reported smaller incidence of hypothyroidism.", "contents": "Physical and radiobiological bases of the use of 125I in the management of thyrotoxicosis. Increasing interest is recently shown in the use of 125I as an alternative isotope to 131I for the management of thyrotoxicosis based on the postulate that there is a relative sparing of the reproductive integrity of the thyroid follicular cell and a consequent possibility of smaller incidence of hypothyroidism after therapy. A review of the dosimetric, radiobiological anc clinical aspects of the use of 125I are presented here. For the same activity though 125I gives smaller mean gland dose than 131I, the dose computations at microscopic level have revealed that there is a preferential irradiation of the apical membrane compared to the nucleus of the follicular cell. The ratio of the dose to the apical membrane and that to the nucleus increases with the decrease of the percentage colloid mass of the gland. Radiobiological significance of this non-uniform dose distribution across a follicular cell, with 125I , is brought out using rat thyroid as the biological system. For the same mean gland dose the follicular cell survival is larger with 125I than with 131I. 24 H radioiodine uptake is reduced in case of 131I treatment whereas it is not affected with 125I. Pilot clinical trials using 125I for the management of thyrotoxicosis are underway in some centres. Preliminary results from centres using doses 3--4 times that of the conventional 131I dose are not very different from those with conventional 131I therapy. Centres that used doses same as or less than the conventional 131I doses, reported smaller incidence of hypothyroidism.", "PMID": 790444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8735", "title": "Cardiovascular nuclear medicine: a new look at an old problem. Noninvasive approaches to the evaluation of coronary heart disease: new horizons for radiologists lecture.", "content": "Radioactive tracers were first used to investigate cardiovascular physiology in 1927. Since that time, many procedures have been developed to measure perfusion to the myocardium and the function of the heart. The site and extent of both fixed and transient changes in regional perfusion can be detected noninvasively with monovalent cationic tracers. In addition, both the total function of the heart, such as cardiac output, and ejection fraction of both ventricles and the regional function such as wall motion measurements can be readily performed following intravenous administration of tracers. These tests are useful in evaluating patients with suspected or proved coronary artery disease.", "contents": "Cardiovascular nuclear medicine: a new look at an old problem. Noninvasive approaches to the evaluation of coronary heart disease: new horizons for radiologists lecture. Radioactive tracers were first used to investigate cardiovascular physiology in 1927. Since that time, many procedures have been developed to measure perfusion to the myocardium and the function of the heart. The site and extent of both fixed and transient changes in regional perfusion can be detected noninvasively with monovalent cationic tracers. In addition, both the total function of the heart, such as cardiac output, and ejection fraction of both ventricles and the regional function such as wall motion measurements can be readily performed following intravenous administration of tracers. These tests are useful in evaluating patients with suspected or proved coronary artery disease.", "PMID": 790451} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8736", "title": "Arterial calcifications in severe chronic renal disease and their relationship to dialysis treatment, renal transplant, and parathyroidectomy.", "content": "The incidence, distribution, and progression of arterial calcification in severe chronic renal disease were studied from 364 skeletal survey examinations in 152 patients (ages 15-60). The incidence increased from 30% in the 15-30 age group to 50% in the 40-50 group. The earliest and commonest site of calcification was the ankles, followed in frequency by the abdominal aorta, feet, pelvis, and hands and wrists. Progression occurred in 36% of the nondialyzed, 19% of the peritoneally dialyzed, 13% of the post-transplant, and 8% of the hemodialyzed patients.", "contents": "Arterial calcifications in severe chronic renal disease and their relationship to dialysis treatment, renal transplant, and parathyroidectomy. The incidence, distribution, and progression of arterial calcification in severe chronic renal disease were studied from 364 skeletal survey examinations in 152 patients (ages 15-60). The incidence increased from 30% in the 15-30 age group to 50% in the 40-50 group. The earliest and commonest site of calcification was the ankles, followed in frequency by the abdominal aorta, feet, pelvis, and hands and wrists. Progression occurred in 36% of the nondialyzed, 19% of the peritoneally dialyzed, 13% of the post-transplant, and 8% of the hemodialyzed patients.", "PMID": 790452} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8737", "title": "Pitfalls in the measurement of cerebral blood volume with computed tomography.", "content": "The use of contrast material and computed tomography (CT) to measure cerebral blood volume (CBV) is valid only if the agent does not egress into cerebral tissue. Since disruption of the blood/brain barrier is common in cerebral disease states, this raises serious doubt as to the validity of this technique. Studies in experimental animals and patients with cerebral lesions demonstrate that contrast material does egress into the extravascular space. In normal brain tissue, contrast enhancement is comparable to the error in CT. Contrast material also causes transient changes in autoregulation, blood pressure, cerebral blood flow, and CBV.", "contents": "Pitfalls in the measurement of cerebral blood volume with computed tomography. The use of contrast material and computed tomography (CT) to measure cerebral blood volume (CBV) is valid only if the agent does not egress into cerebral tissue. Since disruption of the blood/brain barrier is common in cerebral disease states, this raises serious doubt as to the validity of this technique. Studies in experimental animals and patients with cerebral lesions demonstrate that contrast material does egress into the extravascular space. In normal brain tissue, contrast enhancement is comparable to the error in CT. Contrast material also causes transient changes in autoregulation, blood pressure, cerebral blood flow, and CBV.", "PMID": 790453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8738", "title": "Metrizoic acid (Isopaque coronar) used in man for cardiac angiography.", "content": "Isopaque Coronar, a radiopaque agent, was given (10,000 injections) to 2,028 patients during angiocardiographic studies done over a three-year period. With two exceptions, all complications occurred during right coronary artery injection. Seven cases of ventricular fibrilation, and 5 of marked bradycardia/asystole, were associated with injection of the medium. Isopaque Coronar is well tolerated by patients during cardiac examinations. Factors which may help to explain the low complication rate are discussed.", "contents": "Metrizoic acid (Isopaque coronar) used in man for cardiac angiography. Isopaque Coronar, a radiopaque agent, was given (10,000 injections) to 2,028 patients during angiocardiographic studies done over a three-year period. With two exceptions, all complications occurred during right coronary artery injection. Seven cases of ventricular fibrilation, and 5 of marked bradycardia/asystole, were associated with injection of the medium. Isopaque Coronar is well tolerated by patients during cardiac examinations. Factors which may help to explain the low complication rate are discussed.", "PMID": 790454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8739", "title": "Cardiovascular adjustments to exercise: hemodynamics and mechanisms.", "content": "The integrated response to severe exercise involves fourfold to fivefold increases in cardiac output, which are due primarily to increases in cardiac rate and to a lesser extent to augmentation of stroke volume. The increase in stroke volume is partly due to an increase in end-diastolic cardiac size (Frank-Starling mechanism) and secondarily due to a reduction in end-systolic cardiac size. The full role of the Frank-Starling mechanism is masked by the concomitant tachycardia. The reduction in end-systolic dimensions can be related to increased contractility, mediated by beta adrenergic stimulation. Beta adrenergic blockade prevents the inotropic response, the decrease in end-systolic dimensions, and approximately 50% of the tachycardia of exercise. The enhanced cardiac output is distributed preferentially to the exercising muscles including the heart. Blood flow to the heart increases fourfold to fivefold as well, mainly reflecting the augmented metabolic requirements of the myocardium due to near maximal increases in cardiac rate and contractility. Blood flow to the inactive viscera (e.g., kidney and gastrointestinal tract) is maintained during severe exercise in the normal dog. It is suggested that local autoregulatory mechanisms are responsible for maintained visceral flow in the face of neural and hormonal autonomic drive, which acts to constrict renal and mesenteric vessels and to reduce blood flow. However, in the presence of circulatory impairment, where oxygen delivery to the exercising muscles is impaired as occurs to complete heart block where normal heart rate increases during exercise are prevented, or in congestive right heart failure, where normal stroke volume increases during exercise are impaired, or in the presence of severe anemia, where oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is limited, visceral blood flows are reduced drastically and blood is diverted to the exercising musculature. Thus,, visceral flow is normally maintained during severe exercise as long as all other compensatory mechanisms remain intact. However, when any other compensatory mechanism is disrupted (even the elimination of splenic reserve in the dog), reduction and diversion of visceral flow occur.", "contents": "Cardiovascular adjustments to exercise: hemodynamics and mechanisms. The integrated response to severe exercise involves fourfold to fivefold increases in cardiac output, which are due primarily to increases in cardiac rate and to a lesser extent to augmentation of stroke volume. The increase in stroke volume is partly due to an increase in end-diastolic cardiac size (Frank-Starling mechanism) and secondarily due to a reduction in end-systolic cardiac size. The full role of the Frank-Starling mechanism is masked by the concomitant tachycardia. The reduction in end-systolic dimensions can be related to increased contractility, mediated by beta adrenergic stimulation. Beta adrenergic blockade prevents the inotropic response, the decrease in end-systolic dimensions, and approximately 50% of the tachycardia of exercise. The enhanced cardiac output is distributed preferentially to the exercising muscles including the heart. Blood flow to the heart increases fourfold to fivefold as well, mainly reflecting the augmented metabolic requirements of the myocardium due to near maximal increases in cardiac rate and contractility. Blood flow to the inactive viscera (e.g., kidney and gastrointestinal tract) is maintained during severe exercise in the normal dog. It is suggested that local autoregulatory mechanisms are responsible for maintained visceral flow in the face of neural and hormonal autonomic drive, which acts to constrict renal and mesenteric vessels and to reduce blood flow. However, in the presence of circulatory impairment, where oxygen delivery to the exercising muscles is impaired as occurs to complete heart block where normal heart rate increases during exercise are prevented, or in congestive right heart failure, where normal stroke volume increases during exercise are impaired, or in the presence of severe anemia, where oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is limited, visceral blood flows are reduced drastically and blood is diverted to the exercising musculature. Thus,, visceral flow is normally maintained during severe exercise as long as all other compensatory mechanisms remain intact. However, when any other compensatory mechanism is disrupted (even the elimination of splenic reserve in the dog), reduction and diversion of visceral flow occur.", "PMID": 790460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8740", "title": "The effect of probenecid on the free and conjugaed 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid.", "content": "Free and conjugated lumbar cerebrospinal fluid 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) was measured before and after probenecid treatment in 12 schizophrenic patients by a gas liquid chromatography-mass fragmentographic procedure. Neither the free nor conjugated MHPG was appreciably altered by probenecid. Total MHPG was statistically increased by probenecid but not to the point that the probenecid test would be clinically useful for estimating norepinephrine turnover from probenecid-induced changes in MHPG concentrations.", "contents": "The effect of probenecid on the free and conjugaed 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid. Free and conjugated lumbar cerebrospinal fluid 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) was measured before and after probenecid treatment in 12 schizophrenic patients by a gas liquid chromatography-mass fragmentographic procedure. Neither the free nor conjugated MHPG was appreciably altered by probenecid. Total MHPG was statistically increased by probenecid but not to the point that the probenecid test would be clinically useful for estimating norepinephrine turnover from probenecid-induced changes in MHPG concentrations.", "PMID": 790476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8741", "title": "[Shigellosis in Tucum\u00e1n].", "content": "In 731 diarrhea cases studied from January 1971 to June 1973 in Tucum\u00e1n a significant increase of shigellosis in eutrophic children was observed. The frequency of Shigella isolations, considering all the enteropathogens found, were: 15,5 %; 13 % and 21,3 % in 1971, 1972 and 1973, respectively (Table 1). All the strains of Shigella isolated belonged to the Shigella flexneri B or Shigella sonnei D groups, being the percentage for the former 78 % in 1971; 93 % in 1972 and 77 % in 1973 (Table 2). The age distribution of patients with shigellosis is shown in Table 3, the 87,7 % occurring within the first 3 years of life. S. flexneri B and S. sonnei D strains showed similar sensitivity to nalidixic acid, cephalosporines, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim plus sulfametoxazol; S. flexneri B was more susceptible to rifampicin, although this antibiotic was not used for therapeutics. A different sensitivity to kanamicin was observed being S. flexneri B, less susceptible than S. sonnei D, (Table 4). Fifty five percent of the cases showed clinical improvement after 48 h. of starting antibiotic treatment; 80 % after 72 h. and only 20 % required 96 or more for significant recovery. Although the number of patients with some degree of malnutrition was small, 7 out of the 8 cases studied required 72 h. or more for recovery.", "contents": "[Shigellosis in Tucum\u00e1n]. In 731 diarrhea cases studied from January 1971 to June 1973 in Tucum\u00e1n a significant increase of shigellosis in eutrophic children was observed. The frequency of Shigella isolations, considering all the enteropathogens found, were: 15,5 %; 13 % and 21,3 % in 1971, 1972 and 1973, respectively (Table 1). All the strains of Shigella isolated belonged to the Shigella flexneri B or Shigella sonnei D groups, being the percentage for the former 78 % in 1971; 93 % in 1972 and 77 % in 1973 (Table 2). The age distribution of patients with shigellosis is shown in Table 3, the 87,7 % occurring within the first 3 years of life. S. flexneri B and S. sonnei D strains showed similar sensitivity to nalidixic acid, cephalosporines, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim plus sulfametoxazol; S. flexneri B was more susceptible to rifampicin, although this antibiotic was not used for therapeutics. A different sensitivity to kanamicin was observed being S. flexneri B, less susceptible than S. sonnei D, (Table 4). Fifty five percent of the cases showed clinical improvement after 48 h. of starting antibiotic treatment; 80 % after 72 h. and only 20 % required 96 or more for significant recovery. Although the number of patients with some degree of malnutrition was small, 7 out of the 8 cases studied required 72 h. or more for recovery.", "PMID": 790480} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8742", "title": "Lysis of a temperature conditional thiamineless mutant of Salmonella typhimurium by glucose and other hexoses.", "content": "The SM-3 mutant of Salmonella typhimurium was isolated as streptomycin resistant and temperature conditional thiamine auxotroph. At 37 C it required thiamine, although it behaves as a leaky mutant at this temperature in minimal liquid medium. At 30 degrees C it was able to growth without thiamine. In minimal-glucose-aminoacids at 37 C after an initial growth, cellular lysis occurred. The same happened with other hexoses, but it was not observable when glycerol or lactate were used as carbon source. Microscopic examination showed clumps of cellular debris, empty bagshapes and swelling of microorganisms, suggesting a cell wall defect. Sucrose 0.5 M protected SM-3 cells from osmotic fragility. At 30 C growth was normal and at 37 C in presence of exogenous thiamine full growth without bacteriolysis was obtained. Preliminary experiments of bacterial conjugation allowed the identification of a new locus involved in thiamine biosynthesis which was tentatively mapped in the pur A - pro B region of the chromosomal map of S. typhimurium.", "contents": "Lysis of a temperature conditional thiamineless mutant of Salmonella typhimurium by glucose and other hexoses. The SM-3 mutant of Salmonella typhimurium was isolated as streptomycin resistant and temperature conditional thiamine auxotroph. At 37 C it required thiamine, although it behaves as a leaky mutant at this temperature in minimal liquid medium. At 30 degrees C it was able to growth without thiamine. In minimal-glucose-aminoacids at 37 C after an initial growth, cellular lysis occurred. The same happened with other hexoses, but it was not observable when glycerol or lactate were used as carbon source. Microscopic examination showed clumps of cellular debris, empty bagshapes and swelling of microorganisms, suggesting a cell wall defect. Sucrose 0.5 M protected SM-3 cells from osmotic fragility. At 30 C growth was normal and at 37 C in presence of exogenous thiamine full growth without bacteriolysis was obtained. Preliminary experiments of bacterial conjugation allowed the identification of a new locus involved in thiamine biosynthesis which was tentatively mapped in the pur A - pro B region of the chromosomal map of S. typhimurium.", "PMID": 790481} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8743", "title": "Influence of ionizing sterilization on the permeability of human chorio-amniotic, dermo-epidermal and fascial grafts.", "content": "It was demonstrated that the irradiation with a dose of 2.5 Mrad of gamma-rays did not cause any significant change in the permeability of the tested rehydrated freeze-dried chorio-amniotic, dermo-epidermal and fascial grafts prepared for clinical use.", "contents": "Influence of ionizing sterilization on the permeability of human chorio-amniotic, dermo-epidermal and fascial grafts. It was demonstrated that the irradiation with a dose of 2.5 Mrad of gamma-rays did not cause any significant change in the permeability of the tested rehydrated freeze-dried chorio-amniotic, dermo-epidermal and fascial grafts prepared for clinical use.", "PMID": 790495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8744", "title": "Effect of heparin on insulin secretion in vivo and in vitro.", "content": "The effect of heparin of therapeutic dose on the basal insulin secretion and on that of induced by glucose stimulation was studied in dogs and in Langerhans islets in vitro model. The effect of heparin, given intraarterially (a. pancreaticoduodenalis sup.) and injected i.v. before i.v. glucose load, on the immuno-reactive insulin concentration of the pancreatic and peripheral venous blood as well as the blood sugar and free fatty acid levels of the peripheral venous blood was investigated. Heparin inhibited significantly both the basal insulin secretion and that of following glucose stimulation. After the injection of heparin the glucose assimilation coefficient decreased significantly. The inhibitory effect of heparin on the basal insulin secretion and the glucose stimulated insulin secretion was observed in Langerhans islets in vitro model, too. This suggests that heparin, at least partly, inhibits insulin secretion directly through its influence on the beta cells.", "contents": "Effect of heparin on insulin secretion in vivo and in vitro. The effect of heparin of therapeutic dose on the basal insulin secretion and on that of induced by glucose stimulation was studied in dogs and in Langerhans islets in vitro model. The effect of heparin, given intraarterially (a. pancreaticoduodenalis sup.) and injected i.v. before i.v. glucose load, on the immuno-reactive insulin concentration of the pancreatic and peripheral venous blood as well as the blood sugar and free fatty acid levels of the peripheral venous blood was investigated. Heparin inhibited significantly both the basal insulin secretion and that of following glucose stimulation. After the injection of heparin the glucose assimilation coefficient decreased significantly. The inhibitory effect of heparin on the basal insulin secretion and the glucose stimulated insulin secretion was observed in Langerhans islets in vitro model, too. This suggests that heparin, at least partly, inhibits insulin secretion directly through its influence on the beta cells.", "PMID": 790496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8745", "title": "[Long-term graft survival in the xenogeneic system wolf-dog (author's transl)].", "content": "In contrast to the zoological definition that wolf and dog belong to different species, it is shown by this study that in terms of immunology both species appear to be even closer related than DL-A compatible and MLC negative unrelated dogs. However, this close relationship is not expressed in DL-A or MLC tissue typing. Wolf skin-graft survival time in untreated dogs was 12,5, in ALG-treated dogs 85,6 days. The survival time in this system may be less dpendent on DL-A or MLC histocompatibility than on other genetic systems, which are hitherto not sufficiently defined. An accidental, speciesspecific accordance in these systems may explain the obviously weak histocompatbility barrier between wolf and dog. It is concluded that in certain species-combinations xenotransplantation could be more successful than random allotransplantation. The availability of a xenogeneic species related to man similar as wolf to dog would markedly facilitate clinical xenotransplantation.", "contents": "[Long-term graft survival in the xenogeneic system wolf-dog (author's transl)]. In contrast to the zoological definition that wolf and dog belong to different species, it is shown by this study that in terms of immunology both species appear to be even closer related than DL-A compatible and MLC negative unrelated dogs. However, this close relationship is not expressed in DL-A or MLC tissue typing. Wolf skin-graft survival time in untreated dogs was 12,5, in ALG-treated dogs 85,6 days. The survival time in this system may be less dpendent on DL-A or MLC histocompatibility than on other genetic systems, which are hitherto not sufficiently defined. An accidental, speciesspecific accordance in these systems may explain the obviously weak histocompatbility barrier between wolf and dog. It is concluded that in certain species-combinations xenotransplantation could be more successful than random allotransplantation. The availability of a xenogeneic species related to man similar as wolf to dog would markedly facilitate clinical xenotransplantation.", "PMID": 790497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8746", "title": "[Renal blood flow investigations with 133xenon and the Anger scintillation camera in the hyperacute xenograft rejection of the rabbit kidney (author's transl)].", "content": "The aim of this study was to demonstrate the advantage and validity of 133Xe-washout externally monitored by the scintillation camera. Until now there were no reports on quantitative blood flow studies in Hyperacute rejection of transplanted kidneys using a scintillation camera. Within 35 minutes after e-vivo hemoperfusion of rabbit kidneys by cats we found a simultaneous progressive decrease of renal blood flow, renal cortical blood flow as well as of the intrarenal distribution of renal cortical blood flow in all cases. The hyperacute rejection of xenografts could be verified in every case histologically. Using the scintillation camera we were able to detect regional perfusion defects caused by artifical air embolism as well as by preexisting cortical infarction.", "contents": "[Renal blood flow investigations with 133xenon and the Anger scintillation camera in the hyperacute xenograft rejection of the rabbit kidney (author's transl)]. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the advantage and validity of 133Xe-washout externally monitored by the scintillation camera. Until now there were no reports on quantitative blood flow studies in Hyperacute rejection of transplanted kidneys using a scintillation camera. Within 35 minutes after e-vivo hemoperfusion of rabbit kidneys by cats we found a simultaneous progressive decrease of renal blood flow, renal cortical blood flow as well as of the intrarenal distribution of renal cortical blood flow in all cases. The hyperacute rejection of xenografts could be verified in every case histologically. Using the scintillation camera we were able to detect regional perfusion defects caused by artifical air embolism as well as by preexisting cortical infarction.", "PMID": 790498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8747", "title": "Effects of L-thyroxine in acute renal failure.", "content": "Eight pediatric patients presenting with acute renal failure (shock kidney, anuria continuing for three to five days) were treated with L-thyroxine (p.o. 5-6 mug per kg per day). Dialysis was not used. Diuresis started within 34 to 46 hours. Serum levels of urea and creatinine normalized within a very short time. The results are discussed on the basis of a new hypothesis concerning the RPF- and GFR-raising action of thyroid hormone in the normal situation and in acute renal failure.", "contents": "Effects of L-thyroxine in acute renal failure. Eight pediatric patients presenting with acute renal failure (shock kidney, anuria continuing for three to five days) were treated with L-thyroxine (p.o. 5-6 mug per kg per day). Dialysis was not used. Diuresis started within 34 to 46 hours. Serum levels of urea and creatinine normalized within a very short time. The results are discussed on the basis of a new hypothesis concerning the RPF- and GFR-raising action of thyroid hormone in the normal situation and in acute renal failure.", "PMID": 790499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8748", "title": "[Trial routine dections of malaria. Experimentation of 1,500 blood donors].", "content": "The aim of our research was to look for specific malaria antibodies in a randomized sample of 1.500 blood donors. We used the indirect immunofluorescence technique. During this project we have noticed the lack of validity of the \"the five years rule\" usually followed in France to prevent transfusion malaria. We have also evaluated the help brought by an \"oriented investigation\" allowing firstly a selection of potentially dangerous donors, secondly, the use of their blood bottles according to serology results. This work finally shows that total security can only be achieved by systematic research on all blood donors.", "contents": "[Trial routine dections of malaria. Experimentation of 1,500 blood donors]. The aim of our research was to look for specific malaria antibodies in a randomized sample of 1.500 blood donors. We used the indirect immunofluorescence technique. During this project we have noticed the lack of validity of the \"the five years rule\" usually followed in France to prevent transfusion malaria. We have also evaluated the help brought by an \"oriented investigation\" allowing firstly a selection of potentially dangerous donors, secondly, the use of their blood bottles according to serology results. This work finally shows that total security can only be achieved by systematic research on all blood donors.", "PMID": 790518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8749", "title": "[Comparison of angiographic and bioptic findings in transplanted kidneys (author's transl)].", "content": "Comparison of angiographic, clinical and bioptic findings after kidney transplantation permits the following statements: Angiography is indicated with the appearance of a hypertony after transplantation and in clinically unclear reduction of function; it is the method of choice for proof or exclusion of a vascular complication. Recognizable vascular alterations and an extended arterial wash-out time during previous crises tend to indicate severe damage which affects the whole organ. On the other hand, the same alterations in chronic rejection do not permit a conclusive evaluation of the ability of the transplant to function. Isolated cortical ischemia in regard to rejection occurs relatively early and is prognostically an unfavourable sign. Differentiation of low grade rejection: tubular necrosis is hardly possible on the basis of the angiogram. As a result, the value of angiography for the diagnosis of rejection in the clinically important, but less pronounced, stages is limited. The most important of the informative diagnostic measures is renal sequence scintigraphy. This technique not only makes an early diagnosis possible but also an observation of the course of the reaction.", "contents": "[Comparison of angiographic and bioptic findings in transplanted kidneys (author's transl)]. Comparison of angiographic, clinical and bioptic findings after kidney transplantation permits the following statements: Angiography is indicated with the appearance of a hypertony after transplantation and in clinically unclear reduction of function; it is the method of choice for proof or exclusion of a vascular complication. Recognizable vascular alterations and an extended arterial wash-out time during previous crises tend to indicate severe damage which affects the whole organ. On the other hand, the same alterations in chronic rejection do not permit a conclusive evaluation of the ability of the transplant to function. Isolated cortical ischemia in regard to rejection occurs relatively early and is prognostically an unfavourable sign. Differentiation of low grade rejection: tubular necrosis is hardly possible on the basis of the angiogram. As a result, the value of angiography for the diagnosis of rejection in the clinically important, but less pronounced, stages is limited. The most important of the informative diagnostic measures is renal sequence scintigraphy. This technique not only makes an early diagnosis possible but also an observation of the course of the reaction.", "PMID": 790525} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8750", "title": "[Introduction to x-ray diagnosis of primary malignant bone tumor (author's transl)].", "content": "Diagnosis of primary malignant bone tumors is based on a synopsis of X-ray findings, clinical symptoms, gross pathology and histology. Osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma and myelogenic sarcomas have a typical symptomatology and can be diagnosed in the radiograph by localisation, mode of extension, alterations of bone and periosteum.", "contents": "[Introduction to x-ray diagnosis of primary malignant bone tumor (author's transl)]. Diagnosis of primary malignant bone tumors is based on a synopsis of X-ray findings, clinical symptoms, gross pathology and histology. Osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma and myelogenic sarcomas have a typical symptomatology and can be diagnosed in the radiograph by localisation, mode of extension, alterations of bone and periosteum.", "PMID": 790526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8751", "title": "[Dietotherapy in the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in infancy (author's transl)].", "content": "The AA are proposing a dietotherapy in the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in infancy, characterized from acute diarrhoea. A slow hydrolysis product of casein is used for this purpose. The AA after description of the very good results obtained, are calling the attention on the fact that the advantage was realized only with a food product and not with drugs.", "contents": "[Dietotherapy in the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in infancy (author's transl)]. The AA are proposing a dietotherapy in the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in infancy, characterized from acute diarrhoea. A slow hydrolysis product of casein is used for this purpose. The AA after description of the very good results obtained, are calling the attention on the fact that the advantage was realized only with a food product and not with drugs.", "PMID": 790522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8752", "title": "[Fatty acids with an odd number of carbon atoms: metabolic and nutritional aspects].", "content": "Odd-numbered fatty acids are present in natural sources of animal or vegetable origin. Their concentration is generally not higher than 5% of the total fatty acids. In some cases, however, like in the mullet or Euglena gracilis, the value reaches 20% of the total fatty acids. Higher concentrations, up to 80%, have been found in some hydrocarbon-grown microorganisms. In the animal organisms metabolic pathways for the synthesis or degradation of the odd-numbered fatty acids are present, but the adaptive capacity and the regulation of the different pathways are not known. The consequences of feeding animals or human beings on these unusual fatty acids in large amount are uncertain, because the composition of the fat depots, of the lipid structures and the circulating lipids can be affected, possibily influencing the membrane functions and, particularly the nervous system functions. The literature sighted shows the scarcity of specific studies in this field and indicates the need for further and more detailed researches.", "contents": "[Fatty acids with an odd number of carbon atoms: metabolic and nutritional aspects]. Odd-numbered fatty acids are present in natural sources of animal or vegetable origin. Their concentration is generally not higher than 5% of the total fatty acids. In some cases, however, like in the mullet or Euglena gracilis, the value reaches 20% of the total fatty acids. Higher concentrations, up to 80%, have been found in some hydrocarbon-grown microorganisms. In the animal organisms metabolic pathways for the synthesis or degradation of the odd-numbered fatty acids are present, but the adaptive capacity and the regulation of the different pathways are not known. The consequences of feeding animals or human beings on these unusual fatty acids in large amount are uncertain, because the composition of the fat depots, of the lipid structures and the circulating lipids can be affected, possibily influencing the membrane functions and, particularly the nervous system functions. The literature sighted shows the scarcity of specific studies in this field and indicates the need for further and more detailed researches.", "PMID": 790523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8753", "title": "[Post-salmonellosis rheumatism].", "content": "Reports of forty-six cases of aseptic polyarthritis following intestinal Salmonlla infections have been published. The organism involved is always a \"minor\" Salmonella either typhimurium or enteritidis. The interval separating the diarrhoea from the joint manifestations is usually one or two weeks. Post-salmonellosis rheumatism is most frequently polyarthritis involving the large joints accompanied by fever that is sometimes high. The sedimentation rate is increased and hyperleucytosis and discrete anaemia may also be present. Salmonella infection is established by the presence of the organism in the stools and a positive sero-diagnosis. In all cases the polyarthritis is cured by anti-inflammatory treatment in 1-6 months. HLA W27 antigen is present in the majority of the patients although spondylarthritis is not seen during the evolution. Although the number of cases of post-salmonellosis rheumatism is very small and the connection between the salmonellosis and the rheumatism has not been demonstrated, it is valuable, in cases of acute polyarthritis following enteritis, to carry out coproculture and serodiagnosis of salmonellosis.", "contents": "[Post-salmonellosis rheumatism]. Reports of forty-six cases of aseptic polyarthritis following intestinal Salmonlla infections have been published. The organism involved is always a \"minor\" Salmonella either typhimurium or enteritidis. The interval separating the diarrhoea from the joint manifestations is usually one or two weeks. Post-salmonellosis rheumatism is most frequently polyarthritis involving the large joints accompanied by fever that is sometimes high. The sedimentation rate is increased and hyperleucytosis and discrete anaemia may also be present. Salmonella infection is established by the presence of the organism in the stools and a positive sero-diagnosis. In all cases the polyarthritis is cured by anti-inflammatory treatment in 1-6 months. HLA W27 antigen is present in the majority of the patients although spondylarthritis is not seen during the evolution. Although the number of cases of post-salmonellosis rheumatism is very small and the connection between the salmonellosis and the rheumatism has not been demonstrated, it is valuable, in cases of acute polyarthritis following enteritis, to carry out coproculture and serodiagnosis of salmonellosis.", "PMID": 790532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8754", "title": "Respiratory sinus arrhythmia in man: relation to right ventricular output.", "content": "The respiratory effects on heart rate (HR), right ventricular stroke volume (SVRV), and the pulmonary arterial flow (PAF) have been studied beat-by-beat in 7 conscious, healthy subjects. Tidal volumes (VT) of 1.0 and 2.0 liters at a breathing rate of 6 cXmin-1 were used as controls. With identical VT and respiratory rate intrathoracic pressure was affected by (A) negative inspiratory pressure (NIP) of 5 cm of water and (B) with intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV). In the control experiments all subjects exhibited an inspiratory increase in HR (respiratory sinus arrhythmia) as well as in SVRV. With VT of 1.0 liter, NIP augmented the inspiratory increase in SVRV and the respiratory oscillations of PAF. IPPV decreased SVRV and HR during inspiration. It is concluded that NIP and IPPV affect the SVRV and the right heart blood flow. The similar effects on HR and SVRV suggest a relationship which might be explained by heart-rate-regulating reflexes from the heart.", "contents": "Respiratory sinus arrhythmia in man: relation to right ventricular output. The respiratory effects on heart rate (HR), right ventricular stroke volume (SVRV), and the pulmonary arterial flow (PAF) have been studied beat-by-beat in 7 conscious, healthy subjects. Tidal volumes (VT) of 1.0 and 2.0 liters at a breathing rate of 6 cXmin-1 were used as controls. With identical VT and respiratory rate intrathoracic pressure was affected by (A) negative inspiratory pressure (NIP) of 5 cm of water and (B) with intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV). In the control experiments all subjects exhibited an inspiratory increase in HR (respiratory sinus arrhythmia) as well as in SVRV. With VT of 1.0 liter, NIP augmented the inspiratory increase in SVRV and the respiratory oscillations of PAF. IPPV decreased SVRV and HR during inspiration. It is concluded that NIP and IPPV affect the SVRV and the right heart blood flow. The similar effects on HR and SVRV suggest a relationship which might be explained by heart-rate-regulating reflexes from the heart.", "PMID": 790535} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8755", "title": "Determination of urinary fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products by radioimmunoassay.", "content": "Glomerular fibrin/fibrinogen related material is often found in the early stage of especially proliferative types of glomerulonephritis and during rejection of renal grafts after transplantation. The presence and concentration of urinary fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) have been found to be correlated to the extent of glomerular fibrin deposits. Most methods for FDP determination hitherto available are not sensitive enough to detect such small amounts of the fibrin/fibrinogen related material in the urine as are found in early glomerulonephritis. A radioimmunoassay for determining urinary FDP is described, in which the high molecular weight degradation products (HMWDP) are first converted into end degradation products (D and E) by addition of plasminogen and streptokinase to the urine sample. In the test an antiserum against purified D-products is used, which avoids the influence of varying binding properties and therefore makes the method more specific.", "contents": "Determination of urinary fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products by radioimmunoassay. Glomerular fibrin/fibrinogen related material is often found in the early stage of especially proliferative types of glomerulonephritis and during rejection of renal grafts after transplantation. The presence and concentration of urinary fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) have been found to be correlated to the extent of glomerular fibrin deposits. Most methods for FDP determination hitherto available are not sensitive enough to detect such small amounts of the fibrin/fibrinogen related material in the urine as are found in early glomerulonephritis. A radioimmunoassay for determining urinary FDP is described, in which the high molecular weight degradation products (HMWDP) are first converted into end degradation products (D and E) by addition of plasminogen and streptokinase to the urine sample. In the test an antiserum against purified D-products is used, which avoids the influence of varying binding properties and therefore makes the method more specific.", "PMID": 790536} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8756", "title": "Effect of toothbrushing with chlorhexidine gel on salivary microflora, oral hygiene, and caries.", "content": "The effect of daily toothbrushing with 0.5% chlorhexidine-containing gel for 12 months was evaluated in a double-blind study in 37 dental students. The active gel did not markedly influence plaque formation, gingival conditions, or caries as compared with placebo gel treatment. Salivary bacterial counts were performed on subgroups of six subjects using chlorhexidine gel and on six using placebo gel. No differences in the effect of treatment on the microorganisms studied in the two subgroups could be detected except for S. sanguis. The percentage of this species decrease in the placebo group and increased in the chlorhexidine group. The difference became significant after 2 weeks. A tendency to a greater reduction of S. mutans noted in the chlorhexidine group was most marked in individuals who had high initial counts of this species. The proportion of S. sanguis, which could grow on chlorhexidinei-containing mitis salivarius medium, increased and after 12 months of chlorhexidine treatment averaged 34% of cultivable S. sanguis compared with 0.002% prior to treatment. The number of less sensitive S. sanguis decreased in the 12 months following termination of treatment. There was no observed tendency for the selection or proliferation of other streptococci, gram-negative rods, yeasts, or staphylococci.", "contents": "Effect of toothbrushing with chlorhexidine gel on salivary microflora, oral hygiene, and caries. The effect of daily toothbrushing with 0.5% chlorhexidine-containing gel for 12 months was evaluated in a double-blind study in 37 dental students. The active gel did not markedly influence plaque formation, gingival conditions, or caries as compared with placebo gel treatment. Salivary bacterial counts were performed on subgroups of six subjects using chlorhexidine gel and on six using placebo gel. No differences in the effect of treatment on the microorganisms studied in the two subgroups could be detected except for S. sanguis. The percentage of this species decrease in the placebo group and increased in the chlorhexidine group. The difference became significant after 2 weeks. A tendency to a greater reduction of S. mutans noted in the chlorhexidine group was most marked in individuals who had high initial counts of this species. The proportion of S. sanguis, which could grow on chlorhexidinei-containing mitis salivarius medium, increased and after 12 months of chlorhexidine treatment averaged 34% of cultivable S. sanguis compared with 0.002% prior to treatment. The number of less sensitive S. sanguis decreased in the 12 months following termination of treatment. There was no observed tendency for the selection or proliferation of other streptococci, gram-negative rods, yeasts, or staphylococci.", "PMID": 790537} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8757", "title": "Clinical evaluation of amalgam restorations.", "content": "The good reproducibility of a clinical evaluation system for restorations was confirmed, but the system was not considered suitable for detection of minor differences between amalgam restorations. A modified system for evaluation was therefore developed. It was based on the same principles but included more characteristics. The modified system was evaluated in practice on 246 amalgam restorations. The level of agreement between two examiners reached about 70% after an initial training period. The results demonstrate the need for calibration of examiners and the importance of a detailed definition of criteria.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of amalgam restorations. The good reproducibility of a clinical evaluation system for restorations was confirmed, but the system was not considered suitable for detection of minor differences between amalgam restorations. A modified system for evaluation was therefore developed. It was based on the same principles but included more characteristics. The modified system was evaluated in practice on 246 amalgam restorations. The level of agreement between two examiners reached about 70% after an initial training period. The results demonstrate the need for calibration of examiners and the importance of a detailed definition of criteria.", "PMID": 790538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8758", "title": "Short-term tissue culture of two nonsecretory human myelomas. A morphological and functional study.", "content": "Bone marrow cells from two patients without detectable monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) in serum and urine but with the clinical picture of plasma cell myeloma were cultivated in vitro. Immunofluorescence studies of cultured living and fixed bone marrow cells showed no signs of Ig production in one of the cases, whereas in the other case cytoplasmic kappa chains were detected, which, however, were not expressed at the surface of living cells. Cells from the later patient were also subjected to kinetic, ultrastructural, and functional studies in vitro. The fraction of myeloma cells incorporating tritiated thymidine in vitro decreased gradually during prolonged culture, indicating a continuous cell death. The morphological characterization revealed many similarities between this nonsecretory myeloma and classical myeloma, although the frequency of cells with cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum distended by a granular material was unusually high, as was the frequency of \"flaming\" myeloma cells. \"Flaming\" cells were not labeled by tritiated thymidine, suggesting that they are nonproliferative end cells. Studies of the Ig synthesis by gel diffusion analyses of supernatant and cell lysates from [14C]leucine-labeled cultures agreed with the immunofluorescence studies that the myeloma cells were nonsecretory.", "contents": "Short-term tissue culture of two nonsecretory human myelomas. A morphological and functional study. Bone marrow cells from two patients without detectable monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) in serum and urine but with the clinical picture of plasma cell myeloma were cultivated in vitro. Immunofluorescence studies of cultured living and fixed bone marrow cells showed no signs of Ig production in one of the cases, whereas in the other case cytoplasmic kappa chains were detected, which, however, were not expressed at the surface of living cells. Cells from the later patient were also subjected to kinetic, ultrastructural, and functional studies in vitro. The fraction of myeloma cells incorporating tritiated thymidine in vitro decreased gradually during prolonged culture, indicating a continuous cell death. The morphological characterization revealed many similarities between this nonsecretory myeloma and classical myeloma, although the frequency of cells with cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum distended by a granular material was unusually high, as was the frequency of \"flaming\" myeloma cells. \"Flaming\" cells were not labeled by tritiated thymidine, suggesting that they are nonproliferative end cells. Studies of the Ig synthesis by gel diffusion analyses of supernatant and cell lysates from [14C]leucine-labeled cultures agreed with the immunofluorescence studies that the myeloma cells were nonsecretory.", "PMID": 790540} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8759", "title": "Characterization of anti-lymphocyte antibodies in inflammatory bowel disease.", "content": "Sera from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) showing broad lymphocytotoxic or lymphocyte-binding activity were subjected to additional analysis to further characterize their properties. Lymphocytotoxins appear to be antibodies predominantly of IgM class as determined by [1] 2-mercaptoethanol sensitivity, [2] serum fractionation by sucrose density gradient sedimentation, Sephadex G-200 filtration, and DEAE ion exchange chromatography, and [3] absorption by anti-Ig immunoadsorbent columns. Lymphocyte-binding antibody was found to be IgG, IgA, and IgM, as determined by indirect immunofluorescent staining of acetone-fixed lymphocytes. Individual IBD sera showed marked variability in occurrence of cytotoxic and binding antibodies when tested against the same donor panel of lymphocytes. These studies emphasize the marked heterogeneity of anti-lymphocyte antibodies occurring in IBD.", "contents": "Characterization of anti-lymphocyte antibodies in inflammatory bowel disease. Sera from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) showing broad lymphocytotoxic or lymphocyte-binding activity were subjected to additional analysis to further characterize their properties. Lymphocytotoxins appear to be antibodies predominantly of IgM class as determined by [1] 2-mercaptoethanol sensitivity, [2] serum fractionation by sucrose density gradient sedimentation, Sephadex G-200 filtration, and DEAE ion exchange chromatography, and [3] absorption by anti-Ig immunoadsorbent columns. Lymphocyte-binding antibody was found to be IgG, IgA, and IgM, as determined by indirect immunofluorescent staining of acetone-fixed lymphocytes. Individual IBD sera showed marked variability in occurrence of cytotoxic and binding antibodies when tested against the same donor panel of lymphocytes. These studies emphasize the marked heterogeneity of anti-lymphocyte antibodies occurring in IBD.", "PMID": 790541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8760", "title": "Production of monospecific antisera against antigenic componentsof Mycobacterium bovis (BCG).", "content": "Monospecific antisera against four different antigenic components of Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) were produced by immunization of rabbits with precipitates cut out of gels after crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE). An important feature is to use a semipurified mycobacterial antigenic preparation, or a cross-reactive antigen, to obtain a simpler pattern in CIE so that a clean precipitate, free from contaminating antigens, can be obtained for immunization. The findings with one particular antigen are shown, and the use of such antisera is discussed.", "contents": "Production of monospecific antisera against antigenic componentsof Mycobacterium bovis (BCG). Monospecific antisera against four different antigenic components of Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) were produced by immunization of rabbits with precipitates cut out of gels after crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE). An important feature is to use a semipurified mycobacterial antigenic preparation, or a cross-reactive antigen, to obtain a simpler pattern in CIE so that a clean precipitate, free from contaminating antigens, can be obtained for immunization. The findings with one particular antigen are shown, and the use of such antisera is discussed.", "PMID": 790542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8761", "title": "Neutralizing antibodies against Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae enterotoxins in human milk from a developing country.", "content": "By means of the adrenal cell assay and the rabbit small-bowel loop technique enterotoxin-neutralizing antibodies were demonstrated in all investigated milk samples from severely undernourished Pakistani women but, with a single exception, not in milk from Swedish mothers. The antibodies belonged to the IgA and IgG classes as observed in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which also revealed secretory component on specific enterotoxin antibodies, showing that the IgA antibodies were primarily of the secretory type. The epidemiological stituation and experimental data strongly indicate that Escherichia coli enterotoxin rather than immunologically cross-reactive Vibrio cholerae toxin in most cases constituted the antigenic stimulus for the milk antibodies. The presence in the milk of the Pakistani mothers of secretory IgA antibodies against an important diarrheogenic agent may have practical importance for protection of the breast-fed baby and probably also illustrates the frequent intestinal exposure of these women to enterotoxinogenic bacteria. Since enterotoxin antigen is presumed not to enter deeper tissues, the demonstration of secretory antibodies in milk agrees with a proposed homing of intestinally triggered lymphocytes to the mammary gland.", "contents": "Neutralizing antibodies against Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae enterotoxins in human milk from a developing country. By means of the adrenal cell assay and the rabbit small-bowel loop technique enterotoxin-neutralizing antibodies were demonstrated in all investigated milk samples from severely undernourished Pakistani women but, with a single exception, not in milk from Swedish mothers. The antibodies belonged to the IgA and IgG classes as observed in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which also revealed secretory component on specific enterotoxin antibodies, showing that the IgA antibodies were primarily of the secretory type. The epidemiological stituation and experimental data strongly indicate that Escherichia coli enterotoxin rather than immunologically cross-reactive Vibrio cholerae toxin in most cases constituted the antigenic stimulus for the milk antibodies. The presence in the milk of the Pakistani mothers of secretory IgA antibodies against an important diarrheogenic agent may have practical importance for protection of the breast-fed baby and probably also illustrates the frequent intestinal exposure of these women to enterotoxinogenic bacteria. Since enterotoxin antigen is presumed not to enter deeper tissues, the demonstration of secretory antibodies in milk agrees with a proposed homing of intestinally triggered lymphocytes to the mammary gland.", "PMID": 790543} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8762", "title": "Ketoprofen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Double-blind, cross-over placebo comparison.", "content": "In a two week double-blind cross-over trial of ketoprofen versus placebo in twelve patients, ketoprofen was shown to have substantial anti-inflammatory activity and to be more effective than placebo. Clinical and biological tolerance were excellent.", "contents": "Ketoprofen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Double-blind, cross-over placebo comparison. In a two week double-blind cross-over trial of ketoprofen versus placebo in twelve patients, ketoprofen was shown to have substantial anti-inflammatory activity and to be more effective than placebo. Clinical and biological tolerance were excellent.", "PMID": 790545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8763", "title": "A double-blind cross-over study of ketoprofen and phenylbutazone in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A double-blind cross-over trial was carried out in 50 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis, in order to compare the effects of 300 mg/day of ketoprofen with those of 600 mg/day of phenylbutazone, e.g. the maximal clinically used doses of each drug. The treatment period on each drug was two weeks. There was no statistically significant difference between the drugs with the six parameters studied, either on subjective or objective evaluation. Both drugs were superior to the conventional treatment given before the trial. The side-effects did not differ significantly for each product, except that the central nervous symptoms were less frequent with ketoprofen. Ketoprofen thus seems to be an effective and acceptable drug for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.", "contents": "A double-blind cross-over study of ketoprofen and phenylbutazone in rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind cross-over trial was carried out in 50 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis, in order to compare the effects of 300 mg/day of ketoprofen with those of 600 mg/day of phenylbutazone, e.g. the maximal clinically used doses of each drug. The treatment period on each drug was two weeks. There was no statistically significant difference between the drugs with the six parameters studied, either on subjective or objective evaluation. Both drugs were superior to the conventional treatment given before the trial. The side-effects did not differ significantly for each product, except that the central nervous symptoms were less frequent with ketoprofen. Ketoprofen thus seems to be an effective and acceptable drug for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.", "PMID": 790546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8764", "title": "Clinical evaluation of ketoprofen (Orudis) in rheumatoid arthritis. Results of a multi-centre, double-blind, cross-over trial against phenylbutazone.", "content": "In a multi-centre, double-blind, cross-over trial comprising 38 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ketoprofen was given at a dosage of 150 mg daily and phenylbutazone at a dosage of 300 mg daily, each for 2 weeks. On the basis of patient preference, general evaluation of the disease, morning stiffness, pain on movement and need for analgesics (dextropropoxyphene), it could be concluded that there was no significant difference between phenylbutazone and ketoprofene, although a tendency to more frequent and severe side-effects was seen with pehnylbutazone.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of ketoprofen (Orudis) in rheumatoid arthritis. Results of a multi-centre, double-blind, cross-over trial against phenylbutazone. In a multi-centre, double-blind, cross-over trial comprising 38 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ketoprofen was given at a dosage of 150 mg daily and phenylbutazone at a dosage of 300 mg daily, each for 2 weeks. On the basis of patient preference, general evaluation of the disease, morning stiffness, pain on movement and need for analgesics (dextropropoxyphene), it could be concluded that there was no significant difference between phenylbutazone and ketoprofene, although a tendency to more frequent and severe side-effects was seen with pehnylbutazone.", "PMID": 790547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8765", "title": "Double-blind study of ketoprofen against a placebo in osteoarthritis of the hip.", "content": "In this trial, the patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the hip received either ketoporfen or a placebo successively for 2 treatment periods, A and B, of 14 days each. The daily dosage of ketoprofen was 150 mg in 3 doses of 50 mg. In each case treated, the parameters necessary for the diagnosis and those necessary to assess progress under treatment are reported. At the end of the trial, results have been rated according to the preference of the patient for treatment period A or B. The results were analysed by the sequential method. The therapeutic results reported were obtained from various criteria stated in the protocol (subjective evaluation by the patient, pain when resting, duration of morning stiffness, distance of pain-free walking, amplitude of movements, etc.). Nine cases were sufficient to produce a significant statistical result in favour of ketoprofen. In eight observations a preference in favour of ketoprofen was apparent. In one case only, there was no preference for either one or the other of the two treatment periods (failure of ketoprofen and of the placebo). Ketoprofen was excellently tolerated.", "contents": "Double-blind study of ketoprofen against a placebo in osteoarthritis of the hip. In this trial, the patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the hip received either ketoporfen or a placebo successively for 2 treatment periods, A and B, of 14 days each. The daily dosage of ketoprofen was 150 mg in 3 doses of 50 mg. In each case treated, the parameters necessary for the diagnosis and those necessary to assess progress under treatment are reported. At the end of the trial, results have been rated according to the preference of the patient for treatment period A or B. The results were analysed by the sequential method. The therapeutic results reported were obtained from various criteria stated in the protocol (subjective evaluation by the patient, pain when resting, duration of morning stiffness, distance of pain-free walking, amplitude of movements, etc.). Nine cases were sufficient to produce a significant statistical result in favour of ketoprofen. In eight observations a preference in favour of ketoprofen was apparent. In one case only, there was no preference for either one or the other of the two treatment periods (failure of ketoprofen and of the placebo). Ketoprofen was excellently tolerated.", "PMID": 790548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8766", "title": "A double-blind trial of ketoprofen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip.", "content": "In a double-blind study of ketoprofen versus placebo in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip, it was shown by a sequential technique, that ketoprofen was significantly better than placebo. Some intolerance was observed but no more than with other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. No changes were observed in biological parameters.", "contents": "A double-blind trial of ketoprofen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. In a double-blind study of ketoprofen versus placebo in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip, it was shown by a sequential technique, that ketoprofen was significantly better than placebo. Some intolerance was observed but no more than with other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. No changes were observed in biological parameters.", "PMID": 790549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8767", "title": "Ketoprofen -- a new anti-rheumatic agent.", "content": "Ketoprofen (100 mg/day) and indomethacin (100 mg/day) were compared in a double-blind cross-over trial of four weeks duration in 46 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The drugs were equally effective in all parameters measured, apart from the paracetamol (rescue drug) tablet count which favoured indomethacin. In a similarly designed study the same dosages of the two drugs were compared in 44 patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip. No significant differences occured between the two groups. A further double-blind cross-over study of 4 weeks duration compared 200 mg ketoprofen/day and 300 mg phenylbutazone/day in 47 patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip. No significant differences occured between the two drugs. In all three studies, side-effects with ketoprofen were infrequent and mild. Biological monitoring throughout revealed no abnormality. These studies have shown ketoprofen to be an effective anti-inflammatory for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthrosis of the hip with an efficacy comparable to those of indomethacin and phenylbutazone.", "contents": "Ketoprofen -- a new anti-rheumatic agent. Ketoprofen (100 mg/day) and indomethacin (100 mg/day) were compared in a double-blind cross-over trial of four weeks duration in 46 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The drugs were equally effective in all parameters measured, apart from the paracetamol (rescue drug) tablet count which favoured indomethacin. In a similarly designed study the same dosages of the two drugs were compared in 44 patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip. No significant differences occured between the two groups. A further double-blind cross-over study of 4 weeks duration compared 200 mg ketoprofen/day and 300 mg phenylbutazone/day in 47 patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip. No significant differences occured between the two drugs. In all three studies, side-effects with ketoprofen were infrequent and mild. Biological monitoring throughout revealed no abnormality. These studies have shown ketoprofen to be an effective anti-inflammatory for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthrosis of the hip with an efficacy comparable to those of indomethacin and phenylbutazone.", "PMID": 790550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8768", "title": "Gastroscopic evaluation of the effect of a new anti-rheumatic compound, ketoprofen (19.583 R.P.), on the human gastric mucosa. A double-blind cross-over trial against acetylsalicylic acid.", "content": "The tolerance of the gastric mucosa to a new anti-inflammatory product, ketoprofen (19.583 R.P., Orudis, Profenid N.D.) was compared to the tolerance of acetylsalicylic acid in a double-blind cross-over trial using selected healthy volunteers. The effect of the medication on the gastric mucosa was examined by the use of a gastrocamera technique. The volunteers received during 2 one-week periods either acetylsalicylic acid 3 g daily or ketoprofen 100 mg daily. The sequential diagram shows that the upper barrier was crossed (preference for ketoprofen) when 10 volunteers had been analysed.", "contents": "Gastroscopic evaluation of the effect of a new anti-rheumatic compound, ketoprofen (19.583 R.P.), on the human gastric mucosa. A double-blind cross-over trial against acetylsalicylic acid. The tolerance of the gastric mucosa to a new anti-inflammatory product, ketoprofen (19.583 R.P., Orudis, Profenid N.D.) was compared to the tolerance of acetylsalicylic acid in a double-blind cross-over trial using selected healthy volunteers. The effect of the medication on the gastric mucosa was examined by the use of a gastrocamera technique. The volunteers received during 2 one-week periods either acetylsalicylic acid 3 g daily or ketoprofen 100 mg daily. The sequential diagram shows that the upper barrier was crossed (preference for ketoprofen) when 10 volunteers had been analysed.", "PMID": 790551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8769", "title": "Gastrointestinal blood loss induced by ketoprofen, aspirin and placebo (preliminary report).", "content": "In a 4-week double-blind multi-crossover trial 12 healthy volunteers received 1-week treatment with aspirin (3.6 g daily) and 1-week treatment with ketoprofen (200 mg daily). Before and after each active drug treatment the volunteers received 1-week of placebo treatment. The gastrointestinal blood loss was quantitatively determined by use of the radioactive chromiun (Cr51) technique. It is concluded that the gastrointestinal blood loss during the ketoprofen treatment was significantly less than during the aspirin period but significantly greater than during the placebo periods.", "contents": "Gastrointestinal blood loss induced by ketoprofen, aspirin and placebo (preliminary report). In a 4-week double-blind multi-crossover trial 12 healthy volunteers received 1-week treatment with aspirin (3.6 g daily) and 1-week treatment with ketoprofen (200 mg daily). Before and after each active drug treatment the volunteers received 1-week of placebo treatment. The gastrointestinal blood loss was quantitatively determined by use of the radioactive chromiun (Cr51) technique. It is concluded that the gastrointestinal blood loss during the ketoprofen treatment was significantly less than during the aspirin period but significantly greater than during the placebo periods.", "PMID": 790552} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8770", "title": "Ketoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis: its tolerance and therapeutic effect.", "content": "Four studies on ketoprofen [2-(3 Benzoylphenyl) propionic acid, 19583 R.P., Orudis, Profenid N.D.] have been carried out to establish whether it is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Firstly a comprehensive open clinical and biological monitoring study was undertakin in 11 patients who received ketoprofen for an average period of 20 months without any serious or persistent adverse clinical reaction or adverse change in standard laboratory investigations. The second study involved the same patients who were also included in an ophthalmic screening study for drug toxicity. This established that no eye abnormalities attributable to ketoprofen occurred during this period of treatment. These tolerance studies were then followed by two comparative double-blind cross-over trials of ketoprofen in 117 patients with \"definite\" rheumatoid arthritis. One of them confirmed the significantly superior analgesic effect compared with placebo and showed that the incidence of adverse reactions was similar. The other trial showed that comparing ketoprofen 150 mg daily and indomethacin 100 mg daily the clinical effects of the two drugs were the same in 8 out of 10 indices. Only in severity of pain and rescue drug count was there a significant difference favouring indomethacin. Adverse reactions were more frequent with indomethacin despite prior exclusion from the study of patients known to be intolerant of indomethacin. It was concluded that on this evidence ketoprofen is a clinically active and well tolerated drug which should be valuable in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.", "contents": "Ketoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis: its tolerance and therapeutic effect. Four studies on ketoprofen [2-(3 Benzoylphenyl) propionic acid, 19583 R.P., Orudis, Profenid N.D.] have been carried out to establish whether it is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Firstly a comprehensive open clinical and biological monitoring study was undertakin in 11 patients who received ketoprofen for an average period of 20 months without any serious or persistent adverse clinical reaction or adverse change in standard laboratory investigations. The second study involved the same patients who were also included in an ophthalmic screening study for drug toxicity. This established that no eye abnormalities attributable to ketoprofen occurred during this period of treatment. These tolerance studies were then followed by two comparative double-blind cross-over trials of ketoprofen in 117 patients with \"definite\" rheumatoid arthritis. One of them confirmed the significantly superior analgesic effect compared with placebo and showed that the incidence of adverse reactions was similar. The other trial showed that comparing ketoprofen 150 mg daily and indomethacin 100 mg daily the clinical effects of the two drugs were the same in 8 out of 10 indices. Only in severity of pain and rescue drug count was there a significant difference favouring indomethacin. Adverse reactions were more frequent with indomethacin despite prior exclusion from the study of patients known to be intolerant of indomethacin. It was concluded that on this evidence ketoprofen is a clinically active and well tolerated drug which should be valuable in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.", "PMID": 790553} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8771", "title": "Clinical evaluation of ketoprofen (19.583 R.P.) in rheumatoid arthritis. Double-blind cross-over comparison with indomethacin.", "content": "In a double-blind cross-over trial the clinical efficacy of ketoprofen (19.583 R.P., Orudis, Profenid N.D.), in comparison with that of indomethacin was investigated in 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The two drugs were each given in a dosage of 150 mg daily for a period of 14 days. The clinical effects of ketoprofen and indomethacin were equal (p less than 0.90), but several side-effects appeared less often and to a milder degree during ketoprofen treatment. The study indicates that ketoprofen may prove to be a valuable drug in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of ketoprofen (19.583 R.P.) in rheumatoid arthritis. Double-blind cross-over comparison with indomethacin. In a double-blind cross-over trial the clinical efficacy of ketoprofen (19.583 R.P., Orudis, Profenid N.D.), in comparison with that of indomethacin was investigated in 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The two drugs were each given in a dosage of 150 mg daily for a period of 14 days. The clinical effects of ketoprofen and indomethacin were equal (p less than 0.90), but several side-effects appeared less often and to a milder degree during ketoprofen treatment. The study indicates that ketoprofen may prove to be a valuable drug in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "PMID": 790554} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8772", "title": "A double-blind cross-over evaluation of ketoprofen and aspirin in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Thirty rheumatoid patients participated in a 6-week double-blind cross-over assessment of ketoprofen (200 mg daily) and aspirin (3.6 g daily). Regular clinical and laboratory assessments were conducted and revealed that at the dosages employed, the two drugs exerted a statistically comparable therapeutic effect. Side-effects were more frequent with aspirin. Ketoprofen was preferred more often by the patients while the investigator found it acceptable as often as aspirin.", "contents": "A double-blind cross-over evaluation of ketoprofen and aspirin in rheumatoid arthritis. Thirty rheumatoid patients participated in a 6-week double-blind cross-over assessment of ketoprofen (200 mg daily) and aspirin (3.6 g daily). Regular clinical and laboratory assessments were conducted and revealed that at the dosages employed, the two drugs exerted a statistically comparable therapeutic effect. Side-effects were more frequent with aspirin. Ketoprofen was preferred more often by the patients while the investigator found it acceptable as often as aspirin.", "PMID": 790555} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8773", "title": "Symptomatology and diagnosis in connective tissue disease. Antibodies to extractable ribonucleoprotein in 123 patients reacting with cell nuclei in the immunofluorescence test.", "content": "Sera with an antinuclear immunofluorescence titre of 1/000 were taken consecutively from the diagnostic routine flow and examined for agglutinating antibodies against desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and extractable nuclear antigens (ENA). Passive haemagglutination tests with antigen-coated tanned erythrocytes were used and the specificity of the reactions was corroborated by testing against enzyme-treated cells. After the exclusion of the DNA-reacting 15%, three major groups and one minor could be distinguished on a serological basis. The largest group (41%) contained cases with a speckled immunofluorescence pattern and a RNase-trypsin sensitive agglutination reaction with ENA coated cells (sRNP). Nearly all cases of mixed connective tissue disease and scleroderma fell into this group which also contained 44% of the SLE cases. Symptomatically the group was characterized by remarkably high incidences of Raynaud's syndrome and myositis. The major group next in size comprised cases with a homogeneous immunofluorescence pattern but no reaction against DNA or ENA. Half of the cases within this group had the diagnosis SLE; they also constituted 42% of all SLE cases. The only other diagnosis of significant frequency within the group was unspecified collagenosis (23%). The symptomatology of the group was rather uncharacteristic, with the exception of the low incidence of Raynaud's syndrome. The third major group comprised cases with a speckled immunofluorescence pattern but no agglutination reaction against ENA or DNA. This group had a very high incidence of rheumatoid factor and also the highest incidence of visceral lesions among the groups. Yet the group contained only a small proportion (14%) of the SLE cases and the rheumatoid arthritis cases were about equally shared between this and the first group. The most common diagnosis in the group was unspecified collagenosis (40%). A fourth, small but homogeneous group contained cases with a speckled immunofluorescence pattern and a reaction with Sm antigen, i.e. an enzyme-resistant agglutination reaction with ENA. Six cases in this group had the diagnosis SLE. No diagnosis was available in two cases.", "contents": "Symptomatology and diagnosis in connective tissue disease. Antibodies to extractable ribonucleoprotein in 123 patients reacting with cell nuclei in the immunofluorescence test. Sera with an antinuclear immunofluorescence titre of 1/000 were taken consecutively from the diagnostic routine flow and examined for agglutinating antibodies against desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and extractable nuclear antigens (ENA). Passive haemagglutination tests with antigen-coated tanned erythrocytes were used and the specificity of the reactions was corroborated by testing against enzyme-treated cells. After the exclusion of the DNA-reacting 15%, three major groups and one minor could be distinguished on a serological basis. The largest group (41%) contained cases with a speckled immunofluorescence pattern and a RNase-trypsin sensitive agglutination reaction with ENA coated cells (sRNP). Nearly all cases of mixed connective tissue disease and scleroderma fell into this group which also contained 44% of the SLE cases. Symptomatically the group was characterized by remarkably high incidences of Raynaud's syndrome and myositis. The major group next in size comprised cases with a homogeneous immunofluorescence pattern but no reaction against DNA or ENA. Half of the cases within this group had the diagnosis SLE; they also constituted 42% of all SLE cases. The only other diagnosis of significant frequency within the group was unspecified collagenosis (23%). The symptomatology of the group was rather uncharacteristic, with the exception of the low incidence of Raynaud's syndrome. The third major group comprised cases with a speckled immunofluorescence pattern but no agglutination reaction against ENA or DNA. This group had a very high incidence of rheumatoid factor and also the highest incidence of visceral lesions among the groups. Yet the group contained only a small proportion (14%) of the SLE cases and the rheumatoid arthritis cases were about equally shared between this and the first group. The most common diagnosis in the group was unspecified collagenosis (40%). A fourth, small but homogeneous group contained cases with a speckled immunofluorescence pattern and a reaction with Sm antigen, i.e. an enzyme-resistant agglutination reaction with ENA. Six cases in this group had the diagnosis SLE. No diagnosis was available in two cases.", "PMID": 790556} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8774", "title": "Tracheobronchial clearance in bronchial asthma: response to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation.", "content": "Tracheobronchial clearance was studied in 12 patients with bronchial asthma. They inhaled a test aerosol of 6 mum teflon particles tagged with 99mTc, after which external measurement of the radioactivity in the lungs was made for 2 h in the supine position. Clearance was determined after subcutaneous administration of 0.25 mg of the beta-adrenoceptor stimulating compound terbutaline and vehicle, respectively, in a crossover, double-blind study. The average clearance in the asthmatics did not differ significantly from that of healthy non-smokers. Terbutaline significantly enhanced clearance in the asthmatics, though considerably less than reported for healthy subjects. Alternative explanations for this weak effect of terbutaline in the asthmatics might be that the mucociliary transport system was affected by the asthma disease, or that earlier treatment with beta-adrenoceptor stimulating compounds or other drugs had produced increased tolerance and/or carry-over effects. Ventilatory function measured as FEV1.0 deteriorated significantly during the clearance measurement when vehicle was given, but not when terbutaline was given. Terbutaline thus counteracted the unfavourable effect of the supine position on ventilation.", "contents": "Tracheobronchial clearance in bronchial asthma: response to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation. Tracheobronchial clearance was studied in 12 patients with bronchial asthma. They inhaled a test aerosol of 6 mum teflon particles tagged with 99mTc, after which external measurement of the radioactivity in the lungs was made for 2 h in the supine position. Clearance was determined after subcutaneous administration of 0.25 mg of the beta-adrenoceptor stimulating compound terbutaline and vehicle, respectively, in a crossover, double-blind study. The average clearance in the asthmatics did not differ significantly from that of healthy non-smokers. Terbutaline significantly enhanced clearance in the asthmatics, though considerably less than reported for healthy subjects. Alternative explanations for this weak effect of terbutaline in the asthmatics might be that the mucociliary transport system was affected by the asthma disease, or that earlier treatment with beta-adrenoceptor stimulating compounds or other drugs had produced increased tolerance and/or carry-over effects. Ventilatory function measured as FEV1.0 deteriorated significantly during the clearance measurement when vehicle was given, but not when terbutaline was given. Terbutaline thus counteracted the unfavourable effect of the supine position on ventilation.", "PMID": 790558} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8775", "title": "Surface forces in respiratory bronchioles during a first breath-model experiment and some theoretical considerations.", "content": "In a physical sense the terminal bronchioles are capillaries, and the air-liquid interface descending through them during the first breath will therefore have a spherical curvature with a radius identical to that of the airway. Air will reach the alveolus if the liquid-coated bronchiolar wall proximal to the air-liquid interface can withstand the pressure gradient required to push the interface towards the periphery. Otherwise, there is a risk that the bronchioles become overexpanded while the alveoli remain non-aerated.", "contents": "Surface forces in respiratory bronchioles during a first breath-model experiment and some theoretical considerations. In a physical sense the terminal bronchioles are capillaries, and the air-liquid interface descending through them during the first breath will therefore have a spherical curvature with a radius identical to that of the airway. Air will reach the alveolus if the liquid-coated bronchiolar wall proximal to the air-liquid interface can withstand the pressure gradient required to push the interface towards the periphery. Otherwise, there is a risk that the bronchioles become overexpanded while the alveoli remain non-aerated.", "PMID": 790559} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8776", "title": "Bilateral pulmonary aspergilloma in ankylosing spondylitis treated with transthoracic intracavitary instillations of antifungal agents.", "content": "Repeated transthoracic intracavitary injections of amphotericin B, nystatin and pimaricine proved a simple and safe method in the treatment of bilateral pulmonary aspergillomas in a patient with large cavities caused by lung disease in ankylosing spondylitis. Both large mycetomas were dissolved by this treatment in combination with peroral corticosteroid medication, and the patient's general condition improved markedly.", "contents": "Bilateral pulmonary aspergilloma in ankylosing spondylitis treated with transthoracic intracavitary instillations of antifungal agents. Repeated transthoracic intracavitary injections of amphotericin B, nystatin and pimaricine proved a simple and safe method in the treatment of bilateral pulmonary aspergillomas in a patient with large cavities caused by lung disease in ankylosing spondylitis. Both large mycetomas were dissolved by this treatment in combination with peroral corticosteroid medication, and the patient's general condition improved markedly.", "PMID": 790560} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8777", "title": "Effects of muliple doses of metoprolol and propranolol on ventilatory function in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.", "content": "The effect of metoprolol on pulmonary function was compared with that of propranolol and placebo in twelve patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Propranolol caused a significant reduction in FEV1 compared with metoprolol and placebo. Metoprolol gave a slight reduction compared with placebo. FVC was not significantly influenced by metoprolol, but propranolol caused a significant depression compared both with metoprolol and placebo. The isoprenaline-mediated increase in FEV1 and FVC was not significantly altered after metoprolol compared with placebo. After propranolol the isoprenaline-mediated increases in FEV1 and FVC were 40 and 24% lower respectively than after metoprolol and placebo. Unwanted effects and pulmonary symptoms were at an acceptable level in all cases except in two patients who had to be given i.v. theophyllamine therapy during propranolol treatment. It is concluded that metoprolol exhibits a selective beta1-blocking action and thus may be given to patients with chronic obstructive lung disease provided that adequate beta2-stimulator treatment is given concomitantly.", "contents": "Effects of muliple doses of metoprolol and propranolol on ventilatory function in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. The effect of metoprolol on pulmonary function was compared with that of propranolol and placebo in twelve patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Propranolol caused a significant reduction in FEV1 compared with metoprolol and placebo. Metoprolol gave a slight reduction compared with placebo. FVC was not significantly influenced by metoprolol, but propranolol caused a significant depression compared both with metoprolol and placebo. The isoprenaline-mediated increase in FEV1 and FVC was not significantly altered after metoprolol compared with placebo. After propranolol the isoprenaline-mediated increases in FEV1 and FVC were 40 and 24% lower respectively than after metoprolol and placebo. Unwanted effects and pulmonary symptoms were at an acceptable level in all cases except in two patients who had to be given i.v. theophyllamine therapy during propranolol treatment. It is concluded that metoprolol exhibits a selective beta1-blocking action and thus may be given to patients with chronic obstructive lung disease provided that adequate beta2-stimulator treatment is given concomitantly.", "PMID": 790561} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8778", "title": "[Clarification of a Salmonella typhimurium epidemic in north-eastern Switzerland by means of bacteriological and serological methods].", "content": "An outbreak of Salmonella typhi murium caused by person-to-person contacts was observed in Kurhaus (NE Switzerland) in late 1973. In all, 18 patients with clinical symptoms and 8 asymptomatic carriers were registered. However, 1 1/2 months elapsed before the etiologic diagnosis could be established. The infection was then transmitted, probably by a visiting nurse, to the personnel of a neighbouring school. An outbreak followed thereafter including 31 clinically manifest patients and 10 asymptomatic carriers. Infected food was most probably responsible for the dissemination of the disease, since two asymptomatic carriers were detected among persons engaged in the preparation of food. The close correlation between the two epidemics was confirmed by phague typing of isolated Salmonella strains according to the method of GUINEE. A common Biotype I, Lysotype 650, was identified in all cases. Clinical findings revealed diarrhea in 77,6%, fever in 59,2% and vomiting in 18.4% of cases. Only two patients who were admitted to the hospital, were given chemotherapy. The excretion of Salmonellae in the stools was observed on average for about one month in clinical cases and for 12 days in asymptomatic carriers. All the strains, with one exception, were in vitro sensitive against tetracycline, Chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In one case the tetracycline treatment resulted in homologous resistance. In this case the carrier state had been observed for 111 days. Serologic tests were made one month after the outbreak was detected using Widal reactions with antigens of homologous strain. In most patients with clinical symptoms antibody titers were at serum dilutions of more than 1:80, whereas only 4 of the 9 asymptomatic carriers investigated presented with titers in this range. Patients who were not excreting Salmonellae had uniform antibody titers of less than 1:80.", "contents": "[Clarification of a Salmonella typhimurium epidemic in north-eastern Switzerland by means of bacteriological and serological methods]. An outbreak of Salmonella typhi murium caused by person-to-person contacts was observed in Kurhaus (NE Switzerland) in late 1973. In all, 18 patients with clinical symptoms and 8 asymptomatic carriers were registered. However, 1 1/2 months elapsed before the etiologic diagnosis could be established. The infection was then transmitted, probably by a visiting nurse, to the personnel of a neighbouring school. An outbreak followed thereafter including 31 clinically manifest patients and 10 asymptomatic carriers. Infected food was most probably responsible for the dissemination of the disease, since two asymptomatic carriers were detected among persons engaged in the preparation of food. The close correlation between the two epidemics was confirmed by phague typing of isolated Salmonella strains according to the method of GUINEE. A common Biotype I, Lysotype 650, was identified in all cases. Clinical findings revealed diarrhea in 77,6%, fever in 59,2% and vomiting in 18.4% of cases. Only two patients who were admitted to the hospital, were given chemotherapy. The excretion of Salmonellae in the stools was observed on average for about one month in clinical cases and for 12 days in asymptomatic carriers. All the strains, with one exception, were in vitro sensitive against tetracycline, Chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In one case the tetracycline treatment resulted in homologous resistance. In this case the carrier state had been observed for 111 days. Serologic tests were made one month after the outbreak was detected using Widal reactions with antigens of homologous strain. In most patients with clinical symptoms antibody titers were at serum dilutions of more than 1:80, whereas only 4 of the 9 asymptomatic carriers investigated presented with titers in this range. Patients who were not excreting Salmonellae had uniform antibody titers of less than 1:80.", "PMID": 790563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8779", "title": "[The evolution of implantology --trends toward a new concept].", "content": "The development if implantology during the recent years, relative to the tissue tolerance of various implant materials seems to have improved the chances of success. The disastrous results of prior years have been due to improper techniques leading to unstable biostability between tissue and implant material surface. This insufficiency of biocompatibility is not only biochemical, but also biomechanical as a consequence of very differing physical properties of osseous tissue and implant material. By increasing the surface of the implant material, making it porous, a penetration of fibres and a neoformation of bone could be observed. Thus a conjunctive attachment forms thus securing a closure of tissue around the emerging abutments. At this level, the implant must be considered under the periodontal angle. Marginal irritation must at any price be avoided, thus reducing the chance of epithelial growth into depth. Materials responding to the demands of biocompatibility are certain forms of porcelain, vitrified carbon, titanium, calcium aluminate.", "contents": "[The evolution of implantology --trends toward a new concept]. The development if implantology during the recent years, relative to the tissue tolerance of various implant materials seems to have improved the chances of success. The disastrous results of prior years have been due to improper techniques leading to unstable biostability between tissue and implant material surface. This insufficiency of biocompatibility is not only biochemical, but also biomechanical as a consequence of very differing physical properties of osseous tissue and implant material. By increasing the surface of the implant material, making it porous, a penetration of fibres and a neoformation of bone could be observed. Thus a conjunctive attachment forms thus securing a closure of tissue around the emerging abutments. At this level, the implant must be considered under the periodontal angle. Marginal irritation must at any price be avoided, thus reducing the chance of epithelial growth into depth. Materials responding to the demands of biocompatibility are certain forms of porcelain, vitrified carbon, titanium, calcium aluminate.", "PMID": 790565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8780", "title": "Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA replication during zygote formation and maturation in yeast.", "content": "Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA replication were monitered during the development of synchronous yeast zygotes. Purified first zygotic buds were also analyzed. Nuclear DNA replicated discontinuously but coincidently with bud initiation, while mitochondrial DNA replicated throughout the zygotic formation and maturation period. First zygotic buds contained the diploid level of both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.", "contents": "Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA replication during zygote formation and maturation in yeast. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA replication were monitered during the development of synchronous yeast zygotes. Purified first zygotic buds were also analyzed. Nuclear DNA replicated discontinuously but coincidently with bud initiation, while mitochondrial DNA replicated throughout the zygotic formation and maturation period. First zygotic buds contained the diploid level of both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.", "PMID": 790566} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8781", "title": "Oldest horse brains: more advanced than previously realized.", "content": "Previous interpretations of early horse brains were based on an incorrectly identified fossil endocast, now believed to be from a condylarth. Newly prepared endocasts of Hyracotherium, the oldest horse and one of the earliest perissodactyls, reveal a relatively larger brain, with a more expanded neocortex, than existed in the condylarth ancestors of perissodactyls. Fifty million years ago, horse brains had suprasylvian, ectolateral, and lateral sulci, but the frontal lobe was undeveloped.", "contents": "Oldest horse brains: more advanced than previously realized. Previous interpretations of early horse brains were based on an incorrectly identified fossil endocast, now believed to be from a condylarth. Newly prepared endocasts of Hyracotherium, the oldest horse and one of the earliest perissodactyls, reveal a relatively larger brain, with a more expanded neocortex, than existed in the condylarth ancestors of perissodactyls. Fifty million years ago, horse brains had suprasylvian, ectolateral, and lateral sulci, but the frontal lobe was undeveloped.", "PMID": 790567} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8782", "title": "Structural domains of transfer RNA molecules.", "content": "In this article, we have described various detailed features of the conformation of yeast tRNA(Phe) revealed by recent refinement analysis of x-ray diffraction data at 2.5 A resolution. The gross features of the molecule observed in the unrefined version have been largely confirmed and a number of new features found. The unique role of the ribose 2' hydroxyl groups in maintaining a series of nonhelical conformations in this RNA molecule has become apparent. Many of these features are a direct consequence of the geometry of the ribose phosphate backbone of RNA molecules, and these may also be found in structured regions of other RNA species as well. Special attention has been directed toward two conformational motifs revealed by this analysis. These include the striking similarity between the TpsiC and anticodon hairpin turns in the polynucleotide chain, which are stabilized by the participation of uridine in the U turn. In addition, there is frequent occurrence of an arch conformation in the polynucleotide chian which is stabilized by hydrogen bonds from 2' hydroxyl residues to phosphate groups across the base of the arch. The importance of the 2' hydroxyl interactions in defining tertiary structure is illustrated by the fact that, in the nonhelical regions, almost half of the ribose residues are involved in O2' hydrogen-bonding interactions which stabilize the conformation of the molecule.", "contents": "Structural domains of transfer RNA molecules. In this article, we have described various detailed features of the conformation of yeast tRNA(Phe) revealed by recent refinement analysis of x-ray diffraction data at 2.5 A resolution. The gross features of the molecule observed in the unrefined version have been largely confirmed and a number of new features found. The unique role of the ribose 2' hydroxyl groups in maintaining a series of nonhelical conformations in this RNA molecule has become apparent. Many of these features are a direct consequence of the geometry of the ribose phosphate backbone of RNA molecules, and these may also be found in structured regions of other RNA species as well. Special attention has been directed toward two conformational motifs revealed by this analysis. These include the striking similarity between the TpsiC and anticodon hairpin turns in the polynucleotide chain, which are stabilized by the participation of uridine in the U turn. In addition, there is frequent occurrence of an arch conformation in the polynucleotide chian which is stabilized by hydrogen bonds from 2' hydroxyl residues to phosphate groups across the base of the arch. The importance of the 2' hydroxyl interactions in defining tertiary structure is illustrated by the fact that, in the nonhelical regions, almost half of the ribose residues are involved in O2' hydrogen-bonding interactions which stabilize the conformation of the molecule.", "PMID": 790568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8783", "title": "A specific population of gonadotrophs purified from immature female rat pituitary.", "content": "When dispersed pituitary cells from 14-day-old female rats were sedimented in a bovine serum albumin gradient, a fraction was isolated which consisted of almost 90 percent of large cells that stained purple in the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction. Immunostaining indicated that over 85 percent of these PAS-purple cells were gonadotrophs containing both follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone. Reproducible cell cultures could be obtained on poly-L-lysine coated dishes. As early as the second day in culture, the secretion of both follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone was highly stimulated by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. The effect of FSH was as marked as that on LH. The data suggest that the isolated gonadotrophs are a specific functional subtype.", "contents": "A specific population of gonadotrophs purified from immature female rat pituitary. When dispersed pituitary cells from 14-day-old female rats were sedimented in a bovine serum albumin gradient, a fraction was isolated which consisted of almost 90 percent of large cells that stained purple in the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction. Immunostaining indicated that over 85 percent of these PAS-purple cells were gonadotrophs containing both follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone. Reproducible cell cultures could be obtained on poly-L-lysine coated dishes. As early as the second day in culture, the secretion of both follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone was highly stimulated by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. The effect of FSH was as marked as that on LH. The data suggest that the isolated gonadotrophs are a specific functional subtype.", "PMID": 790569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8784", "title": "The developmental biology of primary human malignant melanomas.", "content": "We have attempted to describe virtually all forms of malignant melanoma which affect man except those arising in the eye. The vast majority of malignant melanomas clearly fall into one of three kinds: (1) malignant melanoma of the superficial-spreading type, (2) malignant melanoma of the lentigo-maligna type, and (3) malignant melanoma of the nodular type. The developmental biology of a primary neoplasm is illustrated by discussing and illustrating the evolution of these three dominant forms of melanoma. Primary malignant melanoma of the superficial-spreading type and of the lentigo-maligna type develop through a characteristic biphasic growth pattern: an initial radial-growth phase, followed by a vertical-growth phase. The radial-growth phase of these melanomas is only rarely associated with the development of metastases, while the vertical-growth phase is commonly associated with subsequent metastatic disease. The phenomenon of the vertical-growth phase is apparently, therefore, a qualitative step in the development of a primary malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma of the nodular type is an example of a primary tumor without a precursor developmental stage such as a radial-growth phase.", "contents": "The developmental biology of primary human malignant melanomas. We have attempted to describe virtually all forms of malignant melanoma which affect man except those arising in the eye. The vast majority of malignant melanomas clearly fall into one of three kinds: (1) malignant melanoma of the superficial-spreading type, (2) malignant melanoma of the lentigo-maligna type, and (3) malignant melanoma of the nodular type. The developmental biology of a primary neoplasm is illustrated by discussing and illustrating the evolution of these three dominant forms of melanoma. Primary malignant melanoma of the superficial-spreading type and of the lentigo-maligna type develop through a characteristic biphasic growth pattern: an initial radial-growth phase, followed by a vertical-growth phase. The radial-growth phase of these melanomas is only rarely associated with the development of metastases, while the vertical-growth phase is commonly associated with subsequent metastatic disease. The phenomenon of the vertical-growth phase is apparently, therefore, a qualitative step in the development of a primary malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma of the nodular type is an example of a primary tumor without a precursor developmental stage such as a radial-growth phase.", "PMID": 790575} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8785", "title": "Inhibitors of platelet function in the prevention of arterial thrombosis.", "content": "The use of platelet inhibiting drugs in the prevention of arterial thromboembolic occlusive disease demonstrates that only a few trials have been adequately designed to provide conclusive results. Dipyridamole is effective in preventing the thromboembolic complications of prosthetic heart valves and sulfinpyrazone reduces occlusive events in A-V silastic cannulae, while clofibrate is clearly ineffective in secondary prevention of myocardial infarction. No antiplatelet agent has yet been convincingly shown to exert any antithrombotic effect in venous thromboembolism, although the results with hydroxychloroquine deserve further study. Currently, only two antiplatelet drugs, dipyridamole and sulfinpyrazone are clearly proven clinically effective in reducing arterial thromboembolism. The promising results using ASA are under active study.", "contents": "Inhibitors of platelet function in the prevention of arterial thrombosis. The use of platelet inhibiting drugs in the prevention of arterial thromboembolic occlusive disease demonstrates that only a few trials have been adequately designed to provide conclusive results. Dipyridamole is effective in preventing the thromboembolic complications of prosthetic heart valves and sulfinpyrazone reduces occlusive events in A-V silastic cannulae, while clofibrate is clearly ineffective in secondary prevention of myocardial infarction. No antiplatelet agent has yet been convincingly shown to exert any antithrombotic effect in venous thromboembolism, although the results with hydroxychloroquine deserve further study. Currently, only two antiplatelet drugs, dipyridamole and sulfinpyrazone are clearly proven clinically effective in reducing arterial thromboembolism. The promising results using ASA are under active study.", "PMID": 790583} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8786", "title": "Aspirin revisited.", "content": "ASA is a safe drug to relieve pain, lessen fever, diminish the inflammatory reaction and treat arthritis. This drug can be given to people in a very safe soluble and buffered form which minimizes its major potential side effect: G.I. bleeding. The G.I. bleeding seen with ASA is due to its local effect on the gastric mucosa. The evidence that exists shows that ASA's effect upon the platelet does not contribute to the gastric bleeding. It is unclear to what extent those diseases mediated by thrombosis can be prevented by ASA and other platelet-suppressive drugs. Thrombosis is not equivalent to hemostasis, but is a distortion of the hemostatic process. Clinical trials are now underway but they will probably be inconclusive. Presently, the literature is contradictory and, therefore, the decision to use ASA as an anti-thrombotic durg remains with the individual physician.", "contents": "Aspirin revisited. ASA is a safe drug to relieve pain, lessen fever, diminish the inflammatory reaction and treat arthritis. This drug can be given to people in a very safe soluble and buffered form which minimizes its major potential side effect: G.I. bleeding. The G.I. bleeding seen with ASA is due to its local effect on the gastric mucosa. The evidence that exists shows that ASA's effect upon the platelet does not contribute to the gastric bleeding. It is unclear to what extent those diseases mediated by thrombosis can be prevented by ASA and other platelet-suppressive drugs. Thrombosis is not equivalent to hemostasis, but is a distortion of the hemostatic process. Clinical trials are now underway but they will probably be inconclusive. Presently, the literature is contradictory and, therefore, the decision to use ASA as an anti-thrombotic durg remains with the individual physician.", "PMID": 790585} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8787", "title": "Shigellosis transmitted by nurses.", "content": "Twelve cases of Shigella sonnei infection, with two deaths, occurred at a custodial institution in Donelson, Tennessee, in April and May 1973. Nine of the cases and both deaths were in patients hospitalized at the institution's infirmary. The patients with nosocomial shigellosis were significantly younger and had been hospitalized significantly longer than controls. Epidemiologic investigation implicated staff members in the transmission of illness from one patient to another and identified the previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics as a significant factor in placing patients at risk of acquiring shigellosis.", "contents": "Shigellosis transmitted by nurses. Twelve cases of Shigella sonnei infection, with two deaths, occurred at a custodial institution in Donelson, Tennessee, in April and May 1973. Nine of the cases and both deaths were in patients hospitalized at the institution's infirmary. The patients with nosocomial shigellosis were significantly younger and had been hospitalized significantly longer than controls. Epidemiologic investigation implicated staff members in the transmission of illness from one patient to another and identified the previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics as a significant factor in placing patients at risk of acquiring shigellosis.", "PMID": 790590} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8788", "title": "Experimental techniques in the determination of aetiology of acute infantile gastroenteritis.", "content": "Techniques used in the research laboratory for the microbiological diagnosis of infantile gastroenteritis are described. These techniques are in essence experimental models of the three pathogenetic mechanisms of bacterial diarrhoea. From the clinical bacteriological standpoint, although there is little difficulty with the identification of enteropathic bacteria such as Salmonella and Shigella, the differentiation of enteropathic strains of Escherichia coli from commensal strains is not possible with present routine bacteriological procedures. Possible adaptations of these experimental techniques to the routine laboratory are discussed. At present, negative-staining electron microscopy is the only way in which reoviruslike particles, the most important viral pathogen in infantile gastroenteritis, may be detected. Because of its relative simplicity this examination is strongly recommended in all cases of infantile gastroenteritis.", "contents": "Experimental techniques in the determination of aetiology of acute infantile gastroenteritis. Techniques used in the research laboratory for the microbiological diagnosis of infantile gastroenteritis are described. These techniques are in essence experimental models of the three pathogenetic mechanisms of bacterial diarrhoea. From the clinical bacteriological standpoint, although there is little difficulty with the identification of enteropathic bacteria such as Salmonella and Shigella, the differentiation of enteropathic strains of Escherichia coli from commensal strains is not possible with present routine bacteriological procedures. Possible adaptations of these experimental techniques to the routine laboratory are discussed. At present, negative-staining electron microscopy is the only way in which reoviruslike particles, the most important viral pathogen in infantile gastroenteritis, may be detected. Because of its relative simplicity this examination is strongly recommended in all cases of infantile gastroenteritis.", "PMID": 790602} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8789", "title": "Reconstruction of the breast and nipple after bilateral radical mastectomy.", "content": "Reconstruction of the breasts after mastectomy remains controversial. The majority of patients who have undergone mastectomy can be encouraged to accept the disability with correct counselling and guidance from the surgeon. Occasionally, in the very highly selected case, however, the reconstructive procedures are required in order to restore the patient's body image.", "contents": "Reconstruction of the breast and nipple after bilateral radical mastectomy. Reconstruction of the breasts after mastectomy remains controversial. The majority of patients who have undergone mastectomy can be encouraged to accept the disability with correct counselling and guidance from the surgeon. Occasionally, in the very highly selected case, however, the reconstructive procedures are required in order to restore the patient's body image.", "PMID": 790603} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8790", "title": "Dynamic scintiscanning with technetium-99m as a diagnostic aid in oliguria after renal transplant.", "content": "Scanning with technetium-99m was used as a diagnostic aid in renal transplant patients with post-transplant oliguria. It is a safe and dependable method of determining whether the renal vasculature is still intact and can often be used to differentiate acute tubular necrosis from acute rejection.", "contents": "Dynamic scintiscanning with technetium-99m as a diagnostic aid in oliguria after renal transplant. Scanning with technetium-99m was used as a diagnostic aid in renal transplant patients with post-transplant oliguria. It is a safe and dependable method of determining whether the renal vasculature is still intact and can often be used to differentiate acute tubular necrosis from acute rejection.", "PMID": 790607} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8791", "title": "A history of the Durban Medical School.", "content": "The establishment and the development of the Medical Faculty of the University of Natal during its first 25 years is described. A brief description of the courses offered and the achievements of the Faculty and its students is included, and a plea is made for the Medical School to be retained in its present form.", "contents": "A history of the Durban Medical School. The establishment and the development of the Medical Faculty of the University of Natal during its first 25 years is described. A brief description of the courses offered and the achievements of the Faculty and its students is included, and a plea is made for the Medical School to be retained in its present form.", "PMID": 790608} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8792", "title": "Surgical adjuncts in radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy.", "content": "The effectiveness of radical hysterectomy depends upon the skill and the experience of the individual surgeon. A most important requirement of this operation is that it remove all of the cancerous tissue, while causing minimal damage to other structures. The data presented indicate that the use of suprapublic cystostomy, suction drainage of the retroperitoneum and closure with retention sutures of the abdomen can cause a statistically significant reduction in major postoperative complications that occur after radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy.", "contents": "Surgical adjuncts in radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The effectiveness of radical hysterectomy depends upon the skill and the experience of the individual surgeon. A most important requirement of this operation is that it remove all of the cancerous tissue, while causing minimal damage to other structures. The data presented indicate that the use of suprapublic cystostomy, suction drainage of the retroperitoneum and closure with retention sutures of the abdomen can cause a statistically significant reduction in major postoperative complications that occur after radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy.", "PMID": 790612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8793", "title": "Animal models of peritonitis.", "content": "A reproducible animal model of peritonitis has been developed. It uses standard animals, standardized cultures of bacteria and simple techniques. Use of this model would facilitate comparison of data from workers in this field. The use of small rodents permits the use of comparatively large populations for statistical evaluation. The method is cheap and economic of laboratory space and does not require surgical expertise.", "contents": "Animal models of peritonitis. A reproducible animal model of peritonitis has been developed. It uses standard animals, standardized cultures of bacteria and simple techniques. Use of this model would facilitate comparison of data from workers in this field. The use of small rodents permits the use of comparatively large populations for statistical evaluation. The method is cheap and economic of laboratory space and does not require surgical expertise.", "PMID": 790613} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8794", "title": "Post-transplantation pancreatitis.", "content": "Post-transplantation pancreatitis occurs with a frequency of about 3 per cent and carries a mortality of 70 per cent. An average of 216 days following transplantation elapses before the onset of pancreatitis and tends to occur most frequently in men in the fourth decade of life. A multiplicity of factors which predispose to pancreatitis are present in the post-transplant period and may be responsible for the frequency and lethality of post-transplant pancreatitis. Among these factors are immunosuppressive therapy, consisting of azathioprine and steroids, secondary hyperparathyroidism and increased susceptibility to infection.", "contents": "Post-transplantation pancreatitis. Post-transplantation pancreatitis occurs with a frequency of about 3 per cent and carries a mortality of 70 per cent. An average of 216 days following transplantation elapses before the onset of pancreatitis and tends to occur most frequently in men in the fourth decade of life. A multiplicity of factors which predispose to pancreatitis are present in the post-transplant period and may be responsible for the frequency and lethality of post-transplant pancreatitis. Among these factors are immunosuppressive therapy, consisting of azathioprine and steroids, secondary hyperparathyroidism and increased susceptibility to infection.", "PMID": 790614} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8795", "title": "Peripheral dissemination of bacteria in contaminated wounds; role of devitalized tissue: evaluation of therapeutic measures.", "content": "The role of available therapeutic agents in the management of infection has long been a continuing source of debate. This study assessed the rapidity of lateral dissemination of three common pyogenic organisms from wounds. The Streptococcus spreads peripherally with greater speed than the Staphylococcus or E. coli. Appraisal of the role and effectiveness of jet wound irrigation, debridement, and penicillin provides firm evidence that, of these three therapeutic agents, the only one that can control bacterial proliferation in a contaminated wound is the antibiotic. The primary role of energized jet irrigation is to remove clots and wound debris. The specific function of debridement is removal of devitalized tissue, in which role it has no effective competitor. These studies demonstrate that devitalized tissue in a contaminated wound quickens the rapidity of peripheral spread of all three micro-organisms. Systemic penicillin plus saline irrigation is the most effective therapeutic measure at both the second and fourth postinoculation hours in nondevitalized contaminated wounds. Debridement proved to be the most effective therapeutic device at the second, fourth, and sixth postinoculation hours in devitalized wounds.", "contents": "Peripheral dissemination of bacteria in contaminated wounds; role of devitalized tissue: evaluation of therapeutic measures. The role of available therapeutic agents in the management of infection has long been a continuing source of debate. This study assessed the rapidity of lateral dissemination of three common pyogenic organisms from wounds. The Streptococcus spreads peripherally with greater speed than the Staphylococcus or E. coli. Appraisal of the role and effectiveness of jet wound irrigation, debridement, and penicillin provides firm evidence that, of these three therapeutic agents, the only one that can control bacterial proliferation in a contaminated wound is the antibiotic. The primary role of energized jet irrigation is to remove clots and wound debris. The specific function of debridement is removal of devitalized tissue, in which role it has no effective competitor. These studies demonstrate that devitalized tissue in a contaminated wound quickens the rapidity of peripheral spread of all three micro-organisms. Systemic penicillin plus saline irrigation is the most effective therapeutic measure at both the second and fourth postinoculation hours in nondevitalized contaminated wounds. Debridement proved to be the most effective therapeutic device at the second, fourth, and sixth postinoculation hours in devitalized wounds.", "PMID": 790619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8796", "title": "Infected aortic bifurcation grafts: experience with fourteen patients.", "content": "The experience with 14 patients with infected aortic bifurcation grafts has been reviewed. Factors which appeared to predispose to infection in 11 patients included \"re-do\" operations, concomitant cholecystectomy or gastrostomy, and ruptured abdominal aneurysm. A mixture of gastrointestinal organisms was responsible for the infections. The pathogenesis, presentation, and treatment varied according to whether the proximal or distal anastomosis was involved or not. Aortoduodenal communications were present in five patients; they presented with gastrointestinal bleeding or septicemia. One patient survived as a result of early, aggressive surgical therapy. Infection presented at the distal anastomosis in nine patients, either as groin abscess or false aneurysm. Conservative therapy failed in the majority of patients but apparently was successful in three of five patients in whom infection did not involve the intra-abdominal portion of the graft. When infection does involve the intra-abdominal portion of the graft, then the graft must be excised also. Revascularization often can be accomplished with extra-anatomic bypasses of prosthesis or autogenous material, depending on the characteristics of the individual patient. Regardless of the mode of presentation or the site of infection, the early institution of judicious surgical management offers the best chance of success in these patients, and temporization usually leads to failure.", "contents": "Infected aortic bifurcation grafts: experience with fourteen patients. The experience with 14 patients with infected aortic bifurcation grafts has been reviewed. Factors which appeared to predispose to infection in 11 patients included \"re-do\" operations, concomitant cholecystectomy or gastrostomy, and ruptured abdominal aneurysm. A mixture of gastrointestinal organisms was responsible for the infections. The pathogenesis, presentation, and treatment varied according to whether the proximal or distal anastomosis was involved or not. Aortoduodenal communications were present in five patients; they presented with gastrointestinal bleeding or septicemia. One patient survived as a result of early, aggressive surgical therapy. Infection presented at the distal anastomosis in nine patients, either as groin abscess or false aneurysm. Conservative therapy failed in the majority of patients but apparently was successful in three of five patients in whom infection did not involve the intra-abdominal portion of the graft. When infection does involve the intra-abdominal portion of the graft, then the graft must be excised also. Revascularization often can be accomplished with extra-anatomic bypasses of prosthesis or autogenous material, depending on the characteristics of the individual patient. Regardless of the mode of presentation or the site of infection, the early institution of judicious surgical management offers the best chance of success in these patients, and temporization usually leads to failure.", "PMID": 790620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8797", "title": "The management of ocular herpesvirus infections.", "content": "The many treatment methods in current use for every known complaint only seem to aggravate the difficulty of treating ocular herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, which are generally self-limited in the immunocompetent host. The cornea is already a somewhat immune-deficient tissue since its lack of blood vessels separates it partially from the host, and treatment with glucocorticoids, which are immunosuppressive, increases the risk of damaging complications such as scarring, prolonged morbidity, bacterial or fungal superinfection, and the occasional corenal perforation. Accepted methods of treatment of specific lesions, are discussed, as are some methods that are not yet accepted, but which seem promising. Herpes zoster may result in scarring and significant loss of vision even without the use of glucocorticoids, the disease often manifesting itself in the already compromised host. The major complication is postherpetic neuralgia. None of the available treatment methods has been fully satisfactory, and every effort should be made to prevent eye lesions in patients with early infection of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. Stimulation of cellular immunity by various means appears to offer some new promise for control of the disease. Management of varicella, cytomegalovirus, and infectious mononucleosis are also discussed.", "contents": "The management of ocular herpesvirus infections. The many treatment methods in current use for every known complaint only seem to aggravate the difficulty of treating ocular herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, which are generally self-limited in the immunocompetent host. The cornea is already a somewhat immune-deficient tissue since its lack of blood vessels separates it partially from the host, and treatment with glucocorticoids, which are immunosuppressive, increases the risk of damaging complications such as scarring, prolonged morbidity, bacterial or fungal superinfection, and the occasional corenal perforation. Accepted methods of treatment of specific lesions, are discussed, as are some methods that are not yet accepted, but which seem promising. Herpes zoster may result in scarring and significant loss of vision even without the use of glucocorticoids, the disease often manifesting itself in the already compromised host. The major complication is postherpetic neuralgia. None of the available treatment methods has been fully satisfactory, and every effort should be made to prevent eye lesions in patients with early infection of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. Stimulation of cellular immunity by various means appears to offer some new promise for control of the disease. Management of varicella, cytomegalovirus, and infectious mononucleosis are also discussed.", "PMID": 790617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8798", "title": "131I-fibrinogen in the detection of pulmonary allograft rejection.", "content": "The uptake of 131I-fibrinogen in canine pulmonary allografts was compared to that in lung autografts or lungs with papain-induced unilateral hemorrhagic pneumonia. In addition to serial lung scans and the postmortem measurement of tissue radioactivity, all dogs had serial chest roentgenograms and histologic study of their lungs. All four animals in the allografted group had increased radioactive uptake on the side of the allograft lung at the same time as or slightly before radiographic abnormalities were evident. However, increases in lung radioactivity also occurred in animals with pneumonia or autografts at the time infiltrates were present. Thus the presence of increased lung scan activity, which occurs in rejecting lung allografts after the injection of 131I-fibrinogen, is not a specific index of pulmonary rejection.", "contents": "131I-fibrinogen in the detection of pulmonary allograft rejection. The uptake of 131I-fibrinogen in canine pulmonary allografts was compared to that in lung autografts or lungs with papain-induced unilateral hemorrhagic pneumonia. In addition to serial lung scans and the postmortem measurement of tissue radioactivity, all dogs had serial chest roentgenograms and histologic study of their lungs. All four animals in the allografted group had increased radioactive uptake on the side of the allograft lung at the same time as or slightly before radiographic abnormalities were evident. However, increases in lung radioactivity also occurred in animals with pneumonia or autografts at the time infiltrates were present. Thus the presence of increased lung scan activity, which occurs in rejecting lung allografts after the injection of 131I-fibrinogen, is not a specific index of pulmonary rejection.", "PMID": 790621} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8799", "title": "Historical observations on herpetic keratitis.", "content": "The history of herpetic keratitis is presented. The similarities and differences between dendritic keratitis and herpes labialis are enumerated, with the suggestion that the similarities (in onset, pathology, and clinical course) far outweigh the differences. The principal difference seems to be that the avascalarity of the cornea retards the immunologic responses. Important points in the history of herpetic keratitis include (1) the close association of herpetic disease with malaria around the turn of the century; (2) the relatively benign nature of the disease, in contrast to herpes zoster keratitis; (3) the unfavorable response of the disease to immunosuppressive measures and diseases; (4) the failure of chemotherapy to influence favorably the natural history of the disease; and (5) the increasing visual damage caused by the disease since 1952 when corticosteroids were introduced into ocular therapy. Mention is made of the increasing problem of venereal herpes, with resultant neonatal herpetic keratitis, retinitis, and encephalitis.", "contents": "Historical observations on herpetic keratitis. The history of herpetic keratitis is presented. The similarities and differences between dendritic keratitis and herpes labialis are enumerated, with the suggestion that the similarities (in onset, pathology, and clinical course) far outweigh the differences. The principal difference seems to be that the avascalarity of the cornea retards the immunologic responses. Important points in the history of herpetic keratitis include (1) the close association of herpetic disease with malaria around the turn of the century; (2) the relatively benign nature of the disease, in contrast to herpes zoster keratitis; (3) the unfavorable response of the disease to immunosuppressive measures and diseases; (4) the failure of chemotherapy to influence favorably the natural history of the disease; and (5) the increasing visual damage caused by the disease since 1952 when corticosteroids were introduced into ocular therapy. Mention is made of the increasing problem of venereal herpes, with resultant neonatal herpetic keratitis, retinitis, and encephalitis.", "PMID": 790618} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8800", "title": "Subclavian artery laceration due to migration of a Hagie pin.", "content": "Injuries to subclavian artery are infrequent and usually occur due to gunshot or stab wounds and occasionally by blunt trauma to the chest. An early diagnosis and control of hemorrhage is essential to prevent death which may occur due to exsanguinating hemorrhage. A case of injury to the subclavian artery due to migration of a Hagie pin, which was used to treat the acromioclavicular separation, is reported. The subclavian artery was ligated initially, which produced an ischemic and functionless upper extremity. Revascularization of the arm was successfully accomplished by an axilloaxillary bypass grafting procedure. This simple procedure is advocated in situations requiring ligation of the subclavian artery following trauma, when direct reconstruction is not feasible.", "contents": "Subclavian artery laceration due to migration of a Hagie pin. Injuries to subclavian artery are infrequent and usually occur due to gunshot or stab wounds and occasionally by blunt trauma to the chest. An early diagnosis and control of hemorrhage is essential to prevent death which may occur due to exsanguinating hemorrhage. A case of injury to the subclavian artery due to migration of a Hagie pin, which was used to treat the acromioclavicular separation, is reported. The subclavian artery was ligated initially, which produced an ischemic and functionless upper extremity. Revascularization of the arm was successfully accomplished by an axilloaxillary bypass grafting procedure. This simple procedure is advocated in situations requiring ligation of the subclavian artery following trauma, when direct reconstruction is not feasible.", "PMID": 790622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8801", "title": "Rejection of HLA identical related kidney transplants.", "content": "Three cases are described in each of which an HLA identical kidney transplant from a brother was rejected forcefully by the recipient and only one graft survived for more than a year. Rejection of this type is most unusual with well matched grafts and may have been triggered by a system of major antigens that are unassociated with those that are currently recognised.", "contents": "Rejection of HLA identical related kidney transplants. Three cases are described in each of which an HLA identical kidney transplant from a brother was rejected forcefully by the recipient and only one graft survived for more than a year. Rejection of this type is most unusual with well matched grafts and may have been triggered by a system of major antigens that are unassociated with those that are currently recognised.", "PMID": 790646} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8802", "title": "Morphometrical method to estimate the parameters of distribution functions assumed for spherical bodies from measurements on a random section.", "content": "The general equations to correlate the distribution of the radius r of spheres randomly dispersed in the three-dimensional space with measurements on a random test plane are (see article) and (see article) for the diameter delta of circular sections of spheres; and (see article) and (see article) for the length lambda of chords delivered by intersection of a random test line. In the above expressions Nvo, Nao and Nlambdao are the numbers of spheres in a unit volume, of circles on a unit surface area and of chords per unit length of a test line, respectively; n is O or a positive integer; r the arithmetical mean of r; (deltan) and (lambdan) the means of the n-th powers of delta and lambda, respectively; and Qn a quotient defined by Qn = (rn)/rn. The ratio of measured (delta2/delta2 or (lambda2/lambda2 is used for calculating one of the parameters of assumed theoretical distribution functions. A second parameter is then estimated from delta or lambda. The method was applied to the normal pancreatic islets, and the use of chord length lambda was preferred to that of diameter delta, because the error due to the failure in identifying very small islet sections was minimized in the former.", "contents": "Morphometrical method to estimate the parameters of distribution functions assumed for spherical bodies from measurements on a random section. The general equations to correlate the distribution of the radius r of spheres randomly dispersed in the three-dimensional space with measurements on a random test plane are (see article) and (see article) for the diameter delta of circular sections of spheres; and (see article) and (see article) for the length lambda of chords delivered by intersection of a random test line. In the above expressions Nvo, Nao and Nlambdao are the numbers of spheres in a unit volume, of circles on a unit surface area and of chords per unit length of a test line, respectively; n is O or a positive integer; r the arithmetical mean of r; (deltan) and (lambdan) the means of the n-th powers of delta and lambda, respectively; and Qn a quotient defined by Qn = (rn)/rn. The ratio of measured (delta2/delta2 or (lambda2/lambda2 is used for calculating one of the parameters of assumed theoretical distribution functions. A second parameter is then estimated from delta or lambda. The method was applied to the normal pancreatic islets, and the use of chord length lambda was preferred to that of diameter delta, because the error due to the failure in identifying very small islet sections was minimized in the former.", "PMID": 790647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8803", "title": "A simple hemostatic method in suprapubic prostatectomy: extracapsular pulling sutures.", "content": "To block the vessels of the prostate, extracapsular pulling sutures were placed from the 4 and 8 o'clock positions on the bladder neck to the perineum prior to enucleation in 25 cases of prostatectomy. The removable pulling sutures successfully reduced blood loss during and after prostatectomy. Besides, the average operating time was markedly shortened. Postoperative courses of the patients were uneventful on the whole and there was no remarkable complication.", "contents": "A simple hemostatic method in suprapubic prostatectomy: extracapsular pulling sutures. To block the vessels of the prostate, extracapsular pulling sutures were placed from the 4 and 8 o'clock positions on the bladder neck to the perineum prior to enucleation in 25 cases of prostatectomy. The removable pulling sutures successfully reduced blood loss during and after prostatectomy. Besides, the average operating time was markedly shortened. Postoperative courses of the patients were uneventful on the whole and there was no remarkable complication.", "PMID": 790648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8804", "title": "Dissociation of MIF activity and in vitro lymphocyte transformation in the development of experimental allergic thyroiditis in guinea pigs.", "content": "Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) activity and in vitro lymphocyte transformation to homologous thyroid antigen were compared in cultures of lymph node cells obtained from 123 guinea pigs at weekly intervals after a single injection of homologous thyroid extracts in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). MIF activity was not detectable at the early stage of immunization but became manifest 2 and 3 weeks after sensitization and a high level was maintained during 4-7 weeks. On the other hand, lymphocyte transformation preceded the appearance of MIF activity and attained its maximum 2 weeks after sensitization before the establishment of thyroiditis. It is indicated that MIF activity and lymphocyte transformation predominate separately in the course of immunization. There was a considerable correlation between intensity of MIF activity and severity of thyroiditis in individual animals during the advanced stage (4-6 weeks after sensitization) of the disease. Also, a lower but significant correlation was seen between lymphocyte transformation and severity of thyroiditis. However, about half of animals in the advanced stage of thyroiditis failed to exhibit antigen-stimulated lymphocyte transformation, despite a positive MIF activity.", "contents": "Dissociation of MIF activity and in vitro lymphocyte transformation in the development of experimental allergic thyroiditis in guinea pigs. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) activity and in vitro lymphocyte transformation to homologous thyroid antigen were compared in cultures of lymph node cells obtained from 123 guinea pigs at weekly intervals after a single injection of homologous thyroid extracts in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). MIF activity was not detectable at the early stage of immunization but became manifest 2 and 3 weeks after sensitization and a high level was maintained during 4-7 weeks. On the other hand, lymphocyte transformation preceded the appearance of MIF activity and attained its maximum 2 weeks after sensitization before the establishment of thyroiditis. It is indicated that MIF activity and lymphocyte transformation predominate separately in the course of immunization. There was a considerable correlation between intensity of MIF activity and severity of thyroiditis in individual animals during the advanced stage (4-6 weeks after sensitization) of the disease. Also, a lower but significant correlation was seen between lymphocyte transformation and severity of thyroiditis. However, about half of animals in the advanced stage of thyroiditis failed to exhibit antigen-stimulated lymphocyte transformation, despite a positive MIF activity.", "PMID": 790649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8805", "title": "[Comparative clinical and experimental studies of various denture cleansers. 2. Testing of antimicrobial efficiency].", "content": "Agar diffusion plate tests were performed on five strains of micro-organisms to characterize the disinfecting properties of nine denture cleaners. Furthermore, the liberation of oxygen was determined as a function of time, and the course of pH variation of the various cleaning solutions was studied. The highest oxygen concentrations and the best antimicrobic activities were achieved by the preparations Eladent G and T.", "contents": "[Comparative clinical and experimental studies of various denture cleansers. 2. Testing of antimicrobial efficiency]. Agar diffusion plate tests were performed on five strains of micro-organisms to characterize the disinfecting properties of nine denture cleaners. Furthermore, the liberation of oxygen was determined as a function of time, and the course of pH variation of the various cleaning solutions was studied. The highest oxygen concentrations and the best antimicrobic activities were achieved by the preparations Eladent G and T.", "PMID": 790657} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8806", "title": "[Tasks and problems of geriatric dentistry].", "content": "The health and social policy of the German Democratic Republic as well as the programs of numerous medical specialties pay special attention to the problems of citizens advanced in years. But stomatology too must contribute to preserve or restore the well-being of citizens advanced in years. For this reason, a purpose-oriented research must realize the scientific advance which is necessary to preserve the functional performance of the masticatory organ till old age in spite of the incomplete dentitions which prevail at present. In the next few years, research should be focused on the prevention and control of diseases of the mucosa of the denture foundation and on the correction elimination of somatopsychic factors which are detrimental to the functional performance of dentures.", "contents": "[Tasks and problems of geriatric dentistry]. The health and social policy of the German Democratic Republic as well as the programs of numerous medical specialties pay special attention to the problems of citizens advanced in years. But stomatology too must contribute to preserve or restore the well-being of citizens advanced in years. For this reason, a purpose-oriented research must realize the scientific advance which is necessary to preserve the functional performance of the masticatory organ till old age in spite of the incomplete dentitions which prevail at present. In the next few years, research should be focused on the prevention and control of diseases of the mucosa of the denture foundation and on the correction elimination of somatopsychic factors which are detrimental to the functional performance of dentures.", "PMID": 790658} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8807", "title": "[Experiences with the use of the double crown system. 1. Telescoping partial denture].", "content": "Follow-up examinations revealed in general positive results with telescoping partial dentures. Corresponding to their indications, subtotal constructions are very suited as a transitional solution for the period prior to changing over to full dentures.", "contents": "[Experiences with the use of the double crown system. 1. Telescoping partial denture]. Follow-up examinations revealed in general positive results with telescoping partial dentures. Corresponding to their indications, subtotal constructions are very suited as a transitional solution for the period prior to changing over to full dentures.", "PMID": 790659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8808", "title": "[Evaluation of restorative alveoloplasty].", "content": "The method of restorative alveoloplasty is often marred by complications which may cause the failure of this laborious intervention. For this reason, this procedure should remain confined to single cases. It is imperative to search for new ways to reconstruct the bony denture support.", "contents": "[Evaluation of restorative alveoloplasty]. The method of restorative alveoloplasty is often marred by complications which may cause the failure of this laborious intervention. For this reason, this procedure should remain confined to single cases. It is imperative to search for new ways to reconstruct the bony denture support.", "PMID": 790660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8809", "title": "[Certain practically important questions on the intra-osseous hemangioma of the jaw].", "content": "With special regard to the viewpoint of the general stomatologist, the authors deal with the problems related to the intraosseous haemangioma of the jaw and try to give a clearly arranged survey of the criteria of this extensive complex of questions, using schematic tables. They point above all to the risks of inconsiderate management and indicate the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities which are available only in a special clinic. Finally, the authors present two personal cases, describing in detail (with reference to the preceding representations) the course of the disease in a 17-year-old female patient.", "contents": "[Certain practically important questions on the intra-osseous hemangioma of the jaw]. With special regard to the viewpoint of the general stomatologist, the authors deal with the problems related to the intraosseous haemangioma of the jaw and try to give a clearly arranged survey of the criteria of this extensive complex of questions, using schematic tables. They point above all to the risks of inconsiderate management and indicate the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities which are available only in a special clinic. Finally, the authors present two personal cases, describing in detail (with reference to the preceding representations) the course of the disease in a 17-year-old female patient.", "PMID": 790661} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8810", "title": "A review of the world epidemiology of rabies.", "content": "A number of countries throughout the world have been free from rabies for many years; some are reported to have eliminated the disease and in others it has reappeared after variable periods of time. Apart from these minor variations, however, the global distribution of rabies over the last five to ten years appears unchanged and the disease continues to pose both public health and economic problems of varying severity in all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Most of the data presented here are abstracted from the most recent surveys of the World Health Organization, the Annual Rabies Summary for the United States and the Pan American Zoonoses Centre's \"Rabies Surveillance for the Americas\". The vagaries of international reporting, accurate in some cases and undoubtedly imprecise in others, demand a cautious interpretation of the available data and suggest that the world picture be viewed as an impression rather than as a precise record.", "contents": "A review of the world epidemiology of rabies. A number of countries throughout the world have been free from rabies for many years; some are reported to have eliminated the disease and in others it has reappeared after variable periods of time. Apart from these minor variations, however, the global distribution of rabies over the last five to ten years appears unchanged and the disease continues to pose both public health and economic problems of varying severity in all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Most of the data presented here are abstracted from the most recent surveys of the World Health Organization, the Annual Rabies Summary for the United States and the Pan American Zoonoses Centre's \"Rabies Surveillance for the Americas\". The vagaries of international reporting, accurate in some cases and undoubtedly imprecise in others, demand a cautious interpretation of the available data and suggest that the world picture be viewed as an impression rather than as a precise record.", "PMID": 790669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8811", "title": "Wildlife rabies in Europe and the British situation.", "content": "The red fox is considered to be the main reservoir of the present European rabies epizootic which began in Poland in 1939-40. Its usual rate of spread is 20 to 60 km a year. Mortality among rabies-infected fox populations is estimated variously to be 20 to 60%. The infection spreads more rapidly among foxes in the autumn and winter and its occurrence is dependent on fox populations is estimated variously to be 20 to 60%. The infection spreads more rapidly among foxes in the autumn and winter and its occurrence is dependent on fox population densities, it being readily transmitted in populations numbering over one fox to a square kilometre. Subsequently it recurs with a periodicity of three to five years. Though it was described in continental Europe in historic times there is no evidence of dramatic outbreaks among wild carnivores in Britain at any time. Aspects of the behaviour and life history of the fox, pertinent to rabies control are described. Potentially, oral antirabies vaccination of foxes in the wild may be a useful control technique, but there are problems in achieving this. In Britain, quarantine evasion with domestic animals is a significant rabies hazard, which could worsen as the five-sixth area of France still free from rabies becomes infected.", "contents": "Wildlife rabies in Europe and the British situation. The red fox is considered to be the main reservoir of the present European rabies epizootic which began in Poland in 1939-40. Its usual rate of spread is 20 to 60 km a year. Mortality among rabies-infected fox populations is estimated variously to be 20 to 60%. The infection spreads more rapidly among foxes in the autumn and winter and its occurrence is dependent on fox populations is estimated variously to be 20 to 60%. The infection spreads more rapidly among foxes in the autumn and winter and its occurrence is dependent on fox population densities, it being readily transmitted in populations numbering over one fox to a square kilometre. Subsequently it recurs with a periodicity of three to five years. Though it was described in continental Europe in historic times there is no evidence of dramatic outbreaks among wild carnivores in Britain at any time. Aspects of the behaviour and life history of the fox, pertinent to rabies control are described. Potentially, oral antirabies vaccination of foxes in the wild may be a useful control technique, but there are problems in achieving this. In Britain, quarantine evasion with domestic animals is a significant rabies hazard, which could worsen as the five-sixth area of France still free from rabies becomes infected.", "PMID": 790670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8812", "title": "Rabies virus and the problems of rabies vaccination in man.", "content": "The structure of rabies virus and the importance of its glycoprotein in immunization are discussed. The improvement in vaccines for use in man, culminating in the production of the human diploid vaccine is described. Nevertheless problems remain, particularly with regard to post-exposure therapy. Possible disadvantages in the use of subunit vaccines are mentioned and attention is drawn to the discovery of the rabies-related viruses.", "contents": "Rabies virus and the problems of rabies vaccination in man. The structure of rabies virus and the importance of its glycoprotein in immunization are discussed. The improvement in vaccines for use in man, culminating in the production of the human diploid vaccine is described. Nevertheless problems remain, particularly with regard to post-exposure therapy. Possible disadvantages in the use of subunit vaccines are mentioned and attention is drawn to the discovery of the rabies-related viruses.", "PMID": 790671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8813", "title": "Physiological and morphological characters in two pyrimethamine-resistant lines of Plasmodium berghei SP11 after cryopreservation.", "content": "The authors describe the characters in two pyrimethamine-resistant lines of Plasmodium berghei berghei SP 11-RR after long storage at very low temperatures. In one case the line had maintained its original virulence but lost its resistance to pyrimethamine. Gametocytogenesis increased and cyclical transmission was successful. Furthermore, parasites crossed the blood-brain barrier and provoked cerebral malaria. In the other case no physiological changes could be detected. The authors conclude that, after cryopreservation, biological behaviour should always be carefully observed.", "contents": "Physiological and morphological characters in two pyrimethamine-resistant lines of Plasmodium berghei SP11 after cryopreservation. The authors describe the characters in two pyrimethamine-resistant lines of Plasmodium berghei berghei SP 11-RR after long storage at very low temperatures. In one case the line had maintained its original virulence but lost its resistance to pyrimethamine. Gametocytogenesis increased and cyclical transmission was successful. Furthermore, parasites crossed the blood-brain barrier and provoked cerebral malaria. In the other case no physiological changes could be detected. The authors conclude that, after cryopreservation, biological behaviour should always be carefully observed.", "PMID": 790672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8814", "title": "Histopathology of rejection in DLA-identical canine orthotopic cardiac allografts.", "content": "The process of chronic rejection is the limiting factor in long term survival after cardiac transplantation. As part of a study of this process in experimental orthotopic heart transplantation, morphological changes during the course of rejection are described in DLA-identical beagle littermates, obtained by serial percutaneous cardiac biopsy. A total of 153 biopsies were performed on 19 dogs. Mean survival time was 88.11 days (14--494 days) without the use of immunosuppressive therapy. Eight dogs, surviving only 4 weeks, showed a histological pattern that resembled delayed acute rejection, with extensive lymphocellular infiltrate, vascular damage, and myocytolysis. In the 11 dogs which survived more than 4 weeks there was a slight and sometimes transient lymphocellular infiltrate. But progressive vascular lesions could be seen from the 2nd week consisting mainly of medical proliferation involving intramural vessels as well as epicardial vessels. Capillary changes were prominant and the rate of capillary damage seems to be an indication of graft survival prognosis.", "contents": "Histopathology of rejection in DLA-identical canine orthotopic cardiac allografts. The process of chronic rejection is the limiting factor in long term survival after cardiac transplantation. As part of a study of this process in experimental orthotopic heart transplantation, morphological changes during the course of rejection are described in DLA-identical beagle littermates, obtained by serial percutaneous cardiac biopsy. A total of 153 biopsies were performed on 19 dogs. Mean survival time was 88.11 days (14--494 days) without the use of immunosuppressive therapy. Eight dogs, surviving only 4 weeks, showed a histological pattern that resembled delayed acute rejection, with extensive lymphocellular infiltrate, vascular damage, and myocytolysis. In the 11 dogs which survived more than 4 weeks there was a slight and sometimes transient lymphocellular infiltrate. But progressive vascular lesions could be seen from the 2nd week consisting mainly of medical proliferation involving intramural vessels as well as epicardial vessels. Capillary changes were prominant and the rate of capillary damage seems to be an indication of graft survival prognosis.", "PMID": 790691} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8815", "title": "Transfusion-induced malaria from an asymptomatic carrier.", "content": "An asymptomatic malaria carrier who satisfied the currently recommended standards and criteria of the American Association of Blood Banks for blood donation was the source of the transfusion-induced malaria in this study. The risk of transfusion-induced malaria remains a very real threat in the United States. Any case of unexplained fever following transfusion should be considered as possibly caused by malaria. Delay of the proper diagnosis may be due to unfamiliarity of medical personnel with diagnostic criteria for malaria. Persons who give a history of having resided for long periods in malarious regions, even though they have remained asymptomatic for many years while residing in a malaria free area may still carry the more persistent malarial species and, therefore, should be rejected as donors of whole blood.", "contents": "Transfusion-induced malaria from an asymptomatic carrier. An asymptomatic malaria carrier who satisfied the currently recommended standards and criteria of the American Association of Blood Banks for blood donation was the source of the transfusion-induced malaria in this study. The risk of transfusion-induced malaria remains a very real threat in the United States. Any case of unexplained fever following transfusion should be considered as possibly caused by malaria. Delay of the proper diagnosis may be due to unfamiliarity of medical personnel with diagnostic criteria for malaria. Persons who give a history of having resided for long periods in malarious regions, even though they have remained asymptomatic for many years while residing in a malaria free area may still carry the more persistent malarial species and, therefore, should be rejected as donors of whole blood.", "PMID": 790686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8816", "title": "En bloc transplantation of liver, pancreas, duodenum, and spleen in the rat. Description of technique and histological findings.", "content": "En bloc transplantation involving liver, spleen, pancreas, and duodenum was successfully carried out in the rat. While operative mortality due to technical failure was 31%, of those that survived over 95% of the isografts had normal histology up to 4.5 months. Rejection reaction in the allografts first appeared in the liver and the spleen, followed by the pancreas and the duodenum, and was complete by day 14. No gross evidence of graft-versus-host reaction was observed.", "contents": "En bloc transplantation of liver, pancreas, duodenum, and spleen in the rat. Description of technique and histological findings. En bloc transplantation involving liver, spleen, pancreas, and duodenum was successfully carried out in the rat. While operative mortality due to technical failure was 31%, of those that survived over 95% of the isografts had normal histology up to 4.5 months. Rejection reaction in the allografts first appeared in the liver and the spleen, followed by the pancreas and the duodenum, and was complete by day 14. No gross evidence of graft-versus-host reaction was observed.", "PMID": 790692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8817", "title": "Prolongation effect of blood transfusions on kidney graft survival.", "content": "Transfusion data were collected during a 3-year period on 382 hemodialysis patients with the aid of a computerized followup system. Thirty-seven per cent of the patients did not receive any blood transfusions prior to transplantation. The graft survival in nontransfused patients was statistically significantly lower than that in transfused patients. These results confirm our previous findings in an independent series of patients.", "contents": "Prolongation effect of blood transfusions on kidney graft survival. Transfusion data were collected during a 3-year period on 382 hemodialysis patients with the aid of a computerized followup system. Thirty-seven per cent of the patients did not receive any blood transfusions prior to transplantation. The graft survival in nontransfused patients was statistically significantly lower than that in transfused patients. These results confirm our previous findings in an independent series of patients.", "PMID": 790693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8818", "title": "Serum-blocking factors versus specific cellular tolerance in long-term survival of rat heart allografts.", "content": "Long-term survival of Ag-B compatible rat heart allografts was obtained by short-term treatment of the recipients with antilymphocytic serum (ALS). Graft survival apparently was based on a specific change in the hosts rather than on persistent nonspecific effects of ALS. The hosts were not fully tolerant in that they were able to reject secondary skin allografts from the heart donor strain, although in a delayed fashion. The long-surviving heart allografts retained their immunogenicity as they were rejected when retransplanted to new hosts. The passive transfer of serum from long-term heart graft acceptors to new hosts receiving fresh allografts delayed rejection by several days. This effect was seen only with the serum from long-term acceptors suggesting that serum-blocking factors were involved in long-term survival of the heart allografts. However, the ability of adoptively transferred lymphoid cells to break tolerance to a heart allograft residing in a classically tolerant host was tested. In contrast to normal lymphoid cells, cells from the long-term acceptors were unable to break tolerance, suggesting that a specific cellular tolerance had been induced in this cell population. Moreover, a serum from the long-term acceptors failed to block the breakage of tolerance by normal lymphoid cells.", "contents": "Serum-blocking factors versus specific cellular tolerance in long-term survival of rat heart allografts. Long-term survival of Ag-B compatible rat heart allografts was obtained by short-term treatment of the recipients with antilymphocytic serum (ALS). Graft survival apparently was based on a specific change in the hosts rather than on persistent nonspecific effects of ALS. The hosts were not fully tolerant in that they were able to reject secondary skin allografts from the heart donor strain, although in a delayed fashion. The long-surviving heart allografts retained their immunogenicity as they were rejected when retransplanted to new hosts. The passive transfer of serum from long-term heart graft acceptors to new hosts receiving fresh allografts delayed rejection by several days. This effect was seen only with the serum from long-term acceptors suggesting that serum-blocking factors were involved in long-term survival of the heart allografts. However, the ability of adoptively transferred lymphoid cells to break tolerance to a heart allograft residing in a classically tolerant host was tested. In contrast to normal lymphoid cells, cells from the long-term acceptors were unable to break tolerance, suggesting that a specific cellular tolerance had been induced in this cell population. Moreover, a serum from the long-term acceptors failed to block the breakage of tolerance by normal lymphoid cells.", "PMID": 790694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8819", "title": "Treatment of posttransplant lymphoceles: internal versus external drainage.", "content": "Six lymphoceles developed in 93 renal transplant recipients. Four were drained externally and two were drained internally. All patients with external drainage of lymphoceles experienced prolonged wound drainage with eventual contamination of the wound with pathogenic organisms. A technique of internal lymphocele drainage and its advantages was discussed.", "contents": "Treatment of posttransplant lymphoceles: internal versus external drainage. Six lymphoceles developed in 93 renal transplant recipients. Four were drained externally and two were drained internally. All patients with external drainage of lymphoceles experienced prolonged wound drainage with eventual contamination of the wound with pathogenic organisms. A technique of internal lymphocele drainage and its advantages was discussed.", "PMID": 790705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8820", "title": "Interaction between protective antibodies and malaria parasites (Plasmodium berghei): involvement of low avidity antibodies.", "content": "Free Plasmodium parasites were incubated with a standardized amount of immune serum in a small volume of fluid or a larger one. When these parasites were tested for infectivity in and in vivo test system the parasites incubated in the larger volume of fluid were more infective. Other aliquots of free P. berghei parasites were incubated with a standaridzed amount of immune serum and then reincubated with or without dilution of the suspending fluid. Those parasites reincubated after dilution were more infective than reincubated without dilution. These results were interpreted as indicating that the malaria parasite-protective antibody interaction is readily reversible probably due to the low avidity of the protective antibodies.", "contents": "Interaction between protective antibodies and malaria parasites (Plasmodium berghei): involvement of low avidity antibodies. Free Plasmodium parasites were incubated with a standardized amount of immune serum in a small volume of fluid or a larger one. When these parasites were tested for infectivity in and in vivo test system the parasites incubated in the larger volume of fluid were more infective. Other aliquots of free P. berghei parasites were incubated with a standaridzed amount of immune serum and then reincubated with or without dilution of the suspending fluid. Those parasites reincubated after dilution were more infective than reincubated without dilution. These results were interpreted as indicating that the malaria parasite-protective antibody interaction is readily reversible probably due to the low avidity of the protective antibodies.", "PMID": 790706} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8821", "title": "[Phagocytosis during mitotic and endomitotic chromosome replication in the trophoblast of the grey vole].", "content": "Phagocytosis was studied in three populations of trophoblast cells of the grey vole: primary and secondary giant cells, and spongiotrophoblast. In the two former, the cell growth is accomplished by endomitotic polyploidization only, whereas the spongiotrophoblast cells divide mitotically for a long time. The phagocytosis of these differs from that in giant cells. No more than 1--2 erythrocytes were phagocyted by the spongioblast diploid cells, while giant cells were able to phagocyte over several dozens of erythrocytes. The spongioblast cells are haemophagous and phagocyte only anucleate blood cells -- erythrocytes; unlike, giant cells, when ingrowing within the uterus mucose, are capable of taking up and digesting, in addition to erythrocytes, leukocytes, decidual and endothelial cells.", "contents": "[Phagocytosis during mitotic and endomitotic chromosome replication in the trophoblast of the grey vole]. Phagocytosis was studied in three populations of trophoblast cells of the grey vole: primary and secondary giant cells, and spongiotrophoblast. In the two former, the cell growth is accomplished by endomitotic polyploidization only, whereas the spongiotrophoblast cells divide mitotically for a long time. The phagocytosis of these differs from that in giant cells. No more than 1--2 erythrocytes were phagocyted by the spongioblast diploid cells, while giant cells were able to phagocyte over several dozens of erythrocytes. The spongioblast cells are haemophagous and phagocyte only anucleate blood cells -- erythrocytes; unlike, giant cells, when ingrowing within the uterus mucose, are capable of taking up and digesting, in addition to erythrocytes, leukocytes, decidual and endothelial cells.", "PMID": 790709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8822", "title": "Tuberculosis in Scotland: a national sample survey (1968-70). 2. A two-year follow-up of newly-diagnosed respiratory tuberculosis notified in 1968.", "content": "The methods and results of therapy during a two-year period of follow-up have been studied in a 50% random sample of the newly notified cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in Scotland for the year 1968. Of the 770 patients, 1.9% died of active tuberculosis, 2.6% were bacteriological failures, the regimen was changed for initial drug resistance in 0.9% and for drug toxicity in 2.6%. Default from chemotherapy in the first year occurred in 8.1% of patients, 4.7% absconding permanently. The bacteriological failure rate in the 372 positive cases was 7.3%. A further 20 patients were diagnosed at necropsy, 16 having died of the disease. Eighty-seven per cent of 372 initially positive patients were in hospital for an average of 18.0 weeks and 65% of 309 initially negative patients for an average of 11.0 weeks. Eighty per cent of the positive patients received streptomycin plus PAS plus isoniazid and a further 10% PAS plus isoniazid, the porportions for the negative patients being 57% and 35%. Side effects occurred in 53% of the patients on the triple regimen and 43% of those on PAS plus isoniazid. The mean duration of chemotherapy for the bacteriologically positive patients was 22.2 months and for those negative 19.1 months, the duration of the initial streptomycin supplement being 4.4 months and 3.4 months, respectively. Corticosteroids were given to 58 (8%) of the 770 patients. Only 6 (0.8%) had surgery for their tuberculosis. Forty-one per cent of the positive patients were off work for more than 6 months and 19% of the negative patients, and 18% and 8% never returned to work. In the two-year period an average of 12.5 radiographs were taken per patient and 10.8 bacteriological specimens were examined for tubercle bacilli. The number of clinic attendances in a full out-patient year averaged 4.2. Urine tests for antituberculosis drugs (invariably PAS) were performed in only 6 of 25 Burghs and 5 of 14 Counties, and were done infrequently in them. A continuous evaluation procedure for tuberculosis therapy programmes is recommended.", "contents": "Tuberculosis in Scotland: a national sample survey (1968-70). 2. A two-year follow-up of newly-diagnosed respiratory tuberculosis notified in 1968. The methods and results of therapy during a two-year period of follow-up have been studied in a 50% random sample of the newly notified cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in Scotland for the year 1968. Of the 770 patients, 1.9% died of active tuberculosis, 2.6% were bacteriological failures, the regimen was changed for initial drug resistance in 0.9% and for drug toxicity in 2.6%. Default from chemotherapy in the first year occurred in 8.1% of patients, 4.7% absconding permanently. The bacteriological failure rate in the 372 positive cases was 7.3%. A further 20 patients were diagnosed at necropsy, 16 having died of the disease. Eighty-seven per cent of 372 initially positive patients were in hospital for an average of 18.0 weeks and 65% of 309 initially negative patients for an average of 11.0 weeks. Eighty per cent of the positive patients received streptomycin plus PAS plus isoniazid and a further 10% PAS plus isoniazid, the porportions for the negative patients being 57% and 35%. Side effects occurred in 53% of the patients on the triple regimen and 43% of those on PAS plus isoniazid. The mean duration of chemotherapy for the bacteriologically positive patients was 22.2 months and for those negative 19.1 months, the duration of the initial streptomycin supplement being 4.4 months and 3.4 months, respectively. Corticosteroids were given to 58 (8%) of the 770 patients. Only 6 (0.8%) had surgery for their tuberculosis. Forty-one per cent of the positive patients were off work for more than 6 months and 19% of the negative patients, and 18% and 8% never returned to work. In the two-year period an average of 12.5 radiographs were taken per patient and 10.8 bacteriological specimens were examined for tubercle bacilli. The number of clinic attendances in a full out-patient year averaged 4.2. Urine tests for antituberculosis drugs (invariably PAS) were performed in only 6 of 25 Burghs and 5 of 14 Counties, and were done infrequently in them. A continuous evaluation procedure for tuberculosis therapy programmes is recommended.", "PMID": 790710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8823", "title": "A study of some effects of subculture on two BCG strains.", "content": "A marked improvement in the ability to consistently distinguish between colonies cultured from BCG strain 1331 (Copenhagen), employed for the routine production of Danish freeze-dried BCG vaccine, and those cultured from BCG strain 1077 (Glaxo), employed for the routine production of British freeze-dried BCG vaccine, was obtained in our laboratory by modifying the constituents of a Dubos-type solid-medium. Several batches of British BCG vaccine had been specially prepared by the manufacturer, using strain 1331 as seed culture, and samples from these batches were cultured on this medium in our laboratory. Two of the batches produced, in place of the spreading colonies normally cultured from strain 1331, a large majority of nonspreading colonies, normally characteristic of strain 1077. To study this very rapid change, modifications of the system of serial transfers employed routinely by the manufacturer were set up in our laboratory, and the relative proportions of the two colony forms cultivated at each stage of transfer were noted. The rapid changes that had occurred during manufacture were reproduced under our experimental conditions, and it was observed that transfer through deep culture in liquid Dubos medium tended to shift the balance between the numbers of spreading and non-spreading colonies in favour of the latter, whilst the reverse was true of the transfers through deep culture in production medium. The ability to monitor changes occurring in BCG strains during serial transfer should facilitate the provision of measures to prevent such changes taking place.", "contents": "A study of some effects of subculture on two BCG strains. A marked improvement in the ability to consistently distinguish between colonies cultured from BCG strain 1331 (Copenhagen), employed for the routine production of Danish freeze-dried BCG vaccine, and those cultured from BCG strain 1077 (Glaxo), employed for the routine production of British freeze-dried BCG vaccine, was obtained in our laboratory by modifying the constituents of a Dubos-type solid-medium. Several batches of British BCG vaccine had been specially prepared by the manufacturer, using strain 1331 as seed culture, and samples from these batches were cultured on this medium in our laboratory. Two of the batches produced, in place of the spreading colonies normally cultured from strain 1331, a large majority of nonspreading colonies, normally characteristic of strain 1077. To study this very rapid change, modifications of the system of serial transfers employed routinely by the manufacturer were set up in our laboratory, and the relative proportions of the two colony forms cultivated at each stage of transfer were noted. The rapid changes that had occurred during manufacture were reproduced under our experimental conditions, and it was observed that transfer through deep culture in liquid Dubos medium tended to shift the balance between the numbers of spreading and non-spreading colonies in favour of the latter, whilst the reverse was true of the transfers through deep culture in production medium. The ability to monitor changes occurring in BCG strains during serial transfer should facilitate the provision of measures to prevent such changes taking place.", "PMID": 790711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8824", "title": "Manipulation of allograft immunogenicity by pretreatment of cadaver donors.", "content": "The experimental basis forming the rationale for the reduction of allograft immunogenicity prior to transplantation is described. This is based on the hypothesis that \"\"passenger leucocytes'' are a major immunogenic stimulus in rejection. Donor pretreatment with high doses of methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide can be used clinically for cadaver donor pretreatment and when combined with an adequate post-transplant chemical immunosuppressive regimen results in an important in improvement in overall results as seen in a series followed for 5 1/2 years.", "contents": "Manipulation of allograft immunogenicity by pretreatment of cadaver donors. The experimental basis forming the rationale for the reduction of allograft immunogenicity prior to transplantation is described. This is based on the hypothesis that \"\"passenger leucocytes'' are a major immunogenic stimulus in rejection. Donor pretreatment with high doses of methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide can be used clinically for cadaver donor pretreatment and when combined with an adequate post-transplant chemical immunosuppressive regimen results in an important in improvement in overall results as seen in a series followed for 5 1/2 years.", "PMID": 790729} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8825", "title": "Controversy in organ preservation.", "content": "Renal preservation has contributed to improvements in human cadaver kidney transplantation in terms of viability testing and logistics. Unfortunately, the antigenicity of a kidney has not been reduced by our present preservation methods; consequently, immunologic problems in cadaver kidney transplantation still remain. Simple cold storage is an acceptable method for kidneys subjected to minimal warm ischemia. It can be used where anticipated storage time will not exceed 10 to 15 hours. Pulsatile or nonpulsatile machine perfusion will give better results especially when kidneys have sustained up to 60 minutes warm ischemia. Where there is also a need for storage time longer than 15 hours, perfusion should be used. Cryoprecipitated millipore-filtered plasma remains the most commonly used perfusate. Preservation really begins before the harvesting. Present preservation techniques cannot revive a dying kidney. No single test will determine the degree of viability of a kidney. A systematic multidisciplinary effort is needed to augment our understanding and knowlege about the effect of hypothermia on organs. Hopefully these efforts will result in the development of an organ bank whereby many more kidneys will be available for transplantation.", "contents": "Controversy in organ preservation. Renal preservation has contributed to improvements in human cadaver kidney transplantation in terms of viability testing and logistics. Unfortunately, the antigenicity of a kidney has not been reduced by our present preservation methods; consequently, immunologic problems in cadaver kidney transplantation still remain. Simple cold storage is an acceptable method for kidneys subjected to minimal warm ischemia. It can be used where anticipated storage time will not exceed 10 to 15 hours. Pulsatile or nonpulsatile machine perfusion will give better results especially when kidneys have sustained up to 60 minutes warm ischemia. Where there is also a need for storage time longer than 15 hours, perfusion should be used. Cryoprecipitated millipore-filtered plasma remains the most commonly used perfusate. Preservation really begins before the harvesting. Present preservation techniques cannot revive a dying kidney. No single test will determine the degree of viability of a kidney. A systematic multidisciplinary effort is needed to augment our understanding and knowlege about the effect of hypothermia on organs. Hopefully these efforts will result in the development of an organ bank whereby many more kidneys will be available for transplantation.", "PMID": 790730} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8826", "title": "New approaches to immunosuppression in renal transplantation.", "content": "Although the incidence of 1 year kidney graft survival has been on a plateau for the past 7 or 8 years, the likelihood of recipient survival has increased. These observations reflect the limits of our current nonspecific immunosuppressive techniques and the acquisition of knowledge about when to discontinue their use and allow rejection of the kidney rather than death from sepsis. Yet, there are many leads from the laboratory which, when applied clinically in the next few years, should allow safe kidney transplantation to become a routine clinical event. Among these are safer, more effective antilymphocyte preparations; precise indications for splenectomy; accurate identification of presensitized states in potential recipients; methods of reducing the immunogenicity of grafts by removing donor passenger leukocytes or flushing the kidney with substances that alter surface antigens; and possibly new classes of chemical immunosuppressive drugs. In addition, it is likely that techniques will evolve for selective suppression of the immune response to donor antigens. This will be achieved by using cytotoxic agents coupled to donor antigen to destroy specific antigen recognition lymphocytes. Other forms of noncytotoxic donor antigen and antibody with or without ALS will be used to manipulate the recipient's immune response prior to and after transplantation. These manipulations will leave intact most of the potential for immune response to antigens other than those introduced with the graft. Together, these manipulations and their effect in experimental animals have been called immunologic enhancement. Intentional enhancement in man by means of antigen treatment or passive immunization has just barely begun. Clinical trials will be difficult and, initially at least, they will be confined to only a few transplantation centers. Yet, the \"antigen pretreatment\" of natural pregnancy, blood transfusion, prior unsuccessful organ transplantation, and bacterial infection have at times inadvertently conditioned a potential host so as to allow enhancement of a subsequent graft. It is likely that much can be done with current clinical assays of cellular and humoral immunity to detect those patients who are already conditioned to enhance a subsequent graft.", "contents": "New approaches to immunosuppression in renal transplantation. Although the incidence of 1 year kidney graft survival has been on a plateau for the past 7 or 8 years, the likelihood of recipient survival has increased. These observations reflect the limits of our current nonspecific immunosuppressive techniques and the acquisition of knowledge about when to discontinue their use and allow rejection of the kidney rather than death from sepsis. Yet, there are many leads from the laboratory which, when applied clinically in the next few years, should allow safe kidney transplantation to become a routine clinical event. Among these are safer, more effective antilymphocyte preparations; precise indications for splenectomy; accurate identification of presensitized states in potential recipients; methods of reducing the immunogenicity of grafts by removing donor passenger leukocytes or flushing the kidney with substances that alter surface antigens; and possibly new classes of chemical immunosuppressive drugs. In addition, it is likely that techniques will evolve for selective suppression of the immune response to donor antigens. This will be achieved by using cytotoxic agents coupled to donor antigen to destroy specific antigen recognition lymphocytes. Other forms of noncytotoxic donor antigen and antibody with or without ALS will be used to manipulate the recipient's immune response prior to and after transplantation. These manipulations will leave intact most of the potential for immune response to antigens other than those introduced with the graft. Together, these manipulations and their effect in experimental animals have been called immunologic enhancement. Intentional enhancement in man by means of antigen treatment or passive immunization has just barely begun. Clinical trials will be difficult and, initially at least, they will be confined to only a few transplantation centers. Yet, the \"antigen pretreatment\" of natural pregnancy, blood transfusion, prior unsuccessful organ transplantation, and bacterial infection have at times inadvertently conditioned a potential host so as to allow enhancement of a subsequent graft. It is likely that much can be done with current clinical assays of cellular and humoral immunity to detect those patients who are already conditioned to enhance a subsequent graft.", "PMID": 790732} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8827", "title": "Selective renal angiography: its value in renal transplantation.", "content": "To date angiography has been the most precise diagnostic modality for the evaluation of a transplanted kidney. In the immediate postoperative period angiography can clearly demonstrate the integrity of the vascular anastomoses, and in most cases helps to differentiate between acute tubular necrosis and acute rejection. It is also helpful in the evaluation of the transplant kidney later in the postoperative period, since it can provide some estimate of the vascular effects of chronic rejection and distinguish between hypertension secondary to chronic rejection or renal artery stenosis. Serial isotope techniques may play a more important role in the evaluation of the transplanted kidney in the future, but at present angiography is the diagnostic modality of choice at the Cleveland Clinic.", "contents": "Selective renal angiography: its value in renal transplantation. To date angiography has been the most precise diagnostic modality for the evaluation of a transplanted kidney. In the immediate postoperative period angiography can clearly demonstrate the integrity of the vascular anastomoses, and in most cases helps to differentiate between acute tubular necrosis and acute rejection. It is also helpful in the evaluation of the transplant kidney later in the postoperative period, since it can provide some estimate of the vascular effects of chronic rejection and distinguish between hypertension secondary to chronic rejection or renal artery stenosis. Serial isotope techniques may play a more important role in the evaluation of the transplanted kidney in the future, but at present angiography is the diagnostic modality of choice at the Cleveland Clinic.", "PMID": 790734} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8828", "title": "Septicemia in renal transplant recipients.", "content": "Thirty-six renal transplant recipients with 47 episodes of septicemia were studied carefully at the bedside, in the laboratory, and, all too frequently, at autopsy. Gram-negative bacilli were the pathogens most commonly responsible, folloed in order of frequency by gram-positive cocci, polymicrobic etiologic agents, Listeria monocytogenes, and fungi. Infections of the transplant site (urinary tract or transplant wounds) caused septicemia in 51% of the cases. Other portals of entry included the lung, the abdomen, the meninges, the endocardium, and miscellaneous sites. The outcome of septicemia was fatal in 36% of the episodes. There was a significantly higher mortality for episodes of septicemia associated with pneumonia, persistent bloodstream infection, leukopenia, metastatic abscesses, clinical shock, and acute respiratory failure. The high mortality of septicemia in renal allograft recipients demands that extremely careful attention be given to subtle clinical clues denoting the onset and predicting the course of the disorder.", "contents": "Septicemia in renal transplant recipients. Thirty-six renal transplant recipients with 47 episodes of septicemia were studied carefully at the bedside, in the laboratory, and, all too frequently, at autopsy. Gram-negative bacilli were the pathogens most commonly responsible, folloed in order of frequency by gram-positive cocci, polymicrobic etiologic agents, Listeria monocytogenes, and fungi. Infections of the transplant site (urinary tract or transplant wounds) caused septicemia in 51% of the cases. Other portals of entry included the lung, the abdomen, the meninges, the endocardium, and miscellaneous sites. The outcome of septicemia was fatal in 36% of the episodes. There was a significantly higher mortality for episodes of septicemia associated with pneumonia, persistent bloodstream infection, leukopenia, metastatic abscesses, clinical shock, and acute respiratory failure. The high mortality of septicemia in renal allograft recipients demands that extremely careful attention be given to subtle clinical clues denoting the onset and predicting the course of the disorder.", "PMID": 790736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8829", "title": "Nomenclature of neurogenic bladder.", "content": "Vesicourethral physiology is reviewed briefly in the light of recent developments. The effect on bladder function of central nervous system disorders is considered and attention is drawn to the desirability of diverting interest from the bladder to the urethra in neuropathic cases. It is concluded that there are only two basic types of neuropathic bladder function--in lesions of and above the sacral reflex pathways, respectively. Neurologically these are classified according to the condition of the anal and bulbocavernosus reflexes and the ice water test.", "contents": "Nomenclature of neurogenic bladder. Vesicourethral physiology is reviewed briefly in the light of recent developments. The effect on bladder function of central nervous system disorders is considered and attention is drawn to the desirability of diverting interest from the bladder to the urethra in neuropathic cases. It is concluded that there are only two basic types of neuropathic bladder function--in lesions of and above the sacral reflex pathways, respectively. Neurologically these are classified according to the condition of the anal and bulbocavernosus reflexes and the ice water test.", "PMID": 790743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8830", "title": "Management of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in the adult.", "content": "A review of the management of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in the adult is presented. The various modes of therapy are classified according to their effects on bladder contractility and outlet resistance, providing a logical framework for discussion.", "contents": "Management of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in the adult. A review of the management of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in the adult is presented. The various modes of therapy are classified according to their effects on bladder contractility and outlet resistance, providing a logical framework for discussion.", "PMID": 790744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8831", "title": "Five-day course of antibacterials for uncomplicated urinary infections.", "content": "Fifty-six patients with uncomplicated urinary infections were treated with a five-day course of antimicrobials. Fifty-four patients had sterile urine two weeks after termination of the drugs. Over a two-year period 8 patients were found to become reinfected.", "contents": "Five-day course of antibacterials for uncomplicated urinary infections. Fifty-six patients with uncomplicated urinary infections were treated with a five-day course of antimicrobials. Fifty-four patients had sterile urine two weeks after termination of the drugs. Over a two-year period 8 patients were found to become reinfected.", "PMID": 790745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8832", "title": "Oxybutynin in bladder spasm, neurogenic bladder, and enuresis.", "content": "Oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan), a tertiary amine possessing anticholinergic and papaverine-like, direct muscular antispasmodic effects, has been used in controlled clinical studies in patients with neurovesical reflex activity, uninhibited bladders, enuresis, and primary muscle spasm. The cystometrically documented, synergistic, anticholinergic, and muscle relaxant activity of oxybutynin observed in these studies indicates that the drug can be highly effective in the management of reflex neurovesical dysfunction, enuresis, and bladder spasm.", "contents": "Oxybutynin in bladder spasm, neurogenic bladder, and enuresis. Oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan), a tertiary amine possessing anticholinergic and papaverine-like, direct muscular antispasmodic effects, has been used in controlled clinical studies in patients with neurovesical reflex activity, uninhibited bladders, enuresis, and primary muscle spasm. The cystometrically documented, synergistic, anticholinergic, and muscle relaxant activity of oxybutynin observed in these studies indicates that the drug can be highly effective in the management of reflex neurovesical dysfunction, enuresis, and bladder spasm.", "PMID": 790746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8833", "title": "Silicone-gel prosthesis in treatment of urinary incontinence secondary to neurogenic bladder dysfunction.", "content": "Patients with lower neuron lesion neurogenic bladder, with normal upper urinary tracts, poor closing pressure of the urethra, and absence of vesicoureteral reflux can be considered candidates for the insertion of the silicone-gel (Kaufman) prosthesis. Our results in 10 cases indicated that there is a place for passive urethral compression in the treatment of neurogenic bladder after a careful selection of patients and using objective methods to regulate the amount of urethral compression. The use of a combined operation (silicone-gel prosthesis and a Small-Carrion prosthesis) in some of the cases is also presented.", "contents": "Silicone-gel prosthesis in treatment of urinary incontinence secondary to neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Patients with lower neuron lesion neurogenic bladder, with normal upper urinary tracts, poor closing pressure of the urethra, and absence of vesicoureteral reflux can be considered candidates for the insertion of the silicone-gel (Kaufman) prosthesis. Our results in 10 cases indicated that there is a place for passive urethral compression in the treatment of neurogenic bladder after a careful selection of patients and using objective methods to regulate the amount of urethral compression. The use of a combined operation (silicone-gel prosthesis and a Small-Carrion prosthesis) in some of the cases is also presented.", "PMID": 790747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8834", "title": "Complications of Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz urethropexy.", "content": "The course of 2 patients with ureteral obstructions created during the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedure is described. The superior or most craniad stitches of the repair were placed inadvertently through the bladder wall obstructing the ureterovesical junction on each side. Awareness of the possibility of this complication should aid in avoiding this mishap.", "contents": "Complications of Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz urethropexy. The course of 2 patients with ureteral obstructions created during the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedure is described. The superior or most craniad stitches of the repair were placed inadvertently through the bladder wall obstructing the ureterovesical junction on each side. Awareness of the possibility of this complication should aid in avoiding this mishap.", "PMID": 790748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8835", "title": "Iatrogenic microphallus secondary to circumcision.", "content": "Three cases of apparent microphallus secondary to overzealous circumcision are presented. Proper diagnosis avoids unnecessary diagnostic studies. Moreover, a good functional and cosmetic result is virtually assured with appropriate resurfacing and thick split thickness skin grafting of the penile shaft. The best treatment would appear to be prevention of the complication by adequate instruction to personnel doing routine circumcisions.", "contents": "Iatrogenic microphallus secondary to circumcision. Three cases of apparent microphallus secondary to overzealous circumcision are presented. Proper diagnosis avoids unnecessary diagnostic studies. Moreover, a good functional and cosmetic result is virtually assured with appropriate resurfacing and thick split thickness skin grafting of the penile shaft. The best treatment would appear to be prevention of the complication by adequate instruction to personnel doing routine circumcisions.", "PMID": 790749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8836", "title": "Starch granulomas after transurethral resection of bladder tumors.", "content": "Starch granulomas have been observed in 3 patients in a series of 140 under treatment for bladder cancer during the period 1949 to 1969 in one hospital. The lesions were observed at the fourth or subsequent transurethral procedure, suggesting strongly that the starch had been introduced at a previous transurethral procedure. The granulomatous reaction may simulate a recurrence of the initial bladder tumor.", "contents": "Starch granulomas after transurethral resection of bladder tumors. Starch granulomas have been observed in 3 patients in a series of 140 under treatment for bladder cancer during the period 1949 to 1969 in one hospital. The lesions were observed at the fourth or subsequent transurethral procedure, suggesting strongly that the starch had been introduced at a previous transurethral procedure. The granulomatous reaction may simulate a recurrence of the initial bladder tumor.", "PMID": 790751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8837", "title": "Animal, vegetable or cerebral: brains in agricultural production.", "content": "Recent developments in brain research seem to have passed unnoticed in veterinary and agricultural circles. Yet they have transformed views on the subject and, Dr Cross argues, made study of the brain mandatory for future advance in animal health and production.", "contents": "Animal, vegetable or cerebral: brains in agricultural production. Recent developments in brain research seem to have passed unnoticed in veterinary and agricultural circles. Yet they have transformed views on the subject and, Dr Cross argues, made study of the brain mandatory for future advance in animal health and production.", "PMID": 790753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8838", "title": "[The life of Joseph Haydn from a medical point of view (author's transl)].", "content": "Joseph Haydn (1732 to 1809) had hardly been troubled by any illness of note, apart from a chronic nasal polyp until 1799. During the composition of the oratoria \"The Seasons\" (1799 to 1801), the signs of cerebral arteriosclerosis with cardiac insufficiency made their appearance. Haydn's creative strength subsequently declined rapidly and he was virtually unable to compose any more after he had finished \"The Seasons\" until his death in 1809. The plan to compose a third oratoria \"The Last Judgement\" ended abortively. Haydn himself suffered acutely from the inactivity imposed on him by the illness, as documented by various sources. Hadyn remained fully conscious right up to the time of his death, which presumably resulted from cardiac failure. Haydn's grave was ransacked only a few days after the funeral and his skull was snatched. It has been finally restored to his resting place in Eisenstadt only as recently as 1954 after a protracted and devious journey.", "contents": "[The life of Joseph Haydn from a medical point of view (author's transl)]. Joseph Haydn (1732 to 1809) had hardly been troubled by any illness of note, apart from a chronic nasal polyp until 1799. During the composition of the oratoria \"The Seasons\" (1799 to 1801), the signs of cerebral arteriosclerosis with cardiac insufficiency made their appearance. Haydn's creative strength subsequently declined rapidly and he was virtually unable to compose any more after he had finished \"The Seasons\" until his death in 1809. The plan to compose a third oratoria \"The Last Judgement\" ended abortively. Haydn himself suffered acutely from the inactivity imposed on him by the illness, as documented by various sources. Hadyn remained fully conscious right up to the time of his death, which presumably resulted from cardiac failure. Haydn's grave was ransacked only a few days after the funeral and his skull was snatched. It has been finally restored to his resting place in Eisenstadt only as recently as 1954 after a protracted and devious journey.", "PMID": 790772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8839", "title": "[Diagnostic methods in the assessment of gastrointestinal function (author's transl)].", "content": "A review is presented in this paper of the available diagnostic methods for the assessment of gastrointestinal function. The techniques of gastric secretion analysis, pancreatic secretion investigation and small intestinal absorption tests are described and discussed.", "contents": "[Diagnostic methods in the assessment of gastrointestinal function (author's transl)]. A review is presented in this paper of the available diagnostic methods for the assessment of gastrointestinal function. The techniques of gastric secretion analysis, pancreatic secretion investigation and small intestinal absorption tests are described and discussed.", "PMID": 790773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8840", "title": "[Anticholinergic treatment of Parkinson's disease (author's transl)].", "content": "Anticholinergic drugs retain their place even today in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in spite of the considerable success achieved by means of stereotactic surgery and substitution therapy with dopa or dopa derivatives. An investigation was made on 44 patients suffering from Parkinson's disease treated with the new anticholinergic drug, Sormodren (Knoll). Sormodren showed a selective action on the hyperkinetic and autonomic symptoms of this disease of the extrapyramidal system. Tolerance was good, no serious side effects being observed.", "contents": "[Anticholinergic treatment of Parkinson's disease (author's transl)]. Anticholinergic drugs retain their place even today in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in spite of the considerable success achieved by means of stereotactic surgery and substitution therapy with dopa or dopa derivatives. An investigation was made on 44 patients suffering from Parkinson's disease treated with the new anticholinergic drug, Sormodren (Knoll). Sormodren showed a selective action on the hyperkinetic and autonomic symptoms of this disease of the extrapyramidal system. Tolerance was good, no serious side effects being observed.", "PMID": 790774} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8841", "title": "[Role of stewed fruit-berries as a factor in the transmission of dysentery toxinfectious diseases].", "content": "Experimental investigations aimed at working out methods for quantification of Sh. sonnei in experimentally infected stewed fruits and berries are described and the ways for educing the epidemiological hazards of a compote prepared by failing to comply with proper heat treatment - idicated. The presently proposed by the author procedure for bacteriological analysis of an infected compote is shown to be sensitive enough, for it enables one to count 10(2) and more Shigella cells in 1 ml of compote. The greatest epidemiological danger can be found in compote prepared through heating without subsequent boiling, since it contains intact viable Shigella cells, introduced into the compote prior to its heating.", "contents": "[Role of stewed fruit-berries as a factor in the transmission of dysentery toxinfectious diseases]. Experimental investigations aimed at working out methods for quantification of Sh. sonnei in experimentally infected stewed fruits and berries are described and the ways for educing the epidemiological hazards of a compote prepared by failing to comply with proper heat treatment - idicated. The presently proposed by the author procedure for bacteriological analysis of an infected compote is shown to be sensitive enough, for it enables one to count 10(2) and more Shigella cells in 1 ml of compote. The greatest epidemiological danger can be found in compote prepared through heating without subsequent boiling, since it contains intact viable Shigella cells, introduced into the compote prior to its heating.", "PMID": 790769} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8842", "title": "Assimilatory nitrate reductase in a chlorate-resistant mutant of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Nitrate reductase was investigated in extracts from cells of a chlorate-resistant mutant strain of E. coli which grew anaerobically on nitrate as the sole source of nitrogen. The nitrate reductase was of particulate nature and reduced chlorate like the nitrate reductase from the wild strain, but in contrast was inhibited only weakly by azide or cyanide. Nitrate reductase activity was found in extracts from the mutant cells grown on nitrate as the sole source of nitrogen, but not in extracts from cells grown in complex nutrient medium. Addition of ammonia also caused a decrease in activity. Accordingly, the nitrate reductase in the chlorate-resistant mutant is of the assimilatory type.", "contents": "Assimilatory nitrate reductase in a chlorate-resistant mutant of Escherichia coli. Nitrate reductase was investigated in extracts from cells of a chlorate-resistant mutant strain of E. coli which grew anaerobically on nitrate as the sole source of nitrogen. The nitrate reductase was of particulate nature and reduced chlorate like the nitrate reductase from the wild strain, but in contrast was inhibited only weakly by azide or cyanide. Nitrate reductase activity was found in extracts from the mutant cells grown on nitrate as the sole source of nitrogen, but not in extracts from cells grown in complex nutrient medium. Addition of ammonia also caused a decrease in activity. Accordingly, the nitrate reductase in the chlorate-resistant mutant is of the assimilatory type.", "PMID": 790786} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8843", "title": "[Psychohygienic programmes designed to help people prepare for old age (author's transl)].", "content": "Preparation for an active old age must include geropsychohygienic measures in order to maintain and promote psychic health up to the most advanced age. The scientific basis is provided by geropsychohygienic research. The use of psychohygienic programmes should concentrate on the segment of the working population which is approaching pensionable age and which has a relatively low level of qualification. But gradually all other age brackets should also be covered. The programmes should be based on modern gerohygienic and gerontopsychological findings. Relationships between ageing, environment and psychic health must be elucidated from various aspects, questions of planning one's life playing an important role here. All means of psychic training in the creative interaction between man and his environment must be set forth and utilized. The erroneous conviction still held by many that old age poses a drawback for such training must be refute. Under socialist conditions, the preservation of the senior citizen's full integration into society is part of the process of preparing for an active old age. He should also be made consciously aware of the esteem in which he is held by society and of the significance of his position. We hold the view that the integrated socialist educational system is a medium for putting psychohygienic preparation programmes into practical use. Apart from this, the process of preparing people for old age, which is a country-wide task, calls for cooperation between state-appointed managements, public bodies and representatives of different medical specialties.", "contents": "[Psychohygienic programmes designed to help people prepare for old age (author's transl)]. Preparation for an active old age must include geropsychohygienic measures in order to maintain and promote psychic health up to the most advanced age. The scientific basis is provided by geropsychohygienic research. The use of psychohygienic programmes should concentrate on the segment of the working population which is approaching pensionable age and which has a relatively low level of qualification. But gradually all other age brackets should also be covered. The programmes should be based on modern gerohygienic and gerontopsychological findings. Relationships between ageing, environment and psychic health must be elucidated from various aspects, questions of planning one's life playing an important role here. All means of psychic training in the creative interaction between man and his environment must be set forth and utilized. The erroneous conviction still held by many that old age poses a drawback for such training must be refute. Under socialist conditions, the preservation of the senior citizen's full integration into society is part of the process of preparing for an active old age. He should also be made consciously aware of the esteem in which he is held by society and of the significance of his position. We hold the view that the integrated socialist educational system is a medium for putting psychohygienic preparation programmes into practical use. Apart from this, the process of preparing people for old age, which is a country-wide task, calls for cooperation between state-appointed managements, public bodies and representatives of different medical specialties.", "PMID": 790787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8844", "title": "[Bronchospirometric function on homotransplanted canine lungs after long-time preservation (author's transl)].", "content": "In the present study 12 canine lungs perfused in a BELZER perfusion unit for 17 hours using Albumine solution were homotransplanted. Bronchospirometric evaluation up to the 21st postoperative day have shown sufficient function. There is no remarkable difference in minute ventilation, alveolar ventilation and oxygen uptake when compared with non-stored lung homografts.", "contents": "[Bronchospirometric function on homotransplanted canine lungs after long-time preservation (author's transl)]. In the present study 12 canine lungs perfused in a BELZER perfusion unit for 17 hours using Albumine solution were homotransplanted. Bronchospirometric evaluation up to the 21st postoperative day have shown sufficient function. There is no remarkable difference in minute ventilation, alveolar ventilation and oxygen uptake when compared with non-stored lung homografts.", "PMID": 790789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8845", "title": "[Further development of the program system for lung function diagnostics running on minicomputer C 8205 (author's transl)].", "content": "Starting from the level of 1972 the development is characterized in view of -- general technical, psychological and economical problems -- completion of the program library and the -- technique of semi-on-line data collection. The last point describes experiences using the system of VEB Funkwert Erfurt. Different levels of automatization in lung function labs are discussed.", "contents": "[Further development of the program system for lung function diagnostics running on minicomputer C 8205 (author's transl)]. Starting from the level of 1972 the development is characterized in view of -- general technical, psychological and economical problems -- completion of the program library and the -- technique of semi-on-line data collection. The last point describes experiences using the system of VEB Funkwert Erfurt. Different levels of automatization in lung function labs are discussed.", "PMID": 790790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8846", "title": "[Assessment of gestational age (author's transl)].", "content": "Both the birth weight and the relation of birth weight to gestational age are relevant factors in assessing the immediate and future risks in given newborn infant. When gestational age is known the assessment is done by using an intrauterine growth chart. In cases of unknown gestational ages, in cases of discrepancies between birth weight and gestational age the gestational age of the infant has to be clinically assessed. This assessment can be done by evaluating the neurologic or the external criterias both giving an accuracy of +/- 2 to 3 weeks.", "contents": "[Assessment of gestational age (author's transl)]. Both the birth weight and the relation of birth weight to gestational age are relevant factors in assessing the immediate and future risks in given newborn infant. When gestational age is known the assessment is done by using an intrauterine growth chart. In cases of unknown gestational ages, in cases of discrepancies between birth weight and gestational age the gestational age of the infant has to be clinically assessed. This assessment can be done by evaluating the neurologic or the external criterias both giving an accuracy of +/- 2 to 3 weeks.", "PMID": 790793} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8847", "title": "[Biparietal diameter of the fetal head during pregnancy. A comparative study].", "content": "A growth curve of the diameter of the biparietal fetal head during pregnancy was presented which was plotted with the help of a computer on the basis of 660 measurements. From this curve, an additional curve and 1 table were presented for the estimation of the age of the fetus on the basis of the measurements of the fetal biparietal diameter.", "contents": "[Biparietal diameter of the fetal head during pregnancy. A comparative study]. A growth curve of the diameter of the biparietal fetal head during pregnancy was presented which was plotted with the help of a computer on the basis of 660 measurements. From this curve, an additional curve and 1 table were presented for the estimation of the age of the fetus on the basis of the measurements of the fetal biparietal diameter.", "PMID": 790794} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8848", "title": "[Histological studies of the African giant snail (Achatina fulica) experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum or Angiostrongylus cantonensis (author's transl)].", "content": "African Giant Snails (Achatina fulica) about 6 weeks old were experimentally infected with each 5,000 to 20,000 first stage larvae of Angiostrongylus vasorum or A. cantonensis by exposure to a larval suspension. The snails were histologically examined after various intervals after infection: 1 hour post infectionem (p.i.) larvae were present in the foot and 2 hours p.i. in addition in the gastrointestinal tract. 12 hours p.i. larvae were seen for the first time in the lung which reached nearly half of the total number of larvae via the hemolymph system. 24 hours p.i. or later 80-90% of the total larval population were detected in the foot and the lung. In the various organs (lung, mantle, hepatopancreas, gastro-intestinal tract, foot) the larvae were found in the loose connective tissue near or within the hemolymph vessels. The cellular defense mechanism of the snail is activated 12 hours p.i. and the parasites are surrounded by large numbers of leucocytes (leucocytic encapsulation). Three days p.i. the nuclei of the cells become spindle shaped and are forming concentric layers in the outer part of the capsule (fibroblastic type of encapsulation). Later on the wall of the encapsulation becomes thinner and a karyolysis can be recognized in the centre, consequently a cavity occurs. Encapsulations in organs poor in muscle cells can histologically not be differentiated from those located in the foot, which consists mainly of muscle cells; a myofibrous type of encapsulation has to be doubted. The effects of the infection on the snail are discussed.", "contents": "[Histological studies of the African giant snail (Achatina fulica) experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum or Angiostrongylus cantonensis (author's transl)]. African Giant Snails (Achatina fulica) about 6 weeks old were experimentally infected with each 5,000 to 20,000 first stage larvae of Angiostrongylus vasorum or A. cantonensis by exposure to a larval suspension. The snails were histologically examined after various intervals after infection: 1 hour post infectionem (p.i.) larvae were present in the foot and 2 hours p.i. in addition in the gastrointestinal tract. 12 hours p.i. larvae were seen for the first time in the lung which reached nearly half of the total number of larvae via the hemolymph system. 24 hours p.i. or later 80-90% of the total larval population were detected in the foot and the lung. In the various organs (lung, mantle, hepatopancreas, gastro-intestinal tract, foot) the larvae were found in the loose connective tissue near or within the hemolymph vessels. The cellular defense mechanism of the snail is activated 12 hours p.i. and the parasites are surrounded by large numbers of leucocytes (leucocytic encapsulation). Three days p.i. the nuclei of the cells become spindle shaped and are forming concentric layers in the outer part of the capsule (fibroblastic type of encapsulation). Later on the wall of the encapsulation becomes thinner and a karyolysis can be recognized in the centre, consequently a cavity occurs. Encapsulations in organs poor in muscle cells can histologically not be differentiated from those located in the foot, which consists mainly of muscle cells; a myofibrous type of encapsulation has to be doubted. The effects of the infection on the snail are discussed.", "PMID": 790803} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8849", "title": "[On the pathogenesis of the glomerulosclerosis ultrastructural and autoradiographic investigations on the rat kidney (author's transl)].", "content": "The light- and electron microscopic changes in the glomeruli of the rat's kidney have been investigated in the course of ageing and after subtotal nephrectomy, constriction of the renal vein, and intoxication by N-nitrosomorpholine. In spite of the fact that four different experimental models have been used, identical changes were always found in the glomeruli. Morphologically they consisted of a diffuse thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and of an increase in the mesangial matrix without a proliferation of the glomerular cells. Despite this thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, functionally an increased permeability of the glomerular capillaries for macroproteins could be observed, shown by a moderate proteinuria. For these morphological changes the term \"glomerulosclerosis\" is suggested; they are interpreted as a non-specific, non-inflammatory reaction of the glomerulus to an impairment caused by a number of varied influences. From the study of the formal pathogenesis of the glomerulosclerosis presented here one can conclude that in the individual experimental models the same result has been achieved in different ways. One possibility in the development of glomerulosclerosis is an increased production of the components of the basement membrane and of the mesangial matrix. This is the pathway which appears to be followed after nephrectomy. Another possibility is a slowing down of the breakdown of both the matrix and the membrane. This seems to be the case in the glomerulosclerosis occuring in the course of ageing, and after hypoxic and toxic changes. It could be accounted for by a functional disturbance of, presumably, the mesangial cells responsible for the breakdown of the basement membrane and of the matrix. On the other hand, one may have to consider a primary alteration of the macromolecules of these structures, as is already known from studies of the, chemically closely related, collagen. The light- and electron microscopic studies of the normal and of the altered glomeruli have led to certain conclusions concerning the origin and the fomation of the glomerular basement membrane and the mesangial matrix. In order to widen the scope of the studies, additional autoradiographic investigations with 3H-proline and 3H-leucine have been performed in ultrathin and semithin sections of the rat's glomeruli. The results of the studies presented here suggest that of the three cell types of the glomerulus the visceral epithelial cells (podocytes, \"Deckzellen\") may participate on the formation of the glomerular basement membrane, whereas the mesangial cells appear to be responsible for the synthesis of the mesangial matrix.", "contents": "[On the pathogenesis of the glomerulosclerosis ultrastructural and autoradiographic investigations on the rat kidney (author's transl)]. The light- and electron microscopic changes in the glomeruli of the rat's kidney have been investigated in the course of ageing and after subtotal nephrectomy, constriction of the renal vein, and intoxication by N-nitrosomorpholine. In spite of the fact that four different experimental models have been used, identical changes were always found in the glomeruli. Morphologically they consisted of a diffuse thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and of an increase in the mesangial matrix without a proliferation of the glomerular cells. Despite this thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, functionally an increased permeability of the glomerular capillaries for macroproteins could be observed, shown by a moderate proteinuria. For these morphological changes the term \"glomerulosclerosis\" is suggested; they are interpreted as a non-specific, non-inflammatory reaction of the glomerulus to an impairment caused by a number of varied influences. From the study of the formal pathogenesis of the glomerulosclerosis presented here one can conclude that in the individual experimental models the same result has been achieved in different ways. One possibility in the development of glomerulosclerosis is an increased production of the components of the basement membrane and of the mesangial matrix. This is the pathway which appears to be followed after nephrectomy. Another possibility is a slowing down of the breakdown of both the matrix and the membrane. This seems to be the case in the glomerulosclerosis occuring in the course of ageing, and after hypoxic and toxic changes. It could be accounted for by a functional disturbance of, presumably, the mesangial cells responsible for the breakdown of the basement membrane and of the matrix. On the other hand, one may have to consider a primary alteration of the macromolecules of these structures, as is already known from studies of the, chemically closely related, collagen. The light- and electron microscopic studies of the normal and of the altered glomeruli have led to certain conclusions concerning the origin and the fomation of the glomerular basement membrane and the mesangial matrix. In order to widen the scope of the studies, additional autoradiographic investigations with 3H-proline and 3H-leucine have been performed in ultrathin and semithin sections of the rat's glomeruli. The results of the studies presented here suggest that of the three cell types of the glomerulus the visceral epithelial cells (podocytes, \"Deckzellen\") may participate on the formation of the glomerular basement membrane, whereas the mesangial cells appear to be responsible for the synthesis of the mesangial matrix.", "PMID": 790831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8850", "title": "The ethological analysis of attachment. Sociometric, motivational and sociophysiological aspects.", "content": "The purpose of this progress report is to discuss the concept of attachment from the ethological and from the socio-biological point of view. Recent advances in obtaining and interpreting sociometric data are summarized. The interrelationships of proximate and ultimate causes for attachment are outlined.", "contents": "The ethological analysis of attachment. Sociometric, motivational and sociophysiological aspects. The purpose of this progress report is to discuss the concept of attachment from the ethological and from the socio-biological point of view. Recent advances in obtaining and interpreting sociometric data are summarized. The interrelationships of proximate and ultimate causes for attachment are outlined.", "PMID": 790837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8851", "title": "[Infections in newborn infants caused to B-streptococci].", "content": "An increased morbidity by Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci) during the perinatal period was to be found in some countries since 1961. Six cases of group B streptococcal meningitis were confirmed by the Central Streptococcus Laboratory of the GDR from July to December 1975. Therefore it is necessary to look for group B streptococcal infection in certain cases of diseases of the newborn. In a short review of literature the clinical signs (acute onset with respiratory distress, sepsis or late onset with meningitis), prevalence, source of infection and therapy (ampicillin or a combination of penicillin G and gentamicin) were summarized. The diagnosis is confirmed by isolation of group B streptococci.", "contents": "[Infections in newborn infants caused to B-streptococci]. An increased morbidity by Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci) during the perinatal period was to be found in some countries since 1961. Six cases of group B streptococcal meningitis were confirmed by the Central Streptococcus Laboratory of the GDR from July to December 1975. Therefore it is necessary to look for group B streptococcal infection in certain cases of diseases of the newborn. In a short review of literature the clinical signs (acute onset with respiratory distress, sepsis or late onset with meningitis), prevalence, source of infection and therapy (ampicillin or a combination of penicillin G and gentamicin) were summarized. The diagnosis is confirmed by isolation of group B streptococci.", "PMID": 790843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8852", "title": "[Immunoglobulin level in herpes gestationis].", "content": "At a patient with herpes gestationis the immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM as well as the proteins albumin, transferrin and coeruloplasmin were determined in the serum. The relation of this illness of pregnancy with immunological factors is in discussion.", "contents": "[Immunoglobulin level in herpes gestationis]. At a patient with herpes gestationis the immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM as well as the proteins albumin, transferrin and coeruloplasmin were determined in the serum. The relation of this illness of pregnancy with immunological factors is in discussion.", "PMID": 790844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8853", "title": "[2-year analysis of the results of a screening program on computer basis for the detection of pre- and early stages of cervix carcinoma (model Rostock) (II)].", "content": "Two years experiences with a computer-assisted program for early detection of prestages and early cervical cancer in Rostock-city are reported. 65% = 27028 women finally cooperated. Pathological papsmears were found in 0,52%. 9 cases of severe dysplasia, 30 carcinomata in situ, 3 cases of early invasion, 3 micro- and 5 macrocarcinomas were observed. Accessory findings were seen in 10,2%.", "contents": "[2-year analysis of the results of a screening program on computer basis for the detection of pre- and early stages of cervix carcinoma (model Rostock) (II)]. Two years experiences with a computer-assisted program for early detection of prestages and early cervical cancer in Rostock-city are reported. 65% = 27028 women finally cooperated. Pathological papsmears were found in 0,52%. 9 cases of severe dysplasia, 30 carcinomata in situ, 3 cases of early invasion, 3 micro- and 5 macrocarcinomas were observed. Accessory findings were seen in 10,2%.", "PMID": 790845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8854", "title": "[Rubella virus hemagglutination inhibition IgM antibodies: the method of absorption of IgG by staphylococcal protein A as compared with density gradient ultracentrifugation (author's transl)].", "content": "The elimination of IgG by adsorption to Protein A of S. aureus was used for the demonstration of rubella virus specific IgM by hemagglutination inhibition. The validity of the method was proved by comparison with the results of density gradient centrifugation. The adsorption procedure led to false positive results in 9 of 56 cases and to false negative results in 12 of 46 cases, i.e. 20.7% of the results were discordant, when the sera were tested with short incubation time (30 min. room temperature) and the residual IgG (and IgA) were not excluded by controls with 2-ME (table 1 and table 2). By prolonged incubation time (18 hrs + 4 degrees C) and controls with 2-ME, false positive results were avoided, and the number of false negative results was reduced to 9 (table 2 and table 3). The latter occured mostly in cases where the disease had started 3 or more weeks ago and the titer in the IgM fraction of the sera was low (fig. 3). Under these conditions the absorption of IgG by staphylococcal Protein A proved to be a simple, specific and reliable procedure for the demonstration of rubella virus IgM within 2-3 weeks after the onset of the disease.", "contents": "[Rubella virus hemagglutination inhibition IgM antibodies: the method of absorption of IgG by staphylococcal protein A as compared with density gradient ultracentrifugation (author's transl)]. The elimination of IgG by adsorption to Protein A of S. aureus was used for the demonstration of rubella virus specific IgM by hemagglutination inhibition. The validity of the method was proved by comparison with the results of density gradient centrifugation. The adsorption procedure led to false positive results in 9 of 56 cases and to false negative results in 12 of 46 cases, i.e. 20.7% of the results were discordant, when the sera were tested with short incubation time (30 min. room temperature) and the residual IgG (and IgA) were not excluded by controls with 2-ME (table 1 and table 2). By prolonged incubation time (18 hrs + 4 degrees C) and controls with 2-ME, false positive results were avoided, and the number of false negative results was reduced to 9 (table 2 and table 3). The latter occured mostly in cases where the disease had started 3 or more weeks ago and the titer in the IgM fraction of the sera was low (fig. 3). Under these conditions the absorption of IgG by staphylococcal Protein A proved to be a simple, specific and reliable procedure for the demonstration of rubella virus IgM within 2-3 weeks after the onset of the disease.", "PMID": 790852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8855", "title": "On the metabolic characteristic of hybrids Shigella flexneri x Escherichia coli devoid of their ability for intracellular multiplication in the epithelial cells. I. Glycolysis.", "content": "The glycolysis (aerobic and in the presence of KCN) of avirulent xyl+ and xyl-str hybrids Sh. flexneri x E. coli, devoid of their ability to multiply intracellularly in the epithelial cells, is studied. It is established that their glycolytic activity is considerably higher than the activity of the donor strain E. coli, and deviate significantly compared with shown activity of the virulent recipient strains Sh. flexneri. Xyl-str hybrids are showing high values of glycolysis in aerobic conditions and in the presence of KCN, while in xyl+ hybrids very active glycolysis is observed only in the presence of KCN - probably completely sufficient for the persistence of bacteria in the host-cell at anaerobic conditions.", "contents": "On the metabolic characteristic of hybrids Shigella flexneri x Escherichia coli devoid of their ability for intracellular multiplication in the epithelial cells. I. Glycolysis. The glycolysis (aerobic and in the presence of KCN) of avirulent xyl+ and xyl-str hybrids Sh. flexneri x E. coli, devoid of their ability to multiply intracellularly in the epithelial cells, is studied. It is established that their glycolytic activity is considerably higher than the activity of the donor strain E. coli, and deviate significantly compared with shown activity of the virulent recipient strains Sh. flexneri. Xyl-str hybrids are showing high values of glycolysis in aerobic conditions and in the presence of KCN, while in xyl+ hybrids very active glycolysis is observed only in the presence of KCN - probably completely sufficient for the persistence of bacteria in the host-cell at anaerobic conditions.", "PMID": 790853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8856", "title": "On the metabolic characteristic of hybrids Shigella flexneri x Escherichia coli devoid of their ability for intracellular multiplication in the epithelial cells. II. Catalase and phosphatase activity.", "content": "The catalase and phosphatase activity of avirulent by keratoconjunctival test of guinea pigs xyl+ and xyl-str (KCP-) hybrids that have lost their ability for intracellular multiplication, received from virulent strains. Sh. flexneri (Sh. flexneri 222 5 a and Sh. flexneri M42-43) and donor strain E. coli AB 313 was investigated. It is established that there is a definite dependence between the changes in the catalase and the phosphatase activities of the hybrid strains and the newly received by the hybridization genetic information. The enzyme activity of the hybrid strains always correlated with the level of this activity in the donor strains E. coli.", "contents": "On the metabolic characteristic of hybrids Shigella flexneri x Escherichia coli devoid of their ability for intracellular multiplication in the epithelial cells. II. Catalase and phosphatase activity. The catalase and phosphatase activity of avirulent by keratoconjunctival test of guinea pigs xyl+ and xyl-str (KCP-) hybrids that have lost their ability for intracellular multiplication, received from virulent strains. Sh. flexneri (Sh. flexneri 222 5 a and Sh. flexneri M42-43) and donor strain E. coli AB 313 was investigated. It is established that there is a definite dependence between the changes in the catalase and the phosphatase activities of the hybrid strains and the newly received by the hybridization genetic information. The enzyme activity of the hybrid strains always correlated with the level of this activity in the donor strains E. coli.", "PMID": 790854} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8857", "title": "[Comparative studies with the rapid KCN-test for Enterobacteriaceae according to Cahan, Sechter and Ohad (author's transl)].", "content": "581 strains of Enterobacteriaceae (184 of Salmonella, 100 of Shigella, 31 of Citrobacter freundii, 61 of Escherichia coli, 40 of Klebsiella, 165 of Proteus) were investigated in comparison with the KCN-test according to M\u00f8ller and with the rapid KCN-test according to Cahan, Sechter and Ohad. There was found that the results obtained with both methods were identical to 99 percent. In both tests there could be observed that inexplicable differences occur only in two strains of Proteus mirabilis. The rapid KCN-test can be recommended because of the good durability of the basic medium and of the solutions of the reagents, because of the short testing time (3 h), of the very good correspondence of the results and of the possibility of a well defined reading.", "contents": "[Comparative studies with the rapid KCN-test for Enterobacteriaceae according to Cahan, Sechter and Ohad (author's transl)]. 581 strains of Enterobacteriaceae (184 of Salmonella, 100 of Shigella, 31 of Citrobacter freundii, 61 of Escherichia coli, 40 of Klebsiella, 165 of Proteus) were investigated in comparison with the KCN-test according to M\u00f8ller and with the rapid KCN-test according to Cahan, Sechter and Ohad. There was found that the results obtained with both methods were identical to 99 percent. In both tests there could be observed that inexplicable differences occur only in two strains of Proteus mirabilis. The rapid KCN-test can be recommended because of the good durability of the basic medium and of the solutions of the reagents, because of the short testing time (3 h), of the very good correspondence of the results and of the possibility of a well defined reading.", "PMID": 790855} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8858", "title": "Inositol as a selective substrate for the growth of Klebsiellae and Serratiae.", "content": "A synthetic basal salts medium containing inositol as the sole source for carbon and energy and bromothymol blue as pH indicator, selectively supports the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia spp. On this medium incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 hr, all cultures of Kl. pneumoniae, Serratia liquefaciens and S. marcescens form yellow colonies. The medium may be used selectively for the primary isolation of the aforementioned bacteria from faeces and as a differential medium for their isolation from saliva and urine.", "contents": "Inositol as a selective substrate for the growth of Klebsiellae and Serratiae. A synthetic basal salts medium containing inositol as the sole source for carbon and energy and bromothymol blue as pH indicator, selectively supports the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia spp. On this medium incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 hr, all cultures of Kl. pneumoniae, Serratia liquefaciens and S. marcescens form yellow colonies. The medium may be used selectively for the primary isolation of the aforementioned bacteria from faeces and as a differential medium for their isolation from saliva and urine.", "PMID": 790856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8859", "title": "Survival of T. pallidum under microaerobic conditions in cell and tissue cultures.", "content": "The survival of pathogenic T. pallidum was studied under microaerobic conditions (partial pressure of oxygen 7 mm Hg) with and without tissue cell cultures. As between one third and half of the germs were motile even after 96 hours of incubation, treponemes do not seem to be strictly anerobic as has been generally believed so far. Flocks containing enormous numbers of treponemes were observed in the nutrient medium. For their formation, human serum, testicular components from rabbits and modified Nelson's survival medium were essential. Although the problem of cultivation of T. pallidum remains to be solved the formation of flocks indicates a possible transient multiplication of treponemes in vitro.", "contents": "Survival of T. pallidum under microaerobic conditions in cell and tissue cultures. The survival of pathogenic T. pallidum was studied under microaerobic conditions (partial pressure of oxygen 7 mm Hg) with and without tissue cell cultures. As between one third and half of the germs were motile even after 96 hours of incubation, treponemes do not seem to be strictly anerobic as has been generally believed so far. Flocks containing enormous numbers of treponemes were observed in the nutrient medium. For their formation, human serum, testicular components from rabbits and modified Nelson's survival medium were essential. Although the problem of cultivation of T. pallidum remains to be solved the formation of flocks indicates a possible transient multiplication of treponemes in vitro.", "PMID": 790857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8860", "title": "[Phagocytosis and intracellular proliferation of Nocardia asteroides (strain Weipheld) in cell structures in vitro. 2. Peritoneal macrophages of guinea-pigs (author's transl)].", "content": "The study deals with the phagocytosis of Nocardia asteroides (strain Weipheld) and the subsequent intracellular proliferation in peritoneal macrophage cells. Normal, two-stage-immunized and long-term cortison-treated guinea-pig (28 mg cortison / kg weight / day during 30 days) macrophages were used. Further, the cytotoxic effect of Nocardia upon the cells in the peritoneal washing liquid in vitro and the influence of the normal, immune and antimacrophage serum upon the phagocytosis and the intracellular proliferation were studied. Among the cells obtained from the peritoneal washing liquid macrophages were most frequently subject to phagocytosis, leukocytes to a lesser degree. The normal macrophages phagocytized in 14.56% (Fig. 1), macrophages of two-stage-immunized guinea-pigs in 18.21% (Fig. 2) and macrophages from cortison treated guinea-pigs in 12.48% of cases. Intracellular observation showed phagocytized germs after 3 min. of exposure. The course of the intracellular proliferation of Nocardia can be seen in Fig. 3. The phagocytosis index increases slowly in all three groups of macrophages; least so in the immunized macrophages (1.30-after 8 hours). The highest values were obtained in the macrophages of cortison treated guinea-pigs (2.02-after 8 hours). Within 8 hours of exposure the filaments of Nocardia grew through the cell membrane of phagocytizing cells (Figs. 4 A, 4 B). Fig. 5 shows the course of the cytopathogenic effect of Nocardia upon the cells. After 1 hr. the number of dead cells increased from 0.30% to 1.9-3.8%; after 4 hrs. it reached 8.15-9.80%; after 8 hrs. 10.1-14.80%. The highest values were observed in cells from cortison treated guinea-pigs (14.80%). After addition of normal serum (time of phagocytosis 60 min.) normal peritoneal macrophages phagocytized in 13.30% of cases; immune serum stimulated phagocytosis (16.21%); antimacrophage serum significantly reduced phagocytosis (4.10%). The phagocytosis index in peritoneal macrophages with normal and immune serum increased, reaching values of 1.20-1.58 with in 8 hours; the differences were statistically not significant (Fig. 6). A significant increase of proliferation was observed in peritoneal macrophages with antimacrophage serum (2.07 in 8 hours). Neither normal nor immune guine-pig serum influenced the cytopathogenic effect of Nocardia on the cells of peritoneal washing liquid (Fig. 7). The antimacrophage serum had a rapid and expressive effect upon the macrophages (78.23% of cells died after 2 hours, 100% after 3 hours of exposure).", "contents": "[Phagocytosis and intracellular proliferation of Nocardia asteroides (strain Weipheld) in cell structures in vitro. 2. Peritoneal macrophages of guinea-pigs (author's transl)]. The study deals with the phagocytosis of Nocardia asteroides (strain Weipheld) and the subsequent intracellular proliferation in peritoneal macrophage cells. Normal, two-stage-immunized and long-term cortison-treated guinea-pig (28 mg cortison / kg weight / day during 30 days) macrophages were used. Further, the cytotoxic effect of Nocardia upon the cells in the peritoneal washing liquid in vitro and the influence of the normal, immune and antimacrophage serum upon the phagocytosis and the intracellular proliferation were studied. Among the cells obtained from the peritoneal washing liquid macrophages were most frequently subject to phagocytosis, leukocytes to a lesser degree. The normal macrophages phagocytized in 14.56% (Fig. 1), macrophages of two-stage-immunized guinea-pigs in 18.21% (Fig. 2) and macrophages from cortison treated guinea-pigs in 12.48% of cases. Intracellular observation showed phagocytized germs after 3 min. of exposure. The course of the intracellular proliferation of Nocardia can be seen in Fig. 3. The phagocytosis index increases slowly in all three groups of macrophages; least so in the immunized macrophages (1.30-after 8 hours). The highest values were obtained in the macrophages of cortison treated guinea-pigs (2.02-after 8 hours). Within 8 hours of exposure the filaments of Nocardia grew through the cell membrane of phagocytizing cells (Figs. 4 A, 4 B). Fig. 5 shows the course of the cytopathogenic effect of Nocardia upon the cells. After 1 hr. the number of dead cells increased from 0.30% to 1.9-3.8%; after 4 hrs. it reached 8.15-9.80%; after 8 hrs. 10.1-14.80%. The highest values were observed in cells from cortison treated guinea-pigs (14.80%). After addition of normal serum (time of phagocytosis 60 min.) normal peritoneal macrophages phagocytized in 13.30% of cases; immune serum stimulated phagocytosis (16.21%); antimacrophage serum significantly reduced phagocytosis (4.10%). The phagocytosis index in peritoneal macrophages with normal and immune serum increased, reaching values of 1.20-1.58 with in 8 hours; the differences were statistically not significant (Fig. 6). A significant increase of proliferation was observed in peritoneal macrophages with antimacrophage serum (2.07 in 8 hours). Neither normal nor immune guine-pig serum influenced the cytopathogenic effect of Nocardia on the cells of peritoneal washing liquid (Fig. 7). The antimacrophage serum had a rapid and expressive effect upon the macrophages (78.23% of cells died after 2 hours, 100% after 3 hours of exposure).", "PMID": 790858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8861", "title": "[Viable bacterial counts by agar-droplet technique (author's transl)].", "content": "This paper deals with 1) Analysis of the agar droplet technique for viable bacterial counts with respect to a new technical aid (Colworth DROPLETTETM); 2) Comparison of the results obtained from two conventional plate count techniques and the agar-droplet method; 3) Examples for the practical use of this new technique. As a helpful aid for the agar-droplet technique there now exists an apparatus (Colworth DROPLETTETM, Fig.1) which facilitates dilution and dispension of bacteria containing agar, as well as counting of colonies grown in agar droplets. Precision and reproducibility of the diluter/dispenser was found to be within the limits of the usual sampling error (Tab.1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3). The visibility of colonies grown in agar droplets is improved by a ten-fold enlargement on the ground glass screen of the viewer (Fig. 7). In order to obtain droplets of equal size a standardised dropping-technique is required. The fluid agar must not exceed a constant temperature of 50 degrees C as otherwise four of the five species tested (Staph. aureus, E. coli, Kl. aerogenes, Ps. aeruginosa and Enterococci) were significantly reduced in number during the manipulation (Fig. 4, Fig. 5). Agar droplet technique, flooding technique and pour plates gave similar results with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria from medical routine materials. Comparing the arithmetic means, viable counts of Staph. aureus were slightly higher from pour plates while E. coli and Kl. aerogenes gave the highest counts on flooded plates (Tab. 8-11). All of the three methods produced relatively too low counts when the number of bacteria per sample surmounted 300. Counts below 10 allow only a very poor estimation of the actual number of bacteria (Tab. 12). The variability of droplet counts with bacterial numbers higher than 25 was less then the one of corresponding plate counts (Tab. 14-16). Significant savings in materials, labour and incubator space are made with the agar droplet method. As examples for the practical use of the new method the results of the kinetics of thermally inactivated as well as of growing bacteria are presented.", "contents": "[Viable bacterial counts by agar-droplet technique (author's transl)]. This paper deals with 1) Analysis of the agar droplet technique for viable bacterial counts with respect to a new technical aid (Colworth DROPLETTETM); 2) Comparison of the results obtained from two conventional plate count techniques and the agar-droplet method; 3) Examples for the practical use of this new technique. As a helpful aid for the agar-droplet technique there now exists an apparatus (Colworth DROPLETTETM, Fig.1) which facilitates dilution and dispension of bacteria containing agar, as well as counting of colonies grown in agar droplets. Precision and reproducibility of the diluter/dispenser was found to be within the limits of the usual sampling error (Tab.1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3). The visibility of colonies grown in agar droplets is improved by a ten-fold enlargement on the ground glass screen of the viewer (Fig. 7). In order to obtain droplets of equal size a standardised dropping-technique is required. The fluid agar must not exceed a constant temperature of 50 degrees C as otherwise four of the five species tested (Staph. aureus, E. coli, Kl. aerogenes, Ps. aeruginosa and Enterococci) were significantly reduced in number during the manipulation (Fig. 4, Fig. 5). Agar droplet technique, flooding technique and pour plates gave similar results with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria from medical routine materials. Comparing the arithmetic means, viable counts of Staph. aureus were slightly higher from pour plates while E. coli and Kl. aerogenes gave the highest counts on flooded plates (Tab. 8-11). All of the three methods produced relatively too low counts when the number of bacteria per sample surmounted 300. Counts below 10 allow only a very poor estimation of the actual number of bacteria (Tab. 12). The variability of droplet counts with bacterial numbers higher than 25 was less then the one of corresponding plate counts (Tab. 14-16). Significant savings in materials, labour and incubator space are made with the agar droplet method. As examples for the practical use of the new method the results of the kinetics of thermally inactivated as well as of growing bacteria are presented.", "PMID": 790859} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8862", "title": "Indirect immunofluorescence in toxoplasmosis: frequency, nature and specificity of polar staining.", "content": "In the indirect immunofluorescence test ant the Remington test for Toxoplasmosis of some sera, a polar fluorescence of the parasite has been observed. This \"Polar Factor\" is not observed in umbilical cord blood and in sera of children less than 6 months old, but has a relative high frequency in sera of adults. The detection of the factor depends on the nature of the used antigen. With sucrose gradient centrifugation, anti-IgM immunofluorescence, 2-mercaptoethanol-treatment and selective adsorption of sera, we could demonstrate that this factor is a non-specific IgM.", "contents": "Indirect immunofluorescence in toxoplasmosis: frequency, nature and specificity of polar staining. In the indirect immunofluorescence test ant the Remington test for Toxoplasmosis of some sera, a polar fluorescence of the parasite has been observed. This \"Polar Factor\" is not observed in umbilical cord blood and in sera of children less than 6 months old, but has a relative high frequency in sera of adults. The detection of the factor depends on the nature of the used antigen. With sucrose gradient centrifugation, anti-IgM immunofluorescence, 2-mercaptoethanol-treatment and selective adsorption of sera, we could demonstrate that this factor is a non-specific IgM.", "PMID": 790860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8863", "title": "[Assaying the Enterobacteriaceae contents of fishmeal as criterion for absence of Salmonellae (author's transl)].", "content": "1. During comparison of different test systems for examination on salmonellae the routine method revealed only 2 of 35 fishmeal consignments as positive. In second streaks after 48 hours on selective media 5 more consignments were discovered to contain samonellae. Using pre-enrichment culture gave evidence for 11 positive consignments altogether. 2. The pre-enrichment method led to about 20 times higher yields in isolating enterobacteriaceae than the usual enrichment method. 3. Neither salmonellae nor enterobacteriaceae statistically showed uniform distribution in fishmeal. In addition, with the aid of the variance test of homogenity, an extremely heterogeneous ratio of the both germ types to each other was proved. Consequently, assaying the enterobacteriaceae contents is not suitable to draw any reliable conclusions upon the salmonellae contents of fishmeal. 4. Assuming a constant contamination rate of 400.000 salmonella units in consignments of 100 tons and testing them by the required 47 random samples, it can be deduced from probability calculus that only about 1 per cent of a larger number of consignments will fail to be recognized as positive. This risk of acceptance increases progressively with diminishing rate of salmonella contamination. Thus about 80 per cent of consignments containing even as much as 20.000 salmonella units will be accepted as \"false negatives\". 5. Because of the usually low contamination rates of fishmeal it is an erroneous idea to increase the efficiency of assay by modifying the sample sizes in relation to the shipping weight. For this reason the orders for fishmeal examination in the Federal Republic of Germany should be revised. It is suggested to take at least the number of samples required hitherto for consignments of 100 tons. By this without doubt the risk of accepting \"false negatives\" can be reduced significantly, but it remains still impossible to recognite every contaminated fishmeal consignment and to stop its acceptance by bacteriological examination. 6. From practical examinations and theoretical considerations it is derivable that one has either to tolerate a low degree of salmonella contamination which hygienically may be without any importance or to treat every imported fishmeal by irradiation or heat pelleting.", "contents": "[Assaying the Enterobacteriaceae contents of fishmeal as criterion for absence of Salmonellae (author's transl)]. 1. During comparison of different test systems for examination on salmonellae the routine method revealed only 2 of 35 fishmeal consignments as positive. In second streaks after 48 hours on selective media 5 more consignments were discovered to contain samonellae. Using pre-enrichment culture gave evidence for 11 positive consignments altogether. 2. The pre-enrichment method led to about 20 times higher yields in isolating enterobacteriaceae than the usual enrichment method. 3. Neither salmonellae nor enterobacteriaceae statistically showed uniform distribution in fishmeal. In addition, with the aid of the variance test of homogenity, an extremely heterogeneous ratio of the both germ types to each other was proved. Consequently, assaying the enterobacteriaceae contents is not suitable to draw any reliable conclusions upon the salmonellae contents of fishmeal. 4. Assuming a constant contamination rate of 400.000 salmonella units in consignments of 100 tons and testing them by the required 47 random samples, it can be deduced from probability calculus that only about 1 per cent of a larger number of consignments will fail to be recognized as positive. This risk of acceptance increases progressively with diminishing rate of salmonella contamination. Thus about 80 per cent of consignments containing even as much as 20.000 salmonella units will be accepted as \"false negatives\". 5. Because of the usually low contamination rates of fishmeal it is an erroneous idea to increase the efficiency of assay by modifying the sample sizes in relation to the shipping weight. For this reason the orders for fishmeal examination in the Federal Republic of Germany should be revised. It is suggested to take at least the number of samples required hitherto for consignments of 100 tons. By this without doubt the risk of accepting \"false negatives\" can be reduced significantly, but it remains still impossible to recognite every contaminated fishmeal consignment and to stop its acceptance by bacteriological examination. 6. From practical examinations and theoretical considerations it is derivable that one has either to tolerate a low degree of salmonella contamination which hygienically may be without any importance or to treat every imported fishmeal by irradiation or heat pelleting.", "PMID": 790861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8864", "title": "Salmonella in effluent from sewage treatment plants, wastepipe of butcher's shops and surface water in Walcheren.", "content": "In the frame of the \"Walcheren-project\" in which the epidemiology of salmonellosis is studied in a certain area, effluent from sewage treatment plants, wastepipe's of butcher's shops and surface waters, which receive the effluent were studied for the presence of salmonellae. From 160 samples of effluent 150 (94%) contained salmonellae. The most common serotype was S. typhi murium (35%) followed by S. panama and S. infantis. 14 butcher's shops' wastepipes were sampled 54 times. 14 (26%) times salmonellae were found, but only twice was the type isolated from the butcher's shop the same as found in the effluent on the same day. With regard to the presence of salmonellae in surface waters receiving effluent it was shown that from the immediate vicinity of the plant to 250 m downstream from the site of drainage of effluent the number of salmonellae per 100 ml remains almost constant. After 1.5-4 kilometers Salmonella could not be isolated from any of the samples examined. The results underline the hypothesis that salmonellae multiply in the sewage system and/or plant. The spread of samonellae by effluent seems to be limited to the plant itself and of the nearest vicinity. Proposals are brought forward to interupt contamination cycles by decontamination measures.", "contents": "Salmonella in effluent from sewage treatment plants, wastepipe of butcher's shops and surface water in Walcheren. In the frame of the \"Walcheren-project\" in which the epidemiology of salmonellosis is studied in a certain area, effluent from sewage treatment plants, wastepipe's of butcher's shops and surface waters, which receive the effluent were studied for the presence of salmonellae. From 160 samples of effluent 150 (94%) contained salmonellae. The most common serotype was S. typhi murium (35%) followed by S. panama and S. infantis. 14 butcher's shops' wastepipes were sampled 54 times. 14 (26%) times salmonellae were found, but only twice was the type isolated from the butcher's shop the same as found in the effluent on the same day. With regard to the presence of salmonellae in surface waters receiving effluent it was shown that from the immediate vicinity of the plant to 250 m downstream from the site of drainage of effluent the number of salmonellae per 100 ml remains almost constant. After 1.5-4 kilometers Salmonella could not be isolated from any of the samples examined. The results underline the hypothesis that salmonellae multiply in the sewage system and/or plant. The spread of samonellae by effluent seems to be limited to the plant itself and of the nearest vicinity. Proposals are brought forward to interupt contamination cycles by decontamination measures.", "PMID": 790862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8865", "title": "[Proposal for the introduction of microbial test material in compost windrows for field test (author's transl)].", "content": "The introduction and taking of microbial test material for field tests in compost windrows for e.g. the determination of the death rates of patogenic microbes cause various problems in practical use whereby the results of such investigations may be influenced. A device is suggested which allows unlimited microbes taking with the greatest reservation of the windrows and guarantees that during the experiment the introduced microbial test material is actually exposed to the same influences as its neighbouring windrow parts. Comparisons with other methods used are being made.", "contents": "[Proposal for the introduction of microbial test material in compost windrows for field test (author's transl)]. The introduction and taking of microbial test material for field tests in compost windrows for e.g. the determination of the death rates of patogenic microbes cause various problems in practical use whereby the results of such investigations may be influenced. A device is suggested which allows unlimited microbes taking with the greatest reservation of the windrows and guarantees that during the experiment the introduced microbial test material is actually exposed to the same influences as its neighbouring windrow parts. Comparisons with other methods used are being made.", "PMID": 790863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8866", "title": "[Problems of maintaining of hygienic and microbiological quality standards of foodstuffs, particularly of vegetable origin (author's transl)].", "content": "As more and more components of our food are nowadays subjected to industrial processing, microbiological controls of raw materials and plant hygiene are important factors in protecting the consumer. In many cases preventive measures and specifications of microbiological characteristics of certain foodstuffs governed by legal regulations do not suffice to guarantee protection of the consumer as desired. For this reason conscientious food manufacturers maintain controls in line with self-imposed and very strict hygienic and microbiological rules. Insufficiencies of the relevant dietetic regulations are exposed and measures to ensure quality recommended. It is shown that, to determine the hygienic and microbiological condition of dehydrated vegetable raw materials, the conditions applying to fresh vegetables must be taken into consideration. Peculiarities pertaining to the microbiological examination of seasonings and methodical problems of determining and judging the spore contents in foods are described.", "contents": "[Problems of maintaining of hygienic and microbiological quality standards of foodstuffs, particularly of vegetable origin (author's transl)]. As more and more components of our food are nowadays subjected to industrial processing, microbiological controls of raw materials and plant hygiene are important factors in protecting the consumer. In many cases preventive measures and specifications of microbiological characteristics of certain foodstuffs governed by legal regulations do not suffice to guarantee protection of the consumer as desired. For this reason conscientious food manufacturers maintain controls in line with self-imposed and very strict hygienic and microbiological rules. Insufficiencies of the relevant dietetic regulations are exposed and measures to ensure quality recommended. It is shown that, to determine the hygienic and microbiological condition of dehydrated vegetable raw materials, the conditions applying to fresh vegetables must be taken into consideration. Peculiarities pertaining to the microbiological examination of seasonings and methodical problems of determining and judging the spore contents in foods are described.", "PMID": 790864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8867", "title": "[L-forms of streptococcus in the scanning electron microscope. 1. Structural elements of L-colonies].", "content": "Broth culture of stable L-forms of beta-hemolytic streptococcus, group A, was studied in the log phase. Internal portion of the centrifugate constituting the matrix of the L-population represented a structureless mass in which the borders of individual cells were not always distinct; the cells adhered to one another and were irregular in shape. The described morphological picture corresponded to the internal part of the L-colonies from the semifluid medium in observation under phase and scanning microscope. A more peripheral portion of the centrifugate was formed by the spherical cells, about 2 mum in diameter; penetrating holes or crater-like invaginates and also small spherical structures, about 0.5 mum in diameter were often revealed on these cells. Filamentous structures, up to 200 mum in length which protruded far into the surrounding environment served as the most peripheral elements. Analogous structure were described in the L-colonies examined by phase contrast microscopy. The data of transmission and scanning microscopy are compared.", "contents": "[L-forms of streptococcus in the scanning electron microscope. 1. Structural elements of L-colonies]. Broth culture of stable L-forms of beta-hemolytic streptococcus, group A, was studied in the log phase. Internal portion of the centrifugate constituting the matrix of the L-population represented a structureless mass in which the borders of individual cells were not always distinct; the cells adhered to one another and were irregular in shape. The described morphological picture corresponded to the internal part of the L-colonies from the semifluid medium in observation under phase and scanning microscope. A more peripheral portion of the centrifugate was formed by the spherical cells, about 2 mum in diameter; penetrating holes or crater-like invaginates and also small spherical structures, about 0.5 mum in diameter were often revealed on these cells. Filamentous structures, up to 200 mum in length which protruded far into the surrounding environment served as the most peripheral elements. Analogous structure were described in the L-colonies examined by phase contrast microscopy. The data of transmission and scanning microscopy are compared.", "PMID": 790869} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8868", "title": "[Phagocytosis of enteropathogenic escherichiae of serogroup 0124:K72(B17)].", "content": "Experiments with phagocytosis of E. coli O124 in the macrophage tissue culture demonstrated a different phagocytability of the S- and R-forms of these bacteria determined by their concentration in the medium. The ingestive and digestive capacity depended on the bacterial virulence. Since R-forms of E. coli O124 lost their virulent properties and macrophage resistance it can be considered that the structure of their lipopolysaccharides served as the chemical substrate responsible for their different phagocytability.", "contents": "[Phagocytosis of enteropathogenic escherichiae of serogroup 0124:K72(B17)]. Experiments with phagocytosis of E. coli O124 in the macrophage tissue culture demonstrated a different phagocytability of the S- and R-forms of these bacteria determined by their concentration in the medium. The ingestive and digestive capacity depended on the bacterial virulence. Since R-forms of E. coli O124 lost their virulent properties and macrophage resistance it can be considered that the structure of their lipopolysaccharides served as the chemical substrate responsible for their different phagocytability.", "PMID": 790871} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8869", "title": "[Distribution of carotenoids in the tissues of high altitude rodents].", "content": "Carotenoid distribution has been investigated in the organs of the ground squirrels Citellus suslicus and C. pygmaeus, as well as of the vole Microtus majori inhabiting high mountain regions. It was shown that with the increase of the altitude of habitat the level of carotenoids in the brain and liver increases in the ground squirrels, whereas the vole exhibits the increase of carotenoid content in the spleen, lungs and heart. It is suggested that carotenoids are involved in the intracellular accumulation of oxygen and the increase of their level is associated with adaptation of animals to hypoxic conditions.", "contents": "[Distribution of carotenoids in the tissues of high altitude rodents]. Carotenoid distribution has been investigated in the organs of the ground squirrels Citellus suslicus and C. pygmaeus, as well as of the vole Microtus majori inhabiting high mountain regions. It was shown that with the increase of the altitude of habitat the level of carotenoids in the brain and liver increases in the ground squirrels, whereas the vole exhibits the increase of carotenoid content in the spleen, lungs and heart. It is suggested that carotenoids are involved in the intracellular accumulation of oxygen and the increase of their level is associated with adaptation of animals to hypoxic conditions.", "PMID": 790866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8870", "title": "On the metabolic radioprotection.", "content": "The effect of different factors (0.025 mol/l of cysteine, 0.0003 mol/l of iodoacetamide, 0.328 mol/l of hydroxyurea, deprivation of glucose or essential amino acid and uracil from the medium) on the resistance to gamma rays was studied in the cells of E. coli TAU- during the logarithmic phase. The resistance to gamma rays was also investigated during the stationary phase. It was established that treatments, including reversible inhibition of cell division and unbalance of macromolecular synthesis of a type in which the DNA synthesis was continued without a simultaneous RNA- and protein synthesis enhanced the radioresistance. This type of asynchrony of macromolecular synthesis could increase radioresistance by promotion of repair processes of single-strand breaks in DNA after a single dose of 15 krads irradiation. For this latter studies E. coli K12 (AB 2497) strain and the technique developed by McGrath and Williams was used.", "contents": "On the metabolic radioprotection. The effect of different factors (0.025 mol/l of cysteine, 0.0003 mol/l of iodoacetamide, 0.328 mol/l of hydroxyurea, deprivation of glucose or essential amino acid and uracil from the medium) on the resistance to gamma rays was studied in the cells of E. coli TAU- during the logarithmic phase. The resistance to gamma rays was also investigated during the stationary phase. It was established that treatments, including reversible inhibition of cell division and unbalance of macromolecular synthesis of a type in which the DNA synthesis was continued without a simultaneous RNA- and protein synthesis enhanced the radioresistance. This type of asynchrony of macromolecular synthesis could increase radioresistance by promotion of repair processes of single-strand breaks in DNA after a single dose of 15 krads irradiation. For this latter studies E. coli K12 (AB 2497) strain and the technique developed by McGrath and Williams was used.", "PMID": 790872} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8871", "title": "[The significance of stress intensity for the emotional and visceral reactivity, especially for blood pressure regulation].", "content": "The influence of light, medium, and heavy chronic stress upon cerebro-visceral functions following 3 and 5 weeks of daily stress exposure was examined. The following results were obtained: Light stress produced no changes of cerebro-visceral functions. Medium stress restricted the learning and memory capacity, increased systolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and adrenal weights. The B-cells of the pancreatic islets showed degranulations of varying intensity. Heavy stress diminished the learning and memory capacity, increased adrenal weights and led to hypergranulation of the pancreatic B-cells. Blood sugar and blood pressure values fall within physiological limits. Load tests, however, revealed in these animals symptoms of premorbid states. Since throughout the period of observation, light stress stablized the regulation processes, medium stress induced early stages of pathological processes, and heavy stress caused premorbid states, no linearity could be established between the load intensity and the changes of cerebro-visceral functions.", "contents": "[The significance of stress intensity for the emotional and visceral reactivity, especially for blood pressure regulation]. The influence of light, medium, and heavy chronic stress upon cerebro-visceral functions following 3 and 5 weeks of daily stress exposure was examined. The following results were obtained: Light stress produced no changes of cerebro-visceral functions. Medium stress restricted the learning and memory capacity, increased systolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and adrenal weights. The B-cells of the pancreatic islets showed degranulations of varying intensity. Heavy stress diminished the learning and memory capacity, increased adrenal weights and led to hypergranulation of the pancreatic B-cells. Blood sugar and blood pressure values fall within physiological limits. Load tests, however, revealed in these animals symptoms of premorbid states. Since throughout the period of observation, light stress stablized the regulation processes, medium stress induced early stages of pathological processes, and heavy stress caused premorbid states, no linearity could be established between the load intensity and the changes of cerebro-visceral functions.", "PMID": 790873} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8872", "title": "[Correlations between hippocampus function and stressed learning and their effect on cerebro-visceral regulation processes].", "content": "43 male albino rats were investigated to find out what are the effects of bilateral exclusion of pes hippocampus structures upon the development of arterial hypertension released by learning stress exposure. The following results were obtained: 5 weeks of stress exposure (learning load and heavy learning load) caused disturbances of information-processing events of the central nervous system in all the animals with hippocampal lesions. Systolic blood pressure values, fasting blood sugar values, and adrenal weights fall within the physiological range. The B-cells of the pancreatic islets show hypergranulation. Functional tests of the blood pressure under exercise load, and of blood sugar under glucose load revealed normal reactions in animals with hippocampal lesions. In animals with intact brains the same stress exposure caused pathologic malfunctioning (under learning stress) or even premorbid states. The results being considered in relation to the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension show that the exclusion of circumscribed areas of the hippocampus prevents the development of permanent, stress-induced emotional excitations spreading into the viscerum.", "contents": "[Correlations between hippocampus function and stressed learning and their effect on cerebro-visceral regulation processes]. 43 male albino rats were investigated to find out what are the effects of bilateral exclusion of pes hippocampus structures upon the development of arterial hypertension released by learning stress exposure. The following results were obtained: 5 weeks of stress exposure (learning load and heavy learning load) caused disturbances of information-processing events of the central nervous system in all the animals with hippocampal lesions. Systolic blood pressure values, fasting blood sugar values, and adrenal weights fall within the physiological range. The B-cells of the pancreatic islets show hypergranulation. Functional tests of the blood pressure under exercise load, and of blood sugar under glucose load revealed normal reactions in animals with hippocampal lesions. In animals with intact brains the same stress exposure caused pathologic malfunctioning (under learning stress) or even premorbid states. The results being considered in relation to the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension show that the exclusion of circumscribed areas of the hippocampus prevents the development of permanent, stress-induced emotional excitations spreading into the viscerum.", "PMID": 790874} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8873", "title": "Clinical trials in surgery.", "content": "Scientific knowledge is reliable because it has been built on accurate measurements. Clinical knowledge is not. The science of biometry was started in 1835 by the Belgian astronomer Adolphe Quetelet. In the last fifty years a precise set of rules have been invented for this science. The method is suitable for a wide range of problems in clinical medicine and as the result of its application in recent years a firm foundation has been laid upon which scientific clinical knowledge can be built. Surge-ns, particularly, have been slow to apply biometrical methods to their clinical problems; but a start has now been made. The outcome of a particular type of treatment is determined by a complex set of inter-acting factors. The basis of the appropriate biometrical method is the elimination of all bias in favour of one of the rival techniques being compared. If this precaution is taken the observed results of the trial can be fitted onto Quetelet's distribution graph, and the probability of the observed difference in the results being due to chance, and nothing else, can be measured mathematically. The accuracy of this measurement deteriorates the greater are the number of the patients who can not be found and examined at the end of the trial. To make this point two trials conducted by the author are used. In the trial designed to discover if postoperative deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism could be prevented by electrically stimulating the patients legs during the operation there was no difficulty. All the patients were examined at the end of the trial, because it ended before any of the patients left the hospital. The trial to discover if the primary treatment of varicose veins ought to be by Fegan's sclerotherapy or by operation was the exact opposite. At the end of the first year of the two year trial 15% of the patients could not be traced. The results in these patients, therefore, was unknown. Because of this, elaborate mathematical calculations had to be made to try and reach a reliable conclusion to the trial. The loss of patients before the end of the trial is a very serious practical difficulty which besets all long-term clinical trials.", "contents": "Clinical trials in surgery. Scientific knowledge is reliable because it has been built on accurate measurements. Clinical knowledge is not. The science of biometry was started in 1835 by the Belgian astronomer Adolphe Quetelet. In the last fifty years a precise set of rules have been invented for this science. The method is suitable for a wide range of problems in clinical medicine and as the result of its application in recent years a firm foundation has been laid upon which scientific clinical knowledge can be built. Surge-ns, particularly, have been slow to apply biometrical methods to their clinical problems; but a start has now been made. The outcome of a particular type of treatment is determined by a complex set of inter-acting factors. The basis of the appropriate biometrical method is the elimination of all bias in favour of one of the rival techniques being compared. If this precaution is taken the observed results of the trial can be fitted onto Quetelet's distribution graph, and the probability of the observed difference in the results being due to chance, and nothing else, can be measured mathematically. The accuracy of this measurement deteriorates the greater are the number of the patients who can not be found and examined at the end of the trial. To make this point two trials conducted by the author are used. In the trial designed to discover if postoperative deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism could be prevented by electrically stimulating the patients legs during the operation there was no difficulty. All the patients were examined at the end of the trial, because it ended before any of the patients left the hospital. The trial to discover if the primary treatment of varicose veins ought to be by Fegan's sclerotherapy or by operation was the exact opposite. At the end of the first year of the two year trial 15% of the patients could not be traced. The results in these patients, therefore, was unknown. Because of this, elaborate mathematical calculations had to be made to try and reach a reliable conclusion to the trial. The loss of patients before the end of the trial is a very serious practical difficulty which besets all long-term clinical trials.", "PMID": 790878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8874", "title": "The use of controlled clinical trials in gastric surgery.", "content": "Evaluation of results of different surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer requires controlled clinical trials. Some of the published trials have flaws in conception and realization: heterogeneity of material, absence of randomization, incomplete follow-up and incomplete data in results. The author presents a controlled clinical trial, following a carefully planned protocol, comparing results of gastric proximal vagotomy without drainage to those of selective vagotomy with gastro-jejunostromy. This study has shown the mean term advantages of proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage, and of the controlled clinical trial in demonstrating the pros-and-cons of a gastric operation for a duodenal ulcer.", "contents": "The use of controlled clinical trials in gastric surgery. Evaluation of results of different surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer requires controlled clinical trials. Some of the published trials have flaws in conception and realization: heterogeneity of material, absence of randomization, incomplete follow-up and incomplete data in results. The author presents a controlled clinical trial, following a carefully planned protocol, comparing results of gastric proximal vagotomy without drainage to those of selective vagotomy with gastro-jejunostromy. This study has shown the mean term advantages of proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage, and of the controlled clinical trial in demonstrating the pros-and-cons of a gastric operation for a duodenal ulcer.", "PMID": 790879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8875", "title": "Tissue holding power to a single suture in different parts of the alimentary tract.", "content": "Figures for tissue strength are reported from an investigation on the tissue holding power to a single suture in 8 parts of the gut between oesophagus and rectum in 71 preparations from 44 individuals. 1749 experiments were done. Three layers were tested in each part of the gut. The mean holding power of sutures in the mucosa was 0.26-0.83 kp, for those in the seromuscular coat 1.03-2.24 kp, and for through-and-through sutures, 1.02-2.54 kp. Appreciable differences in tissue strength appear to exist between different parts of the alimentary tract. The lowest values were noted in the oesophagus and sigmoid, and the highest in the stomach and colon. Sutures through the whole gut wall were hardly any stronger than sutures in the sero-muscular coat. There was a significant difference in holding power in cancer compared with non-cancer cases. The holding power was considerably reduced in subjects with cancer in the alimentary tract. Knowledge of tissue strength in the gut may help to explain why anastomoses break down, and will provide a firmer basis for the choice of sufficiently strong suture material and knots with a view to preventing this complication.", "contents": "Tissue holding power to a single suture in different parts of the alimentary tract. Figures for tissue strength are reported from an investigation on the tissue holding power to a single suture in 8 parts of the gut between oesophagus and rectum in 71 preparations from 44 individuals. 1749 experiments were done. Three layers were tested in each part of the gut. The mean holding power of sutures in the mucosa was 0.26-0.83 kp, for those in the seromuscular coat 1.03-2.24 kp, and for through-and-through sutures, 1.02-2.54 kp. Appreciable differences in tissue strength appear to exist between different parts of the alimentary tract. The lowest values were noted in the oesophagus and sigmoid, and the highest in the stomach and colon. Sutures through the whole gut wall were hardly any stronger than sutures in the sero-muscular coat. There was a significant difference in holding power in cancer compared with non-cancer cases. The holding power was considerably reduced in subjects with cancer in the alimentary tract. Knowledge of tissue strength in the gut may help to explain why anastomoses break down, and will provide a firmer basis for the choice of sufficiently strong suture material and knots with a view to preventing this complication.", "PMID": 790882} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8876", "title": "Tissue strength of structures involved in musculo-aponeurotic layer sutures in laparotomy incisions.", "content": "Tissue strength to breaking point against the pulling forces of a suture was investigated in the musculo-aponeurotic layer of the six laparotomy incisions most commonly used in surgery, namely 1) mid-line incision, 2) paramedial incision, 3) pararectal incision, 4) transverse incision, 5) right oblique subcostal incision, and 6) McBurney's incision. When the suture length was 5 mm and the interval between sutures 10 mm, the mean tissue holding power was 1.9 kp for peritoneum and transversalis fascia together; 5.6 and 3.2 kp for longitudinal incisions through andinary sutures; and 22.9 kp for linea alba with sutures placed lateral to the transition between linea alba and rectus sheath. In comparison with these longitudinal incisions the tissue-holding power in corresponding tissues in transverse incisions was greater (c. 40% greater in the linea alba and anterior rectus sheath and c. 60% greater in the posterior rectus sheath). When regard was paid to the total closure strength of the musculo-aponeurotic layer, e.g. in paramedian incisions the sum of the figures for the anterior and posterior rectal sheaths, the paramedian incision was found to give the weakest closure, followed by the only slightly stronger pararectal incision. The strongest closure was obtained with the midline incision through the linea alba when the sutures were placed laterally to the transition between the linea alba and the rectus sheath. The values for holding power recorded for the musculo-aponeurotic layer may provide a rational basis for the choice of thread dimension and knot type in order to create a suture loop that will be at least as strong as the tissue.", "contents": "Tissue strength of structures involved in musculo-aponeurotic layer sutures in laparotomy incisions. Tissue strength to breaking point against the pulling forces of a suture was investigated in the musculo-aponeurotic layer of the six laparotomy incisions most commonly used in surgery, namely 1) mid-line incision, 2) paramedial incision, 3) pararectal incision, 4) transverse incision, 5) right oblique subcostal incision, and 6) McBurney's incision. When the suture length was 5 mm and the interval between sutures 10 mm, the mean tissue holding power was 1.9 kp for peritoneum and transversalis fascia together; 5.6 and 3.2 kp for longitudinal incisions through andinary sutures; and 22.9 kp for linea alba with sutures placed lateral to the transition between linea alba and rectus sheath. In comparison with these longitudinal incisions the tissue-holding power in corresponding tissues in transverse incisions was greater (c. 40% greater in the linea alba and anterior rectus sheath and c. 60% greater in the posterior rectus sheath). When regard was paid to the total closure strength of the musculo-aponeurotic layer, e.g. in paramedian incisions the sum of the figures for the anterior and posterior rectal sheaths, the paramedian incision was found to give the weakest closure, followed by the only slightly stronger pararectal incision. The strongest closure was obtained with the midline incision through the linea alba when the sutures were placed laterally to the transition between the linea alba and the rectus sheath. The values for holding power recorded for the musculo-aponeurotic layer may provide a rational basis for the choice of thread dimension and knot type in order to create a suture loop that will be at least as strong as the tissue.", "PMID": 790883} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8877", "title": "Serum LH and FSH levels following intravenous injection of a gonadotrophin releasing principle in normal and gonadectomized adult male rats treated with oestradiol-17beta or 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone.", "content": "Effect of intravenous administration of a synthetic gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRF) on circulating LH and FSH concentrations was investigated in normal and gonadectomized, adult male rats injected subcutaneously each day during seven days with various doses of oestradiol-17beta or 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone in sesame oil. Higher increase in serum LH and FSH levels subsequent to intravenously administered GnRF was observed in castrated control animals than in intact control animals, though this increment was not of significant nature for serum FSH. Pre-treatment of normal and gonadectomized rats with oestradiol-17beta resulted in an augmented response of serum LH and FSH concentrations to GnRF iv. Pre-treatment of normal and gonadectomized rats with 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone diminished serum LH and FSH response following administration of the same amount of GnRF. For these steroids to affect the response pattern of serum LH and FSH to GnRF iv, higher doses were required in normal than in gonadectomized animals. The data indicate that oestrogen and androgen may act at different sites in the male hypothalamic-pituitary axis with respect to regulation of pituitary gonadotrophins.", "contents": "Serum LH and FSH levels following intravenous injection of a gonadotrophin releasing principle in normal and gonadectomized adult male rats treated with oestradiol-17beta or 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone. Effect of intravenous administration of a synthetic gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRF) on circulating LH and FSH concentrations was investigated in normal and gonadectomized, adult male rats injected subcutaneously each day during seven days with various doses of oestradiol-17beta or 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone in sesame oil. Higher increase in serum LH and FSH levels subsequent to intravenously administered GnRF was observed in castrated control animals than in intact control animals, though this increment was not of significant nature for serum FSH. Pre-treatment of normal and gonadectomized rats with oestradiol-17beta resulted in an augmented response of serum LH and FSH concentrations to GnRF iv. Pre-treatment of normal and gonadectomized rats with 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone diminished serum LH and FSH response following administration of the same amount of GnRF. For these steroids to affect the response pattern of serum LH and FSH to GnRF iv, higher doses were required in normal than in gonadectomized animals. The data indicate that oestrogen and androgen may act at different sites in the male hypothalamic-pituitary axis with respect to regulation of pituitary gonadotrophins.", "PMID": 790885} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8878", "title": "Etidocaine in retrobulbar anaesthesia. A comparison with mepivacaine.", "content": "A new long-acting local anaesthetic, etidocaine (Duranest) has been compared to mepivacaine (Carbocaine) in retrobulbar anaesthesia in a double-blind trial including 45 patients. Solutions used were etidocaine 0.5% and 1% and mepivacaine 1%, all without adrenaline. The onset time was short and no difference was found between the solutions. The duration of analgesia and motor block was significantly longer with etidocaine 1% compared to mepivacaine 1%. In a following open study with etidocaine 1% and mepivacaine 1% about 80% of the the patients in the etidocaine group never experienced any post-operative pain compared to about 50% in the mepivacaine group. No signs of local or systemic toxicity were noted in the studies.", "contents": "Etidocaine in retrobulbar anaesthesia. A comparison with mepivacaine. A new long-acting local anaesthetic, etidocaine (Duranest) has been compared to mepivacaine (Carbocaine) in retrobulbar anaesthesia in a double-blind trial including 45 patients. Solutions used were etidocaine 0.5% and 1% and mepivacaine 1%, all without adrenaline. The onset time was short and no difference was found between the solutions. The duration of analgesia and motor block was significantly longer with etidocaine 1% compared to mepivacaine 1%. In a following open study with etidocaine 1% and mepivacaine 1% about 80% of the the patients in the etidocaine group never experienced any post-operative pain compared to about 50% in the mepivacaine group. No signs of local or systemic toxicity were noted in the studies.", "PMID": 790888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8879", "title": "Exfoliative cytology in the diagnosis of immunologic rejection in the transplanted kidney.", "content": "Urinary cytology was used in the study of 57 patients who received renal allografts. In general, there was close correlation between the cytologic and clinical evidence of rejection and, at least in some instances, rejection was detected cytologically prior to the onset of clinical signs and symptoms. A cytologic profile associated with rejection was established. This had as its main feature an increased number of tubular cells, particularly those that were small and degenerating. An associated background of cellular debris and casts was found to be of major significance. Intranuclear inclusions suggestive of viral infections were present in 15 patients. Cellular atypias caused by factors other than immunologic rejection were seen but none were of a malignant nature. It was considered of importance that the method described in this study could be carried out in a routine diagnostic cytopathology laboratory by cytotechnologists and cytopathologists who had received only a brief period of special training in the field of transplant cytology.", "contents": "Exfoliative cytology in the diagnosis of immunologic rejection in the transplanted kidney. Urinary cytology was used in the study of 57 patients who received renal allografts. In general, there was close correlation between the cytologic and clinical evidence of rejection and, at least in some instances, rejection was detected cytologically prior to the onset of clinical signs and symptoms. A cytologic profile associated with rejection was established. This had as its main feature an increased number of tubular cells, particularly those that were small and degenerating. An associated background of cellular debris and casts was found to be of major significance. Intranuclear inclusions suggestive of viral infections were present in 15 patients. Cellular atypias caused by factors other than immunologic rejection were seen but none were of a malignant nature. It was considered of importance that the method described in this study could be carried out in a routine diagnostic cytopathology laboratory by cytotechnologists and cytopathologists who had received only a brief period of special training in the field of transplant cytology.", "PMID": 790884} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8880", "title": "Human auto-immune thyroiditis.", "content": "Focal or diffuse infiltration of lymphoid cells in auto-immune thyroiditis destroys the parenchyma. In the diffuse form (Hashimoto's disease), the clinical picture is characterized by fatigue and thyroid enlargement. The diagnosis is settled by cytology. All patients must be treated with thyroid hormones to avoid myxoedema. Loss of immunological tolerance and cytotoxic immune reactions is discussed.", "contents": "Human auto-immune thyroiditis. Focal or diffuse infiltration of lymphoid cells in auto-immune thyroiditis destroys the parenchyma. In the diffuse form (Hashimoto's disease), the clinical picture is characterized by fatigue and thyroid enlargement. The diagnosis is settled by cytology. All patients must be treated with thyroid hormones to avoid myxoedema. Loss of immunological tolerance and cytotoxic immune reactions is discussed.", "PMID": 790889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8881", "title": "Long-term treatment of nasal polyps with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol. I. Treatment and rationale.", "content": "Beclomethasone dipropionate is a potent corticosteroid, which when applied by a pressurized metered dose aerosol in the airways has pronounced anti-allergic effects with no risk of systemic steroid side effects at the recommended dosage. An impressive effect in hay fever and perennial rhinitis has been demonstrated. A double-blind short-term trial showed that the drug was effective in about 80% of patients suffering from moderate to severe nasal polyposis. A study of the long-term effects on the nasal mucosa is indicated.", "contents": "Long-term treatment of nasal polyps with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol. I. Treatment and rationale. Beclomethasone dipropionate is a potent corticosteroid, which when applied by a pressurized metered dose aerosol in the airways has pronounced anti-allergic effects with no risk of systemic steroid side effects at the recommended dosage. An impressive effect in hay fever and perennial rhinitis has been demonstrated. A double-blind short-term trial showed that the drug was effective in about 80% of patients suffering from moderate to severe nasal polyposis. A study of the long-term effects on the nasal mucosa is indicated.", "PMID": 790890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8882", "title": "Long-term treatment of nasal polyps with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol. II. Clinical results.", "content": "The effect of a one-year treatment with intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate in 33 patients with long-standing nasal polyps was determined. About 80% of the patients obtained good or excellent relief of symptoms. No adverse reactions of any importance occurred. It is suggested that intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate is close to the ideal basic treatment for patients with nasal polyps.", "contents": "Long-term treatment of nasal polyps with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol. II. Clinical results. The effect of a one-year treatment with intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate in 33 patients with long-standing nasal polyps was determined. About 80% of the patients obtained good or excellent relief of symptoms. No adverse reactions of any importance occurred. It is suggested that intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate is close to the ideal basic treatment for patients with nasal polyps.", "PMID": 790891} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8883", "title": "Spontaneous portorenal shunting in portal hypertension assessed by a dye dilution technique.", "content": "Using a dye dilution technique, blood flow was measured in the right and left renal veins in 12 patients with portal hypertension. There was evidence of spontaneous shunts to the left renal vein in all cases and at least in 4 cases to the right one. Spontaneous portal systemic shunts other than via esophageal varices is probably much higher than hitherto known.", "contents": "Spontaneous portorenal shunting in portal hypertension assessed by a dye dilution technique. Using a dye dilution technique, blood flow was measured in the right and left renal veins in 12 patients with portal hypertension. There was evidence of spontaneous shunts to the left renal vein in all cases and at least in 4 cases to the right one. Spontaneous portal systemic shunts other than via esophageal varices is probably much higher than hitherto known.", "PMID": 790896} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8884", "title": "[Long-term treatment of nasal polyps with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol. III. Morphological studies and conclusions].", "content": "Morphological studies during the treatment of patients with nasal polyps with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol for one year showed a trend towards a decrease in the number of eosinophils in nasal smears and falls in the increased concentrations of albumin, IgG and IgE in the nasal secretion. No change in the histological picture of the polypous tissue except increased density was observed. By scanning electron microscopy, no change in the surface structure of the nasal mucous membrane was noted. As morphological studies did not reveal any sign of adverse effects, beclomethasone dipropionate may be regarded as a valuable drug in the treatment of nasal polyps. The indications for its clinical use and supplementary therapy are discussed.", "contents": "[Long-term treatment of nasal polyps with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol. III. Morphological studies and conclusions]. Morphological studies during the treatment of patients with nasal polyps with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol for one year showed a trend towards a decrease in the number of eosinophils in nasal smears and falls in the increased concentrations of albumin, IgG and IgE in the nasal secretion. No change in the histological picture of the polypous tissue except increased density was observed. By scanning electron microscopy, no change in the surface structure of the nasal mucous membrane was noted. As morphological studies did not reveal any sign of adverse effects, beclomethasone dipropionate may be regarded as a valuable drug in the treatment of nasal polyps. The indications for its clinical use and supplementary therapy are discussed.", "PMID": 790892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8885", "title": "Lithium treatment of meniere's disease. Results of a double-blind cross-over trial.", "content": "21 patients with Meniere's disease participated in a double-blind, cross-over trial, with 6 months' lithium treatment and 6 months' placebo treatment. Even if the results were not completely unequivocal, no difference was found between lithium and placebo treatment. The results might imply that both other medical as well as surgical treatment of Meniere's disease exert a pure placebo effect; so far no controlled investigation has been published, establishing the value of surgical treatment of Meniere's disease.", "contents": "Lithium treatment of meniere's disease. Results of a double-blind cross-over trial. 21 patients with Meniere's disease participated in a double-blind, cross-over trial, with 6 months' lithium treatment and 6 months' placebo treatment. Even if the results were not completely unequivocal, no difference was found between lithium and placebo treatment. The results might imply that both other medical as well as surgical treatment of Meniere's disease exert a pure placebo effect; so far no controlled investigation has been published, establishing the value of surgical treatment of Meniere's disease.", "PMID": 790893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8886", "title": "Hyoscine-N-butylbromide (Buscopan) as a duodenal relaxant in tubeless duodenography.", "content": "The efficacy of Buscopan in tubeless duodenography was tested in 48 patients using different routes of administration. The drug led to successful results in 77 to 85 per cent of patients in the dosage used (40 mg), the intravenous route proving the most efficient. The drug is considered superior to Probanthine and glucagon (Glucagon-Lilly) in view of its safety, low incidence of side-effects and efficacy. Follow-through examinations of the small bowel at 1 hour are possible in 33 per cent of patients, although 40 per cent have mild residual abnormalities only.", "contents": "Hyoscine-N-butylbromide (Buscopan) as a duodenal relaxant in tubeless duodenography. The efficacy of Buscopan in tubeless duodenography was tested in 48 patients using different routes of administration. The drug led to successful results in 77 to 85 per cent of patients in the dosage used (40 mg), the intravenous route proving the most efficient. The drug is considered superior to Probanthine and glucagon (Glucagon-Lilly) in view of its safety, low incidence of side-effects and efficacy. Follow-through examinations of the small bowel at 1 hour are possible in 33 per cent of patients, although 40 per cent have mild residual abnormalities only.", "PMID": 790897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8887", "title": "Immunoglobulins and complement in chronic myocardial disease. A myocardial biopsy study.", "content": "Autoimmune mechanisms have been suggested to be of significance in chronic myocardial diseases. However, the frequency and importance of these factors are unknown. In the present study, endomyocardial biopsy specimens from 21 patients with chronic myocardial disease have been examined by direct immunofluorescence for the presence of immunoglobulins and complement factor C3. Positive staining for immunoglobulin and/or complement was observed in 7 cases. None of the specimens stained for albumin or amyloid. The immunoglobulin deposits were located on the surface of the myofibre and in all but one case, complement was found in the same location. The presence of the complement together with immunoglobulin, and also the lack of albumin, may suggest an immune reaction and not just a passive deposition secondary to heart muscle damage. The localization along the fibres further suggests that the deposits represent an autoimmune reaction to antigens on the fibres and not a trapping of circulating antigen-antibody complexes. It is not known whether the deposits are primary or secondary events, but they may be of importance in initiating or maintaining derangement in heart function.", "contents": "Immunoglobulins and complement in chronic myocardial disease. A myocardial biopsy study. Autoimmune mechanisms have been suggested to be of significance in chronic myocardial diseases. However, the frequency and importance of these factors are unknown. In the present study, endomyocardial biopsy specimens from 21 patients with chronic myocardial disease have been examined by direct immunofluorescence for the presence of immunoglobulins and complement factor C3. Positive staining for immunoglobulin and/or complement was observed in 7 cases. None of the specimens stained for albumin or amyloid. The immunoglobulin deposits were located on the surface of the myofibre and in all but one case, complement was found in the same location. The presence of the complement together with immunoglobulin, and also the lack of albumin, may suggest an immune reaction and not just a passive deposition secondary to heart muscle damage. The localization along the fibres further suggests that the deposits represent an autoimmune reaction to antigens on the fibres and not a trapping of circulating antigen-antibody complexes. It is not known whether the deposits are primary or secondary events, but they may be of importance in initiating or maintaining derangement in heart function.", "PMID": 790898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8888", "title": "Sports and longevity.", "content": "The mortality of 396 Finnish champion skiers born from 1845 to 1910 was followed up to the end of 1967. Their median life expectancy was 73.0 years, ie.e 4.3 years longer than that for the Finnish male population during the same period. Former skiers have low blood pressure, seldom smoke and are physically active. Increased longevity has been reported also for American college oarsmen and baseball players.", "contents": "Sports and longevity. The mortality of 396 Finnish champion skiers born from 1845 to 1910 was followed up to the end of 1967. Their median life expectancy was 73.0 years, ie.e 4.3 years longer than that for the Finnish male population during the same period. Former skiers have low blood pressure, seldom smoke and are physically active. Increased longevity has been reported also for American college oarsmen and baseball players.", "PMID": 790903} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8889", "title": "Laboratory and clinical evaluation of a new synthetic absorbable suture for ophthalmic surgery.", "content": "A new synthetic absorbable suture, a copolymer of two simple hydroxy acids, glycolic acid and lactic acid, was evaluated in a laboratory and clinical study for its usefulness in ophthalmic surgery. The glycolactide was compared with chromic collagen of similar size. The 8/0 glycolactide showed 30% greater initial strength than 8/0 chromic collagen. Following implantation of the suture in rabbit corneas, the suture was removed at intervals and its rupture strength tested. At the end of 1 week the glycolactide retined over 90% of its initial rupture strength while chromic collagen had lost nearly 50% of its strength. After 10 days the strength of the glycolactide tended to fall rapidly and by day 21 the suture had negligible strength and began to absorb, completely disappearing by 7 weeks. Chromic collagen tended to remain in situ for many weeks although possessing negligible rupture strength. The 8/0 glycolactide was compared with 8/0 chromic collagen in suturing corneoscleral wounds of 45 consecutive patients undergoing routine cataract surgery. Handling qualities were judged and the eyes followed post-operatively to ascertain reaction to the sutures and time of final disappearance of the sutures from the eyes. The glycolactide showed no tendency to disappear from the wounds until after the fourth week. By the end of 9 weeks all the glycolactide sutures had disappeared. Chromic collagen, on the other hand, was more variable, some sutures disappearing as early as the third week while others remained in place essentially unchanged for more than 20 weeks. Neither glycolactide nor chromic collagen showed any tendency to excite reaction in the eyes and the incidence of complications was low.", "contents": "Laboratory and clinical evaluation of a new synthetic absorbable suture for ophthalmic surgery. A new synthetic absorbable suture, a copolymer of two simple hydroxy acids, glycolic acid and lactic acid, was evaluated in a laboratory and clinical study for its usefulness in ophthalmic surgery. The glycolactide was compared with chromic collagen of similar size. The 8/0 glycolactide showed 30% greater initial strength than 8/0 chromic collagen. Following implantation of the suture in rabbit corneas, the suture was removed at intervals and its rupture strength tested. At the end of 1 week the glycolactide retined over 90% of its initial rupture strength while chromic collagen had lost nearly 50% of its strength. After 10 days the strength of the glycolactide tended to fall rapidly and by day 21 the suture had negligible strength and began to absorb, completely disappearing by 7 weeks. Chromic collagen tended to remain in situ for many weeks although possessing negligible rupture strength. The 8/0 glycolactide was compared with 8/0 chromic collagen in suturing corneoscleral wounds of 45 consecutive patients undergoing routine cataract surgery. Handling qualities were judged and the eyes followed post-operatively to ascertain reaction to the sutures and time of final disappearance of the sutures from the eyes. The glycolactide showed no tendency to disappear from the wounds until after the fourth week. By the end of 9 weeks all the glycolactide sutures had disappeared. Chromic collagen, on the other hand, was more variable, some sutures disappearing as early as the third week while others remained in place essentially unchanged for more than 20 weeks. Neither glycolactide nor chromic collagen showed any tendency to excite reaction in the eyes and the incidence of complications was low.", "PMID": 790910} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8890", "title": "Absorption time of PGA monofilaments and collagen 8/0 in corneal sutures.", "content": "Absorbable corneal sutures of PGA monofilaments were tested in rabbit eyes. Compared to chromic collagen 8/0 the sutures were tolerated well, but the absorption time of 14.6 days is considered as being too short for corneal surgery.", "contents": "Absorption time of PGA monofilaments and collagen 8/0 in corneal sutures. Absorbable corneal sutures of PGA monofilaments were tested in rabbit eyes. Compared to chromic collagen 8/0 the sutures were tolerated well, but the absorption time of 14.6 days is considered as being too short for corneal surgery.", "PMID": 790912} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8891", "title": "Effects of some naturally occurring prostaglandins and synthetic analogues on gastric secretion and ulcer healing in man.", "content": "The effects of several naturally occurring prostaglandins and their synthetic analogues on gastric acid secretion in man have been studied. Naturally occurring prostaglandins when given orally do not inhibit gastric secretion in man with the exceptions of PGA2, PGB1, and PGB2. The effect of PGB compounds in inhibiting gastric secretion is inconsistent and unpredictable, whereas PGA2 produces only a transient inhibition of acid secretion. Several synthetic analogues of prostaglandin E2 (particularly 15-methyl and 16,16-dimethyl analogues) produce a marked and sustained inhibition of acid secretion in man when administered orally. In a double-blind study 15(R)-15 methyl-PGE2 has been shown to be highly effective in healing of gastric ulcers in man possibly by inhibiting gastric acid and pepsin secretion and stimulating mucus production. Prostaglandin E2 (although without effect on gastric acid secretion in man) is also effective in healing of gastric ulcers. Deficiency of prostaglandins as a possible cause of gastrointestinal ulcers is discussed.", "contents": "Effects of some naturally occurring prostaglandins and synthetic analogues on gastric secretion and ulcer healing in man. The effects of several naturally occurring prostaglandins and their synthetic analogues on gastric acid secretion in man have been studied. Naturally occurring prostaglandins when given orally do not inhibit gastric secretion in man with the exceptions of PGA2, PGB1, and PGB2. The effect of PGB compounds in inhibiting gastric secretion is inconsistent and unpredictable, whereas PGA2 produces only a transient inhibition of acid secretion. Several synthetic analogues of prostaglandin E2 (particularly 15-methyl and 16,16-dimethyl analogues) produce a marked and sustained inhibition of acid secretion in man when administered orally. In a double-blind study 15(R)-15 methyl-PGE2 has been shown to be highly effective in healing of gastric ulcers in man possibly by inhibiting gastric acid and pepsin secretion and stimulating mucus production. Prostaglandin E2 (although without effect on gastric acid secretion in man) is also effective in healing of gastric ulcers. Deficiency of prostaglandins as a possible cause of gastrointestinal ulcers is discussed.", "PMID": 790914} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8892", "title": "Interactions between the renal prostaglandins and the renin--angiotensin system.", "content": "Although the PGs operate mainly in the renal medulla the demonstration of PG biosynthesis in the renal cortex has provided a biochemical basis for a direct relationship between the PGs and the renin-angiotensin system. The formation of PGs is influenced by circulating levels of A I probably by indirect mechanisms. That the release of renin at least under certain experimental conditions is dependent on the PG system is suggested by the following findings: 1. C20:4 increases PRA in the rabbit and rat. 2. Indomethacin decreases PRA in the rabbit. 3. C20:4 stimulates renin release from slices of rabbit kidney cortex. 4. Reduced renal perfusion pressure and ischemia are accompanied by release of both PGs and renin. 5. The release of PG and renin following renal ischemia is blocked by treatment with indomethacin. The actions of the renin-angiotensin system and the renal PGs are, as far as we know them, antagonistic to each other. PGEs are vasodilator, increase renal blood flow, inhibit adrenergic neurotransmission, and cause excretion of electrolytes and water. Conversely, A II is vasoconstrictor, decreases renal blood flow, stimulates adrenergic neurotransmission, and conserves water and electrolytes. Thus, the interaction between the renal PGs and renin seems to be one in which the two hormonal systems stimulate each other's formation or release, but opposes each other's actions. Further studies are necessary to reconcile this apparent contradiction.", "contents": "Interactions between the renal prostaglandins and the renin--angiotensin system. Although the PGs operate mainly in the renal medulla the demonstration of PG biosynthesis in the renal cortex has provided a biochemical basis for a direct relationship between the PGs and the renin-angiotensin system. The formation of PGs is influenced by circulating levels of A I probably by indirect mechanisms. That the release of renin at least under certain experimental conditions is dependent on the PG system is suggested by the following findings: 1. C20:4 increases PRA in the rabbit and rat. 2. Indomethacin decreases PRA in the rabbit. 3. C20:4 stimulates renin release from slices of rabbit kidney cortex. 4. Reduced renal perfusion pressure and ischemia are accompanied by release of both PGs and renin. 5. The release of PG and renin following renal ischemia is blocked by treatment with indomethacin. The actions of the renin-angiotensin system and the renal PGs are, as far as we know them, antagonistic to each other. PGEs are vasodilator, increase renal blood flow, inhibit adrenergic neurotransmission, and cause excretion of electrolytes and water. Conversely, A II is vasoconstrictor, decreases renal blood flow, stimulates adrenergic neurotransmission, and conserves water and electrolytes. Thus, the interaction between the renal PGs and renin seems to be one in which the two hormonal systems stimulate each other's formation or release, but opposes each other's actions. Further studies are necessary to reconcile this apparent contradiction.", "PMID": 790916} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8893", "title": "Prostaglandin F2alpha production by the brain and its role in LH secretion.", "content": "The arteriovenous difference in the concentration of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) across the brain of the anestrous sheep was measured before and during the induction of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion with estradiol-17beta (E2-17beta). The results indicate that (a) the brain is a significant source of PGF2alpha, (b) the release of PGF2alpha from the brain occurs in pulses with a circhoral rhythm, and (c) the process through which estrogen exerts its negative and positive feedback effects on LH secretion may depend upon amplitude modulation of PGF2alpha output from the brain.", "contents": "Prostaglandin F2alpha production by the brain and its role in LH secretion. The arteriovenous difference in the concentration of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) across the brain of the anestrous sheep was measured before and during the induction of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion with estradiol-17beta (E2-17beta). The results indicate that (a) the brain is a significant source of PGF2alpha, (b) the release of PGF2alpha from the brain occurs in pulses with a circhoral rhythm, and (c) the process through which estrogen exerts its negative and positive feedback effects on LH secretion may depend upon amplitude modulation of PGF2alpha output from the brain.", "PMID": 790917} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8894", "title": "Prostaglandins as mediators of inflammation.", "content": "1. Nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis in concentrations likely to be found in body fluids during therapy. The assembled evidence, together with the actions of prostaglandins, overwhelmingly supports the theory that this antienzyme effect is the mechanism of action of aspirin-like drugs. 2. Intermediates in prostaglandin biosynthesis and their nonprostaglandin derivatives such as RCS (thromboxane A2) may also play a part in the inflammatory process. 3. There is a close interplay between bradykinin and prostaglandins, not only in inflammation, but also in other systems. 4. Bradykinin stimulates phospholipase A2, thereby making available prostaglandin precursors.", "contents": "Prostaglandins as mediators of inflammation. 1. Nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis in concentrations likely to be found in body fluids during therapy. The assembled evidence, together with the actions of prostaglandins, overwhelmingly supports the theory that this antienzyme effect is the mechanism of action of aspirin-like drugs. 2. Intermediates in prostaglandin biosynthesis and their nonprostaglandin derivatives such as RCS (thromboxane A2) may also play a part in the inflammatory process. 3. There is a close interplay between bradykinin and prostaglandins, not only in inflammation, but also in other systems. 4. Bradykinin stimulates phospholipase A2, thereby making available prostaglandin precursors.", "PMID": 790919} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8895", "title": "Anaerobic Infections.", "content": "Oxygen-sensitive anaerobic bacteria comprise the largest group of organisms among the human endogenous microflora. The oral cavity, the vagina and the colon are areas where the obligate anaerobes are predominant and can be isolated in high numbers. Clinical clues that indicate anaerobic sepsis include a putrid odor of the exudate and evidence of abscess, necrosis or associated gas formation. A Gram stain is highly valuable in early identification. Surgical drainage and appropriate antibiotics are essential.", "contents": "Anaerobic Infections. Oxygen-sensitive anaerobic bacteria comprise the largest group of organisms among the human endogenous microflora. The oral cavity, the vagina and the colon are areas where the obligate anaerobes are predominant and can be isolated in high numbers. Clinical clues that indicate anaerobic sepsis include a putrid odor of the exudate and evidence of abscess, necrosis or associated gas formation. A Gram stain is highly valuable in early identification. Surgical drainage and appropriate antibiotics are essential.", "PMID": 790928} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8896", "title": "New evidence for inferoposterior myocardial infarction on surface potential maps.", "content": "Extensive body surface potential recording was performed in 22 patients 2 to 4 weeks after an acute inferoposterior myocardial infarction. Serial isometric projection maps were viewed millisecond by millisecond throughout ventricular excitation, and a second series of maps were examined after removal of the expected range of normal potential distribution. Three major findings outside the normal range appeared: (1) In 6 patients, an early zone of abnormal positivity developed in the left anterior chest at xiphoid level between 15 and 30 msec after onset of the QRS complex; (2) in 13 other patients, a large zone of positivity developed high on the left anterior chest (subclavicular region) between 30 and 60 msec after QRS onset; and (3) in 8 patients the long-lasting rim of negativity about the lower chest was strictly abnormal compared with the expected range. Thus, in 19 of 22 patients the potential map expression was outside the normal range, whereas only eight standard electrocardiograms revealed persistent Q waves with a duration greater than 30 msec. We believe the mid and late activation changes are related to ischemically induced alterations in the temporal sequence of ventricular excitation, not easily appreciated by conventional means of recording but obvious with the departure map technique.", "contents": "New evidence for inferoposterior myocardial infarction on surface potential maps. Extensive body surface potential recording was performed in 22 patients 2 to 4 weeks after an acute inferoposterior myocardial infarction. Serial isometric projection maps were viewed millisecond by millisecond throughout ventricular excitation, and a second series of maps were examined after removal of the expected range of normal potential distribution. Three major findings outside the normal range appeared: (1) In 6 patients, an early zone of abnormal positivity developed in the left anterior chest at xiphoid level between 15 and 30 msec after onset of the QRS complex; (2) in 13 other patients, a large zone of positivity developed high on the left anterior chest (subclavicular region) between 30 and 60 msec after QRS onset; and (3) in 8 patients the long-lasting rim of negativity about the lower chest was strictly abnormal compared with the expected range. Thus, in 19 of 22 patients the potential map expression was outside the normal range, whereas only eight standard electrocardiograms revealed persistent Q waves with a duration greater than 30 msec. We believe the mid and late activation changes are related to ischemically induced alterations in the temporal sequence of ventricular excitation, not easily appreciated by conventional means of recording but obvious with the departure map technique.", "PMID": 790933} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8897", "title": "Functional differentiation of the chick endocrine pancreas. II. The alpha cells and glucagon.", "content": "A radioimmunoassay for glucagon, together with electron microscopic observations of early embryonic alpha cells were utilized to examine developmental aspects of glucagon accumulation and release in the chick embryo. Immunoreactive glucagon was detected in both the pancreas and blood plasma from the fifth embryonic day onwards. In addition, emiocytotic events were observed in alpha cells as early as the fifth embryonic day. The early appearance of glucagon and its subsequent developmental profile correlate well with major events in carbohydrate metabolism occurring in the embryonic chick, and are discussed in relation to a functionally responding system, the developing liver. The present data show that glucagon is secreted at earlier embryonic stages than hitherto demonstrated, and suggest a developmental role for glucagon in hepatic glycogen metabolism.", "contents": "Functional differentiation of the chick endocrine pancreas. II. The alpha cells and glucagon. A radioimmunoassay for glucagon, together with electron microscopic observations of early embryonic alpha cells were utilized to examine developmental aspects of glucagon accumulation and release in the chick embryo. Immunoreactive glucagon was detected in both the pancreas and blood plasma from the fifth embryonic day onwards. In addition, emiocytotic events were observed in alpha cells as early as the fifth embryonic day. The early appearance of glucagon and its subsequent developmental profile correlate well with major events in carbohydrate metabolism occurring in the embryonic chick, and are discussed in relation to a functionally responding system, the developing liver. The present data show that glucagon is secreted at earlier embryonic stages than hitherto demonstrated, and suggest a developmental role for glucagon in hepatic glycogen metabolism.", "PMID": 790934} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8898", "title": "Comparison of mouse liver sections and cultured mouse fibroblasts as substrates for the detection of antinuclear antibodies.", "content": "Immunofluorescent antinuclear antibody tests were performed on selected sera representing various connective-tissue diseases using mouse liver sections and mouse connective-tissue fibroblasts cultivated in vitro. Substrate sensitivities and patterns of staining were compared by indirect immunofluorescent method employing sera from 92 patients. Sensitivity (geometric mean serum endpoint titer) was significantly greater with the cultured cell substrate. This greater sensitivity was also detected with sera from 46 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). No significant difference was observed in other clinical groups tested (rheumatoid arthritis, polyarthritis, drug-induced SLE, degenerative joint diseases, and progressive systemic sclerosis). Sera from 107 to 109 normal controls were negative on the mouse fibroblast substrate. The two substrates were equally sensitive in detecting homogenous, peripheral, or speckled patterns of fluorescence in patients' sera having antinuclear activity. Nucleolar staining was observed in only one serum specimen as a minor pattern. Neither substrate demonstrated a predominant immunofluorescent pattern with sera from SLE, polyarthritis, and progressive systemic sclerosis. Sera of patients with clinically diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, drug-induced SLE, and degenerative joint diseases usually manifested monogeneous staning patterns. However, these differences in staining pattern among the various clinical groups were not statistically significant. The mouse tissue sections of equal specificity and significantly increased sensitivity for the detection of antinuclear antibody.", "contents": "Comparison of mouse liver sections and cultured mouse fibroblasts as substrates for the detection of antinuclear antibodies. Immunofluorescent antinuclear antibody tests were performed on selected sera representing various connective-tissue diseases using mouse liver sections and mouse connective-tissue fibroblasts cultivated in vitro. Substrate sensitivities and patterns of staining were compared by indirect immunofluorescent method employing sera from 92 patients. Sensitivity (geometric mean serum endpoint titer) was significantly greater with the cultured cell substrate. This greater sensitivity was also detected with sera from 46 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). No significant difference was observed in other clinical groups tested (rheumatoid arthritis, polyarthritis, drug-induced SLE, degenerative joint diseases, and progressive systemic sclerosis). Sera from 107 to 109 normal controls were negative on the mouse fibroblast substrate. The two substrates were equally sensitive in detecting homogenous, peripheral, or speckled patterns of fluorescence in patients' sera having antinuclear activity. Nucleolar staining was observed in only one serum specimen as a minor pattern. Neither substrate demonstrated a predominant immunofluorescent pattern with sera from SLE, polyarthritis, and progressive systemic sclerosis. Sera of patients with clinically diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, drug-induced SLE, and degenerative joint diseases usually manifested monogeneous staning patterns. However, these differences in staining pattern among the various clinical groups were not statistically significant. The mouse tissue sections of equal specificity and significantly increased sensitivity for the detection of antinuclear antibody.", "PMID": 790937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8899", "title": "Demonstration in vitro of postmortem bacterial transmigration.", "content": "The kinetics of the migration of intestinal bacterial flora to the peritoneal cavity upon death of the host was studied. A laboratory experiment that excluded any source of contamination was used. Samples of sterile saline solution in which a loop of the intestine was submerged were streaked onto blood agar at given intervals. Recovery of bacteria began after about 15 hours, with Staphylococcus aureus being the predominant organism. This organism showed a gradual decrease through a 36-hour period and at 48 hours was almost absent. In the same manner, other organisms such as gram-negative bacilli and spore-forming gram-positive bacilli gradually increased in numbers.", "contents": "Demonstration in vitro of postmortem bacterial transmigration. The kinetics of the migration of intestinal bacterial flora to the peritoneal cavity upon death of the host was studied. A laboratory experiment that excluded any source of contamination was used. Samples of sterile saline solution in which a loop of the intestine was submerged were streaked onto blood agar at given intervals. Recovery of bacteria began after about 15 hours, with Staphylococcus aureus being the predominant organism. This organism showed a gradual decrease through a 36-hour period and at 48 hours was almost absent. In the same manner, other organisms such as gram-negative bacilli and spore-forming gram-positive bacilli gradually increased in numbers.", "PMID": 790938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8900", "title": "A simple method for maintaining fastidious organisms.", "content": "Many strains of nutritionally fastidiuos organisms and anaerobes have been maintained in glycerol broth at-50 C for at least two years without loss of viability. This method of preservation offers convenience and reduces cost.", "contents": "A simple method for maintaining fastidious organisms. Many strains of nutritionally fastidiuos organisms and anaerobes have been maintained in glycerol broth at-50 C for at least two years without loss of viability. This method of preservation offers convenience and reduces cost.", "PMID": 790939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8901", "title": "Pneumonia in the neonate associated with group B streptococcal septicemia.", "content": "Fifteen newborns referred to the University of Utah Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between 1971 and 1974 had septicemia and bronchopneumonia caused by streptococci of Lancefield group B. Eight of these infants could not be distinguished from others with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome. All eight died and at autopsy were found to have bronchopneumonia. At autopsy, five of the ten subjects had bilateral pleural effusions. Eight of these early onset infections were caused by type III strains, three by type II strains, and four by Ia strains. The three survivors were infected by Ia organisms; two of these patients received antimicrobial therapy within one hour of birth and the other was treated at 20 hours of age. Among the 12 patients who died, six received no antibiotics and five were treated 12 or more hours after delivery. Earlier recognition may lead to more efficacious therapy of this most fulminant infection of the newborn.", "contents": "Pneumonia in the neonate associated with group B streptococcal septicemia. Fifteen newborns referred to the University of Utah Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between 1971 and 1974 had septicemia and bronchopneumonia caused by streptococci of Lancefield group B. Eight of these infants could not be distinguished from others with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome. All eight died and at autopsy were found to have bronchopneumonia. At autopsy, five of the ten subjects had bilateral pleural effusions. Eight of these early onset infections were caused by type III strains, three by type II strains, and four by Ia strains. The three survivors were infected by Ia organisms; two of these patients received antimicrobial therapy within one hour of birth and the other was treated at 20 hours of age. Among the 12 patients who died, six received no antibiotics and five were treated 12 or more hours after delivery. Earlier recognition may lead to more efficacious therapy of this most fulminant infection of the newborn.", "PMID": 790940} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8902", "title": "Neonatal jaundice.", "content": "This article discusses the production, transport, and excretion of bilirubin in the newborn period. The causes, significance, and treatment of unconjugated and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia are different; and because this is so, it is important to review the main causes and management of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn period could be either due to hepatocellular dysfunction or extrahepatic biliary obstruction. There are several recent advances in early differentiation and management of these two entities.", "contents": "Neonatal jaundice. This article discusses the production, transport, and excretion of bilirubin in the newborn period. The causes, significance, and treatment of unconjugated and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia are different; and because this is so, it is important to review the main causes and management of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn period could be either due to hepatocellular dysfunction or extrahepatic biliary obstruction. There are several recent advances in early differentiation and management of these two entities.", "PMID": 790941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8903", "title": "Experience with synthetic secretin in the treatment of duodenal ulcer.", "content": "Hospitalized male patients with endoscopically verified duodenal ulcer were studied to determine the effect of secretin on the clinical course of their disease. Seven patients received synthetic porcine secretin, 333 mug subcutaneously every 4 hr for 10 days, and 6 patients received placebo injections on the same schedule. Repeat endoscopy was performed within 48 hr of completing the 10-day treatment period. The trial was discontinued because of transient, asymptomatic, hyperamylasemia in secretin-treated patients. Although significant gastric alkalinization could be reproducibly demonstrated in secretin-treated patients, secretin was not more effective than placebo in relieving pain or healing duodenal ulcer. However, because the number of patients was small, definitive conclusions regarding efficacy of secretin in ulcer treatment could not be drawn.", "contents": "Experience with synthetic secretin in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. Hospitalized male patients with endoscopically verified duodenal ulcer were studied to determine the effect of secretin on the clinical course of their disease. Seven patients received synthetic porcine secretin, 333 mug subcutaneously every 4 hr for 10 days, and 6 patients received placebo injections on the same schedule. Repeat endoscopy was performed within 48 hr of completing the 10-day treatment period. The trial was discontinued because of transient, asymptomatic, hyperamylasemia in secretin-treated patients. Although significant gastric alkalinization could be reproducibly demonstrated in secretin-treated patients, secretin was not more effective than placebo in relieving pain or healing duodenal ulcer. However, because the number of patients was small, definitive conclusions regarding efficacy of secretin in ulcer treatment could not be drawn.", "PMID": 790943} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8904", "title": "The use of d-limonene preparation as a dissolving agent of gallstones.", "content": "The dissolving mixture is administered through a choledochal drain to treat postoperatively retained cholesterol gallstones. It is prepared by mixing 97.0 parts of d-limonene with 2.1 parts of polysorbate 80 and 0.9 part of sorbitan monooleate, a mixture of which may easily reach the surface of the gallstones which are wetted by bile. The d-limonene preparation was found to be safe both in laboratory experiments and clinical trials. Before applying the preparation, the usual choledochal drain must be replaced with a recently developed catheter made from epichlorohydrine rubber, which is chemically resistant to the preparation. Three cases of retained gallstones are described where the preparation was successfully used. In the fourth case treatment with the preparation was tried in lieu of surgery but was not successful due to other complications. However, some dissolution of retained stones was observed. There were no postoperative complaints in the long-term follow-up of some cases for more than 2 yr after treatment with the preparation. This procedure promises to be of value because retained cholesterol stones may be dissolved without the necessity of further surgery.", "contents": "The use of d-limonene preparation as a dissolving agent of gallstones. The dissolving mixture is administered through a choledochal drain to treat postoperatively retained cholesterol gallstones. It is prepared by mixing 97.0 parts of d-limonene with 2.1 parts of polysorbate 80 and 0.9 part of sorbitan monooleate, a mixture of which may easily reach the surface of the gallstones which are wetted by bile. The d-limonene preparation was found to be safe both in laboratory experiments and clinical trials. Before applying the preparation, the usual choledochal drain must be replaced with a recently developed catheter made from epichlorohydrine rubber, which is chemically resistant to the preparation. Three cases of retained gallstones are described where the preparation was successfully used. In the fourth case treatment with the preparation was tried in lieu of surgery but was not successful due to other complications. However, some dissolution of retained stones was observed. There were no postoperative complaints in the long-term follow-up of some cases for more than 2 yr after treatment with the preparation. This procedure promises to be of value because retained cholesterol stones may be dissolved without the necessity of further surgery.", "PMID": 790944} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8905", "title": "The volumetric measurement of gastric emptying and gastric secretion by a radioisotope method.", "content": "Most methods of measurements of gastric emptying rely on the serial estimation of intragastric volume and do not separately account for the volume of fluid which has been added to the meal by gastric secretion, duodenal reflux, or swallowed saliva. The volume emptied is therefore underestimated. A method of measuring gastric emptying using [125I]RIHSA and the Vol\u00e9metron is presented. The volume of fluid added to the meal is taken into consideration in this method, giving a more accurate reflection of gastric emptying. Using this method in the dog, emptying was found to be linear rather than exponential.", "contents": "The volumetric measurement of gastric emptying and gastric secretion by a radioisotope method. Most methods of measurements of gastric emptying rely on the serial estimation of intragastric volume and do not separately account for the volume of fluid which has been added to the meal by gastric secretion, duodenal reflux, or swallowed saliva. The volume emptied is therefore underestimated. A method of measuring gastric emptying using [125I]RIHSA and the Vol\u00e9metron is presented. The volume of fluid added to the meal is taken into consideration in this method, giving a more accurate reflection of gastric emptying. Using this method in the dog, emptying was found to be linear rather than exponential.", "PMID": 790945} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8906", "title": "Acute gastric mucosal injury during continuous or interrupted aspirin ingestion in humans.", "content": "The effect of continuous versus interrupted high-dose aspirin (ASA) for 14 days was evaluated in a randomized double-blind study in 8 rheumatoid arthritis patients. Acute gastric mucosal injury was measured by serial gastroscopy and gastric biopsy. Significant gross mucosal damage was seen in all patients following 3 days of ASA (P less than 0.01) and persisted without significant change in severity to the end of the study. Histologic gastritis in areas free of hemorrhages and erosions was not increased significantly by ASA. In spite of gross mucosal injury, symptoms occurred infrequently. Serum pepsinogen I, but not serum gastrin, increased significantly following 3 days of ASA, and the elevation persisted to the end of the study. The extent of mucosal injury at 14 days was not significantly different in those receiving ASA continuously from those on an interrupted schedule. Thus, gastric mucosal adaptation to ASA in man was not demonstrated.", "contents": "Acute gastric mucosal injury during continuous or interrupted aspirin ingestion in humans. The effect of continuous versus interrupted high-dose aspirin (ASA) for 14 days was evaluated in a randomized double-blind study in 8 rheumatoid arthritis patients. Acute gastric mucosal injury was measured by serial gastroscopy and gastric biopsy. Significant gross mucosal damage was seen in all patients following 3 days of ASA (P less than 0.01) and persisted without significant change in severity to the end of the study. Histologic gastritis in areas free of hemorrhages and erosions was not increased significantly by ASA. In spite of gross mucosal injury, symptoms occurred infrequently. Serum pepsinogen I, but not serum gastrin, increased significantly following 3 days of ASA, and the elevation persisted to the end of the study. The extent of mucosal injury at 14 days was not significantly different in those receiving ASA continuously from those on an interrupted schedule. Thus, gastric mucosal adaptation to ASA in man was not demonstrated.", "PMID": 790946} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8907", "title": "Shigellosis in the United States: ten-year review of nationwide surveillance, 1964-1973.", "content": "In the 10 years 1964-1973, 105,832 isolations of shigellae were reported to the Center for Disease Control through a nationwide surveillance system. The number reported increased by approximately 13% annually, from 5852 in 1964, when only 17 centers reported all 4 quarters; to 16,797 in 1973, when 52 centers reported each quarter. The rate of reported isolations varied from 4.6 per 100,000 persons in 1965 to 9.1 per 100,000 in 1973. Shigella sonnei accounted for 64% of all these isolates and for more than 80% of isolates in 1973. The majority of reported cases of shigellosis occurred in young children and in women of childbearing age. During the 10-year surveillance period, 35 epidemics in 25 states were investigated. Two-thirds of these outbreaks were the result of person-to-person spread; investigations of common-source outbreaks showed the importance of both water and foodstuffs, especially salads, as potential vehicles of contamination. Indian reservations, custodial institutions, and day-care centers were identified as special high-risk settings for the transmission of shigellosis. The emergence of R-factor-mediated antimicrobial-resistance patterns in recent years has necessitated antibiotic sensitivity testing to determine the drug of choice for treatment of individual cases. Initial testing of oral vaccines suggests these vaccines will have only limited usefulness in protecting certain high-risk populations. Public health education coupled with improvements in water and sewerage systems remains the most satisfactory means of control.", "contents": "Shigellosis in the United States: ten-year review of nationwide surveillance, 1964-1973. In the 10 years 1964-1973, 105,832 isolations of shigellae were reported to the Center for Disease Control through a nationwide surveillance system. The number reported increased by approximately 13% annually, from 5852 in 1964, when only 17 centers reported all 4 quarters; to 16,797 in 1973, when 52 centers reported each quarter. The rate of reported isolations varied from 4.6 per 100,000 persons in 1965 to 9.1 per 100,000 in 1973. Shigella sonnei accounted for 64% of all these isolates and for more than 80% of isolates in 1973. The majority of reported cases of shigellosis occurred in young children and in women of childbearing age. During the 10-year surveillance period, 35 epidemics in 25 states were investigated. Two-thirds of these outbreaks were the result of person-to-person spread; investigations of common-source outbreaks showed the importance of both water and foodstuffs, especially salads, as potential vehicles of contamination. Indian reservations, custodial institutions, and day-care centers were identified as special high-risk settings for the transmission of shigellosis. The emergence of R-factor-mediated antimicrobial-resistance patterns in recent years has necessitated antibiotic sensitivity testing to determine the drug of choice for treatment of individual cases. Initial testing of oral vaccines suggests these vaccines will have only limited usefulness in protecting certain high-risk populations. Public health education coupled with improvements in water and sewerage systems remains the most satisfactory means of control.", "PMID": 790947} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8908", "title": "The diagnosis of beta-thalassemia trait: a review.", "content": "Diagnostic and screening methods for beta-thalassemia trait are reviewed in the order of their development, including identification by homozygous offspring, erythrocyte morphology, osmotic fragility, hemoglobin composition, globin synthetic rates, and red blood cell indices.", "contents": "The diagnosis of beta-thalassemia trait: a review. Diagnostic and screening methods for beta-thalassemia trait are reviewed in the order of their development, including identification by homozygous offspring, erythrocyte morphology, osmotic fragility, hemoglobin composition, globin synthetic rates, and red blood cell indices.", "PMID": 790949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8909", "title": "Current drug therapy--cephalosporins.", "content": "The following aspects of cephalosporins are reviewed: chemistry and stability; mechanism of action; spectrum of activity; resistance; absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion; uses; cautions; drug interactions; laboratory test interferences; and dosage.", "contents": "Current drug therapy--cephalosporins. The following aspects of cephalosporins are reviewed: chemistry and stability; mechanism of action; spectrum of activity; resistance; absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion; uses; cautions; drug interactions; laboratory test interferences; and dosage.", "PMID": 790950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8910", "title": "Clinical use of oral hypoglycemic agents.", "content": "The pharmacology, mechanism of action, indications, interactions and clinical effectiveness of oral hypoglycemic agents, specifically the sulfonylureas and biguanides, are reviewed. The use of these agents is discussed in view of the findings of the University Group Diabetes Program study. It is concluded that oral hypoglycemic agents, in conjunction with diet and weight reduction, may be useful in selected patients but that insulin is preferable in most instances.", "contents": "Clinical use of oral hypoglycemic agents. The pharmacology, mechanism of action, indications, interactions and clinical effectiveness of oral hypoglycemic agents, specifically the sulfonylureas and biguanides, are reviewed. The use of these agents is discussed in view of the findings of the University Group Diabetes Program study. It is concluded that oral hypoglycemic agents, in conjunction with diet and weight reduction, may be useful in selected patients but that insulin is preferable in most instances.", "PMID": 790951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8911", "title": "System for clinical pharmacokinetic monitoring of theophylline therapy.", "content": "A system was developed for guiding theophylline therapy in acutely ill patients with respiratory disease and for recovery of pharmacokinetic information. A dosage regimen nomogram was designed based on literature data and preliminary pharmacokinetic studies in patients. Using the nomogram, physicians select the loading and infusion dosages based on previous therapy, body weight, age, and cardiac and hepatic status of the patient. Specifications are provided for loading (up to 5.6 mg/kg) and maintenance doses (0.9, 0.68, or 0.45 mg/kg/hr) of aminophylline, handling of i.v. dosage forms, and collection of three initial blood samples. Serum samples were assayed for theophylline by high-performance liquid chromatography for rapid feedback of data to the physician and computer estimation of body clearance values. The usefulness of the nomogram guidelines was examined prospectively in 72 patients. Near-steady-state serum concentrations in the therapeutic range of 8-20 mg/liter were found in 72% of the patients. Only two patients were outside of the range of 5-25 mg/liter. The relationship between the physician's estimate of the patient's clinical status (three classes) and measured body clearance was highly significant (p less than 0.025). A comprehensive data collection format allows further analysis of the factors responsible for the variability in theophylline disposition in patients undergoing therapy.", "contents": "System for clinical pharmacokinetic monitoring of theophylline therapy. A system was developed for guiding theophylline therapy in acutely ill patients with respiratory disease and for recovery of pharmacokinetic information. A dosage regimen nomogram was designed based on literature data and preliminary pharmacokinetic studies in patients. Using the nomogram, physicians select the loading and infusion dosages based on previous therapy, body weight, age, and cardiac and hepatic status of the patient. Specifications are provided for loading (up to 5.6 mg/kg) and maintenance doses (0.9, 0.68, or 0.45 mg/kg/hr) of aminophylline, handling of i.v. dosage forms, and collection of three initial blood samples. Serum samples were assayed for theophylline by high-performance liquid chromatography for rapid feedback of data to the physician and computer estimation of body clearance values. The usefulness of the nomogram guidelines was examined prospectively in 72 patients. Near-steady-state serum concentrations in the therapeutic range of 8-20 mg/liter were found in 72% of the patients. Only two patients were outside of the range of 5-25 mg/liter. The relationship between the physician's estimate of the patient's clinical status (three classes) and measured body clearance was highly significant (p less than 0.025). A comprehensive data collection format allows further analysis of the factors responsible for the variability in theophylline disposition in patients undergoing therapy.", "PMID": 790952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8912", "title": "The cardiovascular effects of lithium in man. A review of the literature.", "content": "The medical literature since 1900 has been reviewed to determine the nature of lithium's cardiovascular effects. In therapeutic doses, lithium produces reversible T wave flattening and inversion in the electrocardiogram: rarely, it may cause sinus node dysfunction or ventricular arrhythmias. Patients with lithium toxicity almost always present with neurologic signs and symptoms. \"Hypotension and cardiovascular collapse,\" alleged cardiotoxic manifestations of lithium, invariably follow days of coma. Given the possible cardiotoxic effect other psychopharmacologic agents and the hazards of withholding effective therapy in mania, it is concluded that lithium may be used safely in patients with cardiac disease if the dose is adjusted to the rate of lithium excretion and if serum levels of lithium are followed carefully. When used in patients with cardiac arrhythmias, frequent electrocardiographic monitoring is advised.", "contents": "The cardiovascular effects of lithium in man. A review of the literature. The medical literature since 1900 has been reviewed to determine the nature of lithium's cardiovascular effects. In therapeutic doses, lithium produces reversible T wave flattening and inversion in the electrocardiogram: rarely, it may cause sinus node dysfunction or ventricular arrhythmias. Patients with lithium toxicity almost always present with neurologic signs and symptoms. \"Hypotension and cardiovascular collapse,\" alleged cardiotoxic manifestations of lithium, invariably follow days of coma. Given the possible cardiotoxic effect other psychopharmacologic agents and the hazards of withholding effective therapy in mania, it is concluded that lithium may be used safely in patients with cardiac disease if the dose is adjusted to the rate of lithium excretion and if serum levels of lithium are followed carefully. When used in patients with cardiac arrhythmias, frequent electrocardiographic monitoring is advised.", "PMID": 790953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8913", "title": "Post-transplant malignant lymphoma. Distinctive morphologic features related to its pathogenesis.", "content": "Malignant lymphoma developed in two patients after renal transplantation. In both, the central nervous system was involved. Histologic study of the tumors showed that they were composed of a monomorphous proliferation of cells characterized by a large vesicular nucleus, prominent basophilic nucleolus and strongly pyroninophilic cytoplasm. The tumors thus would be classified as \"diffuse large lymphoid lymphomas with pyroninophilia\" or \"immunoblastic sarcomas\" as described in the literature. Tumor cells resembled cells observed in the paracortex of antigenically stimulated lymph nodes, cells from malignant lymphomas in mice that were antigenically stimulated and from malignant lymphomas in patients with immunodeficiency diseases or autoimmune disorders. The distinctive morphologic features of the tumors in the transplant recipients described provide further evidence that long-term antigenic stimulation may be important in their pathogenesis.", "contents": "Post-transplant malignant lymphoma. Distinctive morphologic features related to its pathogenesis. Malignant lymphoma developed in two patients after renal transplantation. In both, the central nervous system was involved. Histologic study of the tumors showed that they were composed of a monomorphous proliferation of cells characterized by a large vesicular nucleus, prominent basophilic nucleolus and strongly pyroninophilic cytoplasm. The tumors thus would be classified as \"diffuse large lymphoid lymphomas with pyroninophilia\" or \"immunoblastic sarcomas\" as described in the literature. Tumor cells resembled cells observed in the paracortex of antigenically stimulated lymph nodes, cells from malignant lymphomas in mice that were antigenically stimulated and from malignant lymphomas in patients with immunodeficiency diseases or autoimmune disorders. The distinctive morphologic features of the tumors in the transplant recipients described provide further evidence that long-term antigenic stimulation may be important in their pathogenesis.", "PMID": 790955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8914", "title": "Formalin pigment (acid hematin) and related pigments.", "content": "Black to brown amorphous to microcrystalline granules are encountered in histologic sections prepared from tissues fixed in formalin having a low pH. This pigment is produced by acid acting upon hemoglobin and is known as formalin pigment or acid hematin. A similar pigment is also observed in sites of bleeding ulcers in areas of acid production such as the stomach. These pigments exhibit many physical and histochemical properties similiar to pigments produced by some animal parasites as in malaria, schistosoma and pulmonary mites. These parasites disintegrate erythrocytes in an unknown manner, and liberate an acid hematin-like pigment which is phagocytized by the reticuloendothelial system. Since formalin pigment can be considered as an artifact, confusion with other pigments can be avoided by the use of neutral buffered formalin for the fixation of tissues.", "contents": "Formalin pigment (acid hematin) and related pigments. Black to brown amorphous to microcrystalline granules are encountered in histologic sections prepared from tissues fixed in formalin having a low pH. This pigment is produced by acid acting upon hemoglobin and is known as formalin pigment or acid hematin. A similar pigment is also observed in sites of bleeding ulcers in areas of acid production such as the stomach. These pigments exhibit many physical and histochemical properties similiar to pigments produced by some animal parasites as in malaria, schistosoma and pulmonary mites. These parasites disintegrate erythrocytes in an unknown manner, and liberate an acid hematin-like pigment which is phagocytized by the reticuloendothelial system. Since formalin pigment can be considered as an artifact, confusion with other pigments can be avoided by the use of neutral buffered formalin for the fixation of tissues.", "PMID": 790956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8915", "title": "The effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy. I. Effect on morbidity.", "content": "A prospective, double-blind study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cephalosporins on morbidity of women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy. Each patient received a 5 day course of active drug or placebo beginning the night before surgery. Microbiologic studies, including culture and antibiotic sensitivities, were done on each patient pre- and postoperatively. Of the 46 women who received placebo, eighteen (39 per cent) were classified as morbid. Causes of morbidity included operative bed, wound, respiratory, or urinary tract infections. E. coli was the organism most frequently isolated. Of the 47 women who received cephalosporin prophylaxis, seven (15 per cent) were classified as morbid. The causes of the morbidity were often poorly defined, and cephalosporin-resistant organisms were recovered more often from these women than from those on placebo. There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay between women who received prophylaxis and those who did not.", "contents": "The effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy. I. Effect on morbidity. A prospective, double-blind study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cephalosporins on morbidity of women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy. Each patient received a 5 day course of active drug or placebo beginning the night before surgery. Microbiologic studies, including culture and antibiotic sensitivities, were done on each patient pre- and postoperatively. Of the 46 women who received placebo, eighteen (39 per cent) were classified as morbid. Causes of morbidity included operative bed, wound, respiratory, or urinary tract infections. E. coli was the organism most frequently isolated. Of the 47 women who received cephalosporin prophylaxis, seven (15 per cent) were classified as morbid. The causes of the morbidity were often poorly defined, and cephalosporin-resistant organisms were recovered more often from these women than from those on placebo. There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay between women who received prophylaxis and those who did not.", "PMID": 790959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8916", "title": "Studies on the gonadotropin response after administration of LH/FSH-releasing hormone (LRH) during pregnancy and after therapeutic abortion in the second trimester.", "content": "The gonadotropin response to synthetic LH/FSH-releasing hormone (LRH) was found to be suppressed in the second trimester of pregnancy. The basal levels of plasma FSH were very low and no detectable increase occurred after injection of up to 500 mug LRH intravenously. Five of the women were then tested with 25 mug of LRH intravenously on three occasions during the first month after therapeutic abortion in the second trimester. A rapid normalization of the basal plasma levels of FSH and LH and of the response to LRH occurred. This is in contrast with the pattern after term pregnancy. The possible role of different hormones and of the duration of pregnancy (duration of inhibition) as an explanation for this discrepancy are discussed.", "contents": "Studies on the gonadotropin response after administration of LH/FSH-releasing hormone (LRH) during pregnancy and after therapeutic abortion in the second trimester. The gonadotropin response to synthetic LH/FSH-releasing hormone (LRH) was found to be suppressed in the second trimester of pregnancy. The basal levels of plasma FSH were very low and no detectable increase occurred after injection of up to 500 mug LRH intravenously. Five of the women were then tested with 25 mug of LRH intravenously on three occasions during the first month after therapeutic abortion in the second trimester. A rapid normalization of the basal plasma levels of FSH and LH and of the response to LRH occurred. This is in contrast with the pattern after term pregnancy. The possible role of different hormones and of the duration of pregnancy (duration of inhibition) as an explanation for this discrepancy are discussed.", "PMID": 790960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8917", "title": "Effect of terbutaline on premature labor. A double-blind placebo-controlled study.", "content": "The effect of terbutaline, a \"selective\" beta2-receptor stimulator, was compared with that of placebo in 30 patients in premature labor. Treatment consisted of an intravenous infusion for at least 8 hours, and then of subcutaneous injections four times daily for 3 days together with peroral treatment, which was continued until the end of week 36 of pregnancy. In 12 of 15 terbutaline-treated patients (80 per cent) premature labor was arrested beyond the treatment period, compared with three of 15 in the placebo group (20 per cent). This difference is statistically significant (p less than 0.01). No serious side effects were observed. During infusion, there was an increase in maternal heart rate. This was more pronounced in the terbutaline group (30 per cent) than in the placebo group (9 per cent). There were no adverse effects on blood pressure, but fetal tachycardia was observed more frequently in the terbutaline than in the placebo group. The results suggest that terbutaline is a safe, potent, and well-tolerated inhibitor of premature labor.", "contents": "Effect of terbutaline on premature labor. A double-blind placebo-controlled study. The effect of terbutaline, a \"selective\" beta2-receptor stimulator, was compared with that of placebo in 30 patients in premature labor. Treatment consisted of an intravenous infusion for at least 8 hours, and then of subcutaneous injections four times daily for 3 days together with peroral treatment, which was continued until the end of week 36 of pregnancy. In 12 of 15 terbutaline-treated patients (80 per cent) premature labor was arrested beyond the treatment period, compared with three of 15 in the placebo group (20 per cent). This difference is statistically significant (p less than 0.01). No serious side effects were observed. During infusion, there was an increase in maternal heart rate. This was more pronounced in the terbutaline group (30 per cent) than in the placebo group (9 per cent). There were no adverse effects on blood pressure, but fetal tachycardia was observed more frequently in the terbutaline than in the placebo group. The results suggest that terbutaline is a safe, potent, and well-tolerated inhibitor of premature labor.", "PMID": 790961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8918", "title": "The primary treatment of breast carcinoma.", "content": "The major contribution in the surgical management of carcinoma of the breast have been reviewed. Deficits in our current knowledge have been pointed out in an effort to separate fact from theory and so help the surgeon in choosing the best operation for a patient with breast cancer.", "contents": "The primary treatment of breast carcinoma. The major contribution in the surgical management of carcinoma of the breast have been reviewed. Deficits in our current knowledge have been pointed out in an effort to separate fact from theory and so help the surgeon in choosing the best operation for a patient with breast cancer.", "PMID": 790963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8919", "title": "Hepatitis B antigen: a review of its importance in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology.", "content": "Surgeons engaged in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology should have a clear understanding of the hepatitis B antigen (Australia antigen) serologic test. When positive, it serves as a marker either for the carrier state or for subclinical to overt hepatitis B (serum hepatitis). Patients or health personnel with a positive test are potentially infectious and appropriate precautions should be taken. Surgeons are at increased risk for hepatitis B and, when acutely exposed, should receive standard serum globulin, or perhaps high-titer hepatitis B immune globulin in the future. Infants born to mothers with a positive test may become hepatitis B antigen positive and develop chronic hepatitis.", "contents": "Hepatitis B antigen: a review of its importance in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. Surgeons engaged in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology should have a clear understanding of the hepatitis B antigen (Australia antigen) serologic test. When positive, it serves as a marker either for the carrier state or for subclinical to overt hepatitis B (serum hepatitis). Patients or health personnel with a positive test are potentially infectious and appropriate precautions should be taken. Surgeons are at increased risk for hepatitis B and, when acutely exposed, should receive standard serum globulin, or perhaps high-titer hepatitis B immune globulin in the future. Infants born to mothers with a positive test may become hepatitis B antigen positive and develop chronic hepatitis.", "PMID": 790967} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8920", "title": "Annual review of retinal research.", "content": "This paper reviews recent ophthalmological manuscripts pertaining to wasting retinal nerve fibers, retinopathy related to systemic lymphomas, hypertensive retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, retinal oxalosis, macular and foveal anomalies, retinal pigment epithelium, retinitis pigmentosa, retinoblastoma, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis, and retinal tears and detachments.", "contents": "Annual review of retinal research. This paper reviews recent ophthalmological manuscripts pertaining to wasting retinal nerve fibers, retinopathy related to systemic lymphomas, hypertensive retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, retinal oxalosis, macular and foveal anomalies, retinal pigment epithelium, retinitis pigmentosa, retinoblastoma, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis, and retinal tears and detachments.", "PMID": 790970} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8921", "title": "Surgical-orthodontic expansion of the maxilla.", "content": "Selected maxillary osteotomies are safe and dependable adjuncts to treatment of bilateral and unilateral maxillary deficiency. Maxillary expansion in fifteen adults was accomplished by separating the maxillary basal bone from the nasal, zygomaticomaxillary, and pterygomaxillary buttresses.", "contents": "Surgical-orthodontic expansion of the maxilla. Selected maxillary osteotomies are safe and dependable adjuncts to treatment of bilateral and unilateral maxillary deficiency. Maxillary expansion in fifteen adults was accomplished by separating the maxillary basal bone from the nasal, zygomaticomaxillary, and pterygomaxillary buttresses.", "PMID": 790971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8922", "title": "Phosphoric acid penetration during direct bonding.", "content": "This work has investigated the actual penetration of acid etching material into the enamel surface as it is used in preparation for the direct-bonding adhesive. Three important conclusions can be drawn from this investigation. (1) Rinsing does not necessarily completely arrest the acid etching process in the depth of the exposed enamel. (2) The effect of the acid etching material does seem to be deeper than 10 mu, which is contrary to the manufacturers' statements. There is (3) no evidence of actual penetration of the acid etching material at the dentinoenamel junction.", "contents": "Phosphoric acid penetration during direct bonding. This work has investigated the actual penetration of acid etching material into the enamel surface as it is used in preparation for the direct-bonding adhesive. Three important conclusions can be drawn from this investigation. (1) Rinsing does not necessarily completely arrest the acid etching process in the depth of the exposed enamel. (2) The effect of the acid etching material does seem to be deeper than 10 mu, which is contrary to the manufacturers' statements. There is (3) no evidence of actual penetration of the acid etching material at the dentinoenamel junction.", "PMID": 790972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8923", "title": "Shear strength of orthodontic direct-bonding adhesives.", "content": "A total of 210 double-width stainless steel edgewise brackets with retentive lip bases were bonded to bovine incisors with seven commercially available direct-bonding materials. Ten samples for each of the seven direct-bonding materials were tested for shear strength using the Instron Universal Testing Instrument. The samples were tested after 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months of immersion in 30 per cent physiologic saline solution. The mean shear strength of each direct-bonding material at each time interval was compared statistically to the mean shear strength of each of the materials at each time interval with a matched 1 test. The same test was used to determine whether there had been a significant change in mean shear strength from start to finish of testing for each material. One product showed a significantly better mean shear strength than any other material at each test interval. The remaining materials were grouped in middle or low ranges, depending upon their final mean shear strengths and degrees of nonsignificance when compared to each other.", "contents": "Shear strength of orthodontic direct-bonding adhesives. A total of 210 double-width stainless steel edgewise brackets with retentive lip bases were bonded to bovine incisors with seven commercially available direct-bonding materials. Ten samples for each of the seven direct-bonding materials were tested for shear strength using the Instron Universal Testing Instrument. The samples were tested after 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months of immersion in 30 per cent physiologic saline solution. The mean shear strength of each direct-bonding material at each time interval was compared statistically to the mean shear strength of each of the materials at each time interval with a matched 1 test. The same test was used to determine whether there had been a significant change in mean shear strength from start to finish of testing for each material. One product showed a significantly better mean shear strength than any other material at each test interval. The remaining materials were grouped in middle or low ranges, depending upon their final mean shear strengths and degrees of nonsignificance when compared to each other.", "PMID": 790973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8924", "title": "Extracellular calcium and adrenergic and cholinergic effects on islet beta-cell function.", "content": "An in vitro perifusion system utilizing collagen-medium calcium on the dynamics of insulin release as induced by acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation (in the presence of glucose, 2.4 mM) and as modified by prior perfusion of islets in epinephrine. Continuous challenge with ACh produces a biphasic insulin release response, both phases of which are reduced when the medium calcium concentration is reduced during stimulation; when the calcium content is reduced during an initial perifusion period of 30 min and then replaced during subsequent stimulation only the first phase of the response to ACh is affected; perifusion with epinephrine prior to stimulation with ACh produces enhancement of both phases of ACh-induced insulin release when calcium in both media is normal. However,.when this experiment is repeated utilizing a medium with low calcium content during the period of exposure to epinephrine the priming effect of epinephrine on the subsequent insulin response to ACh is abolished (in fact, reversed). These studies provide direct evidence for a role for calcium in mediating an effect of epinephrine on insulin release. Further, the data suggest that epinephrine affects Ca transport in islets in some manner beyond stimulating net efflux from islets, perhaps by enhancing membrane binding of calcium.", "contents": "Extracellular calcium and adrenergic and cholinergic effects on islet beta-cell function. An in vitro perifusion system utilizing collagen-medium calcium on the dynamics of insulin release as induced by acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation (in the presence of glucose, 2.4 mM) and as modified by prior perfusion of islets in epinephrine. Continuous challenge with ACh produces a biphasic insulin release response, both phases of which are reduced when the medium calcium concentration is reduced during stimulation; when the calcium content is reduced during an initial perifusion period of 30 min and then replaced during subsequent stimulation only the first phase of the response to ACh is affected; perifusion with epinephrine prior to stimulation with ACh produces enhancement of both phases of ACh-induced insulin release when calcium in both media is normal. However,.when this experiment is repeated utilizing a medium with low calcium content during the period of exposure to epinephrine the priming effect of epinephrine on the subsequent insulin response to ACh is abolished (in fact, reversed). These studies provide direct evidence for a role for calcium in mediating an effect of epinephrine on insulin release. Further, the data suggest that epinephrine affects Ca transport in islets in some manner beyond stimulating net efflux from islets, perhaps by enhancing membrane binding of calcium.", "PMID": 790976} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8925", "title": "Child custody contests in historical perspective.", "content": "The author reviews the historical background of interparental child custody disputes. The father's superior right to custody in the nineteenth century continued the English common law tradition, but in the twentieth century the mother's claim became superior to the father's, reflecting women's generally increasing rights and the assumption that women are better suited to caring for children. Partly as a result of recent cultural changes leading to a beginning equalization of parental rights and partly because of greater concern for children, courts are starting to focus more on children's emotional needs. It is likely that courts will increasingly call on psychiatrists and other mental health professionals for help in making their decisions.", "contents": "Child custody contests in historical perspective. The author reviews the historical background of interparental child custody disputes. The father's superior right to custody in the nineteenth century continued the English common law tradition, but in the twentieth century the mother's claim became superior to the father's, reflecting women's generally increasing rights and the assumption that women are better suited to caring for children. Partly as a result of recent cultural changes leading to a beginning equalization of parental rights and partly because of greater concern for children, courts are starting to focus more on children's emotional needs. It is likely that courts will increasingly call on psychiatrists and other mental health professionals for help in making their decisions.", "PMID": 790978} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8926", "title": "Routine on-line psychiatric diagnosis by computer.", "content": "With the advent of effective psychiatric treatments, greater accuracy in psychiatric diagnosis has become a vital concern for psychiatric training, research, and patient care. The authors have adapted current computer diagnostic procedures in order to obtain highly accurate diagnosis while simplifying and shortening the process of information input and diagnostic output. Their program requires a minimum of the clinician's time and provides feedback during the diagnostic process when the clinician requires it. The authors believe that routine use of this computer diagnostic program will improve psychiatric training, research, and patient care.", "contents": "Routine on-line psychiatric diagnosis by computer. With the advent of effective psychiatric treatments, greater accuracy in psychiatric diagnosis has become a vital concern for psychiatric training, research, and patient care. The authors have adapted current computer diagnostic procedures in order to obtain highly accurate diagnosis while simplifying and shortening the process of information input and diagnostic output. Their program requires a minimum of the clinician's time and provides feedback during the diagnostic process when the clinician requires it. The authors believe that routine use of this computer diagnostic program will improve psychiatric training, research, and patient care.", "PMID": 790979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8927", "title": "1976 Anniversaries.", "content": "The author recalls this year's anniversaires of events and individuals prominent in the history of medicine, psychiatry, and psychology and examines their practical or theoretical contributions.", "contents": "1976 Anniversaries. The author recalls this year's anniversaires of events and individuals prominent in the history of medicine, psychiatry, and psychology and examines their practical or theoretical contributions.", "PMID": 790980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8928", "title": "Tapering off of tuberculosis among the elderly.", "content": "Tuberculosis has long been prevalent among elderly people. When tubercle bacilli first enter human bodies they usually remain through the rest of their hosts' lives and are capable of causing clinical disease any time, even in old age. In 1900, a large percentage of people of all ages were harboring tubercle bacilli and high mortality and case rates obtained among elderly people. The only way to solve the problem among future old people was to protect infants, children, and youths from becoming infected and remain so throughout life. As far as possible that was accomplished by isolating and treating tuberculosis patients in sanatoriums and hospitals, with anti-tuberculosis drugs after 1946, and controlling the disease among cattle. In due time, large numbers of children entered adulthood uninfected. From year to year, they replaced those heavily infected as they advanced in years. By 1973 the mortality rate was only a fraction of 1.0 per 100,000 among people under 34 years but of those of 65 to 84 years it was 9.7. The case rate was 28.1 for those older than 45 years. Although tuberculosis among the elderly has tapered off phenomenally, much time and work are necessary to accomplish eradication.", "contents": "Tapering off of tuberculosis among the elderly. Tuberculosis has long been prevalent among elderly people. When tubercle bacilli first enter human bodies they usually remain through the rest of their hosts' lives and are capable of causing clinical disease any time, even in old age. In 1900, a large percentage of people of all ages were harboring tubercle bacilli and high mortality and case rates obtained among elderly people. The only way to solve the problem among future old people was to protect infants, children, and youths from becoming infected and remain so throughout life. As far as possible that was accomplished by isolating and treating tuberculosis patients in sanatoriums and hospitals, with anti-tuberculosis drugs after 1946, and controlling the disease among cattle. In due time, large numbers of children entered adulthood uninfected. From year to year, they replaced those heavily infected as they advanced in years. By 1973 the mortality rate was only a fraction of 1.0 per 100,000 among people under 34 years but of those of 65 to 84 years it was 9.7. The case rate was 28.1 for those older than 45 years. Although tuberculosis among the elderly has tapered off phenomenally, much time and work are necessary to accomplish eradication.", "PMID": 790983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8929", "title": "Distribution of gastrin in canine, cat, and human digestive organs.", "content": "In dogs, cats, and humans, gastrin-containing cells were found only in the antrum and in the duodenum by specific direct immunofluorescence. Distribution within the human duodenum, however, differed from that in cats and dogs. No gastrin-containing cells were seen in other sites of the body.", "contents": "Distribution of gastrin in canine, cat, and human digestive organs. In dogs, cats, and humans, gastrin-containing cells were found only in the antrum and in the duodenum by specific direct immunofluorescence. Distribution within the human duodenum, however, differed from that in cats and dogs. No gastrin-containing cells were seen in other sites of the body.", "PMID": 790984} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8930", "title": "Primary tumors of the mandible. A study of 49 cases.", "content": "Forty-nine cases of primary tumors of the mandible have been reviewed. The anatomic location, pathologic features, sites of metastases, survival rates, and treatment methods were evaluated. Lesions studied included ameloblastoma, osteogenic sarcoma, reticulum cell sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, epidermoid carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and giant cell sarcoma. An in-depth discussion of primary osteogenic sarcoma of the mandible is presented. Because of upper cervical lymph node metastases in two cases of osteogenic sarcoma of the mandible, an upper neck dissection should be considered in the primary treatment. Also presented in this study are the first reported cases or primary myxosarcoma of the mandible and giant cell sarcoma of the mandible. Recent methods of treatment of ablative resection of the mandible followed by immediate or delayed repair are discussed. A revised technic for mandibular replacement which has met with success in six of seven cases is presented.", "contents": "Primary tumors of the mandible. A study of 49 cases. Forty-nine cases of primary tumors of the mandible have been reviewed. The anatomic location, pathologic features, sites of metastases, survival rates, and treatment methods were evaluated. Lesions studied included ameloblastoma, osteogenic sarcoma, reticulum cell sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, epidermoid carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and giant cell sarcoma. An in-depth discussion of primary osteogenic sarcoma of the mandible is presented. Because of upper cervical lymph node metastases in two cases of osteogenic sarcoma of the mandible, an upper neck dissection should be considered in the primary treatment. Also presented in this study are the first reported cases or primary myxosarcoma of the mandible and giant cell sarcoma of the mandible. Recent methods of treatment of ablative resection of the mandible followed by immediate or delayed repair are discussed. A revised technic for mandibular replacement which has met with success in six of seven cases is presented.", "PMID": 790985} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8931", "title": "Intramesenteric perforation of sigmoid diverticulitis with nonfatal venous intravasation.", "content": "Complications from barium enema are rare (0.035 per cent). A patient with venous intravasation during barium enema complicated by pylephlebitis and portal vein obstruction is the tenth to be reported on, the fourth to survive. This accident was associated with colon disease in eight of the patients studied, five of whom had diverticular disease.", "contents": "Intramesenteric perforation of sigmoid diverticulitis with nonfatal venous intravasation. Complications from barium enema are rare (0.035 per cent). A patient with venous intravasation during barium enema complicated by pylephlebitis and portal vein obstruction is the tenth to be reported on, the fourth to survive. This accident was associated with colon disease in eight of the patients studied, five of whom had diverticular disease.", "PMID": 790986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8932", "title": "Sternal wire closure by an instrumental method.", "content": "Effective median sternotomy closure requires approximation of the sterum under appropriate tension in an expeditious manner. An instrument has been developed to provide tightening of applied sternal wires, allowing proper tension to be established. After tightening, the twisted wire is automatically trimmed by the instrument. The ease and reproducibility of this wire closure technic has allowed the method to be performed on a routine basis.", "contents": "Sternal wire closure by an instrumental method. Effective median sternotomy closure requires approximation of the sterum under appropriate tension in an expeditious manner. An instrument has been developed to provide tightening of applied sternal wires, allowing proper tension to be established. After tightening, the twisted wire is automatically trimmed by the instrument. The ease and reproducibility of this wire closure technic has allowed the method to be performed on a routine basis.", "PMID": 790987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8933", "title": "A simple method of rapid and atraumatic removal of hemostatic clips.", "content": "A simple method of atraumatic removal of hemostatic clips is described employing the use of a diagonal cutting pliers. This method is equally effective for the removal of small, medium, or large hemostatic clips.", "contents": "A simple method of rapid and atraumatic removal of hemostatic clips. A simple method of atraumatic removal of hemostatic clips is described employing the use of a diagonal cutting pliers. This method is equally effective for the removal of small, medium, or large hemostatic clips.", "PMID": 790988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8934", "title": "Routine evaluation of endothelium in human donor corneas.", "content": "Specular microscopy allows a direct evaluation of the corneal endothelium in intact donor eyes. It is therefore superior to previous methods for assessing donor material for penetrating keratoplasties. In a study of 278 eyes (139 donors) 226 could be examined by specular microscopy without any preparatory major manipulations. Twenty-four pairs and 12 single eyes (27%) of the 226 corneas were considered not suitable for grafts according to their morphologic endothelial changes. The discarded eyes were found all normal at conventional slit-lamp examination. Specular microscopy of the endothelium was not possible in 52 eyes as the corneal swelling was already too advanced.", "contents": "Routine evaluation of endothelium in human donor corneas. Specular microscopy allows a direct evaluation of the corneal endothelium in intact donor eyes. It is therefore superior to previous methods for assessing donor material for penetrating keratoplasties. In a study of 278 eyes (139 donors) 226 could be examined by specular microscopy without any preparatory major manipulations. Twenty-four pairs and 12 single eyes (27%) of the 226 corneas were considered not suitable for grafts according to their morphologic endothelial changes. The discarded eyes were found all normal at conventional slit-lamp examination. Specular microscopy of the endothelium was not possible in 52 eyes as the corneal swelling was already too advanced.", "PMID": 790993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8935", "title": "Endothelial changes in human donor corneas.", "content": "The corneal endothelium of intact donor eyes was evaluated by means of a specular microscope. In a series of 278 corneas, different morphologic changes were found in the endothelium. These changes are described and systematically classified. The findings are analogous to results obtained on experimental animals and with light- and electron-microscopic studies of other authors.", "contents": "Endothelial changes in human donor corneas. The corneal endothelium of intact donor eyes was evaluated by means of a specular microscope. In a series of 278 corneas, different morphologic changes were found in the endothelium. These changes are described and systematically classified. The findings are analogous to results obtained on experimental animals and with light- and electron-microscopic studies of other authors.", "PMID": 790994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8936", "title": "Effect of somatotropin upon a freshwater fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch).", "content": "The mammalian growth hormone was administered intramuscularly to a freshwater teleost, Channa punctatus. The hormone induced a mild hyperglycemia lasting 120 hours. The beta cells in the pancreatic islets showed degranulation due to exhaustion.", "contents": "Effect of somatotropin upon a freshwater fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch). The mammalian growth hormone was administered intramuscularly to a freshwater teleost, Channa punctatus. The hormone induced a mild hyperglycemia lasting 120 hours. The beta cells in the pancreatic islets showed degranulation due to exhaustion.", "PMID": 791005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8937", "title": "Localization of transferrin on the surface of the human placenta by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry.", "content": "During the course of gestation, a large amount of iron is transferred rapidly and unidirectionally from mother to fetus across the placenta. It has been postulated that one of the first steps involved in placental iron transfer involves binding of the maternal transferrin-iron complex to the surface of the placenta and the subsequent removal of iron and release of transferrin back into the maternal circulation. To determine if transferrin is present on the surface of human placental villi, two different immunocytochemical methods have been used: (1) an unlabeled antibody, peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method utilizing rabbit antiserum to human transferrin, goat anti-rabbit IgG and rabbit peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex or; (2) a peroxidase-labeled antibody method utilizing goat antiserum to human transferrin and peroxidase-conjugated rabbit anti-goat IgG. The peroxide was then localized by incubation in a diaminobenzidine-hydrogen peroxide medium. Examination of the tissue in the electron microscope revealed the reaction product deposited as discrete patches or particles on the microvillous surface of human syncytial trophoblast. Controls using non-immune serum or an antiserum adsorbed with purified human transferrin showed no reaction product on the surface. The results provide morphological confirmation for the presence of transferrin on the surface of human syncytial trophoblast lining the maternal blood spaces.", "contents": "Localization of transferrin on the surface of the human placenta by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. During the course of gestation, a large amount of iron is transferred rapidly and unidirectionally from mother to fetus across the placenta. It has been postulated that one of the first steps involved in placental iron transfer involves binding of the maternal transferrin-iron complex to the surface of the placenta and the subsequent removal of iron and release of transferrin back into the maternal circulation. To determine if transferrin is present on the surface of human placental villi, two different immunocytochemical methods have been used: (1) an unlabeled antibody, peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method utilizing rabbit antiserum to human transferrin, goat anti-rabbit IgG and rabbit peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex or; (2) a peroxidase-labeled antibody method utilizing goat antiserum to human transferrin and peroxidase-conjugated rabbit anti-goat IgG. The peroxide was then localized by incubation in a diaminobenzidine-hydrogen peroxide medium. Examination of the tissue in the electron microscope revealed the reaction product deposited as discrete patches or particles on the microvillous surface of human syncytial trophoblast. Controls using non-immune serum or an antiserum adsorbed with purified human transferrin showed no reaction product on the surface. The results provide morphological confirmation for the presence of transferrin on the surface of human syncytial trophoblast lining the maternal blood spaces.", "PMID": 791006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8938", "title": "On the postcycle parasitism in helminths and its biological significance.", "content": "A generalization of the existing data is being done in the work concerning the postcycle parasitism and the postcycle hosts in helminths. So far postcycle parasitism has been observed in various trematodes, cestodes and nematodes parasitizing the digestive tract of vertebrates. The biological significance of the phenomenon comes to the following: survival of mature helminths when they find themselves in the digestive tract of the postcycle hosts; accumulation of such helminths in some cases; and a probable promotion to convert some postcycle hosts into final hosts, too (in historical aspects).", "contents": "On the postcycle parasitism in helminths and its biological significance. A generalization of the existing data is being done in the work concerning the postcycle parasitism and the postcycle hosts in helminths. So far postcycle parasitism has been observed in various trematodes, cestodes and nematodes parasitizing the digestive tract of vertebrates. The biological significance of the phenomenon comes to the following: survival of mature helminths when they find themselves in the digestive tract of the postcycle hosts; accumulation of such helminths in some cases; and a probable promotion to convert some postcycle hosts into final hosts, too (in historical aspects).", "PMID": 791023} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8939", "title": "Pemphigus and pemphigoid: dermatologic examples of type II immune reactivity.", "content": "Pemphigus is an erosive disease of the skin and mucous membranes, characterized by intraepidermal blisters, acantholysis of epidermal cells and a serum antibody directed to an antigen at the intercellular space. Pemphigoid is a bullous disease primarily of the skin and usually seen in older individuals. The blister forms beneath the epidermis and the serum antibody is directed to the basement membrane zone. Both diseases may require systemic corticosteroids or cytotoxic agents for control.", "contents": "Pemphigus and pemphigoid: dermatologic examples of type II immune reactivity. Pemphigus is an erosive disease of the skin and mucous membranes, characterized by intraepidermal blisters, acantholysis of epidermal cells and a serum antibody directed to an antigen at the intercellular space. Pemphigoid is a bullous disease primarily of the skin and usually seen in older individuals. The blister forms beneath the epidermis and the serum antibody is directed to the basement membrane zone. Both diseases may require systemic corticosteroids or cytotoxic agents for control.", "PMID": 791025} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8940", "title": "Antibiograms of streptococci isolated from bovine intramammary infections.", "content": "A total of 455 streptococcal cultures from bovine intramammary infection in 72 herds were studied to determine their sensitivity to 17 antimicrobial agents. More than 90% of the cultures were sensitive to carbenicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and penicillin. Gentamicin, neomycin, nitrofurazone, polymyxin, and streptomycin were ineffective in the in vitro inhibition of streptococci.", "contents": "Antibiograms of streptococci isolated from bovine intramammary infections. A total of 455 streptococcal cultures from bovine intramammary infection in 72 herds were studied to determine their sensitivity to 17 antimicrobial agents. More than 90% of the cultures were sensitive to carbenicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and penicillin. Gentamicin, neomycin, nitrofurazone, polymyxin, and streptomycin were ineffective in the in vitro inhibition of streptococci.", "PMID": 791026} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8941", "title": "In vivo spread of infectious drug resistance in turkeys.", "content": "Multiresistant Salmonella typhimurium donor and multisensitive Escherichia coli recipient spread from the infected group of turkey poults to the control group. Contact poults given only the S typhimurium donor and placed in the same cage with infected poults given both the donor and the E coli recipient exhibited in vivo patterns of antibiotic drug resistance transfer similar to the patterns obtained in the infected poults. This in vivo spread of antibiotic drug resistance in turkeys was established for the first time. Results indicated that the potential in vivo spread of infectious drug resistance could occur in nature.", "contents": "In vivo spread of infectious drug resistance in turkeys. Multiresistant Salmonella typhimurium donor and multisensitive Escherichia coli recipient spread from the infected group of turkey poults to the control group. Contact poults given only the S typhimurium donor and placed in the same cage with infected poults given both the donor and the E coli recipient exhibited in vivo patterns of antibiotic drug resistance transfer similar to the patterns obtained in the infected poults. This in vivo spread of antibiotic drug resistance in turkeys was established for the first time. Results indicated that the potential in vivo spread of infectious drug resistance could occur in nature.", "PMID": 791027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8942", "title": "Development of immunoglobulin-containing cell populations in intestine, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node of the young pig, as demonstrated by peroxidase-conjugated antiserums.", "content": "Peroxidase-conjugated antibody to porcine immunoglobulins A, G, and M were used in a light microscope study of the development of immunoglobulin-containing cells in small intestine, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node of the young pig. Many cells staining for each of the 3 immunoglobulin classes were present in duodenum of 1-week-old-pigs, and the number increased in succeeding weeks. Immunoglobulin M cells outnumbered immunoglobulin A cells in the 1- to 3-week-old pigs, after which immunoglobulin A cells predominated. Immunoglobulin G cells were present in considerable but smaller numbers at all ages. Stained cells in spleen and mesenteric lymph node were not detected until after pigs were 1 week old.", "contents": "Development of immunoglobulin-containing cell populations in intestine, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node of the young pig, as demonstrated by peroxidase-conjugated antiserums. Peroxidase-conjugated antibody to porcine immunoglobulins A, G, and M were used in a light microscope study of the development of immunoglobulin-containing cells in small intestine, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node of the young pig. Many cells staining for each of the 3 immunoglobulin classes were present in duodenum of 1-week-old-pigs, and the number increased in succeeding weeks. Immunoglobulin M cells outnumbered immunoglobulin A cells in the 1- to 3-week-old pigs, after which immunoglobulin A cells predominated. Immunoglobulin G cells were present in considerable but smaller numbers at all ages. Stained cells in spleen and mesenteric lymph node were not detected until after pigs were 1 week old.", "PMID": 791029} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8943", "title": "Antibacterial host defense: in vitro interaction of bacteria, serum factors, and leukocytes from precolostral dairy calves and their dams.", "content": "The bactericidal capacity of serum and peripheral blood leukocytes from newborn dairy calves (before receiving colostrum) and their dams for a strain of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus has been investigated. Comparative studies were conducted, using either unheated (freshly collected) and heated serums alone or in combination with cells from adult and newborn animals. Neither serum from newborn calves was able to kill either microorganism. Both microorganisms were sensitive to bactericidal activity of antibody and complement in unheated serum from adult cattle. On heating, serum from adult cattle lost bactericidal properties of the antibody-complement system. A cellular deficiency in phagocyte function in cells of newborn dairy calves was not evident, since they were as able to kill E coli and S aureus as cells from adult cattle, when incubated in the presence of the same opsonic source. Bactericidial activity was not evident when cells from newborn calves were incubated with heated autologous calf serum and S aureus or E coli. Unheated, autologous calf serum combined with cells from newborn calves exerted bactericidal capacity against S aureus but not E coli. The bactericidal capacity against S aureus of cells from newborn calves incubated with unheated serum from newborn calves did not differ from heated serum from adult cattle. However, there was a difference with E coli. The reasons for this phenomenon have not been determined, but may relate to natural, specific immunity of the neonate. Immunoglobulin and antibody concentrations in serums from calves and dams were determined. Most of the dams had bacterial agglutination titers to both microorganisms; the calves had either undetectable or low levels of antibody.", "contents": "Antibacterial host defense: in vitro interaction of bacteria, serum factors, and leukocytes from precolostral dairy calves and their dams. The bactericidal capacity of serum and peripheral blood leukocytes from newborn dairy calves (before receiving colostrum) and their dams for a strain of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus has been investigated. Comparative studies were conducted, using either unheated (freshly collected) and heated serums alone or in combination with cells from adult and newborn animals. Neither serum from newborn calves was able to kill either microorganism. Both microorganisms were sensitive to bactericidal activity of antibody and complement in unheated serum from adult cattle. On heating, serum from adult cattle lost bactericidal properties of the antibody-complement system. A cellular deficiency in phagocyte function in cells of newborn dairy calves was not evident, since they were as able to kill E coli and S aureus as cells from adult cattle, when incubated in the presence of the same opsonic source. Bactericidial activity was not evident when cells from newborn calves were incubated with heated autologous calf serum and S aureus or E coli. Unheated, autologous calf serum combined with cells from newborn calves exerted bactericidal capacity against S aureus but not E coli. The bactericidal capacity against S aureus of cells from newborn calves incubated with unheated serum from newborn calves did not differ from heated serum from adult cattle. However, there was a difference with E coli. The reasons for this phenomenon have not been determined, but may relate to natural, specific immunity of the neonate. Immunoglobulin and antibody concentrations in serums from calves and dams were determined. Most of the dams had bacterial agglutination titers to both microorganisms; the calves had either undetectable or low levels of antibody.", "PMID": 791028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8944", "title": "Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy of pulmonary melioidosis.", "content": "A 21-year-old-airman stationed in the Philippines presented with cavitary pulmonary melioidosis. When treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, there was prompt resolution of his symptoms and the left upper lobe abscess cavity. It is suggested that this antimicrobial combination is an effective alternative regimen for pulmonary melioidosis.", "contents": "Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy of pulmonary melioidosis. A 21-year-old-airman stationed in the Philippines presented with cavitary pulmonary melioidosis. When treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, there was prompt resolution of his symptoms and the left upper lobe abscess cavity. It is suggested that this antimicrobial combination is an effective alternative regimen for pulmonary melioidosis.", "PMID": 791031} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8945", "title": "Human oral defenses against gram-negative rods.", "content": "Gram-negative rods are unusual pharyngeal isolates in normal man, which suggests the presence of effective oral defense mechanisms against these organisms. To understand this protection better, we studied the elimination of gram-negative rods from the mouth after gargle challenge. Suspensions of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis (108 organisms per ml) were gargled by normal volunteers, and pharyngeal swabs for serial quantitative cultures were taken for 3 hours. Initial swabs yielded approximately 10(5) organisms. Bacterial counts rapidly decreased, and less than 1 per cent of the original inoculum was still recoverable 3 hours later. Studies of tongue, pharynx, and buccal mucosa samples showed the most rapid decrease in buccal mucosa samples and the slowest decrease in tongue swabs. To evaluate physical clearance, gargle challenges were performed using E. coli radiolabeled with technetium-99m. External counts of the oral cavity decreased rapidly, with 21.8, 14.7, 8.9, and 7.8 percent of the initial counts remaining at 30, 60, 120, and 180 min, respectively. Nonpiliated E. coli adhered poorly to buccal epithelial cells in vitro, in contrast to good adherence when piliated strains were tested. Despite these findings, no differences in radiolabel clearance was noted in vivo using piliated and nonpiliated E. coli for gargle challenges. Normal oral defenses against gram-negative rods are highly effective and seem to involve both physical clearance and local bactericidal activity.", "contents": "Human oral defenses against gram-negative rods. Gram-negative rods are unusual pharyngeal isolates in normal man, which suggests the presence of effective oral defense mechanisms against these organisms. To understand this protection better, we studied the elimination of gram-negative rods from the mouth after gargle challenge. Suspensions of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis (108 organisms per ml) were gargled by normal volunteers, and pharyngeal swabs for serial quantitative cultures were taken for 3 hours. Initial swabs yielded approximately 10(5) organisms. Bacterial counts rapidly decreased, and less than 1 per cent of the original inoculum was still recoverable 3 hours later. Studies of tongue, pharynx, and buccal mucosa samples showed the most rapid decrease in buccal mucosa samples and the slowest decrease in tongue swabs. To evaluate physical clearance, gargle challenges were performed using E. coli radiolabeled with technetium-99m. External counts of the oral cavity decreased rapidly, with 21.8, 14.7, 8.9, and 7.8 percent of the initial counts remaining at 30, 60, 120, and 180 min, respectively. Nonpiliated E. coli adhered poorly to buccal epithelial cells in vitro, in contrast to good adherence when piliated strains were tested. Despite these findings, no differences in radiolabel clearance was noted in vivo using piliated and nonpiliated E. coli for gargle challenges. Normal oral defenses against gram-negative rods are highly effective and seem to involve both physical clearance and local bactericidal activity.", "PMID": 791034} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8946", "title": "In vivo and in vitro cell-mediated responses in coccidioidomycosis. I. Immumologic responses of persons with primary, asymptomatic infections.", "content": "Chest roentgenograms of 58 children who were skin test positive to coccidioidin and resided in an area endemic for coccidioidomycosis revealed that 34 per cent had roentgenographic evidence of an inflammatory process, 14 per cent showed calcific densities, and 52 per cent showed no evidence of infection. The in vitro lymphocyte responses of children who had evidence of an inflammatory process (Group I) were compared with those of children who had calcific densities (Group II); those of children who were coccidioidin skin test negative and had normal chest roentgenograms (Group III); and those of patients who had active coccidioidomycosis (Group IV). The mean lymphocyte transformation responses (expressed as cpm times 10-(4)) of Groups I, II, III, and IV to a coccidioides antigen were 16.8, 19.5, 4.2, and 7.0, respectively. The mean migration inhibitory factor responses of these groups were 22.4, 20.0, 1.2, and 4.0 per cent, respectively. Thus, the over-all responses of children in Groups I and II were comparable to each other, whereas the responses of patients in Group IV were depressed to the extent that they were indistinguishable from those of coccidioidin skin test-negative donors in Group III. Follow-up chest roentgenograms taken 3 months after the immunologic assays were performed revealed that the one subject in Group I who had been nonresponsive in the lymphocyte assays had now stabilized his infection, as evidenced by calcifications. In contrast, the 2 subjects in Group I who had yet to stabilize their infection had exhibited strong in vitro lymphocyte responses. These findings suggest that primary, asymptomatic coccidioidomycosis is not associated with an immunologically nonresponsive state. However, patients with active, progressive coccidioidomycosis do have a depressed immunologic response to coccidioides antigens.", "contents": "In vivo and in vitro cell-mediated responses in coccidioidomycosis. I. Immumologic responses of persons with primary, asymptomatic infections. Chest roentgenograms of 58 children who were skin test positive to coccidioidin and resided in an area endemic for coccidioidomycosis revealed that 34 per cent had roentgenographic evidence of an inflammatory process, 14 per cent showed calcific densities, and 52 per cent showed no evidence of infection. The in vitro lymphocyte responses of children who had evidence of an inflammatory process (Group I) were compared with those of children who had calcific densities (Group II); those of children who were coccidioidin skin test negative and had normal chest roentgenograms (Group III); and those of patients who had active coccidioidomycosis (Group IV). The mean lymphocyte transformation responses (expressed as cpm times 10-(4)) of Groups I, II, III, and IV to a coccidioides antigen were 16.8, 19.5, 4.2, and 7.0, respectively. The mean migration inhibitory factor responses of these groups were 22.4, 20.0, 1.2, and 4.0 per cent, respectively. Thus, the over-all responses of children in Groups I and II were comparable to each other, whereas the responses of patients in Group IV were depressed to the extent that they were indistinguishable from those of coccidioidin skin test-negative donors in Group III. Follow-up chest roentgenograms taken 3 months after the immunologic assays were performed revealed that the one subject in Group I who had been nonresponsive in the lymphocyte assays had now stabilized his infection, as evidenced by calcifications. In contrast, the 2 subjects in Group I who had yet to stabilize their infection had exhibited strong in vitro lymphocyte responses. These findings suggest that primary, asymptomatic coccidioidomycosis is not associated with an immunologically nonresponsive state. However, patients with active, progressive coccidioidomycosis do have a depressed immunologic response to coccidioides antigens.", "PMID": 791035} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8947", "title": "The maximal expiratory flow-volume curve: its use in the detection of ventilatory abnormalities in a population study.", "content": "Flow-volume and spirometric parameters obtained in a randomly selected population were examined with regard to their sensitivity in detecting abnormalities among persons who smoked and/or had respiratory symptoms. Data obtained from subjects who were totally free of cardiorespiratory symptoms and who had never smoked cigarettes were used to develop \"normal\" prediction equations. Using as normal limits the per cent of predicted value above which 95% of these \"normal\" subjects fell, maximal expiratory flow at 75% of the expired vital capacity (Vmax75) detected the greatest proportion of abnormalities in the remainder of the population. When examined according to age, however, Vmax75 was most sensitive in older subjects, whereas 1-sec forced expiratory volume was superior in younger subjects. There was a slight tendency for Vmax75 to be affected in subjects with reactive airway syndromes and for the 1-sec forced expiratory volume to be affected in heavy smokers or subjects with chronic productive cough. If one parameter was markedly abnormal, the entire flow-volume curve was likely to be affected, but concordance of the parameters examined was not complete. For the latter reason, considerable caution must be exercised in attempting to use multiple parameters in defining abnormality, unless one applies more stringent criteria for abnormality.", "contents": "The maximal expiratory flow-volume curve: its use in the detection of ventilatory abnormalities in a population study. Flow-volume and spirometric parameters obtained in a randomly selected population were examined with regard to their sensitivity in detecting abnormalities among persons who smoked and/or had respiratory symptoms. Data obtained from subjects who were totally free of cardiorespiratory symptoms and who had never smoked cigarettes were used to develop \"normal\" prediction equations. Using as normal limits the per cent of predicted value above which 95% of these \"normal\" subjects fell, maximal expiratory flow at 75% of the expired vital capacity (Vmax75) detected the greatest proportion of abnormalities in the remainder of the population. When examined according to age, however, Vmax75 was most sensitive in older subjects, whereas 1-sec forced expiratory volume was superior in younger subjects. There was a slight tendency for Vmax75 to be affected in subjects with reactive airway syndromes and for the 1-sec forced expiratory volume to be affected in heavy smokers or subjects with chronic productive cough. If one parameter was markedly abnormal, the entire flow-volume curve was likely to be affected, but concordance of the parameters examined was not complete. For the latter reason, considerable caution must be exercised in attempting to use multiple parameters in defining abnormality, unless one applies more stringent criteria for abnormality.", "PMID": 791036} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8948", "title": "Studies in burns: XV. Use of a topical lipid in treating human burns.", "content": "Sixty patients were selected from the 24-month burn population admitted to the Medical College of Georgia. Selection was on the basis of age, size of burn, and survival beyond 120 hours. Thirty-one of these patients were treated with ethyl linoleate agent (hELate) in addition to the modalities we routinely use for burn care. hELate was applied in a dose of 25 mg/kg only once in the period after burn. Significant pain relief and enhancement of wound healing (with return of hair and pigment) occurred in the hELate-treated patient. Less narcotic was needed, fewer grafts and reconstructive procedures were required, and hospital stay was reduced significantly. It is suggested that hELate is a safe and useful adjunctive to burn care.", "contents": "Studies in burns: XV. Use of a topical lipid in treating human burns. Sixty patients were selected from the 24-month burn population admitted to the Medical College of Georgia. Selection was on the basis of age, size of burn, and survival beyond 120 hours. Thirty-one of these patients were treated with ethyl linoleate agent (hELate) in addition to the modalities we routinely use for burn care. hELate was applied in a dose of 25 mg/kg only once in the period after burn. Significant pain relief and enhancement of wound healing (with return of hair and pigment) occurred in the hELate-treated patient. Less narcotic was needed, fewer grafts and reconstructive procedures were required, and hospital stay was reduced significantly. It is suggested that hELate is a safe and useful adjunctive to burn care.", "PMID": 791038} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8949", "title": "Arterial embolism from a bullet: a case report.", "content": "Accounting for each wounding bullet represents an important part of the emergency room evaluation of gunshot victims. Physical examination must include a thorough search for exit wounds. Medical personnel must be aware of the possibility of intra-arterial passage of a wounding missile and routinely obtain appropriate roentgenagraphic studies so that patients with arterial bullet embolization will be identified preoperatively and can receive optimal surgical repair of their injuries.", "contents": "Arterial embolism from a bullet: a case report. Accounting for each wounding bullet represents an important part of the emergency room evaluation of gunshot victims. Physical examination must include a thorough search for exit wounds. Medical personnel must be aware of the possibility of intra-arterial passage of a wounding missile and routinely obtain appropriate roentgenagraphic studies so that patients with arterial bullet embolization will be identified preoperatively and can receive optimal surgical repair of their injuries.", "PMID": 791039} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8950", "title": "Immune-related renal vein thrombosis in a renal allograft.", "content": "A patient developed a renal venous thrombosis 15 months after renal transplantation. In contrast to other cases described in the literature, the thrombosis was not related to vascular surgical trauma, but was immune-complex mediated. The patient's renal function stabilized and the nephrotic syndrome improved over 18 months follow-up during continuous oral anticoagulant therapy.", "contents": "Immune-related renal vein thrombosis in a renal allograft. A patient developed a renal venous thrombosis 15 months after renal transplantation. In contrast to other cases described in the literature, the thrombosis was not related to vascular surgical trauma, but was immune-complex mediated. The patient's renal function stabilized and the nephrotic syndrome improved over 18 months follow-up during continuous oral anticoagulant therapy.", "PMID": 791042} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8951", "title": "Betty Fothergill and her \"Uncle Doctor\". An intimate glimpse of Dr. John Fothergill.", "content": "John Fothergill, M.D., (1712-1780) was one of the best-known physicians in London in the 18th century. He was a botanical collector, a philanthropist, and an active member of the Society of Friends. He entertained and advised a series of young doctors from the American colonies and strove with his friend, Benjamin Franklin, to avert the Revolutionary War, albeit unsuccessfully. A rare glimpse of Dr. Fothergill, the man, and his domestic life is given in the diary of his 17-year-old niece, Betty Fothergill, who spent the winter of 1769-70 in her uncle's household. Excerpts from the diary show him to be a liberal-minded man and one fond of the company of young people; and show Betty to be a sprightly young Quakeress, buffeted by emotional conflicts between loyalty to her north-country fiance and her flirtation with young Dr. John Coakley Lettsom.", "contents": "Betty Fothergill and her \"Uncle Doctor\". An intimate glimpse of Dr. John Fothergill. John Fothergill, M.D., (1712-1780) was one of the best-known physicians in London in the 18th century. He was a botanical collector, a philanthropist, and an active member of the Society of Friends. He entertained and advised a series of young doctors from the American colonies and strove with his friend, Benjamin Franklin, to avert the Revolutionary War, albeit unsuccessfully. A rare glimpse of Dr. Fothergill, the man, and his domestic life is given in the diary of his 17-year-old niece, Betty Fothergill, who spent the winter of 1769-70 in her uncle's household. Excerpts from the diary show him to be a liberal-minded man and one fond of the company of young people; and show Betty to be a sprightly young Quakeress, buffeted by emotional conflicts between loyalty to her north-country fiance and her flirtation with young Dr. John Coakley Lettsom.", "PMID": 791043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8952", "title": "Hydrophilic bandages in penetrating keratoplasty.", "content": "A retrospective analysis was conducted of 100 consecutive cases of penetrating keratoplasty revealing that in 68% of the cases hydrophilic bandage lenses were applied at some time during the course of the operative procedure or postoperatively. In 4% of the cases, lenses were applied before the actual start of keratoplasty and in 13% the lenses were applied before the conclusion of the operative procedure. In 28%, the initial lens application occurred within the first 10 postoperative days while in 18% initial application occurred prior to the time of suture removal. In the remaining 5% of the cases, the lens was applied relatively late in the postoperative course. Primary indications for bandage lens application were prophylactic in cases of infants, chemical burns, exposure, and dry eyes. Therapeutic indications included surface drying and erosion, wound margin defects, patient discomfort, and inflammatory episodes.", "contents": "Hydrophilic bandages in penetrating keratoplasty. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 100 consecutive cases of penetrating keratoplasty revealing that in 68% of the cases hydrophilic bandage lenses were applied at some time during the course of the operative procedure or postoperatively. In 4% of the cases, lenses were applied before the actual start of keratoplasty and in 13% the lenses were applied before the conclusion of the operative procedure. In 28%, the initial lens application occurred within the first 10 postoperative days while in 18% initial application occurred prior to the time of suture removal. In the remaining 5% of the cases, the lens was applied relatively late in the postoperative course. Primary indications for bandage lens application were prophylactic in cases of infants, chemical burns, exposure, and dry eyes. Therapeutic indications included surface drying and erosion, wound margin defects, patient discomfort, and inflammatory episodes.", "PMID": 791046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8953", "title": "Observations on laryngeal disease, laryngeal behavior and voice.", "content": "This discussion accepted the hypothesis that every laryngeal sound is produced by its unique type of vocal cord vibration. The production of vocal sound is not capricious, it follows certain laws many of which are not known. Research into the behavior of the larynx has produced some interesting and perhaps, useful findings. It was the intention of this paper to describe some of the features of laryngeal behavior as they relate to both phonation and laryngeal disorders in the belief that such knowledge lends itself to the more efficient management of certain vocal and laryngeal problems. The central theme has been that it is laryngeal behavior and not laryngeal disease itself that determines vocal deviation.", "contents": "Observations on laryngeal disease, laryngeal behavior and voice. This discussion accepted the hypothesis that every laryngeal sound is produced by its unique type of vocal cord vibration. The production of vocal sound is not capricious, it follows certain laws many of which are not known. Research into the behavior of the larynx has produced some interesting and perhaps, useful findings. It was the intention of this paper to describe some of the features of laryngeal behavior as they relate to both phonation and laryngeal disorders in the belief that such knowledge lends itself to the more efficient management of certain vocal and laryngeal problems. The central theme has been that it is laryngeal behavior and not laryngeal disease itself that determines vocal deviation.", "PMID": 791049} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8954", "title": "Tracheostenosis and bronchial abnormalities associated with pulmonary artery sling.", "content": "Three patients with aberrant left pulmonary artery (sling artery) are reported to illustrate associated tracheobronchial abnormalities. The clinical picture was that of severe episodic or progressive respiratory distress without dysphagia in early infancy. Striking narrowing of the trachea by complete \"ring cartilages,\" unrelated to compression by the abnormal pulmonary artery, was present. Tracheotomy and intubation failed to relieve the obstruction. In one patient the bronchi and bronchial segmentation pattern were normal, but in the other two patients, bronchial abnormalities included wide irregular cartilages in the main bronchi, forming more complete rings than is normal. In both, the right main bronchus was relatively longer than normal, and the bronchus intermedius showed poor cartilage ring formation and was relatively short compared to the main bronchus. This discrepancy did not appear to be due to distal displacement of the right upper lobe bronchus. In these two patients the left main bronchus was relatively short and wide with reduced number of cartilage rings (five-six vs usual normal number of nine), so that the right and left main bronchi were almost of equal length. However, the branch patterns of the lobar bronchi were within normal range. Bronchoscopy seems essential to demonstrate such ring tracheal cartilages (absence of the pars membranacea of the trachea), which when found should alert the examiner to the possible presence of an abnormal left pulmonary artery. Since surgical correction of tracheal stenosis of this type is not possible at present, the ultimate prognosis of patients with sling artery may depend more on the severity of the tracheal anomaly rather than on success of surgical correction of the abnormal left pulmonary arterial course. Although aberrant (sling) left pulmonary artery can occur in patients without respiratory tract symptoms, tracheal stenosis due to ring tracheal cartilages occurs in a significant fraction of patients with this arterial anomaly. Bronchoscopic study of the trachea, and possibly air or contrast bronchography of right and left main bronchi, can be of aid in diagnosis of this complex.", "contents": "Tracheostenosis and bronchial abnormalities associated with pulmonary artery sling. Three patients with aberrant left pulmonary artery (sling artery) are reported to illustrate associated tracheobronchial abnormalities. The clinical picture was that of severe episodic or progressive respiratory distress without dysphagia in early infancy. Striking narrowing of the trachea by complete \"ring cartilages,\" unrelated to compression by the abnormal pulmonary artery, was present. Tracheotomy and intubation failed to relieve the obstruction. In one patient the bronchi and bronchial segmentation pattern were normal, but in the other two patients, bronchial abnormalities included wide irregular cartilages in the main bronchi, forming more complete rings than is normal. In both, the right main bronchus was relatively longer than normal, and the bronchus intermedius showed poor cartilage ring formation and was relatively short compared to the main bronchus. This discrepancy did not appear to be due to distal displacement of the right upper lobe bronchus. In these two patients the left main bronchus was relatively short and wide with reduced number of cartilage rings (five-six vs usual normal number of nine), so that the right and left main bronchi were almost of equal length. However, the branch patterns of the lobar bronchi were within normal range. Bronchoscopy seems essential to demonstrate such ring tracheal cartilages (absence of the pars membranacea of the trachea), which when found should alert the examiner to the possible presence of an abnormal left pulmonary artery. Since surgical correction of tracheal stenosis of this type is not possible at present, the ultimate prognosis of patients with sling artery may depend more on the severity of the tracheal anomaly rather than on success of surgical correction of the abnormal left pulmonary arterial course. Although aberrant (sling) left pulmonary artery can occur in patients without respiratory tract symptoms, tracheal stenosis due to ring tracheal cartilages occurs in a significant fraction of patients with this arterial anomaly. Bronchoscopic study of the trachea, and possibly air or contrast bronchography of right and left main bronchi, can be of aid in diagnosis of this complex.", "PMID": 791050} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8955", "title": "Subglottic stenosis in infants and children.", "content": "Of 158 cases of subglottic stenosis 115 were congenital and 43 acquired. Current follow-up has been obtained in 146 (92%) which constitutes the determinate group. Although stridor was the most common presenting symptom of the congenital group, 34% presented with recurrent or prolonged episodes of croup. Tracheotomy was required in 47 of the 107 determinate cases (44%). Further management of the congenital cases was based on the experience that children outgrow this disorder; periodic dilatation may augment the natural process. Of those infants and children tracheotomized, all but five have been decannulated, and there was one death - a mortality rate of 2.1%. Acquired subglottic stenosis proved to be a more difficult management problem. Tracheotomy was necessary in 38 of the 39 determinate cases (97%). Repeated active dilatations for prolonged periods were usually required as well as endoscopic removal of granulation tissue. Of those infants and children tracheotomized, all but eight have been decannulated. There were nine deaths; five were due to unrelated underlying disease; four were attributable to complications of long-term tracheostomy. Thus, in the entire series, 85 infants and children required tracheotomy and five deaths may be attributable to long-term tracheostomy complications - a mortality rate of 5.9%.", "contents": "Subglottic stenosis in infants and children. Of 158 cases of subglottic stenosis 115 were congenital and 43 acquired. Current follow-up has been obtained in 146 (92%) which constitutes the determinate group. Although stridor was the most common presenting symptom of the congenital group, 34% presented with recurrent or prolonged episodes of croup. Tracheotomy was required in 47 of the 107 determinate cases (44%). Further management of the congenital cases was based on the experience that children outgrow this disorder; periodic dilatation may augment the natural process. Of those infants and children tracheotomized, all but five have been decannulated, and there was one death - a mortality rate of 2.1%. Acquired subglottic stenosis proved to be a more difficult management problem. Tracheotomy was necessary in 38 of the 39 determinate cases (97%). Repeated active dilatations for prolonged periods were usually required as well as endoscopic removal of granulation tissue. Of those infants and children tracheotomized, all but eight have been decannulated. There were nine deaths; five were due to unrelated underlying disease; four were attributable to complications of long-term tracheostomy. Thus, in the entire series, 85 infants and children required tracheotomy and five deaths may be attributable to long-term tracheostomy complications - a mortality rate of 5.9%.", "PMID": 791051} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8956", "title": "Tracing the tracheostomy.", "content": "The evolution of tracheostomy can be divided into five stages. The first and longest period (covering roughly 3,000 years from 1500 BC to 1500 AD) begins with references to incisions into the \"wind pipe\" in the Ebers Papyrus and the Rig Veda. However, Alexander the Great, Asclepiades, Aretaeus and Galen are all recorded as having used this operation. Between 1546 with the writings of Brassarolo until 1883, the procedure was considered futile and irresponsible and few surgeons had the courage to perform it. The third period starts with Trousseau's report of 200 cases in the therapy of diphtheria in 1833. Tracheostomy became a highly dramatized operation for asphyxia and acute respiratory obstruction. In 1932 Wilson suggested its prophylactic and therapeutic use in poliomyelitis. Tracheostomy was then recommended for a large variety of assorted maladies. This started a tremendous period of enthusiasm. Finally, the present era starting in 1965 comes as a period of rationalization. Complications, indications and interrelation with endotracheal intubation are clearly outlined. Tracheostomy has found its place.", "contents": "Tracing the tracheostomy. The evolution of tracheostomy can be divided into five stages. The first and longest period (covering roughly 3,000 years from 1500 BC to 1500 AD) begins with references to incisions into the \"wind pipe\" in the Ebers Papyrus and the Rig Veda. However, Alexander the Great, Asclepiades, Aretaeus and Galen are all recorded as having used this operation. Between 1546 with the writings of Brassarolo until 1883, the procedure was considered futile and irresponsible and few surgeons had the courage to perform it. The third period starts with Trousseau's report of 200 cases in the therapy of diphtheria in 1833. Tracheostomy became a highly dramatized operation for asphyxia and acute respiratory obstruction. In 1932 Wilson suggested its prophylactic and therapeutic use in poliomyelitis. Tracheostomy was then recommended for a large variety of assorted maladies. This started a tremendous period of enthusiasm. Finally, the present era starting in 1965 comes as a period of rationalization. Complications, indications and interrelation with endotracheal intubation are clearly outlined. Tracheostomy has found its place.", "PMID": 791052} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8957", "title": "Educational training in endoscopy.", "content": "An educational training need has developed as a result of the recent rapidly increasing acquisition of endoscopes. This acquisition has been occurring at a rate faster than training programs can acquaint physicians with their use. A Veterans Administration (VA) feasibility study has determined that color television-endoscopy can provide the type of instructional materials that could be used to assist a larger number of physicians in acquiring skills in endoscopy. Since the budget requirements for television-endoscopy are substantial, it seemed expedient for the VA to establish a Center for Endoscopic Programs (VACEP). The purpose of this Center is to prepare instructional materials that will enhance educational training in endoscopy. We believe that the provision of self-instructional and teaching supplement types of audiovisual materials are essential to the accomplishment of VACEP's educational objectives. Our society today is video oriented, and we believe very strongly in the value of the television medium as an educational adjunct in teaching endoscopy.", "contents": "Educational training in endoscopy. An educational training need has developed as a result of the recent rapidly increasing acquisition of endoscopes. This acquisition has been occurring at a rate faster than training programs can acquaint physicians with their use. A Veterans Administration (VA) feasibility study has determined that color television-endoscopy can provide the type of instructional materials that could be used to assist a larger number of physicians in acquiring skills in endoscopy. Since the budget requirements for television-endoscopy are substantial, it seemed expedient for the VA to establish a Center for Endoscopic Programs (VACEP). The purpose of this Center is to prepare instructional materials that will enhance educational training in endoscopy. We believe that the provision of self-instructional and teaching supplement types of audiovisual materials are essential to the accomplishment of VACEP's educational objectives. Our society today is video oriented, and we believe very strongly in the value of the television medium as an educational adjunct in teaching endoscopy.", "PMID": 791053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8958", "title": "Percutaneous jet ventilation.", "content": "A method of ventilation utilizing an S-shaped cannula placed through the cricothyroid membrane and hooked up to a conventional jetting system is described. Its advantages are reduced morbidity, better ventilation, and an unobstructed view of the operating site for the surgeon. The system allows ventilation of the patient with oxygen prior to the induction, or at the end of anesthesia if necessary, and allows the surgeon to perform a tracheostomy in the usual manner if it is indicated. The system is not proposed as a routine method of ventilation during anesthesia for laryngeal surgery but is reserved for cases in which other methods would not perform adequately.", "contents": "Percutaneous jet ventilation. A method of ventilation utilizing an S-shaped cannula placed through the cricothyroid membrane and hooked up to a conventional jetting system is described. Its advantages are reduced morbidity, better ventilation, and an unobstructed view of the operating site for the surgeon. The system allows ventilation of the patient with oxygen prior to the induction, or at the end of anesthesia if necessary, and allows the surgeon to perform a tracheostomy in the usual manner if it is indicated. The system is not proposed as a routine method of ventilation during anesthesia for laryngeal surgery but is reserved for cases in which other methods would not perform adequately.", "PMID": 791055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8959", "title": "Newer techniques in fiberoptic bronchoscopy.", "content": "Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy has assumed a major role in the diagnosis and management of upper respiratory tract and pulmonary diseases. A new technique, utilizing a C-arm fluoroscopic control with an image intensification system, for the localization of peripheral lung lesions and subsegmental parenchymal infiltrates, is described. This method has proved useful in the early histologic and cytologic diagnosis of nonendoscopically visible bronchogenic carcinoma and in the drainage of lung abscesses. By employing a transendotracheal tube route with a ventilating, side-arm adaptor, continuous airway control and a selected inspired oxygen or anesthetic content is maintained. In addition, the problems of arterial hypoxemia, airway resistance, and ventilation-perfusion abnormalities are minimized. Several representative cases are discussed.", "contents": "Newer techniques in fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy has assumed a major role in the diagnosis and management of upper respiratory tract and pulmonary diseases. A new technique, utilizing a C-arm fluoroscopic control with an image intensification system, for the localization of peripheral lung lesions and subsegmental parenchymal infiltrates, is described. This method has proved useful in the early histologic and cytologic diagnosis of nonendoscopically visible bronchogenic carcinoma and in the drainage of lung abscesses. By employing a transendotracheal tube route with a ventilating, side-arm adaptor, continuous airway control and a selected inspired oxygen or anesthetic content is maintained. In addition, the problems of arterial hypoxemia, airway resistance, and ventilation-perfusion abnormalities are minimized. Several representative cases are discussed.", "PMID": 791054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8960", "title": "Endotracheal intubation and Venturi (jet) ventilation for laser microsurgery of the larynx.", "content": "Meeting the exacting requirements for microsurgery of the larynx is a challenge for the anesthesiologist. To accomplish, the necessary dissection, the otolaryngologist has several requirements. They are a quiet relaxed field, excellent illumination with magnification, binocular vision for depth perception, and, above all, an unobstructed field. The management of anesthesia for suspension microsurgery on the larynx presents many problems, the most vexing of which is the fact that the otolaryngologist and anesthesiologist are in competition for access to the patient's airway. In sharing this, neither has been able to perform with the degree of control that he would like due to either inadequate operating conditions or insufficient access to ventilatory mechanisms. Several anesthetic techniques have been used for inspection or operative laryngoscopy: topical anesthesia, apneic techniques, translaryngeal topical anesthesia, chest respirator, neuroleptanalgesia, and general endotracheal anesthesia with muscle relaxants. The latter has proven most popular, particularly in children, because ventilation and surgical conditions are considered to be most controllable. However, the presence of the requisite endotracheal tube obscures the full view of the larynx and vocal cords, and the tube may itself become obstructed. Additionally, use of the laser involves the further risk of heat effects on the endotracheal tube if the beam hits the tube. This report presents our experience and development of the combined technique of endotracheal intubation and Venturi (jet) ventilation. We believe it represents the safest available approach while providing near ideal working conditions for the otolaryngologist during laser microsurgery of the larynx.", "contents": "Endotracheal intubation and Venturi (jet) ventilation for laser microsurgery of the larynx. Meeting the exacting requirements for microsurgery of the larynx is a challenge for the anesthesiologist. To accomplish, the necessary dissection, the otolaryngologist has several requirements. They are a quiet relaxed field, excellent illumination with magnification, binocular vision for depth perception, and, above all, an unobstructed field. The management of anesthesia for suspension microsurgery on the larynx presents many problems, the most vexing of which is the fact that the otolaryngologist and anesthesiologist are in competition for access to the patient's airway. In sharing this, neither has been able to perform with the degree of control that he would like due to either inadequate operating conditions or insufficient access to ventilatory mechanisms. Several anesthetic techniques have been used for inspection or operative laryngoscopy: topical anesthesia, apneic techniques, translaryngeal topical anesthesia, chest respirator, neuroleptanalgesia, and general endotracheal anesthesia with muscle relaxants. The latter has proven most popular, particularly in children, because ventilation and surgical conditions are considered to be most controllable. However, the presence of the requisite endotracheal tube obscures the full view of the larynx and vocal cords, and the tube may itself become obstructed. Additionally, use of the laser involves the further risk of heat effects on the endotracheal tube if the beam hits the tube. This report presents our experience and development of the combined technique of endotracheal intubation and Venturi (jet) ventilation. We believe it represents the safest available approach while providing near ideal working conditions for the otolaryngologist during laser microsurgery of the larynx.", "PMID": 791056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8961", "title": "The blood groups, serum groups, red-cell isoenzymes and haemoglobins of the Sandawe and Nyaturu of Tanzania.", "content": "Blood specimens from members of the click-speaking Sandawe tribe of Tanzania and of the adjacent Bantu-speaking Nyaturu tribe have been tested for antigens of 11 blood group systems, for variants of 3 plasma-protein systems and 9 red-cell-enzyme systems, for haemoglobin variants. The results are tabulated and gene frequencies computed. For most systems, the frequencies in the two tribes are similar to one another and, in so far as data are available, similar to the neighbouring Bantu-speaking tribes. The principal genetic difference between the Sandawe and the Nyaturu is in their frequencies of haemoglobin S and of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, both of which characters are several times higher in the Nyaturu than in the Sandawe; both characters are protective against falciparum malaria, and this suggests that the Nyaturu have in the past been much more strongly exposed to this infection than the Sandawe.", "contents": "The blood groups, serum groups, red-cell isoenzymes and haemoglobins of the Sandawe and Nyaturu of Tanzania. Blood specimens from members of the click-speaking Sandawe tribe of Tanzania and of the adjacent Bantu-speaking Nyaturu tribe have been tested for antigens of 11 blood group systems, for variants of 3 plasma-protein systems and 9 red-cell-enzyme systems, for haemoglobin variants. The results are tabulated and gene frequencies computed. For most systems, the frequencies in the two tribes are similar to one another and, in so far as data are available, similar to the neighbouring Bantu-speaking tribes. The principal genetic difference between the Sandawe and the Nyaturu is in their frequencies of haemoglobin S and of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, both of which characters are several times higher in the Nyaturu than in the Sandawe; both characters are protective against falciparum malaria, and this suggests that the Nyaturu have in the past been much more strongly exposed to this infection than the Sandawe.", "PMID": 791061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8962", "title": "[Functional and morphological modifications of the respiratory tract ciliated epithelium after local immunization of the rabbit with the influenza virus. I.--A comparison of the migration index of the alveolar macrophages and of the inhibition of the ciliary movement (author's transl)].", "content": "Induction of cell mediated immunity in the respiratory tract after intratracheal immunization with live or killed influenza A virus was investigated. Respiratory ciliated epithelium appears to be one of the targets involved in the expression of local cell mediated immunity. The degree of inhibition of ciliary movement registered after contact with the antigen is compared with the degree of the development of cell mediated immunity in the lower respiratory tract as evaluated by macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). It was found that 82% of the animals with MIF showed inhibition of ciliary movement on contact with the antigen. From the cytologic point of view, alterations in the ultrastructure of the cilia occur very quickly, within a few minutes. After contact with the specific antigen first the membranes of the cilia are destroyed and later on the cilia themselves. A lymphokine is proposed as a mediator of the inhibition of ciliary movement as well as a cytotoxic effector. This is because the sensitized lymphocyte culture supernatants as well as pulmonary lavages obtained 48 h after the last local immunization also inhibit the ciliary movement.", "contents": "[Functional and morphological modifications of the respiratory tract ciliated epithelium after local immunization of the rabbit with the influenza virus. I.--A comparison of the migration index of the alveolar macrophages and of the inhibition of the ciliary movement (author's transl)]. Induction of cell mediated immunity in the respiratory tract after intratracheal immunization with live or killed influenza A virus was investigated. Respiratory ciliated epithelium appears to be one of the targets involved in the expression of local cell mediated immunity. The degree of inhibition of ciliary movement registered after contact with the antigen is compared with the degree of the development of cell mediated immunity in the lower respiratory tract as evaluated by macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). It was found that 82% of the animals with MIF showed inhibition of ciliary movement on contact with the antigen. From the cytologic point of view, alterations in the ultrastructure of the cilia occur very quickly, within a few minutes. After contact with the specific antigen first the membranes of the cilia are destroyed and later on the cilia themselves. A lymphokine is proposed as a mediator of the inhibition of ciliary movement as well as a cytotoxic effector. This is because the sensitized lymphocyte culture supernatants as well as pulmonary lavages obtained 48 h after the last local immunization also inhibit the ciliary movement.", "PMID": 791062} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8963", "title": "Genetic relatedness in the family Enterobacteriaceae.", "content": "Five criteria of genetic relatedness are considered. The first, transfer of plasmids between groups, is frequently not a good criterion, because transfer is possible between all genera of the Enterobacteriaceae and also to genera in other families. Though transfer to closely related groups is most frequent, host restriction and the properties of the plasmid may influence the transfer frequency as much as the relatedness of the donor and recipient. The second criterion is interspecies recombination (integration) of chromosomal genes transferred by Hfr strains. Crosses between closely related genera (E. coli and Shigella) gave high frequency of stable hybrids, but crosses between less related genera (E. coli and Salmonella) result in lower recombination, with the donor genes frequently integrated in nonallelic positions on the chromosome, or remaining as autonomous CCC-DNA. In crosses between distantly related genera such as E. coli and Proteus, all the donor DNA remained as CCC, with no detectable integration into the chromosome. Third, the linkage maps of different strains of a species such as E. coli or of closely related species are very similar. The linkage maps of E. coli and S. typhimurium are also similar, with one gene rearrangement, an inversion, distinguishing them. There are some indications of differences in gene order between E. coli and Yersinia and between E. coli and S. marcescens and considerable evidence for rearrangements in gene order between E. coli and P. mirabilis. No similarity between the linkage maps of E. coli and of nonenteric bacteria such as Pseudomonas was observed. Thus within the enteric bacteria there is striking similarity in order of genes between closely related genera, but major changes when less related genera, such as E. coli and P. mirabilis, are observed. are observed...", "contents": "Genetic relatedness in the family Enterobacteriaceae. Five criteria of genetic relatedness are considered. The first, transfer of plasmids between groups, is frequently not a good criterion, because transfer is possible between all genera of the Enterobacteriaceae and also to genera in other families. Though transfer to closely related groups is most frequent, host restriction and the properties of the plasmid may influence the transfer frequency as much as the relatedness of the donor and recipient. The second criterion is interspecies recombination (integration) of chromosomal genes transferred by Hfr strains. Crosses between closely related genera (E. coli and Shigella) gave high frequency of stable hybrids, but crosses between less related genera (E. coli and Salmonella) result in lower recombination, with the donor genes frequently integrated in nonallelic positions on the chromosome, or remaining as autonomous CCC-DNA. In crosses between distantly related genera such as E. coli and Proteus, all the donor DNA remained as CCC, with no detectable integration into the chromosome. Third, the linkage maps of different strains of a species such as E. coli or of closely related species are very similar. The linkage maps of E. coli and S. typhimurium are also similar, with one gene rearrangement, an inversion, distinguishing them. There are some indications of differences in gene order between E. coli and Yersinia and between E. coli and S. marcescens and considerable evidence for rearrangements in gene order between E. coli and P. mirabilis. No similarity between the linkage maps of E. coli and of nonenteric bacteria such as Pseudomonas was observed. Thus within the enteric bacteria there is striking similarity in order of genes between closely related genera, but major changes when less related genera, such as E. coli and P. mirabilis, are observed. are observed...", "PMID": 791071} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8964", "title": "Enzyme recruitment in evolution of new function.", "content": "Ancient cells must have possessed small gene content. Primitive enzymes may have possessed broad specificity and undeveloped regulation mechanisms. The considerable substrate ambiguity of these enzymes resulted in the formation of minor amounts of erroneous products. Fortuitous formation of metabolites offered ancient cells maximum biochemical flexibility with minimal gene content. Gene duplication provided the opportunity for increased gene content and increased specialization of the diverging enzymes, the substrate specialization being further reinforced by the development of regualtory mechanisms. Recuritment of enzymes for new pathways did not necessarily require the sequential and backwardly evolving progression of evolutionary steps required by the hypothesis of retrograde evolution of biochemical pathways. Substrate ambiguity remains a conspicuous feature of many contemporary proteins, and evolutionary exploitation of substrate ambiguity in a variety of organisms is still apparent.", "contents": "Enzyme recruitment in evolution of new function. Ancient cells must have possessed small gene content. Primitive enzymes may have possessed broad specificity and undeveloped regulation mechanisms. The considerable substrate ambiguity of these enzymes resulted in the formation of minor amounts of erroneous products. Fortuitous formation of metabolites offered ancient cells maximum biochemical flexibility with minimal gene content. Gene duplication provided the opportunity for increased gene content and increased specialization of the diverging enzymes, the substrate specialization being further reinforced by the development of regualtory mechanisms. Recuritment of enzymes for new pathways did not necessarily require the sequential and backwardly evolving progression of evolutionary steps required by the hypothesis of retrograde evolution of biochemical pathways. Substrate ambiguity remains a conspicuous feature of many contemporary proteins, and evolutionary exploitation of substrate ambiguity in a variety of organisms is still apparent.", "PMID": 791073} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8965", "title": "Susceptibility of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var. anitratus (Herellea vaginicola) to minocycline.", "content": "The in vitro activity of minocycline against Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var. anitratus (Herellea vaginicola) was examined. All strains of A. anitratus were inhibited by minocycline at concentrations of 0.4 mug/ml or less. The strains studied were considerably more susceptible to minocycline than tetracycline. No difference between the susceptibility to minocycline and tetracycline was seen with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter and Proteus sp. A regression line of the log minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values and the diameter of the zone of inhibition, determined by the Kirby-Bauer technique, showed good linear correlation for minocycline. Comparison of the disk diffusion results and MICs indicated that an inhibitory zone size of 19 mm produced by a 30-mug minocycline disk was equivalent to a MIC of 3.1 mug/ml, a serum concentration achieved by oral administration of the drug. When the zone of inhibition was greater than 19 mm, however, there was poor correlation with the MIC for Enterobacteriaceae.", "contents": "Susceptibility of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var. anitratus (Herellea vaginicola) to minocycline. The in vitro activity of minocycline against Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var. anitratus (Herellea vaginicola) was examined. All strains of A. anitratus were inhibited by minocycline at concentrations of 0.4 mug/ml or less. The strains studied were considerably more susceptible to minocycline than tetracycline. No difference between the susceptibility to minocycline and tetracycline was seen with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter and Proteus sp. A regression line of the log minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values and the diameter of the zone of inhibition, determined by the Kirby-Bauer technique, showed good linear correlation for minocycline. Comparison of the disk diffusion results and MICs indicated that an inhibitory zone size of 19 mm produced by a 30-mug minocycline disk was equivalent to a MIC of 3.1 mug/ml, a serum concentration achieved by oral administration of the drug. When the zone of inhibition was greater than 19 mm, however, there was poor correlation with the MIC for Enterobacteriaceae.", "PMID": 791084} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8966", "title": "R factor-mediated antibiotic resistance in Serratia marcescens.", "content": "Nineteen of 39 multiresistant strains of Serratia marcescens isolated from clinical sources transferred antibiotic resistance to Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae recipients. Marcesins and/or phage prevented effective resistance transfer to E. coli and attempts to select marcescin-resistant mutants of the E. coli recipient strain were unsuccessful. Transfer of resistance was demonstrated for all drugs tested except nalidixic acid. Approximately 90% of donors resistant to tobramycin, ampicillin, or carbenicillin transferred resistance to these drugs. High levels of transferred resistance (minimal inhibitory concentration, >2,500 mug/ml) were demonstrated particularly for ampicillin, carbenicillin, and kanamycin. Transmissibility of Serratia R factors was greatest between isogeneic strains of E. coli K-12. Comparative rates of spontaneous loss of R factor-mediated resistance indicated that Serratia R factors are less stable in E. coli and K. pneumoniae transcipients than in the indigenous hosts.", "contents": "R factor-mediated antibiotic resistance in Serratia marcescens. Nineteen of 39 multiresistant strains of Serratia marcescens isolated from clinical sources transferred antibiotic resistance to Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae recipients. Marcesins and/or phage prevented effective resistance transfer to E. coli and attempts to select marcescin-resistant mutants of the E. coli recipient strain were unsuccessful. Transfer of resistance was demonstrated for all drugs tested except nalidixic acid. Approximately 90% of donors resistant to tobramycin, ampicillin, or carbenicillin transferred resistance to these drugs. High levels of transferred resistance (minimal inhibitory concentration, >2,500 mug/ml) were demonstrated particularly for ampicillin, carbenicillin, and kanamycin. Transmissibility of Serratia R factors was greatest between isogeneic strains of E. coli K-12. Comparative rates of spontaneous loss of R factor-mediated resistance indicated that Serratia R factors are less stable in E. coli and K. pneumoniae transcipients than in the indigenous hosts.", "PMID": 791085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8967", "title": "Phleomycin-induced solubilization of deoxyribonucleic acid in uninfected and T bacteriophage-infected Escherichia coli B.", "content": "Phleomycin (PM) induces rapid solubilization of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), inhibition of cellular mass increase, and loss of viability when added either to growing cultures of Escherichia coli B or an endonuclease I-defective derivative of B. Nonetheless, bacteriophage of the T-even series are produced, albeit to a reduced extent, when PM is added with phage or after infection to E. coli cells. Bacteriophage T4 infection inhibits the ability of PM to bring about the solubilization of DNA; this effect appears to account for most of the resistance of T-even phage replication to PM. The patterns of inhibition of phage yields obtained when PM is added at infection suggest that glucosylation of T-even phage DNA may also have a protective effect. However, PM induces the solubilization of glucosylated and nonglucosylated DNA at approximately the same rate and thermal denaturation studies indicate that the antibiotic binds both types of DNA equally well. The latter experiments also provided evidence that PM dissociates from DNA at temperatures greater than 80 C.", "contents": "Phleomycin-induced solubilization of deoxyribonucleic acid in uninfected and T bacteriophage-infected Escherichia coli B. Phleomycin (PM) induces rapid solubilization of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), inhibition of cellular mass increase, and loss of viability when added either to growing cultures of Escherichia coli B or an endonuclease I-defective derivative of B. Nonetheless, bacteriophage of the T-even series are produced, albeit to a reduced extent, when PM is added with phage or after infection to E. coli cells. Bacteriophage T4 infection inhibits the ability of PM to bring about the solubilization of DNA; this effect appears to account for most of the resistance of T-even phage replication to PM. The patterns of inhibition of phage yields obtained when PM is added at infection suggest that glucosylation of T-even phage DNA may also have a protective effect. However, PM induces the solubilization of glucosylated and nonglucosylated DNA at approximately the same rate and thermal denaturation studies indicate that the antibiotic binds both types of DNA equally well. The latter experiments also provided evidence that PM dissociates from DNA at temperatures greater than 80 C.", "PMID": 791086} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8968", "title": "Nalidixic acid inhibition of post-ultraviolet recovery in Escherichia coli K-12: requirement for recBC function.", "content": "Various repair-deficient mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 were tested for the impairment of post-ultraviolet survival by nalidixic acid. These studies have shown that the target of this nalidixic acid effect is dictated by the recB and recC genes and may be due to the binding of nalidixic acid to exonuclease V. Furthermore, this effect cannot be correlated with either recombination proficiency or excision repair alone.", "contents": "Nalidixic acid inhibition of post-ultraviolet recovery in Escherichia coli K-12: requirement for recBC function. Various repair-deficient mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 were tested for the impairment of post-ultraviolet survival by nalidixic acid. These studies have shown that the target of this nalidixic acid effect is dictated by the recB and recC genes and may be due to the binding of nalidixic acid to exonuclease V. Furthermore, this effect cannot be correlated with either recombination proficiency or excision repair alone.", "PMID": 791087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8969", "title": "Cefazolin in the treatment of acute enteric fever.", "content": "Cefazolin was used in the treatment of nine patients with acute enteric fever proven by positive blood cultures. In seven patients the causative organism was Salmonella typhi and in two it was Salmonella paratyphi B. Minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentrations of cefazolin against the nine isolates ranged between 1.95 and 3.90 mug/ml. Cefazolin was administered either intramuscularly or intravenously in a daily dose of 3 to 6 g for 11 to 16 days. The mean peak serum antibiotic concentration after a 0.5-g intravenous injection was 64.4 mug/ml, and the mean trough concentration, 3 h later, was 12.7 mug/ml. The highest serum inhibitory dilution at peak level was frequently 1/64, and at trough level it was 1/16 to 1/32. The acute infection was satisfactorily controlled in all patients. Phlebitis, complicating intravenous therapy, in five out of eight patients, was the only side effect observed. Relapse of typhoid fever, as documented by positive blood culture, occurred in one patient 11 days after treatment course was completed. More extensive clinical studies are required before drawing any conclusions regarding the efficacy of cefazolin in acute enteric fever.", "contents": "Cefazolin in the treatment of acute enteric fever. Cefazolin was used in the treatment of nine patients with acute enteric fever proven by positive blood cultures. In seven patients the causative organism was Salmonella typhi and in two it was Salmonella paratyphi B. Minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentrations of cefazolin against the nine isolates ranged between 1.95 and 3.90 mug/ml. Cefazolin was administered either intramuscularly or intravenously in a daily dose of 3 to 6 g for 11 to 16 days. The mean peak serum antibiotic concentration after a 0.5-g intravenous injection was 64.4 mug/ml, and the mean trough concentration, 3 h later, was 12.7 mug/ml. The highest serum inhibitory dilution at peak level was frequently 1/64, and at trough level it was 1/16 to 1/32. The acute infection was satisfactorily controlled in all patients. Phlebitis, complicating intravenous therapy, in five out of eight patients, was the only side effect observed. Relapse of typhoid fever, as documented by positive blood culture, occurred in one patient 11 days after treatment course was completed. More extensive clinical studies are required before drawing any conclusions regarding the efficacy of cefazolin in acute enteric fever.", "PMID": 791088} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8970", "title": "Short-term storage of six penicillins and cephalothin in microdilution trays for antimicrobial susceptibility tests.", "content": "To perform microdilution antimicrobial susceptibility tests efficiently, broth dilutions of the antimicrobial drugs should be prepared in large batches and stored frozen until needed. Studies were carried out to document the stability of ampicillin, benzylpenicillin, carbenicillin, methicillin, oxacillin, nafcillin, and cephalothin in microdilution trays during storage at -20 and -60 C. No significant deterioration was noted after 21 days of storage, as detected by bioassay and by replicate minimal inhibitory concentration determinations with control organisms. No significant differences were noted moreover between trays stored for three weeks at -20 C and those stored at -60 C. The microdilution technique was found to be a highly reproducible method for quantitative determination of antimicrobial susceptibility.", "contents": "Short-term storage of six penicillins and cephalothin in microdilution trays for antimicrobial susceptibility tests. To perform microdilution antimicrobial susceptibility tests efficiently, broth dilutions of the antimicrobial drugs should be prepared in large batches and stored frozen until needed. Studies were carried out to document the stability of ampicillin, benzylpenicillin, carbenicillin, methicillin, oxacillin, nafcillin, and cephalothin in microdilution trays during storage at -20 and -60 C. No significant deterioration was noted after 21 days of storage, as detected by bioassay and by replicate minimal inhibitory concentration determinations with control organisms. No significant differences were noted moreover between trays stored for three weeks at -20 C and those stored at -60 C. The microdilution technique was found to be a highly reproducible method for quantitative determination of antimicrobial susceptibility.", "PMID": 791089} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8971", "title": "Influence of subtherapeutic levels of a combination of neomycin and oxytetracycline on Salmonella typhimurium in swine, calves, and chickens.", "content": "Subtherapeutic levels of oxytetracycline plus neomycin in animal feeds did not bring about increases in the quantity, prevalence, or shedding of Salmonella typhimurium in swine, calves, or chickens. In fact, the medication generally reduced the proportion of animals carrying S. typhimurium. The medicated groups were fed rations containing oxytetracycline plus neomycin commencing 5 days prior to oral inoculation with S. typhimurium and continuing through a 28-day postinoculation period. Colonization of S. typhimurium occurred in all three animal species, as evidenced by clinical signs of infection and/or colony counts in feces. Only from swine and on only one occasion was a single resistant colony isolated. It is concluded that no evidence has been obtained which would implicate the continuous low-level feeding of oxytetracycline and neomycin for a 4-week period to a potential increased incidence of disease in animals or as a hazard to humans.", "contents": "Influence of subtherapeutic levels of a combination of neomycin and oxytetracycline on Salmonella typhimurium in swine, calves, and chickens. Subtherapeutic levels of oxytetracycline plus neomycin in animal feeds did not bring about increases in the quantity, prevalence, or shedding of Salmonella typhimurium in swine, calves, or chickens. In fact, the medication generally reduced the proportion of animals carrying S. typhimurium. The medicated groups were fed rations containing oxytetracycline plus neomycin commencing 5 days prior to oral inoculation with S. typhimurium and continuing through a 28-day postinoculation period. Colonization of S. typhimurium occurred in all three animal species, as evidenced by clinical signs of infection and/or colony counts in feces. Only from swine and on only one occasion was a single resistant colony isolated. It is concluded that no evidence has been obtained which would implicate the continuous low-level feeding of oxytetracycline and neomycin for a 4-week period to a potential increased incidence of disease in animals or as a hazard to humans.", "PMID": 791090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8972", "title": "In vitro effects of low concentrations of penicillin and sulfadiazine on Streptococcus mutans.", "content": "Investigations were conducted to determine the in vitro effects of low levels of penicillin and sulfadiazine on the growth, plaque formation, and agglutination of Streptococcus mutans and on the synthesis and activity of enzymes synthesizing extracellular polymers. The concentrations tested were equivalent to those expected in the saliva of subjects receiving oral therapy with the agents. Penicillin at 0.5 ng/ml and sulfadiazine at 1 mug/ml substantially inhibited in vitro plaque formation. At these concentrations, sulfadiazine but not penicillin also inhibited growth of the organism. Neither antimicrobial agent affected the agglutination of S. mutans with dextran or the synthesis or activity of enzymes synthesizing extracellular polymers. The effect of sulfadiazine on plaque formation was attributed, at least in part, to the inhibitory action of that agent on S. mutans growth.", "contents": "In vitro effects of low concentrations of penicillin and sulfadiazine on Streptococcus mutans. Investigations were conducted to determine the in vitro effects of low levels of penicillin and sulfadiazine on the growth, plaque formation, and agglutination of Streptococcus mutans and on the synthesis and activity of enzymes synthesizing extracellular polymers. The concentrations tested were equivalent to those expected in the saliva of subjects receiving oral therapy with the agents. Penicillin at 0.5 ng/ml and sulfadiazine at 1 mug/ml substantially inhibited in vitro plaque formation. At these concentrations, sulfadiazine but not penicillin also inhibited growth of the organism. Neither antimicrobial agent affected the agglutination of S. mutans with dextran or the synthesis or activity of enzymes synthesizing extracellular polymers. The effect of sulfadiazine on plaque formation was attributed, at least in part, to the inhibitory action of that agent on S. mutans growth.", "PMID": 791091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8973", "title": "Indirect method for assessing the penetration of beta-lactamase-nonsusceptible penicillins and cephalosporins in Escherichia coli strains.", "content": "Escherichia coli UB1005 and two mutants of this strain (DC2 and DC3) have been used to assess indirectly the relative ability of various beta-lactam antibiotics to penetrate the outer layers of E. coli. Benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, methicillin, cloxacillin, cephaloridine, cephalothin, and cephalexin have been examined. The results confirm those obtained with other methods and show that, among the compounds studied here, cephalosporins seem to penetrate more readily than penicillins.", "contents": "Indirect method for assessing the penetration of beta-lactamase-nonsusceptible penicillins and cephalosporins in Escherichia coli strains. Escherichia coli UB1005 and two mutants of this strain (DC2 and DC3) have been used to assess indirectly the relative ability of various beta-lactam antibiotics to penetrate the outer layers of E. coli. Benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, methicillin, cloxacillin, cephaloridine, cephalothin, and cephalexin have been examined. The results confirm those obtained with other methods and show that, among the compounds studied here, cephalosporins seem to penetrate more readily than penicillins.", "PMID": 791092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8974", "title": "Comparative study of seven cephalosporins: susceptibility to beta-lactamases and ability to penetrate the surface layers of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The properties of cefazolin, cefoxitin, cefamandole, and cefuroxime have been compared with those of cephaloridine, cephalothin, and cephalexin. The properties included for examination are the susceptibility to a range of beta-lactamases commonly encountered in gram-negative species and the ability of a beta-lactam antibiotic to penetrate the outer layers of Escherichia coli. Of the antibiotics tested, cefamandole was the most active in its antibiotic activity but had the disadvantage that it was sensitive to hydrolysis by type IVc beta-lactamase. Cefoxitin and cefuroxime were slightly less active than cefamandole but were effectively resistant to all the beta-lactamases used in the test.", "contents": "Comparative study of seven cephalosporins: susceptibility to beta-lactamases and ability to penetrate the surface layers of Escherichia coli. The properties of cefazolin, cefoxitin, cefamandole, and cefuroxime have been compared with those of cephaloridine, cephalothin, and cephalexin. The properties included for examination are the susceptibility to a range of beta-lactamases commonly encountered in gram-negative species and the ability of a beta-lactam antibiotic to penetrate the outer layers of Escherichia coli. Of the antibiotics tested, cefamandole was the most active in its antibiotic activity but had the disadvantage that it was sensitive to hydrolysis by type IVc beta-lactamase. Cefoxitin and cefuroxime were slightly less active than cefamandole but were effectively resistant to all the beta-lactamases used in the test.", "PMID": 791093} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8975", "title": "Comparison of tetracycline action on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by microbial kinetics.", "content": "Cultures of tetracycline-treated Staphylococcus aureus exhibited monophasic steady-state growth curves similar to that observed for tetracycline-treated Escherichia coli. Apparent growth rate constants of the respective drug-treated cultures showed the same formal dependence on drug concentration, which was linear at a low concentration but asymptotically approached zero at higher concentration levels and implied the saturation of a limited number of receptor sites engaged in microbial protein synthesis. The relative potency of tetracycline action of S. aureus/E. coli was 6.50:1 at 37.5 degrees C and pH 7.05. This is attributed to relative differences in drug permeation and/or binding affinity for biophase receptors in the respective organisms. It is concluded from kinetic dependencies of growth inhibition of the cultures that tetracycline has the same mode of action on S. aureus and E. coli. It is bacteriostatic at concentrations below the minimal inhibitory concentration level but bactericidal at the higher concentration levels.", "contents": "Comparison of tetracycline action on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by microbial kinetics. Cultures of tetracycline-treated Staphylococcus aureus exhibited monophasic steady-state growth curves similar to that observed for tetracycline-treated Escherichia coli. Apparent growth rate constants of the respective drug-treated cultures showed the same formal dependence on drug concentration, which was linear at a low concentration but asymptotically approached zero at higher concentration levels and implied the saturation of a limited number of receptor sites engaged in microbial protein synthesis. The relative potency of tetracycline action of S. aureus/E. coli was 6.50:1 at 37.5 degrees C and pH 7.05. This is attributed to relative differences in drug permeation and/or binding affinity for biophase receptors in the respective organisms. It is concluded from kinetic dependencies of growth inhibition of the cultures that tetracycline has the same mode of action on S. aureus and E. coli. It is bacteriostatic at concentrations below the minimal inhibitory concentration level but bactericidal at the higher concentration levels.", "PMID": 791094} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8976", "title": "Dual-action cephalosporin utilizing a novel therapeutic principle.", "content": "A new cephalosporin is described that overcomes, in a novel way, the general susceptibility of this group of agents to enterobacterial beta-lactamases. The new compound carries a substituent that is released on cleavage of the beta-lactam ring and then exhibits antibacterial activity in its own right. The possible therapeutic benefits of such an antibiotic are discussed.", "contents": "Dual-action cephalosporin utilizing a novel therapeutic principle. A new cephalosporin is described that overcomes, in a novel way, the general susceptibility of this group of agents to enterobacterial beta-lactamases. The new compound carries a substituent that is released on cleavage of the beta-lactam ring and then exhibits antibacterial activity in its own right. The possible therapeutic benefits of such an antibiotic are discussed.", "PMID": 791095} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8977", "title": "Specific action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide on Excherichia coli K-12 pro+ strains leading to the isolation of proline-requiring mutants: isolation and characterization of pro-mutants.", "content": "A specific action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide on Escherichia coli K-12 Pro(+) strains leading to highly efficient, selective isolation of Pro(-) mutants is described. Incubation of Pro(+) cells with a sublethal concentration of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide in Penassay broth gave Pro(-) mutants, which lacked either the biosynthetic pathway of proline from glutamic acid to glutamyl gamma-phosphate (proB(-)) or the pathway from glutamyl gamma-phosphate to glutamic gamma-semialdehyde (proA(-)) or both. Pro(-) mutants, which have the metabolic block between Delta(1) pyrroline-5-carboxylate (the cyclized dehydration product of glutamic gamma-semialdehyde) and proline (proC(-)) were not found among survivors. Treatment of Pro(+) cells with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine led to isolation of all three types of Pro(-) mutants, suggesting that the action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide on Pro(+) cells is apparently distinct from the action of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. F-duction and interrupted mating experiments led to determination of the correlation between proline loci and the biosynthetic pathway of proline from glutamic acid.", "contents": "Specific action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide on Excherichia coli K-12 pro+ strains leading to the isolation of proline-requiring mutants: isolation and characterization of pro-mutants. A specific action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide on Escherichia coli K-12 Pro(+) strains leading to highly efficient, selective isolation of Pro(-) mutants is described. Incubation of Pro(+) cells with a sublethal concentration of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide in Penassay broth gave Pro(-) mutants, which lacked either the biosynthetic pathway of proline from glutamic acid to glutamyl gamma-phosphate (proB(-)) or the pathway from glutamyl gamma-phosphate to glutamic gamma-semialdehyde (proA(-)) or both. Pro(-) mutants, which have the metabolic block between Delta(1) pyrroline-5-carboxylate (the cyclized dehydration product of glutamic gamma-semialdehyde) and proline (proC(-)) were not found among survivors. Treatment of Pro(+) cells with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine led to isolation of all three types of Pro(-) mutants, suggesting that the action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide on Pro(+) cells is apparently distinct from the action of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. F-duction and interrupted mating experiments led to determination of the correlation between proline loci and the biosynthetic pathway of proline from glutamic acid.", "PMID": 791096} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8978", "title": "Specific action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide on Escherichia coli K-12 Pro+ strains leading to the isolation of proline-requiring mutants: mechanism of action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide.", "content": "Possible mechanisms involved in the action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide (4NPO) on Escherichia coli K-12 pro(+) cells in Penassay broth leading to the selective isolation of proA(-) and/or proB(-) mutants but not proC(-) mutant were studied. Reconstruction experiments between pro(+) and pro(-) cells, together with experiments on the bactericidal action of 4NPO on pro(+) and pro(-) cells, indicated that 4NPO is more toxic for pro(+) and proC(-) cells than for proA(-) and proB(-) cells. These results, coupled with data indicating little mutagenicity of 4NPO on E. coli cells, led us to conclude that the selection of proA(-) and/or proB(-) cells that arose spontaneously in the pro(+) culture is a possible mechanism for the action of 4NPO. Examination of 4NPO sensitivity of pro(+) transductants derived from proA(-) and proB(-) cells with P1 vir phage and pro(+) cells as donor and of pro(+) spontaneous revertants derived from those pro(-) cells suggested that 4NPO-sensitive gene(s) should be on, or very close to, the proA and proB loci and that both products of proA and proB genes may be involved in the sensitivity of bacteria to 4NPO. The fact that the 4NPO-sensitive allele is dominant over the 4NPO-resistant allele further indicated the possible correlation between gene products of proA and proB and the 4NPO sensitivity of bacteria. Experiments on metabolic conversion of 4NPO with bacterial cells proved that the major metabolic pathway of the agent is reduction to (possibly via 4-nitroso-) 4-hydroxylamino- and 4-amino-pyridine 1-oxides, and then to 4-aminopyridine. Investigation of the effect of structural modification of 4NPO on the elective selection of Pro(-) mutants in Pro(+) culture further suggested that the structural feature indispensable for the action of the agent is the hydroxyl-amino or its more oxidized state at the 4 position and the N-oxide moiety at the 1 position on the pyridine skeleton. Action of 4NPO in minimal medium was found to be bacteriostatic on pro(+) cells but not on pro(-) cells, leading to the formation of long nonseptate multinucleate filament cells on pro(+) cells. Possible biochemical mechanisms of the selective toxicity of 4NPO for pro(+) and pro(-) cells are discussed.", "contents": "Specific action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide on Escherichia coli K-12 Pro+ strains leading to the isolation of proline-requiring mutants: mechanism of action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide. Possible mechanisms involved in the action of 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide (4NPO) on Escherichia coli K-12 pro(+) cells in Penassay broth leading to the selective isolation of proA(-) and/or proB(-) mutants but not proC(-) mutant were studied. Reconstruction experiments between pro(+) and pro(-) cells, together with experiments on the bactericidal action of 4NPO on pro(+) and pro(-) cells, indicated that 4NPO is more toxic for pro(+) and proC(-) cells than for proA(-) and proB(-) cells. These results, coupled with data indicating little mutagenicity of 4NPO on E. coli cells, led us to conclude that the selection of proA(-) and/or proB(-) cells that arose spontaneously in the pro(+) culture is a possible mechanism for the action of 4NPO. Examination of 4NPO sensitivity of pro(+) transductants derived from proA(-) and proB(-) cells with P1 vir phage and pro(+) cells as donor and of pro(+) spontaneous revertants derived from those pro(-) cells suggested that 4NPO-sensitive gene(s) should be on, or very close to, the proA and proB loci and that both products of proA and proB genes may be involved in the sensitivity of bacteria to 4NPO. The fact that the 4NPO-sensitive allele is dominant over the 4NPO-resistant allele further indicated the possible correlation between gene products of proA and proB and the 4NPO sensitivity of bacteria. Experiments on metabolic conversion of 4NPO with bacterial cells proved that the major metabolic pathway of the agent is reduction to (possibly via 4-nitroso-) 4-hydroxylamino- and 4-amino-pyridine 1-oxides, and then to 4-aminopyridine. Investigation of the effect of structural modification of 4NPO on the elective selection of Pro(-) mutants in Pro(+) culture further suggested that the structural feature indispensable for the action of the agent is the hydroxyl-amino or its more oxidized state at the 4 position and the N-oxide moiety at the 1 position on the pyridine skeleton. Action of 4NPO in minimal medium was found to be bacteriostatic on pro(+) cells but not on pro(-) cells, leading to the formation of long nonseptate multinucleate filament cells on pro(+) cells. Possible biochemical mechanisms of the selective toxicity of 4NPO for pro(+) and pro(-) cells are discussed.", "PMID": 791097} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8979", "title": "Chloramphenicol: an enzymological microassay.", "content": "A new assay for chloramphenicol in biological fluids has been developed that offers sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy, economy, and ease of performance. The assay is based on the enzymological acetylation of chloramphenicol catalyzed by an R factor-mediated enzyme. [(14)C]acetyl coenzyme A serves as the donor of the labeled acetyl group, and the product, [(14)C]acetoxychloramphenicol, is separated from the labeled precursor by utilizing its preferential extraction into benzene. The product is then quantified by liquid scintillation counting. This assay measures chloramphenicol concentrations in both plasma and other biological specimens and in the presence of other antibiotics, hemolysis, or jaundice. Its rapidity and ease of performance are useful for clinical laboratories, and its sensitivity allows determinations on 10 mul of plasma.", "contents": "Chloramphenicol: an enzymological microassay. A new assay for chloramphenicol in biological fluids has been developed that offers sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy, economy, and ease of performance. The assay is based on the enzymological acetylation of chloramphenicol catalyzed by an R factor-mediated enzyme. [(14)C]acetyl coenzyme A serves as the donor of the labeled acetyl group, and the product, [(14)C]acetoxychloramphenicol, is separated from the labeled precursor by utilizing its preferential extraction into benzene. The product is then quantified by liquid scintillation counting. This assay measures chloramphenicol concentrations in both plasma and other biological specimens and in the presence of other antibiotics, hemolysis, or jaundice. Its rapidity and ease of performance are useful for clinical laboratories, and its sensitivity allows determinations on 10 mul of plasma.", "PMID": 791098} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8980", "title": "Inhibition of the apparent rate of synthesis on the vacuolar glycoprotein carboxypeptidase Y and its protein antigen by tunicamycin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Carboxypeptidase Y from Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains 14% mannose, the only neutral sugar present. An antiserum can be raised in rabbits which reacts with both the protein and the sugar moieties of the enzyme. This antiserum also precipitates yeast invertase and yeast cell wall mannan. Thus carboxypeptidase Y, which is known to be localized in yeast vacuoles, is very probably a mannoprotein. Tunicamycin inhibits the apparent formation of carboxypeptidase Y to a similar extent as that of the externally localized mannoprotein, invertase. No accumulation of an inactive nonglycosylated or partly glycosylated carboxypeptidase Y occurs as determined by the immunoprecipitation technique. Tunicamycin also inhibits the apparent formation of proteinase A, whereas it does not affect the increase in the activities of a number of other enzymes. It is suggested that in the synthesis of glycoproteins there exists a regulatory link between the synthesis of their polypeptide chains and the reactions involved in their glycosylation.", "contents": "Inhibition of the apparent rate of synthesis on the vacuolar glycoprotein carboxypeptidase Y and its protein antigen by tunicamycin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Carboxypeptidase Y from Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains 14% mannose, the only neutral sugar present. An antiserum can be raised in rabbits which reacts with both the protein and the sugar moieties of the enzyme. This antiserum also precipitates yeast invertase and yeast cell wall mannan. Thus carboxypeptidase Y, which is known to be localized in yeast vacuoles, is very probably a mannoprotein. Tunicamycin inhibits the apparent formation of carboxypeptidase Y to a similar extent as that of the externally localized mannoprotein, invertase. No accumulation of an inactive nonglycosylated or partly glycosylated carboxypeptidase Y occurs as determined by the immunoprecipitation technique. Tunicamycin also inhibits the apparent formation of proteinase A, whereas it does not affect the increase in the activities of a number of other enzymes. It is suggested that in the synthesis of glycoproteins there exists a regulatory link between the synthesis of their polypeptide chains and the reactions involved in their glycosylation.", "PMID": 791099} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8981", "title": "Reproducibility of control strains for antibiotic susceptibility testing.", "content": "Inter- and intralaboratory reproducibility of susceptibility testing requires stable control strains. The Food and Drug Administration diffusion procedure recommends the Seattle strains of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) for this purpose. It was of interest to determine the present reproducibility of control cultures maintained in various laboratories over several years. Fifteen cultures each of S. aureus and E. coli were obtained from laboratories in different parts of the country. Their performance was compared with strains directly derived from ATCC. Diffusion susceptibility tests using a modified overlay technique were made with four replicates. Seven of the eight statistically significant differences in responses of the staphylococci were to penicillin, methicillin, or cephalothin. One culture was a penicillinase producer with a zone 15 mm less than the standard strain. Eleven of the 15 cultures showed no significant deviations or differences greater than 2 mm from the results with the strain derived directly from ATCC. All except the penicillinase producer were of identical phage type. Among 150 organism-antibiotic combinations tested with E. coli, all but one reading were within 2 mm of the standard. Four of the six statistically significant differences were in a culture from one laboratory. The stability of the cultures appears to have been influenced by the method of storage. Cultures that were kept frozen during extended storage were remarkably stable. Significant differences were found in cultures from four of five laboratories that maintained cultures in refrigerators or at ambient temperature.", "contents": "Reproducibility of control strains for antibiotic susceptibility testing. Inter- and intralaboratory reproducibility of susceptibility testing requires stable control strains. The Food and Drug Administration diffusion procedure recommends the Seattle strains of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) for this purpose. It was of interest to determine the present reproducibility of control cultures maintained in various laboratories over several years. Fifteen cultures each of S. aureus and E. coli were obtained from laboratories in different parts of the country. Their performance was compared with strains directly derived from ATCC. Diffusion susceptibility tests using a modified overlay technique were made with four replicates. Seven of the eight statistically significant differences in responses of the staphylococci were to penicillin, methicillin, or cephalothin. One culture was a penicillinase producer with a zone 15 mm less than the standard strain. Eleven of the 15 cultures showed no significant deviations or differences greater than 2 mm from the results with the strain derived directly from ATCC. All except the penicillinase producer were of identical phage type. Among 150 organism-antibiotic combinations tested with E. coli, all but one reading were within 2 mm of the standard. Four of the six statistically significant differences were in a culture from one laboratory. The stability of the cultures appears to have been influenced by the method of storage. Cultures that were kept frozen during extended storage were remarkably stable. Significant differences were found in cultures from four of five laboratories that maintained cultures in refrigerators or at ambient temperature.", "PMID": 791100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8982", "title": "Comparison of thrombophlebitis associated with three cephalosporin antibiotics.", "content": "A double-blind study with volunteers was performed to determine the incidence and severity of thrombophlebitis associated with cephalothin, cephapirin, cefamandole, and a water control. Although there were no statistical differences in the incidence of thrombophlebitis, cephalothin resulted in significantly more severe thrombophlebitis compared with the other agents.", "contents": "Comparison of thrombophlebitis associated with three cephalosporin antibiotics. A double-blind study with volunteers was performed to determine the incidence and severity of thrombophlebitis associated with cephalothin, cephapirin, cefamandole, and a water control. Although there were no statistical differences in the incidence of thrombophlebitis, cephalothin resulted in significantly more severe thrombophlebitis compared with the other agents.", "PMID": 791101} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8983", "title": "Antitrichomonad action, mutagenicity, and reduction of metronidazole and other nitroimidazoles.", "content": "Twelve 4- and 5-nitroimidazole derivatives, including metronidazole and two of its metabolites, tinidazole, dimetridazole, and nimorazole, were tested for antitrichomonad action on Tritrichomonas foetus (KV(1)) and Trichomonas vaginalis (ATCC 30001) for mutagenicity on a nitroreductase-positive (TA 100) and a nitroreductase-deficient (TA 100-FR(1)) strain of Salmonella typhimurium, as well as for the reducibility of the nitro group by T. foetus homogenates. Compounds with activity <1% of that of metronidazole are regarded as inactive. All antitrichomonad compounds induce mutations and can be reduced. S. typhimurium TA 100 gave mutations under both aerobiosis and anaerobiosis; TA 100-FR(1), however, gave mutations only under anaerobiosis. Certain compounds that are reducible, and the nonreducible derivatives, were inactive. Metronidazole and its inactive 4-nitro analogue were reduced in a four-electron process in ferredoxin- or methyl viologen-mediated reactions with the same velocity. The results underscore the role of the reduction of the nitro group in the antitrichomonad and in the mutagenic activity of nitroimidazoles.", "contents": "Antitrichomonad action, mutagenicity, and reduction of metronidazole and other nitroimidazoles. Twelve 4- and 5-nitroimidazole derivatives, including metronidazole and two of its metabolites, tinidazole, dimetridazole, and nimorazole, were tested for antitrichomonad action on Tritrichomonas foetus (KV(1)) and Trichomonas vaginalis (ATCC 30001) for mutagenicity on a nitroreductase-positive (TA 100) and a nitroreductase-deficient (TA 100-FR(1)) strain of Salmonella typhimurium, as well as for the reducibility of the nitro group by T. foetus homogenates. Compounds with activity <1% of that of metronidazole are regarded as inactive. All antitrichomonad compounds induce mutations and can be reduced. S. typhimurium TA 100 gave mutations under both aerobiosis and anaerobiosis; TA 100-FR(1), however, gave mutations only under anaerobiosis. Certain compounds that are reducible, and the nonreducible derivatives, were inactive. Metronidazole and its inactive 4-nitro analogue were reduced in a four-electron process in ferredoxin- or methyl viologen-mediated reactions with the same velocity. The results underscore the role of the reduction of the nitro group in the antitrichomonad and in the mutagenic activity of nitroimidazoles.", "PMID": 791102} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8984", "title": "Basis for the design of anticandidal agents from studies of peptide utilization in Canadida albicans.", "content": "The growth of Candida albicans WD 18-4, a methionine and lysine double auxotroph, on a variety of methionine- and lysine-containing peptides was determined. This yeast does not excrete extracellular peptidases. Thus, the growth response to peptides containing the required amino acid is a measure of peptide transport. A variety of methionine-containing peptides such as Met-Met, Met-Met-Met, and Met-Met-Met-Met-Met are transported. Acylation of the N-terminus of transported peptides does not affect their transport, but derivitization of the C-terminus prevents peptide uptake. In contrast, all lysine-containing peptides tested, except Lys-Gly, were not growth substrates. The inability of a peptide to substitute for the requisite amino acid was not due to the absence of cellular peptidases or to toxicity of the nonutilized peptides. Several potentially toxic amino acids were carried into Candida as a component of transported peptides. This establishes the peptide transport system as a possible tool for the design of antibiotics for Candida albicans.", "contents": "Basis for the design of anticandidal agents from studies of peptide utilization in Canadida albicans. The growth of Candida albicans WD 18-4, a methionine and lysine double auxotroph, on a variety of methionine- and lysine-containing peptides was determined. This yeast does not excrete extracellular peptidases. Thus, the growth response to peptides containing the required amino acid is a measure of peptide transport. A variety of methionine-containing peptides such as Met-Met, Met-Met-Met, and Met-Met-Met-Met-Met are transported. Acylation of the N-terminus of transported peptides does not affect their transport, but derivitization of the C-terminus prevents peptide uptake. In contrast, all lysine-containing peptides tested, except Lys-Gly, were not growth substrates. The inability of a peptide to substitute for the requisite amino acid was not due to the absence of cellular peptidases or to toxicity of the nonutilized peptides. Several potentially toxic amino acids were carried into Candida as a component of transported peptides. This establishes the peptide transport system as a possible tool for the design of antibiotics for Candida albicans.", "PMID": 791103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8985", "title": "In vitro synergistic effect of netilmicin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic.", "content": "The combination of netilmicin (Sch 20569) with carbenicillin, cefazolin, chloramphenicol, and clindamycin was evaluated by in vitro tests against 91 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Escherichia coli. Combinations were considered to show synergy if there was a fourfold or greater reduction in minimal inhibitory concentration values of both antibiotics when combined. Synergy of netilmicin with carbenicillin could be demonstrated against 21 of 46 Pseudomonas isolates. Comparison of the synergy of carbenicillin with netilmicin or gentamicin showed that netilmicin was less active than gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, at therapeutic concentrations of the antibiotics, significant differences were not observed. Synergy of netilmicin and cefazolin was demonstrated against only 1 of 21 Klebsiella strains tested, but partial synergy was found for 12 of 20 isolates. Synergy and antagonism were uncommon with the netilmicin-chloramphenicol and netilmicin-clindamycin combinations against E. coli and Pseudomonas.", "contents": "In vitro synergistic effect of netilmicin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic. The combination of netilmicin (Sch 20569) with carbenicillin, cefazolin, chloramphenicol, and clindamycin was evaluated by in vitro tests against 91 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Escherichia coli. Combinations were considered to show synergy if there was a fourfold or greater reduction in minimal inhibitory concentration values of both antibiotics when combined. Synergy of netilmicin with carbenicillin could be demonstrated against 21 of 46 Pseudomonas isolates. Comparison of the synergy of carbenicillin with netilmicin or gentamicin showed that netilmicin was less active than gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, at therapeutic concentrations of the antibiotics, significant differences were not observed. Synergy of netilmicin and cefazolin was demonstrated against only 1 of 21 Klebsiella strains tested, but partial synergy was found for 12 of 20 isolates. Synergy and antagonism were uncommon with the netilmicin-chloramphenicol and netilmicin-clindamycin combinations against E. coli and Pseudomonas.", "PMID": 791104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8986", "title": "Can mannitol reduce amphotericin B nephrotoxicity? Double-blind study and description of a new vascular lesion in kidneys.", "content": "Eleven patients with systemic mycotic infections were treated with amphotericin B, 1 mg/kg, on alternate days. Five patients also received mannitol (M), 1 g/kg, in the amphotericin infusion, while six served as controls (C). Renal function studies prior to therapy were repeated at a total cumulative amphotericin B dosage of 25 mg/kg; renal biopsies were obtained from 10 patients. Inulin and creatinine clearances decreased in both the C and M groups, significantly so in the latter. Urinary concentrating ability of five patients (2C, 3M) decreased as did the capacity of three (1C, 2M) to acidify urine after an acid load. Neither the peak and valley levels of amphotericin B in serum nor the urinary excretion thereof differed between the C and M groups. Striking vacuolization of smooth muscle cells, previously unrecognized, was observed in the media of arterioles and arteries in all renal biopsies. Tubular calcification was present in both groups. In summary, M therapy (1 g/kg) did not protect against the nephrotoxicity of amphotericin B. A unique lesion of the renal vasculature secondary to amphotericin B is described.", "contents": "Can mannitol reduce amphotericin B nephrotoxicity? Double-blind study and description of a new vascular lesion in kidneys. Eleven patients with systemic mycotic infections were treated with amphotericin B, 1 mg/kg, on alternate days. Five patients also received mannitol (M), 1 g/kg, in the amphotericin infusion, while six served as controls (C). Renal function studies prior to therapy were repeated at a total cumulative amphotericin B dosage of 25 mg/kg; renal biopsies were obtained from 10 patients. Inulin and creatinine clearances decreased in both the C and M groups, significantly so in the latter. Urinary concentrating ability of five patients (2C, 3M) decreased as did the capacity of three (1C, 2M) to acidify urine after an acid load. Neither the peak and valley levels of amphotericin B in serum nor the urinary excretion thereof differed between the C and M groups. Striking vacuolization of smooth muscle cells, previously unrecognized, was observed in the media of arterioles and arteries in all renal biopsies. Tubular calcification was present in both groups. In summary, M therapy (1 g/kg) did not protect against the nephrotoxicity of amphotericin B. A unique lesion of the renal vasculature secondary to amphotericin B is described.", "PMID": 791105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8987", "title": "Kinetics of the actions of tetracyclines on Escherichia coli as studied by microcalorimetry.", "content": "Microcalorimetry was used to study the kinetics of the actions of various tetracyclines on a strain of Escherichia coli. Differences in the capacity to suppress the metabolism of this bacterium were observed. When the antibiotic was present from the start of the experiment, a heat production of 2.0 muW/ml was registered after 12.5 h using minocycline; the corresponding figures for doxycycline, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline were 7.3, 6.6, and 4.5 h, respectively. In these experiments, equal concentrations, i.e., half the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), of each drug were used. The MIC for all the tetracyclines tested, determined by the broth dilution technique, was 0.8 mug/ml. In other experiments, the antibiotic (concentration, 1.6 mug/ml = 2x MIC) was introduced into the growth vessel during the logarithmic growth phase of the organism. The extent and duration of the inhibitory effect on the metabolism, as judged from the decrease in heat production, varied with the different tetracyclines. Immediately after introduction, minocycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline decreased the heat production in decreasing order of potency. With tetracycline, the heat production rose after about 1 h, and with minocycline it rose after about 9 h. The heat production remained at a low level for at least 19 h when using doxycycline and oxytetracycline. The results indicate that microcalorimetry offers a means for studies of the kinetics of the antibacterial actions of antibiotics and provides information that cannot be obtained by conventional bacteriological techniques. This information may be of use, in conjunction with pharmacokinetic data, in establishing optimum doses and dose intervals in antibiotic therapy.", "contents": "Kinetics of the actions of tetracyclines on Escherichia coli as studied by microcalorimetry. Microcalorimetry was used to study the kinetics of the actions of various tetracyclines on a strain of Escherichia coli. Differences in the capacity to suppress the metabolism of this bacterium were observed. When the antibiotic was present from the start of the experiment, a heat production of 2.0 muW/ml was registered after 12.5 h using minocycline; the corresponding figures for doxycycline, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline were 7.3, 6.6, and 4.5 h, respectively. In these experiments, equal concentrations, i.e., half the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), of each drug were used. The MIC for all the tetracyclines tested, determined by the broth dilution technique, was 0.8 mug/ml. In other experiments, the antibiotic (concentration, 1.6 mug/ml = 2x MIC) was introduced into the growth vessel during the logarithmic growth phase of the organism. The extent and duration of the inhibitory effect on the metabolism, as judged from the decrease in heat production, varied with the different tetracyclines. Immediately after introduction, minocycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline decreased the heat production in decreasing order of potency. With tetracycline, the heat production rose after about 1 h, and with minocycline it rose after about 9 h. The heat production remained at a low level for at least 19 h when using doxycycline and oxytetracycline. The results indicate that microcalorimetry offers a means for studies of the kinetics of the antibacterial actions of antibiotics and provides information that cannot be obtained by conventional bacteriological techniques. This information may be of use, in conjunction with pharmacokinetic data, in establishing optimum doses and dose intervals in antibiotic therapy.", "PMID": 791106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8988", "title": "Effects of doxycycline in actively purging cholera patients: a double-blind clinical trial.", "content": "In 51 actively purging cholera patients the efficacy of doxycycline, a long-acting tetracycline, was compared with a placebo and tetracycline hydrochloride. Seventeen patients who were given doxycycline at the recommended dose of 2 mg/kg at the beginning of the study, at 12 h, and at the repeated dose once daily purged a mean volume of 5.1 liters of stool and received an average of 5.7 liters of intravenous fluid. Nineteen patients receiving the placebo purged 10.1 liters of stool and received 9.7 liters of fluid. Fifteen patients given tetracycline hydrochloride at 6-h intervals passed 4.8 liters of stool and received 5.5 liters of fluid. The durations of diarrhea calculated in 8-h periods were 3.5, 8.0, and 4.1 h in the respective groups receiving doxycycline, placebo, and tetracycline. The differences between the doxycycline and placebo treatments and the tetracycline and placebo treatments were statistically significant. Those receiving doxycycline became vibrio-free in about 3 days as compared with 2 days for those receiving tetracycline; the group given the placebo were vibrio positive for the duration of their hospitalization. The results show that in the treatment of cholera the administration of doxycycline once daily has effects equal to those when tetracycline is administered at 6-h intervals. This is a distinct advantage because it decreases the demand on nursing personnel in epidemics. Also, doxycycline may be safely administered in cases of suspected renal failure from prolonged shock in cholera.", "contents": "Effects of doxycycline in actively purging cholera patients: a double-blind clinical trial. In 51 actively purging cholera patients the efficacy of doxycycline, a long-acting tetracycline, was compared with a placebo and tetracycline hydrochloride. Seventeen patients who were given doxycycline at the recommended dose of 2 mg/kg at the beginning of the study, at 12 h, and at the repeated dose once daily purged a mean volume of 5.1 liters of stool and received an average of 5.7 liters of intravenous fluid. Nineteen patients receiving the placebo purged 10.1 liters of stool and received 9.7 liters of fluid. Fifteen patients given tetracycline hydrochloride at 6-h intervals passed 4.8 liters of stool and received 5.5 liters of fluid. The durations of diarrhea calculated in 8-h periods were 3.5, 8.0, and 4.1 h in the respective groups receiving doxycycline, placebo, and tetracycline. The differences between the doxycycline and placebo treatments and the tetracycline and placebo treatments were statistically significant. Those receiving doxycycline became vibrio-free in about 3 days as compared with 2 days for those receiving tetracycline; the group given the placebo were vibrio positive for the duration of their hospitalization. The results show that in the treatment of cholera the administration of doxycycline once daily has effects equal to those when tetracycline is administered at 6-h intervals. This is a distinct advantage because it decreases the demand on nursing personnel in epidemics. Also, doxycycline may be safely administered in cases of suspected renal failure from prolonged shock in cholera.", "PMID": 791107} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8989", "title": "Tirandamycin, an inhibitor of bacterial ribonucleic acid polymerase.", "content": "The antibiotic tirandamycin (a 3-acyltetramic acid structurally related to streptolydigin) specifically inhibits transcription by interfering with the function of bacterial ribonucleic acid polymerase. Ribonucleic acid polymerases from rat liver nuclei are not subject to tirandamycin inhibition. Qualitatively, the mode of action of the antibiotic is identical to that of streptolydigin in inhibiting chain initiation as well as chain elongation during the transcriptional process. However, tirandamycin is approximately 40 times less potent than streptolydigin. The structures of the 3-acyl groups of the two acyltetramic acid antibiotics tirandamycin and streptolydigin differ only slightly in the degree of oxidation of the terminal dioxabicyclo (3.1)nonane system and possess the same stereochemistry (D. J. Duchamp, A. R. Branfman, A. C. Button, and K. L. Rinehart, 1973). More significantly, major differences occur at the 1 and 5 positions of the tetramic acids. Tirandamycin contains no substituents; streptolydigin contains a substituted acetamide function at position 5 and a sugar moiety at position 1. The lack of substituents at the 1 and 5 positions of the tetramic acid portion in tirandamycin is probably responsible for the reduced biopotency of tirandamycin as compared with streptolydigin.", "contents": "Tirandamycin, an inhibitor of bacterial ribonucleic acid polymerase. The antibiotic tirandamycin (a 3-acyltetramic acid structurally related to streptolydigin) specifically inhibits transcription by interfering with the function of bacterial ribonucleic acid polymerase. Ribonucleic acid polymerases from rat liver nuclei are not subject to tirandamycin inhibition. Qualitatively, the mode of action of the antibiotic is identical to that of streptolydigin in inhibiting chain initiation as well as chain elongation during the transcriptional process. However, tirandamycin is approximately 40 times less potent than streptolydigin. The structures of the 3-acyl groups of the two acyltetramic acid antibiotics tirandamycin and streptolydigin differ only slightly in the degree of oxidation of the terminal dioxabicyclo (3.1)nonane system and possess the same stereochemistry (D. J. Duchamp, A. R. Branfman, A. C. Button, and K. L. Rinehart, 1973). More significantly, major differences occur at the 1 and 5 positions of the tetramic acids. Tirandamycin contains no substituents; streptolydigin contains a substituted acetamide function at position 5 and a sugar moiety at position 1. The lack of substituents at the 1 and 5 positions of the tetramic acid portion in tirandamycin is probably responsible for the reduced biopotency of tirandamycin as compared with streptolydigin.", "PMID": 791108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8990", "title": "R-plasmid transfer in vivo in the absence of antibiotic selection pressure.", "content": "The persistence of an O18 Escherichia coli strain resistant to tetracycline, streptomycin, and sulfonamide has been followed in the fecal flora of a single individual over a period of 9 months. The strain in question carrying an R plasmid was detectable from the beginning of the survey, but it was only after a 10-day period of tetracycline therapy that it reached an all but permanent dominance in the fecal flora. No transfer of the R plasmid carried by the strain to any other coliform could be detected for 202 days after the end of tetracycline treatment. At this point, however, an O88 E. coli carrying the same plasmid as the O18 strain appeared briefly as a predominant component of the flora. The two plasmids isolated from the O18 and the O88 E. coli strains have been characterized in molecular terms and found to be similar. This suggests that R-plasmid transfer between two E. coli strains occurred in an individual who was living a normal daily life and who was not receiving antibiotics.", "contents": "R-plasmid transfer in vivo in the absence of antibiotic selection pressure. The persistence of an O18 Escherichia coli strain resistant to tetracycline, streptomycin, and sulfonamide has been followed in the fecal flora of a single individual over a period of 9 months. The strain in question carrying an R plasmid was detectable from the beginning of the survey, but it was only after a 10-day period of tetracycline therapy that it reached an all but permanent dominance in the fecal flora. No transfer of the R plasmid carried by the strain to any other coliform could be detected for 202 days after the end of tetracycline treatment. At this point, however, an O88 E. coli carrying the same plasmid as the O18 strain appeared briefly as a predominant component of the flora. The two plasmids isolated from the O18 and the O88 E. coli strains have been characterized in molecular terms and found to be similar. This suggests that R-plasmid transfer between two E. coli strains occurred in an individual who was living a normal daily life and who was not receiving antibiotics.", "PMID": 791109} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8991", "title": "Correlation of resistance to proflavine and penicillin in Escherichia coli.", "content": "A number of proflavine (PF)-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli B were also resistant to penicillin and cephalothin. Mutants resistant to 1.0 mM PF were 10 times more penicillin resistant than were the PF-susceptible, wild-type cells. Single-step mutants selected for resistance to either PF or penicillin were also resistant to the other drug. None of the resistant mutants tested possessed beta-lactamase activity. These results suggest that resistance to PF and penicillin in E. coli B may be due to permeability changes in the cell envelope.", "contents": "Correlation of resistance to proflavine and penicillin in Escherichia coli. A number of proflavine (PF)-resistant mutants of Escherichia coli B were also resistant to penicillin and cephalothin. Mutants resistant to 1.0 mM PF were 10 times more penicillin resistant than were the PF-susceptible, wild-type cells. Single-step mutants selected for resistance to either PF or penicillin were also resistant to the other drug. None of the resistant mutants tested possessed beta-lactamase activity. These results suggest that resistance to PF and penicillin in E. coli B may be due to permeability changes in the cell envelope.", "PMID": 791110} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8992", "title": "In vitro comparison of gentamicin, tobramycin, sisomicin, and netilmicin.", "content": "The antimicrobial activity of gentamicin, tobramycin, sisomicin, and netilmicin (Sch 20569) was compared against 150 strains of organisms. Netilmicin was shown to be the least effective against Pseudomonas strains but to have slightly better activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli than the other agents. The effect of calcium and magnesium in enhancing the differences in activity of these aminoglycosides against Pseudomonas strains was also demonstrated.", "contents": "In vitro comparison of gentamicin, tobramycin, sisomicin, and netilmicin. The antimicrobial activity of gentamicin, tobramycin, sisomicin, and netilmicin (Sch 20569) was compared against 150 strains of organisms. Netilmicin was shown to be the least effective against Pseudomonas strains but to have slightly better activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli than the other agents. The effect of calcium and magnesium in enhancing the differences in activity of these aminoglycosides against Pseudomonas strains was also demonstrated.", "PMID": 791111} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8993", "title": "New medium for in vitro susceptibility studies with amphotericin B.", "content": "Antibiotic medium 20 FDA and antibiotic medium 3 FDA were compared to determine if antibiotic medium 3 would be suitable for in vitro susceptibility testing with amphotericin B.", "contents": "New medium for in vitro susceptibility studies with amphotericin B. Antibiotic medium 20 FDA and antibiotic medium 3 FDA were compared to determine if antibiotic medium 3 would be suitable for in vitro susceptibility testing with amphotericin B.", "PMID": 791112} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8994", "title": "The substrate constant for the ammonium ion of growing Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The relation between ammonium concentration and growth rate was studied in steady state continuous cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in nitrogen-limited glucose ammonium medium. This relation could be described by the Monod equation. A maximum specific growth rate of 0.41 h-1 and a substrate constant for ammonium of 5-11 muM were calculated. Ammonium was determined by a modification of the phenol hypochlorite method. A discussion of the results in view of literature data on the substrate constants for other nutrients is given.", "contents": "The substrate constant for the ammonium ion of growing Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The relation between ammonium concentration and growth rate was studied in steady state continuous cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in nitrogen-limited glucose ammonium medium. This relation could be described by the Monod equation. A maximum specific growth rate of 0.41 h-1 and a substrate constant for ammonium of 5-11 muM were calculated. Ammonium was determined by a modification of the phenol hypochlorite method. A discussion of the results in view of literature data on the substrate constants for other nutrients is given.", "PMID": 791113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8995", "title": "Rapid detection of bacterial endotoxins in drinking water and renovated wastewater.", "content": "A pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using the Limulus endotoxin assay to detect endotoxins in potable waters and from reclaimed advanced waste treatment (AWT) plant effluents. Water samples were tested using both Limulus lysates prepared in our laboratory and a commercial product, Difco Pyrotest. The Limulus assay procedure was easily adapted to the testing of water samples for endotoxin. Measured endotoxin concentrations varied from 0.78 ng/ml to 1,250 ng/ml. Levels of endotoxin were not predictable based on whether the water was drinking water or AWT water, i.e., some AWT water samples had less endotoxin activity than some samples of drinking water, and some AWT waters had greater endotoxin activity than drinking water. Only three of the water samples tested were free of any detectable endotoxin. Breakpoint chlorination procedures seemed to reduce measurable endotoxin content, whereas passage through activated carbon columns was associated with greater final endotoxin concentrations in test waters.", "contents": "Rapid detection of bacterial endotoxins in drinking water and renovated wastewater. A pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using the Limulus endotoxin assay to detect endotoxins in potable waters and from reclaimed advanced waste treatment (AWT) plant effluents. Water samples were tested using both Limulus lysates prepared in our laboratory and a commercial product, Difco Pyrotest. The Limulus assay procedure was easily adapted to the testing of water samples for endotoxin. Measured endotoxin concentrations varied from 0.78 ng/ml to 1,250 ng/ml. Levels of endotoxin were not predictable based on whether the water was drinking water or AWT water, i.e., some AWT water samples had less endotoxin activity than some samples of drinking water, and some AWT waters had greater endotoxin activity than drinking water. Only three of the water samples tested were free of any detectable endotoxin. Breakpoint chlorination procedures seemed to reduce measurable endotoxin content, whereas passage through activated carbon columns was associated with greater final endotoxin concentrations in test waters.", "PMID": 791115} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8996", "title": "Subsampling technique for measuring growth of bacterial cultures under high hydrostatic pressure.", "content": "A method is presented for measuring growth of bacteria under high hydrostatic pressure in subsamples taken without pressure change in the incubation vessel. Subsamples may be withdrawn rapidly (5 s) and are not subjected to shear forces. Vice versa, nutrient media, labeled substrates, etc., may be introduced into the culture while under pressure. Chemical fixation of subsamples for electron microscopy or adenosine 5'-triphosphate determinations under pressure is also possible without affecting the growing culture. Data are given of growth experiments demonstrating the feasibility of the method. Problems of oxygen depletion are discussed.", "contents": "Subsampling technique for measuring growth of bacterial cultures under high hydrostatic pressure. A method is presented for measuring growth of bacteria under high hydrostatic pressure in subsamples taken without pressure change in the incubation vessel. Subsamples may be withdrawn rapidly (5 s) and are not subjected to shear forces. Vice versa, nutrient media, labeled substrates, etc., may be introduced into the culture while under pressure. Chemical fixation of subsamples for electron microscopy or adenosine 5'-triphosphate determinations under pressure is also possible without affecting the growing culture. Data are given of growth experiments demonstrating the feasibility of the method. Problems of oxygen depletion are discussed.", "PMID": 791116} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8997", "title": "Undecompressed microbial populations from the deep sea.", "content": "Metabolic transformations of glutamate and Casamino Acids by natural microbial populations collected from deep waters (1,600 to 3,100 m) were studied in decompressed and undecompressed samples. Pressure-retaining sampling/incubation vessels and appropriate subsampling/incubation vessels and appropriate subsampling techniques permitted time course experiments. In all cases the metabolic activity in undecompressed samples was lower than it was when incubated at 1 atm. Surface water controls showed a reduced activity upon compression. The processes involving substrate incorporation into cell material were more pressure sensitive than was respiration. The low utilization of substrates, previously found by in situ incubations for up to 12 months, was confirmed and demonstrated to consist of an initial phase of activity, in the range of 5 to 60 times lower than the controls, followed by a stationary phase of virtually no substrate utilization. No barophilic growth response (higher rates at elevated pressure than at 1 atm) was recorded; all populations observed exhibition various degrees of barotolerance.", "contents": "Undecompressed microbial populations from the deep sea. Metabolic transformations of glutamate and Casamino Acids by natural microbial populations collected from deep waters (1,600 to 3,100 m) were studied in decompressed and undecompressed samples. Pressure-retaining sampling/incubation vessels and appropriate subsampling/incubation vessels and appropriate subsampling techniques permitted time course experiments. In all cases the metabolic activity in undecompressed samples was lower than it was when incubated at 1 atm. Surface water controls showed a reduced activity upon compression. The processes involving substrate incorporation into cell material were more pressure sensitive than was respiration. The low utilization of substrates, previously found by in situ incubations for up to 12 months, was confirmed and demonstrated to consist of an initial phase of activity, in the range of 5 to 60 times lower than the controls, followed by a stationary phase of virtually no substrate utilization. No barophilic growth response (higher rates at elevated pressure than at 1 atm) was recorded; all populations observed exhibition various degrees of barotolerance.", "PMID": 791117} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8998", "title": "Identification of thiobacilli by replica plating on thallous sulfide paper.", "content": "Colonies of Thiobacillus thioparus and T. thiooxidans grown on thiosulfate medium can be identified by replica plating on thallous sulfide paper.", "contents": "Identification of thiobacilli by replica plating on thallous sulfide paper. Colonies of Thiobacillus thioparus and T. thiooxidans grown on thiosulfate medium can be identified by replica plating on thallous sulfide paper.", "PMID": 791118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_8999", "title": "Factors affecting catalase level and sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Composition of the culture medium, growth phase, and temperature play important roles in the sensitivity of Escherichia coli to H2O2. The medium and growth phase affected the sensitivity of the cells to H2O2 by modifying the amount of catalase synthesized by them, whereas the effect of temperature was due to the thermolability of the enzyme. Since catalase is unstable in the presence of its substrate, the correlation between the catalase level in the cells and their sensitivity to H2O2 could be observed only when the H2O2 concentration was not excessive in proportion to the amount of catalase.", "contents": "Factors affecting catalase level and sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide in Escherichia coli. Composition of the culture medium, growth phase, and temperature play important roles in the sensitivity of Escherichia coli to H2O2. The medium and growth phase affected the sensitivity of the cells to H2O2 by modifying the amount of catalase synthesized by them, whereas the effect of temperature was due to the thermolability of the enzyme. Since catalase is unstable in the presence of its substrate, the correlation between the catalase level in the cells and their sensitivity to H2O2 could be observed only when the H2O2 concentration was not excessive in proportion to the amount of catalase.", "PMID": 791119} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9000", "title": "Determinants of the developing oral flora in normal newborns.", "content": "The ability of Streptococcus species to selectively adhere to the oral epithelial cells of newborns was studied in vitro. On day 1 of life, mucosal cells from normal infants demonstrated selective attraction for the natural distribution of streptococci that would soon colonize these surfaces. Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus mitis adhered well in vitro to scraped cells from cheek and tongue surfaces. Streptococcus mutans, on the other hand, exhibited feeble or no adherence to cheek or tongue cells. Adherence of Escherichia coli to oral epithelial cells was also studied. The ability of strains of E. coli to adhere to cheek and tongue cells correlated solely with the presence of cell surface substances, probably pili. These observations, made on infants at the critical moment of their developing flora, strengthen the hypothesis that the ability of bacteria to adhere to surfaces is an important determinant of their ecological place in the oral microflora.", "contents": "Determinants of the developing oral flora in normal newborns. The ability of Streptococcus species to selectively adhere to the oral epithelial cells of newborns was studied in vitro. On day 1 of life, mucosal cells from normal infants demonstrated selective attraction for the natural distribution of streptococci that would soon colonize these surfaces. Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus mitis adhered well in vitro to scraped cells from cheek and tongue surfaces. Streptococcus mutans, on the other hand, exhibited feeble or no adherence to cheek or tongue cells. Adherence of Escherichia coli to oral epithelial cells was also studied. The ability of strains of E. coli to adhere to cheek and tongue cells correlated solely with the presence of cell surface substances, probably pili. These observations, made on infants at the critical moment of their developing flora, strengthen the hypothesis that the ability of bacteria to adhere to surfaces is an important determinant of their ecological place in the oral microflora.", "PMID": 791120} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9001", "title": "Mercurial toxicity in yeast: evidence for catabolic pathway inhibition.", "content": "Evidence that the mechanism of mercurial toxicity is a blockage of catabolic metabolism is presented. Yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were found to cease respiratory activities within 1.5 min of contrast time with culture mercurials (as HgCl2). This cessation was followed by the rapid depletion of endogenous adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and a concomitant increase in phosphorylated hexoses. Levels of ATP in the culture medium remained essentially unchanged during this interval suggesting that the structural integrity of the membrane was not affected. Medium potassium concentrations did not increase until after endogenous ATP levels had begun to fall, suggesting that the loss of cellular potassium was the result of the inability of membrane ATPases to function because of the unavailability of sufficient substrate ATP to maintain this gradient.", "contents": "Mercurial toxicity in yeast: evidence for catabolic pathway inhibition. Evidence that the mechanism of mercurial toxicity is a blockage of catabolic metabolism is presented. Yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were found to cease respiratory activities within 1.5 min of contrast time with culture mercurials (as HgCl2). This cessation was followed by the rapid depletion of endogenous adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and a concomitant increase in phosphorylated hexoses. Levels of ATP in the culture medium remained essentially unchanged during this interval suggesting that the structural integrity of the membrane was not affected. Medium potassium concentrations did not increase until after endogenous ATP levels had begun to fall, suggesting that the loss of cellular potassium was the result of the inability of membrane ATPases to function because of the unavailability of sufficient substrate ATP to maintain this gradient.", "PMID": 791121} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9002", "title": "Membrane filter method for recovery of fecal coliforms in chlorinated sewage effluents.", "content": "The standard one-step M-FC broth-membrane-filter procedure for recovery of fecal coliforms from chlorinated sewage effluents is much less effective than the multiple-tube (most-probable-number) technique. A two-step membrane-filter method, using a pre-enrichment technique with phenol red lactose broth and incubation at 35 degrees C for 4 h, followether 18+/-2 h, enhanced fecal coliform recovery from chlorinated effluents. The results of 126 comparisons using chlorinated effluents from five wastewater plants showed that fecal coliform recovery by using the two-step membrane-filter method is comparable to that using the multiple-tube procedure.", "contents": "Membrane filter method for recovery of fecal coliforms in chlorinated sewage effluents. The standard one-step M-FC broth-membrane-filter procedure for recovery of fecal coliforms from chlorinated sewage effluents is much less effective than the multiple-tube (most-probable-number) technique. A two-step membrane-filter method, using a pre-enrichment technique with phenol red lactose broth and incubation at 35 degrees C for 4 h, followether 18+/-2 h, enhanced fecal coliform recovery from chlorinated effluents. The results of 126 comparisons using chlorinated effluents from five wastewater plants showed that fecal coliform recovery by using the two-step membrane-filter method is comparable to that using the multiple-tube procedure.", "PMID": 791122} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9003", "title": "Role of L-proline in the biosynthesis of prodigiosin.", "content": "Nonproliferating cells of Serratia marcescens, wild-type strain Nima, synthesized the pigment, prodigiosin, when saline suspensions were incubated with aeration at 27 degrees C in the presence of proline or alanine. Mutants PutS1 and PutS2 derived from strain Nima formed prodigiosin from alanine, but not from proline, unless alanine also was added. Strain Nima utilized proline as a sole source of carbon and of nitrogen for growth, whereas Put mutants did not. Investigation of enzymes degrading proline showed that the wild-type strain contained proline oxidase, which was absent in Put mutants. The wild type, as well as the mutants, utilized alanine as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen for growth. Although nonproliferating cells of Put mutants failed to synthesize prodigiosin from proline, addition of L-[U-14C]proline to suspensions metabolizing and synthesizing the pigment because of addition of alanine resulted in the incorporation of radioactive label into prodigiosin, as well as into cellular protein. Since Put mutants could not catabolize proline, the incorporation of [14C]proline into the prodigiosin molecule indicated that proline was incorporated directly into the pigment.", "contents": "Role of L-proline in the biosynthesis of prodigiosin. Nonproliferating cells of Serratia marcescens, wild-type strain Nima, synthesized the pigment, prodigiosin, when saline suspensions were incubated with aeration at 27 degrees C in the presence of proline or alanine. Mutants PutS1 and PutS2 derived from strain Nima formed prodigiosin from alanine, but not from proline, unless alanine also was added. Strain Nima utilized proline as a sole source of carbon and of nitrogen for growth, whereas Put mutants did not. Investigation of enzymes degrading proline showed that the wild-type strain contained proline oxidase, which was absent in Put mutants. The wild type, as well as the mutants, utilized alanine as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen for growth. Although nonproliferating cells of Put mutants failed to synthesize prodigiosin from proline, addition of L-[U-14C]proline to suspensions metabolizing and synthesizing the pigment because of addition of alanine resulted in the incorporation of radioactive label into prodigiosin, as well as into cellular protein. Since Put mutants could not catabolize proline, the incorporation of [14C]proline into the prodigiosin molecule indicated that proline was incorporated directly into the pigment.", "PMID": 791123} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9004", "title": "Hepatitis B surface antigen in saliva, impetiginous lesions, and the environment in two remote Alaskan villages.", "content": "A study was conducted in an area of hepatitis B hyperendemicity to determin whether contact with infective bodily secretions or contaminated environmental surfaces could be involved in the transmission of the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in gingival swab, saliva, and impetiginous lesion exudate samples from children. Hepatitis B surface antigen also was found in swab samples of surfaces frequently touched or placed in the mouth. In the absence of classical exposure to infectious blood or blood products, these findings suggested that, in a crowded home environment, saliva and cutaneous exudates containing hepatitis B virus may play a role in the transmission of hepatitis B.", "contents": "Hepatitis B surface antigen in saliva, impetiginous lesions, and the environment in two remote Alaskan villages. A study was conducted in an area of hepatitis B hyperendemicity to determin whether contact with infective bodily secretions or contaminated environmental surfaces could be involved in the transmission of the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in gingival swab, saliva, and impetiginous lesion exudate samples from children. Hepatitis B surface antigen also was found in swab samples of surfaces frequently touched or placed in the mouth. In the absence of classical exposure to infectious blood or blood products, these findings suggested that, in a crowded home environment, saliva and cutaneous exudates containing hepatitis B virus may play a role in the transmission of hepatitis B.", "PMID": 791124} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9005", "title": "Isoelectric focusing of mycoplasma proteins.", "content": "Polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing (PAGIF) in thin layer was used to resolve proteins of Mycoplasma spp., Acholeplasma spp., and eight strains of Ureaplasma urealyticum (T-strain). A mixture of urea, Triton X-100, and dithioerythritol was used to solubilize sonically disrupted cells. PAGIF was performed in the range of pH 3 to 10. Protein patterns were carefully compared, demonstrating resolved and distinguishable species-specific protein bands. The eight serotypes of U. urealyticum (T-strain) gave identical protein patterns in the pH 3 to 10 range. The characteristic \"fingerprints\" of a species appeared to correlate with the biochemical nature and not the habitat in each case. Arginine-hydrolyzing species seemed to show more diverse focusing than those that ferment glucose, or prefer an acid environment. Characterization and identification of highly resolved species-specific proteins, ease of performance, and reproducibility of this method suggest that PAGIF might be employed as a taxonomic aid.", "contents": "Isoelectric focusing of mycoplasma proteins. Polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing (PAGIF) in thin layer was used to resolve proteins of Mycoplasma spp., Acholeplasma spp., and eight strains of Ureaplasma urealyticum (T-strain). A mixture of urea, Triton X-100, and dithioerythritol was used to solubilize sonically disrupted cells. PAGIF was performed in the range of pH 3 to 10. Protein patterns were carefully compared, demonstrating resolved and distinguishable species-specific protein bands. The eight serotypes of U. urealyticum (T-strain) gave identical protein patterns in the pH 3 to 10 range. The characteristic \"fingerprints\" of a species appeared to correlate with the biochemical nature and not the habitat in each case. Arginine-hydrolyzing species seemed to show more diverse focusing than those that ferment glucose, or prefer an acid environment. Characterization and identification of highly resolved species-specific proteins, ease of performance, and reproducibility of this method suggest that PAGIF might be employed as a taxonomic aid.", "PMID": 791125} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9006", "title": "Simplified thermonuclease test for rapid identification of Staphylococcus aureus recovered on agar media.", "content": "A simplified thermonuclease test that identifies colonies of Staphylococcus aureus 5 h after recovery on various agar media is described.", "contents": "Simplified thermonuclease test for rapid identification of Staphylococcus aureus recovered on agar media. A simplified thermonuclease test that identifies colonies of Staphylococcus aureus 5 h after recovery on various agar media is described.", "PMID": 791126} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9007", "title": "Linear transformation of standard curves for yeast turbidity.", "content": "Within a very serviceable range, light extinction plotted against yeast concentration follows a rectangular hyperbola. A linear transformation, which facilitates the determination of yeast concentration, is described.", "contents": "Linear transformation of standard curves for yeast turbidity. Within a very serviceable range, light extinction plotted against yeast concentration follows a rectangular hyperbola. A linear transformation, which facilitates the determination of yeast concentration, is described.", "PMID": 791127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9008", "title": "Effect of potential water pollutants and enzyme inhibitors on an automated rapid test for Escherichia coli.", "content": "The effect of selected potential inhibitors that may be found in water or wastewater on the activity of glutamate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.5) from Escherichia coli was determined. Several classes of compounds inhibited the enzyme, but those expected to be most frequently encountered were the heavy metal ions, the phosphates, and possibly the sulfates. From the results, it was judged that these compounds should not adversely affect the routine usage of this enzyme in an automated rapid test for E. coli.", "contents": "Effect of potential water pollutants and enzyme inhibitors on an automated rapid test for Escherichia coli. The effect of selected potential inhibitors that may be found in water or wastewater on the activity of glutamate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.5) from Escherichia coli was determined. Several classes of compounds inhibited the enzyme, but those expected to be most frequently encountered were the heavy metal ions, the phosphates, and possibly the sulfates. From the results, it was judged that these compounds should not adversely affect the routine usage of this enzyme in an automated rapid test for E. coli.", "PMID": 791128} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9009", "title": "Determination of growth of Sphaerotilus discophorus in the presence of manganese.", "content": "Manganese interferes strongly with most chemical methods of biomass determination. However, the biomass of manganese-encrusted Sphaerotilus discophorus can be determined after removal of the MnO2 with trichloroacetic acid and oxalic acid. Evidence which indicates that manganese inhibits the heterotrophic growth of S. discophorus and that the cells only oxidize manganese late in the growth curve is presented.", "contents": "Determination of growth of Sphaerotilus discophorus in the presence of manganese. Manganese interferes strongly with most chemical methods of biomass determination. However, the biomass of manganese-encrusted Sphaerotilus discophorus can be determined after removal of the MnO2 with trichloroacetic acid and oxalic acid. Evidence which indicates that manganese inhibits the heterotrophic growth of S. discophorus and that the cells only oxidize manganese late in the growth curve is presented.", "PMID": 791129} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9010", "title": "Timed-release capsule method for coliform enumeration.", "content": "Wax-coated capsules containing selective ingredients (brilliant green and oxgall) were added at the time of inoculation of most-probable-number media (modified lactose broths). The inhibitory ingredients gradually diffused from the capsules into the nonselective media, imparting selectivity to the media. Concentrations of brilliant green did not reach inhibitory levels until 2 or more h had elapsed, which permitted repair of some injured cells. Resuscitation of heat-injured Escherichia coli B cells occurred in the capsule-containing media, but not in conventional brilliant green bile 2% broth or violet red bile agar. No statistically significant differences were noted between coliform counts obtained on two groups of water samples by using the capsule, most-probable-number, membrane filtration, and pour plate methods. The capsule method could be used, however, as a combined presumptive and confirmed test for the examination of water. Improvements are needed to adapt the capsule method to the analysis of some categories of food.", "contents": "Timed-release capsule method for coliform enumeration. Wax-coated capsules containing selective ingredients (brilliant green and oxgall) were added at the time of inoculation of most-probable-number media (modified lactose broths). The inhibitory ingredients gradually diffused from the capsules into the nonselective media, imparting selectivity to the media. Concentrations of brilliant green did not reach inhibitory levels until 2 or more h had elapsed, which permitted repair of some injured cells. Resuscitation of heat-injured Escherichia coli B cells occurred in the capsule-containing media, but not in conventional brilliant green bile 2% broth or violet red bile agar. No statistically significant differences were noted between coliform counts obtained on two groups of water samples by using the capsule, most-probable-number, membrane filtration, and pour plate methods. The capsule method could be used, however, as a combined presumptive and confirmed test for the examination of water. Improvements are needed to adapt the capsule method to the analysis of some categories of food.", "PMID": 791130} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9011", "title": "Chamber for bacterial chemotaxis experiments.", "content": "A design for a chemotaxis chamber and its use in bacterial chemotaxis experiments are described. Some of the advantages of the new design are discussed.", "contents": "Chamber for bacterial chemotaxis experiments. A design for a chemotaxis chamber and its use in bacterial chemotaxis experiments are described. Some of the advantages of the new design are discussed.", "PMID": 791131} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9012", "title": "Herpes gestationis. A clinicopathologic study.", "content": "Herpes gestationis is a pruritic, blistering eruption of pregnancy and the puerperium. In three patients with immunologically verified disease, the clinical presentation consisted of widespread erythematous, edematous papules and plaques, grouped vesicles on erythematous bases, and tense bullae. Histologically, these lesions showed a moderately dense, mixed-inflammatory cell infiltrate around superficial and deep dermal blood vessels, and focal necrosis of epidermal basal cells. Papillary dermal edema, subepidermal bullae, and spongiosis were prominent. Eosinophils were frequently present in the subepidermal and intrepidermal vesicles. Differentiation of herpes gestationis from other blistering diseases and other dermatitides of pregnancy may be difficult.", "contents": "Herpes gestationis. A clinicopathologic study. Herpes gestationis is a pruritic, blistering eruption of pregnancy and the puerperium. In three patients with immunologically verified disease, the clinical presentation consisted of widespread erythematous, edematous papules and plaques, grouped vesicles on erythematous bases, and tense bullae. Histologically, these lesions showed a moderately dense, mixed-inflammatory cell infiltrate around superficial and deep dermal blood vessels, and focal necrosis of epidermal basal cells. Papillary dermal edema, subepidermal bullae, and spongiosis were prominent. Eosinophils were frequently present in the subepidermal and intrepidermal vesicles. Differentiation of herpes gestationis from other blistering diseases and other dermatitides of pregnancy may be difficult.", "PMID": 791151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9013", "title": "Prednisone therapy for alopecia areata. A follow-up report.", "content": "Eighteen patients treated with prednisone on alternate days for varying degrees of alopecia areata (AA) were examined a mean of 15 months after discontinuation of the drug. Despite an initial response to the therapy, long-term benefit was not thought to be substantial. Numerous side effects related either to systemic corticosteroids or to AA were apparent during the course of therapy, as well as at the time of the evaluation reported herein. Acne, obesity, lenticular opacities, mild hypertension, and impaired adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) reserve were among the findings noted. Long-term treatment was not accompanied by an obvious beneficial change in the natural course of AA. Because of the potentially serious side effects and the lack of substantial improvement in the eventual course, alternate-day prednisone therapy is not recommended for long-term use in AA.", "contents": "Prednisone therapy for alopecia areata. A follow-up report. Eighteen patients treated with prednisone on alternate days for varying degrees of alopecia areata (AA) were examined a mean of 15 months after discontinuation of the drug. Despite an initial response to the therapy, long-term benefit was not thought to be substantial. Numerous side effects related either to systemic corticosteroids or to AA were apparent during the course of therapy, as well as at the time of the evaluation reported herein. Acne, obesity, lenticular opacities, mild hypertension, and impaired adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) reserve were among the findings noted. Long-term treatment was not accompanied by an obvious beneficial change in the natural course of AA. Because of the potentially serious side effects and the lack of substantial improvement in the eventual course, alternate-day prednisone therapy is not recommended for long-term use in AA.", "PMID": 791152} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9014", "title": "Malignant atrophic papulosis of Degos. Report of a patient who failed to respond to fibrinolytic therapy.", "content": "A 21-year-old woman with eventually fatal malignant atrophic papulosis (Degos disease) was treated primarily with the fibrinolytic agents phenformin hydrochloride and ethylestrenol. In spite of therapy, primarily central nervous system manifestations led to the patient's death.", "contents": "Malignant atrophic papulosis of Degos. Report of a patient who failed to respond to fibrinolytic therapy. A 21-year-old woman with eventually fatal malignant atrophic papulosis (Degos disease) was treated primarily with the fibrinolytic agents phenformin hydrochloride and ethylestrenol. In spite of therapy, primarily central nervous system manifestations led to the patient's death.", "PMID": 791153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9015", "title": "[Feulgencytophotometric DNA distribution patterns of well-differentiated (mature) and undifferentiated (less mature/immature) forms of primary skin-reticulosis].", "content": "33 tissue sections of cases of primary skin-reticulosis showing different degrees of maturity were analysed by means of Feulgen-cytophotometric methods in regard to their DNA-content. The measurements performed disclosed cytophotometric differences of DNA distribution patterns between mature and less mature/immature forms: Mature forms of reticulosis were characterized by predominantly diploid DNA distribution patterns, whereas less mature/immature forms showed a main distribution in the hyperdiploid-hypotetraploid range respectively atypically dispersed aneuploid values with increase of variation and mean DNA-content. Moreover in several cases distribution patterns were seen, which may be regarded as cytophotometric transition forms showing a diploid peak and a higher rate of cells with enhanced DNA-content. Those cases appeared histomorphologically mature with a slight tendency to immaturity.", "contents": "[Feulgencytophotometric DNA distribution patterns of well-differentiated (mature) and undifferentiated (less mature/immature) forms of primary skin-reticulosis]. 33 tissue sections of cases of primary skin-reticulosis showing different degrees of maturity were analysed by means of Feulgen-cytophotometric methods in regard to their DNA-content. The measurements performed disclosed cytophotometric differences of DNA distribution patterns between mature and less mature/immature forms: Mature forms of reticulosis were characterized by predominantly diploid DNA distribution patterns, whereas less mature/immature forms showed a main distribution in the hyperdiploid-hypotetraploid range respectively atypically dispersed aneuploid values with increase of variation and mean DNA-content. Moreover in several cases distribution patterns were seen, which may be regarded as cytophotometric transition forms showing a diploid peak and a higher rate of cells with enhanced DNA-content. Those cases appeared histomorphologically mature with a slight tendency to immaturity.", "PMID": 791155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9016", "title": "Auranofin. New oral gold compound for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated with SK & F D-39162 (auranofin), a new oral gold compound which was effective in suppressing adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. Clinical and humoral parameters were studied during a 3-month period of drug administration followed by a 3-month period under placebo. The drug was absorbed, well tolerated, and its action was manifested by a drop in the mean IgG blood levels in the third week of treatment accompanied by clinical improvement after 5 weeks of oral gold intake. Together with IgG changes, an increase of the albumin ratio was observed, as well as a decrease of alpha2-globulin and rheumatoid factor titres. From a total number of 60 swollen joints found initially in the 8 patients only 17 were swollen at week 12 and 9 at week 15. Although the number of patients treated was too small to allow definite conclusions, a follow-up study under placebo of clinical and laboratory changes in the same patients during another 3-month period showed that IgG serum levels rapidly reverted preceding a flare up of disease activity after withdrawal of the drug. This confirmed a direct role in cause-effect relation played by the new oral gold compound.", "contents": "Auranofin. New oral gold compound for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated with SK & F D-39162 (auranofin), a new oral gold compound which was effective in suppressing adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. Clinical and humoral parameters were studied during a 3-month period of drug administration followed by a 3-month period under placebo. The drug was absorbed, well tolerated, and its action was manifested by a drop in the mean IgG blood levels in the third week of treatment accompanied by clinical improvement after 5 weeks of oral gold intake. Together with IgG changes, an increase of the albumin ratio was observed, as well as a decrease of alpha2-globulin and rheumatoid factor titres. From a total number of 60 swollen joints found initially in the 8 patients only 17 were swollen at week 12 and 9 at week 15. Although the number of patients treated was too small to allow definite conclusions, a follow-up study under placebo of clinical and laboratory changes in the same patients during another 3-month period showed that IgG serum levels rapidly reverted preceding a flare up of disease activity after withdrawal of the drug. This confirmed a direct role in cause-effect relation played by the new oral gold compound.", "PMID": 791161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9017", "title": "Renal transplantation: a twenty-five year experience.", "content": "Boston has played a significant role in the development of renal transplantation. In Boston was performed the first successful isograft between identical twins (1954) the first successful allograft between fraternal twins (1959) and the first successful allograft from a cadaveric donor (1962). An immunosuppressive drug was also described in Boston by hematologists Schwartz and Dameschek (1959) and modified for renal transplantation in dogs (1961) and used for the first time in a human recipient in March 1962. By 1965 renal transplantation had become a clinical reality. Three hundred and ninety-eight of 589 recipients (68%) since 1950 are still alive, a remarkable figure considering that it includes all the earliest experimental transplants. One hundred and ninety-five of 295 (68%) with living-related donor transplants still have functioning allografts; 104/265 (39%) with cadaveric donor transplants have functioning grafts currently. Since 1968 transplants from living-related donors have an 80% one year survival whereas cadaveric donor transplants have approximately a 50% one year survival. Seventy-nine per cent of all one year survivors have had excellent psycho-social rehabilitation.", "contents": "Renal transplantation: a twenty-five year experience. Boston has played a significant role in the development of renal transplantation. In Boston was performed the first successful isograft between identical twins (1954) the first successful allograft between fraternal twins (1959) and the first successful allograft from a cadaveric donor (1962). An immunosuppressive drug was also described in Boston by hematologists Schwartz and Dameschek (1959) and modified for renal transplantation in dogs (1961) and used for the first time in a human recipient in March 1962. By 1965 renal transplantation had become a clinical reality. Three hundred and ninety-eight of 589 recipients (68%) since 1950 are still alive, a remarkable figure considering that it includes all the earliest experimental transplants. One hundred and ninety-five of 295 (68%) with living-related donor transplants still have functioning allografts; 104/265 (39%) with cadaveric donor transplants have functioning grafts currently. Since 1968 transplants from living-related donors have an 80% one year survival whereas cadaveric donor transplants have approximately a 50% one year survival. Seventy-nine per cent of all one year survivors have had excellent psycho-social rehabilitation.", "PMID": 791162} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9018", "title": "Graft adherence to de-epithelialized surfaces: a comparative study.", "content": "Graft adherence may be divided into two distinct phases: Phase I, which is fibrin dependent and Phase II, which begins after 72 hours with fibro-vascular ingrowth or vascular anastomosis with the graft material. Adherence values for autograft, homograft, heterograft, silicone membrane and a modified collagen membrane were evaluated during the fibrin-dependent Phase I period at 5 and 72 hours on dermal, fascial and granulating surfaces on rats. Modified collagen membrane demonstrated a superior adherence at both times tested on dermal and fascial surfaces, while autograft and homograft were significantly more adherent on granulating surfaces at 72 hours. The inert silicone membrane was consistently the least adherent. Granulating surfaces produced the highest adherence values at 5 hours and fascial surfaces at 72 hours. The higher values found with collagen indicate that future research directed toward the production of a synthetic wound dressing or skin should be directed toward biologically derived materials, rather than inert materials. The data supports the concept of the role of fibrin as the bonding factor in Phase I adherence and implies that collagen, rather than elastin, is primarily responsible for early graft adherence.", "contents": "Graft adherence to de-epithelialized surfaces: a comparative study. Graft adherence may be divided into two distinct phases: Phase I, which is fibrin dependent and Phase II, which begins after 72 hours with fibro-vascular ingrowth or vascular anastomosis with the graft material. Adherence values for autograft, homograft, heterograft, silicone membrane and a modified collagen membrane were evaluated during the fibrin-dependent Phase I period at 5 and 72 hours on dermal, fascial and granulating surfaces on rats. Modified collagen membrane demonstrated a superior adherence at both times tested on dermal and fascial surfaces, while autograft and homograft were significantly more adherent on granulating surfaces at 72 hours. The inert silicone membrane was consistently the least adherent. Granulating surfaces produced the highest adherence values at 5 hours and fascial surfaces at 72 hours. The higher values found with collagen indicate that future research directed toward the production of a synthetic wound dressing or skin should be directed toward biologically derived materials, rather than inert materials. The data supports the concept of the role of fibrin as the bonding factor in Phase I adherence and implies that collagen, rather than elastin, is primarily responsible for early graft adherence.", "PMID": 791163} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9019", "title": "A new technique for biliary drainage in orthotopic liver transplantation utilizing the gall bladder as a pedicle graft conduit between the donor and recipient common bile ducts.", "content": "A technique for biliary drainage in orthotopic liver transplantation has been developed in which the gall bladder is used as a pedicle graft between the donor and recipient common bile ducts. In 7 patients this technique has produced encouraging results. There has been no incidence of bile leakage or stenosis of the anastomoses. The gall bladder permits the widest possible anastomoses for obliquely cut ends of the donor and recipient common ducts. It eliminates tension and retains the advantage of the sphincter of Oddi. Although the followup is short, the incidence of biliary complications using other techniques has been so high that the procedure described here would appear to have distinct advantages.", "contents": "A new technique for biliary drainage in orthotopic liver transplantation utilizing the gall bladder as a pedicle graft conduit between the donor and recipient common bile ducts. A technique for biliary drainage in orthotopic liver transplantation has been developed in which the gall bladder is used as a pedicle graft between the donor and recipient common bile ducts. In 7 patients this technique has produced encouraging results. There has been no incidence of bile leakage or stenosis of the anastomoses. The gall bladder permits the widest possible anastomoses for obliquely cut ends of the donor and recipient common ducts. It eliminates tension and retains the advantage of the sphincter of Oddi. Although the followup is short, the incidence of biliary complications using other techniques has been so high that the procedure described here would appear to have distinct advantages.", "PMID": 791164} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9020", "title": "Oxygen, politics and the American Revolution (with a note on the bicentennial of phlogiston).", "content": "In this bicentennial year, it seems appropriate that each discipline examine its heritage. Two centuries ago, Joseph Priestley isolated \"dephlogisticated air.\" International diplomacy surrounding the American and early French Revolutions provided an opportunity for Benjamin Franklin and Antoine Lavoisier to witness Priestley's work. The combined efforts of these analytical minds converted an illogical phlogiston myth into a practical and therapeutic principle. Lavoisier subsequently coined the word \"oxy-g\u00e8ne.\" In the ensuing centuries, this substance has gained a central role in rational surgical therapy. The interaction between these scientists, their ultimate fate and their relationship to their communities appear to provide lessons relevant to present day biomedical research funding and the peer review process. The surgical community can be justifiably proud of its past. By reflecting on these events, we may perhaps concentrate the benefits without condemning ourselves to the repetition of previous error.", "contents": "Oxygen, politics and the American Revolution (with a note on the bicentennial of phlogiston). In this bicentennial year, it seems appropriate that each discipline examine its heritage. Two centuries ago, Joseph Priestley isolated \"dephlogisticated air.\" International diplomacy surrounding the American and early French Revolutions provided an opportunity for Benjamin Franklin and Antoine Lavoisier to witness Priestley's work. The combined efforts of these analytical minds converted an illogical phlogiston myth into a practical and therapeutic principle. Lavoisier subsequently coined the word \"oxy-g\u00e8ne.\" In the ensuing centuries, this substance has gained a central role in rational surgical therapy. The interaction between these scientists, their ultimate fate and their relationship to their communities appear to provide lessons relevant to present day biomedical research funding and the peer review process. The surgical community can be justifiably proud of its past. By reflecting on these events, we may perhaps concentrate the benefits without condemning ourselves to the repetition of previous error.", "PMID": 791165} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9021", "title": "Clinical evaluation of the Lillehei-Kaster pivoting-disc valve.", "content": "A four-year clinical evaluation of 133 patients with Lillehei-Kaster pivoting-disc valves has shown that patients with an aortic valve prosthesis have remained free from valve-related problems. Patients with a mitral valve implanted have a satisfactory survival record as calculated by actuarial methods; however, a 10% incidence of valve thrombosis was experienced. Analysis suggests that this may be related to inadequate anticoagulation or use of an inappropriate suturing technique or both. The patients enjoyed significant clinical improvement following operation, with no evidence of hemolysis. A history suggestive of postoperative embolization was present in only 1 patient in this series.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of the Lillehei-Kaster pivoting-disc valve. A four-year clinical evaluation of 133 patients with Lillehei-Kaster pivoting-disc valves has shown that patients with an aortic valve prosthesis have remained free from valve-related problems. Patients with a mitral valve implanted have a satisfactory survival record as calculated by actuarial methods; however, a 10% incidence of valve thrombosis was experienced. Analysis suggests that this may be related to inadequate anticoagulation or use of an inappropriate suturing technique or both. The patients enjoyed significant clinical improvement following operation, with no evidence of hemolysis. A history suggestive of postoperative embolization was present in only 1 patient in this series.", "PMID": 791166} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9022", "title": "Management of the patient with a prosthetic heart valve.", "content": "Approximately 20,000 heart valve prostheses are inserted yearly in the United States. Even after successful heart operations, the patients who receive them cannot be regarded as healthy individuals but are a special group with special problems who need close medical attention for the rest of their lives. They are susceptible to many unusual complications because of their implanted foreign body, and it is a challenge to all physicians in contact with them to be aware of their peculiar problems in order to prevent complications if possible and to treat them immediately if they occur. General therapy, surgical complications, infection, and mechanical problems are reviewed, with means for management outlined. These difficulties can be dealt with only by careful follow-up and well-coordinated teamwork between the family physician and the institution where the operation was performed.", "contents": "Management of the patient with a prosthetic heart valve. Approximately 20,000 heart valve prostheses are inserted yearly in the United States. Even after successful heart operations, the patients who receive them cannot be regarded as healthy individuals but are a special group with special problems who need close medical attention for the rest of their lives. They are susceptible to many unusual complications because of their implanted foreign body, and it is a challenge to all physicians in contact with them to be aware of their peculiar problems in order to prevent complications if possible and to treat them immediately if they occur. General therapy, surgical complications, infection, and mechanical problems are reviewed, with means for management outlined. These difficulties can be dealt with only by careful follow-up and well-coordinated teamwork between the family physician and the institution where the operation was performed.", "PMID": 791167} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9023", "title": "Kearns-Sayre syndrome. A review of a multisystem disorder of children and young adults.", "content": "The syndrome of a slowly progressive external ophthalmoplegia, pigment retinopathy, and disorder of cardiac conduction was described by Kearns and Sayre in 1958. In patients with this triad, other neurological deficits may occur with associated abnormalities of the electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, audiogram, and an elevation of protein in cerebrospinal fluid. The onset of a potentially lethal cardiac dysrhythmia in a patient with this slowly progressive degeneration of the nervous system can be anticipated and prevented by the use of an artivicial cardiac pacemaker.", "contents": "Kearns-Sayre syndrome. A review of a multisystem disorder of children and young adults. The syndrome of a slowly progressive external ophthalmoplegia, pigment retinopathy, and disorder of cardiac conduction was described by Kearns and Sayre in 1958. In patients with this triad, other neurological deficits may occur with associated abnormalities of the electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, audiogram, and an elevation of protein in cerebrospinal fluid. The onset of a potentially lethal cardiac dysrhythmia in a patient with this slowly progressive degeneration of the nervous system can be anticipated and prevented by the use of an artivicial cardiac pacemaker.", "PMID": 791168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9024", "title": "Serratia marcescens - caused arthritis with negative and positive birefrengent crystals.", "content": "We encountered an unusual case of arthritis caused by Serratia marcescens, with both positive and negative birefringent crystals in the same inflammatory synovial fluid. This combination of events is most likely to occur in men over 40 years old who have a predisposing illness or are receiving immunosuppressive drugs. This case shows the need to consider multiple pathological processes occurring in the same joint.", "contents": "Serratia marcescens - caused arthritis with negative and positive birefrengent crystals. We encountered an unusual case of arthritis caused by Serratia marcescens, with both positive and negative birefringent crystals in the same inflammatory synovial fluid. This combination of events is most likely to occur in men over 40 years old who have a predisposing illness or are receiving immunosuppressive drugs. This case shows the need to consider multiple pathological processes occurring in the same joint.", "PMID": 791169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9025", "title": "Inactivation by glucose of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase showed high activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on gluconeogenic carbon sources. Addition of glucose to such cultures caused a rapid loss of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity. Fructose or mannose had the same effect as glucose, while 2-deoxyglucose or galactose were without effect. The inactivation was an irreversible process, since the regain of the activity was dependent of de novo protein synthesis. Cycloheximide did not prevent inactivation. All strains of the genus Saccharomyces tested showed inactivation of their phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase upon addition of glucose; this behaviour was not restricted to this genus.", "contents": "Inactivation by glucose of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase showed high activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on gluconeogenic carbon sources. Addition of glucose to such cultures caused a rapid loss of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity. Fructose or mannose had the same effect as glucose, while 2-deoxyglucose or galactose were without effect. The inactivation was an irreversible process, since the regain of the activity was dependent of de novo protein synthesis. Cycloheximide did not prevent inactivation. All strains of the genus Saccharomyces tested showed inactivation of their phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase upon addition of glucose; this behaviour was not restricted to this genus.", "PMID": 791171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9026", "title": "[Mixed cultures of heterotrophic, sulfate-reducing and sulfur phototrophic bacteria (author's transl)].", "content": "In mixed cultures, carbon and electron sources for Desulfovibrio desulfuricans are excreted by Escherichia coli from glucose fermentation. Desulfovibrio produces substrates for Chlorobium strain.", "contents": "[Mixed cultures of heterotrophic, sulfate-reducing and sulfur phototrophic bacteria (author's transl)]. In mixed cultures, carbon and electron sources for Desulfovibrio desulfuricans are excreted by Escherichia coli from glucose fermentation. Desulfovibrio produces substrates for Chlorobium strain.", "PMID": 791172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9027", "title": "[Fluorescence serologic studies for the detection of Trichinella spiralis].", "content": "Attempts were made to find out, if Trichinella (Tr.) spiralis could be detected by means of immunofluorescence. An applicable Trichinella antigen was prepared by applying pepsin digestion to trichinous muscular tissue of experimentally infected guinea pig. Different quantities of Trichinae were orally administered to guinea pig and rabbit, and even parenteral infection of rabbit was attempted, with the view to obtain immune sera. Oral infection was followed by the occurrence of antibody titres, between the tenth day from infection and the sixtieth day, when the experiment was disrupted. Highest antibody titres were established in the fourth through sixth weeks after infection. Titres in excess to 1:64 could not be recorded by means of indirect immunofluorescence. No antibody were detected by fluorescence serology after parenteral immunisation. The detection of Trichinella spiralis by fluorescence microscopy was somewhat problematic. When the preparations were evaluated, some secondary fluorescence was observed. It had been caused by remnants of undigested muscular fibrils, contaminants, and cell detritus not removable by the authors' method of preparation and, therefore, also recorded. That secondary fluorescence, however, was eliminated by secondary staining, using methylen blue. Hence, fluorescence should not pose any obstacle to automatic reading of the reaction. Some five or six hours were required to detect by means of indirect immunofluorescence Trichinella antigen as extracted from test animals. Yet, in practice carcass processing would go on in that time. The above results, consequently, appear to suggest that for detection of Trichinella spiralis immunofluorescence cannot even replace trichinoscopy under the condition that the time of antigen preparation was shortened.", "contents": "[Fluorescence serologic studies for the detection of Trichinella spiralis]. Attempts were made to find out, if Trichinella (Tr.) spiralis could be detected by means of immunofluorescence. An applicable Trichinella antigen was prepared by applying pepsin digestion to trichinous muscular tissue of experimentally infected guinea pig. Different quantities of Trichinae were orally administered to guinea pig and rabbit, and even parenteral infection of rabbit was attempted, with the view to obtain immune sera. Oral infection was followed by the occurrence of antibody titres, between the tenth day from infection and the sixtieth day, when the experiment was disrupted. Highest antibody titres were established in the fourth through sixth weeks after infection. Titres in excess to 1:64 could not be recorded by means of indirect immunofluorescence. No antibody were detected by fluorescence serology after parenteral immunisation. The detection of Trichinella spiralis by fluorescence microscopy was somewhat problematic. When the preparations were evaluated, some secondary fluorescence was observed. It had been caused by remnants of undigested muscular fibrils, contaminants, and cell detritus not removable by the authors' method of preparation and, therefore, also recorded. That secondary fluorescence, however, was eliminated by secondary staining, using methylen blue. Hence, fluorescence should not pose any obstacle to automatic reading of the reaction. Some five or six hours were required to detect by means of indirect immunofluorescence Trichinella antigen as extracted from test animals. Yet, in practice carcass processing would go on in that time. The above results, consequently, appear to suggest that for detection of Trichinella spiralis immunofluorescence cannot even replace trichinoscopy under the condition that the time of antigen preparation was shortened.", "PMID": 791176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9028", "title": "[The effect of Mecadox on the immune response and on various chicken lymphatic organs].", "content": "Through 35 days Mecadox was admixed to feed rations for chicken, 40 days of age, and inhibited immunogenesis which, generally, is reflected in lowering of antibody titre and gamma globulin level as well as in quantitative variation of the differential leucocyte count. Change of immune reactivity in chicken treated with Mecadox and deviation from the normal are attributable to changes in the organs which are responsible for immunological processes (thymus and bursa), such as reduction of ascorbic acid levels in the adrenal gland.", "contents": "[The effect of Mecadox on the immune response and on various chicken lymphatic organs]. Through 35 days Mecadox was admixed to feed rations for chicken, 40 days of age, and inhibited immunogenesis which, generally, is reflected in lowering of antibody titre and gamma globulin level as well as in quantitative variation of the differential leucocyte count. Change of immune reactivity in chicken treated with Mecadox and deviation from the normal are attributable to changes in the organs which are responsible for immunological processes (thymus and bursa), such as reduction of ascorbic acid levels in the adrenal gland.", "PMID": 791177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9029", "title": "[Contributions to the study of properdin. 4. Report: in vitro model study on the effect of cattle properdin on Escherichia coli].", "content": "Light and electron microscopy were used in model experiments to study a high-titre \"properdine-system\" culture and its action in terms of altering E. coli bacteria. The reaction was altogether strongly predominated by the three following phases of lysis. 1. Onset of massive agglutination after few minutes; 2. Decomposition of bacterial structure by lysis after ten to twelve hours; 3. Terminal phase of lysis after two to three days (amorphous detritus).", "contents": "[Contributions to the study of properdin. 4. Report: in vitro model study on the effect of cattle properdin on Escherichia coli]. Light and electron microscopy were used in model experiments to study a high-titre \"properdine-system\" culture and its action in terms of altering E. coli bacteria. The reaction was altogether strongly predominated by the three following phases of lysis. 1. Onset of massive agglutination after few minutes; 2. Decomposition of bacterial structure by lysis after ten to twelve hours; 3. Terminal phase of lysis after two to three days (amorphous detritus).", "PMID": 791178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9030", "title": "[Bone marrow insufficiency in the child and androgen therapy. Preliminary results of a prospective schedule of examination and treatment].", "content": "The preliminary results of a prospective study of androgen therapy in the treatment of bone marrow insufficiency in children are reported. This study includes 11 children with the Fanconi syndrome, 21 idiopathic and 3 with toxic aplastic anaemia. Nine patients died early in the course of treatment. Impaired liver function was observed in 28% of patients and virilization in 37% of patients.", "contents": "[Bone marrow insufficiency in the child and androgen therapy. Preliminary results of a prospective schedule of examination and treatment]. The preliminary results of a prospective study of androgen therapy in the treatment of bone marrow insufficiency in children are reported. This study includes 11 children with the Fanconi syndrome, 21 idiopathic and 3 with toxic aplastic anaemia. Nine patients died early in the course of treatment. Impaired liver function was observed in 28% of patients and virilization in 37% of patients.", "PMID": 791179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9031", "title": "[Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and mycoplasma infection].", "content": "Two children presented with an acute mycoplasma infection associated with a significant increase of antistreptolysin level. A severe nephropathy occurred, rapidly resulting in renal failure with histologic lesions of membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis. Both patients had persisting low complement levels with low C3 and normal C4. The relationship between mycoplasma and streptococcal infections and the abnormality of complement and the renal disease is discussed.", "contents": "[Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and mycoplasma infection]. Two children presented with an acute mycoplasma infection associated with a significant increase of antistreptolysin level. A severe nephropathy occurred, rapidly resulting in renal failure with histologic lesions of membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis. Both patients had persisting low complement levels with low C3 and normal C4. The relationship between mycoplasma and streptococcal infections and the abnormality of complement and the renal disease is discussed.", "PMID": 791180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9032", "title": "Platelet monamine oxidase in schizophrenia. An investigation in drug-free chronic hospitalized patients.", "content": "Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was investigated in a series of 60 patients with chronic schizophrenic illnesses free from neuroleptic medication, and 70 normal controls. No significant differences in platelet MAO activity or in substrate preference were detected between patients and controls, using tryptamine and tyramine as substrates. Platelet MAO activity did not distinguish patients with positive symptoms from those with negative symptoms alone and did not show any relationship with severity of disease or with a number of clinical features. These findings suggest that low platelet MAO activity cannot be regarded as a genetic marker for schizophrenia. Important determinants of platelet MAO activity yet to be discovered may have contributed to the discrepancies in recent observations of platelet MAO activity in schizophrenia.", "contents": "Platelet monamine oxidase in schizophrenia. An investigation in drug-free chronic hospitalized patients. Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was investigated in a series of 60 patients with chronic schizophrenic illnesses free from neuroleptic medication, and 70 normal controls. No significant differences in platelet MAO activity or in substrate preference were detected between patients and controls, using tryptamine and tyramine as substrates. Platelet MAO activity did not distinguish patients with positive symptoms from those with negative symptoms alone and did not show any relationship with severity of disease or with a number of clinical features. These findings suggest that low platelet MAO activity cannot be regarded as a genetic marker for schizophrenia. Important determinants of platelet MAO activity yet to be discovered may have contributed to the discrepancies in recent observations of platelet MAO activity in schizophrenia.", "PMID": 791182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9033", "title": "Pharmacological rebound: a tool in the evaluation of antispasticity drugs.", "content": "Twelve spastic patients with traumatic transverse myelopathies participated in a two-stage, double-blind crossover study using BA-34647 (a new experimental antispasticity drug by Ciba-Geigy) and placebo. Clinical measurements of spasticity were performed before, during and after each stage. Six patients had excellent results receiving a regimen of BA-34647 but not when receiving placebo. Four patients had fair-to-good results with both BA-34647 and placebo. One patient had no significant changes when receiving either drug or placebo, the effective dose not being reached due to excessive body weight. One patient had a shortened trial due to pain and diminished function caused by excessive spasticity. Abrupt changes in post-treatment symptomatology (increase in spasticity) occurred in all six patients who demonstrated excellent results and in all four patients with fair-to-good results. In each of these cases, the increase followed the discontinuation of BA-34647. In no case was there an increase of spasticity following discontinuation of placebo. The effectiveness of an antispasticity drug may be too subtle to be perceived subjectively and objectively. The rebound phenomenon is evidence that a pharmacodynamic effect, though minor, was present.", "contents": "Pharmacological rebound: a tool in the evaluation of antispasticity drugs. Twelve spastic patients with traumatic transverse myelopathies participated in a two-stage, double-blind crossover study using BA-34647 (a new experimental antispasticity drug by Ciba-Geigy) and placebo. Clinical measurements of spasticity were performed before, during and after each stage. Six patients had excellent results receiving a regimen of BA-34647 but not when receiving placebo. Four patients had fair-to-good results with both BA-34647 and placebo. One patient had no significant changes when receiving either drug or placebo, the effective dose not being reached due to excessive body weight. One patient had a shortened trial due to pain and diminished function caused by excessive spasticity. Abrupt changes in post-treatment symptomatology (increase in spasticity) occurred in all six patients who demonstrated excellent results and in all four patients with fair-to-good results. In each of these cases, the increase followed the discontinuation of BA-34647. In no case was there an increase of spasticity following discontinuation of placebo. The effectiveness of an antispasticity drug may be too subtle to be perceived subjectively and objectively. The rebound phenomenon is evidence that a pharmacodynamic effect, though minor, was present.", "PMID": 791192} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9034", "title": "[Agreement between traditional and computer diagnosis in psychiatric outpatients (author's transl)].", "content": "Psychiatric diagnosis based on personal interviews with 100 clinic outpatients was made and the data thus obtained were documented in Spitzer's and Endicott's CAPPS (Current and Past Psychopathology Scales). Two clinicians and the computer program DIAL - a modification of the DIAGNO II program of the same authors - diagnosed the same patients independently of each other basing their diagnoses solely on the entries in the CAPPS. The diagnostic agreement between the different diagnoses was evaluated and results compared with earlier findings by Schmid et al. These authors had, however, used CAPPS data gathered from case histories and not from direct interviews of patients. The modification in the procedure of gathering the data resulted in a slight, but statistically insignificant improvement in diagnostic agreement. The possibility of improving diagnostic agreement by the use of another scale is discussed.", "contents": "[Agreement between traditional and computer diagnosis in psychiatric outpatients (author's transl)]. Psychiatric diagnosis based on personal interviews with 100 clinic outpatients was made and the data thus obtained were documented in Spitzer's and Endicott's CAPPS (Current and Past Psychopathology Scales). Two clinicians and the computer program DIAL - a modification of the DIAGNO II program of the same authors - diagnosed the same patients independently of each other basing their diagnoses solely on the entries in the CAPPS. The diagnostic agreement between the different diagnoses was evaluated and results compared with earlier findings by Schmid et al. These authors had, however, used CAPPS data gathered from case histories and not from direct interviews of patients. The modification in the procedure of gathering the data resulted in a slight, but statistically insignificant improvement in diagnostic agreement. The possibility of improving diagnostic agreement by the use of another scale is discussed.", "PMID": 791193} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9035", "title": "[Clinical double-blind study with two different dosages of maprotiline (150 and 225 mg per day) (author's transl)].", "content": "Effects and side-effects of 150 mg and 225 mg maprotiline per day were compared by means of a double-blind trial in 20 depressed inpatients. The first 2 days patients received a high initial dosage of 300 mg per day. Patients were examined on days 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30. Symptoms were evaluated by the AMP system and the Hamilton scale for depressions. Laboratory examinations were carried out on days 0, 10, 20, and 30. Exanthemas developed in five patients, three of whom were on the higher dosage. Moreover, the lower dosage caused less fine hand tremor. Coinciding with the beginning of treatment a linear decrease of depressive symptoms was noted. This demonstrates the rapid onset of the antidepressant effect. Moreover, contrary to what has been stated for antidepressants generally, the onset of action was frequently noted well before 10-20 days of treatment. Some patients improved within a few days while others needed more time. The time lag until antidepressants influence depressive symptoms shows pronounced individual differences. No significant difference between the two dosages was found. The profiles show a better antidepressant effect for the higher dosage; however, because of a higher incidence of side-effects on the higher dosage of maprotiline, it cannot be recommended as routine. On the other hand, depressive inpatients should receive a daily dosage of at least 150 mg. Our findings suggest a dose-effect relationship for maprotiline.", "contents": "[Clinical double-blind study with two different dosages of maprotiline (150 and 225 mg per day) (author's transl)]. Effects and side-effects of 150 mg and 225 mg maprotiline per day were compared by means of a double-blind trial in 20 depressed inpatients. The first 2 days patients received a high initial dosage of 300 mg per day. Patients were examined on days 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30. Symptoms were evaluated by the AMP system and the Hamilton scale for depressions. Laboratory examinations were carried out on days 0, 10, 20, and 30. Exanthemas developed in five patients, three of whom were on the higher dosage. Moreover, the lower dosage caused less fine hand tremor. Coinciding with the beginning of treatment a linear decrease of depressive symptoms was noted. This demonstrates the rapid onset of the antidepressant effect. Moreover, contrary to what has been stated for antidepressants generally, the onset of action was frequently noted well before 10-20 days of treatment. Some patients improved within a few days while others needed more time. The time lag until antidepressants influence depressive symptoms shows pronounced individual differences. No significant difference between the two dosages was found. The profiles show a better antidepressant effect for the higher dosage; however, because of a higher incidence of side-effects on the higher dosage of maprotiline, it cannot be recommended as routine. On the other hand, depressive inpatients should receive a daily dosage of at least 150 mg. Our findings suggest a dose-effect relationship for maprotiline.", "PMID": 791194} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9036", "title": "[Changes in delusional psychoses. A historical transcultural comparison (author's transl)].", "content": "A historical transcultural comparison of paranoid psychoses (ICD 295.3, 297. 0-9) was done by evaluating the data of 200 case histories (I: 100 from 1911, II: 100 from 1973). An interrater reliability test was performed. 1. Stable delusions were: delusions of reference, religious delusions, delusions of persecution. 2. There was a significant increase in hypochondriacal delusions. 3. Megalomania and erotomania decreased. 4. There is in the \"old\" and \"new\" group a significant correlation between megalomania and the male sex. 5. The significant correlation between erotomania and the female sex found in the \"old\" group could not be found in the \"new\" group. 6. Constancy and change of delusion is due to both sexes, differing in degree, in part contrarotating. 7. The decrease of \"sex-specific\" delusions (megalomania and erotomania) is due to the sex concerned. 8. With increasing age there is a reduction of delusion themes in group II: delusions of special descent, paranoid identity change, erotomania were not found after age 30. Querulant paranoia did not occur. In group I querulant paranoia did not appear before age 30. 9. There was a significant correlation between megalomania and the item \"development in rural country\". 10. In our material there was no correlation between delusion and intelligence and religious confession. 11. Paranoid ideas of hypochondriasis and persecution show changes in the thematics (organs, disease, means of persecution) subject to time. 12. A tendency to change of content of the main delusion is discussed.", "contents": "[Changes in delusional psychoses. A historical transcultural comparison (author's transl)]. A historical transcultural comparison of paranoid psychoses (ICD 295.3, 297. 0-9) was done by evaluating the data of 200 case histories (I: 100 from 1911, II: 100 from 1973). An interrater reliability test was performed. 1. Stable delusions were: delusions of reference, religious delusions, delusions of persecution. 2. There was a significant increase in hypochondriacal delusions. 3. Megalomania and erotomania decreased. 4. There is in the \"old\" and \"new\" group a significant correlation between megalomania and the male sex. 5. The significant correlation between erotomania and the female sex found in the \"old\" group could not be found in the \"new\" group. 6. Constancy and change of delusion is due to both sexes, differing in degree, in part contrarotating. 7. The decrease of \"sex-specific\" delusions (megalomania and erotomania) is due to the sex concerned. 8. With increasing age there is a reduction of delusion themes in group II: delusions of special descent, paranoid identity change, erotomania were not found after age 30. Querulant paranoia did not occur. In group I querulant paranoia did not appear before age 30. 9. There was a significant correlation between megalomania and the item \"development in rural country\". 10. In our material there was no correlation between delusion and intelligence and religious confession. 11. Paranoid ideas of hypochondriasis and persecution show changes in the thematics (organs, disease, means of persecution) subject to time. 12. A tendency to change of content of the main delusion is discussed.", "PMID": 791195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9037", "title": "Diagnosis of functional psychoses. Comparison of clinical and computerized classifications.", "content": "The results of a comparison between the clinical diagnoses of 115 probands with functional psychoses, made on the basis of careful clinical history-taking, interviewing and examinations, and those made by computerized evaluation (CATEGO) on the basis of the present state examination (PSE) were presented. The clinical diagnoses of the project psychiatrist and the provisional classification resulting from the application of the CATEGO program to the PSE symptom profiles were in an overall concordance of 82%. In a second step the 20 cases with differences in diagnoses were reevaluated on the basis of the full history and psychopathology and a syndrome checklist was completed. This reevaluation led to a practically full diagnostic agreement.", "contents": "Diagnosis of functional psychoses. Comparison of clinical and computerized classifications. The results of a comparison between the clinical diagnoses of 115 probands with functional psychoses, made on the basis of careful clinical history-taking, interviewing and examinations, and those made by computerized evaluation (CATEGO) on the basis of the present state examination (PSE) were presented. The clinical diagnoses of the project psychiatrist and the provisional classification resulting from the application of the CATEGO program to the PSE symptom profiles were in an overall concordance of 82%. In a second step the 20 cases with differences in diagnoses were reevaluated on the basis of the full history and psychopathology and a syndrome checklist was completed. This reevaluation led to a practically full diagnostic agreement.", "PMID": 791196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9038", "title": "[Deanol in tardive dyskinesia: a double-blind study (author's transl)].", "content": "Tardive dyskinesia following long-term application of neuroleptics is resistant to treatment. According to the hypothesis of a relative central nervous system acetylcholine lack as the underlying mechanism 20 patients were treated with dimethylaminoethanol (Deanol) in a double-blind study. Deanol is known to be a direct precursor of intracerebral acetylcholine. For several reasons (which are discussed) the data of but 11 patients were statistically evaluated. The results suggest some therapeutic effect in some of the patients only (significant improvement of oral hyperkinesia).", "contents": "[Deanol in tardive dyskinesia: a double-blind study (author's transl)]. Tardive dyskinesia following long-term application of neuroleptics is resistant to treatment. According to the hypothesis of a relative central nervous system acetylcholine lack as the underlying mechanism 20 patients were treated with dimethylaminoethanol (Deanol) in a double-blind study. Deanol is known to be a direct precursor of intracerebral acetylcholine. For several reasons (which are discussed) the data of but 11 patients were statistically evaluated. The results suggest some therapeutic effect in some of the patients only (significant improvement of oral hyperkinesia).", "PMID": 791197} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9039", "title": "[Hematopoietic functions in hypokinesia].", "content": "Materials on the state of hemopoietic organs and peripheral blood of mice and rats kept under hypokinetic conditions for from 1 to 60 days are presented. The changes occurring in the lymphoid tissue (involution of thymo-lymphatic apparatus, lymphopenia and neutrophilosis) have been shown to result from the state of stress. In the bone marrow of animals there occurs activation of erythropoiesis (erythroblasts-polychromatophilic normoblasts) at early (up to 15 days) term of hypokinesia, followed by its inhibition on the 60th day of the experiment. The study of kinetics of the amount of hemopoietic stem cells in the spleen and bone marrow of the femur of mice kept under hypokinesia for 1-45 days suggests the amount of stem cells in the spleen to decrease exponentially while in the bone marrow it changes undulatorily with the maximum on the 1st-3d and 30th-45th days of hypokinesia. Shifts in the number of the stem cell population are accompanied by changes in the direction of their differentiation. The stem cells of the bone marrow manifest higher potencies to form colonies of the erythroid type as compared with the stem cells of intact animals. Possible mechanisms underlying the inhibition of lymph-and erythropoiesis and changes of the stem cell differentiation from the myeloid way to the erythroid way under conditions of hypokinesia are discussed.", "contents": "[Hematopoietic functions in hypokinesia]. Materials on the state of hemopoietic organs and peripheral blood of mice and rats kept under hypokinetic conditions for from 1 to 60 days are presented. The changes occurring in the lymphoid tissue (involution of thymo-lymphatic apparatus, lymphopenia and neutrophilosis) have been shown to result from the state of stress. In the bone marrow of animals there occurs activation of erythropoiesis (erythroblasts-polychromatophilic normoblasts) at early (up to 15 days) term of hypokinesia, followed by its inhibition on the 60th day of the experiment. The study of kinetics of the amount of hemopoietic stem cells in the spleen and bone marrow of the femur of mice kept under hypokinesia for 1-45 days suggests the amount of stem cells in the spleen to decrease exponentially while in the bone marrow it changes undulatorily with the maximum on the 1st-3d and 30th-45th days of hypokinesia. Shifts in the number of the stem cell population are accompanied by changes in the direction of their differentiation. The stem cells of the bone marrow manifest higher potencies to form colonies of the erythroid type as compared with the stem cells of intact animals. Possible mechanisms underlying the inhibition of lymph-and erythropoiesis and changes of the stem cell differentiation from the myeloid way to the erythroid way under conditions of hypokinesia are discussed.", "PMID": 791200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9040", "title": "[Motion picture study of the temporal and geometric parameters of ethanol fixation of an isolated neuron].", "content": "The work has employed a combination of microscopic observation, filming and computer processing of the data obtained. The proper time, rate and latent period of fixation with ethanol of different concentration were analyzed in the isolated surviving neuron. The temporal parameters of fixation were shown to depend on the size of the neuron and the concentration of the fixator. The authors describe the regularities and distinctions in changes of large and small diameters as well as the volumes in vegetative neurons of different size in frog. An attempt has been made to consider the fixation not only as a momentary action but also as a prolonged-in-time complex morphological process.", "contents": "[Motion picture study of the temporal and geometric parameters of ethanol fixation of an isolated neuron]. The work has employed a combination of microscopic observation, filming and computer processing of the data obtained. The proper time, rate and latent period of fixation with ethanol of different concentration were analyzed in the isolated surviving neuron. The temporal parameters of fixation were shown to depend on the size of the neuron and the concentration of the fixator. The authors describe the regularities and distinctions in changes of large and small diameters as well as the volumes in vegetative neurons of different size in frog. An attempt has been made to consider the fixation not only as a momentary action but also as a prolonged-in-time complex morphological process.", "PMID": 791201} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9041", "title": "[Individual anatomic variability of Forel's field H].", "content": "The investigation was performed in serial frontal sections of 100 preparations of the diencephalon and midbrain made 1 mm from one another. The shape of Forel H field was found to be very variable, changing from the rectangular to triangular shape in pararubralparts, and from oval to semioval-in prerubral parts. The size and position of Forel H field proved to change in relation to intracerebral reference points: posterior comissure, medial and intercomissural planes used in stereotaxical technique.", "contents": "[Individual anatomic variability of Forel's field H]. The investigation was performed in serial frontal sections of 100 preparations of the diencephalon and midbrain made 1 mm from one another. The shape of Forel H field was found to be very variable, changing from the rectangular to triangular shape in pararubralparts, and from oval to semioval-in prerubral parts. The size and position of Forel H field proved to change in relation to intracerebral reference points: posterior comissure, medial and intercomissural planes used in stereotaxical technique.", "PMID": 791202} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9042", "title": "[Early stages of myocardial infarct studied by opitcal methods].", "content": "The hearts of 45 dogs were investigated at times from 10 minutes to 24 hours following ligation of the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery. The material was fixed in formalin and embedded in parafin. It was established that at early stages of experimental myocardial infarction in the zone of eschemia there took place eschemic zone various foms of contactural damages, lumpy decmposition, relaxation and sarcoplasmic matrix. By the polarizing microscope method in the peripheral area of the eshemic zone various forms of contractural damages, lumpy decomposition, relaxation and desaggregation of myofibrills, were noted. Phaso-contrast and interference microscopy investigations revealed in the damaged cells an induration of the sarcoplasmic matrix due to an increase in the dry matter concentration. The studies conducted with the help of polarizing, phaso-contrast, and interference microscopy methods showed that by using these methods it is possible at early periods to reveal the zone of myocardial infarction on stained and unstained preparations prepared by conventional methods.", "contents": "[Early stages of myocardial infarct studied by opitcal methods]. The hearts of 45 dogs were investigated at times from 10 minutes to 24 hours following ligation of the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery. The material was fixed in formalin and embedded in parafin. It was established that at early stages of experimental myocardial infarction in the zone of eschemia there took place eschemic zone various foms of contactural damages, lumpy decmposition, relaxation and sarcoplasmic matrix. By the polarizing microscope method in the peripheral area of the eshemic zone various forms of contractural damages, lumpy decomposition, relaxation and desaggregation of myofibrills, were noted. Phaso-contrast and interference microscopy investigations revealed in the damaged cells an induration of the sarcoplasmic matrix due to an increase in the dry matter concentration. The studies conducted with the help of polarizing, phaso-contrast, and interference microscopy methods showed that by using these methods it is possible at early periods to reveal the zone of myocardial infarction on stained and unstained preparations prepared by conventional methods.", "PMID": 791206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9043", "title": "[I.O. Siavtsillo--prominent pathologist of the Moscow school].", "content": "Summarized data on the life and scientific activity of physician I. O. Syavtsillo (1860-1907), a member of the Chair of General Pathology at the Faculty of Medicine, the Moscow University, a disciple of professor A. B. Fokht, are presented. The monographs by I. O. Syavtsillo (1887-1898) dedicated to the problem of odema are considered. The scientist's concepts concerning the role of hemodynamic changes and disorders of the nervous activity in pathogenesis of odematous states are set forth. Impairment of innervation of vessels, stimulation of vasodilators and vasoconstrictors in the development of odema are also considered. Results of the investigations carried out by I. O. Syavtsillo are collated with present-day findings.", "contents": "[I.O. Siavtsillo--prominent pathologist of the Moscow school]. Summarized data on the life and scientific activity of physician I. O. Syavtsillo (1860-1907), a member of the Chair of General Pathology at the Faculty of Medicine, the Moscow University, a disciple of professor A. B. Fokht, are presented. The monographs by I. O. Syavtsillo (1887-1898) dedicated to the problem of odema are considered. The scientist's concepts concerning the role of hemodynamic changes and disorders of the nervous activity in pathogenesis of odematous states are set forth. Impairment of innervation of vessels, stimulation of vasodilators and vasoconstrictors in the development of odema are also considered. Results of the investigations carried out by I. O. Syavtsillo are collated with present-day findings.", "PMID": 791207} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9044", "title": "Flavobacterium endophthalmitis following keratoplasty. Use of a tissue culture medium-stored cornea.", "content": "This case of Falvobacterium meningosepticum endophthalmitis in the immediate postoperative period following a penetrating keratoplasty represents the first known isolation of F meningosepticum from the eye and, also, our first encounter with bacterial endophthalmitis following keratoplasty. This case occurred soon after conversion from whole eye moist chamber storage to tissue culture storage (McCarey-Kaufman medium). This storage technique may predispose to development of postoperative endophthalmitis. We offer suggestions to minimize the possibility of such infection.", "contents": "Flavobacterium endophthalmitis following keratoplasty. Use of a tissue culture medium-stored cornea. This case of Falvobacterium meningosepticum endophthalmitis in the immediate postoperative period following a penetrating keratoplasty represents the first known isolation of F meningosepticum from the eye and, also, our first encounter with bacterial endophthalmitis following keratoplasty. This case occurred soon after conversion from whole eye moist chamber storage to tissue culture storage (McCarey-Kaufman medium). This storage technique may predispose to development of postoperative endophthalmitis. We offer suggestions to minimize the possibility of such infection.", "PMID": 791209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9045", "title": "Reconstruction of the upper eyelid crease and fold.", "content": "For good cosmesis the upper eyelid creases and folds must be symmetric. The lid creases must be the same height above the upper lid margins. The skin below the crease must be smooth and firmly attached to the tarsus, or, in cases with a short tarsus, adherent to the short tarsus and levator muscle up to the crease. The skin above the crease must be loosely attached so that it forms symmetric folds over the crease. We have developed surgical procedures aimed at the following: (1) equalizing the upper lid creases and folds where they are asymmetric, (2) creating lid creases and folds where absent, as in Orientals, (3) removing excess unsightly skin folds, as in dermatochalasis, and (4) forming a lid fold by skin grafting where there is insufficient skin above the crease.", "contents": "Reconstruction of the upper eyelid crease and fold. For good cosmesis the upper eyelid creases and folds must be symmetric. The lid creases must be the same height above the upper lid margins. The skin below the crease must be smooth and firmly attached to the tarsus, or, in cases with a short tarsus, adherent to the short tarsus and levator muscle up to the crease. The skin above the crease must be loosely attached so that it forms symmetric folds over the crease. We have developed surgical procedures aimed at the following: (1) equalizing the upper lid creases and folds where they are asymmetric, (2) creating lid creases and folds where absent, as in Orientals, (3) removing excess unsightly skin folds, as in dermatochalasis, and (4) forming a lid fold by skin grafting where there is insufficient skin above the crease.", "PMID": 791210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9046", "title": "Silicone-loop repair of the torn canaliculus.", "content": "Internal splinting with silicone tubing is now a well-established principle of lacrimal canaliculus repair, but fixation of the tubing ends is often unsatisfactory. The use of an internal suture allows this tubing to be converted into a small, continuous loop that is inconspicuous, cannot be inadvertently pulled out, and can remain in position indefinitely.", "contents": "Silicone-loop repair of the torn canaliculus. Internal splinting with silicone tubing is now a well-established principle of lacrimal canaliculus repair, but fixation of the tubing ends is often unsatisfactory. The use of an internal suture allows this tubing to be converted into a small, continuous loop that is inconspicuous, cannot be inadvertently pulled out, and can remain in position indefinitely.", "PMID": 791211} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9047", "title": "McCarey-Kaufman technique of corneal storage before penetrating keratoplasties in rabbits. An evaluation.", "content": "The endothelial function of rabbit corneas stored in modified tissue culture medium (McCarey-Kaufman medium) for periods of 4, 8, or 12 days was studied after penetrating keratoplasty using the specular microscope and the response to temperature reversal. Our results indicate that rabbit donor corneas stored in McCarey-Kaufman (M-K) medium are suitable for penetrating keratoplasty after storage periods as long as 12 days. The limitations of using graft clarity or the morphologic appearance of the endothelium as an index of the success of a penetrating keratoplasty in the rabbit are discussed.", "contents": "McCarey-Kaufman technique of corneal storage before penetrating keratoplasties in rabbits. An evaluation. The endothelial function of rabbit corneas stored in modified tissue culture medium (McCarey-Kaufman medium) for periods of 4, 8, or 12 days was studied after penetrating keratoplasty using the specular microscope and the response to temperature reversal. Our results indicate that rabbit donor corneas stored in McCarey-Kaufman (M-K) medium are suitable for penetrating keratoplasty after storage periods as long as 12 days. The limitations of using graft clarity or the morphologic appearance of the endothelium as an index of the success of a penetrating keratoplasty in the rabbit are discussed.", "PMID": 791212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9048", "title": "[History and present indications for corrective surgery of the acetabulum in hip dysplasia (author's transl)].", "content": "F. K\u00f6nig published the first shelf-operation above the dislocated femoral head, which could improve the function in 1891. In Europe only after 1920 the techniques of Spitzy and Lance grew popular and are still frequently performed with their different variations. Pelvic osteotomy with medialisation was published 25 years ago for special indications, some years later Salter's Innominate Osteotomy got very well known. Describing the history of these operations the actual indication for the different methods is analised.", "contents": "[History and present indications for corrective surgery of the acetabulum in hip dysplasia (author's transl)]. F. K\u00f6nig published the first shelf-operation above the dislocated femoral head, which could improve the function in 1891. In Europe only after 1920 the techniques of Spitzy and Lance grew popular and are still frequently performed with their different variations. Pelvic osteotomy with medialisation was published 25 years ago for special indications, some years later Salter's Innominate Osteotomy got very well known. Describing the history of these operations the actual indication for the different methods is analised.", "PMID": 791213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9049", "title": "[Mineral deposition in bone transplants and fracture callus of the mouse during healing (author's transl)].", "content": "85Sr uptake and ash-weights of the fracture callus of the tibia and of a heterotopic tibia graft in the same animal were measured in mice and followed up to 30 days after grafting and fracture. Growth and uptake of 85Sr was higher in the callus compared to the graft and reached a maximum at about 17 days post fracture. After this period 85Sr uptake of the callus decreased rapidly, whereas in the graft an initial increase of 85Sr uptake was followed by a slow decline after 17 days. Ash-weights of the grafts increased slightly up to day 11 und remained constant thereafter. A low 85Sr uptake of the uninjured tibia between days 2 and 4 post fracture compared to the data of the following period was assumed to be due to a transitory enhanced excretion of 85Sr along with Ca during this early period. Between 9 and 30 days the 85Sr uptake of the uninjured tibia remained unchanged. An influence of fracture repair or graft healing on the mineral uptake of the whole skeleton therefore cannot be confirmed by our data.", "contents": "[Mineral deposition in bone transplants and fracture callus of the mouse during healing (author's transl)]. 85Sr uptake and ash-weights of the fracture callus of the tibia and of a heterotopic tibia graft in the same animal were measured in mice and followed up to 30 days after grafting and fracture. Growth and uptake of 85Sr was higher in the callus compared to the graft and reached a maximum at about 17 days post fracture. After this period 85Sr uptake of the callus decreased rapidly, whereas in the graft an initial increase of 85Sr uptake was followed by a slow decline after 17 days. Ash-weights of the grafts increased slightly up to day 11 und remained constant thereafter. A low 85Sr uptake of the uninjured tibia between days 2 and 4 post fracture compared to the data of the following period was assumed to be due to a transitory enhanced excretion of 85Sr along with Ca during this early period. Between 9 and 30 days the 85Sr uptake of the uninjured tibia remained unchanged. An influence of fracture repair or graft healing on the mineral uptake of the whole skeleton therefore cannot be confirmed by our data.", "PMID": 791214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9050", "title": "[Effect of ALS treatment in the uptake and release of 85sr by allogeneic bone transplants (author's transl)].", "content": "After a treatment of the recipients with antilymphocyte serum shortly before and after grafting of 85Sr uptake of bone grafts as well as the release of 85Sr from the grafted mineral was increased. The difference of these parameters between allogeneic grafts to untreated recipients and allogeneic grafts to ALS treated recipients was similar to that between allogeneic grafts in untreated recipients and syngeneic grafts. This finding indicates a marked improvement of mineral metabolism in allogeneic bone grafts by treatment with antilymphocyte serum.", "contents": "[Effect of ALS treatment in the uptake and release of 85sr by allogeneic bone transplants (author's transl)]. After a treatment of the recipients with antilymphocyte serum shortly before and after grafting of 85Sr uptake of bone grafts as well as the release of 85Sr from the grafted mineral was increased. The difference of these parameters between allogeneic grafts to untreated recipients and allogeneic grafts to ALS treated recipients was similar to that between allogeneic grafts in untreated recipients and syngeneic grafts. This finding indicates a marked improvement of mineral metabolism in allogeneic bone grafts by treatment with antilymphocyte serum.", "PMID": 791215} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9051", "title": "Conservative face lift surgery.", "content": "Face lift surgery almost always is elective; and, because its purpose is to diminish aging problems, it most often is done in those who are aged. Local and general risks, therefore, should be minimized. Wide undermining dictates flaps dissected more deeply and wounds closed well short of the limits of stretch of skin. Less radical undermining described here produces much smaller total wounds, lessens hazards of hematoma, considerably shortens operative and anesthetic times, reduces risks to nerves and ducts, and allows snugger closures. Details of operative technique, including platysma plication, are demonstrated. Short- and long-term results are shown. They indicate improvement sufficient to justify expanded use of the suggested techniques, particularly in view of diminished morbidity and risks to the general condition of those in the older age group.", "contents": "Conservative face lift surgery. Face lift surgery almost always is elective; and, because its purpose is to diminish aging problems, it most often is done in those who are aged. Local and general risks, therefore, should be minimized. Wide undermining dictates flaps dissected more deeply and wounds closed well short of the limits of stretch of skin. Less radical undermining described here produces much smaller total wounds, lessens hazards of hematoma, considerably shortens operative and anesthetic times, reduces risks to nerves and ducts, and allows snugger closures. Details of operative technique, including platysma plication, are demonstrated. Short- and long-term results are shown. They indicate improvement sufficient to justify expanded use of the suggested techniques, particularly in view of diminished morbidity and risks to the general condition of those in the older age group.", "PMID": 791216} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9052", "title": "The bonded alumina crown. 1. The bonding of platinum to aluminous dental porcelain using tin oxide coatings.", "content": "A method has been evolved for bonding aluminous porcelain to pure platinum foil used for making porcelain crowns by the conventional 'tinner's joint' technique. It was found that good bonding was achieved when the platinum was coated with 0.2-2.0 mum of tin before firing on the porcelain. This paper describes experimental work for determining the optimum composition and thickness of the coating and the applicability of the technique to substrates other than platinum.", "contents": "The bonded alumina crown. 1. The bonding of platinum to aluminous dental porcelain using tin oxide coatings. A method has been evolved for bonding aluminous porcelain to pure platinum foil used for making porcelain crowns by the conventional 'tinner's joint' technique. It was found that good bonding was achieved when the platinum was coated with 0.2-2.0 mum of tin before firing on the porcelain. This paper describes experimental work for determining the optimum composition and thickness of the coating and the applicability of the technique to substrates other than platinum.", "PMID": 791217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9053", "title": "Sedation in dentistry.", "content": "A philosophy for the use of sedation and anxiety control in everyday dental practice is described. The need for greater education in basic sedation techniques is emphasized.", "contents": "Sedation in dentistry. A philosophy for the use of sedation and anxiety control in everyday dental practice is described. The need for greater education in basic sedation techniques is emphasized.", "PMID": 791218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9054", "title": "Heat treatment of cast restorations.", "content": "A survey of commercial dental laboratories in Brisbane indicates that hardening heat treatment of cast restorations, while not always prescribed by the dentist, is performed in most dental laboratories.", "contents": "Heat treatment of cast restorations. A survey of commercial dental laboratories in Brisbane indicates that hardening heat treatment of cast restorations, while not always prescribed by the dentist, is performed in most dental laboratories.", "PMID": 791219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9055", "title": "Mould-reaction with gypsum bonded refractory investments.", "content": "Three series of standard tensile test specimens were produced using the nickel-base Ticonium Premium 100 alloy cast into a gypsum-bonded investment. For the first series an average weight metal ingot was used and cast at the temperature determined by the sensing head of the casting machine. For the second series a larger ingot was used, whilst for the third an elevated casting temperature was employed. The degree of investment breakdown resulting from mould reaction was assessed visually and by sulphur determination.", "contents": "Mould-reaction with gypsum bonded refractory investments. Three series of standard tensile test specimens were produced using the nickel-base Ticonium Premium 100 alloy cast into a gypsum-bonded investment. For the first series an average weight metal ingot was used and cast at the temperature determined by the sensing head of the casting machine. For the second series a larger ingot was used, whilst for the third an elevated casting temperature was employed. The degree of investment breakdown resulting from mould reaction was assessed visually and by sulphur determination.", "PMID": 791220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9056", "title": "A stucy of duplication variables related to partial denture castings.", "content": "A series of stone duplications of a standard impression die was produced, using a proprietary duplicating material, the various batches of which had been prepared differently. Two different sized duplicating vessels were also employed. The critical dimensions of the stone reproductions were compared with those of the original die. Specimens of each batch of duplicating material were tested to determine the degree of permanent deformation produced by a fixed strain and strain in compression.", "contents": "A stucy of duplication variables related to partial denture castings. A series of stone duplications of a standard impression die was produced, using a proprietary duplicating material, the various batches of which had been prepared differently. Two different sized duplicating vessels were also employed. The critical dimensions of the stone reproductions were compared with those of the original die. Specimens of each batch of duplicating material were tested to determine the degree of permanent deformation produced by a fixed strain and strain in compression.", "PMID": 791221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9057", "title": "The bonded alumina crown. 2. Construction using the twin foil technique.", "content": "A technique has been developed for making aluminous procelain crowns bonded to thin tin oxide coatings on platinum foil. These crowns require only very thin metal linings of less than 0.05 mm, thus reducing metal costs and considerably improving aesthetics. In addition, by using the \"twin foil\" technique, porcelain butt fits may be obtained without loss of fit.", "contents": "The bonded alumina crown. 2. Construction using the twin foil technique. A technique has been developed for making aluminous procelain crowns bonded to thin tin oxide coatings on platinum foil. These crowns require only very thin metal linings of less than 0.05 mm, thus reducing metal costs and considerably improving aesthetics. In addition, by using the \"twin foil\" technique, porcelain butt fits may be obtained without loss of fit.", "PMID": 791223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9058", "title": "Kidney transplantation.", "content": "Fifty patients per million per annum in Australia suffer from end stage renal failure and could be helped by dialysis and transplantation. At the present time, only half this number are being referred to renal units in Australia where we believe facilities are available to help all that could benefit from this treatment. This article discusses patient selection, the results and hazards of renal transplantation. As a result of this treatment programme, 50 per cent of patients can expect virtually a normal life with a kidney graft functioning five years or more.", "contents": "Kidney transplantation. Fifty patients per million per annum in Australia suffer from end stage renal failure and could be helped by dialysis and transplantation. At the present time, only half this number are being referred to renal units in Australia where we believe facilities are available to help all that could benefit from this treatment. This article discusses patient selection, the results and hazards of renal transplantation. As a result of this treatment programme, 50 per cent of patients can expect virtually a normal life with a kidney graft functioning five years or more.", "PMID": 791226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9059", "title": "Studies with the autotransplanted ovine pancreas: glucagon and insulin secretion.", "content": "Basic studies on the secretion of glucagon and insulin by the ovine pancreatic autotransplant in the neck are described. Of the 17 transplants in the series none failed to secrete glucagon and only three failed to secrete insulin in detectable amounts. The longest surviving transplant actively secreted both hormones 3 years after transplantation and five other transplants were functional and the animals healthy after 16 months. Exocrine secretion disappears shortly after transplantation. Sodium butyrate and alanine each promoted the secretion of both hormones by the transplant. Glucagon failed to promote insulin secretion by the transplant, although it apparently stimulated the ovine in situ pancreas. The immediate (presumably direct) effect of insulin was to inhibit transplant glucagon secretion. Hypoglycaemia induced by peripheral insulin administration failed to stimulate glucagon secretion by the transplant, although it did promote glucagon secretion by the ovine in situ pancreas. Heparin did not markedly suppress basal transplant secretion of either glucagon or insulin. Phasic response patterns occurred with both hormones during long butyrate perfusions, although first-phase responsiveness was not a constant feature. In one trial, first-phase responses fell off with repeated short butyrate infusions. Glucagon and insulin secretory patterns in response to butyrate were remarkably alike, suggesting a common mechanism. Loss of specific functions by the ovine pancreas after transplantation is discussed.", "contents": "Studies with the autotransplanted ovine pancreas: glucagon and insulin secretion. Basic studies on the secretion of glucagon and insulin by the ovine pancreatic autotransplant in the neck are described. Of the 17 transplants in the series none failed to secrete glucagon and only three failed to secrete insulin in detectable amounts. The longest surviving transplant actively secreted both hormones 3 years after transplantation and five other transplants were functional and the animals healthy after 16 months. Exocrine secretion disappears shortly after transplantation. Sodium butyrate and alanine each promoted the secretion of both hormones by the transplant. Glucagon failed to promote insulin secretion by the transplant, although it apparently stimulated the ovine in situ pancreas. The immediate (presumably direct) effect of insulin was to inhibit transplant glucagon secretion. Hypoglycaemia induced by peripheral insulin administration failed to stimulate glucagon secretion by the transplant, although it did promote glucagon secretion by the ovine in situ pancreas. Heparin did not markedly suppress basal transplant secretion of either glucagon or insulin. Phasic response patterns occurred with both hormones during long butyrate perfusions, although first-phase responsiveness was not a constant feature. In one trial, first-phase responses fell off with repeated short butyrate infusions. Glucagon and insulin secretory patterns in response to butyrate were remarkably alike, suggesting a common mechanism. Loss of specific functions by the ovine pancreas after transplantation is discussed.", "PMID": 791227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9060", "title": "Studies on the zona pellucida of sheep ova: immune lysis and localization of antibodies in ova with, and without, zonae.", "content": "The susceptibility of fertilized sheep ova and oocytes, with and without zonae pellucidae, to lysis by complement plus antibodies in antisera raised against sheep ovaries, oocytes and sperm was examined in vitro. The presence of the zona reduced the proportion of ova lysed (8% v. 57%) and a large proportion of ova with zonae continued development in culture following exposure to antisera. Antisera to ovary and to oocytes lysed a higher proportion of ova than did antisera to sperm (51 and 56% v. 29%). There was no effect of age of fertilized ova (day 2, 4, 6; day 0 = day of oestrus) on susceptibility to lysis. Fluorescein-labelled antibodies from high-titre antisera to ovary and oocytes traversed the zona and attached to blastomeres. Following absorption of the antibody conjugates with sheep serum, fluorescein staining of ova with intact zonae was confined to the zona, whereas with zona-free ova the blastomeres were stained. It appears that the zona may protect embryos from lytic antibodies and it is suggested that the zona may be important in protecting the embryo from immunological attack in vivo.", "contents": "Studies on the zona pellucida of sheep ova: immune lysis and localization of antibodies in ova with, and without, zonae. The susceptibility of fertilized sheep ova and oocytes, with and without zonae pellucidae, to lysis by complement plus antibodies in antisera raised against sheep ovaries, oocytes and sperm was examined in vitro. The presence of the zona reduced the proportion of ova lysed (8% v. 57%) and a large proportion of ova with zonae continued development in culture following exposure to antisera. Antisera to ovary and to oocytes lysed a higher proportion of ova than did antisera to sperm (51 and 56% v. 29%). There was no effect of age of fertilized ova (day 2, 4, 6; day 0 = day of oestrus) on susceptibility to lysis. Fluorescein-labelled antibodies from high-titre antisera to ovary and oocytes traversed the zona and attached to blastomeres. Following absorption of the antibody conjugates with sheep serum, fluorescein staining of ova with intact zonae was confined to the zona, whereas with zona-free ova the blastomeres were stained. It appears that the zona may protect embryos from lytic antibodies and it is suggested that the zona may be important in protecting the embryo from immunological attack in vivo.", "PMID": 791228} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9061", "title": "Studies on the origin of false positive reactions to the complement-fixation test for contagious bovine pleuropneumonia.", "content": "Serums of cattle free from contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) were tested in complement fixation (CF) tests using 3 antigens; these were the standard antigen (SA) used to test to CBPP in Australia, an ethanol extract antigen (EA) also prepared from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (M. mycoides) and an antigen prepared from a Group 7 bovine mycoplasma isolated from arthritis (AA). The serums included 146 which fixed complement with SA. Eighty percent of these false-positive serums reacted with AA but not with EA; the other 20% were positive at low titre with EA but gave no reaction with AA. Attempts were made to produce false-positive serums experimentally by inoculating 3 Group 7 mycoplasmas and 2 Mycoplasma bovigenitalium strains into cattle. Serums from 3 of 9 cattle inoculated with strain L2917 (Group 7) reacted with SA but differed from the false-positive serums of field cattle by reacting with all 3 antigens. Tests with serums from cattle experimentally infected with CBPP gave similar titres with SA and EA, but the results with AA were mostly negative or less than 10% of the titres obtained with SA and EA. The results of CF tests on serums from the experimental cattle, after absorptions with suspensions of the mycoplasmas, showed that there was a one-way serological relationship between strain L2917 and M. mycoides and between this Group 7 strain and M. bovigenitalium. The CF tests with 3 antigens have assisted in demonstrating the false-positive nature of the reacting field serums encountered in the course of routine CF tests for CBPP in cattle in Australia.", "contents": "Studies on the origin of false positive reactions to the complement-fixation test for contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. Serums of cattle free from contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) were tested in complement fixation (CF) tests using 3 antigens; these were the standard antigen (SA) used to test to CBPP in Australia, an ethanol extract antigen (EA) also prepared from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (M. mycoides) and an antigen prepared from a Group 7 bovine mycoplasma isolated from arthritis (AA). The serums included 146 which fixed complement with SA. Eighty percent of these false-positive serums reacted with AA but not with EA; the other 20% were positive at low titre with EA but gave no reaction with AA. Attempts were made to produce false-positive serums experimentally by inoculating 3 Group 7 mycoplasmas and 2 Mycoplasma bovigenitalium strains into cattle. Serums from 3 of 9 cattle inoculated with strain L2917 (Group 7) reacted with SA but differed from the false-positive serums of field cattle by reacting with all 3 antigens. Tests with serums from cattle experimentally infected with CBPP gave similar titres with SA and EA, but the results with AA were mostly negative or less than 10% of the titres obtained with SA and EA. The results of CF tests on serums from the experimental cattle, after absorptions with suspensions of the mycoplasmas, showed that there was a one-way serological relationship between strain L2917 and M. mycoides and between this Group 7 strain and M. bovigenitalium. The CF tests with 3 antigens have assisted in demonstrating the false-positive nature of the reacting field serums encountered in the course of routine CF tests for CBPP in cattle in Australia.", "PMID": 791232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9062", "title": "Prevention of experimental motion sickness by scopolamine absorbed through the skin.", "content": "A double-blind placebo-controlled study compared the efficacy of the antimotion sickness drug scopolamine when administered by oral or transdermal routes. A secondary purpose was to extend our bioassay involving fixed-dose combinations of the homergic drugs promethazine and ephedrine. After receiving 12 apparently identical drug-placebo treatments, eight normal male students were exposed to a slow rotation room to stressful accelerations generated by their execution of 40 head movements out of the plane of the room's rotation of 1 rpm and at 1-rpm increments until either symptoms were experienced (just short of frank motion sickness) or the 27-rpm ceiling on the test was reached. Efficacy of a drug was defined in terms of the placeborange and categorized as beneficial, inconsequential, or detrimental. The rank order of drugs with beneficial effects was: 1) promethazine 25 mg plus ephedrine 12.5 mg (86%); 2) scopolamine by mouth (75%); 3) scopolamine transdermally (63%); and 4) promethazine 12.5 mg plus ephedrine 25 mg (29%). The only detrimental effect was with scopolamine given orally. It is concluded that the advantages of the transdermal scopolamine, which include minimal side effects and prolonged effectiveness, deserve full exploitation.", "contents": "Prevention of experimental motion sickness by scopolamine absorbed through the skin. A double-blind placebo-controlled study compared the efficacy of the antimotion sickness drug scopolamine when administered by oral or transdermal routes. A secondary purpose was to extend our bioassay involving fixed-dose combinations of the homergic drugs promethazine and ephedrine. After receiving 12 apparently identical drug-placebo treatments, eight normal male students were exposed to a slow rotation room to stressful accelerations generated by their execution of 40 head movements out of the plane of the room's rotation of 1 rpm and at 1-rpm increments until either symptoms were experienced (just short of frank motion sickness) or the 27-rpm ceiling on the test was reached. Efficacy of a drug was defined in terms of the placeborange and categorized as beneficial, inconsequential, or detrimental. The rank order of drugs with beneficial effects was: 1) promethazine 25 mg plus ephedrine 12.5 mg (86%); 2) scopolamine by mouth (75%); 3) scopolamine transdermally (63%); and 4) promethazine 12.5 mg plus ephedrine 25 mg (29%). The only detrimental effect was with scopolamine given orally. It is concluded that the advantages of the transdermal scopolamine, which include minimal side effects and prolonged effectiveness, deserve full exploitation.", "PMID": 791234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9063", "title": "A review of evidence for a genetic component in the determination of handedness.", "content": "Experimental evidence is marshalled in support of some arguments for a significant genetic component in the transmission of human handedness. Studies of infantile lateral asymmetries and their correlation with cerebral dominance, certain highly heritable traits, and handedness are discussed.", "contents": "A review of evidence for a genetic component in the determination of handedness. Experimental evidence is marshalled in support of some arguments for a significant genetic component in the transmission of human handedness. Studies of infantile lateral asymmetries and their correlation with cerebral dominance, certain highly heritable traits, and handedness are discussed.", "PMID": 791243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9064", "title": "Recent studies on the pathophysiology of ischemic cell injury.", "content": "We can summarize the results of our studies as follows (Fig. 15). The critical cellular factors involved in the loss of reversibility following ischemia appear to be the mechanisms involved in the membrane function of energy transduction. Irreversibility appears to correlate with an irrepairable defect in energy transduction. This could involve both the mitochondrial energy transduction functions and those in the plasma membrane. The mechanisms involved in this transition are not presently clear but they are associated with increased leakiness or permeability of these membranes accompanied by changes in lipid content, alterations in membrane proteins, and presumably in lipid-protein interactions. There are two prominent theories to explain energy transduction. These are the \"proton pump\" hypothesis of Mitchell (1972) and the \"paired moving charge\" hypothesis of Blondin and Green (1975). Both of these hypotheses require integrated function of membrane components, i.e., lipid and protein. The hypothesis of Blondin and Green, however, can work even with discontinuous membrane sheets because it involves the concept of ribbons of protein embedded in the protein-lipid membrane matrix. The characteristic finding of our studies following ischemic injury, namely, the continuous electron flow well into the irreversible phase while the energy transduction is impaired, could be explained by both hypotheses. What do these observations have to say about theories of energy conservation? We have observed that the vectorial nature of the proton separation is stopped. Charge separation may not occur at this time across the membrane since proton gradient and possible membrane potential are abolished. Electron transport, however, continues indicating the generation of protons. Since the decline of P/O ratio, decline of proton gradient and the cellular \"point-of-no-return\" coincide, these observations point toward the important membrane defects acquired at that particular time. The \"paired moving charge\" model which involves moving ions encapsulated in endogenous ionophores such as lecithin and maintenance of magnesium is favpred by the observation that phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine are lost in correlation with irreversibility. Furthermore, the decrease in magnesium content of cells is closely associated with the loss of viability following ischemia. The \"paired moving charge\" hypothesis has the attractive feature in that it involves antagonistic effects of calcium and magnesium. During reflow, calcium may inhibit magnesium mediated transport of inorganic phosphate by lecithin. Also, according to this theory fatty acids or their cyclic anions which act as uncouplers may foster the loss of phosphorylation capacity.", "contents": "Recent studies on the pathophysiology of ischemic cell injury. We can summarize the results of our studies as follows (Fig. 15). The critical cellular factors involved in the loss of reversibility following ischemia appear to be the mechanisms involved in the membrane function of energy transduction. Irreversibility appears to correlate with an irrepairable defect in energy transduction. This could involve both the mitochondrial energy transduction functions and those in the plasma membrane. The mechanisms involved in this transition are not presently clear but they are associated with increased leakiness or permeability of these membranes accompanied by changes in lipid content, alterations in membrane proteins, and presumably in lipid-protein interactions. There are two prominent theories to explain energy transduction. These are the \"proton pump\" hypothesis of Mitchell (1972) and the \"paired moving charge\" hypothesis of Blondin and Green (1975). Both of these hypotheses require integrated function of membrane components, i.e., lipid and protein. The hypothesis of Blondin and Green, however, can work even with discontinuous membrane sheets because it involves the concept of ribbons of protein embedded in the protein-lipid membrane matrix. The characteristic finding of our studies following ischemic injury, namely, the continuous electron flow well into the irreversible phase while the energy transduction is impaired, could be explained by both hypotheses. What do these observations have to say about theories of energy conservation? We have observed that the vectorial nature of the proton separation is stopped. Charge separation may not occur at this time across the membrane since proton gradient and possible membrane potential are abolished. Electron transport, however, continues indicating the generation of protons. Since the decline of P/O ratio, decline of proton gradient and the cellular \"point-of-no-return\" coincide, these observations point toward the important membrane defects acquired at that particular time. The \"paired moving charge\" model which involves moving ions encapsulated in endogenous ionophores such as lecithin and maintenance of magnesium is favpred by the observation that phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine are lost in correlation with irreversibility. Furthermore, the decrease in magnesium content of cells is closely associated with the loss of viability following ischemia. The \"paired moving charge\" hypothesis has the attractive feature in that it involves antagonistic effects of calcium and magnesium. During reflow, calcium may inhibit magnesium mediated transport of inorganic phosphate by lecithin. Also, according to this theory fatty acids or their cyclic anions which act as uncouplers may foster the loss of phosphorylation capacity.", "PMID": 791245} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9065", "title": "Chemical carcinogenesis and experimental models using human tissues.", "content": "The majority of human cancer is caused by environmental agents including chemical carcinogens. These chemical carcinogens are both naturally-occurring compounds and products of an industrialized society. Most of the environmental chemical carcinogens require enzymatic activation into electrophilic metabolites which readily react with cellular macromolecules leading, in some cases, to malignant transformation of target epithelial cells. Model systems for studying carcinogenesis in human target tissues are being developed to link investigations using experimental animals with human cancer. Metabolism of chemical carcinogens is being studied in human tissues maintained in these model systems. For example, a marked variation among individuals in their capacity to metabolize carcinogenic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons has been observed. This inter-individual variation may, in part, be due to genetic factors. Model systems using human tissues should be useful in several areas of cancer research including: 1) identifying environmental carcinogens, their metabolic pathways and host factors determining susceptibility; and 2) testing new methods of prophylatic intervention in populations at high risk of developing cancer.", "contents": "Chemical carcinogenesis and experimental models using human tissues. The majority of human cancer is caused by environmental agents including chemical carcinogens. These chemical carcinogens are both naturally-occurring compounds and products of an industrialized society. Most of the environmental chemical carcinogens require enzymatic activation into electrophilic metabolites which readily react with cellular macromolecules leading, in some cases, to malignant transformation of target epithelial cells. Model systems for studying carcinogenesis in human target tissues are being developed to link investigations using experimental animals with human cancer. Metabolism of chemical carcinogens is being studied in human tissues maintained in these model systems. For example, a marked variation among individuals in their capacity to metabolize carcinogenic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons has been observed. This inter-individual variation may, in part, be due to genetic factors. Model systems using human tissues should be useful in several areas of cancer research including: 1) identifying environmental carcinogens, their metabolic pathways and host factors determining susceptibility; and 2) testing new methods of prophylatic intervention in populations at high risk of developing cancer.", "PMID": 791246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9066", "title": "Immunofluorescent localisation of cathepsin D in trophoblastic cells in tissue culture.", "content": "Cathepsin D was localised by immunofluorescence within four different types of cells derived from human trophoblast in monolayer culture. Cells were stained with freshly reduced Fab' fragments of sheep anti-(human cathepsin D) antiserum followed by FITC conjugate of pig anti-(sheep Fab') Fab' fragments. The green fluorescence seen in cytoplasmic droplets were characteristic of the appearance of lysosomes in other cells.", "contents": "Immunofluorescent localisation of cathepsin D in trophoblastic cells in tissue culture. Cathepsin D was localised by immunofluorescence within four different types of cells derived from human trophoblast in monolayer culture. Cells were stained with freshly reduced Fab' fragments of sheep anti-(human cathepsin D) antiserum followed by FITC conjugate of pig anti-(sheep Fab') Fab' fragments. The green fluorescence seen in cytoplasmic droplets were characteristic of the appearance of lysosomes in other cells.", "PMID": 791248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9067", "title": "[The significance of the columar structure of the stratum corneum for the effect of light on the skin].", "content": "Autologous full thickness skin autografts were carried out on 60 male guineapigs in such a way that the hair roots were destroyed. The light sensitivity of the skin towards UV B was then tested on the hairless skin by means of the Xenon lamp and the corresponding filter. Exploratory excisions were taken from another area of the graft and used to demonstrate the structure of the stratum corneum according to the method of Christophers. It could be shown that light erythema developed significantly less than when the columnar structure of the stratum cornuem was well developed.", "contents": "[The significance of the columar structure of the stratum corneum for the effect of light on the skin]. Autologous full thickness skin autografts were carried out on 60 male guineapigs in such a way that the hair roots were destroyed. The light sensitivity of the skin towards UV B was then tested on the hairless skin by means of the Xenon lamp and the corresponding filter. Exploratory excisions were taken from another area of the graft and used to demonstrate the structure of the stratum corneum according to the method of Christophers. It could be shown that light erythema developed significantly less than when the columnar structure of the stratum cornuem was well developed.", "PMID": 791250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9068", "title": "Multiple diagnostic measures elicited during the stress ballistocardiogram.", "content": "Acceleration Bcgs were recorded on 22 subjects at rest and during acute elevation of blood pressure produced by isometric grip. Measurements on computer averaged graphic waveforms of H/I slope, I/J slope and I-J amplitude were made. The ratios of values during stress, to resting state, helped to select patients with 1,2 or 3 declines of 10% or more from the resting values. The method has the advantage of using each subject as his own control, and may help to elicit varying grades of myocardial pumping dysfunction not evident at rest.", "contents": "Multiple diagnostic measures elicited during the stress ballistocardiogram. Acceleration Bcgs were recorded on 22 subjects at rest and during acute elevation of blood pressure produced by isometric grip. Measurements on computer averaged graphic waveforms of H/I slope, I/J slope and I-J amplitude were made. The ratios of values during stress, to resting state, helped to select patients with 1,2 or 3 declines of 10% or more from the resting values. The method has the advantage of using each subject as his own control, and may help to elicit varying grades of myocardial pumping dysfunction not evident at rest.", "PMID": 791254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9069", "title": "Automatic determination of systolic time intervals.", "content": "Systolic time intervals (STI), measured non-invasively and during uninterrupted exercise, may contain information about cardiac function. A processing system was developed, which determines STI automatically from 8-sec recordings at each load level. A preprocessing unit provides automatic recording and optimal signal-to-noise ratios. One of the main tasks of the computer program, which is modular in structure and written in FORTRAN IV, is to recognize disturbances and artefacts in the signals. After selection of the complexes, usually with some kind of correlation method, a representative beat is found and the inclination points are localized. Besides these points, indicateions of possible errors are given. Preliminary results indicate that the system may be able to replace the human observer in estimating STI.", "contents": "Automatic determination of systolic time intervals. Systolic time intervals (STI), measured non-invasively and during uninterrupted exercise, may contain information about cardiac function. A processing system was developed, which determines STI automatically from 8-sec recordings at each load level. A preprocessing unit provides automatic recording and optimal signal-to-noise ratios. One of the main tasks of the computer program, which is modular in structure and written in FORTRAN IV, is to recognize disturbances and artefacts in the signals. After selection of the complexes, usually with some kind of correlation method, a representative beat is found and the inclination points are localized. Besides these points, indicateions of possible errors are given. Preliminary results indicate that the system may be able to replace the human observer in estimating STI.", "PMID": 791258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9070", "title": "Characterization of upFc, a fragment of human immunoglobulin G1 produced by pepsin in urea.", "content": "The digestion of human IgG1/K myeloma proteins with pepsin in the presence of 8 M-urea produces fragments that differ from those produced by aqueous peptic digestion, and from other characteristic immunoglobulin fragments. Fb'2, the larger urea/pepsin fragment, was previously shown to consist of the constant regions of the light chains, and the CH1 domains and hinge regions of the heavy chains. The smaller fragment, upFc, has now been characterized. After reduction, three peptides were released from fragment upFc. Amino acid sequencing, N- and C-terminal determinations and amino acid compositions have enabled these peptides to be identified as residues Ile-253 to Leu-306, residues Thr-307 to Asp-376 and residues Thr-411 to Gly-446 of the heavy chain. Fragment upFc therefore contains the entire Fc region, beginning at residue Ile-253, except for a 34-residue section from within the CH3-domain disulphide loop. Peptic digestion of IgG1/K proteins in 8M-urea therefore provides a method for isolating from gamma1 heavy chains five homogeneous peptides in good yield, which account for almost the entire constant region. Characterization of fragments Fb'2 and upFc has shown that the action of pepsin in urea is entirely different from that of aqueous pepsin. Two gamma1 heavy chains have been shown to differ in sequence at three positions from the sequence reported for protein Eu.", "contents": "Characterization of upFc, a fragment of human immunoglobulin G1 produced by pepsin in urea. The digestion of human IgG1/K myeloma proteins with pepsin in the presence of 8 M-urea produces fragments that differ from those produced by aqueous peptic digestion, and from other characteristic immunoglobulin fragments. Fb'2, the larger urea/pepsin fragment, was previously shown to consist of the constant regions of the light chains, and the CH1 domains and hinge regions of the heavy chains. The smaller fragment, upFc, has now been characterized. After reduction, three peptides were released from fragment upFc. Amino acid sequencing, N- and C-terminal determinations and amino acid compositions have enabled these peptides to be identified as residues Ile-253 to Leu-306, residues Thr-307 to Asp-376 and residues Thr-411 to Gly-446 of the heavy chain. Fragment upFc therefore contains the entire Fc region, beginning at residue Ile-253, except for a 34-residue section from within the CH3-domain disulphide loop. Peptic digestion of IgG1/K proteins in 8M-urea therefore provides a method for isolating from gamma1 heavy chains five homogeneous peptides in good yield, which account for almost the entire constant region. Characterization of fragments Fb'2 and upFc has shown that the action of pepsin in urea is entirely different from that of aqueous pepsin. Two gamma1 heavy chains have been shown to differ in sequence at three positions from the sequence reported for protein Eu.", "PMID": 791267} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9071", "title": "An apparent lack of stereospecificity in the reaction catalysed by deoxyribose 5-phosphate aldolase due to methyl-group rotation and enolization before product release.", "content": "In the reaction catalysed by deoxyribose 5-phosphate aldolase (2-deoxy-D-ribose 5-phosphate acetaldehyde-lyase, EC 4.1.2.4) from Salmonella typhimurium, almost complete equilibration of the methyl-group protons of the product, acetaldehyde, occurs before its release from the enzyme surface. This phenomenon does not allow the stereo-chemical course of the reaction to be determined by using hydrogen-isotope labelling of the methyl group to generate a chiral centre.", "contents": "An apparent lack of stereospecificity in the reaction catalysed by deoxyribose 5-phosphate aldolase due to methyl-group rotation and enolization before product release. In the reaction catalysed by deoxyribose 5-phosphate aldolase (2-deoxy-D-ribose 5-phosphate acetaldehyde-lyase, EC 4.1.2.4) from Salmonella typhimurium, almost complete equilibration of the methyl-group protons of the product, acetaldehyde, occurs before its release from the enzyme surface. This phenomenon does not allow the stereo-chemical course of the reaction to be determined by using hydrogen-isotope labelling of the methyl group to generate a chiral centre.", "PMID": 791268} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9072", "title": "A trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor from chick peas (Cicer arietinum).", "content": "1. A trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor was isolated by extraction of chick-pea meal at pH8.3, followed by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and successive column chromatography on CM-cellulose and calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite). 2. The inhibitor was pure by polyacrylamide-gel and cellulose acetate electrophoresis and by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels. 3. The inhibitor had a molecular weight of approx. 10000 as determined by ultracentrifugation and by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. A molecular weight of 8300 was resolved from its amino acid composition. 4. The inhibitor formed complexes with trypsin and chymotrypsin at molar ratios of 1:1. 5. Limited proteolysis of the inhibitor with trypsin at pH3.75 resulted in hydrolysis of a single-Lys-X-bond and in consequent loss of 85% of the trypsin inhibitory activity and 60% of the chymotrypsin inhibitory activity. Limited proteolysis of the inhibitor with chymotrypsin at pH3.75 resulted in hydrolysis of a single-Tyr-X-bond and in consequent loss of 70% of the trypsin inhibitory activity and in complete loss of the chymotrypsin inhibitory activity. 6. Cleavage of the inhibitor with CNBr followed by pepsin and consequent separation of the products on a Bio Gel P-10 column, yielded two active fragments, A and B. Fragment A inhibited trypsin but not chymotrypsin, and fragment B inhibited chymotrypsin but not trypsin. The specific trypsin inhibitory activity, on a molar ratio, of fragment A was twice that of the native inhibitor, suggesting the unmasking of another trypsin inhibitory site as a result of the cleavage. On the other hand, the specific chymotrypsin inhibitory activity of fragment B was about one-half of that of the native inhibitor, indicating the occurrence of a possible conformational change.", "contents": "A trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor from chick peas (Cicer arietinum). 1. A trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor was isolated by extraction of chick-pea meal at pH8.3, followed by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and successive column chromatography on CM-cellulose and calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite). 2. The inhibitor was pure by polyacrylamide-gel and cellulose acetate electrophoresis and by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels. 3. The inhibitor had a molecular weight of approx. 10000 as determined by ultracentrifugation and by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. A molecular weight of 8300 was resolved from its amino acid composition. 4. The inhibitor formed complexes with trypsin and chymotrypsin at molar ratios of 1:1. 5. Limited proteolysis of the inhibitor with trypsin at pH3.75 resulted in hydrolysis of a single-Lys-X-bond and in consequent loss of 85% of the trypsin inhibitory activity and 60% of the chymotrypsin inhibitory activity. Limited proteolysis of the inhibitor with chymotrypsin at pH3.75 resulted in hydrolysis of a single-Tyr-X-bond and in consequent loss of 70% of the trypsin inhibitory activity and in complete loss of the chymotrypsin inhibitory activity. 6. Cleavage of the inhibitor with CNBr followed by pepsin and consequent separation of the products on a Bio Gel P-10 column, yielded two active fragments, A and B. Fragment A inhibited trypsin but not chymotrypsin, and fragment B inhibited chymotrypsin but not trypsin. The specific trypsin inhibitory activity, on a molar ratio, of fragment A was twice that of the native inhibitor, suggesting the unmasking of another trypsin inhibitory site as a result of the cleavage. On the other hand, the specific chymotrypsin inhibitory activity of fragment B was about one-half of that of the native inhibitor, indicating the occurrence of a possible conformational change.", "PMID": 791269} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9073", "title": "Polyamine and ornithine metabolism during the germination of conidia of Aspergillus nidulans.", "content": "1. The activities of ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and ornithine-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase were studied during the first 24 h of conidial germination in Aspergillus nidulans. 2. Increases (over 100-fold) in the activities of ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase occurred during the emergence of the germ-tube and before the doubling of DNA and this was followed by a sharp fall in the activities of both enzymes by 16h. 3. The increase in ornithine decarboxylase could be largely suppressed if 0.6 mM-putrescine was added to the growth medium. 4. Low concentrations of cycloheximide, which delayed germination by 2h, caused a corresponding delay in the changes in ornithine decarboxylase activity. 5. Ornithine-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase activity increased steadily during the first 24h of germination. 6. Ornithine or arginine in the growth medium induced higher activity of ornithine-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, but did not affect ornithine decarboxylase activity. 7. The significance of these enzyme changes during germination is discussed.", "contents": "Polyamine and ornithine metabolism during the germination of conidia of Aspergillus nidulans. 1. The activities of ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and ornithine-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase were studied during the first 24 h of conidial germination in Aspergillus nidulans. 2. Increases (over 100-fold) in the activities of ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase occurred during the emergence of the germ-tube and before the doubling of DNA and this was followed by a sharp fall in the activities of both enzymes by 16h. 3. The increase in ornithine decarboxylase could be largely suppressed if 0.6 mM-putrescine was added to the growth medium. 4. Low concentrations of cycloheximide, which delayed germination by 2h, caused a corresponding delay in the changes in ornithine decarboxylase activity. 5. Ornithine-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase activity increased steadily during the first 24h of germination. 6. Ornithine or arginine in the growth medium induced higher activity of ornithine-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, but did not affect ornithine decarboxylase activity. 7. The significance of these enzyme changes during germination is discussed.", "PMID": 791270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9074", "title": "The formation of exchangeable sulphite from adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-sulphatophosphate in yeast.", "content": "A new low-molecular-weight bound sulphite was found in yeast enzyme reaction systems which convert the sulphur of 35S-labelled adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-sulphatophosphate into exchangeable radioactive sulphite. This bound sulphite was separated from other components by paper electrophoresis and Sephadex G-25 chromatography, and shown to be a peptide with multiple thiol groups and an estimated mol.wt. of 1400. The labelled sulphur in this peptide is highly exchangeable with unlabelled sulphite, but exchangeability decreases with time and freeze-drying. The low-molecular-weight acceptor is tightly bound to enzyme B of the yeast system and, apparently, accepts the sulpho group of adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-sulphatophosphate and is released as bound sulphite only in the presence of enzymically or chemically reduced fraction C. It is proposed that the low-molecular-weight acceptor is a carrier peptide which, after release of the reduced sulphur, becomes re-oxidized and returns to enzyme B. Fraction C appears to function as an obligatory reductant of the oxidized acceptor before it can accept another-SO-3-moiety from adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-sulphatophosphate. These findings are consistent with mechanisms proposed for sulphate reduction in spinach and Chlorella, and suggest that fraction C is the natural thiol required in these systems. An improved column technique for the preparation of adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-sulphatophosphate is described.", "contents": "The formation of exchangeable sulphite from adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-sulphatophosphate in yeast. A new low-molecular-weight bound sulphite was found in yeast enzyme reaction systems which convert the sulphur of 35S-labelled adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-sulphatophosphate into exchangeable radioactive sulphite. This bound sulphite was separated from other components by paper electrophoresis and Sephadex G-25 chromatography, and shown to be a peptide with multiple thiol groups and an estimated mol.wt. of 1400. The labelled sulphur in this peptide is highly exchangeable with unlabelled sulphite, but exchangeability decreases with time and freeze-drying. The low-molecular-weight acceptor is tightly bound to enzyme B of the yeast system and, apparently, accepts the sulpho group of adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-sulphatophosphate and is released as bound sulphite only in the presence of enzymically or chemically reduced fraction C. It is proposed that the low-molecular-weight acceptor is a carrier peptide which, after release of the reduced sulphur, becomes re-oxidized and returns to enzyme B. Fraction C appears to function as an obligatory reductant of the oxidized acceptor before it can accept another-SO-3-moiety from adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-sulphatophosphate. These findings are consistent with mechanisms proposed for sulphate reduction in spinach and Chlorella, and suggest that fraction C is the natural thiol required in these systems. An improved column technique for the preparation of adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-sulphatophosphate is described.", "PMID": 791271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9075", "title": "The composition of an unusual precursor of 50 S ribosomes in a mutant of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Escherichia coli strain 15--28 is a mutant which during exponential growth contains large amounts of a '47S' ribonucleoprotein precursor to 50S ribosomes. The '47S particles' are more sensitive to ribonuclease than are 50S ribosomes. The 23 S RNA of 47S particles may be slightly undermethylated, but cannot be distinguished from the 23S RNA of 50S ribosomes by sedimentation or electrophoresis. Isolated particles have 10--15% less protein than do 50S ribosomes; proteins L16, L28 and L33 are absent. Comparison with precursor particles studied by other workers in wild-type strains of E. coli suggests that the assembly of 50S ribosomes in strain 15--28 is atypical.", "contents": "The composition of an unusual precursor of 50 S ribosomes in a mutant of Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli strain 15--28 is a mutant which during exponential growth contains large amounts of a '47S' ribonucleoprotein precursor to 50S ribosomes. The '47S particles' are more sensitive to ribonuclease than are 50S ribosomes. The 23 S RNA of 47S particles may be slightly undermethylated, but cannot be distinguished from the 23S RNA of 50S ribosomes by sedimentation or electrophoresis. Isolated particles have 10--15% less protein than do 50S ribosomes; proteins L16, L28 and L33 are absent. Comparison with precursor particles studied by other workers in wild-type strains of E. coli suggests that the assembly of 50S ribosomes in strain 15--28 is atypical.", "PMID": 791272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9076", "title": "Changes in the distribution of intramembranous particles in hen erythrocytes during cell fusion induced by the bivalent-cation ionophore A23187.", "content": "Incubation of hen erythrocytes with Ca2+ and the bivalent-cation ionophore A23187 induced slight cell fusion in 1 h at 37 degrees C, and extensive fusion during a subsequent 15 min at 47 degrees C. Redistributions of intramembranous particles were observed, possibly involving interactions between Ca2+ and phospholipids, which are discussed in relation to molecular mechanimss of cell fusion.", "contents": "Changes in the distribution of intramembranous particles in hen erythrocytes during cell fusion induced by the bivalent-cation ionophore A23187. Incubation of hen erythrocytes with Ca2+ and the bivalent-cation ionophore A23187 induced slight cell fusion in 1 h at 37 degrees C, and extensive fusion during a subsequent 15 min at 47 degrees C. Redistributions of intramembranous particles were observed, possibly involving interactions between Ca2+ and phospholipids, which are discussed in relation to molecular mechanimss of cell fusion.", "PMID": 791273} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9077", "title": "Scanning electron microscopy in the evaluation of endothelial integrity of the fatty lesion in atherosclerosis.", "content": "The luminal surface of fatty lesions of atherosclerosis was viewed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Endothelial cells were outlined by staining intercellular junctions with silver and the aortas were fixed in situ at physiological pressure. When aortas were dehydrated by passage through organic solvents followed by critical point drying from liquid CO2, there was considerable disruption of the luminal surface and it was not possible to correctly interpret the morphological integrity of the endothelium. In contrast, simple air-drying of aortas, without solvent dehydration after fixation, allowed the integrity of the cell layer overlying the lesion to be evaluated. The success of this technique was attributed to the retention of arterial lipids during dehydration of the tissue.", "contents": "Scanning electron microscopy in the evaluation of endothelial integrity of the fatty lesion in atherosclerosis. The luminal surface of fatty lesions of atherosclerosis was viewed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Endothelial cells were outlined by staining intercellular junctions with silver and the aortas were fixed in situ at physiological pressure. When aortas were dehydrated by passage through organic solvents followed by critical point drying from liquid CO2, there was considerable disruption of the luminal surface and it was not possible to correctly interpret the morphological integrity of the endothelium. In contrast, simple air-drying of aortas, without solvent dehydration after fixation, allowed the integrity of the cell layer overlying the lesion to be evaluated. The success of this technique was attributed to the retention of arterial lipids during dehydration of the tissue.", "PMID": 791298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9078", "title": "Cell-mediated immunity in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.", "content": "The cell immune response, in vivo and in vitro, was investigated in eight patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Although the disease had been diagnosed at different stages and despite the persistently high titers of humoral antibodies, a definite deficiency of cellular immunity, as indicated by skin reactions to common antigens and by migration inhibition factor to specific antigens, was found in all the patients. The cellular immune response of two patients treated with small amounts of transfer factor was temporarily restored by their clinical state did not improve.", "contents": "Cell-mediated immunity in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. The cell immune response, in vivo and in vitro, was investigated in eight patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Although the disease had been diagnosed at different stages and despite the persistently high titers of humoral antibodies, a definite deficiency of cellular immunity, as indicated by skin reactions to common antigens and by migration inhibition factor to specific antigens, was found in all the patients. The cellular immune response of two patients treated with small amounts of transfer factor was temporarily restored by their clinical state did not improve.", "PMID": 791299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9079", "title": "Plasma potassium changes following suxamethonium and suxethonium in normal patients and in patients in renal failure.", "content": "Fifty-four healthy patients and 21 patients with chronic renal disease received either suxamethonium 100 mg or suxethonium 150 mg for neuromuscular blockade during endotracheal intubation. A significant increase in plasma potassium concentration was observed following the administration of suxamethonium. No increase occurred in patients who received suxethonium. It is concluded that suxethonium may be preferable to suxamethonium in patients who are at risk from an increase in the plasma potassium concentration.", "contents": "Plasma potassium changes following suxamethonium and suxethonium in normal patients and in patients in renal failure. Fifty-four healthy patients and 21 patients with chronic renal disease received either suxamethonium 100 mg or suxethonium 150 mg for neuromuscular blockade during endotracheal intubation. A significant increase in plasma potassium concentration was observed following the administration of suxamethonium. No increase occurred in patients who received suxethonium. It is concluded that suxethonium may be preferable to suxamethonium in patients who are at risk from an increase in the plasma potassium concentration.", "PMID": 791307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9080", "title": "Cerebral responses to the addition of nitrous oxide to halothane in man.", "content": "Cerebral responses to the substitution of 60% nitrous oxide for nitrogen during halothane anaesthesia (0.84%, end-tidal) were studied in four patients during surgery. The mean (+/-SEM) cerebral blood flow equivalent and internal jugular venous oxygen tension during halothane anaesthesia, 17+/-3 ml blood/ml oxygen and 41+/-2 mm Hg respectively, increased significantly to 45+/-3 ml blood/ml oxygen and 54+/-3 mm Hg following the introduction of nitrous oxide. On the withdrawal of nitrous oxide, the mean cerebral blood flow equivalent and internal jugular venous oxygen tension returned gradually to the control values. Cerebral perfusion pressure and blood-gas values, other than the internal jugular venous oxygen tension, did not change significantly. Marked slowing of the e.e.g. was observed following the addition of nitrous oxide to halothane, Upon the withdrawal of nitrous oxide the e.e.g. returned to the control pattern. These results indicate that cerebral blood flow was in excess of oxygen demand during nitrous oxide/halothane anesthesia in man.", "contents": "Cerebral responses to the addition of nitrous oxide to halothane in man. Cerebral responses to the substitution of 60% nitrous oxide for nitrogen during halothane anaesthesia (0.84%, end-tidal) were studied in four patients during surgery. The mean (+/-SEM) cerebral blood flow equivalent and internal jugular venous oxygen tension during halothane anaesthesia, 17+/-3 ml blood/ml oxygen and 41+/-2 mm Hg respectively, increased significantly to 45+/-3 ml blood/ml oxygen and 54+/-3 mm Hg following the introduction of nitrous oxide. On the withdrawal of nitrous oxide, the mean cerebral blood flow equivalent and internal jugular venous oxygen tension returned gradually to the control values. Cerebral perfusion pressure and blood-gas values, other than the internal jugular venous oxygen tension, did not change significantly. Marked slowing of the e.e.g. was observed following the addition of nitrous oxide to halothane, Upon the withdrawal of nitrous oxide the e.e.g. returned to the control pattern. These results indicate that cerebral blood flow was in excess of oxygen demand during nitrous oxide/halothane anesthesia in man.", "PMID": 791308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9081", "title": "The effects of droperidol and fentanyl on intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure in neurosurgical patients.", "content": "The effects of droperidol and fentanyl on the intracranial pressure (i.c.p.) and cerebral perfusion pressure (c.p.p.) were studied in eight anaesthetized normocapnic patients with intracranial space-occupying lesions. The infection of droperidol resulted in a small and not significant increase in i.c.p. from 24.0 to 27.2 mm Hg, while c.p.p. decreased from 75.9 mm Hg to 57.8 mm Hg, as a result of a decrease in systemic arterial pressure. The addition of fentanyl produced no change in i.c.p., but a further decrease in arterial pressure decreased c.p.p. from 60.4 mm Hg to 47.8 mm Hg. In four patients values of c.p.p. less than 40 mm Hg were obtained. C.p.p. was was increased by hyperventilation in all but one of these patients. It is concluded that droperidol and fentanyl should be used in patients with intracranial hypertension only if hypocapnia has been established and when the arterial pressure is normal or increased.", "contents": "The effects of droperidol and fentanyl on intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure in neurosurgical patients. The effects of droperidol and fentanyl on the intracranial pressure (i.c.p.) and cerebral perfusion pressure (c.p.p.) were studied in eight anaesthetized normocapnic patients with intracranial space-occupying lesions. The infection of droperidol resulted in a small and not significant increase in i.c.p. from 24.0 to 27.2 mm Hg, while c.p.p. decreased from 75.9 mm Hg to 57.8 mm Hg, as a result of a decrease in systemic arterial pressure. The addition of fentanyl produced no change in i.c.p., but a further decrease in arterial pressure decreased c.p.p. from 60.4 mm Hg to 47.8 mm Hg. In four patients values of c.p.p. less than 40 mm Hg were obtained. C.p.p. was was increased by hyperventilation in all but one of these patients. It is concluded that droperidol and fentanyl should be used in patients with intracranial hypertension only if hypocapnia has been established and when the arterial pressure is normal or increased.", "PMID": 791309} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9082", "title": "Studies on dimethyl tubocurarine in anaesthetized man.", "content": "Intravenous doses of 0.3 mg/kg dimethyl tubocurarine were required for consistent and adequate surgical relaxation in patients during nitrous oxide anaesthesia and produced virtually complete neuromuscular paralysis (96-100%) of the tetanic and twitch responses of the adductor pollicis muscle. The duration of action of the drug was prolonged--more than 3 h was required to attain 50% recovery from full neuromuscular paralysis. At this degree of recovery neostigmine was an effective antagonist. Determination of the tetanic tension ratios showed that tetanic fade developed during onset of paralysis and remained maximal until about 25% recovery of the tetanic contractions, when it disappeared raidly as recovery progressed. These doses caused no significant changes in arterial pressure and heart rate and this absence of cardiovascular side-effects is a desirable property of dimethyl tubocurarine. However, for many surgical procedures, an agent with a similar pharmacological profile but with a shorter action is desirable.", "contents": "Studies on dimethyl tubocurarine in anaesthetized man. Intravenous doses of 0.3 mg/kg dimethyl tubocurarine were required for consistent and adequate surgical relaxation in patients during nitrous oxide anaesthesia and produced virtually complete neuromuscular paralysis (96-100%) of the tetanic and twitch responses of the adductor pollicis muscle. The duration of action of the drug was prolonged--more than 3 h was required to attain 50% recovery from full neuromuscular paralysis. At this degree of recovery neostigmine was an effective antagonist. Determination of the tetanic tension ratios showed that tetanic fade developed during onset of paralysis and remained maximal until about 25% recovery of the tetanic contractions, when it disappeared raidly as recovery progressed. These doses caused no significant changes in arterial pressure and heart rate and this absence of cardiovascular side-effects is a desirable property of dimethyl tubocurarine. However, for many surgical procedures, an agent with a similar pharmacological profile but with a shorter action is desirable.", "PMID": 791310} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9083", "title": "The effect of halothane and thiopentone on ventilatory responses mediated bythe peripheral chemoreceptors in man.", "content": "The activity and responsiveness of the peripheral ventilatory chemoreflex were assessed by the transient depression of ventilation following two breaths of oxygen in air-breathing subjects, and the differing times of onset of the ventilatory response to i.v. sodium bicarbonate in subjects breathing either air or oxygen. In patients premedicated with pethidine, in whom anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone, it was found that halothane, in an inspired concentration of 0.7-0.8%, reduced the activity and responsiveness of the peripheral ventilatory chemoreflex markedly. When halothane was discontinued and anaesthesia was maintained wtih intermittent injections of thiopentone (0.2 mg/kg/min) evidence of peripheral chemoreceptor activity and responsiveness returned.", "contents": "The effect of halothane and thiopentone on ventilatory responses mediated bythe peripheral chemoreceptors in man. The activity and responsiveness of the peripheral ventilatory chemoreflex were assessed by the transient depression of ventilation following two breaths of oxygen in air-breathing subjects, and the differing times of onset of the ventilatory response to i.v. sodium bicarbonate in subjects breathing either air or oxygen. In patients premedicated with pethidine, in whom anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone, it was found that halothane, in an inspired concentration of 0.7-0.8%, reduced the activity and responsiveness of the peripheral ventilatory chemoreflex markedly. When halothane was discontinued and anaesthesia was maintained wtih intermittent injections of thiopentone (0.2 mg/kg/min) evidence of peripheral chemoreceptor activity and responsiveness returned.", "PMID": 791311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9084", "title": "The effect of positive end expiratory pressure on lung mechanics and arterial oxygenation after open heart surgery in young children.", "content": "The effect of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) during mechanical ventilation of the lungs was measured in 10 young children, aged 3 weeks to 30 months, who were being ventilated artificially after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Changes in the end-tidal lung volume were measured directly using a jacket plethysmograph, and were assumed to indicate change in functional residual capacity (FRC). Simultaneous changes in compliance and blood-gases were measured also. FRC was increased in all subjects, and in most this increase was accompanied by an increase in arterial oxygenation. There was no significant alteration in the mean values of dynamic or static compliance in the group, although dynamic compliance increased during PEEP in six patients. PEEP may be of value after cardiopulmonary bypass in young children when oxygenation is poor despite high inspired oxygen fractions. The possible mechanisms by which it increases PaO2 are discussed.", "contents": "The effect of positive end expiratory pressure on lung mechanics and arterial oxygenation after open heart surgery in young children. The effect of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) during mechanical ventilation of the lungs was measured in 10 young children, aged 3 weeks to 30 months, who were being ventilated artificially after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Changes in the end-tidal lung volume were measured directly using a jacket plethysmograph, and were assumed to indicate change in functional residual capacity (FRC). Simultaneous changes in compliance and blood-gases were measured also. FRC was increased in all subjects, and in most this increase was accompanied by an increase in arterial oxygenation. There was no significant alteration in the mean values of dynamic or static compliance in the group, although dynamic compliance increased during PEEP in six patients. PEEP may be of value after cardiopulmonary bypass in young children when oxygenation is poor despite high inspired oxygen fractions. The possible mechanisms by which it increases PaO2 are discussed.", "PMID": 791312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9085", "title": "The effects of adding adrenaline to etidocaine and lignocaine in extradural anaesthesia II: Pharmacokinetics.", "content": "The addition of adrenaline to solutions of etidocaine or lignocaine for extradural administration resulted in significantly lower plasma koncentrations in both the arterial blood (14% decrease for etidocaine and 43% decrease for lignocaine) and venous blood (35% and 60% decreases for etidocaine and lignocaine respectively). The nett absorption over the first 4 h after administration, measured from the area under the plasma concentration-time curve, was decreased by the addition of adrenaline (18% and 30% decreases for etidocaine and lignocaine respectively). Both drugs were absorbed in a biexponential manner, having similar fast absorption rates but with etidocaine having a longer absorption half-life in the slow absorption phase. It is concluded that the addition of adrenaline reduces the fraction of the dose being absorbed during the first (fast) phase rather than influencing the absorption rate constants.", "contents": "The effects of adding adrenaline to etidocaine and lignocaine in extradural anaesthesia II: Pharmacokinetics. The addition of adrenaline to solutions of etidocaine or lignocaine for extradural administration resulted in significantly lower plasma koncentrations in both the arterial blood (14% decrease for etidocaine and 43% decrease for lignocaine) and venous blood (35% and 60% decreases for etidocaine and lignocaine respectively). The nett absorption over the first 4 h after administration, measured from the area under the plasma concentration-time curve, was decreased by the addition of adrenaline (18% and 30% decreases for etidocaine and lignocaine respectively). Both drugs were absorbed in a biexponential manner, having similar fast absorption rates but with etidocaine having a longer absorption half-life in the slow absorption phase. It is concluded that the addition of adrenaline reduces the fraction of the dose being absorbed during the first (fast) phase rather than influencing the absorption rate constants.", "PMID": 791313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9086", "title": "Hypocalcaemia during rapid blood transfusion in anaesthetized man.", "content": "In anaesthetized patients, administration of citrated whole blood for 5 min at controlled rates of 50, 100 and 150 ml/70 kg/min resulted in decreases in the calcium ion concentration (Ca2+) of 14, 31 and 41%, respectively. Ca2+ returned rapidly to the control values after termination of the transfusion. Reciprocal changes in serum citrate concentrations occurred, suggesting that the transient hypocalcaemia was a result of redistribution of citrate and hepatic or renal clearance from the vascular space. The total serum calcium concentration did not change significantly during rapid blood administration. Normal saline infusion at 100 ml/70 kg/min caused no change in Ca2+; however, plasma protein administration at this rate resulted in an 18% decrease in Ca2+, presumably as a consequence of the binding of calcium ions to anionic sites on plasma protein. Hypocalcaemia accompanying blood transfusion is a transient phenomenon, dependent on the total dose of citrate administered and the rate of infusion. Rational calcium replacement therapy during massive blood transfusion may now be based on direct Ca+ measurement.", "contents": "Hypocalcaemia during rapid blood transfusion in anaesthetized man. In anaesthetized patients, administration of citrated whole blood for 5 min at controlled rates of 50, 100 and 150 ml/70 kg/min resulted in decreases in the calcium ion concentration (Ca2+) of 14, 31 and 41%, respectively. Ca2+ returned rapidly to the control values after termination of the transfusion. Reciprocal changes in serum citrate concentrations occurred, suggesting that the transient hypocalcaemia was a result of redistribution of citrate and hepatic or renal clearance from the vascular space. The total serum calcium concentration did not change significantly during rapid blood administration. Normal saline infusion at 100 ml/70 kg/min caused no change in Ca2+; however, plasma protein administration at this rate resulted in an 18% decrease in Ca2+, presumably as a consequence of the binding of calcium ions to anionic sites on plasma protein. Hypocalcaemia accompanying blood transfusion is a transient phenomenon, dependent on the total dose of citrate administered and the rate of infusion. Rational calcium replacement therapy during massive blood transfusion may now be based on direct Ca+ measurement.", "PMID": 791314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9087", "title": "Increased platelet aggregation responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine in patients taking chlorpromazine.", "content": "1 The aggregation response of platelets induced by 5-HT was greatly increased in psychiatric patients receiving chlorpromazine therapy when compared with normal volunteers and psychiatric patients not receiving chlorpromazine. 2 Platelet aggregation responses to ADP were normal during chlorpromazine therapy, but 5-HT induced aggregation was increased in rate and the typical transient reversible response was converted to an irreversible response in all subjects. This was usually indistinguishable from the ADP response. 3 When chlorpromazine therapy was stopped, plasma concentrations of chlorpromazine, monodesmethylchlorpromazine and chlorpromazine sulphoxide fell rapidly within one week, whereas 5-HT induced platelet aggregation responses became normal after three weeks. The enhanced responses returned when chlorpromazine therapy was re-instituted. 4 It is possible that platelet aggregation responses to 5-HT in vitro could prove to be a useful index of the pharmacological effect of chlorpromazine in vivo.", "contents": "Increased platelet aggregation responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine in patients taking chlorpromazine. 1 The aggregation response of platelets induced by 5-HT was greatly increased in psychiatric patients receiving chlorpromazine therapy when compared with normal volunteers and psychiatric patients not receiving chlorpromazine. 2 Platelet aggregation responses to ADP were normal during chlorpromazine therapy, but 5-HT induced aggregation was increased in rate and the typical transient reversible response was converted to an irreversible response in all subjects. This was usually indistinguishable from the ADP response. 3 When chlorpromazine therapy was stopped, plasma concentrations of chlorpromazine, monodesmethylchlorpromazine and chlorpromazine sulphoxide fell rapidly within one week, whereas 5-HT induced platelet aggregation responses became normal after three weeks. The enhanced responses returned when chlorpromazine therapy was re-instituted. 4 It is possible that platelet aggregation responses to 5-HT in vitro could prove to be a useful index of the pharmacological effect of chlorpromazine in vivo.", "PMID": 791316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9088", "title": "Resuspension of platelets: enhanced 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced aggregation in chlorpromazine treated patients due to changes in platelet properties.", "content": "1 Previous work showed that platelets from patients receiving chlorpromazine (CPZ) have an enhanced aggregation response to 5-HT. This was caused by an action of CPZ on the platelets, a factor borne by the plasma, or both. 2 Therefore we studied 5-HT induced aggregation of platelets from CPZ treated patients resuspended in normal plasma and from normal subjects resuspended in CPZ plasma. 3 Aggregation responses of normal platelets to 5-HT were not enhanced by resuspension either in normal plasma or in CPZ plasma. In addition the enhanced responses of platelets from CPZ treated patients did not revert to normal after resuspension in normal plasma. 4 It is concluded that the enhanced aggregation response to 5-HT seen after CPZ treatment is due to a change in the properties of the platelets rather than a factor in the plasma.", "contents": "Resuspension of platelets: enhanced 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced aggregation in chlorpromazine treated patients due to changes in platelet properties. 1 Previous work showed that platelets from patients receiving chlorpromazine (CPZ) have an enhanced aggregation response to 5-HT. This was caused by an action of CPZ on the platelets, a factor borne by the plasma, or both. 2 Therefore we studied 5-HT induced aggregation of platelets from CPZ treated patients resuspended in normal plasma and from normal subjects resuspended in CPZ plasma. 3 Aggregation responses of normal platelets to 5-HT were not enhanced by resuspension either in normal plasma or in CPZ plasma. In addition the enhanced responses of platelets from CPZ treated patients did not revert to normal after resuspension in normal plasma. 4 It is concluded that the enhanced aggregation response to 5-HT seen after CPZ treatment is due to a change in the properties of the platelets rather than a factor in the plasma.", "PMID": 791317} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9089", "title": "The effect of metoclopramide on the absorption of effervescent aspirin in migraine.", "content": "1 The absorption of effervescent aspirin was studied in two groups of patients during attacks of migraine. The first group received effervescent aspirin alone whilst the second group received intramuscular metoclopramide before effervescent aspirin. 2 After effervescent aspirin alone there was significant impairment in the rate of aspirin absorption during migraine attacks compared with the rate of aspirin absorption in normal volunteers and in the same patients when headache-free. 3 When metoclopramide was given before effervescent aspirin the rate of aspirin absorption during migraine attacks was not significantly different from that obtained in normal volunteers given effervescent aspirin alone or from that obtained in the patients themselves when given both metoclopramide and effervescent aspirin when headache-free. 4 It is concluded that the impairment of absorption of effervescent aspirin during migraine attacks is related to impaired gastro-intestinal motility with delayed gastric emptying and that this impaired motility can be overcome by parenteral metoclopramide.", "contents": "The effect of metoclopramide on the absorption of effervescent aspirin in migraine. 1 The absorption of effervescent aspirin was studied in two groups of patients during attacks of migraine. The first group received effervescent aspirin alone whilst the second group received intramuscular metoclopramide before effervescent aspirin. 2 After effervescent aspirin alone there was significant impairment in the rate of aspirin absorption during migraine attacks compared with the rate of aspirin absorption in normal volunteers and in the same patients when headache-free. 3 When metoclopramide was given before effervescent aspirin the rate of aspirin absorption during migraine attacks was not significantly different from that obtained in normal volunteers given effervescent aspirin alone or from that obtained in the patients themselves when given both metoclopramide and effervescent aspirin when headache-free. 4 It is concluded that the impairment of absorption of effervescent aspirin during migraine attacks is related to impaired gastro-intestinal motility with delayed gastric emptying and that this impaired motility can be overcome by parenteral metoclopramide.", "PMID": 791318} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9090", "title": "Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drugs, hypertension and plasma renin.", "content": "1 Propranolol and pindolol reduced both the blood pressure and plasma renin activity when given chronically to hypertensive patients. 2 There was no correlation between the fall in blood pressure and the fall in plasma renin activity. 3 Neither the basal nor the random plasma renin activity predicted the patients who would respond to beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drugs. 4 Oral propranolol reduced plasma renin activity but did not reduce blood pressure within 4 h of administration; oral pindolol reduced blood pressure but did not reduce plasma renin activity within 4 h of administration. 5 The reduction of blood pressure by propranolol and pindolol does not seem to be mediated by changes in plasma renin in most patients.", "contents": "Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drugs, hypertension and plasma renin. 1 Propranolol and pindolol reduced both the blood pressure and plasma renin activity when given chronically to hypertensive patients. 2 There was no correlation between the fall in blood pressure and the fall in plasma renin activity. 3 Neither the basal nor the random plasma renin activity predicted the patients who would respond to beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drugs. 4 Oral propranolol reduced plasma renin activity but did not reduce blood pressure within 4 h of administration; oral pindolol reduced blood pressure but did not reduce plasma renin activity within 4 h of administration. 5 The reduction of blood pressure by propranolol and pindolol does not seem to be mediated by changes in plasma renin in most patients.", "PMID": 791319} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9091", "title": "Interactions of orphenadrine and phenobarbitone with chlorpromazine: plasma concentrations and effects in man.", "content": "1 Two studies were carried out on acutely psychotic patients receiving chlorpromazine (100 mg) 8-hourly. 2 In the pilot study on five patients, plasma chlorpromazine concentrations fell over the course of 3 weeks of treatment and parallel changes were noted in the plasma half-life of antipyrine, salivation rate and handwriting length. 3 In the main study involving twelve patients treated for 15 weeks, the above findings were confirmed and were interpreted as indicating that chlorpromazine accelerated its own metabolism by inducing liver microsomal oxidising enzymes. No metabolites of chlorpromazine were detected in plasma. 4 The addition of phenobarbitone (50 mg) 8-hourly for 3 weeks, or orphenadrine (100 mg) 8-hourly for 3 weeks, resulted in a lowering of plasma chlorpromazine concentrations together with a further shortening of plasma antipyrine half-life. 5 Physiological effects of the additional treatments suggested that phenobarbitone lessens the effects of chlorpromazine by lowering body concentrations. However, orphenadrine acts more by virtue of its anticholinergic effects. 6 It was concluded that phenobarbitone and orphenadrine should not be prescribed routinely in patients receiving major tranquillisers. The need for the addition of orphenadrine should be assessed in each individual case.", "contents": "Interactions of orphenadrine and phenobarbitone with chlorpromazine: plasma concentrations and effects in man. 1 Two studies were carried out on acutely psychotic patients receiving chlorpromazine (100 mg) 8-hourly. 2 In the pilot study on five patients, plasma chlorpromazine concentrations fell over the course of 3 weeks of treatment and parallel changes were noted in the plasma half-life of antipyrine, salivation rate and handwriting length. 3 In the main study involving twelve patients treated for 15 weeks, the above findings were confirmed and were interpreted as indicating that chlorpromazine accelerated its own metabolism by inducing liver microsomal oxidising enzymes. No metabolites of chlorpromazine were detected in plasma. 4 The addition of phenobarbitone (50 mg) 8-hourly for 3 weeks, or orphenadrine (100 mg) 8-hourly for 3 weeks, resulted in a lowering of plasma chlorpromazine concentrations together with a further shortening of plasma antipyrine half-life. 5 Physiological effects of the additional treatments suggested that phenobarbitone lessens the effects of chlorpromazine by lowering body concentrations. However, orphenadrine acts more by virtue of its anticholinergic effects. 6 It was concluded that phenobarbitone and orphenadrine should not be prescribed routinely in patients receiving major tranquillisers. The need for the addition of orphenadrine should be assessed in each individual case.", "PMID": 791320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9092", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of N-demethyldiazepam in patients suffering from insomnia and treated with nortriptyline.", "content": "1 Hospitalized patients suffering from insomnia were treated with N-demethyldiazepam (30 mg p.o.) for 10 days, while continuing treatment with nortriptyline (75 or 100 mg daily). 2 Clinical evaluation performed by objective rating scales showed a positive therapeutic effect. No correlation was found however between drug plasma levels and clinical efficacy. A high inter-individual variability was observed. 3 In three cases the N-demethyldiazepam disappearance curve showed a biexponential decay, with a slow first component followed by a faster one. 4 Compared with diazepam the tested drug has a longer plasma apparent half-life and a lower relative clearance.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of N-demethyldiazepam in patients suffering from insomnia and treated with nortriptyline. 1 Hospitalized patients suffering from insomnia were treated with N-demethyldiazepam (30 mg p.o.) for 10 days, while continuing treatment with nortriptyline (75 or 100 mg daily). 2 Clinical evaluation performed by objective rating scales showed a positive therapeutic effect. No correlation was found however between drug plasma levels and clinical efficacy. A high inter-individual variability was observed. 3 In three cases the N-demethyldiazepam disappearance curve showed a biexponential decay, with a slow first component followed by a faster one. 4 Compared with diazepam the tested drug has a longer plasma apparent half-life and a lower relative clearance.", "PMID": 791321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9093", "title": "The effect of chloramphenicol and sulphaphenazole on the biotransformation of cyclophosphamide in man.", "content": "1 The metabolism of cyclophosphamide was investigated before and following treatment with chloramphenicol (five subject) and sulphaphenazole (seven subjects). 2 The biotransformation of cyclophosphamide was retarded after chloramphenicol treatment as indicated by prolongation in the mean serum half-life from 7.5 h to 11.5 h combined with decreased peak activity and integrated concentrations of metabolites. 3 In the sulphaphenazole treated subjects the rate of biotransformation of cyclophosphamide was significantly inhibited in two, unaltered in three and enhanced in two. The inconsistency of the results is discussed.", "contents": "The effect of chloramphenicol and sulphaphenazole on the biotransformation of cyclophosphamide in man. 1 The metabolism of cyclophosphamide was investigated before and following treatment with chloramphenicol (five subject) and sulphaphenazole (seven subjects). 2 The biotransformation of cyclophosphamide was retarded after chloramphenicol treatment as indicated by prolongation in the mean serum half-life from 7.5 h to 11.5 h combined with decreased peak activity and integrated concentrations of metabolites. 3 In the sulphaphenazole treated subjects the rate of biotransformation of cyclophosphamide was significantly inhibited in two, unaltered in three and enhanced in two. The inconsistency of the results is discussed.", "PMID": 791322} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9094", "title": "Assessment of drugs in schizophrenia. Diagnosis and patient selection.", "content": "It would seem that some set of operational definitions are required for the spectrum of psychotic patients often embraced by the rubric schizophrenia. The problems of acute (first-admission) and chronic patients have been described. At the present time 'relapse re-admissions' would seem to constitute the best population for drug evaluations. The importance of factors such as age, sex, ethnics, geography and length of history has been emphasized. Finally the importance of carefully excluding patients who would be at risk from pre-existing disease or hypersensitivity has been emphasized.", "contents": "Assessment of drugs in schizophrenia. Diagnosis and patient selection. It would seem that some set of operational definitions are required for the spectrum of psychotic patients often embraced by the rubric schizophrenia. The problems of acute (first-admission) and chronic patients have been described. At the present time 'relapse re-admissions' would seem to constitute the best population for drug evaluations. The importance of factors such as age, sex, ethnics, geography and length of history has been emphasized. Finally the importance of carefully excluding patients who would be at risk from pre-existing disease or hypersensitivity has been emphasized.", "PMID": 791323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9095", "title": "Haemodynamic effects of long-term oral labetalol.", "content": "1 The haemodynamic effects of labetalol have been studied in 11 hypertensive patients after 1 month of oral administration at a fixed dose of 800 mg/d. 2 Heart rate blood pressure and cardiac output were measured at rest and at two levels of exercise. 3 Labetalol significantly reduced heart rate and blood pressure at rest and after exercise but cardiac output remained unchanged. 4 The results suggest that labetalol is an effective anti-hypertensive agent acting by competitive adrenoreceptor blockade.", "contents": "Haemodynamic effects of long-term oral labetalol. 1 The haemodynamic effects of labetalol have been studied in 11 hypertensive patients after 1 month of oral administration at a fixed dose of 800 mg/d. 2 Heart rate blood pressure and cardiac output were measured at rest and at two levels of exercise. 3 Labetalol significantly reduced heart rate and blood pressure at rest and after exercise but cardiac output remained unchanged. 4 The results suggest that labetalol is an effective anti-hypertensive agent acting by competitive adrenoreceptor blockade.", "PMID": 791328} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9096", "title": "Double-blind trial of labetalol.", "content": "1 A new anti-hypertensive agent (labetalol) with alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptor-blocking properties has been assessed in 30 patients in a general practice. 2 Significant reduction in blood pressure and pulse rate occurred at a dose of 400 mg/d. A further significant reduction in blood pressure but not of pulse rate occurred at a dose of 800 mg/d. 3 After 4 weeks' treatment on the higher dose the mean fall in systolic and diastolic pressures compared with the pre-trial pressures was 36 and 24 mmHg, respectively. Side-effects were generally mild.", "contents": "Double-blind trial of labetalol. 1 A new anti-hypertensive agent (labetalol) with alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptor-blocking properties has been assessed in 30 patients in a general practice. 2 Significant reduction in blood pressure and pulse rate occurred at a dose of 400 mg/d. A further significant reduction in blood pressure but not of pulse rate occurred at a dose of 800 mg/d. 3 After 4 weeks' treatment on the higher dose the mean fall in systolic and diastolic pressures compared with the pre-trial pressures was 36 and 24 mmHg, respectively. Side-effects were generally mild.", "PMID": 791329} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9097", "title": "Experience with labetalol in hypertension.", "content": "1 The effect of labetalol has been assessed in an open clinical trial in 19 patients with sub-optimal control of blood pressure on other therapy, and in a placebo-controlled cross-over study. Most patients were taking a diuretic before the trial and they continued to do so during the trial. 2 In the open trial, labetalol successfully lowered blood pressure in most of the patients. Average daily dose was about 600 mg. The placebo-controlled trial confrimed the anti-hypertensive effect. 3 A clear postural hypotensive effect was seen. A few patients noted postural faintness as a side-effect, especially in a hot environment; but it was not troublesome. 4 There were few other side-effects. One patient experienced an increase in serum glumatic--oxalic transaminase (SGOT) and another an increasing anti-nuclear factor titre, but it is not yet certain that these were due to labetalol.", "contents": "Experience with labetalol in hypertension. 1 The effect of labetalol has been assessed in an open clinical trial in 19 patients with sub-optimal control of blood pressure on other therapy, and in a placebo-controlled cross-over study. Most patients were taking a diuretic before the trial and they continued to do so during the trial. 2 In the open trial, labetalol successfully lowered blood pressure in most of the patients. Average daily dose was about 600 mg. The placebo-controlled trial confrimed the anti-hypertensive effect. 3 A clear postural hypotensive effect was seen. A few patients noted postural faintness as a side-effect, especially in a hot environment; but it was not troublesome. 4 There were few other side-effects. One patient experienced an increase in serum glumatic--oxalic transaminase (SGOT) and another an increasing anti-nuclear factor titre, but it is not yet certain that these were due to labetalol.", "PMID": 791330} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9098", "title": "Controlled comparison of labetalol and propranolol in the management of severe hypertension.", "content": "1 Labetalol, a new hypotensive drug combining alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist properties, has been compared with propranolol in the treatment of severe hypertension (blood pressure 190/115-249/139 mmHg) in a double-blind trial lasting 14 weeks. Additional diuretic therapy was given to both groups of patients. 2 Both drugs caused an effective reduction in blood pressure, bbut labetalol caused a greater fall in pressure in the standing position and after exercise. Two groups of nine patients have each completed the trial so far. Group average pressures for the last 3 weeks of treatment were: for labetalol 137/87 supine, 121/84 standing, and 117/78 mmHg after exercise; and for propranolol, 138/87 supine, 132/93 standing, and 133/94 mmHg after exercise. 3 Group average heart rates were lower in all three positions for those patients treated with propranolol compared with labetalol. 4 The average final dose ratio for labetalol: propranolol was 1.44:1 (w/w). 5 Labetalol initially induced a number of side-effects, predominantly related to alpha-adrenoreceptor blockade, which disappeared by the end of the trial. 6 Labetalol, in conjunction with diuretic therapy, was at least as effective as propranolol in lowering blood pressure in patients with severe hypertension.", "contents": "Controlled comparison of labetalol and propranolol in the management of severe hypertension. 1 Labetalol, a new hypotensive drug combining alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist properties, has been compared with propranolol in the treatment of severe hypertension (blood pressure 190/115-249/139 mmHg) in a double-blind trial lasting 14 weeks. Additional diuretic therapy was given to both groups of patients. 2 Both drugs caused an effective reduction in blood pressure, bbut labetalol caused a greater fall in pressure in the standing position and after exercise. Two groups of nine patients have each completed the trial so far. Group average pressures for the last 3 weeks of treatment were: for labetalol 137/87 supine, 121/84 standing, and 117/78 mmHg after exercise; and for propranolol, 138/87 supine, 132/93 standing, and 133/94 mmHg after exercise. 3 Group average heart rates were lower in all three positions for those patients treated with propranolol compared with labetalol. 4 The average final dose ratio for labetalol: propranolol was 1.44:1 (w/w). 5 Labetalol initially induced a number of side-effects, predominantly related to alpha-adrenoreceptor blockade, which disappeared by the end of the trial. 6 Labetalol, in conjunction with diuretic therapy, was at least as effective as propranolol in lowering blood pressure in patients with severe hypertension.", "PMID": 791331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9099", "title": "Comparative anti-hypertensive effects of labetalol and the combination of oxprenolol and phentolamine.", "content": "1 The interaction of phentolamine with the beta-adrenoreceptor-blocking drug, oxprenolol, was studied in a controlled trial. 2 The combination was generally well tolerated. 3 Oxprenolol alone produced modest but significant reductions in supine, standing and post-exercise blood pressures. Small reductions were observed only with sustained phentolamine administration. 4 The combined effect of the two drugs seemed to be addictive only at the lower level of oxyprenolol dosage. 5 Labetalol produced significantly greater reductions in supine and standing blood pressure than combined oxprenolol-phentolamine. At a daily dose of 400 mg, postural hypotension was not observed, although transient symptoms were frequent.", "contents": "Comparative anti-hypertensive effects of labetalol and the combination of oxprenolol and phentolamine. 1 The interaction of phentolamine with the beta-adrenoreceptor-blocking drug, oxprenolol, was studied in a controlled trial. 2 The combination was generally well tolerated. 3 Oxprenolol alone produced modest but significant reductions in supine, standing and post-exercise blood pressures. Small reductions were observed only with sustained phentolamine administration. 4 The combined effect of the two drugs seemed to be addictive only at the lower level of oxyprenolol dosage. 5 Labetalol produced significantly greater reductions in supine and standing blood pressure than combined oxprenolol-phentolamine. At a daily dose of 400 mg, postural hypotension was not observed, although transient symptoms were frequent.", "PMID": 791332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9100", "title": "Lung distensibility. The static pressure-volume curve of the lungs and its use in clinical assessment.", "content": "The main points of interest in the static expiratory PV curve are the changes in TLC (and to a lesser extent in RV), Pst(L) at standard volumes and particularly at TLC,and compliance (delta V/delta P) particularly close to FRC. More subtle changes in curvature may be present but have not as yet achieved any clinical or diagnostic significance. Although any presentation short of the whole PV curve inevitably conceals information a useful summary of the major changes can be obtained by considering only three points--the changes in TLC, Pst(L)max and compliance close to FRC (Fig. 22). In conditions associated with an increased TLC, four distinct patterns of change in the PV curve have been recognized resulting in different combinations of changes in Pst(L)max and compliance at FRC (Fig. 22, a, b, c, d). There are two main patterns of PV curve in restrictive lung disorders--one due to stiffening of the lung (Fig. 22, g, i, j) and the second due to extrapulmonary factors which prevent a normal distending pressure being applied to the pleural surface of the lung (Fig. 22, h). In practice it appears that lack of distending pressure leads to a secondary reduction in lung compliance. Nevertheless differences in Pst(L)max remain. The general patterns of abnormality may be summarized as follows: 1. Increases in TLC are almost always associated with a normal or increased compliance but Pst(L)max may be increased, normal or decreased. 2. Decreases in TLC are almost always associated with a decreased compliance but again Pst(L)max may be increased, normal or decreased. 3. When TLC is normal, it is theoretically possible that the whole PV curve may be displaced on the pressure axis and compliance may be altered (as in ageing) but such changes have not been identified in clinical practice.", "contents": "Lung distensibility. The static pressure-volume curve of the lungs and its use in clinical assessment. The main points of interest in the static expiratory PV curve are the changes in TLC (and to a lesser extent in RV), Pst(L) at standard volumes and particularly at TLC,and compliance (delta V/delta P) particularly close to FRC. More subtle changes in curvature may be present but have not as yet achieved any clinical or diagnostic significance. Although any presentation short of the whole PV curve inevitably conceals information a useful summary of the major changes can be obtained by considering only three points--the changes in TLC, Pst(L)max and compliance close to FRC (Fig. 22). In conditions associated with an increased TLC, four distinct patterns of change in the PV curve have been recognized resulting in different combinations of changes in Pst(L)max and compliance at FRC (Fig. 22, a, b, c, d). There are two main patterns of PV curve in restrictive lung disorders--one due to stiffening of the lung (Fig. 22, g, i, j) and the second due to extrapulmonary factors which prevent a normal distending pressure being applied to the pleural surface of the lung (Fig. 22, h). In practice it appears that lack of distending pressure leads to a secondary reduction in lung compliance. Nevertheless differences in Pst(L)max remain. The general patterns of abnormality may be summarized as follows: 1. Increases in TLC are almost always associated with a normal or increased compliance but Pst(L)max may be increased, normal or decreased. 2. Decreases in TLC are almost always associated with a decreased compliance but again Pst(L)max may be increased, normal or decreased. 3. When TLC is normal, it is theoretically possible that the whole PV curve may be displaced on the pressure axis and compliance may be altered (as in ageing) but such changes have not been identified in clinical practice.", "PMID": 791334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9101", "title": "Effect of blood pressure angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations during treatment of severe hypertension with intravenous labetalol: comparison with propranolol.", "content": "1 The actions of labetalol 1.0-2.0 mg/kg intravenously on blood pressure, heart rate, plasma angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations have been studied in 20 recumbent hypertensive patients. 2 In all subjects there was a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures within 5 min of completion of injection. 3 Severe hypotension was not seen but three patients who had a marked fall in blood pressure experienced side-effects. Postural hypotension was common at the end of the study. 4 Labetalol caused significant reduction in heart rate. 5 Labetalol induced significant lowering of plasma angiotensin II and in plasma aldosterone concentrations, which were most obvious when these were increased initially; overall there was a close correlation between concurrent measurements of angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations. 6 In five patients a comparison was made against propranolol 10 mg intravenously. Labetalol was more effective in lowering blood pressure but less effective in reducing pulse rate of plasma angiotensin II concentration.", "contents": "Effect of blood pressure angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations during treatment of severe hypertension with intravenous labetalol: comparison with propranolol. 1 The actions of labetalol 1.0-2.0 mg/kg intravenously on blood pressure, heart rate, plasma angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations have been studied in 20 recumbent hypertensive patients. 2 In all subjects there was a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures within 5 min of completion of injection. 3 Severe hypotension was not seen but three patients who had a marked fall in blood pressure experienced side-effects. Postural hypotension was common at the end of the study. 4 Labetalol caused significant reduction in heart rate. 5 Labetalol induced significant lowering of plasma angiotensin II and in plasma aldosterone concentrations, which were most obvious when these were increased initially; overall there was a close correlation between concurrent measurements of angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations. 6 In five patients a comparison was made against propranolol 10 mg intravenously. Labetalol was more effective in lowering blood pressure but less effective in reducing pulse rate of plasma angiotensin II concentration.", "PMID": 791333} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9102", "title": "Lymphokines (MIF) in the serum of patients with sarcoidosis and cutaneous granuloma annulare.", "content": "Serum MIF activity was studied in ten patients with sarcoidosis, fourteen with granuloma annulare, four with necrobiosis lipoidica, and nine with various dermatological diseases. Positive MIF activity was found in the sera of nine of the ten patients with sarcoidosis and eleven of the fourteen patients with granuloma annulare. The delayed hypersensitivity tests were negative in all nine of the patients with sarcoidosis who had serum MIF activity and were positive in only three patients with cutaneous sarcoid lesions. One of four patients with necrobiosis lipoidica demonstrated minimal serum MIF activity. Data on serum lymphokine activity in sarcoidosis and granuloma annulare suggest that these two diseases are related to delayed hypersensitivity mechanisms.", "contents": "Lymphokines (MIF) in the serum of patients with sarcoidosis and cutaneous granuloma annulare. Serum MIF activity was studied in ten patients with sarcoidosis, fourteen with granuloma annulare, four with necrobiosis lipoidica, and nine with various dermatological diseases. Positive MIF activity was found in the sera of nine of the ten patients with sarcoidosis and eleven of the fourteen patients with granuloma annulare. The delayed hypersensitivity tests were negative in all nine of the patients with sarcoidosis who had serum MIF activity and were positive in only three patients with cutaneous sarcoid lesions. One of four patients with necrobiosis lipoidica demonstrated minimal serum MIF activity. Data on serum lymphokine activity in sarcoidosis and granuloma annulare suggest that these two diseases are related to delayed hypersensitivity mechanisms.", "PMID": 791335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9103", "title": "Granuloma annulare: direct immunofluorescence study.", "content": "Direct immunofluorescence studies were carried out in eleven specimens of granuloma annulare. The results (in all cases) indicate the presence of focal deposition of fibrin, localized primarily in the intervascular portion of the dermis, corresponding to the granulomatous and necrobiotic areas. These findings implicate the cellular mechanism of delayed hypersensitivity with focal involvement of the clotting system in the development of granuloma annulare lesion.", "contents": "Granuloma annulare: direct immunofluorescence study. Direct immunofluorescence studies were carried out in eleven specimens of granuloma annulare. The results (in all cases) indicate the presence of focal deposition of fibrin, localized primarily in the intervascular portion of the dermis, corresponding to the granulomatous and necrobiotic areas. These findings implicate the cellular mechanism of delayed hypersensitivity with focal involvement of the clotting system in the development of granuloma annulare lesion.", "PMID": 791336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9104", "title": "Localized pemphigoid.", "content": "Of 144 patients with bullous or cicatricial pemphigoid, nine with localized pemphigoid were seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1968 and 1975. In two patients the disease had become generalized before presentation, and in one it had evolved into bullous pemphigoid, the only case with positive indirect immunofluorescence. One additional patient showed mucosal lesions. Direct immunofluorescence was performed in five patients and showed linear deposition of C3 and fibrin but not immunoglobulins in three; in two patients immunofluorescence was negative. Localized pemphigoid can be divided into two types: that with scarring plaque-like lesions usually occurring on the head and neck predominantly in males, and that with localized bullous lesions usually occurring on the lower part of the legs of females.", "contents": "Localized pemphigoid. Of 144 patients with bullous or cicatricial pemphigoid, nine with localized pemphigoid were seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1968 and 1975. In two patients the disease had become generalized before presentation, and in one it had evolved into bullous pemphigoid, the only case with positive indirect immunofluorescence. One additional patient showed mucosal lesions. Direct immunofluorescence was performed in five patients and showed linear deposition of C3 and fibrin but not immunoglobulins in three; in two patients immunofluorescence was negative. Localized pemphigoid can be divided into two types: that with scarring plaque-like lesions usually occurring on the head and neck predominantly in males, and that with localized bullous lesions usually occurring on the lower part of the legs of females.", "PMID": 791337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9105", "title": "Bullous pemphigoid and psoriasis: does subclinical bullous pemphigoid exist?", "content": "Four cases are presented in which probable bullous pemphigoid and probable psoriasis co-existed. One case represents a simple coincidence of the two diseases. In the other three cases, the bullous lesions were transient and seemed to be induced by elements of the Goeckerman regimen. The hypothesis is presented that these three cases represent a subclinical form of bullous pemphigoid induced by the irritant effects of coal tar, ultraviolet light, the reduced barrier function of a pre-existing dermatosis, or a combination of these factors.", "contents": "Bullous pemphigoid and psoriasis: does subclinical bullous pemphigoid exist? Four cases are presented in which probable bullous pemphigoid and probable psoriasis co-existed. One case represents a simple coincidence of the two diseases. In the other three cases, the bullous lesions were transient and seemed to be induced by elements of the Goeckerman regimen. The hypothesis is presented that these three cases represent a subclinical form of bullous pemphigoid induced by the irritant effects of coal tar, ultraviolet light, the reduced barrier function of a pre-existing dermatosis, or a combination of these factors.", "PMID": 791338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9106", "title": "Bullous dermatosis of chronic renal failure.", "content": "Four of five patients with chronic renal failure developed tense bullae on the backs of their hands and fingers. In one of these patients the bullae were more widespread. In the fifth patient the lesions were limited to the fingers. The clinical picture resembled that of porphyria cutanea tarda, but porphyrin studies were consistently within normal limits. Histological studies showed subepidermal pressure bullae in each patient. In one of the patients immunohistology showed greenish fluorescence at the bases of the dermal papillae.", "contents": "Bullous dermatosis of chronic renal failure. Four of five patients with chronic renal failure developed tense bullae on the backs of their hands and fingers. In one of these patients the bullae were more widespread. In the fifth patient the lesions were limited to the fingers. The clinical picture resembled that of porphyria cutanea tarda, but porphyrin studies were consistently within normal limits. Histological studies showed subepidermal pressure bullae in each patient. In one of the patients immunohistology showed greenish fluorescence at the bases of the dermal papillae.", "PMID": 791339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9107", "title": "Identification of human mononuclear cells by anti-monocyte serum.", "content": "An antiserum to human leukaemic monocytes was raised in rabbits. Adsorption with human thymocytes and chronic lymphatic leukaemia cells rendered the antiserum specific for cells of the human myeloid and monocytic cell series. Additional adsorption with granulocytes left a weak, but specific, activity for monocytes. The cells in normal peripheral blood with which the antiserum reacts by an immunoperoxidase technique have typical monocyte morphology. Cells with typical lymphocyte morphology do not react with the antiserum, but a few cells with intermediate morphology were also stained by the antiserum. Using the antiserum as a marker, the precursor cells of the monocytic and myeloid cell series were traced in the bone marrow.", "contents": "Identification of human mononuclear cells by anti-monocyte serum. An antiserum to human leukaemic monocytes was raised in rabbits. Adsorption with human thymocytes and chronic lymphatic leukaemia cells rendered the antiserum specific for cells of the human myeloid and monocytic cell series. Additional adsorption with granulocytes left a weak, but specific, activity for monocytes. The cells in normal peripheral blood with which the antiserum reacts by an immunoperoxidase technique have typical monocyte morphology. Cells with typical lymphocyte morphology do not react with the antiserum, but a few cells with intermediate morphology were also stained by the antiserum. Using the antiserum as a marker, the precursor cells of the monocytic and myeloid cell series were traced in the bone marrow.", "PMID": 791342} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9108", "title": "Indium chloride scintigraphy: an index of severity in patients with aplastic anaemia.", "content": "[111In]Indium chloride scans of the bone marrow were performed in 22 patients with idiopathic aplastic anaemia before therapeutic intervention. In 20 patients there was a marked reduction in the uptake of indium chloride by the marrow, and in two patients the uptake of indium chloride was normal. Nineteen of the 20 patients with reduced marrow uptake of indium chloride, who underwent bone marrow transplantation, died or failed to improve. One of the two patients with normal scans improved and the other has remained stable. Four patients studied both pre and post successful bone marrow transplantation had minimal marrow uptake before transplantation and normal scans after transplantation. Failure of indium-111 choride marrow uptake correlates with poor prognosis in idiopathic aplastic anaemia.", "contents": "Indium chloride scintigraphy: an index of severity in patients with aplastic anaemia. [111In]Indium chloride scans of the bone marrow were performed in 22 patients with idiopathic aplastic anaemia before therapeutic intervention. In 20 patients there was a marked reduction in the uptake of indium chloride by the marrow, and in two patients the uptake of indium chloride was normal. Nineteen of the 20 patients with reduced marrow uptake of indium chloride, who underwent bone marrow transplantation, died or failed to improve. One of the two patients with normal scans improved and the other has remained stable. Four patients studied both pre and post successful bone marrow transplantation had minimal marrow uptake before transplantation and normal scans after transplantation. Failure of indium-111 choride marrow uptake correlates with poor prognosis in idiopathic aplastic anaemia.", "PMID": 791343} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9109", "title": "The heterogeneity of erythrocyte antigen distribution in human normal phenotypes: an immunoelectron microscopy study.", "content": "A and A1 antigen were detected on human blood erythrocytes by immunoelectron microscopy using peroxidase-conjugated antibodies. Cells were obtained from various normal A subgroups, including rare weak A phenotypes and infant (cord blood) samples. Erythrocytes were fixed prior to incubation with specific reagents. The detection of surface antigens was carried out by an indirect method involving anti-A and anti-A1 antibodies and conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibodies. The surface labelling was seen as a diffuse dense layer. Haemperoxidase-like activity resulted in a faint background which did not interfere at the level of ultrathin sections, with surface staining due to exogeneous peroxidase. The most significant finding was the existence, in a given sample, of several populations of cells as revealed by their antibody-binding capacity. The distribution of the various populations varied from one sample to another according to its subgroup. The progressive weakening of phenotype expression which characterizes the various subgroups from A1 to A weak was paralleled by a decreasing number of \"antigen rich\" cells, which were still detectable in weak phenotypes as a minor population. This study confirms that a given normal phenotype in fact represents a mixture of antigenically different populations of erythrocytes.", "contents": "The heterogeneity of erythrocyte antigen distribution in human normal phenotypes: an immunoelectron microscopy study. A and A1 antigen were detected on human blood erythrocytes by immunoelectron microscopy using peroxidase-conjugated antibodies. Cells were obtained from various normal A subgroups, including rare weak A phenotypes and infant (cord blood) samples. Erythrocytes were fixed prior to incubation with specific reagents. The detection of surface antigens was carried out by an indirect method involving anti-A and anti-A1 antibodies and conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibodies. The surface labelling was seen as a diffuse dense layer. Haemperoxidase-like activity resulted in a faint background which did not interfere at the level of ultrathin sections, with surface staining due to exogeneous peroxidase. The most significant finding was the existence, in a given sample, of several populations of cells as revealed by their antibody-binding capacity. The distribution of the various populations varied from one sample to another according to its subgroup. The progressive weakening of phenotype expression which characterizes the various subgroups from A1 to A weak was paralleled by a decreasing number of \"antigen rich\" cells, which were still detectable in weak phenotypes as a minor population. This study confirms that a given normal phenotype in fact represents a mixture of antigenically different populations of erythrocytes.", "PMID": 791344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9110", "title": "Differential expression of cell surface binding sites for cholera toxin in acute and chronic leukaemias.", "content": "Binding of purified cholera toxin to cell surface receptors has been visualized by an indirect immunofluorescence procedure. Normal nucleated cells from blood, bone marrow and lymphoid tissues, express these receptors with the possible exception of erythroid precursors. Cells from patients with chronic lymphoid or myeloid leukaemias have a normal receptor expression but acute leukaemic cells showed a marked deficiency in cholera toxin binding. Insertion of purified Gm ganglioside into membranes of acute leukaemic cells provided cellular binding sites for the toxin.", "contents": "Differential expression of cell surface binding sites for cholera toxin in acute and chronic leukaemias. Binding of purified cholera toxin to cell surface receptors has been visualized by an indirect immunofluorescence procedure. Normal nucleated cells from blood, bone marrow and lymphoid tissues, express these receptors with the possible exception of erythroid precursors. Cells from patients with chronic lymphoid or myeloid leukaemias have a normal receptor expression but acute leukaemic cells showed a marked deficiency in cholera toxin binding. Insertion of purified Gm ganglioside into membranes of acute leukaemic cells provided cellular binding sites for the toxin.", "PMID": 791345} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9111", "title": "The effect of oral contraceptives on plasma cortisol and cortisol binding capacity throughout the menstrual cycle in normal women.", "content": "Plasma cortisol and cortisol binding capacity (CBC) was measured throughout the menstrual cycle in 25 healthy women aged between 20 and 35 years. Ten women were taking an oral contraceptive containing 50 mug oestrogen and progestogen (\"combined pill\"), one patient took a progestogen-only contraceptive and 14 served as controls. Despite the low oestrogen content of the combined pill the level of plasma cortison and CBC were signifcantly higher than in controls at all stages of the cycle, and the cortisol/CBC ratio greater than unity during most of it. Levels in the women taking a progestogen-only contraceptive were indistinguishable from controls. The plasma cortisol and CBC levels were significantly higher in the last week of the cycle than in the first in the combined pill group, but there was no significant variation in the controls.", "contents": "The effect of oral contraceptives on plasma cortisol and cortisol binding capacity throughout the menstrual cycle in normal women. Plasma cortisol and cortisol binding capacity (CBC) was measured throughout the menstrual cycle in 25 healthy women aged between 20 and 35 years. Ten women were taking an oral contraceptive containing 50 mug oestrogen and progestogen (\"combined pill\"), one patient took a progestogen-only contraceptive and 14 served as controls. Despite the low oestrogen content of the combined pill the level of plasma cortison and CBC were signifcantly higher than in controls at all stages of the cycle, and the cortisol/CBC ratio greater than unity during most of it. Levels in the women taking a progestogen-only contraceptive were indistinguishable from controls. The plasma cortisol and CBC levels were significantly higher in the last week of the cycle than in the first in the combined pill group, but there was no significant variation in the controls.", "PMID": 791349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9112", "title": "Infertility and bilharziasis of the female genital tract.", "content": "In a prospective study, 138 African patients with infertility and 42 patients with incomplete abortion were examined for evidence of bilharziasis. There appeared to be a significant association between primary infertility and bilharziasis due to Schistosoma haematobium.", "contents": "Infertility and bilharziasis of the female genital tract. In a prospective study, 138 African patients with infertility and 42 patients with incomplete abortion were examined for evidence of bilharziasis. There appeared to be a significant association between primary infertility and bilharziasis due to Schistosoma haematobium.", "PMID": 791350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9113", "title": "The effects of the fenoterol hydrobromide (Partusisten) aerosol on uterine activity and the cardiovascular system.", "content": "Fenoterol hydrobromide (Partusisten) aerosol was used in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, double crossover trial to study its effects on oxytocin-induced uterine contractions and the maternal cardiovascular system. The active and placebo aerosols were each administered a total of ten times or twice each in five patients who were in established oxytocin-induced labour with intact membranes. Five puffs, of 200 mug each, of the active aerosol reduced uterine activity by more than half; the effect on the cardiovascular system was to cause a mild tachycardia and to widen the pulse pressure.", "contents": "The effects of the fenoterol hydrobromide (Partusisten) aerosol on uterine activity and the cardiovascular system. Fenoterol hydrobromide (Partusisten) aerosol was used in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, double crossover trial to study its effects on oxytocin-induced uterine contractions and the maternal cardiovascular system. The active and placebo aerosols were each administered a total of ten times or twice each in five patients who were in established oxytocin-induced labour with intact membranes. Five puffs, of 200 mug each, of the active aerosol reduced uterine activity by more than half; the effect on the cardiovascular system was to cause a mild tachycardia and to widen the pulse pressure.", "PMID": 791351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9114", "title": "Location of the protein hormones of the placenta by the immunoperoxidase technique.", "content": "An attempt has been made to locate human placental lactogen (HPL) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in cells within the human term placenta. Using immunoperoxidase techniques on frozen sections of tissue, no difference could be found between specific antisera and control sera. A theory is put forward that it may not be possible to visualize these hormones in the placenta using present immunoperoxidase techniques.", "contents": "Location of the protein hormones of the placenta by the immunoperoxidase technique. An attempt has been made to locate human placental lactogen (HPL) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in cells within the human term placenta. Using immunoperoxidase techniques on frozen sections of tissue, no difference could be found between specific antisera and control sera. A theory is put forward that it may not be possible to visualize these hormones in the placenta using present immunoperoxidase techniques.", "PMID": 791352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9115", "title": "The colposuspension operation for urinary incontinence.", "content": "Forty-two patients with urinary incontinence and related symptoms were treated by colposuspension. Two patients were lost to follow-up and the results of surgery in the remaining 40 patients are presented and discussed. The place of vaginal surgery in women with urinary symptoms is also discussed.", "contents": "The colposuspension operation for urinary incontinence. Forty-two patients with urinary incontinence and related symptoms were treated by colposuspension. Two patients were lost to follow-up and the results of surgery in the remaining 40 patients are presented and discussed. The place of vaginal surgery in women with urinary symptoms is also discussed.", "PMID": 791353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9116", "title": "Mycotic keratitis in Nigeria. A study of 21 cases.", "content": "A clinical and mycological study of 21 cases of mycotic keratitis, a clinical entity not yet reported from Nigeria or West Africa, showed that Fusarium solani was the predominant aetiological agent. It was isolated from 12 cases. Four of the remaining nine cases were caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, one by A. flavus, two by Penicillium citrinum, and one each by P. expansum and Penicillium sp. All the 12 isolates of F. solani grew well at 37 degrees C and survived at 40 degrees C. Two cases, one due to F. solani and the other to A. fumigatus, were accompanied by panophthalmitis.", "contents": "Mycotic keratitis in Nigeria. A study of 21 cases. A clinical and mycological study of 21 cases of mycotic keratitis, a clinical entity not yet reported from Nigeria or West Africa, showed that Fusarium solani was the predominant aetiological agent. It was isolated from 12 cases. Four of the remaining nine cases were caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, one by A. flavus, two by Penicillium citrinum, and one each by P. expansum and Penicillium sp. All the 12 isolates of F. solani grew well at 37 degrees C and survived at 40 degrees C. Two cases, one due to F. solani and the other to A. fumigatus, were accompanied by panophthalmitis.", "PMID": 791355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9117", "title": "Keratometric changes after cataract extraction.", "content": "One hundred cases of uncomplicated cataract with clear corneae had cataract extraction and were examined at 20 days and six weeks after operation. Keratometry was done preoperatively and keratometry and retinoscopy at each of the follow-up visits. The study was undertaken to evaluate the type (whether pre- or postplaced) and the number of sutures (one, three, or five) that produce the least postoperative astigmatism. We found that the type of suture was immaterial but that three sutures produced the least astigmatism.", "contents": "Keratometric changes after cataract extraction. One hundred cases of uncomplicated cataract with clear corneae had cataract extraction and were examined at 20 days and six weeks after operation. Keratometry was done preoperatively and keratometry and retinoscopy at each of the follow-up visits. The study was undertaken to evaluate the type (whether pre- or postplaced) and the number of sutures (one, three, or five) that produce the least postoperative astigmatism. We found that the type of suture was immaterial but that three sutures produced the least astigmatism.", "PMID": 791356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9118", "title": "Cryptopleurine--an inhibitor of translocation.", "content": "Ribosomes from a cryptopleurine-resistant mutant of yeast were analyzed to determine the subunit localization of the resistance alteration. As was previously reported (Grant, P., Sanchez, L., and Jiminez, A. (1974), J. Bacteriol. 120, 1308), in vitro resistance of polyphenylalanine synthesis to cryptopleurine was conferred by 40S subunits from the mutant. Binding studies with sensitive ribosomes were carried out in order to identify the subunit binding site for cryptopleurine. Over the range of concentrations which inhibited polyphenylalanine synthesis, binding was proportional to concentration, so that a unique binding site could not be detected. Furthermore, binding to isolated subunits was about fourfold greater than to 80S ribosomes, suggesting that non-specific binding was sensitive to the condition of the particles. Model systems were developed in order to determine which step of the elongation cycle was inhibited by cryptopleurine. Elongation factor 1 dependent binding of Phe-tRNA to ribosomes was not inhibited by cryptopleurine concentrations, which inhibited polyphenylalanine synthesis. The initial rate of N-acetylphenylalanylpuromycin formation was inhibited when 10(-5) M cryptopleurine was added prior to translocation, but not when added after. Little inhibition was observed in either case when mutant ribosomes were used. These results suggest that cryptopleurine primarily inhibited translocation.", "contents": "Cryptopleurine--an inhibitor of translocation. Ribosomes from a cryptopleurine-resistant mutant of yeast were analyzed to determine the subunit localization of the resistance alteration. As was previously reported (Grant, P., Sanchez, L., and Jiminez, A. (1974), J. Bacteriol. 120, 1308), in vitro resistance of polyphenylalanine synthesis to cryptopleurine was conferred by 40S subunits from the mutant. Binding studies with sensitive ribosomes were carried out in order to identify the subunit binding site for cryptopleurine. Over the range of concentrations which inhibited polyphenylalanine synthesis, binding was proportional to concentration, so that a unique binding site could not be detected. Furthermore, binding to isolated subunits was about fourfold greater than to 80S ribosomes, suggesting that non-specific binding was sensitive to the condition of the particles. Model systems were developed in order to determine which step of the elongation cycle was inhibited by cryptopleurine. Elongation factor 1 dependent binding of Phe-tRNA to ribosomes was not inhibited by cryptopleurine concentrations, which inhibited polyphenylalanine synthesis. The initial rate of N-acetylphenylalanylpuromycin formation was inhibited when 10(-5) M cryptopleurine was added prior to translocation, but not when added after. Little inhibition was observed in either case when mutant ribosomes were used. These results suggest that cryptopleurine primarily inhibited translocation.", "PMID": 791357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9119", "title": "A cycloheximide sensitivity factor from yeast required for N-acetylphenylalanylpuromycin formation.", "content": "A protein (factor P) has been isolated from yeast, which was required for sensitivity to cycloheximide of a partially purified polyphenylalanine synthesis system. In the absence of factor P, 10(-3) M cycloheximide was required for 50% inhibition of polyphenylalanine synthesis, while in its presence, 10(-6) M gave 50% inhibition. Coincident with cycloheximide sensitivity was an activity required for EF-2 dependent N-acetylphenylalanylpuromycin (N-AcPhePuro) formation. Transfer of N-AcPhe to puromycin from the tRNA bound in the presence of 26 mM MgCl2 required factor P, as well as EF-2. Studies with antibody against EF-2 demonstrated that P factor was not required during the EF-2 translocation step but for some subsequent step.", "contents": "A cycloheximide sensitivity factor from yeast required for N-acetylphenylalanylpuromycin formation. A protein (factor P) has been isolated from yeast, which was required for sensitivity to cycloheximide of a partially purified polyphenylalanine synthesis system. In the absence of factor P, 10(-3) M cycloheximide was required for 50% inhibition of polyphenylalanine synthesis, while in its presence, 10(-6) M gave 50% inhibition. Coincident with cycloheximide sensitivity was an activity required for EF-2 dependent N-acetylphenylalanylpuromycin (N-AcPhePuro) formation. Transfer of N-AcPhe to puromycin from the tRNA bound in the presence of 26 mM MgCl2 required factor P, as well as EF-2. Studies with antibody against EF-2 demonstrated that P factor was not required during the EF-2 translocation step but for some subsequent step.", "PMID": 791358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9120", "title": "Reactivity of ribosomal sulfhydryl groups in 30S ribosomal subunits of Escherichia coli and 30S-IF-3 complexes.", "content": "The reaction of 30S subunits with the SH group reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) causes the loss of approximately 60% of their synethetic activity, but has little or no effect on the ribosomal binding of initiation factor IF-3. The ribosomal binding of this factor, on the other hand, was found to significantly influence the rate and the extent to which several 30S ribosomal proteins react with radioactively labeled NEM when the reaction kinetics of individual ribosomal proteins toward NEM were compared in 30S and 30S-IF-3 complexes. Of the nine 30S ribosomal proteins which react with NEM, proteins S1, S11, S12, and S18 were found to have lower reactivities, while proteins S4 and S21 displayed higher reactivity in the presence of IF-3. The reactivity of proteins S8, S13, and S17, on the other hand, appeared to be influenced little or not at all by the presence of the factor. These results are interpreted as supporting evidence for the premise that the binding of IF-3 results in a conformational change of the 30S subunit.", "contents": "Reactivity of ribosomal sulfhydryl groups in 30S ribosomal subunits of Escherichia coli and 30S-IF-3 complexes. The reaction of 30S subunits with the SH group reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) causes the loss of approximately 60% of their synethetic activity, but has little or no effect on the ribosomal binding of initiation factor IF-3. The ribosomal binding of this factor, on the other hand, was found to significantly influence the rate and the extent to which several 30S ribosomal proteins react with radioactively labeled NEM when the reaction kinetics of individual ribosomal proteins toward NEM were compared in 30S and 30S-IF-3 complexes. Of the nine 30S ribosomal proteins which react with NEM, proteins S1, S11, S12, and S18 were found to have lower reactivities, while proteins S4 and S21 displayed higher reactivity in the presence of IF-3. The reactivity of proteins S8, S13, and S17, on the other hand, appeared to be influenced little or not at all by the presence of the factor. These results are interpreted as supporting evidence for the premise that the binding of IF-3 results in a conformational change of the 30S subunit.", "PMID": 791359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9121", "title": "Menaquinone biosynthesis: conversion of o-succinylbenzoic acid to 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid and menaquinones by Escherichia coli extracts.", "content": "Two intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway to bacterial menaquinones are o-succinylbenzoic acid and 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid. Cell-free extracts have been prepared from Escherichia coli which catalyze the conversion of labeled o-succinylbenzoic acid to the naphthoic acid and also to menaquinones. The naphthoate synthetase has been partially purified and found to require coenzyme A and ATP. The synthetase has an approximate molecular weight of 45 000. The conversion of o-succinylbenzoic acid to menaquinones is stimulated by the presence of farnesyl pyrophosphate. The major menaquinone produced is then MK-3 with the farnesyl side chain.", "contents": "Menaquinone biosynthesis: conversion of o-succinylbenzoic acid to 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid and menaquinones by Escherichia coli extracts. Two intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway to bacterial menaquinones are o-succinylbenzoic acid and 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid. Cell-free extracts have been prepared from Escherichia coli which catalyze the conversion of labeled o-succinylbenzoic acid to the naphthoic acid and also to menaquinones. The naphthoate synthetase has been partially purified and found to require coenzyme A and ATP. The synthetase has an approximate molecular weight of 45 000. The conversion of o-succinylbenzoic acid to menaquinones is stimulated by the presence of farnesyl pyrophosphate. The major menaquinone produced is then MK-3 with the farnesyl side chain.", "PMID": 791360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9122", "title": "beta-Galactosidase alpha complementation: properties of the complemented enzyme and mechanism of the complementation reaction.", "content": "Intracistronic alpha complementation involving Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase occurs between the cyanogen bromide peptide CB2, derived from residues 3-92 of beta-galactosidase (Langley, K.E., Fowler, A.V., and Zabin, I. (1975), J. Biol. Chem. 250, 2587), and the defective beta-galactosidase from the Z-deletion mutant strain M15. The M15 protein, a dimer, lacks residues 11-41 of beta-galactosidase (Langley, K.E., Villarejo, M.R., Fowler, A.V., Zamenhof, P.J., and Zabin, I. (1975), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 1254). The complemented enzyme formed from purified components has a molecular weight of 533 000+/-25 000, is therefore tetrameric, and has a probable stoichiometry of 1 CB2:1 M15 monomer. The complemented enzyme has the same Km for substrate as wild type enzyme, but is less stable to heat or urea treatment. The overall equilibrium constant for the complementation reaction is approximately 1-2 X 10(9) M-1. Initial velocity studies indicate saturation kinetics when either component is fixed and limiting, with an apparent Kd of about 10(-6) M. A first-order rate constant of 0.05-0.1 min-1 was estimated. The kinetics favor a model of rapid complex formation, followed by slow conformational change, as the mechanism of activation. Ultraviolet difference spectroscopy indicated an increased absorbance in the 290-300 nm region as a result of the complementation reaction. The kinetics of the increase suggest that two processes, one rapid and the other slower, could be responsible. The temperature dependence of complementation (Ea approximately 24 000 cal) is also consistent with the rate-determining step being a conformational change.", "contents": "beta-Galactosidase alpha complementation: properties of the complemented enzyme and mechanism of the complementation reaction. Intracistronic alpha complementation involving Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase occurs between the cyanogen bromide peptide CB2, derived from residues 3-92 of beta-galactosidase (Langley, K.E., Fowler, A.V., and Zabin, I. (1975), J. Biol. Chem. 250, 2587), and the defective beta-galactosidase from the Z-deletion mutant strain M15. The M15 protein, a dimer, lacks residues 11-41 of beta-galactosidase (Langley, K.E., Villarejo, M.R., Fowler, A.V., Zamenhof, P.J., and Zabin, I. (1975), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 1254). The complemented enzyme formed from purified components has a molecular weight of 533 000+/-25 000, is therefore tetrameric, and has a probable stoichiometry of 1 CB2:1 M15 monomer. The complemented enzyme has the same Km for substrate as wild type enzyme, but is less stable to heat or urea treatment. The overall equilibrium constant for the complementation reaction is approximately 1-2 X 10(9) M-1. Initial velocity studies indicate saturation kinetics when either component is fixed and limiting, with an apparent Kd of about 10(-6) M. A first-order rate constant of 0.05-0.1 min-1 was estimated. The kinetics favor a model of rapid complex formation, followed by slow conformational change, as the mechanism of activation. Ultraviolet difference spectroscopy indicated an increased absorbance in the 290-300 nm region as a result of the complementation reaction. The kinetics of the increase suggest that two processes, one rapid and the other slower, could be responsible. The temperature dependence of complementation (Ea approximately 24 000 cal) is also consistent with the rate-determining step being a conformational change.", "PMID": 791361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9123", "title": "Separation of transfer ribonucleic acids on polystyrene anion exchangers.", "content": "The transfer RNA separation by chromatography on strong-base polystyrene exchange materials is examined and compared with the widely used reversed-phase chromatography. Results indicate important differences in some transfer RNA (tRNA) elution patterns by the anion-exchange chromatography, as compared with the reversed-phase chromatography. Transfer RNAs containing hydrophobic groups are adsorbed more strongly. The anion exchanger has twice the number of theoretical plates. Single peaks of tRNA2Glu and tRNA1Phe obtained from the reversed-phase column give multiple peaks only polystyrene anion-exchange chromatography. All six leucine tRNAs (Escherichia coli) and differences in tRNA populations synthesized during early and late stages of the dividing lymphocytes from normal human blood can be characterized by the anion-exchange chromatography. Different separation profiles are obtained by two separation systems for tyrosine tRNAs from mouse liver and mouse-plasma-cell tumor. The results indicate that, in contrast to the reversed-phase chromatography, strong-base-polystyrene anion-exchange chromatography is capable of separating tRNAs with minor structlral differences.", "contents": "Separation of transfer ribonucleic acids on polystyrene anion exchangers. The transfer RNA separation by chromatography on strong-base polystyrene exchange materials is examined and compared with the widely used reversed-phase chromatography. Results indicate important differences in some transfer RNA (tRNA) elution patterns by the anion-exchange chromatography, as compared with the reversed-phase chromatography. Transfer RNAs containing hydrophobic groups are adsorbed more strongly. The anion exchanger has twice the number of theoretical plates. Single peaks of tRNA2Glu and tRNA1Phe obtained from the reversed-phase column give multiple peaks only polystyrene anion-exchange chromatography. All six leucine tRNAs (Escherichia coli) and differences in tRNA populations synthesized during early and late stages of the dividing lymphocytes from normal human blood can be characterized by the anion-exchange chromatography. Different separation profiles are obtained by two separation systems for tyrosine tRNAs from mouse liver and mouse-plasma-cell tumor. The results indicate that, in contrast to the reversed-phase chromatography, strong-base-polystyrene anion-exchange chromatography is capable of separating tRNAs with minor structlral differences.", "PMID": 791362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9124", "title": "Equilibrium between two forms of the lac carrier protein in energized and nonenergized membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli.", "content": "p-Nitrophenyl alpha-D-galactopyranoside is a competitive inhibitor of lactose transport in membrane vesicles prepared from Escherichia coli ML 308-225 (Ki congruent to 6.6 muM) but is not accumulated by the vesicles. Binding of p-nitrophenyl alpha-D-[6-3H]galactopyranoside to membrane vesicles has been measured by flow dialysis. In the presence of D-lactate, ligand binds to the vesicles with a KD of about 6 muM, and a total of 2.3 nmol per mg of membrane protein is bound at saturation. In the absence of D-lactate, a small amount of binding can be detected (approximately 0.2 nmol per mg of membrane protein) with a similar affinity constant (KD congruent to 9 muM). Binding inthe presence or absence of D-lactate is dependent upon a functional lac y gene product and upon the structural integrity of the vesicle membrane and is reversed by p-hydroxymercuribenzenesulfonate. Agents such as 2,4-dinitrophenol, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, and valinomycin, alone or in combination, abolish D-lactate-dependent binding but do not affect binding in the absence of electron donors. The results confirm previous observations that the bulk of the lac carrier protein is unable to bind ligand unless the membrane is energized. and they also corroborate observations that a small amount of binding occurs in the absence of energy coupling. The findings are discussed in terms of a model in which the lac carrier protein exists in a state of dynamic equilibrium between two forms: (i) a low affinity, cryptic form which predominates in the absence of energy coupling; and (ii) a high affinity form, accessible from the external surface of the membrane, which predominates in the presence of an electrochemical gradient of protons (interior negative and alkaline).", "contents": "Equilibrium between two forms of the lac carrier protein in energized and nonenergized membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli. p-Nitrophenyl alpha-D-galactopyranoside is a competitive inhibitor of lactose transport in membrane vesicles prepared from Escherichia coli ML 308-225 (Ki congruent to 6.6 muM) but is not accumulated by the vesicles. Binding of p-nitrophenyl alpha-D-[6-3H]galactopyranoside to membrane vesicles has been measured by flow dialysis. In the presence of D-lactate, ligand binds to the vesicles with a KD of about 6 muM, and a total of 2.3 nmol per mg of membrane protein is bound at saturation. In the absence of D-lactate, a small amount of binding can be detected (approximately 0.2 nmol per mg of membrane protein) with a similar affinity constant (KD congruent to 9 muM). Binding inthe presence or absence of D-lactate is dependent upon a functional lac y gene product and upon the structural integrity of the vesicle membrane and is reversed by p-hydroxymercuribenzenesulfonate. Agents such as 2,4-dinitrophenol, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, and valinomycin, alone or in combination, abolish D-lactate-dependent binding but do not affect binding in the absence of electron donors. The results confirm previous observations that the bulk of the lac carrier protein is unable to bind ligand unless the membrane is energized. and they also corroborate observations that a small amount of binding occurs in the absence of energy coupling. The findings are discussed in terms of a model in which the lac carrier protein exists in a state of dynamic equilibrium between two forms: (i) a low affinity, cryptic form which predominates in the absence of energy coupling; and (ii) a high affinity form, accessible from the external surface of the membrane, which predominates in the presence of an electrochemical gradient of protons (interior negative and alkaline).", "PMID": 791364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9125", "title": "Physical characteristics of protein-deficient derived from the 50S ribosomal subunit.", "content": "Sedimentation coefficients, diffusion coefficients, density increments, extinction coefficients, and molecular weights were determined for selected core particles from the 50S Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits. These core particles were found to be loosened structures containing less than half the protein present on the intact 50S subunits and totally lacking peptidyl transferase and polyphenylalanine synthesis activity unless reconstituted. The results of this study confirm that a loosening of the subunit takes place upon the removal of protein, but this loosening is not necessarily due to the loss of the protein.", "contents": "Physical characteristics of protein-deficient derived from the 50S ribosomal subunit. Sedimentation coefficients, diffusion coefficients, density increments, extinction coefficients, and molecular weights were determined for selected core particles from the 50S Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits. These core particles were found to be loosened structures containing less than half the protein present on the intact 50S subunits and totally lacking peptidyl transferase and polyphenylalanine synthesis activity unless reconstituted. The results of this study confirm that a loosening of the subunit takes place upon the removal of protein, but this loosening is not necessarily due to the loss of the protein.", "PMID": 791365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9126", "title": "Study on the surface polypeptides isolated from human lymphoblastoid ce-ls by ionic shock.", "content": "Ionic shock treatment in the presence of 10% glycerol is an efficient and selective method for extracting cell surface components from Raji cells and effecting the solubilization of up to 22 polypeptides. The majority of these shock-released polypeptides are accessible to lactoperoxidase radioiodination. Sera from rabbits immunized against these soluble extracts are reactive against Raji cell surface as indicated by indirect membrane immunofluorescence and agglutination assays.", "contents": "Study on the surface polypeptides isolated from human lymphoblastoid ce-ls by ionic shock. Ionic shock treatment in the presence of 10% glycerol is an efficient and selective method for extracting cell surface components from Raji cells and effecting the solubilization of up to 22 polypeptides. The majority of these shock-released polypeptides are accessible to lactoperoxidase radioiodination. Sera from rabbits immunized against these soluble extracts are reactive against Raji cell surface as indicated by indirect membrane immunofluorescence and agglutination assays.", "PMID": 791366} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9127", "title": "[Fatty acid composition and phospholipid pattern in auxotrophs for unsaturated fatty acids (author's transl)].", "content": "The relationship between fatty acid composition and phospholipid pattern has been studied in Escherichia coli auxotrophs for unsaturated fatty acids. 1. The presence of a regulatory mechanism which enables the organism to maintain a given fluidity of the lipids has been corroborated using exogenous fatty acids which cause dramatic changes in fatty acid composition. 2. The fatty composition of phosphatidic acid is different from that of the other classes of phospholipids. 3. Changes in fatty acid composition are concomittant with the alteration of the phospholipid pattern. The ratio of phosphatidylglycerol to diphosphatidylglycerol is particularly sensitive to the physical characteristics of the exogenous unsaturated fatty acid. The relative increase in diphosphatidylglycerol is associated with membrane alterations.", "contents": "[Fatty acid composition and phospholipid pattern in auxotrophs for unsaturated fatty acids (author's transl)]. The relationship between fatty acid composition and phospholipid pattern has been studied in Escherichia coli auxotrophs for unsaturated fatty acids. 1. The presence of a regulatory mechanism which enables the organism to maintain a given fluidity of the lipids has been corroborated using exogenous fatty acids which cause dramatic changes in fatty acid composition. 2. The fatty composition of phosphatidic acid is different from that of the other classes of phospholipids. 3. Changes in fatty acid composition are concomittant with the alteration of the phospholipid pattern. The ratio of phosphatidylglycerol to diphosphatidylglycerol is particularly sensitive to the physical characteristics of the exogenous unsaturated fatty acid. The relative increase in diphosphatidylglycerol is associated with membrane alterations.", "PMID": 791367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9128", "title": "Preparation of Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase utilizing a thiamine pyrophosphate affinity column.", "content": "An improved procedure is reported for the purification of Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase (pyruvate:ferricytochome b1 oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.2.2), a peripheral membrane flavo-enzyme, which is much more reproducible and requires considerably less time than the original purification scheme. The key element in this protocol is a new Sepharose-based affinity resin designed for the isolation of thiamine pyrophosphate-requiring enzymes. The synthesis, partial characterization, and use of two such affinity resins is described. Pyruvate oxidase is a pure, homogenous protein as it is eluted from the affinity resin. The enzyme is a tetramer with a subunit molecular weight of approx. 60 000. The subunits appear to be identical. The isoelectric point of pyruvate oxidase is 5.6.", "contents": "Preparation of Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase utilizing a thiamine pyrophosphate affinity column. An improved procedure is reported for the purification of Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase (pyruvate:ferricytochome b1 oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.2.2), a peripheral membrane flavo-enzyme, which is much more reproducible and requires considerably less time than the original purification scheme. The key element in this protocol is a new Sepharose-based affinity resin designed for the isolation of thiamine pyrophosphate-requiring enzymes. The synthesis, partial characterization, and use of two such affinity resins is described. Pyruvate oxidase is a pure, homogenous protein as it is eluted from the affinity resin. The enzyme is a tetramer with a subunit molecular weight of approx. 60 000. The subunits appear to be identical. The isoelectric point of pyruvate oxidase is 5.6.", "PMID": 791368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9129", "title": "Analysis of the kinetics of photoinduced crosslinkage of the protein and RNA components of the Escherichia coli 50 S ribosomal subunit.", "content": "The kinetics of photoinduced crosslinkage of the protein and ribosomal RNA components of the Escherichia coli 50 S ribosomal subunit were determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. One group of ribosomal proteins was found to be reactive in the crosslinkage reaction at doses of 254 nm radiation of 2.9 X 10(3) ergs-mm-2. A second group of 50-S ribosomal proteins was found to be unreactive in the crosslinkage reaction at doses of 254 nm radiation less than 8.6 X 10(6) ergs-mm-2, but were reactive at higher doses.", "contents": "Analysis of the kinetics of photoinduced crosslinkage of the protein and RNA components of the Escherichia coli 50 S ribosomal subunit. The kinetics of photoinduced crosslinkage of the protein and ribosomal RNA components of the Escherichia coli 50 S ribosomal subunit were determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. One group of ribosomal proteins was found to be reactive in the crosslinkage reaction at doses of 254 nm radiation of 2.9 X 10(3) ergs-mm-2. A second group of 50-S ribosomal proteins was found to be unreactive in the crosslinkage reaction at doses of 254 nm radiation less than 8.6 X 10(6) ergs-mm-2, but were reactive at higher doses.", "PMID": 791370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9130", "title": "Rifampicin binding as a probe for subunit interactions in Escherchia coli RNA polymerase.", "content": "The binding of the inhibitor rifampicin to RNA polymerase (alpha2betabeta') and its deficient subunit mixtures was investigated. The ability of beta to bind stoichiometric amounts of rifampicin was restored by formation of the alpha2beta subassembly. beta,beta' alpha, betabeta' and alpha2beta' were unable to bind rifampicin. RNA polymerase denatured with 6 M guanidine hydrochloride and dialysed against a renaturing buffer at 0degrees C (\"renatured inactive enzyme\") bound stoichiometric amounts of rifampicin but had lost the ability of bind dna. compared with native RNA polymerase \"renatured inactive\" enzyme possessed a markedly different tertiary structure as judged by limited proteolysis.", "contents": "Rifampicin binding as a probe for subunit interactions in Escherchia coli RNA polymerase. The binding of the inhibitor rifampicin to RNA polymerase (alpha2betabeta') and its deficient subunit mixtures was investigated. The ability of beta to bind stoichiometric amounts of rifampicin was restored by formation of the alpha2beta subassembly. beta,beta' alpha, betabeta' and alpha2beta' were unable to bind rifampicin. RNA polymerase denatured with 6 M guanidine hydrochloride and dialysed against a renaturing buffer at 0degrees C (\"renatured inactive enzyme\") bound stoichiometric amounts of rifampicin but had lost the ability of bind dna. compared with native RNA polymerase \"renatured inactive\" enzyme possessed a markedly different tertiary structure as judged by limited proteolysis.", "PMID": 791369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9131", "title": "Structure, synthesis, and post-transcriptional modification of ribosomal ribonucleic acid in Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus.", "content": "The structure, synthesis, and post-transcriptional modifications of 23-S and 16-S ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) have been studied in the facultatively parasitic bacterium, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. The mature 23-S and 16-S type of rRNAs in Bdellovibrio are larger than the analogous molecules in Escherichia coli by at least 1.0 - 10(5) and 0.5 - 10(5) daltons, respectively, and have a conformation different from E. coli rRNAs as judged by relative electrophoretic mobilities in polyacrylamide gels with and without denaturing conditions. Studies on the kinetics of synthesis and maturation of ribosomal RNA in Bdellovibrio show that precursor forms analogous to p23-S and p16-S in E. coli are synthesized. In addition, some earlier precursor rRNAs in Bdellovibrio are seen that appear analogous to the 25S and 17.5-S pre-rRNAs that have only been observed in the RNAase III deficient mutant of E. coli strain AB301-105 (Nikolaev, Birenbaum, M. and Schlessinger, D. (1975) Biocheim, Biophys. Acta 395, 478-489). These early precursor stages have not been observed in other procaryotic species, including E. coli that have normal levels of RNAase III. The results from the Bdellovibrio system provide that the 25-s and 17.5-S pre-rRNAs are normal stages of rRNA modification and are part of a multiple step maturation process, and therefore are not aberrations associated with the RNase III deficient mutation.", "contents": "Structure, synthesis, and post-transcriptional modification of ribosomal ribonucleic acid in Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. The structure, synthesis, and post-transcriptional modifications of 23-S and 16-S ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) have been studied in the facultatively parasitic bacterium, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. The mature 23-S and 16-S type of rRNAs in Bdellovibrio are larger than the analogous molecules in Escherichia coli by at least 1.0 - 10(5) and 0.5 - 10(5) daltons, respectively, and have a conformation different from E. coli rRNAs as judged by relative electrophoretic mobilities in polyacrylamide gels with and without denaturing conditions. Studies on the kinetics of synthesis and maturation of ribosomal RNA in Bdellovibrio show that precursor forms analogous to p23-S and p16-S in E. coli are synthesized. In addition, some earlier precursor rRNAs in Bdellovibrio are seen that appear analogous to the 25S and 17.5-S pre-rRNAs that have only been observed in the RNAase III deficient mutant of E. coli strain AB301-105 (Nikolaev, Birenbaum, M. and Schlessinger, D. (1975) Biocheim, Biophys. Acta 395, 478-489). These early precursor stages have not been observed in other procaryotic species, including E. coli that have normal levels of RNAase III. The results from the Bdellovibrio system provide that the 25-s and 17.5-S pre-rRNAs are normal stages of rRNA modification and are part of a multiple step maturation process, and therefore are not aberrations associated with the RNase III deficient mutation.", "PMID": 791372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9132", "title": "The synthesis and enzymatic polymerization of 5-thio- and 5-methylmercurithio-pyrimidine nucleotides.", "content": "The 5-thio and 5-methylmercurithio derivatives of UTP, dUTP and dCTP have been synthesized and tested as substrates for nucleic acid polymerases. The 5-thio-nucleotides were polymerized inefficiently by both RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase I of Escherichia coli. The 5-methylmercurithio derivatives of dUTP and dCTP were, however, utilized by DNA polymerase I, an enzyme insensitive to mercurial compounds, although they were potent inhibitors of all other polymerases tested. While polymers containing the 5-thio substituent possess structural abnormalities, most likely interstrand disulfide bridges, polymers containing 5-methylmercurithio groups appear normal. The latter polynucleotides are readily separated from non-sulfated polymers by chromatography on mercuriagarose.", "contents": "The synthesis and enzymatic polymerization of 5-thio- and 5-methylmercurithio-pyrimidine nucleotides. The 5-thio and 5-methylmercurithio derivatives of UTP, dUTP and dCTP have been synthesized and tested as substrates for nucleic acid polymerases. The 5-thio-nucleotides were polymerized inefficiently by both RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase I of Escherichia coli. The 5-methylmercurithio derivatives of dUTP and dCTP were, however, utilized by DNA polymerase I, an enzyme insensitive to mercurial compounds, although they were potent inhibitors of all other polymerases tested. While polymers containing the 5-thio substituent possess structural abnormalities, most likely interstrand disulfide bridges, polymers containing 5-methylmercurithio groups appear normal. The latter polynucleotides are readily separated from non-sulfated polymers by chromatography on mercuriagarose.", "PMID": 791373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9133", "title": "General and specific effects of amino acid starvation on the formation of undermodified Escherichia coli phenylalanine tRNA.", "content": "The heterogeneity of undermodified phenylalanine tRNA produced in relaxed control E. coli during amino acid starvation was investigated. Examination of the RPC-5 elution profiles of tRNAPhe prepared from non-starved cells and cells starved of a variety of amino acids, including some known to be involved in the formation of modified bases revealed that: (1) only one species of fully modified tRNAPhe appears to occur in cells grown in enriched medium; (2) at least two chromatographically unique isoacceptor species are observed in addition to the normal tRNAPhe in starved cells; (3) the unique, undermodified species of tRNAPhe from leucine-starved cells, known to be deficient in dihydrouridine, pseudouridine, 2-thiomethyl-N6-(delta2-isopentenyl) adenosine and 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl) uridine, co-elute with the unique species produced in cells starved of histidine or arginine or treated with puromycin or chloramphenicol; (4) additional unique species of tRNAPhe can be detected in methyl- and sulfur-deficient tRNA from methionine- and cysteine-starved cells; (5) analysis of phenoxyacetylated tRNA revealed that the chromatographically unique and normal species from starved cells contain subspecies deficient in 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl) uridine; and (6) using phenoxyacetylation as a means of effecting the resolution of undermodified subspecies, a total of at least ten chromatographically unique subspecies of rRNAPhe were detected in an organism that appears to posses only one gene for tRNAPhe. Taken together, the results support the view that there are both general and specific effects of amino acid starvation on the post-transcriptional modification of tRNA.", "contents": "General and specific effects of amino acid starvation on the formation of undermodified Escherichia coli phenylalanine tRNA. The heterogeneity of undermodified phenylalanine tRNA produced in relaxed control E. coli during amino acid starvation was investigated. Examination of the RPC-5 elution profiles of tRNAPhe prepared from non-starved cells and cells starved of a variety of amino acids, including some known to be involved in the formation of modified bases revealed that: (1) only one species of fully modified tRNAPhe appears to occur in cells grown in enriched medium; (2) at least two chromatographically unique isoacceptor species are observed in addition to the normal tRNAPhe in starved cells; (3) the unique, undermodified species of tRNAPhe from leucine-starved cells, known to be deficient in dihydrouridine, pseudouridine, 2-thiomethyl-N6-(delta2-isopentenyl) adenosine and 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl) uridine, co-elute with the unique species produced in cells starved of histidine or arginine or treated with puromycin or chloramphenicol; (4) additional unique species of tRNAPhe can be detected in methyl- and sulfur-deficient tRNA from methionine- and cysteine-starved cells; (5) analysis of phenoxyacetylated tRNA revealed that the chromatographically unique and normal species from starved cells contain subspecies deficient in 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl) uridine; and (6) using phenoxyacetylation as a means of effecting the resolution of undermodified subspecies, a total of at least ten chromatographically unique subspecies of rRNAPhe were detected in an organism that appears to posses only one gene for tRNAPhe. Taken together, the results support the view that there are both general and specific effects of amino acid starvation on the post-transcriptional modification of tRNA.", "PMID": 791374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9134", "title": "Effects of an EMG biofeedback relaxation program on the control of diabetes: a case study.", "content": "It was hypothesized that EMG biofeedback relaxation training, applied to a diabetic patient, would result in a decreased level of insulin with fewer episodes of ketoacidosis. A 20-year-old female, diabetic since age nine, kept daily records of insulin doses and rated herself on an emotionality and a diabetic scale. A full-semester baseline was taken. This was followed by a semester-long training program during which the patient practiced relaxing her frontalis muscle with a portable EMG feedback unit which produced a geiger-counter-like click feedback. A cassette-tape series was used along with the portable EMG. The patient was encouraged to practice twice each day and to attempt to maintain a relaxed state even when not in the practice situation. The daily use of the portable unit was terminated at the end of the semester. In addition, the patient ceased practicing twice daily with the cassette tape. Daily insulin averaged 85 units for the six-week baseline and 59 for the final six weeks of the training period. Moreover, at the end of the training period the average dose had reached 43 units. During the training period the patient rated herself as decreasing in emotionality and in diabetic fluctuations.", "contents": "Effects of an EMG biofeedback relaxation program on the control of diabetes: a case study. It was hypothesized that EMG biofeedback relaxation training, applied to a diabetic patient, would result in a decreased level of insulin with fewer episodes of ketoacidosis. A 20-year-old female, diabetic since age nine, kept daily records of insulin doses and rated herself on an emotionality and a diabetic scale. A full-semester baseline was taken. This was followed by a semester-long training program during which the patient practiced relaxing her frontalis muscle with a portable EMG feedback unit which produced a geiger-counter-like click feedback. A cassette-tape series was used along with the portable EMG. The patient was encouraged to practice twice each day and to attempt to maintain a relaxed state even when not in the practice situation. The daily use of the portable unit was terminated at the end of the semester. In addition, the patient ceased practicing twice daily with the cassette tape. Daily insulin averaged 85 units for the six-week baseline and 59 for the final six weeks of the training period. Moreover, at the end of the training period the average dose had reached 43 units. During the training period the patient rated herself as decreasing in emotionality and in diabetic fluctuations.", "PMID": 791380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9135", "title": "Tension headaches: what form of therapy is most effective?", "content": "In order to assess the effectiveness of verbal relaxation instructions and EMG relaxation training on the relief of tension headaches, 18 medically documented tension-headache sufferers were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) Jacobson-Wolpe autogenic-relaxation training, (2) EMG relaxation training, or (3) EMG relaxation training combined with Jacobson-Wolpe autogenic instructions. The two EMG-assisted groups showed significantly better results, compared to the verbal group, in terms of reduction of headache activity and the rate at which reduction took place. Thus, EMG-assisted relaxation procedures seem the treatment method of choice for relief of tension headaches.", "contents": "Tension headaches: what form of therapy is most effective? In order to assess the effectiveness of verbal relaxation instructions and EMG relaxation training on the relief of tension headaches, 18 medically documented tension-headache sufferers were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) Jacobson-Wolpe autogenic-relaxation training, (2) EMG relaxation training, or (3) EMG relaxation training combined with Jacobson-Wolpe autogenic instructions. The two EMG-assisted groups showed significantly better results, compared to the verbal group, in terms of reduction of headache activity and the rate at which reduction took place. Thus, EMG-assisted relaxation procedures seem the treatment method of choice for relief of tension headaches.", "PMID": 791381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9136", "title": "Biofeedback and progressive relaxation treatment of sleep-onset insomnia: a controlled, all-night investigation.", "content": "Previous research suggests that self-defined insomniacs are distinguished from normals by high levels of anxiety and physiological arousal, which might be mitigated by muscle relaxation. This study assessed the relative effects of frontal EMG biofeedback, progressive relaxation, and a placebo set of \"relaxation\" exercises on the sleep of 18 onset insomniacs. Each subject was trained in one of these three methods for six half-hour sessions and slept in the laboratory for two consecutive nights before and after training. The experimental groups demonstrated significant decreases in physiological activity during training while changes in the control group were minimal. Reductions in sleep-onset time were: biofeedback group, 29.66 minutes; progressive relaxation group, 22.92 minutes; control group, 2.79 minutes. The experimental groups improved significantly (p less than 905) more than the control group, but did not differ from each other. No significant relationships between physiological levels and sleep-onset time were found, which suggests that muscle relaxation alone was not responsible for subjects' improvements. Since 20 minutes of daily practice were required to achieve an approximate 30-minute decrease in sleep-onset time, the practical utility of the methods is questioned.", "contents": "Biofeedback and progressive relaxation treatment of sleep-onset insomnia: a controlled, all-night investigation. Previous research suggests that self-defined insomniacs are distinguished from normals by high levels of anxiety and physiological arousal, which might be mitigated by muscle relaxation. This study assessed the relative effects of frontal EMG biofeedback, progressive relaxation, and a placebo set of \"relaxation\" exercises on the sleep of 18 onset insomniacs. Each subject was trained in one of these three methods for six half-hour sessions and slept in the laboratory for two consecutive nights before and after training. The experimental groups demonstrated significant decreases in physiological activity during training while changes in the control group were minimal. Reductions in sleep-onset time were: biofeedback group, 29.66 minutes; progressive relaxation group, 22.92 minutes; control group, 2.79 minutes. The experimental groups improved significantly (p less than 905) more than the control group, but did not differ from each other. No significant relationships between physiological levels and sleep-onset time were found, which suggests that muscle relaxation alone was not responsible for subjects' improvements. Since 20 minutes of daily practice were required to achieve an approximate 30-minute decrease in sleep-onset time, the practical utility of the methods is questioned.", "PMID": 791382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9137", "title": "Studies on the immunogical effects of BCG and its components: theoritical and therapeutic implications.", "content": "Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) has had significant antitumor effects in rodents and in man. In mice, BCG is capable of increasing lymphocyte-mediated immunity to allogenic leukemia cells and of creating \"pseudoimmune\" cytotoxic lymphocytes when administered alone. Lymphocyte-activating factor (LAF) produced by macrophages, a T-lymphocyte mitogenic substance, is increased significantly by the administration of BCG and may play a role in the evocation of cytotoxic cells. BCG acts as a mitogen for splenic and thymic cells \"in vitro\". Macrophages were important regulators in the response, since a critical concentration (at least 0.25 % to 0.5 %) were required for T-cell stimulation and a high concentration (approximately 5 to 10 %) inhibited splenic lymphocytes. LAF was increased 20-fold above baseline \"in vitro\" by BCG. Methanol extraction residue (MER) stimulated thymic and splenic cells as well as did whole BCG. A delipidated cell fraction (DMC) stimulated only splenic non-T lymphocytes. BCG has antagonized several sorts of immunosuppression and may be useful clinically in this regard. There is also the possibility of antagonizing the myelosuppressive toxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents through the stimulation of the macrophage-made granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Finally, if BCG can induce cytotoxic lymphocytes (or macrophages) in vitro, it may be possible to use these in clinical adoptive immunotherapy. BCG is a useful prototype of an immunological adjuvant with antitumor activity. Elucidation of its actions on lymphoid cells and its effects in therapeutic situations can serve as a model for future investigations with other substances with similar potential.", "contents": "Studies on the immunogical effects of BCG and its components: theoritical and therapeutic implications. Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) has had significant antitumor effects in rodents and in man. In mice, BCG is capable of increasing lymphocyte-mediated immunity to allogenic leukemia cells and of creating \"pseudoimmune\" cytotoxic lymphocytes when administered alone. Lymphocyte-activating factor (LAF) produced by macrophages, a T-lymphocyte mitogenic substance, is increased significantly by the administration of BCG and may play a role in the evocation of cytotoxic cells. BCG acts as a mitogen for splenic and thymic cells \"in vitro\". Macrophages were important regulators in the response, since a critical concentration (at least 0.25 % to 0.5 %) were required for T-cell stimulation and a high concentration (approximately 5 to 10 %) inhibited splenic lymphocytes. LAF was increased 20-fold above baseline \"in vitro\" by BCG. Methanol extraction residue (MER) stimulated thymic and splenic cells as well as did whole BCG. A delipidated cell fraction (DMC) stimulated only splenic non-T lymphocytes. BCG has antagonized several sorts of immunosuppression and may be useful clinically in this regard. There is also the possibility of antagonizing the myelosuppressive toxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents through the stimulation of the macrophage-made granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Finally, if BCG can induce cytotoxic lymphocytes (or macrophages) in vitro, it may be possible to use these in clinical adoptive immunotherapy. BCG is a useful prototype of an immunological adjuvant with antitumor activity. Elucidation of its actions on lymphoid cells and its effects in therapeutic situations can serve as a model for future investigations with other substances with similar potential.", "PMID": 791387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9138", "title": "The computer-assisted morphological classification of acute leukemia. I. Preliminary results.", "content": "The morphology of leukemic lymphoblasts, as seen in the initial routine bone marrow aspirate, of 40 children with ALL has been evaluated using a computer-assisted automated microscope. A statistic, derived from a combination of the number of macrolymphoblasts and the percentage of cells with no cytoplasm was found to predict response to standard therapy and to identify patients with a high probability of long-term remission as well as a group with a relatively poor response to therapy.", "contents": "The computer-assisted morphological classification of acute leukemia. I. Preliminary results. The morphology of leukemic lymphoblasts, as seen in the initial routine bone marrow aspirate, of 40 children with ALL has been evaluated using a computer-assisted automated microscope. A statistic, derived from a combination of the number of macrolymphoblasts and the percentage of cells with no cytoplasm was found to predict response to standard therapy and to identify patients with a high probability of long-term remission as well as a group with a relatively poor response to therapy.", "PMID": 791388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9139", "title": "[GABA-ergic mechanism of action of diazepam on cerebral cortex neurons].", "content": "The effect of diazepam, depakin, thiosemicarbazide (TSC) and bicucullin on the spontaneous and incuced (by stimulation of the sciatic nerve) activity of the cells of the sensory-motor cortex was studied on the unanesthetized immobilized (curarized) albino rats. Diazepam proved to intensify the inhibitory phenomena, i.e. decreased the frequency of spontaneous discharges and prolonged the postactivation depression of the neuron impulsation (the inhibitory pause. Depakin increasing the GABA content in the brain acted similarly. The GABA-ergic receptors blocker, bicucullin and TSC, decreasing its content, on the contrary, weakened the inhibitory phenomena. There was also revealed a reversible antagonism between diazepam and bicucullin in their effect on the neuronal activity. The data obtained confirmed the supposition put forward formerly on the capacity of diazepam to intensify the effect of GABA on the neurons of the cerebral cortex.", "contents": "[GABA-ergic mechanism of action of diazepam on cerebral cortex neurons]. The effect of diazepam, depakin, thiosemicarbazide (TSC) and bicucullin on the spontaneous and incuced (by stimulation of the sciatic nerve) activity of the cells of the sensory-motor cortex was studied on the unanesthetized immobilized (curarized) albino rats. Diazepam proved to intensify the inhibitory phenomena, i.e. decreased the frequency of spontaneous discharges and prolonged the postactivation depression of the neuron impulsation (the inhibitory pause. Depakin increasing the GABA content in the brain acted similarly. The GABA-ergic receptors blocker, bicucullin and TSC, decreasing its content, on the contrary, weakened the inhibitory phenomena. There was also revealed a reversible antagonism between diazepam and bicucullin in their effect on the neuronal activity. The data obtained confirmed the supposition put forward formerly on the capacity of diazepam to intensify the effect of GABA on the neurons of the cerebral cortex.", "PMID": 791392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9140", "title": "[Use of cross-reacting microbial antigens reversal of tolerance acquired for mouse transplantation antigens].", "content": "Immunization of CC57BR mice tolerant to the C. albicans antigens and the affiliated transplantation antigens of C3H mice, with group A streptococcus (type I) containing the antigens cross reacting with the donor tissues, abrogated the tolerance to the C3H mice alloantigens. This was expressed in the shortened survival of the skin allotransplant and in increased rate of elimination from the lymph nodes and the spleen of labeled 51Cr donor lymphoid cells. The immune response to the C. albicans antigens was not restored.", "contents": "[Use of cross-reacting microbial antigens reversal of tolerance acquired for mouse transplantation antigens]. Immunization of CC57BR mice tolerant to the C. albicans antigens and the affiliated transplantation antigens of C3H mice, with group A streptococcus (type I) containing the antigens cross reacting with the donor tissues, abrogated the tolerance to the C3H mice alloantigens. This was expressed in the shortened survival of the skin allotransplant and in increased rate of elimination from the lymph nodes and the spleen of labeled 51Cr donor lymphoid cells. The immune response to the C. albicans antigens was not restored.", "PMID": 791393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9141", "title": "[Independent integration of genes controlling the invasive properties and streptomycin resistance of enteropathogenic escherichiae 0124].", "content": "Recombinations which lost their invasive properties were obtained by crossing E. coli K12Hfr AB313 with entropathogenic escherichia belonging to serological group 0124. The loss of invasive properties by these recombinations was not connected with the acquisition of genes controlling the streptomycin resistance.", "contents": "[Independent integration of genes controlling the invasive properties and streptomycin resistance of enteropathogenic escherichiae 0124]. Recombinations which lost their invasive properties were obtained by crossing E. coli K12Hfr AB313 with entropathogenic escherichia belonging to serological group 0124. The loss of invasive properties by these recombinations was not connected with the acquisition of genes controlling the streptomycin resistance.", "PMID": 791394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9142", "title": "[Relationship between tumor antigens and histocompatibility antigens at the cell membrane].", "content": "The authors outline schematically the major histocompatibility complex as well as the relationship between tumor neo-antigen and pre-existing antigens at the cell surface. They note that these two antigenic systems are not independent and in particular, the major histocompatibility system (H-2) co-segregates with the tumour antigens. Considering the complexity of the H=2 system (a H-2 allele does not correspond to any single transplantation antigen but to a combination of several antigens units simultaneously present), the authors recall Boyse's hypothesis, revised by Haywood and Mc Khann, which propose that tumour antigens are a rearrangement of H-2 substructures. Moreover, it is possible that the relationship between H-2 and resistance to cancer may be attributed directly to the action of genes controlling the immune response (Ir region) which could also intervene in recognition of these tumour antigens. Finally, recent results obtained seem to show that some tumour antigens cross-react with H-2 fractions. This fact prevents the mice bearing these types of alleles from being immunized against the cross-reacting tumours. If this result could be transposed to the human situation, it would explain the frequency of certain types of tumours in defined H-LA groups and could allow the prediction of high-risk groups.", "contents": "[Relationship between tumor antigens and histocompatibility antigens at the cell membrane]. The authors outline schematically the major histocompatibility complex as well as the relationship between tumor neo-antigen and pre-existing antigens at the cell surface. They note that these two antigenic systems are not independent and in particular, the major histocompatibility system (H-2) co-segregates with the tumour antigens. Considering the complexity of the H=2 system (a H-2 allele does not correspond to any single transplantation antigen but to a combination of several antigens units simultaneously present), the authors recall Boyse's hypothesis, revised by Haywood and Mc Khann, which propose that tumour antigens are a rearrangement of H-2 substructures. Moreover, it is possible that the relationship between H-2 and resistance to cancer may be attributed directly to the action of genes controlling the immune response (Ir region) which could also intervene in recognition of these tumour antigens. Finally, recent results obtained seem to show that some tumour antigens cross-react with H-2 fractions. This fact prevents the mice bearing these types of alleles from being immunized against the cross-reacting tumours. If this result could be transposed to the human situation, it would explain the frequency of certain types of tumours in defined H-LA groups and could allow the prediction of high-risk groups.", "PMID": 791395} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9143", "title": "Problems in the use of in vitro assays for monitoring cell-mediated immunity in cancer patients.", "content": "Considerable controversy has evolved about the relevance of microcytotoxicity assays (both visual methods and isotope release assays) in the studies of cell-mediated immunity in human tumor systems. A stage has been reached, where technical aspects of these assays, capable of influencing the results, need to be considered: tumor target cell selection (the use of cells from short term cultures or cell lines), lymphocyte isolation procedures (composition of the effector cell populations) and selection of baseline controls for expressing the results, are recongnized as potential variables influencing results of in vitro cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays.", "contents": "Problems in the use of in vitro assays for monitoring cell-mediated immunity in cancer patients. Considerable controversy has evolved about the relevance of microcytotoxicity assays (both visual methods and isotope release assays) in the studies of cell-mediated immunity in human tumor systems. A stage has been reached, where technical aspects of these assays, capable of influencing the results, need to be considered: tumor target cell selection (the use of cells from short term cultures or cell lines), lymphocyte isolation procedures (composition of the effector cell populations) and selection of baseline controls for expressing the results, are recongnized as potential variables influencing results of in vitro cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays.", "PMID": 791397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9144", "title": "Bacteriological studies of contamination of hydrophilic contact lenses with Staphylococcus epidermitis.", "content": "An attempt was made to contaminate hydrophilic contact lens material with Staphylococcus epidermitis. This study was initiated as a result of some clinical investigations which had revealed the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococcal infection in eyes fitted with this type of contact lens. It was though particularly relevant in view of the known association of some strains of this organism with other plastic prostheses. In vitro cultures proved unsuccessful in demonstrating the ability of this bacterium to metabolize the lens material.", "contents": "Bacteriological studies of contamination of hydrophilic contact lenses with Staphylococcus epidermitis. An attempt was made to contaminate hydrophilic contact lens material with Staphylococcus epidermitis. This study was initiated as a result of some clinical investigations which had revealed the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococcal infection in eyes fitted with this type of contact lens. It was though particularly relevant in view of the known association of some strains of this organism with other plastic prostheses. In vitro cultures proved unsuccessful in demonstrating the ability of this bacterium to metabolize the lens material.", "PMID": 791428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9145", "title": "Diencephalic stimulation and the effects of ECT in endogenous depression.", "content": "We compared conventional bilateral ECT treatment electrode placement with simultaneous unilateral electrode placement to both sides of the head (dominant/nondominant unilateral ECT) in 20 patients with endogenous depression. Under double-blind random assignment conditions we found that six bilateral ECT were significantly more effective than six dominant/nondominant unilateral ECT in reducing depression rating scale scores. In the light of data from intracerebral ECT current distribution studies we interpret our findings to support our previously advanced hypothesis that diencephalic stimulation is requisite for the therapeutic benefit of bilateral ECT in endogenous depression.", "contents": "Diencephalic stimulation and the effects of ECT in endogenous depression. We compared conventional bilateral ECT treatment electrode placement with simultaneous unilateral electrode placement to both sides of the head (dominant/nondominant unilateral ECT) in 20 patients with endogenous depression. Under double-blind random assignment conditions we found that six bilateral ECT were significantly more effective than six dominant/nondominant unilateral ECT in reducing depression rating scale scores. In the light of data from intracerebral ECT current distribution studies we interpret our findings to support our previously advanced hypothesis that diencephalic stimulation is requisite for the therapeutic benefit of bilateral ECT in endogenous depression.", "PMID": 791433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9146", "title": "Isolation and preservation of islets from the mouse, rat, guinea-pig and human pancreas.", "content": "Viable islets of Langerhans have been isolated from the mouse, rat, guinea-pig and human pancreas using a free hand microdissection procedure. Viablity has been assessed by light microscopy of sections stained with Gomori's aldehyde fuchsin and by measuring the insulin release from islets in vitro in response to a glucose stimulus. Ten pieces of human cadaver pancreas have been studied. Islets were isolated from 6 and in 5 cases were shown to respond to a glucose stimulus in vitro. Five pieces of human pancreas removed at operation have been studied. Islets were isolated in all cases but only 2 showed a response to a glucose stimulus. Isolated animal islets have been subjected to three preservation systems and their viability following storage noted. 1. Simple cold storage in Hank's balanced salt solution at 4 degrees C. At 15 hours 100% survival was noted. This dropped to 10% at 48 hours. There were no survivors at 72 hours. 2. Subzero storage. In group I (freezing rate 1 degree C/min) histological survival was 35% and functional survival 20%. In group II (freezing rate 5 degrees C/min with a 24-hour culture period after rewarming) histological survival was approximately 87% and functional survival 75%. 3. Organ culture. Islets from the guinea-pig, rat and mouse showed minimal morphological damage when cultured for 21 days in a simple organ culture system. At 28 days histological survival was approximately 30%. We were unable to correlate histological and functional survival in this group.", "contents": "Isolation and preservation of islets from the mouse, rat, guinea-pig and human pancreas. Viable islets of Langerhans have been isolated from the mouse, rat, guinea-pig and human pancreas using a free hand microdissection procedure. Viablity has been assessed by light microscopy of sections stained with Gomori's aldehyde fuchsin and by measuring the insulin release from islets in vitro in response to a glucose stimulus. Ten pieces of human cadaver pancreas have been studied. Islets were isolated from 6 and in 5 cases were shown to respond to a glucose stimulus in vitro. Five pieces of human pancreas removed at operation have been studied. Islets were isolated in all cases but only 2 showed a response to a glucose stimulus. Isolated animal islets have been subjected to three preservation systems and their viability following storage noted. 1. Simple cold storage in Hank's balanced salt solution at 4 degrees C. At 15 hours 100% survival was noted. This dropped to 10% at 48 hours. There were no survivors at 72 hours. 2. Subzero storage. In group I (freezing rate 1 degree C/min) histological survival was 35% and functional survival 20%. In group II (freezing rate 5 degrees C/min with a 24-hour culture period after rewarming) histological survival was approximately 87% and functional survival 75%. 3. Organ culture. Islets from the guinea-pig, rat and mouse showed minimal morphological damage when cultured for 21 days in a simple organ culture system. At 28 days histological survival was approximately 30%. We were unable to correlate histological and functional survival in this group.", "PMID": 791435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9147", "title": "Endotoxin, bile salts and renal function in obstructive jaundice.", "content": "It is generally agreed that there is an increased incidence of postoperative renal failure in patients with obstructive jaundice. The proposition that this may be due to endotoxin, and that the endotoxin may be absorbed from the patient's own bowel flora, has been investigated. The study was conducted in patients and in animals. Twenty-four patients with obstructive jaundice were studied. Sixteen had endotoxin in the portal blood at operation and 13 of these had peripheral endotoxaemia at the time of operation or developed it during the 72 hours following operation. Only 3 of the patients had a proved possible site of infective origin for the endotoxaemia, the remainder absorbing the endotoxin from their own gastro-intestinal organisms. Portal endotoxaemia occurred when the serum bilirubin was 8-5 mg/100 ml or greater. There was a highly significant decrease in mean endogenous creatinine clearance postoperatively in patients with endotoxaemia, and expression of this as a percentage postoperative fall compared with preoperative levels enhanced the significance. Jaundiced patients without endotoxaemia had no significant fall in endogenous creatinine clearance. Matched non-jaundiced control patients did not develop portal or peripheral endotoxaemia, and there was no significant fall in postoperative creatinine clearance. Experiments using animals showed that the absence of bile salts in the intestinal tract in obstructive jaundice allows endotoxin to be absorbed, and that this absorption can be prevented by the oral administration of bile salts. The therapeutic implications in patients are discussed.", "contents": "Endotoxin, bile salts and renal function in obstructive jaundice. It is generally agreed that there is an increased incidence of postoperative renal failure in patients with obstructive jaundice. The proposition that this may be due to endotoxin, and that the endotoxin may be absorbed from the patient's own bowel flora, has been investigated. The study was conducted in patients and in animals. Twenty-four patients with obstructive jaundice were studied. Sixteen had endotoxin in the portal blood at operation and 13 of these had peripheral endotoxaemia at the time of operation or developed it during the 72 hours following operation. Only 3 of the patients had a proved possible site of infective origin for the endotoxaemia, the remainder absorbing the endotoxin from their own gastro-intestinal organisms. Portal endotoxaemia occurred when the serum bilirubin was 8-5 mg/100 ml or greater. There was a highly significant decrease in mean endogenous creatinine clearance postoperatively in patients with endotoxaemia, and expression of this as a percentage postoperative fall compared with preoperative levels enhanced the significance. Jaundiced patients without endotoxaemia had no significant fall in endogenous creatinine clearance. Matched non-jaundiced control patients did not develop portal or peripheral endotoxaemia, and there was no significant fall in postoperative creatinine clearance. Experiments using animals showed that the absence of bile salts in the intestinal tract in obstructive jaundice allows endotoxin to be absorbed, and that this absorption can be prevented by the oral administration of bile salts. The therapeutic implications in patients are discussed.", "PMID": 791436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9148", "title": "Layer closure of laparotomy wounds with absorbable and non-absorbable suture materials.", "content": "Opinions vary regarding the best suture material for abdominal wound closure. Some surgeons favour non-absorbable sutures while others use absorbable materials, but there is little objective clinical information regarding the relative merits of the different suture materials. In a randomized prospective clinical trial the synthetic absorbable polyglactin and polyglycolic acid sutures were compared with the non-absorbable polypropylene suture in the closure of 161 laparotomy wounds. A layered closure technique was used in all cases. The total incidence of wound dehiscence and herniation was 8-1 per cent, and there was no significant difference between polylycolic acid (9-6 per cent), polyglactin (5-8 per cent) and polypropylene (8-8 per cent). Dehiscence and herniation were significantly more common in wounds closed by surgeons in training. It was concluded that none of the suture materials provided satisfactory freedom from wound complications. It is possible that these sutures may prove satisfactory with an alternative technique of abdominal wound closure, but this should be the subject of further clinical studies.", "contents": "Layer closure of laparotomy wounds with absorbable and non-absorbable suture materials. Opinions vary regarding the best suture material for abdominal wound closure. Some surgeons favour non-absorbable sutures while others use absorbable materials, but there is little objective clinical information regarding the relative merits of the different suture materials. In a randomized prospective clinical trial the synthetic absorbable polyglactin and polyglycolic acid sutures were compared with the non-absorbable polypropylene suture in the closure of 161 laparotomy wounds. A layered closure technique was used in all cases. The total incidence of wound dehiscence and herniation was 8-1 per cent, and there was no significant difference between polylycolic acid (9-6 per cent), polyglactin (5-8 per cent) and polypropylene (8-8 per cent). Dehiscence and herniation were significantly more common in wounds closed by surgeons in training. It was concluded that none of the suture materials provided satisfactory freedom from wound complications. It is possible that these sutures may prove satisfactory with an alternative technique of abdominal wound closure, but this should be the subject of further clinical studies.", "PMID": 791437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9149", "title": "Streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction: a controlled multicentre study in the United Kingdom.", "content": "In a multicentre trial of streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction 302 patients received an intravenous infusion of 2 500 000 IU of streptokinase over 24 hours, while 293 patients served as controls. Neither group received anticoagulants unless indicated by thromboembolic complications. No significant difference in mortality was evident during inpatient treatment nor at six-week or six-month follow-up. The inpatient death rate was 12-6% in the streptokinase group and 13-7% among controls. There was no significant difference in the peak levels or pattern of enzyme increase. The incidence of cardiac failure and reinfarction was similar in the two groups, but major arrhythmias were less common in those on streptokinase (P less than 0-05). In the streptokinase group there were 36 minor and six more serious haemorrhagic complications. Gastrointestinal haemorrhage may have contributed to the death of one patient in each group. There were 18 thromboembolic complications in the streptokinase group and 38 among the controls. Pathological examination of the hearts of 25 patients who had taken streptokinase and 24 controls showed no striking differences between the groups, but haemorrhagic infarcts were found in three patients who had received streptokinase. An infusion of streptokinase within 24 hours of the onset of acute myocardial infarction does not significantly affect the mortality or course of the illness up to six months.", "contents": "Streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction: a controlled multicentre study in the United Kingdom. In a multicentre trial of streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction 302 patients received an intravenous infusion of 2 500 000 IU of streptokinase over 24 hours, while 293 patients served as controls. Neither group received anticoagulants unless indicated by thromboembolic complications. No significant difference in mortality was evident during inpatient treatment nor at six-week or six-month follow-up. The inpatient death rate was 12-6% in the streptokinase group and 13-7% among controls. There was no significant difference in the peak levels or pattern of enzyme increase. The incidence of cardiac failure and reinfarction was similar in the two groups, but major arrhythmias were less common in those on streptokinase (P less than 0-05). In the streptokinase group there were 36 minor and six more serious haemorrhagic complications. Gastrointestinal haemorrhage may have contributed to the death of one patient in each group. There were 18 thromboembolic complications in the streptokinase group and 38 among the controls. Pathological examination of the hearts of 25 patients who had taken streptokinase and 24 controls showed no striking differences between the groups, but haemorrhagic infarcts were found in three patients who had received streptokinase. An infusion of streptokinase within 24 hours of the onset of acute myocardial infarction does not significantly affect the mortality or course of the illness up to six months.", "PMID": 791442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9150", "title": "Preoperative skin preparation: clinical evaluation of depilatory cream.", "content": "Preoperative hair removal by a depilatory cream was compared with routine shaving. Although the incidence of wound infection was similar in both groups, cream depilation was found to be better. It was effective, atraumatic, non-toxic, and could be self-administered. Furthermore, it could be used safely on granulating wounds and did not support bacterial growth. Depilation was associated with a significant reduction in skin surface bacteria and proved to be cheaper than shaving.", "contents": "Preoperative skin preparation: clinical evaluation of depilatory cream. Preoperative hair removal by a depilatory cream was compared with routine shaving. Although the incidence of wound infection was similar in both groups, cream depilation was found to be better. It was effective, atraumatic, non-toxic, and could be self-administered. Furthermore, it could be used safely on granulating wounds and did not support bacterial growth. Depilation was associated with a significant reduction in skin surface bacteria and proved to be cheaper than shaving.", "PMID": 791444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9151", "title": "Chemoimmunotherapy of advanced breast cancer: prolongation of remission and survival with BCG.", "content": "Forty-five patients with disseminated breast cancer were given a trial of combination chemotherapy consisting of fluorouracil, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide (FAC) and immunotherapy with BCG given by scarification. The results were compared with those in a comparable group of 44 patients treated with FAC alone immediately before the chemoimmunotherapy study. The remission rates (73% and 76% for FAC and FAC-BCG respectively) were similar in both studies. The durations of remission for patients on FAC-BCG (medium 12 months) were longer than remissions achieved for patients given FAC alone (median 8 months) (P = 0.068). The most notable effect of BCG was on survival. Thus 21 out of 34 patients achieving remission on FAC-BCG were alive at the time of the last follow-up examination (median over 22 months) compared with 11 out of 32 patients achieving remission on FAC (median 15 months) (P = 0.01). Twenty-six of the 45 patients given FAC-BCG were alive at the time of the last follow-up examination (median over 22 months) compared with 12 of the 44 patients given FAC (median 15 months) (P = 0.005). Although the apparent benefit of BCG could be explained by a maldistribution of some prognostic factors, the data suggest that further trial of chemoimmunotherapy of breast cancer should be carried out.", "contents": "Chemoimmunotherapy of advanced breast cancer: prolongation of remission and survival with BCG. Forty-five patients with disseminated breast cancer were given a trial of combination chemotherapy consisting of fluorouracil, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide (FAC) and immunotherapy with BCG given by scarification. The results were compared with those in a comparable group of 44 patients treated with FAC alone immediately before the chemoimmunotherapy study. The remission rates (73% and 76% for FAC and FAC-BCG respectively) were similar in both studies. The durations of remission for patients on FAC-BCG (medium 12 months) were longer than remissions achieved for patients given FAC alone (median 8 months) (P = 0.068). The most notable effect of BCG was on survival. Thus 21 out of 34 patients achieving remission on FAC-BCG were alive at the time of the last follow-up examination (median over 22 months) compared with 11 out of 32 patients achieving remission on FAC (median 15 months) (P = 0.01). Twenty-six of the 45 patients given FAC-BCG were alive at the time of the last follow-up examination (median over 22 months) compared with 12 of the 44 patients given FAC (median 15 months) (P = 0.005). Although the apparent benefit of BCG could be explained by a maldistribution of some prognostic factors, the data suggest that further trial of chemoimmunotherapy of breast cancer should be carried out.", "PMID": 791447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9152", "title": "Reduced respiratory responses to carbon dioxide after propranolol: a central action.", "content": "In a double-blind study in six subjects propranolol significantly reduced the respiratory sensitivity to carbon dioxide rebreathing. This effect seems to have been due to beta-adrenergic blockade, since it was not seen with D-propranolol. In two subjects increasing doses of propranolol caused progressive reductions in respiratory sensitivity to values below normal and similar to those of patients with ventilatory failure. These changes are probably due to a central action of propranolol.", "contents": "Reduced respiratory responses to carbon dioxide after propranolol: a central action. In a double-blind study in six subjects propranolol significantly reduced the respiratory sensitivity to carbon dioxide rebreathing. This effect seems to have been due to beta-adrenergic blockade, since it was not seen with D-propranolol. In two subjects increasing doses of propranolol caused progressive reductions in respiratory sensitivity to values below normal and similar to those of patients with ventilatory failure. These changes are probably due to a central action of propranolol.", "PMID": 791448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9153", "title": "A new look at the serology of treponemal disease.", "content": "The serology of treponemal disease has become simpler and more rational in recent years, mainly as a result of the widespread adoption of specific antibody tests and the use of monospecific fluorescent antibody procedures which give information about the immunoglobulin class of antibodies. A set of tests which has proved particularly useful in routine diagnosis is the following: quantitative TPHA test, quantitative VDRL test, and monospecific (IgG and IgM) FTA-ABS tests. This combination is especially valuable in the assessment of new patients with positive results to serological tests and in the management of patients with treated syphilis.", "contents": "A new look at the serology of treponemal disease. The serology of treponemal disease has become simpler and more rational in recent years, mainly as a result of the widespread adoption of specific antibody tests and the use of monospecific fluorescent antibody procedures which give information about the immunoglobulin class of antibodies. A set of tests which has proved particularly useful in routine diagnosis is the following: quantitative TPHA test, quantitative VDRL test, and monospecific (IgG and IgM) FTA-ABS tests. This combination is especially valuable in the assessment of new patients with positive results to serological tests and in the management of patients with treated syphilis.", "PMID": 791453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9154", "title": "Immunity in syphilis. Studies in active immunity.", "content": "Support for the concept of the development of immunity during the course of syphilis is avaiable in the literature. In experimental syphilis in rabbits, some immunity is present approximately 3 weeks after infection with Treponema pallidum. Resistance to re-infection increases to a maximum at approximately 3 months after infection. Termination of this state by penicillin treatment within this 3-month period may enable re-infection to be accomplished. Attempts to reproduce this state of immunity experimentally by injection of T. pallidum itself, or protein derivatives, or ultrasonic disintegrates obtained from T. pallidum or non-pathogenic treponemes, have been unsuccessful. However, promising results in rabbits have resulted from injecting T. pallidum suspensions attenuated by storage at 4 degrees C, penicillin, or gamma irradiation, and also by suspensions preserved by glutaraldehyde. In the present study, partial resistance to intratesticular challenge in rabbits with T. pallidum has been obtained by immunization with a variety of non-pathogenic treponemes, as exemplified by the strains Nichols, Kazan 2, 4, 5, and 8, Treponema minutum, Treponema ambigua, Treponema refringens and Treponema microdentium. Success is attributed to the processing of immunizing antigens at 4 degrees C and storage until use at -20 degrees C. Attempts to attenuate T. pallidum by immunological means, namely, passage through a limited number of immunized rabbits, were unsuccessful.", "contents": "Immunity in syphilis. Studies in active immunity. Support for the concept of the development of immunity during the course of syphilis is avaiable in the literature. In experimental syphilis in rabbits, some immunity is present approximately 3 weeks after infection with Treponema pallidum. Resistance to re-infection increases to a maximum at approximately 3 months after infection. Termination of this state by penicillin treatment within this 3-month period may enable re-infection to be accomplished. Attempts to reproduce this state of immunity experimentally by injection of T. pallidum itself, or protein derivatives, or ultrasonic disintegrates obtained from T. pallidum or non-pathogenic treponemes, have been unsuccessful. However, promising results in rabbits have resulted from injecting T. pallidum suspensions attenuated by storage at 4 degrees C, penicillin, or gamma irradiation, and also by suspensions preserved by glutaraldehyde. In the present study, partial resistance to intratesticular challenge in rabbits with T. pallidum has been obtained by immunization with a variety of non-pathogenic treponemes, as exemplified by the strains Nichols, Kazan 2, 4, 5, and 8, Treponema minutum, Treponema ambigua, Treponema refringens and Treponema microdentium. Success is attributed to the processing of immunizing antigens at 4 degrees C and storage until use at -20 degrees C. Attempts to attenuate T. pallidum by immunological means, namely, passage through a limited number of immunized rabbits, were unsuccessful.", "PMID": 791454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9155", "title": "A blind controlled trial of dextran 40 in the treatment of ischaemic stroke.", "content": "A blind controlled trial of dextran 40 in ischaemic stroke is reported. In the treated group mortality in the acute stage in patients with severe strokes was significantly reduced but survivors were severely disabled and six months later no significant benefit could be detected. In less severe strokes no effect of treatment was found. It is concluded that the action of dextran 40 in reducing acute mortality probably lay in preventing or reversing cerebral swelling but no evidence of the expected action in reducing the area of infarction following improved blood flow was found. The importance of extending assessment beyond the two weeks customary in therapeutic trials in stroke is emphasized.", "contents": "A blind controlled trial of dextran 40 in the treatment of ischaemic stroke. A blind controlled trial of dextran 40 in ischaemic stroke is reported. In the treated group mortality in the acute stage in patients with severe strokes was significantly reduced but survivors were severely disabled and six months later no significant benefit could be detected. In less severe strokes no effect of treatment was found. It is concluded that the action of dextran 40 in reducing acute mortality probably lay in preventing or reversing cerebral swelling but no evidence of the expected action in reducing the area of infarction following improved blood flow was found. The importance of extending assessment beyond the two weeks customary in therapeutic trials in stroke is emphasized.", "PMID": 791457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9156", "title": "Somatic sensory cortex of hyrax (Procavia).", "content": "Somatic sensory (SI) cortex was mapped in hyraxes by micromapping methods developed and used earlier in slow lorises and llamas. The somatotopic pattern of organization was similar in its general features to that found in other mammals. The perioral and intraoral representations are relatively large in SI of hyrax and exhibit considerable distortion. Sulci are reliable landmarks demarcating boundaries of SI in hyrax as they are in other mammals.", "contents": "Somatic sensory cortex of hyrax (Procavia). Somatic sensory (SI) cortex was mapped in hyraxes by micromapping methods developed and used earlier in slow lorises and llamas. The somatotopic pattern of organization was similar in its general features to that found in other mammals. The perioral and intraoral representations are relatively large in SI of hyrax and exhibit considerable distortion. Sulci are reliable landmarks demarcating boundaries of SI in hyrax as they are in other mammals.", "PMID": 791458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9157", "title": "The effect of grinding of human dentine examined by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and electron microscopy.", "content": "Analysis of human dentine by infrared spectrophotometry suggests that ball-grinding may result in damage of the apatite crystallites. The present study includes further assessments of this effect by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. Each of three coarse-ground dentine samples (Group I) was divided into three portions of 30 mg. One of these portions was ball-ground for approximately 1 min (Group II), the second portion for 6 min (Group III), and the third portion for 23 min (Group IV). The 002 reflection showed line broadening, most marked from Group II to III. Electron microscopy showed a gradual change in crystallite appearance with increased grinding, most pronounced from Group II to III. These observations indicate that by prolonged grinding a limit is approached where no further changes in the crystallites occur. Electron microscopy also indicated that fracture of the crystallites might have occurred. This was probably accompanied by strains in the lattice. The infrared spectra indicated that no breakdown of the apatite structure had occurred during the entire grinding.", "contents": "The effect of grinding of human dentine examined by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. Analysis of human dentine by infrared spectrophotometry suggests that ball-grinding may result in damage of the apatite crystallites. The present study includes further assessments of this effect by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. Each of three coarse-ground dentine samples (Group I) was divided into three portions of 30 mg. One of these portions was ball-ground for approximately 1 min (Group II), the second portion for 6 min (Group III), and the third portion for 23 min (Group IV). The 002 reflection showed line broadening, most marked from Group II to III. Electron microscopy showed a gradual change in crystallite appearance with increased grinding, most pronounced from Group II to III. These observations indicate that by prolonged grinding a limit is approached where no further changes in the crystallites occur. Electron microscopy also indicated that fracture of the crystallites might have occurred. This was probably accompanied by strains in the lattice. The infrared spectra indicated that no breakdown of the apatite structure had occurred during the entire grinding.", "PMID": 791460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9158", "title": "Physostigmine as an adjuvent to neuroleptanaesthesia in neurosurgical procedures.", "content": "The use of physostigmine electively to reverse the effects of droperidal and diazepam has permitted an optimum level of neuroleptanaesthesia in neurosurgical operations where co-operation of the patient is required during part of the procedure. The patient can be put to sleep or readily awakened to be fully co-operative depending on the needs of the surgeon. In this series of seven anaesthetics there were no side effects from the small doses of physostigmine employed. Bradycardia and salivation were not a problem. One child vomited once. Atropine was not necessary. Since a narcotic antagonist is not needed, a reasonable degree of analgesia can be maintained in these patients while they are awake. The latent time for the effect of physostigmine was two to four minutes and the effect of an intravenous dose lasted from 35 to 45 minutes. With physostigmine, these patients wake up gently as though from normal sleep. If neurological assessment is required post-operatively, drowsiness due to drugs can be reversed by giving more physostigmine and the level of consciousness can then be assessed.", "contents": "Physostigmine as an adjuvent to neuroleptanaesthesia in neurosurgical procedures. The use of physostigmine electively to reverse the effects of droperidal and diazepam has permitted an optimum level of neuroleptanaesthesia in neurosurgical operations where co-operation of the patient is required during part of the procedure. The patient can be put to sleep or readily awakened to be fully co-operative depending on the needs of the surgeon. In this series of seven anaesthetics there were no side effects from the small doses of physostigmine employed. Bradycardia and salivation were not a problem. One child vomited once. Atropine was not necessary. Since a narcotic antagonist is not needed, a reasonable degree of analgesia can be maintained in these patients while they are awake. The latent time for the effect of physostigmine was two to four minutes and the effect of an intravenous dose lasted from 35 to 45 minutes. With physostigmine, these patients wake up gently as though from normal sleep. If neurological assessment is required post-operatively, drowsiness due to drugs can be reversed by giving more physostigmine and the level of consciousness can then be assessed.", "PMID": 791461} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9159", "title": "Anaesthesia time/dose curves IX: the use of hydromorphone in surgical anaesthesia and postoperative pain relief in comparison to morphine.", "content": "Seventy unselected subjects were anaesthetized for major surgical operations with intravenous hydromorphone, nitrous oxide and muscle relaxants as required. The results were compared with earlier observations made with morphine under similar conditions on 44 other subjects from the same hospital population. Hydromorphone was found to be 8.5 times as potent as morphine in terms of the median surgical loading dose, and its median therapeutic half-life was 4.07 hours against morphine's 5.28 hours. It proved to be superior to morphine in its greater consistency of action. The mid-90 per cent variance of its loading dose was 30% less and the same variance of its therapeutic half-life was 65% less than that of morphine. All the differences were statistically significant or highly significant. Observations concerning the fraction of the surgical loading dose of hydromorphone required by the patients to prevent post-operative discomfort also revealed great consistency. This is taken to indicate that psychological factors play only a subordinate role in modulating the intensity of postoperative pain.", "contents": "Anaesthesia time/dose curves IX: the use of hydromorphone in surgical anaesthesia and postoperative pain relief in comparison to morphine. Seventy unselected subjects were anaesthetized for major surgical operations with intravenous hydromorphone, nitrous oxide and muscle relaxants as required. The results were compared with earlier observations made with morphine under similar conditions on 44 other subjects from the same hospital population. Hydromorphone was found to be 8.5 times as potent as morphine in terms of the median surgical loading dose, and its median therapeutic half-life was 4.07 hours against morphine's 5.28 hours. It proved to be superior to morphine in its greater consistency of action. The mid-90 per cent variance of its loading dose was 30% less and the same variance of its therapeutic half-life was 65% less than that of morphine. All the differences were statistically significant or highly significant. Observations concerning the fraction of the surgical loading dose of hydromorphone required by the patients to prevent post-operative discomfort also revealed great consistency. This is taken to indicate that psychological factors play only a subordinate role in modulating the intensity of postoperative pain.", "PMID": 791462} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9160", "title": "Amino acid sequence of penicillopepsin. II. Isolation and characterization of thermolytic peptides.", "content": "The determination of the amino acid sequences of 70 peptides obtained from a thermolytic digest of penicillopepsin (EC 3.4.23.7) is described. Fifty-six unique sequences ranging from 2 to 13 amino acids were compiled. Among these was a heptapeptide whose sequence is nearly identical with that of the epoxide-reactive active site peptide of porcine pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1). Considering unrecognized overlaps, a minimum of 272 and a maximum of 293 unique amino acids have been obtained. They account for about 90% of the amino acids of the enzyme.", "contents": "Amino acid sequence of penicillopepsin. II. Isolation and characterization of thermolytic peptides. The determination of the amino acid sequences of 70 peptides obtained from a thermolytic digest of penicillopepsin (EC 3.4.23.7) is described. Fifty-six unique sequences ranging from 2 to 13 amino acids were compiled. Among these was a heptapeptide whose sequence is nearly identical with that of the epoxide-reactive active site peptide of porcine pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1). Considering unrecognized overlaps, a minimum of 272 and a maximum of 293 unique amino acids have been obtained. They account for about 90% of the amino acids of the enzyme.", "PMID": 791464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9161", "title": "Application of step-wise discriminant analysis and Bayesian classification procedure in determining prognosis of acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "A retrospective study was carried out to assess the feasibility of computer-assisted prognostication by discriminant analysis and the Bayesian classification procedure based on clinical information collected on patients with acute myocardial infarction. The overall accuracy was 94.2% in predicting hospital death but the prediction of late death after discharge was less accurate. It was found that not all of the 44 variables used for analysis were necessary to reach the same level of predictive accuracy--16 to 20 variables would result in almost the identical prediction. The Bayesian classification procedure was applied to estimate probabilities of individual patients belonging to the different prognostic categories.", "contents": "Application of step-wise discriminant analysis and Bayesian classification procedure in determining prognosis of acute myocardial infarction. A retrospective study was carried out to assess the feasibility of computer-assisted prognostication by discriminant analysis and the Bayesian classification procedure based on clinical information collected on patients with acute myocardial infarction. The overall accuracy was 94.2% in predicting hospital death but the prediction of late death after discharge was less accurate. It was found that not all of the 44 variables used for analysis were necessary to reach the same level of predictive accuracy--16 to 20 variables would result in almost the identical prediction. The Bayesian classification procedure was applied to estimate probabilities of individual patients belonging to the different prognostic categories.", "PMID": 791467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9162", "title": "Long-term therapy of essential tremor with propranolol.", "content": "In a double-blind crossover study 12 patients with essential tremor were treated with propranolol and a placebo; 8 improved with propranolol and 3 with the placebo; the degree of improvement with propranolol was greater. In a similar study with diazepam 5 of 12 improved with diazepam and 4 of 12 with the placebo; the degree of improvement was less than that achieved with propranolol. Response in 21 patients to treatment with propranolol for 2 to 4 years was excellent in 4, good in 4 and fair in 10; the condition of 1 was unchanged and that of 2, worse. Excellent response was maintained for as long as 4 years, but response tended to deteriorate with time if initially it was less than excellent. Response decreased with increasing age. No patient 60 years of age or older had an excellent response, and the four with an excellent response were under age 55, three being under age 35; all four had had their tremor less than 12 years. Patients with essential tremor should be given a 3-month trial of propranolol at 120 mg/d; if no significant response is seen the dose should be decreased, then the drug discontinued.", "contents": "Long-term therapy of essential tremor with propranolol. In a double-blind crossover study 12 patients with essential tremor were treated with propranolol and a placebo; 8 improved with propranolol and 3 with the placebo; the degree of improvement with propranolol was greater. In a similar study with diazepam 5 of 12 improved with diazepam and 4 of 12 with the placebo; the degree of improvement was less than that achieved with propranolol. Response in 21 patients to treatment with propranolol for 2 to 4 years was excellent in 4, good in 4 and fair in 10; the condition of 1 was unchanged and that of 2, worse. Excellent response was maintained for as long as 4 years, but response tended to deteriorate with time if initially it was less than excellent. Response decreased with increasing age. No patient 60 years of age or older had an excellent response, and the four with an excellent response were under age 55, three being under age 35; all four had had their tremor less than 12 years. Patients with essential tremor should be given a 3-month trial of propranolol at 120 mg/d; if no significant response is seen the dose should be decreased, then the drug discontinued.", "PMID": 791468} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9163", "title": "Adjuvant chemotherapy in the surgical treatment of large bowel cancer.", "content": "In two large controlled cooperative trials, 1118 patients undergoing surgical resection for large bowel cancer were randomized to be treated by surgery alone or to receive 5-fluorouracil during postoperative followup. The two studies differed slightly in the selection of patients for entry and in the dose regimens of 5-fluorouracil. Following examination of the removed specimen, \"curative\" and palliative stratifications based on evidence of residual disease were made, so that the two trials actually consisted of five separate patient groups, two groups of patients who had \"curative\" resections and the other three smaller groups of patients who had palliative resections with residual disease or tumor at a margin of the resected specimen. In all five groups, survival was slightly better in patients receiving chemotherapy although no single difference is statistically significant. Any suggestion that these slight advantages represent a true therapeutic 5-FU effect must be tempered by previous negative adjuvant studies by this group as well as others. Currently the group is conducting a trial using a combination of methyl-CCNU and 5-fluorouracil and has recently added a nonspecific immunostimulant, methanol extraction residue of BCG (MER), to one subgroup.", "contents": "Adjuvant chemotherapy in the surgical treatment of large bowel cancer. In two large controlled cooperative trials, 1118 patients undergoing surgical resection for large bowel cancer were randomized to be treated by surgery alone or to receive 5-fluorouracil during postoperative followup. The two studies differed slightly in the selection of patients for entry and in the dose regimens of 5-fluorouracil. Following examination of the removed specimen, \"curative\" and palliative stratifications based on evidence of residual disease were made, so that the two trials actually consisted of five separate patient groups, two groups of patients who had \"curative\" resections and the other three smaller groups of patients who had palliative resections with residual disease or tumor at a margin of the resected specimen. In all five groups, survival was slightly better in patients receiving chemotherapy although no single difference is statistically significant. Any suggestion that these slight advantages represent a true therapeutic 5-FU effect must be tempered by previous negative adjuvant studies by this group as well as others. Currently the group is conducting a trial using a combination of methyl-CCNU and 5-fluorouracil and has recently added a nonspecific immunostimulant, methanol extraction residue of BCG (MER), to one subgroup.", "PMID": 791471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9164", "title": "Fluorouracil, methyl-CCNU and vincristine in cancer of the colon.", "content": "In a randomized study 91 patients with metastatic cancer of the colon were treated with either fluorouracil alone or a combination of fluorouracil, methyl-CCNU, and vincristine. Of those treated with the three-drug combination, 37% responded, and of those treated with fluorouracil alone, 22% responded. Median response duration for patients treated with the combination method was 5.0 months and for those with fluorouracil alone, 3.8 months. Toxic effects are also compared. From this study it is concluded that a three-drug regimen provides a definite advantage.", "contents": "Fluorouracil, methyl-CCNU and vincristine in cancer of the colon. In a randomized study 91 patients with metastatic cancer of the colon were treated with either fluorouracil alone or a combination of fluorouracil, methyl-CCNU, and vincristine. Of those treated with the three-drug combination, 37% responded, and of those treated with fluorouracil alone, 22% responded. Median response duration for patients treated with the combination method was 5.0 months and for those with fluorouracil alone, 3.8 months. Toxic effects are also compared. From this study it is concluded that a three-drug regimen provides a definite advantage.", "PMID": 791472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9165", "title": "Primary splenic malignant lymphoma, histiocytic type, with sclerosis: report of a case with long-term survival.", "content": "A 61-year-old woman with malignant lymphoma, histiocytic type, with slerosis (sclerosing reticulum cell sarcoma) primary in the spleen is described. She has survived clinically free of malignant lymphoma for 11 years after splenectomy therapy alone. This may be the first case of primary splenic malignant lymphoma, histiocytic type, with sclerosis, ever reported in the medical literature.", "contents": "Primary splenic malignant lymphoma, histiocytic type, with sclerosis: report of a case with long-term survival. A 61-year-old woman with malignant lymphoma, histiocytic type, with slerosis (sclerosing reticulum cell sarcoma) primary in the spleen is described. She has survived clinically free of malignant lymphoma for 11 years after splenectomy therapy alone. This may be the first case of primary splenic malignant lymphoma, histiocytic type, with sclerosis, ever reported in the medical literature.", "PMID": 791474} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9166", "title": "Hydroxyldaunomycin (Adriamycin) combination chemotherapy in malignant lymphoma.", "content": "Combination chemotherapy with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone) and HOP (Adrimycin, vincristine, and prednisone, was used as treatment for patients with pathologically staged, advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Among 204 evaluable patients treated on CHOP there were 71% complete remissions with 92% overall responses. Among the 216 evaluable patients on HOP there were 61% complete remissions and 88% responses. Complete remission rates among patients with histiocytic lymphoma were comparable to those of patients with lymphocytic disease. Patients with nodular lymphoma had higher rates of complete remission than their counterparts with diffuse lymphoma. This was noted with both CHOP (78% vs. 67%) and HOP (67% vs. 60%) induction therapy. Rapid responses were common, as more than 14% of complete remissions and 66% of overall responses were achieved with the first course of treatment. Patients in complete remission have been maintained with either cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (COP) or arabinosyl cytosine, vincristine, and prednisone (OAP). After 1 year, 86% of patients on COP and 80% on OAP are projected to be free of disease.", "contents": "Hydroxyldaunomycin (Adriamycin) combination chemotherapy in malignant lymphoma. Combination chemotherapy with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone) and HOP (Adrimycin, vincristine, and prednisone, was used as treatment for patients with pathologically staged, advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Among 204 evaluable patients treated on CHOP there were 71% complete remissions with 92% overall responses. Among the 216 evaluable patients on HOP there were 61% complete remissions and 88% responses. Complete remission rates among patients with histiocytic lymphoma were comparable to those of patients with lymphocytic disease. Patients with nodular lymphoma had higher rates of complete remission than their counterparts with diffuse lymphoma. This was noted with both CHOP (78% vs. 67%) and HOP (67% vs. 60%) induction therapy. Rapid responses were common, as more than 14% of complete remissions and 66% of overall responses were achieved with the first course of treatment. Patients in complete remission have been maintained with either cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (COP) or arabinosyl cytosine, vincristine, and prednisone (OAP). After 1 year, 86% of patients on COP and 80% on OAP are projected to be free of disease.", "PMID": 791473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9167", "title": "Observations on occult malignant lymphomas in the skin.", "content": "Six patients with malignant cutaneous lymphomas are described to show the diversified clinical patterning that may occur. None of the lesions, which ranged from solid nodules, through inflammatory infiltrative sesions, to gangrene, could be identified as malignant lymphoma at the time these patients sought medical attention. Histologic diagnosis of the lymphoma came much later. Pain was a particularly prominent symptom in three of the six patients. The clinician should discard the dictum that malignant lymphoma is a painless process and should not neglect the consideration of malignant lymphoma because of the presence of pain. The skin lesions described provide a model for recognition of extranodal lymphomas elsewhere in the body. Lymphoma should be considered in the presence of unexplained chronic inflammatory processes that affect any organ containing lymphoreticular or epithelial structures.", "contents": "Observations on occult malignant lymphomas in the skin. Six patients with malignant cutaneous lymphomas are described to show the diversified clinical patterning that may occur. None of the lesions, which ranged from solid nodules, through inflammatory infiltrative sesions, to gangrene, could be identified as malignant lymphoma at the time these patients sought medical attention. Histologic diagnosis of the lymphoma came much later. Pain was a particularly prominent symptom in three of the six patients. The clinician should discard the dictum that malignant lymphoma is a painless process and should not neglect the consideration of malignant lymphoma because of the presence of pain. The skin lesions described provide a model for recognition of extranodal lymphomas elsewhere in the body. Lymphoma should be considered in the presence of unexplained chronic inflammatory processes that affect any organ containing lymphoreticular or epithelial structures.", "PMID": 791475} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9168", "title": "Comparison of anaphylactic reactions to asparaginase derived from Escherichia coli and from Erwinia cultures.", "content": "A retrospective study was undertaken comparing the frequency and severity of anaphylactic reactions to E. coli-derived and Erwinia-derived asparaginase given intravenously on a weekly dosage schedule. Both drugs were found to produce life-threatening hypersensivity reactions with the chance of reaction per dose administered being almost identical--8% for each dose administered. Eleven of 31 patients (35%) experienced anaphylactic reactions, 9/27 (33%) with E. coli and 3/10 (30%) with Erwinia asparaginase, with one patient suffering anaphylaxis to both preparations. A marked increase in the percentage of patients having reactions occurred after the fourth dose of either preparation, with the incidence per dose increasing from 3.3% with the first dose to 32% on the fifth and subsequent doses. Rationale for an antibody-mediated allergic reaction is presented to explain the data.", "contents": "Comparison of anaphylactic reactions to asparaginase derived from Escherichia coli and from Erwinia cultures. A retrospective study was undertaken comparing the frequency and severity of anaphylactic reactions to E. coli-derived and Erwinia-derived asparaginase given intravenously on a weekly dosage schedule. Both drugs were found to produce life-threatening hypersensivity reactions with the chance of reaction per dose administered being almost identical--8% for each dose administered. Eleven of 31 patients (35%) experienced anaphylactic reactions, 9/27 (33%) with E. coli and 3/10 (30%) with Erwinia asparaginase, with one patient suffering anaphylaxis to both preparations. A marked increase in the percentage of patients having reactions occurred after the fourth dose of either preparation, with the incidence per dose increasing from 3.3% with the first dose to 32% on the fifth and subsequent doses. Rationale for an antibody-mediated allergic reaction is presented to explain the data.", "PMID": 791476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9169", "title": "Cyclophosphamide, vincristine and procarbazine in the treatment of malignant melanoma.", "content": "Patients with advanced malignant melanoma were randomly assigned to treatment with cylcophosphamide and vincristine (CV) or cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and procarbazine (CVP). The objective response rates to each regimen (CV 30%, CVP 33%) were the same. Patients with disease confined to skin, subcutaneous tissue nodes, lung, or pleura had a significantly superior response rate to that in those with disease involving liver, bone or brain. The survival of responders was superior to that of nonresponders. The efficacy and moderate toxicity of CV suggests that further work with this combination in malignant melanoma is indicated.", "contents": "Cyclophosphamide, vincristine and procarbazine in the treatment of malignant melanoma. Patients with advanced malignant melanoma were randomly assigned to treatment with cylcophosphamide and vincristine (CV) or cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and procarbazine (CVP). The objective response rates to each regimen (CV 30%, CVP 33%) were the same. Patients with disease confined to skin, subcutaneous tissue nodes, lung, or pleura had a significantly superior response rate to that in those with disease involving liver, bone or brain. The survival of responders was superior to that of nonresponders. The efficacy and moderate toxicity of CV suggests that further work with this combination in malignant melanoma is indicated.", "PMID": 791477} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9170", "title": "Randomized prospective trial of DTIC (NSC-45388) alone versus BCNU (NSC-409962) plus vincristine (NSC-67574) in the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma.", "content": "Fifty patients with metastatic malignant melanoma were randomized to treatment with either DTIC (2 mg/kg/day X 10 iv) or the combination of BCNU (150 mg/m2 iv) plus vincristine (VCR) (2 mg/m2 iv on Day 1 only). Treatment failures were crossed over to the alternate therapy. Primary, secondary, and cumulative response rates to DTIC were 29%, 9%, and 22%, respectively. Primary, secondary, and cumulative response rates to BCNU plus VCR were 23%, 29%, and 25%, respectively. Five of 26 patients (19%) experienced objective regression from secondary therapy after failure to respond to primary therapy. DTIC produced gastrointestinal and hematologic toxic effects; BCNU plus VCR produced gastrointestinal, hematologic, and neurologic toxic effects. VCR administered at a dose of 2 mg/m2 resulted in excessive neurologic toxic effects in 12 of 21 patients; a maximum VCR dose of 2 mg/injection was well tolerated by 15 subsequent patients without an adverse effect upon response rate. An analysis of tumor burden and organ involvement in responders and nonresponders suggests that DTIC is the first-choice treatment for patients with limited tumor burdens and nonvisceral metastases; BCNU plus VCR is the first-choice treatment for patients with extensive tumor burdens and visceral-predominant disease. However, failure to respond to primary therapy does not preclude response to secondary therapy with the alternate regimen.", "contents": "Randomized prospective trial of DTIC (NSC-45388) alone versus BCNU (NSC-409962) plus vincristine (NSC-67574) in the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma. Fifty patients with metastatic malignant melanoma were randomized to treatment with either DTIC (2 mg/kg/day X 10 iv) or the combination of BCNU (150 mg/m2 iv) plus vincristine (VCR) (2 mg/m2 iv on Day 1 only). Treatment failures were crossed over to the alternate therapy. Primary, secondary, and cumulative response rates to DTIC were 29%, 9%, and 22%, respectively. Primary, secondary, and cumulative response rates to BCNU plus VCR were 23%, 29%, and 25%, respectively. Five of 26 patients (19%) experienced objective regression from secondary therapy after failure to respond to primary therapy. DTIC produced gastrointestinal and hematologic toxic effects; BCNU plus VCR produced gastrointestinal, hematologic, and neurologic toxic effects. VCR administered at a dose of 2 mg/m2 resulted in excessive neurologic toxic effects in 12 of 21 patients; a maximum VCR dose of 2 mg/injection was well tolerated by 15 subsequent patients without an adverse effect upon response rate. An analysis of tumor burden and organ involvement in responders and nonresponders suggests that DTIC is the first-choice treatment for patients with limited tumor burdens and nonvisceral metastases; BCNU plus VCR is the first-choice treatment for patients with extensive tumor burdens and visceral-predominant disease. However, failure to respond to primary therapy does not preclude response to secondary therapy with the alternate regimen.", "PMID": 791478} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9171", "title": "Bioassay of plant extracts for anticancer activity.", "content": "Crude plant products were first tested in the Drug Research and Development Program, Division of Cancer Treatment, NCI, in 1956. The first materials were voluntarily submitted and later materials were acquired through various contracts. A review is given of the tumor systems which have been used for the evaluation of these plant products and of in vitro assays utilized to expedite fractionation and isolation.", "contents": "Bioassay of plant extracts for anticancer activity. Crude plant products were first tested in the Drug Research and Development Program, Division of Cancer Treatment, NCI, in 1956. The first materials were voluntarily submitted and later materials were acquired through various contracts. A review is given of the tumor systems which have been used for the evaluation of these plant products and of in vitro assays utilized to expedite fractionation and isolation.", "PMID": 791480} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9172", "title": "Types of anticancer agents isolated from plants.", "content": "The active compounds which have been isolated from plants and tested in the chemotherapy program of the National Cancer Institute since the inception of the plant program (as part of the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center) are listed, classified into types, and discussed in terms of their activity in experimental tumor systems. The tumor systems include the most important ones comprising the regular screen at different times and also the slow-growing tumors, B16 melanoma and Lewis lung carcinoma (new). The structure-antitumor activity relationships bring out the desirability for further investigation of certain types of compounds as possibilities for clinical trial. Notes on the current pharmacologic anc clinical status of certain compounds are also presented.", "contents": "Types of anticancer agents isolated from plants. The active compounds which have been isolated from plants and tested in the chemotherapy program of the National Cancer Institute since the inception of the plant program (as part of the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center) are listed, classified into types, and discussed in terms of their activity in experimental tumor systems. The tumor systems include the most important ones comprising the regular screen at different times and also the slow-growing tumors, B16 melanoma and Lewis lung carcinoma (new). The structure-antitumor activity relationships bring out the desirability for further investigation of certain types of compounds as possibilities for clinical trial. Notes on the current pharmacologic anc clinical status of certain compounds are also presented.", "PMID": 791481} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9173", "title": "Distribution of anticancer activity in higher plants.", "content": "The systematic distribution in higher plants of general anticancer activity, high-interest anticancer activity, and high-interest compounds is presented. Special emphasis is placed on those taxonomic groups offering, by virtue of their high-interest activity and/or compounds, the greatest potential as sources of useful anticancer agents.", "contents": "Distribution of anticancer activity in higher plants. The systematic distribution in higher plants of general anticancer activity, high-interest anticancer activity, and high-interest compounds is presented. Special emphasis is placed on those taxonomic groups offering, by virtue of their high-interest activity and/or compounds, the greatest potential as sources of useful anticancer agents.", "PMID": 791482} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9174", "title": "Novel plant-derived tumor inhibitors and their mechanisms of action.", "content": "The activity-directed isolation of new tumor inhibitors of plant origin has yielded many novel compounds with significant growth-inhibitory properties. A large proportion of the new compounds contain highly electrophilic functionalities and chemical and biochemical studies are yielding a growing body of evidence to support the view that these compounds may act by selective alkylation of growth-regulatory biologic macromolecules. The selectivity may result from many factors, among which are transport of the tumor inhibitor into the cell and the chemical nature and steric environment of the specific nucleophile to be alkylated. Model studies support the hypothesis that the inhibition of tumor growth by the new agents may be attributable to selective alkylation of key enzymes which control cell division.", "contents": "Novel plant-derived tumor inhibitors and their mechanisms of action. The activity-directed isolation of new tumor inhibitors of plant origin has yielded many novel compounds with significant growth-inhibitory properties. A large proportion of the new compounds contain highly electrophilic functionalities and chemical and biochemical studies are yielding a growing body of evidence to support the view that these compounds may act by selective alkylation of growth-regulatory biologic macromolecules. The selectivity may result from many factors, among which are transport of the tumor inhibitor into the cell and the chemical nature and steric environment of the specific nucleophile to be alkylated. Model studies support the hypothesis that the inhibition of tumor growth by the new agents may be attributable to selective alkylation of key enzymes which control cell division.", "PMID": 791483} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9175", "title": "The genus Cephalotaxus: source of homoharringtonine and related anticancer alkaloids.", "content": "Various phases of research on Ciphalotaxus alkaloids are summarized, including their discovery, nature of antitumor activity, isolation, structural characterization, synthesis, biogenesis, and mechanism of physiologic action.", "contents": "The genus Cephalotaxus: source of homoharringtonine and related anticancer alkaloids. Various phases of research on Ciphalotaxus alkaloids are summarized, including their discovery, nature of antitumor activity, isolation, structural characterization, synthesis, biogenesis, and mechanism of physiologic action.", "PMID": 791485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9176", "title": "Oncogenic and tumor-promoting Spermatophytes and Pteridophytes and their active principles.", "content": "A survey and discussion are presented of plants classified as Spermatophyta and Pteridophyta, extracts of which have been shown to be oncogenic or tumor-promoting in animals. The active oncogenic and tumor-promoting principles, where known, have been identified. They represent tannins; pyrrolizidine, indole, tropolone, quinoline, purine, and benzophenanthridine alkaloids; nitroso compounds; triterpene glycosides; lignans; isoflavans; allyl benzenoids; simple (nu-pyrenes; and carbocyclic hydroxy acids. A total of 28 compounds of known structure have been identified as oncogens and several phorbol esters as tumor-promoters. Plants known to contain any of the 28 oncogens (excluding shikimic acid and caffeine) have been tabulated; they represent at least 454 species, 110 genera, and 34 families of Spermatophyta and Pteridophyta.", "contents": "Oncogenic and tumor-promoting Spermatophytes and Pteridophytes and their active principles. A survey and discussion are presented of plants classified as Spermatophyta and Pteridophyta, extracts of which have been shown to be oncogenic or tumor-promoting in animals. The active oncogenic and tumor-promoting principles, where known, have been identified. They represent tannins; pyrrolizidine, indole, tropolone, quinoline, purine, and benzophenanthridine alkaloids; nitroso compounds; triterpene glycosides; lignans; isoflavans; allyl benzenoids; simple (nu-pyrenes; and carbocyclic hydroxy acids. A total of 28 compounds of known structure have been identified as oncogens and several phorbol esters as tumor-promoters. Plants known to contain any of the 28 oncogens (excluding shikimic acid and caffeine) have been tabulated; they represent at least 454 species, 110 genera, and 34 families of Spermatophyta and Pteridophyta.", "PMID": 791486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9177", "title": "Plant folklore: a tool for predicting sources of antitumor activity?", "content": "The National Cancer Institute's record of \"active plants\" (extracts which showed a significant inhibitory effect in experimental tumor systems) was compared with plants reported in folklore to have medicinal or poisonous properties. The occurrence of active plants was found to be higher in plants reported in folk literature than in plants collected at random, suggesting a correlation between plants used in folklore and those with anticancer activity.", "contents": "Plant folklore: a tool for predicting sources of antitumor activity? The National Cancer Institute's record of \"active plants\" (extracts which showed a significant inhibitory effect in experimental tumor systems) was compared with plants reported in folklore to have medicinal or poisonous properties. The occurrence of active plants was found to be higher in plants reported in folk literature than in plants collected at random, suggesting a correlation between plants used in folklore and those with anticancer activity.", "PMID": 791488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9178", "title": "Immediate hypotensive after-effects of posterior hypothalamic lesions in awake rats with spontaneous, renal, or Doca hypertension.", "content": "If the posterior hypothalamus contributes to elevate blood pressure in hypertension by increasing sympathetic vasomotor activity, then lesions of the posterior hypothalamus should lower blood pressure more in hypertensive than in normotensive rats. To test this hypothesis without complications caused by anaesthesia, aortic pressures were recorded from indwelling catheters in awake rats before and after selective hypothalamic destruction. In normotensive rats rats, bilateral lesions of the medial areas of the posterior hypothalamus always lowered blood pressure while those in the anterior hypothalamus slightly increased it. Heart rate responses varied widely and did not seem to contribute to the blood pressure changes. Posterior hypothalamic lesions of approximately the same size had significantly greater hypotensive after-effects in renal and spontaneously hypentensive rats than in normotensive or Doca hypentensive ones. These results imply that sympathetic overactivity emanating from posterior hypothalamic centres contributes to the blood pressure elevation in spontaneous or chronic renal hypentension but not in Doca hypertension. However, because of inherent weaknesses in the 'lesion method' and the complexity of blood pressure regulation in awake animals, other explanations are possible.", "contents": "Immediate hypotensive after-effects of posterior hypothalamic lesions in awake rats with spontaneous, renal, or Doca hypertension. If the posterior hypothalamus contributes to elevate blood pressure in hypertension by increasing sympathetic vasomotor activity, then lesions of the posterior hypothalamus should lower blood pressure more in hypertensive than in normotensive rats. To test this hypothesis without complications caused by anaesthesia, aortic pressures were recorded from indwelling catheters in awake rats before and after selective hypothalamic destruction. In normotensive rats rats, bilateral lesions of the medial areas of the posterior hypothalamus always lowered blood pressure while those in the anterior hypothalamus slightly increased it. Heart rate responses varied widely and did not seem to contribute to the blood pressure changes. Posterior hypothalamic lesions of approximately the same size had significantly greater hypotensive after-effects in renal and spontaneously hypentensive rats than in normotensive or Doca hypentensive ones. These results imply that sympathetic overactivity emanating from posterior hypothalamic centres contributes to the blood pressure elevation in spontaneous or chronic renal hypentension but not in Doca hypertension. However, because of inherent weaknesses in the 'lesion method' and the complexity of blood pressure regulation in awake animals, other explanations are possible.", "PMID": 791490} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9179", "title": "Ultrastructure of the corneal nerves in the rat.", "content": "The ultrastructure of the corneal nerves of the rat was studied in tissue fixed by immersion in and by perfusion with glutaraldehyde-containing fixatives. Of the four types of axonal terminal identified in the nerves, those with the features of adrenergic and cholinergic terminals were confined to the nerves at the limbus and were concentrated in the perivascular plexuses. The remaining two types of terminal were found on axons located in all parts of the cornea and on both intraepithelial axons located in all parts of the cornea and on both intraepithelial axons and axons in the stromal nerves. Of these, one contained the numerous mitochondria which occur in the terminals of axons associated with known mechanoreceptors and the second contained variable and often small numbers of both clear and large dense-cored vesicles. While most of the mitochondria-containing terminals were seen in nerves located near the periphery,vesicle-containing terminals were numerous in all of the nerves,and especially in those in the avascular cornea. In material fixed by immersion in glutaraldehyde-paraformaldehyde,the vesicle-containing terminals appeared to be dilated,but in material fixed by perfusion there was little evidence of any increase in the diameter of the axons in the terminal regions. The structure of the terminals was compared with that of the terminals of axons identified in the nerves of the skin and the urinary tract and the differences in the vesicle content of the terminals to those reported in other studies of the corneal nerves was related to the use of different fixation procedures. The possibility that axons possessing such terminals are identical with the beaded axons and both the cholinesterase-positive and fluorescent axons demonstrated in light microscopical studies of the corneal nerves is discussed, and the widespread distribution of the axons in the cornea is equated with the hypothesis that they are afferent in nature and represent the peripheral receptors for pain impulses.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of the corneal nerves in the rat. The ultrastructure of the corneal nerves of the rat was studied in tissue fixed by immersion in and by perfusion with glutaraldehyde-containing fixatives. Of the four types of axonal terminal identified in the nerves, those with the features of adrenergic and cholinergic terminals were confined to the nerves at the limbus and were concentrated in the perivascular plexuses. The remaining two types of terminal were found on axons located in all parts of the cornea and on both intraepithelial axons located in all parts of the cornea and on both intraepithelial axons and axons in the stromal nerves. Of these, one contained the numerous mitochondria which occur in the terminals of axons associated with known mechanoreceptors and the second contained variable and often small numbers of both clear and large dense-cored vesicles. While most of the mitochondria-containing terminals were seen in nerves located near the periphery,vesicle-containing terminals were numerous in all of the nerves,and especially in those in the avascular cornea. In material fixed by immersion in glutaraldehyde-paraformaldehyde,the vesicle-containing terminals appeared to be dilated,but in material fixed by perfusion there was little evidence of any increase in the diameter of the axons in the terminal regions. The structure of the terminals was compared with that of the terminals of axons identified in the nerves of the skin and the urinary tract and the differences in the vesicle content of the terminals to those reported in other studies of the corneal nerves was related to the use of different fixation procedures. The possibility that axons possessing such terminals are identical with the beaded axons and both the cholinesterase-positive and fluorescent axons demonstrated in light microscopical studies of the corneal nerves is discussed, and the widespread distribution of the axons in the cornea is equated with the hypothesis that they are afferent in nature and represent the peripheral receptors for pain impulses.", "PMID": 791495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9180", "title": "The distribution of concanavalin A binding sites on the intestinal epithelium of the nematodes Ascaris suum and Parascaris equorum.", "content": "Receptors for Concanavalin A (Con A), were localized on the intestinal epithelium of the nematodes Ascaris suum and Parascaris equorum. Fixed tissue incubated in 3H-Con A showed labeling of the microvilli surface and basal membrane. Using Con A coupled with peroxidase, the tips of the microvilli of Ascaris suum and the tips and lateral surfaces of Parascaris equorum were stained. The basal membrane of both species was also labeld. No labeling was observed on control tissue incubated without Con A or on tissue incubated with Con A to which alpha-methyl-D-mannoside was added.", "contents": "The distribution of concanavalin A binding sites on the intestinal epithelium of the nematodes Ascaris suum and Parascaris equorum. Receptors for Concanavalin A (Con A), were localized on the intestinal epithelium of the nematodes Ascaris suum and Parascaris equorum. Fixed tissue incubated in 3H-Con A showed labeling of the microvilli surface and basal membrane. Using Con A coupled with peroxidase, the tips of the microvilli of Ascaris suum and the tips and lateral surfaces of Parascaris equorum were stained. The basal membrane of both species was also labeld. No labeling was observed on control tissue incubated without Con A or on tissue incubated with Con A to which alpha-methyl-D-mannoside was added.", "PMID": 791496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9181", "title": "Insulin-, glucagon-, and somatostatin-immunoreactive endocrine cells in the equine pancreas.", "content": "Equine pancreas was investigated with immunohistochemical methods to study the distribution of endocrine cells immunoreactive to anti-insulin, anti-glucagon, and anti-somatostatin. A-cells demonstrable by anti-glucagon are located in the center of Langerhans islets and frequently in the duct epithelium. Few A-cells are seen associated to acini. Anti-insulin reactive B-cells form a large zone around the center of the Langerhans islets in which some B-cells lie between exocrine cells and others, although few, are located in the duct epithelium. D-cells stained with anti-somatostatin serum form a discontinuous outermost zone around the Langerhans islets. In some islets the D-cells are also observed among the B-cells or between the border of A- and B-cells. Single D-cells are seen in the duct epithelium or between acinar cells. In younger horses, endocrine cells are more frequently associated in bulges of the duct system. The histotopographic relation between these endocrine cell types is discussed with respect to its functional significance.", "contents": "Insulin-, glucagon-, and somatostatin-immunoreactive endocrine cells in the equine pancreas. Equine pancreas was investigated with immunohistochemical methods to study the distribution of endocrine cells immunoreactive to anti-insulin, anti-glucagon, and anti-somatostatin. A-cells demonstrable by anti-glucagon are located in the center of Langerhans islets and frequently in the duct epithelium. Few A-cells are seen associated to acini. Anti-insulin reactive B-cells form a large zone around the center of the Langerhans islets in which some B-cells lie between exocrine cells and others, although few, are located in the duct epithelium. D-cells stained with anti-somatostatin serum form a discontinuous outermost zone around the Langerhans islets. In some islets the D-cells are also observed among the B-cells or between the border of A- and B-cells. Single D-cells are seen in the duct epithelium or between acinar cells. In younger horses, endocrine cells are more frequently associated in bulges of the duct system. The histotopographic relation between these endocrine cell types is discussed with respect to its functional significance.", "PMID": 791497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9182", "title": "LHRH-like system in the brain of Xenopus laevis Daud: immunohistochemical idenfication.", "content": "Rabbit antiserum to synthetic LHRH was used with the immunofluorescence technique to identify the LHRH-secreting neurons and their axonal pathways in the brain of Xenopus laevis. Three groups of immunoreactive neurons were identified: the first, in the telencephalon, is a paired group of cells scattered near the two telencephalic ventricles; the second group lies near the preoptic recess; the third group occurs in the ventral wall of the infundibulum. Two principal neuronal pathways were observed: Fibres originating from the dorsally located telencephalic neurons converge on the cephalic median plane where they form a single bundle behind the telencephalic furrow. This bundle descends towards the anterior border of the preoptic recess where it divides into two nerve bundles which pass on either side of the preoptic recess, run above the optic chiasma then cross the infundibular floor and finally terminate in the median eminence. The second pathway is more direct. The more ventrally located telencephalic LHRH cells give rise to this second pathway. Their axons converge with the other LHRH fibres near the lateral border of the preoptic recess. Most of the LHRH nerve fibres terminate in the median eminence although some terminate near the paired pars tuberalis. No reaction was observed after the use of antiserum absorbed with synthetic antigen.", "contents": "LHRH-like system in the brain of Xenopus laevis Daud: immunohistochemical idenfication. Rabbit antiserum to synthetic LHRH was used with the immunofluorescence technique to identify the LHRH-secreting neurons and their axonal pathways in the brain of Xenopus laevis. Three groups of immunoreactive neurons were identified: the first, in the telencephalon, is a paired group of cells scattered near the two telencephalic ventricles; the second group lies near the preoptic recess; the third group occurs in the ventral wall of the infundibulum. Two principal neuronal pathways were observed: Fibres originating from the dorsally located telencephalic neurons converge on the cephalic median plane where they form a single bundle behind the telencephalic furrow. This bundle descends towards the anterior border of the preoptic recess where it divides into two nerve bundles which pass on either side of the preoptic recess, run above the optic chiasma then cross the infundibular floor and finally terminate in the median eminence. The second pathway is more direct. The more ventrally located telencephalic LHRH cells give rise to this second pathway. Their axons converge with the other LHRH fibres near the lateral border of the preoptic recess. Most of the LHRH nerve fibres terminate in the median eminence although some terminate near the paired pars tuberalis. No reaction was observed after the use of antiserum absorbed with synthetic antigen.", "PMID": 791498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9183", "title": "Adrenergic innervation of the mouse heart revealed at an early stage using alpha-methylnoradrenaline.", "content": "The development of noradrenergic innervation was studied in the mouse heart using fluorescence histochemistry. Following incubation of hearts with alpha-methylnoradrenaline fluorescent nerve fibres were seen as early as 13 days in utero. It is suggested that the neuronal uptake mechanism for noradrenaline is functional at an early stage.", "contents": "Adrenergic innervation of the mouse heart revealed at an early stage using alpha-methylnoradrenaline. The development of noradrenergic innervation was studied in the mouse heart using fluorescence histochemistry. Following incubation of hearts with alpha-methylnoradrenaline fluorescent nerve fibres were seen as early as 13 days in utero. It is suggested that the neuronal uptake mechanism for noradrenaline is functional at an early stage.", "PMID": 791499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9184", "title": "Immuno-histochemical localization of LH-RH during different phases of estrus cycle of rat, with reference to the preoptic and arcuate neurons, and the ependymal cells.", "content": "Immunohistochemical localization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), during different phases of the estrus cycle, in the preoptic, suprachiasmatic and arcuate nuclei, and in the OVLT of rats, with special emphasis on the ependymal cells, was studied by light, fluorescent and electron microscopy, by using rabbit anti serum to synthetic LH-RH. The LH-RH neurons in the above mentioned areas, were very active during late diestrus and early proestrus phases. Specialized ependymal cells bordering the 3rd ventricle also showed varied LH-RH positive reaction during different phases of the estrus cycle. Immunofluorescent studies showed cyclic variations in the LH-RH material in the CSF of the preoptic and infundibular recesses, as well as in the 3rd ventricle near OVLT, in that, it was maximum during late diestrus and early proestrus phases. Immediately after this, the LH-RH late proestrus was reached. We have also observed that during the proestrus phase, as the LH-RH material started declining in the CSF, it had started building up in the specialized ependyma. Estrus, metaestrus and early diestrus phases showed very weak immunofluorescent LH-RH material in the lumen of the infundibular recess and in the specialized ependyma. Our immuno-electron microscopic observations showed pleomorphic LH-RH granules in the specialized ependyma during late kiestrus and proestrus phases. All these observations lead us to believe that LH-RH is not synthesized in the ependymal cells,but is phagocytosed from the CSF of the 3rd ventricle by the specialized ependyma, which transports it to the ME portal system. In males, the fluorescent LH-RH material did not show any noticeable changes. With the present and previous work,it is concluded that the neurons in differentnuclei synthesize LH-RH and transport it to the ME portal system,primarily through the nerve fibers and secondarily by the ventricular route. It is also suggested that the ependymal transport of LH-RH to the ME portal system is cyclic and thus controls the gonadotropin secretion.", "contents": "Immuno-histochemical localization of LH-RH during different phases of estrus cycle of rat, with reference to the preoptic and arcuate neurons, and the ependymal cells. Immunohistochemical localization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), during different phases of the estrus cycle, in the preoptic, suprachiasmatic and arcuate nuclei, and in the OVLT of rats, with special emphasis on the ependymal cells, was studied by light, fluorescent and electron microscopy, by using rabbit anti serum to synthetic LH-RH. The LH-RH neurons in the above mentioned areas, were very active during late diestrus and early proestrus phases. Specialized ependymal cells bordering the 3rd ventricle also showed varied LH-RH positive reaction during different phases of the estrus cycle. Immunofluorescent studies showed cyclic variations in the LH-RH material in the CSF of the preoptic and infundibular recesses, as well as in the 3rd ventricle near OVLT, in that, it was maximum during late diestrus and early proestrus phases. Immediately after this, the LH-RH late proestrus was reached. We have also observed that during the proestrus phase, as the LH-RH material started declining in the CSF, it had started building up in the specialized ependyma. Estrus, metaestrus and early diestrus phases showed very weak immunofluorescent LH-RH material in the lumen of the infundibular recess and in the specialized ependyma. Our immuno-electron microscopic observations showed pleomorphic LH-RH granules in the specialized ependyma during late kiestrus and proestrus phases. All these observations lead us to believe that LH-RH is not synthesized in the ependymal cells,but is phagocytosed from the CSF of the 3rd ventricle by the specialized ependyma, which transports it to the ME portal system. In males, the fluorescent LH-RH material did not show any noticeable changes. With the present and previous work,it is concluded that the neurons in differentnuclei synthesize LH-RH and transport it to the ME portal system,primarily through the nerve fibers and secondarily by the ventricular route. It is also suggested that the ependymal transport of LH-RH to the ME portal system is cyclic and thus controls the gonadotropin secretion.", "PMID": 791500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9185", "title": "The effect of the ionophore A23187 on the ultrastructure and electrophysiological properties of frog skeletal muscle.", "content": "The divalent cation ionophore A23187 has three major effects on the thin cutaneous pectoris muscle of frog: (1) The membrane potential is depolarized, an action that is found only when the [Ca2+] of the bathing saline is very low.(2) It causes an increase in resting tension and the development of contraction. This action is produced at both normal and low values of [Ca2+]o and is, therefore, independent of Ca2+ entry and of changes in Em. The ionophore is believed to act primarily by releasing Ca2+ from intracellular stores. (3) It causes major ultrastructural damage to the muscle filaments. It is believed that this damage is the result of the action of A23187 on the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the elevation of [Ca2+]i and we suggest that the action of thisionophore may serve as a useful model for the study of certain myopathies.", "contents": "The effect of the ionophore A23187 on the ultrastructure and electrophysiological properties of frog skeletal muscle. The divalent cation ionophore A23187 has three major effects on the thin cutaneous pectoris muscle of frog: (1) The membrane potential is depolarized, an action that is found only when the [Ca2+] of the bathing saline is very low.(2) It causes an increase in resting tension and the development of contraction. This action is produced at both normal and low values of [Ca2+]o and is, therefore, independent of Ca2+ entry and of changes in Em. The ionophore is believed to act primarily by releasing Ca2+ from intracellular stores. (3) It causes major ultrastructural damage to the muscle filaments. It is believed that this damage is the result of the action of A23187 on the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the elevation of [Ca2+]i and we suggest that the action of thisionophore may serve as a useful model for the study of certain myopathies.", "PMID": 791501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9186", "title": "Electron microscopic immunocytochemical demonstration of separate vasotocinergic and mesotocinergic nerve fibres in the neural lobe of the amphibian hypophysis.", "content": "Using the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique at the electron microscopic level, it was demonstrated that the hormones of the posterior pituitary of Rana temporaria are located in separate vasotocinergic and mesoticinergic nerve fibers. This observation confirms the results of our previous immunocytochemical studies at the light microscopic level.", "contents": "Electron microscopic immunocytochemical demonstration of separate vasotocinergic and mesotocinergic nerve fibres in the neural lobe of the amphibian hypophysis. Using the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique at the electron microscopic level, it was demonstrated that the hormones of the posterior pituitary of Rana temporaria are located in separate vasotocinergic and mesoticinergic nerve fibers. This observation confirms the results of our previous immunocytochemical studies at the light microscopic level.", "PMID": 791502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9187", "title": "Some observations on the ultrastructure of developing rat cerebral capillaries.", "content": "Developing blood vessels in rat cerebral cortex were studied at a number of stages between 3 and 28 days postnatal, in an attempt to obtain data on the mechanisms by which the lumen is established within cords of mesodermal cells. A combination of techniques was utilized in an attempt to elucidate these mechanisms. These were: (a) aldehyde fixation and block staining with phosphotungstic acid; (b) aldehyde perfusion followed by perfusion of a lead solution and post-fixation in osmium tetroxide; (c) conventional preparation of tissue with aldehyde and osmium fixation. Support for interendothelial lumen formation was readily forthcoming, including vessels with junctions between two or more endothelial cells cut transversely. There was some support for intraendothelial lumen formation, in the form of \"seamless\" endothelial cells. Other features noted included the presence of free ribosomes and vacuoles in the endothelial cells, endothelial flaps, sprouts and tendrils, intraluminal debris, endothelial degeneration and a junction with a nonendothelial cell. Large numbers of endothelial vacuoles were noted, many of them occurring at the abluminal edge of the cells. These vacuoles may be involved in the formation of intraendothelial lumina and also in the enlargement of both types of lumina. This study provides evidence that besides the well-established interendothelial lumen formation, intraendothelial mechanisms may also be operative in rat cerebral cortex. The techniques employed in this study offer the potential for clarifying these and related issues.", "contents": "Some observations on the ultrastructure of developing rat cerebral capillaries. Developing blood vessels in rat cerebral cortex were studied at a number of stages between 3 and 28 days postnatal, in an attempt to obtain data on the mechanisms by which the lumen is established within cords of mesodermal cells. A combination of techniques was utilized in an attempt to elucidate these mechanisms. These were: (a) aldehyde fixation and block staining with phosphotungstic acid; (b) aldehyde perfusion followed by perfusion of a lead solution and post-fixation in osmium tetroxide; (c) conventional preparation of tissue with aldehyde and osmium fixation. Support for interendothelial lumen formation was readily forthcoming, including vessels with junctions between two or more endothelial cells cut transversely. There was some support for intraendothelial lumen formation, in the form of \"seamless\" endothelial cells. Other features noted included the presence of free ribosomes and vacuoles in the endothelial cells, endothelial flaps, sprouts and tendrils, intraluminal debris, endothelial degeneration and a junction with a nonendothelial cell. Large numbers of endothelial vacuoles were noted, many of them occurring at the abluminal edge of the cells. These vacuoles may be involved in the formation of intraendothelial lumina and also in the enlargement of both types of lumina. This study provides evidence that besides the well-established interendothelial lumen formation, intraendothelial mechanisms may also be operative in rat cerebral cortex. The techniques employed in this study offer the potential for clarifying these and related issues.", "PMID": 791503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9188", "title": "Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study of the rat hypothalamic nuclei and cell clusters under various experimental conditions. Possible sites of hormone release.", "content": "In untreated, pregnant and thirsting rats the neurosecretory hypothalamic areas were investigated by means of the immunoperoxidase technique in order to demonstrate vasopressin- and oxytocin containing elements at the light- and electron microscopic level. In addition, chromalum-hematoxylinphloxin (CHP) staining and conventional double staining of ultrathin sections were used. The areas investigated included the anterior and posterior supraoptic nuclei, the numerous accessory cell clusters in the region between the tractus opticus and the third ventricle as well as the median eminence. In all nuclei and in the accessory cell clusters, the number of vasopressin-reactive neurons exceeds that of oxytocin-reactive neurons. Compared with the anterior supraoptic nucleus, the posterior supraoptic nucleus and the accessory cell clusters react more heavily to prolonged thirst. In the median eminence the neurosecretory axons display close contacts with the portal vessels not only in its lateral portion but in thirsting animals also around the mid-line. There the internal layer is broadened and vasopressin-positive tanycytic processes reach the external zone. Parasagittally, fine vasopressin-positive material can be traced from the internal layer to small deposits at the portal vessels. In long term thirsting animals the typical feature of swollen axons exhibits a characteristic distribution in the median eminence and renders a distinct positive reaction to anti-vasopressin. The release of peptide hormones from the perikarya and from the axons within the nuclei as well as the mode of release within the the median eminence are discussed. The significance of the positive immunostaining of the ependymal tanycytes and of some perikarya of the suprachiasmatic nucleus must be reconsidered by further studies.", "contents": "Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study of the rat hypothalamic nuclei and cell clusters under various experimental conditions. Possible sites of hormone release. In untreated, pregnant and thirsting rats the neurosecretory hypothalamic areas were investigated by means of the immunoperoxidase technique in order to demonstrate vasopressin- and oxytocin containing elements at the light- and electron microscopic level. In addition, chromalum-hematoxylinphloxin (CHP) staining and conventional double staining of ultrathin sections were used. The areas investigated included the anterior and posterior supraoptic nuclei, the numerous accessory cell clusters in the region between the tractus opticus and the third ventricle as well as the median eminence. In all nuclei and in the accessory cell clusters, the number of vasopressin-reactive neurons exceeds that of oxytocin-reactive neurons. Compared with the anterior supraoptic nucleus, the posterior supraoptic nucleus and the accessory cell clusters react more heavily to prolonged thirst. In the median eminence the neurosecretory axons display close contacts with the portal vessels not only in its lateral portion but in thirsting animals also around the mid-line. There the internal layer is broadened and vasopressin-positive tanycytic processes reach the external zone. Parasagittally, fine vasopressin-positive material can be traced from the internal layer to small deposits at the portal vessels. In long term thirsting animals the typical feature of swollen axons exhibits a characteristic distribution in the median eminence and renders a distinct positive reaction to anti-vasopressin. The release of peptide hormones from the perikarya and from the axons within the nuclei as well as the mode of release within the the median eminence are discussed. The significance of the positive immunostaining of the ependymal tanycytes and of some perikarya of the suprachiasmatic nucleus must be reconsidered by further studies.", "PMID": 791504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9189", "title": "Ultrastructural immunohistochemical localization of vasopressin in the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system of three murids.", "content": "Vasopressin was immunohistochemically localized at the electron microscopic (EM) level in the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system (HNS) of three murids. Antiserum to vasopressin was produced in rabbits injected with lysine vasopressin (LVP) conjugated to egg albumin (EA), anti-EA being precipitated prior to staining. Sternberger's unlabeled antibody peroxidase technique was employed, immunoreactivity being designated by peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) molecules and electron opacity. Immunoreactive neurosecretory granules (NSG) were found in the perikarya of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) in all three murids investigated, although far more profusely in the two wild strains. Immunoreactive axonal NSG were observed in the inner and outer zones of the median eminence (ME), and within most of the axons and terminals in the neurohypophysis. The concentration of primary serum effective for staining the SON (1:10-1:50) was far higher than that required for the ME and the neurohypophysis (1:500-1:1,200). Anti-LVP also induced electron opacity of granules in cells of the pars intermedia (PI). Discussion centers of the significance of immunoreactive NSG in the neurosecretory (NS) perikarya, on the possibility of an extragranular pool of hormone, and on speculation about the electron opacity of the PI granules.", "contents": "Ultrastructural immunohistochemical localization of vasopressin in the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system of three murids. Vasopressin was immunohistochemically localized at the electron microscopic (EM) level in the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system (HNS) of three murids. Antiserum to vasopressin was produced in rabbits injected with lysine vasopressin (LVP) conjugated to egg albumin (EA), anti-EA being precipitated prior to staining. Sternberger's unlabeled antibody peroxidase technique was employed, immunoreactivity being designated by peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) molecules and electron opacity. Immunoreactive neurosecretory granules (NSG) were found in the perikarya of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) in all three murids investigated, although far more profusely in the two wild strains. Immunoreactive axonal NSG were observed in the inner and outer zones of the median eminence (ME), and within most of the axons and terminals in the neurohypophysis. The concentration of primary serum effective for staining the SON (1:10-1:50) was far higher than that required for the ME and the neurohypophysis (1:500-1:1,200). Anti-LVP also induced electron opacity of granules in cells of the pars intermedia (PI). Discussion centers of the significance of immunoreactive NSG in the neurosecretory (NS) perikarya, on the possibility of an extragranular pool of hormone, and on speculation about the electron opacity of the PI granules.", "PMID": 791505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9190", "title": "Congenital obstructive lesions involving the major pulmonary veins, left atrium, or mitral valve: a clinical, laboratory, and morphologic survey.", "content": "The clinical, laboratory, and morphologic features of congenitally obstructive lesions causing pulmonary venous hypertension are reviewed. These lesions are responsible for considerable infant mortality and morbidity, especially in the first weeks of life, are not infrequently encountered in older children, and are occasionally seen in adults. The presence of a malformation causing pulmonary venous hypertension often can be detected clinically, but precise anatomical and physiological diagnoses, usually necessary for optimal patient management, often can be made only by detailed laboratory study. Cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography remain the prime modes of accurate diagnosis in such patients, many of whom have other significant cardiovascular malformations, and echocardiography is an extremely useful adjunct, especially in patients with mitral valvular stenosis, hypoplasia, or atresia. The only definitive treatment in any of these patients is operative relief of the obstruction, and the chances of success depend not only on the skill of the surgeon, but also on the nature of the obstructing lesion, the types of associated malformations, and the precision with which these are defined preoperatively.", "contents": "Congenital obstructive lesions involving the major pulmonary veins, left atrium, or mitral valve: a clinical, laboratory, and morphologic survey. The clinical, laboratory, and morphologic features of congenitally obstructive lesions causing pulmonary venous hypertension are reviewed. These lesions are responsible for considerable infant mortality and morbidity, especially in the first weeks of life, are not infrequently encountered in older children, and are occasionally seen in adults. The presence of a malformation causing pulmonary venous hypertension often can be detected clinically, but precise anatomical and physiological diagnoses, usually necessary for optimal patient management, often can be made only by detailed laboratory study. Cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography remain the prime modes of accurate diagnosis in such patients, many of whom have other significant cardiovascular malformations, and echocardiography is an extremely useful adjunct, especially in patients with mitral valvular stenosis, hypoplasia, or atresia. The only definitive treatment in any of these patients is operative relief of the obstruction, and the chances of success depend not only on the skill of the surgeon, but also on the nature of the obstructing lesion, the types of associated malformations, and the precision with which these are defined preoperatively.", "PMID": 791506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9191", "title": "A functional requirement for modification of the wobble nucleotide in tha anticodon of a T4 suppressor tRNA.", "content": "Temperature-sensitive mutants of E. coli have been isolated which restrict the growth of strains of bacteriophage T4 which are dependent upon the function of a T4-coded amber or ochre suppressor transfer RNA. One such mutant restricts the growth of certain ochre but not amber suppressor-requiring phage. Analysis of the T4 tRNAs synthesized in this host revealed that many nucleotide modifications are significantly reduced. The modifications most strongly affected are located in the anticodon regions of the tRNA'S. The T4 ochre suppressor tRNAs normally contain a modified U residue in the wobble position of the anticodon; it has been possible to correlate tha absence of this specific modification in the mutant host with the restriction of suppressor activity. Furthermore, the extent of this restriction varies dramatically with the site of the nonsense codon, indicating that the modification requirement is strongly influenced by the local context of the mRNA. An analysis of spontaneous revertants of the E. coli ts mutant indicates that temperature sensitivity, restriction of phage suppressor function, and undermodification of tRNA are the consequences of a single genetic lesion. The isolation of a class of partial revertants to temperature insensitivity which have simultaneously become sensitive to streptomycin suggests that the translational requirement for the anticodon modification can be partially overcome by a change in the structure of the ribosome.", "contents": "A functional requirement for modification of the wobble nucleotide in tha anticodon of a T4 suppressor tRNA. Temperature-sensitive mutants of E. coli have been isolated which restrict the growth of strains of bacteriophage T4 which are dependent upon the function of a T4-coded amber or ochre suppressor transfer RNA. One such mutant restricts the growth of certain ochre but not amber suppressor-requiring phage. Analysis of the T4 tRNAs synthesized in this host revealed that many nucleotide modifications are significantly reduced. The modifications most strongly affected are located in the anticodon regions of the tRNA'S. The T4 ochre suppressor tRNAs normally contain a modified U residue in the wobble position of the anticodon; it has been possible to correlate tha absence of this specific modification in the mutant host with the restriction of suppressor activity. Furthermore, the extent of this restriction varies dramatically with the site of the nonsense codon, indicating that the modification requirement is strongly influenced by the local context of the mRNA. An analysis of spontaneous revertants of the E. coli ts mutant indicates that temperature sensitivity, restriction of phage suppressor function, and undermodification of tRNA are the consequences of a single genetic lesion. The isolation of a class of partial revertants to temperature insensitivity which have simultaneously become sensitive to streptomycin suggests that the translational requirement for the anticodon modification can be partially overcome by a change in the structure of the ribosome.", "PMID": 791507} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9192", "title": "A shift from phospholipid to triglyceride synthesis when cell division is inhibited by trans-fatty acids.", "content": "The yeast mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae (KD 46) requires added unsaturated fatty acid for growth. When cell growth was inhibited by the presence of trans-acids there was a marked inhibition of oleate esterification into phospholipids accompanying continued incorporation into triglycerides. Apparently some control point in phospholipid synthesis associated with the cell cycle occurs after the stage of phosphatidate biosynthesis.", "contents": "A shift from phospholipid to triglyceride synthesis when cell division is inhibited by trans-fatty acids. The yeast mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae (KD 46) requires added unsaturated fatty acid for growth. When cell growth was inhibited by the presence of trans-acids there was a marked inhibition of oleate esterification into phospholipids accompanying continued incorporation into triglycerides. Apparently some control point in phospholipid synthesis associated with the cell cycle occurs after the stage of phosphatidate biosynthesis.", "PMID": 791526} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9193", "title": "Preliminary studies on the response of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine in the Philippines, with the in vitro technique.", "content": "Previous investigations had shown that resistance to standard regimens of chloroquine occurred in some cases of falciparum infection in the Philippines. More extensive investigations into this phenomenon were planned by the Malaria Eradication Service, by means of the in vitro technique developed by Rieckmann, in order to determine both the distribution of resistant strains throughout the country and their local incidence. Before these studies were undertaken, a series of observations were made on cases of falciparum malaria encountered in Manila and its environs, to assess the reaction of local strains of the parasite to the in vitro test. These cases were also treated with standard doses of chloroquine and some were followed up for 4 weeks to compare the predictions made as a result of the in vitro tests with the in vivo observations. Of the 34 in vitro tests carried out, 18 were followed up in vivo. In 8 cases, no recrudescence occurred, but in the other 10 recrudescences were detected during the 4-week observation period, thus indicating parasite resistance to the drug. In each of the 18 cases, the in vivo response followed the in vitro prediction.", "contents": "Preliminary studies on the response of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine in the Philippines, with the in vitro technique. Previous investigations had shown that resistance to standard regimens of chloroquine occurred in some cases of falciparum infection in the Philippines. More extensive investigations into this phenomenon were planned by the Malaria Eradication Service, by means of the in vitro technique developed by Rieckmann, in order to determine both the distribution of resistant strains throughout the country and their local incidence. Before these studies were undertaken, a series of observations were made on cases of falciparum malaria encountered in Manila and its environs, to assess the reaction of local strains of the parasite to the in vitro test. These cases were also treated with standard doses of chloroquine and some were followed up for 4 weeks to compare the predictions made as a result of the in vitro tests with the in vivo observations. Of the 34 in vitro tests carried out, 18 were followed up in vivo. In 8 cases, no recrudescence occurred, but in the other 10 recrudescences were detected during the 4-week observation period, thus indicating parasite resistance to the drug. In each of the 18 cases, the in vivo response followed the in vitro prediction.", "PMID": 791531} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9194", "title": "Comparison of counter-immunoelectrophoresis with other serological tests in the diagnosis of human brucellosis.", "content": "Sera from 65 persons with clinical brucellosis were employed in a comparison of standard and rapid serological tests. The results obtained with the Rose Bengal test correlated very well with those of the standard tube agglutination test, whereas results with the rapid plate agglutination test and the Coombs (antiglobulin) test were inferior. Absorption of patients' sera with specific anti-human immunoglobulin sera showed that IgM was active in the Rose Bengal test but not in the Coombs test, whereas IgG and IgA were active in both tests. In addition to the A & M antigen, which plays the most important role in the agglutination, Rose Bengal, and Coombs tests, other antigenic fractions of Brucella were examined in precipitation tests. A protein antigen reacted with 94% of the sera in counter-immunoelectrophoresis. On the basis of the results with both groups of sera, the Rose Bengal test and counter-immunoelectrophoresis appear to be the most promising methods for diagnosing clinical brucellosis. The tests differ qualitatively since different Brucella antigens are employed.", "contents": "Comparison of counter-immunoelectrophoresis with other serological tests in the diagnosis of human brucellosis. Sera from 65 persons with clinical brucellosis were employed in a comparison of standard and rapid serological tests. The results obtained with the Rose Bengal test correlated very well with those of the standard tube agglutination test, whereas results with the rapid plate agglutination test and the Coombs (antiglobulin) test were inferior. Absorption of patients' sera with specific anti-human immunoglobulin sera showed that IgM was active in the Rose Bengal test but not in the Coombs test, whereas IgG and IgA were active in both tests. In addition to the A & M antigen, which plays the most important role in the agglutination, Rose Bengal, and Coombs tests, other antigenic fractions of Brucella were examined in precipitation tests. A protein antigen reacted with 94% of the sera in counter-immunoelectrophoresis. On the basis of the results with both groups of sera, the Rose Bengal test and counter-immunoelectrophoresis appear to be the most promising methods for diagnosing clinical brucellosis. The tests differ qualitatively since different Brucella antigens are employed.", "PMID": 791532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9195", "title": "[Bancroft filariasis in Comores archipelago (immunologic study)].", "content": "An immunological study has complemented the epidemiological survey on Bancroft filariosis in the Mayotte island (Comores) carried out by BRUNHES et al., 1971. The search for antibodies to Dipatolonema viteae and Setaria labiotopapilosa was performed by means of electrophoresis and immunofluorescence in 87 individuals and 2 hydrocele fluids. Immunoelectrophoresis confirmed the high endemicity ratio: 57 o/o of the individuals presented 1 to 7 precipitating lines; with immunofluorescence 55 o/o of the subjects had a titer of 200 to 1.600. 46 to 50 o/o of the positivities were observed in people showing clinical symptoms without microfilaremia. On the other hand, 36 to 48 o/o of the proved filarian cases yielded negative results with immunofluorescence or electrophoresis. These figures emphasize the significance and insufficiencies of immunologic techniques for the diagnostic of bancroftoses. In spite of the frequency of certain well identified precipitating systems, an immunoelectrophoretic analysis did not allow to demonstrate a constant and characteristic scheme.", "contents": "[Bancroft filariasis in Comores archipelago (immunologic study)]. An immunological study has complemented the epidemiological survey on Bancroft filariosis in the Mayotte island (Comores) carried out by BRUNHES et al., 1971. The search for antibodies to Dipatolonema viteae and Setaria labiotopapilosa was performed by means of electrophoresis and immunofluorescence in 87 individuals and 2 hydrocele fluids. Immunoelectrophoresis confirmed the high endemicity ratio: 57 o/o of the individuals presented 1 to 7 precipitating lines; with immunofluorescence 55 o/o of the subjects had a titer of 200 to 1.600. 46 to 50 o/o of the positivities were observed in people showing clinical symptoms without microfilaremia. On the other hand, 36 to 48 o/o of the proved filarian cases yielded negative results with immunofluorescence or electrophoresis. These figures emphasize the significance and insufficiencies of immunologic techniques for the diagnostic of bancroftoses. In spite of the frequency of certain well identified precipitating systems, an immunoelectrophoretic analysis did not allow to demonstrate a constant and characteristic scheme.", "PMID": 791529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9196", "title": "George C. Griffith lecture. The role of renin in normal and pathological cardiovascular homeostasis.", "content": "Recently, the availability of a number of specific inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system has made it possible to address certain critical questions concerning the role of angiotensin II in physiologic homeostasis and in a number of pathologic states. These studies indicate that angiotensin II does not have an obligatory role in blood pressure maintenance in the normal, sodium replete individual, but it is essential following sodium depletion. The role of angiotensin II in feedback control of renin secretion is confirmed as is its importance in aldosterone stimulation both in relation to posture and sodium depletion. Angiotensin II is responsible for the initial pressor response of experimental renovascular hypertension and appears to be important in the initiation of chronic renovascular hypertension. Converting enzyme blockers and competitive inhibitors of angiotensin II are helpful in the diagnosis of clinical renovascular hypertension and in the identification of renin dependent hypertensives. Homeostatic mechanisms leading to maintenance of blood pressure and accumulation of edema in experimental congestive heart failure appear to be dependent on angiotensin II.", "contents": "George C. Griffith lecture. The role of renin in normal and pathological cardiovascular homeostasis. Recently, the availability of a number of specific inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system has made it possible to address certain critical questions concerning the role of angiotensin II in physiologic homeostasis and in a number of pathologic states. These studies indicate that angiotensin II does not have an obligatory role in blood pressure maintenance in the normal, sodium replete individual, but it is essential following sodium depletion. The role of angiotensin II in feedback control of renin secretion is confirmed as is its importance in aldosterone stimulation both in relation to posture and sodium depletion. Angiotensin II is responsible for the initial pressor response of experimental renovascular hypertension and appears to be important in the initiation of chronic renovascular hypertension. Converting enzyme blockers and competitive inhibitors of angiotensin II are helpful in the diagnosis of clinical renovascular hypertension and in the identification of renin dependent hypertensives. Homeostatic mechanisms leading to maintenance of blood pressure and accumulation of edema in experimental congestive heart failure appear to be dependent on angiotensin II.", "PMID": 791534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9197", "title": "Clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetics of a new orally effective antiarrhythmic, tocainide.", "content": "Tocainide, a new oral antiarrhythmic agent, was studied in man in a short-term protocol designed to evaluate the efficacy, kinetics, and toxicity of this compound. Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) were suppressed by less than 70% in 11 of 15 patients compared with pre-drug placebo controls. For these 11 responders, there was an average PVC reduction of 91% +/- 10 (range 70 to 100%) at tocainide doses not associated with side effects. Mild transient central nervous system toxicity was observed in some patients near the time of peak concentrations during the highest dose administered. The drug was found to have linear kinetics over the dose range studied and a plasma half-life of 13.5 +/- 2 hours. Plasma concentration-response curves indicate antiarrhythmic activity over all plasma concentrations, with 70% PVC reduction above 6.0 mug/ml. This study suggests that tocainide is a safe and effective antiarrhythmic agent during short-term administration and is worthy of further clinical trials.", "contents": "Clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetics of a new orally effective antiarrhythmic, tocainide. Tocainide, a new oral antiarrhythmic agent, was studied in man in a short-term protocol designed to evaluate the efficacy, kinetics, and toxicity of this compound. Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) were suppressed by less than 70% in 11 of 15 patients compared with pre-drug placebo controls. For these 11 responders, there was an average PVC reduction of 91% +/- 10 (range 70 to 100%) at tocainide doses not associated with side effects. Mild transient central nervous system toxicity was observed in some patients near the time of peak concentrations during the highest dose administered. The drug was found to have linear kinetics over the dose range studied and a plasma half-life of 13.5 +/- 2 hours. Plasma concentration-response curves indicate antiarrhythmic activity over all plasma concentrations, with 70% PVC reduction above 6.0 mug/ml. This study suggests that tocainide is a safe and effective antiarrhythmic agent during short-term administration and is worthy of further clinical trials.", "PMID": 791536} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9198", "title": "The VA cooperative randomized study of surgery for coronary arterial occlusive disease II. Subgroup with significant left main lesions.", "content": "From a large cooperative prospective randomized study, data relating to a subgroup of 113 patients with angina pectoris and a significant lesion of the left main coronary artery were analyzed. Of these patients, 53 had been randomly allocated to a medical treatment group and 60 to a surgical treatment group. The former group received conventional medical treatment, while the surgical treatment group received one or more aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass grafts. Important risk factors were approximately uniformly distributed between the two groups. Both are being followed up to 60 months (average follow-up, 30 months). To date, 12 of 60 surgical patients (20%) and 19 of 53 medical patients (36%) died (P less than 0.06). The operative (30-day) mortality declined from a rate of 25% for the first 2 years of the study to 7% for the last 3 years. Of patients randomized in the latter 3 years of the study, 12 of 41 medical patients (29%) and three of 42 surgical patients (7%) died (P less than 0.01). The average follow-up period in this group was 24 months. The proportion surviving 24 months was clearly larger in the surgically treated group (P less than 0.02). The difference in the proportion of patients surviving after surgery as compared with medical treatment was greatest in patients with additional significant disease involving the right coronary artery, with or without left ventricular dysfunction. Relief of angina as assessed by an \"anginal score\" was also better in surgical patients to a significant degree. Graft-patency rates correlated well with relief of angina, but objective studies including treadmill testing are not yet available.", "contents": "The VA cooperative randomized study of surgery for coronary arterial occlusive disease II. Subgroup with significant left main lesions. From a large cooperative prospective randomized study, data relating to a subgroup of 113 patients with angina pectoris and a significant lesion of the left main coronary artery were analyzed. Of these patients, 53 had been randomly allocated to a medical treatment group and 60 to a surgical treatment group. The former group received conventional medical treatment, while the surgical treatment group received one or more aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass grafts. Important risk factors were approximately uniformly distributed between the two groups. Both are being followed up to 60 months (average follow-up, 30 months). To date, 12 of 60 surgical patients (20%) and 19 of 53 medical patients (36%) died (P less than 0.06). The operative (30-day) mortality declined from a rate of 25% for the first 2 years of the study to 7% for the last 3 years. Of patients randomized in the latter 3 years of the study, 12 of 41 medical patients (29%) and three of 42 surgical patients (7%) died (P less than 0.01). The average follow-up period in this group was 24 months. The proportion surviving 24 months was clearly larger in the surgically treated group (P less than 0.02). The difference in the proportion of patients surviving after surgery as compared with medical treatment was greatest in patients with additional significant disease involving the right coronary artery, with or without left ventricular dysfunction. Relief of angina as assessed by an \"anginal score\" was also better in surgical patients to a significant degree. Graft-patency rates correlated well with relief of angina, but objective studies including treadmill testing are not yet available.", "PMID": 791537} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9199", "title": "Modification by sex steroids of LHRH response in the polycystic ovary syndrome.", "content": "Exogenously administered oestradiol or progesterone was found to induce augmentation of LH and FSH release in response to LHRH administration in patients with the polycystic ovary (PCO) syndrome. The effect of oestradiol upon LH release in the patients was significantly less than the augmented release induced in normal women (P less than 0-02). In contrast, progesterone induced a significantly greater LH release in PCO patients than normal women studied during the early follicular phase (P less than 0-001) but less than that in normal women studied during the mid-follicular phase of the cycle (P less than 0-01). The effects on FSH release in the PCO patients were less marked but similar to those in normal women with comparable basal steroid levels. The results suggest that both oestradiol and progesterone can modify the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in the PCO syndrome in a manner similar to that observed in normal women and a failure of these 'positive feedback' mechanisms does not appear to be the cause of the ovulatory deficiency in this syndrome.", "contents": "Modification by sex steroids of LHRH response in the polycystic ovary syndrome. Exogenously administered oestradiol or progesterone was found to induce augmentation of LH and FSH release in response to LHRH administration in patients with the polycystic ovary (PCO) syndrome. The effect of oestradiol upon LH release in the patients was significantly less than the augmented release induced in normal women (P less than 0-02). In contrast, progesterone induced a significantly greater LH release in PCO patients than normal women studied during the early follicular phase (P less than 0-001) but less than that in normal women studied during the mid-follicular phase of the cycle (P less than 0-01). The effects on FSH release in the PCO patients were less marked but similar to those in normal women with comparable basal steroid levels. The results suggest that both oestradiol and progesterone can modify the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in the PCO syndrome in a manner similar to that observed in normal women and a failure of these 'positive feedback' mechanisms does not appear to be the cause of the ovulatory deficiency in this syndrome.", "PMID": 791538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9200", "title": "The control of gonadotrophin release in women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea: effect of oestrogen and progesterone on the LH and FSH response to LHRH.", "content": "The effect of the administration of oestradiol benzoate and of progesterone on the subsequent response to LHRH has been investigated in women with hyperprolactinaemia. There was an amplification in the release of LH in four out of ten patients and of FSH in one out of ten patients at 44 h after the administration of 2-5 mg oestradiol benzoate. The average amount of LH released before and after oestrogen did not change, but there was a significant decrease in the amount of FSH released. There was no correlation between the LH released and the oestradiol concentration in serum at the time of the LHRH tests but there was a negative correlation between the FSH released and the oestradiol concentration (r = 0-507;P less than 0-05). These results contrast with those obtained in normal subjects in the follicular phase of the cycle when there is a positive correlation of oestrogen concentrations and the amount of LH and FSH released. As in normal subjects, however, a significant suppression of basal FSH concentrations, persisting until 44 h, was produced by the oestrogen (P less than 0-01). Seven out of eleven patients showed an amplification of LH response and six out of eleven an FSH response 20 h after the administration of 25 mg progesterone. The mean amplifications are not significantly different from those of normal subjects tested in the early follicular phase of the cycle, but are significantly less than those tested in the mid follicular phase of the cycle (LH P less than 0-001; FSH P less than 0-01). This may be related to the serum concentrations of oestradiol which in patients with hyperprolactinaemia are significantly less than those found in the mid follicular phase of the cycle (P less than 0-05). These results indicate that in women with hyperprolactinaemia oestrogen negative feedback, necessary for cycle initiation, is normal: failure of ovulation may be related to failure of positive feedback to oestroen. Oestrogen-negative feedback is unopposed and this may explain the follicullar development and lack of oestrogen in the mid-follicular phase.", "contents": "The control of gonadotrophin release in women with hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea: effect of oestrogen and progesterone on the LH and FSH response to LHRH. The effect of the administration of oestradiol benzoate and of progesterone on the subsequent response to LHRH has been investigated in women with hyperprolactinaemia. There was an amplification in the release of LH in four out of ten patients and of FSH in one out of ten patients at 44 h after the administration of 2-5 mg oestradiol benzoate. The average amount of LH released before and after oestrogen did not change, but there was a significant decrease in the amount of FSH released. There was no correlation between the LH released and the oestradiol concentration in serum at the time of the LHRH tests but there was a negative correlation between the FSH released and the oestradiol concentration (r = 0-507;P less than 0-05). These results contrast with those obtained in normal subjects in the follicular phase of the cycle when there is a positive correlation of oestrogen concentrations and the amount of LH and FSH released. As in normal subjects, however, a significant suppression of basal FSH concentrations, persisting until 44 h, was produced by the oestrogen (P less than 0-01). Seven out of eleven patients showed an amplification of LH response and six out of eleven an FSH response 20 h after the administration of 25 mg progesterone. The mean amplifications are not significantly different from those of normal subjects tested in the early follicular phase of the cycle, but are significantly less than those tested in the mid follicular phase of the cycle (LH P less than 0-001; FSH P less than 0-01). This may be related to the serum concentrations of oestradiol which in patients with hyperprolactinaemia are significantly less than those found in the mid follicular phase of the cycle (P less than 0-05). These results indicate that in women with hyperprolactinaemia oestrogen negative feedback, necessary for cycle initiation, is normal: failure of ovulation may be related to failure of positive feedback to oestroen. Oestrogen-negative feedback is unopposed and this may explain the follicullar development and lack of oestrogen in the mid-follicular phase.", "PMID": 791539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9201", "title": "Synthesis of immunoglobulin and secretory component by gastrointestinal mucosa in patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia or IgA deficiency.", "content": "Biopsies of intestinal mucosa from patients with adult hypogammaglobulinaemia or selective IgA deficiency have been studied for the ability to synthesize immunoglobulins and secretory component. Tissue fragments were cultured in vitro in medium containing 14C-labelled amino acids and newly snythesized proteins were detected by radioimmunoelectrophoresis. Synthesis of IgA, and in some cases IgG and IgM, was found in intestinal mucosal biopsies from hypogammaglobulinaemics and IgA-deficient subjects. Biopsies from all the patients also synthesized secretory component, but evidence was obtained which indicated that secretory component does not combine normally with IgA. Tissue sections of these biopsies have also been studied by immunofluorescence and immunoglobulin bearing cells have been demonstrated. The present findings demonstrate that immunoglobulin synthesizing cells are present in the intestinal mucosa of immunoglobulin-deficient individuals. Local immunoglobulin synthesis may partially explain why these patients do not often have major problems with intestinal infections.", "contents": "Synthesis of immunoglobulin and secretory component by gastrointestinal mucosa in patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia or IgA deficiency. Biopsies of intestinal mucosa from patients with adult hypogammaglobulinaemia or selective IgA deficiency have been studied for the ability to synthesize immunoglobulins and secretory component. Tissue fragments were cultured in vitro in medium containing 14C-labelled amino acids and newly snythesized proteins were detected by radioimmunoelectrophoresis. Synthesis of IgA, and in some cases IgG and IgM, was found in intestinal mucosal biopsies from hypogammaglobulinaemics and IgA-deficient subjects. Biopsies from all the patients also synthesized secretory component, but evidence was obtained which indicated that secretory component does not combine normally with IgA. Tissue sections of these biopsies have also been studied by immunofluorescence and immunoglobulin bearing cells have been demonstrated. The present findings demonstrate that immunoglobulin synthesizing cells are present in the intestinal mucosa of immunoglobulin-deficient individuals. Local immunoglobulin synthesis may partially explain why these patients do not often have major problems with intestinal infections.", "PMID": 791542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9202", "title": "An extractable nuclear antigen not attaching to tannic acid-treated erythrocytes.", "content": "One of the antigens present in isotonic phosphate buffer extract of calf thymus nuclei against which antibodies are produced in collagen diseases, was shown not to attach to tanned sheep erythrocytes. It is, however, well exposed on slides coated with smears of ENA-extract and fixed with methanol-acetone. Reactions with the antigen can be demonstrated by the mixed haemadsorption technique. Preliminary results suggest that it may be a ribonucloprotein closely related to the 'soluble ribonucleoprotein\" (sRNP) attachable to tanned erythrocytes. It may also have a similar relationship to clinical symptoms.", "contents": "An extractable nuclear antigen not attaching to tannic acid-treated erythrocytes. One of the antigens present in isotonic phosphate buffer extract of calf thymus nuclei against which antibodies are produced in collagen diseases, was shown not to attach to tanned sheep erythrocytes. It is, however, well exposed on slides coated with smears of ENA-extract and fixed with methanol-acetone. Reactions with the antigen can be demonstrated by the mixed haemadsorption technique. Preliminary results suggest that it may be a ribonucloprotein closely related to the 'soluble ribonucleoprotein\" (sRNP) attachable to tanned erythrocytes. It may also have a similar relationship to clinical symptoms.", "PMID": 791543} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9203", "title": "Immunodepression during Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infections in the field vole, Microtus montanus.", "content": "The effects of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infections upon immune responses were examined in an outbred laboratory colony of field voles. Microtus montanus. Antibody levels to challenge with heterologous erythrocytes and bovine serum albumin were significantly depressed in infected animals. Trypanosome infections impaired both primary and secondary humoral responses, although previously established specific antibody levels were not affected by infection. Specific antibody-producing capabilities of previously infected, trypanoicidal drug-treated voles were found to be comparable to uninfected controls, within 3 days following chemotherapy. Cell-mediated hypersensitivity responses to oxazolone were also significantly depressed by trypanosome infection; responses to the initial sensitization of oxazolone and to secondary challenge treatments were depressed compared to uninfected controls. Possible mechanisms of trypanosome-induced immunodepression are discussed.", "contents": "Immunodepression during Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infections in the field vole, Microtus montanus. The effects of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infections upon immune responses were examined in an outbred laboratory colony of field voles. Microtus montanus. Antibody levels to challenge with heterologous erythrocytes and bovine serum albumin were significantly depressed in infected animals. Trypanosome infections impaired both primary and secondary humoral responses, although previously established specific antibody levels were not affected by infection. Specific antibody-producing capabilities of previously infected, trypanoicidal drug-treated voles were found to be comparable to uninfected controls, within 3 days following chemotherapy. Cell-mediated hypersensitivity responses to oxazolone were also significantly depressed by trypanosome infection; responses to the initial sensitization of oxazolone and to secondary challenge treatments were depressed compared to uninfected controls. Possible mechanisms of trypanosome-induced immunodepression are discussed.", "PMID": 791544} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9204", "title": "A simple immunoenzymatic method for measuring IgE in human sera.", "content": "A reliable and relatively simple method for the estimation of serum IgE by single radial immunodiffusion is described. The method requires glucose oxidase-labelled antibodies. The method permits the measurement of IgE concentrations ranging from 20 to 700 i.u./ml. The values obtained in unknown samples were in good agreement with those obtained by radioimmunoassay (correlation coefficient r=0-9557).", "contents": "A simple immunoenzymatic method for measuring IgE in human sera. A reliable and relatively simple method for the estimation of serum IgE by single radial immunodiffusion is described. The method requires glucose oxidase-labelled antibodies. The method permits the measurement of IgE concentrations ranging from 20 to 700 i.u./ml. The values obtained in unknown samples were in good agreement with those obtained by radioimmunoassay (correlation coefficient r=0-9557).", "PMID": 791545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9205", "title": "Thyroiditis in T cell-depleted rats: suppression of the autoallergic response by reconstitution with normal lymphoid cells.", "content": "Qualititive, quantitative and functional differences were found in lymphoid cells of female thymectomized and irradiated (Tx-X) PVG/c strain rats as compared to normal females of the same strain. Tx-X rats were lymphopenic and had reduced numbers of cells within spleen and cervical lymph nodes, depressed transformation responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes to PHA and lower percentage killing of their spleen cells by anti-T-cell serum and complement. There was an increased percentage of immunoglobulin-bearing cells in the lymph nodes. Reconstitution of Tx-X rats by the intravenous route using syngeneic lymph node cells, spleen cells or thymocytes abrogated the autoimmune responses to thyroid components generally observed in this state. Lymph node and spleen cells, but not thymocytes, also prevented thyroid changes when given intraperitoneally. In contrast, bone marrow cells appeared to give enhanced responses. Quntitative studies showed that the relative proportions of the suppressor or autoregulatory cells in various lymphoid tissues were lymph node greater than spleen greater than thymus. Complete abrogation of the autoimmune responses was possible only when cells were administered within a short time of final dose of irradiation and moderate thyroid change was again seen if transfer was delayed for 14 days post-irradiation. At 28 days reconstitution had no influence on the development of the autoimmune responses. Preliminary characterization studies using an anti-T-cell serum and fractionation of lymph node cells on a linear Ficoll gradient suggested that autoregulatory cell is a large T cell.", "contents": "Thyroiditis in T cell-depleted rats: suppression of the autoallergic response by reconstitution with normal lymphoid cells. Qualititive, quantitative and functional differences were found in lymphoid cells of female thymectomized and irradiated (Tx-X) PVG/c strain rats as compared to normal females of the same strain. Tx-X rats were lymphopenic and had reduced numbers of cells within spleen and cervical lymph nodes, depressed transformation responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes to PHA and lower percentage killing of their spleen cells by anti-T-cell serum and complement. There was an increased percentage of immunoglobulin-bearing cells in the lymph nodes. Reconstitution of Tx-X rats by the intravenous route using syngeneic lymph node cells, spleen cells or thymocytes abrogated the autoimmune responses to thyroid components generally observed in this state. Lymph node and spleen cells, but not thymocytes, also prevented thyroid changes when given intraperitoneally. In contrast, bone marrow cells appeared to give enhanced responses. Quntitative studies showed that the relative proportions of the suppressor or autoregulatory cells in various lymphoid tissues were lymph node greater than spleen greater than thymus. Complete abrogation of the autoimmune responses was possible only when cells were administered within a short time of final dose of irradiation and moderate thyroid change was again seen if transfer was delayed for 14 days post-irradiation. At 28 days reconstitution had no influence on the development of the autoimmune responses. Preliminary characterization studies using an anti-T-cell serum and fractionation of lymph node cells on a linear Ficoll gradient suggested that autoregulatory cell is a large T cell.", "PMID": 791546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9206", "title": "Human sperm antigens and antisperm antibodies. II. Age-related incidence of antisperm antibodies.", "content": "Naturally occurring human antisperm antibodies (ASA) detectable by immunofluorescence, were found to have a peak indicence of 90% in both sexes before puberty. Thereafter, the incidence declined to about 60% and persisted through life. This age-related incidence resembled that for foreign and not self antigens. The natural incidence of the six antibodies under investigation varied: the most frequent were antibodies to acrosomal antigen Acl and equatorial antigen; the least frequent were antibodies to acrosomal antigen Ac2 and sperm nuclear protamine; and between these were antibodies to the mainpiece of tail and post-acrosomal region. Irrespective of their natural incidence, these antibodies increased at a comparable rate in men following vasectomy indicating these six sperm antigens have comparable immunogenicity. These results provide evidence for the lack of immunologic tolerance in man toward many sperm antigens. The variation in the natural incidence of individual ASA is explanable by differences in prevalence of crossreaction between each sperm antigen with exogenous antigens. Thus, antibodies to acrosomal antigen Acl and equatorial antigen, which occurred most frequently, appeared to crossreact with ubiquitous microorganisms.", "contents": "Human sperm antigens and antisperm antibodies. II. Age-related incidence of antisperm antibodies. Naturally occurring human antisperm antibodies (ASA) detectable by immunofluorescence, were found to have a peak indicence of 90% in both sexes before puberty. Thereafter, the incidence declined to about 60% and persisted through life. This age-related incidence resembled that for foreign and not self antigens. The natural incidence of the six antibodies under investigation varied: the most frequent were antibodies to acrosomal antigen Acl and equatorial antigen; the least frequent were antibodies to acrosomal antigen Ac2 and sperm nuclear protamine; and between these were antibodies to the mainpiece of tail and post-acrosomal region. Irrespective of their natural incidence, these antibodies increased at a comparable rate in men following vasectomy indicating these six sperm antigens have comparable immunogenicity. These results provide evidence for the lack of immunologic tolerance in man toward many sperm antigens. The variation in the natural incidence of individual ASA is explanable by differences in prevalence of crossreaction between each sperm antigen with exogenous antigens. Thus, antibodies to acrosomal antigen Acl and equatorial antigen, which occurred most frequently, appeared to crossreact with ubiquitous microorganisms.", "PMID": 791547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9207", "title": "Cross-reaction of antibodies present in sera of vasectomized mice with human swollen spermheads.", "content": "Vasectomy induced anti-sperm antibodies in mice were seen to cross react with human spermatozoa. Similarly anti-sperm antibodies in an infertile human male subject were found not only to react with human but also with bovine, porcine and murine sperm. Both observations made with preparations of swollen spermatozoa demonstrate the cross-reactivity of anit-sperm protamine activity of different species. Therefore in spite of known species dependent differences in amino acid composition and sequence of protamines, they appear to have common antigenic determinants.", "contents": "Cross-reaction of antibodies present in sera of vasectomized mice with human swollen spermheads. Vasectomy induced anti-sperm antibodies in mice were seen to cross react with human spermatozoa. Similarly anti-sperm antibodies in an infertile human male subject were found not only to react with human but also with bovine, porcine and murine sperm. Both observations made with preparations of swollen spermatozoa demonstrate the cross-reactivity of anit-sperm protamine activity of different species. Therefore in spite of known species dependent differences in amino acid composition and sequence of protamines, they appear to have common antigenic determinants.", "PMID": 791548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9208", "title": "Lymphocyte transformation test in leprosy; correlation of the response with inflammation of lesions.", "content": "Lymphocyte transformation tests (LTT) using 'whole washed\" and 'sonicated\" preparations of Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) as antigen were studied in eighty-one patients with borderline leprosy. The results were correlated with the histological and the clinical pictures. There was a good correlation with the histological spectrum, LTT responses generally being higher in the borderline tuberculoid leprosy patients and lower in the borderline lepromatous. However, considerable variation was noted in each group of the borderline leprosy spectrum, and it was found that this was due in part to the degree of inflammation in the skin. Thus those with 'inflamed\" skin lesions had higher responses than those with 'silent\" lesions, and even those with borderline lepromatous leprosy with inflamed lesions had higher responses than those with borderline tuberculoid leprosy whose lesions were silent. Those who had reversal reactions, where inflammation is very marked, had very high LTT responses which fell with treatment of the reaction with steroids. It thus appears that the LTT in leprosy is influenced by the occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions as well as by the patient's ability to resist bacillary multiplication.", "contents": "Lymphocyte transformation test in leprosy; correlation of the response with inflammation of lesions. Lymphocyte transformation tests (LTT) using 'whole washed\" and 'sonicated\" preparations of Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) as antigen were studied in eighty-one patients with borderline leprosy. The results were correlated with the histological and the clinical pictures. There was a good correlation with the histological spectrum, LTT responses generally being higher in the borderline tuberculoid leprosy patients and lower in the borderline lepromatous. However, considerable variation was noted in each group of the borderline leprosy spectrum, and it was found that this was due in part to the degree of inflammation in the skin. Thus those with 'inflamed\" skin lesions had higher responses than those with 'silent\" lesions, and even those with borderline lepromatous leprosy with inflamed lesions had higher responses than those with borderline tuberculoid leprosy whose lesions were silent. Those who had reversal reactions, where inflammation is very marked, had very high LTT responses which fell with treatment of the reaction with steroids. It thus appears that the LTT in leprosy is influenced by the occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions as well as by the patient's ability to resist bacillary multiplication.", "PMID": 791549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9209", "title": "In vitro reversal of cellular unresponsiveness induced by levamisole.", "content": "Mononuclear cells from twenty-one patients with depressed cellular reactivity were assessed for the ability to produce leucocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) and to transform after PHA stimulation, in the presence or absence of levamisole. Cells from nineteen patients failed to produce significant lymphokines when stimulated with PHA alone, but after a prior 1-hr levamisole pulse normal amounts of LIF were produced. Unstimulated mononuclear cell supernatants from six patients showed LIF-like activity, which could be abolished or decreased in five of the six when the cells were initially treated with levamisole. Mononuclear cells from seven of twelve patients which failed to incorporate [3H]thymidine after PHA activation, showed an increased response after a 1-hr levamisole pulse. Unstimulated mononuclear supernatants from six patients inhibited the lymphoproliferative response of normal cells to PHA. After treatment with levamisole, however, the suppressive effect of these supernatants was decreased or abolished. In vitro levamisole treatment, therefore, not only restores cellular responsiveness in anergic patients but also restricts the uncontrolled release of inhibitory factors.", "contents": "In vitro reversal of cellular unresponsiveness induced by levamisole. Mononuclear cells from twenty-one patients with depressed cellular reactivity were assessed for the ability to produce leucocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) and to transform after PHA stimulation, in the presence or absence of levamisole. Cells from nineteen patients failed to produce significant lymphokines when stimulated with PHA alone, but after a prior 1-hr levamisole pulse normal amounts of LIF were produced. Unstimulated mononuclear cell supernatants from six patients showed LIF-like activity, which could be abolished or decreased in five of the six when the cells were initially treated with levamisole. Mononuclear cells from seven of twelve patients which failed to incorporate [3H]thymidine after PHA activation, showed an increased response after a 1-hr levamisole pulse. Unstimulated mononuclear supernatants from six patients inhibited the lymphoproliferative response of normal cells to PHA. After treatment with levamisole, however, the suppressive effect of these supernatants was decreased or abolished. In vitro levamisole treatment, therefore, not only restores cellular responsiveness in anergic patients but also restricts the uncontrolled release of inhibitory factors.", "PMID": 791550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9210", "title": "Local adoptive transfer to mice of human delayed hypersensitivity: reactions by the radioisotopic footpad assay.", "content": "Human delayed hypersensitivity to living BCG organisms and/or Varidase was adoptively transferred to mice and assayed in mice by a radioisotope footpad assay (FPA). A mixture of the antigen and peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients (positive skin reactions to PPD and/or Varidase) or healthy volunteers was inoculated into the footpads of lethally X-irradiated mice. A positive footpad reaction was accompanied by an increased leakage of the radiolabelled serum protein from the blood stream into the intercellular space at the site of inoculation, and was measured by the 'foot-count ratio', or radioactivity in the test foot divided by radioactivity in the contralateral foot. The intensity of the footpad reaction correlated directly with the skin test response of the human lymphocyte donors.", "contents": "Local adoptive transfer to mice of human delayed hypersensitivity: reactions by the radioisotopic footpad assay. Human delayed hypersensitivity to living BCG organisms and/or Varidase was adoptively transferred to mice and assayed in mice by a radioisotope footpad assay (FPA). A mixture of the antigen and peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients (positive skin reactions to PPD and/or Varidase) or healthy volunteers was inoculated into the footpads of lethally X-irradiated mice. A positive footpad reaction was accompanied by an increased leakage of the radiolabelled serum protein from the blood stream into the intercellular space at the site of inoculation, and was measured by the 'foot-count ratio', or radioactivity in the test foot divided by radioactivity in the contralateral foot. The intensity of the footpad reaction correlated directly with the skin test response of the human lymphocyte donors.", "PMID": 791551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9211", "title": "T-cell helper response to antigens of Schistosoma mansoni in CBA mice.", "content": "It is believed that a T-cell helper response against the schistosome surface is a necessary prerequisite for the development of protective immunity in schistosomiasis. Accordingly, the carrier effect has been used to assay eleven antigenic preparations of Schistosoma mansoni for their helper T-cell priming against surface components of the schistosomula. Three weeks after i.v. injection of the preparation, CBA mice were injected with schistosomula coated with trinitrophenol (TNP) and 4 days later, their spleens were assayed for plaque-forming cells (PFC) against TNP. Formalin-fixed schistosomula and crude adult worm tegumental membrane induced the highest response; only thirty schistosomula or 10mug of crude membrane protein were needed to generate a T-cell helper response equivalent to that induced by a living infection. All other antigenic preparations, including formalin-fixed cercariae, live miracidia, eggs and adult worm culture fluid, generated some response indicating the presence of shared carrier components.", "contents": "T-cell helper response to antigens of Schistosoma mansoni in CBA mice. It is believed that a T-cell helper response against the schistosome surface is a necessary prerequisite for the development of protective immunity in schistosomiasis. Accordingly, the carrier effect has been used to assay eleven antigenic preparations of Schistosoma mansoni for their helper T-cell priming against surface components of the schistosomula. Three weeks after i.v. injection of the preparation, CBA mice were injected with schistosomula coated with trinitrophenol (TNP) and 4 days later, their spleens were assayed for plaque-forming cells (PFC) against TNP. Formalin-fixed schistosomula and crude adult worm tegumental membrane induced the highest response; only thirty schistosomula or 10mug of crude membrane protein were needed to generate a T-cell helper response equivalent to that induced by a living infection. All other antigenic preparations, including formalin-fixed cercariae, live miracidia, eggs and adult worm culture fluid, generated some response indicating the presence of shared carrier components.", "PMID": 791552} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9212", "title": "Specific antibody production against a soluble antigen in the Harderian gland of the domestic fowl.", "content": "Three groups of chickens were immunized with bovine serum albumen (BSA). One group received the antigen i.v., the second had BSA dropped into the orbit and the third group was immunized both systemically and by topical application of BSA. Agar-gel diffusion studies showed antibodies to BSA to be present in the tears and sera of the first and third groups but only in the tears of the second group. Immunofluorescence revealed positive anti-BSA staining in lymphoid cells of the spleens of the first and third groups and in plasma cells of Harderian glands of all three groups. It is concluded that systemic and/or topical applications of BSA affect the tears and Harderian gland whereas only systemic injections produce an effect in the spleen and serum. The Harderian gland may have an important part to play in the local immunologic mechanism of the eye and upper respiratory tract of the fowl.", "contents": "Specific antibody production against a soluble antigen in the Harderian gland of the domestic fowl. Three groups of chickens were immunized with bovine serum albumen (BSA). One group received the antigen i.v., the second had BSA dropped into the orbit and the third group was immunized both systemically and by topical application of BSA. Agar-gel diffusion studies showed antibodies to BSA to be present in the tears and sera of the first and third groups but only in the tears of the second group. Immunofluorescence revealed positive anti-BSA staining in lymphoid cells of the spleens of the first and third groups and in plasma cells of Harderian glands of all three groups. It is concluded that systemic and/or topical applications of BSA affect the tears and Harderian gland whereas only systemic injections produce an effect in the spleen and serum. The Harderian gland may have an important part to play in the local immunologic mechanism of the eye and upper respiratory tract of the fowl.", "PMID": 791553} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9213", "title": "The effect of recurrent early homograft rejection on subsequent patient and renal graft survival.", "content": "The effect of recurrent early homograft rejection on subsequent patient and renal graft survival. Two hundred renal transplants performed in Newcastle between 1968 and 1974 and followed up for at least 6 months are reviewed. There was a significant fall ingraft survival at 1 year in those patients who suffered a rejection episode during the first two months post-transplant and this fall became greater with each successive rejection episode. The rise in patient mortality with increasing numbers of rejections showed a similar trend but was less (40-50% at 1 year in those suffering 3 or 4 rejection episodes) and did not reach statistical significance beyond the first episode. We, therefore, conclude that in patients not suitable for home dialysis and in whom, because of uncommon tissue type, a second transplant is not likely to be offered under prevailing conditions of kidney donor shortage, it is justifiable to treat third and fourth rejections occurring during the first two months.", "contents": "The effect of recurrent early homograft rejection on subsequent patient and renal graft survival. The effect of recurrent early homograft rejection on subsequent patient and renal graft survival. Two hundred renal transplants performed in Newcastle between 1968 and 1974 and followed up for at least 6 months are reviewed. There was a significant fall ingraft survival at 1 year in those patients who suffered a rejection episode during the first two months post-transplant and this fall became greater with each successive rejection episode. The rise in patient mortality with increasing numbers of rejections showed a similar trend but was less (40-50% at 1 year in those suffering 3 or 4 rejection episodes) and did not reach statistical significance beyond the first episode. We, therefore, conclude that in patients not suitable for home dialysis and in whom, because of uncommon tissue type, a second transplant is not likely to be offered under prevailing conditions of kidney donor shortage, it is justifiable to treat third and fourth rejections occurring during the first two months.", "PMID": 791554} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9214", "title": "Renal transplantation in children: a psychological survey.", "content": "Psychological tests were carried out on 24 children with renal disease during the time they were hemodialyzed and after a minimum of one year after their transplant. These investigations included regular interviews with children and families, drawings and their commentaries, and projective techniques: Rohrschach tests. The results of these investigations indicated that the psychological status of the transplanted child could not be singled out and isolated from the effects of being ill, the different therapeutic procedures, and the personal history. Beyond the appearance adolescents give of a satisfactory social adjustment and beyond the explosion of vitality frequent amongst younger children, an impoverishment of their personality and major difficulties manifest themselves in coping with personal problems and identity crises especialy as far as agressiveness and sexuality are concerned. This neurotic mechanism appears mainly due to the traumatic experiences these children have experienced and their lack of support in mastering them through the verbalization process.", "contents": "Renal transplantation in children: a psychological survey. Psychological tests were carried out on 24 children with renal disease during the time they were hemodialyzed and after a minimum of one year after their transplant. These investigations included regular interviews with children and families, drawings and their commentaries, and projective techniques: Rohrschach tests. The results of these investigations indicated that the psychological status of the transplanted child could not be singled out and isolated from the effects of being ill, the different therapeutic procedures, and the personal history. Beyond the appearance adolescents give of a satisfactory social adjustment and beyond the explosion of vitality frequent amongst younger children, an impoverishment of their personality and major difficulties manifest themselves in coping with personal problems and identity crises especialy as far as agressiveness and sexuality are concerned. This neurotic mechanism appears mainly due to the traumatic experiences these children have experienced and their lack of support in mastering them through the verbalization process.", "PMID": 791555} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9215", "title": "Etiologic and prognostic significance of isolated acute renal hypoxic change (so-called tubular necrosis or shock kidney) in kidney transplants.", "content": "20 biopsies were studied in order to determine whether or not the pathologist is able to predict on morphological grounds the etiology and prognosis of acute renal hypoxic change in renal transplants. We concluded that: 1) Intertubular blood stasis seems to be pathognomonic of peripheral vascular rejection and/or renal artery thrombosis. 2) A focal distribution of acute tubular luminal dilatation suggests peripheral vascular rejection. 3) The finding of lymphatic casts suggests the presence of ureteric obstruction. 4) Linear fluorescent staining of the peripheral glomerular basement membrane appears to be due to leakage of plasma proteins in the presence of endothelial damage. 5) The histological distinction between camouflaged rejection and genuine shock kidney is impossible in a biopsy. 6) The precise cause of acute renal hypoxic change and the prognosis of kidney transplants with this alteration often cannot be determined.", "contents": "Etiologic and prognostic significance of isolated acute renal hypoxic change (so-called tubular necrosis or shock kidney) in kidney transplants. 20 biopsies were studied in order to determine whether or not the pathologist is able to predict on morphological grounds the etiology and prognosis of acute renal hypoxic change in renal transplants. We concluded that: 1) Intertubular blood stasis seems to be pathognomonic of peripheral vascular rejection and/or renal artery thrombosis. 2) A focal distribution of acute tubular luminal dilatation suggests peripheral vascular rejection. 3) The finding of lymphatic casts suggests the presence of ureteric obstruction. 4) Linear fluorescent staining of the peripheral glomerular basement membrane appears to be due to leakage of plasma proteins in the presence of endothelial damage. 5) The histological distinction between camouflaged rejection and genuine shock kidney is impossible in a biopsy. 6) The precise cause of acute renal hypoxic change and the prognosis of kidney transplants with this alteration often cannot be determined.", "PMID": 791556} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9216", "title": "Influence of cannabidiol on secobarbital effects and plasma kinetics.", "content": "To investigate the possible metabolic interaction between cannabidiol (CBD) and secobarbital, 6 male volunteers received 150 mg/70 kg sodium secobarbital orally immediately after smoking a marihuana cigarette prepared to deliver 0, 150, or 500 mug/kg CBD. The study was performed in a double-blind manner with each of the three treatments being assigned to every subject. Clinical effects and plasma secobarbital concentrations were recorded at periodic intervals. CBD did not alter the summary parameters which describe the secobarbital plasma concentration time curve. Secobarbital half-life, peak concentration, time of peak concentration, and area under the curve were unchanged by the coadministration of CBD. Clinical effects of secobarbital were also unaltered by CBD pretreatment. Thus at the doses administered, CBD does not appear to inhibit secobarbital metabolism in man.", "contents": "Influence of cannabidiol on secobarbital effects and plasma kinetics. To investigate the possible metabolic interaction between cannabidiol (CBD) and secobarbital, 6 male volunteers received 150 mg/70 kg sodium secobarbital orally immediately after smoking a marihuana cigarette prepared to deliver 0, 150, or 500 mug/kg CBD. The study was performed in a double-blind manner with each of the three treatments being assigned to every subject. Clinical effects and plasma secobarbital concentrations were recorded at periodic intervals. CBD did not alter the summary parameters which describe the secobarbital plasma concentration time curve. Secobarbital half-life, peak concentration, time of peak concentration, and area under the curve were unchanged by the coadministration of CBD. Clinical effects of secobarbital were also unaltered by CBD pretreatment. Thus at the doses administered, CBD does not appear to inhibit secobarbital metabolism in man.", "PMID": 791563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9217", "title": "Antihypertensive efficacy of a single bedtime dose of methyldopa.", "content": "To compare the antihypertensive efficacy of methyldopa administered once at bedtime with the same total dose given three times daily, a double-blind crossover study was performed in 14 patients previously well controlled on methyldopa. Each patient received a total daily dose of 0.37 gm, 0.75 gm, or 1.5 gm of methyldopa, depending on the dose of drug that had previously been successful in that individual. The trial design included either 12 wk of methyldopa three times daily (TID) followed by 12 wk of single daily bedtime (HS) doses of methyldopa or administration of drug in the reverse order. Supine and erect blood pressures were recorded 4 times daily (8 a.m., 12 noon, 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.) every 4 wk throughout the study. Blood pressure control was excellent in all patients whether the drug was administered three times daily or at bedtime. Systolic pressures were slightly lower at 8 a.m., when methyldopa was given at bedtime than on doses three times daily, and systolic and diastolic pressures were slightly higher at 8 p.m. that at 8 a.m. on the bedtime regimen.", "contents": "Antihypertensive efficacy of a single bedtime dose of methyldopa. To compare the antihypertensive efficacy of methyldopa administered once at bedtime with the same total dose given three times daily, a double-blind crossover study was performed in 14 patients previously well controlled on methyldopa. Each patient received a total daily dose of 0.37 gm, 0.75 gm, or 1.5 gm of methyldopa, depending on the dose of drug that had previously been successful in that individual. The trial design included either 12 wk of methyldopa three times daily (TID) followed by 12 wk of single daily bedtime (HS) doses of methyldopa or administration of drug in the reverse order. Supine and erect blood pressures were recorded 4 times daily (8 a.m., 12 noon, 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.) every 4 wk throughout the study. Blood pressure control was excellent in all patients whether the drug was administered three times daily or at bedtime. Systolic pressures were slightly lower at 8 a.m., when methyldopa was given at bedtime than on doses three times daily, and systolic and diastolic pressures were slightly higher at 8 p.m. that at 8 a.m. on the bedtime regimen.", "PMID": 791564} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9218", "title": "Absorption and metabolism of phenytoin from tablets and capsules.", "content": "Crossover studies were conducted to compare plasma levels of phenytoin and urinary throughput of the major metabolite, 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (HPPH), after ingestion of single 250-mg oral doses as tablets or as capsules. Plasma levels of phenytoin did not differ significantly for the 2 formulations except at 8 and 12 hr after ingestion of drug, when the mean values for the tablets were higher than for the capsules. The normalized area under the curve, however, did not differ significantly for either preparation, indicating that equivalent amounts of each preparation were absorbed. Urinary throughput of HPPH did not differ significantly between the 2 preparations. The results suggest that the 2 preparations provide equivalent therapeutic effects.", "contents": "Absorption and metabolism of phenytoin from tablets and capsules. Crossover studies were conducted to compare plasma levels of phenytoin and urinary throughput of the major metabolite, 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (HPPH), after ingestion of single 250-mg oral doses as tablets or as capsules. Plasma levels of phenytoin did not differ significantly for the 2 formulations except at 8 and 12 hr after ingestion of drug, when the mean values for the tablets were higher than for the capsules. The normalized area under the curve, however, did not differ significantly for either preparation, indicating that equivalent amounts of each preparation were absorbed. Urinary throughput of HPPH did not differ significantly between the 2 preparations. The results suggest that the 2 preparations provide equivalent therapeutic effects.", "PMID": 791565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9219", "title": "Patient dissatisfaction and attempted suicide.", "content": "This paper deals with the presence of suicidal behavior in a mental health clinic and psychiatric emergency room, and its relationships to what has been described in the literature as the \"dependent-dissatisfied\" personality. Procedures included a suicidal potential scale, projective figure drawings, and a brief interview about past and present suicidal behavior. The scale used significantly differentiated between high and low potentially suicidal groups. The high suicidal group showed a significantly greater dissatisfaction with treatment both past and present. The implications for both evaluation and therapy of suicidal patients are discussed.", "contents": "Patient dissatisfaction and attempted suicide. This paper deals with the presence of suicidal behavior in a mental health clinic and psychiatric emergency room, and its relationships to what has been described in the literature as the \"dependent-dissatisfied\" personality. Procedures included a suicidal potential scale, projective figure drawings, and a brief interview about past and present suicidal behavior. The scale used significantly differentiated between high and low potentially suicidal groups. The high suicidal group showed a significantly greater dissatisfaction with treatment both past and present. The implications for both evaluation and therapy of suicidal patients are discussed.", "PMID": 791569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9220", "title": "Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis.", "content": "This review defines the entity pseudomembranous colitis and briefly outlines the supposed etiologic causes of pseudomembranous colitis including antibiotics. The incidence, mortality rate, and natural history of antibiotic-related pseudomembranous colitis is contrasted with other forms and causes of pseudomembranous colitis. The clinical spectrum of antibiotic-related pseudomembranous colitis, ranging from a nonbloody, watery diarrheal state to a life-threatening condition mimicking an acute surgical abdomen, is reviewed. The classic proctoscopic and pathologic findings, as well as common problems encountered in interpretation, are discussed. A complete review of the spectrum of radiographic findings is presented from the nonspecific to the quite characteristic radiographic findings, including both plain film and contrast studies of the colon. These findings are contrasted with the X-ray features of other inflammatory and ischemic colitides and a differential diagnosis is discussed. A section dealing with the treatment of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis will be included. This section will review the various modes of therapy that have been employed. Finally, a brief section will speculate on the possible etiologic role that antibiotics play in pseudomembranous colitis, including the alteration of the bacterial flora and possible effect on bile salt metabolism.", "contents": "Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis. This review defines the entity pseudomembranous colitis and briefly outlines the supposed etiologic causes of pseudomembranous colitis including antibiotics. The incidence, mortality rate, and natural history of antibiotic-related pseudomembranous colitis is contrasted with other forms and causes of pseudomembranous colitis. The clinical spectrum of antibiotic-related pseudomembranous colitis, ranging from a nonbloody, watery diarrheal state to a life-threatening condition mimicking an acute surgical abdomen, is reviewed. The classic proctoscopic and pathologic findings, as well as common problems encountered in interpretation, are discussed. A complete review of the spectrum of radiographic findings is presented from the nonspecific to the quite characteristic radiographic findings, including both plain film and contrast studies of the colon. These findings are contrasted with the X-ray features of other inflammatory and ischemic colitides and a differential diagnosis is discussed. A section dealing with the treatment of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis will be included. This section will review the various modes of therapy that have been employed. Finally, a brief section will speculate on the possible etiologic role that antibiotics play in pseudomembranous colitis, including the alteration of the bacterial flora and possible effect on bile salt metabolism.", "PMID": 791575} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9221", "title": "Transverse axial tomography of the spine.", "content": "Transerse axial tomography is a technique by which the spine is viewed radiographically in cross section. The tomographic apparatus, technique of examination, and radiation exposure will be discussed. Examples of normal and pathologic anatomy of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine will be presented. In the lumbar spine cross-sectional views of stenotic canals due to facetal hypertrophy, congenital stenosis, spondylolithesis, and ventral overgrowth of spine fusions will be demonstrated. Measurements of the sagittal and interpedicular distances on conventional x-rays have correlated poorly with the anatomic state in lumbar stenosis. A high degree of correlation has been demonstrated by plotting the cross-sectional area configuration of the bony canal, as well as a new measurement, the interfacet distance, on axial tomograms. Transverse axial tomography is an exciting, new approach in neuroradiology for the evaluation of spinal disorders which have primarily axial distortion.", "contents": "Transverse axial tomography of the spine. Transerse axial tomography is a technique by which the spine is viewed radiographically in cross section. The tomographic apparatus, technique of examination, and radiation exposure will be discussed. Examples of normal and pathologic anatomy of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine will be presented. In the lumbar spine cross-sectional views of stenotic canals due to facetal hypertrophy, congenital stenosis, spondylolithesis, and ventral overgrowth of spine fusions will be demonstrated. Measurements of the sagittal and interpedicular distances on conventional x-rays have correlated poorly with the anatomic state in lumbar stenosis. A high degree of correlation has been demonstrated by plotting the cross-sectional area configuration of the bony canal, as well as a new measurement, the interfacet distance, on axial tomograms. Transverse axial tomography is an exciting, new approach in neuroradiology for the evaluation of spinal disorders which have primarily axial distortion.", "PMID": 791576} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9222", "title": "Essential knowledge about pitfalls in tomography.", "content": "Tomographic cut is not synonymous to a roentgenogram of an anatomic cut. Blurring is inherent in the tomogram, and the edges do not appear as sharp as in the conventional roentgenogram. Part of the contrast is lost in tomography. Therefore, when tissue contrast is low, or when we intend to see an entire structure in one cut, zoneography is preferred. On the other hand, when many details are crowded in a small area and/or when the tissue contrast is high, a thin section tomography is indicated. Proper knowledge of the level of area of interest (focal plane) and proper spacing of the cuts decrease radiation and expenses. The Law of Tangent, namely, \"The edge of a structure should be momentarily parallel to the beam at the focal plane, in order to show on the film,\" is an essential part of every tomographic study. The Law of Tangent applies equally to spheres and other curved surfaces. The effective tomographic angle is the angle described by the tube during exposure. The thickness of the cut depends on the effective tomographic angle. Prior viewing of conventional roentgenogram and proper knowledge of the mechanism of parasitic and phantom images help us to avoid mistaking these images as real structures.", "contents": "Essential knowledge about pitfalls in tomography. Tomographic cut is not synonymous to a roentgenogram of an anatomic cut. Blurring is inherent in the tomogram, and the edges do not appear as sharp as in the conventional roentgenogram. Part of the contrast is lost in tomography. Therefore, when tissue contrast is low, or when we intend to see an entire structure in one cut, zoneography is preferred. On the other hand, when many details are crowded in a small area and/or when the tissue contrast is high, a thin section tomography is indicated. Proper knowledge of the level of area of interest (focal plane) and proper spacing of the cuts decrease radiation and expenses. The Law of Tangent, namely, \"The edge of a structure should be momentarily parallel to the beam at the focal plane, in order to show on the film,\" is an essential part of every tomographic study. The Law of Tangent applies equally to spheres and other curved surfaces. The effective tomographic angle is the angle described by the tube during exposure. The thickness of the cut depends on the effective tomographic angle. Prior viewing of conventional roentgenogram and proper knowledge of the mechanism of parasitic and phantom images help us to avoid mistaking these images as real structures.", "PMID": 791577} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9223", "title": "A comparative study of clemastine ('Tavegil') and chlorpheniramine maleate in the treatment of hay fever.", "content": "A double-blind randomised parallel group study was carried out in 46 patinets to compare the effectiveness of clemastine with that of chlorpheniramine maleate in the treatment of hay fever. The results showed that both drugs were equally effective in controlling the symptoms of hay fever without side-efects or other untoward reactions. It is suggested that clemastine is a logical first choice antihistamine as well as being an effective alternative where tolerance to other antihistamines develops.", "contents": "A comparative study of clemastine ('Tavegil') and chlorpheniramine maleate in the treatment of hay fever. A double-blind randomised parallel group study was carried out in 46 patinets to compare the effectiveness of clemastine with that of chlorpheniramine maleate in the treatment of hay fever. The results showed that both drugs were equally effective in controlling the symptoms of hay fever without side-efects or other untoward reactions. It is suggested that clemastine is a logical first choice antihistamine as well as being an effective alternative where tolerance to other antihistamines develops.", "PMID": 791583} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9224", "title": "Double-blind trial of prostaglandin F2alpha and oxytocin in the induction of labour.", "content": "In a random double-blind trial in 28 pregnant women at term, labour was induced with either prostaglandin F2alpha or oxytocin given by intravenous infusion. The results showed that prostaglandin F2alpha was as active as oxytocin and induction was successfully carried out in 24 patients; 3 patients had a caesarean section because of an obstructed labour and 1 patient on oxytocin did not have regular contractions after 10-hours' infusion although she delivered spontaneously 2 days later. No difference was found in the induction--delivery interval in the 8 patients in each group who had early amniotomy (first 90 minutes). No adverse effects were noted in either mother or the child. The authors recommend that to avoid side-effects the dosage of 20 mug prostaglandin F2alpha per minute should not be exceeded and that, although no cardiotocographic abnormalities were noted, this method of control should be used.", "contents": "Double-blind trial of prostaglandin F2alpha and oxytocin in the induction of labour. In a random double-blind trial in 28 pregnant women at term, labour was induced with either prostaglandin F2alpha or oxytocin given by intravenous infusion. The results showed that prostaglandin F2alpha was as active as oxytocin and induction was successfully carried out in 24 patients; 3 patients had a caesarean section because of an obstructed labour and 1 patient on oxytocin did not have regular contractions after 10-hours' infusion although she delivered spontaneously 2 days later. No difference was found in the induction--delivery interval in the 8 patients in each group who had early amniotomy (first 90 minutes). No adverse effects were noted in either mother or the child. The authors recommend that to avoid side-effects the dosage of 20 mug prostaglandin F2alpha per minute should not be exceeded and that, although no cardiotocographic abnormalities were noted, this method of control should be used.", "PMID": 791584} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9225", "title": "Double-blind comparison of the antirheumatic activity and gastric side-effects of indomethacin used alone or in combination with a gastro-protective agent, proglumide.", "content": "A double-blind placebo controlled trial was carried out in 32 hospitalized patients with various rheumatic disorders to assess the therapeutic effectiveness and gastric tolerance of indomethacin (150 mg/day) used alone or in combination with proglumide (900 mg/day). Patients were treated for periods ranging from 20 to 28 days. The therapeutic response to both treatments, as assessed by objective criteria and final overall evaluation, was not significantly different. There was, however, a marked difference in gastric disturbance between the two groups. Uropepsinogen levels increased significantly during treatment in patients receiving indomethacin plus placebo but decreased significantly after Day 10 in those receiving proglumide. Although stomach X-ray or faecal occult blood investigations showed litle change from normal in either group, no gastric side-effects were reported in the proglumide patients whereas only 2 of the 16 patients receiving indomethacin plus placebo were entirely free of such side-effects throughout the trial, and most had developed gastric symptoms by the 9th day of treatment.", "contents": "Double-blind comparison of the antirheumatic activity and gastric side-effects of indomethacin used alone or in combination with a gastro-protective agent, proglumide. A double-blind placebo controlled trial was carried out in 32 hospitalized patients with various rheumatic disorders to assess the therapeutic effectiveness and gastric tolerance of indomethacin (150 mg/day) used alone or in combination with proglumide (900 mg/day). Patients were treated for periods ranging from 20 to 28 days. The therapeutic response to both treatments, as assessed by objective criteria and final overall evaluation, was not significantly different. There was, however, a marked difference in gastric disturbance between the two groups. Uropepsinogen levels increased significantly during treatment in patients receiving indomethacin plus placebo but decreased significantly after Day 10 in those receiving proglumide. Although stomach X-ray or faecal occult blood investigations showed litle change from normal in either group, no gastric side-effects were reported in the proglumide patients whereas only 2 of the 16 patients receiving indomethacin plus placebo were entirely free of such side-effects throughout the trial, and most had developed gastric symptoms by the 9th day of treatment.", "PMID": 791585} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9226", "title": "Comparison of azapropazone and naproxen in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A double-blind crossover trial was carried out in 15 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis to compare the effectiveness of 1200 mg azapropazone daily and 750 mg naproxen daily, each drug being given for 2 weeks. Patients also received placebo therapy before and between the two treatment periods. The results of subjective and objective assessments showed that both drugs were significantly superior to placebo, but no significant difference could be demonstrated between the two drugs.", "contents": "Comparison of azapropazone and naproxen in rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind crossover trial was carried out in 15 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis to compare the effectiveness of 1200 mg azapropazone daily and 750 mg naproxen daily, each drug being given for 2 weeks. Patients also received placebo therapy before and between the two treatment periods. The results of subjective and objective assessments showed that both drugs were significantly superior to placebo, but no significant difference could be demonstrated between the two drugs.", "PMID": 791586} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9227", "title": "Replacement therapy and piperazine oestrone sulphate ('Harmogen') and its effect on memory.", "content": "A formal memory test was administered to 18 female patients with signs or symptoms of oestrogen deficiency taking part in a double-blind study of piperazine oestrone sulphate. A significant improvement in memory was seen in the treated group compared with the placebo group. The findings are discussed.", "contents": "Replacement therapy and piperazine oestrone sulphate ('Harmogen') and its effect on memory. A formal memory test was administered to 18 female patients with signs or symptoms of oestrogen deficiency taking part in a double-blind study of piperazine oestrone sulphate. A significant improvement in memory was seen in the treated group compared with the placebo group. The findings are discussed.", "PMID": 791587} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9228", "title": "Case report: lithium in reactive depression.", "content": "A 25-year old woman suffering from severe reactive depression was treated with lithium carbonate 1500 mg per day. On this regime she showed a very good improvement, and after 4 weeks of in-patient treatment was free of symptoms. At 6-months' follow-up there was no recurrence of symptoms; her serum lithium levels were within therapeutic range (0.6 to 1.2 mEq/1).", "contents": "Case report: lithium in reactive depression. A 25-year old woman suffering from severe reactive depression was treated with lithium carbonate 1500 mg per day. On this regime she showed a very good improvement, and after 4 weeks of in-patient treatment was free of symptoms. At 6-months' follow-up there was no recurrence of symptoms; her serum lithium levels were within therapeutic range (0.6 to 1.2 mEq/1).", "PMID": 791588} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9229", "title": "[Bridging extensive peritoneal defects with terminal mesoileum].", "content": "Extended intestinal operations such as right hemicolectomies and operations in the pouch of Douglas can cause considerable difficulties in restoring the missing peritoneum. In the authors' four cases the problems were solved anatomically and functionally by suturing only the mesenterium of the terminal ileum to the edge of the previously cut peritoneum. With this technique of peritonealization the mobility and function of the gut was left intact. The resulting retroperitoneal space was drained separately.", "contents": "[Bridging extensive peritoneal defects with terminal mesoileum]. Extended intestinal operations such as right hemicolectomies and operations in the pouch of Douglas can cause considerable difficulties in restoring the missing peritoneum. In the authors' four cases the problems were solved anatomically and functionally by suturing only the mesenterium of the terminal ileum to the edge of the previously cut peritoneum. With this technique of peritonealization the mobility and function of the gut was left intact. The resulting retroperitoneal space was drained separately.", "PMID": 791590} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9230", "title": "[Choice of surgical procedure on the trachea].", "content": "The operative possibilities: fenestration and transsection of the trachea with closure of the defect by autoplasty, alloplasty, or end-to-end-anastomosis are described with a review of the literature. The choice of surgical procedure depends on the localization, type and extension of the tracheal lesion. Two case histories - one patient with a cylindroma and another with an inflammatory stenosis - are demonstrated. In both cases tracheal fenestration and closure of the defect by a pleural graft including support with a free transplanted autologous ribbone was applied. The reasons for this procedure are described. Of particular interest is the demonstration of the advantages and limitations of this method.", "contents": "[Choice of surgical procedure on the trachea]. The operative possibilities: fenestration and transsection of the trachea with closure of the defect by autoplasty, alloplasty, or end-to-end-anastomosis are described with a review of the literature. The choice of surgical procedure depends on the localization, type and extension of the tracheal lesion. Two case histories - one patient with a cylindroma and another with an inflammatory stenosis - are demonstrated. In both cases tracheal fenestration and closure of the defect by a pleural graft including support with a free transplanted autologous ribbone was applied. The reasons for this procedure are described. Of particular interest is the demonstration of the advantages and limitations of this method.", "PMID": 791593} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9231", "title": "Iron-binding proteins and other factors in milk responsible for resistance to Escherichia coli.", "content": "Human milk contains large amounts of the iron-binding protein lactoferrin. This is normally unsaturated with iron. It also contains large amounts of IgA and small amounts of IgG and IgM. A combination of lactoferrin and specific antibody has a powerful bacteriostatic effect on Escherichia coli. In sucking infants the milk proteins probably reach the small intestine intact. Experiments with sucking guinea pigs show that milk suppresses E. coli in the gut and that the unsaturated iron-binding protein plays an essential role in the bacteriostatic reaction. Inhibited E. coli appear to be acutely iron deficient. E. coli growing slowly in iron-deficient media show abnormal forms of certain aminoacyl tRNAs. In bacteria inhibited by colostrum the proportion of abnormal tRNA is as high as 90%. These abnormal tRNAs are converted to the normal form by the addition of iron. This occurs in the absence of further RNA synthesis and is accompanied by renewed bacterial growth. The normal flora of the gut also plays an important role in resistance. Human milk has a low buffering capacity and bacterial fermentation of lactose produces a low pH.e. coli is inhibited by acetic acid/acetate buffer at pH 4.8-5.6, whereas these conditions allow normal growth of Lactobacillus bifidus. The faeces of babies fed on breast milk have a low pH, low counts of E. coli and high counts of L. bifidus. Artificially fed babies have more alkaline faeces which contain few L. bifidus and large numbers of E. coli.", "contents": "Iron-binding proteins and other factors in milk responsible for resistance to Escherichia coli. Human milk contains large amounts of the iron-binding protein lactoferrin. This is normally unsaturated with iron. It also contains large amounts of IgA and small amounts of IgG and IgM. A combination of lactoferrin and specific antibody has a powerful bacteriostatic effect on Escherichia coli. In sucking infants the milk proteins probably reach the small intestine intact. Experiments with sucking guinea pigs show that milk suppresses E. coli in the gut and that the unsaturated iron-binding protein plays an essential role in the bacteriostatic reaction. Inhibited E. coli appear to be acutely iron deficient. E. coli growing slowly in iron-deficient media show abnormal forms of certain aminoacyl tRNAs. In bacteria inhibited by colostrum the proportion of abnormal tRNA is as high as 90%. These abnormal tRNAs are converted to the normal form by the addition of iron. This occurs in the absence of further RNA synthesis and is accompanied by renewed bacterial growth. The normal flora of the gut also plays an important role in resistance. Human milk has a low buffering capacity and bacterial fermentation of lactose produces a low pH.e. coli is inhibited by acetic acid/acetate buffer at pH 4.8-5.6, whereas these conditions allow normal growth of Lactobacillus bifidus. The faeces of babies fed on breast milk have a low pH, low counts of E. coli and high counts of L. bifidus. Artificially fed babies have more alkaline faeces which contain few L. bifidus and large numbers of E. coli.", "PMID": 791596} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9232", "title": "The problem of bacterial diarrhoea.", "content": "The reported incidence of \"pathogenic\" bacteria, as judged by serotype, in the stools of children with acute diarrhoea has varied from 4 to 33% over the last twenty years. Techniques such as tissue culture provide a means for detecting enterotoxin-producing strains of bacteria, strains which often do not possess \"pathogenic\" serotypes. \"Pathogenicity\" requires redefinition, and the aetiological importance of bacteria in diarrhoea is probably considerably greater than previous reports have indicated. Colonization of the bowel by a pathogen will result in structural and/or mucosal abnormalities, and will depend on a series of complex interactions between the external environment, the pathogen, and the host and its resident bacterial flora. Enteropathogenic bacteria may be broadly classified as (i) invasive (e.g. Shigella, Salmonella and some Escherichia coli) which predominantly affect the distal bowel, or (ii) non-invasive (e.g. Vibrio cholerae and E. coli) which affect the proximal bowel. V. cholerae and E. coli elaborate heat-labile enterotoxins which activate adenylate cyclase and induce small intestinal secretion; the secretory effects of heat-stable E. coli and heat-labile Shigella dysenteriae enterotoxins are not accompanied by cyclase activation. The two major complications of acute diarrhoea are (i) hypernatraemic dehydration with its attendant neurological, renal and vascular lesions, and (ii) protracted diarrhoea which may lead to severe malnutrition. Deconjugation of bile salts and colonization of the small bowel with toxigenic strains of E. coli may be important in the pathophysiology of the protracted diarrhoea syndrome. The control of bacterial diarrhoea requires a corrdinated political, educational, social, public health and scientific attack. Bacterial diarrhoea is a major health problem throughout the world, and carries an appreciable morbidity and mortality. This is particularly the case during infancy, and in those developing parts of the world where malnutrition is common. This paper is concerned mainly with acute bacterial diarrhoea, and reviews the problem as a whole.", "contents": "The problem of bacterial diarrhoea. The reported incidence of \"pathogenic\" bacteria, as judged by serotype, in the stools of children with acute diarrhoea has varied from 4 to 33% over the last twenty years. Techniques such as tissue culture provide a means for detecting enterotoxin-producing strains of bacteria, strains which often do not possess \"pathogenic\" serotypes. \"Pathogenicity\" requires redefinition, and the aetiological importance of bacteria in diarrhoea is probably considerably greater than previous reports have indicated. Colonization of the bowel by a pathogen will result in structural and/or mucosal abnormalities, and will depend on a series of complex interactions between the external environment, the pathogen, and the host and its resident bacterial flora. Enteropathogenic bacteria may be broadly classified as (i) invasive (e.g. Shigella, Salmonella and some Escherichia coli) which predominantly affect the distal bowel, or (ii) non-invasive (e.g. Vibrio cholerae and E. coli) which affect the proximal bowel. V. cholerae and E. coli elaborate heat-labile enterotoxins which activate adenylate cyclase and induce small intestinal secretion; the secretory effects of heat-stable E. coli and heat-labile Shigella dysenteriae enterotoxins are not accompanied by cyclase activation. The two major complications of acute diarrhoea are (i) hypernatraemic dehydration with its attendant neurological, renal and vascular lesions, and (ii) protracted diarrhoea which may lead to severe malnutrition. Deconjugation of bile salts and colonization of the small bowel with toxigenic strains of E. coli may be important in the pathophysiology of the protracted diarrhoea syndrome. The control of bacterial diarrhoea requires a corrdinated political, educational, social, public health and scientific attack. Bacterial diarrhoea is a major health problem throughout the world, and carries an appreciable morbidity and mortality. This is particularly the case during infancy, and in those developing parts of the world where malnutrition is common. This paper is concerned mainly with acute bacterial diarrhoea, and reviews the problem as a whole.", "PMID": 791597} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9233", "title": "Taking science where the diarrhoea is.", "content": "With attack rates exceeding two episodes per year in the young diarrhoea with attendant dehydration is by far the major single killer in the developing world. An invariable accompaniment of the more insidious and chronic protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), diarrhoea is itself an acute form of malnutrition: fluid-electrolyte malnutrition (FEM). Scientific attention to FEM has focused heavily on mechanisms of pathogenesis and disordered physiology, often to the neglect of preventive and effective control measures. A notable exception was the huge step from the short-circuit chamber to the cholera ward which carried the science of coupled transport to the field. Glucose-electrolyte solutions provide effective prevention and treatment of dehydration and, where combined with early proper feeding, an interruption of the FEM-PEM cycle. Wider use of this simple technology awaits greater understanding and interact-on with the social systems that determine the ecology of diarrhoeal disease.", "contents": "Taking science where the diarrhoea is. With attack rates exceeding two episodes per year in the young diarrhoea with attendant dehydration is by far the major single killer in the developing world. An invariable accompaniment of the more insidious and chronic protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), diarrhoea is itself an acute form of malnutrition: fluid-electrolyte malnutrition (FEM). Scientific attention to FEM has focused heavily on mechanisms of pathogenesis and disordered physiology, often to the neglect of preventive and effective control measures. A notable exception was the huge step from the short-circuit chamber to the cholera ward which carried the science of coupled transport to the field. Glucose-electrolyte solutions provide effective prevention and treatment of dehydration and, where combined with early proper feeding, an interruption of the FEM-PEM cycle. Wider use of this simple technology awaits greater understanding and interact-on with the social systems that determine the ecology of diarrhoeal disease.", "PMID": 791598} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9234", "title": "Neonatal Escherichia coli infections in domestic mammals: transmissibility of pathogenic characteristics.", "content": "Apart from the fact that different serotypes are involved, natural and experimental Escherichia coli infection in domestic mammals closely resembles natural E. coli infection in human beings. Some of the important characteristics of E. coli strains that cause disease in domestic mammals are determined by transmissible plasmids. These include enterotoxin, haemolysin and K88 antigen in piglet enteropathogenic strains and enterotoxin and K99 antigen production in calf and lamb enteropathogenic strains; most strains that cause generalized infections in young domestic mammals, i.e. invasive strains, also produce plasmid-determined colicine V. These are all good reasons for employing young domestic mammals as the animal model for studying certain aspects of E. coli infection in human beings. Exploiting the fact that plasmids can be introduced into bacterial cells by conjugation and can be removed from them by \"curing\", bacterial strains were created that differed from each other, as far as could be determined, only by the presence or absence of one or more of these plasmid-determined properties. These strains, or cell-free preparations of them, were then given by mouth to piglets, calves, lambs and baby rabbits. The results showed that the K88 antigen, probably on account of its adhesive properties, permitted pig enteropathogenic strains of E. coli to proliferate in the small intestine of piglets; the K99 antigen performed a similar function in calf and lamb enteropathogenic strains. The enterotoxin produced by the proliferating organisms was then chiefly responsible for the subsequent movement of fluid from the body into the small intestine and the consequent diarrhoea. Possession of the Col V plasmid contributed significantly to the virulence of invasive strains of E. coli by enabling them to resist more successfully the defence mechanisms of the host.", "contents": "Neonatal Escherichia coli infections in domestic mammals: transmissibility of pathogenic characteristics. Apart from the fact that different serotypes are involved, natural and experimental Escherichia coli infection in domestic mammals closely resembles natural E. coli infection in human beings. Some of the important characteristics of E. coli strains that cause disease in domestic mammals are determined by transmissible plasmids. These include enterotoxin, haemolysin and K88 antigen in piglet enteropathogenic strains and enterotoxin and K99 antigen production in calf and lamb enteropathogenic strains; most strains that cause generalized infections in young domestic mammals, i.e. invasive strains, also produce plasmid-determined colicine V. These are all good reasons for employing young domestic mammals as the animal model for studying certain aspects of E. coli infection in human beings. Exploiting the fact that plasmids can be introduced into bacterial cells by conjugation and can be removed from them by \"curing\", bacterial strains were created that differed from each other, as far as could be determined, only by the presence or absence of one or more of these plasmid-determined properties. These strains, or cell-free preparations of them, were then given by mouth to piglets, calves, lambs and baby rabbits. The results showed that the K88 antigen, probably on account of its adhesive properties, permitted pig enteropathogenic strains of E. coli to proliferate in the small intestine of piglets; the K99 antigen performed a similar function in calf and lamb enteropathogenic strains. The enterotoxin produced by the proliferating organisms was then chiefly responsible for the subsequent movement of fluid from the body into the small intestine and the consequent diarrhoea. Possession of the Col V plasmid contributed significantly to the virulence of invasive strains of E. coli by enabling them to resist more successfully the defence mechanisms of the host.", "PMID": 791599} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9235", "title": "The nature and action of cholera toxin.", "content": "Cholera diarrhoea is due to the action of a toxin that acts on all animal cells by stimulating the enzyme adenylate cyclase, which catalyses the production oc cyclic AMP from ATP. In intestinal brush border cells raised cyclic AMP levels result in increased secretion of chloride ions, leading to fluid accumulation in the gut. Escherichia coli produces a similar toxin. The receptor for cholera toxin on the cell membrane appears to be a complex containing the ganglioside GGnSLC (or GM1). Cholera toxin is a protein composed of two different kinds of subunits linked non-covalently. Each toxin molecule has one subunit A and four or more subunits B. Subunit B is inactive but binds to the ganglioside GGnSLC on the cell surface. Subunit A does not bind to cell membranes or gangioside and is slightly toxic to intact cells but strongly and instantly active in lysed cells. The binding of whole toxin through the B subunit to the cell is followed by a lag before subunit A penetrates the cell membrane (leaving subunit B on the surface) and stimulates the adenylate cyclase. The stimulation of adenylate cyclase depends on the presence of NAD and other co-factors present in the cell sap.", "contents": "The nature and action of cholera toxin. Cholera diarrhoea is due to the action of a toxin that acts on all animal cells by stimulating the enzyme adenylate cyclase, which catalyses the production oc cyclic AMP from ATP. In intestinal brush border cells raised cyclic AMP levels result in increased secretion of chloride ions, leading to fluid accumulation in the gut. Escherichia coli produces a similar toxin. The receptor for cholera toxin on the cell membrane appears to be a complex containing the ganglioside GGnSLC (or GM1). Cholera toxin is a protein composed of two different kinds of subunits linked non-covalently. Each toxin molecule has one subunit A and four or more subunits B. Subunit B is inactive but binds to the ganglioside GGnSLC on the cell surface. Subunit A does not bind to cell membranes or gangioside and is slightly toxic to intact cells but strongly and instantly active in lysed cells. The binding of whole toxin through the B subunit to the cell is followed by a lag before subunit A penetrates the cell membrane (leaving subunit B on the surface) and stimulates the adenylate cyclase. The stimulation of adenylate cyclase depends on the presence of NAD and other co-factors present in the cell sap.", "PMID": 791600} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9236", "title": "[Propranolol and pindolol in chronic obstructive lung disease (author's transl)].", "content": "The effects of 5 mg pindolol and 100 mg propranolol on the airway resistance were compared with a placebo in an inter-individual double blind trial in eight patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Six hours after drug administration the patients inhaled two puffs of fenoterol (0.4 mg) from a metered aerosol to test the reversibility of the bronchoconstrictive effect. Airway resistance and intrathoracic gas volume were measured by body plethysmography. Propranolol increased the airway resistance significantly (P less than 0.01). The highest increase with a mean of 44% was measured two hours after ingestion. After six hours the mean increase was still 18%. Pindolol showed a barely detectable, statistically insignificant bronchoconstrictive effect in comparison with the placebo. With regard to the circulatory effects 5 mg pindolol and 100 mg propranolol were aequipotent, propranolol had a more pronounced effect in lowering the pulse rate, pindolol in lowering the blood pressure. Fenoterol can reduce airway resistance even after beta-blockade, but the effect was more profound after the placebo than after the beta-blocker.", "contents": "[Propranolol and pindolol in chronic obstructive lung disease (author's transl)]. The effects of 5 mg pindolol and 100 mg propranolol on the airway resistance were compared with a placebo in an inter-individual double blind trial in eight patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Six hours after drug administration the patients inhaled two puffs of fenoterol (0.4 mg) from a metered aerosol to test the reversibility of the bronchoconstrictive effect. Airway resistance and intrathoracic gas volume were measured by body plethysmography. Propranolol increased the airway resistance significantly (P less than 0.01). The highest increase with a mean of 44% was measured two hours after ingestion. After six hours the mean increase was still 18%. Pindolol showed a barely detectable, statistically insignificant bronchoconstrictive effect in comparison with the placebo. With regard to the circulatory effects 5 mg pindolol and 100 mg propranolol were aequipotent, propranolol had a more pronounced effect in lowering the pulse rate, pindolol in lowering the blood pressure. Fenoterol can reduce airway resistance even after beta-blockade, but the effect was more profound after the placebo than after the beta-blocker.", "PMID": 791605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9237", "title": "[Kinematics and load distribution in braced free-end dentures. III. Influence of saddle surfaces on saddle kinematics and on the load-distribution abutiments-edentulous prosthesis saddle. Discussion and results].", "content": "In two upper-jaw free-end dentures with proximal rigid anchorage and equal average saddle width, the relationship between resilience of the mucous membrane of the alveolar ridge, the saddle area and the distribution of the load between abutment teeth and edentulous denture-bearing base was studied.", "contents": "[Kinematics and load distribution in braced free-end dentures. III. Influence of saddle surfaces on saddle kinematics and on the load-distribution abutiments-edentulous prosthesis saddle. Discussion and results]. In two upper-jaw free-end dentures with proximal rigid anchorage and equal average saddle width, the relationship between resilience of the mucous membrane of the alveolar ridge, the saddle area and the distribution of the load between abutment teeth and edentulous denture-bearing base was studied.", "PMID": 791626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9238", "title": "[Studies on the stability of total prostheses].", "content": "1. The load capacity of complete upper dentures objectively proved greater than that of lower dentures. 2. The load capacity and, consequently, the stability of position of the lateral area of upper dentures objectively diminished with advancing time of wearing, but increased in the lower jaw. 3. The stability of complete dentures is not determined exclusively by the quality of the denture bearing tissue. 4. The measured stability of position of complete dentures did not correspond with the subjective impression of full function; in general, this was stated to be as good as ever by all patients.", "contents": "[Studies on the stability of total prostheses]. 1. The load capacity of complete upper dentures objectively proved greater than that of lower dentures. 2. The load capacity and, consequently, the stability of position of the lateral area of upper dentures objectively diminished with advancing time of wearing, but increased in the lower jaw. 3. The stability of complete dentures is not determined exclusively by the quality of the denture bearing tissue. 4. The measured stability of position of complete dentures did not correspond with the subjective impression of full function; in general, this was stated to be as good as ever by all patients.", "PMID": 791627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9239", "title": "[Zinc oxide-eugenol as dental material (1)].", "content": "Zinc oxide-eugenol cements are considerably better tolerated by tissue than other dental materials. As they alleviate pain and are bacteriostatic and antiseptic, they are well tolerated by patients. The cements are good insulators and possess better sealing properties than zinc phosphate cements. Because of their poor mechanic properties, the conventional zinc oxide-eugenol cements are mainly used as temporary fixing contents and filling materials, for gingival dressings and together with filling materials as impression materials. Recently, reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol cements and cements containing ethoxy benzoic acid (EBA) have been developed. These new cements have considerably better mechanic properties and are therefore used for cement bases, indirect capping, long-term temporary fillings and in selected cases as definite fixing cements.", "contents": "[Zinc oxide-eugenol as dental material (1)]. Zinc oxide-eugenol cements are considerably better tolerated by tissue than other dental materials. As they alleviate pain and are bacteriostatic and antiseptic, they are well tolerated by patients. The cements are good insulators and possess better sealing properties than zinc phosphate cements. Because of their poor mechanic properties, the conventional zinc oxide-eugenol cements are mainly used as temporary fixing contents and filling materials, for gingival dressings and together with filling materials as impression materials. Recently, reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol cements and cements containing ethoxy benzoic acid (EBA) have been developed. These new cements have considerably better mechanic properties and are therefore used for cement bases, indirect capping, long-term temporary fillings and in selected cases as definite fixing cements.", "PMID": 791630} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9240", "title": "[Changes in shape of complete dentures in the mouth].", "content": "Form changes of complete dentures were measured in 60 patients. Some of the dentures were made of Paladon 65 and the others of PMMA by the \"casting method\". The first check was made on the day when the denture was inserted and the last up to 90 days thereafter. In the time the denture was worn, the form changes were recorded and evaluated by means of special markings. It was found that, under masticatory load, the dentures were slightly expanded transversally by 0.2 to 0.4% in the regions of the tuberosity and the anterior teeth. It was not possible to demonstrate a clear difference in the form stability of the base material Paladon 65 and that of PMMA (using the \"casting method\") during the three month in which the dentures were worn.", "contents": "[Changes in shape of complete dentures in the mouth]. Form changes of complete dentures were measured in 60 patients. Some of the dentures were made of Paladon 65 and the others of PMMA by the \"casting method\". The first check was made on the day when the denture was inserted and the last up to 90 days thereafter. In the time the denture was worn, the form changes were recorded and evaluated by means of special markings. It was found that, under masticatory load, the dentures were slightly expanded transversally by 0.2 to 0.4% in the regions of the tuberosity and the anterior teeth. It was not possible to demonstrate a clear difference in the form stability of the base material Paladon 65 and that of PMMA (using the \"casting method\") during the three month in which the dentures were worn.", "PMID": 791631} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9241", "title": "[Quantitative studies on the retention mechanism of complete dentures. I. Studies on a phantom model].", "content": "In four full maxillary dentures, the physical mechanisms of retention were examined and quantitatively determined by inductive pressure and motion recorders, in tests performed on a model and on the patients. In addition to capillary or viscous forces, the pressure difference existing in the space between denture and palate on the one hand and the oral environment on the other and resulting during pull-off, provides the greatest retaining effect.", "contents": "[Quantitative studies on the retention mechanism of complete dentures. I. Studies on a phantom model]. In four full maxillary dentures, the physical mechanisms of retention were examined and quantitatively determined by inductive pressure and motion recorders, in tests performed on a model and on the patients. In addition to capillary or viscous forces, the pressure difference existing in the space between denture and palate on the one hand and the oral environment on the other and resulting during pull-off, provides the greatest retaining effect.", "PMID": 791633} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9242", "title": "Long-term organ culture of rat anterior pituitary glands.", "content": "An organ culture system for neonatal rat anterior pituitary glands has been developed in which cellular integrity and responsiveness to LH releasing hormone (LHRH) are maintained for at least 4 days. Anterior pituitary glands from Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured individually at 37 C in an atmosphere of 95% O2-5% CO2 in BGJb culture medium, Fitton-Jackson modification. Histological examination of 5-day-old rat pituitary glands cultured for 96 h in control medium revealed no evidence of tissue necrosis. By contrast, 40-day-old-rat anterior pituitary glands were centrally necrotic after only 24 h of incubation under the same conditions. The neonatal glands were treated for 24 h with synthetic LHRH, and medium and pituitary LH FSH concentrations were determined by double antibody radioimmunoassay. On the first day of culture, LHRH caused a dose-related release of LH with the minimal effective dose between 10(-10) and 10(-9)M. Near-maximal release appeared to be attained with 10(-6)M LHRH, which induced a 12-fold elevation in medium LH over controls. Release was evident within 3 h following stimulation with 10(-9)M LHRH. Pituitary glands were responsive to this dose at 0,24 and 72 h of culture with progressively increasing ratios between LHRH-stimulated and control LH levels of 3,13, and 24, respectively. Although FSH release by LHRH was not observed on the first day of culture, on the second day LHRH caused a dose-related secretion of this hormone. Specificity of the pituitary response was demonstrated for LH and TSH release following addition of LHRH and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). The simplicity, sensitivity, reproducibility, and long-term viability of this neonatal rat anterior pituitary organ culture system make it a valuable technique for the study of gonadotropin secretion.", "contents": "Long-term organ culture of rat anterior pituitary glands. An organ culture system for neonatal rat anterior pituitary glands has been developed in which cellular integrity and responsiveness to LH releasing hormone (LHRH) are maintained for at least 4 days. Anterior pituitary glands from Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured individually at 37 C in an atmosphere of 95% O2-5% CO2 in BGJb culture medium, Fitton-Jackson modification. Histological examination of 5-day-old rat pituitary glands cultured for 96 h in control medium revealed no evidence of tissue necrosis. By contrast, 40-day-old-rat anterior pituitary glands were centrally necrotic after only 24 h of incubation under the same conditions. The neonatal glands were treated for 24 h with synthetic LHRH, and medium and pituitary LH FSH concentrations were determined by double antibody radioimmunoassay. On the first day of culture, LHRH caused a dose-related release of LH with the minimal effective dose between 10(-10) and 10(-9)M. Near-maximal release appeared to be attained with 10(-6)M LHRH, which induced a 12-fold elevation in medium LH over controls. Release was evident within 3 h following stimulation with 10(-9)M LHRH. Pituitary glands were responsive to this dose at 0,24 and 72 h of culture with progressively increasing ratios between LHRH-stimulated and control LH levels of 3,13, and 24, respectively. Although FSH release by LHRH was not observed on the first day of culture, on the second day LHRH caused a dose-related secretion of this hormone. Specificity of the pituitary response was demonstrated for LH and TSH release following addition of LHRH and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). The simplicity, sensitivity, reproducibility, and long-term viability of this neonatal rat anterior pituitary organ culture system make it a valuable technique for the study of gonadotropin secretion.", "PMID": 791638} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9243", "title": "Neurosecretory pathways in the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) brain: localization by aldehyde fuchsin and immunoperoxidase techniques for neurophysin (NP) and gonadotrophin releasing hormone (Gn-RH).", "content": "Localization studies of the hypothalamohypophysial and tuberoinfundibular neurosecretory systems were performed in the adult male mallard duck with an immunoperoxidase techinque for the demonstration of neurophysin (NP) and gonado-tropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) and with aldehyde fuchsin for the staining of neuosecretory material (NSM). A comparison was made between the distribution of NSM stained with aldehyde fuchsin and NP seen by immunocytochemistry. The magnocellular perikarya of the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei, the zona externa of the anterior median eminence (ME), the fiber layer of both the anterior and posterior ME, and small neurons in the tractus quintofrontalis were stained by both the immunoperoxidase method for NP and by the aldehyde fuchsin stain. In contrast, the parvocellular neurons of the PVN, extra-hypothalamic neurosecretory fibers dorsal to the anterior commissure in the septal region and tanycytes lining the ventral 1/3 of the third ventricle at the level of the anterior ME, were stained only by the immunocytochemical procedure for NP. These observations indicate that immunocytochemistry is more sensitive than aldehyde fuchsin staining for detecting low concentrations of NP in cells and tissues, but the two techniques produce comparable results where the concentration of the NP is relatively high. Two populations of beaded axons containing Gn-RH were distributed throughout the zone externa of both the anterior and posterior ME. One group of fibers paralleled the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory tract whereas the other was distributed in the contact zone of the ME. Immunoreactive Gn-RH was found in the cytoplasm of a sparse population of cell bodies in the dorsolateral portion of the arcuate nucleus as well as in the axons that project from this nucleus ventrally towards the ME.", "contents": "Neurosecretory pathways in the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) brain: localization by aldehyde fuchsin and immunoperoxidase techniques for neurophysin (NP) and gonadotrophin releasing hormone (Gn-RH). Localization studies of the hypothalamohypophysial and tuberoinfundibular neurosecretory systems were performed in the adult male mallard duck with an immunoperoxidase techinque for the demonstration of neurophysin (NP) and gonado-tropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) and with aldehyde fuchsin for the staining of neuosecretory material (NSM). A comparison was made between the distribution of NSM stained with aldehyde fuchsin and NP seen by immunocytochemistry. The magnocellular perikarya of the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei, the zona externa of the anterior median eminence (ME), the fiber layer of both the anterior and posterior ME, and small neurons in the tractus quintofrontalis were stained by both the immunoperoxidase method for NP and by the aldehyde fuchsin stain. In contrast, the parvocellular neurons of the PVN, extra-hypothalamic neurosecretory fibers dorsal to the anterior commissure in the septal region and tanycytes lining the ventral 1/3 of the third ventricle at the level of the anterior ME, were stained only by the immunocytochemical procedure for NP. These observations indicate that immunocytochemistry is more sensitive than aldehyde fuchsin staining for detecting low concentrations of NP in cells and tissues, but the two techniques produce comparable results where the concentration of the NP is relatively high. Two populations of beaded axons containing Gn-RH were distributed throughout the zone externa of both the anterior and posterior ME. One group of fibers paralleled the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory tract whereas the other was distributed in the contact zone of the ME. Immunoreactive Gn-RH was found in the cytoplasm of a sparse population of cell bodies in the dorsolateral portion of the arcuate nucleus as well as in the axons that project from this nucleus ventrally towards the ME.", "PMID": 791639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9244", "title": "Correlation of the pituitary response to synthetic LH-RH to the estradiol levels in anovulatory and ovulatory women.", "content": "This paper describes the LH and FSH responses to synthetic LH-RH in 81 anovulatory women and 37 ovulatory women at various estradiol (Ed) levels. Besides, effects of mestranol of releases of LH and FSH in response to LHrh were examined in 4 anovalatory women. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: low Ed group, moderate Ed group and high Ed group. No significant correlation was found in ovulatory women, but in anovllatory women a positive significant correlation was found between the LH/FSH ratio after LHrh injection and the circulating Ed level. In ovulatory women, a mean LH/FSH after administration of LHrh was not significantly different from LH/FSH at the LH peak in the normal menstrual cycle. But in anovulatory women, a mean LH/FSH after the adminitration in the low Ed group was significantly lower than LH/FSH and mean LH/FSH after the administration in two other Ed groups were significantly higher than that at the LH peak in the normal menstrual cycle. Among the low Ed group, four patients with primary ovarian failure and elevated gonadotropin levels in serum were treated with mestranol. With increased doses of mestranol, the LH/FSH after administration of LH-RH was increased and reached to the same level as the normal ovulatory peak in these 4 patients. Our results demonstrated that responses of pituitary gonadotropins to LH-RH in anovulatory women were significantly different in the LH/FSH from those in ovulatory women. Abnormality of these responses in anovulatory women seems to be unfavorable to ovulation.", "contents": "Correlation of the pituitary response to synthetic LH-RH to the estradiol levels in anovulatory and ovulatory women. This paper describes the LH and FSH responses to synthetic LH-RH in 81 anovulatory women and 37 ovulatory women at various estradiol (Ed) levels. Besides, effects of mestranol of releases of LH and FSH in response to LHrh were examined in 4 anovalatory women. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: low Ed group, moderate Ed group and high Ed group. No significant correlation was found in ovulatory women, but in anovllatory women a positive significant correlation was found between the LH/FSH ratio after LHrh injection and the circulating Ed level. In ovulatory women, a mean LH/FSH after administration of LHrh was not significantly different from LH/FSH at the LH peak in the normal menstrual cycle. But in anovulatory women, a mean LH/FSH after the adminitration in the low Ed group was significantly lower than LH/FSH and mean LH/FSH after the administration in two other Ed groups were significantly higher than that at the LH peak in the normal menstrual cycle. Among the low Ed group, four patients with primary ovarian failure and elevated gonadotropin levels in serum were treated with mestranol. With increased doses of mestranol, the LH/FSH after administration of LH-RH was increased and reached to the same level as the normal ovulatory peak in these 4 patients. Our results demonstrated that responses of pituitary gonadotropins to LH-RH in anovulatory women were significantly different in the LH/FSH from those in ovulatory women. Abnormality of these responses in anovulatory women seems to be unfavorable to ovulation.", "PMID": 791640} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9245", "title": "Inhibition of insulin release by synthetic rat C-peptide II in isolated rat islets.", "content": "The effect of synthetic rat C-peptide on glucose-induced insulin release was studied in isolated islets of rat pancreas. Addition of rat C-peptide II to the medium inhibited glucose-induced insulin release from islets by 30 to 40 percent. Rat C-peptide I, human connecting peptide and bovine, porcine and canine C-peptides had no significant effects on insulin release from islets of rat pancreas.", "contents": "Inhibition of insulin release by synthetic rat C-peptide II in isolated rat islets. The effect of synthetic rat C-peptide on glucose-induced insulin release was studied in isolated islets of rat pancreas. Addition of rat C-peptide II to the medium inhibited glucose-induced insulin release from islets by 30 to 40 percent. Rat C-peptide I, human connecting peptide and bovine, porcine and canine C-peptides had no significant effects on insulin release from islets of rat pancreas.", "PMID": 791641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9246", "title": "The action pattern of amylomaltase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Amylomaltase, the inducible 4-alpha-glucanotransferase of Escherichia coli strain ML, has been purified to homogeneity. Its specific activity with a commercial maltose substrate was 500 mkat/kg protein (30 mumol glucose formed min-1 mg protein-1). The purified enzyme, dependent on buffer concentration, exists in interconvertible low-molecular-weight (apparent molecular weight 71000) and high-molecular-weight (apparent molecular weight 370000) forms. The specificity of amylomaltase has been redefined. Hitherto, the enzyme was thought to be a glucosyltransferase, catalysing the transfer of single glucosyl units, and maltose has been regarded as its most important substrate. Amylomaltase is now shown to exhibit both glucosyl-transfer and 4-alpha-glucanosyl-transfer specificity. 4-alpha-Glucanosyl chains containing up to at least nine glucosyl units can be transferred. However, it is concluded that the transfer reaction by which amylomaltase action was originally expressed, does not take place, i.e., Maltose + maltose in equilibrium Maltotriose + glucose and that maltose has a restricted role as a substrate. This may be due to the inability of maltose to function as a donor substrate, serving only as an acceptor substrate. It is confirmed that when a maltodextrin serves as a donor, that portion of the molecule transfered by the enzyme is that containing the nonreducing-end-group. Enzyme action on chromatographically pure maltose is characterized by a lag phase in the time course of glucose release. The lag pahse is overcome by addition of 'priming' (catalytic) concentrations of maltotriose or higher maltodextrins. An autocatalytic reaction mechanism involving the generation of primer molecules is proposed to explain the action of the enzyme on maltose. The redefined action pattern of amylomaltase is consistent with the redefined role of the enzyme in the utilization of exogenous and endogenous 1,4-alpha-glucans by E. coli.", "contents": "The action pattern of amylomaltase from Escherichia coli. Amylomaltase, the inducible 4-alpha-glucanotransferase of Escherichia coli strain ML, has been purified to homogeneity. Its specific activity with a commercial maltose substrate was 500 mkat/kg protein (30 mumol glucose formed min-1 mg protein-1). The purified enzyme, dependent on buffer concentration, exists in interconvertible low-molecular-weight (apparent molecular weight 71000) and high-molecular-weight (apparent molecular weight 370000) forms. The specificity of amylomaltase has been redefined. Hitherto, the enzyme was thought to be a glucosyltransferase, catalysing the transfer of single glucosyl units, and maltose has been regarded as its most important substrate. Amylomaltase is now shown to exhibit both glucosyl-transfer and 4-alpha-glucanosyl-transfer specificity. 4-alpha-Glucanosyl chains containing up to at least nine glucosyl units can be transferred. However, it is concluded that the transfer reaction by which amylomaltase action was originally expressed, does not take place, i.e., Maltose + maltose in equilibrium Maltotriose + glucose and that maltose has a restricted role as a substrate. This may be due to the inability of maltose to function as a donor substrate, serving only as an acceptor substrate. It is confirmed that when a maltodextrin serves as a donor, that portion of the molecule transfered by the enzyme is that containing the nonreducing-end-group. Enzyme action on chromatographically pure maltose is characterized by a lag phase in the time course of glucose release. The lag pahse is overcome by addition of 'priming' (catalytic) concentrations of maltotriose or higher maltodextrins. An autocatalytic reaction mechanism involving the generation of primer molecules is proposed to explain the action of the enzyme on maltose. The redefined action pattern of amylomaltase is consistent with the redefined role of the enzyme in the utilization of exogenous and endogenous 1,4-alpha-glucans by E. coli.", "PMID": 791642} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9247", "title": "Protease I from Escherichia coli. Some physicochemical properties and substrate specificity.", "content": "Protease I, a periplasmic endopeptidase from Escherichia coli has been further purified by a modified procedure. While the purified protein consists of a single polypeptide chain of about 21000 daltons, its molecular weight in dilute salt solution was estimated to be near 43000, suggesting that the enzyme has a marked tendency to dimerize. It has only one disulphide bond and is very sensitive to urea. In agreement with previous evidence of a chymotrypsin-like specificity, hydrolytic assays of various p-nitrophenyl esters of N-substituted amino acids showed that phenylalanine and tyrosine derivatives are the best substrates for the enzyme. The Km(app) for N-benzoyloxycarbonyl-L-tyrosin-p-nitrophenyl ester at pH 7.5 In 100 mM sodium phosphate buffer at 25 degrees C was found to be 0.2 mM. In contrast to chymotrypsin, protease I is unable to hydrolyse N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine ethyl ester and its tyrosine analogue. Moreover, the enzyme appears devoid of amidase activity and exhibits a low activity upon polypeptides. At 37 degrees C, it cleaves the carboxymethylated B-chain of bovine insulin at four points: Phe25-Tyr26, Phe24-Phe25, Leu15-Tyr16 and Ser9-His10. From a detailed study of peptides bonds hydrolyzed, it was concluded that protease I has a stringent requirement for both residues forming the scissile bond, and appears to possess an extended hydrophobic binding site.", "contents": "Protease I from Escherichia coli. Some physicochemical properties and substrate specificity. Protease I, a periplasmic endopeptidase from Escherichia coli has been further purified by a modified procedure. While the purified protein consists of a single polypeptide chain of about 21000 daltons, its molecular weight in dilute salt solution was estimated to be near 43000, suggesting that the enzyme has a marked tendency to dimerize. It has only one disulphide bond and is very sensitive to urea. In agreement with previous evidence of a chymotrypsin-like specificity, hydrolytic assays of various p-nitrophenyl esters of N-substituted amino acids showed that phenylalanine and tyrosine derivatives are the best substrates for the enzyme. The Km(app) for N-benzoyloxycarbonyl-L-tyrosin-p-nitrophenyl ester at pH 7.5 In 100 mM sodium phosphate buffer at 25 degrees C was found to be 0.2 mM. In contrast to chymotrypsin, protease I is unable to hydrolyse N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine ethyl ester and its tyrosine analogue. Moreover, the enzyme appears devoid of amidase activity and exhibits a low activity upon polypeptides. At 37 degrees C, it cleaves the carboxymethylated B-chain of bovine insulin at four points: Phe25-Tyr26, Phe24-Phe25, Leu15-Tyr16 and Ser9-His10. From a detailed study of peptides bonds hydrolyzed, it was concluded that protease I has a stringent requirement for both residues forming the scissile bond, and appears to possess an extended hydrophobic binding site.", "PMID": 791643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9248", "title": "Bovine neurophysins I, II and C: new methods for their purification and for the production of specific antibodies.", "content": "1. Bovine neurophysins were prepared by a modified method, in which a Biogel P-60 column was used. This yielded two neurophysin fractions, the first containing neurophysin I and small quantities of the other neurophysins,the second containing neurophysin II and C, and only traces of neurophysin I. 2. Antibodies against neurophysin I, II and C were prepared by an original method, 5 mug in 100 mul water of each of the two fractions were applied on a gel slab and separated by iso-electric focusing in a pH gradient 4--6. The separated bands were visualized with 8-aniline-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid, magnesium salt and strips respectively containing neurophysin I, II or C were cut out. The neurophysin-containing strips were homogenized in complete Freund's adjuvant and injected into rabbits. 3. The specificity of the antisera were tested by immunocytochemistry and by radioimmunoassay. By this latter method, it was determined that cross-reactivity was less than 1%. The cross-reaction, observed with the immunohistochemical method could be eliminated by differential absorption. 4. It was found that neurophysin C antisera were undistinguishable from the neurophysin II antisera, while showing little cross-reactivity with the neurophysin I antisera. This suggests that in vivo neurophysin C is not a real neurophysin, or at least, that it is very similar to neurophysin II. 5. Highly purified bovic focusing method. By modifying a LKB Uniphor electrophoresis apparatus, the elute the proteins without switching off the voltage. The resolution of the technique is close to that offered by analytical gel iso-electric focusing.", "contents": "Bovine neurophysins I, II and C: new methods for their purification and for the production of specific antibodies. 1. Bovine neurophysins were prepared by a modified method, in which a Biogel P-60 column was used. This yielded two neurophysin fractions, the first containing neurophysin I and small quantities of the other neurophysins,the second containing neurophysin II and C, and only traces of neurophysin I. 2. Antibodies against neurophysin I, II and C were prepared by an original method, 5 mug in 100 mul water of each of the two fractions were applied on a gel slab and separated by iso-electric focusing in a pH gradient 4--6. The separated bands were visualized with 8-aniline-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid, magnesium salt and strips respectively containing neurophysin I, II or C were cut out. The neurophysin-containing strips were homogenized in complete Freund's adjuvant and injected into rabbits. 3. The specificity of the antisera were tested by immunocytochemistry and by radioimmunoassay. By this latter method, it was determined that cross-reactivity was less than 1%. The cross-reaction, observed with the immunohistochemical method could be eliminated by differential absorption. 4. It was found that neurophysin C antisera were undistinguishable from the neurophysin II antisera, while showing little cross-reactivity with the neurophysin I antisera. This suggests that in vivo neurophysin C is not a real neurophysin, or at least, that it is very similar to neurophysin II. 5. Highly purified bovic focusing method. By modifying a LKB Uniphor electrophoresis apparatus, the elute the proteins without switching off the voltage. The resolution of the technique is close to that offered by analytical gel iso-electric focusing.", "PMID": 791644} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9249", "title": "Activities of protein-deficient particles derived from 50-S ribosomal subunits by NH4Cl/ethanol treatment.", "content": "Protein-deficient ribosomal particles obtained by treatment of 50-S subunits from Escherichia coli ribosomes with 1 M NH4Cl and 50% ethanol contain less than 3% of proteins L7 and L12 and about 7% of proteins L10 and L11. Proteins L1, L5, L8/9 and L25 are also released during the treatment but in amounts accounting for less than 40%. The particles are able to form peptide bonds in different systems, such as 'fragment reaction', puromycin reaction and formation of dipeptides. They also bind N-acetylphenylalanyl-tRNA and phenylalanyl-tRNA non-enzymically but are unable to support any of the elongation-factor-dependent reactions tested. However, when methanol is present, they display up to 20% of the control EF-G-dependent GTP activities such as GTP hydrolysis and formation of the ternary complex EF-G-GuoPP(CH2)P-ribosome. The first activity is totally sensitive to the antibiotic thiostrepton while the formation of the ternary complex is unaffected by the drug. When measured by equilibrium dialysis the core particles are shown to be able to bind radioactive thiostrepton. The results show that protein L11 is not an absolute requirement either for peptidyl transferase activity or for the binding of thiostrepton, although in the last case the protein strongly enhances the ribosome affinity for the antibiotic.", "contents": "Activities of protein-deficient particles derived from 50-S ribosomal subunits by NH4Cl/ethanol treatment. Protein-deficient ribosomal particles obtained by treatment of 50-S subunits from Escherichia coli ribosomes with 1 M NH4Cl and 50% ethanol contain less than 3% of proteins L7 and L12 and about 7% of proteins L10 and L11. Proteins L1, L5, L8/9 and L25 are also released during the treatment but in amounts accounting for less than 40%. The particles are able to form peptide bonds in different systems, such as 'fragment reaction', puromycin reaction and formation of dipeptides. They also bind N-acetylphenylalanyl-tRNA and phenylalanyl-tRNA non-enzymically but are unable to support any of the elongation-factor-dependent reactions tested. However, when methanol is present, they display up to 20% of the control EF-G-dependent GTP activities such as GTP hydrolysis and formation of the ternary complex EF-G-GuoPP(CH2)P-ribosome. The first activity is totally sensitive to the antibiotic thiostrepton while the formation of the ternary complex is unaffected by the drug. When measured by equilibrium dialysis the core particles are shown to be able to bind radioactive thiostrepton. The results show that protein L11 is not an absolute requirement either for peptidyl transferase activity or for the binding of thiostrepton, although in the last case the protein strongly enhances the ribosome affinity for the antibiotic.", "PMID": 791646} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9250", "title": "Accumulation of free ribosomal proteins S1, L7, and L12 in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The total content of free ribosomal proteins in the cells of Escherichia coli was determined to study the nature of intracellular accumulation during growth. Labeled ribosomes and post-ribosomal supernatant were prepared from exponentially growing and stationary-phase cultures. The fraction of free ribosomal protein in the supernatant was estimated by resolving both the acidic and basic proteins separately with two different techniques of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Free ribosomal proteins in the cell sap were identified on the basis of coelectrophoresis with authentic ribosomal protein markers, molecular weights and amino acid composition. Among the acidic proteins, S1, L7, and L12 were identified and examined in detail. All three proteins accumulated to significant levels in these cultures. Stationary-phase cells contained 2-4 times more free S1, L7, and L12 than midlogarithmic phase cells. Moreover, free S1, L7, and L12 and ribosome-bound forms were stable during exponential and post-exponential growth of cultures. At this growth transition, non-ribosomal proteins in the supernatant and those associated with the ribosomes showed different characteristics of accumulation. The ratio of L12:L7 in the supernatant did not exhibit a remarkable shift during the growth cycle like the ratio of L12:L7 in ribosomes. In addition, free L12 in the supernatant was not acetylated, although there was a rapid acetylation in the cells.", "contents": "Accumulation of free ribosomal proteins S1, L7, and L12 in Escherichia coli. The total content of free ribosomal proteins in the cells of Escherichia coli was determined to study the nature of intracellular accumulation during growth. Labeled ribosomes and post-ribosomal supernatant were prepared from exponentially growing and stationary-phase cultures. The fraction of free ribosomal protein in the supernatant was estimated by resolving both the acidic and basic proteins separately with two different techniques of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Free ribosomal proteins in the cell sap were identified on the basis of coelectrophoresis with authentic ribosomal protein markers, molecular weights and amino acid composition. Among the acidic proteins, S1, L7, and L12 were identified and examined in detail. All three proteins accumulated to significant levels in these cultures. Stationary-phase cells contained 2-4 times more free S1, L7, and L12 than midlogarithmic phase cells. Moreover, free S1, L7, and L12 and ribosome-bound forms were stable during exponential and post-exponential growth of cultures. At this growth transition, non-ribosomal proteins in the supernatant and those associated with the ribosomes showed different characteristics of accumulation. The ratio of L12:L7 in the supernatant did not exhibit a remarkable shift during the growth cycle like the ratio of L12:L7 in ribosomes. In addition, free L12 in the supernatant was not acetylated, although there was a rapid acetylation in the cells.", "PMID": 791647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9251", "title": "Active transport by membrane vesicles from anaerobically grown Escherichia coli energized by electron transfer to ferricyanide and chlorate.", "content": "Active transport of amino acids by membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli, grown anaerobically on glucose in the presence of nitrate, can be energized under anaerobic conditions by electron transfer in the nitrate respiration system with formate as electron donor and nitrate as acceptor. A high rate of amino acid transport is also obtained under anaerobic conditions by electron transfer from formate to the nitrate analogue chlorate or to the membrane-impermeable electron acceptor ferricyanide. Electron transfer from formate to nitrate results in the generation of an electrical potential as is indicated by the uptake of the lipophilic cation triphenylmethylphosphonium. Ferricyanide accpets electrons from at least two sites of the nitrate respiration system. One of these sites appears to be nitrate reductase, because cytochrome b, reduced by formate, is completely reoxidized by ferricyanide and glutamate transport energized by formate plus ferricyanide and formate plus nitrate are affected by the same electron transfer inhibitors. A second site of electron transfer to ferricyanide appears to be located prior to nitrate reductase in the nitrate respiration system, since formate is oxidized at a higher rate in the presence of ferricyanide than with nitrate while formate/ferricyanide energizes transport of amino acids at a lower rate than formate/nitrate. Moreover, electron transfer inhibitors block electron transfer from formate to nitrate to a significantly higher extent than from formate to ferricyanide. The effects of irradiation of the membrane vesicles with near ultra-violet light suggest that quinones play an essential role in the electron transfer from formate to nitrate or ferricyanide. Irradiation blocks completely formate-dependent nitrate and ferricyanide reduction and active transport driven by formate/nitrate and formate/ferricyanide, but has hardly any effect on the activity of formate dehydrogenase and on ascorbate/phenazine methosulphate/oxygen-driven transport. Similar effects of ferricyanide have been observed in membrane vesicles from E. coli, grown anaerobically in the presence of fumarate. In these membrane vesicles a high rate of lactose and triphenylmethylphosphonium uptake under anaerobic conditions is obtained by electron transfer from glycerol 1-phosphate to fumarate and also to ferricyanide and evidence has been presented for the involvement of cytochromes in these electron transfers.", "contents": "Active transport by membrane vesicles from anaerobically grown Escherichia coli energized by electron transfer to ferricyanide and chlorate. Active transport of amino acids by membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli, grown anaerobically on glucose in the presence of nitrate, can be energized under anaerobic conditions by electron transfer in the nitrate respiration system with formate as electron donor and nitrate as acceptor. A high rate of amino acid transport is also obtained under anaerobic conditions by electron transfer from formate to the nitrate analogue chlorate or to the membrane-impermeable electron acceptor ferricyanide. Electron transfer from formate to nitrate results in the generation of an electrical potential as is indicated by the uptake of the lipophilic cation triphenylmethylphosphonium. Ferricyanide accpets electrons from at least two sites of the nitrate respiration system. One of these sites appears to be nitrate reductase, because cytochrome b, reduced by formate, is completely reoxidized by ferricyanide and glutamate transport energized by formate plus ferricyanide and formate plus nitrate are affected by the same electron transfer inhibitors. A second site of electron transfer to ferricyanide appears to be located prior to nitrate reductase in the nitrate respiration system, since formate is oxidized at a higher rate in the presence of ferricyanide than with nitrate while formate/ferricyanide energizes transport of amino acids at a lower rate than formate/nitrate. Moreover, electron transfer inhibitors block electron transfer from formate to nitrate to a significantly higher extent than from formate to ferricyanide. The effects of irradiation of the membrane vesicles with near ultra-violet light suggest that quinones play an essential role in the electron transfer from formate to nitrate or ferricyanide. Irradiation blocks completely formate-dependent nitrate and ferricyanide reduction and active transport driven by formate/nitrate and formate/ferricyanide, but has hardly any effect on the activity of formate dehydrogenase and on ascorbate/phenazine methosulphate/oxygen-driven transport. Similar effects of ferricyanide have been observed in membrane vesicles from E. coli, grown anaerobically in the presence of fumarate. In these membrane vesicles a high rate of lactose and triphenylmethylphosphonium uptake under anaerobic conditions is obtained by electron transfer from glycerol 1-phosphate to fumarate and also to ferricyanide and evidence has been presented for the involvement of cytochromes in these electron transfers.", "PMID": 791648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9252", "title": "Heart failure in experimental refractory shock.", "content": "Severe haemorrhagic shock was studied in a series of animal experiments. Reduction in myocardial oxygen and substrate utilisation in association with cardiac failure was demonstrated when the duration of shock was prolonged. The probable aetiological factors included ischaemia and the presence in the blood of certain vasoactive and metabolic depressant substances. It was concluded that the process leading to irreversible shock was multi-factorial in origin but failure appeared to play an important role.", "contents": "Heart failure in experimental refractory shock. Severe haemorrhagic shock was studied in a series of animal experiments. Reduction in myocardial oxygen and substrate utilisation in association with cardiac failure was demonstrated when the duration of shock was prolonged. The probable aetiological factors included ischaemia and the presence in the blood of certain vasoactive and metabolic depressant substances. It was concluded that the process leading to irreversible shock was multi-factorial in origin but failure appeared to play an important role.", "PMID": 791649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9253", "title": "The effect of a progressive decrease in the circulating blood volume of the dog on the transthoracic impedance.", "content": "The correlations between the haemodynamic and transthoracic electrial impedance changes resulting from a progressive reduction in the circulating blood volume were studied in four intact mongrel dogs artificially ventilated with a mixture of halothane in nitrous oxide-oxygen. The cardiac output of the dogs was measured by both the electrical impedance and the fibre optic dye dilution techniques. It was found that significant correlations existed between the blood lloss and the arterial blood pressure, the maximum first derivative of the transthoracic impedance, the Heather Index, the transthoracic impedance, the maximum rate of change of aortic pressure and the cardiac stroke work. There was also a good correlation between the dye and impedance cardiac output values, the impedance value always being higher than the corresponding dye value. The correlation between the Heather Index and the PEP/LVET ratio and 1/PEP2 varied markedly from dog to dog.", "contents": "The effect of a progressive decrease in the circulating blood volume of the dog on the transthoracic impedance. The correlations between the haemodynamic and transthoracic electrial impedance changes resulting from a progressive reduction in the circulating blood volume were studied in four intact mongrel dogs artificially ventilated with a mixture of halothane in nitrous oxide-oxygen. The cardiac output of the dogs was measured by both the electrical impedance and the fibre optic dye dilution techniques. It was found that significant correlations existed between the blood lloss and the arterial blood pressure, the maximum first derivative of the transthoracic impedance, the Heather Index, the transthoracic impedance, the maximum rate of change of aortic pressure and the cardiac stroke work. There was also a good correlation between the dye and impedance cardiac output values, the impedance value always being higher than the corresponding dye value. The correlation between the Heather Index and the PEP/LVET ratio and 1/PEP2 varied markedly from dog to dog.", "PMID": 791650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9254", "title": "The use of nasal CPAP in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome.", "content": "The efficiency of applying continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by the nasal route was retrospectively nalyzed in 32 newborns with RDS (23 uncomplicated HMD with additional cardiac or pulmonary complications and 7 RDS of non-hyaline membrane etiology) who underwent nasal CPAP treatment at the Kinderspital Zurich from 1972--1974. 16 of the 23 infants with uncomplicated HMD were successfully treated with CPAP. They showed a significant rise in PaO2 as well as a significant drop in respiratory frequency during nasal CPAP application, the PaCO2 did not change significantly. The remaining 7 infants in this group (7/23) had to be intubated and mechanically ventilated owing to a persistent high FIO2 (4 infants), technical difficulties (1) or nasal hypersecretion (2). Two of these 23 infants died, one of meningitis, one of cerebral hemorrhage. The two infants with HMD and additional cardiac or pulmonary complications and 3 of 7 infants with RDS of non-hyaline membrane etiology had to be intubated and mechanically ventilated after failure of nasal CPAP. All 9 infants in these two groups survived. The nasal CPAP system as described is a simple, inexpensive and effective method of applying CPTPP in newborns with uncomplicated HMD, except radiological stage IV. In HMD with additional cardiac or pulmonary complications and in RDS of non-hyaline membrane etiology the results of nasal CPAP treatment were not convincing.", "contents": "The use of nasal CPAP in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. The efficiency of applying continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by the nasal route was retrospectively nalyzed in 32 newborns with RDS (23 uncomplicated HMD with additional cardiac or pulmonary complications and 7 RDS of non-hyaline membrane etiology) who underwent nasal CPAP treatment at the Kinderspital Zurich from 1972--1974. 16 of the 23 infants with uncomplicated HMD were successfully treated with CPAP. They showed a significant rise in PaO2 as well as a significant drop in respiratory frequency during nasal CPAP application, the PaCO2 did not change significantly. The remaining 7 infants in this group (7/23) had to be intubated and mechanically ventilated owing to a persistent high FIO2 (4 infants), technical difficulties (1) or nasal hypersecretion (2). Two of these 23 infants died, one of meningitis, one of cerebral hemorrhage. The two infants with HMD and additional cardiac or pulmonary complications and 3 of 7 infants with RDS of non-hyaline membrane etiology had to be intubated and mechanically ventilated after failure of nasal CPAP. All 9 infants in these two groups survived. The nasal CPAP system as described is a simple, inexpensive and effective method of applying CPTPP in newborns with uncomplicated HMD, except radiological stage IV. In HMD with additional cardiac or pulmonary complications and in RDS of non-hyaline membrane etiology the results of nasal CPAP treatment were not convincing.", "PMID": 791651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9255", "title": "Correlation of PPD and BCG-induced leukocyte migration inhibition, delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity, lymphocyte transformation in vitro and humoral antibodies to PPD in man.", "content": "In a study of healthy human individuals a complete lack of correlation between the results of the agarose leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) test, using purified protein derivative (of tuberculin) (PPD) and Bacillus Calmette Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) as antigens, and delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity and lymphocyte transformation in vitro to PPD was found. There was a reasonable correlation between PPD- and BCG-induced LMI. Antibodies to PPD proved to have no influence on PPD-induced LMI. Purified polymorphonuclear leukocytes, whether derived from donors sensitive to PPD in the agarose LMI test or from nonsensitive donors, did not show migration inhibition to PPD. It was concluded that polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes need to be present simultaneously for migration inhibition of peripheral blood leukocytes by PPD. Furthermore, because a consistent relation with conventional parameters of cell-mediated immunity was lacking, it is doubtful whether the agarose LMI test can be considered as an alternative parameter of this kind of immunity.", "contents": "Correlation of PPD and BCG-induced leukocyte migration inhibition, delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity, lymphocyte transformation in vitro and humoral antibodies to PPD in man. In a study of healthy human individuals a complete lack of correlation between the results of the agarose leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) test, using purified protein derivative (of tuberculin) (PPD) and Bacillus Calmette Gu\u00e9rin (BCG) as antigens, and delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity and lymphocyte transformation in vitro to PPD was found. There was a reasonable correlation between PPD- and BCG-induced LMI. Antibodies to PPD proved to have no influence on PPD-induced LMI. Purified polymorphonuclear leukocytes, whether derived from donors sensitive to PPD in the agarose LMI test or from nonsensitive donors, did not show migration inhibition to PPD. It was concluded that polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes need to be present simultaneously for migration inhibition of peripheral blood leukocytes by PPD. Furthermore, because a consistent relation with conventional parameters of cell-mediated immunity was lacking, it is doubtful whether the agarose LMI test can be considered as an alternative parameter of this kind of immunity.", "PMID": 791653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9256", "title": "Selective breeding of mice for antibody responsiveness to flagellar and somatic antigens of salmonellae.", "content": "Selective breeding has been performed in mice for their high or low antibody responsiveness to Salmonella antigens (Ag). Two noncross-reacting Salmonellae (S. typhimurium and S. oranienburg) have been alternately used to immunize successive generations in order to avoid interference of maternally transmitted antibody. Both Salmonellae carry two independent antigens: flagellar (f) and somatic (s). Two two-way selections were carried out: one for agglutinin response to fAg and the other for agglutinin response to sAg (Selection Ags). The agglutinin response to the other independent Ag was also measured (Associated Ags). The phenotypic character chosen for selection is the maximal agglutinin titer in response to optimal immunization. In both selections, high and low responder lines diverged progressively. There was a 27-fold interline difference in the F13 generation of selection for fAg response and a 38-fold one in the F11 generation of selection for sAg response. This divergence and the continuous distribution of phenotypes in the foundation population indicate that the quantitative character investigated is subject to polygenic regulation. The realized heritability (h2) of the character, measured from the interline divergence, was 0.18 +/- 0.06 in both f and s selections. This means that about 20% of the phenotypic variance of the foundation population is additive. The modification of immune responsiveness to the selection Ag produced by selective breeding was accompanied by a parallel and equivalent effect on immune responsiveness to the noncross-reacting Associated Ag. This effect is therefore entirely nonspecific. A small but definite sex effect in favor of female antibody responsiveness was demonstrated. The results are discussed in comparison with other selection experiments made in mice for quantitative antibody response to other antigens.", "contents": "Selective breeding of mice for antibody responsiveness to flagellar and somatic antigens of salmonellae. Selective breeding has been performed in mice for their high or low antibody responsiveness to Salmonella antigens (Ag). Two noncross-reacting Salmonellae (S. typhimurium and S. oranienburg) have been alternately used to immunize successive generations in order to avoid interference of maternally transmitted antibody. Both Salmonellae carry two independent antigens: flagellar (f) and somatic (s). Two two-way selections were carried out: one for agglutinin response to fAg and the other for agglutinin response to sAg (Selection Ags). The agglutinin response to the other independent Ag was also measured (Associated Ags). The phenotypic character chosen for selection is the maximal agglutinin titer in response to optimal immunization. In both selections, high and low responder lines diverged progressively. There was a 27-fold interline difference in the F13 generation of selection for fAg response and a 38-fold one in the F11 generation of selection for sAg response. This divergence and the continuous distribution of phenotypes in the foundation population indicate that the quantitative character investigated is subject to polygenic regulation. The realized heritability (h2) of the character, measured from the interline divergence, was 0.18 +/- 0.06 in both f and s selections. This means that about 20% of the phenotypic variance of the foundation population is additive. The modification of immune responsiveness to the selection Ag produced by selective breeding was accompanied by a parallel and equivalent effect on immune responsiveness to the noncross-reacting Associated Ag. This effect is therefore entirely nonspecific. A small but definite sex effect in favor of female antibody responsiveness was demonstrated. The results are discussed in comparison with other selection experiments made in mice for quantitative antibody response to other antigens.", "PMID": 791654} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9257", "title": "Dual pathway of B lymphocyte differentiation in vitro.", "content": "Direct visualization of the events resulting from LPS stimulation of mouse spleen cells in vitro was achieved by characterizing the cells during four days of culture for morphology, Ig and theta surface markers and autoradiography after [3H] thymidine uptake. The changes observed were related to biochemical parameters such as incorporation of [3H] thymidine into DNA, Ig biosynthesis and secretion. Two pathways of B lymphocyte differentiation were observed: a) the generation of a large number of small B lymphocytes with high density of surface Ig but no internal pool detectable by immunofluorescence, and b) the maturation of a very small proportion of cells with a large intracellular pool and the ability to secrete Ig. Both cell types arise from dividing blast cells, either physically separated or traced by pulse chase experiments with [3H] thymidine. We discuss whether this duality is caused by the triggering of different B cell subpopulations at different developmental stages, preprogramed to one or the other pathway or whether the final direction of development depends on the microenvironment of individual dividing cells.", "contents": "Dual pathway of B lymphocyte differentiation in vitro. Direct visualization of the events resulting from LPS stimulation of mouse spleen cells in vitro was achieved by characterizing the cells during four days of culture for morphology, Ig and theta surface markers and autoradiography after [3H] thymidine uptake. The changes observed were related to biochemical parameters such as incorporation of [3H] thymidine into DNA, Ig biosynthesis and secretion. Two pathways of B lymphocyte differentiation were observed: a) the generation of a large number of small B lymphocytes with high density of surface Ig but no internal pool detectable by immunofluorescence, and b) the maturation of a very small proportion of cells with a large intracellular pool and the ability to secrete Ig. Both cell types arise from dividing blast cells, either physically separated or traced by pulse chase experiments with [3H] thymidine. We discuss whether this duality is caused by the triggering of different B cell subpopulations at different developmental stages, preprogramed to one or the other pathway or whether the final direction of development depends on the microenvironment of individual dividing cells.", "PMID": 791655} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9258", "title": "Control mechanism of lymphocyte traffic. Altered distribution of 51Cr-labeled mouse lymph node cells pretreated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide.", "content": "The effect of in vitro treatment of mouse lymph node cell populations with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on their migration in syngeneic recipients was studied. LPS-exposed cells had a decreased lymph node localization and an increased spleen distribution when compared to control untreated cells, after intravenous injection into syngeneic recipients. This effect of LPS on cell traffic was maximal at 24 h and could not be detected at either 1 or 72 h after cell transfer. These changes induced on cell distribution by LPS treatment are interpreted as the consequence of a modified interaction between the circulating lymphocytes and the resident cells within the spleen of the recipients.", "contents": "Control mechanism of lymphocyte traffic. Altered distribution of 51Cr-labeled mouse lymph node cells pretreated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide. The effect of in vitro treatment of mouse lymph node cell populations with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on their migration in syngeneic recipients was studied. LPS-exposed cells had a decreased lymph node localization and an increased spleen distribution when compared to control untreated cells, after intravenous injection into syngeneic recipients. This effect of LPS on cell traffic was maximal at 24 h and could not be detected at either 1 or 72 h after cell transfer. These changes induced on cell distribution by LPS treatment are interpreted as the consequence of a modified interaction between the circulating lymphocytes and the resident cells within the spleen of the recipients.", "PMID": 791656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9259", "title": "Reduction of trapping of aggregated human IgG in germinal centers by mitogens.", "content": "The effect of nonspecific mitogens on the trapping of 125I-labeled aggregated human IgG (125I-AHGG) in germinal centers (GC) of mouse spleens has been investigated by both radioactivity uptake and immunofluorescence. Phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A (Con A) significantly decreased trapping. Lipopolysaccharide produced less inhibition, and pokeweed mitogen had no significant effect. The maximum inhibition occurred with 250--500 mug Con A. This had no effect on 125I-AHGG uptake in liver kidney and blood. No differences were found between i.p. and i.v. routes of Con A injection. The effect of mitogens on the 125I-AHGG trapping in GC is due more likely to modification of the migratory properties of lymphocytes brought about by surface binding, than to their mitogenic properties, since Con A decreased 125I-AHGG localization in thymectomized, x-irradiated and bone marrow-reconstituted animals.", "contents": "Reduction of trapping of aggregated human IgG in germinal centers by mitogens. The effect of nonspecific mitogens on the trapping of 125I-labeled aggregated human IgG (125I-AHGG) in germinal centers (GC) of mouse spleens has been investigated by both radioactivity uptake and immunofluorescence. Phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A (Con A) significantly decreased trapping. Lipopolysaccharide produced less inhibition, and pokeweed mitogen had no significant effect. The maximum inhibition occurred with 250--500 mug Con A. This had no effect on 125I-AHGG uptake in liver kidney and blood. No differences were found between i.p. and i.v. routes of Con A injection. The effect of mitogens on the 125I-AHGG trapping in GC is due more likely to modification of the migratory properties of lymphocytes brought about by surface binding, than to their mitogenic properties, since Con A decreased 125I-AHGG localization in thymectomized, x-irradiated and bone marrow-reconstituted animals.", "PMID": 791657} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9260", "title": "Effects of morphine on the turnover of brain catecholamines and serotonin in rats-acute morphine administration.", "content": "Morphine increased the rate of brain dopamine (DA) depletion when given before alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMT) or alpha-propyl-dopacetamide, but not when given after AMT. No effect of morphine was found on the rate of depletion of brain noradrenaline (NA) or serotonin (5-HT) after the two synthesis inhibitors. The accumulation of homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid induced by probenecid was significantly increased by morphine pretreatment, whereas the accumulation of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol sulphate was not changed. These findings can be best explained by the hypothesis that morphine increases the non-functional intraneuronal catabolism of newly synthesized DA and 5-HT, without much effect on the monoamines already taken up in the synaptic vesicles. NA turnover does not seem to be changed by acute morphine administration.", "contents": "Effects of morphine on the turnover of brain catecholamines and serotonin in rats-acute morphine administration. Morphine increased the rate of brain dopamine (DA) depletion when given before alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMT) or alpha-propyl-dopacetamide, but not when given after AMT. No effect of morphine was found on the rate of depletion of brain noradrenaline (NA) or serotonin (5-HT) after the two synthesis inhibitors. The accumulation of homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid induced by probenecid was significantly increased by morphine pretreatment, whereas the accumulation of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol sulphate was not changed. These findings can be best explained by the hypothesis that morphine increases the non-functional intraneuronal catabolism of newly synthesized DA and 5-HT, without much effect on the monoamines already taken up in the synaptic vesicles. NA turnover does not seem to be changed by acute morphine administration.", "PMID": 791658} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9261", "title": "Effects of morphine on the turnover of brain catecholamines and serotonin in rats-chronic morphine administration.", "content": "The turnover of brain monoamine was studied in rats in which different degrees of tolerance to and dependence on morphine were induced by pellet implantation. The degree of tolerance to morphine was assessed by measuring the increase in effective dose for an antinociceptive effect (vocalization test). The rate of depletion of brain dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-ht) after alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMT) or alpha-propyl-dopacetamide (dopacetamide) was not changed by chronic morphine treatment. In contrast, the accumulation of brain homovanillic acid HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) after probenecid was significantly increased, but there was no correlation between the biochemical changes and the degree of tolerance/dependence of the animals; at a very high degree of dependence 5-HIAA accumulation even became normal. In rats in which smaller amounts of morphine were repeatedly injected every 8 hr for 1 week the increased accumulation of HVA and 5-HIAA persisted in spite of complete tolerance to the antinociceptive effect. The rate of depletion of brain noradrenaline (NA) after AMT or dopacetamide was not changed and the accumulation of brain 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol sulphate (MHPG-SO4) after probenecid was not affected in most chronic morphine groups. In the group with the highest degree of tolerance/dependence NA depletion after AMT was even retarded. The results suggest that chronic morphine treatment increases the synthesis and the intraneuronal destruction of newly synthesized DA and 5-HT without changing the rate of functional utilization of the monoamines. It is unlikely that the changes in monoamine metabolism are causally related to processes leading to morphine tolerance/dependence.", "contents": "Effects of morphine on the turnover of brain catecholamines and serotonin in rats-chronic morphine administration. The turnover of brain monoamine was studied in rats in which different degrees of tolerance to and dependence on morphine were induced by pellet implantation. The degree of tolerance to morphine was assessed by measuring the increase in effective dose for an antinociceptive effect (vocalization test). The rate of depletion of brain dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-ht) after alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMT) or alpha-propyl-dopacetamide (dopacetamide) was not changed by chronic morphine treatment. In contrast, the accumulation of brain homovanillic acid HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) after probenecid was significantly increased, but there was no correlation between the biochemical changes and the degree of tolerance/dependence of the animals; at a very high degree of dependence 5-HIAA accumulation even became normal. In rats in which smaller amounts of morphine were repeatedly injected every 8 hr for 1 week the increased accumulation of HVA and 5-HIAA persisted in spite of complete tolerance to the antinociceptive effect. The rate of depletion of brain noradrenaline (NA) after AMT or dopacetamide was not changed and the accumulation of brain 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol sulphate (MHPG-SO4) after probenecid was not affected in most chronic morphine groups. In the group with the highest degree of tolerance/dependence NA depletion after AMT was even retarded. The results suggest that chronic morphine treatment increases the synthesis and the intraneuronal destruction of newly synthesized DA and 5-HT without changing the rate of functional utilization of the monoamines. It is unlikely that the changes in monoamine metabolism are causally related to processes leading to morphine tolerance/dependence.", "PMID": 791659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9262", "title": "A comparison of the abilities of typical neuroleptic agents and of thioridazine, clozapine, sulpiride and metoclopramide to antagonise the hyperactivity induced by dopamine applied intracerebrally to areas of the extrapyramidal and mesolimbic systems.", "content": "Dopamine injected directly into the caudate--putamen, nucleus accumbens or tuberculum olfactorium of rat brain, following a nialamide pretreatment, caused dose-dependent hyperactivity. The hyperactivity was more intense after injections into the nucleus accumbens, but was limited by the development of stereotyped biting when larger doses of dopamine were injected into the caudate--putamen or tuberculum olfactorium. Haloperidol, fluphenazine and pimozide were shown to antagonise, in a dose-dependent manner, the hyperactivity induced by dopamine from all 3 areas. Pimozide appeared equieffective against the 3 hyperactivity mediated from the mesolimbic areas, the nucleus accumbens and tuberculum olfactorium. Sulpiride, clozapine and thioridazine also caused dose-dependent reductions in the hyperactivity induced by dopamine injections into the caudata--putamen, nucleus accumbens and tuberculum olfactorium, although the doses required to effect this inhibition were notably larger than for the typical neuroleptics. Generally, these atypical agents were also least effective as antagonists of the hyperactivity following intrastriatal dopamine. Metoclopramide differed from all other agents tested in failing to antagonise the hyperactivity induced by dopamine injections into the nucleus accumbens. However, the responses to dopamine from the caudate-putamen and tuberculum olfactorium were both antagonised by metoclopramide, the striatal response being the least sensitive. The alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking agents, aceperone and propranolol, failed to reduce the hyperactivity induced by dopamine injections into the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens or tuberculum olfactorium. The abilities of the agents tested to antagonise a hyperactivity induced by dopamine in the striatum or in the mesolimbic areas, the nucleus accumbens and tuberculum olfactorium, are compared with the potential of these agents to induce extrapyramidal side effects and to exert an antipsychotic action in man.", "contents": "A comparison of the abilities of typical neuroleptic agents and of thioridazine, clozapine, sulpiride and metoclopramide to antagonise the hyperactivity induced by dopamine applied intracerebrally to areas of the extrapyramidal and mesolimbic systems. Dopamine injected directly into the caudate--putamen, nucleus accumbens or tuberculum olfactorium of rat brain, following a nialamide pretreatment, caused dose-dependent hyperactivity. The hyperactivity was more intense after injections into the nucleus accumbens, but was limited by the development of stereotyped biting when larger doses of dopamine were injected into the caudate--putamen or tuberculum olfactorium. Haloperidol, fluphenazine and pimozide were shown to antagonise, in a dose-dependent manner, the hyperactivity induced by dopamine from all 3 areas. Pimozide appeared equieffective against the 3 hyperactivity mediated from the mesolimbic areas, the nucleus accumbens and tuberculum olfactorium. Sulpiride, clozapine and thioridazine also caused dose-dependent reductions in the hyperactivity induced by dopamine injections into the caudata--putamen, nucleus accumbens and tuberculum olfactorium, although the doses required to effect this inhibition were notably larger than for the typical neuroleptics. Generally, these atypical agents were also least effective as antagonists of the hyperactivity following intrastriatal dopamine. Metoclopramide differed from all other agents tested in failing to antagonise the hyperactivity induced by dopamine injections into the nucleus accumbens. However, the responses to dopamine from the caudate-putamen and tuberculum olfactorium were both antagonised by metoclopramide, the striatal response being the least sensitive. The alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking agents, aceperone and propranolol, failed to reduce the hyperactivity induced by dopamine injections into the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens or tuberculum olfactorium. The abilities of the agents tested to antagonise a hyperactivity induced by dopamine in the striatum or in the mesolimbic areas, the nucleus accumbens and tuberculum olfactorium, are compared with the potential of these agents to induce extrapyramidal side effects and to exert an antipsychotic action in man.", "PMID": 791660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9263", "title": "Ultrastructural features of proliferating fibroblasts in inflammatory granulomas.", "content": "Proliferating fibroblasts in subcutaneous connective tissue of rats after injection of peanut oil or implantation of an almost insoluble synthetic material (silicap) were characterized electron microscopically. In tissue samples of both the foreign body granulomas typical fibroblasts with abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and a peculiar cellular modulation resembling histiocytes concerning their organelle composition were found. The morphological picture of the latter cells does not allow the conclusion that their function must be a merely phagocytic one. True myofibroblasts as detected in other stages of connective tissue proliferation are not present. The capillary vessels show a clear proliferation of their vascular cells and migration of these cells with assumption of fibroblastic features is suggested basing on morphological observations.", "contents": "Ultrastructural features of proliferating fibroblasts in inflammatory granulomas. Proliferating fibroblasts in subcutaneous connective tissue of rats after injection of peanut oil or implantation of an almost insoluble synthetic material (silicap) were characterized electron microscopically. In tissue samples of both the foreign body granulomas typical fibroblasts with abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and a peculiar cellular modulation resembling histiocytes concerning their organelle composition were found. The morphological picture of the latter cells does not allow the conclusion that their function must be a merely phagocytic one. True myofibroblasts as detected in other stages of connective tissue proliferation are not present. The capillary vessels show a clear proliferation of their vascular cells and migration of these cells with assumption of fibroblastic features is suggested basing on morphological observations.", "PMID": 791664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9264", "title": "Effects of antithymic reticuloepithelial cells serum on the levels of circulating thymic factor and on the sensitivity to azathioprine of spleen spontaneous rosette-forming cells.", "content": "Swiss mice treated with an antithymic reticuloepithelial cells serum (ATRES) showed a drastic and prolonged depression of the serum thymic factor. A similar but less pronounced effect was also observed following the administration of the antithymocyte (ATS) and the antilymphocyte (ALS) sera. Conversely, the azathioprine sensitivity of spleen spontaneous rosette-forming cells was highly modified by the ATRES but not by the ATS or the ALS. The probable mechanisms of such effects are discussed.", "contents": "Effects of antithymic reticuloepithelial cells serum on the levels of circulating thymic factor and on the sensitivity to azathioprine of spleen spontaneous rosette-forming cells. Swiss mice treated with an antithymic reticuloepithelial cells serum (ATRES) showed a drastic and prolonged depression of the serum thymic factor. A similar but less pronounced effect was also observed following the administration of the antithymocyte (ATS) and the antilymphocyte (ALS) sera. Conversely, the azathioprine sensitivity of spleen spontaneous rosette-forming cells was highly modified by the ATRES but not by the ATS or the ALS. The probable mechanisms of such effects are discussed.", "PMID": 791665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9265", "title": "Enrichment in spontaneous and complement dependent rosette forming cell populations using Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation.", "content": "Peripheral blood human T (TL) and B (BL) lymphocytes were separated by continuous Ficoll-Hypaque (FH) gradients. BL were found at the 1050 density interfase (70.5% EAC rosettes) with no TL (0% EAC rosettes); while at the 1068 density interfase there was an enrichment of TL (68% E rosettes) with very few BL (8.5% EAC rosettes).", "contents": "Enrichment in spontaneous and complement dependent rosette forming cell populations using Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation. Peripheral blood human T (TL) and B (BL) lymphocytes were separated by continuous Ficoll-Hypaque (FH) gradients. BL were found at the 1050 density interfase (70.5% EAC rosettes) with no TL (0% EAC rosettes); while at the 1068 density interfase there was an enrichment of TL (68% E rosettes) with very few BL (8.5% EAC rosettes).", "PMID": 791666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9266", "title": "Recent advances in the metabolism of organophosphorus insecticides.", "content": "Rat metabolism studies were conducted with three organophosphorus ester insecticides: [phenyl- or ethoxy-14C]Dyfonate, O-ethyl S-phenyl ethylphosphonodithioate; [phenyl-14C]Trithion, S-[(4-chlorophenylthio)methyl]O,O-diethylphosphorodithioate; and [phenyl-14C]R-14805, 4-[O,0-diethyl phosphorothioyl)]-acetophenoneoxime-N'-methylcarbamate. Compounds were administered orally to rats at 2 to 8 mg/kg, and biotransformation pathways were established from identified metabolites. Metabolites were isolated from O-96 hr urine and identified by using one or more methods including thin-layer chromatography, radio-gas-liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Each of these model insecticides displayed a distinct bioactivation and detoxification pathway. Conversion to potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors resulted from desulfuration of Dyfonate, desulfuration and thioether oxidation of Trithion, and desulfuration and a variety of modifications of the leaving group of R-14805. The compounds were deactivated primarily via cleavage of an organophosphorus ester group. All three compounds and their metabolites were rapidly excreted primarily in urine without any bioaccumulation in tissues.", "contents": "Recent advances in the metabolism of organophosphorus insecticides. Rat metabolism studies were conducted with three organophosphorus ester insecticides: [phenyl- or ethoxy-14C]Dyfonate, O-ethyl S-phenyl ethylphosphonodithioate; [phenyl-14C]Trithion, S-[(4-chlorophenylthio)methyl]O,O-diethylphosphorodithioate; and [phenyl-14C]R-14805, 4-[O,0-diethyl phosphorothioyl)]-acetophenoneoxime-N'-methylcarbamate. Compounds were administered orally to rats at 2 to 8 mg/kg, and biotransformation pathways were established from identified metabolites. Metabolites were isolated from O-96 hr urine and identified by using one or more methods including thin-layer chromatography, radio-gas-liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Each of these model insecticides displayed a distinct bioactivation and detoxification pathway. Conversion to potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors resulted from desulfuration of Dyfonate, desulfuration and thioether oxidation of Trithion, and desulfuration and a variety of modifications of the leaving group of R-14805. The compounds were deactivated primarily via cleavage of an organophosphorus ester group. All three compounds and their metabolites were rapidly excreted primarily in urine without any bioaccumulation in tissues.", "PMID": 791688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9267", "title": "Quantitative characteristics of antibody forming cells in partial tolerance.", "content": "Direct PFC to SRBC were enumerated simultaneously by the LHL and LHG in the spleens of partially tolerant and control rats. The sensitivity of LHL was higher than that of LHG, but the factor by which the number of PFC was higher in LHL than in LHG was in the two groups similar (1.44 in tolerant and 1.47 in control group). When the plaque size distribution was studied in the LHL, a significant increase in small size plaques was observed in tolerant rats. The findings are discussed and the conclusion is reached that the decrease in AFC number and not in antibody production by individual PFC is the main factor responsible for partial tolerance.", "contents": "Quantitative characteristics of antibody forming cells in partial tolerance. Direct PFC to SRBC were enumerated simultaneously by the LHL and LHG in the spleens of partially tolerant and control rats. The sensitivity of LHL was higher than that of LHG, but the factor by which the number of PFC was higher in LHL than in LHG was in the two groups similar (1.44 in tolerant and 1.47 in control group). When the plaque size distribution was studied in the LHL, a significant increase in small size plaques was observed in tolerant rats. The findings are discussed and the conclusion is reached that the decrease in AFC number and not in antibody production by individual PFC is the main factor responsible for partial tolerance.", "PMID": 791692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9268", "title": "Analysis of different survival of weakly incompatible allografts of skin from the ear and back.", "content": "A comparison of the survival of skin grafts across the H-barrier presented by the male-specific antigen in mice was made with grafts of skin from different sources, namely from the back or from the ear. Their survival was roughly similar provided the ear skin was depleted of the subepidermal connective tissue with the cartilage. With this layer intact, the ear skin grafts had a prolonged survival and some of them even took permanently. A local administration of a mucolytic agent to the normal grafts from the back accelerated their rejection. The factors of the subepidermal connective tissue which might be responsible for the effect on the survival of weakly incompatible skin grafts and in this connection the role of the source of the skin are discussed.", "contents": "Analysis of different survival of weakly incompatible allografts of skin from the ear and back. A comparison of the survival of skin grafts across the H-barrier presented by the male-specific antigen in mice was made with grafts of skin from different sources, namely from the back or from the ear. Their survival was roughly similar provided the ear skin was depleted of the subepidermal connective tissue with the cartilage. With this layer intact, the ear skin grafts had a prolonged survival and some of them even took permanently. A local administration of a mucolytic agent to the normal grafts from the back accelerated their rejection. The factors of the subepidermal connective tissue which might be responsible for the effect on the survival of weakly incompatible skin grafts and in this connection the role of the source of the skin are discussed.", "PMID": 791693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9269", "title": "A method of orientation of embedded bacterial colonies prepared for ultrathin sections.", "content": "The described method of embedding of bacterial colonies into media used for electron microscopy allows the precise orientation of the material for the preparation of ultrathin sections. The colonies are covered by a strip of agar joined to the agar-layer with the cultivated colonies by means of a heated razor-blade. This method is especially useful for ultrastructural studies of L-colonies.", "contents": "A method of orientation of embedded bacterial colonies prepared for ultrathin sections. The described method of embedding of bacterial colonies into media used for electron microscopy allows the precise orientation of the material for the preparation of ultrathin sections. The colonies are covered by a strip of agar joined to the agar-layer with the cultivated colonies by means of a heated razor-blade. This method is especially useful for ultrastructural studies of L-colonies.", "PMID": 791694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9270", "title": "Is mycosis fungoides an \"immunoma'?", "content": "New knowledge of the function and biological behaviour of the cells of the lymphocytic system justifies a critical reappraisal of the nature and origin of mycosis fungoides (MF). The fact that in MF the immune response remains active during the whole course of the disease distinguishes it from other malignant processes. On the basis of the well-known fact that chronic stimulation of the immunological system may lead to tumour formation, the hypothesis is stressed that MF may be an \"immunocytoma' or 'immunoma'. New findings indicate that immunological stimulation of lymphocytes may lead to the formation of endogenous oncogenic viruses. All these questions should be investigated in as many centres as possible.", "contents": "Is mycosis fungoides an \"immunoma'? New knowledge of the function and biological behaviour of the cells of the lymphocytic system justifies a critical reappraisal of the nature and origin of mycosis fungoides (MF). The fact that in MF the immune response remains active during the whole course of the disease distinguishes it from other malignant processes. On the basis of the well-known fact that chronic stimulation of the immunological system may lead to tumour formation, the hypothesis is stressed that MF may be an \"immunocytoma' or 'immunoma'. New findings indicate that immunological stimulation of lymphocytes may lead to the formation of endogenous oncogenic viruses. All these questions should be investigated in as many centres as possible.", "PMID": 791714} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9271", "title": "Interactions between econazole, a broad-spectrum antimicrobic substance, and topically active glucocorticoids.", "content": "Econazole is a broad-spectrum antimicrobic substance which acts by permeabilizing the cell membranes. Glucocorticoids by their surface activity may counteract this effect by protecting the cell membranes. In fact, a protective action of glucocorticoids in high concentrations against econazole nitrate could be demonstrated in yeasts, not in staphylococci. The techniques applied were the Warburg assays (resting yeasts, resting and proliferating bacteria). The elicitation of a blanching reaction on human skin by triamcinolone acetonide was not altered in the presence of econazole nitrate. The data collected in this study were discussed in regard to the combined use of antimicrobic drugs and glucocorticoids in topical therapy.", "contents": "Interactions between econazole, a broad-spectrum antimicrobic substance, and topically active glucocorticoids. Econazole is a broad-spectrum antimicrobic substance which acts by permeabilizing the cell membranes. Glucocorticoids by their surface activity may counteract this effect by protecting the cell membranes. In fact, a protective action of glucocorticoids in high concentrations against econazole nitrate could be demonstrated in yeasts, not in staphylococci. The techniques applied were the Warburg assays (resting yeasts, resting and proliferating bacteria). The elicitation of a blanching reaction on human skin by triamcinolone acetonide was not altered in the presence of econazole nitrate. The data collected in this study were discussed in regard to the combined use of antimicrobic drugs and glucocorticoids in topical therapy.", "PMID": 791715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9272", "title": "Dihydroxyacetone naphthoquinone protection against photosensitivity.", "content": "30 patients with multiple types of sunlight sensitivity were treated successfully with DHA/lawsone sunscreen. This sunscreen was able to protect all patients even though their photosensitivities were in different parts of the ultraviolet and visible spectrum. About 80% of the patients experienced sufficient protection during the summer months to lead a virtually normal life-style while participating in all kinds of outdoor activities.", "contents": "Dihydroxyacetone naphthoquinone protection against photosensitivity. 30 patients with multiple types of sunlight sensitivity were treated successfully with DHA/lawsone sunscreen. This sunscreen was able to protect all patients even though their photosensitivities were in different parts of the ultraviolet and visible spectrum. About 80% of the patients experienced sufficient protection during the summer months to lead a virtually normal life-style while participating in all kinds of outdoor activities.", "PMID": 791716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9273", "title": "[Diagnostic problems associated with the coincidence of bullous dermatosis and lupus erythematosus visceralis. Demonstration of a case with Duhring's dermatitis herpetiformis in association with visceral lupus erythematosus].", "content": "This report describes a patient, whom we observed for 3 years, exhibiting a coincidence of dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring and systemic Lupus erythematosus. The difficulties involved in demarcating bullous lupus erythematosus from the more rare association of bullous pemphigoid or dermatitis herpetiformis with systemic lupus erythematosus are discussed in connection with differential, histological, direct and indirect immunofluorescence diagnostic aids.", "contents": "[Diagnostic problems associated with the coincidence of bullous dermatosis and lupus erythematosus visceralis. Demonstration of a case with Duhring's dermatitis herpetiformis in association with visceral lupus erythematosus]. This report describes a patient, whom we observed for 3 years, exhibiting a coincidence of dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring and systemic Lupus erythematosus. The difficulties involved in demarcating bullous lupus erythematosus from the more rare association of bullous pemphigoid or dermatitis herpetiformis with systemic lupus erythematosus are discussed in connection with differential, histological, direct and indirect immunofluorescence diagnostic aids.", "PMID": 791717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9274", "title": "Relationship of subepidermal immune complex to renal deposits in the (NZB X W)F1 mouse.", "content": "In an attempt to correlate the presence of subepidermal and renal glomerular deposits in murine lupus, skin and kidney tissue from 67 (NZB X W)F1 mice was examined by direct immunofluorescence and the results tabulated. Between 36 and 43 weeks of age, deposits in both locations were detected in only 50.5% of the mice, and between 44 and 52 weeks, in only 79.0%. The titer of antibody to DNA did not correlate with the presence of subepidermal deposits even though DNA was demonstrated at the epidermal-dermal interface. It is concluded that the absence of immunoglobulin in the subepidermis does not preclude the presence of renal deposits, and it is hazardous to attempt to predict underlying glomerular deposition by performing immunofluorescence examination of skin in murine lupus.", "contents": "Relationship of subepidermal immune complex to renal deposits in the (NZB X W)F1 mouse. In an attempt to correlate the presence of subepidermal and renal glomerular deposits in murine lupus, skin and kidney tissue from 67 (NZB X W)F1 mice was examined by direct immunofluorescence and the results tabulated. Between 36 and 43 weeks of age, deposits in both locations were detected in only 50.5% of the mice, and between 44 and 52 weeks, in only 79.0%. The titer of antibody to DNA did not correlate with the presence of subepidermal deposits even though DNA was demonstrated at the epidermal-dermal interface. It is concluded that the absence of immunoglobulin in the subepidermis does not preclude the presence of renal deposits, and it is hazardous to attempt to predict underlying glomerular deposition by performing immunofluorescence examination of skin in murine lupus.", "PMID": 791718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9275", "title": "[Insulin receptors-a review (author's transl)].", "content": "The first step in insulin action is interaction of the hormone with specific receptors on the plasma membrane of target cells. The receptor site is defined by its functional properties: it binds insulin with a high degree of specificity and affinity; the specific binding sites are finite in number; hormone binding is rapid and reversible; the binding sites are, or predominate, on the plasma membrane; hormone binding can be related to biological effects. The use of biologically active monoiodoinsulin permits direct study of the binding of 125I-insulin to receptor in isolated cells or in cell membranes. The binding of 125I-insulin is highly specific and strictly dependent on the biologically active structure of the insulin molecule. Both the rate and the amount of binding are time and temperature-dependent. The insulin--receptor interaction is a complex reaction, whose quantitative analysis requires consideration of, in addition to hormone binding to receptor, degradation of the hormone and of the receptor. By measuring binding at steady state, one can determine both the apparent insulin--binding capacity and the apparent dissociation constant of the insulin--receptor complex. Scatchard analyses of these data reveals heterogeneity of the binding sites with respect to equilibrium constant, a result which is also compatible with negative cooperativity between the receptor sites. Studies of insulin--receptor interactions have led to a variety of applications, two of which are of special interest from pharmacological, pathophysiological and clinical viewpoints. One is concerned with the use of insulin--receptor binding systems to study hormone structure--activity relationships and to analyze endogenous forms of insulin. These studies have shown that, in every instance, the binding affinity of an insulin or insulin analogue is in direct proportion to its biological potency. No antagonist of native insulin has been found thus far, including data obtained with proinsulin, proinsulin intermediates and Non-Suppressible Insulin-Like Activity (NSILA) or somatomedin (s). These studies have also revealed that proinsulin reacts only with insulin receptors in contrast to NSILA which, inaddition to reacting with insulin receptors, also possesses its own specific receptor sites. The other application deals with studies of receptor alteration in pathological states. This investigation has been well documented in the obese hyperglycemic (ob/ob) mouse which exhibits a receptor defect in the liver, fat, thymic lymphocyte and myocardium. The defect essentially involves a decrease in the number of binding sites and selectively affects the insulin receptor. A variety of data, both in vivo and in vitro, indicate an inverse relationship between the concentration of insulin and the number of insulin receptors, and suggest a negative feedback effect of the hormone on its own receptor...", "contents": "[Insulin receptors-a review (author's transl)]. The first step in insulin action is interaction of the hormone with specific receptors on the plasma membrane of target cells. The receptor site is defined by its functional properties: it binds insulin with a high degree of specificity and affinity; the specific binding sites are finite in number; hormone binding is rapid and reversible; the binding sites are, or predominate, on the plasma membrane; hormone binding can be related to biological effects. The use of biologically active monoiodoinsulin permits direct study of the binding of 125I-insulin to receptor in isolated cells or in cell membranes. The binding of 125I-insulin is highly specific and strictly dependent on the biologically active structure of the insulin molecule. Both the rate and the amount of binding are time and temperature-dependent. The insulin--receptor interaction is a complex reaction, whose quantitative analysis requires consideration of, in addition to hormone binding to receptor, degradation of the hormone and of the receptor. By measuring binding at steady state, one can determine both the apparent insulin--binding capacity and the apparent dissociation constant of the insulin--receptor complex. Scatchard analyses of these data reveals heterogeneity of the binding sites with respect to equilibrium constant, a result which is also compatible with negative cooperativity between the receptor sites. Studies of insulin--receptor interactions have led to a variety of applications, two of which are of special interest from pharmacological, pathophysiological and clinical viewpoints. One is concerned with the use of insulin--receptor binding systems to study hormone structure--activity relationships and to analyze endogenous forms of insulin. These studies have shown that, in every instance, the binding affinity of an insulin or insulin analogue is in direct proportion to its biological potency. No antagonist of native insulin has been found thus far, including data obtained with proinsulin, proinsulin intermediates and Non-Suppressible Insulin-Like Activity (NSILA) or somatomedin (s). These studies have also revealed that proinsulin reacts only with insulin receptors in contrast to NSILA which, inaddition to reacting with insulin receptors, also possesses its own specific receptor sites. The other application deals with studies of receptor alteration in pathological states. This investigation has been well documented in the obese hyperglycemic (ob/ob) mouse which exhibits a receptor defect in the liver, fat, thymic lymphocyte and myocardium. The defect essentially involves a decrease in the number of binding sites and selectively affects the insulin receptor. A variety of data, both in vivo and in vitro, indicate an inverse relationship between the concentration of insulin and the number of insulin receptors, and suggest a negative feedback effect of the hormone on its own receptor...", "PMID": 791721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9276", "title": "Kinetics of the early insulin response of the perfused rat pancreas to various metabolites and tolbutamide.", "content": "The collection every 15 seconds of the portal effluent of the isolated and perfused rat pancreas permitted the following observations: while the insulin response to tolbutamide (250 or 125 mug/ml) occurred immediately, that to glucose (15 mM), or to 1-leucine (15 mM) was delayed by 60-90 seconds. The response to d-glyceraldehyde occurred slightly but significantly more quickly than that of glucose. The response to alpha-keto-isocaproate was an intense and immediate one. Isovalerate elicited no insulin discharge. These results suggest that d-glucose and l-leucine have to be metabolized to stimulate insulin secretion and that alpha-keto-isocaproate seems to be a direct and specific signal.", "contents": "Kinetics of the early insulin response of the perfused rat pancreas to various metabolites and tolbutamide. The collection every 15 seconds of the portal effluent of the isolated and perfused rat pancreas permitted the following observations: while the insulin response to tolbutamide (250 or 125 mug/ml) occurred immediately, that to glucose (15 mM), or to 1-leucine (15 mM) was delayed by 60-90 seconds. The response to d-glyceraldehyde occurred slightly but significantly more quickly than that of glucose. The response to alpha-keto-isocaproate was an intense and immediate one. Isovalerate elicited no insulin discharge. These results suggest that d-glucose and l-leucine have to be metabolized to stimulate insulin secretion and that alpha-keto-isocaproate seems to be a direct and specific signal.", "PMID": 791726} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9277", "title": "[Diabetes mellitus secondary to liver diseases. A review (author's transl)].", "content": "Diabetes mellitus is more frequently found in pateints with hepatic cirrhosis (about 10%) than in subjects without liver disease. Cirrhosis has been the main subject of interest in this respect. Very few studies have been made in viral hepatitis or steatosis. In about 40% of cases, the diabetes is identified before the cirrhosis. More often (in about 60% of cases) the diabetes is discovered at the same time as or after the finding of cirrhosis. This \"post-cirrhosis diabetes\" shows no clinical peculiarity. In about 80% of patients with liver cirrhosis when fasting blood glucose is normal, abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism are to be found by the oral glucose tolerance test. Approximately 50% show an abnormal response to intravenous glucose and 30% to intravenous tolbutamide. The \"mechanism\" of these metabolic abnormalities in liver cirrhosis is unknown. The following abnormalities are observed: 1) With similar glycaemic response to a glucose challenge, plasma insulin levels are higher than in patients without liver disease, suggesting insulin unresponsiveness. Resistance to exogenous insulin can be demonstrated. 2) Plasma free fatty acid levels are often elevated. 3) Plasma growth hormone levels are often raised. 4) Plasma glucagon levels are high when porto-caval shunting is present. 5) Potassium is often depleted. These metabolic abnormalities, in association with porto-caval shunting and hepatocyte insufficiency may explain the insulin resistance which characterises liver cirrhosis, and the diabetes which it may precipitate in predisposed persons.", "contents": "[Diabetes mellitus secondary to liver diseases. A review (author's transl)]. Diabetes mellitus is more frequently found in pateints with hepatic cirrhosis (about 10%) than in subjects without liver disease. Cirrhosis has been the main subject of interest in this respect. Very few studies have been made in viral hepatitis or steatosis. In about 40% of cases, the diabetes is identified before the cirrhosis. More often (in about 60% of cases) the diabetes is discovered at the same time as or after the finding of cirrhosis. This \"post-cirrhosis diabetes\" shows no clinical peculiarity. In about 80% of patients with liver cirrhosis when fasting blood glucose is normal, abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism are to be found by the oral glucose tolerance test. Approximately 50% show an abnormal response to intravenous glucose and 30% to intravenous tolbutamide. The \"mechanism\" of these metabolic abnormalities in liver cirrhosis is unknown. The following abnormalities are observed: 1) With similar glycaemic response to a glucose challenge, plasma insulin levels are higher than in patients without liver disease, suggesting insulin unresponsiveness. Resistance to exogenous insulin can be demonstrated. 2) Plasma free fatty acid levels are often elevated. 3) Plasma growth hormone levels are often raised. 4) Plasma glucagon levels are high when porto-caval shunting is present. 5) Potassium is often depleted. These metabolic abnormalities, in association with porto-caval shunting and hepatocyte insufficiency may explain the insulin resistance which characterises liver cirrhosis, and the diabetes which it may precipitate in predisposed persons.", "PMID": 791727} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9278", "title": "[The role of glucagon in hyperglycemia. A review (author's transl)].", "content": "Glucagon is secreted not only by A2-cells of the pancreatic islets but also by A cells in the gastric fundus and duodenum. Several reports have demonstrated that the glucagon plasma concentration is increased in genetic diabetes as well as in many conditions associated with a decreased glucose tolerance such as hepatic cirrhosis, myocardial infarction, infectious diseases, burns, taumatic shock, glucagonomas, acute pancreatitis, acromegaly, pheochromacytoma and Cushing's syndrome. Hyperglucagonemia is particularly important in diabetic ketoacidosis and in non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma. The mechanisms responsible for the diabetic's hyperglucagonemia remain controversial. According to several authors, the increased glucagon secretion is, for its main part, secondary to a prolonged defect in insulin secretion and thus relatively insensitive to an acute insulin administration. According to others, the A cell abnormality is of primary origin, independant from insulin deficiency and its effects are cumulative with those of the insulin lack. Several reports dealing with induced or spontaneous experimental diabetes are in favor of the first or the second hypothesis. It appears likely that glucagon plays a role in the metabolic derangments of diabetes. Indeed, hepatic glucose production is closely related to the ratio of molar concentrations of insulin and glucagon. Finally, in insulin-dependant diabetics, somatostatin infusion reduces plasma glucagon concentration and blood glucose and prevents the development of ketosis after withdrawal of insulin therapy. These results illustrate the contribution of glucagon in the pathogenesis of hyperglycemia and ketosis. Several arguments have been accumulated in favor of the following concept: diabetes hyperglycemia results both from glucose under-utilization secondary to insulin lack and from hepatic glucose over-production due to glucagon excess. Although controversial, the role of glucagon in ketogenesis appears likely.", "contents": "[The role of glucagon in hyperglycemia. A review (author's transl)]. Glucagon is secreted not only by A2-cells of the pancreatic islets but also by A cells in the gastric fundus and duodenum. Several reports have demonstrated that the glucagon plasma concentration is increased in genetic diabetes as well as in many conditions associated with a decreased glucose tolerance such as hepatic cirrhosis, myocardial infarction, infectious diseases, burns, taumatic shock, glucagonomas, acute pancreatitis, acromegaly, pheochromacytoma and Cushing's syndrome. Hyperglucagonemia is particularly important in diabetic ketoacidosis and in non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma. The mechanisms responsible for the diabetic's hyperglucagonemia remain controversial. According to several authors, the increased glucagon secretion is, for its main part, secondary to a prolonged defect in insulin secretion and thus relatively insensitive to an acute insulin administration. According to others, the A cell abnormality is of primary origin, independant from insulin deficiency and its effects are cumulative with those of the insulin lack. Several reports dealing with induced or spontaneous experimental diabetes are in favor of the first or the second hypothesis. It appears likely that glucagon plays a role in the metabolic derangments of diabetes. Indeed, hepatic glucose production is closely related to the ratio of molar concentrations of insulin and glucagon. Finally, in insulin-dependant diabetics, somatostatin infusion reduces plasma glucagon concentration and blood glucose and prevents the development of ketosis after withdrawal of insulin therapy. These results illustrate the contribution of glucagon in the pathogenesis of hyperglycemia and ketosis. Several arguments have been accumulated in favor of the following concept: diabetes hyperglycemia results both from glucose under-utilization secondary to insulin lack and from hepatic glucose over-production due to glucagon excess. Although controversial, the role of glucagon in ketogenesis appears likely.", "PMID": 791728} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9279", "title": "Calcium antagonists and islet function. VIII. The effect of magnesium.", "content": "Mg2+ in high concentration (10 to 20 mEq/l) caused a dose-related inhibition of glucose-induced 45calcium net uptake and subsequent insulin release in isolated islets. Experiments performed with the isolated perfused pancreas indicated that the inhibitory effect of Mg2+ upon insulin secretion was rapid and reversible. Although excess Mg2+ reduced lactate production by the islets, the process of glucose recognition by the B-cell was apparently unaltered as judged by the inhibitory effect of the hexose upon 45calcium efflux from perifused islets and the resultant accumulation of 45calcium in the islets. Mg2+ in high concentration failed to facilitate 45calcium efflux from the islets, whether in the presence or absence of glucose. These data suggest that the major effect of Mg2+ upon islet function is to inhibit Ca2+ entry in the B-cell.", "contents": "Calcium antagonists and islet function. VIII. The effect of magnesium. Mg2+ in high concentration (10 to 20 mEq/l) caused a dose-related inhibition of glucose-induced 45calcium net uptake and subsequent insulin release in isolated islets. Experiments performed with the isolated perfused pancreas indicated that the inhibitory effect of Mg2+ upon insulin secretion was rapid and reversible. Although excess Mg2+ reduced lactate production by the islets, the process of glucose recognition by the B-cell was apparently unaltered as judged by the inhibitory effect of the hexose upon 45calcium efflux from perifused islets and the resultant accumulation of 45calcium in the islets. Mg2+ in high concentration failed to facilitate 45calcium efflux from the islets, whether in the presence or absence of glucose. These data suggest that the major effect of Mg2+ upon islet function is to inhibit Ca2+ entry in the B-cell.", "PMID": 791729} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9280", "title": "The breakfast tolerance test: a return to physiology.", "content": "The effects of a standardized breakfast on blood glucose, plasma free fatty acid and alpha-amino nitrogen levels, plasma insulin, glucagon and cortisol concentrations as well as serum growth hormone circulating levels are described in a group of six healthy, young, male volunteers. It is suggested to the clinician to use this \"breakfast tolerance test\" or B.T.T. as a simple means to reconsider on physiological grounds some widely accepted pathophysiological concepts derived from highly unphysiological procedures such as the oral glucose tolerance test or O.G.T.T.", "contents": "The breakfast tolerance test: a return to physiology. The effects of a standardized breakfast on blood glucose, plasma free fatty acid and alpha-amino nitrogen levels, plasma insulin, glucagon and cortisol concentrations as well as serum growth hormone circulating levels are described in a group of six healthy, young, male volunteers. It is suggested to the clinician to use this \"breakfast tolerance test\" or B.T.T. as a simple means to reconsider on physiological grounds some widely accepted pathophysiological concepts derived from highly unphysiological procedures such as the oral glucose tolerance test or O.G.T.T.", "PMID": 791730} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9281", "title": "Cellular interrelationships during in vitro granulopoiesis.", "content": "Long-term production of fully differentiated granulocytes can be maintained in vitro in a liquid system of cultured bone marrow. Marrow is cultured in medical flasks and allowed to form an adherent layer over a three-week period, and then recharged with fresh marrow resulting in continued mature granulocyte production for several months. During the initial establishment of the adherent layer, three attached populations become apparent: phagocytic monocytes, an attached epithelial cell type, and aggregations of epithelial cells swollen to enormous proportions by the presence of numerous lipid-containing vacuoles. Without the formation of these aggregations, granulocyte production is not maintained beyond an initial period and the culture converts to phagocytic mononuclear cell production alone. Thus not only is the presence of the fat-containing aggregations necessary to continued granulopoiesis, but cultures in full granulocyte production show a characteristic clumping of granulocytes around these aggregates. Electron microscopy has shown that the epithelial cells from the adherent layer form a layer covering some of the attached cells in these areas and thus may provide the necessary in vitro microenvironment for granulopoiesis to occur. Pinocytotic vesicles and gap junctions have been observed between the adjacent membranes of the undifferentiated granulocytes (possibly stem cells) and the epithelial cells themselves.", "contents": "Cellular interrelationships during in vitro granulopoiesis. Long-term production of fully differentiated granulocytes can be maintained in vitro in a liquid system of cultured bone marrow. Marrow is cultured in medical flasks and allowed to form an adherent layer over a three-week period, and then recharged with fresh marrow resulting in continued mature granulocyte production for several months. During the initial establishment of the adherent layer, three attached populations become apparent: phagocytic monocytes, an attached epithelial cell type, and aggregations of epithelial cells swollen to enormous proportions by the presence of numerous lipid-containing vacuoles. Without the formation of these aggregations, granulocyte production is not maintained beyond an initial period and the culture converts to phagocytic mononuclear cell production alone. Thus not only is the presence of the fat-containing aggregations necessary to continued granulopoiesis, but cultures in full granulocyte production show a characteristic clumping of granulocytes around these aggregates. Electron microscopy has shown that the epithelial cells from the adherent layer form a layer covering some of the attached cells in these areas and thus may provide the necessary in vitro microenvironment for granulopoiesis to occur. Pinocytotic vesicles and gap junctions have been observed between the adjacent membranes of the undifferentiated granulocytes (possibly stem cells) and the epithelial cells themselves.", "PMID": 791737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9282", "title": "Fluorescence histochemical study of the pancreas in the cat.", "content": "The exocrine and endocrine pancreas was investigated according to the fluorescence histochemical method of Flack and Hillarp. 1) Green fluorescent adrenergic fibers were regularly seen associated with arteries and arterioles in the exocrine pancreas. 2) Cholinergic fibers as shown by cholinesterase activity, were also found in the parenchyma of pancreas. 3) Yellow fluorescent cells scattered in the exocrine parenchyma and localized to a population of pancreatic islet cells with a characteristic distribution at the islet periphery was found. 4) By the fluorescence microscopic observation, inter-or intralobular pancreatic ducts, involving the zymogen granules, can also be seen after treatment with HCL vapor. 5) Yellow fluorescent cells, beta-cells containing insulin, remained at the Islet periphery. At present, the above mentioned yellow fluorescent cells are identified as containing HPP (Human pancreatic polypeptide) according to the immunofluorescence technique. With the use of the Falck and Hillarp histochemical technique ethionine induced pancreatitis in cats has been investigated. 1) After seven days of ethionine (5 mg/kg BW oral ad.) treatment, pancreas showed histochemical changes such as hemorrhage, fat necrosis, destruction of acinar cells and degranulation of zymogen from the parenchyma of pancreas. 2) Oral administration of ethionine for ten days induced severe degranulation, rupture of vessels, especially of veins and venules and later influenced arteries or arterioles. 3) Necrosis and fibrosis began to appear in the spaces between the cellular debris and marked pancreatic atrophy could be found. 4) The destruction of Islets of Langerhans can be found in the ethionine induced pancreatic parenchyma. On the other hand, an increased number of Islets of Langerhans was also observed in the site of lobule. 5) The presented findings may also suggest that the duration of administration of ethionine is more important factor than graded doses of ethionine in the production of ethionine is more important factor than graded doses of ethionine in the production of ethionine induced pancreatitis in cats.", "contents": "Fluorescence histochemical study of the pancreas in the cat. The exocrine and endocrine pancreas was investigated according to the fluorescence histochemical method of Flack and Hillarp. 1) Green fluorescent adrenergic fibers were regularly seen associated with arteries and arterioles in the exocrine pancreas. 2) Cholinergic fibers as shown by cholinesterase activity, were also found in the parenchyma of pancreas. 3) Yellow fluorescent cells scattered in the exocrine parenchyma and localized to a population of pancreatic islet cells with a characteristic distribution at the islet periphery was found. 4) By the fluorescence microscopic observation, inter-or intralobular pancreatic ducts, involving the zymogen granules, can also be seen after treatment with HCL vapor. 5) Yellow fluorescent cells, beta-cells containing insulin, remained at the Islet periphery. At present, the above mentioned yellow fluorescent cells are identified as containing HPP (Human pancreatic polypeptide) according to the immunofluorescence technique. With the use of the Falck and Hillarp histochemical technique ethionine induced pancreatitis in cats has been investigated. 1) After seven days of ethionine (5 mg/kg BW oral ad.) treatment, pancreas showed histochemical changes such as hemorrhage, fat necrosis, destruction of acinar cells and degranulation of zymogen from the parenchyma of pancreas. 2) Oral administration of ethionine for ten days induced severe degranulation, rupture of vessels, especially of veins and venules and later influenced arteries or arterioles. 3) Necrosis and fibrosis began to appear in the spaces between the cellular debris and marked pancreatic atrophy could be found. 4) The destruction of Islets of Langerhans can be found in the ethionine induced pancreatic parenchyma. On the other hand, an increased number of Islets of Langerhans was also observed in the site of lobule. 5) The presented findings may also suggest that the duration of administration of ethionine is more important factor than graded doses of ethionine in the production of ethionine is more important factor than graded doses of ethionine in the production of ethionine induced pancreatitis in cats.", "PMID": 791742} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9283", "title": "Extrahepatic malignancy in chronic liver disease: report of six cases.", "content": "Six patients are described with chronic liver disease, 3 with primary biliary cirrhosis and 3 with chronic active hepatitis, all of whom developed malignant disease in organs other than the liver. Two malignancies were mixed histiocytic-lymphocytic lymphomas. All patients had received corticosteroid or azathioprine therapy. Specific lymphocyte counts and immunoglobulin and antibody determinations failed to reveal a consistent pattern of abnormality to recognize the patient at risk. Several diseases in which the immune responsiveness is disturbed seem to have this potentiality in common, especially if therapy that further alters immunological reactivity is given.", "contents": "Extrahepatic malignancy in chronic liver disease: report of six cases. Six patients are described with chronic liver disease, 3 with primary biliary cirrhosis and 3 with chronic active hepatitis, all of whom developed malignant disease in organs other than the liver. Two malignancies were mixed histiocytic-lymphocytic lymphomas. All patients had received corticosteroid or azathioprine therapy. Specific lymphocyte counts and immunoglobulin and antibody determinations failed to reveal a consistent pattern of abnormality to recognize the patient at risk. Several diseases in which the immune responsiveness is disturbed seem to have this potentiality in common, especially if therapy that further alters immunological reactivity is given.", "PMID": 791743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9284", "title": "[Contribution to the diagnosis of gonorrhea (author's transl)].", "content": "The culture is the optimal procedure for the diagnosis of gonorrhea in the female and should be used in every suspicious case. The percentage of loss through use of a transport medium (Stuart) and by submitting the specimen to a central laboratory for examination affects the results. For this reason a simple procedure was tested based on Chapin's candle-flame method and using Martin and Thayer's selective culture medium. This method can be used in every laboratory. The described procedure requires little more work than Gram's method. In our test series, a higher percentage of positive results were obtained with this method than with the microscopic diagnosis and the transport medium.", "contents": "[Contribution to the diagnosis of gonorrhea (author's transl)]. The culture is the optimal procedure for the diagnosis of gonorrhea in the female and should be used in every suspicious case. The percentage of loss through use of a transport medium (Stuart) and by submitting the specimen to a central laboratory for examination affects the results. For this reason a simple procedure was tested based on Chapin's candle-flame method and using Martin and Thayer's selective culture medium. This method can be used in every laboratory. The described procedure requires little more work than Gram's method. In our test series, a higher percentage of positive results were obtained with this method than with the microscopic diagnosis and the transport medium.", "PMID": 791744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9285", "title": "[Oral immunization of rabbits against enteropathogenic serotypes of E. coli. II. Production of circulating and fecal antibodies induced with monovalent and polyvalent vaccines].", "content": "Oral vaccination of rabbits with killed polivalent E. coli vaccines (enteropathogenic strains) induced the production of circulating and fecal antibodies to the large majority of serotypes present in the vaccines. The production of specific IgA immunoglobulins in the intestine was also detected. The titres were in general of the same height as those obtained when individual vaccines were administered singularly.", "contents": "[Oral immunization of rabbits against enteropathogenic serotypes of E. coli. II. Production of circulating and fecal antibodies induced with monovalent and polyvalent vaccines]. Oral vaccination of rabbits with killed polivalent E. coli vaccines (enteropathogenic strains) induced the production of circulating and fecal antibodies to the large majority of serotypes present in the vaccines. The production of specific IgA immunoglobulins in the intestine was also detected. The titres were in general of the same height as those obtained when individual vaccines were administered singularly.", "PMID": 791739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9286", "title": "[Cultural, biochemical, cytochemical, pathogenic and morphological aspects (as seen with the scanning microscope) of pathogenic strains of Candida albicans treated with pyrrolnitrin].", "content": "The author has analyzed the pyrrolnitrine activity on eighty strains of Candida albicans isolated from hospital patients. On these various strains the M.I.C., the enzymatic activity, the pathogenicity on rabbits, the ability to form clamydospores were determined. Also cytochemical tests, tests on chorioallantoic membrane, absorption tests and morphological analysis at the scanning microscope were performed on these strains. The various findings obtained have shown a strong activity of pyrrolnitrine on the different biological activities of Candida albicans strains used in the present work.", "contents": "[Cultural, biochemical, cytochemical, pathogenic and morphological aspects (as seen with the scanning microscope) of pathogenic strains of Candida albicans treated with pyrrolnitrin]. The author has analyzed the pyrrolnitrine activity on eighty strains of Candida albicans isolated from hospital patients. On these various strains the M.I.C., the enzymatic activity, the pathogenicity on rabbits, the ability to form clamydospores were determined. Also cytochemical tests, tests on chorioallantoic membrane, absorption tests and morphological analysis at the scanning microscope were performed on these strains. The various findings obtained have shown a strong activity of pyrrolnitrine on the different biological activities of Candida albicans strains used in the present work.", "PMID": 791738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9287", "title": "A study of the transmission and structure of double stranded RNAs associated with the killer phenomenon in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Killer strains contain two double stranded RNAs, L and M. The M dsRNA appears to be necessary for production of a toxin and for resistance to that toxin. Mutant strains have been found that are defective in their ability to kill and in their resistance to toxin. These sensitive, non-killer strains have altered dsRNA composition. One class has no M dsRNA. Another class of sensitive, non-killers called suppressives has no M dsRNA but instead has smaller dsRNAscalledS. Indiploidsresulting from a cross of a wild-type killer by a suppressive the transmission of the M dsRNA is suppressed by the S dsRNA. When a suppressive is crossed by a strain with no M dsRNA, the diploids and all four meiotic spores have the S dsRNA characteristic of the parental suppressive strain. Suppressive strains do not suppress each other. Intercrosses between two different suppressives yields diploids with both parental S dsRNAs. These two S dsRNAs are transmitted to all 4 meiotic progeny. Another class of mutants has been found which is defective for one of the traits but retains the other. One type, temperature-sensitive killers, has a normal dsRNA composition but is unable to kill at 30 degrees. The other type, immunity-minus, has a complex dsRNA pattern. The immunity-minus strain is extremely unstable during mitotic growth and segregates several different types of non-killers. Analysis of the dsRNAs from wild type and the mutants by electron microscopy shows that the L, M, and S dsRNAs are linear. All strains regardless of killer phenotype appear to have the same size L dsRNA.", "contents": "A study of the transmission and structure of double stranded RNAs associated with the killer phenomenon in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Killer strains contain two double stranded RNAs, L and M. The M dsRNA appears to be necessary for production of a toxin and for resistance to that toxin. Mutant strains have been found that are defective in their ability to kill and in their resistance to toxin. These sensitive, non-killer strains have altered dsRNA composition. One class has no M dsRNA. Another class of sensitive, non-killers called suppressives has no M dsRNA but instead has smaller dsRNAscalledS. Indiploidsresulting from a cross of a wild-type killer by a suppressive the transmission of the M dsRNA is suppressed by the S dsRNA. When a suppressive is crossed by a strain with no M dsRNA, the diploids and all four meiotic spores have the S dsRNA characteristic of the parental suppressive strain. Suppressive strains do not suppress each other. Intercrosses between two different suppressives yields diploids with both parental S dsRNAs. These two S dsRNAs are transmitted to all 4 meiotic progeny. Another class of mutants has been found which is defective for one of the traits but retains the other. One type, temperature-sensitive killers, has a normal dsRNA composition but is unable to kill at 30 degrees. The other type, immunity-minus, has a complex dsRNA pattern. The immunity-minus strain is extremely unstable during mitotic growth and segregates several different types of non-killers. Analysis of the dsRNAs from wild type and the mutants by electron microscopy shows that the L, M, and S dsRNAs are linear. All strains regardless of killer phenotype appear to have the same size L dsRNA.", "PMID": 791748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9288", "title": "Depilated (dep), a mutant gene that affects the coat of the mouse and acts in the epidermis.", "content": "Depilated is a recessive mutation on Chromosome 4 in the position b-1.93+/-0.51-dep-3.45+/-0.68.-Pt. It causes severe abnormalities of hair structure. The site of action of dep was investigated by the method of dermal-epidermal recombination. Skins from 14-day mutant and normal mouse embryos were separated into dermal and epidermal components, recombined, and grown in histocompatible mouse testes for 20 days. The recombinations made were +/+ epidermis with +/+ dermis, +/+ epidermis with dep/dep dermis, dep/dep epidermis with +/+ dermis and dep/dep epidermis with dep/dep dermis. Grafts that contained mutant epidermis as one of the components produced hairs that were similar to those found in depilated mice. There was no observable effect of the dermis on hair types produced in this experiment.", "contents": "Depilated (dep), a mutant gene that affects the coat of the mouse and acts in the epidermis. Depilated is a recessive mutation on Chromosome 4 in the position b-1.93+/-0.51-dep-3.45+/-0.68.-Pt. It causes severe abnormalities of hair structure. The site of action of dep was investigated by the method of dermal-epidermal recombination. Skins from 14-day mutant and normal mouse embryos were separated into dermal and epidermal components, recombined, and grown in histocompatible mouse testes for 20 days. The recombinations made were +/+ epidermis with +/+ dermis, +/+ epidermis with dep/dep dermis, dep/dep epidermis with +/+ dermis and dep/dep epidermis with dep/dep dermis. Grafts that contained mutant epidermis as one of the components produced hairs that were similar to those found in depilated mice. There was no observable effect of the dermis on hair types produced in this experiment.", "PMID": 791749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9289", "title": "Theoretical modifications of reciprocal recurrent selection.", "content": "Reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS), which assumes overdominant loci to be important, alters two genetically different populations to improve their crossbred mean. Individual plants from two populations (A and B) are selfed and also crossed with plants from the reciprocal female tester population (B and A, respectively). Selection is based on the mean of crossbred families, and the selected individuals are randomly mated within A and B to form new populations.--We propose two alternatives to RRS. The first (RRS-I) uses, as the tester of population A, a population (LB) that is derived from population B by family selection for low yield. The second (RRS-II) is similar to RRS-I, but also uses, as the tester of B, a population (LA) that is derived from population A by family selection for low yield.--The expected crossbred means of RRS, RRS-I, and RRS-II were compared, assuming equal sigmaP, at several cycles of selection for incomplete and complete dominance, and for several cases of overdominance (depending on the gene frequencies in A and B, and on the equilibrium gene frequency).--The choice of selection method depends on the importance of the effects of overdominant loci compared to loci exhibiting incomplete or complete dominance. If overdominance is unimportant, RRS-II is the best selection method, followed by RRS-I and RRS. If overdominance is important, both RRS and RRS-I are superior to RRS-II; RRS is preferred to RRS-I if the effects of overdominant loci are sufficiently important. If the genetic model is a mixture of levels of dominance at different loci, a combination of selection systems is suggested.", "contents": "Theoretical modifications of reciprocal recurrent selection. Reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS), which assumes overdominant loci to be important, alters two genetically different populations to improve their crossbred mean. Individual plants from two populations (A and B) are selfed and also crossed with plants from the reciprocal female tester population (B and A, respectively). Selection is based on the mean of crossbred families, and the selected individuals are randomly mated within A and B to form new populations.--We propose two alternatives to RRS. The first (RRS-I) uses, as the tester of population A, a population (LB) that is derived from population B by family selection for low yield. The second (RRS-II) is similar to RRS-I, but also uses, as the tester of B, a population (LA) that is derived from population A by family selection for low yield.--The expected crossbred means of RRS, RRS-I, and RRS-II were compared, assuming equal sigmaP, at several cycles of selection for incomplete and complete dominance, and for several cases of overdominance (depending on the gene frequencies in A and B, and on the equilibrium gene frequency).--The choice of selection method depends on the importance of the effects of overdominant loci compared to loci exhibiting incomplete or complete dominance. If overdominance is unimportant, RRS-II is the best selection method, followed by RRS-I and RRS. If overdominance is important, both RRS and RRS-I are superior to RRS-II; RRS is preferred to RRS-I if the effects of overdominant loci are sufficiently important. If the genetic model is a mixture of levels of dominance at different loci, a combination of selection systems is suggested.", "PMID": 791750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9290", "title": "[Radiosensitive mutants of Escherichia coli with disrupted cell membrane permeability].", "content": "Membrane proteins and cell permeability of Escherichia coli B/r and different substrains of B/r containing mutations of loci uvrB, exrA, lon and suppressors of that mutations were studied. Membrane proteins were found to be modified only in E. coli B/r exrA. The content of 40 000--70 000 D polypeptides was increased and the content of 80 000--100 000 D polypeptides was decreased. Alteration of membrane proteins in E. coli B/r exrA was associated with the impaired permeability of cell membrane.", "contents": "[Radiosensitive mutants of Escherichia coli with disrupted cell membrane permeability]. Membrane proteins and cell permeability of Escherichia coli B/r and different substrains of B/r containing mutations of loci uvrB, exrA, lon and suppressors of that mutations were studied. Membrane proteins were found to be modified only in E. coli B/r exrA. The content of 40 000--70 000 D polypeptides was increased and the content of 80 000--100 000 D polypeptides was decreased. Alteration of membrane proteins in E. coli B/r exrA was associated with the impaired permeability of cell membrane.", "PMID": 791751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9291", "title": "Human umbilical vessel diameters and bloodgas tensions in the first two minutes after delivery.", "content": "Human umbilical vein and artery diameters reduce significantly during the first 2 min after delivery, whereas blood gas tensions do not change significantly. Gas tension changes, therefore, cannot account for the reduction in the umbilical vessel diameters which occurs during this time.", "contents": "Human umbilical vessel diameters and bloodgas tensions in the first two minutes after delivery. Human umbilical vein and artery diameters reduce significantly during the first 2 min after delivery, whereas blood gas tensions do not change significantly. Gas tension changes, therefore, cannot account for the reduction in the umbilical vessel diameters which occurs during this time.", "PMID": 791769} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9292", "title": "[Thumb reconstruction by means of transposition of a damaged little finger and interposition splint after an explosion injury to the hand].", "content": "This case report concerns the loss of the thumb, the middle and ring fingers as well as the distal phalanx of the little finger as a result of an explosion. A combined procedure for the reconstruction of a thumb was performed employing interposition lengthening of the first metacarpal by an iliac crest bone graft followed by the transposition of the distal part of the remainder of the little finger. The proximal portion of that digit was preserved in order to obtain better span grasp.", "contents": "[Thumb reconstruction by means of transposition of a damaged little finger and interposition splint after an explosion injury to the hand]. This case report concerns the loss of the thumb, the middle and ring fingers as well as the distal phalanx of the little finger as a result of an explosion. A combined procedure for the reconstruction of a thumb was performed employing interposition lengthening of the first metacarpal by an iliac crest bone graft followed by the transposition of the distal part of the remainder of the little finger. The proximal portion of that digit was preserved in order to obtain better span grasp.", "PMID": 791771} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9293", "title": "Professional review of health care services.", "content": "The question of professional accountability has frequently been raised with regard to the provision of health care services. Various systems, among them peer review, utilization review, and the PSRO, have accordingly been introduced to monitor the quality and the cost of health care. Social workers will have increased opportunities to participate in these review systems and, thus, to improve health care delivery.", "contents": "Professional review of health care services. The question of professional accountability has frequently been raised with regard to the provision of health care services. Various systems, among them peer review, utilization review, and the PSRO, have accordingly been introduced to monitor the quality and the cost of health care. Social workers will have increased opportunities to participate in these review systems and, thus, to improve health care delivery.", "PMID": 791772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9294", "title": "Oxygen transfer rate, respiration and yields in batch and chemostat cultures of Klebsiella aerogenes.", "content": "The effect was studied of oxygen supply on the changes in total and specific rate of oxygen consumption by the cells, oxygen transfer rate, saturation concentrations of dissolved oxygen and the yields of batch and continuous cultivations. Experiments were done on the microorganism Klebsiella aerogenes CCM 2318 growing on synthetic glucose medium. Continuous cultivations were carried out at dilution rates of 0.96 and 0.178 h-1. The rate of oxygen transfer was determined by the sulphite method and the coefficient KLa was assessed using the dynamic method with a correction for changes in the saturations of dissolved oxygen. A lowered oxygen supply in batch cultivations caused deformations in the course of cell respiration. Comparison of results of batch and continuous cultivations showed that the highest yields Y X/S and Y X/O are attained at low dilution rates without oxygen limitation. Batch cultivations, on the other hand, exhibit the lowest yields and the highest cell respiration levels. In both types of cultivations, a respiration peak was ascertained under the conditions of growth limitation by oxygen.", "contents": "Oxygen transfer rate, respiration and yields in batch and chemostat cultures of Klebsiella aerogenes. The effect was studied of oxygen supply on the changes in total and specific rate of oxygen consumption by the cells, oxygen transfer rate, saturation concentrations of dissolved oxygen and the yields of batch and continuous cultivations. Experiments were done on the microorganism Klebsiella aerogenes CCM 2318 growing on synthetic glucose medium. Continuous cultivations were carried out at dilution rates of 0.96 and 0.178 h-1. The rate of oxygen transfer was determined by the sulphite method and the coefficient KLa was assessed using the dynamic method with a correction for changes in the saturations of dissolved oxygen. A lowered oxygen supply in batch cultivations caused deformations in the course of cell respiration. Comparison of results of batch and continuous cultivations showed that the highest yields Y X/S and Y X/O are attained at low dilution rates without oxygen limitation. Batch cultivations, on the other hand, exhibit the lowest yields and the highest cell respiration levels. In both types of cultivations, a respiration peak was ascertained under the conditions of growth limitation by oxygen.", "PMID": 791773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9295", "title": "Simultaneous and gradual induction of beta-galactosidase and tryptophanase synthesis in an Escherichia coli batch culture.", "content": "beta-Galactosidase and tryptophanase can be induced in Escherichia coli simultaneously or gradually during a batch cultivation. In the strain Escherichia coli K 12 and ML 30, in which the synthesis of the two enzymes was induced simultaneously, only the synthesis of tryptophanase partially decreased, whereas the synthesis of beta-galactosidase was not influenced. In the strains B 28 and ATCC 9637 the synthesis of both enzymes was partially decreased. On a gradual induction of these enzymes in the strain Escherichia coli K 12 only the synthesis of tryptophanase decreased. Thus, the results obtained here resemble those observed during the simultaneous induction. In addition, it was found that it is not important which of the two enzymes is induced as the first one.", "contents": "Simultaneous and gradual induction of beta-galactosidase and tryptophanase synthesis in an Escherichia coli batch culture. beta-Galactosidase and tryptophanase can be induced in Escherichia coli simultaneously or gradually during a batch cultivation. In the strain Escherichia coli K 12 and ML 30, in which the synthesis of the two enzymes was induced simultaneously, only the synthesis of tryptophanase partially decreased, whereas the synthesis of beta-galactosidase was not influenced. In the strains B 28 and ATCC 9637 the synthesis of both enzymes was partially decreased. On a gradual induction of these enzymes in the strain Escherichia coli K 12 only the synthesis of tryptophanase decreased. Thus, the results obtained here resemble those observed during the simultaneous induction. In addition, it was found that it is not important which of the two enzymes is induced as the first one.", "PMID": 791774} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9296", "title": "Biosynthesis of yeast mannan. Characterization of mannan-synthesizing enzyme systems from mutants defective in mannan structure.", "content": "The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae X2180-1A (wild) and its mutants X2180-1A-4 (mnn 1) and X2180-1A-5 (mnn 2) defective in mannan biosynthesis were used as enzyme sources to catalyze in vitro mannosyl transfer from GDP-[14C-U]-mannose to endogenous glycoproteins as well as to exogenous, low-molecular weight acceptors. While the enzyme preparation from the wild strain exhibited all mannosyl transferase activities involved in mannan biosynthesis by catalyzing the synthesis of characteristic mannoprotein, the enzyme from mnn 1 mutant failed to catalyze the synthesis of alpha(1 leads to 3) mannoside linkages both with endogenous as well as with exogenous acceptors. The enzyme preparation from the mnn 2 mutant catalyzed the formation of mannoprotein very similar to that obtained with the enzyme from the wild strain. The most important difference was the formation of a higher number of unsubstituted mannosyl units in the alpha(1 leads to 6) linked mannan backbone. The observed results support the hypothesis that in the mnn 1 the mutation has altered the structural gene involved in biosynthesis of an alpha(1 leads to 3) mannosyl transferase catalyzing the addition of alpha(1 leads to 3) linked mannosyl units to alpha(1 leads to 2) linked mannotrioses in the polysaccharide side chains and in the oligosaccharides attached to serine and/or threonine in the protein part of mannan molecule. The mnn 2 mutant represents most probably a kind of regulatory mutation where the activity of an alpha(1 leads to 2) mannosyl transferase adding the mannosyl units directly to alpha(1 leads to 6) linked backbone in the outer region of polysaccharide part of yeast mannan is repressed in vivo but becomes significant in vitro.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of yeast mannan. Characterization of mannan-synthesizing enzyme systems from mutants defective in mannan structure. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae X2180-1A (wild) and its mutants X2180-1A-4 (mnn 1) and X2180-1A-5 (mnn 2) defective in mannan biosynthesis were used as enzyme sources to catalyze in vitro mannosyl transfer from GDP-[14C-U]-mannose to endogenous glycoproteins as well as to exogenous, low-molecular weight acceptors. While the enzyme preparation from the wild strain exhibited all mannosyl transferase activities involved in mannan biosynthesis by catalyzing the synthesis of characteristic mannoprotein, the enzyme from mnn 1 mutant failed to catalyze the synthesis of alpha(1 leads to 3) mannoside linkages both with endogenous as well as with exogenous acceptors. The enzyme preparation from the mnn 2 mutant catalyzed the formation of mannoprotein very similar to that obtained with the enzyme from the wild strain. The most important difference was the formation of a higher number of unsubstituted mannosyl units in the alpha(1 leads to 6) linked mannan backbone. The observed results support the hypothesis that in the mnn 1 the mutation has altered the structural gene involved in biosynthesis of an alpha(1 leads to 3) mannosyl transferase catalyzing the addition of alpha(1 leads to 3) linked mannosyl units to alpha(1 leads to 2) linked mannotrioses in the polysaccharide side chains and in the oligosaccharides attached to serine and/or threonine in the protein part of mannan molecule. The mnn 2 mutant represents most probably a kind of regulatory mutation where the activity of an alpha(1 leads to 2) mannosyl transferase adding the mannosyl units directly to alpha(1 leads to 6) linked backbone in the outer region of polysaccharide part of yeast mannan is repressed in vivo but becomes significant in vitro.", "PMID": 791775} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9297", "title": "A morphological study on vascular changes in the surgically resected tissues of temporal lobe epilepsy-with a special reference to the etiology.", "content": "(1) Twenty-one out of 23 cases surgically resected specimens of TLE presented the common histological findings; sclerotic changes of the tissues. And the other two cases encountered the small tumors which might be called \"cryptic\". (2) Since circulatory disturbance is generally accepted to explain the cause of TLE we reexamined vascular behaviors in detail and found the quantitative and qualitative abnormaltities which reached the high rate of 71% (17 out of 21 cases) except two cases of small tumors. Moreover, it is remarkably noteworthy that these vascular changes adjoin the sclerosed parenchymal tissue. (3) It may be said that vascular changes have exerted some influences on the formation of inferomedial temporal sclerosis from the standpoint of the histological findings, though they are alone not fully sufficient to explain the etiology of TLE.", "contents": "A morphological study on vascular changes in the surgically resected tissues of temporal lobe epilepsy-with a special reference to the etiology. (1) Twenty-one out of 23 cases surgically resected specimens of TLE presented the common histological findings; sclerotic changes of the tissues. And the other two cases encountered the small tumors which might be called \"cryptic\". (2) Since circulatory disturbance is generally accepted to explain the cause of TLE we reexamined vascular behaviors in detail and found the quantitative and qualitative abnormaltities which reached the high rate of 71% (17 out of 21 cases) except two cases of small tumors. Moreover, it is remarkably noteworthy that these vascular changes adjoin the sclerosed parenchymal tissue. (3) It may be said that vascular changes have exerted some influences on the formation of inferomedial temporal sclerosis from the standpoint of the histological findings, though they are alone not fully sufficient to explain the etiology of TLE.", "PMID": 791776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9298", "title": "[Reconstruction of nasal defects using local flaps].", "content": "Of the various procedures available for the reconstruction of nasal defects, examples of local flaps are demonstrated. These local flaps preserve the aesthetic and function of the nose since they prevent ugly scar retractions. An early surgical intervention minimizes the extent of the operation although radically performed and gives optimal results.", "contents": "[Reconstruction of nasal defects using local flaps]. Of the various procedures available for the reconstruction of nasal defects, examples of local flaps are demonstrated. These local flaps preserve the aesthetic and function of the nose since they prevent ugly scar retractions. An early surgical intervention minimizes the extent of the operation although radically performed and gives optimal results.", "PMID": 791780} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9299", "title": "[Contact- and suture-free hemostasis on the kidney parenchyma by means of a new infrared radiation instrument (MICOR)].", "content": "A new industrial instrument named MICOR (prototype), which means \"Melting with Infrared Concentrated Radiation\", is used on the dog kidney. We compare haemosytpiss after partial resection by scalpell using convential sutures (16 dogs) and MICOR (17 dogs);the dog kidneys are single organs. The results show, that MICOR--without touching kidney--is very effective and as effective as parenchym--sutures. Comparing examinations of morphology and kidney function show no essential difference between both methods. By renal clearance techniques an advantage MICOR could be shown. We expect better results by imporvement of the MICOR and hope for a helpful use in human surgery.", "contents": "[Contact- and suture-free hemostasis on the kidney parenchyma by means of a new infrared radiation instrument (MICOR)]. A new industrial instrument named MICOR (prototype), which means \"Melting with Infrared Concentrated Radiation\", is used on the dog kidney. We compare haemosytpiss after partial resection by scalpell using convential sutures (16 dogs) and MICOR (17 dogs);the dog kidneys are single organs. The results show, that MICOR--without touching kidney--is very effective and as effective as parenchym--sutures. Comparing examinations of morphology and kidney function show no essential difference between both methods. By renal clearance techniques an advantage MICOR could be shown. We expect better results by imporvement of the MICOR and hope for a helpful use in human surgery.", "PMID": 791781} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9300", "title": "[Alrheumum in the daily practice].", "content": "The new antirheumatic drug Ketoprofen (Alrheumun) has been tested by an open trial in 100 out-patients and the activity and tolerance have been evaluated under practice conditions. A daily dose of 3 capsules Alrheumun proved to have a good activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthrosis and soft tissue conditions. 80% of all patients did not show to have any side-effects. Among all groups of patients, treatment had to be interupted because of side-effects in two patients only. A negative influence on any of the laboratory tests used was not found.", "contents": "[Alrheumum in the daily practice]. The new antirheumatic drug Ketoprofen (Alrheumun) has been tested by an open trial in 100 out-patients and the activity and tolerance have been evaluated under practice conditions. A daily dose of 3 capsules Alrheumun proved to have a good activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthrosis and soft tissue conditions. 80% of all patients did not show to have any side-effects. Among all groups of patients, treatment had to be interupted because of side-effects in two patients only. A negative influence on any of the laboratory tests used was not found.", "PMID": 791783} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9301", "title": "[Euphylline suppositories in the treatment of obstructive respiratory tract diseases in childhood].", "content": "In the present uncontrolled study the effectiveness and tolerance of aminophylline suppositories were assayed in 79 children of varying age, based on clinical and chemical laboratory findings. Results as well as specific dosage problems are discussed. Special emphasis is laid on the advantages provided by the application of suppositories in the treatment of small children.", "contents": "[Euphylline suppositories in the treatment of obstructive respiratory tract diseases in childhood]. In the present uncontrolled study the effectiveness and tolerance of aminophylline suppositories were assayed in 79 children of varying age, based on clinical and chemical laboratory findings. Results as well as specific dosage problems are discussed. Special emphasis is laid on the advantages provided by the application of suppositories in the treatment of small children.", "PMID": 791784} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9302", "title": "[The neurobiology of the successive stages of life (author's transl)].", "content": "The neurobiological sciences deal with morphological, physiological, biochemical, and pharmacological investigations of neurobiological processes and mechanisms. In addition, they are interested in living organisms as action systems, with their forms of motion, types of behavior, and means of adapting to the environment. The topic \"The Neurobiology of the Successive Stages of Life\" covers the entire span of life, from the induction of the neural tube to senescence and death, i.e. the sum total of all continuous changes which are described by such terms as development, differentiation, specialization, individuation, functional maturity, and ageing. The following gives a survey from a special neurological-neuroanatomical point of view, it deals with the early development of prenatal activities, forms of movement, and refled differentiation cycles in regard to neurofibrillation, myelination, and cytological-cytoarchetectonic structures. Paul Yakovlev's and Peter Kuzmich Anokhin's interpretations of such selective morphological-functional maturation processes inherent in the system are discussed. There follows a brief survey of varying metabolic systems in close connection with the differentiation of nerve and glia cells and capillarization processes. The subject of early programmed cell death, nerve-cell degeneration, and heterotopia during the development, differentiation, and maturation of the central nervous system leads to a discussion of the likewise selective system-bound processes that take place during senescence of the central nervous system.", "contents": "[The neurobiology of the successive stages of life (author's transl)]. The neurobiological sciences deal with morphological, physiological, biochemical, and pharmacological investigations of neurobiological processes and mechanisms. In addition, they are interested in living organisms as action systems, with their forms of motion, types of behavior, and means of adapting to the environment. The topic \"The Neurobiology of the Successive Stages of Life\" covers the entire span of life, from the induction of the neural tube to senescence and death, i.e. the sum total of all continuous changes which are described by such terms as development, differentiation, specialization, individuation, functional maturity, and ageing. The following gives a survey from a special neurological-neuroanatomical point of view, it deals with the early development of prenatal activities, forms of movement, and refled differentiation cycles in regard to neurofibrillation, myelination, and cytological-cytoarchetectonic structures. Paul Yakovlev's and Peter Kuzmich Anokhin's interpretations of such selective morphological-functional maturation processes inherent in the system are discussed. There follows a brief survey of varying metabolic systems in close connection with the differentiation of nerve and glia cells and capillarization processes. The subject of early programmed cell death, nerve-cell degeneration, and heterotopia during the development, differentiation, and maturation of the central nervous system leads to a discussion of the likewise selective system-bound processes that take place during senescence of the central nervous system.", "PMID": 791785} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9303", "title": "Localization of seminal plasma proteinase inhibitors in human spermatozoa as revealed by the indirect immunofluorescence technique.", "content": "Acidic extracts of washed, ejaculated human spermatozoa contain, besides acrosin, two proteinase inhibitors, a trypsin-chymotrypsin (elastase) inhibitor (HUSI-I) and a trypsin-acrosin inhibitor (HUSI-II). Using the indirect immunofluorescence technique these inhibitors could be localized in the spermatozoa. Ejaculated spermatozoa were treated with monospecific antibodies raised in rabbits against HUSI-I and HUSI-II, respectively, and with fluorescein-labeled IgG from goat directed against the rabbit IgG. If acetone-fixed spermatozoa were used, fluorescence appeared only in a small ring near or at the equatorial segment of the spermatozoa. After prefixation of washed spermatozoa with 0.36% formaldehyde, however, distribution of both inhibitors in the region of the acrosomal caps could clearly be demonstrated. Present results suggest that they are attached at the plasma membrane. Obviously, in the case of human spermatozoa the inhibitors are relatively easily detached together with the membrane so that prefixation is necessary to achieve proper localization.", "contents": "Localization of seminal plasma proteinase inhibitors in human spermatozoa as revealed by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Acidic extracts of washed, ejaculated human spermatozoa contain, besides acrosin, two proteinase inhibitors, a trypsin-chymotrypsin (elastase) inhibitor (HUSI-I) and a trypsin-acrosin inhibitor (HUSI-II). Using the indirect immunofluorescence technique these inhibitors could be localized in the spermatozoa. Ejaculated spermatozoa were treated with monospecific antibodies raised in rabbits against HUSI-I and HUSI-II, respectively, and with fluorescein-labeled IgG from goat directed against the rabbit IgG. If acetone-fixed spermatozoa were used, fluorescence appeared only in a small ring near or at the equatorial segment of the spermatozoa. After prefixation of washed spermatozoa with 0.36% formaldehyde, however, distribution of both inhibitors in the region of the acrosomal caps could clearly be demonstrated. Present results suggest that they are attached at the plasma membrane. Obviously, in the case of human spermatozoa the inhibitors are relatively easily detached together with the membrane so that prefixation is necessary to achieve proper localization.", "PMID": 791787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9304", "title": "Isolation and characterization of CNBr derived peptides of the alpha1 (III) chain of pepsin-solubilized calf skin collagen.", "content": "Fetal calf skin was solubilized by limited pepsin digestion and type III collagen separated from type I collagen by fractional salt precipitations. Cleavage of the type III collagen with CNBr gave rise to ten peptides, which were isolated by molecular sieve and ion exchange chromatography. The peptides were characterized by determination of their molecular weights and amino acid compositions. Together they account for all the amino acids and total molecular weight of the alpha1 (III) chain. Six of the peptides contain more hydroxyproline than proline residues. The two cysteinyl residues of the alpha1 (III) chain which provide sites for interchain disulfide bonding were localized in the C-terminal CNBr peptide. In addition to the ten CNBr peptides, three double peptides were isolated which still contained one methionine residue. About 0.1 residue Gal-Hyl monosaccharide and 0.8 Glc-Gal-Hyl residue disaccharide were found per alpha1 (III) chain. Almost all hydroxylysine-bound carbohydrate was located on peptide 7.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of CNBr derived peptides of the alpha1 (III) chain of pepsin-solubilized calf skin collagen. Fetal calf skin was solubilized by limited pepsin digestion and type III collagen separated from type I collagen by fractional salt precipitations. Cleavage of the type III collagen with CNBr gave rise to ten peptides, which were isolated by molecular sieve and ion exchange chromatography. The peptides were characterized by determination of their molecular weights and amino acid compositions. Together they account for all the amino acids and total molecular weight of the alpha1 (III) chain. Six of the peptides contain more hydroxyproline than proline residues. The two cysteinyl residues of the alpha1 (III) chain which provide sites for interchain disulfide bonding were localized in the C-terminal CNBr peptide. In addition to the ten CNBr peptides, three double peptides were isolated which still contained one methionine residue. About 0.1 residue Gal-Hyl monosaccharide and 0.8 Glc-Gal-Hyl residue disaccharide were found per alpha1 (III) chain. Almost all hydroxylysine-bound carbohydrate was located on peptide 7.", "PMID": 791788} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9305", "title": "Isolation and structure of the amino-terminal cross-linking region in insoluble type III collagen.", "content": "A collagenous peptide T1X was isolated from a tryptic digest of the insoluble matrix of calf skin. The peptide consists of two identical polypeptide chains each with a length of 72 amino acid residues joined by a cross-link. Absorption spectra obtained from hydrazone and azine derivatives of T1X indicated that the peptide contains an aldol-type of cross-link (X). The sequence of 23 amino acid residues in the amino-terminal region was determined as Glx-Tyr-Glu-Ala-Tyr-Asp-Val-X-Ser-Gly-Val-Ala-Gly-Gly-Gly-Ile-Ala-Gly-Tyr-Hyp-Gly-Pro-Ala. This sequence overlaps the previously described amino-terminal sequence of alpha1 (III) chain obtained from pepsin treated, insoluble type III collagen. Thus, the present data demonstrate a nonhelical segment of 14 amino acid residues in type III collagen important for cross-linking.", "contents": "Isolation and structure of the amino-terminal cross-linking region in insoluble type III collagen. A collagenous peptide T1X was isolated from a tryptic digest of the insoluble matrix of calf skin. The peptide consists of two identical polypeptide chains each with a length of 72 amino acid residues joined by a cross-link. Absorption spectra obtained from hydrazone and azine derivatives of T1X indicated that the peptide contains an aldol-type of cross-link (X). The sequence of 23 amino acid residues in the amino-terminal region was determined as Glx-Tyr-Glu-Ala-Tyr-Asp-Val-X-Ser-Gly-Val-Ala-Gly-Gly-Gly-Ile-Ala-Gly-Tyr-Hyp-Gly-Pro-Ala. This sequence overlaps the previously described amino-terminal sequence of alpha1 (III) chain obtained from pepsin treated, insoluble type III collagen. Thus, the present data demonstrate a nonhelical segment of 14 amino acid residues in type III collagen important for cross-linking.", "PMID": 791789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9306", "title": "Localization of catalase A in vacuoles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: evidence for the vacuolar nature of isolated \"yeast peroxisomes\".", "content": "The subcellular distribution of catalase A in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been investigated. The enzyme was found to be bound to large particles, whereas most of the activity of catalase T was located in a 38 000 X g supernatant. Under various isolation conditions catalase A always showed a distribution among subcellular fractions virtually identical to that of two markers for vacuoles, proteinase B and alpha-mannosidase. More than 80 percent of the catalase A activity of a crude vacuole fraci-onercent of the catalase A activity of a crude vacuole fraction has been detected in purified vacuoles. Malate synthase, isocitrate lyase and glyoxylate reductase (NADP), three peroxisomal markers, showed a subcellular distribution significantly different from that of catalase A. It is concluded from these results that catalase A is specifically associated with the vacuoles of yeast. Like vacuoles, \"peroxisomal\" fractions isolated from yeast spheroplasts as described by Avers[1] contain only one catalase protein, catalase A. It could be shown by isopycnic and sedimentation velocity separations of crude mitochondrial fractions that catalase A in \"peroxisomal\" fractions is accompanied by considerable activities of proteinase B and alpha-mannosidase. From all our results it seems that the catalase-active particles isolated under such conditions are not typical peroxisomes but vesicles formed from vacuoles during the isolation procedure.", "contents": "Localization of catalase A in vacuoles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: evidence for the vacuolar nature of isolated \"yeast peroxisomes\". The subcellular distribution of catalase A in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been investigated. The enzyme was found to be bound to large particles, whereas most of the activity of catalase T was located in a 38 000 X g supernatant. Under various isolation conditions catalase A always showed a distribution among subcellular fractions virtually identical to that of two markers for vacuoles, proteinase B and alpha-mannosidase. More than 80 percent of the catalase A activity of a crude vacuole fraci-onercent of the catalase A activity of a crude vacuole fraction has been detected in purified vacuoles. Malate synthase, isocitrate lyase and glyoxylate reductase (NADP), three peroxisomal markers, showed a subcellular distribution significantly different from that of catalase A. It is concluded from these results that catalase A is specifically associated with the vacuoles of yeast. Like vacuoles, \"peroxisomal\" fractions isolated from yeast spheroplasts as described by Avers[1] contain only one catalase protein, catalase A. It could be shown by isopycnic and sedimentation velocity separations of crude mitochondrial fractions that catalase A in \"peroxisomal\" fractions is accompanied by considerable activities of proteinase B and alpha-mannosidase. From all our results it seems that the catalase-active particles isolated under such conditions are not typical peroxisomes but vesicles formed from vacuoles during the isolation procedure.", "PMID": 791790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9307", "title": "Estimation of polygenic recurrence risk for cleft lip and palate.", "content": "Data on cleft lip with or without cleft palate are utilized to evaluate a new method for estimating recurrence risk under the polygenic threshold model. The influence of critical factors on the accuracy of the estimated risks are evaluated. The model is relatively sensitive to the estimate of heritability employed and relatively robust to the population prevalence estimate and to family size. The calculated risks for cleft lip with or without cleft palate are contrasted with the empiric figures from studies on Caucasians and Japanese populations.", "contents": "Estimation of polygenic recurrence risk for cleft lip and palate. Data on cleft lip with or without cleft palate are utilized to evaluate a new method for estimating recurrence risk under the polygenic threshold model. The influence of critical factors on the accuracy of the estimated risks are evaluated. The model is relatively sensitive to the estimate of heritability employed and relatively robust to the population prevalence estimate and to family size. The calculated risks for cleft lip with or without cleft palate are contrasted with the empiric figures from studies on Caucasians and Japanese populations.", "PMID": 791845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9308", "title": "E rosette formation by human t lymphocytes: a spontaneous cell mediated cytotoxic phenomenon.", "content": "The nature and significance of spontaneous association between unsensitized human T lymphocytes and sheep erythrocytes has been studied in relation to a possible cytotoxic reaction. Human lymphocytes and 51Cr labelled sheep erythrocytes when mixed in ratios of 5 or 10:1 released 70-100% of 51Cr into the supernatants. This suggests that E rosette formation may be the first step in a spontaneous T cell mediated cytotoxic reaction to sheep erythrocytes.", "contents": "E rosette formation by human t lymphocytes: a spontaneous cell mediated cytotoxic phenomenon. The nature and significance of spontaneous association between unsensitized human T lymphocytes and sheep erythrocytes has been studied in relation to a possible cytotoxic reaction. Human lymphocytes and 51Cr labelled sheep erythrocytes when mixed in ratios of 5 or 10:1 released 70-100% of 51Cr into the supernatants. This suggests that E rosette formation may be the first step in a spontaneous T cell mediated cytotoxic reaction to sheep erythrocytes.", "PMID": 791850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9309", "title": "Unification and technical aspects of total t, active t and b lymphocyte rosette assays.", "content": "Conditions for rosette formation of human adult T and B lymphocytes with unsensitized and complement coated SRBC respectively, have been examined in this collaborative study. Modified procedures for identifying, by rosette formation, the total T, active T and B-RFC lymphocytes are described. The procedures reported here yielded results for the percent of peripheral blood lymphocytes forming total T, active T and B-RFC for control individuals that are comparable with those previously reported. The advantage of the procedures described here are that they are 1) easy to perform; 2) highly reproducible; 3) allow for the preparation of a single lymphocyte concentration and common reaction mixture volume to be used in all three rosette assays and 4) allow for the removal of non-lymphocytic cells which would interfere with the determination of B-RFC. The use of these procedures would allow other laboratories to obtain similar values so results for controls and various types of patients could be compared.", "contents": "Unification and technical aspects of total t, active t and b lymphocyte rosette assays. Conditions for rosette formation of human adult T and B lymphocytes with unsensitized and complement coated SRBC respectively, have been examined in this collaborative study. Modified procedures for identifying, by rosette formation, the total T, active T and B-RFC lymphocytes are described. The procedures reported here yielded results for the percent of peripheral blood lymphocytes forming total T, active T and B-RFC for control individuals that are comparable with those previously reported. The advantage of the procedures described here are that they are 1) easy to perform; 2) highly reproducible; 3) allow for the preparation of a single lymphocyte concentration and common reaction mixture volume to be used in all three rosette assays and 4) allow for the removal of non-lymphocytic cells which would interfere with the determination of B-RFC. The use of these procedures would allow other laboratories to obtain similar values so results for controls and various types of patients could be compared.", "PMID": 791851} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9310", "title": "Effect of immunosuppressive drugs on an in vito correlate of cell-mediated immunity. The migration inhibition test.", "content": "The effect of a number of immunosuppressive drugs on the migration-inhibition test was studied. These drugs could be divided into four categories: (1) drugs influencing both the MIF production and MIF effect on macrophages (amethopterin, azathioprine); (2) drugs influencing MIF production (puromycin, actinomycin D); (3) drugs influencing the effect of MIF on macrophages (hydrocortisone); (4) drugs without any influence.", "contents": "Effect of immunosuppressive drugs on an in vito correlate of cell-mediated immunity. The migration inhibition test. The effect of a number of immunosuppressive drugs on the migration-inhibition test was studied. These drugs could be divided into four categories: (1) drugs influencing both the MIF production and MIF effect on macrophages (amethopterin, azathioprine); (2) drugs influencing MIF production (puromycin, actinomycin D); (3) drugs influencing the effect of MIF on macrophages (hydrocortisone); (4) drugs without any influence.", "PMID": 791852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9311", "title": "B lymphocyte subpopulations in the mouse spleen. A study of the differentiation pathway using free flow electrophoretically separated subpopulations of direct PFC progenitor cells.", "content": "Free-flow electrophoretic separation of mouse spleen cells provides three distinct progenitor cells of direct PFC, showing high, medium and low electrophoretic mobility. All progenitor cells possess surface immunoglobulin and mouse B-lymphocyte specific antigen. The progenitor cells of high electrophoretic mobility show high cycling turnover, a spleen seeking capacity of 16%, provide PFC with a maximum 8 days after transfer and reveal an isometrical increase of the PFC dose response line as a function of the graft size. The progenitor cells of medium electrophoretic mobility are low cycling, 16% home to the spleen, a maximum of PFC is developed eight days after transfer and the PFC dose response line increases allometrically. The progenitor cells of low EPM show low cycling activity, 20% home to the spleen, a maximum of PFC is attained six days after transfer and the PFC dose response line rises isometrically. These results suggest that the electrokinetically different PFC progenitors represent biologically distinct subsets. In double transfer experiments, some evidence was obtained that progenitor cells of low electrophoretic mobility are derived from progenitors of higher electrophoretic mobility. The same observation accounts also for the formation of B lymphocytes of low EPM. Since it seemed likely that the PFC progenitor cells represent virgin cells of a single lineage, the results were discussed in the terms of differentiation pathways of B lymphocytes. A model is considered in which a progenitor of medium electrophoretic mobility provides those of high electrophoretic mobility which after passing a transient cycling stage finally produce mature resting B lymphocytes of low electrophoretic mobility.", "contents": "B lymphocyte subpopulations in the mouse spleen. A study of the differentiation pathway using free flow electrophoretically separated subpopulations of direct PFC progenitor cells. Free-flow electrophoretic separation of mouse spleen cells provides three distinct progenitor cells of direct PFC, showing high, medium and low electrophoretic mobility. All progenitor cells possess surface immunoglobulin and mouse B-lymphocyte specific antigen. The progenitor cells of high electrophoretic mobility show high cycling turnover, a spleen seeking capacity of 16%, provide PFC with a maximum 8 days after transfer and reveal an isometrical increase of the PFC dose response line as a function of the graft size. The progenitor cells of medium electrophoretic mobility are low cycling, 16% home to the spleen, a maximum of PFC is developed eight days after transfer and the PFC dose response line increases allometrically. The progenitor cells of low EPM show low cycling activity, 20% home to the spleen, a maximum of PFC is attained six days after transfer and the PFC dose response line rises isometrically. These results suggest that the electrokinetically different PFC progenitors represent biologically distinct subsets. In double transfer experiments, some evidence was obtained that progenitor cells of low electrophoretic mobility are derived from progenitors of higher electrophoretic mobility. The same observation accounts also for the formation of B lymphocytes of low EPM. Since it seemed likely that the PFC progenitor cells represent virgin cells of a single lineage, the results were discussed in the terms of differentiation pathways of B lymphocytes. A model is considered in which a progenitor of medium electrophoretic mobility provides those of high electrophoretic mobility which after passing a transient cycling stage finally produce mature resting B lymphocytes of low electrophoretic mobility.", "PMID": 791853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9312", "title": "Reduced humoral immune activity in long-lived old mice: an approach to elucidating its mechanisms.", "content": "Spleen cells from young (3-5 months) and old (22-27 months) mice were assessed in cultures, both in vivo and in vitro, for their anti-sheep RBC response separately and in mixtures. Pooled young spleens, pooled old spleens, and individual old spleens were analysed. The response of pure young spleen cells was always higher than that of pure old spleen cells (approximately 30 times). The responses of mixtures were either less than (i.e. reduced; frequency approximately 65%), comparable to (i.e. additive; frequency approximately 10%), or greater than (i.e. elevated; frequency approximately 30%) the sum of the responses given by equivalent numbers of pure young and pure old spleen cells. The reduced response was observed in mixtures containing cells from histologically normal old spleens, old spleens with tumours and old spleens with atrophic follicles. Additive and elevated responses were observed only in mixutres containing cells from histologically normal old spleens. The reduced response is explicable in terms of excessive numbers of suppressor cells in old spleens that can prevent young immunocompetent cells from responding maximally to the test antigen. The additive response can be accounted for by a reduction in number of immunocompetent cells in old spleens and/or a decrease in their functional efficiency. The elevated response can be explained by a reduction in number of at least one type of immunocompetent cell in old spleens that exists in excess in young spleens. These results indicate that there are several types of cellular changes responsible for the decrease in humoral immune activity in old mice. Pooling of old spleens, as was commonly done in the past, should therefore be discouraged. Not only might it selectively favour the expression of old spleens with an excess of supressor cells but it conceivably could result in an elevated response.", "contents": "Reduced humoral immune activity in long-lived old mice: an approach to elucidating its mechanisms. Spleen cells from young (3-5 months) and old (22-27 months) mice were assessed in cultures, both in vivo and in vitro, for their anti-sheep RBC response separately and in mixtures. Pooled young spleens, pooled old spleens, and individual old spleens were analysed. The response of pure young spleen cells was always higher than that of pure old spleen cells (approximately 30 times). The responses of mixtures were either less than (i.e. reduced; frequency approximately 65%), comparable to (i.e. additive; frequency approximately 10%), or greater than (i.e. elevated; frequency approximately 30%) the sum of the responses given by equivalent numbers of pure young and pure old spleen cells. The reduced response was observed in mixtures containing cells from histologically normal old spleens, old spleens with tumours and old spleens with atrophic follicles. Additive and elevated responses were observed only in mixutres containing cells from histologically normal old spleens. The reduced response is explicable in terms of excessive numbers of suppressor cells in old spleens that can prevent young immunocompetent cells from responding maximally to the test antigen. The additive response can be accounted for by a reduction in number of immunocompetent cells in old spleens and/or a decrease in their functional efficiency. The elevated response can be explained by a reduction in number of at least one type of immunocompetent cell in old spleens that exists in excess in young spleens. These results indicate that there are several types of cellular changes responsible for the decrease in humoral immune activity in old mice. Pooling of old spleens, as was commonly done in the past, should therefore be discouraged. Not only might it selectively favour the expression of old spleens with an excess of supressor cells but it conceivably could result in an elevated response.", "PMID": 791854} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9313", "title": "Assay of Escherichia coli enterotoxins by in vivo perfusion in the rat jejunum.", "content": "Assay of Escherichia coli enterotoxins by in vitro perfusion in rats was evaluated by examining the effects of variously prepared fractions of heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (ST) toxins on water transport in this system. The assay was found to respond equally well, in a dose-related manner, to both LT and ST; it was sufficiently sensitive to detect the toxigenic effect of concentrations as small as 1 ng/ml. With the assay, it was found that LT is produced in cultures grown under aerobic, but not anaerobic, conditions; in contrast, ST is elaborated in stationary aerobic and anaerobic broth cultures but not in those grown under agitated aerobic conditions. Both toxins can be precipitated by either ammonium sulfate or acetone. The two toxin forms were completely separated from each other by sequential ultrafiltration. LT alone (thermolabile after exposure to 100 degrees C for 30 min) was retained by a PM-30 membrane, and ST alone was present in UM-2 retentates; ST was retained more effectively by a UM-05 membrane, with a 1,000-fold increase in activity over that of the UM-2 retentate. Washed ultrafiltration retentates containing either LT or ST derived from the proper culture conditions all induced water secretion at concentrations of 100 ng or less per ml. These results indicate that in vivo perfusion in rats is a sensitive, duplicable assay for both the LT and ST forms of E. coli enterotoxin.", "contents": "Assay of Escherichia coli enterotoxins by in vivo perfusion in the rat jejunum. Assay of Escherichia coli enterotoxins by in vitro perfusion in rats was evaluated by examining the effects of variously prepared fractions of heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (ST) toxins on water transport in this system. The assay was found to respond equally well, in a dose-related manner, to both LT and ST; it was sufficiently sensitive to detect the toxigenic effect of concentrations as small as 1 ng/ml. With the assay, it was found that LT is produced in cultures grown under aerobic, but not anaerobic, conditions; in contrast, ST is elaborated in stationary aerobic and anaerobic broth cultures but not in those grown under agitated aerobic conditions. Both toxins can be precipitated by either ammonium sulfate or acetone. The two toxin forms were completely separated from each other by sequential ultrafiltration. LT alone (thermolabile after exposure to 100 degrees C for 30 min) was retained by a PM-30 membrane, and ST alone was present in UM-2 retentates; ST was retained more effectively by a UM-05 membrane, with a 1,000-fold increase in activity over that of the UM-2 retentate. Washed ultrafiltration retentates containing either LT or ST derived from the proper culture conditions all induced water secretion at concentrations of 100 ng or less per ml. These results indicate that in vivo perfusion in rats is a sensitive, duplicable assay for both the LT and ST forms of E. coli enterotoxin.", "PMID": 791862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9314", "title": "Cyclophosphamide pretreatment and protection against malaria.", "content": "Mice pretreated with cyclophosphamide were able to overcome infection from a lethal malarial strain. The development of resistance was preceded by increased hypersensitivity to malarial antigens. Hypersensitivity was demonstrable by a delayed footpad swelling technique.", "contents": "Cyclophosphamide pretreatment and protection against malaria. Mice pretreated with cyclophosphamide were able to overcome infection from a lethal malarial strain. The development of resistance was preceded by increased hypersensitivity to malarial antigens. Hypersensitivity was demonstrable by a delayed footpad swelling technique.", "PMID": 791863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9315", "title": "Association of viable and inactivated Salmonella typhimurium 395 MS and MR 10 with HeLa cells.", "content": "The mouse-virulent Salmonella typhimurium 395 MS, containing a complete lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure with S-specific repeating units, and the nonvirulent, LPS-defective mutant 395 MR 10 (chemotype Rd), derived from it, were studied for their tendency to interact with HeLa cells. In the definition of interaction no distinction has been made between intracellular and cell membrane-attached bacteria. R10 bacteria were found to have a greater tendency to interact than MS bacteria. This difference was seen as early as 1 h after the start of incubation, but it became more pronounced beyond 3 h. Heat-killed and ultraviolet-killed R10 bacteria interacted with HeLa cells less than living ones. Killed MS bacteria interacted to an extent similar to that of living ones. These results are discussed in relation to the susceptibility of the bacteria to phagocytosis by professional phagocytic cells and to the physiochemical properties of the bacteria as measured by their distribution in a two-polymer, aqueous-phase system.", "contents": "Association of viable and inactivated Salmonella typhimurium 395 MS and MR 10 with HeLa cells. The mouse-virulent Salmonella typhimurium 395 MS, containing a complete lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure with S-specific repeating units, and the nonvirulent, LPS-defective mutant 395 MR 10 (chemotype Rd), derived from it, were studied for their tendency to interact with HeLa cells. In the definition of interaction no distinction has been made between intracellular and cell membrane-attached bacteria. R10 bacteria were found to have a greater tendency to interact than MS bacteria. This difference was seen as early as 1 h after the start of incubation, but it became more pronounced beyond 3 h. Heat-killed and ultraviolet-killed R10 bacteria interacted with HeLa cells less than living ones. Killed MS bacteria interacted to an extent similar to that of living ones. These results are discussed in relation to the susceptibility of the bacteria to phagocytosis by professional phagocytic cells and to the physiochemical properties of the bacteria as measured by their distribution in a two-polymer, aqueous-phase system.", "PMID": 791864} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9316", "title": "In vitro growth inhibition of mastitis-causing coliform bacteria by bovine apo-lactoferrin and reversal of inhibition by citrate and high concentrations of apo-lactoferin.", "content": "Bovine apo-lactoferrin (apo-Lf) was added to in vitro cultures of eight strains of coliform bacteria associated with bovine mastitis. As little as 0.02 mg of APO-Lf per ml resulted in marked inhibition of growth of all coliforms. Growth inhibition was lost if saturated Lf or iron plus apo-Lf was added to the synthetic medium. The inhibition of growth increased as the concentration of apo-Lf increased from 0.02 to 0.2 mg/ml for Klebsiella pneumoniae (OARDC-A1), Klebsiella spp. (K1-21), and Aerobacter aerogenes (55-12222) and 2 mg/ml for A. aerogenes (76-2414-1), Escherichia coli (60-Lilly), E. coli (66-S16), and Klebsiella spp. (K6-24). As the concentration of apo-Lf was increased above 0.2 or 2 mg/ml, there was less inhibition of growth except for E. coli (33-C4). Apo-Lf at 20 mg/ml was bactericidal for E. coli (33-C4). Results are compatible with the hypothesis that coliform bacteria respond to low-iron environments by production of iron-sequestering agents that complete effectively with apo-Lf for free iron. Addition of apo-Lf plus citrate resulted in loss of growth inhibition. The molar ratio (citrate to apo-Lf) was found to be more important than the absolute concentration of either component. A ratio of 75 resulted in 50% growth inhibition, whereas ratios of 300 and greater resulted in less than 10% growth inhibition. These results suggest that the ratio of citrate to Lf would be important in evaluating Lf as a nonspecific protective factor of bovine mammary secretions.", "contents": "In vitro growth inhibition of mastitis-causing coliform bacteria by bovine apo-lactoferrin and reversal of inhibition by citrate and high concentrations of apo-lactoferin. Bovine apo-lactoferrin (apo-Lf) was added to in vitro cultures of eight strains of coliform bacteria associated with bovine mastitis. As little as 0.02 mg of APO-Lf per ml resulted in marked inhibition of growth of all coliforms. Growth inhibition was lost if saturated Lf or iron plus apo-Lf was added to the synthetic medium. The inhibition of growth increased as the concentration of apo-Lf increased from 0.02 to 0.2 mg/ml for Klebsiella pneumoniae (OARDC-A1), Klebsiella spp. (K1-21), and Aerobacter aerogenes (55-12222) and 2 mg/ml for A. aerogenes (76-2414-1), Escherichia coli (60-Lilly), E. coli (66-S16), and Klebsiella spp. (K6-24). As the concentration of apo-Lf was increased above 0.2 or 2 mg/ml, there was less inhibition of growth except for E. coli (33-C4). Apo-Lf at 20 mg/ml was bactericidal for E. coli (33-C4). Results are compatible with the hypothesis that coliform bacteria respond to low-iron environments by production of iron-sequestering agents that complete effectively with apo-Lf for free iron. Addition of apo-Lf plus citrate resulted in loss of growth inhibition. The molar ratio (citrate to apo-Lf) was found to be more important than the absolute concentration of either component. A ratio of 75 resulted in 50% growth inhibition, whereas ratios of 300 and greater resulted in less than 10% growth inhibition. These results suggest that the ratio of citrate to Lf would be important in evaluating Lf as a nonspecific protective factor of bovine mammary secretions.", "PMID": 791866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9317", "title": "T cells and protective immunity to Plasmodium berghei in rats.", "content": "Experiments were carried out in which unfractionated spleen cells, and T lymphocyte subpopulations characterized by certain experimental criteria, were isolated at various times from rats infected with Plasmodium berghei. By adoptive transfer it was shown that unfractionated spleen cells, and T cells alone, could transfer protection to syngenic recipients as early as 11 days after infection of the cell donors. The protection conferred by T cells increased with the duration of the infection in the donors, at least up to 100 days. The additional presence of B cells in transferred lymphocyte populations enhanced their protective capacity over that shown by T cells alone. The role of T cells in protective immunity to malaria is discussed.", "contents": "T cells and protective immunity to Plasmodium berghei in rats. Experiments were carried out in which unfractionated spleen cells, and T lymphocyte subpopulations characterized by certain experimental criteria, were isolated at various times from rats infected with Plasmodium berghei. By adoptive transfer it was shown that unfractionated spleen cells, and T cells alone, could transfer protection to syngenic recipients as early as 11 days after infection of the cell donors. The protection conferred by T cells increased with the duration of the infection in the donors, at least up to 100 days. The additional presence of B cells in transferred lymphocyte populations enhanced their protective capacity over that shown by T cells alone. The role of T cells in protective immunity to malaria is discussed.", "PMID": 791865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9318", "title": "A less radical surgical approach to the solution of prosthetic problems.", "content": "Pre-prosthetic surgery is but an aid to good prosthetics and patients requiring it are often elderly and/or infirm. Prosthetic requirements should govern both the design and the amount of surgery undertaken to facilitate the insertion of a satisfactory and successful denture. The manner in which the author relates his practice to these concepts is described.", "contents": "A less radical surgical approach to the solution of prosthetic problems. Pre-prosthetic surgery is but an aid to good prosthetics and patients requiring it are often elderly and/or infirm. Prosthetic requirements should govern both the design and the amount of surgery undertaken to facilitate the insertion of a satisfactory and successful denture. The manner in which the author relates his practice to these concepts is described.", "PMID": 791867} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9319", "title": "Selective inhibition of T lymphocyte repopulation of lymphoid organs as a mechanism of immunosuppression in tumor-bearing mice.", "content": "The mechanism of selective suppression of T-cell activity in Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice was investigated in an adoptive cell transfer system of secondary antibody responses to haptens. The induction of secondary antidinitrophenyl (DNP) antibody response after stimulation with DNP-homologous carrier (TD) of thymus-dependent DNP-carrier (TD)-primed spleen cells was markedly inhibited in tumor-bearing recipient mice, whereas the response to thymus independent DNP-carrier (TID) was intact as compared to that seen in normal recipients. However, if tumors were induced in the DNP-TD-primed donor mice and the spleen cells were assayed for responsiveness to DNP-TD in normal recipients, they generated a normal anti-hapten antibody response. After the DNP-TD-primed cells had been transferred into normal recipients and tumors had been induced in the recipients before DNP-TD-stimulation, the cells in tumor-bearers responded normally. These results indicate that the tumor-bearing state neither directly suppresses the responsiveness of primed cells nor interferes with the mechanism for antigen stimulation of primed cells. Direct measurement of recovery of transferred primed T and B cells from the spleen of tumor-bearing recipients revealed that the net recovery of T-cell activity markedly decreased, whereas the recovery of B cells in the spleens of tumor-bearing hosts was not affected or was even higher than the normal. Prevention of repopulation by T lymphocytes of lymphoid organs due to a postulated change in the microenvironment is suggested as a mechanism for the selective suppression of T-cell activity in Ehrlich tumor-bearing animals.", "contents": "Selective inhibition of T lymphocyte repopulation of lymphoid organs as a mechanism of immunosuppression in tumor-bearing mice. The mechanism of selective suppression of T-cell activity in Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice was investigated in an adoptive cell transfer system of secondary antibody responses to haptens. The induction of secondary antidinitrophenyl (DNP) antibody response after stimulation with DNP-homologous carrier (TD) of thymus-dependent DNP-carrier (TD)-primed spleen cells was markedly inhibited in tumor-bearing recipient mice, whereas the response to thymus independent DNP-carrier (TID) was intact as compared to that seen in normal recipients. However, if tumors were induced in the DNP-TD-primed donor mice and the spleen cells were assayed for responsiveness to DNP-TD in normal recipients, they generated a normal anti-hapten antibody response. After the DNP-TD-primed cells had been transferred into normal recipients and tumors had been induced in the recipients before DNP-TD-stimulation, the cells in tumor-bearers responded normally. These results indicate that the tumor-bearing state neither directly suppresses the responsiveness of primed cells nor interferes with the mechanism for antigen stimulation of primed cells. Direct measurement of recovery of transferred primed T and B cells from the spleen of tumor-bearing recipients revealed that the net recovery of T-cell activity markedly decreased, whereas the recovery of B cells in the spleens of tumor-bearing hosts was not affected or was even higher than the normal. Prevention of repopulation by T lymphocytes of lymphoid organs due to a postulated change in the microenvironment is suggested as a mechanism for the selective suppression of T-cell activity in Ehrlich tumor-bearing animals.", "PMID": 791869} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9320", "title": "Influence of cell-free tumour-associated antigen preparations on the development of immunity to chemically induced rat tumours.", "content": "Inbred rats were treated with extranuclear tumour membrane fractions or 3 M KCl-solubilized extracts of two antigenically distinct 3-methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas, Mc7 and Mc57. The rats developed tumour-specific humoral antibody responses, but were not immune to tumour challenge. Moreover, they were unresponsive to subsequent immunization with irradiated tumour grafts, this effect being immunologically specific for the tumour from which the cell-free extracts was derived. In vitro studies revealed a depressed state of cell-mediated tumour immunity in animals inoculated with cell-free tumour extracts, and this was associated with the presence of serum inhibitory factors and suppressor lymphoid cells which abrogated the cytotoxic effect of sensitized lymphoid cells in vitro. It is postulated that the development of an inappropriate immune response due to the effect of tumour antigen during the induction phase of tumour immunity may be relevant to the immunobiology of tumour-bearing hosts.", "contents": "Influence of cell-free tumour-associated antigen preparations on the development of immunity to chemically induced rat tumours. Inbred rats were treated with extranuclear tumour membrane fractions or 3 M KCl-solubilized extracts of two antigenically distinct 3-methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas, Mc7 and Mc57. The rats developed tumour-specific humoral antibody responses, but were not immune to tumour challenge. Moreover, they were unresponsive to subsequent immunization with irradiated tumour grafts, this effect being immunologically specific for the tumour from which the cell-free extracts was derived. In vitro studies revealed a depressed state of cell-mediated tumour immunity in animals inoculated with cell-free tumour extracts, and this was associated with the presence of serum inhibitory factors and suppressor lymphoid cells which abrogated the cytotoxic effect of sensitized lymphoid cells in vitro. It is postulated that the development of an inappropriate immune response due to the effect of tumour antigen during the induction phase of tumour immunity may be relevant to the immunobiology of tumour-bearing hosts.", "PMID": 791870} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9321", "title": "Desoxymethasone: a new topical corticosteroid.", "content": "In a double-blind controlled trial, desoxymethasone was compared with betamethasone valerate in 50 patients with bilateral acute dermatitis using a \"within patient\" type of comparison. The topical efficacy of desoxymethasone was somewhat greater than that of betamethasone valerate. It was well tolerated and produced no local side effects.", "contents": "Desoxymethasone: a new topical corticosteroid. In a double-blind controlled trial, desoxymethasone was compared with betamethasone valerate in 50 patients with bilateral acute dermatitis using a \"within patient\" type of comparison. The topical efficacy of desoxymethasone was somewhat greater than that of betamethasone valerate. It was well tolerated and produced no local side effects.", "PMID": 791872} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9322", "title": "Epidemics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Denmark from 1958 to 1974.", "content": "The study is a retrospective and prospective serological investigation of the incidence of Mycoplasma (M.) pneumoniae infection in Denmark during a 17-year period. By least square multiple regression analysis it was shown that four major outbreaks or epidemics had occurred which culminated at regular intervals of four and a half years. The study was based on cold agglutinin (CA) positive sera tested for antibodies to M. pneumoniae by an indirect immunofluorescence (IF) test, an indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test or a complement fixation (CF) test. By the criteria chosen for a positive test, the CF test was found to detect more cases than the IF or IHA tests. A shift during the study from the latter two tests to the CF test influenced the incidence, but not the periodicity of epidemics. The consequence of including only CA positive sera in the study was investigated.", "contents": "Epidemics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Denmark from 1958 to 1974. The study is a retrospective and prospective serological investigation of the incidence of Mycoplasma (M.) pneumoniae infection in Denmark during a 17-year period. By least square multiple regression analysis it was shown that four major outbreaks or epidemics had occurred which culminated at regular intervals of four and a half years. The study was based on cold agglutinin (CA) positive sera tested for antibodies to M. pneumoniae by an indirect immunofluorescence (IF) test, an indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test or a complement fixation (CF) test. By the criteria chosen for a positive test, the CF test was found to detect more cases than the IF or IHA tests. A shift during the study from the latter two tests to the CF test influenced the incidence, but not the periodicity of epidemics. The consequence of including only CA positive sera in the study was investigated.", "PMID": 791875} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9323", "title": "Time-blind analysis of TV-stored interviews. An objective method to study antidepressive drug-effects.", "content": "A new method of evaluating the time course of an antidepressive drug effect is described. It has the advantage that the rater is \"blind\" as to the duration of the treatment (time-blind analysis). TV-stored tapes of interviews recorded during the drug trial were presented in a randomized sequence to raters who ranked each patient's tapes in terms of the degree of depression shown during the interview. Patients treated with Amitriptyline showed a continuous amelioration of depression throughout the drug trial while those treated with Mianserin showed an amelioration of depression that was not constant in time.", "contents": "Time-blind analysis of TV-stored interviews. An objective method to study antidepressive drug-effects. A new method of evaluating the time course of an antidepressive drug effect is described. It has the advantage that the rater is \"blind\" as to the duration of the treatment (time-blind analysis). TV-stored tapes of interviews recorded during the drug trial were presented in a randomized sequence to raters who ranked each patient's tapes in terms of the degree of depression shown during the interview. Patients treated with Amitriptyline showed a continuous amelioration of depression throughout the drug trial while those treated with Mianserin showed an amelioration of depression that was not constant in time.", "PMID": 791878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9324", "title": "Immunofluorescent studies on the trabecular meshwork in open-angle glaucoma.", "content": "The trabecular meshwork of eyes with open-angle glaucoma has been demonstrated to have an increase in gamma globulin and plasma cells, raising the question of an immunogenic mechanism in this disorder. In the present study, however, immunofluorescence assays on the trabecular meshwork of eyes with open-angle glaucoma were negative for specific immunoglobulins and for complement components that would result specifically from an antigen-antibody reaction. The study fails to provide any evidence in support of an immunogenic mechanism in open-angle glaucoma.", "contents": "Immunofluorescent studies on the trabecular meshwork in open-angle glaucoma. The trabecular meshwork of eyes with open-angle glaucoma has been demonstrated to have an increase in gamma globulin and plasma cells, raising the question of an immunogenic mechanism in this disorder. In the present study, however, immunofluorescence assays on the trabecular meshwork of eyes with open-angle glaucoma were negative for specific immunoglobulins and for complement components that would result specifically from an antigen-antibody reaction. The study fails to provide any evidence in support of an immunogenic mechanism in open-angle glaucoma.", "PMID": 791889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9325", "title": "The role of denervation in renal transplantation on renal function in the dog.", "content": "The role of denervation in renal transplantation on renal function in the dog was assessed in a controlled study. There was no significant difference between innervated and denervated kidney with regard to effective renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, and urinary potassium excretion. However, urinary sodium excretion was elevated, and a significant increase in urinary bicarbonate excretion was observed in the in situ denervated or autotransplanted kidney compared with the innervated control kidney. Denervation rather than either tubular damage from the transplantation procedure or a decreased glomerular filtration rate probably is responsible in part for the observed posttransplant urinary sodium and bicarbonate loss and its associated metabolic problems.", "contents": "The role of denervation in renal transplantation on renal function in the dog. The role of denervation in renal transplantation on renal function in the dog was assessed in a controlled study. There was no significant difference between innervated and denervated kidney with regard to effective renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, and urinary potassium excretion. However, urinary sodium excretion was elevated, and a significant increase in urinary bicarbonate excretion was observed in the in situ denervated or autotransplanted kidney compared with the innervated control kidney. Denervation rather than either tubular damage from the transplantation procedure or a decreased glomerular filtration rate probably is responsible in part for the observed posttransplant urinary sodium and bicarbonate loss and its associated metabolic problems.", "PMID": 791890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9326", "title": "[Herpes gestationis. Immunopathologic studies in mother and child].", "content": "Herpes gestationis is a nosologically undefined uncommon bullous disease in pregnancy. In a patient with herpes gestationis C3, C5 und C9 deposits could be demonstrated by immunohistological methods at the epidermal basement membrane (BM). Deposits of immunoglobulins, properdin and C3PA were absent. Autoantibodies against BM were found in the serum of the mother by using rabbit oesophagus but not with normal human skin as antigen. In the sera of mother and child a factor could be demonstrated which in vitro leads to complement fixation in human epidermal BM. Immunopathological findings may speak in favor of a nosological entity of herpes gestationis with respect to dermatitis herpetiformis and bullous pemphigoid.", "contents": "[Herpes gestationis. Immunopathologic studies in mother and child]. Herpes gestationis is a nosologically undefined uncommon bullous disease in pregnancy. In a patient with herpes gestationis C3, C5 und C9 deposits could be demonstrated by immunohistological methods at the epidermal basement membrane (BM). Deposits of immunoglobulins, properdin and C3PA were absent. Autoantibodies against BM were found in the serum of the mother by using rabbit oesophagus but not with normal human skin as antigen. In the sera of mother and child a factor could be demonstrated which in vitro leads to complement fixation in human epidermal BM. Immunopathological findings may speak in favor of a nosological entity of herpes gestationis with respect to dermatitis herpetiformis and bullous pemphigoid.", "PMID": 791898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9327", "title": "[Comparative studies of human finger and nail imprints on pottery fragments of the late copper period].", "content": "The author has established on the basis of comparative investigations--called \"archeodactyloscopy\"--that in the past 4,500 years, which corresponds to 214 generations, the appearance of the fingertips (dactylogram) did not change. The making of pottery found at Salgotarjan-Pecsko's excavation was supposedly the task of men, while the nail-impressions on two torsos could have been left by women or by children.", "contents": "[Comparative studies of human finger and nail imprints on pottery fragments of the late copper period]. The author has established on the basis of comparative investigations--called \"archeodactyloscopy\"--that in the past 4,500 years, which corresponds to 214 generations, the appearance of the fingertips (dactylogram) did not change. The making of pottery found at Salgotarjan-Pecsko's excavation was supposedly the task of men, while the nail-impressions on two torsos could have been left by women or by children.", "PMID": 791899} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9328", "title": "References to dentistry in the Bible and Talmud.", "content": "References were brought from the Bible and Talmud which prove that distinctions--morphological and functional--were recognized between incisors, canines, and molars. Diseases of the gums and pains originating from the teeth were cited from the Talmud. Examples were brought which show a clear distinction between a physician and a technician and also forms of healing and tooth-restoration were described. It is interesting that throughout most of these examples the dental patient is invariably a woman. Little has changed in this respect up to the present day, and, the woman still remains the dentist's most frequent patient.", "contents": "References to dentistry in the Bible and Talmud. References were brought from the Bible and Talmud which prove that distinctions--morphological and functional--were recognized between incisors, canines, and molars. Diseases of the gums and pains originating from the teeth were cited from the Talmud. Examples were brought which show a clear distinction between a physician and a technician and also forms of healing and tooth-restoration were described. It is interesting that throughout most of these examples the dental patient is invariably a woman. Little has changed in this respect up to the present day, and, the woman still remains the dentist's most frequent patient.", "PMID": 791894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9329", "title": "[IgE and the significance of the radio-allergo-sorbent-test (RAST)].", "content": "In 1966 a new immunoglobulin was found in persons with allergies and in non-typical myeloma proteins. Normally this immunoglobulin E is present only in nanogramms and rests with predilection on the membrane of mast-cells. There is a reaginic-anaphylactic reaction after re-exposure of antigens to the antigen-antibody reaction followed by denudation of mediators of the anaphylactic reaction. With the Radio-Immuno-Sorbent-Test (RIST) the IgE can be quantitatively determined. Elevated IgE-blood levels are typically found in atopic eczema. With the Radio-Allergo-Sorbent-Test (Rast) the allergen specific IgE can be defined. A conformity with appropriate patchtests can be achieved in 60-80% of the cases. In this review advantoses and problem of RIST- and RAST-diagnoses are described. RAST represents a valuable aid in diagnosis of allergies beeing not burdensome and risky, as it is easy to perform and bears no risk to the patients. At the present time, however, patch tests are necessary in the diagnosis of allergies.", "contents": "[IgE and the significance of the radio-allergo-sorbent-test (RAST)]. In 1966 a new immunoglobulin was found in persons with allergies and in non-typical myeloma proteins. Normally this immunoglobulin E is present only in nanogramms and rests with predilection on the membrane of mast-cells. There is a reaginic-anaphylactic reaction after re-exposure of antigens to the antigen-antibody reaction followed by denudation of mediators of the anaphylactic reaction. With the Radio-Immuno-Sorbent-Test (RIST) the IgE can be quantitatively determined. Elevated IgE-blood levels are typically found in atopic eczema. With the Radio-Allergo-Sorbent-Test (Rast) the allergen specific IgE can be defined. A conformity with appropriate patchtests can be achieved in 60-80% of the cases. In this review advantoses and problem of RIST- and RAST-diagnoses are described. RAST represents a valuable aid in diagnosis of allergies beeing not burdensome and risky, as it is easy to perform and bears no risk to the patients. At the present time, however, patch tests are necessary in the diagnosis of allergies.", "PMID": 791900} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9330", "title": "Ultrastructural localization of adenyl cyclase activity in the pancreas of two amphibian species (Salamandra salamandra L. and Rana esculenta L.).", "content": "The distribution of adenyl cyclase activity in the pancreas of one species of urodeles and anura has been investigated using electron microscopy. In both islet and acinar tissues the reaction product was located at the outer cell surfaces, while in nerve bundles it occurred in the cleft between axolemma and Schwann cell-extensions. The functional signification of the enzyme localization is discussed in relation to the findings of other authors.", "contents": "Ultrastructural localization of adenyl cyclase activity in the pancreas of two amphibian species (Salamandra salamandra L. and Rana esculenta L.). The distribution of adenyl cyclase activity in the pancreas of one species of urodeles and anura has been investigated using electron microscopy. In both islet and acinar tissues the reaction product was located at the outer cell surfaces, while in nerve bundles it occurred in the cleft between axolemma and Schwann cell-extensions. The functional signification of the enzyme localization is discussed in relation to the findings of other authors.", "PMID": 791901} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9331", "title": "Immunofluorescent localization of hepatitis B antigens in chimpanzee tissues.", "content": "Three chimpanzee chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) were examined by immunofluorescent techniques to determine the localization of HBs Ag and hepatitis B core antigen (HBc Ag) in their tissues. All specimens were quick-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -70degrees until sectioned. Frozen sections were prepared and stained for examination by fluorescent microscopy. For staining, anti-HBs and anti-HBc labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate were used. HBs Ag was found in the liver of all three animals. In two animals which were necropsied, HBs Ag was detected in other tissues, e.g., lymph nodes, spleen, and kidney. Specificity of these tests was demonstrated by blocking with purified HBs Ag. Examination of various tissues revealed HBc Ag only in the liver. 32 samples of liver, from different sites from one chimpanzee, were examined and all were positive for both HBs Ag and HBc Ag. The finding of HBc Ag only in the liver further supports the assertion that the liver is the sole site of replication of hepatitis B virus in chronic carriers.", "contents": "Immunofluorescent localization of hepatitis B antigens in chimpanzee tissues. Three chimpanzee chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) were examined by immunofluorescent techniques to determine the localization of HBs Ag and hepatitis B core antigen (HBc Ag) in their tissues. All specimens were quick-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -70degrees until sectioned. Frozen sections were prepared and stained for examination by fluorescent microscopy. For staining, anti-HBs and anti-HBc labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate were used. HBs Ag was found in the liver of all three animals. In two animals which were necropsied, HBs Ag was detected in other tissues, e.g., lymph nodes, spleen, and kidney. Specificity of these tests was demonstrated by blocking with purified HBs Ag. Examination of various tissues revealed HBc Ag only in the liver. 32 samples of liver, from different sites from one chimpanzee, were examined and all were positive for both HBs Ag and HBc Ag. The finding of HBc Ag only in the liver further supports the assertion that the liver is the sole site of replication of hepatitis B virus in chronic carriers.", "PMID": 791892} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9332", "title": "Light- and electron-microscopic studies on the formation of \"dark\" variants of chromaffin cells in the rat adrenal medulla.", "content": "\"Dark\" cell formation has been studies in the adrenal medulla with combined light- and electron-microscopic methods. Correlation between light- and electron-microscopic appearance has been demonstrated. It has been pointed out that the formation of \"dark\" cell artefact can be prevented during immersion fixation and can be produced also during perfusion fixation by appropriate physical conditions. \"Dark\" cell formation was elicited by prefixation cooling and/or by increased tissular pressure. The nature of the underlying physicochemical change was interpreted as a uniformly distributed sol-gel transition of cytoplasmic macromolecules. The formation of cytoplasmic gel structures can be considered an endothermic process which involves volume increase (+ deltaV) - as may be inferred by their susceptibility to solation by high pressure and low temperature.", "contents": "Light- and electron-microscopic studies on the formation of \"dark\" variants of chromaffin cells in the rat adrenal medulla. \"Dark\" cell formation has been studies in the adrenal medulla with combined light- and electron-microscopic methods. Correlation between light- and electron-microscopic appearance has been demonstrated. It has been pointed out that the formation of \"dark\" cell artefact can be prevented during immersion fixation and can be produced also during perfusion fixation by appropriate physical conditions. \"Dark\" cell formation was elicited by prefixation cooling and/or by increased tissular pressure. The nature of the underlying physicochemical change was interpreted as a uniformly distributed sol-gel transition of cytoplasmic macromolecules. The formation of cytoplasmic gel structures can be considered an endothermic process which involves volume increase (+ deltaV) - as may be inferred by their susceptibility to solation by high pressure and low temperature.", "PMID": 791902} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9333", "title": "Histochemical lectin affinity technique by means of FITC-labeled serum protein fractions.", "content": "A two-step affinity technique is described for light microscopic demonstration of the Concanavalin A, Agaricus bisporus lectin and Ricinus communis lectin binding sites by means of various FITC-labeled human and rabbit serum protein fractions. Experiments for the visualization of the Lens culinaris lectin and the Pisum sativum lectin binding sites gaves negative results. The technique consist of two reaction steps which involve the incubation of tissue sections in the lectins followed by the visualization of receptor-bound lectins with FITC-labeled serum protein fractions basing on their carbohydrate content. The specificity of the technique could be demonstrated by the addition of the hapten or by incubation in the FITC-labeled serum protein fractions only. In contrast to the direct or indirect staining methods only very small amounts of purified lectins are necessary.", "contents": "Histochemical lectin affinity technique by means of FITC-labeled serum protein fractions. A two-step affinity technique is described for light microscopic demonstration of the Concanavalin A, Agaricus bisporus lectin and Ricinus communis lectin binding sites by means of various FITC-labeled human and rabbit serum protein fractions. Experiments for the visualization of the Lens culinaris lectin and the Pisum sativum lectin binding sites gaves negative results. The technique consist of two reaction steps which involve the incubation of tissue sections in the lectins followed by the visualization of receptor-bound lectins with FITC-labeled serum protein fractions basing on their carbohydrate content. The specificity of the technique could be demonstrated by the addition of the hapten or by incubation in the FITC-labeled serum protein fractions only. In contrast to the direct or indirect staining methods only very small amounts of purified lectins are necessary.", "PMID": 791903} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9334", "title": "A historical note on the iodine-sulphuric acid reaction of amyloid.", "content": "The historical development of the iodine-sulphuric acid reaction for amyloid is described. The reaction dates back to 1814 when Colin and Gaultier de Claubry, and independently Stromeyer, introduced the iodine reaction for starch. A variant of the acidified iodine reaction appears to have been used for printing paper by Gmelin in 1829, and in 1838 Schleiden used the iodine-sulphuric acid test on plants to demonstrate what he considered to be a transformation of the plant material into starch. Shortly afterwards Payen (1839) defined \"cellulose\", and the iodine-sulphuric acid reaction became a standard procedure used by botanists to demonstrate this plant component. In 1853 Virchow used Harting's (1847) procedure to demonstrate the reaction of Purkyn\u0115's corpora amylacea to this test, on the assumption that they might be cellulose derivatives, and applied it to what appeared to be similar corpuscles in a \"waxy\" spleen. The first histochemical reaction for amyloidosis had thus been introduced into pathology, and continued to exert from that time on an important influence on amyloid research, whose impact is felt to the present day.", "contents": "A historical note on the iodine-sulphuric acid reaction of amyloid. The historical development of the iodine-sulphuric acid reaction for amyloid is described. The reaction dates back to 1814 when Colin and Gaultier de Claubry, and independently Stromeyer, introduced the iodine reaction for starch. A variant of the acidified iodine reaction appears to have been used for printing paper by Gmelin in 1829, and in 1838 Schleiden used the iodine-sulphuric acid test on plants to demonstrate what he considered to be a transformation of the plant material into starch. Shortly afterwards Payen (1839) defined \"cellulose\", and the iodine-sulphuric acid reaction became a standard procedure used by botanists to demonstrate this plant component. In 1853 Virchow used Harting's (1847) procedure to demonstrate the reaction of Purkyn\u0115's corpora amylacea to this test, on the assumption that they might be cellulose derivatives, and applied it to what appeared to be similar corpuscles in a \"waxy\" spleen. The first histochemical reaction for amyloidosis had thus been introduced into pathology, and continued to exert from that time on an important influence on amyloid research, whose impact is felt to the present day.", "PMID": 791904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9335", "title": "Pancreatic APUD cells in older chick embryos, with special reference to their identity.", "content": "Pancreatic APUD cells showing formaldehyde-induced fluorescence in Black Australorp chick embryos of nine to eighteen days of incubation, proved, on subsequent staining and silver impregnation, to be A, B, D and, from sixteen days, enterochromaffin (EC) cells. EC and D cells were scattered in the exocrine parenchyma, the latter cells increasing with time. Some group of B cells were associated with large A islets from the ninth day of incubation onwards. The composition of A islets (A and some D cells) and B islets (B and some D cells) and the distribution attained (A islets in the splenic and third lobes; B islets in all lobes), accords with the situation reported for adults.", "contents": "Pancreatic APUD cells in older chick embryos, with special reference to their identity. Pancreatic APUD cells showing formaldehyde-induced fluorescence in Black Australorp chick embryos of nine to eighteen days of incubation, proved, on subsequent staining and silver impregnation, to be A, B, D and, from sixteen days, enterochromaffin (EC) cells. EC and D cells were scattered in the exocrine parenchyma, the latter cells increasing with time. Some group of B cells were associated with large A islets from the ninth day of incubation onwards. The composition of A islets (A and some D cells) and B islets (B and some D cells) and the distribution attained (A islets in the splenic and third lobes; B islets in all lobes), accords with the situation reported for adults.", "PMID": 791905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9336", "title": "Enterochromaffin cells as the endocrine source of gastrointestinal substance P.", "content": "Immunoreactive Substance P is localized in the intramural neural plexuses of mammalian intestine, and in endocrine cells in the intestinal mucosa which have now been identified as enterochromaffin (EC). The presence of a neurotransmitter peptide in these cells favours the hypothesis of their neuroectodermal origin.", "contents": "Enterochromaffin cells as the endocrine source of gastrointestinal substance P. Immunoreactive Substance P is localized in the intramural neural plexuses of mammalian intestine, and in endocrine cells in the intestinal mucosa which have now been identified as enterochromaffin (EC). The presence of a neurotransmitter peptide in these cells favours the hypothesis of their neuroectodermal origin.", "PMID": 791906} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9337", "title": "[The operative management of laryngo-tracheal stenosis (author's transl)].", "content": "The different types of laryngo-tracheal stenoses are grouped by etiology and operative procedures for correction. The operations used are described in detail, and our experiences analysed.", "contents": "[The operative management of laryngo-tracheal stenosis (author's transl)]. The different types of laryngo-tracheal stenoses are grouped by etiology and operative procedures for correction. The operations used are described in detail, and our experiences analysed.", "PMID": 791907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9338", "title": "[Reconstruction of the nose by forehead skin flaps (author's transl)].", "content": "On introduction the advantages and disadvantages of forehead skin in reconstructive rhinoplasty are presented. The median frontal flap described by Kazanjian, a horizontal or slightly oblique frontal flap, the frontotemporal flap described by Schmid and the scalp flap described by Converse are discussed. After detailed description together with illustration of various techniques it is shown that each method can be used for specific indications. The choice of method by the less experienced is therefore facilitated. A. The median frontal flap is especially indicated for the grosser perforating defects of the external nose. B. The fronto-temporal flap is especially indicated for subtotal or total defects of the nasal alae, tip and columella of the younger patients who expects a good cosmetic result. C. The horizontal or slightly oblique frontal flap is especially indicated for subtotal or total defects of the nasal alae or tip of the older patient, who cannot undergo repeated surgery or prolonged hospitalisation. D. The frontal scalp flap is especially indicated for the grosser subtotal defects of the external nose.", "contents": "[Reconstruction of the nose by forehead skin flaps (author's transl)]. On introduction the advantages and disadvantages of forehead skin in reconstructive rhinoplasty are presented. The median frontal flap described by Kazanjian, a horizontal or slightly oblique frontal flap, the frontotemporal flap described by Schmid and the scalp flap described by Converse are discussed. After detailed description together with illustration of various techniques it is shown that each method can be used for specific indications. The choice of method by the less experienced is therefore facilitated. A. The median frontal flap is especially indicated for the grosser perforating defects of the external nose. B. The fronto-temporal flap is especially indicated for subtotal or total defects of the nasal alae, tip and columella of the younger patients who expects a good cosmetic result. C. The horizontal or slightly oblique frontal flap is especially indicated for subtotal or total defects of the nasal alae or tip of the older patient, who cannot undergo repeated surgery or prolonged hospitalisation. D. The frontal scalp flap is especially indicated for the grosser subtotal defects of the external nose.", "PMID": 791908} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9339", "title": "Structure-activity relationships among negamycin analogs.", "content": "Various negamycin analogs were examined for (1) miscoding activity and (2) inhibition of the termination of protein synthesis. Since properties (1) and (2) do not correlate for the investigated compounds they may depend on different structural features of negamycin analogs. The results of biochemical and antimicrobial studies indicate that (a) the natural configuration of the carbon atom carrying the beta-amino group is essential, (b) the delta-hydroxyl group is unnecessary, and (c) the acylation of the epsilon-amino group causes loss of activity.", "contents": "Structure-activity relationships among negamycin analogs. Various negamycin analogs were examined for (1) miscoding activity and (2) inhibition of the termination of protein synthesis. Since properties (1) and (2) do not correlate for the investigated compounds they may depend on different structural features of negamycin analogs. The results of biochemical and antimicrobial studies indicate that (a) the natural configuration of the carbon atom carrying the beta-amino group is essential, (b) the delta-hydroxyl group is unnecessary, and (c) the acylation of the epsilon-amino group causes loss of activity.", "PMID": 791912} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9340", "title": "Integration of chemoreceptor stimuli by caudal pontile and rostral medullary sites.", "content": "Ventilatory regulation by pontile pneumotaxic and apneustic centers and by rostral medullary sites was evaluated in intercollicular decerebrate cats. Following pneumotaxic center ablation, PAco2 was significantly elevated. Moreover, in response to hypercapina or hypoxia, frequency responses were significantly diminished whereas tidal volume responses were unchanged or elevated. Interruption of apneustic center function by caudal pontile transection or radiofrequency lesions in the caudal pons and/or rostral medulla resulted in significant decreases of tidal volume responses and significant elevations of frequency responses to both hypercapnia and hypoxia. Neither minute volume responses nor the PAco2 level was altered. It is concluded that the apneustic center exercises a primary role in the brainstem definition of tidal volume responses for both peripheral and central chemoreceptor afferent stimuli. The apneustic center is also considered to exert an impoetant function in the definition of respiratory frequency. A medially placed pathway in the rostral medulla is proposed to interconnect the apneustic center with the medullary respiratory nuclei.", "contents": "Integration of chemoreceptor stimuli by caudal pontile and rostral medullary sites. Ventilatory regulation by pontile pneumotaxic and apneustic centers and by rostral medullary sites was evaluated in intercollicular decerebrate cats. Following pneumotaxic center ablation, PAco2 was significantly elevated. Moreover, in response to hypercapina or hypoxia, frequency responses were significantly diminished whereas tidal volume responses were unchanged or elevated. Interruption of apneustic center function by caudal pontile transection or radiofrequency lesions in the caudal pons and/or rostral medulla resulted in significant decreases of tidal volume responses and significant elevations of frequency responses to both hypercapnia and hypoxia. Neither minute volume responses nor the PAco2 level was altered. It is concluded that the apneustic center exercises a primary role in the brainstem definition of tidal volume responses for both peripheral and central chemoreceptor afferent stimuli. The apneustic center is also considered to exert an impoetant function in the definition of respiratory frequency. A medially placed pathway in the rostral medulla is proposed to interconnect the apneustic center with the medullary respiratory nuclei.", "PMID": 791917} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9341", "title": "Impedance cardiography for determination of stroke index.", "content": "Stroke index obtained by impedance cardiography was compared with values obtained by dye-dilution technique in 17 subjects in 122 determinations made within 2 min of each other. Fifty of these determinations were done after drug administration, postural change, or saline infusion. All values obtained by both methods correlated significantly, but with wide scatter (r=0.49, n = 122, P less than 0.001). The series of determinations within each subject, however, correlated only in one subject significantly; thus any changes of stroke index measured by both techniques were not commensurate. In addition, the impedance stroke index values were significantly lower than the dye-dilution technique, impedance cardiography presently does not determine reliably absolute values of stroke index and is not suitable to evaluate changes of stroke index.", "contents": "Impedance cardiography for determination of stroke index. Stroke index obtained by impedance cardiography was compared with values obtained by dye-dilution technique in 17 subjects in 122 determinations made within 2 min of each other. Fifty of these determinations were done after drug administration, postural change, or saline infusion. All values obtained by both methods correlated significantly, but with wide scatter (r=0.49, n = 122, P less than 0.001). The series of determinations within each subject, however, correlated only in one subject significantly; thus any changes of stroke index measured by both techniques were not commensurate. In addition, the impedance stroke index values were significantly lower than the dye-dilution technique, impedance cardiography presently does not determine reliably absolute values of stroke index and is not suitable to evaluate changes of stroke index.", "PMID": 791918} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9342", "title": "Colorimetric method for the determination of ethylene dibromide residues in grains and air.", "content": "A method based on the hydrolytic debromination of ethylene dibromide (EDB) in the presence of an oxidizing agent has been developed. Bromine liberated from inorganic bromide is used to brominate p-rosaniline. The intensity of the resulting violet-red bromo compound in chloroform is measured at 580 nm. The relationship between absorbance and concentration of EDB is linear in the range of 5-60 mug. The method is very sensitive and as little as 0.50 ppm unchanged EDB residue in a 20 g sample of fumigated grain and 1 ppm EDB in a 10 ml air sample can be detected.", "contents": "Colorimetric method for the determination of ethylene dibromide residues in grains and air. A method based on the hydrolytic debromination of ethylene dibromide (EDB) in the presence of an oxidizing agent has been developed. Bromine liberated from inorganic bromide is used to brominate p-rosaniline. The intensity of the resulting violet-red bromo compound in chloroform is measured at 580 nm. The relationship between absorbance and concentration of EDB is linear in the range of 5-60 mug. The method is very sensitive and as little as 0.50 ppm unchanged EDB residue in a 20 g sample of fumigated grain and 1 ppm EDB in a 10 ml air sample can be detected.", "PMID": 791919} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9343", "title": "The genetics, if any, of infantile autism and childhood schizophrenia.", "content": "A critical examination of the data for and against genetic factors in early infantile autism and childhood schizophrenia is presented. The extreme rareness of both disorders made analysis difficult. No strong evidence exists implicating genetics in the development of childhood psychoses that begin before the age of 5. Family pedigree data fail to support psychogenic transmission because very few siblings of early onset cases are affected. Biological but not genetic etiological agents are more likely. Genetic factors are implicated in the development of psychoses that begin near pubescence and such factors appear to overlap with those for adult schizophrenia. Reevaluation of the minimum age of onset for adult-type schizophrenia is suggested.", "contents": "The genetics, if any, of infantile autism and childhood schizophrenia. A critical examination of the data for and against genetic factors in early infantile autism and childhood schizophrenia is presented. The extreme rareness of both disorders made analysis difficult. No strong evidence exists implicating genetics in the development of childhood psychoses that begin before the age of 5. Family pedigree data fail to support psychogenic transmission because very few siblings of early onset cases are affected. Biological but not genetic etiological agents are more likely. Genetic factors are implicated in the development of psychoses that begin near pubescence and such factors appear to overlap with those for adult schizophrenia. Reevaluation of the minimum age of onset for adult-type schizophrenia is suggested.", "PMID": 791920} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9344", "title": "Control of replication and segregation of R plasmid Rts1.", "content": "A mutant plasmid, pTW2, which was derived from the integrated Rst1 genome in the Escherichia coli chromosome, was studied as to its mode of replication at 30 degrees C. When Proteus mirabilis Pm17 harboring pTW2 was grown in broth at 30 degrees C, a considerable number of R- segregants (approximately 40%) were consistently observed. This indicates that pTW2 is unstable even at the permissive temperature for the replication of Rts1. The pTW2+ cells in a culture were heterogeneous with respect to the level of kanamycin resistance, ranging from 500 to 4,000 mug of the drug per ml. The amount of pTW2 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) relative to the Pm17 chromosomal DNA was about fivefold as large as that of Rts1 DNA in an exponentially growing culture. In addition, pTW2 in P. mirabilis continued to replicate after the chromosome had ceased to replicate, which was shown in the study of the inhibition of protein synthesis. Contrary to pTW2, the parent plasmid Rts1 is highly stable, and the relative percent Rts1 DNA is maintained at approximately 7% in any cultural conditions at a permissive temperature. These results suggest that copies of pTW2 may not segregate evenly into the host progeny upon cell division and that the replication of pTW2 does not coordinate with that of the chromosome. A remarkable instability of pTW2 as well as an increase in the relative percent pTW2 DNA was also shown when E. coli were used as the host cells. These results suggest the possibility that there is a gene or a gene cluster on the Rst1 genome responsible for the control of both replication and segregation of Rts1.", "contents": "Control of replication and segregation of R plasmid Rts1. A mutant plasmid, pTW2, which was derived from the integrated Rst1 genome in the Escherichia coli chromosome, was studied as to its mode of replication at 30 degrees C. When Proteus mirabilis Pm17 harboring pTW2 was grown in broth at 30 degrees C, a considerable number of R- segregants (approximately 40%) were consistently observed. This indicates that pTW2 is unstable even at the permissive temperature for the replication of Rts1. The pTW2+ cells in a culture were heterogeneous with respect to the level of kanamycin resistance, ranging from 500 to 4,000 mug of the drug per ml. The amount of pTW2 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) relative to the Pm17 chromosomal DNA was about fivefold as large as that of Rts1 DNA in an exponentially growing culture. In addition, pTW2 in P. mirabilis continued to replicate after the chromosome had ceased to replicate, which was shown in the study of the inhibition of protein synthesis. Contrary to pTW2, the parent plasmid Rts1 is highly stable, and the relative percent Rts1 DNA is maintained at approximately 7% in any cultural conditions at a permissive temperature. These results suggest that copies of pTW2 may not segregate evenly into the host progeny upon cell division and that the replication of pTW2 does not coordinate with that of the chromosome. A remarkable instability of pTW2 as well as an increase in the relative percent pTW2 DNA was also shown when E. coli were used as the host cells. These results suggest the possibility that there is a gene or a gene cluster on the Rst1 genome responsible for the control of both replication and segregation of Rts1.", "PMID": 791923} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9345", "title": "lacY mutant of Escherichia coli with altered physiology of lactose induction.", "content": "A mutant of Escherichia coli is described that grew on lactose only in the presence of isopropylthiogalactoside. This cell contained a defect in the lacY gene that resulted in the formation of a transport system with a poor affinity for lactose. The inability to grow on lactose alone was due to the failure of induction by this disaccharide. This failure of inducation was presumably due to a defect in lactose accumulation which resulted in significant reduction in the formation of allo-lactose, the true inducer of lac operon. These results are consistent with the view that the capacity to accumulate lactose plays an important physiological role in the induction of the enzymes necessary for its utilization.", "contents": "lacY mutant of Escherichia coli with altered physiology of lactose induction. A mutant of Escherichia coli is described that grew on lactose only in the presence of isopropylthiogalactoside. This cell contained a defect in the lacY gene that resulted in the formation of a transport system with a poor affinity for lactose. The inability to grow on lactose alone was due to the failure of induction by this disaccharide. This failure of inducation was presumably due to a defect in lactose accumulation which resulted in significant reduction in the formation of allo-lactose, the true inducer of lac operon. These results are consistent with the view that the capacity to accumulate lactose plays an important physiological role in the induction of the enzymes necessary for its utilization.", "PMID": 791924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9346", "title": "Chromosome segregation in Escherichia coli B/r at various growth rates.", "content": "Chromosome segregation was analyzed in three substrains of Escherichia coli B/r growing at various rates. The cultures were pulse labeled with [14C]thymidine and bound to the bottom surface of a nitrocellulose membrane filter, and the radioactivity in newborn cells released from the surface during continuous elution with growth medium was measured. Since there was a fixed orientation in the release of newborn cells, the time course of the change in radioactivity per effluent cell could be used to investigate the orientation of chromosome segregation. If the radioactive deoxyribonucleic acid strands were partitioned at random between the progenies remaining attached to the membrane filter and those released into the effluent, the radioactivity per cell would decrease twofold after each generation of elution. The decrease in radioactivity was less than twofold at C + D min of elution and larger than twofold one generation later, indicating that chromosome segregation was nonrandom.", "contents": "Chromosome segregation in Escherichia coli B/r at various growth rates. Chromosome segregation was analyzed in three substrains of Escherichia coli B/r growing at various rates. The cultures were pulse labeled with [14C]thymidine and bound to the bottom surface of a nitrocellulose membrane filter, and the radioactivity in newborn cells released from the surface during continuous elution with growth medium was measured. Since there was a fixed orientation in the release of newborn cells, the time course of the change in radioactivity per effluent cell could be used to investigate the orientation of chromosome segregation. If the radioactive deoxyribonucleic acid strands were partitioned at random between the progenies remaining attached to the membrane filter and those released into the effluent, the radioactivity per cell would decrease twofold after each generation of elution. The decrease in radioactivity was less than twofold at C + D min of elution and larger than twofold one generation later, indicating that chromosome segregation was nonrandom.", "PMID": 791925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9347", "title": "Uroporphyrinogen III cosynthase-deficient mutant of Salmonella typhimurium LT2.", "content": "A new type of heme-deficient mutant of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 was isolated using neomycin. The mutant, designated as strain SASY74, accumulated uroporphyrin I and coproporphyrin I. Extracts of the mutant converted 5-aminolevulinic acid to uroporphyrin I. Extracts of the mutant SASY74 and of the uroporphyrinogen synthase-deficient mutant SASY32 complemented each other and converted, when incubated together, 5-aminolevulinic acid to protoporphyrin. This finding excludes the possibility that uroporphyrinogen I synthase in strain SASY74 is deficient in its cosynthase-binding ability. Hence, the most probable explanation for the accumulation of uroporphyrin I and coproporphyrin I by the mutant is the lack of the uroporphyrinogen III cosynthase activity. This mutant is the first isolated in bacteria with such deficiency, and the mutation is analogous, as far as porphyrin synthesis is concerned, to human congenital porphyria. Mapping of the corresponding gene (hemD) by conjugation and P22-mediated transduction suggests the following gene order on the chromosome: ilv....hemC, hemD, cya....metE. The hemC and hemD genes are probably adjacent; this is the first case in which two hem genes of Enterobacteriaceae are contiguous on the chromosomal map.", "contents": "Uroporphyrinogen III cosynthase-deficient mutant of Salmonella typhimurium LT2. A new type of heme-deficient mutant of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 was isolated using neomycin. The mutant, designated as strain SASY74, accumulated uroporphyrin I and coproporphyrin I. Extracts of the mutant converted 5-aminolevulinic acid to uroporphyrin I. Extracts of the mutant SASY74 and of the uroporphyrinogen synthase-deficient mutant SASY32 complemented each other and converted, when incubated together, 5-aminolevulinic acid to protoporphyrin. This finding excludes the possibility that uroporphyrinogen I synthase in strain SASY74 is deficient in its cosynthase-binding ability. Hence, the most probable explanation for the accumulation of uroporphyrin I and coproporphyrin I by the mutant is the lack of the uroporphyrinogen III cosynthase activity. This mutant is the first isolated in bacteria with such deficiency, and the mutation is analogous, as far as porphyrin synthesis is concerned, to human congenital porphyria. Mapping of the corresponding gene (hemD) by conjugation and P22-mediated transduction suggests the following gene order on the chromosome: ilv....hemC, hemD, cya....metE. The hemC and hemD genes are probably adjacent; this is the first case in which two hem genes of Enterobacteriaceae are contiguous on the chromosomal map.", "PMID": 791926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9348", "title": "Homoazasterol-mediated inhibition of yeast sterol biosynthesis.", "content": "A naturally occurring azasterol has been shown to inhibit sterol transmethylation in both in vitro and in vivo in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The inhibition was competitive, with a calculated dissociation constant of 43 muM. The compound prevented the accumulation of ergosterol in aerobically adapting cells. Cultures forced to gain energy by respiration were found to be much more sensitive to growth inhibition by the azasterol than those cells fermenting glucose. The growth inhibition is reversible at low concentrations of the azasterol.", "contents": "Homoazasterol-mediated inhibition of yeast sterol biosynthesis. A naturally occurring azasterol has been shown to inhibit sterol transmethylation in both in vitro and in vivo in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The inhibition was competitive, with a calculated dissociation constant of 43 muM. The compound prevented the accumulation of ergosterol in aerobically adapting cells. Cultures forced to gain energy by respiration were found to be much more sensitive to growth inhibition by the azasterol than those cells fermenting glucose. The growth inhibition is reversible at low concentrations of the azasterol.", "PMID": 791927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9349", "title": "Protein synthesis and degradation in a leucine auxotroph of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The synthesis and degradation of the soluble and sodium dodecyl sulfate-(SDS)-solubilized protein fractions of Escherichia coli were studied in both growing and nongrowing cultures. When separated according to molecular weight on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, the proteins of both fractions of growing cells undergo no measureable differential synthesis or degradation during logarithmic growth. However, when a leucine auxotroph is suspended in medium containing 5.3 muM leucine (a level that will not sustain growth), the SDS-solubilized protein of such a nongrowing culture shows a rapid synthesis of two protein components (32,000 and 12,000 daltons) found only in the out membrane.", "contents": "Protein synthesis and degradation in a leucine auxotroph of Escherichia coli. The synthesis and degradation of the soluble and sodium dodecyl sulfate-(SDS)-solubilized protein fractions of Escherichia coli were studied in both growing and nongrowing cultures. When separated according to molecular weight on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, the proteins of both fractions of growing cells undergo no measureable differential synthesis or degradation during logarithmic growth. However, when a leucine auxotroph is suspended in medium containing 5.3 muM leucine (a level that will not sustain growth), the SDS-solubilized protein of such a nongrowing culture shows a rapid synthesis of two protein components (32,000 and 12,000 daltons) found only in the out membrane.", "PMID": 791928} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9350", "title": "Use of bacteriophage Mu to isolate deletions in the his-nif region of Klebsiella pneumoniae.", "content": "Klebsiella pneumoniae M5a1 is naturally resistant to infection by bacteriophage Mu. Mutants of K. pneumoniae sensitive to Mu infection were isolated and found to support both lytic and lysogenic development of Mu. K. pneumoniae lysogens containing a heat-inducible Mu prophage integrated in his were isolated. Strains carrying deletions extending from his into nif were obtained after heat treatment of these lysogens. Such deletions should be useful for determining the map order and cistronic organization of the nif genes.", "contents": "Use of bacteriophage Mu to isolate deletions in the his-nif region of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Klebsiella pneumoniae M5a1 is naturally resistant to infection by bacteriophage Mu. Mutants of K. pneumoniae sensitive to Mu infection were isolated and found to support both lytic and lysogenic development of Mu. K. pneumoniae lysogens containing a heat-inducible Mu prophage integrated in his were isolated. Strains carrying deletions extending from his into nif were obtained after heat treatment of these lysogens. Such deletions should be useful for determining the map order and cistronic organization of the nif genes.", "PMID": 791929} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9351", "title": "Salmonella typhimurium mutants generally defective in chemotaxis.", "content": "The mutations of eight chemotaxis-deficient strains of Salmonella typhimurium, including five new mutants in strain LT2, were mapped by P22 transduction in relation to various fla mot deletions in S. abortus-equi. Seven recessive che mutations mapped between motB and flaC: three, all nontumbling, the che region I, adjacent to motB, and four, including one ever-tumbling, in che region II, adjacent to flaC. Mutant che-107, never-tumbling and dominant to wild type, mapped at flaAII, other mutations of which cause either absence of flagella or lack of locomotor function. We surmise that gene flaAII specifies a protein that polymerizes to form an essential component of the basal apparatus (so that absence of gene product prevents formation of flagela); that a component built up from certain mutationally altered proteins cannot transmit (or generate) active rotation of the hook and flagellum, and so causes the Mot (paralysis) phenyotype; and that a component built up from protein with the che-107 alteration permits only counterclockwise rotation, so that the tumble, normally produced by transient clockwise rotation, cannot be effected.", "contents": "Salmonella typhimurium mutants generally defective in chemotaxis. The mutations of eight chemotaxis-deficient strains of Salmonella typhimurium, including five new mutants in strain LT2, were mapped by P22 transduction in relation to various fla mot deletions in S. abortus-equi. Seven recessive che mutations mapped between motB and flaC: three, all nontumbling, the che region I, adjacent to motB, and four, including one ever-tumbling, in che region II, adjacent to flaC. Mutant che-107, never-tumbling and dominant to wild type, mapped at flaAII, other mutations of which cause either absence of flagella or lack of locomotor function. We surmise that gene flaAII specifies a protein that polymerizes to form an essential component of the basal apparatus (so that absence of gene product prevents formation of flagela); that a component built up from certain mutationally altered proteins cannot transmit (or generate) active rotation of the hook and flagellum, and so causes the Mot (paralysis) phenyotype; and that a component built up from protein with the che-107 alteration permits only counterclockwise rotation, so that the tumble, normally produced by transient clockwise rotation, cannot be effected.", "PMID": 791930} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9352", "title": "Role and location of \"protease I\" from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Pacaud and Uriel described an enzyme from Escherichia coli (\"protease I\") that hydrolyzes acetyl phenylalanine naphthyl ester (APNE). We examined the possible involvement of this enzyme in intracellular protein degradation, its subcellular distribution, and its proteolytic activity. Although the APNE-hydrolyzing activity is localized primarily in the periplasm, proteolytic activity against casein was found in the periplasm, membrane, and cytoplasm with similar specific activities. The APNE-hydrolyzing enzyme did not appear to contribute to the proteolytic activity of the periplasm. A mutant deficient in APNE-hydrolyzing activity lacked all activity in the periplasm but showed a slight percentage of residual activity in the cytoplasm. Extracts of such cells were normal in their ability to hydrolyze casein. The mutant was indistinguishable from wild-type cells in its rate of protein degradation during growth or glucose starvation and in the ability to rapidly degrade puromycin-containing polypeptides. Nitrogen starvation, which increased protein breakdown severalfold, affected neither the total amount nor the distribution of APNE-hydrolyzing activity. The mutant showed no defect in its ability to cleave small phenylalanine-containing peptides released during protein degradation. The mutant and wild-type cells are equally able to hydrolyze exogenously supplied phenylalanyl peptides. These experiments suggest that the APNE-hydrolyzing enzyme is not required for protein degradation and that \"protease I\" is probably not a protease.", "contents": "Role and location of \"protease I\" from Escherichia coli. Pacaud and Uriel described an enzyme from Escherichia coli (\"protease I\") that hydrolyzes acetyl phenylalanine naphthyl ester (APNE). We examined the possible involvement of this enzyme in intracellular protein degradation, its subcellular distribution, and its proteolytic activity. Although the APNE-hydrolyzing activity is localized primarily in the periplasm, proteolytic activity against casein was found in the periplasm, membrane, and cytoplasm with similar specific activities. The APNE-hydrolyzing enzyme did not appear to contribute to the proteolytic activity of the periplasm. A mutant deficient in APNE-hydrolyzing activity lacked all activity in the periplasm but showed a slight percentage of residual activity in the cytoplasm. Extracts of such cells were normal in their ability to hydrolyze casein. The mutant was indistinguishable from wild-type cells in its rate of protein degradation during growth or glucose starvation and in the ability to rapidly degrade puromycin-containing polypeptides. Nitrogen starvation, which increased protein breakdown severalfold, affected neither the total amount nor the distribution of APNE-hydrolyzing activity. The mutant showed no defect in its ability to cleave small phenylalanine-containing peptides released during protein degradation. The mutant and wild-type cells are equally able to hydrolyze exogenously supplied phenylalanyl peptides. These experiments suggest that the APNE-hydrolyzing enzyme is not required for protein degradation and that \"protease I\" is probably not a protease.", "PMID": 791931} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9353", "title": "3-Deoxy-3-fluoro-D-glucose-resistant Salmonella typhimurium mutants defective in the phosphoenolpyruvate:glycose phosphotransferase system.", "content": "Three classes of phosphotransferase system mutants in Salmonella typhimurium were selected through their resistance to 3-deoxy-3-fluoro-D-glucose (DFG). Strains with mutations in the ptsH (HPr) and/or pts I (enzyme I) genes were selected on medium containing lactate plus DFG. Strains with mutations in ptsH but not pstI were selected on medium containing fructose plus DFG. Clones isolated from fructose plus DFG semisolid plates and selected for ability to swarm were mutant in either ptsH or ptsG. Mutants of the latter class were defective in enzyme IIB', a membrane component of the glucose transport system. Some pleiotropic properties of one representative ptsG mutant are described.", "contents": "3-Deoxy-3-fluoro-D-glucose-resistant Salmonella typhimurium mutants defective in the phosphoenolpyruvate:glycose phosphotransferase system. Three classes of phosphotransferase system mutants in Salmonella typhimurium were selected through their resistance to 3-deoxy-3-fluoro-D-glucose (DFG). Strains with mutations in the ptsH (HPr) and/or pts I (enzyme I) genes were selected on medium containing lactate plus DFG. Strains with mutations in ptsH but not pstI were selected on medium containing fructose plus DFG. Clones isolated from fructose plus DFG semisolid plates and selected for ability to swarm were mutant in either ptsH or ptsG. Mutants of the latter class were defective in enzyme IIB', a membrane component of the glucose transport system. Some pleiotropic properties of one representative ptsG mutant are described.", "PMID": 791932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9354", "title": "Deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in a temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli dnaH mutant, strain HF4704S.", "content": "The dnaH mutant strain HF4704S, isolated by Sakai et al. (1974), was examined for its effect on phiX174 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis. It was found to carry two mutations affecting DNA synthesis. One mutation had no affect on phiX174 DNA synthesis, but did affect the ability of the mutant cells to form colonies on agar medium at 41 degrees C, and caused host DNA synthesis to cease after 1 h at 41 degrees C. The mutant marker cotransduced with ilvD at a frequency of about 9%. It seems likely that this mutation is in the dnaA gene. The second mutation affected the ability of the mutant cells to form colonies on agar medium supplemented with only 2 mug of thymine per ml, and affected both host and phiX174 DNA synthesis in medium supplemented with only 2 mug of thymine per ml. Both effects could be overcone by adding excess exogenous thymine. We were not able to unambiguously determine the map position of this mutant locus. Our data show that the DNA synthesis phenotype of the mutant strain HE4704S is governed by both these mutations, neither of which directly affects the replication of phiX174 DNA.", "contents": "Deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in a temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli dnaH mutant, strain HF4704S. The dnaH mutant strain HF4704S, isolated by Sakai et al. (1974), was examined for its effect on phiX174 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis. It was found to carry two mutations affecting DNA synthesis. One mutation had no affect on phiX174 DNA synthesis, but did affect the ability of the mutant cells to form colonies on agar medium at 41 degrees C, and caused host DNA synthesis to cease after 1 h at 41 degrees C. The mutant marker cotransduced with ilvD at a frequency of about 9%. It seems likely that this mutation is in the dnaA gene. The second mutation affected the ability of the mutant cells to form colonies on agar medium supplemented with only 2 mug of thymine per ml, and affected both host and phiX174 DNA synthesis in medium supplemented with only 2 mug of thymine per ml. Both effects could be overcone by adding excess exogenous thymine. We were not able to unambiguously determine the map position of this mutant locus. Our data show that the DNA synthesis phenotype of the mutant strain HE4704S is governed by both these mutations, neither of which directly affects the replication of phiX174 DNA.", "PMID": 791933} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9355", "title": "Mapping of nrdA and nrdB in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "The structural genes coding for the B1 and B2 subunits of the enzyme ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase, nrdA (formerly designated dnaF) and nrdB, respectively, have been mapped in Escherichia coli. They are located at approximately 48 min. The gene order in this region of the E. coli chromosome was found to be purF glpT nrdB nrdA nalA cdd dcd his.", "contents": "Mapping of nrdA and nrdB in Escherichia coli K-12. The structural genes coding for the B1 and B2 subunits of the enzyme ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase, nrdA (formerly designated dnaF) and nrdB, respectively, have been mapped in Escherichia coli. They are located at approximately 48 min. The gene order in this region of the E. coli chromosome was found to be purF glpT nrdB nrdA nalA cdd dcd his.", "PMID": 791934} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9356", "title": "Diploidy for a structural gene specifying a major protein of the outer cell envelope membrane from Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Homogenotes, heterogenotes, and intergeneric hybrids have been studied that are diploid for the structural gene of a major outer cell envelope membrane protein (protein II) from Escherichia coli. This protein can act as a phage receptor. In wild-type homogenotes, diploidy for the gene did not cause a gene dosage effect. It could be shown with two heterogenotes that both the chromosomal mutant and the episomal wild-type genes are expressed, and in each case more of the mutant than the wild-type protein species was found in the cell envelope. In on case of 21 phage-resistant mutants missing protein II was a trans effect observed of the mutant gene on the expression of the episomal wild type gene. Transfer of E. coli episomes carrying the protein II structural gene into Salmonella typhimurium and Proteus mirabilis resulted in intergeneric hybrids that became sensitive to the relevant phage and harbored the E. coli protein II in their cell envelopes. The results may be taken as suggestive evidence for a simple feedback mechanism for the regulation of synthesis of protein II, and they show that there are no highly specific requirements on protein primary structure for incorporation into an outer cell envelope membrane.", "contents": "Diploidy for a structural gene specifying a major protein of the outer cell envelope membrane from Escherichia coli K-12. Homogenotes, heterogenotes, and intergeneric hybrids have been studied that are diploid for the structural gene of a major outer cell envelope membrane protein (protein II) from Escherichia coli. This protein can act as a phage receptor. In wild-type homogenotes, diploidy for the gene did not cause a gene dosage effect. It could be shown with two heterogenotes that both the chromosomal mutant and the episomal wild-type genes are expressed, and in each case more of the mutant than the wild-type protein species was found in the cell envelope. In on case of 21 phage-resistant mutants missing protein II was a trans effect observed of the mutant gene on the expression of the episomal wild type gene. Transfer of E. coli episomes carrying the protein II structural gene into Salmonella typhimurium and Proteus mirabilis resulted in intergeneric hybrids that became sensitive to the relevant phage and harbored the E. coli protein II in their cell envelopes. The results may be taken as suggestive evidence for a simple feedback mechanism for the regulation of synthesis of protein II, and they show that there are no highly specific requirements on protein primary structure for incorporation into an outer cell envelope membrane.", "PMID": 791936} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9357", "title": "Complexity of the ultraviolet mutation frequency response curve in Escherichia coli B/r: SOS induction, one-lesion and two-lesion mutagenesis.", "content": "Three distinct sections of the ultraviolet mutation frequency response (MFR) curve toward tryptophan prototrophy have been demonstrated in Excherichia coli B/r WP2 trp thy and its uvrA derivative in log-phase growth in minimal medium. The initial section, which appears fluence-squared, may reflect the necessity, if mutation is to result, for induction of two lesions, one located within the potentially mutated genetic locus and the other damaging deoxyribonucleic acid replication and resulting in inducation of the error-prone SOS repair function. A second linear section is ascribed to the continued induction, after exposure above that sufficient for complete SOS expression, of isolated lesions which lead to mutation in potentially mutated loci. The third section demonstrates an increased rate of mutagenesis and suggests the induction of two lesions in proximity which result in additional mutations. Split-exposure studies support the inducible nature of the SOS function and suggest that mutation frequency decline (MFD) is due to exicion resulting from or related to the prevention of SOS induction by inhibition of protein synthesis. Preirradiation tryptophan starvation of the uvr+ strain for 30 min decrease MFR in the first and second sections of the curve. Reduction of MFR in the third section requires more prestarvation time and is blocked by nalidixic acid. The decreased MFR of the first and second sections ascribed to promotion of postirradiation MFD based on excision and that of third section to completion of the chromosome during the prestarvation period.", "contents": "Complexity of the ultraviolet mutation frequency response curve in Escherichia coli B/r: SOS induction, one-lesion and two-lesion mutagenesis. Three distinct sections of the ultraviolet mutation frequency response (MFR) curve toward tryptophan prototrophy have been demonstrated in Excherichia coli B/r WP2 trp thy and its uvrA derivative in log-phase growth in minimal medium. The initial section, which appears fluence-squared, may reflect the necessity, if mutation is to result, for induction of two lesions, one located within the potentially mutated genetic locus and the other damaging deoxyribonucleic acid replication and resulting in inducation of the error-prone SOS repair function. A second linear section is ascribed to the continued induction, after exposure above that sufficient for complete SOS expression, of isolated lesions which lead to mutation in potentially mutated loci. The third section demonstrates an increased rate of mutagenesis and suggests the induction of two lesions in proximity which result in additional mutations. Split-exposure studies support the inducible nature of the SOS function and suggest that mutation frequency decline (MFD) is due to exicion resulting from or related to the prevention of SOS induction by inhibition of protein synthesis. Preirradiation tryptophan starvation of the uvr+ strain for 30 min decrease MFR in the first and second sections of the curve. Reduction of MFR in the third section requires more prestarvation time and is blocked by nalidixic acid. The decreased MFR of the first and second sections ascribed to promotion of postirradiation MFD based on excision and that of third section to completion of the chromosome during the prestarvation period.", "PMID": 791935} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9358", "title": "Detection, with the dye phloxine B, of yeast mutants unable to utilize nitrogenous substances as the sole nitrogen source.", "content": "Yeast mutants unable to degrade certain nitrogen compounds produce characteristic small red colonies on an agar medium containing the red dye phloxine B, galactose, the test nitrogen compound, and a small amount of ammonium chloride.", "contents": "Detection, with the dye phloxine B, of yeast mutants unable to utilize nitrogenous substances as the sole nitrogen source. Yeast mutants unable to degrade certain nitrogen compounds produce characteristic small red colonies on an agar medium containing the red dye phloxine B, galactose, the test nitrogen compound, and a small amount of ammonium chloride.", "PMID": 791937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9359", "title": "Adenine methylation of Okazaki fragments in Escherichia coli.", "content": "In Escherichia coli polA lig-4 bacteria, the moles percent 6-methyladenine content of 10S deoxyribonucleic acid (Okazaki fragments) is 0.96 compared with 1.4 for bulk desoxyribonucleic acid.", "contents": "Adenine methylation of Okazaki fragments in Escherichia coli. In Escherichia coli polA lig-4 bacteria, the moles percent 6-methyladenine content of 10S deoxyribonucleic acid (Okazaki fragments) is 0.96 compared with 1.4 for bulk desoxyribonucleic acid.", "PMID": 791938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9360", "title": "Regulation of thiamine transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Yeast cells were found to be repressed for the uptake of both thiamine and pyrithiamine by growth with exogenous thiamine, and they appeared to regulate the activity of the binding protein for these compounds.", "contents": "Regulation of thiamine transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast cells were found to be repressed for the uptake of both thiamine and pyrithiamine by growth with exogenous thiamine, and they appeared to regulate the activity of the binding protein for these compounds.", "PMID": 791939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9361", "title": "Interconvertible forms of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase with different affinities for analogs of dihydrofolate.", "content": "Dihydrofolate reductase from Escherichia coli exists as two species, which show large differences in their affinities for trimethoprim and for pyrimethamine. The two species are present in approximately equal proportions. Each possesses one binding site per mol with dissociation constants (KD) of 14 and 1400 nM, respectively, for the binding of trimethoprim in the binary complex, and of 5 and 47 nM for the pyrimethamine binary complex. In the formation of the ternary complex with NADPH, trimethoprim bound to dihydrofolate reductase as if all the enzyme existed as a single species with a KD for trimethoprim of 1.9 nM. Formation of the trimethoprim NADPH ternary complex thus involves strong cooperative effects, and interconversion of the two species. The binding of pyrimethamine in the ternary complex was indistinguishable from its binding in the binary complex, showing neither the cooperative effects, nor the interconversion of the two species observed with trimethoprim. The species with a low KD for trimethoprim and pyrimethamine could be isolated by selective proteolysis. It was quite stable, but could be converted to a mixture of the original species via formation of the ternary complex with trimethoprim, as predicted from the binding data. The results are interpreted in terms of a model in which the two species can be interconverted only via the formation of a common ternary complex, which can be formed after the binding of trimethoprim or dihydrofolate, but not pyrimethamine. The model is shown to be consistent with all data from the measurements of both binding and inhibition by both ligands.", "contents": "Interconvertible forms of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase with different affinities for analogs of dihydrofolate. Dihydrofolate reductase from Escherichia coli exists as two species, which show large differences in their affinities for trimethoprim and for pyrimethamine. The two species are present in approximately equal proportions. Each possesses one binding site per mol with dissociation constants (KD) of 14 and 1400 nM, respectively, for the binding of trimethoprim in the binary complex, and of 5 and 47 nM for the pyrimethamine binary complex. In the formation of the ternary complex with NADPH, trimethoprim bound to dihydrofolate reductase as if all the enzyme existed as a single species with a KD for trimethoprim of 1.9 nM. Formation of the trimethoprim NADPH ternary complex thus involves strong cooperative effects, and interconversion of the two species. The binding of pyrimethamine in the ternary complex was indistinguishable from its binding in the binary complex, showing neither the cooperative effects, nor the interconversion of the two species observed with trimethoprim. The species with a low KD for trimethoprim and pyrimethamine could be isolated by selective proteolysis. It was quite stable, but could be converted to a mixture of the original species via formation of the ternary complex with trimethoprim, as predicted from the binding data. The results are interpreted in terms of a model in which the two species can be interconverted only via the formation of a common ternary complex, which can be formed after the binding of trimethoprim or dihydrofolate, but not pyrimethamine. The model is shown to be consistent with all data from the measurements of both binding and inhibition by both ligands.", "PMID": 791943} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9362", "title": "Interaction of tetraiodofluorescein with yeast hexokinase.", "content": "The dye tetraiodofluorescein (TIF) was found to be an effective inhibitor of yeast hexokinase. It is a competitive inhibitor relative to MgATP2- and a noncompetitive inhibitor of glucose binding, a kinetic pattern consistent with the previously proposed random kinetic mechanism. TIF interacts directly with the native dimeric protein to give a difference spectrum with a maximum at 543 nm. Monomeric protein (produced by addition of 0.6 M NaCl) interacts with TIF to give a slightly altered difference spectrum, with the gammamax at 545 nm. The difference spectrum of the dimeric form is not perturbed by the addition of substrates but the absorbance with the monomer is lowered by MgATP2-. The Kd for MgATP2- was estimated to be 7 nM for monomeric hexokinase. These results suggest that results of previous binding studies with hexokinase at high concentrations which have been interpreted as being at variance with kinetic studies are due likely to different conformations of the protein under different experimental conditions.", "contents": "Interaction of tetraiodofluorescein with yeast hexokinase. The dye tetraiodofluorescein (TIF) was found to be an effective inhibitor of yeast hexokinase. It is a competitive inhibitor relative to MgATP2- and a noncompetitive inhibitor of glucose binding, a kinetic pattern consistent with the previously proposed random kinetic mechanism. TIF interacts directly with the native dimeric protein to give a difference spectrum with a maximum at 543 nm. Monomeric protein (produced by addition of 0.6 M NaCl) interacts with TIF to give a slightly altered difference spectrum, with the gammamax at 545 nm. The difference spectrum of the dimeric form is not perturbed by the addition of substrates but the absorbance with the monomer is lowered by MgATP2-. The Kd for MgATP2- was estimated to be 7 nM for monomeric hexokinase. These results suggest that results of previous binding studies with hexokinase at high concentrations which have been interpreted as being at variance with kinetic studies are due likely to different conformations of the protein under different experimental conditions.", "PMID": 791944} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9363", "title": "DNA \"melting\" proteins. II. Effects of bacteriophage T4 gene 32-protein binding on the conformation and stability of nucleic acid structures.", "content": "Bacteriophage T4-coded gene 32-protein is an essential component of the T4 replication and recombination systems. Alberts and co-workers (Alberts, B.M., Amodio, F.J., Jenkins, M., Gutmann, E.D., and Ferris, F.L. (1968) Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 33, 289-305) have shown that the major physiological activity of the protein involves preferential and cooperative binding to single-stranded DNA. In this paper, the physiochemical parameters characterizing this \"melting\" protein system are quantitatively determined. Boundary sedimentation velocity experiments are used to measure the interaction of gene 32-protein with native DNA. The binding is shown to be non-cooperative and involves an overlapping site size (nh) of approximately 10 nucleotide residues (or approximately 5 nucleotide pairs). In analogy with the ribonuclease results (Jensen, D.E., and von Hippel, P.H. (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 7198-7214), the logarithm of the association constant (Kh) is found to be linerarly related to log [Na+]. The binding of gene 32-protein to denatured (single-stranded) DNA involves appreciable distortion of the polynucleotide backbone from the unliganded conformation; binding totally unstacks the bases of both ribose- and deoxyribose-containing polynucleotides at 10 degrees, and results in a hyperchromic change exceeding that which can be induced by heating. This hyperchromism induced in poly(dA) on binding gene 32-protein under low salt (tight binding) conditions is used to determine a value of nc (the single-stranded DNA site size) of approximately 6.7 nucldotide residues per protein. In addition, gene 32-protein binding to single-stranded polynucleotide induces an unusual circular dichroic spectrum characterized principally by a marked decrease in the magnitude of the positive CD band centered at approximately 265 nm. This spectral change is attributed to significant uncoupling of the transition moments of the vicinal bases of the single-stranded polynucleotide on gene 32-protein binding, in accord with the ultraviolet hyperchromism observed. Binding of gene 32-protein to double helical DNA has virtually no effect on the spectral properties of this conformation...", "contents": "DNA \"melting\" proteins. II. Effects of bacteriophage T4 gene 32-protein binding on the conformation and stability of nucleic acid structures. Bacteriophage T4-coded gene 32-protein is an essential component of the T4 replication and recombination systems. Alberts and co-workers (Alberts, B.M., Amodio, F.J., Jenkins, M., Gutmann, E.D., and Ferris, F.L. (1968) Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 33, 289-305) have shown that the major physiological activity of the protein involves preferential and cooperative binding to single-stranded DNA. In this paper, the physiochemical parameters characterizing this \"melting\" protein system are quantitatively determined. Boundary sedimentation velocity experiments are used to measure the interaction of gene 32-protein with native DNA. The binding is shown to be non-cooperative and involves an overlapping site size (nh) of approximately 10 nucleotide residues (or approximately 5 nucleotide pairs). In analogy with the ribonuclease results (Jensen, D.E., and von Hippel, P.H. (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 7198-7214), the logarithm of the association constant (Kh) is found to be linerarly related to log [Na+]. The binding of gene 32-protein to denatured (single-stranded) DNA involves appreciable distortion of the polynucleotide backbone from the unliganded conformation; binding totally unstacks the bases of both ribose- and deoxyribose-containing polynucleotides at 10 degrees, and results in a hyperchromic change exceeding that which can be induced by heating. This hyperchromism induced in poly(dA) on binding gene 32-protein under low salt (tight binding) conditions is used to determine a value of nc (the single-stranded DNA site size) of approximately 6.7 nucldotide residues per protein. In addition, gene 32-protein binding to single-stranded polynucleotide induces an unusual circular dichroic spectrum characterized principally by a marked decrease in the magnitude of the positive CD band centered at approximately 265 nm. This spectral change is attributed to significant uncoupling of the transition moments of the vicinal bases of the single-stranded polynucleotide on gene 32-protein binding, in accord with the ultraviolet hyperchromism observed. Binding of gene 32-protein to double helical DNA has virtually no effect on the spectral properties of this conformation...", "PMID": 791945} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9364", "title": "DNA \"melting\" proteins. III. Fluorescence \"mapping\" of the nucleic acid binding site of bacteriophage T4 gene 32-protein.", "content": "The intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of bacteriophage T4-coded gene 32-protein is found to be partially quenched on binding a variety of mono-, oligo-, and polynucleotides. This phenomenon is exploited to partially \"map\" the nucleic acid binding site of the protein. The intrinsic fluorescence spectrum of the protein peaks at about 347 nm, compared to 359 nm for the fully solvated model fluorophore, N-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide. Nucleotide binding, or collisional quenching by iodide ion, reduces the intensity of the fluorescence, with little or no peak shift. Small ligands, ranging in size from ribose- and deoxyribose-phosphate to tetranucleotides, quench the fluorescence by 2 to 6%; larger ligands quench from 20 to 35% of the intrinsic protein fluorescence. Iodide quenching experiments subjected to Stern-Vollmer analysis suggest that the binding of short nucleotide-containing ligands brings about a conformational change in the protein, fully exposing a tryptophan side chain to the solvent environment. The fluorescence of this tryptophan is fully quenched by the binding of d(Ap)2, but is largely unaffected by the binding of d(ApA) or d(pA)2, indicating both that this (tryptophan) \"reporter\" residue is located in the nucleic acid binding site and that binding is polar, i.e. polynucleotide chains of only one orientation are complexed. Long oligonucleotides fully quench the fluorescence of this binding site tryptophan. At high salt concentration (2 M NaCl), gene 32-protein forms self-limited dimers (Carroll, R.B., Neet, K.E., and Goldthwait, D.A. (1972) Proc. Natl, Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 69, 2741-2744; (1975) J. Mol. Biol. 91, 275-291). These dimers, in either high salt or in low salt after cross-linking, fail to bind nucleotides, suggesting that dimer formation partially occludes the nucleic acid binding site and thus that these dimers are probably not involved as intermediates in cooperative protein binding to the DNA. On the other hand, dimerization apparently results in a conformational change which fully exposes the \"reporter\" tryptophan to iodide quenching. These results are used to formulate a model of some of the nucleic acid-protein and protein-protein interactions involved in the cooperative binding of gene 32-protein to single-stranded DNA.", "contents": "DNA \"melting\" proteins. III. Fluorescence \"mapping\" of the nucleic acid binding site of bacteriophage T4 gene 32-protein. The intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of bacteriophage T4-coded gene 32-protein is found to be partially quenched on binding a variety of mono-, oligo-, and polynucleotides. This phenomenon is exploited to partially \"map\" the nucleic acid binding site of the protein. The intrinsic fluorescence spectrum of the protein peaks at about 347 nm, compared to 359 nm for the fully solvated model fluorophore, N-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide. Nucleotide binding, or collisional quenching by iodide ion, reduces the intensity of the fluorescence, with little or no peak shift. Small ligands, ranging in size from ribose- and deoxyribose-phosphate to tetranucleotides, quench the fluorescence by 2 to 6%; larger ligands quench from 20 to 35% of the intrinsic protein fluorescence. Iodide quenching experiments subjected to Stern-Vollmer analysis suggest that the binding of short nucleotide-containing ligands brings about a conformational change in the protein, fully exposing a tryptophan side chain to the solvent environment. The fluorescence of this tryptophan is fully quenched by the binding of d(Ap)2, but is largely unaffected by the binding of d(ApA) or d(pA)2, indicating both that this (tryptophan) \"reporter\" residue is located in the nucleic acid binding site and that binding is polar, i.e. polynucleotide chains of only one orientation are complexed. Long oligonucleotides fully quench the fluorescence of this binding site tryptophan. At high salt concentration (2 M NaCl), gene 32-protein forms self-limited dimers (Carroll, R.B., Neet, K.E., and Goldthwait, D.A. (1972) Proc. Natl, Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 69, 2741-2744; (1975) J. Mol. Biol. 91, 275-291). These dimers, in either high salt or in low salt after cross-linking, fail to bind nucleotides, suggesting that dimer formation partially occludes the nucleic acid binding site and thus that these dimers are probably not involved as intermediates in cooperative protein binding to the DNA. On the other hand, dimerization apparently results in a conformational change which fully exposes the \"reporter\" tryptophan to iodide quenching. These results are used to formulate a model of some of the nucleic acid-protein and protein-protein interactions involved in the cooperative binding of gene 32-protein to single-stranded DNA.", "PMID": 791946} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9365", "title": "Regulation of gene 32 expression during bacteriophage T4 infection of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The gene 32 protein of the bacteriophage T4 plays an important role in genetic recombination, DNA repair, and DNA replication; the protein functions in these processes by virtue of a strong binding capacity for single-stranded DNA. During infections of Escherichia coli by bacteriophage carrying amber of temperature-sensitive mutations in gene 32, the altered gene 32 protein (that is, the amber fragment of the missense polypeptide) is synthesized at greatly elevated rates. During infections by phages that are mutant in other genes (and wild type in gene 32), gene 32 expression is coupled to the quantity of single-stranded DNA produced during the infection. The data are consistent with a model in which the gene 32 protein binds preferentially to all available single-stranded DNA. When all available single-stranded DNA is complexed with gene 32 protein, free gene 32 protein represses its own synthesis. The high level expression of altered gene 32 proteins (amber fragments or missense polypeptides) is a direct consequence of the proposed autoregulation.", "contents": "Regulation of gene 32 expression during bacteriophage T4 infection of Escherichia coli. The gene 32 protein of the bacteriophage T4 plays an important role in genetic recombination, DNA repair, and DNA replication; the protein functions in these processes by virtue of a strong binding capacity for single-stranded DNA. During infections of Escherichia coli by bacteriophage carrying amber of temperature-sensitive mutations in gene 32, the altered gene 32 protein (that is, the amber fragment of the missense polypeptide) is synthesized at greatly elevated rates. During infections by phages that are mutant in other genes (and wild type in gene 32), gene 32 expression is coupled to the quantity of single-stranded DNA produced during the infection. The data are consistent with a model in which the gene 32 protein binds preferentially to all available single-stranded DNA. When all available single-stranded DNA is complexed with gene 32 protein, free gene 32 protein represses its own synthesis. The high level expression of altered gene 32 proteins (amber fragments or missense polypeptides) is a direct consequence of the proposed autoregulation.", "PMID": 791947} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9366", "title": "Translational, autogenous regulation of gene 32 expression during bacteriophage T4 infection.", "content": "Functional half-life measurements of the bacteriophage T4 gene 32 messenger RNA indicate that this mRNA is extremely stable. Regulation of gene 32 expression at the transcriptional level cannot account for the rapidity with which P32 synthesis can be repressed. Furthermore, derepression of P32 synthesis occurs in the presence of rifampicin, a drug which inhibits transcriptional initiation. In addition, T4-infected cultures in which P32 expression is repressed possess almost as much gene 32 mRNA as derepressed cultures. We conclude that expression of the T4 gene 32 protein is regulated at the level of translation.", "contents": "Translational, autogenous regulation of gene 32 expression during bacteriophage T4 infection. Functional half-life measurements of the bacteriophage T4 gene 32 messenger RNA indicate that this mRNA is extremely stable. Regulation of gene 32 expression at the transcriptional level cannot account for the rapidity with which P32 synthesis can be repressed. Furthermore, derepression of P32 synthesis occurs in the presence of rifampicin, a drug which inhibits transcriptional initiation. In addition, T4-infected cultures in which P32 expression is repressed possess almost as much gene 32 mRNA as derepressed cultures. We conclude that expression of the T4 gene 32 protein is regulated at the level of translation.", "PMID": 791948} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9367", "title": "Selective inhibition of protein synthesis initiation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by low concentrations of cycloheximide.", "content": "We have previously determined the amounts of time required to complete various macromolecular synthetic processes needed for induction of allophanate hydrolase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This information provided a means of testing, in vivo, an early hypothesis suggesting that cycloheximide inhibited the initiation as well as elongation steps of protein synthesis. Our data suggest that initiation of protein synthesis in yeast may be inhibited by low concentrations of cycloheximide which do not significantly affect polypeptide chain elongation.", "contents": "Selective inhibition of protein synthesis initiation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by low concentrations of cycloheximide. We have previously determined the amounts of time required to complete various macromolecular synthetic processes needed for induction of allophanate hydrolase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This information provided a means of testing, in vivo, an early hypothesis suggesting that cycloheximide inhibited the initiation as well as elongation steps of protein synthesis. Our data suggest that initiation of protein synthesis in yeast may be inhibited by low concentrations of cycloheximide which do not significantly affect polypeptide chain elongation.", "PMID": 791949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9368", "title": "Gastrointestinal abnormalities in renal homotransplant patients.", "content": "Of 93 patients who received a total of 110 consecutive renal transplants, 83 had gastrointestinal contrast studies. These were of value during treatment, management and follow-up of the renal homotransplant patients. Barium studies are most helpful in the diagnosis of unexpected gastrointestinal disease in asymptomatic patients, but of little value in cases of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Common abnormalities include coarsening of the mucosal folds in the stomach and duodenum. Duodenal ulceration is the most commonly diagnosed abnormality in gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Most abnormalities are demonstrated during the first 100 days after transplantation at which time the patient is most susceptible to gastrointestinal disease.", "contents": "Gastrointestinal abnormalities in renal homotransplant patients. Of 93 patients who received a total of 110 consecutive renal transplants, 83 had gastrointestinal contrast studies. These were of value during treatment, management and follow-up of the renal homotransplant patients. Barium studies are most helpful in the diagnosis of unexpected gastrointestinal disease in asymptomatic patients, but of little value in cases of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Common abnormalities include coarsening of the mucosal folds in the stomach and duodenum. Duodenal ulceration is the most commonly diagnosed abnormality in gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Most abnormalities are demonstrated during the first 100 days after transplantation at which time the patient is most susceptible to gastrointestinal disease.", "PMID": 791952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9369", "title": "Analytical study of microsomes and isolated subcellular membranes from rat liver. V. Immunological localization of cytochrome b5 by electron microscopy: methodology and application to various subcellular fractions.", "content": "The localization of cytochrome b5 on the membranes of various subcellular organelles of rat liver was studied by a cytoimmunological procedure using anti-cytochrome b5/anti-ferritin hybrid antibodies and ferritin as label. For this study, highly purified and biochemically characterized membrane preparations were employed. Outer mitochondrial membranes were found to be heavily labeled by the hybrid antibodies whereas Golgi and plasma membranes were not marked by the reagent. Peroxisome membranes were moderately labeled by the hybrid antibodies, suggesting that they may contain some cytochrome b5. The preparation and purification of hybrid antibodies without peptic digestion is described and an analysis made of the composition of the final reagent product.", "contents": "Analytical study of microsomes and isolated subcellular membranes from rat liver. V. Immunological localization of cytochrome b5 by electron microscopy: methodology and application to various subcellular fractions. The localization of cytochrome b5 on the membranes of various subcellular organelles of rat liver was studied by a cytoimmunological procedure using anti-cytochrome b5/anti-ferritin hybrid antibodies and ferritin as label. For this study, highly purified and biochemically characterized membrane preparations were employed. Outer mitochondrial membranes were found to be heavily labeled by the hybrid antibodies whereas Golgi and plasma membranes were not marked by the reagent. Peroxisome membranes were moderately labeled by the hybrid antibodies, suggesting that they may contain some cytochrome b5. The preparation and purification of hybrid antibodies without peptic digestion is described and an analysis made of the composition of the final reagent product.", "PMID": 791954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9370", "title": "Analytical study of microsomes and isolated subcellular membranes from rat liver. VI. Electron microscope examination of microsomes for cytochrome b5 by means of a ferritin-labeled antibody.", "content": "The distribution of cytochrome b5 in rat liver microsomes, and in two microsomal subfractions isolated by density equilibration in a linear sucrose gradient, was studied under the electron microscope by means of a ferritin-labeled hybrid anti-cytochrome b5/anti-ferritin antibody. Results of this study show that cytochrome b5 is present in essentially all microsomal vesicles derived from endoplasmic reticulum (ER), whether rough or smooth. Thus, the dissociation of ER constituents into two groups (b and c), achieved by subfractionating microsomes by isopycnic centrifugation (Beaufay, H., A. Amar-Costesec, D. Thines-Sempoux, M. Wibo, M. Robbi, and J. Berthet. 1974. J. Cell Biol. 61:213-231), does not reflect the association of each group with distinct microsomal particles but reflects rather an enzymatic heterogeneity of the ER: the ratio of group c to group b enzymes increasing with the density and ribosome load of the particles.", "contents": "Analytical study of microsomes and isolated subcellular membranes from rat liver. VI. Electron microscope examination of microsomes for cytochrome b5 by means of a ferritin-labeled antibody. The distribution of cytochrome b5 in rat liver microsomes, and in two microsomal subfractions isolated by density equilibration in a linear sucrose gradient, was studied under the electron microscope by means of a ferritin-labeled hybrid anti-cytochrome b5/anti-ferritin antibody. Results of this study show that cytochrome b5 is present in essentially all microsomal vesicles derived from endoplasmic reticulum (ER), whether rough or smooth. Thus, the dissociation of ER constituents into two groups (b and c), achieved by subfractionating microsomes by isopycnic centrifugation (Beaufay, H., A. Amar-Costesec, D. Thines-Sempoux, M. Wibo, M. Robbi, and J. Berthet. 1974. J. Cell Biol. 61:213-231), does not reflect the association of each group with distinct microsomal particles but reflects rather an enzymatic heterogeneity of the ER: the ratio of group c to group b enzymes increasing with the density and ribosome load of the particles.", "PMID": 791955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9371", "title": "Preparation and characterization of plasma membrane-enriched fractions from rat pancreatic islets.", "content": "Methods have been developed for the isolation on a semi-micro scale of a plasma membrane-enriched fraction from rat islets of Langerhans. An important feature of these experiments is the use of 125I-labeled wheat germ agglutinin as a specific probe for plasma membrane-containing fractions. The partly purified plasma membrane fraction had a density in sucrose of about 1.10 and was enriched in the activities of 5'-nucleotidase, alkaline phosphatase, sodium-potassium, and magnesium-dependent ATPase and adenylate cyclase. It contained only very low levels of acid phosphatase, cytochrome c oxidase, insulin, and RNA. Further purification was hampered by the relatively small amounts of fresh plasma membrane material that could be obtained from 16-24 rats in each experiment. When islets were prelabeled with radioactive fucose, the plasma membrane-enriched fraction contained radioactivity at a four- to fivefold higher specific acivity than the whole islet homogenate. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of plasma membrane-enriched fractions pooled from several experiments revealed a distinctive pattern of protein bands as compared with other less pure fractions. With respect to rapidity, apparent specificity, and easy reversibility of the labeling of the plasma membrane fraction, 125I-wheat germ agglutinin provides a highly useful tool for the detection of microgram quantities of plasma membrane components which should be applicable to many other systems as well.", "contents": "Preparation and characterization of plasma membrane-enriched fractions from rat pancreatic islets. Methods have been developed for the isolation on a semi-micro scale of a plasma membrane-enriched fraction from rat islets of Langerhans. An important feature of these experiments is the use of 125I-labeled wheat germ agglutinin as a specific probe for plasma membrane-containing fractions. The partly purified plasma membrane fraction had a density in sucrose of about 1.10 and was enriched in the activities of 5'-nucleotidase, alkaline phosphatase, sodium-potassium, and magnesium-dependent ATPase and adenylate cyclase. It contained only very low levels of acid phosphatase, cytochrome c oxidase, insulin, and RNA. Further purification was hampered by the relatively small amounts of fresh plasma membrane material that could be obtained from 16-24 rats in each experiment. When islets were prelabeled with radioactive fucose, the plasma membrane-enriched fraction contained radioactivity at a four- to fivefold higher specific acivity than the whole islet homogenate. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of plasma membrane-enriched fractions pooled from several experiments revealed a distinctive pattern of protein bands as compared with other less pure fractions. With respect to rapidity, apparent specificity, and easy reversibility of the labeling of the plasma membrane fraction, 125I-wheat germ agglutinin provides a highly useful tool for the detection of microgram quantities of plasma membrane components which should be applicable to many other systems as well.", "PMID": 791956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9372", "title": "Mycotic aneurysm of the innominate artery with supravalvular aortic stenosis.", "content": "A case of mycotic innominate artery aneurysm in association with supravalvular aortic stenosis has been presented with successful resection as the first such case documented. Blood flow was restored with low cervical autogenous internal jugular vein, as an end-to-side vein graft from the left common carotid and end-to-end to the right subclavian and right common carotid arteries. The future repair of the supravalvular aortic stenosis could then be more easily accomplished.", "contents": "Mycotic aneurysm of the innominate artery with supravalvular aortic stenosis. A case of mycotic innominate artery aneurysm in association with supravalvular aortic stenosis has been presented with successful resection as the first such case documented. Blood flow was restored with low cervical autogenous internal jugular vein, as an end-to-side vein graft from the left common carotid and end-to-end to the right subclavian and right common carotid arteries. The future repair of the supravalvular aortic stenosis could then be more easily accomplished.", "PMID": 791953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9373", "title": "Microtubules and pancreatic amylase release by mouse pancreas in vitro.", "content": "The effects of vinblastine and colchicine on pancreatic acinar cells were studied by use of in vitro mouse pancreatic fragments. Vinblastine inhibited the release of amylase stimulated by bethanechol, caerulein, or ionophore A23187. Inhibition required preincubation with vinblastine,and maximum inhibition was observed after 90 min. Inhibition was relatively irreversible and could not be overcome by a high concentration of stimulant. Inhibition could also be produced by colchicine although longer preincubation was required and inhibition was only partial. Uptake of [3H]vinblastine and [3H]colchicine by pancreatic fragments was measured and found not to be responsible for the slow onset of inhibition by these drugs. In incubated pancreas, microtubules were present primarily in the apical pole of the cell and in association with the Golgi region. Vinblastine, under time and dose conditions that inhibited the release of stimulated amylase, also reduced the number of microtubules. The only other consistent structural effects of vinblastine were the presence of vinblastine-induced crystals and an increased incidence of autophagy. The remainder of cell structure was not affected nor were overall tissue ATP and electrolyte contents or the stimulant-induced increase in 45Ca++ efflux. It is concluded that the antisecretory effects of vinblastine and colchicine are consistent with a microtubular action, but that acinar cell microtubules are more resistant to the drugs than many other cell types.", "contents": "Microtubules and pancreatic amylase release by mouse pancreas in vitro. The effects of vinblastine and colchicine on pancreatic acinar cells were studied by use of in vitro mouse pancreatic fragments. Vinblastine inhibited the release of amylase stimulated by bethanechol, caerulein, or ionophore A23187. Inhibition required preincubation with vinblastine,and maximum inhibition was observed after 90 min. Inhibition was relatively irreversible and could not be overcome by a high concentration of stimulant. Inhibition could also be produced by colchicine although longer preincubation was required and inhibition was only partial. Uptake of [3H]vinblastine and [3H]colchicine by pancreatic fragments was measured and found not to be responsible for the slow onset of inhibition by these drugs. In incubated pancreas, microtubules were present primarily in the apical pole of the cell and in association with the Golgi region. Vinblastine, under time and dose conditions that inhibited the release of stimulated amylase, also reduced the number of microtubules. The only other consistent structural effects of vinblastine were the presence of vinblastine-induced crystals and an increased incidence of autophagy. The remainder of cell structure was not affected nor were overall tissue ATP and electrolyte contents or the stimulant-induced increase in 45Ca++ efflux. It is concluded that the antisecretory effects of vinblastine and colchicine are consistent with a microtubular action, but that acinar cell microtubules are more resistant to the drugs than many other cell types.", "PMID": 791957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9374", "title": "Clinical evaluation of the minitek differential system for identification of Enterobacteriaceae.", "content": "Forty-one stock organisms and 581 fresh clinical isolates were used in comparing the Minitek system to conventional tubed media to determine if this system is feasible and accurate for a high-volume clinical microbiology laboratory. In addition to comparison with tubed media, the following parameters were tested: (i) reproducibility of disks, (ii) the effect of variation in inoculum size, (iii) the effect of the age of culture, and (iv) the effect of predispensing disks. A total of 5,947 disks were compared with tube reactions; 95.9% agreed on the initial reading. After repeating questionable tube and disk reactions, this agreement rose to 98.2%. Using the disk reactions and the identification schema currently in use with tubed media, 94.9% of the Minitek final identifications agreed with those of tubed media; 1.5% gave differing identifications and 3.6% were inconclusive. This system is accurate, inexpensive, flexible, and convenient.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of the minitek differential system for identification of Enterobacteriaceae. Forty-one stock organisms and 581 fresh clinical isolates were used in comparing the Minitek system to conventional tubed media to determine if this system is feasible and accurate for a high-volume clinical microbiology laboratory. In addition to comparison with tubed media, the following parameters were tested: (i) reproducibility of disks, (ii) the effect of variation in inoculum size, (iii) the effect of the age of culture, and (iv) the effect of predispensing disks. A total of 5,947 disks were compared with tube reactions; 95.9% agreed on the initial reading. After repeating questionable tube and disk reactions, this agreement rose to 98.2%. Using the disk reactions and the identification schema currently in use with tubed media, 94.9% of the Minitek final identifications agreed with those of tubed media; 1.5% gave differing identifications and 3.6% were inconclusive. This system is accurate, inexpensive, flexible, and convenient.", "PMID": 791964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9375", "title": "Evaluation of the fluorescent gonococcal test-heated.", "content": "In a 1-year evaluation of the indirect fluorescent antibody test for gonorrhea, 16,127 specimens from low-and high-risk groups were examined, and the results were compared with culture, history of exposure to a known patient, and clinical signs and symptoms. The results confirmed the usefulness of the indirect fluorescent antibody test for gonorrhea as a screening procedure, especially for women in the low-risk group. The test is more economic and probably more sensitive than culture for mass screening of asymptomatic women.", "contents": "Evaluation of the fluorescent gonococcal test-heated. In a 1-year evaluation of the indirect fluorescent antibody test for gonorrhea, 16,127 specimens from low-and high-risk groups were examined, and the results were compared with culture, history of exposure to a known patient, and clinical signs and symptoms. The results confirmed the usefulness of the indirect fluorescent antibody test for gonorrhea as a screening procedure, especially for women in the low-risk group. The test is more economic and probably more sensitive than culture for mass screening of asymptomatic women.", "PMID": 791965} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9376", "title": "Evaluation of four methods for detection of group B streptococcal colonization.", "content": "Four methods (streak plate, pour plate, selective broth, and direct fluorescent-antibody staining) were evaluated for their ability to detect group B streptococcal colonization in parturient women and their offspring. When colonization was defined as a positive culture by any method from any site, selective broth was the most sensitive method, detecting 100% of colonized mothers and infants at birth and 48 h of age. This method failed to detect only one colonized individual (infant at 24 h of age). The other three methods detected from 20 to 56% of colonized individuals.", "contents": "Evaluation of four methods for detection of group B streptococcal colonization. Four methods (streak plate, pour plate, selective broth, and direct fluorescent-antibody staining) were evaluated for their ability to detect group B streptococcal colonization in parturient women and their offspring. When colonization was defined as a positive culture by any method from any site, selective broth was the most sensitive method, detecting 100% of colonized mothers and infants at birth and 48 h of age. This method failed to detect only one colonized individual (infant at 24 h of age). The other three methods detected from 20 to 56% of colonized individuals.", "PMID": 791966} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9377", "title": "Hemolysis-in-gel test for demonstration of Chlamydia antibodies.", "content": "Sheep erythrocytes were coated with antigens of a strain of Chlamydia trachomatis serotype D. Chlamydial antibodies in sera from patients with salpingitis or pneumonia were demonstrated by passive hemolysis in agarose gel.", "contents": "Hemolysis-in-gel test for demonstration of Chlamydia antibodies. Sheep erythrocytes were coated with antigens of a strain of Chlamydia trachomatis serotype D. Chlamydial antibodies in sera from patients with salpingitis or pneumonia were demonstrated by passive hemolysis in agarose gel.", "PMID": 791967} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9378", "title": "Basophils in tuberculin and \"Jones-Mote\" delayed reactions of humans.", "content": "Jones-Mote reactions are delayed, erythematous, and mildly indurated cutaneous reactions originally described in humans sensitized by skin injection of heterologous proteins. Similar reactions in guinea pigs contain many basophils and are called cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity. In contrast, guinea pigs immunized with mycobacterial adjuvants have classical tuberculin-type delayed hypersensitivity reactions, which contain few basophils. This has led to a new classification of delayed responses, based largely on the presence or absence of basophils. We induced sensitization for Jones-Mote reactions in 20 normal humans by intradermal injections of keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Skin tests with KLH 1 wk later showed erythematous and indurated delyaed reactions in all subjects. Rebuck skin windows showed specific accumulations of basophils with a delayed time-course in 18 of 20 subjects. In 12 normals sensitized with oxazolone-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugates, skin reactions and in vitro lymphocyte stimulation showed carrier and not hapten specificity, suggesting that cutaneous responses were probably mediated by T cells. A comparative study of strongly positive PPD skin tests in patients with tuberculosis showed significant basophil accumulations in five of nine subjects. Thus, basophils occurred in human tuberculin and Jones-Mote reactions and were not a distinguishing feature of Jones-Mote reactions. We suggest that the occurrence of basophils at delayed reactions is under complex regulation and that basophil accumulations are an aspect of delayed hypersensitivity, rather than an indication of a distinctive and separate response.", "contents": "Basophils in tuberculin and \"Jones-Mote\" delayed reactions of humans. Jones-Mote reactions are delayed, erythematous, and mildly indurated cutaneous reactions originally described in humans sensitized by skin injection of heterologous proteins. Similar reactions in guinea pigs contain many basophils and are called cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity. In contrast, guinea pigs immunized with mycobacterial adjuvants have classical tuberculin-type delayed hypersensitivity reactions, which contain few basophils. This has led to a new classification of delayed responses, based largely on the presence or absence of basophils. We induced sensitization for Jones-Mote reactions in 20 normal humans by intradermal injections of keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Skin tests with KLH 1 wk later showed erythematous and indurated delyaed reactions in all subjects. Rebuck skin windows showed specific accumulations of basophils with a delayed time-course in 18 of 20 subjects. In 12 normals sensitized with oxazolone-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugates, skin reactions and in vitro lymphocyte stimulation showed carrier and not hapten specificity, suggesting that cutaneous responses were probably mediated by T cells. A comparative study of strongly positive PPD skin tests in patients with tuberculosis showed significant basophil accumulations in five of nine subjects. Thus, basophils occurred in human tuberculin and Jones-Mote reactions and were not a distinguishing feature of Jones-Mote reactions. We suggest that the occurrence of basophils at delayed reactions is under complex regulation and that basophil accumulations are an aspect of delayed hypersensitivity, rather than an indication of a distinctive and separate response.", "PMID": 791969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9379", "title": "Cutaneous antigen-stimulating lymphokine production by lymphocytes of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).", "content": "Cell-mediated immunity to skin extracts was studied by the macrophage migration inhibition test, lymphocyte transformation, and direct cytotoxicity to skin fibroblasts, in normal individuals and patients with progressive systemic sclerosis. The latter included 18 individuals with diffuse scleroderma and 12 with the CREST syndrome, a variant form of systemic sclerosis in which there is more limited involvement of the skin. Controls consisted of 13 patients with other connective tissue diseases and 16 normal individuals. Phosphate-buffered saline and 3 M KCl extracts of both normal and sclerodermatous skin were used as antigens. No evidence of lymphocyte reactivity was found by the lymphocyte transformation and direct cytotoxicity test procedures. However, the lymphocytes of patients with diffuse scleroderma did respond to extracts of both normal and sclerodermatous skin in the migration inhibition assay. 10 of 16 patients (62.5%) had migration indices below 2 SD of the normal range, 1 of 10 CREST patients and 1 of 13 patients with other connective tissue diseases showed similar reactivity. Antisera specific for immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes (B lymphocytes) and T lymphocytes were used to characterize the lymphocytes found in skin biopsies of patients with diffuse scleroderma. T lymphocytes made up the majority of lymphocytes in the skin infiltrates. These findings suggest that lymphocytes sensitized to skin extracts are present in patients with diffuse scleroderma. The cell-mediated immune reaction to skin antigens may be a factor in the pathogenesis of diffuse scleroderma.", "contents": "Cutaneous antigen-stimulating lymphokine production by lymphocytes of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Cell-mediated immunity to skin extracts was studied by the macrophage migration inhibition test, lymphocyte transformation, and direct cytotoxicity to skin fibroblasts, in normal individuals and patients with progressive systemic sclerosis. The latter included 18 individuals with diffuse scleroderma and 12 with the CREST syndrome, a variant form of systemic sclerosis in which there is more limited involvement of the skin. Controls consisted of 13 patients with other connective tissue diseases and 16 normal individuals. Phosphate-buffered saline and 3 M KCl extracts of both normal and sclerodermatous skin were used as antigens. No evidence of lymphocyte reactivity was found by the lymphocyte transformation and direct cytotoxicity test procedures. However, the lymphocytes of patients with diffuse scleroderma did respond to extracts of both normal and sclerodermatous skin in the migration inhibition assay. 10 of 16 patients (62.5%) had migration indices below 2 SD of the normal range, 1 of 10 CREST patients and 1 of 13 patients with other connective tissue diseases showed similar reactivity. Antisera specific for immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes (B lymphocytes) and T lymphocytes were used to characterize the lymphocytes found in skin biopsies of patients with diffuse scleroderma. T lymphocytes made up the majority of lymphocytes in the skin infiltrates. These findings suggest that lymphocytes sensitized to skin extracts are present in patients with diffuse scleroderma. The cell-mediated immune reaction to skin antigens may be a factor in the pathogenesis of diffuse scleroderma.", "PMID": 791970} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9380", "title": "Testing therapeutic measures for controlling chronic gingivitis in man: the results of two studies.", "content": "A previous paper described a suggested protocol which could be used for testing therapeutic measures. In this paper the protocol has been used as a basis for testing experimental toothpastes over short and medium periods of time. The effects on plaque and gingivitis of a chlorhexidine paste used for 4 weeks, and of two other experimental products used over 8 weeks, have been investigated. Statistically significant improvements in gingivitis were observed during the use of chlorhexidine and one of the experimental pastes compared with their respective placebo pastes. The benefit observed for the experimental paste became evident when the data were analyzed considering only participants with 'frank' gingivitis. The findings have also been presented in various ways in attempts to express the benefits of the therapeutic measures in clinical terms by using arbitrarily determined success criteria.", "contents": "Testing therapeutic measures for controlling chronic gingivitis in man: the results of two studies. A previous paper described a suggested protocol which could be used for testing therapeutic measures. In this paper the protocol has been used as a basis for testing experimental toothpastes over short and medium periods of time. The effects on plaque and gingivitis of a chlorhexidine paste used for 4 weeks, and of two other experimental products used over 8 weeks, have been investigated. Statistically significant improvements in gingivitis were observed during the use of chlorhexidine and one of the experimental pastes compared with their respective placebo pastes. The benefit observed for the experimental paste became evident when the data were analyzed considering only participants with 'frank' gingivitis. The findings have also been presented in various ways in attempts to express the benefits of the therapeutic measures in clinical terms by using arbitrarily determined success criteria.", "PMID": 791971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9381", "title": "Subepidermal bullous disease. A correlated clinico-pathologic study of 51 cases.", "content": "The histologic features of 51 cases of subepidermal bullous disease were evaluated and correlated with the clinical features including the course of the disease and the response to therapy. There was a good clinico-pathologic correlation, 46 out of 51 cases showing concordant clinical and histologic diagnoses. We conclude that although immunofluorescence is a confirmatory procedure histologic diagnosis is still of great value, particularly in the early stages of the disease when the clinical features may not yet have evolved sufficiently to allow for a confident diagnosis.", "contents": "Subepidermal bullous disease. A correlated clinico-pathologic study of 51 cases. The histologic features of 51 cases of subepidermal bullous disease were evaluated and correlated with the clinical features including the course of the disease and the response to therapy. There was a good clinico-pathologic correlation, 46 out of 51 cases showing concordant clinical and histologic diagnoses. We conclude that although immunofluorescence is a confirmatory procedure histologic diagnosis is still of great value, particularly in the early stages of the disease when the clinical features may not yet have evolved sufficiently to allow for a confident diagnosis.", "PMID": 791977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9382", "title": "Combined routes of administration to assay oral analgesia in postoperative pain.", "content": "To increase the sensitivity of the method for evaluating oral analgesics in postoperative patients, we designed a combined oral/parenteral bioassay. Drugs studied were parenteral morphine, parenteral propiram, and oral codeine at two dose levels each and oral propiram at four dose levels. Results from data on 308 patients suggest that future studies designed to establish the relative potencies of oral analgesics should use parenteral morphine as the standard in a combined oral/parenteral study because this approach provides a very sensitive measure of analgesia. Further, with one drug as the reference compound, results from many sources would be more readily compared.", "contents": "Combined routes of administration to assay oral analgesia in postoperative pain. To increase the sensitivity of the method for evaluating oral analgesics in postoperative patients, we designed a combined oral/parenteral bioassay. Drugs studied were parenteral morphine, parenteral propiram, and oral codeine at two dose levels each and oral propiram at four dose levels. Results from data on 308 patients suggest that future studies designed to establish the relative potencies of oral analgesics should use parenteral morphine as the standard in a combined oral/parenteral study because this approach provides a very sensitive measure of analgesia. Further, with one drug as the reference compound, results from many sources would be more readily compared.", "PMID": 791972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9383", "title": "Effect of food on the bioavailability of prednisone.", "content": "Two commercial prednisone tablets were studied which had previously been shown by Sullivan et al.5,6 to have the slowest and fastest in vitro rates of dissolution, and the slowest and fastest rise to peak plasma prednisolone concentrations in human beings. The effect of food on the adsorption of these two tablets was studied in a crossover study, which also repeated the fasting conditions used by Sullivan et al.6 Marked differences in mean prednisolone plasma concentrations during the 0- to 2-hour absorption phase were observed between the two tablets again, but food did not affect either tablet with respect to mean plasma prednisolone concentrations.", "contents": "Effect of food on the bioavailability of prednisone. Two commercial prednisone tablets were studied which had previously been shown by Sullivan et al.5,6 to have the slowest and fastest in vitro rates of dissolution, and the slowest and fastest rise to peak plasma prednisolone concentrations in human beings. The effect of food on the adsorption of these two tablets was studied in a crossover study, which also repeated the fasting conditions used by Sullivan et al.6 Marked differences in mean prednisolone plasma concentrations during the 0- to 2-hour absorption phase were observed between the two tablets again, but food did not affect either tablet with respect to mean plasma prednisolone concentrations.", "PMID": 791973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9384", "title": "Action of milk-clotting enzymes on beta-caseins from buffalo's and cow's milk.", "content": "beta-Caseins isolated from buffalo's and cow's milk were hydrolysed either with rennet or with microbial proteases from Mucor miehei, M. pusillus Lindt or Endothia parasitica. The degradation products were separated by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and the residual beta-casein was determined quantitatively after various times. The electrophoretic patterns of the degradation products of buffalo and bovine beta-casein produced by the different enzymes were not identical. beta-Casein of buffalo's milk was hydrolysed by rennet and M. miehei protease at a slower rate than that of cow's milk. The reverse was found with E. parasitica and M. pusillus Lindt proteases. Carbamylation of buffalo beta-casein was found to retard its proteolysis by all the enzymes but particularly by rennet and M. miehei protease.", "contents": "Action of milk-clotting enzymes on beta-caseins from buffalo's and cow's milk. beta-Caseins isolated from buffalo's and cow's milk were hydrolysed either with rennet or with microbial proteases from Mucor miehei, M. pusillus Lindt or Endothia parasitica. The degradation products were separated by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and the residual beta-casein was determined quantitatively after various times. The electrophoretic patterns of the degradation products of buffalo and bovine beta-casein produced by the different enzymes were not identical. beta-Casein of buffalo's milk was hydrolysed by rennet and M. miehei protease at a slower rate than that of cow's milk. The reverse was found with E. parasitica and M. pusillus Lindt proteases. Carbamylation of buffalo beta-casein was found to retard its proteolysis by all the enzymes but particularly by rennet and M. miehei protease.", "PMID": 791978} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9385", "title": "Parkinsonism and levodopa: a five-year experience.", "content": "Seventy parkinsonian patients were treated continuously with levodopa for five years. During the first year, sixty-three patients (90 per cent) improved. After five years, however, only thirty-seven patients remained improved while thirty-three patients (48 per cent) experienced progressive disease. Complications of treatment, albeit nonfatal, increased in frequency during the five-year interval. The reason for early improvement and subsequent deterioration of parkinsonian symptoms and signs in spite of levodopa therapy remains unexplained. It suggests that Parkinson's disease may not be simply a striatal dopamine deficiency syndrome and that treatment with levodopa is more than replacement therapy.", "contents": "Parkinsonism and levodopa: a five-year experience. Seventy parkinsonian patients were treated continuously with levodopa for five years. During the first year, sixty-three patients (90 per cent) improved. After five years, however, only thirty-seven patients remained improved while thirty-three patients (48 per cent) experienced progressive disease. Complications of treatment, albeit nonfatal, increased in frequency during the five-year interval. The reason for early improvement and subsequent deterioration of parkinsonian symptoms and signs in spite of levodopa therapy remains unexplained. It suggests that Parkinson's disease may not be simply a striatal dopamine deficiency syndrome and that treatment with levodopa is more than replacement therapy.", "PMID": 791974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9386", "title": "The use of epidermis over a keloid as an autograft after resection of the keloid.", "content": "A technique is described using the epithelium over a keloid as a graft after excision of the keloid. Advantages of this procedure are availability of skin and avoidance of the danger of keloid formation in a distant donor site. Results in a series of five patients followed for five years were satisfactory in three.", "contents": "The use of epidermis over a keloid as an autograft after resection of the keloid. A technique is described using the epithelium over a keloid as a graft after excision of the keloid. Advantages of this procedure are availability of skin and avoidance of the danger of keloid formation in a distant donor site. Results in a series of five patients followed for five years were satisfactory in three.", "PMID": 791987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9387", "title": "The mode of action of aspirin and similar compounds.", "content": "Aspirin-like drugs inhibit the biosynthesis of prostaglandins in all tissues and species so far studied. The concentrations necessary for this action are achieved after therapeutic dosage. The evidence is reviewed which establishes this biochemical action as the basic mode of therapeutic action of aspirin-like drugs as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic compounds. It may also account for the shared side effects, including the hypersensitivity to aspirin-like drugs shown by some allergic patients.", "contents": "The mode of action of aspirin and similar compounds. Aspirin-like drugs inhibit the biosynthesis of prostaglandins in all tissues and species so far studied. The concentrations necessary for this action are achieved after therapeutic dosage. The evidence is reviewed which establishes this biochemical action as the basic mode of therapeutic action of aspirin-like drugs as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic compounds. It may also account for the shared side effects, including the hypersensitivity to aspirin-like drugs shown by some allergic patients.", "PMID": 791988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9388", "title": "Identification and study of species specificity of antiphage lipopolysaccharides found in the preparations of bacterial DNA.", "content": "A method of isolation of the antiphage agent found in the preparations of bacterial DNA was developed. Chemical analysis of the preparations has shown that according to their qualitative and quantitative composition they are identical to the lipopolysaccharide of the bacterial membrane. On the basis of data on the antiphage activity of the D-LPS from E. coli B and E. coli K12 and on the basis of presumed analogy between the inactivation of the phage by the D-LPS preparations and the phage--cell interaction it is believed that different parts of the LPS serve as receptors for the phages T7 and T4: O-specific polysaccharide for T4 and core LPS for T7. On the basis of data on the activity of D-LPS of two species of the genus Aerobacter against the phage T7 it is presumed that Aerobacer and Escherichia are related according to the structure of their core LPS.", "contents": "Identification and study of species specificity of antiphage lipopolysaccharides found in the preparations of bacterial DNA. A method of isolation of the antiphage agent found in the preparations of bacterial DNA was developed. Chemical analysis of the preparations has shown that according to their qualitative and quantitative composition they are identical to the lipopolysaccharide of the bacterial membrane. On the basis of data on the antiphage activity of the D-LPS from E. coli B and E. coli K12 and on the basis of presumed analogy between the inactivation of the phage by the D-LPS preparations and the phage--cell interaction it is believed that different parts of the LPS serve as receptors for the phages T7 and T4: O-specific polysaccharide for T4 and core LPS for T7. On the basis of data on the activity of D-LPS of two species of the genus Aerobacter against the phage T7 it is presumed that Aerobacer and Escherichia are related according to the structure of their core LPS.", "PMID": 792328} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9389", "title": "The agglutinating and immunofluorescent activities of antileptospiral antibodies of human sera and of immunoglobulins M and G.", "content": "Microagglutinating and immunofluorescent activities of sera of nine patients with clinically diagnosed leptospirosis were investigated. L. grippotyphosa was found in seven patients, L. sejroe in one and L. icterohaemorrhagiae in one patient. The agglutinating activities of IgM approximated the activities of the whole sera. In five patients the agglutinating activities were found in IgG; in four of them two to three months after the onset of the disease, in one patient a month after its onset. In one patient only the activity of IgG reached the activity of IgM after six months. Immunofluorescent activity was found in IgG in eight patients two to five weeks after the onset of the disease. In seven of these patients the activity of IgG reached or exceeded the activity of IgM three to ten weeks after the onset of the disease. IFAT was found to be poorly specific because of high heterologous titres. In 5 out of 7 patients with L. grippotyphosa, heterologous IFAT titres were reduced or eliminated by carrying out the reaction with isolated IgM and IgG. However, in patients with L. icterohaemorrhagiae and with L. sejroe heterologous IFAT activity persisted in both IgM and IgG. The study points out the possibility of differentiating an early stage of the infection from convalescence.", "contents": "The agglutinating and immunofluorescent activities of antileptospiral antibodies of human sera and of immunoglobulins M and G. Microagglutinating and immunofluorescent activities of sera of nine patients with clinically diagnosed leptospirosis were investigated. L. grippotyphosa was found in seven patients, L. sejroe in one and L. icterohaemorrhagiae in one patient. The agglutinating activities of IgM approximated the activities of the whole sera. In five patients the agglutinating activities were found in IgG; in four of them two to three months after the onset of the disease, in one patient a month after its onset. In one patient only the activity of IgG reached the activity of IgM after six months. Immunofluorescent activity was found in IgG in eight patients two to five weeks after the onset of the disease. In seven of these patients the activity of IgG reached or exceeded the activity of IgM three to ten weeks after the onset of the disease. IFAT was found to be poorly specific because of high heterologous titres. In 5 out of 7 patients with L. grippotyphosa, heterologous IFAT titres were reduced or eliminated by carrying out the reaction with isolated IgM and IgG. However, in patients with L. icterohaemorrhagiae and with L. sejroe heterologous IFAT activity persisted in both IgM and IgG. The study points out the possibility of differentiating an early stage of the infection from convalescence.", "PMID": 792329} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9390", "title": "Antibody response to lymphoma antigens in syngeneic and H-2 compatible mice.", "content": "The antibody response to immunization with A/J lymphoma L1117 cells by syngeneic A/J mice and by H-2 compatible B10.A mice has been show- to be highly specific for tumor antigens of the lymphoma cells. In both strains the response exhibits a very slow rise in cytotoxic antibody levels reaching a maximum only after 3 months of biweekly injections. It is also unusual in that cytotoxic activity is primarily due to IgM antibodies even after 20 weeks of immunization. The similarity between these characteristics and those reported for \"T-independent\" antigens suggests that tumor antigens on L1117 cells may be unable to stimulate helper T cells.", "contents": "Antibody response to lymphoma antigens in syngeneic and H-2 compatible mice. The antibody response to immunization with A/J lymphoma L1117 cells by syngeneic A/J mice and by H-2 compatible B10.A mice has been show- to be highly specific for tumor antigens of the lymphoma cells. In both strains the response exhibits a very slow rise in cytotoxic antibody levels reaching a maximum only after 3 months of biweekly injections. It is also unusual in that cytotoxic activity is primarily due to IgM antibodies even after 20 weeks of immunization. The similarity between these characteristics and those reported for \"T-independent\" antigens suggests that tumor antigens on L1117 cells may be unable to stimulate helper T cells.", "PMID": 792331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9391", "title": "Binding of IgE myeloma proteins to human cultured lymphoblastoid cells.", "content": "The binding of human IgE myeloma proteins to 16 human cultured lymphoblastoid cell lines was studied by measuring specific uptake of radiolabeled deaggregated IgE myeloma proteins and/or E-IgE rosette formation. Eight lines, RPMI-8866, Wil-2WT, RPMI-6410, RPMI-1788, RPMI-4265, Clowers, COLO-59 and Victor, bound IgE as shown by at least one of these methods. The lines, RPMI-4098, SCRF-5004, NC-37, Daudi, Raji, P3JHR-1, RPMI-1301 and Molt-4 did not bind IgE. Of the positive cell lines, 58 to 98% of the cells formed E-IgE rosetts. The binding of IgE was Fc fragment specific. It could only be inhibited by human IgE and its Fc fragment but not by IgE Fab fragments and Ig of other classes. The binding of IgE also appeared to be species specific, since a rat IgE myeloma protein did neither bind to the cells nor inhibit the binding of human IgE. The binding of IgE was relatively temperature independent and was abolished by trypsin and pronase pretreatment of the cells. Most of the cell lines binding IgE did not bind IgG but had surface immunoglobulin and did not form spontaneous E rosettes. These data suggest that certain lymphoblastoid cells may have receptors for IgE.", "contents": "Binding of IgE myeloma proteins to human cultured lymphoblastoid cells. The binding of human IgE myeloma proteins to 16 human cultured lymphoblastoid cell lines was studied by measuring specific uptake of radiolabeled deaggregated IgE myeloma proteins and/or E-IgE rosette formation. Eight lines, RPMI-8866, Wil-2WT, RPMI-6410, RPMI-1788, RPMI-4265, Clowers, COLO-59 and Victor, bound IgE as shown by at least one of these methods. The lines, RPMI-4098, SCRF-5004, NC-37, Daudi, Raji, P3JHR-1, RPMI-1301 and Molt-4 did not bind IgE. Of the positive cell lines, 58 to 98% of the cells formed E-IgE rosetts. The binding of IgE was Fc fragment specific. It could only be inhibited by human IgE and its Fc fragment but not by IgE Fab fragments and Ig of other classes. The binding of IgE also appeared to be species specific, since a rat IgE myeloma protein did neither bind to the cells nor inhibit the binding of human IgE. The binding of IgE was relatively temperature independent and was abolished by trypsin and pronase pretreatment of the cells. Most of the cell lines binding IgE did not bind IgG but had surface immunoglobulin and did not form spontaneous E rosettes. These data suggest that certain lymphoblastoid cells may have receptors for IgE.", "PMID": 792332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9392", "title": "Specific lysis of human colon tumor cells by antibodies to CEA and isoantigen A: dependence on rabbit serum or neuraminidase.", "content": "The 51Cr cytotoxicity test was used to measure specific antibody reactions against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and isoantigen A on the surface of human colon tumor cells. When human serum or guinea pig serum was used as a source of complement, no anti-CEA or anti-isoantigen A cytotoxicity was demonstrable despite binding of specific antibodies and activation of complement at least through the C3 component on the cell surface. In contrast, specific anti-CEA and anti-isoantigen A cytotoxicity was demonstrated when rabbit serum was used as a source of complement. Specific antibody-mediated cell lysis was also achieved with guinea pig complement if the cells were treated with neuraminidase before testing. These results support the concept that certain tumor cells have surface properties that render them resistant to immune lysis.", "contents": "Specific lysis of human colon tumor cells by antibodies to CEA and isoantigen A: dependence on rabbit serum or neuraminidase. The 51Cr cytotoxicity test was used to measure specific antibody reactions against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and isoantigen A on the surface of human colon tumor cells. When human serum or guinea pig serum was used as a source of complement, no anti-CEA or anti-isoantigen A cytotoxicity was demonstrable despite binding of specific antibodies and activation of complement at least through the C3 component on the cell surface. In contrast, specific anti-CEA and anti-isoantigen A cytotoxicity was demonstrated when rabbit serum was used as a source of complement. Specific antibody-mediated cell lysis was also achieved with guinea pig complement if the cells were treated with neuraminidase before testing. These results support the concept that certain tumor cells have surface properties that render them resistant to immune lysis.", "PMID": 792333} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9393", "title": "Anti-lymphokine antibody. II. Specificity of biological activity.", "content": "The present study was designed to explore the range of biologic activity of an anti-lymphokine antiserum (ALKS). This preparation, which was produced by a two-stage immunization procedure, was used to prepare Sepharose bead immunoadsorbent columns. Columns made with ALKS, but not with anti-control antiserum, could specifically remove MIF activity, but not LT, MF, or NCF activity from activated lymphocyte culture supernatants. MIF but not LT, MF, or NCF could be recovered from the beads by acid extraction. These findings, taken in conjunction with the previously described capacity of ALKS to remove MCF and SRF activity from supernatants, demonstrated that ALKS although prepared against a lymphokine preparation with multiple activities, has restricted specificity. Thus far, its traget appear to be those mediators that affect macrophages either in vitro or in vivo. The capacity of ALKS to suppress delayed hypersensitivity reactions in the guinea pig is consistent with these observations, since the macrophage is the predominant infiltrating cell in those reactions.", "contents": "Anti-lymphokine antibody. II. Specificity of biological activity. The present study was designed to explore the range of biologic activity of an anti-lymphokine antiserum (ALKS). This preparation, which was produced by a two-stage immunization procedure, was used to prepare Sepharose bead immunoadsorbent columns. Columns made with ALKS, but not with anti-control antiserum, could specifically remove MIF activity, but not LT, MF, or NCF activity from activated lymphocyte culture supernatants. MIF but not LT, MF, or NCF could be recovered from the beads by acid extraction. These findings, taken in conjunction with the previously described capacity of ALKS to remove MCF and SRF activity from supernatants, demonstrated that ALKS although prepared against a lymphokine preparation with multiple activities, has restricted specificity. Thus far, its traget appear to be those mediators that affect macrophages either in vitro or in vivo. The capacity of ALKS to suppress delayed hypersensitivity reactions in the guinea pig is consistent with these observations, since the macrophage is the predominant infiltrating cell in those reactions.", "PMID": 792334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9394", "title": "Triggering of human peripheral blood B cells: polyclonal induction and modulation of an in vitro PFC response.", "content": "In the present studies we utilized polyclonal activators to analyze the signals required to induce antibody synthesis by subpopulations of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The in vitro synthesis of antibody directed against sheep erythrocytes was measured by a modification of the Jerne plaque assay. The plaques observed contained central lymphoid cells, could be inhibited by anti-human immunoglobulin, and were strictly dependent on both the addition of complement and viable B lymphocytes actively synthesizing protein. Kinetic analysis showed that the PFC response developed over time during cell culture with peak activity occurring between days 6 and 7. It was found that human peripheral blood B lymphocytes, isolated by Sephadex G-200 anti-Fab column chromatography, were nonspecifically induced by either PWM or soluble products of antigen-activated human T cells to differentiate into PFC. In contrast, unfractionated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Ig- cells isolated from immunoabsorbant columns, and B cells enriched by nylon wool adherence were not triggered to antibody synthesis even in the presence of polyclonal activators. B cells isolated by nylon wool adherence and further fractionated by binding and elution from anti-Fab columns were then readily triggered by PWM to differentiate into PFC. These results suggest that the interaction of human B cells with anti-Fab columns, presumably at the Ig receptor, serves as a signal important in the differentiation events leading to PFC activity. The anti-Fab interaction alone, although critical, was not sufficient to induce the differentiation of precursor cells into PFC since subsequent triggering by antigen-activated T cell supernatants or PWM was required for the development of an optimal PFC response. Additional experimental data demonstrated that the PFC response could be regulated by autologous peripheral Ig- lymphoid cells in vitro. At low concentrations of PWM, Ig- cells consistently augmented the B cell PFC response whereas at high concentrations of PWM, suppression was observed. Depletion of E rosetting cells from the Ig- population eliminated the subset responsible for augmentation but did not eliminate the suppressor cell activity.", "contents": "Triggering of human peripheral blood B cells: polyclonal induction and modulation of an in vitro PFC response. In the present studies we utilized polyclonal activators to analyze the signals required to induce antibody synthesis by subpopulations of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The in vitro synthesis of antibody directed against sheep erythrocytes was measured by a modification of the Jerne plaque assay. The plaques observed contained central lymphoid cells, could be inhibited by anti-human immunoglobulin, and were strictly dependent on both the addition of complement and viable B lymphocytes actively synthesizing protein. Kinetic analysis showed that the PFC response developed over time during cell culture with peak activity occurring between days 6 and 7. It was found that human peripheral blood B lymphocytes, isolated by Sephadex G-200 anti-Fab column chromatography, were nonspecifically induced by either PWM or soluble products of antigen-activated human T cells to differentiate into PFC. In contrast, unfractionated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Ig- cells isolated from immunoabsorbant columns, and B cells enriched by nylon wool adherence were not triggered to antibody synthesis even in the presence of polyclonal activators. B cells isolated by nylon wool adherence and further fractionated by binding and elution from anti-Fab columns were then readily triggered by PWM to differentiate into PFC. These results suggest that the interaction of human B cells with anti-Fab columns, presumably at the Ig receptor, serves as a signal important in the differentiation events leading to PFC activity. The anti-Fab interaction alone, although critical, was not sufficient to induce the differentiation of precursor cells into PFC since subsequent triggering by antigen-activated T cell supernatants or PWM was required for the development of an optimal PFC response. Additional experimental data demonstrated that the PFC response could be regulated by autologous peripheral Ig- lymphoid cells in vitro. At low concentrations of PWM, Ig- cells consistently augmented the B cell PFC response whereas at high concentrations of PWM, suppression was observed. Depletion of E rosetting cells from the Ig- population eliminated the subset responsible for augmentation but did not eliminate the suppressor cell activity.", "PMID": 792335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9395", "title": "Lack of antibody activity directed against the most common human bacteria in human myeloma protein.", "content": "The fact that sera of germ-free animals contain very little Ig suggests that most Ig probably correspond to antibacterial antibodies. We have detected an antibacterial activity against 40 bacterial strains, pathogenic and nonpathogenic, in 85 M-component of human origin. This work has been conducted by indirect immunofluorescence withipure labeled antibodies. The reasons for which indirect immunofluorescence seems to be the best technique for this kind of research are discussed. No activity whatsoever could be detected. The reasons of this lack of activity remain to be explained.", "contents": "Lack of antibody activity directed against the most common human bacteria in human myeloma protein. The fact that sera of germ-free animals contain very little Ig suggests that most Ig probably correspond to antibacterial antibodies. We have detected an antibacterial activity against 40 bacterial strains, pathogenic and nonpathogenic, in 85 M-component of human origin. This work has been conducted by indirect immunofluorescence withipure labeled antibodies. The reasons for which indirect immunofluorescence seems to be the best technique for this kind of research are discussed. No activity whatsoever could be detected. The reasons of this lack of activity remain to be explained.", "PMID": 792336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9396", "title": "Genetic control of B cell activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide is mediated by multiple distinct genes or alleles.", "content": "Eleven closely related C3H mouse strains were examined for differences in their DNA synthetic response to a highly discriminatory endotoxin, LPS Escherichia coli K-235. Strains of the C3H line were found to be either high, intermediate, or low responders to endotoxin. Three stains, C3H/St, C3H/Bi, and C3H/CR were high responders. Six strains, C3H/He, C3HfB/He, C3H/Hen, C3Heb/Fej, C3H/DiSn, and C3H/Avy were intermediate responders, suggesting that a mutation producing decreased LPS responsiveness occurred in the C3H/He(C3H/An) strain between 1931 and 1945. Two strains, C3H/HeJ and C3H/Bts were unresponsive due to a mutation that occurred between 1960 and 1968. Breeding experiments among high, intermediate, and low responding strains documented probable codominant genetic control by the genes or alleles in the C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ strains. In the C3H/HeN x C3H/St cross, dominance of the C3H/St gene over the C3H/He gene was documented, whereas the C3H/HeJ x C3H/St cross indicated codominance of these two genes. These findings may represent either three alleles or three distinct genes in C3H mice. A second X-linked gene locus was documented in the CBA/N strain which also causes impaired B cell responsiveness to LPS E. coli K235 in serum-free conditions. The abnormal gene products in the CBA/N and C3H/HeJ strains exhibit complementarity since F1 female animals from the cross between these two unresponsive strains are responsive to LPS. We conclude that there is at least one distinct X-linked gene locus and either three additional autosomal genes or three possible alleles at one or more autosomal loci which determine the LPS sensitivity of murine B cells.", "contents": "Genetic control of B cell activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide is mediated by multiple distinct genes or alleles. Eleven closely related C3H mouse strains were examined for differences in their DNA synthetic response to a highly discriminatory endotoxin, LPS Escherichia coli K-235. Strains of the C3H line were found to be either high, intermediate, or low responders to endotoxin. Three stains, C3H/St, C3H/Bi, and C3H/CR were high responders. Six strains, C3H/He, C3HfB/He, C3H/Hen, C3Heb/Fej, C3H/DiSn, and C3H/Avy were intermediate responders, suggesting that a mutation producing decreased LPS responsiveness occurred in the C3H/He(C3H/An) strain between 1931 and 1945. Two strains, C3H/HeJ and C3H/Bts were unresponsive due to a mutation that occurred between 1960 and 1968. Breeding experiments among high, intermediate, and low responding strains documented probable codominant genetic control by the genes or alleles in the C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ strains. In the C3H/HeN x C3H/St cross, dominance of the C3H/St gene over the C3H/He gene was documented, whereas the C3H/HeJ x C3H/St cross indicated codominance of these two genes. These findings may represent either three alleles or three distinct genes in C3H mice. A second X-linked gene locus was documented in the CBA/N strain which also causes impaired B cell responsiveness to LPS E. coli K235 in serum-free conditions. The abnormal gene products in the CBA/N and C3H/HeJ strains exhibit complementarity since F1 female animals from the cross between these two unresponsive strains are responsive to LPS. We conclude that there is at least one distinct X-linked gene locus and either three additional autosomal genes or three possible alleles at one or more autosomal loci which determine the LPS sensitivity of murine B cells.", "PMID": 792337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9397", "title": "Antibody-induced modulation of Leishmania donovani surface membrane antigens.", "content": "The effects of specific antibodies on the surface membrane antigens of Leishmania donovani (strain 1S, clone 2D) amastigote and promastigote developmental stages was detected in vitro by using several direct and indirect immunofluorescence methods. Stage specific anti-L. donovani sera and sera from L. donovani-infected hamsters induced parasite surface membrane antigens to aggregate, move along the longitudinal cell axis, form polar cell caps, and subsequently disappear. No membrane fluorescence was observed in cells treated identically with normal sera. In amastigotes in a single anterior cell pole cap was formed after antibody treatment. However, antibody-treated promastigotes showed tripartite membrane antigen capping consisting of a major anterior cell pole cap with minor caps at the posterior cell pole and flagellar tip regions. Loss of surface fluorescence from the two latter capped cell regions was frequently concurrent with the formation of extracellular fluorescent plasmanemes. The cell-capping process was antibody concentration, temperature, time, and energy dependent. No cell caps were formed at low temperature or in the presence of several metabolic inhibitors. Cell cap formation was also selectively inhibited by certain types of antibody-induced intercellular agglutination. Parasite membrane antigens removed by capping were regenerated and detectable at the cell surface only after a 3.5 to 4-hr period. Antibody-induced membrane antigen movement in L. donovani is apparently similar to pheonmena observed with mammalian cells. Results of direct cross-staining and cross-absorption cell-capping experiments showed that the two parasite developmental forms shared some common or at least cross-reacting membrane antigens and that each form also possessed some unique stage-specific surface antigens. Cell-capping results with sera from L. donovani infected hamsters showed that this host produces some IgG which is directed specifically against certain parasite surface membrane antigens. The results suggest that host antibody-induced parasite membrane antigen modulation might have a role in the infectious process of this human pathogen.", "contents": "Antibody-induced modulation of Leishmania donovani surface membrane antigens. The effects of specific antibodies on the surface membrane antigens of Leishmania donovani (strain 1S, clone 2D) amastigote and promastigote developmental stages was detected in vitro by using several direct and indirect immunofluorescence methods. Stage specific anti-L. donovani sera and sera from L. donovani-infected hamsters induced parasite surface membrane antigens to aggregate, move along the longitudinal cell axis, form polar cell caps, and subsequently disappear. No membrane fluorescence was observed in cells treated identically with normal sera. In amastigotes in a single anterior cell pole cap was formed after antibody treatment. However, antibody-treated promastigotes showed tripartite membrane antigen capping consisting of a major anterior cell pole cap with minor caps at the posterior cell pole and flagellar tip regions. Loss of surface fluorescence from the two latter capped cell regions was frequently concurrent with the formation of extracellular fluorescent plasmanemes. The cell-capping process was antibody concentration, temperature, time, and energy dependent. No cell caps were formed at low temperature or in the presence of several metabolic inhibitors. Cell cap formation was also selectively inhibited by certain types of antibody-induced intercellular agglutination. Parasite membrane antigens removed by capping were regenerated and detectable at the cell surface only after a 3.5 to 4-hr period. Antibody-induced membrane antigen movement in L. donovani is apparently similar to pheonmena observed with mammalian cells. Results of direct cross-staining and cross-absorption cell-capping experiments showed that the two parasite developmental forms shared some common or at least cross-reacting membrane antigens and that each form also possessed some unique stage-specific surface antigens. Cell-capping results with sera from L. donovani infected hamsters showed that this host produces some IgG which is directed specifically against certain parasite surface membrane antigens. The results suggest that host antibody-induced parasite membrane antigen modulation might have a role in the infectious process of this human pathogen.", "PMID": 792338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9398", "title": "Activation of human B lymphocytes. II. Cellular interactions in the PFC response of human tonsillar and peripheral blood B lymphocytes to polyclonal activation by pokeweed mitogen.", "content": "A recently described system for the induction and assay of plaque-forming cells (PFC) following polyclonal stimulation of human B lymphocytes was employed to delineate the cellular requirements for pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced activation of human tonsillar and peripheral blood B lymphocytes. It was found that the process was not dependent on the presence of monocytes, but was dependent on the presence of T cells. T cell depleted suspensions of tonsillar as well as peripheral blood lymphocytes had markedly diminished if not absent PFC responses following PWM stimulation. The PFC responses of T cell depleted cultures of tonsil and blood could be reconstituted by adding back T cells. T cell supernatants could also reconstitute the PFC response of T cell depleted tonsillar lymphocytes but not of T cell depleted blood lymphocytes, thus suggesting a more stringent T cell requirement of the PWM-induced PFC response of blood lymphocytes. Enrichment for T cells on the other hand enhanced PFC responses in both organs, particularly in those cultures which had low responses in unfractionated suspensions demonstrating the requirement of optimal T cell help for maximal PFC responses. This study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of this PFC system in elucidating some of the complex regulatory processes associated with the activation of human B lymphocytes.", "contents": "Activation of human B lymphocytes. II. Cellular interactions in the PFC response of human tonsillar and peripheral blood B lymphocytes to polyclonal activation by pokeweed mitogen. A recently described system for the induction and assay of plaque-forming cells (PFC) following polyclonal stimulation of human B lymphocytes was employed to delineate the cellular requirements for pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced activation of human tonsillar and peripheral blood B lymphocytes. It was found that the process was not dependent on the presence of monocytes, but was dependent on the presence of T cells. T cell depleted suspensions of tonsillar as well as peripheral blood lymphocytes had markedly diminished if not absent PFC responses following PWM stimulation. The PFC responses of T cell depleted cultures of tonsil and blood could be reconstituted by adding back T cells. T cell supernatants could also reconstitute the PFC response of T cell depleted tonsillar lymphocytes but not of T cell depleted blood lymphocytes, thus suggesting a more stringent T cell requirement of the PWM-induced PFC response of blood lymphocytes. Enrichment for T cells on the other hand enhanced PFC responses in both organs, particularly in those cultures which had low responses in unfractionated suspensions demonstrating the requirement of optimal T cell help for maximal PFC responses. This study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of this PFC system in elucidating some of the complex regulatory processes associated with the activation of human B lymphocytes.", "PMID": 792339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9399", "title": "The regulation of the immune response to T-independent antigens by prostaglandins and B cells.", "content": "The effect of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis on the in vitro primary immune response to two T-independent antigens has been investigated. The results, with PVP or DNP-Ficoll, suggest that the prostaglandins play an important role in the regulation of the immune response to these antigens. Furthermore, it appears that B cells may be involved in their own regulation by synthesizing and responding to prostaglandins. Although it has been previously established that T cells exert a regulatory influence on the response to PVP and DNP-Ficoll, this is the first demonstration of an apparent B cell regulation of B cell function via the production of a specific hormone.", "contents": "The regulation of the immune response to T-independent antigens by prostaglandins and B cells. The effect of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis on the in vitro primary immune response to two T-independent antigens has been investigated. The results, with PVP or DNP-Ficoll, suggest that the prostaglandins play an important role in the regulation of the immune response to these antigens. Furthermore, it appears that B cells may be involved in their own regulation by synthesizing and responding to prostaglandins. Although it has been previously established that T cells exert a regulatory influence on the response to PVP and DNP-Ficoll, this is the first demonstration of an apparent B cell regulation of B cell function via the production of a specific hormone.", "PMID": 792340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9400", "title": "Subpopulations of human T cells identified by receptors for immunoglobulins and mitogen responsiveness.", "content": "Human T lymphocytes in peripheral blood have been shown to have receptors for IgG (Tgamma) or IgM (Tmu). Cultured Tgamma cells do not express receptors for IgM and purified Tmu cells do not have receptors for IgG, thus they appear to be distinct T cell populations. Although the two subpopulations show similar response patterns to concanavalin A, Tmu and Tgamma cells exhibit different dose-response curves to phytohemagglutinin. The normal response pattern to phytohemagglutinin requires a mixture of T cell subpopulations suggesting that synergistic interactions may occur.", "contents": "Subpopulations of human T cells identified by receptors for immunoglobulins and mitogen responsiveness. Human T lymphocytes in peripheral blood have been shown to have receptors for IgG (Tgamma) or IgM (Tmu). Cultured Tgamma cells do not express receptors for IgM and purified Tmu cells do not have receptors for IgG, thus they appear to be distinct T cell populations. Although the two subpopulations show similar response patterns to concanavalin A, Tmu and Tgamma cells exhibit different dose-response curves to phytohemagglutinin. The normal response pattern to phytohemagglutinin requires a mixture of T cell subpopulations suggesting that synergistic interactions may occur.", "PMID": 792341} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9401", "title": "Autoimmunity and aging: the age-related response of mice of a long-lived strain to trinitrophenylated syngeneic mouse red blood cells.", "content": "Mice of 1.5, 9, 22, and 31 to 32 months of age were injected with the thymus-dependent antigen, TNP-SRC, or the thymus-independent antigen, TNP-SRC, TNP-MRC. The anti-SRC and TNP immune responses to TNP-SRC were markedly reduced in older mice, whereas the anti-TNP response to the TNP-MRC showed no substantial decline. Young mice produced higher anti-TNP plaque-forming cell responses after injection of TNP-SRC than after TNP-MRC, whereas in older mice the reverse obtained. Old mice but not young mice displayed a high anti-SRC cross-reactive response after injection of TNP-MRC. The avidity of anti-TNP antibody of young mice immunized with TNP-SRC was higher than that following immunization with TNP-MRC, whereas the avidities of anti-TNP antibodies from old mice injected with these two reagents were the same. Those individual mice which showed a poorly regulated immune response also displayed an autologous anti-MRC plaque-forming cell response after injection of either TNP-SRC or TNP-MRC. It is suggested that mechanisms mediated by suppressor T cells may be responsible for regulating the autoimmune response to modified self antigens, and that these are severely impaired in age individuals.", "contents": "Autoimmunity and aging: the age-related response of mice of a long-lived strain to trinitrophenylated syngeneic mouse red blood cells. Mice of 1.5, 9, 22, and 31 to 32 months of age were injected with the thymus-dependent antigen, TNP-SRC, or the thymus-independent antigen, TNP-SRC, TNP-MRC. The anti-SRC and TNP immune responses to TNP-SRC were markedly reduced in older mice, whereas the anti-TNP response to the TNP-MRC showed no substantial decline. Young mice produced higher anti-TNP plaque-forming cell responses after injection of TNP-SRC than after TNP-MRC, whereas in older mice the reverse obtained. Old mice but not young mice displayed a high anti-SRC cross-reactive response after injection of TNP-MRC. The avidity of anti-TNP antibody of young mice immunized with TNP-SRC was higher than that following immunization with TNP-MRC, whereas the avidities of anti-TNP antibodies from old mice injected with these two reagents were the same. Those individual mice which showed a poorly regulated immune response also displayed an autologous anti-MRC plaque-forming cell response after injection of either TNP-SRC or TNP-MRC. It is suggested that mechanisms mediated by suppressor T cells may be responsible for regulating the autoimmune response to modified self antigens, and that these are severely impaired in age individuals.", "PMID": 792342} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9402", "title": "Hemolytic plaque inhibition: the physical chemical limits on its use as an affinity assay.", "content": "An analysis of the fundamental physical chemical limits of hemolytic plaque inhibition as a method for obtaining thermodynamic and kinetic information is presented. It is shown that inhibition curve characteristics will be sensitive functions of reaction affinities only when the antibody inhibitor and antibody red blood cell reaction mechanisms are related in certain ways. It is further shown that conditions which are most sensititive to IgG affinity changes will generally not be the best for detecting changes in IgM affinity. The apparently conflicting reports on IgM maturation are completely explicable in terms of experimental requirements imposed by physical chemical characteristics of the reaction. Experiments in which maturation is observed are found to conform to the most sensitive conditions of the assay, whereas those in which it is not observed are found to conform to relatively insensitive conditions, and would therefore be capable of registering changes only when affinity shifts are large.", "contents": "Hemolytic plaque inhibition: the physical chemical limits on its use as an affinity assay. An analysis of the fundamental physical chemical limits of hemolytic plaque inhibition as a method for obtaining thermodynamic and kinetic information is presented. It is shown that inhibition curve characteristics will be sensitive functions of reaction affinities only when the antibody inhibitor and antibody red blood cell reaction mechanisms are related in certain ways. It is further shown that conditions which are most sensititive to IgG affinity changes will generally not be the best for detecting changes in IgM affinity. The apparently conflicting reports on IgM maturation are completely explicable in terms of experimental requirements imposed by physical chemical characteristics of the reaction. Experiments in which maturation is observed are found to conform to the most sensitive conditions of the assay, whereas those in which it is not observed are found to conform to relatively insensitive conditions, and would therefore be capable of registering changes only when affinity shifts are large.", "PMID": 792343} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9403", "title": "Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis in the guinea pig: characterization of infiltrating lymphocyte populations.", "content": "Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis was induced in out-bred guinea pigs by isoimmunization with thyroid extract in complete Freund's adjuvant. A digestion procedure using collagenase and deoxyribonuclease was used to make viable single-cell suspensions of pooled thyroid glands from groups of animals with advanced degrees of thyroiditis. Thymus-derived or T lymphocytes, identified by their capacity to form E rosettes with rabbit erythrocytes, were found to be the predominant (75%) infiltrating lymphocyte; bone marrow-derived or B cells consitituted most of the remainder. The infiltrates of inbred animals with thyroiditis were demonstrated to contain cells capable of mediating antibody-dependent lymphoid cell-mediated cytotoxicity.", "contents": "Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis in the guinea pig: characterization of infiltrating lymphocyte populations. Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis was induced in out-bred guinea pigs by isoimmunization with thyroid extract in complete Freund's adjuvant. A digestion procedure using collagenase and deoxyribonuclease was used to make viable single-cell suspensions of pooled thyroid glands from groups of animals with advanced degrees of thyroiditis. Thymus-derived or T lymphocytes, identified by their capacity to form E rosettes with rabbit erythrocytes, were found to be the predominant (75%) infiltrating lymphocyte; bone marrow-derived or B cells consitituted most of the remainder. The infiltrates of inbred animals with thyroiditis were demonstrated to contain cells capable of mediating antibody-dependent lymphoid cell-mediated cytotoxicity.", "PMID": 792344} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9404", "title": "Preparation and use in immunohistology of antibodies specific for type I and type III collagen and procollagen.", "content": "Antibodies to bovine type I and type III collagen and their precursor form procollagen were produced in rabbits and rendered specific for the immunizing antigen by immunoadsorption. These purified antibodies showed distinct immunofluorescence staining on frozen sections of both bovine and human connective tissue at concentrations as low as 1-10 mug/ml. Antibodies to type III collagen and procollagen reacted with reticulin in liver and spleen, with fascicles around tendons and with the upper portion of the dermis. Antibodies to type I collagen and procollagen reacted with skin and fiber bundles in tendon but did not stain reticulin. No reaction was observed with cartilage collagen or with kidney glomerular basement membrane.", "contents": "Preparation and use in immunohistology of antibodies specific for type I and type III collagen and procollagen. Antibodies to bovine type I and type III collagen and their precursor form procollagen were produced in rabbits and rendered specific for the immunizing antigen by immunoadsorption. These purified antibodies showed distinct immunofluorescence staining on frozen sections of both bovine and human connective tissue at concentrations as low as 1-10 mug/ml. Antibodies to type III collagen and procollagen reacted with reticulin in liver and spleen, with fascicles around tendons and with the upper portion of the dermis. Antibodies to type I collagen and procollagen reacted with skin and fiber bundles in tendon but did not stain reticulin. No reaction was observed with cartilage collagen or with kidney glomerular basement membrane.", "PMID": 792345} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9405", "title": "A simple screening assay for substances affecting lymphocyte reactivity.", "content": "A simple method is described for assaying substances modifying lymphocyte reactivity in vitro to mitogens and antigens. This procedure employes whole blood, microtiter plates and an automated cell harvester. The simplicity and expediency afforded by this assay, which requires very little blood, enables the large-scale screening of different test materials which may be of experimental or clinical merit.", "contents": "A simple screening assay for substances affecting lymphocyte reactivity. A simple method is described for assaying substances modifying lymphocyte reactivity in vitro to mitogens and antigens. This procedure employes whole blood, microtiter plates and an automated cell harvester. The simplicity and expediency afforded by this assay, which requires very little blood, enables the large-scale screening of different test materials which may be of experimental or clinical merit.", "PMID": 792346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9406", "title": "A rapid and sensitive technique for the detection of Fc receptors on macrophages.", "content": "A rapid sensitive technique for the production of macrophage EA rosettes employing centrifugal sedimentation of opsonized erythrocytes is described. Using this method, a sensitive rosette formation-inhibition assay for the determination of anti-macrophage antibody titers has been developed.", "contents": "A rapid and sensitive technique for the detection of Fc receptors on macrophages. A rapid sensitive technique for the production of macrophage EA rosettes employing centrifugal sedimentation of opsonized erythrocytes is described. Using this method, a sensitive rosette formation-inhibition assay for the determination of anti-macrophage antibody titers has been developed.", "PMID": 792347} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9407", "title": "Iodinated versus fluorescent labelling in the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for the determination of serum IgE levels.", "content": "Experiments were performed to determine the feasibility of replacing the radioactive 125I tag in the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) with a new fluorescent compound, 2-methoxy-2, 4-diphenyl-3 (2H)-furanone (MDPF). It was possible to discriminate a grass-allergic from a grass-non-allergic patient using the traditional RAST procedure with 125I-ant-IgE. However, when a fluorescent label, MDPF was attached to IgE using the same RAST procedure, it was not possible to discriminate between allergic and non-allergic responses. Additional experiments, using BSA and anti-BSA as a model, showed that it was possible to detect 0.025 ppm antigen using iodinated antiserum while the fluorescent tag had a lower limit of antigen detection of 0.20 ppm. It was possible to distinguish between allergic and non-allergic responses using 125I-N-succinimidyl-3(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (SHPP) which binds to protein in a manner similar to MDPF. These results suggested that the unsatisfactory fluorescence results were not due to an alteration of protein structure as a result of MDPF labelling. Although the fluorescence work was performed using a fluorimeter with optics and electronics optimized for detection of MDPF, sensitivity of the method was limited by high fluorescent background.", "contents": "Iodinated versus fluorescent labelling in the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for the determination of serum IgE levels. Experiments were performed to determine the feasibility of replacing the radioactive 125I tag in the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) with a new fluorescent compound, 2-methoxy-2, 4-diphenyl-3 (2H)-furanone (MDPF). It was possible to discriminate a grass-allergic from a grass-non-allergic patient using the traditional RAST procedure with 125I-ant-IgE. However, when a fluorescent label, MDPF was attached to IgE using the same RAST procedure, it was not possible to discriminate between allergic and non-allergic responses. Additional experiments, using BSA and anti-BSA as a model, showed that it was possible to detect 0.025 ppm antigen using iodinated antiserum while the fluorescent tag had a lower limit of antigen detection of 0.20 ppm. It was possible to distinguish between allergic and non-allergic responses using 125I-N-succinimidyl-3(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (SHPP) which binds to protein in a manner similar to MDPF. These results suggested that the unsatisfactory fluorescence results were not due to an alteration of protein structure as a result of MDPF labelling. Although the fluorescence work was performed using a fluorimeter with optics and electronics optimized for detection of MDPF, sensitivity of the method was limited by high fluorescent background.", "PMID": 792348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9408", "title": "Reproducibility, efficacy and methodology of mitogen-induced lymphocyte transformations by the whole blood assay.", "content": "For the past few years, the whole blood culture method has been scrutinized for its usefulness and reproducibility in evaluating the immunologic status of patients. This method, used in our laboratory mainly screening specimens for evidence of immunodeficiencies, has been systematically evaluated for reproducibility, and factors affecting normal response through testing specimens from over 70 normal persons. Three mitogens (phytohemagglutinin, Concanavalin A, and pokeweed) were studied; peak time responses occurred later than in the separated cell culture method, and they were different for each mitogen. The dose response curves also depended on the mitogen tested, with pokeweed giving a sharp curve and the others a broad plateau. The harvesting procedure was studied by varying reagents and was optimized for speed and efficiency. The mononuclear cell count of the specimen had little effect on the results as long as it remained less than 3.5 X 10(6)/ml. The results for all mitogens followed a similar distribution curve irrespective of whether the results were expressed as cpm or cpm divided by the mononuclear cell count. The use of the stimulation ratio method to express results was less satisfactory. The mean coefficient of variation for all triplicate samples remained 20% or less and for all conditions tested. In evaluating the immunodeficient patient, the whole blood culture method was found to be equally as informative and easier to perform than the separated cell method.", "contents": "Reproducibility, efficacy and methodology of mitogen-induced lymphocyte transformations by the whole blood assay. For the past few years, the whole blood culture method has been scrutinized for its usefulness and reproducibility in evaluating the immunologic status of patients. This method, used in our laboratory mainly screening specimens for evidence of immunodeficiencies, has been systematically evaluated for reproducibility, and factors affecting normal response through testing specimens from over 70 normal persons. Three mitogens (phytohemagglutinin, Concanavalin A, and pokeweed) were studied; peak time responses occurred later than in the separated cell culture method, and they were different for each mitogen. The dose response curves also depended on the mitogen tested, with pokeweed giving a sharp curve and the others a broad plateau. The harvesting procedure was studied by varying reagents and was optimized for speed and efficiency. The mononuclear cell count of the specimen had little effect on the results as long as it remained less than 3.5 X 10(6)/ml. The results for all mitogens followed a similar distribution curve irrespective of whether the results were expressed as cpm or cpm divided by the mononuclear cell count. The use of the stimulation ratio method to express results was less satisfactory. The mean coefficient of variation for all triplicate samples remained 20% or less and for all conditions tested. In evaluating the immunodeficient patient, the whole blood culture method was found to be equally as informative and easier to perform than the separated cell method.", "PMID": 792349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9409", "title": "A simple method for isolation of human properdin by affinity chromatography.", "content": "Human properdin was prepared from the zymosan eluate or euglobulin fraction of serum by immunoadsorbent column chromatography. An immunoadsorbent column containing antibody to human serum was employed to remove serum proteins other than properdin from zymosan eluates. Immunoadsorbent with antibody to properdin was used for direct isolation of properdin from the euglobulin fraction. Properdin isolated by these methods showed satisfactory purity with high activity. No immunochemical differences between the two types of preparation were found.", "contents": "A simple method for isolation of human properdin by affinity chromatography. Human properdin was prepared from the zymosan eluate or euglobulin fraction of serum by immunoadsorbent column chromatography. An immunoadsorbent column containing antibody to human serum was employed to remove serum proteins other than properdin from zymosan eluates. Immunoadsorbent with antibody to properdin was used for direct isolation of properdin from the euglobulin fraction. Properdin isolated by these methods showed satisfactory purity with high activity. No immunochemical differences between the two types of preparation were found.", "PMID": 792350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9410", "title": "Measurement of anti-enzyme antibodies using an active-site directed radiolabel.", "content": "A new technique is described for measuring antibodies to an enzyme which is not available in pure form. The secretions of the rat parasitic nematode, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, were treated with tritiated diisopropylfluorophosphate. Only one component, an acetylcholinesterase, was radiolabelled. Antibodies to this enzyme in rat antisera were estimated by the Farr technique using the labelled enzyme as antigen. The acetylcholinesterase secreted by Necator americanus, the human hookworm, was similarly specifically labelled.", "contents": "Measurement of anti-enzyme antibodies using an active-site directed radiolabel. A new technique is described for measuring antibodies to an enzyme which is not available in pure form. The secretions of the rat parasitic nematode, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, were treated with tritiated diisopropylfluorophosphate. Only one component, an acetylcholinesterase, was radiolabelled. Antibodies to this enzyme in rat antisera were estimated by the Farr technique using the labelled enzyme as antigen. The acetylcholinesterase secreted by Necator americanus, the human hookworm, was similarly specifically labelled.", "PMID": 792351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9411", "title": "Simultaneous quantitation of two antigens in mixture in individual cells by microimmunofluorimetry.", "content": "Double immunofluorescence has so far only been used qualitatively. In present work the possibility of quantitative double immunofluorescence was evaluated in model systems with the ultimate goal to enable simultaneous measurements of different antigens in mixture in biological objects. In one test system a conjugate of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was studied in combination with conjugates of dimethyl-amino-naphthalene-sulphonyl-chloride (DANSC) or with tetramethyl-rhodamine-isothiocyanate (TRITC) in solutions. In another test system FITC + DANSC antibody conjugates were analyzed after reaction with antigen mixtures in insolubilized form. Fluorescence intensities were measured in a microspectrofluorimeter using narrow band excitation and emission filters of appropriate types for different fluorochromes. Fading was no problem in this system. A formula was developed to calculate the antibody proportions from the fluorescence contribution of either fluorochrome in the region of optimal fluorescence of other fluorochrome. Experimental values obtained from analyses of FITC + DANSC and FITC + TRITC combinations in solutions agreed excellently with theoretically expected values. In the second model system polyacrylic beads were coated with different proportions of two antigens, one labelled with 125I and the other with 131I. After radioactivity measurements the beads were stained with appropriate antisera conjugated with FITC and DANSC, respectively. \"Double fluorescence\" intensities of individual beads were measured and a very strong correlation was found between the radioactivity and the fluorescence values. The results indicate that quantiation of double fluorescence is possible and meaningful for measurements of two different antigens in mixture on individual particles.", "contents": "Simultaneous quantitation of two antigens in mixture in individual cells by microimmunofluorimetry. Double immunofluorescence has so far only been used qualitatively. In present work the possibility of quantitative double immunofluorescence was evaluated in model systems with the ultimate goal to enable simultaneous measurements of different antigens in mixture in biological objects. In one test system a conjugate of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was studied in combination with conjugates of dimethyl-amino-naphthalene-sulphonyl-chloride (DANSC) or with tetramethyl-rhodamine-isothiocyanate (TRITC) in solutions. In another test system FITC + DANSC antibody conjugates were analyzed after reaction with antigen mixtures in insolubilized form. Fluorescence intensities were measured in a microspectrofluorimeter using narrow band excitation and emission filters of appropriate types for different fluorochromes. Fading was no problem in this system. A formula was developed to calculate the antibody proportions from the fluorescence contribution of either fluorochrome in the region of optimal fluorescence of other fluorochrome. Experimental values obtained from analyses of FITC + DANSC and FITC + TRITC combinations in solutions agreed excellently with theoretically expected values. In the second model system polyacrylic beads were coated with different proportions of two antigens, one labelled with 125I and the other with 131I. After radioactivity measurements the beads were stained with appropriate antisera conjugated with FITC and DANSC, respectively. \"Double fluorescence\" intensities of individual beads were measured and a very strong correlation was found between the radioactivity and the fluorescence values. The results indicate that quantiation of double fluorescence is possible and meaningful for measurements of two different antigens in mixture on individual particles.", "PMID": 792352} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9412", "title": "Insolubilization of protein antigens on polyacrylic plastic beads using poly-L-lysine.", "content": "A new model system for quantitation of immunofluorescence on single cells is described using poly-L-lysine (PLL) coated polyacrylic plastic beads of approximately cell sizes as carriers for protein antigen. By increasing PLL concentration on the beads increased amounts of 125I labeled antigen were attached to the particles. Excess binding sites of PLL could be completely blocked by unrelated proteins. After staining with FITC-conjugated antibodies and quantitative fluorescence measurements of individual beads using a microspectrofluorimeter, strong correlations were found between antibody and antigen concentration on the beads. Neither repeated washings with PBS nor storage of the beads for two months caused detectable shedding of antigen-antibody complexes. There was a strong linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and the volume of beads, but the correlation between surface area and fluorescence was nonlinear. The described procedure was shown to be a simple method for quantitative and stable coating of particles with proteins. It can be applied as a useful model system for quantitative immunofluorescence studies on intracellular antigens.", "contents": "Insolubilization of protein antigens on polyacrylic plastic beads using poly-L-lysine. A new model system for quantitation of immunofluorescence on single cells is described using poly-L-lysine (PLL) coated polyacrylic plastic beads of approximately cell sizes as carriers for protein antigen. By increasing PLL concentration on the beads increased amounts of 125I labeled antigen were attached to the particles. Excess binding sites of PLL could be completely blocked by unrelated proteins. After staining with FITC-conjugated antibodies and quantitative fluorescence measurements of individual beads using a microspectrofluorimeter, strong correlations were found between antibody and antigen concentration on the beads. Neither repeated washings with PBS nor storage of the beads for two months caused detectable shedding of antigen-antibody complexes. There was a strong linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and the volume of beads, but the correlation between surface area and fluorescence was nonlinear. The described procedure was shown to be a simple method for quantitative and stable coating of particles with proteins. It can be applied as a useful model system for quantitative immunofluorescence studies on intracellular antigens.", "PMID": 792353} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9413", "title": "Amphotericin B and amphotericin B methyl ester ascorbate. I. Chemotherapeutic activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Blastomyces dermatitidis in mice.", "content": "Amphotericin B methyl ester (AME) has been reported to possess in vitro antifungal activity similar to that of amphotericin B and to have less intrinsic toxicity in mice and dogs. For these reasons AME has been porposed as an alternative to amphotericin B in the therapy of deep mycoses. For comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of the two polyenes in laboratory animals before initiation of studies in humans, groups of mice were infected with Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Blastomyces dermatitidis. Treatment consisted of two or more doses of each drug given by the intravenous route. Concurrently, studies of subacute toxicity were conducted in the same species to permit calculation of therapeutic indices. These studies have shown that AME, as the ascorbate salt, is substantially less efficacious than amphotericin B (in colloidal dispersion with sodium deoxycholate) for treatment of the fungal infections and that amphotericin B had a higher therapeutic ratio for all infections studied than did AME.", "contents": "Amphotericin B and amphotericin B methyl ester ascorbate. I. Chemotherapeutic activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Blastomyces dermatitidis in mice. Amphotericin B methyl ester (AME) has been reported to possess in vitro antifungal activity similar to that of amphotericin B and to have less intrinsic toxicity in mice and dogs. For these reasons AME has been porposed as an alternative to amphotericin B in the therapy of deep mycoses. For comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of the two polyenes in laboratory animals before initiation of studies in humans, groups of mice were infected with Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Blastomyces dermatitidis. Treatment consisted of two or more doses of each drug given by the intravenous route. Concurrently, studies of subacute toxicity were conducted in the same species to permit calculation of therapeutic indices. These studies have shown that AME, as the ascorbate salt, is substantially less efficacious than amphotericin B (in colloidal dispersion with sodium deoxycholate) for treatment of the fungal infections and that amphotericin B had a higher therapeutic ratio for all infections studied than did AME.", "PMID": 792355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9414", "title": "Rapid detection of measles virus in skin rashes by immunofluroescence.", "content": "Specific immunofluorescence was used to detect measles virus antigen in skin rashes. Cryostat sections of punch-biopsy specimens of the skin were stained with use of hyperimmune rabbit and horse antisera to measles virus, also conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate, served as controls. Measles virus was specifically demonstrated in 20 of 21 biopsy specimens taken within four days after the onset of exanthema. Measles virus antigen was also found in three of five biopsy specimens from nonexanthematous skin during the first four days of the exanthematous phase. The viral antigen was found in single cells or in clusters of cells in the surface epithelium, skin appendages, and corium. No viral antigen was detected in biopsy specimens taken five to six days after the onset of rash.", "contents": "Rapid detection of measles virus in skin rashes by immunofluroescence. Specific immunofluorescence was used to detect measles virus antigen in skin rashes. Cryostat sections of punch-biopsy specimens of the skin were stained with use of hyperimmune rabbit and horse antisera to measles virus, also conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate, served as controls. Measles virus was specifically demonstrated in 20 of 21 biopsy specimens taken within four days after the onset of exanthema. Measles virus antigen was also found in three of five biopsy specimens from nonexanthematous skin during the first four days of the exanthematous phase. The viral antigen was found in single cells or in clusters of cells in the surface epithelium, skin appendages, and corium. No viral antigen was detected in biopsy specimens taken five to six days after the onset of rash.", "PMID": 792356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9415", "title": "Alterations in the fecal flora of an individual frequently lacking coliforms.", "content": "An individual who usually completely lacked or had very low numbers of coliforms in his stool over a period of 19 months was identified. The subject's levels of clostridia and aerobic lactobacilli were elevated as compared with those of our control group. However, these elevated populations of microorganisms were not related to the number of coliforms present in stool samples. The number of coliforms was inversely related to the number of anaerobic lactobacilli. In addition, the absence of coliforms was always accompanied by the absence of fungi. Populations of other prominent groups of intestinal flora were not significantly affected by the number of coliforms present in the intestnal tract. Since ankylosing spondylitis was the only physical abnormality of the subject, the intestinal flora of other individuals positive for histocompatibility antigen B27 who had this disease were examined but were found to be normal. The absence of coliforms from the normal flora of the intestinal tract of the subject had no apparent effect on his general health.", "contents": "Alterations in the fecal flora of an individual frequently lacking coliforms. An individual who usually completely lacked or had very low numbers of coliforms in his stool over a period of 19 months was identified. The subject's levels of clostridia and aerobic lactobacilli were elevated as compared with those of our control group. However, these elevated populations of microorganisms were not related to the number of coliforms present in stool samples. The number of coliforms was inversely related to the number of anaerobic lactobacilli. In addition, the absence of coliforms was always accompanied by the absence of fungi. Populations of other prominent groups of intestinal flora were not significantly affected by the number of coliforms present in the intestnal tract. Since ankylosing spondylitis was the only physical abnormality of the subject, the intestinal flora of other individuals positive for histocompatibility antigen B27 who had this disease were examined but were found to be normal. The absence of coliforms from the normal flora of the intestinal tract of the subject had no apparent effect on his general health.", "PMID": 792357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9416", "title": "Amikacin Therapy of Urinary tract infections.", "content": "The efficacy and safety of amikacin in treatment of patients with urinary tract infections were evaluated. Underlying urologic disease was prevalent in the population studied. Amikacin was administered to 50 patients in a dosage of 7.5 mg/kg twice daily. In a subsequent study, amikacin was compared with gentamicin in the treatment of 63 patients; amikacin was administered in a dose of 150 or 200 mg every hr, and gentamicin was administered in doses of 60-80 mg every 8 hr. In the initial study, amikacin produced a bacteriologic cure rate of 86%. In the comparative study, cure rates for gentamicin and amikacin were 85% and 81% respectively. No significant renal toxicity or audiometric changes were attributed to amikacin.", "contents": "Amikacin Therapy of Urinary tract infections. The efficacy and safety of amikacin in treatment of patients with urinary tract infections were evaluated. Underlying urologic disease was prevalent in the population studied. Amikacin was administered to 50 patients in a dosage of 7.5 mg/kg twice daily. In a subsequent study, amikacin was compared with gentamicin in the treatment of 63 patients; amikacin was administered in a dose of 150 or 200 mg every hr, and gentamicin was administered in doses of 60-80 mg every 8 hr. In the initial study, amikacin produced a bacteriologic cure rate of 86%. In the comparative study, cure rates for gentamicin and amikacin were 85% and 81% respectively. No significant renal toxicity or audiometric changes were attributed to amikacin.", "PMID": 792358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9417", "title": "Comparative effectiveness of combinations of amikacin with penicillin G and amikacin with carbenicillin in gram-negative septicemia: double-blind clinical trial.", "content": "Preliminary results are presented for an ongoing, double-blind, clinical trial, in which the efficacy of amikacin plus penicillin G (Amik-Pen) and amikacin plus carbenicillin (Amik-Carb) is compared in treatment of severe gram-negative infections superimposed on serious underlying disease. All clinical isolates were sensitive to amikacin in vitro (minimal inhibitory concentration, less than 12 mug/ml). Results in 50 patients with cancer and documented gram-negative infection, 29 of which involved septicemia, were analyzed. In the Amik-Pen group, 40% of 15 cases of septicemia responded favorable to therapy, as compared with 86% of 14 cases of septicemia in the Amik-Carb group; this difference is statistically significant (P less than 0.02). When all patients were considered together, the outcome appeared more favorable (1) in infections caused by pathogens sensitive to both antibiotics used then in those caused by organisms sensitive to amikacin only (83% vs. 43%); (2) when the combined antibiotics demonstrated synergy in virto against the offending pathogen than when the combination was nonsynergistic (83% vs. 38%); and (3) when the peak serum antimicrobial dilution titer was larger than or equal to 1:8 than when titers were lower. The results of this study suggest that routine use of an antibiotic combination that has demonstrable in vitro synergy against the offending pathogen should be considered for the treatment of proven or suspected severe infections due to gram-negative bacilli.", "contents": "Comparative effectiveness of combinations of amikacin with penicillin G and amikacin with carbenicillin in gram-negative septicemia: double-blind clinical trial. Preliminary results are presented for an ongoing, double-blind, clinical trial, in which the efficacy of amikacin plus penicillin G (Amik-Pen) and amikacin plus carbenicillin (Amik-Carb) is compared in treatment of severe gram-negative infections superimposed on serious underlying disease. All clinical isolates were sensitive to amikacin in vitro (minimal inhibitory concentration, less than 12 mug/ml). Results in 50 patients with cancer and documented gram-negative infection, 29 of which involved septicemia, were analyzed. In the Amik-Pen group, 40% of 15 cases of septicemia responded favorable to therapy, as compared with 86% of 14 cases of septicemia in the Amik-Carb group; this difference is statistically significant (P less than 0.02). When all patients were considered together, the outcome appeared more favorable (1) in infections caused by pathogens sensitive to both antibiotics used then in those caused by organisms sensitive to amikacin only (83% vs. 43%); (2) when the combined antibiotics demonstrated synergy in virto against the offending pathogen than when the combination was nonsynergistic (83% vs. 38%); and (3) when the peak serum antimicrobial dilution titer was larger than or equal to 1:8 than when titers were lower. The results of this study suggest that routine use of an antibiotic combination that has demonstrable in vitro synergy against the offending pathogen should be considered for the treatment of proven or suspected severe infections due to gram-negative bacilli.", "PMID": 792359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9418", "title": "A review of results of clinical trials with amikacin.", "content": "Case records of 1,098 patients treated with amikacin at 79 research centers in 10 countries in a program of worldwide clinical trials were reviewed. Of the 697 patients eligible for use in evaluation of efficacy of the drug, 81% were cured, as evidenced by clinical remission and eradication of the infecting pathogen. The usual dosage was 7.5 mg/kg administered intramuscularly at 12-hr intervals. This dosage was modified in patients with renal impairment. Amikacin was effective in 90% of 322 patients with genitourinary infections, 85% of 97 patients with septicemia, 70% of 73 patients with infections of skin, soft tissue, or bone (excluding burns), and 69% of 68 patients with infections of the lower respiratory tract. Amikacin was effective in treatment of 88% of 85 infections due to gentamicin-resistant pathogens. The drug was generally well tolerated, and no side effects were reported in 80.6% of the 1,098 patients evaluated. Amikacin shares with other aminoglycosides the risk of ototoxicity and nephtotoxicity; previous exposure to gentamicin was a major factor in the development of such adverse effects. Other adverse reactions were relatively infrequent and in most cases were characterized as mild and transient.", "contents": "A review of results of clinical trials with amikacin. Case records of 1,098 patients treated with amikacin at 79 research centers in 10 countries in a program of worldwide clinical trials were reviewed. Of the 697 patients eligible for use in evaluation of efficacy of the drug, 81% were cured, as evidenced by clinical remission and eradication of the infecting pathogen. The usual dosage was 7.5 mg/kg administered intramuscularly at 12-hr intervals. This dosage was modified in patients with renal impairment. Amikacin was effective in 90% of 322 patients with genitourinary infections, 85% of 97 patients with septicemia, 70% of 73 patients with infections of skin, soft tissue, or bone (excluding burns), and 69% of 68 patients with infections of the lower respiratory tract. Amikacin was effective in treatment of 88% of 85 infections due to gentamicin-resistant pathogens. The drug was generally well tolerated, and no side effects were reported in 80.6% of the 1,098 patients evaluated. Amikacin shares with other aminoglycosides the risk of ototoxicity and nephtotoxicity; previous exposure to gentamicin was a major factor in the development of such adverse effects. Other adverse reactions were relatively infrequent and in most cases were characterized as mild and transient.", "PMID": 792360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9419", "title": "[Studies on the contract of the casting. (I). Influence of casting condition (author's transl)].", "content": "A study was made of the contraction of the Silver-Indium alloy due to the difference of the casting condition, by mean of the quartz pipe, whose thermal-expansion coefficient was very small. The results were as follows. 1) The higher the mold temperature, the smaller the casting shrinkage. 2) When the casting pressure was extremely low the casting shrinkage was great. But if the casting pressure was over 0.16 kg/cm2, the casting shrinkage didn't change. 3) The bigger the sprue size, the smaller the casting shrinkage. 4) The casting temperature of the alloy, the cooling system, the amount of the metal and the form of the wax pattern showed that the casting shrinkage remain the same.", "contents": "[Studies on the contract of the casting. (I). Influence of casting condition (author's transl)]. A study was made of the contraction of the Silver-Indium alloy due to the difference of the casting condition, by mean of the quartz pipe, whose thermal-expansion coefficient was very small. The results were as follows. 1) The higher the mold temperature, the smaller the casting shrinkage. 2) When the casting pressure was extremely low the casting shrinkage was great. But if the casting pressure was over 0.16 kg/cm2, the casting shrinkage didn't change. 3) The bigger the sprue size, the smaller the casting shrinkage. 4) The casting temperature of the alloy, the cooling system, the amount of the metal and the form of the wax pattern showed that the casting shrinkage remain the same.", "PMID": 792363} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9420", "title": "[Studies on the pour type resin for denture. (I) Mechanical properties (author's transl)].", "content": "The influence of crosslinking agents in syrup type resins on the several mechanical properties was studied. These data were compared with those commercially available heat-curing resin and powder-liquid pour type resins. Addition of 2 to 3 mol% of crosslinking agents to the syrup gave best results, which were between those of the heat-curing resin and the powder-liquid pour type resin.", "contents": "[Studies on the pour type resin for denture. (I) Mechanical properties (author's transl)]. The influence of crosslinking agents in syrup type resins on the several mechanical properties was studied. These data were compared with those commercially available heat-curing resin and powder-liquid pour type resins. Addition of 2 to 3 mol% of crosslinking agents to the syrup gave best results, which were between those of the heat-curing resin and the powder-liquid pour type resin.", "PMID": 792364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9421", "title": "[Studies on the pour type resin for denture. (II) Curing shrinkage (author's transl)].", "content": "This study was to investigate the influence of concentration of crossliniking agents in the monomer and pressure applied on the curing shrinkage in pour type resins. A pressure could improve the dimentional accuracy in both case of the syrup and the power-liquid type resins, on the other hand crosslinking agents gave adversed effect on the dimentional accuracy of the pour type resins, especially on that of the group.", "contents": "[Studies on the pour type resin for denture. (II) Curing shrinkage (author's transl)]. This study was to investigate the influence of concentration of crossliniking agents in the monomer and pressure applied on the curing shrinkage in pour type resins. A pressure could improve the dimentional accuracy in both case of the syrup and the power-liquid type resins, on the other hand crosslinking agents gave adversed effect on the dimentional accuracy of the pour type resins, especially on that of the group.", "PMID": 792365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9422", "title": "Metabolic consequences of low-temperature kidney preservation.", "content": "The metabolic consequences of low-temperature kidney preservation were investigated. A comparison was made between kidneys which were immediately preserved and kidneys which had been ischemic for 1 hour. Two types of preservation techniques were used: (1) continuous perfusion with oxygenated plasma as described by Belzer and (2) a single flush with potassium-containing perfusate as suggested by Collins. Slices of renal cortex were removed at varying times during preservation and analyzed for a variety of metabolic intermediates. ATP levels were markedly reduced from normal. The Belzer technique was associated with higher ATP levels and ischemia lowered the ATP level. Kidneys perfused by the Belzer technique had lower ADP levels than those by the Collins method. Preservation caused marked elevation of tissue lactate, irrespective of ischemia or the technique used. We conclude that low temperature kidney preservation has profound effects on cellular metabolism. Therefore, the measurement of metabolic intermediates may provide a rational approach to the prediction of organ survival.", "contents": "Metabolic consequences of low-temperature kidney preservation. The metabolic consequences of low-temperature kidney preservation were investigated. A comparison was made between kidneys which were immediately preserved and kidneys which had been ischemic for 1 hour. Two types of preservation techniques were used: (1) continuous perfusion with oxygenated plasma as described by Belzer and (2) a single flush with potassium-containing perfusate as suggested by Collins. Slices of renal cortex were removed at varying times during preservation and analyzed for a variety of metabolic intermediates. ATP levels were markedly reduced from normal. The Belzer technique was associated with higher ATP levels and ischemia lowered the ATP level. Kidneys perfused by the Belzer technique had lower ADP levels than those by the Collins method. Preservation caused marked elevation of tissue lactate, irrespective of ischemia or the technique used. We conclude that low temperature kidney preservation has profound effects on cellular metabolism. Therefore, the measurement of metabolic intermediates may provide a rational approach to the prediction of organ survival.", "PMID": 792369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9423", "title": "Establishment of the origin of a porcine cell line by chromosome banding techniques and scanning.", "content": "Use of cultured cells in diagnostic virology implies the necessity to establish the genetic origin of the cells. Chromosome analysis, performed on a cell line of pig embryo kidney cells (PEK), made the porcine origin of the cells plausible. Definite proof, however, was furnished by chromosome banding and scanning. A comparison was made between PEK-cells and normal pig chromosomes. One of the chromosomes No. 1 had an interstitial deletion, which provided an useful marker for identification purposes.", "contents": "Establishment of the origin of a porcine cell line by chromosome banding techniques and scanning. Use of cultured cells in diagnostic virology implies the necessity to establish the genetic origin of the cells. Chromosome analysis, performed on a cell line of pig embryo kidney cells (PEK), made the porcine origin of the cells plausible. Definite proof, however, was furnished by chromosome banding and scanning. A comparison was made between PEK-cells and normal pig chromosomes. One of the chromosomes No. 1 had an interstitial deletion, which provided an useful marker for identification purposes.", "PMID": 792370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9424", "title": "Mycotic flora in tonsils and adenoids. A microbiological and histological evaluation.", "content": "The tonsils of 147 patients with chronic tonsillitis and the adenoids of 134 children with recurrent respiratory infections were cultured for fungal organisms and studied microscopically. A control group consisted of 68 healthy persons. Positive cultures were obtained in 64% of patients with chronic tonsillitis, in 21% of children treated with adenoidectomy, and in 69% of the control group. Candida albicans, Saccharomyces sp. and Aspergillus were the most common organisms. The histological investigations revealed no evidence of pathogenecity in these organisms. They were found in the tonsillar crypts, and no granulomatous inflammation was seen surrounding them.", "contents": "Mycotic flora in tonsils and adenoids. A microbiological and histological evaluation. The tonsils of 147 patients with chronic tonsillitis and the adenoids of 134 children with recurrent respiratory infections were cultured for fungal organisms and studied microscopically. A control group consisted of 68 healthy persons. Positive cultures were obtained in 64% of patients with chronic tonsillitis, in 21% of children treated with adenoidectomy, and in 69% of the control group. Candida albicans, Saccharomyces sp. and Aspergillus were the most common organisms. The histological investigations revealed no evidence of pathogenecity in these organisms. They were found in the tonsillar crypts, and no granulomatous inflammation was seen surrounding them.", "PMID": 792373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9425", "title": "Genetics of the idotype of BALB/c myeloma S117: multiple chromosomal loci for Vh genes encoding specificity for group A streptococcal carbohydrate.", "content": "A small proportion of the antibodies to Group A streptococcal carbohydrate (A-CHO) elicited in BALB/c mice by immunization with Group A streptococci, has idiotypic determinants in common with the BALB/c myeloma protein S117 which has specificity for N-acetyl-glucosamine, the major antigenic determinant of A-CHO. The expression of these idiotypic determinants is under the control of a gene which is linked to the Ig-1a+ allotype locus in strain BALB/c and in other strains carrying the same Ig-1 haplotype. This gene (S117+) segregates in breeding experiments as if it were an allele to the gene A5A+ which controls the expression of the A5A idiotype in association with antibodies to A-CHO in strain A/J and which is linked to the Ig-1e allotype locus. Another possible allele, linked to the Ig-1c allotype locus, controls the expression of both S117 and A5A cross-reactive determinants (S117cr, A5Acr). The distribution of these idiotypic determinants in various lines that carry recombinant Ig-1 haplotypes suggests that the A5A and S117 loci are nonallelic and map at different positions in the Ig-1 region. The data suggest complex pseudollelic relationships between different Ig-1 haplotypes that allow the expression of the same genes in allelic and in nonallelic fashion.", "contents": "Genetics of the idotype of BALB/c myeloma S117: multiple chromosomal loci for Vh genes encoding specificity for group A streptococcal carbohydrate. A small proportion of the antibodies to Group A streptococcal carbohydrate (A-CHO) elicited in BALB/c mice by immunization with Group A streptococci, has idiotypic determinants in common with the BALB/c myeloma protein S117 which has specificity for N-acetyl-glucosamine, the major antigenic determinant of A-CHO. The expression of these idiotypic determinants is under the control of a gene which is linked to the Ig-1a+ allotype locus in strain BALB/c and in other strains carrying the same Ig-1 haplotype. This gene (S117+) segregates in breeding experiments as if it were an allele to the gene A5A+ which controls the expression of the A5A idiotype in association with antibodies to A-CHO in strain A/J and which is linked to the Ig-1e allotype locus. Another possible allele, linked to the Ig-1c allotype locus, controls the expression of both S117 and A5A cross-reactive determinants (S117cr, A5Acr). The distribution of these idiotypic determinants in various lines that carry recombinant Ig-1 haplotypes suggests that the A5A and S117 loci are nonallelic and map at different positions in the Ig-1 region. The data suggest complex pseudollelic relationships between different Ig-1 haplotypes that allow the expression of the same genes in allelic and in nonallelic fashion.", "PMID": 792381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9426", "title": "Connective tissue origin of the amyloid-related protein SAA.", "content": "Protein SAA is a serum protein related to the major constituent of secondary amyloid fibrils, protein AA, and has been suggested to be a precursor of the amyloid protein AA. In the present study, the origin of SAA was investigated by studying human fetal tissues and cultured human fetal fibroblasts with the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Anti-SAA antibodies reacted strongly with cultured fibroblasts producing a fine fibrillary cytoplasmic staining and with extracellular fibrils in loose connective tissues and vessel walls. The reactions were specifically inhibited by absorption with degraded amyloid material, isolated protein AA, isolated protein SAA, and sera from patients with elevated levels of SAA. In contrast, no inhibition was seen with amyloid fibril material devoid of AA protein or by human sera in which SAA was not detectable by double-diffusion tests. These observations showed that SAA-like material is produced by fibroblasts and indicate that it is a normal constituent of developing extracellular connective tissue fibers.", "contents": "Connective tissue origin of the amyloid-related protein SAA. Protein SAA is a serum protein related to the major constituent of secondary amyloid fibrils, protein AA, and has been suggested to be a precursor of the amyloid protein AA. In the present study, the origin of SAA was investigated by studying human fetal tissues and cultured human fetal fibroblasts with the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Anti-SAA antibodies reacted strongly with cultured fibroblasts producing a fine fibrillary cytoplasmic staining and with extracellular fibrils in loose connective tissues and vessel walls. The reactions were specifically inhibited by absorption with degraded amyloid material, isolated protein AA, isolated protein SAA, and sera from patients with elevated levels of SAA. In contrast, no inhibition was seen with amyloid fibril material devoid of AA protein or by human sera in which SAA was not detectable by double-diffusion tests. These observations showed that SAA-like material is produced by fibroblasts and indicate that it is a normal constituent of developing extracellular connective tissue fibers.", "PMID": 792382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9427", "title": "Continuing medical education in America.", "content": "Some of what may be perceived as today's failures in continuing medical education may have been caused by lack of sound educational principles in the medical education process. Others may be due to changing times and expanding knowledge. New methods need to be established which include education based on physician audit and self-assessment. Learning outcomes should be evaluated in order to assess physicians' abilities to render better patient care. The formal graduate educational program is seen as the base for the new method of delivery of continuing medical education. The residency has the ability to evaluate advances in medicine and distill them for the practicing clinician. It may also assist him with office systems which will enable him to monitor his practice and needs. Linkages with residency programs will benefit the practitioner and resident alike. In the future, other community facilities may be needed to handle problem-centered continuing medical education.", "contents": "Continuing medical education in America. Some of what may be perceived as today's failures in continuing medical education may have been caused by lack of sound educational principles in the medical education process. Others may be due to changing times and expanding knowledge. New methods need to be established which include education based on physician audit and self-assessment. Learning outcomes should be evaluated in order to assess physicians' abilities to render better patient care. The formal graduate educational program is seen as the base for the new method of delivery of continuing medical education. The residency has the ability to evaluate advances in medicine and distill them for the practicing clinician. It may also assist him with office systems which will enable him to monitor his practice and needs. Linkages with residency programs will benefit the practitioner and resident alike. In the future, other community facilities may be needed to handle problem-centered continuing medical education.", "PMID": 792383} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9428", "title": "Diagnostic procedures of the skin. Part one: Wood's light, KOH slide, Gram's stain, and cultures.", "content": "The diagnosis of skin lesions involves the same priniciples and methodology required in other medical problems. Visual recognition alone and \"shotgun\" therapy is not a satisfactory clinical approach. A disciplined and careful examination of lesions, establishment of a differential diagnosis, and selection of appropriate procedures are frequently necessary for cutaneous diseases. The indications, limitations, interpretation, and techniques of diagnostic procedures must be well understoood to obtain reliable information. Not all tinea capitis will reveal fluorescence with Wood's light examination, but the Wood's light may be particularly helpful in the diagnosis of tinea versicolor, erythrasma, porphyria, and tuberous sclerosis. Bacterial growth on cultures taken from the skin does not necessarily mean infection. Because the eczematous skin teems with bacteria, there must be a careful interpretation of the cultures results within the context of the clinical situation. This paper is the first in a two-part series dealing with selected cutaneous procedures which are useful to the family physician in everyday practice.", "contents": "Diagnostic procedures of the skin. Part one: Wood's light, KOH slide, Gram's stain, and cultures. The diagnosis of skin lesions involves the same priniciples and methodology required in other medical problems. Visual recognition alone and \"shotgun\" therapy is not a satisfactory clinical approach. A disciplined and careful examination of lesions, establishment of a differential diagnosis, and selection of appropriate procedures are frequently necessary for cutaneous diseases. The indications, limitations, interpretation, and techniques of diagnostic procedures must be well understoood to obtain reliable information. Not all tinea capitis will reveal fluorescence with Wood's light examination, but the Wood's light may be particularly helpful in the diagnosis of tinea versicolor, erythrasma, porphyria, and tuberous sclerosis. Bacterial growth on cultures taken from the skin does not necessarily mean infection. Because the eczematous skin teems with bacteria, there must be a careful interpretation of the cultures results within the context of the clinical situation. This paper is the first in a two-part series dealing with selected cutaneous procedures which are useful to the family physician in everyday practice.", "PMID": 792384} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9429", "title": "Amino-acid pool composition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a function of growth rate and amino-acid nitrogen source.", "content": "The composition of the amino-acid pool of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is markedly influenced by the amino-acid nitrogen source. The yeast tends to accumulate the amino acid supplied and those closely related to it metabolically. A relatively high concentration of glutamic acid is maintained in the pools of all cultures irrespective of the nitrogen source, reflecting the central role of glutamic acid in nitrogen metabolism. The total amino-acid pool concentration increases as a function of growth rate, although differences exist in the behaviour of individual amino acids.", "contents": "Amino-acid pool composition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a function of growth rate and amino-acid nitrogen source. The composition of the amino-acid pool of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is markedly influenced by the amino-acid nitrogen source. The yeast tends to accumulate the amino acid supplied and those closely related to it metabolically. A relatively high concentration of glutamic acid is maintained in the pools of all cultures irrespective of the nitrogen source, reflecting the central role of glutamic acid in nitrogen metabolism. The total amino-acid pool concentration increases as a function of growth rate, although differences exist in the behaviour of individual amino acids.", "PMID": 792385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9430", "title": "Haemagglutinating and adhesive properties associated with the K99 antigen of bovine strains of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The K99 antigen common to some bovine strains of Escherichia coli caused mannose-resistant haemagglutination of sheep erythrocytes and was shown to be responsible for the attachment of K99-positive bacteria to calf brush-border preparations because (i) strains grown at 18 degrees C did not produce K99 antigen, cause haemagglutination, or attach to brush borders; (ii) a K12 (K99+) recombinant strain showed both haemagglutinating activity and attachment to brush borders whereas, before it received the K99 plasmid, the recipient strain was negative in both respects; and (iii) cell-free extracts of K99 antigen showed haemagglutinating activity and inhibited the attachment of K99-positive organisms to brush borders. K99 antigen appears to be a virulence determinant in the pathogenesis of neonatal calf diarrhoea. It is readily demonstrated by haemagglutination and brush-border attachment tests.", "contents": "Haemagglutinating and adhesive properties associated with the K99 antigen of bovine strains of Escherichia coli. The K99 antigen common to some bovine strains of Escherichia coli caused mannose-resistant haemagglutination of sheep erythrocytes and was shown to be responsible for the attachment of K99-positive bacteria to calf brush-border preparations because (i) strains grown at 18 degrees C did not produce K99 antigen, cause haemagglutination, or attach to brush borders; (ii) a K12 (K99+) recombinant strain showed both haemagglutinating activity and attachment to brush borders whereas, before it received the K99 plasmid, the recipient strain was negative in both respects; and (iii) cell-free extracts of K99 antigen showed haemagglutinating activity and inhibited the attachment of K99-positive organisms to brush borders. K99 antigen appears to be a virulence determinant in the pathogenesis of neonatal calf diarrhoea. It is readily demonstrated by haemagglutination and brush-border attachment tests.", "PMID": 792386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9431", "title": "Induction of the mycelial form of Candida albicans by hydrolysates of peptides from seminal plasma.", "content": "Previous work led to the separation from seminal plasma of a peptide fraction which promoted a high rate of germination of blastospores of Candida albicans. It has now been shown that an acid hydrolysate of this material is also highly active. A minimal amino-acid mixture consisting of aspartic acid, lysine, histidine, threonine, proline and beta-alanine gave 90% germination in 4 h with 17 out of 28 strains examined. Glucose and inorganic phosphate were also required. Phosphate was not required for the activity of the original peptide fraction.", "contents": "Induction of the mycelial form of Candida albicans by hydrolysates of peptides from seminal plasma. Previous work led to the separation from seminal plasma of a peptide fraction which promoted a high rate of germination of blastospores of Candida albicans. It has now been shown that an acid hydrolysate of this material is also highly active. A minimal amino-acid mixture consisting of aspartic acid, lysine, histidine, threonine, proline and beta-alanine gave 90% germination in 4 h with 17 out of 28 strains examined. Glucose and inorganic phosphate were also required. Phosphate was not required for the activity of the original peptide fraction.", "PMID": 792387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9432", "title": "Uptake of fructose by the sorbitol phosphotransferase of Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "Strains of Escherichia coli that are unable to grow on fructose because they lack the phosphoenolpyruvate: fructose phosphotransferases specified by ptsF and ptsX mutate to grow on media containing fructose as sole carbon source, but do not regain the function of either of the missing phosphotransferases. Instead, fructose is taken up and phosphorylated to fructose 6-phosphate by a phosphoenolpyruvate: sorbitol phosphotransferase which, in wild-type cells, is induced by sorbitol but not by fructose, but which is constitutively expressed in these mutants. The regulatory gene srlC controlling enzymes of sorbitol uptake and catabolism has been located on the E. coli genome as part of the linkage group cysI srlC attI86 pheA.", "contents": "Uptake of fructose by the sorbitol phosphotransferase of Escherichia coli K12. Strains of Escherichia coli that are unable to grow on fructose because they lack the phosphoenolpyruvate: fructose phosphotransferases specified by ptsF and ptsX mutate to grow on media containing fructose as sole carbon source, but do not regain the function of either of the missing phosphotransferases. Instead, fructose is taken up and phosphorylated to fructose 6-phosphate by a phosphoenolpyruvate: sorbitol phosphotransferase which, in wild-type cells, is induced by sorbitol but not by fructose, but which is constitutively expressed in these mutants. The regulatory gene srlC controlling enzymes of sorbitol uptake and catabolism has been located on the E. coli genome as part of the linkage group cysI srlC attI86 pheA.", "PMID": 792388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9433", "title": "Effects of inhibitors of protein, RNA and DNA synthesis on heat-injured Salmonella typhimurium LT2.", "content": "The role of protein, RNA and DNA synthesis in the repair of thermal injury in Salmonella typhrimurium was investigated. Thermal injury was assessed by the 'minimal medium recovery' system: after heat treatment, higher viable counts are obtained on minimal-medium agar than on complex-medium agar, and the ability of heated bacteria to form colonies on complex-medium agar is recovered when they are incubated in liquid minimal medium. This recovery is inhibited by rifampin and chloramphenicol, but not by nalidixic acid. In addition, rifampin causes a loss in viability. Alkaline sedimentation analyses of radioactively labelled DNA showed that hydroxyurea and rifampin, unlike chloramphenicol and nalidixic acid, cause DNA breaks in heated bacteria. The results indicate that rifampin is lethal to heated bacteria and that chloramphenicol, though not lethal, prevents repair of thermal damage.", "contents": "Effects of inhibitors of protein, RNA and DNA synthesis on heat-injured Salmonella typhimurium LT2. The role of protein, RNA and DNA synthesis in the repair of thermal injury in Salmonella typhrimurium was investigated. Thermal injury was assessed by the 'minimal medium recovery' system: after heat treatment, higher viable counts are obtained on minimal-medium agar than on complex-medium agar, and the ability of heated bacteria to form colonies on complex-medium agar is recovered when they are incubated in liquid minimal medium. This recovery is inhibited by rifampin and chloramphenicol, but not by nalidixic acid. In addition, rifampin causes a loss in viability. Alkaline sedimentation analyses of radioactively labelled DNA showed that hydroxyurea and rifampin, unlike chloramphenicol and nalidixic acid, cause DNA breaks in heated bacteria. The results indicate that rifampin is lethal to heated bacteria and that chloramphenicol, though not lethal, prevents repair of thermal damage.", "PMID": 792394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9434", "title": "Location of the Aspartase Gene (aspA) on the linkage map of Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "The aspartase (L-asparatate ammonia-lyase, EC. 4.3.I.I) structural gene, aspA, was mapped by two-factor and three-factor transductional crosses using phage PI. Cotransduction frequencies between aspA and other markers were: ampA (69%); frdA (48 TO 67%) mel (35%); purA (17%); fdp (I-6%). The sequence of markers within the corresponding segment (91 to 95 min) of the Escherichia coli linkage map was shown to be mel-aspA-ampA-frdA-purA-fdp.", "contents": "Location of the Aspartase Gene (aspA) on the linkage map of Escherichia coli K12. The aspartase (L-asparatate ammonia-lyase, EC. 4.3.I.I) structural gene, aspA, was mapped by two-factor and three-factor transductional crosses using phage PI. Cotransduction frequencies between aspA and other markers were: ampA (69%); frdA (48 TO 67%) mel (35%); purA (17%); fdp (I-6%). The sequence of markers within the corresponding segment (91 to 95 min) of the Escherichia coli linkage map was shown to be mel-aspA-ampA-frdA-purA-fdp.", "PMID": 792395} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9435", "title": "Polypeptides specified by bacteriophage T1.", "content": "The proteins synthesized during the replication of phage TI in u.v.-irradiated Escherichia coli strain B have been examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of polypeptides pulse-labelled with 14C-amino acids. Up to 50 discrete bands were identified of which about 30 were sufficiently distinct to be classified in terms of time of synthesis. Three polypeptides were synthesized only during the first 6 to 8 min post infection (Class I, Early); 16 or 17 were synthesized predominantly during the later stages of replication starting from 6 to 8 min after infection (Class III, Late); three classes of proteins were made continuously, two at constant rate (Class II, Continuous), five at decreasing rate (Class IV, Early-continuous) and five at increasing rate (Class V, Late-continuous). Of the 14 polypeptides identified as structural components of the virion, three (P7, PI0 and PI) account for about 85% of the particle weight with P7 comprising 50% of the particle. P7 and PI0 appear to result from the cleavage of larger polypeptides. Preliminary studies with amber mutants suggest that normal levels of TI DNA synthesis are not required for the manufacture of late proteins and that a phage-controlled function may control the switch-off of proteins made early and the switch-on of proteins made late.", "contents": "Polypeptides specified by bacteriophage T1. The proteins synthesized during the replication of phage TI in u.v.-irradiated Escherichia coli strain B have been examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of polypeptides pulse-labelled with 14C-amino acids. Up to 50 discrete bands were identified of which about 30 were sufficiently distinct to be classified in terms of time of synthesis. Three polypeptides were synthesized only during the first 6 to 8 min post infection (Class I, Early); 16 or 17 were synthesized predominantly during the later stages of replication starting from 6 to 8 min after infection (Class III, Late); three classes of proteins were made continuously, two at constant rate (Class II, Continuous), five at decreasing rate (Class IV, Early-continuous) and five at increasing rate (Class V, Late-continuous). Of the 14 polypeptides identified as structural components of the virion, three (P7, PI0 and PI) account for about 85% of the particle weight with P7 comprising 50% of the particle. P7 and PI0 appear to result from the cleavage of larger polypeptides. Preliminary studies with amber mutants suggest that normal levels of TI DNA synthesis are not required for the manufacture of late proteins and that a phage-controlled function may control the switch-off of proteins made early and the switch-on of proteins made late.", "PMID": 792396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9436", "title": "Antibody-induced redistribution of virus antigens on the surface of influenza virus-infected cells.", "content": "The behaviour of virus-specific antigen-antibody complexes at the plasma membrane of HeLa cells infected with influenza virus (A0PR8) was studied by immunofluorescence- and immunoelectron-microscopy. As early as 7 h after infection the virus-induced plasma membrane antigens are evenly distributed over the surface of the infected cells. The addition of antiviral antibodies interferes with this distribution. The appearance of a subsequent patchlike and 'capping' distribution, followed by the disappearance of virus antigen-antibody complexes from the cell surface, is described. These findings demonstrate the potential mobility of virus-induced antigens in the plane of the cell surface.", "contents": "Antibody-induced redistribution of virus antigens on the surface of influenza virus-infected cells. The behaviour of virus-specific antigen-antibody complexes at the plasma membrane of HeLa cells infected with influenza virus (A0PR8) was studied by immunofluorescence- and immunoelectron-microscopy. As early as 7 h after infection the virus-induced plasma membrane antigens are evenly distributed over the surface of the infected cells. The addition of antiviral antibodies interferes with this distribution. The appearance of a subsequent patchlike and 'capping' distribution, followed by the disappearance of virus antigen-antibody complexes from the cell surface, is described. These findings demonstrate the potential mobility of virus-induced antigens in the plane of the cell surface.", "PMID": 792397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9437", "title": "Double-blind clinical trial of 5-hydroxytryptophan in a case of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.", "content": "5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) treatment of a single case of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome showing compulsive self-mutilation, athetoid movements, and characteristic clinical biochemical picture was studied on a double-blind basis. 5-HTP or placebo was administered for seven fortnightly treatment blocks. 5-HTP produced a significant reduction of athetoid movement and a sedative effect but did not improve the patient's mood or reduce self-mutilation.", "contents": "Double-blind clinical trial of 5-hydroxytryptophan in a case of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) treatment of a single case of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome showing compulsive self-mutilation, athetoid movements, and characteristic clinical biochemical picture was studied on a double-blind basis. 5-HTP or placebo was administered for seven fortnightly treatment blocks. 5-HTP produced a significant reduction of athetoid movement and a sedative effect but did not improve the patient's mood or reduce self-mutilation.", "PMID": 792398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9438", "title": "Sensitivity of the Limulus test and inhibitory factors in the radiopharmaceuticals.", "content": "The basic sensitivity of the Limulus test and the inhibitory factors were examined in 21 radiopharmaceuticals commonly used in Japan. The sensitivity of the Limulus test using pre-gel was found to be 1 mug/ml for Escherichia coli endotoxin. This sensitivity is about ten times that of the rabbit test adopted by USP and JP. The Limulus test was applicable, with full sensitivity and without inhibitory reaction, for the evaluation of 99mTcO4-, 99mTc-albumin, 99mTc-MAA, 99,Tc-Sn-colloid, 131I-Hippuran, Na131I, Na251CrO49, 67Ga citrate, and 57Co-bleomycin as commercially supplied. On the other hand, with 111In-DTPA, 99mTc-phytate, 99mTc-pyrophosphate, 99mTc-DTPA, 131I-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 59FeCl3, Na232PO4, 198Au colloid, and selenomethionine (Se-75), the pH required adjustment to avoid inhibition of the gelation reaction. Benzyl alcohol showed an inhibitory effect on the gelation reaction at concentrations of more than 1%. Iodine-131-Bromsulphalein (BSP) and 131I-rose bengal showed intense inhibition of the gelation reaction.", "contents": "Sensitivity of the Limulus test and inhibitory factors in the radiopharmaceuticals. The basic sensitivity of the Limulus test and the inhibitory factors were examined in 21 radiopharmaceuticals commonly used in Japan. The sensitivity of the Limulus test using pre-gel was found to be 1 mug/ml for Escherichia coli endotoxin. This sensitivity is about ten times that of the rabbit test adopted by USP and JP. The Limulus test was applicable, with full sensitivity and without inhibitory reaction, for the evaluation of 99mTcO4-, 99mTc-albumin, 99mTc-MAA, 99,Tc-Sn-colloid, 131I-Hippuran, Na131I, Na251CrO49, 67Ga citrate, and 57Co-bleomycin as commercially supplied. On the other hand, with 111In-DTPA, 99mTc-phytate, 99mTc-pyrophosphate, 99mTc-DTPA, 131I-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 59FeCl3, Na232PO4, 198Au colloid, and selenomethionine (Se-75), the pH required adjustment to avoid inhibition of the gelation reaction. Benzyl alcohol showed an inhibitory effect on the gelation reaction at concentrations of more than 1%. Iodine-131-Bromsulphalein (BSP) and 131I-rose bengal showed intense inhibition of the gelation reaction.", "PMID": 792399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9439", "title": "Concentrations of erythromycin in serum and tonsil: comparison of the estolate and ethyl succinate suspensions.", "content": "Concentrations of erythromycin were measured in serum and tonsil from children who had received either the estolate or ethyl succinate suspension before surgery. The in vitro assay measured total erythromycin activity against a group A beta hemolytic streptococcus. Levels of erythromycin in serum and tonsil after single and multiple doses of the estolate were significantly higher than those after administration of the ethyl succinate. The therapeutic implications of these findings are unknown.", "contents": "Concentrations of erythromycin in serum and tonsil: comparison of the estolate and ethyl succinate suspensions. Concentrations of erythromycin were measured in serum and tonsil from children who had received either the estolate or ethyl succinate suspension before surgery. The in vitro assay measured total erythromycin activity against a group A beta hemolytic streptococcus. Levels of erythromycin in serum and tonsil after single and multiple doses of the estolate were significantly higher than those after administration of the ethyl succinate. The therapeutic implications of these findings are unknown.", "PMID": 792404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9440", "title": "Erythromycin: a review of its uses in pediatric practice.", "content": "Erythromycin continues to be a valuable and useful antimicrobial agent in children. Its low index of toxicity, freedom from sensitization, and reliable absorption and when administered orally contribute to make it an attractive agent in the treatment of a variety of minor respiratory and skin infections, especially in those situations where real or potential allergy to penicillin exists. Additional major uses are in the eradication of the carrier state in whooping cough and in diphtheria, especially in those instances when oral therapy can be tolerated. Dispite use over more than two decades, resistance developing in formerly susceptible organisms has not been a problem and thus seems unlikely to become so in the future.", "contents": "Erythromycin: a review of its uses in pediatric practice. Erythromycin continues to be a valuable and useful antimicrobial agent in children. Its low index of toxicity, freedom from sensitization, and reliable absorption and when administered orally contribute to make it an attractive agent in the treatment of a variety of minor respiratory and skin infections, especially in those situations where real or potential allergy to penicillin exists. Additional major uses are in the eradication of the carrier state in whooping cough and in diphtheria, especially in those instances when oral therapy can be tolerated. Dispite use over more than two decades, resistance developing in formerly susceptible organisms has not been a problem and thus seems unlikely to become so in the future.", "PMID": 792407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9441", "title": "Toxigenic bacterial diarrhea: nursery outbreak involving multiple bacterial strains.", "content": "An outbreak of watery diarrhea occurred in 14 of 15 infants in a special care unit over a four-day period. Using the CHO cell assay for enterotoxin, we found that 11 of these patients had toxigenic bacteria in their stools. These bacteria comprised nine different serotypes of three species of organisms: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Citrobacter. None of the three serotypes of E. coli were classic enteropathogenic serotypes. Rectal swab specimens from all 15 infants were examined for the presence of viruses by electron microscopic and cell culture techniques as well as by studies in suckling mice. None had parvovirus- or reovirus-like agents and two had adenoviruses. No other viral agents were detected. Of 38 bacterial strains isolated from ten control infants without diarrhea, three Klebsiella strains from two individuals were found to be toxigenic. Analysis of a total of 136 enteric isolates showed that toxigenicity as measured by the CHO assay was strongly associated with strains isolated during acute diarrheal illness when compared with strains isolated in convalescence (p less than 10(-5)) or with strains from control infants without diarrhea (p less than 10(-5)). This study raises the possibility of an outbreak of disease caused by a transmissible plasmid responsible for a cholera-like enterotoxin production in several enteric bacterial strains.", "contents": "Toxigenic bacterial diarrhea: nursery outbreak involving multiple bacterial strains. An outbreak of watery diarrhea occurred in 14 of 15 infants in a special care unit over a four-day period. Using the CHO cell assay for enterotoxin, we found that 11 of these patients had toxigenic bacteria in their stools. These bacteria comprised nine different serotypes of three species of organisms: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Citrobacter. None of the three serotypes of E. coli were classic enteropathogenic serotypes. Rectal swab specimens from all 15 infants were examined for the presence of viruses by electron microscopic and cell culture techniques as well as by studies in suckling mice. None had parvovirus- or reovirus-like agents and two had adenoviruses. No other viral agents were detected. Of 38 bacterial strains isolated from ten control infants without diarrhea, three Klebsiella strains from two individuals were found to be toxigenic. Analysis of a total of 136 enteric isolates showed that toxigenicity as measured by the CHO assay was strongly associated with strains isolated during acute diarrheal illness when compared with strains isolated in convalescence (p less than 10(-5)) or with strains from control infants without diarrhea (p less than 10(-5)). This study raises the possibility of an outbreak of disease caused by a transmissible plasmid responsible for a cholera-like enterotoxin production in several enteric bacterial strains.", "PMID": 792408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9442", "title": "Interaction of E. coli strains with human serum: lack of relationship to K1 antigen.", "content": "Twenty-eight strains of E. coli isolated from infants were compared with respect to opsonic requirements, sensitivity to serum, and ability to activate serum chemotactic factors. Six of the strains were isolated from stools of healthy newborn infants; 22 were isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid or blood of infants with meningitis and/or septicemia. Eighteen of the strains had K1 polysaccharide antigen. Fourteen of the strains (seven with K1 antigen) activated complement via the alternative pathway and all of these strains were well opsonized in 4% pooled human serum. A higher concentration of serum was necessary to opsonize 12 of the 14 strains that did not activate the alternative pathway. A wide variation was also found in opsonic requirements of E. coli strains isolated from healthy and sick infants. There was no relationship of the K1 antigen to opsonic requirements, to capacity to activate complement via the alternative pathway, to generation of chemotactic factors, or to sensitivity to serum cidal activity. Therefore, the association of E. coli with K1 antigen and neonatal meningitis did not appear to be related to these bacteria-serum interactions.", "contents": "Interaction of E. coli strains with human serum: lack of relationship to K1 antigen. Twenty-eight strains of E. coli isolated from infants were compared with respect to opsonic requirements, sensitivity to serum, and ability to activate serum chemotactic factors. Six of the strains were isolated from stools of healthy newborn infants; 22 were isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid or blood of infants with meningitis and/or septicemia. Eighteen of the strains had K1 polysaccharide antigen. Fourteen of the strains (seven with K1 antigen) activated complement via the alternative pathway and all of these strains were well opsonized in 4% pooled human serum. A higher concentration of serum was necessary to opsonize 12 of the 14 strains that did not activate the alternative pathway. A wide variation was also found in opsonic requirements of E. coli strains isolated from healthy and sick infants. There was no relationship of the K1 antigen to opsonic requirements, to capacity to activate complement via the alternative pathway, to generation of chemotactic factors, or to sensitivity to serum cidal activity. Therefore, the association of E. coli with K1 antigen and neonatal meningitis did not appear to be related to these bacteria-serum interactions.", "PMID": 792409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9443", "title": "Midline hamartomas masquerading as meningomyeloceles or teratomas in the newborn infant.", "content": "Congenital miline dorsal malformations in infants most commonly represent spina bifida cystica or teratoma. The five patients reported here are a distinct clinicopathologic entity. They presented at birth with a dorsal midline mass, with no neurologic impairment, and no hydrocephalus developed subsequently. The lesions were removed in all infants without significant mobidity. The masses were comprised prinicipally of mesodermal elements, i.e., bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, and fibrous tissue. The well-differentiated cellular components, forming mature structures and the lack of primitive organoid structures as well as the absence of neoplastic characteristics, favors a diagnosis of hamartoma rather than of teratoma.", "contents": "Midline hamartomas masquerading as meningomyeloceles or teratomas in the newborn infant. Congenital miline dorsal malformations in infants most commonly represent spina bifida cystica or teratoma. The five patients reported here are a distinct clinicopathologic entity. They presented at birth with a dorsal midline mass, with no neurologic impairment, and no hydrocephalus developed subsequently. The lesions were removed in all infants without significant mobidity. The masses were comprised prinicipally of mesodermal elements, i.e., bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, and fibrous tissue. The well-differentiated cellular components, forming mature structures and the lack of primitive organoid structures as well as the absence of neoplastic characteristics, favors a diagnosis of hamartoma rather than of teratoma.", "PMID": 792410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9444", "title": "Gonadotropin responses to luteinizing releasing factor in boys treated with cyclophosphamide for nephrotic syndrome.", "content": "Cyclophosphamide therapy of the nephrotic syndrome has been associated with oligo- and azoospermia and with abnormalities of testicular histology in adults and pubertal boys. In 15 prepubertal boys, no abnormalities of basal serum levels of LH, FSH, or T were found when they were studied 8 months to 7 years after cyclophosphamide therapy. Five boys were pubertal during therapy were found to have elevated mean basal values of gonadotropins with normal testosterone levels and elevated LH responses to LRF; the FSH responses to LRF were elevated in four patients. One of four boys who were prepubertal during therapy but pubertal at the time of testing had an elevated basal LH and LH response to LRF. Three boys who were prepubertal at the times of therapy and testing had normal LH responses to LRF. The LRF test may provide a means of identifying the patient who has sustained testicular injury and who may require testicular biopsy.", "contents": "Gonadotropin responses to luteinizing releasing factor in boys treated with cyclophosphamide for nephrotic syndrome. Cyclophosphamide therapy of the nephrotic syndrome has been associated with oligo- and azoospermia and with abnormalities of testicular histology in adults and pubertal boys. In 15 prepubertal boys, no abnormalities of basal serum levels of LH, FSH, or T were found when they were studied 8 months to 7 years after cyclophosphamide therapy. Five boys were pubertal during therapy were found to have elevated mean basal values of gonadotropins with normal testosterone levels and elevated LH responses to LRF; the FSH responses to LRF were elevated in four patients. One of four boys who were prepubertal during therapy but pubertal at the time of testing had an elevated basal LH and LH response to LRF. Three boys who were prepubertal at the times of therapy and testing had normal LH responses to LRF. The LRF test may provide a means of identifying the patient who has sustained testicular injury and who may require testicular biopsy.", "PMID": 792411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9445", "title": "Assessment of thermodilution cardiac output in small subjects.", "content": "Thermodilution cardiac output determinations were compared with dye-dilution measurements in normovolemic and hypovolemic puppies. Good correlation was achieved with small volumes of cold and warm saline. Injectate volumes and significant caval displacement of the injectate port did not significantly affect thermodilution output measurements. This study demonstrates that thermodilution is a reliable and practical method of cardiac output determination in small subjects and suggests that this technique may be useful in the clinical management of neonates and small infants.", "contents": "Assessment of thermodilution cardiac output in small subjects. Thermodilution cardiac output determinations were compared with dye-dilution measurements in normovolemic and hypovolemic puppies. Good correlation was achieved with small volumes of cold and warm saline. Injectate volumes and significant caval displacement of the injectate port did not significantly affect thermodilution output measurements. This study demonstrates that thermodilution is a reliable and practical method of cardiac output determination in small subjects and suggests that this technique may be useful in the clinical management of neonates and small infants.", "PMID": 792412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9446", "title": "Feedback of client-relevant information and clinical practice.", "content": "Feedback refers to client-relevant information that is communicated directly to the client. A review of the literature suggests that how one reacts to feedback is influenced by the kind of feedback, the conditions under which feedback is presented, and a variety of relevant subject variables. The most frequent design has resulted in acceptance of false feedback by college students leading to derogation of instruments and assessors. Honest feedback has led to a variety of positive effects in both research studies and clinical examples. The beginnings of a human science rationale for honest feedback are presented.", "contents": "Feedback of client-relevant information and clinical practice. Feedback refers to client-relevant information that is communicated directly to the client. A review of the literature suggests that how one reacts to feedback is influenced by the kind of feedback, the conditions under which feedback is presented, and a variety of relevant subject variables. The most frequent design has resulted in acceptance of false feedback by college students leading to derogation of instruments and assessors. Honest feedback has led to a variety of positive effects in both research studies and clinical examples. The beginnings of a human science rationale for honest feedback are presented.", "PMID": 792413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9447", "title": "Kinetic-family-drawing styles and emotionally disturbed childhood behavior.", "content": "The purpose of the study was to achieve empirical verification that Kinetic-Family-Drawing (KFD) styles were reflected by children with moderate/severe emotionally disturbed interpersonal relationships as opposed to the nonstylized drawings of adjusted children. Drawings were obtained from 102 emotionally disturbed children attending the Lesley College Schools for Children. For the normal sample of KFDs, 162 drawings were collected from children attending public elementary schools. The drawings were analyzed and scored for style in a reliable fashion by five judges. The results confirmed the general existence of KFD style; however, style was not predominantly associated with the disturbed sample but rather was present to a greater extent (significant at the .05 level) in the KFDs of adjusted children.", "contents": "Kinetic-family-drawing styles and emotionally disturbed childhood behavior. The purpose of the study was to achieve empirical verification that Kinetic-Family-Drawing (KFD) styles were reflected by children with moderate/severe emotionally disturbed interpersonal relationships as opposed to the nonstylized drawings of adjusted children. Drawings were obtained from 102 emotionally disturbed children attending the Lesley College Schools for Children. For the normal sample of KFDs, 162 drawings were collected from children attending public elementary schools. The drawings were analyzed and scored for style in a reliable fashion by five judges. The results confirmed the general existence of KFD style; however, style was not predominantly associated with the disturbed sample but rather was present to a greater extent (significant at the .05 level) in the KFDs of adjusted children.", "PMID": 792414} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9448", "title": "Effect of alloxan on islet tissue permeability: protection and reversal by dithiols.", "content": "The ability of dithiol compounds with different spacing between the thiol (SH) groups to protect against and reversed the action of alloxan on islet tissue permeability, and their ability to inhibit the reaction between alloxan and glutathione (which results in the formation of a compound with a 305 nm absorption maximum) have been examined. Treatment of toadfish islet slices with alloxan markedly increased their permeability to D-mannitol-1-14C, which normally is restricted to the extracellular space. Pretreatment of the slices with 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) or 1,4-dimercaptobutane (DMB) before treatment with alloxan completely protected them against this action of alloxan, whereas 1,5-dimercaptopentane (DMP) and 1,6-dimercaptohexane (DMH) partially protected and 1,8-dimercapto-octane (DMO) had no effect. When islets were first treated with alloxan and then treated with the dithiols, BAL and DMB reverse the action of alloxan to the greatest extent, DMP was less effective, and DMH had no effect. The effect of the dithiols on the reaction between alloxan and glutathione was consistent with their effects on the alloxan-induced increase in islet permeability; BAL and DMB were the strongest inhibitors, DMP and DMH inhibited to a lesser degree and DMO did not inhibit. These studies support the hypothesis that alloxan damages islet cell membranes by reacting with membrane dithiols formed by two SH groups which are relatively close together.", "contents": "Effect of alloxan on islet tissue permeability: protection and reversal by dithiols. The ability of dithiol compounds with different spacing between the thiol (SH) groups to protect against and reversed the action of alloxan on islet tissue permeability, and their ability to inhibit the reaction between alloxan and glutathione (which results in the formation of a compound with a 305 nm absorption maximum) have been examined. Treatment of toadfish islet slices with alloxan markedly increased their permeability to D-mannitol-1-14C, which normally is restricted to the extracellular space. Pretreatment of the slices with 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) or 1,4-dimercaptobutane (DMB) before treatment with alloxan completely protected them against this action of alloxan, whereas 1,5-dimercaptopentane (DMP) and 1,6-dimercaptohexane (DMH) partially protected and 1,8-dimercapto-octane (DMO) had no effect. When islets were first treated with alloxan and then treated with the dithiols, BAL and DMB reverse the action of alloxan to the greatest extent, DMP was less effective, and DMH had no effect. The effect of the dithiols on the reaction between alloxan and glutathione was consistent with their effects on the alloxan-induced increase in islet permeability; BAL and DMB were the strongest inhibitors, DMP and DMH inhibited to a lesser degree and DMO did not inhibit. These studies support the hypothesis that alloxan damages islet cell membranes by reacting with membrane dithiols formed by two SH groups which are relatively close together.", "PMID": 792416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9449", "title": "The association of octopamine with specific neurones along lobster nerve trunks.", "content": "Octapamine and its synthetic enzyme, tyramine beta-hydroxylase (TBH), are found in high concentrations at two points along second thoracic nerve roots in lobsters. The first is in the proximal section of the second root between the ventral nerve cord and the bifurcation of the root into medial (to flexor muscles) and lateral (to extensors) branches. The second region of high concentration is within a well known crustacean neurosecretory system, the pericardial organ, located close to the ends of the lateral branches of the roots. 2. With several different staining procedures, small clusters of nerve cell bodies are found within the connective tissue sheath in the proximal regions of the second roots. No cell bodies are seen in the pericardial organ regions. Cell bodies are variable in number and position between corresponding roots in the same animal and homologous roots among different animals. The average numbers of cell bodies, however, correlate well with TBH and octopamine content, and with the synthesis of octopamine in these same regions of roots. 3. Small clusters of root cell bodies dissected from preparations have greater than 500-fold higher activities of TBH than isolated efferent excitatory and inhibitory or afferent sensory axons. 4. Along with octopamine, the preferential synthesis of acetylcholine and serotonin is also seen in proximal segments of roots. Acetylcholine synthesis in these regions may represent transmitter synthesized in the nerve terminals innervating the root cells. The role of serotonin in these regions is not understood at this time but the amounts of endogenous serotonin found are only a tenth of the amounts of octopamine present. 5. Dopamine is not synthesized from tyrosine in second thoracic roots. However, if DOPA or dopamine are used as precursor compounds, then noradrenaline, which is usually not found in lobsters, can be accumulated in proximal segments of roots. 6. Phenolamines are converted to two further metabolites by lobster tissues. The compounds are unidentified and are named fast and slow product on the basis of their migration on electrophoresis at acid pH. Some partial characterization of slow product reveals that it is a mixture of compounds that can be converted on mild acid hydrolysis to fast product and the parent phenolamine. 7. The several lines of evidence presented suggest that nerve cells found in the proximal segments of the second thoracic roots contain and can synthesize octopamine. Since not all the cells in any single root have been analysed for octopamine or TBH, however, the possibility that one or more of the cells contain physiologically interesting substances other than octopamine is not eliminated.", "contents": "The association of octopamine with specific neurones along lobster nerve trunks. Octapamine and its synthetic enzyme, tyramine beta-hydroxylase (TBH), are found in high concentrations at two points along second thoracic nerve roots in lobsters. The first is in the proximal section of the second root between the ventral nerve cord and the bifurcation of the root into medial (to flexor muscles) and lateral (to extensors) branches. The second region of high concentration is within a well known crustacean neurosecretory system, the pericardial organ, located close to the ends of the lateral branches of the roots. 2. With several different staining procedures, small clusters of nerve cell bodies are found within the connective tissue sheath in the proximal regions of the second roots. No cell bodies are seen in the pericardial organ regions. Cell bodies are variable in number and position between corresponding roots in the same animal and homologous roots among different animals. The average numbers of cell bodies, however, correlate well with TBH and octopamine content, and with the synthesis of octopamine in these same regions of roots. 3. Small clusters of root cell bodies dissected from preparations have greater than 500-fold higher activities of TBH than isolated efferent excitatory and inhibitory or afferent sensory axons. 4. Along with octopamine, the preferential synthesis of acetylcholine and serotonin is also seen in proximal segments of roots. Acetylcholine synthesis in these regions may represent transmitter synthesized in the nerve terminals innervating the root cells. The role of serotonin in these regions is not understood at this time but the amounts of endogenous serotonin found are only a tenth of the amounts of octopamine present. 5. Dopamine is not synthesized from tyrosine in second thoracic roots. However, if DOPA or dopamine are used as precursor compounds, then noradrenaline, which is usually not found in lobsters, can be accumulated in proximal segments of roots. 6. Phenolamines are converted to two further metabolites by lobster tissues. The compounds are unidentified and are named fast and slow product on the basis of their migration on electrophoresis at acid pH. Some partial characterization of slow product reveals that it is a mixture of compounds that can be converted on mild acid hydrolysis to fast product and the parent phenolamine. 7. The several lines of evidence presented suggest that nerve cells found in the proximal segments of the second thoracic roots contain and can synthesize octopamine. Since not all the cells in any single root have been analysed for octopamine or TBH, however, the possibility that one or more of the cells contain physiologically interesting substances other than octopamine is not eliminated.", "PMID": 792417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9450", "title": "Octopamine release at two points along lobster nerve trunks.", "content": "Nerve cells in the proximal regions of second thoracic roots in lobsters have been injected with the fluorescent dye Procion Yellow. Examination of the roots reveals an elaborate array of cell branches in a superficial layer of the root in the vicinity of the cell bodies. Large varicosities, up to 10 mum in diameter, are seen lined up along fine nerve branches. 2. In these same regions, electron microscopic examination shows the presence of large profiles filled with 0-1-0-2 mum dense cored granules, and having the appearance of nerve endings. These profiles probably correspond to the varicosities seen in the Procion Yellow injections. The dense cored granules within the endings have a crystalline substructure. All the endings are found within 7 mum of the surface of the root and no obvious physiological target tissue exists in their surroundings. Endings have not been traced directly to root cell bodies.However, granules of similar dimensions to those seen in endings are found in cell bodies, axon-hillock regions and numerous axonal profiles in the superficial root regions near cell bodies. The morphological studies suggest that the root neurones have the typical appearance of neurosecretory cells. 3. Octopamine pools in cell body regions of second thoracic roots can be isotopically labelled by incubation with either [3H]tyramine or [3H]-tyrosine. After labelling, pulsing with 100 mM potassium causes an increase in the rate of release of radioactive material. Upon return to normal media background rates of release are re-established. The enhanced efflux has the following properties: (a) repeated pulses of potassium release less radio-active material each time; (b) a prolonged potassium pulse produces first a peak of release, then a decline to a plateau, and the plateau level of release is maintained for the duration of the potassium pulse; (c) release is dependent on the presence of calcium ions in the bathing fluid and 40 mM cobalt prevents release; (d) release is selective for octopamine. With tyrosine as a precursor compound, as much radioactive tyrosine as octopamine is found in tissues after incubation, yet pulsing with potassium causes an enhanced efflux only of octopamine from preparations. 4. Release of octopamine also can be demonstrated from pericardial organs near the ends of lateral branches of the roots and the properties of the release are identical to those seen with cell body regions. 5. Physiological studies, in which root cells are antidromically activated while recording from cell bodies, suggest that the distal endings of at least some of the root cells are at the pericardial organs. 6. The results suggest that root cell neurones are neurosecretory cells capable of releasing octopamine at two points: one near cell bodies, the other at the pericardial organs near the distal ends of the roots...", "contents": "Octopamine release at two points along lobster nerve trunks. Nerve cells in the proximal regions of second thoracic roots in lobsters have been injected with the fluorescent dye Procion Yellow. Examination of the roots reveals an elaborate array of cell branches in a superficial layer of the root in the vicinity of the cell bodies. Large varicosities, up to 10 mum in diameter, are seen lined up along fine nerve branches. 2. In these same regions, electron microscopic examination shows the presence of large profiles filled with 0-1-0-2 mum dense cored granules, and having the appearance of nerve endings. These profiles probably correspond to the varicosities seen in the Procion Yellow injections. The dense cored granules within the endings have a crystalline substructure. All the endings are found within 7 mum of the surface of the root and no obvious physiological target tissue exists in their surroundings. Endings have not been traced directly to root cell bodies.However, granules of similar dimensions to those seen in endings are found in cell bodies, axon-hillock regions and numerous axonal profiles in the superficial root regions near cell bodies. The morphological studies suggest that the root neurones have the typical appearance of neurosecretory cells. 3. Octopamine pools in cell body regions of second thoracic roots can be isotopically labelled by incubation with either [3H]tyramine or [3H]-tyrosine. After labelling, pulsing with 100 mM potassium causes an increase in the rate of release of radioactive material. Upon return to normal media background rates of release are re-established. The enhanced efflux has the following properties: (a) repeated pulses of potassium release less radio-active material each time; (b) a prolonged potassium pulse produces first a peak of release, then a decline to a plateau, and the plateau level of release is maintained for the duration of the potassium pulse; (c) release is dependent on the presence of calcium ions in the bathing fluid and 40 mM cobalt prevents release; (d) release is selective for octopamine. With tyrosine as a precursor compound, as much radioactive tyrosine as octopamine is found in tissues after incubation, yet pulsing with potassium causes an enhanced efflux only of octopamine from preparations. 4. Release of octopamine also can be demonstrated from pericardial organs near the ends of lateral branches of the roots and the properties of the release are identical to those seen with cell body regions. 5. Physiological studies, in which root cells are antidromically activated while recording from cell bodies, suggest that the distal endings of at least some of the root cells are at the pericardial organs. 6. The results suggest that root cell neurones are neurosecretory cells capable of releasing octopamine at two points: one near cell bodies, the other at the pericardial organs near the distal ends of the roots...", "PMID": 792418} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9451", "title": "Early and late hind-limb vascular responses to stimulation of receptors in the nose of the rabbit.", "content": "1. In rabbits under pentobarbitone anaesthesia stimulation of the nasal mucous membrane with ether vapour causes apnoea, bradycardia and a rise in arterial blood pressure. 2. Simultaneous measurements of femoral arterial blood pressure and of femoral arterial or venous blood flow show that vascular resistance increases in both the intact and skinned hind limb in response to nasal stimulation. Evidence is presented to show that the increase in hind-limb vascular resistance is due to vasoconstriction which is relfex in nature. 3. The change in vascular resistance in the hind limb following nasal stimulation may be divided into two distinct phases. The primary (early) phase is mediated by the efferent sympathetic nerves to the limb whereas the secondary (late) phase is mediated by adrenal gland hormones. 4. The secondary phase of the hind-limb vascular response is invariably less pronounced than the primary phase, and with regard to the time course of the appearance of the two phases of the response it appears that following stimulation of the nose there is no mutual reinforcement of sympathetic neural and humoral influences on the hind-limb blood vessels. 5. The cardiovascular response occur in the absence of changes in pulmonary ventilation.", "contents": "Early and late hind-limb vascular responses to stimulation of receptors in the nose of the rabbit. 1. In rabbits under pentobarbitone anaesthesia stimulation of the nasal mucous membrane with ether vapour causes apnoea, bradycardia and a rise in arterial blood pressure. 2. Simultaneous measurements of femoral arterial blood pressure and of femoral arterial or venous blood flow show that vascular resistance increases in both the intact and skinned hind limb in response to nasal stimulation. Evidence is presented to show that the increase in hind-limb vascular resistance is due to vasoconstriction which is relfex in nature. 3. The change in vascular resistance in the hind limb following nasal stimulation may be divided into two distinct phases. The primary (early) phase is mediated by the efferent sympathetic nerves to the limb whereas the secondary (late) phase is mediated by adrenal gland hormones. 4. The secondary phase of the hind-limb vascular response is invariably less pronounced than the primary phase, and with regard to the time course of the appearance of the two phases of the response it appears that following stimulation of the nose there is no mutual reinforcement of sympathetic neural and humoral influences on the hind-limb blood vessels. 5. The cardiovascular response occur in the absence of changes in pulmonary ventilation.", "PMID": 792419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9452", "title": "Insulin from individual isolated islets of Langerhans 2. Effect of glucose in varying concentrations.", "content": "1. Insulin secretion of individual isolated islets of Langerhans from mice, determined at 15 second intervals, demonstrated a pulsatile pattern. Glucose stimulated increased amounts of insulin to be released from these individual islets. 2. Insulin secretion of individual isolated mouse islets of Langerhans incubated for 5-15 minute intervals showed a direct relationship to concentration. There was negligible \"leakage\" in the absence of glucose. 3. Serial determination of insulin release from individual islets at 15 sec. intervals also demonstrated augmented magnitude of insulin release in response to increase of glucose in the medium. More important, a pulsatile pattern of insulin release was evident, which may be related to inherent physiological periodicity of islet physiology as also reflected in the pattern of islet electrical activity.", "contents": "Insulin from individual isolated islets of Langerhans 2. Effect of glucose in varying concentrations. 1. Insulin secretion of individual isolated islets of Langerhans from mice, determined at 15 second intervals, demonstrated a pulsatile pattern. Glucose stimulated increased amounts of insulin to be released from these individual islets. 2. Insulin secretion of individual isolated mouse islets of Langerhans incubated for 5-15 minute intervals showed a direct relationship to concentration. There was negligible \"leakage\" in the absence of glucose. 3. Serial determination of insulin release from individual islets at 15 sec. intervals also demonstrated augmented magnitude of insulin release in response to increase of glucose in the medium. More important, a pulsatile pattern of insulin release was evident, which may be related to inherent physiological periodicity of islet physiology as also reflected in the pattern of islet electrical activity.", "PMID": 792420} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9453", "title": "Potassium ions and insulin release.", "content": "This article briefly reviews the effects of potassium on insulin release. Omission of extracellular potassium in vitro is followed by a delayed impairment of the release. At low concentrations of potassium, the insulinotropic effect of glucose is reduced in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, high concentrations of potassium increase insulin secretion, but, in vitro, supraphysiological concentrations of the ion first activate and then inactivate the releasing process.", "contents": "Potassium ions and insulin release. This article briefly reviews the effects of potassium on insulin release. Omission of extracellular potassium in vitro is followed by a delayed impairment of the release. At low concentrations of potassium, the insulinotropic effect of glucose is reduced in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, high concentrations of potassium increase insulin secretion, but, in vitro, supraphysiological concentrations of the ion first activate and then inactivate the releasing process.", "PMID": 792421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9454", "title": "Electrical characteristics of the beta-cells in pancreatic islets.", "content": "1. The electrical activity of beta-cells is characterized by a regular burst pattern. 2. The bursts occur in a potential range which is not dependent on external glucose concentration. However, there is a clear dose-response relationship between spike frequency or plateau duration and the glucose concentration. 3. There is a striking biphasic pattern of the electrical activity in response to a sudden and sustained stimulation with glucose. 4. These findings agree well with corresponding investigations on insulin release and strongly support the view that insulin release and electrical activity are directly correlated. 5. Concerning the mechanism of the electrical activity, there is evidence that an electrogenic pump plays an important role in the regulation of the burst pattern and presumably in the regulation of insulin release.", "contents": "Electrical characteristics of the beta-cells in pancreatic islets. 1. The electrical activity of beta-cells is characterized by a regular burst pattern. 2. The bursts occur in a potential range which is not dependent on external glucose concentration. However, there is a clear dose-response relationship between spike frequency or plateau duration and the glucose concentration. 3. There is a striking biphasic pattern of the electrical activity in response to a sudden and sustained stimulation with glucose. 4. These findings agree well with corresponding investigations on insulin release and strongly support the view that insulin release and electrical activity are directly correlated. 5. Concerning the mechanism of the electrical activity, there is evidence that an electrogenic pump plays an important role in the regulation of the burst pattern and presumably in the regulation of insulin release.", "PMID": 792422} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9455", "title": "Dynamic characteristics of electrical activity in pancreatic beta-cells. I. - Effects of calcium and magnesium removal.", "content": "1. Electrical activity in beta-cells of mouse islets of Langerhans was studied using ultra-fine micro-electrodes. 11.1 mM glucose stimulated electrical activity in bursts of 12 to 24 sec duration, including an active phase, characterized by depolarization and rapid fluctuations of the potential (spikes), and a silent phase when the membrane repolarized. Analysis of the spike frequency distribution during the active phase supports the hypothesis that the spikes result from exocytosis. 2. Calcium removal, in the presence of magnesium, did not alter membrane potential. Burst activity in 11.1 mM glucose was inhibited, and spike activity appeared in some cells. The frequency of these spikes increased as the magnesium was reduced. Re-introduction of calcium induced depolarization and increased spike frequency. 3. Omission of calcium and magnesium reversibly induced depolarization. In 11.1 mM glucose, there was further depolarization, and an altered pattern of electrical activity. Bursts were reversed in polarity, the silent phase being depolarized with respect to the active phase, and duration of reversed bursts was increased while the number of spikes during the active phase was decreased. Caffeine, when added, increased the number of spikes. Re-introduction of calcium and magnesium induced a transient hyperpolarization with suppression of spike activity. 4. Simultaneous reduction of calcium and magnesium to one-half or one-tenth of the control concentration enhanced the overall spike activity in 11.1 mM glucose by shortening or blocking the silent phase between bursts. 5. Quinidine, 0.14 mM, irreversibly inhibited the silent phases of bursts and modified the biphasic electrical response to glucose.", "contents": "Dynamic characteristics of electrical activity in pancreatic beta-cells. I. - Effects of calcium and magnesium removal. 1. Electrical activity in beta-cells of mouse islets of Langerhans was studied using ultra-fine micro-electrodes. 11.1 mM glucose stimulated electrical activity in bursts of 12 to 24 sec duration, including an active phase, characterized by depolarization and rapid fluctuations of the potential (spikes), and a silent phase when the membrane repolarized. Analysis of the spike frequency distribution during the active phase supports the hypothesis that the spikes result from exocytosis. 2. Calcium removal, in the presence of magnesium, did not alter membrane potential. Burst activity in 11.1 mM glucose was inhibited, and spike activity appeared in some cells. The frequency of these spikes increased as the magnesium was reduced. Re-introduction of calcium induced depolarization and increased spike frequency. 3. Omission of calcium and magnesium reversibly induced depolarization. In 11.1 mM glucose, there was further depolarization, and an altered pattern of electrical activity. Bursts were reversed in polarity, the silent phase being depolarized with respect to the active phase, and duration of reversed bursts was increased while the number of spikes during the active phase was decreased. Caffeine, when added, increased the number of spikes. Re-introduction of calcium and magnesium induced a transient hyperpolarization with suppression of spike activity. 4. Simultaneous reduction of calcium and magnesium to one-half or one-tenth of the control concentration enhanced the overall spike activity in 11.1 mM glucose by shortening or blocking the silent phase between bursts. 5. Quinidine, 0.14 mM, irreversibly inhibited the silent phases of bursts and modified the biphasic electrical response to glucose.", "PMID": 792423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9456", "title": "An approach to a molecular understanding of exocytotic insulin release.", "content": "By the use of an in vitro insulin releasing system, new insights into the meechanisms underlying the insulin exocytotic process have been gained. It is proposed that insulin release is initiated by glucose interacting with a glucoreceptor on the plasma membrane. Some properties of this receptor are discussed. It is postulated that after initiation of secretion, continued insulin release is under the control of phosphorylated intermediates of glucose metabolism, i.e. glucose-6-phosphate and phosphoenol pyruvate, operating via a membrane-bound protein kinase. The initiation of insulin release by glucose, and the augmentation of this initiation by the above mentioned intermediates, is viewed as a modified cascade system. The cascade theory of insulin secretion is postulated as an alternative to the threshold distribution hypothesis of insulin secretion. The action of tolbutamide in relation to the two pool theory of insulin secretion is discussed.", "contents": "An approach to a molecular understanding of exocytotic insulin release. By the use of an in vitro insulin releasing system, new insights into the meechanisms underlying the insulin exocytotic process have been gained. It is proposed that insulin release is initiated by glucose interacting with a glucoreceptor on the plasma membrane. Some properties of this receptor are discussed. It is postulated that after initiation of secretion, continued insulin release is under the control of phosphorylated intermediates of glucose metabolism, i.e. glucose-6-phosphate and phosphoenol pyruvate, operating via a membrane-bound protein kinase. The initiation of insulin release by glucose, and the augmentation of this initiation by the above mentioned intermediates, is viewed as a modified cascade system. The cascade theory of insulin secretion is postulated as an alternative to the threshold distribution hypothesis of insulin secretion. The action of tolbutamide in relation to the two pool theory of insulin secretion is discussed.", "PMID": 792424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9457", "title": "Preliminary report: effects of female sex hormones on insulin secretion by the perfused rat pancreas.", "content": "The effects of progesterone and oestradiol on insulin secretion were studied with the perfused pancreas technic. 1. Progesterone did not affect-glucose induced insulin secretion directly. 2. OEstradiol increased insulin secretion directly.", "contents": "Preliminary report: effects of female sex hormones on insulin secretion by the perfused rat pancreas. The effects of progesterone and oestradiol on insulin secretion were studied with the perfused pancreas technic. 1. Progesterone did not affect-glucose induced insulin secretion directly. 2. OEstradiol increased insulin secretion directly.", "PMID": 792425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9458", "title": "Control of A and B cells in vivo by sympathetic nervous input and selective hyper or hypoglycemia in dog pancreas.", "content": "An extra-corporeal blood circuit was established between the cranial pancreatico-duodenal vein and the portal vein in the dog. Timed measurements of flow, hematocrit, insulin and glucagon concentrations in this circuit were made in order to calculate the secretion rates of insulin and glucagon. The plasma glucose concentration in the pancreatico-duodenal vein was monitored at steady state from 50 to 330 mg/100 ml for periods of 70 min by infusing a saline solution or glucose into the cranio-pancreatico-duodenal artery. No change in peripheral glucose concentrations was detected. 1. When glucose concentration in the PD vein was lowered from 100 mg/100 ml to about 50 mg/100 ml, the basal insulin secretion rate was not modified. When the glucose concentration was increased from 100 mg/100 ml to about 300 mg/100 ml, the insulin secretion rate increased linearly over the range of concentrations tested. 2. Glucagon secretion rate was unmodified throughout the range of glycemia tested. Whereas net pancreatic glucagon secretion rate was not reduced by selective pancreatic hyperglycemia, it was reduced by systemic hyperglycemia at about the same concentration. 3. In atropinized pancreas, low frequency (2 Hz) electrical stimulation of the distal end of the ligated mixed pancreatic nerve caused a mean decrease of 44% in the secretion rate of insulin, and a mean increase of 42% in the secretion rate of glucagon at all PD vein glucose concentrations studied. 4. It can be concluded, therefore, that the sympathetic nervous input at physiological frequencies controls the moment-to-moment secretory activity of the A and B cells of the pancreas independently of the concentrations of glucose.", "contents": "Control of A and B cells in vivo by sympathetic nervous input and selective hyper or hypoglycemia in dog pancreas. An extra-corporeal blood circuit was established between the cranial pancreatico-duodenal vein and the portal vein in the dog. Timed measurements of flow, hematocrit, insulin and glucagon concentrations in this circuit were made in order to calculate the secretion rates of insulin and glucagon. The plasma glucose concentration in the pancreatico-duodenal vein was monitored at steady state from 50 to 330 mg/100 ml for periods of 70 min by infusing a saline solution or glucose into the cranio-pancreatico-duodenal artery. No change in peripheral glucose concentrations was detected. 1. When glucose concentration in the PD vein was lowered from 100 mg/100 ml to about 50 mg/100 ml, the basal insulin secretion rate was not modified. When the glucose concentration was increased from 100 mg/100 ml to about 300 mg/100 ml, the insulin secretion rate increased linearly over the range of concentrations tested. 2. Glucagon secretion rate was unmodified throughout the range of glycemia tested. Whereas net pancreatic glucagon secretion rate was not reduced by selective pancreatic hyperglycemia, it was reduced by systemic hyperglycemia at about the same concentration. 3. In atropinized pancreas, low frequency (2 Hz) electrical stimulation of the distal end of the ligated mixed pancreatic nerve caused a mean decrease of 44% in the secretion rate of insulin, and a mean increase of 42% in the secretion rate of glucagon at all PD vein glucose concentrations studied. 4. It can be concluded, therefore, that the sympathetic nervous input at physiological frequencies controls the moment-to-moment secretory activity of the A and B cells of the pancreas independently of the concentrations of glucose.", "PMID": 792426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9459", "title": "Insulin secretion by human pancreas cultured for one year.", "content": "The pancreas of a child with intractable neonatal hypoglycemia was explanted in tissue culture on plasma clot and in monolayer culture after enzymatic dissociation. 1. Cytological and immunoenzymatic studies of pancreas before explantation showed a very altered structure, suggesting a polyendocrine tumor composed mainly of B cells. Endocrine cells were present in the epithelium of duct-like structures. Large islets were often in continuity with these structures, suggesting islet budding from ducts, and supporting the hypothesis of the persistence of embryonic characteristics. 2. In vitro, the pancreatic endocrine cells survived and proliferated; they were maintained for 362 days. During this time, they maintained their secretory capacity, as shown by radioimmunoassays of the culture media: the cells released insulin in rapidly decreasing amounts, then continued excreting low levels (5 to 60 muU/flask/day), in alternative periods of secretion and absence of secretion. 3. Cytological study by light and electron microscopy of the cells in tissue and in monolayer cultures shows that they can undergo morphological changes, and may become epithelioid, fibroblastoid or round, while retaining their secreting activity. 4. In long-term culture, the cells did not contain typical mature secretion granules. The hormone might be released into the medium by a clasmatosis mechanism. On the other hand, hormone excretion by vesicles originating from the rough endoplasmic reticulum is possible.", "contents": "Insulin secretion by human pancreas cultured for one year. The pancreas of a child with intractable neonatal hypoglycemia was explanted in tissue culture on plasma clot and in monolayer culture after enzymatic dissociation. 1. Cytological and immunoenzymatic studies of pancreas before explantation showed a very altered structure, suggesting a polyendocrine tumor composed mainly of B cells. Endocrine cells were present in the epithelium of duct-like structures. Large islets were often in continuity with these structures, suggesting islet budding from ducts, and supporting the hypothesis of the persistence of embryonic characteristics. 2. In vitro, the pancreatic endocrine cells survived and proliferated; they were maintained for 362 days. During this time, they maintained their secretory capacity, as shown by radioimmunoassays of the culture media: the cells released insulin in rapidly decreasing amounts, then continued excreting low levels (5 to 60 muU/flask/day), in alternative periods of secretion and absence of secretion. 3. Cytological study by light and electron microscopy of the cells in tissue and in monolayer cultures shows that they can undergo morphological changes, and may become epithelioid, fibroblastoid or round, while retaining their secreting activity. 4. In long-term culture, the cells did not contain typical mature secretion granules. The hormone might be released into the medium by a clasmatosis mechanism. On the other hand, hormone excretion by vesicles originating from the rough endoplasmic reticulum is possible.", "PMID": 792427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9460", "title": "Five-year cephalometric study of mandibular ridge resorption with different posterior occlusal forms. Part I. Denture construction and initial comparison.", "content": "The average 5 year reduction of the occluding vertical dimension (nasion to menton) for 45 patients was 3.2mm. (2.8 mm. for the anatomic group, 3.2 mm. for the semianatomic group, and 3.6 mm. for the nonanatomic group, each constituting 15 patients). Mandibular physiologic resting face height became foreshortened on the average only one third as much as the morphologic centric occlusion face height. Tabulation of adjustments for sore spots indicated that: the fewest postinsertion appointments were required for the anatomic group of patients; three fourths of 604 denture base alterations were on lower dentures; for upper and lower denture base alterations, one third were made on the borders and two thirds, on the basal seat; one sixth of all alterations were made at routine recall examinations; the fewest upper denture base alterations were for the nonanatomic patients; and the fewest adjustments of the lower denture base on the tissue surface and on the borders were done for the anatomic group of patients. This investigation has been underway for 18 years, and several more re", "contents": "Five-year cephalometric study of mandibular ridge resorption with different posterior occlusal forms. Part I. Denture construction and initial comparison. The average 5 year reduction of the occluding vertical dimension (nasion to menton) for 45 patients was 3.2mm. (2.8 mm. for the anatomic group, 3.2 mm. for the semianatomic group, and 3.6 mm. for the nonanatomic group, each constituting 15 patients). Mandibular physiologic resting face height became foreshortened on the average only one third as much as the morphologic centric occlusion face height. Tabulation of adjustments for sore spots indicated that: the fewest postinsertion appointments were required for the anatomic group of patients; three fourths of 604 denture base alterations were on lower dentures; for upper and lower denture base alterations, one third were made on the borders and two thirds, on the basal seat; one sixth of all alterations were made at routine recall examinations; the fewest upper denture base alterations were for the nonanatomic patients; and the fewest adjustments of the lower denture base on the tissue surface and on the borders were done for the anatomic group of patients. This investigation has been underway for 18 years, and several more re", "PMID": 792430} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9461", "title": "Significance of the Frankfort-mandibular plane angle to prosthodontics.", "content": "Cephalometric information, specifically, vertical facial types and the Frankfort-mandibular plane angle, pertinent to prosthodontics has been discussed. The Frankfort-mandibular plane angle (FMA) is formed by the intersection of the Frankfort horizontal plane and the mandibular plane. This angle can be traced and measured by means of a diagnostic overlay. An FMA of 25 +/- 5 degrees is within normal range. A high-angle patient has an FMA of 30 degrees or more, and a low-angle patient has an FMA of 20 degrees or less. A high FMA is characterized by open-bite skeletal patterns, and a low FMA by closed-bite skeletal patterns. The clinical manifestations pertinent to prosthodontics in high- and low-angle (FMA) patients are shown in Table I. However, not all clinical characteristics are present in a given patient. The classification in Table I is a beginning. The authors consider the prosthodontic study of cephalometrics an unexploited research tool. Hopefully, in the future, it will help to bridge the gap of the biological-technical interplay that is such an integral part of prosthodontics.", "contents": "Significance of the Frankfort-mandibular plane angle to prosthodontics. Cephalometric information, specifically, vertical facial types and the Frankfort-mandibular plane angle, pertinent to prosthodontics has been discussed. The Frankfort-mandibular plane angle (FMA) is formed by the intersection of the Frankfort horizontal plane and the mandibular plane. This angle can be traced and measured by means of a diagnostic overlay. An FMA of 25 +/- 5 degrees is within normal range. A high-angle patient has an FMA of 30 degrees or more, and a low-angle patient has an FMA of 20 degrees or less. A high FMA is characterized by open-bite skeletal patterns, and a low FMA by closed-bite skeletal patterns. The clinical manifestations pertinent to prosthodontics in high- and low-angle (FMA) patients are shown in Table I. However, not all clinical characteristics are present in a given patient. The classification in Table I is a beginning. The authors consider the prosthodontic study of cephalometrics an unexploited research tool. Hopefully, in the future, it will help to bridge the gap of the biological-technical interplay that is such an integral part of prosthodontics.", "PMID": 792431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9462", "title": "Retentive properties of post and core systems.", "content": "An investigation was conducted in which different post and core systems were subjected to tensile, shear, and torque forces and their abilities to resist such forces were measured. The following conclusions can be drawn: (1) A post and core unit made of composite resin alone, without the additional retention provided by cemented posts or threaded pins, is the least retentive, and its use should be discouraged. (2) The retention of composite resin cores by four threaded pins compares favorably with other accepted techniques. (3) A round post retaining a composite resin core alone provides poor resistance to torque, but with the addition of threaded pins, its ability to resist displacement improves substantially. (4) The procedure in which composite resins are used to restore the coronal portion of pulpless teeth, with threaded pins and/or posts in the root canal, is reliable.", "contents": "Retentive properties of post and core systems. An investigation was conducted in which different post and core systems were subjected to tensile, shear, and torque forces and their abilities to resist such forces were measured. The following conclusions can be drawn: (1) A post and core unit made of composite resin alone, without the additional retention provided by cemented posts or threaded pins, is the least retentive, and its use should be discouraged. (2) The retention of composite resin cores by four threaded pins compares favorably with other accepted techniques. (3) A round post retaining a composite resin core alone provides poor resistance to torque, but with the addition of threaded pins, its ability to resist displacement improves substantially. (4) The procedure in which composite resins are used to restore the coronal portion of pulpless teeth, with threaded pins and/or posts in the root canal, is reliable.", "PMID": 792432} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9463", "title": "Exposure of subgingival margins by nonsurgical gingival displacement.", "content": "A procedure has been outlined in which (1) gingival displacement is accomplished prior to subgingival tooth preparation and (2) the margins thus created can be very readily registered with commonly used elastic impression materials. Although the technique involves the placement of three cords, the benefits of better visibility and not having to cope with bleeding tissues result in a saving of time during the preparation appointment. The predictability of tissue contours results in fewer remakes and more esthetic and biologically acceptable restorations.", "contents": "Exposure of subgingival margins by nonsurgical gingival displacement. A procedure has been outlined in which (1) gingival displacement is accomplished prior to subgingival tooth preparation and (2) the margins thus created can be very readily registered with commonly used elastic impression materials. Although the technique involves the placement of three cords, the benefits of better visibility and not having to cope with bleeding tissues result in a saving of time during the preparation appointment. The predictability of tissue contours results in fewer remakes and more esthetic and biologically acceptable restorations.", "PMID": 792433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9464", "title": "Construction of a maxillary orthopedic prosthesis for simultaneous maxillary expansion and obturation.", "content": "An effective means of obtaining maxillary expansion and obturation was presented. By use of split palatal orthopedic prosthesis incorporating a posterior fanscrew with an obturator, two patients showed improved speech, cosmetic appearance, and oral physiology while gaining the desired alignment of the maxillary segments before further surgery.", "contents": "Construction of a maxillary orthopedic prosthesis for simultaneous maxillary expansion and obturation. An effective means of obtaining maxillary expansion and obturation was presented. By use of split palatal orthopedic prosthesis incorporating a posterior fanscrew with an obturator, two patients showed improved speech, cosmetic appearance, and oral physiology while gaining the desired alignment of the maxillary segments before further surgery.", "PMID": 792434} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9465", "title": "A study of ceramic-metal restoration process.", "content": "The conventional process of ceramic-metal dental restorations has several drawbacks, produces substandard quality restorations, and may result in frequent failures. The lack of adequate development of nonprecious alloys has limited the bond strength between the coping and opaque to only 14,000 p.s.i. The procelain layer oftentimes contains cracks and gas bubbles, making it weak and hence susceptible to failures even during processing. The restorations, ranging from single-unit to full-arch, undergo severe stresses in a person's mouth, and therefore, a high degree of strength is essential. Attempts are being made to improve the present technique to obtain better restorations. Several modifications have been made to the conventional process, and a much stronger alloy-to-opaque bond and a defect-free ceramic layer have been achieved. Since the work on our technique has not been completed, the detailed description and experimental results will be the subject of a future article.", "contents": "A study of ceramic-metal restoration process. The conventional process of ceramic-metal dental restorations has several drawbacks, produces substandard quality restorations, and may result in frequent failures. The lack of adequate development of nonprecious alloys has limited the bond strength between the coping and opaque to only 14,000 p.s.i. The procelain layer oftentimes contains cracks and gas bubbles, making it weak and hence susceptible to failures even during processing. The restorations, ranging from single-unit to full-arch, undergo severe stresses in a person's mouth, and therefore, a high degree of strength is essential. Attempts are being made to improve the present technique to obtain better restorations. Several modifications have been made to the conventional process, and a much stronger alloy-to-opaque bond and a defect-free ceramic layer have been achieved. Since the work on our technique has not been completed, the detailed description and experimental results will be the subject of a future article.", "PMID": 792436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9466", "title": "Pathogenesis and treatment of Escherichia coli infections in calves.", "content": "Two clearly defined types of E. coli infection are recognised and the factors predisposing and giving rise to pathogenicity are discussed. The mode of action of enterotoxins in the secretary mechanism is thought to be through stimulation of adenyl cyclase activity. Treatment and prevention of the disease is considered in relation to the pathogenesis of the infection.", "contents": "Pathogenesis and treatment of Escherichia coli infections in calves. Two clearly defined types of E. coli infection are recognised and the factors predisposing and giving rise to pathogenicity are discussed. The mode of action of enterotoxins in the secretary mechanism is thought to be through stimulation of adenyl cyclase activity. Treatment and prevention of the disease is considered in relation to the pathogenesis of the infection.", "PMID": 792447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9467", "title": "A prescreening device for cancer of the uterus.", "content": "A prescreening device for cancer of the uterus was based on the slower sedimentation rate of cells from a vaginal aspirate in the presence of cancer than in its absence. The apparatus recorded the increase in light transmission through the test tube as the cells fell. This mechanical examination of the rate of fall of vaginal and cervical cells did not diagnose cancer, but it identified the normal specimens free of cancer or infections. The negative specimens comprised the bulk of diagnostic material. There was a small increase in false-negative rate compared with the false-negative rate in standard cytologic tests, but this was counterbalanced by the increase in the number of specimens examined.", "contents": "A prescreening device for cancer of the uterus. A prescreening device for cancer of the uterus was based on the slower sedimentation rate of cells from a vaginal aspirate in the presence of cancer than in its absence. The apparatus recorded the increase in light transmission through the test tube as the cells fell. This mechanical examination of the rate of fall of vaginal and cervical cells did not diagnose cancer, but it identified the normal specimens free of cancer or infections. The negative specimens comprised the bulk of diagnostic material. There was a small increase in false-negative rate compared with the false-negative rate in standard cytologic tests, but this was counterbalanced by the increase in the number of specimens examined.", "PMID": 792459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9468", "title": "Diethylstilbestrol metabolism in food-producing animals.", "content": "The metabolic fate of diethylstilbestrol (DES) in food-producing animals is described in this paper. Emphasis is on ruminant animals because DES is currently used in their production. Data presented from recent studies in ruminants show 14C excretion (rates and routes) and distribution after ingestion or subcutaneous implantation of 14C-labeled DES. The chemical nature of the radioactive compounds in excreta and liver is described. In addition, DES metabolism in cockerels and swine and degradation of DES in feces are discussed. The sources of data in this review are published studies, and a limited amount of unpublished data from the author's laboratory are included.", "contents": "Diethylstilbestrol metabolism in food-producing animals. The metabolic fate of diethylstilbestrol (DES) in food-producing animals is described in this paper. Emphasis is on ruminant animals because DES is currently used in their production. Data presented from recent studies in ruminants show 14C excretion (rates and routes) and distribution after ingestion or subcutaneous implantation of 14C-labeled DES. The chemical nature of the radioactive compounds in excreta and liver is described. In addition, DES metabolism in cockerels and swine and degradation of DES in feces are discussed. The sources of data in this review are published studies, and a limited amount of unpublished data from the author's laboratory are included.", "PMID": 792460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9469", "title": "A history of sweeteners--natural and synthetic.", "content": "Sweetness for the prehistoric man was the taste sensation obtained from sweet berries and honey. Man's quest for other sweet things led to sucose, starch-derived sugars, and synthetic sweeteners. An unusual source of sweet taste is a West African berry known as miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum). This fruit possesses a taste-modifying substance that causes sour foods--e.g., lemons, limes, or grapefruit--to taste sweet. The active principle was found to be a glycoprotein. Until this time, only small molecules were considered sweet-evoking substances, but now macromolecules are considered capable of participating in taste perception. The intense sweetener of the fruit of Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii, called the serendipity berry, was revealed to be a protein. The intensely sweet principle of Thaumatococcus daniellii, called katemfe, was reported in 1972 to contain two proteins having intense sweetness. Since intensely sweet protein sweeteners act directly on taste buds as a probe, a peptide linkage analogous to the aspartic acid sweeteners may be partly responsible for their sweetness.", "contents": "A history of sweeteners--natural and synthetic. Sweetness for the prehistoric man was the taste sensation obtained from sweet berries and honey. Man's quest for other sweet things led to sucose, starch-derived sugars, and synthetic sweeteners. An unusual source of sweet taste is a West African berry known as miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum). This fruit possesses a taste-modifying substance that causes sour foods--e.g., lemons, limes, or grapefruit--to taste sweet. The active principle was found to be a glycoprotein. Until this time, only small molecules were considered sweet-evoking substances, but now macromolecules are considered capable of participating in taste perception. The intense sweetener of the fruit of Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii, called the serendipity berry, was revealed to be a protein. The intensely sweet principle of Thaumatococcus daniellii, called katemfe, was reported in 1972 to contain two proteins having intense sweetness. Since intensely sweet protein sweeteners act directly on taste buds as a probe, a peptide linkage analogous to the aspartic acid sweeteners may be partly responsible for their sweetness.", "PMID": 792461} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9470", "title": "Environmental metallic carcinogens: an overview of exposure levels.", "content": "Exposure levels of the principal carcinogenic and potential carcinogenic metal and mettalloid pollutants in the environment (e.g., arsenic, beryllium, chromium, nickel, cadmium, and lead) are primarily reviewed with emphasis on their environmental sources both natural and manmade. There is a general paucity of definitive information concerning aspects of material balance and chemical transformations of these elements in various chemical forms in the environment, primarily the atmosphere. Estimates of both exposure levels and risk to populations other than industrial workers of the above metals have been in most instances quite difficult to obtain and generally speculative. The trend for the immediate future appears to be of greater exposure to these metals not only as a result of generally increased usage patterns, but also because of prospective enhanced use of fossil fuels for space heating and electricity generation.", "contents": "Environmental metallic carcinogens: an overview of exposure levels. Exposure levels of the principal carcinogenic and potential carcinogenic metal and mettalloid pollutants in the environment (e.g., arsenic, beryllium, chromium, nickel, cadmium, and lead) are primarily reviewed with emphasis on their environmental sources both natural and manmade. There is a general paucity of definitive information concerning aspects of material balance and chemical transformations of these elements in various chemical forms in the environment, primarily the atmosphere. Estimates of both exposure levels and risk to populations other than industrial workers of the above metals have been in most instances quite difficult to obtain and generally speculative. The trend for the immediate future appears to be of greater exposure to these metals not only as a result of generally increased usage patterns, but also because of prospective enhanced use of fossil fuels for space heating and electricity generation.", "PMID": 792462} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9471", "title": "Thenar \"H-flap\" for fingertip injuries.", "content": "Many severe fingertip injuries may be successfully treated by a thenar H-flap (Fig. 3). It is recommended to cover protruding bone in younger patients. The flap must be detached in 10 to 14 days. The use of the H-flap design permits all wounds to be closed between the first and second stages of surgery and leaves a painless, esthetic donor site.", "contents": "Thenar \"H-flap\" for fingertip injuries. Many severe fingertip injuries may be successfully treated by a thenar H-flap (Fig. 3). It is recommended to cover protruding bone in younger patients. The flap must be detached in 10 to 14 days. The use of the H-flap design permits all wounds to be closed between the first and second stages of surgery and leaves a painless, esthetic donor site.", "PMID": 792463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9472", "title": "Dressing comparison in the healing of donor sites.", "content": "To determine the clinical effectiveness of commonly used impregnated gauze on the healing of donor sites, impregnated dressings (Vaseline, Scarlet Red, xeroform, and hydrophilic petrolatum) were compared to unimpregnated fine mesh gauze of identical weave and porosity. Rate and quality of healing were found to be virtually the same regardless of the dressing used. Plain fine mesh gauze continues to be the most effective, convenient, and inexpensive means of managing donor sites.", "contents": "Dressing comparison in the healing of donor sites. To determine the clinical effectiveness of commonly used impregnated gauze on the healing of donor sites, impregnated dressings (Vaseline, Scarlet Red, xeroform, and hydrophilic petrolatum) were compared to unimpregnated fine mesh gauze of identical weave and porosity. Rate and quality of healing were found to be virtually the same regardless of the dressing used. Plain fine mesh gauze continues to be the most effective, convenient, and inexpensive means of managing donor sites.", "PMID": 792464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9473", "title": "Repair of the amputated great toe.", "content": "A new method has been introduced to form a functional great toe following amputation. This method has several advantages, especially its simple one-stage operation, which uses a local plantar flap. Results are good from the esthetic and functional point of view. It may be used for traumatic and congenital defects of the great toe. Three cases are presented with illustrations.", "contents": "Repair of the amputated great toe. A new method has been introduced to form a functional great toe following amputation. This method has several advantages, especially its simple one-stage operation, which uses a local plantar flap. Results are good from the esthetic and functional point of view. It may be used for traumatic and congenital defects of the great toe. Three cases are presented with illustrations.", "PMID": 792465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9474", "title": "Reduction in C3 conversion in patients with severe thermal injury.", "content": "Serum opsonic activity for E. coli 075, concentration of native C3 and C3 conversion by inulin were determined in the sera of five patients with burns involving 45% to 80% total body surface during 3 weeks postburn. In all patients, opsonic activity, C3 concentration, and C3 conversion were reduced during the first week following the injury. C3 was restored to normal or elevated levels by the end of the first week postburn and remained normal or elevated thereafter for the duration of the study. In two patients, opsonic activity and C3 conversion were markedly reduced during the entire 3-week postburn period. In the other three patients, opsonic activity was fully restored to normal within 1 week postburn and, in two of these patients, remained normal thereafter for the duration of the study. In the other patient, opsonic activity became reduced again during the third postburn week. C3 conversion in all five patients remained at a low normal or abnormal level during the entire period of study. Addition of normal human serum to the burn sera fully restored opsonic activity to normal but did not normalize C3 conversion. The results suggest that reduced opsonization is related to a deficiency of serum proteins, whereas reduced C3 conversion may be caused by a circulating inhibitor. Both abnormalities were shown to be associated with microbial infections in burned patients.", "contents": "Reduction in C3 conversion in patients with severe thermal injury. Serum opsonic activity for E. coli 075, concentration of native C3 and C3 conversion by inulin were determined in the sera of five patients with burns involving 45% to 80% total body surface during 3 weeks postburn. In all patients, opsonic activity, C3 concentration, and C3 conversion were reduced during the first week following the injury. C3 was restored to normal or elevated levels by the end of the first week postburn and remained normal or elevated thereafter for the duration of the study. In two patients, opsonic activity and C3 conversion were markedly reduced during the entire 3-week postburn period. In the other three patients, opsonic activity was fully restored to normal within 1 week postburn and, in two of these patients, remained normal thereafter for the duration of the study. In the other patient, opsonic activity became reduced again during the third postburn week. C3 conversion in all five patients remained at a low normal or abnormal level during the entire period of study. Addition of normal human serum to the burn sera fully restored opsonic activity to normal but did not normalize C3 conversion. The results suggest that reduced opsonization is related to a deficiency of serum proteins, whereas reduced C3 conversion may be caused by a circulating inhibitor. Both abnormalities were shown to be associated with microbial infections in burned patients.", "PMID": 792466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9475", "title": "[Benign, diffuse external otitis].", "content": "A review of the literature on benign diffuse external otitis was done to throw light on the problems of pathogenesis, etiological factors, and various forms of treatment. A prospective study done on normal adult ear canals and a prospective study of 26 new cases of benign external otitis was done according to clinical criteria elaborated by Senturia to show that Coly-Mycin Otic is a drug to be recommended in the treatment of this disease.", "contents": "[Benign, diffuse external otitis]. A review of the literature on benign diffuse external otitis was done to throw light on the problems of pathogenesis, etiological factors, and various forms of treatment. A prospective study done on normal adult ear canals and a prospective study of 26 new cases of benign external otitis was done according to clinical criteria elaborated by Senturia to show that Coly-Mycin Otic is a drug to be recommended in the treatment of this disease.", "PMID": 792467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9476", "title": "Temperature gradients and prediction of flap viability.", "content": "This study validates a simple clinical method used to determine optimum time for flap transference. Temperature was used as an indirect measurement to determine blood flow. By means of a needle thermocouple, temperature differences in a variety of flaps were measured. Differences between the base and most distal portion from the blood supply were recorded. The method was first developed on the dog and then applied to patients. It was found that temperature differences of 2.5 degrees C or less insured flap success. Greater temperature differences increased the chance of necrosis.", "contents": "Temperature gradients and prediction of flap viability. This study validates a simple clinical method used to determine optimum time for flap transference. Temperature was used as an indirect measurement to determine blood flow. By means of a needle thermocouple, temperature differences in a variety of flaps were measured. Differences between the base and most distal portion from the blood supply were recorded. The method was first developed on the dog and then applied to patients. It was found that temperature differences of 2.5 degrees C or less insured flap success. Greater temperature differences increased the chance of necrosis.", "PMID": 792468} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9477", "title": "Chorionic gonadotropin in weight control. A double-blind crossover study.", "content": "Two hundred two patients participated in a double-blind random cross-over study of the effectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) vs placebo in a wieght reduction program. Serial measurements were made of weight, skin-fold thickness, dropout rates, reasons for dropping out, and patient subjective response. There was no statistically significant difference between those receiving HCG vs placebo during any phase of this study (P greater than .1).", "contents": "Chorionic gonadotropin in weight control. A double-blind crossover study. Two hundred two patients participated in a double-blind random cross-over study of the effectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) vs placebo in a wieght reduction program. Serial measurements were made of weight, skin-fold thickness, dropout rates, reasons for dropping out, and patient subjective response. There was no statistically significant difference between those receiving HCG vs placebo during any phase of this study (P greater than .1).", "PMID": 792477} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9478", "title": "Diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis.", "content": "In a patient with progressive neurological deterioration, multiple lumbar CSF studies and extensive serological testing failed to demonstrate cryptococcal infection, while a single cisternal puncture produced viable cryptococcal organisms.", "contents": "Diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis. In a patient with progressive neurological deterioration, multiple lumbar CSF studies and extensive serological testing failed to demonstrate cryptococcal infection, while a single cisternal puncture produced viable cryptococcal organisms.", "PMID": 792479} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9479", "title": "Candida precipitins as a diagnostic aid in Candida endocarditis.", "content": "We report a case of aortic valve homograft endocarditis secondary to preoperative contamination of the homograft. Candida precipitins, determined by double immunodiffusion, were an invaluable aid in diagnosis in the presence of negative venous blood cultures.", "contents": "Candida precipitins as a diagnostic aid in Candida endocarditis. We report a case of aortic valve homograft endocarditis secondary to preoperative contamination of the homograft. Candida precipitins, determined by double immunodiffusion, were an invaluable aid in diagnosis in the presence of negative venous blood cultures.", "PMID": 792480} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9480", "title": "Children of home dialysis patients.", "content": "Fifteen children of six families in which one parent was undergoing home dialysis were examined by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, human figure drawings, and family interviews. All the children were found to be clinically depressed, and two thirds had a history of being referred by teachers to school counselors and psychiatrists for behavioral problems in school. Of these referred children, all showed disorders of psychomotor activity and reduced academic achievement. There was no clear-cut evidence that these children were depressed because of exposure to home dialysis per se. The most disturbed children seemed to be responding to depressed parents or to partial object loss. A controlled, prospective study is planned to clarify this question.", "contents": "Children of home dialysis patients. Fifteen children of six families in which one parent was undergoing home dialysis were examined by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, human figure drawings, and family interviews. All the children were found to be clinically depressed, and two thirds had a history of being referred by teachers to school counselors and psychiatrists for behavioral problems in school. Of these referred children, all showed disorders of psychomotor activity and reduced academic achievement. There was no clear-cut evidence that these children were depressed because of exposure to home dialysis per se. The most disturbed children seemed to be responding to depressed parents or to partial object loss. A controlled, prospective study is planned to clarify this question.", "PMID": 792485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9481", "title": "Routine blood cultures from febrile outpatients. Use in detecting bacteremia.", "content": "Of 565 febrile patients examined in the emergency room of a metropolitan hospital, 210 had blood samples cultured (37.1%). Bacteremia was present in 9 of 86 patients who were admitted to the hospital but in only one of 124 patients who were not admitted (P less than .005). Thus, approximately 5% of febrile adult outpatients had bacteremia, and these patients were usually admitted before the results of the culture were known. Since positive cultures were found so infrequently in patients not admitted and were, therefore, of little value in guiding the treatment of these patients, we conclude that use of routine blood cultures to screen for bacteremia in unnecessary for febrile adult outpatients who are not admitted to the hospital.", "contents": "Routine blood cultures from febrile outpatients. Use in detecting bacteremia. Of 565 febrile patients examined in the emergency room of a metropolitan hospital, 210 had blood samples cultured (37.1%). Bacteremia was present in 9 of 86 patients who were admitted to the hospital but in only one of 124 patients who were not admitted (P less than .005). Thus, approximately 5% of febrile adult outpatients had bacteremia, and these patients were usually admitted before the results of the culture were known. Since positive cultures were found so infrequently in patients not admitted and were, therefore, of little value in guiding the treatment of these patients, we conclude that use of routine blood cultures to screen for bacteremia in unnecessary for febrile adult outpatients who are not admitted to the hospital.", "PMID": 792487} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9482", "title": "Renal transplantation in a Community Hospital.", "content": "Eighty renal transplantations were performed at an urban community hospital over a ten-year period. Forty-two transplants were from living related donors and 38 from cadaver donors. The one-year rejection rate for cadaveric transplants was 35% and for transplants between parents and children, 31%, whereas only one of 21 (5%) transplants between siblings was rejected during the first year. These results compare favorably with those reported by others and appear to justify performance of kidney transplantation in the community hospital setting where large numbers of transplant surgeons and nephrologists are involved, and where the number of transplants never has exceeded 15 per year.", "contents": "Renal transplantation in a Community Hospital. Eighty renal transplantations were performed at an urban community hospital over a ten-year period. Forty-two transplants were from living related donors and 38 from cadaver donors. The one-year rejection rate for cadaveric transplants was 35% and for transplants between parents and children, 31%, whereas only one of 21 (5%) transplants between siblings was rejected during the first year. These results compare favorably with those reported by others and appear to justify performance of kidney transplantation in the community hospital setting where large numbers of transplant surgeons and nephrologists are involved, and where the number of transplants never has exceeded 15 per year.", "PMID": 792489} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9483", "title": "Cardiovascular responses of hyperactive children to methylphenidate.", "content": "Heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption were measured in 27 hyperactive children during rest, exercise, and recovery, once taking placebo and again taking methylphenidate hydrochloride. Half were measured first taking the drug and half first taking the placebo. Twenty-three matched controls were also measured twice to test for reproducibility of results. Drug and placebo ECGs were recorded on 12 of the subjects. Oxygen consumption did not change (P = .40), but heart rate (P = .001) and blood pressure (P = .003) increased significantly with methylphenidate therapy. There was a significant correlation between size of dose in milligrams per kilogram and increase in heart rate (.38, P less than .05) and blood pressure (.50, P less than .05 systolic) (.46, P less than .05 diastolic). No evidence of the development of tolerance to these drug effects was found in children who had been taking methylphenidate from two months to more than a year. No ECG changes other than tachycardia were seen.", "contents": "Cardiovascular responses of hyperactive children to methylphenidate. Heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption were measured in 27 hyperactive children during rest, exercise, and recovery, once taking placebo and again taking methylphenidate hydrochloride. Half were measured first taking the drug and half first taking the placebo. Twenty-three matched controls were also measured twice to test for reproducibility of results. Drug and placebo ECGs were recorded on 12 of the subjects. Oxygen consumption did not change (P = .40), but heart rate (P = .001) and blood pressure (P = .003) increased significantly with methylphenidate therapy. There was a significant correlation between size of dose in milligrams per kilogram and increase in heart rate (.38, P less than .05) and blood pressure (.50, P less than .05 systolic) (.46, P less than .05 diastolic). No evidence of the development of tolerance to these drug effects was found in children who had been taking methylphenidate from two months to more than a year. No ECG changes other than tachycardia were seen.", "PMID": 792490} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9484", "title": "Relationship of the P loop measurements to pulmonary artery wedge pressure and left atrial volume in pure mitral stenosis.", "content": "Frank vectorcardiographic P loops with satisfactory signal to noise ratio were obtained from 28 patients with pure mitral stenosis by using computer-averaging technique of eight successive beats. Twenty-three parameters of the P loop automatically measured were compared with the mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure (mPAW) and the maximal left atrial volume (max. LAV) calculated from biplane angiocardiogram by the area-length method. There was a significant correlation between the m PAW and four P loop measurements. The positive amplitude in lead Z (the posterior component) showed the highest correlation with the mPAW (r=0.54, p less than 0.01). In the multiple regression analysis, the predicted m PAW using eight P loop measurements and the measured m PAW showed a high significant correlation (r=0.86, p less than 0.01). There were significant correlations between the max. LAV and fourteen P loop measurements. The magnitude of spatial maximal P-vector showed the highest correlation with the max. LAV (r=0.86, P less than 0.01). In the multiple regression analysis, the predicted max. LAV using four P loop measurements out of 23 showed the best correlation with the measured max. LAV (r=0.94, P less than 0.01).", "contents": "Relationship of the P loop measurements to pulmonary artery wedge pressure and left atrial volume in pure mitral stenosis. Frank vectorcardiographic P loops with satisfactory signal to noise ratio were obtained from 28 patients with pure mitral stenosis by using computer-averaging technique of eight successive beats. Twenty-three parameters of the P loop automatically measured were compared with the mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure (mPAW) and the maximal left atrial volume (max. LAV) calculated from biplane angiocardiogram by the area-length method. There was a significant correlation between the m PAW and four P loop measurements. The positive amplitude in lead Z (the posterior component) showed the highest correlation with the mPAW (r=0.54, p less than 0.01). In the multiple regression analysis, the predicted m PAW using eight P loop measurements and the measured m PAW showed a high significant correlation (r=0.86, p less than 0.01). There were significant correlations between the max. LAV and fourteen P loop measurements. The magnitude of spatial maximal P-vector showed the highest correlation with the max. LAV (r=0.86, P less than 0.01). In the multiple regression analysis, the predicted max. LAV using four P loop measurements out of 23 showed the best correlation with the measured max. LAV (r=0.94, P less than 0.01).", "PMID": 792493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9485", "title": "Effect of cephalothin on growth patterns of micro-organisms.", "content": "Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis were incubated in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of cephalothin. After destruction of the antibiotic, there was a lag phase before S. aureus began to proliferate again. When similar experiments were conducted with E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. mirabilis, no lag phase was observed. This data suggests that the inhibitory activity of cephalosporins may be different for gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli.", "contents": "Effect of cephalothin on growth patterns of micro-organisms. Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis were incubated in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of cephalothin. After destruction of the antibiotic, there was a lag phase before S. aureus began to proliferate again. When similar experiments were conducted with E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. mirabilis, no lag phase was observed. This data suggests that the inhibitory activity of cephalosporins may be different for gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli.", "PMID": 792494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9486", "title": "Effect of capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae on Host resistance to bacterial infections. II. Effects on peritoneal leukocytes of normal mice and mice infected with virulent Salmonella enteritidis.", "content": "In normal mice, the total count of peritoneal leukocytes was markedly decreased after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPS-K) depending on the dosage injected. This decrease was mainly due to the depletion of macrophages, and a decrease in the number of lymphocytes occurred to a lesser extent. CPS-K in relatively smaller doses mobilized polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMN) into the peritoneal fluid but it decreased them transiently in larger doses. In mice infected i.p. with a virulent strain of Salmonella enteritidis, there was an abundant emigration of PMN into the peritoneal fluid. When 200 mug of CPS-K was injected i.p. immediately before bacterial challenge, emigration of PMN was markedly delayed for 48 hr after infection. Associated with this suppressed emigration of PMN, the numbers of macrophages and lymphocytes in the peritoneal fluid were significantly less in mice treated with CPS-K than those in untreated control mice for 48 hr after infection. The numbers of both cell-associated and extracellular bacteria in the peritoneal fluid were markedly greater in mice treated with CPS-K than those in untreated control mice. In both in vivo and in vitro experiments, ingestion of bacteria by macrophages and PMN was not blocked by CPS-K or neutral CPS-K, the active substance responsible for the infection-promoting effect of CPS-K. It appeared that CPS-K somehow impaired the intraphagocytic bactericidal activity.", "contents": "Effect of capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae on Host resistance to bacterial infections. II. Effects on peritoneal leukocytes of normal mice and mice infected with virulent Salmonella enteritidis. In normal mice, the total count of peritoneal leukocytes was markedly decreased after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPS-K) depending on the dosage injected. This decrease was mainly due to the depletion of macrophages, and a decrease in the number of lymphocytes occurred to a lesser extent. CPS-K in relatively smaller doses mobilized polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMN) into the peritoneal fluid but it decreased them transiently in larger doses. In mice infected i.p. with a virulent strain of Salmonella enteritidis, there was an abundant emigration of PMN into the peritoneal fluid. When 200 mug of CPS-K was injected i.p. immediately before bacterial challenge, emigration of PMN was markedly delayed for 48 hr after infection. Associated with this suppressed emigration of PMN, the numbers of macrophages and lymphocytes in the peritoneal fluid were significantly less in mice treated with CPS-K than those in untreated control mice for 48 hr after infection. The numbers of both cell-associated and extracellular bacteria in the peritoneal fluid were markedly greater in mice treated with CPS-K than those in untreated control mice. In both in vivo and in vitro experiments, ingestion of bacteria by macrophages and PMN was not blocked by CPS-K or neutral CPS-K, the active substance responsible for the infection-promoting effect of CPS-K. It appeared that CPS-K somehow impaired the intraphagocytic bactericidal activity.", "PMID": 792533} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9487", "title": "Ineffectiveness of lipopolysaccharide for preventing the tolerance induction in bone marrow-derived lymphoid cells with dinitrophenyl-poly-L-(glutamic acid, lysine).", "content": "The effect of endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on tolerance induction in bone marrow-derived lymphoid cells (B cells) was investigated. Dinitrophenylated amino acid copolymer-L-(glutamic acid, lysine) (DNP-GL) acts as a potent tolerogen on normal and DNP-primed B cells. LPS significantly enhanced the anti-sheep red blood cell plaque-forming cell (anti-SRBC PFC) response that occurred after the immunization with a low dose of SRBC. LPS did not induce the primary anti-DNP PFC response after the injection of DNP-GL, nor did it prevent the tolerance induction in normal and DNP-primed B cells that occured after the administration of DNP-GL.", "contents": "Ineffectiveness of lipopolysaccharide for preventing the tolerance induction in bone marrow-derived lymphoid cells with dinitrophenyl-poly-L-(glutamic acid, lysine). The effect of endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on tolerance induction in bone marrow-derived lymphoid cells (B cells) was investigated. Dinitrophenylated amino acid copolymer-L-(glutamic acid, lysine) (DNP-GL) acts as a potent tolerogen on normal and DNP-primed B cells. LPS significantly enhanced the anti-sheep red blood cell plaque-forming cell (anti-SRBC PFC) response that occurred after the immunization with a low dose of SRBC. LPS did not induce the primary anti-DNP PFC response after the injection of DNP-GL, nor did it prevent the tolerance induction in normal and DNP-primed B cells that occured after the administration of DNP-GL.", "PMID": 792534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9488", "title": "[Microsurgical release of subretinal fluid in retinal detachment. Report on 200 cases (author's transl)].", "content": "When the incision of the sclera, suprachoroidea and choroidea is performed under the microscope step by step, the release of subretinal fluid becomes an absolutely controlled microsurgical procedure. When employing this technique, one can avoid complications related to the injury of choroidal vessels, especially if one uses transillumination with fibre-optics during the perforation of the choroid. A further useful tool for drainage is a sclerotomy retractor which allows the spreading out the edges of the sclerotomy--wound by grasping the loops and pulling them aside of a pre-placed Mendoza suture. As the retractor does not engage the sclera directly but only with the aid of the pre-placed suture, it is possible to observe the operation field without any hindrance from the instrument and to perform microsurgical incision of the chroid at any desired point.", "contents": "[Microsurgical release of subretinal fluid in retinal detachment. Report on 200 cases (author's transl)]. When the incision of the sclera, suprachoroidea and choroidea is performed under the microscope step by step, the release of subretinal fluid becomes an absolutely controlled microsurgical procedure. When employing this technique, one can avoid complications related to the injury of choroidal vessels, especially if one uses transillumination with fibre-optics during the perforation of the choroid. A further useful tool for drainage is a sclerotomy retractor which allows the spreading out the edges of the sclerotomy--wound by grasping the loops and pulling them aside of a pre-placed Mendoza suture. As the retractor does not engage the sclera directly but only with the aid of the pre-placed suture, it is possible to observe the operation field without any hindrance from the instrument and to perform microsurgical incision of the chroid at any desired point.", "PMID": 792555} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9489", "title": "[Corneal astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty with direct and indirect sutures (author's transl)].", "content": "After a full thickness optic keratoplasty the corneal astigmatism of 116 eyes was checked. 72 cases had been operated on with indirect, 44 with direct sutures. Up to the sixth month after the operation the astigmatism was found to be equally distributed between 0.75 and 12 dpt and until the end of the second year between 0.75 and 8 dpt. Neither the way of suturing nor the diameter of the graft nor the kind of corneal lesion had any influence on the postoperative astigmatism. After six months, the height and the axis of the astigmatism remained approximately constant; however, in four cases of keratokonus followed up for nineteen years the astigmatism gradually increased.", "contents": "[Corneal astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty with direct and indirect sutures (author's transl)]. After a full thickness optic keratoplasty the corneal astigmatism of 116 eyes was checked. 72 cases had been operated on with indirect, 44 with direct sutures. Up to the sixth month after the operation the astigmatism was found to be equally distributed between 0.75 and 12 dpt and until the end of the second year between 0.75 and 8 dpt. Neither the way of suturing nor the diameter of the graft nor the kind of corneal lesion had any influence on the postoperative astigmatism. After six months, the height and the axis of the astigmatism remained approximately constant; however, in four cases of keratokonus followed up for nineteen years the astigmatism gradually increased.", "PMID": 792556} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9490", "title": "[Ocular manifestation of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) (author's transl)].", "content": "A case history of a patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is presented with emphasis on the initial ocular manifestation of the disease. Acute necrotising retinitis was found clinically and proved histologically. Clinical and histological findings are compared with reports in the literature.", "contents": "[Ocular manifestation of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) (author's transl)]. A case history of a patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is presented with emphasis on the initial ocular manifestation of the disease. Acute necrotising retinitis was found clinically and proved histologically. Clinical and histological findings are compared with reports in the literature.", "PMID": 792557} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9491", "title": "[Observations on the treatment of glaucoma with clonidin (author's transl)].", "content": "Observations on 50 patients treated for up to 2 1/2 years with clonidin revealed very variable side-effects. A large proportion of these patients remained free from side-effects. In a second, bigger group the side-effects decreased so markedly during the treatment, that this drug could be used again. The effects of this drug on the patients are reported in each case.", "contents": "[Observations on the treatment of glaucoma with clonidin (author's transl)]. Observations on 50 patients treated for up to 2 1/2 years with clonidin revealed very variable side-effects. A large proportion of these patients remained free from side-effects. In a second, bigger group the side-effects decreased so markedly during the treatment, that this drug could be used again. The effects of this drug on the patients are reported in each case.", "PMID": 792558} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9492", "title": "[Clonidine as ointment (author's transl)].", "content": "From 15 eyes in 12 patients with chronic simple glaucoma a comparison of the IOP-diminishing effect between 1 drop 0.25% aqueous solution of Clonidine and a 2 cm long application of 0.2% Clonidine-ointment was made with special regard of local and general side effects, especially on the blood pressure. The reduction of the IOP and the blood pressure was greater and of longer duration after ointment application has a definite dep\u00f4t-effect. Older patients should be fully digitalized beforehand in order to support the cardiovascular system during Clonidine application.", "contents": "[Clonidine as ointment (author's transl)]. From 15 eyes in 12 patients with chronic simple glaucoma a comparison of the IOP-diminishing effect between 1 drop 0.25% aqueous solution of Clonidine and a 2 cm long application of 0.2% Clonidine-ointment was made with special regard of local and general side effects, especially on the blood pressure. The reduction of the IOP and the blood pressure was greater and of longer duration after ointment application has a definite dep\u00f4t-effect. Older patients should be fully digitalized beforehand in order to support the cardiovascular system during Clonidine application.", "PMID": 792559} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9493", "title": "[Bivalent glaucoma therapy with pilocarpine and adrenaline - advantages of the combination piladren (author's transl)].", "content": "A comparative trial was performed on 56 glaucomatous eyes - piladren gave usually a better pressure-reducing effect than pilocarpine alone or pilocarpine and epinephrine/adrenaline from separate bottles. The main possibilites of medical glaucoma therapy are mentioned and subjective and objective advantages and disadvantages are communicated.", "contents": "[Bivalent glaucoma therapy with pilocarpine and adrenaline - advantages of the combination piladren (author's transl)]. A comparative trial was performed on 56 glaucomatous eyes - piladren gave usually a better pressure-reducing effect than pilocarpine alone or pilocarpine and epinephrine/adrenaline from separate bottles. The main possibilites of medical glaucoma therapy are mentioned and subjective and objective advantages and disadvantages are communicated.", "PMID": 792560} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9494", "title": "Immunologic and cytochemical cell markers in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.", "content": "Lymph nodes were obtained from 28 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 24 patients without hematologic malignancy. Cases of undifferentiated lymphoma, diffuse histiocytic lymphoma, diffuse and nodular mixed histiocytic-lymphocytic lymphoma, nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma, and diffuse well differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma were analyzed. Touch preparations were stained for nonspecific esterases, peroxidase, Sudan black B activity and with periodic acid-Schiff and Wright-Giemsa reagents. Mononuclear cell suspension from lymph nodes and, in some cases, peripheral blood were tested for spontaneous rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes and for the presence of surface immunoglobulin. The remainder of the lymph node was examined after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Analysis of the lymphocyte surface markers indicated that 15 cases of various histologic types of lymphoma were B cell proliferations. However, three out of four cases of diffuse poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma and one of seven cases of diffuse histiocytic lymphoma appeared to represent T cell neoplasia. Lymph nodes from four cases of lymphoma representing diverse histologic types were replaced by neoplastic cells devoid of discernible cell markers. In five cases, the distribution of cell surface markers in the malignant lymph node failed to differ from data obtained in the analysis of non-neoplastic lymph nodes. The study indicates that the histopathologic entities recognized in the currently employed classification of lymphoreticular malignancies are heterogeneous. Alterations in the distribution of cell surface markers in the peripheral blood from five of 12 patients indicated involvement prior to demonstrable morphologic evidence of peripheral blood involvement in four patients and bone marrow infiltration in two patients.", "contents": "Immunologic and cytochemical cell markers in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Lymph nodes were obtained from 28 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 24 patients without hematologic malignancy. Cases of undifferentiated lymphoma, diffuse histiocytic lymphoma, diffuse and nodular mixed histiocytic-lymphocytic lymphoma, nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma, and diffuse well differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma were analyzed. Touch preparations were stained for nonspecific esterases, peroxidase, Sudan black B activity and with periodic acid-Schiff and Wright-Giemsa reagents. Mononuclear cell suspension from lymph nodes and, in some cases, peripheral blood were tested for spontaneous rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes and for the presence of surface immunoglobulin. The remainder of the lymph node was examined after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Analysis of the lymphocyte surface markers indicated that 15 cases of various histologic types of lymphoma were B cell proliferations. However, three out of four cases of diffuse poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma and one of seven cases of diffuse histiocytic lymphoma appeared to represent T cell neoplasia. Lymph nodes from four cases of lymphoma representing diverse histologic types were replaced by neoplastic cells devoid of discernible cell markers. In five cases, the distribution of cell surface markers in the malignant lymph node failed to differ from data obtained in the analysis of non-neoplastic lymph nodes. The study indicates that the histopathologic entities recognized in the currently employed classification of lymphoreticular malignancies are heterogeneous. Alterations in the distribution of cell surface markers in the peripheral blood from five of 12 patients indicated involvement prior to demonstrable morphologic evidence of peripheral blood involvement in four patients and bone marrow infiltration in two patients.", "PMID": 792563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9495", "title": "[Studies on the pituitary-testicular axis in male patients with chronic renal failure with different glomerular filtration rate (author's transl)].", "content": "In 32 male patients with chronic renal failure (age 22-60 yrs), of which 17 showed a creatinine clearance below 20 ml/min (group I) and 15 above 20 ml/min (group II), plasma levels of total testosterone (T) and total oestradiol-17beta (E2) were measured before and after stimulation with HCG i.m. LH and FSH were evaluated before and after stimulation with LH-RH i.v. Additionally, testosterone binding capacity (TeBG), free testosterone fraction (%FT) and \"absolute\" free testosterone (AFT) were determined. In comparison with normal persons T was clearly reduced before and after HCG in group I, whereas in group II it was reduced only after HCG. E2 showed normal basal values in both groups, but in group I it was decreased after HCG. Except for LH values after stimulation in group II, both groups showed increased LH and FSH levels before and after LH-RH in comparison with controls. TeBG and %FT did not show any changes in either group, whereas AFT was reduced in both of them. Comparing the results of group II and I we found in the latter decreased values for T before and after HCG and for E2 after HCG as well as decreased values for AFT, whereas LH and FSH before and after LH-RH were increased. There existed no significant correlation between any of the parameters T, AFT and E2 on the one hand and LH and FSH on the other hand. Significant correlations are found between creatinine clearance and T, AFT, LH and FSH. The results indicate a primary defect of the testis which gradually depends on the degree of renal insufficiency, but with well working feed-back mechanism. The possibility of an additional central regulation defect in the sense of a relative autonomy of the hypophyseal gonadotropin secretion is discussed.", "contents": "[Studies on the pituitary-testicular axis in male patients with chronic renal failure with different glomerular filtration rate (author's transl)]. In 32 male patients with chronic renal failure (age 22-60 yrs), of which 17 showed a creatinine clearance below 20 ml/min (group I) and 15 above 20 ml/min (group II), plasma levels of total testosterone (T) and total oestradiol-17beta (E2) were measured before and after stimulation with HCG i.m. LH and FSH were evaluated before and after stimulation with LH-RH i.v. Additionally, testosterone binding capacity (TeBG), free testosterone fraction (%FT) and \"absolute\" free testosterone (AFT) were determined. In comparison with normal persons T was clearly reduced before and after HCG in group I, whereas in group II it was reduced only after HCG. E2 showed normal basal values in both groups, but in group I it was decreased after HCG. Except for LH values after stimulation in group II, both groups showed increased LH and FSH levels before and after LH-RH in comparison with controls. TeBG and %FT did not show any changes in either group, whereas AFT was reduced in both of them. Comparing the results of group II and I we found in the latter decreased values for T before and after HCG and for E2 after HCG as well as decreased values for AFT, whereas LH and FSH before and after LH-RH were increased. There existed no significant correlation between any of the parameters T, AFT and E2 on the one hand and LH and FSH on the other hand. Significant correlations are found between creatinine clearance and T, AFT, LH and FSH. The results indicate a primary defect of the testis which gradually depends on the degree of renal insufficiency, but with well working feed-back mechanism. The possibility of an additional central regulation defect in the sense of a relative autonomy of the hypophyseal gonadotropin secretion is discussed.", "PMID": 792562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9496", "title": "The fate of subepithelial deposits in acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.", "content": "The resolution of subepithelial deposits was studied by electron microscopy in 17 biopsies from five patients (mean follow-up 2.8 years) with clinically and histologically resolving acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. The electron-dense subepithelial deposits were present in biopsies obtained 45 days or less after onset. By 30 to 45 days after onset, the dense deposits had decreased in number, and there appeared electron-lucent subepithelial deposits, areas suggestive of foci where deposits had recently been resorbed, as well as lucent deposits covered by a layer of lamina densa-like material (intramembranous deposits). These developments indicate that some of the subepithelial dense deposits had been completely resolved, that some were resolving, and that some had been transformed into intramembranous deposits. The resolution appeared to take place both from a continuous loss of electron microscopically invisible components of deposited material and through a removal of larger fragments of the deposits by epithelial vesicles. The intramembranous deposits persisted in all but one patient during the entire time of follow-up. The findings indicate that membranous changes--although mild and segmental--develop regularly in acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and that they constitute a normal phase in the resolution of the subepithelial deposits. The absence of progressive membranous changes in these patients can probably be attributed to the short time during which immune complexes are deposited in the glomeruli.", "contents": "The fate of subepithelial deposits in acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. The resolution of subepithelial deposits was studied by electron microscopy in 17 biopsies from five patients (mean follow-up 2.8 years) with clinically and histologically resolving acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. The electron-dense subepithelial deposits were present in biopsies obtained 45 days or less after onset. By 30 to 45 days after onset, the dense deposits had decreased in number, and there appeared electron-lucent subepithelial deposits, areas suggestive of foci where deposits had recently been resorbed, as well as lucent deposits covered by a layer of lamina densa-like material (intramembranous deposits). These developments indicate that some of the subepithelial dense deposits had been completely resolved, that some were resolving, and that some had been transformed into intramembranous deposits. The resolution appeared to take place both from a continuous loss of electron microscopically invisible components of deposited material and through a removal of larger fragments of the deposits by epithelial vesicles. The intramembranous deposits persisted in all but one patient during the entire time of follow-up. The findings indicate that membranous changes--although mild and segmental--develop regularly in acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and that they constitute a normal phase in the resolution of the subepithelial deposits. The absence of progressive membranous changes in these patients can probably be attributed to the short time during which immune complexes are deposited in the glomeruli.", "PMID": 792564} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9497", "title": "Innumoelectron microscopy of the human chorionic villus in search of blood group A and B antigens.", "content": "The chorionic villi of placentas, 10 to 40 weeks of gestation, were examined for A and B blood group antigens with an immunoferritin technique. No specific ferritin attachment was shown on the plasma membrane of the villous trophoblasts. Furthermore, after trophoblast cell-surface mucosubstances (perhaps the barrier of the placental antigenicity, according to some authors) were digested with several enzymes, such as neuraminidase, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase ABC, pepsin, trypsin, and pronase, no ferritin tagging was observed on the plasma membrane of the villous trophoblasts. We have concluded that our failure to detect the A and B blood group antigens was not due to the masking of antigens by mucosubstance coating the trophoblasts, but was due to the intrinsic deficit of those antigens in the plasma membrane of the human trophoblasts.", "contents": "Innumoelectron microscopy of the human chorionic villus in search of blood group A and B antigens. The chorionic villi of placentas, 10 to 40 weeks of gestation, were examined for A and B blood group antigens with an immunoferritin technique. No specific ferritin attachment was shown on the plasma membrane of the villous trophoblasts. Furthermore, after trophoblast cell-surface mucosubstances (perhaps the barrier of the placental antigenicity, according to some authors) were digested with several enzymes, such as neuraminidase, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase ABC, pepsin, trypsin, and pronase, no ferritin tagging was observed on the plasma membrane of the villous trophoblasts. We have concluded that our failure to detect the A and B blood group antigens was not due to the masking of antigens by mucosubstance coating the trophoblasts, but was due to the intrinsic deficit of those antigens in the plasma membrane of the human trophoblasts.", "PMID": 792565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9498", "title": "The stutterer as a character in contemporary literature: a bibliography.", "content": "This 27-item bibliography includes contemporary novels, biographies, short stories, and plays in which there are characters who stutter. Several aspects of how stutterers are depicted in these works are described.", "contents": "The stutterer as a character in contemporary literature: a bibliography. This 27-item bibliography includes contemporary novels, biographies, short stories, and plays in which there are characters who stutter. Several aspects of how stutterers are depicted in these works are described.", "PMID": 792567} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9499", "title": "Topography of outer membrane assembly in Salmonella.", "content": "The topography of lipopolysaccharide insertion into the outer membrane of Salmonella is discussed in context with a review of recent findings pertaining to general properties of the outer membrane, such as asymmetry and lateral mobility of surface components.", "contents": "Topography of outer membrane assembly in Salmonella. The topography of lipopolysaccharide insertion into the outer membrane of Salmonella is discussed in context with a review of recent findings pertaining to general properties of the outer membrane, such as asymmetry and lateral mobility of surface components.", "PMID": 792569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9500", "title": "Cell shape changes and transmembrane receptor uncoupling induced by tertiary amine local anesthetic.", "content": "Tertiary amine local anesthetics (dibucaine, tetracaine, procaine, etc.) modify cell morphology, concanavalin A (Con A)-mediated agglutinability and redistribution of Con A receptors. Con A agglutination of untransformed mouse 3T3 cells was enhanced at low concentrations of local anesthetics, and the dynamics of fluorescent-Con A indicated that ligand-induced clustering was increased in the presence of the drugs. In contast, these drugs inhibited Con A-induced receptor capping on mouse spleen cells. These effects can be duplicated by combinations of vinblastine (or colchicine) and cytochalasin B suggesting that local anesthetics act on microtubule and microfilament assemblies which are involved in the trans-membrane control of cell surface receptor mobility and distribution. It is proposed that tertiary amine local anesthetics displace plasma membrane-bound Ca2+, resulting in disengagement of microfilament systems from the plasma membrane and increased cellular Ca2+ concentration to levels which disrupt microtubular organization. The possible involvement of cellular Ca2+ in cytoskeletal destruction by local anesthetics was investigated utilizing Ca2+-specific ionophores A23187 and X537A. In media containing Ca2+ and cytochalasin B these ionophores caused effects similar to tertiary amine local anesthetics.", "contents": "Cell shape changes and transmembrane receptor uncoupling induced by tertiary amine local anesthetic. Tertiary amine local anesthetics (dibucaine, tetracaine, procaine, etc.) modify cell morphology, concanavalin A (Con A)-mediated agglutinability and redistribution of Con A receptors. Con A agglutination of untransformed mouse 3T3 cells was enhanced at low concentrations of local anesthetics, and the dynamics of fluorescent-Con A indicated that ligand-induced clustering was increased in the presence of the drugs. In contast, these drugs inhibited Con A-induced receptor capping on mouse spleen cells. These effects can be duplicated by combinations of vinblastine (or colchicine) and cytochalasin B suggesting that local anesthetics act on microtubule and microfilament assemblies which are involved in the trans-membrane control of cell surface receptor mobility and distribution. It is proposed that tertiary amine local anesthetics displace plasma membrane-bound Ca2+, resulting in disengagement of microfilament systems from the plasma membrane and increased cellular Ca2+ concentration to levels which disrupt microtubular organization. The possible involvement of cellular Ca2+ in cytoskeletal destruction by local anesthetics was investigated utilizing Ca2+-specific ionophores A23187 and X537A. In media containing Ca2+ and cytochalasin B these ionophores caused effects similar to tertiary amine local anesthetics.", "PMID": 792570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9501", "title": "Relationship of causative factors in spontaneous regression of cancer to immunologic factors possibly effective in cancer.", "content": "In a book written by Everson and Cole (1966) on spontaneous regression 176 examples of the phenomenon were encountered in the medical literature from 1900 to 1964, supplemented by cases referred by friends. No common denominator of explanations were found. Various types of trauma (e.g., biopsy, incomplete excision), transfusions, infection, hormone changes, drugs, etc. were encountered as possible causative factors. Most significant of all factors was encountered in the 13 examples of spontaneous regression of the bladder; in this series regression of the tumor occurred in 10 after transplantation of the ureters out of the bladder. A consideration and discussion of various reactions in human beings associated with therapeutic regressions have been reviewed hoping to develop a correlation between the two types of regression. At the time of publication of our monograph 9 years ago we were unable to suggest any mechanisms which might explain the regressions. However, since that time so many advances have been made in immunology that it appears now that a stimulation of the immune process might explain most of the regressions. We are just beginning to learn a few methods of stimulating the immune process. Use of BCG is one of the best examples of this stimulating process; other bacterial agents, or fractions, are known to have this action. No doubt there are innumerable others unknown, some of which might explain spontaneous regressions. It would appear that hormonal changes might be responsible for many of the regressions but this author doubts it explains many. More is known at the present time about cellular immunity than humoral immunity, but greater possibilities surely lie in humoral immunity. The blocking and unblocking activities developed by the Hellstr\u00f6ms and associates are no doubt important. Immunoglobulins exert a very important role in the immune process; antibodies may consist of immunoglobulins but much more needs to be known before this relationship can be understood. The recent report (Amery, 1975) that levamisole (given at the time of resection of the lung for carcinoma) improves patient survival is exciting. Amery believes the drug may prevent the hematogenous spread of the tumor during surgery and/or may decrease the immunosuppression caused by a major operation.", "contents": "Relationship of causative factors in spontaneous regression of cancer to immunologic factors possibly effective in cancer. In a book written by Everson and Cole (1966) on spontaneous regression 176 examples of the phenomenon were encountered in the medical literature from 1900 to 1964, supplemented by cases referred by friends. No common denominator of explanations were found. Various types of trauma (e.g., biopsy, incomplete excision), transfusions, infection, hormone changes, drugs, etc. were encountered as possible causative factors. Most significant of all factors was encountered in the 13 examples of spontaneous regression of the bladder; in this series regression of the tumor occurred in 10 after transplantation of the ureters out of the bladder. A consideration and discussion of various reactions in human beings associated with therapeutic regressions have been reviewed hoping to develop a correlation between the two types of regression. At the time of publication of our monograph 9 years ago we were unable to suggest any mechanisms which might explain the regressions. However, since that time so many advances have been made in immunology that it appears now that a stimulation of the immune process might explain most of the regressions. We are just beginning to learn a few methods of stimulating the immune process. Use of BCG is one of the best examples of this stimulating process; other bacterial agents, or fractions, are known to have this action. No doubt there are innumerable others unknown, some of which might explain spontaneous regressions. It would appear that hormonal changes might be responsible for many of the regressions but this author doubts it explains many. More is known at the present time about cellular immunity than humoral immunity, but greater possibilities surely lie in humoral immunity. The blocking and unblocking activities developed by the Hellstr\u00f6ms and associates are no doubt important. Immunoglobulins exert a very important role in the immune process; antibodies may consist of immunoglobulins but much more needs to be known before this relationship can be understood. The recent report (Amery, 1975) that levamisole (given at the time of resection of the lung for carcinoma) improves patient survival is exciting. Amery believes the drug may prevent the hematogenous spread of the tumor during surgery and/or may decrease the immunosuppression caused by a major operation.", "PMID": 792571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9502", "title": "Adenosine-aminohydrolase activity in the erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma of healthy subjects and kidney transplant recipients.", "content": "Adenosine-aminohydrolase activity in the red blood cells and lymphocytes of transplant patients were assayed by continuous flow analysis. This enzyme, which has been implicated in the ability of lymphocytes to mount an immune response, was evaluated in renal allografted patients immunosuppressed by azothiprine and methylprednisone. Red cell adenosine-aminohydrolase activity was depressed in all patients when compared to nontreated health controls. Adenosine aminohydrolase activity was raised in the lymphocytes of the renal allografted patients. Renal transplant patients' in vitro lymphocyte reactivity to antigens, mitogens, or skin testing to specific antigens, confirmed the depressive effects of immunosuppression observed in vivo. We conclude from these studies that red cell adenosine-aminohydrolase activity may be a more sensitive index of the state of immunoresponsiveness than the corresponding enzyme activity in the lymphocyte.", "contents": "Adenosine-aminohydrolase activity in the erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma of healthy subjects and kidney transplant recipients. Adenosine-aminohydrolase activity in the red blood cells and lymphocytes of transplant patients were assayed by continuous flow analysis. This enzyme, which has been implicated in the ability of lymphocytes to mount an immune response, was evaluated in renal allografted patients immunosuppressed by azothiprine and methylprednisone. Red cell adenosine-aminohydrolase activity was depressed in all patients when compared to nontreated health controls. Adenosine aminohydrolase activity was raised in the lymphocytes of the renal allografted patients. Renal transplant patients' in vitro lymphocyte reactivity to antigens, mitogens, or skin testing to specific antigens, confirmed the depressive effects of immunosuppression observed in vivo. We conclude from these studies that red cell adenosine-aminohydrolase activity may be a more sensitive index of the state of immunoresponsiveness than the corresponding enzyme activity in the lymphocyte.", "PMID": 792572} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9503", "title": "Metastatic patterns of cancers of the lymphopoietic system in man.", "content": "Autopsy records are analyzed for 358 patients with reticulum cell sarcoma, lymphocytic lymphosarcoma, or Hodgkin's disease. These records belong to a series of 4,728 autopsy records collected by the Department of Pathology at Roswell Park Memorial Institute from 1957 through 1965. This paper analyzes the distribution of metastases at specific sites in 3 malignant lymphomas. The concept of soil specificity is discussed in connection with the excess of metastases at specific sites. Soil specificity is defined as a higher than expected occurrence of metastases due to a cancer in an organ when compared to other similar primary cancers. In some instances, however, the excess of metastases in a specific site was sometimes also related to the site of origin of a malignant lymphoma. Entire series of organs located either in the abdomen or pelvis showed metastatic patterns which were very likely related to the primary sites of origin. The metastatic patterns of lymphocytic lymphosarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma appeared to be markedly different from those of Hodgkin's disease. Reticulum cell and lymphocytic lymphosarcomas were not only more widespread than Hodgkin's disease, but the patterns of abdominal and pelvic metastases strongly suggested either their multifocal origin or a different sequence of events in the seeding of lymph node areas, as compared to those of Hodgkin's disease. The relationship between the degree of anaplasia of certain lymphomas and blood-borne metastases is discussed.", "contents": "Metastatic patterns of cancers of the lymphopoietic system in man. Autopsy records are analyzed for 358 patients with reticulum cell sarcoma, lymphocytic lymphosarcoma, or Hodgkin's disease. These records belong to a series of 4,728 autopsy records collected by the Department of Pathology at Roswell Park Memorial Institute from 1957 through 1965. This paper analyzes the distribution of metastases at specific sites in 3 malignant lymphomas. The concept of soil specificity is discussed in connection with the excess of metastases at specific sites. Soil specificity is defined as a higher than expected occurrence of metastases due to a cancer in an organ when compared to other similar primary cancers. In some instances, however, the excess of metastases in a specific site was sometimes also related to the site of origin of a malignant lymphoma. Entire series of organs located either in the abdomen or pelvis showed metastatic patterns which were very likely related to the primary sites of origin. The metastatic patterns of lymphocytic lymphosarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma appeared to be markedly different from those of Hodgkin's disease. Reticulum cell and lymphocytic lymphosarcomas were not only more widespread than Hodgkin's disease, but the patterns of abdominal and pelvic metastases strongly suggested either their multifocal origin or a different sequence of events in the seeding of lymph node areas, as compared to those of Hodgkin's disease. The relationship between the degree of anaplasia of certain lymphomas and blood-borne metastases is discussed.", "PMID": 792573} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9504", "title": "Some factors involved in the skin flap delay phenomenon.", "content": "The use of skin flaps for reconstruction following extensive ablative surgery in the head and neck area has played a major role on the improvement of the results being attained. Using the pig as an experimental animal various factors of flap orientation, skin incisions and flap undermining were investigated. Results confirmed the ineffectiveness of incision alone as a delay maneurver and suggested that anatomical orientation of cutaneous skin flaps was not of crucial significance. The complete mechanism of the positive effects of delay remains undefined.", "contents": "Some factors involved in the skin flap delay phenomenon. The use of skin flaps for reconstruction following extensive ablative surgery in the head and neck area has played a major role on the improvement of the results being attained. Using the pig as an experimental animal various factors of flap orientation, skin incisions and flap undermining were investigated. Results confirmed the ineffectiveness of incision alone as a delay maneurver and suggested that anatomical orientation of cutaneous skin flaps was not of crucial significance. The complete mechanism of the positive effects of delay remains undefined.", "PMID": 792574} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9505", "title": "The use of procarbazine hydrochloride versus cyclophosphamide in donor pretreatment in cadaveric renal transplantation.", "content": "During a prospective study, 13 patients received renal transplants from cadaveric donors whose hearts beat up to the time of their death. These donors were pretreated with cyclophosphamide-methylprednisolone (group A) or methylprednisolone-procarbazine hydrochloride (group B). After a minimum follow-up of 12 months, all grafts in group A but only one graft in group B survived. On the basis of this small experience, the combination of cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone seems to be superior to that of methylprednisolone and procarbazine hydrochloride in reducing allograft immunogenicity. In order to achieve longer survival of the graft in the recipient, pretreatment with procarbazine hydrochloride has been discontinued. Pretreatment of the potential cadaveric allograft donor with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone is being continued at our institution.", "contents": "The use of procarbazine hydrochloride versus cyclophosphamide in donor pretreatment in cadaveric renal transplantation. During a prospective study, 13 patients received renal transplants from cadaveric donors whose hearts beat up to the time of their death. These donors were pretreated with cyclophosphamide-methylprednisolone (group A) or methylprednisolone-procarbazine hydrochloride (group B). After a minimum follow-up of 12 months, all grafts in group A but only one graft in group B survived. On the basis of this small experience, the combination of cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone seems to be superior to that of methylprednisolone and procarbazine hydrochloride in reducing allograft immunogenicity. In order to achieve longer survival of the graft in the recipient, pretreatment with procarbazine hydrochloride has been discontinued. Pretreatment of the potential cadaveric allograft donor with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone is being continued at our institution.", "PMID": 792579} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9506", "title": "Management and prognosis of multiple myeloma.", "content": "Patients with asymptomatic or smoldering multiple myeloma should not be treated but should be observed closely for progression. For symptomatic myeloma, chemotherapy is indicated. Melphalan, the agent of choice, should be given with prednisone for 1 week of every 6 weeks, If melphalan brings no response, or response and then relapse, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) should be give intravenously every 4 weeks or orally every day. BCNU, CCNU, and doxorubicin (Adriamycin) have also shown activity in myeloma. Hypercalcemia occurs in one-third of patients and should be countered with hydration, corticosteroids, Neutra-Phos, or mithramycin. Long-term hemodialysis has achieved some success. The combination of sodium flouride and calcium carbonate produces new bone formation; it seems a useful adjunct in treatment for myelomatous bone disease. Radiation should be utilized only for severe, localized pain or for solitary lesions. Survival with multiple myeloma varies, mean durations being 2 to 3 years. Multivariate analysis indicates that serum creatinine and calcium levels are the most significant indicators regarding 2-year survival. We have found monoclonal proteinuria not significantly more frequent with renal insufficiency than with normal renal function, renal insufficiency not significantly more frequent with lambda than with kappa chains, and survival not significantly greater with IgG myeloma than with IgA.", "contents": "Management and prognosis of multiple myeloma. Patients with asymptomatic or smoldering multiple myeloma should not be treated but should be observed closely for progression. For symptomatic myeloma, chemotherapy is indicated. Melphalan, the agent of choice, should be given with prednisone for 1 week of every 6 weeks, If melphalan brings no response, or response and then relapse, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) should be give intravenously every 4 weeks or orally every day. BCNU, CCNU, and doxorubicin (Adriamycin) have also shown activity in myeloma. Hypercalcemia occurs in one-third of patients and should be countered with hydration, corticosteroids, Neutra-Phos, or mithramycin. Long-term hemodialysis has achieved some success. The combination of sodium flouride and calcium carbonate produces new bone formation; it seems a useful adjunct in treatment for myelomatous bone disease. Radiation should be utilized only for severe, localized pain or for solitary lesions. Survival with multiple myeloma varies, mean durations being 2 to 3 years. Multivariate analysis indicates that serum creatinine and calcium levels are the most significant indicators regarding 2-year survival. We have found monoclonal proteinuria not significantly more frequent with renal insufficiency than with normal renal function, renal insufficiency not significantly more frequent with lambda than with kappa chains, and survival not significantly greater with IgG myeloma than with IgA.", "PMID": 792581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9507", "title": "[Stereotactic brain operations in intractable pain (author's transl)].", "content": "The indications for central stereotactic procedures in chronic painful states are essential neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, anaesthesia dolorosa, causalgia, phantom-limb pain, the thalamic syndrome and pain neoplastic diseases. Stereotactic surgery applied for these conditions consists of nucleotomy of the tractus spinalis nervi trigemini, mesencephalotomy, thalamotomy, hypophysectomy, psychosurgical interventions, and chronic stimulation with implanted electrodes. The techniques and results of the interventions are reported.", "contents": "[Stereotactic brain operations in intractable pain (author's transl)]. The indications for central stereotactic procedures in chronic painful states are essential neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, anaesthesia dolorosa, causalgia, phantom-limb pain, the thalamic syndrome and pain neoplastic diseases. Stereotactic surgery applied for these conditions consists of nucleotomy of the tractus spinalis nervi trigemini, mesencephalotomy, thalamotomy, hypophysectomy, psychosurgical interventions, and chronic stimulation with implanted electrodes. The techniques and results of the interventions are reported.", "PMID": 792591} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9508", "title": "[Colonic diverticulitis: diverticulitis with complications and its treatment (author's transl)].", "content": "Complications (stenosis, intestinal obstruction, abscess or fistula formation, inflammation, etc.) of colonic diverticulitis are seen in 35% of patients affected. Multiple operative procedures involve less risk than surgery performed in a single session. The mortality in emergency surgery is reported to be up to 40%, while subsequent resection of the diseased colon involves the usual mortality of surgery on the colon, i.e. 1.5-9%. The vital factor in this illness is the earliest possible surgical treatment of the diseased diverticulum, so that the extremely problematical complications can be avoided.", "contents": "[Colonic diverticulitis: diverticulitis with complications and its treatment (author's transl)]. Complications (stenosis, intestinal obstruction, abscess or fistula formation, inflammation, etc.) of colonic diverticulitis are seen in 35% of patients affected. Multiple operative procedures involve less risk than surgery performed in a single session. The mortality in emergency surgery is reported to be up to 40%, while subsequent resection of the diseased colon involves the usual mortality of surgery on the colon, i.e. 1.5-9%. The vital factor in this illness is the earliest possible surgical treatment of the diseased diverticulum, so that the extremely problematical complications can be avoided.", "PMID": 792592} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9509", "title": "[Early resection in diverticulitis (author's transl)].", "content": "The danger with diverticulitis is that the disease may progress to life threatening complications. The development of diverticulitis leads from local infiltration and fibrosclerosis to final perforation. Nonresected diverticulitis favors the development of diverticulosis proximal to the affected bowel. Conservative therapy seems to be of little use in avoiding the progression of recurring diverticulitis. Signs of irreversible diverticulitis are repeated attacks, signs of local peritonitis, fixed deformation of the wall and stenosis, revelaed by barium enema. One-stage resection was performed in 101 patients for uncomplicated diverticulitis. There was one death (myocardial infarction).", "contents": "[Early resection in diverticulitis (author's transl)]. The danger with diverticulitis is that the disease may progress to life threatening complications. The development of diverticulitis leads from local infiltration and fibrosclerosis to final perforation. Nonresected diverticulitis favors the development of diverticulosis proximal to the affected bowel. Conservative therapy seems to be of little use in avoiding the progression of recurring diverticulitis. Signs of irreversible diverticulitis are repeated attacks, signs of local peritonitis, fixed deformation of the wall and stenosis, revelaed by barium enema. One-stage resection was performed in 101 patients for uncomplicated diverticulitis. There was one death (myocardial infarction).", "PMID": 792593} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9510", "title": "[Interaction between the systems involved in fast pain perception and in slow, persistent pain (author's transl)].", "content": "A single pinprick triggers both a pang, the \"1st pain\" and after a pause of 0.5 s, a spreading burning feeling, the \"2nd pain\". The 2nd pain is delayed because it is conducted by unmyelinated C-fibers at a rate of less than 1 m/s, 20 times slower than conduction of the 1st pain. In the spino-thalamic tract the myelinated fibers of the 1st pain conduct much faster than those of the 2nd pain, and terminate in the parvocellular ventroposterior (VP) thalamic nucleus, which projects to area 3b in the postcentral gyrus. The slow C-fibers of the 2nd pain terminate in cortex-independent thalamic nuclei like limitans, which project to the outer segment of the pallidum. This subcortical pain pathway is disinhibited after destruction of the cortical pathway of the 1st pain, so that the patients suffer from spontaneous agonizing pain feeling (thalamic pain). Unbearable pain in cases of thalamic softening, in anaesthesia dolorosa and in phantom pain can be relieved by stereotactic coagulation of the thalamic nuclei involved in the 2nd pain. Normally they are inhibited by the cortical pathway of the 1st pain.", "contents": "[Interaction between the systems involved in fast pain perception and in slow, persistent pain (author's transl)]. A single pinprick triggers both a pang, the \"1st pain\" and after a pause of 0.5 s, a spreading burning feeling, the \"2nd pain\". The 2nd pain is delayed because it is conducted by unmyelinated C-fibers at a rate of less than 1 m/s, 20 times slower than conduction of the 1st pain. In the spino-thalamic tract the myelinated fibers of the 1st pain conduct much faster than those of the 2nd pain, and terminate in the parvocellular ventroposterior (VP) thalamic nucleus, which projects to area 3b in the postcentral gyrus. The slow C-fibers of the 2nd pain terminate in cortex-independent thalamic nuclei like limitans, which project to the outer segment of the pallidum. This subcortical pain pathway is disinhibited after destruction of the cortical pathway of the 1st pain, so that the patients suffer from spontaneous agonizing pain feeling (thalamic pain). Unbearable pain in cases of thalamic softening, in anaesthesia dolorosa and in phantom pain can be relieved by stereotactic coagulation of the thalamic nuclei involved in the 2nd pain. Normally they are inhibited by the cortical pathway of the 1st pain.", "PMID": 792594} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9511", "title": "Microscopic antrostomies in children: a review of the literature in chronic sinusitis and a plan of medical and surgical treatment.", "content": "Potential complications, morbidity, treatment failures and \"nasal cripples\" make one cautious about advising radical sinus surgery. Though antibiotics have greatly reduced the need for radical surgery, some patients do not respond to conservative treatment. Reviewed is pertinent literature concerning treatment of chronic, refractory sinusitis in children, particularly intranasal antrostomy. Medical treatment for chronic sinusitis precedes surgical intervention. Allergic history, nasal cytology and radiographic examination are essential. Since principles of adequate surgical drainage and ventilation have long been established, controlled antrostomy procedure is done with the aid of the operating microscope, creating a nasal mucosal flap. A new instrument is presented---a self-retaining stabilized retractor speculum which allows adequate visualization with the microscope while protecting the mucosal flap and freeing both hands for the procedure.", "contents": "Microscopic antrostomies in children: a review of the literature in chronic sinusitis and a plan of medical and surgical treatment. Potential complications, morbidity, treatment failures and \"nasal cripples\" make one cautious about advising radical sinus surgery. Though antibiotics have greatly reduced the need for radical surgery, some patients do not respond to conservative treatment. Reviewed is pertinent literature concerning treatment of chronic, refractory sinusitis in children, particularly intranasal antrostomy. Medical treatment for chronic sinusitis precedes surgical intervention. Allergic history, nasal cytology and radiographic examination are essential. Since principles of adequate surgical drainage and ventilation have long been established, controlled antrostomy procedure is done with the aid of the operating microscope, creating a nasal mucosal flap. A new instrument is presented---a self-retaining stabilized retractor speculum which allows adequate visualization with the microscope while protecting the mucosal flap and freeing both hands for the procedure.", "PMID": 792595} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9512", "title": "Alternatives in nasal reconstruction (\"five flaps and a graft\").", "content": "Five pedicle flaps and one auricular composite graft deserve increased use and attention in nasal reconstructive surgery. All have in common the high possibility of superior functional and esthetic results while requiring the payment of a minimum penalty of tissue sacrifice. A composite graft of conchal cartilage and adherent post-auricular skin serves well in the saddle nose deformity of childhood, creating satisfactory tissue augmentation and recreating cartilaginous support for the airway. The sublabial mucosa of the upper lip provides superior tissue for pedicle flap repair of nasal septal perforations. Tunneled through a small oronasal fistula, the flap is elevated and transposed as a one-stage procedure. No closure of the donor site is required. Forehead flaps derived from the precise midline or the non-hair-bearing bay of forehead skin (the sickle flap), are useful, non-delayed flaps carrying considerable tissue of superior color match to nasal defects. A major advantage is the excellent camouflage possible at either donor site area. When nasal reconstruction of greater dimensions becomes necessary, the scalping flap is advantageous. Flap reliability is of a high order, and flap blood supply is unequaled.", "contents": "Alternatives in nasal reconstruction (\"five flaps and a graft\"). Five pedicle flaps and one auricular composite graft deserve increased use and attention in nasal reconstructive surgery. All have in common the high possibility of superior functional and esthetic results while requiring the payment of a minimum penalty of tissue sacrifice. A composite graft of conchal cartilage and adherent post-auricular skin serves well in the saddle nose deformity of childhood, creating satisfactory tissue augmentation and recreating cartilaginous support for the airway. The sublabial mucosa of the upper lip provides superior tissue for pedicle flap repair of nasal septal perforations. Tunneled through a small oronasal fistula, the flap is elevated and transposed as a one-stage procedure. No closure of the donor site is required. Forehead flaps derived from the precise midline or the non-hair-bearing bay of forehead skin (the sickle flap), are useful, non-delayed flaps carrying considerable tissue of superior color match to nasal defects. A major advantage is the excellent camouflage possible at either donor site area. When nasal reconstruction of greater dimensions becomes necessary, the scalping flap is advantageous. Flap reliability is of a high order, and flap blood supply is unequaled.", "PMID": 792596} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9513", "title": "Unusual otologic manifestation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.", "content": "The first reported case of a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, who 14 years after diagnosis developed bilateral symmetrical ear lobe swelling secondary to lymphocytic infiltrates and its management, is presented. The various otologic and specific skin manifestations of leukemia are discussed and the literature reviewed. The temporal bone findings take the form of leukemic infiltrations, inflammation, and hemorrhage. These may present as a red or thickened tympanic membrane, hemotympanum, exudates in the middle ear, acute otitis media, mastoiditis, conductive or sensori-neural hearing loss, dizziness, vertigo or facial paralysis. The specific skin manifestations take the form of nodules, papules, infiltrations, plaques, ulcerations and exfoliative erythroderma. These may present as skin lesions most commonly in the head and neck area, rarely presenting in the auricle and ear canal.", "contents": "Unusual otologic manifestation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The first reported case of a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, who 14 years after diagnosis developed bilateral symmetrical ear lobe swelling secondary to lymphocytic infiltrates and its management, is presented. The various otologic and specific skin manifestations of leukemia are discussed and the literature reviewed. The temporal bone findings take the form of leukemic infiltrations, inflammation, and hemorrhage. These may present as a red or thickened tympanic membrane, hemotympanum, exudates in the middle ear, acute otitis media, mastoiditis, conductive or sensori-neural hearing loss, dizziness, vertigo or facial paralysis. The specific skin manifestations take the form of nodules, papules, infiltrations, plaques, ulcerations and exfoliative erythroderma. These may present as skin lesions most commonly in the head and neck area, rarely presenting in the auricle and ear canal.", "PMID": 792597} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9514", "title": "Infrabrow lift.", "content": "The infrabrow lift is presented as a specific method to correct skin redundancy between the eyebrow and upper lid. Indications are outlined which differentiate this technique from the suprabrow surgical approach. The surgical technique is discussed. Esthetic results have proven most satisfactory.", "contents": "Infrabrow lift. The infrabrow lift is presented as a specific method to correct skin redundancy between the eyebrow and upper lid. Indications are outlined which differentiate this technique from the suprabrow surgical approach. The surgical technique is discussed. Esthetic results have proven most satisfactory.", "PMID": 792598} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9515", "title": "\"Practical suggestions in facial plastic surgery--how i do it.\" \"Threading\" augmentation for facial wrinkles.", "content": "For hundreds of years various types of sutures and threads have been placed in the human body by surgeons. The technique of thread augmentation involves the use of colorless absorbable (Vicryl) and non-absorbable (Neurolon) suture material on a long, straight Keith needle tunneled subdermally beneath prominent facial wrinkles in an effort to make the deep grooves less severe and to augment atrophic areas about the lips and oral commissures. This may be done as an isolated procedure or as an ancillary procedure at the time of a blepharoplasty or cervicofacial rhytidectomy.", "contents": "\"Practical suggestions in facial plastic surgery--how i do it.\" \"Threading\" augmentation for facial wrinkles. For hundreds of years various types of sutures and threads have been placed in the human body by surgeons. The technique of thread augmentation involves the use of colorless absorbable (Vicryl) and non-absorbable (Neurolon) suture material on a long, straight Keith needle tunneled subdermally beneath prominent facial wrinkles in an effort to make the deep grooves less severe and to augment atrophic areas about the lips and oral commissures. This may be done as an isolated procedure or as an ancillary procedure at the time of a blepharoplasty or cervicofacial rhytidectomy.", "PMID": 792599} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9516", "title": "Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis.", "content": "Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis is best regarded as an opportunist or saprophytic infection of abnormal pulmonary spaces by a fungus of very low human pathogenicity. Tissue disease results from host immune response to dispersions of soluble antigen from these focal sources. There are two distinct types of clinical and radiological response. One is an acute or subacute illness manifested by often large segmental pneumonic lesions which tend to heal and are designated as early lesions. The other, usually developing as a complication of the first, is a chronic disease marked by persistent cavitation, low gard chronic illness, and a tendency to promote pulmonary fibrosis and often progressive pulmonary insufficiency. The early lesion is a segmental interstitial pneumonitis with central areas of infarct-like necrosis often adjacent to bullous disease and often outlining prominent emphysematous spaces which appear as radiolucencies. These radiological findings are further characterized by early clearing of the interstitial components, infarct-like contraction of the necrotic zones, obliteration of much of the contained emphysematous and bullous spaces, and healing attended by considerable loss of lung volume. Symptoms are variable but tend to be mild. Malaise, fatigability, low-grade fever, aching chest pain and mild cough lasting a few days to a few weeks are usual. Symptoms are ameliorated by rest. Rest and diminished activity are recommended as treatment. Under these circumstances, 80% of early lesions heal completely and probably most of these would heal spontaneously. Any subsequent course of the disease depends on whether or nor large air spaces, adjacent to or contained within the area of pneumonitis, become infected and persist as cavities. This occurs in 20% of early lesions. Once established, an infected cavity tends to persist and to be attended by symptoms of chronic bronchitis with chronic cough and sputum, fatigability, anorexia, and weight loss. Persisting thickwalled cavities often induce gradual development of pulmonary fibrosis, particulary in the lung bases, apparently from aspiration of antigenic material. This and the accelerated obstructive bronchopulmonary disease often lead to progressive pulmonary insufficiency. The use of amphotericin B is recommended for all persistent thick-walled cavities and in some circumstances surgical resection may be indicated.", "contents": "Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis. Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis is best regarded as an opportunist or saprophytic infection of abnormal pulmonary spaces by a fungus of very low human pathogenicity. Tissue disease results from host immune response to dispersions of soluble antigen from these focal sources. There are two distinct types of clinical and radiological response. One is an acute or subacute illness manifested by often large segmental pneumonic lesions which tend to heal and are designated as early lesions. The other, usually developing as a complication of the first, is a chronic disease marked by persistent cavitation, low gard chronic illness, and a tendency to promote pulmonary fibrosis and often progressive pulmonary insufficiency. The early lesion is a segmental interstitial pneumonitis with central areas of infarct-like necrosis often adjacent to bullous disease and often outlining prominent emphysematous spaces which appear as radiolucencies. These radiological findings are further characterized by early clearing of the interstitial components, infarct-like contraction of the necrotic zones, obliteration of much of the contained emphysematous and bullous spaces, and healing attended by considerable loss of lung volume. Symptoms are variable but tend to be mild. Malaise, fatigability, low-grade fever, aching chest pain and mild cough lasting a few days to a few weeks are usual. Symptoms are ameliorated by rest. Rest and diminished activity are recommended as treatment. Under these circumstances, 80% of early lesions heal completely and probably most of these would heal spontaneously. Any subsequent course of the disease depends on whether or nor large air spaces, adjacent to or contained within the area of pneumonitis, become infected and persist as cavities. This occurs in 20% of early lesions. Once established, an infected cavity tends to persist and to be attended by symptoms of chronic bronchitis with chronic cough and sputum, fatigability, anorexia, and weight loss. Persisting thickwalled cavities often induce gradual development of pulmonary fibrosis, particulary in the lung bases, apparently from aspiration of antigenic material. This and the accelerated obstructive bronchopulmonary disease often lead to progressive pulmonary insufficiency. The use of amphotericin B is recommended for all persistent thick-walled cavities and in some circumstances surgical resection may be indicated.", "PMID": 792626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9517", "title": "Infective endocarditis and access site infections in patients on hemodialysis.", "content": "Infective endocarditis has been a subtle and very often lethal complication of hemodialysis. Thirty-five episodes have been described to date. Antecedent infections, particularly those involving the access site, access manipulation, and dental work appear to predispose to IE. Once IE is acquired, factors associated with mortality are involvement of two or more valves, infection caused by enterococci, antecedent infection, steroid therapy, infection in the first year post-access insertion and patient age over 46. The incidence of access infection with the arteriovenous fistula is significantly less than that associated with the arteriovenous cannula. Staphylococci are the most common organisms in access infections and in IE. Gram-negative bacilli and particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a frequent cause of access infection but an unusual cause of IE. Access removal may be madatory in the successful management of IE in patients on hemodialysis.", "contents": "Infective endocarditis and access site infections in patients on hemodialysis. Infective endocarditis has been a subtle and very often lethal complication of hemodialysis. Thirty-five episodes have been described to date. Antecedent infections, particularly those involving the access site, access manipulation, and dental work appear to predispose to IE. Once IE is acquired, factors associated with mortality are involvement of two or more valves, infection caused by enterococci, antecedent infection, steroid therapy, infection in the first year post-access insertion and patient age over 46. The incidence of access infection with the arteriovenous fistula is significantly less than that associated with the arteriovenous cannula. Staphylococci are the most common organisms in access infections and in IE. Gram-negative bacilli and particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a frequent cause of access infection but an unusual cause of IE. Access removal may be madatory in the successful management of IE in patients on hemodialysis.", "PMID": 792627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9518", "title": "Candida meningitis. Report of seven cases and review of the english literature.", "content": "Seven patients with Candida meningitis are reported. These 7, plus 21 previously cited cases, were reviewed. This infection arose by two distinct mechanisms: hematogenous dissemination and direct inoculation. Recent antibiotic therapy, corticosteroid administration and severe underlying diseases were important predisposing factors. Fever, meningismus, elevated CSF pressures and localizing neurologic signs were commonly noted. Organisms were seen on gram-stain of CSF in only 43% of cases. Mortality rate in patients receiving inadequate or no antifungal therapy was high (greater than 90%), while those patients given appropriate antifungal drugs, especially intravenous amphotericin B, had a significantly lower mortality rate (38%). Several factors associated with poor prognosis were delineated in this study: diagnostic interval after symptomatic onset longer than two weeks, CSF glucose levels below 35 mg/100 ml and presence of intracranial hypertension and focal neurologic deficits.", "contents": "Candida meningitis. Report of seven cases and review of the english literature. Seven patients with Candida meningitis are reported. These 7, plus 21 previously cited cases, were reviewed. This infection arose by two distinct mechanisms: hematogenous dissemination and direct inoculation. Recent antibiotic therapy, corticosteroid administration and severe underlying diseases were important predisposing factors. Fever, meningismus, elevated CSF pressures and localizing neurologic signs were commonly noted. Organisms were seen on gram-stain of CSF in only 43% of cases. Mortality rate in patients receiving inadequate or no antifungal therapy was high (greater than 90%), while those patients given appropriate antifungal drugs, especially intravenous amphotericin B, had a significantly lower mortality rate (38%). Several factors associated with poor prognosis were delineated in this study: diagnostic interval after symptomatic onset longer than two weeks, CSF glucose levels below 35 mg/100 ml and presence of intracranial hypertension and focal neurologic deficits.", "PMID": 792628} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9519", "title": "Cadmium and zinc sensitivity and tolerance in Klebsiella (Aerobacter) aerogenes.", "content": "The resistance of strains of K. aerogenes NCIB 418 'trained' to Cd2+ or Zn2+ in liquid medium is graded to the training concentration. Training to Cd2+ increased the sensitivity to Zn2+ but training to Zn2+ reduced the sensitivity to Cd2+. The trained organisms, particularly those trained to Cd2+, grow slowly in medium containing the metals and the growth rates after 20 and 200 subcultures were not significantly different. The survival of untrained organisms on Cd2+-agar decreased progressively as the Cd2+ concentration was increased, but a threshold concentration of Zn2+ was necessary before any decrease set in. Very low concentrations of Zn2+ potentiated the lethal action of Cd2+ and vice versa, whereas chelating the metal ions with citrate, aspartate or gluconate eliminated it. Nutrient-limitation, as might occur in natural environments, also had a profound effect. Mg2+-limited organisms were particularly resistant to both metals whereas glucose-, NH+4 and PO3-4-limited organisms were very sensitive to Cd2+, and glucose- and K+-limited organisms to Zn2+.", "contents": "Cadmium and zinc sensitivity and tolerance in Klebsiella (Aerobacter) aerogenes. The resistance of strains of K. aerogenes NCIB 418 'trained' to Cd2+ or Zn2+ in liquid medium is graded to the training concentration. Training to Cd2+ increased the sensitivity to Zn2+ but training to Zn2+ reduced the sensitivity to Cd2+. The trained organisms, particularly those trained to Cd2+, grow slowly in medium containing the metals and the growth rates after 20 and 200 subcultures were not significantly different. The survival of untrained organisms on Cd2+-agar decreased progressively as the Cd2+ concentration was increased, but a threshold concentration of Zn2+ was necessary before any decrease set in. Very low concentrations of Zn2+ potentiated the lethal action of Cd2+ and vice versa, whereas chelating the metal ions with citrate, aspartate or gluconate eliminated it. Nutrient-limitation, as might occur in natural environments, also had a profound effect. Mg2+-limited organisms were particularly resistant to both metals whereas glucose-, NH+4 and PO3-4-limited organisms were very sensitive to Cd2+, and glucose- and K+-limited organisms to Zn2+.", "PMID": 792633} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9520", "title": "The butanol-soluble proteins of Klebsiella aerogenes.", "content": "Membranes of Klebsiella aerogenes were extracted with acid butanol at pH 4.2 and the solubilized proteins were fractionated by precipitation at 0 degrees C and -20 degrees C. The -20 degrees C precipitate was examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate. Several enzyme activities associated with polysaccharide biosynthesis have been identified in the crude -20 degrees C precipitate and an attempt was made to separate the enzymes from other protein. The role of certain of these enzymes in a control mechanism for polysaccharide synthesis in K. aerogenes has been postulated.", "contents": "The butanol-soluble proteins of Klebsiella aerogenes. Membranes of Klebsiella aerogenes were extracted with acid butanol at pH 4.2 and the solubilized proteins were fractionated by precipitation at 0 degrees C and -20 degrees C. The -20 degrees C precipitate was examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate. Several enzyme activities associated with polysaccharide biosynthesis have been identified in the crude -20 degrees C precipitate and an attempt was made to separate the enzymes from other protein. The role of certain of these enzymes in a control mechanism for polysaccharide synthesis in K. aerogenes has been postulated.", "PMID": 792634} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9521", "title": "Double-blind cross-over evaluation of mazindol in the treatment of obese hypertensive patients.", "content": "The effect of mazindol (AN 448) on weight and blood pressure was evaluated in a double-blind cross-over trial in 28 obese hypertensive patients, whose blood pressure was under stable control with one or more of the common antihypertensive agents--diuretics, beta-blocking drugs and methyldopa. There was a statistically significant decrease in weight, but no significant change in blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) or pulse rate during active treatment. It was considered that the drug might be of benefit to some patients, provided that they were properly motivated to adhere to the dietary regime.", "contents": "Double-blind cross-over evaluation of mazindol in the treatment of obese hypertensive patients. The effect of mazindol (AN 448) on weight and blood pressure was evaluated in a double-blind cross-over trial in 28 obese hypertensive patients, whose blood pressure was under stable control with one or more of the common antihypertensive agents--diuretics, beta-blocking drugs and methyldopa. There was a statistically significant decrease in weight, but no significant change in blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) or pulse rate during active treatment. It was considered that the drug might be of benefit to some patients, provided that they were properly motivated to adhere to the dietary regime.", "PMID": 792640} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9522", "title": "The role of delayed primary wound closure in the prevention of wound sepsis after appendicetomy.", "content": "In a personal series of 100 consecutive appendicectomies, not a single case of postoperative wound sepsis occurred. It is believed that the use of delayed primary wound closure in those patients (22%) in whom the risk of such infection was high was the main reason for this result. The technique of delayed primary wound closure is described.", "contents": "The role of delayed primary wound closure in the prevention of wound sepsis after appendicetomy. In a personal series of 100 consecutive appendicectomies, not a single case of postoperative wound sepsis occurred. It is believed that the use of delayed primary wound closure in those patients (22%) in whom the risk of such infection was high was the main reason for this result. The technique of delayed primary wound closure is described.", "PMID": 792641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9523", "title": "Inhalation of fenoterol (Berotec) by asthmatic children: A clinical comparison with salbutamol, orciprenaline and isoprenaline.", "content": "Fenoterol (Berotec) has been administered by inhalation, via a Bennett nebulizer, to symptom-free asthmatic children aged 6 to 14 years. The effects of treatment on the results of respiratory function tests, pulse rate and blood pressure were followed. The effects of fenoterol have been compared with those of placebo, salbutamol, orciprenaline and isoprenaline. Inhalation of 1 mg of fenoterol produced effective bronchodilatation, which was more than a placebo effect and was comparable with the responses achieved with other known effective bronchodilators given by inhalation. It produced only a minor increase in heart rate at this dose level.", "contents": "Inhalation of fenoterol (Berotec) by asthmatic children: A clinical comparison with salbutamol, orciprenaline and isoprenaline. Fenoterol (Berotec) has been administered by inhalation, via a Bennett nebulizer, to symptom-free asthmatic children aged 6 to 14 years. The effects of treatment on the results of respiratory function tests, pulse rate and blood pressure were followed. The effects of fenoterol have been compared with those of placebo, salbutamol, orciprenaline and isoprenaline. Inhalation of 1 mg of fenoterol produced effective bronchodilatation, which was more than a placebo effect and was comparable with the responses achieved with other known effective bronchodilators given by inhalation. It produced only a minor increase in heart rate at this dose level.", "PMID": 792642} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9524", "title": "Problems associated with the use of drugs administered by intermittent positive pressure ventilation.", "content": "There has been an increase in the use of drugs administered by intermittent positive pressure ventilation over recent years. There are a number of problems association with this type of therapy including variable and inadequate absorption of drugs and the possibility of nosocomial infections. A number of precautionary measures are suggested to minimize these problems.", "contents": "Problems associated with the use of drugs administered by intermittent positive pressure ventilation. There has been an increase in the use of drugs administered by intermittent positive pressure ventilation over recent years. There are a number of problems association with this type of therapy including variable and inadequate absorption of drugs and the possibility of nosocomial infections. A number of precautionary measures are suggested to minimize these problems.", "PMID": 792650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9525", "title": "Complications of intravenous therapy.", "content": "A survey of 130 patients receiving intravenous therapy was undertaken. There were no instances of speticaemia over this period, despite a positive bacterial culture rate for cannulae of 48%. The incidence of phlebitis was 31%, and was associated with usual physicochemical factors. These included a cannulation time of greater than two days, an intravenous potassium supplement and antibiotics. Normal saline solutions given alone were associated with a lower incidence of phlebitis and continuous intravenous heparin administration may prolong the period of cannulation before phlebitis occurs. The institution of intravenous therapy teams should help to minimize the complications.", "contents": "Complications of intravenous therapy. A survey of 130 patients receiving intravenous therapy was undertaken. There were no instances of speticaemia over this period, despite a positive bacterial culture rate for cannulae of 48%. The incidence of phlebitis was 31%, and was associated with usual physicochemical factors. These included a cannulation time of greater than two days, an intravenous potassium supplement and antibiotics. Normal saline solutions given alone were associated with a lower incidence of phlebitis and continuous intravenous heparin administration may prolong the period of cannulation before phlebitis occurs. The institution of intravenous therapy teams should help to minimize the complications.", "PMID": 792652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9526", "title": "[The definition of heart failure with the product of minimal transit time and heart frequency (author's transl)].", "content": "The product of minimal transit time (MTT) and heart frequency (HF) defines the number of heart beats which are necessary to transport the blood in a determined region of the circulatory system. According to own studies in physiological (stress) and pharmacological conditions this product is constant, independent from body size, length, age etc. In proportion to the degree of heart failure the MTT X HF increases. Measuring appropriate regions of the circulatory system, right and left heart failure can easily be determined. The method has the advantage of a noninvasive procedure and gives exact quantitive accessment of the pump performance of the heart. In view of the increasing use of radio-nuclides this procedure can be recommended because of its good reliability causing little or no discomfort to the patient, and making it applicable, even under extreme conditions, for instance in a CCU.", "contents": "[The definition of heart failure with the product of minimal transit time and heart frequency (author's transl)]. The product of minimal transit time (MTT) and heart frequency (HF) defines the number of heart beats which are necessary to transport the blood in a determined region of the circulatory system. According to own studies in physiological (stress) and pharmacological conditions this product is constant, independent from body size, length, age etc. In proportion to the degree of heart failure the MTT X HF increases. Measuring appropriate regions of the circulatory system, right and left heart failure can easily be determined. The method has the advantage of a noninvasive procedure and gives exact quantitive accessment of the pump performance of the heart. In view of the increasing use of radio-nuclides this procedure can be recommended because of its good reliability causing little or no discomfort to the patient, and making it applicable, even under extreme conditions, for instance in a CCU.", "PMID": 792664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9527", "title": "[Clinical experience with Encephabol (author's transl)].", "content": "The author reports on a clinical study with the neuro-dynamic agent Encephabol (pyritinol, pyrithioxine) in a total of 317 patients with organic psychosyndrome of various genesis. The therapeutic effect obtained is related by the author to the mode of administration used (oral, parenteral and combined), to the dosage, and duration of treatment, and is discussed.", "contents": "[Clinical experience with Encephabol (author's transl)]. The author reports on a clinical study with the neuro-dynamic agent Encephabol (pyritinol, pyrithioxine) in a total of 317 patients with organic psychosyndrome of various genesis. The therapeutic effect obtained is related by the author to the mode of administration used (oral, parenteral and combined), to the dosage, and duration of treatment, and is discussed.", "PMID": 792665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9528", "title": "Reading devices for blind people.", "content": "An account is given of the social, economic, and technical factors surrounding the development of reading aids or devices for blind people. It is shown that these factors interact in such a way as to seriously constrain the approaches that can be made to device design. The progress being made in the research, development, and deployment of several types of reading devices is described to illustrate how the various constraints have affected the design goals and methods of deployment. Emphasis is laid on the development of reading machines with voice output because, ultimately, they are the most likely types of devices to be widely accepted by the blind. Looking ahead to full deployment of such devices before the end of this decade, the paper concludes with a summary of the research, development, and organizational needs that must be met.", "contents": "Reading devices for blind people. An account is given of the social, economic, and technical factors surrounding the development of reading aids or devices for blind people. It is shown that these factors interact in such a way as to seriously constrain the approaches that can be made to device design. The progress being made in the research, development, and deployment of several types of reading devices is described to illustrate how the various constraints have affected the design goals and methods of deployment. Emphasis is laid on the development of reading machines with voice output because, ultimately, they are the most likely types of devices to be widely accepted by the blind. Looking ahead to full deployment of such devices before the end of this decade, the paper concludes with a summary of the research, development, and organizational needs that must be met.", "PMID": 792672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9529", "title": "Biomaterials and biocompatibility.", "content": "This review attempts to assess the present status of biomaterials, especially in relation to their interaction with tissue. The terms biomaterial and biocompatibility are defined and both the present areas of clinical application and the requirements of biomaterials for these applications discussed. The types of biomaterials in clinical use and those under development are briefly described. Problems associated with implant functionality are covered, dealing with fatigue, wear and membrane permeability. Of more importance are the problems relating to biocompatibility and metallic corrosion, polymer and ceramic degradation, local tissue changes, systemic effects, infection, implant loosening, blood compatibility and the assessment of biocompatibility.", "contents": "Biomaterials and biocompatibility. This review attempts to assess the present status of biomaterials, especially in relation to their interaction with tissue. The terms biomaterial and biocompatibility are defined and both the present areas of clinical application and the requirements of biomaterials for these applications discussed. The types of biomaterials in clinical use and those under development are briefly described. Problems associated with implant functionality are covered, dealing with fatigue, wear and membrane permeability. Of more importance are the problems relating to biocompatibility and metallic corrosion, polymer and ceramic degradation, local tissue changes, systemic effects, infection, implant loosening, blood compatibility and the assessment of biocompatibility.", "PMID": 792673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9530", "title": "International standard (C.C.I.T.T.) for transmitting biomedical analogue and digital data on the public telephone network.", "content": "Analogue transmission of biomedical signals over the public telephone network has advantages from the economic point of view over digitalized transmission. This paper deals with the special problems encountered with the transmission of biomedical signals. Furthermore, the new international transmission standard C.C.I.T.T. recommendation V. 16 is introduced. This standard has recently been adopted by the relevant study group and has been presented to the Plenary Assembly of the C.C.I.T.T. for final approval. This standard is compatible with the existing public telephone networks. The technical specifications of this standard allow the transmission of the three-channel ECG for diagnostic purposes, e.g., remote processing and computer-assisted evaluation, as well as the transmission of the one-channel ECG with acoustic coupling, e.g., in emergency cases and for pace maker monitoring.", "contents": "International standard (C.C.I.T.T.) for transmitting biomedical analogue and digital data on the public telephone network. Analogue transmission of biomedical signals over the public telephone network has advantages from the economic point of view over digitalized transmission. This paper deals with the special problems encountered with the transmission of biomedical signals. Furthermore, the new international transmission standard C.C.I.T.T. recommendation V. 16 is introduced. This standard has recently been adopted by the relevant study group and has been presented to the Plenary Assembly of the C.C.I.T.T. for final approval. This standard is compatible with the existing public telephone networks. The technical specifications of this standard allow the transmission of the three-channel ECG for diagnostic purposes, e.g., remote processing and computer-assisted evaluation, as well as the transmission of the one-channel ECG with acoustic coupling, e.g., in emergency cases and for pace maker monitoring.", "PMID": 792674} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9531", "title": "Medical applications of analogue and digital telephone data links.", "content": "The increasing use of digital computer techniques for the analysis of signals such as the EEG, ECG, plethysmograms and cardiac output curves has led to the use of multichannel analogue frequency modulation telephone data links in the forward direction from the patient to the computer and digital links in the return direction. Single-channel analogue links are also being used for the surveillance of cardiac pacemaker patients and the television Viewphone offers the possibility of a visual contact between two centers. Examples will be given of the use of these various forms of telephone link.", "contents": "Medical applications of analogue and digital telephone data links. The increasing use of digital computer techniques for the analysis of signals such as the EEG, ECG, plethysmograms and cardiac output curves has led to the use of multichannel analogue frequency modulation telephone data links in the forward direction from the patient to the computer and digital links in the return direction. Single-channel analogue links are also being used for the surveillance of cardiac pacemaker patients and the television Viewphone offers the possibility of a visual contact between two centers. Examples will be given of the use of these various forms of telephone link.", "PMID": 792675} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9532", "title": "Host genes involved in the replication of single-stranded DNA phage phiK.", "content": "Using various replication mutants of E. coli, the host genes that participate in the replication of some K12-specific single-stranded DNA phages have been determined. Functional products of dnaE, -F, -G and -Z genes are required for the multiplication of phiK, whereas dnaA, -B, -C(D), H, -I and -P are dispensable for viral replication. In contrast with polB, recA, B, C, or xth functions, host rep activity is essential for phiK. At the restrictive temperature, the yield of phiK was markedly reduced in the ligts7 mutant and partially decreased in a polAts strain. The phage phiK is thus less dependent on the host cells than phiX174 and phiA which require additionally the dnaB, -C(D) and -H functions. Replication of phage St-1 depends on dnaG and -Z gene products, but not on dnaP function. Although not much affected in polAts host, growth of St-1 was significantly diminished in dnaF or ligts7 mutants.", "contents": "Host genes involved in the replication of single-stranded DNA phage phiK. Using various replication mutants of E. coli, the host genes that participate in the replication of some K12-specific single-stranded DNA phages have been determined. Functional products of dnaE, -F, -G and -Z genes are required for the multiplication of phiK, whereas dnaA, -B, -C(D), H, -I and -P are dispensable for viral replication. In contrast with polB, recA, B, C, or xth functions, host rep activity is essential for phiK. At the restrictive temperature, the yield of phiK was markedly reduced in the ligts7 mutant and partially decreased in a polAts strain. The phage phiK is thus less dependent on the host cells than phiX174 and phiA which require additionally the dnaB, -C(D) and -H functions. Replication of phage St-1 depends on dnaG and -Z gene products, but not on dnaP function. Although not much affected in polAts host, growth of St-1 was significantly diminished in dnaF or ligts7 mutants.", "PMID": 792679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9533", "title": "Isolation of lambda prophage mutants defective in structural genes: their use for the study of bacteriophage morphogenesis.", "content": "Mutants of coliphage lambda defective in structural genes were isolated and characterized. The isolation method consisted in lysogenizing bacteria with mutagenized phage and testing for inability to form plaques after heat induction. The mutants were propagated as prophages in the lysogens. Mutants in the region of the tail-genes U, V, G and H were enriched for by a selection method based on recombination and complementation with known mutants, and they were mapped by deletion mapping with newly isolated lambdadg's. The lysates of all the mutants were examined by electron microscopy. Some of the mutants showed phenotypes different from those of known amber mutants in the same genes. They are interpreted as producing partially active, altered gene products and might be useful for the studies of morphogenesis and of the mechanism of infection.", "contents": "Isolation of lambda prophage mutants defective in structural genes: their use for the study of bacteriophage morphogenesis. Mutants of coliphage lambda defective in structural genes were isolated and characterized. The isolation method consisted in lysogenizing bacteria with mutagenized phage and testing for inability to form plaques after heat induction. The mutants were propagated as prophages in the lysogens. Mutants in the region of the tail-genes U, V, G and H were enriched for by a selection method based on recombination and complementation with known mutants, and they were mapped by deletion mapping with newly isolated lambdadg's. The lysates of all the mutants were examined by electron microscopy. Some of the mutants showed phenotypes different from those of known amber mutants in the same genes. They are interpreted as producing partially active, altered gene products and might be useful for the studies of morphogenesis and of the mechanism of infection.", "PMID": 792680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9534", "title": "Isolation and genetic mapping of Escherichia coli aminopeptidase mutants.", "content": "Many mutant strains devoid of aminopeptidase activity have been isolated in Escherichia coli. All of them produce cross-reacting material when tested against specific antiaminopeptidase antibody. The map position of the locus specifying this enzyme has been determined by three conjugations and two P1 mediated transduction experiments. By analogy with Salmonella typhimurium this locus has been called pepN (Miller, 1975). Mutations in pepN are jointly transduced with fabA and pyrD at high frequency. These data and conjugation results suggest a location between 20.5 and 22.5 minutes on E. coli genetic map.", "contents": "Isolation and genetic mapping of Escherichia coli aminopeptidase mutants. Many mutant strains devoid of aminopeptidase activity have been isolated in Escherichia coli. All of them produce cross-reacting material when tested against specific antiaminopeptidase antibody. The map position of the locus specifying this enzyme has been determined by three conjugations and two P1 mediated transduction experiments. By analogy with Salmonella typhimurium this locus has been called pepN (Miller, 1975). Mutations in pepN are jointly transduced with fabA and pyrD at high frequency. These data and conjugation results suggest a location between 20.5 and 22.5 minutes on E. coli genetic map.", "PMID": 792681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9535", "title": "Effect of auxotrophic starvation of mitochondrial marker transmission in the cdc8 mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Crosses were made using strains of S. cerevisiae which carried mitochondrial markers conferring resistance to erythromycin and chloramphenicol. The effect of auxotrophic starvation of one parent prior to mating on the transmission of its mitochondrial markers was studied in different crosses relative to the presence of the cdc8 nuclear mutation (a temperature-sensitive DNA replication). In crosses between two cdc8 mutant strains, auxotrophic starvation of one of the haploid parental stains prior to mating caused a marked decrease of its mitochondrial marker transmission to the diploid progeny of the cross. The transmission decreased as a function of the time of starvation. This effect was not observed in the cross between two wild type strains and in crosses of starved cdc8 phenotypic revertants with cdc8 mutant strains. Only a small, if any, effect of starvation on mitochondrial marker transmission was observed when starved cdc8 mutant strains were crossed either with their phenotypic revertants or with the wild-type strains. In one of the haploid parental strains the starvation increased the frequency of petites as a function of starvation time, while in the other this effect was not observed. In the progeny of cdc8 X cdc8 crosses (both in starvation experiments and in control crosses) an increased frequency of diploid petite cells accompanied by a decreased frequency of recombination between mitochondrial markers was noticed. The influence of the cdc8 mutation on the transmission of mitochondrial markers is discussed in terms of high frequency of p- molecule formation in cdc8 strains.", "contents": "Effect of auxotrophic starvation of mitochondrial marker transmission in the cdc8 mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Crosses were made using strains of S. cerevisiae which carried mitochondrial markers conferring resistance to erythromycin and chloramphenicol. The effect of auxotrophic starvation of one parent prior to mating on the transmission of its mitochondrial markers was studied in different crosses relative to the presence of the cdc8 nuclear mutation (a temperature-sensitive DNA replication). In crosses between two cdc8 mutant strains, auxotrophic starvation of one of the haploid parental stains prior to mating caused a marked decrease of its mitochondrial marker transmission to the diploid progeny of the cross. The transmission decreased as a function of the time of starvation. This effect was not observed in the cross between two wild type strains and in crosses of starved cdc8 phenotypic revertants with cdc8 mutant strains. Only a small, if any, effect of starvation on mitochondrial marker transmission was observed when starved cdc8 mutant strains were crossed either with their phenotypic revertants or with the wild-type strains. In one of the haploid parental strains the starvation increased the frequency of petites as a function of starvation time, while in the other this effect was not observed. In the progeny of cdc8 X cdc8 crosses (both in starvation experiments and in control crosses) an increased frequency of diploid petite cells accompanied by a decreased frequency of recombination between mitochondrial markers was noticed. The influence of the cdc8 mutation on the transmission of mitochondrial markers is discussed in terms of high frequency of p- molecule formation in cdc8 strains.", "PMID": 792682} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9536", "title": "Isolation and characterization of phi80dgal transducing phages that carry gal operator-promoter insertion mutations.", "content": "phi80dgal transducing bacteriophages have been isolated by the F-fusion technique of Press et al. (1971) and gal-operator-promoter insertion mutations have been introduced by homogenate formation. Five different phi80dgal isolates have been studied in more detail. One of the phi80 phages transduces the gal operon and gene aroG as well as at least part of the trp-operon; the gal operon of another phi80dgal transducing phage is inverted with respect to the phi80dgal sequences. Heteroduplex DNA mapping indicates that one of the phi80dgal isolates in addition to the gal operon and a portion of the adjacent chromosomal region carries an IS2-element which is derived from the F'gal episome. The isolated phi80dgal phages may be utilized for preparing pure gal mRNA and insertion-RNA as well as pure gal operon DNA.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of phi80dgal transducing phages that carry gal operator-promoter insertion mutations. phi80dgal transducing bacteriophages have been isolated by the F-fusion technique of Press et al. (1971) and gal-operator-promoter insertion mutations have been introduced by homogenate formation. Five different phi80dgal isolates have been studied in more detail. One of the phi80 phages transduces the gal operon and gene aroG as well as at least part of the trp-operon; the gal operon of another phi80dgal transducing phage is inverted with respect to the phi80dgal sequences. Heteroduplex DNA mapping indicates that one of the phi80dgal isolates in addition to the gal operon and a portion of the adjacent chromosomal region carries an IS2-element which is derived from the F'gal episome. The isolated phi80dgal phages may be utilized for preparing pure gal mRNA and insertion-RNA as well as pure gal operon DNA.", "PMID": 792683} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9537", "title": "A transducing bacteriophage lambda carrying the structural gene for elongation factor Ts.", "content": "A specialized transducing bacteriophage lambdadpolCdap D-9 has been isolated that carries the structural gene for EF-Ts1 (tsf). The presence of EF-Ts among the proteins synthesized under the direction of this phage in UVL-inactivated cells has been detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and has been verified by antibody precipitation. In an induced lysogen of this phage the relative rate of synthesis of EF-Ts is increased 4-fold. Evidence is presented which suggest that the structural genes for ribosomal protein S2 (rpsB) and RNA polymerase sigma factor (sit) also lies on lambdadpolCdap D-9.", "contents": "A transducing bacteriophage lambda carrying the structural gene for elongation factor Ts. A specialized transducing bacteriophage lambdadpolCdap D-9 has been isolated that carries the structural gene for EF-Ts1 (tsf). The presence of EF-Ts among the proteins synthesized under the direction of this phage in UVL-inactivated cells has been detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and has been verified by antibody precipitation. In an induced lysogen of this phage the relative rate of synthesis of EF-Ts is increased 4-fold. Evidence is presented which suggest that the structural genes for ribosomal protein S2 (rpsB) and RNA polymerase sigma factor (sit) also lies on lambdadpolCdap D-9.", "PMID": 792684} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9538", "title": "Catabolite translational effects on the lac messenger RNA of Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "The transcriptional and translational events occurring during the induction of the lac operon, were separated by blocking the translational step, either by aminoacid starvation or by addition of chloramphenicol. It was found that the carbon source used during the subsequent translation, affected the rate of beta-galactosidase synthesis. A decoordination effect on the production of enzymes of the lac system was also observed in high catabolite repression media, as well as in nitrogen limiting conditions. These findings suggested a similarity with the polarity phenomenon. In order to test this similarity, polarity suppressors of a Z- polar mutant were isolated. In one of these mutants, probably suA like, no carbon source effect was observed during the translational step. The induction kinetics in different media, after distinct pregrowth conditions, supported the idea that this mutant could be considered catabolite repression resistant only in certain restrictive conditions.", "contents": "Catabolite translational effects on the lac messenger RNA of Escherichia coli K12. The transcriptional and translational events occurring during the induction of the lac operon, were separated by blocking the translational step, either by aminoacid starvation or by addition of chloramphenicol. It was found that the carbon source used during the subsequent translation, affected the rate of beta-galactosidase synthesis. A decoordination effect on the production of enzymes of the lac system was also observed in high catabolite repression media, as well as in nitrogen limiting conditions. These findings suggested a similarity with the polarity phenomenon. In order to test this similarity, polarity suppressors of a Z- polar mutant were isolated. In one of these mutants, probably suA like, no carbon source effect was observed during the translational step. The induction kinetics in different media, after distinct pregrowth conditions, supported the idea that this mutant could be considered catabolite repression resistant only in certain restrictive conditions.", "PMID": 792685} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9539", "title": "Treatment of hereditary angioedema with danazol. Reversal of clinical and biochemical abnormalities.", "content": "Danazol, an androgen derivative, was evaluated for its effectiveness in preventing attacks of hereditary angioedema in a double-blind study with nine patients. Of 47 placebo courses, 44 ended with attacks, but during 46 danazol courses only one attack occurred. Side effects were minimal, and virilization was not observed in the women studied. C1 esterase inhibitor levels increased three to four times, and levels of the fourth component of complement (C4) increased 15 times. These changes began during the first day of therapy and were maximal by one to two weeks. After therapy was stopped, C1 esterase inhibitor and C4 levels rapidly decreased. Danazol effectively prevents attacks in hereditary angioedema and acts to correct the underlying biochemical abnormality.", "contents": "Treatment of hereditary angioedema with danazol. Reversal of clinical and biochemical abnormalities. Danazol, an androgen derivative, was evaluated for its effectiveness in preventing attacks of hereditary angioedema in a double-blind study with nine patients. Of 47 placebo courses, 44 ended with attacks, but during 46 danazol courses only one attack occurred. Side effects were minimal, and virilization was not observed in the women studied. C1 esterase inhibitor levels increased three to four times, and levels of the fourth component of complement (C4) increased 15 times. These changes began during the first day of therapy and were maximal by one to two weeks. After therapy was stopped, C1 esterase inhibitor and C4 levels rapidly decreased. Danazol effectively prevents attacks in hereditary angioedema and acts to correct the underlying biochemical abnormality.", "PMID": 792688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9540", "title": "[Comparative enzymatic study of two strains of Aspergillus fumigatus and of A. fischeri of sapropytic origin or isolated from human or animal lesions: practical diagnostic applications].", "content": "14 enzymatic activities (3 dehydrogenases and 11 hydrolases) were systematically investigated in the extracts of 2 strains of Aspergillus fischeri and 14 strains of A. fumigatus (8 isolated from human or animal lesions named 'pathogenic' strains and 6 strains of saprophytic origin). The enzymic composition of A. fumigatus appeared to be very different from one strain to another but no relationships could be established between enzymic differences and origin of the strains. In addition, the immunoelectrophoretic analysis of these antigenic extracts using rabbits immunsera and sera of patients with pulmonary asperigllosis was performed. The type II chymotrypsic activity, corresponding to C arc, was shown more frequently and gave stronger reaction when antigenic extracts from pathogenic strains were allowed to react with sera of patients. Moreover, when sera of patients revealed a same enzymic activity in a saprophytic strain and a pathogenic strain, the number of precipitin lines was significantly larger with the latter one. Accordingly, antigenic extracts used for precipitin tests had to be preferably prepared from pathogenic strains and tested, for value, against sera of patients with pulmonary aspergillosis.", "contents": "[Comparative enzymatic study of two strains of Aspergillus fumigatus and of A. fischeri of sapropytic origin or isolated from human or animal lesions: practical diagnostic applications]. 14 enzymatic activities (3 dehydrogenases and 11 hydrolases) were systematically investigated in the extracts of 2 strains of Aspergillus fischeri and 14 strains of A. fumigatus (8 isolated from human or animal lesions named 'pathogenic' strains and 6 strains of saprophytic origin). The enzymic composition of A. fumigatus appeared to be very different from one strain to another but no relationships could be established between enzymic differences and origin of the strains. In addition, the immunoelectrophoretic analysis of these antigenic extracts using rabbits immunsera and sera of patients with pulmonary asperigllosis was performed. The type II chymotrypsic activity, corresponding to C arc, was shown more frequently and gave stronger reaction when antigenic extracts from pathogenic strains were allowed to react with sera of patients. Moreover, when sera of patients revealed a same enzymic activity in a saprophytic strain and a pathogenic strain, the number of precipitin lines was significantly larger with the latter one. Accordingly, antigenic extracts used for precipitin tests had to be preferably prepared from pathogenic strains and tested, for value, against sera of patients with pulmonary aspergillosis.", "PMID": 792691} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9541", "title": "Transposable genetic elements and plasmid evolution.", "content": "Transposable elements of DNA that are structurally defined and genetically discrete units seem to have an important role in the evolution of bacterial plasmids. Recombination occurring at the termini of such elements can result in the joining together of unrelated DNA segments that lack extensive nucleotide sequence homology. In addition, transposable elements serve as novel biological switches capable of turning on and off the expression of nearby genes as a consequence of their insertion into or excision from plasmid genomes.", "contents": "Transposable genetic elements and plasmid evolution. Transposable elements of DNA that are structurally defined and genetically discrete units seem to have an important role in the evolution of bacterial plasmids. Recombination occurring at the termini of such elements can result in the joining together of unrelated DNA segments that lack extensive nucleotide sequence homology. In addition, transposable elements serve as novel biological switches capable of turning on and off the expression of nearby genes as a consequence of their insertion into or excision from plasmid genomes.", "PMID": 792710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9542", "title": "Cloned synthetic lac operator DNA is biologically active.", "content": "A chemically synthesised duplex DNA fragment containing the sequence of the lac operator was cloned in E. coli using the vehicle pMB9. Clones containing lac-pMB9 hybrid DNA produced beta-galactosidase constitutively and the hybrid DNA bound the lac repressor specifically.", "contents": "Cloned synthetic lac operator DNA is biologically active. A chemically synthesised duplex DNA fragment containing the sequence of the lac operator was cloned in E. coli using the vehicle pMB9. Clones containing lac-pMB9 hybrid DNA produced beta-galactosidase constitutively and the hybrid DNA bound the lac repressor specifically.", "PMID": 792711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9543", "title": "[Results of the automatic analysis of a group of 2,250 electrocardiograms examined with the HP4 system and supplied by 13 hospitals associated with a single computer center].", "content": "The reliability of the HP4 programme for automatic ECG reading has been studied. 13 Lombardy Hospitals together with the Italian Diagnostic Centre took part in the experiments. In each hospital, 170 ECG's were simultaneously recorded on paper and magnetic tape, a total of 2.252 examinations. The tapes were sent to the Italian Diagnostic Centre for processing. The ECG's were also examined by hospital cardiologists using their own criteria and by a cardiologist of the I.D.C. according to the HP4 programme criteria. The evaluation criteria were of two types: 1) according to a final synthetic judgment (normal, atypical, at the limit of the normal, abnormal); 2) according to the type of pathology (arrythmia, left ventricular hypertrophy, infarction, repolarization alterations, intraventricular conduction disturbances). The data obtained in this study showed the reliability of the HP4 programme for screening the population, for use in Cardiology Departments (hospital or out-clinics) and in Social Cardiology centres. Its practical use is excluded (as are most of the programmes on the market) where a specific diagnosis in particular types of pathology is required (e.g. coronary units, cardiology division, etc.) The cardiologist is irreplaceable although this equipment provides him with a considerable aid for the performance of his work.", "contents": "[Results of the automatic analysis of a group of 2,250 electrocardiograms examined with the HP4 system and supplied by 13 hospitals associated with a single computer center]. The reliability of the HP4 programme for automatic ECG reading has been studied. 13 Lombardy Hospitals together with the Italian Diagnostic Centre took part in the experiments. In each hospital, 170 ECG's were simultaneously recorded on paper and magnetic tape, a total of 2.252 examinations. The tapes were sent to the Italian Diagnostic Centre for processing. The ECG's were also examined by hospital cardiologists using their own criteria and by a cardiologist of the I.D.C. according to the HP4 programme criteria. The evaluation criteria were of two types: 1) according to a final synthetic judgment (normal, atypical, at the limit of the normal, abnormal); 2) according to the type of pathology (arrythmia, left ventricular hypertrophy, infarction, repolarization alterations, intraventricular conduction disturbances). The data obtained in this study showed the reliability of the HP4 programme for screening the population, for use in Cardiology Departments (hospital or out-clinics) and in Social Cardiology centres. Its practical use is excluded (as are most of the programmes on the market) where a specific diagnosis in particular types of pathology is required (e.g. coronary units, cardiology division, etc.) The cardiologist is irreplaceable although this equipment provides him with a considerable aid for the performance of his work.", "PMID": 792721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9544", "title": "[Automatic clinical electrocardiography laboratory of the Udine regional hospital. Considerations on 50,000 tracings automatically analyzed with computers].", "content": "Automatic ECG processing has now passed beyond the experimental stage into the realm of clinical practice. It offers the most advanced solution to the organisation problems faced by ECG laboratories, particularly in large hospitals. A centralised laboratory for this work was first set up in Italy in 1973 at the Udine Regional Hospital. Its instrumentation and organisation are described and a consecutive sample of 1000 ECGs culled from the 50,000 computerised since its inception are discussed.", "contents": "[Automatic clinical electrocardiography laboratory of the Udine regional hospital. Considerations on 50,000 tracings automatically analyzed with computers]. Automatic ECG processing has now passed beyond the experimental stage into the realm of clinical practice. It offers the most advanced solution to the organisation problems faced by ECG laboratories, particularly in large hospitals. A centralised laboratory for this work was first set up in Italy in 1973 at the Udine Regional Hospital. Its instrumentation and organisation are described and a consecutive sample of 1000 ECGs culled from the 50,000 computerised since its inception are discussed.", "PMID": 792722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9545", "title": "[Visual processing of 12,000 electrocardiograms according to the USPHS code and comparison of visual and automatic processing of about 6,000 electrocardiograms in accordance with the USPHS code].", "content": "Multistage screening in Hesse (W. Germany) and the visual processing of about 12,000 ECG's in accordance with the USPHS (Riedel programme) are reported. A good fit was found with data obtained from a similar study in another part of the country. Comparison is then made with the visual and computerised processing of about 6,000 ECG's in accordance with the same code, using four classes: \"normal\", \"conditionally within the limits of normal\", \"suspect\" and \"definitely pathological\". The encouraging result on comparison between \"normal\" and \"pathological\" in the 6.3% consisting of false negatives (only 2.1% definitely pathological) suggests that \"normal\" and \"conditionally normal\" ratings by the computer can be accepted, whereas considerable possibilities for cardiological diagnosis would remain in the case of pathological traces, which would always be accepted, where as considerable possibilities recognised standards set down by the USPHS code are considered reliable. They can be used under hospital or screening conditions. On the other hand, the \"scale of values\" programme offered as a model requires further checking. Notes on future development are also offered.", "contents": "[Visual processing of 12,000 electrocardiograms according to the USPHS code and comparison of visual and automatic processing of about 6,000 electrocardiograms in accordance with the USPHS code]. Multistage screening in Hesse (W. Germany) and the visual processing of about 12,000 ECG's in accordance with the USPHS (Riedel programme) are reported. A good fit was found with data obtained from a similar study in another part of the country. Comparison is then made with the visual and computerised processing of about 6,000 ECG's in accordance with the same code, using four classes: \"normal\", \"conditionally within the limits of normal\", \"suspect\" and \"definitely pathological\". The encouraging result on comparison between \"normal\" and \"pathological\" in the 6.3% consisting of false negatives (only 2.1% definitely pathological) suggests that \"normal\" and \"conditionally normal\" ratings by the computer can be accepted, whereas considerable possibilities for cardiological diagnosis would remain in the case of pathological traces, which would always be accepted, where as considerable possibilities recognised standards set down by the USPHS code are considered reliable. They can be used under hospital or screening conditions. On the other hand, the \"scale of values\" programme offered as a model requires further checking. Notes on future development are also offered.", "PMID": 792723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9546", "title": "[Effect od amygdalectomy on memory and learning in patients treated surgically for epilepsy].", "content": "The results of neuropsychological investigations of 40 patients with severe epilepsy and behaviour disturbances treated by stereotactic methods are presented. In all cases memory disturbances were found before the operation, in 45% of the cases mental sluggishness was present. After amygdalotomy, together with a reduction of emotional tension and psychomotor agitation, the range of direct memory extended and difficulties in learning verbal material decreased. In some patients a tendency was observed also for a rise in intelligence quotient.", "contents": "[Effect od amygdalectomy on memory and learning in patients treated surgically for epilepsy]. The results of neuropsychological investigations of 40 patients with severe epilepsy and behaviour disturbances treated by stereotactic methods are presented. In all cases memory disturbances were found before the operation, in 45% of the cases mental sluggishness was present. After amygdalotomy, together with a reduction of emotional tension and psychomotor agitation, the range of direct memory extended and difficulties in learning verbal material decreased. In some patients a tendency was observed also for a rise in intelligence quotient.", "PMID": 792716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9547", "title": "[Graphic analysis of electrocardiograms with the exercise test].", "content": "The effort ECG is one of the most useful and most commonly employed methods for the early diagnosis of coronary disease in patients with a normal ECG at rest. Perfection of a computerised method for this purpose is reported. An effort test is run on the cyclergometer and the ECG is read for 2 min at rest, during the test, and for 3 min afterwards. The chest bipolar leads are used. The diagnostic possibilities are greatly improved by computerisation and interpretation of the effort ECG.", "contents": "[Graphic analysis of electrocardiograms with the exercise test]. The effort ECG is one of the most useful and most commonly employed methods for the early diagnosis of coronary disease in patients with a normal ECG at rest. Perfection of a computerised method for this purpose is reported. An effort test is run on the cyclergometer and the ECG is read for 2 min at rest, during the test, and for 3 min afterwards. The chest bipolar leads are used. The diagnostic possibilities are greatly improved by computerisation and interpretation of the effort ECG.", "PMID": 792726} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9548", "title": "[On-line analysis of the exercise electrocardiogram].", "content": "A programme of on-line automated analysis of ECG exercise graphs relative to the CB5 derivation is described. The various operations may be subdivided into the following phases: 1) performance; 2) mean complex; 3) identification; 4) calculation and print-out of parameters; 5) filing. Automatic analysis of exercise ECG's eliminating artifacts present in graphs and obtaining parameters that are not respectively assessable, facilitates the development of rigorously objective diagnostic guidelines. The filing of indices on magnetic tape opens the way to subsequent statistical analysis of extreme usefulness in testing extensive populations.", "contents": "[On-line analysis of the exercise electrocardiogram]. A programme of on-line automated analysis of ECG exercise graphs relative to the CB5 derivation is described. The various operations may be subdivided into the following phases: 1) performance; 2) mean complex; 3) identification; 4) calculation and print-out of parameters; 5) filing. Automatic analysis of exercise ECG's eliminating artifacts present in graphs and obtaining parameters that are not respectively assessable, facilitates the development of rigorously objective diagnostic guidelines. The filing of indices on magnetic tape opens the way to subsequent statistical analysis of extreme usefulness in testing extensive populations.", "PMID": 792727} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9549", "title": "[Differentiation of infarct patterns in the computerized ECG and confirmation with clinical and coronarographic findings and cardiac catherization].", "content": "With a view to assessing the validity of ECG criteria for a personal computerization programme, definite external features have been introduced as controls to provide objective data on the patient's disease apart from the ECG picture. To analyse the reliability of this programme, the ECG infarction component of the following groups of patients was considered. 1) 84 ECGs of patients who have suffered myocardial infarction in the more or less distant past and the diagnosis of which was confirmed at the time by chemical and laboratory data. These patients were also submitted to angiocardiography. 2) 120 ECGs of patients who have suffered myocardial infarction in the comparatively recent past and diagnosis of which was confirmed by chemical and laboratory data. These patients were not submitted to angiocardiography. 3) 85 ECGs of definitely not coronaropathic patients in whom angiocardiography was performed. In these clinically well documented cases, computer diagnoses were well correlated with those of treating physicians. It should however be pointed out that in 18% of patients with myocardial infarction, the ECG did not confirm the lesion. In the control group also, ECG alterations were recorded in 18% cases. This is a high percentage because in numerous patients the presence of rheumatic or shunt valvulopathies or myocardiopathies was encountered.", "contents": "[Differentiation of infarct patterns in the computerized ECG and confirmation with clinical and coronarographic findings and cardiac catherization]. With a view to assessing the validity of ECG criteria for a personal computerization programme, definite external features have been introduced as controls to provide objective data on the patient's disease apart from the ECG picture. To analyse the reliability of this programme, the ECG infarction component of the following groups of patients was considered. 1) 84 ECGs of patients who have suffered myocardial infarction in the more or less distant past and the diagnosis of which was confirmed at the time by chemical and laboratory data. These patients were also submitted to angiocardiography. 2) 120 ECGs of patients who have suffered myocardial infarction in the comparatively recent past and diagnosis of which was confirmed by chemical and laboratory data. These patients were not submitted to angiocardiography. 3) 85 ECGs of definitely not coronaropathic patients in whom angiocardiography was performed. In these clinically well documented cases, computer diagnoses were well correlated with those of treating physicians. It should however be pointed out that in 18% of patients with myocardial infarction, the ECG did not confirm the lesion. In the control group also, ECG alterations were recorded in 18% cases. This is a high percentage because in numerous patients the presence of rheumatic or shunt valvulopathies or myocardiopathies was encountered.", "PMID": 792728} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9550", "title": "[A program of combined ECG and VCG automatic diagnosis. Note I. The atriogram].", "content": "In this paper a new computer aided ECG and VCG data handling is analized. It is based on an optimum estimation of dipole moment, which is used as the main diagnosis parameter. Already known diagnostical methods (available in present literature) are compared with this new technique. The available diagnostical range has been increased widely. The sensitivity of such a program is being analyzed both for normal and abnormal cases.", "contents": "[A program of combined ECG and VCG automatic diagnosis. Note I. The atriogram]. In this paper a new computer aided ECG and VCG data handling is analized. It is based on an optimum estimation of dipole moment, which is used as the main diagnosis parameter. Already known diagnostical methods (available in present literature) are compared with this new technique. The available diagnostical range has been increased widely. The sensitivity of such a program is being analyzed both for normal and abnormal cases.", "PMID": 792729} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9551", "title": "[Plan for installation of an automatic system of analysis of electrocardiograms for a group of hospitals and a regional cardiological record office].", "content": "In view of the present state of the Central ECG Department serving the \"San Giovanni\" group of hospitals in Turin and in consideration of the ever growing number of ECG's required daily, a reorganization of the department has become necessary. Such a reorganization must be based on the latest facilities offered by electronic engineering, namely by means of automating the entire system. Various manufacturers offer proven equipment and the only problem is one of choosing that most suitable for requirements. Personally, the on line system is considered to be best although many are opposed to it, because it is the only system that makes it possible to answer urgent demands in real time. The material collected by this Centre and by others that must of necessity arise in the Region of Piedmont, should not be dispersed but filed so that it can be employed for further controls and for statistical and epidermiological research. It therefore becomes necessary to set up a large central file at Regional level capable of storing ECG findings and all historical, clinical and laboratory data pertaining to patients who come into contact with the System. On request, it must also be capable of processing stored data and furnishing print-outs of data through video terminals for the purposes of subsequent examinations and continuations of treatment, as well as for clinical or statistical research reasons. Such a file would represent a veritable cardiological register for Piedmont and the first step on the way to the impellent creation of a Sanitary Register of the whole population.", "contents": "[Plan for installation of an automatic system of analysis of electrocardiograms for a group of hospitals and a regional cardiological record office]. In view of the present state of the Central ECG Department serving the \"San Giovanni\" group of hospitals in Turin and in consideration of the ever growing number of ECG's required daily, a reorganization of the department has become necessary. Such a reorganization must be based on the latest facilities offered by electronic engineering, namely by means of automating the entire system. Various manufacturers offer proven equipment and the only problem is one of choosing that most suitable for requirements. Personally, the on line system is considered to be best although many are opposed to it, because it is the only system that makes it possible to answer urgent demands in real time. The material collected by this Centre and by others that must of necessity arise in the Region of Piedmont, should not be dispersed but filed so that it can be employed for further controls and for statistical and epidermiological research. It therefore becomes necessary to set up a large central file at Regional level capable of storing ECG findings and all historical, clinical and laboratory data pertaining to patients who come into contact with the System. On request, it must also be capable of processing stored data and furnishing print-outs of data through video terminals for the purposes of subsequent examinations and continuations of treatment, as well as for clinical or statistical research reasons. Such a file would represent a veritable cardiological register for Piedmont and the first step on the way to the impellent creation of a Sanitary Register of the whole population.", "PMID": 792730} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9552", "title": "[Clinical testing of the Sicard system for automatic evaluation of electrocardiograms].", "content": "Appraisal of the Sicard (Siemens) system for the automated evaluation of ECG's is reported. 528 ECG's were simultaneously recorded on paper and magnetic tape and examined by a group of specialists and the 404/3 computer forming part of the system, followed by a check on an IBM computer. A very high percentage of fits was noted and a favourable judgment is passed on the system.", "contents": "[Clinical testing of the Sicard system for automatic evaluation of electrocardiograms]. Appraisal of the Sicard (Siemens) system for the automated evaluation of ECG's is reported. 528 ECG's were simultaneously recorded on paper and magnetic tape and examined by a group of specialists and the 404/3 computer forming part of the system, followed by a check on an IBM computer. A very high percentage of fits was noted and a favourable judgment is passed on the system.", "PMID": 792731} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9553", "title": "[Automatic analysis of electrocardiogram with the Sicard system].", "content": "An assessment was made of the accuracy and practicability of the Sicard system (Siemens). This employs the Minnesota and USPHS codes. A series of 64 ECG's was examined. Results obtained automatically were compared with those given by a cardiologist and a second processing on the computer. The only differences of importance consisted of classification discrepancies, particularly in the case of arrhythmia and atypical pictures during the ventilogram recovery stage. While further improvement of the system is to be hoped for, it nevertheless makes valuable work of long-term significance possible.", "contents": "[Automatic analysis of electrocardiogram with the Sicard system]. An assessment was made of the accuracy and practicability of the Sicard system (Siemens). This employs the Minnesota and USPHS codes. A series of 64 ECG's was examined. Results obtained automatically were compared with those given by a cardiologist and a second processing on the computer. The only differences of importance consisted of classification discrepancies, particularly in the case of arrhythmia and atypical pictures during the ventilogram recovery stage. While further improvement of the system is to be hoped for, it nevertheless makes valuable work of long-term significance possible.", "PMID": 792732} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9554", "title": "[Data on experience with automated diagnostic systems].", "content": "This study highlights the various parameters considered for experimenting automatic equipment correctly. By applying such parameters to experiments with the \"Sicard\" system (Siemens) for automatic ECG reading, the usefulness of the system for its declared purpose, i.e. mass screening and epidemiological research, has been demonstrated.", "contents": "[Data on experience with automated diagnostic systems]. This study highlights the various parameters considered for experimenting automatic equipment correctly. By applying such parameters to experiments with the \"Sicard\" system (Siemens) for automatic ECG reading, the usefulness of the system for its declared purpose, i.e. mass screening and epidemiological research, has been demonstrated.", "PMID": 792733} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9555", "title": "[Results of mass ECG studies with the use of the Sicard automatic system].", "content": "The purpose of the present research is to assess the reliability of the Sicard (Siemens) system in mass screening. Experiments showed it is suitable for this use, although reservations are expressed regarding a few types of diagnosis.", "contents": "[Results of mass ECG studies with the use of the Sicard automatic system]. The purpose of the present research is to assess the reliability of the Sicard (Siemens) system in mass screening. Experiments showed it is suitable for this use, although reservations are expressed regarding a few types of diagnosis.", "PMID": 792734} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9556", "title": "[Controlled clinical trial of parsalmide].", "content": "A double-blind, between-patients comparison between parsalmide (a new drug) and phenylbutazone in 55 patients with postraumatic joint and muscle pain showed that the two compounds possessed about the same anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, though parsalmide gave greater relief of pain and local swelling. Tolerance was excellent for both drugs. Slight gastric disturbances noted in 2 subjects with both compounds were easily corrected by symptomatic management.", "contents": "[Controlled clinical trial of parsalmide]. A double-blind, between-patients comparison between parsalmide (a new drug) and phenylbutazone in 55 patients with postraumatic joint and muscle pain showed that the two compounds possessed about the same anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, though parsalmide gave greater relief of pain and local swelling. Tolerance was excellent for both drugs. Slight gastric disturbances noted in 2 subjects with both compounds were easily corrected by symptomatic management.", "PMID": 792735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9557", "title": "[Controlled clinical trial of parsalmide in patients with subacute and chronic arthro-neuro-mypathies].", "content": "Controlled experiments were carried out to compare the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, muscle-relaxing and anxiolytic-tranquillizing activities of a new compound, parsalmide, and indomethacin. The study was conducted on 40 patients of both sexes suffering from syndromes involving neuromotor deficiency of various origin and the double blind between patient, technique was used. Overall evaluation of the activities of the two drugs did not reveal statistically significant differences although parsalmide was more effective with \"pain\", \"tumefaction\" and \"anxiety\" symptoms. This latter finding is particularly interesting owing to the frequent association of neuroanxiety disturbances in such patients. General and local tolerance was good with both drugs.", "contents": "[Controlled clinical trial of parsalmide in patients with subacute and chronic arthro-neuro-mypathies]. Controlled experiments were carried out to compare the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, muscle-relaxing and anxiolytic-tranquillizing activities of a new compound, parsalmide, and indomethacin. The study was conducted on 40 patients of both sexes suffering from syndromes involving neuromotor deficiency of various origin and the double blind between patient, technique was used. Overall evaluation of the activities of the two drugs did not reveal statistically significant differences although parsalmide was more effective with \"pain\", \"tumefaction\" and \"anxiety\" symptoms. This latter finding is particularly interesting owing to the frequent association of neuroanxiety disturbances in such patients. General and local tolerance was good with both drugs.", "PMID": 792736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9558", "title": "[Controlled clinical trial of parsalmide, a drug with analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity].", "content": "A controlled clinical trial of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, muscle-relaxing and anxiolytic activity of a new compound (parsalmide) was compared with that of phenybutazone in 40 patients with acute or exacerbated inflammatory or degenerative processes randomly distributed into two treatment groups. Parsalmide was more effective in the relief of joint swelling and anxiety and gave better motility. On an overall evaluation, however, it was on a par with phenylbutazone. Treatment had to be suspended in two cases treated with phenylbutasone, whereas tolerance was good with parsalmide and no suspensions were required.", "contents": "[Controlled clinical trial of parsalmide, a drug with analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity]. A controlled clinical trial of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, muscle-relaxing and anxiolytic activity of a new compound (parsalmide) was compared with that of phenybutazone in 40 patients with acute or exacerbated inflammatory or degenerative processes randomly distributed into two treatment groups. Parsalmide was more effective in the relief of joint swelling and anxiety and gave better motility. On an overall evaluation, however, it was on a par with phenylbutazone. Treatment had to be suspended in two cases treated with phenylbutasone, whereas tolerance was good with parsalmide and no suspensions were required.", "PMID": 792737} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9559", "title": "[Report of a controlled clinical trial of a new synthetic drug, parsalmide, in rheumatic arthropathies (inflammatory and degenerative)].", "content": "The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and tranquillizing activity of a synthetic compound called parsalmide was investigated in patients suffering from inflammatory and degenerative rheumatic arthropathies. The study was carried out in 30 subjects using the controlled experiment technique according to the \"between patient\" pattern, attributing parsalmide and indomethacin at random to two groups. Both preparations were found to possess good anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, comparable clinically and statistically. Tolerance was very good, particularly at gastroenteric level (no side and/or undesired effects were observed) and at the level of haemopoietic, renal and hepatic function.", "contents": "[Report of a controlled clinical trial of a new synthetic drug, parsalmide, in rheumatic arthropathies (inflammatory and degenerative)]. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and tranquillizing activity of a synthetic compound called parsalmide was investigated in patients suffering from inflammatory and degenerative rheumatic arthropathies. The study was carried out in 30 subjects using the controlled experiment technique according to the \"between patient\" pattern, attributing parsalmide and indomethacin at random to two groups. Both preparations were found to possess good anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, comparable clinically and statistically. Tolerance was very good, particularly at gastroenteric level (no side and/or undesired effects were observed) and at the level of haemopoietic, renal and hepatic function.", "PMID": 792738} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9560", "title": "[Controlled clinical trial of a new synthetic preparation (parsalmide) in the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative arthro-myopathies].", "content": "A double-blind, between-patients trial of a new drug (parsalmide) against indomethacin in the relief of inflammation and pain in 68 patients with exacerbated inflammatory and-or degenerative arthromyopathy resulted in 76% of successful results with both drugs. Tolerance was good, though side-effects, albeit slight, were more common with indomethacin.", "contents": "[Controlled clinical trial of a new synthetic preparation (parsalmide) in the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative arthro-myopathies]. A double-blind, between-patients trial of a new drug (parsalmide) against indomethacin in the relief of inflammation and pain in 68 patients with exacerbated inflammatory and-or degenerative arthromyopathy resulted in 76% of successful results with both drugs. Tolerance was good, though side-effects, albeit slight, were more common with indomethacin.", "PMID": 792739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9561", "title": "[Parsalmide, a new synthetic substance, in inflammatory and arthrosic arthropathies. Double-blind controlled clinical trial].", "content": "The double-blind, between-patient experimental technique was employed to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antalgic and myorelaxant activity of a new synthetic compound, parsalmide. 30 patients suffering from arthrosic and inflammatory arthropathies in various sites and in newly acute phase, were treated with the substance which was assigned at random to 2 experimental groups; phenylbutazone was adopted for comparison purposes. Both substances under study proved to have good anti-inflammatory and antalgic action, although in the case of certain parameters, parsalmide was definitely superior to the control drug. The antalgic and myorelaxant activities of parsalmide were statistically superior to those of phenylbutazone. Tolerance was \"very good\" in 93% of cases treated with parsalmide \"very good\" or \"good\" in 86.6% of the cases treated with phenylbutazone.", "contents": "[Parsalmide, a new synthetic substance, in inflammatory and arthrosic arthropathies. Double-blind controlled clinical trial]. The double-blind, between-patient experimental technique was employed to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antalgic and myorelaxant activity of a new synthetic compound, parsalmide. 30 patients suffering from arthrosic and inflammatory arthropathies in various sites and in newly acute phase, were treated with the substance which was assigned at random to 2 experimental groups; phenylbutazone was adopted for comparison purposes. Both substances under study proved to have good anti-inflammatory and antalgic action, although in the case of certain parameters, parsalmide was definitely superior to the control drug. The antalgic and myorelaxant activities of parsalmide were statistically superior to those of phenylbutazone. Tolerance was \"very good\" in 93% of cases treated with parsalmide \"very good\" or \"good\" in 86.6% of the cases treated with phenylbutazone.", "PMID": 792740} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9562", "title": "The calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor. A review and analysis of 113 cases.", "content": "A review of the world literature has revealed 113 cases of the calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor. The clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic features are analyzed. Various treatments that have been carried out are related to the frequency of recurrence. The theories of histogenesis are discussed and an attempt is made to explain the nature and origin of the amyloid-like substance.", "contents": "The calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor. A review and analysis of 113 cases. A review of the world literature has revealed 113 cases of the calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor. The clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic features are analyzed. Various treatments that have been carried out are related to the frequency of recurrence. The theories of histogenesis are discussed and an attempt is made to explain the nature and origin of the amyloid-like substance.", "PMID": 792760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9563", "title": "Substrate metabolism and renal function.", "content": "Glucose metabolism is related to two major renal functions. Glycolysis may be related to an energy requiring function--fine adjustment of renal sodium absorption. Gluconeogenesis may be related to controlling intracellular pH and salvation of energy otherwise wasted in acidosis. Ammoniagenesis is related to gluconeogenesis in the metabolic acidosis, but the individual phenomena are not necessarily dependent on each other.", "contents": "Substrate metabolism and renal function. Glucose metabolism is related to two major renal functions. Glycolysis may be related to an energy requiring function--fine adjustment of renal sodium absorption. Gluconeogenesis may be related to controlling intracellular pH and salvation of energy otherwise wasted in acidosis. Ammoniagenesis is related to gluconeogenesis in the metabolic acidosis, but the individual phenomena are not necessarily dependent on each other.", "PMID": 792776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9564", "title": "Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).", "content": "SIADH consists of hyponatremia and hyposmolality, continued urinary loss of sodium, excretion of an inappropriately concentrated urine, and absence of dehydration, usually in the presence of normal renal and adrenal function. The retention of excess water caused by the inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone is central to the development of the syndrome. In pediatrics, SIADH is most commonly seen in patients with meningitis or postoperatively. Fluid restriction is vital in such patients to prevent the development of symptomatic SIADH. Fluid restriction alone will also result in the correction of serum electrolyte composition in patients with SIADH. Hypertonic saline should be used only in severely symptomatic patients.", "contents": "Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). SIADH consists of hyponatremia and hyposmolality, continued urinary loss of sodium, excretion of an inappropriately concentrated urine, and absence of dehydration, usually in the presence of normal renal and adrenal function. The retention of excess water caused by the inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone is central to the development of the syndrome. In pediatrics, SIADH is most commonly seen in patients with meningitis or postoperatively. Fluid restriction is vital in such patients to prevent the development of symptomatic SIADH. Fluid restriction alone will also result in the correction of serum electrolyte composition in patients with SIADH. Hypertonic saline should be used only in severely symptomatic patients.", "PMID": 792777} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9565", "title": "Induction of abnormal immunoglobulin maturation and antibody production by persistent embryonic mumps virus infection.", "content": "Intramuscular inoculation of 19-day old chickens with heterologous erythrocytes elicited significantly lower levels of agglutinins in embryonically infected birds when compared with control birds (reciprocal ha titer 10 vs. 100, respectively, P less than 0.01). The IgG component of this antibody was substantially less in experimental chickens, 25% vs. 70% in controls. Subsequent anamnestic antibody response in experimental birds was also significantly less than control chickens (reciprocal ha titers 25 vs. 512, respectively, P less than 0.02), with continued predominance of IgM antibody in experimental chickens (70% IgM-ha) vs. controls (60% IgG-ha). Induction of cell-mediated immunity by footpad inoculation of 46-day-old birds with diphtheria-tetanus toxoid in complete Freund's adjuvant failed to discern suppression of T cell function in previously infected chicks. Before hatch, the bursae of experimental and control embryos possessed a few IgM-producing lymphoid cells in equivalent numbers. There was also no difference in the relative population of IgM-producing cells in the medullary area of bursal follicles of 7-day-old hatchling chickens, approximately 70%. However, the mean density of IgG-producing cells in the bursae of experimental chickens was less than that of control chickens, 10% vs. 19%, respectively. Consistent with persistent embryonic viral infection and altered bursal function, only IgM-producing cells were detected in the spleens of 7-day-old experimental birds. These observations suggest that persistent embryonic viral infection disturbs the function of bursal-dependent immunopoiesis in the avian host.", "contents": "Induction of abnormal immunoglobulin maturation and antibody production by persistent embryonic mumps virus infection. Intramuscular inoculation of 19-day old chickens with heterologous erythrocytes elicited significantly lower levels of agglutinins in embryonically infected birds when compared with control birds (reciprocal ha titer 10 vs. 100, respectively, P less than 0.01). The IgG component of this antibody was substantially less in experimental chickens, 25% vs. 70% in controls. Subsequent anamnestic antibody response in experimental birds was also significantly less than control chickens (reciprocal ha titers 25 vs. 512, respectively, P less than 0.02), with continued predominance of IgM antibody in experimental chickens (70% IgM-ha) vs. controls (60% IgG-ha). Induction of cell-mediated immunity by footpad inoculation of 46-day-old birds with diphtheria-tetanus toxoid in complete Freund's adjuvant failed to discern suppression of T cell function in previously infected chicks. Before hatch, the bursae of experimental and control embryos possessed a few IgM-producing lymphoid cells in equivalent numbers. There was also no difference in the relative population of IgM-producing cells in the medullary area of bursal follicles of 7-day-old hatchling chickens, approximately 70%. However, the mean density of IgG-producing cells in the bursae of experimental chickens was less than that of control chickens, 10% vs. 19%, respectively. Consistent with persistent embryonic viral infection and altered bursal function, only IgM-producing cells were detected in the spleens of 7-day-old experimental birds. These observations suggest that persistent embryonic viral infection disturbs the function of bursal-dependent immunopoiesis in the avian host.", "PMID": 792787} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9566", "title": "Is continuous transpulmonary pressure better than conventional respiratory management of hyaline membrane disease? A controlled study.", "content": "The influence of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on mortality and complication rates in severe hyaline membrane disease (HMD) was evaluated in a randomized, prospective study. Patients were admitted to the study if the Po2 was less than 50 mm Hg with FiO2 greater than 0.6. Twenty-four patients in each of three weight groups were equally divided between treatment and control groups. The treatment regimen included CPAP (6 to 14 cm H2O) for spontaneously breathing patients and PEEP for patients requiring mechanical ventilation for apnea or hypercapnia (Pco2 greater than 65 mm Hg). Control patients received oxygen and were mechanically ventilated if they had apnea, hypercapnia, or Po2 less than 50 mm Hg with FiO2 greater than 0.8. Oxygenation improved after the start of CPAP or PEEP; however, Pco2 rose after CPAP was initiated. There was no significant difference between treatment and control groups in mortality, requirement for mechanical ventilation, or incidence of pulmonary sequelae. The incidence of pulmonary air-leak was increased with Peep. the findings suggest that CPAP and PEEP have not significantly altered the outcome of HMD.", "contents": "Is continuous transpulmonary pressure better than conventional respiratory management of hyaline membrane disease? A controlled study. The influence of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on mortality and complication rates in severe hyaline membrane disease (HMD) was evaluated in a randomized, prospective study. Patients were admitted to the study if the Po2 was less than 50 mm Hg with FiO2 greater than 0.6. Twenty-four patients in each of three weight groups were equally divided between treatment and control groups. The treatment regimen included CPAP (6 to 14 cm H2O) for spontaneously breathing patients and PEEP for patients requiring mechanical ventilation for apnea or hypercapnia (Pco2 greater than 65 mm Hg). Control patients received oxygen and were mechanically ventilated if they had apnea, hypercapnia, or Po2 less than 50 mm Hg with FiO2 greater than 0.8. Oxygenation improved after the start of CPAP or PEEP; however, Pco2 rose after CPAP was initiated. There was no significant difference between treatment and control groups in mortality, requirement for mechanical ventilation, or incidence of pulmonary sequelae. The incidence of pulmonary air-leak was increased with Peep. the findings suggest that CPAP and PEEP have not significantly altered the outcome of HMD.", "PMID": 792789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9567", "title": "Skin lesions in association with beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group B.", "content": "A full-term male infant delivered by caesarean section following a prolonged rupture of the amniotic membranes of 30 hours' duration manifested peculiar skin lesions at the time of birth consistent with the healing phase of bullous impetigo. He was colonized with beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group B that was also cultured from the mother's cervix. It is possible this infant became infected in utero since the healing stage of the lesions suggest that they were present sometime before birth.", "contents": "Skin lesions in association with beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group B. A full-term male infant delivered by caesarean section following a prolonged rupture of the amniotic membranes of 30 hours' duration manifested peculiar skin lesions at the time of birth consistent with the healing phase of bullous impetigo. He was colonized with beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group B that was also cultured from the mother's cervix. It is possible this infant became infected in utero since the healing stage of the lesions suggest that they were present sometime before birth.", "PMID": 792790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9568", "title": "Pneumoesophagus as a sign of H type tracheoesophageal fistula.", "content": "Two patients with H type tracheoesophageal fistulae demonstrated prominent pneumoesophagus and gaseous distention of the bowel after endotracheal intubation and positive-pressure ventilation. This report discusses the pathophysiology of these events and emphasizes the significance of these findings.", "contents": "Pneumoesophagus as a sign of H type tracheoesophageal fistula. Two patients with H type tracheoesophageal fistulae demonstrated prominent pneumoesophagus and gaseous distention of the bowel after endotracheal intubation and positive-pressure ventilation. This report discusses the pathophysiology of these events and emphasizes the significance of these findings.", "PMID": 792792} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9569", "title": "[Diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia by indirect immunofluorescence. Technic, value of limitations of the method].", "content": "The diagnosis of Pneumocystis Pneumonia can be established by indirect immunofluorescence test performed on the sera of the patients. This investigation has proved to be valid since it gives 50 p.cent of positive results in 16 confirmed cases. The false negative results can be imputed in some patients, to the extreme severity of the immune deficiency.", "contents": "[Diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia by indirect immunofluorescence. Technic, value of limitations of the method]. The diagnosis of Pneumocystis Pneumonia can be established by indirect immunofluorescence test performed on the sera of the patients. This investigation has proved to be valid since it gives 50 p.cent of positive results in 16 confirmed cases. The false negative results can be imputed in some patients, to the extreme severity of the immune deficiency.", "PMID": 792806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9570", "title": "[Heart transplantation in the dog. One case of survival for 7 years].", "content": "A survival of 7 years was obtained in a dog cardiac transplant, treatment having been stopped one year after operation. Morphological study of the graft showed the existence of a fibrous type rejection reaction, involving the vessel walls and the autonomic nervous system areas of the graft, resulting in episodes of ventricular tachycardia. This case shows that a rejection reaction may progress slowly and inexorably for several years whilst long term tolerance of the graft may nevertheless be obtained, perhaps by induction due to transfusion during the operation of blood of the donor to the recipient.", "contents": "[Heart transplantation in the dog. One case of survival for 7 years]. A survival of 7 years was obtained in a dog cardiac transplant, treatment having been stopped one year after operation. Morphological study of the graft showed the existence of a fibrous type rejection reaction, involving the vessel walls and the autonomic nervous system areas of the graft, resulting in episodes of ventricular tachycardia. This case shows that a rejection reaction may progress slowly and inexorably for several years whilst long term tolerance of the graft may nevertheless be obtained, perhaps by induction due to transfusion during the operation of blood of the donor to the recipient.", "PMID": 792811} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9571", "title": "The 5' ends of yeast killer factor RNAs are pppGp.", "content": "The 5' nucleotides of the double-stranded RNAs of yeast killer factor have been isolated by digestion with pancreatic, T1 and T2 RNase followed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. They were identified by bacterial alkaline phosphatase and snake venom phosphodiesterase digestions. Both the larger double-stranded RNA (L, of 2.5 x 10(6) daltons) and the smaller double-stranded RNA (M, of 1.4 x 10(6) daltons) have the 5' end groups pppGp. These 5' ends are dissimilar to those of the double-stranded RNAs of animal viruses but may be characteristic of the 5' ends of the double-stranded RNAs of fungal viruses.", "contents": "The 5' ends of yeast killer factor RNAs are pppGp. The 5' nucleotides of the double-stranded RNAs of yeast killer factor have been isolated by digestion with pancreatic, T1 and T2 RNase followed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. They were identified by bacterial alkaline phosphatase and snake venom phosphodiesterase digestions. Both the larger double-stranded RNA (L, of 2.5 x 10(6) daltons) and the smaller double-stranded RNA (M, of 1.4 x 10(6) daltons) have the 5' end groups pppGp. These 5' ends are dissimilar to those of the double-stranded RNAs of animal viruses but may be characteristic of the 5' ends of the double-stranded RNAs of fungal viruses.", "PMID": 792814} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9572", "title": "Mechanisms of chain folding in nucleic acids. The (omega, omega) plot and its correlation to the nucleotide geometry in yeast tRNAPhe1.", "content": "The (omega', omega) polot depicting the internucleotide P-O bond rotation angles in yeast phenylalanyl transfer RNA has established the interdependence of the phosphodiesters and the nucleotide geometries in the folding of the polynucleotide backbone. The plot distinguishes the regions characteristic of secondary helical structures and tertiary structural loops and bends. The folding of the polynucleotide chain is accomplished either solely by rotations around the P-O bonds or in concert with rotations around the nucleotide C4'-C5' bond with or without changes in the sugar ring pucker. In spite of differences in nucleotide sequence and intraloop tertiary interactions in the anticodon and pseudouridine loops, a characteristic repeating structural unit is found for the sugar-phosphate backbone of the tetranucleotide segment around the sharp turns.", "contents": "Mechanisms of chain folding in nucleic acids. The (omega, omega) plot and its correlation to the nucleotide geometry in yeast tRNAPhe1. The (omega', omega) polot depicting the internucleotide P-O bond rotation angles in yeast phenylalanyl transfer RNA has established the interdependence of the phosphodiesters and the nucleotide geometries in the folding of the polynucleotide backbone. The plot distinguishes the regions characteristic of secondary helical structures and tertiary structural loops and bends. The folding of the polynucleotide chain is accomplished either solely by rotations around the P-O bonds or in concert with rotations around the nucleotide C4'-C5' bond with or without changes in the sugar ring pucker. In spite of differences in nucleotide sequence and intraloop tertiary interactions in the anticodon and pseudouridine loops, a characteristic repeating structural unit is found for the sugar-phosphate backbone of the tetranucleotide segment around the sharp turns.", "PMID": 792815} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9573", "title": "Specific replacement of Q base in the anticodon of tRNA by guanine catalyzed by a cell-free extract of rabbit reticulocytes.", "content": "Guanylation of tRNA by a lysate of rabbit reticulocytes was reported previously by Farkas and Singh. This reaction was investigated further using 18 purified E. coli tRNAs as acceptors. Results showed that only tRNATyr, tRNAHis, tRNAAsn and tRNAAsp which contain the modified nucleoside Q in the anticodon acted as acceptors. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences in the guanylated tRNA showed that guanine specifically replaced Q base in these tRNAs.", "contents": "Specific replacement of Q base in the anticodon of tRNA by guanine catalyzed by a cell-free extract of rabbit reticulocytes. Guanylation of tRNA by a lysate of rabbit reticulocytes was reported previously by Farkas and Singh. This reaction was investigated further using 18 purified E. coli tRNAs as acceptors. Results showed that only tRNATyr, tRNAHis, tRNAAsn and tRNAAsp which contain the modified nucleoside Q in the anticodon acted as acceptors. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences in the guanylated tRNA showed that guanine specifically replaced Q base in these tRNAs.", "PMID": 792816} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9574", "title": "Medical therapy of colonic diverticular disease.", "content": "Treatment of asymptomatic diverticulosis is geared to the prevention of constipation, with vigilance for possible signs of complications. A bulky stool decreases colonic intraluminal pressures, probably lessening pain and the chance of development of new diverticula. Increased stool weight may be achieved by the addition of vegetables, fruits, and cereals (bran) to the diet. Foods with undigestible residues should be avoided. When dietary manipulations are not well tolerated, hydrophilic bulk laxatives are a useful alternative. Treatment of acute attacks consists of bowel rest and administration of intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Side effects of anticholinergics may outweigh their questionable usefulness. Nonabsorable oral sulfonamides have little or no place in the treatment of the acute attack (peridiverticulitis).", "contents": "Medical therapy of colonic diverticular disease. Treatment of asymptomatic diverticulosis is geared to the prevention of constipation, with vigilance for possible signs of complications. A bulky stool decreases colonic intraluminal pressures, probably lessening pain and the chance of development of new diverticula. Increased stool weight may be achieved by the addition of vegetables, fruits, and cereals (bran) to the diet. Foods with undigestible residues should be avoided. When dietary manipulations are not well tolerated, hydrophilic bulk laxatives are a useful alternative. Treatment of acute attacks consists of bowel rest and administration of intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Side effects of anticholinergics may outweigh their questionable usefulness. Nonabsorable oral sulfonamides have little or no place in the treatment of the acute attack (peridiverticulitis).", "PMID": 792840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9575", "title": "Pathogenesis of colonic diverticulitis and diverticulosis.", "content": "Colonic diverticula result from herniation of the mucosa through weak spots in the muscular wall. Clinically manifested diverticulitis has been thought to have its pathologic basis in an abscessed diverticulum obstructed by a fecalith, but studies of resected sigmoids have failed to produce evidence to support this view. Instead, the outstanding lesion was found to be a perforation in the fundus of a diverticulum, with surrounding peridiverticular or pericolic inflammation. Another surprising finding in pathologic studies was that one out of three sigmoids resected for \"diverticulitis\" showed no inflammation in or around the diverticula, but the wall of the sigmoid was impressively thickened. This type of diverticulosis, which is frequently symptomatic, has been referred to as painful diverticular disease or spastic colon diverticulosis. Diverticula without muscle thickening are usually asymptomatic, and the condition is referred to as diverticulosis or simple massed diverticulosis. It is uncertain whether the two types have a similar pathogenesis. High intrasigmoid pressures, abnormalities of sigmoid musculature, low-fiber diet, and psychologic stress are thought to be important factors in the formation of diverticula.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of colonic diverticulitis and diverticulosis. Colonic diverticula result from herniation of the mucosa through weak spots in the muscular wall. Clinically manifested diverticulitis has been thought to have its pathologic basis in an abscessed diverticulum obstructed by a fecalith, but studies of resected sigmoids have failed to produce evidence to support this view. Instead, the outstanding lesion was found to be a perforation in the fundus of a diverticulum, with surrounding peridiverticular or pericolic inflammation. Another surprising finding in pathologic studies was that one out of three sigmoids resected for \"diverticulitis\" showed no inflammation in or around the diverticula, but the wall of the sigmoid was impressively thickened. This type of diverticulosis, which is frequently symptomatic, has been referred to as painful diverticular disease or spastic colon diverticulosis. Diverticula without muscle thickening are usually asymptomatic, and the condition is referred to as diverticulosis or simple massed diverticulosis. It is uncertain whether the two types have a similar pathogenesis. High intrasigmoid pressures, abnormalities of sigmoid musculature, low-fiber diet, and psychologic stress are thought to be important factors in the formation of diverticula.", "PMID": 792842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9576", "title": "Hepatic transplantation, 1975.", "content": "This report reviews experience with 97 patients given liver transplants. We regard out survival statistics as unsatisfactory, but fell they should encourage further work since 22 patients have survived at least one year with a maximum survival of 5 13 YEARS. The Achilles' heel of liver transplantation os bile duct reconstruction. We presently rely upon Roux-en-Y reconstruction, or alternatively, duct-to-duct anastomosis with a T-tube stent. The prime indication for liver replacement is non-neoplastic liver disease, but a favourable malignancy for treatment may prove to be small intrahepatic duct cell carcinomas.", "contents": "Hepatic transplantation, 1975. This report reviews experience with 97 patients given liver transplants. We regard out survival statistics as unsatisfactory, but fell they should encourage further work since 22 patients have survived at least one year with a maximum survival of 5 13 YEARS. The Achilles' heel of liver transplantation os bile duct reconstruction. We presently rely upon Roux-en-Y reconstruction, or alternatively, duct-to-duct anastomosis with a T-tube stent. The prime indication for liver replacement is non-neoplastic liver disease, but a favourable malignancy for treatment may prove to be small intrahepatic duct cell carcinomas.", "PMID": 792843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9577", "title": "Hyperbilirubinemia in infants with urinary tract infection.", "content": "In the light of a retrospective analysis of 213 case records of infants with urinary tract infections, hyperbilirubinemia was disclosed in 19 cases. In 7 cases jaundice was the main cause of admission of these children to the hospital. It was observed mainly in the youngest age group up to 3 months. Jaundice was hemolytic in some cases and hepatic in others. Urinary tract malformations had no effect on the frequency of jaundice in urinary tract infection or on its intensity.", "contents": "Hyperbilirubinemia in infants with urinary tract infection. In the light of a retrospective analysis of 213 case records of infants with urinary tract infections, hyperbilirubinemia was disclosed in 19 cases. In 7 cases jaundice was the main cause of admission of these children to the hospital. It was observed mainly in the youngest age group up to 3 months. Jaundice was hemolytic in some cases and hepatic in others. Urinary tract malformations had no effect on the frequency of jaundice in urinary tract infection or on its intensity.", "PMID": 792839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9578", "title": "Pilot study with antilymphocyte globulin in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Twenty patients with multiple sclerosis, in whom treatment with azathioprine and steroids had not altered the progression of the disease, were given additional treatment with either antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) (seven patients), thoracic duct drainage (TDD) (five patients) or a combination of both (eight patients). Four of the seven patients treated with the addition of ALG showed remarkable improvement which has lasted little improvement. In the eight patients receiving both had severe allergic reactions to ALG which prevented adequate dosage. TDD alone was performed in patients sensitive to ALG. These five patients showed little improvement. In the eight patients receiving both ALG and TDD there was marked improvement in four patients which has again lasted several years. The main side effect of ALG therapy is allergic reactions. Major infections or tumour formation did not occur in any patients.", "contents": "Pilot study with antilymphocyte globulin in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Twenty patients with multiple sclerosis, in whom treatment with azathioprine and steroids had not altered the progression of the disease, were given additional treatment with either antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) (seven patients), thoracic duct drainage (TDD) (five patients) or a combination of both (eight patients). Four of the seven patients treated with the addition of ALG showed remarkable improvement which has lasted little improvement. In the eight patients receiving both had severe allergic reactions to ALG which prevented adequate dosage. TDD alone was performed in patients sensitive to ALG. These five patients showed little improvement. In the eight patients receiving both ALG and TDD there was marked improvement in four patients which has again lasted several years. The main side effect of ALG therapy is allergic reactions. Major infections or tumour formation did not occur in any patients.", "PMID": 792844} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9579", "title": "Evaluation of antibodies, antigens and immune complexes present in antilymphocyte serum.", "content": "This paper reviews the rosette inhibition test for the evaluation of antilymphocyte serum potency and reappraises the biological significance of the assay. Evidence is also presented which indicates the presence, in antilymphocyte serum, of immune complexes.", "contents": "Evaluation of antibodies, antigens and immune complexes present in antilymphocyte serum. This paper reviews the rosette inhibition test for the evaluation of antilymphocyte serum potency and reappraises the biological significance of the assay. Evidence is also presented which indicates the presence, in antilymphocyte serum, of immune complexes.", "PMID": 792845} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9580", "title": "The clinical problems of dosage and the route of administration of antilymphocyte globulin.", "content": "The production and quality control of ALG are outlined. The advantages and disadvantages of the various routes of administration of ALG are discussed. We tend to use a short duration high dose course of ALG in renal transplantation, myasthenia gravis and polyarteritis nodosa.", "contents": "The clinical problems of dosage and the route of administration of antilymphocyte globulin. The production and quality control of ALG are outlined. The advantages and disadvantages of the various routes of administration of ALG are discussed. We tend to use a short duration high dose course of ALG in renal transplantation, myasthenia gravis and polyarteritis nodosa.", "PMID": 792846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9581", "title": "Past experience and future studies with antilymphocyte globulin in recipients of kidney homografts.", "content": "We remain convinced that antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) is a potent immunosuppressive agent in humans. For that reason, we have used it in essentially every case of renal transplantation since May of 1966; now, however, we are about to embark on a controlled clinical trial of ALG in kidney transplantation and await with tremendous interest the results of other such trials from other centres around the world.", "contents": "Past experience and future studies with antilymphocyte globulin in recipients of kidney homografts. We remain convinced that antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) is a potent immunosuppressive agent in humans. For that reason, we have used it in essentially every case of renal transplantation since May of 1966; now, however, we are about to embark on a controlled clinical trial of ALG in kidney transplantation and await with tremendous interest the results of other such trials from other centres around the world.", "PMID": 792847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9582", "title": "Antilymphocyte globulin and renal transplantation.", "content": "ALG was used in 87 patients undergoing cadaveric renal transplantation. These patients were grouped into five different groups according to the batch of ALG which was given. In addition to receiving ALG prepared by immunization with cultured lymphoblasts our most recent patients (Group V) also received a shorter duration of ALG therapy in much higher doses. These variations may explain the differences in three month transplant survival which was seen with the various groups. (Group I 68% survival, Group II 80%, Group III86%, Group IV 47% and Group V 83%.) Is is suggested that the results are predictabe on the basis of skin graft prolongation in monkeys.", "contents": "Antilymphocyte globulin and renal transplantation. ALG was used in 87 patients undergoing cadaveric renal transplantation. These patients were grouped into five different groups according to the batch of ALG which was given. In addition to receiving ALG prepared by immunization with cultured lymphoblasts our most recent patients (Group V) also received a shorter duration of ALG therapy in much higher doses. These variations may explain the differences in three month transplant survival which was seen with the various groups. (Group I 68% survival, Group II 80%, Group III86%, Group IV 47% and Group V 83%.) Is is suggested that the results are predictabe on the basis of skin graft prolongation in monkeys.", "PMID": 792848} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9583", "title": "Experience with antilymphocyte globulin in 144 renal transplant recipients.", "content": "In patients receiving cadaveric kidneys and treated with antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) the one-year graft survival 59%. The corresponding figures with living related donors were 87% and 83%, respectively. Side effects of ALG, of which allergic reactions were the most common, prompted its withdrawal in 33% of the cases. All patients studied developed antibodies against horse gammaglobulin when tested with a passive haemagglutination inhibition technique. ALG seems to act upon the T-cells since the number of cells forming rosettes with sheep red blood cells was reduced.", "contents": "Experience with antilymphocyte globulin in 144 renal transplant recipients. In patients receiving cadaveric kidneys and treated with antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) the one-year graft survival 59%. The corresponding figures with living related donors were 87% and 83%, respectively. Side effects of ALG, of which allergic reactions were the most common, prompted its withdrawal in 33% of the cases. All patients studied developed antibodies against horse gammaglobulin when tested with a passive haemagglutination inhibition technique. ALG seems to act upon the T-cells since the number of cells forming rosettes with sheep red blood cells was reduced.", "PMID": 792849} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9584", "title": "Controlled trial of antilymphocyte globulin in cadaveric transplantation.", "content": "Since January 1974, alternate cadaveric renal transplants were treated with antilymphocyte globulin (Behringwerke) om addotopm to prednisone and azathioprine. Thirty patients were treated in this way. 53% of patients receiving ALG had a functioning graft at six months as opposed to 40% in the control group. This difference is not significant. All other parameters were approximately equal in the two groups. No serious side effects of ALG treatment were observed.", "contents": "Controlled trial of antilymphocyte globulin in cadaveric transplantation. Since January 1974, alternate cadaveric renal transplants were treated with antilymphocyte globulin (Behringwerke) om addotopm to prednisone and azathioprine. Thirty patients were treated in this way. 53% of patients receiving ALG had a functioning graft at six months as opposed to 40% in the control group. This difference is not significant. All other parameters were approximately equal in the two groups. No serious side effects of ALG treatment were observed.", "PMID": 792850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9585", "title": "A randomized prospective clinical trial of antilymphocyte globulin in 100 cadaveric renal transplants.", "content": "In controlled randomized study of antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) in 100 cadaveric renal transplants, 15 patients receiving a second transplant were excluded. Ofthe first transplants, 42 were in the control and 43 in the ALG group. The two groups were similar. The ALG used was either prodduced in our laboratories or obtained from a commerical source. It was observed that ALG produced a significant lymphopenia, that the oliguric phase of the ALG group was half that of the controls, and that the ALG group although less likely to suffer rejection episodes responded significantly better when treated than did those in the control group.", "contents": "A randomized prospective clinical trial of antilymphocyte globulin in 100 cadaveric renal transplants. In controlled randomized study of antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) in 100 cadaveric renal transplants, 15 patients receiving a second transplant were excluded. Ofthe first transplants, 42 were in the control and 43 in the ALG group. The two groups were similar. The ALG used was either prodduced in our laboratories or obtained from a commerical source. It was observed that ALG produced a significant lymphopenia, that the oliguric phase of the ALG group was half that of the controls, and that the ALG group although less likely to suffer rejection episodes responded significantly better when treated than did those in the control group.", "PMID": 792851} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9586", "title": "New experiences with antilymphocyte globulin in human organ transplantation.", "content": "This is a retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive primary renal allotransplantations using cadaver kidneys exclusively. Seven patients were sensitive to horse globulin and were therefore not treated with ALG. In all the other 93 patients ALG was given for the first postoperative weeks in addition to standard immunosuppressive therapy. In this group, the one year survival with functioning primary transplan is 73%. The control group is also doing fairly well (5 out of 7 surviving), but it is too small for statistical analysis. Several possible explanations are given for the divergent results in this field.", "contents": "New experiences with antilymphocyte globulin in human organ transplantation. This is a retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive primary renal allotransplantations using cadaver kidneys exclusively. Seven patients were sensitive to horse globulin and were therefore not treated with ALG. In all the other 93 patients ALG was given for the first postoperative weeks in addition to standard immunosuppressive therapy. In this group, the one year survival with functioning primary transplan is 73%. The control group is also doing fairly well (5 out of 7 surviving), but it is too small for statistical analysis. Several possible explanations are given for the divergent results in this field.", "PMID": 792852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9587", "title": "The use of antilymphocyte globulin in renal allograft rejection. A controlled study.", "content": "A controlled clinical investigation of the effect of equine anti-human-lymphocyte globulin (ALG) on established rejection after transplantation was carried out. In comparison with a control group, the treated group showed a significantly positive effect of ALG in the form of a faster reversal of rejection episodes (P less than 0-05). Leucocytes, lymphocytes, erythrocytes, thrombocytes and immunoglobulins were unaffected by the treatment, but there were signs of a complement consuming process and an influence on blast transformation tests. No rise in antibody titre against equine globulin was seen.", "contents": "The use of antilymphocyte globulin in renal allograft rejection. A controlled study. A controlled clinical investigation of the effect of equine anti-human-lymphocyte globulin (ALG) on established rejection after transplantation was carried out. In comparison with a control group, the treated group showed a significantly positive effect of ALG in the form of a faster reversal of rejection episodes (P less than 0-05). Leucocytes, lymphocytes, erythrocytes, thrombocytes and immunoglobulins were unaffected by the treatment, but there were signs of a complement consuming process and an influence on blast transformation tests. No rise in antibody titre against equine globulin was seen.", "PMID": 792853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9588", "title": "Steroids in the assessment of prenatal development.", "content": "Methods for identifying the fetus at risk and monitoring fetal well-being as pregnancy progresses are now an established part of prenatal care in the Western World. In this short review the use of steroids in the assessment of prenatal development is discussed. The metabolism of oestrogens, progestogens, corticosteroids and androgens during pregnancy is outlined and the relative merits, in terms of usefulness and practicability, of urinary and plasma steroid assays are discussed.", "contents": "Steroids in the assessment of prenatal development. Methods for identifying the fetus at risk and monitoring fetal well-being as pregnancy progresses are now an established part of prenatal care in the Western World. In this short review the use of steroids in the assessment of prenatal development is discussed. The metabolism of oestrogens, progestogens, corticosteroids and androgens during pregnancy is outlined and the relative merits, in terms of usefulness and practicability, of urinary and plasma steroid assays are discussed.", "PMID": 792854} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9589", "title": "Steroids and the eye--indications and complications.", "content": "Corticosteroid therapy is of great value in many types of eye disease. The indications are briefly discussed, together with the choice of agent and mode of administration. The dangers of steroids are now widely recognized, and the complications are discussed, particularly cataract and glaucoma. Reference is also made to optic neuritis and thyroid ophthalmopathy, where the role of steroids is uncertain. Particular stress is laid on the need to keep steroid dosage as low as possible, so as to avoid systemic side effects. There are unfortunately many situations where treatment of doubtful efficacy has produced severe side effects. Despite the overall benefit of steroids in ophthalmology, there is a pressing need to find alternative treatment for a variety of blinding disorders.", "contents": "Steroids and the eye--indications and complications. Corticosteroid therapy is of great value in many types of eye disease. The indications are briefly discussed, together with the choice of agent and mode of administration. The dangers of steroids are now widely recognized, and the complications are discussed, particularly cataract and glaucoma. Reference is also made to optic neuritis and thyroid ophthalmopathy, where the role of steroids is uncertain. Particular stress is laid on the need to keep steroid dosage as low as possible, so as to avoid systemic side effects. There are unfortunately many situations where treatment of doubtful efficacy has produced severe side effects. Despite the overall benefit of steroids in ophthalmology, there is a pressing need to find alternative treatment for a variety of blinding disorders.", "PMID": 792855} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9590", "title": "Experimental procedure for testing the effects of low level antibiotic feeding and therapeutic treatment on Salmonella typhimurium var. copenhagen infection in broiler chicks.", "content": "Procedures are described for determining the effects of low level antibiotic feed additives in broiler chick rations when chicks are artificially infected with Salmonella typhimurium var. copenhagen and the effectiveness of the same antibiotics used therapeutically for salmonellosis. These procedures also permit study of development of antibiotic resistant enteric flora related to antibiotic feeding and the transferability of the resistance. Measures should be taken to monitor and assure minimal extraneous bacterial contamination of eggs, chicks, feed and facilities and minimize baseline antibiotics resistance. Facilities and equipment should be fumigated extensively, chicks should be from primary breeder flocks off antibiotics for two generations, handled minimally, and fed all-vegetable protein rations. Optimum procedures for oral induction of salmonellosis with a chick-virulent strain of Salmonella typhimurium var. copenhagen are reported. Effects of low level antibiotic feeding and subsequent therapeutic level feeding of infected and control birds are measured by mortality, feed efficiency and weight gain, and microbiological analyses of fecal samples, intestinal samples and necropsied dead chicks. Gathering all data possible from all facets of the trials is imperative for ascertaining antibiotic effects.", "contents": "Experimental procedure for testing the effects of low level antibiotic feeding and therapeutic treatment on Salmonella typhimurium var. copenhagen infection in broiler chicks. Procedures are described for determining the effects of low level antibiotic feed additives in broiler chick rations when chicks are artificially infected with Salmonella typhimurium var. copenhagen and the effectiveness of the same antibiotics used therapeutically for salmonellosis. These procedures also permit study of development of antibiotic resistant enteric flora related to antibiotic feeding and the transferability of the resistance. Measures should be taken to monitor and assure minimal extraneous bacterial contamination of eggs, chicks, feed and facilities and minimize baseline antibiotics resistance. Facilities and equipment should be fumigated extensively, chicks should be from primary breeder flocks off antibiotics for two generations, handled minimally, and fed all-vegetable protein rations. Optimum procedures for oral induction of salmonellosis with a chick-virulent strain of Salmonella typhimurium var. copenhagen are reported. Effects of low level antibiotic feeding and subsequent therapeutic level feeding of infected and control birds are measured by mortality, feed efficiency and weight gain, and microbiological analyses of fecal samples, intestinal samples and necropsied dead chicks. Gathering all data possible from all facets of the trials is imperative for ascertaining antibiotic effects.", "PMID": 792856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9591", "title": "Preliminary study of the effects of feeding ethyl mercury chloride on four breeds of chickens.", "content": "Different breeds of chickens namely Single Comb White Leghorn (S.C.W.L.), New Hamsphire (N.H.), Iraqi (IRQ) and a cross (CRS.) S.C.W.L. X N.H. X IRQ. were housed in small pens (20 females and 2 males each) and given, in the diet, 40% wheat treatmed with ethyl mercury chloride, for 88 days. Throughout the whole experiment all birds remained active and showed no symptoms of toxicity. The Iraqi breed was significantly higher than the other breeds with respect to egg production. The results also indicated that mercury in egg white is almost three times as much as that in the yolk, although there was no significant difference between the breeds. The liver and kidney of the four breeds tended to accumulate the highest amount of mercury. Significant differences appeared between sexes according to liver and kidney. White Leghorn and local breeds behaved the same, but N.H. had the highest concentration of mercury in most tissues.", "contents": "Preliminary study of the effects of feeding ethyl mercury chloride on four breeds of chickens. Different breeds of chickens namely Single Comb White Leghorn (S.C.W.L.), New Hamsphire (N.H.), Iraqi (IRQ) and a cross (CRS.) S.C.W.L. X N.H. X IRQ. were housed in small pens (20 females and 2 males each) and given, in the diet, 40% wheat treatmed with ethyl mercury chloride, for 88 days. Throughout the whole experiment all birds remained active and showed no symptoms of toxicity. The Iraqi breed was significantly higher than the other breeds with respect to egg production. The results also indicated that mercury in egg white is almost three times as much as that in the yolk, although there was no significant difference between the breeds. The liver and kidney of the four breeds tended to accumulate the highest amount of mercury. Significant differences appeared between sexes according to liver and kidney. White Leghorn and local breeds behaved the same, but N.H. had the highest concentration of mercury in most tissues.", "PMID": 792857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9592", "title": "A simple transporting and maintenance medium for Mycoplasma synoviae.", "content": "A simple technique for preserving and transporting Mycoplasma synoviae, which involves suspending the cells in a 20 percent glycerol medium, is described.", "contents": "A simple transporting and maintenance medium for Mycoplasma synoviae. A simple technique for preserving and transporting Mycoplasma synoviae, which involves suspending the cells in a 20 percent glycerol medium, is described.", "PMID": 792858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9593", "title": "Mianserin in the treatment of depression in general practice.", "content": "In a double-blind study in general practice, both mianserin ('Bolvidon') in an average dose of 40 mg a day, and imipramine, in an average dose of 100 mg a day, were found to be significantly more effective than placebo after two to three weeks' treatment. No significant differences in antidepressant effect could be demonstrated between mianserin and imipramine. There was no significant difference in side-effects between the three treatments.", "contents": "Mianserin in the treatment of depression in general practice. In a double-blind study in general practice, both mianserin ('Bolvidon') in an average dose of 40 mg a day, and imipramine, in an average dose of 100 mg a day, were found to be significantly more effective than placebo after two to three weeks' treatment. No significant differences in antidepressant effect could be demonstrated between mianserin and imipramine. There was no significant difference in side-effects between the three treatments.", "PMID": 792861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9594", "title": "[Topical treatment of various dermatosis with difluocortolone valerianate. (ointment) Double blind comparative study].", "content": "The trial preparation, diflucortolone valerate, was tested clinically in the form of fatty ointment on 27 patients: 4 with psoriasis, 4 with neurodermatitis, 4 with contact dermatitis, 2 with actinodermatitis, 10 with eczema, 2 with cutaneous reticulosis and 1 with radiodermitis. In 89% of the cases the results were good; in 11% were they regular.", "contents": "[Topical treatment of various dermatosis with difluocortolone valerianate. (ointment) Double blind comparative study]. The trial preparation, diflucortolone valerate, was tested clinically in the form of fatty ointment on 27 patients: 4 with psoriasis, 4 with neurodermatitis, 4 with contact dermatitis, 2 with actinodermatitis, 10 with eczema, 2 with cutaneous reticulosis and 1 with radiodermitis. In 89% of the cases the results were good; in 11% were they regular.", "PMID": 792865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9595", "title": "[Investigation of a new product (HK 183 MB) in various dermatoses].", "content": "The new trial preparation, diflucortolone valerate, was tested clinically in the form of a cream on 41 patients with weeping dermatitis. 34 cases were treated without a dressing, 5 with a dressing and 2 with an occlusive dressing. A complete cure or a distinct improvement was obtained in 100% of the cases. No undesired side effects developed.", "contents": "[Investigation of a new product (HK 183 MB) in various dermatoses]. The new trial preparation, diflucortolone valerate, was tested clinically in the form of a cream on 41 patients with weeping dermatitis. 34 cases were treated without a dressing, 5 with a dressing and 2 with an occlusive dressing. A complete cure or a distinct improvement was obtained in 100% of the cases. No undesired side effects developed.", "PMID": 792866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9596", "title": "[Soluble proteins of the vegetative cells and spores of Clostridium botulinum type B and their toxicity].", "content": "By disc microelectrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel proteins of vegetative cells and spores of Clostridium botulinum type B were investigated at different growth phases and toxicity of protein zones was measured. Protein components of vegetative cells varied in their electrophoretic mobility, depending on the growth phase, and differed significantly from spore proteins. Spores contained 1% toxin of vegetative cells. Electrophoregrams of intrasporal proteins showed a toxic zone with an approximate molecular weight of 10(5)-10(6).", "contents": "[Soluble proteins of the vegetative cells and spores of Clostridium botulinum type B and their toxicity]. By disc microelectrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel proteins of vegetative cells and spores of Clostridium botulinum type B were investigated at different growth phases and toxicity of protein zones was measured. Protein components of vegetative cells varied in their electrophoretic mobility, depending on the growth phase, and differed significantly from spore proteins. Spores contained 1% toxin of vegetative cells. Electrophoregrams of intrasporal proteins showed a toxic zone with an approximate molecular weight of 10(5)-10(6).", "PMID": 792871} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9597", "title": "Biochemical construction of specific chimeric plasmids from ColE1 DNA and unfractionated Escherichia coli DNA.", "content": "A series of chimeric plasmids was constructed using colicinigenic factor E1 (ColE1) DNA as the replicon and DNA fragments carrying the galactose or tryptophan operons from E. coli. Restriction endonuclease EcoRI digests of ColE1 DNA and various DNAs containing the trp or gal operons were joined by T4 polynucleotide ligase [polynucleotide synthetase (ATP), poly(deoxyribonucleotide):poly(deoxyribonucleotide) ligase (AMP-forming), EC 6.5.1.1]. Chimeric plasmids carrying the desired genes were selected after transformation of Trp- or Gal- cells with ligated DNA. By using this method, we constructed ColE1-gal and ColE1-trp chimeric plasmids in which the source of the bacterial gal and trp operons was an unfractionated EcoRI digest of total E. coli DNA. The frequency of recovery of such chimeric plasmids is 10 to 20 colonies per mug of ligated DNA used in the transformation step. The method utilized in this report for constructing specific chimeric plasmids from total E. coli DNA is very simple. It requires only endonuclease R-EcoRI and T4 polynucleotide ligase, both of which are commercially available. The yield of transformants suggests that this method will be useful for cloning and amplifying a wide variety of functionally defined genes from E. coli and other prokaryotic organisms.", "contents": "Biochemical construction of specific chimeric plasmids from ColE1 DNA and unfractionated Escherichia coli DNA. A series of chimeric plasmids was constructed using colicinigenic factor E1 (ColE1) DNA as the replicon and DNA fragments carrying the galactose or tryptophan operons from E. coli. Restriction endonuclease EcoRI digests of ColE1 DNA and various DNAs containing the trp or gal operons were joined by T4 polynucleotide ligase [polynucleotide synthetase (ATP), poly(deoxyribonucleotide):poly(deoxyribonucleotide) ligase (AMP-forming), EC 6.5.1.1]. Chimeric plasmids carrying the desired genes were selected after transformation of Trp- or Gal- cells with ligated DNA. By using this method, we constructed ColE1-gal and ColE1-trp chimeric plasmids in which the source of the bacterial gal and trp operons was an unfractionated EcoRI digest of total E. coli DNA. The frequency of recovery of such chimeric plasmids is 10 to 20 colonies per mug of ligated DNA used in the transformation step. The method utilized in this report for constructing specific chimeric plasmids from total E. coli DNA is very simple. It requires only endonuclease R-EcoRI and T4 polynucleotide ligase, both of which are commercially available. The yield of transformants suggests that this method will be useful for cloning and amplifying a wide variety of functionally defined genes from E. coli and other prokaryotic organisms.", "PMID": 792875} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9598", "title": "Recombination promoted by superhelical DNA and the recA gene of Escherichia coli.", "content": "When a mixture of superhelical DNA (RFI) of phage phiX174 am3 and fragments of single-stranded DNA from wild-type phiX174 was added to spheroplasts of E. coli carrying an amber suppressor, several percent of the progeny phage were recombinant. The yield of wild-type progeny was 10(3) to 10(4) times lower when the fragments came from phiX174 am3 or phage G4 am+, or when fragments were absent. Fewer recombinants were produced in proportion to the decrease in the fraction of RFI in samples treated with S1 nuclease, whereas the total yield of phage did not decrease. Transfection by fragments and superhelical DNA produced 20 to 100 times more recombinants than transfection by fragments and either nicked circular DNA or relaxed closed circular DNA. Transfection of a recA- strain by RFI DNA and fragments yielded 5-10% as many recombinants as transfection of a rec+ strain. This partial requirement for recA was bypassed by transfection with complexes of RFI AM3 DNA and am+ fragments made in vitro.", "contents": "Recombination promoted by superhelical DNA and the recA gene of Escherichia coli. When a mixture of superhelical DNA (RFI) of phage phiX174 am3 and fragments of single-stranded DNA from wild-type phiX174 was added to spheroplasts of E. coli carrying an amber suppressor, several percent of the progeny phage were recombinant. The yield of wild-type progeny was 10(3) to 10(4) times lower when the fragments came from phiX174 am3 or phage G4 am+, or when fragments were absent. Fewer recombinants were produced in proportion to the decrease in the fraction of RFI in samples treated with S1 nuclease, whereas the total yield of phage did not decrease. Transfection by fragments and superhelical DNA produced 20 to 100 times more recombinants than transfection by fragments and either nicked circular DNA or relaxed closed circular DNA. Transfection of a recA- strain by RFI DNA and fragments yielded 5-10% as many recombinants as transfection of a rec+ strain. This partial requirement for recA was bypassed by transfection with complexes of RFI AM3 DNA and am+ fragments made in vitro.", "PMID": 792876} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9599", "title": "Hydrolysis and transpeptidation of peptide substrates by acetyl-pepsin.", "content": "Treatment of swine pepsin with acetylimidazole to acetylate approximately five of its 16 tyrosyl residues causes a significant enhancement of catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) toward substrates such as dansyl-glycyl-glycyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-phenylalanine 3-(4-pyridyl)propyl ester and benzyloxy-carbonyl-(glycyl)n-p-nitroLphenylalnyl-Lphenylalanyl-L-tyrosine (where n = 0, 1,2). Stopped-flow kinetic studies, under conditions of enzyme excess, with the dansyl peptide have shown that, as with untreated pepsin, the rate-limiting step in the over-all catalytic process is associated with the decomposition of the first detectable enzyme-substrate complex, whose dissociation constant is approximately equal to the Km found in steady-state kinetic experiments. With substrates of the type benzoyl-(glycyl)n-nitro-L-phenylalanyl-L-tyrosine, an increase in the chain length of the peptide leads to an increase in the value of kcat/Km, supporting the view that secondary enzyme-substrate interactions may produce at the extended active site conformational changes that are reflected in higher catalytic efficiency. This effect is more marked with acetyl-pepsin than with untreated pepsin, and suggests that the conformational mobility of the active site is increased by partial acetylation. Acetyl-pepsin is less effective than untreated pepsin in catalyzing transpeptidation reactions in which acetyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-tyrosine and benzyloxycarbonyl-(glycyl)n-p-nitro-L-phenylalanine are the reactants; this finding is consistent with the more rapid hydrolysis of the product of transpeptidation.", "contents": "Hydrolysis and transpeptidation of peptide substrates by acetyl-pepsin. Treatment of swine pepsin with acetylimidazole to acetylate approximately five of its 16 tyrosyl residues causes a significant enhancement of catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) toward substrates such as dansyl-glycyl-glycyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-phenylalanine 3-(4-pyridyl)propyl ester and benzyloxy-carbonyl-(glycyl)n-p-nitroLphenylalnyl-Lphenylalanyl-L-tyrosine (where n = 0, 1,2). Stopped-flow kinetic studies, under conditions of enzyme excess, with the dansyl peptide have shown that, as with untreated pepsin, the rate-limiting step in the over-all catalytic process is associated with the decomposition of the first detectable enzyme-substrate complex, whose dissociation constant is approximately equal to the Km found in steady-state kinetic experiments. With substrates of the type benzoyl-(glycyl)n-nitro-L-phenylalanyl-L-tyrosine, an increase in the chain length of the peptide leads to an increase in the value of kcat/Km, supporting the view that secondary enzyme-substrate interactions may produce at the extended active site conformational changes that are reflected in higher catalytic efficiency. This effect is more marked with acetyl-pepsin than with untreated pepsin, and suggests that the conformational mobility of the active site is increased by partial acetylation. Acetyl-pepsin is less effective than untreated pepsin in catalyzing transpeptidation reactions in which acetyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-tyrosine and benzyloxycarbonyl-(glycyl)n-p-nitro-L-phenylalanine are the reactants; this finding is consistent with the more rapid hydrolysis of the product of transpeptidation.", "PMID": 792877} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9600", "title": "Acitivity of yeast extracts in cell-free stimulation of DNA replication.", "content": "Extracts of the cytoplasm of disrupted spheroplasts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (bakers' yeast) stimulated DNA synthesis in a cell-free system consisting of nuclei from spleen cells of the frog Xenopus laevis, The stimulation required Mg++8 ATP, and the deoxynucleoside triphosphates, was saturated by an excess of nuclei or extract, and had kinetics resembling those obtained previously with extracts from mammalian and avian cells. After addition of the yeast extract, replication \"eyes\" were formed in the DNA from the nucleochromatin of the frog, suggesting that the extract stimulated the initiation of DNA replication. The activity was susceptible to heat, was nondialyzable, and was abrogated by tryptic digestion. Temperature-sensitive mutants of the cell division cycle (cdcmutants 4,7,8, and 28) grown at permissive temperature (23 degrees) yielded extracts that were capable of stimulating DNA replication. When the cells were incubated for one generation at the nonpermissive temperature (36 degrees), their extracts showed very low or no activity. All of these mutants are deficient in events of the dependent pathway leading to initiation of DNA synthesis in the yeast cell cycle. A ts mutant, cdc10, deficient in the separate pathway for cytokinesis, showed little or no loss of activity at the nonpermissive temperature. These data indicate that the \"initiation\" activity, as assayed in vitro, is subject to control in the yeast cell cycle, and its appearance may be one of the terminal events in the pathway leading to DNA synthesis. The finding that extracts from yeast cells can stimulate DNA synthesis in nucleochromatin from frog cells, and the fact that the cdc mutants 4,7,8, and 28 describe a dependent pathway terminating in development of \"initiation\" activity, are in accord with the hypothesis that the function of proteins in the dependent pathways of the cell cycle is conserved during evolution.", "contents": "Acitivity of yeast extracts in cell-free stimulation of DNA replication. Extracts of the cytoplasm of disrupted spheroplasts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (bakers' yeast) stimulated DNA synthesis in a cell-free system consisting of nuclei from spleen cells of the frog Xenopus laevis, The stimulation required Mg++8 ATP, and the deoxynucleoside triphosphates, was saturated by an excess of nuclei or extract, and had kinetics resembling those obtained previously with extracts from mammalian and avian cells. After addition of the yeast extract, replication \"eyes\" were formed in the DNA from the nucleochromatin of the frog, suggesting that the extract stimulated the initiation of DNA replication. The activity was susceptible to heat, was nondialyzable, and was abrogated by tryptic digestion. Temperature-sensitive mutants of the cell division cycle (cdcmutants 4,7,8, and 28) grown at permissive temperature (23 degrees) yielded extracts that were capable of stimulating DNA replication. When the cells were incubated for one generation at the nonpermissive temperature (36 degrees), their extracts showed very low or no activity. All of these mutants are deficient in events of the dependent pathway leading to initiation of DNA synthesis in the yeast cell cycle. A ts mutant, cdc10, deficient in the separate pathway for cytokinesis, showed little or no loss of activity at the nonpermissive temperature. These data indicate that the \"initiation\" activity, as assayed in vitro, is subject to control in the yeast cell cycle, and its appearance may be one of the terminal events in the pathway leading to DNA synthesis. The finding that extracts from yeast cells can stimulate DNA synthesis in nucleochromatin from frog cells, and the fact that the cdc mutants 4,7,8, and 28 describe a dependent pathway terminating in development of \"initiation\" activity, are in accord with the hypothesis that the function of proteins in the dependent pathways of the cell cycle is conserved during evolution.", "PMID": 792878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9601", "title": "Purification and characterization of a putative sigma factor from Chalamydomonas reinhardi.", "content": "Two proteins with sigma-like activity have been isolated from the alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardi. One protein, sigma 2, has been partially purified and appears to have a molecular weight of 51,000. The interaction of this protein with a heterologous (Escherichia coli) and homologous (Chlamydomonas, chloroplast rifampicin-sensitive) core RNA-polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase, nucleosidetriphosphate: RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) was studied. Sigma 2 protein appears to stimulate the formation of open (rapid starting) binary complexes by both of the core enzymes. Stimulation of transcription by sigma 2 on chloroplast DNA was greater when Chlamydomonas core enzyme was used. Moreover, in vitro transcription on a variety of templates using RNA polymerases I and II from Chlamydomonas was not stimulated by this protein.", "contents": "Purification and characterization of a putative sigma factor from Chalamydomonas reinhardi. Two proteins with sigma-like activity have been isolated from the alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardi. One protein, sigma 2, has been partially purified and appears to have a molecular weight of 51,000. The interaction of this protein with a heterologous (Escherichia coli) and homologous (Chlamydomonas, chloroplast rifampicin-sensitive) core RNA-polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase, nucleosidetriphosphate: RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) was studied. Sigma 2 protein appears to stimulate the formation of open (rapid starting) binary complexes by both of the core enzymes. Stimulation of transcription by sigma 2 on chloroplast DNA was greater when Chlamydomonas core enzyme was used. Moreover, in vitro transcription on a variety of templates using RNA polymerases I and II from Chlamydomonas was not stimulated by this protein.", "PMID": 792879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9602", "title": "Identification and radiochemical purification of the recA protein of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "The product of the recA gene of E. coli has been identified by labeling proteins synthesized in UV-treated cells after infection with specialized transducing phages carrying the recA gene. Following infection of UV-treated cells by lambda precA, which carries the recA+ gene, a major protein with a molecular weight of 43,000 is detected on polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. This protein is also made after infection of suppressing hosts by lambda precA99, which carries an amber recA- mutation, but is not synthesized after infection of nonsuppressing hosts by this transducing phage. A spontaneous recatrevertant of lambda preca99 induces synthesis of this protein after infection of a nonsuppressing host. The product of the recA gene is a soluble protein found in a complex with a molecular weight of approximately 150,000 after mild detergent lysis of cells.", "contents": "Identification and radiochemical purification of the recA protein of Escherichia coli K-12. The product of the recA gene of E. coli has been identified by labeling proteins synthesized in UV-treated cells after infection with specialized transducing phages carrying the recA gene. Following infection of UV-treated cells by lambda precA, which carries the recA+ gene, a major protein with a molecular weight of 43,000 is detected on polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. This protein is also made after infection of suppressing hosts by lambda precA99, which carries an amber recA- mutation, but is not synthesized after infection of nonsuppressing hosts by this transducing phage. A spontaneous recatrevertant of lambda preca99 induces synthesis of this protein after infection of a nonsuppressing host. The product of the recA gene is a soluble protein found in a complex with a molecular weight of approximately 150,000 after mild detergent lysis of cells.", "PMID": 792880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9603", "title": "Analgesic evaluation of butorphanol in patients with postoperative wound pain.", "content": "Two agonist/antagonist analgesics, butorphanol tartrate (test) and pentazocine hydrochloride (standard), were compared in volunteer informed patients experiencing postoperative wound pain. The relative potency (p) is 0.04 (1 mg butorphanol equals 24.3 mg of pentazocine lactate) with upper and lower confidence limits of 0.01 and 0.07 respectively. Butorphanol tartrate in the higher dose appears to have longer duration of effect. The side effects were comparable in the population studied.", "contents": "Analgesic evaluation of butorphanol in patients with postoperative wound pain. Two agonist/antagonist analgesics, butorphanol tartrate (test) and pentazocine hydrochloride (standard), were compared in volunteer informed patients experiencing postoperative wound pain. The relative potency (p) is 0.04 (1 mg butorphanol equals 24.3 mg of pentazocine lactate) with upper and lower confidence limits of 0.01 and 0.07 respectively. Butorphanol tartrate in the higher dose appears to have longer duration of effect. The side effects were comparable in the population studied.", "PMID": 792893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9604", "title": "Plug-holder unit for implanting stimulating or recording electrodes.", "content": "Thh design of a plug-holder unit for electrode implants is described. The plug-holder attaches to the stereotaxic and facilitates the insertion of the electrode contact pins into the plug by retaining the connector plug in a fixed rigid position. In addition, it prevents the accidental breakage of contact lead wires which can normally occur during the contact pin insertion procedure. The unit is inexpensive and simple to construct.", "contents": "Plug-holder unit for implanting stimulating or recording electrodes. Thh design of a plug-holder unit for electrode implants is described. The plug-holder attaches to the stereotaxic and facilitates the insertion of the electrode contact pins into the plug by retaining the connector plug in a fixed rigid position. In addition, it prevents the accidental breakage of contact lead wires which can normally occur during the contact pin insertion procedure. The unit is inexpensive and simple to construct.", "PMID": 792895} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9605", "title": "Psychotropic effects of androgens: a review of clinical observations and new human experimental findings.", "content": "In a review article, clinical literature concerned with the psychotropic effects of androgens is presented, and the results of experimental clinical work from biochemistry, electrophysiology and psychoexperimental tests are reported. The conclusion that androgens do have psychotropic properties similar to those of well known psychotropic substances is based on evidence from a number of sources: Clinical observations of patients with androgen deficiency or excess, observations of the effect of androgen therapy, and lastly experimental work with methods developed especially for testing psychotropic substances.", "contents": "Psychotropic effects of androgens: a review of clinical observations and new human experimental findings. In a review article, clinical literature concerned with the psychotropic effects of androgens is presented, and the results of experimental clinical work from biochemistry, electrophysiology and psychoexperimental tests are reported. The conclusion that androgens do have psychotropic properties similar to those of well known psychotropic substances is based on evidence from a number of sources: Clinical observations of patients with androgen deficiency or excess, observations of the effect of androgen therapy, and lastly experimental work with methods developed especially for testing psychotropic substances.", "PMID": 792898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9606", "title": "Demonstration of extrahypothalamic peptide secreting neurons. A morphologic contribution to the investigation of psychotropic effects of neurohormones.", "content": "Visualized by immunocytochemistry vasopression and neurophysin are observed in perikarya of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and their fibers going to the neurohypophysis. In addition to these classical sites, vasopressin and neurophysin are located in perikarya of the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis and of the suprachiasmatic nuclei. Outside the hypothalamus, neurophysin-positive perikarya are found in the triangular nucleus of the septum which is a part of the limbic system. Vasopressin and neurophysin are contained in two types of extrahypothalamic fibers. Large caliber fibers are found in the amygdala, small caliber fibers in the septum and thalamus. The presence of neurosecretory perikarya and fibers outside the hypothalamus may be related to psychotropic effects of peptide hormones.", "contents": "Demonstration of extrahypothalamic peptide secreting neurons. A morphologic contribution to the investigation of psychotropic effects of neurohormones. Visualized by immunocytochemistry vasopression and neurophysin are observed in perikarya of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and their fibers going to the neurohypophysis. In addition to these classical sites, vasopressin and neurophysin are located in perikarya of the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis and of the suprachiasmatic nuclei. Outside the hypothalamus, neurophysin-positive perikarya are found in the triangular nucleus of the septum which is a part of the limbic system. Vasopressin and neurophysin are contained in two types of extrahypothalamic fibers. Large caliber fibers are found in the amygdala, small caliber fibers in the septum and thalamus. The presence of neurosecretory perikarya and fibers outside the hypothalamus may be related to psychotropic effects of peptide hormones.", "PMID": 792899} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9607", "title": "[Phlebitis of infectious etiology].", "content": "Various infections are sometimes at the origin of phlebitis. Because of the different therapeutic consequences, this etiology should be considered whether it is a case of deep phlebitis of a limb, migratory recurrent phlebitis, or the type of phlebitis called \"iron wire\". The principal diseases that may lead to phlebitis are : tuberculosis, typhoid fever, rickettsiosis, and streptococcal, staphylococcal, and pneumococcal infections. Certain viruses may have a role but so far there is no formal proof. Focal pathology of dental or tonsillar origin involves in some cases an aseptic venous lesion. Bacterial or mycotic suppurative thrombophlebitis related to an intravenous catheter is the price paid for the use, often unnecessarily, of this method of perfusion.", "contents": "[Phlebitis of infectious etiology]. Various infections are sometimes at the origin of phlebitis. Because of the different therapeutic consequences, this etiology should be considered whether it is a case of deep phlebitis of a limb, migratory recurrent phlebitis, or the type of phlebitis called \"iron wire\". The principal diseases that may lead to phlebitis are : tuberculosis, typhoid fever, rickettsiosis, and streptococcal, staphylococcal, and pneumococcal infections. Certain viruses may have a role but so far there is no formal proof. Focal pathology of dental or tonsillar origin involves in some cases an aseptic venous lesion. Bacterial or mycotic suppurative thrombophlebitis related to an intravenous catheter is the price paid for the use, often unnecessarily, of this method of perfusion.", "PMID": 792907} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9608", "title": "The fan flap: an adjunct to ear reconstruction.", "content": "The development of a fan-shaped flap of temporal myo-fascia and cranial periosteum for use in construction or reconstruction of the external ear is described. This adjunct to ear reconstruction decreases the incidence of exposure of the framework and does not add operative steps. The flap adds pleasing bulk to the helix while maintaining the delicate contours of the framework. Since we have been using this flap, we have had no early or late exposures of these frameworks.", "contents": "The fan flap: an adjunct to ear reconstruction. The development of a fan-shaped flap of temporal myo-fascia and cranial periosteum for use in construction or reconstruction of the external ear is described. This adjunct to ear reconstruction decreases the incidence of exposure of the framework and does not add operative steps. The flap adds pleasing bulk to the helix while maintaining the delicate contours of the framework. Since we have been using this flap, we have had no early or late exposures of these frameworks.", "PMID": 792916} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9609", "title": "Successful clinical transfer of two free thoraco-dorsal axillary flaps.", "content": "We present two cases in which we used a new flap from the axilla, based on the thoraco-dorsal artery and vein. In the first case, the flap was used to cover an extensive exposure of the dura mater. In the second case, it was transferred to cover a large area of skin loss in the knee in which there was involvement of the joint. Further investigation is necessary to accurately ascertain the possibilities and the limits of this flap.", "contents": "Successful clinical transfer of two free thoraco-dorsal axillary flaps. We present two cases in which we used a new flap from the axilla, based on the thoraco-dorsal artery and vein. In the first case, the flap was used to cover an extensive exposure of the dura mater. In the second case, it was transferred to cover a large area of skin loss in the knee in which there was involvement of the joint. Further investigation is necessary to accurately ascertain the possibilities and the limits of this flap.", "PMID": 792917} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9610", "title": "Histological investigation of the etiology of capsule contracture following augmentation mammaplasty.", "content": "Sections obtained from contracted breast capsules were examined by light and electron microscopy. We observed the presence of multiple areas of a particulate foreign material, consistent with the appearance of droplets of dimethylpolysiloxane. An active foreign-body reaction was observed at the interface of the capsule and implant, as well as throughout the tissue subjacent to the deposits of foreign material. Based on these histological observations, we present a theoretical explanation of the etiology of capsular contracture of the breast after augmentation mammaplasty.", "contents": "Histological investigation of the etiology of capsule contracture following augmentation mammaplasty. Sections obtained from contracted breast capsules were examined by light and electron microscopy. We observed the presence of multiple areas of a particulate foreign material, consistent with the appearance of droplets of dimethylpolysiloxane. An active foreign-body reaction was observed at the interface of the capsule and implant, as well as throughout the tissue subjacent to the deposits of foreign material. Based on these histological observations, we present a theoretical explanation of the etiology of capsular contracture of the breast after augmentation mammaplasty.", "PMID": 792918} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9611", "title": "A dermal flap for carotid artery protection.", "content": "We describe a dermal flap for use in protecting an especially vulnerable carotid artery from rupture after a radical neck dissection. We have used this flap successfully in 3 patients in the last 5 years.", "contents": "A dermal flap for carotid artery protection. We describe a dermal flap for use in protecting an especially vulnerable carotid artery from rupture after a radical neck dissection. We have used this flap successfully in 3 patients in the last 5 years.", "PMID": 792919} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9612", "title": "Free autogenous transplants in preformed pseudosheath silicone rubber pockets.", "content": "This investigation suggests that free autogenous grafts, when placed in preformed silicone rubber pseudosheath pockets, will survive as well, if not better, than in delayed or immediate surgical pockets. This supports the clinical assumption that silicone rubber implants can be used and exchanged periodically for larger sizes. At a final exchange, free autogenous tissue could be replaced within the pseudosheath pocket.", "contents": "Free autogenous transplants in preformed pseudosheath silicone rubber pockets. This investigation suggests that free autogenous grafts, when placed in preformed silicone rubber pseudosheath pockets, will survive as well, if not better, than in delayed or immediate surgical pockets. This supports the clinical assumption that silicone rubber implants can be used and exchanged periodically for larger sizes. At a final exchange, free autogenous tissue could be replaced within the pseudosheath pocket.", "PMID": 792920} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9613", "title": "Replantations and free flap transfers by microvascular surgery.", "content": "We have replanted 11 digits and two hands, with only one failure (a digit). Eight free groin flaps and one free dorsalis pedis flap transfer were performed, resulting in 5 complete survivals, two partial necroses, one superficial necrosis, and one failure. One hallux-to-thumb transfer was done, with a good result. We note the essential differences between doing replantations and free flap transfers.", "contents": "Replantations and free flap transfers by microvascular surgery. We have replanted 11 digits and two hands, with only one failure (a digit). Eight free groin flaps and one free dorsalis pedis flap transfer were performed, resulting in 5 complete survivals, two partial necroses, one superficial necrosis, and one failure. One hallux-to-thumb transfer was done, with a good result. We note the essential differences between doing replantations and free flap transfers.", "PMID": 792921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9614", "title": "[150 years of psychiatric therapy].", "content": "The treatment of insane persons in the last century is briefly described. A more liberal and unrestrained treatment was introduced at the turn of the century, and chiefly agriculturally oriented insane asylums were established at that time. The question of persons trained to care for subjects afflicted with insanity was increasingly gaining in importance, and the aim was to have available a pool of skilled nursing personnel. Treatment by inducing artificial fever is outlined in addition to a brief description of a more activ treatment of patients by the Simon-G\u00fctersloh method. In 1925, a \"neuro-psychiatric dispensary\" was established in the Soviet Union. Later, there were introduced such methods as insulin shock treatment and electroconvulsive therapy and, more recently, treatment with psychopharmaceuticals, the latter being drugs used in the treatment of emotional disorders in modern psychiatric hospitals. Inpatient and outpatient treatment is further developed with the establishment of day/night hospitals, and the need is pointed out to develop a system of care for mental patients on the model of that which exists in the Soviet Union.", "contents": "[150 years of psychiatric therapy]. The treatment of insane persons in the last century is briefly described. A more liberal and unrestrained treatment was introduced at the turn of the century, and chiefly agriculturally oriented insane asylums were established at that time. The question of persons trained to care for subjects afflicted with insanity was increasingly gaining in importance, and the aim was to have available a pool of skilled nursing personnel. Treatment by inducing artificial fever is outlined in addition to a brief description of a more activ treatment of patients by the Simon-G\u00fctersloh method. In 1925, a \"neuro-psychiatric dispensary\" was established in the Soviet Union. Later, there were introduced such methods as insulin shock treatment and electroconvulsive therapy and, more recently, treatment with psychopharmaceuticals, the latter being drugs used in the treatment of emotional disorders in modern psychiatric hospitals. Inpatient and outpatient treatment is further developed with the establishment of day/night hospitals, and the need is pointed out to develop a system of care for mental patients on the model of that which exists in the Soviet Union.", "PMID": 792925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9615", "title": "Knightmare in Armor: reflections on Wilhelm Reich's contributions to psychoanalysis.", "content": "One of the more curious by-products of the political and social unrest of the late 1960s, has been the emergence of and survival of interest in the writings of Wilhelm Reich (1897-1957). In the last few years, new translations of his books have appeared and some of his early work has been translated for the first time. A biography, magazine articles, and various surveys of his work convey the impression that his ideas are timely, or at least that they are historically important. However, I believe that the current enthusiasm for Reich owes more to the problems that interested him than to the light he shed on them. His great appeal for radical youth is based on his advocacy of social and sexual reform, for which he provided ideological support through a Marxist-psychoanalytic synthesis. By the technique of anthropological, economic, and psychological analysis, Reich tried to provide a scientific justification for revolutionary hopes.", "contents": "Knightmare in Armor: reflections on Wilhelm Reich's contributions to psychoanalysis. One of the more curious by-products of the political and social unrest of the late 1960s, has been the emergence of and survival of interest in the writings of Wilhelm Reich (1897-1957). In the last few years, new translations of his books have appeared and some of his early work has been translated for the first time. A biography, magazine articles, and various surveys of his work convey the impression that his ideas are timely, or at least that they are historically important. However, I believe that the current enthusiasm for Reich owes more to the problems that interested him than to the light he shed on them. His great appeal for radical youth is based on his advocacy of social and sexual reform, for which he provided ideological support through a Marxist-psychoanalytic synthesis. By the technique of anthropological, economic, and psychological analysis, Reich tried to provide a scientific justification for revolutionary hopes.", "PMID": 792926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9616", "title": "Thanatos--a reevaluation.", "content": "Freud's most controversial tenet is the death instinct. Although it appears full blown in 1920, it was doubtless nurtured for years in his mind. In its indissoluble relation to the repetition compulsion and Nirvana principle, Thanatos is the bedrock of much of Freud's later philosophy. This paper is an examination of the motivations for the idea, an exegesis of Freud's writings on the subject, and a review of critical opinion.", "contents": "Thanatos--a reevaluation. Freud's most controversial tenet is the death instinct. Although it appears full blown in 1920, it was doubtless nurtured for years in his mind. In its indissoluble relation to the repetition compulsion and Nirvana principle, Thanatos is the bedrock of much of Freud's later philosophy. This paper is an examination of the motivations for the idea, an exegesis of Freud's writings on the subject, and a review of critical opinion.", "PMID": 792927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9617", "title": "Houdini: the mythmaker. Variations on the theme of the family romance.", "content": "This component of a more comprehensive study of Houdini focuses on the unusual reification of his family romance fantasies, their endurance well beyond the usual boundaries in time, their kinship with mythological themes, and their infusion with the ambivalence that is often addressed toward the true parents.", "contents": "Houdini: the mythmaker. Variations on the theme of the family romance. This component of a more comprehensive study of Houdini focuses on the unusual reification of his family romance fantasies, their endurance well beyond the usual boundaries in time, their kinship with mythological themes, and their infusion with the ambivalence that is often addressed toward the true parents.", "PMID": 792932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9618", "title": "The case of Arise Evans: a historico-psychiatric study.", "content": "The life and the ideas of a mentally aberrant figure in mid-seventeenth century England are presented in relation to the sociocultural background of the time and the available clinical information. The material illustrates the need to draw on both sources when applying psychiatric concepts to particular historical epochs.", "contents": "The case of Arise Evans: a historico-psychiatric study. The life and the ideas of a mentally aberrant figure in mid-seventeenth century England are presented in relation to the sociocultural background of the time and the available clinical information. The material illustrates the need to draw on both sources when applying psychiatric concepts to particular historical epochs.", "PMID": 792936} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9619", "title": "Life events, depressive relapse and maintenance treatment.", "content": "Occurrence of life events was recorded in 30 recovered depressed women undergoing clinical relapse in a controlled trial of maintenance treatment with amitriptyline and psychotherapy, and in 30 matched patients who did not relapse. Overall, patients who relapsed experienced significantly more life events in the three months before relapse, and especially in the month immediately preceding it. Undesirable events were particularly implicated. Event rates prior to relapse were closely comparable in treatment subgroups, giving no evidence that differential stress was required to produce relapse. The findings reinforce previous studies indicating an overall relationship between life events of certain types and depression, but do not suggest that the beneficial effects of maintenance treatment are specifically protective against life stress.", "contents": "Life events, depressive relapse and maintenance treatment. Occurrence of life events was recorded in 30 recovered depressed women undergoing clinical relapse in a controlled trial of maintenance treatment with amitriptyline and psychotherapy, and in 30 matched patients who did not relapse. Overall, patients who relapsed experienced significantly more life events in the three months before relapse, and especially in the month immediately preceding it. Undesirable events were particularly implicated. Event rates prior to relapse were closely comparable in treatment subgroups, giving no evidence that differential stress was required to produce relapse. The findings reinforce previous studies indicating an overall relationship between life events of certain types and depression, but do not suggest that the beneficial effects of maintenance treatment are specifically protective against life stress.", "PMID": 792937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9620", "title": "The role of culture in psychosomatic disorders.", "content": "The paper summarizes and evaluates the work so far carried out on the role of culture in determining similarities and differences in prevalence and manifestations of psychosomatic disorders, and attempts to identify the possible cultural elements that account for such variations. It concludes that the evidence is insufficient to support beliefs about the existence of major differences between cultures in psychosomatic disorders as a whole, and that cultural factors provide but a superficial colouration to a primary core of illness common to all cultures; but that, nevertheless, real differences exist in the prevalence of certain conditions in a minority of cultures.", "contents": "The role of culture in psychosomatic disorders. The paper summarizes and evaluates the work so far carried out on the role of culture in determining similarities and differences in prevalence and manifestations of psychosomatic disorders, and attempts to identify the possible cultural elements that account for such variations. It concludes that the evidence is insufficient to support beliefs about the existence of major differences between cultures in psychosomatic disorders as a whole, and that cultural factors provide but a superficial colouration to a primary core of illness common to all cultures; but that, nevertheless, real differences exist in the prevalence of certain conditions in a minority of cultures.", "PMID": 792944} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9621", "title": "Living dangerously--the effect of chronic pulmonary and renal failure on self-image.", "content": "Patients with severe chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) are difficult to interview because of their inability to verbalize freely. The draw-a-person (DAP) and the draw-a-house (DAH) tests were given to COLD patients (n = 14), and to patients on chronic renal dialysis (n = 14). The COLD patients showed significantly more disorganization in the drawings (p less than 0.05 for DAP and p less than 0.001 for DAH) than the renal patients. There were certain other findings specific to the circumstances of each disorder. The DAP and DAH may be clinically useful in rapidly identifying the patients in need of greater psychosocial support.", "contents": "Living dangerously--the effect of chronic pulmonary and renal failure on self-image. Patients with severe chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) are difficult to interview because of their inability to verbalize freely. The draw-a-person (DAP) and the draw-a-house (DAH) tests were given to COLD patients (n = 14), and to patients on chronic renal dialysis (n = 14). The COLD patients showed significantly more disorganization in the drawings (p less than 0.05 for DAP and p less than 0.001 for DAH) than the renal patients. There were certain other findings specific to the circumstances of each disorder. The DAP and DAH may be clinically useful in rapidly identifying the patients in need of greater psychosocial support.", "PMID": 792945} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9622", "title": "[Encephalographic findings in tumors of the pineal region (author's transl)].", "content": "6 encephalograms were selected from a series of 31 patients with clinical and radiological signs of a tumor in the pineal region, in order to obtain differential diagnostic criteria concerning space occupying lesions of this area. Neuroradiologically, it is possible only in a very few cases to decide whether a tumor had arisen from the pineal gland or from adjacent structures of the midbrain. At the time of the radiological examination usually the tumor has reached a size that an encephalographic distinction between pineal gland and quadrigeminal plate cannot be made. Computerized axial tomography can contribute essentially to solve this problem as shown by one example.", "contents": "[Encephalographic findings in tumors of the pineal region (author's transl)]. 6 encephalograms were selected from a series of 31 patients with clinical and radiological signs of a tumor in the pineal region, in order to obtain differential diagnostic criteria concerning space occupying lesions of this area. Neuroradiologically, it is possible only in a very few cases to decide whether a tumor had arisen from the pineal gland or from adjacent structures of the midbrain. At the time of the radiological examination usually the tumor has reached a size that an encephalographic distinction between pineal gland and quadrigeminal plate cannot be made. Computerized axial tomography can contribute essentially to solve this problem as shown by one example.", "PMID": 792948} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9623", "title": "[Experience with a new hydro-soluble contrast medium (author's transl)].", "content": "Report about a very well tolerated new contrast medium Myelografin. The side-effects are being decoded and compared with the side-effects of other contrast-media for lumbar myelography. Spinal or cerebral irritating effects have never been recorded. Due to the low neurotoxicity the patient can be put in supine position immediately after the examination. Therefore the side-effects are diminished and the examination is more tolerable for the patient.", "contents": "[Experience with a new hydro-soluble contrast medium (author's transl)]. Report about a very well tolerated new contrast medium Myelografin. The side-effects are being decoded and compared with the side-effects of other contrast-media for lumbar myelography. Spinal or cerebral irritating effects have never been recorded. Due to the low neurotoxicity the patient can be put in supine position immediately after the examination. Therefore the side-effects are diminished and the examination is more tolerable for the patient.", "PMID": 792949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9624", "title": "Tetrazolium salts and formazans.", "content": "The history of the tetrazolium salts and formazans goes back 100 years, to when Friese (1875) reacted benzene diazonium nitrate with nitromethane, to produce a cherry-red \"Neue Verbindung\". This was the first formazan. 19 years later, Von Pechmann and Runge (1894) oxidised a formazan to produce the first tetrazolium salt. Many hundreds of tetrazolium salts and formazans were prepared in the following years, but only a handful have found applications in biological research. This article has attempted to describe the properties of these compounds, and to illustrate how the tetrazolium salt-formazan reaction has been exploited to serve an extremely wide variety of functions.", "contents": "Tetrazolium salts and formazans. The history of the tetrazolium salts and formazans goes back 100 years, to when Friese (1875) reacted benzene diazonium nitrate with nitromethane, to produce a cherry-red \"Neue Verbindung\". This was the first formazan. 19 years later, Von Pechmann and Runge (1894) oxidised a formazan to produce the first tetrazolium salt. Many hundreds of tetrazolium salts and formazans were prepared in the following years, but only a handful have found applications in biological research. This article has attempted to describe the properties of these compounds, and to illustrate how the tetrazolium salt-formazan reaction has been exploited to serve an extremely wide variety of functions.", "PMID": 792958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9625", "title": "Skin grafts on fingers: a simple and effective method for use in the accident and emergency department.", "content": "A method is described of retaining small skin grafts in place on fingers by means of adhesive paper skin closures, and the results obtained in 20 consecutive cases are analysed. It is suggested that the technique may be of particular value in the Accident and Emergency Department.", "contents": "Skin grafts on fingers: a simple and effective method for use in the accident and emergency department. A method is described of retaining small skin grafts in place on fingers by means of adhesive paper skin closures, and the results obtained in 20 consecutive cases are analysed. It is suggested that the technique may be of particular value in the Accident and Emergency Department.", "PMID": 792976} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9626", "title": "Immunohistochemical investigation of gastrin-producing cells (G cells).The distribution of g cells in resected human stomachs.", "content": "Direct immunofluorescence technique with rhodamine-labelled rabbit anti-gastrin IgG conjugate was used for systematic mapping of the G-cell distribution in 16 resected stomachs (8 gastric ulcer patients and 8 duodenal ulcer patients with uraemia). Along the anatomical border of the proximal part of the antrum there was in both groups of patients a tranzitional zone with a low G-cell number per unit mucosa until the cells abruptly disappeared in the body of the stomach. The proximal end of the duodenum contained considerably fewer G cells than the antrum, and the number was equal in both groups. Within the antrum there was in the duodenal ulcer group a gradual increase in G-cell number from the proximal to the distal end, whereas in the gastric ulcer group no significant difference was found in different parts of the antrum. When corresponding antral parts were compared between the two groups, the only significant difference was that the distal part contained more G cells in the duodenal ulcer patients. In both groups the antral G-cell number showed no difference in circumferential distribution.", "contents": "Immunohistochemical investigation of gastrin-producing cells (G cells).The distribution of g cells in resected human stomachs. Direct immunofluorescence technique with rhodamine-labelled rabbit anti-gastrin IgG conjugate was used for systematic mapping of the G-cell distribution in 16 resected stomachs (8 gastric ulcer patients and 8 duodenal ulcer patients with uraemia). Along the anatomical border of the proximal part of the antrum there was in both groups of patients a tranzitional zone with a low G-cell number per unit mucosa until the cells abruptly disappeared in the body of the stomach. The proximal end of the duodenum contained considerably fewer G cells than the antrum, and the number was equal in both groups. Within the antrum there was in the duodenal ulcer group a gradual increase in G-cell number from the proximal to the distal end, whereas in the gastric ulcer group no significant difference was found in different parts of the antrum. When corresponding antral parts were compared between the two groups, the only significant difference was that the distal part contained more G cells in the duodenal ulcer patients. In both groups the antral G-cell number showed no difference in circumferential distribution.", "PMID": 792981} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9627", "title": "Differential demonstration of the motilin-cell and the enterochromaffin-cell.", "content": "Motilin cells were investigated in the GI-tract of various laboratory animals by immunfluorescence. The distribution of motilin cells was compared to enterochromaffin (EC) cell localization. Simultaneously histochemistry for EC-cells and motilin cells was carried out. The results indicate that motilin is not produced within the EC-cells. Present classification of motilin cells on ultrastructural evidence is therefore not yet possible.", "contents": "Differential demonstration of the motilin-cell and the enterochromaffin-cell. Motilin cells were investigated in the GI-tract of various laboratory animals by immunfluorescence. The distribution of motilin cells was compared to enterochromaffin (EC) cell localization. Simultaneously histochemistry for EC-cells and motilin cells was carried out. The results indicate that motilin is not produced within the EC-cells. Present classification of motilin cells on ultrastructural evidence is therefore not yet possible.", "PMID": 792983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9628", "title": "Effects of motilin on gastric and pancreatic secretion in dogs.", "content": "13-norleucine motilin (13-nle-motilin), a synthetic analogue of motilin, infused intravenously in graded doses (range: 1.5 to 100 mug/kg-h) produced a dose-dependent increase in basal gastric acid and pepsin secretion and in pancreatic bicarbonate and protein secretion in conscious dogs provided with gastric and pancreatic fistula and Heidenhain pouches. When infused in a constant dose against a background stimulation with pentagastrin, histamine or a peptone meal, 13-nle-motilin inhibited both acid and pepsin secretion from the main stomach and the Heidenhain pouch. It also inhibited dose-dependently secretin-induced pancreatic bicarbonate secretion. Since motilin is released by duodenal acidification, it may be involved in the feedback mechanism controlling gastric and pancreatic secretion.", "contents": "Effects of motilin on gastric and pancreatic secretion in dogs. 13-norleucine motilin (13-nle-motilin), a synthetic analogue of motilin, infused intravenously in graded doses (range: 1.5 to 100 mug/kg-h) produced a dose-dependent increase in basal gastric acid and pepsin secretion and in pancreatic bicarbonate and protein secretion in conscious dogs provided with gastric and pancreatic fistula and Heidenhain pouches. When infused in a constant dose against a background stimulation with pentagastrin, histamine or a peptone meal, 13-nle-motilin inhibited both acid and pepsin secretion from the main stomach and the Heidenhain pouch. It also inhibited dose-dependently secretin-induced pancreatic bicarbonate secretion. Since motilin is released by duodenal acidification, it may be involved in the feedback mechanism controlling gastric and pancreatic secretion.", "PMID": 792984} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9629", "title": "Effect of 13-Nle-motilin in postoperative ileus patients: a double-blind trial.", "content": "In this study, the effect of 13-norleucine motilin (13-Nle-M) on post-cholecystectomy ileus was assessed in 6 female patients. 13-Nle-M given by continuous i.v. infusion (0.4 mug/kg-h) on the second and third day following surgery did not influence the manifestation and duration of intestinal paralysis in comparison to 6 control patients treated with 0.9% saline. Bowel sounds, however, were more pronounced in the 13-Nle-M-group. Blood pressure and pulse rate were not influenced by the polypeptide, and no other side effects were seen, either.", "contents": "Effect of 13-Nle-motilin in postoperative ileus patients: a double-blind trial. In this study, the effect of 13-norleucine motilin (13-Nle-M) on post-cholecystectomy ileus was assessed in 6 female patients. 13-Nle-M given by continuous i.v. infusion (0.4 mug/kg-h) on the second and third day following surgery did not influence the manifestation and duration of intestinal paralysis in comparison to 6 control patients treated with 0.9% saline. Bowel sounds, however, were more pronounced in the 13-Nle-M-group. Blood pressure and pulse rate were not influenced by the polypeptide, and no other side effects were seen, either.", "PMID": 792985} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9630", "title": "Potentiation of the macrophage response to migration inhibition factor from fetal calf serum by blood group substances with human H activity.", "content": "Soluble blood group substances, with human H and A activity, have previously been shown to block the interaction between guinea pig peritoneal macrophages and migration inhibition factor from fetal calf serum (FCS-MIF). Conversely, incubation of macrophages at 37 degrees C for 1 h in the presence of 0.1% blood group substance, followed by thorough washing, potentiates the action of FCS-MIF. The sensitivity of the macrophages is markedly increased, allowing detection of subthreshold levels of FCS-MIF. Blood group substances (BGS) labeled with radioidine are taken up by macrophages, and a proportion remains on the surface. This radiolabeled BGS is lost from the surface spontaneously, and the rate of loss is increased by treatment with trypsin. It is suggested that the BGS mimic the natural macrophage receptor for FCS-MIF and potentiate its effect by incorporating new receptors into the macrophage membrane.", "contents": "Potentiation of the macrophage response to migration inhibition factor from fetal calf serum by blood group substances with human H activity. Soluble blood group substances, with human H and A activity, have previously been shown to block the interaction between guinea pig peritoneal macrophages and migration inhibition factor from fetal calf serum (FCS-MIF). Conversely, incubation of macrophages at 37 degrees C for 1 h in the presence of 0.1% blood group substance, followed by thorough washing, potentiates the action of FCS-MIF. The sensitivity of the macrophages is markedly increased, allowing detection of subthreshold levels of FCS-MIF. Blood group substances (BGS) labeled with radioidine are taken up by macrophages, and a proportion remains on the surface. This radiolabeled BGS is lost from the surface spontaneously, and the rate of loss is increased by treatment with trypsin. It is suggested that the BGS mimic the natural macrophage receptor for FCS-MIF and potentiate its effect by incorporating new receptors into the macrophage membrane.", "PMID": 792986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9631", "title": "Immunological follow-up of 41 renal allograft recipients.", "content": "A series of immunological parameters were used to follow 41 necrokidney transplantations, in an investigation of the correlation between these parameters and graft function, rejection and graft survival. The results showed that patient and graft survival were not dependent on the occurrence of rejection, but were related to decrease in lumphocyte counts and IgG in the initial post-operative period. Initial decreases in lymphocyte count, IgG, IgA and IgM were found. There was no correlation between initial donor-recipient MLC response and graft survial. In the post-operative period there were falls in PHA, PWM and PPD responses and in numbers of cells forming T and B rosettes, but no change in MLC response. Lowest measured values for lymphocytes and IgC tended to occur just before rejection, but there was no depression of the measured in vitro immune responses at this time. However, MLC and PHA responses were depressed during rejection. When these results are compared with similar results in the literature, which shows a lack of convincing correlation between existing immunological tests and the course of transplantation, it is concluded that the immunological tests available today are unsatisfactory for use in monitoring immune response as an aid to the adquate immunosuppression of receipients.", "contents": "Immunological follow-up of 41 renal allograft recipients. A series of immunological parameters were used to follow 41 necrokidney transplantations, in an investigation of the correlation between these parameters and graft function, rejection and graft survival. The results showed that patient and graft survival were not dependent on the occurrence of rejection, but were related to decrease in lumphocyte counts and IgG in the initial post-operative period. Initial decreases in lymphocyte count, IgG, IgA and IgM were found. There was no correlation between initial donor-recipient MLC response and graft survial. In the post-operative period there were falls in PHA, PWM and PPD responses and in numbers of cells forming T and B rosettes, but no change in MLC response. Lowest measured values for lymphocytes and IgC tended to occur just before rejection, but there was no depression of the measured in vitro immune responses at this time. However, MLC and PHA responses were depressed during rejection. When these results are compared with similar results in the literature, which shows a lack of convincing correlation between existing immunological tests and the course of transplantation, it is concluded that the immunological tests available today are unsatisfactory for use in monitoring immune response as an aid to the adquate immunosuppression of receipients.", "PMID": 792987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9632", "title": "The efficacy, as modified by the circadian rhythm of salbutamol administered by different routes.", "content": "Fourteen asthmatic outpatients participated in a total of 16 trials with salbutamol administered by different routes. Drug dosage was one 4-mg tablet, of two inhalations of 100 mug of salbutamol aerosol or a combination of both, four times daily. During the trial the patients measured their peak expiratory flow (PEF) every day at 1.00 a.m., 7.00 a.m., 10.00 a.m. and 9.30 p.m. The frequency and severity of symptoms and side effects as well as the auxiliary use of isoprenaline inhalation were also recorded. A clear-cut circadian rhythm in bronchial obstruction was observed during both active drug and placebo periods. PEF values during all active periods differed significantly from those during placebo periods at 3 and 2.5 h after drug intake (at 10.00 a.m. and 9.30 p.m.). Moreover, a distinction between the effects of the various active drug forms was possible at 10.00 a.m., salbutamol tablets and the combination of salbutamol tablets and aerosols being then superior to aerosol treatment alone. At night and in the early morning PEF values were generally lower than during the day owing to the circadian rhythm, and bronchodilator response to drugs at these times was also less pronounced. Isoprenaline consumption was highest during placebo periods and lowest during periods of combined active treatment. No serious side effects were seen. Cumulative evidence has shown that this kind of study with outpatients is suitable for comparing the clinical effects of bronchodilator drugs.", "contents": "The efficacy, as modified by the circadian rhythm of salbutamol administered by different routes. Fourteen asthmatic outpatients participated in a total of 16 trials with salbutamol administered by different routes. Drug dosage was one 4-mg tablet, of two inhalations of 100 mug of salbutamol aerosol or a combination of both, four times daily. During the trial the patients measured their peak expiratory flow (PEF) every day at 1.00 a.m., 7.00 a.m., 10.00 a.m. and 9.30 p.m. The frequency and severity of symptoms and side effects as well as the auxiliary use of isoprenaline inhalation were also recorded. A clear-cut circadian rhythm in bronchial obstruction was observed during both active drug and placebo periods. PEF values during all active periods differed significantly from those during placebo periods at 3 and 2.5 h after drug intake (at 10.00 a.m. and 9.30 p.m.). Moreover, a distinction between the effects of the various active drug forms was possible at 10.00 a.m., salbutamol tablets and the combination of salbutamol tablets and aerosols being then superior to aerosol treatment alone. At night and in the early morning PEF values were generally lower than during the day owing to the circadian rhythm, and bronchodilator response to drugs at these times was also less pronounced. Isoprenaline consumption was highest during placebo periods and lowest during periods of combined active treatment. No serious side effects were seen. Cumulative evidence has shown that this kind of study with outpatients is suitable for comparing the clinical effects of bronchodilator drugs.", "PMID": 792993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9633", "title": "Bronchodilatory and circulatory effects of two doses of a beta2-agonist (terbutaline) inhaled with IPPB in patients with reversible airways obstruction.", "content": "A beta2-receptor agonist, terbutaline (Bricanyl), in doses of 2.5 and 5 mg was inhaled by IPPB with a Bird Mark 8 in a double-blind cross-over randomized study on consecutive days in 12 patients with at least 15% reversibility of PEFR or FEV 1.0. One minute after the inhalation of 2.5 mg, PEFR had increased significantly; the greatest effect (+ 34%) was recorded after 120 min. After 5 mg the increase was more marked, with the greatest recorded effect (+ 43%) after 120 min; FEV1 and VC showed similar changes with a tendency towards greater and longer effects after the larger dose. Heart rate did not change. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased at the most with 9 and 5 mmHg respectively, 30 min after 5 mg terbutaline. One patient reported tremor and palpitations 5 min after inhaling 5 mg. Our patients who were treated with beta-adrenergic drugs showed less systemic effects after the same dose of terbutaline than previously non-treated normal subjects in an earlier study. This may support recent findings of drug-induced tolerance to beta-stimulating agents in the heart and skeletal muscles with preservation of good effect on the airway smooth muscles, here shown as having a good residual bronchodilatory effect with clinically non-important effects on heart rate and tremor.", "contents": "Bronchodilatory and circulatory effects of two doses of a beta2-agonist (terbutaline) inhaled with IPPB in patients with reversible airways obstruction. A beta2-receptor agonist, terbutaline (Bricanyl), in doses of 2.5 and 5 mg was inhaled by IPPB with a Bird Mark 8 in a double-blind cross-over randomized study on consecutive days in 12 patients with at least 15% reversibility of PEFR or FEV 1.0. One minute after the inhalation of 2.5 mg, PEFR had increased significantly; the greatest effect (+ 34%) was recorded after 120 min. After 5 mg the increase was more marked, with the greatest recorded effect (+ 43%) after 120 min; FEV1 and VC showed similar changes with a tendency towards greater and longer effects after the larger dose. Heart rate did not change. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased at the most with 9 and 5 mmHg respectively, 30 min after 5 mg terbutaline. One patient reported tremor and palpitations 5 min after inhaling 5 mg. Our patients who were treated with beta-adrenergic drugs showed less systemic effects after the same dose of terbutaline than previously non-treated normal subjects in an earlier study. This may support recent findings of drug-induced tolerance to beta-stimulating agents in the heart and skeletal muscles with preservation of good effect on the airway smooth muscles, here shown as having a good residual bronchodilatory effect with clinically non-important effects on heart rate and tremor.", "PMID": 792994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9634", "title": "[Optimation and simplification of clinical tumor cytodiagnosis by means of cytocentrifugation].", "content": "Since the introduction of cytocentrifugation, the methods of clinical cytology have become more refined. The following advantages should be stressed: 1. speed and ease of processing, 2. highest possible cellular yield, 3. good preservation of cellular characteristics. In the light of predominantly CSF analyses in the field of pediatric oncology the above mentioned findings are clearly illustrated (ALL, AML, reticulum cell sarcomatosis, Ewing sarcoma, leptomeninx sarcoma, retinoblastoma, Letterer-Siwe's disease, familial erythrophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, plexus papilloma). Malignancies are clearly distinguishable from benign conditions (toxic glial reactions, virus meningitides, CNS hemorrhages etc.). The higher cellular yield permits very early diagnosis of meningeal leukemia. This qualitative improvement of cytological diagnostic methods may considerably influence the choice of therapeutic procedures in the treatment of malignancies.", "contents": "[Optimation and simplification of clinical tumor cytodiagnosis by means of cytocentrifugation]. Since the introduction of cytocentrifugation, the methods of clinical cytology have become more refined. The following advantages should be stressed: 1. speed and ease of processing, 2. highest possible cellular yield, 3. good preservation of cellular characteristics. In the light of predominantly CSF analyses in the field of pediatric oncology the above mentioned findings are clearly illustrated (ALL, AML, reticulum cell sarcomatosis, Ewing sarcoma, leptomeninx sarcoma, retinoblastoma, Letterer-Siwe's disease, familial erythrophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, plexus papilloma). Malignancies are clearly distinguishable from benign conditions (toxic glial reactions, virus meningitides, CNS hemorrhages etc.). The higher cellular yield permits very early diagnosis of meningeal leukemia. This qualitative improvement of cytological diagnostic methods may considerably influence the choice of therapeutic procedures in the treatment of malignancies.", "PMID": 792995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9635", "title": "[Rosette tests in lymphoproliferative diseases].", "content": "The percentage and absolute count of B- and T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of 170 patients with various lymphoproliferative diseases was determined. T-lymphocytes were assessed by their capacity to form rosettes with unsensitized neuraminidase treated sheep red blood cells, and B-lymphocytes by their capacity to bind immune-complement complexes. The results in CLL, in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and in Hodgkin's disease are discussed with respect to the immunopathology of these diseases.", "contents": "[Rosette tests in lymphoproliferative diseases]. The percentage and absolute count of B- and T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of 170 patients with various lymphoproliferative diseases was determined. T-lymphocytes were assessed by their capacity to form rosettes with unsensitized neuraminidase treated sheep red blood cells, and B-lymphocytes by their capacity to bind immune-complement complexes. The results in CLL, in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and in Hodgkin's disease are discussed with respect to the immunopathology of these diseases.", "PMID": 792996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9636", "title": "[Classification and infectiousness of chronic hepatitis B, defined by the Dane particle in the blood and virus components in the liver].", "content": "55 HBAg seropositive patients with chronic hepatitis B selected from a total of 217 liver biopsies were studied for the presence of HBcAg and HBsAg in the liver tissue and of Dane particles in blood by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Among 27 patients with non-aggressive chronic inflammation the following constellations were found: a) 19 patients (13 with nonspecific reactive hepatitis, 6 with chronic persistent hepatitis) had isolated HBsAg expression in the tissue (HBs type) and of these only 2 had rare Dane particles; b)4 patients (all with histologically very active chronic persistent hepatitis) with focal HBc- and HBsAg tissue expression (HBc+s type) and detectable Dane particles in blood; c)4 patients (1 with nonspecific reactive, 3 with chronic persistent hepatitis) with generalized HBcAg (and focal HBsAg) expression (HBc type) and multiple Dane particles in blood. Among 22 patients with aggressive inflammation (19 with chronic aggressive, 3 with \"hippie\"-hepatitis) focal HBcAg tissue expression (HBc+s type) was found in 17 cases and absence of HBcAg in 5 (3 with focal HBsAg, 2 completely negative by immunfluorescence), all 22 associated with Dane particles in blood, however. In a group of 6 immunosuppressed kidney transplant recipients exhibiting a high concentration of Dane particles in blood 5 patients had generalized HBcAg tissue expression (HBc type) in association with non-aggressive inflammation (1 nonspecific reactive and 4 chronic persistent hepatitis). One patient had chronic aggressive hepatitis in conjunction with focal HBcAg expression (HBc+s type). The consistent association of detectable HBcAg formation in the liver and presence of supposedly infectious Dane particles in blood has a bearing on the evaluation and classification of chronic hepatitis B. On the basis of a positive focal (HBc+s type) or generalized HBcAg tissue demonstration (HBc type and/or the direct identification of Dane particles in blood, discrimination of possibly highly infectious forms from those of low or even no infectivity has been rendered possible. This duality applies mainly to clinically and histologically benign non-aggressive forms of hepatitis presenting with a carrier state or chronic persistent hepatitis. On the basis of these and earlier findings a hypothetical concept of chronic hepatitis is presented which possesses proven diagnostic and prognostic applicability to routine liver biopsies. It is also capable of shedding new light on contradictory findings in the literature and serving as a basis for prospective epidemiologic studies.", "contents": "[Classification and infectiousness of chronic hepatitis B, defined by the Dane particle in the blood and virus components in the liver]. 55 HBAg seropositive patients with chronic hepatitis B selected from a total of 217 liver biopsies were studied for the presence of HBcAg and HBsAg in the liver tissue and of Dane particles in blood by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Among 27 patients with non-aggressive chronic inflammation the following constellations were found: a) 19 patients (13 with nonspecific reactive hepatitis, 6 with chronic persistent hepatitis) had isolated HBsAg expression in the tissue (HBs type) and of these only 2 had rare Dane particles; b)4 patients (all with histologically very active chronic persistent hepatitis) with focal HBc- and HBsAg tissue expression (HBc+s type) and detectable Dane particles in blood; c)4 patients (1 with nonspecific reactive, 3 with chronic persistent hepatitis) with generalized HBcAg (and focal HBsAg) expression (HBc type) and multiple Dane particles in blood. Among 22 patients with aggressive inflammation (19 with chronic aggressive, 3 with \"hippie\"-hepatitis) focal HBcAg tissue expression (HBc+s type) was found in 17 cases and absence of HBcAg in 5 (3 with focal HBsAg, 2 completely negative by immunfluorescence), all 22 associated with Dane particles in blood, however. In a group of 6 immunosuppressed kidney transplant recipients exhibiting a high concentration of Dane particles in blood 5 patients had generalized HBcAg tissue expression (HBc type) in association with non-aggressive inflammation (1 nonspecific reactive and 4 chronic persistent hepatitis). One patient had chronic aggressive hepatitis in conjunction with focal HBcAg expression (HBc+s type). The consistent association of detectable HBcAg formation in the liver and presence of supposedly infectious Dane particles in blood has a bearing on the evaluation and classification of chronic hepatitis B. On the basis of a positive focal (HBc+s type) or generalized HBcAg tissue demonstration (HBc type and/or the direct identification of Dane particles in blood, discrimination of possibly highly infectious forms from those of low or even no infectivity has been rendered possible. This duality applies mainly to clinically and histologically benign non-aggressive forms of hepatitis presenting with a carrier state or chronic persistent hepatitis. On the basis of these and earlier findings a hypothetical concept of chronic hepatitis is presented which possesses proven diagnostic and prognostic applicability to routine liver biopsies. It is also capable of shedding new light on contradictory findings in the literature and serving as a basis for prospective epidemiologic studies.", "PMID": 792997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9637", "title": "[Thrombocyte replacement with HL-A typed non-related single donors].", "content": "Thrombocytopenic patients who have become refractory to platelet transfusions from random donors will usually respond to HL-A compatible platelets with normal increments and hemostatic improvement. In our experience with unrelated HL-A typed donors, HL-A identity is unnecessary. Donors without excess antigen are compatible and even many donors with 1 excess antigen can be used, at any rate in immunosuppressed patients. Thus successful substitution of platelet becomes possible in refractory patients when family donors cannot be used.", "contents": "[Thrombocyte replacement with HL-A typed non-related single donors]. Thrombocytopenic patients who have become refractory to platelet transfusions from random donors will usually respond to HL-A compatible platelets with normal increments and hemostatic improvement. In our experience with unrelated HL-A typed donors, HL-A identity is unnecessary. Donors without excess antigen are compatible and even many donors with 1 excess antigen can be used, at any rate in immunosuppressed patients. Thus successful substitution of platelet becomes possible in refractory patients when family donors cannot be used.", "PMID": 792998} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9638", "title": "[Australia antigenemia and hepatitis after kidney transplantation].", "content": "The clinical significance of Australia-antigenemia following kidney transplant has been studied in 18 patients. In 12 of these infection occurred after kidney graft. Sixteen allograft recipients had positive tests for Hbs-AG for 15-89 months. Development of chronic persistent hepatitis was observed in 7 cases; chronic aggressive hepatitis was not seen. Findings in the literature and the practical implications are discussed.", "contents": "[Australia antigenemia and hepatitis after kidney transplantation]. The clinical significance of Australia-antigenemia following kidney transplant has been studied in 18 patients. In 12 of these infection occurred after kidney graft. Sixteen allograft recipients had positive tests for Hbs-AG for 15-89 months. Development of chronic persistent hepatitis was observed in 7 cases; chronic aggressive hepatitis was not seen. Findings in the literature and the practical implications are discussed.", "PMID": 792999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9639", "title": "[Gynecologic diseases in the diabetic woman].", "content": "Gynecologic affections such as diabetic vulvitis, vulvo-vaginal mycosis, some dysfunctions of the ovary, recurrent abortion, secondary frigidity and sometimes carcinoma of the endometrium, may be the first signs of a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism. Contraception is particularly indicated in diabetic women. The methods are discussed.", "contents": "[Gynecologic diseases in the diabetic woman]. Gynecologic affections such as diabetic vulvitis, vulvo-vaginal mycosis, some dysfunctions of the ovary, recurrent abortion, secondary frigidity and sometimes carcinoma of the endometrium, may be the first signs of a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism. Contraception is particularly indicated in diabetic women. The methods are discussed.", "PMID": 793000} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9640", "title": "A comparison of amitriptyline and a fluphenazine/nortriptyline preparation in anxiety-depressive states.", "content": "Patients suffering from mixed anxiety/depressive reactions, referred to the out-patient department of a large psychiatric hospital, were treated with either amitriptyline tablets or fluphenazine with nortriptyline (f/n) tablets for a period of four weeks. The study utilized a double-blind, completely randomised design, and patients' progress was assessed by means of the Wing Present State Examination, the Wakefield Self-Assessment Depression Inventory, and a side effects inventory. Both the symptom rating scales showed that purely depressive symptomatology improved significantly in each treatment group, but the patients' self-ratings showed that only f/n produced a significant alleviation of anxiety symptoms and panic attacks. The patients receiving f/n rated themselves as significantly (p less than 0.05) less irritable, as well as less anxious, after 4 weeks treatment, than those receiving amitriptyline. The PSE schedule did not differentiate between the 2 treatment groups, but self-rating, which is a more sensitive method of eliciting drug effectiveness in patients suffering from mild psychiatric disorders, did demonstrate patient preference for f/n. This should have important implications for compliance with treatment.", "contents": "A comparison of amitriptyline and a fluphenazine/nortriptyline preparation in anxiety-depressive states. Patients suffering from mixed anxiety/depressive reactions, referred to the out-patient department of a large psychiatric hospital, were treated with either amitriptyline tablets or fluphenazine with nortriptyline (f/n) tablets for a period of four weeks. The study utilized a double-blind, completely randomised design, and patients' progress was assessed by means of the Wing Present State Examination, the Wakefield Self-Assessment Depression Inventory, and a side effects inventory. Both the symptom rating scales showed that purely depressive symptomatology improved significantly in each treatment group, but the patients' self-ratings showed that only f/n produced a significant alleviation of anxiety symptoms and panic attacks. The patients receiving f/n rated themselves as significantly (p less than 0.05) less irritable, as well as less anxious, after 4 weeks treatment, than those receiving amitriptyline. The PSE schedule did not differentiate between the 2 treatment groups, but self-rating, which is a more sensitive method of eliciting drug effectiveness in patients suffering from mild psychiatric disorders, did demonstrate patient preference for f/n. This should have important implications for compliance with treatment.", "PMID": 793005} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9641", "title": "Titanium (III) citrate as a nontoxic oxidation-reduction buffering system for the culture of obligate anaerobes.", "content": "An oxidation-reduction buffering system based on titanium(III) citrate eliminates any traces of oxygen in a culture medium, serves as an indicator for low oxidation-reduction potentials, and prevents the growth of facultative anaerobes, which frequently contaminate anaerobic cultures.", "contents": "Titanium (III) citrate as a nontoxic oxidation-reduction buffering system for the culture of obligate anaerobes. An oxidation-reduction buffering system based on titanium(III) citrate eliminates any traces of oxygen in a culture medium, serves as an indicator for low oxidation-reduction potentials, and prevents the growth of facultative anaerobes, which frequently contaminate anaerobic cultures.", "PMID": 793008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9642", "title": "Colonic polyps: antecedent- or associated-lesions of large bowel cancer.", "content": "Many pathologists, gastroenterologists, and oncologists agree that villous (papillary) adenomas of the large bowel are at risk for the development of large bowel cancer. The role of adenomatous polyps (tubular adenomas) in the genesis of large bowel cancer is not a point of agreement. Future studies with molecular biologic techniques of colon polyps and adjacent mucosa and of the colonic mucosa of animals under treatment with colon carcinogens may clarify the role of colon polyps and other factors in the genesis of large bowel cancer. Polyps larger than 1.0 cm should be removed thrugh the proctosigmoidscope or the colonoscope.", "contents": "Colonic polyps: antecedent- or associated-lesions of large bowel cancer. Many pathologists, gastroenterologists, and oncologists agree that villous (papillary) adenomas of the large bowel are at risk for the development of large bowel cancer. The role of adenomatous polyps (tubular adenomas) in the genesis of large bowel cancer is not a point of agreement. Future studies with molecular biologic techniques of colon polyps and adjacent mucosa and of the colonic mucosa of animals under treatment with colon carcinogens may clarify the role of colon polyps and other factors in the genesis of large bowel cancer. Polyps larger than 1.0 cm should be removed thrugh the proctosigmoidscope or the colonoscope.", "PMID": 793013} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9643", "title": "Clinical manifestations of cancer of the colon and rectum.", "content": "Cancer of the large bowel produces a background of abdominal pain, bleeding, and altered bowel function. The anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the bowel modify this basic pattern to emphasize certain features and minimize others, so that disease in different locations produces different patterns.", "contents": "Clinical manifestations of cancer of the colon and rectum. Cancer of the large bowel produces a background of abdominal pain, bleeding, and altered bowel function. The anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the bowel modify this basic pattern to emphasize certain features and minimize others, so that disease in different locations produces different patterns.", "PMID": 793014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9644", "title": "The effect of salicylate on the leucocyte migration inhibition test.", "content": "The effect of sodium salicylate on peripheral blood leucocyte migration is described. At a concentration of 3,5 mmol/ml, no effect on leucocyte migration was seen, but this concentration appears to influence the leucocyte migration in the presence of specific antigen, either by increasing or by decreasing leucocyte migration inhibition.", "contents": "The effect of salicylate on the leucocyte migration inhibition test. The effect of sodium salicylate on peripheral blood leucocyte migration is described. At a concentration of 3,5 mmol/ml, no effect on leucocyte migration was seen, but this concentration appears to influence the leucocyte migration in the presence of specific antigen, either by increasing or by decreasing leucocyte migration inhibition.", "PMID": 793049} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9645", "title": "Experimental microsurgery in peripheral nerves.", "content": "A surgical technique for the reconstruction of severed peripheral nerves is described. This technique reduces the mechanical manipulation and trauma to the nerve during suturing. Histological studies revealed that scar formation at the suture site was reduced to a minimum. The suture material did not prevent the downgrowth of regenerating axons. Nerves in which suturing was either inaccurately or accurately done, were compared. Histological examination of these nerves revealed that axonal regeneration in nerves with 8 or more sutures was superior to that in nerves with only 2 sutures.", "contents": "Experimental microsurgery in peripheral nerves. A surgical technique for the reconstruction of severed peripheral nerves is described. This technique reduces the mechanical manipulation and trauma to the nerve during suturing. Histological studies revealed that scar formation at the suture site was reduced to a minimum. The suture material did not prevent the downgrowth of regenerating axons. Nerves in which suturing was either inaccurately or accurately done, were compared. Histological examination of these nerves revealed that axonal regeneration in nerves with 8 or more sutures was superior to that in nerves with only 2 sutures.", "PMID": 793050} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9646", "title": "Congenital musculoskeletal malformation in South African Blacks: a study of incidence.", "content": "Ten thousand South African Black neonates were examined on the day after delivery for assessment of the frequency of congenital malformation of the musculoskeletal system. In 15 neonates it was found that the hip joints could be dislocated by the Ortolani or Barlow techniques. This instability persisted to 1 week of age in only 3 instances. This incidence figure is approximately 10% of the average reported for White's neonates. Talipes equinovarus deformity was found in 35 infants, an incidence of 3,5/1 000, or approximately three times the incidence cited for Whites. Calcaneovalgus deformity, however, was found in 3 infants only-- a much lower incidence than that found among Whites. There was a similar infrequency in the incidence of spina bifida aperta (cystica), which was noted in 7 infants. This figure correlates with reports from North America, but is substantially lower than the cited incidence in Wales and parts of England. Polydactyly, usually consisting of a postaxial pedunculated skin tag only, was the most common deformity found, the incidence being 8,8/1 000.", "contents": "Congenital musculoskeletal malformation in South African Blacks: a study of incidence. Ten thousand South African Black neonates were examined on the day after delivery for assessment of the frequency of congenital malformation of the musculoskeletal system. In 15 neonates it was found that the hip joints could be dislocated by the Ortolani or Barlow techniques. This instability persisted to 1 week of age in only 3 instances. This incidence figure is approximately 10% of the average reported for White's neonates. Talipes equinovarus deformity was found in 35 infants, an incidence of 3,5/1 000, or approximately three times the incidence cited for Whites. Calcaneovalgus deformity, however, was found in 3 infants only-- a much lower incidence than that found among Whites. There was a similar infrequency in the incidence of spina bifida aperta (cystica), which was noted in 7 infants. This figure correlates with reports from North America, but is substantially lower than the cited incidence in Wales and parts of England. Polydactyly, usually consisting of a postaxial pedunculated skin tag only, was the most common deformity found, the incidence being 8,8/1 000.", "PMID": 793051} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9647", "title": "Different degrees of morbidity, in the white mouse, induced by Nocardia brasiliensis, Nocardia asteroides and Nocardia caviae.", "content": "The respective degrees of morbidity induced by 6 strains each of Nocardia brasiliensis, N. asteroides and N. caviae were investigated by the method of inoculation in the plantar pad of the white mouse, using a suspension of these nocardiae at a concentration of 10 mg/0-1 ml., and inspecting the animals one month, two months and three months following inoculation. All of the strains of N. brasiliensis produced attack greater and more consistent than that of the other species, N. caviae and N. asteroides showing patterns of attack similar to each other, but substantially lower than those obtained with N. brasiliensis. The 6 strains of N. brasiliensis showed different rates of infection at different times of observation, but it was constantly high for all of them; on the other hand, the infectiousness of the different strains of N. caviae and N. asteroides was low, and there were no substantial differences between them. To sum up, these results with 6 strains of each species confirm those that were published in 1973 which dealt with only one strain of each species.", "contents": "Different degrees of morbidity, in the white mouse, induced by Nocardia brasiliensis, Nocardia asteroides and Nocardia caviae. The respective degrees of morbidity induced by 6 strains each of Nocardia brasiliensis, N. asteroides and N. caviae were investigated by the method of inoculation in the plantar pad of the white mouse, using a suspension of these nocardiae at a concentration of 10 mg/0-1 ml., and inspecting the animals one month, two months and three months following inoculation. All of the strains of N. brasiliensis produced attack greater and more consistent than that of the other species, N. caviae and N. asteroides showing patterns of attack similar to each other, but substantially lower than those obtained with N. brasiliensis. The 6 strains of N. brasiliensis showed different rates of infection at different times of observation, but it was constantly high for all of them; on the other hand, the infectiousness of the different strains of N. caviae and N. asteroides was low, and there were no substantial differences between them. To sum up, these results with 6 strains of each species confirm those that were published in 1973 which dealt with only one strain of each species.", "PMID": 793053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9648", "title": "Caprine mastitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans.", "content": "The isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from milk and its demonstration by direct microscopy has been reported in a case of caprine mastitis. This is believed to be the first instance of caprine mastitis in which C. neoformans has been implicated as the etiologic agent.", "contents": "Caprine mastitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans. The isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from milk and its demonstration by direct microscopy has been reported in a case of caprine mastitis. This is believed to be the first instance of caprine mastitis in which C. neoformans has been implicated as the etiologic agent.", "PMID": 793054} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9649", "title": "Cryptococcus neoformans in the crops of pigeons following its experimental administration.", "content": "Cryptococcus neoformans (5 X 10(6) yeast cells) was given per os to 10 pigeons (Columba livia) proved to be free (crops and excreta) of C. neoformans prior to experimentation. The yeast was recovered from the droppings of 9 pigeons the day after ingestion but was still present in the droppings of 1 pigeon on the 22nd day after ingestion. The crop was much more constantly positive than the droppings and for a much longer time since positive in 9 pigeons on the first day it was still positive in 2 pigeons on the 86th day at the end of the observation period. The results of the experiment presented here and the results of previous work, indicate that C. neoformans can survive and could so be carried in the crop of pigeons.", "contents": "Cryptococcus neoformans in the crops of pigeons following its experimental administration. Cryptococcus neoformans (5 X 10(6) yeast cells) was given per os to 10 pigeons (Columba livia) proved to be free (crops and excreta) of C. neoformans prior to experimentation. The yeast was recovered from the droppings of 9 pigeons the day after ingestion but was still present in the droppings of 1 pigeon on the 22nd day after ingestion. The crop was much more constantly positive than the droppings and for a much longer time since positive in 9 pigeons on the first day it was still positive in 2 pigeons on the 86th day at the end of the observation period. The results of the experiment presented here and the results of previous work, indicate that C. neoformans can survive and could so be carried in the crop of pigeons.", "PMID": 793055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9650", "title": "Postoperative alkaline reflux gastritis.", "content": "1. The syndrome of reflux gastritis is produced by the actions of bile and upper intestinal and pancreatic secretions alone or in combination on an altered gastric mucosa. 2. The triad of epigastric pain unrelieved by antacids, bilious vomiting, and weight loss, particularly after a gastric operation should make one suspect this syndrome. Anemia due to loss of blood and dysphagia occur less frequently. 3. The definitive diagnosis is made by endoscopy. Barium studies are of less value. Acid secretory studies are not diagnostic and are of academic interest. 4. Medical treatment utilizes antacids and cholestyramine alone or together. Good, long-lasting results with these are infrequent. Despite these results, medical treatment should be tried first. 5. Surgical treatment consists of diversion of the biliary and upper intestinal secretions from the stomach and doing a vagotomy with or without a distal gastric resection to prevent a marginal ulcer from developing. 6. The two most popular operations are a Roux-en-Y diversion or interposed peristaltic jejunal limb. The simplicity of the former has made this more popular with most American surgeons. 7. The results of surgery are good to excellent in 75 to 95 per cent of cases. Relief of symptoms, improvement in histologic and secretory studies, and weight gain should be anticipated. 8. Less than optimal results are reported when the surgical diversion has not been total, gastric stasis persists, or other postgastrectomy sequelae accompany reflux gastritis.", "contents": "Postoperative alkaline reflux gastritis. 1. The syndrome of reflux gastritis is produced by the actions of bile and upper intestinal and pancreatic secretions alone or in combination on an altered gastric mucosa. 2. The triad of epigastric pain unrelieved by antacids, bilious vomiting, and weight loss, particularly after a gastric operation should make one suspect this syndrome. Anemia due to loss of blood and dysphagia occur less frequently. 3. The definitive diagnosis is made by endoscopy. Barium studies are of less value. Acid secretory studies are not diagnostic and are of academic interest. 4. Medical treatment utilizes antacids and cholestyramine alone or together. Good, long-lasting results with these are infrequent. Despite these results, medical treatment should be tried first. 5. Surgical treatment consists of diversion of the biliary and upper intestinal secretions from the stomach and doing a vagotomy with or without a distal gastric resection to prevent a marginal ulcer from developing. 6. The two most popular operations are a Roux-en-Y diversion or interposed peristaltic jejunal limb. The simplicity of the former has made this more popular with most American surgeons. 7. The results of surgery are good to excellent in 75 to 95 per cent of cases. Relief of symptoms, improvement in histologic and secretory studies, and weight gain should be anticipated. 8. Less than optimal results are reported when the surgical diversion has not been total, gastric stasis persists, or other postgastrectomy sequelae accompany reflux gastritis.", "PMID": 793063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9651", "title": "Stress ulcers: their pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.", "content": "Stress ulcers are multiple, superficial erosions which occur mainly in the fundus and body of the stomach. They develop after shock, sepsis, and trauma and are ofter found in patients with peritonitis and other chronic medical illness. Stress ulcers should be differentiated from reactivation of chronic duodenal or gastric ulcers. Cushing's ulcer following head injury, or drug-induced gastritis. Digestive symptoms are usually absent, hemorrhage is the most common manifestation, and perforation and obstruction are rare. The presence of luminal acid and ischemia are necessary for the production of stress ulcer, while disruption of the gastric mucosal barrier by refluxed duodenal content may contribute to the pathogenesis. Endoscopy is the mainstay of the diagnostic procedure, and angiography should be used if endoscopy fails to identify the bleeding lesions. Medical management should include volume replacement, nasogastric aspiration, and the use of antacid. Selective intraarterial infusion of pitressin has shown encouraging preliminary results. Surgical treatment is reserved only for those patients who continue to bleed despite all medical management. The operation of choice is open to question. We prefer vagotomy, pyloroplasty, and oversewing the ulcers as an initial operation. Since the result of all forms of therapy has been poor, it seems resonable to try to prevent ulcer development. The use of vitamin A, hyperalimentation, and growth hormones is still in an experimental stage. Large clinical studies with case control are necessary before recommendations can be made. The use of potent and frequent antacid to buffer the gastric content has shown promising results; however, these observations need to be confirmed in a properly controlled and randomized study.", "contents": "Stress ulcers: their pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Stress ulcers are multiple, superficial erosions which occur mainly in the fundus and body of the stomach. They develop after shock, sepsis, and trauma and are ofter found in patients with peritonitis and other chronic medical illness. Stress ulcers should be differentiated from reactivation of chronic duodenal or gastric ulcers. Cushing's ulcer following head injury, or drug-induced gastritis. Digestive symptoms are usually absent, hemorrhage is the most common manifestation, and perforation and obstruction are rare. The presence of luminal acid and ischemia are necessary for the production of stress ulcer, while disruption of the gastric mucosal barrier by refluxed duodenal content may contribute to the pathogenesis. Endoscopy is the mainstay of the diagnostic procedure, and angiography should be used if endoscopy fails to identify the bleeding lesions. Medical management should include volume replacement, nasogastric aspiration, and the use of antacid. Selective intraarterial infusion of pitressin has shown encouraging preliminary results. Surgical treatment is reserved only for those patients who continue to bleed despite all medical management. The operation of choice is open to question. We prefer vagotomy, pyloroplasty, and oversewing the ulcers as an initial operation. Since the result of all forms of therapy has been poor, it seems resonable to try to prevent ulcer development. The use of vitamin A, hyperalimentation, and growth hormones is still in an experimental stage. Large clinical studies with case control are necessary before recommendations can be made. The use of potent and frequent antacid to buffer the gastric content has shown promising results; however, these observations need to be confirmed in a properly controlled and randomized study.", "PMID": 793064} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9652", "title": "Rejection of isolated pancreatic allografts in patients with with diabetes.", "content": "Four patients with diabetes mellitus of juvenile onset but without uremia have been treated with segmental transplantation of the body and tail of pancreas. The indications were hyperlabile diabetes or progressive loss of vision. The grafts were procured from cadaveric donors four to 16 minutes after circulary arrest and were subsequently stored in the cold for approximately four hours. In one patient, the pancreatic duct was ligated, while in the other three, drainage was attained by suturing the transected end of the pancreas into a jejunal Roux-en-Y loop. Three of the grafts failed within six weeks as a result of irreversible refection, and one graft failed because of the early onset of venous thrombosis. The first sign of graft rejection was an increase in the postprandial blood sugar level, an increase in the fasting blood sugar level occurring several days later. Neither hyperamylasemia nor fever was observed. Radioisotope scans and angiograms were of great value in establishing the diagnosis of graft rejection. All of the patients survived after graft removal.", "contents": "Rejection of isolated pancreatic allografts in patients with with diabetes. Four patients with diabetes mellitus of juvenile onset but without uremia have been treated with segmental transplantation of the body and tail of pancreas. The indications were hyperlabile diabetes or progressive loss of vision. The grafts were procured from cadaveric donors four to 16 minutes after circulary arrest and were subsequently stored in the cold for approximately four hours. In one patient, the pancreatic duct was ligated, while in the other three, drainage was attained by suturing the transected end of the pancreas into a jejunal Roux-en-Y loop. Three of the grafts failed within six weeks as a result of irreversible refection, and one graft failed because of the early onset of venous thrombosis. The first sign of graft rejection was an increase in the postprandial blood sugar level, an increase in the fasting blood sugar level occurring several days later. Neither hyperamylasemia nor fever was observed. Radioisotope scans and angiograms were of great value in establishing the diagnosis of graft rejection. All of the patients survived after graft removal.", "PMID": 793066} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9653", "title": "Reconstruction of the heel pad by muscle transposition and split skin graft.", "content": "Reconstruction of the pad of the heel by transposition of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle and split skin graft has proved to be quite durable, padding of the heel is adequate and protective pressure sensation has returned to the area. This procedure offers a simple one stage alternative to the cross-leg or local skin flaps for management of this difficult problem.", "contents": "Reconstruction of the heel pad by muscle transposition and split skin graft. Reconstruction of the pad of the heel by transposition of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle and split skin graft has proved to be quite durable, padding of the heel is adequate and protective pressure sensation has returned to the area. This procedure offers a simple one stage alternative to the cross-leg or local skin flaps for management of this difficult problem.", "PMID": 793067} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9654", "title": "Idiopathic chronic gastritis.", "content": "Idiopathic chronic gastritis is an autoimmune disease and the cause of this gastritis probably act through a final common immunologic pathway. Specific gastric antibodies are diagnostic of this gastritis and the tissue of the gastric mucosa is characterized by infiltrations of mononuclear cells damaging the glandular parenchyma with concomitant loss of gastric secretory function. With suitable predisposing factors operating, the patient with simple chronic gastritis can have pernicious anemia develop. Chronic gastritis is frequently associated with chronic gastric ulcer and carcinoma of the stomach but not with duodenal ulcer. Chronic gastritis clinically presents with vague dyspeptic symptoms. Females are more commonly affected than males and the incidence rises with advancing age. Treatment of chronic gastritis is supportive in nature and also similar to the treatment of other autoimmune diseases. The author has suggested a new treatment of duodenal ulcer whereby the patients are immunized against mucosal antigen with a view to induction of chronic gastritis. The resulting biochemical damage of the parietal cells will produce hypochlorhydria.", "contents": "Idiopathic chronic gastritis. Idiopathic chronic gastritis is an autoimmune disease and the cause of this gastritis probably act through a final common immunologic pathway. Specific gastric antibodies are diagnostic of this gastritis and the tissue of the gastric mucosa is characterized by infiltrations of mononuclear cells damaging the glandular parenchyma with concomitant loss of gastric secretory function. With suitable predisposing factors operating, the patient with simple chronic gastritis can have pernicious anemia develop. Chronic gastritis is frequently associated with chronic gastric ulcer and carcinoma of the stomach but not with duodenal ulcer. Chronic gastritis clinically presents with vague dyspeptic symptoms. Females are more commonly affected than males and the incidence rises with advancing age. Treatment of chronic gastritis is supportive in nature and also similar to the treatment of other autoimmune diseases. The author has suggested a new treatment of duodenal ulcer whereby the patients are immunized against mucosal antigen with a view to induction of chronic gastritis. The resulting biochemical damage of the parietal cells will produce hypochlorhydria.", "PMID": 793068} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9655", "title": "Microsurgery in anterior approach to cervical discs.", "content": "Removal of intervertebral discs and osteophytes with the aid of an operating microscope was performed in ten patients suffering from cervical spondylotic radicular or radiculomyelopathic syndromes, using an anterior approach. The method permits more complete removal of disc, posterior and lateral osteophytes, without the necessity of drilling or otherwise injuring the vertebral bodies. In five patients, a bone graft was inserted into the vacated space after disc removal. Clinical improvement in most cases was immediate and maintained during a two and a half year follow-up.", "contents": "Microsurgery in anterior approach to cervical discs. Removal of intervertebral discs and osteophytes with the aid of an operating microscope was performed in ten patients suffering from cervical spondylotic radicular or radiculomyelopathic syndromes, using an anterior approach. The method permits more complete removal of disc, posterior and lateral osteophytes, without the necessity of drilling or otherwise injuring the vertebral bodies. In five patients, a bone graft was inserted into the vacated space after disc removal. Clinical improvement in most cases was immediate and maintained during a two and a half year follow-up.", "PMID": 793070} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9656", "title": "Embryonic susceptibility of Microtus ochrogaster (common prairie vole) to phenyl mercuric acetate.", "content": "Pregnant M. ochrogaster received single intraperitoneal (i.p.) doses of 0.06, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1,2, or 5 mg phenyl mercuric acetate (PMA/kg of body weight on day 8, 9, or 10 of gestation or 0.5 mg PMA/kg on day 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 of gestation. No toxicity was exhibited, and no abnormal fetuses were observed in any group. An embryocidal effect that depended on dose and stage of development was determined by increased numbers of resorption sites; resorption sites were dose-dependent, and the embryocidal effect decreased as the embryo matured. A dose of 0.06 mg PMA/kg of body weight produced no resorptions when given on day 8 or day 10 of gestation; 0.125 mg/kg produced no resorptions if given on day 10; 0.5 mg/kg resulted in live fetuses and resorptions in the same uterus when given on days 7 through 11; the same dose on day 12 produced all live fetuses; and 1, 2, or 5 mg PMA/kg given on day 8, 9, or 10 of gestation caused total embryo resorption. The i.p. LD50 of PMA in Microtus ochrogaster adult females was 10 mg/kg of body weight.", "contents": "Embryonic susceptibility of Microtus ochrogaster (common prairie vole) to phenyl mercuric acetate. Pregnant M. ochrogaster received single intraperitoneal (i.p.) doses of 0.06, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1,2, or 5 mg phenyl mercuric acetate (PMA/kg of body weight on day 8, 9, or 10 of gestation or 0.5 mg PMA/kg on day 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 of gestation. No toxicity was exhibited, and no abnormal fetuses were observed in any group. An embryocidal effect that depended on dose and stage of development was determined by increased numbers of resorption sites; resorption sites were dose-dependent, and the embryocidal effect decreased as the embryo matured. A dose of 0.06 mg PMA/kg of body weight produced no resorptions when given on day 8 or day 10 of gestation; 0.125 mg/kg produced no resorptions if given on day 10; 0.5 mg/kg resulted in live fetuses and resorptions in the same uterus when given on days 7 through 11; the same dose on day 12 produced all live fetuses; and 1, 2, or 5 mg PMA/kg given on day 8, 9, or 10 of gestation caused total embryo resorption. The i.p. LD50 of PMA in Microtus ochrogaster adult females was 10 mg/kg of body weight.", "PMID": 793090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9657", "title": "Exchange, balance, and formal organization in psychotherapeutic interactions.", "content": "Psychotherapeutic interactions in crisis situations are analyzed in terms of the \"sociodynamic\" concepts of exchange, balance, and formal organization. It is argued that psychodynamic interpretations of crisis intervention therapy tend to be incomplete and nonsystematic and, thus, fail to produce adequate predictions, explanations, and control of psychotherapeutic outcomes. Small-group principles and methods are applied to selected crisis cases to illustrate gains in prediction and control over psychiatric approaches.", "contents": "Exchange, balance, and formal organization in psychotherapeutic interactions. Psychotherapeutic interactions in crisis situations are analyzed in terms of the \"sociodynamic\" concepts of exchange, balance, and formal organization. It is argued that psychodynamic interpretations of crisis intervention therapy tend to be incomplete and nonsystematic and, thus, fail to produce adequate predictions, explanations, and control of psychotherapeutic outcomes. Small-group principles and methods are applied to selected crisis cases to illustrate gains in prediction and control over psychiatric approaches.", "PMID": 793097} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9658", "title": "A haemolytic spot test for the estimation of alloantibody against antigens of the major histocompatibility complex.", "content": "A haemolytic technique for the assay of alloantibody has been developed. Titration of alloantiserum was accomplished by placing microdroplets of serum dilutions on agarose layers containing the appropriate erythrocytes. Complement-mediated lysis was procured after the addition of rabbit serum. The assay appeared specific for products of the major histocompatibility gene complex in the rat and in the mouse.", "contents": "A haemolytic spot test for the estimation of alloantibody against antigens of the major histocompatibility complex. A haemolytic technique for the assay of alloantibody has been developed. Titration of alloantiserum was accomplished by placing microdroplets of serum dilutions on agarose layers containing the appropriate erythrocytes. Complement-mediated lysis was procured after the addition of rabbit serum. The assay appeared specific for products of the major histocompatibility gene complex in the rat and in the mouse.", "PMID": 793099} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9659", "title": "Orthotopic renal transplantation in the rabbit.", "content": "A technique of orthotopic renal transplantation in rabbits is described. The technique has been evolved in an experience of over 400 grafts, and difficulties encountered in producing satisfactory anaesthesia and techniques of anastomosis and in obtaining reliable graft function postoperatively have been defined and overcome. These difficulties are discussed and detailed results of the last 100 grafts are given.", "contents": "Orthotopic renal transplantation in the rabbit. A technique of orthotopic renal transplantation in rabbits is described. The technique has been evolved in an experience of over 400 grafts, and difficulties encountered in producing satisfactory anaesthesia and techniques of anastomosis and in obtaining reliable graft function postoperatively have been defined and overcome. These difficulties are discussed and detailed results of the last 100 grafts are given.", "PMID": 793100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9660", "title": "Specific allograft reactivity in the sea star Dermasterias imbricata.", "content": "Transplantation studies with the sea star Dermasterias imbricata revealed that this echinoderm rejected most first-set allografts after prolonged chronic reactions. All control autografts remained intact and fully viable. The greatly accelerated rejection of subsequent second- and third-set allografts demonstrated that these reactions were not only highly specific, but that these animals possess at least short-term immunological memory. The specific nature of the allograft response was confirmed by the prolonged survival of unrelated third party allografts placed at the same time as second- or third-set allografts. Animals in these experiments were maintained in sea water at temperatures of 14-16 C. Since this low temperature is required for successful maintenance of this species, temperature-dependence studies could not be undertaken. The rejection reaction was characterized by loss of pigmentation, edematous swelling, and necrosis. Histologically, the allograft tissue was heavily infiltrated by lymphocyte-like cells and phagocytic cells, causing disruption of the normal cytoarchitecture of the dermis. Deposits of fibrous material were also in evidence. Autografts, on the other hand, remained fully viable with no signs of rejection. We conclude that this asteroid, a representative of the echinoderms, has a well-developed, cell-mediated immune response analogous to that of vertebrates.", "contents": "Specific allograft reactivity in the sea star Dermasterias imbricata. Transplantation studies with the sea star Dermasterias imbricata revealed that this echinoderm rejected most first-set allografts after prolonged chronic reactions. All control autografts remained intact and fully viable. The greatly accelerated rejection of subsequent second- and third-set allografts demonstrated that these reactions were not only highly specific, but that these animals possess at least short-term immunological memory. The specific nature of the allograft response was confirmed by the prolonged survival of unrelated third party allografts placed at the same time as second- or third-set allografts. Animals in these experiments were maintained in sea water at temperatures of 14-16 C. Since this low temperature is required for successful maintenance of this species, temperature-dependence studies could not be undertaken. The rejection reaction was characterized by loss of pigmentation, edematous swelling, and necrosis. Histologically, the allograft tissue was heavily infiltrated by lymphocyte-like cells and phagocytic cells, causing disruption of the normal cytoarchitecture of the dermis. Deposits of fibrous material were also in evidence. Autografts, on the other hand, remained fully viable with no signs of rejection. We conclude that this asteroid, a representative of the echinoderms, has a well-developed, cell-mediated immune response analogous to that of vertebrates.", "PMID": 793101} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9661", "title": "The time of appearance of Ia antigens during spermatogenesis in the mouse.", "content": "Ia specificities were studied on germinal cells from C3H and 129 mice by using an AT.H anti-AT.L antiserum. By absorption experiments and immunofluorescence studies on sections of testes from mice of various ages, we were able to detect Ia specificities on cells of the germinal line from primary spermatocyte to spermatozoa. Ia specificities were not detectable on gonocytes or spermatogonia.", "contents": "The time of appearance of Ia antigens during spermatogenesis in the mouse. Ia specificities were studied on germinal cells from C3H and 129 mice by using an AT.H anti-AT.L antiserum. By absorption experiments and immunofluorescence studies on sections of testes from mice of various ages, we were able to detect Ia specificities on cells of the germinal line from primary spermatocyte to spermatozoa. Ia specificities were not detectable on gonocytes or spermatogonia.", "PMID": 793102} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9662", "title": "Use of rabbit antithymocyte globulin in cardiac transplantation. Relationship of serum clearance rates to clinical outcome.", "content": "Serum rabbit globulin (RG) clearance rates were determined in 30 consecutive cardiac transplant recipients by radioimmune assay of serum RG levels after completion of an initial postoperative course of rabbit anti-human antithymocyte globulin (RATG). Twenty patients, who exhibited rapid RG elimination rates (average half-life, 1.6 days), had a rejection onset time of 16.2 days rejection frequency of 3.9 episodes/100 patient days, and a 1-year survival rate of 59%, respectively, as compared with 28.3 days, 1.9 episodes/100 patient days, and 80%, respectively, for the 10 patients with more prolonged initial RG elimination rates (average half-life, 11.4 days); Nineteen patients received one or more repeat courses of RATG. In 16 of these a progressive increase in RG half-life during subsequent RATG administration could be demonstrated. A close correlation was observed between total RATG doses given in the initial course and peak serum levels of RG obtained (r = 0.82) and between onset of rejection and initial t1/2 RG (r = 0.69). This latter correlation was improved by the elimination of one of the 30 patients (r = 0.81) or by considering only those patients treated from a single RATG batch (r = 0.85; n = 15). No significant relationship was detected between any of the parameters assayed and (1) total RATG dose, or (2) rosette inhibition titers of RATG administered. Survival and rejection parameters of the first 30 patients receiving RATG were compared with the previous 20 receiving equine antithymocyte globulin; these 50 comprising the entire population in which rejection was confirmed by cardiac biopsy. Rejection onset was 20 versus 12 days, rejection frequency was 3.1 versus 5.0 episodes/100 patient days, and graft survival at 1 year was 66 versus 41% for the RATG-equine antithymocyte globulin-treated patients, respectively. From these data it was concluded that (1) RATG administration favorably affects transplantation outcome; (2) RATG half-life, as reflected by RG clearance rates, was the most important variable governing RATG effectiveness, (3) variation in rosette inhibition titers within RATG batches made in the same fashion from large rabbit pools were of minimal clinical importance; and (4) monitoring of serum RG levels provided a necessary and rational basis for effective modulation of immunosuppressive therapy.", "contents": "Use of rabbit antithymocyte globulin in cardiac transplantation. Relationship of serum clearance rates to clinical outcome. Serum rabbit globulin (RG) clearance rates were determined in 30 consecutive cardiac transplant recipients by radioimmune assay of serum RG levels after completion of an initial postoperative course of rabbit anti-human antithymocyte globulin (RATG). Twenty patients, who exhibited rapid RG elimination rates (average half-life, 1.6 days), had a rejection onset time of 16.2 days rejection frequency of 3.9 episodes/100 patient days, and a 1-year survival rate of 59%, respectively, as compared with 28.3 days, 1.9 episodes/100 patient days, and 80%, respectively, for the 10 patients with more prolonged initial RG elimination rates (average half-life, 11.4 days); Nineteen patients received one or more repeat courses of RATG. In 16 of these a progressive increase in RG half-life during subsequent RATG administration could be demonstrated. A close correlation was observed between total RATG doses given in the initial course and peak serum levels of RG obtained (r = 0.82) and between onset of rejection and initial t1/2 RG (r = 0.69). This latter correlation was improved by the elimination of one of the 30 patients (r = 0.81) or by considering only those patients treated from a single RATG batch (r = 0.85; n = 15). No significant relationship was detected between any of the parameters assayed and (1) total RATG dose, or (2) rosette inhibition titers of RATG administered. Survival and rejection parameters of the first 30 patients receiving RATG were compared with the previous 20 receiving equine antithymocyte globulin; these 50 comprising the entire population in which rejection was confirmed by cardiac biopsy. Rejection onset was 20 versus 12 days, rejection frequency was 3.1 versus 5.0 episodes/100 patient days, and graft survival at 1 year was 66 versus 41% for the RATG-equine antithymocyte globulin-treated patients, respectively. From these data it was concluded that (1) RATG administration favorably affects transplantation outcome; (2) RATG half-life, as reflected by RG clearance rates, was the most important variable governing RATG effectiveness, (3) variation in rosette inhibition titers within RATG batches made in the same fashion from large rabbit pools were of minimal clinical importance; and (4) monitoring of serum RG levels provided a necessary and rational basis for effective modulation of immunosuppressive therapy.", "PMID": 793103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9663", "title": "Massive post-transplant proteinuria. Biopsy proven nil disease.", "content": "A case of massive proteinuria following an A-match living donor transplantation is described. All attempts to define the cause of the proteinuria failed. The proteinuria resolved while the patient was on triple-drug therapy. Presently, the patient remains well with minimal proteinuria and excellent renal function.", "contents": "Massive post-transplant proteinuria. Biopsy proven nil disease. A case of massive proteinuria following an A-match living donor transplantation is described. All attempts to define the cause of the proteinuria failed. The proteinuria resolved while the patient was on triple-drug therapy. Presently, the patient remains well with minimal proteinuria and excellent renal function.", "PMID": 793104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9664", "title": "Preferential decrease in thymus dependent lymphocytes during storage at 4 C in anticoagulant.", "content": "Human lymphocytes stored at 4 C either as leukocyte concentrates (LCs) in citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) or as whole blood anticoagulated with CPD show a rapid and marked decrease in the relative and absolute numbers of thymus derived (T) lymphocytes. Determinations were made on cells recoverable on a Ficoll-Hypaque (F-H) gradient. In evacuated LCs, the relative percentage of T cells dropped to less than 10 per cent within 72 hours with a concomitant increase in the relative percentage of bone marrow derived (B) cells to 80 per cent or more. LCs opened to the air and subsequently stored at 4 C displayed an even more precipitous decline in the relative percentage of T cells, reaching a 10 per cent level within 72 hours. The relative percentage of T cells in CPD-anticoagulated whole blood samples stored at 4 C displayed similar decreases, reaching 20 per cent levels within 24 hours. The change in the relative percentage of T cells at the Ficoll-Hypaque interface was shown to reflect a decrease in the total numbers of T cells placed on the F-H gradient with time, since determinations of T and B cell numbers in NH4Cl-treated whole blood showed a 65 to 80 per cent decrease in the numbers of T cells within 24 hours in anticoagulated whole blood held at 4 C. Thus, it may be inferred that the T cell decrease is mediated via some interaction of anticoagulant, storage time, and some component(s) present in both LCs and whole blood.", "contents": "Preferential decrease in thymus dependent lymphocytes during storage at 4 C in anticoagulant. Human lymphocytes stored at 4 C either as leukocyte concentrates (LCs) in citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) or as whole blood anticoagulated with CPD show a rapid and marked decrease in the relative and absolute numbers of thymus derived (T) lymphocytes. Determinations were made on cells recoverable on a Ficoll-Hypaque (F-H) gradient. In evacuated LCs, the relative percentage of T cells dropped to less than 10 per cent within 72 hours with a concomitant increase in the relative percentage of bone marrow derived (B) cells to 80 per cent or more. LCs opened to the air and subsequently stored at 4 C displayed an even more precipitous decline in the relative percentage of T cells, reaching a 10 per cent level within 72 hours. The relative percentage of T cells in CPD-anticoagulated whole blood samples stored at 4 C displayed similar decreases, reaching 20 per cent levels within 24 hours. The change in the relative percentage of T cells at the Ficoll-Hypaque interface was shown to reflect a decrease in the total numbers of T cells placed on the F-H gradient with time, since determinations of T and B cell numbers in NH4Cl-treated whole blood showed a 65 to 80 per cent decrease in the numbers of T cells within 24 hours in anticoagulated whole blood held at 4 C. Thus, it may be inferred that the T cell decrease is mediated via some interaction of anticoagulant, storage time, and some component(s) present in both LCs and whole blood.", "PMID": 793098} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9665", "title": "The role of lymphocyte-dependent antibody in kidney transplantation.", "content": "The lymphocyte-dependent antibody (LDA) assay has been used in parallel with the microlymphocytotoxicity test detecting complement-dependent antibody (CDA) in 100 cadaver kidney transplant recipients, in order to assess the role of the LDA phenomenon in the rejection of human allografts. In 15 cases, acid eluates were prepared from the kidney graft after rejection or at autopsy and tested in parallel with pre- and post-transplantation sera. The results indicate a marked increase in sensitivity of LDA assay compared with the standard microlymphocytotoxicity test. In 12 patients the pretransplant serum was found retrospectively LDA positive, but CDA negative, using the kidney donor lymphocytes or allogeneic lymphocytes bearing the same incompatible antigen(s) for the recipient as targets. Ten of them lost their graft, mostly during the first month after transplantation. Graft survival was also poor in the 11 patients having both LDA and CDA activity in their pretransplant serum, even when the specificity of the serum did not appear to be directed against antigens shared by the donor. Although it is not clear yet, whether the two assays detect the same or different antibody molecules, it appears that the detection of even a low level of LDA activity before transplantation is associated with a high risk of early transplant failure.", "contents": "The role of lymphocyte-dependent antibody in kidney transplantation. The lymphocyte-dependent antibody (LDA) assay has been used in parallel with the microlymphocytotoxicity test detecting complement-dependent antibody (CDA) in 100 cadaver kidney transplant recipients, in order to assess the role of the LDA phenomenon in the rejection of human allografts. In 15 cases, acid eluates were prepared from the kidney graft after rejection or at autopsy and tested in parallel with pre- and post-transplantation sera. The results indicate a marked increase in sensitivity of LDA assay compared with the standard microlymphocytotoxicity test. In 12 patients the pretransplant serum was found retrospectively LDA positive, but CDA negative, using the kidney donor lymphocytes or allogeneic lymphocytes bearing the same incompatible antigen(s) for the recipient as targets. Ten of them lost their graft, mostly during the first month after transplantation. Graft survival was also poor in the 11 patients having both LDA and CDA activity in their pretransplant serum, even when the specificity of the serum did not appear to be directed against antigens shared by the donor. Although it is not clear yet, whether the two assays detect the same or different antibody molecules, it appears that the detection of even a low level of LDA activity before transplantation is associated with a high risk of early transplant failure.", "PMID": 793105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9666", "title": "Immune responsiveness and incidence of reticulum cell sarcoma in long-term syngeneic radiation chimeras.", "content": "Long-term syngeneic radiation chimeras displayed a very low incidence of reticulum cell sarcoma as compared with control mice. Immune reactivity of these animals was studied in vivo by anti-dinitrophenyl antibody titer and affinity and in vitro by mitotic responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide. Anti-body titer and affinity as well as the response to T lectins were found to be increased in chimeras. These results were attributed to increased function of mature T2 cells, which could explain the reduced incidence of reticulum cell sarcoma in chimeras.", "contents": "Immune responsiveness and incidence of reticulum cell sarcoma in long-term syngeneic radiation chimeras. Long-term syngeneic radiation chimeras displayed a very low incidence of reticulum cell sarcoma as compared with control mice. Immune reactivity of these animals was studied in vivo by anti-dinitrophenyl antibody titer and affinity and in vitro by mitotic responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide. Anti-body titer and affinity as well as the response to T lectins were found to be increased in chimeras. These results were attributed to increased function of mature T2 cells, which could explain the reduced incidence of reticulum cell sarcoma in chimeras.", "PMID": 793106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9667", "title": "Bilateral cervical transplantation of canine kidneys for study of canine renal preservation.", "content": "Bilateral cervical autotransplantation of canine kidneys is described for comparative study of renal preservation techniques. Data are obtained from kidneys preserved by (1) initial intravascular flushing with modified Collins' C3 solution (Ursol) followed by cold storage, and (2) pulsatile perfusion (MOX 100). Preharvest condition of the donor and ischemia times are identical, thus eliminating major sources of potential data variation. Renal function studies performed at periodic intervals demonstrated better initial function for machine preservation but no difference after one to two-month period.", "contents": "Bilateral cervical transplantation of canine kidneys for study of canine renal preservation. Bilateral cervical autotransplantation of canine kidneys is described for comparative study of renal preservation techniques. Data are obtained from kidneys preserved by (1) initial intravascular flushing with modified Collins' C3 solution (Ursol) followed by cold storage, and (2) pulsatile perfusion (MOX 100). Preharvest condition of the donor and ischemia times are identical, thus eliminating major sources of potential data variation. Renal function studies performed at periodic intervals demonstrated better initial function for machine preservation but no difference after one to two-month period.", "PMID": 793140} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9668", "title": "Effects of contraceptive pills and intrauterine devices on urinary bladder.", "content": "The incidence of bacteriuria and cystoscopic changes in women on oral contraceptives or users of IUD (intrauterine devices) were evaluated compared with a control group. Subjects with bacteriuria accounted for 40.5 per cent of pill users, 20 per cent of women fitted with IUD, and 16 per cent of the control group. Bladder trabeculations were found in 50.5 per cent of the pill group, 8.7 per cent of the IUD group, and 8 per cent of the controls. Congested bladder trigone was observed in 24.6 per cent of women fitted with an IUD. The mode of action of ovarian hormones and their possible side effects on the bladder are discussed. The relation of IUD to pelvic inflammatory disease and its effect on the urinary bladder are evaluated.", "contents": "Effects of contraceptive pills and intrauterine devices on urinary bladder. The incidence of bacteriuria and cystoscopic changes in women on oral contraceptives or users of IUD (intrauterine devices) were evaluated compared with a control group. Subjects with bacteriuria accounted for 40.5 per cent of pill users, 20 per cent of women fitted with IUD, and 16 per cent of the control group. Bladder trabeculations were found in 50.5 per cent of the pill group, 8.7 per cent of the IUD group, and 8 per cent of the controls. Congested bladder trigone was observed in 24.6 per cent of women fitted with an IUD. The mode of action of ovarian hormones and their possible side effects on the bladder are discussed. The relation of IUD to pelvic inflammatory disease and its effect on the urinary bladder are evaluated.", "PMID": 793141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9669", "title": "Pyeloileocystostomy for ureteral necrosis in pediatric renal transplant recipient.", "content": "A pediatric renal transplant patient who had ureteral necrosis treated initially by nephrostomy followed by a subsequent pyeloileocystostomy is reported. This unusual approach to a renal transplant complication is recommended, but only when other methods cannot be utilized.", "contents": "Pyeloileocystostomy for ureteral necrosis in pediatric renal transplant recipient. A pediatric renal transplant patient who had ureteral necrosis treated initially by nephrostomy followed by a subsequent pyeloileocystostomy is reported. This unusual approach to a renal transplant complication is recommended, but only when other methods cannot be utilized.", "PMID": 793142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9670", "title": "Post-transplantation lymphocyst: use of ultrasound as adjunct in diagnosis.", "content": "Ultrasound examination has proved to be a useful diagnostic tool in the differentiation of lymphocyst from other causes of upper urinary tract obstruction in the renal transplant recipient.", "contents": "Post-transplantation lymphocyst: use of ultrasound as adjunct in diagnosis. Ultrasound examination has proved to be a useful diagnostic tool in the differentiation of lymphocyst from other causes of upper urinary tract obstruction in the renal transplant recipient.", "PMID": 793143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9671", "title": "[Use of formalinized homologous bone in reconstructive operations on the mandible].", "content": "An experience with 69 osteoplastic operations with formalinized homografts in 66 patients having various affections and injuries of the lower jaw is summarized. The grafts were preserved in 0.5% formalin solution or gel containing 0.25% formalin and 0.25% betapropiolactone as sterilizing agents. Positive issues during the follow-up from 4 months to 4 years 7 months were noted in 60 operative procedures, negative--in 9. It is concluded that the formalinized homobone shows good osteoplastic properties and may be used as a plastic material in reparative operations on the lower jaw bone.", "contents": "[Use of formalinized homologous bone in reconstructive operations on the mandible]. An experience with 69 osteoplastic operations with formalinized homografts in 66 patients having various affections and injuries of the lower jaw is summarized. The grafts were preserved in 0.5% formalin solution or gel containing 0.25% formalin and 0.25% betapropiolactone as sterilizing agents. Positive issues during the follow-up from 4 months to 4 years 7 months were noted in 60 operative procedures, negative--in 9. It is concluded that the formalinized homobone shows good osteoplastic properties and may be used as a plastic material in reparative operations on the lower jaw bone.", "PMID": 793149} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9672", "title": "[Prognostic value of bacteriological studies in peritonitis].", "content": "Based on multiple bacteriological assays of lymph and blood, it is concluded that single detection of pathogenic microorganisms in lymph and blood should not be considered an unfavourable prognostic sign. A provisional external drainage of the thoracic duct would reduce intoxication in patients with peritonitis, and it is estimated as a valuable prophylactic method of combating against bacteriemia.", "contents": "[Prognostic value of bacteriological studies in peritonitis]. Based on multiple bacteriological assays of lymph and blood, it is concluded that single detection of pathogenic microorganisms in lymph and blood should not be considered an unfavourable prognostic sign. A provisional external drainage of the thoracic duct would reduce intoxication in patients with peritonitis, and it is estimated as a valuable prophylactic method of combating against bacteriemia.", "PMID": 793151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9673", "title": "[Acute thrombophlebitis of the saphenous veins as a problem of emergency surgery].", "content": "It is stated that latent spread of thrombosis in v. saphena magna in proximal direction is observed in 37--40%. Radioisotope technic was employed to indicate the level of thrombus. The operative technic is described.", "contents": "[Acute thrombophlebitis of the saphenous veins as a problem of emergency surgery]. It is stated that latent spread of thrombosis in v. saphena magna in proximal direction is observed in 37--40%. Radioisotope technic was employed to indicate the level of thrombus. The operative technic is described.", "PMID": 793153} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9674", "title": "[Primary suture of perineal wound after extirpation of the rectum in rectal cancer].", "content": "A comparative estimation of a hermetic suture of the perineal wound in 53 patients and its tight tamponade in 68 patients after extirpation of the rectum for cancer is given. Primary suture may and should be employed during this operative procedure in the absence of diffuse bleeding from the lesser pelvis walls and a damage of the intestine. Hermetic suture of the wound shows some outright advantages: the possibility for patients' rising from bed in earlier terms prevents the occurrence of complications and contributes to shortening of the postoperative period.", "contents": "[Primary suture of perineal wound after extirpation of the rectum in rectal cancer]. A comparative estimation of a hermetic suture of the perineal wound in 53 patients and its tight tamponade in 68 patients after extirpation of the rectum for cancer is given. Primary suture may and should be employed during this operative procedure in the absence of diffuse bleeding from the lesser pelvis walls and a damage of the intestine. Hermetic suture of the wound shows some outright advantages: the possibility for patients' rising from bed in earlier terms prevents the occurrence of complications and contributes to shortening of the postoperative period.", "PMID": 793154} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9675", "title": "[Combined method of rectopexy in rectal prolapse with the use of skin autoimplants].", "content": "During 1964-1973 twenty six patients were operated upon for grave rectal prolapse (6 patients after 1-2 unsuccessful operations elsewhere). The combined method of rectopexy by means of skin autoimplants after the technic suggested by B.A. Barkov was employed. All patients recovered and were completely rehabilitated, the follow-up being from 2 to 10 years. No recurrences were noted.", "contents": "[Combined method of rectopexy in rectal prolapse with the use of skin autoimplants]. During 1964-1973 twenty six patients were operated upon for grave rectal prolapse (6 patients after 1-2 unsuccessful operations elsewhere). The combined method of rectopexy by means of skin autoimplants after the technic suggested by B.A. Barkov was employed. All patients recovered and were completely rehabilitated, the follow-up being from 2 to 10 years. No recurrences were noted.", "PMID": 793155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9676", "title": "[Complications of catheterization of the subclavian vein and their prevention].", "content": "The frequency of complications related with catheterization of the subclavian vein was 16.2%. The most hazardous complications were as follows: the pulmonary artery embolism, migration of a catheter in the venous bed and thrombosis of the catheterized vein. The proper selection of indications, careful observation of the rules of puncturing and catheterization may reduce the incidence of complications to a minimum.", "contents": "[Complications of catheterization of the subclavian vein and their prevention]. The frequency of complications related with catheterization of the subclavian vein was 16.2%. The most hazardous complications were as follows: the pulmonary artery embolism, migration of a catheter in the venous bed and thrombosis of the catheterized vein. The proper selection of indications, careful observation of the rules of puncturing and catheterization may reduce the incidence of complications to a minimum.", "PMID": 793160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9677", "title": "[Clinical pharmacokinetics of 2-C14-ftorafur in patients with astrocytoma].", "content": "Patients with dedifferentiated brain astrocytoma during an operation were injected intravenously 2-C14-fluorofur (3 muC/Kg). In different periods after the injection the level of radioactivity was determined in different sites of the tumor, brain tissue, as well as in blood plasma, cerebrospinal liquor and urine. Intracellular localization of the labeled substance in the tumor tissue was examined autohistoradiographically. 2-C14-fluorofur was found to readily penetrate the hemato-encephalic barrier and to be absorbed both by tissues of neuroectodermal tumor and adjacent brain tissues. In astrocytoma cells the labelled substance is localized mainly extranuclearly. Radioactive products are excreted from the organism slowly and their traces are observed in blood, cerebrospinal liquor and urine even on the third day postoperatively.", "contents": "[Clinical pharmacokinetics of 2-C14-ftorafur in patients with astrocytoma]. Patients with dedifferentiated brain astrocytoma during an operation were injected intravenously 2-C14-fluorofur (3 muC/Kg). In different periods after the injection the level of radioactivity was determined in different sites of the tumor, brain tissue, as well as in blood plasma, cerebrospinal liquor and urine. Intracellular localization of the labeled substance in the tumor tissue was examined autohistoradiographically. 2-C14-fluorofur was found to readily penetrate the hemato-encephalic barrier and to be absorbed both by tissues of neuroectodermal tumor and adjacent brain tissues. In astrocytoma cells the labelled substance is localized mainly extranuclearly. Radioactive products are excreted from the organism slowly and their traces are observed in blood, cerebrospinal liquor and urine even on the third day postoperatively.", "PMID": 793170} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9678", "title": "[Plastic surgery in skin cancer].", "content": "The results of 522 plastic procedures performed in patients with skin cancer are analysed. The following methods of skin plasty were employed: free skin graft plasty, local tissue plasty, the combined skin plasty. The best immediate results were obtained in using the pedicled graft plasty (4.4% of complications) and in free skin graft plasty (8.8% of complications). Without any signs of the recurrence and metastases 73% of patients are still alive for over 1 years, 49.4%--over 3 years, 31.8%--over 5 years, 23.9%--over 7 years and 7.28%--over 10 years.", "contents": "[Plastic surgery in skin cancer]. The results of 522 plastic procedures performed in patients with skin cancer are analysed. The following methods of skin plasty were employed: free skin graft plasty, local tissue plasty, the combined skin plasty. The best immediate results were obtained in using the pedicled graft plasty (4.4% of complications) and in free skin graft plasty (8.8% of complications). Without any signs of the recurrence and metastases 73% of patients are still alive for over 1 years, 49.4%--over 3 years, 31.8%--over 5 years, 23.9%--over 7 years and 7.28%--over 10 years.", "PMID": 793172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9679", "title": "[Pelvic promontory fixation of the vaginal stump in cases of prolapse (author's transl)].", "content": "The choice of operative technique in cases of prolapse of the vagina following hysterectomy is difficult in women still having intercourse. Amreich's original procedure of sacrospinal fixation of the vagina, recently recommended by Richter, is difficult and dangerous. Hence, the relatively easy procedure of pelvic promontory fixation of the vaginal stump described many years ago by G.A. Wagner was performed on 5 women with excellent results. A description is given of the operative technique.", "contents": "[Pelvic promontory fixation of the vaginal stump in cases of prolapse (author's transl)]. The choice of operative technique in cases of prolapse of the vagina following hysterectomy is difficult in women still having intercourse. Amreich's original procedure of sacrospinal fixation of the vagina, recently recommended by Richter, is difficult and dangerous. Hence, the relatively easy procedure of pelvic promontory fixation of the vaginal stump described many years ago by G.A. Wagner was performed on 5 women with excellent results. A description is given of the operative technique.", "PMID": 793182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9680", "title": "[Oto-rhino-laryngological complications in patients receiving intermittent haemodialysis and in renal transplant recipients (author's transl)].", "content": "Patients with chronic uraemia and renal transplant recipients were examined for oto-rhino-laryngological diseases over the course of a five-year period. During dialysis treatment, 58 out of 77 chronic uraemic patients developed complications, mainly affecting the nose and the ear, on a degenerative or toxic uraemic basis. In the period under review, renal transplantations were carried out in 63 patients, in whom infectious processes had occurred mainly in the upper respiratory and digestive tracts; postoperative immuno-suppressive therapy is responsible for the morbidity in these cases. Particular reference is made to the necessity of eradicating any possible sources of infection already during the period of dialysis treatment and to the importance of cooperation between physicians and oto-rhino-laryngologists.", "contents": "[Oto-rhino-laryngological complications in patients receiving intermittent haemodialysis and in renal transplant recipients (author's transl)]. Patients with chronic uraemia and renal transplant recipients were examined for oto-rhino-laryngological diseases over the course of a five-year period. During dialysis treatment, 58 out of 77 chronic uraemic patients developed complications, mainly affecting the nose and the ear, on a degenerative or toxic uraemic basis. In the period under review, renal transplantations were carried out in 63 patients, in whom infectious processes had occurred mainly in the upper respiratory and digestive tracts; postoperative immuno-suppressive therapy is responsible for the morbidity in these cases. Particular reference is made to the necessity of eradicating any possible sources of infection already during the period of dialysis treatment and to the importance of cooperation between physicians and oto-rhino-laryngologists.", "PMID": 793183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9681", "title": "[Bilirubin metabolism (author's transl)].", "content": "The degradation of haemoglobin haeme of senescent red blood cells - involving NADPH-dependent haeme oxygenase and biliverdin reductase - in the reticuloendothelial cells of the spleen, bone marrow and liver accounts for 80 to 90% of the 250 to 300 mg of bilirubin formed in 24 hours. The remaining 10 to 20% derive from catabolism of other haemoproteins and from the destruction of maturing red blood cells in the marrow. In studies with isotopically-labelled metabolic precursors of haeme this fraction can be found in the early-labelled peak. In plasma virtually all the bilirubin is tightly bound to plasma proteins, largely albumin, because it is only sparingly soluble in aqueous solutions at physiological pH. In the sinusoids unconjugated bilirubin dissocates from albumin, enters the liver cells across the cell membrane through non-ionic diffusion and is bound by the two cytoplasmic proteins Y (or ligandin) and Z. Little is known about the transfer of unconjugated bilirubin from these binding proteins to the smooth endoplasmatic reticulum, where it is converted to a water-soluble ester glucuronide by bilirubin UDP-glucuronyl transferase. The physiological significance of non-glucoronide conjugates (sulphate, disaccharides) is only of minor importance. Following conjugation, bilirubin is transferred rapidly across the canalicular membrane into the bile canaliculi. This process is energy-dependent and occurs against a concentration gradient. The epithelial lining of the intestine and of the gall bladder, which can easily reabsorb lipid-soluble unconjugated bilirubin, is virtually impermeable to organic anions of the size and charge of conjugated bilirubin, thereby ensuring efficient excretion of this pigment. In the intestinal tract bilirubin is reduced to urobilinogen, which is subsequently reabsorbed to some extent into the enterohepatic circulation, removed from plasma by the liver and excreted unchanged in the bile. This rapid bacterial reduction of bilirubin makes it unlikely that unconjugated bilirubin is formed and absorbed to an appreciable degree. The residual part of urobilinogen is further reduced to urobilin, stercobilin and dipyrrolmethenes and excreted in the faeces.", "contents": "[Bilirubin metabolism (author's transl)]. The degradation of haemoglobin haeme of senescent red blood cells - involving NADPH-dependent haeme oxygenase and biliverdin reductase - in the reticuloendothelial cells of the spleen, bone marrow and liver accounts for 80 to 90% of the 250 to 300 mg of bilirubin formed in 24 hours. The remaining 10 to 20% derive from catabolism of other haemoproteins and from the destruction of maturing red blood cells in the marrow. In studies with isotopically-labelled metabolic precursors of haeme this fraction can be found in the early-labelled peak. In plasma virtually all the bilirubin is tightly bound to plasma proteins, largely albumin, because it is only sparingly soluble in aqueous solutions at physiological pH. In the sinusoids unconjugated bilirubin dissocates from albumin, enters the liver cells across the cell membrane through non-ionic diffusion and is bound by the two cytoplasmic proteins Y (or ligandin) and Z. Little is known about the transfer of unconjugated bilirubin from these binding proteins to the smooth endoplasmatic reticulum, where it is converted to a water-soluble ester glucuronide by bilirubin UDP-glucuronyl transferase. The physiological significance of non-glucoronide conjugates (sulphate, disaccharides) is only of minor importance. Following conjugation, bilirubin is transferred rapidly across the canalicular membrane into the bile canaliculi. This process is energy-dependent and occurs against a concentration gradient. The epithelial lining of the intestine and of the gall bladder, which can easily reabsorb lipid-soluble unconjugated bilirubin, is virtually impermeable to organic anions of the size and charge of conjugated bilirubin, thereby ensuring efficient excretion of this pigment. In the intestinal tract bilirubin is reduced to urobilinogen, which is subsequently reabsorbed to some extent into the enterohepatic circulation, removed from plasma by the liver and excreted unchanged in the bile. This rapid bacterial reduction of bilirubin makes it unlikely that unconjugated bilirubin is formed and absorbed to an appreciable degree. The residual part of urobilinogen is further reduced to urobilin, stercobilin and dipyrrolmethenes and excreted in the faeces.", "PMID": 793184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9682", "title": "[Macrocytosis in renal transplant patients (author's transl)].", "content": "Since macrocytosis was observed in a high percentage of our renal transplant patients, a follow-up study was carried out on 36 patients with determination of the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). These parameters were determined monthly for periods of up to two years (16 cases) following transplantation. There was a rise in both MCV and MCH within one month. Macrooperative MCHC, however, remained normal. Anaemia was absent or mild. The bone marrow showed striking megaloblastic changes with nuclear-cytoplasmatic dissociation in both red and white cell precursors. Vitamin B 12 absorption tests were normal in all 8 patients investigated. Macrocytosis was not detectable in two patients with a low serum iron concentration. Macrocytosis disappeared in 4 patients with chronic rejection when progressive renal failure developed. It is concluded that azathioprine therapy induces macrocytosis in renal transplant patients provided renal function is satisfactory.", "contents": "[Macrocytosis in renal transplant patients (author's transl)]. Since macrocytosis was observed in a high percentage of our renal transplant patients, a follow-up study was carried out on 36 patients with determination of the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). These parameters were determined monthly for periods of up to two years (16 cases) following transplantation. There was a rise in both MCV and MCH within one month. Macrooperative MCHC, however, remained normal. Anaemia was absent or mild. The bone marrow showed striking megaloblastic changes with nuclear-cytoplasmatic dissociation in both red and white cell precursors. Vitamin B 12 absorption tests were normal in all 8 patients investigated. Macrocytosis was not detectable in two patients with a low serum iron concentration. Macrocytosis disappeared in 4 patients with chronic rejection when progressive renal failure developed. It is concluded that azathioprine therapy induces macrocytosis in renal transplant patients provided renal function is satisfactory.", "PMID": 793185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9683", "title": "[Double-blind trial: ketoprofen versus phenylbutazone in acute gouty arthritis (author's transl)].", "content": "A double-blind study was carried out to compare the effects of ketoprofen and phenylbutazone in acute gouty arthritis. Two groups of patients, each consisting of 23 males, received intramuscular injections of either phenylbutazone (2 X 300 mg daily) or ketoprofen (2 X 50 mg daily) for a period of 7 days. The drug effects were assessed both subjectively and objectively. There was an excellent therapeutic effect in both groups. In general, no statistically-significant differences were detected between the two preparations. However, ketoprofen appears to be slightly better tolerated with respect to the incidence of systemic and local side effects. Thus, the administration of ketoprofen can be recommended in cases of acute gouty arthritis.", "contents": "[Double-blind trial: ketoprofen versus phenylbutazone in acute gouty arthritis (author's transl)]. A double-blind study was carried out to compare the effects of ketoprofen and phenylbutazone in acute gouty arthritis. Two groups of patients, each consisting of 23 males, received intramuscular injections of either phenylbutazone (2 X 300 mg daily) or ketoprofen (2 X 50 mg daily) for a period of 7 days. The drug effects were assessed both subjectively and objectively. There was an excellent therapeutic effect in both groups. In general, no statistically-significant differences were detected between the two preparations. However, ketoprofen appears to be slightly better tolerated with respect to the incidence of systemic and local side effects. Thus, the administration of ketoprofen can be recommended in cases of acute gouty arthritis.", "PMID": 793186} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9684", "title": "[Antigen spectrum of allergic rhinitis (author's transl)].", "content": "The results of 10.000 individual tests have shown that it is necessary to revise and supplement the influences and the emergence of new antigens support this demand. Refined testing for grass pollen seems to be of particular importance, whereby cross reactions must be taken into account. The test program we must, furthermore, take into consideration the geographical incidence distribution of trees and herbs. In Austria, a considerable amount of ragweed pollen has recently been ascertained to be a cause of pollinosis and asthma. The grain pollens are of great importance and so is household dust, which contains regionally different antigens. Animal hairs and epithelia must be tested if the case history indicates possible involvement of these factors. Special mention is made of the increasing significance of mold spores and bacteria. The variety of listed antigens, each of which may cause allergic rhinitis, shows the importance of supplementing the Hansen test. The new priorities in the test programme are incorporated in, and juxtaposed to the Hansen scheme (see Table 1) for clarification.", "contents": "[Antigen spectrum of allergic rhinitis (author's transl)]. The results of 10.000 individual tests have shown that it is necessary to revise and supplement the influences and the emergence of new antigens support this demand. Refined testing for grass pollen seems to be of particular importance, whereby cross reactions must be taken into account. The test program we must, furthermore, take into consideration the geographical incidence distribution of trees and herbs. In Austria, a considerable amount of ragweed pollen has recently been ascertained to be a cause of pollinosis and asthma. The grain pollens are of great importance and so is household dust, which contains regionally different antigens. Animal hairs and epithelia must be tested if the case history indicates possible involvement of these factors. Special mention is made of the increasing significance of mold spores and bacteria. The variety of listed antigens, each of which may cause allergic rhinitis, shows the importance of supplementing the Hansen test. The new priorities in the test programme are incorporated in, and juxtaposed to the Hansen scheme (see Table 1) for clarification.", "PMID": 793187} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9685", "title": "[Oral contraceptives (author's transl)].", "content": "A short review of the endocrinological basis of reproduction in the female is followed by a critical survey of the oral contraceptive methods in current use. The composition of the preparations, their use, their biological and use-effectiveness and mode of action are discussed.The importance is emphasized of complying with the basic principles of drug testing in the evaluation of effects of oral contraceptiveson health. Other effects than merely the contraceptive actions of these preparations are described in detail, including not only the undesirable, frequently neglected, yet very important beneficial effects on the drug-users, their children and families.", "contents": "[Oral contraceptives (author's transl)]. A short review of the endocrinological basis of reproduction in the female is followed by a critical survey of the oral contraceptive methods in current use. The composition of the preparations, their use, their biological and use-effectiveness and mode of action are discussed.The importance is emphasized of complying with the basic principles of drug testing in the evaluation of effects of oral contraceptiveson health. Other effects than merely the contraceptive actions of these preparations are described in detail, including not only the undesirable, frequently neglected, yet very important beneficial effects on the drug-users, their children and families.", "PMID": 793188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9686", "title": "John F. Fulton, coccidioidomycosis, and penicillin.", "content": "When the late Dr. John F. Fulton contracted severe pulmonary coccidioidomycosis in January, 1942, a metastatic lesion posed the threat of further progression and fatal dissemination. The possibility that an untested and generally unavailable antibiotic, penicillin, might be of value in Fulton's illness led his physician, Dr. John Bumstead, to appeal directly to Fulton to obtain this antibiotic, but ostensibly for the benefit of another patient succumbing to hemolytic streptococcal infection. While of no value for Fulton, penicillin was highly successful in the treatment of his other patient and soon of a second one with staphylococcal sepsis and pneumonia. This penicillin, administered in March, 1942, was the first clinical trial of penicillin under the control of the Office of Scientific Research and Development. The unique contribution of Dr. Fulton and of his illness to this event is described.", "contents": "John F. Fulton, coccidioidomycosis, and penicillin. When the late Dr. John F. Fulton contracted severe pulmonary coccidioidomycosis in January, 1942, a metastatic lesion posed the threat of further progression and fatal dissemination. The possibility that an untested and generally unavailable antibiotic, penicillin, might be of value in Fulton's illness led his physician, Dr. John Bumstead, to appeal directly to Fulton to obtain this antibiotic, but ostensibly for the benefit of another patient succumbing to hemolytic streptococcal infection. While of no value for Fulton, penicillin was highly successful in the treatment of his other patient and soon of a second one with staphylococcal sepsis and pneumonia. This penicillin, administered in March, 1942, was the first clinical trial of penicillin under the control of the Office of Scientific Research and Development. The unique contribution of Dr. Fulton and of his illness to this event is described.", "PMID": 793204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9687", "title": "[Modification of isoprenaline-induced myocardial necrosis in the rat by means of pre-treatment with cerutil and piracetam].", "content": "The influence of the isoprenalin-induced necrosis of the myocardium by pirazetam and cerutil is described. A pre-treatment lasting seven days leads to a considerable increase of the formation of necrosis in two substances. In contrast to this in the acute application one hour before the application of isoprenalin an inhibition of the changes of the myocardium appears. It is referred to a possible clinical importance of the findings.", "contents": "[Modification of isoprenaline-induced myocardial necrosis in the rat by means of pre-treatment with cerutil and piracetam]. The influence of the isoprenalin-induced necrosis of the myocardium by pirazetam and cerutil is described. A pre-treatment lasting seven days leads to a considerable increase of the formation of necrosis in two substances. In contrast to this in the acute application one hour before the application of isoprenalin an inhibition of the changes of the myocardium appears. It is referred to a possible clinical importance of the findings.", "PMID": 793211} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9688", "title": "[Diagnosis of rheumatic fever].", "content": "In a survey the frequent possibilities of the diagnostics of rheumatic fever are described. The rheumatic fever is a general disease on immunological basis caused by an infection with beta-haemolysing streptococci of group A. The disease appears as visceral form (carditis rheumatica, chorea minor) or as peripheral manifestation (acute polyarthritis, erythema anulare, subcutaneous nodules, purpura rheumatica). The diagnostics is essentially based on clinical, physical, biochemical and immunoserological findings on the basis of modified criteria after Jones. Immunological methods for the demonstration of circulating antibodies gain an increasing diagnostic significance.", "contents": "[Diagnosis of rheumatic fever]. In a survey the frequent possibilities of the diagnostics of rheumatic fever are described. The rheumatic fever is a general disease on immunological basis caused by an infection with beta-haemolysing streptococci of group A. The disease appears as visceral form (carditis rheumatica, chorea minor) or as peripheral manifestation (acute polyarthritis, erythema anulare, subcutaneous nodules, purpura rheumatica). The diagnostics is essentially based on clinical, physical, biochemical and immunoserological findings on the basis of modified criteria after Jones. Immunological methods for the demonstration of circulating antibodies gain an increasing diagnostic significance.", "PMID": 793212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9689", "title": "[Clinical experiences with bretylium tosylate].", "content": "Because of its antiarrhythmic and antifibrillatory qualities as well as its positively inotropic effect bretylium tosylate increasingly finds interest. The first results of a clinical and haemodynamical mechanocardiographic investigation with bretylium tosylate are presented. In doses between 1.6 and 6.2 mg/kg body weight intravenously and intramuscularly after an initial increase of blood pressure a clear decrease of the systolic system blood pressure develops. The resistance of the peripheral vessels decreases by 10 to 20%. It is an increase of the heart index and the stroke volume index by 10 to 30% to be proved as an expression of a positively inotropic effect. In orientating investigations the antiarrhythmic effect could be confirmed. The side-effects observed cause us to give a strong indication and to observe the patients carefully. The main area of application of bretylium tosylate might be seen in the possibility to achieve a pharmacological defibrillation of the ventricles.", "contents": "[Clinical experiences with bretylium tosylate]. Because of its antiarrhythmic and antifibrillatory qualities as well as its positively inotropic effect bretylium tosylate increasingly finds interest. The first results of a clinical and haemodynamical mechanocardiographic investigation with bretylium tosylate are presented. In doses between 1.6 and 6.2 mg/kg body weight intravenously and intramuscularly after an initial increase of blood pressure a clear decrease of the systolic system blood pressure develops. The resistance of the peripheral vessels decreases by 10 to 20%. It is an increase of the heart index and the stroke volume index by 10 to 30% to be proved as an expression of a positively inotropic effect. In orientating investigations the antiarrhythmic effect could be confirmed. The side-effects observed cause us to give a strong indication and to observe the patients carefully. The main area of application of bretylium tosylate might be seen in the possibility to achieve a pharmacological defibrillation of the ventricles.", "PMID": 793213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9690", "title": "[Metabolic changes and assessment of kidney function after supercooling of the free-prepared kidney in animal experiment].", "content": "Aside from immunological problems, successful renal transplantation depends on preservation, properly maintaining its vitality and functional efficiency, also after transplantation. Complete restitution, slight functional less, reversible and irreversible renal failure, occurred according to chosen temperatures in the experiments. The best results were obtained at temperatures between 0 and +5 degrees C., mainly at an average value of +3C degrees. Irreparable renal damages developed at temperatures between 0 and -3 degrees C.", "contents": "[Metabolic changes and assessment of kidney function after supercooling of the free-prepared kidney in animal experiment]. Aside from immunological problems, successful renal transplantation depends on preservation, properly maintaining its vitality and functional efficiency, also after transplantation. Complete restitution, slight functional less, reversible and irreversible renal failure, occurred according to chosen temperatures in the experiments. The best results were obtained at temperatures between 0 and +5 degrees C., mainly at an average value of +3C degrees. Irreparable renal damages developed at temperatures between 0 and -3 degrees C.", "PMID": 793214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9691", "title": "[Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on aerobic bacteria].", "content": "The authors investigated the growth of 8 species of pathogenic aerobic bacteria after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. Within 24 hours the cultures were exposed three times for 2 hours to an absolute pressure of 3 atmospheres of oxygen at 37 degrees C. In the fluid cultures as well as in the controls the inhibitory effect of oxygen was assessed in percent by means of the densitometric method. From these in vivo experiments the authors conclude that hyperbaric treatment of superficial pyogenic events accompanying obliterating vascular diseases is reasonable.", "contents": "[Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on aerobic bacteria]. The authors investigated the growth of 8 species of pathogenic aerobic bacteria after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. Within 24 hours the cultures were exposed three times for 2 hours to an absolute pressure of 3 atmospheres of oxygen at 37 degrees C. In the fluid cultures as well as in the controls the inhibitory effect of oxygen was assessed in percent by means of the densitometric method. From these in vivo experiments the authors conclude that hyperbaric treatment of superficial pyogenic events accompanying obliterating vascular diseases is reasonable.", "PMID": 793215} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9692", "title": "[Intrathoracic parallel heart transplantation in the dog].", "content": "The authors report on intrathoracic parallel heart transplantation which was experimentally tried on 10 mongrel dogs. The described technique is advantageous since it can be performed without extracorporeal circulation. The results of hemodynamic studies on graft and recipient heart vindicate further employment of this technique to study several problems of heart transplantation still unsolved.", "contents": "[Intrathoracic parallel heart transplantation in the dog]. The authors report on intrathoracic parallel heart transplantation which was experimentally tried on 10 mongrel dogs. The described technique is advantageous since it can be performed without extracorporeal circulation. The results of hemodynamic studies on graft and recipient heart vindicate further employment of this technique to study several problems of heart transplantation still unsolved.", "PMID": 793216} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9693", "title": "[Effect of acetylsalicylic acid on immunologically induced morphologic changes after experimental lung transplantation (light and electron microscopic study)].", "content": "In 3 comparing series the behavior of platelets after experimental lung transplantation was examined in 33 dogs. After allogenic transplantations (21 animals) the ultrastructural findings were pathologic changes of the platelets, such as hyperaggregability with irreversible aggregation prevailing, as well as capillary wall alterations. X-rays showed considerable reduction of functioning parenchyma. Since these findings were absent in animals which underwent merely pulmonary re-implantation (4 animals) and can be considered a controll group, the authors conclude that these alterations are caused by mainly immunologic reactions. Acetylsalicylic acid given to animals with grafted lungs significantly inhibited is specific and certainly immuneinduced pathologic development. Absolutely necessary, therefore, appears the application of such aggregation inhibitor as additional treatment in lung transplantations.", "contents": "[Effect of acetylsalicylic acid on immunologically induced morphologic changes after experimental lung transplantation (light and electron microscopic study)]. In 3 comparing series the behavior of platelets after experimental lung transplantation was examined in 33 dogs. After allogenic transplantations (21 animals) the ultrastructural findings were pathologic changes of the platelets, such as hyperaggregability with irreversible aggregation prevailing, as well as capillary wall alterations. X-rays showed considerable reduction of functioning parenchyma. Since these findings were absent in animals which underwent merely pulmonary re-implantation (4 animals) and can be considered a controll group, the authors conclude that these alterations are caused by mainly immunologic reactions. Acetylsalicylic acid given to animals with grafted lungs significantly inhibited is specific and certainly immuneinduced pathologic development. Absolutely necessary, therefore, appears the application of such aggregation inhibitor as additional treatment in lung transplantations.", "PMID": 793217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9694", "title": "[Morphological studies in the late period after autotransplantation of the left lung and removal of the right (intact) lung].", "content": "Morphological examinations were carried out in 3 animals, in which during the late period after left-side pulmonary autotransplantation the right lung was removed. The results during long-term survival of these animals showed the cardinal importance for success lying in anatomical sufficiency of vascular and bronchial anastomoses, fair compensatory capacity of external breathing, absence of severe structural changes in the autografted lung, ventilation of physiologic atelectases, and development of compensatory hypertrophy after resection of the intact lung. Examinations of nerval structures of the main bronchus of the autografted lung showed recovery of nerve fibers. The pulmonary autograft guaranteed normal function of organism after resection of the intact lung. This confirms the functional and structural restitution of the organism.", "contents": "[Morphological studies in the late period after autotransplantation of the left lung and removal of the right (intact) lung]. Morphological examinations were carried out in 3 animals, in which during the late period after left-side pulmonary autotransplantation the right lung was removed. The results during long-term survival of these animals showed the cardinal importance for success lying in anatomical sufficiency of vascular and bronchial anastomoses, fair compensatory capacity of external breathing, absence of severe structural changes in the autografted lung, ventilation of physiologic atelectases, and development of compensatory hypertrophy after resection of the intact lung. Examinations of nerval structures of the main bronchus of the autografted lung showed recovery of nerve fibers. The pulmonary autograft guaranteed normal function of organism after resection of the intact lung. This confirms the functional and structural restitution of the organism.", "PMID": 793218} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9695", "title": "[Homologous liver and liver-kidney transplantation--experimental study].", "content": "Animal experiments were carried out for giving an opinion about several problems in hepatic transplantation, such as blood clotting disturbance, liver-kidney transplantation, and vitality of the graft. 54 allogenic orthotopic and heterotopic liver transplantations and liver-kidney transplantations were performed on pigs, the major part without portosystemic decompressing bypass, following the technique of Calne. 17 animals survived for a longer period. Preservation up to 20 hours could successfully be outlasted by help of hypothermic immersion or intermittant gravitational perfusion up to the limit of eight hours. Aside from biochemical observation, severe blood clotting disturbances only occurred after a longer ischemic period. After en-bloc transplantation the function of the graft was checked by means of angiography and intravenous pyelography. Due to higher tolerance against ischemia, the kidney of the en-bloc graft always started functioning when the function of the liver was intact. The changes of bioelectric resistance of the liver before and after transplantation, measured by help of the impedance method of Lechner and Rodler, correlated with the time of surviving and with several biochemic parameters.", "contents": "[Homologous liver and liver-kidney transplantation--experimental study]. Animal experiments were carried out for giving an opinion about several problems in hepatic transplantation, such as blood clotting disturbance, liver-kidney transplantation, and vitality of the graft. 54 allogenic orthotopic and heterotopic liver transplantations and liver-kidney transplantations were performed on pigs, the major part without portosystemic decompressing bypass, following the technique of Calne. 17 animals survived for a longer period. Preservation up to 20 hours could successfully be outlasted by help of hypothermic immersion or intermittant gravitational perfusion up to the limit of eight hours. Aside from biochemical observation, severe blood clotting disturbances only occurred after a longer ischemic period. After en-bloc transplantation the function of the graft was checked by means of angiography and intravenous pyelography. Due to higher tolerance against ischemia, the kidney of the en-bloc graft always started functioning when the function of the liver was intact. The changes of bioelectric resistance of the liver before and after transplantation, measured by help of the impedance method of Lechner and Rodler, correlated with the time of surviving and with several biochemic parameters.", "PMID": 793219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9696", "title": "[Studies of pulmonary ultrastructure after delayed autotransplantation and up-to-24-hour preservation under hypothermia].", "content": "After delayed lung autotransplantation with preservation up to 2 hours at +4 degrees C unessential ultrastructural alterations of the alveoli were observed. These alterations were more expressed after preservation for 24 hours, after which time edema of cells and structural elements of the aveoli were seen. This edema causes a lowered diffusion and disturbed function at the air-blood barrier. In a later period after delayed autografting with preservation up to 2, resp. 24 hours, structural and functional recovering of the autotransplanted lung occurred, proving that the organ was not grossly damaged and the changes arising at operation were reversible.", "contents": "[Studies of pulmonary ultrastructure after delayed autotransplantation and up-to-24-hour preservation under hypothermia]. After delayed lung autotransplantation with preservation up to 2 hours at +4 degrees C unessential ultrastructural alterations of the alveoli were observed. These alterations were more expressed after preservation for 24 hours, after which time edema of cells and structural elements of the aveoli were seen. This edema causes a lowered diffusion and disturbed function at the air-blood barrier. In a later period after delayed autografting with preservation up to 2, resp. 24 hours, structural and functional recovering of the autotransplanted lung occurred, proving that the organ was not grossly damaged and the changes arising at operation were reversible.", "PMID": 793220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9697", "title": "[Model for practicing suture technics for reconstructive surgery on coronary vessels].", "content": "Surgery on coronary vessels requires high surgical skill. For this reason generally, operations on experimental animals are carried out for exercise. These operative interventions require an extensive display of technique and personnel. A phantom, i.e. an arrested perfused porcine heart, was used to exercise the surgical technique. Material and personnel could be spared by this way, and a great number of exercising operations was performed. The phantom is described and its efficiency discussed.", "contents": "[Model for practicing suture technics for reconstructive surgery on coronary vessels]. Surgery on coronary vessels requires high surgical skill. For this reason generally, operations on experimental animals are carried out for exercise. These operative interventions require an extensive display of technique and personnel. A phantom, i.e. an arrested perfused porcine heart, was used to exercise the surgical technique. Material and personnel could be spared by this way, and a great number of exercising operations was performed. The phantom is described and its efficiency discussed.", "PMID": 793221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9698", "title": "[Myocarditis and insulitis following coxsackie virus infection].", "content": "We report on the case of a 5 7/12-year-old girl, who presented an acute insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus nineteen days after the operative suture of an atrial septum defect, and who died in a hyperosmolar coma diabeticum in spite of an intensive therapy. At the autopsy there was shown a myocarditis with the histological characteristics of a virus infection. The islet tissue of the pancreas was largely necrotic, the great majority of the islets of Langerhans presented lymphocytic infiltrates. In a neutralisation test against coxsackie-B-viruses (CBV), which was conducted after death, there was found among others an antibody titer of 1:192 against CBV-4. With FITC-marked CBV-antiglobulin, in the islet tissue intracellular CBV-antigen could be proved. It is discussed that virus infections have an etiological importance for the incidence of a so-called juvenile diabetes in man.", "contents": "[Myocarditis and insulitis following coxsackie virus infection]. We report on the case of a 5 7/12-year-old girl, who presented an acute insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus nineteen days after the operative suture of an atrial septum defect, and who died in a hyperosmolar coma diabeticum in spite of an intensive therapy. At the autopsy there was shown a myocarditis with the histological characteristics of a virus infection. The islet tissue of the pancreas was largely necrotic, the great majority of the islets of Langerhans presented lymphocytic infiltrates. In a neutralisation test against coxsackie-B-viruses (CBV), which was conducted after death, there was found among others an antibody titer of 1:192 against CBV-4. With FITC-marked CBV-antiglobulin, in the islet tissue intracellular CBV-antigen could be proved. It is discussed that virus infections have an etiological importance for the incidence of a so-called juvenile diabetes in man.", "PMID": 793225} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9699", "title": "Cultivation of the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium berghei in Leydig cell tumor cultures.", "content": "Twelve different established cell-lines were used in attempts to cultivate the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium berghei, P. vinckei vinckei, P. coatneyi or P. knowlesi. Intracellular parasites were seen in only mouse Leydig cell testicular tumor (LCT) cultures inoculated with red cells infected with P. berghei. Intracellular parasites were present at 15 to 96 h after inoculation, being most numerous at 36 h. Most intracellular stages were rings, trophozoites, schizonts and merozoites; gametocytes were few in number and present only at 36 and 48 h. Intracellular parasites were normal in general morphology and staining characteristics at 15 to 48 h, but were abnormal after 72 h. Infected host cells exhibited progressive nuclear and cytoplasmic degenerative changes, which ultimately resulted in death of the cell. Uninfected cells appeared normal. The ability of parasites in LCT cultures to produce infections upon injection into mice was similar to that obtained with control cultures without LCT cells.", "contents": "Cultivation of the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium berghei in Leydig cell tumor cultures. Twelve different established cell-lines were used in attempts to cultivate the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium berghei, P. vinckei vinckei, P. coatneyi or P. knowlesi. Intracellular parasites were seen in only mouse Leydig cell testicular tumor (LCT) cultures inoculated with red cells infected with P. berghei. Intracellular parasites were present at 15 to 96 h after inoculation, being most numerous at 36 h. Most intracellular stages were rings, trophozoites, schizonts and merozoites; gametocytes were few in number and present only at 36 and 48 h. Intracellular parasites were normal in general morphology and staining characteristics at 15 to 48 h, but were abnormal after 72 h. Infected host cells exhibited progressive nuclear and cytoplasmic degenerative changes, which ultimately resulted in death of the cell. Uninfected cells appeared normal. The ability of parasites in LCT cultures to produce infections upon injection into mice was similar to that obtained with control cultures without LCT cells.", "PMID": 793226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9700", "title": "[Clinic of the upper cervical spine and review of the medical history of the regional osteology (author's transl)].", "content": "After a brief review of the systematic clinical work up of this region within our century, the medical history of the osteology of the occipito-cervical junction is given special attention. It is looked upon the illustrations of the first printed anatomical textbooks that are linked with such famous names as Berengario, Dryander, Estienne, Vesal and Eustachius. Leonardo da Vinci's concept of the first two vertebrae is also mentioned.", "contents": "[Clinic of the upper cervical spine and review of the medical history of the regional osteology (author's transl)]. After a brief review of the systematic clinical work up of this region within our century, the medical history of the osteology of the occipito-cervical junction is given special attention. It is looked upon the illustrations of the first printed anatomical textbooks that are linked with such famous names as Berengario, Dryander, Estienne, Vesal and Eustachius. Leonardo da Vinci's concept of the first two vertebrae is also mentioned.", "PMID": 793227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9701", "title": "[The history of the pathological anatomy in the Soviet Union (author's transl)].", "content": "The development of the pathological anatomy in Russia and in the Soviet Union is described, beginning from the foundation of the first prosecture in 1707 up to the present time. In the first half of the 18th century, this special branch was supported by Peter I, whereas it developed very slowly in the second half of the 18th and in the 19th century. The importance of the school of pathologists of Moscow as well as of that of Petersburg and Leningrad, respectively, which played an essential role in the pathological anatomy is demonstrated by the work of some of the most outstanding representatives of the Russian and Soviet pathology. After the Great Socialist October Revolution infectious and nutritional diseases were in the centre of the pathological investigations. At present, the development of the Soviet pathology is characterized by a rapid increase in the number of pathological institutes and departments as well as by the introduction of new apparatuses and technics into the research work. Some of the most important scientific problems are mentioned.", "contents": "[The history of the pathological anatomy in the Soviet Union (author's transl)]. The development of the pathological anatomy in Russia and in the Soviet Union is described, beginning from the foundation of the first prosecture in 1707 up to the present time. In the first half of the 18th century, this special branch was supported by Peter I, whereas it developed very slowly in the second half of the 18th and in the 19th century. The importance of the school of pathologists of Moscow as well as of that of Petersburg and Leningrad, respectively, which played an essential role in the pathological anatomy is demonstrated by the work of some of the most outstanding representatives of the Russian and Soviet pathology. After the Great Socialist October Revolution infectious and nutritional diseases were in the centre of the pathological investigations. At present, the development of the Soviet pathology is characterized by a rapid increase in the number of pathological institutes and departments as well as by the introduction of new apparatuses and technics into the research work. Some of the most important scientific problems are mentioned.", "PMID": 793255} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9702", "title": "Reaction of the host to the tick-bite. II. Distribution of tick borne encephalitis virus in sucking ticks.", "content": "No reactive histological changes of the dermis and no cement cone formation were observed at the insertion site of tick mouthparts by feeding of H. inermis larvae. Conversely, cement formation was observed by feeding of H. inermis female. Fully fed D. marginatus larvae on viraemic mice showed bright fluorescence in oesophagus, suboesophageal ganglion, salivary glands, a few gut cells and in lumen of Malpighian tubuli. We consider the penetration of virus from oesophagus to suboesophageal ganglion as the possible route of primary virus infection. Sections through the D. reticulatus nymphs during virus transmission (38 hours after attachment) showed specific fluorescence in epidermis and gut cells. This finding is in agreement with the secretory activity of epidermial and gut cells during feeding.", "contents": "Reaction of the host to the tick-bite. II. Distribution of tick borne encephalitis virus in sucking ticks. No reactive histological changes of the dermis and no cement cone formation were observed at the insertion site of tick mouthparts by feeding of H. inermis larvae. Conversely, cement formation was observed by feeding of H. inermis female. Fully fed D. marginatus larvae on viraemic mice showed bright fluorescence in oesophagus, suboesophageal ganglion, salivary glands, a few gut cells and in lumen of Malpighian tubuli. We consider the penetration of virus from oesophagus to suboesophageal ganglion as the possible route of primary virus infection. Sections through the D. reticulatus nymphs during virus transmission (38 hours after attachment) showed specific fluorescence in epidermis and gut cells. This finding is in agreement with the secretory activity of epidermial and gut cells during feeding.", "PMID": 793256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9703", "title": "An investigation into factors affecting proteocine production by Proteus isolates.", "content": "Proteocine production was found to the influenced by the medium used, the temperature of incubation and the length of incubation. Different amounts of proteocine were produced in different media. Production in liquid media was maximum in proteose-peptone No. 3 (Difco). This medium gave a very high titre (1:10000) of proteocine when inoculated with the producer strain, and the aerated culture was induced with mitomycin C. Therefore a method of producing a high titre proteocine was developed using proteosepeptone No. 3 (Difco) and cultural conditions of 25 degrees C for 24 hours.", "contents": "An investigation into factors affecting proteocine production by Proteus isolates. Proteocine production was found to the influenced by the medium used, the temperature of incubation and the length of incubation. Different amounts of proteocine were produced in different media. Production in liquid media was maximum in proteose-peptone No. 3 (Difco). This medium gave a very high titre (1:10000) of proteocine when inoculated with the producer strain, and the aerated culture was induced with mitomycin C. Therefore a method of producing a high titre proteocine was developed using proteosepeptone No. 3 (Difco) and cultural conditions of 25 degrees C for 24 hours.", "PMID": 793257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9704", "title": "Studies on the energetic metabolism of Shigella flexneri x Escherichia coli hybrids devoid of penetration ability. IV. Growth characteristics in the presence of some tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates.", "content": "The dynamics of avirulant lac+KCP- hybrids Sh. flexneri multiplication was investigated in minimal medium in the presence of some tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates (fumarate, succinate, malate) and pyruvate. It was established that in spite of the loss of virulence in the rate of the multiplication of the hybrid strains, in comparison with that of the virulent recipient strains of Sh. flexneri, considerable differences were not observed.", "contents": "Studies on the energetic metabolism of Shigella flexneri x Escherichia coli hybrids devoid of penetration ability. IV. Growth characteristics in the presence of some tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. The dynamics of avirulant lac+KCP- hybrids Sh. flexneri multiplication was investigated in minimal medium in the presence of some tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates (fumarate, succinate, malate) and pyruvate. It was established that in spite of the loss of virulence in the rate of the multiplication of the hybrid strains, in comparison with that of the virulent recipient strains of Sh. flexneri, considerable differences were not observed.", "PMID": 793258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9705", "title": "[Environmental chemicals and their microbial breakdown (author's transl)].", "content": "Environmental chemicals are compounds synthesized by man which have entered our environment. Depending on their consitution, these compounds are either easy or difficult to break down. They are preferably broken down by microorganisms, but chemical and physical processes also play a role. Sometimes various microorganisms are involved in the breakdown of a compound simultaneously. The breakdown mechanism depends on the micro-organism. Depending on the type, certain compounds are broken down via various intermediates. Even several breakdown pathways may exist simultaneously in a single micro-organisms. Extrachromosomal elements may be involved in the breakdown. The breakdown of aromatic and chloro-substituted compounds is explained, as is also the microbial breakdown of herbicides, fungicides, antibiotics and alkaloids.", "contents": "[Environmental chemicals and their microbial breakdown (author's transl)]. Environmental chemicals are compounds synthesized by man which have entered our environment. Depending on their consitution, these compounds are either easy or difficult to break down. They are preferably broken down by microorganisms, but chemical and physical processes also play a role. Sometimes various microorganisms are involved in the breakdown of a compound simultaneously. The breakdown mechanism depends on the micro-organism. Depending on the type, certain compounds are broken down via various intermediates. Even several breakdown pathways may exist simultaneously in a single micro-organisms. Extrachromosomal elements may be involved in the breakdown. The breakdown of aromatic and chloro-substituted compounds is explained, as is also the microbial breakdown of herbicides, fungicides, antibiotics and alkaloids.", "PMID": 793259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9706", "title": "Histopathology of the endocrine pancreas of a fresh-water fish, Clarias Batrachus L. VII. Effects of hydrocortisone and thyroxine administration.", "content": "Hydrocortisone treatment caused a hyperglycaemic state in Clarias batrachus within an hour. The blood glucose values remained significantly increased for 6 days. An initial increase in liver glycogen was followed by a decrease below the normal value. The muscle and brain glycogen levels remained unaffected. A mild degranulation of B cells was seen in the early hours and a conspicuous vacuolation and necrosis of both A and B cells appeared 72-96 h after treatment. Administration of thyroxine resulted in hyperglycaemia within 15 h but a distinct hypoglycaemic condition was seen 4 days after the treatment. Considerable drain in the liver glycogen deposits was noticed between 24 and 72 h while the muscle glycogen showed an increase. The brain glycogen did not change noticeably. Islets of the fishes autopsied between 72 and 96 h contained severely damaged B cells. The A cells remained unaffected. It is suggested that, in addition to several other hormones, hydrocortisone and thyroxine play an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and blood sugar homoeostasis in C. batrachus.", "contents": "Histopathology of the endocrine pancreas of a fresh-water fish, Clarias Batrachus L. VII. Effects of hydrocortisone and thyroxine administration. Hydrocortisone treatment caused a hyperglycaemic state in Clarias batrachus within an hour. The blood glucose values remained significantly increased for 6 days. An initial increase in liver glycogen was followed by a decrease below the normal value. The muscle and brain glycogen levels remained unaffected. A mild degranulation of B cells was seen in the early hours and a conspicuous vacuolation and necrosis of both A and B cells appeared 72-96 h after treatment. Administration of thyroxine resulted in hyperglycaemia within 15 h but a distinct hypoglycaemic condition was seen 4 days after the treatment. Considerable drain in the liver glycogen deposits was noticed between 24 and 72 h while the muscle glycogen showed an increase. The brain glycogen did not change noticeably. Islets of the fishes autopsied between 72 and 96 h contained severely damaged B cells. The A cells remained unaffected. It is suggested that, in addition to several other hormones, hydrocortisone and thyroxine play an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and blood sugar homoeostasis in C. batrachus.", "PMID": 793263} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9707", "title": "Experimental restoration of skin defects with Surgicel soaked in blood.", "content": "Skin defects of full thickness were produced in 15 rabbits. The wounds were covered with Surgicel soaked in the animal's own blood and fixed at the edges with Histoacryl-N-Blau adhesive. A gradual epithelization took place under the covering layer. The method is suggested as an emergency measure in case of serious burns or other extensive skin injuries.", "contents": "Experimental restoration of skin defects with Surgicel soaked in blood. Skin defects of full thickness were produced in 15 rabbits. The wounds were covered with Surgicel soaked in the animal's own blood and fixed at the edges with Histoacryl-N-Blau adhesive. A gradual epithelization took place under the covering layer. The method is suggested as an emergency measure in case of serious burns or other extensive skin injuries.", "PMID": 793265} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9708", "title": "Progesterone-induced augmentation of pituitary gonadotrophin responses to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in oestrogen-pre-treated amenorrhoeic women.", "content": "Modulating effects of oestradiol--17 beta and progesterone on the pituitary responsiveness in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) were investigated in 12 women with functional amenorrhoea. The pituitary reserve capacity for gonadotrophin section was investigated with repeated intravenous LRH tests before and after administration of oestradiol-1 beta followed by either progesterone or saline. Intramuscular injection of 1 mg of oestradiol-17 beta benzoate resulted in a suppression of both the basal gonadotrophin levels in serum and the gonadotrophin responses to LRH 24 h later. Progesterone, 25 mg im, was then administered in eleven experiments. Six h later, when the mean serum progesterone level had increased to levels similar to those seen in the early post-ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, there was a marked augmentation of the pituitary capacity to release both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in response to LRH. This was not found in eight experiments where saline was given instead of progesterone after oestrogen pretreatment. These findings suggest that the greatly increased pituitary sensitivity to LRH at midcycle may be caused not only by the oestradiol increase in blood during the late follicular phase but also in part by the small pre-ovulatory rise of progesterone during the mid-cyclic LH peak. Furthermore, they add further support to the hypothesis that progesterone as well as oestradiol is involved in the induction of the LH peak at mid-cycle. Progesterone may be of importance to secure the release of enought LH for ovulation and normal corpus luteum formation to occur.", "contents": "Progesterone-induced augmentation of pituitary gonadotrophin responses to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in oestrogen-pre-treated amenorrhoeic women. Modulating effects of oestradiol--17 beta and progesterone on the pituitary responsiveness in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) were investigated in 12 women with functional amenorrhoea. The pituitary reserve capacity for gonadotrophin section was investigated with repeated intravenous LRH tests before and after administration of oestradiol-1 beta followed by either progesterone or saline. Intramuscular injection of 1 mg of oestradiol-17 beta benzoate resulted in a suppression of both the basal gonadotrophin levels in serum and the gonadotrophin responses to LRH 24 h later. Progesterone, 25 mg im, was then administered in eleven experiments. Six h later, when the mean serum progesterone level had increased to levels similar to those seen in the early post-ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, there was a marked augmentation of the pituitary capacity to release both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in response to LRH. This was not found in eight experiments where saline was given instead of progesterone after oestrogen pretreatment. These findings suggest that the greatly increased pituitary sensitivity to LRH at midcycle may be caused not only by the oestradiol increase in blood during the late follicular phase but also in part by the small pre-ovulatory rise of progesterone during the mid-cyclic LH peak. Furthermore, they add further support to the hypothesis that progesterone as well as oestradiol is involved in the induction of the LH peak at mid-cycle. Progesterone may be of importance to secure the release of enought LH for ovulation and normal corpus luteum formation to occur.", "PMID": 793269} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9709", "title": "Effects of testosterone on gonadotrophin responses to synthetic LH and FSH releasing hormone (LRH) in normal men.", "content": "LRH tests were performed in 6 adult men with intravenous injections of 25 mug, before and one week after an intramuscular injection of 250 mg testosterone oenanthate (Testoviron Depot). One week after intramuscular injection of Testoviron the tonic secretion of LH was completely suppressed, but the reactivity or the reserve capacity of LH secretion, as tested by LRH, remained unchanged. In contrast, the tonic secretion of FSH and the reactivity of FSH secretion to LRH were both partly suppressed. Three months after the Testoviron injection, the basal levels of LH were still significantly lower than the control values, but the basal levels of FSH were identical to the control values. These data indicate that, in man, the feedback action of testosterone on gonadotrophin secretion could be exerted, at least for LH, at the hypothalamic level rather than at the pituitary level . No significant effects of LRH were noted on the circulating levels of growth hormone and sugar. There was a distinct rise in serum prolactin, which was occasionally significant, within 30 min after LRH injection; this is considered to be without physiological significance.", "contents": "Effects of testosterone on gonadotrophin responses to synthetic LH and FSH releasing hormone (LRH) in normal men. LRH tests were performed in 6 adult men with intravenous injections of 25 mug, before and one week after an intramuscular injection of 250 mg testosterone oenanthate (Testoviron Depot). One week after intramuscular injection of Testoviron the tonic secretion of LH was completely suppressed, but the reactivity or the reserve capacity of LH secretion, as tested by LRH, remained unchanged. In contrast, the tonic secretion of FSH and the reactivity of FSH secretion to LRH were both partly suppressed. Three months after the Testoviron injection, the basal levels of LH were still significantly lower than the control values, but the basal levels of FSH were identical to the control values. These data indicate that, in man, the feedback action of testosterone on gonadotrophin secretion could be exerted, at least for LH, at the hypothalamic level rather than at the pituitary level . No significant effects of LRH were noted on the circulating levels of growth hormone and sugar. There was a distinct rise in serum prolactin, which was occasionally significant, within 30 min after LRH injection; this is considered to be without physiological significance.", "PMID": 793270} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9710", "title": "The effect of gonadotrophin releasing hormone on pituitary-gonadal function in Klinefelter's syndrome.", "content": "The mean basal plasma LH and FSH levels in 8 patients with Klinefelter's syndrome were respectively 5 and 15-fold higher than in 8 eugonadal males, whereas plasma testosterone concentration were half the normal value. After an intravenous bolus injection of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (100 mug of LH-RH) the gonadotrophin increase in the Klinefelter patients was more marked than in the control subjects, but in both groups the plasma testosterone levels remained essentially unchanged. In contrast to the bolus injection, an 8 h infusion of LH-RH after the bolus elicited a significant plasma testosterone increase in both the eugonadal males (59%) and the Klinefelter patients (51%). These findings indicate that despite an impressive endogenous hyper-gonadotrophism, Leydig cells in Klinefelter's syndrome can still respond to a sustained further increase of these endogenous gonadotrophins and thus still have functional reserve.", "contents": "The effect of gonadotrophin releasing hormone on pituitary-gonadal function in Klinefelter's syndrome. The mean basal plasma LH and FSH levels in 8 patients with Klinefelter's syndrome were respectively 5 and 15-fold higher than in 8 eugonadal males, whereas plasma testosterone concentration were half the normal value. After an intravenous bolus injection of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (100 mug of LH-RH) the gonadotrophin increase in the Klinefelter patients was more marked than in the control subjects, but in both groups the plasma testosterone levels remained essentially unchanged. In contrast to the bolus injection, an 8 h infusion of LH-RH after the bolus elicited a significant plasma testosterone increase in both the eugonadal males (59%) and the Klinefelter patients (51%). These findings indicate that despite an impressive endogenous hyper-gonadotrophism, Leydig cells in Klinefelter's syndrome can still respond to a sustained further increase of these endogenous gonadotrophins and thus still have functional reserve.", "PMID": 793271} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9711", "title": "Effect of an anabolic steroid (metandienon) on plasma LH-FSH, and testosterone and on the response to intravenous administration of LRH.", "content": "Plasma levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as well as the response of LH and FSH to the intravenous administration of 100 mug of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) were measured in 16 well-trained athletes (mean age 30 years) before and after 2 months of daily oral intake of 15 mg of metandienon, and anabolic steroid (Anabolin, 17 alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-1,4-androstadien-3-one, Medica, Finland). All athletes continued to train regularly, just as they had done for several years. During administration of metandienon the mean plasma testosterone level fell 69%, from 29.4 +/- 11.6 nmol/1 to 9.1 +/- 7.5 nmol/1. The mean plasma levels of LH and FSH also fell significantly (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.01, respectively), both about 50%. Because LH and FSH levels were low after administration of the steroid the maximum stimulation values after LRH administration were also lower than pre-treatment values although the mean increments did not differ significantly before and after administration of the anabolic steroid. However, after treatment, the FSH response curve had a biphasic pattern in most subjects, with peaks at 10 to 20 and 50 to 60 min after the iv injection of LRH. Administration of LRH after the treatment period had no effect on FSH secretion in two subjects and no effect on LH secretion in one. Our results show that administration of an anabolic steroid causes a pronounced lowering of plasma levels of testosterone, LH and FSH but causes no gross alteration in the response of LH secretion to stimulation by LRH. The reason for the biphasic response pattern of FSH to LRH administration in most subjects is not known.", "contents": "Effect of an anabolic steroid (metandienon) on plasma LH-FSH, and testosterone and on the response to intravenous administration of LRH. Plasma levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as well as the response of LH and FSH to the intravenous administration of 100 mug of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) were measured in 16 well-trained athletes (mean age 30 years) before and after 2 months of daily oral intake of 15 mg of metandienon, and anabolic steroid (Anabolin, 17 alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-1,4-androstadien-3-one, Medica, Finland). All athletes continued to train regularly, just as they had done for several years. During administration of metandienon the mean plasma testosterone level fell 69%, from 29.4 +/- 11.6 nmol/1 to 9.1 +/- 7.5 nmol/1. The mean plasma levels of LH and FSH also fell significantly (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.01, respectively), both about 50%. Because LH and FSH levels were low after administration of the steroid the maximum stimulation values after LRH administration were also lower than pre-treatment values although the mean increments did not differ significantly before and after administration of the anabolic steroid. However, after treatment, the FSH response curve had a biphasic pattern in most subjects, with peaks at 10 to 20 and 50 to 60 min after the iv injection of LRH. Administration of LRH after the treatment period had no effect on FSH secretion in two subjects and no effect on LH secretion in one. Our results show that administration of an anabolic steroid causes a pronounced lowering of plasma levels of testosterone, LH and FSH but causes no gross alteration in the response of LH secretion to stimulation by LRH. The reason for the biphasic response pattern of FSH to LRH administration in most subjects is not known.", "PMID": 793272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9712", "title": "\"Insulin\" induced insulitis.", "content": "Insulitis, an inflammatory process restricted to the pancreatic islets, can experimentally be induced by active immunization with insulin or passive transfer of anti insulin serum. --Mice and rats injected with anti insulin serum from guinea pigs develop a polymorphcellular islet infiltration composed of many eosinophiles and neutrophiles. This inflammatory reaction is caused by the occurrence of immune complexes within the islet area produced by the injected insulin antibodies and the endogenous insulin. Thus polymorphcellular immune complex insulitis represents a type III immune response, respectively a local Arthus phenomenen. --Cattle, sheep and rabbits immunized with crystalline insulin preparations and Freund's adjuvant were found to develop a lymphoidcellular insulitis. As far as specific localization, histologic features, ultrastructure and an occasional manifestation of a diabetes mellitus-like syndrome are concerned lymphoidcellular immune insulitis suggests an immune response of the cell mediated type with temporary autoimmune characteristics to endogenous insulin evoked by the immunization with exogenous crystalline insulin. Insulin derivatives are the most probable candidates for the assumed insulitis-inducing antigen. --Whether immune reactions may also play a role in the pathomechanisms leading to human insulitis is until now an unsolved question.", "contents": "\"Insulin\" induced insulitis. Insulitis, an inflammatory process restricted to the pancreatic islets, can experimentally be induced by active immunization with insulin or passive transfer of anti insulin serum. --Mice and rats injected with anti insulin serum from guinea pigs develop a polymorphcellular islet infiltration composed of many eosinophiles and neutrophiles. This inflammatory reaction is caused by the occurrence of immune complexes within the islet area produced by the injected insulin antibodies and the endogenous insulin. Thus polymorphcellular immune complex insulitis represents a type III immune response, respectively a local Arthus phenomenen. --Cattle, sheep and rabbits immunized with crystalline insulin preparations and Freund's adjuvant were found to develop a lymphoidcellular insulitis. As far as specific localization, histologic features, ultrastructure and an occasional manifestation of a diabetes mellitus-like syndrome are concerned lymphoidcellular immune insulitis suggests an immune response of the cell mediated type with temporary autoimmune characteristics to endogenous insulin evoked by the immunization with exogenous crystalline insulin. Insulin derivatives are the most probable candidates for the assumed insulitis-inducing antigen. --Whether immune reactions may also play a role in the pathomechanisms leading to human insulitis is until now an unsolved question.", "PMID": 793273} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9713", "title": "Autoimmune insulitis. Pathological findings in experimental animal models and juvenile diabetes mellitus.", "content": "Organ-specific, species non-specific anti-pancreatic cellular immunity has been reported as a feature associated with juvenile diabetes of short duration. In order to further elucidate a possible causal relation between autoimmunity and juvenile diabetes morphological studies were made on an autopsy material from 12 juvenile onset diabetics, dying within 1 year after the onset of the disease. Each patient was compared with 2 age and sex matched controls. In the group of patients the islets of Langerhans showed the following characteristics: 1. The B cells were degranulated and present in reduced number, 2. The A cells appeared normal, 3. A lymphocytic, non-cicatricial insulitis was detected in 50% of the patients. Those findings were correlated with animal experiments, in which rats and mice were immunized with A: heterologous and homologous preparations of endocrine pancreas, in complete Freunds' adjuvant, B: heterologous and homologous insulin in complete Freunds' adjuvant, and C: complete Freunds' adjuvant. Only animals of group A developed spleen cell migration tests positive to the pancreatic preparations, lymphocytic infiltrations of the islets and degranulation of the B cells. In addition, the B cells showed ultrastructural signs of degeneration. The morphological changes were reversible and were accompanied by a transient reduction in glucose tolerance.", "contents": "Autoimmune insulitis. Pathological findings in experimental animal models and juvenile diabetes mellitus. Organ-specific, species non-specific anti-pancreatic cellular immunity has been reported as a feature associated with juvenile diabetes of short duration. In order to further elucidate a possible causal relation between autoimmunity and juvenile diabetes morphological studies were made on an autopsy material from 12 juvenile onset diabetics, dying within 1 year after the onset of the disease. Each patient was compared with 2 age and sex matched controls. In the group of patients the islets of Langerhans showed the following characteristics: 1. The B cells were degranulated and present in reduced number, 2. The A cells appeared normal, 3. A lymphocytic, non-cicatricial insulitis was detected in 50% of the patients. Those findings were correlated with animal experiments, in which rats and mice were immunized with A: heterologous and homologous preparations of endocrine pancreas, in complete Freunds' adjuvant, B: heterologous and homologous insulin in complete Freunds' adjuvant, and C: complete Freunds' adjuvant. Only animals of group A developed spleen cell migration tests positive to the pancreatic preparations, lymphocytic infiltrations of the islets and degranulation of the B cells. In addition, the B cells showed ultrastructural signs of degeneration. The morphological changes were reversible and were accompanied by a transient reduction in glucose tolerance.", "PMID": 793275} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9714", "title": "Regeneration of islet cells.", "content": "The number of functionally intact B-cells in the islet organ is of decisive importance for the development, course and outcome of diabetes mellitus. Generally speaking, the total B-cell mass reflects the balance between the renewal and loss of these cells. While factors resulting in damage and degeneration of the B-cells have attracted much attention there has been relatively little interest in the kinetics and regulation of B-cell proliferation. This paper briefly reviews the literature in the latter field with special attention to B-cell renewal in various kinds of diabetes. In early fetal life both the endocrine and exocrine pancreatic cells probably arise from a common \"protodifferentiated\" cell type. The islets subsequently grow according to a regular pattern characterized by a symmetrical distribution of the islet volume in relation to islet diameter. The growth of the islets reflects the replication of both B-, A1- and A2-cells in individual islets. Whether new islet cells are derived also from duct epithelium or by transformation of differentiated acinar cells remains a matter of controversy. The ability of the differentiated B-cell to replicate in adult life has been confirmed in many studies. Factors believed to increase the rate of replication in vivo include a high caloric intake, hypoglycemic sulfonylureas, various hormones and hyperglycemia. Recent studies in vitro have so far confirmed the mitogenic action of a high extracellular glucose concentration. The renewal of B-cells in diabetes has been studied in several animal models. Both in experimental diabetes, such as that induced by alloxan, and in hereditary diabetes, exemplified by the diabetic mutant mouse (gene symbol db), there is initial stimulation of the mitotic rate during development of hyperglycemia followed by a notable decrease in the B-cell renewal. In the diabetic mouse the decreased proliferation of B-cells is paralleled by the appearance of fulminant diabetes. These and other data suggest a limited capacity for B-cell proliferation, which may differ between species. According to this hypothesis, there is an increased risk of developing diabetes once the predetermined potential for B-cell division has been exhausted.", "contents": "Regeneration of islet cells. The number of functionally intact B-cells in the islet organ is of decisive importance for the development, course and outcome of diabetes mellitus. Generally speaking, the total B-cell mass reflects the balance between the renewal and loss of these cells. While factors resulting in damage and degeneration of the B-cells have attracted much attention there has been relatively little interest in the kinetics and regulation of B-cell proliferation. This paper briefly reviews the literature in the latter field with special attention to B-cell renewal in various kinds of diabetes. In early fetal life both the endocrine and exocrine pancreatic cells probably arise from a common \"protodifferentiated\" cell type. The islets subsequently grow according to a regular pattern characterized by a symmetrical distribution of the islet volume in relation to islet diameter. The growth of the islets reflects the replication of both B-, A1- and A2-cells in individual islets. Whether new islet cells are derived also from duct epithelium or by transformation of differentiated acinar cells remains a matter of controversy. The ability of the differentiated B-cell to replicate in adult life has been confirmed in many studies. Factors believed to increase the rate of replication in vivo include a high caloric intake, hypoglycemic sulfonylureas, various hormones and hyperglycemia. Recent studies in vitro have so far confirmed the mitogenic action of a high extracellular glucose concentration. The renewal of B-cells in diabetes has been studied in several animal models. Both in experimental diabetes, such as that induced by alloxan, and in hereditary diabetes, exemplified by the diabetic mutant mouse (gene symbol db), there is initial stimulation of the mitotic rate during development of hyperglycemia followed by a notable decrease in the B-cell renewal. In the diabetic mouse the decreased proliferation of B-cells is paralleled by the appearance of fulminant diabetes. These and other data suggest a limited capacity for B-cell proliferation, which may differ between species. According to this hypothesis, there is an increased risk of developing diabetes once the predetermined potential for B-cell division has been exhausted.", "PMID": 793276} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9715", "title": "The immunogenicity of insulin preparations.", "content": "Patients who had never received insulin were administered porcine or bovine Lente insulins prepared from either conventional USP-grade insulin, \"single-peak\" insulin (SPI), or \"single-component\" insulin (SCI) in an attempt to determine if insulin immunogenecity was related to the purity of various insulin preparations. Serum insulin antibody titers were monitored by a sensitive I125-insulin binding procedure. All six groups of patients had some degree of antibody formation after six months of continuous insulin administration. Based upon the percent of I125-insulin bound by the serum, the least immunogenic insulin preparation was the porcine SCI. The most immunogenic insulins were the bovine preparations, all three of which gave comparable antibody responses. The patients who received porcine USP insulin and porcine SPI had similar antibody titers, both of which were significantly higher than the titers from the patients on porcine SCI, but significantly lower than the antibody titers from the patients treated with any of the bovine preparations. The immunogenicity of bovine SCI was significantly reduced by administering multiple daily doses of the neutral regular form instead of one or two daily injections of the Lente form, Although these purer insulin preparations (SPI and SCI) are still associated with various degrees of immunogenecity, they are significant improvements for the treatment of insulin lipoatrophy and insulin allergy.", "contents": "The immunogenicity of insulin preparations. Patients who had never received insulin were administered porcine or bovine Lente insulins prepared from either conventional USP-grade insulin, \"single-peak\" insulin (SPI), or \"single-component\" insulin (SCI) in an attempt to determine if insulin immunogenecity was related to the purity of various insulin preparations. Serum insulin antibody titers were monitored by a sensitive I125-insulin binding procedure. All six groups of patients had some degree of antibody formation after six months of continuous insulin administration. Based upon the percent of I125-insulin bound by the serum, the least immunogenic insulin preparation was the porcine SCI. The most immunogenic insulins were the bovine preparations, all three of which gave comparable antibody responses. The patients who received porcine USP insulin and porcine SPI had similar antibody titers, both of which were significantly higher than the titers from the patients on porcine SCI, but significantly lower than the antibody titers from the patients treated with any of the bovine preparations. The immunogenicity of bovine SCI was significantly reduced by administering multiple daily doses of the neutral regular form instead of one or two daily injections of the Lente form, Although these purer insulin preparations (SPI and SCI) are still associated with various degrees of immunogenecity, they are significant improvements for the treatment of insulin lipoatrophy and insulin allergy.", "PMID": 793278} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9716", "title": "Effect of intermittent positive pressure ventilation on cardiac systolic time intervals.", "content": "The measurement of systolic time intervals (STI) has been widely used as a non-invasive method of assessing the inotropic state of the heart, and normal values are available for healthy individuals breathing spontaneously. The present study was performed in order to evaluate how intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) affects STI. Ten subjects were investigated before and during halothane anaesthesia for routine surgery. Oesophageal pressure, respiratory minute volume and frequency, arterial blood-gas tensions, cardiac output and heart rate were also measured simultaneously. As expected, the institution of IPPV was associated with a reduction in cardiac output and an increase in oesophageal pressure. Paco2 was reduced. These changes were associated with a considerable lengthening of electro-mechanical systole. This was due to a lengthened pre-ejection period (PEP), whereas the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) was slightly shortened. These changes were even more marked during artifical hyperventilation. The changes in STI are attributed mainly to the reduction of venous return to the heart, subsidiary factors being intrathoracic pressure, myocardial inotropy and vascular resistance.", "contents": "Effect of intermittent positive pressure ventilation on cardiac systolic time intervals. The measurement of systolic time intervals (STI) has been widely used as a non-invasive method of assessing the inotropic state of the heart, and normal values are available for healthy individuals breathing spontaneously. The present study was performed in order to evaluate how intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) affects STI. Ten subjects were investigated before and during halothane anaesthesia for routine surgery. Oesophageal pressure, respiratory minute volume and frequency, arterial blood-gas tensions, cardiac output and heart rate were also measured simultaneously. As expected, the institution of IPPV was associated with a reduction in cardiac output and an increase in oesophageal pressure. Paco2 was reduced. These changes were associated with a considerable lengthening of electro-mechanical systole. This was due to a lengthened pre-ejection period (PEP), whereas the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) was slightly shortened. These changes were even more marked during artifical hyperventilation. The changes in STI are attributed mainly to the reduction of venous return to the heart, subsidiary factors being intrathoracic pressure, myocardial inotropy and vascular resistance.", "PMID": 793284} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9717", "title": "Airway closure and distribution of inspired gas in the extremely obese, breathing spontaneously and during anaesthesia with intermittent positive pressure ventilation.", "content": "Airway closure (closing capacity, CC), FRC, total efficiency of ventilation (lung clearance index, LCI) and distribution of inspired gas (nitrogen washout declay percentage, NWOD) were determined by nitrogen washout techniques and arterial PO2and PCO2 measured by standard electrodes in 10 extremely obese subjects, prior to an during anaesthesia and artifical ventilation. CC was normal, but because of small FRC, airway closure occurred within a tidal breath in 9 out of 10 subjects during spontaneous breathing, when awake. PO2 was reduced, the hypoxaemia correlating to the magnitude of airway closure. LCI was normal, but NWOD was borderline. During anaesthesia, CC was unaltered by FRC was further reduced, so that in nine subjects sirway closure occurred above FRC and tidal volume together. A marked increase in relative hypoxaemia was recorded. LCI and NWOD rose, indicating less efficient and less even ventilation. It is concluded that airway closure reasonably explains the marked hypoxaemia in obese subjects during anaesthesia, and that it may also be the reason for the uneven distribution of inspired gas.", "contents": "Airway closure and distribution of inspired gas in the extremely obese, breathing spontaneously and during anaesthesia with intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Airway closure (closing capacity, CC), FRC, total efficiency of ventilation (lung clearance index, LCI) and distribution of inspired gas (nitrogen washout declay percentage, NWOD) were determined by nitrogen washout techniques and arterial PO2and PCO2 measured by standard electrodes in 10 extremely obese subjects, prior to an during anaesthesia and artifical ventilation. CC was normal, but because of small FRC, airway closure occurred within a tidal breath in 9 out of 10 subjects during spontaneous breathing, when awake. PO2 was reduced, the hypoxaemia correlating to the magnitude of airway closure. LCI was normal, but NWOD was borderline. During anaesthesia, CC was unaltered by FRC was further reduced, so that in nine subjects sirway closure occurred above FRC and tidal volume together. A marked increase in relative hypoxaemia was recorded. LCI and NWOD rose, indicating less efficient and less even ventilation. It is concluded that airway closure reasonably explains the marked hypoxaemia in obese subjects during anaesthesia, and that it may also be the reason for the uneven distribution of inspired gas.", "PMID": 793285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9718", "title": "Suitability of Althesin as a short-acting anaesthetic agent. A comparative study with equipotent doses of methohexitone.", "content": "The suitability of Althesin as a short-acting anaesthetic agent was studied by comparing it to methohexitone. Twenty-eight anaestheias were given using equipotent doses of the two anaesthetics in order to anaesthetize 14 patients once with each drug. Thus the patients served as their own controls. Sleep induced by Althesin averaged 7 minutes, which was slightly but not statistically significantly longer than that produced by methohexitone (average 6 minutes). The time taken until orientation of the patients was complete was considerably longer with Althesin than with methohexitone. The responses to Althesin had a much wider range of individual variation in induction time, duration of anaesthesia and orientation time. After Althesin, three patients displayed mental confusion with anxiety on awakening. The recovery from anaesthesia was assessed by several recovery tests and observations, in addition to the patients' subjective assessments. Drowsiness was more manifest and persisted longer following Althesin than after methohexitone. Ninety minutes after anaesthesia, a tendency to collapse on standing was obvious following methohexitone, but this was not seen after Althesin. The level of test values and the physical status of the patients returned to pre-anaesthetic levels within 2 hours after both agents. The majority of the patients found anaesthesia with both compounds pleasant. However, they seemed to favour methohexitone as regards pleasantness and their subjective impression was of faster awakening or less postanaesthetic drowsiness.", "contents": "Suitability of Althesin as a short-acting anaesthetic agent. A comparative study with equipotent doses of methohexitone. The suitability of Althesin as a short-acting anaesthetic agent was studied by comparing it to methohexitone. Twenty-eight anaestheias were given using equipotent doses of the two anaesthetics in order to anaesthetize 14 patients once with each drug. Thus the patients served as their own controls. Sleep induced by Althesin averaged 7 minutes, which was slightly but not statistically significantly longer than that produced by methohexitone (average 6 minutes). The time taken until orientation of the patients was complete was considerably longer with Althesin than with methohexitone. The responses to Althesin had a much wider range of individual variation in induction time, duration of anaesthesia and orientation time. After Althesin, three patients displayed mental confusion with anxiety on awakening. The recovery from anaesthesia was assessed by several recovery tests and observations, in addition to the patients' subjective assessments. Drowsiness was more manifest and persisted longer following Althesin than after methohexitone. Ninety minutes after anaesthesia, a tendency to collapse on standing was obvious following methohexitone, but this was not seen after Althesin. The level of test values and the physical status of the patients returned to pre-anaesthetic levels within 2 hours after both agents. The majority of the patients found anaesthesia with both compounds pleasant. However, they seemed to favour methohexitone as regards pleasantness and their subjective impression was of faster awakening or less postanaesthetic drowsiness.", "PMID": 793286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9719", "title": "Oxygen transport and venous admixture in the extremely obese. Influence of anaesthesia and artificial ventilation with and without positive end-expiratory pressure.", "content": "Eight extremely obese patients (mean weight 136 kg) were studied when awake and breathing air, and during anaesthesia with controlled ventilation (oxygen fraction in inspirate (FIO2): 0.5). During anaesthesia, the atients were first studied with zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) ventilation. Then two different positive end-expiratory pressures (PEEP) were applied, 10 cmH2O and 15 cmH2O, in order to study the effect of an increase in functional residual capacity (FRC). Arterial oxygenation and oxygen availability, as well as cardiac output (QT) and venous admixture (QS/QT) were studied. With the institution of anaesthesia and ZEEP, the alveolar arterial oxygen tension difference (P(A-a)O2) rose from 3.5 +/- 1.1 to 28.4 +/- 2.6 kPa, and the oxygen availability fell from 1346 +/- 222 to 1039 +/- 239 ml/min, due to the additive effect of an increase in QS/QT from 10 +/- 4 to 21 +/- 5% and a fall in QT, from 7.7 +/- 1.2 to 5.5 +/- 1.1 1/min. With increasing levels of PEEP, despite a fall in P(A-a)O2, there was a reduction in oxygen availability. This was due to simultaneous reduction in QS/QT and QT. At a PEEP of 15cmH2O, the P(A-a)O2 was 21.2 +/- 7.1 kPa, oxygen availability 862 +/- 170 ml/min, QS/QT 13 +/- 4 and QT 4.4 +/- 0.6 1. It is concluded that PEEP ventilation significantly reduces QS/QT in extremely obese patients during anaesthesia and should be used in these patients if there is arterial hypoxemia despite a high FIO2.", "contents": "Oxygen transport and venous admixture in the extremely obese. Influence of anaesthesia and artificial ventilation with and without positive end-expiratory pressure. Eight extremely obese patients (mean weight 136 kg) were studied when awake and breathing air, and during anaesthesia with controlled ventilation (oxygen fraction in inspirate (FIO2): 0.5). During anaesthesia, the atients were first studied with zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) ventilation. Then two different positive end-expiratory pressures (PEEP) were applied, 10 cmH2O and 15 cmH2O, in order to study the effect of an increase in functional residual capacity (FRC). Arterial oxygenation and oxygen availability, as well as cardiac output (QT) and venous admixture (QS/QT) were studied. With the institution of anaesthesia and ZEEP, the alveolar arterial oxygen tension difference (P(A-a)O2) rose from 3.5 +/- 1.1 to 28.4 +/- 2.6 kPa, and the oxygen availability fell from 1346 +/- 222 to 1039 +/- 239 ml/min, due to the additive effect of an increase in QS/QT from 10 +/- 4 to 21 +/- 5% and a fall in QT, from 7.7 +/- 1.2 to 5.5 +/- 1.1 1/min. With increasing levels of PEEP, despite a fall in P(A-a)O2, there was a reduction in oxygen availability. This was due to simultaneous reduction in QS/QT and QT. At a PEEP of 15cmH2O, the P(A-a)O2 was 21.2 +/- 7.1 kPa, oxygen availability 862 +/- 170 ml/min, QS/QT 13 +/- 4 and QT 4.4 +/- 0.6 1. It is concluded that PEEP ventilation significantly reduces QS/QT in extremely obese patients during anaesthesia and should be used in these patients if there is arterial hypoxemia despite a high FIO2.", "PMID": 793287} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9720", "title": "Dialysis and renal transplantation of children in Europe, 1974.", "content": "About a third of all children with end-stage renal failure in Europe were accepted for treatment by regular dialysis or transplantation during 1974. The number of specialised paediatric dialysis centres increased. The number of renal transplants also increased, but fewer living donor grafts and retransplants were performed in 1974. The best survival was again observed on home dialysis. Patient survival after a cadaver graft improved. Children more than ten years old appeared to have a better survival on dialysis and a somewhat better graft function than younger patients. Rehabilitation was similar on home dialysis and after transplantation, but full school activity in ordinary school was reported in only 40% of all children on hospital dialysis. Children on haemodialysis tended to dialyse more frequently in 1974, than before, but for fewer hours per week. Hepatitis was still a problem and only a small reduction in the incidence was noted during 1974. Children on dialysis required more blood transfusions than adults. Body growth on haemodialysis was retarded to a similar degree on boys and in girls; 70% of the haemodialysed and 63% of the transplanted children had a growth velocity below the third percentile. Growth rate was noted to fall after the first year on dialysis.", "contents": "Dialysis and renal transplantation of children in Europe, 1974. About a third of all children with end-stage renal failure in Europe were accepted for treatment by regular dialysis or transplantation during 1974. The number of specialised paediatric dialysis centres increased. The number of renal transplants also increased, but fewer living donor grafts and retransplants were performed in 1974. The best survival was again observed on home dialysis. Patient survival after a cadaver graft improved. Children more than ten years old appeared to have a better survival on dialysis and a somewhat better graft function than younger patients. Rehabilitation was similar on home dialysis and after transplantation, but full school activity in ordinary school was reported in only 40% of all children on hospital dialysis. Children on haemodialysis tended to dialyse more frequently in 1974, than before, but for fewer hours per week. Hepatitis was still a problem and only a small reduction in the incidence was noted during 1974. Children on dialysis required more blood transfusions than adults. Body growth on haemodialysis was retarded to a similar degree on boys and in girls; 70% of the haemodialysed and 63% of the transplanted children had a growth velocity below the third percentile. Growth rate was noted to fall after the first year on dialysis.", "PMID": 793289} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9721", "title": "Septicaemia of the newborn, associated with ruptured foetal membranes, discoloured amniotic fluid or maternal fever.", "content": "The incidence of neonatal septicaemia associated with prolonged rupture of foetal membranes, discoloured amniotic fluid and/or maternal fever was investigated. A total of 807 blood cultures were performed on 329 neonates, the placental end of 239 umbilical cords and on 239 mothers. The study showed that in 97% of the neonates with a complicated delivery there was no evidence of septicaemia. Septicaemia was verified in 3% of the infants, and was intimately associated with low birth weight (p equals 0.02), neonatal asphyxia (p less than 10(-4)), clinical evidence of septicaemia (p less than 10(-4) and maternal fever (p equals 0.002). The incidence was particularly high in premature infants with neonatal asphyxia (27%) and in neonates born to febrile mothers (20%). None of the mothers showed any evidence of septicaemia, and haematogenous, transplacental spread of infection to the child was not seen. Routine prophylactic antibiotic therapy in neonates with a complicated delivery should therefore be reserved, in our opinion, for those infants at high risk of infection.", "contents": "Septicaemia of the newborn, associated with ruptured foetal membranes, discoloured amniotic fluid or maternal fever. The incidence of neonatal septicaemia associated with prolonged rupture of foetal membranes, discoloured amniotic fluid and/or maternal fever was investigated. A total of 807 blood cultures were performed on 329 neonates, the placental end of 239 umbilical cords and on 239 mothers. The study showed that in 97% of the neonates with a complicated delivery there was no evidence of septicaemia. Septicaemia was verified in 3% of the infants, and was intimately associated with low birth weight (p equals 0.02), neonatal asphyxia (p less than 10(-4)), clinical evidence of septicaemia (p less than 10(-4) and maternal fever (p equals 0.002). The incidence was particularly high in premature infants with neonatal asphyxia (27%) and in neonates born to febrile mothers (20%). None of the mothers showed any evidence of septicaemia, and haematogenous, transplacental spread of infection to the child was not seen. Routine prophylactic antibiotic therapy in neonates with a complicated delivery should therefore be reserved, in our opinion, for those infants at high risk of infection.", "PMID": 793290} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9722", "title": "A histopathological study on the islets of Langerhans and ductal epithelial metaplasia in atrophic lobuli of pancreas.", "content": "In autopsy material isolated islets of Langerhans are frequently encountered in the fatty or the fibrous tissue replacing the pancreatic lobuli. The incidence of isolated islets of Langerhans was 27.0% in the file of a series of randomly selected 100 autopsy cases and increased with advancing age. Fifteen cases of these 27 showed multiple foci and the total number of foci counted 60. Fifty-two foci (86.7%) were found in the subcapsular area. Clusters of elastic fibers were found in 36 foci (60.0%). Small pancreatic ducts with goblet cell metaplasia were found in 29 foci (48.0%) in the surrounding tissue of the remaining islets of Langerhans. Squamous metaplasia was identified in only 1 focus (0.2%), and luminal dilatation of the duct was found in 4 foci (0.7%). Serial sections showed that the small duct ended without connection to acinar cells. \"The isolated islets of Langerhans\" should be the result of the atrophy of pancreatic lobuli subsequent to disappearance of acinar cells.", "contents": "A histopathological study on the islets of Langerhans and ductal epithelial metaplasia in atrophic lobuli of pancreas. In autopsy material isolated islets of Langerhans are frequently encountered in the fatty or the fibrous tissue replacing the pancreatic lobuli. The incidence of isolated islets of Langerhans was 27.0% in the file of a series of randomly selected 100 autopsy cases and increased with advancing age. Fifteen cases of these 27 showed multiple foci and the total number of foci counted 60. Fifty-two foci (86.7%) were found in the subcapsular area. Clusters of elastic fibers were found in 36 foci (60.0%). Small pancreatic ducts with goblet cell metaplasia were found in 29 foci (48.0%) in the surrounding tissue of the remaining islets of Langerhans. Squamous metaplasia was identified in only 1 focus (0.2%), and luminal dilatation of the duct was found in 4 foci (0.7%). Serial sections showed that the small duct ended without connection to acinar cells. \"The isolated islets of Langerhans\" should be the result of the atrophy of pancreatic lobuli subsequent to disappearance of acinar cells.", "PMID": 793291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9723", "title": "Genetic mapping of the K1 and K4 antigens (L) of Escherichia coli. Non-allelism of K(L) antigens with K antigens of O8:K27(A), O8:K8(L) and O9:K57(B).", "content": "Escherichia donor strains having antigen K1(L) or K4(L) transfer these K antigens to recipient cells at a genetic locus (kps A) similar to that of K10(L) and K54(L) linked to ser A. In crosses between the K10 donor strain and recipient strains O8:K8(L), O8:K27(A) and O9:K57(B) all recombinants which inherit donor K antigen also inherit K antigen of recipient. This result is interpreted as non-allelism between donor and recipient K antigens, and it is assumed that the structure of all polysaccharide K antigens of strains having O antigens O8 or O9, whether termed L, A, or B, are controlled by genes which differ in their location on the chromosome from genes controlling polysaccharide K antigens associated with most other O antigens.", "contents": "Genetic mapping of the K1 and K4 antigens (L) of Escherichia coli. Non-allelism of K(L) antigens with K antigens of O8:K27(A), O8:K8(L) and O9:K57(B). Escherichia donor strains having antigen K1(L) or K4(L) transfer these K antigens to recipient cells at a genetic locus (kps A) similar to that of K10(L) and K54(L) linked to ser A. In crosses between the K10 donor strain and recipient strains O8:K8(L), O8:K27(A) and O9:K57(B) all recombinants which inherit donor K antigen also inherit K antigen of recipient. This result is interpreted as non-allelism between donor and recipient K antigens, and it is assumed that the structure of all polysaccharide K antigens of strains having O antigens O8 or O9, whether termed L, A, or B, are controlled by genes which differ in their location on the chromosome from genes controlling polysaccharide K antigens associated with most other O antigens.", "PMID": 793292} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9724", "title": "Streptococcal bacteriophage 12/12-borne hyaluronidase and its characterization as a lyase (EC 4.2.99.1) by means of streptococcal hyaluronic acid and purified bacteriophage suspensions.", "content": "Hyaluronic acid was obtained from filtrates of heat-killed cultures of Streptococcus pyogenes group A, strain K56, by simple ethanol precipitation and treatment with an adsorbent. The hyaluronic acid is pure as judged from chemical and sedimentation analyses. Particles of streptococcal bacteriophage 12/12 were isolated from phage-lysed group A streptococci by polyethylene glycol precipitation and isopyenic centrifugation. Electron micrographs of negatively stained preparations showed a typical Bradley group B virus with a long, flexible, cross-striated tail and a knob- or star-like structure at the distal tip of the tail. The hyaluronic acid is depolymerized upon incubation with the phage 12/12 virions. After extensive digestion, a mixture of at least four oligosaccharides is formed, the two smallest of which are a tetra- and octasaccharide terminating in reducing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The tetrasaccharide shows an absorption maximum at 231.5 nm with a molar extinction coefficient epsilon = 4820 litres X mole-1 X cm-1, and it is therefore concluded that the bacteriophage-borne hyaluronidase catalyses a beta-elimination. Accordingly it is classified as a hyaluronate lyase (EC 4.2.99.1).", "contents": "Streptococcal bacteriophage 12/12-borne hyaluronidase and its characterization as a lyase (EC 4.2.99.1) by means of streptococcal hyaluronic acid and purified bacteriophage suspensions. Hyaluronic acid was obtained from filtrates of heat-killed cultures of Streptococcus pyogenes group A, strain K56, by simple ethanol precipitation and treatment with an adsorbent. The hyaluronic acid is pure as judged from chemical and sedimentation analyses. Particles of streptococcal bacteriophage 12/12 were isolated from phage-lysed group A streptococci by polyethylene glycol precipitation and isopyenic centrifugation. Electron micrographs of negatively stained preparations showed a typical Bradley group B virus with a long, flexible, cross-striated tail and a knob- or star-like structure at the distal tip of the tail. The hyaluronic acid is depolymerized upon incubation with the phage 12/12 virions. After extensive digestion, a mixture of at least four oligosaccharides is formed, the two smallest of which are a tetra- and octasaccharide terminating in reducing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The tetrasaccharide shows an absorption maximum at 231.5 nm with a molar extinction coefficient epsilon = 4820 litres X mole-1 X cm-1, and it is therefore concluded that the bacteriophage-borne hyaluronidase catalyses a beta-elimination. Accordingly it is classified as a hyaluronate lyase (EC 4.2.99.1).", "PMID": 793293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9725", "title": "Preformed autologous ossicles. Experimental studies.", "content": "On the basis of earlier experimental investigations concerning autogenous bone transplants a project is going on with the view to have a patient to create his own bone graft suitable for being used in reconstructive surgery of the middle ear. This theory was tested in 6 rabbits and 6 dogs where a titanium form was installed in the proximal tibial metaphysis. The healing time was 6-8 months. After extraction histologic examination of the facsimile showed that it consisted of an outer form-giving thin layer ocal bone and a system of spongious bone surrounded by marrow with haemopoetic cells. Microradiologic analyses revealed a well mineralized trabecular bone tissue. By means of microangiography a microvascular architecture with a mature appearance could be demonstrated.", "contents": "Preformed autologous ossicles. Experimental studies. On the basis of earlier experimental investigations concerning autogenous bone transplants a project is going on with the view to have a patient to create his own bone graft suitable for being used in reconstructive surgery of the middle ear. This theory was tested in 6 rabbits and 6 dogs where a titanium form was installed in the proximal tibial metaphysis. The healing time was 6-8 months. After extraction histologic examination of the facsimile showed that it consisted of an outer form-giving thin layer ocal bone and a system of spongious bone surrounded by marrow with haemopoetic cells. Microradiologic analyses revealed a well mineralized trabecular bone tissue. By means of microangiography a microvascular architecture with a mature appearance could be demonstrated.", "PMID": 793288} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9726", "title": "Isolation of hyaluronic acid from cultures of streptococci in a chemically defined medium.", "content": "A haemolytic streptococcus (Lancefield's group A) has been cultivated in a chemically defined medium. About 300 mg hyaluronic acid of a high degree of purity was isolated per litre of this culture.", "contents": "Isolation of hyaluronic acid from cultures of streptococci in a chemically defined medium. A haemolytic streptococcus (Lancefield's group A) has been cultivated in a chemically defined medium. About 300 mg hyaluronic acid of a high degree of purity was isolated per litre of this culture.", "PMID": 793294} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9727", "title": "The effect of anti-lymphocyte serum, mitogens and enzymatic treatment on the agglutination and surface charge of lymphoid cells.", "content": "Agglutination of thymocytes and B-cells with anti-lymphocyte serum subsequent to treatment of the cells with trypsin or neuraminidase was slightly and similarly increased, independent of the effect on the surface charge shown previously. The enzymatic treatment did not increase capping of antiserum binding sites. Agglutination caused by binding of IgG antibodies of anti-lymphocyte serum was not accompanied by change in the net surface charge. Neither did binding of the mitogens phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin A or poke-weed mitogen influence the surface charge of the cells.", "contents": "The effect of anti-lymphocyte serum, mitogens and enzymatic treatment on the agglutination and surface charge of lymphoid cells. Agglutination of thymocytes and B-cells with anti-lymphocyte serum subsequent to treatment of the cells with trypsin or neuraminidase was slightly and similarly increased, independent of the effect on the surface charge shown previously. The enzymatic treatment did not increase capping of antiserum binding sites. Agglutination caused by binding of IgG antibodies of anti-lymphocyte serum was not accompanied by change in the net surface charge. Neither did binding of the mitogens phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin A or poke-weed mitogen influence the surface charge of the cells.", "PMID": 793295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9728", "title": "Purification of immunolobulin G Fc-reactive factor from Streptococcus azgazardah.", "content": "A factor from Streptococcus azgazardah (Lancefield's group C) capable of reacting with the Fc fragment of human IgG was partially purified and characterized. The bacteria were lysed by infection with phage, and the IgG Fc-reactive factor was purified from the crude lysate by affinity chromatography on a IgG-coupled Sepharose 4B column. The column was eluted with 3 M KSCN and the eluate gel-filtered on a Sephadex G 75 column. A 30-fold purification was obtained. The molecular weight of the IgG Fc-reactive factor was estimated to be 60,000. The factor was sensitive to trypsin treatment and to heating 95 degrees C, 10 min at pH 2.0. On polyacrylamide electrophoresis only one band was obtained. The trypsin-and heat-sensitivity, and the estimated molecular weight of the factor was similar to an IgG Fc-reactive factor preparation obtained from group A, type M 56 streptococci by heat treatment at 120 degrees C for 30 min.", "contents": "Purification of immunolobulin G Fc-reactive factor from Streptococcus azgazardah. A factor from Streptococcus azgazardah (Lancefield's group C) capable of reacting with the Fc fragment of human IgG was partially purified and characterized. The bacteria were lysed by infection with phage, and the IgG Fc-reactive factor was purified from the crude lysate by affinity chromatography on a IgG-coupled Sepharose 4B column. The column was eluted with 3 M KSCN and the eluate gel-filtered on a Sephadex G 75 column. A 30-fold purification was obtained. The molecular weight of the IgG Fc-reactive factor was estimated to be 60,000. The factor was sensitive to trypsin treatment and to heating 95 degrees C, 10 min at pH 2.0. On polyacrylamide electrophoresis only one band was obtained. The trypsin-and heat-sensitivity, and the estimated molecular weight of the factor was similar to an IgG Fc-reactive factor preparation obtained from group A, type M 56 streptococci by heat treatment at 120 degrees C for 30 min.", "PMID": 793296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9729", "title": "Visualization of the binding of IgG myeloma proteins to some group A streptococci.", "content": "The interaction between streptococci and human IgG, which does not involve the antibody combining sites, was visualized in the electron microscope by the use of human IgG myeloma proteins and ferritin labelled rabbit anti-human IgG antibodies. The streptococci were allowed to react with human IgG myeloma proteins and the human IgG was then marked by addition of ferritin labelled rabbit anti-human IgG antibodies; sections of streptocci studied in electron microscopy showed localization of the ferritin on the surface of the cell wall of all the streptococci of type M 1, M 3, M 12 and M 56 studied. Similar results were obtained if the ferritin labelled rabbit anti-human IgG antibodies alone were allowed to react with the streptococci. The uptake of ferritin labelled rabbit anti-human IgG antibodies could be inhibited by addition of normal rabbit serum.", "contents": "Visualization of the binding of IgG myeloma proteins to some group A streptococci. The interaction between streptococci and human IgG, which does not involve the antibody combining sites, was visualized in the electron microscope by the use of human IgG myeloma proteins and ferritin labelled rabbit anti-human IgG antibodies. The streptococci were allowed to react with human IgG myeloma proteins and the human IgG was then marked by addition of ferritin labelled rabbit anti-human IgG antibodies; sections of streptocci studied in electron microscopy showed localization of the ferritin on the surface of the cell wall of all the streptococci of type M 1, M 3, M 12 and M 56 studied. Similar results were obtained if the ferritin labelled rabbit anti-human IgG antibodies alone were allowed to react with the streptococci. The uptake of ferritin labelled rabbit anti-human IgG antibodies could be inhibited by addition of normal rabbit serum.", "PMID": 793297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9730", "title": "Leucocyte migration inhibitory activity (LMIA) on concanavalin A (Con-A) stimulated human lymphocytes. Comparison of leucocyte migration capillary technique (LMCT), leucocyte migration agarose technique (LMAT), and leucocyte migration fibrinolysis technique (LMFT).", "content": "Leucocyte migration and migration inhibition in fibrin medium may reveal new aspects of lymphokine activity associated with immunological inflammation. Leucocyte migration fibrinolysis technique is compared with the leucocyte migration capillary technique and the leucocyte migration agarose technique. In the present model experiment the three methods gave comparable results. The leucocyte migration fibrinolysis technique involves a new principle for detection of lymphokines and can probably be developed to give more exact information about the interrelationship between thrombosis, fibrinolysis and lymphokines.", "contents": "Leucocyte migration inhibitory activity (LMIA) on concanavalin A (Con-A) stimulated human lymphocytes. Comparison of leucocyte migration capillary technique (LMCT), leucocyte migration agarose technique (LMAT), and leucocyte migration fibrinolysis technique (LMFT). Leucocyte migration and migration inhibition in fibrin medium may reveal new aspects of lymphokine activity associated with immunological inflammation. Leucocyte migration fibrinolysis technique is compared with the leucocyte migration capillary technique and the leucocyte migration agarose technique. In the present model experiment the three methods gave comparable results. The leucocyte migration fibrinolysis technique involves a new principle for detection of lymphokines and can probably be developed to give more exact information about the interrelationship between thrombosis, fibrinolysis and lymphokines.", "PMID": 793298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9731", "title": "Freezing of rat lymphocytes. III. Freezing of plaque-forming cells and restoration by frozen-thawed normal cells of antibody production in irradiated rats.", "content": "The present investigation is an extension of earlier work with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) protected frozen-thawed rat lymphocytes. In the present work it is shown that some 85-90% of the haemolytic plaque-forming cells (PFC) survived the freeze-thaw process. Irradiated rats were restored with fresh and frozen-thawed cells and immunized against sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Evidence is presented that a restrictive control of the PFC response by suppressor cells present in the spleen cell suspension is lost during the freeze-thaw process, giving a higher number of PFC/spleen in recipients of frozen-thawed mixed spleen and lymph node cells than in rats receiving the corresponding fresh preparations.", "contents": "Freezing of rat lymphocytes. III. Freezing of plaque-forming cells and restoration by frozen-thawed normal cells of antibody production in irradiated rats. The present investigation is an extension of earlier work with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) protected frozen-thawed rat lymphocytes. In the present work it is shown that some 85-90% of the haemolytic plaque-forming cells (PFC) survived the freeze-thaw process. Irradiated rats were restored with fresh and frozen-thawed cells and immunized against sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Evidence is presented that a restrictive control of the PFC response by suppressor cells present in the spleen cell suspension is lost during the freeze-thaw process, giving a higher number of PFC/spleen in recipients of frozen-thawed mixed spleen and lymph node cells than in rats receiving the corresponding fresh preparations.", "PMID": 793299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9732", "title": "Immunological in vitro parameters in patients with multiple sclerosis and in normal individuals.", "content": "The general immunological capacity of 40 patients with multiple sclerosis has been evaluated with lymphocyte transformation test including both mitogens (PHA and PWM) and antigens (PPD, Candida albicans, Staph. aureus and E. coli). Determination of T and B cells was performed by E-, EAC-rosetting and immunofluorescence for surface immunoglobulins. Compared with the results obtained in 42 normal individuals only minor differences were found.", "contents": "Immunological in vitro parameters in patients with multiple sclerosis and in normal individuals. The general immunological capacity of 40 patients with multiple sclerosis has been evaluated with lymphocyte transformation test including both mitogens (PHA and PWM) and antigens (PPD, Candida albicans, Staph. aureus and E. coli). Determination of T and B cells was performed by E-, EAC-rosetting and immunofluorescence for surface immunoglobulins. Compared with the results obtained in 42 normal individuals only minor differences were found.", "PMID": 793300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9733", "title": "Lymphocyte transformation in vitro in dermatophytosis.", "content": "Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 59 patients with dermatophytosis and from nine young healthy women were studied by the lymphocyte transformation test (LT) using mitogens and bacterial as well as fungal antigens. The latter included Candida albicans (CA) and four dermatophyte species, viz. Trichophyton rubrum (TR), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (TM), Epidermophyton floccosum (EF) and Microsporum canis (MF). Most of the patients showed normal transformation in response to mitogens and non-dermatophyte antigens, indicating that they have no functional T-cell deficiency. Dermatophyte antigens act as stimulators in LT. In general, patient lymphocytes responded more strongly to these antigens than lymphocytes from controls. In most patients suffering from TM infections, response to the TM antigen was significantly stronger (p less than 0.05) than that in the other patients, indicating that this antigen preparation shows species specificity. In patients with Trichophyton (TR + TM) infections, response to the corresponding antigens was significantly stronger than that in the other patients, which suggests the existence of genus specificity. Any differences between patients suffering from chronic TR infections and those with acute TR infections were not observed, a finding which is in contrast to those obtained in other studies. However, a few patients with chronic TM infections responded weakly to mitogens and non-dermatophyte antigens. LT in four patients with id-reaction to TM infection was not found to differ from that in the remaining TM patients.", "contents": "Lymphocyte transformation in vitro in dermatophytosis. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 59 patients with dermatophytosis and from nine young healthy women were studied by the lymphocyte transformation test (LT) using mitogens and bacterial as well as fungal antigens. The latter included Candida albicans (CA) and four dermatophyte species, viz. Trichophyton rubrum (TR), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (TM), Epidermophyton floccosum (EF) and Microsporum canis (MF). Most of the patients showed normal transformation in response to mitogens and non-dermatophyte antigens, indicating that they have no functional T-cell deficiency. Dermatophyte antigens act as stimulators in LT. In general, patient lymphocytes responded more strongly to these antigens than lymphocytes from controls. In most patients suffering from TM infections, response to the TM antigen was significantly stronger (p less than 0.05) than that in the other patients, indicating that this antigen preparation shows species specificity. In patients with Trichophyton (TR + TM) infections, response to the corresponding antigens was significantly stronger than that in the other patients, which suggests the existence of genus specificity. Any differences between patients suffering from chronic TR infections and those with acute TR infections were not observed, a finding which is in contrast to those obtained in other studies. However, a few patients with chronic TM infections responded weakly to mitogens and non-dermatophyte antigens. LT in four patients with id-reaction to TM infection was not found to differ from that in the remaining TM patients.", "PMID": 793301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9734", "title": "The effect of serotonin (5-HT) on insulin secretion.", "content": "The present study was aimed at observing the effect on insulin secretion of serotonin (5-HT) administered intraportally to anesthetized adult dogs. The influence of 5-HT on insulin release was also studied in mouse pancreatic islets isolated by a collagenase method. In the in vivo studies, 6 mg of 5-HT rapidly injected in the portal vein of dogs induced hypoglycemia, and a significant increase of immunoreactive insulin plasma levels (IRI) in blood samples taken from the pancreatoduodenal vein. The phenomenon was registered throughout three consecutive 10 min periods after serotonin administration. With 3 mg of 5-HT the IRI increases were not observed. When serotonin was slowly infused at doses of 3 and 6 mg, no increases of IRI were recorded. In the in vitro studies, 5-HT at 100 mug/ml stimulated the output of insulin in the presence of a low concentration of glucose (0.6 mg/ml); when the islets were incubated with glucose at a higher concentration (3.0 mg/ml) there was a lower insulin release in the presence of serotonin (100 mug/ml) than that obtained with glucose alone at the same concentration (3.0 mug/ml). The results obtained suggest that serotonin stimulates insulin release under certain conditions in the intact dog and also in the isolated pancreatic islets of the mouse incubated in vitro.", "contents": "The effect of serotonin (5-HT) on insulin secretion. The present study was aimed at observing the effect on insulin secretion of serotonin (5-HT) administered intraportally to anesthetized adult dogs. The influence of 5-HT on insulin release was also studied in mouse pancreatic islets isolated by a collagenase method. In the in vivo studies, 6 mg of 5-HT rapidly injected in the portal vein of dogs induced hypoglycemia, and a significant increase of immunoreactive insulin plasma levels (IRI) in blood samples taken from the pancreatoduodenal vein. The phenomenon was registered throughout three consecutive 10 min periods after serotonin administration. With 3 mg of 5-HT the IRI increases were not observed. When serotonin was slowly infused at doses of 3 and 6 mg, no increases of IRI were recorded. In the in vitro studies, 5-HT at 100 mug/ml stimulated the output of insulin in the presence of a low concentration of glucose (0.6 mg/ml); when the islets were incubated with glucose at a higher concentration (3.0 mg/ml) there was a lower insulin release in the presence of serotonin (100 mug/ml) than that obtained with glucose alone at the same concentration (3.0 mug/ml). The results obtained suggest that serotonin stimulates insulin release under certain conditions in the intact dog and also in the isolated pancreatic islets of the mouse incubated in vitro.", "PMID": 793302} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9735", "title": "A double-blind trial of baclofen against placebo in the treatment of schizophrenia.", "content": "Twenty male chronic schizophrenic patients participated in a double-blond between-patient study of the GABA-like drug baclofen to evaluate the antipsychotic effect of baclofen. No difference was found between the 10 patients who received baclofen and 10 who received placebo with regard to the number of days before a worsening of their psychiatric condition necessitated treatment with chlorpromazine, the total score for psychotic symptoms before and after treatment for 10 weeks, or the total consumption of chlorpromazine. Discontinuation of baclofen did not exacerbate the psychotic symptoms. Baclofen was superior to placebo in the treatment of anxiety, which is of particular interest in view of the recent theories on the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines. The relationship between the gabergic system and the dopaminergic system with regard to the substantia nigra and the corpus striatum is discussed as well as the suggestion based on animal experiments that baclofen has an antipsychotic effect.", "contents": "A double-blind trial of baclofen against placebo in the treatment of schizophrenia. Twenty male chronic schizophrenic patients participated in a double-blond between-patient study of the GABA-like drug baclofen to evaluate the antipsychotic effect of baclofen. No difference was found between the 10 patients who received baclofen and 10 who received placebo with regard to the number of days before a worsening of their psychiatric condition necessitated treatment with chlorpromazine, the total score for psychotic symptoms before and after treatment for 10 weeks, or the total consumption of chlorpromazine. Discontinuation of baclofen did not exacerbate the psychotic symptoms. Baclofen was superior to placebo in the treatment of anxiety, which is of particular interest in view of the recent theories on the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines. The relationship between the gabergic system and the dopaminergic system with regard to the substantia nigra and the corpus striatum is discussed as well as the suggestion based on animal experiments that baclofen has an antipsychotic effect.", "PMID": 793304} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9736", "title": "A comparative double-blind study of the side effects of Litarex and Lithionit Durettes.", "content": "Side effects of two lithium salts of the sustained-release type were compared in a cross-over double-blind study. Eighteen patients with uni- or bipolar type of manic-depressive diseases were included in the trial. The drugs compared were lithium citrate (Litarex, Dumex Ltd.) and lithium sulphate (Lithionit Durettes, H\u00e4ssle Ltd.). After the patients had been adjusted to a serum concentration of 0.8-1.2 mmol/l, self-assessment of the frequency and intensity of 16 side-effect variables was performed during a period of 4 weeks. The most common side effects were tremor, fatigue, polyuria, polydipsia, and reduced power of concentration. There was no difference in the frequency or intensity of the side effects between the two drugs. The side effects are, accordingly, considered an effect of the lithium ion, rather than of the lithium salt. The difference in the size and appearance of the tablets was of very little practical significance.", "contents": "A comparative double-blind study of the side effects of Litarex and Lithionit Durettes. Side effects of two lithium salts of the sustained-release type were compared in a cross-over double-blind study. Eighteen patients with uni- or bipolar type of manic-depressive diseases were included in the trial. The drugs compared were lithium citrate (Litarex, Dumex Ltd.) and lithium sulphate (Lithionit Durettes, H\u00e4ssle Ltd.). After the patients had been adjusted to a serum concentration of 0.8-1.2 mmol/l, self-assessment of the frequency and intensity of 16 side-effect variables was performed during a period of 4 weeks. The most common side effects were tremor, fatigue, polyuria, polydipsia, and reduced power of concentration. There was no difference in the frequency or intensity of the side effects between the two drugs. The side effects are, accordingly, considered an effect of the lithium ion, rather than of the lithium salt. The difference in the size and appearance of the tablets was of very little practical significance.", "PMID": 793305} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9737", "title": "Anatomical rationale of ablative surgery for temporal lobe seizures and dyscontrol: suggested stereo-chemode chelate-blockade alternative.", "content": "Anatomical data now strongly suggest that the common factor in curative ablative operations for the commonest (i.e. ammonshorn-sclerosis) form of temporal-lobe epilepsy is the cutting of the ipsilateral temporoammonic perforant path's \"nozzle\" where it leaves the entorhinal cortex to \"spray\" along the length of the ammonshorn. This substantially deafferences ipsilateral dentate granule-cells and hence the unsclerosed pyramidal neurons notably in \"resistant sector\" CA2, which are probably the source of the seizures. Stereo-chemoding of long-lasting (experimentally tested) chelates along the zone of peculiarly zinc-rich synapses of the mossy fibre system should block the commissural as well as the ipsilateral inputs to these residual neurons, to give higher percentage cures, and could probably be performed bilaterally (where indicated, in adults) without endangering memory function.", "contents": "Anatomical rationale of ablative surgery for temporal lobe seizures and dyscontrol: suggested stereo-chemode chelate-blockade alternative. Anatomical data now strongly suggest that the common factor in curative ablative operations for the commonest (i.e. ammonshorn-sclerosis) form of temporal-lobe epilepsy is the cutting of the ipsilateral temporoammonic perforant path's \"nozzle\" where it leaves the entorhinal cortex to \"spray\" along the length of the ammonshorn. This substantially deafferences ipsilateral dentate granule-cells and hence the unsclerosed pyramidal neurons notably in \"resistant sector\" CA2, which are probably the source of the seizures. Stereo-chemoding of long-lasting (experimentally tested) chelates along the zone of peculiarly zinc-rich synapses of the mossy fibre system should block the commissural as well as the ipsilateral inputs to these residual neurons, to give higher percentage cures, and could probably be performed bilaterally (where indicated, in adults) without endangering memory function.", "PMID": 793306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9738", "title": "Stereotactic fornicotomy in temporal epilepsy: indications and long-term results.", "content": "An analysis of the long-term results of 42 patients with epilepsy and behavioural disturbances treated by stereotactic fornicotomy has been carried out. An attempt has been made to classify the indications for this surgical method. Patients must be selected according the following criteria: the lower age groups, severe behavioural disturbances and epileptic symptomatology unchanged by any other form of treatment, normal I,Q. and electroencephalographic demonstration of a temporal lobe epileptic focus. The stereotactic lesion of the fornix was always carried out homo-laterally and was without morbidity and mortality. The results have been satisfactory in 70% of our patients but mainly when aggression was the main feature. The best results are related to a high I.Q. and a short clinical history.", "contents": "Stereotactic fornicotomy in temporal epilepsy: indications and long-term results. An analysis of the long-term results of 42 patients with epilepsy and behavioural disturbances treated by stereotactic fornicotomy has been carried out. An attempt has been made to classify the indications for this surgical method. Patients must be selected according the following criteria: the lower age groups, severe behavioural disturbances and epileptic symptomatology unchanged by any other form of treatment, normal I,Q. and electroencephalographic demonstration of a temporal lobe epileptic focus. The stereotactic lesion of the fornix was always carried out homo-laterally and was without morbidity and mortality. The results have been satisfactory in 70% of our patients but mainly when aggression was the main feature. The best results are related to a high I.Q. and a short clinical history.", "PMID": 793308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9739", "title": "Stereo-electroencephalographic exploration and epilepsia partialis continua.", "content": "Somatomotor status epilepticus in infatnts consisting of continous repetitive clonic jerks as a sequel of involvment of the sensorimotor area cortex has rarely been explored by multiple depth electrodes. The authors report 3 cases, which were examined stereo-electroencephalographically. Two girls, a 5 year old and a 3 year old showed sustained jerks of one foot with intermittent Jacksonian seizures. Both had a primary epileptogenic focus in the medial prerolandic and postrolandic cortex. The third case, an 8 year old girls, was a borderline case of Kozevnikov epilepsy. All 3 patients were operated on following the stereo-electroencephalographic exploration and the focus was removed. The study shows that it is possible to explore children with depth electrodes and that this exploration is the safest way to localize a focus and, consequently to cure the patient by surgery.", "contents": "Stereo-electroencephalographic exploration and epilepsia partialis continua. Somatomotor status epilepticus in infatnts consisting of continous repetitive clonic jerks as a sequel of involvment of the sensorimotor area cortex has rarely been explored by multiple depth electrodes. The authors report 3 cases, which were examined stereo-electroencephalographically. Two girls, a 5 year old and a 3 year old showed sustained jerks of one foot with intermittent Jacksonian seizures. Both had a primary epileptogenic focus in the medial prerolandic and postrolandic cortex. The third case, an 8 year old girls, was a borderline case of Kozevnikov epilepsy. All 3 patients were operated on following the stereo-electroencephalographic exploration and the focus was removed. The study shows that it is possible to explore children with depth electrodes and that this exploration is the safest way to localize a focus and, consequently to cure the patient by surgery.", "PMID": 793309} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9740", "title": "Basic targets and the different epilepsies.", "content": "The follow up of 49 stereotactically operated epileptics is graphically demonstrated and the 79 operations in basic targets within the amygdala and the area of the anterior pole of the thalamus are described. The patients had valuable gaining in 80%; The continued developement of stereotactic methods in the future is urgent, so long as 30% of the epileptics respond poorly to drug therapy and only 5-10% are suitable to the traditional resection methods.", "contents": "Basic targets and the different epilepsies. The follow up of 49 stereotactically operated epileptics is graphically demonstrated and the 79 operations in basic targets within the amygdala and the area of the anterior pole of the thalamus are described. The patients had valuable gaining in 80%; The continued developement of stereotactic methods in the future is urgent, so long as 30% of the epileptics respond poorly to drug therapy and only 5-10% are suitable to the traditional resection methods.", "PMID": 793310} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9741", "title": "Effects of stereotactic operations in the treatment of epilepsies--neurological aspects.", "content": "In 81 patients with intractable epileptic seizures 121 stereo-electroencephalographic (SEEG) examinations and 91 operations with stereoencephalotomy (SET) were carried out. SEEG and SET targets were chosen in 22 different subcortical structures and in the medial frontal cortex. In 6 of 18 temporal epilepsy cases SET was followed by classical hippocampectomy. With the exception of temporal lobe cases all others were unsuitable for classical neurosurgery. Of 61 controlled patients 24.5% were cured or greatly improved cured, 39.5% improved and 36% unimproved; Correlations among the clinical, EEG and SEEG findings; SET and therapeutic effects are discussed together with the role of stereotactic procedures. In our experience (Cig\u00e1nek 1962) among patients unsuccessfully treated by conservative methods over 60% are unsuitable for classical procedures based on the criteria of the Montreal neurosurgical school, because of the absence of leading epileptogenic area or because they represent cases with completely or almost completely generalized seizures. In these cases stereotaxy offers prospects diagnostic refinement and treatment.", "contents": "Effects of stereotactic operations in the treatment of epilepsies--neurological aspects. In 81 patients with intractable epileptic seizures 121 stereo-electroencephalographic (SEEG) examinations and 91 operations with stereoencephalotomy (SET) were carried out. SEEG and SET targets were chosen in 22 different subcortical structures and in the medial frontal cortex. In 6 of 18 temporal epilepsy cases SET was followed by classical hippocampectomy. With the exception of temporal lobe cases all others were unsuitable for classical neurosurgery. Of 61 controlled patients 24.5% were cured or greatly improved cured, 39.5% improved and 36% unimproved; Correlations among the clinical, EEG and SEEG findings; SET and therapeutic effects are discussed together with the role of stereotactic procedures. In our experience (Cig\u00e1nek 1962) among patients unsuccessfully treated by conservative methods over 60% are unsuitable for classical procedures based on the criteria of the Montreal neurosurgical school, because of the absence of leading epileptogenic area or because they represent cases with completely or almost completely generalized seizures. In these cases stereotaxy offers prospects diagnostic refinement and treatment.", "PMID": 793311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9742", "title": "Effects of stereotactic lesions in intractable epilepsy.", "content": "The eras of surgical treatment of epilepsy are described and experience with the epilepsy operations, especially those obtained in the course of temporal epilepsy operations, and stereotactic attempts based on multielectrode EEG investigations, and ES. Classical, exposure and resection still seems adequate whilst stereotaxy develops in the selective elimination of the structure activating the coded seizure-pattern.", "contents": "Effects of stereotactic lesions in intractable epilepsy. The eras of surgical treatment of epilepsy are described and experience with the epilepsy operations, especially those obtained in the course of temporal epilepsy operations, and stereotactic attempts based on multielectrode EEG investigations, and ES. Classical, exposure and resection still seems adequate whilst stereotaxy develops in the selective elimination of the structure activating the coded seizure-pattern.", "PMID": 793312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9743", "title": "Results of amygdalotomy and fornicotomy in temporal lobe epilepsy and behaviour disorders.", "content": "8 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy underwent amygdalotomy in some cases followed by fornicotomy. There was no definite improvement in seizure frequency. The behaviour improved in 3 cases.", "contents": "Results of amygdalotomy and fornicotomy in temporal lobe epilepsy and behaviour disorders. 8 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy underwent amygdalotomy in some cases followed by fornicotomy. There was no definite improvement in seizure frequency. The behaviour improved in 3 cases.", "PMID": 793314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9744", "title": "Stereotactic surgery of the limbic system in epilepsy.", "content": "During the routine follow-up of results of stereotaxic surgery in the patients treated for behaviour disorders, it was found that some of them had a bonus relief from seizures, Out of 260 amygdalotomies, 54 hypothalamotomies and 5 thalamolaminotomies performed for behavioural problems, 107 patients suffered from associated seizure disorder. 76 of them (71%) showed considerable relief from seizures following surgery. This is detailed. It is hypothesized that probably these nuclei of the \"limbic system\" either initiate and/or propagate seizure activity. This view is supported by the \"improvement\" in EEG in addition to the clinical improvement seen in these patients.", "contents": "Stereotactic surgery of the limbic system in epilepsy. During the routine follow-up of results of stereotaxic surgery in the patients treated for behaviour disorders, it was found that some of them had a bonus relief from seizures, Out of 260 amygdalotomies, 54 hypothalamotomies and 5 thalamolaminotomies performed for behavioural problems, 107 patients suffered from associated seizure disorder. 76 of them (71%) showed considerable relief from seizures following surgery. This is detailed. It is hypothesized that probably these nuclei of the \"limbic system\" either initiate and/or propagate seizure activity. This view is supported by the \"improvement\" in EEG in addition to the clinical improvement seen in these patients.", "PMID": 793316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9745", "title": "Spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis in the BUF rat.", "content": "The inbred BUF rat develops autoimmune thyroiditis spontaneously. The incidence is related to the age of the animal and is increased by neonatal thymectomy and by treatment with methylcholanthrene. Autoantibodies to thyroglobulin can be demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence and hemagglutination, but skin tests are negative. The \"spontaneous\" autoimmune disease may be due to the conjunction of an unusually vigorous immunological response to thyroglobulin and the loss of thymic suppressor function.", "contents": "Spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis in the BUF rat. The inbred BUF rat develops autoimmune thyroiditis spontaneously. The incidence is related to the age of the animal and is increased by neonatal thymectomy and by treatment with methylcholanthrene. Autoantibodies to thyroglobulin can be demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence and hemagglutination, but skin tests are negative. The \"spontaneous\" autoimmune disease may be due to the conjunction of an unusually vigorous immunological response to thyroglobulin and the loss of thymic suppressor function.", "PMID": 793334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9746", "title": "Genetic regulation of macrophage functions.", "content": "Normal phagocytic function is genetically determined but maintained in a rather narrow range of variation. Phagocytosis stimulation induced by different agents is variable according to species, strains or individuals. Variation is environmental, to a great extent, but has also a genetic component which differs in each case. Selective breeding for macrophage responsiveness to triolein stimulation was successful. However, the relevant genes have only a small effect on antibody synthesis. Macrophages of mice selected for high and low antibody synthesis have a similar phagocytic function but their capacities of antigen processing are quite different.", "contents": "Genetic regulation of macrophage functions. Normal phagocytic function is genetically determined but maintained in a rather narrow range of variation. Phagocytosis stimulation induced by different agents is variable according to species, strains or individuals. Variation is environmental, to a great extent, but has also a genetic component which differs in each case. Selective breeding for macrophage responsiveness to triolein stimulation was successful. However, the relevant genes have only a small effect on antibody synthesis. Macrophages of mice selected for high and low antibody synthesis have a similar phagocytic function but their capacities of antigen processing are quite different.", "PMID": 793348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9747", "title": "The present view of RES and shock.", "content": "Conclusive evidence emphasizes the need for a functionally intact RES function in shock states and in the critically ill patient. Effort must be made to restore and maintain homeostasis also with regard to the RES. RES-research must be intensified in order to define the exact mechanism of the post-traumatic RES depression, since little seems to be gained from pharmacological stimulation of the RE cells, but more from replenishing apparently missing plasma factors. Attention must also be paid to the RES in the therapeutic situation by restricting the use of potential RES depressors.", "contents": "The present view of RES and shock. Conclusive evidence emphasizes the need for a functionally intact RES function in shock states and in the critically ill patient. Effort must be made to restore and maintain homeostasis also with regard to the RES. RES-research must be intensified in order to define the exact mechanism of the post-traumatic RES depression, since little seems to be gained from pharmacological stimulation of the RE cells, but more from replenishing apparently missing plasma factors. Attention must also be paid to the RES in the therapeutic situation by restricting the use of potential RES depressors.", "PMID": 793351} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9748", "title": "Introduction to cardiovascular research on prostaglandins.", "content": "The prostaglandins have diverse cardiovascular effects, differing not only among themselves but also according to the organ affected and the species. Some of the pharmacological actions of the prostaglandins may have practical application in hypertensive crises, shock, peripheral vascular disease, and to maintain the patency of the ductus arteriosus in congenital heart malformations. They may play physiological roles as locally produced modulators or regulators of kidney function and blood flow to specific organs or tissues. Such roles are yet to be firmly established.", "contents": "Introduction to cardiovascular research on prostaglandins. The prostaglandins have diverse cardiovascular effects, differing not only among themselves but also according to the organ affected and the species. Some of the pharmacological actions of the prostaglandins may have practical application in hypertensive crises, shock, peripheral vascular disease, and to maintain the patency of the ductus arteriosus in congenital heart malformations. They may play physiological roles as locally produced modulators or regulators of kidney function and blood flow to specific organs or tissues. Such roles are yet to be firmly established.", "PMID": 793361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9749", "title": "The response of normal and asthmatic subjects to prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha by different routes, and their significance in asthma.", "content": "Although PGE2 and PGF2alpha have potent effects on the human bronchus by aerosol, they are less potent when given by the intravenous route. Prostaglandin E2 may cause bronchoconstriction. Indomethacin had no effect on day-to-day asthmatic symptoms, or challenge-induced asthma, suggesting that prostaglandins are not fundamental to the pathogenesis of asthma.", "contents": "The response of normal and asthmatic subjects to prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha by different routes, and their significance in asthma. Although PGE2 and PGF2alpha have potent effects on the human bronchus by aerosol, they are less potent when given by the intravenous route. Prostaglandin E2 may cause bronchoconstriction. Indomethacin had no effect on day-to-day asthmatic symptoms, or challenge-induced asthma, suggesting that prostaglandins are not fundamental to the pathogenesis of asthma.", "PMID": 793362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9750", "title": "A test experience with a machine-processed electrocardiography diagnosis: the recognition of \"normal\" and some specific patterns.", "content": "Five hundred ECG's, machine processed by the commercially available IBM Bonner-Mt. Sinai System, have been reviewed. The diagnostic printouts were of value as an adjunct to the physician's interpretations, but were not sufficiently reliable--in regard to either sensitivity (identification of the abnormal or borderline) or specificity (accuracy in predicting typical abnormalities)--to allow us to condone any claim for it being an independent reliable diagnostic service to noncardiologist clinicians. Despite this desclaimer for current diagnostic reliability of ECG computer analyses, specifically the IBM-Bonner system, we continue to be of the firm conviction that progress through this method of ECG analysis will have much to contribute in future years.", "contents": "A test experience with a machine-processed electrocardiography diagnosis: the recognition of \"normal\" and some specific patterns. Five hundred ECG's, machine processed by the commercially available IBM Bonner-Mt. Sinai System, have been reviewed. The diagnostic printouts were of value as an adjunct to the physician's interpretations, but were not sufficiently reliable--in regard to either sensitivity (identification of the abnormal or borderline) or specificity (accuracy in predicting typical abnormalities)--to allow us to condone any claim for it being an independent reliable diagnostic service to noncardiologist clinicians. Despite this desclaimer for current diagnostic reliability of ECG computer analyses, specifically the IBM-Bonner system, we continue to be of the firm conviction that progress through this method of ECG analysis will have much to contribute in future years.", "PMID": 793365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9751", "title": "High sodium-low potassium environment and hypertension.", "content": "The high sodium-low potassium environment of civilized people, operating on a genetic substrate of susceptibility, is the cardinal factor in the genesis and perpetuation of \"essential\" hypertension. The noxious effects begin in childhood, when habits of excess salt consumption are acquired at the family table, and are perpetuated by continuing habit and by increasing use of convenience and snack foods with artificially high concentrations of sodium and low levels of potassium. Present methods of food preparation leach out the protective potassium. Extradietary sodium chloride is a condiment not a requirement. Some primitive populations clearly preferred potassium chloride to sodium chloride. Chronic expansion of extracellular fluid volume induced by excess salt consumption causes the central and peripheral circulatory regulatory mechanisms to work at cross purposes, resulting in increased arterial pressure. The protective effect of potassium is dramatic and easily demonstrable in animals and man but its mechanism is not known. It cannot be entirely a direct effect on blood pressure because rats protected with extra potassium against a moderately high salt intake live much longer than control rats but have the same elevated blood pressures. In hypertension with a demonstrable \"cause,\" the high sodium-low potassium environment makes a bad matter worse. In nature, feral man and his forebears were not confronted with excessive sodium and deficient potassium; indeed, the reverse was the case. Evolution has provided powerful mechanisms for conserving sodium and eliminating potassium, but no efficient physiologic mechanisms for conserving potassium and eliminating excess sodium. Most laboratory animal \"control\" diets contain an amount of sodium that fully suppresses aldosterone secretion, and the same is true of the \"average\" diet of the American people. Inadequate attention to dietary sodium and potassium makes many studies in both animals and man of uncertain validity. Internally, essential hypertension is an exceedingly complex mosaic of physiologic interactions. Viewed from outside, it is a disorder for which genetic material sets the stage; excessive sodium precipitates it and perpetuates it. Extra salt makes all forms more rapidly progressive and accelerates the onset of terminal events; extra potassium is everywhere protective. When an entire population eats excessively of salt, hypertension will develop among those genetically susceptible, but epidemiologic studies of salt versus blood pressure will not show a relation of salt to hypertension. This is the saturation effect. Low sodium diets are therapeutically effective but generally regarded as an impossible or an unnecessary nuisance. Effective prevention programs must be instituted at as early an age as possible. The efficacy of a prophylactic/therapeutic low sodium-high potassium diet should be weighed against the uncertain hazards of a lifetime of pill taking.", "contents": "High sodium-low potassium environment and hypertension. The high sodium-low potassium environment of civilized people, operating on a genetic substrate of susceptibility, is the cardinal factor in the genesis and perpetuation of \"essential\" hypertension. The noxious effects begin in childhood, when habits of excess salt consumption are acquired at the family table, and are perpetuated by continuing habit and by increasing use of convenience and snack foods with artificially high concentrations of sodium and low levels of potassium. Present methods of food preparation leach out the protective potassium. Extradietary sodium chloride is a condiment not a requirement. Some primitive populations clearly preferred potassium chloride to sodium chloride. Chronic expansion of extracellular fluid volume induced by excess salt consumption causes the central and peripheral circulatory regulatory mechanisms to work at cross purposes, resulting in increased arterial pressure. The protective effect of potassium is dramatic and easily demonstrable in animals and man but its mechanism is not known. It cannot be entirely a direct effect on blood pressure because rats protected with extra potassium against a moderately high salt intake live much longer than control rats but have the same elevated blood pressures. In hypertension with a demonstrable \"cause,\" the high sodium-low potassium environment makes a bad matter worse. In nature, feral man and his forebears were not confronted with excessive sodium and deficient potassium; indeed, the reverse was the case. Evolution has provided powerful mechanisms for conserving sodium and eliminating potassium, but no efficient physiologic mechanisms for conserving potassium and eliminating excess sodium. Most laboratory animal \"control\" diets contain an amount of sodium that fully suppresses aldosterone secretion, and the same is true of the \"average\" diet of the American people. Inadequate attention to dietary sodium and potassium makes many studies in both animals and man of uncertain validity. Internally, essential hypertension is an exceedingly complex mosaic of physiologic interactions. Viewed from outside, it is a disorder for which genetic material sets the stage; excessive sodium precipitates it and perpetuates it. Extra salt makes all forms more rapidly progressive and accelerates the onset of terminal events; extra potassium is everywhere protective. When an entire population eats excessively of salt, hypertension will develop among those genetically susceptible, but epidemiologic studies of salt versus blood pressure will not show a relation of salt to hypertension. This is the saturation effect. Low sodium diets are therapeutically effective but generally regarded as an impossible or an unnecessary nuisance. Effective prevention programs must be instituted at as early an age as possible. The efficacy of a prophylactic/therapeutic low sodium-high potassium diet should be weighed against the uncertain hazards of a lifetime of pill taking.", "PMID": 793367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9752", "title": "Electrophysiologic effects of atropine on sinus node and atrium in patients with sinus nodal dysfunction.", "content": "Electrophysiologic studies were conducted in 21 patients with sinus nodal dysfunction before and after intravenous administration of 1 to 2 mg of atropine. The mean sinus cycle length (+/- standard error of the mean) was 1,171 +/- 35 msec before and 806 +/- 29 msec after administration of atropine (P less than 0.001). Mean sinus nodal recovery time determined at a aced rate of 130/min and maximal recovery time were, respectively, 1,426 +/- 75 and 1,690 +/- 100 msec before and 1,169 +/- 90 and 1,311 +/- 111 msec after atropine (P less than 0.001 and less than 0.001). Mean calculated sinoatrial conduction time, measured in 16 patients, was 113 +/- 8 msec before and 105 +/- 9.7 msec after atropine (difference not significant). Mean atrial effective refractory period, measured at an equivalent driven cycle length, was 262 +/- 11.1 msec before and 256 +/- 10.3 msec after atropine (not significant). Mean atrial functional refractory period was 302 +/- 12.5 msec before and 295 +/- 11.3 msec after atropine (not significant). The shortening of sinus cycle length and sinus recovery time with atropine was similar to that noted in patients without sinus nodal dysfunction. In contrast, atropine had insignificant effects on sinoatrial conduction and atrial refractoriness in this group whereas it shortens both in normal subjects. This finding may reflect altered perinodal and atrial electrophysiologic properties in patients with sinus node disease.", "contents": "Electrophysiologic effects of atropine on sinus node and atrium in patients with sinus nodal dysfunction. Electrophysiologic studies were conducted in 21 patients with sinus nodal dysfunction before and after intravenous administration of 1 to 2 mg of atropine. The mean sinus cycle length (+/- standard error of the mean) was 1,171 +/- 35 msec before and 806 +/- 29 msec after administration of atropine (P less than 0.001). Mean sinus nodal recovery time determined at a aced rate of 130/min and maximal recovery time were, respectively, 1,426 +/- 75 and 1,690 +/- 100 msec before and 1,169 +/- 90 and 1,311 +/- 111 msec after atropine (P less than 0.001 and less than 0.001). Mean calculated sinoatrial conduction time, measured in 16 patients, was 113 +/- 8 msec before and 105 +/- 9.7 msec after atropine (difference not significant). Mean atrial effective refractory period, measured at an equivalent driven cycle length, was 262 +/- 11.1 msec before and 256 +/- 10.3 msec after atropine (not significant). Mean atrial functional refractory period was 302 +/- 12.5 msec before and 295 +/- 11.3 msec after atropine (not significant). The shortening of sinus cycle length and sinus recovery time with atropine was similar to that noted in patients without sinus nodal dysfunction. In contrast, atropine had insignificant effects on sinoatrial conduction and atrial refractoriness in this group whereas it shortens both in normal subjects. This finding may reflect altered perinodal and atrial electrophysiologic properties in patients with sinus node disease.", "PMID": 793368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9753", "title": "Clinical efficacy of amiodarone as an antiarrhythmic agent.", "content": "Amiodarone, administered orally in doses of 200 to 600 mg/day, was remarkably effective in the treatment and prevention of a wide variety of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Total suppression and control was provided in 98 (92.4 percent) of 106 patients with supraventricular arrhythmias and in 119 (82 percent) of 145 patients with ventricular arrhythmias. The rates of total control of the arrhythmia were: 96.6 percent in 30 patients with recurrent atrial flutter or fibrillation, 96.6 percent in 59 patients with repetitive supraventricular tachycardia, 100 percent in 27 patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and 77.2 percent in 44 patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia unsuccessfully treated with other drugs. Excellent results were obtained in 6 to 8 patients with repetitive ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation related to postinfarction ventricular aneurysm and in 12 of 14 patients with ventricular extrasystoles and ventricular tachycardia related to Chagasic myocarditis. Amiodarone proved safe in patients with severe congestive heart failure and severe myocardial damage. Its clinical efficacy was related to its electrophysiologic properties and to two unique properties: its wide safety margin and its cumulative effect. The latter liberates patients from a rigid hourly schedule and provides for continuous antiarrhythmic control, days and even weeks after treatment is discontinued.", "contents": "Clinical efficacy of amiodarone as an antiarrhythmic agent. Amiodarone, administered orally in doses of 200 to 600 mg/day, was remarkably effective in the treatment and prevention of a wide variety of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Total suppression and control was provided in 98 (92.4 percent) of 106 patients with supraventricular arrhythmias and in 119 (82 percent) of 145 patients with ventricular arrhythmias. The rates of total control of the arrhythmia were: 96.6 percent in 30 patients with recurrent atrial flutter or fibrillation, 96.6 percent in 59 patients with repetitive supraventricular tachycardia, 100 percent in 27 patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and 77.2 percent in 44 patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia unsuccessfully treated with other drugs. Excellent results were obtained in 6 to 8 patients with repetitive ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation related to postinfarction ventricular aneurysm and in 12 of 14 patients with ventricular extrasystoles and ventricular tachycardia related to Chagasic myocarditis. Amiodarone proved safe in patients with severe congestive heart failure and severe myocardial damage. Its clinical efficacy was related to its electrophysiologic properties and to two unique properties: its wide safety margin and its cumulative effect. The latter liberates patients from a rigid hourly schedule and provides for continuous antiarrhythmic control, days and even weeks after treatment is discontinued.", "PMID": 793369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9754", "title": "Comparison of patterns of fecal bile acid and neutral sterol between children and adults.", "content": "The patterns of bile acids and neutral sterols in the feces of five infants under 1 1/2 years of age, five children 4 years of age, and nine adult subjects without histroy of gastrointestinal diseases were studied by gas-liquid chromatography. Progressive changes in both bile acid and neutral sterol profiles were observed with maturation in infants and children. The patterns in the 4 year olds appraoched those observed in adults. In the infants under 1 1/2 years, cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids constituted 20.7 +/- 4.8% and 7.5 +/- 2.3% of the total bile acid in the stool, respectively. Deoxycholic and lithocholic acids made up only 4.4 +/- 1.7% and 2.9 +/- 1.0%, respectively. In the 4 year olds, the corresponding primary bile acids decreased to 3.9 +/- 1.9% and 5.6 +/- 4.3%, whereas secondary bile acids increased to 21.3 +/- 5.4% and 33.2 +/- 2.2%. Normal adults on regular mixed diets had only small amounts of primary bile acids (2.4 +/- 0.5% and 3.4 +/- 0.6% for cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids). The secondary bile acids in their feces were 34.3 +/- 2.2% and 38.9 +/- 2.0%, respectively. In the neutral sterol fraction, unmodified cholesterol decreased with age: 94.7 +/- 3.7%, 27.0 +/- 1.5% and 25.0 +/- 4.8% of the total neutral sterols in the feces for infants, children, and adults, respectively. On the other hand, coprostanol, the principal metabolite of cholesterol in humans, increased with age: 3.8 +/- 3.4%, 62.6 +/- 3.5% and 65.8 +/- 4.7% for the respective groups. Total bile acid excretion expressed as mg/day, also increased with age: 34 +/- 17, 47 +/- 17 and 293 +/- 69 (for five adult subjects only) for the respective groups. These differences disappeared, however, when the data were expressed as mg/kg of body weight per day: 3.8 +/- 2.0, 3.0 +/- 1.1, and 4.1 +/- 1.0 for the respective groups. Daily excretion of cholesterol metabolites, when expressed as mg/day increased with age: 139 +/- 38, 278 +/- 54 and 719 +/- 211 (for five adult subjects only) for the respective groups. The corresponding values after correction by body weight were 15.4 +/- 4.5, 17.9 +/- 3.0 and 10.3 +/-3.0 mg/kg per day for the respective groups. The production of coprostanol was correlated with 7 alpha-dehydroxylation of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid.", "contents": "Comparison of patterns of fecal bile acid and neutral sterol between children and adults. The patterns of bile acids and neutral sterols in the feces of five infants under 1 1/2 years of age, five children 4 years of age, and nine adult subjects without histroy of gastrointestinal diseases were studied by gas-liquid chromatography. Progressive changes in both bile acid and neutral sterol profiles were observed with maturation in infants and children. The patterns in the 4 year olds appraoched those observed in adults. In the infants under 1 1/2 years, cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids constituted 20.7 +/- 4.8% and 7.5 +/- 2.3% of the total bile acid in the stool, respectively. Deoxycholic and lithocholic acids made up only 4.4 +/- 1.7% and 2.9 +/- 1.0%, respectively. In the 4 year olds, the corresponding primary bile acids decreased to 3.9 +/- 1.9% and 5.6 +/- 4.3%, whereas secondary bile acids increased to 21.3 +/- 5.4% and 33.2 +/- 2.2%. Normal adults on regular mixed diets had only small amounts of primary bile acids (2.4 +/- 0.5% and 3.4 +/- 0.6% for cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids). The secondary bile acids in their feces were 34.3 +/- 2.2% and 38.9 +/- 2.0%, respectively. In the neutral sterol fraction, unmodified cholesterol decreased with age: 94.7 +/- 3.7%, 27.0 +/- 1.5% and 25.0 +/- 4.8% of the total neutral sterols in the feces for infants, children, and adults, respectively. On the other hand, coprostanol, the principal metabolite of cholesterol in humans, increased with age: 3.8 +/- 3.4%, 62.6 +/- 3.5% and 65.8 +/- 4.7% for the respective groups. Total bile acid excretion expressed as mg/day, also increased with age: 34 +/- 17, 47 +/- 17 and 293 +/- 69 (for five adult subjects only) for the respective groups. These differences disappeared, however, when the data were expressed as mg/kg of body weight per day: 3.8 +/- 2.0, 3.0 +/- 1.1, and 4.1 +/- 1.0 for the respective groups. Daily excretion of cholesterol metabolites, when expressed as mg/day increased with age: 139 +/- 38, 278 +/- 54 and 719 +/- 211 (for five adult subjects only) for the respective groups. The corresponding values after correction by body weight were 15.4 +/- 4.5, 17.9 +/- 3.0 and 10.3 +/-3.0 mg/kg per day for the respective groups. The production of coprostanol was correlated with 7 alpha-dehydroxylation of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid.", "PMID": 793370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9755", "title": "Metabolic epidemiology of colon cancer: enzymic activity of fecal flora.", "content": "Because of the potential significance of secondary bile acids and cholesterol metabolites formed by the intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of colon cancer, fecal microbial 7alpha-dehydroxylase and cholesterol dehydrogenase activities were assayed in colorectal cancer patients, patients with adenomatous polyps, asymptomatic controls, and normal controls. The mean 7alpha-dehydroxylase activity per 100 mg of dry feces per 2 hr incubation for colorectal cancer patients was significantly greater than either asymptomatic controls or normal controls. Patients with polyps had greater activity than controls, but did not differ significantly from the cancer patients or asymptomatic controls. The mean cholesterol dehydrogenase activity for colorectal cancer patients was significantly greater than controls. Patients with polyps also had greater activity than controls. No differences in the level of fecal beta-glucuronidase activity were found among the four risk groups. These data support the concept that patients with colorectal cancer are more able to convert primary bile acids and cholesterol to microbial products in colon contents than are controls. Such differences in the activity of intestinal microflora may serve as biochemical indicators that will reflect the enzymic activity of the fecal flora as well as the key intraluminal compounds in identifying populations at different risk for developing colorectal cancer.", "contents": "Metabolic epidemiology of colon cancer: enzymic activity of fecal flora. Because of the potential significance of secondary bile acids and cholesterol metabolites formed by the intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of colon cancer, fecal microbial 7alpha-dehydroxylase and cholesterol dehydrogenase activities were assayed in colorectal cancer patients, patients with adenomatous polyps, asymptomatic controls, and normal controls. The mean 7alpha-dehydroxylase activity per 100 mg of dry feces per 2 hr incubation for colorectal cancer patients was significantly greater than either asymptomatic controls or normal controls. Patients with polyps had greater activity than controls, but did not differ significantly from the cancer patients or asymptomatic controls. The mean cholesterol dehydrogenase activity for colorectal cancer patients was significantly greater than controls. Patients with polyps also had greater activity than controls. No differences in the level of fecal beta-glucuronidase activity were found among the four risk groups. These data support the concept that patients with colorectal cancer are more able to convert primary bile acids and cholesterol to microbial products in colon contents than are controls. Such differences in the activity of intestinal microflora may serve as biochemical indicators that will reflect the enzymic activity of the fecal flora as well as the key intraluminal compounds in identifying populations at different risk for developing colorectal cancer.", "PMID": 793371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9756", "title": "Enterobacteriaceae in the jejunal microflora prevalence and relationship to biochemical and histological evaluations in healthy Colombian men.", "content": "When 23 healthy native Southwestern Colombian men were studied to determine the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae in the jejunal microflora in a sample of thoroughly evaluated tropical inhabitants who were normal by physical examination, chest x-ray, and medical history, 14 of the 23 proved to be Enterobacteriaceae-positive, with counts of 10(3) to 10(9) per milliliter of jejunal aspirate. Thirteen had Escherichia coli, and the fourteenth had Klebsiella pneumoniae. Four had a second species of Enterobacteriaceae associated with E. coli: three were K. pneumoniae, and one was Proteus morganii. Laboratory studies routinely done on all subjects disclosed a total of 18 low biochemical values, 17 of which were associated with 12 of the 14 Enterobacteriaceae-positive subjects: six were low in serum cholesterol, four low in serum vitamin B12, four low in D-xylose excretion, and three low in creatinine coefficient; whereas, the Enterobacteriaceae-negative subjects had normal values for all biochemical tests except for serum vitamin B12 in one case. Nitrogen balance means were significantly different for the two groups: 3.39 g for the Enterobacteriaceae-positive subjects and 1.94 g for the Enterobacteriaceae-negative. No relationship was evident when the histology of the jejunal biopsies was compared with the microbiological or laboratory findings. When the 23 subjects were grouped into those (N = 19) with significant microbial recoveries of any type and those (N = 4) without, the data yielded no meaningful relationships.", "contents": "Enterobacteriaceae in the jejunal microflora prevalence and relationship to biochemical and histological evaluations in healthy Colombian men. When 23 healthy native Southwestern Colombian men were studied to determine the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae in the jejunal microflora in a sample of thoroughly evaluated tropical inhabitants who were normal by physical examination, chest x-ray, and medical history, 14 of the 23 proved to be Enterobacteriaceae-positive, with counts of 10(3) to 10(9) per milliliter of jejunal aspirate. Thirteen had Escherichia coli, and the fourteenth had Klebsiella pneumoniae. Four had a second species of Enterobacteriaceae associated with E. coli: three were K. pneumoniae, and one was Proteus morganii. Laboratory studies routinely done on all subjects disclosed a total of 18 low biochemical values, 17 of which were associated with 12 of the 14 Enterobacteriaceae-positive subjects: six were low in serum cholesterol, four low in serum vitamin B12, four low in D-xylose excretion, and three low in creatinine coefficient; whereas, the Enterobacteriaceae-negative subjects had normal values for all biochemical tests except for serum vitamin B12 in one case. Nitrogen balance means were significantly different for the two groups: 3.39 g for the Enterobacteriaceae-positive subjects and 1.94 g for the Enterobacteriaceae-negative. No relationship was evident when the histology of the jejunal biopsies was compared with the microbiological or laboratory findings. When the 23 subjects were grouped into those (N = 19) with significant microbial recoveries of any type and those (N = 4) without, the data yielded no meaningful relationships.", "PMID": 793372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9757", "title": "The effect of dietary fiber supplementation in man. II. Alteration in fecal physiology and bacterial flora.", "content": "Fecal weight and water content and fecal quantitative and qualitative bacterial studies were compared on six volunteer subjects during regular diet periods and when on 5.4 g of diet fiber supplementation. There was a statistical mean stool weight increase for the group from 103 +/- 40 g to 226 +/- 90 g. The water content of the stool remained constant under the diet conditions of this study. The total anaerobic counts increased significantly while the subjects were on the high fiber diet. Trends in bacterial genus changes appeared but were not significant and total aerobic counts were stable.", "contents": "The effect of dietary fiber supplementation in man. II. Alteration in fecal physiology and bacterial flora. Fecal weight and water content and fecal quantitative and qualitative bacterial studies were compared on six volunteer subjects during regular diet periods and when on 5.4 g of diet fiber supplementation. There was a statistical mean stool weight increase for the group from 103 +/- 40 g to 226 +/- 90 g. The water content of the stool remained constant under the diet conditions of this study. The total anaerobic counts increased significantly while the subjects were on the high fiber diet. Trends in bacterial genus changes appeared but were not significant and total aerobic counts were stable.", "PMID": 793373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9758", "title": "Agglutination with O antisera of salmonella exposed to antibiotics.", "content": "Five strains of Salmonella were grown on agar containing subinhibitory concentrations of ampicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline, or chloramphenicol, and on drug-free agar (control). Antigens were prepared by heating bacteria suspensions in saline solution at 100 C or by suspension in alcohol. Antigens were tested for agglutinability with somatic O antisera and fluorescent antibody staining. The alcohol-treated antigens prepared from organisms grown in the presence of antibiotics other than ampicillin had lower agglutination titers than did the control grown on drug-free agar. Heat-treated control antigens had lower agglutination titers than did the alcohol-treated control antigens. The agglutinability of heat-treated antigens prepared from organisms that had been exposed to antibiotics was preserved or enhanced. The agglutinated filaments produced a flocculent sediment, in contrast to the granular sediment of the controls. No significant morphologic abnormality in cell-wall structures of antibiotic-exposed cells could be detected by either electron microscopy or the fluorescent antibody staining.", "contents": "Agglutination with O antisera of salmonella exposed to antibiotics. Five strains of Salmonella were grown on agar containing subinhibitory concentrations of ampicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline, or chloramphenicol, and on drug-free agar (control). Antigens were prepared by heating bacteria suspensions in saline solution at 100 C or by suspension in alcohol. Antigens were tested for agglutinability with somatic O antisera and fluorescent antibody staining. The alcohol-treated antigens prepared from organisms grown in the presence of antibiotics other than ampicillin had lower agglutination titers than did the control grown on drug-free agar. Heat-treated control antigens had lower agglutination titers than did the alcohol-treated control antigens. The agglutinability of heat-treated antigens prepared from organisms that had been exposed to antibiotics was preserved or enhanced. The agglutinated filaments produced a flocculent sediment, in contrast to the granular sediment of the controls. No significant morphologic abnormality in cell-wall structures of antibiotic-exposed cells could be detected by either electron microscopy or the fluorescent antibody staining.", "PMID": 793377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9759", "title": "Sickle-cell disease and poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis.", "content": "The cases of three children with sickle-cell hemoglobinopathy and acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis are described and discussed. Light and electron microscopic findings in three cases, and immunofluorescence microscopic findings in two are described. Since proliferative glomerulonephritis of either poststreptococcal or non-poststreptococcal etiology may be seen in patients who have sickle-cell disease, immunofluorescence and/or electron microscopic examination is essential for accurate diagnosis.", "contents": "Sickle-cell disease and poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis. The cases of three children with sickle-cell hemoglobinopathy and acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis are described and discussed. Light and electron microscopic findings in three cases, and immunofluorescence microscopic findings in two are described. Since proliferative glomerulonephritis of either poststreptococcal or non-poststreptococcal etiology may be seen in patients who have sickle-cell disease, immunofluorescence and/or electron microscopic examination is essential for accurate diagnosis.", "PMID": 793378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9760", "title": "Evidences for duodenopancreatic reflexes and an anti-CCK factor with lidocaine infused intravenously and sprayed topically on pancreatic papilla in nonalcoholic and alcohol-fed dogs.", "content": "In 14 duodenal Thomas fistula dogs, four of them alcohol-fed for two years, lidocaine, applied topically to the duodenal pancreatic papilla, inhibited secretin-induced pancreatic secretion probably by interrupting duodenopancreatic reflexes that contribute to the \"pancreon's\" cholinergic tone. Opposite effects were observed with lidocaine administered against a CCK plus secretin background stimulation of the pancreas. The significant rising of volume and protein output above plateau levels were enhanced by chronic alcohol feeding. Lidocaine infused intravenously did not change secretin-induced pancreatic secretion but raised CCK and secretin evoked plateau secretion levels. Chronic alcoholism enhanced these latter effects. Atropine perfusion superimposed on CCK and secretin stimulation did not prevent but raised the intravenous lidocaine-induced pancreatic secretion changes. It is postulated that the modifications elicited by lidocaine sprayed topically and infused intravenously on CCK plus secretin evoked pancreatic secretion plateau levels are due to depression of an anti-CCK factor secreted by the small intestine mucosa.", "contents": "Evidences for duodenopancreatic reflexes and an anti-CCK factor with lidocaine infused intravenously and sprayed topically on pancreatic papilla in nonalcoholic and alcohol-fed dogs. In 14 duodenal Thomas fistula dogs, four of them alcohol-fed for two years, lidocaine, applied topically to the duodenal pancreatic papilla, inhibited secretin-induced pancreatic secretion probably by interrupting duodenopancreatic reflexes that contribute to the \"pancreon's\" cholinergic tone. Opposite effects were observed with lidocaine administered against a CCK plus secretin background stimulation of the pancreas. The significant rising of volume and protein output above plateau levels were enhanced by chronic alcohol feeding. Lidocaine infused intravenously did not change secretin-induced pancreatic secretion but raised CCK and secretin evoked plateau secretion levels. Chronic alcoholism enhanced these latter effects. Atropine perfusion superimposed on CCK and secretin stimulation did not prevent but raised the intravenous lidocaine-induced pancreatic secretion changes. It is postulated that the modifications elicited by lidocaine sprayed topically and infused intravenously on CCK plus secretin evoked pancreatic secretion plateau levels are due to depression of an anti-CCK factor secreted by the small intestine mucosa.", "PMID": 793379} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9761", "title": "Theoretical foundation of the medieval preparations of urinary derivatives.", "content": "It has been recently brought to light that the Chinese, as early as 1025 A.D., had already devised a preparation which would extract hormones from urine. This paper attempts to trace the development of Chinese medical thought, from 25 A.D., which had led to such a sophisticated preparation.", "contents": "Theoretical foundation of the medieval preparations of urinary derivatives. It has been recently brought to light that the Chinese, as early as 1025 A.D., had already devised a preparation which would extract hormones from urine. This paper attempts to trace the development of Chinese medical thought, from 25 A.D., which had led to such a sophisticated preparation.", "PMID": 793375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9762", "title": "Hospital-acquired infections. II. Infection rates by site, service and common procedures in a university hospital.", "content": "Over a three-year period, 3432 nosocomial infections occurred in a university hospital admitting 55,476 patients over a three-year period (6/100 admissions). A single system of surveillance was used, and overall monthly rates varied from 4-9/100 admissions with particularly high rates in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (24/100). Annual rates greater than or equal to 10/100 admissions were found in major surgical services of Gneral Surgery, Neuro-Surgery, Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery (TCV), Plastic Surgery and Urology; 1243 urinary tract infections (2.24/100 admissions/ accounted for 36% of the problem. The rate of urinary tract infections after catheterization was 13/100 procedures overall with unusually high rates for patients in Neuro-Surgery (37/100), Orthopedics (23/100), and Plastic Srugery (18/100). There were 524 nosocomial pneumonias (.94/100 admissions), and the rate was especially high (3.7/100) for patients admitted to the TCV service or for those placed on a respirator (3.4/100 patients). Identifying high risk areas and high risk procedures in a hospital is a practical starting point for infection control.", "contents": "Hospital-acquired infections. II. Infection rates by site, service and common procedures in a university hospital. Over a three-year period, 3432 nosocomial infections occurred in a university hospital admitting 55,476 patients over a three-year period (6/100 admissions). A single system of surveillance was used, and overall monthly rates varied from 4-9/100 admissions with particularly high rates in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (24/100). Annual rates greater than or equal to 10/100 admissions were found in major surgical services of Gneral Surgery, Neuro-Surgery, Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery (TCV), Plastic Surgery and Urology; 1243 urinary tract infections (2.24/100 admissions/ accounted for 36% of the problem. The rate of urinary tract infections after catheterization was 13/100 procedures overall with unusually high rates for patients in Neuro-Surgery (37/100), Orthopedics (23/100), and Plastic Srugery (18/100). There were 524 nosocomial pneumonias (.94/100 admissions), and the rate was especially high (3.7/100) for patients admitted to the TCV service or for those placed on a respirator (3.4/100 patients). Identifying high risk areas and high risk procedures in a hospital is a practical starting point for infection control.", "PMID": 793380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9763", "title": "Modification of cardiovascular function in dogs by acupuncture: a review.", "content": "Acupuncture at Jen Chung (Go-26) in dogs under halothane anesthesia produces sympathomimetic-like effects on the cardiovascular system. This response can be inhibited by pretreatment with propranolol and to a lesser extent with phentolamine. Severe hypotension and cardiac arrest produced by hypoxia in dogs under halothane anesthesia can be reversed by acupuncture at Jen Ying (St-9). This also was interpreted as a sympathomimetic-like effect. Acupuncture at Tsu San Li (St-36) results in a parasympathomimetic-like effect on the cardiovascular system which can be inhibited by atropine. A parasympatholytic-like effect resembling that produced by atropine can be obtained in dogs with sinus arrhythmia and pulsus alternans by acupuncture at Yang Hsi (LI-5).", "contents": "Modification of cardiovascular function in dogs by acupuncture: a review. Acupuncture at Jen Chung (Go-26) in dogs under halothane anesthesia produces sympathomimetic-like effects on the cardiovascular system. This response can be inhibited by pretreatment with propranolol and to a lesser extent with phentolamine. Severe hypotension and cardiac arrest produced by hypoxia in dogs under halothane anesthesia can be reversed by acupuncture at Jen Ying (St-9). This also was interpreted as a sympathomimetic-like effect. Acupuncture at Tsu San Li (St-36) results in a parasympathomimetic-like effect on the cardiovascular system which can be inhibited by atropine. A parasympatholytic-like effect resembling that produced by atropine can be obtained in dogs with sinus arrhythmia and pulsus alternans by acupuncture at Yang Hsi (LI-5).", "PMID": 793374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9764", "title": "Theoretical foundation of Chinese medicine: a modern interpretation.", "content": "The theoretical foundation of Chinese medicine as laid down in Hwang Ti Nei Ching is presented and interpreted here in modern language and conception. Our attempt is to bring Chinese medicine in harmony with Western science. Three Yin-Yang laws are formulated based on I Ching and Nei Ching and are justified from physics, mathematics and biology. The Wu-Hsing dynamic model is explained on the basis of dynamic interactions rather than static elements. The Ching-Lo doctrine is stressed upon its apparent correlations with the autonomic nervous system. Finally, the Chi is taken to play a role in life as the fields (gravitational, magnetic, nuclear, etc.) do in the physical world.", "contents": "Theoretical foundation of Chinese medicine: a modern interpretation. The theoretical foundation of Chinese medicine as laid down in Hwang Ti Nei Ching is presented and interpreted here in modern language and conception. Our attempt is to bring Chinese medicine in harmony with Western science. Three Yin-Yang laws are formulated based on I Ching and Nei Ching and are justified from physics, mathematics and biology. The Wu-Hsing dynamic model is explained on the basis of dynamic interactions rather than static elements. The Ching-Lo doctrine is stressed upon its apparent correlations with the autonomic nervous system. Finally, the Chi is taken to play a role in life as the fields (gravitational, magnetic, nuclear, etc.) do in the physical world.", "PMID": 793376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9765", "title": "The dynamics of streptococcal infections in a defined population of children: serotypes associated with skin and respiratory infections.", "content": "Serial observations including cultures of the upper respiratory tract and of infected skin lesions and streptococcal antibody determinations were made over a two-year period in a semi-closed population of children between 10 months and 15 years of age. There was a high prevalence of group A streptococci in nose and throat cultures and of skin lesions containing these organisms. Almost 90% of the study population developed streptococcal impetigo during the study period. A slightly higher proportion of males than females developed skin infection but there was no relationship to age. Impetigo was observed throughout the calendar year, exceeding 12% of child-visits in one winter month, but was generally more common in the summer and fall. Conversely, group A streptococci were more often isolated from nose and throat cultures in the winter months. The increase in recovery of streptococci from nose and throat cultures lagged behind the increase in streptococcal impetigo and continued into the winter months, when the prevalence of impetigo had declined. Calculation of ratios for individual streptococcal serotypes isolated from different body sites revealed a clear cut distinction between \"respiratory\" and \"impetigo\" serotypes, with respect to both prevalence and acquisition rates. Respiratory serotypes were more commonly isolated in the winter and impetigo serotypes in the summer and fall. Significant antibody responses to extracellular antigens of the streptococcus were documented for pharyngeal acquisitions of both impetigo and respiratory serotypes and for skin lesions associated with impetigo serotypes. Group A streptococcal serotypes may be divided into three categories on the basis of their human pathogenicity for body sites: some with the potential for respiratory infection, others with the potential for skin infection and a few unusual serotypes with the potential for infecting both sites.", "contents": "The dynamics of streptococcal infections in a defined population of children: serotypes associated with skin and respiratory infections. Serial observations including cultures of the upper respiratory tract and of infected skin lesions and streptococcal antibody determinations were made over a two-year period in a semi-closed population of children between 10 months and 15 years of age. There was a high prevalence of group A streptococci in nose and throat cultures and of skin lesions containing these organisms. Almost 90% of the study population developed streptococcal impetigo during the study period. A slightly higher proportion of males than females developed skin infection but there was no relationship to age. Impetigo was observed throughout the calendar year, exceeding 12% of child-visits in one winter month, but was generally more common in the summer and fall. Conversely, group A streptococci were more often isolated from nose and throat cultures in the winter months. The increase in recovery of streptococci from nose and throat cultures lagged behind the increase in streptococcal impetigo and continued into the winter months, when the prevalence of impetigo had declined. Calculation of ratios for individual streptococcal serotypes isolated from different body sites revealed a clear cut distinction between \"respiratory\" and \"impetigo\" serotypes, with respect to both prevalence and acquisition rates. Respiratory serotypes were more commonly isolated in the winter and impetigo serotypes in the summer and fall. Significant antibody responses to extracellular antigens of the streptococcus were documented for pharyngeal acquisitions of both impetigo and respiratory serotypes and for skin lesions associated with impetigo serotypes. Group A streptococcal serotypes may be divided into three categories on the basis of their human pathogenicity for body sites: some with the potential for respiratory infection, others with the potential for skin infection and a few unusual serotypes with the potential for infecting both sites.", "PMID": 793381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9766", "title": "Pathogenesis of polycythemia vera--new concepts.", "content": "Data presently available suggest that polycythemia vera is an acquired clonal disorder of the pluripotent stem cell resulting in expansion of committed stem cell pools, most prominently in the erythroid line. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that erythropoiesis in polycythemia vera is at least partially modulated by erythropoietin.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of polycythemia vera--new concepts. Data presently available suggest that polycythemia vera is an acquired clonal disorder of the pluripotent stem cell resulting in expansion of committed stem cell pools, most prominently in the erythroid line. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that erythropoiesis in polycythemia vera is at least partially modulated by erythropoietin.", "PMID": 793383} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9767", "title": "Titles in the medicolegal field: a proposal for reform.", "content": "One of the most readily apparent weaknesses in the field of medicolegal studies has been our inability to develop consistent and lexicographically defensible descriptive titles for the field itself. In this Article, Professor William J. Curran offers an analysis of the historical roots of the terminology which has been applied in this field over the years, an examination of current confused usage, and a proposal for reform.", "contents": "Titles in the medicolegal field: a proposal for reform. One of the most readily apparent weaknesses in the field of medicolegal studies has been our inability to develop consistent and lexicographically defensible descriptive titles for the field itself. In this Article, Professor William J. Curran offers an analysis of the historical roots of the terminology which has been applied in this field over the years, an examination of current confused usage, and a proposal for reform.", "PMID": 793384} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9768", "title": "Pharmacist's effect on digoxin usage and toxicity.", "content": "Digoxin usage and toxicity were compared in a prospective group of patients who were monitored by a pharmacist and a retrospective group for which there was no pharmacist consultation. For the prospective group, the pharmacist monitored patients and estimated the steady-state digoxin levels by the use of a nomographic method. Level greater than 2.2 ng/ml and concurrent ECG or physical signs of digoxin toxicity were communicated to the physician. For the retrospective group, digoxin levels were calculated based on data from the patients' charts. The 49 patients in the two study groups were categorized according to four levels of digoxin toxicity (ranging from \"no evidence\" to \"probable\"). The only characteristic that was significantly different between the two groups was the calculated creatinine clearance (lower for the retrospective group). The maintenance dose of digoxin and the incidence of digoxin toxicity were significantly lower in the prospective group. It is concluded that pharmacist intervention may have had an effect in reducing digoxin dosage and toxicity.", "contents": "Pharmacist's effect on digoxin usage and toxicity. Digoxin usage and toxicity were compared in a prospective group of patients who were monitored by a pharmacist and a retrospective group for which there was no pharmacist consultation. For the prospective group, the pharmacist monitored patients and estimated the steady-state digoxin levels by the use of a nomographic method. Level greater than 2.2 ng/ml and concurrent ECG or physical signs of digoxin toxicity were communicated to the physician. For the retrospective group, digoxin levels were calculated based on data from the patients' charts. The 49 patients in the two study groups were categorized according to four levels of digoxin toxicity (ranging from \"no evidence\" to \"probable\"). The only characteristic that was significantly different between the two groups was the calculated creatinine clearance (lower for the retrospective group). The maintenance dose of digoxin and the incidence of digoxin toxicity were significantly lower in the prospective group. It is concluded that pharmacist intervention may have had an effect in reducing digoxin dosage and toxicity.", "PMID": 793389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9769", "title": "Aerobic and anaerobic flora of the cervix during pregnancy and the puerperium.", "content": "Comparison of species of bacteria isolated from patients with endometritis with species isolated from normal pregnant and nonpregnant women suggests that bacteria causing infections are indigenous to the genital tract. However, complete studies of the flora of pregnant women, especially anaerobic flora, are lacking. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures of the endocervix were obtained from women in all trimesters of pregnancy and at three days and six weeks post partum. The incidence of occurrence of each species of bacteria and the average number of different species per culture were determined for each period. The most prevalent organisms in each period were aerobic gram-positive rods and cocci and anaerobic gram-positive cocci. The average number of species of aerobic bacteria per culture remained approximately the same in each culture period. The average number of anaerobic species per culture decreased as pregnancy progressed, peaked on the third postpartum day, and at six weeks post partum returned to a level similar to that of the first trimester.", "contents": "Aerobic and anaerobic flora of the cervix during pregnancy and the puerperium. Comparison of species of bacteria isolated from patients with endometritis with species isolated from normal pregnant and nonpregnant women suggests that bacteria causing infections are indigenous to the genital tract. However, complete studies of the flora of pregnant women, especially anaerobic flora, are lacking. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures of the endocervix were obtained from women in all trimesters of pregnancy and at three days and six weeks post partum. The incidence of occurrence of each species of bacteria and the average number of different species per culture were determined for each period. The most prevalent organisms in each period were aerobic gram-positive rods and cocci and anaerobic gram-positive cocci. The average number of species of aerobic bacteria per culture remained approximately the same in each culture period. The average number of anaerobic species per culture decreased as pregnancy progressed, peaked on the third postpartum day, and at six weeks post partum returned to a level similar to that of the first trimester.", "PMID": 793391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9770", "title": "The apparent paradox of the negative and positive feedback control system on gonadotropin secretion.", "content": "The separate and interactive effects of estradiol (E2) and luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LRF) on the dynamics of LH storage and release were studied. Measurements were made of the serum gonadotropin responses to submaximal doses of LRF, given as brief pulses or infused over an extended period to normal women at various stages of the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles and to hypogonadal women with and without estrogen treatment. The two-pool concept of pituitary gonadotropin was verified; the dynamic responses of the two pools to the inputs of LRF and E2 were investigated and related to pituitary properties of sensitivity and reserve. Our results indicate that LRF appears to serve as a primary drive on the gonadotrophs, stimulating gonadotropin synthesis and storage (second pool), as well as release (first). E2 for the most part, amplifies the action of LRF except that it impedes LRF-induced release of gonadotropin. E2 augments the second pool activity (reserve) preferentially, and the relative activity of the first pool appears to be influenced by the E2-dependent self-priming effect of LRF. The interactions of the various elements of the system, when combined, provide a U-shaped curve to describe the over-all capacity of the gonadotrophs as a function of a broad range of E2 inputs. Negative and possitive feedback of E2 are revealed to operate by different mechanisms and to represent different segments of a single U-shaped curve rather than paradoxically disparate actions.", "contents": "The apparent paradox of the negative and positive feedback control system on gonadotropin secretion. The separate and interactive effects of estradiol (E2) and luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LRF) on the dynamics of LH storage and release were studied. Measurements were made of the serum gonadotropin responses to submaximal doses of LRF, given as brief pulses or infused over an extended period to normal women at various stages of the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles and to hypogonadal women with and without estrogen treatment. The two-pool concept of pituitary gonadotropin was verified; the dynamic responses of the two pools to the inputs of LRF and E2 were investigated and related to pituitary properties of sensitivity and reserve. Our results indicate that LRF appears to serve as a primary drive on the gonadotrophs, stimulating gonadotropin synthesis and storage (second pool), as well as release (first). E2 for the most part, amplifies the action of LRF except that it impedes LRF-induced release of gonadotropin. E2 augments the second pool activity (reserve) preferentially, and the relative activity of the first pool appears to be influenced by the E2-dependent self-priming effect of LRF. The interactions of the various elements of the system, when combined, provide a U-shaped curve to describe the over-all capacity of the gonadotrophs as a function of a broad range of E2 inputs. Negative and possitive feedback of E2 are revealed to operate by different mechanisms and to represent different segments of a single U-shaped curve rather than paradoxically disparate actions.", "PMID": 793393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9771", "title": "Evaluation of emotional reactions to oral contraceptive use.", "content": "A review of available clinical studies indicates that 10 to 40 per cent of oral contraceptive users may suffer mild to moderate depression syndromes. Clinical and animal data indicate that a variety of mechanisms may be involved, including alterations in folate, pyridoxine, and vitamine B12 metabolism, as well as related effects on biogenic amine metabolism. Interactive effects may result, such as impairment of usual coping mechnisms and psychological defenses by altered central nervous system function.", "contents": "Evaluation of emotional reactions to oral contraceptive use. A review of available clinical studies indicates that 10 to 40 per cent of oral contraceptive users may suffer mild to moderate depression syndromes. Clinical and animal data indicate that a variety of mechanisms may be involved, including alterations in folate, pyridoxine, and vitamine B12 metabolism, as well as related effects on biogenic amine metabolism. Interactive effects may result, such as impairment of usual coping mechnisms and psychological defenses by altered central nervous system function.", "PMID": 793396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9772", "title": "Pars plana vitrectomy in the management of endogenous Candida endophthalmitis.", "content": "A 27-year-old white man had endogenous Candida endophthalmitis with fungi in the vitreous cavity, presumably caused by hematogenous spread related to drug abuse, and was treated by pars plana vitrectomy and antifungal medications administered systemically after surgery. There was no evidence of other systemic involvement, and excision of fungi from the vitreous cavity confirmed the clinical diagnosis and determined the sensitivity of this fungus to antifungal medications. The fungus was sensitive to flucytosine (5-FC), which the patient received orally since it was less toxic to body tissues than amphotericin B. The intraocular infection cleared rapidly after vitrectomy, and visual acuity returned to 6/5 (20/15).", "contents": "Pars plana vitrectomy in the management of endogenous Candida endophthalmitis. A 27-year-old white man had endogenous Candida endophthalmitis with fungi in the vitreous cavity, presumably caused by hematogenous spread related to drug abuse, and was treated by pars plana vitrectomy and antifungal medications administered systemically after surgery. There was no evidence of other systemic involvement, and excision of fungi from the vitreous cavity confirmed the clinical diagnosis and determined the sensitivity of this fungus to antifungal medications. The fungus was sensitive to flucytosine (5-FC), which the patient received orally since it was less toxic to body tissues than amphotericin B. The intraocular infection cleared rapidly after vitrectomy, and visual acuity returned to 6/5 (20/15).", "PMID": 793397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9773", "title": "Correction of upper eyelid retraction.", "content": "We used two surgical procedures to treat upper eyelid retraction in ten patients: either a posterior myectomy or the anterior levator muscle recession technique. Our choice was usually based on the amount of retraction. We used the posterior myectomy technique to treat up to 2 mm of retraction or localized retractions (five cases), particularly after blepharoptosis surgery. We used the anterior recession method to treat more than 2mm of retraction (five cases), particularly when associated with dysthyroid ocular disease. Complex eyelid contour abnormalities were treated with a combined recession-resection approach to the aponeurosis of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle (one case).", "contents": "Correction of upper eyelid retraction. We used two surgical procedures to treat upper eyelid retraction in ten patients: either a posterior myectomy or the anterior levator muscle recession technique. Our choice was usually based on the amount of retraction. We used the posterior myectomy technique to treat up to 2 mm of retraction or localized retractions (five cases), particularly after blepharoptosis surgery. We used the anterior recession method to treat more than 2mm of retraction (five cases), particularly when associated with dysthyroid ocular disease. Complex eyelid contour abnormalities were treated with a combined recession-resection approach to the aponeurosis of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle (one case).", "PMID": 793398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9774", "title": "Transiridectomy suture technique for the Binkhorst iris-clip lens implant.", "content": "A magnet facilitated placement of the transiridectomy suture used in conjunction with the Binkhorst iris-clip lens implant.", "contents": "Transiridectomy suture technique for the Binkhorst iris-clip lens implant. A magnet facilitated placement of the transiridectomy suture used in conjunction with the Binkhorst iris-clip lens implant.", "PMID": 793399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9775", "title": "An artificial anterior chamber.", "content": "Corneas for penetrating keratoplasty that have been excised from the globe for storage ordinarily require punching of the donor tissue from the posterior surface. They may be trephined from the anterior surface when they are mounted on an instrument that forms a seal around the scleral rim of the excised cornea, allowing the endothelium to be supported physically by the liquid storage medium. The artificial anterior chamber protected the endothelial cells from damage as if they were still in the intact globe. The instrument allowed trephination to any desired depth and facilitated the cutting of corneal buttons with a rim of Descemet's membrane and endothelium. Sutures may be preplaced in the donor button before the button is seperated completely from the rest of the cornea. Iris prolapse did not interfere with the procedure.", "contents": "An artificial anterior chamber. Corneas for penetrating keratoplasty that have been excised from the globe for storage ordinarily require punching of the donor tissue from the posterior surface. They may be trephined from the anterior surface when they are mounted on an instrument that forms a seal around the scleral rim of the excised cornea, allowing the endothelium to be supported physically by the liquid storage medium. The artificial anterior chamber protected the endothelial cells from damage as if they were still in the intact globe. The instrument allowed trephination to any desired depth and facilitated the cutting of corneal buttons with a rim of Descemet's membrane and endothelium. Sutures may be preplaced in the donor button before the button is seperated completely from the rest of the cornea. Iris prolapse did not interfere with the procedure.", "PMID": 793400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9776", "title": "Autoimmune phenomenon in Mooren's ulcer.", "content": "Direct immunofluorescent techniques demonstrated immunoglobulins localized to the conjunctival epithelium in three cases of Mooren's ulcer. In addition, complement was found in association with the immunoglobulins in the two active cases. Circulating antibodies to the conjunctival and corneal epithelium were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescent techniques in all three patients. Further immunological examinations of the three cases failed to demonstrate other significant immune alterations.", "contents": "Autoimmune phenomenon in Mooren's ulcer. Direct immunofluorescent techniques demonstrated immunoglobulins localized to the conjunctival epithelium in three cases of Mooren's ulcer. In addition, complement was found in association with the immunoglobulins in the two active cases. Circulating antibodies to the conjunctival and corneal epithelium were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescent techniques in all three patients. Further immunological examinations of the three cases failed to demonstrate other significant immune alterations.", "PMID": 793402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9777", "title": "Macrophage migration inhibition factor activity in the aqueous humor during experimental corneal xenograft and allograft rejection.", "content": "Macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF), a soluble mediator of delayed hypersensitivity, was assayed for in the aqueous humor of rabbits undergoing corneal graft rejection. Penetrating and interlamellar xenografts and interlamellar allografts were performed in rabbits, and aqueous humor early in the course of xenograft and allograft rejection, and MIF activity was present during the course of the active rejection. This activity returned to near normal after the active rejection resolved. No significant MIF activity could be measured during the nonspecific inflammations produced by alkali burns, multiple paracenteses, intracorneal clove oil, mechanical debriding of the endothelium.", "contents": "Macrophage migration inhibition factor activity in the aqueous humor during experimental corneal xenograft and allograft rejection. Macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF), a soluble mediator of delayed hypersensitivity, was assayed for in the aqueous humor of rabbits undergoing corneal graft rejection. Penetrating and interlamellar xenografts and interlamellar allografts were performed in rabbits, and aqueous humor early in the course of xenograft and allograft rejection, and MIF activity was present during the course of the active rejection. This activity returned to near normal after the active rejection resolved. No significant MIF activity could be measured during the nonspecific inflammations produced by alkali burns, multiple paracenteses, intracorneal clove oil, mechanical debriding of the endothelium.", "PMID": 793403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9778", "title": "Corticosteroid therapy for the reduction of postoperative inflammation after cataract extraction.", "content": "In an random, double-masked multicentric clinical trial, topical betamethasone phosphate 0.1% or placebo eyedrops were used five times daily for the first two weeks after uncomplicated intracapsular cataract extraction in 107 patients who had moderate to severe postoperative inflammation on the first postoperative day. Topical corticosteroid solution was significantly more effective than placebo in the reduction of postoperative ocular inflammation. There were no ocular complications of corticosteroid treatment.", "contents": "Corticosteroid therapy for the reduction of postoperative inflammation after cataract extraction. In an random, double-masked multicentric clinical trial, topical betamethasone phosphate 0.1% or placebo eyedrops were used five times daily for the first two weeks after uncomplicated intracapsular cataract extraction in 107 patients who had moderate to severe postoperative inflammation on the first postoperative day. Topical corticosteroid solution was significantly more effective than placebo in the reduction of postoperative ocular inflammation. There were no ocular complications of corticosteroid treatment.", "PMID": 793404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9779", "title": "Arch expansion: an integral part of surgical orthodontics.", "content": "Two cases of mandibular prognathism have been presented. In both cases expansion of the dental arches was performed prior to surgery for the achievement of good and stable interarch relationships postoperatively. In the first case maxillary arch was expanded with a rapid-expansion technique; in the second, expansion of the mandibular arch was performed with a modified removable Coffine appliance. Results at 15 months and 2 years after retention showed the expansion to be stable.", "contents": "Arch expansion: an integral part of surgical orthodontics. Two cases of mandibular prognathism have been presented. In both cases expansion of the dental arches was performed prior to surgery for the achievement of good and stable interarch relationships postoperatively. In the first case maxillary arch was expanded with a rapid-expansion technique; in the second, expansion of the mandibular arch was performed with a modified removable Coffine appliance. Results at 15 months and 2 years after retention showed the expansion to be stable.", "PMID": 793405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9780", "title": "Spontaneous glomerular sclerosis in aging Sprague-Dawley rats. I. Lesions associated with mesangial IgM deposits.", "content": "The present studies examined the pathogenesis of focal glomerular sclerosis in aging rats. A marked difference in development of the lesion was noted between males and females, and strain variability was an important factor. Increased glomerular basement membrane permeability with loss of selectivity unrelated to changes in glomerular sialoprotein occurred with aging and was accompanied by increasing proteinuria. Noncomplement-fixing mesangial deposits of rat IgM were present after 1 month of age and were also found in lesser amounts in germfree rats. Fluoresceinated eluates of rat kidneys did not have antibody activity against rat serum or tissue antigens. There was no evidence for a pathogenetic role of IgM deposits. Rat IgG, IgA, IgE, C3, and fibrin were occasionally found in sclerotic areas. Analysis of multiple histologic sections revealed a close correlation between aging and glomerular pathology, with a poor correlation between tubular damage and aging. Glomerular damage appeared to be the initial event leading to tubular damage. Indirect evidence suggests that a relative thymic deficiency may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the lesion.", "contents": "Spontaneous glomerular sclerosis in aging Sprague-Dawley rats. I. Lesions associated with mesangial IgM deposits. The present studies examined the pathogenesis of focal glomerular sclerosis in aging rats. A marked difference in development of the lesion was noted between males and females, and strain variability was an important factor. Increased glomerular basement membrane permeability with loss of selectivity unrelated to changes in glomerular sialoprotein occurred with aging and was accompanied by increasing proteinuria. Noncomplement-fixing mesangial deposits of rat IgM were present after 1 month of age and were also found in lesser amounts in germfree rats. Fluoresceinated eluates of rat kidneys did not have antibody activity against rat serum or tissue antigens. There was no evidence for a pathogenetic role of IgM deposits. Rat IgG, IgA, IgE, C3, and fibrin were occasionally found in sclerotic areas. Analysis of multiple histologic sections revealed a close correlation between aging and glomerular pathology, with a poor correlation between tubular damage and aging. Glomerular damage appeared to be the initial event leading to tubular damage. Indirect evidence suggests that a relative thymic deficiency may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the lesion.", "PMID": 793408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9781", "title": "Some interrelations of neutrophil chemotaxis, lysosomal enzyme secretion, and phagocytosis as revealed by synthetic peptides.", "content": "Synthetic oligopeptides of appropriate structure stimulate neutrophil random locomotion, chemotaxis, lysosomal enzyme secretion, and phagocytosis. The structure-activity relationships found for enhanced migration and lysosomal enzyme secretion strongly suggest that the peptides bind to a structurally specific receptor on the neutrophil surface. It is further suggested that the binding of a peptide to the same receptor initiates all of these neutrophil functions. It is postulated that this is accomplished by the receptor-peptide combination initiating a series of parallel but coordinated and interdependent biochemical sequences leading to either microfilament or microtubule activation in addition to other processes. The various functions of the neutrophil differentially utilize the microfilament and microtubule systems.", "contents": "Some interrelations of neutrophil chemotaxis, lysosomal enzyme secretion, and phagocytosis as revealed by synthetic peptides. Synthetic oligopeptides of appropriate structure stimulate neutrophil random locomotion, chemotaxis, lysosomal enzyme secretion, and phagocytosis. The structure-activity relationships found for enhanced migration and lysosomal enzyme secretion strongly suggest that the peptides bind to a structurally specific receptor on the neutrophil surface. It is further suggested that the binding of a peptide to the same receptor initiates all of these neutrophil functions. It is postulated that this is accomplished by the receptor-peptide combination initiating a series of parallel but coordinated and interdependent biochemical sequences leading to either microfilament or microtubule activation in addition to other processes. The various functions of the neutrophil differentially utilize the microfilament and microtubule systems.", "PMID": 793409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9782", "title": "Modulation of human eosinophil polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration and function.", "content": "Eosinophil migration toward a concentration gradient of a chemotactic factor is regulated at four levels. Diverse immunologic pathways generate stimuli with eosinophil chemotactic activity, including the complement products C5a and a fragment of C3a and the peptide products of mast cells and basophils activated by IgE-mediated reactions, such as eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis (ECF-A) and other oligopeptides. The intrinsic preferential leukocyte activity of the chemotactic stimuli represents the second level of modulation, with ECF-A and other mast cell-derived peptides exhibiting the most selective action on eosinophils. The third level of control of eosinophil chemotaxis is composed of inactivators and inhibitors of chemotactic stimuli and is exemplified by degradation of C5a by anaphylatoxin inactivator or chemotactic factor inactivator and of ECF-A by carboxypeptidase-A or aminopeptidases. The activity of ECF-A is uniquely suppressed by equimolar quantities of its NH2- terminal tripeptide substituent, presumably by eosinophil membrane receptor competition. Factors comprising the fourth level of regulation, which alter eosinophil responsiveness to chemotactic stimuli, include the chemotactic factors themselves, through deactivation; nonchemotactic inhibitors such as the COOH-terminal tripeptide substituent of ECF-A, the neutrophil-immobilizing factor (NIF), the phagocytosis-enhancing factor Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg, and histamine at concentrations greater than 400 ng/ml; and nonchemotactic enhancing principles represented by ascorbate and by histamine at concentrations of 30 ng/ml or less. Local concentrations of eosinophils called to and immobilized at the site of a hypersenitivity reaction may express their regulatory functions by degrading the chemical mediators elaborated including histamine, slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A), and platelet-activating factor (PAF) by way of their content of histaminase, arylsulfatase B, and phospholipase D, respectively. Immunologic pathways may thus provide the capability for early and specific host defense reactions with a later influx of eosinophils preventing irreversible local tissue alterations or distant organ effects.", "contents": "Modulation of human eosinophil polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration and function. Eosinophil migration toward a concentration gradient of a chemotactic factor is regulated at four levels. Diverse immunologic pathways generate stimuli with eosinophil chemotactic activity, including the complement products C5a and a fragment of C3a and the peptide products of mast cells and basophils activated by IgE-mediated reactions, such as eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis (ECF-A) and other oligopeptides. The intrinsic preferential leukocyte activity of the chemotactic stimuli represents the second level of modulation, with ECF-A and other mast cell-derived peptides exhibiting the most selective action on eosinophils. The third level of control of eosinophil chemotaxis is composed of inactivators and inhibitors of chemotactic stimuli and is exemplified by degradation of C5a by anaphylatoxin inactivator or chemotactic factor inactivator and of ECF-A by carboxypeptidase-A or aminopeptidases. The activity of ECF-A is uniquely suppressed by equimolar quantities of its NH2- terminal tripeptide substituent, presumably by eosinophil membrane receptor competition. Factors comprising the fourth level of regulation, which alter eosinophil responsiveness to chemotactic stimuli, include the chemotactic factors themselves, through deactivation; nonchemotactic inhibitors such as the COOH-terminal tripeptide substituent of ECF-A, the neutrophil-immobilizing factor (NIF), the phagocytosis-enhancing factor Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg, and histamine at concentrations greater than 400 ng/ml; and nonchemotactic enhancing principles represented by ascorbate and by histamine at concentrations of 30 ng/ml or less. Local concentrations of eosinophils called to and immobilized at the site of a hypersenitivity reaction may express their regulatory functions by degrading the chemical mediators elaborated including histamine, slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A), and platelet-activating factor (PAF) by way of their content of histaminase, arylsulfatase B, and phospholipase D, respectively. Immunologic pathways may thus provide the capability for early and specific host defense reactions with a later influx of eosinophils preventing irreversible local tissue alterations or distant organ effects.", "PMID": 793410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9783", "title": "Feasibility of computer evaluation of the histopathologic findings in human skeletal muscle disease.", "content": "Optical Fourier methods of image processing coupled with mutual information analysis were applied to the separation of human muscle specimens into four diagnostic classes. This process allowed rapid, relatively inexpensive data acquisition, reduction, and classification. The accuracy of the method when compared to that of experienced surgical pathologists is acceptable. Difficulties arise when material outside of the previous experience of the computer is presented.", "contents": "Feasibility of computer evaluation of the histopathologic findings in human skeletal muscle disease. Optical Fourier methods of image processing coupled with mutual information analysis were applied to the separation of human muscle specimens into four diagnostic classes. This process allowed rapid, relatively inexpensive data acquisition, reduction, and classification. The accuracy of the method when compared to that of experienced surgical pathologists is acceptable. Difficulties arise when material outside of the previous experience of the computer is presented.", "PMID": 793413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9784", "title": "From phrenology to psychosurgery and back again: biological studies of criminality.", "content": "Characteristics of scientific research--careful definition of the problem, random sample selection, relevant control groups, careful measurement techniques, and caution in drawing conclusions from the data--are employed to evaluate the argument for constitutional, genetic, mental, endocrinal, and neurological theories of crime causation. A historical continuity in assumptions and methodological flaws is revealed between contemporary studies of the biological correlates of crime and their earlier counterparts. Social and political ramifications of biomedical research are considered.", "contents": "From phrenology to psychosurgery and back again: biological studies of criminality. Characteristics of scientific research--careful definition of the problem, random sample selection, relevant control groups, careful measurement techniques, and caution in drawing conclusions from the data--are employed to evaluate the argument for constitutional, genetic, mental, endocrinal, and neurological theories of crime causation. A historical continuity in assumptions and methodological flaws is revealed between contemporary studies of the biological correlates of crime and their earlier counterparts. Social and political ramifications of biomedical research are considered.", "PMID": 793416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9785", "title": "The use of liver epithelial cultures for the study of chemical carcinogenesis.", "content": "Liver cultures offer several special advantages for the study of chemical carcinogenesis in cell culture; these include the sensitivity of the cells to procarcinogens requiring enzymatic activation, the epithelial nature of the cells which qualifies them as a model for epithelial carcinogenesis, and the opportunity to compare culture findings with the extensive information available on the effects of carcinogens on liver. The actions of chemical carcinogens have been studied in primary and long-term rat liver cell cultures. A variety of procarcinogens induced DNA repair in primary cultures, indicating the usefulness of this system for studying carcinogen metabolism, the interaction of carcinogens with DNA, and the repair of carcinogen-induced DNA damage. In addition, this system may provide a screen for chemical carcinogens in which metabolic activation occurs in the target cell. Carcinogen treatment of long-term cultures initiated from the primary cultures resulted in morphologic transformation accompanied by an increased growth in soft agar and an increased frequency of 8-azaguanine-resistant mutants. Cultures with a high fraction of cells in S phase were found to be most sensitive to the induction of 8-azaguanine-resistant mutants.", "contents": "The use of liver epithelial cultures for the study of chemical carcinogenesis. Liver cultures offer several special advantages for the study of chemical carcinogenesis in cell culture; these include the sensitivity of the cells to procarcinogens requiring enzymatic activation, the epithelial nature of the cells which qualifies them as a model for epithelial carcinogenesis, and the opportunity to compare culture findings with the extensive information available on the effects of carcinogens on liver. The actions of chemical carcinogens have been studied in primary and long-term rat liver cell cultures. A variety of procarcinogens induced DNA repair in primary cultures, indicating the usefulness of this system for studying carcinogen metabolism, the interaction of carcinogens with DNA, and the repair of carcinogen-induced DNA damage. In addition, this system may provide a screen for chemical carcinogens in which metabolic activation occurs in the target cell. Carcinogen treatment of long-term cultures initiated from the primary cultures resulted in morphologic transformation accompanied by an increased growth in soft agar and an increased frequency of 8-azaguanine-resistant mutants. Cultures with a high fraction of cells in S phase were found to be most sensitive to the induction of 8-azaguanine-resistant mutants.", "PMID": 793415} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9786", "title": "The effect of practice orientations on clinical assessment.", "content": "Increasing theoretical evidence suggests that assessment procedures in themselves may have deleterious effects on mental health intervention. This experimental study of assessment processes suggests that negative labeling is related to the main effects of practice orientations and status differential. Results are discussed in terms of the unexpected negative consequences of assessment.", "contents": "The effect of practice orientations on clinical assessment. Increasing theoretical evidence suggests that assessment procedures in themselves may have deleterious effects on mental health intervention. This experimental study of assessment processes suggests that negative labeling is related to the main effects of practice orientations and status differential. Results are discussed in terms of the unexpected negative consequences of assessment.", "PMID": 793417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9787", "title": "Tumors in the remains of ancient Egyptians.", "content": "A survey of the tumors found in the remains of the Ancient Egyptians shows the occurrence of all the kinds of tumors which would be expected to be preserved in the osteological evidence. On the other hand, findings of tumors in the soft tissues of mummies are only exceptional. The frequency of tumors seems to be lower than in recent years, probably because of the shorter mean duration of life. The pathological lesions preserved in bony sturcture reveal not only osseous tumors, but also the presence of some tumors of soft tissues eroding the bone. To the survey of cases described in the literature, original findings of a calcified myoma uteri and of a probably epipharyngeal carcinoma are added. Because our knowledge on the history of tumors is not yet comprehensive, much more attention should be devoted to the search for them, starting from the moment of excavation of any cemetary.", "contents": "Tumors in the remains of ancient Egyptians. A survey of the tumors found in the remains of the Ancient Egyptians shows the occurrence of all the kinds of tumors which would be expected to be preserved in the osteological evidence. On the other hand, findings of tumors in the soft tissues of mummies are only exceptional. The frequency of tumors seems to be lower than in recent years, probably because of the shorter mean duration of life. The pathological lesions preserved in bony sturcture reveal not only osseous tumors, but also the presence of some tumors of soft tissues eroding the bone. To the survey of cases described in the literature, original findings of a calcified myoma uteri and of a probably epipharyngeal carcinoma are added. Because our knowledge on the history of tumors is not yet comprehensive, much more attention should be devoted to the search for them, starting from the moment of excavation of any cemetary.", "PMID": 793419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9788", "title": "Aboriginal new world epidemiolgy and medical care, and the impact of Old World disease imports.", "content": "Various workers, including T. D. Stewart, claim that the aboriginal Americas were relatively disease-free because of the bering Strait cold-screen, eliminating many pathogens, and the paucity of zoonotic infections because of few domestic animals. Evidence of varying validity suggests that precontact Americns had their own strains of treponemic infections, bacillary and amoebic dysenteries, influenza and viral penumonia and other respiratory diseases, salmonellosis and perhaps other food poisoning, various arthritides, some endoparasites such as the ascarids, and several geographically circumscribed diseases such as the rickettsial verruca (Carrion's disease) and New World leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis. Questionably aboriginal are tuberculosis and typhus. Accordingly, virtually all the \"crowd-type\" ecopathogenic diseases such as smallpox, yellow fever, typhoid, malaria, measles, pertussis, polio, etc., appear to have been absent from the New World, and were only brought in by White conquerors and their Black slaves. My hypothesis is that native American medical care systems--especially in the more culturally advanced areas--were sufficiently sophisticated to deal with native disease entities with reasonable competence. But native medical systems could not cope with the \"crowd-type\" disease imports that struck Indian and Eskimos as \"virgin-field\" populations. Reanalysis of native population losses through a genocidal combination of diease, war, slavery and attendant cultural disruption by Dobyns, Cook and others strongly suggest that traditiona estimates underplayed the death toll by a factor of the general order of ten. This would make for an immediately pre-contact Indian population of some 90-111 million instead of the tradition 8-11 million. Evidence is growing that Indians may have been no more susceptible to new pathogens that are other \"virgin soil\" populations, and thus their immune systems need not be considered less effective than those in other people. Present-day high mortality rates in Indians of both continents from infectious disease imports may be more socioeconomic than anything else.", "contents": "Aboriginal new world epidemiolgy and medical care, and the impact of Old World disease imports. Various workers, including T. D. Stewart, claim that the aboriginal Americas were relatively disease-free because of the bering Strait cold-screen, eliminating many pathogens, and the paucity of zoonotic infections because of few domestic animals. Evidence of varying validity suggests that precontact Americns had their own strains of treponemic infections, bacillary and amoebic dysenteries, influenza and viral penumonia and other respiratory diseases, salmonellosis and perhaps other food poisoning, various arthritides, some endoparasites such as the ascarids, and several geographically circumscribed diseases such as the rickettsial verruca (Carrion's disease) and New World leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis. Questionably aboriginal are tuberculosis and typhus. Accordingly, virtually all the \"crowd-type\" ecopathogenic diseases such as smallpox, yellow fever, typhoid, malaria, measles, pertussis, polio, etc., appear to have been absent from the New World, and were only brought in by White conquerors and their Black slaves. My hypothesis is that native American medical care systems--especially in the more culturally advanced areas--were sufficiently sophisticated to deal with native disease entities with reasonable competence. But native medical systems could not cope with the \"crowd-type\" disease imports that struck Indian and Eskimos as \"virgin-field\" populations. Reanalysis of native population losses through a genocidal combination of diease, war, slavery and attendant cultural disruption by Dobyns, Cook and others strongly suggest that traditiona estimates underplayed the death toll by a factor of the general order of ten. This would make for an immediately pre-contact Indian population of some 90-111 million instead of the tradition 8-11 million. Evidence is growing that Indians may have been no more susceptible to new pathogens that are other \"virgin soil\" populations, and thus their immune systems need not be considered less effective than those in other people. Present-day high mortality rates in Indians of both continents from infectious disease imports may be more socioeconomic than anything else.", "PMID": 793420} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9789", "title": "Colonial modern skeletal change in the U.S.A.", "content": "Eighty-two people dating from 1975 to 1879 compared with 182 modern middle-class White and Black skeletons test the myths of radical changes produced by improved diet, less disease, and nineteenth century immigration. Longevity increases and health and growth improvement is clearest in reduced juvenile deaths (census data) and deepening of true pelvis. Stature increase is minimal (though seventeenth century Londoners and modern West Africans are shorter than Colonial to Modern Americans); teeth deteriorate and for cultural reasons fractures increase. Clavicles and forearms elongate. From Old to New World Colonial samples there is a noticeable skull change (and a greater Old World to Modern contrast) but White Colonial to Modern shows strong continuity surprisingly, the key changes being increasing head height, and retraction of face with increasing nose projection, and longer mastoids, resulting from selection and mixture. Blacks change more, possibly from Indian and White mixture. Variabilities are above average. Change is much less than expected, and apparently involves heterosis and selection as well as the obvious health advance and mixtures.", "contents": "Colonial modern skeletal change in the U.S.A. Eighty-two people dating from 1975 to 1879 compared with 182 modern middle-class White and Black skeletons test the myths of radical changes produced by improved diet, less disease, and nineteenth century immigration. Longevity increases and health and growth improvement is clearest in reduced juvenile deaths (census data) and deepening of true pelvis. Stature increase is minimal (though seventeenth century Londoners and modern West Africans are shorter than Colonial to Modern Americans); teeth deteriorate and for cultural reasons fractures increase. Clavicles and forearms elongate. From Old to New World Colonial samples there is a noticeable skull change (and a greater Old World to Modern contrast) but White Colonial to Modern shows strong continuity surprisingly, the key changes being increasing head height, and retraction of face with increasing nose projection, and longer mastoids, resulting from selection and mixture. Blacks change more, possibly from Indian and White mixture. Variabilities are above average. Change is much less than expected, and apparently involves heterosis and selection as well as the obvious health advance and mixtures.", "PMID": 793421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9790", "title": "Kallikreinlike activity in perfusates and urine of isolated rat kidneys.", "content": "In the perfusate and the urine produced during perfusion of isolated rat kidneys a kallikreinlike enzyme similar to that found in the kidney was detectable by bioassay 15-25 min after the beginning of the perfusion. The source of the kallikrein activity was the kidney itself, since before the perfusion was started the blood remaining in the kidneys was washed out and the perfusion medium was free of kallikrein and its precursors and substrates. The kallikreinlike activity of the perfusate was characterized by a) an oxytocic effect on isolated rat uterus, b) a kininogenase activity on kininogen II, c) an esterase activity on N-benozyl-L-arginine ethyl ester, and d) a hypotensive effect on anethetized rats. These properties were inhibited by diisopropyl activity in the perfused kidney was lower than that in the nonperfused organ, but the total amount of kallikrein activity released to the excreted urine and the perfusate was significantly greater than the corresponding activity that disappeared in the kidney. This result is in keeping with the concept that the renal tissue is able to synthesize kallikrein.", "contents": "Kallikreinlike activity in perfusates and urine of isolated rat kidneys. In the perfusate and the urine produced during perfusion of isolated rat kidneys a kallikreinlike enzyme similar to that found in the kidney was detectable by bioassay 15-25 min after the beginning of the perfusion. The source of the kallikrein activity was the kidney itself, since before the perfusion was started the blood remaining in the kidneys was washed out and the perfusion medium was free of kallikrein and its precursors and substrates. The kallikreinlike activity of the perfusate was characterized by a) an oxytocic effect on isolated rat uterus, b) a kininogenase activity on kininogen II, c) an esterase activity on N-benozyl-L-arginine ethyl ester, and d) a hypotensive effect on anethetized rats. These properties were inhibited by diisopropyl activity in the perfused kidney was lower than that in the nonperfused organ, but the total amount of kallikrein activity released to the excreted urine and the perfusate was significantly greater than the corresponding activity that disappeared in the kidney. This result is in keeping with the concept that the renal tissue is able to synthesize kallikrein.", "PMID": 793423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9791", "title": "Effects of ions on amylase release by dissociated pancreatic acinar cells.", "content": "Dissociated acinar cells prepared from guinea pig and mouse pancreas were intact on the basis of structure, ion content, and their ability to increase release of amylase in response to bethanechol and the calcium ionophore A23187. Guinea pig but not mouse acinar cells increased amylase release in response to caerulein. An increase in the concentration of K+ in the medium, which increases amylase release from whole pancreas, did not increase release. The effect of varying the ionic content of the medium on basal and stimulated amylase release was studied. Bethanechol and caerulein were still able to stimulate amylase release when Ca2+ was omitted from the medium, whereas stimulation induced by A23187 was abolished. Elevation of the concentration of Mg2+ did not affect basal or stimulated amylase release. Removal of Na+ from the medium initially had no effect on amylase release although bethanechol-stimulated release by mouse cells was inion of the HCO3- or Cl- content of the medium did not affect cholinergic stimulation of secretion. It is concluded that stimulated amylase release by isolated acinar cells is relatively independent of the ionic constituency of the bathing medium.", "contents": "Effects of ions on amylase release by dissociated pancreatic acinar cells. Dissociated acinar cells prepared from guinea pig and mouse pancreas were intact on the basis of structure, ion content, and their ability to increase release of amylase in response to bethanechol and the calcium ionophore A23187. Guinea pig but not mouse acinar cells increased amylase release in response to caerulein. An increase in the concentration of K+ in the medium, which increases amylase release from whole pancreas, did not increase release. The effect of varying the ionic content of the medium on basal and stimulated amylase release was studied. Bethanechol and caerulein were still able to stimulate amylase release when Ca2+ was omitted from the medium, whereas stimulation induced by A23187 was abolished. Elevation of the concentration of Mg2+ did not affect basal or stimulated amylase release. Removal of Na+ from the medium initially had no effect on amylase release although bethanechol-stimulated release by mouse cells was inion of the HCO3- or Cl- content of the medium did not affect cholinergic stimulation of secretion. It is concluded that stimulated amylase release by isolated acinar cells is relatively independent of the ionic constituency of the bathing medium.", "PMID": 793424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9792", "title": "Notes from \"Pavlov's Wednesdays\": Pavlov's law of effect.", "content": "Pavlov's Wednesday seminars indicate that he adopted homeostatic balance as a law of effect in order to deal with Konorski's experiments on omission and avoidance training; he did not, as is often thought, completely assimilate instrumental conditioning into his classical framework. He saw the 'new' type of conditioning as the basis of voluntary behavior in higher animals and devoted considerable attention to it in 1930-1933.", "contents": "Notes from \"Pavlov's Wednesdays\": Pavlov's law of effect. Pavlov's Wednesday seminars indicate that he adopted homeostatic balance as a law of effect in order to deal with Konorski's experiments on omission and avoidance training; he did not, as is often thought, completely assimilate instrumental conditioning into his classical framework. He saw the 'new' type of conditioning as the basis of voluntary behavior in higher animals and devoted considerable attention to it in 1930-1933.", "PMID": 793425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9793", "title": "Angiographic and ultrasonic findings in infected simple cysts of the kidney.", "content": "This paper describes angiographic and ultrasonic findings in three patients with proven infected renal cyst. The clinical picture was that of inflammatory renal disease. B-mode ultrasonography showed the characteristic features of renal cyst; however, this technique cannot differentiate between infected and simple cysts. Selective renal angiography demonstrated the following, enabling differentiation from simple renal cyst; hypervascular rim, irregular inflammatory vessels, indistinct interface between cyst and adjacent parenchyma, and prominent capsular branches. Since percutaneous puncture of an infected renal cyst or abscess carries risk of infectious complications, angiography appears justified only for those patients with fever and flank pain who have cystic lesions in the kidney confirmed by echography.", "contents": "Angiographic and ultrasonic findings in infected simple cysts of the kidney. This paper describes angiographic and ultrasonic findings in three patients with proven infected renal cyst. The clinical picture was that of inflammatory renal disease. B-mode ultrasonography showed the characteristic features of renal cyst; however, this technique cannot differentiate between infected and simple cysts. Selective renal angiography demonstrated the following, enabling differentiation from simple renal cyst; hypervascular rim, irregular inflammatory vessels, indistinct interface between cyst and adjacent parenchyma, and prominent capsular branches. Since percutaneous puncture of an infected renal cyst or abscess carries risk of infectious complications, angiography appears justified only for those patients with fever and flank pain who have cystic lesions in the kidney confirmed by echography.", "PMID": 793426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9794", "title": "Radiologic features of gram-negative pneumonias in the neutropenic patient.", "content": "While gram-negative pneumonia is a frequent complication in immunosuppressed patients with malignant disease, the diagnosis is difficult to establish. Clinical and radiographic study of 195 episodes of pneumonia in 175 consecutive patients was undertaken. Chest radiographs were negative in 19% of the episodes, probably due to absence of alveolar inflammatory cell infiltrate. Radiographic patterns were classified as either alveolar or mixed alveolar and interstitial; no case of interstitial pattern alone was identified. A positive correlation was found between the neutrophil count and the presence of radiographic abnormalities. The different types of organisms could not be distinguished by the radiographic appearance. The importance of early diagnosis and prompt specific treatment is stressed.", "contents": "Radiologic features of gram-negative pneumonias in the neutropenic patient. While gram-negative pneumonia is a frequent complication in immunosuppressed patients with malignant disease, the diagnosis is difficult to establish. Clinical and radiographic study of 195 episodes of pneumonia in 175 consecutive patients was undertaken. Chest radiographs were negative in 19% of the episodes, probably due to absence of alveolar inflammatory cell infiltrate. Radiographic patterns were classified as either alveolar or mixed alveolar and interstitial; no case of interstitial pattern alone was identified. A positive correlation was found between the neutrophil count and the presence of radiographic abnormalities. The different types of organisms could not be distinguished by the radiographic appearance. The importance of early diagnosis and prompt specific treatment is stressed.", "PMID": 793427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9795", "title": "Successful treatment of dendritic keratitis with human leukocyte interferon. A controlled clinical study.", "content": "There were 40 virologically confirmed cases of dendritic keratitis treated in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. After thermomechanical debridement of the corneal epithelium, the patients received two drops of human leukocyte interferon (HLI) twice daily. The activity was 3 X 10(-6) units/ml. HLI significantly accelerated healing and inhibited virus shedding. It remains to be studied whether HLI will be equally effective in the prophylaxis of late herpes recurrences.", "contents": "Successful treatment of dendritic keratitis with human leukocyte interferon. A controlled clinical study. There were 40 virologically confirmed cases of dendritic keratitis treated in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. After thermomechanical debridement of the corneal epithelium, the patients received two drops of human leukocyte interferon (HLI) twice daily. The activity was 3 X 10(-6) units/ml. HLI significantly accelerated healing and inhibited virus shedding. It remains to be studied whether HLI will be equally effective in the prophylaxis of late herpes recurrences.", "PMID": 793437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9796", "title": "Diabetic retinopathy study. Assessment and comparison of retinal lesions for computer analysis.", "content": "A method of documentation of a diabetic retinopathy (dR) is described. Panorama fundus photographs (PPhs) of each eye are taken every 3-6 months. The retinopathy is classified according to qualitative, quantitative, and topographic criteria. The retinal lesions are assessed according to a subjective grading scale. Data of direct readings and of comparisons between two PPhs of one eye are transferred to punch cards for storage and computer processing. In a double evaluation of 200 PPhs, the overall reliability of readings was found to be approximately 95%.", "contents": "Diabetic retinopathy study. Assessment and comparison of retinal lesions for computer analysis. A method of documentation of a diabetic retinopathy (dR) is described. Panorama fundus photographs (PPhs) of each eye are taken every 3-6 months. The retinopathy is classified according to qualitative, quantitative, and topographic criteria. The retinal lesions are assessed according to a subjective grading scale. Data of direct readings and of comparisons between two PPhs of one eye are transferred to punch cards for storage and computer processing. In a double evaluation of 200 PPhs, the overall reliability of readings was found to be approximately 95%.", "PMID": 793438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9797", "title": "[Dichlorphenamide treatment in acute glaucoma (author's transl)].", "content": "Dichlorphenamide as well as Diamox lowers intraocular pressure. For adequate treatment of acute glaucoma only 20% of commonly used Diamoxdosis is requested to reach comparable pressure release two hours later. After one hour control intraocular pressure of 60% from patients with Dichlorphenamide treatment was found below 40 mm Hg since in Diamoxgroup there were only 30% below 40 mm Hg. Different effects of Dichlorphenamide and Diamox after one hour use is demonstrated in respect of serum electrolytes and base excess as well. Essential side effects after a single dosis of 200 mg Dichlorphenamide or in combination with Diamox for acute glaucoma treatment could not be observed.", "contents": "[Dichlorphenamide treatment in acute glaucoma (author's transl)]. Dichlorphenamide as well as Diamox lowers intraocular pressure. For adequate treatment of acute glaucoma only 20% of commonly used Diamoxdosis is requested to reach comparable pressure release two hours later. After one hour control intraocular pressure of 60% from patients with Dichlorphenamide treatment was found below 40 mm Hg since in Diamoxgroup there were only 30% below 40 mm Hg. Different effects of Dichlorphenamide and Diamox after one hour use is demonstrated in respect of serum electrolytes and base excess as well. Essential side effects after a single dosis of 200 mg Dichlorphenamide or in combination with Diamox for acute glaucoma treatment could not be observed.", "PMID": 793439} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9798", "title": "Distribution of growth hormone-release-inhibiting hormone (somatostatin) in the rat brain as observed with immunocytochemistry.", "content": "The objective was to determine the distribution of growth hormone-release-inhibiting hormone (somatostatin) in the rat brain using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical method with antisera prepared against unconjugated, synthetic somatostatin. Somatostatin occurred in low quantity in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis. It was present throughout the full length of the median eminence and occupied the entire width between the tuberoinfundibular sulci. Most somatostatin was located in the dorsal portion of the external lamina, and the amount varied according to the mediolateral position. The bodies labeled for somatostatin were most often granules; occasionally they appeared as clusters of granules that seemed to be membrane-enclosed. Some of these bodies appeared to be portions of axons. Many of the larger bodies were arranged alongside tanycytes, but no label was distributed generally in tanycyte cytoplasm. Somatostatin was highly concentrated in the proximal one-quarter of the infundibular stem and appeared in lower concentration throughout the distal portion of the stem. It was absent from the pars nervosa and pars intermedia of the pituitary gland. The distribution of somatostatin in the median eminence differed considerably from that of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Somatostatin was identified in the ventromedial and/or dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei of only two animals. Here it was probably located in axons that terminated on neuronal cell bodies but also may have been present in a restricted portion of the perikaryonal cytoplasm.", "contents": "Distribution of growth hormone-release-inhibiting hormone (somatostatin) in the rat brain as observed with immunocytochemistry. The objective was to determine the distribution of growth hormone-release-inhibiting hormone (somatostatin) in the rat brain using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical method with antisera prepared against unconjugated, synthetic somatostatin. Somatostatin occurred in low quantity in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis. It was present throughout the full length of the median eminence and occupied the entire width between the tuberoinfundibular sulci. Most somatostatin was located in the dorsal portion of the external lamina, and the amount varied according to the mediolateral position. The bodies labeled for somatostatin were most often granules; occasionally they appeared as clusters of granules that seemed to be membrane-enclosed. Some of these bodies appeared to be portions of axons. Many of the larger bodies were arranged alongside tanycytes, but no label was distributed generally in tanycyte cytoplasm. Somatostatin was highly concentrated in the proximal one-quarter of the infundibular stem and appeared in lower concentration throughout the distal portion of the stem. It was absent from the pars nervosa and pars intermedia of the pituitary gland. The distribution of somatostatin in the median eminence differed considerably from that of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Somatostatin was identified in the ventromedial and/or dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei of only two animals. Here it was probably located in axons that terminated on neuronal cell bodies but also may have been present in a restricted portion of the perikaryonal cytoplasm.", "PMID": 793445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9799", "title": "The influence of pharmaceutical compounds on male fertility.", "content": "1. Steroid hormones can affect spermatogenesis and thereby fertility directly and/or indirectly. All antigonadotropically active steroids inhibit spermatogenesis via inhibition of gonadotropin secretion, mainly that of H. Androgens and steroids occurring in the biosynthetic chain of testosterone synthesis have a direct promoting effect on spermatogenesis if applied in high doses. It has not been possible as yet to make clinical use of this positive effect since it is obviously not possible to achieve the necessary intratesticular androgen concentrations. 2. As concerns the different androgens and the steroids in the androgen biosynthetic chain, and also all synthetic anabolics, there is no parallelism between the direct spermatogenic activity, the androgenic activity and the antigonadotropic activity. 3. Estrogens and synthetic gestagens do not inhibit spermatogenesis directly at the testicular level. All effects of estrogens can be abolished experimentally by adequate substitution with gonadotropins or androgens, or a combination of androgens and gonadotropins. 4. Only those antiandrogens inhibit spermatogenesis with additional antigonadotropic properties (e.g. cyproterone acetate). Pure antiandrogens, like flutamide or cyproterone, have a slight and transient influence on spermatogenesis at the most. If at all, they merely cause transient subfertility. 5. Beside steroids and several centrally active pharmaceutics (e.g. psychotropic drugs and several antihypertensive compounds), only siloxanes and methallibur seem to affect spermatogenesis via inhibition of gonadotropin secretion. Other antispermatogenic agents act by inhibition of mitosis (Colchicine, alkylating agents) or presumably via damage of the Sertoli cells. 6. Based on present knowledge, contraception in men could be principally managed by administration of a) androgens alone, b) gestagen/androgen combinations, c) estrogen/androgen combinations, d) certain antiandrogens. 7. The difficulties of contraception in men by steroid hormones or steroid hormone combinations have been pointed out. As regards the usefulness of antiandrogens for contraception, no definite conclusions can be drawn at the moment. All non-steroidal inhibitors of spermatogenesis which have been found up to the present are not suitable because of toxic effects.", "contents": "The influence of pharmaceutical compounds on male fertility. 1. Steroid hormones can affect spermatogenesis and thereby fertility directly and/or indirectly. All antigonadotropically active steroids inhibit spermatogenesis via inhibition of gonadotropin secretion, mainly that of H. Androgens and steroids occurring in the biosynthetic chain of testosterone synthesis have a direct promoting effect on spermatogenesis if applied in high doses. It has not been possible as yet to make clinical use of this positive effect since it is obviously not possible to achieve the necessary intratesticular androgen concentrations. 2. As concerns the different androgens and the steroids in the androgen biosynthetic chain, and also all synthetic anabolics, there is no parallelism between the direct spermatogenic activity, the androgenic activity and the antigonadotropic activity. 3. Estrogens and synthetic gestagens do not inhibit spermatogenesis directly at the testicular level. All effects of estrogens can be abolished experimentally by adequate substitution with gonadotropins or androgens, or a combination of androgens and gonadotropins. 4. Only those antiandrogens inhibit spermatogenesis with additional antigonadotropic properties (e.g. cyproterone acetate). Pure antiandrogens, like flutamide or cyproterone, have a slight and transient influence on spermatogenesis at the most. If at all, they merely cause transient subfertility. 5. Beside steroids and several centrally active pharmaceutics (e.g. psychotropic drugs and several antihypertensive compounds), only siloxanes and methallibur seem to affect spermatogenesis via inhibition of gonadotropin secretion. Other antispermatogenic agents act by inhibition of mitosis (Colchicine, alkylating agents) or presumably via damage of the Sertoli cells. 6. Based on present knowledge, contraception in men could be principally managed by administration of a) androgens alone, b) gestagen/androgen combinations, c) estrogen/androgen combinations, d) certain antiandrogens. 7. The difficulties of contraception in men by steroid hormones or steroid hormone combinations have been pointed out. As regards the usefulness of antiandrogens for contraception, no definite conclusions can be drawn at the moment. All non-steroidal inhibitors of spermatogenesis which have been found up to the present are not suitable because of toxic effects.", "PMID": 793446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9800", "title": "Evaluation of the functional state of male accessory glands by the analysis of seminal plasma.", "content": "In man, the seminal vesicles, together with the ampuls, constitutes the main source of seminal fructose. The human prostate produce citric acids, acid phosphatase and other enzymes. The exceeding high content of prostaglandins probably derives from the seminal vesicles. A combined analysis of fructose and citric acid in the ejaculate is desirable to state morphologic alterations or functional disturbances of the accessory glands. The well-known split ejaculate method enables to decide whether the ejaculatory process is normal, slight or heavily disturbed. Variations in the morphology and secretory function of the accessory glands in different mammalian species are pointed out. The influence of testosterone on the secretory function of the accessory glands is described and discussed in detail.", "contents": "Evaluation of the functional state of male accessory glands by the analysis of seminal plasma. In man, the seminal vesicles, together with the ampuls, constitutes the main source of seminal fructose. The human prostate produce citric acids, acid phosphatase and other enzymes. The exceeding high content of prostaglandins probably derives from the seminal vesicles. A combined analysis of fructose and citric acid in the ejaculate is desirable to state morphologic alterations or functional disturbances of the accessory glands. The well-known split ejaculate method enables to decide whether the ejaculatory process is normal, slight or heavily disturbed. Variations in the morphology and secretory function of the accessory glands in different mammalian species are pointed out. The influence of testosterone on the secretory function of the accessory glands is described and discussed in detail.", "PMID": 793447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9801", "title": "Type IV reactions in the skin.", "content": "Delayed type (Type IV) hypersensitivity is commonly manifested in clinical practice as allergic eczematous contact dermatitis (AECD). This reaction can be transferred by lymphoid cells but not serum and parallels other T lymphocyte immune responses. Recent evidence correlates the sensitization phase of AECD with in vitro lymphocyte transformation and the elicitation phase with lymphokine activity. Although a bewildering variety of haptens may be responsible for AECD, they have in common an ability to form co-valent bonds with proteins. Patch testing with the offending antigen will reproduce the disease. Therapy of choice remains topical or systemic corticosteroids.", "contents": "Type IV reactions in the skin. Delayed type (Type IV) hypersensitivity is commonly manifested in clinical practice as allergic eczematous contact dermatitis (AECD). This reaction can be transferred by lymphoid cells but not serum and parallels other T lymphocyte immune responses. Recent evidence correlates the sensitization phase of AECD with in vitro lymphocyte transformation and the elicitation phase with lymphokine activity. Although a bewildering variety of haptens may be responsible for AECD, they have in common an ability to form co-valent bonds with proteins. Patch testing with the offending antigen will reproduce the disease. Therapy of choice remains topical or systemic corticosteroids.", "PMID": 793453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9802", "title": "The bronchodilator effects of terbutaline: route of administration and patterns of response.", "content": "The effectiveness and clinical indications of Terbutaline as a bronchodilator were analyzed by the subcutaneous, oral and aerosol route in 56 patients. A significant improvement in air flow rates both in major and smaller airways was achieved by all routes of administration. The inhalation route offered the fastest onset of action, maximal response and longest duration. Similar trends, but of decreased magnitude, were seen following the subcutaneous and oral routes. Overall analysis of results did not indicate a definite dose-response dependency within the aerosol and oral routes at the tested dosages, whereas the incidence of side effects was clearly dose-dependent. On this basis it is recommended that for maintenance therapy treatment should begin with oral Terbutaline 2.5 mg every 6-8 hours and this dose be adjusted according to the clinical response. For the treatment of acute bronchospasm 0.50 mg or 0.25 mg subcutaneously, or a dose as low as 0.375 mg by aerosol, would be highly effective within five minutes. A combination of oral and aerosol administration represents a highly effective synergistic combination for most clinical situations requiring maintenance therapy.", "contents": "The bronchodilator effects of terbutaline: route of administration and patterns of response. The effectiveness and clinical indications of Terbutaline as a bronchodilator were analyzed by the subcutaneous, oral and aerosol route in 56 patients. A significant improvement in air flow rates both in major and smaller airways was achieved by all routes of administration. The inhalation route offered the fastest onset of action, maximal response and longest duration. Similar trends, but of decreased magnitude, were seen following the subcutaneous and oral routes. Overall analysis of results did not indicate a definite dose-response dependency within the aerosol and oral routes at the tested dosages, whereas the incidence of side effects was clearly dose-dependent. On this basis it is recommended that for maintenance therapy treatment should begin with oral Terbutaline 2.5 mg every 6-8 hours and this dose be adjusted according to the clinical response. For the treatment of acute bronchospasm 0.50 mg or 0.25 mg subcutaneously, or a dose as low as 0.375 mg by aerosol, would be highly effective within five minutes. A combination of oral and aerosol administration represents a highly effective synergistic combination for most clinical situations requiring maintenance therapy.", "PMID": 793454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9803", "title": "Study of E rosettes, serum IgE and eosinophilia in asthmatic children.", "content": "In this study active and total E rosettes in asthmatic children were comparable to those in healthy children and healthy adults. There were no interrelations among E rosettes, serum IgE levels and total eosinophil counts.", "contents": "Study of E rosettes, serum IgE and eosinophilia in asthmatic children. In this study active and total E rosettes in asthmatic children were comparable to those in healthy children and healthy adults. There were no interrelations among E rosettes, serum IgE levels and total eosinophil counts.", "PMID": 793456} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9804", "title": "Intensification by glucocorticoids of induced acute leukocytic responses in the rabbit uterus.", "content": "Sexually mature does were given cortisone acetate, hydrocortisone acetate, or 9 alpha-fluoroprednisolone by intramuscular injection for 3 days, then the uterine lumens were inoculated with Escherichia coli. The glucocorticoids doubled the number of leukocytes that migrated into the uterine lumen during the acute inflammatory response. The corticoids had similar effects in estrous, ovariectomized, and pseudopregnant rabbits. The administration of hydrocortisone acetate nearly doubled the number of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes in the circulation within 24 hours. The high numbers of circulating PMN leukocytes were maintained over the 3 days of treatment. The increased leukocytic response to induced uterine infection was similar in magnitude to the increase in numbers of circulating PMN leukocytes; the corticoid-induced neutrophilia was probably responsible for the intensified leukocytic response to uterine infection.", "contents": "Intensification by glucocorticoids of induced acute leukocytic responses in the rabbit uterus. Sexually mature does were given cortisone acetate, hydrocortisone acetate, or 9 alpha-fluoroprednisolone by intramuscular injection for 3 days, then the uterine lumens were inoculated with Escherichia coli. The glucocorticoids doubled the number of leukocytes that migrated into the uterine lumen during the acute inflammatory response. The corticoids had similar effects in estrous, ovariectomized, and pseudopregnant rabbits. The administration of hydrocortisone acetate nearly doubled the number of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes in the circulation within 24 hours. The high numbers of circulating PMN leukocytes were maintained over the 3 days of treatment. The increased leukocytic response to induced uterine infection was similar in magnitude to the increase in numbers of circulating PMN leukocytes; the corticoid-induced neutrophilia was probably responsible for the intensified leukocytic response to uterine infection.", "PMID": 793458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9805", "title": "Serologic studies of naturally occurring feline infectious peritonitis.", "content": "Serum antibodies to the feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus were measured in cats, using an indirect fluorescent antibody procedure. Antibody titers of 1:400 to 1:25,600 were seen in cats with both effusive and noneffusive forms of FIP. About 87% of the normal cats in FIP problem catteries and 20% of the cats in the Davis, Ca, area also had antibody titers to the FIP virus, ranging from 1:25 to 1:400. Although the infection rate is high among cats, relatively few of the cats infected with the FIP virus ever develop clinically apparent FIP.", "contents": "Serologic studies of naturally occurring feline infectious peritonitis. Serum antibodies to the feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus were measured in cats, using an indirect fluorescent antibody procedure. Antibody titers of 1:400 to 1:25,600 were seen in cats with both effusive and noneffusive forms of FIP. About 87% of the normal cats in FIP problem catteries and 20% of the cats in the Davis, Ca, area also had antibody titers to the FIP virus, ranging from 1:25 to 1:400. Although the infection rate is high among cats, relatively few of the cats infected with the FIP virus ever develop clinically apparent FIP.", "PMID": 793459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9806", "title": "Feline malignant lymphomas: comparison of morphologic and immunologic characteristics.", "content": "Lymphoid cell populations from various hematopoietic tissues of normal cats (n = 22) and from cats with malignant lymphoma (n = 14 cats) were examined simultaneously for morphologic and immunologic features. Scanning electron microscopy and mitogen stimulation studies were not useful in identifying the B or T cell nature of malignant lymphomas. Cell markers successfully used to identify B cells were the presence of surface immunoglobulin by fluorescent-immunoglobulin staining procedures and the presence of complement receptors by EAC (erythrocyte, antibody, complement) rosette formation. The formation of rosettes with guinea pig erythrocytes was used to identify T cells. Using these cell surface markers, thymic lymphomas were found to be composed of T cells and alimentary lymphomas were found to be composed of B cells. The multicentric lymphomas lacked B or T cell surface markers. Classification by cytologic type of cell did not show any correlation with other values.", "contents": "Feline malignant lymphomas: comparison of morphologic and immunologic characteristics. Lymphoid cell populations from various hematopoietic tissues of normal cats (n = 22) and from cats with malignant lymphoma (n = 14 cats) were examined simultaneously for morphologic and immunologic features. Scanning electron microscopy and mitogen stimulation studies were not useful in identifying the B or T cell nature of malignant lymphomas. Cell markers successfully used to identify B cells were the presence of surface immunoglobulin by fluorescent-immunoglobulin staining procedures and the presence of complement receptors by EAC (erythrocyte, antibody, complement) rosette formation. The formation of rosettes with guinea pig erythrocytes was used to identify T cells. Using these cell surface markers, thymic lymphomas were found to be composed of T cells and alimentary lymphomas were found to be composed of B cells. The multicentric lymphomas lacked B or T cell surface markers. Classification by cytologic type of cell did not show any correlation with other values.", "PMID": 793460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9807", "title": "Bacteriologic cultural examination of the lower respiratory tract of laboratory dogs.", "content": "During lung transplantation experiments, the lower respiratory tracts of dogs were examined by bacteriologic cultural technique pre- and postoperatively. Three methods were used to obtain culture material: transtracheal aspiration, lung puncture, and lung biopsy collection. Both before and after operation, infections were commonplace. Antibiotics given at the time of operation tended to suppress infection.", "contents": "Bacteriologic cultural examination of the lower respiratory tract of laboratory dogs. During lung transplantation experiments, the lower respiratory tracts of dogs were examined by bacteriologic cultural technique pre- and postoperatively. Three methods were used to obtain culture material: transtracheal aspiration, lung puncture, and lung biopsy collection. Both before and after operation, infections were commonplace. Antibiotics given at the time of operation tended to suppress infection.", "PMID": 793461} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9808", "title": "Interstitial pneumonia in angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia. A case report with special histopathologic studies.", "content": "A patient presented with characteristic historical, physical, and laboratory findings of angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia. This newly described entity apparently represents a nonneoplastic proliferation of the B-lymphocyte system with immunoblastic transformation of many lymphocytes and excessive production of immunoglobulins. It is associated with fever, sweats, weight loss, skin rash, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and characteristic histologic features of the involved lymph nodes. Noteworthy in the patient reported here are the extent and course of radiographically and clinically evident pulmonary involvement and the biopsy documentation of an interstitial pneumonia marked by histopathologic changes closely resembling those found in the lymph nodes, with immunohistologic demonstration of immunoglobulins in the alveolar walls.", "contents": "Interstitial pneumonia in angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia. A case report with special histopathologic studies. A patient presented with characteristic historical, physical, and laboratory findings of angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia. This newly described entity apparently represents a nonneoplastic proliferation of the B-lymphocyte system with immunoblastic transformation of many lymphocytes and excessive production of immunoglobulins. It is associated with fever, sweats, weight loss, skin rash, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and characteristic histologic features of the involved lymph nodes. Noteworthy in the patient reported here are the extent and course of radiographically and clinically evident pulmonary involvement and the biopsy documentation of an interstitial pneumonia marked by histopathologic changes closely resembling those found in the lymph nodes, with immunohistologic demonstration of immunoglobulins in the alveolar walls.", "PMID": 793465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9809", "title": "[Meconium aspiration syndrome. Two cases treated with continuous positive airway pressure (author's transl)].", "content": "Two cases of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome successfully treated with CPAP are presented. In both patients the introduction CPAP enhanced arterial oxygenation. The A-a DO2 showed a decrease of 57 and 228 mm Hg respectively. After the introduction of CPAP it was possible to decrease the enviromental oxygen concentration and both patients survived. The possible mechanism by which CPAP improves hypoxia in MAS is discussed.", "contents": "[Meconium aspiration syndrome. Two cases treated with continuous positive airway pressure (author's transl)]. Two cases of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome successfully treated with CPAP are presented. In both patients the introduction CPAP enhanced arterial oxygenation. The A-a DO2 showed a decrease of 57 and 228 mm Hg respectively. After the introduction of CPAP it was possible to decrease the enviromental oxygen concentration and both patients survived. The possible mechanism by which CPAP improves hypoxia in MAS is discussed.", "PMID": 793463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9810", "title": "Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Clinical, histologic, radiographic, physiologic, scintigraphic, cytologic, and biochemical aspects.", "content": "Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal disorder that starts as an alveolitis and progresses to interstitial fibrosis. Correlative morphologic, physiologic, and biochemical studies in 29 patients have shown that the inflammatory process in best followed by serial bronchoalveolar lavage and 67 Ga citrate scanning, and the fibrotic process is best followed by quantitation of the exercise-induced drop in arterial oxygen tension per unit of oxygen consumed. Although biopsies in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis seem to show increased amounts of fibrotic tissue, biochemical studies suggest that the disease is probably one of collagen rearrangement rather than collagen increase. Perhaps becasue of this, peripheral lymphocytes of these patients recognize collagen as \"non-self\" and, when exposed to it in vitro, produce lymphokines and cell lysis. The fibrotic process is probably irreversible, but the inflammatory and immune processes that cause it may be amenable to therapy if diagnosed early.", "contents": "Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Clinical, histologic, radiographic, physiologic, scintigraphic, cytologic, and biochemical aspects. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal disorder that starts as an alveolitis and progresses to interstitial fibrosis. Correlative morphologic, physiologic, and biochemical studies in 29 patients have shown that the inflammatory process in best followed by serial bronchoalveolar lavage and 67 Ga citrate scanning, and the fibrotic process is best followed by quantitation of the exercise-induced drop in arterial oxygen tension per unit of oxygen consumed. Although biopsies in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis seem to show increased amounts of fibrotic tissue, biochemical studies suggest that the disease is probably one of collagen rearrangement rather than collagen increase. Perhaps becasue of this, peripheral lymphocytes of these patients recognize collagen as \"non-self\" and, when exposed to it in vitro, produce lymphokines and cell lysis. The fibrotic process is probably irreversible, but the inflammatory and immune processes that cause it may be amenable to therapy if diagnosed early.", "PMID": 793466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9811", "title": "[The first spanish report of complex congenital heart defect (author's transl)].", "content": "The first spanish report of complex congenital heart defect with single ventricle and single arterial trunk is presented. The clinical and pathological description was made by G. Faraudo in 1866 in a 10 months-old infant.", "contents": "[The first spanish report of complex congenital heart defect (author's transl)]. The first spanish report of complex congenital heart defect with single ventricle and single arterial trunk is presented. The clinical and pathological description was made by G. Faraudo in 1866 in a 10 months-old infant.", "PMID": 793464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9812", "title": "The Jake Walk Blues. A toxicologic tragedy mirrored in American popular music.", "content": "In 1930 thousands of cases of muscle pain, weakness of upper and lower extremities, and minimal sensory impairment occurred in the United States. The illness was caused by the consumption of an adulterated Jamaica ginger extract (\"Jake\"), an illicit beverage then popularly used in the southern and midwestern United States to circumvent prohibition statutes. The additive tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate caused severe, only partially reversible damage to the spinal cord and peripheral nervous tissue. Victims with resultant gait impairment, sometimes permanent, were said to have the \"Jake Leg\" or \"Jake Walk.\" Twelve commercial phonographic recordings made between 1928 and 1934 by southern rural artists, white and black, refer to Jake or Jake-induced infirmity. These reveal preepidemic cultural familiarity with Jake, and the later, postepidemic performances reflect a whimsical, even cynical, cultural attitude that those with \"Jake Leg\" were suffering the wages of sin and should not be regarded as objects of pity or sympathy.", "contents": "The Jake Walk Blues. A toxicologic tragedy mirrored in American popular music. In 1930 thousands of cases of muscle pain, weakness of upper and lower extremities, and minimal sensory impairment occurred in the United States. The illness was caused by the consumption of an adulterated Jamaica ginger extract (\"Jake\"), an illicit beverage then popularly used in the southern and midwestern United States to circumvent prohibition statutes. The additive tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate caused severe, only partially reversible damage to the spinal cord and peripheral nervous tissue. Victims with resultant gait impairment, sometimes permanent, were said to have the \"Jake Leg\" or \"Jake Walk.\" Twelve commercial phonographic recordings made between 1928 and 1934 by southern rural artists, white and black, refer to Jake or Jake-induced infirmity. These reveal preepidemic cultural familiarity with Jake, and the later, postepidemic performances reflect a whimsical, even cynical, cultural attitude that those with \"Jake Leg\" were suffering the wages of sin and should not be regarded as objects of pity or sympathy.", "PMID": 793467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9813", "title": "Quality assurance today and tomorrow: forecast for the future.", "content": "We review here the definition, history, and current findings of quality assessment. Difficulties with quality assessment center principally on methods problems, including using the medical record as a source of information, using process versus outcome criteria, and ignoring decision analysis methods in establishing quality criteria. One overriding issue is placing a value on health and, by extension, on quality assurance and assessment efforts; another is the degree to which improvements in the quality of care can be achieved through changes in physician practices. Several sets of recommendations address these topics. With the assumption that such recommendations could be acted on in a transition period, a hypothetical quality assurance system is described for the 1980s and beyond. This system is based on preservation of the fee-for-service system, adoption of a national health insurance plan, and minimal federal involvement in quality of care decisions at the regional level.", "contents": "Quality assurance today and tomorrow: forecast for the future. We review here the definition, history, and current findings of quality assessment. Difficulties with quality assessment center principally on methods problems, including using the medical record as a source of information, using process versus outcome criteria, and ignoring decision analysis methods in establishing quality criteria. One overriding issue is placing a value on health and, by extension, on quality assurance and assessment efforts; another is the degree to which improvements in the quality of care can be achieved through changes in physician practices. Several sets of recommendations address these topics. With the assumption that such recommendations could be acted on in a transition period, a hypothetical quality assurance system is described for the 1980s and beyond. This system is based on preservation of the fee-for-service system, adoption of a national health insurance plan, and minimal federal involvement in quality of care decisions at the regional level.", "PMID": 793468} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9814", "title": "[Evolution of pharmcopoeias and prospects for their future development].", "content": "The pharmacopoeias of today reflect out of date conditions; they address only the pharmacists, they do not take into considerations the industrial pharmaceutical production, they do not deal with quality control, nor do they give rules of good manufacture; they only relate a limited number of medical products. The future pharmacopoeias should contain the specifications of all base products and of all galenical forms; they should be the code of drugs production, quality and distribution.", "contents": "[Evolution of pharmcopoeias and prospects for their future development]. The pharmacopoeias of today reflect out of date conditions; they address only the pharmacists, they do not take into considerations the industrial pharmaceutical production, they do not deal with quality control, nor do they give rules of good manufacture; they only relate a limited number of medical products. The future pharmacopoeias should contain the specifications of all base products and of all galenical forms; they should be the code of drugs production, quality and distribution.", "PMID": 793469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9815", "title": "[Pharmacopoeia and veterinary medicine].", "content": "The A recalls briefly the evolution of the veterinary pharmacopoeias. They were at first national and became later international. The A. describes the situation of the veterinary drugs and of their inclusion in the national pharmacopoeias, as far as the European countries are concerned. Are we supposed to assign to them, because of their specificity, a special section in the pharmacopoeia or should we set up a special pharmacopoeia for them? In view of the effects they have on public health should we incorporate them into the pharmacopoeia in the same forms as the human drugs? The A. relates the arguments in favor of each of these points of view. Whichever the decision will be taken to solve this problem, the A. emphasizes the usefulness of the insertion of veterinary drugs in a pharmacopoeia, because of the improper use that some countries make of this type of drugs and because of the consequences this use can possibily have on public health.", "contents": "[Pharmacopoeia and veterinary medicine]. The A recalls briefly the evolution of the veterinary pharmacopoeias. They were at first national and became later international. The A. describes the situation of the veterinary drugs and of their inclusion in the national pharmacopoeias, as far as the European countries are concerned. Are we supposed to assign to them, because of their specificity, a special section in the pharmacopoeia or should we set up a special pharmacopoeia for them? In view of the effects they have on public health should we incorporate them into the pharmacopoeia in the same forms as the human drugs? The A. relates the arguments in favor of each of these points of view. Whichever the decision will be taken to solve this problem, the A. emphasizes the usefulness of the insertion of veterinary drugs in a pharmacopoeia, because of the improper use that some countries make of this type of drugs and because of the consequences this use can possibily have on public health.", "PMID": 793470} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9816", "title": "[Independence of plasmids harboured in the \"Escherichia coli\" of patients in hospital without antibiotics (author's transl)].", "content": "A study has been carried out of the faeces of nine patients in the same surgical ward. Viable counts and detection of drug resistance were effected by a replica plating method. Bacteria harbouring the drug resistance pattern (ST) were found in seven faeces. Among them, five R plasmids (ST) were transferred to Escherichia coli K12 and have been differentiated by incompatibility studies. As they didn't belong to the same incompatibility group it was concluded that they were not the same incompatibility group it was concluded that they were not the same plasmid acquired in the hospital. One of these R plasmids (ST) was unclassifiable into a known incompatibility group. So, a new incompatibility group, group 12, is proposed.", "contents": "[Independence of plasmids harboured in the \"Escherichia coli\" of patients in hospital without antibiotics (author's transl)]. A study has been carried out of the faeces of nine patients in the same surgical ward. Viable counts and detection of drug resistance were effected by a replica plating method. Bacteria harbouring the drug resistance pattern (ST) were found in seven faeces. Among them, five R plasmids (ST) were transferred to Escherichia coli K12 and have been differentiated by incompatibility studies. As they didn't belong to the same incompatibility group it was concluded that they were not the same incompatibility group it was concluded that they were not the same plasmid acquired in the hospital. One of these R plasmids (ST) was unclassifiable into a known incompatibility group. So, a new incompatibility group, group 12, is proposed.", "PMID": 793472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9817", "title": "[Concentration of bacteria in water using the ultrafiltration method (author's transl)].", "content": "Four ultrafiltration units have been tested in order to concentrate bacteria in water. The experiments run with Escherichia coli allows the selection of an ultrafiltration apparatus which concentrates bacteria with high recovery efficiencies. The use of this concentrator is simple and fast. Its filtration power is very stable and its little capacity allows the continuous ultrafiltration of large volumes of water.", "contents": "[Concentration of bacteria in water using the ultrafiltration method (author's transl)]. Four ultrafiltration units have been tested in order to concentrate bacteria in water. The experiments run with Escherichia coli allows the selection of an ultrafiltration apparatus which concentrates bacteria with high recovery efficiencies. The use of this concentrator is simple and fast. Its filtration power is very stable and its little capacity allows the continuous ultrafiltration of large volumes of water.", "PMID": 793473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9818", "title": "[The inhibition of post-exponential growth in \"Saccharomyces cerevisiae\" by L-lysine (author's transl)].", "content": "The inhibitory effect of L-lysine upon the post-exponential growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been previously demonstrated and the present report extends the observation. During the post exponential phase, the cells do not divide but the cell mass normally increases two or three-fold; in the presence of exogenous lysine this increase is considerably reduced, bud growth is blocked and the cytological features of the post-exponential cells are considerably modified. The effect is apparent in liquid as well as on solid media. L-alpha-aminoadipate, being a precursor of L-lysine, exerts a similar effect since the exponential phase. Mutants resistant to the effect of lysine proved to be permeability mutants. The phenomenon is not restricted to any one strain of S. cerevisiae but characterized all strains of the species which are unable to catabolize lysine.", "contents": "[The inhibition of post-exponential growth in \"Saccharomyces cerevisiae\" by L-lysine (author's transl)]. The inhibitory effect of L-lysine upon the post-exponential growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been previously demonstrated and the present report extends the observation. During the post exponential phase, the cells do not divide but the cell mass normally increases two or three-fold; in the presence of exogenous lysine this increase is considerably reduced, bud growth is blocked and the cytological features of the post-exponential cells are considerably modified. The effect is apparent in liquid as well as on solid media. L-alpha-aminoadipate, being a precursor of L-lysine, exerts a similar effect since the exponential phase. Mutants resistant to the effect of lysine proved to be permeability mutants. The phenomenon is not restricted to any one strain of S. cerevisiae but characterized all strains of the species which are unable to catabolize lysine.", "PMID": 793471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9819", "title": "Chemoimmunotherapy of syngeneic mouse mammary carcinomas employing methanol extraction residue.", "content": "Isografts of two mammary carcinomas, one spontaneously arising in a BALB/cfC3H female infected with MTV and one free of MTV (tumor D7T4S), were removed surgically from Balb/c (MTV free) female hosts, and fragments of each tumor were immediately reimplanted in situ (simulated local recurrence challenge). The animals were then subjected to treatment with the MER fraction of tubercle bacilli, with one of three chemotherapeutic drugs (5-FU, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate), or with both MER and one of the chemotherapeutic agents (chemoimmunotherapy). The incidence of progressively developing recurrence tumors and the longevity of the animals were determined. The therapeutic effects of treatment with MER alone were ascertained by comparing groups of mice that received the fraction by various schedules with saline-injected control groups; the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy was assassed by comparing groups that received MER plus one of the drugs with groups subjected to drug intervention by itself. MER administered alone did not reduce the incidence of recurrent tumors but was consistently efficacious in prolonging the lives of animals challenged with the MTV (+) carcinoma, although considerably less so in animals tested with the weakly immunogenic tumor D7T4S. A negative effect by MER on tumor frequency did not occur and was seen only once with regard to host life duration. Combined intervention with MER and 5-FU proved to be significantly and consistently superior to similar treatment with only 5-FU in animals challenged with the MTV(+) carcinoma. No such additive action by MER plus 5-FU was seen in mice challenged with D7T4S, however, nor did the other two chemoimmunotherapeutic regimens differ significantly in therapeutic efficacy from the corresponding chemotherapy alone in most of the trials with both tumors.", "contents": "Chemoimmunotherapy of syngeneic mouse mammary carcinomas employing methanol extraction residue. Isografts of two mammary carcinomas, one spontaneously arising in a BALB/cfC3H female infected with MTV and one free of MTV (tumor D7T4S), were removed surgically from Balb/c (MTV free) female hosts, and fragments of each tumor were immediately reimplanted in situ (simulated local recurrence challenge). The animals were then subjected to treatment with the MER fraction of tubercle bacilli, with one of three chemotherapeutic drugs (5-FU, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate), or with both MER and one of the chemotherapeutic agents (chemoimmunotherapy). The incidence of progressively developing recurrence tumors and the longevity of the animals were determined. The therapeutic effects of treatment with MER alone were ascertained by comparing groups of mice that received the fraction by various schedules with saline-injected control groups; the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy was assassed by comparing groups that received MER plus one of the drugs with groups subjected to drug intervention by itself. MER administered alone did not reduce the incidence of recurrent tumors but was consistently efficacious in prolonging the lives of animals challenged with the MTV (+) carcinoma, although considerably less so in animals tested with the weakly immunogenic tumor D7T4S. A negative effect by MER on tumor frequency did not occur and was seen only once with regard to host life duration. Combined intervention with MER and 5-FU proved to be significantly and consistently superior to similar treatment with only 5-FU in animals challenged with the MTV(+) carcinoma. No such additive action by MER plus 5-FU was seen in mice challenged with D7T4S, however, nor did the other two chemoimmunotherapeutic regimens differ significantly in therapeutic efficacy from the corresponding chemotherapy alone in most of the trials with both tumors.", "PMID": 793479} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9820", "title": "Double-blind levamisole trial in resectable lung cancer.", "content": "The third interim analysis of a prospective double-blind placebo-controlled trial with levamisole as an adjunct to surgery in resectable primary lung carcinoma is reported. The data show that a beneficial effect is clearly present in patients who weigh 70 kg or less but not in others; therefore, it would seem advisable to prescribe levamisole at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg/day. In the adequately dosed patients, an almost complete elimination of distant metastases is found. The levamisole effect also seem more pronounced in patients who have a heavier tumor load at operation. The rationale for starting levamisole before surgery and for continuing thereafter is briefly discussed.", "contents": "Double-blind levamisole trial in resectable lung cancer. The third interim analysis of a prospective double-blind placebo-controlled trial with levamisole as an adjunct to surgery in resectable primary lung carcinoma is reported. The data show that a beneficial effect is clearly present in patients who weigh 70 kg or less but not in others; therefore, it would seem advisable to prescribe levamisole at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg/day. In the adequately dosed patients, an almost complete elimination of distant metastases is found. The levamisole effect also seem more pronounced in patients who have a heavier tumor load at operation. The rationale for starting levamisole before surgery and for continuing thereafter is briefly discussed.", "PMID": 793481} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9821", "title": "Dialyzable transfer factor in the treatment of human osteosarcoma: an analytic review.", "content": "In conclusion, then, we would answer the seven questions raised earlier concerning transfer factor as follows: Certianly, as shown by clinical results, it does exist. It does have a definite immunologic effect in humans, boosting cell-mediated immunity, as shown by a rise in the level of active T cells. Its clinical effects have been demonstrated repeatedly, and it should become useful in still other clinical situations as further research provides more effective therapeutic modalities. Transfer factor from selected donors appears to provide prophylaxis against metastasis when administered to osteosarcoma patients with no clinically evident metastases at the time of surgical removal of the primary tumor; whether this treatment is superior to chemotherapeutic prophylaxis is conjectural and controversial. Its mechanism of action has not been demonstrated as yet, although many theories exist. The best evidence is that the effects are both specific and nonspecific. It appears to be produced by T lymphocytes. The exact nature of the substance we call \"transfer factor\" remains to be elucidated. Further research should provide more conclusive answers to these questions.", "contents": "Dialyzable transfer factor in the treatment of human osteosarcoma: an analytic review. In conclusion, then, we would answer the seven questions raised earlier concerning transfer factor as follows: Certianly, as shown by clinical results, it does exist. It does have a definite immunologic effect in humans, boosting cell-mediated immunity, as shown by a rise in the level of active T cells. Its clinical effects have been demonstrated repeatedly, and it should become useful in still other clinical situations as further research provides more effective therapeutic modalities. Transfer factor from selected donors appears to provide prophylaxis against metastasis when administered to osteosarcoma patients with no clinically evident metastases at the time of surgical removal of the primary tumor; whether this treatment is superior to chemotherapeutic prophylaxis is conjectural and controversial. Its mechanism of action has not been demonstrated as yet, although many theories exist. The best evidence is that the effects are both specific and nonspecific. It appears to be produced by T lymphocytes. The exact nature of the substance we call \"transfer factor\" remains to be elucidated. Further research should provide more conclusive answers to these questions.", "PMID": 793487} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9822", "title": "Vitreoretinal and anterior segment surgery through the pars plana: part I.", "content": "Instrumentation and clinical experience dealing with intraocular surgery through a pars plana approach have advanced rapidly during the past 5 years. These techniques have been used to successfully treat a number of ocular disorders. Considerable experience with this form of surgery has accumulated, and the results and incidence of complications are similar among centers. Additional refinements in instrumentation and surgical techniques will probably expand the capabilities and further improve the results of pars plana surgery. However, we are rapidly approaching a point at which the primary limiting factor will be the pathophysiology of ocular diseases rather than instrumentation or surgical skill. The ability to improve vision by removing persistent opacities of the ocular media has been demonstrated, and follow-up of 2 more years has shown that the eye can continue to function well after excision of the formed vitreous. The indication for vitreous surgery which has proven to be the most difficult and hazardous is treatment of complicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments in which elevated, mobile retina presents special problems. The role of vitrectomy in the management of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and early management of penetrating injuries involving the posterior segment are the primary clinical-research objectives for the immediate future. In these conditions vitrectomy may be useful to alter the course of progressive vitreoretinal pathology as well as being used to treat previously existing complications. Finally, our experience has shown that risk of significant complications is present in every case of surgery performed through a pars plana approach. The incidence of mechanical complications can be minimized by careful attention to detail during surgery, but complications cannot be eliminated. Retinal detachment is the most frequent potentially blinding complication, and the vitreous surgeon should be skilled in management of retinal breaks and retinal detachment. Also, there are biologic complications, including rubeosis iridis, which may occur following technically successful surgery in certain eyes. Rubeosis iridis is a major problem in diabetic eyes because it can destroy the functional results of an otherwise successful operation, and no effective treatment is now known. Hopefully, research efforts will improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disorder and permit us to develop effective means of prophylaxis or treatment.", "contents": "Vitreoretinal and anterior segment surgery through the pars plana: part I. Instrumentation and clinical experience dealing with intraocular surgery through a pars plana approach have advanced rapidly during the past 5 years. These techniques have been used to successfully treat a number of ocular disorders. Considerable experience with this form of surgery has accumulated, and the results and incidence of complications are similar among centers. Additional refinements in instrumentation and surgical techniques will probably expand the capabilities and further improve the results of pars plana surgery. However, we are rapidly approaching a point at which the primary limiting factor will be the pathophysiology of ocular diseases rather than instrumentation or surgical skill. The ability to improve vision by removing persistent opacities of the ocular media has been demonstrated, and follow-up of 2 more years has shown that the eye can continue to function well after excision of the formed vitreous. The indication for vitreous surgery which has proven to be the most difficult and hazardous is treatment of complicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments in which elevated, mobile retina presents special problems. The role of vitrectomy in the management of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and early management of penetrating injuries involving the posterior segment are the primary clinical-research objectives for the immediate future. In these conditions vitrectomy may be useful to alter the course of progressive vitreoretinal pathology as well as being used to treat previously existing complications. Finally, our experience has shown that risk of significant complications is present in every case of surgery performed through a pars plana approach. The incidence of mechanical complications can be minimized by careful attention to detail during surgery, but complications cannot be eliminated. Retinal detachment is the most frequent potentially blinding complication, and the vitreous surgeon should be skilled in management of retinal breaks and retinal detachment. Also, there are biologic complications, including rubeosis iridis, which may occur following technically successful surgery in certain eyes. Rubeosis iridis is a major problem in diabetic eyes because it can destroy the functional results of an otherwise successful operation, and no effective treatment is now known. Hopefully, research efforts will improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disorder and permit us to develop effective means of prophylaxis or treatment.", "PMID": 793492} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9823", "title": "Histological features of acute viral hepatitis.", "content": "The constant and inconstant light microscopic changes in liver biopsies from patients with acute viral hepatitis are reviewed. The constant changes are essential for the diagnosis, and the distribution of ceroid (and often of haemosiderin) is important in the staging of the disease. Many and large piecemeal necroses in the acute stage are often followed by chronic aggressive hepatitis. A key to the understanding of the development of regeneration nodules - and thereby to posthepatitic cirrhosis - is portal-central bridging with subsequent formation of septa. Bridging and formation of septa is almost always preceded by piecemeal necroses in the acute stage and also by confluent necroses in 1/3 - 1/2 of the cases.", "contents": "Histological features of acute viral hepatitis. The constant and inconstant light microscopic changes in liver biopsies from patients with acute viral hepatitis are reviewed. The constant changes are essential for the diagnosis, and the distribution of ceroid (and often of haemosiderin) is important in the staging of the disease. Many and large piecemeal necroses in the acute stage are often followed by chronic aggressive hepatitis. A key to the understanding of the development of regeneration nodules - and thereby to posthepatitic cirrhosis - is portal-central bridging with subsequent formation of septa. Bridging and formation of septa is almost always preceded by piecemeal necroses in the acute stage and also by confluent necroses in 1/3 - 1/2 of the cases.", "PMID": 793496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9824", "title": "Clinical course and prognosis of acute hepatitis.", "content": "The clinical course of acute viral hepatitis may vary from asymptomatic to fulminant, and the final outcome can be complete recovery, chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. The two main challenges this generally benign, self limiting infection has presented for may years have been to understand 1) the progression to fulminant hepatitis, and 2) the progression to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Fulminant hepatitis may appear infrequently (1-2 % of patients with clinical hepatitis) in both type A and type B infections. Nearly 10% of patients with acute viral hepatitis type B develop either chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. The exact figures for progression to chronicity in patients with type A infections are probably less,but are still not fully known. During the acute phase of the disease, the patients with later progression to chronicity differ significantly from those with subsequent resolution in a number of serological, biochemical and morphological variables. Persistence of HBS antigenaemia for more than 13 weeks, a high concentration of circulating Dane particles, and the presence in the serum of the \"e\" antigenic determinant seem to be reliable prognostic markers for pregression to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Such markers are prerequisites for therapeutic trials with potent drugs which are only justified for patients with fulminant hepatitis and patients with progression to chronicity. If the different outcome of viral hepatitis is a result of the individual T-cell function, these two categories of patients may represent the opposite extremes in lymphocytic function. Controlled clinical trials are required to evaluate the clinical effect of immunosuppression in fulminant hepatitis and immunostimulation in chronic hepatitis.", "contents": "Clinical course and prognosis of acute hepatitis. The clinical course of acute viral hepatitis may vary from asymptomatic to fulminant, and the final outcome can be complete recovery, chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. The two main challenges this generally benign, self limiting infection has presented for may years have been to understand 1) the progression to fulminant hepatitis, and 2) the progression to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Fulminant hepatitis may appear infrequently (1-2 % of patients with clinical hepatitis) in both type A and type B infections. Nearly 10% of patients with acute viral hepatitis type B develop either chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. The exact figures for progression to chronicity in patients with type A infections are probably less,but are still not fully known. During the acute phase of the disease, the patients with later progression to chronicity differ significantly from those with subsequent resolution in a number of serological, biochemical and morphological variables. Persistence of HBS antigenaemia for more than 13 weeks, a high concentration of circulating Dane particles, and the presence in the serum of the \"e\" antigenic determinant seem to be reliable prognostic markers for pregression to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Such markers are prerequisites for therapeutic trials with potent drugs which are only justified for patients with fulminant hepatitis and patients with progression to chronicity. If the different outcome of viral hepatitis is a result of the individual T-cell function, these two categories of patients may represent the opposite extremes in lymphocytic function. Controlled clinical trials are required to evaluate the clinical effect of immunosuppression in fulminant hepatitis and immunostimulation in chronic hepatitis.", "PMID": 793497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9825", "title": "Bacterial, viral and auto antibodies in acute and chronic liver disease.", "content": "There have been numerous reports of elevated antibody titres to a variety of bacteria and viruses in the sera of patients with acute and chronic liver disease. The results are reviewed in the light of the immunological function of the liver, notably its ability to sequester exogenous antigens and the loss of this property following liver damage. Non-organ specific auto-antibodies are also commonly found in most forms of acute and chronic liver disease, the pattern varying from one disorder to another. A possible hypothesis linking these phenomena is put forward.", "contents": "Bacterial, viral and auto antibodies in acute and chronic liver disease. There have been numerous reports of elevated antibody titres to a variety of bacteria and viruses in the sera of patients with acute and chronic liver disease. The results are reviewed in the light of the immunological function of the liver, notably its ability to sequester exogenous antigens and the loss of this property following liver damage. Non-organ specific auto-antibodies are also commonly found in most forms of acute and chronic liver disease, the pattern varying from one disorder to another. A possible hypothesis linking these phenomena is put forward.", "PMID": 793498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9826", "title": "Failure of customary treatment in chronic active liver disease: causes and management.", "content": "Among 134 patients with chronic active liver disease, selected by identical clinical, biochemical and morphologic criteria, assigned to standard treatment programs and followed at regular intervals, 21 of 105 failed treatment with standard regimens containing steroids. Treatment failure was more common in patients whose serum contained hepatitis B surface antigen, those with more severe liver disease as judged by liver function tests (prothrombin time) and hepatic morphology (subacute hepatitis or cirrhosis). Early diagnosis of treatment failure, based on changes in liver function tests rather than on clinical features of deterioration, coupled with the immediate administration of higher doses of prednisone with or without higher doses of azathioprine, resulted in disappearance of clinical and biochemical features of disease activity in the majority of patients. These results were greatly superior to those earlier reported by us from patients chosen by identical criteria but treated by conventional measures. However, when endogenous encephalopathy developed the outlook was grave, regardless of previous or subsequent therapy. We recommend that patients at risk for failing conventional treatment be identified early, followed carefully with serial liver function tests, and be treated promptly with higher doses of medication when deterioration occurs.", "contents": "Failure of customary treatment in chronic active liver disease: causes and management. Among 134 patients with chronic active liver disease, selected by identical clinical, biochemical and morphologic criteria, assigned to standard treatment programs and followed at regular intervals, 21 of 105 failed treatment with standard regimens containing steroids. Treatment failure was more common in patients whose serum contained hepatitis B surface antigen, those with more severe liver disease as judged by liver function tests (prothrombin time) and hepatic morphology (subacute hepatitis or cirrhosis). Early diagnosis of treatment failure, based on changes in liver function tests rather than on clinical features of deterioration, coupled with the immediate administration of higher doses of prednisone with or without higher doses of azathioprine, resulted in disappearance of clinical and biochemical features of disease activity in the majority of patients. These results were greatly superior to those earlier reported by us from patients chosen by identical criteria but treated by conventional measures. However, when endogenous encephalopathy developed the outlook was grave, regardless of previous or subsequent therapy. We recommend that patients at risk for failing conventional treatment be identified early, followed carefully with serial liver function tests, and be treated promptly with higher doses of medication when deterioration occurs.", "PMID": 793499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9827", "title": "Controlled clinical trial comparing the effect of betahistine hydrochloride and prochlorperazine maleate on patients with Meni\u00e9re's disease.", "content": "Therapeutic effects of prochlorperazine and betahistine on patients with confirmed Meniere's disease (range of duration 1-11 years) were compared in a double-blind cross-over trial. The two active treatment periods lasted 4 montsh each, separated by a single blind \"wash-out\" period of 1 month's duration. Out of 30 patients 23 completed the trial. The clinical status of the patients was followed by the investigator by regular control visits during the trial period. Upon completion of the study preference for the first or the second period was assessed. The therapeutic effect of betahistine was found to be superior to that of prochlorperazine (sign test a = 0.05). The number of vertigo attacks was calculated in 17 patients and on this basis the two drugs were of equal value (Pratt's test 2 a = 0.05). No side effects were observed.", "contents": "Controlled clinical trial comparing the effect of betahistine hydrochloride and prochlorperazine maleate on patients with Meni\u00e9re's disease. Therapeutic effects of prochlorperazine and betahistine on patients with confirmed Meniere's disease (range of duration 1-11 years) were compared in a double-blind cross-over trial. The two active treatment periods lasted 4 montsh each, separated by a single blind \"wash-out\" period of 1 month's duration. Out of 30 patients 23 completed the trial. The clinical status of the patients was followed by the investigator by regular control visits during the trial period. Upon completion of the study preference for the first or the second period was assessed. The therapeutic effect of betahistine was found to be superior to that of prochlorperazine (sign test a = 0.05). The number of vertigo attacks was calculated in 17 patients and on this basis the two drugs were of equal value (Pratt's test 2 a = 0.05). No side effects were observed.", "PMID": 793500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9828", "title": "[Phagedena due to leishmaniasis. Immunologic and experimental studies].", "content": "The author reports a rare case of phagedenisme due to leishmaniasis which was resistant to classical treatment for eight years. Immunological research led to the conclusion of a cellular immune deficiency. It seems that this immune deficiency is due specifically to an insensitivity of the organism to the Leishman body and not to other antigens.", "contents": "[Phagedena due to leishmaniasis. Immunologic and experimental studies]. The author reports a rare case of phagedenisme due to leishmaniasis which was resistant to classical treatment for eight years. Immunological research led to the conclusion of a cellular immune deficiency. It seems that this immune deficiency is due specifically to an insensitivity of the organism to the Leishman body and not to other antigens.", "PMID": 793505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9829", "title": "[Collodion baby. Clinical course based on 29 cases].", "content": "Study of 29 cases of collodion baby and 169 cases previously published led to several conclusions. In the short-term, the child is threatened by pulmonary infections. The increased skin permeability may result in the loss of water or intoxication by cutaneous absorption of a substance applied to the skin. In the long-term the condition progresses to one of a congenital disturbances in keratinisation. In 2/3 of cases, the problem is that of congenital non-bullous ichthyosiform erythrodermia. Profression to lamellar ichthyosis, ichthyosis vulgaris, circumflex linear ichthyosos and Conradi's syndrome is established. Ichthyosis related to sex in our cases did not seem to be a feature of the collodion baby, the opinion in the literature being divergent. Congenital bullous ichthyosiform erythrodermia never begins as collodion baby syndrome.", "contents": "[Collodion baby. Clinical course based on 29 cases]. Study of 29 cases of collodion baby and 169 cases previously published led to several conclusions. In the short-term, the child is threatened by pulmonary infections. The increased skin permeability may result in the loss of water or intoxication by cutaneous absorption of a substance applied to the skin. In the long-term the condition progresses to one of a congenital disturbances in keratinisation. In 2/3 of cases, the problem is that of congenital non-bullous ichthyosiform erythrodermia. Profression to lamellar ichthyosis, ichthyosis vulgaris, circumflex linear ichthyosos and Conradi's syndrome is established. Ichthyosis related to sex in our cases did not seem to be a feature of the collodion baby, the opinion in the literature being divergent. Congenital bullous ichthyosiform erythrodermia never begins as collodion baby syndrome.", "PMID": 793506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9830", "title": "[2 mechanisms of tetracycline resistance in bacteria].", "content": "Two mechanisms of resistance to chlortetracycline stipulated by retarded transport of the antibiotic or decreased sensitivity to it of the translation apparatus were studied using clinical bacterial strains and strains obtained under laboratory conditions. No strict proportion between the population resistance to the antibiotic and the level of a decrease in its absorption by the bacterial cells was observed in most of the clinical and laboratory strains of Staph. aureus. Apparently the resistance level observed in the bacteria cannot be entirely explained by the retarded transport of the antibiotic in these cases. Direct experiments showed that sensitivity to chlortetracycline in the protein-synthesizing apparatus of some resistant strains of Staph. aureus 209 was decreased 10 times. On the other hand correlation between the level of the decrease in the absorption of the antibiotic and the level of the bacteria resistance to it was observed in resistant strains of E. coli. The protein-synthesizing apparatus of the resistant strains in this case preserved its sensitivity to chlortetracycline. Sensitivity of the protein-synthesizing apparatus to the antibiotic did not change in the process of the resistance induction by incubation of the baceria in the presence of low concentrations of the antibiotic.", "contents": "[2 mechanisms of tetracycline resistance in bacteria]. Two mechanisms of resistance to chlortetracycline stipulated by retarded transport of the antibiotic or decreased sensitivity to it of the translation apparatus were studied using clinical bacterial strains and strains obtained under laboratory conditions. No strict proportion between the population resistance to the antibiotic and the level of a decrease in its absorption by the bacterial cells was observed in most of the clinical and laboratory strains of Staph. aureus. Apparently the resistance level observed in the bacteria cannot be entirely explained by the retarded transport of the antibiotic in these cases. Direct experiments showed that sensitivity to chlortetracycline in the protein-synthesizing apparatus of some resistant strains of Staph. aureus 209 was decreased 10 times. On the other hand correlation between the level of the decrease in the absorption of the antibiotic and the level of the bacteria resistance to it was observed in resistant strains of E. coli. The protein-synthesizing apparatus of the resistant strains in this case preserved its sensitivity to chlortetracycline. Sensitivity of the protein-synthesizing apparatus to the antibiotic did not change in the process of the resistance induction by incubation of the baceria in the presence of low concentrations of the antibiotic.", "PMID": 793507} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9831", "title": "Toxic cardiomyopathies.", "content": "Examples of toxic cardiomyopathies of various characteristics are presented. Daunomycin and doxorubicin, antineoplastic drugs, cause multifocal cardiomyopathies and intractable heart failure by cardiotoxic mechanisms; these effects are delayed and related to the cumulative dose. Cobalt caused diffuse vacuolar cardiomyopathy in chronic beer drinkers. The development of fulminant heart failure was the function of factors that increased the adsorption of cobalt or sensitized the myocardium to its cytotoxic effect. Beta-adrenergic receptor stimulant bronchodilators like isoproterenol or vasodilating antihypersensitive drugs like hydralazine are able to produce focal subendocardial necroses. This lesion is due to ischemia brought about by the acute exxagerated pharmacological effects of these compounds.", "contents": "Toxic cardiomyopathies. Examples of toxic cardiomyopathies of various characteristics are presented. Daunomycin and doxorubicin, antineoplastic drugs, cause multifocal cardiomyopathies and intractable heart failure by cardiotoxic mechanisms; these effects are delayed and related to the cumulative dose. Cobalt caused diffuse vacuolar cardiomyopathy in chronic beer drinkers. The development of fulminant heart failure was the function of factors that increased the adsorption of cobalt or sensitized the myocardium to its cytotoxic effect. Beta-adrenergic receptor stimulant bronchodilators like isoproterenol or vasodilating antihypersensitive drugs like hydralazine are able to produce focal subendocardial necroses. This lesion is due to ischemia brought about by the acute exxagerated pharmacological effects of these compounds.", "PMID": 793502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9832", "title": "[Resistance of clinical strains of Proteus to various beta-lactam antibiotics].", "content": "Sensitivity of Proteus clinical strains to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin and ceporin, as well as the dynamics and stability of the drug resistance was studied. It was found that the beta-lactamides were active against Proteus, ceporin being the most effective antibiotic. Strains resistant simultaneously to 2 or 3 drugs were also resistant to higher concentrations of each of them. The Proteus cultures isolated from various pathological materials did not differ by their sensitivity to benzylpenicillin and ceporin, while the strains isolated from the patient urine were least sensitive to ampicillin. The cultures of Proteus vulgaris were more resistant to the beta-lactamides as compared tcal material were more resistant to benzylpenicillin and ceporin as compared to the cultures in the H-form. No increase in the number of the Proteus strains resistant to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin or ceporin was observed within 1968-1973. The Proteus resistance to ampicillin and ceporin was not stable and was lost on storage. Reversion to sensitivity depended on the individual properties, the period of storage and the resistance level. The studies showed that the clinical strains of Proteus preserved their sensitivity to the above beta-lactame antibiotics which provided their recommendation for therapy of Proteus infections.", "contents": "[Resistance of clinical strains of Proteus to various beta-lactam antibiotics]. Sensitivity of Proteus clinical strains to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin and ceporin, as well as the dynamics and stability of the drug resistance was studied. It was found that the beta-lactamides were active against Proteus, ceporin being the most effective antibiotic. Strains resistant simultaneously to 2 or 3 drugs were also resistant to higher concentrations of each of them. The Proteus cultures isolated from various pathological materials did not differ by their sensitivity to benzylpenicillin and ceporin, while the strains isolated from the patient urine were least sensitive to ampicillin. The cultures of Proteus vulgaris were more resistant to the beta-lactamides as compared tcal material were more resistant to benzylpenicillin and ceporin as compared to the cultures in the H-form. No increase in the number of the Proteus strains resistant to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin or ceporin was observed within 1968-1973. The Proteus resistance to ampicillin and ceporin was not stable and was lost on storage. Reversion to sensitivity depended on the individual properties, the period of storage and the resistance level. The studies showed that the clinical strains of Proteus preserved their sensitivity to the above beta-lactame antibiotics which provided their recommendation for therapy of Proteus infections.", "PMID": 793508} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9833", "title": "Acute toxic nephropathies: clinical pathologic correlations.", "content": "Man's ever increasing exposure to numerous drugs and chemicals, which are the results of medical and industrial progress, produces a by-product of acute toxic nephropathies. These include acute toxic renal failure, drug-induced acute oliguric renal failure, acute hemorrhagic glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, tubular disturbances and potassium deficiency. In depth information is provided for the previously mentioned disorders.", "contents": "Acute toxic nephropathies: clinical pathologic correlations. Man's ever increasing exposure to numerous drugs and chemicals, which are the results of medical and industrial progress, produces a by-product of acute toxic nephropathies. These include acute toxic renal failure, drug-induced acute oliguric renal failure, acute hemorrhagic glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, tubular disturbances and potassium deficiency. In depth information is provided for the previously mentioned disorders.", "PMID": 793503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9834", "title": "A rapid glutamic decarboxylase test for identification of bacteria.", "content": "A simple rapid glutamic decarboxylase test is described. This test was found useful in the identification of Escherichia coli, Shigella sp., Providencia alcalifaciens, Clostridium perfringens and Bacteroides fragilis.", "contents": "A rapid glutamic decarboxylase test for identification of bacteria. A simple rapid glutamic decarboxylase test is described. This test was found useful in the identification of Escherichia coli, Shigella sp., Providencia alcalifaciens, Clostridium perfringens and Bacteroides fragilis.", "PMID": 793504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9835", "title": "[Method for the quantitative determination of penicillin acylase activity by the formation of phenylacetic acid].", "content": "The quantitative method for determination of penicillinacylase activity is described. The method is based on detection of phenylacetic acid (PAA) formed during hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin. PAA is extracted with toluol and nitrated with potassium nitrate solution in concentrated sulphuric acid followed by reduction of nitrophenylacetic acid into aminophenylacetic acid with zinc powder. Aminophenylacetic acid interacts with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in acid medium forming a coloured compound (Schiff base). The optic density of the latter was determined with spectrophotometer SF-16 at 430 nm. The method was used for determination of acylase in Yersinia species and some other bacteria.", "contents": "[Method for the quantitative determination of penicillin acylase activity by the formation of phenylacetic acid]. The quantitative method for determination of penicillinacylase activity is described. The method is based on detection of phenylacetic acid (PAA) formed during hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin. PAA is extracted with toluol and nitrated with potassium nitrate solution in concentrated sulphuric acid followed by reduction of nitrophenylacetic acid into aminophenylacetic acid with zinc powder. Aminophenylacetic acid interacts with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in acid medium forming a coloured compound (Schiff base). The optic density of the latter was determined with spectrophotometer SF-16 at 430 nm. The method was used for determination of acylase in Yersinia species and some other bacteria.", "PMID": 793510} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9836", "title": "[Study of penicillin amidase for E. coli. Kinetics of enzymatic hydrolysis of 7-phenylacetamidodeacetoxycephalosporanic acid].", "content": "Kinetics of hydrolysis of 7-henylacetamidodeacetoxycephalosporanic acid catalyzed by penicillin amidase as a result of which phenylacetic and 7-aminodeacetoxycephalosporanic acids are formed was studied. The kinetic parameters of the reaction were determined on the basis of both the dependence of the initial rate of enzymatic hydrolysis on the substrate concentration and the analysis of progress kinetic curves of the product accumulation. The values of Km determined by the two methods were equal to (10 +/- 1) muM and kcat (50 +/- 5) sec-1 and (50 +/- 10) sec-1 respectively. The study of the inhibition of the enzymatic hydrolysis by the reaction products showed that phenylacetic and 7-aminodeacetoxycephalosporanic acids were competitive and non-competitive inhibitors of the penicillin amidase activity respectively. The inhibition constants were (55 +/- 8) muM and (12 +/- 1) mM respectively. The physiological role of the enzyme and the effect of the structure of the substrate on the specificity of the enzyme are discussed.", "contents": "[Study of penicillin amidase for E. coli. Kinetics of enzymatic hydrolysis of 7-phenylacetamidodeacetoxycephalosporanic acid]. Kinetics of hydrolysis of 7-henylacetamidodeacetoxycephalosporanic acid catalyzed by penicillin amidase as a result of which phenylacetic and 7-aminodeacetoxycephalosporanic acids are formed was studied. The kinetic parameters of the reaction were determined on the basis of both the dependence of the initial rate of enzymatic hydrolysis on the substrate concentration and the analysis of progress kinetic curves of the product accumulation. The values of Km determined by the two methods were equal to (10 +/- 1) muM and kcat (50 +/- 5) sec-1 and (50 +/- 10) sec-1 respectively. The study of the inhibition of the enzymatic hydrolysis by the reaction products showed that phenylacetic and 7-aminodeacetoxycephalosporanic acids were competitive and non-competitive inhibitors of the penicillin amidase activity respectively. The inhibition constants were (55 +/- 8) muM and (12 +/- 1) mM respectively. The physiological role of the enzyme and the effect of the structure of the substrate on the specificity of the enzyme are discussed.", "PMID": 793511} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9837", "title": "[Distribution and properties of streptomycin-resistant clones in a population of freshly isolated Shigella sonnei strains].", "content": "It was found that the rate of emergence of streptomycin resistant clones in the populations of fresh isolates of Shigella Zonne amounted to 10(-6)--10(-4). Such streptomycin resistant clones masked streptomycin resistance of the initial Shigella population. The main biological properties of the streptomycin resistant clones were identical to those of the initial population.", "contents": "[Distribution and properties of streptomycin-resistant clones in a population of freshly isolated Shigella sonnei strains]. It was found that the rate of emergence of streptomycin resistant clones in the populations of fresh isolates of Shigella Zonne amounted to 10(-6)--10(-4). Such streptomycin resistant clones masked streptomycin resistance of the initial Shigella population. The main biological properties of the streptomycin resistant clones were identical to those of the initial population.", "PMID": 793512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9838", "title": "[Free amino acid content in the blood and urine from the use of monomycin on children with dysentery].", "content": "The progress of acute dysentery in 73 children at the age of 1 to 14 years treated with monomycin and the levels of free amino acids in the blood and urine in dynamics were studied. It was found that the blood levels of 6 amino acids in the children treated with the antibiotics significantly decreased, while those of 3 amino acids increased as compared to the levels of the same amino acids in the children treated without the antibiotics. It was concluded that the diet of dysentery children treated with monomycin should contain stimulators of protein synthesis and increased amounts of protein.", "contents": "[Free amino acid content in the blood and urine from the use of monomycin on children with dysentery]. The progress of acute dysentery in 73 children at the age of 1 to 14 years treated with monomycin and the levels of free amino acids in the blood and urine in dynamics were studied. It was found that the blood levels of 6 amino acids in the children treated with the antibiotics significantly decreased, while those of 3 amino acids increased as compared to the levels of the same amino acids in the children treated without the antibiotics. It was concluded that the diet of dysentery children treated with monomycin should contain stimulators of protein synthesis and increased amounts of protein.", "PMID": 793513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9839", "title": "[Intensification of the bactericidal action of mitomycin C and of UV irradiation with some anthracycline antibiotics].", "content": "Anthracycline antibiotics, such as rubomycin C (rubomycin, daunomycin), rubomycin B, carminomycin and tavromycetin (cinerubin) significantly increased the bactericidal effect of ultraviolet radiation and mitomycin C with respect to mutant 19-8 of E. coli with increased permeability of the cell membrane. This may be accounted for inhibition of DNA reparation. Beromycin, an antibiotic of the same group had no such capacity. With respect to their activity the antibiotics were arranged as follows: rubomycin C, rubomycin B, carminomycin, tavromycetin.", "contents": "[Intensification of the bactericidal action of mitomycin C and of UV irradiation with some anthracycline antibiotics]. Anthracycline antibiotics, such as rubomycin C (rubomycin, daunomycin), rubomycin B, carminomycin and tavromycetin (cinerubin) significantly increased the bactericidal effect of ultraviolet radiation and mitomycin C with respect to mutant 19-8 of E. coli with increased permeability of the cell membrane. This may be accounted for inhibition of DNA reparation. Beromycin, an antibiotic of the same group had no such capacity. With respect to their activity the antibiotics were arranged as follows: rubomycin C, rubomycin B, carminomycin, tavromycetin.", "PMID": 793514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9840", "title": "[Change in the sensitivity of dysentery bacteria to certain antibiotics, furazolidone and antifungal preparations when cultured together with Candida albicans].", "content": "The effect of Candida albicans (2 collection cultures and 1 freshly isolated culture) on sensitivity of dysentery bacteria (5 Zonne strains, 4 Flexner strains and 2 Newcastle strains) to antibiotics, furazolidone and their combinations with nystatin or decamine was studied by the method of serial dilutions. A total of 937 tests were performed with the use of 10 concentrations in each test. It was found that sensitivity of the Shigella to levomycetin succinate, monomycin and furazolidone decreased in the presence of Candida. Decamine increased the bactericidal effect of furazolidone on Shigella in pure cultures and in addition increased sensitivity of various Shigella species to the antibiotics tested and especially furazolidone when the cultures were grown together with Candida albicans. Nystatin combination with levomycetin succinate and especially with monomycin increased sensitivity of various Shigella species in the presence of Candida albicans. The data are useful in treatment of dysentery since Candida are often isolated from dysentery patients.", "contents": "[Change in the sensitivity of dysentery bacteria to certain antibiotics, furazolidone and antifungal preparations when cultured together with Candida albicans]. The effect of Candida albicans (2 collection cultures and 1 freshly isolated culture) on sensitivity of dysentery bacteria (5 Zonne strains, 4 Flexner strains and 2 Newcastle strains) to antibiotics, furazolidone and their combinations with nystatin or decamine was studied by the method of serial dilutions. A total of 937 tests were performed with the use of 10 concentrations in each test. It was found that sensitivity of the Shigella to levomycetin succinate, monomycin and furazolidone decreased in the presence of Candida. Decamine increased the bactericidal effect of furazolidone on Shigella in pure cultures and in addition increased sensitivity of various Shigella species to the antibiotics tested and especially furazolidone when the cultures were grown together with Candida albicans. Nystatin combination with levomycetin succinate and especially with monomycin increased sensitivity of various Shigella species in the presence of Candida albicans. The data are useful in treatment of dysentery since Candida are often isolated from dysentery patients.", "PMID": 793515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9841", "title": "[Chemotherapeutic effectiveness of rifampicin in experimental infections].", "content": "Studies on the chemotherapeutic action of rifampicin in treatment of staphylococcal sepsis and sepsis caused by gramnegative organisms showed its high efficacy only in treatment of the staphylococcal infection. By the level of its efficacy rifampicin was much superior to benzylpenicillin and especially tetracycline. No difference in the activity level of the antibiotic in treatment of staphylococcal infections caused by sensitive and multiple resistant staphylococcal strains was found. In treatment of the infections caused by gramnegative organisms the drug activity was moderate.", "contents": "[Chemotherapeutic effectiveness of rifampicin in experimental infections]. Studies on the chemotherapeutic action of rifampicin in treatment of staphylococcal sepsis and sepsis caused by gramnegative organisms showed its high efficacy only in treatment of the staphylococcal infection. By the level of its efficacy rifampicin was much superior to benzylpenicillin and especially tetracycline. No difference in the activity level of the antibiotic in treatment of staphylococcal infections caused by sensitive and multiple resistant staphylococcal strains was found. In treatment of the infections caused by gramnegative organisms the drug activity was moderate.", "PMID": 793516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9842", "title": "[Experimental study of the chemotherapeutic activity of gentamicin sulfate].", "content": "Antibacterial activity of gentamycin sulfate was studied in vitro and in treatment of albino mice with experimental infections. Gentamycin was superior to kanamycin with respect to its antibacterial effect against clinical strains of Staphylococcus, Coli bacteria, Proteus and Ps. aeruginosa. High efficiency of gentamycin was found with respect to acute and chronic staphylococcal infection, acute Proteus and Coli sepsis. The antibiotic was characterized by low LD50, high chemotherapeutic index, rapid decrease in isolation of the causative agent from the animal organs. The activity of gentamycin against infections caused by Ps. aeruginosa was the main advantage of gentamycin in comparison to kanamycin.", "contents": "[Experimental study of the chemotherapeutic activity of gentamicin sulfate]. Antibacterial activity of gentamycin sulfate was studied in vitro and in treatment of albino mice with experimental infections. Gentamycin was superior to kanamycin with respect to its antibacterial effect against clinical strains of Staphylococcus, Coli bacteria, Proteus and Ps. aeruginosa. High efficiency of gentamycin was found with respect to acute and chronic staphylococcal infection, acute Proteus and Coli sepsis. The antibiotic was characterized by low LD50, high chemotherapeutic index, rapid decrease in isolation of the causative agent from the animal organs. The activity of gentamycin against infections caused by Ps. aeruginosa was the main advantage of gentamycin in comparison to kanamycin.", "PMID": 793517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9843", "title": "Chilling cells enhances the bactericidal action of fatty acids on Escherichia coli.", "content": "Preincubation at 0 C considerably increased the bactericidal action of 0.4% nonanoic and decanoic acids on Escherichia coli K-12 154. This lethal effect seemed to be dependent on the media used to grow the bacteria. Stationary-phase cells were more sensitive than those from exponential cultures. A mutant (FA31) resistant to the bactericidal action of \"cold shock\" and 0.4% deconoic acid was isolated from E. coli FA23 (AN E. coli 154 derivative able to grow on 0.1% decanoic acid) by a recycling selection procedure. Other E. coli strains tested showed behavior similar to that of strain K-12 154. The chilling of cells as a tool to improve the bactericidal action of fatty acids in foods is discussed.", "contents": "Chilling cells enhances the bactericidal action of fatty acids on Escherichia coli. Preincubation at 0 C considerably increased the bactericidal action of 0.4% nonanoic and decanoic acids on Escherichia coli K-12 154. This lethal effect seemed to be dependent on the media used to grow the bacteria. Stationary-phase cells were more sensitive than those from exponential cultures. A mutant (FA31) resistant to the bactericidal action of \"cold shock\" and 0.4% deconoic acid was isolated from E. coli FA23 (AN E. coli 154 derivative able to grow on 0.1% decanoic acid) by a recycling selection procedure. Other E. coli strains tested showed behavior similar to that of strain K-12 154. The chilling of cells as a tool to improve the bactericidal action of fatty acids in foods is discussed.", "PMID": 793518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9844", "title": "Influence of the rate of ethanol production and accumulation on the viability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in \"rapid fermentation\".", "content": "Whereas \"rapid fermentation\" of diluted clover honey (25 degrees Brix) fortified with yeast nutrients using 8 X 10(8) brewers' yeast cells per ml resulted in an ethanol content of 9.5% (wt/vol; 12% vol/vol) in 3 h at 30 C, death rate of the yeast cells during this period was essentially logarithmic. Whereas 6 h was required to reach the same ethanol content at 15 C, the yeast cells retained their viability. Using a lower cell population (6 X 10(7) cells/ml), a level at which the fermentation was no longer \"rapid,\" the yeast cells also retained their viability at 30 C. Ethanol added to the medium was much less lethal than the same or less quantities of ethanol produced by the cell in \"rapid fermentation.\" It was considered possible that ethanol was produced so rapidly at 30 C that it could not diffuse out of the cell as rapidly as it was formed. The hypothesis was postulated that ethanol accumulating in the cell was contributing to the high death rate at 30 C. It was found that the intracellular ethanol concentration reached a level of approximately 2 X 10(11) ethanol molecules/cell in the first 30 min of fermentation at 30 C. At 15 C, with the same cell count, intracellular ethanol concentration reached a level of approximately 4 X 10(10) ethanol molecules/cell and viability remained high. Also, at 30 C with a lower cell population (6 X 10(7) cells/ml), under which conditions fermentation was no longer \"rapid,\" intracellular ethanol concentration reached a similar level (4 X 10(10) molecules ethanol/cell) and the cells retained their viability. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) lost its activity in brewers' yeast under conditions of \"rapid fermentation\" at 30 C but retained its activity in cells under similar conditions at 15 C. ADH activity was also retained in fermentations at 30 C with cell populations of 6 X 10(7)/ml. It would appear that an intracellular level of about 5 X 10(10) ethanol molecules/cell is normal and that this level does not damage either cell viability or ADH activity. Higher intracellular ethanol concentrations, such as 2 X 10(11) molecules ethanol/cell (a fourfold increase in intracellular ethanol concentration), are accompanied by inactivation of ADH and loss of cell viability.", "contents": "Influence of the rate of ethanol production and accumulation on the viability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in \"rapid fermentation\". Whereas \"rapid fermentation\" of diluted clover honey (25 degrees Brix) fortified with yeast nutrients using 8 X 10(8) brewers' yeast cells per ml resulted in an ethanol content of 9.5% (wt/vol; 12% vol/vol) in 3 h at 30 C, death rate of the yeast cells during this period was essentially logarithmic. Whereas 6 h was required to reach the same ethanol content at 15 C, the yeast cells retained their viability. Using a lower cell population (6 X 10(7) cells/ml), a level at which the fermentation was no longer \"rapid,\" the yeast cells also retained their viability at 30 C. Ethanol added to the medium was much less lethal than the same or less quantities of ethanol produced by the cell in \"rapid fermentation.\" It was considered possible that ethanol was produced so rapidly at 30 C that it could not diffuse out of the cell as rapidly as it was formed. The hypothesis was postulated that ethanol accumulating in the cell was contributing to the high death rate at 30 C. It was found that the intracellular ethanol concentration reached a level of approximately 2 X 10(11) ethanol molecules/cell in the first 30 min of fermentation at 30 C. At 15 C, with the same cell count, intracellular ethanol concentration reached a level of approximately 4 X 10(10) ethanol molecules/cell and viability remained high. Also, at 30 C with a lower cell population (6 X 10(7) cells/ml), under which conditions fermentation was no longer \"rapid,\" intracellular ethanol concentration reached a similar level (4 X 10(10) molecules ethanol/cell) and the cells retained their viability. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) lost its activity in brewers' yeast under conditions of \"rapid fermentation\" at 30 C but retained its activity in cells under similar conditions at 15 C. ADH activity was also retained in fermentations at 30 C with cell populations of 6 X 10(7)/ml. It would appear that an intracellular level of about 5 X 10(10) ethanol molecules/cell is normal and that this level does not damage either cell viability or ADH activity. Higher intracellular ethanol concentrations, such as 2 X 10(11) molecules ethanol/cell (a fourfold increase in intracellular ethanol concentration), are accompanied by inactivation of ADH and loss of cell viability.", "PMID": 793519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9845", "title": "Evaluation of double violet agar in the isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae from river water.", "content": "A field evaluation of double violet agar for the isolation and presumptive identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae from water has been performed. Water from the North Oconee River, Clarke County, Ga., was cultured for presence of klebsiellae using the membrane filter technique. Colonies were presumptively identified as K. pneumoniae in the basis of their appearance on double violet agar. Such identifications were evaluated using appropriate biochemical tests. Once investigators have become familiar with cultural reactions on the medium, double violet agar can be used to indicate presence of K. pneumoniae in water with greater than 80% accuracy.", "contents": "Evaluation of double violet agar in the isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae from river water. A field evaluation of double violet agar for the isolation and presumptive identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae from water has been performed. Water from the North Oconee River, Clarke County, Ga., was cultured for presence of klebsiellae using the membrane filter technique. Colonies were presumptively identified as K. pneumoniae in the basis of their appearance on double violet agar. Such identifications were evaluated using appropriate biochemical tests. Once investigators have become familiar with cultural reactions on the medium, double violet agar can be used to indicate presence of K. pneumoniae in water with greater than 80% accuracy.", "PMID": 793520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9846", "title": "Starvation effects on Escherichia coli and aquatic bacterial responses to nutrient addition and secondary warming stresses.", "content": "A gram-negative polar flagellated rod, isolated from a Colorado mountain stream and considered to be an Aeromonas sp., a mixed aquatic microbial population, and a culture of Escherichia coli were starved to determine their responses to the short-term presence of nutrients and mild warming stress (49.5 C for 2 min) in relation to starvation time. At the beginning of the starvation period, the Aeromonas isolate was extremely sensitive to the secondary warming stress. This response was markedly diminished after a 3-week starvation period. The mixed aquatic microbial population showed a similar trend in becoming less sensitive to stress with increased starvation. E coli under similar conditions, became more sensitive to the secondary stress after exposure to glucose. Respiration measurements after glucose additions also indicated that E. coli responded in a different manner to starvation stress and glucose presence than the Aeromonas isolate. The increased sensitivity of E. coli to secondary stress and short-term nutrient availability after starvation may contribute to the exclusion of this organism from aquatic environments.", "contents": "Starvation effects on Escherichia coli and aquatic bacterial responses to nutrient addition and secondary warming stresses. A gram-negative polar flagellated rod, isolated from a Colorado mountain stream and considered to be an Aeromonas sp., a mixed aquatic microbial population, and a culture of Escherichia coli were starved to determine their responses to the short-term presence of nutrients and mild warming stress (49.5 C for 2 min) in relation to starvation time. At the beginning of the starvation period, the Aeromonas isolate was extremely sensitive to the secondary warming stress. This response was markedly diminished after a 3-week starvation period. The mixed aquatic microbial population showed a similar trend in becoming less sensitive to stress with increased starvation. E coli under similar conditions, became more sensitive to the secondary stress after exposure to glucose. Respiration measurements after glucose additions also indicated that E. coli responded in a different manner to starvation stress and glucose presence than the Aeromonas isolate. The increased sensitivity of E. coli to secondary stress and short-term nutrient availability after starvation may contribute to the exclusion of this organism from aquatic environments.", "PMID": 793521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9847", "title": "Toxoid of Clostridium botulinum type F: purification and immunogenicity studies.", "content": "Toxin from Clostridium botulinum type F was recovered from dialysis cultures and partially purifed by: (i) ammonium sulfate and ethanol precipitation; (ii) O-(diethylaminoethyl)-cellulose chromatography; or (iii) diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography followed by O-(carboxymethyl)-cellulose chromatography. Toxin purities as reflected by specific activity were 1.83 X 10(6), 9.8 X 10(6), and 2.0 X 10(7) mouse 50% lethal doses (LD50)/mg of N, respectively, for toxins purified by the three methods. The toxins were converted to toxoids by incubation at 35 C in the presence of 0.3 to 0.45% formalin for 21 to 35 days. Toxoids were immunogenic in guinea pigs, as demonstrated by serum antitoxin response and the immunized animals' resistance to challenge by type F botulinal toxin. The immune response to type F toxoids was lower when toxoids of serotypes A, B, C, D, and E were combined with the type F toxoid than when the type F toxoid only was administered. The toxoid prepared from the most highly purified toxin (method [iii]) conferred the highest immunity in guinea pigs at a given dose level. A relation between serum antitoxin level and resistance to challenge was observed. At least 50% of the groups of guinea pigs with 0.015 antitoxin units or more per ml survived challenge by 10(5) mouse LD50 of type F botulinal toxin. A dose of 3.75 mug of N of the most highly purified type F toxoid in combination with the other five serotypes of botulinal toxoid invoked an immune response in guinea pigs comparable to that considered adequate for the other toxoids.", "contents": "Toxoid of Clostridium botulinum type F: purification and immunogenicity studies. Toxin from Clostridium botulinum type F was recovered from dialysis cultures and partially purifed by: (i) ammonium sulfate and ethanol precipitation; (ii) O-(diethylaminoethyl)-cellulose chromatography; or (iii) diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography followed by O-(carboxymethyl)-cellulose chromatography. Toxin purities as reflected by specific activity were 1.83 X 10(6), 9.8 X 10(6), and 2.0 X 10(7) mouse 50% lethal doses (LD50)/mg of N, respectively, for toxins purified by the three methods. The toxins were converted to toxoids by incubation at 35 C in the presence of 0.3 to 0.45% formalin for 21 to 35 days. Toxoids were immunogenic in guinea pigs, as demonstrated by serum antitoxin response and the immunized animals' resistance to challenge by type F botulinal toxin. The immune response to type F toxoids was lower when toxoids of serotypes A, B, C, D, and E were combined with the type F toxoid than when the type F toxoid only was administered. The toxoid prepared from the most highly purified toxin (method [iii]) conferred the highest immunity in guinea pigs at a given dose level. A relation between serum antitoxin level and resistance to challenge was observed. At least 50% of the groups of guinea pigs with 0.015 antitoxin units or more per ml survived challenge by 10(5) mouse LD50 of type F botulinal toxin. A dose of 3.75 mug of N of the most highly purified type F toxoid in combination with the other five serotypes of botulinal toxoid invoked an immune response in guinea pigs comparable to that considered adequate for the other toxoids.", "PMID": 793522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9848", "title": "Characteristics of bacteria isolated by the anaerobic roll-tube method from cheeses and ground beef.", "content": "In this study the methods of Hungate were used to quantitate the anaerobic bacteria present in commercially available ground beef, cheddar cheese, and German hand cheese. Of 235 anaerobic roll-tube isolates from ground beef and German hand cheese, all were facultative anaerobes. Of 213 anaerobic roll-tube isolates from cheddar cheese, 91% were facultative anaerobes and 9% were obligate anaerobes. Using results of biochemical tests, 14 or the 17 obligately anaerobic isolates from cheddar cheese were Propionibacterium acnes, two were strains of Propionibacterium that could not be speciated, and one was tentatively identified as a strain of Streptococcus evolutus. Obligate anaerobes were estimated to be present in the cheddar cheese at a level of about 10(6)/g. The possible significance of these levels of P. acnes in nonsterile foods is discussed.", "contents": "Characteristics of bacteria isolated by the anaerobic roll-tube method from cheeses and ground beef. In this study the methods of Hungate were used to quantitate the anaerobic bacteria present in commercially available ground beef, cheddar cheese, and German hand cheese. Of 235 anaerobic roll-tube isolates from ground beef and German hand cheese, all were facultative anaerobes. Of 213 anaerobic roll-tube isolates from cheddar cheese, 91% were facultative anaerobes and 9% were obligate anaerobes. Using results of biochemical tests, 14 or the 17 obligately anaerobic isolates from cheddar cheese were Propionibacterium acnes, two were strains of Propionibacterium that could not be speciated, and one was tentatively identified as a strain of Streptococcus evolutus. Obligate anaerobes were estimated to be present in the cheddar cheese at a level of about 10(6)/g. The possible significance of these levels of P. acnes in nonsterile foods is discussed.", "PMID": 793523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9849", "title": "Ultraviolet light and tar in the Goeckerman treatment of psoriasis.", "content": "In an attempt to evaluate and improve the Goeckerman treatment of psoriasis, combinations of tar and ultraviolet (UV) light were studied. The effects of UV irradiation alone, of curde coal tar (CCT) ointment alone, and of UV irradiation with 1% CCT ointment and with 6% CCT ointment on psoriatic lesions were compared. The combinations of 1% CCT ointment with UV irradiation and of 6% CCT ointment with UV irradiation were found to be equally effective. The combination of UV irradiation with ointment had little effect on psoriatic lesions. In most cases, the combination of 1% CCT ointment and UV irradiation was superior to high-concentration (6%) tar ointment without UV irradiation. This study suggests that UV light is an important component of the Goeckerman treatment ant that tar and UV irradiation are superior to tar alone.", "contents": "Ultraviolet light and tar in the Goeckerman treatment of psoriasis. In an attempt to evaluate and improve the Goeckerman treatment of psoriasis, combinations of tar and ultraviolet (UV) light were studied. The effects of UV irradiation alone, of curde coal tar (CCT) ointment alone, and of UV irradiation with 1% CCT ointment and with 6% CCT ointment on psoriatic lesions were compared. The combinations of 1% CCT ointment with UV irradiation and of 6% CCT ointment with UV irradiation were found to be equally effective. The combination of UV irradiation with ointment had little effect on psoriatic lesions. In most cases, the combination of 1% CCT ointment and UV irradiation was superior to high-concentration (6%) tar ointment without UV irradiation. This study suggests that UV light is an important component of the Goeckerman treatment ant that tar and UV irradiation are superior to tar alone.", "PMID": 793524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9850", "title": "Role of chronic hepatitis in development of thalassaemic liver disease.", "content": "Liver function and the presence of HBsAg and anti-HBsAg were studied in 90 hypertransfused thalassaemic children. Increased serum transaminases were found in 62 patients, and persisted from more than 6 months in 45 cases. Liver biopsy in this latter group led to a diagnosis of 14 cases of chronic persistent hepatitis, 9 cases of aggressive hepatitis, and 3 cases of hepatic fibrosis. In Italy thalassaemic children undergoing hypertransfusion therapy frequently encounter SH virus infection, with a consequent hepatitis that is generally anicteric and unrecognized unless systematically sought. In a liver already stressed by the concomitant iron overload, hepatitis infection might thus play a key role in the evolution of cirrhosis which frequently affects thalassaemics.", "contents": "Role of chronic hepatitis in development of thalassaemic liver disease. Liver function and the presence of HBsAg and anti-HBsAg were studied in 90 hypertransfused thalassaemic children. Increased serum transaminases were found in 62 patients, and persisted from more than 6 months in 45 cases. Liver biopsy in this latter group led to a diagnosis of 14 cases of chronic persistent hepatitis, 9 cases of aggressive hepatitis, and 3 cases of hepatic fibrosis. In Italy thalassaemic children undergoing hypertransfusion therapy frequently encounter SH virus infection, with a consequent hepatitis that is generally anicteric and unrecognized unless systematically sought. In a liver already stressed by the concomitant iron overload, hepatitis infection might thus play a key role in the evolution of cirrhosis which frequently affects thalassaemics.", "PMID": 793538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9851", "title": "Differential protein clearances and response to treatment in Nigerian nephrotic children.", "content": "Remission followed prednisolone therapy in 9 out of 21 Nigerian children with the nephrotic syndrome who had highly selective proteinuria (CG/CA less than 15%). Of these, 5 patients have remained well off all treatment during a follow-up of nearly 5 years, 4 have relapsed more than once but have responded to further courses of prednisolone. 3 of 21 with less selective proteinuria also remitted but all relapsed and only one of these has responded again. The other two have relapsed and further courses of prednisolone have not totally abolished their proteinuria though they are asymptomatic and in good health. Toxicity (hypertension, sometimes with encephalopathy and infection) was commoner in the patients with less selective proteinuria treated with steroids than in those with highly selective proteinuria. 3 steroid-sensitive patients who had had repeated relapses became free from relapse off all treatment after a course of cyclophosphamide, given during steroid-maintained remission. All but 2 of the renal biopsies taken were regarded as abnormal. The lesions were less severe in those who responded than in those who did not. There is some evidence to suggest that Plasmodium malariae may be a cause of some of the steroid-sensitive disease, as well as the steroid-resistant.", "contents": "Differential protein clearances and response to treatment in Nigerian nephrotic children. Remission followed prednisolone therapy in 9 out of 21 Nigerian children with the nephrotic syndrome who had highly selective proteinuria (CG/CA less than 15%). Of these, 5 patients have remained well off all treatment during a follow-up of nearly 5 years, 4 have relapsed more than once but have responded to further courses of prednisolone. 3 of 21 with less selective proteinuria also remitted but all relapsed and only one of these has responded again. The other two have relapsed and further courses of prednisolone have not totally abolished their proteinuria though they are asymptomatic and in good health. Toxicity (hypertension, sometimes with encephalopathy and infection) was commoner in the patients with less selective proteinuria treated with steroids than in those with highly selective proteinuria. 3 steroid-sensitive patients who had had repeated relapses became free from relapse off all treatment after a course of cyclophosphamide, given during steroid-maintained remission. All but 2 of the renal biopsies taken were regarded as abnormal. The lesions were less severe in those who responded than in those who did not. There is some evidence to suggest that Plasmodium malariae may be a cause of some of the steroid-sensitive disease, as well as the steroid-resistant.", "PMID": 793539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9852", "title": "Consumptive opsoninopathy: possible pathogenesis in lethal and opportunistic infections.", "content": "Serum levels of properdin, Factor B and C3 and the ability of these sera to opsonize E. coli 075 were measured in 17 patients with surgical infections ranging in severity from mild to fatal. There was good direct correlation between severity of infection, serum levels of properdin and C3, and the ability of the serum to support opsonization. The levels of Factor B were not significantly reduced when measured by radial immunodiffusion, but immunoelectrophoresis showed conversion. Restoration of full opsonic activity was accomplished only by the addition of a combination of C3, Factor B, and properdin in excess. The findings provide evidence that severe bacterial infection causes a consumption of opsonic proteins which may result in a reduced ability of the patient's serum to opsonize bacteria and thereby further increase susceptibility to infection.", "contents": "Consumptive opsoninopathy: possible pathogenesis in lethal and opportunistic infections. Serum levels of properdin, Factor B and C3 and the ability of these sera to opsonize E. coli 075 were measured in 17 patients with surgical infections ranging in severity from mild to fatal. There was good direct correlation between severity of infection, serum levels of properdin and C3, and the ability of the serum to support opsonization. The levels of Factor B were not significantly reduced when measured by radial immunodiffusion, but immunoelectrophoresis showed conversion. Restoration of full opsonic activity was accomplished only by the addition of a combination of C3, Factor B, and properdin in excess. The findings provide evidence that severe bacterial infection causes a consumption of opsonic proteins which may result in a reduced ability of the patient's serum to opsonize bacteria and thereby further increase susceptibility to infection.", "PMID": 793541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9853", "title": "Calyceal-cutaneous fistulae in renal transplant patients.", "content": "Calyceal-cutaneous fistula is a serious sequela of renal transplantation occurring in approximately 3% of allografts. This complication occurred in 12% of allografts with multiple renal arteries. A localized area of poor parenchymal perfusion involving less than one-eighth of the kidney was noted at the time of transplantation in only one-third of the kidneys developing fistulae. Attempts of surgical correction of the fistulae in the presence of serious wound and urinary tract sepsis were usually unsuccessful, with the ultimate loss of 7 of 8 kidneys and the death of 3 patients from sepsis. One individual underwent successful partial resection and closure of the fistula with a muscular graft and survives with adequate function. This experience would suggest that if an initial aggressive surgical attempt at repairing a calyceal-cutaneous fistula fails, transplant nephrectomy should be performed.", "contents": "Calyceal-cutaneous fistulae in renal transplant patients. Calyceal-cutaneous fistula is a serious sequela of renal transplantation occurring in approximately 3% of allografts. This complication occurred in 12% of allografts with multiple renal arteries. A localized area of poor parenchymal perfusion involving less than one-eighth of the kidney was noted at the time of transplantation in only one-third of the kidneys developing fistulae. Attempts of surgical correction of the fistulae in the presence of serious wound and urinary tract sepsis were usually unsuccessful, with the ultimate loss of 7 of 8 kidneys and the death of 3 patients from sepsis. One individual underwent successful partial resection and closure of the fistula with a muscular graft and survives with adequate function. This experience would suggest that if an initial aggressive surgical attempt at repairing a calyceal-cutaneous fistula fails, transplant nephrectomy should be performed.", "PMID": 793542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9854", "title": "Microcrystalline collagen hemostat (MCCH) and wound healing.", "content": "The effect of MCCH on wound healing was studied in animals and patients. A full thickness dorsal skin defect was made in mice and standard amounts of MCCH applied immediately to the wound in half the mice. There were no significant differences in wound closure rates between control and MCCH treated mice. A standard dorsal skin incision was made in rats. In half the rats, MCCH was put into the incision just before suturing with fine stainless steel sutures. There were no statistically significant differences in breaking strengths between control and MCCH treated rats when tested on the 8th, 20th and 40th days postoperatively. Histologic examination of the wounds showed mild inflammatory reaction surrounding the MCCH-fiber fragments, but no giant cells. Small amounts of MCCH were demonstrable at 40 days. Full thickness skin burns in pigs were excised one day after burning. MCCH was applied immediately in some pigs; excess MCCH was removed by saline irrigation. Split thickness skin autografts were applied. MCCH was applied to donor sites. The \"takes\" of the grafts were excellent and not affected by the use of MCCH and the donor sites healed uneventfully. MCCH was used in four patients with burns, three of whom underwent early excision of full thickness skin burns and immediate autografting. The fourth underwent skin grafting to the granulating areas 3 months after injury. The MCCH was applied to some donor sites and to some areas of excision. In one patient with severe burns, wound sepsis developed equally in areas with and without MCCH and the grafts were lost. In the other three patients, there were excellent takes of the grafts at all sites. All donor sites, treated and untreated, healed normally in all patients.", "contents": "Microcrystalline collagen hemostat (MCCH) and wound healing. The effect of MCCH on wound healing was studied in animals and patients. A full thickness dorsal skin defect was made in mice and standard amounts of MCCH applied immediately to the wound in half the mice. There were no significant differences in wound closure rates between control and MCCH treated mice. A standard dorsal skin incision was made in rats. In half the rats, MCCH was put into the incision just before suturing with fine stainless steel sutures. There were no statistically significant differences in breaking strengths between control and MCCH treated rats when tested on the 8th, 20th and 40th days postoperatively. Histologic examination of the wounds showed mild inflammatory reaction surrounding the MCCH-fiber fragments, but no giant cells. Small amounts of MCCH were demonstrable at 40 days. Full thickness skin burns in pigs were excised one day after burning. MCCH was applied immediately in some pigs; excess MCCH was removed by saline irrigation. Split thickness skin autografts were applied. MCCH was applied to donor sites. The \"takes\" of the grafts were excellent and not affected by the use of MCCH and the donor sites healed uneventfully. MCCH was used in four patients with burns, three of whom underwent early excision of full thickness skin burns and immediate autografting. The fourth underwent skin grafting to the granulating areas 3 months after injury. The MCCH was applied to some donor sites and to some areas of excision. In one patient with severe burns, wound sepsis developed equally in areas with and without MCCH and the grafts were lost. In the other three patients, there were excellent takes of the grafts at all sites. All donor sites, treated and untreated, healed normally in all patients.", "PMID": 793543} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9855", "title": "Problems in differentiating between pancreatic lymphoma and anaplastic carcinoma and their management.", "content": "A group of 6 patients with malignancies involving the pancreas is presented, with a range of diagnosis from primary reticulum cell sarcoma to probable anaplastic carcinoma. Even with adequate biopsy and autopsy material, it may be difficult to provide a definitive tissue diagnosis in these patients. Although this entire spectrum of tumors is uncommon, it is important to try to establish a diagnosis whenever possible. Biopsy of the tumor should be performed, even from the pancreas itself, if necessary, particularly when the initial presentation of the disease is unusual or if the pattern of metastasis is different from that usually seen with carcinoma of the pancreas. It is suggested that a therapeutic trial of appropriate radiotherapy and chemotherapy be instituted in patients of this type even if a diagnosis of lymphoma is not firmly established. The possibility exists of survival of some of these patients for periods of one year or more as a result of successive therapy.", "contents": "Problems in differentiating between pancreatic lymphoma and anaplastic carcinoma and their management. A group of 6 patients with malignancies involving the pancreas is presented, with a range of diagnosis from primary reticulum cell sarcoma to probable anaplastic carcinoma. Even with adequate biopsy and autopsy material, it may be difficult to provide a definitive tissue diagnosis in these patients. Although this entire spectrum of tumors is uncommon, it is important to try to establish a diagnosis whenever possible. Biopsy of the tumor should be performed, even from the pancreas itself, if necessary, particularly when the initial presentation of the disease is unusual or if the pattern of metastasis is different from that usually seen with carcinoma of the pancreas. It is suggested that a therapeutic trial of appropriate radiotherapy and chemotherapy be instituted in patients of this type even if a diagnosis of lymphoma is not firmly established. The possibility exists of survival of some of these patients for periods of one year or more as a result of successive therapy.", "PMID": 793544} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9856", "title": "A marked reduction in the incidence of cold haemagglutinin in Plasmodium falciparum malaria.", "content": "A survey of cold haemagglutinin using the normal and tyrpsinized group O red blood cells was performed in 101 normal individuals, 139 individuals with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, 115 individuals with various infections other than malaria and 46 cases of auto-immune haemolytic anaemia. A marked reduction in the incidence of cold haemagglutinin reacting with the normal group O red blood cell was observed in cases of P. falciparum with parasitaemia higher than 100 000/mm3. Although this was also found in other infections, the proposed mechanism seems to be different. Neither remarkable changes in the incidence of cold haemagglutinin reacting with trypsinized red blood cell not the rise of the titres of agglutination in both types of the red blood cells could be detected in P. falciparum malarial cases. The findings are somewhat unexpected and the possible causes are discussed.", "contents": "A marked reduction in the incidence of cold haemagglutinin in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. A survey of cold haemagglutinin using the normal and tyrpsinized group O red blood cells was performed in 101 normal individuals, 139 individuals with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, 115 individuals with various infections other than malaria and 46 cases of auto-immune haemolytic anaemia. A marked reduction in the incidence of cold haemagglutinin reacting with the normal group O red blood cell was observed in cases of P. falciparum with parasitaemia higher than 100 000/mm3. Although this was also found in other infections, the proposed mechanism seems to be different. Neither remarkable changes in the incidence of cold haemagglutinin reacting with trypsinized red blood cell not the rise of the titres of agglutination in both types of the red blood cells could be detected in P. falciparum malarial cases. The findings are somewhat unexpected and the possible causes are discussed.", "PMID": 793545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9857", "title": "Patterns of development of Trypanosoma cruzi in the embryonated chicken egg.", "content": "Blood forms of four strains of Trypanosoma cruzi were inoculated on the chorioallantois or intra-yolk sac in seven to nine day embryonated chicken eggs which were reincubated thereafter at 37-5-39-0 degrees C or at 32-34 degrees C. There were no significant differences between strains when total rates of infected eggs were compared. However, the highest proportions of positives, for every strain, were found among eggs inoculated into the yolk sac and reincubated in the lower temperature range. The most striking observations were: (a) independently of the route of inoculation, all strains developed through all stages of the invertebrate cycle within the embryonic cavities of eggs reincubated at 32-34 degrees C; (b) in a high proportion of these same eggs, all stages of the vertebrate cycle could be also found in the tissues of the embryo itself and its membranes; (c) no stages other than those characteristic of the vertebrate cycle could be found in the tissues of the embryo and its membranes among eggs maintained above 37 degrees C. It is thought that temperature is important in the transformation phases of the protozoon and that above 37 degrees C there was no conversion from the blood trypomastigotes to culture forms. Other transformation phases are probably also temperature-dependent, and strain differences in sensitivity to this factor are suggested. It is suggested that the embryonated chicken egg offers a suitable means for the study of the determinism of transformation in the cycles of T. cruzi and, possibly, also for helping in strain characterization.", "contents": "Patterns of development of Trypanosoma cruzi in the embryonated chicken egg. Blood forms of four strains of Trypanosoma cruzi were inoculated on the chorioallantois or intra-yolk sac in seven to nine day embryonated chicken eggs which were reincubated thereafter at 37-5-39-0 degrees C or at 32-34 degrees C. There were no significant differences between strains when total rates of infected eggs were compared. However, the highest proportions of positives, for every strain, were found among eggs inoculated into the yolk sac and reincubated in the lower temperature range. The most striking observations were: (a) independently of the route of inoculation, all strains developed through all stages of the invertebrate cycle within the embryonic cavities of eggs reincubated at 32-34 degrees C; (b) in a high proportion of these same eggs, all stages of the vertebrate cycle could be also found in the tissues of the embryo itself and its membranes; (c) no stages other than those characteristic of the vertebrate cycle could be found in the tissues of the embryo and its membranes among eggs maintained above 37 degrees C. It is thought that temperature is important in the transformation phases of the protozoon and that above 37 degrees C there was no conversion from the blood trypomastigotes to culture forms. Other transformation phases are probably also temperature-dependent, and strain differences in sensitivity to this factor are suggested. It is suggested that the embryonated chicken egg offers a suitable means for the study of the determinism of transformation in the cycles of T. cruzi and, possibly, also for helping in strain characterization.", "PMID": 793546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9858", "title": "Surgical versus medical treatment for stable angina pectoris: prospective randomized study with 1- to 4-year follow-up.", "content": "A prospective randomized study to evaluate aortocoronary bypass was done on 116 patients (56 surgical, 60 medical) who had documented coronary artery disease (70% luminal obstruction in a major artery). The two groups were similar in age and risk factors. All patients have been followed for a mean of 34 months, and recatheterization has been done in 106 of the survivors. Important results show that although most patients in both groups are improved, more surgical patients are asymptomatic (68 vs 8%). Exercise tolerance was better in the surgical group (+94% vs +43%). There was significantly greater evidence of preinfarction angina in the medical group (p less than 0.02), but survival was similar.", "contents": "Surgical versus medical treatment for stable angina pectoris: prospective randomized study with 1- to 4-year follow-up. A prospective randomized study to evaluate aortocoronary bypass was done on 116 patients (56 surgical, 60 medical) who had documented coronary artery disease (70% luminal obstruction in a major artery). The two groups were similar in age and risk factors. All patients have been followed for a mean of 34 months, and recatheterization has been done in 106 of the survivors. Important results show that although most patients in both groups are improved, more surgical patients are asymptomatic (68 vs 8%). Exercise tolerance was better in the surgical group (+94% vs +43%). There was significantly greater evidence of preinfarction angina in the medical group (p less than 0.02), but survival was similar.", "PMID": 793549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9859", "title": "Should the pericardium be closed after an open-heart operation?", "content": "A controlled clinical study was carried out to decide whether the pericardium should be left open or closed after open-heart operations. One hundred patients had the pericardium closed with interrupted silk, another 100 had the pericardium left open. Complications were alike except for the more frequent occurrence of a pericardial rub in the closed group (14 vs 3 patients), though the incidence of post-pericardiotomy syndrome was equal. There was no late tamponade. Two early reexplorations for bleeding were done in the open group, none in the closed. There were no postoperative deaths. In the patients who consented to postoperative angiography following revascularization procedures, the incidence of graft failure was equal in both groups. The pericardium should be closed after an open-heart operation. Morbidity and mortality are unchanged, and repeat cardiac exploration is safer.", "contents": "Should the pericardium be closed after an open-heart operation? A controlled clinical study was carried out to decide whether the pericardium should be left open or closed after open-heart operations. One hundred patients had the pericardium closed with interrupted silk, another 100 had the pericardium left open. Complications were alike except for the more frequent occurrence of a pericardial rub in the closed group (14 vs 3 patients), though the incidence of post-pericardiotomy syndrome was equal. There was no late tamponade. Two early reexplorations for bleeding were done in the open group, none in the closed. There were no postoperative deaths. In the patients who consented to postoperative angiography following revascularization procedures, the incidence of graft failure was equal in both groups. The pericardium should be closed after an open-heart operation. Morbidity and mortality are unchanged, and repeat cardiac exploration is safer.", "PMID": 793550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9860", "title": "Gallium citrate Ga 67 scanning: clinical usefulness in lymphoma patients.", "content": "Gallium citrate Ga 67 (67Ga) scans were performed in 50 consecutive lymphoma patients who underwent routine staging. The overall accuracy of 67Ga scans was greater than 80% for all nodal sites except the spleen (68%). Sensitivity was greater than 88% in the neck and mediastinum, 67% in the abdomen-pelvis, and 33% for the spleen. Specificity was greater than 85% for all nodal sites except for the mediastinum (67%). The accuracy of pedal lymphangiograms was 75%, sensitivity 87%, and specificity 68%. Gallium 67 scans complemented the lymphogram in the abdomen-pelvis but, due to limited sensitivity and high number of equivocal studies (16%), did not replace it. Infraclavicular, pectoral, and mediastinal lesions were detected by 67Ga scans when missed by other means. In 20% to 25% of patients, 67Ga scans provided information not afforded by other diagnostic studies and are therefore considered an important staging procedure for lymphoma patients.", "contents": "Gallium citrate Ga 67 scanning: clinical usefulness in lymphoma patients. Gallium citrate Ga 67 (67Ga) scans were performed in 50 consecutive lymphoma patients who underwent routine staging. The overall accuracy of 67Ga scans was greater than 80% for all nodal sites except the spleen (68%). Sensitivity was greater than 88% in the neck and mediastinum, 67% in the abdomen-pelvis, and 33% for the spleen. Specificity was greater than 85% for all nodal sites except for the mediastinum (67%). The accuracy of pedal lymphangiograms was 75%, sensitivity 87%, and specificity 68%. Gallium 67 scans complemented the lymphogram in the abdomen-pelvis but, due to limited sensitivity and high number of equivocal studies (16%), did not replace it. Infraclavicular, pectoral, and mediastinal lesions were detected by 67Ga scans when missed by other means. In 20% to 25% of patients, 67Ga scans provided information not afforded by other diagnostic studies and are therefore considered an important staging procedure for lymphoma patients.", "PMID": 793551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9861", "title": "Immunotherapy in the management of myelogenous leukemia.", "content": "Now that it has been clearly established that tumor-associated antigens exist in acute leukemia in man, as in animals, the possibility of stimulating the patient's immune system to react against them arises. In animal experiments the most effective method of influencing the progress of leukemia after the implantation of living malignant cells has been a combination of nonspecific stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system, with agents such as BCG or Corynebacterium parvum, either with chemotherapy or with specific immunization with irradiated leukemic cells. However, such treatment is only effective if the number of living malignant cells is small as it takes a powerful immune response to overcome even a small number of malignant cells. It is for these reasons that most of the studies in man have been on patients with acute leukemia in remission. Math\u00e9, in 1969, produced evidence that BCG and irradiated allogenic leukemia cells could lengthen the duration of remission in ALL in children. However, later results of intensive combination chemotherapy, together with prophylactic treatment of the central nervous system by Pinkel and his colleagues, were so encouraging that immunotherapy is not felt to be needed and therefore is not being extensively used in this form of leukemia at the moment. The situation in AML, particularly in adults, is completely different. The maintenance of remission with chemotherapy in this type of leukemia is difficult and relapses occur quite rapidly. Various centers have now shown that both remission lengths and overall survival are significantly prolonged by using BCG with or without irradiated allogenic leukemia cells.", "contents": "Immunotherapy in the management of myelogenous leukemia. Now that it has been clearly established that tumor-associated antigens exist in acute leukemia in man, as in animals, the possibility of stimulating the patient's immune system to react against them arises. In animal experiments the most effective method of influencing the progress of leukemia after the implantation of living malignant cells has been a combination of nonspecific stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system, with agents such as BCG or Corynebacterium parvum, either with chemotherapy or with specific immunization with irradiated leukemic cells. However, such treatment is only effective if the number of living malignant cells is small as it takes a powerful immune response to overcome even a small number of malignant cells. It is for these reasons that most of the studies in man have been on patients with acute leukemia in remission. Math\u00e9, in 1969, produced evidence that BCG and irradiated allogenic leukemia cells could lengthen the duration of remission in ALL in children. However, later results of intensive combination chemotherapy, together with prophylactic treatment of the central nervous system by Pinkel and his colleagues, were so encouraging that immunotherapy is not felt to be needed and therefore is not being extensively used in this form of leukemia at the moment. The situation in AML, particularly in adults, is completely different. The maintenance of remission with chemotherapy in this type of leukemia is difficult and relapses occur quite rapidly. Various centers have now shown that both remission lengths and overall survival are significantly prolonged by using BCG with or without irradiated allogenic leukemia cells.", "PMID": 793553} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9862", "title": "[Results of television microscopy utilization in spermatology].", "content": "The use of television microscopy in insemination laboratories was tested by VEB Studio-technik on two insemination stations of the GDR. A transistorised remote-observation system is described as a tool providing a universal range of applications for long-time no-maintenance operation of selected microscopes. The system was found to add to the accuracy and objective value of optical microscopy for spermatological studies. TV microscopy also will improve job conditions for the personnel involved.", "contents": "[Results of television microscopy utilization in spermatology]. The use of television microscopy in insemination laboratories was tested by VEB Studio-technik on two insemination stations of the GDR. A transistorised remote-observation system is described as a tool providing a universal range of applications for long-time no-maintenance operation of selected microscopes. The system was found to add to the accuracy and objective value of optical microscopy for spermatological studies. TV microscopy also will improve job conditions for the personnel involved.", "PMID": 793557} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9863", "title": "[General adaptation syndrome (Selye) in cattle. 6. Influence of stress conditions on antibody levels after active and passive immunization as well as on the topographic distribution of various groups of pathogens in the gastrointestinal canal].", "content": "The action of experimental and natural stressors on the humoral immune response of calf was studied. Particular attention was given to the H-antigen of S.dublin and equine erythrocytes,the degradation rate of passively acquired humoral antibody, as well as the quantity and topographic distribution of certain groups of germs in the gastrointestinal tract. The following results were obtained:1. Antibody formation was impededby repeated or lasting stressor effect (ACTH injections). 2. The immunological reactions of the calves involved to antigen injection immediately after transport into the rearing unit were stronger than those to antigen application three days from transfer. Immunisation of animals transferred to rearing or fattening units, therefore, should be applied immediately after arrival in the new accomodation, but no interval of three or four days should be allowed. 3. Antibody formation was no longer impaired in calves immunised two weeks from transfer, as compared to those immunised immediately after arrival in the rearing unit. This seemed to suggest that by that time adaptation of the animals to their new environment had been almost complete. 4. Lasting stress (slow drip infusion of ACTH, cortisol, colibacteria or coli-endotoxin) led to no detectable by paper electrophoresis. 5. Calves that had been given three weekly dosesof 1 IU ACTH per kilogram of live weight through four weeks,did not differ,withthe authors'method,from the controls regarding the decomposition rate of passively acquired humoral antibody. 6. ACTH slow drip infusions of calves over several days caused higher concentrations of colibacteria throughout the intestinal tract, including those proximal sections of the small intestine in which little or no colibacteria should occur under physiological conditions in calves of that age.", "contents": "[General adaptation syndrome (Selye) in cattle. 6. Influence of stress conditions on antibody levels after active and passive immunization as well as on the topographic distribution of various groups of pathogens in the gastrointestinal canal]. The action of experimental and natural stressors on the humoral immune response of calf was studied. Particular attention was given to the H-antigen of S.dublin and equine erythrocytes,the degradation rate of passively acquired humoral antibody, as well as the quantity and topographic distribution of certain groups of germs in the gastrointestinal tract. The following results were obtained:1. Antibody formation was impededby repeated or lasting stressor effect (ACTH injections). 2. The immunological reactions of the calves involved to antigen injection immediately after transport into the rearing unit were stronger than those to antigen application three days from transfer. Immunisation of animals transferred to rearing or fattening units, therefore, should be applied immediately after arrival in the new accomodation, but no interval of three or four days should be allowed. 3. Antibody formation was no longer impaired in calves immunised two weeks from transfer, as compared to those immunised immediately after arrival in the rearing unit. This seemed to suggest that by that time adaptation of the animals to their new environment had been almost complete. 4. Lasting stress (slow drip infusion of ACTH, cortisol, colibacteria or coli-endotoxin) led to no detectable by paper electrophoresis. 5. Calves that had been given three weekly dosesof 1 IU ACTH per kilogram of live weight through four weeks,did not differ,withthe authors'method,from the controls regarding the decomposition rate of passively acquired humoral antibody. 6. ACTH slow drip infusions of calves over several days caused higher concentrations of colibacteria throughout the intestinal tract, including those proximal sections of the small intestine in which little or no colibacteria should occur under physiological conditions in calves of that age.", "PMID": 793558} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9864", "title": "Hyporesponsivity of chronic schizophrenic patients to dextroamphetamine.", "content": "Among the evidence supporting the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia is the finding that both amphetamine and methylphenidate hydrochloride, potent releasers of dopamine, can cause exacerbation of symptoms in the acute schizophrenic patient. The present report describes three experiments in which the effects of amphetamine in chronic schizophrenic patients were studied. In one of the experiments, orally administered, daily doses of 20 mg of dextroamphetamine sulfate given at 8 PM had little or no effect on the sleep duration of the subjects. In the other two experiments, doses up to 40 mg given orally also had little or no effect on the performance of the subjects on a variety of behavioral tests. There was no evidence of an exacerbation of the disease process in any of the subjects. The most consistent amphetamine effect was a dose-related increase in blood pressure. These results indicate that the chronic schizophrenic patient may be hyporesponsive to amphetamine and suggest that if the dopamine hypothesis is correct, then it must be modified to take into account these findings in the chronic patient.", "contents": "Hyporesponsivity of chronic schizophrenic patients to dextroamphetamine. Among the evidence supporting the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia is the finding that both amphetamine and methylphenidate hydrochloride, potent releasers of dopamine, can cause exacerbation of symptoms in the acute schizophrenic patient. The present report describes three experiments in which the effects of amphetamine in chronic schizophrenic patients were studied. In one of the experiments, orally administered, daily doses of 20 mg of dextroamphetamine sulfate given at 8 PM had little or no effect on the sleep duration of the subjects. In the other two experiments, doses up to 40 mg given orally also had little or no effect on the performance of the subjects on a variety of behavioral tests. There was no evidence of an exacerbation of the disease process in any of the subjects. The most consistent amphetamine effect was a dose-related increase in blood pressure. These results indicate that the chronic schizophrenic patient may be hyporesponsive to amphetamine and suggest that if the dopamine hypothesis is correct, then it must be modified to take into account these findings in the chronic patient.", "PMID": 793562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9865", "title": "Diagnosis and treatment of minimal brain dysfunction in adults: a preliminary report.", "content": "Minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) has long been considered a disorder limited to childhood. A number of longitudinal and adoption studies suggest that MBD may persist into adult life where its existence is concealed by the application of a variety of diagnostic labels. In order to test the hypothesis that MBD does persist into adulthood, 15 putative MBD adults were identified on the basis of current MBD-like complaints, self-description of MBD characteristics in childhood, and a parental rating (on a standardized form) of \"hyperactivity\" in childhood. Eleven of the 15 subjects were given a double-blind trial of methylphenidate hydrochloride, and all 15 were given an open trial of pemoline, imipramine hydrochloride, or amitryptiline hydrochloride. Eight of the 11 showed a significant response to the double-blind trial of methylphenidate. Of the 15, eight showed a good response to stimulants or tricyclic antidepressants, two showed a moderately favorable response, and five were unresponsive to drug therapy.", "contents": "Diagnosis and treatment of minimal brain dysfunction in adults: a preliminary report. Minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) has long been considered a disorder limited to childhood. A number of longitudinal and adoption studies suggest that MBD may persist into adult life where its existence is concealed by the application of a variety of diagnostic labels. In order to test the hypothesis that MBD does persist into adulthood, 15 putative MBD adults were identified on the basis of current MBD-like complaints, self-description of MBD characteristics in childhood, and a parental rating (on a standardized form) of \"hyperactivity\" in childhood. Eleven of the 15 subjects were given a double-blind trial of methylphenidate hydrochloride, and all 15 were given an open trial of pemoline, imipramine hydrochloride, or amitryptiline hydrochloride. Eight of the 11 showed a significant response to the double-blind trial of methylphenidate. Of the 15, eight showed a good response to stimulants or tricyclic antidepressants, two showed a moderately favorable response, and five were unresponsive to drug therapy.", "PMID": 793563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9866", "title": "Prediction of tricyclic antidepressant response: a critical review.", "content": "This article reviews all the prospective, double-blind controlled studies that have evaluated the prediction of response to imipramine hydrochloride and amitriptyline hydrochloride in depressed patients. Despite widely divergent methodologies, an attempt is made to extract clinically useful conclusions from these data. Critiques of each study and the criteria used in their evaluation are presented, with suggestions for future research included. The predictors of positive response to imipramine and amitriptyline are as follows: upper socioeconomic class, insidious onset, anorexia, weight loss, middle and late insomnia, and psychomotor disturbance. The predictors of poor response are the following: neurotic, hypochondriacal, and hysterical traits, multiple prior episodes, and delusions. Pretreatment urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) levels may some day be useful in predicting to which of these two tricyclic antidepressants a patient will respond.", "contents": "Prediction of tricyclic antidepressant response: a critical review. This article reviews all the prospective, double-blind controlled studies that have evaluated the prediction of response to imipramine hydrochloride and amitriptyline hydrochloride in depressed patients. Despite widely divergent methodologies, an attempt is made to extract clinically useful conclusions from these data. Critiques of each study and the criteria used in their evaluation are presented, with suggestions for future research included. The predictors of positive response to imipramine and amitriptyline are as follows: upper socioeconomic class, insidious onset, anorexia, weight loss, middle and late insomnia, and psychomotor disturbance. The predictors of poor response are the following: neurotic, hypochondriacal, and hysterical traits, multiple prior episodes, and delusions. Pretreatment urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) levels may some day be useful in predicting to which of these two tricyclic antidepressants a patient will respond.", "PMID": 793564} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9867", "title": "The antitussive and expectorant drug Duopect evaluated by the preferential test.", "content": "The effect of the preparation Duopect (narcotine hydrochloride + glyceryl guiacolate) on intensity and frequency of cough and expectoration was evaluated by the preferential test in 62 patients with chronic bronchitis. The preparation was compared to narcotine and to a placebo in a double-blind study. Duopect was found to be an effective antitussive and expectorant medicine with only minimal and transient side effects.", "contents": "The antitussive and expectorant drug Duopect evaluated by the preferential test. The effect of the preparation Duopect (narcotine hydrochloride + glyceryl guiacolate) on intensity and frequency of cough and expectoration was evaluated by the preferential test in 62 patients with chronic bronchitis. The preparation was compared to narcotine and to a placebo in a double-blind study. Duopect was found to be an effective antitussive and expectorant medicine with only minimal and transient side effects.", "PMID": 793565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9868", "title": "Botulinum antitoxins and antibacterial IgM and IgG antibodies in sera of persons immunized with botulinum polytoxoid combined with cholera vaccine. I. Response to botulinum toxoid.", "content": "Two groups of subjects were immunized with combined vaccine containing aluminum hydroxide-adsorbed botulinum toxoids, types A, B, and E, and 4 mld of formaldehyde-inactivated V. cholerae Inaba and Ogawa organisms. The first group included laboratory workers who were previously immunized against cholera and had professional contact with botulinum toxins and viable V. cholerae organisms. The second group included young men who were never vaccinated against botulism or cholera. The three-dose immunization schedule with combined vaccine resulted in clear-cut antitoxin response; after the third dose, the A, B, and E antitoxin level ranged from 0-2 to 10 IU/ml. Immunity against botulinum toxins lasted at least one year. Distribution of the antitoxins among IgM and IgG globulin classes resembled that in the case of response to other toxoids; 21 days after the third immunization antitoxin activity was found in IgG globulins.", "contents": "Botulinum antitoxins and antibacterial IgM and IgG antibodies in sera of persons immunized with botulinum polytoxoid combined with cholera vaccine. I. Response to botulinum toxoid. Two groups of subjects were immunized with combined vaccine containing aluminum hydroxide-adsorbed botulinum toxoids, types A, B, and E, and 4 mld of formaldehyde-inactivated V. cholerae Inaba and Ogawa organisms. The first group included laboratory workers who were previously immunized against cholera and had professional contact with botulinum toxins and viable V. cholerae organisms. The second group included young men who were never vaccinated against botulism or cholera. The three-dose immunization schedule with combined vaccine resulted in clear-cut antitoxin response; after the third dose, the A, B, and E antitoxin level ranged from 0-2 to 10 IU/ml. Immunity against botulinum toxins lasted at least one year. Distribution of the antitoxins among IgM and IgG globulin classes resembled that in the case of response to other toxoids; 21 days after the third immunization antitoxin activity was found in IgG globulins.", "PMID": 793566} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9869", "title": "Use of antilymphocyte globulin for leukemia induction in mice.", "content": "Biological activity of rabbit antimouse lymphocyte sera (ALS) and their IgG fractions was studied. Several ALS and ALG pools were cytotoxic in vitro for normal and leukemic mouse lymphocytes, causing temporary depletion of circulating leukocytes, prolongation of skin allografts, and progressive growth of L-1210/V leukemia transplanted across an H-2 barrier. As a rule, splenomegaly and a significant increase in the number of spleen cells were observed after i.p. injection of ALG. In experiments on the influence of prolonged treatment with ALG on tumor incidence in mice, one ALG pool appeared to be highly and repeatedly leukemogenic. The possible mechanism of leukemia induction by ALG was discussed.", "contents": "Use of antilymphocyte globulin for leukemia induction in mice. Biological activity of rabbit antimouse lymphocyte sera (ALS) and their IgG fractions was studied. Several ALS and ALG pools were cytotoxic in vitro for normal and leukemic mouse lymphocytes, causing temporary depletion of circulating leukocytes, prolongation of skin allografts, and progressive growth of L-1210/V leukemia transplanted across an H-2 barrier. As a rule, splenomegaly and a significant increase in the number of spleen cells were observed after i.p. injection of ALG. In experiments on the influence of prolonged treatment with ALG on tumor incidence in mice, one ALG pool appeared to be highly and repeatedly leukemogenic. The possible mechanism of leukemia induction by ALG was discussed.", "PMID": 793567} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9870", "title": "Infections complicating orthotopic liver transplantation: a study emphasizing graft-related septicemia.", "content": "In 93 recipients of 102 orthotopic liver homografts, the incidence of bacteremia or fungemia exceeded 70%. The graft itself was usually an entry site for systemic infection after both immunologic and nonimmunologic parenchymal injury, especially if there was defective biliary drainage. The role of the homograft itself as the special infectious risk factor has prompted increased use of defunctionalized jejunal Roux limbs to reduce graft contamination. It has also stimulated very aggressive postoperative diagnostic efforts to rule out remedial mechanical complications of the transplant.", "contents": "Infections complicating orthotopic liver transplantation: a study emphasizing graft-related septicemia. In 93 recipients of 102 orthotopic liver homografts, the incidence of bacteremia or fungemia exceeded 70%. The graft itself was usually an entry site for systemic infection after both immunologic and nonimmunologic parenchymal injury, especially if there was defective biliary drainage. The role of the homograft itself as the special infectious risk factor has prompted increased use of defunctionalized jejunal Roux limbs to reduce graft contamination. It has also stimulated very aggressive postoperative diagnostic efforts to rule out remedial mechanical complications of the transplant.", "PMID": 793568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9871", "title": "Altered reticuloendothelial function in long-term renal allograft recipients.", "content": "Using the clearance of microaggregated iodinated human serum albumin reticuloendothialial system (RES) phagocytic function was tested in 48 long-term renal allograft recipients and was found to be defective at the time of testing in 70%. Depression of RES phagocytosis could be related to total steroid dosage in the previous year and to the patients liability to bacterial infections. Evidence from this test does not suggest an immunosuppressive effect of cytomegalovirus. However, three patients are discussed who have developed chronic active hepatitis that is not due to type B virus.", "contents": "Altered reticuloendothelial function in long-term renal allograft recipients. Using the clearance of microaggregated iodinated human serum albumin reticuloendothialial system (RES) phagocytic function was tested in 48 long-term renal allograft recipients and was found to be defective at the time of testing in 70%. Depression of RES phagocytosis could be related to total steroid dosage in the previous year and to the patients liability to bacterial infections. Evidence from this test does not suggest an immunosuppressive effect of cytomegalovirus. However, three patients are discussed who have developed chronic active hepatitis that is not due to type B virus.", "PMID": 793569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9872", "title": "Determination of mumps and influenza antibodies by haemolysis-in-gel.", "content": "A stabilized modifications of the single radial haemolysis-in-gel (HIG) technique was developed. Crude mumps or influenza virus preparations were coupled to erythrocytes with CrCl3 and mounted in agarose gel containing diluted guinea pig serum. Serial serum samples taken from 204 conscripts before and after vaccination with a killed mumps vaccine were analysed with the HIG technique. The results showed that the sensitivity of the HIG test in detecting seroconversion was higher than that of the conventional haemagglutination inhibition test (HI). The correlation between the diametre of the rings of haemolysis and antibody titres measured by the standard complement fixation (CF) technique was fairly good. 62 pairs of sera from patients with suspected influenza were tested by both the HIG-method and the conrentional CF and Hi techniques. The HIG test appeared to be as sensitive as the common methods in detecting increases in antibody levels. The HIG test was found to be insensitive to the nonspecific inhibitors of haemagglutination and aggregated IgG while it was slightly affected by the rheumatoid factor. These features together with the technical ease of performing the test, make the HIG test superior to the conventional HI and CF techniques in mumps and influenza diagnostics.", "contents": "Determination of mumps and influenza antibodies by haemolysis-in-gel. A stabilized modifications of the single radial haemolysis-in-gel (HIG) technique was developed. Crude mumps or influenza virus preparations were coupled to erythrocytes with CrCl3 and mounted in agarose gel containing diluted guinea pig serum. Serial serum samples taken from 204 conscripts before and after vaccination with a killed mumps vaccine were analysed with the HIG technique. The results showed that the sensitivity of the HIG test in detecting seroconversion was higher than that of the conventional haemagglutination inhibition test (HI). The correlation between the diametre of the rings of haemolysis and antibody titres measured by the standard complement fixation (CF) technique was fairly good. 62 pairs of sera from patients with suspected influenza were tested by both the HIG-method and the conrentional CF and Hi techniques. The HIG test appeared to be as sensitive as the common methods in detecting increases in antibody levels. The HIG test was found to be insensitive to the nonspecific inhibitors of haemagglutination and aggregated IgG while it was slightly affected by the rheumatoid factor. These features together with the technical ease of performing the test, make the HIG test superior to the conventional HI and CF techniques in mumps and influenza diagnostics.", "PMID": 793571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9873", "title": "Alterations in corneal morphology following thermokeratoplasty.", "content": "Fifteen corneal buttons were removed at keratoplasty from patients with keratoconus who had previously undergone thermokeratoplasty (TKP). The buttons were studied with light microscopy, in an attempt to analyze the type of changes produced by TKP. The principal histologic findings in patients with retarded epithelial healing (8 of 15) included epithelial thinning, bullous keratopathy, thickening of the epithelial basement membrane, and frequent destruction of Bowman's membrane. More severely affected patients showed asceptic stromal necrosis and fibrinous iritis with hypopyon. A poor visual result in patients with normal epithelial healing (7 of 15) was caused by superficial stromal scarring or persistent inflammatory infiltrate. Vascularization was seen in only one patient.", "contents": "Alterations in corneal morphology following thermokeratoplasty. Fifteen corneal buttons were removed at keratoplasty from patients with keratoconus who had previously undergone thermokeratoplasty (TKP). The buttons were studied with light microscopy, in an attempt to analyze the type of changes produced by TKP. The principal histologic findings in patients with retarded epithelial healing (8 of 15) included epithelial thinning, bullous keratopathy, thickening of the epithelial basement membrane, and frequent destruction of Bowman's membrane. More severely affected patients showed asceptic stromal necrosis and fibrinous iritis with hypopyon. A poor visual result in patients with normal epithelial healing (7 of 15) was caused by superficial stromal scarring or persistent inflammatory infiltrate. Vascularization was seen in only one patient.", "PMID": 793573} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9874", "title": "The relief of anxiety through relaxing meditation.", "content": "Our sensory input derives from sources in the environment, in our body and in the mind itself. When the sensory input reaches a critical level it is incompletely integrated, and anxiety results. A logical understanding of the cause of anxiety has no therapeutic effect. But the mind itself has the ability to reduce anxiety if suitable circumstances are provided. This can be quite easily achieved in the stillness of mind induced in a simple meditative experience known as Mental Ataraxis. The patient is first shown complete physical relaxation in global fashion. He is then brought to experience the relaxation as part of his whole being so that his mind fully participates in the process. He practises this, starting in a position of slight discomfort which eases as the meditative experience develops. The approach does not involve the patient in doing less work. The lessening of anxiety reduces nervous tension, psychosomatic disorders and defensive distortions of the personality.", "contents": "The relief of anxiety through relaxing meditation. Our sensory input derives from sources in the environment, in our body and in the mind itself. When the sensory input reaches a critical level it is incompletely integrated, and anxiety results. A logical understanding of the cause of anxiety has no therapeutic effect. But the mind itself has the ability to reduce anxiety if suitable circumstances are provided. This can be quite easily achieved in the stillness of mind induced in a simple meditative experience known as Mental Ataraxis. The patient is first shown complete physical relaxation in global fashion. He is then brought to experience the relaxation as part of his whole being so that his mind fully participates in the process. He practises this, starting in a position of slight discomfort which eases as the meditative experience develops. The approach does not involve the patient in doing less work. The lessening of anxiety reduces nervous tension, psychosomatic disorders and defensive distortions of the personality.", "PMID": 793574} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9875", "title": "The construction and analysis of sucrose gradients for use with zonal rotors.", "content": "The rate of sedimentation of a particle in a sucrose solution depends on the viscosity and density of the medium. These two variables are related to the sucrose concentration and the temperature of the medium by new simple equations. These equations were used in a rapid iterative procedure that relates the distance moved by a zone in a continuous sucrose gradient to its sedimentation coefficient. It is shown by comparison with experiment that this iterative method allows the distance moved by a zone to be calculated rapidly. The method may therefore be used to optimize the separation of particles in a sucrose-gradient-centrifugation experiment. The method also allows the unknown sedimentation coefficients of several zones to be measured from a single sucrose-gradient-centrifugation experiment.", "contents": "The construction and analysis of sucrose gradients for use with zonal rotors. The rate of sedimentation of a particle in a sucrose solution depends on the viscosity and density of the medium. These two variables are related to the sucrose concentration and the temperature of the medium by new simple equations. These equations were used in a rapid iterative procedure that relates the distance moved by a zone in a continuous sucrose gradient to its sedimentation coefficient. It is shown by comparison with experiment that this iterative method allows the distance moved by a zone to be calculated rapidly. The method may therefore be used to optimize the separation of particles in a sucrose-gradient-centrifugation experiment. The method also allows the unknown sedimentation coefficients of several zones to be measured from a single sucrose-gradient-centrifugation experiment.", "PMID": 793582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9876", "title": "The accessibility of protein-bound dinitrophenyl groups to univalent fragments of anti-dinitrophenyl antibody.", "content": "A series of N-(N-dinitrophenylaminoalkyl)maleimides were sythesized with alkyl-chain lengths of two, four and six carbon atoms. When these compounds reacted with the thiol group of mercaptalbumin, the tryptophan fluorescence of the protein was quenched. This change in fluorescence was used to determine the rate of reaction of the Dnp (dinitrophenyl)-maleimides with mercaptalbumin. The second-order rate constants were similar to those observed in reactions between low-molecular-weight thiol compounds and maleimides. When N-(N-Dnp-aminoalkyl)succinimidomercaptalbumins were added to univalent fragments of anti-Dnp antibody the antibody fluorescence was quenched. Florescence-quenching titrations showed that the protein-bound Dnp groups were fully available to the antibody even when the alkyl chain was short. The apparent dissociation constants were significantly greater than that of the interaction between anti-Dnp antibody and the free hapten, 6-(N-Dnp)-aminohexanoate. The antibody fluorescence was quenched efficienty by [dnp-Lys41]ribonuclease A, also with an increased dissociation constant. It could be concluded from the increase in dissociation constant that the Dnp group spent no more than 0.1% of its time in the dissociated state, available to antibody. The second-order rate constants for the association between the Dnp-mercaptablumins and the antibody were determined and were similar in magnitude to those observed in other interactions between protein and anti-protein antibody.", "contents": "The accessibility of protein-bound dinitrophenyl groups to univalent fragments of anti-dinitrophenyl antibody. A series of N-(N-dinitrophenylaminoalkyl)maleimides were sythesized with alkyl-chain lengths of two, four and six carbon atoms. When these compounds reacted with the thiol group of mercaptalbumin, the tryptophan fluorescence of the protein was quenched. This change in fluorescence was used to determine the rate of reaction of the Dnp (dinitrophenyl)-maleimides with mercaptalbumin. The second-order rate constants were similar to those observed in reactions between low-molecular-weight thiol compounds and maleimides. When N-(N-Dnp-aminoalkyl)succinimidomercaptalbumins were added to univalent fragments of anti-Dnp antibody the antibody fluorescence was quenched. Florescence-quenching titrations showed that the protein-bound Dnp groups were fully available to the antibody even when the alkyl chain was short. The apparent dissociation constants were significantly greater than that of the interaction between anti-Dnp antibody and the free hapten, 6-(N-Dnp)-aminohexanoate. The antibody fluorescence was quenched efficienty by [dnp-Lys41]ribonuclease A, also with an increased dissociation constant. It could be concluded from the increase in dissociation constant that the Dnp group spent no more than 0.1% of its time in the dissociated state, available to antibody. The second-order rate constants for the association between the Dnp-mercaptablumins and the antibody were determined and were similar in magnitude to those observed in other interactions between protein and anti-protein antibody.", "PMID": 793583} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9877", "title": "Solubilization and other studies on adenylate cyclase of baker's yeast.", "content": "1. Adenylate cyclase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was sedimented from mechanically disintegrated preparations of yeast over an unusually wide range of centrifugal forces. 2. The enzyme was readily solubilized by Ficoll and by Lubrol PX. Lubrol caused a 2-fold activation. 3. Both particle-bound and Lubrol-solubilized enzyme had an apparent Km for ATP of 1.6 mM in the presence of 0.4 mM-cyclic AMP and 5 mM-MnCl2 at pH 6.2 and 30 degrees C. 4. The Lubrol-solubilized enzyme behaved on gel filtration as a monodisperse protein with an apparent mol.wt. of about 450000.", "contents": "Solubilization and other studies on adenylate cyclase of baker's yeast. 1. Adenylate cyclase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was sedimented from mechanically disintegrated preparations of yeast over an unusually wide range of centrifugal forces. 2. The enzyme was readily solubilized by Ficoll and by Lubrol PX. Lubrol caused a 2-fold activation. 3. Both particle-bound and Lubrol-solubilized enzyme had an apparent Km for ATP of 1.6 mM in the presence of 0.4 mM-cyclic AMP and 5 mM-MnCl2 at pH 6.2 and 30 degrees C. 4. The Lubrol-solubilized enzyme behaved on gel filtration as a monodisperse protein with an apparent mol.wt. of about 450000.", "PMID": 793584} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9878", "title": "[The matched-pairs differences-W-test for evaluating clinical treatment effects in matched-pair samples (author's transl)].", "content": "Starting from the U-test (see Buck 1975), for 2 independent samples of differences (e.g. pre-post differences), a corresponding test for 2 dependent samples of differences of pre- and post-measurements of 2 treatments (e.g. verum vs. placebo) is described (matched-pairs differences-W-test). Clinically relevant applications (verum vs. placebo) of the matched-pairs differences-W-test are mentioned and discussed as to their restrictions.", "contents": "[The matched-pairs differences-W-test for evaluating clinical treatment effects in matched-pair samples (author's transl)]. Starting from the U-test (see Buck 1975), for 2 independent samples of differences (e.g. pre-post differences), a corresponding test for 2 dependent samples of differences of pre- and post-measurements of 2 treatments (e.g. verum vs. placebo) is described (matched-pairs differences-W-test). Clinically relevant applications (verum vs. placebo) of the matched-pairs differences-W-test are mentioned and discussed as to their restrictions.", "PMID": 793601} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9879", "title": "Clinical significance of immune deposits in the skin in SLE.", "content": "The lupus band test (LBT) was evaluated in 53 SLE patients. There was no significant correlation between the presence of a positive LBT and active clinical nephritis, renal histology, hypocomplementemia, or elevated anti-nDNA antibodies. In 14 patients the classes of immunoglobulins in the skin and the glomeruli were directly compared and differences were present in 11 patients. Repeat LBTs frequently became positive in patients after successful suppression of disease activity.", "contents": "Clinical significance of immune deposits in the skin in SLE. The lupus band test (LBT) was evaluated in 53 SLE patients. There was no significant correlation between the presence of a positive LBT and active clinical nephritis, renal histology, hypocomplementemia, or elevated anti-nDNA antibodies. In 14 patients the classes of immunoglobulins in the skin and the glomeruli were directly compared and differences were present in 11 patients. Repeat LBTs frequently became positive in patients after successful suppression of disease activity.", "PMID": 793599} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9880", "title": "Simpson as a teacher--a students notebook.", "content": "This paper gives an account of a book of lecture notes taken by a medical student who attended Simpson's course during 1848-9. The notes include an early account of the use of chloroform in midwifery, and describe the obstetric practice of the period as taught by Simpson.", "contents": "Simpson as a teacher--a students notebook. This paper gives an account of a book of lecture notes taken by a medical student who attended Simpson's course during 1848-9. The notes include an early account of the use of chloroform in midwifery, and describe the obstetric practice of the period as taught by Simpson.", "PMID": 793605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9881", "title": "Leukaemogenic action of phorbol in intact and thymectomized mice of different strains.", "content": "Phorbol, the unesterified parent alcohol of the skin promoter TPA, was administered i.p., twice weekly, throughout the lifetime of mice of 7 inbred strains: males and females of AKR/J, C3Heb and BALB/c, and females of SJL/J, DBA/2, SWR and C57BL. A striking difference in strain response was observed, with a pronounced leukaemogenic effect in SWR, a signficiant shortening of the latent period for spontaneous reticulum cell sarcomas (RCNB) in SJL/J, and no demonstrable effect in the other strains. When mice of 3 of the above-mentioned strains (SWR, SJL/J and AKR/J) were thymectomized prior to the beginning of phorbol treatment, different patterns of response were again observed. Thymectomy did not influence the leukaemia incidence in SWR mice, slightly inhibited RCNB development in SJL/J mice and converted phorbol into a leukaemogenic agent for AKR/J mice.", "contents": "Leukaemogenic action of phorbol in intact and thymectomized mice of different strains. Phorbol, the unesterified parent alcohol of the skin promoter TPA, was administered i.p., twice weekly, throughout the lifetime of mice of 7 inbred strains: males and females of AKR/J, C3Heb and BALB/c, and females of SJL/J, DBA/2, SWR and C57BL. A striking difference in strain response was observed, with a pronounced leukaemogenic effect in SWR, a signficiant shortening of the latent period for spontaneous reticulum cell sarcomas (RCNB) in SJL/J, and no demonstrable effect in the other strains. When mice of 3 of the above-mentioned strains (SWR, SJL/J and AKR/J) were thymectomized prior to the beginning of phorbol treatment, different patterns of response were again observed. Thymectomy did not influence the leukaemia incidence in SWR mice, slightly inhibited RCNB development in SJL/J mice and converted phorbol into a leukaemogenic agent for AKR/J mice.", "PMID": 793608} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9882", "title": "Smooth-muscle-associated contractile protein in renal mesenchymal tumour cells and in transformed cells from DMN-injected rats.", "content": "Cryostat sections and established in vitro cultures of dimethylnitrosamine(DMN)-induced renal mesenchymal tumours and monolayer cultures of transformed kidney cells derived from rats treated with a carcinogenic dose of DMN were examined by indirect immunofluorescence with human serum containing smooth muscle antibody. Eight mesenchymal tumours examined showed filamentous cytoplasmic staining of spindle cells infiltrating between renal tubules, whilst in normal kidneys interstitial cells were only weakly positive. In established in vitro cultures from 6 mesenchymal tumours, different patterns of staining were observed in morphologically different cell forms, ranging from fine filamentous staining in giant cells to diffuse cytoplasmic fluorescence in small bipolar cells, and cell outline staining in polygonal cells. In addition filamentous staining of microvillous projections and nucleolar staining were observed in some tumour cells. Monolayer cultures of transformed kidney cells showed strong staining of coarse, randomly-orientated cytoplasmic filaments, whilst fibroblasts cultured from normal rat kidney demonstrated an ordered array of fine, parallel filaments. Specificity of the immunofluorescent staining reaction was established by failure to obtain staining with normal serum, with smooth muscle antibody serum neutralized by homogenates of smooth muscle or extracts containing actin derived from smooth muscle. These results indicate that there is an apparent increase of actin-like contractile microfilaments in transformed cells and in renal mesenchymal tumours. The cytoplasmic contracile microfilaments in these cells may play a role in tumour cell mobility and invasion.", "contents": "Smooth-muscle-associated contractile protein in renal mesenchymal tumour cells and in transformed cells from DMN-injected rats. Cryostat sections and established in vitro cultures of dimethylnitrosamine(DMN)-induced renal mesenchymal tumours and monolayer cultures of transformed kidney cells derived from rats treated with a carcinogenic dose of DMN were examined by indirect immunofluorescence with human serum containing smooth muscle antibody. Eight mesenchymal tumours examined showed filamentous cytoplasmic staining of spindle cells infiltrating between renal tubules, whilst in normal kidneys interstitial cells were only weakly positive. In established in vitro cultures from 6 mesenchymal tumours, different patterns of staining were observed in morphologically different cell forms, ranging from fine filamentous staining in giant cells to diffuse cytoplasmic fluorescence in small bipolar cells, and cell outline staining in polygonal cells. In addition filamentous staining of microvillous projections and nucleolar staining were observed in some tumour cells. Monolayer cultures of transformed kidney cells showed strong staining of coarse, randomly-orientated cytoplasmic filaments, whilst fibroblasts cultured from normal rat kidney demonstrated an ordered array of fine, parallel filaments. Specificity of the immunofluorescent staining reaction was established by failure to obtain staining with normal serum, with smooth muscle antibody serum neutralized by homogenates of smooth muscle or extracts containing actin derived from smooth muscle. These results indicate that there is an apparent increase of actin-like contractile microfilaments in transformed cells and in renal mesenchymal tumours. The cytoplasmic contracile microfilaments in these cells may play a role in tumour cell mobility and invasion.", "PMID": 793609} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9883", "title": "Membrane-associated phosphatidylglycerophosphate synthetase from Escherichia coli: purification by substrate affinity chromatography on cytidine 5'-diphospho-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol sepharose.", "content": "The membrane-associated cytidine 5'-diphospho-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol (CDP-diglyceride):sn-glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatidyltransferase (EC 2.7.8.5) from Escherichia coli has been solubilized wiTriton X-100 and purified 6000-fold to 85% of homogeneity. The major purification was attained using several modifications of the the CDP-diglyceride Sepharose affinity chromatography system described by Larson et al. (Larson, T.J., Hirabayashi, T., and Dowhan, W. (1976), Biochemistry 15, 974). The native enzyme in Triton X-100 had an apparent molecular weight of over 200 000, as judged by Sepharose 6B gel filtration. The apparent size of the native enzyme appeared to be due to its association with Triton X-100, as judged by sucrose gradient centrifugation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the lack of affinity for ion-exchange resins. The minimum subunit molecular weight of the enzyme, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was 24 000. This low molecular weight is consistent with the stability of enzyme to heat, urea, or sodium dodecyl sulfate denaturation. The purified enzyme had an absolute requirement for magnesium ion (KM = 50 mM) and Triton X-100 (0.5-6%) for activity when either CDP-diglyceride or dCDP-diglyceride was used as substrate. Kinetic analysis of the enzymatic reaction indicated an ordered sequential Bi-Bi reaction with the liponucleotide forming a dead-end complex at high concentration, which inhibited both the forward and reverse reactions. The enzyme would not hydrolyze the pyrophosphate bond of its lipid substrate or the phosphate esters of its lipid product but would catalyze a cytidine 5'-monophosphate dependent exchange reaction between glycero-3-phosphate and phosphatidylglycerophosphate.", "contents": "Membrane-associated phosphatidylglycerophosphate synthetase from Escherichia coli: purification by substrate affinity chromatography on cytidine 5'-diphospho-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol sepharose. The membrane-associated cytidine 5'-diphospho-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol (CDP-diglyceride):sn-glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatidyltransferase (EC 2.7.8.5) from Escherichia coli has been solubilized wiTriton X-100 and purified 6000-fold to 85% of homogeneity. The major purification was attained using several modifications of the the CDP-diglyceride Sepharose affinity chromatography system described by Larson et al. (Larson, T.J., Hirabayashi, T., and Dowhan, W. (1976), Biochemistry 15, 974). The native enzyme in Triton X-100 had an apparent molecular weight of over 200 000, as judged by Sepharose 6B gel filtration. The apparent size of the native enzyme appeared to be due to its association with Triton X-100, as judged by sucrose gradient centrifugation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the lack of affinity for ion-exchange resins. The minimum subunit molecular weight of the enzyme, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was 24 000. This low molecular weight is consistent with the stability of enzyme to heat, urea, or sodium dodecyl sulfate denaturation. The purified enzyme had an absolute requirement for magnesium ion (KM = 50 mM) and Triton X-100 (0.5-6%) for activity when either CDP-diglyceride or dCDP-diglyceride was used as substrate. Kinetic analysis of the enzymatic reaction indicated an ordered sequential Bi-Bi reaction with the liponucleotide forming a dead-end complex at high concentration, which inhibited both the forward and reverse reactions. The enzyme would not hydrolyze the pyrophosphate bond of its lipid substrate or the phosphate esters of its lipid product but would catalyze a cytidine 5'-monophosphate dependent exchange reaction between glycero-3-phosphate and phosphatidylglycerophosphate.", "PMID": 793612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9884", "title": "The biology of talc.", "content": "Data are presented on the effects on health of talc dusts from exposure in industry and use of talc-containing health products. The mineralogy of talc and the composition of cosmetic and industrial grade talc dusts are described. Studies in animals are reviewed, and epidemiological data are considered in relation to exposures that occur during industrial and consumer uses of talc dusts. Hamsters exposed to 8 mg/m3 of respirable cosmetic grade talc dust for up to 150 minutes a day for 300 consecutive days showed no difference in incidence or nature of pathological lesions from those observed in a group of untreated animals. A retrospective study of the causes of death of 227 talc mine millers exposed to cosmetic grade talc at the threshold limit value for talc (20 million parts per cubic foot) for an average of 15-8 years showed that the causes of death were no different from those in a control cohort not exposed to talc dust. The available data indicate that talc dust exposure in the modern mining of cosmetic grade talc does not appear to be injurious to health. The significantly lower dust exposure in the normal use of cosmetic grade talc dusts in talc-containing health and cosmetic products confirms that their use is not a hazard to health.", "contents": "The biology of talc. Data are presented on the effects on health of talc dusts from exposure in industry and use of talc-containing health products. The mineralogy of talc and the composition of cosmetic and industrial grade talc dusts are described. Studies in animals are reviewed, and epidemiological data are considered in relation to exposures that occur during industrial and consumer uses of talc dusts. Hamsters exposed to 8 mg/m3 of respirable cosmetic grade talc dust for up to 150 minutes a day for 300 consecutive days showed no difference in incidence or nature of pathological lesions from those observed in a group of untreated animals. A retrospective study of the causes of death of 227 talc mine millers exposed to cosmetic grade talc at the threshold limit value for talc (20 million parts per cubic foot) for an average of 15-8 years showed that the causes of death were no different from those in a control cohort not exposed to talc dust. The available data indicate that talc dust exposure in the modern mining of cosmetic grade talc does not appear to be injurious to health. The significantly lower dust exposure in the normal use of cosmetic grade talc dusts in talc-containing health and cosmetic products confirms that their use is not a hazard to health.", "PMID": 793610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9885", "title": "Double-stranded DNA in methanol-ethanol-buffer solvent system.", "content": "DNA in a solvent system consisting of roughly equal volumes of methanol and ethanol and 5% buffer has a conservative circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of very low intensity above 220 nm and an increase of epsilon258 comparable to that of denatured DNA (about 40%). A direct comparison of this spectrum with the CD of single-stranded DNA reveals many differences, indicating DNA in this solvent system has a conformation different from that of denatured DNA. When the alcohols are removed, the B form conformation and normal epsilon258 are restored in native DNA, while single-stranded DNA remains denatured. A double-stranded structure of DNA in the methanol-ethanol-buffer solvent system is confirmed by the neutral cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation of DNA in which one chain is labeled with [14C]thymidine and the other [3H]5-bromodeoxyuridine. The doubly labeled DNA exposed to the alcohol solvent system has a centrifugal pattern identical with that of control DNA; the two radioactivities cosediment and form a superimposing band, distinctly different from that of single-stranded DNA; 3H-labeled (thymidine) chains sediment further than 14C-labeled chains (5-bromo-deoxyuridine). Denatured DNA exhibits varying CD spectra depending on solvents. It is suggested that single-stranded DNA in different solvent systems assumes different modes of base stacking.", "contents": "Double-stranded DNA in methanol-ethanol-buffer solvent system. DNA in a solvent system consisting of roughly equal volumes of methanol and ethanol and 5% buffer has a conservative circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of very low intensity above 220 nm and an increase of epsilon258 comparable to that of denatured DNA (about 40%). A direct comparison of this spectrum with the CD of single-stranded DNA reveals many differences, indicating DNA in this solvent system has a conformation different from that of denatured DNA. When the alcohols are removed, the B form conformation and normal epsilon258 are restored in native DNA, while single-stranded DNA remains denatured. A double-stranded structure of DNA in the methanol-ethanol-buffer solvent system is confirmed by the neutral cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation of DNA in which one chain is labeled with [14C]thymidine and the other [3H]5-bromodeoxyuridine. The doubly labeled DNA exposed to the alcohol solvent system has a centrifugal pattern identical with that of control DNA; the two radioactivities cosediment and form a superimposing band, distinctly different from that of single-stranded DNA; 3H-labeled (thymidine) chains sediment further than 14C-labeled chains (5-bromo-deoxyuridine). Denatured DNA exhibits varying CD spectra depending on solvents. It is suggested that single-stranded DNA in different solvent systems assumes different modes of base stacking.", "PMID": 793613} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9886", "title": "Conformational changes of 30S ribosomes measured by intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence.", "content": "The intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and the fluorescence of N-(3-pyrene)maleimide, a covalently bound sulfhydryl-specific extrinsic probe, have been used to study the conformation of the 30S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli. (a) The tryptophan fluorescenct spectrum of the free ribosomal proteins is shifted to shorter wavelengths than that of free tryptophan. When the proteins are incorporated into the organized structure of the ribosome, there is a small additional blue shift and the emission band becomes narrower. In 6 M urea, the spectrum of the proteins, whether free or in the ribosome, becomes identical with that of the amino acid, reflecting exposure of previously shielded tryptophan residues. (b) When magnesium-depleted ribosomes are unfolded at low ionic strength, the tryptophan fluorescence spectrum changes, although circular dichroism shows no change in alpha-helix content of the proteins. (c) Intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence were both found to be sensitive to a limited and fully reversible transition that takes place when ribosomes are incubated under conditions that increase their activity in vitro. This suggests that both probes may be of use in monitoring conformational changes that occur under conditions consistent with activity. The kinetics of the concurrent changes in extrinsic fluorescence and aminoacyl-tRNA binding activity were compared. (d) Conditions are described for labeling ribosomes with N-(3-pyrene)maleimide without impairing their activity.", "contents": "Conformational changes of 30S ribosomes measured by intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence. The intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and the fluorescence of N-(3-pyrene)maleimide, a covalently bound sulfhydryl-specific extrinsic probe, have been used to study the conformation of the 30S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli. (a) The tryptophan fluorescenct spectrum of the free ribosomal proteins is shifted to shorter wavelengths than that of free tryptophan. When the proteins are incorporated into the organized structure of the ribosome, there is a small additional blue shift and the emission band becomes narrower. In 6 M urea, the spectrum of the proteins, whether free or in the ribosome, becomes identical with that of the amino acid, reflecting exposure of previously shielded tryptophan residues. (b) When magnesium-depleted ribosomes are unfolded at low ionic strength, the tryptophan fluorescence spectrum changes, although circular dichroism shows no change in alpha-helix content of the proteins. (c) Intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence were both found to be sensitive to a limited and fully reversible transition that takes place when ribosomes are incubated under conditions that increase their activity in vitro. This suggests that both probes may be of use in monitoring conformational changes that occur under conditions consistent with activity. The kinetics of the concurrent changes in extrinsic fluorescence and aminoacyl-tRNA binding activity were compared. (d) Conditions are described for labeling ribosomes with N-(3-pyrene)maleimide without impairing their activity.", "PMID": 793614} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9887", "title": "Demonstration of ribosome-dependent photoinduced chain breakage of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid component of the Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunit.", "content": "The effects of 253.7-nm radiation on the structural integrities of free and ribosome-bound 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) have been elucidated. Exposure of aqueous solutions of Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunits to 253.7-nm radiation results in RNA-chain scission and the formation of single-stranded breaks in double-stranded regions of the ribosome-bound 16S rRNA. The minimum doses of incident 253.7-nm radiation required for the first detection of the two types of RNA chain breaks are 2 X 10(20) quanta for single-strand breaks in double-stranded regions of the ribosome-bound 16S rRNA,and at least 5 X 10(20) quanta for RNA-chain scission. In contrast to the photosensitivity of ribosome-bound 16S rRNA toward chain breakage, free 16S rRNA seems to be resistant toward photoinduced chain breakage at doses of incident 253.7-nm radiation up to at least 10(21) quanta.", "contents": "Demonstration of ribosome-dependent photoinduced chain breakage of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid component of the Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunit. The effects of 253.7-nm radiation on the structural integrities of free and ribosome-bound 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) have been elucidated. Exposure of aqueous solutions of Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunits to 253.7-nm radiation results in RNA-chain scission and the formation of single-stranded breaks in double-stranded regions of the ribosome-bound 16S rRNA. The minimum doses of incident 253.7-nm radiation required for the first detection of the two types of RNA chain breaks are 2 X 10(20) quanta for single-strand breaks in double-stranded regions of the ribosome-bound 16S rRNA,and at least 5 X 10(20) quanta for RNA-chain scission. In contrast to the photosensitivity of ribosome-bound 16S rRNA toward chain breakage, free 16S rRNA seems to be resistant toward photoinduced chain breakage at doses of incident 253.7-nm radiation up to at least 10(21) quanta.", "PMID": 793615} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9888", "title": "Mutations affecting the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase complex of Escherichia coli.", "content": "A strain carrying a point mutation affecting the NADH dehydrogenase complex of Escherichia coli has been isolated and its properties examined. The gene carrying the mutation (designated ndh) was located on the E. coli chromosome at about minute 23 and was shown to be cotransducible with the pyrC gene. Strain carrying the ndh- allele were found to be unable to grow on mannitol and to grow very poorly on glucose unless the medium was supplemented with succinate, acetate or casamino acids. The following properties of strains carrying the ndh- allele were established which suggest that the mutation affects the NADH dehydrogenase complex but apparently not the primary dehydrogenase. Membrane preparations possess normal to elevated levels of D-lactate oxidase and succinate oxidase activities but NADH oxidase is absent. NADH is unable to reduce ubiquinone in the aerobic steady state and reduces cytochrome b very slowly when the membranes become anaerobic. NADH dehydrogenase, measured as NADH-dichlorophenolindophenol reductase is reduced but not absent. NADH oxidase is stimulated by menadione although not by Q-3 or MK-1 and in the presence of menadione, cytochrome b is reduced normally by NADH. Further mutants affected in NADH oxidase were isolated using a screening procedure based on the growth characteristics of the original ndh- strain. The mutantions carried by these strains were all cotransducible with the pyrC gene and the biochemical properties of the additional mutants were similar to those of the original mutant. The properties of the group of ndh- mutants established so far suggest that they are affected in the transfer of reducing equivalents from the NADH dehydrogenase complex to ubiquinone.", "contents": "Mutations affecting the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase complex of Escherichia coli. A strain carrying a point mutation affecting the NADH dehydrogenase complex of Escherichia coli has been isolated and its properties examined. The gene carrying the mutation (designated ndh) was located on the E. coli chromosome at about minute 23 and was shown to be cotransducible with the pyrC gene. Strain carrying the ndh- allele were found to be unable to grow on mannitol and to grow very poorly on glucose unless the medium was supplemented with succinate, acetate or casamino acids. The following properties of strains carrying the ndh- allele were established which suggest that the mutation affects the NADH dehydrogenase complex but apparently not the primary dehydrogenase. Membrane preparations possess normal to elevated levels of D-lactate oxidase and succinate oxidase activities but NADH oxidase is absent. NADH is unable to reduce ubiquinone in the aerobic steady state and reduces cytochrome b very slowly when the membranes become anaerobic. NADH dehydrogenase, measured as NADH-dichlorophenolindophenol reductase is reduced but not absent. NADH oxidase is stimulated by menadione although not by Q-3 or MK-1 and in the presence of menadione, cytochrome b is reduced normally by NADH. Further mutants affected in NADH oxidase were isolated using a screening procedure based on the growth characteristics of the original ndh- strain. The mutantions carried by these strains were all cotransducible with the pyrC gene and the biochemical properties of the additional mutants were similar to those of the original mutant. The properties of the group of ndh- mutants established so far suggest that they are affected in the transfer of reducing equivalents from the NADH dehydrogenase complex to ubiquinone.", "PMID": 793616} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9889", "title": "An evaluation of N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine as a probe of membrane energy state in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Colicin El and the uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, trifluoromethoxy-carbonylcyanidephenylhydrazone (FCCP), cause an increase in the fluorescence intensity of N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine bound to whole cells of Escherichia coli. It has been shown elsewhere that this fluorescence increase correlates well with de-energization. Addition of glucose causes a large cyanide-sensitive decrease of intensity, tentatively associated with energization, with the emission spectrum almost returning to the original trace with a peak at 417 nm. These data suggest that there may be a measurable competition between de-energization and energization of the cell membrane, and that the probe fluorescence intensity may be a general indicator of membrane energy level. The conclusions reached about cellular energy level from measurements of the probe fluorescence intensity correlate partly (a, b below, not c) with the energy level assayed physiologically through rates of active transport; (a) FCCP is found to be a poor inhibitor of proline transport if cells are first incubated with glucose, showing eutger cinpetition between the processes of energization and de-energization or an increase in the envelope permeability barrier to FCCP caused by glucose addition. (b) Cyanide blocks the fluorescence decrease caused by glucose and inhibits proline and serine transport, consistent with the decrease in probe fluorescence intensity indicating an increase in membrane energization. However, (c) it appears that the amplitude of the fluorescence intensity decrease caused by glucose addition in the presence of FCCP and colicin E1 greatly exaggerates the extent of real membrane energization. Glucose added after uncoupler can cause only a small increase, and after colicin, a negligible increase in the proline transport rate, indicating that the magnitude of the fluorescence intensity decrease after glucose addition is not a true measure of membrane energization, but rather seems to amplify this energization greatly. Glucose addition does not cause a decrease in fluorescence intensity in cells treated with EDTA to remove lipopolysaccharide and an apparent barrier to the probe. The rotational relaxation time of the probe in intact cells appears to correlate somewhat better with the cellular energy level than does intensity.", "contents": "An evaluation of N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine as a probe of membrane energy state in Escherichia coli. Colicin El and the uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, trifluoromethoxy-carbonylcyanidephenylhydrazone (FCCP), cause an increase in the fluorescence intensity of N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine bound to whole cells of Escherichia coli. It has been shown elsewhere that this fluorescence increase correlates well with de-energization. Addition of glucose causes a large cyanide-sensitive decrease of intensity, tentatively associated with energization, with the emission spectrum almost returning to the original trace with a peak at 417 nm. These data suggest that there may be a measurable competition between de-energization and energization of the cell membrane, and that the probe fluorescence intensity may be a general indicator of membrane energy level. The conclusions reached about cellular energy level from measurements of the probe fluorescence intensity correlate partly (a, b below, not c) with the energy level assayed physiologically through rates of active transport; (a) FCCP is found to be a poor inhibitor of proline transport if cells are first incubated with glucose, showing eutger cinpetition between the processes of energization and de-energization or an increase in the envelope permeability barrier to FCCP caused by glucose addition. (b) Cyanide blocks the fluorescence decrease caused by glucose and inhibits proline and serine transport, consistent with the decrease in probe fluorescence intensity indicating an increase in membrane energization. However, (c) it appears that the amplitude of the fluorescence intensity decrease caused by glucose addition in the presence of FCCP and colicin E1 greatly exaggerates the extent of real membrane energization. Glucose added after uncoupler can cause only a small increase, and after colicin, a negligible increase in the proline transport rate, indicating that the magnitude of the fluorescence intensity decrease after glucose addition is not a true measure of membrane energization, but rather seems to amplify this energization greatly. Glucose addition does not cause a decrease in fluorescence intensity in cells treated with EDTA to remove lipopolysaccharide and an apparent barrier to the probe. The rotational relaxation time of the probe in intact cells appears to correlate somewhat better with the cellular energy level than does intensity.", "PMID": 793617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9890", "title": "Changes in membrane proteins of Escherichia coli K12 mediated by bacteriophage IKe-specific plasmids.", "content": "At least 3 minor proteins have been detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the unseparated (31 000 daltons) and inner membranes (53 000 and 86 000 daltons) of a non-piliated strain of E. coli K12 bearing the phage IKe-specific resistance plasmid RM98 (Tra+); these proteins are lacking in its Tra- derivative and in the plasmidless host. In contrast, in another K12 host carrying each of different IKe-specific colicinogenic factors, an extra 30 000 dalton protein is observed in the outer membranes; a number of minor proteins seen in the inner membranes appear to be different from those observed in the RM98+ strain. The evidence suggests that the 30 000-31 000 dalton protein is transfer function specific.", "contents": "Changes in membrane proteins of Escherichia coli K12 mediated by bacteriophage IKe-specific plasmids. At least 3 minor proteins have been detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the unseparated (31 000 daltons) and inner membranes (53 000 and 86 000 daltons) of a non-piliated strain of E. coli K12 bearing the phage IKe-specific resistance plasmid RM98 (Tra+); these proteins are lacking in its Tra- derivative and in the plasmidless host. In contrast, in another K12 host carrying each of different IKe-specific colicinogenic factors, an extra 30 000 dalton protein is observed in the outer membranes; a number of minor proteins seen in the inner membranes appear to be different from those observed in the RM98+ strain. The evidence suggests that the 30 000-31 000 dalton protein is transfer function specific.", "PMID": 793620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9891", "title": "Physicochemical studies on the creatine kinase M-line protein and its interaction with myosin and myosin fragments.", "content": "The M-line protein which is identical to the muscle form of creatine kinase was purified from rabbit skeletal muscle using ion exchange chromatography. Gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed the protein to be homogeneous. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis gave 44 000 +/- 2000 as the minimum molecular weight while low speed sedimentation equilibrium experiments yielded a molecular weight of 84 000 +/- 4000, suggesting that the parent molecule is a dimer. Circular dichroism spectra revealed the presence of two negative dichroic bands located at 218 and 208 nm suggesting the presence of some beta-structure. Ellipticity values at these two wavelengths were -8000 +/- 400 and -9000 +/- 400 deg-cm2-dmol-1. Circular dichroism measurements indicated the protein to interact with myosin, heavy meromyosin and heavy meromyosin subfragment 1 (S1). The Ca2+-activated ATPase activities of myosin, heavy meromyosin and subfragment 1 were inhibited by the addition of M-line protein. When the protein was mixed with subfragment 1 in a 1:1 mole ratio in 0.15 M KC1, 50 mM Tris pH 8, low speed sedimentation equilibrium studies gave a molecular weight of 205 000 +/- 10 000 for the complex, indicative of an interaction of the two components. Both circular dichroism and sedimentation equilibrium studies indicated no interaction of M-line protein with light meromyosin.", "contents": "Physicochemical studies on the creatine kinase M-line protein and its interaction with myosin and myosin fragments. The M-line protein which is identical to the muscle form of creatine kinase was purified from rabbit skeletal muscle using ion exchange chromatography. Gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed the protein to be homogeneous. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis gave 44 000 +/- 2000 as the minimum molecular weight while low speed sedimentation equilibrium experiments yielded a molecular weight of 84 000 +/- 4000, suggesting that the parent molecule is a dimer. Circular dichroism spectra revealed the presence of two negative dichroic bands located at 218 and 208 nm suggesting the presence of some beta-structure. Ellipticity values at these two wavelengths were -8000 +/- 400 and -9000 +/- 400 deg-cm2-dmol-1. Circular dichroism measurements indicated the protein to interact with myosin, heavy meromyosin and heavy meromyosin subfragment 1 (S1). The Ca2+-activated ATPase activities of myosin, heavy meromyosin and subfragment 1 were inhibited by the addition of M-line protein. When the protein was mixed with subfragment 1 in a 1:1 mole ratio in 0.15 M KC1, 50 mM Tris pH 8, low speed sedimentation equilibrium studies gave a molecular weight of 205 000 +/- 10 000 for the complex, indicative of an interaction of the two components. Both circular dichroism and sedimentation equilibrium studies indicated no interaction of M-line protein with light meromyosin.", "PMID": 793621} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9892", "title": "UDP-glucose dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli. Purification and subunit structure.", "content": "UDPglucose dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli has been purified 330-fold with an overall yield of 27%. A single homogeneous subunit was demonstrated by ultracentrifugation in 6 M guanidium chloride and by dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Since the molecular weight of the intact dehydrogenase is in the order of 86 000 and the subunit weight determined by the dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is 47 000, the enzyme consists of two polypeptide chains. The sole amino terminal acid shown by the dansylation technique was arginine. Forty-four tryptic peptides were obtained by peptide mapping, in agreement with the number of arginine and lysine residues/mole protein [43] determined by amino acid analysis. The data are consistent with the presence of two identical or very similar polypeptide chains in E. coli UDPglucose dehydrogenase.", "contents": "UDP-glucose dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli. Purification and subunit structure. UDPglucose dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli has been purified 330-fold with an overall yield of 27%. A single homogeneous subunit was demonstrated by ultracentrifugation in 6 M guanidium chloride and by dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Since the molecular weight of the intact dehydrogenase is in the order of 86 000 and the subunit weight determined by the dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is 47 000, the enzyme consists of two polypeptide chains. The sole amino terminal acid shown by the dansylation technique was arginine. Forty-four tryptic peptides were obtained by peptide mapping, in agreement with the number of arginine and lysine residues/mole protein [43] determined by amino acid analysis. The data are consistent with the presence of two identical or very similar polypeptide chains in E. coli UDPglucose dehydrogenase.", "PMID": 793622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9893", "title": "End group analysis of yeast fatty acid synthetase.", "content": "The purified yeast fatty acid synthetase complex has been subjected to amino and carboxyl terminal amino acid end group analysis. Amino end groups were studied by Edman degradation and by dansylation of the sodium dodecyl sulfate- or urea-denatured complex. No N-terminal amino acid could be identified by either method. C-terminal amino acids were investigated by tritium labeling and by digestion of the complex with carboxypeptidases A and B. By both methods, the two amino acids valine and lysine were consistently identified as the C-termini of two different polypeptide chains. After separation of the fatty acid synthetase subunits A and B by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis lysine was identified as the C-terminus of subunit A and valine as that of subunit B. The results are interpreted as evidence that the yeast fatty acid synthetase complex is basically composed of two nonidentical and multifunctional polypeptide chains.", "contents": "End group analysis of yeast fatty acid synthetase. The purified yeast fatty acid synthetase complex has been subjected to amino and carboxyl terminal amino acid end group analysis. Amino end groups were studied by Edman degradation and by dansylation of the sodium dodecyl sulfate- or urea-denatured complex. No N-terminal amino acid could be identified by either method. C-terminal amino acids were investigated by tritium labeling and by digestion of the complex with carboxypeptidases A and B. By both methods, the two amino acids valine and lysine were consistently identified as the C-termini of two different polypeptide chains. After separation of the fatty acid synthetase subunits A and B by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis lysine was identified as the C-terminus of subunit A and valine as that of subunit B. The results are interpreted as evidence that the yeast fatty acid synthetase complex is basically composed of two nonidentical and multifunctional polypeptide chains.", "PMID": 793623} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9894", "title": "Cell wall synthesis regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Effect of RNA and protein inhibition.", "content": "In this investigation the regulation of wall formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae ts-136 (Hutchison, H.T., Hartwell, L.H. and McLaughlin, C.S. (1969) J. Bacteriol. 99, 807-814) was analyzed by following the inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis. Lomofungin, thiolutin and 8-hydroxyquinoline at the concentrations needed to inhibit RNA synthesis also produced inhibition of glucan and mannan synthetases. The synthesis of RNA was also blocked in S. cerevisiae ts-136 by incubation at the non-permissive temperature (37 degrees C). Mannan formation decreased steadily but glucan synthesis remained after 4 to 5 h. After a few minutes of blocking protein synthesis with cycloheximide mannan synthesis was also blocked whereas glucan formation was unaffected by the presence of the drug. These results suggest a high degree of stability for glucan synthetases. S. cerevisiae ts-136 after 2 h of incubation at the non-permissive temperature (37 degrees C) showed a preferential formation of wall materials (mannan and glucan) indicating that the RNA messengers which codify wall mannan peptides have a slower decay rate than those of the cytoplasmic proteins. The data presented indicate that the existence of stable glucan synthetases and RNA messengers of the wall mannan peptides of slow decay rate results in the continuous synthesis of glucans and mannoproteins of the yeast wall throughout the cell cycle.", "contents": "Cell wall synthesis regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Effect of RNA and protein inhibition. In this investigation the regulation of wall formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae ts-136 (Hutchison, H.T., Hartwell, L.H. and McLaughlin, C.S. (1969) J. Bacteriol. 99, 807-814) was analyzed by following the inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis. Lomofungin, thiolutin and 8-hydroxyquinoline at the concentrations needed to inhibit RNA synthesis also produced inhibition of glucan and mannan synthetases. The synthesis of RNA was also blocked in S. cerevisiae ts-136 by incubation at the non-permissive temperature (37 degrees C). Mannan formation decreased steadily but glucan synthesis remained after 4 to 5 h. After a few minutes of blocking protein synthesis with cycloheximide mannan synthesis was also blocked whereas glucan formation was unaffected by the presence of the drug. These results suggest a high degree of stability for glucan synthetases. S. cerevisiae ts-136 after 2 h of incubation at the non-permissive temperature (37 degrees C) showed a preferential formation of wall materials (mannan and glucan) indicating that the RNA messengers which codify wall mannan peptides have a slower decay rate than those of the cytoplasmic proteins. The data presented indicate that the existence of stable glucan synthetases and RNA messengers of the wall mannan peptides of slow decay rate results in the continuous synthesis of glucans and mannoproteins of the yeast wall throughout the cell cycle.", "PMID": 793624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9895", "title": "The absence of DNA photoreactivation enzyme in yeast mitochondria.", "content": "Mitochondria isolated from haploid yeast cells by spheroplast lysis were purified by flotation on renografin gradients. Electron micrographs and respiratory control ratios revealed that the purified mitochondria were still intact and functional. Assays for photoreactivation enzyme using as substrate [3H]-thymine-labeled Escherichia coli DNA were performed on crude and purified mitochondrial preparations. While the crude preparation contained high amounts of photoreactivation enzyme, it appeared to be associated with contaminating nuclei. The purified mitochondria lacked any photoreactivation enzyme activity. We suggest that yeast mitochondria do not normally contain photoreactivation enzyme.", "contents": "The absence of DNA photoreactivation enzyme in yeast mitochondria. Mitochondria isolated from haploid yeast cells by spheroplast lysis were purified by flotation on renografin gradients. Electron micrographs and respiratory control ratios revealed that the purified mitochondria were still intact and functional. Assays for photoreactivation enzyme using as substrate [3H]-thymine-labeled Escherichia coli DNA were performed on crude and purified mitochondrial preparations. While the crude preparation contained high amounts of photoreactivation enzyme, it appeared to be associated with contaminating nuclei. The purified mitochondria lacked any photoreactivation enzyme activity. We suggest that yeast mitochondria do not normally contain photoreactivation enzyme.", "PMID": 793625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9896", "title": "Rifampicin and chloramphenicol effects on DNA replication in ultraviolet-damaged Escherichia coli B/r WP2 thy trp.", "content": "The antibiotic rifampicin, which blocks specifically RNA synthesis, limited DNA replication in Escherichia coli strain B/r WP2 thy trp after an increase of about 50%, when added to the incubation medium at the time of replication initiation after ultraviolet fluences of 20 J/m2...", "contents": "Rifampicin and chloramphenicol effects on DNA replication in ultraviolet-damaged Escherichia coli B/r WP2 thy trp. The antibiotic rifampicin, which blocks specifically RNA synthesis, limited DNA replication in Escherichia coli strain B/r WP2 thy trp after an increase of about 50%, when added to the incubation medium at the time of replication initiation after ultraviolet fluences of 20 J/m2...", "PMID": 793626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9897", "title": "Interaction of microbial DNA with cultured mammalian cells. Binding of the donor DNA to the cell surface.", "content": "Cultured fibroblasts grown in monolayer were incubated for a short time with radioactively labeled microbial DNA and diethylaminoethyl-dextran (DEAE-dextran), poly-L-lysine, or calcium phosphate, agents previously demonstrated by others to markedly enhance transfection. Immediately after such treatment of 1 by 10(-6)-1.5 by 10(6) cells with DNA, approx. 0.05-0.15 mug of donor DNA representing 10-30% of the input DNA became cell associated. In contrast, when the cells are similarly treated with only a DNA solution approx. 0.5-5% of the donor DNA was retained by the cells. More than 95% of the cell-associated donor DNA was shown to be bound to the surface of cells treated with polycation. It was also shown that in the absence of polycation treatment, most of the cell-associated donor DNA was bound to the cell surface.", "contents": "Interaction of microbial DNA with cultured mammalian cells. Binding of the donor DNA to the cell surface. Cultured fibroblasts grown in monolayer were incubated for a short time with radioactively labeled microbial DNA and diethylaminoethyl-dextran (DEAE-dextran), poly-L-lysine, or calcium phosphate, agents previously demonstrated by others to markedly enhance transfection. Immediately after such treatment of 1 by 10(-6)-1.5 by 10(6) cells with DNA, approx. 0.05-0.15 mug of donor DNA representing 10-30% of the input DNA became cell associated. In contrast, when the cells are similarly treated with only a DNA solution approx. 0.5-5% of the donor DNA was retained by the cells. More than 95% of the cell-associated donor DNA was shown to be bound to the surface of cells treated with polycation. It was also shown that in the absence of polycation treatment, most of the cell-associated donor DNA was bound to the cell surface.", "PMID": 793627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9898", "title": "Ultraviolet-induced inhibition of ribosomal RNA synthesis in yeast strains differing in radiation sensitivities.", "content": "The ultraviolet-induced inhibition of rRNA synthesis has been measured during the first hour after irradiation for stationary yeast cells differing in radiation sensitivity. rRNA was isolated and separated on an agarose-polyacrylamide gel. The wild type and a mutant which is possibly defective in recombinational repair show a sigmoidal inhibition curve, an excision-deficient mutant shows an exponential one. From these curves it is deduced that a pyrimidine dimer acts as a transcription terminating lesion as was shown for bacteria. During the first hour after irradiation the excision repair system decreases the number of transcription terminating lesions by 22% in the wild type and 25% in the mutant defective in recombinational repair. An approximation of the repair efficiency gives a value of 7500-10 000 transcription terminating lesions per cell being removed during the first hour after irradiation by excision. Ultraviolet-induced lesions of this kind can partially be removed by photoreactivation. The inhibition coefficients are the same for 26 S and 18 S rRNA in stationary cells, whereas exponentially growing cells show different inhibition coefficients for 26 S and 18 S rRNA leading to the suggestion that the processing of the ribosomal precursor RNA is different in stationary and exponentially growing cells.", "contents": "Ultraviolet-induced inhibition of ribosomal RNA synthesis in yeast strains differing in radiation sensitivities. The ultraviolet-induced inhibition of rRNA synthesis has been measured during the first hour after irradiation for stationary yeast cells differing in radiation sensitivity. rRNA was isolated and separated on an agarose-polyacrylamide gel. The wild type and a mutant which is possibly defective in recombinational repair show a sigmoidal inhibition curve, an excision-deficient mutant shows an exponential one. From these curves it is deduced that a pyrimidine dimer acts as a transcription terminating lesion as was shown for bacteria. During the first hour after irradiation the excision repair system decreases the number of transcription terminating lesions by 22% in the wild type and 25% in the mutant defective in recombinational repair. An approximation of the repair efficiency gives a value of 7500-10 000 transcription terminating lesions per cell being removed during the first hour after irradiation by excision. Ultraviolet-induced lesions of this kind can partially be removed by photoreactivation. The inhibition coefficients are the same for 26 S and 18 S rRNA in stationary cells, whereas exponentially growing cells show different inhibition coefficients for 26 S and 18 S rRNA leading to the suggestion that the processing of the ribosomal precursor RNA is different in stationary and exponentially growing cells.", "PMID": 793628} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9899", "title": "Characterization of the RNA transcribed in vitro from native mammalian DNA by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.", "content": "High-molecular-weight native mouse DNA was transcribed with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase under low salt conditions, and the nature of the DNA sequences transcribed determined by molecular hybridization. The results indicated that E. coli RNA polymerase does not transcribe the sequences in native mouse DNA randomly under these conditions. First, hybridization with a large excess of mouse DNA showed that no more than 5% of the RNA synthesized had been transcribed from repeated sequences in the DNA. Second, hybridization with tracer amounts of labelled non-repeated mouse DNA indicated that the bulk of the RNA had been transcribed from less than 1% of the non-repeated sequences and only about 10% had been transcribed from a further 25% of these sequences; the remaining non-repeated sequences in the DNA, amounting to 50% of the genome, were not represented in the RNA synthesized in vitro to any detectable extent. Third, the proportion (40%) of complementary DNA transcribed from mouse-liver nuclear polyadenylated RNA which hybridized with the RNA synthesized in vitro was significantly greater than would have been expected if transcription had been random. The data have also been interpreted as indicating the presence of two types of initiation site for E. coli RNA polymerase in the non-repeated sequences in mouse DNA. The frequencies of their occurrence have been calculated to be one per 150 000 base-pairs and one per 500 base-pairs, respectively.", "contents": "Characterization of the RNA transcribed in vitro from native mammalian DNA by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. High-molecular-weight native mouse DNA was transcribed with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase under low salt conditions, and the nature of the DNA sequences transcribed determined by molecular hybridization. The results indicated that E. coli RNA polymerase does not transcribe the sequences in native mouse DNA randomly under these conditions. First, hybridization with a large excess of mouse DNA showed that no more than 5% of the RNA synthesized had been transcribed from repeated sequences in the DNA. Second, hybridization with tracer amounts of labelled non-repeated mouse DNA indicated that the bulk of the RNA had been transcribed from less than 1% of the non-repeated sequences and only about 10% had been transcribed from a further 25% of these sequences; the remaining non-repeated sequences in the DNA, amounting to 50% of the genome, were not represented in the RNA synthesized in vitro to any detectable extent. Third, the proportion (40%) of complementary DNA transcribed from mouse-liver nuclear polyadenylated RNA which hybridized with the RNA synthesized in vitro was significantly greater than would have been expected if transcription had been random. The data have also been interpreted as indicating the presence of two types of initiation site for E. coli RNA polymerase in the non-repeated sequences in mouse DNA. The frequencies of their occurrence have been calculated to be one per 150 000 base-pairs and one per 500 base-pairs, respectively.", "PMID": 793629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9900", "title": "Effect of stringent and relaxed control on transcription of the tryptophan operon from the ptrp promoter and the PL promoter in trp phage.", "content": "Tryptophan (trp) mRNA synthesis from the authentic trp promoter (Ptrp) is apparently arrested upon translation blockage, while trp mRNA synthesis as a result of read-through from the Pl promoter of the N gene in trp phage is not so affected. When translation is blocked at a nonpermissive temperature in the temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli rel carrying altered ribosomal elongation factors G (strain CP78G) and Ts (strain HAK88), CP78G and HAK88 show relaxed and stringent phenotypes respectively in control of RNA synthesis. Under conditions causing translation blockage in both mutants, Pl-promoted synthesis of trp mRNA is not depressed while Ptrp-promoted synthesis of trp mRNA is blocked. The insensitivity of Pl-promoted transcription of the translocated trp operon to stringent control is also confirmed by using a strain 10b6s rel carrying a temperature-sensitive valyl-tRNA synthetase. In contrast to the above observation, transcription of the trp operon from either the Pl and Ptrp promoters in a 10b6r rel infected with trp is inhibited greatly at the nonpermissive temperature. This effect occurs even if the level of trp transcription observed at 30 degrees is already low, thus suggesting that translational machinery is intrinsically abnormal in the rel strain.", "contents": "Effect of stringent and relaxed control on transcription of the tryptophan operon from the ptrp promoter and the PL promoter in trp phage. Tryptophan (trp) mRNA synthesis from the authentic trp promoter (Ptrp) is apparently arrested upon translation blockage, while trp mRNA synthesis as a result of read-through from the Pl promoter of the N gene in trp phage is not so affected. When translation is blocked at a nonpermissive temperature in the temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli rel carrying altered ribosomal elongation factors G (strain CP78G) and Ts (strain HAK88), CP78G and HAK88 show relaxed and stringent phenotypes respectively in control of RNA synthesis. Under conditions causing translation blockage in both mutants, Pl-promoted synthesis of trp mRNA is not depressed while Ptrp-promoted synthesis of trp mRNA is blocked. The insensitivity of Pl-promoted transcription of the translocated trp operon to stringent control is also confirmed by using a strain 10b6s rel carrying a temperature-sensitive valyl-tRNA synthetase. In contrast to the above observation, transcription of the trp operon from either the Pl and Ptrp promoters in a 10b6r rel infected with trp is inhibited greatly at the nonpermissive temperature. This effect occurs even if the level of trp transcription observed at 30 degrees is already low, thus suggesting that translational machinery is intrinsically abnormal in the rel strain.", "PMID": 793630} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9901", "title": "The sucrose gradient and native DNA S20,W, an examination of measurement problems.", "content": "Sedimentation coefficients of T7, T2H AND T4 DNA were determined with isokinetic sucrose gradients in both 0.1 M and 1 M NaCl. The s values were completely equivalent to those measured by analytical ultracentrifuge and no reduction of s20,w was observed due to the presence of sucrose (anomalous sedimentation). s20,w values are calculated on the basis of both partial specific volume (v) and apparent specific volume (0). Using the latter value s20,w molecular weight relations are derived for 0.1 M and 1 M NaCl solvents. The glucosylation of T2H and T4 DNA appears to influence s20,w in a manner disproportionate to the molecular weight added by glucose.", "contents": "The sucrose gradient and native DNA S20,W, an examination of measurement problems. Sedimentation coefficients of T7, T2H AND T4 DNA were determined with isokinetic sucrose gradients in both 0.1 M and 1 M NaCl. The s values were completely equivalent to those measured by analytical ultracentrifuge and no reduction of s20,w was observed due to the presence of sucrose (anomalous sedimentation). s20,w values are calculated on the basis of both partial specific volume (v) and apparent specific volume (0). Using the latter value s20,w molecular weight relations are derived for 0.1 M and 1 M NaCl solvents. The glucosylation of T2H and T4 DNA appears to influence s20,w in a manner disproportionate to the molecular weight added by glucose.", "PMID": 793631} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9902", "title": "Freeze-fracture ultrastructural alterations induced by filipin, pimaricin, nystatin and amphotericin B in the plasmia membranes of Epidermophyton, Saccharomyces and red complex-induced membrane lesions.", "content": "The effects of chemically different polyenes on fungal membranes (Epidermaphyton floccosum, a human pathogenic fungus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and human red blood cell membranes were studied by freeze-fracture electron microscopy in order to elucidate the interaction of these antibiotics with ergosterol. Each type of neutral, small amphoteric and large amphoteric polyenes produces a distinct morphoneutral, small amphoteric and large amphoteric polyenes produces a distinct morphological effect on the fungal membranes: (1) Pit formation type. Filipin, a neutral polyene, produces 250-300 A diameter \"pits\" or \"invagination\" both in ergosterol-containing fungal plasma membranes and cholesterol-containing red blood cell ghost membranes. (2) Network particle aggregation type. The small amphoteric polyene, pimaricin, produces a network of membrane particle aggregation which encloses 1000 A diameter particle-free areas in fungal membranes. These areas are slightly elevated toward the outside of the cell. (3) Random particle aggregation type. The large amphoteric polyenes, amphotericin B and nystatin, cause a random segregation of the fungal plasma membrane and the red blood cell ghost membranes into particle-free and aggregated areas. It is concluded that these morphological differences are due to different mechanisms of polyene-sterol interactions in which the different size of the mocrolide ring in the antibiotic structure may be involved. Since all of these antibiotics, except filipin, cause no alterations on whole red blood cells detectable by negative staining and freeze-fracture electron microscopy, it is possible that they have a higher affinity to ergosterol than cholesterol in membranes.", "contents": "Freeze-fracture ultrastructural alterations induced by filipin, pimaricin, nystatin and amphotericin B in the plasmia membranes of Epidermophyton, Saccharomyces and red complex-induced membrane lesions. The effects of chemically different polyenes on fungal membranes (Epidermaphyton floccosum, a human pathogenic fungus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and human red blood cell membranes were studied by freeze-fracture electron microscopy in order to elucidate the interaction of these antibiotics with ergosterol. Each type of neutral, small amphoteric and large amphoteric polyenes produces a distinct morphoneutral, small amphoteric and large amphoteric polyenes produces a distinct morphological effect on the fungal membranes: (1) Pit formation type. Filipin, a neutral polyene, produces 250-300 A diameter \"pits\" or \"invagination\" both in ergosterol-containing fungal plasma membranes and cholesterol-containing red blood cell ghost membranes. (2) Network particle aggregation type. The small amphoteric polyene, pimaricin, produces a network of membrane particle aggregation which encloses 1000 A diameter particle-free areas in fungal membranes. These areas are slightly elevated toward the outside of the cell. (3) Random particle aggregation type. The large amphoteric polyenes, amphotericin B and nystatin, cause a random segregation of the fungal plasma membrane and the red blood cell ghost membranes into particle-free and aggregated areas. It is concluded that these morphological differences are due to different mechanisms of polyene-sterol interactions in which the different size of the mocrolide ring in the antibiotic structure may be involved. Since all of these antibiotics, except filipin, cause no alterations on whole red blood cells detectable by negative staining and freeze-fracture electron microscopy, it is possible that they have a higher affinity to ergosterol than cholesterol in membranes.", "PMID": 793632} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9903", "title": "Interaction between tetanolysin and Mycoplasma cell membrane.", "content": "1. A partially purified tetanolysin preparation lysed the sterol-requiring Mycoplasma capricolum cells but had no effect on M. capricolum cells adapted to grow with no or very little cholesterol. The sterol-non-requiring Acholeplasma laidlawii cells grown either in a cholesterol-rich or a cholesterol-poor medium were unaffected by the tetanolysin preparation. 2. The lysis of M. capricolum cells by the tetanolysin preparation was temperature dependent, inhibited by cholesterol, sublytic concentrations of lucensomycin, and Mg2+. The sensitivity to lysis was greatly affected by the age of the culture, being highest in cells from the early logarithmic phase of growth and declining sharply thereafter. 3. Isolated M. capricolum membranes were capable of binding large amounts of the tetanolysin activity (up to 30 hemolytic units per mug membrane protein), 20 times as much as membranes of the adapted strain. The binding of tetanolysin activity to membranes was almost the same at 4,22, or 37 degrees C, and was very little affected by the age of the culture. The binding capacity of the membranes was not affected by the removal of 60-70% of membrane proteins by pronase digestion but markedly decreased with the removal of membrane lipids. 4. Of the five polypeptide bands detected in electrophorograms of the partially purified tetanolysin preparation, two bands (mol. wt. 44 000 and 42 000) were found to bind to the cholesterol-containing mycoplasma membrane preparation. EPR spectrometry revealed that the freedom of motion of fatty acid spin labels in the tetanolysin-treated membranes was markedly higher than that in untreated membranes. 5. The concept that tetanolysin interacts specifically with membrane cholesterol resulting in the shielding of cholesterol from its interaction with membrane phospholipids is discussed.", "contents": "Interaction between tetanolysin and Mycoplasma cell membrane. 1. A partially purified tetanolysin preparation lysed the sterol-requiring Mycoplasma capricolum cells but had no effect on M. capricolum cells adapted to grow with no or very little cholesterol. The sterol-non-requiring Acholeplasma laidlawii cells grown either in a cholesterol-rich or a cholesterol-poor medium were unaffected by the tetanolysin preparation. 2. The lysis of M. capricolum cells by the tetanolysin preparation was temperature dependent, inhibited by cholesterol, sublytic concentrations of lucensomycin, and Mg2+. The sensitivity to lysis was greatly affected by the age of the culture, being highest in cells from the early logarithmic phase of growth and declining sharply thereafter. 3. Isolated M. capricolum membranes were capable of binding large amounts of the tetanolysin activity (up to 30 hemolytic units per mug membrane protein), 20 times as much as membranes of the adapted strain. The binding of tetanolysin activity to membranes was almost the same at 4,22, or 37 degrees C, and was very little affected by the age of the culture. The binding capacity of the membranes was not affected by the removal of 60-70% of membrane proteins by pronase digestion but markedly decreased with the removal of membrane lipids. 4. Of the five polypeptide bands detected in electrophorograms of the partially purified tetanolysin preparation, two bands (mol. wt. 44 000 and 42 000) were found to bind to the cholesterol-containing mycoplasma membrane preparation. EPR spectrometry revealed that the freedom of motion of fatty acid spin labels in the tetanolysin-treated membranes was markedly higher than that in untreated membranes. 5. The concept that tetanolysin interacts specifically with membrane cholesterol resulting in the shielding of cholesterol from its interaction with membrane phospholipids is discussed.", "PMID": 793633} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9904", "title": "Release of outer membrane fragments from normally growing Escherichia coli.", "content": "A complex containing lipopolysaccharides, phospholipids and proteine separated from the medium by gelfiltration on Sephadex G-200 or by centrifugation. Electron microscopy revealed that this material is released as vesicles and membrane fragements. To determine the origin of these fragments, they were compared to outer and cytoplasmic membranes with respect to keto-deoxyoctulosonic acid, phospholipid, and protein content, phospholipid composition, fatty acid composition, protein distribution on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, buoyant density, and content of several membrane marker enzymes. The results of this comparison indicate that the membrane fragments found in the culture supernatant of normally growing Escherichia coli consist of practically unmodified outer membrane. Possible mechanisms as to the cause of the release of outer membrane fragments, and its relationship to cell-division, are discussed.", "contents": "Release of outer membrane fragments from normally growing Escherichia coli. A complex containing lipopolysaccharides, phospholipids and proteine separated from the medium by gelfiltration on Sephadex G-200 or by centrifugation. Electron microscopy revealed that this material is released as vesicles and membrane fragements. To determine the origin of these fragments, they were compared to outer and cytoplasmic membranes with respect to keto-deoxyoctulosonic acid, phospholipid, and protein content, phospholipid composition, fatty acid composition, protein distribution on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, buoyant density, and content of several membrane marker enzymes. The results of this comparison indicate that the membrane fragments found in the culture supernatant of normally growing Escherichia coli consist of practically unmodified outer membrane. Possible mechanisms as to the cause of the release of outer membrane fragments, and its relationship to cell-division, are discussed.", "PMID": 793634} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9905", "title": "[Effect of polyene antibiotics on protein synthesis by free and membrane-bound ribosomes of Candida albicans].", "content": "Polyene antibiotics (levorin, nistatin, amphotericin B) inhibit protein synthesis at concentrations decreasing 14C-amino acid incorporation into Candida albicans protoplasts by 30--60%, the depression of membrane permeability beginning earlier than protein synthesis inhibition. Fractionation of protoplast lysates revealed that protein synthesis by free ribosomes was inhibited by antibiotics stronger than in case of membrane-bound ribosomes. It is supposed that different response of two ribosome classes for polyenes-induced damages is due to different sensitivity of free and membrane-bound ribosomes to the decrease of intracellular K+ concentration.", "contents": "[Effect of polyene antibiotics on protein synthesis by free and membrane-bound ribosomes of Candida albicans]. Polyene antibiotics (levorin, nistatin, amphotericin B) inhibit protein synthesis at concentrations decreasing 14C-amino acid incorporation into Candida albicans protoplasts by 30--60%, the depression of membrane permeability beginning earlier than protein synthesis inhibition. Fractionation of protoplast lysates revealed that protein synthesis by free ribosomes was inhibited by antibiotics stronger than in case of membrane-bound ribosomes. It is supposed that different response of two ribosome classes for polyenes-induced damages is due to different sensitivity of free and membrane-bound ribosomes to the decrease of intracellular K+ concentration.", "PMID": 793640} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9906", "title": "[Effect of streptomycin on RNA synthesis in E. coli cells].", "content": "Under streptomicin administration (10-200 mug/ml), initiation of translation is blocked at any steps before the formation of tightly bound subunits. Incomplete supression of protein synthesis with streptomycin stimulate rRNA synthesis in rel+ CP78 E. coli cells. Thus, partial uncoupling of translocation and transcription promotes compensatory synthesis of rRNA synthesis directed by rel-gene, but on addition to pre-starved cells, antibiotic can not stimulate rRNA formation. It is shown, that in contrast with many other ribosomal antibiotics streptomycin do not penetrate into the cell during aminoacid starvation.", "contents": "[Effect of streptomycin on RNA synthesis in E. coli cells]. Under streptomicin administration (10-200 mug/ml), initiation of translation is blocked at any steps before the formation of tightly bound subunits. Incomplete supression of protein synthesis with streptomycin stimulate rRNA synthesis in rel+ CP78 E. coli cells. Thus, partial uncoupling of translocation and transcription promotes compensatory synthesis of rRNA synthesis directed by rel-gene, but on addition to pre-starved cells, antibiotic can not stimulate rRNA formation. It is shown, that in contrast with many other ribosomal antibiotics streptomycin do not penetrate into the cell during aminoacid starvation.", "PMID": 793641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9907", "title": "[Equine pepsins].", "content": "6 forms of pepsin are found in horse gastric juice. Amino acid sequence is determined of N-terminal (most variable) part of polypeptide chain of main pepsin components. Equine pepsines, which have pI 2.1 and 2.3, are found to have identical amino acid sequence at least for 31 amino acid residues. The same sequence is observed in the component with pI 2.6 for 10 first residues. The sequence of equine pepsin with pI 3.2 has 3 substitutions for 33 amino acids, when compared with pepsines having pI 2.1 and 2.3. The forms of equine pepsin studied are more similar than the other isoenzyme pair, human pepsin and gastricsin.", "contents": "[Equine pepsins]. 6 forms of pepsin are found in horse gastric juice. Amino acid sequence is determined of N-terminal (most variable) part of polypeptide chain of main pepsin components. Equine pepsines, which have pI 2.1 and 2.3, are found to have identical amino acid sequence at least for 31 amino acid residues. The same sequence is observed in the component with pI 2.6 for 10 first residues. The sequence of equine pepsin with pI 3.2 has 3 substitutions for 33 amino acids, when compared with pepsines having pI 2.1 and 2.3. The forms of equine pepsin studied are more similar than the other isoenzyme pair, human pepsin and gastricsin.", "PMID": 793642} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9908", "title": "How chemicals may induce cancer.", "content": "Recent studies which lead to a better understanding of chemical carcinogenesis are reviwed. Almost all carcinogens require an activation by metabolic processing in order to operate \"in vivo\" or \"in vitro\". Some chemicals and drugs induce the enzymes which metabolize carcinogens. This induction seems to be of fundamental importance to the development of human cancers resulting from environmental pollution. Nearly all the lesions in cellular DNA caused by chemical carcinogens can be repaired by a DNA repair system. Failure to repair some lesions or the action of \"error prone\" repair can lead to mutations. The mutagenic effect of some chemicals provides a rapid screening test for the detection of their carcinogenic activity. Such tests are described and analyzed in detail. Finally, a general and overall scheme for possible mechanisms of action of chemical carcinogens is proposed.", "contents": "How chemicals may induce cancer. Recent studies which lead to a better understanding of chemical carcinogenesis are reviwed. Almost all carcinogens require an activation by metabolic processing in order to operate \"in vivo\" or \"in vitro\". Some chemicals and drugs induce the enzymes which metabolize carcinogens. This induction seems to be of fundamental importance to the development of human cancers resulting from environmental pollution. Nearly all the lesions in cellular DNA caused by chemical carcinogens can be repaired by a DNA repair system. Failure to repair some lesions or the action of \"error prone\" repair can lead to mutations. The mutagenic effect of some chemicals provides a rapid screening test for the detection of their carcinogenic activity. Such tests are described and analyzed in detail. Finally, a general and overall scheme for possible mechanisms of action of chemical carcinogens is proposed.", "PMID": 793643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9909", "title": "Immunofluorescence of synovial membrane multifactorial analysis of the results.", "content": "Synovial membrane taken by needle biopsy from the knee joint of 61 patients with various rheumatic diseases were studied using immunofluorescence methods. Staining techniques and their controls were detailed. Classical statistical tests and principal components multifactorial analysis of the data emphasized some differences between the pathological groups. Connective tissue diseases seemed to be characterized by plasma cells fluorescence and mixed immunoglobulins and complement deposits. These were mostly localized to extracellular spaces in sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis and to blood vessels in sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. On the contrary, isolated immunoglobulins without complement were mostly found in the other inflammatory arthritis, while negative results were obtained in non inflammatory arthropathy. Immunoglobulin classes did not seem to have any diagnostic value. On the contrary, rheumatoid factor was specific for rheumatoid arthritis, whatever the serological pattern was, and it was particularly frequent in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis associated with a Sj5AOGREN SYNDROME. A strict relationship between classical histological findings and immunofluorescence results was not always found; so, immunological methods can be aquivocal.", "contents": "Immunofluorescence of synovial membrane multifactorial analysis of the results. Synovial membrane taken by needle biopsy from the knee joint of 61 patients with various rheumatic diseases were studied using immunofluorescence methods. Staining techniques and their controls were detailed. Classical statistical tests and principal components multifactorial analysis of the data emphasized some differences between the pathological groups. Connective tissue diseases seemed to be characterized by plasma cells fluorescence and mixed immunoglobulins and complement deposits. These were mostly localized to extracellular spaces in sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis and to blood vessels in sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. On the contrary, isolated immunoglobulins without complement were mostly found in the other inflammatory arthritis, while negative results were obtained in non inflammatory arthropathy. Immunoglobulin classes did not seem to have any diagnostic value. On the contrary, rheumatoid factor was specific for rheumatoid arthritis, whatever the serological pattern was, and it was particularly frequent in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis associated with a Sj5AOGREN SYNDROME. A strict relationship between classical histological findings and immunofluorescence results was not always found; so, immunological methods can be aquivocal.", "PMID": 793644} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9910", "title": "Distribution of erythrocyte receptors at the surface membrane of human T-lymphocytes.", "content": "During incubation at 4 degrees C, the binding sites for neuraminidase-treated human erythrocytes (nHRBC) and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were diffusely distributed on the surface membrane of most rosette-forming normal human blood lymphocytes. Increasing the temperature to 37 degrees C resulted in a rapid rosette dissociation which was accompanied by a relative increase in cap formation and a corresponding decrease of ring-like rosettes. The conversion into caps was inhibited by reincubation of the cells at 4 degrees C. The results indicate a movement of the nHRBC and SRBC receptors in the plane of the human T lymphocyte plasma membrane.", "contents": "Distribution of erythrocyte receptors at the surface membrane of human T-lymphocytes. During incubation at 4 degrees C, the binding sites for neuraminidase-treated human erythrocytes (nHRBC) and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were diffusely distributed on the surface membrane of most rosette-forming normal human blood lymphocytes. Increasing the temperature to 37 degrees C resulted in a rapid rosette dissociation which was accompanied by a relative increase in cap formation and a corresponding decrease of ring-like rosettes. The conversion into caps was inhibited by reincubation of the cells at 4 degrees C. The results indicate a movement of the nHRBC and SRBC receptors in the plane of the human T lymphocyte plasma membrane.", "PMID": 793645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9911", "title": "Prognostic value of mouse red cell rosette formation in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.", "content": "Mouse red cell (MRC) rosette formation was studied in 20 malignant haemopathies. Only cells from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) formed MRC rosettes with a high frequency. However, cells from 2 cases of CLL could not be demonstrated to form MRC rosettes, although they were undoubtedly found to be of B origin. These 2 cases presented as typical CLL, but they were observed to transform into a sarcomatous type after 5-6 months of evolution, suggesting that the study of MRC rosette formation might be of prognostic value in CLL.", "contents": "Prognostic value of mouse red cell rosette formation in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Mouse red cell (MRC) rosette formation was studied in 20 malignant haemopathies. Only cells from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) formed MRC rosettes with a high frequency. However, cells from 2 cases of CLL could not be demonstrated to form MRC rosettes, although they were undoubtedly found to be of B origin. These 2 cases presented as typical CLL, but they were observed to transform into a sarcomatous type after 5-6 months of evolution, suggesting that the study of MRC rosette formation might be of prognostic value in CLL.", "PMID": 793646} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9912", "title": "Rosette forming T-cells in human lymphomas: relationship with age and clinical parameters.", "content": "Peripheral blood spontaneous rosette forming T cells (RFC) were studied in 40 Hodgkin's Disease (HD) and 20 lymphosarcoma (LS) patients, classified according to the histological type and spread of disease and to their age, treatment, clinical condition and evolution. LS patients had near normal RFC values; in HD, the lowest values of RFC corresponded to the most severe histological picture. In all patients, differences could be seen according to the spread of the disease and the clinical condition, but none in relation with treatment nor with the clinical evolution in a one year period after the test. While in controls and LS patients, RFC were higher in younger than older subjects, in HD, values were higher after 50 years of age. The usefulness of RFC test in the evaluation of lymphoma patients is discussed.", "contents": "Rosette forming T-cells in human lymphomas: relationship with age and clinical parameters. Peripheral blood spontaneous rosette forming T cells (RFC) were studied in 40 Hodgkin's Disease (HD) and 20 lymphosarcoma (LS) patients, classified according to the histological type and spread of disease and to their age, treatment, clinical condition and evolution. LS patients had near normal RFC values; in HD, the lowest values of RFC corresponded to the most severe histological picture. In all patients, differences could be seen according to the spread of the disease and the clinical condition, but none in relation with treatment nor with the clinical evolution in a one year period after the test. While in controls and LS patients, RFC were higher in younger than older subjects, in HD, values were higher after 50 years of age. The usefulness of RFC test in the evaluation of lymphoma patients is discussed.", "PMID": 793647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9913", "title": "Leucocyte migration fibrinolysis technique (LMFT): description of a method.", "content": "Human leucocytes can migrate in a gel medium consisting of fibrin, 10% horse serum and tissue culture medium 199. The cells migrate within the fibrin gel mass. The 24 h. areas of migration depend upon the volume and concentration of the cell suspension applied on the fibrin gel. The amount of cells per mm2 migration culture area is less than half the amount used in the leucocyte migration agarose test. The results are reproducible, the standard variation of the migration areas is below 10%. The method is potentially useful for several purposes such as for measuring fibrinolytic and migratory activity of granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes and modification of these functions by lymphokines.", "contents": "Leucocyte migration fibrinolysis technique (LMFT): description of a method. Human leucocytes can migrate in a gel medium consisting of fibrin, 10% horse serum and tissue culture medium 199. The cells migrate within the fibrin gel mass. The 24 h. areas of migration depend upon the volume and concentration of the cell suspension applied on the fibrin gel. The amount of cells per mm2 migration culture area is less than half the amount used in the leucocyte migration agarose test. The results are reproducible, the standard variation of the migration areas is below 10%. The method is potentially useful for several purposes such as for measuring fibrinolytic and migratory activity of granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes and modification of these functions by lymphokines.", "PMID": 793648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9914", "title": "A review of the satatistical considerations involved in the treatment of isotope dilution calibration data.", "content": "The use of linear regression analysis for the reduction of isotope dilution data is reviewed. The calculation of linear regression statistics is based upon four assumptions: zero variance in the independent variable, equal variance for all values of the dependent variable, linearity and continuity. Unfortunately, isotope dilution data often violate one or more of these assumptions, which results in the calculation of an inaccurate calibration line. The inaccuracies can be avoided through careful inspection of the data, including analyses of variance and linearity. Large differences in the variances of the dependent variable require the use of a weighted linear regression. Nonlinearity necessitates either discarding data in the nonlinear portion of the calibration or the calculation and use of atom % excess and dilution instead of the sample isotope ratios.", "contents": "A review of the satatistical considerations involved in the treatment of isotope dilution calibration data. The use of linear regression analysis for the reduction of isotope dilution data is reviewed. The calculation of linear regression statistics is based upon four assumptions: zero variance in the independent variable, equal variance for all values of the dependent variable, linearity and continuity. Unfortunately, isotope dilution data often violate one or more of these assumptions, which results in the calculation of an inaccurate calibration line. The inaccuracies can be avoided through careful inspection of the data, including analyses of variance and linearity. Large differences in the variances of the dependent variable require the use of a weighted linear regression. Nonlinearity necessitates either discarding data in the nonlinear portion of the calibration or the calculation and use of atom % excess and dilution instead of the sample isotope ratios.", "PMID": 793649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9915", "title": "Fetal erythropoiesis following bone marrow transplantation.", "content": "\"Fetal\" erythrocytes are present in older children and certain adults with hematologic disorders. To determine if regenerating bone marrow produces such cells, we examined the blood of seven allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients. Six patients were engrafted with donor cells, while on e patients recovered autologous bone marrow after rejection of a marrow transplant. All seven patients had fetal hemoglobin levels of up to 10% by 100 days after transplant. In three patients, the Ggamma to Agamma ratio in the fetal hemoglobin was \"newborn\", while in one it was \"adult\". Gamma chain synthesis in blood and bone marrow never exceeded 20% of total non-alpha globin synthesis. The fetal hemoglobin was heterogeneously distributed in the cells. High titer i antigen also appeared. All fetal characteristics declined by 200 days. Erythropoiesis during bone marrow recovery appears to be associated with an accelerated, albeit partial, recapitulation of ontogeny.", "contents": "Fetal erythropoiesis following bone marrow transplantation. \"Fetal\" erythrocytes are present in older children and certain adults with hematologic disorders. To determine if regenerating bone marrow produces such cells, we examined the blood of seven allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients. Six patients were engrafted with donor cells, while on e patients recovered autologous bone marrow after rejection of a marrow transplant. All seven patients had fetal hemoglobin levels of up to 10% by 100 days after transplant. In three patients, the Ggamma to Agamma ratio in the fetal hemoglobin was \"newborn\", while in one it was \"adult\". Gamma chain synthesis in blood and bone marrow never exceeded 20% of total non-alpha globin synthesis. The fetal hemoglobin was heterogeneously distributed in the cells. High titer i antigen also appeared. All fetal characteristics declined by 200 days. Erythropoiesis during bone marrow recovery appears to be associated with an accelerated, albeit partial, recapitulation of ontogeny.", "PMID": 793650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9916", "title": "[Trial prevention of mammary epithelioma metastases by a progestagen-estrogen combination].", "content": "The authors studied the effects of a combined oestrogenprogestogen treatment on the natural history of mammary tumours during a maximum period of seven and a half years. The group consisted of 135 patients divided into two on an age basis, sixty-six women still menstruating, and sixty-nine menopausal. A statistical study has shown that there is no significant difference between the treated and non-treated groups in the two groups of women studied. One can therefore deduce that the treatment has no effect on the evolution of mammary tumours whatever the age of the patient.", "contents": "[Trial prevention of mammary epithelioma metastases by a progestagen-estrogen combination]. The authors studied the effects of a combined oestrogenprogestogen treatment on the natural history of mammary tumours during a maximum period of seven and a half years. The group consisted of 135 patients divided into two on an age basis, sixty-six women still menstruating, and sixty-nine menopausal. A statistical study has shown that there is no significant difference between the treated and non-treated groups in the two groups of women studied. One can therefore deduce that the treatment has no effect on the evolution of mammary tumours whatever the age of the patient.", "PMID": 793653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9917", "title": "A postauricular flap to reconstruct facial defects.", "content": "The postauricular skin may be transferred as a pedicled flap by making use of reverse flow in the superficial temporal artery when suitable delayed. The range of the flap is shown in figure 14.", "contents": "A postauricular flap to reconstruct facial defects. The postauricular skin may be transferred as a pedicled flap by making use of reverse flow in the superficial temporal artery when suitable delayed. The range of the flap is shown in figure 14.", "PMID": 793665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9918", "title": "The effect oa a new anti-inflammatory drug, flurbiprofen, on the respiratory, haemodynamic and metabolic responses to E. coli endotoxin shock in the cat.", "content": "1 The intravenous administration of E. coli endotoxin (2.0 mg/kg) in cats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone resulted in immediate pulmonary hypertension and reductions in lung compliance and systemic arterial PO2. These effects were abolished, or greatly reduced, by the prior intravenous administration of flurbiprofen in doses (100 and 250 mug/kg and 1.0 mg/kg) which were devoid of cardiovascular or metabolic effects. Flurbiprofen is thus the most active antipyretic-analgesic drug so far examined in this experiment model. 2 Production of lactate, characteristic of the severe, secondary endotoxin shock phase, was delayed only by the highest dose of flubiprofen; hypotension, hypoglycaemia and the reduction in cardiac output which occurs during this phase, were unaffected. 3 These findings are discussed with reference to the treatment of the (shocked lung\" syndrome of human septicaemia.", "contents": "The effect oa a new anti-inflammatory drug, flurbiprofen, on the respiratory, haemodynamic and metabolic responses to E. coli endotoxin shock in the cat. 1 The intravenous administration of E. coli endotoxin (2.0 mg/kg) in cats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone resulted in immediate pulmonary hypertension and reductions in lung compliance and systemic arterial PO2. These effects were abolished, or greatly reduced, by the prior intravenous administration of flurbiprofen in doses (100 and 250 mug/kg and 1.0 mg/kg) which were devoid of cardiovascular or metabolic effects. Flurbiprofen is thus the most active antipyretic-analgesic drug so far examined in this experiment model. 2 Production of lactate, characteristic of the severe, secondary endotoxin shock phase, was delayed only by the highest dose of flubiprofen; hypotension, hypoglycaemia and the reduction in cardiac output which occurs during this phase, were unaffected. 3 These findings are discussed with reference to the treatment of the (shocked lung\" syndrome of human septicaemia.", "PMID": 793668} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9919", "title": "Centrally induced hypotension and bradycardia after administration of alpha-methylnoradrenaline into the area of the nucleus tractus solitarii of the rat.", "content": "1 In anaesthetized rats, bilateral injections of alpha-methylnoradrenaline, noradrenaline or adrenaline into the area of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of the brain stem caused dose-dependent decreases of systemic arterial blood pressure and heart rate. The effects of alpha-methylnoradrenaline were most pronounced and lasted longest. 2 The cardiovascular effects of alpha-methylnoradrenaline appeared to be restricted to the medio-caudal part of the NTS. 3 Prior administration of the alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent, phentolamine, reversed the fall in blood pressure and heart rate induced by alpha-methylnoradrenaline into an increase. 4 Systemic administration of atropine combined with vagotomy potentiated the inhibitory effects of alpha-methylnoradrenaline on the cardiovascular system.", "contents": "Centrally induced hypotension and bradycardia after administration of alpha-methylnoradrenaline into the area of the nucleus tractus solitarii of the rat. 1 In anaesthetized rats, bilateral injections of alpha-methylnoradrenaline, noradrenaline or adrenaline into the area of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of the brain stem caused dose-dependent decreases of systemic arterial blood pressure and heart rate. The effects of alpha-methylnoradrenaline were most pronounced and lasted longest. 2 The cardiovascular effects of alpha-methylnoradrenaline appeared to be restricted to the medio-caudal part of the NTS. 3 Prior administration of the alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent, phentolamine, reversed the fall in blood pressure and heart rate induced by alpha-methylnoradrenaline into an increase. 4 Systemic administration of atropine combined with vagotomy potentiated the inhibitory effects of alpha-methylnoradrenaline on the cardiovascular system.", "PMID": 793669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9920", "title": "Pancreatic scanning.", "content": "The 75Se-selenomethionine pancreas scan cannot differentiate between chronic pancreatitis and carcinoma of the pancreas and may--although chiefly in certain defined clinical conditions--give a false-positive result. It is also rather more time-consuming than other radioisotopic scanning procedures. Its value in clinical practice stems from the fact that all the other methods currently available for studying the pancreas have their own disadvantages. Because a normal scan is only rarely seen in patients with carcinoma of the pancreas, pancreatic scanning can be particularly useful in helping to decide which patients should, and which should not, be subjected to other procedures involving greater discomfort or risk.", "contents": "Pancreatic scanning. The 75Se-selenomethionine pancreas scan cannot differentiate between chronic pancreatitis and carcinoma of the pancreas and may--although chiefly in certain defined clinical conditions--give a false-positive result. It is also rather more time-consuming than other radioisotopic scanning procedures. Its value in clinical practice stems from the fact that all the other methods currently available for studying the pancreas have their own disadvantages. Because a normal scan is only rarely seen in patients with carcinoma of the pancreas, pancreatic scanning can be particularly useful in helping to decide which patients should, and which should not, be subjected to other procedures involving greater discomfort or risk.", "PMID": 793672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9921", "title": "Lumbar myelography with metrizamide-a new non-ionic contrast medium.", "content": "In contradistinction to all currently available water-soluble contrast media, metrizamide (Amipaque) is not a salt, but a substituted amide and therefore does not dissociate in solution. This unique property results in solutions of high iodine content yet with low osmolality. Metrizamide probably has a lower neurotoxicity than any other known water-soluble contrast agent. A clinical trial of metrizamide lumbar myelography in 201 patients in three clinical centres represents the first clinical assessment of this new contrast medium in the United Kingdom. The technique of the radiological procedure and the adverse reactions encountered are presented and discussed. There were no serious adverse effects: no muscle spasm or epilepsy. Minor adverse reactions--headache, vomiting and nausea occur with approximately the same frequency as with meglumine iocarmate: 43 percent of patients complained of headache. In 118 patients, the lower dorsal subarachnoid space was also examined with no increase in toxic reactions. It is concluded that metrizamide is a safe contrast medium for lumbar and lower dorsal myelography. Water-soluble media will probably largely replace oil products for these investigations. Further clinical trials are being extended to include examination of the upper dorsal and cervical subarachnoid space.", "contents": "Lumbar myelography with metrizamide-a new non-ionic contrast medium. In contradistinction to all currently available water-soluble contrast media, metrizamide (Amipaque) is not a salt, but a substituted amide and therefore does not dissociate in solution. This unique property results in solutions of high iodine content yet with low osmolality. Metrizamide probably has a lower neurotoxicity than any other known water-soluble contrast agent. A clinical trial of metrizamide lumbar myelography in 201 patients in three clinical centres represents the first clinical assessment of this new contrast medium in the United Kingdom. The technique of the radiological procedure and the adverse reactions encountered are presented and discussed. There were no serious adverse effects: no muscle spasm or epilepsy. Minor adverse reactions--headache, vomiting and nausea occur with approximately the same frequency as with meglumine iocarmate: 43 percent of patients complained of headache. In 118 patients, the lower dorsal subarachnoid space was also examined with no increase in toxic reactions. It is concluded that metrizamide is a safe contrast medium for lumbar and lower dorsal myelography. Water-soluble media will probably largely replace oil products for these investigations. Further clinical trials are being extended to include examination of the upper dorsal and cervical subarachnoid space.", "PMID": 793673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9922", "title": "Hypertension after renal transplantation.", "content": "The incidence of hypertension (mean diastolic pressure above 90 mm Hg) was evaluated in 85 patients with renal transplants whose follow-up ranged from 3 to 84 months. Bilateral nephrectomy had been performed in 80 recipients. The proportion of hypertensive subjects rose during the first three months, subsequently stabilised around 50-60% for up to five years, and then decreased slightly during the next two years. Over the years hypertension fluctuated so that one-third of the initially hypertensive patients became normotensive, and over one-third of the initially normotensive patients became hypertensive. The main single aetiological factor was renal failure. A significant relation between steroid dosage and blood pressure was found in only a quarter of the hypertensive patients, and in another quarter no cause could be found.", "contents": "Hypertension after renal transplantation. The incidence of hypertension (mean diastolic pressure above 90 mm Hg) was evaluated in 85 patients with renal transplants whose follow-up ranged from 3 to 84 months. Bilateral nephrectomy had been performed in 80 recipients. The proportion of hypertensive subjects rose during the first three months, subsequently stabilised around 50-60% for up to five years, and then decreased slightly during the next two years. Over the years hypertension fluctuated so that one-third of the initially hypertensive patients became normotensive, and over one-third of the initially normotensive patients became hypertensive. The main single aetiological factor was renal failure. A significant relation between steroid dosage and blood pressure was found in only a quarter of the hypertensive patients, and in another quarter no cause could be found.", "PMID": 793675} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9923", "title": "New technique for investigating bacterial flora of female periurethral area.", "content": "The bacterial flora of the female periurethral area was studied by impression cultures taken by polystyrene sponges, the results being recorded by photographic contact printing. With this technique it is possible to observe the preferential colonisation of different areas by different organisms and to detect persistent colonisation by pathogens. In assessing the possible aetiological importance of these results, and especially in comparing them with the findings of other workers, it is essential to use correct anatomical nomenclature.", "contents": "New technique for investigating bacterial flora of female periurethral area. The bacterial flora of the female periurethral area was studied by impression cultures taken by polystyrene sponges, the results being recorded by photographic contact printing. With this technique it is possible to observe the preferential colonisation of different areas by different organisms and to detect persistent colonisation by pathogens. In assessing the possible aetiological importance of these results, and especially in comparing them with the findings of other workers, it is essential to use correct anatomical nomenclature.", "PMID": 793679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9924", "title": "Mild hypertension: a clinical trial conducted in hospital general practice.", "content": "To compare findings in a hospital trial of hypotensive drugs with those in a general practice trial several patients with mild hypertension were studied at the same time in hospital and in general practice. They received bendrofluazide and potassium chloride or bendrofluazide, potassium chloride, and reserpine according to a double-blind crossover protocol, and blood biochemical values were studied over eight weeks and six months. When reserpine was withdrawn from nine women they followed a modified protocol comparing bendrofluazide and potassium chloride with potassium chloride alone. The blood pressure values measured by the general practitioners were similar to those measured in hospital. Both the diuretic alone and the diuretic with reserpine produced significant falls in blood pressures. Although plasma renin activity increased on diuretic treatment, continued treatment did not produce a further increase, and levels gradually declined towards normal.", "contents": "Mild hypertension: a clinical trial conducted in hospital general practice. To compare findings in a hospital trial of hypotensive drugs with those in a general practice trial several patients with mild hypertension were studied at the same time in hospital and in general practice. They received bendrofluazide and potassium chloride or bendrofluazide, potassium chloride, and reserpine according to a double-blind crossover protocol, and blood biochemical values were studied over eight weeks and six months. When reserpine was withdrawn from nine women they followed a modified protocol comparing bendrofluazide and potassium chloride with potassium chloride alone. The blood pressure values measured by the general practitioners were similar to those measured in hospital. Both the diuretic alone and the diuretic with reserpine produced significant falls in blood pressures. Although plasma renin activity increased on diuretic treatment, continued treatment did not produce a further increase, and levels gradually declined towards normal.", "PMID": 793680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9925", "title": "Significance of variations in blood: breath partition coefficient of alcohol.", "content": "A helium-neon laser was used to measure the alcohol content of breath from six volunteers at regular intervals over up to four hours. The corresponding blood values were calculated with a blood : breath partition coefficient of 2100. When these values were compared with those obtained by direct measurement it was obvious that substantial variations occurred from one person to another in the derived values and that even in the same person the use of the partition coefficient of 2100 led to significant differences between the direct and derived values for blood, and these differences changed with time. Thus the assertion that a constant partition coefficient of 2100 exists between alcohol in blood and that in breath is not supported by the evidence. Accordingly the use of such a partition coefficient to derive blood alcohol values for law enforcement is not justified.", "contents": "Significance of variations in blood: breath partition coefficient of alcohol. A helium-neon laser was used to measure the alcohol content of breath from six volunteers at regular intervals over up to four hours. The corresponding blood values were calculated with a blood : breath partition coefficient of 2100. When these values were compared with those obtained by direct measurement it was obvious that substantial variations occurred from one person to another in the derived values and that even in the same person the use of the partition coefficient of 2100 led to significant differences between the direct and derived values for blood, and these differences changed with time. Thus the assertion that a constant partition coefficient of 2100 exists between alcohol in blood and that in breath is not supported by the evidence. Accordingly the use of such a partition coefficient to derive blood alcohol values for law enforcement is not justified.", "PMID": 793681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9926", "title": "Changes in alkaline phosphatase activity in periosteal cells in healing fractures.", "content": "The quantitative changes in alkaline phosphatase activity in the periosteal cells close to the fracture in rat metatarsal bones has been measured during the first 5 days postfracture. This study has been made possible by two technological advances, firstly the development of cryostat microtomy for cutting unfixed, undemineralised bone, and secondly the use of scanning and integrating microdensitometry for quantifying the activity in each periosteal cell. The results showed a loss of alkaline phosphatase activity close to the fracture site, with activity rising to normal values 0.8-1.0 mm from the site. No alkaline phosphatase activity was found in the cells which proliferated from the periosteum. It is suggested that reduced glutathione could cause such inhibition.", "contents": "Changes in alkaline phosphatase activity in periosteal cells in healing fractures. The quantitative changes in alkaline phosphatase activity in the periosteal cells close to the fracture in rat metatarsal bones has been measured during the first 5 days postfracture. This study has been made possible by two technological advances, firstly the development of cryostat microtomy for cutting unfixed, undemineralised bone, and secondly the use of scanning and integrating microdensitometry for quantifying the activity in each periosteal cell. The results showed a loss of alkaline phosphatase activity close to the fracture site, with activity rising to normal values 0.8-1.0 mm from the site. No alkaline phosphatase activity was found in the cells which proliferated from the periosteum. It is suggested that reduced glutathione could cause such inhibition.", "PMID": 793686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9927", "title": "In vitro accumulation of mineral components by invertebrate cartilage.", "content": "In vitro mineralization of the gill cartilage of Limulus (horse-shoe crab) has been reported previously (Eilberg et al. 1975). The present study demonstrates that cranial cartilage of Loligo (squid) and odontophore cartilage of Busycon (marine snail) also mineralize in vitro in hydroxyapatite-metastable media, but not in carbonate-metastable media. In all three of these cartilages, light phase-contrast microscopy revealed that the mineral phase occured in the form of spherical or ovoid granules ranging between 2 and 9 mum in diameter. During mineralization, the granules appeared successively in the perichondrium, in the matrix, and finally, within chondrocytes. Mineralization occurred more rapidly in Eusycon odontophore cartilage which has a significantly higher content of phosphatidyl serine than in Limulus gill or Loligo head cartilages. In all tissues the mineralization process is related to temperature, taking place most actively at 37 degrees C and only weakly at 50 degrees C.", "contents": "In vitro accumulation of mineral components by invertebrate cartilage. In vitro mineralization of the gill cartilage of Limulus (horse-shoe crab) has been reported previously (Eilberg et al. 1975). The present study demonstrates that cranial cartilage of Loligo (squid) and odontophore cartilage of Busycon (marine snail) also mineralize in vitro in hydroxyapatite-metastable media, but not in carbonate-metastable media. In all three of these cartilages, light phase-contrast microscopy revealed that the mineral phase occured in the form of spherical or ovoid granules ranging between 2 and 9 mum in diameter. During mineralization, the granules appeared successively in the perichondrium, in the matrix, and finally, within chondrocytes. Mineralization occurred more rapidly in Eusycon odontophore cartilage which has a significantly higher content of phosphatidyl serine than in Limulus gill or Loligo head cartilages. In all tissues the mineralization process is related to temperature, taking place most actively at 37 degrees C and only weakly at 50 degrees C.", "PMID": 793687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9928", "title": "Synthesis of guanosine 5'-triphosphate,3'-diphosphate in a spo T strain of Escherichia coli.", "content": "A spo T stringent strain of Escherichia coli rapidly accumulates guanosine 5'-triphosphate,3'-diphosphate (pppGpp) immediately after the onset of isoleucine starvation. Subsequently, its level rapidly falls, as guanosine 5'-diphosphate,3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) continues to rise to the maximum value, which is abnormally high compared with that in the spo T+ strain. The ppGpp level in the spo T strain never reaches a steady state as it does in the spo T+ strain. Immediately after starvation, pppGpp and ppGpp are labeled with [3H]guanosine at a similar differential rate in both the spo T and spo T+ strains, suggesting that the two strains synthesize these nucleotides by the same pathway. However, by 15 min after starvation, the synthesis of these nucleotides is nearly halted in the spo T strain, and is greatly reduced in the spo T+ strain. Since ppGpp is labeled with [3H]guanosine more slowly than pppGpp in the starved spo T+ strain, ppGpp cannot be a precursor of pppGpp. The kinetics of the GTP level during starvation suggests that GTP is a precursor of pppGpp. The observed differences between the spo T and spo T+ strains can be explained by postulating, firstly, that ppGpp negatively controls the conversion of GTP to pppGpp, which is subsequently converted to ppGpp; secondly, that a catabolite of ppGpp negatively controls the conversion of pppGpp to ppGpp; and thirdly, that the spo T mutation primarily reduces the rate of ppGpp catabolism.", "contents": "Synthesis of guanosine 5'-triphosphate,3'-diphosphate in a spo T strain of Escherichia coli. A spo T stringent strain of Escherichia coli rapidly accumulates guanosine 5'-triphosphate,3'-diphosphate (pppGpp) immediately after the onset of isoleucine starvation. Subsequently, its level rapidly falls, as guanosine 5'-diphosphate,3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) continues to rise to the maximum value, which is abnormally high compared with that in the spo T+ strain. The ppGpp level in the spo T strain never reaches a steady state as it does in the spo T+ strain. Immediately after starvation, pppGpp and ppGpp are labeled with [3H]guanosine at a similar differential rate in both the spo T and spo T+ strains, suggesting that the two strains synthesize these nucleotides by the same pathway. However, by 15 min after starvation, the synthesis of these nucleotides is nearly halted in the spo T strain, and is greatly reduced in the spo T+ strain. Since ppGpp is labeled with [3H]guanosine more slowly than pppGpp in the starved spo T+ strain, ppGpp cannot be a precursor of pppGpp. The kinetics of the GTP level during starvation suggests that GTP is a precursor of pppGpp. The observed differences between the spo T and spo T+ strains can be explained by postulating, firstly, that ppGpp negatively controls the conversion of GTP to pppGpp, which is subsequently converted to ppGpp; secondly, that a catabolite of ppGpp negatively controls the conversion of pppGpp to ppGpp; and thirdly, that the spo T mutation primarily reduces the rate of ppGpp catabolism.", "PMID": 793688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9929", "title": "The G and Q banding pattern of Ellobius lutescens. A unique case of sex determination in mammals.", "content": "The karyotype of the microtine Ellobius lutescens Th., was analysed using the G and Q banding techniques. One of the chromsomes of the first pair has the same bands in both sexes while the other member of the pair is unique to each sex. We propose that the sex determining mechanism of Ellobius lutescens is located in these chromosomes. The genetic burden imposed on this species due to this constitution is discussed.", "contents": "The G and Q banding pattern of Ellobius lutescens. A unique case of sex determination in mammals. The karyotype of the microtine Ellobius lutescens Th., was analysed using the G and Q banding techniques. One of the chromsomes of the first pair has the same bands in both sexes while the other member of the pair is unique to each sex. We propose that the sex determining mechanism of Ellobius lutescens is located in these chromosomes. The genetic burden imposed on this species due to this constitution is discussed.", "PMID": 793689} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9930", "title": "The significance of the serotype in the clinical and pathological features of naturally occurring porcine salmonellosis.", "content": "Salmonellosis was the diagnosis in 63 of 327 consecutive porcine necropsy accessions during a one year period in Indiana, an incidence four to ten times that previously reported in other areas. A herd outbreak was usually either a septicemic disease characterized by sudden mortality. Little overlap between these two syndromes were seen. Animals dying with the septicemic form usually yielded Salmonella choleraesuis var. kunzendorf on culture. Salmonella typhimurium was the usual isolate from cases of enteric salmonellosis. Oral inoculation of SPF pigs with S. typhimurium resulted in a disease similar to naturally occurring enteric salmonellosis. The pathology of porcine salmonellosis due to S. typhimurium is described.", "contents": "The significance of the serotype in the clinical and pathological features of naturally occurring porcine salmonellosis. Salmonellosis was the diagnosis in 63 of 327 consecutive porcine necropsy accessions during a one year period in Indiana, an incidence four to ten times that previously reported in other areas. A herd outbreak was usually either a septicemic disease characterized by sudden mortality. Little overlap between these two syndromes were seen. Animals dying with the septicemic form usually yielded Salmonella choleraesuis var. kunzendorf on culture. Salmonella typhimurium was the usual isolate from cases of enteric salmonellosis. Oral inoculation of SPF pigs with S. typhimurium resulted in a disease similar to naturally occurring enteric salmonellosis. The pathology of porcine salmonellosis due to S. typhimurium is described.", "PMID": 793690} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9931", "title": "Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets in the Province of Quebec.", "content": "During 1972 to 1974, 112 Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets were recieved from different parts of the Province of Quebec, Canada. Fifty-six strains elicited a positive gut loop response in three week old piglets and were then considered as Moon's class 1 enteropathogens, while four of the 56 remaining strains reacted only in ten day old piglets and were classified as class 2 enteropathogens. Forty-eight strains produced both a heat-labile and a heat-stable enterotoxin, while 12 isolates which included the four class 2 enteropathogens produced only a heat-stable enterotoxin. Fifty-one enterotoxigenic strains could be serogrouped using OK antisera against E. coli strains commonly associated with colibacillosis in piglets. The most common serogroups encountered were O157: K \"V17\"; 88a,c, O149:K91; 88a.c. O157:K\"V1c, O149:K91; 88a.c, O157:K\"V17\"; 88 a,c or a,b and O45:K\"E5\"; 88a,c. No significant difference was observed in the fermentation patterns, antibiotic susceptibility, colicin production, production of a filterable hemolysin and transferable tetracycline resistance between the enterotoxigenic and the nonenterotoxigenic strains.", "contents": "Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets in the Province of Quebec. During 1972 to 1974, 112 Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets were recieved from different parts of the Province of Quebec, Canada. Fifty-six strains elicited a positive gut loop response in three week old piglets and were then considered as Moon's class 1 enteropathogens, while four of the 56 remaining strains reacted only in ten day old piglets and were classified as class 2 enteropathogens. Forty-eight strains produced both a heat-labile and a heat-stable enterotoxin, while 12 isolates which included the four class 2 enteropathogens produced only a heat-stable enterotoxin. Fifty-one enterotoxigenic strains could be serogrouped using OK antisera against E. coli strains commonly associated with colibacillosis in piglets. The most common serogroups encountered were O157: K \"V17\"; 88a,c, O149:K91; 88a.c. O157:K\"V1c, O149:K91; 88a.c, O157:K\"V17\"; 88 a,c or a,b and O45:K\"E5\"; 88a,c. No significant difference was observed in the fermentation patterns, antibiotic susceptibility, colicin production, production of a filterable hemolysin and transferable tetracycline resistance between the enterotoxigenic and the nonenterotoxigenic strains.", "PMID": 793691} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9932", "title": "Pathological and microbiological observations made on spontaneous cases of acute neonatal calf diarrhea.", "content": "The purpose of this report is to describe clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions, bacteriological and immunofluorescence observations made on spontaneous cases of acute neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) in dairy and beef herds. The following diagnostic tools were used: 1) direct smears of intestinal content, 2) Escherichia coli counts, 3) aerobic bacterial cultures of the small intestine and other organs (The O serogroup and the enterotoxigenicity of the E. coli isolated was determined), 4) detection of the two Nebraska NCD viruses (reo-like and corona-like) by the fluorescent antibody technique and 5) histological examination on different segments of the digestive tract. The following etiological diagnoses were suggested after post mortem examination of 55 cases of NDC (34 were submitted alive): reo-like virus only (1), reo-like virus + E. coli (4), reo-like virus + cryptosporidium (2), reo- + corona-like viruses (5), reo- + corona-like viruses + cryptosporidium (3), reo- + corona-like viruses + infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (1), coronavirus-like agent only (2), coronavirus-like agent + mycotic abomasitis (1), coronavirus-like agent + crytosporidium (1), E. coli only (6), cryptosporidium only (5), mycotic abomasitis (3), mycotic rumenitis + reticulitis (1) and undetermined (20). Most of the calves in the last group were submitted dead.", "contents": "Pathological and microbiological observations made on spontaneous cases of acute neonatal calf diarrhea. The purpose of this report is to describe clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions, bacteriological and immunofluorescence observations made on spontaneous cases of acute neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) in dairy and beef herds. The following diagnostic tools were used: 1) direct smears of intestinal content, 2) Escherichia coli counts, 3) aerobic bacterial cultures of the small intestine and other organs (The O serogroup and the enterotoxigenicity of the E. coli isolated was determined), 4) detection of the two Nebraska NCD viruses (reo-like and corona-like) by the fluorescent antibody technique and 5) histological examination on different segments of the digestive tract. The following etiological diagnoses were suggested after post mortem examination of 55 cases of NDC (34 were submitted alive): reo-like virus only (1), reo-like virus + E. coli (4), reo-like virus + cryptosporidium (2), reo- + corona-like viruses (5), reo- + corona-like viruses + cryptosporidium (3), reo- + corona-like viruses + infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (1), coronavirus-like agent only (2), coronavirus-like agent + mycotic abomasitis (1), coronavirus-like agent + crytosporidium (1), E. coli only (6), cryptosporidium only (5), mycotic abomasitis (3), mycotic rumenitis + reticulitis (1) and undetermined (20). Most of the calves in the last group were submitted dead.", "PMID": 793692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9933", "title": "The prevalence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in the feces of calves with diarrhea.", "content": "A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of enterotoxigenicity among Escherichia coli isolated from calves with diarrhea and from a control group of normal calves. The test organisms consisted of 200 E. coli recovered from scouring calves less than two weeks of age and 100 E. coli from normal calves. The enterotoxigenicity of the cultures was evaluated by three methods, namely, injection of ligated segments of piglet intestine, injection of ligated segments of calf intestine and oral inoculation of suckling mice. Live cutures of all the test organisms were used for the ligated intestine studies whereas sterile broth culture supernatants were used in the suckling mouse tests. Of the isolates from scouring calves, 36% were enterotoxigenic in the piglet intestine and 28% in the calf intestine. Amongst the isolates from normal calves, none was enterotoxigenic in the piglet intestine and one was enterotoxigenic in the calf test system. The ligated piglet intestine was considered unsuitable for determining the enterotoxigenicity of bovine E. coli, whereas the ligated calf intestine test was satisfactory and correlated completely with the suckling mouse test. The enterotoxigenic E. coli of bovine origin produced an enterotoxin that resembled the heat stable enterotoxin of typical porcine enteropathogenic E. coli.", "contents": "The prevalence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in the feces of calves with diarrhea. A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of enterotoxigenicity among Escherichia coli isolated from calves with diarrhea and from a control group of normal calves. The test organisms consisted of 200 E. coli recovered from scouring calves less than two weeks of age and 100 E. coli from normal calves. The enterotoxigenicity of the cultures was evaluated by three methods, namely, injection of ligated segments of piglet intestine, injection of ligated segments of calf intestine and oral inoculation of suckling mice. Live cutures of all the test organisms were used for the ligated intestine studies whereas sterile broth culture supernatants were used in the suckling mouse tests. Of the isolates from scouring calves, 36% were enterotoxigenic in the piglet intestine and 28% in the calf intestine. Amongst the isolates from normal calves, none was enterotoxigenic in the piglet intestine and one was enterotoxigenic in the calf test system. The ligated piglet intestine was considered unsuitable for determining the enterotoxigenicity of bovine E. coli, whereas the ligated calf intestine test was satisfactory and correlated completely with the suckling mouse test. The enterotoxigenic E. coli of bovine origin produced an enterotoxin that resembled the heat stable enterotoxin of typical porcine enteropathogenic E. coli.", "PMID": 793693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9934", "title": "Characterization of enterotoxigenic bovine Escherichia coli.", "content": "Among 300 isolates of bovine Escherichia coli, 56 which had been found enterotoxigenic in calf gut loops were characterized on the basis of O and K antigens, colonial morphology and resistance to seven antimicrobial drugs. The 56 isolates enterotoxigenic in the calf were compared with the nonenterotoxigenic ones. Of the 56 enterotoxigenic E. coli the majority possessed the A type of K antigen and had OK groups, O9:K(PS274) or O101:K(RVC118). Fourteen of these isolates had the K99 antigen. None of 27 isolates found enterotoxigenic in the piglet but not in the calf possessed the K99 antigen or belonged to OK groups O9:K(PS274) or O101:K(RVC118). Comparison of the patterns of resistance to seven antimicrobial drugs showed that all enterotoxigenic and nonenterotoxigenic isolates were susceptible to nitrofurantoin and sulphachlorphyridiazine and that there was no significant difference in the patterns between the two groups. The majority of enterotoxigenic isolates were mucoid, whereas most of the nonenterotoxigenic isolates were nonmucoid.", "contents": "Characterization of enterotoxigenic bovine Escherichia coli. Among 300 isolates of bovine Escherichia coli, 56 which had been found enterotoxigenic in calf gut loops were characterized on the basis of O and K antigens, colonial morphology and resistance to seven antimicrobial drugs. The 56 isolates enterotoxigenic in the calf were compared with the nonenterotoxigenic ones. Of the 56 enterotoxigenic E. coli the majority possessed the A type of K antigen and had OK groups, O9:K(PS274) or O101:K(RVC118). Fourteen of these isolates had the K99 antigen. None of 27 isolates found enterotoxigenic in the piglet but not in the calf possessed the K99 antigen or belonged to OK groups O9:K(PS274) or O101:K(RVC118). Comparison of the patterns of resistance to seven antimicrobial drugs showed that all enterotoxigenic and nonenterotoxigenic isolates were susceptible to nitrofurantoin and sulphachlorphyridiazine and that there was no significant difference in the patterns between the two groups. The majority of enterotoxigenic isolates were mucoid, whereas most of the nonenterotoxigenic isolates were nonmucoid.", "PMID": 793694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9935", "title": "Erythrocyte rosettes--a marker for bovine T cells.", "content": "Many species of erythrocytes were investigated for their ability to form spontaneous rosette with bovine peripheral blood leukocytes and fetal thymocytes. Only sheep and chicken red blood cells gave rosettes. Using conditions shown optimum for the demonstration of human rosette forming cells, only low numbers of bovine rosettes were demonstrable. By changing culture conditions to include 100% fetal calf serum, neuraminidase treated erythrocytes and/or lymphocytes and optimizing the incubation times and temperature, up to 38% of peripheral blood leukocytes and 52% of thymocytes formed rosettes. A thymic origin of rosetting cells was ascribed to T cells for the following reasons: 1) thymocytes gave higher numbers than did peripheral blood leukocytes, 2) rosette forming cell numbers were increased in peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations enriched in T cells by nylon column separation and 3) only very few rosette forming cells had surface immunoglobulin, a marker of B lymphocytes. The reasons why all T cells were not detected by the technique were discussed.", "contents": "Erythrocyte rosettes--a marker for bovine T cells. Many species of erythrocytes were investigated for their ability to form spontaneous rosette with bovine peripheral blood leukocytes and fetal thymocytes. Only sheep and chicken red blood cells gave rosettes. Using conditions shown optimum for the demonstration of human rosette forming cells, only low numbers of bovine rosettes were demonstrable. By changing culture conditions to include 100% fetal calf serum, neuraminidase treated erythrocytes and/or lymphocytes and optimizing the incubation times and temperature, up to 38% of peripheral blood leukocytes and 52% of thymocytes formed rosettes. A thymic origin of rosetting cells was ascribed to T cells for the following reasons: 1) thymocytes gave higher numbers than did peripheral blood leukocytes, 2) rosette forming cell numbers were increased in peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations enriched in T cells by nylon column separation and 3) only very few rosette forming cells had surface immunoglobulin, a marker of B lymphocytes. The reasons why all T cells were not detected by the technique were discussed.", "PMID": 793695} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9936", "title": "The mouse inoculation test in rabies diagnosis: early diagnosis in mice during the incubation period.", "content": "Brain tissue from 64 rabies suspect specimens were inoculated intracerebrally into twenty 9-12 gm adult Swiss white mice. Two mice from each specimen were killed on specific days postinoculation and examined for the presence of rabies virus by the fluorescent antibody staining technique. In this way a positive diagnosis was made in the majority of cases between postinoculation days 4 and 12 when the incubation period of these same specimens ranged between eight and 20 days.", "contents": "The mouse inoculation test in rabies diagnosis: early diagnosis in mice during the incubation period. Brain tissue from 64 rabies suspect specimens were inoculated intracerebrally into twenty 9-12 gm adult Swiss white mice. Two mice from each specimen were killed on specific days postinoculation and examined for the presence of rabies virus by the fluorescent antibody staining technique. In this way a positive diagnosis was made in the majority of cases between postinoculation days 4 and 12 when the incubation period of these same specimens ranged between eight and 20 days.", "PMID": 793696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9937", "title": "A direct fluorescent antibody test for large spirochetes in swine dysentery using hyperimmunized swine serum.", "content": "A direct fluorescent antibody test was developed for the identification of large spirochetes which are considered to be the cause of swine dysentery. Sera from swine which had recovered from swine dysentery and had been hyperimmunized by the intravenous and intraperitoneal injection of filtered spirochetes were used for conjugation with fluorescein isothiocyanate. A bright greenish fluorescence of large spirochetes was observed with the conjugated serum from hyperimmunized pig No. 1 when diluted 1:8 and hyperimmunized pig No. 2 when diluted 1:2. Pig No. 1 had developed a serum titer of 1:64 using the indirect fluorescent antibody test for large spirochetes. The conjugated serum from the three swine which had recovered from swine dysentery fluoresced spirochetes only when undiluted. The conjugated serum from the two swine treated while having a hemorrhagic diarrhea did not fluoresce spirochetes. No immunofluorescence of Vibrio spp. was observed.", "contents": "A direct fluorescent antibody test for large spirochetes in swine dysentery using hyperimmunized swine serum. A direct fluorescent antibody test was developed for the identification of large spirochetes which are considered to be the cause of swine dysentery. Sera from swine which had recovered from swine dysentery and had been hyperimmunized by the intravenous and intraperitoneal injection of filtered spirochetes were used for conjugation with fluorescein isothiocyanate. A bright greenish fluorescence of large spirochetes was observed with the conjugated serum from hyperimmunized pig No. 1 when diluted 1:8 and hyperimmunized pig No. 2 when diluted 1:2. Pig No. 1 had developed a serum titer of 1:64 using the indirect fluorescent antibody test for large spirochetes. The conjugated serum from the three swine which had recovered from swine dysentery fluoresced spirochetes only when undiluted. The conjugated serum from the two swine treated while having a hemorrhagic diarrhea did not fluoresce spirochetes. No immunofluorescence of Vibrio spp. was observed.", "PMID": 793697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9938", "title": "Immunofluorescence of spirochetes with serum from swine recovered from swine dysentery using an indirect fluorescent antibody test.", "content": "Using an indirect fluorescent antibody test, immunofluorescence of large spirochetes was observed with serum from swine that had recovered from swine dysentery. The spirochetes were obtained from scrapings of the colonic mucosa on the first day of diarrhea which was the time when the spirochete population was observed to be the highest. Of 29 exposed nonmedicated swine which developed and recovered from a diarrhea characteristic of swine dysentery 27 had antispirochete serum titers which ranged from 1:2 to 1:16. None of the 50 nonexposes swine developed a titer. Of 19 swine with a serum titer and reexposed with infective swine dysentery inoculum, 18 did not develop a diarrhea and were presumed to be immune. Considering these findings it is possible that this test could be used to detect antispirochete antibody in unknown swine serum.", "contents": "Immunofluorescence of spirochetes with serum from swine recovered from swine dysentery using an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Using an indirect fluorescent antibody test, immunofluorescence of large spirochetes was observed with serum from swine that had recovered from swine dysentery. The spirochetes were obtained from scrapings of the colonic mucosa on the first day of diarrhea which was the time when the spirochete population was observed to be the highest. Of 29 exposed nonmedicated swine which developed and recovered from a diarrhea characteristic of swine dysentery 27 had antispirochete serum titers which ranged from 1:2 to 1:16. None of the 50 nonexposes swine developed a titer. Of 19 swine with a serum titer and reexposed with infective swine dysentery inoculum, 18 did not develop a diarrhea and were presumed to be immune. Considering these findings it is possible that this test could be used to detect antispirochete antibody in unknown swine serum.", "PMID": 793698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9939", "title": "Nicolaus Friedreich and degenerative atrophy of the posterior columns of the spinal cord.", "content": "A short outline is given of the pioneer efforts of Nicolaus Friedreich in the description of the spinocerebellar degeneration which now bears his name.", "contents": "Nicolaus Friedreich and degenerative atrophy of the posterior columns of the spinal cord. A short outline is given of the pioneer efforts of Nicolaus Friedreich in the description of the spinocerebellar degeneration which now bears his name.", "PMID": 793699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9940", "title": "Antibody-coated bacteria in the urine of preschool and school-aged girls with asymptomatic bacteriuria.", "content": "Urine samples from 3564 girls aged 2 to 13 years were screened for evidence of infection. Cultures were positive (bacteria count, more than 10(5)/ml) in 61 (1.7%) by the dipslide method and in 55 (1.5%) by standard culture techniques. In 13 (23.6%) of the 55, antibody-coated bacteria (ACB) were detected in the urine. The clinical, bacteriologic, radiologic and urinalysis findings in children with ACB were no different from those in children in whom the bacteria were not coated. Direct examination of uncentrifuged urine under high power revealed one or more bacteria per two high-power fields in 96% of infected urine samples and in only 7% of noninfected samples. Five or more leukocytes per high-power field in centrifuged urine were detected in 36.7% of infected urine samples but not in noninfected samples. The ACB test did not differentiate between asymptomatic bacteriuria with parenchymal scarring or vesicoureteral reflux or both and asymptomatic bacteriuria without these abnormalities.", "contents": "Antibody-coated bacteria in the urine of preschool and school-aged girls with asymptomatic bacteriuria. Urine samples from 3564 girls aged 2 to 13 years were screened for evidence of infection. Cultures were positive (bacteria count, more than 10(5)/ml) in 61 (1.7%) by the dipslide method and in 55 (1.5%) by standard culture techniques. In 13 (23.6%) of the 55, antibody-coated bacteria (ACB) were detected in the urine. The clinical, bacteriologic, radiologic and urinalysis findings in children with ACB were no different from those in children in whom the bacteria were not coated. Direct examination of uncentrifuged urine under high power revealed one or more bacteria per two high-power fields in 96% of infected urine samples and in only 7% of noninfected samples. Five or more leukocytes per high-power field in centrifuged urine were detected in 36.7% of infected urine samples but not in noninfected samples. The ACB test did not differentiate between asymptomatic bacteriuria with parenchymal scarring or vesicoureteral reflux or both and asymptomatic bacteriuria without these abnormalities.", "PMID": 793700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9941", "title": "[Localization of the site of urinary infection in children by an investigation of antibody-covered bacteria].", "content": "The demonstration by immuno-fluorescence of antibodies on the surface of urinary bacteria, a new method of determining the site of a urinary tract infection, was found to be as valuable in children as it is in adults. A clear correlation exists between a positive test result and renal parenchymal infection on one hand, and a negative result and lower urinary tract infection on the other. Moreover, immunoglobulins were still detectable in original positive urine samples that had been standing at 4degrees C for 7 weeks. The constant finding of IgA on bacteria suggests a particular synthesis for this class of immunoglobulin. A pathophysiologic role for complement would appear to be excluded by the facts that the serum concentrations of C3 were normal and that C3 was invariably absent from the bacterial surface.", "contents": "[Localization of the site of urinary infection in children by an investigation of antibody-covered bacteria]. The demonstration by immuno-fluorescence of antibodies on the surface of urinary bacteria, a new method of determining the site of a urinary tract infection, was found to be as valuable in children as it is in adults. A clear correlation exists between a positive test result and renal parenchymal infection on one hand, and a negative result and lower urinary tract infection on the other. Moreover, immunoglobulins were still detectable in original positive urine samples that had been standing at 4degrees C for 7 weeks. The constant finding of IgA on bacteria suggests a particular synthesis for this class of immunoglobulin. A pathophysiologic role for complement would appear to be excluded by the facts that the serum concentrations of C3 were normal and that C3 was invariably absent from the bacterial surface.", "PMID": 793701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9942", "title": "Canadian clinical trial of antilymphocyte globulin in human cadaver renal transplantation.", "content": "A multicentre, randomized clinical trial of antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) was conducted among patients who had undergone cadaver kidney transplantation; follow-up was continued for a minimum of 1 year. Of the 179 patients 92 were given conventional treatment only, while 87 were given in addition ALG (from a standardized, highly immunosuppressive, common pool of equine ALG), 20 mg/kg-d intravenously for 10 days after transplantation. The ALG-treated group had better accumulated graft survival, fewer nephrectomies, better graft function, less than half the number of acute rejection episodes and less prednisone use. There was a beneficial drug (ALG)-related effect in both the graft and the host during the first 3 months after transplantation.", "contents": "Canadian clinical trial of antilymphocyte globulin in human cadaver renal transplantation. A multicentre, randomized clinical trial of antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) was conducted among patients who had undergone cadaver kidney transplantation; follow-up was continued for a minimum of 1 year. Of the 179 patients 92 were given conventional treatment only, while 87 were given in addition ALG (from a standardized, highly immunosuppressive, common pool of equine ALG), 20 mg/kg-d intravenously for 10 days after transplantation. The ALG-treated group had better accumulated graft survival, fewer nephrectomies, better graft function, less than half the number of acute rejection episodes and less prednisone use. There was a beneficial drug (ALG)-related effect in both the graft and the host during the first 3 months after transplantation.", "PMID": 793705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9943", "title": "Controlled trial of azathioprine in the nephrotic syndrome secondary to idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis.", "content": "In a controlled double-blind trial five patients with the nephrotic syndrome due to idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis received azathioprine, 2.5 mg/kg-d, while four others received placebo. After 1 year of treatment there was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the changes in leukocyte count, values for hemoglobin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen or serum albumin, 24-hour excretion of protein in the urine, or creatinine clearance. In this study azathiprine appeared not to be useful in the treatment of idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis.", "contents": "Controlled trial of azathioprine in the nephrotic syndrome secondary to idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis. In a controlled double-blind trial five patients with the nephrotic syndrome due to idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis received azathioprine, 2.5 mg/kg-d, while four others received placebo. After 1 year of treatment there was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the changes in leukocyte count, values for hemoglobin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen or serum albumin, 24-hour excretion of protein in the urine, or creatinine clearance. In this study azathiprine appeared not to be useful in the treatment of idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis.", "PMID": 793706} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9944", "title": "Morphologic and immunologic studies of a human colon tumor cell line (SW-48).", "content": "A permanent human tissue culture cell line (SW-48) has been established from an adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon. Cells in the center of early colonies were cuboidal and loosely bound; cells on the periphery of the same colonies were more columnar, the nuclei were displaced toward the basal region, and the free surface formed stunted microvilli. These columnar cells ofter aligned themselves to resemble normal absorptive tissue. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was identified by immunofluorescent microscopy on the surface membrane of the tumor cells. Significantly more CEA could be isolated from the culture medium than from the whole cells. On agar gel diffusion analysis with a monospecific anti-CEA serum (G.P. 32), SW-48 CEA and CEA preparations from solid tumors demonstrated complete identity.", "contents": "Morphologic and immunologic studies of a human colon tumor cell line (SW-48). A permanent human tissue culture cell line (SW-48) has been established from an adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon. Cells in the center of early colonies were cuboidal and loosely bound; cells on the periphery of the same colonies were more columnar, the nuclei were displaced toward the basal region, and the free surface formed stunted microvilli. These columnar cells ofter aligned themselves to resemble normal absorptive tissue. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was identified by immunofluorescent microscopy on the surface membrane of the tumor cells. Significantly more CEA could be isolated from the culture medium than from the whole cells. On agar gel diffusion analysis with a monospecific anti-CEA serum (G.P. 32), SW-48 CEA and CEA preparations from solid tumors demonstrated complete identity.", "PMID": 793708} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9945", "title": "Preoperative cell-mediated immune status of gastric cancer patients.", "content": "The status of cell-mediated immunity was studied in 360 patients with gastric cancer before surgery. For the skin test, tuberculin and DNCB were employed. For the in vitro test, the blastogenesis of peripheral blood lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), the ratio of rosette-forming T cells to sheep blood red cells, and the macrophage migration inhibiotry factor against autochthonous tumor antigens were measured. As a result, it was found that in progressive gastric cancers the cell-mediated immunity decreased specifically or nonspecifically, especially the DNCB reaction; and the blastogenesis against PHA showed an inverse correlation to the advance of gastric cancer.", "contents": "Preoperative cell-mediated immune status of gastric cancer patients. The status of cell-mediated immunity was studied in 360 patients with gastric cancer before surgery. For the skin test, tuberculin and DNCB were employed. For the in vitro test, the blastogenesis of peripheral blood lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), the ratio of rosette-forming T cells to sheep blood red cells, and the macrophage migration inhibiotry factor against autochthonous tumor antigens were measured. As a result, it was found that in progressive gastric cancers the cell-mediated immunity decreased specifically or nonspecifically, especially the DNCB reaction; and the blastogenesis against PHA showed an inverse correlation to the advance of gastric cancer.", "PMID": 793709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9946", "title": "Systemic giant-cell histiocytosis: report of a case and a review of the adult form of Letterer-Siwe disease.", "content": "The multiple classifications of histiocytic disorders, and the lack of specificity in their application, have degraded the utility of such diagnostic terms as \"Letterer-Siwe Disease\" and \"Malignant Histiocytosis\". A case is presented of a systemic histiocytic proliferation with erythrophagocytosis and giant-cell formation which does not fit into any presently accepted diagnostic niche. No similar case was found in the literature. Moreover, it appears that the entity \"Adult form of Letterer-Siwe disease\" has been uncritically accepted on the basis of a few poorly documented cases, and should be abandoned.", "contents": "Systemic giant-cell histiocytosis: report of a case and a review of the adult form of Letterer-Siwe disease. The multiple classifications of histiocytic disorders, and the lack of specificity in their application, have degraded the utility of such diagnostic terms as \"Letterer-Siwe Disease\" and \"Malignant Histiocytosis\". A case is presented of a systemic histiocytic proliferation with erythrophagocytosis and giant-cell formation which does not fit into any presently accepted diagnostic niche. No similar case was found in the literature. Moreover, it appears that the entity \"Adult form of Letterer-Siwe disease\" has been uncritically accepted on the basis of a few poorly documented cases, and should be abandoned.", "PMID": 793710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9947", "title": "Acute renal insufficiency due to lymphomatous infiltration of the kidneys: report of six cases.", "content": "Described are six patients with acute renal insufficiency due to histologically proven massive lymphomatous infiltration of the kidneys. All patients were admitted to a renal intensive care unit over a period of six years. Oliguria was the presenting symptom in two of the patients. This complication of lymphoma is suggested by enlargement of the kidneys and mild proteinuria in the absence of other causes of uremia and can be demonstrated by renal biopsy. Local radiation therapy performed in two patients produced improvement of renal function.", "contents": "Acute renal insufficiency due to lymphomatous infiltration of the kidneys: report of six cases. Described are six patients with acute renal insufficiency due to histologically proven massive lymphomatous infiltration of the kidneys. All patients were admitted to a renal intensive care unit over a period of six years. Oliguria was the presenting symptom in two of the patients. This complication of lymphoma is suggested by enlargement of the kidneys and mild proteinuria in the absence of other causes of uremia and can be demonstrated by renal biopsy. Local radiation therapy performed in two patients produced improvement of renal function.", "PMID": 793711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9948", "title": "Evaluation of the mutagenicity of compounds of known carcinogenicity, belonging to the benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, and cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene series, using Ames's test.", "content": "Fifty-four polycyclic compounds, 29 of the cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene series, 11 chrysenes, and 14 benz[a]anthracenes, have been tested for mutagenicity by Ames's method, using Salmonella typhimurium TA100. Without exception all 37 carcinogens and a known initiator were mutagens. Of the 16 noncarcinogens 7 were mutagenic, but none of these has yet been tested for initiating, as opposed to carcinogenic, activity. There appeared to be little quantitative correspondence between carcinogenic and mutagenic potency, however, and possible reasons for this are discussed. The aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase inhibitor 7,8-benzoflavone strongly inhibited the mutagenicity of certain compounds when it was added to the incubations.", "contents": "Evaluation of the mutagenicity of compounds of known carcinogenicity, belonging to the benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, and cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene series, using Ames's test. Fifty-four polycyclic compounds, 29 of the cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene series, 11 chrysenes, and 14 benz[a]anthracenes, have been tested for mutagenicity by Ames's method, using Salmonella typhimurium TA100. Without exception all 37 carcinogens and a known initiator were mutagens. Of the 16 noncarcinogens 7 were mutagenic, but none of these has yet been tested for initiating, as opposed to carcinogenic, activity. There appeared to be little quantitative correspondence between carcinogenic and mutagenic potency, however, and possible reasons for this are discussed. The aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase inhibitor 7,8-benzoflavone strongly inhibited the mutagenicity of certain compounds when it was added to the incubations.", "PMID": 793712} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9949", "title": "Detection of bacterial endotoxin in antitumor agents.", "content": "The Limulus amebocyte lysate assay was used to detect the presence of bacterial endotoxin in a variety of chemotherapeutic agents currently in use. Results were quantitated using a standard Escherichia coli endotoxin curve. Relative concentrations of endotoxin ranging from 0.1 to 63 ng/ml were detected in individual lots of L-asparaginase, 5-azacytidine, bleomycin, DTIC, actinomycin D, adriamycin, and vinblastine diluted to normal concentrations for injection. When multiple lots of a given drug were tested, at least one lot produced a negative assay, indicating less than 0.1 ng/ml of endotoxin in 50% of these drugs. All lots of cytosine arabinoside, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, vincristine, and streptozotocin tested had less than 0.1 ng/ml of endotoxin. Inactivation kinetics of the Limulus-positive drug material in dilute alkali solutions were identical to those of E. coli endotoxin. The Limulus lysate test is a rapid and specific method for the detection of small amounts of bacterial endotoxin contaminating parenteral preparations of antitumor agents.", "contents": "Detection of bacterial endotoxin in antitumor agents. The Limulus amebocyte lysate assay was used to detect the presence of bacterial endotoxin in a variety of chemotherapeutic agents currently in use. Results were quantitated using a standard Escherichia coli endotoxin curve. Relative concentrations of endotoxin ranging from 0.1 to 63 ng/ml were detected in individual lots of L-asparaginase, 5-azacytidine, bleomycin, DTIC, actinomycin D, adriamycin, and vinblastine diluted to normal concentrations for injection. When multiple lots of a given drug were tested, at least one lot produced a negative assay, indicating less than 0.1 ng/ml of endotoxin in 50% of these drugs. All lots of cytosine arabinoside, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, vincristine, and streptozotocin tested had less than 0.1 ng/ml of endotoxin. Inactivation kinetics of the Limulus-positive drug material in dilute alkali solutions were identical to those of E. coli endotoxin. The Limulus lysate test is a rapid and specific method for the detection of small amounts of bacterial endotoxin contaminating parenteral preparations of antitumor agents.", "PMID": 793713} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9950", "title": "Calcium and ionophore A-23187 as initiators of DNA replication in the pluripotent haemopoietic stem cell.", "content": "The proliferation rate of the haemopoietic stem cells of the mouse bone marrow can be stimulated by an increase in calcium influx. This key event may be brought about by raising the external calcium concentration or, at lower calcium levels, by use of A-23187 as calcium carrier, within definite dose ranges depending on the Mg2+:Ca2+ molar ratio in the incubation medium. The hypothesis is postulated of an accelerated influx of Ca+ as the possible common mediator of the effects of the various types of agents known to control the CFU cell cycle.", "contents": "Calcium and ionophore A-23187 as initiators of DNA replication in the pluripotent haemopoietic stem cell. The proliferation rate of the haemopoietic stem cells of the mouse bone marrow can be stimulated by an increase in calcium influx. This key event may be brought about by raising the external calcium concentration or, at lower calcium levels, by use of A-23187 as calcium carrier, within definite dose ranges depending on the Mg2+:Ca2+ molar ratio in the incubation medium. The hypothesis is postulated of an accelerated influx of Ca+ as the possible common mediator of the effects of the various types of agents known to control the CFU cell cycle.", "PMID": 793719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9951", "title": "Light and electron microscopic study on the endocrine cells of the pancreas in a marine teleost, Fugu rubripes rubripes.", "content": "The pancreatic endocrine tissue of Fugu rubripes rubripes consists of numerous round principal islets (Brockmann bodies) of various sizes scattered around the gall-bladder. The endocrine cells are divided into A-, B-, D-, and Ff-cells. Each cell type was identified by comparing thick and thin sections in both light and electron microscopy. Aldehyde-fuchsin positive B-cells contain numerous round secretory granules (average diameter 300 nm) each of which has a round compact core of moderate density; a narrow space exists between this core and the limiting membrane. Grimelius' silver positive A cells contain round secretory granules (average diameter 360 nm) with a hexagonal or tetragonal crystalline core (average diameter 170 nm) of high density; the silver grains perferentially appear in the space between the limiting membrane and the core. The crystalline core of each alpha-granule often contains an appendix like structure of variable shape. D cells blackened by the silver impregnation method of Hellman and Hellerstr\u00f6m (1960) have round secretory granules (average diameter 320 nm) filled with a flocculent material of low density. The fourth cell type (Ff-cell) has a clear cytoplasm after differential staining for light microscopy. By electron microscopy, this cell has elongated fusiform secretory granules (520 nm average length x 230 nm average width) filled with numerous filaments arranged in parallel with the longitudinal axis. Figures suggesting granule formation in the sacs of the Golgi apparatus were obtained in all of islet cell types. Equivalents of emiocytotic release of secretory granules were encountered in the A and Ff cells.", "contents": "Light and electron microscopic study on the endocrine cells of the pancreas in a marine teleost, Fugu rubripes rubripes. The pancreatic endocrine tissue of Fugu rubripes rubripes consists of numerous round principal islets (Brockmann bodies) of various sizes scattered around the gall-bladder. The endocrine cells are divided into A-, B-, D-, and Ff-cells. Each cell type was identified by comparing thick and thin sections in both light and electron microscopy. Aldehyde-fuchsin positive B-cells contain numerous round secretory granules (average diameter 300 nm) each of which has a round compact core of moderate density; a narrow space exists between this core and the limiting membrane. Grimelius' silver positive A cells contain round secretory granules (average diameter 360 nm) with a hexagonal or tetragonal crystalline core (average diameter 170 nm) of high density; the silver grains perferentially appear in the space between the limiting membrane and the core. The crystalline core of each alpha-granule often contains an appendix like structure of variable shape. D cells blackened by the silver impregnation method of Hellman and Hellerstr\u00f6m (1960) have round secretory granules (average diameter 320 nm) filled with a flocculent material of low density. The fourth cell type (Ff-cell) has a clear cytoplasm after differential staining for light microscopy. By electron microscopy, this cell has elongated fusiform secretory granules (520 nm average length x 230 nm average width) filled with numerous filaments arranged in parallel with the longitudinal axis. Figures suggesting granule formation in the sacs of the Golgi apparatus were obtained in all of islet cell types. Equivalents of emiocytotic release of secretory granules were encountered in the A and Ff cells.", "PMID": 793720} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9952", "title": "The thyrotropic cells of the guinea pig pituitary. Electron microscopic study after characterization by immunocytochemical means.", "content": "Three different immunocytoenzymatic techniques were used to identify and characterize the thyrotropic cells in the pituitary of normal guinea pigs at the ultrastructural level (superimposition technique, immunocytochemical technique using P.A.P. and indirect immunohistoenzymatic method before embedding). These cells are characterized by a dark cytoplasm with granules ranging from 1500 to 2000 A in diameter. The appearance of these granules is very variable: some display a marked electron density and are homogeneous but some have a less marked electron density with a more electron dense peripherally situated region. The TSH molecules are essentially confined to the granules but when the immunocytochemical reactions are carried out before embedding, positive staining is also seen in the cytoplasm and the outer surface of most of the rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes. These results are discussed.", "contents": "The thyrotropic cells of the guinea pig pituitary. Electron microscopic study after characterization by immunocytochemical means. Three different immunocytoenzymatic techniques were used to identify and characterize the thyrotropic cells in the pituitary of normal guinea pigs at the ultrastructural level (superimposition technique, immunocytochemical technique using P.A.P. and indirect immunohistoenzymatic method before embedding). These cells are characterized by a dark cytoplasm with granules ranging from 1500 to 2000 A in diameter. The appearance of these granules is very variable: some display a marked electron density and are homogeneous but some have a less marked electron density with a more electron dense peripherally situated region. The TSH molecules are essentially confined to the granules but when the immunocytochemical reactions are carried out before embedding, positive staining is also seen in the cytoplasm and the outer surface of most of the rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes. These results are discussed.", "PMID": 793721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9953", "title": "Ultrastructural localization of prolactin, growth hormone and luteinizing hormone by immunocytochemical techniques in the bovine pituitary.", "content": "The technique of ultrastructural immunocytochemistry involving the unlabeled antibody and the soluble peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex was used to identify and describe the prolactin (P) cells, somatotropic (STH) cells and luteinizing hormone (LH) cells in the bovine anterior pituitary gland. This method was used to localize the three hormones at the electron microscopic level. Staining of varying intensity was found on the secretory granules and on the small granules and vesicles within the Golgi complex. No stain was found in nuclei, on mitochondria or in the endoplasmic reticulum.", "contents": "Ultrastructural localization of prolactin, growth hormone and luteinizing hormone by immunocytochemical techniques in the bovine pituitary. The technique of ultrastructural immunocytochemistry involving the unlabeled antibody and the soluble peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex was used to identify and describe the prolactin (P) cells, somatotropic (STH) cells and luteinizing hormone (LH) cells in the bovine anterior pituitary gland. This method was used to localize the three hormones at the electron microscopic level. Staining of varying intensity was found on the secretory granules and on the small granules and vesicles within the Golgi complex. No stain was found in nuclei, on mitochondria or in the endoplasmic reticulum.", "PMID": 793722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9954", "title": "Immunocytochemical study of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system. I. Localization of neurosecretory neurons containing neurophysin-I and neurophysin-II in the domestic pig.", "content": "Antibodies raised against porcine neurophysin-I and porcine neurophysin-II using an injection regime in rabbits over a short time period, were used to localize neurophysin-I and neurophysin-II in hypothalamic neurosecretory elements of the domestic pig. In transverse section, neurophysin-II containing cells were more abundant in the dorsal medial region of the rostral supraoptic nucleus (SON) as compared with the distribution of neurophysin-I neurons. The main bulk of the cells of the SON were heavily stained for neurophysin-I with neurophysin-II containing cells positioned dorsal from the edge of the optic chiasma. Neurosecretory cells of the SON as seen in sagittal section also showed a differential staining for neurophysins-I and -II. Rostral regions of the pig paraventricular nucleus (PVN) contained magnocellular elements near the third ventricle which were stained predominantly for neurophysin-II. In regions corresponding to the caudal PVN there appeared two populations of neurosecretory neurons: (a) an area of cells adjacent to the third ventricle which contained neurophysin-II antigen and (b) a group of densely populated cells in the dorsal-lateral region which was stained for neurophysin-I. The results support the existence in the pig of at least two distinct populations of neurosecretory neurons corresponding to the neurophysin-I and neurophysin-II neurosecretory system.", "contents": "Immunocytochemical study of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system. I. Localization of neurosecretory neurons containing neurophysin-I and neurophysin-II in the domestic pig. Antibodies raised against porcine neurophysin-I and porcine neurophysin-II using an injection regime in rabbits over a short time period, were used to localize neurophysin-I and neurophysin-II in hypothalamic neurosecretory elements of the domestic pig. In transverse section, neurophysin-II containing cells were more abundant in the dorsal medial region of the rostral supraoptic nucleus (SON) as compared with the distribution of neurophysin-I neurons. The main bulk of the cells of the SON were heavily stained for neurophysin-I with neurophysin-II containing cells positioned dorsal from the edge of the optic chiasma. Neurosecretory cells of the SON as seen in sagittal section also showed a differential staining for neurophysins-I and -II. Rostral regions of the pig paraventricular nucleus (PVN) contained magnocellular elements near the third ventricle which were stained predominantly for neurophysin-II. In regions corresponding to the caudal PVN there appeared two populations of neurosecretory neurons: (a) an area of cells adjacent to the third ventricle which contained neurophysin-II antigen and (b) a group of densely populated cells in the dorsal-lateral region which was stained for neurophysin-I. The results support the existence in the pig of at least two distinct populations of neurosecretory neurons corresponding to the neurophysin-I and neurophysin-II neurosecretory system.", "PMID": 793723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9955", "title": "Identification of gastrin-secreting cells and cholecystokinin-secreting cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the human fetus and adult man.", "content": "Gastrin- and cholecystokinin (C.C.K.)-containing cells were detected by using anti-gastrin and anti-C.C.K. sera in the gastrointestinal tract of human fetuses and premature infants and in the stomach and duodenum of adult man obtained by biopsy from eight patients with normal gastro-duodenal endoscopy. The specificity of immunocytological reactions was ascertained by studying the inhibition of the reaction by gastrin, C.C.K., secretin, somatostatin, glucagon, insulin, serotonin, histamin, caerulein and octapeptide of C.C.K. In adult man, the gastrin cells are located only in the antrum and juxtapyloric region; C.C.K. was detected in the duodenum. In the human fetus, the first gastrin cells are seen in the antrum at 14 weeks of age and in the duodenum as early as 10 weeks; the C.C.K. cells are seen in the small intestine at 10 weeks of age.", "contents": "Identification of gastrin-secreting cells and cholecystokinin-secreting cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the human fetus and adult man. Gastrin- and cholecystokinin (C.C.K.)-containing cells were detected by using anti-gastrin and anti-C.C.K. sera in the gastrointestinal tract of human fetuses and premature infants and in the stomach and duodenum of adult man obtained by biopsy from eight patients with normal gastro-duodenal endoscopy. The specificity of immunocytological reactions was ascertained by studying the inhibition of the reaction by gastrin, C.C.K., secretin, somatostatin, glucagon, insulin, serotonin, histamin, caerulein and octapeptide of C.C.K. In adult man, the gastrin cells are located only in the antrum and juxtapyloric region; C.C.K. was detected in the duodenum. In the human fetus, the first gastrin cells are seen in the antrum at 14 weeks of age and in the duodenum as early as 10 weeks; the C.C.K. cells are seen in the small intestine at 10 weeks of age.", "PMID": 793724} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9956", "title": "Evaluation of a DNA polymerase-deficient mutant of E. coli for the rapid detection of carcinogens.", "content": "Differential growth inhibition of two E. coli cultures was evaluated as a rapid screening technique for chemical carcinogens. Of the carcinogens tested, only \"direct acting\" carcinogens produced positive results. Furthermore, this test is not a quantitative assay in that neither was a dose--response relationship seen nor did potent carcinogens necessarily show a greater response than weaker carcinogens.", "contents": "Evaluation of a DNA polymerase-deficient mutant of E. coli for the rapid detection of carcinogens. Differential growth inhibition of two E. coli cultures was evaluated as a rapid screening technique for chemical carcinogens. Of the carcinogens tested, only \"direct acting\" carcinogens produced positive results. Furthermore, this test is not a quantitative assay in that neither was a dose--response relationship seen nor did potent carcinogens necessarily show a greater response than weaker carcinogens.", "PMID": 793736} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9957", "title": "Radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay compared for determination of digoxin.", "content": "Patients' sera were analyzed for digoxin by using two different radioimmunoassays and an enzyme immunoassay. Quantitative results obtained by enzyme immunoassay (I) were compared to results obtained on aliquots of the same sample by the radioimmunoassays (II and III). The correlation coefficients were: I vs. II 0.90, n=108; I vs. III 0.94, n=102; and II vs. III 0.95, n=158. Day-to-day precision (10 days) on a low control (1.3 mug/liter) and a high control 3.0 mg/liter), expressed as coefficients of variation, were: I, 13% and 7.8%, II, 4.0% and 4.7%; and III, 8.9% and 4.2%. Ten digoxin-supplemented samples (0-8 mug/liter) were analyzed by the three methods. Correlation coefficients were: supplemented sample vs. I, O.99; supplemented sample vs. II, 0.97; supplemented sample vs. III, 0.98.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay compared for determination of digoxin. Patients' sera were analyzed for digoxin by using two different radioimmunoassays and an enzyme immunoassay. Quantitative results obtained by enzyme immunoassay (I) were compared to results obtained on aliquots of the same sample by the radioimmunoassays (II and III). The correlation coefficients were: I vs. II 0.90, n=108; I vs. III 0.94, n=102; and II vs. III 0.95, n=158. Day-to-day precision (10 days) on a low control (1.3 mug/liter) and a high control 3.0 mg/liter), expressed as coefficients of variation, were: I, 13% and 7.8%, II, 4.0% and 4.7%; and III, 8.9% and 4.2%. Ten digoxin-supplemented samples (0-8 mug/liter) were analyzed by the three methods. Correlation coefficients were: supplemented sample vs. I, O.99; supplemented sample vs. II, 0.97; supplemented sample vs. III, 0.98.", "PMID": 793739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9958", "title": "Polarisation fluoroimmunoassay of gentamicin.", "content": "A polarisation fluoroimmunoassay has been developed for the routine determination of gentamicin levels in serum. The method employs fluorescein-labelled gentamicin which is easily, reproducibly and economically prepared and has excellent shelf-life. The assay is fast (minimum incubation time 2 min) and requires 1.25 mul of serum. There is no separation step prior to readout of results. Recovery experiments reveal no serum effects. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation are of the order of 10% or less. Estimations of gentamicin levels in patient serum samples correlate closely with those obtained by bioassay (r = 0.93) and radioimmunoassy (r = 0.97).", "contents": "Polarisation fluoroimmunoassay of gentamicin. A polarisation fluoroimmunoassay has been developed for the routine determination of gentamicin levels in serum. The method employs fluorescein-labelled gentamicin which is easily, reproducibly and economically prepared and has excellent shelf-life. The assay is fast (minimum incubation time 2 min) and requires 1.25 mul of serum. There is no separation step prior to readout of results. Recovery experiments reveal no serum effects. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation are of the order of 10% or less. Estimations of gentamicin levels in patient serum samples correlate closely with those obtained by bioassay (r = 0.93) and radioimmunoassy (r = 0.97).", "PMID": 793741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9959", "title": "Experimental cellular allergic reactions in normal canine and malignant human prostate.", "content": "This paper describes the histopathology of chronic tuberculin-type hypersensitivity reactions in the normal canine and malignant human prostate. Seven dogs were sensitized by injection of Freund's complete adjuvant and the histological response to the subsequent intra-prostatic injection of 6 mg tuberculin PPD was documented. A chronic mononuclear cell prostatis persisted for 4 weeks and was accompanied by paracortical distension and follicular hyperplasia in regional lymph nodes. Six patients with carcinoma of the prostate were given multiple intraprostatic injections of BCG, which induced a chronic mononuclear cell prostatitis with some evidence of tumour-cell necrosis. The study indicated that the prostate can support chronic cell-mediated allergic reactions to extrinsic antigens and that intra-prostatic injections of BCG can be administered without harmful effects to patients with malignant prostatic disease.", "contents": "Experimental cellular allergic reactions in normal canine and malignant human prostate. This paper describes the histopathology of chronic tuberculin-type hypersensitivity reactions in the normal canine and malignant human prostate. Seven dogs were sensitized by injection of Freund's complete adjuvant and the histological response to the subsequent intra-prostatic injection of 6 mg tuberculin PPD was documented. A chronic mononuclear cell prostatis persisted for 4 weeks and was accompanied by paracortical distension and follicular hyperplasia in regional lymph nodes. Six patients with carcinoma of the prostate were given multiple intraprostatic injections of BCG, which induced a chronic mononuclear cell prostatitis with some evidence of tumour-cell necrosis. The study indicated that the prostate can support chronic cell-mediated allergic reactions to extrinsic antigens and that intra-prostatic injections of BCG can be administered without harmful effects to patients with malignant prostatic disease.", "PMID": 793748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9960", "title": "Migration inhibition factor-like activity in inflammatory synovial fluids might be due to proteases.", "content": "Using an assay of macrophage migration, where the cells emigrate from an agarose droplet, it was found that the neutral proteases trypsin, chymotrypsin, Pronase and elastase have MIF-like activity. Appropriate enzyme inhibitors counteract this effect. To twelve synovial fluids from patients with inflammatory arthritis, which have MIF-like activity (migration index between 0-3 and 0-7) protease indhibitors (Trasylol, ovomucoid and soybean inhibitor) were added. Ten of the fluids lost some of their MIF-like activity with at least one inhibitor. Phenylmethylsulphonylfluoride counteracted totally the MIF-like activity of the two fluids tested. It is concluded that MIF-like activity of inflammatory synovial fluids is due, at least partially, to proteases.", "contents": "Migration inhibition factor-like activity in inflammatory synovial fluids might be due to proteases. Using an assay of macrophage migration, where the cells emigrate from an agarose droplet, it was found that the neutral proteases trypsin, chymotrypsin, Pronase and elastase have MIF-like activity. Appropriate enzyme inhibitors counteract this effect. To twelve synovial fluids from patients with inflammatory arthritis, which have MIF-like activity (migration index between 0-3 and 0-7) protease indhibitors (Trasylol, ovomucoid and soybean inhibitor) were added. Ten of the fluids lost some of their MIF-like activity with at least one inhibitor. Phenylmethylsulphonylfluoride counteracted totally the MIF-like activity of the two fluids tested. It is concluded that MIF-like activity of inflammatory synovial fluids is due, at least partially, to proteases.", "PMID": 793749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9961", "title": "Features of the immune response to DNA in mice II. Participation of B and T cells.", "content": "The respective roles of thymus-derived and bone marrow-derived lymphocytes in the immune response to DNA was investigated in mice reconstituted with various cell populations using cell transfers. A helper effect of thymus-derived cells in the immune response to DNA was suggested by experiments performed in athymic nude BALB/c mice. Reconstitution experiments performed in low responder DBA/mice indicated that the immune response to DNA can be increased after transfer of bone marrow cells from high responder NZB mice, even in the presence of thymocytes from DBA/2 mice. In NZB X NZW mice, a major role of bone marrow cells, with a possible modulation by thymus-derived cells during aging, was observed in the spontaneous development of anti-DNA antibodies.", "contents": "Features of the immune response to DNA in mice II. Participation of B and T cells. The respective roles of thymus-derived and bone marrow-derived lymphocytes in the immune response to DNA was investigated in mice reconstituted with various cell populations using cell transfers. A helper effect of thymus-derived cells in the immune response to DNA was suggested by experiments performed in athymic nude BALB/c mice. Reconstitution experiments performed in low responder DBA/mice indicated that the immune response to DNA can be increased after transfer of bone marrow cells from high responder NZB mice, even in the presence of thymocytes from DBA/2 mice. In NZB X NZW mice, a major role of bone marrow cells, with a possible modulation by thymus-derived cells during aging, was observed in the spontaneous development of anti-DNA antibodies.", "PMID": 793750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9962", "title": "Detection of antibody to respiratory syncytial virus by membrane fluorescence.", "content": "An indirect membrane fluorescent antibody technique was established to study HEp 2 cells infected with respiratory syncytial (RS) virus. It was possible to detect IgG and IgM antibody to RS virus in the sera of patients with respiratory infections using this technique. The technique was further applied to the detection of IgA antibody to the same virus in colostrum.", "contents": "Detection of antibody to respiratory syncytial virus by membrane fluorescence. An indirect membrane fluorescent antibody technique was established to study HEp 2 cells infected with respiratory syncytial (RS) virus. It was possible to detect IgG and IgM antibody to RS virus in the sera of patients with respiratory infections using this technique. The technique was further applied to the detection of IgA antibody to the same virus in colostrum.", "PMID": 793751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9963", "title": "Enumeration of immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes in whole peripheral blood.", "content": "A new method is described for the detection by immunofluorescence of lymphocyte populations in whole peripheral blood. Lymphocytes are identified by their lack of intracellular peroxidase, and the absolute number of different populations can be accurately enumerated by avoiding procedures for isolating mononuclear cells before fluorescent staining. Among twenty-two normal individuals the mean +/- s.d. percentage and absolute number of lymphocytes with stable surface immunoglobulin were as follows: IgM, 8-1+/-2-3%, 142+/-60/mu1; IgD,8-9+/-2-2%, 212+/-85/mu1;IgA, 2-2+/-1-0%, 41+/-24/mu1; IgG, 2-3+/-1-6%, 60+/-47/mu1. It was confirmed that the detection of true IgG-bearing lymphocytes depends on washing the blood at 37degrees before staining or the use of F(ab)2 anti-IgG antibodies. The proportion of lymphocytes stained by whole IgG polyvalent anti-immunoglobulin antibody, which detects both true immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes (B cells) and Fc receptor cells was constant (20-5+/-1-0%) both in and between individuals, but the absolute numbers (380+/-117/mu1) varied with the lymphocyte count.", "contents": "Enumeration of immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes in whole peripheral blood. A new method is described for the detection by immunofluorescence of lymphocyte populations in whole peripheral blood. Lymphocytes are identified by their lack of intracellular peroxidase, and the absolute number of different populations can be accurately enumerated by avoiding procedures for isolating mononuclear cells before fluorescent staining. Among twenty-two normal individuals the mean +/- s.d. percentage and absolute number of lymphocytes with stable surface immunoglobulin were as follows: IgM, 8-1+/-2-3%, 142+/-60/mu1; IgD,8-9+/-2-2%, 212+/-85/mu1;IgA, 2-2+/-1-0%, 41+/-24/mu1; IgG, 2-3+/-1-6%, 60+/-47/mu1. It was confirmed that the detection of true IgG-bearing lymphocytes depends on washing the blood at 37degrees before staining or the use of F(ab)2 anti-IgG antibodies. The proportion of lymphocytes stained by whole IgG polyvalent anti-immunoglobulin antibody, which detects both true immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes (B cells) and Fc receptor cells was constant (20-5+/-1-0%) both in and between individuals, but the absolute numbers (380+/-117/mu1) varied with the lymphocyte count.", "PMID": 793752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9964", "title": "The prognostic significance of coronary artery calcification seen on fluoroscopy.", "content": "Fluoroscopic detection of coronary artery calcification (C.A.C.) has no prognostic significance. Of 440 patients screened 78 were found to have C.A.C. The five year survival of this group was the same as that of a control group. Age, sex, distribution, and extent were also without significance. Improved equipment available today allows recognition of smaller areas of calcification which may have clinical significance.", "contents": "The prognostic significance of coronary artery calcification seen on fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopic detection of coronary artery calcification (C.A.C.) has no prognostic significance. Of 440 patients screened 78 were found to have C.A.C. The five year survival of this group was the same as that of a control group. Age, sex, distribution, and extent were also without significance. Improved equipment available today allows recognition of smaller areas of calcification which may have clinical significance.", "PMID": 793755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9965", "title": "Effect of topically applied acidulated phosphate fluoride on dental caries.", "content": "A 4-year clinical trial was conducted to determine the effect on dental caries incidence of the use of acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF 1.23%). 1,653 Egyptian schoolchildren aged 8 years started the trial. Dental caries was assessed annually by clinical examinations. 1,027 children completed the study. After 4 years, the children in the study group showed a mean of 2.58 DMF teeth and 2.68 DMF surfaces. Those in the control group showed 2.58 and 2.67, respectively. No significant reduction in the caries increment was observed at 0.05 level. The findings of this study suggest that topical application of fluoride does not decrease pit and fissure caries.", "contents": "Effect of topically applied acidulated phosphate fluoride on dental caries. A 4-year clinical trial was conducted to determine the effect on dental caries incidence of the use of acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF 1.23%). 1,653 Egyptian schoolchildren aged 8 years started the trial. Dental caries was assessed annually by clinical examinations. 1,027 children completed the study. After 4 years, the children in the study group showed a mean of 2.58 DMF teeth and 2.68 DMF surfaces. Those in the control group showed 2.58 and 2.67, respectively. No significant reduction in the caries increment was observed at 0.05 level. The findings of this study suggest that topical application of fluoride does not decrease pit and fissure caries.", "PMID": 793766} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9966", "title": "Bio-emulsifiers.", "content": "This review discusses the currect state of the art on the subject of emulsifiers, particularly those of biological origins. The basic principles involved in the mode of action of emulsifier molecules are reviewed. Current ideas on the classification, physicochemical properties, stability, and rheological properties of emulsions are discussed. The literature review on bio-emulsifiers emphasizes those of microbial origins and their application in industry. Some of the more common methods for the study of emulsion properties are also outlined.", "contents": "Bio-emulsifiers. This review discusses the currect state of the art on the subject of emulsifiers, particularly those of biological origins. The basic principles involved in the mode of action of emulsifier molecules are reviewed. Current ideas on the classification, physicochemical properties, stability, and rheological properties of emulsions are discussed. The literature review on bio-emulsifiers emphasizes those of microbial origins and their application in industry. Some of the more common methods for the study of emulsion properties are also outlined.", "PMID": 793775} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9967", "title": "Products of soil microorganisms in relation to plant growth.", "content": "A survey has been made of the range and activity of the organic products of soil microorganisms which have a direct influence on plant growth. Microbial metabolites which effect plants indirectly by the modification of the soil environment are also reviewed. The sources of substrates for the production of metabolites in soil and the farming practices which give rise to them are considered. It is stressed that an interdisciplinary approach is needed in the manipulation of microbiological activity in soil.", "contents": "Products of soil microorganisms in relation to plant growth. A survey has been made of the range and activity of the organic products of soil microorganisms which have a direct influence on plant growth. Microbial metabolites which effect plants indirectly by the modification of the soil environment are also reviewed. The sources of substrates for the production of metabolites in soil and the farming practices which give rise to them are considered. It is stressed that an interdisciplinary approach is needed in the manipulation of microbiological activity in soil.", "PMID": 793776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9968", "title": "Double-blind comparison of 3-times daily and single night dosage of amitriptyline, with special reference to side-effects.", "content": "Forty-one depressed in-patients completed a 4-week trial in which they were given 150 mg amitriptyline either as 3 daytime doses or as a single dose at bedtime (placebo was given at the other times). There was no significant difference in efficacy, as measured by Hamilton and Wakefield scales. Complaints of dry mouth and blurred vision increased in both groups; increased complaints of a \"hung-over feeling\" after waking occurred in those having the bedtime dose, but fewer of these gained wieght during the trial.", "contents": "Double-blind comparison of 3-times daily and single night dosage of amitriptyline, with special reference to side-effects. Forty-one depressed in-patients completed a 4-week trial in which they were given 150 mg amitriptyline either as 3 daytime doses or as a single dose at bedtime (placebo was given at the other times). There was no significant difference in efficacy, as measured by Hamilton and Wakefield scales. Complaints of dry mouth and blurred vision increased in both groups; increased complaints of a \"hung-over feeling\" after waking occurred in those having the bedtime dose, but fewer of these gained wieght during the trial.", "PMID": 793777} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9969", "title": "Medical treatment of intermittent claudication: a comparative double-blind study of suloctidil, dihydroergotoxine and placebo.", "content": "Forty-five patients suffering from intermittent claudication were admitted to a double-blind non-crossover study. Three groups were constituted at random and treated for 2 months with either 100 mg suloctidil t.i.d. or 1.5 mg dihydroergotoxine methylate t.i.d. or placebo. From the results of measurements of pain-free walking distance and venous occlusion plethysmography recordings, suloctidil was shown to be active and significantly superior to dehydroergotoxine and placebo: in the two latter groups a decrease in calf blood perfusion after 2 months was also noted. The physician's overall assessment of response to treatment showed that suloctidil and dihydroergotoxine were significantly superior to placebo, and that suloctidil was significantly better than dihydroergotoxine.", "contents": "Medical treatment of intermittent claudication: a comparative double-blind study of suloctidil, dihydroergotoxine and placebo. Forty-five patients suffering from intermittent claudication were admitted to a double-blind non-crossover study. Three groups were constituted at random and treated for 2 months with either 100 mg suloctidil t.i.d. or 1.5 mg dihydroergotoxine methylate t.i.d. or placebo. From the results of measurements of pain-free walking distance and venous occlusion plethysmography recordings, suloctidil was shown to be active and significantly superior to dehydroergotoxine and placebo: in the two latter groups a decrease in calf blood perfusion after 2 months was also noted. The physician's overall assessment of response to treatment showed that suloctidil and dihydroergotoxine were significantly superior to placebo, and that suloctidil was significantly better than dihydroergotoxine.", "PMID": 793778} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9970", "title": "Bumetanide in congestive heart failure.", "content": "Bumetanide, a new diuretic exerting its major effect on the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, was evaluated in 20 patients with congestive heart failure. Dosage ranged from 1 mg to 3 mg daily depending on the patient's condition. The results after 3 and 8 days' treatment showed that bumetanide caused a significant diuresis, an increased excretion of sodium, potassium and chloride, and a comparable fall in the serum levels of these electrolytes. Changes in electrolyte levels were directly related to the dose of the drug. The resultant hypochloraemia was accompanied by a slight metabolic alkalosis. A comparative crossover study between placebo, bumetanide and frusemide using equipotent doses was performed in 10 patients. Both drugs had a similar effect upon water excretion and the serum and urinary electrolytes.", "contents": "Bumetanide in congestive heart failure. Bumetanide, a new diuretic exerting its major effect on the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, was evaluated in 20 patients with congestive heart failure. Dosage ranged from 1 mg to 3 mg daily depending on the patient's condition. The results after 3 and 8 days' treatment showed that bumetanide caused a significant diuresis, an increased excretion of sodium, potassium and chloride, and a comparable fall in the serum levels of these electrolytes. Changes in electrolyte levels were directly related to the dose of the drug. The resultant hypochloraemia was accompanied by a slight metabolic alkalosis. A comparative crossover study between placebo, bumetanide and frusemide using equipotent doses was performed in 10 patients. Both drugs had a similar effect upon water excretion and the serum and urinary electrolytes.", "PMID": 793779} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9971", "title": "A comparative trial of large doses of ketoprofen and indomethacin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A 4-weeks' double-blind, crossover study in 30 patients with definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis is reported using 300 mg ketoprofen per day and 150 mg indomethacin per day. Both drugs had similar effects upon the patients' subjective improvement of pain. Objectively, the results also suggest that ketoprofen may be more effective in reducing the articular index, i.e. a superior analgesic effect. Further studies are underway to assess the value of ketoprofen administered in high dosage for longer duration.", "contents": "A comparative trial of large doses of ketoprofen and indomethacin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A 4-weeks' double-blind, crossover study in 30 patients with definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis is reported using 300 mg ketoprofen per day and 150 mg indomethacin per day. Both drugs had similar effects upon the patients' subjective improvement of pain. Objectively, the results also suggest that ketoprofen may be more effective in reducing the articular index, i.e. a superior analgesic effect. Further studies are underway to assess the value of ketoprofen administered in high dosage for longer duration.", "PMID": 793780} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9972", "title": "Double-blind trial of a long-acting bronchodilator preparation (\"Nethaprin Dospan\") in bronchospastic disease.", "content": "A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was carried out in 48 patients with bronchospastic disease to assess the efficacy of a long-acting bronchodilator preparation (\"Nethaprin Dospan\") containing etafedrine hydrochloride, bufylline, doxylamine succinate and phenylephrine. Patients received 1 tablet nightly, with an extra dose in the morning if necessary, of active drug or placebo for 1 week, and were then crossed over to the alternative medication for a further week. All patients had marked disability, apparent on initial clinical examination and on respiratory function tests. The results showed that FEV1 and VC were significantly improved with the active medication, and patients slept better, had improved appetite and suppression of cough.", "contents": "Double-blind trial of a long-acting bronchodilator preparation (\"Nethaprin Dospan\") in bronchospastic disease. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was carried out in 48 patients with bronchospastic disease to assess the efficacy of a long-acting bronchodilator preparation (\"Nethaprin Dospan\") containing etafedrine hydrochloride, bufylline, doxylamine succinate and phenylephrine. Patients received 1 tablet nightly, with an extra dose in the morning if necessary, of active drug or placebo for 1 week, and were then crossed over to the alternative medication for a further week. All patients had marked disability, apparent on initial clinical examination and on respiratory function tests. The results showed that FEV1 and VC were significantly improved with the active medication, and patients slept better, had improved appetite and suppression of cough.", "PMID": 793781} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9973", "title": "Hormones and non-specific humoral factors in the interferences between sodium, glucose and phosphate handling by dog kidney.", "content": "Some relationships between renal handling of sodium, glucose and phosphate have been investigated comparatively in dog kidneys studied \"in situ\", transplanted to the neck vessels of a perfusor animal, or perfused by a pump-oxygenator machine. The results can be summarized as follows: a) The values of tm of glucose per ml of glomerular filtration rate are not significantly different in the presence or in the absence of a perfusor animal, thus ruling out an hormonal modulation. b) An identical curvilinear regression relation between tmG and fractional excretion of sodium is found in the three types of experiments; the response to saline loading is identical; therefore an hormonal control of extrarenal origin is excluded. The differences in the decrease of tm glucose at high or low values of sodium excretion seem best explained by a coupling between glucose transport and one component of sodium transport which should be comparatively less influenced when the impairment of proximal reabsorption is high. c) A competition between glucose and phosphate excretion is observed in the isolated kidney; therefore it depends also at least for some part on intrarenal mechanisms. d) Insulin decreases phosphate clearance by direct renal action, probably by enhancing the tubular reabsorption of this ion as well as of sodium.", "contents": "Hormones and non-specific humoral factors in the interferences between sodium, glucose and phosphate handling by dog kidney. Some relationships between renal handling of sodium, glucose and phosphate have been investigated comparatively in dog kidneys studied \"in situ\", transplanted to the neck vessels of a perfusor animal, or perfused by a pump-oxygenator machine. The results can be summarized as follows: a) The values of tm of glucose per ml of glomerular filtration rate are not significantly different in the presence or in the absence of a perfusor animal, thus ruling out an hormonal modulation. b) An identical curvilinear regression relation between tmG and fractional excretion of sodium is found in the three types of experiments; the response to saline loading is identical; therefore an hormonal control of extrarenal origin is excluded. The differences in the decrease of tm glucose at high or low values of sodium excretion seem best explained by a coupling between glucose transport and one component of sodium transport which should be comparatively less influenced when the impairment of proximal reabsorption is high. c) A competition between glucose and phosphate excretion is observed in the isolated kidney; therefore it depends also at least for some part on intrarenal mechanisms. d) Insulin decreases phosphate clearance by direct renal action, probably by enhancing the tubular reabsorption of this ion as well as of sodium.", "PMID": 793782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9974", "title": "Aspects of regulation in kidney at the enzymic level: aldolase isozymes, aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase.", "content": "Histochemical and immuno-histochemical studies on kidney sections of adult rats and rats at different stages of development were carried out to estimate enzyme concentrations in nephron segments. Aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase were found from 3 days before birth in proximal tubule cells, aldolase-B and aldolase-A in all the nephron and collecting duct. The concentration of the enzymes remained remarkably constant from the 3rd day after birth onwards, except for aldolase-A in the distal tubule cells. The concentration of aldolase-B was higher than of aldolase-A in the distal tubule cells. The concentration of aldolase-B was higher than of aldolase-A, in glomerula and proximal tubules, that of aldolase-A was higher than that of aldolase-B in the ascending thick part of the Henle loop and in the following parts of the nephron. This implies that the concentration of the enzymes is the limiting factor for the regulation of substrate hydrolysis and that the nephron when formed can function as efficiently as the nephron of the adult rat with respect to these enzymes.", "contents": "Aspects of regulation in kidney at the enzymic level: aldolase isozymes, aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase. Histochemical and immuno-histochemical studies on kidney sections of adult rats and rats at different stages of development were carried out to estimate enzyme concentrations in nephron segments. Aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase were found from 3 days before birth in proximal tubule cells, aldolase-B and aldolase-A in all the nephron and collecting duct. The concentration of the enzymes remained remarkably constant from the 3rd day after birth onwards, except for aldolase-A in the distal tubule cells. The concentration of aldolase-B was higher than of aldolase-A in the distal tubule cells. The concentration of aldolase-B was higher than of aldolase-A, in glomerula and proximal tubules, that of aldolase-A was higher than that of aldolase-B in the ascending thick part of the Henle loop and in the following parts of the nephron. This implies that the concentration of the enzymes is the limiting factor for the regulation of substrate hydrolysis and that the nephron when formed can function as efficiently as the nephron of the adult rat with respect to these enzymes.", "PMID": 793783} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9975", "title": "Noninvasive measurement of cardiac function during exercise, using resaturation curves.", "content": "The resaturation curve, a noninvasive indicator-dilution test using an ear oximeter to detect rates of change in arterial oxygen saturation during breathing of various concentrations of oxygen, was used to assess cardiac performance in normal subjects and in 108 patients with cardiac valvular disease. Measurements made during exercise included the time constant of resaturation (tau) and beat-to-beat changes in arterial oxygen saturation (the left heart clearance fraction). At maximum rates of voluntary work, patients had a significantly reduced clearance fraction and longer tau than normal subjects. Clearance fraction and tau improved in patients after aortic valve replacement; deterioration occurred in tau and clearance fraction over time in patients treated medically, as compared to normal subjects who showed little change during a ten-year period. Clearance fraction and tau correlated with hemodynamic data obtained during cardiac catheterization. The resaturation curve provides an objective measure of cardiac impairment that can be readily repeated during follow-up of patients with heart disease.", "contents": "Noninvasive measurement of cardiac function during exercise, using resaturation curves. The resaturation curve, a noninvasive indicator-dilution test using an ear oximeter to detect rates of change in arterial oxygen saturation during breathing of various concentrations of oxygen, was used to assess cardiac performance in normal subjects and in 108 patients with cardiac valvular disease. Measurements made during exercise included the time constant of resaturation (tau) and beat-to-beat changes in arterial oxygen saturation (the left heart clearance fraction). At maximum rates of voluntary work, patients had a significantly reduced clearance fraction and longer tau than normal subjects. Clearance fraction and tau improved in patients after aortic valve replacement; deterioration occurred in tau and clearance fraction over time in patients treated medically, as compared to normal subjects who showed little change during a ten-year period. Clearance fraction and tau correlated with hemodynamic data obtained during cardiac catheterization. The resaturation curve provides an objective measure of cardiac impairment that can be readily repeated during follow-up of patients with heart disease.", "PMID": 793786} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9976", "title": "[Results of nerve repair on the upper limbs].", "content": "This paper concerns the clinical results of microsurgical repair to nerve injuries on the upper extremities of 66 patients, who had sustained a total of 126 nerve injuries. The majority of these cases involved lesions of the sensory nerves, occurring in the area of the palmar surface of the hand and flexor surface of the fingers (102 nerves and 24 injuries involving the nerve trunks of the median and ulnar nerves). -- Fifty-five percent of the cases were treated primarily, 25% secondarily, and the remaining 20% required nerve transplants. Forty percent involved crush injuries and 87% had sustained associated injuries. -- Tests for tactile gnosis were performed by means of \"blindfold\" tests. The analysis of the results was carried out according to accepted methods; the \"Sedon\" method was adapted in order to be able to judge the sensibility from a more functional aspect. -- The repair to sensory nerves is more successful than that carried out on the motor nerves. The degree of success is dependent upon the age of the patient, the nature of the wounds, and the associated injuries. -- Results of primary nerve suture are considerably better than those resulting from nerve transplants even in cases of unfavorable soft issue conditions. Thus, our opinion is that an experienced hand surgeon trained in the field of microsurgery should not be afraid of undertaking primary repair procedures as long as the technical and administrative requirements are adequate.", "contents": "[Results of nerve repair on the upper limbs]. This paper concerns the clinical results of microsurgical repair to nerve injuries on the upper extremities of 66 patients, who had sustained a total of 126 nerve injuries. The majority of these cases involved lesions of the sensory nerves, occurring in the area of the palmar surface of the hand and flexor surface of the fingers (102 nerves and 24 injuries involving the nerve trunks of the median and ulnar nerves). -- Fifty-five percent of the cases were treated primarily, 25% secondarily, and the remaining 20% required nerve transplants. Forty percent involved crush injuries and 87% had sustained associated injuries. -- Tests for tactile gnosis were performed by means of \"blindfold\" tests. The analysis of the results was carried out according to accepted methods; the \"Sedon\" method was adapted in order to be able to judge the sensibility from a more functional aspect. -- The repair to sensory nerves is more successful than that carried out on the motor nerves. The degree of success is dependent upon the age of the patient, the nature of the wounds, and the associated injuries. -- Results of primary nerve suture are considerably better than those resulting from nerve transplants even in cases of unfavorable soft issue conditions. Thus, our opinion is that an experienced hand surgeon trained in the field of microsurgery should not be afraid of undertaking primary repair procedures as long as the technical and administrative requirements are adequate.", "PMID": 793792} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9977", "title": "Differential rates of sister chromatid exchanges between euchromatin and heterochromatin.", "content": "In two rodent species, the Chinese hamster and the montane vole (Microtus montanus), the rate of sister chromatid exchange was lower in constitutive heterochromatin than in euchromatin.", "contents": "Differential rates of sister chromatid exchanges between euchromatin and heterochromatin. In two rodent species, the Chinese hamster and the montane vole (Microtus montanus), the rate of sister chromatid exchange was lower in constitutive heterochromatin than in euchromatin.", "PMID": 793794} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9978", "title": "The inheritance of radiation induced semi-sterility in Rhodnius prolixus.", "content": "Eggs from crosses of 40 adult male R. prolixus irradiated with 6K rad gamma-rays with normal females had a mean fertility of 23.9%, only 2 crosses being completely sterile. The 86 F1 progeny of both sexes, when outcrossed with normal mates, had a mean egg fertility of 12.6;, and 43 of these matings were completely sterile. Twenty-eight \"F2\" bugs reared from F1 X normal crosses were mated with normal partners and had a mean fertility of 44.6%, 6 of them being fully fertile, a reversal towards normal fertility. Cytogenetic examination of F1, \"F2\" and \"F3\" males showed that these changes in fertility correlated well with the degree of chromosomal abnormality found. The very high recovery rate of translocations in F1 generation males can be related to the holocentric chromosomes of these bugs which precludes the formation of dicentric chromosomes which are inviable in monocentric species. In F1 and \"F2\" males the majority of one bug was found with a ring of IV chromosome association and it is suggested that chromosome morphology, combined with a low chiasma frequency, favours chain association. Most chain multivalents showed linear orientation which may lead to duplication deficiencies and zygotic death. However, \"parellel\", \"indifferent\" and the more stable \"convergent\" modes of chain orientation were also all observed indicating that survival of some translocations in this species may be possible. The survival to the \"F2\" generation of chromosomal fragments confirmed the holocentric nature of triatomine chromosomes. It is suggested that semi-sterile males would prove more effective than releases of completely sterile males for reducing wild populations of R. prolixus, because of the delayed effects of sterilizing radiation consequent upon the holocentric structure of triatomine chromosomes.", "contents": "The inheritance of radiation induced semi-sterility in Rhodnius prolixus. Eggs from crosses of 40 adult male R. prolixus irradiated with 6K rad gamma-rays with normal females had a mean fertility of 23.9%, only 2 crosses being completely sterile. The 86 F1 progeny of both sexes, when outcrossed with normal mates, had a mean egg fertility of 12.6;, and 43 of these matings were completely sterile. Twenty-eight \"F2\" bugs reared from F1 X normal crosses were mated with normal partners and had a mean fertility of 44.6%, 6 of them being fully fertile, a reversal towards normal fertility. Cytogenetic examination of F1, \"F2\" and \"F3\" males showed that these changes in fertility correlated well with the degree of chromosomal abnormality found. The very high recovery rate of translocations in F1 generation males can be related to the holocentric chromosomes of these bugs which precludes the formation of dicentric chromosomes which are inviable in monocentric species. In F1 and \"F2\" males the majority of one bug was found with a ring of IV chromosome association and it is suggested that chromosome morphology, combined with a low chiasma frequency, favours chain association. Most chain multivalents showed linear orientation which may lead to duplication deficiencies and zygotic death. However, \"parellel\", \"indifferent\" and the more stable \"convergent\" modes of chain orientation were also all observed indicating that survival of some translocations in this species may be possible. The survival to the \"F2\" generation of chromosomal fragments confirmed the holocentric nature of triatomine chromosomes. It is suggested that semi-sterile males would prove more effective than releases of completely sterile males for reducing wild populations of R. prolixus, because of the delayed effects of sterilizing radiation consequent upon the holocentric structure of triatomine chromosomes.", "PMID": 793795} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9979", "title": "Affective psychoses following renal transplant.", "content": "Six patients who developed affective psychoses following renal transplantation ae reported. Each patient was treated, with careful management, with an appropriate somatic therapy (including phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, electroconvulsive treatments and lithium carbonate). The results of this treatment approach were uniformaly successful. The similarity ofthe affective psychoses that developed in this patient population and those previously described psychoses attributed to steroid therapy is commented upon.", "contents": "Affective psychoses following renal transplant. Six patients who developed affective psychoses following renal transplantation ae reported. Each patient was treated, with careful management, with an appropriate somatic therapy (including phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, electroconvulsive treatments and lithium carbonate). The results of this treatment approach were uniformaly successful. The similarity ofthe affective psychoses that developed in this patient population and those previously described psychoses attributed to steroid therapy is commented upon.", "PMID": 793797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9980", "title": "[The method of preparation for VMK-crowns].", "content": "In a clinical study, follow-ups were made in 259 tangentially prepared VMK crowns. In 49,4 per cent of the cases, inflammatory changes of the marginal gingiva were found, 34.5 per cent discolorations were observed in the same region. Measurements of the marginal thickness of those 68 VMK crowns prepared in a dental laboratory showed that the average marginal thickness of baked crown margins was 1.13mm. Thus, it falls considerably short of the requirements of a satisfactory thickness of metal and ceramics, but largely exceeds the values given for a micro step. Because of these findings, it must be demanded that tangential preparation of metal ceramic replacement with the crown being placed into the gingival sulcus, be discontinued.", "contents": "[The method of preparation for VMK-crowns]. In a clinical study, follow-ups were made in 259 tangentially prepared VMK crowns. In 49,4 per cent of the cases, inflammatory changes of the marginal gingiva were found, 34.5 per cent discolorations were observed in the same region. Measurements of the marginal thickness of those 68 VMK crowns prepared in a dental laboratory showed that the average marginal thickness of baked crown margins was 1.13mm. Thus, it falls considerably short of the requirements of a satisfactory thickness of metal and ceramics, but largely exceeds the values given for a micro step. Because of these findings, it must be demanded that tangential preparation of metal ceramic replacement with the crown being placed into the gingival sulcus, be discontinued.", "PMID": 793834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9981", "title": "[REM and Hommel tester studies of the dental enamel surfaces after removal of dental calculus with 2 different scalers].", "content": "Removal of gingival calculus was performed with two different scalers on teeth that had been extracted previously. Using scanning electron microscopic prints and the Hommel tester, it was demonstrated that the dental surface had obtained a clearly visible roughness. This is determined by the dental surface, the compressive strength and the characteristics of the various scalers. The use of a Tompkin reamer to smooth the surface produced even deeper criss-cross grooves than the scaler, and not a satisfactory smooth surface.", "contents": "[REM and Hommel tester studies of the dental enamel surfaces after removal of dental calculus with 2 different scalers]. Removal of gingival calculus was performed with two different scalers on teeth that had been extracted previously. Using scanning electron microscopic prints and the Hommel tester, it was demonstrated that the dental surface had obtained a clearly visible roughness. This is determined by the dental surface, the compressive strength and the characteristics of the various scalers. The use of a Tompkin reamer to smooth the surface produced even deeper criss-cross grooves than the scaler, and not a satisfactory smooth surface.", "PMID": 793835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9982", "title": "Estradiol-induced increase of the LH responsive to LH releasing hormone (LHRH) in rat anterior pituitary cells in culture.", "content": "The effect of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) on LH secretion was studied using rat adenohypophyseal cells in primary culture. Preincubation of cells with 1 X 10(-9) M E2 for 40 h decreased the concentration of LHRH required for half-maximal stimulation (ED50) of LH release from 3.0 +/- 0.3 to 1.6 +/- 0.2 X 10(-10)M (P less than 0.01). Basal LH release was increased from 84 +/- 4 to 182 +/- 8 ng LH-RP-1/ml/4h (P less than 0.01) by E2 pretreatment. Time-course experiments showed that the stimulatory effect of 10(-8)M E2 on the LH response to LHRH can be first measured after 10 h of incubation in the presence of E2 and that this effect is maximal after 24 h of incubation with the steroid. While E2 increases the LH responsiveness to LHRH, androgens decrease the sensitivity of LH-secreting cells to the neurohormone. The LHRH ED50 value of testosterone-treated cells is of 7.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.7 +/- 0.3 X 10(-10)M for control cells (P less than 0.01). E2 can only partially reverse this inhibitory effect of androgens on the LH response to LHRH. These data show clearly that E2 can have a direct stimulatory effect on LH-secreting cells to increase the sensitivity of their response to LHRH.", "contents": "Estradiol-induced increase of the LH responsive to LH releasing hormone (LHRH) in rat anterior pituitary cells in culture. The effect of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) on LH secretion was studied using rat adenohypophyseal cells in primary culture. Preincubation of cells with 1 X 10(-9) M E2 for 40 h decreased the concentration of LHRH required for half-maximal stimulation (ED50) of LH release from 3.0 +/- 0.3 to 1.6 +/- 0.2 X 10(-10)M (P less than 0.01). Basal LH release was increased from 84 +/- 4 to 182 +/- 8 ng LH-RP-1/ml/4h (P less than 0.01) by E2 pretreatment. Time-course experiments showed that the stimulatory effect of 10(-8)M E2 on the LH response to LHRH can be first measured after 10 h of incubation in the presence of E2 and that this effect is maximal after 24 h of incubation with the steroid. While E2 increases the LH responsiveness to LHRH, androgens decrease the sensitivity of LH-secreting cells to the neurohormone. The LHRH ED50 value of testosterone-treated cells is of 7.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.7 +/- 0.3 X 10(-10)M for control cells (P less than 0.01). E2 can only partially reverse this inhibitory effect of androgens on the LH response to LHRH. These data show clearly that E2 can have a direct stimulatory effect on LH-secreting cells to increase the sensitivity of their response to LHRH.", "PMID": 793837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9983", "title": "Stimulation of insulin release by elevated pressure gradient.", "content": "In an attempt to stimulate the contractile events which presumably lead to intracellular translocation and exocytosis of the beta granule, the effect of elevated pressure on the rate of insulin release was studied. In vitro preparations of pancreas were incubated in media of low glucose content (1.65 mM) for several consecutive 15 min periods. The effect of pressure gradients, ranging from 0 to 45 mm Hg above atmospheric pressure, on insulin release was tested during the second period by introducing a mixture of 95% O2-5% CO2 into the incubation flasks. The results have shown that: 1) a rise in the pressure gradient over the gas phase was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of insulin released into the medium; 2) there was a direct relationship between the pressure gradient and the rate of insulin release; 3) the enhanced rate of insulin release caused by elevated pressure was not reversed immediately after release of pressure, but the effect was completely abolished within a period of 15 min; and 4) the stimulating effect of high glucose concentration on the rate of insulin release was completely blocked in the presence of 1 mM DNP, but the pressure-induced stimulation of insulin release was insensitive to this agent. In view of recent evidence implicating the microtubular-microfilamentous system in the secretory process of insulin, it is suggested that the application of pressure to the islet cells provides the necessary motive force to facilitate the intracellular translocation and extrusion of the beta granules normally performed by the beta cell contractile structures.", "contents": "Stimulation of insulin release by elevated pressure gradient. In an attempt to stimulate the contractile events which presumably lead to intracellular translocation and exocytosis of the beta granule, the effect of elevated pressure on the rate of insulin release was studied. In vitro preparations of pancreas were incubated in media of low glucose content (1.65 mM) for several consecutive 15 min periods. The effect of pressure gradients, ranging from 0 to 45 mm Hg above atmospheric pressure, on insulin release was tested during the second period by introducing a mixture of 95% O2-5% CO2 into the incubation flasks. The results have shown that: 1) a rise in the pressure gradient over the gas phase was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of insulin released into the medium; 2) there was a direct relationship between the pressure gradient and the rate of insulin release; 3) the enhanced rate of insulin release caused by elevated pressure was not reversed immediately after release of pressure, but the effect was completely abolished within a period of 15 min; and 4) the stimulating effect of high glucose concentration on the rate of insulin release was completely blocked in the presence of 1 mM DNP, but the pressure-induced stimulation of insulin release was insensitive to this agent. In view of recent evidence implicating the microtubular-microfilamentous system in the secretory process of insulin, it is suggested that the application of pressure to the islet cells provides the necessary motive force to facilitate the intracellular translocation and extrusion of the beta granules normally performed by the beta cell contractile structures.", "PMID": 793838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9984", "title": "In vitro release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) from rat mediobasal hypothalamus: effects of potassium, calcium and dopamine.", "content": "A suitable preparation to study the effect of dopamine (DA) on in vitro LHRH secretion is presented. Enzymatic degradation of LHRH in the incubation medium is completely inhibited by bacitracin (2 X 10(-5) M). Ahigh potassium concentration (56mM) induces an increase in LHRH release from entire pieces of mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH), but not from a synaptosomal pellet; this release is inhibited when calcium is omitted. The depolarization-induced LHRH in the MBH. In contrast, DA (10(-6)M) is not effective in vitro on MBH from ovariectomized rats but induces a fast release of LHRH from MBH of normal male and estradiol-pretreated ovariectomized rats. The preparation presented here appears to be of great interest in investigating amine-steroid-LHRH interactions at the cellular level.", "contents": "In vitro release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) from rat mediobasal hypothalamus: effects of potassium, calcium and dopamine. A suitable preparation to study the effect of dopamine (DA) on in vitro LHRH secretion is presented. Enzymatic degradation of LHRH in the incubation medium is completely inhibited by bacitracin (2 X 10(-5) M). Ahigh potassium concentration (56mM) induces an increase in LHRH release from entire pieces of mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH), but not from a synaptosomal pellet; this release is inhibited when calcium is omitted. The depolarization-induced LHRH in the MBH. In contrast, DA (10(-6)M) is not effective in vitro on MBH from ovariectomized rats but induces a fast release of LHRH from MBH of normal male and estradiol-pretreated ovariectomized rats. The preparation presented here appears to be of great interest in investigating amine-steroid-LHRH interactions at the cellular level.", "PMID": 793839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9985", "title": "Investigations on isolated islets of Langerhans in vitro. XIV. Insulin secretion and insulin stores of cultivated islets from sand rats (Psammomys obesus): investigations of glucose-dose response.", "content": "Release of immunoreactive insulin activity (IRI) and biological insulin like activity (ILA) from collagenase isolated pancreatic islets of sand rats (Psammomys obesus) maintained on a vegetable diet were examined at 60 min and 24-48 h intervals under culture conditions at 1.0 and 15.6 mM glucose. The glucose-insulin dose response curves for sand rats after 60 min incubation were compared with those after 24 or 48 h of incubation. The pancreatic islets responded to 5mM glucose with a high insulin release especially under culture conditions. A drastic depletion of stored insulin in the islets cultivated for 2 days at 5 or 15 mM glucose is accompanied by a continuous diminution of the glucose-induced insulin release with the prolongation of cultivation up to one week.", "contents": "Investigations on isolated islets of Langerhans in vitro. XIV. Insulin secretion and insulin stores of cultivated islets from sand rats (Psammomys obesus): investigations of glucose-dose response. Release of immunoreactive insulin activity (IRI) and biological insulin like activity (ILA) from collagenase isolated pancreatic islets of sand rats (Psammomys obesus) maintained on a vegetable diet were examined at 60 min and 24-48 h intervals under culture conditions at 1.0 and 15.6 mM glucose. The glucose-insulin dose response curves for sand rats after 60 min incubation were compared with those after 24 or 48 h of incubation. The pancreatic islets responded to 5mM glucose with a high insulin release especially under culture conditions. A drastic depletion of stored insulin in the islets cultivated for 2 days at 5 or 15 mM glucose is accompanied by a continuous diminution of the glucose-induced insulin release with the prolongation of cultivation up to one week.", "PMID": 793840} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9986", "title": "Has sodium valproate hypnotic effects?", "content": "Eight fasting normal subjects were given a single dose of sodium valproate, 400 mg, phenobarbital, 60 mg, or the two drugs in combination, in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. The effects were assessed behaviorally and by a standard 30-min EEG, begun 1 hr after the treatments had been given. The recording was rated for the amount of drowsiness and sleep, independent of which drug had been given. The scores obtained indicated that valproate intself has hypnotic action, and there is a tendency for this to be increased by the simultaneous administration of phenobarbital.", "contents": "Has sodium valproate hypnotic effects? Eight fasting normal subjects were given a single dose of sodium valproate, 400 mg, phenobarbital, 60 mg, or the two drugs in combination, in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. The effects were assessed behaviorally and by a standard 30-min EEG, begun 1 hr after the treatments had been given. The recording was rated for the amount of drowsiness and sleep, independent of which drug had been given. The scores obtained indicated that valproate intself has hypnotic action, and there is a tendency for this to be increased by the simultaneous administration of phenobarbital.", "PMID": 793842} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9987", "title": "A differential diagnosis of the inspirational spells of Muhammad the Prophet of Islam.", "content": "This paper reviews the spells of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. During these spells, Muhammad sensed the approach of a figure whom he thought to be the Angel Gabriel. The inspirational message transmitted to Muhammad during these spells helped form the religion of Islam. This is a review of the historical details of these spells and an attempt to reach a medical diagnosis. Although an unequivocal decision is not possible from existing knowledge, psychomotor or complex partial seizures of temporal lobe epilepsy would be the most tenable diagnosis. An examination of Western civilization's views of Muhammad's spells reveals historical and modern misconceptions about epilepsy.", "contents": "A differential diagnosis of the inspirational spells of Muhammad the Prophet of Islam. This paper reviews the spells of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. During these spells, Muhammad sensed the approach of a figure whom he thought to be the Angel Gabriel. The inspirational message transmitted to Muhammad during these spells helped form the religion of Islam. This is a review of the historical details of these spells and an attempt to reach a medical diagnosis. Although an unequivocal decision is not possible from existing knowledge, psychomotor or complex partial seizures of temporal lobe epilepsy would be the most tenable diagnosis. An examination of Western civilization's views of Muhammad's spells reveals historical and modern misconceptions about epilepsy.", "PMID": 793843} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9988", "title": "Bradycardia and cardiac arrest during tracheal suction--mechanisms in tetraplegic patients.", "content": "The cardiovascular responses to tracheal suction were observed in 4 consecutive recently-injured tetraplegics with physiologically complete cervical spinal cord transections (C3-5) who were in spinal shock and needed artificial ventilation. In all 4 patients tracheal suction induced bradycardia and in 2 patients even cardiac arrest. The bradycardia occurred when the patients were hypoxic, and was prevented by the addition of oxygen to inspired air, or, if this was inadequate, by the administration of atropine. Two of the patients were agains studied several months later, after return of isolated spinal cord activity and spontaneous breathing. In both patients tracheal suction then caused tachycardia and increased respiratory effort. It is concluded that: 1. Tetraplegics with high cervical spinal cord transections who are in spinal shock and unable to breathe spontaneously are prone to bradycardia and cardiac arrest during tracheal suction. This is more likely to occur when they are hypoxic. 2. The bradycardia appears to be due to a vago-vagal reflex for both afferent and efferent limbs of the arc are in the vagus nerve. A number of factors play a part, including (I) absent sympathetic activity; (II) airway receptor stimulation; (III) hypoxia and (IV) the inability to breathe spontaneously (The pulmonary (inflation) vagal reflex which would normally oppose the cardio-inhibition caused by (II) and (III) is absent). 3. The bradycardia in response to tracheal suction can be prevented by adequate oxygenation, or if this cannot be achieved, by repeated atropine.", "contents": "Bradycardia and cardiac arrest during tracheal suction--mechanisms in tetraplegic patients. The cardiovascular responses to tracheal suction were observed in 4 consecutive recently-injured tetraplegics with physiologically complete cervical spinal cord transections (C3-5) who were in spinal shock and needed artificial ventilation. In all 4 patients tracheal suction induced bradycardia and in 2 patients even cardiac arrest. The bradycardia occurred when the patients were hypoxic, and was prevented by the addition of oxygen to inspired air, or, if this was inadequate, by the administration of atropine. Two of the patients were agains studied several months later, after return of isolated spinal cord activity and spontaneous breathing. In both patients tracheal suction then caused tachycardia and increased respiratory effort. It is concluded that: 1. Tetraplegics with high cervical spinal cord transections who are in spinal shock and unable to breathe spontaneously are prone to bradycardia and cardiac arrest during tracheal suction. This is more likely to occur when they are hypoxic. 2. The bradycardia appears to be due to a vago-vagal reflex for both afferent and efferent limbs of the arc are in the vagus nerve. A number of factors play a part, including (I) absent sympathetic activity; (II) airway receptor stimulation; (III) hypoxia and (IV) the inability to breathe spontaneously (The pulmonary (inflation) vagal reflex which would normally oppose the cardio-inhibition caused by (II) and (III) is absent). 3. The bradycardia in response to tracheal suction can be prevented by adequate oxygenation, or if this cannot be achieved, by repeated atropine.", "PMID": 793846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9989", "title": "The organization of intensive care after renal transplantation.", "content": "The present state of organization of renal transplant intensive care in 14 centers of Austria, Germany and Switzerland is described. Special reference is given to the annual transplantation rate, the number of intensive care beds, the duration of intensive care, the aseptic conditions, the installations and apparatus, and to the medical supervision and the nursing care.", "contents": "The organization of intensive care after renal transplantation. The present state of organization of renal transplant intensive care in 14 centers of Austria, Germany and Switzerland is described. Special reference is given to the annual transplantation rate, the number of intensive care beds, the duration of intensive care, the aseptic conditions, the installations and apparatus, and to the medical supervision and the nursing care.", "PMID": 793847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9990", "title": "Comparative study of metoprolol and alpha-methyldopa in untreated essential hypertension.", "content": "The hypotensive actions of metoprolol and alpha-methyldopa have been compared in 37 men with previously untreated essential hypertension; 36 belonged to stage 1 and 1 to stage 2 of the WHO classification. After four weeks of placebo treatment the patients were randomly allocated to treatment with either of the two drugs. Treatment was started with metoprolol 75 mg daily or alpha-methyldopa 375 mg and was doubled after eight weeks. Satisfactory blood pressure control was defined as systolic blood pressure below 160 mm Hg and diastolic below 95 mm Hg. The patients were examined every four weeks and in those with unsatisfactory control the dose was gradually increased up to a maximum daily dose of metoprolol 450 mg or alpha-methyldopa 2250 mg. The trial lasted for 24 weeks after randomization. Five patients dropped out of the study. After six months, satisfactory blood pressure control was recorded in 16 out of 17 patients and 14 out of 15 patients treated with metoprolol and alpha-methyldopa, respectively. The average reduction in blood pressure produced by the two drugs was comparable. One patient in the alpha-methyldopa group developed drug exanthema and two patients a positive Coombs' test. Other side effects were few and did not differ between the two compounds.", "contents": "Comparative study of metoprolol and alpha-methyldopa in untreated essential hypertension. The hypotensive actions of metoprolol and alpha-methyldopa have been compared in 37 men with previously untreated essential hypertension; 36 belonged to stage 1 and 1 to stage 2 of the WHO classification. After four weeks of placebo treatment the patients were randomly allocated to treatment with either of the two drugs. Treatment was started with metoprolol 75 mg daily or alpha-methyldopa 375 mg and was doubled after eight weeks. Satisfactory blood pressure control was defined as systolic blood pressure below 160 mm Hg and diastolic below 95 mm Hg. The patients were examined every four weeks and in those with unsatisfactory control the dose was gradually increased up to a maximum daily dose of metoprolol 450 mg or alpha-methyldopa 2250 mg. The trial lasted for 24 weeks after randomization. Five patients dropped out of the study. After six months, satisfactory blood pressure control was recorded in 16 out of 17 patients and 14 out of 15 patients treated with metoprolol and alpha-methyldopa, respectively. The average reduction in blood pressure produced by the two drugs was comparable. One patient in the alpha-methyldopa group developed drug exanthema and two patients a positive Coombs' test. Other side effects were few and did not differ between the two compounds.", "PMID": 793848} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9991", "title": "Comparison of metoprolol as hydrochlorothiazide and antihypertensive agents.", "content": "A crossover comparison of metoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide has been performed in 20 patients with mild hypertension. Both drugs caused almost identical statistically significant reduction in blood pressure of about 20 mm Hg systolic and 15 mm Hg diastolic. The side effects during active therapy were few and mild, but 5 patients experienced subjective symptoms during the first few days following abrupt withdrawal of metoprolol, namely general malaise, palpitations, headache, sweating and tremor. The symptoms were more pronounced in the standing position and disappeared at once on resumption of beta-blocker therapy, or gradually over 5 - 7 days when placebo tablets were given. In 11 of the 20 patients hydrochlorothiazide produced subnormal serum potassium levels and potassium supplements were given. The serum uric acid level was also significantly increased during hydrochlorothiazide treatment.", "contents": "Comparison of metoprolol as hydrochlorothiazide and antihypertensive agents. A crossover comparison of metoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide has been performed in 20 patients with mild hypertension. Both drugs caused almost identical statistically significant reduction in blood pressure of about 20 mm Hg systolic and 15 mm Hg diastolic. The side effects during active therapy were few and mild, but 5 patients experienced subjective symptoms during the first few days following abrupt withdrawal of metoprolol, namely general malaise, palpitations, headache, sweating and tremor. The symptoms were more pronounced in the standing position and disappeared at once on resumption of beta-blocker therapy, or gradually over 5 - 7 days when placebo tablets were given. In 11 of the 20 patients hydrochlorothiazide produced subnormal serum potassium levels and potassium supplements were given. The serum uric acid level was also significantly increased during hydrochlorothiazide treatment.", "PMID": 793849} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9992", "title": "Studies on the relationships between the immunogenicity and catabolism of antigens and their binding to the surface of macrophages.", "content": "The relationship between immunogenicity of Shigella paradysenteriae, the branched synthetic polypeptide poly-L (Tyr, Glu)-polylpro-polyllys [(T, G)-Pro--L] and human albumin (HSA) interacting with macrophages and kinetics of antigen degradation and degree of binding to the cell surface was studied. Following thioglycollate inoculation into C57BL/6 mice, the peritoneal-stimllated macrophages had higher levels of hydrolases as compared to unstimulated cells. The lysates of the stimulated macrophages catabolized the three labeled antigens faster than did the lysates of unstimulatec cells. However, when degradation of labeled antigens by macrophage cells was assessed, no direct correlation could be demonstrated between the level of cell hydrolases and rate of (T, G)-Pro--L or HSA catabolism. The immunogenicity of antigens following their uptake by unstimulated and stimulated macrophages was determined by transfer of the antigen-bearing cells into irradiated and nonirradiated syngeneic recipients. No correlation was apparent between the rate of antigen degradation and the capacity to evoke a humoral response. Similarly, no correlation could be demonstrated between the amount of antigen bound to the macrophage cell surface and the immunogenicity of the antigen. It is suggested that neither the rate of antigen catabolism by macrophages nor the amount of antigen bound to the macrophage membrane is the sole factor which determines the immunogenicity of antigens interacting with macrophages.", "contents": "Studies on the relationships between the immunogenicity and catabolism of antigens and their binding to the surface of macrophages. The relationship between immunogenicity of Shigella paradysenteriae, the branched synthetic polypeptide poly-L (Tyr, Glu)-polylpro-polyllys [(T, G)-Pro--L] and human albumin (HSA) interacting with macrophages and kinetics of antigen degradation and degree of binding to the cell surface was studied. Following thioglycollate inoculation into C57BL/6 mice, the peritoneal-stimllated macrophages had higher levels of hydrolases as compared to unstimulated cells. The lysates of the stimulated macrophages catabolized the three labeled antigens faster than did the lysates of unstimulatec cells. However, when degradation of labeled antigens by macrophage cells was assessed, no direct correlation could be demonstrated between the level of cell hydrolases and rate of (T, G)-Pro--L or HSA catabolism. The immunogenicity of antigens following their uptake by unstimulated and stimulated macrophages was determined by transfer of the antigen-bearing cells into irradiated and nonirradiated syngeneic recipients. No correlation was apparent between the rate of antigen degradation and the capacity to evoke a humoral response. Similarly, no correlation could be demonstrated between the amount of antigen bound to the macrophage cell surface and the immunogenicity of the antigen. It is suggested that neither the rate of antigen catabolism by macrophages nor the amount of antigen bound to the macrophage membrane is the sole factor which determines the immunogenicity of antigens interacting with macrophages.", "PMID": 793850} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9993", "title": "Malarial immunodepression in vitro: adherent spleen cells are functionally defective as accessory cells in the response to horse erythrocytes.", "content": "The basis for the depressed response of malarial infected mice to horse red blood cells (HRBC) has been studied in vitro. Results presented show that the adherent spleen cells from infected mice (a) are defective in their ability to allow nonadherent spleen cells of both normal and infected mice to respond to HRBC whereas a response does occur with adherent spleen cells from normal mice (b) do not suppress the response of unfractionated spleen cells from normal mice to HRBC (c) contain phagocytic cells as measured by the uptake of neutral red in numbers which are of the same order of magnitude as in adherent spleen cells from normal mice, but which are unable to take up HRBC. We conclude that a splenic adherent cell, probably the macrophage is functionally defective as an accessory cell in the response to HRBC of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei yoelii.", "contents": "Malarial immunodepression in vitro: adherent spleen cells are functionally defective as accessory cells in the response to horse erythrocytes. The basis for the depressed response of malarial infected mice to horse red blood cells (HRBC) has been studied in vitro. Results presented show that the adherent spleen cells from infected mice (a) are defective in their ability to allow nonadherent spleen cells of both normal and infected mice to respond to HRBC whereas a response does occur with adherent spleen cells from normal mice (b) do not suppress the response of unfractionated spleen cells from normal mice to HRBC (c) contain phagocytic cells as measured by the uptake of neutral red in numbers which are of the same order of magnitude as in adherent spleen cells from normal mice, but which are unable to take up HRBC. We conclude that a splenic adherent cell, probably the macrophage is functionally defective as an accessory cell in the response to HRBC of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei yoelii.", "PMID": 793851} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9994", "title": "[Nevus telangiectasis of the facial skin: possibilities and problems of plastic surgery].", "content": "If a portwine stain (capillary hemangioma) or a cavernous hemangioma of the facial skin is not camouflaged by cosmetics, surgical excision and full-thickness skin grafting appears to be the method of choice. Exact planning (donor areas) and perfected technique are prerequisites for results in which the grafted skin matches in color, texture, contour and thickness the unaffected facial side.", "contents": "[Nevus telangiectasis of the facial skin: possibilities and problems of plastic surgery]. If a portwine stain (capillary hemangioma) or a cavernous hemangioma of the facial skin is not camouflaged by cosmetics, surgical excision and full-thickness skin grafting appears to be the method of choice. Exact planning (donor areas) and perfected technique are prerequisites for results in which the grafted skin matches in color, texture, contour and thickness the unaffected facial side.", "PMID": 793888} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9995", "title": "Increased capillary permeability in guinea pigs and rats by peptidoglycan fraction extracted from Group A streptococcal cell walls.", "content": "The increased capillary permeability in the skin of guinea pigs and rats was induced by peptidoglycan fraction (PG fraction) extracted from cell walls of group A streptococcus, but not by C-carbohydrate of streptococcal cell walls nor lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli and Salmonella abortus. The increased capillary permeability caused by PG fraction was also observed in germ-free rats. It was suggested that the increased capillary permeability for PG fraction might be due to the biological activity of PG fraction. The pattern of the reaction of increased capillary permeability consists of two phases: the leakage of the dye in the first phase appeared immediately after the intracutaneous injection of PG fraction, and the second phase seems to depend upon vasculitis. The increasing activity of capillary permeability to PG fraction may play an important role in inducing initial change of tissue injury by streptococcal cell walls.", "contents": "Increased capillary permeability in guinea pigs and rats by peptidoglycan fraction extracted from Group A streptococcal cell walls. The increased capillary permeability in the skin of guinea pigs and rats was induced by peptidoglycan fraction (PG fraction) extracted from cell walls of group A streptococcus, but not by C-carbohydrate of streptococcal cell walls nor lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli and Salmonella abortus. The increased capillary permeability caused by PG fraction was also observed in germ-free rats. It was suggested that the increased capillary permeability for PG fraction might be due to the biological activity of PG fraction. The pattern of the reaction of increased capillary permeability consists of two phases: the leakage of the dye in the first phase appeared immediately after the intracutaneous injection of PG fraction, and the second phase seems to depend upon vasculitis. The increasing activity of capillary permeability to PG fraction may play an important role in inducing initial change of tissue injury by streptococcal cell walls.", "PMID": 793889} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9996", "title": "Pathology of influenza hepatitis in susceptible and genetically resistant mice.", "content": "Mice resistant (homozygous or heterozygous for the gene Mx) and mice susceptible to the lethal effect of influenza viruses were inoculated intraperitoneally and intraportally with a hepatotropic variant of influenza A virus. Disease evolution was followed histologically and by immunofluorescence. In susceptible animals, rapidly spreading foci of hepatocyte necrosis with little inflammatory infiltration was observed. Death occurred on the 3rd day, when the entire liver was involved. In resistant animals foci became detectable later, and were fewer and smaller. They were infiltrated by cells morphologically resembling liver macrophages (Kupffer cells), and they regressed from the 4th day after infection. Barriers to virus spread appeared to be present at all stages of the disease.", "contents": "Pathology of influenza hepatitis in susceptible and genetically resistant mice. Mice resistant (homozygous or heterozygous for the gene Mx) and mice susceptible to the lethal effect of influenza viruses were inoculated intraperitoneally and intraportally with a hepatotropic variant of influenza A virus. Disease evolution was followed histologically and by immunofluorescence. In susceptible animals, rapidly spreading foci of hepatocyte necrosis with little inflammatory infiltration was observed. Death occurred on the 3rd day, when the entire liver was involved. In resistant animals foci became detectable later, and were fewer and smaller. They were infiltrated by cells morphologically resembling liver macrophages (Kupffer cells), and they regressed from the 4th day after infection. Barriers to virus spread appeared to be present at all stages of the disease.", "PMID": 793890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9997", "title": "Identification of gonadotropic cells in the human pituitary by immunoperoxidase technique.", "content": "Using specific antibodies against the beta-subunits of human LH and FSH, the pituitary cells which produce the two gonadotropins have been localized in the human pituitary by an immunoperoxidase technique. In serial semi-thin sections (2 mum), it was clearly shown that about 90% of gonadotropic cells contained both FSH and LH, whereas the remaining 10% of gonadotrophs were positive only for FSH. At the ultrastructural level, the gonadotrophs containing both LH and FSH were characterized by the presen-e of two types of secretory granules: the smaller ones which whowed a strong immunohistochemical reaction and the larger ones which generally presented a weaker reaction.", "contents": "Identification of gonadotropic cells in the human pituitary by immunoperoxidase technique. Using specific antibodies against the beta-subunits of human LH and FSH, the pituitary cells which produce the two gonadotropins have been localized in the human pituitary by an immunoperoxidase technique. In serial semi-thin sections (2 mum), it was clearly shown that about 90% of gonadotropic cells contained both FSH and LH, whereas the remaining 10% of gonadotrophs were positive only for FSH. At the ultrastructural level, the gonadotrophs containing both LH and FSH were characterized by the presen-e of two types of secretory granules: the smaller ones which whowed a strong immunohistochemical reaction and the larger ones which generally presented a weaker reaction.", "PMID": 793912} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9998", "title": "Serological classification and typing of Clostridium botulinum.", "content": "Serological classification of Cl. botulinum, based on the antigenic structure of the toxins produced, is distinguished by the behaviour of the toxin-antitoxin mixtures in in vivo neutralization tests. Observations on the dissimilarity between strains within types, the behaviour of antitoxins in the cross-neutralization tests, the established concepts of the antigenic structure of the toxin types and the lack of a standard methodology for typing, have led to the definition of the terms efficiency, type, subtype, intratypic serological variant (ISV), and degree of serological homology. These definitions are primarily applied to typing and to the establishment of the taxonomic serological categories of type, subtype and ISV. In the case of antitoxin standardization, the accepted standard methods must be followed.", "contents": "Serological classification and typing of Clostridium botulinum. Serological classification of Cl. botulinum, based on the antigenic structure of the toxins produced, is distinguished by the behaviour of the toxin-antitoxin mixtures in in vivo neutralization tests. Observations on the dissimilarity between strains within types, the behaviour of antitoxins in the cross-neutralization tests, the established concepts of the antigenic structure of the toxin types and the lack of a standard methodology for typing, have led to the definition of the terms efficiency, type, subtype, intratypic serological variant (ISV), and degree of serological homology. These definitions are primarily applied to typing and to the establishment of the taxonomic serological categories of type, subtype and ISV. In the case of antitoxin standardization, the accepted standard methods must be followed.", "PMID": 793913} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_9999", "title": "Results of potency tests of a vaccine against Cl. botulinum type C by different methods.", "content": "The potency of vaccine against Cl. botulinum type C was tested comparatively in mice, guinea pigs and mink, using the test methods employed in the United States, Great Britain and Sweden. Additionally the capacity to withstand challenge to toxin in ferrets was investigated. All species of laboratory animals proved to be protected against high toxin doses. On the other hand the humoral antitoxin titer of the immunized animals was low after one injection. After a second injection or after challenge with toxin the titer increased considerably.", "contents": "Results of potency tests of a vaccine against Cl. botulinum type C by different methods. The potency of vaccine against Cl. botulinum type C was tested comparatively in mice, guinea pigs and mink, using the test methods employed in the United States, Great Britain and Sweden. Additionally the capacity to withstand challenge to toxin in ferrets was investigated. All species of laboratory animals proved to be protected against high toxin doses. On the other hand the humoral antitoxin titer of the immunized animals was low after one injection. After a second injection or after challenge with toxin the titer increased considerably.", "PMID": 793914} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10000", "title": "Antitoxin responses to Clostridium botulinum vaccines types C and D in guinea pigs.", "content": "In guinea pigs, the type C and/or type D antitoxin responses to a single dose of a bivalent or monovalent Cl. botulinum vaccine increase markedly between the fourth and ninth week after injection and still increase markedly by the ninth week. For type C, a similar pattern has been found in cattle. Antigens of types C and D mutually interfere with the antitoxin responses in guinea pigs. Graded doses of vaccine arouse graded antitoxin responses in guinea pigs. Stability trials of vaccines have emphasized the unsatisfactory nature of an absolute-response type of assay, rather than revealing any loss of potency during storage. Attention is drawn to the need for a graded-response type of assay in which vaccines under test are compared with a reference vaccine.", "contents": "Antitoxin responses to Clostridium botulinum vaccines types C and D in guinea pigs. In guinea pigs, the type C and/or type D antitoxin responses to a single dose of a bivalent or monovalent Cl. botulinum vaccine increase markedly between the fourth and ninth week after injection and still increase markedly by the ninth week. For type C, a similar pattern has been found in cattle. Antigens of types C and D mutually interfere with the antitoxin responses in guinea pigs. Graded doses of vaccine arouse graded antitoxin responses in guinea pigs. Stability trials of vaccines have emphasized the unsatisfactory nature of an absolute-response type of assay, rather than revealing any loss of potency during storage. Attention is drawn to the need for a graded-response type of assay in which vaccines under test are compared with a reference vaccine.", "PMID": 793915} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10001", "title": "[Method of quantitative determination of vaccine activity against botulism of the mink].", "content": "Lyophilized vaccines prepared according to the method of K\u00e4ber, modified by Achmarine, are utilized in the Soviet Union for the immunization of mink against botulin of the type C-alpha. These vaccines can be conserved more than a year at laboratory temperature without losing their efficacity. A Table allows a rapid and accurate determination of the quantity of vaccine to be injected into the mink to provide the same efficacity as a dose of standard vaccine.", "contents": "[Method of quantitative determination of vaccine activity against botulism of the mink]. Lyophilized vaccines prepared according to the method of K\u00e4ber, modified by Achmarine, are utilized in the Soviet Union for the immunization of mink against botulin of the type C-alpha. These vaccines can be conserved more than a year at laboratory temperature without losing their efficacity. A Table allows a rapid and accurate determination of the quantity of vaccine to be injected into the mink to provide the same efficacity as a dose of standard vaccine.", "PMID": 793916} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10002", "title": "The enteral insulin-stimulation after pancreas transplantation in the pig.", "content": "The insulin responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and in intravenous glucose infusion (IVGI), designed to copy the changes in serum glucose concentrations found during OGTT, were measured in four pigs before and after heterotopic pancreatico-duodenal allotransplantation and total pancreatectomy. After transplantation and total pancreatectomy a remarkable hyperinsulinaemia occurred during OGTT and IVGI, reflected by an almost two-fold increment in the insulinogenic index after transplantation. This finding might be explained by drainage of the transplanted pancreas into the systemic circulation instead of the portal vein. The magnitude of the enteral stimulus, i. e. the incretin effect on insulin secretion during OGTT was unchanged after transplantation, suggesting that the incretin effect is not mediated by neural influences upon the endocrine pancreas.", "contents": "The enteral insulin-stimulation after pancreas transplantation in the pig. The insulin responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and in intravenous glucose infusion (IVGI), designed to copy the changes in serum glucose concentrations found during OGTT, were measured in four pigs before and after heterotopic pancreatico-duodenal allotransplantation and total pancreatectomy. After transplantation and total pancreatectomy a remarkable hyperinsulinaemia occurred during OGTT and IVGI, reflected by an almost two-fold increment in the insulinogenic index after transplantation. This finding might be explained by drainage of the transplanted pancreas into the systemic circulation instead of the portal vein. The magnitude of the enteral stimulus, i. e. the incretin effect on insulin secretion during OGTT was unchanged after transplantation, suggesting that the incretin effect is not mediated by neural influences upon the endocrine pancreas.", "PMID": 793917} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10003", "title": "Effect of oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton on the induction of pleural fibrosarcomas in mice.", "content": "The effect of oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton on the induction of pleural fibrosarcomas by 3-methylcholanthrene in mice was examined. The pleural fibrosarcomas were induced by a substernal injection of 3-methylcholanthrene into the thoracic cavity of ddO mice. One week after the injection of 3-methylcholanthrene, 100 mug of oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton was injected subcutaneously every week for 10 weeks. In the observation period of 130 days, the incidence of pleural fibrosarcoma was 67% in the control mice and 39% in the mice treated with BCG cell-wall skeleton. The latent period of tumor induction was prolonged in the mice treated with BCG cell-wall skeleton.", "contents": "Effect of oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton on the induction of pleural fibrosarcomas in mice. The effect of oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton on the induction of pleural fibrosarcomas by 3-methylcholanthrene in mice was examined. The pleural fibrosarcomas were induced by a substernal injection of 3-methylcholanthrene into the thoracic cavity of ddO mice. One week after the injection of 3-methylcholanthrene, 100 mug of oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton was injected subcutaneously every week for 10 weeks. In the observation period of 130 days, the incidence of pleural fibrosarcoma was 67% in the control mice and 39% in the mice treated with BCG cell-wall skeleton. The latent period of tumor induction was prolonged in the mice treated with BCG cell-wall skeleton.", "PMID": 793922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10004", "title": "Glucosamine resistance in yeast. I. A preliminary genetic analysis.", "content": "Mutants of the yeast Saccaromyces cerevisiae which can grow on glycerol medium in the presence of 0.05% D (+) glucosamine have been isolated. Genetic analysis of 13 of these glucosamine resistant (GR) mutants demonstrated two modes of inheritance. One group of mutants (GR 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) gave results characteristic of non-Mendelian inheritance and it is suggested that these mutants represent one or more new mitochondial loci. Four of the remaining mutants showed clear-cut Mendelian inheritance. These mutants fell into two complementation groups and subsequent mapping experiments demonstrated that two independent loci, gay 1 and gay 2, unlinked to each other or to the centromeres of chromosomes I, II, IV, VIII or IX, were responsible for conferring glucosamine resistance in these mutants.", "contents": "Glucosamine resistance in yeast. I. A preliminary genetic analysis. Mutants of the yeast Saccaromyces cerevisiae which can grow on glycerol medium in the presence of 0.05% D (+) glucosamine have been isolated. Genetic analysis of 13 of these glucosamine resistant (GR) mutants demonstrated two modes of inheritance. One group of mutants (GR 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) gave results characteristic of non-Mendelian inheritance and it is suggested that these mutants represent one or more new mitochondial loci. Four of the remaining mutants showed clear-cut Mendelian inheritance. These mutants fell into two complementation groups and subsequent mapping experiments demonstrated that two independent loci, gay 1 and gay 2, unlinked to each other or to the centromeres of chromosomes I, II, IV, VIII or IX, were responsible for conferring glucosamine resistance in these mutants.", "PMID": 793924} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10005", "title": "Testing the heterogeneity of F values: a suggestion and a correction.", "content": "The use of a pair of populations removes the problems posed by a structured phylogeny (pointed out by A. ROBERTSON) and permits the application of the original test of LEWONTIN and KRAKAUER. In the case of 2n populations studied a suggestion is made to use only n pairs in such a way that no population appears in more than one pair. Data on Dacus analyzed this way show that at least two out of six genes studied are or have been selected.", "contents": "Testing the heterogeneity of F values: a suggestion and a correction. The use of a pair of populations removes the problems posed by a structured phylogeny (pointed out by A. ROBERTSON) and permits the application of the original test of LEWONTIN and KRAKAUER. In the case of 2n populations studied a suggestion is made to use only n pairs in such a way that no population appears in more than one pair. Data on Dacus analyzed this way show that at least two out of six genes studied are or have been selected.", "PMID": 793925} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10006", "title": "Deletion and amber mutants of fla loci in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "A rapid screening method for amber fla mutants of E. coli was devised and many mutants were obtained. In addition, strains with deletions of the fla genes in the his-uvrC region were isolated from high-temperature survivors of a lambda cI857 lysogen in which the prophage is located between his and fla. Utilizing these mutants, eleven fla genes (I--XI) and one hag gene were identified in the his-uvrc region, in the following order: his-supD-I-II-(III, IV)-V-(VI, VII)-VIII-IX-hag-(X, XI)-uvrC. The fla genes X and XI and hag are located at about 42.5 min and the other fla genes at about 43.0 min on the E. coli genetic map (Bachmann, Low and Taylor 1976). Mutants of fla gene X showed a slight sensitivity to chi phage, although they lack the flagellar filament.", "contents": "Deletion and amber mutants of fla loci in Escherichia coli K-12. A rapid screening method for amber fla mutants of E. coli was devised and many mutants were obtained. In addition, strains with deletions of the fla genes in the his-uvrC region were isolated from high-temperature survivors of a lambda cI857 lysogen in which the prophage is located between his and fla. Utilizing these mutants, eleven fla genes (I--XI) and one hag gene were identified in the his-uvrc region, in the following order: his-supD-I-II-(III, IV)-V-(VI, VII)-VIII-IX-hag-(X, XI)-uvrC. The fla genes X and XI and hag are located at about 42.5 min and the other fla genes at about 43.0 min on the E. coli genetic map (Bachmann, Low and Taylor 1976). Mutants of fla gene X showed a slight sensitivity to chi phage, although they lack the flagellar filament.", "PMID": 793926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10007", "title": "[Phenotypic manifestation of mutations involving resistance to 2,6-diaminopurine (apt) in the genome of purine auxotrophs of Escherichia coli K-12].", "content": "Strains of Escherichia coli K-12 containing various combinations of pur (de novo synthesis of purines), pup (purine nucleoside phosphorylase), add (adenosine deaminase) and apt (adenine phosphoribosyl transferase) mutations have been constructed. The apt mutation blocks the ability of strains of pur add and pur add pup genotype to utilize both adenine and adenosine as sole purine sources. Exogenously supplied histidine (that blocks conversion of AMP to guanine nucleotides) does not reduce the growth rate of the strain of pur apt genotype on adenosine as the sole purine source. Adenine released into the cultural medium of bacteria containing simultaneously apt and pup mutations. This data suggest that cultures of E. coli are unable to phosphorylate adenosine to AMP and that they are capable to degrade adenosine to free adenine without participation of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (gene pup).", "contents": "[Phenotypic manifestation of mutations involving resistance to 2,6-diaminopurine (apt) in the genome of purine auxotrophs of Escherichia coli K-12]. Strains of Escherichia coli K-12 containing various combinations of pur (de novo synthesis of purines), pup (purine nucleoside phosphorylase), add (adenosine deaminase) and apt (adenine phosphoribosyl transferase) mutations have been constructed. The apt mutation blocks the ability of strains of pur add and pur add pup genotype to utilize both adenine and adenosine as sole purine sources. Exogenously supplied histidine (that blocks conversion of AMP to guanine nucleotides) does not reduce the growth rate of the strain of pur apt genotype on adenosine as the sole purine source. Adenine released into the cultural medium of bacteria containing simultaneously apt and pup mutations. This data suggest that cultures of E. coli are unable to phosphorylate adenosine to AMP and that they are capable to degrade adenosine to free adenine without participation of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (gene pup).", "PMID": 793927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10008", "title": "[Rate of the spontaneous mutation process in mammalian somatic cells and several related questions].", "content": "Various criteria are considered according to which newly arising hereditary changes in somatic mammalian cells can be classified as mutations. The analysis of experimental data reveals that the similarity of spontaneous mutation rates in somatic and germinal cells per generation, implies drastic differences in the probability of their arising per time unit: the mutation rate per time unit is considerably higher in somatic than in germ cells. This phenomenon is discussed from the viewpoint of the spontaneous mutation rate level as an adaptive character of species. The role of spontaneous mutations in ontogenesis is considered.", "contents": "[Rate of the spontaneous mutation process in mammalian somatic cells and several related questions]. Various criteria are considered according to which newly arising hereditary changes in somatic mammalian cells can be classified as mutations. The analysis of experimental data reveals that the similarity of spontaneous mutation rates in somatic and germinal cells per generation, implies drastic differences in the probability of their arising per time unit: the mutation rate per time unit is considerably higher in somatic than in germ cells. This phenomenon is discussed from the viewpoint of the spontaneous mutation rate level as an adaptive character of species. The role of spontaneous mutations in ontogenesis is considered.", "PMID": 793928} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10009", "title": "[Formation of F'-episomes in Flexner shigellae].", "content": "Genetic characteristics of Shigella flexneri virulent donor strain 3s, isolated in the laboratory, are studied. The data obtained showed that Sh. flexneri 3s 6832 is of F'protype it did not transmit even closely located chromosome markers, except pro+. The transition of pro+ marker was reproduced in recA- strain. F'pro plasmid was eliminated with a frequency similar to that of F'lac factor in the control strain of Escherichia coli. The study of virulence by means of keratoconjunktival test revealed its retaining in clones which lost F'pro plasmid. Probably, KCP-A gene retained in the chromosome of F'pro strain. Crossing with proA- and procC- C. coli strains revealed a small length of F'pro episome, enly ProA+ hybrids being obtained. A complex mechanism of F'system formation in interspecies genetic recombination between E. coli K-12 and Sh. flexneri 3s is demonstrated.", "contents": "[Formation of F'-episomes in Flexner shigellae]. Genetic characteristics of Shigella flexneri virulent donor strain 3s, isolated in the laboratory, are studied. The data obtained showed that Sh. flexneri 3s 6832 is of F'protype it did not transmit even closely located chromosome markers, except pro+. The transition of pro+ marker was reproduced in recA- strain. F'pro plasmid was eliminated with a frequency similar to that of F'lac factor in the control strain of Escherichia coli. The study of virulence by means of keratoconjunktival test revealed its retaining in clones which lost F'pro plasmid. Probably, KCP-A gene retained in the chromosome of F'pro strain. Crossing with proA- and procC- C. coli strains revealed a small length of F'pro episome, enly ProA+ hybrids being obtained. A complex mechanism of F'system formation in interspecies genetic recombination between E. coli K-12 and Sh. flexneri 3s is demonstrated.", "PMID": 793929} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10010", "title": "[Transforming activity of Escherichia coli DNA fragments obtained following endonucleolytic splitting by EcoRI restrictase].", "content": "Escherichia coli DNA with molecular weight of 20 - 10(6) daltons was digested by restriction endonuclease EcoR1, and the transforming activity of resctricts was studied. The transforming activity of restricts for two markers (Leu and Arg) was 2-5 fold increased, for two other markers (Thr and His) was not changed, and for one marker (Pro) was completely absent. The molecular weight of E. coli DNA restricts was 7,5-10(6) daltons. An increase and a decrease of the transforming activity for different markers appeared to be the result of two effects: 1) more efficient uptake of low molecular weight DNA into the cell and 2) the inactivation of markers as a result of location close to EcoR1 induced break.", "contents": "[Transforming activity of Escherichia coli DNA fragments obtained following endonucleolytic splitting by EcoRI restrictase]. Escherichia coli DNA with molecular weight of 20 - 10(6) daltons was digested by restriction endonuclease EcoR1, and the transforming activity of resctricts was studied. The transforming activity of restricts for two markers (Leu and Arg) was 2-5 fold increased, for two other markers (Thr and His) was not changed, and for one marker (Pro) was completely absent. The molecular weight of E. coli DNA restricts was 7,5-10(6) daltons. An increase and a decrease of the transforming activity for different markers appeared to be the result of two effects: 1) more efficient uptake of low molecular weight DNA into the cell and 2) the inactivation of markers as a result of location close to EcoR1 induced break.", "PMID": 793931} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10011", "title": "[Post-radiation recovery and the ploidy factor].", "content": "Radiobiologicae effects on extensively homozygous Sacharomyces cerevisiae strains of different ploidy from haploid to hexaploid (developed by W. Laskovski) were studied. Radiation (gamma-rays of 60Co) inactivation studies showed a minimum of resistance of haploid strains, a maximum of resistance of diploid or triploid strains and a decrease of resistance with further increasing genome number. The explanation of such dependence of radiosensitivity on ploidy is usually due to the increase of dominant lethal damages and the corresponding decrease of recessive lethal damages with the increase of ploidy. All studied strains (except haploids) were capable of recovery of radiation damages after their storage in non-nutrient media during postradiation period. Since haploids are inactivated almost exclusively by recessive lethal damages, one may suppose that reversible part of radiation damages is due to dominant lethal damages. Then an irreversible part of radiation injury must decrease with the increase of ploidy. Indeed, in studied strains an irreversible component of radiation injury was significantly reduced with the increasing genome number. Any correlation of the probability of recovery from the primary damages with ploidy was not discovered.", "contents": "[Post-radiation recovery and the ploidy factor]. Radiobiologicae effects on extensively homozygous Sacharomyces cerevisiae strains of different ploidy from haploid to hexaploid (developed by W. Laskovski) were studied. Radiation (gamma-rays of 60Co) inactivation studies showed a minimum of resistance of haploid strains, a maximum of resistance of diploid or triploid strains and a decrease of resistance with further increasing genome number. The explanation of such dependence of radiosensitivity on ploidy is usually due to the increase of dominant lethal damages and the corresponding decrease of recessive lethal damages with the increase of ploidy. All studied strains (except haploids) were capable of recovery of radiation damages after their storage in non-nutrient media during postradiation period. Since haploids are inactivated almost exclusively by recessive lethal damages, one may suppose that reversible part of radiation damages is due to dominant lethal damages. Then an irreversible part of radiation injury must decrease with the increase of ploidy. Indeed, in studied strains an irreversible component of radiation injury was significantly reduced with the increasing genome number. Any correlation of the probability of recovery from the primary damages with ploidy was not discovered.", "PMID": 793932} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10012", "title": "[Competency of Escherichia coli cells. IV. Effect of freezing--thawing on the formation of competency in Escherichia coli cells in the presence of Ca++ ions].", "content": "The paper is initiated in the aim to use the effect of freezing-thawing in the system of intact Escherichia coli cells treated with Ca++ ions to increase the transfection efficiency. It is demonstrated that freezing-thawing of Ca++ treated cells increases the transfection indices of lambda phage DNA for E. coli Hfr clone with low transfection indices in 20-30 times, and for the strain of E. coli X7026 of high competence-in 5 times. Freezing-thawing efficiently increased the transfection only in cells with a decreasing competence. E. coli Hfr H cells acquired the capacity of more efficient lambda phage DNA perception independently on the growth phase, while in E. coli X7026 cells the maximal transfection increase under the effect of complementary interactions was observed at the beginning of the logariphmic and stationary growth stages, but not during the competence period. Short-term changes emerging in cells during freezing-thawing can probably promote the better penetration of Ca++ ions to active sites on the cell surface, which produces favourable conditions for lambda phage DNA formation.", "contents": "[Competency of Escherichia coli cells. IV. Effect of freezing--thawing on the formation of competency in Escherichia coli cells in the presence of Ca++ ions]. The paper is initiated in the aim to use the effect of freezing-thawing in the system of intact Escherichia coli cells treated with Ca++ ions to increase the transfection efficiency. It is demonstrated that freezing-thawing of Ca++ treated cells increases the transfection indices of lambda phage DNA for E. coli Hfr clone with low transfection indices in 20-30 times, and for the strain of E. coli X7026 of high competence-in 5 times. Freezing-thawing efficiently increased the transfection only in cells with a decreasing competence. E. coli Hfr H cells acquired the capacity of more efficient lambda phage DNA perception independently on the growth phase, while in E. coli X7026 cells the maximal transfection increase under the effect of complementary interactions was observed at the beginning of the logariphmic and stationary growth stages, but not during the competence period. Short-term changes emerging in cells during freezing-thawing can probably promote the better penetration of Ca++ ions to active sites on the cell surface, which produces favourable conditions for lambda phage DNA formation.", "PMID": 793933} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10013", "title": "[Two routes for the development of chromosome aberrations].", "content": "Data on cytogenetic investigations using the method of influence of DNA and protein syntheses inhibitors on the chromosome are summarized. The formation of chromosome rearrangements and gaps is considered to be due to the appearance of DNA damage. The formation of these changes is proved to be similar under radiation and chemical mutagenesis. Successive stages of the realization of chromosome aberrations are united by crossing over (contact) hypothesis. The other was of the formation of cytogenetic changes is due to DNA structural degradation. These two ways can combine in radiation and chemical mutagenesis (depending on doses and mutagens).", "contents": "[Two routes for the development of chromosome aberrations]. Data on cytogenetic investigations using the method of influence of DNA and protein syntheses inhibitors on the chromosome are summarized. The formation of chromosome rearrangements and gaps is considered to be due to the appearance of DNA damage. The formation of these changes is proved to be similar under radiation and chemical mutagenesis. Successive stages of the realization of chromosome aberrations are united by crossing over (contact) hypothesis. The other was of the formation of cytogenetic changes is due to DNA structural degradation. These two ways can combine in radiation and chemical mutagenesis (depending on doses and mutagens).", "PMID": 793934} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10014", "title": "Mucosal gastrin concentration, molecular forms of gastrin, number and ultrastructure of G-cells in patients with duodenal ulcer.", "content": "The mean antral immunoreactive gastrin (IRG) concentration of 38 duodenal ulcer (DU) patients was significantly higher (35-9+/-5-2 mug/g) than that of 21 controls (15-9+/-2-6 mug/g). Also the mean IRG concentration in the proximal duodenal mucosa of 15 DU patients (3-2+/-0-8 mug/g) was higher (but not significantly) than that of 10 controls (1-8+/-0-5 mug/g). The number of G-cells in the antral mucosa of 58 DU patients and in the duodenal mucosa of 29 DU patients was not larger than that of controls. The distribution of immunoreactivity in gastrin components has been investigated in the antral and duodenal mucosa of six DU patients and six controls. In the antral mucosa the mean percentage of G-17 was 93-3% in DU patients and 92-0% in controls. G-34 amounted to 4-0% in DU patients and to 5-0% in controls. The G-34 percentage in the duodenal mucosa was higher (however not significantly) in the DU patients than in the controls (50-1% versus 35-8%). Ultrastructurally, the antral G-cells of DU patients had a significantly lower density index of their secretory granules suggesting higher functional activity. It is concluded that the exaggerated serum IRG response of DU patients to different stimuli is not a consequence of an increased G-cell mass.", "contents": "Mucosal gastrin concentration, molecular forms of gastrin, number and ultrastructure of G-cells in patients with duodenal ulcer. The mean antral immunoreactive gastrin (IRG) concentration of 38 duodenal ulcer (DU) patients was significantly higher (35-9+/-5-2 mug/g) than that of 21 controls (15-9+/-2-6 mug/g). Also the mean IRG concentration in the proximal duodenal mucosa of 15 DU patients (3-2+/-0-8 mug/g) was higher (but not significantly) than that of 10 controls (1-8+/-0-5 mug/g). The number of G-cells in the antral mucosa of 58 DU patients and in the duodenal mucosa of 29 DU patients was not larger than that of controls. The distribution of immunoreactivity in gastrin components has been investigated in the antral and duodenal mucosa of six DU patients and six controls. In the antral mucosa the mean percentage of G-17 was 93-3% in DU patients and 92-0% in controls. G-34 amounted to 4-0% in DU patients and to 5-0% in controls. The G-34 percentage in the duodenal mucosa was higher (however not significantly) in the DU patients than in the controls (50-1% versus 35-8%). Ultrastructurally, the antral G-cells of DU patients had a significantly lower density index of their secretory granules suggesting higher functional activity. It is concluded that the exaggerated serum IRG response of DU patients to different stimuli is not a consequence of an increased G-cell mass.", "PMID": 793953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10015", "title": "Identification of the D1-cell as the source of human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP).", "content": "Immunoperoxidase positive HPP-producing cells have been examined ultrastructurally using the serial semithin-thin section technique. The features of the HPP cells were found to be identical with those of the previously described D1-cell. The D1-cells are scattered throughout the exocrine parenchyma and occur to a minor extent in the islets.", "contents": "Identification of the D1-cell as the source of human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP). Immunoperoxidase positive HPP-producing cells have been examined ultrastructurally using the serial semithin-thin section technique. The features of the HPP cells were found to be identical with those of the previously described D1-cell. The D1-cells are scattered throughout the exocrine parenchyma and occur to a minor extent in the islets.", "PMID": 793954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10016", "title": "Analysis of the lympho-plasmacytic infiltrate in Crohn's disease with special reference to identification of lymphocyte-subpopulations.", "content": "Lympho-plasmacytic infiltrates in cryostat sections (resected small intestine or colon specimens and rectal biopsies) from 29 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) were studied with the immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence technique, by means of specific anti-human lymphocyte globulin (ALG) and specific anti-human T-lymphocyte globulin (ATG). Control specimens were obtained from 16 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 12 subjects without inflammatory bowel disease. Characteristic transmural inflammatory infiltrates in CD consisted mainly of lymphocytes. A wide variation of the relative T-cell proportion was observed. However, in contrast with UC, abundant numbers of T-lymphocytes in CD were often detected, particularly in the deeper layers of the bowel wall. Furthermore, in serial sections immunoglobulin-containing plasma cells were counted, using specific anti-IgA, -IgM, and -IgG antisera. A significant reduction of the IgA/IgM plasma cell-ratio was found in CD in comparison with UC and controls. Our results indicate that in CD a chronic cellular immune reaction is going on within the diseases gut, involving increased numbers of lymphocytes and particularly T-cells. It remains to be established whether a deficient IgA barrier has to be considered of primary pathogenetic importance.", "contents": "Analysis of the lympho-plasmacytic infiltrate in Crohn's disease with special reference to identification of lymphocyte-subpopulations. Lympho-plasmacytic infiltrates in cryostat sections (resected small intestine or colon specimens and rectal biopsies) from 29 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) were studied with the immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence technique, by means of specific anti-human lymphocyte globulin (ALG) and specific anti-human T-lymphocyte globulin (ATG). Control specimens were obtained from 16 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 12 subjects without inflammatory bowel disease. Characteristic transmural inflammatory infiltrates in CD consisted mainly of lymphocytes. A wide variation of the relative T-cell proportion was observed. However, in contrast with UC, abundant numbers of T-lymphocytes in CD were often detected, particularly in the deeper layers of the bowel wall. Furthermore, in serial sections immunoglobulin-containing plasma cells were counted, using specific anti-IgA, -IgM, and -IgG antisera. A significant reduction of the IgA/IgM plasma cell-ratio was found in CD in comparison with UC and controls. Our results indicate that in CD a chronic cellular immune reaction is going on within the diseases gut, involving increased numbers of lymphocytes and particularly T-cells. It remains to be established whether a deficient IgA barrier has to be considered of primary pathogenetic importance.", "PMID": 793955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10017", "title": "Contrasting features and responses to treatment of severe chronic active liver disease with and without hepatitis BS antigen.", "content": "To determine the clinical implications of HBSAg in severe chronic active liver disease (CALD), patients with HBSAg positive CALD were compared with those chosen by identical clinical, functional, and morphological criteria in whom this test and anti-HBS were negative. HBSAg positive patients were predominantly males over 40 years of age and more frequently failed to respond to conventional treatment programmes with prednisone. HBSAg negative patients were more often female and younger, had a higher incidence of associated immunopathic disease and immunoserological markers in high titre, and more often responded to treatment with full remission of their disease. HBSAg positive patients failing treatment with conventional doses of prednisone often improved with higher doses, but did not reach full remission of their disease. The benefit-risk ratio of both conventional and high doses of prednisone in HBSAg positive severe CALD needs further clarification.", "contents": "Contrasting features and responses to treatment of severe chronic active liver disease with and without hepatitis BS antigen. To determine the clinical implications of HBSAg in severe chronic active liver disease (CALD), patients with HBSAg positive CALD were compared with those chosen by identical clinical, functional, and morphological criteria in whom this test and anti-HBS were negative. HBSAg positive patients were predominantly males over 40 years of age and more frequently failed to respond to conventional treatment programmes with prednisone. HBSAg negative patients were more often female and younger, had a higher incidence of associated immunopathic disease and immunoserological markers in high titre, and more often responded to treatment with full remission of their disease. HBSAg positive patients failing treatment with conventional doses of prednisone often improved with higher doses, but did not reach full remission of their disease. The benefit-risk ratio of both conventional and high doses of prednisone in HBSAg positive severe CALD needs further clarification.", "PMID": 793956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10018", "title": "Immune response to phi X 174 in man. 5. Primary and secondary antibody production in primary biliary cirrhosis.", "content": "In primary biliary cirrhosis, the primary immune response to the bacteriophage phi X 174 is normal but the secondary response is significantly reduced. The reduction is primarily of IgG antibody, while IgM is proportionately less affected. These changes may be the result of a reduction in helper T lymphocyte function and may contribute to the increase in the ratio of serum concentration of IgM to IgG.", "contents": "Immune response to phi X 174 in man. 5. Primary and secondary antibody production in primary biliary cirrhosis. In primary biliary cirrhosis, the primary immune response to the bacteriophage phi X 174 is normal but the secondary response is significantly reduced. The reduction is primarily of IgG antibody, while IgM is proportionately less affected. These changes may be the result of a reduction in helper T lymphocyte function and may contribute to the increase in the ratio of serum concentration of IgM to IgG.", "PMID": 793957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10019", "title": "Ionophore a 23187: some effects on platelet aggregation and clot retraction.", "content": "The ionophore for divalent cations, A 23187, induces plate aggregation and clot retraction. Acetylsalicyclic acid has a potentiating effect on the aggregation induced by A 23187 in platelet-rich plasma, while it inhibits the aggregation of washed platelets. Acetylation of plasma proteins could be the reason of the increased platelet aggregation induced by A 23187 in the presence of acetylsalicyclic acid. Platelet aggregation by A 23187 is probably activated by the passage of Ca2+ through the platelet membrane(s); the aggation, clot retraction by A 23187 requires increased availability in the intracellular space of both Ca2+ and Mg2+.", "contents": "Ionophore a 23187: some effects on platelet aggregation and clot retraction. The ionophore for divalent cations, A 23187, induces plate aggregation and clot retraction. Acetylsalicyclic acid has a potentiating effect on the aggregation induced by A 23187 in platelet-rich plasma, while it inhibits the aggregation of washed platelets. Acetylation of plasma proteins could be the reason of the increased platelet aggregation induced by A 23187 in the presence of acetylsalicyclic acid. Platelet aggregation by A 23187 is probably activated by the passage of Ca2+ through the platelet membrane(s); the aggation, clot retraction by A 23187 requires increased availability in the intracellular space of both Ca2+ and Mg2+.", "PMID": 793958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10020", "title": "[Clinical aspects of hypertension under contraceptive steroids].", "content": "In Europe, about 1 per cent of women using oral contraceptives develop hypertension. The frequency seems to increase with age and in women who had earlier shown hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. A failure in the feedback mechanisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is suggested to be an important factor in the etiology of hypertension induced by oral contraceptives. Usually, blood pressure returns to normal after cessation of treatment with contraceptive steroids; on the other hand, some cases of irreversible hypertension and kidney failure have been described. Besides the measurement of blood pressure before any treatment with hormonal contraceptives is started, blood pressure should be controlled after three months. In the differential diagnosis of hypertension induced by oral contraceptives, primary aldosteronism and renal artery stenosis have to be excluded; these hypertensive disorders show similar biochemical changes, but should be treated by surgical intervention. The choice of other contraceptives by women with this type of hypertensive disease is discussed.", "contents": "[Clinical aspects of hypertension under contraceptive steroids]. In Europe, about 1 per cent of women using oral contraceptives develop hypertension. The frequency seems to increase with age and in women who had earlier shown hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. A failure in the feedback mechanisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is suggested to be an important factor in the etiology of hypertension induced by oral contraceptives. Usually, blood pressure returns to normal after cessation of treatment with contraceptive steroids; on the other hand, some cases of irreversible hypertension and kidney failure have been described. Besides the measurement of blood pressure before any treatment with hormonal contraceptives is started, blood pressure should be controlled after three months. In the differential diagnosis of hypertension induced by oral contraceptives, primary aldosteronism and renal artery stenosis have to be excluded; these hypertensive disorders show similar biochemical changes, but should be treated by surgical intervention. The choice of other contraceptives by women with this type of hypertensive disease is discussed.", "PMID": 793966} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10021", "title": "[Clinical significance of sperm pathogens in fertility disorders].", "content": "The reasons for systematic microbial examinations of human ejaculates are discussed. The exact establishment of an association between bacteria isolated from human ejaculates and infertility is very difficult. There are several hints for such an association in the case of different micoplasmas though there is no clear-cut evidence. A physical association between these microorganisms and spermatozoa, which was recently observed, possibly could help to facilitate the diagnosis.", "contents": "[Clinical significance of sperm pathogens in fertility disorders]. The reasons for systematic microbial examinations of human ejaculates are discussed. The exact establishment of an association between bacteria isolated from human ejaculates and infertility is very difficult. There are several hints for such an association in the case of different micoplasmas though there is no clear-cut evidence. A physical association between these microorganisms and spermatozoa, which was recently observed, possibly could help to facilitate the diagnosis.", "PMID": 793968} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10022", "title": "Principles, objectives and methods for the control of the gastro-intestinal parasites of pigs in France.", "content": "Parasitic levels are considered in relation to the size of farms and according to the application of anthelminitic programmes and the age groups of the animals. The most common and important parasites in France against which systematic control measures should be taken are Oesophagostomum, Ascaris and Hyostrongylus in pregnant sows, and Oesophagostomum and Ascaris in piglets at weaning and fattening pigs. Strongyloides and Trichuris are found occasionally but could be sometimes important (Mestastrongylus is anexceptional finding). As regards the use of anthelmintics, emphasis is placed on treatment of sows at parturition, or of piglets on transfer to the growing units, with two treatments being given at an interval of 14-21 days. Continuous administration in the food is a complementary solution. Specific treatments for the control of Trichuris and Strongyloides are also examined. In the control of parasites the strict observation of the rules of hygiene is also very effective.", "contents": "Principles, objectives and methods for the control of the gastro-intestinal parasites of pigs in France. Parasitic levels are considered in relation to the size of farms and according to the application of anthelminitic programmes and the age groups of the animals. The most common and important parasites in France against which systematic control measures should be taken are Oesophagostomum, Ascaris and Hyostrongylus in pregnant sows, and Oesophagostomum and Ascaris in piglets at weaning and fattening pigs. Strongyloides and Trichuris are found occasionally but could be sometimes important (Mestastrongylus is anexceptional finding). As regards the use of anthelmintics, emphasis is placed on treatment of sows at parturition, or of piglets on transfer to the growing units, with two treatments being given at an interval of 14-21 days. Continuous administration in the food is a complementary solution. Specific treatments for the control of Trichuris and Strongyloides are also examined. In the control of parasites the strict observation of the rules of hygiene is also very effective.", "PMID": 793964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10023", "title": "Calcium-antagonists and islet function. V. Effect of R33711.", "content": "R33711, a new drug with presumed potent calcium-antagonistic property, was found to suppress the insulinotropic action of glucose and gliclazide but not that of theophylline. A 0.2 muM concentration of R33711 was sufficient to abolish glucose-induced insulin release. At this concentration, R33711 inhibited the net uptake of 45Ca2+ by isolated islets, whether in the absence or presence of either glucose or sulfonylurea. In the isolated islets, R33711 failed to affect the glucose-stimulated production of lactate, the rate of 45Ca2+ efflux, the inhibitory action of glucose upon such an efflux and its increase in response to theophylline. These data are compatible with the view that R33711 inhibits entry of Ca2+ into the B-cell and that integrity of such an inward cationic movement usually plays a permissive role in the maintenance of the Ca2+-dependent insulin secretory process.", "contents": "Calcium-antagonists and islet function. V. Effect of R33711. R33711, a new drug with presumed potent calcium-antagonistic property, was found to suppress the insulinotropic action of glucose and gliclazide but not that of theophylline. A 0.2 muM concentration of R33711 was sufficient to abolish glucose-induced insulin release. At this concentration, R33711 inhibited the net uptake of 45Ca2+ by isolated islets, whether in the absence or presence of either glucose or sulfonylurea. In the isolated islets, R33711 failed to affect the glucose-stimulated production of lactate, the rate of 45Ca2+ efflux, the inhibitory action of glucose upon such an efflux and its increase in response to theophylline. These data are compatible with the view that R33711 inhibits entry of Ca2+ into the B-cell and that integrity of such an inward cationic movement usually plays a permissive role in the maintenance of the Ca2+-dependent insulin secretory process.", "PMID": 793972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10024", "title": "Pituitary-gonadal function in men with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver.", "content": "Fourteen adult males with alcoholic cirrhosis were studied. Gonadotrophin responses to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) and testosterone (T) responses to human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) were determined and basal 17 beta oestradiol (E2) levels were measured in each case. The mean basal luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and the mean LH and FSH responses to LRH were not significantly different from a group of age-matched male controls. However, the five men with testicular atrophy all had an elevated basal FSH level and an exaggerated FSH response to LRH. The mean serum T of the cirrhotic men was significantly lower than that of the controls (P less than 0.05), while the mean E2 level was not significantly different. However, the mean E2 level in the eight patients with gynaecomastia was significantly higher than in those without gynaecomastic (P less than 0.05). All patients had a T response to HCG, including those 5 with low basal T levels. A significant negative correlation was found between the maximum rise in T after HCG (delta T) and the maximum LH response to LRH (delta LH), suggesting a mediating effect of T reserve on the LH response to LRH. These findings tend to exclude a suppressive effect of alcohol on the pituitary gland as a cause for the hypogonadism found in men with alcoholic cirrhosis. Furthermore, the evidence of some testicular T reserve despite low basal T levels, and the presence of normal basal LH levels, suggests that the low T production is not primarily due to leydig cell dysfunction.", "contents": "Pituitary-gonadal function in men with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. Fourteen adult males with alcoholic cirrhosis were studied. Gonadotrophin responses to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) and testosterone (T) responses to human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) were determined and basal 17 beta oestradiol (E2) levels were measured in each case. The mean basal luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and the mean LH and FSH responses to LRH were not significantly different from a group of age-matched male controls. However, the five men with testicular atrophy all had an elevated basal FSH level and an exaggerated FSH response to LRH. The mean serum T of the cirrhotic men was significantly lower than that of the controls (P less than 0.05), while the mean E2 level was not significantly different. However, the mean E2 level in the eight patients with gynaecomastia was significantly higher than in those without gynaecomastic (P less than 0.05). All patients had a T response to HCG, including those 5 with low basal T levels. A significant negative correlation was found between the maximum rise in T after HCG (delta T) and the maximum LH response to LRH (delta LH), suggesting a mediating effect of T reserve on the LH response to LRH. These findings tend to exclude a suppressive effect of alcohol on the pituitary gland as a cause for the hypogonadism found in men with alcoholic cirrhosis. Furthermore, the evidence of some testicular T reserve despite low basal T levels, and the presence of normal basal LH levels, suggests that the low T production is not primarily due to leydig cell dysfunction.", "PMID": 793973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10025", "title": "Effect of a new LH-RH analogue (D-Ser(TBU)6-EA10-LH-RH) on gonadotrophin and gonadal steroid secretion in men.", "content": "The effect of a new analogue of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone LH-RH, D-Ser(TBU)6-EA10-LH-RH, on the secretion of LH, FSH, as well as testosterone, oestradiol, HGH, prolactin, TSH, and cortisol was studied in normal men. The same subjects were injected intravenously in 4-day intervals with 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mug of this substance. A significant LH but no FSH release was seen after doses of 1.0 and 2.5 mug LH-RH analogue, while after 5.0 and 10.0 mug dose-dependent increases of LH and imposed elevations of FSH were observed. Peak levels of LH were reached after 30 min, those of FSH after intravenous injection after 120 min. LH and FSH remained elevated for 8-10 h. LH peak levels after 5 mug of LH-RH analogue were comparable to those seen after injection of 100 mug of the decapeptide LH-RH. Following the release of LH and FSH after doses of 5.0 and 10.0 mug LH-RH analogue, there was a late stimulating effect in testosterone and oestradiol secretion. HGH, TSH, prolactin, and cortisol were not influenced by the LH-RH analogue.", "contents": "Effect of a new LH-RH analogue (D-Ser(TBU)6-EA10-LH-RH) on gonadotrophin and gonadal steroid secretion in men. The effect of a new analogue of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone LH-RH, D-Ser(TBU)6-EA10-LH-RH, on the secretion of LH, FSH, as well as testosterone, oestradiol, HGH, prolactin, TSH, and cortisol was studied in normal men. The same subjects were injected intravenously in 4-day intervals with 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mug of this substance. A significant LH but no FSH release was seen after doses of 1.0 and 2.5 mug LH-RH analogue, while after 5.0 and 10.0 mug dose-dependent increases of LH and imposed elevations of FSH were observed. Peak levels of LH were reached after 30 min, those of FSH after intravenous injection after 120 min. LH and FSH remained elevated for 8-10 h. LH peak levels after 5 mug of LH-RH analogue were comparable to those seen after injection of 100 mug of the decapeptide LH-RH. Following the release of LH and FSH after doses of 5.0 and 10.0 mug LH-RH analogue, there was a late stimulating effect in testosterone and oestradiol secretion. HGH, TSH, prolactin, and cortisol were not influenced by the LH-RH analogue.", "PMID": 793974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10026", "title": "A convenient and rapid bioassay for inhibin.", "content": "A bioassay for inhibin, based on a dose-dependent suppression of HCG-induced ovarian weight increase in intact, immature female rats, is described. The method is specific and has acceptable sensitivity and precision such that it lends itself to statistically valid quantitative assay of inhibin activity. Being a 24-hour assay, it is conveniently and rapid performed as well as being a multiple bioassay for estimating potencies of various preparations.", "contents": "A convenient and rapid bioassay for inhibin. A bioassay for inhibin, based on a dose-dependent suppression of HCG-induced ovarian weight increase in intact, immature female rats, is described. The method is specific and has acceptable sensitivity and precision such that it lends itself to statistically valid quantitative assay of inhibin activity. Being a 24-hour assay, it is conveniently and rapid performed as well as being a multiple bioassay for estimating potencies of various preparations.", "PMID": 793975} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10027", "title": "Importance of environmental factors in cancer.", "content": "The present paper reviews the nature of epidemiological studies and their importance as a background for determining the hazard of cancer. An attempt is made to explain how risks in the cancer area may be compared by the use of cumulative data over a lifespan as compared to use of age-specific rates. In addition, the classification of the aetiological factors so far identified is summarized and it is pointed out that to date, the most important environmental risks relate to those of cultural habits. Of the 85% of cancers for which the causes have not yet been established, there is circumstantial evidence that the greater part of these are dependent directly or indirectly on environmental factors.", "contents": "Importance of environmental factors in cancer. The present paper reviews the nature of epidemiological studies and their importance as a background for determining the hazard of cancer. An attempt is made to explain how risks in the cancer area may be compared by the use of cumulative data over a lifespan as compared to use of age-specific rates. In addition, the classification of the aetiological factors so far identified is summarized and it is pointed out that to date, the most important environmental risks relate to those of cultural habits. Of the 85% of cancers for which the causes have not yet been established, there is circumstantial evidence that the greater part of these are dependent directly or indirectly on environmental factors.", "PMID": 793976} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10028", "title": "[Carcinogenic risks associated with radiation pollution].", "content": "1. The cancerogenic pollution by non-ionizing radiations is limited to the case of solar ultraviolet, whose activity at ground level may be increased as a consequence of the stratospheric depletion of ozone, itself produced by certain chemical pollutants: nitrogen oxydes from supersonic aircrafts, freon. 2. As regards ionizing radiations, the discussion is focused on the fundamental problem of the \"threshold\", aand on the means by which one may obtain some quantitative data related to carcinogenesis by small radiation doses in Man. A new concept, that of a \"practical threshold\" is proposed. 3. One discusses a theory which links radiocancerogenesis, as well as chemical cancerogenesis, to errors produced in the repair of lesions in the DNA. 4. One presents and discusses the \"rads-equivalent\" project for chemical mutagens and cancerogens.", "contents": "[Carcinogenic risks associated with radiation pollution]. 1. The cancerogenic pollution by non-ionizing radiations is limited to the case of solar ultraviolet, whose activity at ground level may be increased as a consequence of the stratospheric depletion of ozone, itself produced by certain chemical pollutants: nitrogen oxydes from supersonic aircrafts, freon. 2. As regards ionizing radiations, the discussion is focused on the fundamental problem of the \"threshold\", aand on the means by which one may obtain some quantitative data related to carcinogenesis by small radiation doses in Man. A new concept, that of a \"practical threshold\" is proposed. 3. One discusses a theory which links radiocancerogenesis, as well as chemical cancerogenesis, to errors produced in the repair of lesions in the DNA. 4. One presents and discusses the \"rads-equivalent\" project for chemical mutagens and cancerogens.", "PMID": 793977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10029", "title": "Mutagenicity and possible carcinogenicity of hair colourants and constituents.", "content": "Skin painting experiments showed that two semi-permanent hair colorants applied at low concentrations caused an early appearance of tumours in two strains of mice. Both colorants were mutagenic in S. typhimurium and further investigation revealed that three categories of hair colorant contained mutagenic constitutents.", "contents": "Mutagenicity and possible carcinogenicity of hair colourants and constituents. Skin painting experiments showed that two semi-permanent hair colorants applied at low concentrations caused an early appearance of tumours in two strains of mice. Both colorants were mutagenic in S. typhimurium and further investigation revealed that three categories of hair colorant contained mutagenic constitutents.", "PMID": 793979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10030", "title": "[Sampling and preliminary treatment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for analysis].", "content": "This review deals with the different methods of sampling of paticulate matter, either suspended or sedimentable, the extraction of the contained carcinogenic hydrocarbons and the pretreatment necessary to allow a good quantitative determination of these potentially hazardous substances. The sampling may be done by filtering a certain volume of air or collecting the sedimentable materials in deposit gauges. In the first case, filters of various nature and porosity are used and the volume of air to be filtered may vary between large limits; but the trend is now to use high volume samplers, two types of which are described. To extract the organic matter from the collected particulates, various solvents may be used, at their boiling point in a Soxlhet apparatus, or at ambiant temperature with the aid of ultra-sonic waves. The solutions, which contain many undesirable products, have to be subjected to a preliminary treatment in order to obtain a purified sample of the compounds to be determined. These treatments include washing with alcaline and acidic aqueous solutions to remove the impurities having phenolic or basic character. Finally, the prepurified solutions may be subjected to various chromatographic procedures, in order to make group separations which simplify the final identification and determination of the individual components present in the initial mixture.", "contents": "[Sampling and preliminary treatment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for analysis]. This review deals with the different methods of sampling of paticulate matter, either suspended or sedimentable, the extraction of the contained carcinogenic hydrocarbons and the pretreatment necessary to allow a good quantitative determination of these potentially hazardous substances. The sampling may be done by filtering a certain volume of air or collecting the sedimentable materials in deposit gauges. In the first case, filters of various nature and porosity are used and the volume of air to be filtered may vary between large limits; but the trend is now to use high volume samplers, two types of which are described. To extract the organic matter from the collected particulates, various solvents may be used, at their boiling point in a Soxlhet apparatus, or at ambiant temperature with the aid of ultra-sonic waves. The solutions, which contain many undesirable products, have to be subjected to a preliminary treatment in order to obtain a purified sample of the compounds to be determined. These treatments include washing with alcaline and acidic aqueous solutions to remove the impurities having phenolic or basic character. Finally, the prepurified solutions may be subjected to various chromatographic procedures, in order to make group separations which simplify the final identification and determination of the individual components present in the initial mixture.", "PMID": 793980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10031", "title": "Epidemiological evidence on the carcinogenic risk of air pollution.", "content": "In summary, higher lung cancer morbidity and mortality in urban than in rural areas and the presence of carcinogens in polluted air suggest that smoking habits and specific occupational exposures cannot account for all the urban air pollution may play a role in this disease. Surveys of lung cancer have shown that differences in excess. Positive correlations between lung cancer death rates and indices of pollution in different places, the experience of migrants and a possibile decline in lung cancer mortality with decline in pollution provide support for the view that air pollution is a factor in this disease. But the effect of pollution cannot be large. It is likely to be a small fraction (possibly a tenth) of the effect of cigarette smoking.", "contents": "Epidemiological evidence on the carcinogenic risk of air pollution. In summary, higher lung cancer morbidity and mortality in urban than in rural areas and the presence of carcinogens in polluted air suggest that smoking habits and specific occupational exposures cannot account for all the urban air pollution may play a role in this disease. Surveys of lung cancer have shown that differences in excess. Positive correlations between lung cancer death rates and indices of pollution in different places, the experience of migrants and a possibile decline in lung cancer mortality with decline in pollution provide support for the view that air pollution is a factor in this disease. But the effect of pollution cannot be large. It is likely to be a small fraction (possibly a tenth) of the effect of cigarette smoking.", "PMID": 793981} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10032", "title": "Microbial formation of nitrosopyrrolidine from nitrosoproline.", "content": "The fate of orally administered NPro was determined in rats. Unchanged NPro could be recovered in the urine, while NPy was detected in the faeces of two of three rats tested. After successive administration of NPro to the same rats, their intestinal contents were inoculated into media containing NPro to test for NPy formation. Decarboxylation of NPro occurred in the faeces cultures from those rats whose faeces had contained NPy. When the faeces from 10 mice were inoculated into the NPro media, all gave negative reactions for NPro decarboxylation. However, when the faeces of eight rats and those of 15 rabbits were tested, two rats and one rabbit exhibited NPy formation. L-Pro and NPro decarboxylase reactions were tested on 24 strains of bacteria and three strains each of E. coli and Proteus mirabilis isolated from rat intestines. It was found that seven bacteria gave a positive reaction with L-pro decarboxylation, while only two species, both belonging to Pseudomonas, could decarboxylate NPro.", "contents": "Microbial formation of nitrosopyrrolidine from nitrosoproline. The fate of orally administered NPro was determined in rats. Unchanged NPro could be recovered in the urine, while NPy was detected in the faeces of two of three rats tested. After successive administration of NPro to the same rats, their intestinal contents were inoculated into media containing NPro to test for NPy formation. Decarboxylation of NPro occurred in the faeces cultures from those rats whose faeces had contained NPy. When the faeces from 10 mice were inoculated into the NPro media, all gave negative reactions for NPro decarboxylation. However, when the faeces of eight rats and those of 15 rabbits were tested, two rats and one rabbit exhibited NPy formation. L-Pro and NPro decarboxylase reactions were tested on 24 strains of bacteria and three strains each of E. coli and Proteus mirabilis isolated from rat intestines. It was found that seven bacteria gave a positive reaction with L-pro decarboxylation, while only two species, both belonging to Pseudomonas, could decarboxylate NPro.", "PMID": 793983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10033", "title": "Blast injuries to the lungs: clinical presentation, management and course.", "content": "Five patients with blast injuries to the lungs after bomb explosions are reported. In each patient radiological changes were apparent on the initial chest film taken within 4 hours of the explosions. Arterial hypoxaemia was also present. Four patients were actively treated with continuous positive-pressure ventilation, which was adjudged effective therapy. Two patients died, one owing to bilateral pneumothorax which occurred during anaesthesia, and the other owing to overwhelming infection. Hypoxaemia persisted for 4 months in one of the survivors. Lung function tests which were performed on the same patient 10 monhts after the blast injuries, however, were normal.", "contents": "Blast injuries to the lungs: clinical presentation, management and course. Five patients with blast injuries to the lungs after bomb explosions are reported. In each patient radiological changes were apparent on the initial chest film taken within 4 hours of the explosions. Arterial hypoxaemia was also present. Four patients were actively treated with continuous positive-pressure ventilation, which was adjudged effective therapy. Two patients died, one owing to bilateral pneumothorax which occurred during anaesthesia, and the other owing to overwhelming infection. Hypoxaemia persisted for 4 months in one of the survivors. Lung function tests which were performed on the same patient 10 monhts after the blast injuries, however, were normal.", "PMID": 793986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10034", "title": "Restoration of sensation using a local neurovascular island flap as a primary procedure in extensive pulp loss of the fingertip.", "content": "A technique using a local composite neurovascular island flap, raised on the volar digital vessels and nerve, is described as a primary procedure for the reconstruction of extensive pulp loss of the fingertip. The results of this technique have been uniformly satisfactory in 8 patients.", "contents": "Restoration of sensation using a local neurovascular island flap as a primary procedure in extensive pulp loss of the fingertip. A technique using a local composite neurovascular island flap, raised on the volar digital vessels and nerve, is described as a primary procedure for the reconstruction of extensive pulp loss of the fingertip. The results of this technique have been uniformly satisfactory in 8 patients.", "PMID": 793987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10035", "title": "A report of a case of non-union following fracture of the neck of the radius.", "content": "A case of non-union of bilateral fractures of the neck of the radius is reported and their successful treatment by bone grafting.", "contents": "A report of a case of non-union following fracture of the neck of the radius. A case of non-union of bilateral fractures of the neck of the radius is reported and their successful treatment by bone grafting.", "PMID": 793988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10036", "title": "Mechanisms for the microbicidal activity of cationic proteins of human granulocytes.", "content": "One oxygen-independent antimicrobial system of human granulocytes consists of granular chymotropsin-like cationic proteins possessing heat-stable microbicidal activity. For elucidation of the mode of action of the cationic protein, effects on bacterial synthesis of macromolecules, ion transport, and oxygen consumption have been studied. Inhibition of incorporation of radioactive precursors into protein, ribonulceic acid, and deoxyribonucleic acid of both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was found concomitantly with inhibition of colony formation. Cationic protein inhibited 86Rb+ influx but did not increase the leakage of intracellular 86Rb+, indicating inhibition of energy-dependent membrane transport without a breakdown of the semipermeable character of the membrane. Oxygen consumption was inhibited. Mg2+ and Ca2+ displayed a protective effect against the microbicidal activity, indicating the operation of charge interactions between cationic protein and bacterial surface. The various effects of cationic protein were more pronounced with S. aureus than with E. coli, parallelling the microbicidal activity.", "contents": "Mechanisms for the microbicidal activity of cationic proteins of human granulocytes. One oxygen-independent antimicrobial system of human granulocytes consists of granular chymotropsin-like cationic proteins possessing heat-stable microbicidal activity. For elucidation of the mode of action of the cationic protein, effects on bacterial synthesis of macromolecules, ion transport, and oxygen consumption have been studied. Inhibition of incorporation of radioactive precursors into protein, ribonulceic acid, and deoxyribonucleic acid of both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was found concomitantly with inhibition of colony formation. Cationic protein inhibited 86Rb+ influx but did not increase the leakage of intracellular 86Rb+, indicating inhibition of energy-dependent membrane transport without a breakdown of the semipermeable character of the membrane. Oxygen consumption was inhibited. Mg2+ and Ca2+ displayed a protective effect against the microbicidal activity, indicating the operation of charge interactions between cationic protein and bacterial surface. The various effects of cationic protein were more pronounced with S. aureus than with E. coli, parallelling the microbicidal activity.", "PMID": 793989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10037", "title": "Phage-dependent changes in Shigella flexneri type antigen synthesis.", "content": "Lysogenic conversion of Shigella flexneri type antigens was studied with the aid of wild-type and thermosensitive mutant phages. With all wild-type phages, the appearance of glycosylated antigen was accompanied by the appearance of polyprenyl phosphate glucose synthetase activity. With some of the mutant phages, the appearance of glycosylated antigen was not followed by the formation of lipid-linked glucose in the enzyme assay. The reverse has also been observed, i.e., the high rate of formation of lipid-linked glucose and the lack of V-type antigen.", "contents": "Phage-dependent changes in Shigella flexneri type antigen synthesis. Lysogenic conversion of Shigella flexneri type antigens was studied with the aid of wild-type and thermosensitive mutant phages. With all wild-type phages, the appearance of glycosylated antigen was accompanied by the appearance of polyprenyl phosphate glucose synthetase activity. With some of the mutant phages, the appearance of glycosylated antigen was not followed by the formation of lipid-linked glucose in the enzyme assay. The reverse has also been observed, i.e., the high rate of formation of lipid-linked glucose and the lack of V-type antigen.", "PMID": 793990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10038", "title": "Reovirus-like agent (rotavirus) from lambs.", "content": "Rotavirus particles were demonstrated by electron microscopy in the feces of lambs with diarrhea. Rotavirus antigen was synthesized in cell cultures infected with filtrates of the diarrheic feces, but the virus was not adapted to grow serially in cell cultures. An antigenic relationship between rotaviruses from lambs, pigs, and calves was demonstrated by immunofluorescence. Colostrum-deprived lambs were infected with the lamb rotavirus, and the virus was passaged in lambs. Viral replication occurred in the villous epithelial cells of the small intestine, and the virus was excreted in the feces up to 78 h postinfection. Diarrhea was not observed in the experimentally infected lambs.", "contents": "Reovirus-like agent (rotavirus) from lambs. Rotavirus particles were demonstrated by electron microscopy in the feces of lambs with diarrhea. Rotavirus antigen was synthesized in cell cultures infected with filtrates of the diarrheic feces, but the virus was not adapted to grow serially in cell cultures. An antigenic relationship between rotaviruses from lambs, pigs, and calves was demonstrated by immunofluorescence. Colostrum-deprived lambs were infected with the lamb rotavirus, and the virus was passaged in lambs. Viral replication occurred in the villous epithelial cells of the small intestine, and the virus was excreted in the feces up to 78 h postinfection. Diarrhea was not observed in the experimentally infected lambs.", "PMID": 793991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10039", "title": "Surface properties of extracellular malaria parasites: electrophoretic and lectin-binding characteristics.", "content": "The surface charge and lectin-binding capacity of isolated malaria parasites and host erythrocytes were analyzed and compared by chromatographic, electrophoretic, and cytochemical methods. Results indicated that at physiological pH values both freshly prepared and glutaraldehyde-fixed parasites and erythrocytes possess a net negative surface charge. Both cell types were strongly bound to cation-exchange resins and underwent cathode-directed electrophoretic migration. The isoelectric points for erythrocyte-free parasites and uninfected erythrocytes were approximately 3.0 and 4.0, respectively. The different effects of selective enzymatic digestion and solvent extraction on the electrophoretic mobilities of free parasites and erythrocytes suggested that the chemical constituents responsibile for the net negative surface charges on each type of cell are different. The surface charge of the free parasites seemed mainly to be a function of ionized phospholipids rather than of the ionogenic sialic acid moieties, which are the major contributors to the negative charge on erythrocytes. Results of lectin-binding studies indicated that specific glycosidimoieties (i.e., glucose, galactose, mannose, and n-acetyglucosamine), common to the erythrocyte surface, were either absent or in low concentration at the parasite's surface. These observations suggest that the normally intracellular malaria parasites have surface characteristics, differing from those of the host cell, characterized by a scarcity of lectin-binding receptors and sialic acid residues and by the major contribution of lipids to their surface charge.", "contents": "Surface properties of extracellular malaria parasites: electrophoretic and lectin-binding characteristics. The surface charge and lectin-binding capacity of isolated malaria parasites and host erythrocytes were analyzed and compared by chromatographic, electrophoretic, and cytochemical methods. Results indicated that at physiological pH values both freshly prepared and glutaraldehyde-fixed parasites and erythrocytes possess a net negative surface charge. Both cell types were strongly bound to cation-exchange resins and underwent cathode-directed electrophoretic migration. The isoelectric points for erythrocyte-free parasites and uninfected erythrocytes were approximately 3.0 and 4.0, respectively. The different effects of selective enzymatic digestion and solvent extraction on the electrophoretic mobilities of free parasites and erythrocytes suggested that the chemical constituents responsibile for the net negative surface charges on each type of cell are different. The surface charge of the free parasites seemed mainly to be a function of ionized phospholipids rather than of the ionogenic sialic acid moieties, which are the major contributors to the negative charge on erythrocytes. Results of lectin-binding studies indicated that specific glycosidimoieties (i.e., glucose, galactose, mannose, and n-acetyglucosamine), common to the erythrocyte surface, were either absent or in low concentration at the parasite's surface. These observations suggest that the normally intracellular malaria parasites have surface characteristics, differing from those of the host cell, characterized by a scarcity of lectin-binding receptors and sialic acid residues and by the major contribution of lipids to their surface charge.", "PMID": 793992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10040", "title": "Hepatic clearance of Candida albicans in rats.", "content": "The initial clearance of Candida albicans from the blood stream of rats and from perfusion medium by perfused rat livers was characterized. Normal rats cleared over 90% of large doses of intravenously injected yeast cells in 5 min. All were recovered as viable cells among various reticulendothelial organs after 30 min. The perfused rat liver trapped an average of 85% of the yeast cells in a single pass. No significant killing occurred, even in the presence of 10% whole rat blood. Scanning electron microscopy of cryofractured livers revealed that the cells were trapped in liver sinusoids but outside phagocytic cells.", "contents": "Hepatic clearance of Candida albicans in rats. The initial clearance of Candida albicans from the blood stream of rats and from perfusion medium by perfused rat livers was characterized. Normal rats cleared over 90% of large doses of intravenously injected yeast cells in 5 min. All were recovered as viable cells among various reticulendothelial organs after 30 min. The perfused rat liver trapped an average of 85% of the yeast cells in a single pass. No significant killing occurred, even in the presence of 10% whole rat blood. Scanning electron microscopy of cryofractured livers revealed that the cells were trapped in liver sinusoids but outside phagocytic cells.", "PMID": 793993} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10041", "title": "Failure of trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate (P3 or cord factor) to enhance endotoxin lethality in mice.", "content": "The increased endotoxin lethality in mice pretreated with BCG was not observed in mice pretreated with trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate instead of BCG.", "contents": "Failure of trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate (P3 or cord factor) to enhance endotoxin lethality in mice. The increased endotoxin lethality in mice pretreated with BCG was not observed in mice pretreated with trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate instead of BCG.", "PMID": 793994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10042", "title": "Analysis of T-cell-specific functions in continuous lymphocytic cell lines. II. A T-cell line which forms rosettes with normal thymocytes of the same species.", "content": "Four T-cell lines of mouse origin (EL-4, S-49, R-1, and L-5178Y) with similar characteristics (Thy-1-positive, and PHA-sensitive) were tested for reactivity with various antigens. EL-4 cells alone were shown to form rosettes at 4 degrees C with thymocytes (positive for either Thy-1.1 or Thy-1.2) and with Thy-1-positive lymph node cells of various mouse strains. Comparable rosette formation did not occur with Thy-1-negative lymphnode cells or red blood cells, nor with rat or rabbit thymocytes. The thymocytes which attached to the tumor cells formed a cluster at one pole of the cell after warming at 37 degrees C for 10 min. After incubation for 40 min at 37 degrees C, most of the rosettes disappeared. This process was blocked by sodium azide and dinitrophenol, suggesting that the movement of thymocytes to one pole of the tumor cell and subsequent release are energy-dependent. These results suggest that the EL-4 cell line, originally derived from a carcinogen-induced lymphoma of C57BL/6, may have been an autoimmune lymphoma reactive against T cells.", "contents": "Analysis of T-cell-specific functions in continuous lymphocytic cell lines. II. A T-cell line which forms rosettes with normal thymocytes of the same species. Four T-cell lines of mouse origin (EL-4, S-49, R-1, and L-5178Y) with similar characteristics (Thy-1-positive, and PHA-sensitive) were tested for reactivity with various antigens. EL-4 cells alone were shown to form rosettes at 4 degrees C with thymocytes (positive for either Thy-1.1 or Thy-1.2) and with Thy-1-positive lymph node cells of various mouse strains. Comparable rosette formation did not occur with Thy-1-negative lymphnode cells or red blood cells, nor with rat or rabbit thymocytes. The thymocytes which attached to the tumor cells formed a cluster at one pole of the cell after warming at 37 degrees C for 10 min. After incubation for 40 min at 37 degrees C, most of the rosettes disappeared. This process was blocked by sodium azide and dinitrophenol, suggesting that the movement of thymocytes to one pole of the tumor cell and subsequent release are energy-dependent. These results suggest that the EL-4 cell line, originally derived from a carcinogen-induced lymphoma of C57BL/6, may have been an autoimmune lymphoma reactive against T cells.", "PMID": 793995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10043", "title": "Nature of the union between sheep red blood cells and T lymphocytes.", "content": "Calcium ions acting as salt bridges between the receptor on T lymphocytes and the negatively charged sites on sheep red blood cells (SRBC) are probably involved in rosette formation. Evidence to support this hypothesis includes the results of manipulating the ionic concentration of Ca2+free incubation medium and rosette inhibition in the presence of EDTA. Optimal rosette formation occurred when NaCl was the supporting electrolyte and the ionic strength was 100-150 mM. Neither KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 nor Na2SO4 were effective as supporting electrolytes. SRBC pretreated with neuraminidase showed improved rosette formation of lower ionic strength than control cells.", "contents": "Nature of the union between sheep red blood cells and T lymphocytes. Calcium ions acting as salt bridges between the receptor on T lymphocytes and the negatively charged sites on sheep red blood cells (SRBC) are probably involved in rosette formation. Evidence to support this hypothesis includes the results of manipulating the ionic concentration of Ca2+free incubation medium and rosette inhibition in the presence of EDTA. Optimal rosette formation occurred when NaCl was the supporting electrolyte and the ionic strength was 100-150 mM. Neither KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 nor Na2SO4 were effective as supporting electrolytes. SRBC pretreated with neuraminidase showed improved rosette formation of lower ionic strength than control cells.", "PMID": 793996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10044", "title": "Visualization principles in thin-layer immunoassays (TIA) on plastic surfaces.", "content": "Macromolecules may adsorb firmly as a monolayer to plastic surfaces and still retain their property to react specifically with antibodies. In the present communication four different principles for visualization of such antigenantibody interactions on plastic surfaces are described. In addition, a diffusion-ingel method for quantitation of antibodies is presented. The described methods offer simple, sensitive and accurate means of assaying antigen-antibody reactions.", "contents": "Visualization principles in thin-layer immunoassays (TIA) on plastic surfaces. Macromolecules may adsorb firmly as a monolayer to plastic surfaces and still retain their property to react specifically with antibodies. In the present communication four different principles for visualization of such antigenantibody interactions on plastic surfaces are described. In addition, a diffusion-ingel method for quantitation of antibodies is presented. The described methods offer simple, sensitive and accurate means of assaying antigen-antibody reactions.", "PMID": 793997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10045", "title": "[First experiences with BS 100-141, a new antihypertensive substance].", "content": "The administration of a new guanidine derivate, BS 100-141, to 20 patients resulted in a statistically highly significant reduction of blood pressure. A comparative clinical trial of BS 100-141 and alpha-methyl-DOPA showed BS 100-141 to be more efficient in lowering the arterial pressure than alpha-methyl-DOPA, especially when the drug was used in the second period of treatment. In the majority of the patients treated with BS 100-141 a slight increase in blood glucose concentration, not exceeding the upper limits of normal values, was found.", "contents": "[First experiences with BS 100-141, a new antihypertensive substance]. The administration of a new guanidine derivate, BS 100-141, to 20 patients resulted in a statistically highly significant reduction of blood pressure. A comparative clinical trial of BS 100-141 and alpha-methyl-DOPA showed BS 100-141 to be more efficient in lowering the arterial pressure than alpha-methyl-DOPA, especially when the drug was used in the second period of treatment. In the majority of the patients treated with BS 100-141 a slight increase in blood glucose concentration, not exceeding the upper limits of normal values, was found.", "PMID": 793999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10046", "title": "Indoprofen in the treatment of osteoarthrosis. A controlled trial in comparison with ibuprofen.", "content": "A controlled research has been carried out in 39 patients with osteoarthrosis in order to evaluate the efficacy of Indoprofen, a new analgesic-antiinflammatory compound. This product, a phenylpropionic acid derivative, was given by mouth at the dose of 600 mg daily for 7 days. For comparison a treatment with 900 mg daily of Ibuprofen for the same length of time was given to patients according to a double-blind cross-over experimental design. Significant decrease in overall pain intensity was observed together with significant improvement in motility. Indoprofen at the daily dose of 600 mg was comparable in efficacy with 900 mg of Ibuprofen in the relief of pain related to osteoarthrosis. Toleration of the drugs was very good.", "contents": "Indoprofen in the treatment of osteoarthrosis. A controlled trial in comparison with ibuprofen. A controlled research has been carried out in 39 patients with osteoarthrosis in order to evaluate the efficacy of Indoprofen, a new analgesic-antiinflammatory compound. This product, a phenylpropionic acid derivative, was given by mouth at the dose of 600 mg daily for 7 days. For comparison a treatment with 900 mg daily of Ibuprofen for the same length of time was given to patients according to a double-blind cross-over experimental design. Significant decrease in overall pain intensity was observed together with significant improvement in motility. Indoprofen at the daily dose of 600 mg was comparable in efficacy with 900 mg of Ibuprofen in the relief of pain related to osteoarthrosis. Toleration of the drugs was very good.", "PMID": 794000} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10047", "title": "Pharmacotherapy with avena sativa - a double blind study.", "content": "Hundred non-hospitalized smokers with an average consumption of 20 cigarettes per day were treated with an alcoholic extract of Avena sativa for disaccustoming. The study was double blind. By using query-sheets personal contact was excluded. The first result was a placebo-effect of 35% for disaccustoming of smokers and no statistically significant effect of the extract of Avena sativa. The second result was a difference of disaccustoming between light and heavy smokers. It was shown, that the rate of disaccustoming was higher for light smokers than for smokers with a high consumption of cigarettes.", "contents": "Pharmacotherapy with avena sativa - a double blind study. Hundred non-hospitalized smokers with an average consumption of 20 cigarettes per day were treated with an alcoholic extract of Avena sativa for disaccustoming. The study was double blind. By using query-sheets personal contact was excluded. The first result was a placebo-effect of 35% for disaccustoming of smokers and no statistically significant effect of the extract of Avena sativa. The second result was a difference of disaccustoming between light and heavy smokers. It was shown, that the rate of disaccustoming was higher for light smokers than for smokers with a high consumption of cigarettes.", "PMID": 794001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10048", "title": "A phase II study of prazosin hydrochloride in hypertensive subjects.", "content": "The antihypertensive action of Prazosin was studied in 20 hypertensive patients. Sixteen patients completed the 36-week treatment period. The drug produced a gradual and sustained fall in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The dosage used was 1 mg TDS. Only 2 patients required 2 mg TDS of Prazosin combined with 1 mg per day of polythiazide, and one of these did not respond. No postural hypotension or weight gain was observed. Side-effects were mild and were not troublesome.", "contents": "A phase II study of prazosin hydrochloride in hypertensive subjects. The antihypertensive action of Prazosin was studied in 20 hypertensive patients. Sixteen patients completed the 36-week treatment period. The drug produced a gradual and sustained fall in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The dosage used was 1 mg TDS. Only 2 patients required 2 mg TDS of Prazosin combined with 1 mg per day of polythiazide, and one of these did not respond. No postural hypotension or weight gain was observed. Side-effects were mild and were not troublesome.", "PMID": 794002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10049", "title": "The effects of propranolol, practolol, and placebo on the clinical manifestations of thyrotoxicosis.", "content": "Thirty patients with thyrotoxicosis were randomly divided into 3 groups of ten which were treated for 8 weeks with either practolol, propranolol or placebo. The pills were administered in a double blind manner and the investigator had the option of doubling the dose at each visit. Propranolol and practolol were equally effective, and better than placebo, at relieving the patients general well-being as well as the tachycardia, subjective and objective tremor, skin warmness and moistness and the intensity of the thyroid bruit.", "contents": "The effects of propranolol, practolol, and placebo on the clinical manifestations of thyrotoxicosis. Thirty patients with thyrotoxicosis were randomly divided into 3 groups of ten which were treated for 8 weeks with either practolol, propranolol or placebo. The pills were administered in a double blind manner and the investigator had the option of doubling the dose at each visit. Propranolol and practolol were equally effective, and better than placebo, at relieving the patients general well-being as well as the tachycardia, subjective and objective tremor, skin warmness and moistness and the intensity of the thyroid bruit.", "PMID": 794003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10050", "title": "Photodynamic action of thiopyronine on the respiration and fermentation in yeast.", "content": "The efficiency of photodynamic treatment with thiopyronine (TP) on the respiration and fermentation of yeast cells, on the metabolic oxygen uptake of isolated mitochondrial preparations from yeast, and on the enzyme activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in vivo and in vitro were studied. Respiration was inactivated by treatment with TP and visible light more at the initial stage than was the fermentation. Isolated mitochondria and ADH in vitro were not as sensitive to treatment as were respiration and fermentation in vivo. Inactivation patterns of respiration and fermentation in vivo showed that the inactivation was not due to damage to the DNA. The hindrance of respiration and fermentation might be one of main causes of cell-death resulting from photodynamic treatment.", "contents": "Photodynamic action of thiopyronine on the respiration and fermentation in yeast. The efficiency of photodynamic treatment with thiopyronine (TP) on the respiration and fermentation of yeast cells, on the metabolic oxygen uptake of isolated mitochondrial preparations from yeast, and on the enzyme activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in vivo and in vitro were studied. Respiration was inactivated by treatment with TP and visible light more at the initial stage than was the fermentation. Isolated mitochondria and ADH in vitro were not as sensitive to treatment as were respiration and fermentation in vivo. Inactivation patterns of respiration and fermentation in vivo showed that the inactivation was not due to damage to the DNA. The hindrance of respiration and fermentation might be one of main causes of cell-death resulting from photodynamic treatment.", "PMID": 794004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10051", "title": "Cellular mechanisms of tubular protein transport.", "content": "AT the cellular level different mechanisms have been demonstrated or postulated for the transport and processing of proteins in the epithelium of the proximal tubule. Eight pathways are summarized and numbered in Figure 13: 1. The main transport pathway for proteins consist of endocytosis from the tubule lumen and subsequently lysosomal digestion. 2. Proteins do not pass through the junctional complexes into the intercellular spaces under physiological conditions but may do so in very early embryological stages or if the luminal hydrostatic pressure is experimentally increased. 3. Certain small proteins or polypeptides may be catabolized by membrane digestion at the surface of the brush border membranes. 4. Proteins may normally diffuse retrograde into the intercellular space through the basement membrane and then return unaltered to the peritubular space. 5. Endocytosis from the peritubular cell surface is rare and quantitatively insignificant. 6.-8. There is no convincing evidence for the existence of transcellular transport of intact protein, either directly through the cytoplasm, or by peritubular release of protein-containing lysosomes or endocytic vacuoles.", "contents": "Cellular mechanisms of tubular protein transport. AT the cellular level different mechanisms have been demonstrated or postulated for the transport and processing of proteins in the epithelium of the proximal tubule. Eight pathways are summarized and numbered in Figure 13: 1. The main transport pathway for proteins consist of endocytosis from the tubule lumen and subsequently lysosomal digestion. 2. Proteins do not pass through the junctional complexes into the intercellular spaces under physiological conditions but may do so in very early embryological stages or if the luminal hydrostatic pressure is experimentally increased. 3. Certain small proteins or polypeptides may be catabolized by membrane digestion at the surface of the brush border membranes. 4. Proteins may normally diffuse retrograde into the intercellular space through the basement membrane and then return unaltered to the peritubular space. 5. Endocytosis from the peritubular cell surface is rare and quantitatively insignificant. 6.-8. There is no convincing evidence for the existence of transcellular transport of intact protein, either directly through the cytoplasm, or by peritubular release of protein-containing lysosomes or endocytic vacuoles.", "PMID": 794010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10052", "title": "Clinical comparison of three contrast agents used in cerebral angiography.", "content": "A total of 139 cerebral angiograms were performed on patients assigned randomly to three groups. The contrast agents used for these groups included meglumine calcium metrizoate, meglumine diatrizoate and meglumine sodium diatrizoate. Pulse rate and blood pressure readings were taken preceding and following injections and pain and heat sensations were graded. There were no significant differences in incidence of nausea or in changes of blood pressure or pulse rate, or in severity of heat sensations. There was a lower incidence of severe injection pain with meglumine calcium metrizoate than with meglumine sodium diatrizoate.", "contents": "Clinical comparison of three contrast agents used in cerebral angiography. A total of 139 cerebral angiograms were performed on patients assigned randomly to three groups. The contrast agents used for these groups included meglumine calcium metrizoate, meglumine diatrizoate and meglumine sodium diatrizoate. Pulse rate and blood pressure readings were taken preceding and following injections and pain and heat sensations were graded. There were no significant differences in incidence of nausea or in changes of blood pressure or pulse rate, or in severity of heat sensations. There was a lower incidence of severe injection pain with meglumine calcium metrizoate than with meglumine sodium diatrizoate.", "PMID": 794022} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10053", "title": "[Results with the second kidney transplantation].", "content": "330 kidneyallotransplantations were performed between 1965-1975 at the Surgical Clinic A of Zurich University Hospital, thereof 31 second set grafts. The one-year-survival rate of the second set recipients was 67% and that of the second set grafts 54%. From our more recent cases we can conclude, that even better results were possible, if retransplantation were planed and attempted an earlier state of graft failure.", "contents": "[Results with the second kidney transplantation]. 330 kidneyallotransplantations were performed between 1965-1975 at the Surgical Clinic A of Zurich University Hospital, thereof 31 second set grafts. The one-year-survival rate of the second set recipients was 67% and that of the second set grafts 54%. From our more recent cases we can conclude, that even better results were possible, if retransplantation were planed and attempted an earlier state of graft failure.", "PMID": 794036} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10054", "title": "Ultrastructural identification of cells storing pancreatic-type glucagon in dog stomach.", "content": "The oxyntic mucosa of the dog stomach is rich in cells storing pancreatic-type glucagon. The cells were identified by immunocytochemistry and found to be indistinguishable from pancreatic A cells in the electron microscope. Ultrastructural identification of the immunoreactive cells was accomplished by the use of consecutive semithin-ultrathin sections, a technique that permitted the use of optimally fixed material.", "contents": "Ultrastructural identification of cells storing pancreatic-type glucagon in dog stomach. The oxyntic mucosa of the dog stomach is rich in cells storing pancreatic-type glucagon. The cells were identified by immunocytochemistry and found to be indistinguishable from pancreatic A cells in the electron microscope. Ultrastructural identification of the immunoreactive cells was accomplished by the use of consecutive semithin-ultrathin sections, a technique that permitted the use of optimally fixed material.", "PMID": 794042} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10055", "title": "Autoradiographic model experiments with 67Ga and 99mTc.", "content": "In order to evaluate the feasibility to localize correctly 67Ga citrate and 99mTc pertechnetate in tissues, the resolution of these radioactive compounds were measured in a model system using four different autoradiographic techniques, wet as well as dry. Wet autoradiographic techniques gave an almost complete loss of 67Ga. In deparaffinized sections of fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue the remaining 67Ga, which was probably bound to proteins, gave a resolution of 2.6 mu. 99mTc was either completely lost in wet techniques or the procedure could not be performed at all because of the very short half life of 99mTc. The resolution of 67Ga in a dry autoradiographic technique (according to Stumpf) was 6.9 mu and the resolution of 99mTc 22.6 mu. The technique in which frozen sections are thawed on dry film and consequently dryed, gave slightly better resolutions than the dry technique (according to Stumpf) with 67Ga as well as 99mTc. It is concluded that for the histological localization of 67Ga and 99mTc a dry technique is required. However, the use of a wet technique can be considered, provided a loss of the radioisotope is acceptable and the procedure is controlled by a dry technique.", "contents": "Autoradiographic model experiments with 67Ga and 99mTc. In order to evaluate the feasibility to localize correctly 67Ga citrate and 99mTc pertechnetate in tissues, the resolution of these radioactive compounds were measured in a model system using four different autoradiographic techniques, wet as well as dry. Wet autoradiographic techniques gave an almost complete loss of 67Ga. In deparaffinized sections of fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue the remaining 67Ga, which was probably bound to proteins, gave a resolution of 2.6 mu. 99mTc was either completely lost in wet techniques or the procedure could not be performed at all because of the very short half life of 99mTc. The resolution of 67Ga in a dry autoradiographic technique (according to Stumpf) was 6.9 mu and the resolution of 99mTc 22.6 mu. The technique in which frozen sections are thawed on dry film and consequently dryed, gave slightly better resolutions than the dry technique (according to Stumpf) with 67Ga as well as 99mTc. It is concluded that for the histological localization of 67Ga and 99mTc a dry technique is required. However, the use of a wet technique can be considered, provided a loss of the radioisotope is acceptable and the procedure is controlled by a dry technique.", "PMID": 794043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10056", "title": "[Reconstruction of the nose following trauma or tumour surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "Reliable methods are presented for the reconstruction of various nasal defects following trauma or tumour surgery; they fulfill both functional and esthetic requirements. Pedicle flaps from the immediate surrounding of the defect and particularly from the forehead play a major role. Particularly satisfactory are the fronto-temporal flap for minor defects (mainly for substitution of the ala) and the scalp flap for subtotal or total reconstruction of the nose.", "contents": "[Reconstruction of the nose following trauma or tumour surgery (author's transl)]. Reliable methods are presented for the reconstruction of various nasal defects following trauma or tumour surgery; they fulfill both functional and esthetic requirements. Pedicle flaps from the immediate surrounding of the defect and particularly from the forehead play a major role. Particularly satisfactory are the fronto-temporal flap for minor defects (mainly for substitution of the ala) and the scalp flap for subtotal or total reconstruction of the nose.", "PMID": 794044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10057", "title": "Survey for Salmonellae in porcine bile and cecums and on equipment surfaces in an Ohio abattoir.", "content": "Porcine bile samples and cecal swabbings and environmental swabbings collected from an abattoir in Columbus, Oh, were examined for salmonellae. Of 40 cecal swabbings, 6 were culture-positive for Salmonella choleraesuis and 2 of 25 swabbings of surfaces that were in contact with edible products were culture-positive for Salmonella typhimurium. All of 500 bile samples were Salmonella-free.", "contents": "Survey for Salmonellae in porcine bile and cecums and on equipment surfaces in an Ohio abattoir. Porcine bile samples and cecal swabbings and environmental swabbings collected from an abattoir in Columbus, Oh, were examined for salmonellae. Of 40 cecal swabbings, 6 were culture-positive for Salmonella choleraesuis and 2 of 25 swabbings of surfaces that were in contact with edible products were culture-positive for Salmonella typhimurium. All of 500 bile samples were Salmonella-free.", "PMID": 794045} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10058", "title": "The cellular changes occurring with allografts of marrow-containing cortical bone.", "content": "The cell population within and around allografts of fresh, marrow-containing cortical bone has been studied. The grafts were implanted into intramuscular sites in rats and removed at intervals over a 4 week period for examination by light and electron microscopy to establish the sequence of changes at both the tissue and cellular levels. The tissue organization and the ultrastructural appearances of the cells found at different times after grafting are described; the possible relationships of the different cell types to each other and their likely roles in both the immunological and histogenic events are postulated and discussed. A comparison of the observations in the allograft and in the previously studied autograft suggests that the cells from the granulationtissue that become osteoblasts in the autograft differentiate into fibrocytes and giant cells in the allograft. Furthermore, the increased period of initial degeneration observed in the allograft (2 weeks) compared with the autograft (less than 1 week) may represent the destruction of early, graft-derived attempts at osteogenesis. This, together with the relative paucity of new bone in the allograft, suggests that some cells of graft origin may contribute to the early osteogenesis observed in the autograft.", "contents": "The cellular changes occurring with allografts of marrow-containing cortical bone. The cell population within and around allografts of fresh, marrow-containing cortical bone has been studied. The grafts were implanted into intramuscular sites in rats and removed at intervals over a 4 week period for examination by light and electron microscopy to establish the sequence of changes at both the tissue and cellular levels. The tissue organization and the ultrastructural appearances of the cells found at different times after grafting are described; the possible relationships of the different cell types to each other and their likely roles in both the immunological and histogenic events are postulated and discussed. A comparison of the observations in the allograft and in the previously studied autograft suggests that the cells from the granulationtissue that become osteoblasts in the autograft differentiate into fibrocytes and giant cells in the allograft. Furthermore, the increased period of initial degeneration observed in the allograft (2 weeks) compared with the autograft (less than 1 week) may represent the destruction of early, graft-derived attempts at osteogenesis. This, together with the relative paucity of new bone in the allograft, suggests that some cells of graft origin may contribute to the early osteogenesis observed in the autograft.", "PMID": 794046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10059", "title": "Visceral cartilage.", "content": "Visceral cartilage is found in the airways and appendages of the respiratory tract. It has a characteristic arrangement at various airway levels. Cartilage maintains the large airways patent and since muscle attachment is in part to cartilage, its arrangement influences the effect of muscle contraction. Bronchi are defined as the airways proximal to the last plate of cartilage. The intra-uterine development of cartilage, its distribution in the adult, change in disease and the bronchial arterial supply of large airways are considered.", "contents": "Visceral cartilage. Visceral cartilage is found in the airways and appendages of the respiratory tract. It has a characteristic arrangement at various airway levels. Cartilage maintains the large airways patent and since muscle attachment is in part to cartilage, its arrangement influences the effect of muscle contraction. Bronchi are defined as the airways proximal to the last plate of cartilage. The intra-uterine development of cartilage, its distribution in the adult, change in disease and the bronchial arterial supply of large airways are considered.", "PMID": 794047} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10060", "title": "On the fixation of catecholamines including adrenaline in tissue sections.", "content": "Following intravenous or intraperitoneal injections of 3H-l-dopa radioactivity in adrenal medullary chromaffin cells of the mouse has been followed by autoradiographic and radioisotopic assay methods. For autoradiographic purposes tissues were fixed in either phosphate buffered glutaraldehyde or in 1-5% potassium dichromate in glutaraldehyde pH 7-2. A high initial radioactivity is demonstrated by both autoradiography and radioisotopic assay. During the first hour dopamine is the predominant labelled amine. Between 1 and 4 hours after the injection noradrenaline is in highest concentration and from 1 to 24 hours labelled adrenaline appears and becomes the predominant labelled amine (about 70%) after 24 hours. Autoradiographs of tissues fixed in glutaraldehyde alone confirm that adrenaline is lost from sections by this technique. When 1-5% potassium dichromate is added to glutaraldehyde then adrenline is fixed in A cells and these show only a slightly decreased grain count as compared to NA cells at 5 days; this slight decrease is probably due to more rapid turnover of amines by A cells.", "contents": "On the fixation of catecholamines including adrenaline in tissue sections. Following intravenous or intraperitoneal injections of 3H-l-dopa radioactivity in adrenal medullary chromaffin cells of the mouse has been followed by autoradiographic and radioisotopic assay methods. For autoradiographic purposes tissues were fixed in either phosphate buffered glutaraldehyde or in 1-5% potassium dichromate in glutaraldehyde pH 7-2. A high initial radioactivity is demonstrated by both autoradiography and radioisotopic assay. During the first hour dopamine is the predominant labelled amine. Between 1 and 4 hours after the injection noradrenaline is in highest concentration and from 1 to 24 hours labelled adrenaline appears and becomes the predominant labelled amine (about 70%) after 24 hours. Autoradiographs of tissues fixed in glutaraldehyde alone confirm that adrenaline is lost from sections by this technique. When 1-5% potassium dichromate is added to glutaraldehyde then adrenline is fixed in A cells and these show only a slightly decreased grain count as compared to NA cells at 5 days; this slight decrease is probably due to more rapid turnover of amines by A cells.", "PMID": 794048} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10061", "title": "A study of psychopathology of parents of psychotic children by structured interview.", "content": "To improve observer uniformity and objectivity in the psychiatric appraisal of parents of psychotic children, structured psychiatric interviews were administered to 64 parents of psychotic children, including 28 husband--wife pairs and 8 single parents. Judgments were recorded on the Spitzer--Endicott Psychiatric Status Schedule and the past section of their Current and Past Psychopathology Scales. There were no significant differences between fathers and mothers of organic and nonorganic children (children with and without evidence of neurological dysfunction). As a whole, the 56 parents in the 28 participating husband-wife pairs fell between a contrast group of 55 adult subjects attending a psychiatric clinic and another contrast group of 130 subjects living in the community in upper Manhattan in their trends to pathological symptoms as judged by the Psychiatric Status Schedule. Similarly, in the past section of the Current and Past Psychopathology Scales the parents showed a trend to more psychopathology than a community sample of 36 nonpatient adults. Finally, computer diagnoses based on the Psychiatric Status Schedule showed more schizophrenia in the parents of the psychotic children than in a sample of 130 nonpatient adults in the community. The data thus tend to support findings based on the unstructured interview of elevated schizophrenia rates in parents of psychotic children.", "contents": "A study of psychopathology of parents of psychotic children by structured interview. To improve observer uniformity and objectivity in the psychiatric appraisal of parents of psychotic children, structured psychiatric interviews were administered to 64 parents of psychotic children, including 28 husband--wife pairs and 8 single parents. Judgments were recorded on the Spitzer--Endicott Psychiatric Status Schedule and the past section of their Current and Past Psychopathology Scales. There were no significant differences between fathers and mothers of organic and nonorganic children (children with and without evidence of neurological dysfunction). As a whole, the 56 parents in the 28 participating husband-wife pairs fell between a contrast group of 55 adult subjects attending a psychiatric clinic and another contrast group of 130 subjects living in the community in upper Manhattan in their trends to pathological symptoms as judged by the Psychiatric Status Schedule. Similarly, in the past section of the Current and Past Psychopathology Scales the parents showed a trend to more psychopathology than a community sample of 36 nonpatient adults. Finally, computer diagnoses based on the Psychiatric Status Schedule showed more schizophrenia in the parents of the psychotic children than in a sample of 130 nonpatient adults in the community. The data thus tend to support findings based on the unstructured interview of elevated schizophrenia rates in parents of psychotic children.", "PMID": 794050} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10062", "title": "Quantitative determination of cholestanol in plasma with mass fragmentography. Biochemical diagnosis of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis.", "content": "A simple, sensitive, and accurate method for determination of cholestanol in plasma is described. In this method a fixed amount of cholestane is added to 1 ml of plasma as an internal standard and steroids are saponified and extracted with n-hexane. The amounts of cholestanol and cholesterol are determined by mass fragmentography by monitoring the intensities of m/e 306, m/e 329, and m/e 372 fragment ions. The relative standard deviation of results for cholestanol was about 6.3%. The cholestanol concentrations in the plasma, erythrocyte stroma, and plasma lipoproteins of three patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis were determined by this method.", "contents": "Quantitative determination of cholestanol in plasma with mass fragmentography. Biochemical diagnosis of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. A simple, sensitive, and accurate method for determination of cholestanol in plasma is described. In this method a fixed amount of cholestane is added to 1 ml of plasma as an internal standard and steroids are saponified and extracted with n-hexane. The amounts of cholestanol and cholesterol are determined by mass fragmentography by monitoring the intensities of m/e 306, m/e 329, and m/e 372 fragment ions. The relative standard deviation of results for cholestanol was about 6.3%. The cholestanol concentrations in the plasma, erythrocyte stroma, and plasma lipoproteins of three patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis were determined by this method.", "PMID": 794060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10063", "title": "Propidium diiodide-cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation for buoyant separations of duplex DNA molecules containing single-stranded regions.", "content": "At increasing dye concentrations in propidium diiodide-CsCl density gradients, the relative buoyant density shift was largest for open-circular duplex phiX174 DNA (RFII), next largest for single-stranded viral DNA, and least for closed-circular duplex DNA (RFI). These differential relative buoyant density shifts permitted discrete separations of these phiX DNA forms. Further, in propidium diiodide-CsCl density gradients, the distinctive density of single-stranded DNA permitted separations of rolling-circle intermediates with a single-stranded tail that occur during single-stranded phiX DNA synthesis. It is suggested that single-strandedness in a duplex DNA structure influences its buoyand density shift due to differential dye binding to the single-stranded region and is an additional physical basis for relative buoyant separations of DNA molecules in propidium diiodide-CsCl density gradients.", "contents": "Propidium diiodide-cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation for buoyant separations of duplex DNA molecules containing single-stranded regions. At increasing dye concentrations in propidium diiodide-CsCl density gradients, the relative buoyant density shift was largest for open-circular duplex phiX174 DNA (RFII), next largest for single-stranded viral DNA, and least for closed-circular duplex DNA (RFI). These differential relative buoyant density shifts permitted discrete separations of these phiX DNA forms. Further, in propidium diiodide-CsCl density gradients, the distinctive density of single-stranded DNA permitted separations of rolling-circle intermediates with a single-stranded tail that occur during single-stranded phiX DNA synthesis. It is suggested that single-strandedness in a duplex DNA structure influences its buoyand density shift due to differential dye binding to the single-stranded region and is an additional physical basis for relative buoyant separations of DNA molecules in propidium diiodide-CsCl density gradients.", "PMID": 794061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10064", "title": "Conformational changes and reassociation properties of small subunits of Escherichia coli ribosomes.", "content": "Studies on the reassociation of ribosomal subunits from Escherichia coli were carried out using an ultracentrifuge equipped with a UV absorption scanner, and the conformational changes of ribosomal subunits were followed by circular dichroism measurements. Reassociation between the fractionated 30S and 50 S subunits was promoted by the addition of uncharged tRNA at 4 degrees. Furthermore, a sharp increase in the amount of reassociated products was observed on treatment of the sample solution at temperatures above 25 degrees. Treatment at higher temperature only affected 30 S ribosomal slbunits. From CD measurements of Mg2+ concentration dependence for both ribosomal subunits, a significant decrease in molar ellipticity [theta] at the 264 nm positive peak and a slight change of [theta] at the 222 nm band were observed for both subunits in dissociation buffer. Samples of 30 S subunits pretreated at 37 degrees for 40 min showed a small CD change at the 222 nm band. The same samples showed a slight increase in S value and enhanced ability to form 70 S particles with 50 S subunits. On the other hand, we detected no significant changes in CD spectra, S value or the ability to form 70 S particles with 50 S ribosomal samples subjected to same heat treatments.", "contents": "Conformational changes and reassociation properties of small subunits of Escherichia coli ribosomes. Studies on the reassociation of ribosomal subunits from Escherichia coli were carried out using an ultracentrifuge equipped with a UV absorption scanner, and the conformational changes of ribosomal subunits were followed by circular dichroism measurements. Reassociation between the fractionated 30S and 50 S subunits was promoted by the addition of uncharged tRNA at 4 degrees. Furthermore, a sharp increase in the amount of reassociated products was observed on treatment of the sample solution at temperatures above 25 degrees. Treatment at higher temperature only affected 30 S ribosomal slbunits. From CD measurements of Mg2+ concentration dependence for both ribosomal subunits, a significant decrease in molar ellipticity [theta] at the 264 nm positive peak and a slight change of [theta] at the 222 nm band were observed for both subunits in dissociation buffer. Samples of 30 S subunits pretreated at 37 degrees for 40 min showed a small CD change at the 222 nm band. The same samples showed a slight increase in S value and enhanced ability to form 70 S particles with 50 S subunits. On the other hand, we detected no significant changes in CD spectra, S value or the ability to form 70 S particles with 50 S ribosomal samples subjected to same heat treatments.", "PMID": 794062} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10065", "title": "Biosynthesis of norvaline, norleucine, and homoisoleucine in Serratia marcescens.", "content": "The biosynthetic pathways of norvaline homoisoleucine were examined using regulatory mutants of leucine biosynthesis in Serratia marcescens. alpha-Isopropylmalate synthetase [EC 4.1.3.12], the first enzyme of leucine biosynthesis, catalyzed the condensations of acetyl-CoA with pyruvate, alpha-ketobutyrate, alpha-ketovalerate, or alpha-keto-beta-methylvalerate as well as alpha-ketoisovalerate. These condensations were inhibited by leucine in the alpha-aminobutyrate-resistant mutant, a mutant with derepressed leucine biosynthetic enzymes. However, these condensations were coordinately desensitized in the isoleucine leaky revertant, a leucine accumulator. The formation of norvaline or homoisoleucine was greater in the leucine accumulator, but its leucine auxotroph did not form these unnatural amino acids. Thus, norvaline and homoisoleucine are considered to be formed from alpha-ketobutyrate and alpha-keto-beta-methylvalerate by the leucine biosynthetic enzymes. This view was confirmed by the findings that a norvaline accumulator could be obtained by derivation of the leucine accumulator into an isoleucine-valine auxotroph. Norleucine was also found to be formed from alpha-ketovalerate, an alpha-ketoacid corresponding to norvaline.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of norvaline, norleucine, and homoisoleucine in Serratia marcescens. The biosynthetic pathways of norvaline homoisoleucine were examined using regulatory mutants of leucine biosynthesis in Serratia marcescens. alpha-Isopropylmalate synthetase [EC 4.1.3.12], the first enzyme of leucine biosynthesis, catalyzed the condensations of acetyl-CoA with pyruvate, alpha-ketobutyrate, alpha-ketovalerate, or alpha-keto-beta-methylvalerate as well as alpha-ketoisovalerate. These condensations were inhibited by leucine in the alpha-aminobutyrate-resistant mutant, a mutant with derepressed leucine biosynthetic enzymes. However, these condensations were coordinately desensitized in the isoleucine leaky revertant, a leucine accumulator. The formation of norvaline or homoisoleucine was greater in the leucine accumulator, but its leucine auxotroph did not form these unnatural amino acids. Thus, norvaline and homoisoleucine are considered to be formed from alpha-ketobutyrate and alpha-keto-beta-methylvalerate by the leucine biosynthetic enzymes. This view was confirmed by the findings that a norvaline accumulator could be obtained by derivation of the leucine accumulator into an isoleucine-valine auxotroph. Norleucine was also found to be formed from alpha-ketovalerate, an alpha-ketoacid corresponding to norvaline.", "PMID": 794063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10066", "title": "Nucleotide sequence and in vitro processing of a precursor molecule to Escherichia coli 4.5 S RNA.", "content": "A precursor molecule to the stable 4.5 S RNA species of Escherichia coli has been found to accumulate at 42 degrees in a strain thermosensitive for the function of ribonuclease P. The precursor molecule is 130 nucleotides long. Twenty-two extra nucleotides, starting with pppGp, precede the mature sequence at its 5' terminus. At least 1 extra uridine residue can be found at the 3' terminus. The precursor to 4.5 S RNA is cleaved in vitro by RNase P to generate a 5' end identical to that of the mature 4.5 S RNA.", "contents": "Nucleotide sequence and in vitro processing of a precursor molecule to Escherichia coli 4.5 S RNA. A precursor molecule to the stable 4.5 S RNA species of Escherichia coli has been found to accumulate at 42 degrees in a strain thermosensitive for the function of ribonuclease P. The precursor molecule is 130 nucleotides long. Twenty-two extra nucleotides, starting with pppGp, precede the mature sequence at its 5' terminus. At least 1 extra uridine residue can be found at the 3' terminus. The precursor to 4.5 S RNA is cleaved in vitro by RNase P to generate a 5' end identical to that of the mature 4.5 S RNA.", "PMID": 794064} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10067", "title": "Lipid-protein interactions in Escherichia coli. Membrane-associated f1 bacteriophage coat protein and phospholipid metabolism.", "content": "The effects of insertion of the major coat protein of f1 bacteriophage into Escherichia coli membranes were investigated. The relative level of phosphatidylethanolamine decreased due to the failure to accumulate phosphatidylethanolamine when the cellular levels of phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin were increasing. This decreased accumulation was correlated with a 4-fold reduction in phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis. A 10- to 20-fold increase in cardiolipin content resulted from both a 3-fold increase in cardiolipin synthesis and a decrease in cardiolipin turnover. As long as cell division and protein synthesis continued, the number of cardiolipin molecules per coat protein molecules in the bacterium attained a constant value. The coat protein had little effect of phosphatidylglycerol synthesis. This data suggests that the coat protein froms a specific association with cardiolipin in the host membranes. Additional evidence suggests that cardiolipin also may facilitate the entry of coat protein into membranes.", "contents": "Lipid-protein interactions in Escherichia coli. Membrane-associated f1 bacteriophage coat protein and phospholipid metabolism. The effects of insertion of the major coat protein of f1 bacteriophage into Escherichia coli membranes were investigated. The relative level of phosphatidylethanolamine decreased due to the failure to accumulate phosphatidylethanolamine when the cellular levels of phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin were increasing. This decreased accumulation was correlated with a 4-fold reduction in phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis. A 10- to 20-fold increase in cardiolipin content resulted from both a 3-fold increase in cardiolipin synthesis and a decrease in cardiolipin turnover. As long as cell division and protein synthesis continued, the number of cardiolipin molecules per coat protein molecules in the bacterium attained a constant value. The coat protein had little effect of phosphatidylglycerol synthesis. This data suggests that the coat protein froms a specific association with cardiolipin in the host membranes. Additional evidence suggests that cardiolipin also may facilitate the entry of coat protein into membranes.", "PMID": 794066} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10068", "title": "Biosynthesis of bacterial glycogen. Activator-induced oligomerization of a mutant Escherichia coli ADP-glucose synthase.", "content": "ADP-glucose synthase (EC 2.7.7.27) was purified to homogeneity from SG5-504, Aa mutant strain of Escherichia coli B. It had a molecular weight of approximately 2 X 10(5) and four identical subunits. In the presence of its allosteric activator, fructose-1-6-P2, the mutant enzyme formed oligomers with several times the tetramer molecular weight, as revealed by sedimentation equilibrium centrifugation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and gel filtration column chromatography. Enzyme purified from a wild type strain, AC70R1, did not exhibit the activator-induced oligomerization. Catalytically, the mutant enzyme had a 2-fold higher affinity for activator and a 2- to 3-fold lower affinity for the allosteric inhibitors 5'-adenylate and KH2PO4 than the wild type. The two enzymes appeared identical in subunit molecular weight, amino acid composition, COOH-terminal amino acid, and the first 27 residues of the NH2-terminal sequence. Subtle structural differences were revealed by chemical modification of specific residues. Compared to wild type, the mutant enzyme had 1 cysteine/subunit more accessible to modification by Ellman's reagent. SG5-504 enzyme was inactivated more slowly than AC70R1 enzyme by phenylglyoxal and by trinitrobenzenesulfonate. These results reflected an altered conformation of the SG5-504 enzyme molecule. The unique ability of it to oligomerize in the presence of activator may be the result of a single amino acid substitution.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of bacterial glycogen. Activator-induced oligomerization of a mutant Escherichia coli ADP-glucose synthase. ADP-glucose synthase (EC 2.7.7.27) was purified to homogeneity from SG5-504, Aa mutant strain of Escherichia coli B. It had a molecular weight of approximately 2 X 10(5) and four identical subunits. In the presence of its allosteric activator, fructose-1-6-P2, the mutant enzyme formed oligomers with several times the tetramer molecular weight, as revealed by sedimentation equilibrium centrifugation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and gel filtration column chromatography. Enzyme purified from a wild type strain, AC70R1, did not exhibit the activator-induced oligomerization. Catalytically, the mutant enzyme had a 2-fold higher affinity for activator and a 2- to 3-fold lower affinity for the allosteric inhibitors 5'-adenylate and KH2PO4 than the wild type. The two enzymes appeared identical in subunit molecular weight, amino acid composition, COOH-terminal amino acid, and the first 27 residues of the NH2-terminal sequence. Subtle structural differences were revealed by chemical modification of specific residues. Compared to wild type, the mutant enzyme had 1 cysteine/subunit more accessible to modification by Ellman's reagent. SG5-504 enzyme was inactivated more slowly than AC70R1 enzyme by phenylglyoxal and by trinitrobenzenesulfonate. These results reflected an altered conformation of the SG5-504 enzyme molecule. The unique ability of it to oligomerize in the presence of activator may be the result of a single amino acid substitution.", "PMID": 794067} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10069", "title": "Selective ascending lumbosacral venography in the assessment of lumbar-disc herniation. An anatomical study and clinical experience.", "content": "Epidural venography was performed in 110 patients with suspected lumbar-disc herniation by catheterization of the ascending lumbar and ascending sacral veins. The findings by venography and by myelography were compared with those revealed by operative exploration. Only sixty-one patients had venography, myelography, and operative exploration. In fifty of these patients with no previous disc surgery, the diagnostic accuracy of venography was 98 per cent and of myelography, 90 per cent. Venography had limited value in the other eleven patients who had had one or more prior disc operations because it did not distinguish between scarring and recurrent disc herniation at the levels previously explored. Selctive ascending lumbosacral venography is indicated both in patients who have not had a prior disc operation, as a guide to whether myelography should be performed when the clinical picture is ambiguous, and in patients whose myelogram is normal or equivocal but whose signs and symptoms are strongly suggestive of disc herniation.", "contents": "Selective ascending lumbosacral venography in the assessment of lumbar-disc herniation. An anatomical study and clinical experience. Epidural venography was performed in 110 patients with suspected lumbar-disc herniation by catheterization of the ascending lumbar and ascending sacral veins. The findings by venography and by myelography were compared with those revealed by operative exploration. Only sixty-one patients had venography, myelography, and operative exploration. In fifty of these patients with no previous disc surgery, the diagnostic accuracy of venography was 98 per cent and of myelography, 90 per cent. Venography had limited value in the other eleven patients who had had one or more prior disc operations because it did not distinguish between scarring and recurrent disc herniation at the levels previously explored. Selctive ascending lumbosacral venography is indicated both in patients who have not had a prior disc operation, as a guide to whether myelography should be performed when the clinical picture is ambiguous, and in patients whose myelogram is normal or equivocal but whose signs and symptoms are strongly suggestive of disc herniation.", "PMID": 794071} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10070", "title": "Ambulation of the braced myelomeningocele patient.", "content": "Sixty-eight patients born with a myelomeningocele were studied in the second and third decades of their lives. All of them had had some orthopaedic surgery, an orthotic program, and other specialized medical and paramedical services. In the group with sacral-level lesions, half were community ambulators; in the group with lower lumbar lesions, a third; in the group with upper lumbar lesions, a tenth; and in the group with thoracic-level lesions, none. The most important factors that determine the ambulatory status of a child with myelomeningocele, besides the level of the lesion, are the motor power within a given neurosegmental level and the extent and degree of orthopaedic deformities.", "contents": "Ambulation of the braced myelomeningocele patient. Sixty-eight patients born with a myelomeningocele were studied in the second and third decades of their lives. All of them had had some orthopaedic surgery, an orthotic program, and other specialized medical and paramedical services. In the group with sacral-level lesions, half were community ambulators; in the group with lower lumbar lesions, a third; in the group with upper lumbar lesions, a tenth; and in the group with thoracic-level lesions, none. The most important factors that determine the ambulatory status of a child with myelomeningocele, besides the level of the lesion, are the motor power within a given neurosegmental level and the extent and degree of orthopaedic deformities.", "PMID": 794072} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10071", "title": "Electron-microscopic study of the spindle and chromosome movement in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Mitosis in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated in thick (0-25-I mum) serial sections with a high voltage electron microscope and in preparations of spheroplasts spread on a water surface. Spindle microtubules originate from a plaque-like structure called the spindle pole bosis the SPB duplicates and a set of long and short microtubules develops on each SPB. The spindle arises as the SPBs separate on the nuclear membrane adense and are not individually visible. Genetic studies, however, have indicated that there are 17 linkage groups. The number of microtubules was determined in diploid and haploid spindles on serial stereo micrographs. In diploid mitosis about 40 microtubules issue from a SPB. Most are non-continuous and often they are visibly associated with a chromatin fibre. The spindle in haploid cells is similar except that the number of microtubules is about half that in diploid cells and the SPB is smaller. The pole-to-pole microtubules vary in number from spindle to spindle, but in each case enough microtubules are present to account for each linkage group being associated with a single non-continuous microtubule. We conclude that mitosis in yeast is comparable in its general aspect to that observed in typical eukaryotes.", "contents": "Electron-microscopic study of the spindle and chromosome movement in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mitosis in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated in thick (0-25-I mum) serial sections with a high voltage electron microscope and in preparations of spheroplasts spread on a water surface. Spindle microtubules originate from a plaque-like structure called the spindle pole bosis the SPB duplicates and a set of long and short microtubules develops on each SPB. The spindle arises as the SPBs separate on the nuclear membrane adense and are not individually visible. Genetic studies, however, have indicated that there are 17 linkage groups. The number of microtubules was determined in diploid and haploid spindles on serial stereo micrographs. In diploid mitosis about 40 microtubules issue from a SPB. Most are non-continuous and often they are visibly associated with a chromatin fibre. The spindle in haploid cells is similar except that the number of microtubules is about half that in diploid cells and the SPB is smaller. The pole-to-pole microtubules vary in number from spindle to spindle, but in each case enough microtubules are present to account for each linkage group being associated with a single non-continuous microtubule. We conclude that mitosis in yeast is comparable in its general aspect to that observed in typical eukaryotes.", "PMID": 794073} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10072", "title": "Barium accumulation in rat pancreatic B cells.", "content": "Barium has been used as an electron-opaque substitute for calcium in a study of the distribution of divalent cations between organelles in homogenates or intact rat islets of Langerhans. These were incubated in the presence of barium acetate. Accumulation of electron-opaque deposits was stimulated during incubation of islets in the presence of high glucose concentrations and was diminished in conditions in which intracellular cyclic AMP levels were raised. Mitochondria were found to be the principal sites of accumulation of electron-opaque deposits. Addition of dinitrophenol to homogenates or intact islets abolished mitochondrial barium accumulation. X-ray microanalysis of the deposits in frozen sections showed them to consist predominantly of barium and phosphate. These experiments serve to emphasize further the critical role of mitochondria in the regulation of divalent cation accumulation in B cells, and to confirm that a direct effect on intracellular distribution of divalent cations may represent one important mechanism of action of cyclic AMP in regulating insulin secretion.", "contents": "Barium accumulation in rat pancreatic B cells. Barium has been used as an electron-opaque substitute for calcium in a study of the distribution of divalent cations between organelles in homogenates or intact rat islets of Langerhans. These were incubated in the presence of barium acetate. Accumulation of electron-opaque deposits was stimulated during incubation of islets in the presence of high glucose concentrations and was diminished in conditions in which intracellular cyclic AMP levels were raised. Mitochondria were found to be the principal sites of accumulation of electron-opaque deposits. Addition of dinitrophenol to homogenates or intact islets abolished mitochondrial barium accumulation. X-ray microanalysis of the deposits in frozen sections showed them to consist predominantly of barium and phosphate. These experiments serve to emphasize further the critical role of mitochondria in the regulation of divalent cation accumulation in B cells, and to confirm that a direct effect on intracellular distribution of divalent cations may represent one important mechanism of action of cyclic AMP in regulating insulin secretion.", "PMID": 794074} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10073", "title": "[Mechanical sutures in digestive system surgery].", "content": "Two instruments, one of Russian origin, using very fine Tantale clips, permit one to carry out easily mechanical suture during operations on the digestive tract. These two instruments may be associated. The suture obtained is very safe, whether inversing or eversing. This method of suture seems to be particularly applicable to oesophageal and colonic anastomoses.", "contents": "[Mechanical sutures in digestive system surgery]. Two instruments, one of Russian origin, using very fine Tantale clips, permit one to carry out easily mechanical suture during operations on the digestive tract. These two instruments may be associated. The suture obtained is very safe, whether inversing or eversing. This method of suture seems to be particularly applicable to oesophageal and colonic anastomoses.", "PMID": 794075} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10074", "title": "Correlation between integrated LH and FSH levels and the response to luteinizing hormone relasing factor (LRF).", "content": "Integrated blood plasma levels of LH and FSH and their response to the iv administration of 100 mug synthetic LRF were studied in 29 normal subjects, 12 women with Stein-Leventhal syndrome, 8 subjects with primary gonadal failure, 7 women with Sheehan's syndrome, 20 subjects with pituitary tumors, 10 subjects with idiopathic gonadotropin deficiency and 5 subjects with hypothalamic tumors. Within each group there was considerable variation in the response of LH and FSH levels to LRF. In each group there was a statistically significant positive correlation between basal integrated gonadotropin levels and the response of the levels to LRF. Both within groups and between groups, the best indicator of the response to LRF was the basal levels of FSH and LH. In subjects with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism there was no significant difference in mean basal LH levels and mean response to LRF between patients with primarily pituitary disease (pituitary tumors or Sheehan's syndrome) and conditions which might represent hypothalamic disease (hypothalamic tumors or idiopathic gonadotropin deficiency). The response to an acute, single, injection of LRF appears to more directly reflect basal gonadotropin levels rather than disease category.", "contents": "Correlation between integrated LH and FSH levels and the response to luteinizing hormone relasing factor (LRF). Integrated blood plasma levels of LH and FSH and their response to the iv administration of 100 mug synthetic LRF were studied in 29 normal subjects, 12 women with Stein-Leventhal syndrome, 8 subjects with primary gonadal failure, 7 women with Sheehan's syndrome, 20 subjects with pituitary tumors, 10 subjects with idiopathic gonadotropin deficiency and 5 subjects with hypothalamic tumors. Within each group there was considerable variation in the response of LH and FSH levels to LRF. In each group there was a statistically significant positive correlation between basal integrated gonadotropin levels and the response of the levels to LRF. Both within groups and between groups, the best indicator of the response to LRF was the basal levels of FSH and LH. In subjects with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism there was no significant difference in mean basal LH levels and mean response to LRF between patients with primarily pituitary disease (pituitary tumors or Sheehan's syndrome) and conditions which might represent hypothalamic disease (hypothalamic tumors or idiopathic gonadotropin deficiency). The response to an acute, single, injection of LRF appears to more directly reflect basal gonadotropin levels rather than disease category.", "PMID": 794076} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10075", "title": "Clinical and laboratory heterogeneity in idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.", "content": "Six young men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism had 24-h frequent blood sampling studies for measurement of LH, FSH and testosterone. Five of the patients had LH and FSH measured after administration of 100 mug LH-RH during waking and then during sleep. Four of the patients had testicular biopsies performed. The results of the present studies showed that 4 of the patients had no evidence of episodic LH, FSH, or testosterone secretion. The two patients who showed significant sleep related pulses of LH had the highest 24 h mean testosterone concentrations, the best responses to exogenous LH-RH and the most differentiated testicular biopsies. Sleep had no effect on the release of LH or FSH in response to LH-RH. These sutdies suggest that the clinical and laboratory heterogeneity of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism may be the result of differences in the degree of endogenous LH-RH deficiency.", "contents": "Clinical and laboratory heterogeneity in idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Six young men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism had 24-h frequent blood sampling studies for measurement of LH, FSH and testosterone. Five of the patients had LH and FSH measured after administration of 100 mug LH-RH during waking and then during sleep. Four of the patients had testicular biopsies performed. The results of the present studies showed that 4 of the patients had no evidence of episodic LH, FSH, or testosterone secretion. The two patients who showed significant sleep related pulses of LH had the highest 24 h mean testosterone concentrations, the best responses to exogenous LH-RH and the most differentiated testicular biopsies. Sleep had no effect on the release of LH or FSH in response to LH-RH. These sutdies suggest that the clinical and laboratory heterogeneity of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism may be the result of differences in the degree of endogenous LH-RH deficiency.", "PMID": 794077} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10076", "title": "Simplified scheme for identification of prompt lactose-fermenting members of the Enterobacteriaceae.", "content": "A brief, simplified scheme involving the spot indole test and colonial morphology was evaluated for genus level identification of prompt lactose-fermenting (PLF) members of the Enterobacteriaceae. One hundred and ninety-four consecutive, clinically important PLF gram-negative rods isolated in a clinical microbiology laboratory were identified by this simplified scheme, as well as by standard biochemical tests, and the API 20E (Analytab Products, Inc., Plainview, N.Y.) system. In the simplified scheme a flat, spot indole-positive colony was identified as Escherichia coli. Spot indole-negative organisms forming nucoid colonies were identified as Klebsiella sp. or Enterobacter sp. on the basis of semisolid motility and ornithine decarboxylase tests. Approximately 94% of the study isolates followed reactions typical for E. coli, Klebsiella sp., and Enterobacter sp. as defined by this simplified scheme. When compared with the standard and Analytab Products Inc. identifications, the overall accuracy was 97.4%. The accuracy of identification of E. coli, Klebsiella sp., and Enterobacter sp. was 98.1%, 95.6%, and 87.5%, respectively. This simplified scheme is recommended for identification of selected PLF isolates in the clinical microbiology laboratory.", "contents": "Simplified scheme for identification of prompt lactose-fermenting members of the Enterobacteriaceae. A brief, simplified scheme involving the spot indole test and colonial morphology was evaluated for genus level identification of prompt lactose-fermenting (PLF) members of the Enterobacteriaceae. One hundred and ninety-four consecutive, clinically important PLF gram-negative rods isolated in a clinical microbiology laboratory were identified by this simplified scheme, as well as by standard biochemical tests, and the API 20E (Analytab Products, Inc., Plainview, N.Y.) system. In the simplified scheme a flat, spot indole-positive colony was identified as Escherichia coli. Spot indole-negative organisms forming nucoid colonies were identified as Klebsiella sp. or Enterobacter sp. on the basis of semisolid motility and ornithine decarboxylase tests. Approximately 94% of the study isolates followed reactions typical for E. coli, Klebsiella sp., and Enterobacter sp. as defined by this simplified scheme. When compared with the standard and Analytab Products Inc. identifications, the overall accuracy was 97.4%. The accuracy of identification of E. coli, Klebsiella sp., and Enterobacter sp. was 98.1%, 95.6%, and 87.5%, respectively. This simplified scheme is recommended for identification of selected PLF isolates in the clinical microbiology laboratory.", "PMID": 794078} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10077", "title": "Indirect immunofluorescence assay for antibody to germ tube of Candida albicans--a new diagnostic test.", "content": "Indirect immunofluorescent and agglutination assay were used to study the anti-Candida albicans reactivities in the serum of 13 normal subjects and 14 patients infected with C. albicans. A significant increase in anti-C. albicans seroreactivity was observed during infection with this organism but the increase in the anti-germ tube immunofluorescence titre was the more marked. It is evident that the anti-germ tube immunofluorescence assay is more discriminatory for C. albicans infection than the conventional agglutination assay.", "contents": "Indirect immunofluorescence assay for antibody to germ tube of Candida albicans--a new diagnostic test. Indirect immunofluorescent and agglutination assay were used to study the anti-Candida albicans reactivities in the serum of 13 normal subjects and 14 patients infected with C. albicans. A significant increase in anti-C. albicans seroreactivity was observed during infection with this organism but the increase in the anti-germ tube immunofluorescence titre was the more marked. It is evident that the anti-germ tube immunofluorescence assay is more discriminatory for C. albicans infection than the conventional agglutination assay.", "PMID": 794079} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10078", "title": "Emergency room management of patients with sore throats in a teaching hospital: influence of non-physician factors.", "content": "The care of 169 patients with sore throats was evaluated retrospectively to determine if the quality of medical care received in a teaching hospital's emergency room is associated with the degree of control managing physicians have over the medical care process. Diagnostic evaluation (temperature, throat and cervical node examination, and throat culture) was controlled by physicians and was judged adequate in 78% to 98% of the patients. Therapy, defined as appropriate antibiotics prescribed only for patients with positive throat cultures for group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, was dependent on hospital support services, and the patients, as well, and was judged adequate for 62% of the patients; however, in only one of the 67 patients treated with antibiotics was the culture result known before treatment. The bacteriology laboratory processed the cultures slowly; no administrative mechanism existed to follow up patients. Thus, when medical care involved factors outside physicians' direct control, lower qualtiy care was given.", "contents": "Emergency room management of patients with sore throats in a teaching hospital: influence of non-physician factors. The care of 169 patients with sore throats was evaluated retrospectively to determine if the quality of medical care received in a teaching hospital's emergency room is associated with the degree of control managing physicians have over the medical care process. Diagnostic evaluation (temperature, throat and cervical node examination, and throat culture) was controlled by physicians and was judged adequate in 78% to 98% of the patients. Therapy, defined as appropriate antibiotics prescribed only for patients with positive throat cultures for group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, was dependent on hospital support services, and the patients, as well, and was judged adequate for 62% of the patients; however, in only one of the 67 patients treated with antibiotics was the culture result known before treatment. The bacteriology laboratory processed the cultures slowly; no administrative mechanism existed to follow up patients. Thus, when medical care involved factors outside physicians' direct control, lower qualtiy care was given.", "PMID": 794080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10079", "title": "Sequential quantitative radionuclide evaluation of mandibular bone graft repair.", "content": "We have developed a noninvasive method to derive quantitative radionuclide data from images of grafted beagle dog mandibles. This method includes an accurate means for localizing the graft in sequential radionuclide images. The resultant data permit quantitative confirmation of the progress of osseous repair in the grafted bones. With this method, it is possible to compare bone repair activity between experimental subjects and also between selected zones within individual bones and thus objectively define the pattern of repair that occurred in various anatomic regions of the grafted mandible.", "contents": "Sequential quantitative radionuclide evaluation of mandibular bone graft repair. We have developed a noninvasive method to derive quantitative radionuclide data from images of grafted beagle dog mandibles. This method includes an accurate means for localizing the graft in sequential radionuclide images. The resultant data permit quantitative confirmation of the progress of osseous repair in the grafted bones. With this method, it is possible to compare bone repair activity between experimental subjects and also between selected zones within individual bones and thus objectively define the pattern of repair that occurred in various anatomic regions of the grafted mandible.", "PMID": 794081} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10080", "title": "Predicting the response of hyperkinetic children to stimulant drugs: a review.", "content": "The present review examines 36 previous research reports involving over 1,400 hyperkinetic children in an effort to determine which variables have proven useful in predicting which hyperkinetic children will respond favorably to stimulant drugs. The research is summarized under eight types of predictor variables: (1) psychophysiological, (2) neurologist, (3) familial, (4) demographic/sociological, (5) diagnostic category, (6) parent/teacher/clinician ratings, (7) psychological, and (8) profile types. The results of this review indicate that, to date, measures of attention span or concentration and its correlates have proven to be the most useful predictors of the response of hyperactive children to drugs. The results also suggest that hyperkinetic children are heterogeneous with respect to levels of CNS arousal and that this variable may prove useful in predicting their response to stimulant drugs. Problems involved in drawing conclusions in a review of this area of research as well as directions which future research might pursue also are briefly discussed.", "contents": "Predicting the response of hyperkinetic children to stimulant drugs: a review. The present review examines 36 previous research reports involving over 1,400 hyperkinetic children in an effort to determine which variables have proven useful in predicting which hyperkinetic children will respond favorably to stimulant drugs. The research is summarized under eight types of predictor variables: (1) psychophysiological, (2) neurologist, (3) familial, (4) demographic/sociological, (5) diagnostic category, (6) parent/teacher/clinician ratings, (7) psychological, and (8) profile types. The results of this review indicate that, to date, measures of attention span or concentration and its correlates have proven to be the most useful predictors of the response of hyperactive children to drugs. The results also suggest that hyperkinetic children are heterogeneous with respect to levels of CNS arousal and that this variable may prove useful in predicting their response to stimulant drugs. Problems involved in drawing conclusions in a review of this area of research as well as directions which future research might pursue also are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 794087} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10081", "title": "Marginal leakage with different composite restorative materials: effect of restorative techniques.", "content": "The degrees of marginal leakage was tested for different restorative techniques with use of both ultraviolet-polymerized and cold-curing resins. All the materials tested showed severe marginal leakage when applied as conventional butt joint restorations. When the restorations were extended onto peripheral etched enamel, either with or without a sealant-primed etched surface, marginal leakage was prevented in most instances with both the cold-curing and ultraviolet-polymerized materials. However, the ultraviolet-polymerized sealant was more effective in preventing marginal leakage than the cold-curing sealants when applied as a covering over the restorations and extended onto the peripheral etched enamel.", "contents": "Marginal leakage with different composite restorative materials: effect of restorative techniques. The degrees of marginal leakage was tested for different restorative techniques with use of both ultraviolet-polymerized and cold-curing resins. All the materials tested showed severe marginal leakage when applied as conventional butt joint restorations. When the restorations were extended onto peripheral etched enamel, either with or without a sealant-primed etched surface, marginal leakage was prevented in most instances with both the cold-curing and ultraviolet-polymerized materials. However, the ultraviolet-polymerized sealant was more effective in preventing marginal leakage than the cold-curing sealants when applied as a covering over the restorations and extended onto the peripheral etched enamel.", "PMID": 794089} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10082", "title": "A preliminary report on a chemomechanical means of removing caries.", "content": "Extensive testing for the safety of the GK-101 solution was conducted with experimental animals. An Investigational New Drug permit was awarded by the Food and Drug Administration before clinical studies. Subsequently, two studies--one double-blind and one open--were conducted to determine the safety and caries-removing efficacy of a 0.05% solution of N-monochloroglycine (GK-101) on clinical subjects, as well as to study the technique for such a procedure. In the double-blind study, the efficacy, as shown by ratings for caries removal, of GK-101 applied under pressure was significantly greater than that of the placebo solution of normal saline (P less than 0.01). Both treatment groups were comparable with respect to the age distribution, pretreatment intraoral examination results, and past history. No drug-related reactions were reported by patients in either group. On the basis of caries removal results in the open study, GK-101 solution, in conjunction with the pump system, was found to be effective as determined by the investigator. The caries in all but one of the 61 lesions treated with GK-101 was rated as \"total removal\" or as \"almost total to total\" removal. Approximately 77% of the patients treated with GK-101 experienced neither pain nor an odd taste. Any pain reported was always described as \"slight\" or \"little.\" The drug is currently being further tested for safety and efficacy.", "contents": "A preliminary report on a chemomechanical means of removing caries. Extensive testing for the safety of the GK-101 solution was conducted with experimental animals. An Investigational New Drug permit was awarded by the Food and Drug Administration before clinical studies. Subsequently, two studies--one double-blind and one open--were conducted to determine the safety and caries-removing efficacy of a 0.05% solution of N-monochloroglycine (GK-101) on clinical subjects, as well as to study the technique for such a procedure. In the double-blind study, the efficacy, as shown by ratings for caries removal, of GK-101 applied under pressure was significantly greater than that of the placebo solution of normal saline (P less than 0.01). Both treatment groups were comparable with respect to the age distribution, pretreatment intraoral examination results, and past history. No drug-related reactions were reported by patients in either group. On the basis of caries removal results in the open study, GK-101 solution, in conjunction with the pump system, was found to be effective as determined by the investigator. The caries in all but one of the 61 lesions treated with GK-101 was rated as \"total removal\" or as \"almost total to total\" removal. Approximately 77% of the patients treated with GK-101 experienced neither pain nor an odd taste. Any pain reported was always described as \"slight\" or \"little.\" The drug is currently being further tested for safety and efficacy.", "PMID": 794090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10083", "title": "Homogenous and heterogenous bone implants preserved by formaldehyde: a histologic study.", "content": "Small bone sticks from a rat and a dog, fixed in formaldehyde from one to several weeks, were used as homografts and heterografts in defects created in the mandibles of rats. The animals were killed 30, 60, 90, and 150 days after the graft implantation procedure. Histologic study showed that although the homografts induced a distinct osteogenic activity and were incorporated by the host in less than 90 days, the heterografts behaved as foreign bodies and became encapsulated by connective tissue and remained unresorbed up to 150 days. Therefore, the clinical applicability of formaldehyde-fixed homografts should be considered.", "contents": "Homogenous and heterogenous bone implants preserved by formaldehyde: a histologic study. Small bone sticks from a rat and a dog, fixed in formaldehyde from one to several weeks, were used as homografts and heterografts in defects created in the mandibles of rats. The animals were killed 30, 60, 90, and 150 days after the graft implantation procedure. Histologic study showed that although the homografts induced a distinct osteogenic activity and were incorporated by the host in less than 90 days, the heterografts behaved as foreign bodies and became encapsulated by connective tissue and remained unresorbed up to 150 days. Therefore, the clinical applicability of formaldehyde-fixed homografts should be considered.", "PMID": 794091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10084", "title": "Penetration of restorative resins into acid-etched human enamel.", "content": "In this investigation, the penetration of different resins into the etched enamel surface and the effect of their viscosity on the penetration of these materials were studied. Freshly extracted teeth were pumiced, rinsed, and dried. The enamel surface was etched by using a solution containing 50% phosphoric acid for one minute; in one group the teeth were etched for two minutes. A layer of enamel surface of another group of teeth was removed before etching; these teeth were etched for one minute. Three different resins--Nuva-Seal, Concise Enamel Bind, and Restodent--were applied to the acid-etched enamel surface for one minute. The Concise composite resin also was applied to the enamel surface of a group of teeth etched for the same period of time. Observations with SEM and polarized light microscopy showed penetration of all the materials into the etched enamel surface to be 5 mum to 10 mum, with a mean of 7 mum. There was no difference in the penetration of these materials despite their different viscosities. The removal of a layer from the enamel surface was not effective in the penetration of the materials.", "contents": "Penetration of restorative resins into acid-etched human enamel. In this investigation, the penetration of different resins into the etched enamel surface and the effect of their viscosity on the penetration of these materials were studied. Freshly extracted teeth were pumiced, rinsed, and dried. The enamel surface was etched by using a solution containing 50% phosphoric acid for one minute; in one group the teeth were etched for two minutes. A layer of enamel surface of another group of teeth was removed before etching; these teeth were etched for one minute. Three different resins--Nuva-Seal, Concise Enamel Bind, and Restodent--were applied to the acid-etched enamel surface for one minute. The Concise composite resin also was applied to the enamel surface of a group of teeth etched for the same period of time. Observations with SEM and polarized light microscopy showed penetration of all the materials into the etched enamel surface to be 5 mum to 10 mum, with a mean of 7 mum. There was no difference in the penetration of these materials despite their different viscosities. The removal of a layer from the enamel surface was not effective in the penetration of the materials.", "PMID": 794092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10085", "title": "Ultrastructural immunocytochemical characterization of the thyrotroph in rat and human pituitaries.", "content": "The beta chain of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was localized in normal rat and human pituitaries with the unlabeled antibody--peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex technique and antisera to rat or bovine TSH beta. Araldite embedded tissues, immunoreactivity of TSH was best preserved after fixation with 1% glutaraldehyde or picric acid formaldehyde. In the TSH cells, the immunocytochemical stain was located on granules. However, there was a variation in staining of individual granules, and among the population of granules. Rat TSH cells were ovoid or angular to stellate, and contained granules ranging in size from 60-175 nm. The human TSH cell was polyhedral, and contained scattered granules of 150-300 nm diameter. In both species, granule distribution was either in 1-2 rows at the periphery, or scattered throughout the cytoplasm with some concentration in cytoplasmic processes. TSH cells in female rats in estrous contained more granules than those of other stages. TSH cells were distinguished from adrenocorticotropic hormone cells and luteinizing hormone cells on the basis of granule size and distribution, and cell shape.", "contents": "Ultrastructural immunocytochemical characterization of the thyrotroph in rat and human pituitaries. The beta chain of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was localized in normal rat and human pituitaries with the unlabeled antibody--peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex technique and antisera to rat or bovine TSH beta. Araldite embedded tissues, immunoreactivity of TSH was best preserved after fixation with 1% glutaraldehyde or picric acid formaldehyde. In the TSH cells, the immunocytochemical stain was located on granules. However, there was a variation in staining of individual granules, and among the population of granules. Rat TSH cells were ovoid or angular to stellate, and contained granules ranging in size from 60-175 nm. The human TSH cell was polyhedral, and contained scattered granules of 150-300 nm diameter. In both species, granule distribution was either in 1-2 rows at the periphery, or scattered throughout the cytoplasm with some concentration in cytoplasmic processes. TSH cells in female rats in estrous contained more granules than those of other stages. TSH cells were distinguished from adrenocorticotropic hormone cells and luteinizing hormone cells on the basis of granule size and distribution, and cell shape.", "PMID": 794404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10086", "title": "Isolation of Shigella sonnei by fluid media.", "content": "Selenite F broth prepared in the laboratory from single ingredients was found to be significantly more efficient than nutrient broth in the isolation of Shigella sonnei from human faeces. It was more efficient than direct plating on deoxycholate citrate agar for diagnosisng Sonne dysentery in a local outbreak. The difference was significant. There was, however, no significant advantage for enrichment over direct plating when stools posted from Briston to Cardiff were examined. Laboratory prepared selenite F broth was preferable to the same medium purchased commercially from two different firms. The product of one frim was significantly better than that of the other. Two methods of sterilization of laboratory prepared selenite F broth were studied. Seitz filtered selenite was less inhibitory to the growth of samll numbers of Shigella sonnei. Sterilization by heating in free steam for periods of 15 min and over impaired the ability of selenite F broth to allow multiplication of small numbers of Shigella sonnei.", "contents": "Isolation of Shigella sonnei by fluid media. Selenite F broth prepared in the laboratory from single ingredients was found to be significantly more efficient than nutrient broth in the isolation of Shigella sonnei from human faeces. It was more efficient than direct plating on deoxycholate citrate agar for diagnosisng Sonne dysentery in a local outbreak. The difference was significant. There was, however, no significant advantage for enrichment over direct plating when stools posted from Briston to Cardiff were examined. Laboratory prepared selenite F broth was preferable to the same medium purchased commercially from two different firms. The product of one frim was significantly better than that of the other. Two methods of sterilization of laboratory prepared selenite F broth were studied. Seitz filtered selenite was less inhibitory to the growth of samll numbers of Shigella sonnei. Sterilization by heating in free steam for periods of 15 min and over impaired the ability of selenite F broth to allow multiplication of small numbers of Shigella sonnei.", "PMID": 794405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10087", "title": "Escherichia coli O 27 in adult diarrhoea.", "content": "Escherichia coli O 27 H 7 was found in 16 stool samples submitted during a Caribbean cruise (Cruise Z) by 29 patients reporting with diarrhoea. A retrospective search revealed E. coli O 27 H 7 in 11 of 20 and 2 of 14 stool cultures from patients on two previous cruises (Y and X respectively) and in a culture from fresh cream (Cruise Y). The repeated occurrence of E. coli O 27 H 7 in the absence of any other apparent cause suggested that this serotype may have been responsible for the diarrhoea. The results of pathogenicity tests suggested that this strain elaborated heat-stable (ST) enterotoxin. The possibility that food may have been the vector is discussed.", "contents": "Escherichia coli O 27 in adult diarrhoea. Escherichia coli O 27 H 7 was found in 16 stool samples submitted during a Caribbean cruise (Cruise Z) by 29 patients reporting with diarrhoea. A retrospective search revealed E. coli O 27 H 7 in 11 of 20 and 2 of 14 stool cultures from patients on two previous cruises (Y and X respectively) and in a culture from fresh cream (Cruise Y). The repeated occurrence of E. coli O 27 H 7 in the absence of any other apparent cause suggested that this serotype may have been responsible for the diarrhoea. The results of pathogenicity tests suggested that this strain elaborated heat-stable (ST) enterotoxin. The possibility that food may have been the vector is discussed.", "PMID": 794406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10088", "title": "Klebsiella and Enterobacter organisms isolated from horses.", "content": "An account is given of K. pneumoniae capsule types occurring in horses, with particular reference to strains originating from the genital tract in the mare and the external genitalia of the stallion. A survey of the prevalence of K. pneumoniae and E. aerogenes strains in the preputial flora of healthy stallions is described. The majority of horses were found to be carriers of these organisms. The cultural characteristics of these preputial strains are described and compared with those of K. pneumoniae strains associated with epidemic metritis in mares. The epidemiological significance of certain K. pneumoniae capsule types is discussed.", "contents": "Klebsiella and Enterobacter organisms isolated from horses. An account is given of K. pneumoniae capsule types occurring in horses, with particular reference to strains originating from the genital tract in the mare and the external genitalia of the stallion. A survey of the prevalence of K. pneumoniae and E. aerogenes strains in the preputial flora of healthy stallions is described. The majority of horses were found to be carriers of these organisms. The cultural characteristics of these preputial strains are described and compared with those of K. pneumoniae strains associated with epidemic metritis in mares. The epidemiological significance of certain K. pneumoniae capsule types is discussed.", "PMID": 794407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10089", "title": "Characterization of lymphocyte inhibition by supernatants of crowded lymphocytoblasts.", "content": "Crowded lymphocytoblasts produce a factor (or factors) that inhibits the response of peripheral blood lymphocytes to mitogens. This factor is destroyed by pepsin in 1 hr but not by neuraminidase. No activity was lost when the factor was incubated with packed human red blood cells, human lymphocytes, mouse spleen cells, or tissue culture cells. An antiserum was made to the factor which was capable of partially inhibiting its activity. The factor is active at about 25 mug/ml of protein. Maximal inhibition occurs if the factor is present for the duration of the culture period. This factor may play a regulatory role in the immune response.", "contents": "Characterization of lymphocyte inhibition by supernatants of crowded lymphocytoblasts. Crowded lymphocytoblasts produce a factor (or factors) that inhibits the response of peripheral blood lymphocytes to mitogens. This factor is destroyed by pepsin in 1 hr but not by neuraminidase. No activity was lost when the factor was incubated with packed human red blood cells, human lymphocytes, mouse spleen cells, or tissue culture cells. An antiserum was made to the factor which was capable of partially inhibiting its activity. The factor is active at about 25 mug/ml of protein. Maximal inhibition occurs if the factor is present for the duration of the culture period. This factor may play a regulatory role in the immune response.", "PMID": 794409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10090", "title": "Thyroid antibodies in spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis in the Buffalo rat.", "content": "Thyroid antibodies in the sera of BUF rats are closely correlated with spontaneous thyroiditis; their detection may facilitate the study of this animal model of organ-specific autoimmunity. In a group of 115 retired BUF breeders (females older than 1 year), 26% had mononuclear cell infiltration of the thyroid and high titers of thyroid antibodies detectable by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) and chromic chloride passive hemagglutination (CCH). In contrast, low-titered thyroid antibodies were present in 9% of the rats that had normal thyroids. Sequential studies performed on a group of 76 neonatally thymectomized BUF rats showed that at 2 months 24% had high titers of thyroid antibodies detectable by IF and 8% by CCH and at 3 months these percentages increased to 27% by IF and 25% by CCH. When the rats were sacrificed at 4 months, at a time when spontaneous disease is not seen in untreated animals, 26% were found to have mononuclear cell infiltration of their thyroids. Approximately 75% of these rats with thyroiditis had been positive for thyroid antibodies at 2 months and 90% at 3 months. At sacrifice all of these animals had high-titered antibodies to thyroid antigens. In contrast, low-titered thyroid antibodies were present in 36% of the animals without thyroiditis. Intravenous injection of BUF thymus cells into neonatally thymectomized rats failed to reduce the incidence of thyroiditis and thyroid antibodies. Approximately 33% of these animals had both thyroid infiltration and serum antibodies, whereas 19% of those with normal thyroids had low-titered thyroid antibodies. Titers of circulating thyroid antibodies were closely correlated with the initial and intermediate stages of thyroiditis, i.e., animals with less infiltration had the lowest titers, whereas animals with intermediate levels of infiltration had high antibody titers. On the other hand, rats with a high degree of thyroid infiltration had relatively lower titers of thyroid antibodies. Direct IF of infiltrated thyroids revealed the presence of rat immunoglobulins in these organs, suggesting a possible direct or indirect role of autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of the disease. We attempted to detect delayed hypersensitivity by skin testing with thyroid antigens and observing reactions at 4, 24, and 48 hr. All of 123 rats were negative, 20% of which had thyroiditis and thyroid antibodies. No serum MIF activity was detected in rats with thyroiditis and those with normal thyroids. The absence of delayed hypersensitivity reactions in these experiments provides further support for the contention that spontaneous thyroiditis in the BUF rat may be antibody mediated.", "contents": "Thyroid antibodies in spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis in the Buffalo rat. Thyroid antibodies in the sera of BUF rats are closely correlated with spontaneous thyroiditis; their detection may facilitate the study of this animal model of organ-specific autoimmunity. In a group of 115 retired BUF breeders (females older than 1 year), 26% had mononuclear cell infiltration of the thyroid and high titers of thyroid antibodies detectable by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) and chromic chloride passive hemagglutination (CCH). In contrast, low-titered thyroid antibodies were present in 9% of the rats that had normal thyroids. Sequential studies performed on a group of 76 neonatally thymectomized BUF rats showed that at 2 months 24% had high titers of thyroid antibodies detectable by IF and 8% by CCH and at 3 months these percentages increased to 27% by IF and 25% by CCH. When the rats were sacrificed at 4 months, at a time when spontaneous disease is not seen in untreated animals, 26% were found to have mononuclear cell infiltration of their thyroids. Approximately 75% of these rats with thyroiditis had been positive for thyroid antibodies at 2 months and 90% at 3 months. At sacrifice all of these animals had high-titered antibodies to thyroid antigens. In contrast, low-titered thyroid antibodies were present in 36% of the animals without thyroiditis. Intravenous injection of BUF thymus cells into neonatally thymectomized rats failed to reduce the incidence of thyroiditis and thyroid antibodies. Approximately 33% of these animals had both thyroid infiltration and serum antibodies, whereas 19% of those with normal thyroids had low-titered thyroid antibodies. Titers of circulating thyroid antibodies were closely correlated with the initial and intermediate stages of thyroiditis, i.e., animals with less infiltration had the lowest titers, whereas animals with intermediate levels of infiltration had high antibody titers. On the other hand, rats with a high degree of thyroid infiltration had relatively lower titers of thyroid antibodies. Direct IF of infiltrated thyroids revealed the presence of rat immunoglobulins in these organs, suggesting a possible direct or indirect role of autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of the disease. We attempted to detect delayed hypersensitivity by skin testing with thyroid antigens and observing reactions at 4, 24, and 48 hr. All of 123 rats were negative, 20% of which had thyroiditis and thyroid antibodies. No serum MIF activity was detected in rats with thyroiditis and those with normal thyroids. The absence of delayed hypersensitivity reactions in these experiments provides further support for the contention that spontaneous thyroiditis in the BUF rat may be antibody mediated.", "PMID": 794410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10091", "title": "Genetic control of ligand-induced events in B lymphocytes.", "content": "The early cycle of events which follows the binding of anti-Ig ligands to the surface Ig molecules of B lymphocytes was compared in several inbred strains of mice. Kinetic differences were found in the rate of surface Ig capping and absolute differences in extent were found for anti-Ig-induced B cell motility. These strain differences were not restricted to the B cell surface Ig molecules, however, since capping by Con A of its receptor sites on B and T cells and random T cell motility were also affected. A genetic analysis of A and CBA mice revealed that each of the traits studied is probably affected by two gene differences between the two strains analyzed. The possible roles of microtubules and cyclic nucleotides in these genetic differences were also explored. Colchicine, which depolymerizes microtubules, raised the low capping and motile responses of CBA spleen cells to the high responses characteristic of A strain cells. This implies an excess of microtubular function in CBA cells. Raising the level of cyclic AMP also raised the low CBA capping response to the high A level, but did not differentially effect the motile responses of cells of the two strains. The possible significance and locus of action of these effects is discussed.", "contents": "Genetic control of ligand-induced events in B lymphocytes. The early cycle of events which follows the binding of anti-Ig ligands to the surface Ig molecules of B lymphocytes was compared in several inbred strains of mice. Kinetic differences were found in the rate of surface Ig capping and absolute differences in extent were found for anti-Ig-induced B cell motility. These strain differences were not restricted to the B cell surface Ig molecules, however, since capping by Con A of its receptor sites on B and T cells and random T cell motility were also affected. A genetic analysis of A and CBA mice revealed that each of the traits studied is probably affected by two gene differences between the two strains analyzed. The possible roles of microtubules and cyclic nucleotides in these genetic differences were also explored. Colchicine, which depolymerizes microtubules, raised the low capping and motile responses of CBA spleen cells to the high responses characteristic of A strain cells. This implies an excess of microtubular function in CBA cells. Raising the level of cyclic AMP also raised the low CBA capping response to the high A level, but did not differentially effect the motile responses of cells of the two strains. The possible significance and locus of action of these effects is discussed.", "PMID": 794411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10092", "title": "H-2 compatibility requirement for virus-specific T cell-mediated effector functions in vivo. I. Specificity of T cells conferring antiviral protection against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is associated with H-2K and H-2D.", "content": "Adoptive immunization of recipient mice preinfected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is mediated exclusively by virus-specific thymus-derived lymphocytes, when assayed in a short-term transfer model. Protection, measured as reduction of LCMV plaque-forming units in spleens, is conferred only if donors of immune spleen cells and recipients share the K or the D region of the H-2 gene complex. I region compatibility is neither necessary nor sufficient. The F1 leads to Parent combination is as effective as a syngeneic system. Admixture of a 6-fold excess of immune allogeneic cells did not impair the protective effect exerted by syngeneic immune spleen cells in vivo. Furthermore, allogeneic spleen cells or target cells added in syngeneic systems in vitro did not allogeneicly inhibit or suppress cytolytic activity. H-2 mutant mice B6. H-2bf did not protect wild type H-2Kb B10.A(5r) or vice versa. Therefore, these mice define the gene(s) coding for the relevant cell-surface structure involved. These results are consistent with the idea that immune T cells, which are specific for virally altered cell-surface self structures impair virus growth in vivo either by lysing target cells, probably before infectious virus is released, or alternatively via activities exerted by lymphokines.", "contents": "H-2 compatibility requirement for virus-specific T cell-mediated effector functions in vivo. I. Specificity of T cells conferring antiviral protection against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is associated with H-2K and H-2D. Adoptive immunization of recipient mice preinfected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is mediated exclusively by virus-specific thymus-derived lymphocytes, when assayed in a short-term transfer model. Protection, measured as reduction of LCMV plaque-forming units in spleens, is conferred only if donors of immune spleen cells and recipients share the K or the D region of the H-2 gene complex. I region compatibility is neither necessary nor sufficient. The F1 leads to Parent combination is as effective as a syngeneic system. Admixture of a 6-fold excess of immune allogeneic cells did not impair the protective effect exerted by syngeneic immune spleen cells in vivo. Furthermore, allogeneic spleen cells or target cells added in syngeneic systems in vitro did not allogeneicly inhibit or suppress cytolytic activity. H-2 mutant mice B6. H-2bf did not protect wild type H-2Kb B10.A(5r) or vice versa. Therefore, these mice define the gene(s) coding for the relevant cell-surface structure involved. These results are consistent with the idea that immune T cells, which are specific for virally altered cell-surface self structures impair virus growth in vivo either by lysing target cells, probably before infectious virus is released, or alternatively via activities exerted by lymphokines.", "PMID": 794412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10093", "title": "The T cell dependence of B cell differentiation induced by pokeweed mitogen.", "content": "The in vitro plasma cell response of human peripheral blood B lymphocytes to PWM was found to be dependent on the presence of T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes cultured alone with PWM did not respond with proliferation or differentiation into plasma cells. When T lymphocytes were added back to B lymphocytes before culture, the number of plasma cells of the IgM, IgG and IgA classes formed increased in proportion to the number of T lymphocytes returned. Allogeneic T lymphocytes from either peripheral blood or adult thymus could effectively substitute for autologous T lymphocytes. By comparing responses of B lymphocytes cultured with equal numbers of autologous or allogeneic T cells, it was found that the considerable variation in the magnitude of the plasma cell response from different normal donors was related to a quality of their T cells; T cells from high responders substantially enhanced plasma cell differentiation of B cells from low responders and vice versa. This T cell \"helper function\" was irradiation-resistant and was a property of thymocytes as well as peripheral T cells.", "contents": "The T cell dependence of B cell differentiation induced by pokeweed mitogen. The in vitro plasma cell response of human peripheral blood B lymphocytes to PWM was found to be dependent on the presence of T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes cultured alone with PWM did not respond with proliferation or differentiation into plasma cells. When T lymphocytes were added back to B lymphocytes before culture, the number of plasma cells of the IgM, IgG and IgA classes formed increased in proportion to the number of T lymphocytes returned. Allogeneic T lymphocytes from either peripheral blood or adult thymus could effectively substitute for autologous T lymphocytes. By comparing responses of B lymphocytes cultured with equal numbers of autologous or allogeneic T cells, it was found that the considerable variation in the magnitude of the plasma cell response from different normal donors was related to a quality of their T cells; T cells from high responders substantially enhanced plasma cell differentiation of B cells from low responders and vice versa. This T cell \"helper function\" was irradiation-resistant and was a property of thymocytes as well as peripheral T cells.", "PMID": 794413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10094", "title": "B cell differentiation induced by lipopolysaccharide. IV. Development of immunoglobulin class restriction in precursors of IgG-synthesizing cells.", "content": "Direct immunofluorescence was used to determine the classes of immunoglobulins expressed on the surface membrane and in the cytoplasm of newborn and adult B lymphocytes differentiating in response to LPS in vitro. In both newborn and adult spleen, a small proportion of IgM-bearing B lymphocytes also stained for IgG2; adult spleen contained an additional population of lymphocytes bearing IgG2 alone. Combined surface and cytoplasmic staining at intervals after culture initiation and demonstrated both IgM and IgG2 on the membranes of the earliest cells synthesizing cytoplasmic IgG2. At later stages the proportion of IgM-IgG2 surface doubles and of cells synthesizing cytoplasmic IgG2 which had surface IgM fell significantly. Detection of surface IgM on IgG2 precursors correlated with susceptibility of the IgG2 precursors to anti-mu-suppression over the first 3 days in cultures of newborn spleen cells. After 3 days when these cells no longer expressed surface IgM, 2gG2 responses were not suppressed although the IgM response was still inhibited. These results suggest that virgin IgG2 precursors may be B lymphocytes expressing both IgM and IgG2, and that \"switching\" involves the loss of IgM receptors as these cells proliferate and mature.", "contents": "B cell differentiation induced by lipopolysaccharide. IV. Development of immunoglobulin class restriction in precursors of IgG-synthesizing cells. Direct immunofluorescence was used to determine the classes of immunoglobulins expressed on the surface membrane and in the cytoplasm of newborn and adult B lymphocytes differentiating in response to LPS in vitro. In both newborn and adult spleen, a small proportion of IgM-bearing B lymphocytes also stained for IgG2; adult spleen contained an additional population of lymphocytes bearing IgG2 alone. Combined surface and cytoplasmic staining at intervals after culture initiation and demonstrated both IgM and IgG2 on the membranes of the earliest cells synthesizing cytoplasmic IgG2. At later stages the proportion of IgM-IgG2 surface doubles and of cells synthesizing cytoplasmic IgG2 which had surface IgM fell significantly. Detection of surface IgM on IgG2 precursors correlated with susceptibility of the IgG2 precursors to anti-mu-suppression over the first 3 days in cultures of newborn spleen cells. After 3 days when these cells no longer expressed surface IgM, 2gG2 responses were not suppressed although the IgM response was still inhibited. These results suggest that virgin IgG2 precursors may be B lymphocytes expressing both IgM and IgG2, and that \"switching\" involves the loss of IgM receptors as these cells proliferate and mature.", "PMID": 794414} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10095", "title": "Guinea pig lymphocyte-derived macrophage aggregation factor: its separation from macrophage migration inhibitory factor.", "content": "Lymphocytes from guinea pigs having delayed hypersensitivity to horse-radish peroxidase (HRPO) when cultured in vitro with HRPO produce a large m.w. factor (greater than 100,000 daltons) that causes peritoneal macrophages from nonimmune animals to aggregate. The macrophage aggregation factor (MAF) can be separated from macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) by gel filtration of active lymphocyte supernatants on Sephadex G-150. MAF is heat stable (56 degrees C for 30 min) but inactivated by trypsin. These data suggest that aggregation of macrophages in vitro by lymphokine-rich culture supernatants is not due to MIF but is caused by a separate large m.w. factor.", "contents": "Guinea pig lymphocyte-derived macrophage aggregation factor: its separation from macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Lymphocytes from guinea pigs having delayed hypersensitivity to horse-radish peroxidase (HRPO) when cultured in vitro with HRPO produce a large m.w. factor (greater than 100,000 daltons) that causes peritoneal macrophages from nonimmune animals to aggregate. The macrophage aggregation factor (MAF) can be separated from macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) by gel filtration of active lymphocyte supernatants on Sephadex G-150. MAF is heat stable (56 degrees C for 30 min) but inactivated by trypsin. These data suggest that aggregation of macrophages in vitro by lymphokine-rich culture supernatants is not due to MIF but is caused by a separate large m.w. factor.", "PMID": 794415} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10096", "title": "Characterization of macrophage migration inhibitory factor activity produced in vivo by a cell-mediated immune reaction in the guinea pig.", "content": "Peritoneal fluid from the abdominal cavities of guinea pigs having delayed hypersensitivity to horseradish peroxidase (HRPO) was obtained by a lavage technique before and after i.p. challenge with antigen. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and macrophage chemotactic factor activities were measured in peritoneal fluids from each animal. Chemotactic activity for macrophages was maximal 24 hr after i.p. challenge and was absent thereafter. MIF activity was maximal in peritoneal fluid 24 to 48 hr after challenge. Macrophages were present in greatest numbers in peritoneal fluid 24 hr after challenge and returned almost to control levels at 48 hr. Macrophages in 48-hr fluid were larger and exhibited more intense cytoplasmic staining for nonspecific esterases when compared to those in 0-hr fluid. The m.w. of MIF obtained from culture supernatants of HRPO-stimulated guinea pig lymphocytes and 48-hr peritoneal fluid were found to be virtually identical, 58,000 and 54,000 daltons, respectively. MIF from these in vitro and in vivo sources were similarly resistant to heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min but were both destroyed by incubation with isoluble trypsin.", "contents": "Characterization of macrophage migration inhibitory factor activity produced in vivo by a cell-mediated immune reaction in the guinea pig. Peritoneal fluid from the abdominal cavities of guinea pigs having delayed hypersensitivity to horseradish peroxidase (HRPO) was obtained by a lavage technique before and after i.p. challenge with antigen. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and macrophage chemotactic factor activities were measured in peritoneal fluids from each animal. Chemotactic activity for macrophages was maximal 24 hr after i.p. challenge and was absent thereafter. MIF activity was maximal in peritoneal fluid 24 to 48 hr after challenge. Macrophages were present in greatest numbers in peritoneal fluid 24 hr after challenge and returned almost to control levels at 48 hr. Macrophages in 48-hr fluid were larger and exhibited more intense cytoplasmic staining for nonspecific esterases when compared to those in 0-hr fluid. The m.w. of MIF obtained from culture supernatants of HRPO-stimulated guinea pig lymphocytes and 48-hr peritoneal fluid were found to be virtually identical, 58,000 and 54,000 daltons, respectively. MIF from these in vitro and in vivo sources were similarly resistant to heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min but were both destroyed by incubation with isoluble trypsin.", "PMID": 794416} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10097", "title": "Immunofluorimetric and combined immunofluorimetric cytophotometric and autoradiographic investigations on human myeloma cells.", "content": "Bone marrow cells from patients with myeloma were reacted with FITC- and/or TRITC-conjugated anti-heavy chain sera and/or TRITC-conjugated anti-light chain sera. A fluorimeter with electronic setter control and short-term excitation was used for quantitative determination of FITC- and TRITC-fluorescence.", "contents": "Immunofluorimetric and combined immunofluorimetric cytophotometric and autoradiographic investigations on human myeloma cells. Bone marrow cells from patients with myeloma were reacted with FITC- and/or TRITC-conjugated anti-heavy chain sera and/or TRITC-conjugated anti-light chain sera. A fluorimeter with electronic setter control and short-term excitation was used for quantitative determination of FITC- and TRITC-fluorescence.", "PMID": 794417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10098", "title": "Dermatitis herpetiformis: immunoelectronmicroscopic and ultrastructural studies of a patient with linear deposition of IgA.", "content": "Using immunoelectronmicroscopic techniques, we have demonstrated three distincet patterns of IgA deposition in the skin of patients with dermatitis herpetiforms. The least common of these patterns is the localization of reaction products to the lamina lucida. As this is the location of the immunoreactants in bullous pemphigoid and herpes gestationis and because the ultrastructural findings in our patient's early lesional skin differ from those usually seen in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, we herein detail this patient's clinical, histologic, immunologic, and ultrastructural findings. The most prominent findings are (1) IgA deposition in the lamina lucida, (2) vesicle formation between basal lamina and the basal cells, and (3) fibrin-like material in the epidermis with showering into the dermis.", "contents": "Dermatitis herpetiformis: immunoelectronmicroscopic and ultrastructural studies of a patient with linear deposition of IgA. Using immunoelectronmicroscopic techniques, we have demonstrated three distincet patterns of IgA deposition in the skin of patients with dermatitis herpetiforms. The least common of these patterns is the localization of reaction products to the lamina lucida. As this is the location of the immunoreactants in bullous pemphigoid and herpes gestationis and because the ultrastructural findings in our patient's early lesional skin differ from those usually seen in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, we herein detail this patient's clinical, histologic, immunologic, and ultrastructural findings. The most prominent findings are (1) IgA deposition in the lamina lucida, (2) vesicle formation between basal lamina and the basal cells, and (3) fibrin-like material in the epidermis with showering into the dermis.", "PMID": 794418} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10099", "title": "Activation of the alternative (properdin) pathway of complement by Candida albicans and related species.", "content": "Accumulations of neutrophilic granulocytes within the epidermis and beneath the stratum corneum of the skin are a prominent histologic feature of experimental and clinical candidiasis. The mechanism of cell accumulation was studied by standard chemotactic methods. Suspensions of viable or heat-killed Candida sp caused marked chemotaxis of human neutrophils in fresh serum. Culture supernatants of Candida sp were not chemotactic. Chemotaxis was dependent upon fresh serum, and could be abolished by heating the serum to 56 degress C for 30 min, suggesting that interaction of these organisms with a heat-labile serum factor generated a chemoattractant. Incubation of Candida sp with fresh human serum resulted in the conversion of the third component of complement and properdin factor B, as measured by immunoelectrophoresis. Conversion did not occur in serum chelated with EDTA, or heated to 50 degress C for 30 min (to destroy factor B). Conversion was present in serum chelated with EGTA (to deplete calcium), or genetically deficient in the fourth component of complement. By contrast, the three components of the kinin-forming system (Hageman factor, prekallikrein, high-molecular-weight kininogen) were not activated by Candida sp. We suggest that Candida sp do not release a chemotactic substance but, in the presence of serum, activate the alternative pathway of complement, generating chemotactic factors.", "contents": "Activation of the alternative (properdin) pathway of complement by Candida albicans and related species. Accumulations of neutrophilic granulocytes within the epidermis and beneath the stratum corneum of the skin are a prominent histologic feature of experimental and clinical candidiasis. The mechanism of cell accumulation was studied by standard chemotactic methods. Suspensions of viable or heat-killed Candida sp caused marked chemotaxis of human neutrophils in fresh serum. Culture supernatants of Candida sp were not chemotactic. Chemotaxis was dependent upon fresh serum, and could be abolished by heating the serum to 56 degress C for 30 min, suggesting that interaction of these organisms with a heat-labile serum factor generated a chemoattractant. Incubation of Candida sp with fresh human serum resulted in the conversion of the third component of complement and properdin factor B, as measured by immunoelectrophoresis. Conversion did not occur in serum chelated with EDTA, or heated to 50 degress C for 30 min (to destroy factor B). Conversion was present in serum chelated with EGTA (to deplete calcium), or genetically deficient in the fourth component of complement. By contrast, the three components of the kinin-forming system (Hageman factor, prekallikrein, high-molecular-weight kininogen) were not activated by Candida sp. We suggest that Candida sp do not release a chemotactic substance but, in the presence of serum, activate the alternative pathway of complement, generating chemotactic factors.", "PMID": 794419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10100", "title": "Factors affecting measurement of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in mouse skin.", "content": "Mouse skin exhibits relatively high aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity when measured under optimal conditions. The enzyme is unequally distributed in the cutaneous layers with the highest concentration in the epidermis. Subcellularly, it is localized in the microsomal fraction. As much as two-thirds of the enzymatic activity was destroyed when harsh homogenization techniques were used during tissue preparation. Incorporation of the reduced pyridine nucleotide NADH into an incubation mixture containing NADPH increased epidermal AHH activity by one-third. When methods that maximize activity were employed, the AHH activities of skin of C57BL/6 inbred mice and of ICR Swiss random-bred mice were 5 to 10 times as active as lung tissue and about one-tenth as active as liver.", "contents": "Factors affecting measurement of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in mouse skin. Mouse skin exhibits relatively high aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity when measured under optimal conditions. The enzyme is unequally distributed in the cutaneous layers with the highest concentration in the epidermis. Subcellularly, it is localized in the microsomal fraction. As much as two-thirds of the enzymatic activity was destroyed when harsh homogenization techniques were used during tissue preparation. Incorporation of the reduced pyridine nucleotide NADH into an incubation mixture containing NADPH increased epidermal AHH activity by one-third. When methods that maximize activity were employed, the AHH activities of skin of C57BL/6 inbred mice and of ICR Swiss random-bred mice were 5 to 10 times as active as lung tissue and about one-tenth as active as liver.", "PMID": 794420} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10101", "title": "Role of B-lymphocytes in nonspecific resistance to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection of endotoxin-treated mice.", "content": "Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of gram-negative bacilli are known to protect mice against unrelated bacterial infections and to be nonspecific mitogens of murine bone marrow-derived (B-) lymphocytes. For assessment of the role of these cells in the mechanism of LPS-induced resistance to infection with Klebsielia, various nontoxic mitogens were assayed. In contrast to LPS or lipid A, the nontoxic mitogens did not protect mice. Experiments were also performed with LPS in nude mice and in mice treated with immunosuppressants. Stimulation by LPS was decreased after administration of hydrocortisone or cyclophosphamide under conditions that inhibited the in vitro activation of lymphocytes by mitogens. Moreover, nude mice and mice treated with 6-mercaptopurine were more resistant to Klebsiella than were control mice.", "contents": "Role of B-lymphocytes in nonspecific resistance to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection of endotoxin-treated mice. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of gram-negative bacilli are known to protect mice against unrelated bacterial infections and to be nonspecific mitogens of murine bone marrow-derived (B-) lymphocytes. For assessment of the role of these cells in the mechanism of LPS-induced resistance to infection with Klebsielia, various nontoxic mitogens were assayed. In contrast to LPS or lipid A, the nontoxic mitogens did not protect mice. Experiments were also performed with LPS in nude mice and in mice treated with immunosuppressants. Stimulation by LPS was decreased after administration of hydrocortisone or cyclophosphamide under conditions that inhibited the in vitro activation of lymphocytes by mitogens. Moreover, nude mice and mice treated with 6-mercaptopurine were more resistant to Klebsiella than were control mice.", "PMID": 794421} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10102", "title": "Field trial of an inactivated Mycoplasma pneumoniae vaccine. I. Vaccine efficacy.", "content": "The efficacy of an inactivated Mycoplasma pneumoniae vaccine was evaluated in a double-blind study of 7,861 Marine Corps recruits at Parris Island, South Carolina. Vaccine was administered to half for the volunteers in a 1-ml dose by a jet-injection device, and phosphate-buffered saline was administered similarly to control subjects. Twenty-one vaccinees (5.3 per 1,000) and 43 recipients of placebo (10.9 per 1,000) were hospitalized with pneumonia; the incidence of illness among the two groups indicated a 51% overall protective efficacy for the vaccine (x2 = 7.49; P less than 0.01). The refined data for pneumonia due to M. pneumoniae showed 67% protective efficacy when serologic data were employed (x2 = 7.84; P = 0.005) and a 42% protective efficacy (x2 = 1.80; P greater than 0.10) when data from cultures for M. pneumoniae were employed. Vaccinees with pneumonia due to M. pneumoniae suffered no increased illness compared to controls, suggesting no hypersensitization with natural illness following the inactivated vaccine. Only when serologic data were analyzed did it appear that the M. pneumoniae vaccine protected against M. pneumoniae specific bronchitis (35% efficacy) but the difference was not statistically significant (x2 = 1.28; P greater than 0.20).", "contents": "Field trial of an inactivated Mycoplasma pneumoniae vaccine. I. Vaccine efficacy. The efficacy of an inactivated Mycoplasma pneumoniae vaccine was evaluated in a double-blind study of 7,861 Marine Corps recruits at Parris Island, South Carolina. Vaccine was administered to half for the volunteers in a 1-ml dose by a jet-injection device, and phosphate-buffered saline was administered similarly to control subjects. Twenty-one vaccinees (5.3 per 1,000) and 43 recipients of placebo (10.9 per 1,000) were hospitalized with pneumonia; the incidence of illness among the two groups indicated a 51% overall protective efficacy for the vaccine (x2 = 7.49; P less than 0.01). The refined data for pneumonia due to M. pneumoniae showed 67% protective efficacy when serologic data were employed (x2 = 7.84; P = 0.005) and a 42% protective efficacy (x2 = 1.80; P greater than 0.10) when data from cultures for M. pneumoniae were employed. Vaccinees with pneumonia due to M. pneumoniae suffered no increased illness compared to controls, suggesting no hypersensitization with natural illness following the inactivated vaccine. Only when serologic data were analyzed did it appear that the M. pneumoniae vaccine protected against M. pneumoniae specific bronchitis (35% efficacy) but the difference was not statistically significant (x2 = 1.28; P greater than 0.20).", "PMID": 794422} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10103", "title": "From the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the Bureau of Biologics of the Food and Drug Administration. Summary of clinical trials of influenza vaccines--II.", "content": "These studies indicate that the high-risk and normal pediatric populations can be safely and effectively immunized with a two-dose regimen of the influenza A/New Jersey/76 virus vaccine. In addition, the studies have demonstrated important differences between split-product and whole-virus vaccines in the pediatric age group. Furthermore, reactogenicity from the whole-virus vaccine administered in the schedules employed was acceptable after the first dose and negligible after the second dose. More detailed examination of the data will undoubtedly yield additional information of importance to current and future use of inactivated influenza vaccines in children.", "contents": "From the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the Bureau of Biologics of the Food and Drug Administration. Summary of clinical trials of influenza vaccines--II. These studies indicate that the high-risk and normal pediatric populations can be safely and effectively immunized with a two-dose regimen of the influenza A/New Jersey/76 virus vaccine. In addition, the studies have demonstrated important differences between split-product and whole-virus vaccines in the pediatric age group. Furthermore, reactogenicity from the whole-virus vaccine administered in the schedules employed was acceptable after the first dose and negligible after the second dose. More detailed examination of the data will undoubtedly yield additional information of importance to current and future use of inactivated influenza vaccines in children.", "PMID": 794423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10104", "title": "[Mechanical studies on the dental bridges by the finite element method. (1)--An abutment tooth model-- (author's transl)].", "content": "Biomechanical considerations are very important to design a prosthetic appliance; however, there have been no satisfactory quantitative studies of such problems, mainly because theoretical and experimental models are unable to represent exactly the natural conditions in the mouth. The finite element method has been successfully applied in each field of applied mechanics and found to be effective for the structural analysis of the biological systems, for it has the advantage of greater versatility for modelling. Accordingly, this analytical, computer-aided method was applied to the dental bridges to evaluate the loads transmitted to the abutment tooth and the stress distributions in the supporting tissues. As the preliminary study a two-dimensional model was constructed to simulate the tooth subject to a vertical and a horizontal load and a moment at the coronal portion. The stress distributions in the tooth and the periodontal membrane and the force distributions on the socket wall were calculated for three load conditions. The tooth mobility and the center-of-rotation position were compared with actual data available in some literatures and the characteristics of tooth support were discussed in terms of three spring constants.", "contents": "[Mechanical studies on the dental bridges by the finite element method. (1)--An abutment tooth model-- (author's transl)]. Biomechanical considerations are very important to design a prosthetic appliance; however, there have been no satisfactory quantitative studies of such problems, mainly because theoretical and experimental models are unable to represent exactly the natural conditions in the mouth. The finite element method has been successfully applied in each field of applied mechanics and found to be effective for the structural analysis of the biological systems, for it has the advantage of greater versatility for modelling. Accordingly, this analytical, computer-aided method was applied to the dental bridges to evaluate the loads transmitted to the abutment tooth and the stress distributions in the supporting tissues. As the preliminary study a two-dimensional model was constructed to simulate the tooth subject to a vertical and a horizontal load and a moment at the coronal portion. The stress distributions in the tooth and the periodontal membrane and the force distributions on the socket wall were calculated for three load conditions. The tooth mobility and the center-of-rotation position were compared with actual data available in some literatures and the characteristics of tooth support were discussed in terms of three spring constants.", "PMID": 794424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10105", "title": "[Mechanical studies on the dental bridges by the finite element method (2). --An idealized symmetrical bridge with a vertical load at the center of pontic-- (author's transl)].", "content": "The biomechanical behavior of bridge support was studied by the finite element method. An idealized bridge model was constucted by using the previously reported tooth model as the two-sided abutment teeth. Under a vertical load at the center of pontic the stress distributions were shown in the constituent elements. Forces transmitted to the abutment teeth were calculated from these distributions. The results obtained were compared with theoretical models based on the beam theory in engineering. 1) For the finite element model, moment M and horizontal force H are given by (see article) wherein P is load, B is flexural rigidity of pontic, L is bridge span length, and KM and KH are spring constants of the supports with respect to moment and horizontal force, respectively. 2) If it is assumed that a dental bridge is a rigid body, the moment is underestimated and the horizontal force is neglected. 3) According to the fixed-ended-beam model which allows neither movement nor deformation of the supports, the moment is overestimated in many cases. 4) According to the general-beam model which allows the vertical movement and rotation of the supports, the moment is underestimated because of the assumption that no forces are acting in the longitudinal direction of beam.", "contents": "[Mechanical studies on the dental bridges by the finite element method (2). --An idealized symmetrical bridge with a vertical load at the center of pontic-- (author's transl)]. The biomechanical behavior of bridge support was studied by the finite element method. An idealized bridge model was constucted by using the previously reported tooth model as the two-sided abutment teeth. Under a vertical load at the center of pontic the stress distributions were shown in the constituent elements. Forces transmitted to the abutment teeth were calculated from these distributions. The results obtained were compared with theoretical models based on the beam theory in engineering. 1) For the finite element model, moment M and horizontal force H are given by (see article) wherein P is load, B is flexural rigidity of pontic, L is bridge span length, and KM and KH are spring constants of the supports with respect to moment and horizontal force, respectively. 2) If it is assumed that a dental bridge is a rigid body, the moment is underestimated and the horizontal force is neglected. 3) According to the fixed-ended-beam model which allows neither movement nor deformation of the supports, the moment is overestimated in many cases. 4) According to the general-beam model which allows the vertical movement and rotation of the supports, the moment is underestimated because of the assumption that no forces are acting in the longitudinal direction of beam.", "PMID": 794425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10106", "title": "[Mechanical studies on the dental bridges by the finite element method (3). --Behavior of a posterior bridge model under various loads -- (author's transl)].", "content": "Forces and moment transmitted to the abutment teeth were numerically analyzed using a model for a posterior bridge. Three cases were chosen to investigate the influence of loading condition; a vertical (A) and a mesially inclined (B) load at the center of pontic and a vertical load at the abutment (C). The results obtained are as follows: Under the condition (A), as reported previously, both moment and force increase as bridge flexural rigidity is less or bridge span longer. When the load shifts to the abutment tooth, the moment slightly increases as flexural rigidity is greater or bridge span shorter, but horizontal force is scarcely transmitted to the abutment teeth. Maximum moment under the condition (C), however, is not so great as that under the condition (A) and the difference decreases among the moment values calculated from the present model and two theories of general-beam and rigid-beam model. Consequently, special attention should be given to the more flexible pontic which might very possibly cause injury to the abutment teeth under the first two conditions. Even though the resultant force is not very great, its supporting tissues with smaller surface area tend to be subject to higher stress.", "contents": "[Mechanical studies on the dental bridges by the finite element method (3). --Behavior of a posterior bridge model under various loads -- (author's transl)]. Forces and moment transmitted to the abutment teeth were numerically analyzed using a model for a posterior bridge. Three cases were chosen to investigate the influence of loading condition; a vertical (A) and a mesially inclined (B) load at the center of pontic and a vertical load at the abutment (C). The results obtained are as follows: Under the condition (A), as reported previously, both moment and force increase as bridge flexural rigidity is less or bridge span longer. When the load shifts to the abutment tooth, the moment slightly increases as flexural rigidity is greater or bridge span shorter, but horizontal force is scarcely transmitted to the abutment teeth. Maximum moment under the condition (C), however, is not so great as that under the condition (A) and the difference decreases among the moment values calculated from the present model and two theories of general-beam and rigid-beam model. Consequently, special attention should be given to the more flexible pontic which might very possibly cause injury to the abutment teeth under the first two conditions. Even though the resultant force is not very great, its supporting tissues with smaller surface area tend to be subject to higher stress.", "PMID": 794426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10107", "title": "[Mechanical studies on the dental bridges. (XII) theoretical development of load analysis on the abutment teeth (author's transl)].", "content": "Load analysis of abutment teeth have been treated as the two abutment teeth problems, which are subjected on the concentrated and distributed loading conditions. And we considered the numerical analysis for these problems. Abutment teeth are supported with elastic condition, which are normal deflection and rotational movements. This paper shows the theoretical development of the load analysis of these problems. These pontics are supported with the numberless abutment teeth. Example problems are shown the concentrated and distributed load at the one span of these pontics. Therefore, we do not show the numerical examples of these problems but theoretical development of apportionment loads of these abutment teeth are represented to be concerned for many problems in this paper.", "contents": "[Mechanical studies on the dental bridges. (XII) theoretical development of load analysis on the abutment teeth (author's transl)]. Load analysis of abutment teeth have been treated as the two abutment teeth problems, which are subjected on the concentrated and distributed loading conditions. And we considered the numerical analysis for these problems. Abutment teeth are supported with elastic condition, which are normal deflection and rotational movements. This paper shows the theoretical development of the load analysis of these problems. These pontics are supported with the numberless abutment teeth. Example problems are shown the concentrated and distributed load at the one span of these pontics. Therefore, we do not show the numerical examples of these problems but theoretical development of apportionment loads of these abutment teeth are represented to be concerned for many problems in this paper.", "PMID": 794427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10108", "title": "[Biochemistry and prepared diagnosis of lung maturation (author's transl)].", "content": "The composition and structure of acellular alveolar material are described. Evidences as summarized that 1,2-dipalmityl-sn-glycero-phosphoryl-choline, depending of the presence of other components of the hypophasis, determines the surface tension of the air-alveolus interface. The foetal maturation of the lung is defined according to the Avery-Clements-Gluck theory, as a stabilisation of the alveolar lecthin production; and the dependence of the relevant enzyme activities on the stage of the pregnancy is discussed. Attention is drawn to the possibility of enzyme induction by medication; the biochemical and clinical aspects of the acceleration of lung maturation following glucocorticoid therapy are treated in detail. Finally, methods for the prepartal and postpartal characterisation of lung maturation,and especially the biochemical methods for the determination of lecithin in amniotic fluid, tracheal, and gastric secretion are discussed.", "contents": "[Biochemistry and prepared diagnosis of lung maturation (author's transl)]. The composition and structure of acellular alveolar material are described. Evidences as summarized that 1,2-dipalmityl-sn-glycero-phosphoryl-choline, depending of the presence of other components of the hypophasis, determines the surface tension of the air-alveolus interface. The foetal maturation of the lung is defined according to the Avery-Clements-Gluck theory, as a stabilisation of the alveolar lecthin production; and the dependence of the relevant enzyme activities on the stage of the pregnancy is discussed. Attention is drawn to the possibility of enzyme induction by medication; the biochemical and clinical aspects of the acceleration of lung maturation following glucocorticoid therapy are treated in detail. Finally, methods for the prepartal and postpartal characterisation of lung maturation,and especially the biochemical methods for the determination of lecithin in amniotic fluid, tracheal, and gastric secretion are discussed.", "PMID": 794434} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10109", "title": "The dipslide in diagnosis of urinary tract infections.", "content": "Urinary tract infections (UTI's) are common in medicine. Symptoms may include fever, chills, frequency, and dysuria. Asymptomatic UTI's are also common, with a prevalence of one percent in school girls and ten percent in pregnant women. Pyuria, dysuria, and frequency may be absent in patients with UTI's or present in patients without UTI's. Therefore, a UTI must be bacteriologically diagnosed as greater than 100,000 organisms/ml, usually of a single organism, in a properly obtained urine specimen. The dipslide is a simple, convenient, inexpensive device for the quantitative diagnosis of a UTI. Culture media are layered on both sides of the dipslide, one medium allowing growth of all organisms and the other medium favoring growth of enterobacteriae. After immersion in a clean catch urine specimen, the dipslide is incubated for 24 hours at 37 C. Each urinary organism forms a colony \"dot\". The density of colony \"dots\" can be quantitated easily by comparison with standardized graphs. The dipslide is a highly accurate and sensitive tool that can be used for the diagnosis of UTI's, assessment of antimicrobial effectiveness, follow-up for presence of recurrence or relapse, and screening of high-risk individuals.", "contents": "The dipslide in diagnosis of urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections (UTI's) are common in medicine. Symptoms may include fever, chills, frequency, and dysuria. Asymptomatic UTI's are also common, with a prevalence of one percent in school girls and ten percent in pregnant women. Pyuria, dysuria, and frequency may be absent in patients with UTI's or present in patients without UTI's. Therefore, a UTI must be bacteriologically diagnosed as greater than 100,000 organisms/ml, usually of a single organism, in a properly obtained urine specimen. The dipslide is a simple, convenient, inexpensive device for the quantitative diagnosis of a UTI. Culture media are layered on both sides of the dipslide, one medium allowing growth of all organisms and the other medium favoring growth of enterobacteriae. After immersion in a clean catch urine specimen, the dipslide is incubated for 24 hours at 37 C. Each urinary organism forms a colony \"dot\". The density of colony \"dots\" can be quantitated easily by comparison with standardized graphs. The dipslide is a highly accurate and sensitive tool that can be used for the diagnosis of UTI's, assessment of antimicrobial effectiveness, follow-up for presence of recurrence or relapse, and screening of high-risk individuals.", "PMID": 794435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10110", "title": "The role of calcium in the acrosome reaction: an analysis using ionophore A23187.", "content": "The role of Ca+2 in the acrosome reaction of echinoid and mammalian sperm was investigated using the Ca+2 transporting ionophore A23187. The ionophore induced morphologically normal acrosome reactions in both types of sperm (as assessed by electron microscopic observation of echinoid sperm and phase contrast microscopic observation of mammalian sperm). In echinoids, these reactions were immediate. In the guinea pig and hamster, ionophore significantly decreased the capacitation interval; early reactions were accompanied by activation of motility. Ionophore induced reactions were affected by sperm, ionophore and Ca+2 concentrations. Since both ionophore induced and natural reactions require extracellular Ca+2, it is suggested that an influx of Ca+2 represents the initial step of the acrosome reaction. Under natural conditions, the permeability change which results in Ca+2 influx may be induced in echinoid sperm by egg jelly and may occur in mammalian sperm during capacitation. Ionophore A23187 should prove an experimentally useful drug for further study of the acrosome reaction since its effect on cells is understood, it induces synchronous reactions in a high percentage of sperm, and it conveniently reduces the capacitation interval in mammalian sperm.", "contents": "The role of calcium in the acrosome reaction: an analysis using ionophore A23187. The role of Ca+2 in the acrosome reaction of echinoid and mammalian sperm was investigated using the Ca+2 transporting ionophore A23187. The ionophore induced morphologically normal acrosome reactions in both types of sperm (as assessed by electron microscopic observation of echinoid sperm and phase contrast microscopic observation of mammalian sperm). In echinoids, these reactions were immediate. In the guinea pig and hamster, ionophore significantly decreased the capacitation interval; early reactions were accompanied by activation of motility. Ionophore induced reactions were affected by sperm, ionophore and Ca+2 concentrations. Since both ionophore induced and natural reactions require extracellular Ca+2, it is suggested that an influx of Ca+2 represents the initial step of the acrosome reaction. Under natural conditions, the permeability change which results in Ca+2 influx may be induced in echinoid sperm by egg jelly and may occur in mammalian sperm during capacitation. Ionophore A23187 should prove an experimentally useful drug for further study of the acrosome reaction since its effect on cells is understood, it induces synchronous reactions in a high percentage of sperm, and it conveniently reduces the capacitation interval in mammalian sperm.", "PMID": 794437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10111", "title": "Characterization of measles viruses in establishment of persistent infections in human lymphoid cell line.", "content": "Human lymphoid cells (NC-37) were infected with attenuated measles vaccine virus (Schwarz, AIK-C, and CAM-70 strains), subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus (Mantooth and Halle strains), neurovirulent TYCSA strain, and wild type virus (Edmonston and Toyoshima strains) at an input multiplicity of 0-01. These strains were divided into two groups by their capacity to establish carrier states. CAM-70, Toyoshima, and Edmonston strains did not set up persistent infections in NC-37 cells, whereas AIK-C strain induced chronic cyclic infection and the Schwarz, TYCSA, Mantooth and Halle strains could set up persistent infections and furthermore two types of persistent infections were recognizable. Cells persistently infected with Schwarz strain contained nucleocapsid structures in both nucleus and cytoplasm, and produced infectious virus of 10(4) to 10(5) p.f.u./ml over 100 days after the inoculation of the virus but the cap-formation of measles antigens on the cell membrane was seldom observed. However, in cells persistently infected with TYCSA strain, nucleocapsid structures were rarely observed in the nucleus, but the cap-formation of measles antigens on the cell membrane was often observed. The titre of carried virus was always higher than the number of cells in the range of 10(6) to 10(7) p.f.u./ml. Mantooth strain was similar to Schwarz strain and Halle strain was similar to TYCSA strain in the properties of their carrier states. These carrier states were stable and the cells grew normally for over one year.", "contents": "Characterization of measles viruses in establishment of persistent infections in human lymphoid cell line. Human lymphoid cells (NC-37) were infected with attenuated measles vaccine virus (Schwarz, AIK-C, and CAM-70 strains), subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus (Mantooth and Halle strains), neurovirulent TYCSA strain, and wild type virus (Edmonston and Toyoshima strains) at an input multiplicity of 0-01. These strains were divided into two groups by their capacity to establish carrier states. CAM-70, Toyoshima, and Edmonston strains did not set up persistent infections in NC-37 cells, whereas AIK-C strain induced chronic cyclic infection and the Schwarz, TYCSA, Mantooth and Halle strains could set up persistent infections and furthermore two types of persistent infections were recognizable. Cells persistently infected with Schwarz strain contained nucleocapsid structures in both nucleus and cytoplasm, and produced infectious virus of 10(4) to 10(5) p.f.u./ml over 100 days after the inoculation of the virus but the cap-formation of measles antigens on the cell membrane was seldom observed. However, in cells persistently infected with TYCSA strain, nucleocapsid structures were rarely observed in the nucleus, but the cap-formation of measles antigens on the cell membrane was often observed. The titre of carried virus was always higher than the number of cells in the range of 10(6) to 10(7) p.f.u./ml. Mantooth strain was similar to Schwarz strain and Halle strain was similar to TYCSA strain in the properties of their carrier states. These carrier states were stable and the cells grew normally for over one year.", "PMID": 794440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10112", "title": "Is there a reciprocal relationship between symptoms and affect in asthma?", "content": "This is a hypothesis-seeking case study. It is the product of naturalistic research on one asthmatic patient seen 212 times in individual psychotherapy over a period of 32 months. Both retrospective and prospective data were gathered, the prospective phase beginning about halfway into the therapy. Clinical vignettes are cited from which the following hypothesis was developed: there was a reciprocal relationship between the manifestation of physical symptoms and of affective reactions in this patient. In support of the possibility of testing this hypothesis, the therapist's observations and patient's report of physical and affective reactions each independently indicated a much greater incidence of one reaction or the other occurring separately than of both together. The occasional occurrence of both together indicates that the physical and the affective reactions are not mutually exclusive; therefore, the null hypothesis is also possible. A critique and synthesis of diverse literature ranging from psychoanalytic, group, and behavioral oriented clinical reports to human and animal physiological studies precede the presentation of the case study. The conclusion reached in reviewing the literature is that confirmation of the reciprocal hypothesis awaits further studies, but there is indication in the literature of support for such further study.", "contents": "Is there a reciprocal relationship between symptoms and affect in asthma? This is a hypothesis-seeking case study. It is the product of naturalistic research on one asthmatic patient seen 212 times in individual psychotherapy over a period of 32 months. Both retrospective and prospective data were gathered, the prospective phase beginning about halfway into the therapy. Clinical vignettes are cited from which the following hypothesis was developed: there was a reciprocal relationship between the manifestation of physical symptoms and of affective reactions in this patient. In support of the possibility of testing this hypothesis, the therapist's observations and patient's report of physical and affective reactions each independently indicated a much greater incidence of one reaction or the other occurring separately than of both together. The occasional occurrence of both together indicates that the physical and the affective reactions are not mutually exclusive; therefore, the null hypothesis is also possible. A critique and synthesis of diverse literature ranging from psychoanalytic, group, and behavioral oriented clinical reports to human and animal physiological studies precede the presentation of the case study. The conclusion reached in reviewing the literature is that confirmation of the reciprocal hypothesis awaits further studies, but there is indication in the literature of support for such further study.", "PMID": 794442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10113", "title": "Electroencephalographic and clinicopathological studies on Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome.", "content": "The correlation between the appearance of the characteristic electroencephalographic abnormality, cardinal clinical manifestations, and neuropathological features was studied in four cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome consisting of subacute spongiform encephalopathy and classical Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Consideration is given to the differences in the electroencephalographic findings between these two subgroups of the syndrome and on the underlying pathological mechanism.", "contents": "Electroencephalographic and clinicopathological studies on Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome. The correlation between the appearance of the characteristic electroencephalographic abnormality, cardinal clinical manifestations, and neuropathological features was studied in four cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome consisting of subacute spongiform encephalopathy and classical Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Consideration is given to the differences in the electroencephalographic findings between these two subgroups of the syndrome and on the underlying pathological mechanism.", "PMID": 794444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10114", "title": "Degranulation of chicken heterophil leucocytes during phagocytosis, studied by phase contrast and interference microscopy.", "content": "The dynamic aspects of degranulation of chicken heterophil leucocytes during phagocytosis have been studied by phase contrast and interference microscopy. Both standard (8 fps) and high-speed (400 fps) cine-photomicrographic recordings of this process under phase contrast are presented. Lysis of individual granules is usually completed in less than 60 milliseconds. During lysis of each granule a rounded phase dense body is ejected into the phagocytic vacuole. Measurements made by interference microscopy show that there is usually a substantial fall from a protein concentration of c. 100 per cent. w/v for intact granules to a concentration of 16 per cent. w/v for the vacuole resulting from their lysis; this can only be explained by a rapid intake of water into the granule matrix following membrane fusion. The intake of water that accompanies granule lysis causes swelling of the granule matrix, and is thought to explain the mechanism of ejection of the phase dense body. Granule lysis is not dependent on the intake of water, since occasional vacuoles have been observed which showed no fall in protein concentration relative to the intact granules. The membrane around the intact granule effectively excludes the entry of water into the concentrated hygroscopic granule matrix, but once membrane fusion occurs this barrier to the entry of water is usually lost.", "contents": "Degranulation of chicken heterophil leucocytes during phagocytosis, studied by phase contrast and interference microscopy. The dynamic aspects of degranulation of chicken heterophil leucocytes during phagocytosis have been studied by phase contrast and interference microscopy. Both standard (8 fps) and high-speed (400 fps) cine-photomicrographic recordings of this process under phase contrast are presented. Lysis of individual granules is usually completed in less than 60 milliseconds. During lysis of each granule a rounded phase dense body is ejected into the phagocytic vacuole. Measurements made by interference microscopy show that there is usually a substantial fall from a protein concentration of c. 100 per cent. w/v for intact granules to a concentration of 16 per cent. w/v for the vacuole resulting from their lysis; this can only be explained by a rapid intake of water into the granule matrix following membrane fusion. The intake of water that accompanies granule lysis causes swelling of the granule matrix, and is thought to explain the mechanism of ejection of the phase dense body. Granule lysis is not dependent on the intake of water, since occasional vacuoles have been observed which showed no fall in protein concentration relative to the intact granules. The membrane around the intact granule effectively excludes the entry of water into the concentrated hygroscopic granule matrix, but once membrane fusion occurs this barrier to the entry of water is usually lost.", "PMID": 794453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10115", "title": "Immunological and non-immunological phagocytosis by inflammatory macrophages, epithelioid cells and macrophage polykaryons from foreign body granulomata.", "content": "Inflammatory macrophages, epithelioid cells and macrophage polykaryons were obtained on the surface of round glass coverslips inserted into the subcutaneous tissue of mice and removed at different intervals. About 90 per cent of the macrophages and polykaryons express IgG, C and non-specific surface receptors, involved in phagocytosis, up to 15 days after coverslip implantation. In 21-day-old lesions, about 50 per cent of these cells lose the IgG resed with IgM and complement but do not incorporate these particles and are poorly phagocytic for glutaraldehyde-treated horse red blood cells. The ultrastructural study of these cells demonstrates that they are macrophages which have undergone epithelioid transformation. Whole-body irradiation of mice bearing implanted coverslips of 7 days duration reveals that 6 days after irradiation, the great majority of macrophages and multinucleate cells have acquired epithelioid characteristics. It is suggested that the loss of immunological receptors during epithelioid transformation in granulomas may protect bacteria and be disadvantageous to the host.", "contents": "Immunological and non-immunological phagocytosis by inflammatory macrophages, epithelioid cells and macrophage polykaryons from foreign body granulomata. Inflammatory macrophages, epithelioid cells and macrophage polykaryons were obtained on the surface of round glass coverslips inserted into the subcutaneous tissue of mice and removed at different intervals. About 90 per cent of the macrophages and polykaryons express IgG, C and non-specific surface receptors, involved in phagocytosis, up to 15 days after coverslip implantation. In 21-day-old lesions, about 50 per cent of these cells lose the IgG resed with IgM and complement but do not incorporate these particles and are poorly phagocytic for glutaraldehyde-treated horse red blood cells. The ultrastructural study of these cells demonstrates that they are macrophages which have undergone epithelioid transformation. Whole-body irradiation of mice bearing implanted coverslips of 7 days duration reveals that 6 days after irradiation, the great majority of macrophages and multinucleate cells have acquired epithelioid characteristics. It is suggested that the loss of immunological receptors during epithelioid transformation in granulomas may protect bacteria and be disadvantageous to the host.", "PMID": 794454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10116", "title": "Application of fluorescent antibody technique to determine infectivity rates of Amblyomma americanium (L.) (Acarina: Ixodidae) salivary glands and oral secretions by Theileria cervi (Piroplasmorida: Theileriidae).", "content": "Salivary glands and oral secretion from individual field collected ticks, or ticks infected with Theileria cervi in the laboratory, were subjected to fluorescent antibody techniques to determine the reliability of the technique in the identification of T. cervi in either the oral secretion or salivary glands. Results indicated that the fluorescent antibody technique can be used with a reasonable degree of success in the identification of infected salivary glands or oral secretion. Oral secretion examinations gave fewer positive samples than when salivary glands from the same ticks were examined.", "contents": "Application of fluorescent antibody technique to determine infectivity rates of Amblyomma americanium (L.) (Acarina: Ixodidae) salivary glands and oral secretions by Theileria cervi (Piroplasmorida: Theileriidae). Salivary glands and oral secretion from individual field collected ticks, or ticks infected with Theileria cervi in the laboratory, were subjected to fluorescent antibody techniques to determine the reliability of the technique in the identification of T. cervi in either the oral secretion or salivary glands. Results indicated that the fluorescent antibody technique can be used with a reasonable degree of success in the identification of infected salivary glands or oral secretion. Oral secretion examinations gave fewer positive samples than when salivary glands from the same ticks were examined.", "PMID": 794455} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10117", "title": "Pediatric annular pancreas: twenty years' experience.", "content": "Characterization of pediatric annular pancreas is provided by this analysis of 24 cases (22 neonates, 1 infant, 1 child). Salient observations include: (1) Presentation is affected by the degree of duodenal obstruction at birth and by coexistent anomalies. (2) Polyhydramnios usually accompanies complete high intestinal obstruction by annular pancreas. (3) Primary biliary interruption was not encountered and jaundice was not unusually prevalent. (4) There is a high incidence of associated anomalies. (5) Duodenal bypass by duodenoenterostomy was employed with excellent results.", "contents": "Pediatric annular pancreas: twenty years' experience. Characterization of pediatric annular pancreas is provided by this analysis of 24 cases (22 neonates, 1 infant, 1 child). Salient observations include: (1) Presentation is affected by the degree of duodenal obstruction at birth and by coexistent anomalies. (2) Polyhydramnios usually accompanies complete high intestinal obstruction by annular pancreas. (3) Primary biliary interruption was not encountered and jaundice was not unusually prevalent. (4) There is a high incidence of associated anomalies. (5) Duodenal bypass by duodenoenterostomy was employed with excellent results.", "PMID": 794457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10118", "title": "Guide to research on the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration (P-F) Study, 1934-1974.", "content": "Research on and with the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustation (P-F) Study and its precursors, 1934-1974, is presented. Investigations with the original versions of the P-F in English and the parallel, standardized versions in Europe, Asia and the Americas are covered. More than 500 articles and books are organized by topic in a Citation Index giving authors and dates. The available references for a given topic can then be readily located. The major topics include basic (construct) research, reliability, validity, and pragmatic applications. These applications pertain to developmental and individual differences, clinical disorders, antisocial behavior, personnel selection, counseling and therapy, educational and school psychology, cultural and socioeconomic differences, and experimental psychodynamics.", "contents": "Guide to research on the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration (P-F) Study, 1934-1974. Research on and with the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustation (P-F) Study and its precursors, 1934-1974, is presented. Investigations with the original versions of the P-F in English and the parallel, standardized versions in Europe, Asia and the Americas are covered. More than 500 articles and books are organized by topic in a Citation Index giving authors and dates. The available references for a given topic can then be readily located. The major topics include basic (construct) research, reliability, validity, and pragmatic applications. These applications pertain to developmental and individual differences, clinical disorders, antisocial behavior, personnel selection, counseling and therapy, educational and school psychology, cultural and socioeconomic differences, and experimental psychodynamics.", "PMID": 794458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10119", "title": "Studies on Plasmodium ookinetes. 1. Isolation and concentration from mosquito midguts.", "content": "In a method for isolating a relatively clean suspension of concentrated Plasmodium berghei ookinetes from infected midguts of Anopheles stephensi at appropriate times after the infective blood meal, the ookinetes are freed from the midguts by enzymatic digestion, and then concentrated by means of a BSA/renografin gradient. The mean number of ookinetes recovered/midgut was 152. More than 95% of the recovered ookinetes were viable by the criteria of motility, incorporation of adenosine and leucine, and appearance on light and electron microscopic examination. Trypan blue exclusion was not a valid criterion for viability. These ookinetes were not useful for in vitro studies of further development due to the presence of contaminating microorganisms. Our attempts to determine their potential for further development in vivo have similarly not been successful. Nevertheless, our ability to obtain large numbers of ookinetes at defined times during development now permits further studies on their structure, biochemistry, and physiology, as well as comparison with ookinetes formed in vitro.", "contents": "Studies on Plasmodium ookinetes. 1. Isolation and concentration from mosquito midguts. In a method for isolating a relatively clean suspension of concentrated Plasmodium berghei ookinetes from infected midguts of Anopheles stephensi at appropriate times after the infective blood meal, the ookinetes are freed from the midguts by enzymatic digestion, and then concentrated by means of a BSA/renografin gradient. The mean number of ookinetes recovered/midgut was 152. More than 95% of the recovered ookinetes were viable by the criteria of motility, incorporation of adenosine and leucine, and appearance on light and electron microscopic examination. Trypan blue exclusion was not a valid criterion for viability. These ookinetes were not useful for in vitro studies of further development due to the presence of contaminating microorganisms. Our attempts to determine their potential for further development in vivo have similarly not been successful. Nevertheless, our ability to obtain large numbers of ookinetes at defined times during development now permits further studies on their structure, biochemistry, and physiology, as well as comparison with ookinetes formed in vitro.", "PMID": 794460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10120", "title": "[Arterial time of intravenous pyelography: initial results (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors consider that attention should be paid to the arterial time in intravenous pyelography in all patients who undergo the examination. Manual injection or an injector containing 80 to 100 ml of 38% iodine contrast medium set at a speed of 20 ml/sec, on the one hand, and films taken during the arterial phase on the other hand, are the two conditions necessary to obtain a satisfactory arteriogram. Slight abdominal compression and subtraction improve the definition of the films. 600 cases have been collected so far, in the exploration of 105 patients with hypertension, 17 cysts, 7 malignant tumours, extra-renal pathology and various nephropathies in which no indication for arteriography existed. Thus pyelographic arteriography made it possible to avoid renal arteriograms in almost all our patients. Only one selective and one complete arteriogram were necessary. Unusual arterial lesions in nonsurgical renal conditions may be seen (glomerulonephritis, nephroangiosclerosis...) and unexpected images in abdominal conditions with renal manifestations or in association with nephropathies (aneurysms of digestive arteries and the aorta, collagen diseases etc.).", "contents": "[Arterial time of intravenous pyelography: initial results (author's transl)]. The authors consider that attention should be paid to the arterial time in intravenous pyelography in all patients who undergo the examination. Manual injection or an injector containing 80 to 100 ml of 38% iodine contrast medium set at a speed of 20 ml/sec, on the one hand, and films taken during the arterial phase on the other hand, are the two conditions necessary to obtain a satisfactory arteriogram. Slight abdominal compression and subtraction improve the definition of the films. 600 cases have been collected so far, in the exploration of 105 patients with hypertension, 17 cysts, 7 malignant tumours, extra-renal pathology and various nephropathies in which no indication for arteriography existed. Thus pyelographic arteriography made it possible to avoid renal arteriograms in almost all our patients. Only one selective and one complete arteriogram were necessary. Unusual arterial lesions in nonsurgical renal conditions may be seen (glomerulonephritis, nephroangiosclerosis...) and unexpected images in abdominal conditions with renal manifestations or in association with nephropathies (aneurysms of digestive arteries and the aorta, collagen diseases etc.).", "PMID": 794461} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10121", "title": "[Cholesterol pneumonia in a child (author's transl)].", "content": "The case presented is that of a pneumonia due to cholesterol in a young girl of 13 years old. The clinical picture was that of severe progressive pulmonary fibrosis. On histology, a foreign body reaction around cholesterol crystals was found. The history enabled confirmation of the endogenous origin of this fatty infiltration.", "contents": "[Cholesterol pneumonia in a child (author's transl)]. The case presented is that of a pneumonia due to cholesterol in a young girl of 13 years old. The clinical picture was that of severe progressive pulmonary fibrosis. On histology, a foreign body reaction around cholesterol crystals was found. The history enabled confirmation of the endogenous origin of this fatty infiltration.", "PMID": 794462} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10122", "title": "[New cases of familial generalized cortical hyperostosis with dominant transmission (Worth's type) (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of two families with a total of 5 cases of generalized cortical hyperostosis of the cortex of the long bones is clinically latent. It is not accompanied by any osseous fragility and is usually discovered by chance. Mandibular hypertrophy can occur but is not constant. It must be differentiated from the recessive form described by Van Buchen, which is more severe and involves extensive and progressive osteocondensation which can lead to paralysis of the cranial nerves. The small number of cases published (23) leads one to suppose that its diagnosis is frequently missed, undoubtedly because it is mixed up with a minor form of osteopetrosis.", "contents": "[New cases of familial generalized cortical hyperostosis with dominant transmission (Worth's type) (author's transl)]. A case of two families with a total of 5 cases of generalized cortical hyperostosis of the cortex of the long bones is clinically latent. It is not accompanied by any osseous fragility and is usually discovered by chance. Mandibular hypertrophy can occur but is not constant. It must be differentiated from the recessive form described by Van Buchen, which is more severe and involves extensive and progressive osteocondensation which can lead to paralysis of the cranial nerves. The small number of cases published (23) leads one to suppose that its diagnosis is frequently missed, undoubtedly because it is mixed up with a minor form of osteopetrosis.", "PMID": 794463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10123", "title": "Blood pressure in the elderly.", "content": "The distribution of blood pressure levels in elderly patients is described and the evidence that higher levels are associated with morbidity at this age is reviewed. In the absence of definitive evidence about the results of treating hypertension in the elderly, the physiological factors that have to be taken into account are surveyed with particular reference to aggravating cerebral ischaemia.More potent hypotensive agents should be avoided in older patients and in practice the decision on whether to treat may depend more on the clinical context than on the level of the blood pressure itself.", "contents": "Blood pressure in the elderly. The distribution of blood pressure levels in elderly patients is described and the evidence that higher levels are associated with morbidity at this age is reviewed. In the absence of definitive evidence about the results of treating hypertension in the elderly, the physiological factors that have to be taken into account are surveyed with particular reference to aggravating cerebral ischaemia.More potent hypotensive agents should be avoided in older patients and in practice the decision on whether to treat may depend more on the clinical context than on the level of the blood pressure itself.", "PMID": 794464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10124", "title": "Androgen receptors and the molecular basis for the action of antiadrogens in the ventral prostate.", "content": "In the rat ventral prostate, various antiandrogens can interfere with the normal formation of an androgen-receptor complex which appears to be required for androgen action. Some of the antagonists may act by inhibiting the enzymatic formation of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone or by competing with androgens for the binding sites on the receptors, whereby interacting with and altering the receptor molecules themselves. If the action of an androgen-receptor complex can indeed occur at the stage of gene transcription as well as in certain post-transcriptional processes, the molecular site of antiandrogen action may be in the nuclei and/or cytoplasm of the target cells.", "contents": "Androgen receptors and the molecular basis for the action of antiadrogens in the ventral prostate. In the rat ventral prostate, various antiandrogens can interfere with the normal formation of an androgen-receptor complex which appears to be required for androgen action. Some of the antagonists may act by inhibiting the enzymatic formation of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone or by competing with androgens for the binding sites on the receptors, whereby interacting with and altering the receptor molecules themselves. If the action of an androgen-receptor complex can indeed occur at the stage of gene transcription as well as in certain post-transcriptional processes, the molecular site of antiandrogen action may be in the nuclei and/or cytoplasm of the target cells.", "PMID": 794465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10125", "title": "Pregnancy complicated by maternal neural tube defect and an ileal conduit: a case report.", "content": "A case report is presented of a patient with severe neurologic defects associated with repaired meningomyelocele whose pregnancy was complicated in addition by prior urihary diversion and subsequent ureteral obstruction. The obstetric problem related to ileal conduits and the genetic aspects of neural tube defects are reviewed.", "contents": "Pregnancy complicated by maternal neural tube defect and an ileal conduit: a case report. A case report is presented of a patient with severe neurologic defects associated with repaired meningomyelocele whose pregnancy was complicated in addition by prior urihary diversion and subsequent ureteral obstruction. The obstetric problem related to ileal conduits and the genetic aspects of neural tube defects are reviewed.", "PMID": 794467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10126", "title": "Phenylalanyl transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase from Escherichia coli B. Potent inhibition by analogues of N-benzyl-2-phenylethylamine.", "content": "A potent new class of inhibitors of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli B is described. N-Benzyl-2-phenylethylamine is a competitive inhibitor with respect to L-phenylalanine and appears to possess the structural features required for near-optimal binding. Hydrophobic substituents at the ortho position of either ring appear to be well tolerated, but substituents on both rings lead to large losses in binding. Poor noncompetitive inhibitors resllt from alkylation of the secondary nitrogen, further separation of the N-benzyl group from the nitrogen, or alkylation at the alpha position of the N-benzyl moiety. In contrast, placement of a methyl group at the 1 position of the 2-phenylethylamine moiety to give N-benzyl-D-amphetamine results in the most potent inhibitor yet described for this enzyme.", "contents": "Phenylalanyl transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase from Escherichia coli B. Potent inhibition by analogues of N-benzyl-2-phenylethylamine. A potent new class of inhibitors of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli B is described. N-Benzyl-2-phenylethylamine is a competitive inhibitor with respect to L-phenylalanine and appears to possess the structural features required for near-optimal binding. Hydrophobic substituents at the ortho position of either ring appear to be well tolerated, but substituents on both rings lead to large losses in binding. Poor noncompetitive inhibitors resllt from alkylation of the secondary nitrogen, further separation of the N-benzyl group from the nitrogen, or alkylation at the alpha position of the N-benzyl moiety. In contrast, placement of a methyl group at the 1 position of the 2-phenylethylamine moiety to give N-benzyl-D-amphetamine results in the most potent inhibitor yet described for this enzyme.", "PMID": 794470} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10127", "title": "Phenylalanyl transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase from rat liver. Analysis of phenylalanine and adenosine 5'-triphosphate binding sites and comparison to the enzyme from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Inhibition of the ATP--PPi exchange reaction catalyzed by rat liver phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase by structural analogues of L-phenylalanine and ATP has been examined and compared with data reported for the enzyme from E. coli. The phenylalanine binding sites are similar in the following characteristics. (1) The region that complexes the phenyl ring shows a strict requirement for the unsubstituted phenyl ring altough the rat liver enzyme is more tolerant in this respect. (2) The protonated amino group of phenylalanine is required for binding. (3) The region neighboring the binding site for the carboxylate of phenylalanine is diffusely hydrophobic. Unlike effects of these modifications on interaction with the E. coli enzyme, substitution of the carboxylate by hydrophobic groups leads to large losses in affinity for the rat liver enzyme. Although both enzymes bind D-phenylalanine very poorly, their relative affinities for the D isomers of phenylalanine analogues vary greatly. The most dramatic difference is observed with N-benzyl-D-amphetamine, which binds 24 000-fold tighter to E. coli phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase than the rat liver enzyme. The affinity of rat liver phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase for naturally occurring adenine compounds is similar to that of the E. coli enzyme, suggesting that the binding of ATP occurs via similar interactions. Adenine provides a major protion of the free energy of binding of ATP. The remainder may be viewed as the sum of detrimental interactions with the phosphate groups of ATP and a favorable contribution by the ribose moiety.", "contents": "Phenylalanyl transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase from rat liver. Analysis of phenylalanine and adenosine 5'-triphosphate binding sites and comparison to the enzyme from Escherichia coli. Inhibition of the ATP--PPi exchange reaction catalyzed by rat liver phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase by structural analogues of L-phenylalanine and ATP has been examined and compared with data reported for the enzyme from E. coli. The phenylalanine binding sites are similar in the following characteristics. (1) The region that complexes the phenyl ring shows a strict requirement for the unsubstituted phenyl ring altough the rat liver enzyme is more tolerant in this respect. (2) The protonated amino group of phenylalanine is required for binding. (3) The region neighboring the binding site for the carboxylate of phenylalanine is diffusely hydrophobic. Unlike effects of these modifications on interaction with the E. coli enzyme, substitution of the carboxylate by hydrophobic groups leads to large losses in affinity for the rat liver enzyme. Although both enzymes bind D-phenylalanine very poorly, their relative affinities for the D isomers of phenylalanine analogues vary greatly. The most dramatic difference is observed with N-benzyl-D-amphetamine, which binds 24 000-fold tighter to E. coli phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase than the rat liver enzyme. The affinity of rat liver phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase for naturally occurring adenine compounds is similar to that of the E. coli enzyme, suggesting that the binding of ATP occurs via similar interactions. Adenine provides a major protion of the free energy of binding of ATP. The remainder may be viewed as the sum of detrimental interactions with the phosphate groups of ATP and a favorable contribution by the ribose moiety.", "PMID": 794471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10128", "title": "Polyglutamyl and polylysyl derivatives of the lysine analogues of folic acid and homofolic acid.", "content": "A series of Nepsilon-poly-alpha-glutamyl and Nepsilon-polylysyl derivatives of Nalpha-pteroyllysine and Nalpha-homopteroyllysine, analogues of the naturally occurring gamma-polyglutamyl forms of folate, was prepared and tested as substrates for dihydrofolate reductase and as substrates and inhibitors of thymidylate synthetase. Nalpha-Dihydropteroyl-Nepsilon-(tri-alpha-glutamyl)lysine was 1.8 times as active as Nalpha-dihydropteroyl glutamate (dihydrofolate) as a substrate for L1210 murine leukemia dihydrofolate reductase. N-alpha-Dihydropteroyl-Nepsilon-(di-alpha-lysyl)lysine was 1.2 times as active as dihydrofolate in spite of its strong positive charge. The most active compound tested, Nepsilon-(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)lysine, was 3.5 times as active as dihydrofolate. None of the enzymatically prepared Nalpha-tetrahydropteroyllysine derivatives tested was as active as Nalpha-tetrahydropteroyl glutamate (tetrahydrofolate) as a substrate for E. coli thymidylate synthetase. However, there was a progressive increase in activity with the addition of each alpha-glutamyl residue, the Nepsilon-(penta-alpha-glutamyl)lysine being 88% as active as tetrahydrofolate. Nalpha-Tetrahydropteroyl-Nepsilon-(di-alpha-lysyl)lysine was the most active thymidylate synthetase substrate of the polylysine derivatives, being 67% as active as tetrahydrofolate. Addition or deletion of lysyl residues resulted in diminished activity. It is noteworthy that substrate activity is retained in spite of the positively charged poly(amino acid) side chain. None of the enzymatically prepared tetrahydrohomopteroyl derivatives tested was as active as Nalpha-tetrahydrohomopteroyl glutamate (tetrahydrohomofolate) as an inhibitor of E. coli thymidylate synthetase.", "contents": "Polyglutamyl and polylysyl derivatives of the lysine analogues of folic acid and homofolic acid. A series of Nepsilon-poly-alpha-glutamyl and Nepsilon-polylysyl derivatives of Nalpha-pteroyllysine and Nalpha-homopteroyllysine, analogues of the naturally occurring gamma-polyglutamyl forms of folate, was prepared and tested as substrates for dihydrofolate reductase and as substrates and inhibitors of thymidylate synthetase. Nalpha-Dihydropteroyl-Nepsilon-(tri-alpha-glutamyl)lysine was 1.8 times as active as Nalpha-dihydropteroyl glutamate (dihydrofolate) as a substrate for L1210 murine leukemia dihydrofolate reductase. N-alpha-Dihydropteroyl-Nepsilon-(di-alpha-lysyl)lysine was 1.2 times as active as dihydrofolate in spite of its strong positive charge. The most active compound tested, Nepsilon-(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)lysine, was 3.5 times as active as dihydrofolate. None of the enzymatically prepared Nalpha-tetrahydropteroyllysine derivatives tested was as active as Nalpha-tetrahydropteroyl glutamate (tetrahydrofolate) as a substrate for E. coli thymidylate synthetase. However, there was a progressive increase in activity with the addition of each alpha-glutamyl residue, the Nepsilon-(penta-alpha-glutamyl)lysine being 88% as active as tetrahydrofolate. Nalpha-Tetrahydropteroyl-Nepsilon-(di-alpha-lysyl)lysine was the most active thymidylate synthetase substrate of the polylysine derivatives, being 67% as active as tetrahydrofolate. Addition or deletion of lysyl residues resulted in diminished activity. It is noteworthy that substrate activity is retained in spite of the positively charged poly(amino acid) side chain. None of the enzymatically prepared tetrahydrohomopteroyl derivatives tested was as active as Nalpha-tetrahydrohomopteroyl glutamate (tetrahydrohomofolate) as an inhibitor of E. coli thymidylate synthetase.", "PMID": 794472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10129", "title": "Spinal dysraphism: genetic relation to neural tube malformations.", "content": "The families of 207 index patients treated for spinal dysraphism at The Hospital for Sick Children were studied to discover whether the condition was aetiologically related to the classical neural tube malformation--spina bifida cystica and anencephaly. The index patients had all had a tethered conus medullaris and one or more of a variety of anomalies of the spinal cord, vertebrae, or skin overlying the vertebral column. Of 364 sibs of index patients, 9 had an encephaly and 6 spina bifida cystica, a pro-proportion of 4.12%. This approximates to the proportion of sibs affected by neural tube malformations in the London region when the index patients themselves have spina bifida or anencephaly. It is, therefore, appropriate that the mothers of children with spinal dysraphism should be offered prenatal screening for neural tube malformations.", "contents": "Spinal dysraphism: genetic relation to neural tube malformations. The families of 207 index patients treated for spinal dysraphism at The Hospital for Sick Children were studied to discover whether the condition was aetiologically related to the classical neural tube malformation--spina bifida cystica and anencephaly. The index patients had all had a tethered conus medullaris and one or more of a variety of anomalies of the spinal cord, vertebrae, or skin overlying the vertebral column. Of 364 sibs of index patients, 9 had an encephaly and 6 spina bifida cystica, a pro-proportion of 4.12%. This approximates to the proportion of sibs affected by neural tube malformations in the London region when the index patients themselves have spina bifida or anencephaly. It is, therefore, appropriate that the mothers of children with spinal dysraphism should be offered prenatal screening for neural tube malformations.", "PMID": 794474} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10130", "title": "Acute respiratory, circulatory and pathological changes in the calf after intravenous injections of the galactan from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides.", "content": "Twenty of 28 calves, 10-12 weeks of age when given intravenous injections of the galactan from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, showed transient apnoea, increased pulmonary arterial and decreased systemic arterial blood pressures, and increased packed-cell volume. Necropsy revealed haemorrhages associated with alveolar ducts and vessel walls, areas of pulmonary oedema, usually associated with the haemorrhages, dilated airways and, in some, capillary thrombosis. Animals that had shown changes in blood pressure and respiration in response to a dose of galactan did not react to a second dose an hour later. One goat tested died, four lambs were mildly affected and a cat and several rats and guinea-pigs did not respond. It is suggested that the galactan released biogenic amines that produced the effects listed. Immunological mechanisms were discounted on the grounds that only a small amount of antigenic material was injected at the time the reaction occurred, and neither serological nor skin tests produced any evidence of prior sensitisation to the galactan or a similar substance. A relationship between reactivity to the galactan and susceptibility to the natural disease has been suggested. This, together with the pulmonary oedema found in galactan-treated calves and in natural lesions of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), and the possibility that contraction of blood vessels could be an initiating cause of thrombosis indicates the role that galactan may play in the pathogenesis of CBPP.", "contents": "Acute respiratory, circulatory and pathological changes in the calf after intravenous injections of the galactan from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides. Twenty of 28 calves, 10-12 weeks of age when given intravenous injections of the galactan from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, showed transient apnoea, increased pulmonary arterial and decreased systemic arterial blood pressures, and increased packed-cell volume. Necropsy revealed haemorrhages associated with alveolar ducts and vessel walls, areas of pulmonary oedema, usually associated with the haemorrhages, dilated airways and, in some, capillary thrombosis. Animals that had shown changes in blood pressure and respiration in response to a dose of galactan did not react to a second dose an hour later. One goat tested died, four lambs were mildly affected and a cat and several rats and guinea-pigs did not respond. It is suggested that the galactan released biogenic amines that produced the effects listed. Immunological mechanisms were discounted on the grounds that only a small amount of antigenic material was injected at the time the reaction occurred, and neither serological nor skin tests produced any evidence of prior sensitisation to the galactan or a similar substance. A relationship between reactivity to the galactan and susceptibility to the natural disease has been suggested. This, together with the pulmonary oedema found in galactan-treated calves and in natural lesions of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), and the possibility that contraction of blood vessels could be an initiating cause of thrombosis indicates the role that galactan may play in the pathogenesis of CBPP.", "PMID": 794475} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10131", "title": "Immunochemical investigations on lipopolysaccharides and acidic polysaccharides from serum-sensitive and serum-resistant strains of Escherichia coli isolated from urinary-tract infections.", "content": "Factors that may determine the variable resistance of urinary strains of Escherichia coli to the bactericidal activity of normal human serum have been analysed. No statistically significant difference was found in the amount of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that could be extracted from serum-sensitive and serum-resistant strains by either the phenol-water or warm-saline techniques. The ratio of LPS O-side-chain sugars to core sugars was not found to be significantly greater in serum-resistant than in serum-sensitive strains. A sugar resembling D-glycero-D-mannoheptose was found in LPS from some of the strains; in one case the sugar was shown to be associated with the O-side chain moiety. Lipopolysaccharides from all but two of the strains contained the E. coli R1 core structure. No consistent difference was observed between serum-sensitive and serum-resistant strains in either the amount of acidic polysaccharide extracted or its red-cell agglutination-inhibiting activity; nor was a clear relationship found between sensitivity to serum and sensitivity to R-specific bacteriophages. It is concluded that no one mechanism of serum resistance explains the response to serum of the E. coli strains examined in this study.", "contents": "Immunochemical investigations on lipopolysaccharides and acidic polysaccharides from serum-sensitive and serum-resistant strains of Escherichia coli isolated from urinary-tract infections. Factors that may determine the variable resistance of urinary strains of Escherichia coli to the bactericidal activity of normal human serum have been analysed. No statistically significant difference was found in the amount of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that could be extracted from serum-sensitive and serum-resistant strains by either the phenol-water or warm-saline techniques. The ratio of LPS O-side-chain sugars to core sugars was not found to be significantly greater in serum-resistant than in serum-sensitive strains. A sugar resembling D-glycero-D-mannoheptose was found in LPS from some of the strains; in one case the sugar was shown to be associated with the O-side chain moiety. Lipopolysaccharides from all but two of the strains contained the E. coli R1 core structure. No consistent difference was observed between serum-sensitive and serum-resistant strains in either the amount of acidic polysaccharide extracted or its red-cell agglutination-inhibiting activity; nor was a clear relationship found between sensitivity to serum and sensitivity to R-specific bacteriophages. It is concluded that no one mechanism of serum resistance explains the response to serum of the E. coli strains examined in this study.", "PMID": 794476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10132", "title": "Fimbriae and infectivity in Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "A genotypically non-fimbriate (Fim-) strain of Salmonella typhimurium and a genotypically fimbriate (Fim+) strain derived from it by spontaneous mutation were compared for pathogenicity in mice. The two strains caused similar numbers of infections and deaths in groups of mice challenged by intraperitoneal inoculation, and nearly similar numbers in groups challenged by inoculation on to the conjunctiva, but the Fim+ strain caused many more infections (plus 26%) and deaths (plus 40%) than the Fim- strain when the inoculation was by mouth. Faecal cultures were made at intervals up to 120 days in the mice surviving after oral or conjunctival challenge and S. typhimurium was isolated more commonly from the animals challenged with the Fim+ strain (906 isolations from 384 animals infected out of 877 challenged) than from those challenged with the Fim- strain (614 isolations from 341 animals infected out of 877 challenged). The greater opportunity for faecal dissemination enjoyed by Fim+ bacteria may account for the preponderance of Fim+ over Fim- strains of S. typhimurium found in mammalian sources.", "contents": "Fimbriae and infectivity in Salmonella typhimurium. A genotypically non-fimbriate (Fim-) strain of Salmonella typhimurium and a genotypically fimbriate (Fim+) strain derived from it by spontaneous mutation were compared for pathogenicity in mice. The two strains caused similar numbers of infections and deaths in groups of mice challenged by intraperitoneal inoculation, and nearly similar numbers in groups challenged by inoculation on to the conjunctiva, but the Fim+ strain caused many more infections (plus 26%) and deaths (plus 40%) than the Fim- strain when the inoculation was by mouth. Faecal cultures were made at intervals up to 120 days in the mice surviving after oral or conjunctival challenge and S. typhimurium was isolated more commonly from the animals challenged with the Fim+ strain (906 isolations from 384 animals infected out of 877 challenged) than from those challenged with the Fim- strain (614 isolations from 341 animals infected out of 877 challenged). The greater opportunity for faecal dissemination enjoyed by Fim+ bacteria may account for the preponderance of Fim+ over Fim- strains of S. typhimurium found in mammalian sources.", "PMID": 794477} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10133", "title": "Development of concentric zones in the Proteus swarm colony.", "content": "Two main mechanisms of concentric ring formation in cultures of Proteus species are described. One of these is the classically accepted method, wherein rings are produced as the advance of the swarm stops and recommences. In the other, the ring is produced as a fold inside the colony. These are considered to be extremes of a spectrum of growth types, the common feature being that rings are formed by piling-up of growth, and this process is not always directly correlated with morphological change in the individual bacteria, or with cessation of advance of the swarm. The validity of the presently accepted theories of ring formation and swarming in general are thus called into question.", "contents": "Development of concentric zones in the Proteus swarm colony. Two main mechanisms of concentric ring formation in cultures of Proteus species are described. One of these is the classically accepted method, wherein rings are produced as the advance of the swarm stops and recommences. In the other, the ring is produced as a fold inside the colony. These are considered to be extremes of a spectrum of growth types, the common feature being that rings are formed by piling-up of growth, and this process is not always directly correlated with morphological change in the individual bacteria, or with cessation of advance of the swarm. The validity of the presently accepted theories of ring formation and swarming in general are thus called into question.", "PMID": 794478} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10134", "title": "Carcinoembryonic antigen in histopathology: immunoperoxidase staining of conventional tissue sections.", "content": "A triple-bridge, indirect peroxidase-antiperoxidase method for demonstrating carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in frozen, ethanol-fixed or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens was evaluated. Examination of 359 tissue specimens--234 malignant tumors, 37 benign neoplasms, 41 nonneoplastic diseased tissues, and 47 normal specimens--showed that CEA could usually be demonstrated in a group of cancers. We could detect CEA in carcinomas of the stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, and cervix. However, malignant tumors of the breast, prostate, kidney, larynx, brain, lymphoreticular system, soft tissues, and skin proved negative for CEA by the immunoperoxidase test. CEA could be detected in ethanol- or formalin-fixed sections. The only nonmalignant specimens showing CEA staining were a few benign tumors, the mucosae of some cases of colitis, and the resection margins of 2 cases of colon cancer; however, these were commonly very weak reactions. Measurement of tumor CEA content by radioimmunoassay revealed two causes for this relative specificity of the immunoperoxidase test for CEA:1) a quantitative difference existed in tissue CEA among the various specimens, and 2) the threshold for CEA staining in malignant specimens was usually above that in nonmalignant specimens. An analysis of the formalin-paraffin-treated sections showed that immunoperoxidase-tested CEA positivity reflected CEA levels in tissue of at least 3.0-5.0 mug/g; this permitted retrospective estimates of minimal tissue CEA concentrations in older histopathologic specimens by the immunoperoxidase reaction method. Formalin-paraffin-treated sections as old as 10 years still had demonstrable CEA. Although tumor CEA concentration correlated well with immunoperoxidase staining for CEA, plasma CEA titer did not necessarily reflect tumor CEA content. CEA positivity in primary and secondary tumors was strongly correlated; it was less strongly correlated with level of tumor differentiation.", "contents": "Carcinoembryonic antigen in histopathology: immunoperoxidase staining of conventional tissue sections. A triple-bridge, indirect peroxidase-antiperoxidase method for demonstrating carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in frozen, ethanol-fixed or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens was evaluated. Examination of 359 tissue specimens--234 malignant tumors, 37 benign neoplasms, 41 nonneoplastic diseased tissues, and 47 normal specimens--showed that CEA could usually be demonstrated in a group of cancers. We could detect CEA in carcinomas of the stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, and cervix. However, malignant tumors of the breast, prostate, kidney, larynx, brain, lymphoreticular system, soft tissues, and skin proved negative for CEA by the immunoperoxidase test. CEA could be detected in ethanol- or formalin-fixed sections. The only nonmalignant specimens showing CEA staining were a few benign tumors, the mucosae of some cases of colitis, and the resection margins of 2 cases of colon cancer; however, these were commonly very weak reactions. Measurement of tumor CEA content by radioimmunoassay revealed two causes for this relative specificity of the immunoperoxidase test for CEA:1) a quantitative difference existed in tissue CEA among the various specimens, and 2) the threshold for CEA staining in malignant specimens was usually above that in nonmalignant specimens. An analysis of the formalin-paraffin-treated sections showed that immunoperoxidase-tested CEA positivity reflected CEA levels in tissue of at least 3.0-5.0 mug/g; this permitted retrospective estimates of minimal tissue CEA concentrations in older histopathologic specimens by the immunoperoxidase reaction method. Formalin-paraffin-treated sections as old as 10 years still had demonstrable CEA. Although tumor CEA concentration correlated well with immunoperoxidase staining for CEA, plasma CEA titer did not necessarily reflect tumor CEA content. CEA positivity in primary and secondary tumors was strongly correlated; it was less strongly correlated with level of tumor differentiation.", "PMID": 794493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10135", "title": "Immunologic methods for the identification of cell types. I. Specific antibodies that distinguish between mammary gland epithelial cells and fibroblasts.", "content": "Antibodies were produced against intact mouse mammary epithelial cells and cleared fat pad fibroblasts; after appropriate absorption, two specific antibody preparations were obtained. The antimammary epithelial cell preparation did not appear to be strain- or species-specific. The antimammary fibroblast preparation recognized both mammary and fetal fibroblasts. These findings suggested that each cell type possessed distinct immunogenic components. These components were characteristic of each cell type and could be used to identify the respective cells by an immunofluorescence technique. Characterization of the antigenic component of mouse mammary epithelial cells demonstrated that this antigen was released during enzymatic cell dissociation and was regenerated underin vitro culture.", "contents": "Immunologic methods for the identification of cell types. I. Specific antibodies that distinguish between mammary gland epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Antibodies were produced against intact mouse mammary epithelial cells and cleared fat pad fibroblasts; after appropriate absorption, two specific antibody preparations were obtained. The antimammary epithelial cell preparation did not appear to be strain- or species-specific. The antimammary fibroblast preparation recognized both mammary and fetal fibroblasts. These findings suggested that each cell type possessed distinct immunogenic components. These components were characteristic of each cell type and could be used to identify the respective cells by an immunofluorescence technique. Characterization of the antigenic component of mouse mammary epithelial cells demonstrated that this antigen was released during enzymatic cell dissociation and was regenerated underin vitro culture.", "PMID": 794494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10136", "title": "Active immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy in two mouse lymphoma models.", "content": "Injections of appropriate numbers of irradiated tumor cells produced antibodies against tumor cell-surface antigen(s) in both syngeneic tumor models studied: the early transplant generations of the spontaneous L2 lymphoma in AKR/J mice and the chemically induced EL 4 lymphoma in C57BL/6J mice. No antibody was detected in normal or nonimmunized tumor-bearing mice. Tumor inhibitory or enhancing activity was not demonstrated by these antibodies. Immunoprophylaxis or cell-mediated immunity against the L2 lymphoma was not observed after injections of irradiated L2 cells and/or BCG into AKR mice. However, injections of irradiated EL 4 cells alone were effective in immunoprophylaxis against as many as 10(6) EL 4 cells and in immunotherapy against 10(2) EL 4 cells per mouse. The addition of BCG injections made immunotherapy with irradiated EL 4 cells effective against a load of 10(4) EL 4 cells/mouse, though BCG alone was not effective for immunoprophylaxis against EL 4 cells. Resistance to EL 4 could be transferred with viable syngeneic peritoneal or nucleated spleen cells. In both tumor models, an ongoing delayed hypersensitivity reaction to BCG alone apparently did not inhibit bystander tumor cells even when tumor cells were mixed before inoculation with viable BCG. In neither tumor model were concanavalin A-coated tumor cells more potent for immunoprophylaxis than were irradiated tumor cells alone.", "contents": "Active immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy in two mouse lymphoma models. Injections of appropriate numbers of irradiated tumor cells produced antibodies against tumor cell-surface antigen(s) in both syngeneic tumor models studied: the early transplant generations of the spontaneous L2 lymphoma in AKR/J mice and the chemically induced EL 4 lymphoma in C57BL/6J mice. No antibody was detected in normal or nonimmunized tumor-bearing mice. Tumor inhibitory or enhancing activity was not demonstrated by these antibodies. Immunoprophylaxis or cell-mediated immunity against the L2 lymphoma was not observed after injections of irradiated L2 cells and/or BCG into AKR mice. However, injections of irradiated EL 4 cells alone were effective in immunoprophylaxis against as many as 10(6) EL 4 cells and in immunotherapy against 10(2) EL 4 cells per mouse. The addition of BCG injections made immunotherapy with irradiated EL 4 cells effective against a load of 10(4) EL 4 cells/mouse, though BCG alone was not effective for immunoprophylaxis against EL 4 cells. Resistance to EL 4 could be transferred with viable syngeneic peritoneal or nucleated spleen cells. In both tumor models, an ongoing delayed hypersensitivity reaction to BCG alone apparently did not inhibit bystander tumor cells even when tumor cells were mixed before inoculation with viable BCG. In neither tumor model were concanavalin A-coated tumor cells more potent for immunoprophylaxis than were irradiated tumor cells alone.", "PMID": 794497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10137", "title": "Invasion and metastasis of a xenogeneic tumor in nude mice.", "content": "When aliquots of a malignant hamster tumor were transplanted to nude mice and to hamsters, the tumor showed 1) more rapid growth in the hamster, 2) local invasion and metastasis in both species, and 3) occasional spontaneous regression in the nude mouse.", "contents": "Invasion and metastasis of a xenogeneic tumor in nude mice. When aliquots of a malignant hamster tumor were transplanted to nude mice and to hamsters, the tumor showed 1) more rapid growth in the hamster, 2) local invasion and metastasis in both species, and 3) occasional spontaneous regression in the nude mouse.", "PMID": 794498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10138", "title": "Vascularization induced in the cheek pouch of the Syrian hamster by tumor and nontumor substances.", "content": "We tested fresh amelanotic and dry amelanotic melanoma tissue, gelatin, embryo and adult connective tissue, fresh and dry liver, fibrinogen, fibrin, pouch membrane, starch, dry hamster embryo and placental tissue, and glycogen in the transparent cheek pouch chamber of the Syrian hamster to explore the specificity of tumor angiogenesis and the mechanism that may selectively inhibit proliferation of blood vessels in the pouch membrane. Differences between the proliferations induced by tumor and normal tissues, various proteins, and polysaccharides were qualitative as well as quantitative. The glucocorticoid 6 alpha-methylprednisolone (MPS) decreased and sometimes totally inhibited the vascularization phenomenon. Dry tumor tissue induced capillary proliferation in seven of eight chambers 3 days after surgery; two of seven chambers of MPS-treated animals showed a reaction 10 days after the operation. MPS suppressed (in some cases only partially) capillary proliferation in chambers with implants of adult connective tissue, fresh liver, starch, or glycogen.", "contents": "Vascularization induced in the cheek pouch of the Syrian hamster by tumor and nontumor substances. We tested fresh amelanotic and dry amelanotic melanoma tissue, gelatin, embryo and adult connective tissue, fresh and dry liver, fibrinogen, fibrin, pouch membrane, starch, dry hamster embryo and placental tissue, and glycogen in the transparent cheek pouch chamber of the Syrian hamster to explore the specificity of tumor angiogenesis and the mechanism that may selectively inhibit proliferation of blood vessels in the pouch membrane. Differences between the proliferations induced by tumor and normal tissues, various proteins, and polysaccharides were qualitative as well as quantitative. The glucocorticoid 6 alpha-methylprednisolone (MPS) decreased and sometimes totally inhibited the vascularization phenomenon. Dry tumor tissue induced capillary proliferation in seven of eight chambers 3 days after surgery; two of seven chambers of MPS-treated animals showed a reaction 10 days after the operation. MPS suppressed (in some cases only partially) capillary proliferation in chambers with implants of adult connective tissue, fresh liver, starch, or glycogen.", "PMID": 794499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10139", "title": "Tumor-associated macrophages as the primary source of lysozyme in the urine of mice bearing GPC-11, a transplantable reticulum cell sarcoma.", "content": "Large amounts of lysozyme accumulated in the serum and urine of (NZB X BALB/c)F1 mice with GPC-11, a transplantable reticulum cell sarcoma, type A. We separated GPC-11 cell suspensions on 20% Ludox HS gradients. (HS is one of the nine general grades of Ludox offered by du Pont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Del.) We did morphologic, functional, and biochemical experiments to detect oncogenic and enzymatic activity in each fraction. Oncogenic cells did not produce lysozyme. In contrast, macrophages associated with the solid tumor did produce lysozyme. The lysozyme purified from the GPC-11-associated macrophages resembled in size, electrophoretic mobility, and antigenicity the lysozyme purified from the urine of mice with the GPC-11 tumor.", "contents": "Tumor-associated macrophages as the primary source of lysozyme in the urine of mice bearing GPC-11, a transplantable reticulum cell sarcoma. Large amounts of lysozyme accumulated in the serum and urine of (NZB X BALB/c)F1 mice with GPC-11, a transplantable reticulum cell sarcoma, type A. We separated GPC-11 cell suspensions on 20% Ludox HS gradients. (HS is one of the nine general grades of Ludox offered by du Pont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Del.) We did morphologic, functional, and biochemical experiments to detect oncogenic and enzymatic activity in each fraction. Oncogenic cells did not produce lysozyme. In contrast, macrophages associated with the solid tumor did produce lysozyme. The lysozyme purified from the GPC-11-associated macrophages resembled in size, electrophoretic mobility, and antigenicity the lysozyme purified from the urine of mice with the GPC-11 tumor.", "PMID": 794500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10140", "title": "Mutagenic activity of tryptophan metabolites produced by rat intestinal microflora.", "content": "The catabolism of tryptophan by rat intestinal microflora was studied for the production of mutagenic metabolites that might be involved in the etiology of colon cancer. Various tryptophan metabolites were assayed for mutagenic and comutagenic activity in the Ames bacterial test system. These included metabolites that were identified by thin-layer chromatography in cultures of rat fecal bacteria, other compounds structurally related to tryptophan, whole unfractionated mixed fecal bacteria culture filtrates, and concentrated solvent extracts. A total of 27 materials were tested with 5 Salmonella strains in the mutagenesis assay. Most substances were inactive, and only one compound, o-aminoacetophenone, which was unlikely to be produced in the intestine, showed weak comutagenic activity. Our results did not support the hypothesis that tryptophan metabolites produced by intestinal microflora are major etiologic factors in cancer of the colon.", "contents": "Mutagenic activity of tryptophan metabolites produced by rat intestinal microflora. The catabolism of tryptophan by rat intestinal microflora was studied for the production of mutagenic metabolites that might be involved in the etiology of colon cancer. Various tryptophan metabolites were assayed for mutagenic and comutagenic activity in the Ames bacterial test system. These included metabolites that were identified by thin-layer chromatography in cultures of rat fecal bacteria, other compounds structurally related to tryptophan, whole unfractionated mixed fecal bacteria culture filtrates, and concentrated solvent extracts. A total of 27 materials were tested with 5 Salmonella strains in the mutagenesis assay. Most substances were inactive, and only one compound, o-aminoacetophenone, which was unlikely to be produced in the intestine, showed weak comutagenic activity. Our results did not support the hypothesis that tryptophan metabolites produced by intestinal microflora are major etiologic factors in cancer of the colon.", "PMID": 794501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10141", "title": "Mantel-Haenszel analysis of Oxford data. II. Independent effects of fetal irradiation subfactors.", "content": "A Mantel-Haenszel analysis of fetal irradiation subfactors indicated that most of the \"extra\" X-rayed cases in the Oxford Survey of Childhood Cancers were radiation induced. First trimester exposures were rare but probably ten times more dangerous than later exposures. Ratios of observed: expected numbers of cancer deaths were lower for children with abnormal X-rays than for other X-rayed children, and lower for recent than remote exposures. The first of these differences was probably due to several antenatal conditions having positive associations with obstetric radiography and several causes of early (noncancer) deaths; the second one was probably due to a progressive lowering of film doses between 1940 and the present time. A rare cause of fetal irradiation (hydramnios), whose associations with congenital defects are well documented, led to the discovery that two faults in the International Classification of Diseases and Causes of Death have contributed to mistaken ideas about the etiology of childhood cancers: Neoplasms were not listed among the official causes of stillbirths, and cystic tumors of the kidneys and lungs of infants were not listed as neoplasms.", "contents": "Mantel-Haenszel analysis of Oxford data. II. Independent effects of fetal irradiation subfactors. A Mantel-Haenszel analysis of fetal irradiation subfactors indicated that most of the \"extra\" X-rayed cases in the Oxford Survey of Childhood Cancers were radiation induced. First trimester exposures were rare but probably ten times more dangerous than later exposures. Ratios of observed: expected numbers of cancer deaths were lower for children with abnormal X-rays than for other X-rayed children, and lower for recent than remote exposures. The first of these differences was probably due to several antenatal conditions having positive associations with obstetric radiography and several causes of early (noncancer) deaths; the second one was probably due to a progressive lowering of film doses between 1940 and the present time. A rare cause of fetal irradiation (hydramnios), whose associations with congenital defects are well documented, led to the discovery that two faults in the International Classification of Diseases and Causes of Death have contributed to mistaken ideas about the etiology of childhood cancers: Neoplasms were not listed among the official causes of stillbirths, and cystic tumors of the kidneys and lungs of infants were not listed as neoplasms.", "PMID": 794502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10142", "title": "Effect of antibiotics on mice treated with cyclophosphamide.", "content": "The toxicity and therapeutic index of cyclophosphamide (CP) in NIH Wwiss and (C57BL X DBA)F mice were affected by the addition of different antibiotics to the drinking water. Penicillin G or Vancomycin increased the rat and number of deaths that followed parenteral treatment with CP; however, penicillin or Vancomycin alone produced no deaths. Both penicillin and Vancomycin changed the normal composition of the gastrointestinal bacteria, thus increasing the antibiotic-resistant coliform bacteria. Neomycin or gentamycin, with or without penicillin or Vancomycin, reduced the number of deaths that followed parenteral treatment with doses of CP lethal to 35% of the animals (LD35). Neomycin and gentamycin reduced the number of coliform bacteria recoverable from the gastrointestinal tract. The doses of CP against L1210 murine leukemia. The combination of CP (LD35) with the aminoglycosides produced several long-term survivors, apparently because larger doses of CP can be used with few drug-related deaths.", "contents": "Effect of antibiotics on mice treated with cyclophosphamide. The toxicity and therapeutic index of cyclophosphamide (CP) in NIH Wwiss and (C57BL X DBA)F mice were affected by the addition of different antibiotics to the drinking water. Penicillin G or Vancomycin increased the rat and number of deaths that followed parenteral treatment with CP; however, penicillin or Vancomycin alone produced no deaths. Both penicillin and Vancomycin changed the normal composition of the gastrointestinal bacteria, thus increasing the antibiotic-resistant coliform bacteria. Neomycin or gentamycin, with or without penicillin or Vancomycin, reduced the number of deaths that followed parenteral treatment with doses of CP lethal to 35% of the animals (LD35). Neomycin and gentamycin reduced the number of coliform bacteria recoverable from the gastrointestinal tract. The doses of CP against L1210 murine leukemia. The combination of CP (LD35) with the aminoglycosides produced several long-term survivors, apparently because larger doses of CP can be used with few drug-related deaths.", "PMID": 794504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10143", "title": "Relationship between intradermal tumor suppression and tumor immunity.", "content": "Intradermal (id) injection of three tumor-immune stimulant mixtures (LSTRA-BCG, 13762A-BCG, CaD2-Corynebacterium parvum) was superior to the sc site for suppression of tumor growth: Suppression of LSTRA-BCG mixtures was even less efficient after an ip or iv injectiouppression at all four sites. In the LSTRA-BCG model, the id site was not uniquely favorable for either the afferent or efferent limb of the immune response; the other sites produced equally effectiveimmunization or rejection of tumor challenge. We concluded that local suppression of tumor cell-immune stimulant mixtures was frequently more effective in the skin than at other sites, that local tumor suppression did not depend primarily on tumor immunity, and that afferent and efferent tumor immunity were equally efficient by the four routes tested.", "contents": "Relationship between intradermal tumor suppression and tumor immunity. Intradermal (id) injection of three tumor-immune stimulant mixtures (LSTRA-BCG, 13762A-BCG, CaD2-Corynebacterium parvum) was superior to the sc site for suppression of tumor growth: Suppression of LSTRA-BCG mixtures was even less efficient after an ip or iv injectiouppression at all four sites. In the LSTRA-BCG model, the id site was not uniquely favorable for either the afferent or efferent limb of the immune response; the other sites produced equally effectiveimmunization or rejection of tumor challenge. We concluded that local suppression of tumor cell-immune stimulant mixtures was frequently more effective in the skin than at other sites, that local tumor suppression did not depend primarily on tumor immunity, and that afferent and efferent tumor immunity were equally efficient by the four routes tested.", "PMID": 794505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10144", "title": "Casein and 3-methylcholanthrene carcinogenesis in inbred C57BL/6Os female mice.", "content": "Groups of inbred C57BL/6Os female mice were subjected to one of the following -reatments: 1) subamyloidogenic administration of sodium caseinate (C group); 2) four intragastric intubations of 0.25 mg 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) (MCA group); 3) a sodium caseinate injection followed by MCA (C-MCA group); or 4) MCA followed by a soidum caseinate injection (MCA-C group). During their life-spans, mice of the C group developed a significantly high incidence of neoplasms, especially histiocytic lymphomas, No myelogenous leukemia was observed in the C group, but it was seen in the MCA, C-MCA, and MCA-C groups. The occurrence rate of other neoplasms was significantly high in the C, MCA, and MCA-C groups, but it was not significantly high in the C-MCA group compared with the untreated group. Results suggested that sodium caseinate treatment shifts target organs in MCA carcinogenesis. In all treated groups, amyloidosis of a secondary type was observed at a significantly high rate in the following order of severity by treatment group: MCA, MCA-C, C-MCA, and C groups, MCA was obviously amyloidogenic with or without sodium caseinate adjuvant treatment; although the sodium caseinate treatment was subamyloidogenic, it elicited neoplasms, including neoplasms of lymphoreticular tissue.", "contents": "Casein and 3-methylcholanthrene carcinogenesis in inbred C57BL/6Os female mice. Groups of inbred C57BL/6Os female mice were subjected to one of the following -reatments: 1) subamyloidogenic administration of sodium caseinate (C group); 2) four intragastric intubations of 0.25 mg 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) (MCA group); 3) a sodium caseinate injection followed by MCA (C-MCA group); or 4) MCA followed by a soidum caseinate injection (MCA-C group). During their life-spans, mice of the C group developed a significantly high incidence of neoplasms, especially histiocytic lymphomas, No myelogenous leukemia was observed in the C group, but it was seen in the MCA, C-MCA, and MCA-C groups. The occurrence rate of other neoplasms was significantly high in the C, MCA, and MCA-C groups, but it was not significantly high in the C-MCA group compared with the untreated group. Results suggested that sodium caseinate treatment shifts target organs in MCA carcinogenesis. In all treated groups, amyloidosis of a secondary type was observed at a significantly high rate in the following order of severity by treatment group: MCA, MCA-C, C-MCA, and C groups, MCA was obviously amyloidogenic with or without sodium caseinate adjuvant treatment; although the sodium caseinate treatment was subamyloidogenic, it elicited neoplasms, including neoplasms of lymphoreticular tissue.", "PMID": 794506} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10145", "title": "Marlex mesh in gas gangrene.", "content": "Clostridial gas gangrene is a well recognized complication of traumatic and surgical wounds, and is associated with an overall mortality rate of 25% (5, 22). Gas gangrene of a limb results in a mortality rate approximately half that of gas gangrene of the trunk (4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 24). Radical debridement and antibiotic therapy or high amputation of involved limbs are accepted traditional approaches to the problem. The role and value of hyperbaric oxygenation (OHP) remains controversial despite intense study over the past few decades. Patients with gas gangrene involving all layers of the abdominal wall as well as an extremity pose major resuscitative, operative, supportive, and rehabilitative problems. A report is presented of two such patients with comments on the therapeutic modalities employed.", "contents": "Marlex mesh in gas gangrene. Clostridial gas gangrene is a well recognized complication of traumatic and surgical wounds, and is associated with an overall mortality rate of 25% (5, 22). Gas gangrene of a limb results in a mortality rate approximately half that of gas gangrene of the trunk (4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 24). Radical debridement and antibiotic therapy or high amputation of involved limbs are accepted traditional approaches to the problem. The role and value of hyperbaric oxygenation (OHP) remains controversial despite intense study over the past few decades. Patients with gas gangrene involving all layers of the abdominal wall as well as an extremity pose major resuscitative, operative, supportive, and rehabilitative problems. A report is presented of two such patients with comments on the therapeutic modalities employed.", "PMID": 794509} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10146", "title": "Effects of indomethacin and nicotinic acid on E. coli endotoxin shock in anesthetized dogs.", "content": "The effects of single and multiple doses of indomethacin and multiple doses of nicotinic acid upon Escherichia coli endotoxin shock were studied in mongrel dogs anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Survival, cardiac output, plasma volume loss, and mean arterial pressure were measured. Untreated animals did not survive the procedure; animals treated with either multiple doses of indomethacin or nicotinic acid did survive for 5 hours after endotoxin. Plasma volume losses of indomethacin and nicotinic acid treated animals were substantially less (p less than 0.05) than in untreated animals. Arterialpressures of indomethacin-treated animals were greater than that of either nicotinic acid treated or untreated animals. No differences in cardiac output were noted in surviving animals.", "contents": "Effects of indomethacin and nicotinic acid on E. coli endotoxin shock in anesthetized dogs. The effects of single and multiple doses of indomethacin and multiple doses of nicotinic acid upon Escherichia coli endotoxin shock were studied in mongrel dogs anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Survival, cardiac output, plasma volume loss, and mean arterial pressure were measured. Untreated animals did not survive the procedure; animals treated with either multiple doses of indomethacin or nicotinic acid did survive for 5 hours after endotoxin. Plasma volume losses of indomethacin and nicotinic acid treated animals were substantially less (p less than 0.05) than in untreated animals. Arterialpressures of indomethacin-treated animals were greater than that of either nicotinic acid treated or untreated animals. No differences in cardiac output were noted in surviving animals.", "PMID": 794510} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10147", "title": "The coverage of vascular repairs by muscle transposition.", "content": "The coverage of exposed arteries, repaired by suture or grafting, may present difficulties. The currently accepted methods have been reviewed, and the use of transposed muscle is suggested as a possible alternative method. Success is partly governed by adhering to important principles. An illustrative case report is presented.", "contents": "The coverage of vascular repairs by muscle transposition. The coverage of exposed arteries, repaired by suture or grafting, may present difficulties. The currently accepted methods have been reviewed, and the use of transposed muscle is suggested as a possible alternative method. Success is partly governed by adhering to important principles. An illustrative case report is presented.", "PMID": 794511} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10148", "title": "Clinical and laboratory presentation of malaria: an analysis of one thousand subjects with malaria parasitaemia.", "content": "In the context of this study the ethnic origin of the patients revealed no noteworthy difference in the clinical reaction to the parasite; neither did age or sex of the patients. Any minor differences whcih appeared in length of history before seeking treatment and frequency of repeat attacks were more a reflection of the cultural pattern of response to illness (i.e. resort to traditional medicines) and the distance between the patient's home and the doctor rather than any altered response on the part of the host to the parasite. However, the fact that about 35 per cent of all the episodes had a history of eight or more days (about 10 per cent more than 30 days) suggest that more \"malaria consciousness\" is called for in what is after all an endemic malaria area. The value (and necessity) of repeated examination of the blood to detect the parasite is confirmed but it is also encouraging to note that in 84% of cases a single careful examination of the blood revealed the parasite. Since in 49% of our malaria episodes the patient was afebrile when the parasite was discovered, it is obvious that in outpatient practice especially blood should be examined when the patient presents for treatment, irrespective of the presence or absence of pyrexia. As always, a prerequisite to the diagnosis of malaria is an awareness of its possible presence.", "contents": "Clinical and laboratory presentation of malaria: an analysis of one thousand subjects with malaria parasitaemia. In the context of this study the ethnic origin of the patients revealed no noteworthy difference in the clinical reaction to the parasite; neither did age or sex of the patients. Any minor differences whcih appeared in length of history before seeking treatment and frequency of repeat attacks were more a reflection of the cultural pattern of response to illness (i.e. resort to traditional medicines) and the distance between the patient's home and the doctor rather than any altered response on the part of the host to the parasite. However, the fact that about 35 per cent of all the episodes had a history of eight or more days (about 10 per cent more than 30 days) suggest that more \"malaria consciousness\" is called for in what is after all an endemic malaria area. The value (and necessity) of repeated examination of the blood to detect the parasite is confirmed but it is also encouraging to note that in 84% of cases a single careful examination of the blood revealed the parasite. Since in 49% of our malaria episodes the patient was afebrile when the parasite was discovered, it is obvious that in outpatient practice especially blood should be examined when the patient presents for treatment, irrespective of the presence or absence of pyrexia. As always, a prerequisite to the diagnosis of malaria is an awareness of its possible presence.", "PMID": 794512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10149", "title": "Jaundice and hepatomegaly in primary malaria.", "content": "The hepatic manifestations were studied in 65 patients having uncomplicated primary attacks of vivax and falciparum malaria. Hepatomegaly due to a \"non-specific reactive hepatitis\" occurred in 57% of cases. Jaundice occurred in 15% of patients and was invariably associated with hepatomegaly. The clinical syndromes of jaundice and hepatomegaly in uncomplicated primary attacks of malaria have to be distinguished from those related to disorders like viral hepatitis, hepatic amoebiasis, typhoid hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis and Q fever. The causes for the jaundice and the pathogenesis for the hepatic lesions have been discussed.", "contents": "Jaundice and hepatomegaly in primary malaria. The hepatic manifestations were studied in 65 patients having uncomplicated primary attacks of vivax and falciparum malaria. Hepatomegaly due to a \"non-specific reactive hepatitis\" occurred in 57% of cases. Jaundice occurred in 15% of patients and was invariably associated with hepatomegaly. The clinical syndromes of jaundice and hepatomegaly in uncomplicated primary attacks of malaria have to be distinguished from those related to disorders like viral hepatitis, hepatic amoebiasis, typhoid hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis and Q fever. The causes for the jaundice and the pathogenesis for the hepatic lesions have been discussed.", "PMID": 794514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10150", "title": "Renal transplantation in patients with posterior urethral valves.", "content": "Abnormalities of the lower urinary tract are relative contraindications for kidney transplantation that have been overcome by corrective operations or construction of conduits. In our 2 patients with posterior urethral valves and defunctionalized lower urinary tracts kidney transplantation with ureteroneocystostomy and later resection of the valves resulted in satisfactory bladder function and normal voiding patterns. Therefore, urinary diversion was completely avoided.", "contents": "Renal transplantation in patients with posterior urethral valves. Abnormalities of the lower urinary tract are relative contraindications for kidney transplantation that have been overcome by corrective operations or construction of conduits. In our 2 patients with posterior urethral valves and defunctionalized lower urinary tracts kidney transplantation with ureteroneocystostomy and later resection of the valves resulted in satisfactory bladder function and normal voiding patterns. Therefore, urinary diversion was completely avoided.", "PMID": 794519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10151", "title": "[Renal autotransplantation or iliac transposition of the kidney after section of its vascular pedicle. Apropos of 2 personal cases. Review of 100 published cases].", "content": "Two cases of auto-transplantation of the kidney are presented. The first was carried out without prior planning during a ureterolysis procedure for retro-peritoneal fibrosis with a single kidney, by virtue of per-operative thrombosis of the renal artery. The second was used in the treatment of hypertension due to bilateral atheromatous renal artery stenosis with a lesion at the main bifurcation of the artery. In both these cases in which the surgical indication was related to the artery, the ureter was left intact. After 2 and 1 years respectively, the results are good. The important points of operative technique and tactics are emphasised. The order of the technique is important. It resembles that of homo-transplantation but in this case section and reimplantation of the ureter may be avoided. Preservation of the disconnected kidney is ensured by refrigeration with intra-arterial perfusion. Even if only for a short time, it consistently avoids the development of ischaemic tubulopathy. Ex-sito surgery, studied here in detail, is used in dealing with intra-hilar arterial lesions, tumours of both kidneys or a single remaining kidney, complicated cases of lithiasis etc. The results of the 100 known cases of renal auto-transplantation are analysed. They are good in 84 cases. The indications are discussed with regard to the different types of arterial, ureteral, neoplastic, traumatic and miscellaneous lesion.", "contents": "[Renal autotransplantation or iliac transposition of the kidney after section of its vascular pedicle. Apropos of 2 personal cases. Review of 100 published cases]. Two cases of auto-transplantation of the kidney are presented. The first was carried out without prior planning during a ureterolysis procedure for retro-peritoneal fibrosis with a single kidney, by virtue of per-operative thrombosis of the renal artery. The second was used in the treatment of hypertension due to bilateral atheromatous renal artery stenosis with a lesion at the main bifurcation of the artery. In both these cases in which the surgical indication was related to the artery, the ureter was left intact. After 2 and 1 years respectively, the results are good. The important points of operative technique and tactics are emphasised. The order of the technique is important. It resembles that of homo-transplantation but in this case section and reimplantation of the ureter may be avoided. Preservation of the disconnected kidney is ensured by refrigeration with intra-arterial perfusion. Even if only for a short time, it consistently avoids the development of ischaemic tubulopathy. Ex-sito surgery, studied here in detail, is used in dealing with intra-hilar arterial lesions, tumours of both kidneys or a single remaining kidney, complicated cases of lithiasis etc. The results of the 100 known cases of renal auto-transplantation are analysed. They are good in 84 cases. The indications are discussed with regard to the different types of arterial, ureteral, neoplastic, traumatic and miscellaneous lesion.", "PMID": 794516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10152", "title": "Use of prophylactic antibiotics in urethral instrumentation.", "content": "A prospective study of 210 patients undergoing urethral instrumentation is presented. The patients were divided into 2 groups, receiving either amoxicillin or cephalexin. The postoperative incidence of infection and complications was compared to a control group of 110 patients receiving no antibacterial agent. Routine prophylactic antibiotics are recommended for patients undergoing urethral instrumentation. If the urine is infected at the time of instrumentation antibiotic therapy should be used according to the sensitivity studies.", "contents": "Use of prophylactic antibiotics in urethral instrumentation. A prospective study of 210 patients undergoing urethral instrumentation is presented. The patients were divided into 2 groups, receiving either amoxicillin or cephalexin. The postoperative incidence of infection and complications was compared to a control group of 110 patients receiving no antibacterial agent. Routine prophylactic antibiotics are recommended for patients undergoing urethral instrumentation. If the urine is infected at the time of instrumentation antibiotic therapy should be used according to the sensitivity studies.", "PMID": 794520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10153", "title": "[An accident related to a seat belt. Lymphocoele and extrinsic stenosis of the ureter in a transplant patient. Reparative surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "Trauma to a graft by a seat belt in a young adult, 18 months after transplantation. Drainage shortly after of a voluminous perirenal haematoma, abundant discharge of lymphorrhoea taking two months to resolve. Good recovery of the graft from both a radiological as well as biological standpoint. 4 years after the trauma, leucocytes in the urine associated with impairment of function of the graft. Discovery of a large hydronephrosis related to retro-peritoneal fibrosis. Ureterolysis with resection of the affected part of the ureter followed by anastomosis. Return to normal of renal function with disappearance of the hydronephrosis. Lymphocoele, a rare complication of renal transplantation, is discussed from three viewpoints: aetiopathology, diagnosis and treatment.", "contents": "[An accident related to a seat belt. Lymphocoele and extrinsic stenosis of the ureter in a transplant patient. Reparative surgery (author's transl)]. Trauma to a graft by a seat belt in a young adult, 18 months after transplantation. Drainage shortly after of a voluminous perirenal haematoma, abundant discharge of lymphorrhoea taking two months to resolve. Good recovery of the graft from both a radiological as well as biological standpoint. 4 years after the trauma, leucocytes in the urine associated with impairment of function of the graft. Discovery of a large hydronephrosis related to retro-peritoneal fibrosis. Ureterolysis with resection of the affected part of the ureter followed by anastomosis. Return to normal of renal function with disappearance of the hydronephrosis. Lymphocoele, a rare complication of renal transplantation, is discussed from three viewpoints: aetiopathology, diagnosis and treatment.", "PMID": 794517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10154", "title": "Cloacal exstrophy: 18-year survival of untreated case.", "content": "A patient is described who was 18 years old and attending high school when initially treated for cloacal exstrophy. The history, embryology and treatment of cloacal exstrophy are discussed, emphasizing that this congenital anomaly is compatible with a useful and happy life.", "contents": "Cloacal exstrophy: 18-year survival of untreated case. A patient is described who was 18 years old and attending high school when initially treated for cloacal exstrophy. The history, embryology and treatment of cloacal exstrophy are discussed, emphasizing that this congenital anomaly is compatible with a useful and happy life.", "PMID": 794521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10155", "title": "Malacoplakia of the prostate in an immunosuppressed patient.", "content": "Malacoplakia predominantly affects the bladder but occasionally involves other sites. The third case of malacoplakia of the prostate, occurring in a renal transplant patient who was receiving prednisone for immunosuppression, is reported. Modification of phagocytosis and the normal inflammatory response to bacterial infection by the steroid may have been of major importance in the genesis of malacoplakia.", "contents": "Malacoplakia of the prostate in an immunosuppressed patient. Malacoplakia predominantly affects the bladder but occasionally involves other sites. The third case of malacoplakia of the prostate, occurring in a renal transplant patient who was receiving prednisone for immunosuppression, is reported. Modification of phagocytosis and the normal inflammatory response to bacterial infection by the steroid may have been of major importance in the genesis of malacoplakia.", "PMID": 794522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10156", "title": "Multiple tumors in a renal transplant recipient.", "content": "The case of a 54-year-old man who developed multiple epithelial tumors during his sixth year post-renal transplantation is reported. The tumors included keratoacanthomas of the forehead and neck, squamous carcinoma of the forehead, basal cell carcinoma of the cheek, multiple colonic adenomatous polyps and multiple ileal carcinoids. In addition, he had marked parathyroid hyperplasia in spite of good renal function, and pancreatic islet cell hyperplasia. Although there is a 5-6% incidence of de novo malignant neoplasms in immunosuppressed organ homograft recipients who were apparently free of cancer before and at the time of transplantation, multiple tumors are infrequent in these patients. A review of the literature reveals that this is the first case in which more than two cancers have occurred concurrently and it is also the first report of carcinoid tumors occurring in a transplant recipient.", "contents": "Multiple tumors in a renal transplant recipient. The case of a 54-year-old man who developed multiple epithelial tumors during his sixth year post-renal transplantation is reported. The tumors included keratoacanthomas of the forehead and neck, squamous carcinoma of the forehead, basal cell carcinoma of the cheek, multiple colonic adenomatous polyps and multiple ileal carcinoids. In addition, he had marked parathyroid hyperplasia in spite of good renal function, and pancreatic islet cell hyperplasia. Although there is a 5-6% incidence of de novo malignant neoplasms in immunosuppressed organ homograft recipients who were apparently free of cancer before and at the time of transplantation, multiple tumors are infrequent in these patients. A review of the literature reveals that this is the first case in which more than two cancers have occurred concurrently and it is also the first report of carcinoid tumors occurring in a transplant recipient.", "PMID": 794549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10157", "title": "Defibrination with ancrod in nephrotoxic nephritis in rabbits.", "content": "Defibrination with ancrod in nephrotoxic nephritis in rabbits. In rabbits with nephrotoxic nephritis, defibrination with ancrod provided protection when administered during the autologous phase, after extensive glomerular fibrin deposition had occurred and crescents and renal failure were developing. When further glomerular fibrin deposition was prevented by defibrination, deposited fibrin was rapidly removed, indicating that glomerular fibrin-clearing mechanisms are retained in crescentic nephritis. Defibrination had no effect on the extent of glomerular C3 deposition or on the amount of proteinuria.", "contents": "Defibrination with ancrod in nephrotoxic nephritis in rabbits. Defibrination with ancrod in nephrotoxic nephritis in rabbits. In rabbits with nephrotoxic nephritis, defibrination with ancrod provided protection when administered during the autologous phase, after extensive glomerular fibrin deposition had occurred and crescents and renal failure were developing. When further glomerular fibrin deposition was prevented by defibrination, deposited fibrin was rapidly removed, indicating that glomerular fibrin-clearing mechanisms are retained in crescentic nephritis. Defibrination had no effect on the extent of glomerular C3 deposition or on the amount of proteinuria.", "PMID": 794557} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10158", "title": "Effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on bone lesions of children with terminal renal failure.", "content": "Quantitative histology was performed on serial iliac crest biopsies obtained from 14 children with terminal renal failure. A long-term study on the comparative effects of vitamin D2 and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D3], in five patients with severe lesions of osteomalacia and/or osteitis fibrosa, demonstrated the efficiency of 25 to 200 mug/day of 25-(OH)D3 and the lack of therapeutic action of 345 to 685 mug/day of vitamin D2. In nine subjects with normal roentgenograms or minimal skeletal alterations, the first biopsy taken at the beginning of intermittent hemodialysis showed evidence of defective mineralization and/or lesions of resorption. Four of these children were treated with 25-(OH)D3 (25 to 50 mug/day) and calcium supplementation orally (0.5 to 1.5 g/day); five children received calcium orally (0.5 to 0.75 g/day) alone. Aggravation of bone lesions during intermittent hemodialysis was observed in patients treated with calcium supplements alone. In subjects who were given 25-(OH)D3, mineralization improved and marrow fibrosis disappeared. However, as the two groups of patients were different in composition and in the manner in which they were treated, it is difficult to state whether the beneficial effects observed were solely attributable to 25-(OH)D3 administration. 25-(OH)D3 therapy induced severe intoxication in two patients. A rise in plasma calcium concentration to 11.0 to 11.5 mg/100 ml was observed in two other patients. It is concluded that: a) pharmacologic doses of 25-(OH)D3 are highly effective in healing bone lesions of children with terminal renal failure; b) such treatment requires strict clinical surveillance as 25-(OH)D3 intoxication may occur even in anephric patients.", "contents": "Effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on bone lesions of children with terminal renal failure. Quantitative histology was performed on serial iliac crest biopsies obtained from 14 children with terminal renal failure. A long-term study on the comparative effects of vitamin D2 and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D3], in five patients with severe lesions of osteomalacia and/or osteitis fibrosa, demonstrated the efficiency of 25 to 200 mug/day of 25-(OH)D3 and the lack of therapeutic action of 345 to 685 mug/day of vitamin D2. In nine subjects with normal roentgenograms or minimal skeletal alterations, the first biopsy taken at the beginning of intermittent hemodialysis showed evidence of defective mineralization and/or lesions of resorption. Four of these children were treated with 25-(OH)D3 (25 to 50 mug/day) and calcium supplementation orally (0.5 to 1.5 g/day); five children received calcium orally (0.5 to 0.75 g/day) alone. Aggravation of bone lesions during intermittent hemodialysis was observed in patients treated with calcium supplements alone. In subjects who were given 25-(OH)D3, mineralization improved and marrow fibrosis disappeared. However, as the two groups of patients were different in composition and in the manner in which they were treated, it is difficult to state whether the beneficial effects observed were solely attributable to 25-(OH)D3 administration. 25-(OH)D3 therapy induced severe intoxication in two patients. A rise in plasma calcium concentration to 11.0 to 11.5 mg/100 ml was observed in two other patients. It is concluded that: a) pharmacologic doses of 25-(OH)D3 are highly effective in healing bone lesions of children with terminal renal failure; b) such treatment requires strict clinical surveillance as 25-(OH)D3 intoxication may occur even in anephric patients.", "PMID": 794558} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10159", "title": "[The first description of Loa-loa infestation of the eye by Pigafetta a historical error (author's transl)].", "content": "Contrary to common theory (Belding 1965), there is no reference to the African Eyeworm in Pigafetta's work. Philipp Pigafetta (1533-1603) translated the oral Africa report of the Portuguese Eduart Lopez into the Italian language. The de Bry Brothers published in 1597 the German version of this travel report, and in 1598 the Latin version followed.", "contents": "[The first description of Loa-loa infestation of the eye by Pigafetta a historical error (author's transl)]. Contrary to common theory (Belding 1965), there is no reference to the African Eyeworm in Pigafetta's work. Philipp Pigafetta (1533-1603) translated the oral Africa report of the Portuguese Eduart Lopez into the Italian language. The de Bry Brothers published in 1597 the German version of this travel report, and in 1598 the Latin version followed.", "PMID": 794565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10160", "title": "[Suture technique for perforating keratoplasty (author's transl)].", "content": "The usual suture techniques in connection with perforating keratoplasty and the pulling direction of the threads are described. Especially unfavorable are the verticle factors with relation to the radial and diagonal continuous suture, which necessarily lead to a gaping of the inner and outer wound fissure. The double continuous diagonal suture (cross-stitch suture) seems to come closest to the goal of attaining as uniform a sealing of the wound fissure as possible with as small an amount of suture material as possible. This suture technique is therefore recommended for perforating keratoplasty.", "contents": "[Suture technique for perforating keratoplasty (author's transl)]. The usual suture techniques in connection with perforating keratoplasty and the pulling direction of the threads are described. Especially unfavorable are the verticle factors with relation to the radial and diagonal continuous suture, which necessarily lead to a gaping of the inner and outer wound fissure. The double continuous diagonal suture (cross-stitch suture) seems to come closest to the goal of attaining as uniform a sealing of the wound fissure as possible with as small an amount of suture material as possible. This suture technique is therefore recommended for perforating keratoplasty.", "PMID": 794567} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10161", "title": "[Primary care of injury of the lacrimal canaliculus (etiology, modified technics, results) (author's transl)].", "content": "An analysis is given of 68 cases with tearing of the lower lacrimal canaliculus regarding the type of accident. The following three types of operative procedures (modifications by the author) were described: canalicular intubation, canaliculonasal intubation, care of tearing of upper and lower lacrimal canaliculus - with reference to methods in use by other authors. Our results are communicated.", "contents": "[Primary care of injury of the lacrimal canaliculus (etiology, modified technics, results) (author's transl)]. An analysis is given of 68 cases with tearing of the lower lacrimal canaliculus regarding the type of accident. The following three types of operative procedures (modifications by the author) were described: canalicular intubation, canaliculonasal intubation, care of tearing of upper and lower lacrimal canaliculus - with reference to methods in use by other authors. Our results are communicated.", "PMID": 794568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10162", "title": "[Complete replacement of the conjunctiva by skingrafting and reconstruction of lidedges with tendograft (author's transl)].", "content": "Following total loss of conjunctiva and the superficial corneal layers after metalburns the bulbus was wholly covered over by the remaining skin. The lids were dissected from the globe and a shell was inserted carrying a Thiersch graft. At a later date the lidedges were strengthened by a tendon graft.", "contents": "[Complete replacement of the conjunctiva by skingrafting and reconstruction of lidedges with tendograft (author's transl)]. Following total loss of conjunctiva and the superficial corneal layers after metalburns the bulbus was wholly covered over by the remaining skin. The lids were dissected from the globe and a shell was inserted carrying a Thiersch graft. At a later date the lidedges were strengthened by a tendon graft.", "PMID": 794569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10163", "title": "[One hundred years pilocarpine in ophthalmology (author's transl)].", "content": "In 1876 A. Weber introduced chemically from P. jaborandi isolated Pilocarpium muriaticum into the ophthalmological therapy. One year later it was used as a local drug to lower the intraocular pressure in glaucoma and replaced in the following years the extract of Calabar bean (Eserine). Clinical and pharmacological data are discussed.", "contents": "[One hundred years pilocarpine in ophthalmology (author's transl)]. In 1876 A. Weber introduced chemically from P. jaborandi isolated Pilocarpium muriaticum into the ophthalmological therapy. One year later it was used as a local drug to lower the intraocular pressure in glaucoma and replaced in the following years the extract of Calabar bean (Eserine). Clinical and pharmacological data are discussed.", "PMID": 794570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10164", "title": "[Pathogenesis and therapy of shock in children (author's transl)].", "content": "The severely disturbed microcirculation characteristic of any type of shock leads to typical functional impairments in vital organs such as heart, brain, lungs, liver, kidneys and gut which, in turn, exert an adverse influence upon the process of shock. The insufficient circulation primarily of the gut and the liver causes even those forms of shock which are not initially triggered by endotoxin to develop into the ominous endotoxin shock unless rapid and effective therapy interrupts this vitious circle. The prognosis of shock depends on early diagnosis nad treatment. Therapy should be initiated even before diagnosis of the underlying disease has been completed. The following therapeutic factors require special consideration: Volume substitution, prevention of cardial decompensation and of impending uremia, prevention and treatment of respiratory failure, direct treatment of the disturbed microcirculation by means of peripherally vasodilating drugs and if necessary, suppression of the intravascular coagulation by means of plateled aggregation inhibiting, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic drugs.", "contents": "[Pathogenesis and therapy of shock in children (author's transl)]. The severely disturbed microcirculation characteristic of any type of shock leads to typical functional impairments in vital organs such as heart, brain, lungs, liver, kidneys and gut which, in turn, exert an adverse influence upon the process of shock. The insufficient circulation primarily of the gut and the liver causes even those forms of shock which are not initially triggered by endotoxin to develop into the ominous endotoxin shock unless rapid and effective therapy interrupts this vitious circle. The prognosis of shock depends on early diagnosis nad treatment. Therapy should be initiated even before diagnosis of the underlying disease has been completed. The following therapeutic factors require special consideration: Volume substitution, prevention of cardial decompensation and of impending uremia, prevention and treatment of respiratory failure, direct treatment of the disturbed microcirculation by means of peripherally vasodilating drugs and if necessary, suppression of the intravascular coagulation by means of plateled aggregation inhibiting, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic drugs.", "PMID": 794571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10165", "title": "[Treatment of the dyspnea syndrome by continuous negative pressure (author's transl)].", "content": "It has been firmly established that CPTP is of great value in the treatment of IRDS and other respiratory insufficiencies. We believe that CPTP is best applied in the form of CNP. A method is described to safely and tightly close the CNP--chamber using self adhering plastic sheets.", "contents": "[Treatment of the dyspnea syndrome by continuous negative pressure (author's transl)]. It has been firmly established that CPTP is of great value in the treatment of IRDS and other respiratory insufficiencies. We believe that CPTP is best applied in the form of CNP. A method is described to safely and tightly close the CNP--chamber using self adhering plastic sheets.", "PMID": 794573} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10166", "title": "[Cardiopulmonary adaptation to acute hypoxia (author's transl)].", "content": "The most important adaptive mechanism to acute hypoxia is alveolar hyperventilation which improves the oxygen uptake in the lung. The delivery of oxygen to the particular organs is regulated according to their vital function. An essential adaptive mechanism can not be observed above an inspiratory O2 partial pressure of 100 mm mercury, corresponding to an altitude of about 3000 m in normals. In contrast, in patients with cardio-pulmonary disturbances adaptive mechanisms take place at far lower altitudes. Especially in patients with arterial hypoxemia, pulmonary hypertension and occlusive vascular disease moderate hypoxia may lead to decompensation of an a priori unstable equilibirum.", "contents": "[Cardiopulmonary adaptation to acute hypoxia (author's transl)]. The most important adaptive mechanism to acute hypoxia is alveolar hyperventilation which improves the oxygen uptake in the lung. The delivery of oxygen to the particular organs is regulated according to their vital function. An essential adaptive mechanism can not be observed above an inspiratory O2 partial pressure of 100 mm mercury, corresponding to an altitude of about 3000 m in normals. In contrast, in patients with cardio-pulmonary disturbances adaptive mechanisms take place at far lower altitudes. Especially in patients with arterial hypoxemia, pulmonary hypertension and occlusive vascular disease moderate hypoxia may lead to decompensation of an a priori unstable equilibirum.", "PMID": 794574} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10167", "title": "Effect of a dental prosthesis on speaker-specific characteristics of voice.", "content": "Subjects were fitted with an experimental dental appliance which had the effect of lowering and retracting the alveolar-palatal contour. Recordings of subjects speaking without the prosthesis and with the prosthesis at two stages of speech adaptation were analyzed acoustically and by judgmental evaluation for the effect of the appliance in disguising the voice. Individual differences were found in the type and extent of sibilant anf vowel changes produced by wearing the prosthesis. Listeners made more errors on a speaker authentication task involving recordings obtained immediately after the unfamiliar prosthesis was placed in the mouth than on recordings made after a week of accomodation to the appliance, or recordings made a week apart when no prosthesis was worn.", "contents": "Effect of a dental prosthesis on speaker-specific characteristics of voice. Subjects were fitted with an experimental dental appliance which had the effect of lowering and retracting the alveolar-palatal contour. Recordings of subjects speaking without the prosthesis and with the prosthesis at two stages of speech adaptation were analyzed acoustically and by judgmental evaluation for the effect of the appliance in disguising the voice. Individual differences were found in the type and extent of sibilant anf vowel changes produced by wearing the prosthesis. Listeners made more errors on a speaker authentication task involving recordings obtained immediately after the unfamiliar prosthesis was placed in the mouth than on recordings made after a week of accomodation to the appliance, or recordings made a week apart when no prosthesis was worn.", "PMID": 794583} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10168", "title": "Localization and organization of microfilaments and related proteins in normal and virus-transformed cells.", "content": "The localization and organization of actin-like microfilaments in normal, SV-40 and adenovirus transformed cells are determined by the coordinated use of light optical, electron optical and biochemical techniques. In adenovirus-type 5 transformed hamster embryo cells, microfilament meshworks appear to be the predominant organizational form of cellular action, while in normal hamster cells, microfilament bundles are prevalent. Differences between 3T3 and SV-40 transformed 3T3 cells are less apparent and may be related to the packing and intracellular distribution of microfilament bundles. Attempts at relating these ultrastructural changes in transformed cells to the images obtained following reaction with fluorescein-labelled myosin fragments and indirect immunofluorescence with smooth muscle myosin antibody are discussed. In several instances the fluorescence microscope images to not correspond to the ultrastructural observations. The results are discussed in terms of the possible relationships between alterations in cytoplasmic contractile elements and the abnormal behavior of transformed cells.", "contents": "Localization and organization of microfilaments and related proteins in normal and virus-transformed cells. The localization and organization of actin-like microfilaments in normal, SV-40 and adenovirus transformed cells are determined by the coordinated use of light optical, electron optical and biochemical techniques. In adenovirus-type 5 transformed hamster embryo cells, microfilament meshworks appear to be the predominant organizational form of cellular action, while in normal hamster cells, microfilament bundles are prevalent. Differences between 3T3 and SV-40 transformed 3T3 cells are less apparent and may be related to the packing and intracellular distribution of microfilament bundles. Attempts at relating these ultrastructural changes in transformed cells to the images obtained following reaction with fluorescein-labelled myosin fragments and indirect immunofluorescence with smooth muscle myosin antibody are discussed. In several instances the fluorescence microscope images to not correspond to the ultrastructural observations. The results are discussed in terms of the possible relationships between alterations in cytoplasmic contractile elements and the abnormal behavior of transformed cells.", "PMID": 794589} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10169", "title": "From Quonset hut to naval hospital. The story of an alcoholism rehabilitation service.", "content": "The history and treatment methods of the first Navy Alcoholism Rehabilitation Service are described.", "contents": "From Quonset hut to naval hospital. The story of an alcoholism rehabilitation service. The history and treatment methods of the first Navy Alcoholism Rehabilitation Service are described.", "PMID": 794590} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10170", "title": "The disease concept of alcoholism revisited.", "content": "The history of the conception of alcoholism as a disease is outlined. Recent opposition to that conception and the specific reasons therefor are discussed. On the basis that addiction constitutes a disablement in the medical sense, it is concluded that alcoholism is properly defined as a disease.", "contents": "The disease concept of alcoholism revisited. The history of the conception of alcoholism as a disease is outlined. Recent opposition to that conception and the specific reasons therefor are discussed. On the basis that addiction constitutes a disablement in the medical sense, it is concluded that alcoholism is properly defined as a disease.", "PMID": 794591} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10171", "title": "Drinkers and alcoholics in ancient Rome.", "content": "The history of wine making and wine drinking by the ancient Romans from earliest times to the fall of the Empire is reviewed. The drinking patterns as reflected in the works of contemporary authors indicate five periods of wine use and attitudes toward drinking.", "contents": "Drinkers and alcoholics in ancient Rome. The history of wine making and wine drinking by the ancient Romans from earliest times to the fall of the Empire is reviewed. The drinking patterns as reflected in the works of contemporary authors indicate five periods of wine use and attitudes toward drinking.", "PMID": 794592} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10172", "title": "Lymphocyte locomotion. I. The initiation, velocity, pattern, and path of locomotion in vitro.", "content": "The locomotive behaviour of human lymphocytes in coverslip preparations of clotted autoplasma was studied at +37 degrees C. Lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood or from the tonsils did not move prior to membrane activation by means of incubation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). After PHA stimulation the locomotion of 19 lymphocytes was analysed by time-lapse fliming. The locomotion was random, as evidenced by a median locomotive index of 0.64 (Q1-Q3 0.04-0.75) and comparatively slow, median velocity 15 mum/min (Q1-Q3 12-18). The locomotion of 5 other lymphocytes was studied at high magnification. It is suggested that the characteristic polarity of wandering lymphocytes, indicating the direction of movement, can be utilized in the analysis of the lymphocyte traffic in tissue sections of post-capillary high-endothelium venules.", "contents": "Lymphocyte locomotion. I. The initiation, velocity, pattern, and path of locomotion in vitro. The locomotive behaviour of human lymphocytes in coverslip preparations of clotted autoplasma was studied at +37 degrees C. Lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood or from the tonsils did not move prior to membrane activation by means of incubation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). After PHA stimulation the locomotion of 19 lymphocytes was analysed by time-lapse fliming. The locomotion was random, as evidenced by a median locomotive index of 0.64 (Q1-Q3 0.04-0.75) and comparatively slow, median velocity 15 mum/min (Q1-Q3 12-18). The locomotion of 5 other lymphocytes was studied at high magnification. It is suggested that the characteristic polarity of wandering lymphocytes, indicating the direction of movement, can be utilized in the analysis of the lymphocyte traffic in tissue sections of post-capillary high-endothelium venules.", "PMID": 794594} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10173", "title": "Lymphocyte locomotion. II. The lymphocyte traffic over the post-capillary venules analysed by phase contrast microscopy of thin sections of rat lymph nodes.", "content": "Thin sections of lymph nodes from 14 rats were examined by phase contrast microscopy as regards direction of lymphoctes with amoeboid movement configuration (AMC) relative to the basement membrane of post-capillary high-endothelium venules (HE-cenules). Out of 118 lymphocytes with AMC, 82 appeared to be on theyr way into the venule from the lymph node parenchyma. This observation suggests that the lymphocyte traffic over the HE-venules is bi-directional, with the main migratory stream of lymphocytes from the lymph node parenchyma into the post-capillary venules.", "contents": "Lymphocyte locomotion. II. The lymphocyte traffic over the post-capillary venules analysed by phase contrast microscopy of thin sections of rat lymph nodes. Thin sections of lymph nodes from 14 rats were examined by phase contrast microscopy as regards direction of lymphoctes with amoeboid movement configuration (AMC) relative to the basement membrane of post-capillary high-endothelium venules (HE-cenules). Out of 118 lymphocytes with AMC, 82 appeared to be on theyr way into the venule from the lymph node parenchyma. This observation suggests that the lymphocyte traffic over the HE-venules is bi-directional, with the main migratory stream of lymphocytes from the lymph node parenchyma into the post-capillary venules.", "PMID": 794595} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10174", "title": "Economic analysis of an automated billing system for physicians' services.", "content": "An on-line Medicaid billing system for physicians' services was implemented and tested during a two and one-half year period in 100 offices throughout the State of +0.50,Alabama. Participating physicians represented 17% of all physicians in the state. The monthly volume of Medicaid claims entered through the system represented more than 50% of the statewide load processed by the Medicaid carrier. Users entered claims data on standard Touch Tone telephones equipped with Carddialers, and received instructions and data confirmation from the central computer facility via voice answer-back. Input time for the average claim billing for two separate services was less than one and one-half minutes and resulted in a reduction of clerical labor required for manual input by at least 50%. After a fee-for-service was inaugurated, the system workload remained at 86% of its load level before fee for service. Those physicians willing to pay for the billing service were high-volume users who had come to depend on the system and who appreciated the economics that the system had achieved for them in their office billing practices. An average claim consisting of two items of service could be billed at a cost of $0.50,, exclusive of user terminal rental ($6 per month per office) and the cost of data entry personnel (between $0.05 and $0.10 + 0.05 and $.10 per claim). Various algorithms have been offered for use in estimating an annual budget for an on-line billing system given alternative system configurations, methods of financing, annual volume of units of service, and the geographical nature of the population to be served. The tasks of preparing, processing, and storing insurance claims information have placed a costly and time-consuming burden on both providers of medical services and fiscal intermediaries. The unfortunate result is that the cost of submitting an insurance claim for professional medical services is a disproportionate fraction of the amount paid for providing the service. For general practitioners, who provide the largest number of individual services, this share may be more than one-fourth of the payment for most common services. Similarly, for the Medicaid or Medicare intermediary or for the insurance carrier, the cost of preparing and recording data from source documents is a large part of total processing costs. The objective of the On-Line Medicaid Billing System project was to demonstrate that it is possible to reduce the costs of submitting claims from the physician's office as well as to reduce the costs of data preparation in the carrier's system. This publication focuses on an economic analysis of cost effectiveness. Readers interested in system design, development, and on-line operation will find detailed descriptions in previously published reports.", "contents": "Economic analysis of an automated billing system for physicians' services. An on-line Medicaid billing system for physicians' services was implemented and tested during a two and one-half year period in 100 offices throughout the State of +0.50,Alabama. Participating physicians represented 17% of all physicians in the state. The monthly volume of Medicaid claims entered through the system represented more than 50% of the statewide load processed by the Medicaid carrier. Users entered claims data on standard Touch Tone telephones equipped with Carddialers, and received instructions and data confirmation from the central computer facility via voice answer-back. Input time for the average claim billing for two separate services was less than one and one-half minutes and resulted in a reduction of clerical labor required for manual input by at least 50%. After a fee-for-service was inaugurated, the system workload remained at 86% of its load level before fee for service. Those physicians willing to pay for the billing service were high-volume users who had come to depend on the system and who appreciated the economics that the system had achieved for them in their office billing practices. An average claim consisting of two items of service could be billed at a cost of $0.50,, exclusive of user terminal rental ($6 per month per office) and the cost of data entry personnel (between $0.05 and $0.10 + 0.05 and $.10 per claim). Various algorithms have been offered for use in estimating an annual budget for an on-line billing system given alternative system configurations, methods of financing, annual volume of units of service, and the geographical nature of the population to be served. The tasks of preparing, processing, and storing insurance claims information have placed a costly and time-consuming burden on both providers of medical services and fiscal intermediaries. The unfortunate result is that the cost of submitting an insurance claim for professional medical services is a disproportionate fraction of the amount paid for providing the service. For general practitioners, who provide the largest number of individual services, this share may be more than one-fourth of the payment for most common services. Similarly, for the Medicaid or Medicare intermediary or for the insurance carrier, the cost of preparing and recording data from source documents is a large part of total processing costs. The objective of the On-Line Medicaid Billing System project was to demonstrate that it is possible to reduce the costs of submitting claims from the physician's office as well as to reduce the costs of data preparation in the carrier's system. This publication focuses on an economic analysis of cost effectiveness. Readers interested in system design, development, and on-line operation will find detailed descriptions in previously published reports.", "PMID": 794599} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10175", "title": "[Preparation of biological specimens for the scanning electron microscope (author's transl)].", "content": "Three methods usually applied in preparing biological material for the scanning electron microscope were tested by the investigation of two species of amoebae with different content of water (Amoeba proteus, Vannella simplex). Air drying resulted in both the production of cell shrinkage and cell distortion. When the specimens were dryed from media with increasing vapour-pressure, more satisfactory preservation of surface structures could be obtained. The sequence of potency was: Ethanol, chloroform, isopentane, ethyl ether, freon 11 and freon 13. Short drying periods proved to be more favourable than long ones. Critical-point drying provided much better details of cell surface morphology in both amoebae species. However, some arteficial changes were still detectable as small breaks and destruction of the mucous layer. They must be attributed to the fixation and dehydration procedure. Freeze drying turned out to be superior to both air drying and critical-point drying. Specimens prepared by this method showed no visible differences in cell surface morphology compared to living cells. As a consequence of the relatively high content of water the preparation of A. proteus was more difficult than that of V. simplex.", "contents": "[Preparation of biological specimens for the scanning electron microscope (author's transl)]. Three methods usually applied in preparing biological material for the scanning electron microscope were tested by the investigation of two species of amoebae with different content of water (Amoeba proteus, Vannella simplex). Air drying resulted in both the production of cell shrinkage and cell distortion. When the specimens were dryed from media with increasing vapour-pressure, more satisfactory preservation of surface structures could be obtained. The sequence of potency was: Ethanol, chloroform, isopentane, ethyl ether, freon 11 and freon 13. Short drying periods proved to be more favourable than long ones. Critical-point drying provided much better details of cell surface morphology in both amoebae species. However, some arteficial changes were still detectable as small breaks and destruction of the mucous layer. They must be attributed to the fixation and dehydration procedure. Freeze drying turned out to be superior to both air drying and critical-point drying. Specimens prepared by this method showed no visible differences in cell surface morphology compared to living cells. As a consequence of the relatively high content of water the preparation of A. proteus was more difficult than that of V. simplex.", "PMID": 794634} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10176", "title": "[Enzymatic degradation of cell walls of yeast cells at different growth phases].", "content": "The enzymes of Actinomyces cellulosae were fractionated by precipitation with ammonium sulphate and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. Fractionation yielded protease, beta-1,3-glucanase and an enzyme of a low molecular weight and unknown nature involved in lysis by 70% of yeast cells at early exponential growth phase without the participation of the other two enzymes. The protease did not accomplish lysis of the cells; beta-1,3-glucanase was involved in degradation of the cell walls of old yeast cells.", "contents": "[Enzymatic degradation of cell walls of yeast cells at different growth phases]. The enzymes of Actinomyces cellulosae were fractionated by precipitation with ammonium sulphate and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. Fractionation yielded protease, beta-1,3-glucanase and an enzyme of a low molecular weight and unknown nature involved in lysis by 70% of yeast cells at early exponential growth phase without the participation of the other two enzymes. The protease did not accomplish lysis of the cells; beta-1,3-glucanase was involved in degradation of the cell walls of old yeast cells.", "PMID": 794639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10177", "title": "[Selection methods of nodule bacteria].", "content": "The aim of selecting nodule bacteria is to obtain stable and genetically pure strains with elevated effectiveness in the conditions of symbiosis with bean plants, sufficient viability and competing ability, which would survive in soil for a long time. The following methods have been suggested to solve this task: selection by plants using mutagenic factors; genetic markers; production of genetically homogeneous material; determination of the degree of persistance effectiveness in mutants.", "contents": "[Selection methods of nodule bacteria]. The aim of selecting nodule bacteria is to obtain stable and genetically pure strains with elevated effectiveness in the conditions of symbiosis with bean plants, sufficient viability and competing ability, which would survive in soil for a long time. The following methods have been suggested to solve this task: selection by plants using mutagenic factors; genetic markers; production of genetically homogeneous material; determination of the degree of persistance effectiveness in mutants.", "PMID": 794638} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10178", "title": "[Conditions of yeast freeze-drying studied by methods of planning experiments].", "content": "The effect of seven factors on survival and residual humidity of yeast suspensions was studied during freeze-drying of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using methods of mathematical planning of the experiment. A multifactor experiment of the type 2(7-4) was realized, according to which all factors were varied at two levels. Adequate equations for regression were obtained to describe the process in the temperature zone above the eutectic point (from -10 to -15 degrees C) and below it (from -30 to -40 degrees C). The effect of the studied factors was found to depend on temperature of freeze-drying. The equations were used for optimizing freeze-drying by the method of \"sharp ascending\".", "contents": "[Conditions of yeast freeze-drying studied by methods of planning experiments]. The effect of seven factors on survival and residual humidity of yeast suspensions was studied during freeze-drying of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using methods of mathematical planning of the experiment. A multifactor experiment of the type 2(7-4) was realized, according to which all factors were varied at two levels. Adequate equations for regression were obtained to describe the process in the temperature zone above the eutectic point (from -10 to -15 degrees C) and below it (from -30 to -40 degrees C). The effect of the studied factors was found to depend on temperature of freeze-drying. The equations were used for optimizing freeze-drying by the method of \"sharp ascending\".", "PMID": 794640} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10179", "title": "[Effect of pancreatic deoxyribonuclease on growth of Escherichia coli].", "content": "Cultivation of Escherichia coli K-12 on a medium containing pancreatic deoxyribonuclease at a concentration of 200 visc. units per 1 ml to 1000 visc. units per 1 ml stimulated growth of the cells but only at the lag phase of synchronous growth of the culture.", "contents": "[Effect of pancreatic deoxyribonuclease on growth of Escherichia coli]. Cultivation of Escherichia coli K-12 on a medium containing pancreatic deoxyribonuclease at a concentration of 200 visc. units per 1 ml to 1000 visc. units per 1 ml stimulated growth of the cells but only at the lag phase of synchronous growth of the culture.", "PMID": 794641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10180", "title": "The selection of students for medical education: select bibliography, 1970-75.", "content": "The problems of student selection are constantly in the mind of medical school administrators and medical teachers. When reviewing current policies there is clearly a need to study the recent journal literature, but the term 'student selection' is not a subject heading in Index Medicus; consequently no convenient listing of journal articles on this important topic is readily available. To assist administrators and medical teachers a bibliography has now been prepared. The references are taken from Index Medicus 1970-75 and presented here in a quick-reference alphabetical format. To the list has been added World Health Organization publication EURO 6203 which is considered an important document on the subject. The bibliogrraphy therefore provides a concise reference to the recent literature on student selection for medical education.", "contents": "The selection of students for medical education: select bibliography, 1970-75. The problems of student selection are constantly in the mind of medical school administrators and medical teachers. When reviewing current policies there is clearly a need to study the recent journal literature, but the term 'student selection' is not a subject heading in Index Medicus; consequently no convenient listing of journal articles on this important topic is readily available. To assist administrators and medical teachers a bibliography has now been prepared. The references are taken from Index Medicus 1970-75 and presented here in a quick-reference alphabetical format. To the list has been added World Health Organization publication EURO 6203 which is considered an important document on the subject. The bibliogrraphy therefore provides a concise reference to the recent literature on student selection for medical education.", "PMID": 794652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10181", "title": "Membrane anomalies of neoplastic cells.", "content": "Neoplastic cells exhibit numerous membrane anomalies. Those involving the plasma membrane have attracted the greatest attention, although ample evidence indicates that the membranes of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes are also profoundly implicated. The information on these topics is briefly reviewed and it is concluded that of the multiple membrane anomalies observed, those responsible for high aerobic lactate production, abnormal plasma membrane transport and release of hydrolytic enzymes may figure prominently in malignant behaviour, i.e. invasiveness and metastasis. It is proposed that the membrane polymorphism of neoplastic cells can be explained in terms of the Changeux membrane lattice hypothesis. In particular it is suggested that the concerted behaviour of tumor cell membranes might deviate from normal due to one or more of the following processes: (a) insertion of a new protein (or lipid); (b) alteration of existing proteins (or lipids); (c) change in the proportion of phospholipid; (d) change in the proportion of glycolipid; (e) change in the proportion of cholesterol; (f) change in the steady-state of membrane ligands. The validity of this proposal is evaluated in terms of recent advances in membrane molecular biology.", "contents": "Membrane anomalies of neoplastic cells. Neoplastic cells exhibit numerous membrane anomalies. Those involving the plasma membrane have attracted the greatest attention, although ample evidence indicates that the membranes of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes are also profoundly implicated. The information on these topics is briefly reviewed and it is concluded that of the multiple membrane anomalies observed, those responsible for high aerobic lactate production, abnormal plasma membrane transport and release of hydrolytic enzymes may figure prominently in malignant behaviour, i.e. invasiveness and metastasis. It is proposed that the membrane polymorphism of neoplastic cells can be explained in terms of the Changeux membrane lattice hypothesis. In particular it is suggested that the concerted behaviour of tumor cell membranes might deviate from normal due to one or more of the following processes: (a) insertion of a new protein (or lipid); (b) alteration of existing proteins (or lipids); (c) change in the proportion of phospholipid; (d) change in the proportion of glycolipid; (e) change in the proportion of cholesterol; (f) change in the steady-state of membrane ligands. The validity of this proposal is evaluated in terms of recent advances in membrane molecular biology.", "PMID": 794653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10182", "title": "A controlled trial of intravenous salbutamol and aminophylline in acute asthma.", "content": "In a randomized double-blind trial an intravenous injection of salbutamol (100mug) was compared with an intravenous injection of aminophylline (250mg) in 23 patients with acute exacerbations of asthma. Salbutamol (11 cases) and aminophylline (12) produced a mean proportionate increase in FEV of 26% and 23% respectively. Blood gas pressures showed a trend to improvement with a mean rise in oxygen tension of 2mm Hg(0-2kPa) in the aminophylline group and of 6mm Hg (0-8kPa) in the salbutamol group. Electrocardiogram patterns also showed overall improvement, and mean decreases in pulse rate of 8 beats per minute and 2 beats per minute were noted in the aminophylline and salbutamol groups respectively. Differences in results did not reach conventional levels of significance and no serious side effects were noted. It was concluded that in the doses and routes of administration compared, salbutamol was as effective as aminophylline.", "contents": "A controlled trial of intravenous salbutamol and aminophylline in acute asthma. In a randomized double-blind trial an intravenous injection of salbutamol (100mug) was compared with an intravenous injection of aminophylline (250mg) in 23 patients with acute exacerbations of asthma. Salbutamol (11 cases) and aminophylline (12) produced a mean proportionate increase in FEV of 26% and 23% respectively. Blood gas pressures showed a trend to improvement with a mean rise in oxygen tension of 2mm Hg(0-2kPa) in the aminophylline group and of 6mm Hg (0-8kPa) in the salbutamol group. Electrocardiogram patterns also showed overall improvement, and mean decreases in pulse rate of 8 beats per minute and 2 beats per minute were noted in the aminophylline and salbutamol groups respectively. Differences in results did not reach conventional levels of significance and no serious side effects were noted. It was concluded that in the doses and routes of administration compared, salbutamol was as effective as aminophylline.", "PMID": 794661} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10183", "title": "[Treatment of organic brain psychosyndrom in the old age. A double blind study with Hydergin (author's transl)].", "content": "The efficacy of Hydergin was compared against placebo in a 15 weeks cross-over trial in 51 patients with cerebral insufficiency. The daily dosage was 3 mg of Hydergin. Criteria of evaluation consisted of clinical rating and electroencephalographic registrations, which were evaluated visually and partly automatically. The clinical symptoms as well as the electroencephalographic criteria (base line activity, theta- and delta activity) were both positively influenced by Hydergin. The base-line activity was stabilised and the alpha activity of the power spectrum increased. The most impressive result was the carryover effect of Hydergin, which could still be demonstrated in the post trial period. In case of \"dizziness\" the good results were limited to the period of active treatment. The relations between symptomatic and more basic therapy of cerebral insufficiency will be discussed.", "contents": "[Treatment of organic brain psychosyndrom in the old age. A double blind study with Hydergin (author's transl)]. The efficacy of Hydergin was compared against placebo in a 15 weeks cross-over trial in 51 patients with cerebral insufficiency. The daily dosage was 3 mg of Hydergin. Criteria of evaluation consisted of clinical rating and electroencephalographic registrations, which were evaluated visually and partly automatically. The clinical symptoms as well as the electroencephalographic criteria (base line activity, theta- and delta activity) were both positively influenced by Hydergin. The base-line activity was stabilised and the alpha activity of the power spectrum increased. The most impressive result was the carryover effect of Hydergin, which could still be demonstrated in the post trial period. In case of \"dizziness\" the good results were limited to the period of active treatment. The relations between symptomatic and more basic therapy of cerebral insufficiency will be discussed.", "PMID": 794665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10184", "title": "Fusion of two F-prime factors in Escherichia coli studied by electron microscope heteroduplex analysis.", "content": "A fused F prime factor was obtained from a mating of a recA donor carrying an F'- factor containing the genes metBJF, ppc and argECBH (KLF5) with a recA recipient carrying an F' factor containing att80, trp and lac (f155). lysogenization of this fused F-prime factor with gammacI857hphi80 phage followed by thermoinduction produced the transducing phages phi80 dmetBJF and phi80 dppcargECBH. This kind of fusion provides a general procedure for the construction of transducing phages carrying genes from different regions of the E. coli genome. To understand the mechanism of this fusion, the parental F prime factors (F155 and KLF5) were analyzed by the electron microscope heteroduplex technique. F155 has a length of 176 +/- 3 kilobases including two substitutions. The F sequence 0 F-2.8 F has been substituted by 53 kb of chromosomal DNA including the lac operon and the F sequences 8.5 F-16.3 F has been substituted by 27 kb of a chromosome sequence including att80 and the trp operon KLF5 contains 221 +/- 4 kilobases of DNA (molecular weight, 148 megadaltons). It contains complete F and the segment of the E. coli chromosome from polA to rif. The F sequence 2.8 F-8.5 F known to be involved in F specific recombination in recA+ and recA backgrounds occurs twice on KLF5, once at each of the junctions of F DNA with chromosomal DNA. The population of closed circular plasmid molecules extracted from KLF5-containing strains is heterogeneous. It is proposed that this heterogeneity is due to intramolecular recombination events occurring in KLF5 between the duplicated 2.8 F-8.5 F sequences. Such recombination can account for the genetic instability of KLF5 observed in both recA+ and recA hosts. The F sequence 2.8 F-8.5 (also called gammadelta) is one of the characterized integration sequences on F. A model for the fusion of the parental F prime factors is proposed in which recombination between gammadelta sequences brings att80 close to the metBJF genes. This is followed by a deletion of an F' lac factor. The resulting fused F' factor still carries two gammadelta sequences and is therefore expected to be unstable. The closed circular molecules isolated from the fused F' containing strains show two different sizes of molecules. Genetic and physical analyses of these molecules are in agreement with the predicted instability of the fused F' factor and the existance of the gammadelta sequence in the phi80 dmet phages isolated from fused F' and previously analyzed by the electron microscope heteroduplex technique.", "contents": "Fusion of two F-prime factors in Escherichia coli studied by electron microscope heteroduplex analysis. A fused F prime factor was obtained from a mating of a recA donor carrying an F'- factor containing the genes metBJF, ppc and argECBH (KLF5) with a recA recipient carrying an F' factor containing att80, trp and lac (f155). lysogenization of this fused F-prime factor with gammacI857hphi80 phage followed by thermoinduction produced the transducing phages phi80 dmetBJF and phi80 dppcargECBH. This kind of fusion provides a general procedure for the construction of transducing phages carrying genes from different regions of the E. coli genome. To understand the mechanism of this fusion, the parental F prime factors (F155 and KLF5) were analyzed by the electron microscope heteroduplex technique. F155 has a length of 176 +/- 3 kilobases including two substitutions. The F sequence 0 F-2.8 F has been substituted by 53 kb of chromosomal DNA including the lac operon and the F sequences 8.5 F-16.3 F has been substituted by 27 kb of a chromosome sequence including att80 and the trp operon KLF5 contains 221 +/- 4 kilobases of DNA (molecular weight, 148 megadaltons). It contains complete F and the segment of the E. coli chromosome from polA to rif. The F sequence 2.8 F-8.5 F known to be involved in F specific recombination in recA+ and recA backgrounds occurs twice on KLF5, once at each of the junctions of F DNA with chromosomal DNA. The population of closed circular plasmid molecules extracted from KLF5-containing strains is heterogeneous. It is proposed that this heterogeneity is due to intramolecular recombination events occurring in KLF5 between the duplicated 2.8 F-8.5 F sequences. Such recombination can account for the genetic instability of KLF5 observed in both recA+ and recA hosts. The F sequence 2.8 F-8.5 (also called gammadelta) is one of the characterized integration sequences on F. A model for the fusion of the parental F prime factors is proposed in which recombination between gammadelta sequences brings att80 close to the metBJF genes. This is followed by a deletion of an F' lac factor. The resulting fused F' factor still carries two gammadelta sequences and is therefore expected to be unstable. The closed circular molecules isolated from the fused F' containing strains show two different sizes of molecules. Genetic and physical analyses of these molecules are in agreement with the predicted instability of the fused F' factor and the existance of the gammadelta sequence in the phi80 dmet phages isolated from fused F' and previously analyzed by the electron microscope heteroduplex technique.", "PMID": 794687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10185", "title": "Genetic studies of the ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli. IX. Mapping of the ribosomal proteins, S2 and S20, by intergeneric mating experiments between Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "Episomes of E. coli K12, which cover thrleu region of the chromosome, were transferred to Serratia marcescens. Ribosomal proteins from these hybrid strains were analyzed with phosphocellulose column chromatography. Two E. coli 30S ribosomal proteins, S2 and S20, could be detected in the ribosome of the hybrid strain in addition to all ribosomal proteins of S. marcescens.", "contents": "Genetic studies of the ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli. IX. Mapping of the ribosomal proteins, S2 and S20, by intergeneric mating experiments between Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli K12. Episomes of E. coli K12, which cover thrleu region of the chromosome, were transferred to Serratia marcescens. Ribosomal proteins from these hybrid strains were analyzed with phosphocellulose column chromatography. Two E. coli 30S ribosomal proteins, S2 and S20, could be detected in the ribosome of the hybrid strain in addition to all ribosomal proteins of S. marcescens.", "PMID": 794688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10186", "title": "[Prosthetic rehabilitation by removable prostheses supported with wire in Kennedy class 1 cases and its 1st modification no. 1].", "content": "Prosthetic rehabilitation in cases of short dentition raises difficult problems, because a support must be found for free-end denture bases on both the edentulous crest and the remaining teeth. A prosthesis employing a wire device for the damping and distribution of forces and thus better able to supply this mixed support is described. Overloading of the abutments is avoided, along with the excessive reabsorption of the alveolar crest caused by classic damped appliances. Clinical experience in a series of cases treated over a period of ten years points to the effectiveness of this type of prosthesis.", "contents": "[Prosthetic rehabilitation by removable prostheses supported with wire in Kennedy class 1 cases and its 1st modification no. 1]. Prosthetic rehabilitation in cases of short dentition raises difficult problems, because a support must be found for free-end denture bases on both the edentulous crest and the remaining teeth. A prosthesis employing a wire device for the damping and distribution of forces and thus better able to supply this mixed support is described. Overloading of the abutments is avoided, along with the excessive reabsorption of the alveolar crest caused by classic damped appliances. Clinical experience in a series of cases treated over a period of ten years points to the effectiveness of this type of prosthesis.", "PMID": 794684} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10187", "title": "Isolation and characterization of Co1E2 plasmid mutants unable to kill colicin-sensitive cells.", "content": "After transfer from a mutagenized host, twenty one Co1E2 plasmid mutants were isolated after screening 10,000 clones for abnormal colicin production. Analysis by SDS polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis of proteins synthesized after mitomycin C-induction of mutant cultures, indicates that all but two of the mutations are in the structural gene from colicin E2. Of these, nine produce fragments of colicin in both whole cells and minicells and some are suppressed by nonsense suppressors. Studies with a nonsense mutant producing only a small colicin E2 fragment (Co1E2-421) suggest that colicin E2 in not involved in plasmid DNA replication, in the control of its own synthesis, or required for cell death when cells become committed to colicin production. The two plasmid mutants outside the colicin gene segregate plasmid-free cells at 33 degrees, 37 degrees and 43 degrees. One segregates fairly rapidly (about 4% per generation) though the colicin-producing cells make normal amounts of colicin, whilst the other segregates more slowly and the colicin-producing cells make much reduced amounts of colicin.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of Co1E2 plasmid mutants unable to kill colicin-sensitive cells. After transfer from a mutagenized host, twenty one Co1E2 plasmid mutants were isolated after screening 10,000 clones for abnormal colicin production. Analysis by SDS polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis of proteins synthesized after mitomycin C-induction of mutant cultures, indicates that all but two of the mutations are in the structural gene from colicin E2. Of these, nine produce fragments of colicin in both whole cells and minicells and some are suppressed by nonsense suppressors. Studies with a nonsense mutant producing only a small colicin E2 fragment (Co1E2-421) suggest that colicin E2 in not involved in plasmid DNA replication, in the control of its own synthesis, or required for cell death when cells become committed to colicin production. The two plasmid mutants outside the colicin gene segregate plasmid-free cells at 33 degrees, 37 degrees and 43 degrees. One segregates fairly rapidly (about 4% per generation) though the colicin-producing cells make normal amounts of colicin, whilst the other segregates more slowly and the colicin-producing cells make much reduced amounts of colicin.", "PMID": 794689} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10188", "title": "[Tooth decoration in pre-colombian America].", "content": "A form of body decoration that developed in precolombian America is described and examined. The vestibular face and shape of the front teeth were altered in various ways, details of which are clear from archaeological discoveries (crania, teeth, ceramics, and statues). The various technical, social and cultural aspects of this practice are discussed with reference to their place in a civilisation whose works are still admired today.", "contents": "[Tooth decoration in pre-colombian America]. A form of body decoration that developed in precolombian America is described and examined. The vestibular face and shape of the front teeth were altered in various ways, details of which are clear from archaeological discoveries (crania, teeth, ceramics, and statues). The various technical, social and cultural aspects of this practice are discussed with reference to their place in a civilisation whose works are still admired today.", "PMID": 794685} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10189", "title": "The molecular events involved in the induction of petite yeast mutants by fluorinated pyrimidines.", "content": "The fluorinated pyrimidines 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and 5-fluorocytosine (5FC) induce the cytoplasmic petite mutation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with high efficiency. It was found that in order to induce the mutation, 5FC must first be deaminated to 5FU. However, mutagenesis does not depend on the further conversion of 5FU to its deoxyriboside (5FUDR) and subsequent blockade of intracellular thymidine synthesis, since 5FUDR itself was found not to be mutagenic, and 5FU-induced mutagenesis was not antagonised by supplying thymidine monophosphate (dTMP) to a dTMP permeable strain. In any case, observations of the molecular changes accompanying petite induction in log phase cells ruled out the possibility that mutagenesis resulted simply from the dilution out of replication blocked mitDNA molecules, since the appearance of mutants coincided with the synthesis of altered mitDNA molecules. In different strains, the resulting defective molecules were either maintained, giving rise to suppressive rho- petites, or completely degraded, to give pure clones of neutral rho0 mutants. It is suggested that this degradative process was a conseuqence of the incorporation of 5FU into RNA.", "contents": "The molecular events involved in the induction of petite yeast mutants by fluorinated pyrimidines. The fluorinated pyrimidines 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and 5-fluorocytosine (5FC) induce the cytoplasmic petite mutation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with high efficiency. It was found that in order to induce the mutation, 5FC must first be deaminated to 5FU. However, mutagenesis does not depend on the further conversion of 5FU to its deoxyriboside (5FUDR) and subsequent blockade of intracellular thymidine synthesis, since 5FUDR itself was found not to be mutagenic, and 5FU-induced mutagenesis was not antagonised by supplying thymidine monophosphate (dTMP) to a dTMP permeable strain. In any case, observations of the molecular changes accompanying petite induction in log phase cells ruled out the possibility that mutagenesis resulted simply from the dilution out of replication blocked mitDNA molecules, since the appearance of mutants coincided with the synthesis of altered mitDNA molecules. In different strains, the resulting defective molecules were either maintained, giving rise to suppressive rho- petites, or completely degraded, to give pure clones of neutral rho0 mutants. It is suggested that this degradative process was a conseuqence of the incorporation of 5FU into RNA.", "PMID": 794690} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10190", "title": "[Clinico-experimental study of a new antibactorial agent for local use in stomatology].", "content": "Tibezonium iodide is a new drug having antibacterial activity for the therapy and the prevention of mouth infections. Before testing its therapeutic efficacy, its effect on the bacterial flora of the human saliva was verified as follows. Salivary samples, collected before and after the administration (double-blind, cross-over) to volunteers, were counted for bacteria. The drug reduced the bacterial count in the saliva with statistical significance in both the pharmaceutical forms. Subsequently the drug was tested in different dental or oral conditions. To 90 patients suffering from marginal paradentitis or other diseases with this type of complications tablets were administered. The results obtained in this group were satisfactory or almost satisfactory in 73.5% of the cases examined. The patients treated with bubble-gums were 70. All of them were suffering from the same kind of disease of the first group; a few of them had alveolitis following tooth extraction. The results in these subjects were satisfactory or almost satisfactory in 77% of the cases examined. Tibezonium proved to be particularly effective in marginal paradentitis and in piorrhoic paradontosis. Bubble-gums should not be used in subjects with dental mobile prosthesis.", "contents": "[Clinico-experimental study of a new antibactorial agent for local use in stomatology]. Tibezonium iodide is a new drug having antibacterial activity for the therapy and the prevention of mouth infections. Before testing its therapeutic efficacy, its effect on the bacterial flora of the human saliva was verified as follows. Salivary samples, collected before and after the administration (double-blind, cross-over) to volunteers, were counted for bacteria. The drug reduced the bacterial count in the saliva with statistical significance in both the pharmaceutical forms. Subsequently the drug was tested in different dental or oral conditions. To 90 patients suffering from marginal paradentitis or other diseases with this type of complications tablets were administered. The results obtained in this group were satisfactory or almost satisfactory in 73.5% of the cases examined. The patients treated with bubble-gums were 70. All of them were suffering from the same kind of disease of the first group; a few of them had alveolitis following tooth extraction. The results in these subjects were satisfactory or almost satisfactory in 77% of the cases examined. Tibezonium proved to be particularly effective in marginal paradentitis and in piorrhoic paradontosis. Bubble-gums should not be used in subjects with dental mobile prosthesis.", "PMID": 794686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10191", "title": "The conditions required for the induction of petite yeast mutants by fluorinated pyrimidines.", "content": "Cytoplasmic petite mutagenesis by 5-fluorouracil (5FU) was prevented by temperature sensitive mutations which blcoked either nuclear transcription or cytoplasmic translation. However, 5FU was also ineffective in resting cells and in cells exposed to alpha-mating factor, showing that cell division or nuclear DNA synthesis is required for the mutagenic event to take place. In addition, the mutagenic effect of 5FU was completely prevented by daunomycin, and since this agent preferentially inhibits respiratory growth and was shown to selectively block RNA synthesis in the mitochondria, it was concluded that petite mutagensis resulted from incorporation of 5FU into mitochondrial RNA. Since inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis by erythromycin had little immediate effect on the mutagenicity of 5FU, it was deduced that the RNA in question is not directly involved in mitochondrial translation, and may have a regulatory function.", "contents": "The conditions required for the induction of petite yeast mutants by fluorinated pyrimidines. Cytoplasmic petite mutagenesis by 5-fluorouracil (5FU) was prevented by temperature sensitive mutations which blcoked either nuclear transcription or cytoplasmic translation. However, 5FU was also ineffective in resting cells and in cells exposed to alpha-mating factor, showing that cell division or nuclear DNA synthesis is required for the mutagenic event to take place. In addition, the mutagenic effect of 5FU was completely prevented by daunomycin, and since this agent preferentially inhibits respiratory growth and was shown to selectively block RNA synthesis in the mitochondria, it was concluded that petite mutagensis resulted from incorporation of 5FU into mitochondrial RNA. Since inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis by erythromycin had little immediate effect on the mutagenicity of 5FU, it was deduced that the RNA in question is not directly involved in mitochondrial translation, and may have a regulatory function.", "PMID": 794691} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10192", "title": "Cloning bacterial genes with plasmid gammadv.", "content": "recombinant molecules recovered from transformed E. coli cells consisted of a biologically functional bacterial DNA fragment and, excep", "contents": "Cloning bacterial genes with plasmid gammadv. recombinant molecules recovered from transformed E. coli cells consisted of a biologically functional bacterial DNA fragment and, excep", "PMID": 794692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10193", "title": "Stability of \"spacer\" sequences of pre-ribosomal RNA in Escherichia coli.", "content": "\"SPACER\" SEQUENCES OF AN RRNA gene transcript were detected with high efficiency by hybridization with DNA of the specilized transducing phase phi80rrn. Hybridization-competition studies revealed that 20 to 23% of the 30S precursor rRNA, obtained from E. coli mutant strain AB301/105, consist of \"spacer\" sequences. The \"spacer\" sequences formed hybrids with E. coli DNA, but not with Vibrio DNA. Experiments with RNA labeling in the presence of rifampicin showed that more than 80% of the spacer sequences arrive in full-length 30S pre rRNA chains before any cleavage of the RNA occurs. The hybridization assays also permitted the detection of \"spacer\" sequences in pulse-labeled rRNA of wild-type cells, in which the 30S pre-rRNA is already cleaved during its synthesis. Many of these \"spacer\" sequences degraded to alcohol-soluble materials with a half-life time of 1.2 min. The half-life was not lengthened by the treatment of cells with chloramphenicol, which stabilizes bulk mRNA. However, unstable \"spacer\" sequences transcribed in cells deficient in RNase III exhibited slower degradation, with a half-life time of about 9 min, whereas the cleavage of 30S pre-rRNA to smaller RNA species occurred with a half-life of about 3 min. These results are consistent with the notion that a rate-limiting action of RNase III in the initial attack leads to degradation of \"spacer\" sequences in rRNA gene transcript; and that degradation is not at all connected with ribosome translocation.", "contents": "Stability of \"spacer\" sequences of pre-ribosomal RNA in Escherichia coli. \"SPACER\" SEQUENCES OF AN RRNA gene transcript were detected with high efficiency by hybridization with DNA of the specilized transducing phase phi80rrn. Hybridization-competition studies revealed that 20 to 23% of the 30S precursor rRNA, obtained from E. coli mutant strain AB301/105, consist of \"spacer\" sequences. The \"spacer\" sequences formed hybrids with E. coli DNA, but not with Vibrio DNA. Experiments with RNA labeling in the presence of rifampicin showed that more than 80% of the spacer sequences arrive in full-length 30S pre rRNA chains before any cleavage of the RNA occurs. The hybridization assays also permitted the detection of \"spacer\" sequences in pulse-labeled rRNA of wild-type cells, in which the 30S pre-rRNA is already cleaved during its synthesis. Many of these \"spacer\" sequences degraded to alcohol-soluble materials with a half-life time of 1.2 min. The half-life was not lengthened by the treatment of cells with chloramphenicol, which stabilizes bulk mRNA. However, unstable \"spacer\" sequences transcribed in cells deficient in RNase III exhibited slower degradation, with a half-life time of about 9 min, whereas the cleavage of 30S pre-rRNA to smaller RNA species occurred with a half-life of about 3 min. These results are consistent with the notion that a rate-limiting action of RNase III in the initial attack leads to degradation of \"spacer\" sequences in rRNA gene transcript; and that degradation is not at all connected with ribosome translocation.", "PMID": 794693} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10194", "title": "Mapping missense and nonsense mutation in gene cI of bacteriophage lambda: marker effects.", "content": "Amber and missense mutations in gene cI of bacteriophage lambda were mapped by reciprocal four-factor crosses, selecting recombinants between the outside markers (N amber and O amber). Distances between cI missense mutations were additive. Several cI amber mutants recombined with other cI mutations with a higher frequency than expected from the map location. Multiple exchanges in the N-O region occurred at a frequency greater than expected by chance. This \"high negative interference\" was especially marked in crosses with the cI amber mutations that were strong recombiners. A new ind mutation, ind2, was found near tsU51, to the left of the previously-known ind1 mutation, which is located almost in the center of gene cI. The mutation c50 maps to the right of tsU50 and c71. Mutations c60, and ts71, which differ in phenotype, are apparently at the same site.", "contents": "Mapping missense and nonsense mutation in gene cI of bacteriophage lambda: marker effects. Amber and missense mutations in gene cI of bacteriophage lambda were mapped by reciprocal four-factor crosses, selecting recombinants between the outside markers (N amber and O amber). Distances between cI missense mutations were additive. Several cI amber mutants recombined with other cI mutations with a higher frequency than expected from the map location. Multiple exchanges in the N-O region occurred at a frequency greater than expected by chance. This \"high negative interference\" was especially marked in crosses with the cI amber mutations that were strong recombiners. A new ind mutation, ind2, was found near tsU51, to the left of the previously-known ind1 mutation, which is located almost in the center of gene cI. The mutation c50 maps to the right of tsU50 and c71. Mutations c60, and ts71, which differ in phenotype, are apparently at the same site.", "PMID": 794694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10195", "title": "A ribosomal RNA gene of Escherichia coli (rrnD) on lamnda daro E specialized transducing phages.", "content": "Lambda-transducing phages carrying segments of the Escherichia coli chromosome in the aroE-trkA region have been isolated and shown by hybridization to carry an rRNA gene (rrnD). The most likely gene order is trkA aroE rrnD. The EcoRI and SmaI endonuclease cutting pattern of the rrnD gene is identical with the one of rrnB, differented from rrnC.", "contents": "A ribosomal RNA gene of Escherichia coli (rrnD) on lamnda daro E specialized transducing phages. Lambda-transducing phages carrying segments of the Escherichia coli chromosome in the aroE-trkA region have been isolated and shown by hybridization to carry an rRNA gene (rrnD). The most likely gene order is trkA aroE rrnD. The EcoRI and SmaI endonuclease cutting pattern of the rrnD gene is identical with the one of rrnB, differented from rrnC.", "PMID": 794695} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10196", "title": "Yeast cell-cycle mutant cdc21 is a temperature-sensitive thymidylate auxotroph.", "content": "Genetic tests with the yeast cell-cycle mutant cdc21 isolated by Hartwell indicate that the CDC21 gene in yeast is the same as the TMP1 gene, whose mutant alleles confer an auxotrophic requirement for thymidine-5'-monophosphate (dTMP). Yeast strains carrying cdc21 can grow at 37 degrees in the presence of dTMP provided that they are premeable to this compound. The gene is shown to be linked to ade2 on Chr. XV, and a case of intragenic complementation between cdc21 and another tmp1 allele is reported.", "contents": "Yeast cell-cycle mutant cdc21 is a temperature-sensitive thymidylate auxotroph. Genetic tests with the yeast cell-cycle mutant cdc21 isolated by Hartwell indicate that the CDC21 gene in yeast is the same as the TMP1 gene, whose mutant alleles confer an auxotrophic requirement for thymidine-5'-monophosphate (dTMP). Yeast strains carrying cdc21 can grow at 37 degrees in the presence of dTMP provided that they are premeable to this compound. The gene is shown to be linked to ade2 on Chr. XV, and a case of intragenic complementation between cdc21 and another tmp1 allele is reported.", "PMID": 794696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10197", "title": "The host specificity system in Escherichia coli SK.", "content": "E. coli SK has its own enzyme system providing DNA host specificity which differs from the known types of specificity in E. coli K12 and E. coli B. Modification and restriction are observed when the PBVI or PBV3 phages are transferred from E. coli SK to E. coli B or K12 (and back). A methylase has been isolated from E. coli SK cells and partly purified. This methylase catalyzes in vitro transfer of the labelled methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to DNA of both phage and tissue origin which gives rise to 5'-methylcytosine (5'MC) and 6'-methylaminopurine (6'MAP). The methylase preparations isolated from the cells at the stationary growth have proved to be 1.5-1.7 times as active as the enzyme from the cells at the logarithmic growth stage. The extract of E. coli SK cells infected with the phage SD cannot methylate DNA in vitro. This fact is due to de novo synthesis of the enzyme which disintegrates SAM down to 5'-methyltioadenosine (5'MTA) and homoserine (HS). This enzyme is not found in the cells infected with the SD phage in the presence of chloroamphenicole. The activity of the enzyme which disintegrates SAM is the highest between the 4th and the 5th minutes of infection. Thus it may be assumed that this enzyme, most probably, is an early virus specific protein and prevents in vivo methylation of the phage DNA.", "contents": "The host specificity system in Escherichia coli SK. E. coli SK has its own enzyme system providing DNA host specificity which differs from the known types of specificity in E. coli K12 and E. coli B. Modification and restriction are observed when the PBVI or PBV3 phages are transferred from E. coli SK to E. coli B or K12 (and back). A methylase has been isolated from E. coli SK cells and partly purified. This methylase catalyzes in vitro transfer of the labelled methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to DNA of both phage and tissue origin which gives rise to 5'-methylcytosine (5'MC) and 6'-methylaminopurine (6'MAP). The methylase preparations isolated from the cells at the stationary growth have proved to be 1.5-1.7 times as active as the enzyme from the cells at the logarithmic growth stage. The extract of E. coli SK cells infected with the phage SD cannot methylate DNA in vitro. This fact is due to de novo synthesis of the enzyme which disintegrates SAM down to 5'-methyltioadenosine (5'MTA) and homoserine (HS). This enzyme is not found in the cells infected with the SD phage in the presence of chloroamphenicole. The activity of the enzyme which disintegrates SAM is the highest between the 4th and the 5th minutes of infection. Thus it may be assumed that this enzyme, most probably, is an early virus specific protein and prevents in vivo methylation of the phage DNA.", "PMID": 794697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10198", "title": "The extracellular metalloprotease of Serratia marcescens. 2. Comparison with trypsin and substrate specificity.", "content": "The proteolytic activity of the extracellular protease of Serratia marcescens was compared with that of trypsin on N, N-dimethyl casein. The peptides produced from exhaustive hydrolysis of alpha casein by the protease and by trypsin were of similar size as measured by gel filtration on P-10 Agarose. We conclude that the protease of S. marcescens in an endopeptidase with trypsin-like activity on proteins, producing oligopeptides. End group analysis of the peptides formed by the S. marcescens protease suggests that the protease has a unique substrate specificity, hydrolyzing only a peptide bond whose carboxyl group is donated by proline. The protease was inactive on the synthetic peptides with proline donating the carboxyl group, but hydrolyzed various types of natural proteins. Its narrow and novel substrate specificity makes this enzyme a potential tool for the determination of the primary structure of proteins.", "contents": "The extracellular metalloprotease of Serratia marcescens. 2. Comparison with trypsin and substrate specificity. The proteolytic activity of the extracellular protease of Serratia marcescens was compared with that of trypsin on N, N-dimethyl casein. The peptides produced from exhaustive hydrolysis of alpha casein by the protease and by trypsin were of similar size as measured by gel filtration on P-10 Agarose. We conclude that the protease of S. marcescens in an endopeptidase with trypsin-like activity on proteins, producing oligopeptides. End group analysis of the peptides formed by the S. marcescens protease suggests that the protease has a unique substrate specificity, hydrolyzing only a peptide bond whose carboxyl group is donated by proline. The protease was inactive on the synthetic peptides with proline donating the carboxyl group, but hydrolyzed various types of natural proteins. Its narrow and novel substrate specificity makes this enzyme a potential tool for the determination of the primary structure of proteins.", "PMID": 794698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10199", "title": "Loosening and unfolding of E. coli 50 S ribosomal subunits: dependence on magnesium content and temperature.", "content": "Reversible change of 50 S ribosomal subunits to 40 S particles takes place in cold buffered 0.5 M NH4Cl solutions either containing Mg++ (up to 0.1 M), or free from Mg++ and even supplemented with EDTA (1 mM). The 40 S particles were stable only within a definite temperature range. Heating of the samples caused completely irreversible unfolding of the 40 S particles. This \"melting\" appeared to be co-operative and took place within a very narrow range of temperature, which for samples containing Mg++ was a linear function of the log of Mg++ concentration. The results suggest that two types of bonds maintained the compact structure of the ribosomal subunits: ionic bonds involving Mg++ and heat-labile weak interactions between ribosomal components.", "contents": "Loosening and unfolding of E. coli 50 S ribosomal subunits: dependence on magnesium content and temperature. Reversible change of 50 S ribosomal subunits to 40 S particles takes place in cold buffered 0.5 M NH4Cl solutions either containing Mg++ (up to 0.1 M), or free from Mg++ and even supplemented with EDTA (1 mM). The 40 S particles were stable only within a definite temperature range. Heating of the samples caused completely irreversible unfolding of the 40 S particles. This \"melting\" appeared to be co-operative and took place within a very narrow range of temperature, which for samples containing Mg++ was a linear function of the log of Mg++ concentration. The results suggest that two types of bonds maintained the compact structure of the ribosomal subunits: ionic bonds involving Mg++ and heat-labile weak interactions between ribosomal components.", "PMID": 794699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10200", "title": "[Pathophysiology and laboratory diagnosis of collagen diseases (author's transl)].", "content": "Beginning with lesions of the capillary wall, rheumatoid arthritis is morphologically expressed by an aseptic inflammation of the synovia with following necrosis of the cartilage and the underlying bone tissue. Only little is known regarding the pathogenesis but most porbably immune mechansims are involved. There is evidence for the participation of type IV and type III-reactions i.e. sensitized lymphocytes as well as immune complexes. Equally the etiology of RA is totally unknown. Once the inflammatory process has reached some activity, in most cases it shows the character of a selfpertetuation as in other autoimmune diseases. Laboratory examinations include BSR, blood count, measurement of Fe, Cu, RF, complement, streptolysins, staphylolysins, ANA, and in doubtful cases synovial biopsy. Furthermore, effusion fluid of the joint may be examined for RF, ANA, complement, rhagocytes, crystals, protein content etc.--Among the collagen diseases sensu strictori, systemic lupus erythematosus is the most important. The underlying process may be characterized as vasculitis due to immune complexes and local activation of the complement system, the complexes containing native and/or denatured DNA, and antibodies mostly of the IgG class. Laboratory examinations include the demonstration of ANA but should concentrate on the measurement of DNA-antibodies using radioimmunological or at least a sensitive and specific immunofluorescence technique. The value of the various tests is discussed.", "contents": "[Pathophysiology and laboratory diagnosis of collagen diseases (author's transl)]. Beginning with lesions of the capillary wall, rheumatoid arthritis is morphologically expressed by an aseptic inflammation of the synovia with following necrosis of the cartilage and the underlying bone tissue. Only little is known regarding the pathogenesis but most porbably immune mechansims are involved. There is evidence for the participation of type IV and type III-reactions i.e. sensitized lymphocytes as well as immune complexes. Equally the etiology of RA is totally unknown. Once the inflammatory process has reached some activity, in most cases it shows the character of a selfpertetuation as in other autoimmune diseases. Laboratory examinations include BSR, blood count, measurement of Fe, Cu, RF, complement, streptolysins, staphylolysins, ANA, and in doubtful cases synovial biopsy. Furthermore, effusion fluid of the joint may be examined for RF, ANA, complement, rhagocytes, crystals, protein content etc.--Among the collagen diseases sensu strictori, systemic lupus erythematosus is the most important. The underlying process may be characterized as vasculitis due to immune complexes and local activation of the complement system, the complexes containing native and/or denatured DNA, and antibodies mostly of the IgG class. Laboratory examinations include the demonstration of ANA but should concentrate on the measurement of DNA-antibodies using radioimmunological or at least a sensitive and specific immunofluorescence technique. The value of the various tests is discussed.", "PMID": 794700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10201", "title": "Comparative mutagenicity of N-nitrosamines in a semi-solid and in a liquid incubation system in the presence of rat or human tissue fractions.", "content": "The rat liver microsome-mediated mutagenicities of a series of N-nitrosodialkylamines and heterocyclic N-nitrosamines were determined in a liquid incubation system using Salmonella typhimurium TA1530. The influence on mutation frequency of the concentration of co-factors for mixed-function oxidase and composition and molarity of the buffer was investigated, using N-nitrosomorpholine as substrate. The mutagenicity of the N-nitroso compounds in the liquid incubation system under optimal reaction conditions at equimolar concentration was compared quantitatively with that obtained in a soft-agar incorporation assay. N-Nitrosodi-n-pentylamine and N-nitrosodi-n-butylamine showed no enzyme-mediated mutagenicity in the liquid incubation system, and metabolically activated N-nitroso-dimethylamine and N-nitroso-diethylamine showed negligible mutagenic activity in the soft-agar assays. In contrast with these results with the N-nitrosodialkylamines, the mutagenic effects of heterocyclic N-nitrosamines were similar in the liquid incubation system and in soft-agar incorporation assays. The heterocyclic N-nitrosamines showed rat-liver microsome-mediated mutagenicity in the following descending order: N-nitrosomorpholine greater than N-nitrosopyrrolidine greater than N-nitrosopiperidine greater than N-nitroso-N'-methylpiperazine. Seven human liver specimens converted all heterocyclic N-nitrosamines into mutagens; this activity was similar to that of rat liver, except that for N-nitroso-N'-methylpiperazine, fractions from three human liver biopsies were three to 30 times more active than those from untreated rats. The specific reversion of S. typhimurium TA1530 to histidine prototrophy provides experimental evidence that all the N-nitrosamines studied were converted by liver microsomal enzymes into monofunctional alkylating agents.", "contents": "Comparative mutagenicity of N-nitrosamines in a semi-solid and in a liquid incubation system in the presence of rat or human tissue fractions. The rat liver microsome-mediated mutagenicities of a series of N-nitrosodialkylamines and heterocyclic N-nitrosamines were determined in a liquid incubation system using Salmonella typhimurium TA1530. The influence on mutation frequency of the concentration of co-factors for mixed-function oxidase and composition and molarity of the buffer was investigated, using N-nitrosomorpholine as substrate. The mutagenicity of the N-nitroso compounds in the liquid incubation system under optimal reaction conditions at equimolar concentration was compared quantitatively with that obtained in a soft-agar incorporation assay. N-Nitrosodi-n-pentylamine and N-nitrosodi-n-butylamine showed no enzyme-mediated mutagenicity in the liquid incubation system, and metabolically activated N-nitroso-dimethylamine and N-nitroso-diethylamine showed negligible mutagenic activity in the soft-agar assays. In contrast with these results with the N-nitrosodialkylamines, the mutagenic effects of heterocyclic N-nitrosamines were similar in the liquid incubation system and in soft-agar incorporation assays. The heterocyclic N-nitrosamines showed rat-liver microsome-mediated mutagenicity in the following descending order: N-nitrosomorpholine greater than N-nitrosopyrrolidine greater than N-nitrosopiperidine greater than N-nitroso-N'-methylpiperazine. Seven human liver specimens converted all heterocyclic N-nitrosamines into mutagens; this activity was similar to that of rat liver, except that for N-nitroso-N'-methylpiperazine, fractions from three human liver biopsies were three to 30 times more active than those from untreated rats. The specific reversion of S. typhimurium TA1530 to histidine prototrophy provides experimental evidence that all the N-nitrosamines studied were converted by liver microsomal enzymes into monofunctional alkylating agents.", "PMID": 794701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10202", "title": "Lethal effects of pyrimidine dimers induced at 365 nm in strains of E. coli differing in repair capability.", "content": "Photoreactivation (PR) after 365-nm inactivation was measured in four strains of Escherichia coli differing in repair capability. Photoreactivation was observed in the recA strains K12 AB2480 and K12 AB2463 indicating a significant role of pyrimidine dimers in the lethal action of 365-nm radiation in these strains. Significant PR was not observed in the uvrA strain, K12 AB1886, or in the repair proficient strain, K12 AB1157, after 365-nm inactivation. Biological evidence indicated that stationary phase cells had not lost the capacity for photo-enzymatic repair after fluences of 365-nm radiation of 2 X 10(6) J/m-2 or less. It is proposed that pyrimidine dimers, although induced, are not significant 365-nm lethal lesions in uvrA and wild-type strains because of their efficient dark repair.", "contents": "Lethal effects of pyrimidine dimers induced at 365 nm in strains of E. coli differing in repair capability. Photoreactivation (PR) after 365-nm inactivation was measured in four strains of Escherichia coli differing in repair capability. Photoreactivation was observed in the recA strains K12 AB2480 and K12 AB2463 indicating a significant role of pyrimidine dimers in the lethal action of 365-nm radiation in these strains. Significant PR was not observed in the uvrA strain, K12 AB1886, or in the repair proficient strain, K12 AB1157, after 365-nm inactivation. Biological evidence indicated that stationary phase cells had not lost the capacity for photo-enzymatic repair after fluences of 365-nm radiation of 2 X 10(6) J/m-2 or less. It is proposed that pyrimidine dimers, although induced, are not significant 365-nm lethal lesions in uvrA and wild-type strains because of their efficient dark repair.", "PMID": 794702} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10203", "title": "Effects of a short heat pulse on phenomena related to DNA repair in ultraviolet-irradiated Escherichia coli.", "content": "Mutational synergism between heat and UV light in Escherichia coli was examined for evidence supporting various possible synergistic mechanisms. UV and heat lethality were only additive or slightly synergistic after 30 sec at 50 degrees C. The order of treatment did not affect the mutational synergism. Synergism is not peculiar to induction of mutation from streptomycin sensitivity to resistance. Neither DNA breakage nor alteration of post-replication repair rates was seen after a 5 min 50 degrees C heat pulse. Synergism was observed with temperatures as low as 43 degrees C. A strain deficient in excision repair but not post-replication repair exhibited mutational synergism, suggesting that synergism may involve the differential heat alteration of the error-prone post-replication repair process.", "contents": "Effects of a short heat pulse on phenomena related to DNA repair in ultraviolet-irradiated Escherichia coli. Mutational synergism between heat and UV light in Escherichia coli was examined for evidence supporting various possible synergistic mechanisms. UV and heat lethality were only additive or slightly synergistic after 30 sec at 50 degrees C. The order of treatment did not affect the mutational synergism. Synergism is not peculiar to induction of mutation from streptomycin sensitivity to resistance. Neither DNA breakage nor alteration of post-replication repair rates was seen after a 5 min 50 degrees C heat pulse. Synergism was observed with temperatures as low as 43 degrees C. A strain deficient in excision repair but not post-replication repair exhibited mutational synergism, suggesting that synergism may involve the differential heat alteration of the error-prone post-replication repair process.", "PMID": 794703} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10204", "title": "Mutagenicity of K-region epoxides of polycyclic aromatic compounds: structure-activity relationship.", "content": "The mutagenicity of several K-region arene oxides was tested in histidine-dependent mutants of Salmonella typhimurium. Benzo(a)pyrene-4,5-oxide and pyrene-4,5-oxide as well as some substituted phenanthrene oxides were mutagenic in strains TA 1538 and TA 98 which detect frame-shift mutagens. Structure-activity relationships are discussed from the standpoint of chemical reactivity. The absence of direct correlation between electrophilic reactivity and mutagenicity may suggest that primilarily physical properties, such as relative position of the epoxide group and molecular shape of arene oxides, are important for the emergence of mutagenicity of arene oxides.", "contents": "Mutagenicity of K-region epoxides of polycyclic aromatic compounds: structure-activity relationship. The mutagenicity of several K-region arene oxides was tested in histidine-dependent mutants of Salmonella typhimurium. Benzo(a)pyrene-4,5-oxide and pyrene-4,5-oxide as well as some substituted phenanthrene oxides were mutagenic in strains TA 1538 and TA 98 which detect frame-shift mutagens. Structure-activity relationships are discussed from the standpoint of chemical reactivity. The absence of direct correlation between electrophilic reactivity and mutagenicity may suggest that primilarily physical properties, such as relative position of the epoxide group and molecular shape of arene oxides, are important for the emergence of mutagenicity of arene oxides.", "PMID": 794704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10205", "title": "Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on radiation-induced heteroallelic reversion in diploid yeast.", "content": "Dimethyl sulfoxide has cryoprotective and radioprotective properties. It is also an efficient scavenger of radicals produced by raiolysis of water. Gamma-induced reversions of diploid yeast in the presence of this chemical during irradiation have been studied. The dose-modifying factor was in the same range as for survival. When the yeast was irradiated in the frozen state the observed protection by DMSO disappeared. The results are discussed in terms of direct and indirect actions of radiations and the radical-scavenging ability of this chemical.", "contents": "Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on radiation-induced heteroallelic reversion in diploid yeast. Dimethyl sulfoxide has cryoprotective and radioprotective properties. It is also an efficient scavenger of radicals produced by raiolysis of water. Gamma-induced reversions of diploid yeast in the presence of this chemical during irradiation have been studied. The dose-modifying factor was in the same range as for survival. When the yeast was irradiated in the frozen state the observed protection by DMSO disappeared. The results are discussed in terms of direct and indirect actions of radiations and the radical-scavenging ability of this chemical.", "PMID": 794705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10206", "title": "Genetic effects induced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by cyclophosphamide in vitro without liver enzyme preparations.", "content": "Cyclophosphamide induced forward mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain S288C and mitotic recombination in strains D3 and D5 but not in strain D4. The yeast cells were treated with the compound in phosphate buffer without recourse to metabolic activation protocols. Elevation of the treatment temperature increased the genetic activity of cyclophosphamide. Respiration-deficient isolates of strains S288C and D3 were more sensitive than the respiratory competent parent strains were for inducing forward mutation and mitotic recombination, respectively. Cyclophosphamide was incubated in phosphate buffer alone for increasing time intervals; strain D3 cells were added to aliquots for each time interval and incubated for an additional 30 min. The frequency of induced recombination increased as the time of compound incubation increased, showing that spontaneous degradation of cyclophosphamide to genetically active breakdown products was responsible for the genetic damage induced in the yeast cells.", "contents": "Genetic effects induced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by cyclophosphamide in vitro without liver enzyme preparations. Cyclophosphamide induced forward mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain S288C and mitotic recombination in strains D3 and D5 but not in strain D4. The yeast cells were treated with the compound in phosphate buffer without recourse to metabolic activation protocols. Elevation of the treatment temperature increased the genetic activity of cyclophosphamide. Respiration-deficient isolates of strains S288C and D3 were more sensitive than the respiratory competent parent strains were for inducing forward mutation and mitotic recombination, respectively. Cyclophosphamide was incubated in phosphate buffer alone for increasing time intervals; strain D3 cells were added to aliquots for each time interval and incubated for an additional 30 min. The frequency of induced recombination increased as the time of compound incubation increased, showing that spontaneous degradation of cyclophosphamide to genetically active breakdown products was responsible for the genetic damage induced in the yeast cells.", "PMID": 794706} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10207", "title": "A comparative study of different experimental protocols for mutagenesis assays with the 9-azaguanine resistance system in cultured Chinese hamster cells.", "content": "Both spontaneous and EMS-induced mutant frequencies were determined in cultured cells from V79 Chinese hamsters using three different experimental protocols. After optimal expression time was attained, mutation frequencies only remained constant when a protocol was used in whcih the cell density was maintained below critical values both before and during mutant selection. The identification of such a plateau allows, besides more reliable and reproducible estimates of mutation frequency, reduction in the size of experiments for quantitative evaluation of mutagenicity. Determination of mutation frequencies over a wide range of expression times becomes in fact unnecessary.", "contents": "A comparative study of different experimental protocols for mutagenesis assays with the 9-azaguanine resistance system in cultured Chinese hamster cells. Both spontaneous and EMS-induced mutant frequencies were determined in cultured cells from V79 Chinese hamsters using three different experimental protocols. After optimal expression time was attained, mutation frequencies only remained constant when a protocol was used in whcih the cell density was maintained below critical values both before and during mutant selection. The identification of such a plateau allows, besides more reliable and reproducible estimates of mutation frequency, reduction in the size of experiments for quantitative evaluation of mutagenicity. Determination of mutation frequencies over a wide range of expression times becomes in fact unnecessary.", "PMID": 794707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10208", "title": "Comparison of two naltrexone treatment programs: naltrexone alone versus naltrexone plus behavior therapy.", "content": "During a period of one year naltrexone was given to twenty-nine subjects. Fifteen of these subjects concurrently participated in a comprehensive behavior therapy program. The subjects in this naltrexone/behavior therapy group were maintanine on naltrexone for nearly twice as long as naltrexone group clients who received no therapy. If the chances for readdiction are reduced by increased time on naltrexone, then the data states the naltrexone should be dispensed as part of a broader therapeutic strategy. Follow-up data, which will be collected during the next year will test the validity of this hypothesis.", "contents": "Comparison of two naltrexone treatment programs: naltrexone alone versus naltrexone plus behavior therapy. During a period of one year naltrexone was given to twenty-nine subjects. Fifteen of these subjects concurrently participated in a comprehensive behavior therapy program. The subjects in this naltrexone/behavior therapy group were maintanine on naltrexone for nearly twice as long as naltrexone group clients who received no therapy. If the chances for readdiction are reduced by increased time on naltrexone, then the data states the naltrexone should be dispensed as part of a broader therapeutic strategy. Follow-up data, which will be collected during the next year will test the validity of this hypothesis.", "PMID": 794716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10209", "title": "Interim report on clinic intake and safety data collected from 17 NIDA-funded naltrexone studies.", "content": "In 17 studies of naltrexone, a totoal of 1,536 patients had been logged in as potential study subjects as of February 29, 1976. Of these, 883 had been started on study medication, including 107 on placebo as controls. A relatively high rate of attrition was seen in all studies over the first two months of study medication; this attrition rate tended to flatten out at about the fourth month. Of the 883 subjects beginning study medication, 47 (5.3%) were subsequently terminated for medical reasons. The data available on 45 of these subjects indicate equivalent percentages, both with respect to the total number of dropouts in the two study medication groups (naltrexone: 39 of 676, or 5.0%; placebo: 6 of 107, or 5.6%) and to the number of dropouts which the clinic reported as \"possibly drug-related\" (naltrexone: 6 out of 676, or 0.9%; placebo: 1 of 107, or 0.9%). However, one of the \"possibly drug-related\" dropouts developed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura after the administration of naltrexone for approximately 13 months during four separate treatment admissions. Statistical review of the data and subsequent analyses of the five double-blind, placebo-controlled studies administered by the National Academy of Sciences revealed no significant medication-group differences with respect to the physical/psychiatric or laboratory data. A review of the symptom data and analyses indicates that the frequency of occurrences of certain of the gastrointestinal tract symptoms recorded was somewhat higher in those subjects treated with naltrexone. Specific symptoms involved included \"Loss of Appetite\", \"Abdominal Pain or Cramps\", \"Nausea or Vomiting\", and \"Constipation\". However, the relative severity of these symptoms for all subjects experiencing any symptomatology was not statistically differentiable with respect to study medication group.", "contents": "Interim report on clinic intake and safety data collected from 17 NIDA-funded naltrexone studies. In 17 studies of naltrexone, a totoal of 1,536 patients had been logged in as potential study subjects as of February 29, 1976. Of these, 883 had been started on study medication, including 107 on placebo as controls. A relatively high rate of attrition was seen in all studies over the first two months of study medication; this attrition rate tended to flatten out at about the fourth month. Of the 883 subjects beginning study medication, 47 (5.3%) were subsequently terminated for medical reasons. The data available on 45 of these subjects indicate equivalent percentages, both with respect to the total number of dropouts in the two study medication groups (naltrexone: 39 of 676, or 5.0%; placebo: 6 of 107, or 5.6%) and to the number of dropouts which the clinic reported as \"possibly drug-related\" (naltrexone: 6 out of 676, or 0.9%; placebo: 1 of 107, or 0.9%). However, one of the \"possibly drug-related\" dropouts developed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura after the administration of naltrexone for approximately 13 months during four separate treatment admissions. Statistical review of the data and subsequent analyses of the five double-blind, placebo-controlled studies administered by the National Academy of Sciences revealed no significant medication-group differences with respect to the physical/psychiatric or laboratory data. A review of the symptom data and analyses indicates that the frequency of occurrences of certain of the gastrointestinal tract symptoms recorded was somewhat higher in those subjects treated with naltrexone. Specific symptoms involved included \"Loss of Appetite\", \"Abdominal Pain or Cramps\", \"Nausea or Vomiting\", and \"Constipation\". However, the relative severity of these symptoms for all subjects experiencing any symptomatology was not statistically differentiable with respect to study medication group.", "PMID": 794717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10210", "title": "Clinical experiences with naltrexone in 370 detoxified addicts.", "content": "Our studies have shown no evidence of toxicity and few side effects from naltrexone. It is a valuable adjunct in treating addicts who wish to be opiate free. Patients who drop out and return to treatment tend to remain longer with each successive readmission. Naltrexone has special potential for persons, such as an opiate-abusing physician for whom methadone maintenance is clearly inappropriate. A double-blind study has suggested that it may have value as a transitional treatment for detoxified methadone maintenance patients. Differences between naltrexone and cyclazocine suggest that a treatment combining these drugs should be explored.", "contents": "Clinical experiences with naltrexone in 370 detoxified addicts. Our studies have shown no evidence of toxicity and few side effects from naltrexone. It is a valuable adjunct in treating addicts who wish to be opiate free. Patients who drop out and return to treatment tend to remain longer with each successive readmission. Naltrexone has special potential for persons, such as an opiate-abusing physician for whom methadone maintenance is clearly inappropriate. A double-blind study has suggested that it may have value as a transitional treatment for detoxified methadone maintenance patients. Differences between naltrexone and cyclazocine suggest that a treatment combining these drugs should be explored.", "PMID": 794726} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10211", "title": "Cell length, cell growth and cell division.", "content": "When cells of E. coli reach a certain critical length, which is constant in all growth conditions and eqqal to twice the minimum cell length, they abruptly increase their rate of elongation and divide about 20 min later. Chromosome replication terminates at about this same cell length but is not the signal for the change in rate of cell elongation.", "contents": "Cell length, cell growth and cell division. When cells of E. coli reach a certain critical length, which is constant in all growth conditions and eqqal to twice the minimum cell length, they abruptly increase their rate of elongation and divide about 20 min later. Chromosome replication terminates at about this same cell length but is not the signal for the change in rate of cell elongation.", "PMID": 794735} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10212", "title": "Evaluation of six short term tests for detecting organic chemical carcinogens and recommendations for their use.", "content": "Six short term tests for detecting carcinogenicity have been evaluated using 120 compounds, of which half were carcinogens and the rest non-carcinogens. The results obtained indicate that the Ames test and a \"cell transformation\" assay are both sufficiently sensitive to carcinogenicity, or the lack of it, in the compounds studied to enable them to be employed for detecting potential carcinogens. The consequences of using short term tests under various screening conditions have been explored. In order to have confidence in the results obtained for new or previously untested compounds it is important to use such tests in a carefully controlled manner.", "contents": "Evaluation of six short term tests for detecting organic chemical carcinogens and recommendations for their use. Six short term tests for detecting carcinogenicity have been evaluated using 120 compounds, of which half were carcinogens and the rest non-carcinogens. The results obtained indicate that the Ames test and a \"cell transformation\" assay are both sufficiently sensitive to carcinogenicity, or the lack of it, in the compounds studied to enable them to be employed for detecting potential carcinogens. The consequences of using short term tests under various screening conditions have been explored. In order to have confidence in the results obtained for new or previously untested compounds it is important to use such tests in a carefully controlled manner.", "PMID": 794741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10213", "title": "Intralesional BCG application in malignant melanoma.", "content": "Immunotherapy of malignant melanoma with BCG may be divided into two basic groups: 1. treatment of minimum residual disease. 2. direct intralesional application of BCG. In 19 patients with a histologically confirmed malignant melanoma, direct intralesional application of BCG was used to treat relapsing patients. In 10 of the 19 patients (group A) the relapse was confined to the primary region without signs of distant dissemination. In the remaining 9 patients (group B) signs of the lesion were present prior to BCG application. Our clinical and cytological evaluation bore on local reactions, systemic side reactions and response of non-injected lesions. In patients without signs of distant dissemination, local regression, characterized by a flattening and disappearance of lenticular metastases with scar formation, was achieved in 8/10 patients, while in the noninjected lesions, regression was noted in only 4/10 patients. In 4 patients of group A complete remission lasting 4-6 months was achieved. In the group of patients with signs of distant dissemination, local regression was observed in 6/9, while noninjected lesion regressed in only 1/9. Systemic response to BCG was characterized by febrile reactions with, in the majority of the patients, nausea till vomiting, muscular pain, pain of joints. In the majority of the patients the reaction passed away within 24 hr. A pretreatment with antipyretic and antihistaminic drugs proved of great help. The effect of BCG on the subsequent fate and survival of the patients is not discussed.", "contents": "Intralesional BCG application in malignant melanoma. Immunotherapy of malignant melanoma with BCG may be divided into two basic groups: 1. treatment of minimum residual disease. 2. direct intralesional application of BCG. In 19 patients with a histologically confirmed malignant melanoma, direct intralesional application of BCG was used to treat relapsing patients. In 10 of the 19 patients (group A) the relapse was confined to the primary region without signs of distant dissemination. In the remaining 9 patients (group B) signs of the lesion were present prior to BCG application. Our clinical and cytological evaluation bore on local reactions, systemic side reactions and response of non-injected lesions. In patients without signs of distant dissemination, local regression, characterized by a flattening and disappearance of lenticular metastases with scar formation, was achieved in 8/10 patients, while in the noninjected lesions, regression was noted in only 4/10 patients. In 4 patients of group A complete remission lasting 4-6 months was achieved. In the group of patients with signs of distant dissemination, local regression was observed in 6/9, while noninjected lesion regressed in only 1/9. Systemic response to BCG was characterized by febrile reactions with, in the majority of the patients, nausea till vomiting, muscular pain, pain of joints. In the majority of the patients the reaction passed away within 24 hr. A pretreatment with antipyretic and antihistaminic drugs proved of great help. The effect of BCG on the subsequent fate and survival of the patients is not discussed.", "PMID": 794745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10214", "title": "Malignant lymphoma with isolated kidney involvement.", "content": "A case of reticulum cell sarcoma with kidney involvement is described. The diagnosis was established by open renal biopsy only when the disease was far advanced. Treatment with combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy brought about very short remission and the patient died in uremia. Autopsy showed isolated kidney involvement with only metastasis in thyroid gland.", "contents": "Malignant lymphoma with isolated kidney involvement. A case of reticulum cell sarcoma with kidney involvement is described. The diagnosis was established by open renal biopsy only when the disease was far advanced. Treatment with combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy brought about very short remission and the patient died in uremia. Autopsy showed isolated kidney involvement with only metastasis in thyroid gland.", "PMID": 794746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10215", "title": "[A case of paravertebral lumbar meningomyelocele (author's transl)].", "content": "A case reported here is one year-old girl, who was admitted to our neurosurgical service because of gradually increasing swelling in the left lumbar region, and maldevelopment and paresis of the left leg since birth. From the level of L-2 to S-1, there was a 8 X 7 xm subcutaneous swelling of lipomatous consistency with well-defined margins. Of particular characteristics was that the swelling didn't cross the midline and was entirely located in the left paravertebral region (Fig. 1). In the spine no gap could be felt between the spinous processes. There was no evidence of hydrocephalus, but she bad marked right sided scoliotic deformity of the lumbar region, and dislocation of hip joint and club-foot on the left side. Rectum-bladder-vaginal fistula with defect of anus and hypoplasia of kidney on the left side were also detected. Skiagram of the lumbosacral spine revealed marked right-sided scoliosis at the level of L-1 and hypoplasia of left pedicles, accompanied with marked dilation of transverse diameter of spinal canal between the level of L-1 to S-2. Defect of laminae of lumbosacral spine was not definately determined. Conray myelogram showed presence of cyst protruding laterally to the left paravertebral region probably through defect of lamina on the left side at the level of L-5 (Fig 2). At operation, it was confirmed that meningomyelocele protruded out laterally through the defect of half of lamina at the level of L-5. Massive lipoma was noted inside as well as outside the dura mater. Neural elements were replaced inside the spinal canal and the dura repaired. The postoperative period was uneventful. Diagram of defect of lamina at the level of L-5 and its relationships to the meningomyelocele sac is shown in Fig. 3. Meningocele or meningomyelocele which lays in the paravertebral lumbar region is very rare (Table 2), but the possibility of this disease should always be considered when we examine the patients with lipomatous or cystic swelling in the paravertebral lumbar region, especially when the patients present the neurological symptoms or signs.", "contents": "[A case of paravertebral lumbar meningomyelocele (author's transl)]. A case reported here is one year-old girl, who was admitted to our neurosurgical service because of gradually increasing swelling in the left lumbar region, and maldevelopment and paresis of the left leg since birth. From the level of L-2 to S-1, there was a 8 X 7 xm subcutaneous swelling of lipomatous consistency with well-defined margins. Of particular characteristics was that the swelling didn't cross the midline and was entirely located in the left paravertebral region (Fig. 1). In the spine no gap could be felt between the spinous processes. There was no evidence of hydrocephalus, but she bad marked right sided scoliotic deformity of the lumbar region, and dislocation of hip joint and club-foot on the left side. Rectum-bladder-vaginal fistula with defect of anus and hypoplasia of kidney on the left side were also detected. Skiagram of the lumbosacral spine revealed marked right-sided scoliosis at the level of L-1 and hypoplasia of left pedicles, accompanied with marked dilation of transverse diameter of spinal canal between the level of L-1 to S-2. Defect of laminae of lumbosacral spine was not definately determined. Conray myelogram showed presence of cyst protruding laterally to the left paravertebral region probably through defect of lamina on the left side at the level of L-5 (Fig 2). At operation, it was confirmed that meningomyelocele protruded out laterally through the defect of half of lamina at the level of L-5. Massive lipoma was noted inside as well as outside the dura mater. Neural elements were replaced inside the spinal canal and the dura repaired. The postoperative period was uneventful. Diagram of defect of lamina at the level of L-5 and its relationships to the meningomyelocele sac is shown in Fig. 3. Meningocele or meningomyelocele which lays in the paravertebral lumbar region is very rare (Table 2), but the possibility of this disease should always be considered when we examine the patients with lipomatous or cystic swelling in the paravertebral lumbar region, especially when the patients present the neurological symptoms or signs.", "PMID": 794750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10216", "title": "[Diencephalic cyst--in relation to other midline dysraphism (author's transl)].", "content": "The abnormal midline cyst of diencephalic origin was termed \"diencephalic cyst\" by Brocklehurst in 1973. Since then, several case reports of so-called \"diencephalic cyst\" have appeared, but its clinical picture, especially its relation to other midline dysraphisms, does not seem to be well understood. Our experience with four cases of so-called \"diencephalic cyst\" were reported and their relation to holoprosencephaly as well as simple agenesis of corpus callosum was discussed. (1) In all of these cases, there was an abnormal space in the midline which freely communicated with the lateral ventricle. In the first two cases, their clinical pictures as well as the features of contrast studies were typical of alobar holoprosencephaly. In the third case, the absence of the olfactory tract, the incompletely separated cerebrum, and the monoventricle were confirmed at autopsy. In the last case, the ventricle was also incompletely separated. From these observations, such a malformation should better be considered as a variant of holoprosencephaly, and it would not be appropriate to classify this malformation, as Brocklehurst claimed, as \"a maldevelopment lying between the group associated with anterior neuropore closure and prosencephalization (anterior encephaloceles and holoprosencephaly) and the group associated with maldevelopment of the hind brain (cerebellar and fourth ventricle encephaloceles and Dandy-Walker cyst of the rhombencephalon).\" (2) This malformation is apparently formed before the 40 mm stage of the embryo, since by this time the diencephalic roof has already sunk to the level of the adult form. This maldevelopment should be clearly differenciated from simple agenesis of the corpus callosum which is formed after the 60 mm stage of the embryo. In simple agenesis of the corpus callosum, the deep venous system might take an abnormal course, but is well formed, whereas in holoprosencephaly or so-called \"diencephalic cyst\", the internal cerebral vein as well as the straight sinus and the inferior sagittal sinus is absent. (3) In all of our cases, there was an abnormal space posterior and inferior to the elevated lateral sinus. Autopsy done in two cases revealed that this abnormal space was a Dandy-Walker cyst in one case, the the dorsal sack of diencephalic origin in the other case. The latter case tells that in the cases of holoprosencephaly the lateral sinus does not necessarily mark the boundary between the cerebrum and the cerebellum. (4) \"Diencephalic cyst\" often accompanies severe hydrocephalus. However, even with successful surgical treatment of hydrocephalus, the outcome of intelligence in these cases would be grave.", "contents": "[Diencephalic cyst--in relation to other midline dysraphism (author's transl)]. The abnormal midline cyst of diencephalic origin was termed \"diencephalic cyst\" by Brocklehurst in 1973. Since then, several case reports of so-called \"diencephalic cyst\" have appeared, but its clinical picture, especially its relation to other midline dysraphisms, does not seem to be well understood. Our experience with four cases of so-called \"diencephalic cyst\" were reported and their relation to holoprosencephaly as well as simple agenesis of corpus callosum was discussed. (1) In all of these cases, there was an abnormal space in the midline which freely communicated with the lateral ventricle. In the first two cases, their clinical pictures as well as the features of contrast studies were typical of alobar holoprosencephaly. In the third case, the absence of the olfactory tract, the incompletely separated cerebrum, and the monoventricle were confirmed at autopsy. In the last case, the ventricle was also incompletely separated. From these observations, such a malformation should better be considered as a variant of holoprosencephaly, and it would not be appropriate to classify this malformation, as Brocklehurst claimed, as \"a maldevelopment lying between the group associated with anterior neuropore closure and prosencephalization (anterior encephaloceles and holoprosencephaly) and the group associated with maldevelopment of the hind brain (cerebellar and fourth ventricle encephaloceles and Dandy-Walker cyst of the rhombencephalon).\" (2) This malformation is apparently formed before the 40 mm stage of the embryo, since by this time the diencephalic roof has already sunk to the level of the adult form. This maldevelopment should be clearly differenciated from simple agenesis of the corpus callosum which is formed after the 60 mm stage of the embryo. In simple agenesis of the corpus callosum, the deep venous system might take an abnormal course, but is well formed, whereas in holoprosencephaly or so-called \"diencephalic cyst\", the internal cerebral vein as well as the straight sinus and the inferior sagittal sinus is absent. (3) In all of our cases, there was an abnormal space posterior and inferior to the elevated lateral sinus. Autopsy done in two cases revealed that this abnormal space was a Dandy-Walker cyst in one case, the the dorsal sack of diencephalic origin in the other case. The latter case tells that in the cases of holoprosencephaly the lateral sinus does not necessarily mark the boundary between the cerebrum and the cerebellum. (4) \"Diencephalic cyst\" often accompanies severe hydrocephalus. However, even with successful surgical treatment of hydrocephalus, the outcome of intelligence in these cases would be grave.", "PMID": 794752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10217", "title": "Alpha-adrenergic regulation of growth hormone release after electroconvulsive therapy in man.", "content": "When electroshcok therapy was administered to male psychiatric patients without anticonvulsive premedication, serum growth hormone (GH) increased; the increase was not prevented by an infusion of 20% glucose (5 ml per min) 20 min prior to electroshock. Therefore, the GH rise is not caused by muscle exercise during convulsions. Infusing 30 mg of phentolamine 40 min prior to electroshcok inhibited the GH response. Phentolamine's effect shows that the stress-induced GH release that follows electroconvulsive therapy is mediated by alpha-adrenergic neurons.", "contents": "Alpha-adrenergic regulation of growth hormone release after electroconvulsive therapy in man. When electroshcok therapy was administered to male psychiatric patients without anticonvulsive premedication, serum growth hormone (GH) increased; the increase was not prevented by an infusion of 20% glucose (5 ml per min) 20 min prior to electroshock. Therefore, the GH rise is not caused by muscle exercise during convulsions. Infusing 30 mg of phentolamine 40 min prior to electroshcok inhibited the GH response. Phentolamine's effect shows that the stress-induced GH release that follows electroconvulsive therapy is mediated by alpha-adrenergic neurons.", "PMID": 794753} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10218", "title": "Effect of photoperiod on gonadotropin releasing hormone-induced LH release in the immature rat.", "content": "Female rats raised from birth under a light/dark (LD) or constant light (LL) regimen were given injections at either 24, 29, 33 or 35 days of age of either 5 IU PMSG or 0.1 ml saline. Two days following PMSG or saline injection, the rats were given injections of either 1,000 ng synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) or 0.1 ml saline. Blood samples were taken before and 20 min after injection for LH determinations. PMSG caused a rise in basal LH levels, which was greater in LL than in LD animals. GnRH administration resulted in an LH surge in both LD and LL rats at all ages tested. The LL animals released greater amounts of LH in response to GnRH than did LD animals. In PMSG-primed animals there were no differences in the GnRH-induced LH surge due to either age or photoperiod. It is concluded that PMSG and LL enhance the pituitary's response to GnRH.", "contents": "Effect of photoperiod on gonadotropin releasing hormone-induced LH release in the immature rat. Female rats raised from birth under a light/dark (LD) or constant light (LL) regimen were given injections at either 24, 29, 33 or 35 days of age of either 5 IU PMSG or 0.1 ml saline. Two days following PMSG or saline injection, the rats were given injections of either 1,000 ng synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) or 0.1 ml saline. Blood samples were taken before and 20 min after injection for LH determinations. PMSG caused a rise in basal LH levels, which was greater in LL than in LD animals. GnRH administration resulted in an LH surge in both LD and LL rats at all ages tested. The LL animals released greater amounts of LH in response to GnRH than did LD animals. In PMSG-primed animals there were no differences in the GnRH-induced LH surge due to either age or photoperiod. It is concluded that PMSG and LL enhance the pituitary's response to GnRH.", "PMID": 794754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10219", "title": "A linkage study of depression spectrum disease: the use of the sib-pair method.", "content": "Genetic linkage was studied in depression spectrum disease, a subgroup of unipolar depressive illness defined by presence of familial alcoholism and/or antisocial personality, using a version of the sib pair method of Penrose. Rigorous research diagnostic criteria were used and the diagnoses were made blind, i.e., without knowledge of the genetic marker results. Possibility of linkage was suggested (p less than 0.005) with the alpha-haptoglobin (alpha-Hp) and third complement component (C3) loci. However, the likelihood that these two markers are not on the same chromosome, and the limitations of the sib pair method, permit these findings to be treated as suggestive only and indicate that these two promising markers should be investigated further, using a more definitive method of linkage detection such as the lod score method.", "contents": "A linkage study of depression spectrum disease: the use of the sib-pair method. Genetic linkage was studied in depression spectrum disease, a subgroup of unipolar depressive illness defined by presence of familial alcoholism and/or antisocial personality, using a version of the sib pair method of Penrose. Rigorous research diagnostic criteria were used and the diagnoses were made blind, i.e., without knowledge of the genetic marker results. Possibility of linkage was suggested (p less than 0.005) with the alpha-haptoglobin (alpha-Hp) and third complement component (C3) loci. However, the likelihood that these two markers are not on the same chromosome, and the limitations of the sib pair method, permit these findings to be treated as suggestive only and indicate that these two promising markers should be investigated further, using a more definitive method of linkage detection such as the lod score method.", "PMID": 794755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10220", "title": "Copper jacketed bullets in the central nervous system.", "content": "Bullets fired from hand guns are often partially or fully jacketed with copper - a fact that can usually be recognized on radiographs. The copper content of the metallic foreign body (MFB) appears to be more toxic than unjacketed lead and sometimes leads to migration of the MFB through brain tissue. Therefore, it appears wise to attempt to recognize and remove copper containing MFBs when they lie in contact with the central nervous system. Plain lead missiles and those partially clad with copper often leave traces of lead along their paths, while those that are completely copper clad do not. Partially clad missiles tend to show some separation of lead and copper - revealing two differing metallic densities on the radiographs.", "contents": "Copper jacketed bullets in the central nervous system. Bullets fired from hand guns are often partially or fully jacketed with copper - a fact that can usually be recognized on radiographs. The copper content of the metallic foreign body (MFB) appears to be more toxic than unjacketed lead and sometimes leads to migration of the MFB through brain tissue. Therefore, it appears wise to attempt to recognize and remove copper containing MFBs when they lie in contact with the central nervous system. Plain lead missiles and those partially clad with copper often leave traces of lead along their paths, while those that are completely copper clad do not. Partially clad missiles tend to show some separation of lead and copper - revealing two differing metallic densities on the radiographs.", "PMID": 794756} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10221", "title": "Schools of public health--their doing and undoing.", "content": "The heretofore untold story of Abraham Flexner's role in the establishment of the first endowed schools of public health (Johns Hopkins and Harvard) provides an unusual window through which to view the historic struggle of public health doctors to resolve their identity problem. They have become a profession, nominally a part of and yet fundamentally different from that of the physician in patient care. Nonetheless, the primary qualification for leadership in public health still is considered an M.D. degree rather than a Dr.P.H. or some equivalent. The author analyzes the characteristic inability of public health leaders to support their grand visions in times critical for decision, and calls on the modern community health educator, planner, and organizer to face the explicit question that all but a few of his public health forebears have sidestepped: Is public health a brance of medicine? Are education and training for clinical medicine desirable preparation for a career in public health, or does this simply doom one essential profession to remain subordinate to another?", "contents": "Schools of public health--their doing and undoing. The heretofore untold story of Abraham Flexner's role in the establishment of the first endowed schools of public health (Johns Hopkins and Harvard) provides an unusual window through which to view the historic struggle of public health doctors to resolve their identity problem. They have become a profession, nominally a part of and yet fundamentally different from that of the physician in patient care. Nonetheless, the primary qualification for leadership in public health still is considered an M.D. degree rather than a Dr.P.H. or some equivalent. The author analyzes the characteristic inability of public health leaders to support their grand visions in times critical for decision, and calls on the modern community health educator, planner, and organizer to face the explicit question that all but a few of his public health forebears have sidestepped: Is public health a brance of medicine? Are education and training for clinical medicine desirable preparation for a career in public health, or does this simply doom one essential profession to remain subordinate to another?", "PMID": 794759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10222", "title": "Analgesics and the stomach.", "content": "A review of the literature on the gastrointestinal side effects of the analgesic drugs has disclosed a disparity between generally held views and the scientific evidence. This is largely due to the paucity of large long term controlled trials since the cost of these is very high. The problems in mounting a large observational study with population controls are discussed against a backgrwound of exploratory work in Australia and New Zealand and the conclusion is reached that a comprehensive survey is needed. The difficulties in mounting such a survey are discussed.", "contents": "Analgesics and the stomach. A review of the literature on the gastrointestinal side effects of the analgesic drugs has disclosed a disparity between generally held views and the scientific evidence. This is largely due to the paucity of large long term controlled trials since the cost of these is very high. The problems in mounting a large observational study with population controls are discussed against a backgrwound of exploratory work in Australia and New Zealand and the conclusion is reached that a comprehensive survey is needed. The difficulties in mounting such a survey are discussed.", "PMID": 794776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10223", "title": "Lamellar keratoplasty for recurrent pterygium.", "content": "Lamellar corneoscleral keratoplasty technique for recurrent pterygium is described. The importance of accurate placement of the graft and its usefulness as a tissue barrier to regrowth of the pterygium is postulated. In fifteen eyes with severe recurrent pterygium followed from six months to four years, there have been no further recurrences after using this technique.", "contents": "Lamellar keratoplasty for recurrent pterygium. Lamellar corneoscleral keratoplasty technique for recurrent pterygium is described. The importance of accurate placement of the graft and its usefulness as a tissue barrier to regrowth of the pterygium is postulated. In fifteen eyes with severe recurrent pterygium followed from six months to four years, there have been no further recurrences after using this technique.", "PMID": 794781} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10224", "title": "An interlocking slip knot for cataract sutures: preliminary report.", "content": "A new method of tying a knot for cataract surgery is demonstrated. Its purpose is to provide a safe, interlocking slip knot, using nylon suture, removable merely by pulling on the free ends. Cases are presented showing the safety and effectiveness of the ISK.", "contents": "An interlocking slip knot for cataract sutures: preliminary report. A new method of tying a knot for cataract surgery is demonstrated. Its purpose is to provide a safe, interlocking slip knot, using nylon suture, removable merely by pulling on the free ends. Cases are presented showing the safety and effectiveness of the ISK.", "PMID": 794782} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10225", "title": "[Reconstruction of tumor defects in the oral cavity and mesopharynx].", "content": "A superiorly based cervical skin flap (eventually including the sternocleido-mastoid muscle) has been used in combination with a deltopectoral flap for the one-stage reconstruction of large defects of the oral cavity and mesopharynx. The results obtained in 17 patients show that the presented method is of particular value in cases presenting with unfavorable tissue conditions resulting from heavy irradiation.", "contents": "[Reconstruction of tumor defects in the oral cavity and mesopharynx]. A superiorly based cervical skin flap (eventually including the sternocleido-mastoid muscle) has been used in combination with a deltopectoral flap for the one-stage reconstruction of large defects of the oral cavity and mesopharynx. The results obtained in 17 patients show that the presented method is of particular value in cases presenting with unfavorable tissue conditions resulting from heavy irradiation.", "PMID": 794783} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10226", "title": "[Rhinoscleroma with sinuso-orbitary invasion].", "content": "The authors present the case of an 11-year-old child with a slowly progressive tumoral invasion resulting in bilateral nasal obstruction, massive facial deformation, and an exophthalmos of the left eye. There was no impairment of the child's general health. The histological investigation revealed the presence of Mikulicz' cells and von Frisch's bacilli. The resultant diagnosis was rhinoscleroma.", "contents": "[Rhinoscleroma with sinuso-orbitary invasion]. The authors present the case of an 11-year-old child with a slowly progressive tumoral invasion resulting in bilateral nasal obstruction, massive facial deformation, and an exophthalmos of the left eye. There was no impairment of the child's general health. The histological investigation revealed the presence of Mikulicz' cells and von Frisch's bacilli. The resultant diagnosis was rhinoscleroma.", "PMID": 794784} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10227", "title": "Did Ptolemy understand the moon illusion?", "content": "Ptolemy is often wrongly credited with an explanation of the moon illusion based on the size-distance invariance principle. This paper elucidates the two Ptolemaic accounts: one in the Almagest, based on atmospheric refraction, and the other in the Optics, based on the difficulty of looking upwards. It is the latter passage which has been thought to refer to size-distance invariance, but it is more probable that it refers to the idea that the visual rays are diminished by the force of gravity (i.e. that the retinal image is reduced in size). Alhazen was probably the first author to explain the illusion by the size-distance invariance principle, and Roger Bacon the first to explain the enlarged apparent distance of the horizon by the presence of intervening objects. Della Porta was the first to credit Ptolemy with these explanations, and this mistake was repeated by many subsequent authors.", "contents": "Did Ptolemy understand the moon illusion? Ptolemy is often wrongly credited with an explanation of the moon illusion based on the size-distance invariance principle. This paper elucidates the two Ptolemaic accounts: one in the Almagest, based on atmospheric refraction, and the other in the Optics, based on the difficulty of looking upwards. It is the latter passage which has been thought to refer to size-distance invariance, but it is more probable that it refers to the idea that the visual rays are diminished by the force of gravity (i.e. that the retinal image is reduced in size). Alhazen was probably the first author to explain the illusion by the size-distance invariance principle, and Roger Bacon the first to explain the enlarged apparent distance of the horizon by the presence of intervening objects. Della Porta was the first to credit Ptolemy with these explanations, and this mistake was repeated by many subsequent authors.", "PMID": 794813} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10228", "title": "[A method of studying insulin secretion in humans: the glucose stimulation test, followed by tolbutamide].", "content": "Various parameters of the insulin secretion in man may be appreciated and calculated by studying the insulin response to an intravenous pulse of glucose followed 120 minutes later by one of tolbutamide. The relative insensitivity of the B cell to glucose, probable marker of a constitutional pancreatic predisposition to diabetes may be assessed in a given individual whatever his age and body weight. The glucose intolerance per se is due to, or accompagnied by various B cell dysfunctions according to its etiology. This is illustrated by the results observed in chronic pancreatitis, liver cirrhosis, aged or obese subjects.", "contents": "[A method of studying insulin secretion in humans: the glucose stimulation test, followed by tolbutamide]. Various parameters of the insulin secretion in man may be appreciated and calculated by studying the insulin response to an intravenous pulse of glucose followed 120 minutes later by one of tolbutamide. The relative insensitivity of the B cell to glucose, probable marker of a constitutional pancreatic predisposition to diabetes may be assessed in a given individual whatever his age and body weight. The glucose intolerance per se is due to, or accompagnied by various B cell dysfunctions according to its etiology. This is illustrated by the results observed in chronic pancreatitis, liver cirrhosis, aged or obese subjects.", "PMID": 794823} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10229", "title": "[Dominant generalized cortical hyperostosis with multiple involvement of the cranial nerves].", "content": "The authors report an observation of dominant generalized cortical hyperostosis with multiple and unilateral involvement of a certain number of cranial nerves. In other members of the family, who present with the same bone disorder, involvement of the cranial nerves was limited to the facial nerve, either uni or bilaterally, with a partially or totally regressive evolution. This cranial nerve involvement, which is classic in the recessive form (first described) of generalized cortical hyperostosis, has until now, never been reported in the dominant form of this disorder.", "contents": "[Dominant generalized cortical hyperostosis with multiple involvement of the cranial nerves]. The authors report an observation of dominant generalized cortical hyperostosis with multiple and unilateral involvement of a certain number of cranial nerves. In other members of the family, who present with the same bone disorder, involvement of the cranial nerves was limited to the facial nerve, either uni or bilaterally, with a partially or totally regressive evolution. This cranial nerve involvement, which is classic in the recessive form (first described) of generalized cortical hyperostosis, has until now, never been reported in the dominant form of this disorder.", "PMID": 794825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10230", "title": "Studies on the ability of partially iodinated 16S RNA to participate in 30S ribosome assembly.", "content": "Deproteinated 16S RNA was iodinated at pH 5.0 in an aqueous solution containing TlCl3 plus KI for 1-5 hours at 42 degrees C. Under these conditions 33 moles of iodine are incorporated per mole of RNA. As judged by sucrose gradient sedimentation, the iodinated RNA does not exhibit any large alteration in conformation as compared to unmodified 16S. The iodinated RNA was examined for its ability to reconstitute with total 30S proteins. Sedimentation velocity analysis reveals that the reconstituted subunit has a sedimentation constant of approximately 20S. In addition, protein analysis of particles reconstituted with 16S RNA iodinated for 5 hours indicates that proteins S2, S10, S13, S14, S15, S17, S18, S19, and S21 are no longer able to participate in the 30S assembly process and that proteins S6, S16 and S20 are present in reduced amounts. The ramifications of these results concerning protein-RNA and RNA-RNA interactions occurring in ribosome assembly are discussed.", "contents": "Studies on the ability of partially iodinated 16S RNA to participate in 30S ribosome assembly. Deproteinated 16S RNA was iodinated at pH 5.0 in an aqueous solution containing TlCl3 plus KI for 1-5 hours at 42 degrees C. Under these conditions 33 moles of iodine are incorporated per mole of RNA. As judged by sucrose gradient sedimentation, the iodinated RNA does not exhibit any large alteration in conformation as compared to unmodified 16S. The iodinated RNA was examined for its ability to reconstitute with total 30S proteins. Sedimentation velocity analysis reveals that the reconstituted subunit has a sedimentation constant of approximately 20S. In addition, protein analysis of particles reconstituted with 16S RNA iodinated for 5 hours indicates that proteins S2, S10, S13, S14, S15, S17, S18, S19, and S21 are no longer able to participate in the 30S assembly process and that proteins S6, S16 and S20 are present in reduced amounts. The ramifications of these results concerning protein-RNA and RNA-RNA interactions occurring in ribosome assembly are discussed.", "PMID": 794830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10231", "title": "Study on the structure-function relationship of polynucleotide phosphorylase: model of a proteolytic degraded polynucleotide phosphorylase.", "content": "It is already known that modification of E. coli polynucleotide phosphorylase by endogenous proteolysis induces drastic changes in both phosphorolysis and polymerisation reactions. The structural parameters of the proteolysed polynucleotide phosphorylase are described. The phosphorolysis of polynucleotide, which is quite progressive for the native enzyme, is shown to be only partially progressive for the degraded enzyme, owing to the loss of polymer attachment sites.", "contents": "Study on the structure-function relationship of polynucleotide phosphorylase: model of a proteolytic degraded polynucleotide phosphorylase. It is already known that modification of E. coli polynucleotide phosphorylase by endogenous proteolysis induces drastic changes in both phosphorolysis and polymerisation reactions. The structural parameters of the proteolysed polynucleotide phosphorylase are described. The phosphorolysis of polynucleotide, which is quite progressive for the native enzyme, is shown to be only partially progressive for the degraded enzyme, owing to the loss of polymer attachment sites.", "PMID": 794831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10232", "title": "Repeating restriction fragments of human DNA.", "content": "Human DNA digested with Hae III showed multiple repeats of a 170 base pair fragment. The most prominent band was the 340 base pair dimer, estimated to be 0.8% of the entire genome. Eco R1 and Hha I yielded fragments with similar electrophoretic mobility to the Hae III dimer. In each case this band was markedly enriched in DNA reassociating at a 0t of less than or equal to 1. Hybridization of the Hae III dimer to gels eluted on to filters demonstrated that the multiple Hae III fragments and Eco R1 fragments contained compatible sequences. These sequences may comprise a distinct subclass of DNA.", "contents": "Repeating restriction fragments of human DNA. Human DNA digested with Hae III showed multiple repeats of a 170 base pair fragment. The most prominent band was the 340 base pair dimer, estimated to be 0.8% of the entire genome. Eco R1 and Hha I yielded fragments with similar electrophoretic mobility to the Hae III dimer. In each case this band was markedly enriched in DNA reassociating at a 0t of less than or equal to 1. Hybridization of the Hae III dimer to gels eluted on to filters demonstrated that the multiple Hae III fragments and Eco R1 fragments contained compatible sequences. These sequences may comprise a distinct subclass of DNA.", "PMID": 794832} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10233", "title": "7-Methylguanine specific tRNA-methyltransferase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "A 7-methylguanine (m7G) specific tRNA methyltransferase from E. coli MRE 600 was purified about 1000 fold by affinity chromatography on Sepharose bound with normal E. coli tRNA. The purified enzyme catalyzes exclusively the formation of m7G in submethylated bulk tRNA of E. coli K12 met- rel-. The purified enzyme transfers the methyl group from S-adenosyl-methionine to initiator tRNA of B. subtilis and 0.8 moles m7G residues are formed per mole tRNA. It is suggested that the enzyme specifically recognizes the extra arm unpaired guanylate residue.", "contents": "7-Methylguanine specific tRNA-methyltransferase from Escherichia coli. A 7-methylguanine (m7G) specific tRNA methyltransferase from E. coli MRE 600 was purified about 1000 fold by affinity chromatography on Sepharose bound with normal E. coli tRNA. The purified enzyme catalyzes exclusively the formation of m7G in submethylated bulk tRNA of E. coli K12 met- rel-. The purified enzyme transfers the methyl group from S-adenosyl-methionine to initiator tRNA of B. subtilis and 0.8 moles m7G residues are formed per mole tRNA. It is suggested that the enzyme specifically recognizes the extra arm unpaired guanylate residue.", "PMID": 794833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10234", "title": "Secondary structure of nucleic acids in the folded chromosome from E. coli.", "content": "The circular dichroism of membrane-free folded chromosomes from E. coli was measured and analyzed. The spectrum can be explained as a simple linear combination of the individual spectra of E. coli RNA, and E. Coli DNA in the B form. No contribution from A form or C form DNA was detected. There was evidently some real variation in the ratio of the two nucleic acids from preparation to preparation, but the average value was 24% RNA and 76% DNA. No significant light scattering was observed and the analyses indicated no contribution to the circular dichroism from scattering artifacts. Apparently, combining DNA, RNA, and protein into membrane-free folded chromosomes does not change the secondary structure of the DNA or RNA from that found for the free nucleic acid in the same solvent system.", "contents": "Secondary structure of nucleic acids in the folded chromosome from E. coli. The circular dichroism of membrane-free folded chromosomes from E. coli was measured and analyzed. The spectrum can be explained as a simple linear combination of the individual spectra of E. coli RNA, and E. Coli DNA in the B form. No contribution from A form or C form DNA was detected. There was evidently some real variation in the ratio of the two nucleic acids from preparation to preparation, but the average value was 24% RNA and 76% DNA. No significant light scattering was observed and the analyses indicated no contribution to the circular dichroism from scattering artifacts. Apparently, combining DNA, RNA, and protein into membrane-free folded chromosomes does not change the secondary structure of the DNA or RNA from that found for the free nucleic acid in the same solvent system.", "PMID": 794834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10235", "title": "Structlre of transfer RNA molecules containing the long variable loop.", "content": "A structure is proposed for the type II tRNA molecules containing the long variable loop and the tertiary base interactions here are compared with type I tRNAs having the short variable loop. The type II tRNAs are similar to the type I tRNAs in their tertiary base pairing interactions but differ from them generally by not having the tertiary base triples. The long variable loop, which is comprised of a helical stem and a loop at the end of it, emerges from the deep groove side of the dihydrouridine helix, and is tilted roughly 30 degrees to the plane formed by the amino acid-pseudo-uridine and anticodon-dihydrouridine helices found in yeast tRNAPhe. The fact that many of the type I tRNAs also lack the full compliment of base triples suggests that the tertiary base pairs may alone suffice to sustain the tRNA fold required for its biological function. The base triples and the variable loop appear to have little functional significance. The base type at position 9 is correlated with the number of base triples and G-C base pairs in the dihydrouridine stem.", "contents": "Structlre of transfer RNA molecules containing the long variable loop. A structure is proposed for the type II tRNA molecules containing the long variable loop and the tertiary base interactions here are compared with type I tRNAs having the short variable loop. The type II tRNAs are similar to the type I tRNAs in their tertiary base pairing interactions but differ from them generally by not having the tertiary base triples. The long variable loop, which is comprised of a helical stem and a loop at the end of it, emerges from the deep groove side of the dihydrouridine helix, and is tilted roughly 30 degrees to the plane formed by the amino acid-pseudo-uridine and anticodon-dihydrouridine helices found in yeast tRNAPhe. The fact that many of the type I tRNAs also lack the full compliment of base triples suggests that the tertiary base pairs may alone suffice to sustain the tRNA fold required for its biological function. The base triples and the variable loop appear to have little functional significance. The base type at position 9 is correlated with the number of base triples and G-C base pairs in the dihydrouridine stem.", "PMID": 794835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10236", "title": "Kinetic studies on the cleavage of adenovirus DNA by restriction endonuclease Eco RI.", "content": "The kinetics of cleavage of DNA from Adenovirus Type 1 (Ad1), Type 5 (Ad5) and Type 6 (Ad6) by restriction endonuclease EcoRI was investigated by quantitative evaluation of the fluorescence from ethidium stained DNA fragments separated on agarose gels. The apparent rate constants of cleavage at different cleavage sites have been determined and large differences in the cleavage rates of the individual sites within one type of DNA were found. From the kinetics of cleavage information on the sequence of the DNA fragments can be obtained. The order of the fragment A, B, C, D of Ad6 DNA obtained after complete cleavage by restriction endonuclease Eco RI was found to be A-D-C-B; the order of the corresponding fragments A, B, C of Ad1 and Ad5 DNA was found to be A-C-B.", "contents": "Kinetic studies on the cleavage of adenovirus DNA by restriction endonuclease Eco RI. The kinetics of cleavage of DNA from Adenovirus Type 1 (Ad1), Type 5 (Ad5) and Type 6 (Ad6) by restriction endonuclease EcoRI was investigated by quantitative evaluation of the fluorescence from ethidium stained DNA fragments separated on agarose gels. The apparent rate constants of cleavage at different cleavage sites have been determined and large differences in the cleavage rates of the individual sites within one type of DNA were found. From the kinetics of cleavage information on the sequence of the DNA fragments can be obtained. The order of the fragment A, B, C, D of Ad6 DNA obtained after complete cleavage by restriction endonuclease Eco RI was found to be A-D-C-B; the order of the corresponding fragments A, B, C of Ad1 and Ad5 DNA was found to be A-C-B.", "PMID": 794836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10237", "title": "The nucleotide sequence of asparagine tRNA from Escherichia coli.", "content": "The nucleotide seuquence of Escherichia coli asparagine tRNA was determined to be pU-C-C-U-C-U-G-s4U-A-G-U-U-C-A-G-D-C-G-G-D-A-G-A-A-C-G-G-C-G-G-A-C-U-Q-U-U-t6A-A-phi-C-C-G-U-A-U-m G-U-C-A-C-U-G-G-T-phi-C-G-A-G-U-C-C-A-G-U-C-A-G-A-G-G-A-G-C-C-AOH. Its D-stem and D-loop have almost the same sequence as Escherichia coli aspartate tRNA.", "contents": "The nucleotide sequence of asparagine tRNA from Escherichia coli. The nucleotide seuquence of Escherichia coli asparagine tRNA was determined to be pU-C-C-U-C-U-G-s4U-A-G-U-U-C-A-G-D-C-G-G-D-A-G-A-A-C-G-G-C-G-G-A-C-U-Q-U-U-t6A-A-phi-C-C-G-U-A-U-m G-U-C-A-C-U-G-G-T-phi-C-G-A-G-U-C-C-A-G-U-C-A-G-A-G-G-A-G-C-C-AOH. Its D-stem and D-loop have almost the same sequence as Escherichia coli aspartate tRNA.", "PMID": 794837} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10238", "title": "The kinetics of bisulphite modification of reactive residues in E. coli tRNA2Phe.", "content": "E coli tRNA2Phe was modified at 25 degrees C with 3M sodium bisulphite, pH6.0, for periods of up to 48 hours, Three cytadinine residues, at position 17, 74 and 75 from the 5' end were each deaminated to uridine. The 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyl adenosine at position 37 formed a 1:1 bi-sulphite addition product which was stable to alkaii. No other residues were permanently modified. The rate of modification of each residue was first order with respect to remaining unmodified nucleotide, the time of half reaction, t1/2, being different for each residue. C17 reaction reacted at twice the rate of cytidine in PolyC, indicating that it occupied a very exposed position in the tRNA.", "contents": "The kinetics of bisulphite modification of reactive residues in E. coli tRNA2Phe. E coli tRNA2Phe was modified at 25 degrees C with 3M sodium bisulphite, pH6.0, for periods of up to 48 hours, Three cytadinine residues, at position 17, 74 and 75 from the 5' end were each deaminated to uridine. The 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyl adenosine at position 37 formed a 1:1 bi-sulphite addition product which was stable to alkaii. No other residues were permanently modified. The rate of modification of each residue was first order with respect to remaining unmodified nucleotide, the time of half reaction, t1/2, being different for each residue. C17 reaction reacted at twice the rate of cytidine in PolyC, indicating that it occupied a very exposed position in the tRNA.", "PMID": 794838} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10239", "title": "[User-oriented programs for semi-automated evaluation of radio in vitro tests].", "content": "Most of the programmes for the evaluation of radio in vitro tests proceed from the anticipation that the best method should give an approximation of standard values by a curve as perfect as possible. According to our experiences this demand, however, is not decisive for a good standard curve, as in principle all standard values can be incorrect. The application of relatively simple linearising transformations and an additional curve (recovery of a normal serum) guarantees the necessary precision in the programme described. After a short description of the contents of the system, the programme for the assessment of CPBA - methods is shown, by help of which the sample changer - calculator-system determines the absolute concentration of the substance to be measured. This makes the starting point for the more complex RIA programme which methodologically takes into consideration the special problems of these tests.", "contents": "[User-oriented programs for semi-automated evaluation of radio in vitro tests]. Most of the programmes for the evaluation of radio in vitro tests proceed from the anticipation that the best method should give an approximation of standard values by a curve as perfect as possible. According to our experiences this demand, however, is not decisive for a good standard curve, as in principle all standard values can be incorrect. The application of relatively simple linearising transformations and an additional curve (recovery of a normal serum) guarantees the necessary precision in the programme described. After a short description of the contents of the system, the programme for the assessment of CPBA - methods is shown, by help of which the sample changer - calculator-system determines the absolute concentration of the substance to be measured. This makes the starting point for the more complex RIA programme which methodologically takes into consideration the special problems of these tests.", "PMID": 794839} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10240", "title": "[Goodpasture's syndrome. A new case].", "content": "The authors report a new observation of Goodpasture's syndrome in a 21 years old patient. Diagnosis was made by renal biopsy after discovering, by immunofluorescence techniques, linear deposits of IgG and C3 on the renal basal lamina. Anti-basal lamina antibodies of the plasma were not found. In spite of therapy by steroids, a rapid worsening of renal functions accompanied a nephrotic syndrome. Supplementing hemodialysis helped patients to survive without recurrence of hemoptysis. Heparinotherapy prescribed on the creation of an arteriovenous fistula seemed to have brought a temporary improvement of the renal function.", "contents": "[Goodpasture's syndrome. A new case]. The authors report a new observation of Goodpasture's syndrome in a 21 years old patient. Diagnosis was made by renal biopsy after discovering, by immunofluorescence techniques, linear deposits of IgG and C3 on the renal basal lamina. Anti-basal lamina antibodies of the plasma were not found. In spite of therapy by steroids, a rapid worsening of renal functions accompanied a nephrotic syndrome. Supplementing hemodialysis helped patients to survive without recurrence of hemoptysis. Heparinotherapy prescribed on the creation of an arteriovenous fistula seemed to have brought a temporary improvement of the renal function.", "PMID": 794860} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10241", "title": "Effect of immunosuppressors, anticoagulants and antiphlogistic drugs on experimental Masugi glomerulonephritis: I-imuran.", "content": "The effect of Imuran on experimental Masugi glomerulonephritis was checked in rabbits. The animals were grouped in biologically most similar pairs: one of the mates was treated with Imuran (4 or 8 mg/kg daily) the other served as control. Clinical and laboratory investigations were supplemented by histological and immunofluorescent studies of renal specimens taken on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, 21st, and 35th day of observation. The course of glomerulonephritis appeared much milder in Imuran-treated animals with a morphological counterpart in the form of reduced glomerular exudation and cellular proliferation. Only a slight and inconstant decrease of deposition of rabbit gamma-globulin and fibrin was observed in treatment animals in later stages of the experiment. Without denying a slight immunosuppressive effect, the authors admit that, in doses below 8 mg/kg daily, Imuran exerts a rather antiininflammatory effect on experimental glomerulonephritis.", "contents": "Effect of immunosuppressors, anticoagulants and antiphlogistic drugs on experimental Masugi glomerulonephritis: I-imuran. The effect of Imuran on experimental Masugi glomerulonephritis was checked in rabbits. The animals were grouped in biologically most similar pairs: one of the mates was treated with Imuran (4 or 8 mg/kg daily) the other served as control. Clinical and laboratory investigations were supplemented by histological and immunofluorescent studies of renal specimens taken on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, 21st, and 35th day of observation. The course of glomerulonephritis appeared much milder in Imuran-treated animals with a morphological counterpart in the form of reduced glomerular exudation and cellular proliferation. Only a slight and inconstant decrease of deposition of rabbit gamma-globulin and fibrin was observed in treatment animals in later stages of the experiment. Without denying a slight immunosuppressive effect, the authors admit that, in doses below 8 mg/kg daily, Imuran exerts a rather antiininflammatory effect on experimental glomerulonephritis.", "PMID": 794857} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10242", "title": "Ultrastructural studies of the mechanism of changes developing in pemphigoid using peroxidase-labeled antibodies.", "content": "The application of peroxidase-labeled antiserum to human gamma globulin allowed the immunological reaction in vivo to be localized in the basement membrane, particularly in its part termed the lucid zone. The bulla is formed between the basal cell membrane and the dark lamina of the basement membrane.", "contents": "Ultrastructural studies of the mechanism of changes developing in pemphigoid using peroxidase-labeled antibodies. The application of peroxidase-labeled antiserum to human gamma globulin allowed the immunological reaction in vivo to be localized in the basement membrane, particularly in its part termed the lucid zone. The bulla is formed between the basal cell membrane and the dark lamina of the basement membrane.", "PMID": 794858} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10243", "title": "Endonuclease II, apurinic acid endonuclease, and exonuclease III.", "content": "An endonuclease of Escherichia coli active on a DNA treated with methylmethane sulfonate has been separated from an endonuclease active on depurinated sites. The former enzyme is disignated here as endonuclease II, while the latter enzyme is designated as apurinic acid endonuclease. Endonuclease II is also active on DNA treated with methylnitrosourea, 7-bromomethyl-12-methylbenz[a]anthracene, and gamma-irradiation. A third fraction which contains activities for both depurinated and alkylated sites needs further study. Endonuclease II, molecular weight 33,000, has been purified 12,500-fold and does not have exonuclease III activity. Apurinic acid endonuclease, molecular weight 31,500, has been purified 11,000-fold and does not have exonuclease III activity. Exonuclease III, molecular weight 26,000, has been purified 2300-fold and does not have endonucleolytic activity at depurinated reduced sites or at alkylated sites in DNA. Therefore, these are three separate proteins. Exonuclease III can produce, presumably by its exonucleolytic activity, double-strand breaks in heavily alkylated DNA under conditions where it does not make single-strand endonucleolytic breaks at either depurinated-reduced or alkylated sites.", "contents": "Endonuclease II, apurinic acid endonuclease, and exonuclease III. An endonuclease of Escherichia coli active on a DNA treated with methylmethane sulfonate has been separated from an endonuclease active on depurinated sites. The former enzyme is disignated here as endonuclease II, while the latter enzyme is designated as apurinic acid endonuclease. Endonuclease II is also active on DNA treated with methylnitrosourea, 7-bromomethyl-12-methylbenz[a]anthracene, and gamma-irradiation. A third fraction which contains activities for both depurinated and alkylated sites needs further study. Endonuclease II, molecular weight 33,000, has been purified 12,500-fold and does not have exonuclease III activity. Apurinic acid endonuclease, molecular weight 31,500, has been purified 11,000-fold and does not have exonuclease III activity. Exonuclease III, molecular weight 26,000, has been purified 2300-fold and does not have endonucleolytic activity at depurinated reduced sites or at alkylated sites in DNA. Therefore, these are three separate proteins. Exonuclease III can produce, presumably by its exonucleolytic activity, double-strand breaks in heavily alkylated DNA under conditions where it does not make single-strand endonucleolytic breaks at either depurinated-reduced or alkylated sites.", "PMID": 794874} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10244", "title": "Activation of long chain fatty acids with acyl carrier protein: demonstration of a new enzyme, acyl-acyl carrier protein synthetase, in Escherichia coli.", "content": "A soluble enzyme activity which catalyzes the synthesis of acyl-acyl carrier protein from acyl carrier proteins, a long chain fatty acid, and ATP has been demonstrated in E. coli. The reaction requires high concentrations of both Ca++ and Mg++ for activity, and cleaves ATP to AMP and PPi. The fatty acyl product has been identified as acyl-acyl carrier protein by its solubility, thioester linkage, molecular weight, charge, and biological activity. Several criteria indicate the enzyme is distinct from acyl-CoA synthetase. The fatty acid specificity of the enzyme suggests a role of acyl-acyl carrier protein synthetase in the incorporation of fatty acids into phospholipid.", "contents": "Activation of long chain fatty acids with acyl carrier protein: demonstration of a new enzyme, acyl-acyl carrier protein synthetase, in Escherichia coli. A soluble enzyme activity which catalyzes the synthesis of acyl-acyl carrier protein from acyl carrier proteins, a long chain fatty acid, and ATP has been demonstrated in E. coli. The reaction requires high concentrations of both Ca++ and Mg++ for activity, and cleaves ATP to AMP and PPi. The fatty acyl product has been identified as acyl-acyl carrier protein by its solubility, thioester linkage, molecular weight, charge, and biological activity. Several criteria indicate the enzyme is distinct from acyl-CoA synthetase. The fatty acid specificity of the enzyme suggests a role of acyl-acyl carrier protein synthetase in the incorporation of fatty acids into phospholipid.", "PMID": 794875} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10245", "title": "Change in membrane potential during bacterial chemotaxis.", "content": "To find out if there are changes in membrane potential during bacterial chemotaxis, we measured the membrane potential of Escherichia coli indirectly by use of the permeating, lipid-soluble cation triphenylmethylphosphonium. Addition of attractants or repellents to the bacteria brought about a hyperpolarizing peak (as well as additional, later changes in membrane potential). This peak was shown to be a part of the chemotactic mechanism based on the following evidence: (i) All attractants and repellents tested gave this peak while chemotactically inert chemicals did not. (ii) Mutants lacking galactose taxis failed to give the peak with galactose but did with another attractant and with repellents. (iii) Methionine, required for chemotaxis, is also required for production of this peak. (iv) A mutant in a control gene )flaI), unable to synthesize flagella and cytoplasmic membrane proteins related to motility and chemotaxis, failed to give the peak. (v) Paralyzed (mot) mutants gave little or none of the peak. Generally nonchemotactic (che) mutants, on the other hand, did give this peak. Very likely there are ion fluxes that bring about this change in membrane potential. We discuss the possible role of the mot gene product as an ion gate controlled by a methylation-demethylation process in response to attractants and repellents acting through their chemoreceptors.", "contents": "Change in membrane potential during bacterial chemotaxis. To find out if there are changes in membrane potential during bacterial chemotaxis, we measured the membrane potential of Escherichia coli indirectly by use of the permeating, lipid-soluble cation triphenylmethylphosphonium. Addition of attractants or repellents to the bacteria brought about a hyperpolarizing peak (as well as additional, later changes in membrane potential). This peak was shown to be a part of the chemotactic mechanism based on the following evidence: (i) All attractants and repellents tested gave this peak while chemotactically inert chemicals did not. (ii) Mutants lacking galactose taxis failed to give the peak with galactose but did with another attractant and with repellents. (iii) Methionine, required for chemotaxis, is also required for production of this peak. (iv) A mutant in a control gene )flaI), unable to synthesize flagella and cytoplasmic membrane proteins related to motility and chemotaxis, failed to give the peak. (v) Paralyzed (mot) mutants gave little or none of the peak. Generally nonchemotactic (che) mutants, on the other hand, did give this peak. Very likely there are ion fluxes that bring about this change in membrane potential. We discuss the possible role of the mot gene product as an ion gate controlled by a methylation-demethylation process in response to attractants and repellents acting through their chemoreceptors.", "PMID": 794876} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10246", "title": "Induction of sigma factor synthesis in Escherichia coli by the N gene product of bacteriophage lambda.", "content": "Thermoinduction of cells of E. coli carrying prophage lambdacI857 within the bfe gene brings about not only \"escape synthesis\" of core subunits of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase, nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2-7-7-6), but also a striking stimulation of sigma factor synthesis. The latter phenomenon, termed sigma induction, is generally observed after lambda phage infection or prophage induction. A series of experiments with various bacterial and phage strains led us to conclude that the N gene product of lambda is directly involved to the sigma induction. These and other results obtained with mutants defective in transcription termination factor rho suggest the involvement of a rho-sensitive site in the control of sigma gene expression in E. coli.", "contents": "Induction of sigma factor synthesis in Escherichia coli by the N gene product of bacteriophage lambda. Thermoinduction of cells of E. coli carrying prophage lambdacI857 within the bfe gene brings about not only \"escape synthesis\" of core subunits of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase, nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2-7-7-6), but also a striking stimulation of sigma factor synthesis. The latter phenomenon, termed sigma induction, is generally observed after lambda phage infection or prophage induction. A series of experiments with various bacterial and phage strains led us to conclude that the N gene product of lambda is directly involved to the sigma induction. These and other results obtained with mutants defective in transcription termination factor rho suggest the involvement of a rho-sensitive site in the control of sigma gene expression in E. coli.", "PMID": 794877} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10247", "title": "Novobiocin and coumermycin inhibit DNA supercoiling catalyzed by DNA gyrase.", "content": "Novobiocin and coumermycin are known to inhibit the replication of DNA iing of DNA catalyzed by E. coli DNA gyrase, a recently discovered enzyme that introduces negative superhelical turns into covalently circular DNA. The activity of DNA gyrase purified from a coumermycin-resistant mutant strain is resistant to both drugs. The inhibition by novobiocin of colicin E1 plasmid DNA replication in a cell-free system is partially relieved by adding resistant DNA gyrase. Both in the case of coliclls. DNA molecules which are converted to the covalently circular form in thepresence of coumermycin remain relaxed, instead of achieving their normal supercoiled conformation. We conclude that DNA gyrase controls the supercoiling of DNA in E. coli.", "contents": "Novobiocin and coumermycin inhibit DNA supercoiling catalyzed by DNA gyrase. Novobiocin and coumermycin are known to inhibit the replication of DNA iing of DNA catalyzed by E. coli DNA gyrase, a recently discovered enzyme that introduces negative superhelical turns into covalently circular DNA. The activity of DNA gyrase purified from a coumermycin-resistant mutant strain is resistant to both drugs. The inhibition by novobiocin of colicin E1 plasmid DNA replication in a cell-free system is partially relieved by adding resistant DNA gyrase. Both in the case of coliclls. DNA molecules which are converted to the covalently circular form in thepresence of coumermycin remain relaxed, instead of achieving their normal supercoiled conformation. We conclude that DNA gyrase controls the supercoiling of DNA in E. coli.", "PMID": 794878} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10248", "title": "HLA membrane antigens: sequencing by intrinsic radioactivity.", "content": "Radiochemical sequence data are presented for the amino termini of mixed HLA antigens A1 and B8 isolated from a human lymphoblastoid cell line. Cells were labeled intrinsically in small-scale tissue culture with 14C-labeled amino acids and [14C]pyruvate. The specific activities obtained were sufficiently high and uniform to permit direct radiochemical sequencing of the antigens. HLA antigens were isolated by adsorption to a solid-phase anti-beta2-microglobulin immunoadsorbent followed by electrophoresis. The method should be generally applicable and useful for sequencing all parts of the molecule.", "contents": "HLA membrane antigens: sequencing by intrinsic radioactivity. Radiochemical sequence data are presented for the amino termini of mixed HLA antigens A1 and B8 isolated from a human lymphoblastoid cell line. Cells were labeled intrinsically in small-scale tissue culture with 14C-labeled amino acids and [14C]pyruvate. The specific activities obtained were sufficiently high and uniform to permit direct radiochemical sequencing of the antigens. HLA antigens were isolated by adsorption to a solid-phase anti-beta2-microglobulin immunoadsorbent followed by electrophoresis. The method should be generally applicable and useful for sequencing all parts of the molecule.", "PMID": 794879} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10249", "title": "Modified recombination and transmission of mitochondrial genetic markers in rho minus mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "A large number of primary petite (rho-) clones were isolated after ethidium bromide mutagenesis of various grande (rho+) strains of S. cerevisiae that contained the mitochondrial genetic markers, CR, ER, OIR (or OIIR), and PR. From the frequency of coretention of markers in the petites, we have deduced a probable circular order of the markers in the grande mitochondrial genome. From these primary clones several series of pure and stable petite clones were obtained and analyzed genetically. (a) In general, the omega allele is retained or lost together with the region carrying both CR and ER markers. (b) The petites that have retained only the CR marker fall into two classes: some have kept the omega allele of the grande strain they issued from; others exhibit a new omega expression. (c) The proportion of diploid petites in petite X grande crosses is independent of the presence of the omega allele. (d) In most cases, the coordinated transmission of markers observed so far in all grande X grande nonpolar corsses does not exist anymore in petites.", "contents": "Modified recombination and transmission of mitochondrial genetic markers in rho minus mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A large number of primary petite (rho-) clones were isolated after ethidium bromide mutagenesis of various grande (rho+) strains of S. cerevisiae that contained the mitochondrial genetic markers, CR, ER, OIR (or OIIR), and PR. From the frequency of coretention of markers in the petites, we have deduced a probable circular order of the markers in the grande mitochondrial genome. From these primary clones several series of pure and stable petite clones were obtained and analyzed genetically. (a) In general, the omega allele is retained or lost together with the region carrying both CR and ER markers. (b) The petites that have retained only the CR marker fall into two classes: some have kept the omega allele of the grande strain they issued from; others exhibit a new omega expression. (c) The proportion of diploid petites in petite X grande crosses is independent of the presence of the omega allele. (d) In most cases, the coordinated transmission of markers observed so far in all grande X grande nonpolar corsses does not exist anymore in petites.", "PMID": 794880} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10250", "title": "Genetic analysis of a transposable suppressor gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "We have demonstrated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae the transposition of a gene coding for an efficient ochre (UAA) suppressor from a centromere-linked site on chromosome III to two new sites in the yeast genome. One site is on chromosome VI, very close to, if not allelic with, SUP11, one of eight genes coding for a tyrosine-inserting suppressor. The second site is on chromosome III, unlinked to the centromere and distal to the mating type locus. This site is very close to those mapped for the recessive lethal amber suppressors, SUP-RL1 and SUP61.", "contents": "Genetic analysis of a transposable suppressor gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have demonstrated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae the transposition of a gene coding for an efficient ochre (UAA) suppressor from a centromere-linked site on chromosome III to two new sites in the yeast genome. One site is on chromosome VI, very close to, if not allelic with, SUP11, one of eight genes coding for a tyrosine-inserting suppressor. The second site is on chromosome III, unlinked to the centromere and distal to the mating type locus. This site is very close to those mapped for the recessive lethal amber suppressors, SUP-RL1 and SUP61.", "PMID": 794881} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10251", "title": "[Oskar Vogt and the founding of the Berlin Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Brain Research under conditions of imperialistic scientific policy].", "content": "The building up of the Berlin Institute for Brain Research finished in 1931 is the result of inconsistant developmental needs immanent to neuro-sciences on the one hand and science policy interests of imperialistic groups in the Weimarian Germany on the other hand. The theoretical and organizational analysis of the institutional concept realized by plans of Oskar Vogt gives evidence for its usefulness on principle for recent plannings of new brain research institutions too. But only after destroying the fascist dictatorship realistic developmental perspectives for brain research grew up in either German states depending on their various socio-economic conditions.", "contents": "[Oskar Vogt and the founding of the Berlin Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Brain Research under conditions of imperialistic scientific policy]. The building up of the Berlin Institute for Brain Research finished in 1931 is the result of inconsistant developmental needs immanent to neuro-sciences on the one hand and science policy interests of imperialistic groups in the Weimarian Germany on the other hand. The theoretical and organizational analysis of the institutional concept realized by plans of Oskar Vogt gives evidence for its usefulness on principle for recent plannings of new brain research institutions too. But only after destroying the fascist dictatorship realistic developmental perspectives for brain research grew up in either German states depending on their various socio-economic conditions.", "PMID": 794890} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10252", "title": "[Critical remarks on the concept of \"osteopathia antiepileptica\"].", "content": "A study of the available specialized literature shows that it is not yet possible to provide clear evidence for a direct causal relationship between anticonvulsive medication and skeletal demineralization caused by it. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that such disorders of ossification be not overhastily described by terms declaring the changes in bones to be complications caused by drugs used in antiepileptic therapy. Relationships between the tetanic and epileptic syndrome are discussed by reference to the author's own clinical experience and to the latest results obtained in the field of calcium and vitamin D metabolism, with special consideration being given to a corresponding intermediate group that is characterized by the presence of components of both of the syndromes referred to above.", "contents": "[Critical remarks on the concept of \"osteopathia antiepileptica\"]. A study of the available specialized literature shows that it is not yet possible to provide clear evidence for a direct causal relationship between anticonvulsive medication and skeletal demineralization caused by it. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that such disorders of ossification be not overhastily described by terms declaring the changes in bones to be complications caused by drugs used in antiepileptic therapy. Relationships between the tetanic and epileptic syndrome are discussed by reference to the author's own clinical experience and to the latest results obtained in the field of calcium and vitamin D metabolism, with special consideration being given to a corresponding intermediate group that is characterized by the presence of components of both of the syndromes referred to above.", "PMID": 794891} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10253", "title": "The role of imagination in the disease process: pre-Cartesian histroy (the role of imagination in the disease process).", "content": "Ancient and Renaissance physicians implicated the soul's imaginative faculty in the genesis and remission of disease. The theory stated that images of objects of desire or aversion aroused emotions, which in turn set up humoral imbalances, disturbing digestion and other vital functions, culminating in various forms of pathology. This concept explained the therapeutic efficacy of 'placebos' in forms such as spells, charms and talismans. The theory merits close attention by contemporary physicians and researchers.", "contents": "The role of imagination in the disease process: pre-Cartesian histroy (the role of imagination in the disease process). Ancient and Renaissance physicians implicated the soul's imaginative faculty in the genesis and remission of disease. The theory stated that images of objects of desire or aversion aroused emotions, which in turn set up humoral imbalances, disturbing digestion and other vital functions, culminating in various forms of pathology. This concept explained the therapeutic efficacy of 'placebos' in forms such as spells, charms and talismans. The theory merits close attention by contemporary physicians and researchers.", "PMID": 794894} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10254", "title": "Emotional symptomatology in obese patients treated with fenfluramine and dextroamphetamine.", "content": "Emotional sympomatology data on 78 obese females treated for 3 weeks with fenfluramine, dextroamphetamine, or placebo were evaluated. These obese females were shown to be considerably less emotionally disturbed than neurotic females, and similar in emotional symptomatology to other females seeing physicians for nonpsychiatric complaints. Even within these marginally sympatomatic patients, fenfluramine and dextroamphetamine were significantly more effective than placebo in reducing anxious, depressive, and anxious-depressive symptomatology. Fenfluramine was particularly effective in alleviating anxiety in patients who were initially higher in anxiety. Most important, fenfluramine produced significantly greater weight loss than dextroamphetamine in patients with higher levels of anxiety and depression, while dextroamphetamine was an especially effective anorexic in low anxious patients. Differences in initial anxiety and depression, even within relatively normal patients, may well affect results obtained with fenfluramine and dextroamphetamine in the short-term treatment of obesity.", "contents": "Emotional symptomatology in obese patients treated with fenfluramine and dextroamphetamine. Emotional sympomatology data on 78 obese females treated for 3 weeks with fenfluramine, dextroamphetamine, or placebo were evaluated. These obese females were shown to be considerably less emotionally disturbed than neurotic females, and similar in emotional symptomatology to other females seeing physicians for nonpsychiatric complaints. Even within these marginally sympatomatic patients, fenfluramine and dextroamphetamine were significantly more effective than placebo in reducing anxious, depressive, and anxious-depressive symptomatology. Fenfluramine was particularly effective in alleviating anxiety in patients who were initially higher in anxiety. Most important, fenfluramine produced significantly greater weight loss than dextroamphetamine in patients with higher levels of anxiety and depression, while dextroamphetamine was an especially effective anorexic in low anxious patients. Differences in initial anxiety and depression, even within relatively normal patients, may well affect results obtained with fenfluramine and dextroamphetamine in the short-term treatment of obesity.", "PMID": 794895} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10255", "title": "Chronic mania in childhood: case report of a possible association with a radiological picture of cerebellar disease.", "content": "The case-history of a woman with psychiatric symptoms since childhood is reported, the best label for which was that of \"chronic mania\". Cerebellar atrophy was suspected on radiological grounds. The literature on chronic mania in childhood and on cerebellar damage and mental changes is reviewed and the view is put forward that cerebellar dysfunction may play a part in the production of some psychiatric symptoms.", "contents": "Chronic mania in childhood: case report of a possible association with a radiological picture of cerebellar disease. The case-history of a woman with psychiatric symptoms since childhood is reported, the best label for which was that of \"chronic mania\". Cerebellar atrophy was suspected on radiological grounds. The literature on chronic mania in childhood and on cerebellar damage and mental changes is reviewed and the view is put forward that cerebellar dysfunction may play a part in the production of some psychiatric symptoms.", "PMID": 794896} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10256", "title": "Comparative trial of L-tryptophan and amitriptyline in depressive illness.", "content": "Depressed patients who were suitable for drug treatment were allocated randomly to treatment for four weeks with either amitriptyline in doses reaching 150 mg daily or with L-tryptophan in a maximal dose of 8 G daily. Both in-patients and out-patients were included. The trial was double-blind and ratings were made at the start of treatment and weekly for the subsequent four weeks: the patients were then followed for a further six months. Both groups of patients improved steadily over the course of four weeks and there were no marked differences between the treatment groups though there was some tendency for the improvement of the tryptophan-treated patients to fade between the third and fourth weeks. Within the tryptophan group anxious patients improved least. It is concluded that L-tryptophan probably has some antidepressive action in patients with depressive illness of moderate severity.", "contents": "Comparative trial of L-tryptophan and amitriptyline in depressive illness. Depressed patients who were suitable for drug treatment were allocated randomly to treatment for four weeks with either amitriptyline in doses reaching 150 mg daily or with L-tryptophan in a maximal dose of 8 G daily. Both in-patients and out-patients were included. The trial was double-blind and ratings were made at the start of treatment and weekly for the subsequent four weeks: the patients were then followed for a further six months. Both groups of patients improved steadily over the course of four weeks and there were no marked differences between the treatment groups though there was some tendency for the improvement of the tryptophan-treated patients to fade between the third and fourth weeks. Within the tryptophan group anxious patients improved least. It is concluded that L-tryptophan probably has some antidepressive action in patients with depressive illness of moderate severity.", "PMID": 794897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10257", "title": "[Craniolacunia (author's transl)].", "content": "The radiological and pathological features of craniolacunia are discussed in the light of 13 personal cases, two of which are presented.", "contents": "[Craniolacunia (author's transl)]. The radiological and pathological features of craniolacunia are discussed in the light of 13 personal cases, two of which are presented.", "PMID": 794941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10258", "title": "[Human behaviour and instrumental disciplines (author's transl)].", "content": "The influence of human behaviour on the development of instrumental disciplines is discussed with special reference to medicine and radiology in research, application and teaching.", "contents": "[Human behaviour and instrumental disciplines (author's transl)]. The influence of human behaviour on the development of instrumental disciplines is discussed with special reference to medicine and radiology in research, application and teaching.", "PMID": 794942} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10259", "title": "Activation and cytotoxic activity of macrophages: a short review.", "content": "Interaction of sensitized T-lymphocytes with specific antigen, as well as several other nonimmunological stimuli, will induce the appearance of new properties in macrophages collectively referred to as \"activation\". The importance of macrophage activation in various physiological processes is only just beginning to be understood. A growing body of evidence strongly suggests that activated macrophages may play a dual role: firstly in protecting the host against certain interacellular pathogens, and secondly in modulating cell proliferation and adversely affecting cells with abnormal growth properties. It is expected that the ability of activated macrophages to discriminate between normal and tumor cells will receive increasing attention. If confirmed, this property may be of major importance with regard to immunotherapy of tumors.", "contents": "Activation and cytotoxic activity of macrophages: a short review. Interaction of sensitized T-lymphocytes with specific antigen, as well as several other nonimmunological stimuli, will induce the appearance of new properties in macrophages collectively referred to as \"activation\". The importance of macrophage activation in various physiological processes is only just beginning to be understood. A growing body of evidence strongly suggests that activated macrophages may play a dual role: firstly in protecting the host against certain interacellular pathogens, and secondly in modulating cell proliferation and adversely affecting cells with abnormal growth properties. It is expected that the ability of activated macrophages to discriminate between normal and tumor cells will receive increasing attention. If confirmed, this property may be of major importance with regard to immunotherapy of tumors.", "PMID": 794957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10260", "title": "Cell-membrane activation of macrophage function.", "content": "A number of short-term macrophage functions are stimulated immediately on contact of suitable external materials with the macrophage plasma membrane. These include locomotion and chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and exocytosis of lysosomal hydrolases. They are probably contractile events and may be initiated by a transient increase in permeability to divalent cations either of the plasma membrane or of hypothetical intracellular cations stores. Such permeability changes may follow interaction of hydrophobic substances with the membrane bilayer or follow contact with substances which induce clustering of membrane proteins. It is conjectured that similar substances might induce long-term events such as DNA and protein synthesis, mitosis and activation of cytotoxic function in macrophages, but that to do this, contact of the substance with the macrophage must be prolonged.", "contents": "Cell-membrane activation of macrophage function. A number of short-term macrophage functions are stimulated immediately on contact of suitable external materials with the macrophage plasma membrane. These include locomotion and chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and exocytosis of lysosomal hydrolases. They are probably contractile events and may be initiated by a transient increase in permeability to divalent cations either of the plasma membrane or of hypothetical intracellular cations stores. Such permeability changes may follow interaction of hydrophobic substances with the membrane bilayer or follow contact with substances which induce clustering of membrane proteins. It is conjectured that similar substances might induce long-term events such as DNA and protein synthesis, mitosis and activation of cytotoxic function in macrophages, but that to do this, contact of the substance with the macrophage must be prolonged.", "PMID": 794958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10261", "title": "Lymphocyte-macrophage interactions in BCG-treated mice.", "content": "Fresh living Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG), injected i.v. into (C57Bl/6xDBA/2)Fl mice, activated peritoneal macrophages rendering them highly cytotoxic for tumor cells in vitro. This cytotoxic activity was already maximal 14 days after injection of 1 mg of BCG and remained stable when 3 or 5 mg of BCG were given. At the same time spleen cells of the BCG-treated mice showed strongly depressed responses to the T-cell mitogens, PHA and Con A, irrespective of the dose of BCG injected. The inhibitory effect was shown to be mediated by suppressor cells which had characteristics of macrophages since they could be removed by carbonyl iron and magnet treatment and were adherent to plastic. In contrast to it was observed after injection of 1 mg of BCG, these suppressor cells alone did not account for the depression of T-cell responses induced by higher doses of BCG. Nylon-nonadherent cell populations obtained from spleen cells treated with 3 or 5 mg BCG partially retained the inhibitory activity suggesting that suppressor T cells were also induced after injection of high doses of BCG.", "contents": "Lymphocyte-macrophage interactions in BCG-treated mice. Fresh living Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG), injected i.v. into (C57Bl/6xDBA/2)Fl mice, activated peritoneal macrophages rendering them highly cytotoxic for tumor cells in vitro. This cytotoxic activity was already maximal 14 days after injection of 1 mg of BCG and remained stable when 3 or 5 mg of BCG were given. At the same time spleen cells of the BCG-treated mice showed strongly depressed responses to the T-cell mitogens, PHA and Con A, irrespective of the dose of BCG injected. The inhibitory effect was shown to be mediated by suppressor cells which had characteristics of macrophages since they could be removed by carbonyl iron and magnet treatment and were adherent to plastic. In contrast to it was observed after injection of 1 mg of BCG, these suppressor cells alone did not account for the depression of T-cell responses induced by higher doses of BCG. Nylon-nonadherent cell populations obtained from spleen cells treated with 3 or 5 mg BCG partially retained the inhibitory activity suggesting that suppressor T cells were also induced after injection of high doses of BCG.", "PMID": 794959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10262", "title": "[The effect of antiaggregating agents - acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and dipyridamol - on the rejection of allotransplanted canine kidneys in presensitized animals (author's transl)].", "content": "The effect of antiaggregating agents - acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA) and dipyridamol - on the rejection of allotransplanted canine kidneys in presensitized animals were studied. Blood flow dropped more markedly in the control group than in the group treated with ASA and dipyridamol. 24 hours after transplantation the blood flow in this group was significantly higher than in the control group (p 2,5 %) and in the third group treated with dipyridamol alone. The cellular rejection started earlier and was more pronounced in the control group. Only in this group vascular rejection and microthrombi were demonstrated. Urine output ceased 24 to 60 hours after transplantation. The immunosuppressive, antiphlogistic and platelet antiaggregating effect of the combined ASA and dipyridamol therapy is thought to be responsible for the better results in this group. In this experimental model the combined treatment of ASA and dipyridamol results in a later onset of cellular rejection, in better blood-flow of the kidney and later onset of anuria.", "contents": "[The effect of antiaggregating agents - acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and dipyridamol - on the rejection of allotransplanted canine kidneys in presensitized animals (author's transl)]. The effect of antiaggregating agents - acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA) and dipyridamol - on the rejection of allotransplanted canine kidneys in presensitized animals were studied. Blood flow dropped more markedly in the control group than in the group treated with ASA and dipyridamol. 24 hours after transplantation the blood flow in this group was significantly higher than in the control group (p 2,5 %) and in the third group treated with dipyridamol alone. The cellular rejection started earlier and was more pronounced in the control group. Only in this group vascular rejection and microthrombi were demonstrated. Urine output ceased 24 to 60 hours after transplantation. The immunosuppressive, antiphlogistic and platelet antiaggregating effect of the combined ASA and dipyridamol therapy is thought to be responsible for the better results in this group. In this experimental model the combined treatment of ASA and dipyridamol results in a later onset of cellular rejection, in better blood-flow of the kidney and later onset of anuria.", "PMID": 794960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10263", "title": "[Evidence of donoroganspecific humoral antibodies in hyperacutely and acutely rejected canine lungallotransplants (author's transl)].", "content": "A method to eluat donororganspecific antibodies enabling direct and specific access to the pattern of humoral rejection after lung allotransplantation is demonstrated. The antibodies were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively by elution of lung-grafts immunoglobulins and by a consequent investigation of the eluates using the passive haemagglutination- and indirect immunflourescence- test against donors' lung-antigen. Humoral antidonorlung-antibodies could be proved in all rejected grafts belonging to sensitized as well as to unsensitized recipients. There can be seen a highly significant correlation when comparing the results of the passive haemagglutination and indirect immunfluorescence test (r = 0,93, p less than or equal 0,01). On the other hand negative results of the investigations of eluates by lungantigens of other dogs show the specifity of humoral graft rejection. The suprising fact that there does not exist an essential difference between the results of sensitized and nonsensitized animals reveals a humoral immunresponse in hyperacute as well as in acute rejection.", "contents": "[Evidence of donoroganspecific humoral antibodies in hyperacutely and acutely rejected canine lungallotransplants (author's transl)]. A method to eluat donororganspecific antibodies enabling direct and specific access to the pattern of humoral rejection after lung allotransplantation is demonstrated. The antibodies were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively by elution of lung-grafts immunoglobulins and by a consequent investigation of the eluates using the passive haemagglutination- and indirect immunflourescence- test against donors' lung-antigen. Humoral antidonorlung-antibodies could be proved in all rejected grafts belonging to sensitized as well as to unsensitized recipients. There can be seen a highly significant correlation when comparing the results of the passive haemagglutination and indirect immunfluorescence test (r = 0,93, p less than or equal 0,01). On the other hand negative results of the investigations of eluates by lungantigens of other dogs show the specifity of humoral graft rejection. The suprising fact that there does not exist an essential difference between the results of sensitized and nonsensitized animals reveals a humoral immunresponse in hyperacute as well as in acute rejection.", "PMID": 794961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10264", "title": "Mucous elements in the nose.", "content": "A review of studies of the nasal mucous elements by whole-mount methods. Goblet cell development is described till the 30th week of gestation, by which density is still very small. Density must increase towards and after birth. Some problems concerning intraepithelial, anterior nasal as well as Bowman's glands are discussed. The development of the small sero-mucous glands is described and their distribution and density discussed.", "contents": "Mucous elements in the nose. A review of studies of the nasal mucous elements by whole-mount methods. Goblet cell development is described till the 30th week of gestation, by which density is still very small. Density must increase towards and after birth. Some problems concerning intraepithelial, anterior nasal as well as Bowman's glands are discussed. The development of the small sero-mucous glands is described and their distribution and density discussed.", "PMID": 794981} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10265", "title": "[Clinical trial with a nonamphetaminic anoretic].", "content": "The anorexigenic activity of a new compound tricyclic in nature and non-related to amphetamine, mazindol, was studied. The experiment was carried out in 20 patients (17 females and 3 males) aged 17-55 years with a minim overweight of 15% above ideal body weight. Simultaseously, another group of 20 patients (16 females and 4 males) aged 16-55 years with a minim overweight of 15% above ideal body weight were given placebo treatment. Both groups received treatment for a period of eight weeks.", "contents": "[Clinical trial with a nonamphetaminic anoretic]. The anorexigenic activity of a new compound tricyclic in nature and non-related to amphetamine, mazindol, was studied. The experiment was carried out in 20 patients (17 females and 3 males) aged 17-55 years with a minim overweight of 15% above ideal body weight. Simultaseously, another group of 20 patients (16 females and 4 males) aged 16-55 years with a minim overweight of 15% above ideal body weight were given placebo treatment. Both groups received treatment for a period of eight weeks.", "PMID": 794978} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10266", "title": "[Treatment of malpighian epitheliomas of the floor of the mouth with gingival involvement].", "content": "Within the clinical context of carinomas of the upper respiratory/digestive tract (special underlying features, frequency of multiple localisations), pelvi-gingival tumours pose special problems essentially related to the proximity of the mandible. Over the past 15 years, treatment protocols at the Institut Gustave-Roussy have been progressively oriented towards a surgical solution preceded by short period of chemotherapy and followed by radiotherapy on an \"as required\" basis. In certain instances (bone resection with defect, especially naterior), such excision surgery results in serious functional and aesthetic impairment and cannot be envisaged in the absence of concomitant reparative surgery. The latter is clearly defined as far as the soft tissues are concerned thanks to the use of facial or thoracic flaps, whilst solutions for restoring bone continuity remain imperfect. The difficulties of covering a bone transplant and the need for postoperative radiotherapy compromise its future. From a tumour standpoint, the results are aggravated essentially by the existence of bone involvement or of histological lymph node invasion. Furthermore, it is closely related to the manifestations of the malignant disease in general. The survival obtained with the current therapeutic protocol is 38% at 3 years and 32% at 5 years.", "contents": "[Treatment of malpighian epitheliomas of the floor of the mouth with gingival involvement]. Within the clinical context of carinomas of the upper respiratory/digestive tract (special underlying features, frequency of multiple localisations), pelvi-gingival tumours pose special problems essentially related to the proximity of the mandible. Over the past 15 years, treatment protocols at the Institut Gustave-Roussy have been progressively oriented towards a surgical solution preceded by short period of chemotherapy and followed by radiotherapy on an \"as required\" basis. In certain instances (bone resection with defect, especially naterior), such excision surgery results in serious functional and aesthetic impairment and cannot be envisaged in the absence of concomitant reparative surgery. The latter is clearly defined as far as the soft tissues are concerned thanks to the use of facial or thoracic flaps, whilst solutions for restoring bone continuity remain imperfect. The difficulties of covering a bone transplant and the need for postoperative radiotherapy compromise its future. From a tumour standpoint, the results are aggravated essentially by the existence of bone involvement or of histological lymph node invasion. Furthermore, it is closely related to the manifestations of the malignant disease in general. The survival obtained with the current therapeutic protocol is 38% at 3 years and 32% at 5 years.", "PMID": 794989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10267", "title": "[Surgical repair after wide excision in cancer of the oral commissure].", "content": "The possibility of reconstruction following vast losses of substance makes it possible to propose curative treatment for very advanced cancer, with a satisfactory quality of survival. Such vast losses of substance may be treated in a two-stage procedure using a delto-pectoral flap, the distal extremity of which is folded over upon itself.", "contents": "[Surgical repair after wide excision in cancer of the oral commissure]. The possibility of reconstruction following vast losses of substance makes it possible to propose curative treatment for very advanced cancer, with a satisfactory quality of survival. Such vast losses of substance may be treated in a two-stage procedure using a delto-pectoral flap, the distal extremity of which is folded over upon itself.", "PMID": 794990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10268", "title": "[A pediculate commissural flap. Its use in the closing of orostoma in irradiated areas].", "content": "The arch-like pediculated commissural flap utilizes the cutaneous layer of the lower lip, the chin and the sub-mental region which are usually not affected by radiation fields in tumours of the longue, the floor and the gum. Its vascularisation which at first sight appears paradoxical, results from anastomoses between the sub-mental facial artery and the mental branches of the lower dental artery, and those of the buccal artery, a branch of the internal maxillary and the labial coronaries. Used successfully on five occasions, and in one or two operative phases, this flap enables rapid closure of an orostoma within an irradiated field using the only suitable tissue in the immediate vicinity.", "contents": "[A pediculate commissural flap. Its use in the closing of orostoma in irradiated areas]. The arch-like pediculated commissural flap utilizes the cutaneous layer of the lower lip, the chin and the sub-mental region which are usually not affected by radiation fields in tumours of the longue, the floor and the gum. Its vascularisation which at first sight appears paradoxical, results from anastomoses between the sub-mental facial artery and the mental branches of the lower dental artery, and those of the buccal artery, a branch of the internal maxillary and the labial coronaries. Used successfully on five occasions, and in one or two operative phases, this flap enables rapid closure of an orostoma within an irradiated field using the only suitable tissue in the immediate vicinity.", "PMID": 794991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10269", "title": "Dynamics of the h-LH and h-FSH response after the stimulation test with Gn-RH-LH/FSH in man.", "content": "A study was carried out on a number of 17 subjects concerning the dynamics of LH and FSH response after stimulation with Gn-RH-LH/FSH. The results show a stimulation 10 minutes after quick i.v. injection of synthetic RH, with a peak at 20-30 minutes and a persistence of the response of up to 180 min. The variation of the response is proportional with the dose, the response to stimulation being higher for LH than for FSH. The response in the normal adult male is of 82-858% for LH and of 157-250% for FSH. In aged subjects there is an increased response capacity showing that the hypophysis still reacts at an advanced age, with variations depending on the individual characteristics. In Sheehan's syndrome the basal values of FSH and LH are low, with a slight response after stimulation with RH, suggesting the possibility of a partial regeneration of the hypophysis if any intact areas were left after the initial necrotic process.", "contents": "Dynamics of the h-LH and h-FSH response after the stimulation test with Gn-RH-LH/FSH in man. A study was carried out on a number of 17 subjects concerning the dynamics of LH and FSH response after stimulation with Gn-RH-LH/FSH. The results show a stimulation 10 minutes after quick i.v. injection of synthetic RH, with a peak at 20-30 minutes and a persistence of the response of up to 180 min. The variation of the response is proportional with the dose, the response to stimulation being higher for LH than for FSH. The response in the normal adult male is of 82-858% for LH and of 157-250% for FSH. In aged subjects there is an increased response capacity showing that the hypophysis still reacts at an advanced age, with variations depending on the individual characteristics. In Sheehan's syndrome the basal values of FSH and LH are low, with a slight response after stimulation with RH, suggesting the possibility of a partial regeneration of the hypophysis if any intact areas were left after the initial necrotic process.", "PMID": 794988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10270", "title": "Acute effects of intermittent positive pressure breathing in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.", "content": "The immediate effects of intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) on air were studied in seven patients (age 55-73 years) with advanced chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) and with chronic respiratory insufficiency. Dynamic lung compliance was reduced by an average of 25% by IPPB, while inspiratory resistance increased by 40%. Distribution of inspired gas, as determined by nitrogen washout, became more even with IPPB. Respiratory frequency was not altered, whereas total ventilation increased by 25% during IPPB and PaCO2 was reduced. Oxygen uptake was reduced by 6%. PaO2 did not change during IPPB but had decreased by an average of 20% 10 minutes after IPPB and then slowly improved; PaCO2 did not change after IPPB. The pressures in the right atrium, pulmonary artery, and in pulmonary wedge position all increased approximately 2 mm Hg (approximately 2 cm H2O) with IPPB, while intrathoracic pressure rose on an average by 5 cm H2O, the transmural pressures thus being lowered during IPPB. The pulmonary vascular resistance was not significantly altered by IPPB, whereas the systemic vascular resistance rose 25%. Cardiac output was reduced approximately 20% and venous admixture almost 50%.", "contents": "Acute effects of intermittent positive pressure breathing in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. The immediate effects of intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) on air were studied in seven patients (age 55-73 years) with advanced chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) and with chronic respiratory insufficiency. Dynamic lung compliance was reduced by an average of 25% by IPPB, while inspiratory resistance increased by 40%. Distribution of inspired gas, as determined by nitrogen washout, became more even with IPPB. Respiratory frequency was not altered, whereas total ventilation increased by 25% during IPPB and PaCO2 was reduced. Oxygen uptake was reduced by 6%. PaO2 did not change during IPPB but had decreased by an average of 20% 10 minutes after IPPB and then slowly improved; PaCO2 did not change after IPPB. The pressures in the right atrium, pulmonary artery, and in pulmonary wedge position all increased approximately 2 mm Hg (approximately 2 cm H2O) with IPPB, while intrathoracic pressure rose on an average by 5 cm H2O, the transmural pressures thus being lowered during IPPB. The pulmonary vascular resistance was not significantly altered by IPPB, whereas the systemic vascular resistance rose 25%. Cardiac output was reduced approximately 20% and venous admixture almost 50%.", "PMID": 794995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10271", "title": "Antimicrobial effect of four different toothpastes.", "content": "The study was undertaken to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of a commercial toothpaste, claimed to contain active chlorhexidine gluconate. Two traditional toothpastes and a 0.5% chlorhexidine gel were used as negative and positive control pastes. To exclude the effect of mechanical cleaning, all the agents were applied twice daily to the tooth surfaces by means of individually constructed acrylic cap splints. Ten dental students used each paste in a 4-week cross-over double-blind study comprising four test periods of 4 d duration. The students were allowed normal mechanical oral hygiene during the 3 d between the test periods. At the beginning and the end of each test period the tooth surfaces in the right halves of the jaws were scored for the Plaque Index, after which disclosing solution was used and the teeth of the left halves of the jaws were scored for stained plaque. Of all the toothpastes tested, only the chlorhexidine gel exhibited an antimicrobial effect comparable to that of efficient mechanical oral hygiene measures. The effect of the toothpaste with claimed chlorhexidine content did not differ from that of the two traditional toothpastes.", "contents": "Antimicrobial effect of four different toothpastes. The study was undertaken to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of a commercial toothpaste, claimed to contain active chlorhexidine gluconate. Two traditional toothpastes and a 0.5% chlorhexidine gel were used as negative and positive control pastes. To exclude the effect of mechanical cleaning, all the agents were applied twice daily to the tooth surfaces by means of individually constructed acrylic cap splints. Ten dental students used each paste in a 4-week cross-over double-blind study comprising four test periods of 4 d duration. The students were allowed normal mechanical oral hygiene during the 3 d between the test periods. At the beginning and the end of each test period the tooth surfaces in the right halves of the jaws were scored for the Plaque Index, after which disclosing solution was used and the teeth of the left halves of the jaws were scored for stained plaque. Of all the toothpastes tested, only the chlorhexidine gel exhibited an antimicrobial effect comparable to that of efficient mechanical oral hygiene measures. The effect of the toothpaste with claimed chlorhexidine content did not differ from that of the two traditional toothpastes.", "PMID": 794996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10272", "title": "Effect of acupuncture on the pain perception thresholds of human teeth.", "content": "The effect of acumpuncture on the pain perception threshold of maxillary incisors and canines as determined by a Bofors Pulp Tester was studied in 33 dental students 19-30 years of age. Test teeth were cleaned with pumice and 10% alcohol, air-dried, and insulated at the approximal surfaces with strips of rubber dam. Based on a comparison of bipolar and monopolar stimulation the latter method was chosen, with the cathode placed on the incisal third of the facial surface, the indifferent electrode in the subject's hand. In separate groups of subjects thresholds were assessed four times at intervals of 15 min without acupuncture (1), with acupuncture performed manually (2) and electrically (3), and during electrical stimulation with surface electrodes over acupuncture points (4). On separate days acupuncture and surface stimulation was applied unilaterally at the points S2 (cheek), Li4 (hand), or S44 (foot). Compared with control threshold (8.44 muA) acupuncture was accompanied by a small increase, most pronounced after 45 min (1.51 muA, P less than 0.0005). However, the hypalgesia observed was insufficient to justify acupuncture as a means of pain control in conservative dentistry.", "contents": "Effect of acupuncture on the pain perception thresholds of human teeth. The effect of acumpuncture on the pain perception threshold of maxillary incisors and canines as determined by a Bofors Pulp Tester was studied in 33 dental students 19-30 years of age. Test teeth were cleaned with pumice and 10% alcohol, air-dried, and insulated at the approximal surfaces with strips of rubber dam. Based on a comparison of bipolar and monopolar stimulation the latter method was chosen, with the cathode placed on the incisal third of the facial surface, the indifferent electrode in the subject's hand. In separate groups of subjects thresholds were assessed four times at intervals of 15 min without acupuncture (1), with acupuncture performed manually (2) and electrically (3), and during electrical stimulation with surface electrodes over acupuncture points (4). On separate days acupuncture and surface stimulation was applied unilaterally at the points S2 (cheek), Li4 (hand), or S44 (foot). Compared with control threshold (8.44 muA) acupuncture was accompanied by a small increase, most pronounced after 45 min (1.51 muA, P less than 0.0005). However, the hypalgesia observed was insufficient to justify acupuncture as a means of pain control in conservative dentistry.", "PMID": 794997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10273", "title": "Anti-colon antibodies in ulcerative colitis. A clinical study.", "content": "145 consecutively admitted patients with ulcerative colitis were clinically classified. A female:male ratio of 1.46:1 was found. Clinical symptoms and signs presumed to indicate hypersensitivity were present in 30% (95% confidence limits 23-39%). Circulating anti-colon antibodies were found in 20% (95% confidence limits 14-28%) with a female preponderance of 2.63:1. None of the following factors were significantly correlated to the presence of anti-colon antibodies: the age or sex of the patients, the degree of colonic involvement, duration of disease, age of onset, family history of disease, or manifestations of hypersensitivity associated with ulcerative colitis.20", "contents": "Anti-colon antibodies in ulcerative colitis. A clinical study. 145 consecutively admitted patients with ulcerative colitis were clinically classified. A female:male ratio of 1.46:1 was found. Clinical symptoms and signs presumed to indicate hypersensitivity were present in 30% (95% confidence limits 23-39%). Circulating anti-colon antibodies were found in 20% (95% confidence limits 14-28%) with a female preponderance of 2.63:1. None of the following factors were significantly correlated to the presence of anti-colon antibodies: the age or sex of the patients, the degree of colonic involvement, duration of disease, age of onset, family history of disease, or manifestations of hypersensitivity associated with ulcerative colitis.20", "PMID": 794998} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10274", "title": "Portal venous and systemic endotoxaemia in patients without liver disease and systemic endotoxaemia in patients with cirrhosis.", "content": "Systemic endotoxaemia without evidence of gram-negative bacterial infection occurs in liver diseases in man. The endotoxaemia is probably due to impaired hepatic clearance of endotoxin absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but portal venous endotoxaemia has never been reported in man. By means of the limulus gelation test, portal venous blood from 21 patients without parenchymal liver disease and arterial blood from 21 patients without parenchymal liver disease and 31 patients with cirrhosis was examined for endotoxin. Portal venous endotoxaemia was found in 9 of 21 samples and systemic endotoxaemia was found in 2 of 21 samples from patients without liver disease. Systemic endotoxaemia in cirrhosis occurred with a frequency of 15/31. No relationship to gram-negative bacteraemia was found. Leucocytosis was only seen in endotoxin-positive patients with cirrhosis. In cirrhosis higher levels of E. coli O antibodies were found in endotoxin-positive than in endotoxin-negative patients, supporting the view that the limulus gelation test specifically detects endotoxin (i.e. E. coli O antigen). The study suggests that endotoxin is a normal constituent of portal venous blood in man. The normal human liver clears endotoxin from the portal venous blood. This effect is diminished in cirrhosis, most probably owing to decreased phagocytic function of the liver. The increased humoral immune response in cirrhosis may be related to spillover of endotoxin from the liver.", "contents": "Portal venous and systemic endotoxaemia in patients without liver disease and systemic endotoxaemia in patients with cirrhosis. Systemic endotoxaemia without evidence of gram-negative bacterial infection occurs in liver diseases in man. The endotoxaemia is probably due to impaired hepatic clearance of endotoxin absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but portal venous endotoxaemia has never been reported in man. By means of the limulus gelation test, portal venous blood from 21 patients without parenchymal liver disease and arterial blood from 21 patients without parenchymal liver disease and 31 patients with cirrhosis was examined for endotoxin. Portal venous endotoxaemia was found in 9 of 21 samples and systemic endotoxaemia was found in 2 of 21 samples from patients without liver disease. Systemic endotoxaemia in cirrhosis occurred with a frequency of 15/31. No relationship to gram-negative bacteraemia was found. Leucocytosis was only seen in endotoxin-positive patients with cirrhosis. In cirrhosis higher levels of E. coli O antibodies were found in endotoxin-positive than in endotoxin-negative patients, supporting the view that the limulus gelation test specifically detects endotoxin (i.e. E. coli O antigen). The study suggests that endotoxin is a normal constituent of portal venous blood in man. The normal human liver clears endotoxin from the portal venous blood. This effect is diminished in cirrhosis, most probably owing to decreased phagocytic function of the liver. The increased humoral immune response in cirrhosis may be related to spillover of endotoxin from the liver.", "PMID": 794999} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10275", "title": "[Management of loss of substance in massive facial injuries].", "content": "In a communication illustrated by numerous photographs, the author describes the methods normally used in the treatment of open facial trauma. The first basic principle is the treatment of those parts of the facial skeleton fractured by the cutaneo-musculo-mucosal lesion caused by the accident. All of the fixation procedures used in closed fractures are valid. Choice depends upon the type of fracture. Loss of bone substance should be treated by immediate graft only in cases where there is no secondary infection, on condition that the mucosal and cutaneous layers which will be used as a covering are of good quality. The second rule is that lesions of the soft tissues should be treated at the same time, after having ensured repair of any bony injuries. Reconstruction may be a veritable jigsaw puzzle and magnifying instruments are useful under such circumstances. The mucosal, muscular and cutaneous layers are closed in succession. In the case of loss of substance, various forms of plastic surgery may be used in relation to the type of lesion. The following procedures are used, in descending order of frequency: -Sliding of neighboring tissues. -Free grafts--whole or partial thickness of skin. -Unipediculated flaps. -Cylindrical flaps. The third rule is that it should not be attempted to close a large defect at all costs, especially if the quality of the tissues is not excellent. In cases of this sort, it is preferable to approximately draw together the edges of the wound using large interrupted sutures on buttons. Closure of the loss of substance is delayed until later. Plastic surgery carried out by amateurs may result in catastrophe. Errors in operative technique always have irremdiable consequences for the injured patient. Prudence and caution are thus the golden rule.", "contents": "[Management of loss of substance in massive facial injuries]. In a communication illustrated by numerous photographs, the author describes the methods normally used in the treatment of open facial trauma. The first basic principle is the treatment of those parts of the facial skeleton fractured by the cutaneo-musculo-mucosal lesion caused by the accident. All of the fixation procedures used in closed fractures are valid. Choice depends upon the type of fracture. Loss of bone substance should be treated by immediate graft only in cases where there is no secondary infection, on condition that the mucosal and cutaneous layers which will be used as a covering are of good quality. The second rule is that lesions of the soft tissues should be treated at the same time, after having ensured repair of any bony injuries. Reconstruction may be a veritable jigsaw puzzle and magnifying instruments are useful under such circumstances. The mucosal, muscular and cutaneous layers are closed in succession. In the case of loss of substance, various forms of plastic surgery may be used in relation to the type of lesion. The following procedures are used, in descending order of frequency: -Sliding of neighboring tissues. -Free grafts--whole or partial thickness of skin. -Unipediculated flaps. -Cylindrical flaps. The third rule is that it should not be attempted to close a large defect at all costs, especially if the quality of the tissues is not excellent. In cases of this sort, it is preferable to approximately draw together the edges of the wound using large interrupted sutures on buttons. Closure of the loss of substance is delayed until later. Plastic surgery carried out by amateurs may result in catastrophe. Errors in operative technique always have irremdiable consequences for the injured patient. Prudence and caution are thus the golden rule.", "PMID": 794992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10276", "title": "Membrane bound IgG on erythroblasts in pure red cell aplasia following thymectomy. A case report.", "content": "A case of pure red cell aplasia appearing 6 months following thymectomy is reported in a 43-year-old man. Immunofluorescence studies of the patient's bone marrow have demonstrated the presence of membrane-bound IgG on the majority of erythroblasts and some mature erythrocytes. It is suggested that the IgG represents anti-erythroid autoantibodies. The number of Ig-bearing lymphocytes in peripheral blood was decreased as was the level of immunoglobulins indicating a B-lymphocyte deficiency. T-lymphocyte functions were without remarks. The patient was initially treated with corticosteroids and oxymetholone. He responded well to this therapy but relapsed 9 month later. Cyclophosphamide treatment was started and followed by a complete haematologic remission.", "contents": "Membrane bound IgG on erythroblasts in pure red cell aplasia following thymectomy. A case report. A case of pure red cell aplasia appearing 6 months following thymectomy is reported in a 43-year-old man. Immunofluorescence studies of the patient's bone marrow have demonstrated the presence of membrane-bound IgG on the majority of erythroblasts and some mature erythrocytes. It is suggested that the IgG represents anti-erythroid autoantibodies. The number of Ig-bearing lymphocytes in peripheral blood was decreased as was the level of immunoglobulins indicating a B-lymphocyte deficiency. T-lymphocyte functions were without remarks. The patient was initially treated with corticosteroids and oxymetholone. He responded well to this therapy but relapsed 9 month later. Cyclophosphamide treatment was started and followed by a complete haematologic remission.", "PMID": 795001} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10277", "title": "Specific antisera against human blood cells applicable in the indirect immunofluorescence technique.", "content": "The preparation of antisera against various cells of the human peripheral blood applicable in the indirect immunofluorescence technique (IIFT) is described. Such antisera will be a great interest for the study of cell-specific membrane antigens, for example during haematopoiesis. Purified erythrocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and thrombocytes from healthy donors were injected into rabbits. The antisera thus produced were not spontaneously specific. Only by extensive absorption of the crude antisera with purified cells from healthy donors was it possible to obtain antisera that were specific for erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and thrombocytes. By injection of small doses of leukocyte lysate and by absorption of the resulting antiserum with mononclear cells a specific antineutrophil serum was produced. So far it has not been possible to prepare a specific anti-monocyte antiserum. The specific antisera were applicable in the IIFT on paraformaldehyde-fixed cells in suspension and on cells on slides.", "contents": "Specific antisera against human blood cells applicable in the indirect immunofluorescence technique. The preparation of antisera against various cells of the human peripheral blood applicable in the indirect immunofluorescence technique (IIFT) is described. Such antisera will be a great interest for the study of cell-specific membrane antigens, for example during haematopoiesis. Purified erythrocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and thrombocytes from healthy donors were injected into rabbits. The antisera thus produced were not spontaneously specific. Only by extensive absorption of the crude antisera with purified cells from healthy donors was it possible to obtain antisera that were specific for erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and thrombocytes. By injection of small doses of leukocyte lysate and by absorption of the resulting antiserum with mononclear cells a specific antineutrophil serum was produced. So far it has not been possible to prepare a specific anti-monocyte antiserum. The specific antisera were applicable in the IIFT on paraformaldehyde-fixed cells in suspension and on cells on slides.", "PMID": 795002} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10278", "title": "Colonization and clinical superinfection with gram-negative bacilli in influenza.", "content": "Among 197 influenza A patients admitted to Roslagstull Hospital, abundant growth of gram-negative bacilli was found in 74 cases (38%). When assays for antibodies with the patients own strains as antigen were performed on paired sera with the indirect immunofluorescence technique, titre increases were obtained in 21 out of 55 patients (38%). In this last group signs of secondary infection, as secondary pneumonia, prolonged or recurring fever or late occurrence of leukocytosis and granulocytosis, were significantly more common than in patients without gram-negative findings. An analysis of possible interference by other bacteria did not invalidate the observations. Findings of gram-negative bacilli occurred most often in patients more than 50 years of age. The bacteria were probably hospital acquired in 32 out of 55 patients. Antibody responses took place both in the IgM and the IgG fraction.", "contents": "Colonization and clinical superinfection with gram-negative bacilli in influenza. Among 197 influenza A patients admitted to Roslagstull Hospital, abundant growth of gram-negative bacilli was found in 74 cases (38%). When assays for antibodies with the patients own strains as antigen were performed on paired sera with the indirect immunofluorescence technique, titre increases were obtained in 21 out of 55 patients (38%). In this last group signs of secondary infection, as secondary pneumonia, prolonged or recurring fever or late occurrence of leukocytosis and granulocytosis, were significantly more common than in patients without gram-negative findings. An analysis of possible interference by other bacteria did not invalidate the observations. Findings of gram-negative bacilli occurred most often in patients more than 50 years of age. The bacteria were probably hospital acquired in 32 out of 55 patients. Antibody responses took place both in the IgM and the IgG fraction.", "PMID": 795003} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10279", "title": "HLA-antigen b27 in cases with joint affections in an outbreak of salmonellosis.", "content": "An outbreak of infection with Salmonella typhi murium occurred in southern Sweden in the summer of 1974. About 330 persons were infected; 91 were hospitalized. 13 of the 91 patients (9 men and 4 women) had symptoms of aseptical polyarthritis. The 13 patients with arthritis were HLA typed with a standard microlymphocytotoxicity test. 13 salmonellosis patients from the same epidemic but without arthritis and 446 healthy blood donors served as controls. Nine (69%) of the 13 patients with arthritis had HLA-B27 compared to 1 (8%) of the control patients and 44 (10%) of the blood donors. The observed association between HLA antigen B27 and reactive arthropathy following salmonella infection could be due to a function of a disease predisposing gene closely linked to HLA-B27.", "contents": "HLA-antigen b27 in cases with joint affections in an outbreak of salmonellosis. An outbreak of infection with Salmonella typhi murium occurred in southern Sweden in the summer of 1974. About 330 persons were infected; 91 were hospitalized. 13 of the 91 patients (9 men and 4 women) had symptoms of aseptical polyarthritis. The 13 patients with arthritis were HLA typed with a standard microlymphocytotoxicity test. 13 salmonellosis patients from the same epidemic but without arthritis and 446 healthy blood donors served as controls. Nine (69%) of the 13 patients with arthritis had HLA-B27 compared to 1 (8%) of the control patients and 44 (10%) of the blood donors. The observed association between HLA antigen B27 and reactive arthropathy following salmonella infection could be due to a function of a disease predisposing gene closely linked to HLA-B27.", "PMID": 795004} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10280", "title": "Concentration of doxycycline in bowel tissue and postoperative infections.", "content": "An investigation on the relation between the effect of doxycycline as prophylactic antibiotic in colonic surgery and levels of doxycycline in serum and bowel tissue with reference to MIC-values of bacterial strains isolated at surgery or after postoperative septic complications is presented. 200 mg doxycycline orally 4-6 hours preoperatively resulted in a serum concentration of 4.0 +/- 0.3 mug/ml at the onset of operation. Tissue samples removed at surgery were assayed for doxycycline. High levels were observed in bowel tissue, ileum 7.5 +/- 1.2 mug/ml and colon 3.9 +/- 0.3 mug/ml. The effects of dosage, time of administration and bowel pathology on tissue levels are discussed. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial strains were tested for in vitro susceptibility to doxycycline using a standardized disc-diffusion method according to Eriksson and Sherris. 75% of the strains belonged to sensitivity groups 1 and 2 (sensitive-fairly sensitive). That is, MIC-values in 75% of the strains were below the average serum and intestinal tissue concentration during the operation. The implications of these results are that the dosage and time of administration of the drug must be adjusted so that serum and tissue levels are adequate during surgery.", "contents": "Concentration of doxycycline in bowel tissue and postoperative infections. An investigation on the relation between the effect of doxycycline as prophylactic antibiotic in colonic surgery and levels of doxycycline in serum and bowel tissue with reference to MIC-values of bacterial strains isolated at surgery or after postoperative septic complications is presented. 200 mg doxycycline orally 4-6 hours preoperatively resulted in a serum concentration of 4.0 +/- 0.3 mug/ml at the onset of operation. Tissue samples removed at surgery were assayed for doxycycline. High levels were observed in bowel tissue, ileum 7.5 +/- 1.2 mug/ml and colon 3.9 +/- 0.3 mug/ml. The effects of dosage, time of administration and bowel pathology on tissue levels are discussed. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial strains were tested for in vitro susceptibility to doxycycline using a standardized disc-diffusion method according to Eriksson and Sherris. 75% of the strains belonged to sensitivity groups 1 and 2 (sensitive-fairly sensitive). That is, MIC-values in 75% of the strains were below the average serum and intestinal tissue concentration during the operation. The implications of these results are that the dosage and time of administration of the drug must be adjusted so that serum and tissue levels are adequate during surgery.", "PMID": 795006} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10281", "title": "Antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. doxycycline compared to a combination of benzylpenicillin and streptomycin. A preliminary report.", "content": "The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two different regimens of antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. The study comprises 57 consecutive cases. The mechanical preoperative preparation was essentially the same in all cases and the operative technique was standardized as far as possible. Antibiotic prophylaxis was started immediately before surgery and continued for three days postoperatively. Thirty-six patients received doxycycline 200 mg i.v. per day and 21 patients were given benzylpenicillin 10 million I.U. 4 times a day and streptomycin 500 mg twice a day. No major infectious complications (e.g. septicaemia, abscessess) were seen in either group. There were three wound infections in the doxycycline group and four in the penicillin-streptomycin group.", "contents": "Antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. doxycycline compared to a combination of benzylpenicillin and streptomycin. A preliminary report. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two different regimens of antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. The study comprises 57 consecutive cases. The mechanical preoperative preparation was essentially the same in all cases and the operative technique was standardized as far as possible. Antibiotic prophylaxis was started immediately before surgery and continued for three days postoperatively. Thirty-six patients received doxycycline 200 mg i.v. per day and 21 patients were given benzylpenicillin 10 million I.U. 4 times a day and streptomycin 500 mg twice a day. No major infectious complications (e.g. septicaemia, abscessess) were seen in either group. There were three wound infections in the doxycycline group and four in the penicillin-streptomycin group.", "PMID": 795007} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10282", "title": "Microcalorimetry as a tool for evaluation of antibacterial effects of doxycycline and tetracycline.", "content": "The heat effects produced by a strain of Escherichia coli in the presence of doxycycline and tetracycline were determined by calorimetric measurements using batch and flow microcalorimeters of the heat-conduction type. There was a clear difference in the capacity of the two tetracyclines to suppress the metabolism of the test bacterium as indicated by the heat production registered. In the presence of doxycycline or tetracycline in a concentration of 0.4 mug/ml (half the minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC), the time interval between the start of the experiment and a heat production of 2 muW/ml was 4.5 h for tetracycline and 7.3 h for doxycycline. When the antibiotics, in a concentration of 1.6 mug/ml (2 X MIC), were added to the culture during the logarithmic growth phase, tetracycline depressed heat production much less than doxycycline. Almost immediately after the addition of the two tetracyclines studied, heat production decreased sharply. The heat production rose again 1 h after tetracycline had been added, but remained at a low level for at least 16 h after doxycycline.--The results suggest that there are differences in the kinetics of the antibacterial action of doxycycline and tetracycline. Microcalorimetric studies provide new information for determining antibacterial activities of antibiotics, information that cannot be obtained by means of conventional bacteriological techniques. Such studies might be of value for the establishment of optimal dose regimens.", "contents": "Microcalorimetry as a tool for evaluation of antibacterial effects of doxycycline and tetracycline. The heat effects produced by a strain of Escherichia coli in the presence of doxycycline and tetracycline were determined by calorimetric measurements using batch and flow microcalorimeters of the heat-conduction type. There was a clear difference in the capacity of the two tetracyclines to suppress the metabolism of the test bacterium as indicated by the heat production registered. In the presence of doxycycline or tetracycline in a concentration of 0.4 mug/ml (half the minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC), the time interval between the start of the experiment and a heat production of 2 muW/ml was 4.5 h for tetracycline and 7.3 h for doxycycline. When the antibiotics, in a concentration of 1.6 mug/ml (2 X MIC), were added to the culture during the logarithmic growth phase, tetracycline depressed heat production much less than doxycycline. Almost immediately after the addition of the two tetracyclines studied, heat production decreased sharply. The heat production rose again 1 h after tetracycline had been added, but remained at a low level for at least 16 h after doxycycline.--The results suggest that there are differences in the kinetics of the antibacterial action of doxycycline and tetracycline. Microcalorimetric studies provide new information for determining antibacterial activities of antibiotics, information that cannot be obtained by means of conventional bacteriological techniques. Such studies might be of value for the establishment of optimal dose regimens.", "PMID": 795008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10283", "title": "Concentrations of oxytetracycline, tetracycline and doxycycline in mandibular osteitis.", "content": "Treatment of osteitis in the mandible after surgery is still a clinical problem. Levels of three tetracyclines--doxycycline, oxytetracycline and tetracycline--were measured in serum and dental alveolar serum in 30 patients undergoing oral surgery. The serum concentrations were higher than the dental alveolar serum concentrations in all patients. The maximal concentration in the alveolar serum for doxycycline was between 3.0 and 3.5 mug/ml while the corresponding values for oxytetracycline and tetracycline were between 1.0 and 2.0 mug/ml. When the dental alveolar serum concentrations of the various tetracycline analogues were related to their range of inhibitory concentrations for microorganisms isolated from mandibular osteitis, it was found that each drug reached levels sufficient to inhibit most but not all strains.", "contents": "Concentrations of oxytetracycline, tetracycline and doxycycline in mandibular osteitis. Treatment of osteitis in the mandible after surgery is still a clinical problem. Levels of three tetracyclines--doxycycline, oxytetracycline and tetracycline--were measured in serum and dental alveolar serum in 30 patients undergoing oral surgery. The serum concentrations were higher than the dental alveolar serum concentrations in all patients. The maximal concentration in the alveolar serum for doxycycline was between 3.0 and 3.5 mug/ml while the corresponding values for oxytetracycline and tetracycline were between 1.0 and 2.0 mug/ml. When the dental alveolar serum concentrations of the various tetracycline analogues were related to their range of inhibitory concentrations for microorganisms isolated from mandibular osteitis, it was found that each drug reached levels sufficient to inhibit most but not all strains.", "PMID": 795009} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10284", "title": "Doxycycline concentration levels in bone, soft tissue and serum after intravenous infusion of doxycycline. A clinical study.", "content": "As part of a longitudinal study, the influence of preoperative single dose doxycycline treatment on the overall incidence of early postoperative wound infections in orthopaedic surgery, 34 patients with various fractures were given an intravenous infusion of doxycycline 2-4 hours before the operation. The serum concentrations of doxycycline were determined on specimens taken during the operation and on 4 other occasions, the last being 48 hours after operation. All patients except 4 had serum concentration levels of 0.4 mug per ml or above at 48 hours. During the operation, specimens of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and bone were also taken. The doxycycline concentrations were determined in the various tissues and correlated to the concomitant serum concentration. The results were analysed with regard to the possible influence of preoperative single dose doxycycline treatment for prevention of early postoperative infections.", "contents": "Doxycycline concentration levels in bone, soft tissue and serum after intravenous infusion of doxycycline. A clinical study. As part of a longitudinal study, the influence of preoperative single dose doxycycline treatment on the overall incidence of early postoperative wound infections in orthopaedic surgery, 34 patients with various fractures were given an intravenous infusion of doxycycline 2-4 hours before the operation. The serum concentrations of doxycycline were determined on specimens taken during the operation and on 4 other occasions, the last being 48 hours after operation. All patients except 4 had serum concentration levels of 0.4 mug per ml or above at 48 hours. During the operation, specimens of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and bone were also taken. The doxycycline concentrations were determined in the various tissues and correlated to the concomitant serum concentration. The results were analysed with regard to the possible influence of preoperative single dose doxycycline treatment for prevention of early postoperative infections.", "PMID": 795010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10285", "title": "In-vitro effect of doxycycline on levels of adenosine triphosphate in bacterial cultures. Possible clinical applications.", "content": "Short-term effects of doxycycline on viability and levels of intracellular ATP in bacteria were studied. Inhibition of growth by doxycycline was reflected in a corresponding inhibition of the accumulation of intracellular ATP which was clearly demonstrable within 1-2 hours. The effects of doxycycline on intracellular ATP were dose-dependent and the use of ATP assays for quantitation of antibiotics in serum is discussed. In 45 clinical isolates exposed to doxycycline a positive correlation was found between antibiotic-induced inhibition of intracellular ATP levels and inhibitory zone diameters with the disc diffusion method, indicating possible clinical applications in rapid susceptibility testing.", "contents": "In-vitro effect of doxycycline on levels of adenosine triphosphate in bacterial cultures. Possible clinical applications. Short-term effects of doxycycline on viability and levels of intracellular ATP in bacteria were studied. Inhibition of growth by doxycycline was reflected in a corresponding inhibition of the accumulation of intracellular ATP which was clearly demonstrable within 1-2 hours. The effects of doxycycline on intracellular ATP were dose-dependent and the use of ATP assays for quantitation of antibiotics in serum is discussed. In 45 clinical isolates exposed to doxycycline a positive correlation was found between antibiotic-induced inhibition of intracellular ATP levels and inhibitory zone diameters with the disc diffusion method, indicating possible clinical applications in rapid susceptibility testing.", "PMID": 795011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10286", "title": "In-vitro effects of Candida albicans of amphotericin B combined with other antibiotics. Preliminary observations.", "content": "The effect of amphotericin B combined with rifampicin or doxycycline on growth, oxygen consumption and ATP levels in cultures of Candida albicans, was studied. Alone, neither rifampicin nor doxycycline--even at high concentrations--affected the growth of the test organism. However, when combined with a concentration of amphotericin B which alone did not affect the growth of C. albicans, a pronounced fungistatic effect was obtained with therapeutically attainable concentrations of the drugs.", "contents": "In-vitro effects of Candida albicans of amphotericin B combined with other antibiotics. Preliminary observations. The effect of amphotericin B combined with rifampicin or doxycycline on growth, oxygen consumption and ATP levels in cultures of Candida albicans, was studied. Alone, neither rifampicin nor doxycycline--even at high concentrations--affected the growth of the test organism. However, when combined with a concentration of amphotericin B which alone did not affect the growth of C. albicans, a pronounced fungistatic effect was obtained with therapeutically attainable concentrations of the drugs.", "PMID": 795012} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10287", "title": "Selective pressure of tetracyclines on the faecal flora. A comparison between tetracycline and doxycycline.", "content": "The aerobic faecal flora was studied in two groups of healthy adult persons, each group consisting of 18 individuals, before a course of either doxycycline or tetracycline HCI, at the cessation of therapy and 5 weeks afterwards. The main object of this study was to evaluate the effect of antibacterial treatment on the occurrence of mutagenic resistant and plasmid carried resistant strains in the faecal flora, and in particular development of resistant E. coli. The frequency of resistant strains increased after treatment with both of the drugs without significant differences.", "contents": "Selective pressure of tetracyclines on the faecal flora. A comparison between tetracycline and doxycycline. The aerobic faecal flora was studied in two groups of healthy adult persons, each group consisting of 18 individuals, before a course of either doxycycline or tetracycline HCI, at the cessation of therapy and 5 weeks afterwards. The main object of this study was to evaluate the effect of antibacterial treatment on the occurrence of mutagenic resistant and plasmid carried resistant strains in the faecal flora, and in particular development of resistant E. coli. The frequency of resistant strains increased after treatment with both of the drugs without significant differences.", "PMID": 795013} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10288", "title": "Systemic prophylaxis with doxycycline in surgery of the colon and rectum.", "content": "A prospective randomized double-blind study on the effects of doxycycline as prophylactic antibiotic in elective colonic surgery is presented. 82 patients were evaluated. 39 were treated and 43 were controls. Mechanical cleansing of the bowel and a low residue diet for two days was routine. 200 mg doxycycline or placebo (2 capsules) were given orally 4-6 hours preoperatively and 100 mg (1 capsule) for 5 postoperative days. A significantly lower incidence of wound sepsis, intraabdominal complications and septicemia was registered in the doxycycline compared to the control group, 12.8 and 44.2 per cent respectively. After proctectomies, infections in the perineal field occurred in 3/9 and 5/10 cases in respective groups. In the doxycycline group, however, they were the only complication, whereas among the controls they were generally combined with infections in the abdominal field, 4/5. Peroperative contamination seemed to carry easier consequences in the doxycycline group. The results are discussed further. Doxycycline appears to be an excellent antibiotic for peroperative and short postoperative prophylactic use in potentially contaminated abdominal operations, not only because of its observed effects, but also when its negligible tendency to cause adverse reactions is taken into consideration. Bacterial cultures, concentrations of doxycycline in serum and tissues and their relation to infections will be accounted for and discussed in a separate paper.", "contents": "Systemic prophylaxis with doxycycline in surgery of the colon and rectum. A prospective randomized double-blind study on the effects of doxycycline as prophylactic antibiotic in elective colonic surgery is presented. 82 patients were evaluated. 39 were treated and 43 were controls. Mechanical cleansing of the bowel and a low residue diet for two days was routine. 200 mg doxycycline or placebo (2 capsules) were given orally 4-6 hours preoperatively and 100 mg (1 capsule) for 5 postoperative days. A significantly lower incidence of wound sepsis, intraabdominal complications and septicemia was registered in the doxycycline compared to the control group, 12.8 and 44.2 per cent respectively. After proctectomies, infections in the perineal field occurred in 3/9 and 5/10 cases in respective groups. In the doxycycline group, however, they were the only complication, whereas among the controls they were generally combined with infections in the abdominal field, 4/5. Peroperative contamination seemed to carry easier consequences in the doxycycline group. The results are discussed further. Doxycycline appears to be an excellent antibiotic for peroperative and short postoperative prophylactic use in potentially contaminated abdominal operations, not only because of its observed effects, but also when its negligible tendency to cause adverse reactions is taken into consideration. Bacterial cultures, concentrations of doxycycline in serum and tissues and their relation to infections will be accounted for and discussed in a separate paper.", "PMID": 795014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10289", "title": "Emepronium bromide (Cetiprin) as a postoperative spasmolytic agent in transvesical prostatectomy.", "content": "To find out whether Cetiprin reduces the vesical spasms seen after cystotomias, a double-blind investigation including 22 men was carried out. Eleven of the men were given 25 mg Cetiprin i.m. twice a day for 2 days after transvesical prostatectomy, then 200 mg orally 3 times a day the following 12 days. The rest of the men, 11 patients, received placebo. In the Cetiprin group 9 patients had no vesical spasm postoperatively, whereas 1 had moderate and 1 had severe spasms. Only 4 patients were without spasms in the control group, whereas 5 had moderate and 2 severe spasms. The postoperative reduction of the bladder volume were counteracted by Cetiprin. No significant influence on liver- or kidney function was seen with the dosages mentioned.", "contents": "Emepronium bromide (Cetiprin) as a postoperative spasmolytic agent in transvesical prostatectomy. To find out whether Cetiprin reduces the vesical spasms seen after cystotomias, a double-blind investigation including 22 men was carried out. Eleven of the men were given 25 mg Cetiprin i.m. twice a day for 2 days after transvesical prostatectomy, then 200 mg orally 3 times a day the following 12 days. The rest of the men, 11 patients, received placebo. In the Cetiprin group 9 patients had no vesical spasm postoperatively, whereas 1 had moderate and 1 had severe spasms. Only 4 patients were without spasms in the control group, whereas 5 had moderate and 2 severe spasms. The postoperative reduction of the bladder volume were counteracted by Cetiprin. No significant influence on liver- or kidney function was seen with the dosages mentioned.", "PMID": 795015} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10290", "title": "Influence of pretransplant transfusions on kidney graft survival.", "content": "A study was made to elucidate the influence of transfusions on graft survival in 42 transplanted patients. In this series of multitransfused patients the number of units given was without significance, whereas transfusions given before onset of renal disease deteriorated graft prognosis. Possible explanations are discussed and a restrictive transfusion policy is advocated for patients, for instance with malformation of the urinary tract, who may be future candidates for transplantation.", "contents": "Influence of pretransplant transfusions on kidney graft survival. A study was made to elucidate the influence of transfusions on graft survival in 42 transplanted patients. In this series of multitransfused patients the number of units given was without significance, whereas transfusions given before onset of renal disease deteriorated graft prognosis. Possible explanations are discussed and a restrictive transfusion policy is advocated for patients, for instance with malformation of the urinary tract, who may be future candidates for transplantation.", "PMID": 795016} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10291", "title": "Experimental arthritis of rabbits caused by intra-articular injection of autologous Fab2 produced by digestion of IgG with cathepsin D. II. Microscopical and immunohistochemical findings in long-term experiments.", "content": "Over 20 successive intra-articular injections of autologous or homologous cathepsin D-Fab2 produce chronic destructive arthritis marked by dense round-cell infiltration, epitheloid hyperplasia of the lining layer, lymph nodules and a few germinal centres. 75% of the animals become Rf-positive and develop high titers of homoreactants to cathepsin D-Fab. Both these antibodies are synthesized in the synovial membrane and phagocytosed. Careful study of control animals makes it possible to exclude the possibility that the effects observed are due to the repeated joint traumata, to endo- or exotoxin-like substances, to chromatographed lysosomal material or to traces of cathepsin D. Autologous and homologous Fab2 have largely identical effects, while those of homologous or autologous IgG are much less marked. These comparisons suggest that the cathepsin D site of IgG acts as a strong antigen when exposed in the joint. The synovitis thereby induced has a pronounced tendency to spread to the left knee joint which was injected with physiological saline.", "contents": "Experimental arthritis of rabbits caused by intra-articular injection of autologous Fab2 produced by digestion of IgG with cathepsin D. II. Microscopical and immunohistochemical findings in long-term experiments. Over 20 successive intra-articular injections of autologous or homologous cathepsin D-Fab2 produce chronic destructive arthritis marked by dense round-cell infiltration, epitheloid hyperplasia of the lining layer, lymph nodules and a few germinal centres. 75% of the animals become Rf-positive and develop high titers of homoreactants to cathepsin D-Fab. Both these antibodies are synthesized in the synovial membrane and phagocytosed. Careful study of control animals makes it possible to exclude the possibility that the effects observed are due to the repeated joint traumata, to endo- or exotoxin-like substances, to chromatographed lysosomal material or to traces of cathepsin D. Autologous and homologous Fab2 have largely identical effects, while those of homologous or autologous IgG are much less marked. These comparisons suggest that the cathepsin D site of IgG acts as a strong antigen when exposed in the joint. The synovitis thereby induced has a pronounced tendency to spread to the left knee joint which was injected with physiological saline.", "PMID": 795020} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10292", "title": "Immunotherapy with levamisole in rheumatic diseases.", "content": "The immuno-modulatory effect of Levamisole in the treatment of rheumatic diseases was studied in an open trial. Nine patients with theumatoid arthritis (RA), 13 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and one with Reiter's syndrome (RS) were treated initially with 150 mg Levmisole daily for 4 weeks, then intermittently 3 days a week. Significant clinical improvement was observed in 7 out of 9 patients with RA, in 4 out of 13 patients with AS, and in the one patient with RS. An increased skin sensitivity to a panel of antigens was noted in 3 out of 9 RA patients and in 6 out of 13 AS patients. A fall in rheumatoid factor titre was observed in 2 out of 5 patients with seropositive RA. No development of other auto-antibodies was observed. No significant changes in the absolute lymphocyte counts either of the total counts or of the T, B, and null cell counts, were noted. Drug-related adverse reactions were seen in 13 patients, mostly allergic skin rash which required a short interruption in therapy. Severe leucopenia was observed in 2 patients, whereupon therapy was definitely withdrawn. Levamisole seems to have a definite beneficial effect on RA and a possible effect on AS and RS. Severe adverse reactions, mostly on the haemopoietic system, demonstrated some potential hazardous complications of the drug and required physical and laboratory examinations at short intervals.", "contents": "Immunotherapy with levamisole in rheumatic diseases. The immuno-modulatory effect of Levamisole in the treatment of rheumatic diseases was studied in an open trial. Nine patients with theumatoid arthritis (RA), 13 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and one with Reiter's syndrome (RS) were treated initially with 150 mg Levmisole daily for 4 weeks, then intermittently 3 days a week. Significant clinical improvement was observed in 7 out of 9 patients with RA, in 4 out of 13 patients with AS, and in the one patient with RS. An increased skin sensitivity to a panel of antigens was noted in 3 out of 9 RA patients and in 6 out of 13 AS patients. A fall in rheumatoid factor titre was observed in 2 out of 5 patients with seropositive RA. No development of other auto-antibodies was observed. No significant changes in the absolute lymphocyte counts either of the total counts or of the T, B, and null cell counts, were noted. Drug-related adverse reactions were seen in 13 patients, mostly allergic skin rash which required a short interruption in therapy. Severe leucopenia was observed in 2 patients, whereupon therapy was definitely withdrawn. Levamisole seems to have a definite beneficial effect on RA and a possible effect on AS and RS. Severe adverse reactions, mostly on the haemopoietic system, demonstrated some potential hazardous complications of the drug and required physical and laboratory examinations at short intervals.", "PMID": 795021} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10293", "title": "Controlled trial of D-penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis. Dose effect and the role of zinc.", "content": "The findings are reported of a controlled clinical trial comparing in 66 rheumatoid arthritis patients 0 g (placebo), and 0.50 g a day and 1 g a day of penicillamine. Each of these groups has been subdivided into two, one part receiving 5 mg a day of zinc metal supplement, the other a placebo. The trial was planned to be double-blind, and for each patient to take part for 4 months. The results prove the effectiveness of penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis. 0.50 g a day has the same effect as 1 g a day but gives less side effects. Zinc supplement inhibits the clinical effects of penicillamine but does not prevent the side effects.", "contents": "Controlled trial of D-penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis. Dose effect and the role of zinc. The findings are reported of a controlled clinical trial comparing in 66 rheumatoid arthritis patients 0 g (placebo), and 0.50 g a day and 1 g a day of penicillamine. Each of these groups has been subdivided into two, one part receiving 5 mg a day of zinc metal supplement, the other a placebo. The trial was planned to be double-blind, and for each patient to take part for 4 months. The results prove the effectiveness of penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis. 0.50 g a day has the same effect as 1 g a day but gives less side effects. Zinc supplement inhibits the clinical effects of penicillamine but does not prevent the side effects.", "PMID": 795022} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10294", "title": "[Changes in serum concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphates and alkaline phosphatase activity due to anti-ipileptic treatment].", "content": "1. In a retrospective study the serum concentrations of calcium and phosphate and the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase in 54 epileptic patients treated by a variety of antiepileptic drugs (group A) were compared with those in 54 non-epileptic control patients (group B). Group B was chosen by computer to assign to each epileptic one control patient of identical sex and age. Patients affected by kidney or liver diseases were excluded from the study. 2. The data showed significantly lower calcium and phosphate concentrations and a higher activity of alkaline phosphatase in group A. Serum phosphate, but not calcium, was inversely correlated to the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase. 3. A minority of the epileptic patients were treated either by diphenylhydantoin or phenobarbital. The serum calcium tended to be lower under the former drug. The combined intake of both drugs produced no further hypocalcemic effect.", "contents": "[Changes in serum concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphates and alkaline phosphatase activity due to anti-ipileptic treatment]. 1. In a retrospective study the serum concentrations of calcium and phosphate and the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase in 54 epileptic patients treated by a variety of antiepileptic drugs (group A) were compared with those in 54 non-epileptic control patients (group B). Group B was chosen by computer to assign to each epileptic one control patient of identical sex and age. Patients affected by kidney or liver diseases were excluded from the study. 2. The data showed significantly lower calcium and phosphate concentrations and a higher activity of alkaline phosphatase in group A. Serum phosphate, but not calcium, was inversely correlated to the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase. 3. A minority of the epileptic patients were treated either by diphenylhydantoin or phenobarbital. The serum calcium tended to be lower under the former drug. The combined intake of both drugs produced no further hypocalcemic effect.", "PMID": 795023} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10295", "title": "[Non-HL-A specific anti-thrombocyte autoantibodies in patients after kidney transplantation].", "content": "Occasional episodes of thrombycytopenia in patients after renal allotransplantation have led to the discovery of antiplatelet autoantibodies directed against specificities not shared by other blood cells and not identical with any of the hitheryo known platelet-specific isoantigens. The antibodies seem to be responsible for the mild thrombocytopenia sometimes observed in kidney-transplant patients. The presence of these antibodies could not be correlated with any biochemical or clinical parameter of the transplanted patient; more specifically, they had no negative effect on transplant survival or function.", "contents": "[Non-HL-A specific anti-thrombocyte autoantibodies in patients after kidney transplantation]. Occasional episodes of thrombycytopenia in patients after renal allotransplantation have led to the discovery of antiplatelet autoantibodies directed against specificities not shared by other blood cells and not identical with any of the hitheryo known platelet-specific isoantigens. The antibodies seem to be responsible for the mild thrombocytopenia sometimes observed in kidney-transplant patients. The presence of these antibodies could not be correlated with any biochemical or clinical parameter of the transplanted patient; more specifically, they had no negative effect on transplant survival or function.", "PMID": 795024} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10296", "title": "[Migration of the wire after osteosynthesis].", "content": "In a 20 year old woman, sudden death due to hemopericardium ensued on osteosynthesis with Kirschner wire of a dislocated sternoclavicular joint. The wire moved to the aorta ascendens and to the right auricle thus causing lethal bleeding into the pericardium. The pathogenesis of the wandering wire is discussed and compared with observations in the literature describing causes, history and clinical phenomena. Wandering after osteosynthesis due to dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint is particularly dangerous, whereas in the case of broken clavicle, dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint, fracture of the humereus or in the region of the hips, no serious complications occur as a rule. Present-day text-books on surgery do not make sufficiently detailed reference to the wandering wire syndrome.", "contents": "[Migration of the wire after osteosynthesis]. In a 20 year old woman, sudden death due to hemopericardium ensued on osteosynthesis with Kirschner wire of a dislocated sternoclavicular joint. The wire moved to the aorta ascendens and to the right auricle thus causing lethal bleeding into the pericardium. The pathogenesis of the wandering wire is discussed and compared with observations in the literature describing causes, history and clinical phenomena. Wandering after osteosynthesis due to dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint is particularly dangerous, whereas in the case of broken clavicle, dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint, fracture of the humereus or in the region of the hips, no serious complications occur as a rule. Present-day text-books on surgery do not make sufficiently detailed reference to the wandering wire syndrome.", "PMID": 795027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10297", "title": "[Primary hyperparathyroidism. An analysis of 152 patients with special references to acute life threatening complications (acute hyperparathyroidism)].", "content": "Tthe findings of 150 patients with proven primary hyperparathyroidism are reported. The purpose of the analysis was to find differences between the various clinical manifestations of the disease. Furthermore the occurrence of acute hyperparathyroid crisis in our series as well as in the literature are described. 65.8% of the patients were females, 34.2% were males. The leading symptom in 98 patients (group I) were kidney stones and in 23 patients (group II) cystic bone disease. Both manifestations of the disease occurred in only 7 patients (group III) and no symptoms related to the kidneys or to the bones occurred in 24 patients (group IV). Because of the difference of the clinical manifestations the additional data were analyzed for each group separately and compared with each other. There was no difference in the mean serum calcium levels for all four groups, however, patients of group I were on the average younger, the duration of the disease was longer and the weight of the parathyroid adenoma was lower compared to the other three groups. Data are presented regarding calcium excretion, phosphate clearance and tubular reabsorption of phosphate for each group. At operation single or multiple adenoma formation was present in 133 patients, whereas diffuse hyperplasia was found in 17 and carcinoma in 2 other patients. 46 of the adenomas were found in atypical anatomical localisation. This observation is responsible for the many unsuccessful or second explorations of the neck. The weight of the adenomas varied between 0.1 and 23.5 g. The most difficult diagnosis was that of diffuse hyperplasia. The success of the surgical intervention was usually established in over 80% of the cases within 24 to 48 hours after the operation with a significant fall of serum calcium. There is still no definite explanation for the variability of the clinical manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid hormone determinations on larger numbers of patients are not yet published. The assumption, that different hormones or peptide fragments are responsible for the different action on bone and kidney is discussed. In our series of 152 patients acute hyperparathyroid crisis occurred eight times. Our findings are compared to the other well documented cases in the literature. Main symptoms were nausea, vomiting abdominal pain and different states of cerebral dysfunction. Most of the patients had calcium levels over 16 mg/100 ml. Partial renal insufficiency with elevated blood urea and phosphate retention was found in ov er 50% of the cases. Overall mortality of all cases with acute parathyroid crisis is 52.5%. The pathogenesis of acute hyperparathyroidism and the implications of high calcium levels are discussed. According to our own experience hypercalcemia can be controlled with an intensive therapeutic program and emergency operation for acute parathyroid crisis is no longer necessary.", "contents": "[Primary hyperparathyroidism. An analysis of 152 patients with special references to acute life threatening complications (acute hyperparathyroidism)]. Tthe findings of 150 patients with proven primary hyperparathyroidism are reported. The purpose of the analysis was to find differences between the various clinical manifestations of the disease. Furthermore the occurrence of acute hyperparathyroid crisis in our series as well as in the literature are described. 65.8% of the patients were females, 34.2% were males. The leading symptom in 98 patients (group I) were kidney stones and in 23 patients (group II) cystic bone disease. Both manifestations of the disease occurred in only 7 patients (group III) and no symptoms related to the kidneys or to the bones occurred in 24 patients (group IV). Because of the difference of the clinical manifestations the additional data were analyzed for each group separately and compared with each other. There was no difference in the mean serum calcium levels for all four groups, however, patients of group I were on the average younger, the duration of the disease was longer and the weight of the parathyroid adenoma was lower compared to the other three groups. Data are presented regarding calcium excretion, phosphate clearance and tubular reabsorption of phosphate for each group. At operation single or multiple adenoma formation was present in 133 patients, whereas diffuse hyperplasia was found in 17 and carcinoma in 2 other patients. 46 of the adenomas were found in atypical anatomical localisation. This observation is responsible for the many unsuccessful or second explorations of the neck. The weight of the adenomas varied between 0.1 and 23.5 g. The most difficult diagnosis was that of diffuse hyperplasia. The success of the surgical intervention was usually established in over 80% of the cases within 24 to 48 hours after the operation with a significant fall of serum calcium. There is still no definite explanation for the variability of the clinical manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid hormone determinations on larger numbers of patients are not yet published. The assumption, that different hormones or peptide fragments are responsible for the different action on bone and kidney is discussed. In our series of 152 patients acute hyperparathyroid crisis occurred eight times. Our findings are compared to the other well documented cases in the literature. Main symptoms were nausea, vomiting abdominal pain and different states of cerebral dysfunction. Most of the patients had calcium levels over 16 mg/100 ml. Partial renal insufficiency with elevated blood urea and phosphate retention was found in ov er 50% of the cases. Overall mortality of all cases with acute parathyroid crisis is 52.5%. The pathogenesis of acute hyperparathyroidism and the implications of high calcium levels are discussed. According to our own experience hypercalcemia can be controlled with an intensive therapeutic program and emergency operation for acute parathyroid crisis is no longer necessary.", "PMID": 795028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10298", "title": "Calcium and secretion: distinction between two pools of glucose-sensitive calcium in pancreatic islets.", "content": "D-Glucose, but not L-glucose or 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, stimulates 45Ca2+ uptake by both lanthanum-displaceable and lanthanum-nondisplaceable pools in pancreatic islets. The nondisplaceable pool probably represents secretory granules, while the displaceable pool may be located in the beta-cell membrane. Kinetic studies with isotopically labeled islets suggest that only the displaceable pool participates in the short-term coupling of the glucose stimulus with secretion.", "contents": "Calcium and secretion: distinction between two pools of glucose-sensitive calcium in pancreatic islets. D-Glucose, but not L-glucose or 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, stimulates 45Ca2+ uptake by both lanthanum-displaceable and lanthanum-nondisplaceable pools in pancreatic islets. The nondisplaceable pool probably represents secretory granules, while the displaceable pool may be located in the beta-cell membrane. Kinetic studies with isotopically labeled islets suggest that only the displaceable pool participates in the short-term coupling of the glucose stimulus with secretion.", "PMID": 795030} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10299", "title": "Country practice in the 1920's.", "content": "Experiences in a country practice in the Eastern Cape and later in small town practice during the 1920s are described. Economic circumstances compelled me to become a general practitioner. I had regrets in 1924, but nor since then. General practice has been a rewarding experience.", "contents": "Country practice in the 1920's. Experiences in a country practice in the Eastern Cape and later in small town practice during the 1920s are described. Economic circumstances compelled me to become a general practitioner. I had regrets in 1924, but nor since then. General practice has been a rewarding experience.", "PMID": 795053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10300", "title": "Congenital absence of the vagina and associated defects. Report of 5 cases.", "content": "Five cases of congenital absence of the vagina are presented. A discussion of the anatomical and clinical features follows and the reconstructive surgical techniques are briefly described.", "contents": "Congenital absence of the vagina and associated defects. Report of 5 cases. Five cases of congenital absence of the vagina are presented. A discussion of the anatomical and clinical features follows and the reconstructive surgical techniques are briefly described.", "PMID": 795055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10301", "title": "Free flap transfer with microvascular anastomosis.", "content": "The development of the flap transfer technique in plastic and reconstructive surgery has evolved to the stage where free transplantation of a full-thickness skin flap, by means of microvascular anastomosis, has become posssible. For the first time in South Africa, a case is documented where such a free graft was used successfully to reconstruct a severe burn contracture of the neck. Experience with this and subsequent cases has taught valuable lessons about the procedure.", "contents": "Free flap transfer with microvascular anastomosis. The development of the flap transfer technique in plastic and reconstructive surgery has evolved to the stage where free transplantation of a full-thickness skin flap, by means of microvascular anastomosis, has become posssible. For the first time in South Africa, a case is documented where such a free graft was used successfully to reconstruct a severe burn contracture of the neck. Experience with this and subsequent cases has taught valuable lessons about the procedure.", "PMID": 795056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10302", "title": "A clinical and epidemiological study of gastro-enteritis.", "content": "Over a 13-year period, 2,903 Asian, Coloured and White children with gastro-enteritis were admitted to the Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital, Salisbury. During a pilot study of 250 patients conducted over the first 2 years, a definite seasonal variation in the occurrence of gastro-enteritis, with a peak incidence in winter, was noticed, and this led to a more detailed study of 2,653 patients over the next 11 years. Bacterial pathogens were recovered from 27% of patients, strains of Shigella accounting for 12% Salmonella for 7% and Escherichia coli for 8%. A severe outbreak of E. coli infection occurred between October 1971 and December 1972, and 4 of a total of 9 deaths occurred during this period, all in children suffering from E. coli 0111/B4 infections. The bacterial recovery rate was highest in the summer (40%) and lowest in the winter (12%). Winter diarrhoea broke out over 3-month periods during each year and accounted for 37% of the cases, but none of the children who contracted it died. The clinical picture of winter diarrhoea differed from the others and the most serious illness was that caused by enteropathogenic strains of E. coli. The over-all mortality in the series was 0,27%.", "contents": "A clinical and epidemiological study of gastro-enteritis. Over a 13-year period, 2,903 Asian, Coloured and White children with gastro-enteritis were admitted to the Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital, Salisbury. During a pilot study of 250 patients conducted over the first 2 years, a definite seasonal variation in the occurrence of gastro-enteritis, with a peak incidence in winter, was noticed, and this led to a more detailed study of 2,653 patients over the next 11 years. Bacterial pathogens were recovered from 27% of patients, strains of Shigella accounting for 12% Salmonella for 7% and Escherichia coli for 8%. A severe outbreak of E. coli infection occurred between October 1971 and December 1972, and 4 of a total of 9 deaths occurred during this period, all in children suffering from E. coli 0111/B4 infections. The bacterial recovery rate was highest in the summer (40%) and lowest in the winter (12%). Winter diarrhoea broke out over 3-month periods during each year and accounted for 37% of the cases, but none of the children who contracted it died. The clinical picture of winter diarrhoea differed from the others and the most serious illness was that caused by enteropathogenic strains of E. coli. The over-all mortality in the series was 0,27%.", "PMID": 795057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10303", "title": "[Treatment of postoperative sternal osteomyelitis (author's transl)].", "content": "Report on 5 cases of postoperative sternal osteomyelitis after cardiac valve replacement. In 3 cases evaluation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in probes taken of sternal wounds. Treatment of the osteomyelitis with continuous irrigation and suction supported by excochleation of the fistulae and application of pure spongiosa chips to the bone defect of the sternum. Uncomplicated postoperative course in 4 patients. In 1 patient postoperative time too short for a final decision.", "contents": "[Treatment of postoperative sternal osteomyelitis (author's transl)]. Report on 5 cases of postoperative sternal osteomyelitis after cardiac valve replacement. In 3 cases evaluation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in probes taken of sternal wounds. Treatment of the osteomyelitis with continuous irrigation and suction supported by excochleation of the fistulae and application of pure spongiosa chips to the bone defect of the sternum. Uncomplicated postoperative course in 4 patients. In 1 patient postoperative time too short for a final decision.", "PMID": 795089} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10304", "title": "Reprecipitation phenomena arising during the preparation of demineralised sections. III Scanning electron microscopic examinations of secondary calcium phosphate deposits.", "content": "Sections of teeth partly demineralized in 10% formic acid were examined by X-ray diffraction, microradiography and scanning electron microscopy. In the undemineralized circumpulpal dentin, the tubules were empty, lying in a matrix containing hydroxyapatite. In the \"plume\" areas of remineralisation, the tubules were filled with mineral deposits. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of brushite and monetite in these areas. In the outer layers of dentin the tubules were empty, lying in a matrix containing some residual hydroxyapatite. These findings confirmed that the remineralisation process occurred within the dentinal tubules.", "contents": "Reprecipitation phenomena arising during the preparation of demineralised sections. III Scanning electron microscopic examinations of secondary calcium phosphate deposits. Sections of teeth partly demineralized in 10% formic acid were examined by X-ray diffraction, microradiography and scanning electron microscopy. In the undemineralized circumpulpal dentin, the tubules were empty, lying in a matrix containing hydroxyapatite. In the \"plume\" areas of remineralisation, the tubules were filled with mineral deposits. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of brushite and monetite in these areas. In the outer layers of dentin the tubules were empty, lying in a matrix containing some residual hydroxyapatite. These findings confirmed that the remineralisation process occurred within the dentinal tubules.", "PMID": 795092} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10305", "title": "Improved temperature control of the Technicon tissue processor paraffin bath.", "content": "Modifications of the Auto-Technicon Tissue Processor Paraffin Bath are described. The modification are a combination of electrical and mechanical changes that will ensure long-term reliability of the unit and dependable temperature maintenance of the paraffin. Extensive testing has verified that modified units are able to stabilize temperature within a range of 0.25C over many months of continuous operation.", "contents": "Improved temperature control of the Technicon tissue processor paraffin bath. Modifications of the Auto-Technicon Tissue Processor Paraffin Bath are described. The modification are a combination of electrical and mechanical changes that will ensure long-term reliability of the unit and dependable temperature maintenance of the paraffin. Extensive testing has verified that modified units are able to stabilize temperature within a range of 0.25C over many months of continuous operation.", "PMID": 795093} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10306", "title": "[Photocoagulation: a microsurgical welding method for ophthamology].", "content": "The author describes first of all the history of photocoagulation from its very beginning up to the most recent instruments. Then examples are given of the different possibilities of application. Besides the detachment of the retina and the tumors, the diseases of the vessels of the retina are playing an important role.", "contents": "[Photocoagulation: a microsurgical welding method for ophthamology]. The author describes first of all the history of photocoagulation from its very beginning up to the most recent instruments. Then examples are given of the different possibilities of application. Besides the detachment of the retina and the tumors, the diseases of the vessels of the retina are playing an important role.", "PMID": 795095} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10307", "title": "Aspects of tropical paediatrics.", "content": "Malnutrition interacting with infectious and parasitic diseases are the main causes of the appalling mortality in childhood in the tropics. The most important single safeguard against these in infancy is breast feeding and the trend now evident to abandon this is a disaster which demands urgent attention. Reasons for this trend are discussed. Efforts to control infectious diseases, other than smallpox, have had little success and the emergence and spread of dengue haemorrhagic fever in S.E. Asia have added new dimensions to the problem. Malaria is still widely prevalent in the tropics and falciparum malaria, holoendemic in much of Africa, remains a major cause of death with its most serious impact on pregnant women and children. The emergence and spread of drug resistant strains of this parasite in parts of the world is a cause for serious concern. Quartan malaria is also an insidious corruptor of health in childhood and commonly causes the nephrotic syndrome. Neonatal jaundice, often associated with G6PD deficiency, is increasing in frequency in urban areas of Africa and now constitutes a significant hazard to the newborn and requires urgent investigation. These problems in tropical paediatrics indicate the need for urgent reappraisal of our role as a profession in the affairs of the tropical developing world.", "contents": "Aspects of tropical paediatrics. Malnutrition interacting with infectious and parasitic diseases are the main causes of the appalling mortality in childhood in the tropics. The most important single safeguard against these in infancy is breast feeding and the trend now evident to abandon this is a disaster which demands urgent attention. Reasons for this trend are discussed. Efforts to control infectious diseases, other than smallpox, have had little success and the emergence and spread of dengue haemorrhagic fever in S.E. Asia have added new dimensions to the problem. Malaria is still widely prevalent in the tropics and falciparum malaria, holoendemic in much of Africa, remains a major cause of death with its most serious impact on pregnant women and children. The emergence and spread of drug resistant strains of this parasite in parts of the world is a cause for serious concern. Quartan malaria is also an insidious corruptor of health in childhood and commonly causes the nephrotic syndrome. Neonatal jaundice, often associated with G6PD deficiency, is increasing in frequency in urban areas of Africa and now constitutes a significant hazard to the newborn and requires urgent investigation. These problems in tropical paediatrics indicate the need for urgent reappraisal of our role as a profession in the affairs of the tropical developing world.", "PMID": 795103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10308", "title": "Infectivity of falciparum malaria patients for anopheline mosquitoes before and after chloroquine treatment.", "content": "The infectivity of 25 falciparum malaria patients for Anopheles balabacensis and Anopheles minimus, before and after chloroquine therapy, was studied in central Thailand. The proportion of patients infective for these mosquitoes was not affected by the administration of chloroquine, however, an elevation was observed in the median values for the numbers of oocysts on the guts of the A. balabacensis, but not the A. minimus, fed on infective patients after initiation of treatment.", "contents": "Infectivity of falciparum malaria patients for anopheline mosquitoes before and after chloroquine treatment. The infectivity of 25 falciparum malaria patients for Anopheles balabacensis and Anopheles minimus, before and after chloroquine therapy, was studied in central Thailand. The proportion of patients infective for these mosquitoes was not affected by the administration of chloroquine, however, an elevation was observed in the median values for the numbers of oocysts on the guts of the A. balabacensis, but not the A. minimus, fed on infective patients after initiation of treatment.", "PMID": 795104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10309", "title": "Precipitating antibody response to malarial S-antigens.", "content": "The gel diffusion test has been used to detect antibodies to malarial S-antigens. Sera were obtained from entire Gambian village communities, from young children with acute P. falciparum malaria, from children convalescent from such infections and from immune adults. In community studies, small selections of S-antigens detected antibody frequently in sera from older persons but rarely in sera from young children. Larger panels of antigens detected antibodies in sera from half of 50 malarious children while homologous antibody responses were observed in 22% of 267 children followed at intervals during convalescence from malaria. In these latter cases, antibody tended to appear more swiftly when antigen was lost rapidly from the circulation, and observations made on individual responses indicated that antibody production was influenced by factors other than the intrinsic properties of the antigens. In adult sera antibodies usually occurred in association with IgG.", "contents": "Precipitating antibody response to malarial S-antigens. The gel diffusion test has been used to detect antibodies to malarial S-antigens. Sera were obtained from entire Gambian village communities, from young children with acute P. falciparum malaria, from children convalescent from such infections and from immune adults. In community studies, small selections of S-antigens detected antibody frequently in sera from older persons but rarely in sera from young children. Larger panels of antigens detected antibodies in sera from half of 50 malarious children while homologous antibody responses were observed in 22% of 267 children followed at intervals during convalescence from malaria. In these latter cases, antibody tended to appear more swiftly when antigen was lost rapidly from the circulation, and observations made on individual responses indicated that antibody production was influenced by factors other than the intrinsic properties of the antigens. In adult sera antibodies usually occurred in association with IgG.", "PMID": 795105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10310", "title": "Gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum: phagocytosis by leucocytes in vivo and in vitro.", "content": "Phagocytosis of the extracellular gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum has been demonstrated in vitro, and in vivo in the bloodmeal within the mosquito midgut. Up to 84% of the gametocytes were ingested within two hours in vitro, compared to 7% in the same period in the mosquito gut.", "contents": "Gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum: phagocytosis by leucocytes in vivo and in vitro. Phagocytosis of the extracellular gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum has been demonstrated in vitro, and in vivo in the bloodmeal within the mosquito midgut. Up to 84% of the gametocytes were ingested within two hours in vitro, compared to 7% in the same period in the mosquito gut.", "PMID": 795106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10311", "title": "Immune competency of nude mice bred from homozygous and heterozygous mothers.", "content": "The immune competency of nude mice born from matings of strictly homozygous nu/nu X nu/nu parents was compared to nude mice derived from the breeding of either heterozygous nu/+ mothers by nu/nu fathers or nu/nu mothers by nu/+ fathers. Spleen cells from nude mice born from heterozygous mothers had significantly higher levels of beta-bearing cells than mice born from homozygous mothers and were minimally stimulated by the T cell mitogens Con A and PHA-P. In contrast, there were no detectable maternal influences when survival of skin allografts and primary sheep red cell stimulation were studied. Homing studies of 51Cr thymocytes in term-pregnant nude mice suggest that the enhanced T cell characteristics of nude mice born of nu/+ mothers are caused in part by placental transfer of allogeneic maternal lymphocytes.", "contents": "Immune competency of nude mice bred from homozygous and heterozygous mothers. The immune competency of nude mice born from matings of strictly homozygous nu/nu X nu/nu parents was compared to nude mice derived from the breeding of either heterozygous nu/+ mothers by nu/nu fathers or nu/nu mothers by nu/+ fathers. Spleen cells from nude mice born from heterozygous mothers had significantly higher levels of beta-bearing cells than mice born from homozygous mothers and were minimally stimulated by the T cell mitogens Con A and PHA-P. In contrast, there were no detectable maternal influences when survival of skin allografts and primary sheep red cell stimulation were studied. Homing studies of 51Cr thymocytes in term-pregnant nude mice suggest that the enhanced T cell characteristics of nude mice born of nu/+ mothers are caused in part by placental transfer of allogeneic maternal lymphocytes.", "PMID": 795107} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10312", "title": "Immunogenetic analysis of H-2 mutations. V. Serological analysis of mutations H-2da, H-2ra, and H-2ka1.", "content": "The H-2 and Ia antigenic composition of strain pairs B10.D2 (H-2d) and M504 (H-2da). A.CA (H-2f) and M506 (H-2fa), and CBA (H-2k) and M523 (H-2ka) was compared by testing their cells against a battery of oligospecific antisera, by performing absorption analysis, and by cross-immunization. The two strains of each pair are congenric and differ in taht the second strain of the pair carries a mutation that occurred in the H-2 haplotype of the first strain. The Ia composition of each mutant haplotype was found to be the same as that of the haplotype from which the mutant was derived. Several differences in the serologically detectable H-2 antigens were found. The H-2d and H-2da haplotypes were found to differ in that the latter lost at least one and gained another antigen. The affected antigens were demonstrated to be classic H-2 antigens controlled by the H-2D locus. The H-2t and H-2fa haplotypes were found to differ in that antigens 26, 37, and 39, controlled by the latter, bound their respective antibodies less firmly than those controlled by the former haplotype. Since all three antigens are coded for by the H-2K locus, since no change was found in the D-region controlled antigens, and since the H-2fa mutation maps in the K end, we conclude that most likely the mutation occurred in the K region. The H-2k and H-2ka haplotypes were found to differ in that the latter lost one antigen encoded by the H-2Kk allele. This mutation, therefore, must have occurred in the H-2K locus. The data tip the scale of evidence in favor of the interpretation that each of the H-2 mutations occurred in a single region, either K or D. No evidence for a second mutation within any of the other H-2 regions was found.", "contents": "Immunogenetic analysis of H-2 mutations. V. Serological analysis of mutations H-2da, H-2ra, and H-2ka1. The H-2 and Ia antigenic composition of strain pairs B10.D2 (H-2d) and M504 (H-2da). A.CA (H-2f) and M506 (H-2fa), and CBA (H-2k) and M523 (H-2ka) was compared by testing their cells against a battery of oligospecific antisera, by performing absorption analysis, and by cross-immunization. The two strains of each pair are congenric and differ in taht the second strain of the pair carries a mutation that occurred in the H-2 haplotype of the first strain. The Ia composition of each mutant haplotype was found to be the same as that of the haplotype from which the mutant was derived. Several differences in the serologically detectable H-2 antigens were found. The H-2d and H-2da haplotypes were found to differ in that the latter lost at least one and gained another antigen. The affected antigens were demonstrated to be classic H-2 antigens controlled by the H-2D locus. The H-2t and H-2fa haplotypes were found to differ in that antigens 26, 37, and 39, controlled by the latter, bound their respective antibodies less firmly than those controlled by the former haplotype. Since all three antigens are coded for by the H-2K locus, since no change was found in the D-region controlled antigens, and since the H-2fa mutation maps in the K end, we conclude that most likely the mutation occurred in the K region. The H-2k and H-2ka haplotypes were found to differ in that the latter lost one antigen encoded by the H-2Kk allele. This mutation, therefore, must have occurred in the H-2K locus. The data tip the scale of evidence in favor of the interpretation that each of the H-2 mutations occurred in a single region, either K or D. No evidence for a second mutation within any of the other H-2 regions was found.", "PMID": 795108} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10313", "title": "A genetic survey of rat cardiac allograft rejection in presensitized recipients.", "content": "A genetic study of cardiac allograft rejection in 24 rat strain combinations sensitized by skin graft immunization has revealed that all grafts are rejected in either accelerated or hyperacute fashion. In the four strain combinations tested, the BN strain responded by rejection in hyperacute manner and the ACI strain was highly immunogenic in four strain combinations. No evidence for genic interaction was revealed by presensitization when the parental L and Bf or LBf F1 strains were studied with WfBN F1 recipients. The Lewis strain, used in many enhancement studies with BN or LBN F1 did not react with hyperacute rejection when immunized with BN. F1 hybrid to F1 hybrid haplotype-matched combinations showed accelerated rejection only. In a segregating backcross population of (L X LACI)F1, hyperactue rejection was associated with disparity at the Ag B (H-1) locus. It is concluded that the rat is a suitable species for studies of hyperacute rejection if the proper strain combination is chosen; strain-specific immune responsiveness, as well as disparity at the major histocompatibility complex and antigen dose, may be a factor in producing the phenomenon.", "contents": "A genetic survey of rat cardiac allograft rejection in presensitized recipients. A genetic study of cardiac allograft rejection in 24 rat strain combinations sensitized by skin graft immunization has revealed that all grafts are rejected in either accelerated or hyperacute fashion. In the four strain combinations tested, the BN strain responded by rejection in hyperacute manner and the ACI strain was highly immunogenic in four strain combinations. No evidence for genic interaction was revealed by presensitization when the parental L and Bf or LBf F1 strains were studied with WfBN F1 recipients. The Lewis strain, used in many enhancement studies with BN or LBN F1 did not react with hyperacute rejection when immunized with BN. F1 hybrid to F1 hybrid haplotype-matched combinations showed accelerated rejection only. In a segregating backcross population of (L X LACI)F1, hyperactue rejection was associated with disparity at the Ag B (H-1) locus. It is concluded that the rat is a suitable species for studies of hyperacute rejection if the proper strain combination is chosen; strain-specific immune responsiveness, as well as disparity at the major histocompatibility complex and antigen dose, may be a factor in producing the phenomenon.", "PMID": 795109} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10314", "title": "Expression of HLA system antigens on placenta.", "content": "The levels of HLA-A and -B antigens expressed by placenta have been assessed relative to parental and other A and B antigen types that were not shared by the foetus. A purified preparation of placenta plasma membrane was used to estimate the antigen activities. The results indicate that maternally and paternally inherited A and B antigen activities and beta2-microglobulin are expressed to similar extents but at much lower levels than in spleen lymphocytes (less than 5%). The possibility that the amounts detected were caused by contamination with blood or maternal tissue was ruled out. The low levels of A and B antigens may account for the lack of a cellular immune response to the other polymorphic cell surface antigens of the trophoblast. No evidence was obtained for the expression of a significant level of Ia antigens.", "contents": "Expression of HLA system antigens on placenta. The levels of HLA-A and -B antigens expressed by placenta have been assessed relative to parental and other A and B antigen types that were not shared by the foetus. A purified preparation of placenta plasma membrane was used to estimate the antigen activities. The results indicate that maternally and paternally inherited A and B antigen activities and beta2-microglobulin are expressed to similar extents but at much lower levels than in spleen lymphocytes (less than 5%). The possibility that the amounts detected were caused by contamination with blood or maternal tissue was ruled out. The low levels of A and B antigens may account for the lack of a cellular immune response to the other polymorphic cell surface antigens of the trophoblast. No evidence was obtained for the expression of a significant level of Ia antigens.", "PMID": 795110} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10315", "title": "H-2/HLA cross-reactions. Absorption analysis of cytotoxic antihuman activity in anti-H-2 mouse sera.", "content": "Absorption experiments and subsequent retesting on human peripheral lymphocytes were performed with the congenic anti-H2f mouse serum known to give strong cytotoxic reactions with human cells which correlate with the presence of HLA-A2 antigen (mouse serum ASP 223, donor strain B10.M (H-2f), recipients (B10 X A.SW)F1 (H-2b/H-2s) hybrids; antibodies present in the serum anti-H-2.9, 8,37). Depending on the dose of A2-negative cells used for absorption, the serum can be rendered operationally monospecific to HLA-A2. Absorption experiments with lymph node cells of different mouse strains have shown that H-2f.p.w7 haplotypes share the ability to absorb completely the antihuman activity with about 15 X 10(6) cells. Consequently, the antihuman activity is not attributable to the presence of the anti-H-2.9 private specificity in the serum. H-2d.k.r haplotypes have weak absorbing capacity, because 500 X 10(6) lymph node cells are needed to absorb 70% of the antihuman cytotoxic acitivity. All strains that were able to absorb antihuman cytotoxic activity from ASP 223 shared the specificity H-2.8. Thus, the H-2.37 specificity seems to be responsible for strong and the H-2.8 specificity for weak absorbing capacity. The absorbing capacity of the H-2d haplotype was localized in the H-2.K end. Mouse lymph node cells have a 10- to 20-fold higher absorbing capacity for the antihuman activity than thymus cells. It was shown that H-2.K end public specificities predominantly expressed on lymph node cells are responsible for the generation of antihuman (anti-HLA) cytotoxic activity in anti-H-2 sera.", "contents": "H-2/HLA cross-reactions. Absorption analysis of cytotoxic antihuman activity in anti-H-2 mouse sera. Absorption experiments and subsequent retesting on human peripheral lymphocytes were performed with the congenic anti-H2f mouse serum known to give strong cytotoxic reactions with human cells which correlate with the presence of HLA-A2 antigen (mouse serum ASP 223, donor strain B10.M (H-2f), recipients (B10 X A.SW)F1 (H-2b/H-2s) hybrids; antibodies present in the serum anti-H-2.9, 8,37). Depending on the dose of A2-negative cells used for absorption, the serum can be rendered operationally monospecific to HLA-A2. Absorption experiments with lymph node cells of different mouse strains have shown that H-2f.p.w7 haplotypes share the ability to absorb completely the antihuman activity with about 15 X 10(6) cells. Consequently, the antihuman activity is not attributable to the presence of the anti-H-2.9 private specificity in the serum. H-2d.k.r haplotypes have weak absorbing capacity, because 500 X 10(6) lymph node cells are needed to absorb 70% of the antihuman cytotoxic acitivity. All strains that were able to absorb antihuman cytotoxic activity from ASP 223 shared the specificity H-2.8. Thus, the H-2.37 specificity seems to be responsible for strong and the H-2.8 specificity for weak absorbing capacity. The absorbing capacity of the H-2d haplotype was localized in the H-2.K end. Mouse lymph node cells have a 10- to 20-fold higher absorbing capacity for the antihuman activity than thymus cells. It was shown that H-2.K end public specificities predominantly expressed on lymph node cells are responsible for the generation of antihuman (anti-HLA) cytotoxic activity in anti-H-2 sera.", "PMID": 795111} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10316", "title": "The immunodepressive and hematotoxic activity of imidazole-4-carboxamide,5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno) in mice.", "content": "The immunodepressive and bone marrow stem cell-reducing activities of imidazole-4-carboxamide,5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno) (DTIC), an antitumoral agent reported to possess little immunodepressive capacity in man, have been investigated in mice and compared with those displayed by cyclophosphamide (Cy). In this species, single doses of DTIC could profoundly depress antilymphoma allograft resistance as well as the number of antibody-producing cells after primary and secondary stimulation with sheep erythrocytes. The highest immunodepressive activity was observed when DTIC was given before antigen and the effect observed was substantially more long lasting than seen with Cy, which was, however significantly more active on a milligram per kilogram basis. In contrast, both agents displayed a quantitatively equal activity in reducing bone marrow stem cells. It is concluded that DTIC can be an effective immunodepressant and that this activity may have clinical implications.", "contents": "The immunodepressive and hematotoxic activity of imidazole-4-carboxamide,5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno) in mice. The immunodepressive and bone marrow stem cell-reducing activities of imidazole-4-carboxamide,5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno) (DTIC), an antitumoral agent reported to possess little immunodepressive capacity in man, have been investigated in mice and compared with those displayed by cyclophosphamide (Cy). In this species, single doses of DTIC could profoundly depress antilymphoma allograft resistance as well as the number of antibody-producing cells after primary and secondary stimulation with sheep erythrocytes. The highest immunodepressive activity was observed when DTIC was given before antigen and the effect observed was substantially more long lasting than seen with Cy, which was, however significantly more active on a milligram per kilogram basis. In contrast, both agents displayed a quantitatively equal activity in reducing bone marrow stem cells. It is concluded that DTIC can be an effective immunodepressant and that this activity may have clinical implications.", "PMID": 795112} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10317", "title": "Pathology of liver transplantation.", "content": "Experience with renal transplantation indicates failure of the graft is usually due to immunological rejection. In a previous study of human liver transplantation, rejection was the major cause of transplant failure in 4 of 17 patients )24%); in this review of 76 liver transplantations, 64 of which survived the first postoperative week, rejection was the primary cause of graft failure in only 4 of these 64 cases (6%). The two most common causes of transplant failure were technical difficulties with the operative procedure and sepsis; these accounted for 47 (62%) graft failures of the total of 76 transplants. Biliary obstruction and sepsis are more common causes of liver failure than rejection, and patients with recurrent jaundice are now studied intensively for evidence of obstruction. Only after obstruction is excluded, is immunosuppression intensified. These results are a basis for optimism concerning the future of liver transplantation in management of potentially fatal liver disease.", "contents": "Pathology of liver transplantation. Experience with renal transplantation indicates failure of the graft is usually due to immunological rejection. In a previous study of human liver transplantation, rejection was the major cause of transplant failure in 4 of 17 patients )24%); in this review of 76 liver transplantations, 64 of which survived the first postoperative week, rejection was the primary cause of graft failure in only 4 of these 64 cases (6%). The two most common causes of transplant failure were technical difficulties with the operative procedure and sepsis; these accounted for 47 (62%) graft failures of the total of 76 transplants. Biliary obstruction and sepsis are more common causes of liver failure than rejection, and patients with recurrent jaundice are now studied intensively for evidence of obstruction. Only after obstruction is excluded, is immunosuppression intensified. These results are a basis for optimism concerning the future of liver transplantation in management of potentially fatal liver disease.", "PMID": 795113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10318", "title": "[Displacentar transfer of fluorescent antibodies from mothers to their newborns in a Wuchereria bancrofti endemic area in India (author's transl)].", "content": "The immunofluorescent antibody test against D. viteae applied to mothers blood and the umbilical cord blood of their newborns showed a very close association of the two endpoint titers in 50 pairs of examinations. In 37 cases the titer of the child was corresponding with the titer of its mother, in 10 cases the newborn's titer was one dilution below, in 2 cases two dilutions below the mother's titer. The titers of newborns of 15 mothers with titers greater than or equal to 1:80 were in 11 cases positive; 11 children of 15 mothers with a titer of less than or equal to 1:40 had a corresponding endpoint titer, in 4 it was below 1:40. There was a formal dependence between age of mothers and titer of mothers and their children. In 20 children reexamination after 6 months showed in no case an endpoint titer of 1:40 or above, regardless, whether previously mother or child had a high titer or not. These results indicate that in a W. bancrofti endemic area material antibodies against filariae, demonstrable in IFT against D. viteae are transferred diaplacentarly to the newborn, which are no more demonstrable after the sixth month of life.", "contents": "[Displacentar transfer of fluorescent antibodies from mothers to their newborns in a Wuchereria bancrofti endemic area in India (author's transl)]. The immunofluorescent antibody test against D. viteae applied to mothers blood and the umbilical cord blood of their newborns showed a very close association of the two endpoint titers in 50 pairs of examinations. In 37 cases the titer of the child was corresponding with the titer of its mother, in 10 cases the newborn's titer was one dilution below, in 2 cases two dilutions below the mother's titer. The titers of newborns of 15 mothers with titers greater than or equal to 1:80 were in 11 cases positive; 11 children of 15 mothers with a titer of less than or equal to 1:40 had a corresponding endpoint titer, in 4 it was below 1:40. There was a formal dependence between age of mothers and titer of mothers and their children. In 20 children reexamination after 6 months showed in no case an endpoint titer of 1:40 or above, regardless, whether previously mother or child had a high titer or not. These results indicate that in a W. bancrofti endemic area material antibodies against filariae, demonstrable in IFT against D. viteae are transferred diaplacentarly to the newborn, which are no more demonstrable after the sixth month of life.", "PMID": 795116} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10319", "title": "Development of fluorescent antibodies directed against larval stages, eggs, and adults of Schistosoma mansoni in mice harbouring unisexual or bisexual infections.", "content": "The development of antibodies corresponding to the different developmental phases of Schistosoma mansoni was studied in mice subjected to experimental unisexual and bisexual infections. Blood samples were taken at weekly intervals for up to 5 months and tested by indirect immunofluorescence against frozen sections of male and female worms (collected from animals with unisexual infections), of liver of infected hamsters (containing schistosome eggs) and of the hepatopancreas of infected snails (containing schistosome larval stages). Antibodies appeared around the 10th day. The earlier appearance of antilarval antibodies observed previously could not be confirmed. The study of unisexual infections demonstrated that anti-egg antibodies can be differentiated from antilarval and anti-adult worm antibodies. With all four antigens a stronger serological reaction was obtained in bisexual than in unisexual infections. The anti-male antibodies were always present at higher concentrations than the anti-female antibodies.", "contents": "Development of fluorescent antibodies directed against larval stages, eggs, and adults of Schistosoma mansoni in mice harbouring unisexual or bisexual infections. The development of antibodies corresponding to the different developmental phases of Schistosoma mansoni was studied in mice subjected to experimental unisexual and bisexual infections. Blood samples were taken at weekly intervals for up to 5 months and tested by indirect immunofluorescence against frozen sections of male and female worms (collected from animals with unisexual infections), of liver of infected hamsters (containing schistosome eggs) and of the hepatopancreas of infected snails (containing schistosome larval stages). Antibodies appeared around the 10th day. The earlier appearance of antilarval antibodies observed previously could not be confirmed. The study of unisexual infections demonstrated that anti-egg antibodies can be differentiated from antilarval and anti-adult worm antibodies. With all four antigens a stronger serological reaction was obtained in bisexual than in unisexual infections. The anti-male antibodies were always present at higher concentrations than the anti-female antibodies.", "PMID": 795117} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10320", "title": "[Comparative investigations in closing nephrotomies with conventional suturing technique and dura ribbons (author's transl)].", "content": "On 13 rabbits total longitudinal nephrotomies were performed on both kidneys. On the right side the margins of the parenchyma were sutured together with figure eight sutures. On the left, the nephrotomies were closed by tying ribbons of human dura around the kidney. Excretory urograms after 4-8 months showed no differences on both sides. On histological examination there was no difference of the scars. After roentgenological and histological criteria there are no advantages by closing kidney wounds with dura ribbons versus conventional suturing technique.", "contents": "[Comparative investigations in closing nephrotomies with conventional suturing technique and dura ribbons (author's transl)]. On 13 rabbits total longitudinal nephrotomies were performed on both kidneys. On the right side the margins of the parenchyma were sutured together with figure eight sutures. On the left, the nephrotomies were closed by tying ribbons of human dura around the kidney. Excretory urograms after 4-8 months showed no differences on both sides. On histological examination there was no difference of the scars. After roentgenological and histological criteria there are no advantages by closing kidney wounds with dura ribbons versus conventional suturing technique.", "PMID": 795126} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10321", "title": "[Pathophysiological damage to the kidney due to temporary ischemia and measures to avoid these changes (author's transl)].", "content": "The efficacy of the so-called 'hyperosmolar kidney preservation' is proved experimentally and clinically with respect to protecting the kidney from the otherwise lethal effect of protracted periods of warm ischemia. Furthermore, the protective effect of various pharmacologic agents against 2 and 3 h of normothermic ischemia is investigated and the pathophysiology of renal ischemic damage is pointed out.", "contents": "[Pathophysiological damage to the kidney due to temporary ischemia and measures to avoid these changes (author's transl)]. The efficacy of the so-called 'hyperosmolar kidney preservation' is proved experimentally and clinically with respect to protecting the kidney from the otherwise lethal effect of protracted periods of warm ischemia. Furthermore, the protective effect of various pharmacologic agents against 2 and 3 h of normothermic ischemia is investigated and the pathophysiology of renal ischemic damage is pointed out.", "PMID": 795127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10322", "title": "Evaluation of cellular immunologic responsiveness in the clinical management of patients with prostatic cancer. IV. Leucocyte adherence inhibition.", "content": "As a possible alternate to existing in vitro assays of cell-mediated host responsiveness to tumour, a modification of the leucocyte adherence inhibition test employing peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), has been evaluated in patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. PBL from patients with prostatic cancer reacted to varying degrees with 3 M KC1 extracts of autologous and allogeneic prostatic tumours when cultured in the presence of homologous serum. When sensitized PBL and tumour extract were cultured in autologous serum, inhibition ('blocking') of the interaction of PBL and antigen was observed. 'Blocking' was not observed when the tumour extract was allogeneic with respect to the origin of PBL and serum. Cross-reactivity between individual tumours within a given tumour type is in keeping with observations of anti-tumour immunity in patients with other tumours. Observations suggestive of a specificity of 'blocking' for autologous tumour only, is somewhat unique and will require further confirmation. While preliminary, these results provide further evidence suggestive of anti-tumour cell-mediated immunity in prostatic cancer patients previously observed by inhibition of leucocyte migration. The observed 'blocking' effect of autologous serum may be analogous to that observed in the technically more complex colonly inhibition and lymphocyte cytotoxicity tests and may be indicative of one means by which the potential effects of sensitized PBL are inhibited in vivo.", "contents": "Evaluation of cellular immunologic responsiveness in the clinical management of patients with prostatic cancer. IV. Leucocyte adherence inhibition. As a possible alternate to existing in vitro assays of cell-mediated host responsiveness to tumour, a modification of the leucocyte adherence inhibition test employing peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), has been evaluated in patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. PBL from patients with prostatic cancer reacted to varying degrees with 3 M KC1 extracts of autologous and allogeneic prostatic tumours when cultured in the presence of homologous serum. When sensitized PBL and tumour extract were cultured in autologous serum, inhibition ('blocking') of the interaction of PBL and antigen was observed. 'Blocking' was not observed when the tumour extract was allogeneic with respect to the origin of PBL and serum. Cross-reactivity between individual tumours within a given tumour type is in keeping with observations of anti-tumour immunity in patients with other tumours. Observations suggestive of a specificity of 'blocking' for autologous tumour only, is somewhat unique and will require further confirmation. While preliminary, these results provide further evidence suggestive of anti-tumour cell-mediated immunity in prostatic cancer patients previously observed by inhibition of leucocyte migration. The observed 'blocking' effect of autologous serum may be analogous to that observed in the technically more complex colonly inhibition and lymphocyte cytotoxicity tests and may be indicative of one means by which the potential effects of sensitized PBL are inhibited in vivo.", "PMID": 795128} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10323", "title": "Purification of hepatitis B surface antigen using polyethylene gylcol, pepsin and Tween 80.", "content": "A simple, inexpensive procedure for the isolation and purification of HB8Ag from plasma is described. The technique included precipitation of HBsAg with PEG and elimination of normal plasma proteins by digestion with pepsin. Tween 80 was used to remove contaminating lipoprotein(s). This technique resulted in about a 200-fold gain in the specific activity of HBsAg and yielded about 20-40% recovery. Rabbits immunized with the purified antigen produced type-specific antibodies to HBsAg without detectable reactivity to normal human plasma antigens.", "contents": "Purification of hepatitis B surface antigen using polyethylene gylcol, pepsin and Tween 80. A simple, inexpensive procedure for the isolation and purification of HB8Ag from plasma is described. The technique included precipitation of HBsAg with PEG and elimination of normal plasma proteins by digestion with pepsin. Tween 80 was used to remove contaminating lipoprotein(s). This technique resulted in about a 200-fold gain in the specific activity of HBsAg and yielded about 20-40% recovery. Rabbits immunized with the purified antigen produced type-specific antibodies to HBsAg without detectable reactivity to normal human plasma antigens.", "PMID": 795155} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10324", "title": "[Modification of the local hemolysis method for the detection of antibody producing cells producing antibody to virus antigens].", "content": "A modification of Jerne and Nordin's method of local hemolysis for detection of antiviral antibody-synthesizing cells is described. CrCl3 was used as the coupling agent. This method is simple enough but it requires either highly purified virus antigen or viruses propagated in a heterologous culture.", "contents": "[Modification of the local hemolysis method for the detection of antibody producing cells producing antibody to virus antigens]. A modification of Jerne and Nordin's method of local hemolysis for detection of antiviral antibody-synthesizing cells is described. CrCl3 was used as the coupling agent. This method is simple enough but it requires either highly purified virus antigen or viruses propagated in a heterologous culture.", "PMID": 795158} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10325", "title": "[Nonspecific methods of prophylaxis of influenza and other acute respiratory diseases with dibasole and ascorbic acid].", "content": "A marked prophylactic effect of dibasole and ascorbic acid in influenza and other acute respiratory diseases (ARD) is described. The analysis was based on comparison with a control group observed for the same period and being at the same risk of contracting infection with influenza or other ARD. The control group was given glucose according to the same procedure.", "contents": "[Nonspecific methods of prophylaxis of influenza and other acute respiratory diseases with dibasole and ascorbic acid]. A marked prophylactic effect of dibasole and ascorbic acid in influenza and other acute respiratory diseases (ARD) is described. The analysis was based on comparison with a control group observed for the same period and being at the same risk of contracting infection with influenza or other ARD. The control group was given glucose according to the same procedure.", "PMID": 795157} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10326", "title": "A history of orthopedics in San Francisco and the West.", "content": "The unique development of early medical specialization in the West can be traced to California's geography and economic development. Such early specialization produced men with orthopedic inclinations. Early orthopedists founded the first medical school and the first modern teaching hospital, helped to found Stanford's Lane Medical Library and made the first use of x-rays in the West. In addition many of these orthopedists were prominent in the political and social activities of the time.", "contents": "A history of orthopedics in San Francisco and the West. The unique development of early medical specialization in the West can be traced to California's geography and economic development. Such early specialization produced men with orthopedic inclinations. Early orthopedists founded the first medical school and the first modern teaching hospital, helped to found Stanford's Lane Medical Library and made the first use of x-rays in the West. In addition many of these orthopedists were prominent in the political and social activities of the time.", "PMID": 795165} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10327", "title": "[A new antigen induced by oncornavirus D in mouse fibroblast culture].", "content": "It was established by the CFT and immunofluorescence that oncornavirus D inoculated into continuous mouse fibroblast cultures induced in them a new antigen differing from those of the virus and of the original non-infected cells. The antigen was shown to accumulate during cultivation of the infected cells. No antigen was induced by oncornavirus inactivated by heating or neutralized by antiviral antiserum. The physico-chemical and immunological properties of the new antigen experimentally induced in the mouse fibroblast culture are identical to those of the new antigen present in cultures of human J-96, HeLa and HEp-2 cells.", "contents": "[A new antigen induced by oncornavirus D in mouse fibroblast culture]. It was established by the CFT and immunofluorescence that oncornavirus D inoculated into continuous mouse fibroblast cultures induced in them a new antigen differing from those of the virus and of the original non-infected cells. The antigen was shown to accumulate during cultivation of the infected cells. No antigen was induced by oncornavirus inactivated by heating or neutralized by antiviral antiserum. The physico-chemical and immunological properties of the new antigen experimentally induced in the mouse fibroblast culture are identical to those of the new antigen present in cultures of human J-96, HeLa and HEp-2 cells.", "PMID": 795160} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10328", "title": "[Fragmentation of human adenovirus type 6 DNA by means of restrictase of E. co R I and BAM I].", "content": "The effect of restricting endonucleases of E. co RI and BAMI on DNA of human adenovirus type 6 was studied. E. co RI and BAMI restrictases cleave virus DNA into 4 fragments each. The molecular weight of E. co RI fragments was: A--17.5X10(6), B--3.63X10(6), C--1.56X10(6), D--1.05X10(6), those of BAMI fragments: A--9.7X10(6), B--7X10(6), C--4.09X10(6), D--3.1X10(6). By means of terminal nucleotidyltransferase and the procedure of partial DNA hydrolysis, the alteration of fragments obtained by the effect of E. co RI enzyme in adenovirus type 6 genome was determined and found to be A--D--C--B.", "contents": "[Fragmentation of human adenovirus type 6 DNA by means of restrictase of E. co R I and BAM I]. The effect of restricting endonucleases of E. co RI and BAMI on DNA of human adenovirus type 6 was studied. E. co RI and BAMI restrictases cleave virus DNA into 4 fragments each. The molecular weight of E. co RI fragments was: A--17.5X10(6), B--3.63X10(6), C--1.56X10(6), D--1.05X10(6), those of BAMI fragments: A--9.7X10(6), B--7X10(6), C--4.09X10(6), D--3.1X10(6). By means of terminal nucleotidyltransferase and the procedure of partial DNA hydrolysis, the alteration of fragments obtained by the effect of E. co RI enzyme in adenovirus type 6 genome was determined and found to be A--D--C--B.", "PMID": 795161} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10329", "title": "Regeneration of yeast protoplasts. A freeze-etching study.", "content": "The submicroscopical structure of yeast protoplasts regenerating the new cell wall or merely its fibrillar component was studied by freeze-etching. No relation was found between the number and distribution of plasma membrane particles at various stages of regeneration. Hexagonal arrangement of the particles was found only solitarily even in protoplasts synthesizing intensely glucan microfibrils in liquid media. The fibrillar network on protoplasts grown in liquid medium or fibrillar groundwork of the cell wall on protoplasts grown in gelatine medium were exposed only after etching on etched faces. The microfibrils did not penetrate the outer leaflet of the unit membrane, which consequently indicates that no structural relation could exist between the fibrils and the plasma membrane particles. During conversion of cells to protoplasts, plasma membrane invaginations were arranged end-to-end to form prolonged furrows which persisted until cell wall regeneration had been completed. Then the long furrows broke into short units. Thus plasma membrane invaginations appear to be loca, rigid differentiations of the plasma membrane which may migrate laterally. Neither the plasma membrane nor the adjacent cytoplasm showed signs of reverse pinocytosis. The endoplasmic reticulum, which was hypertrophic during regeneration, consisted of extensive membranes, often parallel in arrangement. The cytoplasm frequently contained groups of small globular particles without characteristic localization.", "contents": "Regeneration of yeast protoplasts. A freeze-etching study. The submicroscopical structure of yeast protoplasts regenerating the new cell wall or merely its fibrillar component was studied by freeze-etching. No relation was found between the number and distribution of plasma membrane particles at various stages of regeneration. Hexagonal arrangement of the particles was found only solitarily even in protoplasts synthesizing intensely glucan microfibrils in liquid media. The fibrillar network on protoplasts grown in liquid medium or fibrillar groundwork of the cell wall on protoplasts grown in gelatine medium were exposed only after etching on etched faces. The microfibrils did not penetrate the outer leaflet of the unit membrane, which consequently indicates that no structural relation could exist between the fibrils and the plasma membrane particles. During conversion of cells to protoplasts, plasma membrane invaginations were arranged end-to-end to form prolonged furrows which persisted until cell wall regeneration had been completed. Then the long furrows broke into short units. Thus plasma membrane invaginations appear to be loca, rigid differentiations of the plasma membrane which may migrate laterally. Neither the plasma membrane nor the adjacent cytoplasm showed signs of reverse pinocytosis. The endoplasmic reticulum, which was hypertrophic during regeneration, consisted of extensive membranes, often parallel in arrangement. The cytoplasm frequently contained groups of small globular particles without characteristic localization.", "PMID": 795175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10330", "title": "[Cause and significance of increased endothelial permeability in the development of arteriosclerosis].", "content": "The above survey described the physiological and pathological transport of molecules through the arterial endothelium. The barrier function of the endothelium can be interrupted by the humoral substances and such ones be longing to the vascular wall as well as by haemodynamic stress. With the intercellular junctions being opened by destruction or contraction of the endothelium, macromolecular plasma constituents get into the subendothelium where they are retained. By this retentive effect an increased endothelial permeability causes, even with physiological plasma-lipid concentrations, an accumulation of lipoproteins and other large plasma particles in the intima and upper media. The continuous plasma insudation consequently leads to the formation of an intimal regneration tissue, the intimal proliferation. Under the conditions of pathological plasma-lipid concentrations there is to be noticed an acceleration of regeneration processes. Though the new experimental results characterize the endothelial alteration as an initial process, the individual reaction of the vascular wall forms the biochemical and structural correlate of arteriosclerosis. From the results described it can be concluded that the inhibition of permeability disturbances and the involved proliferation processes of the arterial wall as well as the prevention of a hyperlipoproteinaemia are a causative therapeutical basis of prophylaxis and metaphylaxis of arteriosclerosis.", "contents": "[Cause and significance of increased endothelial permeability in the development of arteriosclerosis]. The above survey described the physiological and pathological transport of molecules through the arterial endothelium. The barrier function of the endothelium can be interrupted by the humoral substances and such ones be longing to the vascular wall as well as by haemodynamic stress. With the intercellular junctions being opened by destruction or contraction of the endothelium, macromolecular plasma constituents get into the subendothelium where they are retained. By this retentive effect an increased endothelial permeability causes, even with physiological plasma-lipid concentrations, an accumulation of lipoproteins and other large plasma particles in the intima and upper media. The continuous plasma insudation consequently leads to the formation of an intimal regneration tissue, the intimal proliferation. Under the conditions of pathological plasma-lipid concentrations there is to be noticed an acceleration of regeneration processes. Though the new experimental results characterize the endothelial alteration as an initial process, the individual reaction of the vascular wall forms the biochemical and structural correlate of arteriosclerosis. From the results described it can be concluded that the inhibition of permeability disturbances and the involved proliferation processes of the arterial wall as well as the prevention of a hyperlipoproteinaemia are a causative therapeutical basis of prophylaxis and metaphylaxis of arteriosclerosis.", "PMID": 795176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10331", "title": "[The lh-rh-test in men with fertility disorders (author's transl)].", "content": "89 mal patients with fertility disorders underwent a test with 50 mug synthetic LH-RH. The basal levels of FSH and LH are elevated in patients with azoospermia, with testicular atrophy, varicocele and Klinefelters syndrome. They increase with age. After stimulation with LH-RH the highest relative peaks (maximal value divided by control value) of LH are seen younger patients, in those with varicocele, and oligozoospermia. The FSH-values do not differ significantly between these groups. Low relative peaks of LH are seen in older patients. In Klinefelter's syndrome the relative peaks of FSH and LH are significantly lowered.", "contents": "[The lh-rh-test in men with fertility disorders (author's transl)]. 89 mal patients with fertility disorders underwent a test with 50 mug synthetic LH-RH. The basal levels of FSH and LH are elevated in patients with azoospermia, with testicular atrophy, varicocele and Klinefelters syndrome. They increase with age. After stimulation with LH-RH the highest relative peaks (maximal value divided by control value) of LH are seen younger patients, in those with varicocele, and oligozoospermia. The FSH-values do not differ significantly between these groups. Low relative peaks of LH are seen in older patients. In Klinefelter's syndrome the relative peaks of FSH and LH are significantly lowered.", "PMID": 795177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10332", "title": "[The use of difluocortolone valerate for various dermatoses].", "content": "Diflucortolone valerate 0.1% in cream form was investigated in 50 patients with various inflammatory dermatoses. The results were very good in 82% of the cases, good in 8% and moderate in 10%.", "contents": "[The use of difluocortolone valerate for various dermatoses]. Diflucortolone valerate 0.1% in cream form was investigated in 50 patients with various inflammatory dermatoses. The results were very good in 82% of the cases, good in 8% and moderate in 10%.", "PMID": 795178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10333", "title": "[Results of a multi-center, international clinical trial of difluocortolone valerate (Nerisona)].", "content": "The new corticosteroid diflucortolone valerate was clinically investigated in an international, multi-centre trial by a total of 162 dermatologists in 22 countries in more than 6,285 patients with inflammatory and allergic skin diseases. Depending on the condition of the skin, diflucortolone valerate was applied as a cream, ointment or fatty ointment at a concentration of 0.1%. Most of the patients treated with the cream displayed weeping skin conditions. The ointment was used mainly in patients with neither weeping nor very dry skin conditions, while the fatty ointment was employed mainly in very dry processes. After the exclusion of invalid record forms, 5,578 cases remained for computer evaluation. The results confirm that the success rate in local corticoid therapy can be improved by adapting the base to the respective skin condition. The forms investigated were found to be highly effective preparations with excellent skin tolerance. They can be placed on a par with today's leading topical corticoid preparations.", "contents": "[Results of a multi-center, international clinical trial of difluocortolone valerate (Nerisona)]. The new corticosteroid diflucortolone valerate was clinically investigated in an international, multi-centre trial by a total of 162 dermatologists in 22 countries in more than 6,285 patients with inflammatory and allergic skin diseases. Depending on the condition of the skin, diflucortolone valerate was applied as a cream, ointment or fatty ointment at a concentration of 0.1%. Most of the patients treated with the cream displayed weeping skin conditions. The ointment was used mainly in patients with neither weeping nor very dry skin conditions, while the fatty ointment was employed mainly in very dry processes. After the exclusion of invalid record forms, 5,578 cases remained for computer evaluation. The results confirm that the success rate in local corticoid therapy can be improved by adapting the base to the respective skin condition. The forms investigated were found to be highly effective preparations with excellent skin tolerance. They can be placed on a par with today's leading topical corticoid preparations.", "PMID": 795179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10334", "title": "[The use of difluocortolone valerate in various dermatoses].", "content": "Diflucortolone valerate was clinically investigated as a fatty ointment in 30 dermatological patients. Although this form of application is a special presentation for the treatment of very dry dermatoses, patients with not so dry and weeping dermatoses were also treated in this trial, the object being to include the role played by the vehicle in the results of therapy. Very good to good results were achieved in 80% of the cases treated, while the result was observed to be poor in only 10% of the cases. This latter percentage is comprised for the greater part of patients who had previously been treated with other corticoids and of patients with weeping dermatoses.", "contents": "[The use of difluocortolone valerate in various dermatoses]. Diflucortolone valerate was clinically investigated as a fatty ointment in 30 dermatological patients. Although this form of application is a special presentation for the treatment of very dry dermatoses, patients with not so dry and weeping dermatoses were also treated in this trial, the object being to include the role played by the vehicle in the results of therapy. Very good to good results were achieved in 80% of the cases treated, while the result was observed to be poor in only 10% of the cases. This latter percentage is comprised for the greater part of patients who had previously been treated with other corticoids and of patients with weeping dermatoses.", "PMID": 795180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10335", "title": "[Difluocortolone valerate in dermatology].", "content": "The investigational preparation Nerisona Cream (diflucortolone valerate 0.1%, investigational no. SH K 183 MB) was used in 47 patients with various inflammatory or pruriginous dermatoses. Either very good or good results were achieved in 89.3% of the cases. Nearly all the patients thought highly of the cosmetic properties of the preparation. No side effects were observed.", "contents": "[Difluocortolone valerate in dermatology]. The investigational preparation Nerisona Cream (diflucortolone valerate 0.1%, investigational no. SH K 183 MB) was used in 47 patients with various inflammatory or pruriginous dermatoses. Either very good or good results were achieved in 89.3% of the cases. Nearly all the patients thought highly of the cosmetic properties of the preparation. No side effects were observed.", "PMID": 795181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10336", "title": "[Difluocortolone valerate: a new corticoid for topical use].", "content": "The clinical efficacy of diflucortolone valerate as a fatty ointment was investigated in 65 patients with very dry dermatoses. The results were very positive, being excellent in atopic eczema, neurodermatitis and atopic cheilitis. No side effects were observed.", "contents": "[Difluocortolone valerate: a new corticoid for topical use]. The clinical efficacy of diflucortolone valerate as a fatty ointment was investigated in 65 patients with very dry dermatoses. The results were very positive, being excellent in atopic eczema, neurodermatitis and atopic cheilitis. No side effects were observed.", "PMID": 795182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10337", "title": "[Topical treatment of dermatoses with difluocortolone valerate fatty ointment].", "content": "The aim of the study was to compare the therapeutic effect of the new corticoid, diflucortolone valerate, with the effect of fluocinolone acetonide. The study was conducted as a randomised double-blind trial in 60 patients with various dermatoses. The results were good in 89% of the cases treated with diflucortolone valerate fatty ointment, while the same result was achieved in only 63.5% of the cases treated with fluocinolone acetonide ointment. No side effects were observed during the use of diflucortolone valerate fatty ointment, while local side effects occurred in 2 cases during the use of fluocinolone acetonide ointment.", "contents": "[Topical treatment of dermatoses with difluocortolone valerate fatty ointment]. The aim of the study was to compare the therapeutic effect of the new corticoid, diflucortolone valerate, with the effect of fluocinolone acetonide. The study was conducted as a randomised double-blind trial in 60 patients with various dermatoses. The results were good in 89% of the cases treated with diflucortolone valerate fatty ointment, while the same result was achieved in only 63.5% of the cases treated with fluocinolone acetonide ointment. No side effects were observed during the use of diflucortolone valerate fatty ointment, while local side effects occurred in 2 cases during the use of fluocinolone acetonide ointment.", "PMID": 795183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10338", "title": "[Difluocortolone valerate for topical use in dermatology].", "content": "59 patients with various skin disorders - most of them in the acute stage - were treated in this trial. The topical investigational preparation was a cream containing 0.1% diflucortolone valerate. The results confirmed that the preparation has a quick-acting and effective antipruritic and antiphlogistic action. The results achieved were good or very good in 91.52% of cases and moderate in 8.47%. No side effects were observed.", "contents": "[Difluocortolone valerate for topical use in dermatology]. 59 patients with various skin disorders - most of them in the acute stage - were treated in this trial. The topical investigational preparation was a cream containing 0.1% diflucortolone valerate. The results confirmed that the preparation has a quick-acting and effective antipruritic and antiphlogistic action. The results achieved were good or very good in 91.52% of cases and moderate in 8.47%. No side effects were observed.", "PMID": 795184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10339", "title": "[Clinical tests of the therapeutic effect of a new difluocortolone valerate cream].", "content": "Diflucortolone valerate 0.1% in the form of a cream - Nerisona Cream - was investigated in various dermatological diseases. Very good results were achieved in 68.7% of the total of 64 treated cases, good results in 18.8%, moderate results in 9.4% and poor results in 3.1% of the cases. The patients assessed the cosmetic properties of Nerisona Cream as excellent. No side effects were observed.", "contents": "[Clinical tests of the therapeutic effect of a new difluocortolone valerate cream]. Diflucortolone valerate 0.1% in the form of a cream - Nerisona Cream - was investigated in various dermatological diseases. Very good results were achieved in 68.7% of the total of 64 treated cases, good results in 18.8%, moderate results in 9.4% and poor results in 3.1% of the cases. The patients assessed the cosmetic properties of Nerisona Cream as excellent. No side effects were observed.", "PMID": 795185} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10340", "title": "[Clinical tests of a new corticoid for topical use: Nerisona].", "content": "Diflucortolone valerate 0.1% (Nerisona), a new topical corticoid, was clinically investigated in ointment form in 51 patients suffering from neither weeping nor very dry allergic and inflammatory skin diseases. The results obtained were good, improvement being observed in 92.1% of the treated cases. The cosmetic properties of the preparation were excellent. No local or systemic side effects were observed.", "contents": "[Clinical tests of a new corticoid for topical use: Nerisona]. Diflucortolone valerate 0.1% (Nerisona), a new topical corticoid, was clinically investigated in ointment form in 51 patients suffering from neither weeping nor very dry allergic and inflammatory skin diseases. The results obtained were good, improvement being observed in 92.1% of the treated cases. The cosmetic properties of the preparation were excellent. No local or systemic side effects were observed.", "PMID": 795186} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10341", "title": "[Treatment of inflammatory dermatoses with difluocortolone valerate].", "content": "The authors investigated the therapeutic effect of diflucortolone valerate as an ointment in 40 patients with inflammatory dermatoses of various etiology. They described the antiphlogistic and antipruritic effect of the preparation as excellent and practically devoid of any side effects and cosmetic problems.", "contents": "[Treatment of inflammatory dermatoses with difluocortolone valerate]. The authors investigated the therapeutic effect of diflucortolone valerate as an ointment in 40 patients with inflammatory dermatoses of various etiology. They described the antiphlogistic and antipruritic effect of the preparation as excellent and practically devoid of any side effects and cosmetic problems.", "PMID": 795187} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10342", "title": "[Evaluation of a new corticoid for various dermatoses].", "content": "Diflucortolone valerate 0.1% (investigational number SH K 183 MB) in the form of a cream was clinically investigated in 41 patients with dermatological disorders. All the patients had been treated previously with other topical preparations, but without success. Complete healing or distinct improvement of the objective and subjective symptoms of the disorders was achieved in 100% of the cases treated with the investigational preparation. No side effects were observed at all.", "contents": "[Evaluation of a new corticoid for various dermatoses]. Diflucortolone valerate 0.1% (investigational number SH K 183 MB) in the form of a cream was clinically investigated in 41 patients with dermatological disorders. All the patients had been treated previously with other topical preparations, but without success. Complete healing or distinct improvement of the objective and subjective symptoms of the disorders was achieved in 100% of the cases treated with the investigational preparation. No side effects were observed at all.", "PMID": 795188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10343", "title": "[Topical use of the new corticoid difluocortolone valerate in dermatology].", "content": "The object of the present study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of Nerisona Fatty Ointment in very dry skin conditions. A total of 37 patients, most of them with chronic dermatoses, was treated. Either very good or good results were achieved in 83.8% of the cases. The side effects observed were very slight.", "contents": "[Topical use of the new corticoid difluocortolone valerate in dermatology]. The object of the present study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of Nerisona Fatty Ointment in very dry skin conditions. A total of 37 patients, most of them with chronic dermatoses, was treated. Either very good or good results were achieved in 83.8% of the cases. The side effects observed were very slight.", "PMID": 795189} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10344", "title": "[Bouble-blind unilateral comparison of difluocortolone valerate and flumethasone pivalate ointments].", "content": "A 0.1% diflucortolone valerate ointment was investigated in a randomised double-blind contralateral comparison against a 0.2% flumethasone ointment in 52 selected patients with neither weeping nor very dry dermatoses. The results are presented and commented on according to indications.", "contents": "[Bouble-blind unilateral comparison of difluocortolone valerate and flumethasone pivalate ointments]. A 0.1% diflucortolone valerate ointment was investigated in a randomised double-blind contralateral comparison against a 0.2% flumethasone ointment in 52 selected patients with neither weeping nor very dry dermatoses. The results are presented and commented on according to indications.", "PMID": 795190} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10345", "title": "[Clinical tests with Nerisona cream (SH K 183 MB)].", "content": "50 patients with weeping dermatoses were treated with the investigational preparation SH K 183 MB - Nerisona Cream. Very good or good results were achieved in 90% of the cases. No systemic or topical side effects were observed. The cream was assessed as being very good in respect of its cosmetic properties.", "contents": "[Clinical tests with Nerisona cream (SH K 183 MB)]. 50 patients with weeping dermatoses were treated with the investigational preparation SH K 183 MB - Nerisona Cream. Very good or good results were achieved in 90% of the cases. No systemic or topical side effects were observed. The cream was assessed as being very good in respect of its cosmetic properties.", "PMID": 795191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10346", "title": "[Secretory immunoglobulins and serum antibodies after oral infection of the white mouse with Salmonella typhimurium (author's transl)].", "content": "White Mice were infected via the gastrointestinal tract with S. typhimurium. The immunoglobulin class of specific antibodies appearing in serum and intestinal secretions was determined. Specific antibodies were detected as early as 7 days after infection in the intestinal secretions, and reached maximum titers on day 21. These antibodies belonged exclusively to the IgA class. After day 21, at a time when serum antibodies had reached high titers, antibodies of the IgG class were also detectable in the gut in low levels. Specific antibodies of the IgM class could never be demonstrated in intestinal secretions. Antibody titers remained at almost constant levels over the entire test period of 92 days in those animals with Salmonella in their intestine. In animals, where Salmonella were no longer demonstrable in the gut, antibody titers decreased. Serum antibodies could first be detected 12 days after infection. They reached maximum titers between day 21 and 36. Until day 21 equal levels of IgG and IgM antibodies were found. Later on, antibodies of the IgG class predominated. In Salmonella carriers antibody titers remained on high levels over the entire test period. In animals negative for S. typhimurium in liver and spleen, antibody titers declined until the end of the test period. A new and simple method for raising a class-specific anti-mouse IgA Antiserum by immunization of rabbits with IgA from washings of the small intestine is described.", "contents": "[Secretory immunoglobulins and serum antibodies after oral infection of the white mouse with Salmonella typhimurium (author's transl)]. White Mice were infected via the gastrointestinal tract with S. typhimurium. The immunoglobulin class of specific antibodies appearing in serum and intestinal secretions was determined. Specific antibodies were detected as early as 7 days after infection in the intestinal secretions, and reached maximum titers on day 21. These antibodies belonged exclusively to the IgA class. After day 21, at a time when serum antibodies had reached high titers, antibodies of the IgG class were also detectable in the gut in low levels. Specific antibodies of the IgM class could never be demonstrated in intestinal secretions. Antibody titers remained at almost constant levels over the entire test period of 92 days in those animals with Salmonella in their intestine. In animals, where Salmonella were no longer demonstrable in the gut, antibody titers decreased. Serum antibodies could first be detected 12 days after infection. They reached maximum titers between day 21 and 36. Until day 21 equal levels of IgG and IgM antibodies were found. Later on, antibodies of the IgG class predominated. In Salmonella carriers antibody titers remained on high levels over the entire test period. In animals negative for S. typhimurium in liver and spleen, antibody titers declined until the end of the test period. A new and simple method for raising a class-specific anti-mouse IgA Antiserum by immunization of rabbits with IgA from washings of the small intestine is described.", "PMID": 795196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10347", "title": "Effect of heparin on the priming with a protein antigen in mice.", "content": "Heparin has been found to stimulate or suppress the priming activity of a protein antigen (cock muscle phosphorylase-b) in mice depending on the various parameters (the dose of antigen, timing of administration, etc.). The adjuvant effect of endotoxin on priming was potentiated by a single dose of heparin injected 10-12 hours after immunization. Optimal doses of heparin incorporated into Freund's incomplete adjuvant also enhanced the humoral immune response first of all the development of 7 S immunologic memory. The possible mechanisms are discussed.", "contents": "Effect of heparin on the priming with a protein antigen in mice. Heparin has been found to stimulate or suppress the priming activity of a protein antigen (cock muscle phosphorylase-b) in mice depending on the various parameters (the dose of antigen, timing of administration, etc.). The adjuvant effect of endotoxin on priming was potentiated by a single dose of heparin injected 10-12 hours after immunization. Optimal doses of heparin incorporated into Freund's incomplete adjuvant also enhanced the humoral immune response first of all the development of 7 S immunologic memory. The possible mechanisms are discussed.", "PMID": 795199} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10348", "title": "[The so-called aging heart in 50- to 100-year-old subjects].", "content": "The cardiovascular system of aging people exhibits a number of morphological, functional and clinical special features. Alterations in shape, size and weight of the heart, alterations of coronary arteries, valves and aorta are accompanied by typical changes in several hemodynamics variables. The result is a diminution of the adaptation capacity to physical exertion and increased incidence of failure. However, heart failure cannot be regarded as a physiological process; it is caused by a coincidence of an increasing polypathy of the aging heart (coronary artery disease, arteriosclerosis, hypertrophy, valve-changes,disseminated degenerative changes) and the polypathy or multimorbidity of the whole aging organism. In advanced age the various forms of ischaemic heart disease (angina pectoris, infarction, failure, arrhythmias) show increasingly atypical courses, complications and a higher degree of mortality. Modern therapeutic measures like demand pacemakers or bypass operations are principally applicable. Our study of now 326 patients of very high age shows that the good state of their cardiovascular system (probably genetically determined) is mainly responsible for reaching high age.", "contents": "[The so-called aging heart in 50- to 100-year-old subjects]. The cardiovascular system of aging people exhibits a number of morphological, functional and clinical special features. Alterations in shape, size and weight of the heart, alterations of coronary arteries, valves and aorta are accompanied by typical changes in several hemodynamics variables. The result is a diminution of the adaptation capacity to physical exertion and increased incidence of failure. However, heart failure cannot be regarded as a physiological process; it is caused by a coincidence of an increasing polypathy of the aging heart (coronary artery disease, arteriosclerosis, hypertrophy, valve-changes,disseminated degenerative changes) and the polypathy or multimorbidity of the whole aging organism. In advanced age the various forms of ischaemic heart disease (angina pectoris, infarction, failure, arrhythmias) show increasingly atypical courses, complications and a higher degree of mortality. Modern therapeutic measures like demand pacemakers or bypass operations are principally applicable. Our study of now 326 patients of very high age shows that the good state of their cardiovascular system (probably genetically determined) is mainly responsible for reaching high age.", "PMID": 795200} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10349", "title": "[Diastematomyelia--its importance in the treatment of congenital scoliosis].", "content": "The risk of neurologic complications following corrective surgery in congenital scoliosis is ten times greater than in idiopathic scoliosis, the main reasons being transfixation of the spinal cord by diastematomyelia or by other adhesions of the spinal cord. Therefore preoperative myelography is advisable in congenital scoliosis. The typical findings from 3 cases of diastematomyelia, as shown by myelography and by operation, are presented. The clinical and x-ray features are shown as well as neurological signs, which are easily overlooked.", "contents": "[Diastematomyelia--its importance in the treatment of congenital scoliosis]. The risk of neurologic complications following corrective surgery in congenital scoliosis is ten times greater than in idiopathic scoliosis, the main reasons being transfixation of the spinal cord by diastematomyelia or by other adhesions of the spinal cord. Therefore preoperative myelography is advisable in congenital scoliosis. The typical findings from 3 cases of diastematomyelia, as shown by myelography and by operation, are presented. The clinical and x-ray features are shown as well as neurological signs, which are easily overlooked.", "PMID": 795202} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10350", "title": "[Resection arthrodesis in the treatment of bone tumors located near the knee joint (author's transl)].", "content": "First of all the authors limit the indications to resection arthrodesis in bone tumors located near the knee joint and present the main features of the procedure. These consist of the technical requirements for a radical operation, the type of osteosynthesis with special supports and the type of compensation for the defect. Based on the well known surgical techniques of Juvara, Merle d'Aubign\u00e9 and J.B\u00f6hler, a precedure was presented which has been clinically tested for 6 years. In this procedure which is based on individual locations of tumors, a homologous bone canal helps to compensate the resection defect. The biological characteristic of the healing of this interponate was described. Finally, recommendations for postoperative aftercare were presented whereby the long support in orthopedic apparatus and the renewed spongiosa accumulation as a result of the removal of the metal were mentioned.", "contents": "[Resection arthrodesis in the treatment of bone tumors located near the knee joint (author's transl)]. First of all the authors limit the indications to resection arthrodesis in bone tumors located near the knee joint and present the main features of the procedure. These consist of the technical requirements for a radical operation, the type of osteosynthesis with special supports and the type of compensation for the defect. Based on the well known surgical techniques of Juvara, Merle d'Aubign\u00e9 and J.B\u00f6hler, a precedure was presented which has been clinically tested for 6 years. In this procedure which is based on individual locations of tumors, a homologous bone canal helps to compensate the resection defect. The biological characteristic of the healing of this interponate was described. Finally, recommendations for postoperative aftercare were presented whereby the long support in orthopedic apparatus and the renewed spongiosa accumulation as a result of the removal of the metal were mentioned.", "PMID": 795203} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10351", "title": "[Biosynthesis of aroma compounds by microorganisms II. Formation of sulphur containing flavour substances from methionine by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (author's transl)].", "content": "Using methionine as single nitrogen source 3-(methylthio)-1-propanol, 3-(methylthio)-propanal, 3-(methylthio)-propylacetate and 2-methylthiophan-3-one were formed in anaerobic model fermentations by Saccharomyces cerebisiae. The sulphur compounds were enriched by liquid-liquid extraction and detected by a selective flame photometric detector (FPD). The identities of the components were confirmed by mass spectrometry. It could be shown by quantitative determiniations that methionine was metabolized with 56--61% to 3-(methylthio)=1-propanol, when it was given to the medium in concentrations from 10 to 100 mg/1. 3-(methylthio)-propylacetuate, 3-(methylthio)-propanal, and 2-methylthiophan-3-one only could be detected in traces.", "contents": "[Biosynthesis of aroma compounds by microorganisms II. Formation of sulphur containing flavour substances from methionine by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (author's transl)]. Using methionine as single nitrogen source 3-(methylthio)-1-propanol, 3-(methylthio)-propanal, 3-(methylthio)-propylacetate and 2-methylthiophan-3-one were formed in anaerobic model fermentations by Saccharomyces cerebisiae. The sulphur compounds were enriched by liquid-liquid extraction and detected by a selective flame photometric detector (FPD). The identities of the components were confirmed by mass spectrometry. It could be shown by quantitative determiniations that methionine was metabolized with 56--61% to 3-(methylthio)=1-propanol, when it was given to the medium in concentrations from 10 to 100 mg/1. 3-(methylthio)-propylacetuate, 3-(methylthio)-propanal, and 2-methylthiophan-3-one only could be detected in traces.", "PMID": 795209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10352", "title": "[On formation of fluorescent compounds in formaldehyde treated tissues (author's transl)].", "content": "In formaldehyde treated tissues, fluorescent compounds are formed. We could demonstrate, that these compounds result from a reaction of biogenic amines such as beta-phenylethylamines or beta-(3 indolyl) ethylamines with formaldehyde to yield the fluorescent 3,4 dihydroisoquinolines or 3,4 dihydro-beta-carbolines.", "contents": "[On formation of fluorescent compounds in formaldehyde treated tissues (author's transl)]. In formaldehyde treated tissues, fluorescent compounds are formed. We could demonstrate, that these compounds result from a reaction of biogenic amines such as beta-phenylethylamines or beta-(3 indolyl) ethylamines with formaldehyde to yield the fluorescent 3,4 dihydroisoquinolines or 3,4 dihydro-beta-carbolines.", "PMID": 795212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10353", "title": "[Gastrin: recent points of view (author's transl)].", "content": "In a short survey recent results of research on gastrin are presented. Special stress is laid upon the mechanism of liberating gastrin, the role of the vagus in this process and the consequences of gastric surgery on serumgastrin. In clinical practice the differential diagnosis of hypergastrinemia in ulcer disease is very important, for it will have a decisive influence on the therapeutic decisions and the specific kind of surgical treatment.", "contents": "[Gastrin: recent points of view (author's transl)]. In a short survey recent results of research on gastrin are presented. Special stress is laid upon the mechanism of liberating gastrin, the role of the vagus in this process and the consequences of gastric surgery on serumgastrin. In clinical practice the differential diagnosis of hypergastrinemia in ulcer disease is very important, for it will have a decisive influence on the therapeutic decisions and the specific kind of surgical treatment.", "PMID": 795222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10354", "title": "[10 years of kidney transplantation; own experiences (author's transl)].", "content": "From 1964 to the end of 1974, kidney transplantation at Kantonsspital Z\u00fcrich included 267 allotransplants in 249 recipients. Cadaver kidneys were used exclusively. The total survival for patients and kidneys amounts to 69%, and 61% respectively. In 100 consecutive primary transplants performed after January 1, 1972, a one year patient survival of 86% and a one year kidney survival of 73% were achieved. The typical complications encountered in these series are shortly discussed.", "contents": "[10 years of kidney transplantation; own experiences (author's transl)]. From 1964 to the end of 1974, kidney transplantation at Kantonsspital Z\u00fcrich included 267 allotransplants in 249 recipients. Cadaver kidneys were used exclusively. The total survival for patients and kidneys amounts to 69%, and 61% respectively. In 100 consecutive primary transplants performed after January 1, 1972, a one year patient survival of 86% and a one year kidney survival of 73% were achieved. The typical complications encountered in these series are shortly discussed.", "PMID": 795223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10355", "title": "[Clinical use of polish glue \"chirurcoll-polfa\" (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors describe the clinical use of Polish surgical glue \"Chirurcoll-Polfa\" (n-butylic, n-heptylic ester of cyano-acrylic acid) in aerosol and liquid form. The glue was applied in 1441 in- and outpatients with good results. The glue was applied on skin wounds, penetrating injuries of the eyeball and parenchymal organs (lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys), on wounds after electrocoagulation of erosions of the cervix uteri. The glue was also useful in closure of cerebrospinal liquid leaks and gastrointestinal and bile fistulas. It was applied to tighten sutures and anastomoses of the gut and used during operations of the middle-ear.", "contents": "[Clinical use of polish glue \"chirurcoll-polfa\" (author's transl)]. The authors describe the clinical use of Polish surgical glue \"Chirurcoll-Polfa\" (n-butylic, n-heptylic ester of cyano-acrylic acid) in aerosol and liquid form. The glue was applied in 1441 in- and outpatients with good results. The glue was applied on skin wounds, penetrating injuries of the eyeball and parenchymal organs (lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys), on wounds after electrocoagulation of erosions of the cervix uteri. The glue was also useful in closure of cerebrospinal liquid leaks and gastrointestinal and bile fistulas. It was applied to tighten sutures and anastomoses of the gut and used during operations of the middle-ear.", "PMID": 795224} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10356", "title": "[Enhancement of toxin production and sporogenesis in Cl. tetani 471 cultures under the influence of endogenous metabolites].", "content": "A study was made of the dynamics of the population quantity, the delicate morphology of the bacterial cells and the toxin formation in the Cl. tetani 471 cultures grown in fluid nutrient medium with caseine hydrolysate in the industrial 100-litre reactors and under laboratory conditions. Endogenous metabolites contained in the filtrates of the periodic Cl. tetani 471 cultures which reached the phase of accelerated death were capable of enhancement of the toxin formation when introduced in the amount of up to 1 : 100 at the beginning of the exponential growth of the same cultures in the reactors. The growth of the some oligosporogenic strain in the filtrates of the periodic cultures obtained at the beginning of the stationary phase or of the accelerated death phase was characterized by a slower increase in the vegetative cell count, by enhanced spore-formation and by the second, after the initial, increase in the concentration of the microbes partially connected with the spore vegetation.", "contents": "[Enhancement of toxin production and sporogenesis in Cl. tetani 471 cultures under the influence of endogenous metabolites]. A study was made of the dynamics of the population quantity, the delicate morphology of the bacterial cells and the toxin formation in the Cl. tetani 471 cultures grown in fluid nutrient medium with caseine hydrolysate in the industrial 100-litre reactors and under laboratory conditions. Endogenous metabolites contained in the filtrates of the periodic Cl. tetani 471 cultures which reached the phase of accelerated death were capable of enhancement of the toxin formation when introduced in the amount of up to 1 : 100 at the beginning of the exponential growth of the same cultures in the reactors. The growth of the some oligosporogenic strain in the filtrates of the periodic cultures obtained at the beginning of the stationary phase or of the accelerated death phase was characterized by a slower increase in the vegetative cell count, by enhanced spore-formation and by the second, after the initial, increase in the concentration of the microbes partially connected with the spore vegetation.", "PMID": 795225} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10357", "title": "[The band precipitation test with the soluble Coxiella burnetii antigen in the diagnosis of Q rickettsiosis].", "content": "Soluble antigen obtained by the treatment of Coxiella burneti of the I phase with trichloracetic acid could be used in the capacity of a precipitinogen in the band-precipitation reaction in the diagnosis of Q-rickettsiosis and in mass epidemiological studies.", "contents": "[The band precipitation test with the soluble Coxiella burnetii antigen in the diagnosis of Q rickettsiosis]. Soluble antigen obtained by the treatment of Coxiella burneti of the I phase with trichloracetic acid could be used in the capacity of a precipitinogen in the band-precipitation reaction in the diagnosis of Q-rickettsiosis and in mass epidemiological studies.", "PMID": 795226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10358", "title": "[Intraepithelial shigellae invasion of the intestinal mucosa in patients suffering from acute Sonne dysentery].", "content": "Data are presented on detection of intraepithelial localization of shigellae in the biopsy materials of the large and small intestine mucosa of the patients with various forms of acute Sonne dysentery, in comparison with the clinico-morphological picture of the disease. Biopsy specimens (60 of the large and 7 of the small intestine) were stained with thionine and examined bacterioscopically; an intracellular distribution of the microbes was revealed in 58 cases; in 53 of them a subsequent identification of the microbes by the fluorescent antibody method was carried out; in 47 cases (88.7%) invasion of Sh. sonnei into the cells of the epithelium of the mucosa of the large and the small intestine was confirmed. There proved to be a direct relationship between the severity of the course of the disease, the level of shigellae localization and the extent of contamination by them of the cells of the large intestinal mucosa. The role of the penetrating capacity of shigellae in the development of the pathological process in dysentery is discussed.", "contents": "[Intraepithelial shigellae invasion of the intestinal mucosa in patients suffering from acute Sonne dysentery]. Data are presented on detection of intraepithelial localization of shigellae in the biopsy materials of the large and small intestine mucosa of the patients with various forms of acute Sonne dysentery, in comparison with the clinico-morphological picture of the disease. Biopsy specimens (60 of the large and 7 of the small intestine) were stained with thionine and examined bacterioscopically; an intracellular distribution of the microbes was revealed in 58 cases; in 53 of them a subsequent identification of the microbes by the fluorescent antibody method was carried out; in 47 cases (88.7%) invasion of Sh. sonnei into the cells of the epithelium of the mucosa of the large and the small intestine was confirmed. There proved to be a direct relationship between the severity of the course of the disease, the level of shigellae localization and the extent of contamination by them of the cells of the large intestinal mucosa. The role of the penetrating capacity of shigellae in the development of the pathological process in dysentery is discussed.", "PMID": 795227} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10359", "title": "[Interaction with the Hep-2 epithelial cells of Sh. flexneri R mutants and hybrids differing in O antigen structure].", "content": "The results of a study of the interaction of the R-mutants of Sh. flexneri of various chemotypes and shigellae hybrids with a definite genetic characteristics differing by structure of the O-antigen labeled with 3H-glucose, with the cells of the HEp-2 line demonstrated that the presence of the full value lipopolysaccharide structure apparently promoted the fixation of shigellae to the epithelial cells. The rough shigellae strains could retain the capacity to penetrate into the cells and to multiply partially in their cytoplasm, this pointing to the existence of additional factors providing the invasiveness of dysentery bacillae independent of the full value structure of the polysaccharide of their O-antigen.", "contents": "[Interaction with the Hep-2 epithelial cells of Sh. flexneri R mutants and hybrids differing in O antigen structure]. The results of a study of the interaction of the R-mutants of Sh. flexneri of various chemotypes and shigellae hybrids with a definite genetic characteristics differing by structure of the O-antigen labeled with 3H-glucose, with the cells of the HEp-2 line demonstrated that the presence of the full value lipopolysaccharide structure apparently promoted the fixation of shigellae to the epithelial cells. The rough shigellae strains could retain the capacity to penetrate into the cells and to multiply partially in their cytoplasm, this pointing to the existence of additional factors providing the invasiveness of dysentery bacillae independent of the full value structure of the polysaccharide of their O-antigen.", "PMID": 795229} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10360", "title": "[A study of Proteus L forms during reversion by means of electron microscopy and ultrathin sections].", "content": "The method of scanning electron microscopy was applied to the study of the Proteus L-forms which reversed directly on the millipore filters. It appeared that reversion was accompanied by elongation of the cell, piriform cells forming as the result. Filamentous cells segmented into short fragments and large bodies with a spongy surface structure with numerous ruptures were also revealed in the reversing culture. The method of ultrathin sections showed the other membrane in many cells to be fragile and readily twisting forming vesicles collecting into chains. As supposed, this is connected with degenerative changes involving the outer membrane of the paternal L-forms at the early reversion periods. An interrupted structure of the outer membrane was also demonstrated in many cells. It is supposed that in this case a synthesis of the outer membrane de novo at the later stages of reversion is dealt with. Phenomenon of \"extrusion\" of the multilayer structures into the periplasmic space, characteristic of spheroplasts, is described. A marked similarity of the morphological picture of reversion and at the initial stages of L-transformation, i.e. of the processes representing a looking glass reflection of one another, is described.", "contents": "[A study of Proteus L forms during reversion by means of electron microscopy and ultrathin sections]. The method of scanning electron microscopy was applied to the study of the Proteus L-forms which reversed directly on the millipore filters. It appeared that reversion was accompanied by elongation of the cell, piriform cells forming as the result. Filamentous cells segmented into short fragments and large bodies with a spongy surface structure with numerous ruptures were also revealed in the reversing culture. The method of ultrathin sections showed the other membrane in many cells to be fragile and readily twisting forming vesicles collecting into chains. As supposed, this is connected with degenerative changes involving the outer membrane of the paternal L-forms at the early reversion periods. An interrupted structure of the outer membrane was also demonstrated in many cells. It is supposed that in this case a synthesis of the outer membrane de novo at the later stages of reversion is dealt with. Phenomenon of \"extrusion\" of the multilayer structures into the periplasmic space, characteristic of spheroplasts, is described. A marked similarity of the morphological picture of reversion and at the initial stages of L-transformation, i.e. of the processes representing a looking glass reflection of one another, is described.", "PMID": 795230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10361", "title": "[Detection of bdellovibrios and bacteriophages in the seawater near the shores].", "content": "The frequency of occurrence of bdellovibrios and intestinal bacteriophages at the sites of contamination in the sea and along the sea shore and at the points remote from the sources of contamination was studied. At the contaminated sites bdellovibrios were revealed in 73.3-100% and bacteriophage in 75-83.4% of the samples. There was found to be a moderate correlative association between the bdellovibrios, bacteriophages and the coli titre. In the water of the shore region of the sea bdellovibrios were found in 15.4%, and bacteriophages in 20.9% of the samples. An attempt at a sanitary assessment of beaches by the data of bdellovibrio detection was unsuccessful. There was found no correlative association between the coli-titre and the bdellovibrios in the water of the shore area. Bdellovibrio proved to play an insignificant role in the processes of self-purification from the intestinal microbial flora of weakly and moderately contaminated sea water. Taking into consideration the high resistance in the sea water of the intestinal bacteriophages preference was given to them over the bdellovibrios as the index of the sea water contamination.", "contents": "[Detection of bdellovibrios and bacteriophages in the seawater near the shores]. The frequency of occurrence of bdellovibrios and intestinal bacteriophages at the sites of contamination in the sea and along the sea shore and at the points remote from the sources of contamination was studied. At the contaminated sites bdellovibrios were revealed in 73.3-100% and bacteriophage in 75-83.4% of the samples. There was found to be a moderate correlative association between the bdellovibrios, bacteriophages and the coli titre. In the water of the shore region of the sea bdellovibrios were found in 15.4%, and bacteriophages in 20.9% of the samples. An attempt at a sanitary assessment of beaches by the data of bdellovibrio detection was unsuccessful. There was found no correlative association between the coli-titre and the bdellovibrios in the water of the shore area. Bdellovibrio proved to play an insignificant role in the processes of self-purification from the intestinal microbial flora of weakly and moderately contaminated sea water. Taking into consideration the high resistance in the sea water of the intestinal bacteriophages preference was given to them over the bdellovibrios as the index of the sea water contamination.", "PMID": 795231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10362", "title": "[Changes of various factors of nonspecific humoral immunity in acute dysentery].", "content": "The level of total Enterobacterial Enterotoxins of the blood serum, of beta-lysins, lysozyme activity, complement and normal antibodies were studied in 191 patients with acute Flexner dysentery and in 285 patients with acute Sonne dysentery, depending on the period of the disease, its severity, the treatment applied, and the species of the causative agent. The level of the nonspecific humoral immunity factors increased before the treatment and its normalization depended on the treatment applied.", "contents": "[Changes of various factors of nonspecific humoral immunity in acute dysentery]. The level of total Enterobacterial Enterotoxins of the blood serum, of beta-lysins, lysozyme activity, complement and normal antibodies were studied in 191 patients with acute Flexner dysentery and in 285 patients with acute Sonne dysentery, depending on the period of the disease, its severity, the treatment applied, and the species of the causative agent. The level of the nonspecific humoral immunity factors increased before the treatment and its normalization depended on the treatment applied.", "PMID": 795232} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10363", "title": "[Molecular weight and size of the molecules of immunologically separate Shigella sonnei colicine types].", "content": "Biologically active electrophoretically homogeneous fractions of Sh. sonnei colicines (isolated by gel-chromatographic distribution on Sephadex) were characterized within the range of each of the immunologically isolated type by constant values of the molecular weight and the molecule size and also by close specific activity values. Immunologically nonhomogeneous types of colicines produced by Sh. sonnei differed considerably by their molecular-weight characteristics, the size of the molecules and the specific activity. The detected identity of the absorption spectra in the ultraviolet region of different types of colicines could point to the commonness of the structural elements of their protein molecules.", "contents": "[Molecular weight and size of the molecules of immunologically separate Shigella sonnei colicine types]. Biologically active electrophoretically homogeneous fractions of Sh. sonnei colicines (isolated by gel-chromatographic distribution on Sephadex) were characterized within the range of each of the immunologically isolated type by constant values of the molecular weight and the molecule size and also by close specific activity values. Immunologically nonhomogeneous types of colicines produced by Sh. sonnei differed considerably by their molecular-weight characteristics, the size of the molecules and the specific activity. The detected identity of the absorption spectra in the ultraviolet region of different types of colicines could point to the commonness of the structural elements of their protein molecules.", "PMID": 795233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10364", "title": "[The incidence of frequently occurring Sh. sonnei phage types in the GDR].", "content": "On the basis of literature data (from 1955 to 1970) and own studies (from 1962 to 1974) the authors present information on phage types of Sh. sonnei the most frequently encountered in the GDR. It was possible to trace the detection and the incidence of individual phage types at the territory of the republic (by time). In centralized typing there were obtained rather constant and standard results. Further improvement of phage typing and also its complex use together with other methods of typing is necessary in epidemiological practice.", "contents": "[The incidence of frequently occurring Sh. sonnei phage types in the GDR]. On the basis of literature data (from 1955 to 1970) and own studies (from 1962 to 1974) the authors present information on phage types of Sh. sonnei the most frequently encountered in the GDR. It was possible to trace the detection and the incidence of individual phage types at the territory of the republic (by time). In centralized typing there were obtained rather constant and standard results. Further improvement of phage typing and also its complex use together with other methods of typing is necessary in epidemiological practice.", "PMID": 795234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10365", "title": "[In vitro obtaining stable L forms of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci type 1 and 12].", "content": "Stable L-forms of hemolytic streptococcus of group A of the 1st and 12th types were obtained in vitro under the effect of penicillin. L-form strains were passaged over 40 times and failed to reverse to the initial. Stability of the obtained L-cultures of the 1st and 12th types was confirmed by electron microscopy which showed the absence of cell wall in them. Morphology of the colonies on hard nutrient medium showed some difference in the L-form strains of the 1st and 12th type. Phage contrast microscopy demonstrated in the culture of the 12th type a relatively greater number of granular structures; as to the L-form cultures of the 1st type, it was mainly represented by the globular elements. Submicroscopic characteristic of the L-form of streptococcus was revealed on the ultra-thin sections of both L-form strains.", "contents": "[In vitro obtaining stable L forms of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci type 1 and 12]. Stable L-forms of hemolytic streptococcus of group A of the 1st and 12th types were obtained in vitro under the effect of penicillin. L-form strains were passaged over 40 times and failed to reverse to the initial. Stability of the obtained L-cultures of the 1st and 12th types was confirmed by electron microscopy which showed the absence of cell wall in them. Morphology of the colonies on hard nutrient medium showed some difference in the L-form strains of the 1st and 12th type. Phage contrast microscopy demonstrated in the culture of the 12th type a relatively greater number of granular structures; as to the L-form cultures of the 1st type, it was mainly represented by the globular elements. Submicroscopic characteristic of the L-form of streptococcus was revealed on the ultra-thin sections of both L-form strains.", "PMID": 795235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10366", "title": "[Morphological changes using live vaccine from the suppressor S. typhimurium revertant in model experiments].", "content": "The work of was aimed at the morphological study of the harmlessness and protective activity of the live salmonella vaccine prepared form the suppressor S. typhimurium revertant intended for the prophylaxis and treatment of carrier state after the sustained food poisoning. It was shown to model experiments on mice that oral immunization caused no development of pathological changes, and at the same time prevented the appearance of the disease in infection of the animals by the virulent strain--S. typhimurium No. 415 in a dose of 100 LD50. A marked immunomorphological reaction developed in the small intestine and the lymphoid organs.", "contents": "[Morphological changes using live vaccine from the suppressor S. typhimurium revertant in model experiments]. The work of was aimed at the morphological study of the harmlessness and protective activity of the live salmonella vaccine prepared form the suppressor S. typhimurium revertant intended for the prophylaxis and treatment of carrier state after the sustained food poisoning. It was shown to model experiments on mice that oral immunization caused no development of pathological changes, and at the same time prevented the appearance of the disease in infection of the animals by the virulent strain--S. typhimurium No. 415 in a dose of 100 LD50. A marked immunomorphological reaction developed in the small intestine and the lymphoid organs.", "PMID": 795236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10367", "title": "[Various aspects concerning the intensification of bacterial preparation production].", "content": "The authors present a classification of the process of cultivation of the microorganisms, which are divided into periodic, quasi-continuous (semi-continuous and multicyclic) and continuous. The advantages of the quasi-continuous processes in comparison with the periodic ones (obtaining the required amount of biomasses at shorter periods) and the continuous ones (no special expensive apparatus is required) are demonstrated. The question on the expediency of organizing the structural subdivision for the cultivation of different microorganism species at the bacterial preparation plants is raised.", "contents": "[Various aspects concerning the intensification of bacterial preparation production]. The authors present a classification of the process of cultivation of the microorganisms, which are divided into periodic, quasi-continuous (semi-continuous and multicyclic) and continuous. The advantages of the quasi-continuous processes in comparison with the periodic ones (obtaining the required amount of biomasses at shorter periods) and the continuous ones (no special expensive apparatus is required) are demonstrated. The question on the expediency of organizing the structural subdivision for the cultivation of different microorganism species at the bacterial preparation plants is raised.", "PMID": 795237} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10368", "title": "[Various debatable questions of epidemiology of intestinal infections. II. Interrrelationship between the intensity of enterobacteria accumulation in food and their pathogenic dose].", "content": "Experiments carried out by various methods demonstrated that the intensity of accumulation of various enterobacterial species in food and artificial nutrient medium was different: typhoid bacilli reproduced less intensively, reproduction of E. coli was the most intensive; as to other salmonellae and Sh. sonnei--they occupied an intermediate position. It is supposed that the rate of enterobacterial multiplication was an evolutionally justified sign of the species and was to a definite extent proportional to the pathogenic dose.", "contents": "[Various debatable questions of epidemiology of intestinal infections. II. Interrrelationship between the intensity of enterobacteria accumulation in food and their pathogenic dose]. Experiments carried out by various methods demonstrated that the intensity of accumulation of various enterobacterial species in food and artificial nutrient medium was different: typhoid bacilli reproduced less intensively, reproduction of E. coli was the most intensive; as to other salmonellae and Sh. sonnei--they occupied an intermediate position. It is supposed that the rate of enterobacterial multiplication was an evolutionally justified sign of the species and was to a definite extent proportional to the pathogenic dose.", "PMID": 795238} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10369", "title": "[Morphological and physiological peculiarities of spherical (11r) mutants of Escherichia coli K12].", "content": "A study was made of morphology, character and the rate of reproduction in 8 11r mutants obtained from Hfr and F--strains of E. coli K12 under the effect of N-nitroso-N-methylurea. The capacity of 11r mutants to realize several types of reproduction: transverse division, budding, asymmetrical division, and formation of granular forms was demonstrated. The rate of cell division, total DNA, RNA and protein synthesis were lower at the phase of rest and early exponential growth phase in the 11r mutants than in the parent cultures. Hyperosmotic conditions created by various stabilizers, media with increased viscosity and of different chemical composition, and also cell wall hydrolysate and their precursors failed to stimulate the 11r mutant reversion. A change of morphology, but not the reversion was seen on the media containing glycine and penicillin. Reversion was spontaneous with low frequency; it was observed in induction of inverse mutations with N-nitroso-N-methylurea.", "contents": "[Morphological and physiological peculiarities of spherical (11r) mutants of Escherichia coli K12]. A study was made of morphology, character and the rate of reproduction in 8 11r mutants obtained from Hfr and F--strains of E. coli K12 under the effect of N-nitroso-N-methylurea. The capacity of 11r mutants to realize several types of reproduction: transverse division, budding, asymmetrical division, and formation of granular forms was demonstrated. The rate of cell division, total DNA, RNA and protein synthesis were lower at the phase of rest and early exponential growth phase in the 11r mutants than in the parent cultures. Hyperosmotic conditions created by various stabilizers, media with increased viscosity and of different chemical composition, and also cell wall hydrolysate and their precursors failed to stimulate the 11r mutant reversion. A change of morphology, but not the reversion was seen on the media containing glycine and penicillin. Reversion was spontaneous with low frequency; it was observed in induction of inverse mutations with N-nitroso-N-methylurea.", "PMID": 795239} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10370", "title": "[Typing of Shigella sonnei in the GDR during epidemiological surveillance].", "content": "A total of 35,503 strains of Sh. sonnei were typed during the period from 1962 to 1974 at the Institute of Experimental Epidemiology. The principal method used was bacteriophage typing, and biochemical typing and determination of colicine formation served as auxiliary methods. Colicine type, resistogram and in some cases R-factor were determined in some of the strains. Such complex typing of Sh. sonnei is of value in epidemiological practice.", "contents": "[Typing of Shigella sonnei in the GDR during epidemiological surveillance]. A total of 35,503 strains of Sh. sonnei were typed during the period from 1962 to 1974 at the Institute of Experimental Epidemiology. The principal method used was bacteriophage typing, and biochemical typing and determination of colicine formation served as auxiliary methods. Colicine type, resistogram and in some cases R-factor were determined in some of the strains. Such complex typing of Sh. sonnei is of value in epidemiological practice.", "PMID": 795240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10371", "title": "[Half a century since the discovery of tularemia in the USSR].", "content": "The all-round and detailed study of tularemia carried out in the USSR for 50 years (1926-1976) offered a possibility to lay scientific foundation and to carry out an effective control of this infection in the whole country, providing a sharp and stable reduction of the incidence of this infection in man. By a number of sections and by practical results tularemia investigations in the USSR excelled foreign data.", "contents": "[Half a century since the discovery of tularemia in the USSR]. The all-round and detailed study of tularemia carried out in the USSR for 50 years (1926-1976) offered a possibility to lay scientific foundation and to carry out an effective control of this infection in the whole country, providing a sharp and stable reduction of the incidence of this infection in man. By a number of sections and by practical results tularemia investigations in the USSR excelled foreign data.", "PMID": 795241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10372", "title": "[Development of a differentiation scheme for Hafnia using the H antigen].", "content": "The authors suggest a differentiation scheme for Hafnia bacteria by the H-antigen, including 36 varieties of the flagellar antigen. A collection of H-test-strains which can be used in elaboration of technology of preparation of Hafnia H-sera was determined.", "contents": "[Development of a differentiation scheme for Hafnia using the H antigen]. The authors suggest a differentiation scheme for Hafnia bacteria by the H-antigen, including 36 varieties of the flagellar antigen. A collection of H-test-strains which can be used in elaboration of technology of preparation of Hafnia H-sera was determined.", "PMID": 795242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10373", "title": "[Theoretical and practical significance of the plaque formation intensification phenomenon in the presence of a specific antigen in experiments in vitro].", "content": "Experiments were conducted on 40 guinea pigs, 30 rats and 75 mice; a study was made of the presence and the mechanism of the phenomenon of intensification of plaque-formation under conditions of penicillin, ursol, horse serum, homologous intestine extract sensitization, or after hemostimulation on addition of a homologous antigen to preparations made by the modified Jerne's method. The presence of the phenomenon after the animal contact with penicillin, ursol, or hemo-stimulation, and its dependence on the interaction of the allergen with the immunocompetent cells were revealed.", "contents": "[Theoretical and practical significance of the plaque formation intensification phenomenon in the presence of a specific antigen in experiments in vitro]. Experiments were conducted on 40 guinea pigs, 30 rats and 75 mice; a study was made of the presence and the mechanism of the phenomenon of intensification of plaque-formation under conditions of penicillin, ursol, horse serum, homologous intestine extract sensitization, or after hemostimulation on addition of a homologous antigen to preparations made by the modified Jerne's method. The presence of the phenomenon after the animal contact with penicillin, ursol, or hemo-stimulation, and its dependence on the interaction of the allergen with the immunocompetent cells were revealed.", "PMID": 795243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10374", "title": "[Mathematical express interpretation of the results of biochemical typing for identification of representatives of Enterobacteriaceae].", "content": "With the aid of Ypapi-14A computer the authors studied the sets of biochemical tests to assess the differential significance of each of the tests in identification of representative of the Enterobactericeae family. The sequence of the tests under study in the order of interpriorty by the differential significance was determined. The test sets providing the best identification variants were demonstrated. Complete identification of enterobacteriae was possible in all the cases with the use of 6 to 9 tests.", "contents": "[Mathematical express interpretation of the results of biochemical typing for identification of representatives of Enterobacteriaceae]. With the aid of Ypapi-14A computer the authors studied the sets of biochemical tests to assess the differential significance of each of the tests in identification of representative of the Enterobactericeae family. The sequence of the tests under study in the order of interpriorty by the differential significance was determined. The test sets providing the best identification variants were demonstrated. Complete identification of enterobacteriae was possible in all the cases with the use of 6 to 9 tests.", "PMID": 795245} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10375", "title": "[Biology of spheroplast- and protoplast-like types of L-forms of Escherichia coli K12 converted with penicillin].", "content": "A total of 21 strains of stable L-forms were obtained under the action of penicillin on various Hfr and F- strains of E. coli K12. Three morphological types of the L-forms obtained differed by the character of the cell elements, sensitivity to chemical agents, antibiotics and to T4 and T6 phages. Cell wall was revealed in one type of the L-forms, but the rest L-form types were devoid of the cell walls. Reference of the L-forms which preserved the cell wall to the spheroplastic type, and the L-forms devoid of the cell wall to the protoplastic type is suggested. A possibility of L-forms of spheroplastic type obtained from the Hfr strains to retain the sensitivity to f2 phage and to transmit their chromosomes to bacterial recipients in conjugation was demonstrated. The results obtained are discussed.", "contents": "[Biology of spheroplast- and protoplast-like types of L-forms of Escherichia coli K12 converted with penicillin]. A total of 21 strains of stable L-forms were obtained under the action of penicillin on various Hfr and F- strains of E. coli K12. Three morphological types of the L-forms obtained differed by the character of the cell elements, sensitivity to chemical agents, antibiotics and to T4 and T6 phages. Cell wall was revealed in one type of the L-forms, but the rest L-form types were devoid of the cell walls. Reference of the L-forms which preserved the cell wall to the spheroplastic type, and the L-forms devoid of the cell wall to the protoplastic type is suggested. A possibility of L-forms of spheroplastic type obtained from the Hfr strains to retain the sensitivity to f2 phage and to transmit their chromosomes to bacterial recipients in conjugation was demonstrated. The results obtained are discussed.", "PMID": 795246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10376", "title": "[Various data concerning the ultrastructure of Proteus spheroplasts].", "content": "Spheroplasts were obtained under the action of penicillin on the same medium which was later used to obtain the L-forms. Spheroplast formation started 15 to 20 minutes after the addition of penicillin and reached the maximum in 2 hours. The first dividing forms were revealed at that time, and this division continued for at least 24 hours. The majority of the cells represented spheroplasts surrounded by outer and cytoplasmic membrane, and only some--true protoplasts--had cytoplasmic membrane alone. Division was anomalous in comparison with the bacterial forms with the cell wall: it was noted that either both daughter cells were surrounded by a common outer membrane, or one daughter cell had two membranes serving as a spheroplast and the other--one membrane, serving as a true protoplast. Individual vesicles and myelin-like structures were found to be extruded into the periplasmic space or directly into the surrounding environment. In the latter case pearl-like structures described by Ryter in the formation of protoplasts in bacilli were observed. However, in the Proteus such structures were largely formed by the material of the plastic layer of the cell wall, and to a lesser extent--by the lipoproteid membrane.", "contents": "[Various data concerning the ultrastructure of Proteus spheroplasts]. Spheroplasts were obtained under the action of penicillin on the same medium which was later used to obtain the L-forms. Spheroplast formation started 15 to 20 minutes after the addition of penicillin and reached the maximum in 2 hours. The first dividing forms were revealed at that time, and this division continued for at least 24 hours. The majority of the cells represented spheroplasts surrounded by outer and cytoplasmic membrane, and only some--true protoplasts--had cytoplasmic membrane alone. Division was anomalous in comparison with the bacterial forms with the cell wall: it was noted that either both daughter cells were surrounded by a common outer membrane, or one daughter cell had two membranes serving as a spheroplast and the other--one membrane, serving as a true protoplast. Individual vesicles and myelin-like structures were found to be extruded into the periplasmic space or directly into the surrounding environment. In the latter case pearl-like structures described by Ryter in the formation of protoplasts in bacilli were observed. However, in the Proteus such structures were largely formed by the material of the plastic layer of the cell wall, and to a lesser extent--by the lipoproteid membrane.", "PMID": 795247} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10377", "title": "[A study of pancrealysates of Sh. flexneri 2a and Sh. sonnei fractionated by filtration through Sephadex G-200 and ultracentrifugation].", "content": "A high-molecular fraction of the O-antigen of Sh. flexneri and Sh. sonnei was isolated from the antigen complex by gel-filtration through Sephadex G-200 and ultracentrifugation. The high-molecular fraction obtained by ultracentrifugation at 105000 g contained no low-molecular components.", "contents": "[A study of pancrealysates of Sh. flexneri 2a and Sh. sonnei fractionated by filtration through Sephadex G-200 and ultracentrifugation]. A high-molecular fraction of the O-antigen of Sh. flexneri and Sh. sonnei was isolated from the antigen complex by gel-filtration through Sephadex G-200 and ultracentrifugation. The high-molecular fraction obtained by ultracentrifugation at 105000 g contained no low-molecular components.", "PMID": 795248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10378", "title": "[Properties of O-antigens of enterobacteria and construction of preparations for serological diagnosis of enteric infections by passive hemagglutination].", "content": "Quantitative assessment of the main properties of the O-antigens of enterobacteria of significance in the reactions based on passive hemagglutination revealed the character of inter-relations between the antibody-binding, hemosensitive and specific agglutinating activity in various O-antigen preparations, and to lay foundation under the most effective method for obtaining the preparations with set properties for various preparations and reactions.", "contents": "[Properties of O-antigens of enterobacteria and construction of preparations for serological diagnosis of enteric infections by passive hemagglutination]. Quantitative assessment of the main properties of the O-antigens of enterobacteria of significance in the reactions based on passive hemagglutination revealed the character of inter-relations between the antibody-binding, hemosensitive and specific agglutinating activity in various O-antigen preparations, and to lay foundation under the most effective method for obtaining the preparations with set properties for various preparations and reactions.", "PMID": 795249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10379", "title": "[Action of different cell types in influenza antibody production. 5. Keeping the immunologic memory to influenza virus A serotype by B- and T-lymphocytes].", "content": "The authors present data on the cooperation of the B- and T-lymphocytes in secondary immunological response to the antigens of influenza virus of serological type A. Cells of the spleen, bone marrow and the thymus in various combinations from the intact and immunized animals were transplanted to sublethally irradiated recipients; influenza virus was administered at the same time. Immunological memory to the virus antigens of serological type A proved to be preserved both by the B- and T-lymphocytes. Both in the primary and in the secondary response B-lymphocytes served as the precursors of cells-producers of antibodies.", "contents": "[Action of different cell types in influenza antibody production. 5. Keeping the immunologic memory to influenza virus A serotype by B- and T-lymphocytes]. The authors present data on the cooperation of the B- and T-lymphocytes in secondary immunological response to the antigens of influenza virus of serological type A. Cells of the spleen, bone marrow and the thymus in various combinations from the intact and immunized animals were transplanted to sublethally irradiated recipients; influenza virus was administered at the same time. Immunological memory to the virus antigens of serological type A proved to be preserved both by the B- and T-lymphocytes. Both in the primary and in the secondary response B-lymphocytes served as the precursors of cells-producers of antibodies.", "PMID": 795250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10380", "title": "Change in strength of aponeurotic tissue enclosed in the suture during the initial healing period. An experimental investigation in rabbits.", "content": "In order to ascertain whether tissue in which suture thread is inserted undergoes weakening, the strength against sutures in healing aponeurotic layer was determined in rabbits. The dorsal aponeurosis was used as test tissue. A paravertebral incision 10 cm long was made in it, and this was sutured with 00 (USP) multifil steel thread. The strength measured as holding strength against a single suture was noted 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days after the procedure. The contralateral aponeurosis was used as control in each animal, and was tested in identical fashion. Two series of experiments were carried out, one with loosely tensed thread (Series I) and one with tightly pulled sutures (Series II). In series I the strength on the experimental side was reduced by 10 percent (average) on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th days compared to the controls. Increase in strength was seen, however, from the 3rd to 14th days, and was significant (p less than 0.05). In series II the measured values showed significantly (p less than 0.05) lower strength on the experimental side compared with the controls throughout the 14-day period of the experiment. Moderate reduction in the strength of healing aponeurosis was thus recorded. The duration of this weakening depended on how tightly the suture loops were tied.", "contents": "Change in strength of aponeurotic tissue enclosed in the suture during the initial healing period. An experimental investigation in rabbits. In order to ascertain whether tissue in which suture thread is inserted undergoes weakening, the strength against sutures in healing aponeurotic layer was determined in rabbits. The dorsal aponeurosis was used as test tissue. A paravertebral incision 10 cm long was made in it, and this was sutured with 00 (USP) multifil steel thread. The strength measured as holding strength against a single suture was noted 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days after the procedure. The contralateral aponeurosis was used as control in each animal, and was tested in identical fashion. Two series of experiments were carried out, one with loosely tensed thread (Series I) and one with tightly pulled sutures (Series II). In series I the strength on the experimental side was reduced by 10 percent (average) on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th days compared to the controls. Increase in strength was seen, however, from the 3rd to 14th days, and was significant (p less than 0.05). In series II the measured values showed significantly (p less than 0.05) lower strength on the experimental side compared with the controls throughout the 14-day period of the experiment. Moderate reduction in the strength of healing aponeurosis was thus recorded. The duration of this weakening depended on how tightly the suture loops were tied.", "PMID": 795251} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10381", "title": "Immuno-electron microscopic localization of immunoglobulins in amyloid fibrils of senile plaques.", "content": "Amyloid fibrils in senile plaques of the brain of patients with senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease combined specifically with horseradish peroxidase (HRPO)-labeled rabbit anti-human IgG. Light and electronmicroscopic immunoperoxidase technique was used to prove this. The fact may mean that immunological factors were involved in the pathogenesis of amyloid fibrils in the senile plaques, and probably also in that of senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease.", "contents": "Immuno-electron microscopic localization of immunoglobulins in amyloid fibrils of senile plaques. Amyloid fibrils in senile plaques of the brain of patients with senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease combined specifically with horseradish peroxidase (HRPO)-labeled rabbit anti-human IgG. Light and electronmicroscopic immunoperoxidase technique was used to prove this. The fact may mean that immunological factors were involved in the pathogenesis of amyloid fibrils in the senile plaques, and probably also in that of senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease.", "PMID": 795258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10382", "title": "Immunoperoxidase staining of simple nuclear bodies in sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) by antiserum to Measles nucleocapsids.", "content": "Nuclear bodies have been found with great consistency in brain tissue from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). There has been controversy as to the significance of these structures and their relationship, if any, to the disease. In this study, a non-productive, cell-associated strain of SSPE measles virus grown in tissue culture on Vero cells showed the continued presence of nuclear bodies, frequently in close association with the continued presence of nuclear bodies, frequently in close association with the SSPE measles virus nucleocapsids. Immunoperoxidase (I-P) staining with specific antiserum against measles virus nucleocapsids was done. The resultant positive labeling of the nuclear bodies demonstrates that they contain measles virus antigen and suggests that the nuclear bodies play a role in the development of the measles virus nucleocapsids of SSPE.", "contents": "Immunoperoxidase staining of simple nuclear bodies in sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) by antiserum to Measles nucleocapsids. Nuclear bodies have been found with great consistency in brain tissue from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). There has been controversy as to the significance of these structures and their relationship, if any, to the disease. In this study, a non-productive, cell-associated strain of SSPE measles virus grown in tissue culture on Vero cells showed the continued presence of nuclear bodies, frequently in close association with the continued presence of nuclear bodies, frequently in close association with the SSPE measles virus nucleocapsids. Immunoperoxidase (I-P) staining with specific antiserum against measles virus nucleocapsids was done. The resultant positive labeling of the nuclear bodies demonstrates that they contain measles virus antigen and suggests that the nuclear bodies play a role in the development of the measles virus nucleocapsids of SSPE.", "PMID": 795259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10383", "title": "Turku sugar studies. V. Final report on the effect of sucrose, fructose and xylitol diets on the caries incidence in man.", "content": "The purpose was to study differences in the caries increment rate as influenced by various sugars. The trial involved almost complete substitution of sucrose (S) by fructose (F) or xylitol (X) during a period of 2 years. There were no significant initial differences as to caries status between the prospective sugar groups; 35 subjects in the S-group, 38 in the F-group, and 52 in the X-group. During the entire study 10 subjects discontinued or were excluded. The clinical and radiographical observer error was reported and discussed. After 2 years the mean increment of decayed, missed and filled tooth surfaces was 7.2 in the S-group, 3.8 in the F-group, and 0.0 in the X-group. The weakness of the DMFS-index in not showing the development of new secondary caries and the increase in size of the lesions was overcome by expressing the caries activity in terms of indices showing the total quantitative and qualitative development. The results showed a massive reduction of the caries increment in relation to xylitol consumption. Fructose was found to be less cariogenic than sucrose. It was suggested that the non- and anticariogenic properties of xylitol principally depend on its lack of suitability for microbial metabolism and physico-chemical effects in plaque and saliva.", "contents": "Turku sugar studies. V. Final report on the effect of sucrose, fructose and xylitol diets on the caries incidence in man. The purpose was to study differences in the caries increment rate as influenced by various sugars. The trial involved almost complete substitution of sucrose (S) by fructose (F) or xylitol (X) during a period of 2 years. There were no significant initial differences as to caries status between the prospective sugar groups; 35 subjects in the S-group, 38 in the F-group, and 52 in the X-group. During the entire study 10 subjects discontinued or were excluded. The clinical and radiographical observer error was reported and discussed. After 2 years the mean increment of decayed, missed and filled tooth surfaces was 7.2 in the S-group, 3.8 in the F-group, and 0.0 in the X-group. The weakness of the DMFS-index in not showing the development of new secondary caries and the increase in size of the lesions was overcome by expressing the caries activity in terms of indices showing the total quantitative and qualitative development. The results showed a massive reduction of the caries increment in relation to xylitol consumption. Fructose was found to be less cariogenic than sucrose. It was suggested that the non- and anticariogenic properties of xylitol principally depend on its lack of suitability for microbial metabolism and physico-chemical effects in plaque and saliva.", "PMID": 795260} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10384", "title": "Kinetics of duodenal ulcer healing: effect of treatment with cimetidine.", "content": "In a double-blind trial, 12 in-patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulceration were treated with cimetidine (0.8 g daily) or placebo. Ulcer sizes were assessed endoscopically before treatment and at weekly intervals during treatment. Duodenal-ulcer healing was significantly more rapid in patients on cimetidine than in those receiving the placebo (p less than 0.0005): half-times of ulcer healing were about 6 days (on cimetidine) as compared to about 20 days (on placebo). No untoward clinical or laboratory effects were observed.", "contents": "Kinetics of duodenal ulcer healing: effect of treatment with cimetidine. In a double-blind trial, 12 in-patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulceration were treated with cimetidine (0.8 g daily) or placebo. Ulcer sizes were assessed endoscopically before treatment and at weekly intervals during treatment. Duodenal-ulcer healing was significantly more rapid in patients on cimetidine than in those receiving the placebo (p less than 0.0005): half-times of ulcer healing were about 6 days (on cimetidine) as compared to about 20 days (on placebo). No untoward clinical or laboratory effects were observed.", "PMID": 795256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10385", "title": "Turku sugar studies. VI. The administration of the trial and the control of the dietary regimen.", "content": "125 voluntary subjects, divided into three groups, were originally chosen to participate in a two-year trial in which the dental and general effects of the consumption of sucrose (S 35), fructose (F 38) and xylitol (X 52) were elucidated through an extensive clinico-chemical analysis plan. Additionally 2 edentulous subjects were included in the X-group for survey of the general metabolic effects only. The subjects were given free of charge a versatile assortment of foodstuffs sweetened with either S, F or X. Using special distribution and control systems, the subjects were handled and controlled so that an almost comparable consumption of the products was achieved throughout the trial. The mean individual monthly intake of S, F and X was 2.2, 2.1 and 1.5 kg, respectively. The highest daily amounts of S, F and X per person varied between 200--400 g. The cooperation of the subjects completing the study in the F- and X-groups was 97%, expressed as the intake frequency of the correct sugar. Ten persons discontinued or were otherwise excluded for a diversity of reasons. No health problems were observed, except for transient osmotic diarrhoea in the X-group. These symptoms gradually disappeared and occurred later in the trial in the X-group almost to the same extent as in the S- and F-groups.", "contents": "Turku sugar studies. VI. The administration of the trial and the control of the dietary regimen. 125 voluntary subjects, divided into three groups, were originally chosen to participate in a two-year trial in which the dental and general effects of the consumption of sucrose (S 35), fructose (F 38) and xylitol (X 52) were elucidated through an extensive clinico-chemical analysis plan. Additionally 2 edentulous subjects were included in the X-group for survey of the general metabolic effects only. The subjects were given free of charge a versatile assortment of foodstuffs sweetened with either S, F or X. Using special distribution and control systems, the subjects were handled and controlled so that an almost comparable consumption of the products was achieved throughout the trial. The mean individual monthly intake of S, F and X was 2.2, 2.1 and 1.5 kg, respectively. The highest daily amounts of S, F and X per person varied between 200--400 g. The cooperation of the subjects completing the study in the F- and X-groups was 97%, expressed as the intake frequency of the correct sugar. Ten persons discontinued or were otherwise excluded for a diversity of reasons. No health problems were observed, except for transient osmotic diarrhoea in the X-group. These symptoms gradually disappeared and occurred later in the trial in the X-group almost to the same extent as in the S- and F-groups.", "PMID": 795261} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10386", "title": "A quantitative histological method for the identification of a nucleus in the brain. the perifornical nucleus.", "content": "Cytoarchitectonic characterization of the hypothalamic perifornical nucleus in the rat, has been attempted by quantitative histological analysis. Data are given on the volume, cell numbers and cell densities of the nucleus. The applied method proved suitable for the identification and clear separation from their background of individual brain nuclei and for describing in exact terms the cellular heterogeneity.", "contents": "A quantitative histological method for the identification of a nucleus in the brain. the perifornical nucleus. Cytoarchitectonic characterization of the hypothalamic perifornical nucleus in the rat, has been attempted by quantitative histological analysis. Data are given on the volume, cell numbers and cell densities of the nucleus. The applied method proved suitable for the identification and clear separation from their background of individual brain nuclei and for describing in exact terms the cellular heterogeneity.", "PMID": 795272} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10387", "title": "Self-relaxation program for acting-out adolescents.", "content": "The present paper describes an adaptation of Jacobson's Progressive Relaxation aiming to suit the specific needs of a short term residential facility for acting out adolescents (shelter). The relaxation was induced in small groups and was geared to teach the participants self-relaxation. Each session, which lasts about 20 minutes, focused on the major muscle groups of the body. A tape of relaxation instructions was available for the use of individuals or groups, whenever the emotional need arose. A guided interview with twenty two participants indicated that the relaxation program was highly effective in reducing their emotional and somatic complaints, and in helping them to adjust to the shelter.", "contents": "Self-relaxation program for acting-out adolescents. The present paper describes an adaptation of Jacobson's Progressive Relaxation aiming to suit the specific needs of a short term residential facility for acting out adolescents (shelter). The relaxation was induced in small groups and was geared to teach the participants self-relaxation. Each session, which lasts about 20 minutes, focused on the major muscle groups of the body. A tape of relaxation instructions was available for the use of individuals or groups, whenever the emotional need arose. A guided interview with twenty two participants indicated that the relaxation program was highly effective in reducing their emotional and somatic complaints, and in helping them to adjust to the shelter.", "PMID": 795274} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10388", "title": "The prevention of hyaline membrane disease: new concepts and approaches to therapy.", "content": "New approaches to hyaline membrane disease have emerged in recent years. These developments are principally attributable to advances in our understanding of the following: (1) the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of HMD in relationship to pulmonary surfactant, (2) fundamental aspects of fetal lung development, including the movement of surfactant phospholipids from fetal pulmonary fluid to the amniotic space, (3) mechanisms for accelerating lung maturation, particularly with maternally administered prenatal glucocorticoids, and (4) ventilatory techniques effective in protecting and conserving alveolar surfactant by the continuous application of end expiratory pressure. Prenatal assessment of the risk for developing hyaline membrane disease is now routinely possible by amniocentesis and analysis of the ratio of lecithin to sphingomyelin in amniotic fluid. Such predictability, coupled with the ability to postpone delviery, allows the perinatologist in some instances to provide the fetus with ample opportunity for lung development in utero. Recent clinical trials around the world with pregnant women in premature labor document a significantly lower incidence of hyaline membrane disease after antenatal glucocorticoid treatment. In neonates with the disease weighing more than 1500 gm, it is now established that reduced mortality rates accrue from the use of end expiratory positive pressure. These clinical advances offer great promise in changing the nature of HMD management from procedures that are largely supportive to approaches that are truly preventative.", "contents": "The prevention of hyaline membrane disease: new concepts and approaches to therapy. New approaches to hyaline membrane disease have emerged in recent years. These developments are principally attributable to advances in our understanding of the following: (1) the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of HMD in relationship to pulmonary surfactant, (2) fundamental aspects of fetal lung development, including the movement of surfactant phospholipids from fetal pulmonary fluid to the amniotic space, (3) mechanisms for accelerating lung maturation, particularly with maternally administered prenatal glucocorticoids, and (4) ventilatory techniques effective in protecting and conserving alveolar surfactant by the continuous application of end expiratory pressure. Prenatal assessment of the risk for developing hyaline membrane disease is now routinely possible by amniocentesis and analysis of the ratio of lecithin to sphingomyelin in amniotic fluid. Such predictability, coupled with the ability to postpone delviery, allows the perinatologist in some instances to provide the fetus with ample opportunity for lung development in utero. Recent clinical trials around the world with pregnant women in premature labor document a significantly lower incidence of hyaline membrane disease after antenatal glucocorticoid treatment. In neonates with the disease weighing more than 1500 gm, it is now established that reduced mortality rates accrue from the use of end expiratory positive pressure. These clinical advances offer great promise in changing the nature of HMD management from procedures that are largely supportive to approaches that are truly preventative.", "PMID": 795280} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10389", "title": "Sickling syndromes in children.", "content": "The sickle cell syndromes comprise a highly diverse group of disorders which have in common the presence of sickle hemoglobin in the blood erythrocytes. The establishment of a precise diagnoffort involving both the patient and his family, but because of the important differences in prognosis and management of these various syndromes, an accurate diagnosis is of fundamental importance. Definitive therapy has not yet been developed for any of these disorders, but with the application of available forms of treatment these patients can be benefited substantially.", "contents": "Sickling syndromes in children. The sickle cell syndromes comprise a highly diverse group of disorders which have in common the presence of sickle hemoglobin in the blood erythrocytes. The establishment of a precise diagnoffort involving both the patient and his family, but because of the important differences in prognosis and management of these various syndromes, an accurate diagnosis is of fundamental importance. Definitive therapy has not yet been developed for any of these disorders, but with the application of available forms of treatment these patients can be benefited substantially.", "PMID": 795281} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10390", "title": "Application of the microbiological safety experience to work with chemical carcinogens.", "content": "Selected references on laboratory design, use of hoods, and the potential hazards of specific common laboratory procedures have been culled from the microbiological safety literature. It is suggested that this information may be usefully applied to work with chemical carcinogens.", "contents": "Application of the microbiological safety experience to work with chemical carcinogens. Selected references on laboratory design, use of hoods, and the potential hazards of specific common laboratory procedures have been culled from the microbiological safety literature. It is suggested that this information may be usefully applied to work with chemical carcinogens.", "PMID": 795292} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10391", "title": "Prognostic significance of surface marker analysis in childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphoproliferative malifnancies.", "content": "Blast cell surface markers for T- and B-lymphocyte characteristics were studied at diagnosis in 73 children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoproliferative malignancies. Three distinctive groups of patients were identified on the basis of the analysis of blast cells for surface immunoglobulin (SIg), sheep erythrocyte (sE) rosette formation, and complement receptors, The seven group I patients had monoclonal IgM on their blast cells, morphologic features of Burkitt's lymphoma, abdominal masses, and very short survival. The 13 group II patients had receptors for sE, complement, or both on their blast cells, mediastinal or nodal masses, and short survival. The distinction between leukemia and lymphoma based on the presence of bone marrow involvement at diagnosis is not prognostically useful in this group of patients. The blast cells of group II patients could not be morphologically distinguished from those of the group III patients. The 53 groups III patients had SIG, sE, and complement negative blast cells and could be further subdivided on the basis of while blood cell count. The nine group IIIA patients (greater than 100.0 X 10(9)/liter) had in general short survival, while most of the 44 group IIIB patients (less than than 100.0 X 10(9)/liter) have remained in complete remission. Positive surface markers, mass lesions, male sex, and age of diagnosis less than 2 years of greater than or equal to 10 years appear to be interrelated factors indicating poor prognosis. Elevated while blood cell count is a prognostic indicator independent of surface marker analysis or presence of mass lesions.", "contents": "Prognostic significance of surface marker analysis in childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphoproliferative malifnancies. Blast cell surface markers for T- and B-lymphocyte characteristics were studied at diagnosis in 73 children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoproliferative malignancies. Three distinctive groups of patients were identified on the basis of the analysis of blast cells for surface immunoglobulin (SIg), sheep erythrocyte (sE) rosette formation, and complement receptors, The seven group I patients had monoclonal IgM on their blast cells, morphologic features of Burkitt's lymphoma, abdominal masses, and very short survival. The 13 group II patients had receptors for sE, complement, or both on their blast cells, mediastinal or nodal masses, and short survival. The distinction between leukemia and lymphoma based on the presence of bone marrow involvement at diagnosis is not prognostically useful in this group of patients. The blast cells of group II patients could not be morphologically distinguished from those of the group III patients. The 53 groups III patients had SIG, sE, and complement negative blast cells and could be further subdivided on the basis of while blood cell count. The nine group IIIA patients (greater than 100.0 X 10(9)/liter) had in general short survival, while most of the 44 group IIIB patients (less than than 100.0 X 10(9)/liter) have remained in complete remission. Positive surface markers, mass lesions, male sex, and age of diagnosis less than 2 years of greater than or equal to 10 years appear to be interrelated factors indicating poor prognosis. Elevated while blood cell count is a prognostic indicator independent of surface marker analysis or presence of mass lesions.", "PMID": 795293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10392", "title": "Evaluation of survival data for chronic myelocytic leukemia.", "content": "Median survival figures are essentially worthless for evaluation of the effectiveness of therapy in different series of patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia. Such data are heavily influenced by the characteristics of the initial patient mix, which play the major role in determining mortality during the first year of treatment. The effects of differing initial proportions of poor-risk patients are dissipated within two years, however, and the annual mortality rates thereafter reflect the influence of antileukemic therapy. Comparison of these rates, from very diverse series of patients, yielded quite consistent results and indicated superiority of effective chemotherapy over irradiation or inferior drug schedules.", "contents": "Evaluation of survival data for chronic myelocytic leukemia. Median survival figures are essentially worthless for evaluation of the effectiveness of therapy in different series of patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia. Such data are heavily influenced by the characteristics of the initial patient mix, which play the major role in determining mortality during the first year of treatment. The effects of differing initial proportions of poor-risk patients are dissipated within two years, however, and the annual mortality rates thereafter reflect the influence of antileukemic therapy. Comparison of these rates, from very diverse series of patients, yielded quite consistent results and indicated superiority of effective chemotherapy over irradiation or inferior drug schedules.", "PMID": 795294} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10393", "title": "[Effect of the amniotic fluid on the formation of spontaneous rosettes].", "content": "Since half of the fetal transplantation antigens are paternal in origen, the conceptus could be considered as a particular allogeneic graft not rejected by the mother. The reason for this particular kind of tolerance remains mostly unknown, and an enormous amount of experimental work, clinical observations and hypothesis, sometimes contradictory, has been accumulating in the scientific literature. So far no one has been able to set an unifying and coherent explanation. Recently Gupta and associates suggested that the amniotic fluid (A.F.) could have an immunosuppressive effect and protect the conceptus from the attack mediated by the mother's immunocompetent system. The basis for this approach is in a previous work made by Murgita and Tomasi in mice. These authors showed that the mouse A.F. has inhibitory effect on its T cells, and this action was well correlated with the alpha-fetopretein content in the A.F. Gupta studied A.F. from five normal human pregnancies and incubated it with lymphocytes obtained from healthy volunteers. These cells showed a clear decrease in its rosette forming abilities. Extrapolating from the Murgita and Tomasi work, conclusions were arrived at that the alpha-fetoprotein present in human A.F. was responsible for the inhibitory effect. We have obtained 23 human A.F. from non pathological, a term pregnancies, and studied its action upon rosette formation. Two populations of spontaneous rosette forming T cells could be assayed: those binding sheep red blood cells (SRBC) at room temperature (active rosettes), and those needing incubation for two hours at 4 degree C. These two populations differ on its affinity for the SRBC, being the \"active\" ones those probably involved in the effector arm of the specific cellular immunity. The A.F. were obtained by amniocentesis or transvaginal methods, and those grossly contaminated by erythrocytes were discarded. After centrifugation and Millipore filtering, pH and osmolarities were recorded. Blood obtained from healthy donors was centrifugated on Ficoll-Hypaque and the mononucleated cell layer washed twice and incubated with latex particles 0,81 mu diameter, in order to exclude those with phagocytosing properties on the final score. Aliquots of the cells were incubated in A.F. or Hanks balanced salt solution 30' at 37 degree C. After centrifugation the supernate was discarded, and the cell pellet resuspended in Hanks. The \"active\" rosette test was made according to Wybran, and the \"late\" test as described by Ross. A rosette was defined as a mononucleated cell without engulfed latex and with three or more SRBC binding on its surface. The mean percentage of total rosettes was 51.4 +/- 10.5 when incubated with L.A., and 50.1 +/- 9.7 in the Hanks controls. The statistical comparison between both series showed no significance. The mean active rosettes from the L.A. incubated cells was 33.7 +/- 9.4 and 33.8 +/-10.1 in the control group. Again the statistical significance was null as it was when each A.F. was compared with its control...", "contents": "[Effect of the amniotic fluid on the formation of spontaneous rosettes]. Since half of the fetal transplantation antigens are paternal in origen, the conceptus could be considered as a particular allogeneic graft not rejected by the mother. The reason for this particular kind of tolerance remains mostly unknown, and an enormous amount of experimental work, clinical observations and hypothesis, sometimes contradictory, has been accumulating in the scientific literature. So far no one has been able to set an unifying and coherent explanation. Recently Gupta and associates suggested that the amniotic fluid (A.F.) could have an immunosuppressive effect and protect the conceptus from the attack mediated by the mother's immunocompetent system. The basis for this approach is in a previous work made by Murgita and Tomasi in mice. These authors showed that the mouse A.F. has inhibitory effect on its T cells, and this action was well correlated with the alpha-fetopretein content in the A.F. Gupta studied A.F. from five normal human pregnancies and incubated it with lymphocytes obtained from healthy volunteers. These cells showed a clear decrease in its rosette forming abilities. Extrapolating from the Murgita and Tomasi work, conclusions were arrived at that the alpha-fetoprotein present in human A.F. was responsible for the inhibitory effect. We have obtained 23 human A.F. from non pathological, a term pregnancies, and studied its action upon rosette formation. Two populations of spontaneous rosette forming T cells could be assayed: those binding sheep red blood cells (SRBC) at room temperature (active rosettes), and those needing incubation for two hours at 4 degree C. These two populations differ on its affinity for the SRBC, being the \"active\" ones those probably involved in the effector arm of the specific cellular immunity. The A.F. were obtained by amniocentesis or transvaginal methods, and those grossly contaminated by erythrocytes were discarded. After centrifugation and Millipore filtering, pH and osmolarities were recorded. Blood obtained from healthy donors was centrifugated on Ficoll-Hypaque and the mononucleated cell layer washed twice and incubated with latex particles 0,81 mu diameter, in order to exclude those with phagocytosing properties on the final score. Aliquots of the cells were incubated in A.F. or Hanks balanced salt solution 30' at 37 degree C. After centrifugation the supernate was discarded, and the cell pellet resuspended in Hanks. The \"active\" rosette test was made according to Wybran, and the \"late\" test as described by Ross. A rosette was defined as a mononucleated cell without engulfed latex and with three or more SRBC binding on its surface. The mean percentage of total rosettes was 51.4 +/- 10.5 when incubated with L.A., and 50.1 +/- 9.7 in the Hanks controls. The statistical comparison between both series showed no significance. The mean active rosettes from the L.A. incubated cells was 33.7 +/- 9.4 and 33.8 +/-10.1 in the control group. Again the statistical significance was null as it was when each A.F. was compared with its control...", "PMID": 795290} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10394", "title": "Acrocentric chromosome associations in man.", "content": "Heterogeneity among chromosomes was found to be a highly significant source of variation for association proportions, while culture, slide, and observer were negligible sources of variation for association proportions although important for numbers of associations. The consequences of these results for tests of group differences are discussed. It seems evident that each pair of acrocentric chromosomes has its own characteristic probability of entering into association. This is presumably a combination of the probability for each individual member of the pair, a proposition easily tested utilizing acrocentric chromosomes carrying polymorphisms which allow each member of the pair to be individually recognized. A mathematical theory for pairwise satellite association was developed and shown to fit observations on banded chromosomes. While we found very significant heterogeneity among individuals in the frequency with which different chromosomes entered into associations, there was no significant evidence for preferential association between any particular chromosomes, either heterologous or homologous. This finding in our material of apparently random associations between different chromosomes is contrary to claims made by other investigators and should be tested on other material. No correlation was found between the phenotype of the chromosome, as judged by cytogenetic polymorphisms, and its probability of association.", "contents": "Acrocentric chromosome associations in man. Heterogeneity among chromosomes was found to be a highly significant source of variation for association proportions, while culture, slide, and observer were negligible sources of variation for association proportions although important for numbers of associations. The consequences of these results for tests of group differences are discussed. It seems evident that each pair of acrocentric chromosomes has its own characteristic probability of entering into association. This is presumably a combination of the probability for each individual member of the pair, a proposition easily tested utilizing acrocentric chromosomes carrying polymorphisms which allow each member of the pair to be individually recognized. A mathematical theory for pairwise satellite association was developed and shown to fit observations on banded chromosomes. While we found very significant heterogeneity among individuals in the frequency with which different chromosomes entered into associations, there was no significant evidence for preferential association between any particular chromosomes, either heterologous or homologous. This finding in our material of apparently random associations between different chromosomes is contrary to claims made by other investigators and should be tested on other material. No correlation was found between the phenotype of the chromosome, as judged by cytogenetic polymorphisms, and its probability of association.", "PMID": 795295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10395", "title": "Flow-fluorometric diagnosis of euploid and aneuploid human lymphocytes.", "content": "In this paper the potential of flow-fluorometric DNA determination as a convenient and economical alternative to conventional cytogenetics for the diagnosis of aneuploidy in human lymphocytes is explored. By comparing euploid and aneuploid samples, we found that the fluorescence signals emitted from propidium iodide (PI) stained cells are linearly proportional to DNA content. Variation in DNA content between euploid individuals of a given sex was sufficiently low to permit diagnosis of aneuploidy involving chromosomes with greater than 1.8% of the total diploid DNA (e.g., X, 8, 9, and 13). Interindividual DNA content variation with flow fluorometry was too substantial, however, to confidently diagnose trisomy 21. Fluorescent stains which exclude (variant) simple sequence DNA might overcome this limitation.", "contents": "Flow-fluorometric diagnosis of euploid and aneuploid human lymphocytes. In this paper the potential of flow-fluorometric DNA determination as a convenient and economical alternative to conventional cytogenetics for the diagnosis of aneuploidy in human lymphocytes is explored. By comparing euploid and aneuploid samples, we found that the fluorescence signals emitted from propidium iodide (PI) stained cells are linearly proportional to DNA content. Variation in DNA content between euploid individuals of a given sex was sufficiently low to permit diagnosis of aneuploidy involving chromosomes with greater than 1.8% of the total diploid DNA (e.g., X, 8, 9, and 13). Interindividual DNA content variation with flow fluorometry was too substantial, however, to confidently diagnose trisomy 21. Fluorescent stains which exclude (variant) simple sequence DNA might overcome this limitation.", "PMID": 795296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10396", "title": "The cellular immunity in patients sensitized to Candida albicans and its corresponding humoral response.", "content": "Ten non-sensitized normal blood donors and thirty five patients with a strongly positive intracutaneous test to Candida albicans, positive anamnesis to Candida allergy, or with an actual Candida infection demonstrated by positive cultures of the focus, were studied. In all of them, an evaluation of the humoral and cellular response to Candida antigens, was performed both in vivo and in vitro. The results obtained in the tests performed in the control group were considered as extreme values of a normal response and taken as reference in order to evaluate the patients' response. The results of the test performed on the 35 patients were processed in an IBM S.370/M.125 computer and submitted to a General Taxonomy Program in order to group the patients according to their characteristics and similar behaviour. Two main groups, each one including three minor groups, were obtained and only one individual was not classified. According to this classification it was possible to distinguish two immunological patterns: a) The patients that had a normal or increased percentage of T lymphocytes were capable of responding adequately to Candida albicans antigens. They showed positive immediate and delayed skin tests, increased hemagglutination titres, increased lgE values, and their lymphocytes were capable of undergoing positive blast transformation. Those patients from this group who had a candidaemia at the time of the study, reached the highest hemagglutination values and presented precipitin antibodies as a characteristic. b) The patients that had a decreased percentage of T lymphocytes presented a partial deficiency in their response to Candida albicans antigens. They showed negative delayed skin tests; hemagglutination and precipitation tests both negative, normal lgE values and their lymphocytes did not undergo blast transformation. These findings suggest that a normal percentage of T cells is required in order to obtain a suitable cellular response against Candida albicans, and that an appropriate co-operation between T and B cells is also necessary in order to obtain a good humoral response to Candida antigens.", "contents": "The cellular immunity in patients sensitized to Candida albicans and its corresponding humoral response. Ten non-sensitized normal blood donors and thirty five patients with a strongly positive intracutaneous test to Candida albicans, positive anamnesis to Candida allergy, or with an actual Candida infection demonstrated by positive cultures of the focus, were studied. In all of them, an evaluation of the humoral and cellular response to Candida antigens, was performed both in vivo and in vitro. The results obtained in the tests performed in the control group were considered as extreme values of a normal response and taken as reference in order to evaluate the patients' response. The results of the test performed on the 35 patients were processed in an IBM S.370/M.125 computer and submitted to a General Taxonomy Program in order to group the patients according to their characteristics and similar behaviour. Two main groups, each one including three minor groups, were obtained and only one individual was not classified. According to this classification it was possible to distinguish two immunological patterns: a) The patients that had a normal or increased percentage of T lymphocytes were capable of responding adequately to Candida albicans antigens. They showed positive immediate and delayed skin tests, increased hemagglutination titres, increased lgE values, and their lymphocytes were capable of undergoing positive blast transformation. Those patients from this group who had a candidaemia at the time of the study, reached the highest hemagglutination values and presented precipitin antibodies as a characteristic. b) The patients that had a decreased percentage of T lymphocytes presented a partial deficiency in their response to Candida albicans antigens. They showed negative delayed skin tests; hemagglutination and precipitation tests both negative, normal lgE values and their lymphocytes did not undergo blast transformation. These findings suggest that a normal percentage of T cells is required in order to obtain a suitable cellular response against Candida albicans, and that an appropriate co-operation between T and B cells is also necessary in order to obtain a good humoral response to Candida antigens.", "PMID": 795291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10397", "title": "A note on the distribution of the number of exclusions to be expected in paternity testing.", "content": "The distribution of the number of exclusions to be expected in paternity testing is derived, and the calculation of the mean and variance of this distribution is indicated.", "contents": "A note on the distribution of the number of exclusions to be expected in paternity testing. The distribution of the number of exclusions to be expected in paternity testing is derived, and the calculation of the mean and variance of this distribution is indicated.", "PMID": 795297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10398", "title": "Chronic neutropenia in childhood. Analysis of 16 cases and a review of the literature.", "content": "We analyzed the clinical histories and hematologic information concerning 16 persons in whom chronic neutropenia was discovered early in life. Only two of them, those with the lowest mean neutrophil counts, had frequent and severe pyogenic infections. Almost all the infections were caused by Staphylococcus aureus or by enteric microorganisms and involved the skin, respiratory tract or gastrointestinal system. The prognosis in our subjects or in patients described in the literature could not be predicted from the bone marrow morphology, presence or absence of blood monocytosis, pattern of genetic transmission or results of special tests of neutrophil function. We propose that the complex nomenclature associated with chronic neutropenic states be discarded until a better basis for classification becomes available.", "contents": "Chronic neutropenia in childhood. Analysis of 16 cases and a review of the literature. We analyzed the clinical histories and hematologic information concerning 16 persons in whom chronic neutropenia was discovered early in life. Only two of them, those with the lowest mean neutrophil counts, had frequent and severe pyogenic infections. Almost all the infections were caused by Staphylococcus aureus or by enteric microorganisms and involved the skin, respiratory tract or gastrointestinal system. The prognosis in our subjects or in patients described in the literature could not be predicted from the bone marrow morphology, presence or absence of blood monocytosis, pattern of genetic transmission or results of special tests of neutrophil function. We propose that the complex nomenclature associated with chronic neutropenic states be discarded until a better basis for classification becomes available.", "PMID": 795298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10399", "title": "Are agents affecting platelet functions clinically useful?", "content": "Notwithstanding the large number of clinical trials, most of them designed and performed according to the requirements of modern clinical pharmacology, only a few firm clinical recommendations on drugs affecting platelet function in the prevention of arterial or venous thrombosis can be made at present. There is no good evidence for the clinical effectiveness of aspirin or any other drug affecting platelet function in patients with peripheral arterial occlusion or after vascular grafting. In cerebrovascular disease there is reasonable evidence that the administration of sulfinpyrazone can significantly reduce cerebral ischemia or mortality, but similar trials performed with aspirin, dipyridamole or clofibrate failed to reveal a significant difference in favor of the experimental treatment. Patients with angina only were shown to benefit from treatment with clofibrate, but prospective trials with dipyridamole or aspirin in the primary or secondary prevention of myocardial infarction did not reveal a significant reduction in morbidity or mortality in the experimental group. Use of a combination of the latter two drugs did, however, reveal a reduction in morbidity and mortality. In patients with prosthetic heart valves, there is firm evidence that dipyridamole and sulfinpyrazone therapy can normalize decreased platelet survival, an effect which has been shown to correlate well with the incidence of thromboembolism. Provided further trials lead to confirmatory conclusions, drugs inhibiting platelet function associated or not with oral anticoagulants may constitute an ideal prophylaxis in patients with a substitute valve. There is still much uncertainty as to whether dipyridamole, given in addition to conventional treatment, benefits patients with membranous or mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis. The same holds for drugs inhibiting platelet function after kidney or heart transplantation in man. Only scanty reports are available on the usefulness of drugs affecting platelet function in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Three different types of antiplatelet drugs are available for the prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis: dextran, oral drugs also affecting platelet function and heparin administered subcutaneously in small doses. In orthopedic surgery dextran 70 administered before and every second day after surgery was the drug showing the most convincing reduction in the incidence of phlebographically proved deep vein thrombosis. Major orthopedic surgery is precisely the type of surgery in which the effectiveness of small dose heparin is much in doubt and in which the effectiveness of aspirin and dipyridamole is still to be confirmed. In general surgery, use of a combination of 1 g aspirin and 0.225 g dipyridamole daily was shown to offer approximately the same level of protection as small doses of heparin, land these two forms of prevention seem to offer a greater degree of protection than dextran...", "contents": "Are agents affecting platelet functions clinically useful? Notwithstanding the large number of clinical trials, most of them designed and performed according to the requirements of modern clinical pharmacology, only a few firm clinical recommendations on drugs affecting platelet function in the prevention of arterial or venous thrombosis can be made at present. There is no good evidence for the clinical effectiveness of aspirin or any other drug affecting platelet function in patients with peripheral arterial occlusion or after vascular grafting. In cerebrovascular disease there is reasonable evidence that the administration of sulfinpyrazone can significantly reduce cerebral ischemia or mortality, but similar trials performed with aspirin, dipyridamole or clofibrate failed to reveal a significant difference in favor of the experimental treatment. Patients with angina only were shown to benefit from treatment with clofibrate, but prospective trials with dipyridamole or aspirin in the primary or secondary prevention of myocardial infarction did not reveal a significant reduction in morbidity or mortality in the experimental group. Use of a combination of the latter two drugs did, however, reveal a reduction in morbidity and mortality. In patients with prosthetic heart valves, there is firm evidence that dipyridamole and sulfinpyrazone therapy can normalize decreased platelet survival, an effect which has been shown to correlate well with the incidence of thromboembolism. Provided further trials lead to confirmatory conclusions, drugs inhibiting platelet function associated or not with oral anticoagulants may constitute an ideal prophylaxis in patients with a substitute valve. There is still much uncertainty as to whether dipyridamole, given in addition to conventional treatment, benefits patients with membranous or mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis. The same holds for drugs inhibiting platelet function after kidney or heart transplantation in man. Only scanty reports are available on the usefulness of drugs affecting platelet function in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Three different types of antiplatelet drugs are available for the prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis: dextran, oral drugs also affecting platelet function and heparin administered subcutaneously in small doses. In orthopedic surgery dextran 70 administered before and every second day after surgery was the drug showing the most convincing reduction in the incidence of phlebographically proved deep vein thrombosis. Major orthopedic surgery is precisely the type of surgery in which the effectiveness of small dose heparin is much in doubt and in which the effectiveness of aspirin and dipyridamole is still to be confirmed. In general surgery, use of a combination of 1 g aspirin and 0.225 g dipyridamole daily was shown to offer approximately the same level of protection as small doses of heparin, land these two forms of prevention seem to offer a greater degree of protection than dextran...", "PMID": 795299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10400", "title": "Extrinsic allergic alveolitis after Aspergillus fumigatus inhalation. Evidence of a type IV immunologic pathogenesis.", "content": "Three weeks after a massive inhalation of mold present on infected oats, a farmer's wife had extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from the moldy oats and from deep bronchial washings obtained at fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Spores and hyphae characteristic of Aspergillus species were demonstrated within granulomas in the pulmonary tissue obtained by transbrochial biopsy. Serum precipitins, delayed (48 hour) cutaneous hypersensitivity and in vitro lymphocyte transformation to A. fumigatus were demonstrated. The findings in this case suggest that a type IV immunologic response and subsequent (lymphocyte-mediated) tissue inflammation may underlie the pathogenesis of this and other forms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.", "contents": "Extrinsic allergic alveolitis after Aspergillus fumigatus inhalation. Evidence of a type IV immunologic pathogenesis. Three weeks after a massive inhalation of mold present on infected oats, a farmer's wife had extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from the moldy oats and from deep bronchial washings obtained at fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Spores and hyphae characteristic of Aspergillus species were demonstrated within granulomas in the pulmonary tissue obtained by transbrochial biopsy. Serum precipitins, delayed (48 hour) cutaneous hypersensitivity and in vitro lymphocyte transformation to A. fumigatus were demonstrated. The findings in this case suggest that a type IV immunologic response and subsequent (lymphocyte-mediated) tissue inflammation may underlie the pathogenesis of this and other forms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.", "PMID": 795300} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10401", "title": "Monoclonal IgE with renal failure.", "content": "Only four cases of immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal \"gammapathies\" have been reported previously. Discussed here is a 57 year old man who presented with hypertension and the nephrotic syndrome. A monoclonal IgE-kappa component (0.6 mg/ml), which did not appear as an M spike on protein electrophoresis, was demonstrated by immunoelectrophoresis in the serum and urine. The patient's condition deteriorated rapidly due to renal failure, and he died five weeks after the diagnosis was made. Pathologic examination disclosed extensive glomerular lesions, but amyloid was not detected by light or electron microscopy. The possible relationship between the monoclonal gammapathy and kidney impairment is discussed.", "contents": "Monoclonal IgE with renal failure. Only four cases of immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal \"gammapathies\" have been reported previously. Discussed here is a 57 year old man who presented with hypertension and the nephrotic syndrome. A monoclonal IgE-kappa component (0.6 mg/ml), which did not appear as an M spike on protein electrophoresis, was demonstrated by immunoelectrophoresis in the serum and urine. The patient's condition deteriorated rapidly due to renal failure, and he died five weeks after the diagnosis was made. Pathologic examination disclosed extensive glomerular lesions, but amyloid was not detected by light or electron microscopy. The possible relationship between the monoclonal gammapathy and kidney impairment is discussed.", "PMID": 795301} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10402", "title": "Decentralization in the New York City Department of Health: reorganization of a public health agency.", "content": "Since the World War I era there has existed within the New York City Department of Health a basic internal struggle between staff directing the bureaus at the central office and the district health officers operating field health centers throughout the city. Recently, in a five-year period, there was a dramatic reorganization of the Department which markedly affected its orientation and programs. In 1972 a new Commissioner initiated a reorganization of the Department which succeeded in decentralizing field operations in contrast to earlier efforts which had failed to reach this objective. The roles of bureaus and districts were redefined, with the latter receiving budgetary authority, authority to supervise personnel, assignment of health managers, and the implementation of a district cost accounting system. While operational decentralization has occurred, policy setting and resource allocation in response to local needs remain central functions.", "contents": "Decentralization in the New York City Department of Health: reorganization of a public health agency. Since the World War I era there has existed within the New York City Department of Health a basic internal struggle between staff directing the bureaus at the central office and the district health officers operating field health centers throughout the city. Recently, in a five-year period, there was a dramatic reorganization of the Department which markedly affected its orientation and programs. In 1972 a new Commissioner initiated a reorganization of the Department which succeeded in decentralizing field operations in contrast to earlier efforts which had failed to reach this objective. The roles of bureaus and districts were redefined, with the latter receiving budgetary authority, authority to supervise personnel, assignment of health managers, and the implementation of a district cost accounting system. While operational decentralization has occurred, policy setting and resource allocation in response to local needs remain central functions.", "PMID": 795307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10403", "title": "Evaluation of two phenanthrenemethanols for antimalarial activity in man: WR 122,455 and WR 171,669.", "content": "Two phenanthrenemethanols, WR 122,455 and WR 171,669, were tested in man for oral tolerance, toxicity, and efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum. In healthy subjects, gastrointestinal symptoms limited single-day dosage of WR 122,455 to 800 mg and WR 171,669 to 1,260 mg. No laboratory abnormalities phototoxicity, or gastrointestinal blood loss were noted in the subjects receiving these drugs. In subjects infected with malaria, WR 122,455 cleared parasitemia when given for 1 day in doses from 440 to 880 mg; recrudescences occurred in these subjects who were infected with either chloroquine-sensitive or chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum. However, WR 122,455 at 480 mg/day for 3 to 6 days cured 9/9 cases of chloroquine-resistant and 4/4 cases of chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum infection. WR 171,669 at 1 g/day for 3 days cured 6/6 subjects with chloroquine-resistant and 3/3 cases of chloroquine-sensitive infection. Both agents cleared parasitemia and fever promptly.", "contents": "Evaluation of two phenanthrenemethanols for antimalarial activity in man: WR 122,455 and WR 171,669. Two phenanthrenemethanols, WR 122,455 and WR 171,669, were tested in man for oral tolerance, toxicity, and efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum. In healthy subjects, gastrointestinal symptoms limited single-day dosage of WR 122,455 to 800 mg and WR 171,669 to 1,260 mg. No laboratory abnormalities phototoxicity, or gastrointestinal blood loss were noted in the subjects receiving these drugs. In subjects infected with malaria, WR 122,455 cleared parasitemia when given for 1 day in doses from 440 to 880 mg; recrudescences occurred in these subjects who were infected with either chloroquine-sensitive or chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum. However, WR 122,455 at 480 mg/day for 3 to 6 days cured 9/9 cases of chloroquine-resistant and 4/4 cases of chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum infection. WR 171,669 at 1 g/day for 3 days cured 6/6 subjects with chloroquine-resistant and 3/3 cases of chloroquine-sensitive infection. Both agents cleared parasitemia and fever promptly.", "PMID": 795309} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10404", "title": "An evaluation of malaria fluorescent antibody patterns in several remote island populations of the New Hebrides, Solomons, Western Carolines, and New Guinea.", "content": "From a representative sampling of several remote populations living on the Banks and Torres Islands (New Hebrides), the Eastern and Southern Districts of the Solomon Islands, the Western Caroline Islands (U.S. Pacific Trust Territory), West New Guinea (Indonesia), and Papua New Guinea, 752 sera were examined for fluorescent antibodies to the four species of human malaria, and the results were compared to already published parasite survey data based on blood smears and medical examinations. Antibody prevalence data confirmed the presence of significant endemic malaria among most of the visited islands in the New Hebrides, and a variable but smaller amount of malaria in the Solomons. On those islands known to be free of malarial vectors, data were compatible with importation of self-limited infection by travelling residents. Malarial infection occurred in from 40% to 100% of the New Guinea villages that were visited, and was entirely absent from the Western Caroline Islands. The actual proportions of malarial species in endemic areas were not accurately reflected by relative antibody titer levels to the different species, possibly due to unpredictably high heterologous antibody reacitons following multiple mixed infections.", "contents": "An evaluation of malaria fluorescent antibody patterns in several remote island populations of the New Hebrides, Solomons, Western Carolines, and New Guinea. From a representative sampling of several remote populations living on the Banks and Torres Islands (New Hebrides), the Eastern and Southern Districts of the Solomon Islands, the Western Caroline Islands (U.S. Pacific Trust Territory), West New Guinea (Indonesia), and Papua New Guinea, 752 sera were examined for fluorescent antibodies to the four species of human malaria, and the results were compared to already published parasite survey data based on blood smears and medical examinations. Antibody prevalence data confirmed the presence of significant endemic malaria among most of the visited islands in the New Hebrides, and a variable but smaller amount of malaria in the Solomons. On those islands known to be free of malarial vectors, data were compatible with importation of self-limited infection by travelling residents. Malarial infection occurred in from 40% to 100% of the New Guinea villages that were visited, and was entirely absent from the Western Caroline Islands. The actual proportions of malarial species in endemic areas were not accurately reflected by relative antibody titer levels to the different species, possibly due to unpredictably high heterologous antibody reacitons following multiple mixed infections.", "PMID": 795310} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10405", "title": "Enzyme- and 125I-labeled anti-immunoglobulin assays in the immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis.", "content": "An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and radioimmunoassays using antigen bound to plastic tubes or microcrystalline particles, were adapted for the indirect serological measurement of anti-schistosome antibodies. These alkaline phosphatase and 125I-labeled anti-immunoglobulin techniques were found to be highly quantitative and adaptable. Comparison showed them to be considerably more sensitive than the indirect hemagglutination and indirect fluorescent antibody techniques. Using adult S. mansoni freeze-thaw antigen, anti-schistosome antibodies were detected in sera from patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium. However, results in patients with schistosomiasis haematobium were generally intermediate between those of patients with schistosomiasis mansoni and normal, uninfected controls.", "contents": "Enzyme- and 125I-labeled anti-immunoglobulin assays in the immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and radioimmunoassays using antigen bound to plastic tubes or microcrystalline particles, were adapted for the indirect serological measurement of anti-schistosome antibodies. These alkaline phosphatase and 125I-labeled anti-immunoglobulin techniques were found to be highly quantitative and adaptable. Comparison showed them to be considerably more sensitive than the indirect hemagglutination and indirect fluorescent antibody techniques. Using adult S. mansoni freeze-thaw antigen, anti-schistosome antibodies were detected in sera from patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium. However, results in patients with schistosomiasis haematobium were generally intermediate between those of patients with schistosomiasis mansoni and normal, uninfected controls.", "PMID": 795311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10406", "title": "Dapsone chemotherapy of Mycobacterium leprae infection of the neonatally thymectomized Lewis rat.", "content": "In order to learn whether the neonatally thymectomized Lewis rat (NTLR) infected with Mycobacterium leprae could serve as a model for chemotherapeutic studies in a situation resembling that found in human lepromatous leprosy, NTLR inoculated with M. leprae either locally or intravenously 9 to 16 months earlier were treated for from 1.5 to 8.5 months with dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, DDS) incorporated in the rat chow in the concentration providing the minimal inhibitory concentration of the drug for M. leprae and in the 100-fold larger concentration. NTLR were killed at intervals; the M. leprae were counted and passed to mice. Treatment with the smaller dosage of dapsone neither killed M. leprae nor reduced the number of organisms in the bacterial populations, whereas treatment with the larger dosage both killed M. leprae and reduced their numbers. The rate at which the organisms were killed (i.e., rendered noninfective for mice) was much the same as that in patients treated with dapsone in comparable dosage. The dead organisms were removed from the rat tissues at a faster rate than encountered in patients. The NTLR may indeed be suitable for chemotherapeutic studies relevant to man. In addition, the more rapid disappearance of dead M. leprae from the rat tissues may facilitate the study of treatment regimens designed to eradicate persisting viable organisms.", "contents": "Dapsone chemotherapy of Mycobacterium leprae infection of the neonatally thymectomized Lewis rat. In order to learn whether the neonatally thymectomized Lewis rat (NTLR) infected with Mycobacterium leprae could serve as a model for chemotherapeutic studies in a situation resembling that found in human lepromatous leprosy, NTLR inoculated with M. leprae either locally or intravenously 9 to 16 months earlier were treated for from 1.5 to 8.5 months with dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, DDS) incorporated in the rat chow in the concentration providing the minimal inhibitory concentration of the drug for M. leprae and in the 100-fold larger concentration. NTLR were killed at intervals; the M. leprae were counted and passed to mice. Treatment with the smaller dosage of dapsone neither killed M. leprae nor reduced the number of organisms in the bacterial populations, whereas treatment with the larger dosage both killed M. leprae and reduced their numbers. The rate at which the organisms were killed (i.e., rendered noninfective for mice) was much the same as that in patients treated with dapsone in comparable dosage. The dead organisms were removed from the rat tissues at a faster rate than encountered in patients. The NTLR may indeed be suitable for chemotherapeutic studies relevant to man. In addition, the more rapid disappearance of dead M. leprae from the rat tissues may facilitate the study of treatment regimens designed to eradicate persisting viable organisms.", "PMID": 795312} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10407", "title": "Actin-like filaments in the Sertoli cell junctional specializations in the swine and mouse testis.", "content": "Microfilaments at the junctional specializations between adjacent Sertoli cells and between the Sertoli cell and the late spermatid of the mouse and swine testes bind HMM and form arrowhead complexes with a periodicity of about 35 nm. The arrowhead formation is inhibited when the tissues are treated with HMM in the presence of ATP. These observations show that the microfilaments are actin-like in nature. The functional significance of these filaments in the Sertoli cell is discussed.", "contents": "Actin-like filaments in the Sertoli cell junctional specializations in the swine and mouse testis. Microfilaments at the junctional specializations between adjacent Sertoli cells and between the Sertoli cell and the late spermatid of the mouse and swine testes bind HMM and form arrowhead complexes with a periodicity of about 35 nm. The arrowhead formation is inhibited when the tissues are treated with HMM in the presence of ATP. These observations show that the microfilaments are actin-like in nature. The functional significance of these filaments in the Sertoli cell is discussed.", "PMID": 795323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10408", "title": "[Non-Hodgkin hematosarcomas. Classification of the Reference Center of the World Health Organization (WHO)].", "content": "At the request of the Leukaemia and Haematosarcoma Reference Centre of the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.), one of the authors (G.M.) has suggested a classification taking into account the most recent knowledge and all parameters (histological, cytological and immunological) necessary for the categorisation of non-Hodgkin's haematosarcomas. He has employed traditional terminology, thereby avoiding the jargon used by certain authors which is not justified in the light of modern scientific knowledge which, more than ever, merits the use of classical terminology. The authors present this W.H.O. classification for the first time to the french press. The reader will find familiar terms such as \"lymphosarcoma\", which may take a nodular or diffuse form (in the second case the recently identified immunoblastic form is introduced and mycosis fungoides is placed in the category) and reticulosarcoma. Microscopic typing of a haematosarcoma is essential since the various types differe considerably in their sensitivity to treatment with a corresponding difference in the chance of cure. The potential for cure is also dependent upon the topographic stage which should be determined by a series of routine step which may still be recommended today but which may be useless in the future by virtue of the frequency of disseminated forms in relation to localized forms, and of the remarkable effectiveness and constant progress of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.", "contents": "[Non-Hodgkin hematosarcomas. Classification of the Reference Center of the World Health Organization (WHO)]. At the request of the Leukaemia and Haematosarcoma Reference Centre of the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.), one of the authors (G.M.) has suggested a classification taking into account the most recent knowledge and all parameters (histological, cytological and immunological) necessary for the categorisation of non-Hodgkin's haematosarcomas. He has employed traditional terminology, thereby avoiding the jargon used by certain authors which is not justified in the light of modern scientific knowledge which, more than ever, merits the use of classical terminology. The authors present this W.H.O. classification for the first time to the french press. The reader will find familiar terms such as \"lymphosarcoma\", which may take a nodular or diffuse form (in the second case the recently identified immunoblastic form is introduced and mycosis fungoides is placed in the category) and reticulosarcoma. Microscopic typing of a haematosarcoma is essential since the various types differe considerably in their sensitivity to treatment with a corresponding difference in the chance of cure. The potential for cure is also dependent upon the topographic stage which should be determined by a series of routine step which may still be recommended today but which may be useless in the future by virtue of the frequency of disseminated forms in relation to localized forms, and of the remarkable effectiveness and constant progress of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.", "PMID": 795324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10409", "title": "[Comments on the WHO Reference Center classification of non-Hodgkin hematosarcomas].", "content": "The authors discuss the W.H.O. classification of neoplastic disorders of lymphatic and haematopoietic tissue proposed by G. Math\u00e9 and H. Rappaport. They note the points in common with previously published new classifications and make a number of remarks and criticisms. They stress the point most open to discussion: maintenance of the concept of reticulosarcoma. They propose the parallel use of several classifications, including the old nomenclature of Rappaport, in routine histopathology during the comming years.", "contents": "[Comments on the WHO Reference Center classification of non-Hodgkin hematosarcomas]. The authors discuss the W.H.O. classification of neoplastic disorders of lymphatic and haematopoietic tissue proposed by G. Math\u00e9 and H. Rappaport. They note the points in common with previously published new classifications and make a number of remarks and criticisms. They stress the point most open to discussion: maintenance of the concept of reticulosarcoma. They propose the parallel use of several classifications, including the old nomenclature of Rappaport, in routine histopathology during the comming years.", "PMID": 795325} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10410", "title": "Lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of patients with farmer's lung.", "content": "The numbers of mononuclear cells having receptors for sheep red blood cells (T lymphocytes) or complement (B lymphocytes) in the peripheral blood of farmer's lung patients were determined. In patients recovering from a clinical episode of farmer's lung or exposed to moldy hay or fodder, both the percentage of T lymphocytes and the T lymphocytes per mm3 were reduced, whereas the number of B lymphocytes remained within normal limits. Farmer's lung patients having no exposure to moldy hay or fodder had T and B lymphocyte numbers similar to a normal population.", "contents": "Lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of patients with farmer's lung. The numbers of mononuclear cells having receptors for sheep red blood cells (T lymphocytes) or complement (B lymphocytes) in the peripheral blood of farmer's lung patients were determined. In patients recovering from a clinical episode of farmer's lung or exposed to moldy hay or fodder, both the percentage of T lymphocytes and the T lymphocytes per mm3 were reduced, whereas the number of B lymphocytes remained within normal limits. Farmer's lung patients having no exposure to moldy hay or fodder had T and B lymphocyte numbers similar to a normal population.", "PMID": 795331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10411", "title": "Characterization of immunocompetent cells recovered from the respiratory tract and tracheobronchial lymph node of normal guinea pigs.", "content": "To gain insight into the structure of the lung's immune system, the identity and function of immunocompetent cells in the broncho-alveolar air spaces and tracheobronchial lymph nodes of normal guinea pigs were examined. Guinea pig thymus-derived (T) lymphocytes (mediators of cellular immunity) were identified by their ability to form rosettes with rabbit erythrocytes (E rosettes). Bone marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes (mediators of humoral immunity) were identified by their ability to form rosettes with sheep erythrocytes sensitized with antibody and complement (EAC rosettes) and by the presence of surface immunoglobulin, detected by direct immunofluorescence. Total lung lavage yielded 14+/-5.0 X 10(6) (mean +/- SD) cells. There were 68+/-5 per cent cells of the monocyte-macrophage series as judged by morphology, the ingestion of latex particles, and the uptake of neutral red; 20+/-9 per cent were eosinophils, and 12+/-5 per cent were lymphocytes. Stable populations of T and B lymphocytes were recovered from guinea pig airways and tracheobronchial lymph nodes. T cells represented 76 per cent of lymphocytes from the airways and 64 per cent of lymphocytes in tracheobronchial lymph node; B cells equalled 14 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively. The functional potential of T cells present in the lung and tracheobronchial lymph node was demonstrated by their proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin. These results indicated that, although macrophages are the predominant cell type, viable T and B lymphocytes are present in the guinea pig broncho-alveolar air space. The composition of these cells is comparable to what has been observed in normal human lungs and provides preliminary evidence that the guinea pig may be a useful model for humans. This report also describes a method using 2 vital stains whereby macrophages, lymphocytes, and rosetted lymphocytes can be distinguished in unseparated cell suspensions prepared from bronchial aspirates.", "contents": "Characterization of immunocompetent cells recovered from the respiratory tract and tracheobronchial lymph node of normal guinea pigs. To gain insight into the structure of the lung's immune system, the identity and function of immunocompetent cells in the broncho-alveolar air spaces and tracheobronchial lymph nodes of normal guinea pigs were examined. Guinea pig thymus-derived (T) lymphocytes (mediators of cellular immunity) were identified by their ability to form rosettes with rabbit erythrocytes (E rosettes). Bone marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes (mediators of humoral immunity) were identified by their ability to form rosettes with sheep erythrocytes sensitized with antibody and complement (EAC rosettes) and by the presence of surface immunoglobulin, detected by direct immunofluorescence. Total lung lavage yielded 14+/-5.0 X 10(6) (mean +/- SD) cells. There were 68+/-5 per cent cells of the monocyte-macrophage series as judged by morphology, the ingestion of latex particles, and the uptake of neutral red; 20+/-9 per cent were eosinophils, and 12+/-5 per cent were lymphocytes. Stable populations of T and B lymphocytes were recovered from guinea pig airways and tracheobronchial lymph nodes. T cells represented 76 per cent of lymphocytes from the airways and 64 per cent of lymphocytes in tracheobronchial lymph node; B cells equalled 14 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively. The functional potential of T cells present in the lung and tracheobronchial lymph node was demonstrated by their proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin. These results indicated that, although macrophages are the predominant cell type, viable T and B lymphocytes are present in the guinea pig broncho-alveolar air space. The composition of these cells is comparable to what has been observed in normal human lungs and provides preliminary evidence that the guinea pig may be a useful model for humans. This report also describes a method using 2 vital stains whereby macrophages, lymphocytes, and rosetted lymphocytes can be distinguished in unseparated cell suspensions prepared from bronchial aspirates.", "PMID": 795332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10412", "title": "Tissue adhesive vs sutures in closure of incision wounds. A comparative study in human skin.", "content": "Two different standard incisions were used to compare the healing of wounds closed with normal \"atraumatic\" surgical technique and with a tissue adhesive. Healing was recorded by serial photography. It was found that wounds, which were not under tension postoperatively, the resulting scar was cosmetically better when tissue adhesive was used compared with conventional methods of suture.", "contents": "Tissue adhesive vs sutures in closure of incision wounds. A comparative study in human skin. Two different standard incisions were used to compare the healing of wounds closed with normal \"atraumatic\" surgical technique and with a tissue adhesive. Healing was recorded by serial photography. It was found that wounds, which were not under tension postoperatively, the resulting scar was cosmetically better when tissue adhesive was used compared with conventional methods of suture.", "PMID": 795354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10413", "title": "Late complications of scalding in children: treatment and prevention.", "content": "Children between the ages 1 to 3 years are particularly prone to burns by their constant desire to pull down containers of hot fluids. The resulting burns produce serious complications such as hypertrophic scars and scar contractures, which can be severe enough to cause growth disturbances. A series of 31 cases of these accidents resulting in the above sequelae was investigated. These complications are however the end result of a chain of unfortunate events any or all of which could have been avoided. Usually the scald could have been prevented by greater vigilance on the part of the parents. Once late complications have developed, excision of the scar tissue and subsequent skin grafting or other reconstructive procedure should be performed. However, in spite of satisfactory results, these complications have a tendency to recur during the growth period.", "contents": "Late complications of scalding in children: treatment and prevention. Children between the ages 1 to 3 years are particularly prone to burns by their constant desire to pull down containers of hot fluids. The resulting burns produce serious complications such as hypertrophic scars and scar contractures, which can be severe enough to cause growth disturbances. A series of 31 cases of these accidents resulting in the above sequelae was investigated. These complications are however the end result of a chain of unfortunate events any or all of which could have been avoided. Usually the scald could have been prevented by greater vigilance on the part of the parents. Once late complications have developed, excision of the scar tissue and subsequent skin grafting or other reconstructive procedure should be performed. However, in spite of satisfactory results, these complications have a tendency to recur during the growth period.", "PMID": 795355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10414", "title": "Repair of skin and soft tissue loss of the lower leg with cross-leg flaps.", "content": "Forty patients with severe leg injuries associated with skin or soft tissue loss were treated. Cross-leg flaps were used. The flaps healed well. Special attention was paid to the pre- and postoperative periods of disability of the patients. The former were very long (37.7 months) compared to the latter (10.5 months) which ceased when the patient became fit for work.", "contents": "Repair of skin and soft tissue loss of the lower leg with cross-leg flaps. Forty patients with severe leg injuries associated with skin or soft tissue loss were treated. Cross-leg flaps were used. The flaps healed well. Special attention was paid to the pre- and postoperative periods of disability of the patients. The former were very long (37.7 months) compared to the latter (10.5 months) which ceased when the patient became fit for work.", "PMID": 795356} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10415", "title": "Modification of Krukenberg's kineplastic operation.", "content": "Little attention has been paid lately to the kineplastic operations of amputation stumps. But Krukenberg's procedure, the forcipisation of forearm amputation stumps introduced in 1917 has, nevertheless survived. The authors have modified the operation. The skin of the forearm is split with a U-shaped incision. All muscles are saved. The interdigital commissure is covered with two triangular flaps. The remaining skin defect is left on the dorsum of the radial branch and covered with a free split skin graft. The skin graft is not used to cover the contact surface. In the Orthopaedic Hospital of the Invalid Foundation of Helsinki nine hands of seven patients have been operated during the years 1969--73 using this method.", "contents": "Modification of Krukenberg's kineplastic operation. Little attention has been paid lately to the kineplastic operations of amputation stumps. But Krukenberg's procedure, the forcipisation of forearm amputation stumps introduced in 1917 has, nevertheless survived. The authors have modified the operation. The skin of the forearm is split with a U-shaped incision. All muscles are saved. The interdigital commissure is covered with two triangular flaps. The remaining skin defect is left on the dorsum of the radial branch and covered with a free split skin graft. The skin graft is not used to cover the contact surface. In the Orthopaedic Hospital of the Invalid Foundation of Helsinki nine hands of seven patients have been operated during the years 1969--73 using this method.", "PMID": 795357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10416", "title": "A rhomboid nose-side flap in nasal skin defects.", "content": "A reliable flap method for covering a defect caused by the excision of basal cell carcinoma of the alar region is presented. It is suitable for an out-patient procedure. The flap is elevated from the side of the nose. The design of the flap is as follows: its caudal margin coincides with the cephalad margin of the lesion; the medial side of the flap is drawn parallel to the dorsum of the nose; the cephalad side runs back at an acute angle to the lower lid below the eye, incorporating a part of the lower lid and cheek tissue in the flap. Twenty basal cell carcinomas have been treated at the Department of Dermatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital between 1973--1975 using the flap with good cosmetic results. This flap is a useful alternative to the naso-labial flap in a Finnish nose.", "contents": "A rhomboid nose-side flap in nasal skin defects. A reliable flap method for covering a defect caused by the excision of basal cell carcinoma of the alar region is presented. It is suitable for an out-patient procedure. The flap is elevated from the side of the nose. The design of the flap is as follows: its caudal margin coincides with the cephalad margin of the lesion; the medial side of the flap is drawn parallel to the dorsum of the nose; the cephalad side runs back at an acute angle to the lower lid below the eye, incorporating a part of the lower lid and cheek tissue in the flap. Twenty basal cell carcinomas have been treated at the Department of Dermatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital between 1973--1975 using the flap with good cosmetic results. This flap is a useful alternative to the naso-labial flap in a Finnish nose.", "PMID": 795358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10417", "title": "Ulcerating paraffinoma.", "content": "One case of an ulcerating paraffinoma of the male mammary gland and another of the penis are reported. The former is the third and the latter the eighth of its kind described in the literature. Psychopathological features were associated with both cases, and additionally impotence with the latter. The treatment of paraffinomas is surgical. Subcutaneous mastectomy was performed on the mammary gland, leaving a high proportion of the affected skin in situ. Recovery was slow and the cosmetic end result not satisfactory. Re-injection of paraffin later required total excision of the entire anterior thoracic skin and subcutaneous tissues and skin grafting. The penile paraffinoma was treated by complete excision and again subsequent skin grafting. Both the functional and cosmetic results of the latter were good.", "contents": "Ulcerating paraffinoma. One case of an ulcerating paraffinoma of the male mammary gland and another of the penis are reported. The former is the third and the latter the eighth of its kind described in the literature. Psychopathological features were associated with both cases, and additionally impotence with the latter. The treatment of paraffinomas is surgical. Subcutaneous mastectomy was performed on the mammary gland, leaving a high proportion of the affected skin in situ. Recovery was slow and the cosmetic end result not satisfactory. Re-injection of paraffin later required total excision of the entire anterior thoracic skin and subcutaneous tissues and skin grafting. The penile paraffinoma was treated by complete excision and again subsequent skin grafting. Both the functional and cosmetic results of the latter were good.", "PMID": 795359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10418", "title": "Double-blind titrated-dose comparison of metoprolol and propranolol in the treatment of angina pectoris.", "content": "The effectiveness of metoprolol in relieving angina pectoris was compared with that of propranolol at equipotent dosages in a series of 20 patients. Before double-blind periods propranolol was given in gradually increased dosages to obtain a maximal effect for each individual patient. The responses were monitored using subjective assessment based on attack rate and nitroglycerin consumption, as well as objective maximal exercise testing. Both compounds significantly increased the exercise tolerance on a bicycle ergometer, and relieved angina as assessed subjectively. No significant differences were found between the responses to metoprolol and propranolol. The mean increase in exercise tolerance amounted to 36% with metoprolol. Biochemical monitoring revealed no harmful effects. Two cases of rebound phenomenon were observed at the transition from metoprolol to placebo. It was concluded that metoprolol is a useful new cardio-selective beta-blocking compound equipotent to propranolol in the treatment of angina pectoris.", "contents": "Double-blind titrated-dose comparison of metoprolol and propranolol in the treatment of angina pectoris. The effectiveness of metoprolol in relieving angina pectoris was compared with that of propranolol at equipotent dosages in a series of 20 patients. Before double-blind periods propranolol was given in gradually increased dosages to obtain a maximal effect for each individual patient. The responses were monitored using subjective assessment based on attack rate and nitroglycerin consumption, as well as objective maximal exercise testing. Both compounds significantly increased the exercise tolerance on a bicycle ergometer, and relieved angina as assessed subjectively. No significant differences were found between the responses to metoprolol and propranolol. The mean increase in exercise tolerance amounted to 36% with metoprolol. Biochemical monitoring revealed no harmful effects. Two cases of rebound phenomenon were observed at the transition from metoprolol to placebo. It was concluded that metoprolol is a useful new cardio-selective beta-blocking compound equipotent to propranolol in the treatment of angina pectoris.", "PMID": 795362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10419", "title": "Control of thyrotoxicosis with sotalol.", "content": "Sotalol, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent devoid of intrinsic sympathicomimetic activity and local anaesthetic properties, was assessed in a double-blind cross-over study for the symptomatic treatment of 10 patients with thyrotoxicosis. The heart rate and clinical thyrotoxicosis index were significantly lower than with the placebo or with no treatment. The values of free thyroxine and triiodothyronine in the serum did not change. Because of its pure beta-adrenergic blocking effect, sotalol is suitable for the symptomatic treatment of thyrotoxicosis.", "contents": "Control of thyrotoxicosis with sotalol. Sotalol, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent devoid of intrinsic sympathicomimetic activity and local anaesthetic properties, was assessed in a double-blind cross-over study for the symptomatic treatment of 10 patients with thyrotoxicosis. The heart rate and clinical thyrotoxicosis index were significantly lower than with the placebo or with no treatment. The values of free thyroxine and triiodothyronine in the serum did not change. Because of its pure beta-adrenergic blocking effect, sotalol is suitable for the symptomatic treatment of thyrotoxicosis.", "PMID": 795363} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10420", "title": "R plasmids in Streptococcus agalactiae (group B).", "content": "Two plasmids determining resistance to tetracycline (RIP500) and to chloramphenicol, erythromycin, lincomycin, and pristinamycin I (RIP501) were isolated from a strain of Streptococcus agalactiae. The frequency-of-resistance loss is very low for RIP500 (<3 x 10(4)) but higher for RIP501 (the efficiency was dependent upon the curing agents and incubation temperature and varied between 0.5 and 96%). Derivatives susceptible to all drugs were also obtained. RIP500 and RIP501 have similar molecular weights (17.9 x 10(6) and 20 x 10(6), respectively) and represent different percentages of total deoxyribonucleic acid (0.4 and 4%, respectively). The number of copies of RIP500 and RIP501 per cell is different, and these plasmids are likely replicated under different kinds of control (stringent and/or relaxed). No plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid was found in a derivative of strain B96 susceptible to all drugs.", "contents": "R plasmids in Streptococcus agalactiae (group B). Two plasmids determining resistance to tetracycline (RIP500) and to chloramphenicol, erythromycin, lincomycin, and pristinamycin I (RIP501) were isolated from a strain of Streptococcus agalactiae. The frequency-of-resistance loss is very low for RIP500 (<3 x 10(4)) but higher for RIP501 (the efficiency was dependent upon the curing agents and incubation temperature and varied between 0.5 and 96%). Derivatives susceptible to all drugs were also obtained. RIP500 and RIP501 have similar molecular weights (17.9 x 10(6) and 20 x 10(6), respectively) and represent different percentages of total deoxyribonucleic acid (0.4 and 4%, respectively). The number of copies of RIP500 and RIP501 per cell is different, and these plasmids are likely replicated under different kinds of control (stringent and/or relaxed). No plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid was found in a derivative of strain B96 susceptible to all drugs.", "PMID": 795369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10421", "title": "[Combination of bacteriostatic and bactericidal drugs: lack of significant in vitro antagonism between penicillin, cephalothin, and rolitetracycline].", "content": "Although it is generally believed that bactericidal and bacteriostatic drugs should not be combined in vivo, in vitro experiments using the checkerboard dilution technique revealed no antagonism between penicillin/cephalothin and rolitetracycline but rather additive or synergistic activity of either drug combination in 40 to 50% of 20 Escherichia coli, and 14 Staphylococcus aureus strains. Slight antagonism occurred only between 3 and 8 h after combining penicillin/cephalothin and rolitetracycline in either bacteriostatic or bactericidal concentrations, but not after 24 h of incubation, nor was antagonism found with combinations of these drugs in bacteriostatic concentrations. Neither bacteriostatic nor bactericidal activity of penicillin/cephalothin and rolitetracycline was inhibited by pretreatment of one E. coli strain with bacteriostatic rolitetracycline or bacteriostatic penicillin/cephalothin concentrations. Penicillin and cephalothin could exert a bactericidal effect after 2-h exposure of the E. coli strain to bacteriostatic rolitetracycline concentrations. Combined action of subinhibitory penicillin and rolitetracycline concentrations resulted in more pronounced inhibition of growth than either drug alone. The higher activity of penicillin/cephalothin in combination with rolitetracycline on some E. coli and S. aureus strains might be due to a better access of rolitetracycline into bacterial cells whose cell walls have been weakened by cell wall-active, bactericidal drugs. Thus, growth of penicillin-induced spheroplasts of E. coli and stable staphylococcal L-forms was inhibited by much lower concentrations of rolitetracycline than were the corresponding parent cells with intact cell walls.", "contents": "[Combination of bacteriostatic and bactericidal drugs: lack of significant in vitro antagonism between penicillin, cephalothin, and rolitetracycline]. Although it is generally believed that bactericidal and bacteriostatic drugs should not be combined in vivo, in vitro experiments using the checkerboard dilution technique revealed no antagonism between penicillin/cephalothin and rolitetracycline but rather additive or synergistic activity of either drug combination in 40 to 50% of 20 Escherichia coli, and 14 Staphylococcus aureus strains. Slight antagonism occurred only between 3 and 8 h after combining penicillin/cephalothin and rolitetracycline in either bacteriostatic or bactericidal concentrations, but not after 24 h of incubation, nor was antagonism found with combinations of these drugs in bacteriostatic concentrations. Neither bacteriostatic nor bactericidal activity of penicillin/cephalothin and rolitetracycline was inhibited by pretreatment of one E. coli strain with bacteriostatic rolitetracycline or bacteriostatic penicillin/cephalothin concentrations. Penicillin and cephalothin could exert a bactericidal effect after 2-h exposure of the E. coli strain to bacteriostatic rolitetracycline concentrations. Combined action of subinhibitory penicillin and rolitetracycline concentrations resulted in more pronounced inhibition of growth than either drug alone. The higher activity of penicillin/cephalothin in combination with rolitetracycline on some E. coli and S. aureus strains might be due to a better access of rolitetracycline into bacterial cells whose cell walls have been weakened by cell wall-active, bactericidal drugs. Thus, growth of penicillin-induced spheroplasts of E. coli and stable staphylococcal L-forms was inhibited by much lower concentrations of rolitetracycline than were the corresponding parent cells with intact cell walls.", "PMID": 795370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10422", "title": "The LH/FSH ratio under basal conditions and after stimulation with GnRH in subjects with primary hypogonadism.", "content": "The authors have studied LH and FSH behaviour under basal conditions and after stimulation with GnRH in groups of subjects associated by the common denominator of more or less marked compromission of gonadal activity (subjects of both sexes in old age, affected by Sertoli cells only, Klinefelter's and Turner's syndromes ans subjects with congenital anorchia or with rudimentary testes) and have compared such behaviour with that shown by control groups. Special importance was given to the behaviour of LH/FSH ratio, which is significantly reduced in almost all the situations studied. To conclude, from the results obtained, the authors have evidence new elements to better single out the mechanism of homeostatic regulation of gonadotropic incretory system, with special consideration for what happens to FSH, and also useful indications to emphasize the semeiological use of LH/FSH ratio relevant to basal values and chiefly to incretory areas.", "contents": "The LH/FSH ratio under basal conditions and after stimulation with GnRH in subjects with primary hypogonadism. The authors have studied LH and FSH behaviour under basal conditions and after stimulation with GnRH in groups of subjects associated by the common denominator of more or less marked compromission of gonadal activity (subjects of both sexes in old age, affected by Sertoli cells only, Klinefelter's and Turner's syndromes ans subjects with congenital anorchia or with rudimentary testes) and have compared such behaviour with that shown by control groups. Special importance was given to the behaviour of LH/FSH ratio, which is significantly reduced in almost all the situations studied. To conclude, from the results obtained, the authors have evidence new elements to better single out the mechanism of homeostatic regulation of gonadotropic incretory system, with special consideration for what happens to FSH, and also useful indications to emphasize the semeiological use of LH/FSH ratio relevant to basal values and chiefly to incretory areas.", "PMID": 795367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10423", "title": "[Gonadotropins before and after LHRH in male infertility (259 cases) (author's transl)].", "content": "In primary hypogonadism (n=73) FSH basal levels and responses are elevated. LH basal levels and/or responses are elevated in 68 cases. In idiophatic oligospermia FSH and/or response are elevated in 28% cases, normal in 68% cases, decreased in 4% cases. LH and/or LH response are elevated in 44% cases normal in 53% cases and decreased in 4% cases. High significant correlation is found between FSH basal levels and FSH response, and between FSH and LH response.", "contents": "[Gonadotropins before and after LHRH in male infertility (259 cases) (author's transl)]. In primary hypogonadism (n=73) FSH basal levels and responses are elevated. LH basal levels and/or responses are elevated in 68 cases. In idiophatic oligospermia FSH and/or response are elevated in 28% cases, normal in 68% cases, decreased in 4% cases. LH and/or LH response are elevated in 44% cases normal in 53% cases and decreased in 4% cases. High significant correlation is found between FSH basal levels and FSH response, and between FSH and LH response.", "PMID": 795366} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10424", "title": "Effect of osmolality on the response of Escherichia coli to mecillinam.", "content": "The influence of osmolality on the effect of the novel beta-lactam antibiotic, mecillinam, on Escherichia coli was examined in a turbidimetric system. Both sucrose and sodium chloride were able to protect E. coli from the effects of mecillinam during the stage of conversion to morphologically abnormal forms, and the additional presence of small amounts of magnesium sulfate protected the spherical forms from subsequent lysis. More phenotypically \"resistant\" survivors were recovered in osmotically protective media than in broth of low osmolality. Sucrose appeared a better protective agent than sodium chloride, but growth of the phenotypically resistant population was much slower in the sucrose-containing than in sodium chloride-containing medium.", "contents": "Effect of osmolality on the response of Escherichia coli to mecillinam. The influence of osmolality on the effect of the novel beta-lactam antibiotic, mecillinam, on Escherichia coli was examined in a turbidimetric system. Both sucrose and sodium chloride were able to protect E. coli from the effects of mecillinam during the stage of conversion to morphologically abnormal forms, and the additional presence of small amounts of magnesium sulfate protected the spherical forms from subsequent lysis. More phenotypically \"resistant\" survivors were recovered in osmotically protective media than in broth of low osmolality. Sucrose appeared a better protective agent than sodium chloride, but growth of the phenotypically resistant population was much slower in the sucrose-containing than in sodium chloride-containing medium.", "PMID": 795371} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10425", "title": "Ticarcillin in combination with cephalothin or gentamicin as empiric antibiotic therapy in granulocytopenic cancer patients.", "content": "Ticarcillin was used in combination with either cephalothin or gentamicin as initial empiric antibiotic therapy for 127 patient trials of suspected infection in granulocytopenic cancer patients. Bacteremia was present in 20%, nonbacteremic microbiologically documented infections in 21%, clinically documented infections in 23%, and possible infections in 5%; infection was doubtful in 31%. Although Staphylococcus aureus was the most common single organism isolated (23%), gram-negative bacilli accounted for 54% of all pathogens. Both antibiotic regimens were highly efficacious, with complete resolution in 46% of bacteremias, 88% of nonbacteremic microbiologically documented infections, and 95% of clinically documented infections. Among bacteremias, 8 of 9 caused by S. aureus but only 4 of 15 (27%) caused by gram-negative bacilli were completely resolved with these antibiotic combinations. Reasons for nonresponse in bacteremias were persistent granulocytopenia, mixed infection and, in two patients, antibiotic-resistant organisms. Toxicities other than hypokalemia were minimal. Although the rate of further infections was high overall (18/127), only one occurred among the 39 patients with <4 days of antibiotic therapy. Ticarcillin in combination with either cephalothin or gentamicin was effective as initial empiric therapy of suspected infection in granulocytopenic cancer patients.", "contents": "Ticarcillin in combination with cephalothin or gentamicin as empiric antibiotic therapy in granulocytopenic cancer patients. Ticarcillin was used in combination with either cephalothin or gentamicin as initial empiric antibiotic therapy for 127 patient trials of suspected infection in granulocytopenic cancer patients. Bacteremia was present in 20%, nonbacteremic microbiologically documented infections in 21%, clinically documented infections in 23%, and possible infections in 5%; infection was doubtful in 31%. Although Staphylococcus aureus was the most common single organism isolated (23%), gram-negative bacilli accounted for 54% of all pathogens. Both antibiotic regimens were highly efficacious, with complete resolution in 46% of bacteremias, 88% of nonbacteremic microbiologically documented infections, and 95% of clinically documented infections. Among bacteremias, 8 of 9 caused by S. aureus but only 4 of 15 (27%) caused by gram-negative bacilli were completely resolved with these antibiotic combinations. Reasons for nonresponse in bacteremias were persistent granulocytopenia, mixed infection and, in two patients, antibiotic-resistant organisms. Toxicities other than hypokalemia were minimal. Although the rate of further infections was high overall (18/127), only one occurred among the 39 patients with <4 days of antibiotic therapy. Ticarcillin in combination with either cephalothin or gentamicin was effective as initial empiric therapy of suspected infection in granulocytopenic cancer patients.", "PMID": 795372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10426", "title": "In vitro activity of gentamicin, amikacin and netilmicin alone and in combination with carbenicillin against Serratia marcescens.", "content": "The inhibitory and bactericidal effects of gentamicin, amikacin, netilmicin (Sch 20569), and carbenicillin were tested against 55 clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens that had been subtyped into 26 strains by biotyping and serotyping. Three major patterns of resistance to gentamicin, netilmicin, and carbenicillin were recognized among these isolates. (i) Most of the 27 isolates that were susceptible to gentamicin (minimal bactericidal concentration [MBC] </=6.25 mug/ml) were susceptible to carbenicillin (MBC </=125 mug/ml) and resistant to netilmicin (MBC >/=12.5 mug/ml). (ii) Most of the 11 isolates with moderate resistance to gentamicin (MBC of 12.5 to 25 mug/ml) were also susceptible to carbenicillin and resistant to netilmicin. (iii) The 17 isolates with high-level resistance to gentamicin (MBC >/= 50 mug/ml) were all highly resistant to carbenicillin (MBC >/=8,000 mug/ml) but susceptible to netilmicin (MBC </=6.25 mug/ml). The susceptibility to amikacin was unpredictable among these groups of isolates but, overall, 80% of the isolates were killed by 25 mug of amikacin/ml, which is within the range of peak serum concentrations used therapeutically. Clinically attainable subinhibitory concentrations of carbenicillin enhanced the activity of the three aminoglycosides against all isolates with MBCs of carbenicillin </=2,000 mug/ml. The 17 isolates with high-level resistance to carbenicillin and gentamicin, as well as the four isolates with high-level resistance to carbenicillin but not to gentamicin, were not susceptible to such enhancement of aminoglycoside activity by carbenicillin.", "contents": "In vitro activity of gentamicin, amikacin and netilmicin alone and in combination with carbenicillin against Serratia marcescens. The inhibitory and bactericidal effects of gentamicin, amikacin, netilmicin (Sch 20569), and carbenicillin were tested against 55 clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens that had been subtyped into 26 strains by biotyping and serotyping. Three major patterns of resistance to gentamicin, netilmicin, and carbenicillin were recognized among these isolates. (i) Most of the 27 isolates that were susceptible to gentamicin (minimal bactericidal concentration [MBC] </=6.25 mug/ml) were susceptible to carbenicillin (MBC </=125 mug/ml) and resistant to netilmicin (MBC >/=12.5 mug/ml). (ii) Most of the 11 isolates with moderate resistance to gentamicin (MBC of 12.5 to 25 mug/ml) were also susceptible to carbenicillin and resistant to netilmicin. (iii) The 17 isolates with high-level resistance to gentamicin (MBC >/= 50 mug/ml) were all highly resistant to carbenicillin (MBC >/=8,000 mug/ml) but susceptible to netilmicin (MBC </=6.25 mug/ml). The susceptibility to amikacin was unpredictable among these groups of isolates but, overall, 80% of the isolates were killed by 25 mug of amikacin/ml, which is within the range of peak serum concentrations used therapeutically. Clinically attainable subinhibitory concentrations of carbenicillin enhanced the activity of the three aminoglycosides against all isolates with MBCs of carbenicillin </=2,000 mug/ml. The 17 isolates with high-level resistance to carbenicillin and gentamicin, as well as the four isolates with high-level resistance to carbenicillin but not to gentamicin, were not susceptible to such enhancement of aminoglycoside activity by carbenicillin.", "PMID": 795373} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10427", "title": "Effect of clindamycin on aminoglycoside activity in a murine model of invasive Escherichia coli infection.", "content": "Previous studies have demonstrated that the early in vitro bactericidal activity of gentamicin and amikacin is inhibited by clindamycin. To investigate the possible clinical implications of these findings, the effect of clindamycin in combination with gentamicin or amikacin was compared with that of the aminoglycoside alone in the treatment of normal and neutropenic mice with Escherichia coli peritonitis and bacteremia. Mice treated with saline or clindamycin alone experienced rapid multiplication of bacteria in the peritoneal cavity, bacteremia, and subsequent death. Gentamicin or amikacin given 2 h after E. coli inoculation significantly reduced the mortality and peritoneal bacterial counts in normal and neutropenic mice in comparison with untreated controls. Prior or simultaneous administration of clindamycin with either aminoglycoside did not inhibit survival or bacterial clearance from the peritoneum. The only clindamycin effect was slight enhancement of survival of neutropenic mice treated with multiple doses of amikacin and clindamycin in comparison to those treated with amikacin alone.", "contents": "Effect of clindamycin on aminoglycoside activity in a murine model of invasive Escherichia coli infection. Previous studies have demonstrated that the early in vitro bactericidal activity of gentamicin and amikacin is inhibited by clindamycin. To investigate the possible clinical implications of these findings, the effect of clindamycin in combination with gentamicin or amikacin was compared with that of the aminoglycoside alone in the treatment of normal and neutropenic mice with Escherichia coli peritonitis and bacteremia. Mice treated with saline or clindamycin alone experienced rapid multiplication of bacteria in the peritoneal cavity, bacteremia, and subsequent death. Gentamicin or amikacin given 2 h after E. coli inoculation significantly reduced the mortality and peritoneal bacterial counts in normal and neutropenic mice in comparison with untreated controls. Prior or simultaneous administration of clindamycin with either aminoglycoside did not inhibit survival or bacterial clearance from the peritoneum. The only clindamycin effect was slight enhancement of survival of neutropenic mice treated with multiple doses of amikacin and clindamycin in comparison to those treated with amikacin alone.", "PMID": 795374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10428", "title": "Comparison of josamycin and erythromycin in the therapy of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.", "content": "A controlled, double-blind study was performed to compare the efficacy of two macrolide antibiotics, erythromycin and josamycin, in the therapy of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Marine Corps recruit volunteers received one of the two antibiotics in a dosage of 2 g daily for 7 days. Twelve of 21 men treated with josamycin and 9 of 25 men treated with erythromycin had confirmed M. pneumoniae pneumonia. The josamycin-treated group remained hospitalized for 5.4 +/- 1.2 days compared to 5.1 +/- 2.0 days for the erythromycin-treated group (0.60 > P > 0.50). Fever days were similar for the josamycin-treated (1.4 +/- 0.4) and erythromycin-treated (1.2 +/- 0.3) groups (P = 0.95). There was no difference in resolution of signs and symptoms of illness in the two study populations. Thus, josamycin is as efficacious as erythromycin in the therapy of M. pneumoniae pneumonia.", "contents": "Comparison of josamycin and erythromycin in the therapy of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. A controlled, double-blind study was performed to compare the efficacy of two macrolide antibiotics, erythromycin and josamycin, in the therapy of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Marine Corps recruit volunteers received one of the two antibiotics in a dosage of 2 g daily for 7 days. Twelve of 21 men treated with josamycin and 9 of 25 men treated with erythromycin had confirmed M. pneumoniae pneumonia. The josamycin-treated group remained hospitalized for 5.4 +/- 1.2 days compared to 5.1 +/- 2.0 days for the erythromycin-treated group (0.60 > P > 0.50). Fever days were similar for the josamycin-treated (1.4 +/- 0.4) and erythromycin-treated (1.2 +/- 0.3) groups (P = 0.95). There was no difference in resolution of signs and symptoms of illness in the two study populations. Thus, josamycin is as efficacious as erythromycin in the therapy of M. pneumoniae pneumonia.", "PMID": 795375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10429", "title": "Bacteriocin production by group a streptococcal L-forms.", "content": "L-forms induced from a bacteriocin-producing strain of group A streptococcus retained both the ability to produce the streptococcin and producer strain immunity to the homologous bacteriocin. L-forms of a spontaneously cured (bacteriocin negative) derivative of this same strain failed to produce streptococcin but were sensitive to its action.", "contents": "Bacteriocin production by group a streptococcal L-forms. L-forms induced from a bacteriocin-producing strain of group A streptococcus retained both the ability to produce the streptococcin and producer strain immunity to the homologous bacteriocin. L-forms of a spontaneously cured (bacteriocin negative) derivative of this same strain failed to produce streptococcin but were sensitive to its action.", "PMID": 795376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10430", "title": "Midline cutaneous and spinal defects. Midline cutaneous abnormalities associated with occult spinal disorders.", "content": "Failure of separation of the neuroectoderm from the epithellal ectoderm to proceed in an orderly and complete fashion results in a wide variety of defects involving the skin, spinal cord, and cauda equina, as well as the surrounding structures of mesodermal origin. Congenital dermal sinuses occur most commonly in the lumbosacral region, are usually associated with a spina bifida, and may connect the skin directly to the spinal canal. Epidermoid or dermoid cysts may form at any point along a dermal sinus. Four types of cutaneous or subcutaneous abnormalities commonly seen associated with occult spinal disorders are abnormal hair, angioma, lipoma, and dimple. It is essential that these lesions are investigated at an early age, since surgical excision may prevent future neurologic deficits.", "contents": "Midline cutaneous and spinal defects. Midline cutaneous abnormalities associated with occult spinal disorders. Failure of separation of the neuroectoderm from the epithellal ectoderm to proceed in an orderly and complete fashion results in a wide variety of defects involving the skin, spinal cord, and cauda equina, as well as the surrounding structures of mesodermal origin. Congenital dermal sinuses occur most commonly in the lumbosacral region, are usually associated with a spina bifida, and may connect the skin directly to the spinal canal. Epidermoid or dermoid cysts may form at any point along a dermal sinus. Four types of cutaneous or subcutaneous abnormalities commonly seen associated with occult spinal disorders are abnormal hair, angioma, lipoma, and dimple. It is essential that these lesions are investigated at an early age, since surgical excision may prevent future neurologic deficits.", "PMID": 795378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10431", "title": "Multicenter trial analysis. Fluocinonide and betamethasone gel in psoriasis.", "content": "The relative efficacy of fluocinonide and betamethasone benzoate gels in treating the symptoms of psoriasis was evaluated in 335 patients, of whom 263 were analyzable. By means of a paired comparison design in which both drugs were examined simultaneously in the same patient, many potential sources of variation were eliminated. In addition, the analysis took into account the difficulties of pooling results in a multicenter trial. Imposing a rigorous grouping structure on the results from individual clinics minimized differences between clinics and demonstrated consistently high, statistically significant results in favor of fluocinodine gel even when several different statistical approaches were used. Local adverse reactions related to drugs were experienced by few patients.", "contents": "Multicenter trial analysis. Fluocinonide and betamethasone gel in psoriasis. The relative efficacy of fluocinonide and betamethasone benzoate gels in treating the symptoms of psoriasis was evaluated in 335 patients, of whom 263 were analyzable. By means of a paired comparison design in which both drugs were examined simultaneously in the same patient, many potential sources of variation were eliminated. In addition, the analysis took into account the difficulties of pooling results in a multicenter trial. Imposing a rigorous grouping structure on the results from individual clinics minimized differences between clinics and demonstrated consistently high, statistically significant results in favor of fluocinodine gel even when several different statistical approaches were used. Local adverse reactions related to drugs were experienced by few patients.", "PMID": 795379} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10432", "title": "Unusual cells in lupus erythematosus bullae.", "content": "We saw a case of bullous lupus erythematosus (LE) in which there were pre-LE cells and hematoxylin bodies in clear bullous fluid. Pre-LE cells are degenerated leukocytes with pyknotic nuclei. The diagnosis of lupus erythematosus was substantiated by immunofluorescence studies.", "contents": "Unusual cells in lupus erythematosus bullae. We saw a case of bullous lupus erythematosus (LE) in which there were pre-LE cells and hematoxylin bodies in clear bullous fluid. Pre-LE cells are degenerated leukocytes with pyknotic nuclei. The diagnosis of lupus erythematosus was substantiated by immunofluorescence studies.", "PMID": 795380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10433", "title": "Use of 100 units/ml insulin in treatment of diabetic children.", "content": "The three traditional concentrations in which European insulins are prepared for therapeutic purposes often hinder understanding, sometimes cause accidents and occasionally disaster. When syringes other than the BS1619 are used the risks are increased. Insulin preparations containing 100 units/ml used with syringes graduated to contain one unit in one division (e.g. a tuberculin syringe) have been tested as part of a trial organized by the British Diabetic Association. Parents preferred the new system, which facilitated learning and reduced the possibility of error.", "contents": "Use of 100 units/ml insulin in treatment of diabetic children. The three traditional concentrations in which European insulins are prepared for therapeutic purposes often hinder understanding, sometimes cause accidents and occasionally disaster. When syringes other than the BS1619 are used the risks are increased. Insulin preparations containing 100 units/ml used with syringes graduated to contain one unit in one division (e.g. a tuberculin syringe) have been tested as part of a trial organized by the British Diabetic Association. Parents preferred the new system, which facilitated learning and reduced the possibility of error.", "PMID": 795382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10434", "title": "Esch. coli infections in childhood. Significance of bacterial virulence and immune defence.", "content": "The Esch. coli harboured in the gut constitute a reservoir of potential pathogens in the infant and child. The conditions required for these intestinal inhabitants to cause infection are not well understood. The presence of virulence factors such as capsular antigens, especially K1, may be of significance for the ability of Esch. coli to cause neonatal meningitis. The capacity of certain Esch. coli to attach to epithelial cells of mucous membranes may be important for their infective powers in the urinary as well as the intestinal tract. Furthermore, the ability of certain Esch. coli to produce enterotoxins similar to that of V. cholerae is of importance for their capacity to provoke diarrhoea. The importance of the immune defence mechanisms for prevention of these Esch. coli infections is suggested, especially in the form of local immunity provided by secretory IgA antibodies. Such antibodies directed against Esch. coli O and K antigens as well as enterotoxins are present in large amounts in human milk and may be of considerable importance for protection against Esch. coli in the breast-fed baby. Breast feeding may be of special significance until the baby has built up its own local immune defence preventing the micro-organisms from attaching to and invading the intestinal mucous membranes. SIgA antibodies in urine may have a similar protective effect against urinary tract infections. The variable pictures of Esch. coli infections in childhood are striking, ranging from severe sepsis/meningitis or diarrhoea to \"asymptomatic\" bacteriuria. This variability is obviously closely connected with the presence of various virulence factors and the function of different components of the immune defence.", "contents": "Esch. coli infections in childhood. Significance of bacterial virulence and immune defence. The Esch. coli harboured in the gut constitute a reservoir of potential pathogens in the infant and child. The conditions required for these intestinal inhabitants to cause infection are not well understood. The presence of virulence factors such as capsular antigens, especially K1, may be of significance for the ability of Esch. coli to cause neonatal meningitis. The capacity of certain Esch. coli to attach to epithelial cells of mucous membranes may be important for their infective powers in the urinary as well as the intestinal tract. Furthermore, the ability of certain Esch. coli to produce enterotoxins similar to that of V. cholerae is of importance for their capacity to provoke diarrhoea. The importance of the immune defence mechanisms for prevention of these Esch. coli infections is suggested, especially in the form of local immunity provided by secretory IgA antibodies. Such antibodies directed against Esch. coli O and K antigens as well as enterotoxins are present in large amounts in human milk and may be of considerable importance for protection against Esch. coli in the breast-fed baby. Breast feeding may be of special significance until the baby has built up its own local immune defence preventing the micro-organisms from attaching to and invading the intestinal mucous membranes. SIgA antibodies in urine may have a similar protective effect against urinary tract infections. The variable pictures of Esch. coli infections in childhood are striking, ranging from severe sepsis/meningitis or diarrhoea to \"asymptomatic\" bacteriuria. This variability is obviously closely connected with the presence of various virulence factors and the function of different components of the immune defence.", "PMID": 795381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10435", "title": "Treponema pallidum in early syphilitic lesions in humans during high-dosage penicillin therapy. An electron microscopical study.", "content": "The alterations of early syphilitic infection occuring in the course of high dosage penicillin (120 mega IU, 36 h) as clinical experimental trial has been studied both from the clinical and the electron microscopical views. By electron microscopical studies, findings revealing the localization and the status of treponemes before and during penicillin treatment could be established. Before treatment started, the majority of treponemes was of intercellular localization. In the course of treatment various forms of destruction could be differentiated. The most striking change in the host tissue after 7-8 h of penicillin therapy was an elimination of treponemes by penetrating phagocytes. 24 h after the beginning of treatment, treponemes could not be demonstrated any more. The clinical and serological findings after the high dosage penicilline will produce results comparable to those of conventional therapie.", "contents": "Treponema pallidum in early syphilitic lesions in humans during high-dosage penicillin therapy. An electron microscopical study. The alterations of early syphilitic infection occuring in the course of high dosage penicillin (120 mega IU, 36 h) as clinical experimental trial has been studied both from the clinical and the electron microscopical views. By electron microscopical studies, findings revealing the localization and the status of treponemes before and during penicillin treatment could be established. Before treatment started, the majority of treponemes was of intercellular localization. In the course of treatment various forms of destruction could be differentiated. The most striking change in the host tissue after 7-8 h of penicillin therapy was an elimination of treponemes by penetrating phagocytes. 24 h after the beginning of treatment, treponemes could not be demonstrated any more. The clinical and serological findings after the high dosage penicilline will produce results comparable to those of conventional therapie.", "PMID": 795383} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10436", "title": "Absence of leukocyte-migration inhibitory factor in serum from patients with mycosis fungoides.", "content": "Sera from 16 patients with mycosis fungoides at various stages of the disease were investigated for the presence of a leukocyte-migration inhibitory factor. The agarose gel techinque with human peripheral blood leukocytes as migrating indicator cells was used for the purpose. The migration inhibitory effect of patients sera, pooled AB-sera and sera from control persons was tested on peripheral blood leukocytes from patients and controls. Also upconcentrated sera were used. The presence of substances with migration inhibitory effect in serum from patients with mycosis fungoides could not be demonstrated. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "Absence of leukocyte-migration inhibitory factor in serum from patients with mycosis fungoides. Sera from 16 patients with mycosis fungoides at various stages of the disease were investigated for the presence of a leukocyte-migration inhibitory factor. The agarose gel techinque with human peripheral blood leukocytes as migrating indicator cells was used for the purpose. The migration inhibitory effect of patients sera, pooled AB-sera and sera from control persons was tested on peripheral blood leukocytes from patients and controls. Also upconcentrated sera were used. The presence of substances with migration inhibitory effect in serum from patients with mycosis fungoides could not be demonstrated. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 795384} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10437", "title": "[Dermatoses with transepithelial perforation (author's transl)].", "content": "The histologic concept of epidermal elimination of particulate matter was formulated by Pinkus in 1954. Mehregan enlarged on this by recognizing its fundamental role in a variety of skin diseases. The importance of this epidermal reaction pattern in five \"perforating\" dermatoses is stressed. Also, it is shown that active participation of the corium and epithelio-mesenchymal interaction are required for the iniation of this mechanism. The histological differentiation and histogenesis of the presented dermatoses are discussed.", "contents": "[Dermatoses with transepithelial perforation (author's transl)]. The histologic concept of epidermal elimination of particulate matter was formulated by Pinkus in 1954. Mehregan enlarged on this by recognizing its fundamental role in a variety of skin diseases. The importance of this epidermal reaction pattern in five \"perforating\" dermatoses is stressed. Also, it is shown that active participation of the corium and epithelio-mesenchymal interaction are required for the iniation of this mechanism. The histological differentiation and histogenesis of the presented dermatoses are discussed.", "PMID": 795385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10438", "title": "Naproxen in rheumatoid arthritis. Extended trial.", "content": "121 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, 91 of whom had proved intolerant of other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, were treated for a mean of 10 months with naproxen. A dosage of 250 mg twice daily produced sustained improvement in most of the standard clinical measurements. 28 patients complained of side effects, with a lower than expected incidence of gastrointestinal complaints and no drug-induced rash being recorded. 19 patients withdrew from the trial because of side effects, while a further 22 withdrew because the drug was ineffective. Naproxen is a useful drug for long-term use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including those who have proved intolerant of or experienced inadequate symptomatic relief from other nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory agents.", "contents": "Naproxen in rheumatoid arthritis. Extended trial. 121 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, 91 of whom had proved intolerant of other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, were treated for a mean of 10 months with naproxen. A dosage of 250 mg twice daily produced sustained improvement in most of the standard clinical measurements. 28 patients complained of side effects, with a lower than expected incidence of gastrointestinal complaints and no drug-induced rash being recorded. 19 patients withdrew from the trial because of side effects, while a further 22 withdrew because the drug was ineffective. Naproxen is a useful drug for long-term use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including those who have proved intolerant of or experienced inadequate symptomatic relief from other nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory agents.", "PMID": 795386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10439", "title": "Voyeurism: a review of literature.", "content": "The most striking thing about the literature on voyeurism is the relative lack of material in print. In the present work, the author was able to find only 15 articles and no books that deal specifically with voyeurism. Of the 57 references compiled for this review, not one involves an experimental manipulation of variables. An attempt is made to review as many aspects of voyeurism as possible, giving illustrative case material whenever available. The areas of troilism and coprophilia are covered in some detail to establish to what degree they belong to the deviation of voyeurism. Theory of perversion has centered around the psychoanalytic and behavioral schools because of the lack of material from other approaches. The voyeur is found to be a relatively young man of low socioeconomic status, who sociosexually is said to be \"not retarded but a late bloomer.\" He is prone to minor crimes and not major offenses. It is suggested that moyeurism be considered a deviation from normal sexual behavior and that deviations are not in and of themselves criminal behavior. At present, punishment is genera-ly mild but highly variable and unpredictable. Treatment is usually analysis or group therapy, but other forms of therapy such as aversion and avoidance conditioning are being attempted with increasing success.", "contents": "Voyeurism: a review of literature. The most striking thing about the literature on voyeurism is the relative lack of material in print. In the present work, the author was able to find only 15 articles and no books that deal specifically with voyeurism. Of the 57 references compiled for this review, not one involves an experimental manipulation of variables. An attempt is made to review as many aspects of voyeurism as possible, giving illustrative case material whenever available. The areas of troilism and coprophilia are covered in some detail to establish to what degree they belong to the deviation of voyeurism. Theory of perversion has centered around the psychoanalytic and behavioral schools because of the lack of material from other approaches. The voyeur is found to be a relatively young man of low socioeconomic status, who sociosexually is said to be \"not retarded but a late bloomer.\" He is prone to minor crimes and not major offenses. It is suggested that moyeurism be considered a deviation from normal sexual behavior and that deviations are not in and of themselves criminal behavior. At present, punishment is genera-ly mild but highly variable and unpredictable. Treatment is usually analysis or group therapy, but other forms of therapy such as aversion and avoidance conditioning are being attempted with increasing success.", "PMID": 795401} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10440", "title": "[Interactions between various transition elements in their effect on pepsin activity].", "content": "Kinetic experiments were made with pepsin in the presence of Cu2+ ions and additional Fe2+, Ni2+ or Zn3+ ions as sulphates. As a parameter of the pepsin activity the turnover-rate curves were determined with haemoglobin as a substrate. An important activation of the pepsin was obtained by Cu2+ additions of 5-10(-4) mole/1. When Cu2+ and Fe2+ ions were added to the reaction mixture at the same time, an additive effect of both metal cations was observed. A competitive effect of both metal cations was found in the combination of Cu2+/Ni2+ ions. Zn2+ addition did not influence the activation of pepsin caused by Cu2+ ions.", "contents": "[Interactions between various transition elements in their effect on pepsin activity]. Kinetic experiments were made with pepsin in the presence of Cu2+ ions and additional Fe2+, Ni2+ or Zn3+ ions as sulphates. As a parameter of the pepsin activity the turnover-rate curves were determined with haemoglobin as a substrate. An important activation of the pepsin was obtained by Cu2+ additions of 5-10(-4) mole/1. When Cu2+ and Fe2+ ions were added to the reaction mixture at the same time, an additive effect of both metal cations was observed. A competitive effect of both metal cations was found in the combination of Cu2+/Ni2+ ions. Zn2+ addition did not influence the activation of pepsin caused by Cu2+ ions.", "PMID": 795402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10441", "title": "Time -- a key in experimental and practical medicine.", "content": "This paper gives an overview on circadian rhythms which governs visibly all biological features. By illustrative examples of circadian rhythms of man and experimental animals it is shown that: 1. The components of all tissues, organs, and blood undergo circadian changes, manifested in drmatic morphologic and chemical differences. These circadian changes simply do not represent minute \"physiologic\" variations around a 24-h means. 2. The endogenous nature and the influences of the environmental factors such as food, light, laboratory stress, and seasons acting on circadian rhythms are demonstrated. 3. The different circadian phases determine significantly the in vivo and in vitro results in response to hormones, drugs and poisons. The neccessity to consider circadian rhythms is shown by chronotoxicologic experiments: mortality rates between 0 and 100% may occur after application of identical doses of a given drug at different day times.", "contents": "Time -- a key in experimental and practical medicine. This paper gives an overview on circadian rhythms which governs visibly all biological features. By illustrative examples of circadian rhythms of man and experimental animals it is shown that: 1. The components of all tissues, organs, and blood undergo circadian changes, manifested in drmatic morphologic and chemical differences. These circadian changes simply do not represent minute \"physiologic\" variations around a 24-h means. 2. The endogenous nature and the influences of the environmental factors such as food, light, laboratory stress, and seasons acting on circadian rhythms are demonstrated. 3. The different circadian phases determine significantly the in vivo and in vitro results in response to hormones, drugs and poisons. The neccessity to consider circadian rhythms is shown by chronotoxicologic experiments: mortality rates between 0 and 100% may occur after application of identical doses of a given drug at different day times.", "PMID": 795403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10442", "title": "New aspects of human chronopharmacology.", "content": "Regular and thus predictable changes in biologic susceptibility and response to a large variety of physical as well as chemical agents can now be viewed as a rather common phenomenon. Chronopharmacology involves both the investigation of drug effects as a function of biologic timing and the investigation of drug effects upon rhythm characteristics. Illustrative examples of circadian chronopharmacolgy in man are discussed, keeping in mind that the objective demonstration of chronopharmacologic facts needs the use of an appropriate methodology. Circadian changes in the effects of various chemical agents have been documented: histamine, sodium salicylate, acetylcholine, halothane, prostaglandine F, reserpine, cyproheptadine, ethanol, insulin, chlorothiazide, oxymetholone, orciprenalin and SCH 1000 (bronchodilators), indomethacin, ACTH, cortisol and various synthetic corticosteroids. (three new concepts have to be considered: a. The Chronokinetic of a Drug. This term includes both rhythmic changes in the drug vioavailability, pharmacokinetic and its excretion. b. The Chronesthesy of a Biosystem to a Drug. i.e. circadian changes in the susceptibility of any biosystem to a drug. c. The Chronergy of a Drug, taking into consideration its chronokinetic and the chronesthesies of the involved organismic biosystems. Chronopharmacology is useful to solve problems of drug optimization, i.e. to enhance the desired effeciency or to reduce its undesired effects. In the human organism (among other animal species) the metabolic fate of a pharmacologic agent (as well as that of a nutrient) is not constant as a function of time. Thus, the chronobiologic approach of pharmacologic phenomena involves a lesser risk of errors and/or false information than the conventional homeostatic approach.", "contents": "New aspects of human chronopharmacology. Regular and thus predictable changes in biologic susceptibility and response to a large variety of physical as well as chemical agents can now be viewed as a rather common phenomenon. Chronopharmacology involves both the investigation of drug effects as a function of biologic timing and the investigation of drug effects upon rhythm characteristics. Illustrative examples of circadian chronopharmacolgy in man are discussed, keeping in mind that the objective demonstration of chronopharmacologic facts needs the use of an appropriate methodology. Circadian changes in the effects of various chemical agents have been documented: histamine, sodium salicylate, acetylcholine, halothane, prostaglandine F, reserpine, cyproheptadine, ethanol, insulin, chlorothiazide, oxymetholone, orciprenalin and SCH 1000 (bronchodilators), indomethacin, ACTH, cortisol and various synthetic corticosteroids. (three new concepts have to be considered: a. The Chronokinetic of a Drug. This term includes both rhythmic changes in the drug vioavailability, pharmacokinetic and its excretion. b. The Chronesthesy of a Biosystem to a Drug. i.e. circadian changes in the susceptibility of any biosystem to a drug. c. The Chronergy of a Drug, taking into consideration its chronokinetic and the chronesthesies of the involved organismic biosystems. Chronopharmacology is useful to solve problems of drug optimization, i.e. to enhance the desired effeciency or to reduce its undesired effects. In the human organism (among other animal species) the metabolic fate of a pharmacologic agent (as well as that of a nutrient) is not constant as a function of time. Thus, the chronobiologic approach of pharmacologic phenomena involves a lesser risk of errors and/or false information than the conventional homeostatic approach.", "PMID": 795404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10443", "title": "[Clinical studies on the tolerance of a new antibiotic combination, pivampicillin and dicloxacillin].", "content": "The tolerance of a new pivampicillin and dicloxacillin association, especially at high doses and during prolonged treatment, was assessed by administering two 600 mg tablets (350 mg pivampicillin + 250 mg dicloxacillin) every 6 or 8 hr (according to the seriousness of the diseases) to 53 patients with acute infection of varying site and aetiology. Microbiological, radiological and blood chemistry data were collected with reference to the disease involved, along with clinical and laboratory data capable of demonstrating the eventual appearance of unwanted side-effects referable to the association. The results showed that the association was therapeutically effective and well tolerated at high doses given over long periods.", "contents": "[Clinical studies on the tolerance of a new antibiotic combination, pivampicillin and dicloxacillin]. The tolerance of a new pivampicillin and dicloxacillin association, especially at high doses and during prolonged treatment, was assessed by administering two 600 mg tablets (350 mg pivampicillin + 250 mg dicloxacillin) every 6 or 8 hr (according to the seriousness of the diseases) to 53 patients with acute infection of varying site and aetiology. Microbiological, radiological and blood chemistry data were collected with reference to the disease involved, along with clinical and laboratory data capable of demonstrating the eventual appearance of unwanted side-effects referable to the association. The results showed that the association was therapeutically effective and well tolerated at high doses given over long periods.", "PMID": 795400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10444", "title": "[Operative treatment of distal tibial fractures. Technique of osteosynthesis and results in 128 patients (author's transl)].", "content": "Fractures of the distal tibia including the articular surfaces have considerably increased. A simple classification based on the surgical findings is recommended and some particular diagnostic criteria are pointed out. The operative approach and technique have been described in detail. Due to special osteosynthetic implants alignment of the axis, anatomical reconstruction of the articular surfaces, and stabilisation in comminuted fractures has been greatly facilitated. Cancellous bone from the ipsilateral proximal tibia is advantageous for the filling of metaphyseal defects in juvenile patients. Post-operative treatment has to be individualized with emphasis on functional treatment. Between 1963 and 1973, 128 osteosynthetic reconstructions for fracture of the distal tibia have been performed. Primary fusion was not necessary in any patients. 121 patients could be reviewed an average of 4 years after injury. Late complications (delayed healing, refracture, late infection etc.) were rare (about 7%) and healed without further sequelae. Secondary correction of the axis or fusions were not required. In 90% the functional results after these serious fractures were good. 85% returned to athletic activity, only 5% are disabled.", "contents": "[Operative treatment of distal tibial fractures. Technique of osteosynthesis and results in 128 patients (author's transl)]. Fractures of the distal tibia including the articular surfaces have considerably increased. A simple classification based on the surgical findings is recommended and some particular diagnostic criteria are pointed out. The operative approach and technique have been described in detail. Due to special osteosynthetic implants alignment of the axis, anatomical reconstruction of the articular surfaces, and stabilisation in comminuted fractures has been greatly facilitated. Cancellous bone from the ipsilateral proximal tibia is advantageous for the filling of metaphyseal defects in juvenile patients. Post-operative treatment has to be individualized with emphasis on functional treatment. Between 1963 and 1973, 128 osteosynthetic reconstructions for fracture of the distal tibia have been performed. Primary fusion was not necessary in any patients. 121 patients could be reviewed an average of 4 years after injury. Late complications (delayed healing, refracture, late infection etc.) were rare (about 7%) and healed without further sequelae. Secondary correction of the axis or fusions were not required. In 90% the functional results after these serious fractures were good. 85% returned to athletic activity, only 5% are disabled.", "PMID": 795409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10445", "title": "Immunofluorescence studies on pathologic routine material: application to malignant lymphomas.", "content": "In an attempt to apply immunmorphologic techniques to pathologic routine material, malignant lymphomas of the Non-Hodgkin- and the Hodgkin-type were studied by indirect immunofluorescence. To minimize nonspecific background staining formalin fixed paraffin sections were treated with protease prior to incubation with the antisera. The usefullness of this procedure in providing additional diagnostic criteria was tested on specimens of malignant lymphomas (chronic lymphocytic leukemias, immunocytic lymphomas, plasmocytic lymphomas, centrocytic lymphomas, centroblastic-centrocyctic lymphomas, centroblastic lymphomas, immunoblastic lymphomas, lymphoblastic lymphomas of Burkitt, convoluted and unclassified type, Hodgkin's disease). In addition, cases of nonspecific lymphadenitis were studied. The discrimination of single cells particularly of the B-cell line was facilitated using immunofluorescence and different patterns were easily recognized thus aiding the diagnosis based on light microscopic criteria. In addition, preliminary evidence was obtained that lymphoblastic lymphomas categorized as \"others\" may be further characterized.", "contents": "Immunofluorescence studies on pathologic routine material: application to malignant lymphomas. In an attempt to apply immunmorphologic techniques to pathologic routine material, malignant lymphomas of the Non-Hodgkin- and the Hodgkin-type were studied by indirect immunofluorescence. To minimize nonspecific background staining formalin fixed paraffin sections were treated with protease prior to incubation with the antisera. The usefullness of this procedure in providing additional diagnostic criteria was tested on specimens of malignant lymphomas (chronic lymphocytic leukemias, immunocytic lymphomas, plasmocytic lymphomas, centrocytic lymphomas, centroblastic-centrocyctic lymphomas, centroblastic lymphomas, immunoblastic lymphomas, lymphoblastic lymphomas of Burkitt, convoluted and unclassified type, Hodgkin's disease). In addition, cases of nonspecific lymphadenitis were studied. The discrimination of single cells particularly of the B-cell line was facilitated using immunofluorescence and different patterns were easily recognized thus aiding the diagnosis based on light microscopic criteria. In addition, preliminary evidence was obtained that lymphoblastic lymphomas categorized as \"others\" may be further characterized.", "PMID": 795417} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10446", "title": "[Blood groups of human fossil remains].", "content": "The results of the blood grouping of the fossil human bones, from different mesolyte necropoles, are presented. These results, giving the informations concerning biological individualities of the ancestors of our country, will be of great importance for anthropology and ethnology of this region.", "contents": "[Blood groups of human fossil remains]. The results of the blood grouping of the fossil human bones, from different mesolyte necropoles, are presented. These results, giving the informations concerning biological individualities of the ancestors of our country, will be of great importance for anthropology and ethnology of this region.", "PMID": 795419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10447", "title": "Amino acid differences between the alpha-chains from two hemoglobins of the yellow-cheeked vole (Family Cricetidae).", "content": "The yellow-cheeked vole (Microtus xanthognathus) shows two electrophoretic hemoglobin components. Electrophoresis of the polypeptide chains from the separated hemoglobin components shows identical beta-chains but two alpha-chains of different mobility, alphaf and alphas. The composition of soluble tryptic peptides was determined for each alpha-chain. Amino acid differences were found in peptides alpha T1 and alpha T9; the compositions of the remainder of the homologous peptides were identical. Differences in alpha T1, found at alpha4 (alpha2-Gly-alphaf-Val) and alpha 5 (alphas-Thr-alphaf-Asp), were confirmed after a run to residue 20 of the fast component in an automatic sequencer. The differences in charge between alphaT1 peptides can account for the electrophoretic pattern of two hemoglobins. This is the first time that it has been possible to identity the residues which can account for the charge difference between the two hemoglobins observed in a Microtus species.", "contents": "Amino acid differences between the alpha-chains from two hemoglobins of the yellow-cheeked vole (Family Cricetidae). The yellow-cheeked vole (Microtus xanthognathus) shows two electrophoretic hemoglobin components. Electrophoresis of the polypeptide chains from the separated hemoglobin components shows identical beta-chains but two alpha-chains of different mobility, alphaf and alphas. The composition of soluble tryptic peptides was determined for each alpha-chain. Amino acid differences were found in peptides alpha T1 and alpha T9; the compositions of the remainder of the homologous peptides were identical. Differences in alpha T1, found at alpha4 (alpha2-Gly-alphaf-Val) and alpha 5 (alphas-Thr-alphaf-Asp), were confirmed after a run to residue 20 of the fast component in an automatic sequencer. The differences in charge between alphaT1 peptides can account for the electrophoretic pattern of two hemoglobins. This is the first time that it has been possible to identity the residues which can account for the charge difference between the two hemoglobins observed in a Microtus species.", "PMID": 795422} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10448", "title": "The aminoacylation of transfer ribonucleic acid. Inhibitory effects of some amino acid analogues with altered side chains.", "content": "Several amino acid analogues that are able to replace amino acid residues in binding positions of the biologically active C-terminal tetrapeptide amide sequence, Trp-Met-Asp-PheNH2, of the gastrins were examined for their ability to inhibit the aminoacylation of tRNA in an Escherichia coli and rat liver system. Although in both systems the amino acid side chains are involved in the recognition process, the structural requirements of the side chain in the two systems are not comparable. Analogues of methionine and phenylalanine behaved similarly in the E. coli and rat liver systems, whereas analogues of tryptophan behaved differently. From the results it is possible to suggest structural features of the amino acid side chains which are required for recognition by the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.", "contents": "The aminoacylation of transfer ribonucleic acid. Inhibitory effects of some amino acid analogues with altered side chains. Several amino acid analogues that are able to replace amino acid residues in binding positions of the biologically active C-terminal tetrapeptide amide sequence, Trp-Met-Asp-PheNH2, of the gastrins were examined for their ability to inhibit the aminoacylation of tRNA in an Escherichia coli and rat liver system. Although in both systems the amino acid side chains are involved in the recognition process, the structural requirements of the side chain in the two systems are not comparable. Analogues of methionine and phenylalanine behaved similarly in the E. coli and rat liver systems, whereas analogues of tryptophan behaved differently. From the results it is possible to suggest structural features of the amino acid side chains which are required for recognition by the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.", "PMID": 795423} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10449", "title": "Evidence for two lipoic acid residues per lipoate acetyltransferase chain in the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The reaction of two maleimides, N-ethylmaleimide and bis-(N-maleimidomethyl) ether, with the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli in the presence of the substrate, pyruvate, was examined. In both cases, the reaction was demonstrated to be almost exclusively with the lipoate acetyltransferase component, and evidence is presented to show that the most likely sites of reaction are the lipoic acid residues covalently bound to this component. With both reagents the stoicheiometry of the reaction was measured: 2 mol of reagent reacted with each polypeptide chain of lipoate acetyltransferase, implying that each chain bears two functionally active lipolic acid residues. This observation can be reconciled with previous determinations of the lipoic acid content of the complex by allowing for the variability of the subunit polypeptide-chain ratio that can be demonstrated for this multimeric enzyme.", "contents": "Evidence for two lipoic acid residues per lipoate acetyltransferase chain in the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli. The reaction of two maleimides, N-ethylmaleimide and bis-(N-maleimidomethyl) ether, with the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli in the presence of the substrate, pyruvate, was examined. In both cases, the reaction was demonstrated to be almost exclusively with the lipoate acetyltransferase component, and evidence is presented to show that the most likely sites of reaction are the lipoic acid residues covalently bound to this component. With both reagents the stoicheiometry of the reaction was measured: 2 mol of reagent reacted with each polypeptide chain of lipoate acetyltransferase, implying that each chain bears two functionally active lipolic acid residues. This observation can be reconciled with previous determinations of the lipoic acid content of the complex by allowing for the variability of the subunit polypeptide-chain ratio that can be demonstrated for this multimeric enzyme.", "PMID": 795424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10450", "title": "Glycosylation in vitro of an asparagine sequon catalysed by preparations of yeast cell membranes.", "content": "Preparations of yeast cell membranes can catalyse in vitro the N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminylation of the asparagine sequon at residues 34--36 of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A. The relevant glycopeptides were isolated from tryptic hydrolysates of the glycosylated ribonuclease and analysed. The donor used was UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, although the mechanism of the transfer is unknown. Mn2+ ions at concentrations of 25 mM double the activity of the enzymic transfer.", "contents": "Glycosylation in vitro of an asparagine sequon catalysed by preparations of yeast cell membranes. Preparations of yeast cell membranes can catalyse in vitro the N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminylation of the asparagine sequon at residues 34--36 of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A. The relevant glycopeptides were isolated from tryptic hydrolysates of the glycosylated ribonuclease and analysed. The donor used was UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, although the mechanism of the transfer is unknown. Mn2+ ions at concentrations of 25 mM double the activity of the enzymic transfer.", "PMID": 795426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10451", "title": "A model for cytoplasm-governed gene regulation.", "content": "A model of cytoplasm-governed transcription is presented. The nuclear membrane has a selective permeability towards nuclear pre-mRNA molecules which are provided with group-specific non-translated \"passwords\". RNA transcription on the chromatin proceeds under a dual control. One of them is gene regulation according to the Britten-Davidson and Georgiev models. The other is cytoplasm-governed regulation mediated through the selective transport of mRNA from nucleus to cytoplasm. Pre-mRNA molecules which are not \"in immediate demand\" by the cytoplasm and therefore accumulating the nucleus repress their own synthesis by end-product inhibition. The interrelationship of the two types of regulation in the course of cell development is discussed.", "contents": "A model for cytoplasm-governed gene regulation. A model of cytoplasm-governed transcription is presented. The nuclear membrane has a selective permeability towards nuclear pre-mRNA molecules which are provided with group-specific non-translated \"passwords\". RNA transcription on the chromatin proceeds under a dual control. One of them is gene regulation according to the Britten-Davidson and Georgiev models. The other is cytoplasm-governed regulation mediated through the selective transport of mRNA from nucleus to cytoplasm. Pre-mRNA molecules which are not \"in immediate demand\" by the cytoplasm and therefore accumulating the nucleus repress their own synthesis by end-product inhibition. The interrelationship of the two types of regulation in the course of cell development is discussed.", "PMID": 795425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10452", "title": "Competition between trichodermin and several other sesquiterpene antibiotics for binding to their receptor site(s) on eukaryotic ribosomes.", "content": "1. Of the five sesquiterpene antibiotics tested and found to inhibit protein synthesis in yeast spheroplasts, trichothecin, trichodermol or trichodermin stabilized polyribosomes whereas, in contrast, verrucarin A or T-2 toxin induced 'run off' of polyribosomes with a corresponding increase in 80S monoribosomes. The effect of fusarenon X on the system could not be determined as the drug failed to enter the cells. 2. [acetyl-14C]Trichodermin bound to yeast polyribosomes with a dissociation constant of 2.10 muM and to yeast 'run off' ribosomes with a dissociation constant of 0.72 muM. 3. Trichothecin, trichodermol, fusarenon X, T-2 toxin and verrucarin A competed with [acetyl-14C]trichodermin for binding to its receptor site on 'run off' ribosomes. The observed competition was quantitatively similar for all drugs tested. In contrast, the five drugs competed to different extents with trichodermin for binding to its receptor site on polyribosomes. Thus trichothecin competed with relative efficiency, whereas verrucarin A competed poorly, and the other drugs occupied intermediate positions between these two extremes. 4. Studies were also carried out with yeast 'run off' ribosomes prepared from both a wild-type strain and a strain resistant to trichodermin. Competition experiments between verrucarin A and [3H]anisomycin indicated that verrucarin A bound to 'run off' ribosomes from the mutant strain less efficiently than to those from the wild-type.", "contents": "Competition between trichodermin and several other sesquiterpene antibiotics for binding to their receptor site(s) on eukaryotic ribosomes. 1. Of the five sesquiterpene antibiotics tested and found to inhibit protein synthesis in yeast spheroplasts, trichothecin, trichodermol or trichodermin stabilized polyribosomes whereas, in contrast, verrucarin A or T-2 toxin induced 'run off' of polyribosomes with a corresponding increase in 80S monoribosomes. The effect of fusarenon X on the system could not be determined as the drug failed to enter the cells. 2. [acetyl-14C]Trichodermin bound to yeast polyribosomes with a dissociation constant of 2.10 muM and to yeast 'run off' ribosomes with a dissociation constant of 0.72 muM. 3. Trichothecin, trichodermol, fusarenon X, T-2 toxin and verrucarin A competed with [acetyl-14C]trichodermin for binding to its receptor site on 'run off' ribosomes. The observed competition was quantitatively similar for all drugs tested. In contrast, the five drugs competed to different extents with trichodermin for binding to its receptor site on polyribosomes. Thus trichothecin competed with relative efficiency, whereas verrucarin A competed poorly, and the other drugs occupied intermediate positions between these two extremes. 4. Studies were also carried out with yeast 'run off' ribosomes prepared from both a wild-type strain and a strain resistant to trichodermin. Competition experiments between verrucarin A and [3H]anisomycin indicated that verrucarin A bound to 'run off' ribosomes from the mutant strain less efficiently than to those from the wild-type.", "PMID": 795427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10453", "title": "Polypeptide-chain-elongation rate in Escherichia coli B/r as a function of growth rate.", "content": "By evaluating the kinetics of radioactive labelling of nascent and finished polypeptides, the peptide-chain elongation rate for Escherichia coli B/r at three different growth rates (mu) was determined to be 17 amino acids/s for the fast-growing cells (mu equals 1.3 and 2.0 doublings/h) and 12 amino acids/s for slow-growing cells (mu equals 0.67 doublings/h). The results agree with the growth-rate-dependence of the rate of peptide-chain elongation found for the translation of newly induced beta-galactosidase messenger in this strain and under these conditions of growth [Dalbow & Young (1975) Biochem. J. 150, 13-20]. Together with the previously observed ribosome efficiency at these growth rates [Dennis & Bremer (1974) J. Mol. Biol. 84, 407-422] the results indicate that the fraction of ribosomes engaged in protein synthesis is about 0.8 at all three growth rates.", "contents": "Polypeptide-chain-elongation rate in Escherichia coli B/r as a function of growth rate. By evaluating the kinetics of radioactive labelling of nascent and finished polypeptides, the peptide-chain elongation rate for Escherichia coli B/r at three different growth rates (mu) was determined to be 17 amino acids/s for the fast-growing cells (mu equals 1.3 and 2.0 doublings/h) and 12 amino acids/s for slow-growing cells (mu equals 0.67 doublings/h). The results agree with the growth-rate-dependence of the rate of peptide-chain elongation found for the translation of newly induced beta-galactosidase messenger in this strain and under these conditions of growth [Dalbow & Young (1975) Biochem. J. 150, 13-20]. Together with the previously observed ribosome efficiency at these growth rates [Dennis & Bremer (1974) J. Mol. Biol. 84, 407-422] the results indicate that the fraction of ribosomes engaged in protein synthesis is about 0.8 at all three growth rates.", "PMID": 795428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10454", "title": "[Multicentre-clinical trial of the novel corticosteroid diflucortolone valerate in the forms of cream, ointment and fatty ointment. Part I: Comparative study of diflucortolone valerate with fluocortolone, -capronate, -pivalate in a double-blind contralateral design with topical application (author's transl)].", "content": "6alpha,9-Difluor-11beta-hydroxy-16alpha-methyl-21-valeryloxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (diflucortolone valerate, Nerisona) 0.1% as a cream, ointment and fatty ointment was investigated in a double-blind contralateral design in 925 patients in comparison to fluocortolone (Ultralan), fluocortolone caproate and fluocortolone pivalate in three concurrently performed studies. The results of the contralateral study show Nerisona cream and ointment to be more effective (P less than 0.01) than Ultralan. The fatty ointment was also superior, but the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05) only in the indication psoriasis. No differences could be established in the less sensitive absolute assessment. The therapeutic success rate of 76-92% according to strict criteria-only complete healing and distinct improvement were counted as a success-clearly demonstrates the efficacy of the preparations. The local side effects recorded-mainly irritation and burning- were of a mild nature.", "contents": "[Multicentre-clinical trial of the novel corticosteroid diflucortolone valerate in the forms of cream, ointment and fatty ointment. Part I: Comparative study of diflucortolone valerate with fluocortolone, -capronate, -pivalate in a double-blind contralateral design with topical application (author's transl)]. 6alpha,9-Difluor-11beta-hydroxy-16alpha-methyl-21-valeryloxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (diflucortolone valerate, Nerisona) 0.1% as a cream, ointment and fatty ointment was investigated in a double-blind contralateral design in 925 patients in comparison to fluocortolone (Ultralan), fluocortolone caproate and fluocortolone pivalate in three concurrently performed studies. The results of the contralateral study show Nerisona cream and ointment to be more effective (P less than 0.01) than Ultralan. The fatty ointment was also superior, but the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05) only in the indication psoriasis. No differences could be established in the less sensitive absolute assessment. The therapeutic success rate of 76-92% according to strict criteria-only complete healing and distinct improvement were counted as a success-clearly demonstrates the efficacy of the preparations. The local side effects recorded-mainly irritation and burning- were of a mild nature.", "PMID": 795433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10455", "title": "[Multicentre-clinical trial of the novel corticosteroid diflucortolone valerate in the forms of cream, ointment and fatty ointment. Part II: Comparative study with several commercial preparations (author's transl)].", "content": "6alpha,9-Difluoro-11beta-hydroxy-16alpha-methyl-21-valeryloxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (diflucortolone valerate, Nerisona) in the forms of cream, ointment and fatty ointment was investigated against 5 commercial preparations with beta-methasone-17-valerate, fluocinonide, fluocinolone acetonide, flumetasone pivalate and desoximetasone in 15 simultaneously conducted and multicentre-clinical studies-all on double-blind contralateral studies-involving a total of 1923 patients. The Nerisona preparations proved to be highly effective-particularly in eczematous diseases- and comparable to the above-mentioned commercial preparations. Nerisona ointment was shown to be superior to flumetasone cream. The statistical reliability of such data is discussed.", "contents": "[Multicentre-clinical trial of the novel corticosteroid diflucortolone valerate in the forms of cream, ointment and fatty ointment. Part II: Comparative study with several commercial preparations (author's transl)]. 6alpha,9-Difluoro-11beta-hydroxy-16alpha-methyl-21-valeryloxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (diflucortolone valerate, Nerisona) in the forms of cream, ointment and fatty ointment was investigated against 5 commercial preparations with beta-methasone-17-valerate, fluocinonide, fluocinolone acetonide, flumetasone pivalate and desoximetasone in 15 simultaneously conducted and multicentre-clinical studies-all on double-blind contralateral studies-involving a total of 1923 patients. The Nerisona preparations proved to be highly effective-particularly in eczematous diseases- and comparable to the above-mentioned commercial preparations. Nerisona ointment was shown to be superior to flumetasone cream. The statistical reliability of such data is discussed.", "PMID": 795434} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10456", "title": "[Chemotherapeutically active nitro compounds. 2nd communication: Nitrodiphenyl sulfones (author's transl)].", "content": "A number of new 4-nitro-4'-amino-diphenyl sulfones and related compounds were prepared and investigated as to their therapeutic activity. They showed a good systemic activity against tubercle bacilli (M. bovis, NMRI mouse) and plasmodia (P. berghei, NMRI mouse). The test results reveal that the 4-nitro-4'-amino-diphenyl sulfones possess a spectrum of activity similar to that of diamino-diphenyl sulfone (DDS). It is assumed that 4-nitro-4'-amino-diphenyl sulfones in vivo are converted into DDS derivatives by reduction. The advantages of the new compounds, however, were too insignificant as compared to DDS to justify further extensive trials.", "contents": "[Chemotherapeutically active nitro compounds. 2nd communication: Nitrodiphenyl sulfones (author's transl)]. A number of new 4-nitro-4'-amino-diphenyl sulfones and related compounds were prepared and investigated as to their therapeutic activity. They showed a good systemic activity against tubercle bacilli (M. bovis, NMRI mouse) and plasmodia (P. berghei, NMRI mouse). The test results reveal that the 4-nitro-4'-amino-diphenyl sulfones possess a spectrum of activity similar to that of diamino-diphenyl sulfone (DDS). It is assumed that 4-nitro-4'-amino-diphenyl sulfones in vivo are converted into DDS derivatives by reduction. The advantages of the new compounds, however, were too insignificant as compared to DDS to justify further extensive trials.", "PMID": 795435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10457", "title": "[A time-saving method for histo-enzymatic studies of brain tissues of animals with chronically implanted electrodes by means of a hard-section microtome (author's transl)].", "content": "A time-saving method is described for the localisation of chronically implanted electrodes in the brain of test animals by means of a \"Kryostat\" hard section microtome which allows both histo-topographic and histo-enzymatic investigations. This is made possible by the incorporation of a three-dimensional microtome holder.", "contents": "[A time-saving method for histo-enzymatic studies of brain tissues of animals with chronically implanted electrodes by means of a hard-section microtome (author's transl)]. A time-saving method is described for the localisation of chronically implanted electrodes in the brain of test animals by means of a \"Kryostat\" hard section microtome which allows both histo-topographic and histo-enzymatic investigations. This is made possible by the incorporation of a three-dimensional microtome holder.", "PMID": 795436} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10458", "title": "[Results of a field study on the therapeutic value of aprotinin in traumatic shock (author's transl)].", "content": "In the years 1971 to 1973 the therapeutic effect of Trasylol (aprotinin isolated from bovine organs) in the treatment of the traumatic shock was investigated in a controlled field study at 31 hospitals in northern Germany. The study included 4686 patients. There could be proved a significant reduction in letality by Trasylol treatment even under the broad conditions of general field application. The therapeutic activity of Trasylol was most efficient when Trasylol was applied within 30 min after the trauma and consists especially of a better prognostic for further development. The letality after 12 h is remarkably reduced by an early application of Trasylol and posttraumatic surgical operations have a significantly lower risk.", "contents": "[Results of a field study on the therapeutic value of aprotinin in traumatic shock (author's transl)]. In the years 1971 to 1973 the therapeutic effect of Trasylol (aprotinin isolated from bovine organs) in the treatment of the traumatic shock was investigated in a controlled field study at 31 hospitals in northern Germany. The study included 4686 patients. There could be proved a significant reduction in letality by Trasylol treatment even under the broad conditions of general field application. The therapeutic activity of Trasylol was most efficient when Trasylol was applied within 30 min after the trauma and consists especially of a better prognostic for further development. The letality after 12 h is remarkably reduced by an early application of Trasylol and posttraumatic surgical operations have a significantly lower risk.", "PMID": 795437} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10459", "title": "Changes of simple somatic parameters by delta-9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) in a double-blind-study. Short communication.", "content": "The effects of 250 mug/kg delta-9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) p.o. on several somatic parameters were assessed in a double-blind study on 36 volunteers. The consistently reported increase of the pulse rate was confirmed. In other somatic variables no differences to placebo were found. There were, however, significant correlations between the intensity of affective changes under delta-9-THC and the rise of eosinophilic granulocytes.", "contents": "Changes of simple somatic parameters by delta-9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) in a double-blind-study. Short communication. The effects of 250 mug/kg delta-9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) p.o. on several somatic parameters were assessed in a double-blind study on 36 volunteers. The consistently reported increase of the pulse rate was confirmed. In other somatic variables no differences to placebo were found. There were, however, significant correlations between the intensity of affective changes under delta-9-THC and the rise of eosinophilic granulocytes.", "PMID": 795438} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10460", "title": "Double-blind investigation of two corticoid preparations for the treatment of eczematous skin disorders. Short communication.", "content": "In a double blind fully randomised trial, three Belgian dermatologists independently treated 81 patients suffering from various eczematous skin disorders. After four weeks both the dermatologists and their patients assessed the results of a twice-daily topical application of an ointment containing 17 beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one-17-decanoate (nandrolone decanoate, Dexatopic) ointment or a reference ointment. Both the dermatologists' and the patients' assessments of the two preparations showed that there was no significant difference between the two treatments although Dexatopic did seem to have a more favourable profile in the \"much improved\" area. In the total score decrease, there was an indication that Dexatopic had a more favourable effect than the reference preparation.", "contents": "Double-blind investigation of two corticoid preparations for the treatment of eczematous skin disorders. Short communication. In a double blind fully randomised trial, three Belgian dermatologists independently treated 81 patients suffering from various eczematous skin disorders. After four weeks both the dermatologists and their patients assessed the results of a twice-daily topical application of an ointment containing 17 beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one-17-decanoate (nandrolone decanoate, Dexatopic) ointment or a reference ointment. Both the dermatologists' and the patients' assessments of the two preparations showed that there was no significant difference between the two treatments although Dexatopic did seem to have a more favourable profile in the \"much improved\" area. In the total score decrease, there was an indication that Dexatopic had a more favourable effect than the reference preparation.", "PMID": 795439} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10461", "title": "A double-blind cross-over evaluation of the activity of d-oxazepam hemisuccinate sodium salt (D-7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hemisuccinyloxy-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-one) compared to its racemic form.", "content": "After carrying out a pilot study on D-7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hemisuccinyloxy-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiaze-pine-2-one (D-oxazepam hemisuccinate sodium salt) (+), the authors examined in the present study the anxiolytic effects of this drug in comparison to its racemic form (+/-). The modifications of the symptoms were measured by the rating scale for anxiety (R.S.A.S.) of Hamilton and the experiment was carried out according to a cross-over, double-blind design. 34 patients hospitalized in the Psychiatric Hospital of Marzana (Verona) were studied. These patients complained of different syndromes but each of them had anxiety as the main symptom. The results obtained, evaluated clinically and statistically, confirm what was previously reported on the activity of D-oxazepam hemisuccinate sodium salt. In synthesis the drug given at a daily dose of 100 mg i.m. acts favourably upon: sleep disturbances, anxiety states and tension, somatic symptoms associated with anxiety. Given in equal doses both substances, dextrorotatory and racemic forms, act upon the same parameters of anxiety (as reported above). It has a superior activity over the racemic form, as it can be seen by the comparison of the variations of the general symptomatology and the single items particularly in the 2nd cycle of treatment.", "contents": "A double-blind cross-over evaluation of the activity of d-oxazepam hemisuccinate sodium salt (D-7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hemisuccinyloxy-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-one) compared to its racemic form. After carrying out a pilot study on D-7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hemisuccinyloxy-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiaze-pine-2-one (D-oxazepam hemisuccinate sodium salt) (+), the authors examined in the present study the anxiolytic effects of this drug in comparison to its racemic form (+/-). The modifications of the symptoms were measured by the rating scale for anxiety (R.S.A.S.) of Hamilton and the experiment was carried out according to a cross-over, double-blind design. 34 patients hospitalized in the Psychiatric Hospital of Marzana (Verona) were studied. These patients complained of different syndromes but each of them had anxiety as the main symptom. The results obtained, evaluated clinically and statistically, confirm what was previously reported on the activity of D-oxazepam hemisuccinate sodium salt. In synthesis the drug given at a daily dose of 100 mg i.m. acts favourably upon: sleep disturbances, anxiety states and tension, somatic symptoms associated with anxiety. Given in equal doses both substances, dextrorotatory and racemic forms, act upon the same parameters of anxiety (as reported above). It has a superior activity over the racemic form, as it can be seen by the comparison of the variations of the general symptomatology and the single items particularly in the 2nd cycle of treatment.", "PMID": 795440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10462", "title": "Antilipolytic therapy in angina pectoris. Reduction of exercise-induced ST segment depression.", "content": "A double-blind cross-over study was performed on 12 men sith stable angina pectoris in order to determine the effect of antilipolytic treatment on exercise tolerance and exercise-induced electrocardiographic changes. The men were exercised to the onset of anginal pain using a reproducible and standardized ergometric load. A nicotinic acid analogue was used to reduce plasma free fatty acids and free glycerol before and during exercise testing and to eliminate their post-exercise rise. This was associated with significant reduction of exercise-induced ST segment depression (p less than 0-005), though there was no significant difference in the duration of exercise before the oneset of pain. A change in the prportions of lipid and carbohydrate for oxidation by the ischaemic myocardium, making relatively more glucose available, is a likely explanation.", "contents": "Antilipolytic therapy in angina pectoris. Reduction of exercise-induced ST segment depression. A double-blind cross-over study was performed on 12 men sith stable angina pectoris in order to determine the effect of antilipolytic treatment on exercise tolerance and exercise-induced electrocardiographic changes. The men were exercised to the onset of anginal pain using a reproducible and standardized ergometric load. A nicotinic acid analogue was used to reduce plasma free fatty acids and free glycerol before and during exercise testing and to eliminate their post-exercise rise. This was associated with significant reduction of exercise-induced ST segment depression (p less than 0-005), though there was no significant difference in the duration of exercise before the oneset of pain. A change in the prportions of lipid and carbohydrate for oxidation by the ischaemic myocardium, making relatively more glucose available, is a likely explanation.", "PMID": 795443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10463", "title": "Closure of pericardium after open heart surgery. A way to prevent postoperative cardiac tamponade.", "content": "Between July 1968 and December 1975, 821 patients underwent open heart operations. In 596 cases the pericardium was left open and in 225 the pericardium was closed. Forty-one patients in the open pericardium group required reoperation and 23 of these had tamponade. Four patients in the closed pericardium group had reoperation but there was not a single case of tamponade. In most cases that required reoperation the bleeding was from extrapericardial sources. Absence of tamponade in the closed pericardium group can be explained by the fact that blood from extrapericardial sources of bleeding cannot collect round the heart because the pericardium is closed. Thus closure of pericardium helps to prevent tamponade. Reoperations some months or years after the original operation are technically easier and less hazardous if the pericardium has been closed because the closed pericardium prevents the heart from becoming adherent to the back of sternum and also because there are fewer adhesions in the pericardial cavity.", "contents": "Closure of pericardium after open heart surgery. A way to prevent postoperative cardiac tamponade. Between July 1968 and December 1975, 821 patients underwent open heart operations. In 596 cases the pericardium was left open and in 225 the pericardium was closed. Forty-one patients in the open pericardium group required reoperation and 23 of these had tamponade. Four patients in the closed pericardium group had reoperation but there was not a single case of tamponade. In most cases that required reoperation the bleeding was from extrapericardial sources. Absence of tamponade in the closed pericardium group can be explained by the fact that blood from extrapericardial sources of bleeding cannot collect round the heart because the pericardium is closed. Thus closure of pericardium helps to prevent tamponade. Reoperations some months or years after the original operation are technically easier and less hazardous if the pericardium has been closed because the closed pericardium prevents the heart from becoming adherent to the back of sternum and also because there are fewer adhesions in the pericardial cavity.", "PMID": 795444} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10464", "title": "Cholesterol-lowering effect of colestipol hydrochloride given twice daily in hypercholesterolemic patients.", "content": "In a randomized design study in 66 hypercholesterolemic patients, dosages of 10 g of colestipol HCl twice daily lowered serum cholesterol an average of 19% more than placebo therapy. These results are comparable to those in other studies in which the same total daily dose was given in three or four doses. The most common side effect was constipation, reported by 6 patients on colestipol HCl and 3 patients on placebo. No untoward systemic reactions or abnormal laboratory data were seen except for a slight rise in serum alkaline phosphatase during colestipol HCl therapy. The drug was well accepted by most patients.", "contents": "Cholesterol-lowering effect of colestipol hydrochloride given twice daily in hypercholesterolemic patients. In a randomized design study in 66 hypercholesterolemic patients, dosages of 10 g of colestipol HCl twice daily lowered serum cholesterol an average of 19% more than placebo therapy. These results are comparable to those in other studies in which the same total daily dose was given in three or four doses. The most common side effect was constipation, reported by 6 patients on colestipol HCl and 3 patients on placebo. No untoward systemic reactions or abnormal laboratory data were seen except for a slight rise in serum alkaline phosphatase during colestipol HCl therapy. The drug was well accepted by most patients.", "PMID": 795441} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10465", "title": "Design and analysis of randomized clinical trials requiring prolonged observation of each patient. I. Introduction and design.", "content": "The Medical Research Council has for some years encouraged collaborative clinical trials in leukaemia and other cancers, reporting the results in the medical literature. One unreported result which deserves such publication is the development of the expertise to design and analyse such trials. This report was prepared by a group of British and American statisticians, but it is intended for people without any statistical expertise. Part I, which appears in this issue, discusses the design of such trials; Part II, which will appear separately in the January 1977 issue of the Journal, gives full instructions for the statistical analysis of such trials by means of life tables and the logrank test, including a worked example, and discusses the interpretation of trial results, including brief reports of 2 particular trials. Both parts of this report are relevant to all clinical trials which study time to death, and wound be equally relevant to clinical trials which study time to other particular classes of untoward event: first stroke, perhaps, or first relapse, metastasis, disease recurrence, thrombosis, transplant rejection, or death from a particular cause. Part I, in this issue, collects together ideas that have mostly already appeared in the medical literature, but Part II, next month, is the first simple account yet published for non-statistical physicians of how to analyse efficiently data from clinical trials of survival duration. Such trials include the majority of all clinical trials of cancer therapy; in cancer trials,however, it may be preferable to use these statistical methods to study time to local recurrence of tumour, or to study time to detectable metastatic spread, in addition to studying total survival. Solid tumours can be staged at diagnosis; if this, or any other available information in some other disease is an important determinant of outcome, it can be used to make the overall logrank test for the whole heterogeneous trial population more sensitive, and more intuitively satisfactory, for it will then only be necessary to compare like with like, and not, by chance, Stage I with Stage III.", "contents": "Design and analysis of randomized clinical trials requiring prolonged observation of each patient. I. Introduction and design. The Medical Research Council has for some years encouraged collaborative clinical trials in leukaemia and other cancers, reporting the results in the medical literature. One unreported result which deserves such publication is the development of the expertise to design and analyse such trials. This report was prepared by a group of British and American statisticians, but it is intended for people without any statistical expertise. Part I, which appears in this issue, discusses the design of such trials; Part II, which will appear separately in the January 1977 issue of the Journal, gives full instructions for the statistical analysis of such trials by means of life tables and the logrank test, including a worked example, and discusses the interpretation of trial results, including brief reports of 2 particular trials. Both parts of this report are relevant to all clinical trials which study time to death, and wound be equally relevant to clinical trials which study time to other particular classes of untoward event: first stroke, perhaps, or first relapse, metastasis, disease recurrence, thrombosis, transplant rejection, or death from a particular cause. Part I, in this issue, collects together ideas that have mostly already appeared in the medical literature, but Part II, next month, is the first simple account yet published for non-statistical physicians of how to analyse efficiently data from clinical trials of survival duration. Such trials include the majority of all clinical trials of cancer therapy; in cancer trials,however, it may be preferable to use these statistical methods to study time to local recurrence of tumour, or to study time to detectable metastatic spread, in addition to studying total survival. Solid tumours can be staged at diagnosis; if this, or any other available information in some other disease is an important determinant of outcome, it can be used to make the overall logrank test for the whole heterogeneous trial population more sensitive, and more intuitively satisfactory, for it will then only be necessary to compare like with like, and not, by chance, Stage I with Stage III.", "PMID": 795448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10466", "title": "A lysosomal storage disorder of the epidermis characterized by a deficiency of alpha-mannosidase and an accumulation of mannose-rich materials.", "content": "Laboratory investigation of a patient diagnosed as ichthyosiform erythroderma bullosa revealed the following abnormalities: (1) alpha- and beta-galactosidases were elevated in the lesion. (2) alpha-mannosidase activity was extremely low both in the lesion and in relatively normal epidermis. (3) The mannose:glucose ratio of water-soluble hexose-containing material in the scales was very high. (4) Membrane-limited vacuoles, apparently enlarged secondary lysosomes, were observed. We conclude that this patients is the first documented example of a lysosomal storage disease in which overt clinical lesions are confined to the epidermis.", "contents": "A lysosomal storage disorder of the epidermis characterized by a deficiency of alpha-mannosidase and an accumulation of mannose-rich materials. Laboratory investigation of a patient diagnosed as ichthyosiform erythroderma bullosa revealed the following abnormalities: (1) alpha- and beta-galactosidases were elevated in the lesion. (2) alpha-mannosidase activity was extremely low both in the lesion and in relatively normal epidermis. (3) The mannose:glucose ratio of water-soluble hexose-containing material in the scales was very high. (4) Membrane-limited vacuoles, apparently enlarged secondary lysosomes, were observed. We conclude that this patients is the first documented example of a lysosomal storage disease in which overt clinical lesions are confined to the epidermis.", "PMID": 795449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10467", "title": "Relapse rate of psoriasis worsened by adding steroids to a dithranol regime.", "content": "The rate of relapse after dithranol therapy is significantly less that when betamethasone valerate under occlusion is combined with ditrhanol in the treatment of psoriasis. It is also argued that local steroids are inferior to deithranol in the management of psoriasis.", "contents": "Relapse rate of psoriasis worsened by adding steroids to a dithranol regime. The rate of relapse after dithranol therapy is significantly less that when betamethasone valerate under occlusion is combined with ditrhanol in the treatment of psoriasis. It is also argued that local steroids are inferior to deithranol in the management of psoriasis.", "PMID": 795450} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10468", "title": "T cell variant of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with chromosome abnormality and defective response to mitogens.", "content": "Lymphocytes from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, in whom therapy was ineffective, were defined as thymus-derived (T) cells by membrane markers (sheep erythrocyte rosettes, complement rosettes, surface immunoglobulin). The lymphocytes responded weakly to two mitogens, phytohaemagglutinin and the calcium ionophore A23187, but not to concanavalin A. Cytogenetic studies of leukaemic cells from unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated cultures revealed an abnormal karyotype with 45 chromosomes and multiple rearrangements. The T cell variant of classical chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is relatively rare; additional reports are needed to determine if the clinical course is typically less benign than in the common B cell variety, or whether this patient simply represented a late, unresponsive phase of the disease.", "contents": "T cell variant of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with chromosome abnormality and defective response to mitogens. Lymphocytes from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, in whom therapy was ineffective, were defined as thymus-derived (T) cells by membrane markers (sheep erythrocyte rosettes, complement rosettes, surface immunoglobulin). The lymphocytes responded weakly to two mitogens, phytohaemagglutinin and the calcium ionophore A23187, but not to concanavalin A. Cytogenetic studies of leukaemic cells from unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated cultures revealed an abnormal karyotype with 45 chromosomes and multiple rearrangements. The T cell variant of classical chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is relatively rare; additional reports are needed to determine if the clinical course is typically less benign than in the common B cell variety, or whether this patient simply represented a late, unresponsive phase of the disease.", "PMID": 795454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10469", "title": "Perinatal infections by group B beta-haemolytic streptococci.", "content": "Since 1970 there has been an increase in isolations of Group B beta-haemolytic streptococci from infants and mothers at the National Women's Hospital and the organism has become the major cause of fatal perinatal infection. Forty-three of 60 stillborn and liveborn infants with postmortem isolations of Group B streptococci had pneumonia and of these a minority also had meningitis and/or septicaemia. Amnionitis was found in 15 of 20 placentae examined from these patients and an ascending infection from the maternal genital tract, often through intact membranes, was considered likely in the majority. However, a review of the prenatal histories of 33 infants showed that only a minority had premonitory features such as prolonged rupture of membranes, prolonged labour or maternal fever. Thirteen of 26 liveborn infants had a birth weight less than 2500 g. The majority presented within one hour of birth with respiratory distress or apnoea and died within 48 hours of birth. Early diagnosis of Group B infection is possible if bacteriological and radiological evidence is sought in infants of low birth weight, with low Apgar scores and with early onset of respiratory distress syndrome or apnoea in addition to those having the more usual indications of intrauterine infection. Group B streptococci were carried vaginally in 9 per cent of women attending an antenatal clinic and this high carrier rate is considered to preclude prophylactic treatment.", "contents": "Perinatal infections by group B beta-haemolytic streptococci. Since 1970 there has been an increase in isolations of Group B beta-haemolytic streptococci from infants and mothers at the National Women's Hospital and the organism has become the major cause of fatal perinatal infection. Forty-three of 60 stillborn and liveborn infants with postmortem isolations of Group B streptococci had pneumonia and of these a minority also had meningitis and/or septicaemia. Amnionitis was found in 15 of 20 placentae examined from these patients and an ascending infection from the maternal genital tract, often through intact membranes, was considered likely in the majority. However, a review of the prenatal histories of 33 infants showed that only a minority had premonitory features such as prolonged rupture of membranes, prolonged labour or maternal fever. Thirteen of 26 liveborn infants had a birth weight less than 2500 g. The majority presented within one hour of birth with respiratory distress or apnoea and died within 48 hours of birth. Early diagnosis of Group B infection is possible if bacteriological and radiological evidence is sought in infants of low birth weight, with low Apgar scores and with early onset of respiratory distress syndrome or apnoea in addition to those having the more usual indications of intrauterine infection. Group B streptococci were carried vaginally in 9 per cent of women attending an antenatal clinic and this high carrier rate is considered to preclude prophylactic treatment.", "PMID": 795455} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10470", "title": "Early dose response analysis of ocular hypotensive effects of propranolol in patients with ocular hypertension.", "content": "Placebo and propranolol (Inderal) in doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg were given in a single-blind test to two groups of six ocular hypertensives. The groups consisted of patients with an intraocular pressure ranging from 20 to 29 mmHg and 30 to 39 mmHg. The doses were given 48 hours apart and administered after fasting 12 hours. IOP by Goldmann applanation tonometer, systemic blood pressure and pulse rate in the supine position were recorded hourly before and after administration. In both groups a decrease in mean IOP was noted after one hour and this reduction reached its maximum three hours after the administration of propranolol. The absolute reduction was greater in the group with the highest initial IOP and in both groups the fall in mean IOP showed a clear dose-dependent correlation. The simultaneous mean decrease in pulse rate was also dose-correlated, but reached its maximum two hours after administration. The fall in systemic blood pressure was only moderate and showed no obvious dose-dependence.", "contents": "Early dose response analysis of ocular hypotensive effects of propranolol in patients with ocular hypertension. Placebo and propranolol (Inderal) in doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg were given in a single-blind test to two groups of six ocular hypertensives. The groups consisted of patients with an intraocular pressure ranging from 20 to 29 mmHg and 30 to 39 mmHg. The doses were given 48 hours apart and administered after fasting 12 hours. IOP by Goldmann applanation tonometer, systemic blood pressure and pulse rate in the supine position were recorded hourly before and after administration. In both groups a decrease in mean IOP was noted after one hour and this reduction reached its maximum three hours after the administration of propranolol. The absolute reduction was greater in the group with the highest initial IOP and in both groups the fall in mean IOP showed a clear dose-dependent correlation. The simultaneous mean decrease in pulse rate was also dose-correlated, but reached its maximum two hours after administration. The fall in systemic blood pressure was only moderate and showed no obvious dose-dependence.", "PMID": 795456} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10471", "title": "Atrophy of the mandible: reconstruction following fracture.", "content": "A rational approach to the management of spontaneous fracture of the severely atrophie mandible is illustrated by means of a case report. A study of the literature reveals that some confusion exists concerning the terms \"atrophy\" and \"osteolysis\", and an attempt is made to distinguish between them.", "contents": "Atrophy of the mandible: reconstruction following fracture. A rational approach to the management of spontaneous fracture of the severely atrophie mandible is illustrated by means of a case report. A study of the literature reveals that some confusion exists concerning the terms \"atrophy\" and \"osteolysis\", and an attempt is made to distinguish between them.", "PMID": 795457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10472", "title": "The effect of RNA supplementation of rat diets on the composition of body fluids.", "content": "1. In a number of separate experiments, yeast RNA, mixtures of its constituent nucleosides, its constituent bases and ribose were administered orally to rats. In each instance, the resultant changes in the composition of body fluids were monitored using sensitive methods. 2. Ingestion of RNA (100 g/kg diet) caused detectable increases in intestinal ribose, inorganic phosphate, uridine, pseudouridine, uracil, inosine, uric acid and probably other purine bases. Their accumulation did not detectably affect the rate of passage of food along the digestive tract, even though some nucleosides are known to affect gut motility. 3. Although plasma levels of uric acid and uridine were higher when RNA was administered in the diet, these changes were very slight compared with those in plasma uracil, which in some experiments were increased more than 20-fold compared with control levels (300 mumol/l). Analysis of erythrocytes indicated that the internal environment of at least some cells of the body are similarly altered. 4. Analyses indicated that all dietary RNA-phosphate passed into the urine from the gut but most of the RNA-ribose was probably metabolized. Uracil and uric acid levels in the urine reflected plasma composition. 5. The effect of orally administered mixed nucleosides on blood and urine composition was similar to that of RNA, but the response to an equivalent mixture of free bases differed in several respects; cytosine, adenine and hypoxanthine appeared in urine only under these circumstances.", "contents": "The effect of RNA supplementation of rat diets on the composition of body fluids. 1. In a number of separate experiments, yeast RNA, mixtures of its constituent nucleosides, its constituent bases and ribose were administered orally to rats. In each instance, the resultant changes in the composition of body fluids were monitored using sensitive methods. 2. Ingestion of RNA (100 g/kg diet) caused detectable increases in intestinal ribose, inorganic phosphate, uridine, pseudouridine, uracil, inosine, uric acid and probably other purine bases. Their accumulation did not detectably affect the rate of passage of food along the digestive tract, even though some nucleosides are known to affect gut motility. 3. Although plasma levels of uric acid and uridine were higher when RNA was administered in the diet, these changes were very slight compared with those in plasma uracil, which in some experiments were increased more than 20-fold compared with control levels (300 mumol/l). Analysis of erythrocytes indicated that the internal environment of at least some cells of the body are similarly altered. 4. Analyses indicated that all dietary RNA-phosphate passed into the urine from the gut but most of the RNA-ribose was probably metabolized. Uracil and uric acid levels in the urine reflected plasma composition. 5. The effect of orally administered mixed nucleosides on blood and urine composition was similar to that of RNA, but the response to an equivalent mixture of free bases differed in several respects; cytosine, adenine and hypoxanthine appeared in urine only under these circumstances.", "PMID": 795459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10473", "title": "Kinetics of ribosome dissociation and subunit association studied in a light-scattering stopped-flow apparatus.", "content": "The association-dissociation kinetics of ribosomes from Escherichia coli have been studied under various conditions in a light-scattering stopped-flow apparatus. The dissociation reaction at 2 mg/ml at 25 degrees C, induced by lowering the MgCl2 concentration from 18 to 3 mM, can best be described by three independent first-order processes with rate constants of 15 s-1, 0.9 s-u, and 3 X 10(-2) s-1, the slowest process comprising about 60% of the overall reaction. The fraction of ribosomes dissociating with the fastest rate (15 s-1) is concentration dependent and becomes negligible at 0.1 mg/ml9 Ribosomes treated with puromycin also show three dissociation rates with essentially the same rate constants as the nontreated samples. The dissociation induced by a high KCl concentration (0.85 MKCl, 18 mM MgCl) also shows three first-order phases with the same rate constants as for the dissociation induced by lowering the MgCl2 concentration. The formation of 70S ribosomes from 30S and 50S subunits, induced by increasing the MgCl2 concentration from 2 to 21 mM, follows second-order biphasic kinetics. A detailed analysis of the kinetic results shows that the two principal ribosomal forms must have one type of subunit in common. When the association data are analyzed assuming that the kinetic heterogeneity arises from two forms of only one subunit, the rate constants are found to be 6.4 X 10(6) and 1.05 X 10(6) M-1 s-1. Sequential flow experiments show that the rapid and slow association species are to be identified, respectively, with phases II (0.9 s-1) and III 0.03 s-1) of dissociation. Relaxation measurements show that these correspond to type B (\"loose\") and A (\"tight\") ribosomes, respectively. Tight and loose ribosomes were isolated by sucrose density centrifugation, and dissociation and association kinetic studies confirmed the above assignments. Furthermore, the rate constants for these ribosoems agreed within experimental error with rate constants derived from analysis of the multiphasic kinetic data. The association rate constants are for ribosomes dissociated by dilution with the appropriate buffer immediately before recording the kinetics of association. Ribosomes dissociated by dialysis overnight against 2 mM MgCl2 show an association rate constant for the slower association reaction (type-A ribosome) that is about four times smaller, whereas the rate constant for the faster process is roughly the same. The activation energies of the dissociation reactions, whether induced by lowering the MgCl2 concentration or increasing the KCl concentration, and the association raaction induced by increasing the MgCl2 concentration are less than 3.5 kcal/mol. The rate constants of the dissociation at 3 mM MgCl2 and of the association reaction at 21 mM MgCl2 do not vary between pH 7.2 and 8.4. When 30S and 50S subunits are flowed against buffer containing 20 mM spermidine, the association process is monophasic, with an association constant k - 6 X 10(6) M-1 s-1...", "contents": "Kinetics of ribosome dissociation and subunit association studied in a light-scattering stopped-flow apparatus. The association-dissociation kinetics of ribosomes from Escherichia coli have been studied under various conditions in a light-scattering stopped-flow apparatus. The dissociation reaction at 2 mg/ml at 25 degrees C, induced by lowering the MgCl2 concentration from 18 to 3 mM, can best be described by three independent first-order processes with rate constants of 15 s-1, 0.9 s-u, and 3 X 10(-2) s-1, the slowest process comprising about 60% of the overall reaction. The fraction of ribosomes dissociating with the fastest rate (15 s-1) is concentration dependent and becomes negligible at 0.1 mg/ml9 Ribosomes treated with puromycin also show three dissociation rates with essentially the same rate constants as the nontreated samples. The dissociation induced by a high KCl concentration (0.85 MKCl, 18 mM MgCl) also shows three first-order phases with the same rate constants as for the dissociation induced by lowering the MgCl2 concentration. The formation of 70S ribosomes from 30S and 50S subunits, induced by increasing the MgCl2 concentration from 2 to 21 mM, follows second-order biphasic kinetics. A detailed analysis of the kinetic results shows that the two principal ribosomal forms must have one type of subunit in common. When the association data are analyzed assuming that the kinetic heterogeneity arises from two forms of only one subunit, the rate constants are found to be 6.4 X 10(6) and 1.05 X 10(6) M-1 s-1. Sequential flow experiments show that the rapid and slow association species are to be identified, respectively, with phases II (0.9 s-1) and III 0.03 s-1) of dissociation. Relaxation measurements show that these correspond to type B (\"loose\") and A (\"tight\") ribosomes, respectively. Tight and loose ribosomes were isolated by sucrose density centrifugation, and dissociation and association kinetic studies confirmed the above assignments. Furthermore, the rate constants for these ribosoems agreed within experimental error with rate constants derived from analysis of the multiphasic kinetic data. The association rate constants are for ribosomes dissociated by dilution with the appropriate buffer immediately before recording the kinetics of association. Ribosomes dissociated by dialysis overnight against 2 mM MgCl2 show an association rate constant for the slower association reaction (type-A ribosome) that is about four times smaller, whereas the rate constant for the faster process is roughly the same. The activation energies of the dissociation reactions, whether induced by lowering the MgCl2 concentration or increasing the KCl concentration, and the association raaction induced by increasing the MgCl2 concentration are less than 3.5 kcal/mol. The rate constants of the dissociation at 3 mM MgCl2 and of the association reaction at 21 mM MgCl2 do not vary between pH 7.2 and 8.4. When 30S and 50S subunits are flowed against buffer containing 20 mM spermidine, the association process is monophasic, with an association constant k - 6 X 10(6) M-1 s-1...", "PMID": 795460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10474", "title": "Physicochomecial studies on interactions between DNA and RNA polymerase. Isolation and mapping of a T7 DNA fragment containing the early promoters for Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.", "content": "The cleavage sites in the early promoter region of coliphage T7 have been mapped for four restriction enzymes. They are, from the left end in base pairs, 1100 and 740 for Hinf; 680, 320, 530, 240, 77, and 67 for Hind II; 620 and 530 for Hpa II; 790 for Alu I. The nucleotide sequence between the Hind II site at 680 base pairs from the left end and the Hinf site at 740 base pairs from the left end has been determined, from which the start point of the promoter A3 is located at 720 base pairs from the left end. The start points of the other two major promoters A1 and A2 are deduced to be at 460 and 580 base pairs from the left end, respectively, from the chain lengths of the in vitro transcripts off the 1100 base-pairs long Hinf fragment. Similar to the sequences of a pL and pR promotors of phage lambda and a sequence in Simian Virus 40 used by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase as a promotor, the sequence of the A3 promotor of T7 also has a Hind II restriction site approximately 30 base pairs upstream to the start point of RNA synthesis. No such Hind II sites exist, however, for the A1 and A2 promoters. Experiments on the protection of some of the restriction sites on the 1100 base-pairs-long Hinf fragment by RNA polymerase binding support the electron microscopic observations of others that, in addition to the three sites A1, A2 and A3, there is at least a fourth site at which E. coli RNA polymerase can bind strongly. In addition to the Hind II site at 680 base pairs from the left end and the Hinf site at 740 base pairs from the left end, which are presumably protected by the binding of a single RNA polymerase at the A3 site, the Hind II site at 240 base pairs from the left end is also protected at a level of 5 polymerase molecules/DNA fragment. The possible existence of several minor promotor sites in the early promotor region, in addition to the three major promotor sites, is discussed.", "contents": "Physicochomecial studies on interactions between DNA and RNA polymerase. Isolation and mapping of a T7 DNA fragment containing the early promoters for Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. The cleavage sites in the early promoter region of coliphage T7 have been mapped for four restriction enzymes. They are, from the left end in base pairs, 1100 and 740 for Hinf; 680, 320, 530, 240, 77, and 67 for Hind II; 620 and 530 for Hpa II; 790 for Alu I. The nucleotide sequence between the Hind II site at 680 base pairs from the left end and the Hinf site at 740 base pairs from the left end has been determined, from which the start point of the promoter A3 is located at 720 base pairs from the left end. The start points of the other two major promoters A1 and A2 are deduced to be at 460 and 580 base pairs from the left end, respectively, from the chain lengths of the in vitro transcripts off the 1100 base-pairs long Hinf fragment. Similar to the sequences of a pL and pR promotors of phage lambda and a sequence in Simian Virus 40 used by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase as a promotor, the sequence of the A3 promotor of T7 also has a Hind II restriction site approximately 30 base pairs upstream to the start point of RNA synthesis. No such Hind II sites exist, however, for the A1 and A2 promoters. Experiments on the protection of some of the restriction sites on the 1100 base-pairs-long Hinf fragment by RNA polymerase binding support the electron microscopic observations of others that, in addition to the three sites A1, A2 and A3, there is at least a fourth site at which E. coli RNA polymerase can bind strongly. In addition to the Hind II site at 680 base pairs from the left end and the Hinf site at 740 base pairs from the left end, which are presumably protected by the binding of a single RNA polymerase at the A3 site, the Hind II site at 240 base pairs from the left end is also protected at a level of 5 polymerase molecules/DNA fragment. The possible existence of several minor promotor sites in the early promotor region, in addition to the three major promotor sites, is discussed.", "PMID": 795461} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10475", "title": "Metabolic aspects of the secretion of stored compounds from blood platelets. V. Effect of ionophore A23187 on washed platelets.", "content": "1. The A23187-induced secretion of preabsorbed serotonin from human blood platelets at 37 degrees C is studied. Preincubation at the same temperature before the addition of ionophore is necessary for maximal release induction. When total incubation time is kept constant, longer time with ionophore results in a smaller decrease in the level of metabolic ATP and increase in metabolic ATP and increase in metabolic IMP. This coincides with the reduction in secretion, but statistical treatment of the results suggests that the reduced secretion only partially explains the reduced drop in metabolic ATP, and that therefore a resynthesis of metabolic ATP from IMP may have taken place. 2. In some experiments induction of secretion takes place over a very narrow range of ionophore concentration. 3. When K+ substitutes for Na+ in the extracellular medium, the need for preincubation for maximal secretion becomes less evident, and at times is abolished, while there is still a significant increase in the metabolic ATP level by prolonged incubation with ionophore. 4. A reduction in secretion is observed with metabolic blockers when the ionophore is added after preincubation, but to a much less degree than when secretion is induced by thrombin, in spite of a great reduction in the level of metabolic ATP. This may partly be explained by the increase in secretion induction by A23187 in the presence of inhibitors when the ionophore is added in the cold, suggesting that the inhibitor may cause \"weakening\" of the platelets' \"resistance\" to induction of secretion by ionophore. 5. When the effect of Ca2+ and of Mg2+ on the level of intermediates of the TP leads to hypoxanthine conversion is studied, it is evident that the addition of Ca2+ causes enhanced IMP accumulation and a reduction in the level of inosine plus hypoxanthine, while Mg2+ has the opposite effect. This suggests that the two metals affect the enzymes of the IMP leads to hypoxanthine conversion differently. 6. Indomethacin inhibits secretion induced by A23187, suggesting that prostaglandin intermediates may amplify the ionophore-induced release. The adenine nucleotide metabolism is not affected. 7. The results indicate that there is an indirect, rather than direct, link between the major metabolic changes and the secretion induced by A23187, but that the ionophore may cause intracellular changes which are not connected to its effect as release inducer.", "contents": "Metabolic aspects of the secretion of stored compounds from blood platelets. V. Effect of ionophore A23187 on washed platelets. 1. The A23187-induced secretion of preabsorbed serotonin from human blood platelets at 37 degrees C is studied. Preincubation at the same temperature before the addition of ionophore is necessary for maximal release induction. When total incubation time is kept constant, longer time with ionophore results in a smaller decrease in the level of metabolic ATP and increase in metabolic ATP and increase in metabolic IMP. This coincides with the reduction in secretion, but statistical treatment of the results suggests that the reduced secretion only partially explains the reduced drop in metabolic ATP, and that therefore a resynthesis of metabolic ATP from IMP may have taken place. 2. In some experiments induction of secretion takes place over a very narrow range of ionophore concentration. 3. When K+ substitutes for Na+ in the extracellular medium, the need for preincubation for maximal secretion becomes less evident, and at times is abolished, while there is still a significant increase in the metabolic ATP level by prolonged incubation with ionophore. 4. A reduction in secretion is observed with metabolic blockers when the ionophore is added after preincubation, but to a much less degree than when secretion is induced by thrombin, in spite of a great reduction in the level of metabolic ATP. This may partly be explained by the increase in secretion induction by A23187 in the presence of inhibitors when the ionophore is added in the cold, suggesting that the inhibitor may cause \"weakening\" of the platelets' \"resistance\" to induction of secretion by ionophore. 5. When the effect of Ca2+ and of Mg2+ on the level of intermediates of the TP leads to hypoxanthine conversion is studied, it is evident that the addition of Ca2+ causes enhanced IMP accumulation and a reduction in the level of inosine plus hypoxanthine, while Mg2+ has the opposite effect. This suggests that the two metals affect the enzymes of the IMP leads to hypoxanthine conversion differently. 6. Indomethacin inhibits secretion induced by A23187, suggesting that prostaglandin intermediates may amplify the ionophore-induced release. The adenine nucleotide metabolism is not affected. 7. The results indicate that there is an indirect, rather than direct, link between the major metabolic changes and the secretion induced by A23187, but that the ionophore may cause intracellular changes which are not connected to its effect as release inducer.", "PMID": 795462} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10476", "title": "Effects of dextran-linked chloromercuribenzoic acid on insulin release from microdissected pancreatic islets.", "content": "Insulin release in response to dextran-linked p-chloromercuribenzoic acid was studied in microdissected pancreatic islets of non-inbred ob/ob-mice. No contamination of the dextran-linked mercurial with free chloromercuribenzoic acid was detected before or after the incubation with islets. In comparison with free mercurial, of the same thiol-blocking activity, the dextran-linked compound had a weak insulin-releasing action with a different dose vs. response relationship. The dextran-linked mercurial had no demonstrable effect on the islet content of cyclic AMP. The results support the hypothesis that free organic mercurials mainly stimulate insulin release by blocking thiol ground that are embedded within the beta-cell plasma membranes beneath their surfaces.", "contents": "Effects of dextran-linked chloromercuribenzoic acid on insulin release from microdissected pancreatic islets. Insulin release in response to dextran-linked p-chloromercuribenzoic acid was studied in microdissected pancreatic islets of non-inbred ob/ob-mice. No contamination of the dextran-linked mercurial with free chloromercuribenzoic acid was detected before or after the incubation with islets. In comparison with free mercurial, of the same thiol-blocking activity, the dextran-linked compound had a weak insulin-releasing action with a different dose vs. response relationship. The dextran-linked mercurial had no demonstrable effect on the islet content of cyclic AMP. The results support the hypothesis that free organic mercurials mainly stimulate insulin release by blocking thiol ground that are embedded within the beta-cell plasma membranes beneath their surfaces.", "PMID": 795463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10477", "title": "Spectroscopic studies of pepsin and its complex with Streptomyces pepsin inhibitor.", "content": "Binding of Streptomyces pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1) inhibitor to the active site of pepsin causes a characteristic ultraviolet difference spectrum having a trough around 298 nm which suggests that tryptophan residue(s) are involved in a decreased refractive index or different charge density. The fluoreschat of the pepsin-inhibitor complex. Relatively large circular dichroism (CD) spectrum change at 280--310 nm was observed upon binding of the inhibitor. Solvent perturbation difference spectra of pepsin alone and the pepsin-inhibitor. Solvent perturbation difference spectra of pepsin alone and the pepsin-inhibitor complex obtained with 20% ethylene glycol as perturbant showed that the exposed 2.5 tryptophan residues were not buried upon binding of the inhibitor, whereas 1.5 tyrosine residues were buried. It is speculated that the microenvironmental change around tryptophan residue(s) which are not located at the inhibitor binding site is induced upon binding of the inhibitor.", "contents": "Spectroscopic studies of pepsin and its complex with Streptomyces pepsin inhibitor. Binding of Streptomyces pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1) inhibitor to the active site of pepsin causes a characteristic ultraviolet difference spectrum having a trough around 298 nm which suggests that tryptophan residue(s) are involved in a decreased refractive index or different charge density. The fluoreschat of the pepsin-inhibitor complex. Relatively large circular dichroism (CD) spectrum change at 280--310 nm was observed upon binding of the inhibitor. Solvent perturbation difference spectra of pepsin alone and the pepsin-inhibitor. Solvent perturbation difference spectra of pepsin alone and the pepsin-inhibitor complex obtained with 20% ethylene glycol as perturbant showed that the exposed 2.5 tryptophan residues were not buried upon binding of the inhibitor, whereas 1.5 tyrosine residues were buried. It is speculated that the microenvironmental change around tryptophan residue(s) which are not located at the inhibitor binding site is induced upon binding of the inhibitor.", "PMID": 795464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10478", "title": "Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase of Escherichia coli. Studies on multiple conformational states elicited by allosteric effectors with a fluorescent probe, 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate.", "content": "Conformational change of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (orthophosphate: oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (phosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.31) induced by allosteric effectors was investigated using a hydrophobic probe, 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS). Kinetic experiments suggested that ANS binds with the enzyme at the sites which are not involved in the catalytic and regulatory functions, though it partially inhibits the enzyme activity with half-saturation concentration (S0.5) of 38.5 muM. Binding experiments showed that a maximum of 2 mol of ANS are able to bind with 1 mol of the enzyme subunit presumably with an equal dissociation constant to each other (34.5 muM). Flourescence emission of ANS was markedly increased by binding with the enzyme. L-Aspartate, the allosteric inhibitor, and CoASAc and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (Fru-1,6-P2) the allosteric activators, produced various degrees of change in fluorescence, when added singly or in combinations. The changes were shown to be attributable to the allosteric interactions between the enzyme and effectors from some criteria such as structural specificity, half-saturation concentrations, and heterotropic-homotropic interactions of the ligands. It was concluded from these analyses that the enzyme can be in at least four conformational states which are distinct from each other. Especially noteworthy is the finding that the enzyme, upon simultaneous binding of CoASAc and Fru-1,6-P2, takes a new conformation which is enterely different from those induced by sole binding of each effector. In addition, the heterotropic interaction between the activator and the inhibitor was observed through conformational change by the ANS method, as observed in the kinetic studies.", "contents": "Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase of Escherichia coli. Studies on multiple conformational states elicited by allosteric effectors with a fluorescent probe, 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate. Conformational change of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (orthophosphate: oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (phosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.31) induced by allosteric effectors was investigated using a hydrophobic probe, 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS). Kinetic experiments suggested that ANS binds with the enzyme at the sites which are not involved in the catalytic and regulatory functions, though it partially inhibits the enzyme activity with half-saturation concentration (S0.5) of 38.5 muM. Binding experiments showed that a maximum of 2 mol of ANS are able to bind with 1 mol of the enzyme subunit presumably with an equal dissociation constant to each other (34.5 muM). Flourescence emission of ANS was markedly increased by binding with the enzyme. L-Aspartate, the allosteric inhibitor, and CoASAc and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (Fru-1,6-P2) the allosteric activators, produced various degrees of change in fluorescence, when added singly or in combinations. The changes were shown to be attributable to the allosteric interactions between the enzyme and effectors from some criteria such as structural specificity, half-saturation concentrations, and heterotropic-homotropic interactions of the ligands. It was concluded from these analyses that the enzyme can be in at least four conformational states which are distinct from each other. Especially noteworthy is the finding that the enzyme, upon simultaneous binding of CoASAc and Fru-1,6-P2, takes a new conformation which is enterely different from those induced by sole binding of each effector. In addition, the heterotropic interaction between the activator and the inhibitor was observed through conformational change by the ANS method, as observed in the kinetic studies.", "PMID": 795465} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10479", "title": "The incorporation of tritium from tritium-enriched water into UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and UDP-N-acetylmannosamine catalyzed by UDP-N-adetylglucosamine 2-epimerase from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase from Escherichia coli 014 K7 H- catalyzes the reversible epimerization of uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine to uridine diphosphate N-acetylmannosamine. During epimerization, tritium from tritium-enriched water is incorporated into both uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine and uridine diphosphate N-acetylmannosamine. The position of incorporation is C-2 of the N-acetylhexosamine moieties.", "contents": "The incorporation of tritium from tritium-enriched water into UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and UDP-N-acetylmannosamine catalyzed by UDP-N-adetylglucosamine 2-epimerase from Escherichia coli. Uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase from Escherichia coli 014 K7 H- catalyzes the reversible epimerization of uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine to uridine diphosphate N-acetylmannosamine. During epimerization, tritium from tritium-enriched water is incorporated into both uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine and uridine diphosphate N-acetylmannosamine. The position of incorporation is C-2 of the N-acetylhexosamine moieties.", "PMID": 795466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10480", "title": "Effect of genetic and physiological manipulations onthe kinetic and binding parameters of the adenine nucleotide translocator in Saccharomyces cervisiae and Candida utilis.", "content": "1. Ghe kinetic and binding parameters of adenine-nucleotide transport have been studied in mitochondria isolated from yeast cells in which the mitochondrial protein-synthetizing system had been inhibited by growth in the presence of erythromycin. These parameters have also been studied in promitochondria isolated from yeast grown in anaerobiosis aesence of ethidium bromide results in a loss of cytochromes b, alpha and alpha 3, but it does not affect the rate constant of ADP transport in isolated mitochondria, nor the number of binding sites for atractyloside, bongkrekic acid and ADP. 3. Promitochondria from S. cerevisiae grown in anaerobiosis, mitochondria from a qo mutant (qo mitochondria) and mitochondria from S. cerevisiae grown in the presence of erythromycin (ERY-mitochondria) are able to transport ADP by the same exchange-diffusion mechanism, sensitive to carboxy-atractyloside, and with the same rate constant as the wild type mitochondria. Promitochondria, qo mitochondria and ERY-mitochondria bind atractyloside, bongkrekic acid and ADP with the same high affinity as the wild type mitochondria. They only differ from the wild type mitochondria by a lower number of binding sites for ADP and for specific inhibitors of ADP transport. 4. Mitochondria isolated from the nuclear mutant p9 of S. cerevisae, called also op1, are characterized by a much lower affinity for bongkrekic acid than mitochondria from the wild type (20 times less). 5. Manipulation of the fatty acid composition of the mitochondrial membranes in the desaturase auxotroph mutant KD115 does not modify the number of sites, no their affinity of bongkrekic acid. 6. The above results are interpreted to mean that the structure and function of the mitochondrial adN translocator are not affected by any change in the mitochondrial protein synthetizing system.", "contents": "Effect of genetic and physiological manipulations onthe kinetic and binding parameters of the adenine nucleotide translocator in Saccharomyces cervisiae and Candida utilis. 1. Ghe kinetic and binding parameters of adenine-nucleotide transport have been studied in mitochondria isolated from yeast cells in which the mitochondrial protein-synthetizing system had been inhibited by growth in the presence of erythromycin. These parameters have also been studied in promitochondria isolated from yeast grown in anaerobiosis aesence of ethidium bromide results in a loss of cytochromes b, alpha and alpha 3, but it does not affect the rate constant of ADP transport in isolated mitochondria, nor the number of binding sites for atractyloside, bongkrekic acid and ADP. 3. Promitochondria from S. cerevisiae grown in anaerobiosis, mitochondria from a qo mutant (qo mitochondria) and mitochondria from S. cerevisiae grown in the presence of erythromycin (ERY-mitochondria) are able to transport ADP by the same exchange-diffusion mechanism, sensitive to carboxy-atractyloside, and with the same rate constant as the wild type mitochondria. Promitochondria, qo mitochondria and ERY-mitochondria bind atractyloside, bongkrekic acid and ADP with the same high affinity as the wild type mitochondria. They only differ from the wild type mitochondria by a lower number of binding sites for ADP and for specific inhibitors of ADP transport. 4. Mitochondria isolated from the nuclear mutant p9 of S. cerevisae, called also op1, are characterized by a much lower affinity for bongkrekic acid than mitochondria from the wild type (20 times less). 5. Manipulation of the fatty acid composition of the mitochondrial membranes in the desaturase auxotroph mutant KD115 does not modify the number of sites, no their affinity of bongkrekic acid. 6. The above results are interpreted to mean that the structure and function of the mitochondrial adN translocator are not affected by any change in the mitochondrial protein synthetizing system.", "PMID": 795470} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10481", "title": "[New approach to the interpretation of vibrational spectra of microbial cells].", "content": "IR-technique was applied to study baker's yeast cell and its envelope fragments. The quantitative evaluation of spectra was made using the polysaccharide band at 1070 cm-1 as the bench one. The comparison of the spectra of the whole cells and of the envelope fragments suggested that the spectrum of the yeast cell was governed by the composition of its envelope only. ATR-spectra of the whole cells and of envelope debris were obtained and the comparison of these with the \"absorption\" ones made it possible to conclude that the yeast cells vibration spectrum was for the most part the reflection spectrum governed by the composition of the cell envelope rather than the absorption one.", "contents": "[New approach to the interpretation of vibrational spectra of microbial cells]. IR-technique was applied to study baker's yeast cell and its envelope fragments. The quantitative evaluation of spectra was made using the polysaccharide band at 1070 cm-1 as the bench one. The comparison of the spectra of the whole cells and of the envelope fragments suggested that the spectrum of the yeast cell was governed by the composition of its envelope only. ATR-spectra of the whole cells and of envelope debris were obtained and the comparison of these with the \"absorption\" ones made it possible to conclude that the yeast cells vibration spectrum was for the most part the reflection spectrum governed by the composition of the cell envelope rather than the absorption one.", "PMID": 795467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10482", "title": "Heart rate, muscle tension, and alpha production of transcendental meditators and relaxation controls.", "content": "A group of transcendental meditators, and a group of control subjects instructed to relax, were compared with respect to degree of relaxation reached as measured by changes in heart rate, tension of the frontalis muscle, and occipital alpha production. The only significant changes were decreases in these measures over time in the control subjects. The changes in the controls were probably the consequence of sleep or the onset of sleep.", "contents": "Heart rate, muscle tension, and alpha production of transcendental meditators and relaxation controls. A group of transcendental meditators, and a group of control subjects instructed to relax, were compared with respect to degree of relaxation reached as measured by changes in heart rate, tension of the frontalis muscle, and occipital alpha production. The only significant changes were decreases in these measures over time in the control subjects. The changes in the controls were probably the consequence of sleep or the onset of sleep.", "PMID": 795471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10483", "title": "[Use of rare earth elements as markers for the study of biologically active compounds. V. Luminescence spectra and binding centers of europium in proteins].", "content": "Luminescence spectra of europium ions bound to some proteins are investigated. Europium is shown to coordinate no more than two charged groups, first of all carboxyles. The possibility of more specific coordination of rare earths in proteins is discussed.", "contents": "[Use of rare earth elements as markers for the study of biologically active compounds. V. Luminescence spectra and binding centers of europium in proteins]. Luminescence spectra of europium ions bound to some proteins are investigated. Europium is shown to coordinate no more than two charged groups, first of all carboxyles. The possibility of more specific coordination of rare earths in proteins is discussed.", "PMID": 795472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10484", "title": "[Physical state of crystalline proteins. IV. Melting of trypsin and pepsin crystals].", "content": "The nature of heat transitions in trypsin and pepsin crystals during their heating at various rates is studied. Heating is shown to bring about only the denaturation of protein molecules in crystals.", "contents": "[Physical state of crystalline proteins. IV. Melting of trypsin and pepsin crystals]. The nature of heat transitions in trypsin and pepsin crystals during their heating at various rates is studied. Heating is shown to bring about only the denaturation of protein molecules in crystals.", "PMID": 795468} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10485", "title": "[Effect of yeast cell membrane components on the IR spectrum of the cell].", "content": "IR-technique was used to study the effect of yeast cells treatment by water-alcohols mixtures on the quantitative relationship between the intensities of different bands in the spectra. The analysis of spectra made it possible to suggest that the reflection of the IR-irradiation from the cell is governed by the nucleoprotein layer of its envelope. It is shown that the treatment of yeast cell with ribonuclease raises the \"IR-permeability\" of the cell envelope.", "contents": "[Effect of yeast cell membrane components on the IR spectrum of the cell]. IR-technique was used to study the effect of yeast cells treatment by water-alcohols mixtures on the quantitative relationship between the intensities of different bands in the spectra. The analysis of spectra made it possible to suggest that the reflection of the IR-irradiation from the cell is governed by the nucleoprotein layer of its envelope. It is shown that the treatment of yeast cell with ribonuclease raises the \"IR-permeability\" of the cell envelope.", "PMID": 795469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10486", "title": "[Spectroscopic study of conformational changes in proteins in aqueous solutions and mixed solvents].", "content": "The character of temperature changes of the absorption spectrum of water in protein solutions is the evidence of conformational changes of protein macromolecules. Along with the denaturation processes changes are also clearly seen at predenaturation stage. These changes involve a break of hydrophobic bonds in protein molecules and subsequent exponing of non-polar radicals into water. Thermodynamic characteristics of conformational changes of some proteins in aqueous solutions and water-organic mixtures are determined.", "contents": "[Spectroscopic study of conformational changes in proteins in aqueous solutions and mixed solvents]. The character of temperature changes of the absorption spectrum of water in protein solutions is the evidence of conformational changes of protein macromolecules. Along with the denaturation processes changes are also clearly seen at predenaturation stage. These changes involve a break of hydrophobic bonds in protein molecules and subsequent exponing of non-polar radicals into water. Thermodynamic characteristics of conformational changes of some proteins in aqueous solutions and water-organic mixtures are determined.", "PMID": 795473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10487", "title": "Allograft nephrectomy.", "content": "The indications, complications and results of 54 allograft nephrectomies undertaken in 44 patients have been reviewed. There were 7 deaths following 39 nephrectomies done within 6 months of transplantation and complications occurred in a further 14 instances. Many of these resulted from pre-existing infection. When nephrectomy was carried out 6 months after transplantation there were no deaths and morbidity was less. If graft failure is diagnosed within 6 months of transplantation immediate nephrectomy is recommended to prevent future complications. When graft failure occurs later it is suggested that nephrectomy be undertaken only when definite indications for this are present.", "contents": "Allograft nephrectomy. The indications, complications and results of 54 allograft nephrectomies undertaken in 44 patients have been reviewed. There were 7 deaths following 39 nephrectomies done within 6 months of transplantation and complications occurred in a further 14 instances. Many of these resulted from pre-existing infection. When nephrectomy was carried out 6 months after transplantation there were no deaths and morbidity was less. If graft failure is diagnosed within 6 months of transplantation immediate nephrectomy is recommended to prevent future complications. When graft failure occurs later it is suggested that nephrectomy be undertaken only when definite indications for this are present.", "PMID": 795493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10488", "title": "The value of prophylactic antibiotics in transurethral prostatic resection: a controlled trial, with observations on the origin of postoperative infection.", "content": "Prophylactic antibiotics significantly decrease the incidence of urinary tract infection following endoscopic prostate resection. They are ineffective in reducing the incidence of postoperative fevers, or in reducing the frequency of positive blood cultures during or after operation. A majority of prostate glands harbour colonies of potentially pathogenic organisms, and these are the commonest source of infection of the urinary tract following release by prostatic surgery.", "contents": "The value of prophylactic antibiotics in transurethral prostatic resection: a controlled trial, with observations on the origin of postoperative infection. Prophylactic antibiotics significantly decrease the incidence of urinary tract infection following endoscopic prostate resection. They are ineffective in reducing the incidence of postoperative fevers, or in reducing the frequency of positive blood cultures during or after operation. A majority of prostate glands harbour colonies of potentially pathogenic organisms, and these are the commonest source of infection of the urinary tract following release by prostatic surgery.", "PMID": 795494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10489", "title": "Limited intertransverse fusion using iliac grafts.", "content": "Fusion of the lower lumbar spine or lumbosacral joint can be achieved by the use of limited intertransverse iliac grats inserted by a lateral approach. The method offers certain special advantages and is no less successful than other techniques in common use.", "contents": "Limited intertransverse fusion using iliac grafts. Fusion of the lower lumbar spine or lumbosacral joint can be achieved by the use of limited intertransverse iliac grats inserted by a lateral approach. The method offers certain special advantages and is no less successful than other techniques in common use.", "PMID": 795495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10490", "title": "Prophylactic lincomycin in the prevention of wound infection following appendicectomy: a double blind study.", "content": "The prophylactic use of a single dose of lincomycin in 100 patients undergoing appendicectomy reduced the incidence of postoperative wound infection from 17 to 6 per cent compared with a similar group of control patients. There was no correlation with the histological finding in the appendix, but patients with perforated appendicitis were excluded from the study. Bacteriological examination of the appendix area before surgery showed that Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli were the organisms most frequently isolated. The majority of wound infections were due to B. fragilis, either alone or in association with aerobic organisms, but infection due to E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus also occurred. Systemic antibiotic therapy can successfully reduce the complications following appendicectomy but it is necessary to use a compound with activity against anaerobic organisms.", "contents": "Prophylactic lincomycin in the prevention of wound infection following appendicectomy: a double blind study. The prophylactic use of a single dose of lincomycin in 100 patients undergoing appendicectomy reduced the incidence of postoperative wound infection from 17 to 6 per cent compared with a similar group of control patients. There was no correlation with the histological finding in the appendix, but patients with perforated appendicitis were excluded from the study. Bacteriological examination of the appendix area before surgery showed that Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli were the organisms most frequently isolated. The majority of wound infections were due to B. fragilis, either alone or in association with aerobic organisms, but infection due to E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus also occurred. Systemic antibiotic therapy can successfully reduce the complications following appendicectomy but it is necessary to use a compound with activity against anaerobic organisms.", "PMID": 795496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10491", "title": "Combined dexamethasone and low-molecular-weight dextran in acute brain infarction: double-blind study.", "content": "Intramuscular dexamethasone combined with intravenous low-molecular-weight dextran (dextran 40) was compared with placebo in 40 patients with acute ischaemic cerebral infarction. A double-blind procedure was used. Dexamethasone was given for up to 14 days and dextran 40 for up to three days after the infarction. A weighted scoring system was used to evaluate neurological state and mobility. There were no differences in mortality or in improvement of the neurological or mobility scores between the two groups.", "contents": "Combined dexamethasone and low-molecular-weight dextran in acute brain infarction: double-blind study. Intramuscular dexamethasone combined with intravenous low-molecular-weight dextran (dextran 40) was compared with placebo in 40 patients with acute ischaemic cerebral infarction. A double-blind procedure was used. Dexamethasone was given for up to 14 days and dextran 40 for up to three days after the infarction. A weighted scoring system was used to evaluate neurological state and mobility. There were no differences in mortality or in improvement of the neurological or mobility scores between the two groups.", "PMID": 795498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10492", "title": "Therapeutic fibreoptic bronchoscopy in intensive care.", "content": "Experience with therapeutic bronchoscopy using the fibreoptic bronchoscope in intensive care has shown it to be a useful procedure. The Nosworthy connection has also been modified to allow intermittent positive-pressure ventilation to be maintained during bronchoscopy. This procedure is valuable in those cases where sputum or blood are retained in the airways despite adequate physiotherapy and endotracheal suction. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy should be available as a routine service in intensive therapy units.", "contents": "Therapeutic fibreoptic bronchoscopy in intensive care. Experience with therapeutic bronchoscopy using the fibreoptic bronchoscope in intensive care has shown it to be a useful procedure. The Nosworthy connection has also been modified to allow intermittent positive-pressure ventilation to be maintained during bronchoscopy. This procedure is valuable in those cases where sputum or blood are retained in the airways despite adequate physiotherapy and endotracheal suction. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy should be available as a routine service in intensive therapy units.", "PMID": 795500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10493", "title": "Endotoxaemia and renal failure in cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice.", "content": "An investigation into the possible role of endotoxins in the pathogenesis of renal failure in cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice showed the two to be closely related. None of the patients with cirrhosis who had endotoxaemia had other evidence of Gram-negative infection at the time of the study, and the endotoxaemia was therefore probably due to impaired hepatic clearance of toxins normally absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In contrast, bacteriological evidence of Gram-negative infection was found in most of the patients with obstructive jaundice and endotoxaemia.", "contents": "Endotoxaemia and renal failure in cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice. An investigation into the possible role of endotoxins in the pathogenesis of renal failure in cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice showed the two to be closely related. None of the patients with cirrhosis who had endotoxaemia had other evidence of Gram-negative infection at the time of the study, and the endotoxaemia was therefore probably due to impaired hepatic clearance of toxins normally absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In contrast, bacteriological evidence of Gram-negative infection was found in most of the patients with obstructive jaundice and endotoxaemia.", "PMID": 795499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10494", "title": "Differential localization of N-acetylated indolealkylamines in CNS and the Harderian gland using immunohistology.", "content": "Using two different antisera, one binding only melatonin (M) and the other binding both M and N-acetylserotonin (NAS), brain tissue and the Harderian gland were investigated using fluorescence and peroxidase labeled double antibody immunohistology. M has been identified in the outer nuclear layer of the retina, in the optic nerves, chiasma and the tracts, suprachiasmatic nucleus and the Harderian gland. NAS, but not M, was found in the granule layer of the cerebellum, spinal tract of the trigeminal roots and the pontal and spinal reticular formation. The possible relationship of cerebellar and brain stem NAS to brain excitability as well as localization of M in the visual pathway, suprachiasmatic nucleus and the Harderian gland in the relation to the regulation of light dependent circadian periodicity is discussed.", "contents": "Differential localization of N-acetylated indolealkylamines in CNS and the Harderian gland using immunohistology. Using two different antisera, one binding only melatonin (M) and the other binding both M and N-acetylserotonin (NAS), brain tissue and the Harderian gland were investigated using fluorescence and peroxidase labeled double antibody immunohistology. M has been identified in the outer nuclear layer of the retina, in the optic nerves, chiasma and the tracts, suprachiasmatic nucleus and the Harderian gland. NAS, but not M, was found in the granule layer of the cerebellum, spinal tract of the trigeminal roots and the pontal and spinal reticular formation. The possible relationship of cerebellar and brain stem NAS to brain excitability as well as localization of M in the visual pathway, suprachiasmatic nucleus and the Harderian gland in the relation to the regulation of light dependent circadian periodicity is discussed.", "PMID": 795505} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10495", "title": "Differentiation of pathogenic, gram-negative, bacterial genera in the presence of beta-2-thienylalanine.", "content": "Described in a fast screening assay for aid in the differentiation of bacterial genera. Salmonella is separated from Escherichia and Shigella, as a generic group on the basis of an inhibition assay incorporating beta-2-thienylalanine, and using a defined medium. The assay is also usable for confirmation of taxonomic differences between genera. The inhibition reaction, readable as an 'all-or-none' phenomenon, follows a dose-response relationship for cultures affected by beta-2-thienylalanine, and is unaffected by the growth phase of the culture.", "contents": "Differentiation of pathogenic, gram-negative, bacterial genera in the presence of beta-2-thienylalanine. Described in a fast screening assay for aid in the differentiation of bacterial genera. Salmonella is separated from Escherichia and Shigella, as a generic group on the basis of an inhibition assay incorporating beta-2-thienylalanine, and using a defined medium. The assay is also usable for confirmation of taxonomic differences between genera. The inhibition reaction, readable as an 'all-or-none' phenomenon, follows a dose-response relationship for cultures affected by beta-2-thienylalanine, and is unaffected by the growth phase of the culture.", "PMID": 795531} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10496", "title": "Identification of carbon dioxide as a dermatophyte inhibitory factor produced by Candida albicans.", "content": "A factor produced by Candida albicans, which inhibits dermatophyte growth and induces arthrospore formation is characterized and identified. Candida dermatophyte inhibitory factor (CDIF) is volatile and fungistatic. Analysis of volatile materials produced by C. albicans was subsequently identified as carbon dioxide. The involvement of carbon dioxide in the inhibition of dermatophytes was demonstrated by: (1) utilization of commercial carbon dioxide to produce dermatophyte inhibition as well as arthrospore formation, and (2) prevention of dermatophyte inhibition by C. albicans through incoporation of soda lime into the incubation atmosphere. The ability of carbon dioxide to inhibit dermatophyte growth was shared with other gases (methane and helium), but arthrospore formation was observed only with carbon dioxide. The possible significance of carbon dioxide's induction of arthrospores, a form occasionally observed in active dermatophyte lesions, is discussed.", "contents": "Identification of carbon dioxide as a dermatophyte inhibitory factor produced by Candida albicans. A factor produced by Candida albicans, which inhibits dermatophyte growth and induces arthrospore formation is characterized and identified. Candida dermatophyte inhibitory factor (CDIF) is volatile and fungistatic. Analysis of volatile materials produced by C. albicans was subsequently identified as carbon dioxide. The involvement of carbon dioxide in the inhibition of dermatophytes was demonstrated by: (1) utilization of commercial carbon dioxide to produce dermatophyte inhibition as well as arthrospore formation, and (2) prevention of dermatophyte inhibition by C. albicans through incoporation of soda lime into the incubation atmosphere. The ability of carbon dioxide to inhibit dermatophyte growth was shared with other gases (methane and helium), but arthrospore formation was observed only with carbon dioxide. The possible significance of carbon dioxide's induction of arthrospores, a form occasionally observed in active dermatophyte lesions, is discussed.", "PMID": 795532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10497", "title": "A miniaturized counting technique for anaerobic bacteria.", "content": "A miniaturized counting technique gave results as good as the pour-plate and Most Probable Number (MPN) techniques for enumeration of clostridia spp. and anaerobic isolates from the gut. Highest counts were obtained when ascorbic acid (1%) and dithiothreitol (0.015%) were added to the reinforced clostridial medium used for counting. This minimized the effect of exposure to air before incubation. The miniature technique allowed up to 40 samples to be plated and incubated in one McIntosh-Filde's-type anaerobic jar, compared with 3 or 4 by the normal pour plate.", "contents": "A miniaturized counting technique for anaerobic bacteria. A miniaturized counting technique gave results as good as the pour-plate and Most Probable Number (MPN) techniques for enumeration of clostridia spp. and anaerobic isolates from the gut. Highest counts were obtained when ascorbic acid (1%) and dithiothreitol (0.015%) were added to the reinforced clostridial medium used for counting. This minimized the effect of exposure to air before incubation. The miniature technique allowed up to 40 samples to be plated and incubated in one McIntosh-Filde's-type anaerobic jar, compared with 3 or 4 by the normal pour plate.", "PMID": 795533} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10498", "title": "Isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae from lake water.", "content": "The question of the importance of aquatic borne Klebsiella pneumoniae to public health has been argued as the organism has appeared often in both polluted effluents and oligotrophic systems. Using a selective medium, double violet agar, which also differentiates K. pneumoniae from other organisms found in aquatic systems, we sampled water from three ponds and a large man-made lake, over a 3-month period. Results indicate that K. pneumoniae can be isolated consistently and in high numbers from eutrophic waters even when environmental stress reduces total numbers, but that isolations from cleaner waters are erratic. We conclude that mere isolation of the organism as an occasional contaminant probably does not present a hazard to public health.", "contents": "Isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae from lake water. The question of the importance of aquatic borne Klebsiella pneumoniae to public health has been argued as the organism has appeared often in both polluted effluents and oligotrophic systems. Using a selective medium, double violet agar, which also differentiates K. pneumoniae from other organisms found in aquatic systems, we sampled water from three ponds and a large man-made lake, over a 3-month period. Results indicate that K. pneumoniae can be isolated consistently and in high numbers from eutrophic waters even when environmental stress reduces total numbers, but that isolations from cleaner waters are erratic. We conclude that mere isolation of the organism as an occasional contaminant probably does not present a hazard to public health.", "PMID": 795534} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10499", "title": "Survival value of chemotaxis in mixed cultures.", "content": "A motile, chemotactic strain of Proteus mirabilis outgrew a motile, non-chemotactic mutant in a semisolid, amino acid medium, although the two strains grew equally well in broth.", "contents": "Survival value of chemotaxis in mixed cultures. A motile, chemotactic strain of Proteus mirabilis outgrew a motile, non-chemotactic mutant in a semisolid, amino acid medium, although the two strains grew equally well in broth.", "PMID": 795535} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10500", "title": "Presumptive identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae on m-FC medium.", "content": "Klebsiella pneumoniae is a human and animal pathogen frequently encountered in the environment. The membrane-filtration method utilizing m-FC medium for the detection of fecal coliforms yields a colony type easily distinguishable as K. pneumoniae. These colonies appear as atypical light blue, nucleated, mucoid colonies differing considerably from the typical dark blue fecal coliform colonies.", "contents": "Presumptive identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae on m-FC medium. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a human and animal pathogen frequently encountered in the environment. The membrane-filtration method utilizing m-FC medium for the detection of fecal coliforms yields a colony type easily distinguishable as K. pneumoniae. These colonies appear as atypical light blue, nucleated, mucoid colonies differing considerably from the typical dark blue fecal coliform colonies.", "PMID": 795536} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10501", "title": "Studies on adriamycin using a weekly regimen demonstrating its clinical effectiveness and lack of cardiac toxicity.", "content": "Adriamycin has been given to 442 patients using the weekly regimen as initially described by Bonadonna et al. Hematologic toxicity and clinical effectiveness have been similar to those described with regimens in which the drug is given every 3 weeks. Stomatitis is more frequent with the weekly regimen than with the usual triweekly regimen. The incidence of electrocardiographic changes and arrhythmias was similar to that reported in other studies. Nine patients received between 500 and 550 mg/m2, nine between 550 and 600 mg/m2, 28 between 600 and 1000 mg/m2, and 22 between 1000 and 2500 mg/m2. None of the patients developed definite evidence of cardiomyopathy although six showed some disturbance of myocardial function. In each of the six patients, factors other than adriamycin cardiotoxicity were believed to play a major role in the myocardial abnormality. The difference between the incidence of cardiomyopathy seen in this series and that previously reported is statistically significant. The reasons for the difference are not clear but are probably related to the schedule that was used.", "contents": "Studies on adriamycin using a weekly regimen demonstrating its clinical effectiveness and lack of cardiac toxicity. Adriamycin has been given to 442 patients using the weekly regimen as initially described by Bonadonna et al. Hematologic toxicity and clinical effectiveness have been similar to those described with regimens in which the drug is given every 3 weeks. Stomatitis is more frequent with the weekly regimen than with the usual triweekly regimen. The incidence of electrocardiographic changes and arrhythmias was similar to that reported in other studies. Nine patients received between 500 and 550 mg/m2, nine between 550 and 600 mg/m2, 28 between 600 and 1000 mg/m2, and 22 between 1000 and 2500 mg/m2. None of the patients developed definite evidence of cardiomyopathy although six showed some disturbance of myocardial function. In each of the six patients, factors other than adriamycin cardiotoxicity were believed to play a major role in the myocardial abnormality. The difference between the incidence of cardiomyopathy seen in this series and that previously reported is statistically significant. The reasons for the difference are not clear but are probably related to the schedule that was used.", "PMID": 795537} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10502", "title": "Phase I trial of dianhydrogalactitol administered Iv in a weekly schedule.", "content": "Dianhydrogalactitol was given to 28 patients with a variety of advanced solid tumors on a weekly schedule in iv doses ranging from 2 to 80 mg/m2. No significant toxicity was encountered at doses up to 40 mg/m2/week for 4 weeks. At higher doses mild-to-moderate nausea and vomiting and hematologic toxicity were noted. Thrombocytopenia was more common than granulocytopenia and frequently resolved more slowly. No adverse drug-realted effects on liver, renal, coagulation, or cardiac function were seen. Although no patient had significant antitumor response (as strictly defined), objective improvement was noted in two patients, one with hypernephroma and the other with malignant melanoma. for phase II studies, a weekly dose of 70 mg/m2 is recommended for patients with normal hematopoiesis, with reduction by 25% (55 mg/m2) in patients with extensive prior radiation therapy, prior chemotherapy, and/or widespread metastasis to the bone.", "contents": "Phase I trial of dianhydrogalactitol administered Iv in a weekly schedule. Dianhydrogalactitol was given to 28 patients with a variety of advanced solid tumors on a weekly schedule in iv doses ranging from 2 to 80 mg/m2. No significant toxicity was encountered at doses up to 40 mg/m2/week for 4 weeks. At higher doses mild-to-moderate nausea and vomiting and hematologic toxicity were noted. Thrombocytopenia was more common than granulocytopenia and frequently resolved more slowly. No adverse drug-realted effects on liver, renal, coagulation, or cardiac function were seen. Although no patient had significant antitumor response (as strictly defined), objective improvement was noted in two patients, one with hypernephroma and the other with malignant melanoma. for phase II studies, a weekly dose of 70 mg/m2 is recommended for patients with normal hematopoiesis, with reduction by 25% (55 mg/m2) in patients with extensive prior radiation therapy, prior chemotherapy, and/or widespread metastasis to the bone.", "PMID": 795538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10503", "title": "Porfiromycin in the management of epidermoid and transitional cell cancer: a phase II study.", "content": "Porifiromycin has been tested in many groups of patients over the past several years (1-7). This report is an analysis of greater than 100 patients with epidermoid and urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas treated with this agent. A review of these data and the available literature on this agent shows that porfiromycin offers definite usefulness in disseminated squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix, and definite but lesser effectiveness in epidermoid carcinomas of the lung, the head and neck region, and other sites. Responsiveness was also demonstrated in transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary tract. Toxicity was tolerable and consisted primarily of myelosuppression and local skin necrosis in sites where extravasation had occurred.", "contents": "Porfiromycin in the management of epidermoid and transitional cell cancer: a phase II study. Porifiromycin has been tested in many groups of patients over the past several years (1-7). This report is an analysis of greater than 100 patients with epidermoid and urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas treated with this agent. A review of these data and the available literature on this agent shows that porfiromycin offers definite usefulness in disseminated squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix, and definite but lesser effectiveness in epidermoid carcinomas of the lung, the head and neck region, and other sites. Responsiveness was also demonstrated in transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary tract. Toxicity was tolerable and consisted primarily of myelosuppression and local skin necrosis in sites where extravasation had occurred.", "PMID": 795539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10504", "title": "Identification and location of the histone H2A and H3 genes by sequence analysis of sea urchin (S. purpuratus) DNA cloned in E. coli.", "content": "A 2000 base pair (bp) DNA fragment can be excised from sea urchin (S. purpuratus) histone gene repeat units with restriction endonuclease Eco R1. This DNA, which has been cloned in a bacterial plasmid, is known to encompass two of the five histone genes. The fragment has a single endonuclease Hind III cleavage site in one of the genes and a Hae III cleavage site in the other gene. We now report the nucleotide sequences of 62 bp adjacent to the Hind III site and 42 bp adjacent to the Hae III cleavage site. The results identify the cloned DNA as histone genes, show that it codes for histone proteins H2A and H3, and locate and orient H2A and H3 genes with respect to restriction endonuclease sites in the repeat unit.", "contents": "Identification and location of the histone H2A and H3 genes by sequence analysis of sea urchin (S. purpuratus) DNA cloned in E. coli. A 2000 base pair (bp) DNA fragment can be excised from sea urchin (S. purpuratus) histone gene repeat units with restriction endonuclease Eco R1. This DNA, which has been cloned in a bacterial plasmid, is known to encompass two of the five histone genes. The fragment has a single endonuclease Hind III cleavage site in one of the genes and a Hae III cleavage site in the other gene. We now report the nucleotide sequences of 62 bp adjacent to the Hind III site and 42 bp adjacent to the Hae III cleavage site. The results identify the cloned DNA as histone genes, show that it codes for histone proteins H2A and H3, and locate and orient H2A and H3 genes with respect to restriction endonuclease sites in the repeat unit.", "PMID": 795548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10505", "title": "Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) studies with insolubilized polysaccharides.", "content": "Polysaccharide preparations from Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans when used with some human sera were found to fix complement and precipitate with specific antibodies present in the sera. Precipitins consisted predominantly of IgG with traces of IgM and IgA. Following insolubilization of the fungal polysaccharide preparations with the N-carboxyanhydride of L-leucine, reactivity with serum precipitins was retained and reaction with IgE antibodies was demonstrated using the radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Results showed that for A. fumigatus and C. albicans at least, polysaccharide-specific IgE antibodies probably occur in sera from some hypersensitive individuals. We suggest that chemical methods of the type described which induce polymerization or cross-linking will be useful for detecting IgE antibodies in the RAST. Such an approach could be used with a variety of polysaccharide preparations which cannot be coupled to polysaccharide solid supports by the usual methods.", "contents": "Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) studies with insolubilized polysaccharides. Polysaccharide preparations from Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans when used with some human sera were found to fix complement and precipitate with specific antibodies present in the sera. Precipitins consisted predominantly of IgG with traces of IgM and IgA. Following insolubilization of the fungal polysaccharide preparations with the N-carboxyanhydride of L-leucine, reactivity with serum precipitins was retained and reaction with IgE antibodies was demonstrated using the radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Results showed that for A. fumigatus and C. albicans at least, polysaccharide-specific IgE antibodies probably occur in sera from some hypersensitive individuals. We suggest that chemical methods of the type described which induce polymerization or cross-linking will be useful for detecting IgE antibodies in the RAST. Such an approach could be used with a variety of polysaccharide preparations which cannot be coupled to polysaccharide solid supports by the usual methods.", "PMID": 795563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10506", "title": "A double blind cross over trial of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (LHRH) in sexually impotent men.", "content": "A double blind cross over trial of 500 mug of gonadotrophin releasing hormone or placebo subcutaneously every 8 h for 4 weeks in ten men with secondary sexual impotence is reported. No obvious clinical improvement occurred but statistical analysis of a libido score showed some overall improvement, especially the spontaneous occurrence of erections during the treatment period (P LESS THAN 0-05).", "contents": "A double blind cross over trial of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (LHRH) in sexually impotent men. A double blind cross over trial of 500 mug of gonadotrophin releasing hormone or placebo subcutaneously every 8 h for 4 weeks in ten men with secondary sexual impotence is reported. No obvious clinical improvement occurred but statistical analysis of a libido score showed some overall improvement, especially the spontaneous occurrence of erections during the treatment period (P LESS THAN 0-05).", "PMID": 795564} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10507", "title": "Antibody-mediated immunity in CFW mice infected with Mycobacterium lepraemurium. Humoral immune response in murine leprosy.", "content": "A depression in antibody-mediated immunity (AMI) measured both in terms of circulating antibody and plaque-forming cells in the spleen was observed in CFW mice infected with M. lepraemurium when sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and human gammaglobulin (HGG) were used as antigens. The impairment in AMI was evident only after 75 days of infection thereafter the antibody response to SRBC antigen progressively decreased until the last day of experimentation (135 days). Within the first 60 days of infection no alteration in AMI was observed with the HGG antigen while the response to the SRBC antigen was significantly higher in the infected animals than in uninfected controls.", "contents": "Antibody-mediated immunity in CFW mice infected with Mycobacterium lepraemurium. Humoral immune response in murine leprosy. A depression in antibody-mediated immunity (AMI) measured both in terms of circulating antibody and plaque-forming cells in the spleen was observed in CFW mice infected with M. lepraemurium when sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and human gammaglobulin (HGG) were used as antigens. The impairment in AMI was evident only after 75 days of infection thereafter the antibody response to SRBC antigen progressively decreased until the last day of experimentation (135 days). Within the first 60 days of infection no alteration in AMI was observed with the HGG antigen while the response to the SRBC antigen was significantly higher in the infected animals than in uninfected controls.", "PMID": 795574} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10508", "title": "Determination of anti-DNA antibodies by a modified 125I-labelled DNA-binding test. Elimination of non-specific binding of DNA to non-immunoglobulin basic proteins by using an anionic detergent.", "content": "A modified 125I-labelled DNA-binding test was developed. By using an anionic detergent, 0-025% sodium dodecyl sulphate, the non-specific binding of DNA by basic proteins was completely eliminated, while the specific binding of DNA by anti-DNA antibodies was not interfered with. The level of DNA-binding activity in normal human sera was decreased in the modified DNA-binding test, while its sensitivity was similar to that of the Farr assay in presence of sera from SLE patients.", "contents": "Determination of anti-DNA antibodies by a modified 125I-labelled DNA-binding test. Elimination of non-specific binding of DNA to non-immunoglobulin basic proteins by using an anionic detergent. A modified 125I-labelled DNA-binding test was developed. By using an anionic detergent, 0-025% sodium dodecyl sulphate, the non-specific binding of DNA by basic proteins was completely eliminated, while the specific binding of DNA by anti-DNA antibodies was not interfered with. The level of DNA-binding activity in normal human sera was decreased in the modified DNA-binding test, while its sensitivity was similar to that of the Farr assay in presence of sera from SLE patients.", "PMID": 795575} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10509", "title": "Leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF) profile in primary and secondary immunodeficiency disease.", "content": "Lymphocytes from patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency disease were tested for capacity to produce LMIF after mitogen and antigen stimulation as well as for ability to stimulate and respond in unidirectional MLC-LMIF assay. Different patterns of immune abnormality in vitro were detectable when Con A and Candida albicans antigen were used. In addition, significant abnormalities in LMIF responding and stimulatory capacity were demonstrated in patients with Hodgkin's disease. LMIF production after stimulation with different agents allows for a better characterization of cellular defects in immunodeficiency disease.", "contents": "Leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF) profile in primary and secondary immunodeficiency disease. Lymphocytes from patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency disease were tested for capacity to produce LMIF after mitogen and antigen stimulation as well as for ability to stimulate and respond in unidirectional MLC-LMIF assay. Different patterns of immune abnormality in vitro were detectable when Con A and Candida albicans antigen were used. In addition, significant abnormalities in LMIF responding and stimulatory capacity were demonstrated in patients with Hodgkin's disease. LMIF production after stimulation with different agents allows for a better characterization of cellular defects in immunodeficiency disease.", "PMID": 795576} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10510", "title": "Immune function in sarcoidosis. Studies on delayed hypersensitivity, B and T lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulins and serum complement components.", "content": "An assessment of immune function was performed in twenty-four patients with recently diagnosed active sarcoidosis. Four patients manifested skin anergy to four antigens. All subjects except one were capable of generating a positive skin response to a croton oil patch test. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine by lymphocytes in vitro in response to the nonspecific mitogens--phytohaemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen and Con A did not differ between anergic and non-anergic thymidine incorporation in vitro when stimulated by the specific antigens, streptokinase/streptodornase or Candida albicans. Lymphocytes obtained from nine of eleven patients having positive delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions demonstrated MIF production in vitro upon specific antigen challenge. Quantities of circulating B and T lymphocytes did not differ between anergic and absolute numbers of circulating B and T lymphocytes, as well as hypercomplementaemia and hypergammaglobulinaemia when compared to the control group.", "contents": "Immune function in sarcoidosis. Studies on delayed hypersensitivity, B and T lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulins and serum complement components. An assessment of immune function was performed in twenty-four patients with recently diagnosed active sarcoidosis. Four patients manifested skin anergy to four antigens. All subjects except one were capable of generating a positive skin response to a croton oil patch test. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine by lymphocytes in vitro in response to the nonspecific mitogens--phytohaemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen and Con A did not differ between anergic and non-anergic thymidine incorporation in vitro when stimulated by the specific antigens, streptokinase/streptodornase or Candida albicans. Lymphocytes obtained from nine of eleven patients having positive delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions demonstrated MIF production in vitro upon specific antigen challenge. Quantities of circulating B and T lymphocytes did not differ between anergic and absolute numbers of circulating B and T lymphocytes, as well as hypercomplementaemia and hypergammaglobulinaemia when compared to the control group.", "PMID": 795577} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10511", "title": "Leucocyte aggregation and lymphocyte transformation induced by mercuric chloride.", "content": "Leuco-aggregation tests carried out on normal subjects using the non-specific mitogen mercuric chloride produced micro-aggregates in the concentration range 2-100 mug/ml with a peaking effect at about 10 mug/ml. These results showed good correlation with lymphocyte transformation test thymidine uptake ratios which were maximal at 2-10 mug/ml.", "contents": "Leucocyte aggregation and lymphocyte transformation induced by mercuric chloride. Leuco-aggregation tests carried out on normal subjects using the non-specific mitogen mercuric chloride produced micro-aggregates in the concentration range 2-100 mug/ml with a peaking effect at about 10 mug/ml. These results showed good correlation with lymphocyte transformation test thymidine uptake ratios which were maximal at 2-10 mug/ml.", "PMID": 795578} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10512", "title": "In vitro effect of thymosin on T-lymphocyte rosette formation in rheumatic diseases.", "content": "The in vitro effect of calf thymosin fraction 5 on T-rosette forming cells (E-RFC) was studied in Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome (SS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The baseline percent E-RFC in sixteen normal controls was67-2 +/- 6-9. E-RFC was significantly decreased in SLE (42-6 +/- 17-0, P less than 0-0001) and SS (51-8 +/- 16-9, P less than 0-002) but not in RA (59-7 +/- 14-1). Ten of twenty-five SS patients and two of eleven RA patients had less than 50% E-RFC, and all showed a significant increase after incubation with thymosin (+ 16-5 +/- 6-5%, P less than 0-0001, and + 11 +/- 4-9%, P less than 0-001, respectively). Eleven of sixteen SLE patients had less than 50% E-RFC. Their response to thymosin was less dramatic but still statistically significant (+ 5-3 +/- 6-0%, P = 0-03). There was no response to thymosin in control subjects or in patients with baseline E-RFC greater than 50%. No increase in E-RFC was seen after incubation with calf spleen fraction 5 or known stimulators of cyclic-AMP. Sera from four active SLE patients, as well as the supernatant obtained from overnight culture of the lymphocytes from one SLE patients, were able to block T-rosette formation by normal lymphocytes, even after exposure to thymosin. Two 'blocking' sera were fractionated by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifucation. In one, the blocking capacity was found to reside in the 19S region containing IgM. In the second, the blocking capacity was in the 7S region containing IgG. Four 'blocking' lupus sera were depleted of IgG or IgM by immunoabsorption with goat anti-human IgG or goat anti-human IgM sepharose 4B. The blocking ability in three sera was partially decreased by depletion of either IgG or IgM, and in a fourth, only by removing IgG. The percent of lymphocytes staining with fluorescein labelled goat anti-human immunoglobulin antisera was increased in SLE patients (35-9 +/- 20-2 vs 21-7 +/- 5-9 in controls, P = 0-02). After overnight culture, the percent of staining cells decreased to normal values. These results suggest that thymosin can stimulate the differentiation of T-lymphocytes in patients with SS, SLE, and RA when the baseline E-RFC is decreased. Furthermore, the decreased percent E-RFC in SLE is probably due to cell-bound anti-lymphocyte antibodies that block sheep erythrocyte receptors on the T-cell and, possibly, thymosin receptors on undifferentiated lymphocytes.", "contents": "In vitro effect of thymosin on T-lymphocyte rosette formation in rheumatic diseases. The in vitro effect of calf thymosin fraction 5 on T-rosette forming cells (E-RFC) was studied in Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome (SS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The baseline percent E-RFC in sixteen normal controls was67-2 +/- 6-9. E-RFC was significantly decreased in SLE (42-6 +/- 17-0, P less than 0-0001) and SS (51-8 +/- 16-9, P less than 0-002) but not in RA (59-7 +/- 14-1). Ten of twenty-five SS patients and two of eleven RA patients had less than 50% E-RFC, and all showed a significant increase after incubation with thymosin (+ 16-5 +/- 6-5%, P less than 0-0001, and + 11 +/- 4-9%, P less than 0-001, respectively). Eleven of sixteen SLE patients had less than 50% E-RFC. Their response to thymosin was less dramatic but still statistically significant (+ 5-3 +/- 6-0%, P = 0-03). There was no response to thymosin in control subjects or in patients with baseline E-RFC greater than 50%. No increase in E-RFC was seen after incubation with calf spleen fraction 5 or known stimulators of cyclic-AMP. Sera from four active SLE patients, as well as the supernatant obtained from overnight culture of the lymphocytes from one SLE patients, were able to block T-rosette formation by normal lymphocytes, even after exposure to thymosin. Two 'blocking' sera were fractionated by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifucation. In one, the blocking capacity was found to reside in the 19S region containing IgM. In the second, the blocking capacity was in the 7S region containing IgG. Four 'blocking' lupus sera were depleted of IgG or IgM by immunoabsorption with goat anti-human IgG or goat anti-human IgM sepharose 4B. The blocking ability in three sera was partially decreased by depletion of either IgG or IgM, and in a fourth, only by removing IgG. The percent of lymphocytes staining with fluorescein labelled goat anti-human immunoglobulin antisera was increased in SLE patients (35-9 +/- 20-2 vs 21-7 +/- 5-9 in controls, P = 0-02). After overnight culture, the percent of staining cells decreased to normal values. These results suggest that thymosin can stimulate the differentiation of T-lymphocytes in patients with SS, SLE, and RA when the baseline E-RFC is decreased. Furthermore, the decreased percent E-RFC in SLE is probably due to cell-bound anti-lymphocyte antibodies that block sheep erythrocyte receptors on the T-cell and, possibly, thymosin receptors on undifferentiated lymphocytes.", "PMID": 795579} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10513", "title": "Identification of mouse T and B lymphocytes from cytocentrifuged cell smears.", "content": "A method enabling direct enumeration of mouse T and B cells from cytocentrifuged cell smears is described. The acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) staining was used as marker for T cells. The distribution of the ANAE marker-carrying lymphocytes closely followed the percentual distribution of T cells in spleen and lymph node. Electrophoresis analysis demonstrated that while more than 95% of resting spleen and lymph node T cells carried the ANAE marker, only less than 5% of the B cells were ANAE positive. The B cells (surface-bound Ig-carrying small lymphocytes) were identified by anti-Ig serum followed by rosetting of the B cells with Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan 1 (StaCw). The ANAE marker-carrying cells did not overlap with the StaCw rosette-forming lymphocytes. Thus we conclude that the combination of StaCw rosetting and ANAE staining enables accurate identification of resting T and B cells from a single microscope slide. Ninety to 100% of Con A-activated blasts expressed the ANAE marker but only 60-85% of PHA and MLC-activated blasts were positive. Twenty to 33% of the blast cells stimulated by LPS expressed the ANAE marker. Thus the ANAE marker is not a reliable criterion for T cells in actibated state.", "contents": "Identification of mouse T and B lymphocytes from cytocentrifuged cell smears. A method enabling direct enumeration of mouse T and B cells from cytocentrifuged cell smears is described. The acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) staining was used as marker for T cells. The distribution of the ANAE marker-carrying lymphocytes closely followed the percentual distribution of T cells in spleen and lymph node. Electrophoresis analysis demonstrated that while more than 95% of resting spleen and lymph node T cells carried the ANAE marker, only less than 5% of the B cells were ANAE positive. The B cells (surface-bound Ig-carrying small lymphocytes) were identified by anti-Ig serum followed by rosetting of the B cells with Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan 1 (StaCw). The ANAE marker-carrying cells did not overlap with the StaCw rosette-forming lymphocytes. Thus we conclude that the combination of StaCw rosetting and ANAE staining enables accurate identification of resting T and B cells from a single microscope slide. Ninety to 100% of Con A-activated blasts expressed the ANAE marker but only 60-85% of PHA and MLC-activated blasts were positive. Twenty to 33% of the blast cells stimulated by LPS expressed the ANAE marker. Thus the ANAE marker is not a reliable criterion for T cells in actibated state.", "PMID": 795580} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10514", "title": "Immune and phagocytic function in patients on maintenance dialysis and post-transplantation.", "content": "Immune, phagocytic and opsonic function was assessed in stabilized hemodialysis patients and compared with patients on maintenance immunosuppression following successful renal transplantation. Dialysis patients had a lymphopenia and a qualitative defect in lymphocyte function but opsonic and neutrophil metabolic function was normal. Post-transplant patients had normal intrinsic lymphocyte function but overall immunosuppression due to lymphopenia, selective T cell depletion, and drug inhibition. Neutrophil metabolic function was normal though there was a defect in opsonization.", "contents": "Immune and phagocytic function in patients on maintenance dialysis and post-transplantation. Immune, phagocytic and opsonic function was assessed in stabilized hemodialysis patients and compared with patients on maintenance immunosuppression following successful renal transplantation. Dialysis patients had a lymphopenia and a qualitative defect in lymphocyte function but opsonic and neutrophil metabolic function was normal. Post-transplant patients had normal intrinsic lymphocyte function but overall immunosuppression due to lymphopenia, selective T cell depletion, and drug inhibition. Neutrophil metabolic function was normal though there was a defect in opsonization.", "PMID": 795582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10515", "title": "A micromethod for stimulation of chicken lymphocytes in vitro using whole blood.", "content": "A simple, rapid and reproducible micromethod for determination of in vitro mitogenic responses of chicken peripheral blood lymphocytes is described. The test utilizes 5 mul volumes of heparinized whole blood, 125I-labelled 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine with 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine in place of [3H]thymidine and a multiple cell-culture harvester. The method permits a close follow-up of the mitogenic responses in the chicken.", "contents": "A micromethod for stimulation of chicken lymphocytes in vitro using whole blood. A simple, rapid and reproducible micromethod for determination of in vitro mitogenic responses of chicken peripheral blood lymphocytes is described. The test utilizes 5 mul volumes of heparinized whole blood, 125I-labelled 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine with 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine in place of [3H]thymidine and a multiple cell-culture harvester. The method permits a close follow-up of the mitogenic responses in the chicken.", "PMID": 795581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10516", "title": "The carriage of Escherichia coli on the peri-urethral area and in the feces in patients on long term low dose cotrimoxazole therapy.", "content": "Peri-urethral and fecal carriage of E. coli has been studied in 30 patients maintained on long term low dose cotrimoxazole and in abacteriuric subjects not receiving any antibiotic. Cotrimoxazole treatment is associated with a dramatic reduction in E. coli carriage both in the feces and especially on the peri-urethral area which persists over months or years. Recovery of trimethoprim-resistant E. coli from the feces was uncommon but when observed antedated subsequent relapse due to resistant organisms. Possible mechanisms for low peri-urethral carriage rates include reduction in fecal carriage, vaginal secretion of trimethoprim or low urinary concentrations of that drug.", "contents": "The carriage of Escherichia coli on the peri-urethral area and in the feces in patients on long term low dose cotrimoxazole therapy. Peri-urethral and fecal carriage of E. coli has been studied in 30 patients maintained on long term low dose cotrimoxazole and in abacteriuric subjects not receiving any antibiotic. Cotrimoxazole treatment is associated with a dramatic reduction in E. coli carriage both in the feces and especially on the peri-urethral area which persists over months or years. Recovery of trimethoprim-resistant E. coli from the feces was uncommon but when observed antedated subsequent relapse due to resistant organisms. Possible mechanisms for low peri-urethral carriage rates include reduction in fecal carriage, vaginal secretion of trimethoprim or low urinary concentrations of that drug.", "PMID": 795583} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10517", "title": "Restriction endonucleases.", "content": "This review provides a comprehensive account of the current status of the biology and biochemistry of restriction endonucleases. Both Class I and Class II restriction endonucleases will be considered. However, emphasis will be placed on the Class II group, which recognizes and cleaves a specific duplex DNA sequence. Their occurrence, purification, and characterization is discussed in detail. The characterization includes physical mapping information and determination of recognition sequences. In addition to detailed discussions of the biochemical properties of the enzymes, considerable attention is paid to the uses of these enzymes as tools for research in molecular biology. These uses include physical mapping of genomes and their transcripts, genetic analysis (marker rescue, etc.), DNA sequence analysis, analysis of complex genomes, and genetic engineering. Specific examples of each use are outlined. Practical aspects of both the isolation and use of the restriction endonucleases form the major theme of this review.", "contents": "Restriction endonucleases. This review provides a comprehensive account of the current status of the biology and biochemistry of restriction endonucleases. Both Class I and Class II restriction endonucleases will be considered. However, emphasis will be placed on the Class II group, which recognizes and cleaves a specific duplex DNA sequence. Their occurrence, purification, and characterization is discussed in detail. The characterization includes physical mapping information and determination of recognition sequences. In addition to detailed discussions of the biochemical properties of the enzymes, considerable attention is paid to the uses of these enzymes as tools for research in molecular biology. These uses include physical mapping of genomes and their transcripts, genetic analysis (marker rescue, etc.), DNA sequence analysis, analysis of complex genomes, and genetic engineering. Specific examples of each use are outlined. Practical aspects of both the isolation and use of the restriction endonucleases form the major theme of this review.", "PMID": 795607} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10518", "title": "Once daily administration of a fluphenazine/nortriptyline preparation in the treatment of mixed anxiety/depressive states.", "content": "A study of 223 patients diagnosed as suffering from mixed anxiety/depressive states was carried out in general practice to compare the effectiveness of treatment with a once-daily tablet preparation containing 1.5 mg fluphenazine plus 30 mg nortriptyline, taken either at night or in the morning, with the same total daily dose taken as 1 tablet t.d.s. Patients were randomly assigned to 4-week's treatment with one of the three drug schemes, and patients' self-ratings as well as physicians's ratings were used to assess symptoms. Both rating assessments showed that there were highly significant improvements in each of the three treatment groups over the 4-week period. Although there were no clinically important differences between improvements in the night-time dose and t.d.s. groups, there was a higher incidence of drowsiness and tablet defaulting among patients taking the single morning dose.", "contents": "Once daily administration of a fluphenazine/nortriptyline preparation in the treatment of mixed anxiety/depressive states. A study of 223 patients diagnosed as suffering from mixed anxiety/depressive states was carried out in general practice to compare the effectiveness of treatment with a once-daily tablet preparation containing 1.5 mg fluphenazine plus 30 mg nortriptyline, taken either at night or in the morning, with the same total daily dose taken as 1 tablet t.d.s. Patients were randomly assigned to 4-week's treatment with one of the three drug schemes, and patients' self-ratings as well as physicians's ratings were used to assess symptoms. Both rating assessments showed that there were highly significant improvements in each of the three treatment groups over the 4-week period. Although there were no clinically important differences between improvements in the night-time dose and t.d.s. groups, there was a higher incidence of drowsiness and tablet defaulting among patients taking the single morning dose.", "PMID": 795608} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10519", "title": "Local treatment of psoriasis of the scalp with clobetasol propionate and betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate: a double-blind comparison.", "content": "A double-blind evaluation was carried out in 40 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis of the scalp to assess the effectiveness of a 0.05% alcoholic solution of clobetasol propionate as compared with a 0.05% alcoholic solution of betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate. Patients were treated on a non-selective basis with a twice a day application for 2 weeks. When comparing the effects on the parameters scaling, induration, erythema and itching it was concluded that clobetasol propionate was superior to betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate as an antipsoriatic compound. Clobetasol propionate did not cause any side-effects, while 2 of the patients using betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate developed a forehead folliculitis during the second week of treatment.", "contents": "Local treatment of psoriasis of the scalp with clobetasol propionate and betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate: a double-blind comparison. A double-blind evaluation was carried out in 40 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis of the scalp to assess the effectiveness of a 0.05% alcoholic solution of clobetasol propionate as compared with a 0.05% alcoholic solution of betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate. Patients were treated on a non-selective basis with a twice a day application for 2 weeks. When comparing the effects on the parameters scaling, induration, erythema and itching it was concluded that clobetasol propionate was superior to betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate as an antipsoriatic compound. Clobetasol propionate did not cause any side-effects, while 2 of the patients using betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate developed a forehead folliculitis during the second week of treatment.", "PMID": 795609} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10520", "title": "A double-blind, multi-centre comparison of naproxen and indomethacin in acute musculo-skeletal disorders.", "content": "A double-blind, multi-centre trial was carried out in 191 patients with acute musculoskeletal conditions to compare the efficacy of naproxen and indomethacin. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either 250 mg naproxen or 50 mg indomethacin twice daily. Treatment was for 7 or 14 days. The results, assessed by the patients' subjective responses, showed that statistically significant improvements in pain, mobility and general condition were produced by both drugs from the first day of treatment. Improvement continued throughout the treatment period but there was no significant difference in the degree or rate between the two drug groups. Twenty-seven patients (13 on naproxen; 14 on indomethacin) withdrew from the study because of side-effects.", "contents": "A double-blind, multi-centre comparison of naproxen and indomethacin in acute musculo-skeletal disorders. A double-blind, multi-centre trial was carried out in 191 patients with acute musculoskeletal conditions to compare the efficacy of naproxen and indomethacin. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either 250 mg naproxen or 50 mg indomethacin twice daily. Treatment was for 7 or 14 days. The results, assessed by the patients' subjective responses, showed that statistically significant improvements in pain, mobility and general condition were produced by both drugs from the first day of treatment. Improvement continued throughout the treatment period but there was no significant difference in the degree or rate between the two drug groups. Twenty-seven patients (13 on naproxen; 14 on indomethacin) withdrew from the study because of side-effects.", "PMID": 795610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10521", "title": "Electron microscopy of membrane-free folded chromosomes from Escherichia coli.", "content": "Membrane-free folded chromosomes were purified from log-phase cultures of Escherichia coli and prepared for electron microscopy by aqueous (Kleinschmidt and Zahn) spreading. The appearance of the chromosomes depended on the salt concentrations in spreading. At certain salt concentration, the chromosomes resembled rosettes, with supercoiled loops of DNA radiating from a central core containing RNA. The rosettes support previous models deduced from physical studies of folded chromosomes. Apparently, cores contain must of the visible RNA, and the organization of the core is linked to the organization of the DNA loops.", "contents": "Electron microscopy of membrane-free folded chromosomes from Escherichia coli. Membrane-free folded chromosomes were purified from log-phase cultures of Escherichia coli and prepared for electron microscopy by aqueous (Kleinschmidt and Zahn) spreading. The appearance of the chromosomes depended on the salt concentrations in spreading. At certain salt concentration, the chromosomes resembled rosettes, with supercoiled loops of DNA radiating from a central core containing RNA. The rosettes support previous models deduced from physical studies of folded chromosomes. Apparently, cores contain must of the visible RNA, and the organization of the core is linked to the organization of the DNA loops.", "PMID": 795620} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10522", "title": "Post-coital contraceptive effects of an agonistic analogue of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone.", "content": "An analogue of synthetic hypothalamic LRH, D-[ALA]6-DES-[GLY]10-PRO9-ethylamide-LRH (Wy-18,481) was evaluated for agonistic (in vivo LH-releasing and ovulation-inducing), post-coital contraceptive and reproductive target organ effects. Both LRH and the analogue terminated pregnancy; there appeared to be a direct relationship between agonistic and post-coital contraceptive potency and activity. The analogue proved to be a potent agonist and both a pre-and post-implantational post-coital anti-fertility agent. In contrast to LRH, the congener did not produce a uterotrophic effect in the hypophysectomized rat. The data suggest that agonist analogue(s) of LRH can terminate pregnancy via hyperstimulation of the pituitary-ovarian-reproductive complex and the use of members of this neurohormonal class as potential clinical pro-fertility agents should be weighted with caution.", "contents": "Post-coital contraceptive effects of an agonistic analogue of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone. An analogue of synthetic hypothalamic LRH, D-[ALA]6-DES-[GLY]10-PRO9-ethylamide-LRH (Wy-18,481) was evaluated for agonistic (in vivo LH-releasing and ovulation-inducing), post-coital contraceptive and reproductive target organ effects. Both LRH and the analogue terminated pregnancy; there appeared to be a direct relationship between agonistic and post-coital contraceptive potency and activity. The analogue proved to be a potent agonist and both a pre-and post-implantational post-coital anti-fertility agent. In contrast to LRH, the congener did not produce a uterotrophic effect in the hypophysectomized rat. The data suggest that agonist analogue(s) of LRH can terminate pregnancy via hyperstimulation of the pituitary-ovarian-reproductive complex and the use of members of this neurohormonal class as potential clinical pro-fertility agents should be weighted with caution.", "PMID": 795634} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10523", "title": "The effect of hydrocortisone treatment and adrenalectomy on insulin and glucagon secretion from the perfused rat pancreas.", "content": "Hydrocortisone treatment increased blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in adrenalectomized rats. Insulin secretion during the immediate secretory response as well as the late phase of glucose-induced insulin release from the perfused pancreas from adrenalectomized rats was three times higher after hydrocortisone treatment. Glucose inhibited glucagon secretion from the perfused pancreas of adrenalectomized rats after hydrocortisone treatment but not from the pancreas of untreated animals. The immediate insulin secretory response to tolbutamide was increased by hydrocortisone treatment whereas tolbutamide did not affect glucagon release from the perfused pancreas of adrenalectomized hydrocortisone treated rats or control animals.", "contents": "The effect of hydrocortisone treatment and adrenalectomy on insulin and glucagon secretion from the perfused rat pancreas. Hydrocortisone treatment increased blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in adrenalectomized rats. Insulin secretion during the immediate secretory response as well as the late phase of glucose-induced insulin release from the perfused pancreas from adrenalectomized rats was three times higher after hydrocortisone treatment. Glucose inhibited glucagon secretion from the perfused pancreas of adrenalectomized rats after hydrocortisone treatment but not from the pancreas of untreated animals. The immediate insulin secretory response to tolbutamide was increased by hydrocortisone treatment whereas tolbutamide did not affect glucagon release from the perfused pancreas of adrenalectomized hydrocortisone treated rats or control animals.", "PMID": 795635} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10524", "title": "Glucose-induced insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity of peripheric organs of Egyptian sand rats before manifestation of diabetes.", "content": "In Egyptian sand rats (Psammomys obesus) fed with native food and a low caloric vegetable diet after capture it was possible to study endocrinologic and metabolic changes of the early stages during the progression to diabetes. According to body weight gain and fasting blood glucose the animals were differentiated into two groups classified as basic and protodiabetic group, respectively. Isolated pancreatic islets as well as the perfused pancreases of sand rats responded to low concentrations of glucose with high insulin release during early stages of the development to diabetes. Changes in the insulin content of the islets could not be detected at this time although in the B-cells of the protodiabetic animals a degranulation was visible. During these early stages of the development to diabetes the in vitro insulin action on glucose utilization in soleus muscle and especially in epididymal fat pads as well as the basal glucose metabolism in adipose tissue were low. This strikingly reduced utilization of glucose by adipose and muscle tissues may be a factor which challenges the B-cell.", "contents": "Glucose-induced insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity of peripheric organs of Egyptian sand rats before manifestation of diabetes. In Egyptian sand rats (Psammomys obesus) fed with native food and a low caloric vegetable diet after capture it was possible to study endocrinologic and metabolic changes of the early stages during the progression to diabetes. According to body weight gain and fasting blood glucose the animals were differentiated into two groups classified as basic and protodiabetic group, respectively. Isolated pancreatic islets as well as the perfused pancreases of sand rats responded to low concentrations of glucose with high insulin release during early stages of the development to diabetes. Changes in the insulin content of the islets could not be detected at this time although in the B-cells of the protodiabetic animals a degranulation was visible. During these early stages of the development to diabetes the in vitro insulin action on glucose utilization in soleus muscle and especially in epididymal fat pads as well as the basal glucose metabolism in adipose tissue were low. This strikingly reduced utilization of glucose by adipose and muscle tissues may be a factor which challenges the B-cell.", "PMID": 795636} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10525", "title": "CNS-endocrine pancreas system. I. The hypothalamus response to insulin deficiency.", "content": "The anterior, medial and posterior hypothalamic nuclei in alloxan-diabetic male rats were studied by karyometry. Selective responsiveness of separate nuclei of the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) and the anterior hypothalamus was revealed. In the MBH cell nuclear-size changes were most prominent in the ventromedial nucleus and less pronounced, but significant, in the arcuate nucleus. In the anterior hypothalamus a significant response was produced by the supraoptic nucleus. The authors do not exclude the possibility that the reaction of the neurosecretory cells of the supraotic nucleus is indirect and reflects disturbed vasopressin balance in alloxan-diabetic rats in response to impairment of water-salt metabolism. The responsiveness of the MBH nuclei is considered as evidence for their involvement, the bentromedial nucleus in particular, in hypothalamic control of the endocrine pancreas. Various means by which insulin-sensitive hypothalamic areas may be implicated in this control are discussed.", "contents": "CNS-endocrine pancreas system. I. The hypothalamus response to insulin deficiency. The anterior, medial and posterior hypothalamic nuclei in alloxan-diabetic male rats were studied by karyometry. Selective responsiveness of separate nuclei of the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) and the anterior hypothalamus was revealed. In the MBH cell nuclear-size changes were most prominent in the ventromedial nucleus and less pronounced, but significant, in the arcuate nucleus. In the anterior hypothalamus a significant response was produced by the supraoptic nucleus. The authors do not exclude the possibility that the reaction of the neurosecretory cells of the supraotic nucleus is indirect and reflects disturbed vasopressin balance in alloxan-diabetic rats in response to impairment of water-salt metabolism. The responsiveness of the MBH nuclei is considered as evidence for their involvement, the bentromedial nucleus in particular, in hypothalamic control of the endocrine pancreas. Various means by which insulin-sensitive hypothalamic areas may be implicated in this control are discussed.", "PMID": 795637} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10526", "title": "CNS-endocrine pancreas system. II. Response of dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerves to insulin deficiency.", "content": "Sensitivity of the vagal dorsal nucleus nerve cells to insulin deficiency was revealed in alloxan-diabetic rats by karyometry. Control measurements showed absence of similar changes in cell nuclear sizes of the adjoining area, the Nucltractus solitarii. The results provide evidence in favour of a selective response of the dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerves to insulin deficiency and allow assumption that not only the peripheral vagus but the central component of this cholinergic system contribute to endocrine pancreas control. It is suggested that the medial basal hypothalamus and the system of the vagus are links of a single control mechanism regulating endocrine pancreas and represented at different levels of the central and peripheral nervous system.", "contents": "CNS-endocrine pancreas system. II. Response of dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerves to insulin deficiency. Sensitivity of the vagal dorsal nucleus nerve cells to insulin deficiency was revealed in alloxan-diabetic rats by karyometry. Control measurements showed absence of similar changes in cell nuclear sizes of the adjoining area, the Nucltractus solitarii. The results provide evidence in favour of a selective response of the dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerves to insulin deficiency and allow assumption that not only the peripheral vagus but the central component of this cholinergic system contribute to endocrine pancreas control. It is suggested that the medial basal hypothalamus and the system of the vagus are links of a single control mechanism regulating endocrine pancreas and represented at different levels of the central and peripheral nervous system.", "PMID": 795638} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10527", "title": "The effect of a single injection of testosterone propionate and estradiol benzoate on the LH-RH induced release of FSH and LH in the male rat.", "content": "Male adult, intact rats were treated with 1000 or 2000 mug/kg testosterone propionate (TP), 500 or 1000 mug/kg estradiol benzoate (EB) or ol. arachidis only. 30 min, 24h, 48h and 7 days later they were injected with 5 mug/kg LH-RH or saline solution. 30 min after this FSH, LH and testosterone were determined in plasma by radioimmunoassay. It is shown that pretreatment with 500 mug/kg TP enhances significantly the FSH release after LH-RH even on day 7, while the greater dose of TP does not significantly affect the release of FSH. The LH-RH induced release of LH is also increased by the pretreatment with 500 mug/kg TP, while 2000 mug/kg TP do not alter the reaction to LH-RH. EB in both doses does not influence the LH-RH induced release of FSH and LH.", "contents": "The effect of a single injection of testosterone propionate and estradiol benzoate on the LH-RH induced release of FSH and LH in the male rat. Male adult, intact rats were treated with 1000 or 2000 mug/kg testosterone propionate (TP), 500 or 1000 mug/kg estradiol benzoate (EB) or ol. arachidis only. 30 min, 24h, 48h and 7 days later they were injected with 5 mug/kg LH-RH or saline solution. 30 min after this FSH, LH and testosterone were determined in plasma by radioimmunoassay. It is shown that pretreatment with 500 mug/kg TP enhances significantly the FSH release after LH-RH even on day 7, while the greater dose of TP does not significantly affect the release of FSH. The LH-RH induced release of LH is also increased by the pretreatment with 500 mug/kg TP, while 2000 mug/kg TP do not alter the reaction to LH-RH. EB in both doses does not influence the LH-RH induced release of FSH and LH.", "PMID": 795639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10528", "title": "Immunohistological identification of neurophysin and neurophysin-like substances in different vertebrates.", "content": "Using rabbit antisera to porcine neurophysin, the immunohistological unlabelled-antibody-peroxidase technique was applied to brains of man, rat, quail, pigeon, tortoise, frog, two cyprinid fishes, sturgeon and lamprey as well as to the urophysis of carp and the brain of the cockroach. In each of the investigated vertebrate speices the magnocellular neurosecretory system is immunoreactive, known to give a specific reaction for neurosecretory material by means of appropriate histological and histochemical methods, too. Moreover, in the rat brain we found immunoreactive material in neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, in the parvocellular part of the paraventricular nucleus, in fibres of the external region of the median eminence and in neurosecretory exohypothalamic fibres. The subcommissural organ and Reissner's fibre as well as the urophysis of the fish spinal cord and neurosecretory cells of the insect brain are devoid of neurophysin or neurophysin-like substances.", "contents": "Immunohistological identification of neurophysin and neurophysin-like substances in different vertebrates. Using rabbit antisera to porcine neurophysin, the immunohistological unlabelled-antibody-peroxidase technique was applied to brains of man, rat, quail, pigeon, tortoise, frog, two cyprinid fishes, sturgeon and lamprey as well as to the urophysis of carp and the brain of the cockroach. In each of the investigated vertebrate speices the magnocellular neurosecretory system is immunoreactive, known to give a specific reaction for neurosecretory material by means of appropriate histological and histochemical methods, too. Moreover, in the rat brain we found immunoreactive material in neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, in the parvocellular part of the paraventricular nucleus, in fibres of the external region of the median eminence and in neurosecretory exohypothalamic fibres. The subcommissural organ and Reissner's fibre as well as the urophysis of the fish spinal cord and neurosecretory cells of the insect brain are devoid of neurophysin or neurophysin-like substances.", "PMID": 795640} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10529", "title": "The mechanism of insulin secretion after oral glucose administration. VIII. Pancreatic juice insulin excretion after glucose loading and meal ingestion in normal and vagotomized dogs.", "content": "On pancreatic fistula dogs, in the pancreatic juice, immunoreactive insulin has been identified. Insulin excretion is shown to be inhibited by an intravenous glucose load and to be stimulated in a biphasic manner by an oral glucose load or by ingestion of mashed meat. Insulin excretion is reduced 2 months after bilateral truncular vagotomy and the reaction to both oral stimuli is abolished. -- There is no statistical correlation between pancreatic juice insulin and blood glucose, plasma IRI, or plasma amino nitrogen concentrations. Single extrainsular B-cells shown by histologic examination are suggested to be the source of pancreatic juice insulin. Compared to insulin secreted into the portal blood flow, insulin in the pancreatic juice amounts to only 0.1--0.2% of the daily secretory rate of the islets of Langerhans.", "contents": "The mechanism of insulin secretion after oral glucose administration. VIII. Pancreatic juice insulin excretion after glucose loading and meal ingestion in normal and vagotomized dogs. On pancreatic fistula dogs, in the pancreatic juice, immunoreactive insulin has been identified. Insulin excretion is shown to be inhibited by an intravenous glucose load and to be stimulated in a biphasic manner by an oral glucose load or by ingestion of mashed meat. Insulin excretion is reduced 2 months after bilateral truncular vagotomy and the reaction to both oral stimuli is abolished. -- There is no statistical correlation between pancreatic juice insulin and blood glucose, plasma IRI, or plasma amino nitrogen concentrations. Single extrainsular B-cells shown by histologic examination are suggested to be the source of pancreatic juice insulin. Compared to insulin secreted into the portal blood flow, insulin in the pancreatic juice amounts to only 0.1--0.2% of the daily secretory rate of the islets of Langerhans.", "PMID": 795641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10530", "title": "Pancreatic B-cell behaviour after changing the natural environment of sand rats (Psammomys obesus.", "content": "On the basis of the blood glucose increase during the capitivity sand rats born in the desert were classified as normals, protodiabetics and diabetics, indicating a different adaptation to the new environment within a definite period. Isolated islets of animals, which did not develop a hyperglycemia, enhanced their insulin content during the adaptation period. The absolute insulin secretion rates in response to 16.5 mM glucose were rather similar between the three investigated groups and not modified by the insulin as well as glucagon content of pancreatic islets. But, since islets of hyperglycemic sand rats could not increase the insulin content, a significantly enhanced fractional secretion (as % of the content) could be observed. The results let us assume that the B-cell reaction during the adaptation period can be modified by further factors additionally to the changed environment.", "contents": "Pancreatic B-cell behaviour after changing the natural environment of sand rats (Psammomys obesus. On the basis of the blood glucose increase during the capitivity sand rats born in the desert were classified as normals, protodiabetics and diabetics, indicating a different adaptation to the new environment within a definite period. Isolated islets of animals, which did not develop a hyperglycemia, enhanced their insulin content during the adaptation period. The absolute insulin secretion rates in response to 16.5 mM glucose were rather similar between the three investigated groups and not modified by the insulin as well as glucagon content of pancreatic islets. But, since islets of hyperglycemic sand rats could not increase the insulin content, a significantly enhanced fractional secretion (as % of the content) could be observed. The results let us assume that the B-cell reaction during the adaptation period can be modified by further factors additionally to the changed environment.", "PMID": 795642} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10531", "title": "Arginyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli. Influence of arginine biosynthetic precursors on the charging of arginine-acceptor tRNA with [14C]arginine.", "content": "The behaviour of arginyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.1.19) in the presence of the arginine biosynthetic precursors, argininosuccinate, ornithine and citrulline, was studied in several Escherichia coli K12 strains and in E. coli W. The results of kinetic measurements with partially purified extracts indicate that the arginyl-tRNA synthetase of E. coli is not inhibited by the arginine precursors. The apparent affinity constant Km for arginine of the K12 enzyme is about 3.4 muM in the absence and in the presence of these precursors, whereas the W enzyme an apparently slightly lowered Km and a decreased [14C]arginyl-tRNA equilibrium level in the presence of argininosuccinate. This however was shown to be due to isotopic dilution of [14C]arginine by non-radioactive amino acid formed from argininosuccinate by argininosuccinate lyase (EC 4.3.2.1) contaminating the synthetase preparation. This finding emphasizes the necessity of using pure arginyl-tRNA synthetase in order to study the possible regulatory involvement of this enzyme in the control of the arginine regulon in vitro.", "contents": "Arginyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli. Influence of arginine biosynthetic precursors on the charging of arginine-acceptor tRNA with [14C]arginine. The behaviour of arginyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.1.19) in the presence of the arginine biosynthetic precursors, argininosuccinate, ornithine and citrulline, was studied in several Escherichia coli K12 strains and in E. coli W. The results of kinetic measurements with partially purified extracts indicate that the arginyl-tRNA synthetase of E. coli is not inhibited by the arginine precursors. The apparent affinity constant Km for arginine of the K12 enzyme is about 3.4 muM in the absence and in the presence of these precursors, whereas the W enzyme an apparently slightly lowered Km and a decreased [14C]arginyl-tRNA equilibrium level in the presence of argininosuccinate. This however was shown to be due to isotopic dilution of [14C]arginine by non-radioactive amino acid formed from argininosuccinate by argininosuccinate lyase (EC 4.3.2.1) contaminating the synthetase preparation. This finding emphasizes the necessity of using pure arginyl-tRNA synthetase in order to study the possible regulatory involvement of this enzyme in the control of the arginine regulon in vitro.", "PMID": 795645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10532", "title": "Interpretation of tRNA-mischarging kinetics.", "content": "Incorrect tRNA aminoacylation reactions are characterized by very slow reaction rates and by the fact that in most cases they are incomplete. In a previous study some of us explained the incompleteness of the correct aminoacylation reactions of tRNA, which can be encountered under certain experimental conditions (for instance low enzyme concentration or high ionic strength) by an equilibrium between the aminoacylation and the deacylation reactions [J. Bonnet and J.P. Ebel (1972) Eur. J.Biochem. 31, 335-344]. In the present report we bring evidence that the incorrect valylation of yeast tRNAfMet by yeast valyl-tRNA synthetase studied under standard experimental conditions, can also be described by a kinetic rate law including the rate equations of the aminoacylation and of the various deacylation reactions. In particular we show that the incomplete mischarging plateaus reflect the existence of an equilibrium between the valylation reaction on the one hand and the spontaneous and enzymic deacylation of valyl-tRNAfMet and the reverse of the valylation reaction on the other hand. However, when the valyl-tRNA synthetase concentration is not very high the reverse reaction of the amino-acylation does not play a predominant part in the establishment of the plateau. These interpretations have been extended to other mischarging systems: valylation of yeast tRNAPhE by yeast valyl-tRNA synthetase and mischarging of tRNAfMet and tRNA2Val from yeast by yeast phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase. Unusual mischarging kinetics have been discussed. Furthermore, and as in correct systems, we found that during the mischarging of tRNAfMet one ATP is hydrolyzed per tRNA charged with valine. We conclude that the correct and the incorrect amino-acylation of tRNA behave kinetically in a similar way.", "contents": "Interpretation of tRNA-mischarging kinetics. Incorrect tRNA aminoacylation reactions are characterized by very slow reaction rates and by the fact that in most cases they are incomplete. In a previous study some of us explained the incompleteness of the correct aminoacylation reactions of tRNA, which can be encountered under certain experimental conditions (for instance low enzyme concentration or high ionic strength) by an equilibrium between the aminoacylation and the deacylation reactions [J. Bonnet and J.P. Ebel (1972) Eur. J.Biochem. 31, 335-344]. In the present report we bring evidence that the incorrect valylation of yeast tRNAfMet by yeast valyl-tRNA synthetase studied under standard experimental conditions, can also be described by a kinetic rate law including the rate equations of the aminoacylation and of the various deacylation reactions. In particular we show that the incomplete mischarging plateaus reflect the existence of an equilibrium between the valylation reaction on the one hand and the spontaneous and enzymic deacylation of valyl-tRNAfMet and the reverse of the valylation reaction on the other hand. However, when the valyl-tRNA synthetase concentration is not very high the reverse reaction of the amino-acylation does not play a predominant part in the establishment of the plateau. These interpretations have been extended to other mischarging systems: valylation of yeast tRNAPhE by yeast valyl-tRNA synthetase and mischarging of tRNAfMet and tRNA2Val from yeast by yeast phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase. Unusual mischarging kinetics have been discussed. Furthermore, and as in correct systems, we found that during the mischarging of tRNAfMet one ATP is hydrolyzed per tRNA charged with valine. We conclude that the correct and the incorrect amino-acylation of tRNA behave kinetically in a similar way.", "PMID": 795646} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10533", "title": "The cell-wall lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli K-12. Structure and acceptor site for O-antigen and other substituents.", "content": "The lipopolysaccharides of two wild-type Escherichia coli K-12 strains, two core-deficient mutants and one SR recombinant with Salmonella typhimurium specificity were analyzed. The respective oligosaccharides were dephosphorylated and methylated. Chemical analysis of the oligosaccharides and mass spectrometric analysis of their methylated derivatives indicated the presence of core structures with different degrees of completion. In different strains of E. coli K-12 the complete core is substituted at the non-reducing end with N-acetylglucosamine or with another substituent. There are indications that the latter may be N-acetylmannosaminuronic acid. In the SR recombinant the complete (N-acetylglucosamine-free) K-12 core is substituted with one S-specific oligosaccharide of S. typhimurium. The attachment site for all these substituents is the 6-position of the non-reducing core-terminal glucose. The heterogeneity of the K-12 core preparations and mode and nature of their substitution are discussed.", "contents": "The cell-wall lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli K-12. Structure and acceptor site for O-antigen and other substituents. The lipopolysaccharides of two wild-type Escherichia coli K-12 strains, two core-deficient mutants and one SR recombinant with Salmonella typhimurium specificity were analyzed. The respective oligosaccharides were dephosphorylated and methylated. Chemical analysis of the oligosaccharides and mass spectrometric analysis of their methylated derivatives indicated the presence of core structures with different degrees of completion. In different strains of E. coli K-12 the complete core is substituted at the non-reducing end with N-acetylglucosamine or with another substituent. There are indications that the latter may be N-acetylmannosaminuronic acid. In the SR recombinant the complete (N-acetylglucosamine-free) K-12 core is substituted with one S-specific oligosaccharide of S. typhimurium. The attachment site for all these substituents is the 6-position of the non-reducing core-terminal glucose. The heterogeneity of the K-12 core preparations and mode and nature of their substitution are discussed.", "PMID": 795647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10534", "title": "Heterogeneity of sites in isolated catalytic subunits of aspartate transcarbamoylase.", "content": "Carbamoyl phosphate, a substrate of aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli, binds with different modes of association in 3 sites in the unmodified catalytic subunits. Over a narrow pH range (6.6--8.0), positive, negative or no interactions are observed. Several substrate analogues also bind to 3 sites in the catalytic trimer. The association of pyridoxal phosphate, CTP and ATP, all competitive inhibitors of carbamoyl phosphate, exhibit negative interactions. Binding of succinate, an analogue of the second substrate, aspartate, is also characterized by heterogeneity. Dissociation constants to high and low-affinity sites differ by factors of 10-100. These observations clearly indicate that, although not observed kinetically, the active sites in the catalytic subunits of aspartate transcarbamoylase are heterogenous.", "contents": "Heterogeneity of sites in isolated catalytic subunits of aspartate transcarbamoylase. Carbamoyl phosphate, a substrate of aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli, binds with different modes of association in 3 sites in the unmodified catalytic subunits. Over a narrow pH range (6.6--8.0), positive, negative or no interactions are observed. Several substrate analogues also bind to 3 sites in the catalytic trimer. The association of pyridoxal phosphate, CTP and ATP, all competitive inhibitors of carbamoyl phosphate, exhibit negative interactions. Binding of succinate, an analogue of the second substrate, aspartate, is also characterized by heterogeneity. Dissociation constants to high and low-affinity sites differ by factors of 10-100. These observations clearly indicate that, although not observed kinetically, the active sites in the catalytic subunits of aspartate transcarbamoylase are heterogenous.", "PMID": 795648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10535", "title": "Calorimetric investigations on thermal stability of tRNAIle (yeast) and tRNASer (yeast).", "content": "Variation with temperature of the partial heat capacities of tRNAIle (yeast) and tRNASer (yeast) has been determined in two buffers at various salt conditions by scanning microcalorimetry. The overall molar transition enthalpy, deltaHt = 320 +/- 20 kcal mol-1 (1339 +/- 84 kJ mol-1) is identical for the two tRNA species within the limits of experimental error. deltaHt does not show any dependence on the nature of the buffer, nor does it vary on addition of 1 mM MgCl2 or 150 mM NaCl. Thermal unfolding of the native structure to the random coil cannot adequately be described by a two-state, concerted transition under the experimental conditions applied in this study, but exhibits a multistep mechanism characterized by sequential unfolding of separable cooperative domains.", "contents": "Calorimetric investigations on thermal stability of tRNAIle (yeast) and tRNASer (yeast). Variation with temperature of the partial heat capacities of tRNAIle (yeast) and tRNASer (yeast) has been determined in two buffers at various salt conditions by scanning microcalorimetry. The overall molar transition enthalpy, deltaHt = 320 +/- 20 kcal mol-1 (1339 +/- 84 kJ mol-1) is identical for the two tRNA species within the limits of experimental error. deltaHt does not show any dependence on the nature of the buffer, nor does it vary on addition of 1 mM MgCl2 or 150 mM NaCl. Thermal unfolding of the native structure to the random coil cannot adequately be described by a two-state, concerted transition under the experimental conditions applied in this study, but exhibits a multistep mechanism characterized by sequential unfolding of separable cooperative domains.", "PMID": 795649} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10536", "title": "Interaction of substrate analogues with Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase.", "content": "The inhibition of RNA polymerase with ATP and UTP analogues modified in the phosphate and ribose moieties has been investigated. 1. Modification of the terminal phosphate with a loss of the negative charge [adenosine 5'-(3-O-methyl)triphosphate, Ki = 1.75 mM] substantially weakens the binding ability of these analogues to the enzyme whereas modification with retention of the charge is not so detrimental [adenosine tetraphosphate, Ki = 0.17 mM]. 2. 2'-Modified analogues are only weak competitive inhibitors [2'-amino-2'-deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate, Ki = 2.3 mM] of their corresponding substrates [ATP, Km = 0.07 mM] whereas 3'-modified analogues are extremely potent in their inhibition [3'-amino-3'-deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate, Ki = 2.3 muM]. 3. A difference was observed in the inhibition of the elongation step of RNA polymerase by ATP and UTP analogues. Thus ATP analogues showed a strong binding to the CT form of the poly[d(A-T)] ternary complex and only a weak binding to the CA form. UTP analogues, on the other hand, showed a similar binding to both forms of the complex.", "contents": "Interaction of substrate analogues with Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The inhibition of RNA polymerase with ATP and UTP analogues modified in the phosphate and ribose moieties has been investigated. 1. Modification of the terminal phosphate with a loss of the negative charge [adenosine 5'-(3-O-methyl)triphosphate, Ki = 1.75 mM] substantially weakens the binding ability of these analogues to the enzyme whereas modification with retention of the charge is not so detrimental [adenosine tetraphosphate, Ki = 0.17 mM]. 2. 2'-Modified analogues are only weak competitive inhibitors [2'-amino-2'-deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate, Ki = 2.3 mM] of their corresponding substrates [ATP, Km = 0.07 mM] whereas 3'-modified analogues are extremely potent in their inhibition [3'-amino-3'-deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate, Ki = 2.3 muM]. 3. A difference was observed in the inhibition of the elongation step of RNA polymerase by ATP and UTP analogues. Thus ATP analogues showed a strong binding to the CT form of the poly[d(A-T)] ternary complex and only a weak binding to the CA form. UTP analogues, on the other hand, showed a similar binding to both forms of the complex.", "PMID": 795650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10537", "title": "The mode of action of thiostrepton in the initiation of protein synthesis.", "content": "The inhibition by thiostrepton of the initiation of protein synthesis is exerted at a different level from the inhibition of reactions mediated by EF-Tu and EF-G in the elongation of protein synthesis. The presence of thiostrepton on the 50-S subunit completely prevents the binding of the EF-Tu - GTP - aa-tRNA complex and EF-G - GTP complex to the 70-S ribosome, resulting in cessation of protein synthesis at a concentration of 1 muM thiostrepton. On the other hand, during initiation thiostrepton impairs the coupling of the 50-S subunit with the 30-S initiation complex, indirectly causing inhibition of IF-2-dependent reactions. Impairment of the coupling is strongly influenced by the conditions of incubation. Since formation of formylmethionylpuromycin and the IF-2-dependent GTP hydrolysis are inhibited to the same extent and recycling of IF-2 can take place in the presence of thiostrepton, we conclude that the basic mechanism of inhibition of initiation differs from that of inhibition of elongation.", "contents": "The mode of action of thiostrepton in the initiation of protein synthesis. The inhibition by thiostrepton of the initiation of protein synthesis is exerted at a different level from the inhibition of reactions mediated by EF-Tu and EF-G in the elongation of protein synthesis. The presence of thiostrepton on the 50-S subunit completely prevents the binding of the EF-Tu - GTP - aa-tRNA complex and EF-G - GTP complex to the 70-S ribosome, resulting in cessation of protein synthesis at a concentration of 1 muM thiostrepton. On the other hand, during initiation thiostrepton impairs the coupling of the 50-S subunit with the 30-S initiation complex, indirectly causing inhibition of IF-2-dependent reactions. Impairment of the coupling is strongly influenced by the conditions of incubation. Since formation of formylmethionylpuromycin and the IF-2-dependent GTP hydrolysis are inhibited to the same extent and recycling of IF-2 can take place in the presence of thiostrepton, we conclude that the basic mechanism of inhibition of initiation differs from that of inhibition of elongation.", "PMID": 795651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10538", "title": "Interaction of concanavalin A with external mannan-proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Glycoprotein nature of beta-glucanases.", "content": "beta-Glucanases secreted into culture fluid by protoplasts or intact cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated for the presence of covalently linked carbohydrates. Gel filtration of the enzymes on Biogel A-1.5m showed that endo-beta-1,3-glucanase is a polydisperse enzyme of high-molecular weight which elutes in about the same volume as external yeast invertase. Exo-beta-glucanase was eluted from the gel as a much lighter enzyme. Endo-beta-1,3-glucanase added to a mixture of extracellular mannoproteins was precipitated by concanavalin A to a similar extent to mannan, invertase and acid phosphatase. Under the same conditions exo-beta-glucanase did not interact with the lectin, but was partially precipitated from the solution in the absence of foreign mannan or mannan-proteins. The results show that endo-beta-1,3-glucanase of S. cerevisiae is a mannoprotein of a similar nature to external invertase and acid phosphatase. However, exo-beta-glucanase appears to be a glycoprotein which does not contain the highly branched mannan polymer in its molecule.", "contents": "Interaction of concanavalin A with external mannan-proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Glycoprotein nature of beta-glucanases. beta-Glucanases secreted into culture fluid by protoplasts or intact cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated for the presence of covalently linked carbohydrates. Gel filtration of the enzymes on Biogel A-1.5m showed that endo-beta-1,3-glucanase is a polydisperse enzyme of high-molecular weight which elutes in about the same volume as external yeast invertase. Exo-beta-glucanase was eluted from the gel as a much lighter enzyme. Endo-beta-1,3-glucanase added to a mixture of extracellular mannoproteins was precipitated by concanavalin A to a similar extent to mannan, invertase and acid phosphatase. Under the same conditions exo-beta-glucanase did not interact with the lectin, but was partially precipitated from the solution in the absence of foreign mannan or mannan-proteins. The results show that endo-beta-1,3-glucanase of S. cerevisiae is a mannoprotein of a similar nature to external invertase and acid phosphatase. However, exo-beta-glucanase appears to be a glycoprotein which does not contain the highly branched mannan polymer in its molecule.", "PMID": 795652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10539", "title": "Derivatives of guanosine triphosphate with ribose 2'-hydroxyl substituents. Interactions with the protein synthetic enzymes of Escherichia coli.", "content": "This report describes the preparation of four methylated and phosphorylated derivatives of GTP, 2'-O-methylguanosine 5'-triphosphate (PPP-Me2' Guo), and guanosine 2'-monophosphate 5'-triphosphate (PPP-Guo-2'P), 3'-O-methylguanosine 5'-triphosphate (PPP-Me3'Guo), and guanosine 3'-monophosphate 5'-triphosphate (PPP-Guo-3'P). These compounds were compared to GTP in their ability to support reactions catalyzed by Escherichia coli initiation factor 2(IF-2), elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), and elongation factor G )EF-G). As with previously studied GTP analogues, the nucleotide specificities of IF-2-dependent N-formylmethionylpuromycin formation and EF-Tu-dependent Ac-Phe2-tRNA formation were similar. There was little difference between the reactions supported by GTP, PPP-Me2' Guo, PPP-Me3' Guo, and PPP-Guo-3'P, but PPP-Guo-2'P was a poor substrate with both enzymes. A spectrum of activity was observed in EF-G-dependent formation of N-acetylphenylalanylphenylalanylpuromycin. While PPP-Me2' Guo was almost as effective as GTP in supporting translocation, PPP-Guo-2'P was a very poor substrate, having even less activity than guanosine 3'-diphosphate 5'-triphosphate. Intermediate activities were observed with PPP-Me3' Guo and PPP-Guo-3'P, the former nucleotide being more active than the latter.", "contents": "Derivatives of guanosine triphosphate with ribose 2'-hydroxyl substituents. Interactions with the protein synthetic enzymes of Escherichia coli. This report describes the preparation of four methylated and phosphorylated derivatives of GTP, 2'-O-methylguanosine 5'-triphosphate (PPP-Me2' Guo), and guanosine 2'-monophosphate 5'-triphosphate (PPP-Guo-2'P), 3'-O-methylguanosine 5'-triphosphate (PPP-Me3'Guo), and guanosine 3'-monophosphate 5'-triphosphate (PPP-Guo-3'P). These compounds were compared to GTP in their ability to support reactions catalyzed by Escherichia coli initiation factor 2(IF-2), elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), and elongation factor G )EF-G). As with previously studied GTP analogues, the nucleotide specificities of IF-2-dependent N-formylmethionylpuromycin formation and EF-Tu-dependent Ac-Phe2-tRNA formation were similar. There was little difference between the reactions supported by GTP, PPP-Me2' Guo, PPP-Me3' Guo, and PPP-Guo-3'P, but PPP-Guo-2'P was a poor substrate with both enzymes. A spectrum of activity was observed in EF-G-dependent formation of N-acetylphenylalanylphenylalanylpuromycin. While PPP-Me2' Guo was almost as effective as GTP in supporting translocation, PPP-Guo-2'P was a very poor substrate, having even less activity than guanosine 3'-diphosphate 5'-triphosphate. Intermediate activities were observed with PPP-Me3' Guo and PPP-Guo-3'P, the former nucleotide being more active than the latter.", "PMID": 795653} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10540", "title": "Replication of M-13 DNA in plamolysed Escherichia coli cells. Formation of fully synthetic duplex DNA.", "content": "The replication of the double-stranded replicative-form DNA of bacteriophage M-13 was studied in a cellular system in vitro prepared by plasmolysis of M-13-am5-infected Escherichia coli cells. Newly synthesized DNA was density-labelled with bromodeoxyuridine triphosphate and analysed by equilibrium centrifugation in neutral CSCL. After a 60-min incubation at 30 degrees C 15-20% of the radioactive label in corporated from (32P)DGTP was found in fully synthetic duplex DNA, corresponding to 7-9 replicative form molecules/cell. The plasmolysed cell system is therefore capable of re-initiating new rounds of replicative form replication in vitro. The kinetics of labelling indicate that molecules are selected for replication at random from an intracellular pool of approximately 150 replicative form molecules. Rifampicin and nalidixic acid, which interfere with the semiconservative replication of replicative form DNA, completely prevent the formation of fully synthetic duplex DNA.", "contents": "Replication of M-13 DNA in plamolysed Escherichia coli cells. Formation of fully synthetic duplex DNA. The replication of the double-stranded replicative-form DNA of bacteriophage M-13 was studied in a cellular system in vitro prepared by plasmolysis of M-13-am5-infected Escherichia coli cells. Newly synthesized DNA was density-labelled with bromodeoxyuridine triphosphate and analysed by equilibrium centrifugation in neutral CSCL. After a 60-min incubation at 30 degrees C 15-20% of the radioactive label in corporated from (32P)DGTP was found in fully synthetic duplex DNA, corresponding to 7-9 replicative form molecules/cell. The plasmolysed cell system is therefore capable of re-initiating new rounds of replicative form replication in vitro. The kinetics of labelling indicate that molecules are selected for replication at random from an intracellular pool of approximately 150 replicative form molecules. Rifampicin and nalidixic acid, which interfere with the semiconservative replication of replicative form DNA, completely prevent the formation of fully synthetic duplex DNA.", "PMID": 795655} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10541", "title": "Mapping of promoter sites on the genome of bacteriophage M13.", "content": "With the aid of transcription studies on restriction fragments of bacteriophage M13 DNA it has been demonstrated that at least eight promoter sites are located on the M13 genome. Five of these promoters initiate the synthesis of RNA chains which contain at their 5'-terminal end pppG (G promoters), while the other three promoters initiate RNA chains which start exclusively with pppA (A promoters). The positions of these promoter sites on the physical map are: 0.82 (G0.82), 0.88 (G0.88), 0.94 (G0.94), 0.01 (G0.01), 0.08 (G0.08), 0.36 (A0.36), 0.51 (A0.51) and 0.56 (A0.56). The G promoters were found to be clustered within a distance of one-third of the genome length from the central termination site for transcription (map position 0.77). The A promoters, however, were found at greater distances from this termination signal. Based upon the incorporation of [gamma-32P]ATP or [gamma-32P]GTP, the capacity of these promoters to initiate the synthesis of RNA chains varies. The strongest G promoters are G0.82, G0.94 and G0.08 and the strongest A promoter is A0.36. As judged from their position on the genetic map, it is postulated that two promoters, namely G0.94 and G0.01, are located within gene II. The other promoters are most probably located immediately in front of the gene VIII/VII boundary (G0.82), and immediately in front of gene V (G0.88), gene II (G0.08), gene IV (A0.36), gene I (A0.51) and gene VI (A0.56). No evidence has been obtained so far for the existence of a promoter immediately in front of gene III.", "contents": "Mapping of promoter sites on the genome of bacteriophage M13. With the aid of transcription studies on restriction fragments of bacteriophage M13 DNA it has been demonstrated that at least eight promoter sites are located on the M13 genome. Five of these promoters initiate the synthesis of RNA chains which contain at their 5'-terminal end pppG (G promoters), while the other three promoters initiate RNA chains which start exclusively with pppA (A promoters). The positions of these promoter sites on the physical map are: 0.82 (G0.82), 0.88 (G0.88), 0.94 (G0.94), 0.01 (G0.01), 0.08 (G0.08), 0.36 (A0.36), 0.51 (A0.51) and 0.56 (A0.56). The G promoters were found to be clustered within a distance of one-third of the genome length from the central termination site for transcription (map position 0.77). The A promoters, however, were found at greater distances from this termination signal. Based upon the incorporation of [gamma-32P]ATP or [gamma-32P]GTP, the capacity of these promoters to initiate the synthesis of RNA chains varies. The strongest G promoters are G0.82, G0.94 and G0.08 and the strongest A promoter is A0.36. As judged from their position on the genetic map, it is postulated that two promoters, namely G0.94 and G0.01, are located within gene II. The other promoters are most probably located immediately in front of the gene VIII/VII boundary (G0.82), and immediately in front of gene V (G0.88), gene II (G0.08), gene IV (A0.36), gene I (A0.51) and gene VI (A0.56). No evidence has been obtained so far for the existence of a promoter immediately in front of gene III.", "PMID": 795656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10542", "title": "Conformational studies on murein-lipoprotein from the outer membrane of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Conformational studies on an isolated integral membrane protein are reported. Lipoprotein of Escherichia coli outer membrane was released from murein by treatment with either lysozyme or trypsin. The isolated lysozyme-released lipoprotein (lipoprotein I) contained 2 or 3 muropeptides covalently linked at the C-terminal end, while the trypsin-released lipoprotein (lipoprotein II) was free of muropeptides and lacked the C-terminal peptide Tyr-Arg-Lys. Circular dichroism spectra of the two preparations were essentially identical, and they show an alpha-helix content of about 80%. According to calculations based on the Chou-Fasman rules for proteins of known sequence, lipoprotein is 64% alpha-helix and 15% beta-structure. Infrared spectroscopy qualitatively supports these values. The conformation was stable in the pH range of 5 - 12. Danaturation of lipoprotein by heat, 8 M urea, or sodium dodecylsulphate was a fully reversible, cooperative process. The thermal denaturation of lipoprotein occurs in two steps with transition points at 79.4 degrees C for lipoprotein I and at 85.1 degrees C for lipoprotein II. Lioprotein markedly changes conformation at dodecylsulphate concentrations where micelle formation sets in. The unusual behaviour of the lipoprotein convormation in sodium dodecylsulphate is discussed in relation to the lipoprotein conformation and aggregation within the membrane.", "contents": "Conformational studies on murein-lipoprotein from the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. Conformational studies on an isolated integral membrane protein are reported. Lipoprotein of Escherichia coli outer membrane was released from murein by treatment with either lysozyme or trypsin. The isolated lysozyme-released lipoprotein (lipoprotein I) contained 2 or 3 muropeptides covalently linked at the C-terminal end, while the trypsin-released lipoprotein (lipoprotein II) was free of muropeptides and lacked the C-terminal peptide Tyr-Arg-Lys. Circular dichroism spectra of the two preparations were essentially identical, and they show an alpha-helix content of about 80%. According to calculations based on the Chou-Fasman rules for proteins of known sequence, lipoprotein is 64% alpha-helix and 15% beta-structure. Infrared spectroscopy qualitatively supports these values. The conformation was stable in the pH range of 5 - 12. Danaturation of lipoprotein by heat, 8 M urea, or sodium dodecylsulphate was a fully reversible, cooperative process. The thermal denaturation of lipoprotein occurs in two steps with transition points at 79.4 degrees C for lipoprotein I and at 85.1 degrees C for lipoprotein II. Lioprotein markedly changes conformation at dodecylsulphate concentrations where micelle formation sets in. The unusual behaviour of the lipoprotein convormation in sodium dodecylsulphate is discussed in relation to the lipoprotein conformation and aggregation within the membrane.", "PMID": 795657} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10543", "title": "Sequence studies on D-serine dehydratase of Escherichia coli. Primary structure of the tryptic phosphopyridoxyl peptide and of the N-terminus.", "content": "An improved procedure for large-scale production of crystalline D-serine dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.14) from Escherichia coli is described. The N-terminal sequence of the enzyme (Mr 45500) was determined in a solid-phase sequencer as Met-Glu-Asn-Ala-Lys-Met-Asn-Ser-Leu-Ile-Ala-Gln-Tyr-Pro-Leu-Val-Lys-Asp-Leu-Val-Ala-LEU-Lys. Four of the first five N-terminal residues are homologeous with tryptophanase, another pyridoxal-phosphate (P-Pxy) enzyme that catalyzes alpha,beta-elimination reactions. After borohydride reduction and tryptic digestion of the enzyme, a peptide was isolated showing the sequence Lys-Asp-Ser-His-Leu-Pro-Ile-Ser-Gly-Ser-Ile-Lys(P-Pxy)-Ala-Arg. No clear homology of this portion of the enzyme with tryptophanase or another pyridoxal-phosphate enzyme was observed.", "contents": "Sequence studies on D-serine dehydratase of Escherichia coli. Primary structure of the tryptic phosphopyridoxyl peptide and of the N-terminus. An improved procedure for large-scale production of crystalline D-serine dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.14) from Escherichia coli is described. The N-terminal sequence of the enzyme (Mr 45500) was determined in a solid-phase sequencer as Met-Glu-Asn-Ala-Lys-Met-Asn-Ser-Leu-Ile-Ala-Gln-Tyr-Pro-Leu-Val-Lys-Asp-Leu-Val-Ala-LEU-Lys. Four of the first five N-terminal residues are homologeous with tryptophanase, another pyridoxal-phosphate (P-Pxy) enzyme that catalyzes alpha,beta-elimination reactions. After borohydride reduction and tryptic digestion of the enzyme, a peptide was isolated showing the sequence Lys-Asp-Ser-His-Leu-Pro-Ile-Ser-Gly-Ser-Ile-Lys(P-Pxy)-Ala-Arg. No clear homology of this portion of the enzyme with tryptophanase or another pyridoxal-phosphate enzyme was observed.", "PMID": 795658} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10544", "title": "Free 3'-OH group of the terminal adenosine of the tRNA molecule is essential for the synthesis in vitro of guanosine tetraphosphate and pentaphosphate in a ribosomal system from Escherichia coli.", "content": "tRNAPhe from yeast modified at the 3'-terminal adenosine residue or missing part of its CpCpA end was investigated for its ability to participate in the synthesis of guanosine tetraphosphate and pentaphosphate using Escherichia coli ribosomes. Only tRNA containing complete CpCpA end and an intact ribose residue in the terminal adenosine was active in this process. The absence of the 2'-hydroxyl group of the terminal adenosine does not influence the reaction, but the 3'-hydroxyl group is essential and cannot be replaced by an amino group or a hydrogen atom. tRNA in which the 3'-terminal adenosine is replaced by formycin is active in the induction of guanosine tetraphosphate and pentaphosphate synthesis, but the reaction proceeds relatively slowly.", "contents": "Free 3'-OH group of the terminal adenosine of the tRNA molecule is essential for the synthesis in vitro of guanosine tetraphosphate and pentaphosphate in a ribosomal system from Escherichia coli. tRNAPhe from yeast modified at the 3'-terminal adenosine residue or missing part of its CpCpA end was investigated for its ability to participate in the synthesis of guanosine tetraphosphate and pentaphosphate using Escherichia coli ribosomes. Only tRNA containing complete CpCpA end and an intact ribose residue in the terminal adenosine was active in this process. The absence of the 2'-hydroxyl group of the terminal adenosine does not influence the reaction, but the 3'-hydroxyl group is essential and cannot be replaced by an amino group or a hydrogen atom. tRNA in which the 3'-terminal adenosine is replaced by formycin is active in the induction of guanosine tetraphosphate and pentaphosphate synthesis, but the reaction proceeds relatively slowly.", "PMID": 795660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10545", "title": "Degradation of abnormal proteins in Escherichia coli. Differential proteolysis in vitro of E. coli alkaline phosphatase cyanogen-bromide-cleavage products.", "content": "Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase has been purified and modified by either carboxymethylation or treatment with cyanogen bromide (CNBr). Only the CNBr-treated protein was degradable in an E. coli cell extract. Separation of the CNBr cleavage products by gel filtration in non-denaturing conditions gave rise to a number of oligomeric complexes, of which only those of molecular weight less than approximately 29000 were degradable in E. coli cell-free extracts. Carboxymethylation of the non-degradable complexes (greater than 29000 molecular weight) resulted in the formation of some complexes of less than 29000 molecular weight: such newly formed complexes were degradable by E. coli cell-free extracts. It is suggested that E. coli cell-free extracts may contain a protease/peptidase system which is active against peptide complexes below 29000 molecular weight, but inactive against peptide oligomers of greater molecular weight.", "contents": "Degradation of abnormal proteins in Escherichia coli. Differential proteolysis in vitro of E. coli alkaline phosphatase cyanogen-bromide-cleavage products. Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase has been purified and modified by either carboxymethylation or treatment with cyanogen bromide (CNBr). Only the CNBr-treated protein was degradable in an E. coli cell extract. Separation of the CNBr cleavage products by gel filtration in non-denaturing conditions gave rise to a number of oligomeric complexes, of which only those of molecular weight less than approximately 29000 were degradable in E. coli cell-free extracts. Carboxymethylation of the non-degradable complexes (greater than 29000 molecular weight) resulted in the formation of some complexes of less than 29000 molecular weight: such newly formed complexes were degradable by E. coli cell-free extracts. It is suggested that E. coli cell-free extracts may contain a protease/peptidase system which is active against peptide complexes below 29000 molecular weight, but inactive against peptide oligomers of greater molecular weight.", "PMID": 795661} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10546", "title": "DNA blockade by rifampicin-inactivated Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, and its amelioration by a specific mutation.", "content": "1. Partially diploid strains of Escherichia coli containing both rifampicin-sensitive and rifampicin-resistant RNA polymerase are, in general, sensitive to the drug: of the two copies of the rpoB gene present in such strains, that which codes for sensitive enzyme is dominant. 2. RNA polymerase purified from a normal sensitive strain of E. coli, and inactivated by rifampicin, can \"blockade\" bacteriophage T7 DNA in vitro, inhibiting its transcription by drug-resistant enzyme molecules. 3. A mutation, rcs-40, reverses the normal dominance relationship in vivo, without detectably affecting the concentrations of resistant and sensitive RNA polymerase in the diploid cell. I show that rcs-40 is closely linked to the rpoB gene which codes for the rifampicin-sensitive enzyme. 4. Rifampicin-sensitive RNA polymerase purified from E. coli rcs-40, although indistinguishable from the normal enzyme by many criteria, is significantly less efficient in the production of drug-dependent DNA blockade.", "contents": "DNA blockade by rifampicin-inactivated Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, and its amelioration by a specific mutation. 1. Partially diploid strains of Escherichia coli containing both rifampicin-sensitive and rifampicin-resistant RNA polymerase are, in general, sensitive to the drug: of the two copies of the rpoB gene present in such strains, that which codes for sensitive enzyme is dominant. 2. RNA polymerase purified from a normal sensitive strain of E. coli, and inactivated by rifampicin, can \"blockade\" bacteriophage T7 DNA in vitro, inhibiting its transcription by drug-resistant enzyme molecules. 3. A mutation, rcs-40, reverses the normal dominance relationship in vivo, without detectably affecting the concentrations of resistant and sensitive RNA polymerase in the diploid cell. I show that rcs-40 is closely linked to the rpoB gene which codes for the rifampicin-sensitive enzyme. 4. Rifampicin-sensitive RNA polymerase purified from E. coli rcs-40, although indistinguishable from the normal enzyme by many criteria, is significantly less efficient in the production of drug-dependent DNA blockade.", "PMID": 795662} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10547", "title": "Isolation and properties of an inhibitor of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.", "content": "An inhibitor of the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase has been isolated from E. coli and has been partially characterized. The inhibitor, a polypeptide of molecular weight 70000, acts to shut off RNA synthesis at about the time that the first round of RNA synthesis is over, preventing any further RNA synthesis. The inhibitor apparently does not recognize specific termination sequences in the DNA template, since it works equally well with double-stranded DNA, single-stranded DNA and poly[d(A-T)] as templates for RNA synthesis, and because the RNA molecules synthesized from T7 DNA appear to be terminated at the same site either in the presence or absence of the inhibitor. Several experiments indirectly indicate that the inhibitor may reversibly bind to the RNA polymerase at the termination step, in a ratio of approximately one inhibitor molecule per polymerase molecule.", "contents": "Isolation and properties of an inhibitor of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. An inhibitor of the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase has been isolated from E. coli and has been partially characterized. The inhibitor, a polypeptide of molecular weight 70000, acts to shut off RNA synthesis at about the time that the first round of RNA synthesis is over, preventing any further RNA synthesis. The inhibitor apparently does not recognize specific termination sequences in the DNA template, since it works equally well with double-stranded DNA, single-stranded DNA and poly[d(A-T)] as templates for RNA synthesis, and because the RNA molecules synthesized from T7 DNA appear to be terminated at the same site either in the presence or absence of the inhibitor. Several experiments indirectly indicate that the inhibitor may reversibly bind to the RNA polymerase at the termination step, in a ratio of approximately one inhibitor molecule per polymerase molecule.", "PMID": 795663} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10548", "title": "Chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase from Escherichia coli K12. 1. The effect of NaCl and its use in a new purification involving affinity chromatography on sepharosyl-phenylalanine.", "content": "A new simplified procedure for the purification of chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase, based on affinity chromatography on Sepharosyl-phenylalanine, has been developed. The method utilizes the effect of NaCl on the binding properties of the enzyme. NaCl inhibits both the mutase and dehydratase activities of the enzyme. In each case this inhibition is cooperative indicating homotropic interactions between NaCl binding sites on the enzyme. In addition NaCl induces homotropic cooperative effects between chorismate binding sites and between prephenate binding sites. NaCl also increases the sensitivity of the enzyme to inhibition by phenylalanine.", "contents": "Chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase from Escherichia coli K12. 1. The effect of NaCl and its use in a new purification involving affinity chromatography on sepharosyl-phenylalanine. A new simplified procedure for the purification of chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase, based on affinity chromatography on Sepharosyl-phenylalanine, has been developed. The method utilizes the effect of NaCl on the binding properties of the enzyme. NaCl inhibits both the mutase and dehydratase activities of the enzyme. In each case this inhibition is cooperative indicating homotropic interactions between NaCl binding sites on the enzyme. In addition NaCl induces homotropic cooperative effects between chorismate binding sites and between prephenate binding sites. NaCl also increases the sensitivity of the enzyme to inhibition by phenylalanine.", "PMID": 795664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10549", "title": "Chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase from Escherichia coli K12. 2. Evidence for identical subunits catalysing the two activities.", "content": "On the basis of amino acid composition, tryptic fingerprints and the determination of amino acid sequences around the four cysteine residues, it can be concluded that chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase from Escherichia coli K12 consists of identical, or closely similar subunits. It follows from this that the mutase and dehydratase activities of the enzyme are probably catalysed on the one subunit.", "contents": "Chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase from Escherichia coli K12. 2. Evidence for identical subunits catalysing the two activities. On the basis of amino acid composition, tryptic fingerprints and the determination of amino acid sequences around the four cysteine residues, it can be concluded that chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase from Escherichia coli K12 consists of identical, or closely similar subunits. It follows from this that the mutase and dehydratase activities of the enzyme are probably catalysed on the one subunit.", "PMID": 795665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10550", "title": "Catalase biosynthesis in yeast: formation of catalase A and catalase T during oxygen adaptation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Catalase A from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its biosynthetic precursors can specifically be immunoprecipitated from extracts obtained from yeast cells grown in the presence of L-[3H]leucine or 59FeCl3. The enzyme and its precursors recognized by a specific antiserum are absent from anaerobic cells. During oxygen adaptation of yeast pre-grown on 0.3% glucose under anaerobic conditions catalase A is formed via a heme-less precursor, probably the apomonomer of the protein, and a heme-containing intermediate. When cells are grown in the presence of Tween 80 the amount of catalase A, but not of catalase T, increases 4-fold. Comparison of the mode of synthesis of catalase T and A shows that no precursor-product relationship exists between the two proteins.", "contents": "Catalase biosynthesis in yeast: formation of catalase A and catalase T during oxygen adaptation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Catalase A from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its biosynthetic precursors can specifically be immunoprecipitated from extracts obtained from yeast cells grown in the presence of L-[3H]leucine or 59FeCl3. The enzyme and its precursors recognized by a specific antiserum are absent from anaerobic cells. During oxygen adaptation of yeast pre-grown on 0.3% glucose under anaerobic conditions catalase A is formed via a heme-less precursor, probably the apomonomer of the protein, and a heme-containing intermediate. When cells are grown in the presence of Tween 80 the amount of catalase A, but not of catalase T, increases 4-fold. Comparison of the mode of synthesis of catalase T and A shows that no precursor-product relationship exists between the two proteins.", "PMID": 795666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10551", "title": "Stopped-flow studies of changes in fluorescence of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid caused by magnesium and salt binding to yeast enolase.", "content": "Stopped-flow studies of magnesium and salt (potassium chloride and acetate) effects on yeast enolase were carried out by following 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid fluorescence changes. The fluorescence changes appear to be largely caused by subunit association and dissociation, though there is evidence in some reactions for large changes in fluorescence occurring within the dead time of the stopped-flow measurements. These data are combined with measurements of initial enzyme activity after incubation in various solvents with or without magnesium to obtain subunit association and dissociation rates. From these, it is concluded that magnesium and the salts act by directly changing the affinities of the subunits for each other, apparently by producing a rapid change in protein conformation.", "contents": "Stopped-flow studies of changes in fluorescence of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid caused by magnesium and salt binding to yeast enolase. Stopped-flow studies of magnesium and salt (potassium chloride and acetate) effects on yeast enolase were carried out by following 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid fluorescence changes. The fluorescence changes appear to be largely caused by subunit association and dissociation, though there is evidence in some reactions for large changes in fluorescence occurring within the dead time of the stopped-flow measurements. These data are combined with measurements of initial enzyme activity after incubation in various solvents with or without magnesium to obtain subunit association and dissociation rates. From these, it is concluded that magnesium and the salts act by directly changing the affinities of the subunits for each other, apparently by producing a rapid change in protein conformation.", "PMID": 795667} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10552", "title": "Thermodynamic studies on the specificity of L-isoleucine-tRNA ligase of Escherichia coli MRE 600. Calorimetric investigations on binding of amino acids and isoleucinol to the enzyme.", "content": "The association enthalpies, delta Ha, involved in the reactions between L-isoleucine:tRNA ligase (AMP-forming) from Escherichia coli MRE 600 (EC 6.1.1.5) and various amino acids have been determined calorimetrically in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer, at pH 7.5, in the presence of 1 mM dithioerythritol. The delta Ha values for binding of L-isoleucine, L-leucine, L-valine, L-norvaline and L-2-amino-3S, 4-dimethyl pentanoic acid agree within the limits of experimental error in magnitude (3.7 +/- 0.9 kcal mol-1 or 15.5 +/- 3.8 kJ mol-1 at 25 degrees C) and variation with temperature (delta cp = -430 +/- 20 cal mol-1 K-1 or 1799 +/- 84 J mol-1 K-1). In view of the large differences in the equilibrium constants for the corresponding binding equilibria, the identical association enthalpies suggest that the enthalpic contribution to the Gibbs free energy of binding, delta Ga, cannot be responsible for the specificity of the interaction of the enzyme with the amino acids. It has rather to be inferred that the entropic term, delta Sa, is decisive in discriminating the correct amino acid. Analogous calorimetric binding studies on the reaction between L-isoleucinol and the enzyme suggest that the absence of the carboxyl group renders the association enthalpy more positive (by 4-5 kcal mol-1 or 16.7-20.9 kJ mol-1) with respect to that of the amino acids. The variation with temperature of the delta Ha values, however, practically parallels that of the amino acids.", "contents": "Thermodynamic studies on the specificity of L-isoleucine-tRNA ligase of Escherichia coli MRE 600. Calorimetric investigations on binding of amino acids and isoleucinol to the enzyme. The association enthalpies, delta Ha, involved in the reactions between L-isoleucine:tRNA ligase (AMP-forming) from Escherichia coli MRE 600 (EC 6.1.1.5) and various amino acids have been determined calorimetrically in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer, at pH 7.5, in the presence of 1 mM dithioerythritol. The delta Ha values for binding of L-isoleucine, L-leucine, L-valine, L-norvaline and L-2-amino-3S, 4-dimethyl pentanoic acid agree within the limits of experimental error in magnitude (3.7 +/- 0.9 kcal mol-1 or 15.5 +/- 3.8 kJ mol-1 at 25 degrees C) and variation with temperature (delta cp = -430 +/- 20 cal mol-1 K-1 or 1799 +/- 84 J mol-1 K-1). In view of the large differences in the equilibrium constants for the corresponding binding equilibria, the identical association enthalpies suggest that the enthalpic contribution to the Gibbs free energy of binding, delta Ga, cannot be responsible for the specificity of the interaction of the enzyme with the amino acids. It has rather to be inferred that the entropic term, delta Sa, is decisive in discriminating the correct amino acid. Analogous calorimetric binding studies on the reaction between L-isoleucinol and the enzyme suggest that the absence of the carboxyl group renders the association enthalpy more positive (by 4-5 kcal mol-1 or 16.7-20.9 kJ mol-1) with respect to that of the amino acids. The variation with temperature of the delta Ha values, however, practically parallels that of the amino acids.", "PMID": 795668} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10553", "title": "Enzyme-linked sandwich immunoassay of macromolecular antigens using the rabbit antibody-coupled glass rod as a solid phase.", "content": "A highly sensitive sandwich immunoassay of macromolecular antigens using the rabbit antibody Fab' - beta-D-galactosidase complex and the rabbit antibody immunoglobulin-G-coupled glass rod as a solid phase is described. The Fab' fragments of rabbit antibody IgG are conjugated with beta-D-galactosidase from Escherichia coli using N,N'-o-phenylenedimaleimide. Rabbit antibody IgG is coupled to the aminoalkylsilyl glass rods (3 mm in diameter and 5 mm in length) using glutaraldehyde. A wide range of the concentrations of rabbit IgG fraction (20-2000 mug/ml) is effective for coupling, and the amount of rabbit immunoglobulin G coupled can be controlled. The smallest amounts of ornithine delta-aminotransferase from rat liver, human immunoglobulin G and 2,4-dinitrophenyl human immunoglobulin G that can be determined are 0.03, 0.3 and 0.04 fmol, respectively. The sensitivity of the assay for these antigens is affected mainly by the non-specific binding of the complexes to the solid phase and the ability of antigen molecules, adsorbed on the solid phase, to bind specifically the complexes. The assay with the rabbit antibody immunoglobulin-G-coupled glass rods is simpler and more sensitive than that with the rabbit antibody immunoglobulin-G-coupled Sepharose 4B.", "contents": "Enzyme-linked sandwich immunoassay of macromolecular antigens using the rabbit antibody-coupled glass rod as a solid phase. A highly sensitive sandwich immunoassay of macromolecular antigens using the rabbit antibody Fab' - beta-D-galactosidase complex and the rabbit antibody immunoglobulin-G-coupled glass rod as a solid phase is described. The Fab' fragments of rabbit antibody IgG are conjugated with beta-D-galactosidase from Escherichia coli using N,N'-o-phenylenedimaleimide. Rabbit antibody IgG is coupled to the aminoalkylsilyl glass rods (3 mm in diameter and 5 mm in length) using glutaraldehyde. A wide range of the concentrations of rabbit IgG fraction (20-2000 mug/ml) is effective for coupling, and the amount of rabbit immunoglobulin G coupled can be controlled. The smallest amounts of ornithine delta-aminotransferase from rat liver, human immunoglobulin G and 2,4-dinitrophenyl human immunoglobulin G that can be determined are 0.03, 0.3 and 0.04 fmol, respectively. The sensitivity of the assay for these antigens is affected mainly by the non-specific binding of the complexes to the solid phase and the ability of antigen molecules, adsorbed on the solid phase, to bind specifically the complexes. The assay with the rabbit antibody immunoglobulin-G-coupled glass rods is simpler and more sensitive than that with the rabbit antibody immunoglobulin-G-coupled Sepharose 4B.", "PMID": 795669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10554", "title": "Characterization and site of action of a soluble protein that stimulates peptide-bond synthesis.", "content": "A recently identified soluble protein, named EF-P, stimulates peptide bond synthesis from ribosomal-bound N-formylmethionyl-tRNA and the aminoacyl-tRNA analog, puromycin. Using this model of peptide bond formation we have purified this activity approximately 100-fold from ribosome-free extracts of Escherichia coli. In order to study the mechanism by which the EF-P factor stimulates peptide bond formation, we examined and compared the requirements and site of action of the spontaneous and the EF-P-mediated synthesis of peptide bonds. We find that \"enzymic\" peptide bond synthesis (+EF-P) is characterized by relatively broad temperature and NH4Cl optima, a sharp Mg2+ optimum at 12 mM, and an apparent pKa of approximately 8.5. The characteristics of enzymic peptide bond synthesis closely resemble those reported for native peptidyl-puromycin formation rather than other models of peptide synthesis. Factor EF-P requires both 30-S and 50-S subunits for activity. The 30-S particle is inactive by itself and may function in the reaction merely to bind the fMet-tRNA substrate. Both the peptidyl transferase and the EF-P binding site may be part of the 50-S subunit. Unlike all other propagation factors, EF-P does not require the 50-S ribosomal proteins L7 and L12 and may therefore occupy a different ribosomal site.", "contents": "Characterization and site of action of a soluble protein that stimulates peptide-bond synthesis. A recently identified soluble protein, named EF-P, stimulates peptide bond synthesis from ribosomal-bound N-formylmethionyl-tRNA and the aminoacyl-tRNA analog, puromycin. Using this model of peptide bond formation we have purified this activity approximately 100-fold from ribosome-free extracts of Escherichia coli. In order to study the mechanism by which the EF-P factor stimulates peptide bond formation, we examined and compared the requirements and site of action of the spontaneous and the EF-P-mediated synthesis of peptide bonds. We find that \"enzymic\" peptide bond synthesis (+EF-P) is characterized by relatively broad temperature and NH4Cl optima, a sharp Mg2+ optimum at 12 mM, and an apparent pKa of approximately 8.5. The characteristics of enzymic peptide bond synthesis closely resemble those reported for native peptidyl-puromycin formation rather than other models of peptide synthesis. Factor EF-P requires both 30-S and 50-S subunits for activity. The 30-S particle is inactive by itself and may function in the reaction merely to bind the fMet-tRNA substrate. Both the peptidyl transferase and the EF-P binding site may be part of the 50-S subunit. Unlike all other propagation factors, EF-P does not require the 50-S ribosomal proteins L7 and L12 and may therefore occupy a different ribosomal site.", "PMID": 795670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10555", "title": "Symmetry and asymmetry of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes from Azotobacter vinelandii and Escherichia coli as reflected by fluorescence and spin-label studies.", "content": "Fluorescence-lifetime measurements of FAD bound to lipoamide dehydrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii and Escherichia coli were performed. It is shown from these results that the two FAD groups in the isolated dimeric enzyme, as well as in the enzyme in the intact complex of E. coli, are in non-equivalent surroundings. This contrasts with the near equivalence of the FAD groups of both the enzyme and complex isolated from A. vinelandii. Reduction of the complex with Mg2+, thiamine pyrophosphate and pyruvate or with NADH enables the attachment of a maleimide analogue specifically to the lipoyl moieties of the transacetylase(s). Spin label [N-(1-oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-pyrrolidinyl)maleimide] introduced in such a way proves the existence of at least two different micro-environments around the lipoyl moieties in complex isolated from A. vinelandii. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the specifically spin-labelled complexes from E. coli and A. vinelandii, when dissolved in tricine [N-tris(hydroxymethyl)-methylglycine] buffer, show interactions of at least two electron spins with each other, which indicate that the lipoyl moieties are rather close together. Fluorescent label [N-(1-anilinonaphthyl-4)maleimide] is specifically attached to the lipoyl moiety of the high-Mr transacetylase of the freshly isolated complex from A. vinelandii. From the large differences in the apparent lifetimes tau p and tau m, as detected by phase fluorimetry, it is shown that this fluorscent label is distributed in different micro-environments. The differences observed in energy transfer between fluorescent label, attached to the lipoyl moiety of the high-Mr transacetylase, indicate different conformations of the complex from A. vinelandii. Upon introduction of the label after reduction with NADH a much larger energy transfer, thus a shorter distance, is observed between the label and FAD than when reduction is performed with Mg2+, thiamine pyrophosphate and pyruvate. A similar conformation dependence upon reduction is found for the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from E. coli. It is thus proposed that the transacetylase of E. coli and the high-Mr transacetylase of A. vinelandii are both non-symmetrically distributed within the complex.", "contents": "Symmetry and asymmetry of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes from Azotobacter vinelandii and Escherichia coli as reflected by fluorescence and spin-label studies. Fluorescence-lifetime measurements of FAD bound to lipoamide dehydrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii and Escherichia coli were performed. It is shown from these results that the two FAD groups in the isolated dimeric enzyme, as well as in the enzyme in the intact complex of E. coli, are in non-equivalent surroundings. This contrasts with the near equivalence of the FAD groups of both the enzyme and complex isolated from A. vinelandii. Reduction of the complex with Mg2+, thiamine pyrophosphate and pyruvate or with NADH enables the attachment of a maleimide analogue specifically to the lipoyl moieties of the transacetylase(s). Spin label [N-(1-oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-pyrrolidinyl)maleimide] introduced in such a way proves the existence of at least two different micro-environments around the lipoyl moieties in complex isolated from A. vinelandii. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the specifically spin-labelled complexes from E. coli and A. vinelandii, when dissolved in tricine [N-tris(hydroxymethyl)-methylglycine] buffer, show interactions of at least two electron spins with each other, which indicate that the lipoyl moieties are rather close together. Fluorescent label [N-(1-anilinonaphthyl-4)maleimide] is specifically attached to the lipoyl moiety of the high-Mr transacetylase of the freshly isolated complex from A. vinelandii. From the large differences in the apparent lifetimes tau p and tau m, as detected by phase fluorimetry, it is shown that this fluorscent label is distributed in different micro-environments. The differences observed in energy transfer between fluorescent label, attached to the lipoyl moiety of the high-Mr transacetylase, indicate different conformations of the complex from A. vinelandii. Upon introduction of the label after reduction with NADH a much larger energy transfer, thus a shorter distance, is observed between the label and FAD than when reduction is performed with Mg2+, thiamine pyrophosphate and pyruvate. A similar conformation dependence upon reduction is found for the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from E. coli. It is thus proposed that the transacetylase of E. coli and the high-Mr transacetylase of A. vinelandii are both non-symmetrically distributed within the complex.", "PMID": 795671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10556", "title": "Purification of the membrane-bound DD-carboxypeptidase of the unstable spheroplast L-form of Proteus mirabilis by affinity chromatography. Non-competitive inhibition of the enzyme by penicillins and low stability of the enzyme-inhibitor complex.", "content": "Membrane-bound DD-carboxypeptidase of the unstable L-form of Proteus mirabilis was solubilized by the non-ionic detergent Genapol X-100 and purified to protein homogeneity by affinity chromatography on ampicillin bound to succinyl-aminododecyl-cellulose. The purified enzyme with a molecular weight of 43000 is inhibited non-competitively by penicillin G and carbenicillin, indicating a function of the penicillins as allosteric inhibitors. Sensitivity of the enzyme to penicillins is only moderate with a Ki of 1 muM for penicillin G. Breakdown of.the enzyme-inhibitor complex EI with different penicillins occurs rapidly with reappearance of active DD-carboxypeptidase. The half-life of EI with penicillin G is 5.5 min at 30 degrees C and 3.5 min at 37 degrees C, 10--1000-fold shorter than EI half-lives of DD-carboxypeptidases in several other bacteria. The low stability of the enzyme-inhibitor complex and the moderate penicillin sensitivity appear to be the basis for the continued activity of DD-carboxypeptidase during growth of the L-form and synthesis of peptidoglycan in the presence of high concentrations of penicillin.", "contents": "Purification of the membrane-bound DD-carboxypeptidase of the unstable spheroplast L-form of Proteus mirabilis by affinity chromatography. Non-competitive inhibition of the enzyme by penicillins and low stability of the enzyme-inhibitor complex. Membrane-bound DD-carboxypeptidase of the unstable L-form of Proteus mirabilis was solubilized by the non-ionic detergent Genapol X-100 and purified to protein homogeneity by affinity chromatography on ampicillin bound to succinyl-aminododecyl-cellulose. The purified enzyme with a molecular weight of 43000 is inhibited non-competitively by penicillin G and carbenicillin, indicating a function of the penicillins as allosteric inhibitors. Sensitivity of the enzyme to penicillins is only moderate with a Ki of 1 muM for penicillin G. Breakdown of.the enzyme-inhibitor complex EI with different penicillins occurs rapidly with reappearance of active DD-carboxypeptidase. The half-life of EI with penicillin G is 5.5 min at 30 degrees C and 3.5 min at 37 degrees C, 10--1000-fold shorter than EI half-lives of DD-carboxypeptidases in several other bacteria. The low stability of the enzyme-inhibitor complex and the moderate penicillin sensitivity appear to be the basis for the continued activity of DD-carboxypeptidase during growth of the L-form and synthesis of peptidoglycan in the presence of high concentrations of penicillin.", "PMID": 795672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10557", "title": "[Microtubule inhibitors].", "content": "This lecture is divided into 3 parts. The first one is a general survey of mitoclasic agents with a review of the main categories and a summary of the conclusions obtained from a comparative study of the antimitotic properties of various compounds on animal cells and plant cells. The second part describes the results of personal ultrastructural studies carried out on plant cells. They include researches on the normal behavior of microtubules in the cells and an analysis of various kinds of inhibition. The last part deals with the action mechanism of mitoclasic compounds, especially colchicine.", "contents": "[Microtubule inhibitors]. This lecture is divided into 3 parts. The first one is a general survey of mitoclasic agents with a review of the main categories and a summary of the conclusions obtained from a comparative study of the antimitotic properties of various compounds on animal cells and plant cells. The second part describes the results of personal ultrastructural studies carried out on plant cells. They include researches on the normal behavior of microtubules in the cells and an analysis of various kinds of inhibition. The last part deals with the action mechanism of mitoclasic compounds, especially colchicine.", "PMID": 795676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10558", "title": "[Role of catecholamines and serotonin in regulating cyclic and tonic secretion of gonadotropic hormones].", "content": "In female rats with normal estrous cycle, in the proestrus phase, a significant decrease of the serotonine level was revealed in the anterior and medio-basal parts of the hypothalamus which coincided with ascent of the releasing factor for gonadotropic hormones in the hypothalamus and for gonadotropins in the hypophysis. The dophamine level in the hypothalamic anterior and medio-basal parts changed in different ways attaining during oestrus its maximal values in the anterior and medio-basal parts of the hypothalamus. No regular changes were revealed in noradrenaline content in the course of estrous cycle in any hypothalamic area. For purposes of studying the mechanisms of regulation of the gonadotropins tonic secretion, the same parameters were recorded in androgensterile and ovariectomized rats. Levels of serotonine and noradrenaline revealed no regular connection with changes in the gonadotropins production, while the anterior part of hypothalamis dophamine concentration in the was in reverse proportion to the extent of gonadotropic secretion. Serotonine seemed to participate in regulation of the cyclic but not the tonic secretion of gonadotropins, while dophamine seemed to exert an inhibitory effect on regulation of tonic secretion of gonadotropins.", "contents": "[Role of catecholamines and serotonin in regulating cyclic and tonic secretion of gonadotropic hormones]. In female rats with normal estrous cycle, in the proestrus phase, a significant decrease of the serotonine level was revealed in the anterior and medio-basal parts of the hypothalamus which coincided with ascent of the releasing factor for gonadotropic hormones in the hypothalamus and for gonadotropins in the hypophysis. The dophamine level in the hypothalamic anterior and medio-basal parts changed in different ways attaining during oestrus its maximal values in the anterior and medio-basal parts of the hypothalamus. No regular changes were revealed in noradrenaline content in the course of estrous cycle in any hypothalamic area. For purposes of studying the mechanisms of regulation of the gonadotropins tonic secretion, the same parameters were recorded in androgensterile and ovariectomized rats. Levels of serotonine and noradrenaline revealed no regular connection with changes in the gonadotropins production, while the anterior part of hypothalamis dophamine concentration in the was in reverse proportion to the extent of gonadotropic secretion. Serotonine seemed to participate in regulation of the cyclic but not the tonic secretion of gonadotropins, while dophamine seemed to exert an inhibitory effect on regulation of tonic secretion of gonadotropins.", "PMID": 795683} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10559", "title": "[Somatostatin, a new hormone? (author's transl)].", "content": "Somatostatin, or SRIF (Somatotropin Release Inhibiting Factor), is a tetradecapeptide of hypothalamic origin, which inhibits the secretion of growth hormone. It has also been recognized in other parts of the central nervous system, in the islets of Langerhans, and the mucosa of the upper digestive tract. Parenteral administration of synthetic SRIF inhibits the release of growth hormone, basal and stimulated by muscular exercise, arginine, L-DOPA, insulin-induced hypoglycemia, and sleeping. It also inhibits insulin and glucagon secretion, basal and stimulated, and several other secretory processes in endocrine and exocrine glands. It may have a depressor effect on some neurons in the central nervous system. Considerable interest has been prompted in the field of diabetology by the demonstration of somatostatin-induced suppression of growth hormone and glucagon : both hormones are over-secreted in many diabetic patients, and both may be noxious for small blood vessels in the diabetic. The eventual therapeutic use of somatostatin in humans is restricted, for the moment, by the unavaibility of long-acting SRIF preparations and the possibility of some adverse effects mainly affecting hemostasis. Evaluation of the physiological role (s) for this newcomer, and of the eventual pathophysiology of endogenous somatostatin, represent an unexpected and exciting field of neuro-endocrinology.", "contents": "[Somatostatin, a new hormone? (author's transl)]. Somatostatin, or SRIF (Somatotropin Release Inhibiting Factor), is a tetradecapeptide of hypothalamic origin, which inhibits the secretion of growth hormone. It has also been recognized in other parts of the central nervous system, in the islets of Langerhans, and the mucosa of the upper digestive tract. Parenteral administration of synthetic SRIF inhibits the release of growth hormone, basal and stimulated by muscular exercise, arginine, L-DOPA, insulin-induced hypoglycemia, and sleeping. It also inhibits insulin and glucagon secretion, basal and stimulated, and several other secretory processes in endocrine and exocrine glands. It may have a depressor effect on some neurons in the central nervous system. Considerable interest has been prompted in the field of diabetology by the demonstration of somatostatin-induced suppression of growth hormone and glucagon : both hormones are over-secreted in many diabetic patients, and both may be noxious for small blood vessels in the diabetic. The eventual therapeutic use of somatostatin in humans is restricted, for the moment, by the unavaibility of long-acting SRIF preparations and the possibility of some adverse effects mainly affecting hemostasis. Evaluation of the physiological role (s) for this newcomer, and of the eventual pathophysiology of endogenous somatostatin, represent an unexpected and exciting field of neuro-endocrinology.", "PMID": 795689} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10560", "title": "The localization of skeletal light meromyosin in cells of myogenic cultures.", "content": "Fluorescent antibodies against skeletal light meromyosin were used to study the localization of this muscle-specific antigen in myotubes, myoblasts, presumptive myoblasts and fibroblasts found in six-day myogenic cultures. The labelled antibody bound only to the lateral edges of the A-bands in myofibrils. The antibody did not bind to antigens in the nucleus, cytoplasm or in the microfilaments beneath the plasmalemma in any of the cell types examined. Similarly, the external face of the cell surface of unfixed, living myotubes and mononucleated cells did not bind the antibody. Immunodiffusion tests confirm these results: high salt extracts of myotube-containing cultures reacted against anti-skeletal light meromyosin, whereas extracts of fibroblasts and presumptive myoblast cultures failed to precipitate the antibody. It is proposed that if myosin is present in the plasmalemma of these cells, as is suggested bhe myofibrils of definitive muscle.", "contents": "The localization of skeletal light meromyosin in cells of myogenic cultures. Fluorescent antibodies against skeletal light meromyosin were used to study the localization of this muscle-specific antigen in myotubes, myoblasts, presumptive myoblasts and fibroblasts found in six-day myogenic cultures. The labelled antibody bound only to the lateral edges of the A-bands in myofibrils. The antibody did not bind to antigens in the nucleus, cytoplasm or in the microfilaments beneath the plasmalemma in any of the cell types examined. Similarly, the external face of the cell surface of unfixed, living myotubes and mononucleated cells did not bind the antibody. Immunodiffusion tests confirm these results: high salt extracts of myotube-containing cultures reacted against anti-skeletal light meromyosin, whereas extracts of fibroblasts and presumptive myoblast cultures failed to precipitate the antibody. It is proposed that if myosin is present in the plasmalemma of these cells, as is suggested bhe myofibrils of definitive muscle.", "PMID": 795694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10561", "title": "[Intramuscular injection of lidocaine in prevention of complications and mortality in acute myocardial infarction: double blind study on 246 cases (author's transl)].", "content": "246 cases of acute myocardial infarction in subjects aged 70 or less, with clinical symptoms beginning no more than 8 hours before, altered enzymes, abnormal Q wave, ST segment and T wave, were studied. 99 of them received, on hospital admission, an intramuscular injection of 250 mg of lidocaine, 147 an injection of saline. In the following 3 weeks, significant differences were observed in the appearance of severe arrhythmias (no cases in the treated group and 18 cases in the placebo group, p less than 0,001) and of heart failure (39 cases in the treated group and 79 in the placebo group, p less than 0,05) and in mortality (3 cases in the treated group and 18 in the placebo group, p less than 0,05).", "contents": "[Intramuscular injection of lidocaine in prevention of complications and mortality in acute myocardial infarction: double blind study on 246 cases (author's transl)]. 246 cases of acute myocardial infarction in subjects aged 70 or less, with clinical symptoms beginning no more than 8 hours before, altered enzymes, abnormal Q wave, ST segment and T wave, were studied. 99 of them received, on hospital admission, an intramuscular injection of 250 mg of lidocaine, 147 an injection of saline. In the following 3 weeks, significant differences were observed in the appearance of severe arrhythmias (no cases in the treated group and 18 cases in the placebo group, p less than 0,001) and of heart failure (39 cases in the treated group and 79 in the placebo group, p less than 0,05) and in mortality (3 cases in the treated group and 18 in the placebo group, p less than 0,05).", "PMID": 795696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10562", "title": "[The effects of verapamil on angina threshold during exercise (author's transl)].", "content": "The efficacy and duration of the effects of verapamil on angina threshold during exercise were examined in five patients with proved angina pectoris, with the experimental model of a latin square 5 X 5. The effects of verapamil (0,1 mg/kg i.v.) were compared with those of a placebo (20 ml saline i.v.), of isosorbide dinitrate (5 mg, sublingual), of propranolol (0,1 mg/kg i.v.), and of dipyridamol (20 mg i.v.). All the treatments were studied within 20 minutes after administration; the efficacy of the \"drugs\" was checked against placebo. Verapamil and isosorbide dinitrate significantly prolonged the duration of exercise and total amount of work done before angina and EKG alteration appearance. Similar changes were observed after propranolol, but not significantly different from the effects of placebo. Dipyridamol reduced thw work performance, without significant difference from placebo. The effects of verapamil, though less marked than its peak effects, were still present 70 minutes after administration. The possible mechanism of work performance improvements induced by verapamil in angina pectoris is briefly discussed on the basis of the Triple Product changes observed during exercise.", "contents": "[The effects of verapamil on angina threshold during exercise (author's transl)]. The efficacy and duration of the effects of verapamil on angina threshold during exercise were examined in five patients with proved angina pectoris, with the experimental model of a latin square 5 X 5. The effects of verapamil (0,1 mg/kg i.v.) were compared with those of a placebo (20 ml saline i.v.), of isosorbide dinitrate (5 mg, sublingual), of propranolol (0,1 mg/kg i.v.), and of dipyridamol (20 mg i.v.). All the treatments were studied within 20 minutes after administration; the efficacy of the \"drugs\" was checked against placebo. Verapamil and isosorbide dinitrate significantly prolonged the duration of exercise and total amount of work done before angina and EKG alteration appearance. Similar changes were observed after propranolol, but not significantly different from the effects of placebo. Dipyridamol reduced thw work performance, without significant difference from placebo. The effects of verapamil, though less marked than its peak effects, were still present 70 minutes after administration. The possible mechanism of work performance improvements induced by verapamil in angina pectoris is briefly discussed on the basis of the Triple Product changes observed during exercise.", "PMID": 795700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10563", "title": "[Evaluation of the parameters concerning the method for determination of the sinus node recovery time. Personal experience (author's transl)].", "content": "On the basis of the personal experience of 36 patients with sick sinus syndrome, the role of length, seat, frequency of atrial stimulation (AS) on the duration of correct sinus node recovery time (CSNRT) were examined. The length of AS has little importance for values over 2 minutes. In 2 cases the CSNRT were pathological only if the position had been changed from the lateral wall of the right atrium to the middle right atrium. The frequency of AS is very important for the duration of pathological and maximal CSNRT. Therefore it is better to give every patient the major range of frequencies of AS as for a correct quantitative determination of sinus dysfunction so as not to lose some falsely negative results.", "contents": "[Evaluation of the parameters concerning the method for determination of the sinus node recovery time. Personal experience (author's transl)]. On the basis of the personal experience of 36 patients with sick sinus syndrome, the role of length, seat, frequency of atrial stimulation (AS) on the duration of correct sinus node recovery time (CSNRT) were examined. The length of AS has little importance for values over 2 minutes. In 2 cases the CSNRT were pathological only if the position had been changed from the lateral wall of the right atrium to the middle right atrium. The frequency of AS is very important for the duration of pathological and maximal CSNRT. Therefore it is better to give every patient the major range of frequencies of AS as for a correct quantitative determination of sinus dysfunction so as not to lose some falsely negative results.", "PMID": 795702} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10564", "title": "[Physiopathogenetic hypotheses in peripheral block (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors discuss the aetiological, electrophysiologic and diagnostic problems pertinent to peripheric blocks. Using the current ECG and VCG tests, it is often difficult, and sometimes impossible, to identify the ventricular wall affected by the block, the intraparietal localization and the seat of the block. Purkinje fibres, junction or muscle fibres. Because of the scarcity of experimental data, some of the diagnostic-differentials exposed have more the feature of logical hypothesis than that of certainty. The commonly held concept that the peripheric blocks do not alter, but that the terminal phases of ventricular depolarization do, is confirmed. The initial phases can also be altered, in that the Purkinje-junction-muscular fibres may be damage even in the septum, while the large ducts of conduction remain undamaged. Several discrepancies found between the presence of electric patterns of septal necrosis and that of infarctions in autopic examinations can possibly be explained as peripheric blocks localized in the left septum.", "contents": "[Physiopathogenetic hypotheses in peripheral block (author's transl)]. The authors discuss the aetiological, electrophysiologic and diagnostic problems pertinent to peripheric blocks. Using the current ECG and VCG tests, it is often difficult, and sometimes impossible, to identify the ventricular wall affected by the block, the intraparietal localization and the seat of the block. Purkinje fibres, junction or muscle fibres. Because of the scarcity of experimental data, some of the diagnostic-differentials exposed have more the feature of logical hypothesis than that of certainty. The commonly held concept that the peripheric blocks do not alter, but that the terminal phases of ventricular depolarization do, is confirmed. The initial phases can also be altered, in that the Purkinje-junction-muscular fibres may be damage even in the septum, while the large ducts of conduction remain undamaged. Several discrepancies found between the presence of electric patterns of septal necrosis and that of infarctions in autopic examinations can possibly be explained as peripheric blocks localized in the left septum.", "PMID": 795699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10565", "title": "Studies on the mechanism of transduction by bacteriophage phi gamma. I. Genetic characterization of the transducing segment.", "content": "The bacteriophage phi gamma, though related to the lambdoid phage phi80, has unusual features in its specialized transduction and is being investigated to determine the mechanism of the transduction process. Genetic analysis of the transducing element gives evidence for a relatively long and uniform linear segment, up to about 1% of the E. coli chromosome, extending in either direction from the prophage attachment site, e.g., on the right side: att80-tonB-trpABCDE-cysB-pryF. The att end includes a variable amount of phage genome, probably very short in most particles. In a small fraction of the transducing particles the phage segment may be more extensive and, conversely, the bacterial segment is shorter, ending around cysB. The transducing segment from modificationless bacteria carries a site susceptible to the K-restriction system which affects the efficiency of transduction.", "contents": "Studies on the mechanism of transduction by bacteriophage phi gamma. I. Genetic characterization of the transducing segment. The bacteriophage phi gamma, though related to the lambdoid phage phi80, has unusual features in its specialized transduction and is being investigated to determine the mechanism of the transduction process. Genetic analysis of the transducing element gives evidence for a relatively long and uniform linear segment, up to about 1% of the E. coli chromosome, extending in either direction from the prophage attachment site, e.g., on the right side: att80-tonB-trpABCDE-cysB-pryF. The att end includes a variable amount of phage genome, probably very short in most particles. In a small fraction of the transducing particles the phage segment may be more extensive and, conversely, the bacterial segment is shorter, ending around cysB. The transducing segment from modificationless bacteria carries a site susceptible to the K-restriction system which affects the efficiency of transduction.", "PMID": 795713} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10566", "title": "Some genetic consequences of changes in the level of recA gene function in Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Genetic recombination was studied in E. coli mutants that carry lesions in the recA gene but retain some capacity for generating recombinant progeny. We observed that recombination was detectable only at a very low level during the incubation of leaky RecA- merozygotes in broth. However, recombination appeared to occur at much higher frequencies when recombinant progeny were assayed by selection on minimal agar. Analysis of the recombinants obtained with Hfr donors revealed a deficiency of multiple exchanges per unit length of DNA in leaky RecA- strains. In many of these crosses recombinants that inherited donor alleles close to the transfer origin were much reduced in frequency, except when the recipient was also RecB-.", "contents": "Some genetic consequences of changes in the level of recA gene function in Escherichia coli K-12. Genetic recombination was studied in E. coli mutants that carry lesions in the recA gene but retain some capacity for generating recombinant progeny. We observed that recombination was detectable only at a very low level during the incubation of leaky RecA- merozygotes in broth. However, recombination appeared to occur at much higher frequencies when recombinant progeny were assayed by selection on minimal agar. Analysis of the recombinants obtained with Hfr donors revealed a deficiency of multiple exchanges per unit length of DNA in leaky RecA- strains. In many of these crosses recombinants that inherited donor alleles close to the transfer origin were much reduced in frequency, except when the recipient was also RecB-.", "PMID": 795714} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10567", "title": "Gene conversion and intragenic recombination at the SUP6 locus and the surrounding region in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "Spontaneous secondary mutations of the ochre suppressor SUP6 were selected in a haploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Unselected tetrads were dissected from crosses heterozygous for one of three allleles of SUP6 and for three other loci in this region which span a length of 14 map units (his2, cdc14 and met10). The study showed that all of these markers were characterized by high frequency of meiotic gene conversion and long conversion lengths which frequently extended into adjacent marked loci. Despite the high conversion frequency of SUP6, recombination between alleles of this locus reached a maximum frequency of only 2 x 10(-3) protrophs/spore. Although the allelic recombination frequencies were not distance dependent and consequently could not be used to order the alleles, the inequality between the two recombinant outside marker combinations among selected intragenic recombinants produced an internally consistent map of the suppressor locus. Recombination at SUP6 (whether detected as conversion in tetrads or the production of recombinants among random spores) was accompanied by significantly less than 50% outside marker recombination.", "contents": "Gene conversion and intragenic recombination at the SUP6 locus and the surrounding region in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Spontaneous secondary mutations of the ochre suppressor SUP6 were selected in a haploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Unselected tetrads were dissected from crosses heterozygous for one of three allleles of SUP6 and for three other loci in this region which span a length of 14 map units (his2, cdc14 and met10). The study showed that all of these markers were characterized by high frequency of meiotic gene conversion and long conversion lengths which frequently extended into adjacent marked loci. Despite the high conversion frequency of SUP6, recombination between alleles of this locus reached a maximum frequency of only 2 x 10(-3) protrophs/spore. Although the allelic recombination frequencies were not distance dependent and consequently could not be used to order the alleles, the inequality between the two recombinant outside marker combinations among selected intragenic recombinants produced an internally consistent map of the suppressor locus. Recombination at SUP6 (whether detected as conversion in tetrads or the production of recombinants among random spores) was accompanied by significantly less than 50% outside marker recombination.", "PMID": 795715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10568", "title": "[Reversion of RNA-polymerase mutations affecting F'-factor stability].", "content": "Ts+ reversions of amber mutations tsR on the beta-subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (79 min on the genetic map) were investigated. TsR mutants are viable due to the partial suppression of amber mutations by su2 suppressor. Three types of reversions were isolated in the course of the selection for Ts+ character, namely, intragenic reversions and two types of extragenic reversions, located at different regions of the bacterial chromosome. The mutation N5, located between 0 and 15 min. on the map, increases practically to normal the amount of RNA polymerase beta-polypeptide, which is diminished as a result of ts22 amber mutation action, and increases the plating efficiency of several T4 phage amber mutants. The mutations designated as D are located on the chromosome near the spcA locus (64 min. on the E. coli map). These mutations are characterized by pleiotropic effect. They have properties of a weak suppressor increasing the efficiency of su2 action on amber mutations of E. coli and phage T4. At the same time D mutations are capable to decrease sharply the efficiency of the crosses with F' strains. Both these characters determined by D mutations do not segregate in transduction. It is suggested that the decrease of sexduction by D mutations depends on their influence on replication of episomes in the recipient cells.", "contents": "[Reversion of RNA-polymerase mutations affecting F'-factor stability]. Ts+ reversions of amber mutations tsR on the beta-subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (79 min on the genetic map) were investigated. TsR mutants are viable due to the partial suppression of amber mutations by su2 suppressor. Three types of reversions were isolated in the course of the selection for Ts+ character, namely, intragenic reversions and two types of extragenic reversions, located at different regions of the bacterial chromosome. The mutation N5, located between 0 and 15 min. on the map, increases practically to normal the amount of RNA polymerase beta-polypeptide, which is diminished as a result of ts22 amber mutation action, and increases the plating efficiency of several T4 phage amber mutants. The mutations designated as D are located on the chromosome near the spcA locus (64 min. on the E. coli map). These mutations are characterized by pleiotropic effect. They have properties of a weak suppressor increasing the efficiency of su2 action on amber mutations of E. coli and phage T4. At the same time D mutations are capable to decrease sharply the efficiency of the crosses with F' strains. Both these characters determined by D mutations do not segregate in transduction. It is suggested that the decrease of sexduction by D mutations depends on their influence on replication of episomes in the recipient cells.", "PMID": 795716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10569", "title": "[Transmissible hybrid plasmid RP4-ColE1].", "content": "Hybrid plasmid RP4-ColE1 was obtained by joining DNA plasmids RP4 and ColE1, each of which possessed only one site of restriction for EcoR1. These plasmid molecules were restricted by endonuclease EcoR1 and then treated by ligase. The hybrid plasmid retained the property of transmissibility typical for drug factor resistance RP4. Non-transmissible mutant of the hybrid plasmid selected by the character of the resistance of Escherichia coli C600 (RP4-ColE1) to the phage PRR1 is used for subsequent investigations.", "contents": "[Transmissible hybrid plasmid RP4-ColE1]. Hybrid plasmid RP4-ColE1 was obtained by joining DNA plasmids RP4 and ColE1, each of which possessed only one site of restriction for EcoR1. These plasmid molecules were restricted by endonuclease EcoR1 and then treated by ligase. The hybrid plasmid retained the property of transmissibility typical for drug factor resistance RP4. Non-transmissible mutant of the hybrid plasmid selected by the character of the resistance of Escherichia coli C600 (RP4-ColE1) to the phage PRR1 is used for subsequent investigations.", "PMID": 795717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10570", "title": "[Detailed model of semi-conservative DNA replication. Possible role of DNA-polymerase errors in fragmented copying of both matrix strands].", "content": "A model of semiconservative DNA synthesis is considered. The model is based on a suggestion that the synthesis proceeds in the course of one-directional stretching of both matrix strands through the replicase complex (replisome), or of one-directional movement of the replisome along the chromosome. Each nucleotide link of the matrix strand find itself successively in the section of RNA primer synthesis, in the section of DNA polymerase and in the control section of a proofreading 3' leads to 5' exonuclease. Deoxynucleoside incorrectly joined by DNA polymerase of the replisome to the 3'-OH end of growing chain are, as a rule, removed when transferred in the control section. Since the reverse movement is prohibited, the DNA polymerase loses the 3'-OH end of new DNA chain and proves to be incapable to continue the synthesis. It can be renewed only after a new RNA primer formation. For continuation of the DNA synthesis after an incorrect deoxynucleotide addition, replicase must take two more mistakes in succession: to retain the incorrect nucleotide and to join the next one to this unproperly arranged primer. Only in that case the non-complementary nucleotide in a new DNA chain can escape the action of proofreading exonucleases. Hence, according to the model under discussion, the frequency of mutations should be many times lower than that of incorrect nucleotide joinings. The latter results, as a rule, in DNA chain synthesis cessation and in fragments formation. Taking into consideration the frequency of spontaneous mutations in bacteria (about 10(-9) per base-pair), the frequency of non-complementary joinings during semiconservative synthesis can be suggested of the order 10(-3) in accordance with the average Okazaki fragments size of 1000 nucleotides. Another possible reason for periodical interruptions of semiconservative DNA synthesis and for fragments formation is a distortion of replisome structure, accompanying the release of the matrix strand being copied in the direction of already replicated chromosome region. Both mechanisms can participate concurrently in DNA fragments formation. If replisomes are attached to a cell membrane, the sites of chromosome that are also fastened in the membrane, in particular, the site of \"origin\", are to be replicated using some mobile replicase complex.", "contents": "[Detailed model of semi-conservative DNA replication. Possible role of DNA-polymerase errors in fragmented copying of both matrix strands]. A model of semiconservative DNA synthesis is considered. The model is based on a suggestion that the synthesis proceeds in the course of one-directional stretching of both matrix strands through the replicase complex (replisome), or of one-directional movement of the replisome along the chromosome. Each nucleotide link of the matrix strand find itself successively in the section of RNA primer synthesis, in the section of DNA polymerase and in the control section of a proofreading 3' leads to 5' exonuclease. Deoxynucleoside incorrectly joined by DNA polymerase of the replisome to the 3'-OH end of growing chain are, as a rule, removed when transferred in the control section. Since the reverse movement is prohibited, the DNA polymerase loses the 3'-OH end of new DNA chain and proves to be incapable to continue the synthesis. It can be renewed only after a new RNA primer formation. For continuation of the DNA synthesis after an incorrect deoxynucleotide addition, replicase must take two more mistakes in succession: to retain the incorrect nucleotide and to join the next one to this unproperly arranged primer. Only in that case the non-complementary nucleotide in a new DNA chain can escape the action of proofreading exonucleases. Hence, according to the model under discussion, the frequency of mutations should be many times lower than that of incorrect nucleotide joinings. The latter results, as a rule, in DNA chain synthesis cessation and in fragments formation. Taking into consideration the frequency of spontaneous mutations in bacteria (about 10(-9) per base-pair), the frequency of non-complementary joinings during semiconservative synthesis can be suggested of the order 10(-3) in accordance with the average Okazaki fragments size of 1000 nucleotides. Another possible reason for periodical interruptions of semiconservative DNA synthesis and for fragments formation is a distortion of replisome structure, accompanying the release of the matrix strand being copied in the direction of already replicated chromosome region. Both mechanisms can participate concurrently in DNA fragments formation. If replisomes are attached to a cell membrane, the sites of chromosome that are also fastened in the membrane, in particular, the site of \"origin\", are to be replicated using some mobile replicase complex.", "PMID": 795718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10571", "title": "[Mechanism of genetic recombination during bacterial recombination. VI. Single-stranded conjugation].", "content": "The mutation BT43 in the dnaB gene inhibits conjugational DNA synthesis in the recipient cell at 42 degrees C. Since only one DNA strand is transferred from the donor to the recipient in these conditions, this single strand is integrated into the recipient chromosone. This is characterized by a high increase of recombination frequency per length unit, an effect well known in the case of transformation. This peculiar genetic process is proposed to be called \"single stranded conjugation\". It is more efficient in recipient cells recB-recC-sbcB-lacking two main degrading enzymes, exonucleases I and V. The proof of single strandedness was given by means of clonal analysis in a special experiment. The transfer of the selected marker into the thermosensitive recipient took place at 37 degrees C and the transfer of the non-selected marker -- at 42 degrees C. Thhe progeny of one merozygote must be mixed i.e. consist of cells with both alleles of the non-selected marker. This was confirmed by experimental data.", "contents": "[Mechanism of genetic recombination during bacterial recombination. VI. Single-stranded conjugation]. The mutation BT43 in the dnaB gene inhibits conjugational DNA synthesis in the recipient cell at 42 degrees C. Since only one DNA strand is transferred from the donor to the recipient in these conditions, this single strand is integrated into the recipient chromosone. This is characterized by a high increase of recombination frequency per length unit, an effect well known in the case of transformation. This peculiar genetic process is proposed to be called \"single stranded conjugation\". It is more efficient in recipient cells recB-recC-sbcB-lacking two main degrading enzymes, exonucleases I and V. The proof of single strandedness was given by means of clonal analysis in a special experiment. The transfer of the selected marker into the thermosensitive recipient took place at 37 degrees C and the transfer of the non-selected marker -- at 42 degrees C. Thhe progeny of one merozygote must be mixed i.e. consist of cells with both alleles of the non-selected marker. This was confirmed by experimental data.", "PMID": 795720} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10572", "title": "[Mutator effect of suppressed amber-alleles of early genes of bacteriophage T4].", "content": "The mutator effect of amber alleles of three early genes (43, 32, 47), which were suppressed by the bacterial suppressor gene, was studied. There are some advantages in using the suppressed amber alleles instead of ts, because in this case definite amino acid substitutions take place in the protein due to certain suppressor gene effect. For example, in Escherichia coli CR63(Su+-1) the replacement of the original amino acid by serine takes place. Studying the mutator effect of 43 alleles of DNA polymerase gene of phage T4 with tester mutant r131 showed that in condition of suppression by the gene Su+ -1 only 13,9% of alleles possessed the mutator activity. In the same experiments with mutants of genes 32 and 47 the mutator effect was not observed.", "contents": "[Mutator effect of suppressed amber-alleles of early genes of bacteriophage T4]. The mutator effect of amber alleles of three early genes (43, 32, 47), which were suppressed by the bacterial suppressor gene, was studied. There are some advantages in using the suppressed amber alleles instead of ts, because in this case definite amino acid substitutions take place in the protein due to certain suppressor gene effect. For example, in Escherichia coli CR63(Su+-1) the replacement of the original amino acid by serine takes place. Studying the mutator effect of 43 alleles of DNA polymerase gene of phage T4 with tester mutant r131 showed that in condition of suppression by the gene Su+ -1 only 13,9% of alleles possessed the mutator activity. In the same experiments with mutants of genes 32 and 47 the mutator effect was not observed.", "PMID": 795721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10573", "title": "[Allele specificity of the mutator action of bacteriophage T4 genes 43 and 32].", "content": "The substitution of tester mutant ri31 (fs-type) for transition mutants rUV30 and rUV48 allowed to reveal new mutator alleles of DNA polymerase gene of phage T4. In these conditions about 70% alleles of this gene were found to be mutators. Unlike experiments carried out with mutant-tester ri31, in experiments with mutants rUV30 and rUV48 the presence of mutator alleles in gene 32 was demonstrated. The transition pathway AT leads to GC is the preferential direction of the mutation alteration under the action of suppressed amber alleles of genes 43 and 32. The data obtained suggest allele specificity of the mutator effect in bacteriophage T4.", "contents": "[Allele specificity of the mutator action of bacteriophage T4 genes 43 and 32]. The substitution of tester mutant ri31 (fs-type) for transition mutants rUV30 and rUV48 allowed to reveal new mutator alleles of DNA polymerase gene of phage T4. In these conditions about 70% alleles of this gene were found to be mutators. Unlike experiments carried out with mutant-tester ri31, in experiments with mutants rUV30 and rUV48 the presence of mutator alleles in gene 32 was demonstrated. The transition pathway AT leads to GC is the preferential direction of the mutation alteration under the action of suppressed amber alleles of genes 43 and 32. The data obtained suggest allele specificity of the mutator effect in bacteriophage T4.", "PMID": 795722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10574", "title": "Analysis of human leukaemic cells using cell surface binding probes and the fluorescence activated cell sorter.", "content": "Cell surface binding fluorescent ligands have been used to distinguish between different types of leukaemic cells and between leukaemic cells and their presumed normal counterparts or progenitors. Binding of these probes was evaluated using the Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS) which provides both rapid, objective and quantitative recording of fluorescent signals from individual cells plus physical separation of cells of particular interest. Binding sites for cholera toxin (monosialoganglioside GM1) were found to be normally expressed in chronic leukaemias but greatly diminished or absent in acute leukaemias irrespective of their morphological type. Antibodies specific for the common form of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL, non-T, non-B) have been produced in rabbits. After extensive absorption and testing these were shown to define a cell surface antigen of non-T, non-B type ALLs. The antigen is absent from other leukaemias with two interesting exceptions--the majority of acute undifferentiated leukaemias express the antigen as do a proportion of chronic granulocytic leukaemias in blast crisis relapse. The anti-ALL antibodies can therefore be used to distinguish different leukaemias and, more significantly, can identify the existence of relatively rare leukaemic cells in the blood of untreated patients and the marrow of treated patients considered to be in remission.", "contents": "Analysis of human leukaemic cells using cell surface binding probes and the fluorescence activated cell sorter. Cell surface binding fluorescent ligands have been used to distinguish between different types of leukaemic cells and between leukaemic cells and their presumed normal counterparts or progenitors. Binding of these probes was evaluated using the Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS) which provides both rapid, objective and quantitative recording of fluorescent signals from individual cells plus physical separation of cells of particular interest. Binding sites for cholera toxin (monosialoganglioside GM1) were found to be normally expressed in chronic leukaemias but greatly diminished or absent in acute leukaemias irrespective of their morphological type. Antibodies specific for the common form of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL, non-T, non-B) have been produced in rabbits. After extensive absorption and testing these were shown to define a cell surface antigen of non-T, non-B type ALLs. The antigen is absent from other leukaemias with two interesting exceptions--the majority of acute undifferentiated leukaemias express the antigen as do a proportion of chronic granulocytic leukaemias in blast crisis relapse. The anti-ALL antibodies can therefore be used to distinguish different leukaemias and, more significantly, can identify the existence of relatively rare leukaemic cells in the blood of untreated patients and the marrow of treated patients considered to be in remission.", "PMID": 795743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10575", "title": "In vitro colony growth of acute myelogenous leukemia.", "content": "Colony formation in vitro by marrow cells from patients with untreated acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and from patients in AML relapse is infrequent using the standard Robinson assay. A newly developed culture system has been described in which marrow from AML patients in these disease stages form leukemic cell colonies. In this in vitro system, phytohaemagglutinin is the essential stimulator for colony formation. The leukemic origin of the colonies has been proven by ultrastructural morphology and cytogenetics. It appears that colony formation by leukemic cells in this system is predominantly independent from the leukocyte factor which is the main stimulator in the Robinson assay for growing colonies of marrow cells from haematologically normal individuals. Bone marrow cells in untreated acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) demonstrate abnormal growth in vitro in the Robinson assay (Robinson et al., 1971; and Bull et al., 1973). Characteristically, there is a near total failure of colony formation; predominantly clusters are formed containing 20 cells or less (Bull et al., 1973; Greenberg et al., 1971; Moore et al., 1973 and 1974, and van Bekkum et al., in press). The absence of colonies has been shown to be due to a marked decrease of the normal myeloid precursor cell population in untreated AML. The small agregate formation of AML cells has been attributed to the suboptimal response of leukemic cells to the leukocyte stimulation factor. Because this poor proliferation in vitro might not represent the maximal in vitro and in vivo proliferation potential of the leukemic cells, we studied a number of modifications of the in vitro culture system. A number of factors were studied which may have some influence on cell proliferation in general, notably phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), which induces lymphocyte colonies in vitro (Rozenszajn et al., 1974), and endotoxin which has been demonstrated to increase the labelling index of leukemic cells in vivo (Golde et al.). In this paper an in vitro system is described in which marrow cells from untreated AML and AML in relapse were stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) to form leukemic cell colonies in soft agar. These (similar) cells predominantly formed small aggregates (20 cells or less) in the presence of the normal leukocyte feeder layer alone. Moreover, in the course of the experiments, it appeared that by adding low concentrations of endotoxin to the cultures, the stimulating effect of PHA could be amplified.", "contents": "In vitro colony growth of acute myelogenous leukemia. Colony formation in vitro by marrow cells from patients with untreated acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and from patients in AML relapse is infrequent using the standard Robinson assay. A newly developed culture system has been described in which marrow from AML patients in these disease stages form leukemic cell colonies. In this in vitro system, phytohaemagglutinin is the essential stimulator for colony formation. The leukemic origin of the colonies has been proven by ultrastructural morphology and cytogenetics. It appears that colony formation by leukemic cells in this system is predominantly independent from the leukocyte factor which is the main stimulator in the Robinson assay for growing colonies of marrow cells from haematologically normal individuals. Bone marrow cells in untreated acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) demonstrate abnormal growth in vitro in the Robinson assay (Robinson et al., 1971; and Bull et al., 1973). Characteristically, there is a near total failure of colony formation; predominantly clusters are formed containing 20 cells or less (Bull et al., 1973; Greenberg et al., 1971; Moore et al., 1973 and 1974, and van Bekkum et al., in press). The absence of colonies has been shown to be due to a marked decrease of the normal myeloid precursor cell population in untreated AML. The small agregate formation of AML cells has been attributed to the suboptimal response of leukemic cells to the leukocyte stimulation factor. Because this poor proliferation in vitro might not represent the maximal in vitro and in vivo proliferation potential of the leukemic cells, we studied a number of modifications of the in vitro culture system. A number of factors were studied which may have some influence on cell proliferation in general, notably phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), which induces lymphocyte colonies in vitro (Rozenszajn et al., 1974), and endotoxin which has been demonstrated to increase the labelling index of leukemic cells in vivo (Golde et al.). In this paper an in vitro system is described in which marrow cells from untreated AML and AML in relapse were stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) to form leukemic cell colonies in soft agar. These (similar) cells predominantly formed small aggregates (20 cells or less) in the presence of the normal leukocyte feeder layer alone. Moreover, in the course of the experiments, it appeared that by adding low concentrations of endotoxin to the cultures, the stimulating effect of PHA could be amplified.", "PMID": 795747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10576", "title": "Clinical utility of bone marrow culture.", "content": "Standardized culture of bone marrow in soft agar permits the detection of a population of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-c). A spectrum of qualitative abnormalities serves to distinguish myeloid leukemic CFU-c from normal and remission populations. These abnormalities in maturation and proliferation are diagnostic of a myeloid leukemic state and serve to functionally reclassify acute myeloid leukemia at diagnosis into a number of categories based on in vitro growth pattern. The virtue of this classification is that it permits detection of a substantial number of patients who are refractory to conventional remission induction protocols. The clear distinction between normal and leukemic growth in vitro permits early detection of emerging remission CFU-c during induction therapy and of early onset of relapse in patients who are otherwise in complete remission. In patients with leukemia undergoing allogeneic bone marrow engraftment, marrow culture has proved of value in documenting the reconstitution of the patient and in detecting re-emergence of the original leukemic stem line prior to its detection by cytogenetic and hematological techniques. Serial studies on patients with chronic myeloid leukemia have allowed early diagnosis of blastic transformation and classification of blastic phase disease on the basis of in vitro growth pattern has revealed a similar spectrum of in vitro abnormalities as seen in AML. The cloning of normal or leukemic human myeloid progenitor cells (CFU-c) in agar or methylcellulose has permitted analysis of both quantitative and qualitative changes in this cell compartment in leukemia and other myelodysplastic states (1-7). Among these changes are abnormalities in maturation of leukemic cells in vitro (4, 5, 6), defective proliferation as measured by colony size or cluster to colony ratio (5, 6), abnormalities in biophysical characteristics of leukemic CFU-c (4, 5), regulatory defects in responsiveness to positive and negative feedback control mechanisms (8, 9) and the existence of cytogenetic abnormalities in vitro (10, 11). Detection of this spectrum of abnormalities has proved of clinical utility in diagnosis of leukemia and preleukemic states (5, 6, 12), in classification of leukemias and myeloproliferative diseases (5, 6), in predicting remission prognosis and response to therapy (5, 13), in predicting onset of remission or relapse in AML (13) and in monitoring the progression of chronic myeloid leukemia or preleukemic disease (4, 14). The present communication serves to illustrate the clinical applications of bone marrow culture in these various areas.", "contents": "Clinical utility of bone marrow culture. Standardized culture of bone marrow in soft agar permits the detection of a population of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-c). A spectrum of qualitative abnormalities serves to distinguish myeloid leukemic CFU-c from normal and remission populations. These abnormalities in maturation and proliferation are diagnostic of a myeloid leukemic state and serve to functionally reclassify acute myeloid leukemia at diagnosis into a number of categories based on in vitro growth pattern. The virtue of this classification is that it permits detection of a substantial number of patients who are refractory to conventional remission induction protocols. The clear distinction between normal and leukemic growth in vitro permits early detection of emerging remission CFU-c during induction therapy and of early onset of relapse in patients who are otherwise in complete remission. In patients with leukemia undergoing allogeneic bone marrow engraftment, marrow culture has proved of value in documenting the reconstitution of the patient and in detecting re-emergence of the original leukemic stem line prior to its detection by cytogenetic and hematological techniques. Serial studies on patients with chronic myeloid leukemia have allowed early diagnosis of blastic transformation and classification of blastic phase disease on the basis of in vitro growth pattern has revealed a similar spectrum of in vitro abnormalities as seen in AML. The cloning of normal or leukemic human myeloid progenitor cells (CFU-c) in agar or methylcellulose has permitted analysis of both quantitative and qualitative changes in this cell compartment in leukemia and other myelodysplastic states (1-7). Among these changes are abnormalities in maturation of leukemic cells in vitro (4, 5, 6), defective proliferation as measured by colony size or cluster to colony ratio (5, 6), abnormalities in biophysical characteristics of leukemic CFU-c (4, 5), regulatory defects in responsiveness to positive and negative feedback control mechanisms (8, 9) and the existence of cytogenetic abnormalities in vitro (10, 11). Detection of this spectrum of abnormalities has proved of clinical utility in diagnosis of leukemia and preleukemic states (5, 6, 12), in classification of leukemias and myeloproliferative diseases (5, 6), in predicting remission prognosis and response to therapy (5, 13), in predicting onset of remission or relapse in AML (13) and in monitoring the progression of chronic myeloid leukemia or preleukemic disease (4, 14). The present communication serves to illustrate the clinical applications of bone marrow culture in these various areas.", "PMID": 795748} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10577", "title": "Ecological features of the tularemia natural focus in central Posavina (Croatia).", "content": "A five-year ecological study of the largest tularemia natural focus in Croatia (Yugoslavia) has revealed that the focus is of a meadow-field type and that the common vole is the crucial member of the local tularemia pathobiocenosis. The occurrence of epizootics and of concomitant epidemics is associated with the bionomy of the latter which, in its turn, is strongly influenced by environmental factors. It was possible therefore to link tularemia outbreaks with special meteorological and hydrological conditions, i.e. with warm and dry spring-summer seasons and the Sava river floods. The proper understanding of the underlying ecological laws furnishes a sound basis for the forecasts of future epidemiological events.", "contents": "Ecological features of the tularemia natural focus in central Posavina (Croatia). A five-year ecological study of the largest tularemia natural focus in Croatia (Yugoslavia) has revealed that the focus is of a meadow-field type and that the common vole is the crucial member of the local tularemia pathobiocenosis. The occurrence of epizootics and of concomitant epidemics is associated with the bionomy of the latter which, in its turn, is strongly influenced by environmental factors. It was possible therefore to link tularemia outbreaks with special meteorological and hydrological conditions, i.e. with warm and dry spring-summer seasons and the Sava river floods. The proper understanding of the underlying ecological laws furnishes a sound basis for the forecasts of future epidemiological events.", "PMID": 795754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10578", "title": "[Arsenic metabolism. (17) Studies of placental transfer of arsenic and the effects of antidotes and diet].", "content": "Albino rats of Wistar strain (Tamura 1950) breeded in a closed colony were administered arsenic trioxide orally during pregnancy (from the 0 day to the 20th day). Organs of fetuses and mother rats were exenterated on the 21st day of gestation and the contents of arsenic measured using an arsenic analyzer unit with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Whole organs of the fetus were separated into 3 groupings i.e. liver, brain and remaining organs. The contents of arsenic in the organs in each of these groupings and in the placenta were measured. Even in the non-administered group, arsenic was detected in the every organ. In the arsenic administered group, the content of arsenic in the placenta was the highest among the four preparations tested; and the content in the liver and remaining organs was considerably high, but was low in the brain. The level of accumulation of arsenic differed between each organ. In the placenta, the accumulation reached a plateau, and in the brain this accumulation was below one-tenth that in the liver. In the non-administered group, arsenic was detected in the liver, kidney, spleen and brain of mother rats. In the group on arsenite, the content in the kidney and spleen was large, followed by a large amount in the liver and in the brain respectively. The level of accumulation of arsenic in mother rats differed between each organ. Arsenite was administered with antidotes such as dimercaprol, thioctic acid and L-ascorbic acid during pregnancy (from the 0 day to the 5th day). In this group the content of arsenic in the remaining organs was statistically less than that of the control group. The content in the brain was slightly reduced by a co-administration of the antidotes, however, there was no statistical difference in the placenta and liver between the antidote-treated and control groups. The content of arsenic in the kidney of mother rats treated with antidotes was statistically less than that of the controls. Whether or not the content of arsenic in organs of fetuses and mother rats was affected by a milk diet was also studied. The content of arsenic in the organs of fetuses showed no statistical difference between the animals on an Oriental stock diet group and those on the milk diet. On the other hand, the content of arsenic in the kidney of mother rats on the milk diet was statistically less than seen in those in the Oriental stock diet group.", "contents": "[Arsenic metabolism. (17) Studies of placental transfer of arsenic and the effects of antidotes and diet]. Albino rats of Wistar strain (Tamura 1950) breeded in a closed colony were administered arsenic trioxide orally during pregnancy (from the 0 day to the 20th day). Organs of fetuses and mother rats were exenterated on the 21st day of gestation and the contents of arsenic measured using an arsenic analyzer unit with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Whole organs of the fetus were separated into 3 groupings i.e. liver, brain and remaining organs. The contents of arsenic in the organs in each of these groupings and in the placenta were measured. Even in the non-administered group, arsenic was detected in the every organ. In the arsenic administered group, the content of arsenic in the placenta was the highest among the four preparations tested; and the content in the liver and remaining organs was considerably high, but was low in the brain. The level of accumulation of arsenic differed between each organ. In the placenta, the accumulation reached a plateau, and in the brain this accumulation was below one-tenth that in the liver. In the non-administered group, arsenic was detected in the liver, kidney, spleen and brain of mother rats. In the group on arsenite, the content in the kidney and spleen was large, followed by a large amount in the liver and in the brain respectively. The level of accumulation of arsenic in mother rats differed between each organ. Arsenite was administered with antidotes such as dimercaprol, thioctic acid and L-ascorbic acid during pregnancy (from the 0 day to the 5th day). In this group the content of arsenic in the remaining organs was statistically less than that of the control group. The content in the brain was slightly reduced by a co-administration of the antidotes, however, there was no statistical difference in the placenta and liver between the antidote-treated and control groups. The content of arsenic in the kidney of mother rats treated with antidotes was statistically less than that of the controls. Whether or not the content of arsenic in organs of fetuses and mother rats was affected by a milk diet was also studied. The content of arsenic in the organs of fetuses showed no statistical difference between the animals on an Oriental stock diet group and those on the milk diet. On the other hand, the content of arsenic in the kidney of mother rats on the milk diet was statistically less than seen in those in the Oriental stock diet group.", "PMID": 795757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10579", "title": "[New therapeutic methods in gastroenterology].", "content": "Operative-therapeutic endoscopy offers new aspects concerning polypectomy, electro- and laser-coagulation of hemorrhages, papillotomy and sclerosing of oesophageal varices. Active and passive immunization in hepatitis A and B will soon become available for clinical trial. The successful synthesis of human gastrointestinal polypeptides may be of clinical significance in the therapy of common gastrointestinal disorders. New surgical procedures adapted to form and function lead rarely to postoperative complaints. Ulcer recurrency seems low when optimal techniques are employed.", "contents": "[New therapeutic methods in gastroenterology]. Operative-therapeutic endoscopy offers new aspects concerning polypectomy, electro- and laser-coagulation of hemorrhages, papillotomy and sclerosing of oesophageal varices. Active and passive immunization in hepatitis A and B will soon become available for clinical trial. The successful synthesis of human gastrointestinal polypeptides may be of clinical significance in the therapy of common gastrointestinal disorders. New surgical procedures adapted to form and function lead rarely to postoperative complaints. Ulcer recurrency seems low when optimal techniques are employed.", "PMID": 795763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10580", "title": "Coccidia of the pheasant.", "content": "The author reviews the literature on the coccidia of the pheasant. Ten species are described, of which three are associated with disease in the United Kingdom, Eimeria colchici, E. duodenalis and E. phasiani.", "contents": "Coccidia of the pheasant. The author reviews the literature on the coccidia of the pheasant. Ten species are described, of which three are associated with disease in the United Kingdom, Eimeria colchici, E. duodenalis and E. phasiani.", "PMID": 795759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10581", "title": "Clinical aspects of bundle branch blocks in veterinary medicine.", "content": "After an extensive review of the relevant veterinary literature, the author discusses the aetiopathogenic, diagnostic and prognostic aspects of branch blocks in domestic animals.", "contents": "Clinical aspects of bundle branch blocks in veterinary medicine. After an extensive review of the relevant veterinary literature, the author discusses the aetiopathogenic, diagnostic and prognostic aspects of branch blocks in domestic animals.", "PMID": 795760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10582", "title": "The gift of life: a review of the psychological aspects of kidney transplantation.", "content": "The literature on psychological reactions to renal transplantation in adult donors and recipients is reviewed. Although the psychiatric complications of kidney transplantation appear to be fewer than in renal dialysis, the operation represents a threat to the donor, recipient and extended family. Donors, despite altruistic motivations for offering their kidney, often harbor resentment toward the recipient and commonly experience depression in the early postoperative period. Recipients often unrealistically expect the homograft to be a panacea for their emotional stresses. Anxiety and depression are common reactions when a physical complication, particularly rejection, does occur. It has been proposed that psychological acceptance is related to a patient's psychological acceptance of the organ.", "contents": "The gift of life: a review of the psychological aspects of kidney transplantation. The literature on psychological reactions to renal transplantation in adult donors and recipients is reviewed. Although the psychiatric complications of kidney transplantation appear to be fewer than in renal dialysis, the operation represents a threat to the donor, recipient and extended family. Donors, despite altruistic motivations for offering their kidney, often harbor resentment toward the recipient and commonly experience depression in the early postoperative period. Recipients often unrealistically expect the homograft to be a panacea for their emotional stresses. Anxiety and depression are common reactions when a physical complication, particularly rejection, does occur. It has been proposed that psychological acceptance is related to a patient's psychological acceptance of the organ.", "PMID": 795772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10583", "title": "Penfluridol and thiothixene. Dosage, plasma levels and changes in psychopathology.", "content": "Plasma levels of penfluridol and thiothixene were studied after 4 weeks treatment in a double-blind controlled trial of 47 patients suffering from chronic schizophrenic syndromes. There was found a tenfold variation in plasma levels for penfluridol, and about a twentyfold variation for thiothixene. For penfluridol, a significant correlation between dosage and plasma level and also between dosage and changes in psychopathology as regards factor 5 in the M\u00e4rtens & Jonsson S scale which comprises the items most characteristic of a schizophrenic syndrome, was found. For thiothixene, a significant correlation between plasma levels and changes in factor 5 was found. A gas-chromatographic method for penfluridol is also described.", "contents": "Penfluridol and thiothixene. Dosage, plasma levels and changes in psychopathology. Plasma levels of penfluridol and thiothixene were studied after 4 weeks treatment in a double-blind controlled trial of 47 patients suffering from chronic schizophrenic syndromes. There was found a tenfold variation in plasma levels for penfluridol, and about a twentyfold variation for thiothixene. For penfluridol, a significant correlation between dosage and plasma level and also between dosage and changes in psychopathology as regards factor 5 in the M\u00e4rtens & Jonsson S scale which comprises the items most characteristic of a schizophrenic syndrome, was found. For thiothixene, a significant correlation between plasma levels and changes in factor 5 was found. A gas-chromatographic method for penfluridol is also described.", "PMID": 795779} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10584", "title": "High dosage neuroleptic therapy. A review.", "content": "Neuroleptic agents by providing symptoms remission allow community physicians to treat the schizophrenic patient in all phases of the illness. The questions of the safety and efficacy of high dose neuroleptic therapy in subjects resistant to standard dose or requiring rapid symptom remission are frequently debated. Definitive research is, however, lacking. The author concludes, after reviewing available literature, that high dose treatment is indicated for some patients. In general, the incidence of adverse effects are dose related. The decision to administer high dose medication should weigh the added risk against the potential merit of treatment.", "contents": "High dosage neuroleptic therapy. A review. Neuroleptic agents by providing symptoms remission allow community physicians to treat the schizophrenic patient in all phases of the illness. The questions of the safety and efficacy of high dose neuroleptic therapy in subjects resistant to standard dose or requiring rapid symptom remission are frequently debated. Definitive research is, however, lacking. The author concludes, after reviewing available literature, that high dose treatment is indicated for some patients. In general, the incidence of adverse effects are dose related. The decision to administer high dose medication should weigh the added risk against the potential merit of treatment.", "PMID": 795780} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10585", "title": "Homologous dura mater used to close thoracic wall and diaphragmatic defects.", "content": "We have reported the successful use of homologous dura mater preserved in glycerin at room temperature to repair large defects of the thoracic wall or diaphragm in five patients. The surgical technic involved the use of autologous bone grafts in order to stabilize the thoracic cage in one case, but in the other four the dural blade was sufficient. The postoperative course was uneventful regarding the structure and function of the dural implant in each case.", "contents": "Homologous dura mater used to close thoracic wall and diaphragmatic defects. We have reported the successful use of homologous dura mater preserved in glycerin at room temperature to repair large defects of the thoracic wall or diaphragm in five patients. The surgical technic involved the use of autologous bone grafts in order to stabilize the thoracic cage in one case, but in the other four the dural blade was sufficient. The postoperative course was uneventful regarding the structure and function of the dural implant in each case.", "PMID": 795778} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10586", "title": "Mental health intervention with children and adolescents with end-stage renal disease.", "content": "The increasing number of pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease who undergo dialysis and transplantation have necessitated the development of psychological interventions to lessen the emotional impact of these procedures. This report describes the dilemmas involved in mental health interventions and consultation in a treatment program for end-stage renal disease. Case illustrations of a young child's severe anxiety reaction to dialysis, an adolescent's depression, and a family's withdarwal document the varied patterns of adaptation to treatment for renal failure. Psychotherapeutic approaches are presented to illustrate the flexible use of a number of treatment modalities including brief crisis-oriented intervention which emphasized the patient's cognitive mastery of procedures. The development of viable mechanisms of professional collaboration improves the quality of patient adaptation by lessening the fragmentation of care and problems of interdisciplinary communication often associated with the medical care of children and adolescents with end-stage renal failure.", "contents": "Mental health intervention with children and adolescents with end-stage renal disease. The increasing number of pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease who undergo dialysis and transplantation have necessitated the development of psychological interventions to lessen the emotional impact of these procedures. This report describes the dilemmas involved in mental health interventions and consultation in a treatment program for end-stage renal disease. Case illustrations of a young child's severe anxiety reaction to dialysis, an adolescent's depression, and a family's withdarwal document the varied patterns of adaptation to treatment for renal failure. Psychotherapeutic approaches are presented to illustrate the flexible use of a number of treatment modalities including brief crisis-oriented intervention which emphasized the patient's cognitive mastery of procedures. The development of viable mechanisms of professional collaboration improves the quality of patient adaptation by lessening the fragmentation of care and problems of interdisciplinary communication often associated with the medical care of children and adolescents with end-stage renal failure.", "PMID": 795773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10587", "title": "[Internal treatment of psoriasis--a review].", "content": "Psoriasis has been treated systemically through most of this century, originally with arsenics, which have been given up due to their carcinogenic effect. Later glucocorticoids were used, but were then abandoned on account of their high frequency of side effects and the appearance of the rebound phenomenon. Cytostatic drugs have been employed for nearly 25 years. Methotrexate is the most common preparation. Methotrexate requires a normal liver-, kidney- and bone marrow function. Pregnancy is an absolute contraindication. Photochemotherapy with oral methoxalen and long wave ultraviolet light is a new treatment which seems promising. This regime, however, is still at a stage of clinical trial.", "contents": "[Internal treatment of psoriasis--a review]. Psoriasis has been treated systemically through most of this century, originally with arsenics, which have been given up due to their carcinogenic effect. Later glucocorticoids were used, but were then abandoned on account of their high frequency of side effects and the appearance of the rebound phenomenon. Cytostatic drugs have been employed for nearly 25 years. Methotrexate is the most common preparation. Methotrexate requires a normal liver-, kidney- and bone marrow function. Pregnancy is an absolute contraindication. Photochemotherapy with oral methoxalen and long wave ultraviolet light is a new treatment which seems promising. This regime, however, is still at a stage of clinical trial.", "PMID": 795794} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10588", "title": "Problems with beaded fluorescence pattern in FTA-ABS test.", "content": "The significance of false-positive FTA-ABS fluorescence in connective tissue diseases and other clinical conditions was evaluated by studying the serum from several groups of patients. In 12% of 67 patients without syphilis, serum with an antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer of 1:32 or greater gave low intensity FTA-ABS test fluorescence. In 20% of 150, patients (2.7% with a history of syphilis), serum with rheumatoid factor (RF) titers of 1:640 or greater demonstrated some reactivity. Only 1.3% of 75 donors of normal blood showed low-grade FTA-ABS fluorescence. In 385 patients with diagnostic problems, 2.1% of the serum demonstrated the beaded pattern. Patterns varied, depending on the treponemal antigen preparation and the duration of serum storage. Also, multiple specimens from the same patient produced different patterns. Furthermore, the beaded pattern could be demonstrated in patients with a history of syphilis, with other medical disorders, and in apparently normal persons.", "contents": "Problems with beaded fluorescence pattern in FTA-ABS test. The significance of false-positive FTA-ABS fluorescence in connective tissue diseases and other clinical conditions was evaluated by studying the serum from several groups of patients. In 12% of 67 patients without syphilis, serum with an antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer of 1:32 or greater gave low intensity FTA-ABS test fluorescence. In 20% of 150, patients (2.7% with a history of syphilis), serum with rheumatoid factor (RF) titers of 1:640 or greater demonstrated some reactivity. Only 1.3% of 75 donors of normal blood showed low-grade FTA-ABS fluorescence. In 385 patients with diagnostic problems, 2.1% of the serum demonstrated the beaded pattern. Patterns varied, depending on the treponemal antigen preparation and the duration of serum storage. Also, multiple specimens from the same patient produced different patterns. Furthermore, the beaded pattern could be demonstrated in patients with a history of syphilis, with other medical disorders, and in apparently normal persons.", "PMID": 795797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10589", "title": "The microhemagglutination assay for Treponema pallidum antibodies (MHA-TP), a new treponemal test for syphilis: where does it fit?", "content": "The status of a new treponemal test, the Microhemagglutination Assay for Treponema pallidum Antibodies (MHA-TP) is reviewed and compared with regard to its sensitivity, specificity, and current clinical application to the VDRL slide test, the most widely used non-treponemal test, and to the manual FTA-ABS test, the standard treponemal test. At present, the MHA-TP test seems to combine the simplicity and lower cost of nontreponemal tests and the sensitivity and specificity of treponemal tests, and thus enjoys features of both a screening and verification procedure. However, additional clinical experience with the test is needed before its role in the serologic diagnosis of syphilis can be conclusively determined.", "contents": "The microhemagglutination assay for Treponema pallidum antibodies (MHA-TP), a new treponemal test for syphilis: where does it fit? The status of a new treponemal test, the Microhemagglutination Assay for Treponema pallidum Antibodies (MHA-TP) is reviewed and compared with regard to its sensitivity, specificity, and current clinical application to the VDRL slide test, the most widely used non-treponemal test, and to the manual FTA-ABS test, the standard treponemal test. At present, the MHA-TP test seems to combine the simplicity and lower cost of nontreponemal tests and the sensitivity and specificity of treponemal tests, and thus enjoys features of both a screening and verification procedure. However, additional clinical experience with the test is needed before its role in the serologic diagnosis of syphilis can be conclusively determined.", "PMID": 795798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10590", "title": "Biopharmacology of syphilotherapy.", "content": "Data collected from experimental rabbit syphilis and from in vitro studies with nonpathogenic treponemes can be extended only with great caution to human syphilis. The following tentative conclusions may be drawn: penicillin acts on Treponema pallidum by interfering with cell wall synthesis. Concentrations of penicillin greater than 0.1 mug/ml do not have increased treponemicidal effect. Regimens producing penicillinemia for at least 8 days are considerably more efficient than treatment yielding high peak serum levels of brief duration. Treponemal residence in antibiotic-protected sites increases the need for long duration therapy. Other antibiotics are less effective than penicillin, and patterns of antibiotic interaction against treponemes do not match those seen with other bacteria.", "contents": "Biopharmacology of syphilotherapy. Data collected from experimental rabbit syphilis and from in vitro studies with nonpathogenic treponemes can be extended only with great caution to human syphilis. The following tentative conclusions may be drawn: penicillin acts on Treponema pallidum by interfering with cell wall synthesis. Concentrations of penicillin greater than 0.1 mug/ml do not have increased treponemicidal effect. Regimens producing penicillinemia for at least 8 days are considerably more efficient than treatment yielding high peak serum levels of brief duration. Treponemal residence in antibiotic-protected sites increases the need for long duration therapy. Other antibiotics are less effective than penicillin, and patterns of antibiotic interaction against treponemes do not match those seen with other bacteria.", "PMID": 795799} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10591", "title": "The blood supply of the mammalian adrenal medulla: a comparative study.", "content": "Adrenal medullary arteries have been followed from their origins in the capsular or subcapsular plexus to the medullary plexus in the mouse, rat, hamster, cat, guinea-pig, rabbit and bovine. Adrenal medullary arteries have a zonal distribution to the medullary capillary plexus and the number of arteries present in species variable and proportional to the size of the medulla. Cortical veins drain through distinct venous channels between groups of chromaffin cells, and may run adjacent to either adrenaline-storing (A) or noradrenaline-storing (NA) cells. In the normal unstimulated gland both A and NA cells lie adjacent to capillaries of the medullary plexus which derive their blood supply from adrenal medullary arteries. In the normal unstimulated gland no evidence of selective supply of arterial or venous blood to either A or NA cells has been obtained.", "contents": "The blood supply of the mammalian adrenal medulla: a comparative study. Adrenal medullary arteries have been followed from their origins in the capsular or subcapsular plexus to the medullary plexus in the mouse, rat, hamster, cat, guinea-pig, rabbit and bovine. Adrenal medullary arteries have a zonal distribution to the medullary capillary plexus and the number of arteries present in species variable and proportional to the size of the medulla. Cortical veins drain through distinct venous channels between groups of chromaffin cells, and may run adjacent to either adrenaline-storing (A) or noradrenaline-storing (NA) cells. In the normal unstimulated gland both A and NA cells lie adjacent to capillaries of the medullary plexus which derive their blood supply from adrenal medullary arteries. In the normal unstimulated gland no evidence of selective supply of arterial or venous blood to either A or NA cells has been obtained.", "PMID": 795802} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10592", "title": "Light microscopic identification of immature glial cells in semithin sections of the developing mouse corpus callosum.", "content": "Four distinct types of glial cell were recognized in the corpus callosum of young postnatal mice: the early glioblast; the small glioblast; the large glioblast; and the young astrocyte. As well as these, mature microglia could be recognized from birth. In semithin, toluidine blue stained sections early glioblasts had large, fair to moderately stained nuclei, and a thin rim of pale cytoplasm; small glioblasts had small, dark nuclei and a rim of darkly stained cytoplasm; large glioblasts had moderately unevenly stained nuclei and a thin rim of moderately stained cytoplasm; and young astrocytes had fairly small nuclei, moderately stained cytoplasm, and one or more processes, which could usually be seen extending for 5 mum or more from the perikaryon. Differential glial counts using the criteria described above, in conjunction with electron microscopic analysis, suggested that early glioblasts gave rise to small glioblasts and large glioblasts; that small glioblasts gave rise directly to astrocytes, large glioblasts, oligodendrocytes and possibly microglia; that large glioblasts formed oligodendrocytes only, and might be immature light oligodendrocytes; and that part of the microglial population might arise from vascular pericytes.", "contents": "Light microscopic identification of immature glial cells in semithin sections of the developing mouse corpus callosum. Four distinct types of glial cell were recognized in the corpus callosum of young postnatal mice: the early glioblast; the small glioblast; the large glioblast; and the young astrocyte. As well as these, mature microglia could be recognized from birth. In semithin, toluidine blue stained sections early glioblasts had large, fair to moderately stained nuclei, and a thin rim of pale cytoplasm; small glioblasts had small, dark nuclei and a rim of darkly stained cytoplasm; large glioblasts had moderately unevenly stained nuclei and a thin rim of moderately stained cytoplasm; and young astrocytes had fairly small nuclei, moderately stained cytoplasm, and one or more processes, which could usually be seen extending for 5 mum or more from the perikaryon. Differential glial counts using the criteria described above, in conjunction with electron microscopic analysis, suggested that early glioblasts gave rise to small glioblasts and large glioblasts; that small glioblasts gave rise directly to astrocytes, large glioblasts, oligodendrocytes and possibly microglia; that large glioblasts formed oligodendrocytes only, and might be immature light oligodendrocytes; and that part of the microglial population might arise from vascular pericytes.", "PMID": 795801} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10593", "title": "Effect of the leucomycin-like macrolide antibiotic turimycin on ribosomal peptidyltransferase from Eschericha coli.", "content": "The relationship between the effect of different turimycin components on ribosomal peptidyltransferase of E. coli, antimicrobial activity and chemical structure were studied. Inhibition of peptidyltransferase as well as antimicrobial activity increased with the length of the aliphatic side chain in 4''-position of mycarose and decreased with acylation in 3-position of the lactone ring. Inhibition of peptidyltransferase is paralleled by inhibition of acceptor substrate binding.", "contents": "Effect of the leucomycin-like macrolide antibiotic turimycin on ribosomal peptidyltransferase from Eschericha coli. The relationship between the effect of different turimycin components on ribosomal peptidyltransferase of E. coli, antimicrobial activity and chemical structure were studied. Inhibition of peptidyltransferase as well as antimicrobial activity increased with the length of the aliphatic side chain in 4''-position of mycarose and decreased with acylation in 3-position of the lactone ring. Inhibition of peptidyltransferase is paralleled by inhibition of acceptor substrate binding.", "PMID": 795803} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10594", "title": "O-Acetylserine and O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase of yeast. Further purification and characterization as a pyridoxal enzyme.", "content": "O-Acetylserine-O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase [EC class 4.2.99], catalyzing the sulfhydrylation of both O-acetyl-L-serine (OAS) and O-acetyl-L-homoserine (OAH) (O-acetyl-L-serine(O-acetyl-L-homoserine) + H2S leads to L-cysteine (L-homocysteine) + acetate), was extracted and purified from bakers' yeast by an improved method. The purified enzyme was shown to be homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis both in the absence and presence of sodium dodecylsulfate and by ultracentrifugal analysis. The apo-enzyme was protected by pyridoxal phosphate (PALP) from inactivation by heat, urea, and trypsin [EC 3.4.21.4], suggesting that the binding of PALP to the apo-enzyme rendered the conformation of the protein more stable. The holo-enzyme showed absorption peaks at 420 and 330 nm due to bound PALP, in addition to a peak at 280 nm. Upon reduction with borohydride, the 420-nm peak disappeared and an increase in the 330-nm peak occurred concomitant with loss of the catalytic activity. Lysine appeared to be the pyridoxal binding site, based on identification of pyridoxyl-lysine in the hydrolyzate of the holo-enzyme. It was shown by both spectral and chemical determinations that 4 moles of PALP could bind to 200,000 g of apo-protein. The apo-enzyme showed a lower association constant with PALP than some other enzymes. Pyridoxal inhibited the activity competitively with respect to PALP. Based on these findings, it appears that the reaction mechanism of this enzyme is similar to those of other pyridoxal enzymes.", "contents": "O-Acetylserine and O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase of yeast. Further purification and characterization as a pyridoxal enzyme. O-Acetylserine-O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase [EC class 4.2.99], catalyzing the sulfhydrylation of both O-acetyl-L-serine (OAS) and O-acetyl-L-homoserine (OAH) (O-acetyl-L-serine(O-acetyl-L-homoserine) + H2S leads to L-cysteine (L-homocysteine) + acetate), was extracted and purified from bakers' yeast by an improved method. The purified enzyme was shown to be homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis both in the absence and presence of sodium dodecylsulfate and by ultracentrifugal analysis. The apo-enzyme was protected by pyridoxal phosphate (PALP) from inactivation by heat, urea, and trypsin [EC 3.4.21.4], suggesting that the binding of PALP to the apo-enzyme rendered the conformation of the protein more stable. The holo-enzyme showed absorption peaks at 420 and 330 nm due to bound PALP, in addition to a peak at 280 nm. Upon reduction with borohydride, the 420-nm peak disappeared and an increase in the 330-nm peak occurred concomitant with loss of the catalytic activity. Lysine appeared to be the pyridoxal binding site, based on identification of pyridoxyl-lysine in the hydrolyzate of the holo-enzyme. It was shown by both spectral and chemical determinations that 4 moles of PALP could bind to 200,000 g of apo-protein. The apo-enzyme showed a lower association constant with PALP than some other enzymes. Pyridoxal inhibited the activity competitively with respect to PALP. Based on these findings, it appears that the reaction mechanism of this enzyme is similar to those of other pyridoxal enzymes.", "PMID": 795806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10595", "title": "O-Acetylserine and O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase of yeast. Subunit structure.", "content": "The molecular weight of O-acetylserine (OAS)-O-acetylhomoserine (OAH) sulfhydrylase purified from yeast was estimated to be about 200,000 by Sephadex G-200 gel chromatography in various buffers. The S20, w value of this protein was determined to be about 9.0 by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The calculated molecular weight based on this value was similar to that estimated by gel chromatography. Treatment with 1% sodium dodesylsulfate (SDS) or 6 M urea dissociated the enzyme into 4 subunits; these had a molecular weight estimated to be 51,000 by SDS-poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis and to be 57,000 by Sephadex G-100 gel chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea and 0.5% beta-mercaptoethanol. The 4 subunits appeared to be identical, based on the symmetric subunit elution pattern from a Sephadex column, a single peptide band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel, and the detection of histidine as the sole N-terminal amino acid in the native enzyme. Since dissociation into the subunits occurred without the use of reducing agents, the association of the subunits seems to require no disulfide linkage. One mole of the subunit contained one mole of sulfhydryl group which appeared to be buried inside the molecule. Partial restoration of the catalytic activity was observed when the urea-denatured enzyme was dialyzed to remove urea, especially in the presence of reducing agents such as dithiothreitol. The urea-denatured enzyme showed a tendency in the absence of reducing agents to form a subunit dimer linked by a disulfide bond between the cystine residues exposed by denaturation. The amino acid composition of the enzyme was determined; it contained one half-cystine residue per subunit, and the content of acidic residues was much higher than that of basic residues. Based on these findings, the subunit structure of the enzyme is discussed.", "contents": "O-Acetylserine and O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase of yeast. Subunit structure. The molecular weight of O-acetylserine (OAS)-O-acetylhomoserine (OAH) sulfhydrylase purified from yeast was estimated to be about 200,000 by Sephadex G-200 gel chromatography in various buffers. The S20, w value of this protein was determined to be about 9.0 by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The calculated molecular weight based on this value was similar to that estimated by gel chromatography. Treatment with 1% sodium dodesylsulfate (SDS) or 6 M urea dissociated the enzyme into 4 subunits; these had a molecular weight estimated to be 51,000 by SDS-poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis and to be 57,000 by Sephadex G-100 gel chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea and 0.5% beta-mercaptoethanol. The 4 subunits appeared to be identical, based on the symmetric subunit elution pattern from a Sephadex column, a single peptide band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel, and the detection of histidine as the sole N-terminal amino acid in the native enzyme. Since dissociation into the subunits occurred without the use of reducing agents, the association of the subunits seems to require no disulfide linkage. One mole of the subunit contained one mole of sulfhydryl group which appeared to be buried inside the molecule. Partial restoration of the catalytic activity was observed when the urea-denatured enzyme was dialyzed to remove urea, especially in the presence of reducing agents such as dithiothreitol. The urea-denatured enzyme showed a tendency in the absence of reducing agents to form a subunit dimer linked by a disulfide bond between the cystine residues exposed by denaturation. The amino acid composition of the enzyme was determined; it contained one half-cystine residue per subunit, and the content of acidic residues was much higher than that of basic residues. Based on these findings, the subunit structure of the enzyme is discussed.", "PMID": 795807} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10596", "title": "Escherichia coli membrane D-lactate dehydrogenase. Isolation of the enzyme in aggregated from and its activation by Triton X-100 and phospholipids.", "content": "D-Lactate dehydrogenase was obtained in an aggregated form consisting of 2 to 3 molecules of the monomer enzyme after removal of most Triton X-100 from the preparation as described previously (1). The aggregate dissociated reversibly to the monomeric form after addition of 0.06% or 1.0% Triton X-100. Formation of these aggregates was confirmed by the finding that the enzyme activity was only partially sensitive to specific antibody. The specific activity of the aggregated enzyme was one-third that of the enzyme with Triton X-100 and it increased approximately 5-fold on addition of phospholipids or cardiolipin of Escherichia coli and lecithin from egg yolk. Both the monomer and micelle forms of Triton X-100 caused activation of the enzyme. The activity of the aggregates after preincubation with Triton X-100 or phospholipids was completely inhibited by specific antibody. The difference in the properties of the aggregated enzyme after preincubation with Triton X-100 and with phospholipids suggested that its interaction with phospholipids was stronger than with Triton X-100. Kinetic studies also suggested a difference between the interactions of the enzyme with phospholipids and with Triton X-100. Aggregated enzyme had an apparent Km value for D-lactate similar to that of membrane-bound enzyme after preincubation with phospholipids.", "contents": "Escherichia coli membrane D-lactate dehydrogenase. Isolation of the enzyme in aggregated from and its activation by Triton X-100 and phospholipids. D-Lactate dehydrogenase was obtained in an aggregated form consisting of 2 to 3 molecules of the monomer enzyme after removal of most Triton X-100 from the preparation as described previously (1). The aggregate dissociated reversibly to the monomeric form after addition of 0.06% or 1.0% Triton X-100. Formation of these aggregates was confirmed by the finding that the enzyme activity was only partially sensitive to specific antibody. The specific activity of the aggregated enzyme was one-third that of the enzyme with Triton X-100 and it increased approximately 5-fold on addition of phospholipids or cardiolipin of Escherichia coli and lecithin from egg yolk. Both the monomer and micelle forms of Triton X-100 caused activation of the enzyme. The activity of the aggregates after preincubation with Triton X-100 or phospholipids was completely inhibited by specific antibody. The difference in the properties of the aggregated enzyme after preincubation with Triton X-100 and with phospholipids suggested that its interaction with phospholipids was stronger than with Triton X-100. Kinetic studies also suggested a difference between the interactions of the enzyme with phospholipids and with Triton X-100. Aggregated enzyme had an apparent Km value for D-lactate similar to that of membrane-bound enzyme after preincubation with phospholipids.", "PMID": 795808} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10597", "title": "Enzyme-linked sandwich immunoassay of ornithine delta-aminotransferase from rat liver using antibody-coupled glass rods as solid phase.", "content": "A macromolecular antigen, ornithine delta-aminotransferase [EC 2.6.1.13] from rat liver (OAT) was assayed by the sandwich procedure using rabbit (anti-OAT) Fab'-beta-D-galactosidase complex and rabbit (anti-OAT) IgG-coupled glass rods as a solid phase. The Fab' fragments of the rabbit (anti-OAT) IgG were conjugated with beta-D-galactosidase [EC 3.2.1.23] from Escherichia coli using N, N'-o-phenylenedimaleimide. The rabbit (anti-OAT) IgG was coupled to the aminoalkylsilyl glass rods using glutaraldehyde. The rabbit (anti-OAT) IgG-coupled glass rods were incubated with OAT and then with the rabbit (anti-OAT) Fab'-beta-D-galactosidase complex. The amount of OAT was determined from the activity of beta-D-galactosidase bound to the glass rods. A minimum of 0.03 fmoles of OAT could be determined by this method and use of the glass rods gave greater reproducibility, and was more sensitive and simpler than use of Sepharose 4B.", "contents": "Enzyme-linked sandwich immunoassay of ornithine delta-aminotransferase from rat liver using antibody-coupled glass rods as solid phase. A macromolecular antigen, ornithine delta-aminotransferase [EC 2.6.1.13] from rat liver (OAT) was assayed by the sandwich procedure using rabbit (anti-OAT) Fab'-beta-D-galactosidase complex and rabbit (anti-OAT) IgG-coupled glass rods as a solid phase. The Fab' fragments of the rabbit (anti-OAT) IgG were conjugated with beta-D-galactosidase [EC 3.2.1.23] from Escherichia coli using N, N'-o-phenylenedimaleimide. The rabbit (anti-OAT) IgG was coupled to the aminoalkylsilyl glass rods using glutaraldehyde. The rabbit (anti-OAT) IgG-coupled glass rods were incubated with OAT and then with the rabbit (anti-OAT) Fab'-beta-D-galactosidase complex. The amount of OAT was determined from the activity of beta-D-galactosidase bound to the glass rods. A minimum of 0.03 fmoles of OAT could be determined by this method and use of the glass rods gave greater reproducibility, and was more sensitive and simpler than use of Sepharose 4B.", "PMID": 795809} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10598", "title": "Cell envelope proteins involved in the transport of maltose and sn-glycerol-3-phosphate in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Two types of proteins are discussed in their role of facilitating the transport of maltose and sn-glycerol-3-phosphate in E. coli. The first protein is the receptor for phage lambda, known to be an outer membrane protein. By facilitating the diffusion of maltose and the higher maltodextrins through the outer membrane the effect of the lambda receptor is to decrease the Km of the transport system without influencing the Vmax of substrate flux. The second protein is a periplasmic protein that is induced by growth on glycerol and is essential for transport of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate in whole cells but not in membrane vesicles. This protein has solely been identified by the use of a two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of periplasmic proteins in wild-type and mutants defective in sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport.", "contents": "Cell envelope proteins involved in the transport of maltose and sn-glycerol-3-phosphate in Escherichia coli. Two types of proteins are discussed in their role of facilitating the transport of maltose and sn-glycerol-3-phosphate in E. coli. The first protein is the receptor for phage lambda, known to be an outer membrane protein. By facilitating the diffusion of maltose and the higher maltodextrins through the outer membrane the effect of the lambda receptor is to decrease the Km of the transport system without influencing the Vmax of substrate flux. The second protein is a periplasmic protein that is induced by growth on glycerol and is essential for transport of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate in whole cells but not in membrane vesicles. This protein has solely been identified by the use of a two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of periplasmic proteins in wild-type and mutants defective in sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport.", "PMID": 795812} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10599", "title": "Carbohydrate uptake by Escherichia coli.", "content": "In contrast to active transport, the uptake of carbohydrates via the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) leads to the appearance in the cell of the sugar initially as a 1- or 6-phosphate ester. The components of the PTS that transfer phosphate to the sugar are not absolutely specific for any one sugar. Both their synthesis and their activity are controlled; in the latter, \"fine\" control, glucose-6-phosphate appears to play an important role. Studies of growth on, and uptake of, galactose by E.coli mutants devoid of components of the PTS and also devoid of active transport systems for galactose, suggest that proteins effecting facilitated diffusion of hexoses may be part of, or be closely associated with, the sugar-specific components of the PTS.", "contents": "Carbohydrate uptake by Escherichia coli. In contrast to active transport, the uptake of carbohydrates via the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) leads to the appearance in the cell of the sugar initially as a 1- or 6-phosphate ester. The components of the PTS that transfer phosphate to the sugar are not absolutely specific for any one sugar. Both their synthesis and their activity are controlled; in the latter, \"fine\" control, glucose-6-phosphate appears to play an important role. Studies of growth on, and uptake of, galactose by E.coli mutants devoid of components of the PTS and also devoid of active transport systems for galactose, suggest that proteins effecting facilitated diffusion of hexoses may be part of, or be closely associated with, the sugar-specific components of the PTS.", "PMID": 795813} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10600", "title": "Grouping of beta-haemolytic streptococci with group-specific antibodies absorbed to staphylococcal protein A.", "content": "A total of 245 isolates of beta-haemolytic streptococci was grouped by the counter current immunoelectrophoresis method and by co-agglutination with antibody-coated staphylococci. Co-agglutination was found to be simple and accurate, and many commercially available grouping sera were suitable for use in this test, though some of them had to be absorbed to remove cross-reactions.", "contents": "Grouping of beta-haemolytic streptococci with group-specific antibodies absorbed to staphylococcal protein A. A total of 245 isolates of beta-haemolytic streptococci was grouped by the counter current immunoelectrophoresis method and by co-agglutination with antibody-coated staphylococci. Co-agglutination was found to be simple and accurate, and many commercially available grouping sera were suitable for use in this test, though some of them had to be absorbed to remove cross-reactions.", "PMID": 795816} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10601", "title": "Solid phase antibody assay by means of enzyme conjugated to anti-immunoglobulin.", "content": "A solid phase antibody assay by means of alkaline phosphatase conjugated to antiimmunoglobulin is described. Specially designed microcuvettes were sensitized with influenza A antigen, and antibodies bound to it were assayed by anti-IgG alkaline phosphatase conjugate in a semiautomated photometer equipped with a programmable calculator. The sensitivity was found to be 200 times higher than HI- or CF-techniques, and the interassay variation was so small that twofold changes in antobody activity could be regarded as significant. Results from vaccinees indicated that serum samples could be collected at intervals of three to six days only to reach a serological diagnosis in clinical patients.", "contents": "Solid phase antibody assay by means of enzyme conjugated to anti-immunoglobulin. A solid phase antibody assay by means of alkaline phosphatase conjugated to antiimmunoglobulin is described. Specially designed microcuvettes were sensitized with influenza A antigen, and antibodies bound to it were assayed by anti-IgG alkaline phosphatase conjugate in a semiautomated photometer equipped with a programmable calculator. The sensitivity was found to be 200 times higher than HI- or CF-techniques, and the interassay variation was so small that twofold changes in antobody activity could be regarded as significant. Results from vaccinees indicated that serum samples could be collected at intervals of three to six days only to reach a serological diagnosis in clinical patients.", "PMID": 795817} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10602", "title": "Movement of infection between milk tubes, teat cups, and teats with a jacketed airflow cushion in a single chamber teat cup.", "content": "Transfer of bacteria between teat cups, between teats of the same cow, and between teats of different cows was investigated by tracer bacteria applied to teat skin and by injection of tracer bacteria or colored fluids into the short milk tube. In spite of the unidirectional flow of milk and air with the single chamber teat cup, no advantage over a conventional system in transfer of tracer bacteria from cup to cup, teat to teat, and cow to cow showed.", "contents": "Movement of infection between milk tubes, teat cups, and teats with a jacketed airflow cushion in a single chamber teat cup. Transfer of bacteria between teat cups, between teats of the same cow, and between teats of different cows was investigated by tracer bacteria applied to teat skin and by injection of tracer bacteria or colored fluids into the short milk tube. In spite of the unidirectional flow of milk and air with the single chamber teat cup, no advantage over a conventional system in transfer of tracer bacteria from cup to cup, teat to teat, and cow to cow showed.", "PMID": 795818} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10603", "title": "Coliform contaminated bedding and new infections.", "content": "Ten Holstein cows were bedded on fresh, uncured sawdust seeded with coliform broth culture. Escherichia coli concentrations were maintained at 10(6) colony-forming units/g for the 4-wk experimental period. Ten control cows were bedded with dry shavings. The elevated bacterial contamination caused an increase in contamination of teat ends; however, no new coliform infections occurred.", "contents": "Coliform contaminated bedding and new infections. Ten Holstein cows were bedded on fresh, uncured sawdust seeded with coliform broth culture. Escherichia coli concentrations were maintained at 10(6) colony-forming units/g for the 4-wk experimental period. Ten control cows were bedded with dry shavings. The elevated bacterial contamination caused an increase in contamination of teat ends; however, no new coliform infections occurred.", "PMID": 795819} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10604", "title": "Identification and study of species specificity of antiphage lipopolysaccharides found in the preparations of bacterial DNA.", "content": "A method of isolation of the antiphage agent found in the preparations of bacterial DNA was developed. Chemical analysis of the preparations has shown that according to their qualitative and quantitative composition they are identical to the lipopolysaccharide of the bacterial membrane. On the basis of data on the antiphage activity of the D-LPS from E. coli B and E. coli K12 and on the basis of presumed analogy between the inactivation of the phage by the D-LPS preparations and the phage -- cell interaction it is believed that different parts of the LPS serve as receptors for the phages T7 and T4: O-specific polysaccharide for T4 and core LPS for T7. On the basis of data on the activity of D-LPS of two species of the genus Aerobacter against the phage T7 it is presumed that Aerobacer and Escherichia are related according to the structure of their core LPS.", "contents": "Identification and study of species specificity of antiphage lipopolysaccharides found in the preparations of bacterial DNA. A method of isolation of the antiphage agent found in the preparations of bacterial DNA was developed. Chemical analysis of the preparations has shown that according to their qualitative and quantitative composition they are identical to the lipopolysaccharide of the bacterial membrane. On the basis of data on the antiphage activity of the D-LPS from E. coli B and E. coli K12 and on the basis of presumed analogy between the inactivation of the phage by the D-LPS preparations and the phage -- cell interaction it is believed that different parts of the LPS serve as receptors for the phages T7 and T4: O-specific polysaccharide for T4 and core LPS for T7. On the basis of data on the activity of D-LPS of two species of the genus Aerobacter against the phage T7 it is presumed that Aerobacer and Escherichia are related according to the structure of their core LPS.", "PMID": 796382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10605", "title": "The agglutinating and immunofluorescent activities of antileptospiral antibodies of human sera and of immunoglobulins M and G.", "content": "Microagglutinating and immunofluorescent activities of sera of nine patients with clinically diagnosed leptospirosis were investigated. L. grippotyphosa was found in seven patients, L. sejroe in one and L. icterohaemorrhagiae in one patient. The agglutinating activities of IgM approximated the activities of the whole sera. In five patients the agglutinating activities were found in IgG; in four of them two to three months after the onset of the disease, in one patients a month after its onset. In one patient only the activity of IgG reached the activity of IgM after six months. Immunofluorescent activity was found in IgG in eight patients two to five weeks after the onset of the disease. In seven of these patients the activity of IgG reached or exceeded the activity of IgM three to ten weeks after the onset of the disease. IFAT was found to be poorly specific because of high heterologous titres. In 5 out of 7 patients with L. grippotyphosa, heterologous IFAT titres were reduced or eliminated by carrying out the reaction with isolated IgM and IgG. However, in patients with L. icterohaemorrhagiae and with L. sejroe heterologous IFAT activity persisted in both IgM and IgG. The study points out the possibility of differentiating an early stage of the infection from convalescence.", "contents": "The agglutinating and immunofluorescent activities of antileptospiral antibodies of human sera and of immunoglobulins M and G. Microagglutinating and immunofluorescent activities of sera of nine patients with clinically diagnosed leptospirosis were investigated. L. grippotyphosa was found in seven patients, L. sejroe in one and L. icterohaemorrhagiae in one patient. The agglutinating activities of IgM approximated the activities of the whole sera. In five patients the agglutinating activities were found in IgG; in four of them two to three months after the onset of the disease, in one patients a month after its onset. In one patient only the activity of IgG reached the activity of IgM after six months. Immunofluorescent activity was found in IgG in eight patients two to five weeks after the onset of the disease. In seven of these patients the activity of IgG reached or exceeded the activity of IgM three to ten weeks after the onset of the disease. IFAT was found to be poorly specific because of high heterologous titres. In 5 out of 7 patients with L. grippotyphosa, heterologous IFAT titres were reduced or eliminated by carrying out the reaction with isolated IgM and IgG. However, in patients with L. icterohaemorrhagiae and with L. sejroe heterologous IFAT activity persisted in both IgM and IgG. The study points out the possibility of differentiating an early stage of the infection from convalescence.", "PMID": 796383} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10606", "title": "A chromium release assay for phagocytic killing of Candida albicans.", "content": "Intracellular killing of Candida albicans was measured by a chromium release technique. Appropriate conditons were equal numbers of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) and 51Chromium labelled C. albicans (10 6/ml), fresh plasma at a final concentration of 2.5%, incubated at 37degreesC for 60 min. Using normal PMNs, 35-71% of releasable chromium was liberated into the supernatant under these conditions. This assay is easy to perform, requires a small amount of blood and offers and objective measurement of intracellular killing of C. albicans.", "contents": "A chromium release assay for phagocytic killing of Candida albicans. Intracellular killing of Candida albicans was measured by a chromium release technique. Appropriate conditons were equal numbers of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) and 51Chromium labelled C. albicans (10 6/ml), fresh plasma at a final concentration of 2.5%, incubated at 37degreesC for 60 min. Using normal PMNs, 35-71% of releasable chromium was liberated into the supernatant under these conditions. This assay is easy to perform, requires a small amount of blood and offers and objective measurement of intracellular killing of C. albicans.", "PMID": 796386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10607", "title": "Modified E-rosette test for detection of total and active rosette-forming lymphocytes.", "content": "The human peripheral blood T-lymphocyte population can be demonstrated with an economy of time by using brometlin-treated sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Similarity, the lower affinity, active T-cell population can be determined using intreated SRBC. Both tests are done without serum, or prolonged incubation of the cell mixture, using the same procedural steps reflecting changes as readily as longer test methods.", "contents": "Modified E-rosette test for detection of total and active rosette-forming lymphocytes. The human peripheral blood T-lymphocyte population can be demonstrated with an economy of time by using brometlin-treated sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Similarity, the lower affinity, active T-cell population can be determined using intreated SRBC. Both tests are done without serum, or prolonged incubation of the cell mixture, using the same procedural steps reflecting changes as readily as longer test methods.", "PMID": 796384} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10608", "title": "Passive hemolysis inhibition test for quantitation of serologically active polysaccharides and oligosaccharides in micro amounts.", "content": "An improved quantitative micromethod is described for the assay of antigenically active bacterial lipopolysaccharides and their immunodeterminant oligosaccharides. The method which is capable of measuring antigens in nanogram quantities yields the same sensitivity as the microcomplement fixation without the limitations of this method. The use of the method was demonstrated on Shigella sonnei phase 1 and phase ii lipopolysaccharide antigens and immunodeterminants.", "contents": "Passive hemolysis inhibition test for quantitation of serologically active polysaccharides and oligosaccharides in micro amounts. An improved quantitative micromethod is described for the assay of antigenically active bacterial lipopolysaccharides and their immunodeterminant oligosaccharides. The method which is capable of measuring antigens in nanogram quantities yields the same sensitivity as the microcomplement fixation without the limitations of this method. The use of the method was demonstrated on Shigella sonnei phase 1 and phase ii lipopolysaccharide antigens and immunodeterminants.", "PMID": 796388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10609", "title": "Immunohistochemical identification of T- and B-lymphocytes delineated by the unlabeled antibody enzyme method. I. Anatomical distribution of theta-positive and Ig-positive cells in lymphoid organs of mice.", "content": "The unlabeled antibody enzyme method was used to delineate the anatomical distribution of lymphocytes positive with a MBtheta and a-MIg in tissue sections of thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches of mice. The known T- and B-cell areas were established. Moreover, individual B-cells are detected in T-cell regions, especially in the thymus medulla, and in the periarteriolar section of spleen white pulp. Similarly, individual T-cells occur in B-cell areas, namely in the marginal zone of spleen white pulp, in the medullar cores of lymph nodes, and in germinal centers.", "contents": "Immunohistochemical identification of T- and B-lymphocytes delineated by the unlabeled antibody enzyme method. I. Anatomical distribution of theta-positive and Ig-positive cells in lymphoid organs of mice. The unlabeled antibody enzyme method was used to delineate the anatomical distribution of lymphocytes positive with a MBtheta and a-MIg in tissue sections of thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches of mice. The known T- and B-cell areas were established. Moreover, individual B-cells are detected in T-cell regions, especially in the thymus medulla, and in the periarteriolar section of spleen white pulp. Similarly, individual T-cells occur in B-cell areas, namely in the marginal zone of spleen white pulp, in the medullar cores of lymph nodes, and in germinal centers.", "PMID": 796387} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10610", "title": "Partial purification of human leucocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF) by immunosorption of supernatant protein contaminants detected by crossed immunoelectrophorsis.", "content": "Concentrated supernatants from washed human lymphocytes incubated in serum-free medium were investigated by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Quantitatively, the most important macromolecules were serum proteins, in particular albumin and degraded products of albumin. No gross difference was detectable between supernatants from concanavalin A stimulated and unstimulated lymphocytes. The degraded proteins were considered to arise as a result of proteolytic enzymes present in both stimulated and unstimulated lymphocyte supernatants. These molecules exhibited almost the same electrophoretic mobility and molecular weight as native albumin, and might therefore be expected to be difficult to separate from some lymphokines by conventional biochemical techniques. Rabbit immunoglobulins to whole human serum proteins together with immunoglobulins against crude supernatants of mitogen stimulated lymphocytes were therefore bound covalently to an agarose matrix. This preparation efficiently removed all detectable proteins from concentrated supernatants of activated lymphocytes as determined by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Leucocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF) was recovered almost quantitatively, and a 40-fold purification of LIF was achieved. The technique is rapid, economical and well suited as an initial step for purification of large quantities of LIF.", "contents": "Partial purification of human leucocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF) by immunosorption of supernatant protein contaminants detected by crossed immunoelectrophorsis. Concentrated supernatants from washed human lymphocytes incubated in serum-free medium were investigated by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Quantitatively, the most important macromolecules were serum proteins, in particular albumin and degraded products of albumin. No gross difference was detectable between supernatants from concanavalin A stimulated and unstimulated lymphocytes. The degraded proteins were considered to arise as a result of proteolytic enzymes present in both stimulated and unstimulated lymphocyte supernatants. These molecules exhibited almost the same electrophoretic mobility and molecular weight as native albumin, and might therefore be expected to be difficult to separate from some lymphokines by conventional biochemical techniques. Rabbit immunoglobulins to whole human serum proteins together with immunoglobulins against crude supernatants of mitogen stimulated lymphocytes were therefore bound covalently to an agarose matrix. This preparation efficiently removed all detectable proteins from concentrated supernatants of activated lymphocytes as determined by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Leucocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF) was recovered almost quantitatively, and a 40-fold purification of LIF was achieved. The technique is rapid, economical and well suited as an initial step for purification of large quantities of LIF.", "PMID": 796389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10611", "title": "Conjugation of antibodies with fluorochromes: modifications to the standard methods.", "content": "A number of modification to the standard procedures for coupling of fluorochromes to antibodies are described. The suggested procedures result in economies of time, labour and materials, and allow the reliable production of high quality conjugates. The modifications include the use of staphylococcal protein A-Sepharose for (a) a simple one-step procedure for preparation of IgG from whole serum, (b) removal of undigested IgG after pepsin treatment, and (c) concentration of dilute solutions of IgG. Many other details of coupling procedures are discussed, and modifications suggested. Optimally coupled antibodies were separated by linear salt gradient elution from DEAESephadex, and the effects of fluorescein and tetramethyl rhodamine on the antibody isoelectric point studied.", "contents": "Conjugation of antibodies with fluorochromes: modifications to the standard methods. A number of modification to the standard procedures for coupling of fluorochromes to antibodies are described. The suggested procedures result in economies of time, labour and materials, and allow the reliable production of high quality conjugates. The modifications include the use of staphylococcal protein A-Sepharose for (a) a simple one-step procedure for preparation of IgG from whole serum, (b) removal of undigested IgG after pepsin treatment, and (c) concentration of dilute solutions of IgG. Many other details of coupling procedures are discussed, and modifications suggested. Optimally coupled antibodies were separated by linear salt gradient elution from DEAESephadex, and the effects of fluorescein and tetramethyl rhodamine on the antibody isoelectric point studied.", "PMID": 796385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10612", "title": "Quantitative studies of peroxidase labeled antibody. I. Indirect staining system analyzed by chessboard titraions.", "content": "The sensitivity and specificity of immunohistological staining procedures employing horseadish peroxidase labeled antibody were evaluated with the aid of chessboard titrations. Two indirect staining systems, detecting antinuclear antibody and pemphigus intercellular antibody, were examined with reference to indirect immunofluorescence. In both systems, chessboard titration results showed that plateau titers of serum antibodies appeared to be a function of label content. The plateau endpoints reflected the anti-immunoglobulin concentrations of conjgates. With a conjugate of molar enzyme to protein ratio (E/P) of 1.1, the sensitivity of indirect staining appeared to be equivalent to that of immunofluorescent staining performed with a conjugate with molar fluorescein to protein ratio of 4.8. Sensitivity decreased sharply with conjugates of low E/P rations. Three methods of assaying the peroxidase content of conjugates were evaluated for reproducibility and sensitivity in relation to staining properties.", "contents": "Quantitative studies of peroxidase labeled antibody. I. Indirect staining system analyzed by chessboard titraions. The sensitivity and specificity of immunohistological staining procedures employing horseadish peroxidase labeled antibody were evaluated with the aid of chessboard titrations. Two indirect staining systems, detecting antinuclear antibody and pemphigus intercellular antibody, were examined with reference to indirect immunofluorescence. In both systems, chessboard titration results showed that plateau titers of serum antibodies appeared to be a function of label content. The plateau endpoints reflected the anti-immunoglobulin concentrations of conjgates. With a conjugate of molar enzyme to protein ratio (E/P) of 1.1, the sensitivity of indirect staining appeared to be equivalent to that of immunofluorescent staining performed with a conjugate with molar fluorescein to protein ratio of 4.8. Sensitivity decreased sharply with conjugates of low E/P rations. Three methods of assaying the peroxidase content of conjugates were evaluated for reproducibility and sensitivity in relation to staining properties.", "PMID": 796390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10613", "title": "A rapid immunofluorescent procedure for the detection of specific IgG and IgM antibody in sera using Staphylococcus aureus and latex-IgG as absorbents.", "content": "Sera from adults with toxoplasmosis and individuals with anti nuclear antibodies were examined for the presenceof specific IgM and IgG antibodies and for the occurrence of anti-immunoglobulin (\"RF\") activity both before and after absorption with freeze-dried preparations of protein A-containing Staphylococcus aureus. Such absorption removed most of the IgG present in sera without interfering with the detection of IgM antibody by immunofluorescence, but was relatively ineffective in the removal of \"RF\". \"RF\" activity, demonstrable by slide agglutination, was removed by absorption with latex coated with IgG. In order to prevent the possibility of false positive IgM staining in immunofluorescence tests, it is concluded that sequential absorption with latex-IgG particles and protein A-positive staphylococci is essential. Such absorption is technically simple and can be performed on small volumes of serum.", "contents": "A rapid immunofluorescent procedure for the detection of specific IgG and IgM antibody in sera using Staphylococcus aureus and latex-IgG as absorbents. Sera from adults with toxoplasmosis and individuals with anti nuclear antibodies were examined for the presenceof specific IgM and IgG antibodies and for the occurrence of anti-immunoglobulin (\"RF\") activity both before and after absorption with freeze-dried preparations of protein A-containing Staphylococcus aureus. Such absorption removed most of the IgG present in sera without interfering with the detection of IgM antibody by immunofluorescence, but was relatively ineffective in the removal of \"RF\". \"RF\" activity, demonstrable by slide agglutination, was removed by absorption with latex coated with IgG. In order to prevent the possibility of false positive IgM staining in immunofluorescence tests, it is concluded that sequential absorption with latex-IgG particles and protein A-positive staphylococci is essential. Such absorption is technically simple and can be performed on small volumes of serum.", "PMID": 796391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10614", "title": "Chemotherapy--one of the causes of transient loss of HLA antigens and lymphocyte polyreactivity in patients with blood diseases and malignancies.", "content": "Modifications of HLA antigens (transient loss or polyreactivity) were found in thirty-two of fifty-five examined patients with blood diseases (leukaemia, reticulosis, reticulo- and lymphosarcoma, lymphogranuloma, erythroblastoma) and malignant tumours. In two cases of acute myelosis transient alteration of HLA-A 2 antigen in HLA-A 28 was demonstrated. The relationship of HLA antigenic modification to chemotherapy was established, both by analysis of individual cases and by statistical evaluation of serological results in patients with or without chemotherapy (0-01 greater than P greater than 0-001). Chemotherapy is thus one of the causes for the development of HLA antigen modifications in blood diseases and malignant tumours.", "contents": "Chemotherapy--one of the causes of transient loss of HLA antigens and lymphocyte polyreactivity in patients with blood diseases and malignancies. Modifications of HLA antigens (transient loss or polyreactivity) were found in thirty-two of fifty-five examined patients with blood diseases (leukaemia, reticulosis, reticulo- and lymphosarcoma, lymphogranuloma, erythroblastoma) and malignant tumours. In two cases of acute myelosis transient alteration of HLA-A 2 antigen in HLA-A 28 was demonstrated. The relationship of HLA antigenic modification to chemotherapy was established, both by analysis of individual cases and by statistical evaluation of serological results in patients with or without chemotherapy (0-01 greater than P greater than 0-001). Chemotherapy is thus one of the causes for the development of HLA antigen modifications in blood diseases and malignant tumours.", "PMID": 796392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10615", "title": "Effect of galactose and sugar substitutes on blood insulin levels in normal and obese individuals.", "content": "Eighteen male patients between the ages of 25 and 50 were given on a double blind randomized basis (A) 40 gms. galactose (B) 50 gms. arabinogalactan and 0.11 gm. sodium saccharin (C) 2 gm. methyl cellulose and 0.083 gm. sodium saccharin and (D) 4 gm. galactose, all in 200 ml water. Blood glucose, galactose and insulin levels were determined during a six hour period before and after ingestion. The three first mentioned solutions tasted equally sweet, the fourth was essentially tasteless. None of these feedings altered plasma insulin or glucose levels. It appears that in contrast to other conclusions reached by earlier investigators sweet taste is unable to induce insulin secretion through neurogenic pathways.", "contents": "Effect of galactose and sugar substitutes on blood insulin levels in normal and obese individuals. Eighteen male patients between the ages of 25 and 50 were given on a double blind randomized basis (A) 40 gms. galactose (B) 50 gms. arabinogalactan and 0.11 gm. sodium saccharin (C) 2 gm. methyl cellulose and 0.083 gm. sodium saccharin and (D) 4 gm. galactose, all in 200 ml water. Blood glucose, galactose and insulin levels were determined during a six hour period before and after ingestion. The three first mentioned solutions tasted equally sweet, the fourth was essentially tasteless. None of these feedings altered plasma insulin or glucose levels. It appears that in contrast to other conclusions reached by earlier investigators sweet taste is unable to induce insulin secretion through neurogenic pathways.", "PMID": 796401} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10616", "title": "Polarity and gradients in lepidopteran wing epidermis. I. Changes in graft polarity, form, and cell density accompanying transpositions and reorientations.", "content": "Lepidopteran wing epidermis has certain advantages for studying the spatial organization of cell populations: ease of accessibility and manipulation, large size, an essentially two-dimensional structure, and direct expression by the scale cells of their polarity. Grafting experiments reveal that polarity and density of graft cells as well as overall graft form are functions of a graft's source and its transplantation site; graft polarity is also determined by the orientation of the graft. The results are consistent with the existence of at least one morphogenetic gradient along the proximo-distal axis of the wing's upper epidermal layer. Various gradient models that might explain the experimental observations are considered.", "contents": "Polarity and gradients in lepidopteran wing epidermis. I. Changes in graft polarity, form, and cell density accompanying transpositions and reorientations. Lepidopteran wing epidermis has certain advantages for studying the spatial organization of cell populations: ease of accessibility and manipulation, large size, an essentially two-dimensional structure, and direct expression by the scale cells of their polarity. Grafting experiments reveal that polarity and density of graft cells as well as overall graft form are functions of a graft's source and its transplantation site; graft polarity is also determined by the orientation of the graft. The results are consistent with the existence of at least one morphogenetic gradient along the proximo-distal axis of the wing's upper epidermal layer. Various gradient models that might explain the experimental observations are considered.", "PMID": 796404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10617", "title": "Polarity and gradients in lepidopteran wing epidermis. II. The differential adhesiveness model: gradient of a non-diffusible cell surface parameter.", "content": "For explaining the Manduca wing gradient (Nardi & Kafatos, 1976) a model which postulates a proximo-distal gradient in cellular adhesiveness is considered. The model is based on Steinberg's (1963) differential adhesiveness hypothesis. Rosette formation in certain transposed and/or reoriented grafts can be adequately explained by this model. Several predictions, formulated by using the concept of surface free energy as a thermodynamic measure of adhesiveness, have been tested and proven correct. (1) Transposed grafts tend to assume circular forms, which are configurations of minimum free energy. (2) Because of the pressure difference expected across the interface of two cell populations with different surface free energies, cell densities increase in both distally and proximally transposed grafts. As a corollary to this rule, final size of a graft is a function of its distance from the original position. (3) Histological sections of host-graft boundaries suggest minimal cell contact at the interface. In proximal grafts placed in distal regions, cell density is far lower near the host-graft interface, as compared to the high interior density; the peripheries of distal grafts do not show this effect. (4) Juxtaposition of three different wing regions in all possible arrangements yields the expected two-dimensional configurations. (5) Differences in adhesiveness can be demonstrated by allowing two different wing grafts to interact in an essentially neutral environment (i.e. at a leg or antenna site). as the distance between two given graft regions increases, the extent of their final contact decreases. When applied to other insect systems, the model not only offers an alternative interpretation for results currently explained by diffusible substance models, but also accounts for certain features that were unexplained by other models.", "contents": "Polarity and gradients in lepidopteran wing epidermis. II. The differential adhesiveness model: gradient of a non-diffusible cell surface parameter. For explaining the Manduca wing gradient (Nardi & Kafatos, 1976) a model which postulates a proximo-distal gradient in cellular adhesiveness is considered. The model is based on Steinberg's (1963) differential adhesiveness hypothesis. Rosette formation in certain transposed and/or reoriented grafts can be adequately explained by this model. Several predictions, formulated by using the concept of surface free energy as a thermodynamic measure of adhesiveness, have been tested and proven correct. (1) Transposed grafts tend to assume circular forms, which are configurations of minimum free energy. (2) Because of the pressure difference expected across the interface of two cell populations with different surface free energies, cell densities increase in both distally and proximally transposed grafts. As a corollary to this rule, final size of a graft is a function of its distance from the original position. (3) Histological sections of host-graft boundaries suggest minimal cell contact at the interface. In proximal grafts placed in distal regions, cell density is far lower near the host-graft interface, as compared to the high interior density; the peripheries of distal grafts do not show this effect. (4) Juxtaposition of three different wing regions in all possible arrangements yields the expected two-dimensional configurations. (5) Differences in adhesiveness can be demonstrated by allowing two different wing grafts to interact in an essentially neutral environment (i.e. at a leg or antenna site). as the distance between two given graft regions increases, the extent of their final contact decreases. When applied to other insect systems, the model not only offers an alternative interpretation for results currently explained by diffusible substance models, but also accounts for certain features that were unexplained by other models.", "PMID": 796405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10618", "title": "Mutants of Escherichia coli K12 unable to use fumarate as an anaerobic electron acceptor.", "content": "Mutants of Escherichia coli K12 strain WGAS-GF+/LF+ were selected for their inability to use fumarate as terminal electron acceptor for supporting growth on glycerol or lactate in an atmosphere of H2 plus 5% CO2. Eighty-three mutants were grouped into seven different categories according to their ability to grow on different media and their ability to produce gas during glucose fermentation. Enzymological and genetic studies indicated that the major class (type I), representing nearly 70% of the isolates, lacked fumarate reductase and corresponded to the frdA mutants studied previously (Spencer & Guest, 1973, 1974). Members of a second class (type II) were phenotypically similar to men mutants, blocked in menaquinone biosynthesis. They differed from menA mutants in having lesions in the 44 to 51 min region of the chromosome rather than at 87 min. It was concluded that fumarate reductase and menaquinone are essential for anaerobic growth when fumarate serves as electron acceptor but not when nitrate performs this function. Fumarate reductase and menaquinone are also essential for H2-dependent growth on fumarate. Type III mutants, originally frdB, were designated fnr because they were defective in fumarate and nitrate reduction and impaired in their ability to produce gas. The fnr gene was located at 28-5 min by its cotransducibility with pyrF (5-7 to 9-2%) and trpA (2-7 to 5-7%) and the gene order fnr-qmeA-pyrF-trpA was established. It was not possible to assign specific metabolic lesions to the fnr mutants nor to the remaining classes, which all exhibited pleiotropic phenotypes. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate that functional or organizational relationships exist between the fumarate reductase system, nitrate reduction and hydrogen production.", "contents": "Mutants of Escherichia coli K12 unable to use fumarate as an anaerobic electron acceptor. Mutants of Escherichia coli K12 strain WGAS-GF+/LF+ were selected for their inability to use fumarate as terminal electron acceptor for supporting growth on glycerol or lactate in an atmosphere of H2 plus 5% CO2. Eighty-three mutants were grouped into seven different categories according to their ability to grow on different media and their ability to produce gas during glucose fermentation. Enzymological and genetic studies indicated that the major class (type I), representing nearly 70% of the isolates, lacked fumarate reductase and corresponded to the frdA mutants studied previously (Spencer & Guest, 1973, 1974). Members of a second class (type II) were phenotypically similar to men mutants, blocked in menaquinone biosynthesis. They differed from menA mutants in having lesions in the 44 to 51 min region of the chromosome rather than at 87 min. It was concluded that fumarate reductase and menaquinone are essential for anaerobic growth when fumarate serves as electron acceptor but not when nitrate performs this function. Fumarate reductase and menaquinone are also essential for H2-dependent growth on fumarate. Type III mutants, originally frdB, were designated fnr because they were defective in fumarate and nitrate reduction and impaired in their ability to produce gas. The fnr gene was located at 28-5 min by its cotransducibility with pyrF (5-7 to 9-2%) and trpA (2-7 to 5-7%) and the gene order fnr-qmeA-pyrF-trpA was established. It was not possible to assign specific metabolic lesions to the fnr mutants nor to the remaining classes, which all exhibited pleiotropic phenotypes. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate that functional or organizational relationships exist between the fumarate reductase system, nitrate reduction and hydrogen production.", "PMID": 796407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10619", "title": "Mitosis, septation, branching and the duplication cycle in Aspergillus nidulans.", "content": "Mitosis, septation and branching were studied in undifferentiated mycelia and leading hyphae of Aspergillus nidulans, a mould which forms incomplete septa. After spore germination, nuclei divided synchronously until germ-tube hyphae contained 8 or 16 nuclei; mitosis occurred when the volume of cytoplasm per haploid nucleus was about 60 mum3. Intercompartment development was not synchronized, consequently mitosis in the mycelium as a whole eventually became asynchronous. During the stage of asynchronous compartment development, the nuclei, septa, branches and total length of undifferentiated mycelia all increased exponentially at approximately the same specific rate. Septa were formed in hyphae in groups of up to nine; the mean time required for the formation of a group of septa was about 9 min. The mean interval between successive cycles of septation in a hypha was approximately the same as the organism's doubling time. There was a highly significant correlation coefficient between septation and branch initiation and most intercalary compartments initially formed a single branch. The volume of cytoplasm per nucleus in a diploid strain was approximately double the value observed for a haploid strain. However, the length of the hyphal growth unit was not affected by ploidy. The study suggests that a duplication cycle can be recognized during mycelial growth which is analogous to the cell cycle observed in unicellular micro-organisms.", "contents": "Mitosis, septation, branching and the duplication cycle in Aspergillus nidulans. Mitosis, septation and branching were studied in undifferentiated mycelia and leading hyphae of Aspergillus nidulans, a mould which forms incomplete septa. After spore germination, nuclei divided synchronously until germ-tube hyphae contained 8 or 16 nuclei; mitosis occurred when the volume of cytoplasm per haploid nucleus was about 60 mum3. Intercompartment development was not synchronized, consequently mitosis in the mycelium as a whole eventually became asynchronous. During the stage of asynchronous compartment development, the nuclei, septa, branches and total length of undifferentiated mycelia all increased exponentially at approximately the same specific rate. Septa were formed in hyphae in groups of up to nine; the mean time required for the formation of a group of septa was about 9 min. The mean interval between successive cycles of septation in a hypha was approximately the same as the organism's doubling time. There was a highly significant correlation coefficient between septation and branch initiation and most intercalary compartments initially formed a single branch. The volume of cytoplasm per nucleus in a diploid strain was approximately double the value observed for a haploid strain. However, the length of the hyphal growth unit was not affected by ploidy. The study suggests that a duplication cycle can be recognized during mycelial growth which is analogous to the cell cycle observed in unicellular micro-organisms.", "PMID": 796408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10620", "title": "Macromolecular syntheses during the cell cycles of yeast and hyphal phases of Candida albicans.", "content": "Synchronous cultures of yeast and hyphal phases of Candida albicans showed exponential increases in RNA content and stepwise exponential increases in DNA content. The periods of DNA synthesis in the two phases coincided with one another and with the budding peaks of the yeast phase. Hyphae grown in synchronous cultures also showed an exponential increase in length. The hyphal phase was therefore normal. Hyphal nuclear division occurred after hyphal DNA synthesis. Germination was a unique event for a hypha and unlike yeast bud formation, preceded the first period of DNA synthesis. The exponential increase in RNA and DNA in asynchronous cultures of hyphae in serum paralleled the exponential increase in the numbers of cells in asynchronous cultures of yeasts in defined media. Thus there are no factors in serum which inhibit the normal exponential growth of C. albicans.", "contents": "Macromolecular syntheses during the cell cycles of yeast and hyphal phases of Candida albicans. Synchronous cultures of yeast and hyphal phases of Candida albicans showed exponential increases in RNA content and stepwise exponential increases in DNA content. The periods of DNA synthesis in the two phases coincided with one another and with the budding peaks of the yeast phase. Hyphae grown in synchronous cultures also showed an exponential increase in length. The hyphal phase was therefore normal. Hyphal nuclear division occurred after hyphal DNA synthesis. Germination was a unique event for a hypha and unlike yeast bud formation, preceded the first period of DNA synthesis. The exponential increase in RNA and DNA in asynchronous cultures of hyphae in serum paralleled the exponential increase in the numbers of cells in asynchronous cultures of yeasts in defined media. Thus there are no factors in serum which inhibit the normal exponential growth of C. albicans.", "PMID": 796409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10621", "title": "Growth on D-lyxose of a mutant strain of Escherichia coli K12 using a novel isomerase and enzymes related to D-xylase metabolism.", "content": "Escherichia coli K12 cannot grow on D-lyxose, but a mutant was isolated which can utilize D-lyxose as sole source of carbon and energy for growth. D-Lyxose is transported into the bacteria by the D-xylose permease. The mutant constitutively synthesizes a new isomerase which is not inducible in the parent strain under any of the conditions tested. This enzyme, whose native substrate appears to be D-mannose, fortuitously converts D-lyxose into D-xylulose. Its structural gene is located at around 85 min on the E. coli genetic map, away from other known isomerase genes. D-Xylulose is subsequently catabolized by the enzymes of the normal D-xylose metabolic pathway. D-Mannose isomerase was partially purified and some of its properties were examined.", "contents": "Growth on D-lyxose of a mutant strain of Escherichia coli K12 using a novel isomerase and enzymes related to D-xylase metabolism. Escherichia coli K12 cannot grow on D-lyxose, but a mutant was isolated which can utilize D-lyxose as sole source of carbon and energy for growth. D-Lyxose is transported into the bacteria by the D-xylose permease. The mutant constitutively synthesizes a new isomerase which is not inducible in the parent strain under any of the conditions tested. This enzyme, whose native substrate appears to be D-mannose, fortuitously converts D-lyxose into D-xylulose. Its structural gene is located at around 85 min on the E. coli genetic map, away from other known isomerase genes. D-Xylulose is subsequently catabolized by the enzymes of the normal D-xylose metabolic pathway. D-Mannose isomerase was partially purified and some of its properties were examined.", "PMID": 796410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10622", "title": "Rhodanese from Thiobacillus A2: determination of activity by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.", "content": "Rhodanese from Thiobacillus A2 was shown by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to use dihydrolipoate or dihydrolipoamide as acceptor of the sulphane moiety of thiosulphate with the formation of alpha-lipoate or lipoamide respectively. Correlation is shown between assays of the enzyme activity by NMR spectroscopy and by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.", "contents": "Rhodanese from Thiobacillus A2: determination of activity by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Rhodanese from Thiobacillus A2 was shown by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to use dihydrolipoate or dihydrolipoamide as acceptor of the sulphane moiety of thiosulphate with the formation of alpha-lipoate or lipoamide respectively. Correlation is shown between assays of the enzyme activity by NMR spectroscopy and by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.", "PMID": 796411} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10623", "title": "Immunofluorescence detection of nitrogenase proteins in whole cells.", "content": "Fluorescent antibodies (FA) prepared against the Mo-Fe and Fe proteins of nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae M5aI were used to detect these protein components in toluene-treated whole cells that were actively reducing acetylene. The FA were highly specific, staining only nitrogenase component proteins originating from Klebsiella. Cross-reactions between the FA and purified nitrogenase proteins from other dinitrogen-fixing micro-organisms did not occur, except in the case of Bacillus polymyxa. The tests rapidly and accurately assayed the component proteins in Klebsiella mutants and derivatives to which Klebsiella nif genes had been transferred either by plasmid or by other means. Cross-reactions also indicated the degree of relatedness between nitrogenase proteins from dinitrogen-fixing micro-organisms of various origins.", "contents": "Immunofluorescence detection of nitrogenase proteins in whole cells. Fluorescent antibodies (FA) prepared against the Mo-Fe and Fe proteins of nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae M5aI were used to detect these protein components in toluene-treated whole cells that were actively reducing acetylene. The FA were highly specific, staining only nitrogenase component proteins originating from Klebsiella. Cross-reactions between the FA and purified nitrogenase proteins from other dinitrogen-fixing micro-organisms did not occur, except in the case of Bacillus polymyxa. The tests rapidly and accurately assayed the component proteins in Klebsiella mutants and derivatives to which Klebsiella nif genes had been transferred either by plasmid or by other means. Cross-reactions also indicated the degree of relatedness between nitrogenase proteins from dinitrogen-fixing micro-organisms of various origins.", "PMID": 796412} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10624", "title": "Plasma membrane ultrastructural differences between the exponential and stationary phases of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as revealed by freeze-etching.", "content": "Ultrastructural changes in the plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the exponential and stationary growth phases were studied by freeze-etching. In the exponential phase, plasma membrane-intercalated particles were distributed randomly. In the stationary phase, several areas of the plasma membrane showed a hexagonal arrangement of particles; these areas appeared to increase with the age of the culture. The polarity of the particles also changed partially: the E-face of the plasma membrane was only sparsely embedded with particles in exponential phase cells, but relatively densely embedded in stationary phase cells. Invaginations of the plasma membrane on the P-face were devoid of particles during both growth phases. Invaginations of the E-face were sparsely embedded with particles in exponential phase cells, but densely embedded with particles in stationary phase cells.", "contents": "Plasma membrane ultrastructural differences between the exponential and stationary phases of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as revealed by freeze-etching. Ultrastructural changes in the plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the exponential and stationary growth phases were studied by freeze-etching. In the exponential phase, plasma membrane-intercalated particles were distributed randomly. In the stationary phase, several areas of the plasma membrane showed a hexagonal arrangement of particles; these areas appeared to increase with the age of the culture. The polarity of the particles also changed partially: the E-face of the plasma membrane was only sparsely embedded with particles in exponential phase cells, but relatively densely embedded in stationary phase cells. Invaginations of the plasma membrane on the P-face were devoid of particles during both growth phases. Invaginations of the E-face were sparsely embedded with particles in exponential phase cells, but densely embedded with particles in stationary phase cells.", "PMID": 796413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10625", "title": "Nomifensine in parkinsonism.", "content": "Nomifensine, a tetrahydroisoquinolone antidepressant which facilitates dopaminergic and noradrenergic transmission, was studied in 28 Parkinsonism patients most of whom were also receiving conventional medications. Double-blind evaluations revealed a moderate therapeutic action at a mean dose level of 150 mg daily. Adverse reactions were encountered, similar to those identical by levodopa.", "contents": "Nomifensine in parkinsonism. Nomifensine, a tetrahydroisoquinolone antidepressant which facilitates dopaminergic and noradrenergic transmission, was studied in 28 Parkinsonism patients most of whom were also receiving conventional medications. Double-blind evaluations revealed a moderate therapeutic action at a mean dose level of 150 mg daily. Adverse reactions were encountered, similar to those identical by levodopa.", "PMID": 796415} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10626", "title": "Mouse malaria nephropathy.", "content": "Mice were infected with 1X 107 Plasmodium berghei Yoelii parasites intraperitoneally. Circulating parasite, malaria antibody and C3 concentrations were measures: parasitaemia and hypocomplementaemia were transient, but the antibody response was persistent. Animals were sacrificed at intervals and their kidneys examined: a glomerulonephritis associates with predominantly mesangial deposits of C3, IgG1, IgM and some IgA always developed after 7 days and persisted for up to 6 mth. Malaria antigen and antibody were demonstrated within the glomeruli. Microscopic haematuria occurred with proteinuria but without marked deterioration in renal function. Strains producing high and low affinity antibody were equally susceptible to the disease. Treatment with glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive, platelet function inhibiting and/or anticoagulant drugs, or indomethacin from the 1st day of infection failed to prevent development of the disease or to lead to its early cure. Eradication of the infection within its first 3 days prevented glomerular deposition of antibody and complement, and infection with a smaller antigen load followed by later treatment also produced subsequent cure.", "contents": "Mouse malaria nephropathy. Mice were infected with 1X 107 Plasmodium berghei Yoelii parasites intraperitoneally. Circulating parasite, malaria antibody and C3 concentrations were measures: parasitaemia and hypocomplementaemia were transient, but the antibody response was persistent. Animals were sacrificed at intervals and their kidneys examined: a glomerulonephritis associates with predominantly mesangial deposits of C3, IgG1, IgM and some IgA always developed after 7 days and persisted for up to 6 mth. Malaria antigen and antibody were demonstrated within the glomeruli. Microscopic haematuria occurred with proteinuria but without marked deterioration in renal function. Strains producing high and low affinity antibody were equally susceptible to the disease. Treatment with glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive, platelet function inhibiting and/or anticoagulant drugs, or indomethacin from the 1st day of infection failed to prevent development of the disease or to lead to its early cure. Eradication of the infection within its first 3 days prevented glomerular deposition of antibody and complement, and infection with a smaller antigen load followed by later treatment also produced subsequent cure.", "PMID": 796419} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10627", "title": "The involvement of the preoptic-suprachiasmatic region in the photosexual reflex in quail: Effects of selective lesions and photic stimulation.", "content": "Small bilateral lesions of the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic regions completely suppressed the light-induced testicular growth in quail. Photic stimulation was selectively applied to this region using a small pellet of radioluminous paint (RLP). This local photostimulation induced no testicular growth in short day quail. On the contrary, testes were markedly enlarged after RLP was implanted in the tuberal or in the dorsal area of the infundibular complex of short day quail. This response was as large as in controls reared under 18L-6D. It is therefore confirmed that neuronal populations located in the infundibular complex are directly photosensible. No direct photosensitivity was observed in the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic regions and it is suggested that these areas can serve as a relay for retinal information.", "contents": "The involvement of the preoptic-suprachiasmatic region in the photosexual reflex in quail: Effects of selective lesions and photic stimulation. Small bilateral lesions of the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic regions completely suppressed the light-induced testicular growth in quail. Photic stimulation was selectively applied to this region using a small pellet of radioluminous paint (RLP). This local photostimulation induced no testicular growth in short day quail. On the contrary, testes were markedly enlarged after RLP was implanted in the tuberal or in the dorsal area of the infundibular complex of short day quail. This response was as large as in controls reared under 18L-6D. It is therefore confirmed that neuronal populations located in the infundibular complex are directly photosensible. No direct photosensitivity was observed in the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic regions and it is suggested that these areas can serve as a relay for retinal information.", "PMID": 796448} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10628", "title": "Uteroglobin and related biochemical changes in the reproductive tract during early pregnancy in the rabbit.", "content": "The macromolecular secretion products of the rabbit uterus are described. The biochemical and biological properties of uteroglobin are considered, and its synthesis and secretion in various endocrinological conditions are described. The release of uteroglobin from the endometrial epithelium is stimulated by progestagens such as progesterone and its synthetic analogues, although its synthesis has not yet been shown to be entirely dependent on progesterone. The biological function of uteroglobin is obscure. Several approaches to this long-standing probelm are discussed, including the passage of uteroglobin into the blastocyst. It is suggested that interference with the passage of uterine components into the blastocyst may inhibit implantation and provide a means of contraception.", "contents": "Uteroglobin and related biochemical changes in the reproductive tract during early pregnancy in the rabbit. The macromolecular secretion products of the rabbit uterus are described. The biochemical and biological properties of uteroglobin are considered, and its synthesis and secretion in various endocrinological conditions are described. The release of uteroglobin from the endometrial epithelium is stimulated by progestagens such as progesterone and its synthetic analogues, although its synthesis has not yet been shown to be entirely dependent on progesterone. The biological function of uteroglobin is obscure. Several approaches to this long-standing probelm are discussed, including the passage of uteroglobin into the blastocyst. It is suggested that interference with the passage of uterine components into the blastocyst may inhibit implantation and provide a means of contraception.", "PMID": 796453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10629", "title": "Stereological method for estimating relative membrane surface area in freeze-fracture preparations of subcellular fractions.", "content": "Microsomal fractions from liver cells are a mixture of vesicles derived from a number of different cellular membranes. These can be differentiated on freeze-fracture preparations by their characteristic density of intramembranous particles. A stereological method is developed which allows the estimation of the relative membrane surface of the various membrane types by using freeze-fracture preparations. The sample is restricted to concave profiles without cast shadow. The numerical frequency distribution of vesicles with respect to particle density is determined. The estimation of relative surface area must consider the effects on sampling of (a) variable size distributions of vesicles and (b) loss of small profiles. Correction coefficients are derived which allow a differential vesicle count to be transformed into an estimate of relative membrane surface.", "contents": "Stereological method for estimating relative membrane surface area in freeze-fracture preparations of subcellular fractions. Microsomal fractions from liver cells are a mixture of vesicles derived from a number of different cellular membranes. These can be differentiated on freeze-fracture preparations by their characteristic density of intramembranous particles. A stereological method is developed which allows the estimation of the relative membrane surface of the various membrane types by using freeze-fracture preparations. The sample is restricted to concave profiles without cast shadow. The numerical frequency distribution of vesicles with respect to particle density is determined. The estimation of relative surface area must consider the effects on sampling of (a) variable size distributions of vesicles and (b) loss of small profiles. Correction coefficients are derived which allow a differential vesicle count to be transformed into an estimate of relative membrane surface.", "PMID": 796456} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10630", "title": "The preparation of human articular cartilage for scanning electron microscopy.", "content": "This paper compares sixteen preparative techniques thought to be of advantage in the study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of human articular cartilage surfaces. The adequacy of surface preservation obtained with the techniques, was judged subjectively, first, by the reproducubility of secondary electron images of normal cartilage, and second, by comparing the results with those obtained by reflected light microscopy of the fresh unfixed cartilage surface over a magnification range of X20- X240. Adequate surface preservation was confirmed when cartilage surfaces had been dehydrated through ethanol to propylene oxide and vacuum dried; dehydrated through amyl acetate and quenched in Freon before freeze-drying; dehydrated and passed through amyl acetate at low temperature before freeze drying. Valuable information can be obtained from different specimens by varying the technique of preparation. At different ages, different surface features are best preserved. In a systematic study it has been found essential to adopt a uniform preparative method and to control the results by reflected light microscopy. Even with the most perfect preparation, the surface appearances cannot be identical with those that function under load in vivo.", "contents": "The preparation of human articular cartilage for scanning electron microscopy. This paper compares sixteen preparative techniques thought to be of advantage in the study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of human articular cartilage surfaces. The adequacy of surface preservation obtained with the techniques, was judged subjectively, first, by the reproducubility of secondary electron images of normal cartilage, and second, by comparing the results with those obtained by reflected light microscopy of the fresh unfixed cartilage surface over a magnification range of X20- X240. Adequate surface preservation was confirmed when cartilage surfaces had been dehydrated through ethanol to propylene oxide and vacuum dried; dehydrated through amyl acetate and quenched in Freon before freeze-drying; dehydrated and passed through amyl acetate at low temperature before freeze drying. Valuable information can be obtained from different specimens by varying the technique of preparation. At different ages, different surface features are best preserved. In a systematic study it has been found essential to adopt a uniform preparative method and to control the results by reflected light microscopy. Even with the most perfect preparation, the surface appearances cannot be identical with those that function under load in vivo.", "PMID": 796457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10631", "title": "Lipid losses during processing of cardiac muscle for electron microscopy.", "content": "The lipid retaining properties of several methods of processing tissue for electron microscopy (EM) have been assessed quantitatively. Guinea-pig hearts were perfused in vitro at 37 degrees C with 3H-oleic acid bound to albumin. The hearts were fixed by perfusion with 4% glutaraldehyde in 0-1 M cacodylate buffer. Pieces of left ventricle and interventricular septum were removed, weighed and processed for EM. The fluids used at each stage of processing were monitored for loss of radioactive lipid by scintillation counting. Lipids were extracted from the processed tissue immediately before the embedding stage using a mixture of chloroform:methanol (2:1 v/v). Counts from processed tissue were compared with counts from tissue extracted directly after perfusion fixation in order to monitor subsequent losses during processing. A modified version of Epon processing, omitting 100% ethanol, acetone or propylene oxide, gave a lipid retention of only 20-6%. The addition of paraphenylenediamine to the procedure did not improve the retention although this has been shown to be a useful stain for intracellular lipid. Water soluble Durcupan which does not involve ethanol or acetone dehydration has an average retention of 63% with 100% recovery while the lesser known polymer GACH, a mixture of glutaraldehyde and carbohydrazide used both for dehydration and embedding showed a lipid retention of 82% of the counts recovered although recovery was only 69%. An attempt was made to determine which classes of lipids were present in the tissue after perfusion fixation using thin layer chromatography. It was found that the presence of any of the processing fluids affected the polarity of the lipids and their rates of migration on thin layer plates.", "contents": "Lipid losses during processing of cardiac muscle for electron microscopy. The lipid retaining properties of several methods of processing tissue for electron microscopy (EM) have been assessed quantitatively. Guinea-pig hearts were perfused in vitro at 37 degrees C with 3H-oleic acid bound to albumin. The hearts were fixed by perfusion with 4% glutaraldehyde in 0-1 M cacodylate buffer. Pieces of left ventricle and interventricular septum were removed, weighed and processed for EM. The fluids used at each stage of processing were monitored for loss of radioactive lipid by scintillation counting. Lipids were extracted from the processed tissue immediately before the embedding stage using a mixture of chloroform:methanol (2:1 v/v). Counts from processed tissue were compared with counts from tissue extracted directly after perfusion fixation in order to monitor subsequent losses during processing. A modified version of Epon processing, omitting 100% ethanol, acetone or propylene oxide, gave a lipid retention of only 20-6%. The addition of paraphenylenediamine to the procedure did not improve the retention although this has been shown to be a useful stain for intracellular lipid. Water soluble Durcupan which does not involve ethanol or acetone dehydration has an average retention of 63% with 100% recovery while the lesser known polymer GACH, a mixture of glutaraldehyde and carbohydrazide used both for dehydration and embedding showed a lipid retention of 82% of the counts recovered although recovery was only 69%. An attempt was made to determine which classes of lipids were present in the tissue after perfusion fixation using thin layer chromatography. It was found that the presence of any of the processing fluids affected the polarity of the lipids and their rates of migration on thin layer plates.", "PMID": 796459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10632", "title": "Scanning electron microscopy of renal vascular casts.", "content": "The use of Cementex to form casts of the renal vascular system is described. These casts are useful in delineating the vascular microarchitecture of the kidney including that of the glomerular capillaries, but do not appear to reproducibly reflect physiological vascular tone. The postglomerular vascular system is often incompletely filled using this technique. The amount of filling can be altered by the techniques used in cast preparation. The effect of perfusion pressure, concentration of Cementex, fixation, and type of colour additive are compared with respect to the cast structure.", "contents": "Scanning electron microscopy of renal vascular casts. The use of Cementex to form casts of the renal vascular system is described. These casts are useful in delineating the vascular microarchitecture of the kidney including that of the glomerular capillaries, but do not appear to reproducibly reflect physiological vascular tone. The postglomerular vascular system is often incompletely filled using this technique. The amount of filling can be altered by the techniques used in cast preparation. The effect of perfusion pressure, concentration of Cementex, fixation, and type of colour additive are compared with respect to the cast structure.", "PMID": 796460} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10633", "title": "Selective disadvantage of non-functional protein synthesis in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Comparison of growth rates of isogenic strains that synthesize varying levels of beta-galactosidase during continuous culture on non-inducing medium indicates that synthesis of low levels of non-functional protein has a small but possibly significant effect upon growth rate.", "contents": "Selective disadvantage of non-functional protein synthesis in Escherichia coli. Comparison of growth rates of isogenic strains that synthesize varying levels of beta-galactosidase during continuous culture on non-inducing medium indicates that synthesis of low levels of non-functional protein has a small but possibly significant effect upon growth rate.", "PMID": 796467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10634", "title": "Effects of aspartame in young persons during weight reduction.", "content": "Given the potential use of a low-calorie sweetener during weight reduction, a toxicity study of chronic aspartame ingestion was conducted. Particular attention was given to possible long-term effects of aspartame on the fuel hormonal alterations characteristically caused by weight reduction. As a group mean age was 19.3 yr, body weight was 164.6 lb, and mean height was 65.4 in. Subjects were an average of 33% in excess of ideal body weight. The aspartame dose was 2.7 g/day and was compared on a double-blind randomized basis with a lactose placebo. Both materials were given in gelatin capsules. An average of 6.9 +/- 1.5 lb was lost by the aspartame group during the 13-wk study on a calculated 1,000-calorie diet. The placebo group lost 4.5 +/- 1.2 lb (no significant difference between the two groups). After an overnight fast, reductions in glucose and immunoreactive insulin were seen in both groups, while rising trends in immunoreactive glucagon were observed. These changes are all characteristic of calorie restriction. In no instance was there a detectable effect of the ingested aspartame. No meaningful effect of weight reduction or aspartame was seen on plasma triglyceride and cholesterol, nor on any other parameter of hematologic, hepatic, or renal function that was measured. Similarly, side effects were equally distributed between asparatame and placebo.", "contents": "Effects of aspartame in young persons during weight reduction. Given the potential use of a low-calorie sweetener during weight reduction, a toxicity study of chronic aspartame ingestion was conducted. Particular attention was given to possible long-term effects of aspartame on the fuel hormonal alterations characteristically caused by weight reduction. As a group mean age was 19.3 yr, body weight was 164.6 lb, and mean height was 65.4 in. Subjects were an average of 33% in excess of ideal body weight. The aspartame dose was 2.7 g/day and was compared on a double-blind randomized basis with a lactose placebo. Both materials were given in gelatin capsules. An average of 6.9 +/- 1.5 lb was lost by the aspartame group during the 13-wk study on a calculated 1,000-calorie diet. The placebo group lost 4.5 +/- 1.2 lb (no significant difference between the two groups). After an overnight fast, reductions in glucose and immunoreactive insulin were seen in both groups, while rising trends in immunoreactive glucagon were observed. These changes are all characteristic of calorie restriction. In no instance was there a detectable effect of the ingested aspartame. No meaningful effect of weight reduction or aspartame was seen on plasma triglyceride and cholesterol, nor on any other parameter of hematologic, hepatic, or renal function that was measured. Similarly, side effects were equally distributed between asparatame and placebo.", "PMID": 796476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10635", "title": "Use of aspartame in phenylketonuric heteroxygous adults.", "content": "Asparatame, a new artificial sweetener, was administered to 45 obligate phenylketonuric adults for 28 wk. This new sweetening agent was well tolerated, and no untoward medical or biochemical changes were noted.", "contents": "Use of aspartame in phenylketonuric heteroxygous adults. Asparatame, a new artificial sweetener, was administered to 45 obligate phenylketonuric adults for 28 wk. This new sweetening agent was well tolerated, and no untoward medical or biochemical changes were noted.", "PMID": 796477} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10636", "title": "Traumatic avulsion of the innominate artery: case report and literature review.", "content": "A 20-year-old man had avulsion of the innominate artery from the aorta caused by blunt trauma to the chest. A widened mediastinum on chest films is the best indicator that such an injury may be present. During repair, the right common carotid blood pressure should be measured by direct arterial puncture after proximal clamping. A distal stump pressure of 50 mm Hg or greater indicates that there is adequate collateral flow via other systems and a shunt will therefore not be necessary. If there is not sufficient collateral flow, then a graft should originate from a new site on the ascending aorta in end-to-side fashion and be sutured distally to the innominate bifurcation or common carotid artery.", "contents": "Traumatic avulsion of the innominate artery: case report and literature review. A 20-year-old man had avulsion of the innominate artery from the aorta caused by blunt trauma to the chest. A widened mediastinum on chest films is the best indicator that such an injury may be present. During repair, the right common carotid blood pressure should be measured by direct arterial puncture after proximal clamping. A distal stump pressure of 50 mm Hg or greater indicates that there is adequate collateral flow via other systems and a shunt will therefore not be necessary. If there is not sufficient collateral flow, then a graft should originate from a new site on the ascending aorta in end-to-side fashion and be sutured distally to the innominate bifurcation or common carotid artery.", "PMID": 796478} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10637", "title": "The surgical treatment of chronic otitis media in children.", "content": "The results of 150 tympanoplasties in patients aged 12 years and under are documented. Seventy-one ears were operated on by a transcanal tympanoplasty, of which 69 were intended to be single procedures but of which 12 required a revision operation. Combined approach tympanoplasty was performed on 79 ears, in which 42 operations were planned to be single procedures, 17 of whom required at least one revision operation. The results are described from the standpoint of control of disease and improvement of hearing. It is concluded that combined approach tympanoplasty can only be justified on a staged basis which has the added advantage of improving the results of ossiculoplasty.", "contents": "The surgical treatment of chronic otitis media in children. The results of 150 tympanoplasties in patients aged 12 years and under are documented. Seventy-one ears were operated on by a transcanal tympanoplasty, of which 69 were intended to be single procedures but of which 12 required a revision operation. Combined approach tympanoplasty was performed on 79 ears, in which 42 operations were planned to be single procedures, 17 of whom required at least one revision operation. The results are described from the standpoint of control of disease and improvement of hearing. It is concluded that combined approach tympanoplasty can only be justified on a staged basis which has the added advantage of improving the results of ossiculoplasty.", "PMID": 796481} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10638", "title": "[A case of Fournier's disease (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors present a case of overwhelming gangrene of the cutaneous covering of the external genital organs, of erysipelatous appearance with hemolytic streptococci. Symptomatic treatment, then recovering with a thin graft enabled recovery with an adequate plastic result.", "contents": "[A case of Fournier's disease (author's transl)]. The authors present a case of overwhelming gangrene of the cutaneous covering of the external genital organs, of erysipelatous appearance with hemolytic streptococci. Symptomatic treatment, then recovering with a thin graft enabled recovery with an adequate plastic result.", "PMID": 796482} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10639", "title": "[Comparative results of cephacetrile with cefazolin in complicated urinary tract infections by means of double-blind trials (author's transl)].", "content": "In order to elucidate the usefulness of cephacetrile (CEC), comparative trials with cefazolin (CEZ) were carried out in the patients with complicated infections of the urinary tract, and the following results were obtained: 1. There were no statistically significant differences or tendencies observed between the groups given CEC and CEZ in either of the global effects, bacteriological effects, rate of superinfection, relapse, relapse with bacterial alternation, drug usefulness, rate of improvements in symptoms and findings in all the cases. 2. According to a result of stratified analyses, there were statistically significant differences observed, showing more inferior results of CEC than CEZ in either stratum of \"below 50\" in the age, \"acute\" in the disease phase, \"infections of the upper urinary tract\" in the disease pattern, and \"E. coli including mixed infections with gram-positive organisms\" in the pathogenic strains. However, it should be taken into consideration that certain background factors influence greatly in the effects and there were some problems on deviated backgrounds in these strata. On the other hand, CEC displayed better bacteriological effects than those of CEZ in higher stratum of \"chronic\" in the disease phase and \"Klebsiella, Proteus, Citrobacter, Enterobacter including mixed infections\" in the pathogenic strains, and statistically significant differences were not observed. 3. In consequence of bacteriological studies, CEC showed stronger resistance than CEZ against beta-lactamase produced in all the strains of gram-negative bacilli. Particularly there were significant differences or tendencies observed in those of Proteus, Cirtobacter, and Enterobacter, and at the same time there were great differences in the activity of beta-lactamase between CEC and CEZ as the substrate. 4. In correlation of the MIC and effects, CEC showed weaker actions than CEZ against susceptible organisms, but slightly stronger actions against moderately or highly resistant strains. A study of the relationship between the MIC of pathogenic strains, beta-lactamase, and bacteriological effects, showed possibilities that even the high activity of beta-lactamase results in remarkable effects in susceptible strains and the drugs with stronger resistance against beta-lactamase given better results in moderately or highly resistant organisms. 5. The incidence rate of adverse reactions was 2 out of 51 cases in the CEC group (3.9%) and 3 out of 50 cases in the CEZ group (6.0%), showing no significant difference, and those symptoms were similar. In conclusion, when the usefulness of CEC in complicated infections of the urinary tract is compared with that of CEZ, the former is said to be equal to the latter without significant difference as a whole...", "contents": "[Comparative results of cephacetrile with cefazolin in complicated urinary tract infections by means of double-blind trials (author's transl)]. In order to elucidate the usefulness of cephacetrile (CEC), comparative trials with cefazolin (CEZ) were carried out in the patients with complicated infections of the urinary tract, and the following results were obtained: 1. There were no statistically significant differences or tendencies observed between the groups given CEC and CEZ in either of the global effects, bacteriological effects, rate of superinfection, relapse, relapse with bacterial alternation, drug usefulness, rate of improvements in symptoms and findings in all the cases. 2. According to a result of stratified analyses, there were statistically significant differences observed, showing more inferior results of CEC than CEZ in either stratum of \"below 50\" in the age, \"acute\" in the disease phase, \"infections of the upper urinary tract\" in the disease pattern, and \"E. coli including mixed infections with gram-positive organisms\" in the pathogenic strains. However, it should be taken into consideration that certain background factors influence greatly in the effects and there were some problems on deviated backgrounds in these strata. On the other hand, CEC displayed better bacteriological effects than those of CEZ in higher stratum of \"chronic\" in the disease phase and \"Klebsiella, Proteus, Citrobacter, Enterobacter including mixed infections\" in the pathogenic strains, and statistically significant differences were not observed. 3. In consequence of bacteriological studies, CEC showed stronger resistance than CEZ against beta-lactamase produced in all the strains of gram-negative bacilli. Particularly there were significant differences or tendencies observed in those of Proteus, Cirtobacter, and Enterobacter, and at the same time there were great differences in the activity of beta-lactamase between CEC and CEZ as the substrate. 4. In correlation of the MIC and effects, CEC showed weaker actions than CEZ against susceptible organisms, but slightly stronger actions against moderately or highly resistant strains. A study of the relationship between the MIC of pathogenic strains, beta-lactamase, and bacteriological effects, showed possibilities that even the high activity of beta-lactamase results in remarkable effects in susceptible strains and the drugs with stronger resistance against beta-lactamase given better results in moderately or highly resistant organisms. 5. The incidence rate of adverse reactions was 2 out of 51 cases in the CEC group (3.9%) and 3 out of 50 cases in the CEZ group (6.0%), showing no significant difference, and those symptoms were similar. In conclusion, when the usefulness of CEC in complicated infections of the urinary tract is compared with that of CEZ, the former is said to be equal to the latter without significant difference as a whole...", "PMID": 796485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10640", "title": "[A clinical evaluation of the effect of cephacetrile on bacterial pneumonia. A comparative test with cefazolin by a double blind method (author's transl)].", "content": "The therapeutic efficacy of cephacetrile (CEC) in bacterial pneumonia was evaluated in contrast with that of cefazolin (CEZ) by a double blind method. Both drugs were administered via intravenous route at a dose of 1 g twice daily for 14 days. 1) Of 81 patients, each 2 from both groups were eliminated from the study because of unknown results. In CEC group, 36 out of 38 obtained a slightly effective or better results (94.7% of effectiveness). In CEZ group, 31 out of 39 showed a similar result and there was no significant difference between the two groups. 2) In more detail, CEC achieved significantly better results in AaDo2 and cardiac insufficiency than CEZ, and this trend was also seen in dyspnea. 3) Regarding background factors, pretreatment severity was slightly in favor of CEC. However, so long as supplementary analysis is concerned, we could not find any relation between the pretreatment severity of symptom and drug efficacy or improvement of symptom. 4) Since there was a slight bias in the background factors, it is difficult to conclude that CEC is better than CEZ in terms of effectiveness. However, we consider CEC is superior to CEZ if compared in details. 5) Both drugs had the same incidence of side effect (6.25%, 3/48 in both groups). When clinical efficacy of CEC in bacterial pneumonia is evaluated together with the incidence of side effect, we may consider that CEC is an effective antibiotic agent equal to or better than CEZ.", "contents": "[A clinical evaluation of the effect of cephacetrile on bacterial pneumonia. A comparative test with cefazolin by a double blind method (author's transl)]. The therapeutic efficacy of cephacetrile (CEC) in bacterial pneumonia was evaluated in contrast with that of cefazolin (CEZ) by a double blind method. Both drugs were administered via intravenous route at a dose of 1 g twice daily for 14 days. 1) Of 81 patients, each 2 from both groups were eliminated from the study because of unknown results. In CEC group, 36 out of 38 obtained a slightly effective or better results (94.7% of effectiveness). In CEZ group, 31 out of 39 showed a similar result and there was no significant difference between the two groups. 2) In more detail, CEC achieved significantly better results in AaDo2 and cardiac insufficiency than CEZ, and this trend was also seen in dyspnea. 3) Regarding background factors, pretreatment severity was slightly in favor of CEC. However, so long as supplementary analysis is concerned, we could not find any relation between the pretreatment severity of symptom and drug efficacy or improvement of symptom. 4) Since there was a slight bias in the background factors, it is difficult to conclude that CEC is better than CEZ in terms of effectiveness. However, we consider CEC is superior to CEZ if compared in details. 5) Both drugs had the same incidence of side effect (6.25%, 3/48 in both groups). When clinical efficacy of CEC in bacterial pneumonia is evaluated together with the incidence of side effect, we may consider that CEC is an effective antibiotic agent equal to or better than CEZ.", "PMID": 796486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10641", "title": "Role of the kidney in the development and maintenance of hypertension caused by renal segmental infarction in the rat.", "content": "Utilizing the microsurgical method of transplantation in the rat, the role of the kidney in an experimental renal hypertension due to segmental renal infarction was studied. When the infarcted kidney was transplanted into the bilaterally nephrectomized recipient, hypertension developed so long as the donor kidney was transplanted within 2 weeks after infarction. With transplantation of the normal kidney into the hypertensive rat 8 weeks after infarction, BP remained high unless the infarcted kidney was removed. PRA after transplantation, or KRA of the transplanted kidneys were not correlated to the blood pressure levels. It was suggested that the infarcted kidney has the pressor mechanism, lasting for 2 weeks or more after infarction. The infarcted kidney also has the maintenance mechanism, establishing 8 weeks after infarction.", "contents": "Role of the kidney in the development and maintenance of hypertension caused by renal segmental infarction in the rat. Utilizing the microsurgical method of transplantation in the rat, the role of the kidney in an experimental renal hypertension due to segmental renal infarction was studied. When the infarcted kidney was transplanted into the bilaterally nephrectomized recipient, hypertension developed so long as the donor kidney was transplanted within 2 weeks after infarction. With transplantation of the normal kidney into the hypertensive rat 8 weeks after infarction, BP remained high unless the infarcted kidney was removed. PRA after transplantation, or KRA of the transplanted kidneys were not correlated to the blood pressure levels. It was suggested that the infarcted kidney has the pressor mechanism, lasting for 2 weeks or more after infarction. The infarcted kidney also has the maintenance mechanism, establishing 8 weeks after infarction.", "PMID": 796491} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10642", "title": "Studies on the effect of phytagglutinins on some members of Enterobacteriaceae.", "content": "Extracts of twenty seeds were tested against twenty six organisms belonging to Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, Shigella and Cholera species. Extracts of eleven seeds showed agglutinating activity against twenty four various organism. S. typhi and Kl. aerogenes did not react against any lectin. On the basis of the results it was possible to differentiate various Shigella and Salmonella organisms by various seed extracts. Different isolates of cholera organisms of same serotype and phage type showed different reaction suggesting that probably these organisms possess different antigenic characters. Thus phytagglutinins may be of some help in the identification and subtyping of these organisms.", "contents": "Studies on the effect of phytagglutinins on some members of Enterobacteriaceae. Extracts of twenty seeds were tested against twenty six organisms belonging to Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, Shigella and Cholera species. Extracts of eleven seeds showed agglutinating activity against twenty four various organism. S. typhi and Kl. aerogenes did not react against any lectin. On the basis of the results it was possible to differentiate various Shigella and Salmonella organisms by various seed extracts. Different isolates of cholera organisms of same serotype and phage type showed different reaction suggesting that probably these organisms possess different antigenic characters. Thus phytagglutinins may be of some help in the identification and subtyping of these organisms.", "PMID": 796502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10643", "title": "[Potentials of a system of adjusted orthogonal leads in the diagnosis of myocardial infarct].", "content": "Results of machine-made diagnoses of myocardial infarction based on orthogonal leads of the SVEC-III system, as modified by L.I. Titomir, are presented. In view of the fact that local changes in V3 lead are not always expressed in orthogonal leads there were constructed statistical algorythms of the myocardial infarction diagnosis according to X, Y, Z leads and from X, Y, Z, V3 and Y, Z, V3 leads. The algorythms are constructed on the ground of aposterioral probabilities calculated from the Baves formula. The diagnosis was established with reference to the QRS complex, which proved to be the most valuable diagnostic parameter.", "contents": "[Potentials of a system of adjusted orthogonal leads in the diagnosis of myocardial infarct]. Results of machine-made diagnoses of myocardial infarction based on orthogonal leads of the SVEC-III system, as modified by L.I. Titomir, are presented. In view of the fact that local changes in V3 lead are not always expressed in orthogonal leads there were constructed statistical algorythms of the myocardial infarction diagnosis according to X, Y, Z leads and from X, Y, Z, V3 and Y, Z, V3 leads. The algorythms are constructed on the ground of aposterioral probabilities calculated from the Baves formula. The diagnosis was established with reference to the QRS complex, which proved to be the most valuable diagnostic parameter.", "PMID": 796529} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10644", "title": "[Fluid redistribution between the extracellular medium and the cells in the diuretic therapy of cardiac insufficiency].", "content": "The antipyrine and thiosulphate spaces were measured in patients with circulatory insufficiency of the II B and III stages before and after medication with cardiac glycosides and diuretics, used in various combinations and in courses of different duration and also in 2-week long courses of treatment with ethacrine acid and aldactone in order to study the nature of changes in the water-electrolyte exchange in cardiac insufficiency following diminution of edemas occurring under the effect of an effective therapy. The main indication of cardiac insufficiency, the expansion of the extracellular space, was found to continue even after a clinically effective treatment and complete disappearance of edemas. When myocardial contractility continues to be at a low level and the aldosterone activity is high--the removal from the organism of a large quantity of fluid with the help of diuretics, while reducing the external clinical manifestations of the edematous conditions, aggravates at the same time the pathological nature of the fluid distribution between the extracellular medium and the cells, this being due, in the main, to the reduction in the amount of fluid in the cells. The differences between ethacrine acid and aldactone find their expression not only in a greater of smaller effectiveness of their diuretic action, but also in the influence which they exert on the regulation of water metabolism in cardiac insufficiency.", "contents": "[Fluid redistribution between the extracellular medium and the cells in the diuretic therapy of cardiac insufficiency]. The antipyrine and thiosulphate spaces were measured in patients with circulatory insufficiency of the II B and III stages before and after medication with cardiac glycosides and diuretics, used in various combinations and in courses of different duration and also in 2-week long courses of treatment with ethacrine acid and aldactone in order to study the nature of changes in the water-electrolyte exchange in cardiac insufficiency following diminution of edemas occurring under the effect of an effective therapy. The main indication of cardiac insufficiency, the expansion of the extracellular space, was found to continue even after a clinically effective treatment and complete disappearance of edemas. When myocardial contractility continues to be at a low level and the aldosterone activity is high--the removal from the organism of a large quantity of fluid with the help of diuretics, while reducing the external clinical manifestations of the edematous conditions, aggravates at the same time the pathological nature of the fluid distribution between the extracellular medium and the cells, this being due, in the main, to the reduction in the amount of fluid in the cells. The differences between ethacrine acid and aldactone find their expression not only in a greater of smaller effectiveness of their diuretic action, but also in the influence which they exert on the regulation of water metabolism in cardiac insufficiency.", "PMID": 796532} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10645", "title": "[Comparative pathology of the microcirculatory bed].", "content": "This paper presents an analysis of publications, mostly by Soviet authores, on clinical studies and morphological examinations of the microcirculatory bed in different pathology. It is concluded that the microcirculatory bed should be regarded as an integral system responding to the pathological effects by a local and general reaction of its structural components and by changing the rheological properties of blood. Two types of changes develop in the microcirculatory system -- sterotyped ones, typical for extreme states (various kinds of shock, hypertensive crisis, stress situations), and those specific for certain diseases (diabetes melitus, essential hypertension, athersclerosis, collagenoses, etc.). In all the above diseases the pathological process affects the functional structures of microcirculation that undergo a rearrangement in accordance with the requirements of the body. In the initial period of the disease this re-arrangement is of a compensatory nature and passes ahead of the clinical manifestations. A comparison of the pictutrs obtained by biomicroscopy of the bulbconjunctiva of the eye and of other mucosae with film preparations of the serosae demonstrates their complete similarity. Therefore, the method of biomicroscopy of the eyeball and of the mucosae as a method reflecting the state of microcirculation in the body as a whole should become an integral part of the clinical examination of patients.", "contents": "[Comparative pathology of the microcirculatory bed]. This paper presents an analysis of publications, mostly by Soviet authores, on clinical studies and morphological examinations of the microcirculatory bed in different pathology. It is concluded that the microcirculatory bed should be regarded as an integral system responding to the pathological effects by a local and general reaction of its structural components and by changing the rheological properties of blood. Two types of changes develop in the microcirculatory system -- sterotyped ones, typical for extreme states (various kinds of shock, hypertensive crisis, stress situations), and those specific for certain diseases (diabetes melitus, essential hypertension, athersclerosis, collagenoses, etc.). In all the above diseases the pathological process affects the functional structures of microcirculation that undergo a rearrangement in accordance with the requirements of the body. In the initial period of the disease this re-arrangement is of a compensatory nature and passes ahead of the clinical manifestations. A comparison of the pictutrs obtained by biomicroscopy of the bulbconjunctiva of the eye and of other mucosae with film preparations of the serosae demonstrates their complete similarity. Therefore, the method of biomicroscopy of the eyeball and of the mucosae as a method reflecting the state of microcirculation in the body as a whole should become an integral part of the clinical examination of patients.", "PMID": 796535} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10646", "title": "[Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of diuretics].", "content": "The study was conducted in 118 patients with cardiac and pulmonary lesions, aged 18 to 75 years. Among the diuretics the leading role belongs to Uregyt, and Lasix, as judged by their natriuretic and diuretic action, then follow Nuvorit, Hypothiaside and Brinaldix. Renese (polythiaside) produces the same diuretic effect as Nuvorit and Hypothiaside. Renese, Hypothiaside, Lasix and Uregyt enhance kaliuresis and often reduce potassium blood plasma concentrations, while Nuvorit and Brinaldix increase kaliuresis least of all, and often increase the potassium blood plasma level. Within two days of discontinuing Thriamterene nearly all body potassium that was retained under the effect of this drug is excreted. Nuvorit, Hypothiaside, Renese, Brinaldix, Lasix, Uregyt cause similar changes in the acid-base balance (respiratory and metabolic alkalosis), and produce no effect upon the acid-base balance rather seldom. Lasix and Uregyt cause metabolic alkalosis more often than other diuretics. Apart from that, Hypothiaside also causes respiratory acidosis in 1/4 of the patients.", "contents": "[Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of diuretics]. The study was conducted in 118 patients with cardiac and pulmonary lesions, aged 18 to 75 years. Among the diuretics the leading role belongs to Uregyt, and Lasix, as judged by their natriuretic and diuretic action, then follow Nuvorit, Hypothiaside and Brinaldix. Renese (polythiaside) produces the same diuretic effect as Nuvorit and Hypothiaside. Renese, Hypothiaside, Lasix and Uregyt enhance kaliuresis and often reduce potassium blood plasma concentrations, while Nuvorit and Brinaldix increase kaliuresis least of all, and often increase the potassium blood plasma level. Within two days of discontinuing Thriamterene nearly all body potassium that was retained under the effect of this drug is excreted. Nuvorit, Hypothiaside, Renese, Brinaldix, Lasix, Uregyt cause similar changes in the acid-base balance (respiratory and metabolic alkalosis), and produce no effect upon the acid-base balance rather seldom. Lasix and Uregyt cause metabolic alkalosis more often than other diuretics. Apart from that, Hypothiaside also causes respiratory acidosis in 1/4 of the patients.", "PMID": 796539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10647", "title": "[Plasmorrhagia into the myocardial cells after adrenaline-induced myocardial damage].", "content": "The immunomorphological and electron microscopy methods were used to study the myocardial damage in mice induced by adrenaline injections. The dynamics of plasmorrhagia was characterized by initial deposition of fibrinogen-fibrin mainly in the area of the sarcolemma of the myocardial cells followed by diffusion into the muscular fibres.", "contents": "[Plasmorrhagia into the myocardial cells after adrenaline-induced myocardial damage]. The immunomorphological and electron microscopy methods were used to study the myocardial damage in mice induced by adrenaline injections. The dynamics of plasmorrhagia was characterized by initial deposition of fibrinogen-fibrin mainly in the area of the sarcolemma of the myocardial cells followed by diffusion into the muscular fibres.", "PMID": 796542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10648", "title": "[Evaluation of clinical study methods in the diagnosis of cardiac insufficiency in myocardial infarct].", "content": "On the basis of an examination of 500 patients with myocardial infarction the authors undertook a critical analysis of the informativeness of some clinical methods of evaluation of the cardiac muscle contractility employed in this pathology. The authors concluded that attempts at assessing the contractility of the left ventricle on the basis of the temporal intervals of the mechanical systole alone may give misleading results in myocardial infarction patients. The dp/dtmax parameter cannot serve as an independent measure of the inotropic function since its changes largely depend on the conditions of the ventricular load.", "contents": "[Evaluation of clinical study methods in the diagnosis of cardiac insufficiency in myocardial infarct]. On the basis of an examination of 500 patients with myocardial infarction the authors undertook a critical analysis of the informativeness of some clinical methods of evaluation of the cardiac muscle contractility employed in this pathology. The authors concluded that attempts at assessing the contractility of the left ventricle on the basis of the temporal intervals of the mechanical systole alone may give misleading results in myocardial infarction patients. The dp/dtmax parameter cannot serve as an independent measure of the inotropic function since its changes largely depend on the conditions of the ventricular load.", "PMID": 796541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10649", "title": "The age of the castrato voice.", "content": "In our time of rapidly changing life styles it is useful to understand that voices also mirror the spirit of an era. The study of the history of vocal styles may give valuable clues to a better understanding of contemporary phenomena. The age of the castrato voice is a remarkable episode. It illustrates the important role that the human voice plays in expressing psychological undercurrents of an age, and it throws some light on the powerful forces that influence the change of tastes and ideals in cultural history.", "contents": "The age of the castrato voice. In our time of rapidly changing life styles it is useful to understand that voices also mirror the spirit of an era. The study of the history of vocal styles may give valuable clues to a better understanding of contemporary phenomena. The age of the castrato voice is a remarkable episode. It illustrates the important role that the human voice plays in expressing psychological undercurrents of an age, and it throws some light on the powerful forces that influence the change of tastes and ideals in cultural history.", "PMID": 796585} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10650", "title": "Language in childhood psychosis: a review.", "content": "Childhood psychosis is a group of disorders characterized by numerous behavioral abnormalities, the most significant of which may well be in the area of language. Absence, delay, or deficit in linguistic development are frequently contributing factors to the retardation often associated with childhood psychosis. The literature on language in childhood psychosis covering the general characteristics of the linguistic deficits, the importance of language in diagnosis and prognosis, mother-child linguistic interaction, and intervention programs is reviewed. Recent psycholinguistic studies in normal development point up the present inadequacies or lack of structural linguistic studies in childhood psychosis. Some assumptions about innate linguistic capacities prerequisite to normal development are discussed and a hypothesis relating to a dysfunction in these capacities in childhood psychosis as well as directions for further research are proposed.", "contents": "Language in childhood psychosis: a review. Childhood psychosis is a group of disorders characterized by numerous behavioral abnormalities, the most significant of which may well be in the area of language. Absence, delay, or deficit in linguistic development are frequently contributing factors to the retardation often associated with childhood psychosis. The literature on language in childhood psychosis covering the general characteristics of the linguistic deficits, the importance of language in diagnosis and prognosis, mother-child linguistic interaction, and intervention programs is reviewed. Recent psycholinguistic studies in normal development point up the present inadequacies or lack of structural linguistic studies in childhood psychosis. Some assumptions about innate linguistic capacities prerequisite to normal development are discussed and a hypothesis relating to a dysfunction in these capacities in childhood psychosis as well as directions for further research are proposed.", "PMID": 796586} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10651", "title": "[Arterial stenoses after kidney transplantation].", "content": "After 268 kidney allotransplants, 7 cases of renal artery stenosis were observed. An additional 3 patients were referred to use from another center. The outstanding symptom of all 10 patients was hypertension refractory to medical treatment, beginning not later then 10 months after transplantation. In 9 cases there was a murmur over the transplant. In 6 patients hypertension was accompanied by a deterioration of renal function which was resistant to antirejection therapy. The tentative diagnosis was confirmed by selective renal arteriography of the transplant. Two main types of stenoses could be diagnosed: Segmental stenoses, 0.5-2 cm distal to the anastomosis, which were due to intimal lesions caused during removal of the kidney or by the perfusion canula; and kinking stenoses due to a technically inadequate implantation. Hypertension was controlled in all but 1 patient with reconstruction of the artery. Therefore, hypertension after kidney transplantation refractory to medical treatment should be further investigated with selective renal arteriography of the transplant. Stenoses with clinical symptoms which are confirmed by arteriography should be surgically corrected.", "contents": "[Arterial stenoses after kidney transplantation]. After 268 kidney allotransplants, 7 cases of renal artery stenosis were observed. An additional 3 patients were referred to use from another center. The outstanding symptom of all 10 patients was hypertension refractory to medical treatment, beginning not later then 10 months after transplantation. In 9 cases there was a murmur over the transplant. In 6 patients hypertension was accompanied by a deterioration of renal function which was resistant to antirejection therapy. The tentative diagnosis was confirmed by selective renal arteriography of the transplant. Two main types of stenoses could be diagnosed: Segmental stenoses, 0.5-2 cm distal to the anastomosis, which were due to intimal lesions caused during removal of the kidney or by the perfusion canula; and kinking stenoses due to a technically inadequate implantation. Hypertension was controlled in all but 1 patient with reconstruction of the artery. Therefore, hypertension after kidney transplantation refractory to medical treatment should be further investigated with selective renal arteriography of the transplant. Stenoses with clinical symptoms which are confirmed by arteriography should be surgically corrected.", "PMID": 796599} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10652", "title": "[Clinical results of esophagojejunoplication (author's transl)].", "content": "Indications, surgical technique, and clinical results in esophagojejunoplication are shown. In 46 patients the indication for total gastrectomy in 20 cases was a benign disease and in 26 cases cancer of the stomach. An essential feature of this method is the construction of a jejunal cuff, which is drawn around the anastomosis and the terminal esophagus. Particular advantage is the security of the anastomosis; we have observed only three leakages and these were without complications (6.5%). The fatality rate was 8.5%, and the total rate of complications was 26.1%. With 30 surviving patients a postoperative follow-up was carried out, the results of which are shown. Jejunoesophageal reflux occurred in only 7.9% of these patients.", "contents": "[Clinical results of esophagojejunoplication (author's transl)]. Indications, surgical technique, and clinical results in esophagojejunoplication are shown. In 46 patients the indication for total gastrectomy in 20 cases was a benign disease and in 26 cases cancer of the stomach. An essential feature of this method is the construction of a jejunal cuff, which is drawn around the anastomosis and the terminal esophagus. Particular advantage is the security of the anastomosis; we have observed only three leakages and these were without complications (6.5%). The fatality rate was 8.5%, and the total rate of complications was 26.1%. With 30 surviving patients a postoperative follow-up was carried out, the results of which are shown. Jejunoesophageal reflux occurred in only 7.9% of these patients.", "PMID": 796600} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10653", "title": "The effect of a collagen dressing on contaminated surgical wounds in rats.", "content": "In maintaining the rat, the collagen dressings, Aviderm Amine and Aviderm, are as effective as skin in low bacterial levels in contaminated surgical wounds. In the scald-burn wound in the rat the effect of skin dressing is confirmed. Also, 48 h after collagen dressing in the wound the bacterial contamination was the same as that seen under autograft dressings. We have elsewhere suggested that skin and some other dressings modify the local host defense by their effect on the accumulated white blood cells. We believe that collagen, as well as some synthetics, can alter the local environment permitting the destruction of invading bacteria by the accumulated white blood cells.", "contents": "The effect of a collagen dressing on contaminated surgical wounds in rats. In maintaining the rat, the collagen dressings, Aviderm Amine and Aviderm, are as effective as skin in low bacterial levels in contaminated surgical wounds. In the scald-burn wound in the rat the effect of skin dressing is confirmed. Also, 48 h after collagen dressing in the wound the bacterial contamination was the same as that seen under autograft dressings. We have elsewhere suggested that skin and some other dressings modify the local host defense by their effect on the accumulated white blood cells. We believe that collagen, as well as some synthetics, can alter the local environment permitting the destruction of invading bacteria by the accumulated white blood cells.", "PMID": 796601} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10654", "title": "[Experimental repair of tendons with cutis grafts. Light and polarization microscopic study (author's transl)].", "content": "Autologous and homologous cutis grafts have been used for the repair of experimental defect of the tendon of the m. ext. carpi ulnaris in adult dogs. Newly formed tendon tissue was found on the frame of the cutis graft about 8 weeks after the implantation. The structure of the newly formed tendon was investigated by light and polarization microscopy up to 8 weeks postoperatively.", "contents": "[Experimental repair of tendons with cutis grafts. Light and polarization microscopic study (author's transl)]. Autologous and homologous cutis grafts have been used for the repair of experimental defect of the tendon of the m. ext. carpi ulnaris in adult dogs. Newly formed tendon tissue was found on the frame of the cutis graft about 8 weeks after the implantation. The structure of the newly formed tendon was investigated by light and polarization microscopy up to 8 weeks postoperatively.", "PMID": 796602} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10655", "title": "Antimicrobial action of dodecyldiethanolamine: induced membrane damage in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Studies on the uptake of the antimicrobial agent N-dodecyldiethanolamine by Escherichia coli show that it rapidly penetrates the cell wall and damages the cytoplasmic membrane. Membrane damage is evident from the induced release of potassium ions and other cytoplasmic components from whole cells and from the lytic effect upon isolated spheroplasts. Concentrations of 0.4 mM and below lyse spheroplasts whereas higher concentrations cause coagulation of the cytoplasm which prevents lysis. The effect of membrane damage upon glucose oxidation in whole cells is also dependent upon the concentration of dodecyldiethanolamine. Concentrations of 0.4 mM and below stimulate oxygen uptake and higher concentrations inhibit it.", "contents": "Antimicrobial action of dodecyldiethanolamine: induced membrane damage in Escherichia coli. Studies on the uptake of the antimicrobial agent N-dodecyldiethanolamine by Escherichia coli show that it rapidly penetrates the cell wall and damages the cytoplasmic membrane. Membrane damage is evident from the induced release of potassium ions and other cytoplasmic components from whole cells and from the lytic effect upon isolated spheroplasts. Concentrations of 0.4 mM and below lyse spheroplasts whereas higher concentrations cause coagulation of the cytoplasm which prevents lysis. The effect of membrane damage upon glucose oxidation in whole cells is also dependent upon the concentration of dodecyldiethanolamine. Concentrations of 0.4 mM and below stimulate oxygen uptake and higher concentrations inhibit it.", "PMID": 796627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10656", "title": "Identification of an antibody binding site in the phase-1 flagellar protein of Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "A synthesized pentapeptide equivalent to a region of the phase-1 flagellar protein of Salmonella typhimurium was found to be specifically bound by antisera possessing agglutinating activity against the phase-1 flagellar antigen i.", "contents": "Identification of an antibody binding site in the phase-1 flagellar protein of Salmonella typhimurium. A synthesized pentapeptide equivalent to a region of the phase-1 flagellar protein of Salmonella typhimurium was found to be specifically bound by antisera possessing agglutinating activity against the phase-1 flagellar antigen i.", "PMID": 796628} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10657", "title": "[Spheroplasts of Proteus studied by scanning electron microscopy, freeze etching and ultrathin sections].", "content": "Spheroplasts are formed 15 min after the addition of penicillin. Swellings appear at the end or in the middle of the cell. Buds were found on the surface of the spheroplasts. As was found by scanning electron microscopy, the surface of the spheroplasts is folded and, during later stages, wrinkled. \"Expulsion\" of mesosomes into the periplasmic space was found, as well as separation of vesicles, formed by the outer and cytoplasmic membranes, from the cell surface. The two fracture faces of the outer membrane are uncomplementary; the convex fracture face is mainly smooth but contains occasional dents of the rod-like shape while the concave face does not contain them. The outer (true) surface of the cell wall is smooth. The similarity and differences between the protoplasts, spheroplasts and L forms are discussed . The protoplasts and spheroplasts may divide, grow and multiply under definite conditions of cultivation, like the L forms do, but they do not possess the well developed intracytoplasmic membrane system typical of the L forms.", "contents": "[Spheroplasts of Proteus studied by scanning electron microscopy, freeze etching and ultrathin sections]. Spheroplasts are formed 15 min after the addition of penicillin. Swellings appear at the end or in the middle of the cell. Buds were found on the surface of the spheroplasts. As was found by scanning electron microscopy, the surface of the spheroplasts is folded and, during later stages, wrinkled. \"Expulsion\" of mesosomes into the periplasmic space was found, as well as separation of vesicles, formed by the outer and cytoplasmic membranes, from the cell surface. The two fracture faces of the outer membrane are uncomplementary; the convex fracture face is mainly smooth but contains occasional dents of the rod-like shape while the concave face does not contain them. The outer (true) surface of the cell wall is smooth. The similarity and differences between the protoplasts, spheroplasts and L forms are discussed . The protoplasts and spheroplasts may divide, grow and multiply under definite conditions of cultivation, like the L forms do, but they do not possess the well developed intracytoplasmic membrane system typical of the L forms.", "PMID": 796629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10658", "title": "[Mechanism of bacterial resistance to tetracyclines and the importance of structural elements of tetracycline molecule for induction of resistance].", "content": "The resistance of Staphylococcus aureus P-282 and E. coli E-107 to chlorotetracycline is based on the acquired ability of energy-dependent \"counteraction\" with regard to penetration of the antibiotic in to the cells. Thus, inhibitors of energy processes stimulate chlorotetracycline absorption by resistant strains and increase their sensitivity to the antibiotic. The studied bacterial hospital strains absorb chlorotetracycline by means of oxalacetic acid transport system similar to resistant strains obtained in the laboratory. The transport system of chlorotetracycline is stereospecific and is involved in absorption of analogues of the antibiotic with the intact phenoldiketone or diphenol structure of the molecule. These analogues, like the natural antibiotic, induce an increase in the resistance to the antibiotic. No changes in the nature of the antibiotic transport system occur during induction. The increased resistance caused by induction is due entirely to a decrease in absorption of the antibiotic by the cells.", "contents": "[Mechanism of bacterial resistance to tetracyclines and the importance of structural elements of tetracycline molecule for induction of resistance]. The resistance of Staphylococcus aureus P-282 and E. coli E-107 to chlorotetracycline is based on the acquired ability of energy-dependent \"counteraction\" with regard to penetration of the antibiotic in to the cells. Thus, inhibitors of energy processes stimulate chlorotetracycline absorption by resistant strains and increase their sensitivity to the antibiotic. The studied bacterial hospital strains absorb chlorotetracycline by means of oxalacetic acid transport system similar to resistant strains obtained in the laboratory. The transport system of chlorotetracycline is stereospecific and is involved in absorption of analogues of the antibiotic with the intact phenoldiketone or diphenol structure of the molecule. These analogues, like the natural antibiotic, induce an increase in the resistance to the antibiotic. No changes in the nature of the antibiotic transport system occur during induction. The increased resistance caused by induction is due entirely to a decrease in absorption of the antibiotic by the cells.", "PMID": 796630} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10659", "title": "[Viability of Escherichia coli cultures].", "content": "In the logarithmic phase of batch cultures of E. coli B and MRE-600, a high percentage (upto 80%) of the cells did not grow. Viability of the cells was estimated by inoculation on plates, in agar drops, and on slides. As was established by mathematical planning experiments, the viability and growth rate of the culture depend on the micro-element composition of the medium.", "contents": "[Viability of Escherichia coli cultures]. In the logarithmic phase of batch cultures of E. coli B and MRE-600, a high percentage (upto 80%) of the cells did not grow. Viability of the cells was estimated by inoculation on plates, in agar drops, and on slides. As was established by mathematical planning experiments, the viability and growth rate of the culture depend on the micro-element composition of the medium.", "PMID": 796631} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10660", "title": "[Rapid selection of microorganisms belonging to the genus Pseudomonas and the order Actinomycetales and producing exocellular lecithinases].", "content": "A rapid and simple method is suggested for primary selection of microorganisms producing exocellular lecithinases; the method is based on diffusion of the enzyme into agar containing lecithin. Among 55 studied cultures belonging to the genus Pseudomonas 18 cultures were active. Among 326 studied strains belonging to the order Actinomycetales, 7 strains were active and their level of lecithinase biosynthesis was much higher.", "contents": "[Rapid selection of microorganisms belonging to the genus Pseudomonas and the order Actinomycetales and producing exocellular lecithinases]. A rapid and simple method is suggested for primary selection of microorganisms producing exocellular lecithinases; the method is based on diffusion of the enzyme into agar containing lecithin. Among 55 studied cultures belonging to the genus Pseudomonas 18 cultures were active. Among 326 studied strains belonging to the order Actinomycetales, 7 strains were active and their level of lecithinase biosynthesis was much higher.", "PMID": 796633} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10661", "title": "[Dynamics of accumulation of extracellular proteins of Serratia marcescens and their nuclease activity during cell growth].", "content": "Serratia marcescens, strain B-10 M-1, liberates an unspecific endonuclease into the extracellular nutrient solution. Two peaks of the enzyme activity were found in the cultural broth during growth of the cells. The dynamics of accumulation of protein fractions in the cultural broth was studied, and the relative electrophoretic mobility of the enzyme-active part of the proteins was established.", "contents": "[Dynamics of accumulation of extracellular proteins of Serratia marcescens and their nuclease activity during cell growth]. Serratia marcescens, strain B-10 M-1, liberates an unspecific endonuclease into the extracellular nutrient solution. Two peaks of the enzyme activity were found in the cultural broth during growth of the cells. The dynamics of accumulation of protein fractions in the cultural broth was studied, and the relative electrophoretic mobility of the enzyme-active part of the proteins was established.", "PMID": 796632} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10662", "title": "Optimal dose of a thiazide diuretic.", "content": "In essential hypertension, 25 mg and 100 mg of chlorthalidone per day reduced blood pressure to a similar extent. The larger amount (100 mg per day of chlorthalidone) caused a greater reduction in extracellular volume and a larger rise in plasma renin activity and serum uric acid levels. Hypokalaemia was common with 100 mg per day of chlorthalidone, but was rarely seen in patients who took 25 mg per day, and neither dose caused total body potassium depletion. In the management of hypertension, 25 mg of chlorthalidone is the preferred dose as it produces most of the antihypertensive effects with only minor biochemical changes.", "contents": "Optimal dose of a thiazide diuretic. In essential hypertension, 25 mg and 100 mg of chlorthalidone per day reduced blood pressure to a similar extent. The larger amount (100 mg per day of chlorthalidone) caused a greater reduction in extracellular volume and a larger rise in plasma renin activity and serum uric acid levels. Hypokalaemia was common with 100 mg per day of chlorthalidone, but was rarely seen in patients who took 25 mg per day, and neither dose caused total body potassium depletion. In the management of hypertension, 25 mg of chlorthalidone is the preferred dose as it produces most of the antihypertensive effects with only minor biochemical changes.", "PMID": 796642} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10663", "title": "Comparison of effectiveness of mefenamic acid and ibuprofen in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "This paper reports a double-blind crossover trial comparing mefenamic acid (1500 mg/day) with ibuprofen (1200 mg/day) in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving maintenance salicylate therapy. Both drugs were used in three divided doses. Mefenamic acid compared favourably with ibuprofen. In the adopted dose regimes the side effects from both drugs were mild and almost exclusively gastrointestinal.", "contents": "Comparison of effectiveness of mefenamic acid and ibuprofen in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This paper reports a double-blind crossover trial comparing mefenamic acid (1500 mg/day) with ibuprofen (1200 mg/day) in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving maintenance salicylate therapy. Both drugs were used in three divided doses. Mefenamic acid compared favourably with ibuprofen. In the adopted dose regimes the side effects from both drugs were mild and almost exclusively gastrointestinal.", "PMID": 796645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10664", "title": "Restriction endonuclease analysis of ribosomal DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The size and degree of homogeneity of the repetitive units in purified ribosomal DNA (gamma DNA) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been analyzed by restriction endonuclease digestion and heteroduplex mapping. Digestion of the gamma DNA with EcoRI yields seven fragments, digestion with Hind II+III yields five fragments, digestion with Hind III alone yields two fragments, and digestion with Sma I yields one fragment. The sum of the fragment molecular weights after digestion with each of the endonucleases is 5.5-5.6 x 10(6). When the DNA strands of the Sma I fragment are dissociated and reannealed, only homoduplexes are formed. We have concluded from these results that the repeating units in yeast ribosomal DNA are 5.6 x 10(6) datons and are homogeneous in size and composition.", "contents": "Restriction endonuclease analysis of ribosomal DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The size and degree of homogeneity of the repetitive units in purified ribosomal DNA (gamma DNA) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been analyzed by restriction endonuclease digestion and heteroduplex mapping. Digestion of the gamma DNA with EcoRI yields seven fragments, digestion with Hind II+III yields five fragments, digestion with Hind III alone yields two fragments, and digestion with Sma I yields one fragment. The sum of the fragment molecular weights after digestion with each of the endonucleases is 5.5-5.6 x 10(6). When the DNA strands of the Sma I fragment are dissociated and reannealed, only homoduplexes are formed. We have concluded from these results that the repeating units in yeast ribosomal DNA are 5.6 x 10(6) datons and are homogeneous in size and composition.", "PMID": 796660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10665", "title": "Overproduction of phage lambda repressor under control of the lac promotor of Escherichia coli.", "content": "The gene coding for bacteriophage Lambda repressor (cI gene) has been fused to the lac operon of Escherichia coli. In some of the fusions Lambda repressor synthesis can be controlled by the lac operator and promoter. Upon induction of the lac operon the amount of Lambda repressor is increased by a factor of 7 over that found in a single lysogen. In combination with the polarity suppressor suA the induction factor rises to 20. Transducing phages of one fusion were constructed. After thermal induction of this phage the final level of Lambda repressor was enhanced by a factor of 150.", "contents": "Overproduction of phage lambda repressor under control of the lac promotor of Escherichia coli. The gene coding for bacteriophage Lambda repressor (cI gene) has been fused to the lac operon of Escherichia coli. In some of the fusions Lambda repressor synthesis can be controlled by the lac operator and promoter. Upon induction of the lac operon the amount of Lambda repressor is increased by a factor of 7 over that found in a single lysogen. In combination with the polarity suppressor suA the induction factor rises to 20. Transducing phages of one fusion were constructed. After thermal induction of this phage the final level of Lambda repressor was enhanced by a factor of 150.", "PMID": 796661} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10666", "title": "[Theory and practice in the taking of complete denture impressions].", "content": "The fundamental principles applicable to complete dentures are examined. Particular attention is given to the anatomical state of the so-called \"biostatic areas\" and the importance of a positive load: support ratio between the dental plate and biological tissue. The fundamental principles relating to the taking of impressions are discussed and stress is laid on the importance of imparting a functional character to the relief. Various techniques for the construction of a correct plate and their advantages and disadvantages are illustrated. Reference is made to preliminary impressions, resin spoons, the functional nature of the peripheral edges, and final impressions, with or without compression.", "contents": "[Theory and practice in the taking of complete denture impressions]. The fundamental principles applicable to complete dentures are examined. Particular attention is given to the anatomical state of the so-called \"biostatic areas\" and the importance of a positive load: support ratio between the dental plate and biological tissue. The fundamental principles relating to the taking of impressions are discussed and stress is laid on the importance of imparting a functional character to the relief. Various techniques for the construction of a correct plate and their advantages and disadvantages are illustrated. Reference is made to preliminary impressions, resin spoons, the functional nature of the peripheral edges, and final impressions, with or without compression.", "PMID": 796659} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10667", "title": "A novel class of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants specifically UV-sensitive to \"petite\" induction.", "content": "A mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been isolated which, though exhibiting a normal response to nuclear genetic damage by ultraviolet light (UV), is more sensitive than its wild type specifically in the production of the cytoplasmic (rho-) mutation by this agent. Some of the features of this mutation which has been designated uvsrho 5 are: i) The mutation is recessive, it exhibits a Mendelian, and hence presumably nuclear, pattern of segregation, but manifests its effects specifically and pleiotropically on mitochondrial functions. ii) Mutant cells resemble their wild type parents in a) growth characteristics on glucose; b) in their UV induced dose response to lethality or nuclear mutation and c) the ability of their mitochondrial genome, upon mating with appropriate testers, of transmitting and recombining various markers, albeit with enhanced efficiency. Similarly, d) they are able to modulate the expression of mitochondrial mutagenesis by ethidium bromide. Thus their mitochondrial DNA appears genetically as competent as that of the wild type. iii) Mutant cells differ from their wild type parents in a) growth characteristics on glycerol; b) susceptibility to induction of the mitochondrial (rho-) mutation by various mutagens, in that the rate of spontaneous mutation is slightly and that by UV is significantly enhanced, whild that by ethidium bromide is greatly diminished. Conversely, c) modulating influences resulting in the repair of initial damage are diminished fro UV and stimulated in the case of Berenil. iv) The amount of mitochondrial DNA per cell appears elevated in the mutant, relative to wild type, and its rate of degradation subsequent to a mutagenic exposure to either UV or ethidium bromide is diminished. v) A self-consistent scheme to account for this and all other information so far available for the induction and modulation of the (rho-) mutation is presented. In a previous study it was shown that some nuclear mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, more sensitive to lethal damage induced by ultraviolet light (rad) than their parent wild type (RAD), also exhibit a concomitant modification in sensitivity to both nuclear and cytoplasmic genetic damage (Moustacchi, 1971). However, another class of rad mutants respond to the induction of the cytoplasmic \"petite\" also designated as rho- (or rho-) mutation by UV in a manner indistinguishable from that of the RAD strain. One possible interpretation of this last observation is that some of the steps in the expression of the UV damage on mitochondrial (mt)DNA may be governed by other nuclear and cytoplasmic genetic determinants, the products of which may then act specifically on mitochondrial lesions. If this assumption is correct, it should be possible to find mutants with a normal response to nuclear damage but specifically UV-sensitive towards induction of (rho-)...", "contents": "A novel class of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants specifically UV-sensitive to \"petite\" induction. A mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been isolated which, though exhibiting a normal response to nuclear genetic damage by ultraviolet light (UV), is more sensitive than its wild type specifically in the production of the cytoplasmic (rho-) mutation by this agent. Some of the features of this mutation which has been designated uvsrho 5 are: i) The mutation is recessive, it exhibits a Mendelian, and hence presumably nuclear, pattern of segregation, but manifests its effects specifically and pleiotropically on mitochondrial functions. ii) Mutant cells resemble their wild type parents in a) growth characteristics on glucose; b) in their UV induced dose response to lethality or nuclear mutation and c) the ability of their mitochondrial genome, upon mating with appropriate testers, of transmitting and recombining various markers, albeit with enhanced efficiency. Similarly, d) they are able to modulate the expression of mitochondrial mutagenesis by ethidium bromide. Thus their mitochondrial DNA appears genetically as competent as that of the wild type. iii) Mutant cells differ from their wild type parents in a) growth characteristics on glycerol; b) susceptibility to induction of the mitochondrial (rho-) mutation by various mutagens, in that the rate of spontaneous mutation is slightly and that by UV is significantly enhanced, whild that by ethidium bromide is greatly diminished. Conversely, c) modulating influences resulting in the repair of initial damage are diminished fro UV and stimulated in the case of Berenil. iv) The amount of mitochondrial DNA per cell appears elevated in the mutant, relative to wild type, and its rate of degradation subsequent to a mutagenic exposure to either UV or ethidium bromide is diminished. v) A self-consistent scheme to account for this and all other information so far available for the induction and modulation of the (rho-) mutation is presented. In a previous study it was shown that some nuclear mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, more sensitive to lethal damage induced by ultraviolet light (rad) than their parent wild type (RAD), also exhibit a concomitant modification in sensitivity to both nuclear and cytoplasmic genetic damage (Moustacchi, 1971). However, another class of rad mutants respond to the induction of the cytoplasmic \"petite\" also designated as rho- (or rho-) mutation by UV in a manner indistinguishable from that of the RAD strain. One possible interpretation of this last observation is that some of the steps in the expression of the UV damage on mitochondrial (mt)DNA may be governed by other nuclear and cytoplasmic genetic determinants, the products of which may then act specifically on mitochondrial lesions. If this assumption is correct, it should be possible to find mutants with a normal response to nuclear damage but specifically UV-sensitive towards induction of (rho-)...", "PMID": 796662} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10668", "title": "Conditional lethal phosphatidylserine decarboxylase mutants of Escherichia coli. Mapping of the structural gene for phosphatidylserine decarboxylase.", "content": "The final step in the biosynthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine, the major membrane lipid of Escherichia coli, is catalyzed by the membrane-bound enzyme, phosphatidylserine decarboxylase. A variation of a procedure for localized mutagenesis (Hong and Ames, 1971) was employed to generate conditional lethal mutants in phosphatidylserine decarboxylase. In our modification, an episome carrying the psd gene closely linked to purA+ was heavily mutagenized in vivo in a strain also lysogenic for phage P1CMclr100. After induction of a phage lytic cycle, the purA+ marker was transduced to a purA- recipient. A majority of the Pur+ transductants thus contained a psd gene originating from the heavily mutagenized episomal strain. Three mutants were isolated in which temperature-sensitive growth is caused by thermosensitive phosphatidylserine decarboxylase activity that is defective in vivo at the non-permissive temperature. All 3 mutations were mapped at the same location as psd1, being cotransduced with melA, purA, and ampA. The gene order in this region, as determined by a phage Pl-meidated, three-factor cross is ampA-psd-purA. psd+ is dominant to the psd mutant alleles.", "contents": "Conditional lethal phosphatidylserine decarboxylase mutants of Escherichia coli. Mapping of the structural gene for phosphatidylserine decarboxylase. The final step in the biosynthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine, the major membrane lipid of Escherichia coli, is catalyzed by the membrane-bound enzyme, phosphatidylserine decarboxylase. A variation of a procedure for localized mutagenesis (Hong and Ames, 1971) was employed to generate conditional lethal mutants in phosphatidylserine decarboxylase. In our modification, an episome carrying the psd gene closely linked to purA+ was heavily mutagenized in vivo in a strain also lysogenic for phage P1CMclr100. After induction of a phage lytic cycle, the purA+ marker was transduced to a purA- recipient. A majority of the Pur+ transductants thus contained a psd gene originating from the heavily mutagenized episomal strain. Three mutants were isolated in which temperature-sensitive growth is caused by thermosensitive phosphatidylserine decarboxylase activity that is defective in vivo at the non-permissive temperature. All 3 mutations were mapped at the same location as psd1, being cotransduced with melA, purA, and ampA. The gene order in this region, as determined by a phage Pl-meidated, three-factor cross is ampA-psd-purA. psd+ is dominant to the psd mutant alleles.", "PMID": 796663} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10669", "title": "A map of the restriction targets in yeast 2 micron plasmid DNA cloned on bacteriophage lambda.", "content": "The 2 micron circular DNA from S. cerevisiae has been cloned on bacteriophage lambda. The two forms of circular DNA which exist in equilibrium due to recombination between inverted repeat sequences were separated as stable clones, and a map of targets for restriction endonucleases EcoRI, HindIII and HpaI was constructed. The circular DNAs isolated from a particular oligomycin resistant strain and its parent oligomycin snesitive strain were compared by restriction endonuclease analysis, and no difference was detected. The potential uses of cloned 2 micron DNA in determining the possible biological role of these plasmids are considered.", "contents": "A map of the restriction targets in yeast 2 micron plasmid DNA cloned on bacteriophage lambda. The 2 micron circular DNA from S. cerevisiae has been cloned on bacteriophage lambda. The two forms of circular DNA which exist in equilibrium due to recombination between inverted repeat sequences were separated as stable clones, and a map of targets for restriction endonucleases EcoRI, HindIII and HpaI was constructed. The circular DNAs isolated from a particular oligomycin resistant strain and its parent oligomycin snesitive strain were compared by restriction endonuclease analysis, and no difference was detected. The potential uses of cloned 2 micron DNA in determining the possible biological role of these plasmids are considered.", "PMID": 796664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10670", "title": "In vitro transcription of the tryptophan operon in isolated bacterial nucleoids.", "content": "In vitro transcription of the trp operon in isolated nucleoids from Escherichia coli was studied. RNA synthesis in this system occurred primarily as a continuation of transcription which had been initiated in vivo; little or no initiation of new RNA chains was observed. Transcription of the trp operon in nucleoids by endogenous RNA polymerase procedded efficiently and ceases sequentially in the order of the gene sequence within the operon. Under these conditions, no appreciable exonuccleolytic digestion of nascent 3H-RNA was found, though some endonucleolytic cleavage was generally seen. Little or no incorporation of 14C-leucine into polypeptides was observed, inspite of tha fact that considerable number of ribosomes and nascent RNA chains were found attached to the isolated nucleoids. The synthesis of trp mRNA continued in the presence of chloramphenicol or fusidic acid, or under conditions where the rebosomal translocation factor G was inactivated. From these and other kinetic studies of trp mRNA synthesis in nucleoids obtained from nonsense strong polar mutants of the trp operon, it was shown that transcription in nucleoids was not connected functionally with transloational processes and thus unable to exhibit polarity effected by a nonsense mutation or by general translational blockage. In studies employing nucleoids from nonsense strong polar mutants of the trp operon, it was demonstrated that RNA polymerase are scantily distributed over the region downstream from the nonsense mutation site of the operon, thereby supporting a notion that in vivo transcription is eventually terminated near the nonsense mutation.", "contents": "In vitro transcription of the tryptophan operon in isolated bacterial nucleoids. In vitro transcription of the trp operon in isolated nucleoids from Escherichia coli was studied. RNA synthesis in this system occurred primarily as a continuation of transcription which had been initiated in vivo; little or no initiation of new RNA chains was observed. Transcription of the trp operon in nucleoids by endogenous RNA polymerase procedded efficiently and ceases sequentially in the order of the gene sequence within the operon. Under these conditions, no appreciable exonuccleolytic digestion of nascent 3H-RNA was found, though some endonucleolytic cleavage was generally seen. Little or no incorporation of 14C-leucine into polypeptides was observed, inspite of tha fact that considerable number of ribosomes and nascent RNA chains were found attached to the isolated nucleoids. The synthesis of trp mRNA continued in the presence of chloramphenicol or fusidic acid, or under conditions where the rebosomal translocation factor G was inactivated. From these and other kinetic studies of trp mRNA synthesis in nucleoids obtained from nonsense strong polar mutants of the trp operon, it was shown that transcription in nucleoids was not connected functionally with transloational processes and thus unable to exhibit polarity effected by a nonsense mutation or by general translational blockage. In studies employing nucleoids from nonsense strong polar mutants of the trp operon, it was demonstrated that RNA polymerase are scantily distributed over the region downstream from the nonsense mutation site of the operon, thereby supporting a notion that in vivo transcription is eventually terminated near the nonsense mutation.", "PMID": 796665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10671", "title": "Genetic analysis of mutants from Escherichia coli K12 unable to grow anaerobically without exogenous acceptor.", "content": "The ana mutation leads E. coli to need an exogenous electron acceptor for anaerobic growth. The affected gene maps near 26 min between chl C and tdk on the chromosome of the organism.", "contents": "Genetic analysis of mutants from Escherichia coli K12 unable to grow anaerobically without exogenous acceptor. The ana mutation leads E. coli to need an exogenous electron acceptor for anaerobic growth. The affected gene maps near 26 min between chl C and tdk on the chromosome of the organism.", "PMID": 796666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10672", "title": "Temperature-sensitive mutants of the slime mould Physarum polycephalum. I. Mutants of the amoebal phase.", "content": "A replica plating method for isolating it amoebal mutants of Physarum polycephalum has been devised. Temperature-sensitive mutations occur at a frequency after nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis of 10(-3) per survivor, are stable but are not usually expressed in the plasmodia formed from these amoebae in clones. Some of these mutants appear to be cell-cycle stage specific.", "contents": "Temperature-sensitive mutants of the slime mould Physarum polycephalum. I. Mutants of the amoebal phase. A replica plating method for isolating it amoebal mutants of Physarum polycephalum has been devised. Temperature-sensitive mutations occur at a frequency after nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis of 10(-3) per survivor, are stable but are not usually expressed in the plasmodia formed from these amoebae in clones. Some of these mutants appear to be cell-cycle stage specific.", "PMID": 796667} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10673", "title": "Temperature-sensitive mutants of the slime mould Physarum polycephalum. II. Mutants of the plasmodial phase.", "content": "Methods are described for the isolation and testing of temperature-sensitive plasmodial strains of Physarum polycephalum. Nineteen temperature-sensitive strains were found by screening plasmodia derived from mutagenised amoebae and the properties of these are described. A scheme is outlined for the detection of specific mitotic cycle lesions amongst temperature-sensitive strains, and the properties of a presumptive mitotic cycle mutant are described.", "contents": "Temperature-sensitive mutants of the slime mould Physarum polycephalum. II. Mutants of the plasmodial phase. Methods are described for the isolation and testing of temperature-sensitive plasmodial strains of Physarum polycephalum. Nineteen temperature-sensitive strains were found by screening plasmodia derived from mutagenised amoebae and the properties of these are described. A scheme is outlined for the detection of specific mitotic cycle lesions amongst temperature-sensitive strains, and the properties of a presumptive mitotic cycle mutant are described.", "PMID": 796668} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10674", "title": "Cloning of calf thymus satellite I DNA in Escherichia coli.", "content": "The 1400 base pair repeat produced by digestion of calf satellite I DNA (phi = 1.714 g/cm3) with EcoRI, was cloned in E. coli. The hybrid plasmid (pGM 214) which contains the ColE1-Ap vector (pSF 2124) and the 1400 base pair fragment replicates stably in E. coli and can be amplified by chloramphenicol treatment. No clone was found in which more than one \"repeat unit\" of the satellite I DNA was present in the chimaera plasmid. Digestion of the original satellite I and the plasmid pGM 214 with R-SmaI shows that the satellite DNA replicated in E. coli is cleaved by the restriction endonuclease SmaI whereas the original satellite I DNA from calf thymus is not, suggesting that the satellite I contains a large amount of modified cytosine or guanosine, probably 5-methyl-cytosine. R-EcoRI* produces a number of fragments with the satellite I in the range of 300 base pairs to 1400 base pairs. A physical map of pGM 214 (and pSF 2124) with R-EcoRI, R-HincII, R-HindIII, R-SmaI, R-BamI and R-EclI was constructed. The 1400 base pair \"repeat unit\" in the pGM 214 is efficiently transcribed in vitro by purified RNA polymerase, starting from a pSF 2124 promoter. The restriction enzyme EclI produces a 350 base pair repeat with calf satellite II (phi = 1,722 g/cm3), whereas the satellite I is not cut by this enzyme.", "contents": "Cloning of calf thymus satellite I DNA in Escherichia coli. The 1400 base pair repeat produced by digestion of calf satellite I DNA (phi = 1.714 g/cm3) with EcoRI, was cloned in E. coli. The hybrid plasmid (pGM 214) which contains the ColE1-Ap vector (pSF 2124) and the 1400 base pair fragment replicates stably in E. coli and can be amplified by chloramphenicol treatment. No clone was found in which more than one \"repeat unit\" of the satellite I DNA was present in the chimaera plasmid. Digestion of the original satellite I and the plasmid pGM 214 with R-SmaI shows that the satellite DNA replicated in E. coli is cleaved by the restriction endonuclease SmaI whereas the original satellite I DNA from calf thymus is not, suggesting that the satellite I contains a large amount of modified cytosine or guanosine, probably 5-methyl-cytosine. R-EcoRI* produces a number of fragments with the satellite I in the range of 300 base pairs to 1400 base pairs. A physical map of pGM 214 (and pSF 2124) with R-EcoRI, R-HincII, R-HindIII, R-SmaI, R-BamI and R-EclI was constructed. The 1400 base pair \"repeat unit\" in the pGM 214 is efficiently transcribed in vitro by purified RNA polymerase, starting from a pSF 2124 promoter. The restriction enzyme EclI produces a 350 base pair repeat with calf satellite II (phi = 1,722 g/cm3), whereas the satellite I is not cut by this enzyme.", "PMID": 796669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10675", "title": "Assembly of the mitochondrial membrane system. XVIII. Genetic loci on mitochondrial DNA involved in cytochrome b biosynthesis.", "content": "1. Fourteen cytoplasmic mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a specific deficiency of cytochrome b have been studied. The mutations have been shown to occur in two separate genetic loci, COB 1 and COB 2. These loci can be distinguished by mit- X mit- crosses. Pairwise crosses of cytochrome b mutants belonging to different loci yield 4-6% wild type recombinants corresponding to recombinational frequencies of 8-12%. In intra-locus crosses, the recombinational frequencies range from 1% to less than 0.01%. The two loci can also be distinguished by mit- X rho- crosses. Twenty rho- testers have been isolated of which ten preferentially restore mutations in COB 1 and ten others in COB 2. 2. The COB 1 and COB 2 loci have been localized on mitochondrial DNA between the two antibiotic resistance loci OLI 1 and OLI 2 in the order OLI 2-COB 2-COB 1-OLI 1. The results of mit- X mit- and mit- X rho- crosses have also been used to map the cytochrome b mutations relative to each other. The maps obtained by the two independent methods are in good agreement. 3. Mutations in COB 1 have been found to be linked to the OLI1 locus in some but not in other strains of S. cervisiae. This evidence suggests that there may be a spacer region between the two loci whose length varies from strain to strain. 4. Two mutations in COB 2 have been found to cause a loss of a mitochondrial translation product corresponding to the cytochrome b apoprotein. Instead of the wild type protein the mutants have a new low-molecular weight product which is probably a fragment of cytochrome b. The fact that the mutations revert suggests that they are nonsense mutations in the structural gene of cytochrome b.", "contents": "Assembly of the mitochondrial membrane system. XVIII. Genetic loci on mitochondrial DNA involved in cytochrome b biosynthesis. 1. Fourteen cytoplasmic mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a specific deficiency of cytochrome b have been studied. The mutations have been shown to occur in two separate genetic loci, COB 1 and COB 2. These loci can be distinguished by mit- X mit- crosses. Pairwise crosses of cytochrome b mutants belonging to different loci yield 4-6% wild type recombinants corresponding to recombinational frequencies of 8-12%. In intra-locus crosses, the recombinational frequencies range from 1% to less than 0.01%. The two loci can also be distinguished by mit- X rho- crosses. Twenty rho- testers have been isolated of which ten preferentially restore mutations in COB 1 and ten others in COB 2. 2. The COB 1 and COB 2 loci have been localized on mitochondrial DNA between the two antibiotic resistance loci OLI 1 and OLI 2 in the order OLI 2-COB 2-COB 1-OLI 1. The results of mit- X mit- and mit- X rho- crosses have also been used to map the cytochrome b mutations relative to each other. The maps obtained by the two independent methods are in good agreement. 3. Mutations in COB 1 have been found to be linked to the OLI1 locus in some but not in other strains of S. cervisiae. This evidence suggests that there may be a spacer region between the two loci whose length varies from strain to strain. 4. Two mutations in COB 2 have been found to cause a loss of a mitochondrial translation product corresponding to the cytochrome b apoprotein. Instead of the wild type protein the mutants have a new low-molecular weight product which is probably a fragment of cytochrome b. The fact that the mutations revert suggests that they are nonsense mutations in the structural gene of cytochrome b.", "PMID": 796670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10676", "title": "Suppression of temperature-sensitive aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutations by ribosomal mutations: a possible mechanism.", "content": "The biochemical basis of suppression of a temperature-sensitive alanyl-tRNA synthetase (alaS) mutation by mutational alterations of the ribosome has been investigated. Measurement of the polyU-dependent polyphenylalanine synthesis showed that ribosomes from the suppressor strains are less active than ribosomes from the unsuppressed aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutant. In this system no increased translational ambiguity could be detected for the suppressor ribosomes. This fact and also the findings that the ram-1 mutation is not able to suppress the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutation and that presence of the suppressor allele is not accompanied by a measureably improved alanyl-tRNA synthetase activity argue against the possibility that suppression might be due to increased translational misreading rates of the alanyl-tRNA synthetase mRNA. It has been further found that partial suppression of temperature sensitive growth of the alaS mutation can be achieved by independent ribosomal mutations leading to reduced growth rates because of a mutation to antibiotic resistance. Addition of low concentrations of a variety of antibiotics acting at the ribosomal level can also partially revert the temperature-sensitive phenotype of the alaS mutant. Although the possibility cannot be excluded that suppression is due to the stabilisation or activation of the mutant enzyme by some indirect effect of the suppressor ribosomal mutations, the following working hypothesis is favoured at the moment: It is assumed that limitation of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activity in a certain range of the restrictive temperature causes growth inhibition by the premature termination of polypeptide synthesis at the ribosome or by the unbalanced synthesis of the individual cellular proteins under this condition. The mechanism of suppression by ribosomal mutations is proposed to consist of the release of this growth inhibition by the reduction of the rate of polypeptide synthesis, which would keep amino acid incorporation from exceeding the slow charging of tRNA and thus exhausting the pool of charged tRNA. In the suppressor strains, therefore, growth at the semi-restrictive temperature is no longer limited by the aminoacylation of tRNA but by the translational process at the mutated ribosome. This influence of the ribosomal mutation on the speed of translation could be directly or indirectly coupled with an effect on translational fidelity resulting in the prevention of the binding of uncharged or non-cognate charged tRNA or in the tighter binding of peptidyl-tRNA when cognate aminoacyl-tRNA is limiting.", "contents": "Suppression of temperature-sensitive aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutations by ribosomal mutations: a possible mechanism. The biochemical basis of suppression of a temperature-sensitive alanyl-tRNA synthetase (alaS) mutation by mutational alterations of the ribosome has been investigated. Measurement of the polyU-dependent polyphenylalanine synthesis showed that ribosomes from the suppressor strains are less active than ribosomes from the unsuppressed aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutant. In this system no increased translational ambiguity could be detected for the suppressor ribosomes. This fact and also the findings that the ram-1 mutation is not able to suppress the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutation and that presence of the suppressor allele is not accompanied by a measureably improved alanyl-tRNA synthetase activity argue against the possibility that suppression might be due to increased translational misreading rates of the alanyl-tRNA synthetase mRNA. It has been further found that partial suppression of temperature sensitive growth of the alaS mutation can be achieved by independent ribosomal mutations leading to reduced growth rates because of a mutation to antibiotic resistance. Addition of low concentrations of a variety of antibiotics acting at the ribosomal level can also partially revert the temperature-sensitive phenotype of the alaS mutant. Although the possibility cannot be excluded that suppression is due to the stabilisation or activation of the mutant enzyme by some indirect effect of the suppressor ribosomal mutations, the following working hypothesis is favoured at the moment: It is assumed that limitation of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activity in a certain range of the restrictive temperature causes growth inhibition by the premature termination of polypeptide synthesis at the ribosome or by the unbalanced synthesis of the individual cellular proteins under this condition. The mechanism of suppression by ribosomal mutations is proposed to consist of the release of this growth inhibition by the reduction of the rate of polypeptide synthesis, which would keep amino acid incorporation from exceeding the slow charging of tRNA and thus exhausting the pool of charged tRNA. In the suppressor strains, therefore, growth at the semi-restrictive temperature is no longer limited by the aminoacylation of tRNA but by the translational process at the mutated ribosome. This influence of the ribosomal mutation on the speed of translation could be directly or indirectly coupled with an effect on translational fidelity resulting in the prevention of the binding of uncharged or non-cognate charged tRNA or in the tighter binding of peptidyl-tRNA when cognate aminoacyl-tRNA is limiting.", "PMID": 796671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10677", "title": "The use of specialised transducing phages in the amplification of enzyme production.", "content": "Two types of lambdatrp phages have been used as model systems to investigate ways of optimising the expression of bacterial genes from transducing phage genomes. Excellent yields of trp enzymes were achieved by infecting a trpR- host with Q- or Q-S- derivatives of lambdatrpAM1, which expresses its trp genese exclusively from the trp promoter. The five trp geneproducts constituted more than 50% of the total soluble protein of infected cells under these conditions, and an even higher proportion of the protein synthesized after infection. In a trpR+ host, phage DNA replication was easily able to override tryptophan-mediated repression by titration of the trp promoter were equally productive, while having the advantage of being much simpler to construct and propagate. lambdatrp phages lacking the trp promoter were used to investigate ways of optimising gene expression initiated at the phage promoter, PL. Though very powerful, the latter promoter is more difficult to harness then the trp promoter. Derepression of transcription from PL by the use of cro- mutations is accompanied by poor replication of transducing phage DNA. Attempts to circumvent this difficulty using virulent of cro,cII double mutants have not been successful. Nevertheless, cells infected with a lambdatrp phage expressing its trp genes exclusively from PL made up to 16 per cent of their protein as trp gene-products.", "contents": "The use of specialised transducing phages in the amplification of enzyme production. Two types of lambdatrp phages have been used as model systems to investigate ways of optimising the expression of bacterial genes from transducing phage genomes. Excellent yields of trp enzymes were achieved by infecting a trpR- host with Q- or Q-S- derivatives of lambdatrpAM1, which expresses its trp genese exclusively from the trp promoter. The five trp geneproducts constituted more than 50% of the total soluble protein of infected cells under these conditions, and an even higher proportion of the protein synthesized after infection. In a trpR+ host, phage DNA replication was easily able to override tryptophan-mediated repression by titration of the trp promoter were equally productive, while having the advantage of being much simpler to construct and propagate. lambdatrp phages lacking the trp promoter were used to investigate ways of optimising gene expression initiated at the phage promoter, PL. Though very powerful, the latter promoter is more difficult to harness then the trp promoter. Derepression of transcription from PL by the use of cro- mutations is accompanied by poor replication of transducing phage DNA. Attempts to circumvent this difficulty using virulent of cro,cII double mutants have not been successful. Nevertheless, cells infected with a lambdatrp phage expressing its trp genes exclusively from PL made up to 16 per cent of their protein as trp gene-products.", "PMID": 796672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10678", "title": "Recombined molecules of mitochondrial DNA obtained from crosses between cytoplasmic petite mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: the stoichiometry of parental DNA repeats within the recombined molecule.", "content": "We have studied recombination between repetitive mitochondrial DNAs from cytoplasmic petite mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mitochondrial DNA was isolated from two parental p- mutants, carrying respectively the CR and the ER mitochondrial genetic markers, and from two p- CRER diploid genetic recombinants. These two recombinants, obtained from the same parental petites, differ in their degrees of suppressiveness. The p- mitochondrial DNAs were analyzed by DNA-DNA hybridization, high resolution melting and reassociation kinetics. It was found that the repeating unit of the CR parental p- DNA is 3 to 4 times longer than that of the ER parent. There is very little sequence homology between these two p- mitochondrial DNAs and almost all parental sequences are integrated into the recombined molecules. Mitochondrial DNA from both types of recombinants seems to contain the two parental repeating units in the ratio 1:1.", "contents": "Recombined molecules of mitochondrial DNA obtained from crosses between cytoplasmic petite mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: the stoichiometry of parental DNA repeats within the recombined molecule. We have studied recombination between repetitive mitochondrial DNAs from cytoplasmic petite mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mitochondrial DNA was isolated from two parental p- mutants, carrying respectively the CR and the ER mitochondrial genetic markers, and from two p- CRER diploid genetic recombinants. These two recombinants, obtained from the same parental petites, differ in their degrees of suppressiveness. The p- mitochondrial DNAs were analyzed by DNA-DNA hybridization, high resolution melting and reassociation kinetics. It was found that the repeating unit of the CR parental p- DNA is 3 to 4 times longer than that of the ER parent. There is very little sequence homology between these two p- mitochondrial DNAs and almost all parental sequences are integrated into the recombined molecules. Mitochondrial DNA from both types of recombinants seems to contain the two parental repeating units in the ratio 1:1.", "PMID": 796673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10679", "title": "Gal mRNA initiated within IS2.", "content": "A strain of E. coli carrying IS2 in the control region of the gal operon has been found to revert to a constitutive phenotype. These revertants can be divided into two classes, which differ in their rate of enzyme synthesis and gal transcription. One revertant synthesizes the gal messenger at a low level (low level revertants), the other at a higher level that exceeds that of the induced wild type two- to three-fold (high level revertants). In both cases it has been shown that the gal messenger is covalently bound to IS2-RNA, which is transcribed from IS2 in the original orientation. The evidence suggests, that the section of the IS2-element, from which this RNA is transcribed in the case of the high level revertants is smaller than 50 nucleotides long: i.e. the resolution of the hybridization method used for the detection of sequence homologies exceeds that of the electron microscopical heteroduplex technique.", "contents": "Gal mRNA initiated within IS2. A strain of E. coli carrying IS2 in the control region of the gal operon has been found to revert to a constitutive phenotype. These revertants can be divided into two classes, which differ in their rate of enzyme synthesis and gal transcription. One revertant synthesizes the gal messenger at a low level (low level revertants), the other at a higher level that exceeds that of the induced wild type two- to three-fold (high level revertants). In both cases it has been shown that the gal messenger is covalently bound to IS2-RNA, which is transcribed from IS2 in the original orientation. The evidence suggests, that the section of the IS2-element, from which this RNA is transcribed in the case of the high level revertants is smaller than 50 nucleotides long: i.e. the resolution of the hybridization method used for the detection of sequence homologies exceeds that of the electron microscopical heteroduplex technique.", "PMID": 796674} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10680", "title": "E. coli membranes become permeable to ions following T7-virus-infection.", "content": "Infection of E. coli with the viruses T7 or T3 leads to a dramatic efflux of potassium ions. This ion efflux is caused by the virus particle since no concomitant protein synthesis is required. T7 mutants carrying deletions in the M-gene (Schweiger et al., 1975), however, yield virus particles disturbed in the ion release.", "contents": "E. coli membranes become permeable to ions following T7-virus-infection. Infection of E. coli with the viruses T7 or T3 leads to a dramatic efflux of potassium ions. This ion efflux is caused by the virus particle since no concomitant protein synthesis is required. T7 mutants carrying deletions in the M-gene (Schweiger et al., 1975), however, yield virus particles disturbed in the ion release.", "PMID": 796675} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10681", "title": "REPLICAtion of small plasmids in extracts of Escherichia coli: requirement for both DNA polymerases I and II.", "content": "The role of the three E. coli DNA polymerases (pol I, II, and III) in the replication of Col E1 DNA and other small plasmids with similar replicative properties was investigated in a soluble in vitro system prepared by freeze-thaw lysis of chloramphenicol-treated cells (Staudenbauer, 1976). Extracts from isogenic mutants of the polA, polB and polC gene loci deficient in pol I, II, and III respectively were examined for their replicative capacity. It was found that polA and polC extracts are deficient in the synthesis of supercoiled plasmid DNA, whereas the polB mutation has not effect. Deficient extracts could be complemented by addition of purified pol I and pol III holoenzyme. Analysis of the in vitro synthesized DNA by alkaline gradient centrifugation indicates that pol I is involved in an early step of the replication cycle whereas pol III is required at a later stage. These conclusions are confirmed by inhibition studies employing arabionsylcytosine triphosphate (aCTP) which is shown to interfere with pol III as well as pol II. The strong inhibitory effect of aCTP on plasmid replication is not influenced by the polB mutation and mimicks the effects of thermal inactivation of polC extracts. It is suggested that aCTP blocks plasmid ENA replication in vitro by interfering with pol III function", "contents": "REPLICAtion of small plasmids in extracts of Escherichia coli: requirement for both DNA polymerases I and II. The role of the three E. coli DNA polymerases (pol I, II, and III) in the replication of Col E1 DNA and other small plasmids with similar replicative properties was investigated in a soluble in vitro system prepared by freeze-thaw lysis of chloramphenicol-treated cells (Staudenbauer, 1976). Extracts from isogenic mutants of the polA, polB and polC gene loci deficient in pol I, II, and III respectively were examined for their replicative capacity. It was found that polA and polC extracts are deficient in the synthesis of supercoiled plasmid DNA, whereas the polB mutation has not effect. Deficient extracts could be complemented by addition of purified pol I and pol III holoenzyme. Analysis of the in vitro synthesized DNA by alkaline gradient centrifugation indicates that pol I is involved in an early step of the replication cycle whereas pol III is required at a later stage. These conclusions are confirmed by inhibition studies employing arabionsylcytosine triphosphate (aCTP) which is shown to interfere with pol III as well as pol II. The strong inhibitory effect of aCTP on plasmid replication is not influenced by the polB mutation and mimicks the effects of thermal inactivation of polC extracts. It is suggested that aCTP blocks plasmid ENA replication in vitro by interfering with pol III function", "PMID": 796676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10682", "title": "Genetic studies of the ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli. X. Mapping of the ribosomal proteins, L21 and S15, by intergeneric mating experiments between Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli K12.", "content": "Episomes of E. coli, which cover argG but not the str region, were transferred to Serratia marcescens. Ribosomal proteins from these hybrid strains were analyzed with phospho-cellulose or carboxy-methyl-cellulose column chromatography. Two E. coli ribosomal proteins, L21 and S15, could be detected in the ribosome from the hybrid strains in addition to the ribosomal proteins of S. marcescens.", "contents": "Genetic studies of the ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli. X. Mapping of the ribosomal proteins, L21 and S15, by intergeneric mating experiments between Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli K12. Episomes of E. coli, which cover argG but not the str region, were transferred to Serratia marcescens. Ribosomal proteins from these hybrid strains were analyzed with phospho-cellulose or carboxy-methyl-cellulose column chromatography. Two E. coli ribosomal proteins, L21 and S15, could be detected in the ribosome from the hybrid strains in addition to the ribosomal proteins of S. marcescens.", "PMID": 796677} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10683", "title": "Formation of NADPH-nitrate reductase activity in vitro from Aspergillus nidulans niaD and cnx mutants.", "content": "Mutants of A. nidulans at several loci lack detectable NADPH-nitrate reductase activity. These loci include niaD, the structural gene for the nitrate reductase polypeptide, and five other loci termed cnxABC, E, F, G and H which are presumed to be involved in the formation of a molybdenum-containing component (MCC) necessary for nitrate reductase activity. When forzen mycelia from A. nidulans deletion mutant niaD26 were homogenized in a Ten Broeck homogenizer together with frozen mycelia from either cnxA6, cnxE29, cnsF12, cnxG4 or cnxH3 strains grown on urea + nitrate as the nitrogen source, nitrate reductase activity was detectable in the extract. Similar results were obtained by co-homogenizind niaD mycelia with Neurospora crassa nit-1 mycelia induced on nitrate. Thus, all A. nidulans cnx mutants are similar to the N. crassa nit-1 strain in their capacity to yield NADPH-nitrate reductase in the presence of the presumed MCC. As judged by the amounts of nitrate reductase formed, niaD26 mycelia grown on urea +/- nitrate contained much more available MCC than ammonium-grown mycelia. No NADPH-nitrate reductase activity was found in extracts prepared by co-homogenizing mycelia from all five A. nidulans cnx strains. Wild-type A. nidulans NADPH-nitrate reductase acid dissociated by adjustment to pH 2.0-2.5 AND RE-ADJUSTED TO PH 7 could itself re-assemble to form active nitrate reductase and thus was not a useful source of MCC for these experiments. These results are consistent with the conclusion that the active nitrate reductase complex is composed of polypeptide components which are the niaD gene product, plus the MCC which is formed through the combined action of the cnx gene products. Further, the production of MCC may be regulated in response to the nitrogen nutrition available to the organism.", "contents": "Formation of NADPH-nitrate reductase activity in vitro from Aspergillus nidulans niaD and cnx mutants. Mutants of A. nidulans at several loci lack detectable NADPH-nitrate reductase activity. These loci include niaD, the structural gene for the nitrate reductase polypeptide, and five other loci termed cnxABC, E, F, G and H which are presumed to be involved in the formation of a molybdenum-containing component (MCC) necessary for nitrate reductase activity. When forzen mycelia from A. nidulans deletion mutant niaD26 were homogenized in a Ten Broeck homogenizer together with frozen mycelia from either cnxA6, cnxE29, cnsF12, cnxG4 or cnxH3 strains grown on urea + nitrate as the nitrogen source, nitrate reductase activity was detectable in the extract. Similar results were obtained by co-homogenizind niaD mycelia with Neurospora crassa nit-1 mycelia induced on nitrate. Thus, all A. nidulans cnx mutants are similar to the N. crassa nit-1 strain in their capacity to yield NADPH-nitrate reductase in the presence of the presumed MCC. As judged by the amounts of nitrate reductase formed, niaD26 mycelia grown on urea +/- nitrate contained much more available MCC than ammonium-grown mycelia. No NADPH-nitrate reductase activity was found in extracts prepared by co-homogenizing mycelia from all five A. nidulans cnx strains. Wild-type A. nidulans NADPH-nitrate reductase acid dissociated by adjustment to pH 2.0-2.5 AND RE-ADJUSTED TO PH 7 could itself re-assemble to form active nitrate reductase and thus was not a useful source of MCC for these experiments. These results are consistent with the conclusion that the active nitrate reductase complex is composed of polypeptide components which are the niaD gene product, plus the MCC which is formed through the combined action of the cnx gene products. Further, the production of MCC may be regulated in response to the nitrogen nutrition available to the organism.", "PMID": 796678} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10684", "title": "Genetic and biochemical studies on mannose-negative mutants with colonial morphological alterations.", "content": "Four mannose mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are described. In addition to their inability to grow on mannose as sole carbon and energy source, the mutants exhibit a distinct colonial morphological alteration. The isolates form hard colonies when grown on agar and exhibit extreme flocculation in broth. These organisms can catabolize mannose, but only form one-half the mannan found in the wild-type yeasts.", "contents": "Genetic and biochemical studies on mannose-negative mutants with colonial morphological alterations. Four mannose mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are described. In addition to their inability to grow on mannose as sole carbon and energy source, the mutants exhibit a distinct colonial morphological alteration. The isolates form hard colonies when grown on agar and exhibit extreme flocculation in broth. These organisms can catabolize mannose, but only form one-half the mannan found in the wild-type yeasts.", "PMID": 796679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10685", "title": "Revertants from RNase III negative strains of Escherichia coli.", "content": "E. coli strains carrying the rnc-105 allele do not show any level of RNase III in extracts, grow slower than rnc+ strains at temperatures up to 45 degrees C and fail to grow at 45 degrees C. Revertants which can grow at 45 degrees C were isolated. The vast majority of them still do not grow as fast as rnc+ strains and did not regain RNase III activity. The mutation(s) which caused them are suppressor mutations (physiological suppressors) which do not map in the immediate vicinity of the rnc gene. A few of the revertants regain normal growth, and contain normal levels of RNase III. They do not harbor the rnc-105 allele and therefore are considered to be true revertants. By using purines other than adenine it was possible to isolate rnc + pur- revertants from an rnc- pur- strain with relative ease. They behaved exactly like the true rnd+ revertants isolated from rns- strains at 45 degrees C. A merodiploid strain which contains the rnc+ gene on an episome behaves exactly like an rnc+ strain with respect to growth and RNA metabolis, eventhough its specific RNase III activity is about 60% of that of an rnc+ strain; thus the level of RNase III is not limiting in the cell. The rnc- strains show a characteristic pattern of transitory molecules, related to rRNA, 30S, 25S, \"p23\" and 18S, which are not observed in rnc+ strains. This pattern is unchanged in rnc- strains and in the revertants which are still lacking RNase III, regardless of the temperature in which RNA synthesis was examined (30 degrees to 45 degrees C). On the other hand, in the rnc+ strains as well as in the true revertants and the rnc+/rnc- merodiploid, the normal pattern of p16 and p23 is observed at all temperatures. These findings suggest that all the effects observed in RNase III- strains are due to pleiotropic effects of the rnc-105 allele, and that the enzyme RNase III is not essential for the viability of the E. coli cell.", "contents": "Revertants from RNase III negative strains of Escherichia coli. E. coli strains carrying the rnc-105 allele do not show any level of RNase III in extracts, grow slower than rnc+ strains at temperatures up to 45 degrees C and fail to grow at 45 degrees C. Revertants which can grow at 45 degrees C were isolated. The vast majority of them still do not grow as fast as rnc+ strains and did not regain RNase III activity. The mutation(s) which caused them are suppressor mutations (physiological suppressors) which do not map in the immediate vicinity of the rnc gene. A few of the revertants regain normal growth, and contain normal levels of RNase III. They do not harbor the rnc-105 allele and therefore are considered to be true revertants. By using purines other than adenine it was possible to isolate rnc + pur- revertants from an rnc- pur- strain with relative ease. They behaved exactly like the true rnd+ revertants isolated from rns- strains at 45 degrees C. A merodiploid strain which contains the rnc+ gene on an episome behaves exactly like an rnc+ strain with respect to growth and RNA metabolis, eventhough its specific RNase III activity is about 60% of that of an rnc+ strain; thus the level of RNase III is not limiting in the cell. The rnc- strains show a characteristic pattern of transitory molecules, related to rRNA, 30S, 25S, \"p23\" and 18S, which are not observed in rnc+ strains. This pattern is unchanged in rnc- strains and in the revertants which are still lacking RNase III, regardless of the temperature in which RNA synthesis was examined (30 degrees to 45 degrees C). On the other hand, in the rnc+ strains as well as in the true revertants and the rnc+/rnc- merodiploid, the normal pattern of p16 and p23 is observed at all temperatures. These findings suggest that all the effects observed in RNase III- strains are due to pleiotropic effects of the rnc-105 allele, and that the enzyme RNase III is not essential for the viability of the E. coli cell.", "PMID": 796680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10686", "title": "Identity of a gene responsible for suppression of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutations with rpsT, the structural gene for ribosomal protein S20.", "content": "Sepcialized transducing lines of phage lambda carrying segments between thr and car from the E. coli chromosome have been isolated. With help of these phages it has been shown that the gene sups20 (B\u00f6ck et al., 1974) corresponds to rpsT, the structural gene for ribosomal protein S20.", "contents": "Identity of a gene responsible for suppression of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutations with rpsT, the structural gene for ribosomal protein S20. Sepcialized transducing lines of phage lambda carrying segments between thr and car from the E. coli chromosome have been isolated. With help of these phages it has been shown that the gene sups20 (B\u00f6ck et al., 1974) corresponds to rpsT, the structural gene for ribosomal protein S20.", "PMID": 796681} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10687", "title": "Anomalies in the selection of mutants of Schizosaccharomyces pombe resistant to 8-azaguanine.", "content": "Anomalies in selection render 8-azaguanine unsuitable as a selective agent for screening forward mutations in continuour cultures of Sch. pombe. This system may, however, provide tha basis for an enrichment method for the simultaneous isolation of mutants at two loci.", "contents": "Anomalies in the selection of mutants of Schizosaccharomyces pombe resistant to 8-azaguanine. Anomalies in selection render 8-azaguanine unsuitable as a selective agent for screening forward mutations in continuour cultures of Sch. pombe. This system may, however, provide tha basis for an enrichment method for the simultaneous isolation of mutants at two loci.", "PMID": 796682} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10688", "title": "Further evidence for the participation of proteins S 3, S 14 and S 19 in tRNA binding to E. coli 30 S subunits.", "content": "Previous studies have shown that iodination of 30 S subunits causes inactivation for both enzymatic fMet-tRNA and non-enzymatic phe-tRNA binding activities. This inactivation was shown to be due to the modification of three to five ribosomal proteins [1]. In this report the role of these proteins in tRNA binding activity has been further studied. Purified ribosomal proteins, isolated from modified subunits, are re-assembled into otherwise unmodified 30 S ribosomes and assayed for tRNA binding capacity. The presence of modified S 3, S 14 and S 19 (S 15) in the reconstituted particle results in substantial reduction of both fMet-tRNA and phe-tRNA binding activities. This reduction in tRNA binding activity does not appear to be due to an assembly defect.", "contents": "Further evidence for the participation of proteins S 3, S 14 and S 19 in tRNA binding to E. coli 30 S subunits. Previous studies have shown that iodination of 30 S subunits causes inactivation for both enzymatic fMet-tRNA and non-enzymatic phe-tRNA binding activities. This inactivation was shown to be due to the modification of three to five ribosomal proteins [1]. In this report the role of these proteins in tRNA binding activity has been further studied. Purified ribosomal proteins, isolated from modified subunits, are re-assembled into otherwise unmodified 30 S ribosomes and assayed for tRNA binding capacity. The presence of modified S 3, S 14 and S 19 (S 15) in the reconstituted particle results in substantial reduction of both fMet-tRNA and phe-tRNA binding activities. This reduction in tRNA binding activity does not appear to be due to an assembly defect.", "PMID": 796684} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10689", "title": "Ribosomal protein as substrate for a GTP-dependent protein kinase from yeast.", "content": "A protein kinase specific for casein and acidic ribosomal proteins was isolated and partly characterized. It was found that the enzyme utilizes GTP and ATP as phosphoryl donors. Its affinity for ATP was considerably higher than for GTP with the km values of 7.6 X 10(-6)M and 5.5 X 10(-5)M, respectively. Two-dimensional acrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the phosphorylation of the same ribosomal proteins with either of the [gamma-32P] nucleotides used. It was also shown that one acidic protein (S1 or S2) of 40 S and two acidic proteins (L2 and L3) of 60 S ribosomal subunits were predominantly phosphorylated in vitro. The phosphorylated proteins: L2 and L3 seem to correspond to the proteins of L7 and L12 of E. coli ribosomes. The isolated kinase phosphorylated several basic ribosomal proteins though to a lower extent than the acidic ones.", "contents": "Ribosomal protein as substrate for a GTP-dependent protein kinase from yeast. A protein kinase specific for casein and acidic ribosomal proteins was isolated and partly characterized. It was found that the enzyme utilizes GTP and ATP as phosphoryl donors. Its affinity for ATP was considerably higher than for GTP with the km values of 7.6 X 10(-6)M and 5.5 X 10(-5)M, respectively. Two-dimensional acrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the phosphorylation of the same ribosomal proteins with either of the [gamma-32P] nucleotides used. It was also shown that one acidic protein (S1 or S2) of 40 S and two acidic proteins (L2 and L3) of 60 S ribosomal subunits were predominantly phosphorylated in vitro. The phosphorylated proteins: L2 and L3 seem to correspond to the proteins of L7 and L12 of E. coli ribosomes. The isolated kinase phosphorylated several basic ribosomal proteins though to a lower extent than the acidic ones.", "PMID": 796685} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10690", "title": "Catalysis of the peptide bond formation by 50 S subunits of E. coli ribosomes with N-(formyl) methionine ester of adenylic acid as peptide donor.", "content": "50 S subunits of E. coli ribosomes catalyze the reaction of the 2'(3')-N-(formyl) methionine ester of adenosine 5'-phosphate and Phe-tRNA resulting in peptide bond synthesis. Cytidine 5'-phosphate stimulates this process on 50 S ribosomal subunits as well as on intact ribosomes. The obtained data show that the areas of the peptidyltransferase donor site which binds the 3'-terminal fragment of peptidyl-tRNA possess completely formed structures on 50 S ribosomal subunits.", "contents": "Catalysis of the peptide bond formation by 50 S subunits of E. coli ribosomes with N-(formyl) methionine ester of adenylic acid as peptide donor. 50 S subunits of E. coli ribosomes catalyze the reaction of the 2'(3')-N-(formyl) methionine ester of adenosine 5'-phosphate and Phe-tRNA resulting in peptide bond synthesis. Cytidine 5'-phosphate stimulates this process on 50 S ribosomal subunits as well as on intact ribosomes. The obtained data show that the areas of the peptidyltransferase donor site which binds the 3'-terminal fragment of peptidyl-tRNA possess completely formed structures on 50 S ribosomal subunits.", "PMID": 796686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10691", "title": "A model of promoter recognition along the two helical grooves of DNA.", "content": "A speculative model based on published sequences to explain the specific binding of RNA polymerase of E. coli to promoters is suggested: (see article). A fragment 24 base pairs long to the left of the initiation site must not contain the G's in the positions indicated by the circles and must contain T's (or G's) in the positions marked by the squares. In most known cases mutual disposition of the circle and square patterns is as shown above. In one case (the fd G3 promoter) the pattern of squares is shifted by 4 base pairs to the right relative to the pattern of universal non-G's (circles).", "contents": "A model of promoter recognition along the two helical grooves of DNA. A speculative model based on published sequences to explain the specific binding of RNA polymerase of E. coli to promoters is suggested: (see article). A fragment 24 base pairs long to the left of the initiation site must not contain the G's in the positions indicated by the circles and must contain T's (or G's) in the positions marked by the squares. In most known cases mutual disposition of the circle and square patterns is as shown above. In one case (the fd G3 promoter) the pattern of squares is shifted by 4 base pairs to the right relative to the pattern of universal non-G's (circles).", "PMID": 796687} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10692", "title": "[Our method for routine examination of kidney bioptic material by light, immunofluorescence and electron-microscopy].", "content": "Authors describe their own method for the investigation of needle-biopsy of kidney using light-, and electron microscopy and immunofluorescent technique as well. Small pieces are cut from both end of the needle-biopsy-cylinder and are embedded for electron microscopy. From the larger central part of it cryostat sections are made (at -20 degrees C) for the immunofluorescent study. Afterwards the piece of tissue remained can be fixed in formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin for light microscopic investigation. All three methods can be carried out even when having a 6 mm long needle-biopsy specimen.", "contents": "[Our method for routine examination of kidney bioptic material by light, immunofluorescence and electron-microscopy]. Authors describe their own method for the investigation of needle-biopsy of kidney using light-, and electron microscopy and immunofluorescent technique as well. Small pieces are cut from both end of the needle-biopsy-cylinder and are embedded for electron microscopy. From the larger central part of it cryostat sections are made (at -20 degrees C) for the immunofluorescent study. Afterwards the piece of tissue remained can be fixed in formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin for light microscopic investigation. All three methods can be carried out even when having a 6 mm long needle-biopsy specimen.", "PMID": 796688} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10693", "title": "Mutagenic evaluation of ronidazole.", "content": "Ronidazole was evaluated for mutagenic potential using in vitro microbial tests and in vivo studies in mice. The microbial test used the histidine requiring mutants of Salmonella typhimurium with and without a rat liver microsomal activation system (Ames test). The studies in mice included the dominant lethal test, micronucleus test and cytogenetic assays. Ronidazole was given orally in doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day in the in vivo studies. In the dominant lethal test, groups of male mice were treated for five consecutive days before being mated with untreated females. In the micronucleus test, the mice were administered the compound for 2 or 5 consecutive days; they were killed 6 h after the last dose and bone marrow was examined for the presence of micronuclei in developing erythrocytes. In the cytogenetic assays, bone marrow cells in metaphase were examined for chromosome aberrations, 6, 24 and 48 h after mice were treated acutely with the test compound. In addition, similar examinations of chromosomes were made on mice given five consecutive dosages of ronidazole and killed 6 h after the last dose. The results of the various in vivo studies did not suggest that ronidazole would be mutagenic for the mammal. Ronidazole at concentrations of 10 and 50 mug/plate was found to increase the number of back mutations of missense mutants in the in vitro bacterial test. This finding confirms the results of Voogd et al. [19]. Incorporation of the microsomal activation system had no effect on the mutagenic capability of the test compound. In conclusion, although ronidazole was shown to be mutagenic in in vitro bacterial systems, the in vivo systems did not suggest that the compound would be mutagenic for the mammal.", "contents": "Mutagenic evaluation of ronidazole. Ronidazole was evaluated for mutagenic potential using in vitro microbial tests and in vivo studies in mice. The microbial test used the histidine requiring mutants of Salmonella typhimurium with and without a rat liver microsomal activation system (Ames test). The studies in mice included the dominant lethal test, micronucleus test and cytogenetic assays. Ronidazole was given orally in doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day in the in vivo studies. In the dominant lethal test, groups of male mice were treated for five consecutive days before being mated with untreated females. In the micronucleus test, the mice were administered the compound for 2 or 5 consecutive days; they were killed 6 h after the last dose and bone marrow was examined for the presence of micronuclei in developing erythrocytes. In the cytogenetic assays, bone marrow cells in metaphase were examined for chromosome aberrations, 6, 24 and 48 h after mice were treated acutely with the test compound. In addition, similar examinations of chromosomes were made on mice given five consecutive dosages of ronidazole and killed 6 h after the last dose. The results of the various in vivo studies did not suggest that ronidazole would be mutagenic for the mammal. Ronidazole at concentrations of 10 and 50 mug/plate was found to increase the number of back mutations of missense mutants in the in vitro bacterial test. This finding confirms the results of Voogd et al. [19]. Incorporation of the microsomal activation system had no effect on the mutagenic capability of the test compound. In conclusion, although ronidazole was shown to be mutagenic in in vitro bacterial systems, the in vivo systems did not suggest that the compound would be mutagenic for the mammal.", "PMID": 796694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10694", "title": "Mutagenic effect of nialamide on Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "The mutagenicity of an antidepressant drug, nialamide, was studied with Salmonella typhimurium TA1535-8. Nialamied was mutagenic for strain TA1535 in the absence of rat liver extracts.", "contents": "Mutagenic effect of nialamide on Salmonella typhimurium. The mutagenicity of an antidepressant drug, nialamide, was studied with Salmonella typhimurium TA1535-8. Nialamied was mutagenic for strain TA1535 in the absence of rat liver extracts.", "PMID": 796695} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10695", "title": "Mutagenicity of the food colour brown FK and constituents in Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "The food colour Brown FK (EEC Serial No. 124) is a mixture of p-sulphophenylazo derivatives of m-toluylenediamine and m-phenylenediamine and is used in the UK for colouring kippers. Brown FK and its constituents were assayed for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537 and TA 1538. Samples of Brown FK from three manufacturers were mutagenic in TA 1538 (framshift mutant) when activated by a rat-liver supernatant fraction. Mutagenicity was linearly dose-dependent in the range of 0--3 mg/plate with activities ranging from 22 to 50 times the spontaneous mutation frequency. One sample of Brown FK was mutagenic in the absence of metabolic activation producing a 16-fold increase in mutation at 4 mg/plate. Two major constituents of Brown FK, 2,4-diamino-5-(p-sulphophenylazo)-toluene (I) and 1,3-diamino-4-(p-sulphophenylazo)benzend (II), each present at about 18% in the complete colour, were mutagenic in TA 1538. Mutagenicity was linearly dose-related in the range 0--1 mumol/plate, with slopes of 0.35 mutants/nmol for compound I and 1.5 mutants/nmol for compound II. This activity was dependent on metabolic activation. Four other major constituents, (di- and tri-substituted diamines) were inactive, as was sulphanilic acid, the major excretion product of Brown FK. The mutagenicity of Brown FK could be largely accounted for by the combined effects of compounds I and II. Earlier studies showed that compounds I and II were responsible for the acute myotoxic effects seen when Brown FK was given per os to rats and pigs. Azoreductive fission of I and II to reactive triamines by gut microflora was thought to be the main metabolic pathway by which Brown FK produced its myotoxic effects, and it is proposed that the mutagenic effects of Brown FK are probably mediated by a similar mechanism.", "contents": "Mutagenicity of the food colour brown FK and constituents in Salmonella typhimurium. The food colour Brown FK (EEC Serial No. 124) is a mixture of p-sulphophenylazo derivatives of m-toluylenediamine and m-phenylenediamine and is used in the UK for colouring kippers. Brown FK and its constituents were assayed for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537 and TA 1538. Samples of Brown FK from three manufacturers were mutagenic in TA 1538 (framshift mutant) when activated by a rat-liver supernatant fraction. Mutagenicity was linearly dose-dependent in the range of 0--3 mg/plate with activities ranging from 22 to 50 times the spontaneous mutation frequency. One sample of Brown FK was mutagenic in the absence of metabolic activation producing a 16-fold increase in mutation at 4 mg/plate. Two major constituents of Brown FK, 2,4-diamino-5-(p-sulphophenylazo)-toluene (I) and 1,3-diamino-4-(p-sulphophenylazo)benzend (II), each present at about 18% in the complete colour, were mutagenic in TA 1538. Mutagenicity was linearly dose-related in the range 0--1 mumol/plate, with slopes of 0.35 mutants/nmol for compound I and 1.5 mutants/nmol for compound II. This activity was dependent on metabolic activation. Four other major constituents, (di- and tri-substituted diamines) were inactive, as was sulphanilic acid, the major excretion product of Brown FK. The mutagenicity of Brown FK could be largely accounted for by the combined effects of compounds I and II. Earlier studies showed that compounds I and II were responsible for the acute myotoxic effects seen when Brown FK was given per os to rats and pigs. Azoreductive fission of I and II to reactive triamines by gut microflora was thought to be the main metabolic pathway by which Brown FK produced its myotoxic effects, and it is proposed that the mutagenic effects of Brown FK are probably mediated by a similar mechanism.", "PMID": 796696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10696", "title": "Mutagenicity of industrial compounds: styrene and its possible metabolite styrene oxide.", "content": "Styrene and its presumed metabolite, styrene oxide, were tested for their mutagenic effect on a forward mutation system of yeast and of Chinese hamster cells, and on a gene-conversion system of yeast. Experiments with liver microsomal preparations and host-mediated assay with yeast were also carried out. Styrene oxide was mutagenic in all test systems. Styrene was mutagenic only in the host-mediated assay.", "contents": "Mutagenicity of industrial compounds: styrene and its possible metabolite styrene oxide. Styrene and its presumed metabolite, styrene oxide, were tested for their mutagenic effect on a forward mutation system of yeast and of Chinese hamster cells, and on a gene-conversion system of yeast. Experiments with liver microsomal preparations and host-mediated assay with yeast were also carried out. Styrene oxide was mutagenic in all test systems. Styrene was mutagenic only in the host-mediated assay.", "PMID": 796697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10697", "title": "The mutagenicity of benzimidazole and benzimidazole derivatives. VI. Cytogenetic effects of benzimidazole derivatives in the bone marrow of the mouse and the Chinese hamster.", "content": "Methyl benzimidazole-2-ylcarbamate (MBC) was mutagenic in mice by the micro-nucleus test. Other benzimidazole derivatives, with the exception of the parent compound of MBC, benomyl, and the very closely related substance 2-benzimidazolylurea, did not produce micro-nuclei in mouse bone marrow. Evidence is presented that MBC acts through inhibition of mitosis and that for this action the carbamoyl group is a necessary but not a sufficient condition. It is also demonstrated that for this particular type of mutagenic activity a threshold limit exists, which seems to be in the order of less than 10 mug MBC per ml blood.", "contents": "The mutagenicity of benzimidazole and benzimidazole derivatives. VI. Cytogenetic effects of benzimidazole derivatives in the bone marrow of the mouse and the Chinese hamster. Methyl benzimidazole-2-ylcarbamate (MBC) was mutagenic in mice by the micro-nucleus test. Other benzimidazole derivatives, with the exception of the parent compound of MBC, benomyl, and the very closely related substance 2-benzimidazolylurea, did not produce micro-nuclei in mouse bone marrow. Evidence is presented that MBC acts through inhibition of mitosis and that for this action the carbamoyl group is a necessary but not a sufficient condition. It is also demonstrated that for this particular type of mutagenic activity a threshold limit exists, which seems to be in the order of less than 10 mug MBC per ml blood.", "PMID": 796698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10698", "title": "Dominant lethal studies with paraquat and diquat in male CD-1 mice.", "content": "The herbicides paraquat and diquat were tested for dominant lethal activity in male CD-1 mice. No mutagenic effects were detected on any stage of spermatogenesis in treated males if these compounds were administered orally up to 4 mg paraquat/kg/body weight/day of 10 mg diquat/kg/body weight/day for 5 days. There was no increase in the number of post-implantation losses as shown by the number of females with one or more early deaths or number of early deaths/pregnancy or the number of early deaths/total implants/pragnancy. There was no evidence of pre-implantation losses as indicated by the total implants/pregnant female. There was no anti-fertility effect on the treated males as measured by the pregnancy frequency or successful mating frequency. The lack of dominant lethal effect was not due to particular insensitivity of the animals used since such effects were amply demonstrated in mice doses orally on 5 days with ethyl methanesulphonate at 100 mg/kg/body weight/day, or intraperitoneally on one day with cyclophosphamide at 200 mg/kg/body weight.", "contents": "Dominant lethal studies with paraquat and diquat in male CD-1 mice. The herbicides paraquat and diquat were tested for dominant lethal activity in male CD-1 mice. No mutagenic effects were detected on any stage of spermatogenesis in treated males if these compounds were administered orally up to 4 mg paraquat/kg/body weight/day of 10 mg diquat/kg/body weight/day for 5 days. There was no increase in the number of post-implantation losses as shown by the number of females with one or more early deaths or number of early deaths/pregnancy or the number of early deaths/total implants/pragnancy. There was no evidence of pre-implantation losses as indicated by the total implants/pregnant female. There was no anti-fertility effect on the treated males as measured by the pregnancy frequency or successful mating frequency. The lack of dominant lethal effect was not due to particular insensitivity of the animals used since such effects were amply demonstrated in mice doses orally on 5 days with ethyl methanesulphonate at 100 mg/kg/body weight/day, or intraperitoneally on one day with cyclophosphamide at 200 mg/kg/body weight.", "PMID": 796699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10699", "title": "Mutagenicity testing and risk estimation with mammals.", "content": "Mammalian test systems are currently used for mutagenicity screening. The necessity and the limitations of standardizing these methods are discussed for dominant-lethal assay. In addition to the refinement of standard methods, the development of new systems in mammals is emphasized. One promising approach is the detection of presumed somatic mutations. Another new development takes advantage of electrophoretic methods for detecting induced structural alterations of gene products. Mammalian experiments will be essential for the assessment of risks from chemical mutagens. The development of standards for the controlled use of chemical mutagens should be guided by the experience accumulated in radiation genetics. Two methods, the measurement of specific-locus mutation rates in mice and the direct determination of the phenotypic damage of dominant genes affecting the skeleton of mice, are recommended for the assessment of the hazard of chemical mutagens.", "contents": "Mutagenicity testing and risk estimation with mammals. Mammalian test systems are currently used for mutagenicity screening. The necessity and the limitations of standardizing these methods are discussed for dominant-lethal assay. In addition to the refinement of standard methods, the development of new systems in mammals is emphasized. One promising approach is the detection of presumed somatic mutations. Another new development takes advantage of electrophoretic methods for detecting induced structural alterations of gene products. Mammalian experiments will be essential for the assessment of risks from chemical mutagens. The development of standards for the controlled use of chemical mutagens should be guided by the experience accumulated in radiation genetics. Two methods, the measurement of specific-locus mutation rates in mice and the direct determination of the phenotypic damage of dominant genes affecting the skeleton of mice, are recommended for the assessment of the hazard of chemical mutagens.", "PMID": 796703} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10700", "title": "Practical evaluation of mutagenicity data in mammals for estimating human risk.", "content": "Chrosomal aberrations are known to constitute a significant portion of the genetic risk from practically all mutagenic agents. These effects are diverse in both nature and in the stage of the germ cells' life cycle at which they are produced. Arguments are made pointing out many of the problem areas in our understanding the significance of chromosomal aberrations in relation to genetic risk. Data are summarized that offer explanations as to (1) why so few chromosomal effects are recovered after treating spermatogonial stem cells, (2) how chromosome damage and dominant lethality are correlated when postmeiotic germ-cell stages are treated with MMS, and (3) why so few reciprocal translocations are recovered after irradiation of oocytes.", "contents": "Practical evaluation of mutagenicity data in mammals for estimating human risk. Chrosomal aberrations are known to constitute a significant portion of the genetic risk from practically all mutagenic agents. These effects are diverse in both nature and in the stage of the germ cells' life cycle at which they are produced. Arguments are made pointing out many of the problem areas in our understanding the significance of chromosomal aberrations in relation to genetic risk. Data are summarized that offer explanations as to (1) why so few chromosomal effects are recovered after treating spermatogonial stem cells, (2) how chromosome damage and dominant lethality are correlated when postmeiotic germ-cell stages are treated with MMS, and (3) why so few reciprocal translocations are recovered after irradiation of oocytes.", "PMID": 796704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10701", "title": "The utilization of in vitro mutagenesis techniques to explain strain, age and sex related differences in dimethylnitrosamine tumor susceptibilities in mice.", "content": "The carcinogen dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA) is known to exhibit a high degree of strain, organ, age, and sex related tumor specificity in mice. Using microbial mutagenesis assay coupled with mouse tissue microsomal enzyme activation systems, evidence has been obtained that demonstrated a close relationship between the level of in vitro DMNA activation to a mutagen and in vivo tumor susceptibility. DMNA activation by liver, lung, and kidney microsomes from several mouse strains was compared by measuring the rate of mutagenic metabolites formed during incubation of the carcinogen in mutation assays using Salmonella typhimurium G-46 as the indicator microorganism.", "contents": "The utilization of in vitro mutagenesis techniques to explain strain, age and sex related differences in dimethylnitrosamine tumor susceptibilities in mice. The carcinogen dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA) is known to exhibit a high degree of strain, organ, age, and sex related tumor specificity in mice. Using microbial mutagenesis assay coupled with mouse tissue microsomal enzyme activation systems, evidence has been obtained that demonstrated a close relationship between the level of in vitro DMNA activation to a mutagen and in vivo tumor susceptibility. DMNA activation by liver, lung, and kidney microsomes from several mouse strains was compared by measuring the rate of mutagenic metabolites formed during incubation of the carcinogen in mutation assays using Salmonella typhimurium G-46 as the indicator microorganism.", "PMID": 796707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10702", "title": "Mutagenicity and DNA-modifying activity: a comparison of two microbial assays.", "content": "Aspects of the Salmonella mutagenesis and Escherichia coli DNA polymerase deficient (pol A1) assay procedures for detecting environmental mutagens are discussed. The chief limitation of the pol A1-- assay involves substances that do not diffuse rapidly in agar. This problem can be overcome by performing the test in suspension. A simple procedure for accomplishing this is described. Although the Salmonella assay is more flexible, under routine conditions it does not respond to several classes of substances which give positive responses in the pol A1- system. For optimal testing, it is recommended that the two microbial assays be used in tandem. The DNA-modifying properties of povidone-iodine for eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are described. Even though this substance does not display mutagenic properties in the standard Salmonella assay, it does so in suspension culture. The basis of the mutagenic and DNA-modifying properties of povidone-iodine appears to involve the iodination of the cystosine residue of DNA.", "contents": "Mutagenicity and DNA-modifying activity: a comparison of two microbial assays. Aspects of the Salmonella mutagenesis and Escherichia coli DNA polymerase deficient (pol A1) assay procedures for detecting environmental mutagens are discussed. The chief limitation of the pol A1-- assay involves substances that do not diffuse rapidly in agar. This problem can be overcome by performing the test in suspension. A simple procedure for accomplishing this is described. Although the Salmonella assay is more flexible, under routine conditions it does not respond to several classes of substances which give positive responses in the pol A1- system. For optimal testing, it is recommended that the two microbial assays be used in tandem. The DNA-modifying properties of povidone-iodine for eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are described. Even though this substance does not display mutagenic properties in the standard Salmonella assay, it does so in suspension culture. The basis of the mutagenic and DNA-modifying properties of povidone-iodine appears to involve the iodination of the cystosine residue of DNA.", "PMID": 796708} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10703", "title": "Metabolic studies and the evaluation of genetic risk from the viewpoint of industrial toxicology.", "content": "In recent years some important industrial chemicals, e.g. solvents, and monomers used in the production of plastics, have been found to be more dangerous than had been suspected. Some of them are mutagens and carcinogens. The active substance may be the compound itself, but more frequently it is a reactive intermediate, an alkylating agent, formed from the parent compound by oxidation under the influence of liver-microsome mixed-function oxidases. Trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, 1,1-dichloroethylene and 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene can be mentioned as examples, where mutagenic or carcinogenic activity has been demonstrated; similar activity of some others is to be suspected. Metabolic studies may explain unexpected effects or they may allow one to predict such effects. Tests on microorganisms with a metabolic activation in vitro seem to be extremely valuable for fast and efficient screening of man-made chemicals to be introduced into the environment, because such tests combine the use of liver microsomes and bacteria for detection and classification of the effect. Mutagenicity tests in mammals do not lose their usefulness, since thay take into account the distribution of the compound in the body, its transport to the target organ, species-specific differences etc. As exposures of workers to chemicals mentioned above have been quantitatively measured regularly, epidemiological studies should be performed with regard to mutagenic and carcinogenic effects in relation to the degree of exposure. Here is a chance for better understanding of how to extrapolate experimental results to human populations and how to establish safe levels of chemicals in the environment if at all possible and acceptable.", "contents": "Metabolic studies and the evaluation of genetic risk from the viewpoint of industrial toxicology. In recent years some important industrial chemicals, e.g. solvents, and monomers used in the production of plastics, have been found to be more dangerous than had been suspected. Some of them are mutagens and carcinogens. The active substance may be the compound itself, but more frequently it is a reactive intermediate, an alkylating agent, formed from the parent compound by oxidation under the influence of liver-microsome mixed-function oxidases. Trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, 1,1-dichloroethylene and 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene can be mentioned as examples, where mutagenic or carcinogenic activity has been demonstrated; similar activity of some others is to be suspected. Metabolic studies may explain unexpected effects or they may allow one to predict such effects. Tests on microorganisms with a metabolic activation in vitro seem to be extremely valuable for fast and efficient screening of man-made chemicals to be introduced into the environment, because such tests combine the use of liver microsomes and bacteria for detection and classification of the effect. Mutagenicity tests in mammals do not lose their usefulness, since thay take into account the distribution of the compound in the body, its transport to the target organ, species-specific differences etc. As exposures of workers to chemicals mentioned above have been quantitatively measured regularly, epidemiological studies should be performed with regard to mutagenic and carcinogenic effects in relation to the degree of exposure. Here is a chance for better understanding of how to extrapolate experimental results to human populations and how to establish safe levels of chemicals in the environment if at all possible and acceptable.", "PMID": 796709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10704", "title": "A hierarchical approach to mutagenicity testing and regulatory control of environmental chemicals.", "content": "A hierarchical approach to mutagenicity testing and regulatory control of environmental chemicals is proposed. The guiding concepts and principles relating to the testing of chemicals for mutagenicity and evaluation of genetic hazards are discussed.", "contents": "A hierarchical approach to mutagenicity testing and regulatory control of environmental chemicals. A hierarchical approach to mutagenicity testing and regulatory control of environmental chemicals is proposed. The guiding concepts and principles relating to the testing of chemicals for mutagenicity and evaluation of genetic hazards are discussed.", "PMID": 796710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10705", "title": "The capacity of Drosophila for detecting relevant genetic damage.", "content": "For the detection and study of mutagenic agents, Drosophila offers many advantages. It is a higher organism with a short generation time that is cheap and easy to breed in large numbers. The simple genetic testing methods provide unequivocal answers about the whole spectrum of relevant genetic damage. A comparison of the detection capacity of assays sampling different kinds of genetic damage revealed that various substances are highly effective in inducing mutations, but do not produce chromosome breakage effects at all, or only at much higher concentrations than those required for mutation induction. Of the different assay systems available, the classical sex-linked recessive lethal test thus deserves priority, in view of its superior capacity to detect mutagens. Of practical importance is also its high sensitivity, because a large number of loci in one-fifth of the genome is tested for newly induced forward mutations, including small deletions. Drosophila is capable of carrying out the same metabolic activation reactions as the mammalian liver. An additional advantage, in this respect, is the capacity of Drosophila for detecting short-lived activation products, because intracellular activation occurs within the spermatids ans spermatocytes. These properties make the test for recessive sex-linked lethals a useful tool for verifying results obtained in the pre-screening of potential mutagens with fast microbial assay systems. In studies on non-disjunction, detailed genetic analysis of the induced changes is possible, and these may shed light on the mechanisms involved. A new adaptation of the bithorax transvection method by Mendelson permits the recovery of high yields of chromosome aberrations in a fast one-generation test.", "contents": "The capacity of Drosophila for detecting relevant genetic damage. For the detection and study of mutagenic agents, Drosophila offers many advantages. It is a higher organism with a short generation time that is cheap and easy to breed in large numbers. The simple genetic testing methods provide unequivocal answers about the whole spectrum of relevant genetic damage. A comparison of the detection capacity of assays sampling different kinds of genetic damage revealed that various substances are highly effective in inducing mutations, but do not produce chromosome breakage effects at all, or only at much higher concentrations than those required for mutation induction. Of the different assay systems available, the classical sex-linked recessive lethal test thus deserves priority, in view of its superior capacity to detect mutagens. Of practical importance is also its high sensitivity, because a large number of loci in one-fifth of the genome is tested for newly induced forward mutations, including small deletions. Drosophila is capable of carrying out the same metabolic activation reactions as the mammalian liver. An additional advantage, in this respect, is the capacity of Drosophila for detecting short-lived activation products, because intracellular activation occurs within the spermatids ans spermatocytes. These properties make the test for recessive sex-linked lethals a useful tool for verifying results obtained in the pre-screening of potential mutagens with fast microbial assay systems. In studies on non-disjunction, detailed genetic analysis of the induced changes is possible, and these may shed light on the mechanisms involved. A new adaptation of the bithorax transvection method by Mendelson permits the recovery of high yields of chromosome aberrations in a fast one-generation test.", "PMID": 796713} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10706", "title": "Misrepair of overlapping daughter strand gaps as a possible mechanism for UV induced mutagenesis in UVR strains of Escherichia coli: a general model for induced mutagenesis by misrepair (SOS repair) of closely spaced DNA lesions.", "content": "It has been previously reported that an inducible form of post-replication repair appeared to be required for UV induced mutagenesis in a uvrA strain of Escherichia coli. It is shown here that the numbers of daughter strand gaps requiring inducible repair were similar to the numbers calculated to be overlapping one another in opposite daughter chromosomes. An estimation of survival with no repair of these gaps resembled the survival predicted with no mutagenesis. It is the thus proposed that inducible post-replication repair causes mutagenesis by the repair of overlapping daughter strand gaps. A general model for induced mutagenesis is presented. It is proposed that (a) some DNA lesions introduced by any DNA damaging agent may be close enough to interfere with constitutive repair replication of each other, (b) these lesions induce a repair system (SOS repair) which involves the recA+ lexA+ and polC+ genes (c) repair and concomitant mutagenesis occurs during repair replication by the insertion of mismatched bases opposite the noncoding DNA lesions.", "contents": "Misrepair of overlapping daughter strand gaps as a possible mechanism for UV induced mutagenesis in UVR strains of Escherichia coli: a general model for induced mutagenesis by misrepair (SOS repair) of closely spaced DNA lesions. It has been previously reported that an inducible form of post-replication repair appeared to be required for UV induced mutagenesis in a uvrA strain of Escherichia coli. It is shown here that the numbers of daughter strand gaps requiring inducible repair were similar to the numbers calculated to be overlapping one another in opposite daughter chromosomes. An estimation of survival with no repair of these gaps resembled the survival predicted with no mutagenesis. It is the thus proposed that inducible post-replication repair causes mutagenesis by the repair of overlapping daughter strand gaps. A general model for induced mutagenesis is presented. It is proposed that (a) some DNA lesions introduced by any DNA damaging agent may be close enough to interfere with constitutive repair replication of each other, (b) these lesions induce a repair system (SOS repair) which involves the recA+ lexA+ and polC+ genes (c) repair and concomitant mutagenesis occurs during repair replication by the insertion of mismatched bases opposite the noncoding DNA lesions.", "PMID": 796714} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10707", "title": "Effect of excision repair on azide-induced mutagenesis.", "content": "Azide mutagenesis was investigated in Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Azide was highly effective in inducing his+ revertants in excision-repair deficient (uvrB) derivatives of S. typhimurium hisG46 and in inducing high frequencies of 5-fluorouracil resistant mutants in excision-repair deficient (uvrA) derivatives of E. coli B/r WP2. In excision-repair plus strains, azide was only a marginal or ineffective mutagen, demonstrating that the bacterial excision-repair system could repair nearly all azide-induced damage. This observation suggests that the initial azide-induced lesion causes a major DNA helix distortion recognizable by the excision-repair endonucleases. The presence of recombination deficient (recB or recC) genes in combination with uvrA increased E. coli sensitivity to azide killing, but depressed azide mutagenicity. These results are similar to those reported for UV-induced mutagenesis with the E. coli strains and suggest that post-replication repair might be the error-prone step in the repair process. Azide mutagenesis specificity is, however, unique and different from UV, as demonstrated by inability of azide to revert the ochre try locus in E. coli WP2s. These results show that the initial azide-induced DNA damage is highly specific but different from UV-induced DNA damage. Metabolic inhibitors, similar in action to azide, did not induce mutations in S. typhimurium strain TA1530, a strain highly susceptible to azide mutagenesis, thus ruling out the possibility that azide mutagenesis was due to peroxide accumulation. A mechanism based on in vivo activation of azide to the actual mutagen is proposed.", "contents": "Effect of excision repair on azide-induced mutagenesis. Azide mutagenesis was investigated in Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Azide was highly effective in inducing his+ revertants in excision-repair deficient (uvrB) derivatives of S. typhimurium hisG46 and in inducing high frequencies of 5-fluorouracil resistant mutants in excision-repair deficient (uvrA) derivatives of E. coli B/r WP2. In excision-repair plus strains, azide was only a marginal or ineffective mutagen, demonstrating that the bacterial excision-repair system could repair nearly all azide-induced damage. This observation suggests that the initial azide-induced lesion causes a major DNA helix distortion recognizable by the excision-repair endonucleases. The presence of recombination deficient (recB or recC) genes in combination with uvrA increased E. coli sensitivity to azide killing, but depressed azide mutagenicity. These results are similar to those reported for UV-induced mutagenesis with the E. coli strains and suggest that post-replication repair might be the error-prone step in the repair process. Azide mutagenesis specificity is, however, unique and different from UV, as demonstrated by inability of azide to revert the ochre try locus in E. coli WP2s. These results show that the initial azide-induced DNA damage is highly specific but different from UV-induced DNA damage. Metabolic inhibitors, similar in action to azide, did not induce mutations in S. typhimurium strain TA1530, a strain highly susceptible to azide mutagenesis, thus ruling out the possibility that azide mutagenesis was due to peroxide accumulation. A mechanism based on in vivo activation of azide to the actual mutagen is proposed.", "PMID": 796715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10708", "title": "The relation between repair of DNA and radiation and chemical mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The effect of various genes involved in DNA repair functions on radiation and chemical mutagenesis in Escherichia coli is discussed and compared to similar studies done in yeast. Results of the effect of various genes conferring radiation-sensitivity on mutation induction in yeast are presented and related to current ideas of mutagenesis.", "contents": "The relation between repair of DNA and radiation and chemical mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The effect of various genes involved in DNA repair functions on radiation and chemical mutagenesis in Escherichia coli is discussed and compared to similar studies done in yeast. Results of the effect of various genes conferring radiation-sensitivity on mutation induction in yeast are presented and related to current ideas of mutagenesis.", "PMID": 796716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10709", "title": "The distribution of fetal death in control mice and its implications on statistical tests for dominant lethal effects.", "content": "In dominant lethal testing fetal death is generally assumed to follow either a Poisson or binomial distribution. However, both of these models were found to be inappropriate when three large sets of mouse control data and other data sets from the literature were examined. The validity of statistical test procedures based on these inappropriate models was then studied in detail. It was found that chi-square tests (which assume an underlying binomial distribution) may seriously exaggerate the level of significance and hence should not be used. In contrast, the inappropriateness of the underlying Poisson or binomial model appeared to have little effect on the validity of pairwise comparisons by analysis of variance procedures. Unlike chi-square, these procedures regard the pregnant female rather than the individual implant as the experimental unit. However, a statistical analysis of dominant lethal data generally involves more than a series of pairwise comparisons, and it is unclear how an invalid underlying model may affect statistical test procedures in this more complex situation. Moreover, it is difficult to justify the use of statistical models that are demonstrably invalid when a reasonable alternative exists. Thus, until a satisfactory parametric model can be found and appropriate test procedures derived, we prefer to analyze dominant lethal data by non-parametric (distribution-free) methods. Proportion of dead implants per female appears to be a more meaningful measure of fetal death than number of dead implants per female for several seasons which include (1) analyses based on proportions take the total number of implants per female into account and (2) analyses based on proportions make more reasonable assumptions concerning pre-implantation losses and are more powerful when such losses occur. Despite our concern with the appropriateness of the underlying model, in practice we have found few instances in which non-parametric and analysis of variance procedures have led to markedly different conclusions.", "contents": "The distribution of fetal death in control mice and its implications on statistical tests for dominant lethal effects. In dominant lethal testing fetal death is generally assumed to follow either a Poisson or binomial distribution. However, both of these models were found to be inappropriate when three large sets of mouse control data and other data sets from the literature were examined. The validity of statistical test procedures based on these inappropriate models was then studied in detail. It was found that chi-square tests (which assume an underlying binomial distribution) may seriously exaggerate the level of significance and hence should not be used. In contrast, the inappropriateness of the underlying Poisson or binomial model appeared to have little effect on the validity of pairwise comparisons by analysis of variance procedures. Unlike chi-square, these procedures regard the pregnant female rather than the individual implant as the experimental unit. However, a statistical analysis of dominant lethal data generally involves more than a series of pairwise comparisons, and it is unclear how an invalid underlying model may affect statistical test procedures in this more complex situation. Moreover, it is difficult to justify the use of statistical models that are demonstrably invalid when a reasonable alternative exists. Thus, until a satisfactory parametric model can be found and appropriate test procedures derived, we prefer to analyze dominant lethal data by non-parametric (distribution-free) methods. Proportion of dead implants per female appears to be a more meaningful measure of fetal death than number of dead implants per female for several seasons which include (1) analyses based on proportions take the total number of implants per female into account and (2) analyses based on proportions make more reasonable assumptions concerning pre-implantation losses and are more powerful when such losses occur. Despite our concern with the appropriateness of the underlying model, in practice we have found few instances in which non-parametric and analysis of variance procedures have led to markedly different conclusions.", "PMID": 796717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10710", "title": "Detection of X-ray induced dominant lethal mutations in mice: an in vitro approach.", "content": "The expression of dominant lethal mutations induced by 450 rad of X-radiation in the germ cells of male mice was detected by an in vitro analysis. Embryos sired by irradiated males had a higher incidence of developmental failures in early cleavage, at the late morula stage, and at the late blastocyst stage due to dominant lethal mutations than did control embryos. Dominant lethal mutations were induced most frequently in germ cells exposed as early spermatids and spermatocytes and next most frequently in germ cells exposed as sperm. A decrease in fertilizations, presumably reflecting cell killing, was found in irradiated spermatocytes. These observations indicate that in vitro analysis permits a more detailed description of mutations that are expressed as preimplantation failures than does in vivo analysis.", "contents": "Detection of X-ray induced dominant lethal mutations in mice: an in vitro approach. The expression of dominant lethal mutations induced by 450 rad of X-radiation in the germ cells of male mice was detected by an in vitro analysis. Embryos sired by irradiated males had a higher incidence of developmental failures in early cleavage, at the late morula stage, and at the late blastocyst stage due to dominant lethal mutations than did control embryos. Dominant lethal mutations were induced most frequently in germ cells exposed as early spermatids and spermatocytes and next most frequently in germ cells exposed as sperm. A decrease in fertilizations, presumably reflecting cell killing, was found in irradiated spermatocytes. These observations indicate that in vitro analysis permits a more detailed description of mutations that are expressed as preimplantation failures than does in vivo analysis.", "PMID": 796718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10711", "title": "The production of micronuclei from chromosome aberrations in irradiated cultures of human lymphocytes.", "content": "A rapid assay for chromosomal damage would greatly speed studies of the mechanism by which chromosomal aberrations are formed. The characteristics of such an assay--micronuclei produced in cultured human lymphocytes--are given here, together with the evidence that the assay accurately measures X-ray-induced chromosomal damage. Micronuclei arise from chromosomal fragments that are not incorporated into daughter nuclei at mitosis because they lack a centromere. In our experiments the response of lymphocytes from different donors was very uniform and agreed well with what was expected from metaphase analysis of aberrations: (1) the increase in micronucleus frequency begins at the time of the first mitoses, 48 hours after the cultures are started, (2) the exponent of the dose response equation (y=kDn) was 1.2 for micronuclei. For one-hit aberrations n=1 whereas for two-hit aberrations n=2. Since two-hit aberrations predominate in these cultures, a value of n= approximately 1.8 was expected if no increase in mitotic delay or cell death occurred at higher doses, and n less than 1.8 if an increase occurred, (3) the frequency of micronuclei was decreased by a factor of about two when the dose was fractionated, as expected when most of the aberrations are two-hit. The rejoining time for four or five donors was between 30 and 60 minutes, (4) the X-ray-induced micronucleus frequency in cells from people with Down's syndrome (trisomy-21) was twice that of control donors as expected from metaphase analysis [22,23]. Since the micronucleus assay reflects the aberration frequencies so well and is so fast, it is suitable for a rapid assessment of chromosomal damage.", "contents": "The production of micronuclei from chromosome aberrations in irradiated cultures of human lymphocytes. A rapid assay for chromosomal damage would greatly speed studies of the mechanism by which chromosomal aberrations are formed. The characteristics of such an assay--micronuclei produced in cultured human lymphocytes--are given here, together with the evidence that the assay accurately measures X-ray-induced chromosomal damage. Micronuclei arise from chromosomal fragments that are not incorporated into daughter nuclei at mitosis because they lack a centromere. In our experiments the response of lymphocytes from different donors was very uniform and agreed well with what was expected from metaphase analysis of aberrations: (1) the increase in micronucleus frequency begins at the time of the first mitoses, 48 hours after the cultures are started, (2) the exponent of the dose response equation (y=kDn) was 1.2 for micronuclei. For one-hit aberrations n=1 whereas for two-hit aberrations n=2. Since two-hit aberrations predominate in these cultures, a value of n= approximately 1.8 was expected if no increase in mitotic delay or cell death occurred at higher doses, and n less than 1.8 if an increase occurred, (3) the frequency of micronuclei was decreased by a factor of about two when the dose was fractionated, as expected when most of the aberrations are two-hit. The rejoining time for four or five donors was between 30 and 60 minutes, (4) the X-ray-induced micronucleus frequency in cells from people with Down's syndrome (trisomy-21) was twice that of control donors as expected from metaphase analysis [22,23]. Since the micronucleus assay reflects the aberration frequencies so well and is so fast, it is suitable for a rapid assessment of chromosomal damage.", "PMID": 796719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10712", "title": "Sister chromatid exchange as an assay for genetic damage induced by mutagen-carcinogens. I. In vivo test for compounds requiring metabolic activation.", "content": "An in vivo system has been devised in which chemical mutagen-carcinogens injected into an animal induce sister chromatid exchanges that can be observed when the animal's peripheral lymphocytes are subsequently cultured and then stained with the FPG technique. Chemicals requiring metabolic activation, as well as those that do not, produce significant increases in SCE frequency one day after exposure. The frequency then returns to control level within two weeks. This in vivo system is a highly sensitive assay for the ability of chemical agents to damage chromosomes.", "contents": "Sister chromatid exchange as an assay for genetic damage induced by mutagen-carcinogens. I. In vivo test for compounds requiring metabolic activation. An in vivo system has been devised in which chemical mutagen-carcinogens injected into an animal induce sister chromatid exchanges that can be observed when the animal's peripheral lymphocytes are subsequently cultured and then stained with the FPG technique. Chemicals requiring metabolic activation, as well as those that do not, produce significant increases in SCE frequency one day after exposure. The frequency then returns to control level within two weeks. This in vivo system is a highly sensitive assay for the ability of chemical agents to damage chromosomes.", "PMID": 796720} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10713", "title": "Sister chromatid exchange as an assay for genetic damage induced by mutagen-carcinogens. II. In vitro test for compounds requiring metabolic activation.", "content": "Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE's) which are easily seen by \"harlequin chromosome\" techniques can be readily induced in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by low concentrations of mutagen-carcinogens that do not require metabolic activation. If the cells are simultaneously treated with cyclophosphamide which does require metabolic activation before it becomes mutagenic, and an activating system consisting of an extract of rat liver containing microsomes (S-9 Mix) then numerous SCE's are induced by the compound. This indicates that the induction of sister chromatid exchanges in such cells can be used as an in vitro assay for mutagens that require activation as well as those that do not. The method, which is very simple and quick, is more sensitive than is the usual cytogenetic assay in which chromosome aberrations are assayed.", "contents": "Sister chromatid exchange as an assay for genetic damage induced by mutagen-carcinogens. II. In vitro test for compounds requiring metabolic activation. Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE's) which are easily seen by \"harlequin chromosome\" techniques can be readily induced in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by low concentrations of mutagen-carcinogens that do not require metabolic activation. If the cells are simultaneously treated with cyclophosphamide which does require metabolic activation before it becomes mutagenic, and an activating system consisting of an extract of rat liver containing microsomes (S-9 Mix) then numerous SCE's are induced by the compound. This indicates that the induction of sister chromatid exchanges in such cells can be used as an in vitro assay for mutagens that require activation as well as those that do not. The method, which is very simple and quick, is more sensitive than is the usual cytogenetic assay in which chromosome aberrations are assayed.", "PMID": 796721} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10714", "title": "An investigation into the potential of a mammalian temperature sensitive leucyl-tRNA synthetase mutant for mutagenesis studies.", "content": "Reversion of the mammalian temperature sensitive leucyl-tRNA synthetase mutant CHO tsH1 [33] has been investigated to determine its potential for mutagenesis studies. The protocol for a mutation assay using the new class of temperature sensitive conditional lethal mutants of somatic cells is presented. While it requires careful control of temperature during revertent selection it promises to provide a system complementary to the existing mutation assays. UV and EMS mutagenesis of tsH1 has confirmed that approx. 3TD of expression time are sufficient for complete expression of induced mutants at low mutagen doses (80% survival following UV and 40-50% with EMS). At a higher UV dose resulting in only 10% survival much longer expression times were required which cannot be explained by growth delays alone. While the reason for this is unknown it suggests that care must be taken in studies which require high mutagen doses. Representative revertants which were isolated show a range of phenotypes between those of tsH1 and WT. They appear to be a promising source of extragenic suppressor mutants [33] with alterations in functions affecting protein synthesis.", "contents": "An investigation into the potential of a mammalian temperature sensitive leucyl-tRNA synthetase mutant for mutagenesis studies. Reversion of the mammalian temperature sensitive leucyl-tRNA synthetase mutant CHO tsH1 [33] has been investigated to determine its potential for mutagenesis studies. The protocol for a mutation assay using the new class of temperature sensitive conditional lethal mutants of somatic cells is presented. While it requires careful control of temperature during revertent selection it promises to provide a system complementary to the existing mutation assays. UV and EMS mutagenesis of tsH1 has confirmed that approx. 3TD of expression time are sufficient for complete expression of induced mutants at low mutagen doses (80% survival following UV and 40-50% with EMS). At a higher UV dose resulting in only 10% survival much longer expression times were required which cannot be explained by growth delays alone. While the reason for this is unknown it suggests that care must be taken in studies which require high mutagen doses. Representative revertants which were isolated show a range of phenotypes between those of tsH1 and WT. They appear to be a promising source of extragenic suppressor mutants [33] with alterations in functions affecting protein synthesis.", "PMID": 796722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10715", "title": "The fluctuation test as a more sensitive system for determining induced mutation in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells.", "content": "Luria-Delbr\u00fcck fluctuation tests for the determination of the spontaneous mutation rate to ouabain resistance incultured L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells gave values in the range 0.44 to 1.03 X 10(-7) mutants per cell per generation. Addition of very low, non-toxic, levels of EMS (0.1 mM) and MMS (0.012 mM) 30-48 h before plating in selective medium gave a highly significant increase in the number of ouabain-resistant mutants. Methods for the calculation of spontaneous and induced mutation rates are discussed and a method for the computation of induced mutation rates is described. It is suggested that the modified fluctuation test is a simpler and considerably more sensitive assay for mutagens than the conventional experimental design. Some of its limitations are discussed.", "contents": "The fluctuation test as a more sensitive system for determining induced mutation in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells. Luria-Delbr\u00fcck fluctuation tests for the determination of the spontaneous mutation rate to ouabain resistance incultured L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells gave values in the range 0.44 to 1.03 X 10(-7) mutants per cell per generation. Addition of very low, non-toxic, levels of EMS (0.1 mM) and MMS (0.012 mM) 30-48 h before plating in selective medium gave a highly significant increase in the number of ouabain-resistant mutants. Methods for the calculation of spontaneous and induced mutation rates are discussed and a method for the computation of induced mutation rates is described. It is suggested that the modified fluctuation test is a simpler and considerably more sensitive assay for mutagens than the conventional experimental design. Some of its limitations are discussed.", "PMID": 796723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10716", "title": "[Effects of light on reproductive processes in fungi; hypotheses on the identity of photoreceptors. A bibliographic revue].", "content": "The present review describes the effects of light on reproductive processes in fungi, mainly when action spectra are available. The study of these has resulted in three kinds of photoresponses observable in fungi: - responses only to UV light (230-380 nm) - responses to NUV and blue light (300-520nm) - responses to great wavelengths of the visible spectrum. The photomorphogenetic processes on the control of these same photoreceptor pigments are reviewed.", "contents": "[Effects of light on reproductive processes in fungi; hypotheses on the identity of photoreceptors. A bibliographic revue]. The present review describes the effects of light on reproductive processes in fungi, mainly when action spectra are available. The study of these has resulted in three kinds of photoresponses observable in fungi: - responses only to UV light (230-380 nm) - responses to NUV and blue light (300-520nm) - responses to great wavelengths of the visible spectrum. The photomorphogenetic processes on the control of these same photoreceptor pigments are reviewed.", "PMID": 796727} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10717", "title": "Spontaneous mutation by mutagenic repair of spontaneous lesions in DNA.", "content": "Strains of yeast carrying mutations in many of the steps in pathways repairing radiation-induced damage to DNA have enhanced spontaneous mutation rates. Most strains isolated because they have enhanced spontaneous mutation carry mutations in DNA repair systems. This suggests that much spontaneous mutation arises by mutagenic repair of spontaneous lesions.", "contents": "Spontaneous mutation by mutagenic repair of spontaneous lesions in DNA. Strains of yeast carrying mutations in many of the steps in pathways repairing radiation-induced damage to DNA have enhanced spontaneous mutation rates. Most strains isolated because they have enhanced spontaneous mutation carry mutations in DNA repair systems. This suggests that much spontaneous mutation arises by mutagenic repair of spontaneous lesions.", "PMID": 796728} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10718", "title": "Effect of alternate-day steroids on renal transplant function. A controlled study.", "content": "A randomized, controlled study of the effect of alternate-day prednisone therapy on renal transplant recipients was done on 53 patients followed for 610 patient months. There was no difference between the 17 recipients of related donor organs who received alternate-day prednisone (experimentals) and their 15 controls who received daily prednisone nor between the 11 experimental and 10 control recipients of cadaver donor organs as regards: rejections per patient month, change in serum creatinine, doses of azathioprine or prednisone, or weight. Likewise the controls and experimentals of the related and cadaver groups did not seem different in either their blood pressure change or their tendency to lose their Cushingoid facies. Alternate-day steroids had no obvious effect on the development of posterior subcapsular cataracts in either related or cadaver organ recipients.", "contents": "Effect of alternate-day steroids on renal transplant function. A controlled study. A randomized, controlled study of the effect of alternate-day prednisone therapy on renal transplant recipients was done on 53 patients followed for 610 patient months. There was no difference between the 17 recipients of related donor organs who received alternate-day prednisone (experimentals) and their 15 controls who received daily prednisone nor between the 11 experimental and 10 control recipients of cadaver donor organs as regards: rejections per patient month, change in serum creatinine, doses of azathioprine or prednisone, or weight. Likewise the controls and experimentals of the related and cadaver groups did not seem different in either their blood pressure change or their tendency to lose their Cushingoid facies. Alternate-day steroids had no obvious effect on the development of posterior subcapsular cataracts in either related or cadaver organ recipients.", "PMID": 796739} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10719", "title": "Response to parenteral iron with and without androgen therapy in patients undergoing regular haemodialysis.", "content": "The effects of intravenous iron, with and without androgens, was studied in a group of 39 patients treated by regular haemodialysis, almost all of whom had normal serum iron concentrations. Intravenous iron 1-2 g every 4 months produced a significant rise in haemoglobin from 6.3 to 7.9 g/dl in 17 female patients with their kidneys in situ (p less than 0.001). In a group of 13 male subjects intravenous iron plus testosterone produced a similar rise in haemoglobin from 6.9 to 8.6 g/dl (p less than 0.001). Nine nephrectomised patients showed no significant response to iron and androgens. There were no fatalities and no serious side effects in 500 courses of intravenous iron.", "contents": "Response to parenteral iron with and without androgen therapy in patients undergoing regular haemodialysis. The effects of intravenous iron, with and without androgens, was studied in a group of 39 patients treated by regular haemodialysis, almost all of whom had normal serum iron concentrations. Intravenous iron 1-2 g every 4 months produced a significant rise in haemoglobin from 6.3 to 7.9 g/dl in 17 female patients with their kidneys in situ (p less than 0.001). In a group of 13 male subjects intravenous iron plus testosterone produced a similar rise in haemoglobin from 6.9 to 8.6 g/dl (p less than 0.001). Nine nephrectomised patients showed no significant response to iron and androgens. There were no fatalities and no serious side effects in 500 courses of intravenous iron.", "PMID": 796740} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10720", "title": "Studies on erythropoiesis in patients with renal failure and after kidney transplantation.", "content": "Ferrokinetic studies were made in 16 patients before and after kidney transplantation. The Fe clearance decreased in 9 of 11 patients, the plasma iron turnover showed no variation in six patients, while it increased in three and decreased in one, the production of hemoglobin increased significantly after transplantation. The nonnephrectomized patients showed more erythropoiesis after transplantation, manifested by higher hemoglobin level, shorter Fe clearance, and lower serum iron. Uremic patients, including the anephric, had significant responses in erythropoiesis both to stimulation by phlebotomy and to inhibition by blood transfusion. After transplantation, however, the response to phlebotomy was greater and the blockade by blood transfusion smaller, than during uremia.", "contents": "Studies on erythropoiesis in patients with renal failure and after kidney transplantation. Ferrokinetic studies were made in 16 patients before and after kidney transplantation. The Fe clearance decreased in 9 of 11 patients, the plasma iron turnover showed no variation in six patients, while it increased in three and decreased in one, the production of hemoglobin increased significantly after transplantation. The nonnephrectomized patients showed more erythropoiesis after transplantation, manifested by higher hemoglobin level, shorter Fe clearance, and lower serum iron. Uremic patients, including the anephric, had significant responses in erythropoiesis both to stimulation by phlebotomy and to inhibition by blood transfusion. After transplantation, however, the response to phlebotomy was greater and the blockade by blood transfusion smaller, than during uremia.", "PMID": 796741} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10721", "title": "Renal acidification in patients with mineralocorticoid deficiency.", "content": "Renal acidification was studied in eight patients with Addison's disease or bilateral adrenalectomy receiving glucocorticoid replacement only and without renal insufficiency (group I); in five patients with hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism and moderate chronic renal insufficiency (group II), and in nine control subjects (group III). During acidosis minimal urine pH was 5.4 or less in all subjects, but excretion of ammonium and titratable acid was moderately reduced in group I and markedly reduced in group II. Bicarbonate excretion at normal serum bicarbonate concentration was trivial in group I subjects and inappropriately elevated in two group II patients.", "contents": "Renal acidification in patients with mineralocorticoid deficiency. Renal acidification was studied in eight patients with Addison's disease or bilateral adrenalectomy receiving glucocorticoid replacement only and without renal insufficiency (group I); in five patients with hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism and moderate chronic renal insufficiency (group II), and in nine control subjects (group III). During acidosis minimal urine pH was 5.4 or less in all subjects, but excretion of ammonium and titratable acid was moderately reduced in group I and markedly reduced in group II. Bicarbonate excretion at normal serum bicarbonate concentration was trivial in group I subjects and inappropriately elevated in two group II patients.", "PMID": 796742} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10722", "title": "[Limits and prospects of gamma angioencephalography].", "content": "Among the informations that can be obtained from the gamma-angioencephalography, the two major aspects are limiting high resolution diagnosis:--on one hand, unspecificity of radio-active molecules for the different lesions,--on the other hand, insufficiency of detection possibilities and scintigraphy enhancement. On this last field fast sequential acquistions technics, data's filtering functional imaging bring much better inflamations. Recently, the new detectors with a high resolution power allow these technics to give to the physicians functional datas that can not be obtained with cumputerized tomography.", "contents": "[Limits and prospects of gamma angioencephalography]. Among the informations that can be obtained from the gamma-angioencephalography, the two major aspects are limiting high resolution diagnosis:--on one hand, unspecificity of radio-active molecules for the different lesions,--on the other hand, insufficiency of detection possibilities and scintigraphy enhancement. On this last field fast sequential acquistions technics, data's filtering functional imaging bring much better inflamations. Recently, the new detectors with a high resolution power allow these technics to give to the physicians functional datas that can not be obtained with cumputerized tomography.", "PMID": 796744} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10723", "title": "[Gamma cysternographic data in hydrocephalus and post-traumatic lesions].", "content": "With pneumoencephalography and pressure perfusions tests, the gamma-cisternography is a method of choice for establishing a reliable diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) which concept was introduced by HAKIM. The gammacisternography allows to establish the diagnosis of NPH when a persistent ventricular filling is present and to find, very often, the etiological factor by showing the absence of radioactivity over the subarachno\u00efd pathways along the convexities at any stage or delayed and abnormal CSF absorption. The gammacisternography permits also to explore with 111 In DTPA the high risk patients who develop gradually over the course of months and years a NPH after a head trauma, a meningitis, a subarachno\u00efd hemorrhage or a neuro-surgery treatment. The NPH is present only 12 to 15% of our dementia cases with gait disturbance. Nevertheless, the search for such cases remains worthwhile as the patient may be able to return to a useful life after shunting procedure. The indication for shunting is not possible ot assess on scintigraphic results alone. It must be kept in mind that the abnormalities of CSF flow may be transient, may progress or regress. The shunting may be decided if the scintigraphic pattern remains unchanged and if the clinical symptoms are going worse. The pronostic is better in statistics after ventricular shunting when the NPH scintigraphic pattern is present. The valvo-scintigraphy can also evaluate the function of a shunt during the post-operative period.", "contents": "[Gamma cysternographic data in hydrocephalus and post-traumatic lesions]. With pneumoencephalography and pressure perfusions tests, the gamma-cisternography is a method of choice for establishing a reliable diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) which concept was introduced by HAKIM. The gammacisternography allows to establish the diagnosis of NPH when a persistent ventricular filling is present and to find, very often, the etiological factor by showing the absence of radioactivity over the subarachno\u00efd pathways along the convexities at any stage or delayed and abnormal CSF absorption. The gammacisternography permits also to explore with 111 In DTPA the high risk patients who develop gradually over the course of months and years a NPH after a head trauma, a meningitis, a subarachno\u00efd hemorrhage or a neuro-surgery treatment. The NPH is present only 12 to 15% of our dementia cases with gait disturbance. Nevertheless, the search for such cases remains worthwhile as the patient may be able to return to a useful life after shunting procedure. The indication for shunting is not possible ot assess on scintigraphic results alone. It must be kept in mind that the abnormalities of CSF flow may be transient, may progress or regress. The shunting may be decided if the scintigraphic pattern remains unchanged and if the clinical symptoms are going worse. The pronostic is better in statistics after ventricular shunting when the NPH scintigraphic pattern is present. The valvo-scintigraphy can also evaluate the function of a shunt during the post-operative period.", "PMID": 796745} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10724", "title": "[Diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid leakages by gamma-cisternography].", "content": "Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakages either secondary (traumatic) or spontaneous (non-traumatic) are first considered in their frequency and origin. The exact topography of the various meningeal and cranial lesions involved are difficult to assess particularly in the most important groups of persistant traumatic CSF rhinorrhea and recurrent meningitis. Among the various diagnostic approaches, direct observation is always necessary, but of limited value. Standard X-rays must be followed by multidirectionnal tomography (Polytome) and, whenever available, computed tomodensitography of the base of the skull. Brain pneumography provides a thorough setting fourth of the congenital or acquired cerebral lesions as well as the new cranio-meningeal conditions. Difficulties encountered with the techniques of subdurography and Pantopaque injection are underlined. Three radioisotope techniques are considered. 1) The earlier technique of cotton-pledgets only shows the external orifice. 2) The recent proposal of nuclide cranial subdurography is criticized for ignoring the leptomeningeal bag. 3) Radioisotope cisternography (RIC) or gamma-cisternography is described more precisely. It remains the most complete and appropriate method for observing the natural behaviour of the leakage. RIC with fistulography is performed through suboccipital injection of 99mTc-DTPA. RIC provides essential clues on the relative importance of associated dynamic disturbances of the third circulation and morphological changes of its anatomical bed (stenoses and widenings of the ependymal and leptomeningeal spaces). If present, the leakage may be directly shown on the RIC pictures. If rhinorrhea is abundant, there is no difficulty in assessing side and site of the fistula. If rhinorrhea is occult, dubious or intermittent, diagnosis is often difficult. There are also indirect signs of rhinorrhea: leptomeningeal dilatation near a frontal or ethmoidal fracture, contamination of the rhinopharynx, examination of the handkerchieves for presence of radioactive material. Statistical results from the literature are summarized in a table.", "contents": "[Diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid leakages by gamma-cisternography]. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakages either secondary (traumatic) or spontaneous (non-traumatic) are first considered in their frequency and origin. The exact topography of the various meningeal and cranial lesions involved are difficult to assess particularly in the most important groups of persistant traumatic CSF rhinorrhea and recurrent meningitis. Among the various diagnostic approaches, direct observation is always necessary, but of limited value. Standard X-rays must be followed by multidirectionnal tomography (Polytome) and, whenever available, computed tomodensitography of the base of the skull. Brain pneumography provides a thorough setting fourth of the congenital or acquired cerebral lesions as well as the new cranio-meningeal conditions. Difficulties encountered with the techniques of subdurography and Pantopaque injection are underlined. Three radioisotope techniques are considered. 1) The earlier technique of cotton-pledgets only shows the external orifice. 2) The recent proposal of nuclide cranial subdurography is criticized for ignoring the leptomeningeal bag. 3) Radioisotope cisternography (RIC) or gamma-cisternography is described more precisely. It remains the most complete and appropriate method for observing the natural behaviour of the leakage. RIC with fistulography is performed through suboccipital injection of 99mTc-DTPA. RIC provides essential clues on the relative importance of associated dynamic disturbances of the third circulation and morphological changes of its anatomical bed (stenoses and widenings of the ependymal and leptomeningeal spaces). If present, the leakage may be directly shown on the RIC pictures. If rhinorrhea is abundant, there is no difficulty in assessing side and site of the fistula. If rhinorrhea is occult, dubious or intermittent, diagnosis is often difficult. There are also indirect signs of rhinorrhea: leptomeningeal dilatation near a frontal or ethmoidal fracture, contamination of the rhinopharynx, examination of the handkerchieves for presence of radioactive material. Statistical results from the literature are summarized in a table.", "PMID": 796746} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10725", "title": "[Radioisotopic methods for studying cerebrospinal fluid shunts].", "content": "The article presents a general and critical review of the radio-isotopic methods for assessing the function of the surgical shunts of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The radio-isotope cisternography may indirectly demonstrate the function of the shunt by the postoperative modification of the eventual ventricular reflux and of the permeability of the subarachnoid spaces on the cerebral convexity. The methods of direct ventricular injection of the indicator permit a more direct assessment of the drainage, as based on a scintigraphy, or on the quantitative study of the cephalic radio-activity, or on the demonstration of radio-activityon a target-organ. The direct injection of a highly diffusible indicator in the valve allows a quantitative measurement of the flow of CSF in the shunt and brings morphological arguments for the localization of the eventual occlusion. The technical aspects of the latter method are critically discussed and illustrated by personal results.", "contents": "[Radioisotopic methods for studying cerebrospinal fluid shunts]. The article presents a general and critical review of the radio-isotopic methods for assessing the function of the surgical shunts of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The radio-isotope cisternography may indirectly demonstrate the function of the shunt by the postoperative modification of the eventual ventricular reflux and of the permeability of the subarachnoid spaces on the cerebral convexity. The methods of direct ventricular injection of the indicator permit a more direct assessment of the drainage, as based on a scintigraphy, or on the quantitative study of the cephalic radio-activity, or on the demonstration of radio-activityon a target-organ. The direct injection of a highly diffusible indicator in the valve allows a quantitative measurement of the flow of CSF in the shunt and brings morphological arguments for the localization of the eventual occlusion. The technical aspects of the latter method are critically discussed and illustrated by personal results.", "PMID": 796747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10726", "title": "[Comparative experimental study of microsurgical nerve suture. I. Immediate suture and delayed suture].", "content": "Impressed by multiplicity of theories and conceptions concerning nerve surgery and by the difficulty to draw grouded conclusions from the different and contradictory work available from the litterature on the subject, the author makes a revision of the biology of the nerve, to be used as a point of departure for investigation. Based on the fact that protheosynthesis capacity of the nerve cell is known to be at its top value during the first week after the lesion of the nerve, the author endeavours to compare immediate suture with delayed suture. This comparative study is based both on electrophysiological and histological data and show clearly enough the real advantage of trying nerve reconstruction as early as possible, to avoid progression of devitalisation and invasion by fibrosis of both stumps. The surgical procedures are made with the help of the operating microscope and the same technique is used in both groups.", "contents": "[Comparative experimental study of microsurgical nerve suture. I. Immediate suture and delayed suture]. Impressed by multiplicity of theories and conceptions concerning nerve surgery and by the difficulty to draw grouded conclusions from the different and contradictory work available from the litterature on the subject, the author makes a revision of the biology of the nerve, to be used as a point of departure for investigation. Based on the fact that protheosynthesis capacity of the nerve cell is known to be at its top value during the first week after the lesion of the nerve, the author endeavours to compare immediate suture with delayed suture. This comparative study is based both on electrophysiological and histological data and show clearly enough the real advantage of trying nerve reconstruction as early as possible, to avoid progression of devitalisation and invasion by fibrosis of both stumps. The surgical procedures are made with the help of the operating microscope and the same technique is used in both groups.", "PMID": 796743} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10727", "title": "Synthesis of LH-RH by rat hypothalamic tissue in vitro: I. Use of a specific antibody to LH-RH for immunoprecipitation.", "content": "Following the procedure of Jeffcoate et al. [1974] we have successfully obtained a specific antiserum to LH-RH in rabbits, and are utilizing our antibody to study the synthesis of LH-RH by rat hypothalamic tissues in vitro. Our antibody, used at a dilution of 1:20,000, binds 37% of added 125I-labelled LH-RH, and cross-reacts minimally with thyrotropin releasing factor (TRF; 4.0%), somatotropin release inhibiting factor (SRIF; 0.035%), and melanocyte inhibiting factor (MIF; 0.009%). The antiserum recovers LH-RH added to charcoal-stripped rat serum quantitatively. Serial dilutions of rat hypothalamic extract and varying aliquots of normal rat serum are parallel to the standard curve (synthetic LH-RH: 0-100 pg/tube). Hypothalamic tissue of 4 male rats, bounded by the optic chiasm, mammillary bodies and hypothalamic fissures to a depth of 2-3 mm, was pooled, minced and incubated for 1-3 h in 2 ml of Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium in atmosphere of 95% O2/5% CO2 with 10 muCi of 3H-glycine. Reactions were stopped by the addition of 1 ml 0.1 N HC1. The tissue and medium were homogenized together and boiled for 3 min. Aliquots from the incubates were neutralized, LH-RH levels measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and 3H-glycine incorporation determined by immunoprecipitation, using our antibody. 3H-glycine incorporation into presumptive LH-RH increased linearly over the 3 h period. Aliquots of the 3 h incubates were chromatographed on Sephadex G-25 columns (1 x 10 cm) using 0.01 M acetic acid for elution; 1 ml fractions were collected. Synthetic LH-RH was chromatographed in a similar manner, and its elution profile determined by UV absorbance at 280 mm. Aliquots of each fraction of the eluted material from the 3 h incubates were counted in a scintillation counter to determine the elution pattern of the labelled material. Additionally, aliquots from the 1 ml fractions were neutralized and used for immunoprecipitation. Coincident peaks of 3H-label, immunoprecipitable 3H-labelled presumptive LH-RH, and synthetic LH-RH were observed. These results lend strong evidence to support our conclusion that the technique of immunoprecipitation is an efficacious approach to the study of the synthesis of LH-RH by rat hypothalamic tissue in vitro.", "contents": "Synthesis of LH-RH by rat hypothalamic tissue in vitro: I. Use of a specific antibody to LH-RH for immunoprecipitation. Following the procedure of Jeffcoate et al. [1974] we have successfully obtained a specific antiserum to LH-RH in rabbits, and are utilizing our antibody to study the synthesis of LH-RH by rat hypothalamic tissues in vitro. Our antibody, used at a dilution of 1:20,000, binds 37% of added 125I-labelled LH-RH, and cross-reacts minimally with thyrotropin releasing factor (TRF; 4.0%), somatotropin release inhibiting factor (SRIF; 0.035%), and melanocyte inhibiting factor (MIF; 0.009%). The antiserum recovers LH-RH added to charcoal-stripped rat serum quantitatively. Serial dilutions of rat hypothalamic extract and varying aliquots of normal rat serum are parallel to the standard curve (synthetic LH-RH: 0-100 pg/tube). Hypothalamic tissue of 4 male rats, bounded by the optic chiasm, mammillary bodies and hypothalamic fissures to a depth of 2-3 mm, was pooled, minced and incubated for 1-3 h in 2 ml of Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium in atmosphere of 95% O2/5% CO2 with 10 muCi of 3H-glycine. Reactions were stopped by the addition of 1 ml 0.1 N HC1. The tissue and medium were homogenized together and boiled for 3 min. Aliquots from the incubates were neutralized, LH-RH levels measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and 3H-glycine incorporation determined by immunoprecipitation, using our antibody. 3H-glycine incorporation into presumptive LH-RH increased linearly over the 3 h period. Aliquots of the 3 h incubates were chromatographed on Sephadex G-25 columns (1 x 10 cm) using 0.01 M acetic acid for elution; 1 ml fractions were collected. Synthetic LH-RH was chromatographed in a similar manner, and its elution profile determined by UV absorbance at 280 mm. Aliquots of each fraction of the eluted material from the 3 h incubates were counted in a scintillation counter to determine the elution pattern of the labelled material. Additionally, aliquots from the 1 ml fractions were neutralized and used for immunoprecipitation. Coincident peaks of 3H-label, immunoprecipitable 3H-labelled presumptive LH-RH, and synthetic LH-RH were observed. These results lend strong evidence to support our conclusion that the technique of immunoprecipitation is an efficacious approach to the study of the synthesis of LH-RH by rat hypothalamic tissue in vitro.", "PMID": 796750} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10728", "title": "Biphasic effect of estradiol on mechanisms regulating LH release in ovariectomized sheep.", "content": "Single injections of 50 mug estradiol-17beta (E2beta) into overiectomized sheep caused biphasic changes in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH). An initial 8-h period of LH inhibition was followed by a period (12-20 h after E2beta) of facilitated LH release. Pituitary LH responsiveness to small dosages of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was tested repeatedly at 2-h intervals during the time periods when plasma LH was inhibited and when it was facilitated. Reduced sensitivity to GnRH (91% decrease) characterized only the initial 4 h of the inhibitory period, suggesting that E2beta suppressed endogenous LH-releasing factor (LRF) during the latter part of the inhibitory period. Hypersensitivity (2-fold increase) to GnRH was briefly observed at the beginning of the period of E2beta-facilitated LH release. This transient and modest hypersensitivity does not completely account for the very large E2beta-induced increases in plasma LH. Therefore, E2beta probably increased endogenous LRF during the period of facilitated LH release.", "contents": "Biphasic effect of estradiol on mechanisms regulating LH release in ovariectomized sheep. Single injections of 50 mug estradiol-17beta (E2beta) into overiectomized sheep caused biphasic changes in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH). An initial 8-h period of LH inhibition was followed by a period (12-20 h after E2beta) of facilitated LH release. Pituitary LH responsiveness to small dosages of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was tested repeatedly at 2-h intervals during the time periods when plasma LH was inhibited and when it was facilitated. Reduced sensitivity to GnRH (91% decrease) characterized only the initial 4 h of the inhibitory period, suggesting that E2beta suppressed endogenous LH-releasing factor (LRF) during the latter part of the inhibitory period. Hypersensitivity (2-fold increase) to GnRH was briefly observed at the beginning of the period of E2beta-facilitated LH release. This transient and modest hypersensitivity does not completely account for the very large E2beta-induced increases in plasma LH. Therefore, E2beta probably increased endogenous LRF during the period of facilitated LH release.", "PMID": 796751} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10729", "title": "Effect of testosterone on hypothalamic LH-RH content.", "content": "Hypothalamic LH-RH content in male rats is lowered after castration. The s.c. implantation of testosterone or testosterone propionate-packed Silastic tubing (from 0.5 to 6 cm in length) in a range which encompassed the normal circulating plasma testosterone concentration, prevented this lowered LH-RH content 21 days following castration and simultaneous implantation. The temporal response to implanted testosterone was then studied: rats were killed 1,2,4,8,14 and 21 days after castration and simultaneous implantation of 3 cm testosterone-packed Silastic tubing. The hypothalamic LH-RH content began to decrease in the castrated group after 4 days and fell progressively thereafter. However, the hypothalamic LH-RH content of the castrated group maintained with constant levels of testosterone showed no such reduction at any time following castration. These experiments indicate that circulating testosterone in physiological concentrations can maintain a normal hypothalamic LH-RH content and demonstrate an action of testosterone, in physiological concentrations, in the feedback regulation of LH-RH secretion.", "contents": "Effect of testosterone on hypothalamic LH-RH content. Hypothalamic LH-RH content in male rats is lowered after castration. The s.c. implantation of testosterone or testosterone propionate-packed Silastic tubing (from 0.5 to 6 cm in length) in a range which encompassed the normal circulating plasma testosterone concentration, prevented this lowered LH-RH content 21 days following castration and simultaneous implantation. The temporal response to implanted testosterone was then studied: rats were killed 1,2,4,8,14 and 21 days after castration and simultaneous implantation of 3 cm testosterone-packed Silastic tubing. The hypothalamic LH-RH content began to decrease in the castrated group after 4 days and fell progressively thereafter. However, the hypothalamic LH-RH content of the castrated group maintained with constant levels of testosterone showed no such reduction at any time following castration. These experiments indicate that circulating testosterone in physiological concentrations can maintain a normal hypothalamic LH-RH content and demonstrate an action of testosterone, in physiological concentrations, in the feedback regulation of LH-RH secretion.", "PMID": 796752} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10730", "title": "Alpha-methyldopa-chlorpromazine combination in schizophrenic patients.", "content": "In a double-blind, controlled clinical study, lasting 8 weeks, 55 hospitalized schizophrenic patients were randomly assigned to one of the five drug treatments: 600 mg chlorpromazine/day, 300 mg chlorpromazine/day, 300 mg chlorpromazine--250 mg alpha-methyldopa/day, 300 mg chlorpromazine--500 mg alpha-methyldopa/day, 300 mg chlorpromazine--750 mg alpha-methyldopa/day. The results showed that all five treatments were significantly effective in treating schizophrenic behavior. The dose-response relationship for the different doses of alpha-methyldopa in combination with chlorpromazine, suggested an optimal response to 300 mg chlorpromazine--500 mg alpha-methyldopa.", "contents": "Alpha-methyldopa-chlorpromazine combination in schizophrenic patients. In a double-blind, controlled clinical study, lasting 8 weeks, 55 hospitalized schizophrenic patients were randomly assigned to one of the five drug treatments: 600 mg chlorpromazine/day, 300 mg chlorpromazine/day, 300 mg chlorpromazine--250 mg alpha-methyldopa/day, 300 mg chlorpromazine--500 mg alpha-methyldopa/day, 300 mg chlorpromazine--750 mg alpha-methyldopa/day. The results showed that all five treatments were significantly effective in treating schizophrenic behavior. The dose-response relationship for the different doses of alpha-methyldopa in combination with chlorpromazine, suggested an optimal response to 300 mg chlorpromazine--500 mg alpha-methyldopa.", "PMID": 796755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10731", "title": "Neuropsychobiology of affective disorders. Some methodological considerations.", "content": "Amine hypothesis is neither an adequate nor a sufficient postulate in understanding the neuropsychobiology of affective disorders. Interactions and balance between various mechanisms and factors may be important. Better techniques and methodology need to be used and a more comprehensive approach seems to be necessary in formulating meaningful research strategies. The present paper reexamines someaspects of the available data and suggests a few approaches in the sutdy and elucidation of neruophychobiology of affective disorders.", "contents": "Neuropsychobiology of affective disorders. Some methodological considerations. Amine hypothesis is neither an adequate nor a sufficient postulate in understanding the neuropsychobiology of affective disorders. Interactions and balance between various mechanisms and factors may be important. Better techniques and methodology need to be used and a more comprehensive approach seems to be necessary in formulating meaningful research strategies. The present paper reexamines someaspects of the available data and suggests a few approaches in the sutdy and elucidation of neruophychobiology of affective disorders.", "PMID": 796757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10732", "title": "[The free autologous dermo-adipose graft in the treatment of postoperative laparocele].", "content": "An account of the biological and contentive features of the derma is followed by a proposal for its utilisation in the form of an autologous, free dermo-adipose graft in the management of some forms of post-operative laparocele. Personal experience and technique are explained. Grafts are used both for reinforcement of the wall after simple laparoplasty and in the replacement of missing muscle-aponeurotic planes.", "contents": "[The free autologous dermo-adipose graft in the treatment of postoperative laparocele]. An account of the biological and contentive features of the derma is followed by a proposal for its utilisation in the form of an autologous, free dermo-adipose graft in the management of some forms of post-operative laparocele. Personal experience and technique are explained. Grafts are used both for reinforcement of the wall after simple laparoplasty and in the replacement of missing muscle-aponeurotic planes.", "PMID": 796763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10733", "title": "The spread of blood-borne metastases in malignant lymphomas of man.", "content": "An autopsy study was performed on 190 cases with Hodgkin's disease and on 134 cases with reticulum cell sarcomas. It was found that a cascade spread of metastases, as opposed to a random spread, was detectable in patients with Hodgkin's disease, but not in patients with reticulum cell sarcoma. Metastatic key-sites for both lymphomas are defined as those organs whose chance of being seeded by the primary tumor is the highest; these sites are the spleen, liver, bone marrow and lungs. This study could not demonstrate in Hodgkin's cases that metastases in the liver and bone marrow were spleen dependent, but rather it showed that the spleen, liver and bone marrow acted as three independent sources of generalized metastases. Explanations proposed to account for the different metastatic spread in Hodgkin's disease and reticulum cell sarcomas, included different intrinsic cellular characteristics of the two lymphomas. the different location of the primary tumor either because of nodal, or of extra nodal origin, or because the primary tumor was located either in the upper or in the lower torso or in both areas. Malignant cells in the kidney, central nervous system and endocrine system were either released by the spleen via the lungs, or released by the liver and the lungs, or they were bone marrow dependent. The cascade spread of metastases hold true only for Hodgkin's disease. In cases with reticulum cell sarcomas, metastases appeared to spread at random from the primary tumor throughout the body, with rare exceptions such as metastases in the central nervous system, which originated either in the liver or in the spleen, lungs, kidney and bones.", "contents": "The spread of blood-borne metastases in malignant lymphomas of man. An autopsy study was performed on 190 cases with Hodgkin's disease and on 134 cases with reticulum cell sarcomas. It was found that a cascade spread of metastases, as opposed to a random spread, was detectable in patients with Hodgkin's disease, but not in patients with reticulum cell sarcoma. Metastatic key-sites for both lymphomas are defined as those organs whose chance of being seeded by the primary tumor is the highest; these sites are the spleen, liver, bone marrow and lungs. This study could not demonstrate in Hodgkin's cases that metastases in the liver and bone marrow were spleen dependent, but rather it showed that the spleen, liver and bone marrow acted as three independent sources of generalized metastases. Explanations proposed to account for the different metastatic spread in Hodgkin's disease and reticulum cell sarcomas, included different intrinsic cellular characteristics of the two lymphomas. the different location of the primary tumor either because of nodal, or of extra nodal origin, or because the primary tumor was located either in the upper or in the lower torso or in both areas. Malignant cells in the kidney, central nervous system and endocrine system were either released by the spleen via the lungs, or released by the liver and the lungs, or they were bone marrow dependent. The cascade spread of metastases hold true only for Hodgkin's disease. In cases with reticulum cell sarcomas, metastases appeared to spread at random from the primary tumor throughout the body, with rare exceptions such as metastases in the central nervous system, which originated either in the liver or in the spleen, lungs, kidney and bones.", "PMID": 796773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10734", "title": "Inhibition by ionophore A23187 of the cytotoxicity of vincristine, colchicine and X-rays to leukemic lymphocytes.", "content": "The ionophore A23187 was tested for its effect on the sensitivity of normal and leukemic lymphocytes to colchicine, vincristine, and X-irradiation. The ionophore was used because it transfers divalent cations through biological membranes and causes the transformation of normal lymphocytes. The sensitivity of the cells was measured by incubation of lymphocyte suspensions with and without reagent at 37 degrees C for one to seven days and counting the number of viable lymphocytes before and after incubation. Viability of the cells was judged by cytologic criteria as visualized by phase contrast microscopy. Lymphocytes were obtained from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and from normal persons. Colchicine and vincristine killed in one day non-dividing leukemic lymphocytes while normal lymphocytes were much less sensitive to the two alkaloids. X-irradiation (1000 rad) killed nearly all leukemic lymphocytes in two days and normal lymphocytes in three days. Ionophore A23187 (2 X 10(-5)M) was moderately toxic to normal but not to leukemic lymphocytes and caused the transformation of both types of cells. The ionophore inhibited the cytocidal action of colchicine and vincristine to leukemic but not to normal lymphocytes and inhibited the action of X-irradiation to both types of lymphocytes. The present findings and a review of the literature suggest the hypothesis that calcium or other divalent ions are involved in the cytotoxicity of colchicine, vincristine, and X-irradiation of leukemic lymphocytes and that there may be an abnormality of the metabolism of divalent ions in leukemic lymphocytes.", "contents": "Inhibition by ionophore A23187 of the cytotoxicity of vincristine, colchicine and X-rays to leukemic lymphocytes. The ionophore A23187 was tested for its effect on the sensitivity of normal and leukemic lymphocytes to colchicine, vincristine, and X-irradiation. The ionophore was used because it transfers divalent cations through biological membranes and causes the transformation of normal lymphocytes. The sensitivity of the cells was measured by incubation of lymphocyte suspensions with and without reagent at 37 degrees C for one to seven days and counting the number of viable lymphocytes before and after incubation. Viability of the cells was judged by cytologic criteria as visualized by phase contrast microscopy. Lymphocytes were obtained from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and from normal persons. Colchicine and vincristine killed in one day non-dividing leukemic lymphocytes while normal lymphocytes were much less sensitive to the two alkaloids. X-irradiation (1000 rad) killed nearly all leukemic lymphocytes in two days and normal lymphocytes in three days. Ionophore A23187 (2 X 10(-5)M) was moderately toxic to normal but not to leukemic lymphocytes and caused the transformation of both types of cells. The ionophore inhibited the cytocidal action of colchicine and vincristine to leukemic but not to normal lymphocytes and inhibited the action of X-irradiation to both types of lymphocytes. The present findings and a review of the literature suggest the hypothesis that calcium or other divalent ions are involved in the cytotoxicity of colchicine, vincristine, and X-irradiation of leukemic lymphocytes and that there may be an abnormality of the metabolism of divalent ions in leukemic lymphocytes.", "PMID": 796774} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10735", "title": "Antibody response to and immunity induced by Corynebacterium pyogenes vaccine.", "content": "A procedure is described for producing a high quality C. pyogenes vaccine. A satisfactory antibody response was obtained by administering 3 subcutaneous injections of vaccine at 10-day intervals, using doses of 2,0 ml for rabbits, 5,0 ml for sheep and 10,0 ml for cattle. The titres resulting from this procedure compared favourably with those obtained from following the more intensive schedule and higher doses of vaccine recommended by the British Veterinary Codex. The antibody response was at its best 1-2 months after immunization but dropped to a plateau 6 months after immunization. Mice were also successfully immunized against challenge with 1,5x108 organisms by the application of 3 doses of vaccine administered at 10-day intervals.", "contents": "Antibody response to and immunity induced by Corynebacterium pyogenes vaccine. A procedure is described for producing a high quality C. pyogenes vaccine. A satisfactory antibody response was obtained by administering 3 subcutaneous injections of vaccine at 10-day intervals, using doses of 2,0 ml for rabbits, 5,0 ml for sheep and 10,0 ml for cattle. The titres resulting from this procedure compared favourably with those obtained from following the more intensive schedule and higher doses of vaccine recommended by the British Veterinary Codex. The antibody response was at its best 1-2 months after immunization but dropped to a plateau 6 months after immunization. Mice were also successfully immunized against challenge with 1,5x108 organisms by the application of 3 doses of vaccine administered at 10-day intervals.", "PMID": 796776} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10736", "title": "[Research on hepatic and overall collagen metabolism in irradiated rats (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors studied the effect of ionising radiation on hepatic and overall collagen metabolism in rats. Doses of 100 and 250 rads produced a reduction in urinary hydroxyproline while doses of 500 and 700 rads produced an increase. These results may be interpreted in favour of an increase in reticulation in the first case and in the second case, destruction of inter-molecular bonds. The quantity of total and insoluble collagen increases proportionally to the dose 40 days after the radiation. This proportional relationship is not observed during the first few days after radiation. Prolonged radiation with 700 rads produces a marked reduction in all collagen fractions, compared with 4 days after acute radiation. Among the substances studied, \"folcisteine\" had the best radio-protective effect when administered before radiation with 700 rads.", "contents": "[Research on hepatic and overall collagen metabolism in irradiated rats (author's transl)]. The authors studied the effect of ionising radiation on hepatic and overall collagen metabolism in rats. Doses of 100 and 250 rads produced a reduction in urinary hydroxyproline while doses of 500 and 700 rads produced an increase. These results may be interpreted in favour of an increase in reticulation in the first case and in the second case, destruction of inter-molecular bonds. The quantity of total and insoluble collagen increases proportionally to the dose 40 days after the radiation. This proportional relationship is not observed during the first few days after radiation. Prolonged radiation with 700 rads produces a marked reduction in all collagen fractions, compared with 4 days after acute radiation. Among the substances studied, \"folcisteine\" had the best radio-protective effect when administered before radiation with 700 rads.", "PMID": 796788} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10737", "title": "[Immunoglobulins in the CSF during meningitis (author's transl)].", "content": "Cerebrospinal fluid and serum immunoglobulins were studied in 76 patients with acute meningitis of various aetiologies. This comparative study showed that the increase of CSF immunoglobulin levels was related to important modifications of the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (especially in case of bacterial meningitis) or to a local in situ production (particularly in case of \"viral\" meningitis). Results obtained allow us to draw a different biochemical pattern in purulent meningitis and acute lymphocytic meningitis.", "contents": "[Immunoglobulins in the CSF during meningitis (author's transl)]. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum immunoglobulins were studied in 76 patients with acute meningitis of various aetiologies. This comparative study showed that the increase of CSF immunoglobulin levels was related to important modifications of the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (especially in case of bacterial meningitis) or to a local in situ production (particularly in case of \"viral\" meningitis). Results obtained allow us to draw a different biochemical pattern in purulent meningitis and acute lymphocytic meningitis.", "PMID": 796789} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10738", "title": "[Practical interest of a micromethod for neuraminidase treatment of lymphocytes in transplantation immunology (author's transl)].", "content": "Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase treatment increases the cell sensitivity to complement and antibodies cytotoxic action. This property can be applied to the microlymphocytotoxicity technic for antibodies study in dialysed and kidney transplanted patients and for pretransplantation cross-matches. The enzymatic treatment usually employed needs a great deal of lymphocytes submitted in a second step to antibodies cytotoxic action. But this method appeared difficult to be routinely applied. We developed a simpler method consisting in treating only the lymphocytes needed to perform the test, on the reaction plate itself. This method gives the same results as the classical enzymatic treatment: the intensity of the weakly positive reaction is strongly increased, after pretreatment of cells; in certain cases, it allows one to detect cytotoxic antibodies not revealed without neuraminidase. These antibodies can be related (or not) to HLA system but practically the more important fact is the ability of this method to reveal an eventual incompatibility.", "contents": "[Practical interest of a micromethod for neuraminidase treatment of lymphocytes in transplantation immunology (author's transl)]. Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase treatment increases the cell sensitivity to complement and antibodies cytotoxic action. This property can be applied to the microlymphocytotoxicity technic for antibodies study in dialysed and kidney transplanted patients and for pretransplantation cross-matches. The enzymatic treatment usually employed needs a great deal of lymphocytes submitted in a second step to antibodies cytotoxic action. But this method appeared difficult to be routinely applied. We developed a simpler method consisting in treating only the lymphocytes needed to perform the test, on the reaction plate itself. This method gives the same results as the classical enzymatic treatment: the intensity of the weakly positive reaction is strongly increased, after pretreatment of cells; in certain cases, it allows one to detect cytotoxic antibodies not revealed without neuraminidase. These antibodies can be related (or not) to HLA system but practically the more important fact is the ability of this method to reveal an eventual incompatibility.", "PMID": 796790} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10739", "title": "[Effect of clofibrate on tissue lipase activity in rats].", "content": "Given for 20 days at a concentration of 0.3% in the diet, clofibrate lowers serum triglyceride level and causes a 48% increase of lipoprotein lipase activity in rat fat pad, after feeding. This increase does not appear in the animals on fasting. These results agree with an effect of clofibrate upon membranous adenyl-cyclase of adipose tissue.", "contents": "[Effect of clofibrate on tissue lipase activity in rats]. Given for 20 days at a concentration of 0.3% in the diet, clofibrate lowers serum triglyceride level and causes a 48% increase of lipoprotein lipase activity in rat fat pad, after feeding. This increase does not appear in the animals on fasting. These results agree with an effect of clofibrate upon membranous adenyl-cyclase of adipose tissue.", "PMID": 796791} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10740", "title": "[Antibody coated bacteria in urinary sediment (author's transl)].", "content": "The presence of antibody coated bacteria in the urinary sediment was correlated with the infection site in 151 patients. 86 patients were followed regularly and support sequential data. A positive test is noted in most of the chronic pyelonephritis cases in all the prostatitis cases and in some of the chronic infection on bladder disease. In recurrent cystitis the test is generally negative as in acute pyelonephritis seen within 24 hours.", "contents": "[Antibody coated bacteria in urinary sediment (author's transl)]. The presence of antibody coated bacteria in the urinary sediment was correlated with the infection site in 151 patients. 86 patients were followed regularly and support sequential data. A positive test is noted in most of the chronic pyelonephritis cases in all the prostatitis cases and in some of the chronic infection on bladder disease. In recurrent cystitis the test is generally negative as in acute pyelonephritis seen within 24 hours.", "PMID": 796792} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10741", "title": "[Bone marrow's histopathology in tuberculosis of the hematopoietic organs (author's transl)].", "content": "Through the reports of the literature, the histopathologic lesions of the bone marrow in tuberculosis of the hematopoietic organs are analysed. Whether the lesions are typical or not, it is necessary to have a bacteriologic proof of tuberculosis. Near these lesions, bone marrow's cellularity is often greater or lower, reticular fibers are often increased and sometimes reticulin fibrosis is marked. Other necrosis and granulomatous inflammation are discussed. Contribution of macrophage is described. The relationships between tuberculosis and hematologic diseases are reported.", "contents": "[Bone marrow's histopathology in tuberculosis of the hematopoietic organs (author's transl)]. Through the reports of the literature, the histopathologic lesions of the bone marrow in tuberculosis of the hematopoietic organs are analysed. Whether the lesions are typical or not, it is necessary to have a bacteriologic proof of tuberculosis. Near these lesions, bone marrow's cellularity is often greater or lower, reticular fibers are often increased and sometimes reticulin fibrosis is marked. Other necrosis and granulomatous inflammation are discussed. Contribution of macrophage is described. The relationships between tuberculosis and hematologic diseases are reported.", "PMID": 796793} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10742", "title": "Tolerance and leukaemogenesis.", "content": "Two subjects are considered here separately. Both are related to findings in the early embryo aggregation derived mouse chimaera model. Such chimaeras are most commonly derived following the aggregation of two undifferentiated embryos and therefore not suprisingly they were originally considered examples of \"classic\" immunological tolerance. Since this time alternative mechanisms including humoral and cell suppressor activity have been suggested and until recently tolerance in tetraparental chimaeras has remained a controversy. This controversy is now reviewed in the light of recent findings which has suggested that such mice are in fact examples of classic tolerance with the possibility that this is achieved by heterogeneous elimination of the clone of potentially self in equilibrium self auto-reactive cells. Chimaeras have also been studied in respect of leukaemogenesis. Results in a group of AKR reversible CBA leukaemia susceptible reversible resistant chimaeras suggest resistance is dominant. Moreover evidence now points to lack of anti-viral antibody activity in these chimaeras which I wish to suggest may be related to apparent resistance to leukaemia. In this context it may be envisaged that in the absence of masking anti-viral antigen complexes \"normal\" tumour immunity may have been effected. Although this has yet to be proven evidence points to tolerance to the oncogenic virus being maintained in the chimaeras furthermore also in the naturally derived (AKR X CBA) F1. This in turn leads me to suggest that \"intolerance\" to the oncogenic virus, the spontaneous development of anti-viral antibodies and tumour development might well be related in the AKR. This in turn enables me to propose that tolerance and leukaemogenesis, at least in this stiuation, appear to be related.", "contents": "Tolerance and leukaemogenesis. Two subjects are considered here separately. Both are related to findings in the early embryo aggregation derived mouse chimaera model. Such chimaeras are most commonly derived following the aggregation of two undifferentiated embryos and therefore not suprisingly they were originally considered examples of \"classic\" immunological tolerance. Since this time alternative mechanisms including humoral and cell suppressor activity have been suggested and until recently tolerance in tetraparental chimaeras has remained a controversy. This controversy is now reviewed in the light of recent findings which has suggested that such mice are in fact examples of classic tolerance with the possibility that this is achieved by heterogeneous elimination of the clone of potentially self in equilibrium self auto-reactive cells. Chimaeras have also been studied in respect of leukaemogenesis. Results in a group of AKR reversible CBA leukaemia susceptible reversible resistant chimaeras suggest resistance is dominant. Moreover evidence now points to lack of anti-viral antibody activity in these chimaeras which I wish to suggest may be related to apparent resistance to leukaemia. In this context it may be envisaged that in the absence of masking anti-viral antigen complexes \"normal\" tumour immunity may have been effected. Although this has yet to be proven evidence points to tolerance to the oncogenic virus being maintained in the chimaeras furthermore also in the naturally derived (AKR X CBA) F1. This in turn leads me to suggest that \"intolerance\" to the oncogenic virus, the spontaneous development of anti-viral antibodies and tumour development might well be related in the AKR. This in turn enables me to propose that tolerance and leukaemogenesis, at least in this stiuation, appear to be related.", "PMID": 796794} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10743", "title": "[Bidimensional electrophoresis in the study of cerebrospinal fluid protein (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors report 650 bidimensional electrophoreses of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). All examinations were carried out after prior concentration of CSF protein. The technic used is that described by Rebeyrotte in 1970. Four types of tracing were noted: -- Two tracings were unusual by the presence of a large peak in the alpha-2 region. -- One tracing was of the hypergamma type. -- One tracing was comparable to serum by the richness of the precipitations. A change in the first migration permitted us to obtain electrophoretic separations from 100 microlitres of pure CSF. The bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis tracings are comparable to those described previously.", "contents": "[Bidimensional electrophoresis in the study of cerebrospinal fluid protein (author's transl)]. The authors report 650 bidimensional electrophoreses of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). All examinations were carried out after prior concentration of CSF protein. The technic used is that described by Rebeyrotte in 1970. Four types of tracing were noted: -- Two tracings were unusual by the presence of a large peak in the alpha-2 region. -- One tracing was of the hypergamma type. -- One tracing was comparable to serum by the richness of the precipitations. A change in the first migration permitted us to obtain electrophoretic separations from 100 microlitres of pure CSF. The bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis tracings are comparable to those described previously.", "PMID": 796795} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10744", "title": "[Effect of phosphate upon calcium intestinal absorption (author's transl)].", "content": "Adult rats receive 5 to 50 mM CaCl2 solutions in which glycerophosphate or sodium diacid phosphate may be added in variable quantity. These solutions are administered by gavage or in situ ligatured jejunal loop. The inhibition of calcium absorption dependent on simultaneously administered phosphate doses is well characterized: high for the lowest concentration, the inhibiting effect of phosphate doses decreases more and more reaching a limit from which phosphate supplementation has no effect. These observations discarding an intervention of phosphate by calcium insolubilization seem to demonstrate that the control supplied by phosphates on calcium absorption is of enzymatic character. Facts related to the respective effects of calcium and phosphates on the action of alkaline phosphatases lead to discuss a possible intervention of these enzymes upon calcium transfer.", "contents": "[Effect of phosphate upon calcium intestinal absorption (author's transl)]. Adult rats receive 5 to 50 mM CaCl2 solutions in which glycerophosphate or sodium diacid phosphate may be added in variable quantity. These solutions are administered by gavage or in situ ligatured jejunal loop. The inhibition of calcium absorption dependent on simultaneously administered phosphate doses is well characterized: high for the lowest concentration, the inhibiting effect of phosphate doses decreases more and more reaching a limit from which phosphate supplementation has no effect. These observations discarding an intervention of phosphate by calcium insolubilization seem to demonstrate that the control supplied by phosphates on calcium absorption is of enzymatic character. Facts related to the respective effects of calcium and phosphates on the action of alkaline phosphatases lead to discuss a possible intervention of these enzymes upon calcium transfer.", "PMID": 796796} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10745", "title": "[Bronchial lympho-epithelial nodules in the rat. Definition and morphological characteristics in optical and electron microscopy (author's transl)].", "content": "Among the bronchial lymphoid tissue, lympho-epithelial nodules are an original component, easily distinguished from other structures, particularly from lymphoid cell infiltrates. Such structures are encountered in many species and may be characterized by a flattened epithelium, containing a few ciliated cells, devoid of mucus producing cells, and infiltrated with lymphocytes. Inter and intracellular vacuoles are described in the lympho-epithelium and the underlying mucosa. Electron microscope studies support the view that lymphoepithelium has a \"trapping\" function of particulate matter, more direct evidence is however attempted. Peripheral lymphatic vessels and high endothelium veins contribute to the important lymphocyte transfer. An hypothesis of capacity for antigenic recognition of the lymphoepithelial nodule is discussed.", "contents": "[Bronchial lympho-epithelial nodules in the rat. Definition and morphological characteristics in optical and electron microscopy (author's transl)]. Among the bronchial lymphoid tissue, lympho-epithelial nodules are an original component, easily distinguished from other structures, particularly from lymphoid cell infiltrates. Such structures are encountered in many species and may be characterized by a flattened epithelium, containing a few ciliated cells, devoid of mucus producing cells, and infiltrated with lymphocytes. Inter and intracellular vacuoles are described in the lympho-epithelium and the underlying mucosa. Electron microscope studies support the view that lymphoepithelium has a \"trapping\" function of particulate matter, more direct evidence is however attempted. Peripheral lymphatic vessels and high endothelium veins contribute to the important lymphocyte transfer. An hypothesis of capacity for antigenic recognition of the lymphoepithelial nodule is discussed.", "PMID": 796797} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10746", "title": "Antigenic analysis of a variant specific component of Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei I -- Immunochemical purification by affinity chromatography.", "content": "An antigenic component specific to the bloodstream form of serotype AnTat-1 of Trypanosoma brucei brucei was purified by immunoadsorption technique. Subsequently, a monospecific rabbit antiserum was prepared. Purity and specificity controls of the final product were carried out by immunoelectrophoretic analysis.", "contents": "Antigenic analysis of a variant specific component of Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei I -- Immunochemical purification by affinity chromatography. An antigenic component specific to the bloodstream form of serotype AnTat-1 of Trypanosoma brucei brucei was purified by immunoadsorption technique. Subsequently, a monospecific rabbit antiserum was prepared. Purity and specificity controls of the final product were carried out by immunoelectrophoretic analysis.", "PMID": 796798} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10747", "title": "Histological aspects of arterial abnormalities produced by X-irradiation of the aortic and branchial arches in the chick embryo.", "content": "Low dose X irradiations centred on one or two aortic and branchial arches of 3-day check embryos result in teratogenic effects on the arteries (21-92%) and in low mortality (4-12%). Histological studies of abnormal arteries show different structural malformations of the arterial wall: inorganized arterial fibres, abnormal intima, newly formed arterial tissue in arterial lumen, coalescence of two arteries. It is suggested that a disturbance at the aortic differentiation level results under our experimental conditions in the observed arterial abnormalities.", "contents": "Histological aspects of arterial abnormalities produced by X-irradiation of the aortic and branchial arches in the chick embryo. Low dose X irradiations centred on one or two aortic and branchial arches of 3-day check embryos result in teratogenic effects on the arteries (21-92%) and in low mortality (4-12%). Histological studies of abnormal arteries show different structural malformations of the arterial wall: inorganized arterial fibres, abnormal intima, newly formed arterial tissue in arterial lumen, coalescence of two arteries. It is suggested that a disturbance at the aortic differentiation level results under our experimental conditions in the observed arterial abnormalities.", "PMID": 796799} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10748", "title": "[Bactericidal power of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Trials for standardization of a micromethod using autoradiography (author's transl)].", "content": "A 50 mul sample of blood is placed successively in the presence of staphylococci, then of tritiated thymidine. Stripping film autoradiography permits identification of living intracellular bacteria which metabolize the marked precursor. In our experimental conditions, the percentage of marked intracellular bacteria is: -- 15,4 +/- 3,7% (x +/- 1s) among adults -- 14,6 +/- 3,2% among children.", "contents": "[Bactericidal power of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Trials for standardization of a micromethod using autoradiography (author's transl)]. A 50 mul sample of blood is placed successively in the presence of staphylococci, then of tritiated thymidine. Stripping film autoradiography permits identification of living intracellular bacteria which metabolize the marked precursor. In our experimental conditions, the percentage of marked intracellular bacteria is: -- 15,4 +/- 3,7% (x +/- 1s) among adults -- 14,6 +/- 3,2% among children.", "PMID": 796804} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10749", "title": "Human platelet fibrinogen: a protein different from plasma fibrinogen.", "content": "Fibrinogen has been purified from normal and dysfibrinogenemia Metz plasmas, and from normal and from the patient's platelets. There are differences in the pattern of disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis between normal plasma and normal platelet fibrinogens, but the migration of the A alpha chain is similar. The abnormality of the electrophoretic mobility of the A alpha chain of plasma fibrinogen from Metz dysfibrinogenemia is not found in platelet fibrinogen of this patient. This result clearly establishes that platelet fibrinogen is a different protein from plasma fibrinogen.", "contents": "Human platelet fibrinogen: a protein different from plasma fibrinogen. Fibrinogen has been purified from normal and dysfibrinogenemia Metz plasmas, and from normal and from the patient's platelets. There are differences in the pattern of disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis between normal plasma and normal platelet fibrinogens, but the migration of the A alpha chain is similar. The abnormality of the electrophoretic mobility of the A alpha chain of plasma fibrinogen from Metz dysfibrinogenemia is not found in platelet fibrinogen of this patient. This result clearly establishes that platelet fibrinogen is a different protein from plasma fibrinogen.", "PMID": 796805} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10750", "title": "[Vascular subendothehlium: structure and functions (author's transl)].", "content": "Two subendothelial structures, glomerular basement membrane and arterial subendothelium, were compared regarding their biochemistry and ultrastructure and their role in physiology and pathology. Filtration function of the glomerular basement membrane can be related to the presence of three layers which are superimposed on each other and which differ regarding the orientation and density of the microfibrils. The arterial subendothelium which is a mixture of amorphous material, microfibrilis, elastin and collagen, with a still unknown orientation of these components, limits the transport of many blood molecules and reinforces the endothelial barrier. A striking difference is observed in the thrombogenicity of these two structures, especially in their reactivity towards platelets. This can be related to the presence of collagen IV in the glomerular basement membrane and of collagen III in the arterial subendothelium: in both cases adhesion of platelets can be observed. The presence of platelet aggregates on the subendothelial surface may also be seen. This is probably due to the presence of collagen III which is known to be able to induce the platelet release reaction and thereby promotes aggregation.", "contents": "[Vascular subendothehlium: structure and functions (author's transl)]. Two subendothelial structures, glomerular basement membrane and arterial subendothelium, were compared regarding their biochemistry and ultrastructure and their role in physiology and pathology. Filtration function of the glomerular basement membrane can be related to the presence of three layers which are superimposed on each other and which differ regarding the orientation and density of the microfibrils. The arterial subendothelium which is a mixture of amorphous material, microfibrilis, elastin and collagen, with a still unknown orientation of these components, limits the transport of many blood molecules and reinforces the endothelial barrier. A striking difference is observed in the thrombogenicity of these two structures, especially in their reactivity towards platelets. This can be related to the presence of collagen IV in the glomerular basement membrane and of collagen III in the arterial subendothelium: in both cases adhesion of platelets can be observed. The presence of platelet aggregates on the subendothelial surface may also be seen. This is probably due to the presence of collagen III which is known to be able to induce the platelet release reaction and thereby promotes aggregation.", "PMID": 796806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10751", "title": "Inhibition of platelet aggregation by cationic protein from polymorphonuclear leukocytes.", "content": "The cationic protein isolated from the granules of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes inhibited the aggregation of human platelets as induced by collagen, thrombin, ristocetin, aggregated IgG by approximately 50% and anti-C1q by 75% but had no effect on aggregation-induced by ADP.", "contents": "Inhibition of platelet aggregation by cationic protein from polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The cationic protein isolated from the granules of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes inhibited the aggregation of human platelets as induced by collagen, thrombin, ristocetin, aggregated IgG by approximately 50% and anti-C1q by 75% but had no effect on aggregation-induced by ADP.", "PMID": 796807} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10752", "title": "Galactosyl transferase assay. Application to experimental atherosclerosis.", "content": "To establish a repetitive measurement, aortic galactosyl transferase activity has been studied with a specific exogenous acceptor, collagen. Reactions were realized with an acellular biosynthesis mixture containing, collagen (3-4 mg/ml) an aliquot of enzymatic extract preparation (105000 g supernatant (2-3 mg/ml of proteins), UDP (14C) galactose (300 pM/ml). Galactose incorporation into collagen required Mn++ (2.5. 10-3M), incubation temperature of 37 degrees C and pH =7,75. Under such conditions a reproducible assay of aortic collagen galactosyl transferase was possible. After submitting rabbits to a chronic lathyric intoxication and/or to an hypercholesterolimic diet, galactosyl transferase activity was measured in rabbit aortic wall. Enzymatic activity was increased for rabbits under treatment, and the increase was directly proportional to the length of treatment (BAPN associated with cholesterolemic diet).", "contents": "Galactosyl transferase assay. Application to experimental atherosclerosis. To establish a repetitive measurement, aortic galactosyl transferase activity has been studied with a specific exogenous acceptor, collagen. Reactions were realized with an acellular biosynthesis mixture containing, collagen (3-4 mg/ml) an aliquot of enzymatic extract preparation (105000 g supernatant (2-3 mg/ml of proteins), UDP (14C) galactose (300 pM/ml). Galactose incorporation into collagen required Mn++ (2.5. 10-3M), incubation temperature of 37 degrees C and pH =7,75. Under such conditions a reproducible assay of aortic collagen galactosyl transferase was possible. After submitting rabbits to a chronic lathyric intoxication and/or to an hypercholesterolimic diet, galactosyl transferase activity was measured in rabbit aortic wall. Enzymatic activity was increased for rabbits under treatment, and the increase was directly proportional to the length of treatment (BAPN associated with cholesterolemic diet).", "PMID": 796808} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10753", "title": "Biosynthesis of elastin and other matrix-macromolecules in veinous arterial prosthesis.", "content": "Homologous saphenous veins where implanted in the arterial circilation (femoral artery) of dogs for various times (1 to 9 months, most data given for 3 months). After this period, the in vitro biosynthesis of intercullar matrix macromolecules was studied by incubating the veins in organ culture conditions in the presence of 14C-lysine for 3 days. A fractional extraction procedure was used to obtain representative macromolecular extracts for the determination of chemical composition (hydroxyproline, hexosamines) and radioactivity. Neosynthesis of elastin was considered as valid criteria for the adaptation of the veinous wall to the new (arterial circulatory) conditions. The chemical composition of the grafted veins was different from that of the nongrafted, controlateral saphenous veins suggesting a molecular remodeling of the grafted veinous wall. Radioactive lysine was incorporated in all macromolecular fractions of grafted and control veins. The specific radioactivity of the extracts obtained from grafted veins was higher than that obtained from the control veins. The only exception was the collagenase extract (containing mainly the polymeric collagen) which had a somewhat lower radioactivity in the grafted vein. The incorporation of lysine in the elastin fraction increased by a factor 10 in the grafted vein as compared to the non-grafted veins. Radioactive desmosine could be demonstrated in the elastin fraction. It appears therefore that the veinous wall could adapt its biosynthetic capacity to the new circulatory conditions by increasing considerably the biosynthesis of elastin. This is accompanied by an increase of the synthesis of other macromolecules and a significant remodeling of the macromolecular structure of the vessel wall.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of elastin and other matrix-macromolecules in veinous arterial prosthesis. Homologous saphenous veins where implanted in the arterial circilation (femoral artery) of dogs for various times (1 to 9 months, most data given for 3 months). After this period, the in vitro biosynthesis of intercullar matrix macromolecules was studied by incubating the veins in organ culture conditions in the presence of 14C-lysine for 3 days. A fractional extraction procedure was used to obtain representative macromolecular extracts for the determination of chemical composition (hydroxyproline, hexosamines) and radioactivity. Neosynthesis of elastin was considered as valid criteria for the adaptation of the veinous wall to the new (arterial circulatory) conditions. The chemical composition of the grafted veins was different from that of the nongrafted, controlateral saphenous veins suggesting a molecular remodeling of the grafted veinous wall. Radioactive lysine was incorporated in all macromolecular fractions of grafted and control veins. The specific radioactivity of the extracts obtained from grafted veins was higher than that obtained from the control veins. The only exception was the collagenase extract (containing mainly the polymeric collagen) which had a somewhat lower radioactivity in the grafted vein. The incorporation of lysine in the elastin fraction increased by a factor 10 in the grafted vein as compared to the non-grafted veins. Radioactive desmosine could be demonstrated in the elastin fraction. It appears therefore that the veinous wall could adapt its biosynthetic capacity to the new circulatory conditions by increasing considerably the biosynthesis of elastin. This is accompanied by an increase of the synthesis of other macromolecules and a significant remodeling of the macromolecular structure of the vessel wall.", "PMID": 796809} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10754", "title": "[Von Willebrand factor activity and thrombophilic states. A review (author's transl)].", "content": "After a brief survey of some physiologic properties of Von Willebrand factor activity (VIII r WF) the numerous clinical states with an increase of this activity are described. The authors report their own results concerning sepsis, chronic arteritis of lower limbs, diabetes, toxemia of pregnancy. In most cases the increase of VIII r WF activity appears as a sign of vascular injury and/or the consequence of tissular damage.", "contents": "[Von Willebrand factor activity and thrombophilic states. A review (author's transl)]. After a brief survey of some physiologic properties of Von Willebrand factor activity (VIII r WF) the numerous clinical states with an increase of this activity are described. The authors report their own results concerning sepsis, chronic arteritis of lower limbs, diabetes, toxemia of pregnancy. In most cases the increase of VIII r WF activity appears as a sign of vascular injury and/or the consequence of tissular damage.", "PMID": 796810} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10755", "title": "Factor V and VIII activation \"in vivo\" during bleeding. Evidence of thrombin formation at the early stage of hemostasis.", "content": "Factor V and VIII activity was measured by a one-stage assay on capillary blood issuing from a skin cut. This activity increases during bleeding. The phenomenon is suppressed by a previous injection of a low dose of heparin. These data give evidence of a very early local formation of thrombin during hemostasis. The study of this activation process in patients with congenital deficiency of blood clotting factor allows to investigate the mechanism of thrombin formation in vivo. This demonstrates the preeminence of the tissue factor pathway and the need of factor VIII for factor X activation in the extrinsic system.", "contents": "Factor V and VIII activation \"in vivo\" during bleeding. Evidence of thrombin formation at the early stage of hemostasis. Factor V and VIII activity was measured by a one-stage assay on capillary blood issuing from a skin cut. This activity increases during bleeding. The phenomenon is suppressed by a previous injection of a low dose of heparin. These data give evidence of a very early local formation of thrombin during hemostasis. The study of this activation process in patients with congenital deficiency of blood clotting factor allows to investigate the mechanism of thrombin formation in vivo. This demonstrates the preeminence of the tissue factor pathway and the need of factor VIII for factor X activation in the extrinsic system.", "PMID": 796811} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10756", "title": "Two simple methods for the quantitative evaluation of platelet adhesion to collagen.", "content": "14C serotonine labelled platetel rich plasma (PRP) incubated with fibrillar collagen is either gel filtered through a Sepharose 2B column (Sepharose test) or centrifugated on a 23% Ficoll layer (Ficoll test). In the Sepharose test, the adhesion is quantified by the determination of the per cent yield of free platelets eluted from the column and the release by a quantitative evaluation of the 14C serotonin. In the Ficoll test, the released seroton is measured from the distribution of radioactivity in the different layers (supernatant plasma, platelets adherent to collagen, Ficoll, platelet pellet) of the tube after centrifugation. Both methods are rapid and quite reproducible.", "contents": "Two simple methods for the quantitative evaluation of platelet adhesion to collagen. 14C serotonine labelled platetel rich plasma (PRP) incubated with fibrillar collagen is either gel filtered through a Sepharose 2B column (Sepharose test) or centrifugated on a 23% Ficoll layer (Ficoll test). In the Sepharose test, the adhesion is quantified by the determination of the per cent yield of free platelets eluted from the column and the release by a quantitative evaluation of the 14C serotonin. In the Ficoll test, the released seroton is measured from the distribution of radioactivity in the different layers (supernatant plasma, platelets adherent to collagen, Ficoll, platelet pellet) of the tube after centrifugation. Both methods are rapid and quite reproducible.", "PMID": 796812} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10757", "title": "Semantic memory: a bibliography, 1968-1975.", "content": "Semantic memory research is briefly described. Then a bibliography of 105 published references in semantic memory, calendar years, 1968-1975, is presented.", "contents": "Semantic memory: a bibliography, 1968-1975. Semantic memory research is briefly described. Then a bibliography of 105 published references in semantic memory, calendar years, 1968-1975, is presented.", "PMID": 796817} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10758", "title": "Personality and meditation.", "content": "The relationship of psychoticism, extraversion-introversion, and neuroticism to the practice of Transcendental Meditation was studied. Male meditators (n = 39) were more introverted and more neurotic than the normal population, whereas the female meditators (n = 27) had a higher mean psychoticism score. Over a 6-mo. period of meditation, the males (n = 24) became less neurotic; the degree to which they did so was related to the frequency of meditation. The implications of these findings are discussed.", "contents": "Personality and meditation. The relationship of psychoticism, extraversion-introversion, and neuroticism to the practice of Transcendental Meditation was studied. Male meditators (n = 39) were more introverted and more neurotic than the normal population, whereas the female meditators (n = 27) had a higher mean psychoticism score. Over a 6-mo. period of meditation, the males (n = 24) became less neurotic; the degree to which they did so was related to the frequency of meditation. The implications of these findings are discussed.", "PMID": 796818} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10759", "title": "Relationship between spatial density and sensory overload, personal space, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure.", "content": "Selected effects of high spatial density were investigated with 26 boys, serving as their own controls and undergoing alternate confinements in high and relatively low spatial density. Measured effects were changes in minimal aversion threshold values of white sound, projective measures of desire to alter room size, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. High spatial density increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure and projective measures of desire to alter room size but did not affect minimal aversion threshold values. Semi-projective measures of personal space requirements were obtained prior to experimental trials. Analysis showed a significant interaction of minimal aversion threshold values with requirements for personal space; the minimal aversion threshold values of subjects requiring large personal space tended to decrease following confinement under high spatial density. The interaction of personal space with projected measures of desire to alter room size was not significant. High spatial density may, then, exert adverse effects on blood pressure and may induce sensory overload conditions in individuals requiring large personal space.", "contents": "Relationship between spatial density and sensory overload, personal space, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Selected effects of high spatial density were investigated with 26 boys, serving as their own controls and undergoing alternate confinements in high and relatively low spatial density. Measured effects were changes in minimal aversion threshold values of white sound, projective measures of desire to alter room size, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. High spatial density increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure and projective measures of desire to alter room size but did not affect minimal aversion threshold values. Semi-projective measures of personal space requirements were obtained prior to experimental trials. Analysis showed a significant interaction of minimal aversion threshold values with requirements for personal space; the minimal aversion threshold values of subjects requiring large personal space tended to decrease following confinement under high spatial density. The interaction of personal space with projected measures of desire to alter room size was not significant. High spatial density may, then, exert adverse effects on blood pressure and may induce sensory overload conditions in individuals requiring large personal space.", "PMID": 796820} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10760", "title": "[Isolation and function of platelets. I. Platelet rich plasma. Comparison between 2 methods: gel filtration and albumin density gradient centrifugation. II. A new method using total blood: metrizamide gradient centrifugation].", "content": "Human platelets separated from platelet rich plasma (PRP) by two different methods: gel filtraton and centrifugation on albumin gradient have been compared for yield, cellular and protein contamination, ultra-structure, platelet populations, shape change, aggregability and functional preservation. A new method for the separation of platelets from total blood on metrizamide gradients has been established. This technique is rapid and easy; it avoids the initial centrifugation of the PRP where about 30% of the platelets are lost and needs of blood 5 to 10 ml of blood.", "contents": "[Isolation and function of platelets. I. Platelet rich plasma. Comparison between 2 methods: gel filtration and albumin density gradient centrifugation. II. A new method using total blood: metrizamide gradient centrifugation]. Human platelets separated from platelet rich plasma (PRP) by two different methods: gel filtraton and centrifugation on albumin gradient have been compared for yield, cellular and protein contamination, ultra-structure, platelet populations, shape change, aggregability and functional preservation. A new method for the separation of platelets from total blood on metrizamide gradients has been established. This technique is rapid and easy; it avoids the initial centrifugation of the PRP where about 30% of the platelets are lost and needs of blood 5 to 10 ml of blood.", "PMID": 796828} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10761", "title": "Studies on antilipolytic activity of antipyretics. Part I. Influence of sodium salicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, phenazone, aminophenazone, and acetophenidin on lipolysis in fever induced by E. coli pyrogen.", "content": "The fever induced by E. coli pyrogen (LPS) is accompanied by a rise of FFA and glycerol level. All tested antipyretics inhibited both thermogenesis of lipolysis produced by LPS. These results suggest that the antipyretic effect of antipyretic drugs is not confined to their action on heat-dissipating mechanisms, but may also be exerted by a depression of lipid metabolism.", "contents": "Studies on antilipolytic activity of antipyretics. Part I. Influence of sodium salicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, phenazone, aminophenazone, and acetophenidin on lipolysis in fever induced by E. coli pyrogen. The fever induced by E. coli pyrogen (LPS) is accompanied by a rise of FFA and glycerol level. All tested antipyretics inhibited both thermogenesis of lipolysis produced by LPS. These results suggest that the antipyretic effect of antipyretic drugs is not confined to their action on heat-dissipating mechanisms, but may also be exerted by a depression of lipid metabolism.", "PMID": 796833} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10762", "title": "Medical versus surgical treatment of stable angina pectoris: progress report of a large scale study.", "content": "A large scale, prospective, randomized study of surgical v. medical management of disabling angina pectoris is being conducted as a cooperative study among thirteen Veterans Administration hospitals in the U.S.A. A total of 1015 patients have been entered into the study and follow-up data are currently being evaluated. Patient entry into the study was concluded in December 1974. Patient compliance has been acceptable with only 7% of patients not adhering to their randomization category. Thirty-day operative mortality (1972-1974) in 309 patients was 5-3%. The patient population exhibited a severe degree of coronary disease. There was ECG evidence of prior myocardial infarction in 40%. There were significant obstructive lesions in three major coronary arteries in 51% and significant lesions of the left main coronary artery in 11%. Medical and surgical treatment groups demonstrated no significant differences in objective descriptive characteristics. Mortality in the medical group at 1 year was 8%. Mortality was influenced by several factors including the number of vessels involved, left ventricular function and the presence of left main coronary artery disease. The lowest mortality occurred in patients with single vessel disease and normal LV function who had a 1-year mortality of 3%. Patients with 3-vessel disease and abnormal LV function exhibited a 14% 1-year mortality. Patients with disease of the left main coronary artery and poor LV function had a 1-year mortality of 37%. Analyses of the results of treatment modalities in sub-groups is currently being performed and will be reported in future publications.", "contents": "Medical versus surgical treatment of stable angina pectoris: progress report of a large scale study. A large scale, prospective, randomized study of surgical v. medical management of disabling angina pectoris is being conducted as a cooperative study among thirteen Veterans Administration hospitals in the U.S.A. A total of 1015 patients have been entered into the study and follow-up data are currently being evaluated. Patient entry into the study was concluded in December 1974. Patient compliance has been acceptable with only 7% of patients not adhering to their randomization category. Thirty-day operative mortality (1972-1974) in 309 patients was 5-3%. The patient population exhibited a severe degree of coronary disease. There was ECG evidence of prior myocardial infarction in 40%. There were significant obstructive lesions in three major coronary arteries in 51% and significant lesions of the left main coronary artery in 11%. Medical and surgical treatment groups demonstrated no significant differences in objective descriptive characteristics. Mortality in the medical group at 1 year was 8%. Mortality was influenced by several factors including the number of vessels involved, left ventricular function and the presence of left main coronary artery disease. The lowest mortality occurred in patients with single vessel disease and normal LV function who had a 1-year mortality of 3%. Patients with 3-vessel disease and abnormal LV function exhibited a 14% 1-year mortality. Patients with disease of the left main coronary artery and poor LV function had a 1-year mortality of 37%. Analyses of the results of treatment modalities in sub-groups is currently being performed and will be reported in future publications.", "PMID": 796836} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10763", "title": "Principal aspects of the use of placebos.", "content": "After a brief historical review the author discusses the use of placebo in treatment and in the scientific evaluation of the efficacy of psychotropic drugs in double-blind studies. He also mentions its place in the elucidation of the personality structure and psychodynamics of so-called placebo reactors, as well as its importance in recent years for basic medical research.", "contents": "Principal aspects of the use of placebos. After a brief historical review the author discusses the use of placebo in treatment and in the scientific evaluation of the efficacy of psychotropic drugs in double-blind studies. He also mentions its place in the elucidation of the personality structure and psychodynamics of so-called placebo reactors, as well as its importance in recent years for basic medical research.", "PMID": 796854} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10764", "title": "[Pimozide in non-psychotic elderly patients with behavioural disturbances. An open study (author's transl)].", "content": "20 non-psychotic aged (more than 60 years old) in-patients with behavior troubles were treated with pimozide in an open study for more than 12 weeks. Such symptoms deriving from the emotional sphere, mainly the aggressivity, had the best improvement rate. Together with this could also be seen an improvement of the social behavior. The dosage optimum was between 3 and 4 mg p.d., the improvement period seems to reach from the second to the eighth week. Extrapyramidal side-effects were rare, two patients developed, after more than nine months of therapy and long after the study had finished, a tardive hyperkinesia which was reversible after the withdrawal of the substance.", "contents": "[Pimozide in non-psychotic elderly patients with behavioural disturbances. An open study (author's transl)]. 20 non-psychotic aged (more than 60 years old) in-patients with behavior troubles were treated with pimozide in an open study for more than 12 weeks. Such symptoms deriving from the emotional sphere, mainly the aggressivity, had the best improvement rate. Together with this could also be seen an improvement of the social behavior. The dosage optimum was between 3 and 4 mg p.d., the improvement period seems to reach from the second to the eighth week. Extrapyramidal side-effects were rare, two patients developed, after more than nine months of therapy and long after the study had finished, a tardive hyperkinesia which was reversible after the withdrawal of the substance.", "PMID": 796855} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10765", "title": "The Comorosan effect: single- and double-blind studies on the urea/urease system.", "content": "Characteristic alterations of enzymatic reaction rates by irradiation of the crystalline substrates for fixed periods with an Hg vapor lamp were reported by Comorosan in 1969. Results of single- and double-blind studies reported here support the validity of the key features of this striking and potentially important phenomenon.", "contents": "The Comorosan effect: single- and double-blind studies on the urea/urease system. Characteristic alterations of enzymatic reaction rates by irradiation of the crystalline substrates for fixed periods with an Hg vapor lamp were reported by Comorosan in 1969. Results of single- and double-blind studies reported here support the validity of the key features of this striking and potentially important phenomenon.", "PMID": 796856} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10766", "title": "[Pharmacoangiography of the pancreas (author's transl)].", "content": "The value of pancreatic pharmacoangiography was assessed in 269 visceral angiograms comparing pre- and postpharmacoangiographic series. Angiotensin as a vasoconstrictor was studied in 179 patients, Adrenalin in 50 patients. Experiences with vasodilators based on 40 angiograms carried out with Secretin and Tolazolin were evaluated respectively. After application of Angiotensin, enhanced filling of small arteries in the head of the pancreas was achieved in 75% of patients. Good filling of small arteries of the body of the pancreas rose from 26 to 55%, while angiography with vasoconstrictors seems of low value in the tail of this organ (20% improvement). The diagnostic information of angiography was improved in 4 of 43 carcinomas (10%). Confirmation or exclusion of questionable pathologic alterations are a further, though not measurable advantage of this method. Pharmacoangiography with constrictors is recommended as an alternative method if superselective angiography is not possible. The use of vasodilators for better imaging of the pancreatic parenchyma is of no significant diagnostic value. The use of vasodilators for better presentation of the spleno- and mesenterico-portal axis is advisable because dilatation of the capillary system permits application of larger doses of contrast medium and a higher flowrate. This causes early and more intensive imaging of the veins.", "contents": "[Pharmacoangiography of the pancreas (author's transl)]. The value of pancreatic pharmacoangiography was assessed in 269 visceral angiograms comparing pre- and postpharmacoangiographic series. Angiotensin as a vasoconstrictor was studied in 179 patients, Adrenalin in 50 patients. Experiences with vasodilators based on 40 angiograms carried out with Secretin and Tolazolin were evaluated respectively. After application of Angiotensin, enhanced filling of small arteries in the head of the pancreas was achieved in 75% of patients. Good filling of small arteries of the body of the pancreas rose from 26 to 55%, while angiography with vasoconstrictors seems of low value in the tail of this organ (20% improvement). The diagnostic information of angiography was improved in 4 of 43 carcinomas (10%). Confirmation or exclusion of questionable pathologic alterations are a further, though not measurable advantage of this method. Pharmacoangiography with constrictors is recommended as an alternative method if superselective angiography is not possible. The use of vasodilators for better imaging of the pancreatic parenchyma is of no significant diagnostic value. The use of vasodilators for better presentation of the spleno- and mesenterico-portal axis is advisable because dilatation of the capillary system permits application of larger doses of contrast medium and a higher flowrate. This causes early and more intensive imaging of the veins.", "PMID": 796866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10767", "title": "Immunologic aspects of human sarcomas.", "content": "Forty-seven patients with mesenchymal sarcoma seen at the Mayo Clinic were tested for humoral and cellular immunologic responsiveness by means of a humoral cytotoxicity test, skin tests for delayed-type hypersensitivity, and lymphocyte transformation with concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed. Prospective follow-up of the clinical and laboratory results revealed that patients with low humoral cytotoxic indices, anergic skin test responses, or low lymphocyte transformation responsiveness tended to have the worst short-term clinical outlook.", "contents": "Immunologic aspects of human sarcomas. Forty-seven patients with mesenchymal sarcoma seen at the Mayo Clinic were tested for humoral and cellular immunologic responsiveness by means of a humoral cytotoxicity test, skin tests for delayed-type hypersensitivity, and lymphocyte transformation with concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed. Prospective follow-up of the clinical and laboratory results revealed that patients with low humoral cytotoxic indices, anergic skin test responses, or low lymphocyte transformation responsiveness tended to have the worst short-term clinical outlook.", "PMID": 796919} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10768", "title": "Resection of malignant bone tumors.", "content": "Amputation is an unsatisfactory and depressing measure for the patient as well as for the surgeon. As long as operative removal of tumors in the extermities is indicated, the search for alternative solutions should be the most urgent task for every doctor involved in surgery. Resection would be the most equitable measure as far as demands for radicality and the best possible restoration of function are concerned. In order to warrant the radicality of the operation, meticulous preoperative planning and precise surgical techniques are essential. Sufficient restoration of function must take into consideration all the factors of the individual case, age and profession of the patient playing a large role. After partial resection of longer tubular bones, fitting of an endo-prosthesis has proved to be advantageous. Implants available at present have various drawbacks; studies directed at the elimination of these drawbacks must be set up.", "contents": "Resection of malignant bone tumors. Amputation is an unsatisfactory and depressing measure for the patient as well as for the surgeon. As long as operative removal of tumors in the extermities is indicated, the search for alternative solutions should be the most urgent task for every doctor involved in surgery. Resection would be the most equitable measure as far as demands for radicality and the best possible restoration of function are concerned. In order to warrant the radicality of the operation, meticulous preoperative planning and precise surgical techniques are essential. Sufficient restoration of function must take into consideration all the factors of the individual case, age and profession of the patient playing a large role. After partial resection of longer tubular bones, fitting of an endo-prosthesis has proved to be advantageous. Implants available at present have various drawbacks; studies directed at the elimination of these drawbacks must be set up.", "PMID": 796920} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10769", "title": "Comparative pathology of bone tumors in animals, with particular emphasis on the dog.", "content": "A review of bone tumors in animals, based on cases reported in the literature and on personal examination of cases from several universities in the U.S.A. and Europe, has shown that: 1. The following bone tumors occur in decreasing order of frequency in animals: osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteochondroma, hemangiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and liposarcoma; 2. The dog has by far the highest frequency of bone tumors; and osteosarcomas account for approximately 80 percent of bone tumors in dog, followed by chondrosarcomas and hemangiosarcomas; 3. Bone tumors occur less frequently in the cat than in the dog, and are of essentially the same types and incidence as in the dog; 4. Sheep has a unique propensity for chondrosarcoma and primary bone tumors are rare in other species; 5. Giant cell tumors, reticulum cell sarcomas, and Ewing's sarcomas are exceptional findings in animals.", "contents": "Comparative pathology of bone tumors in animals, with particular emphasis on the dog. A review of bone tumors in animals, based on cases reported in the literature and on personal examination of cases from several universities in the U.S.A. and Europe, has shown that: 1. The following bone tumors occur in decreasing order of frequency in animals: osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteochondroma, hemangiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and liposarcoma; 2. The dog has by far the highest frequency of bone tumors; and osteosarcomas account for approximately 80 percent of bone tumors in dog, followed by chondrosarcomas and hemangiosarcomas; 3. Bone tumors occur less frequently in the cat than in the dog, and are of essentially the same types and incidence as in the dog; 4. Sheep has a unique propensity for chondrosarcoma and primary bone tumors are rare in other species; 5. Giant cell tumors, reticulum cell sarcomas, and Ewing's sarcomas are exceptional findings in animals.", "PMID": 796921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10770", "title": "Biochemical markers in cancer of the breast.", "content": "Currently, one could summarize this area by saying that we appear to be in a situation where three relatively nonspecific tests detect the majority of patients with metastatic disease, as well as those post-operative patients who are at high risk of relapse. The critical test of their utility for segregating those at risk for relapse from those who are not at high risk will need to be done in a highly select subgroup, e.g., N- patients. Two of these tests, CEA and hCG, also appear to be useful indicators for predicting the probability of responding to combination chemotherapy in metastatic disease. The development and further testing of potentially more specific markers to replace or add to the current matrix is now in progress, Casein, which is a product of the milk synthesis pathway of breast tissue, represents a potentially more specific test than any of those studied to date. HENDRICK and FRANCHIMONT, 1974, have found elevated levels in 21 of 26, or 81%, of patients with metastatic disease, and 8 of 11, or 73%, of patients preoperatively. The test may also reflect the tumor burden since the proportion of patients with elevated levels dropped to 41-50% postoperatively. Further results with this marker are awaited with interest. Other tests such as ferritin, hydroxyproline, or the development of tumor antigen associated immunospecific assays could increase both the specificity and sensitivity of the tests utilized in this field of investigation. Injecting the use of both single marker tests and matrix approaches into routine clinical use in the postoperative setting now appears to be ready for more critical testing. Their use in diagnostic or screening settings, which is the ultimate goal, also needs to be evaluated. Finally, from the practising clinician's viewpoint the data in this discussion should be considered preliminary. It constitutes a status report. Although there is evidence that CEA and hCG are prognostic in metastatic disease, and that subclinical disease is detectable, larger and more tightly controlled studies will be necessary before their routine clinical use can be recommended in breast cancer patients.", "contents": "Biochemical markers in cancer of the breast. Currently, one could summarize this area by saying that we appear to be in a situation where three relatively nonspecific tests detect the majority of patients with metastatic disease, as well as those post-operative patients who are at high risk of relapse. The critical test of their utility for segregating those at risk for relapse from those who are not at high risk will need to be done in a highly select subgroup, e.g., N- patients. Two of these tests, CEA and hCG, also appear to be useful indicators for predicting the probability of responding to combination chemotherapy in metastatic disease. The development and further testing of potentially more specific markers to replace or add to the current matrix is now in progress, Casein, which is a product of the milk synthesis pathway of breast tissue, represents a potentially more specific test than any of those studied to date. HENDRICK and FRANCHIMONT, 1974, have found elevated levels in 21 of 26, or 81%, of patients with metastatic disease, and 8 of 11, or 73%, of patients preoperatively. The test may also reflect the tumor burden since the proportion of patients with elevated levels dropped to 41-50% postoperatively. Further results with this marker are awaited with interest. Other tests such as ferritin, hydroxyproline, or the development of tumor antigen associated immunospecific assays could increase both the specificity and sensitivity of the tests utilized in this field of investigation. Injecting the use of both single marker tests and matrix approaches into routine clinical use in the postoperative setting now appears to be ready for more critical testing. Their use in diagnostic or screening settings, which is the ultimate goal, also needs to be evaluated. Finally, from the practising clinician's viewpoint the data in this discussion should be considered preliminary. It constitutes a status report. Although there is evidence that CEA and hCG are prognostic in metastatic disease, and that subclinical disease is detectable, larger and more tightly controlled studies will be necessary before their routine clinical use can be recommended in breast cancer patients.", "PMID": 796922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10771", "title": "Ketoprofen - clinical efficacy.", "content": "Ketoprofen has, over the last few years, undergone extensive clinical trials in many centres throughout the world and these are reviewed. Adequately controlled trials have established its undoubted clinical efficacy as an antirheumatic agent in all the major rheumatic diseases, and have demonstrated therapeutic potency, comparable with other established non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs.", "contents": "Ketoprofen - clinical efficacy. Ketoprofen has, over the last few years, undergone extensive clinical trials in many centres throughout the world and these are reviewed. Adequately controlled trials have established its undoubted clinical efficacy as an antirheumatic agent in all the major rheumatic diseases, and have demonstrated therapeutic potency, comparable with other established non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs.", "PMID": 796936} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10772", "title": "Double-blind cross-over study of ketoprofen and phenylbutazone in patients with chronic osteoarthrosis of the hip.", "content": "A double-blind cross-over study of oral ketoprofen capsules 100 mg/day and phenylbutazone capsules 400 mg/day has been carried out in 44 patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip. All patients received each drug for 4 weeks. Eight patients were withdrawn for various reasons during the trial period, leaving 36 assessable patients (20 males and 16 females), whose ages ranged from 31-88 years (mean 66 years). In this series of patients the results suggest that there is little to choose in efficacy between the two drugs at these dosages. All patients showed improvement after 4 weeks' treatment on either drug and of 12 parameters measured only two showed a statistically significant favour to phenylbutazone (intermalleolar straddle and intercondylar distance; both when pain first appeared). Side-effects were reported equally with both medications, even though of necessity the protocol called for the exclusion of patients with previous intolerance or sensitivity to phenylbutazone. The study was instituted during the early evaluation of ketoprofen when the dosage of 100 mg/day was being tried; it is felt that a more significant result may possibly have emerged if the dosage had been the now recommended one of 150 mg/day.", "contents": "Double-blind cross-over study of ketoprofen and phenylbutazone in patients with chronic osteoarthrosis of the hip. A double-blind cross-over study of oral ketoprofen capsules 100 mg/day and phenylbutazone capsules 400 mg/day has been carried out in 44 patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip. All patients received each drug for 4 weeks. Eight patients were withdrawn for various reasons during the trial period, leaving 36 assessable patients (20 males and 16 females), whose ages ranged from 31-88 years (mean 66 years). In this series of patients the results suggest that there is little to choose in efficacy between the two drugs at these dosages. All patients showed improvement after 4 weeks' treatment on either drug and of 12 parameters measured only two showed a statistically significant favour to phenylbutazone (intermalleolar straddle and intercondylar distance; both when pain first appeared). Side-effects were reported equally with both medications, even though of necessity the protocol called for the exclusion of patients with previous intolerance or sensitivity to phenylbutazone. The study was instituted during the early evaluation of ketoprofen when the dosage of 100 mg/day was being tried; it is felt that a more significant result may possibly have emerged if the dosage had been the now recommended one of 150 mg/day.", "PMID": 796937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10773", "title": "Ketoprofen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A double-blind cross-over trial of ketoprofen (200 mg daily) compared with placebo and aspirin (4 g daily) was carried out in 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ketoprofen was shown to be significantly more effective than placebo in terms of pain relief, degree and duration of morning stiffness, articular index and patients' assessment of improvement. No significant differences were noted between ketoprofen and aspirin, although side-effects were less with ketoprofen.", "contents": "Ketoprofen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind cross-over trial of ketoprofen (200 mg daily) compared with placebo and aspirin (4 g daily) was carried out in 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ketoprofen was shown to be significantly more effective than placebo in terms of pain relief, degree and duration of morning stiffness, articular index and patients' assessment of improvement. No significant differences were noted between ketoprofen and aspirin, although side-effects were less with ketoprofen.", "PMID": 796938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10774", "title": "Double-blind study of ketoprofen and phenylbutazone in ankylosing spondylitis.", "content": "A series of 26 patients with ankylosing spondylitis have been included in a double-blind cross-over comparison of ketoprofen 200 mg daily and phenylbutazone 300 mg daily, each drug being given for 4 weeks, with paracetamol as a 'rescue drug'. Six patients withdrew from the study: three on phenylbutazone and one on ketoprofen--two defaulted treatment. Twenty patients (17 males and 3 females) were eligible for assessment. Their ages ranged between 20 and 59 years (mean 40.2 years). Patient characteristics were comparable in both groups. The results of this series indicate no suggestion of statistically significant differences in any of the nine movements measured. The only significant differences, both in favour of phenylbutazone, were in the paracetamol consumption in the second treatment period in the group receiving ketoprofen first (0.01 greater than P greater than 0.005) and in the patients' preference for phenylbutazone (0.005 greater than P greater than 0.001). Adverse reactions were comparable in both groups.", "contents": "Double-blind study of ketoprofen and phenylbutazone in ankylosing spondylitis. A series of 26 patients with ankylosing spondylitis have been included in a double-blind cross-over comparison of ketoprofen 200 mg daily and phenylbutazone 300 mg daily, each drug being given for 4 weeks, with paracetamol as a 'rescue drug'. Six patients withdrew from the study: three on phenylbutazone and one on ketoprofen--two defaulted treatment. Twenty patients (17 males and 3 females) were eligible for assessment. Their ages ranged between 20 and 59 years (mean 40.2 years). Patient characteristics were comparable in both groups. The results of this series indicate no suggestion of statistically significant differences in any of the nine movements measured. The only significant differences, both in favour of phenylbutazone, were in the paracetamol consumption in the second treatment period in the group receiving ketoprofen first (0.01 greater than P greater than 0.005) and in the patients' preference for phenylbutazone (0.005 greater than P greater than 0.001). Adverse reactions were comparable in both groups.", "PMID": 796939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10775", "title": "Clinical evaluation of keto profen (Orudis) in rheumatoid arthritis: results of a multi-centre double-blind trial against phenylbutazone.", "content": "In a double-blind cross-over trial in rheumatoid arthritis, no difference was found between ketoprofen and phenylbutazone with regard to clinical efficacy at the dosages used. There was a higher incidence of side-effects reported during treatment with phenylbutazone.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of keto profen (Orudis) in rheumatoid arthritis: results of a multi-centre double-blind trial against phenylbutazone. In a double-blind cross-over trial in rheumatoid arthritis, no difference was found between ketoprofen and phenylbutazone with regard to clinical efficacy at the dosages used. There was a higher incidence of side-effects reported during treatment with phenylbutazone.", "PMID": 796940} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10776", "title": "A double-blind trial of ketoprofen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip.", "content": "In a double-blind study of ketoprofen and placebo in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip, ketoprofen was shown to be significantly more effective. Analysis of results was made using the sequential technique. Major intolerance occurred in two cases and minor intolerance in five cases. Newly diagnosed cases were treated more easily with ketoprofen than chronic cases treated for several months with other drugs which had proved ineffective. There were no changes in biological parameters. Age and sex did not affect the result. The further study of ketoprofen in large open trials appears to be indicated.", "contents": "A double-blind trial of ketoprofen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. In a double-blind study of ketoprofen and placebo in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip, ketoprofen was shown to be significantly more effective. Analysis of results was made using the sequential technique. Major intolerance occurred in two cases and minor intolerance in five cases. Newly diagnosed cases were treated more easily with ketoprofen than chronic cases treated for several months with other drugs which had proved ineffective. There were no changes in biological parameters. Age and sex did not affect the result. The further study of ketoprofen in large open trials appears to be indicated.", "PMID": 796941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10777", "title": "Clinical evaluation of ketoprofen (Orudis) in rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind cross-over comparison with indomethacin.", "content": "In a double-blind cross-over trial, ketoprofen was found to be as effective as indomethacin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Side-effects, particularly headache and vertigo, were less common in patients receiving ketoprofen.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of ketoprofen (Orudis) in rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind cross-over comparison with indomethacin. In a double-blind cross-over trial, ketoprofen was found to be as effective as indomethacin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Side-effects, particularly headache and vertigo, were less common in patients receiving ketoprofen.", "PMID": 796942} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10778", "title": "Double-blind trial of ketoprofen compared with placebo in osteoarthrosis of the hip.", "content": "In this study, patients suffering from osteoarthrosis of the hip received two successive periods of treatment, A and B, each of two weeks, with either ketoprofen or a placebo. The daily dosage of ketoprofen was 150 mg in three divided doses of 50 mg. In each case the findings necessary for diagnosis and for assessment of progress during the treatment were recorded. At the end of the trial, the patient's preference for one or other of the two periods of treatment was used as the criterion. The results were analysed by the sequential method. The therapeutic effects assessed by the various criteria included in the protocol (patient's subjective assessment, pain at rest, duration of morning stiffness, distance walked without pain, range of movements, etc.) were also recorded. Nine cases were sufficient to provide a statistically significant result in favour of ketoprofen. In eight cases the preference was definitely in favour of ketoprofen. In a single case there was no preference for one or other of the two periods of treatment (failure of both ketoprofen and placebo). Tolerance to ketoprofen was excellent.", "contents": "Double-blind trial of ketoprofen compared with placebo in osteoarthrosis of the hip. In this study, patients suffering from osteoarthrosis of the hip received two successive periods of treatment, A and B, each of two weeks, with either ketoprofen or a placebo. The daily dosage of ketoprofen was 150 mg in three divided doses of 50 mg. In each case the findings necessary for diagnosis and for assessment of progress during the treatment were recorded. At the end of the trial, the patient's preference for one or other of the two periods of treatment was used as the criterion. The results were analysed by the sequential method. The therapeutic effects assessed by the various criteria included in the protocol (patient's subjective assessment, pain at rest, duration of morning stiffness, distance walked without pain, range of movements, etc.) were also recorded. Nine cases were sufficient to provide a statistically significant result in favour of ketoprofen. In eight cases the preference was definitely in favour of ketoprofen. In a single case there was no preference for one or other of the two periods of treatment (failure of both ketoprofen and placebo). Tolerance to ketoprofen was excellent.", "PMID": 796943} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10779", "title": "Results of the rectal administration of ketoprofen in fifty-two patients.", "content": "The results of a clinical study of ketoprofen suppositories suggest that the drug is effective when given in this way. It is suggested that, in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic disorders, advantage should be taken of the longer duration of action of ketoprofen suppositories to prescribe their administration early in the morning and before retiring. Local intolerance occurred in only 4 of 52 patients.", "contents": "Results of the rectal administration of ketoprofen in fifty-two patients. The results of a clinical study of ketoprofen suppositories suggest that the drug is effective when given in this way. It is suggested that, in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic disorders, advantage should be taken of the longer duration of action of ketoprofen suppositories to prescribe their administration early in the morning and before retiring. Local intolerance occurred in only 4 of 52 patients.", "PMID": 796945} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10780", "title": "A clinical study of ketoprofen suppositories.", "content": "Ketoprofen administered via the rectal route seemed to be valuable when given at night to patients with various rheumatic syndromes and may be particularly useful for patients who show gastric intolerance of the capsules. Anal intolerance was noted in 12% of the patients.", "contents": "A clinical study of ketoprofen suppositories. Ketoprofen administered via the rectal route seemed to be valuable when given at night to patients with various rheumatic syndromes and may be particularly useful for patients who show gastric intolerance of the capsules. Anal intolerance was noted in 12% of the patients.", "PMID": 796946} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10781", "title": "Clinical study of ketoprofen administered rectally in rheumatology.", "content": "The effects of ketoprofen suppositories were studied in an open trial in 50 patients with various rheumatic disorders. A beneficial effect was obtained in many patients and this lasted for about 8 hours after administration. Mild local irritation was the commonest side-effect but seldom led to withdrawal of treatment.", "contents": "Clinical study of ketoprofen administered rectally in rheumatology. The effects of ketoprofen suppositories were studied in an open trial in 50 patients with various rheumatic disorders. A beneficial effect was obtained in many patients and this lasted for about 8 hours after administration. Mild local irritation was the commonest side-effect but seldom led to withdrawal of treatment.", "PMID": 796947} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10782", "title": "Ketoprofen suppositories in rheumatological practice.", "content": "Preliminary results are reported on 30 patients treated with suppositories of ketoprofen at a dosage of two daily (200 mg). Local side-effects, rectal burning and difficulty in retaining the suppository, were recorded in seven patients and caused treatment to be stopped from the first day, and in five others local (burning) or systemic (gastric pain) side-effects caused treatment to be abandoned at a later period. Interest in the suppository presentation may lie in its more prolonged action and this presentation, when given at night, may improve the over-all results obtained with ketoprofen capsules in inflammatory rheumatism.", "contents": "Ketoprofen suppositories in rheumatological practice. Preliminary results are reported on 30 patients treated with suppositories of ketoprofen at a dosage of two daily (200 mg). Local side-effects, rectal burning and difficulty in retaining the suppository, were recorded in seven patients and caused treatment to be stopped from the first day, and in five others local (burning) or systemic (gastric pain) side-effects caused treatment to be abandoned at a later period. Interest in the suppository presentation may lie in its more prolonged action and this presentation, when given at night, may improve the over-all results obtained with ketoprofen capsules in inflammatory rheumatism.", "PMID": 796948} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10783", "title": "A study of ketoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Experience with ketoprofen, using the oral and rectal routes, was reviewed. The value of ketoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis was confirmed and the drug was usually well tolerated.", "contents": "A study of ketoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis. Experience with ketoprofen, using the oral and rectal routes, was reviewed. The value of ketoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis was confirmed and the drug was usually well tolerated.", "PMID": 796949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10784", "title": "A controlled trial of ketoprofen (administered rectally) in arthritis of the hip and knee.", "content": "A double-blind therapeutic trial carried out by the sequential method has demonstrated clearly a significant difference in efficacy between ketoprofen (given rectally at a dosage of 200 mg daily) and a placebo in a group of patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. The interest in this type of study lies in the fact that it will often given the answer to a simple question using a relatively small number of patients.", "contents": "A controlled trial of ketoprofen (administered rectally) in arthritis of the hip and knee. A double-blind therapeutic trial carried out by the sequential method has demonstrated clearly a significant difference in efficacy between ketoprofen (given rectally at a dosage of 200 mg daily) and a placebo in a group of patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. The interest in this type of study lies in the fact that it will often given the answer to a simple question using a relatively small number of patients.", "PMID": 796950} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10785", "title": "Clinical trial of the injectable form of ketoprofen.", "content": "Although the number of synthetic anti-inflammatory agents is ever increasing, it is apparent that most of these drugs have been administered orally or rectally. Because it can be given parenterally, ketoprofen is of additional interest. Furthermore, tolerance of the product by the intramuscular route is adequate even in patients likely to suffer side-effects when the drug is given orally.", "contents": "Clinical trial of the injectable form of ketoprofen. Although the number of synthetic anti-inflammatory agents is ever increasing, it is apparent that most of these drugs have been administered orally or rectally. Because it can be given parenterally, ketoprofen is of additional interest. Furthermore, tolerance of the product by the intramuscular route is adequate even in patients likely to suffer side-effects when the drug is given orally.", "PMID": 796951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10786", "title": "Clinically therapeutic study of intramuscular ketoprofen in rheumatic diseases.", "content": "We have studied the effect of ketoprofen (19583 R.P.) given intramuscularly in some painful rheumatic conditions, notably root pains of disc and spinal origin and inflammatory conditions, and it has proved to be an effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory product, and in our series of 30 patients was very well tolerated.", "contents": "Clinically therapeutic study of intramuscular ketoprofen in rheumatic diseases. We have studied the effect of ketoprofen (19583 R.P.) given intramuscularly in some painful rheumatic conditions, notably root pains of disc and spinal origin and inflammatory conditions, and it has proved to be an effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory product, and in our series of 30 patients was very well tolerated.", "PMID": 796952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10787", "title": "Comparative study of intravenous ketoprofen versus aspirin.", "content": "In order to assess the analgesic effect of an injectable preparation of ketoprofen, a double-blind comparative study was conducted against a soluble form of acetylsalicylic acid of known efficacy, widely used in the clinic. Only one indication was considered for inclusion in the trial, namely discogenic sciatica. We found no significant statistical difference between these two products, considering the criteria used. The time of onset of effect was, on average, 30 minutes and the mean duration of activity was 4 hours. The two products were well tolerated.", "contents": "Comparative study of intravenous ketoprofen versus aspirin. In order to assess the analgesic effect of an injectable preparation of ketoprofen, a double-blind comparative study was conducted against a soluble form of acetylsalicylic acid of known efficacy, widely used in the clinic. Only one indication was considered for inclusion in the trial, namely discogenic sciatica. We found no significant statistical difference between these two products, considering the criteria used. The time of onset of effect was, on average, 30 minutes and the mean duration of activity was 4 hours. The two products were well tolerated.", "PMID": 796954} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10788", "title": "[Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in dystonia musculorum deformans].", "content": "Taking as starging point three patients who unsuccessfully underwent both medical treatment and different neurosurgical interventions, the Authors discuss the problem of the dystonia musculorum deformans nosographic arrangement and its present therapeutical possibilities. They believe that the dystonia musculorum deformans must be considered, rather than as a syndrome, as a real disease, to be distinguished in particular from the various infantile dystonic syndromes and from spasmodic torticollis. In fact in these last morbid forms, at least from a neurosurgical standpoint, the therapeutical possiblities are not so uncertain as those of the dystonia musculorum deformans.", "contents": "[Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in dystonia musculorum deformans]. Taking as starging point three patients who unsuccessfully underwent both medical treatment and different neurosurgical interventions, the Authors discuss the problem of the dystonia musculorum deformans nosographic arrangement and its present therapeutical possibilities. They believe that the dystonia musculorum deformans must be considered, rather than as a syndrome, as a real disease, to be distinguished in particular from the various infantile dystonic syndromes and from spasmodic torticollis. In fact in these last morbid forms, at least from a neurosurgical standpoint, the therapeutical possiblities are not so uncertain as those of the dystonia musculorum deformans.", "PMID": 796956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10789", "title": "Estimation of lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of patients with sarcoidosis.", "content": "Lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of 36 sarcoidosis patients and 36 age- and sex-matched controls were determined, using the sheep erythrocyte rosette (SRBC-R) technique and immunofluorescence staining with whole rabbit anti-human immunoglobulin antisera. In the patient group the total number of lymphocytes, SRBC-R lymphocytes, and IgM-positive lymphocytes was reduced in comparison to in the control group. In the patient group no correlation could be found between any of the lymphocyte subpopulations and disease stage, cutaneous involvement of the disease, or cutaneous reactivity to purified protein derivative and dinitrochlorobenzene.", "contents": "Estimation of lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of patients with sarcoidosis. Lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of 36 sarcoidosis patients and 36 age- and sex-matched controls were determined, using the sheep erythrocyte rosette (SRBC-R) technique and immunofluorescence staining with whole rabbit anti-human immunoglobulin antisera. In the patient group the total number of lymphocytes, SRBC-R lymphocytes, and IgM-positive lymphocytes was reduced in comparison to in the control group. In the patient group no correlation could be found between any of the lymphocyte subpopulations and disease stage, cutaneous involvement of the disease, or cutaneous reactivity to purified protein derivative and dinitrochlorobenzene.", "PMID": 796971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10790", "title": "[Measurement of the heart minute volume by means of the ether dilution method].", "content": "Ethyl ether dissolved in saline has been used as an indicator for measuring cardiac output in patients with various congenital and acquired valvular heart diseases without shunts. The solution was infused at a constant rate into the superior vena cava. By means of a simultaneous rebreathing maneuver it was possible to determine the ether concentration of the mixed venous blood and hence the dilution factor. Comparative measurements with the direct Fick method revealed a satisfactory accuracy of the ether dilution method (r = 0.94), which does not require sampling and analysis of mixed venous and arterial blood.", "contents": "[Measurement of the heart minute volume by means of the ether dilution method]. Ethyl ether dissolved in saline has been used as an indicator for measuring cardiac output in patients with various congenital and acquired valvular heart diseases without shunts. The solution was infused at a constant rate into the superior vena cava. By means of a simultaneous rebreathing maneuver it was possible to determine the ether concentration of the mixed venous blood and hence the dilution factor. Comparative measurements with the direct Fick method revealed a satisfactory accuracy of the ether dilution method (r = 0.94), which does not require sampling and analysis of mixed venous and arterial blood.", "PMID": 796972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10791", "title": "[Study of leukocyte enriched blood smears in suspected bacteremia].", "content": "In 132 consecutive patients with suspected bacteremic infectious diseases, Gram staining of the buffy coat of blood taken from the ear lobe was performed simultaneously with blood cultures. Out of 132 patients, 7 exhibited intraleukocytic microorganisms among 22 with concomitant positive hemocultures and 21 with concomitant sterile hemocultures. Among this latter group of patients, 8 were severely ill subjects with indwelling intravenous catheters and undergoing treatment with broad spectum antibiotics, while 4 were found to have intraleukocytic yeast forms. Eight presented with a typical history of pneumonia. It is concluded that Gram staining of the buffy coat of the ear lobe blood is a simple technique which is of value in the management of patients with suspected bacteremia and of febrile patients with indwellig catheters or under antibiotic therapy.", "contents": "[Study of leukocyte enriched blood smears in suspected bacteremia]. In 132 consecutive patients with suspected bacteremic infectious diseases, Gram staining of the buffy coat of blood taken from the ear lobe was performed simultaneously with blood cultures. Out of 132 patients, 7 exhibited intraleukocytic microorganisms among 22 with concomitant positive hemocultures and 21 with concomitant sterile hemocultures. Among this latter group of patients, 8 were severely ill subjects with indwelling intravenous catheters and undergoing treatment with broad spectum antibiotics, while 4 were found to have intraleukocytic yeast forms. Eight presented with a typical history of pneumonia. It is concluded that Gram staining of the buffy coat of the ear lobe blood is a simple technique which is of value in the management of patients with suspected bacteremia and of febrile patients with indwellig catheters or under antibiotic therapy.", "PMID": 796974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10792", "title": "[Renal hypertension].", "content": "In about 15% of cases hypertension is caused by renal diseases, including unilateral and bilateral parenchymatous nephropathies, renal artery stenosis and renin producing tumors. Important pathogenic determinants are the sodium volume status and the renin angiotensin system. The level of the blood pressure may also depend on the duration of hypertension. An increase in peripheral resistance plays a more important role than an increase in cardiac index. Simultaneous determination of the renin activity in both renal veins is of decisive importance in the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis. Drug treatment of renal hypertension is not essentially different from that of essential hypertension. Surgical procedures include revascularization, uninephrectomy and, in uncontrollable hemodialysis patients, binephrectomy.", "contents": "[Renal hypertension]. In about 15% of cases hypertension is caused by renal diseases, including unilateral and bilateral parenchymatous nephropathies, renal artery stenosis and renin producing tumors. Important pathogenic determinants are the sodium volume status and the renin angiotensin system. The level of the blood pressure may also depend on the duration of hypertension. An increase in peripheral resistance plays a more important role than an increase in cardiac index. Simultaneous determination of the renin activity in both renal veins is of decisive importance in the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis. Drug treatment of renal hypertension is not essentially different from that of essential hypertension. Surgical procedures include revascularization, uninephrectomy and, in uncontrollable hemodialysis patients, binephrectomy.", "PMID": 796975} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10793", "title": "[Study of the linear variation in certain dental plasters and self-polymerizing resins].", "content": "Dental plasters and self-curing acrylic resins are tested. One must pay attention to the setting expansion of plasters and to the setting contraction of acrylic resins which may be very important if these materials are used without care.", "contents": "[Study of the linear variation in certain dental plasters and self-polymerizing resins]. Dental plasters and self-curing acrylic resins are tested. One must pay attention to the setting expansion of plasters and to the setting contraction of acrylic resins which may be very important if these materials are used without care.", "PMID": 796976} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10794", "title": "[Roengenocinematographic studies on the stability of the total prosthesis during mastication].", "content": "Two upper and lower full dentures of the same individual were subjected to stability tests. One of the dentures was done in a conventional way, while the other was mounted, using the author's words: \"in a multilocal and autonomous stability\". Both dentures were analyzed clinically, on the articulator, radiographically, and roentgencinematographically during mastication. Particularly in the latter examination it could be shown that the multilocally and autonomously stable denture offered more stability during mastication.", "contents": "[Roengenocinematographic studies on the stability of the total prosthesis during mastication]. Two upper and lower full dentures of the same individual were subjected to stability tests. One of the dentures was done in a conventional way, while the other was mounted, using the author's words: \"in a multilocal and autonomous stability\". Both dentures were analyzed clinically, on the articulator, radiographically, and roentgencinematographically during mastication. Particularly in the latter examination it could be shown that the multilocally and autonomously stable denture offered more stability during mastication.", "PMID": 796977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10795", "title": "[Experimental study of the value of 2 types of class III Kennedy-Applegate dentures].", "content": "This experimental research shows that a class III clasp partial dentures should present four Akers clasps. This way the occlusal rests are placed as closely as possible to the edentulous area on both sides of the arch and the abutment teeth are less stressed than if the occlusal rests are further away from saddles. On the other hand, a lingual bar of average rigidity i.e. of a thickness of 1.7-2.0 mm must be recommended. It gives sufficient resistance to the framework while allowing better distribution of force. Finally, oblique forces applied on a tooth borne unilateral prosthesis cause an increase of 65.5 per cent in abutment teeth displacement compared to forces applied to a more favorable bilateral tooth borne prosthesis.", "contents": "[Experimental study of the value of 2 types of class III Kennedy-Applegate dentures]. This experimental research shows that a class III clasp partial dentures should present four Akers clasps. This way the occlusal rests are placed as closely as possible to the edentulous area on both sides of the arch and the abutment teeth are less stressed than if the occlusal rests are further away from saddles. On the other hand, a lingual bar of average rigidity i.e. of a thickness of 1.7-2.0 mm must be recommended. It gives sufficient resistance to the framework while allowing better distribution of force. Finally, oblique forces applied on a tooth borne unilateral prosthesis cause an increase of 65.5 per cent in abutment teeth displacement compared to forces applied to a more favorable bilateral tooth borne prosthesis.", "PMID": 796978} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10796", "title": "[Experiences with the CM snap attachment].", "content": "An experience report is given on 250 CM Snap attachments. The retention of these precision attachments is due to the coil spring and cylinder. This system has proven to be exceedingly lasting. The range of indication is wide because of the many types available. The smaller types may even be used in cuspid teeth, since they are no bigger than the American precision attachments. Under certain circumstances the indication is extended to the free end saddle denture. Small tricks are shown in order to facilitate insertion for the patient. Finally, certain mistakes observed in the mounting procedure are pointed out.", "contents": "[Experiences with the CM snap attachment]. An experience report is given on 250 CM Snap attachments. The retention of these precision attachments is due to the coil spring and cylinder. This system has proven to be exceedingly lasting. The range of indication is wide because of the many types available. The smaller types may even be used in cuspid teeth, since they are no bigger than the American precision attachments. Under certain circumstances the indication is extended to the free end saddle denture. Small tricks are shown in order to facilitate insertion for the patient. Finally, certain mistakes observed in the mounting procedure are pointed out.", "PMID": 796979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10797", "title": "[Hygiene at the treatment area in the dental office].", "content": "The state of hygiene in a dental office in the canton of Bern was examined. 22 bacteriological tests were made on the surfaces around the treatment area. Also, the water from the sprays and the most important instruments were tested. Before cleaning and disinfection the test objects showed an average of 110 microorganisms per 100 cm2. The species are enumerated. Particularly infected were polishing brushes, \"slurry-water\", dentures polished and cleaned with water, also the water from the dental unit. The results show that improvement is badly in need. Also a warning is given for the possible transmission of hepatitis. Female dentists and dental assistants are cautioned to get a german measles vaccination.", "contents": "[Hygiene at the treatment area in the dental office]. The state of hygiene in a dental office in the canton of Bern was examined. 22 bacteriological tests were made on the surfaces around the treatment area. Also, the water from the sprays and the most important instruments were tested. Before cleaning and disinfection the test objects showed an average of 110 microorganisms per 100 cm2. The species are enumerated. Particularly infected were polishing brushes, \"slurry-water\", dentures polished and cleaned with water, also the water from the dental unit. The results show that improvement is badly in need. Also a warning is given for the possible transmission of hepatitis. Female dentists and dental assistants are cautioned to get a german measles vaccination.", "PMID": 796980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10798", "title": "[Immunofluorescent demonstration of heart muscle antibodies in sudden deaths].", "content": "The method used for the demonstration of antibodies was the indirect immunofluorescent method. In 30% of patients suddenly dying from ischemic heart disease the sera contained antibodies binding on the sarcolemma and the subsarcolemmal layer of muscle fibres. The results of immunofluorescent examinations have been compared with the gross and microscopical findings in the heart.", "contents": "[Immunofluorescent demonstration of heart muscle antibodies in sudden deaths]. The method used for the demonstration of antibodies was the indirect immunofluorescent method. In 30% of patients suddenly dying from ischemic heart disease the sera contained antibodies binding on the sarcolemma and the subsarcolemmal layer of muscle fibres. The results of immunofluorescent examinations have been compared with the gross and microscopical findings in the heart.", "PMID": 796986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10799", "title": "Ophthalmic striated muscle neoplasms.", "content": "Rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common primary malignant childhood orbital tumor, is composed of neoplastic striated muscle cells (rhabdomyoblasts) in various stages of differentiation and in patterns suggestive of neoplastic analogs of normal muscle embryogenesis. Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma is most commonly seen in children and adolescents, the average age of onset of symptoms being 7.8 years. The tumor usually presents as a rapidly evolving exophthalmos, often associated with drooping of the upper eyelid. A mass is palapable in only 25% of cases, loss of central vision at the time of presentation is uncommon, and laboratory studies are often of little help in diagnosis. The best diagnostic aid is a high index of suspicion whenever one sees a rapidly progressive exophthalamos in a child. Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma is almost always of the embryonal type, believed to originate in the orbital soft tissues from undifferentiated pluripotential embryonic mesenchyme. In the past, orbital exenteration has been the primary therapy. Review of 162 literature cases of orbital rhabdomyosarcoma, generally treated by unassisted surgery, revealed that only 25% of the patients survived 3 or more years. Recently, it has been shown that radiation therapy, alone or combined with chemotherapy, can be successful. A multidisciplinary approach, utilizing surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy has also been advocated. Both approaches appear to offer greater survival than unassisted orbital exenteration. The possibility of primary radiation therapy is extremely promising; if it becomes increasingly effective, a mutilating surgical procedure may become obsolete.", "contents": "Ophthalmic striated muscle neoplasms. Rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common primary malignant childhood orbital tumor, is composed of neoplastic striated muscle cells (rhabdomyoblasts) in various stages of differentiation and in patterns suggestive of neoplastic analogs of normal muscle embryogenesis. Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma is most commonly seen in children and adolescents, the average age of onset of symptoms being 7.8 years. The tumor usually presents as a rapidly evolving exophthalmos, often associated with drooping of the upper eyelid. A mass is palapable in only 25% of cases, loss of central vision at the time of presentation is uncommon, and laboratory studies are often of little help in diagnosis. The best diagnostic aid is a high index of suspicion whenever one sees a rapidly progressive exophthalamos in a child. Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma is almost always of the embryonal type, believed to originate in the orbital soft tissues from undifferentiated pluripotential embryonic mesenchyme. In the past, orbital exenteration has been the primary therapy. Review of 162 literature cases of orbital rhabdomyosarcoma, generally treated by unassisted surgery, revealed that only 25% of the patients survived 3 or more years. Recently, it has been shown that radiation therapy, alone or combined with chemotherapy, can be successful. A multidisciplinary approach, utilizing surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy has also been advocated. Both approaches appear to offer greater survival than unassisted orbital exenteration. The possibility of primary radiation therapy is extremely promising; if it becomes increasingly effective, a mutilating surgical procedure may become obsolete.", "PMID": 797029} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10800", "title": "Jules Gonin. Inventor of the surgical treatment for retinal detachment.", "content": "Jules Gonin's former student presents a personal and historical biography of the Swiss ophthalmologist, who, between 1902 and 1921, explored and illustrated the many unknown aspects of retinal detachment, defined its pathogenesis, and developed the method of reattachment by ignipuncture and thermocautery.", "contents": "Jules Gonin. Inventor of the surgical treatment for retinal detachment. Jules Gonin's former student presents a personal and historical biography of the Swiss ophthalmologist, who, between 1902 and 1921, explored and illustrated the many unknown aspects of retinal detachment, defined its pathogenesis, and developed the method of reattachment by ignipuncture and thermocautery.", "PMID": 797030} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10801", "title": "T and B lymphocytes in sarcoidosis: a clinical correlation.", "content": "Immunological abnormalities in sarcoidosis have been previously described. Cutaneous anergy to a wide variety of antigens first prompted the suggestion that the underlying defect may be of importance in the aetiology or pathogenesis of the disorder. The thymus derived lymphocytes appear to be particularly affected, and both quantitative and qualitative in vitro defects have been described in these cells in sarcoidosis patients. We have quantitatively investigated T and B cells in a series of 52 sarcoidosis patients, and our results indicate that, as a group, sarcoidosis patients have lower mean total lymphocyte counts and lower T cell counts than the control series in agreement and with other reports. We found no difference between B cells in the sarcoidosis and control groups. The quantitative abnormalities detected did not correlate with any of the clinical parameters which were investigated--stage of disease, duration of the disease, treatment regime, and activity of disease--and there was a considerable overlap between the results obtained in sarcoidosis patients and the controls. Our results indicate that these investigations are of little value in the management of sarcoidosis patients.", "contents": "T and B lymphocytes in sarcoidosis: a clinical correlation. Immunological abnormalities in sarcoidosis have been previously described. Cutaneous anergy to a wide variety of antigens first prompted the suggestion that the underlying defect may be of importance in the aetiology or pathogenesis of the disorder. The thymus derived lymphocytes appear to be particularly affected, and both quantitative and qualitative in vitro defects have been described in these cells in sarcoidosis patients. We have quantitatively investigated T and B cells in a series of 52 sarcoidosis patients, and our results indicate that, as a group, sarcoidosis patients have lower mean total lymphocyte counts and lower T cell counts than the control series in agreement and with other reports. We found no difference between B cells in the sarcoidosis and control groups. The quantitative abnormalities detected did not correlate with any of the clinical parameters which were investigated--stage of disease, duration of the disease, treatment regime, and activity of disease--and there was a considerable overlap between the results obtained in sarcoidosis patients and the controls. Our results indicate that these investigations are of little value in the management of sarcoidosis patients.", "PMID": 797043} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10802", "title": "Bronchodilator effect of delta1-tetrahydrocannabinol administered by aerosol of asthmatic patients.", "content": "Ten volunteer inpatient asthmatics in a steady state were given a single inhalation of an aerosol (63 mul) delivered in random order, on each of three consecutive days, in the laboratory of a respiratory unit. Before, and for one hour after treatment the pulse, blood pressure (lying and standing), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak flow rate (PFR), and self-rating mood scales (SRMS) were recorded. Treatments were placebo-ethanol only; delta1-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 200 mug in ethanol; or salbutamol 100 mug (Ventolin inhaler), administered double blind. Salbutamol and THC significantly improved ventilatory function. Maximal bronchodilatation was achieved more rapidly with salbutamol, but at 1 hour both drugs were equally effective. No cardiovascular or mood disturbance was detected, and plasma total cannabinoids at 15 minutes were undectable by radioimmunoassay. The mode of action of THC differs from that of sympathomimetic drugs, and it or a derivative may make a suitable adjuvant in the treatment of selected asthmatics.", "contents": "Bronchodilator effect of delta1-tetrahydrocannabinol administered by aerosol of asthmatic patients. Ten volunteer inpatient asthmatics in a steady state were given a single inhalation of an aerosol (63 mul) delivered in random order, on each of three consecutive days, in the laboratory of a respiratory unit. Before, and for one hour after treatment the pulse, blood pressure (lying and standing), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak flow rate (PFR), and self-rating mood scales (SRMS) were recorded. Treatments were placebo-ethanol only; delta1-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 200 mug in ethanol; or salbutamol 100 mug (Ventolin inhaler), administered double blind. Salbutamol and THC significantly improved ventilatory function. Maximal bronchodilatation was achieved more rapidly with salbutamol, but at 1 hour both drugs were equally effective. No cardiovascular or mood disturbance was detected, and plasma total cannabinoids at 15 minutes were undectable by radioimmunoassay. The mode of action of THC differs from that of sympathomimetic drugs, and it or a derivative may make a suitable adjuvant in the treatment of selected asthmatics.", "PMID": 797044} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10803", "title": "Repair of traumatic aortic arch to innominate vein fistula under deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest.", "content": "Penetrating injuries of the thoracic aorta are usually rapidly lethal. Few patients survive for long enough to undergo surgical treatment. When penetrating injuries of the thoracic aorta are complicated by arteriovenous fistula a correct preoperative diagnosis is important for adequate planning of the surgical repair, and so selective angiography is essential. The best approach is through a median sternotomy with the use of total cardiopulmonary bypass with or without deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest. Fistulae between aorta and innominate vein invariably lead to congestive cardiac failure. A review of the literature suggests that signs of cardiac failure rarely appear early. Congestive failure developed within 30 days of the initial trauma in only two of the 12 reported cases. In our case, the early onset of cardac failure refractory to therapy and the appearance of an expanding pulsatile mass at the base of the neck, threatening rupture, necessitated emergency surgical treatment.", "contents": "Repair of traumatic aortic arch to innominate vein fistula under deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest. Penetrating injuries of the thoracic aorta are usually rapidly lethal. Few patients survive for long enough to undergo surgical treatment. When penetrating injuries of the thoracic aorta are complicated by arteriovenous fistula a correct preoperative diagnosis is important for adequate planning of the surgical repair, and so selective angiography is essential. The best approach is through a median sternotomy with the use of total cardiopulmonary bypass with or without deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest. Fistulae between aorta and innominate vein invariably lead to congestive cardiac failure. A review of the literature suggests that signs of cardiac failure rarely appear early. Congestive failure developed within 30 days of the initial trauma in only two of the 12 reported cases. In our case, the early onset of cardac failure refractory to therapy and the appearance of an expanding pulsatile mass at the base of the neck, threatening rupture, necessitated emergency surgical treatment.", "PMID": 797045} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10804", "title": "[Evaluation of orthodontic cases by means of key-punch cards. 3. Data from follow-up examinations].", "content": "484 orthodontic patients were subjected to follow-up examination. The kind of treatment, the evaluation and the factors that are of importance to continuing successes and recurrences, respectively, are described. It is pointed out that the present communication and the two previous ones aim at illustrating that the orthodontic practitioner is able to document and evaluate his cases easily with the aid of key-word cards.", "contents": "[Evaluation of orthodontic cases by means of key-punch cards. 3. Data from follow-up examinations]. 484 orthodontic patients were subjected to follow-up examination. The kind of treatment, the evaluation and the factors that are of importance to continuing successes and recurrences, respectively, are described. It is pointed out that the present communication and the two previous ones aim at illustrating that the orthodontic practitioner is able to document and evaluate his cases easily with the aid of key-word cards.", "PMID": 797055} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10805", "title": "[Studies on a disinfection method for dental hand and angle pieces and turbine angle pieces, using paraformaldehyde tablets].", "content": "For practical and rational consideration, the authors closely investigated a disinfecting method for dental straight and right-angle handpieces and for turbine handpieces, using paraformaldehyde, and demonstrated its efficiency under certain conditions.", "contents": "[Studies on a disinfection method for dental hand and angle pieces and turbine angle pieces, using paraformaldehyde tablets]. For practical and rational consideration, the authors closely investigated a disinfecting method for dental straight and right-angle handpieces and for turbine handpieces, using paraformaldehyde, and demonstrated its efficiency under certain conditions.", "PMID": 797056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10806", "title": "[Anxiety and stress in dental practice. 3. Results of studies in adults].", "content": "By means of clinical appreciation and determination of the adrenocortical function, the stressor effects of various dental procedures were evaluated in 110 patients aged from 18 to 77 years. The stress of stomatological treatment (extraction, filling therapy, prosthodontic procedures) may vary with age, the patient's psychic condition being of particular importance. Apart from premedication, psychic conditioning seems to be beneficial in case of tooth extraction.", "contents": "[Anxiety and stress in dental practice. 3. Results of studies in adults]. By means of clinical appreciation and determination of the adrenocortical function, the stressor effects of various dental procedures were evaluated in 110 patients aged from 18 to 77 years. The stress of stomatological treatment (extraction, filling therapy, prosthodontic procedures) may vary with age, the patient's psychic condition being of particular importance. Apart from premedication, psychic conditioning seems to be beneficial in case of tooth extraction.", "PMID": 797057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10807", "title": "Reconstruction of the eyelids with cartilage and mucosa from the nasal septum.", "content": "Four examples are shown of lid reconstruction using grafts from the septum mucosa and pedicle flaps. These examples provide adequate data for the use of this technique in almost any major lid reconstruction procedure. The fifth case illustrates the exception; a wide pedicle is rotated in from the temporal region to construct the lower lid and the lower lid is transferred to act as the upper lid. The posterior surface of the buccal mucosa is adequate for this last procedure.", "contents": "Reconstruction of the eyelids with cartilage and mucosa from the nasal septum. Four examples are shown of lid reconstruction using grafts from the septum mucosa and pedicle flaps. These examples provide adequate data for the use of this technique in almost any major lid reconstruction procedure. The fifth case illustrates the exception; a wide pedicle is rotated in from the temporal region to construct the lower lid and the lower lid is transferred to act as the upper lid. The posterior surface of the buccal mucosa is adequate for this last procedure.", "PMID": 797063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10808", "title": "Total lid reconstruction. A simple method for the general ophthalmic surgeon.", "content": "A simple method of total or subtotal lid reconstruction is presented, which is particularly suitable for use by the ophthalmic surgeon not specializing in plastic surgery, and for use in elderly patients. The principle of the technique is discussed, and the importance of adhering to well-defined indications is stressed.", "contents": "Total lid reconstruction. A simple method for the general ophthalmic surgeon. A simple method of total or subtotal lid reconstruction is presented, which is particularly suitable for use by the ophthalmic surgeon not specializing in plastic surgery, and for use in elderly patients. The principle of the technique is discussed, and the importance of adhering to well-defined indications is stressed.", "PMID": 797065} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10809", "title": "Response of proliferative diabetic retinopathy to xenon-arc photocoagulation. A multicentre randomized controlled trial. Second interim report.", "content": "Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy had one eye chosen by a randomization procedure to have treatment by xenon-arc photocoagulation. 100 patients were followed for at least 1 year, 58 patients for 2 years, and 23 for 3 years. The patients form roughly two equal subgroups: those with new vessels on both optic discs and those without new vessels on either disc. There was a significant difference between the visual acuity of the treated and the untreated eyes in the former group, i.e. with disc new vessels, after 1, 2, and 3 years, but there was no difference in the latter group. Eleven patients were blind in one or both eyes for two consecutive yearly assessments. No treated eye became blind without concomitant blindness in the fellow eye but eight untreated eyes did so. This difference was statistically significant.", "contents": "Response of proliferative diabetic retinopathy to xenon-arc photocoagulation. A multicentre randomized controlled trial. Second interim report. Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy had one eye chosen by a randomization procedure to have treatment by xenon-arc photocoagulation. 100 patients were followed for at least 1 year, 58 patients for 2 years, and 23 for 3 years. The patients form roughly two equal subgroups: those with new vessels on both optic discs and those without new vessels on either disc. There was a significant difference between the visual acuity of the treated and the untreated eyes in the former group, i.e. with disc new vessels, after 1, 2, and 3 years, but there was no difference in the latter group. Eleven patients were blind in one or both eyes for two consecutive yearly assessments. No treated eye became blind without concomitant blindness in the fellow eye but eight untreated eyes did so. This difference was statistically significant.", "PMID": 797067} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10810", "title": "[Intracellular membrane structures of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus during development in the bacterial host cell].", "content": "Electron microscope investigation of intracellular membrane structures of Bd. bacteriovorous during its intracellular growth and development has been carried out. Increased amount of membrane structures has been stated. Along with simply organized invaginations of plasmalemma, complicated membrane structures resembling mesosomes of grampositive bacteria are observed. Localization of these structures testifies to their involvement in the synthesis of exotoxins and exoenzymes.", "contents": "[Intracellular membrane structures of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus during development in the bacterial host cell]. Electron microscope investigation of intracellular membrane structures of Bd. bacteriovorous during its intracellular growth and development has been carried out. Increased amount of membrane structures has been stated. Along with simply organized invaginations of plasmalemma, complicated membrane structures resembling mesosomes of grampositive bacteria are observed. Localization of these structures testifies to their involvement in the synthesis of exotoxins and exoenzymes.", "PMID": 797074} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10811", "title": "A study of two twice-weekly and once-weekly continuation regimen of tuberculosis chemotherapy, including a comparison of two durations of treatment. 1. First report: the results at 18 months.", "content": "The controlled clinical trial reported here was undertaken in Central Bohemia, West Slovakia and Prague. Patients in whom pulmonary tuberculosis had been newly diagnosed and confirmed bacteriologically were given standard triple chemotherapy with streptomycin, PAS and isoniazid for 6 weeks or 3 months. Continuation chemotherapy was streptomycin and isoniazid given either twice weekly or once weekly, to make a total duration of treatment of 12 or 18 months. Overall there were no significant differences in the bacteriological response at 18 months, 98 per cent of the 13 week S2H2, 99 per cent of the 6 week S2H2 and 94 per cent of the 13 week S1H1 patients having a favourable response. However, the S1H1 regimen was at a disadvantage for rapid acetylators of isoniazid but not for slow acetylators, 16 per cent of 37 rapid acetylators having an unfavourable response compared with none of 62 slow acetylators. Comparing the 12- and 18-month duration, there was no evidence in the twice- weekly regimens that 18 months of chemotherapy offered any therapeutic advantage. However, there was a suggestion that there might be some benefit in continuing to 18 months with the once-weekly regimen.", "contents": "A study of two twice-weekly and once-weekly continuation regimen of tuberculosis chemotherapy, including a comparison of two durations of treatment. 1. First report: the results at 18 months. The controlled clinical trial reported here was undertaken in Central Bohemia, West Slovakia and Prague. Patients in whom pulmonary tuberculosis had been newly diagnosed and confirmed bacteriologically were given standard triple chemotherapy with streptomycin, PAS and isoniazid for 6 weeks or 3 months. Continuation chemotherapy was streptomycin and isoniazid given either twice weekly or once weekly, to make a total duration of treatment of 12 or 18 months. Overall there were no significant differences in the bacteriological response at 18 months, 98 per cent of the 13 week S2H2, 99 per cent of the 6 week S2H2 and 94 per cent of the 13 week S1H1 patients having a favourable response. However, the S1H1 regimen was at a disadvantage for rapid acetylators of isoniazid but not for slow acetylators, 16 per cent of 37 rapid acetylators having an unfavourable response compared with none of 62 slow acetylators. Comparing the 12- and 18-month duration, there was no evidence in the twice- weekly regimens that 18 months of chemotherapy offered any therapeutic advantage. However, there was a suggestion that there might be some benefit in continuing to 18 months with the once-weekly regimen.", "PMID": 797075} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10812", "title": "[Isolation and characteristics of fragments from the cyanogen bromide splitting of inclusion body proteins of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus].", "content": "The cyanogen bromide cleavage of \"acetic\" polyhedral protein from nuclear polyhedrosis virus of B. mori was performed. Two peptides BrCN-II and BrCN-II' which consist of 29 and 34 amino acid residue were isolated from a mixture of cyanogen bromide fragments. The amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acids were established. The tryptic proteolysis of these fragments was conducted and the tryptic peptides were separated. The amino acid composition of tryptic peptides was determined. The data obtained make it possible to consider these fragments to be internal areas of polypeptide chain of the protein under investigation.", "contents": "[Isolation and characteristics of fragments from the cyanogen bromide splitting of inclusion body proteins of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus]. The cyanogen bromide cleavage of \"acetic\" polyhedral protein from nuclear polyhedrosis virus of B. mori was performed. Two peptides BrCN-II and BrCN-II' which consist of 29 and 34 amino acid residue were isolated from a mixture of cyanogen bromide fragments. The amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acids were established. The tryptic proteolysis of these fragments was conducted and the tryptic peptides were separated. The amino acid composition of tryptic peptides was determined. The data obtained make it possible to consider these fragments to be internal areas of polypeptide chain of the protein under investigation.", "PMID": 797077} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10813", "title": "Pindolol once daily in the treatment of hypertension.", "content": "The beta-adrenergic blocking drug pindolol has been used in the treatment of hypertension, using one single dose per day, given in the morning. 16 patients with mild to moderate hypertension were treated with doses which were increased if necessary up to 20 mg, and 14 patients achieved an adequate level of blood-pressure control. The trial was carried out as a single-blind cross-over study. The study shows that pindolol, a non-selective beta-blocker of high potency, may be given once daily as a hypotensive, offering advantages both for patients and physicians. Side-effects were infrequent.", "contents": "Pindolol once daily in the treatment of hypertension. The beta-adrenergic blocking drug pindolol has been used in the treatment of hypertension, using one single dose per day, given in the morning. 16 patients with mild to moderate hypertension were treated with doses which were increased if necessary up to 20 mg, and 14 patients achieved an adequate level of blood-pressure control. The trial was carried out as a single-blind cross-over study. The study shows that pindolol, a non-selective beta-blocker of high potency, may be given once daily as a hypotensive, offering advantages both for patients and physicians. Side-effects were infrequent.", "PMID": 797084} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10814", "title": "The effect of E. coli and E. coli endotoxin on peristalsis in canine ureter.", "content": "The association of ureteric dilatation and urinary infection has been attributed to a direct toxic effect of E. Coli endotoxin on ureteric muscle. A specific causal relationship could not be established in this study in dogs.", "contents": "The effect of E. coli and E. coli endotoxin on peristalsis in canine ureter. The association of ureteric dilatation and urinary infection has been attributed to a direct toxic effect of E. Coli endotoxin on ureteric muscle. A specific causal relationship could not be established in this study in dogs.", "PMID": 797085} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10815", "title": "The incidence of deep vein thrombosis in prostatectomised patients following the administration of the fibrinolytic inhibitor, aminocaproic acid (EACA).", "content": "Forty patients undergoing prostatectomy for benign prostatic hypertrophy were included in a double blind trial of epsilon aminocaproic acid, and the incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis determined, using 125I-fibrinogen technique. There was no significant difference between the groups, the overall incidence of abnormal scans being 50 per cent, but of the patients undergoing enucleative prostatectomy 68 per cent developed significant scan findings compared with 33 per cent following transurethral surgery.", "contents": "The incidence of deep vein thrombosis in prostatectomised patients following the administration of the fibrinolytic inhibitor, aminocaproic acid (EACA). Forty patients undergoing prostatectomy for benign prostatic hypertrophy were included in a double blind trial of epsilon aminocaproic acid, and the incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis determined, using 125I-fibrinogen technique. There was no significant difference between the groups, the overall incidence of abnormal scans being 50 per cent, but of the patients undergoing enucleative prostatectomy 68 per cent developed significant scan findings compared with 33 per cent following transurethral surgery.", "PMID": 797086} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10816", "title": "[Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities with vistarin and varicocide under ambulatory conditions].", "content": "Injection-sclerosing treatment of primary varicosity of superficial veins of the lower extremities was employed in 250 patients, 200 of them being treated with vistrin and 50-with varicocide injections. The treatment was conducted under outpatient conditions. Vistarin was found to show a greater therapeutic efficacy as compared with varicocide. Late results were studied in 152 patients treated with vistarin injections and in 150 of them a good functional and cosmetic effect was gained.", "contents": "[Treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities with vistarin and varicocide under ambulatory conditions]. Injection-sclerosing treatment of primary varicosity of superficial veins of the lower extremities was employed in 250 patients, 200 of them being treated with vistrin and 50-with varicocide injections. The treatment was conducted under outpatient conditions. Vistarin was found to show a greater therapeutic efficacy as compared with varicocide. Late results were studied in 152 patients treated with vistarin injections and in 150 of them a good functional and cosmetic effect was gained.", "PMID": 797088} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10817", "title": "[Solution for liver preservation].", "content": "The author suggested a solution for preservation of the liver. The specific feature of the solution is that it contains special substances of carbohydrate and protein nature which, requiring no complicated metabolic transformations, can easily be involved in the liver metabolism during the period of its preservation. Observations have demonstrated that the preserving substance suggested by the author is much better than analogous solutions employed in control experiments.", "contents": "[Solution for liver preservation]. The author suggested a solution for preservation of the liver. The specific feature of the solution is that it contains special substances of carbohydrate and protein nature which, requiring no complicated metabolic transformations, can easily be involved in the liver metabolism during the period of its preservation. Observations have demonstrated that the preserving substance suggested by the author is much better than analogous solutions employed in control experiments.", "PMID": 797090} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10818", "title": "[Postoperative anesthesia by the extrapulmonary administration of cycloporpane].", "content": "According to the author's data postoperatively in patients receiving cyclopropane a much more early restoration of the renal excretory function was noted, postoperative intestinal paresis is liquidated more rapidly, the number of complications on the part of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems is diminished up to a minimum. There was less degree of postoperative metabolic alkalosis under the influence of cyclopropane, and it was also more rapidly eliminated.", "contents": "[Postoperative anesthesia by the extrapulmonary administration of cycloporpane]. According to the author's data postoperatively in patients receiving cyclopropane a much more early restoration of the renal excretory function was noted, postoperative intestinal paresis is liquidated more rapidly, the number of complications on the part of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems is diminished up to a minimum. There was less degree of postoperative metabolic alkalosis under the influence of cyclopropane, and it was also more rapidly eliminated.", "PMID": 797091} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10819", "title": "[Diagnosis and treatment of chondromyxoid fibroma of bones].", "content": "Under observation were 23 patients, aged from 9 to 57 years, with chondromyxoid fibroma of bones. All patients were treated surgically. In 5 cases the involved bone was resected, in 6--edge resection with homoplasty and in 7--segmental resection with automoplasty were employed, in 4--amputation, in 1--exarticulation in the coxa. 20 patients are being kept under observation for 1-7 years without any recurrence and metastases, one patients is still being treated. Two patients died as a result of lung metastases.", "contents": "[Diagnosis and treatment of chondromyxoid fibroma of bones]. Under observation were 23 patients, aged from 9 to 57 years, with chondromyxoid fibroma of bones. All patients were treated surgically. In 5 cases the involved bone was resected, in 6--edge resection with homoplasty and in 7--segmental resection with automoplasty were employed, in 4--amputation, in 1--exarticulation in the coxa. 20 patients are being kept under observation for 1-7 years without any recurrence and metastases, one patients is still being treated. Two patients died as a result of lung metastases.", "PMID": 797096} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10820", "title": "[Method of making a pattern of the surgical wound].", "content": "The method of making a pattern of the skin wound defects by means of polyvinylchloride film with a glue layers is described. This method allows one to make rapidly and with the utmost precision the replica of a wound defect of complex configuration located in multiprofile anatomical regions.", "contents": "[Method of making a pattern of the surgical wound]. The method of making a pattern of the skin wound defects by means of polyvinylchloride film with a glue layers is described. This method allows one to make rapidly and with the utmost precision the replica of a wound defect of complex configuration located in multiprofile anatomical regions.", "PMID": 797097} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10821", "title": "[Dynamics of agglutination in birds artificially infected with Salmonella gallinarum-pullorum and Salmonella typhimurium and treated with sulfaguanidine and furazolidone].", "content": "Canadian Leghorn chickens were used to study the effect of sulfaguanidine and furazolidon on the dynamics of blood agglutinin formation. The birds were artificially infected with Salmonella gallinarum-pullorum and Salmonella typhimurium. At various intervals following infection they were treated with sulfaguanidine 1% tablets and 0.04% furazolidon. The level of agglutinins was determined by the methods of Huddleson (whole blood agglutination reaction), the fast serum agglutination, the method after Wright, and the indirect hemagglutination reaction. It was found that the agglutinin level in birds treated in the course of ten days with the chemotherapeutics mentioned prior to their infection did not change. The use of these chemotherapeutics parallel to the infection of the test birds and ten days later inhibited agglutinin formation. This was more pronouncedly expressed in birds treated with furazolidon. The delayed use of these therapeutic means did not inhibit substantially the level of blood agglutinins.", "contents": "[Dynamics of agglutination in birds artificially infected with Salmonella gallinarum-pullorum and Salmonella typhimurium and treated with sulfaguanidine and furazolidone]. Canadian Leghorn chickens were used to study the effect of sulfaguanidine and furazolidon on the dynamics of blood agglutinin formation. The birds were artificially infected with Salmonella gallinarum-pullorum and Salmonella typhimurium. At various intervals following infection they were treated with sulfaguanidine 1% tablets and 0.04% furazolidon. The level of agglutinins was determined by the methods of Huddleson (whole blood agglutination reaction), the fast serum agglutination, the method after Wright, and the indirect hemagglutination reaction. It was found that the agglutinin level in birds treated in the course of ten days with the chemotherapeutics mentioned prior to their infection did not change. The use of these chemotherapeutics parallel to the infection of the test birds and ten days later inhibited agglutinin formation. This was more pronouncedly expressed in birds treated with furazolidon. The delayed use of these therapeutic means did not inhibit substantially the level of blood agglutinins.", "PMID": 797104} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10822", "title": "[Sanitization of salmonella-contaminated forage mixtures during granulation].", "content": "Studied were a total of 52 samples of forage mixtures prior to and after pelleting from three forage plants in this country, in terms of total bacterial count and the relative share of coli bacteria and Salmonellae. Two experiments were layed out under productional conditions for peletting a forage mixture at 92-94 degrees C being contaminated with Salmonella bacteria at the rate of 10(3) and 10(2) per gram of mixture. Results showed that pelleting processes reduce both the total bacterial count and the coli and Salmonella counts, the microbial cells being in an anabiotic status. It is suggested to adopt forage pelleting as a method to render harmless Salmonella-contaminated forages provided the count of Salmonella organisms does not exceed 10(2) per gram of forage. Pelleting should be carried out at 92-94 degrees C. This is to be routinely practised until the problem of forage decontamination is solved by other means.", "contents": "[Sanitization of salmonella-contaminated forage mixtures during granulation]. Studied were a total of 52 samples of forage mixtures prior to and after pelleting from three forage plants in this country, in terms of total bacterial count and the relative share of coli bacteria and Salmonellae. Two experiments were layed out under productional conditions for peletting a forage mixture at 92-94 degrees C being contaminated with Salmonella bacteria at the rate of 10(3) and 10(2) per gram of mixture. Results showed that pelleting processes reduce both the total bacterial count and the coli and Salmonella counts, the microbial cells being in an anabiotic status. It is suggested to adopt forage pelleting as a method to render harmless Salmonella-contaminated forages provided the count of Salmonella organisms does not exceed 10(2) per gram of forage. Pelleting should be carried out at 92-94 degrees C. This is to be routinely practised until the problem of forage decontamination is solved by other means.", "PMID": 797105} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10823", "title": "[Immunofluorescent test in the diagnosis of babesiasis].", "content": "The direct and the indirect immunofluorescence methods were tested in the diagnosis of babesiasis in sheep. The antigen used was material of erythrocyte smears with Babesia ovis, and the conjugate employed in the direct method was obtained from a hyperimmune anti-Babesia ovis serum labelled with fluorescein-isothiocyanate. For the indirect methods rabbit anti-sheep globulin was made of, labelled with the same fluorochrome. The specificity of the direct methods was demonstrated by the absence of fluorescence in the control smears with Th. ovis, A. ovis and E. ovis at a 1:20 dilution of the conjugate (and even in higher dilutions), while that of the indirect methods--by the absence of fluorescence with the control negative serum and the heterologous antisera at the same values of dilution. The comparative testing of the indirect immunofluorescence methods and the complement-fixation reaction in the periodic investigation of 10 lambs (experimentally infected) and 10 sheep (naturally infected) with Babesia ovis revealed that the indirect methods were of higher infected) with Babesia ovis revealed that the indirect methods were of higher sensitivity. This, and the easier production of the antigen gave grounds to assume that indirect methods are more readily applicable in the laboratory diagnostic practice. On the other hand, direct methods are more accurate in the species differentiation of the Babesia agents.", "contents": "[Immunofluorescent test in the diagnosis of babesiasis]. The direct and the indirect immunofluorescence methods were tested in the diagnosis of babesiasis in sheep. The antigen used was material of erythrocyte smears with Babesia ovis, and the conjugate employed in the direct method was obtained from a hyperimmune anti-Babesia ovis serum labelled with fluorescein-isothiocyanate. For the indirect methods rabbit anti-sheep globulin was made of, labelled with the same fluorochrome. The specificity of the direct methods was demonstrated by the absence of fluorescence in the control smears with Th. ovis, A. ovis and E. ovis at a 1:20 dilution of the conjugate (and even in higher dilutions), while that of the indirect methods--by the absence of fluorescence with the control negative serum and the heterologous antisera at the same values of dilution. The comparative testing of the indirect immunofluorescence methods and the complement-fixation reaction in the periodic investigation of 10 lambs (experimentally infected) and 10 sheep (naturally infected) with Babesia ovis revealed that the indirect methods were of higher infected) with Babesia ovis revealed that the indirect methods were of higher sensitivity. This, and the easier production of the antigen gave grounds to assume that indirect methods are more readily applicable in the laboratory diagnostic practice. On the other hand, direct methods are more accurate in the species differentiation of the Babesia agents.", "PMID": 797106} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10824", "title": "[Development of the ideas of N.N. Petrov concerning the prevention of cancer in experimental studies devoted to transplacental carcinogenesis].", "content": "The principal N.N. Petrov's idea in oncology consists in the possibility of scientific organization of anticancer struggle, based in particular, on the development of the sanitary-hygienic aspects of tumor prophylaxis. N.N. Petrov's remarks on necessity of pregnancy hygiene, made by him 50 years ago, are confirmed now in experiments and sometimes in human research. The basal regulations of transplacental carcinogenesis -- one of the modern trends in experimental oncology -- are stated. Some considerations on possible applications of the results of animal experiments of human cancer prophylaxis are expressed.", "contents": "[Development of the ideas of N.N. Petrov concerning the prevention of cancer in experimental studies devoted to transplacental carcinogenesis]. The principal N.N. Petrov's idea in oncology consists in the possibility of scientific organization of anticancer struggle, based in particular, on the development of the sanitary-hygienic aspects of tumor prophylaxis. N.N. Petrov's remarks on necessity of pregnancy hygiene, made by him 50 years ago, are confirmed now in experiments and sometimes in human research. The basal regulations of transplacental carcinogenesis -- one of the modern trends in experimental oncology -- are stated. Some considerations on possible applications of the results of animal experiments of human cancer prophylaxis are expressed.", "PMID": 797124} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10825", "title": "[Deontologic problems in the medical treatment of tumors].", "content": "An attempt is made to discuss deontological problems, related with pharmacological treatment of malignant tumors, according to the traditions of N.N. Petrov, who always paid great attention to the problems of morality and ethics in oncology. The stages of experimental tests of new substances and recommendations for their clinical application are described. Nonscientific approach to the estimation and practical use of new substances is critisized. It is concluded that the problems of selection of the optimum method of treatment for each particular case should be considered by three specialists together: a surgeon, a radiologist and a therapeutist.", "contents": "[Deontologic problems in the medical treatment of tumors]. An attempt is made to discuss deontological problems, related with pharmacological treatment of malignant tumors, according to the traditions of N.N. Petrov, who always paid great attention to the problems of morality and ethics in oncology. The stages of experimental tests of new substances and recommendations for their clinical application are described. Nonscientific approach to the estimation and practical use of new substances is critisized. It is concluded that the problems of selection of the optimum method of treatment for each particular case should be considered by three specialists together: a surgeon, a radiologist and a therapeutist.", "PMID": 797126} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10826", "title": "[Stereotaxic surgery in the hyperkinetic form of infantile cerebral palsy].", "content": "The results of 67 stereotaxic operations performed in 60 patients for the hyperkinetic form of infantile cerebral paralysis are presented. The efficacy of dentatotomy is compared with that of thalamotomy. Thalamotomy is most effective in patients with hemiatetosis and choreoatetoid hyperkinesis. Dentatotomy resulted not only in a reduction of hyperkinesis, but also in a considerable alleviation of muscle spasticity. The destruction of the lateral part of nuclels dentatus caused predominantly a reduction of the muscle tone and of involuntary movements of the lower extremities, and--to a lesser degree--of the upper as well. The destruction of the medial part of the nucleus dentatus resulted in a clear reduction of muscle dystony in the trunk.", "contents": "[Stereotaxic surgery in the hyperkinetic form of infantile cerebral palsy]. The results of 67 stereotaxic operations performed in 60 patients for the hyperkinetic form of infantile cerebral paralysis are presented. The efficacy of dentatotomy is compared with that of thalamotomy. Thalamotomy is most effective in patients with hemiatetosis and choreoatetoid hyperkinesis. Dentatotomy resulted not only in a reduction of hyperkinesis, but also in a considerable alleviation of muscle spasticity. The destruction of the lateral part of nuclels dentatus caused predominantly a reduction of the muscle tone and of involuntary movements of the lower extremities, and--to a lesser degree--of the upper as well. The destruction of the medial part of the nucleus dentatus resulted in a clear reduction of muscle dystony in the trunk.", "PMID": 797127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10827", "title": "[Some modern views of the role of the eosinophils in allergic reactions and bronchial asthma and a new method of detecting eosinophils in the bronchial secretion].", "content": "A review of certain contemporary opinions of eosinophil function in allergic reactions and bronchial asthma is presented in this report. Phagocytosis and processing of the complexes antigenantibody, histamine inhibition and a histamine elimination elimination by a specific inhibitor, isolated from eosinophilis (EDI), stimulation of prostaglandines E release, which also inhibit histamine and have a bronchial dilataion effect. The new method is recommended for eosinophil detection in sputa based on the fluorescent principle as faster and more efficient.", "contents": "[Some modern views of the role of the eosinophils in allergic reactions and bronchial asthma and a new method of detecting eosinophils in the bronchial secretion]. A review of certain contemporary opinions of eosinophil function in allergic reactions and bronchial asthma is presented in this report. Phagocytosis and processing of the complexes antigenantibody, histamine inhibition and a histamine elimination elimination by a specific inhibitor, isolated from eosinophilis (EDI), stimulation of prostaglandines E release, which also inhibit histamine and have a bronchial dilataion effect. The new method is recommended for eosinophil detection in sputa based on the fluorescent principle as faster and more efficient.", "PMID": 797138} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10828", "title": "[Functional state of the kidneys during determination of the work capacity of patients with renal diseases].", "content": "The problems of work expert examination of patients with kidney diseases are discussed. It was stressed that besides the kidney functional state the state of certain basic clinical indecision had also to be given consideration, as blood pressure values, cardiovascular system state, presence of difficult-to-be-corrected anemia as well as certain social factors. Attention is drawn to the necessity of accurate determination of the disturbed renal function with the aid of the contempprary investigation methods. The problem of the capacity for work of the patients with hemodialysis and with renal transplantation is discussed in details. Stress is laid upon the fact that the sick must be given suitable work in favourable conditions as a factor maintaining the optimism and the sense of fitness in the patients, which enhances the effectiveness of the treatment applied.", "contents": "[Functional state of the kidneys during determination of the work capacity of patients with renal diseases]. The problems of work expert examination of patients with kidney diseases are discussed. It was stressed that besides the kidney functional state the state of certain basic clinical indecision had also to be given consideration, as blood pressure values, cardiovascular system state, presence of difficult-to-be-corrected anemia as well as certain social factors. Attention is drawn to the necessity of accurate determination of the disturbed renal function with the aid of the contempprary investigation methods. The problem of the capacity for work of the patients with hemodialysis and with renal transplantation is discussed in details. Stress is laid upon the fact that the sick must be given suitable work in favourable conditions as a factor maintaining the optimism and the sense of fitness in the patients, which enhances the effectiveness of the treatment applied.", "PMID": 797141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10829", "title": "[Augmented indication field for Convulex therapy (author's transl)].", "content": "The therapeutic effect of n-dipropylacetate (DPA) is described in 20 patients with cerebral or spinal spasticity. Improvement was ween in 8 out of 11 patients with cerebral spasticity, 3 out of 5 patients with spinal spasticity and 3 out of 4 cases who had sustained perinatal damage. Satisfactory clinical amelioration and improvement in the EEG was observed in myoclonia, particularly of the Unverricht-Lundborg type.", "contents": "[Augmented indication field for Convulex therapy (author's transl)]. The therapeutic effect of n-dipropylacetate (DPA) is described in 20 patients with cerebral or spinal spasticity. Improvement was ween in 8 out of 11 patients with cerebral spasticity, 3 out of 5 patients with spinal spasticity and 3 out of 4 cases who had sustained perinatal damage. Satisfactory clinical amelioration and improvement in the EEG was observed in myoclonia, particularly of the Unverricht-Lundborg type.", "PMID": 797150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10830", "title": "[Mucous membrane of the mouth and prostheses in old people (author's transl)].", "content": "The majority of people of advanced age at present have either very many gaps in their dentures or they have no teeth at all. For this reason they can only wear broad-base plate-type bridged, which can lead to pathological changes of the mucous membrane. The author uses the complex etiology of prothetic stomatopathy, in which not only changes in the mucous membrane of the mouth associated with ageing but also hormonal changes (menopause), general diseases and oral candidiasis play a role, to illustrated the necessity of collaboration between stomatologists and geriatricians. Oral and prosthetic hygiene degenerates with increasing age. The average period of wearing prostheses also increases with the age and the danger of chronic mucous membrane damage also increases. But since old people seldom if ever consult a stomatologist, every geriatrician should also have a look at the mucous membrane of the mouth when examining old patients.", "contents": "[Mucous membrane of the mouth and prostheses in old people (author's transl)]. The majority of people of advanced age at present have either very many gaps in their dentures or they have no teeth at all. For this reason they can only wear broad-base plate-type bridged, which can lead to pathological changes of the mucous membrane. The author uses the complex etiology of prothetic stomatopathy, in which not only changes in the mucous membrane of the mouth associated with ageing but also hormonal changes (menopause), general diseases and oral candidiasis play a role, to illustrated the necessity of collaboration between stomatologists and geriatricians. Oral and prosthetic hygiene degenerates with increasing age. The average period of wearing prostheses also increases with the age and the danger of chronic mucous membrane damage also increases. But since old people seldom if ever consult a stomatologist, every geriatrician should also have a look at the mucous membrane of the mouth when examining old patients.", "PMID": 797151} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10831", "title": "Biological studies on a strain of Escherichia coli B resistant to chlorpromazine.", "content": "A strain of Escherichia coli B resistant to chlorpromazine was developed from the sensitive strain. Cells of the resistant strain were different from those of the sensitive strain. Thus, the permeability of the resistant cells (measured by the uptake of 14C-glutamic acid) was not interfered with by Cpz. Moreover, the resistant cells were able to cause detoxification or partial detoxification of the drug.", "contents": "Biological studies on a strain of Escherichia coli B resistant to chlorpromazine. A strain of Escherichia coli B resistant to chlorpromazine was developed from the sensitive strain. Cells of the resistant strain were different from those of the sensitive strain. Thus, the permeability of the resistant cells (measured by the uptake of 14C-glutamic acid) was not interfered with by Cpz. Moreover, the resistant cells were able to cause detoxification or partial detoxification of the drug.", "PMID": 797172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10832", "title": "[General symptoms in severe burn injuries (author's transl)].", "content": "In this review the pathophysiological mechanisms of general clinical symptoms during the treatment of severe burn injuries (hypovolemia, katabolism, anemia, coagulation disorders, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoxia, cardiac insufficiency and bone disorders) are analysed with special reference to specific therapeutical measures.", "contents": "[General symptoms in severe burn injuries (author's transl)]. In this review the pathophysiological mechanisms of general clinical symptoms during the treatment of severe burn injuries (hypovolemia, katabolism, anemia, coagulation disorders, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoxia, cardiac insufficiency and bone disorders) are analysed with special reference to specific therapeutical measures.", "PMID": 797173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10833", "title": "[Use of \"non-standard\" young rabbits of the chinchilla breed for determination of the stereotaxic coordinates of brain structures].", "content": "It has been found that differences in the distances from the brain structures to orienting points on the scull of non-standard rabbits considerably exceed those in the distances between the brain structures of the same animals. In non-standard rabbits of one and the same age, the quantitative differences of the rostral or caudal location of all brain structures in relation to the bone orienting points are more significant than those in the lengths of the brain. Intravital determination of a point on the surface of the scull with horizontal coordinates of the anterior commissure is suggested for selection of young rabbits with a normal location of brain structures in regard to the zero point (bregma ) as well as for introduction of corrections in the location of the zero points. It is also suggested that this point be used directly as the zero point of reading the coordinates instead of the bregma.", "contents": "[Use of \"non-standard\" young rabbits of the chinchilla breed for determination of the stereotaxic coordinates of brain structures]. It has been found that differences in the distances from the brain structures to orienting points on the scull of non-standard rabbits considerably exceed those in the distances between the brain structures of the same animals. In non-standard rabbits of one and the same age, the quantitative differences of the rostral or caudal location of all brain structures in relation to the bone orienting points are more significant than those in the lengths of the brain. Intravital determination of a point on the surface of the scull with horizontal coordinates of the anterior commissure is suggested for selection of young rabbits with a normal location of brain structures in regard to the zero point (bregma ) as well as for introduction of corrections in the location of the zero points. It is also suggested that this point be used directly as the zero point of reading the coordinates instead of the bregma.", "PMID": 797168} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10834", "title": "[Intensive care of burns (author's transl)].", "content": "The method of long time intraaortal infusions will diminish the risk of complications following early excision of burn slough. It favours quick re-epithelisation. The method enables homeostasis of burnt patients to be normalized within a short time and wide wound surface to be covered with mesh-grafts, thus lowering the shock risk and the danger of secondary wound necrosis.", "contents": "[Intensive care of burns (author's transl)]. The method of long time intraaortal infusions will diminish the risk of complications following early excision of burn slough. It favours quick re-epithelisation. The method enables homeostasis of burnt patients to be normalized within a short time and wide wound surface to be covered with mesh-grafts, thus lowering the shock risk and the danger of secondary wound necrosis.", "PMID": 797174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10835", "title": "[Influence of psychological factors on the immune system. Changes in susceptibility to infection after infantile stimulation in relationship to age].", "content": "NMRI mice of both sexes and in various stages of the suckling period were handled oncea day for three minutes. They were intraperitoneally infected with E. coli O 111 on the eighteenth day of life. Handling carried out from the first to the 18th day led to a significantly higher mortality (P = 1,4%) as compared to the control animals. Differences in mortality were not observed when the stimulation occurred on the 1st to 10th or 10th to 18th day of life. Weight determination carried out just prior to infection showed no remarkable differences between the experimental groups.", "contents": "[Influence of psychological factors on the immune system. Changes in susceptibility to infection after infantile stimulation in relationship to age]. NMRI mice of both sexes and in various stages of the suckling period were handled oncea day for three minutes. They were intraperitoneally infected with E. coli O 111 on the eighteenth day of life. Handling carried out from the first to the 18th day led to a significantly higher mortality (P = 1,4%) as compared to the control animals. Differences in mortality were not observed when the stimulation occurred on the 1st to 10th or 10th to 18th day of life. Weight determination carried out just prior to infection showed no remarkable differences between the experimental groups.", "PMID": 797169} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10836", "title": "[Frequency, therapy and survival time of reticulum cellsarcoma in the German Democratic Republic. An epidemiological study of 7467 cases from 1960 to 1973 (author's transl)].", "content": "7467 Reticulum cell sarcomas have been recorded in the register of patients suffering form carcinoma (1960 to 1973). This report deals with the distribution of age, sex, size and frequency during the different years and in different districts. Moreover, problems of confirming the diagnoses and of histological findings are considered. The chances of survival of patients suffering from reticulum cell sarcoma (about 16,0% survive the five-year limit, 10,3% survive the ten-year-limit) are examined for the therapy, age and size of the tumour also being taken into account.", "contents": "[Frequency, therapy and survival time of reticulum cellsarcoma in the German Democratic Republic. An epidemiological study of 7467 cases from 1960 to 1973 (author's transl)]. 7467 Reticulum cell sarcomas have been recorded in the register of patients suffering form carcinoma (1960 to 1973). This report deals with the distribution of age, sex, size and frequency during the different years and in different districts. Moreover, problems of confirming the diagnoses and of histological findings are considered. The chances of survival of patients suffering from reticulum cell sarcoma (about 16,0% survive the five-year limit, 10,3% survive the ten-year-limit) are examined for the therapy, age and size of the tumour also being taken into account.", "PMID": 797175} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10837", "title": "[Hazards in the operative treatment of Ductus Botallo (author's transl)].", "content": "Possible errors and risks in operations of the ductus Botallo are discussed by using the experience from 282 operations. In young patients and adults the operative closure has to be decided upon according to the degree of the pulmonary vascular resistance. In newborns the closure of the ductus should be performed when symptoms such as heart insufficiency, frequent pneumonias and cyanosis are present. Haemorrhage due to damage of the walls is most frequent intraoperative complication. The procedure of controlling is dealt with more in detail. At least possibilities to treat the so called recanalisation or pseudorecidive are discussed. No patient was lost by intraoperative complications. The total mortality amounted to 1.4 per cent.", "contents": "[Hazards in the operative treatment of Ductus Botallo (author's transl)]. Possible errors and risks in operations of the ductus Botallo are discussed by using the experience from 282 operations. In young patients and adults the operative closure has to be decided upon according to the degree of the pulmonary vascular resistance. In newborns the closure of the ductus should be performed when symptoms such as heart insufficiency, frequent pneumonias and cyanosis are present. Haemorrhage due to damage of the walls is most frequent intraoperative complication. The procedure of controlling is dealt with more in detail. At least possibilities to treat the so called recanalisation or pseudorecidive are discussed. No patient was lost by intraoperative complications. The total mortality amounted to 1.4 per cent.", "PMID": 797176} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10838", "title": "[Automation in the cytodiagnostic central laboratory (to meet the high requirements of obligatory gynecologic cytodiagnosis)].", "content": "Automation in preparating slides will be necessary to satisfy cytology in mass screening programmes for early detection of cancer of the cervix. This means increase in capacity of a cytological central laboratory. -- Possibilities of automation in fixation, stainings, and findings are described.", "contents": "[Automation in the cytodiagnostic central laboratory (to meet the high requirements of obligatory gynecologic cytodiagnosis)]. Automation in preparating slides will be necessary to satisfy cytology in mass screening programmes for early detection of cancer of the cervix. This means increase in capacity of a cytological central laboratory. -- Possibilities of automation in fixation, stainings, and findings are described.", "PMID": 797177} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10839", "title": "[Robert Koch's unpublished and unfinished experiments on sheep-pox (author's transl)].", "content": "The archives of the Robert Koch Institute include a casket with preparations and handwritten notes by Robert Koch (Fig. 1). He made these preparations during his time as a rural doctor between October of 1878 and September of 1880. They refer to an outbreak of sheep-pox at Rackwitz, a place near his practice at Wollstein (Fig. 2). This work has not been published; we know of it from one of Robert Koch's private letters (11). To reconstruct his working scheme and reasoning, we consulted particularly his reports on rinderpest experiments which he began in 1896 (6). The preparations from this casket which had been stained with Bismarck brown (according to Weigert) date back to a period when Robert Koch developed the foundations of bacteriology and they are evidence of his preparedness to accept new operational procedures (1, 2, 3). Thus, we have to assume that these preparations were to serve as evidence of a bacteriological etiology of sheep-pox. A wrong conclusion as to associations between the superinfection present and etiology of the disease (7) was ruled out by maintaining his own postulate. Simultaneously with this preparation work, Robert Koch performed animal experiments (11). His experience from these studies was utilized later on in his rinderpest experiments (6). On account of his confrontation with viral disease - which had its starting point in his unpublished work on sheep-pox - Robert Koch stated his postulate to be valid in the same manner as if bacteriological etiology had been demonstrated (4,6). The importance of these preparations is also seen in the interpretation of viral tissue damage, i.e. increase of macrophages and plasma cells with subsequent necrosis (9) characteristic of vira infection (Figs. 3, 4).", "contents": "[Robert Koch's unpublished and unfinished experiments on sheep-pox (author's transl)]. The archives of the Robert Koch Institute include a casket with preparations and handwritten notes by Robert Koch (Fig. 1). He made these preparations during his time as a rural doctor between October of 1878 and September of 1880. They refer to an outbreak of sheep-pox at Rackwitz, a place near his practice at Wollstein (Fig. 2). This work has not been published; we know of it from one of Robert Koch's private letters (11). To reconstruct his working scheme and reasoning, we consulted particularly his reports on rinderpest experiments which he began in 1896 (6). The preparations from this casket which had been stained with Bismarck brown (according to Weigert) date back to a period when Robert Koch developed the foundations of bacteriology and they are evidence of his preparedness to accept new operational procedures (1, 2, 3). Thus, we have to assume that these preparations were to serve as evidence of a bacteriological etiology of sheep-pox. A wrong conclusion as to associations between the superinfection present and etiology of the disease (7) was ruled out by maintaining his own postulate. Simultaneously with this preparation work, Robert Koch performed animal experiments (11). His experience from these studies was utilized later on in his rinderpest experiments (6). On account of his confrontation with viral disease - which had its starting point in his unpublished work on sheep-pox - Robert Koch stated his postulate to be valid in the same manner as if bacteriological etiology had been demonstrated (4,6). The importance of these preparations is also seen in the interpretation of viral tissue damage, i.e. increase of macrophages and plasma cells with subsequent necrosis (9) characteristic of vira infection (Figs. 3, 4).", "PMID": 797178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10840", "title": "Nosocomial infection of nurselings caused by multiple drug resistant strain of Salmonella typhimurium--utilization of a new typing method based on lysogeny of strains.", "content": "During a period of 18 months diarrheal diseases appeared among nurselings in one region of Slovakia. Salmonella typhimurium strains were isolated from 265 cases. The diseased nurselings were kept in a nurseling-home and/or were hospitalized in two city hospitals. The isolated Salmonella typhimurium strains were resistant to ampicillin, carbenicillin, tetracyclin, chloramphenicol, neomycin, kanamycin and sulphonamides, and, carried R-plasmids. The tested strains proved identical by phage typing according to the systems of Felix-Callow and Scholtens. The were lysogenic and reacted in an identical way with indicator strains. The results of tests indicate that the nosocomial infection of nurselings was caused by long-term persistance and spread of a single polyresistant strain of Salmonella typhimurium.", "contents": "Nosocomial infection of nurselings caused by multiple drug resistant strain of Salmonella typhimurium--utilization of a new typing method based on lysogeny of strains. During a period of 18 months diarrheal diseases appeared among nurselings in one region of Slovakia. Salmonella typhimurium strains were isolated from 265 cases. The diseased nurselings were kept in a nurseling-home and/or were hospitalized in two city hospitals. The isolated Salmonella typhimurium strains were resistant to ampicillin, carbenicillin, tetracyclin, chloramphenicol, neomycin, kanamycin and sulphonamides, and, carried R-plasmids. The tested strains proved identical by phage typing according to the systems of Felix-Callow and Scholtens. The were lysogenic and reacted in an identical way with indicator strains. The results of tests indicate that the nosocomial infection of nurselings was caused by long-term persistance and spread of a single polyresistant strain of Salmonella typhimurium.", "PMID": 797179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10841", "title": "Growth of Cryptococcus neoformans on uric acid agar.", "content": "Effect of certain low molecular nitrogen substances, namely uric acid, eura and creatinine as sole source of nitrogen was studied on 31 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans as well as on a rough looking isolate recovered from the brain of a mouse inoculated with a mucoid strain of C. neoformans. Uric acid as a nitrogen source caused striking alterations in the morphology of C. neoformans. In view of the facts that uric acid is a common end-product of human and animal metabolism, it is abundantly present in the avian faecal matter and is capable of inducing mucoid growth and capsule formation in dry growing non-encapsulated strains or in an otherwise rough looking hypha forming isolate, its role in studying the phylogenesis of C. neoformans and its pathogenicity seems to be an important proposition.", "contents": "Growth of Cryptococcus neoformans on uric acid agar. Effect of certain low molecular nitrogen substances, namely uric acid, eura and creatinine as sole source of nitrogen was studied on 31 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans as well as on a rough looking isolate recovered from the brain of a mouse inoculated with a mucoid strain of C. neoformans. Uric acid as a nitrogen source caused striking alterations in the morphology of C. neoformans. In view of the facts that uric acid is a common end-product of human and animal metabolism, it is abundantly present in the avian faecal matter and is capable of inducing mucoid growth and capsule formation in dry growing non-encapsulated strains or in an otherwise rough looking hypha forming isolate, its role in studying the phylogenesis of C. neoformans and its pathogenicity seems to be an important proposition.", "PMID": 797180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10842", "title": "Butandioldehydrogenase in Eikenella corrodens and related bacteria.", "content": "The butandioldehydrogenase was examined in 153 strains of Eikenella, Moraxella, Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Haemophilus, Actinobacillus, Pasteurella, Cardiobacterium and \"TM-1\" of Hollis et al. This enzyme has been proved to be useful in the differentiation of this group of bacteria.", "contents": "Butandioldehydrogenase in Eikenella corrodens and related bacteria. The butandioldehydrogenase was examined in 153 strains of Eikenella, Moraxella, Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Haemophilus, Actinobacillus, Pasteurella, Cardiobacterium and \"TM-1\" of Hollis et al. This enzyme has been proved to be useful in the differentiation of this group of bacteria.", "PMID": 797181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10843", "title": "Serotypes of Escherichia coli from urinary tract infections in Hong Kong.", "content": "Strains of E. coli, mainly from Chinese patients in Hong Kong with urinary tract infections, were serotyped, biotyped, and their antibiotic resistance patterns determined. The most common O groups found were O1, O2, O4, O6, O7, O8, O21, O25 AND O82. In general, they carried flagellar antigens different from those normally associated with these O groups in Europe. A variety of biotypes was observed and many strains were resistant to a number of antimicrobial drugs.", "contents": "Serotypes of Escherichia coli from urinary tract infections in Hong Kong. Strains of E. coli, mainly from Chinese patients in Hong Kong with urinary tract infections, were serotyped, biotyped, and their antibiotic resistance patterns determined. The most common O groups found were O1, O2, O4, O6, O7, O8, O21, O25 AND O82. In general, they carried flagellar antigens different from those normally associated with these O groups in Europe. A variety of biotypes was observed and many strains were resistant to a number of antimicrobial drugs.", "PMID": 797182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10844", "title": "[Simple method for preservation of bacteria in small portions (author's transl)].", "content": "A method of maintaining micro-organisms in small portions is described. The microbial suspensions to be preserved are transferred into small PVC tubes, which are then heat-sealed in small segments. Care must be taken to ensure that the segments are not overfull, otherwise the seams may burst upon freezing. The segments are then transferred strainwise to small propylene test tubes for deep-frozen storage in an electric freezer at -90 degrees C or in liquid nitrogen at -195 degrees C. The viability of the micro-organisms thus treated is fully comparable with that obtained by other methods of deep-freezing. A brief account is given of how the micro-organisms can be recultured from these segments. The above method is particularly suitable when periodical subcultures of a large number of strains have to be prepared over a fairly long period of time. The suppliers of the materials used are indicated.", "contents": "[Simple method for preservation of bacteria in small portions (author's transl)]. A method of maintaining micro-organisms in small portions is described. The microbial suspensions to be preserved are transferred into small PVC tubes, which are then heat-sealed in small segments. Care must be taken to ensure that the segments are not overfull, otherwise the seams may burst upon freezing. The segments are then transferred strainwise to small propylene test tubes for deep-frozen storage in an electric freezer at -90 degrees C or in liquid nitrogen at -195 degrees C. The viability of the micro-organisms thus treated is fully comparable with that obtained by other methods of deep-freezing. A brief account is given of how the micro-organisms can be recultured from these segments. The above method is particularly suitable when periodical subcultures of a large number of strains have to be prepared over a fairly long period of time. The suppliers of the materials used are indicated.", "PMID": 797183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10845", "title": "[Biological characteristics of enteropathogenic escherichia of serologic group 015:K].", "content": "A study was made of 239 strains of enteropathogenic escherichia 0151:K-- isolated in various regions of the USSR from patients with the clinical diagnosis of dysentery, gastroenteritis, intestinal coli-infection: a standard strain of the international collection of escherichia belonging to the given serological group was also studied. There was shown an increase in the role of these microorganisms among the enteropathogenic escherichia recorded at the territory of the USSR; they occupied the third place by the frequency of isolation after the serological group 0124:K72 and 0111:K58. There was established a common nature of the enzymatic characteristics of escherichia 0151:K--with shigellae by the absence of lactose, sucrose, inosite, adonite fermentation, the presence of gasless, immobile variants containing no lysin decarboxylase, and a possibility of rapid differentiation from shigellae in the use of acetate medium. Among the escherichia 0151:K--there was revealed the presence of 5 biotypes by the capacity to gas-formation in glucose, arabinose, sorbit, dulcit fermentation, and decarboxylation of lysin and ornithin; three biotypes are described for the first time. Industrial issue of the agglutinating serum 0151:K--is necessary to provide the diagnosis of these microorganisms at the territory of the USSR.", "contents": "[Biological characteristics of enteropathogenic escherichia of serologic group 015:K]. A study was made of 239 strains of enteropathogenic escherichia 0151:K-- isolated in various regions of the USSR from patients with the clinical diagnosis of dysentery, gastroenteritis, intestinal coli-infection: a standard strain of the international collection of escherichia belonging to the given serological group was also studied. There was shown an increase in the role of these microorganisms among the enteropathogenic escherichia recorded at the territory of the USSR; they occupied the third place by the frequency of isolation after the serological group 0124:K72 and 0111:K58. There was established a common nature of the enzymatic characteristics of escherichia 0151:K--with shigellae by the absence of lactose, sucrose, inosite, adonite fermentation, the presence of gasless, immobile variants containing no lysin decarboxylase, and a possibility of rapid differentiation from shigellae in the use of acetate medium. Among the escherichia 0151:K--there was revealed the presence of 5 biotypes by the capacity to gas-formation in glucose, arabinose, sorbit, dulcit fermentation, and decarboxylation of lysin and ornithin; three biotypes are described for the first time. Industrial issue of the agglutinating serum 0151:K--is necessary to provide the diagnosis of these microorganisms at the territory of the USSR.", "PMID": 797186} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10846", "title": "[Characteristics of the basic parameters of killed influenza vaccine purified and concentrated on sodium borsilicate glass].", "content": "The main parameters (reactogenicity, harmlessness, immunogenicity and prophylactic efficacy) of experimental batches of the inactivated influenza vaccine A, purified and concentrated on sodium-boron-silicate glass, were studied in strictly controlled epidemiological trial. In single subcutaneous injection in a dose of 0.5 ml (5120 hemagglutinating units) of the vaccine it was characterized by a moderate reactogenicity, marked antigenicity and prophylactic, efficacy.", "contents": "[Characteristics of the basic parameters of killed influenza vaccine purified and concentrated on sodium borsilicate glass]. The main parameters (reactogenicity, harmlessness, immunogenicity and prophylactic efficacy) of experimental batches of the inactivated influenza vaccine A, purified and concentrated on sodium-boron-silicate glass, were studied in strictly controlled epidemiological trial. In single subcutaneous injection in a dose of 0.5 ml (5120 hemagglutinating units) of the vaccine it was characterized by a moderate reactogenicity, marked antigenicity and prophylactic, efficacy.", "PMID": 797189} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10847", "title": "[Experimental study of the stability of avirulent properties and the immunogenicity of suppressor revertants of streptomycin-dependent salmonella mutants].", "content": "The authors aimed at the experimental confirmation of avirulent properties of suppressor revertants of streptomycin-dependent salmonella mutants and also at the study of their immunogenicity. Stability of the loss of virulence by the suppressor revertants was established by studying the virulence of the subcultures isolated from them, differing by the genotype. Repeated passage of suppressor revertants of S. typhimurium Rev8, S. enteritidis Rev5, S. pullorum Rev through the biological objects highly sensitive to salmonella infection failed to lead to elevation of the virulence of the cultures under study. Live salmonella vaccines prepared from the suppressor revertants proved to be highly immunogenic in single oral and parenteral immunization of albino mice and chicks. Analogous immunization with killed vaccines was much less effective, streptomycin-dependent vaccines occupying the intermediate position.", "contents": "[Experimental study of the stability of avirulent properties and the immunogenicity of suppressor revertants of streptomycin-dependent salmonella mutants]. The authors aimed at the experimental confirmation of avirulent properties of suppressor revertants of streptomycin-dependent salmonella mutants and also at the study of their immunogenicity. Stability of the loss of virulence by the suppressor revertants was established by studying the virulence of the subcultures isolated from them, differing by the genotype. Repeated passage of suppressor revertants of S. typhimurium Rev8, S. enteritidis Rev5, S. pullorum Rev through the biological objects highly sensitive to salmonella infection failed to lead to elevation of the virulence of the cultures under study. Live salmonella vaccines prepared from the suppressor revertants proved to be highly immunogenic in single oral and parenteral immunization of albino mice and chicks. Analogous immunization with killed vaccines was much less effective, streptomycin-dependent vaccines occupying the intermediate position.", "PMID": 797191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10848", "title": "[Indication of halprowia (chlamydia) antigens by the direct immunoperoxidase method].", "content": "The authors modified and approbated the direct immunoperoxidase method for the indication in the infected L cells of the halprowia (chlamydia) antigens--etiological agents of trachoma, ocular and urogenital forms of paratrachoma, arthritis, meningopneumonia and enzootic abortion of sheep. Different types of localization of the group-specific halprowia antigen were revealed in the cytoplasm of the affected cells by light microscopy; electron microscopy demonstrated localization of this antigen in the membrane of the cell wall of the elementary and initial bodies. Specificity of the test-system used, no lesser sensitivity than the sensitivity of direct immunofluorescent method of indication of the same microbies, with a possibility of detection of stably stained antigens by widely accessible light microscopy underly practical usefulness of direct immunoperoxidase method of the diagnosis of halprowiosis (chlamydiosis) of man and animals.", "contents": "[Indication of halprowia (chlamydia) antigens by the direct immunoperoxidase method]. The authors modified and approbated the direct immunoperoxidase method for the indication in the infected L cells of the halprowia (chlamydia) antigens--etiological agents of trachoma, ocular and urogenital forms of paratrachoma, arthritis, meningopneumonia and enzootic abortion of sheep. Different types of localization of the group-specific halprowia antigen were revealed in the cytoplasm of the affected cells by light microscopy; electron microscopy demonstrated localization of this antigen in the membrane of the cell wall of the elementary and initial bodies. Specificity of the test-system used, no lesser sensitivity than the sensitivity of direct immunofluorescent method of indication of the same microbies, with a possibility of detection of stably stained antigens by widely accessible light microscopy underly practical usefulness of direct immunoperoxidase method of the diagnosis of halprowiosis (chlamydiosis) of man and animals.", "PMID": 797192} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10849", "title": "[Theory of generator mechanisms in several neuropathologic syndrome].", "content": "This report formulates a general concept of the role played by determinant structures in CNS functioning and a related theory of generator mechanism which underlines neuropathological syndromes characterized by hyperactivity of cerebral centers. The theory postulates that due to deficiency of inhibitory mechanisms some populations of neurones become generators of abnormally enhanced excitation. Such generators operate as hyperactive determinant structures (or hyperactive determinant dispatch stations, DDS) inducing pathological changes in various functional systems and determining their behaviour. Formation of hyperactive DDS generating excitation in certain parts of the CNS leads to the appearance of corresponding neuropathological syndromes. This theory was used as a basis for experiments which reproduced pain syndromes of a central origin (including the trigeminal syndrome, the thalamic syndrome and phantom pains) vestibulopathy, photogenous epilepsy, catalepsy, manifestations of parkinsonism, etc. The report describes the characteristics of the generators of abnormally enhanced excitation. Some features of their operation are correlated with the course of the syndromes. Certain problems of pathogenetically oriented therapy are also discussed.", "contents": "[Theory of generator mechanisms in several neuropathologic syndrome]. This report formulates a general concept of the role played by determinant structures in CNS functioning and a related theory of generator mechanism which underlines neuropathological syndromes characterized by hyperactivity of cerebral centers. The theory postulates that due to deficiency of inhibitory mechanisms some populations of neurones become generators of abnormally enhanced excitation. Such generators operate as hyperactive determinant structures (or hyperactive determinant dispatch stations, DDS) inducing pathological changes in various functional systems and determining their behaviour. Formation of hyperactive DDS generating excitation in certain parts of the CNS leads to the appearance of corresponding neuropathological syndromes. This theory was used as a basis for experiments which reproduced pain syndromes of a central origin (including the trigeminal syndrome, the thalamic syndrome and phantom pains) vestibulopathy, photogenous epilepsy, catalepsy, manifestations of parkinsonism, etc. The report describes the characteristics of the generators of abnormally enhanced excitation. Some features of their operation are correlated with the course of the syndromes. Certain problems of pathogenetically oriented therapy are also discussed.", "PMID": 797194} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10850", "title": "[Use of focused ultrasound for local destruction of different brain structures].", "content": "It was demonstrated that destruction of the brain can be accomplished by different combinations of ultrasound intensity and duration of irradiation. By experimental means cavitational thresholds of brain tissues were determined and a calculation was made of increased temperature in the zone of focus in each separate regime of irradiation. The authors describe the foci of lesions where the main mechanism of destruction was only warmth, either only cavitation, either warmth and cavitation together. Irradiation of deep brain structures was not accompanied by changes of the cortical and subcortical structures, located above the focus of necrosis along the path of the ultrasound ray (light microscopy). The probability of a target hit into the given brain structure corresponded to the preciseness allowed in a stereotaxic operation.", "contents": "[Use of focused ultrasound for local destruction of different brain structures]. It was demonstrated that destruction of the brain can be accomplished by different combinations of ultrasound intensity and duration of irradiation. By experimental means cavitational thresholds of brain tissues were determined and a calculation was made of increased temperature in the zone of focus in each separate regime of irradiation. The authors describe the foci of lesions where the main mechanism of destruction was only warmth, either only cavitation, either warmth and cavitation together. Irradiation of deep brain structures was not accompanied by changes of the cortical and subcortical structures, located above the focus of necrosis along the path of the ultrasound ray (light microscopy). The probability of a target hit into the given brain structure corresponded to the preciseness allowed in a stereotaxic operation.", "PMID": 797196} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10851", "title": "[Theory of image discernment and resolution of classification problems using medico-psychological methods].", "content": "The report deals with questions pertaining to the use of the theory of image discernment for solving psychodiagnostical problems in clinical practice. The traditional understanding of a psychological test as a measurement instrument is being opposed to its new interpretation as an instrument of classification. On this basis the authors described the successional stages of the general procedure in the elaboration of tests. Special attention is being drawn to the selection of primary signs with the aid of informational measures and the formation of scales as discriminators. The suggested approach is being illustrated on the model of elaborating scales of a personality questionnaire and intellectual techniques.", "contents": "[Theory of image discernment and resolution of classification problems using medico-psychological methods]. The report deals with questions pertaining to the use of the theory of image discernment for solving psychodiagnostical problems in clinical practice. The traditional understanding of a psychological test as a measurement instrument is being opposed to its new interpretation as an instrument of classification. On this basis the authors described the successional stages of the general procedure in the elaboration of tests. Special attention is being drawn to the selection of primary signs with the aid of informational measures and the formation of scales as discriminators. The suggested approach is being illustrated on the model of elaborating scales of a personality questionnaire and intellectual techniques.", "PMID": 797198} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10852", "title": "Proteins of yeast ribosomal subunits: number and general properties.", "content": "1. Saccharomyces cerevisiae at the early stationary phase of growth accumulate 80 S ribosomes, easily dissociating into subunits, which retain full activity in phenylalanine polymerization in vitro. A simplified and efficient technique for large-scale preparation of yeast ribosomal subunits is proposed. 2. Presence of 34 proteins in 40 S subunit and 42 proteins in 60 S subunit was demonstrated by two-dimensional acrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Both ribosomal subunits contain acidic proteins: three in 60 S and six or seven in 40 S subunit. It seems that two of them correspond to prokaryotic proteins, L7 and L12. The total number of yeast ribosomal proteins is similar to those obtained for other Eukaryota.", "contents": "Proteins of yeast ribosomal subunits: number and general properties. 1. Saccharomyces cerevisiae at the early stationary phase of growth accumulate 80 S ribosomes, easily dissociating into subunits, which retain full activity in phenylalanine polymerization in vitro. A simplified and efficient technique for large-scale preparation of yeast ribosomal subunits is proposed. 2. Presence of 34 proteins in 40 S subunit and 42 proteins in 60 S subunit was demonstrated by two-dimensional acrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Both ribosomal subunits contain acidic proteins: three in 60 S and six or seven in 40 S subunit. It seems that two of them correspond to prokaryotic proteins, L7 and L12. The total number of yeast ribosomal proteins is similar to those obtained for other Eukaryota.", "PMID": 797203} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10853", "title": "[The case for more active prevention of deep-vein thrombosis after major surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "The frequency of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) determined by the 125I-fibrinogen test and confirmed by phlebographic studies, is 20 to 30 % in high-risk patients over the age of forty undergoing major surgery. Comparison of this figure with the incidence of clinically detected thrombosis (5 to 10 %) shows that physical signs are unreliable in the detection of this disease. The ultimate fate of these thrombi is unknown. The majority will probably disappear spontaneously; some will be responsible for the development of a \"post-phlebitic syndrome\" in the extremities and some will propagate and may produce a fatal pulmonary embolus. Besides the currently used physical methods of prophylaxis, some new pharmalogical techniques for the prevention of postoperative deep-vein thrombosis have been tested and advocated in neighbouring countries. Oral anticoagulants have been used routinely for many years by most Dutch surgeons but have never become very popular in other countries. They need extensive laboratory control and, in spite of this, up to 20 % overdosage bleedings have been recorded. As both the administration of low-dose subcutaneous heparin and IV dextran have been reported to provide effective prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis, we decided to study and compare their efficacy in a randomized clinical trial in order to assess their practical value in daily surgical practice. 119 adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery have been investigated. They have been devided at random in three groups : a dextran 40 group (n=39), a heparin group (n=39) and a control group (n=41 patients). DVT was diagnosed by the fibrinogen uptake test in 21,9 % patients in the control group in 12,8 % patients in the dextran group, and in 10,2 % patients in the heparin group. For the highrisk patients over the age of 70, the administration of low dose SC heparin, as well as the administration of IV low molecular weight dextran significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative DVT in the lower extremities (p less than 0.05). The dextran 40 and heparin groups were not significantly different. The techniques are simple and do not need laboratory control. No deleterious side effects have been noted. A large-scale multicentre international, clinical trial (4121 patients) recently showed that low-dose heparin prophylaxis not only lowered the incidence of postoperative deep-vein trombosis without severely augmenting the risk of bleeding, but also significantly reduced the frequency of fatal pulmonary embolism in the postoperative period. It is suggested that the administration of low-dose subcutaneous heparin should become a routine prophylactic measure in daily surgical practice.", "contents": "[The case for more active prevention of deep-vein thrombosis after major surgery (author's transl)]. The frequency of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) determined by the 125I-fibrinogen test and confirmed by phlebographic studies, is 20 to 30 % in high-risk patients over the age of forty undergoing major surgery. Comparison of this figure with the incidence of clinically detected thrombosis (5 to 10 %) shows that physical signs are unreliable in the detection of this disease. The ultimate fate of these thrombi is unknown. The majority will probably disappear spontaneously; some will be responsible for the development of a \"post-phlebitic syndrome\" in the extremities and some will propagate and may produce a fatal pulmonary embolus. Besides the currently used physical methods of prophylaxis, some new pharmalogical techniques for the prevention of postoperative deep-vein thrombosis have been tested and advocated in neighbouring countries. Oral anticoagulants have been used routinely for many years by most Dutch surgeons but have never become very popular in other countries. They need extensive laboratory control and, in spite of this, up to 20 % overdosage bleedings have been recorded. As both the administration of low-dose subcutaneous heparin and IV dextran have been reported to provide effective prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis, we decided to study and compare their efficacy in a randomized clinical trial in order to assess their practical value in daily surgical practice. 119 adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery have been investigated. They have been devided at random in three groups : a dextran 40 group (n=39), a heparin group (n=39) and a control group (n=41 patients). DVT was diagnosed by the fibrinogen uptake test in 21,9 % patients in the control group in 12,8 % patients in the dextran group, and in 10,2 % patients in the heparin group. For the highrisk patients over the age of 70, the administration of low dose SC heparin, as well as the administration of IV low molecular weight dextran significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative DVT in the lower extremities (p less than 0.05). The dextran 40 and heparin groups were not significantly different. The techniques are simple and do not need laboratory control. No deleterious side effects have been noted. A large-scale multicentre international, clinical trial (4121 patients) recently showed that low-dose heparin prophylaxis not only lowered the incidence of postoperative deep-vein trombosis without severely augmenting the risk of bleeding, but also significantly reduced the frequency of fatal pulmonary embolism in the postoperative period. It is suggested that the administration of low-dose subcutaneous heparin should become a routine prophylactic measure in daily surgical practice.", "PMID": 797205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10854", "title": "[Tumors of the thymus. Importance of radiotherapy (author's transl)].", "content": "A series of 10 cases with thymic tumor treated at the Institut Bordet were reviewed to assess the effectiveness of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy associated or not to an incomplete surgical resection yielded 3 cases of 5 year survival for invasive thymomas out of 5 patients with this follow-up. A review of the literature shows that irradiation at efficient doses will control local growth and improve survival in patients with invasive thymoma.", "contents": "[Tumors of the thymus. Importance of radiotherapy (author's transl)]. A series of 10 cases with thymic tumor treated at the Institut Bordet were reviewed to assess the effectiveness of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy associated or not to an incomplete surgical resection yielded 3 cases of 5 year survival for invasive thymomas out of 5 patients with this follow-up. A review of the literature shows that irradiation at efficient doses will control local growth and improve survival in patients with invasive thymoma.", "PMID": 797207} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10855", "title": "In vitro-metabolism of 3H-progesterone in human testicular tissue: II Prepubertal and adolescent boys.", "content": "Normal sexual maturation in the human male depends upon a thorough regulation of the intratesticular androgen biosynthesis at various ages. We have systematically analysed the intratesticular steriod metabolic pathways in 11 boys, and 5-15 years, by means of incubation of minor testicular biopsy specimens with 3H-progesterone as substrate. Seven boys had abnormally situated testicles, and four had normally descended testicles. For comparison, 3 rats (10, 15 and 90 days old) were also investigated. Significant steroidogenic activity could be demonstrated in all prepubertal testicular tissue specimens. The steroid metabolic products recovered were identical with those found in a previously reported series of nine adult males (Kjessler & Berg, 1976), i.e., 20a-dihydroprogesterone, 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, 20a,17a-dihydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and testosterone. No appreciable amounts of 5a-reduced substances were found. The steroid metabolic patterns observed in the present prepubertal and adolescent testicles differed from those found in adult males especially by their dissimilar proportions of newly synthesized 20a-dihydroprogesterone and 17a-hydroxyprogesterone. In prepubertal testicular tissue below the age of 11, 20a-dihydroprogesterone accounted for 45-82 per cent, and 17a-hydroxyprogesterone for only 3-6(-17) per cent of all metabolites formed. The steroid metabolic patterns displayed by abnormally situated testicles did not differ from those of normally descended testicles. The variation in steroid metabolic patterns observed between prepubertal and adult testicular tissue may be explained by the existing difference in physiologic gonadotrophic stimulation. It It may also be the result of an age-dependent maturation in various enzyme systems. The regulation of androgen biosynthesis with increasing age in the human male gonads does not seem to involve any significant reduction by 5a-reductase of continuously produced androgens, as in the immature rat. 2nstead, it appears to be brought about by a gradual shift in the metabolic pathways preferred by means of an increased activity of 17a-hydroxylase.", "contents": "In vitro-metabolism of 3H-progesterone in human testicular tissue: II Prepubertal and adolescent boys. Normal sexual maturation in the human male depends upon a thorough regulation of the intratesticular androgen biosynthesis at various ages. We have systematically analysed the intratesticular steriod metabolic pathways in 11 boys, and 5-15 years, by means of incubation of minor testicular biopsy specimens with 3H-progesterone as substrate. Seven boys had abnormally situated testicles, and four had normally descended testicles. For comparison, 3 rats (10, 15 and 90 days old) were also investigated. Significant steroidogenic activity could be demonstrated in all prepubertal testicular tissue specimens. The steroid metabolic products recovered were identical with those found in a previously reported series of nine adult males (Kjessler & Berg, 1976), i.e., 20a-dihydroprogesterone, 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, 20a,17a-dihydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and testosterone. No appreciable amounts of 5a-reduced substances were found. The steroid metabolic patterns observed in the present prepubertal and adolescent testicles differed from those found in adult males especially by their dissimilar proportions of newly synthesized 20a-dihydroprogesterone and 17a-hydroxyprogesterone. In prepubertal testicular tissue below the age of 11, 20a-dihydroprogesterone accounted for 45-82 per cent, and 17a-hydroxyprogesterone for only 3-6(-17) per cent of all metabolites formed. The steroid metabolic patterns displayed by abnormally situated testicles did not differ from those of normally descended testicles. The variation in steroid metabolic patterns observed between prepubertal and adult testicular tissue may be explained by the existing difference in physiologic gonadotrophic stimulation. It It may also be the result of an age-dependent maturation in various enzyme systems. The regulation of androgen biosynthesis with increasing age in the human male gonads does not seem to involve any significant reduction by 5a-reductase of continuously produced androgens, as in the immature rat. 2nstead, it appears to be brought about by a gradual shift in the metabolic pathways preferred by means of an increased activity of 17a-hydroxylase.", "PMID": 797209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10856", "title": "In vitro-metabolism of 3H-progesterone in human testicular tissue: I Adult males.", "content": "Androgen biosynthesis in the male gonads may be analysed in some detail by means of in vitro incubation of minor testicular biopsy specimens with various radiolabelled steroid precursors. We have investigated nine adult human male voluteers without apparent gonadal dysfunction with regard to their in vitro metabolism of 3H-progesterone. The following metabolic compounds were recovered: 20a-dihydroprogesterone, 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, 20a, 17a-dihydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and testosterone. No significant amounts of 5a-reduced delta4-3-oxo-steroids or oestrogens were found. The major metabolites formed were 20a-dihydroprogesterone and 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, which accounted for 13-49 per cent and 17-47 per cent, respectively, of all newly synthesized steroid compounds. Radiolabelled delta4-3-oxo-C19-metabolites were recovered in minor amounts only, possibly due to metabolic interference with the endogenous pool of cold mass compounds. The individual steroid metabolic patterns were found to be poorly related to the individual levels of FSH, ICSH (LH) and testosterone in the peripheral circulation. Adequate knowledge of the steroid metabolic pathways generally utilized in ordinary testicular tissue in vitro is a prerequisite for the evaluation of steroid metabolism in males with various types of gonadal dysfunction.", "contents": "In vitro-metabolism of 3H-progesterone in human testicular tissue: I Adult males. Androgen biosynthesis in the male gonads may be analysed in some detail by means of in vitro incubation of minor testicular biopsy specimens with various radiolabelled steroid precursors. We have investigated nine adult human male voluteers without apparent gonadal dysfunction with regard to their in vitro metabolism of 3H-progesterone. The following metabolic compounds were recovered: 20a-dihydroprogesterone, 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, 20a, 17a-dihydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and testosterone. No significant amounts of 5a-reduced delta4-3-oxo-steroids or oestrogens were found. The major metabolites formed were 20a-dihydroprogesterone and 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, which accounted for 13-49 per cent and 17-47 per cent, respectively, of all newly synthesized steroid compounds. Radiolabelled delta4-3-oxo-C19-metabolites were recovered in minor amounts only, possibly due to metabolic interference with the endogenous pool of cold mass compounds. The individual steroid metabolic patterns were found to be poorly related to the individual levels of FSH, ICSH (LH) and testosterone in the peripheral circulation. Adequate knowledge of the steroid metabolic pathways generally utilized in ordinary testicular tissue in vitro is a prerequisite for the evaluation of steroid metabolism in males with various types of gonadal dysfunction.", "PMID": 797210} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10857", "title": "In vitro-metabolism of 3H-progesterone in human testicular tissue: III Males with extremely high and low levels of gonadotrophic hormones in the peripheral circulation; including one \"XX-male\".", "content": "Individual steroid metabolic patterns in testicular tissue seem to vary characteristically with increasing maturity, as previously demonstrated by means of in vitro incubation studies with 3H-progesterone as substrate (Kjessler & Berg 1976; Berg et al. 1976). In the present study, individual steroid metabolic patterns were determined in two hypergonadotrophic males, one of whom representing the first instance of an \"XX-male\" studied in detail with regard to intratesticular steroidogenesis, and one hypogonadotrophic, hypophysectomized male. The radiolabelled steroid metabolic products recovered in the present series of testicular incubates were identical with those earlier observed in various series of prepubertal, adolescent and adult testicular specimens, i.e., 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 17alpha,20alpha-dihydroxy-progesterone, androstenedione and testosterone. Thus, again, no appreciable amounts of 5alpha-reduced compounds were found in the present hyper- and hypogonadotrophic individuals. However, the proportions of newly synthesized and recovered delta4-3-oxo-C21-steroids in this series, especially 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, were found to differ considerably with various gonadotrophic stimulations. Hence, the relative proportions of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone increased, whereas the relative proportions of 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone decreased, with increasing gonadotrophic stimulation. The present results sustain and further extend our previous assumption that the relative proportions of newly synthesized and recovered delta4-3-oxo-C21-steroids in testicular incubates in vitro, especially 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, are primarily related to the individual degree of physiologic gonadotrophic stimulation at the moment of testicular biopsy, and less related to an unspecific maturation of various steroid metabolic enzyme systems.", "contents": "In vitro-metabolism of 3H-progesterone in human testicular tissue: III Males with extremely high and low levels of gonadotrophic hormones in the peripheral circulation; including one \"XX-male\". Individual steroid metabolic patterns in testicular tissue seem to vary characteristically with increasing maturity, as previously demonstrated by means of in vitro incubation studies with 3H-progesterone as substrate (Kjessler & Berg 1976; Berg et al. 1976). In the present study, individual steroid metabolic patterns were determined in two hypergonadotrophic males, one of whom representing the first instance of an \"XX-male\" studied in detail with regard to intratesticular steroidogenesis, and one hypogonadotrophic, hypophysectomized male. The radiolabelled steroid metabolic products recovered in the present series of testicular incubates were identical with those earlier observed in various series of prepubertal, adolescent and adult testicular specimens, i.e., 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 17alpha,20alpha-dihydroxy-progesterone, androstenedione and testosterone. Thus, again, no appreciable amounts of 5alpha-reduced compounds were found in the present hyper- and hypogonadotrophic individuals. However, the proportions of newly synthesized and recovered delta4-3-oxo-C21-steroids in this series, especially 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, were found to differ considerably with various gonadotrophic stimulations. Hence, the relative proportions of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone increased, whereas the relative proportions of 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone decreased, with increasing gonadotrophic stimulation. The present results sustain and further extend our previous assumption that the relative proportions of newly synthesized and recovered delta4-3-oxo-C21-steroids in testicular incubates in vitro, especially 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, are primarily related to the individual degree of physiologic gonadotrophic stimulation at the moment of testicular biopsy, and less related to an unspecific maturation of various steroid metabolic enzyme systems.", "PMID": 797211} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10858", "title": "In vitro-metabolism of 3H-progesterone in human testicular tissue: IV Before and after long-term gonadotrophin treatment; including one 47, XYY-male.", "content": "Certain defects in the intratesticular androgen biogenetic system may lead to a significant impairment of gonadal function in total in the human male. In the present investigation, four males with impaired reproductive performance were analysed before and after long term treatment with gonadotrophic hormones with regard to their in vitro metabolism of 3H-progesterone in testicular incubates; one of whom representing the first instance of an XYY-male studied in some detail with regard to intratesticular steroidogenesis. A steroid metabolisc pattern of an \"immature\" type, i.e., possibly indicating a relative understimulation of the gonads by gonadotrophic hormones, in vivo, was found in one of the four patients, i.e., the XYY-male, inspite of normal levels of gonadotrophic hormones in the peripheral circulation. Gametic output was found to increase significantly during the course of gonadotrophin substitution therapy, and the individual steroid metabolic pattern also changed drastically towards a more mature type subsequent to therapy. In a second patients, who originally presented with completely immotile sperm, a certain shift in the steroid metabolic pattern was observed after the gonadotrophin therapy in favour of increasing relative amounts of 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, concurrent with a decreasing proportion of dead sperm, and a certain, though minimal, improvement in sperm kinetics. The last two patients, with originally mature types of in vitro steroid metabolism in testicular incubates, displayed no changes in steroid metabolic patterns or spermiogram qualities subsequent to the gonadotrophin therapy. However, one of them might have been azoospermic because of anatomical reasons. The present demonstration that an individual steroid metabolic pattern in testicular incubates under certain conditions may be deliberately modified as expected, by long term gonadotrophin therapy, further supports our previous suggestion that the relative proportions of newly synthesized and recovered deltal4-3-oxo-C21-steroids in testicular incubates, especially 20a-dihydroprogesterone and 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, may well reflect the actual gonadotrophic stimulation in a particular individual at the time of testicular biopsy. Investigations of individual steroid metabolic patterns in testicular incubates may therefore contribute useful information for the adequate selection of patients with disturbed gonadal function, who may benefit from gonadotrophin substitution therapy.", "contents": "In vitro-metabolism of 3H-progesterone in human testicular tissue: IV Before and after long-term gonadotrophin treatment; including one 47, XYY-male. Certain defects in the intratesticular androgen biogenetic system may lead to a significant impairment of gonadal function in total in the human male. In the present investigation, four males with impaired reproductive performance were analysed before and after long term treatment with gonadotrophic hormones with regard to their in vitro metabolism of 3H-progesterone in testicular incubates; one of whom representing the first instance of an XYY-male studied in some detail with regard to intratesticular steroidogenesis. A steroid metabolisc pattern of an \"immature\" type, i.e., possibly indicating a relative understimulation of the gonads by gonadotrophic hormones, in vivo, was found in one of the four patients, i.e., the XYY-male, inspite of normal levels of gonadotrophic hormones in the peripheral circulation. Gametic output was found to increase significantly during the course of gonadotrophin substitution therapy, and the individual steroid metabolic pattern also changed drastically towards a more mature type subsequent to therapy. In a second patients, who originally presented with completely immotile sperm, a certain shift in the steroid metabolic pattern was observed after the gonadotrophin therapy in favour of increasing relative amounts of 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, concurrent with a decreasing proportion of dead sperm, and a certain, though minimal, improvement in sperm kinetics. The last two patients, with originally mature types of in vitro steroid metabolism in testicular incubates, displayed no changes in steroid metabolic patterns or spermiogram qualities subsequent to the gonadotrophin therapy. However, one of them might have been azoospermic because of anatomical reasons. The present demonstration that an individual steroid metabolic pattern in testicular incubates under certain conditions may be deliberately modified as expected, by long term gonadotrophin therapy, further supports our previous suggestion that the relative proportions of newly synthesized and recovered deltal4-3-oxo-C21-steroids in testicular incubates, especially 20a-dihydroprogesterone and 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, may well reflect the actual gonadotrophic stimulation in a particular individual at the time of testicular biopsy. Investigations of individual steroid metabolic patterns in testicular incubates may therefore contribute useful information for the adequate selection of patients with disturbed gonadal function, who may benefit from gonadotrophin substitution therapy.", "PMID": 797212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10859", "title": "Double-blind trial with standard doses of fenoterol and salbutamol in asthmatic children.", "content": "The broncho-dilating effect of fenoterol in aerosol form was studied in 16 children with asthma. The drug was compared with salbutamol in standard doses in a double-blind trial. Dynamic spirometric tests (FEV1.0 and VC) were performed before and up to 8 h after inhalation. There was a significant increase in the expiratory flow 5 min after inhalation of the two drugs. Maximal values were reached in 60-120 min. After 7-8 hours the increase was no longer significant. There were no significant differences between the two drugs tested. As no cardio-vascular side-effects or subjective discomfort was noted, fenoterol will be of great value in the routine treatment of children with asthma bronchiale.", "contents": "Double-blind trial with standard doses of fenoterol and salbutamol in asthmatic children. The broncho-dilating effect of fenoterol in aerosol form was studied in 16 children with asthma. The drug was compared with salbutamol in standard doses in a double-blind trial. Dynamic spirometric tests (FEV1.0 and VC) were performed before and up to 8 h after inhalation. There was a significant increase in the expiratory flow 5 min after inhalation of the two drugs. Maximal values were reached in 60-120 min. After 7-8 hours the increase was no longer significant. There were no significant differences between the two drugs tested. As no cardio-vascular side-effects or subjective discomfort was noted, fenoterol will be of great value in the routine treatment of children with asthma bronchiale.", "PMID": 797215} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10860", "title": "Further studies on the effect of oral doxantrazole on allergen-induced bronchospasm.", "content": "The protective effect of oral doxantrazole on allergen-induced bronchoconstriction in man has been tested in two different treatment schedules. A single administration of 200 mg or 400 mg doxantrazole did not result in significant protection for a group of 10 patients. Only two patients after 200 mg, and three patients after 400 mg received meaningful protection. A 14-day period of treatment with three times 400 mg doxantrazole per day had no significant different effect compared with placebo treatment on allergen-induced broncho-constriction.", "contents": "Further studies on the effect of oral doxantrazole on allergen-induced bronchospasm. The protective effect of oral doxantrazole on allergen-induced bronchoconstriction in man has been tested in two different treatment schedules. A single administration of 200 mg or 400 mg doxantrazole did not result in significant protection for a group of 10 patients. Only two patients after 200 mg, and three patients after 400 mg received meaningful protection. A 14-day period of treatment with three times 400 mg doxantrazole per day had no significant different effect compared with placebo treatment on allergen-induced broncho-constriction.", "PMID": 797216} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10861", "title": "The basal ganglia. A brief review and interpretation.", "content": "The data reviewed suggest that: 1. The BG are not only concerned with motor functions. 2. The BG are not directly involved in the control of neurophysiological, behavioral or homeostatic functions at a primary, elementary level. Thus, the effects of total ablation of the main component of the system, i,e. the caudate nuclei, demonstrates that the BG are not indispensable for life consciousness or the basic elementary integration of movements or sensory processes. 3. The BG operate at a high level of CNS integration and appears to be involved in two main types of, generally speaking, sensorimotor functions: a) The control of some of the organism-environment inter-relationships, both at a behavioral and neurological levels, a context of regulating the balance between approach and avoidance reactions. Some of the features of the acaudate cats suggest that this regulation might also include affective type reactions. b) The preparation or \"setting up\" of the organism for performance of both complex motor responses (response set), and of task requiring a high level of cognition (cognitive set). 26 High level of integration means here that, in the above functions, the BG control most probably operates upon performances not triggered reflexy, directly or indirectly, from the periphery but originated internally either \"volitionally\" or generated by symbolic, e.g. verbal, instructions. 4. The above functions appears to be accomplished by means of a modulatory action upon afferent signals arriving into the telencephalon and triggering efferent activities through forebrain output structures, particularly the neocortex. In normal conditions such modulation is seemingly carried on by means of a selective, flexible play of the intrinsic inhibitory mechanisms of the BG. When such control is disturbed either by pathology or by experimental manipulations, abnormal functional manifestations occur. These can be understood along the general concepts of (a) \"release\" from the BG inhibitory control (\"compulsory approaching\", hyperactivity, hyper reactivity, involuntary movements, abnormal postures, rigidity) or (b) \"deficit\" of the \"setting up\" for action postulated as a positive effect of striatal modulation (akinesia). The latter is viewed, therefore, as a permissive effect of the modulation, i.e., by selective removal of the inhibition, action is allowed to go through and to be expressed in actual performance. 5. Since lesions to individual BG structures, produced either neurosurgically in man or experimentally in animals, appear not to be capable of reproducing the complete clinical manifestations of any of the BG diseases, it follows that most of the BG syndromes in man must result from involvement of several BG components and often of other brain areas as well. More experimental work using the multiple lesions approach is needed to further ascertain this statement. 6. The literature on the effect of lesions and stimulation experiments, in particular, suggest that the BG are also involved in mental processes...", "contents": "The basal ganglia. A brief review and interpretation. The data reviewed suggest that: 1. The BG are not only concerned with motor functions. 2. The BG are not directly involved in the control of neurophysiological, behavioral or homeostatic functions at a primary, elementary level. Thus, the effects of total ablation of the main component of the system, i,e. the caudate nuclei, demonstrates that the BG are not indispensable for life consciousness or the basic elementary integration of movements or sensory processes. 3. The BG operate at a high level of CNS integration and appears to be involved in two main types of, generally speaking, sensorimotor functions: a) The control of some of the organism-environment inter-relationships, both at a behavioral and neurological levels, a context of regulating the balance between approach and avoidance reactions. Some of the features of the acaudate cats suggest that this regulation might also include affective type reactions. b) The preparation or \"setting up\" of the organism for performance of both complex motor responses (response set), and of task requiring a high level of cognition (cognitive set). 26 High level of integration means here that, in the above functions, the BG control most probably operates upon performances not triggered reflexy, directly or indirectly, from the periphery but originated internally either \"volitionally\" or generated by symbolic, e.g. verbal, instructions. 4. The above functions appears to be accomplished by means of a modulatory action upon afferent signals arriving into the telencephalon and triggering efferent activities through forebrain output structures, particularly the neocortex. In normal conditions such modulation is seemingly carried on by means of a selective, flexible play of the intrinsic inhibitory mechanisms of the BG. When such control is disturbed either by pathology or by experimental manipulations, abnormal functional manifestations occur. These can be understood along the general concepts of (a) \"release\" from the BG inhibitory control (\"compulsory approaching\", hyperactivity, hyper reactivity, involuntary movements, abnormal postures, rigidity) or (b) \"deficit\" of the \"setting up\" for action postulated as a positive effect of striatal modulation (akinesia). The latter is viewed, therefore, as a permissive effect of the modulation, i.e., by selective removal of the inhibition, action is allowed to go through and to be expressed in actual performance. 5. Since lesions to individual BG structures, produced either neurosurgically in man or experimentally in animals, appear not to be capable of reproducing the complete clinical manifestations of any of the BG diseases, it follows that most of the BG syndromes in man must result from involvement of several BG components and often of other brain areas as well. More experimental work using the multiple lesions approach is needed to further ascertain this statement. 6. The literature on the effect of lesions and stimulation experiments, in particular, suggest that the BG are also involved in mental processes...", "PMID": 797217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10862", "title": "Further ultrastructural studies on reticulum cell sarcoma (microglioma) of the brain.", "content": "The ultrastructure of a primary reticulum-cell sarcoma (microglioma) of the brain was studied. The main or predominant tumor cells had a relatively abundant perikaryon with peripheral pseudopods and a moderate number of organelles. The nucleus was multilobulated and contained a prominent nucleolus. A second type, or phagocytic cell, had a similar structure but exhibited some distinctive features. The cytoplasm contained numerous lysosomes, phagolysosomes, occasional phagocytized whole cells and abundant organelles, especially Golgi complex. The nucleus was ovoid and nucleoli were smaller. This cell was considered to be a neoplastic element with a higher degree of differentiation. A third group of cells included lymphocytes with various degrees of maturation and/or differentiation as well as plasma cells exhibiting active protein synthesis. It is concluded that the ultrastructural features of the neoplasm are indicative of a reticulohistiocytic nature.", "contents": "Further ultrastructural studies on reticulum cell sarcoma (microglioma) of the brain. The ultrastructure of a primary reticulum-cell sarcoma (microglioma) of the brain was studied. The main or predominant tumor cells had a relatively abundant perikaryon with peripheral pseudopods and a moderate number of organelles. The nucleus was multilobulated and contained a prominent nucleolus. A second type, or phagocytic cell, had a similar structure but exhibited some distinctive features. The cytoplasm contained numerous lysosomes, phagolysosomes, occasional phagocytized whole cells and abundant organelles, especially Golgi complex. The nucleus was ovoid and nucleoli were smaller. This cell was considered to be a neoplastic element with a higher degree of differentiation. A third group of cells included lymphocytes with various degrees of maturation and/or differentiation as well as plasma cells exhibiting active protein synthesis. It is concluded that the ultrastructural features of the neoplasm are indicative of a reticulohistiocytic nature.", "PMID": 797219} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10863", "title": "Multiple sclerosis: some epidemiological clues to etiology.", "content": "The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is frequently made with undue haste and without a firm basis. A false positive diagnosis is made in about 20 to 30% of the cases originally labeled as multiple sclerosis. The proportion of false positive diagnosis is probably still higher in countries where this disease is less frequent. An exhaustive investigation (neurological, clinical, neurorradiological, isotopic, etc.) is necessary before accepting such a diagnosis. This is particularly important because many of the lesions which can masquerade as multiple sclerosis are amenable to medical or surgical treatment. The prevalence of multiple sclerosis varies widely throughout the world, with a very definite preference for the white race. This difference seems to be caused, at least in part, by dietary habits. Lack of breastfeeding and excessive consumption of cow's milk during infancy is postulated as an important factor in the appearance of multiple sclerosis later in life. A lack of essential fatty acids (and may be of certain minerals and vitamins) in such a diet during pregnancy and childhood may result in the synthesis of abnormally unstable myelin. This underlying deficiency in myelin composition may be the substrate on which immunological factors act to produce the disease. The breakdown of this unstable myelin may be initiated by a variety of factors; natural decay of abnormally weak bonds in proteolipids, viral infection, immune reactions or even trauma. Immune reactions can explain, at least in part, the onset and the course of the disease, and probably immunodeficiency is the most important factor. Demyelination, once it starts, may continue until all abnormally formed myelin is destroyed, or until the building up of immunological defenses can stop the process. It follows from this that prevention of multiple sclerosis should be based mainly on dietic measures which ensure a sufficient supply of essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins, during pregnancy and childhood. Breast feeding is probably the most important preventive factor. Skin pigmentation, either natural or from exposition to sunshine also seems to act as a preventive factor, and its mode of action deserves further investigation. Treatment of multiple sclerosis should be based on the improvement of immunological defenses, the elimination of possible allergens and saturated fats from the diet, and on the administration of sufficient amounts of essential fatty acids and of other various elements.", "contents": "Multiple sclerosis: some epidemiological clues to etiology. The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is frequently made with undue haste and without a firm basis. A false positive diagnosis is made in about 20 to 30% of the cases originally labeled as multiple sclerosis. The proportion of false positive diagnosis is probably still higher in countries where this disease is less frequent. An exhaustive investigation (neurological, clinical, neurorradiological, isotopic, etc.) is necessary before accepting such a diagnosis. This is particularly important because many of the lesions which can masquerade as multiple sclerosis are amenable to medical or surgical treatment. The prevalence of multiple sclerosis varies widely throughout the world, with a very definite preference for the white race. This difference seems to be caused, at least in part, by dietary habits. Lack of breastfeeding and excessive consumption of cow's milk during infancy is postulated as an important factor in the appearance of multiple sclerosis later in life. A lack of essential fatty acids (and may be of certain minerals and vitamins) in such a diet during pregnancy and childhood may result in the synthesis of abnormally unstable myelin. This underlying deficiency in myelin composition may be the substrate on which immunological factors act to produce the disease. The breakdown of this unstable myelin may be initiated by a variety of factors; natural decay of abnormally weak bonds in proteolipids, viral infection, immune reactions or even trauma. Immune reactions can explain, at least in part, the onset and the course of the disease, and probably immunodeficiency is the most important factor. Demyelination, once it starts, may continue until all abnormally formed myelin is destroyed, or until the building up of immunological defenses can stop the process. It follows from this that prevention of multiple sclerosis should be based mainly on dietic measures which ensure a sufficient supply of essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins, during pregnancy and childhood. Breast feeding is probably the most important preventive factor. Skin pigmentation, either natural or from exposition to sunshine also seems to act as a preventive factor, and its mode of action deserves further investigation. Treatment of multiple sclerosis should be based on the improvement of immunological defenses, the elimination of possible allergens and saturated fats from the diet, and on the administration of sufficient amounts of essential fatty acids and of other various elements.", "PMID": 797220} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10864", "title": "Supravital diffusion of fluorescent Evans blue in brain and spinal cord tissue.", "content": "The influence of the fixation method on the distribution of fluorescent Evans blue (EB) was studied in the cervical grey matter of rats treated with 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN). 6-AN leads to selective injury to the neuroglial cells and blood brain barrier without primary neuronal damage. In this model hyperchromasia and selective fluorescence of neurons were closely related but only found in tissue fixed by immersion, indicating a supravital shift of EB to shrinking neurons. Adequate perfusion fixation with Bouin solution prevents this artifactitious neuronal staining and demonstrates that EB is primarily bound by the vessel wall and the perivascular neuropil. The supravital diffusion of EB in the CNS and its dependence from the fixation method represents relevant methodological factors in morphological studies on the blood brain barrier.", "contents": "Supravital diffusion of fluorescent Evans blue in brain and spinal cord tissue. The influence of the fixation method on the distribution of fluorescent Evans blue (EB) was studied in the cervical grey matter of rats treated with 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN). 6-AN leads to selective injury to the neuroglial cells and blood brain barrier without primary neuronal damage. In this model hyperchromasia and selective fluorescence of neurons were closely related but only found in tissue fixed by immersion, indicating a supravital shift of EB to shrinking neurons. Adequate perfusion fixation with Bouin solution prevents this artifactitious neuronal staining and demonstrates that EB is primarily bound by the vessel wall and the perivascular neuropil. The supravital diffusion of EB in the CNS and its dependence from the fixation method represents relevant methodological factors in morphological studies on the blood brain barrier.", "PMID": 797221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10865", "title": "Turku sugar studies X. Occurrence of polysaccharide-forming streptococci and ability of the mixed plaque microbiota to ferment various carbohydrates.", "content": "Dental plaque samples collected from the subjects during the last 20 months of the 2 year trial were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis of the occurrence of S. mutans, S. sanguis, S. salivarius and the total growth on phenol red agar. Lyophilized plaque samples were homogenized and incubated on a sucrose containing medium under anaerobic conditions. In addition, the pH-values were measured after incubation of the mixed plaque flora in media containing 1% respectively xylitol(X), sorbitol, sucrose (S), fructose (F) or no carbohydrates. The results show a significantly lower incidence of S. mutans in the X-group relative to the S- and F-groups. The corresponding difference could not be observed between the S- and F-groups. The logarithmic means and standard deviations of the colony counts of S. sanguis, S. salivarius and total bacteria yielded no significant differences between the 3 sugar groups during the test period. Repeated pH-measurements, carried out at the 4, 12, 18 and 24 month phases, showed that, except in the presence of X, the mean values all fell below the pH-limit of 5.5. In the course of the study, no evidence was obtained of adaption of mutation enabling acidogenic decomposition of X. These findings emphasize the importance of low acidogenic potential in dental plaque, generally paralleled by a low incidence of dental caries.", "contents": "Turku sugar studies X. Occurrence of polysaccharide-forming streptococci and ability of the mixed plaque microbiota to ferment various carbohydrates. Dental plaque samples collected from the subjects during the last 20 months of the 2 year trial were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis of the occurrence of S. mutans, S. sanguis, S. salivarius and the total growth on phenol red agar. Lyophilized plaque samples were homogenized and incubated on a sucrose containing medium under anaerobic conditions. In addition, the pH-values were measured after incubation of the mixed plaque flora in media containing 1% respectively xylitol(X), sorbitol, sucrose (S), fructose (F) or no carbohydrates. The results show a significantly lower incidence of S. mutans in the X-group relative to the S- and F-groups. The corresponding difference could not be observed between the S- and F-groups. The logarithmic means and standard deviations of the colony counts of S. sanguis, S. salivarius and total bacteria yielded no significant differences between the 3 sugar groups during the test period. Repeated pH-measurements, carried out at the 4, 12, 18 and 24 month phases, showed that, except in the presence of X, the mean values all fell below the pH-limit of 5.5. In the course of the study, no evidence was obtained of adaption of mutation enabling acidogenic decomposition of X. These findings emphasize the importance of low acidogenic potential in dental plaque, generally paralleled by a low incidence of dental caries.", "PMID": 797222} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10866", "title": "Turku sugar studies XII. The effect of the diet on oral peroxidases, redox potential and the concentration of ionized fluorine, iodine and thiocyanate.", "content": "Detailed biochemical analyses of peroxidases in saliva, plaque and gingival exudate samples were carried out in view of the preliminary findings that the peroxidase activity of centrifuged oral fluid was considerably higher in the xylitol group than in the fructose or Sucrose groups. Chromatographic experiments revealed the activity which was increased due to the intake of xylitol, to be attributed to the involvement of the salivary lactoperoxidase, and not to enzymes formed in plaque or leucocytes. There were no significant differences between the sugar groups in the concentration of thiocyanate ions (mean 92 mg/l) and ionized iodine (mean 1.6 mug/l), but the concentration of ionized fluorine in saliva was lower in the xylitol group (0.128 mg/l) than in the other groups (0.150 mg/l). There were no clear differences in the salivary redox potential between the sugar groups. It is evident that various sugars selectively affect the enzyme and other production of the salivary glands. Xylitol-induced elevation of the salivary lactoperoxidase activity and the cariostatic properties of xylitol may partly be interrelated phenomena due to the antibacterial properties of lactoperoxidase.", "contents": "Turku sugar studies XII. The effect of the diet on oral peroxidases, redox potential and the concentration of ionized fluorine, iodine and thiocyanate. Detailed biochemical analyses of peroxidases in saliva, plaque and gingival exudate samples were carried out in view of the preliminary findings that the peroxidase activity of centrifuged oral fluid was considerably higher in the xylitol group than in the fructose or Sucrose groups. Chromatographic experiments revealed the activity which was increased due to the intake of xylitol, to be attributed to the involvement of the salivary lactoperoxidase, and not to enzymes formed in plaque or leucocytes. There were no significant differences between the sugar groups in the concentration of thiocyanate ions (mean 92 mg/l) and ionized iodine (mean 1.6 mug/l), but the concentration of ionized fluorine in saliva was lower in the xylitol group (0.128 mg/l) than in the other groups (0.150 mg/l). There were no clear differences in the salivary redox potential between the sugar groups. It is evident that various sugars selectively affect the enzyme and other production of the salivary glands. Xylitol-induced elevation of the salivary lactoperoxidase activity and the cariostatic properties of xylitol may partly be interrelated phenomena due to the antibacterial properties of lactoperoxidase.", "PMID": 797223} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10867", "title": "Septic arthritis in association with primary lymphoedema.", "content": "The association between b-haemolytic streptococcal arthritis of the knee and primary lymphoedema is reported. This condition appears to resolve slowly using conventional methods of treatment, in the form of immobilisation and antibiotic therapy. However, the penetration of penicillin into the joint in these two patients was adequate, suggesting that there is no place for the intra-articular injection of antibiotic in the treatment of this condition.", "contents": "Septic arthritis in association with primary lymphoedema. The association between b-haemolytic streptococcal arthritis of the knee and primary lymphoedema is reported. This condition appears to resolve slowly using conventional methods of treatment, in the form of immobilisation and antibiotic therapy. However, the penetration of penicillin into the joint in these two patients was adequate, suggesting that there is no place for the intra-articular injection of antibiotic in the treatment of this condition.", "PMID": 797225} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10868", "title": "Open reduction of central compression fractures of the tibial plateau. Preliminary report of a new method and device arrangement.", "content": "A new method of reduction and fixation of a uniformly depressed fracture of the tibial condyle is described. A curved steel probe, introduced through a cortical window in the uninjured condyle, is used to reduce the fracture fragments as well as to compact the fracture region (TV-monitored x-ray projectioning is desired). The instruments needed for the operative procedure are as follows: a probe for reduction and compaction, a tube and a plunger for deposition of bone transplants, and a forked plate. Five cases in which the curved probe reduction method has been used are reported.", "contents": "Open reduction of central compression fractures of the tibial plateau. Preliminary report of a new method and device arrangement. A new method of reduction and fixation of a uniformly depressed fracture of the tibial condyle is described. A curved steel probe, introduced through a cortical window in the uninjured condyle, is used to reduce the fracture fragments as well as to compact the fracture region (TV-monitored x-ray projectioning is desired). The instruments needed for the operative procedure are as follows: a probe for reduction and compaction, a tube and a plunger for deposition of bone transplants, and a forked plate. Five cases in which the curved probe reduction method has been used are reported.", "PMID": 797226} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10869", "title": "[Rhinoscleroma in an immigrant].", "content": "A patient with rhinoscleroma was treated in our department. As far as we know it is the first importcase published in Belgium. Rhinoscleroma is an infectious disease caused by the Klebsiella Rhinoscleromatising. It is a chronic granulomatous process with subsequent stenosis and scarring. The nose and larynx are the most frequent localisations. The therapy consists of antibiotics in an early stage and is only palliative in the latter ones.", "contents": "[Rhinoscleroma in an immigrant]. A patient with rhinoscleroma was treated in our department. As far as we know it is the first importcase published in Belgium. Rhinoscleroma is an infectious disease caused by the Klebsiella Rhinoscleromatising. It is a chronic granulomatous process with subsequent stenosis and scarring. The nose and larynx are the most frequent localisations. The therapy consists of antibiotics in an early stage and is only palliative in the latter ones.", "PMID": 797230} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10870", "title": "Changes in histology of the regional lymph nodes and in the proportions of T and B cell populations by oxazolone painting or LPS injection in guinea pigs.", "content": "Changes in the regional lymph nodes from guinea pigs stimulated with oxazolone painting or LPS injection were examined by light and electron microscopy at various intervals. The proportions of T and B cells in the nodes were estimated by rosette formation technique30,34 and weights of the thymus and spleen were measured at the same time. The first event occurring in the nodes after antigenic stimulation was increase in number and activity of post-capillary venules (PCV) which resulted in augmentation of an influx of small lymphocytes from the recirculating pool. Lymphocytes which streamed into the nodes promptly flowed out through the sinus endothelium into the pool. The second event was specific accumulation of committed lymphocytes35. The proportion of T cell in the node suspension reached a peak 4 days after oxazolone painting when morphological changes became maximum and the thymus enlarged. On the other hand, in LPS group, B cells reached a peak on day 5 or 6 when relatively immature germinal centers increased in the nodes and decreased on day 7 because of their differentiation into plasma cells.", "contents": "Changes in histology of the regional lymph nodes and in the proportions of T and B cell populations by oxazolone painting or LPS injection in guinea pigs. Changes in the regional lymph nodes from guinea pigs stimulated with oxazolone painting or LPS injection were examined by light and electron microscopy at various intervals. The proportions of T and B cells in the nodes were estimated by rosette formation technique30,34 and weights of the thymus and spleen were measured at the same time. The first event occurring in the nodes after antigenic stimulation was increase in number and activity of post-capillary venules (PCV) which resulted in augmentation of an influx of small lymphocytes from the recirculating pool. Lymphocytes which streamed into the nodes promptly flowed out through the sinus endothelium into the pool. The second event was specific accumulation of committed lymphocytes35. The proportion of T cell in the node suspension reached a peak 4 days after oxazolone painting when morphological changes became maximum and the thymus enlarged. On the other hand, in LPS group, B cells reached a peak on day 5 or 6 when relatively immature germinal centers increased in the nodes and decreased on day 7 because of their differentiation into plasma cells.", "PMID": 797231} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10871", "title": "The renin-aldosterone system and renal hemodynamics in patients with posttransplant hypertension.", "content": "Plasma renin concentration (PRC), plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) have been studied in 19 patients who had received a renal allotransplant. Group 1 consisted of 7 normotensive and group 2 of 12 hypertensive patients. Bilateral nephrectomy was performed in all patients; all were on a fixed daily sodium intake, and no antihypertensive agents were given. No significant differences were found between the groups in age, time after transplantation or dosages of prednisone. PRC and PAC were normal in all but one patient in group 1 and two in group 2. In these three patients a slight elevation of PRC was measured. After one hour in the erect position, a significant increase was measured in PAC, but not in PRC in both groups. After 6 days on a 10 mEq sodium diet, PRC and PAC increased significantly in both groups. After a further 6 days on the diet plus 150 mEq sodium daily, significant decreases in PRC and PAC were measured in both groups. No differences were detected in PRC or PAC between groups 1 and 2 either before or after the two dietary periods. RPF was significantly lower in the hypertensive group, whereas no significant difference was found in GFR between the groups. No significant relationship could be demonstrated between blood pressure (BP) and PRC or PAC, and PRC and PAC were not correlated to each other. RPF was significantly correlated to mean BP and PRC in the normotensive group but not in the hypertensive. It is concluded that PRC and PAC are normal in most patients with posttransplant hypertension, whereas the RPF is decreased. It is suggested that an abnormal regulation of renin secretion plays a role in the sustained elevation of BP after renal allotransplantation.", "contents": "The renin-aldosterone system and renal hemodynamics in patients with posttransplant hypertension. Plasma renin concentration (PRC), plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) have been studied in 19 patients who had received a renal allotransplant. Group 1 consisted of 7 normotensive and group 2 of 12 hypertensive patients. Bilateral nephrectomy was performed in all patients; all were on a fixed daily sodium intake, and no antihypertensive agents were given. No significant differences were found between the groups in age, time after transplantation or dosages of prednisone. PRC and PAC were normal in all but one patient in group 1 and two in group 2. In these three patients a slight elevation of PRC was measured. After one hour in the erect position, a significant increase was measured in PAC, but not in PRC in both groups. After 6 days on a 10 mEq sodium diet, PRC and PAC increased significantly in both groups. After a further 6 days on the diet plus 150 mEq sodium daily, significant decreases in PRC and PAC were measured in both groups. No differences were detected in PRC or PAC between groups 1 and 2 either before or after the two dietary periods. RPF was significantly lower in the hypertensive group, whereas no significant difference was found in GFR between the groups. No significant relationship could be demonstrated between blood pressure (BP) and PRC or PAC, and PRC and PAC were not correlated to each other. RPF was significantly correlated to mean BP and PRC in the normotensive group but not in the hypertensive. It is concluded that PRC and PAC are normal in most patients with posttransplant hypertension, whereas the RPF is decreased. It is suggested that an abnormal regulation of renin secretion plays a role in the sustained elevation of BP after renal allotransplantation.", "PMID": 797236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10872", "title": "The alpha-helix as an electric macro-dipole.", "content": "A polypeptide chain is found to form an electric macro-dipole in solution when it is folded to take the alpha-helical conformation. This is due to the polar peptide residues, all of which are oriented to have their moment in the axial direction in its regular helical conformation. This remarkable electric nature of the alpha-helix has extensively been examined for nearly twenty years, and the study is still in a state of development. The dielectric behavior of a solution consisting of the macrodipole is one major concern of the study, and the other is to probe with this unique property into the regular conformation and helix-coil transition of polypeptides. Historical and topical, but not comprehensive, surveys have been given here for both of these dielectric aspects of the alpha-helix.", "contents": "The alpha-helix as an electric macro-dipole. A polypeptide chain is found to form an electric macro-dipole in solution when it is folded to take the alpha-helical conformation. This is due to the polar peptide residues, all of which are oriented to have their moment in the axial direction in its regular helical conformation. This remarkable electric nature of the alpha-helix has extensively been examined for nearly twenty years, and the study is still in a state of development. The dielectric behavior of a solution consisting of the macrodipole is one major concern of the study, and the other is to probe with this unique property into the regular conformation and helix-coil transition of polypeptides. Historical and topical, but not comprehensive, surveys have been given here for both of these dielectric aspects of the alpha-helix.", "PMID": 797240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10873", "title": "Structure, assembly and function of mammalian alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes.", "content": "An attempt has been made to provide a description of the mammalian alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase multienzyme complexes, especially with respect to the structure, assembly and function of PDC and OGDC based on the investigation carried out in this laboratory over the last 14 years. Special efforts have been focused on the purification, characterization, and stoichiometric resolution into component enzymes, and the reassembling process to produce these multienzyme complexes. Studies of the macroorganization and the mechanism of regulation of these multienzyme complexes still remains a most challenging question.", "contents": "Structure, assembly and function of mammalian alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes. An attempt has been made to provide a description of the mammalian alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase multienzyme complexes, especially with respect to the structure, assembly and function of PDC and OGDC based on the investigation carried out in this laboratory over the last 14 years. Special efforts have been focused on the purification, characterization, and stoichiometric resolution into component enzymes, and the reassembling process to produce these multienzyme complexes. Studies of the macroorganization and the mechanism of regulation of these multienzyme complexes still remains a most challenging question.", "PMID": 797242} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10874", "title": "Target sites for suppressing fertility in the male.", "content": "The present status and perspectives in the control of fertility in the male have been reviewed. There are two potential sites in the male reproductive processes that can be used as targets for regulation of fertility in the male: (1) inhibition of spermatogenesis, and (2) interference with sperm maturation in the epididymis. A variety of compounds tested for their antispermatogenic action in laboratory animals have no future for the control of fertility in the human male because of a number of undesirable side effects (cf. Prasad, 1973). Progestational compounds inhibit spermatogenesis by affecting the hypothalamo-hypophysial system and result in impairment of libido. The possibility of adjustment of the minimal dose of progestational compounds required to induce suppression of spermatogenesis and reduction of plasma testosterone to a level compatible with the maintenance of normalcy of libido and potency needs to be studied. A new approach to contraception in the male involves the use of a combination of progestational compounds for suppression of spermatogenesis along with testosterone (administered through silastic capsule implants or as intramuscular injections) for maintenance of libido and accessory sex gland function. A number of such combinations have been tested clinically with some success. However, the limitations of side effects, such as weight gain, gynecomastia, and psychological complications preclude their long-term use for contraception in man. Short-term use of these combination regimens by the male for 1 year followed by use of a contraceptive method by the female may be desirable to encourage partnership in family planning. Although testosterone and other androgens suppress spermatogenesis in man, the feasibility of their use for contraception depends on the establishment of a dosage and mode of adminstration that provide antispermatogenic action without causing more general metabolic alterations. Inhibition of spermatogenesis by selective interference with the action of FSH on the Sertoli cells by active or passive immunization or by selective suppression of synthesis and release of FSH by administration of \"Inhibin\" offers exciting possibilities in the control of fertility in the male. Studies on the physiology of the rete testis highlight its importance as a post-tubular site of action of antifertility agents in conveying (to the epididymis) compounds interfering with epididymal functions and/or viability of spermatozoa. A new approach to the induction of functional sterility in the male by selective alteration of epididymal function by a local androgen deprivation effect has been successfully tested in clinical trials. Small doses of cyproterone acetate, administered orally, result in maintenance of libido and accessory sex gland function accompanied by a decrease in the motility of ejaculated spermatozoa and incomplete inhibition of spermatogenesis...", "contents": "Target sites for suppressing fertility in the male. The present status and perspectives in the control of fertility in the male have been reviewed. There are two potential sites in the male reproductive processes that can be used as targets for regulation of fertility in the male: (1) inhibition of spermatogenesis, and (2) interference with sperm maturation in the epididymis. A variety of compounds tested for their antispermatogenic action in laboratory animals have no future for the control of fertility in the human male because of a number of undesirable side effects (cf. Prasad, 1973). Progestational compounds inhibit spermatogenesis by affecting the hypothalamo-hypophysial system and result in impairment of libido. The possibility of adjustment of the minimal dose of progestational compounds required to induce suppression of spermatogenesis and reduction of plasma testosterone to a level compatible with the maintenance of normalcy of libido and potency needs to be studied. A new approach to contraception in the male involves the use of a combination of progestational compounds for suppression of spermatogenesis along with testosterone (administered through silastic capsule implants or as intramuscular injections) for maintenance of libido and accessory sex gland function. A number of such combinations have been tested clinically with some success. However, the limitations of side effects, such as weight gain, gynecomastia, and psychological complications preclude their long-term use for contraception in man. Short-term use of these combination regimens by the male for 1 year followed by use of a contraceptive method by the female may be desirable to encourage partnership in family planning. Although testosterone and other androgens suppress spermatogenesis in man, the feasibility of their use for contraception depends on the establishment of a dosage and mode of adminstration that provide antispermatogenic action without causing more general metabolic alterations. Inhibition of spermatogenesis by selective interference with the action of FSH on the Sertoli cells by active or passive immunization or by selective suppression of synthesis and release of FSH by administration of \"Inhibin\" offers exciting possibilities in the control of fertility in the male. Studies on the physiology of the rete testis highlight its importance as a post-tubular site of action of antifertility agents in conveying (to the epididymis) compounds interfering with epididymal functions and/or viability of spermatozoa. A new approach to the induction of functional sterility in the male by selective alteration of epididymal function by a local androgen deprivation effect has been successfully tested in clinical trials. Small doses of cyproterone acetate, administered orally, result in maintenance of libido and accessory sex gland function accompanied by a decrease in the motility of ejaculated spermatozoa and incomplete inhibition of spermatogenesis...", "PMID": 797248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10875", "title": "Human gonadotropins: biochemical, immunological, and clinical aspects.", "content": "Methodologies for the extraction of both pituitary and urinary gonadotropins are described. The chemical composition of some of the gonadotropins is discussed, and the significance of the subunit structures is reviewed. Immunological properties of the gonadotropins are discussed from the standpoint of antisera and procedures involving radioimmunoassay. Finally, certain clinical conditions which are characterized by fluctuations in gonadotropin levels are discussed.", "contents": "Human gonadotropins: biochemical, immunological, and clinical aspects. Methodologies for the extraction of both pituitary and urinary gonadotropins are described. The chemical composition of some of the gonadotropins is discussed, and the significance of the subunit structures is reviewed. Immunological properties of the gonadotropins are discussed from the standpoint of antisera and procedures involving radioimmunoassay. Finally, certain clinical conditions which are characterized by fluctuations in gonadotropin levels are discussed.", "PMID": 797249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10876", "title": "Pineal factors in the control of testicular function.", "content": "The mammalian pineal gland has become firmly established as a neuroendocrine structure possessing the ability to influence the functions of the sex glands. There is substantial evidence in the literature that pineal factors also affect the activities of other endocrine systems. The pineal gland is thus conceivably far-reaching in its regulatory actions on physiological function, involving actions on the adrenal cortex, the thyroid, and parathyroid glands as well as the gonads of both sexes. The pineal gland of the hamster and the rat responds to environmental influences, particularly changes in length of the daily photoperiod, and in turn exerts regulatory effects on the activity of the testis. This relation is much more sensitive in the hamster where lack of adequate illumination stimulates pineal antigonadal activity to produce inhibition of both testicular gametogenesis and androgenesis. Involvement of the pineal in these responses to darkness or blinding has been clearly demonstrated by the negating effects of its removal. The physiological role of the pineal in regulating seasonal changes in testicular activity and reproductive capacity of the hamster has now been formulated (Reiter, 1973a, 1973b). The laboratory rat, a continuous breeder, is far less sensitive to lack of photic input. Surgical and environmental manipulations involving altered pineal activity invariably lead to less dramatic changes in various parameters of male reproductive function. The evidence would seem to indicate that pineal function in the rat is primarily related to the regulation of testicular endocrine function. Consequently, its physiological role may be associated with seasonal changes in libido in relation to environmental influences, by virtue of the action of pineal factors on androgen status. Spermatogenesis, on the other hand, was unaffected for periods as long as 1 year after the blinding of rats at the time of puberty (Kinson and Liu, 1974). There is evidence that the pineal gland has a part to play in the timing of puberty in the rat and in circadian variations in testosterone levels in the adult animal. Two groups of compounds have been identified as pineal agents and possibly pineal hormones. While the indoles have been more widely investigated as pineal antigonadal factors, the involvement of polypeptides in pineal actions was indicated a decade ago and these compounds are now receiving vigorous attention. Pineal factors influence testicular function by interaction with the neuroendocrine system to affect pituitary gonadotropin secretion. The higher neural centers appear to be responsive to indoles and via the releasing factors give rise to changes in pituitary content and circulating levels of FSH and LH. Prolactin also has been shown to respond to change in ambient lighting and to pinealectomy. Partially purified polypeptide fractions are now claimed to be considerably more potent antigonadotropically than melatonin, the indole most favored as a pineal hormone...", "contents": "Pineal factors in the control of testicular function. The mammalian pineal gland has become firmly established as a neuroendocrine structure possessing the ability to influence the functions of the sex glands. There is substantial evidence in the literature that pineal factors also affect the activities of other endocrine systems. The pineal gland is thus conceivably far-reaching in its regulatory actions on physiological function, involving actions on the adrenal cortex, the thyroid, and parathyroid glands as well as the gonads of both sexes. The pineal gland of the hamster and the rat responds to environmental influences, particularly changes in length of the daily photoperiod, and in turn exerts regulatory effects on the activity of the testis. This relation is much more sensitive in the hamster where lack of adequate illumination stimulates pineal antigonadal activity to produce inhibition of both testicular gametogenesis and androgenesis. Involvement of the pineal in these responses to darkness or blinding has been clearly demonstrated by the negating effects of its removal. The physiological role of the pineal in regulating seasonal changes in testicular activity and reproductive capacity of the hamster has now been formulated (Reiter, 1973a, 1973b). The laboratory rat, a continuous breeder, is far less sensitive to lack of photic input. Surgical and environmental manipulations involving altered pineal activity invariably lead to less dramatic changes in various parameters of male reproductive function. The evidence would seem to indicate that pineal function in the rat is primarily related to the regulation of testicular endocrine function. Consequently, its physiological role may be associated with seasonal changes in libido in relation to environmental influences, by virtue of the action of pineal factors on androgen status. Spermatogenesis, on the other hand, was unaffected for periods as long as 1 year after the blinding of rats at the time of puberty (Kinson and Liu, 1974). There is evidence that the pineal gland has a part to play in the timing of puberty in the rat and in circadian variations in testosterone levels in the adult animal. Two groups of compounds have been identified as pineal agents and possibly pineal hormones. While the indoles have been more widely investigated as pineal antigonadal factors, the involvement of polypeptides in pineal actions was indicated a decade ago and these compounds are now receiving vigorous attention. Pineal factors influence testicular function by interaction with the neuroendocrine system to affect pituitary gonadotropin secretion. The higher neural centers appear to be responsive to indoles and via the releasing factors give rise to changes in pituitary content and circulating levels of FSH and LH. Prolactin also has been shown to respond to change in ambient lighting and to pinealectomy. Partially purified polypeptide fractions are now claimed to be considerably more potent antigonadotropically than melatonin, the indole most favored as a pineal hormone...", "PMID": 797250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10877", "title": "SC-29333: a potent inhibitor of canin gastric secretion.", "content": "The gastric antisecretory effects of SC-29333, a novel prostglandin E1 analogs, were compared to the reference standard PGE1 methyl ester (PGE1ME) in gsstric fistula and Heidenhain pouch dogs. Secretion was stimulated submaximally by continuous intravenous infusion of either histamine or pentagastrin. Meal-stimulated gastric secretory studies were also conducted. SC-29333 effectively inhibited volume, acid output, and papsin secretion, in a dose-dependent manner. Intravenously (i.v.), SC-29333 was found to be approximately 30 times more potent than PGE1ME. The ranges of active i.v. bolus doses for SC-29333 and PGE1ME were 0.3-3.0 and 10-30 mug/kg, respectively. Unlike PGE1ME, SC-29333 was orally effective at doses of 10-30 mug/kg and was considerably better tolerated and longer acting than PGE1ME at active antisecretory doses. It is concluded, therefore, that SC-29333 is a potent, long-acting, orally effective inhibitor of gastric secretion in the dog.", "contents": "SC-29333: a potent inhibitor of canin gastric secretion. The gastric antisecretory effects of SC-29333, a novel prostglandin E1 analogs, were compared to the reference standard PGE1 methyl ester (PGE1ME) in gsstric fistula and Heidenhain pouch dogs. Secretion was stimulated submaximally by continuous intravenous infusion of either histamine or pentagastrin. Meal-stimulated gastric secretory studies were also conducted. SC-29333 effectively inhibited volume, acid output, and papsin secretion, in a dose-dependent manner. Intravenously (i.v.), SC-29333 was found to be approximately 30 times more potent than PGE1ME. The ranges of active i.v. bolus doses for SC-29333 and PGE1ME were 0.3-3.0 and 10-30 mug/kg, respectively. Unlike PGE1ME, SC-29333 was orally effective at doses of 10-30 mug/kg and was considerably better tolerated and longer acting than PGE1ME at active antisecretory doses. It is concluded, therefore, that SC-29333 is a potent, long-acting, orally effective inhibitor of gastric secretion in the dog.", "PMID": 797257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10878", "title": "Immunological aspects of sarcoid\u00f3sis.", "content": "The results are reported of an immunological study conducted on 37 cases of active sarcoidosis, in which some in vivo and in vitro tests related to the cell-mediated immunitary response were effected. The results are discussed, with relation to the clinical use of the immunological tests adopted, and their immunopathogenetic significance. In particular, the occurrence of false-positive and false-negative results in the in vitro Kveim antigen test (LMT) using the antigen preparations currently available, limit its use in clinical practice.", "contents": "Immunological aspects of sarcoid\u00f3sis. The results are reported of an immunological study conducted on 37 cases of active sarcoidosis, in which some in vivo and in vitro tests related to the cell-mediated immunitary response were effected. The results are discussed, with relation to the clinical use of the immunological tests adopted, and their immunopathogenetic significance. In particular, the occurrence of false-positive and false-negative results in the in vitro Kveim antigen test (LMT) using the antigen preparations currently available, limit its use in clinical practice.", "PMID": 797255} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10879", "title": "Ocular manifestations of systemic diseases.", "content": "This is a review of papers on ocular manifestations of systemic diseases published, in essence, during the period from October 1, 1974 to September 30, 1975, with emphasis on papers that may contain knowledge of interest to optometrists.", "contents": "Ocular manifestations of systemic diseases. This is a review of papers on ocular manifestations of systemic diseases published, in essence, during the period from October 1, 1974 to September 30, 1975, with emphasis on papers that may contain knowledge of interest to optometrists.", "PMID": 797260} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10880", "title": "Alcohol and marijuana effects on ocular tracking.", "content": "Experienced alcohol and marijuana users were instructed to track with their eyes a small spot that moved horizontally back and forth in pendular (sinusoidal) motion across a 7.5-degree field. The frequency of spot oscillation was gradually increased from 0.5 to 3.0 Hz in 40 sec. Eye movement recordings showed the frequency at which smooth tracking and, soon thereafter, saccadic tracking broke down. These smooth and saccadic cutoff frequencies were reduced after administration of alcohol, but not after marijuana or placebo. For low alcohol doses, smooth tracking was impaired and saccadic tracking was unaffected, much like an effect previously reported for barbiturates. Alcohol seems to affect smooth tracking by increasing the central processing time required to generate the appropriate eye movement. It affects saccadic tracking by slightly decreasing saccadic velocity and to a greater extent by increasing latency time, part of which may be devoted to central processing. The site of action of alcohol appears to be central to both the paramedian pontine reticular formation and the flocculus of the cerebellum.", "contents": "Alcohol and marijuana effects on ocular tracking. Experienced alcohol and marijuana users were instructed to track with their eyes a small spot that moved horizontally back and forth in pendular (sinusoidal) motion across a 7.5-degree field. The frequency of spot oscillation was gradually increased from 0.5 to 3.0 Hz in 40 sec. Eye movement recordings showed the frequency at which smooth tracking and, soon thereafter, saccadic tracking broke down. These smooth and saccadic cutoff frequencies were reduced after administration of alcohol, but not after marijuana or placebo. For low alcohol doses, smooth tracking was impaired and saccadic tracking was unaffected, much like an effect previously reported for barbiturates. Alcohol seems to affect smooth tracking by increasing the central processing time required to generate the appropriate eye movement. It affects saccadic tracking by slightly decreasing saccadic velocity and to a greater extent by increasing latency time, part of which may be devoted to central processing. The site of action of alcohol appears to be central to both the paramedian pontine reticular formation and the flocculus of the cerebellum.", "PMID": 797262} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10881", "title": "General Grant: his physicians and his cancer.", "content": "In early June 1884, seven years after leaving office as President of the United States, General Ulysses S. Grant was found to have carcinoma of the right tonsillar pillar. The General's physicians kept a detailed record of the course of their patient's disease. Speaking was quite painful for the patient, and his words and thoughts have been preserved on the scraps of paper on which he communicated to family, physicians, and friends. The diagnosis, symptomatic treatment, and inexorably progressive course of General Grant's mouth cancer taking place in an atmosphere of personal financial ruin are discussed in detail.", "contents": "General Grant: his physicians and his cancer. In early June 1884, seven years after leaving office as President of the United States, General Ulysses S. Grant was found to have carcinoma of the right tonsillar pillar. The General's physicians kept a detailed record of the course of their patient's disease. Speaking was quite painful for the patient, and his words and thoughts have been preserved on the scraps of paper on which he communicated to family, physicians, and friends. The diagnosis, symptomatic treatment, and inexorably progressive course of General Grant's mouth cancer taking place in an atmosphere of personal financial ruin are discussed in detail.", "PMID": 797264} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10882", "title": "A two-year crossover therapeutic trial with halofenate and clofibrate.", "content": "Twelve patients with Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia were treated with clofibrate and halofenate in a double blind, crossover trial for two years. Drug intake was monitored by determination of the level of the drugs in serum. Halofenate and clofibrate were equally effective in lowering plasma triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Patients who were secretors of ABO blood group antigens in saliva had a greater hypocholesterolemic response to both drugs than those who were nonsecretors. Clofibrate treatment resulted in a significant rise of low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Both drugs lowered serum bilirubin levels and this effect had a significant positive correlation with that on uric acid levels. Halofenate had a greater hypouricemic effect than clofibrate and may be a useful drug for treatment of patients with Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia who have concomitant hyperuricemia.", "contents": "A two-year crossover therapeutic trial with halofenate and clofibrate. Twelve patients with Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia were treated with clofibrate and halofenate in a double blind, crossover trial for two years. Drug intake was monitored by determination of the level of the drugs in serum. Halofenate and clofibrate were equally effective in lowering plasma triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Patients who were secretors of ABO blood group antigens in saliva had a greater hypocholesterolemic response to both drugs than those who were nonsecretors. Clofibrate treatment resulted in a significant rise of low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Both drugs lowered serum bilirubin levels and this effect had a significant positive correlation with that on uric acid levels. Halofenate had a greater hypouricemic effect than clofibrate and may be a useful drug for treatment of patients with Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia who have concomitant hyperuricemia.", "PMID": 797258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10883", "title": "The management of carcinoma of the larynx in a prominent patient, or did Morell Mackenzie really cause World War I?.", "content": "The influence of fate on history is a fascinating subject. This paper reviews the death of the Crown Prince of Prussia from carcinoma of the larynx. This was a critical turning point in history. The roles of the European physicians involved in his care are reviewed. It was not until after the death of Queen Victoria that the true character of these physicians was revealed.", "contents": "The management of carcinoma of the larynx in a prominent patient, or did Morell Mackenzie really cause World War I?. The influence of fate on history is a fascinating subject. This paper reviews the death of the Crown Prince of Prussia from carcinoma of the larynx. This was a critical turning point in history. The roles of the European physicians involved in his care are reviewed. It was not until after the death of Queen Victoria that the true character of these physicians was revealed.", "PMID": 797265} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10884", "title": "A double blind study of the effects of zinc sulfate on taste and smell dysfunction.", "content": "A randomized, double blind crossover study of the effects of zinc sulfate and placebo was carried out in 106 patients with taste and smell dysfunction secondary to a variety of etiological factors. In the patient group prior to treatment, mean serum zinc concentration and leukocyte alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly lower than normal. Results indicate that zinc sulfate was effectively equivalent to placebo in the treatment of these disorders. Although these results demonstrate abnormalities of zinc metabolism in some patients with taste and smell dysfunction they fail to provide evidence for a single, therapeutic approach to the many disorders which are associated with abnormalities of taste and smell. However, the methods and procedures developed in this study demonstrate that taste and smell dysfunction can be studied in a quantitative, systematic manner.", "contents": "A double blind study of the effects of zinc sulfate on taste and smell dysfunction. A randomized, double blind crossover study of the effects of zinc sulfate and placebo was carried out in 106 patients with taste and smell dysfunction secondary to a variety of etiological factors. In the patient group prior to treatment, mean serum zinc concentration and leukocyte alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly lower than normal. Results indicate that zinc sulfate was effectively equivalent to placebo in the treatment of these disorders. Although these results demonstrate abnormalities of zinc metabolism in some patients with taste and smell dysfunction they fail to provide evidence for a single, therapeutic approach to the many disorders which are associated with abnormalities of taste and smell. However, the methods and procedures developed in this study demonstrate that taste and smell dysfunction can be studied in a quantitative, systematic manner.", "PMID": 797259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10885", "title": "The Penlon Oxford ventilator. A new ventilator for adult or paediatric use.", "content": "A pneumatically powered lung ventilator for anaesthesia and intensive care of both adult and paediatric patients is described. The design criteria were selected to produce a small machine with high power, simple to control, sterilise and service. Laboratory and clinical results are presented andprocedure for clinical use of the controls suggested.", "contents": "The Penlon Oxford ventilator. A new ventilator for adult or paediatric use. A pneumatically powered lung ventilator for anaesthesia and intensive care of both adult and paediatric patients is described. The design criteria were selected to produce a small machine with high power, simple to control, sterilise and service. Laboratory and clinical results are presented andprocedure for clinical use of the controls suggested.", "PMID": 797273} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10886", "title": "Punch, on anaesthesia.", "content": "References in Punch to ether and chloroform during the first two years after the first successful public demonstration of anaesthesia are quoted and considered.", "contents": "Punch, on anaesthesia. References in Punch to ether and chloroform during the first two years after the first successful public demonstration of anaesthesia are quoted and considered.", "PMID": 797274} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10887", "title": "[Treatment of Ewing's tumor (author's transl)].", "content": "Eight cases of Ewing's tumor are reported. Four cases (50%) were localized forms at diagnosis and the remaining presented metastasis. The localized forms were treated with a combination of irradiation at dose of 4,500-5,000 rads and chemotherapy with vincristine and cyclophosphamide during two years. Three of these patients (75%) are alive and free of disease for more than two years. In the metastatic forms the treatment used was radiotherapy and diverse chemotherapy combinations with palliative intention. Bibliography related with this subject is reviewed and new chemotherapeutic combinations are discussed, the superiority of any treatment being not yet established.", "contents": "[Treatment of Ewing's tumor (author's transl)]. Eight cases of Ewing's tumor are reported. Four cases (50%) were localized forms at diagnosis and the remaining presented metastasis. The localized forms were treated with a combination of irradiation at dose of 4,500-5,000 rads and chemotherapy with vincristine and cyclophosphamide during two years. Three of these patients (75%) are alive and free of disease for more than two years. In the metastatic forms the treatment used was radiotherapy and diverse chemotherapy combinations with palliative intention. Bibliography related with this subject is reviewed and new chemotherapeutic combinations are discussed, the superiority of any treatment being not yet established.", "PMID": 797279} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10888", "title": "[\"Cellular synchronization\" method in treatment of infantile tumors].", "content": "Results obtained by the \"cellular synchronization\" method in 19 patients are reported; there were five Ewing's sarcomas, three nephroblastomas, nine neuroblastomas and two Burkitt lymphomas. Ages ranged between four months and six years. Most of them had metastatic diseases, resistent to previous therapies. The protocol consisted on vincristine as \"synchronizator agent\" days 1 and 2, and cyclophosphamide as \"effector agent\", days 3, 4, 5 and 6 of each pulse. The clinical and hematologic tolerance was generally good. Results were: 12 complete remissions, two partial remissions and three failures.", "contents": "[\"Cellular synchronization\" method in treatment of infantile tumors]. Results obtained by the \"cellular synchronization\" method in 19 patients are reported; there were five Ewing's sarcomas, three nephroblastomas, nine neuroblastomas and two Burkitt lymphomas. Ages ranged between four months and six years. Most of them had metastatic diseases, resistent to previous therapies. The protocol consisted on vincristine as \"synchronizator agent\" days 1 and 2, and cyclophosphamide as \"effector agent\", days 3, 4, 5 and 6 of each pulse. The clinical and hematologic tolerance was generally good. Results were: 12 complete remissions, two partial remissions and three failures.", "PMID": 797280} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10889", "title": "Anaesthesia for orthotopic allogenic liver transplantation in pigs.", "content": "Anaesthesia with a mixture of halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen was used for allogenic liver transplantation in 24 pigs. All animals had haemodynamic disturbances due to the technique of the operation: metabolic acidosis, disturbances of bioelectric activity of the heart and electrolyte level changes. The methods of management of these disturbances are discussed. Favourable results were obtained when transfusing heparinized stored blood in place of initially used ACD blood which increased the intensity of metabolic acidosis. Details of the technique and method of anaesthesia and monitoring of animals during operation are discussed.", "contents": "Anaesthesia for orthotopic allogenic liver transplantation in pigs. Anaesthesia with a mixture of halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen was used for allogenic liver transplantation in 24 pigs. All animals had haemodynamic disturbances due to the technique of the operation: metabolic acidosis, disturbances of bioelectric activity of the heart and electrolyte level changes. The methods of management of these disturbances are discussed. Favourable results were obtained when transfusing heparinized stored blood in place of initially used ACD blood which increased the intensity of metabolic acidosis. Details of the technique and method of anaesthesia and monitoring of animals during operation are discussed.", "PMID": 797275} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10890", "title": "Peptichemio in children with neoplastic disease.", "content": "32 children with different types of tumors have bben treated with peptichemio. The efficacy was excellent in rhabdomyosarcoma and embrional sarcoma; encouraging in neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor and histiocytosis X. Side and toxic effects were minimal. In conclusion we can say that peptichemio is effective in oncologic diseases, but a larger number of patients is required in order to have a better knowledge about the antitumor activity of this drug.", "contents": "Peptichemio in children with neoplastic disease. 32 children with different types of tumors have bben treated with peptichemio. The efficacy was excellent in rhabdomyosarcoma and embrional sarcoma; encouraging in neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor and histiocytosis X. Side and toxic effects were minimal. In conclusion we can say that peptichemio is effective in oncologic diseases, but a larger number of patients is required in order to have a better knowledge about the antitumor activity of this drug.", "PMID": 797281} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10891", "title": "Evaluation of P a-A CO2, P A-a O2 and VD/VT measurements during controlled respiration in children. Preliminary communication.", "content": "The indices of P a-A CO2, P A-a O2 and VD/VT were evaluated in a group of children treated with controlled ventilation (IPPV) for: pneumonia, congenital heart disease, respiratory distress syndrome or central nervous system diseases. The P A-a O2 index is regarded as the most useful one, since it enables the possibility to select a F IO2 value for obtaining an optimal P aO2. For calculation of VD/VT according to Bohr's formula during connection of the child to respirator P ECO2 was determined planimetrically from the capnographic curve. P a-A CO2 was recognized as a less useful index and difficult to interpret.", "contents": "Evaluation of P a-A CO2, P A-a O2 and VD/VT measurements during controlled respiration in children. Preliminary communication. The indices of P a-A CO2, P A-a O2 and VD/VT were evaluated in a group of children treated with controlled ventilation (IPPV) for: pneumonia, congenital heart disease, respiratory distress syndrome or central nervous system diseases. The P A-a O2 index is regarded as the most useful one, since it enables the possibility to select a F IO2 value for obtaining an optimal P aO2. For calculation of VD/VT according to Bohr's formula during connection of the child to respirator P ECO2 was determined planimetrically from the capnographic curve. P a-A CO2 was recognized as a less useful index and difficult to interpret.", "PMID": 797276} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10892", "title": "Early haemorrhage from brachiocephalic trunk as a complication of tracheostomy.", "content": "A 27-year-old patient suffered injuries to the facial bones and brain contusion in a traffic accident. On the third day after the accident the patient was admitted to an intensive care unit in view of increasing respiratory failure. Tracheostomy was performed for prolonged controlled respiration. On the 6th day after tracheostomy the patient died from a sudden massive hemorrhage from the tracheostomy site. Autopsy findings showed that the direct cause of death was injury to the brachiocephalic trunk communicating with a focus of tissue necrosis in the tracheal wall. The authors stress the early development of this complication and the necessity of the earliest possible commencement of intensive care in cases of injuries to the facial bones.", "contents": "Early haemorrhage from brachiocephalic trunk as a complication of tracheostomy. A 27-year-old patient suffered injuries to the facial bones and brain contusion in a traffic accident. On the third day after the accident the patient was admitted to an intensive care unit in view of increasing respiratory failure. Tracheostomy was performed for prolonged controlled respiration. On the 6th day after tracheostomy the patient died from a sudden massive hemorrhage from the tracheostomy site. Autopsy findings showed that the direct cause of death was injury to the brachiocephalic trunk communicating with a focus of tissue necrosis in the tracheal wall. The authors stress the early development of this complication and the necessity of the earliest possible commencement of intensive care in cases of injuries to the facial bones.", "PMID": 797277} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10893", "title": "Antibodies to guinea pig lymphokines. III. Reactions with radiolabeled lymphocyte activation products.", "content": "An antiserum raised against a purified fraction of guinea pig lymphokines exhibits marked in vivo properties; it suppresses delayed hypersensitivity reactions and binds migration inhibition factor (MIF) from supernatants of activated lymphocyte cultures in vitro. This serum was analyzed for specificity using a radioactive double labeling technique which distinguishes products synthesized either de novo or in increased amounts by stimulated lymphocytes. Combined supernatants of stimulated (concanavalin A or PPD) and unstimulated cultures labeled with either tritiated or [14C]leucine, respectively, were fractionated on Sephadex G-75. Pooled fractions were precipitated using the antibody sandwich technique, and solubilized precipitates were analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Using this procedure the anti-lymphokine serum recognized primarily three newly sythesized lymphocyte activation products with molecular weights of approximately 60 000, 45 000 and 30 000 daltons. By contrast, these molecules could not be detected in radiolabeled lymph node cells which had been solubilized with NP-40 detergnt. The isoelectric point of all three molecules was found to be 5.2 +/- 0.3. The previously determined characteristics (mol.wt. 45 000, pI 5.2) of MIF and the property of the anti-lymphokine serum to absorb MIF activity suggest an identity between MIF and one of the molecules. In view of the previously described in vivo effects of the anti-lymphokine serum it is concluded that at least one of these three molecules plays an important role in the early events of delayed-type hypersensitive reactions in vivo.", "contents": "Antibodies to guinea pig lymphokines. III. Reactions with radiolabeled lymphocyte activation products. An antiserum raised against a purified fraction of guinea pig lymphokines exhibits marked in vivo properties; it suppresses delayed hypersensitivity reactions and binds migration inhibition factor (MIF) from supernatants of activated lymphocyte cultures in vitro. This serum was analyzed for specificity using a radioactive double labeling technique which distinguishes products synthesized either de novo or in increased amounts by stimulated lymphocytes. Combined supernatants of stimulated (concanavalin A or PPD) and unstimulated cultures labeled with either tritiated or [14C]leucine, respectively, were fractionated on Sephadex G-75. Pooled fractions were precipitated using the antibody sandwich technique, and solubilized precipitates were analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Using this procedure the anti-lymphokine serum recognized primarily three newly sythesized lymphocyte activation products with molecular weights of approximately 60 000, 45 000 and 30 000 daltons. By contrast, these molecules could not be detected in radiolabeled lymph node cells which had been solubilized with NP-40 detergnt. The isoelectric point of all three molecules was found to be 5.2 +/- 0.3. The previously determined characteristics (mol.wt. 45 000, pI 5.2) of MIF and the property of the anti-lymphokine serum to absorb MIF activity suggest an identity between MIF and one of the molecules. In view of the previously described in vivo effects of the anti-lymphokine serum it is concluded that at least one of these three molecules plays an important role in the early events of delayed-type hypersensitive reactions in vivo.", "PMID": 797284} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10894", "title": "Restoration of immune responsiveness in early thymectomized xenopus by implantation of histocompatible adult thymus.", "content": "Larvae of the South African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis, were thymectomized at Nieuwkoop and Faber stages 45-46 (4-5 days after fertilization). The 1-1.5-year-old thymusless toads thus obtained were implanted with histocompatible thymus from 1-year-old toads, and 4 weeks later were given skin allografts or rabbit red blood cells (RRBC) to determine their immune response. In contrast with the perfectly tolerant thymusless controls, the thymus-implanted toads rejected skin allografts after longer survival times (25-66 days) than the nonthymectomized controls (18 - 19 days). Accelerated rejection (15 - 27 days) of the second-set skin allografts was evident in the thymus-implanted individuals. Similarly, the capacity of antibody production against RRBC was restored to the thymus-implanted toads to roughly the normal extent. Implantation of thymus also restored the histological features of the spleen in thymectomized toads. The experiments clearly demonstrate that in Xenopus the thymus plays an essential role for immunity at the early stages of its histogenesis. The restorative capacity of the adult thymus is also stressed.", "contents": "Restoration of immune responsiveness in early thymectomized xenopus by implantation of histocompatible adult thymus. Larvae of the South African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis, were thymectomized at Nieuwkoop and Faber stages 45-46 (4-5 days after fertilization). The 1-1.5-year-old thymusless toads thus obtained were implanted with histocompatible thymus from 1-year-old toads, and 4 weeks later were given skin allografts or rabbit red blood cells (RRBC) to determine their immune response. In contrast with the perfectly tolerant thymusless controls, the thymus-implanted toads rejected skin allografts after longer survival times (25-66 days) than the nonthymectomized controls (18 - 19 days). Accelerated rejection (15 - 27 days) of the second-set skin allografts was evident in the thymus-implanted individuals. Similarly, the capacity of antibody production against RRBC was restored to the thymus-implanted toads to roughly the normal extent. Implantation of thymus also restored the histological features of the spleen in thymectomized toads. The experiments clearly demonstrate that in Xenopus the thymus plays an essential role for immunity at the early stages of its histogenesis. The restorative capacity of the adult thymus is also stressed.", "PMID": 797285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10895", "title": "Production of osteoclast-activating factor by normal human peripheral blood rosetting and nonrosetting lymphocytes.", "content": "This study has tested the ability of human mononuclear cells and the subpopulations of lymphocytes that rosette (E-RFC) or do not rosette (non-E-RFC) with sheep red blood cells to synthesize DNA and to produce a mediator with bone resorbing activity (osteoclast-activating factor, OAF) in response to stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Mononuclear cells were stimulated by PHA both to synthesize DNA and to produce a factor that caused bone resorption. E-RFC enriched for T lymphocytes and depleted of macrophages synthesized considerable DNA in response to stimulation with PHA, but were unable to produce significant bone resorbing activity in tissue culture unless macrophages were re-added to the E-RFC. In contrast, mononuclear cells depleted of E-RFC (non-E-RFC enriched for B cells) did not synthesize DNA in response to stimulation with PHA, but did produce a mediator that caused significant bone resorption in tissue culture. In most of the experiments, unstimulated non-E-RFC produced as much OAF as the PHA-stimulated non-E-RFC. These results suggest that both activated T lymphocytes (E-RFC) and B lymphocytes (non-E-RFC) can produce OAF.", "contents": "Production of osteoclast-activating factor by normal human peripheral blood rosetting and nonrosetting lymphocytes. This study has tested the ability of human mononuclear cells and the subpopulations of lymphocytes that rosette (E-RFC) or do not rosette (non-E-RFC) with sheep red blood cells to synthesize DNA and to produce a mediator with bone resorbing activity (osteoclast-activating factor, OAF) in response to stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Mononuclear cells were stimulated by PHA both to synthesize DNA and to produce a factor that caused bone resorption. E-RFC enriched for T lymphocytes and depleted of macrophages synthesized considerable DNA in response to stimulation with PHA, but were unable to produce significant bone resorbing activity in tissue culture unless macrophages were re-added to the E-RFC. In contrast, mononuclear cells depleted of E-RFC (non-E-RFC enriched for B cells) did not synthesize DNA in response to stimulation with PHA, but did produce a mediator that caused significant bone resorption in tissue culture. In most of the experiments, unstimulated non-E-RFC produced as much OAF as the PHA-stimulated non-E-RFC. These results suggest that both activated T lymphocytes (E-RFC) and B lymphocytes (non-E-RFC) can produce OAF.", "PMID": 797286} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10896", "title": "Affinity and specificity of penicillin-antibody interaction determined by an enzyme (E. coli beta-galactosidase) immunoassay.", "content": "An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for a penicillin derivative is described with a sensitivity at least at the nanogram level. The label, E. coli beta-galactosidase is a macromolecule of 540 000 daltons: the size of the enzyme and the ease of linking penicilloyl residues to it make it an interesting model to study the effect of the degree of haptenic substitution (DS) in the tracer on the parameters of EIA. Our results show that the affinity of the binding reaction between antibody and tracer is proportional to the DS but the sensitivity of inhibition is not affected, at least not between 1 and 10 penicilloyl residues per GZ molecule. The theoretical consequences and practical applications of multivalent tracers in EIA are discussed.", "contents": "Affinity and specificity of penicillin-antibody interaction determined by an enzyme (E. coli beta-galactosidase) immunoassay. An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for a penicillin derivative is described with a sensitivity at least at the nanogram level. The label, E. coli beta-galactosidase is a macromolecule of 540 000 daltons: the size of the enzyme and the ease of linking penicilloyl residues to it make it an interesting model to study the effect of the degree of haptenic substitution (DS) in the tracer on the parameters of EIA. Our results show that the affinity of the binding reaction between antibody and tracer is proportional to the DS but the sensitivity of inhibition is not affected, at least not between 1 and 10 penicilloyl residues per GZ molecule. The theoretical consequences and practical applications of multivalent tracers in EIA are discussed.", "PMID": 797287} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10897", "title": "Effect of carrier-specific tolerance on the generation of helper cell function.", "content": "The effect of carrier-specific tolerance on the development of helper cell function was studied in irradiated rats reconstituted with normal or carrier-tolerant bone marrow. Bone marrow (BM) from normal rats or rats tolerant to sheep IgG (SGG) was transferred to lethally irradiated syngeneic recipients, which were challenged 3 to 5 weeks later when immunocompetence to T-dependent antigens was shown to have recovered. When recipients were challenged with the 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP) hapten coupled to SGG in adjuvant, groups which received SGG-tolerant BM were 70-80% unresponsive in terms of anti-TNP plaque-forming cells compared to recipients of normal BM. This effect was carrier (SGG)-specific and was reversed when normal thymocytes were transferred with tolerant BM. Moreover, neither tolerant BM nor tolerant thymocytes were able to suppress the responsiveness of normal BM at a 1:1 ratio. These cell-mixing experiments imply that the reduction in helper cell function is due neither to suppressor cells nor antigen carryover in the tolerant BM. It is suggested that a BM precursor of the helper T cell may be rendered tolerant and therefore already possesses antigen specificity prior to thymic migration.", "contents": "Effect of carrier-specific tolerance on the generation of helper cell function. The effect of carrier-specific tolerance on the development of helper cell function was studied in irradiated rats reconstituted with normal or carrier-tolerant bone marrow. Bone marrow (BM) from normal rats or rats tolerant to sheep IgG (SGG) was transferred to lethally irradiated syngeneic recipients, which were challenged 3 to 5 weeks later when immunocompetence to T-dependent antigens was shown to have recovered. When recipients were challenged with the 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP) hapten coupled to SGG in adjuvant, groups which received SGG-tolerant BM were 70-80% unresponsive in terms of anti-TNP plaque-forming cells compared to recipients of normal BM. This effect was carrier (SGG)-specific and was reversed when normal thymocytes were transferred with tolerant BM. Moreover, neither tolerant BM nor tolerant thymocytes were able to suppress the responsiveness of normal BM at a 1:1 ratio. These cell-mixing experiments imply that the reduction in helper cell function is due neither to suppressor cells nor antigen carryover in the tolerant BM. It is suggested that a BM precursor of the helper T cell may be rendered tolerant and therefore already possesses antigen specificity prior to thymic migration.", "PMID": 797288} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10898", "title": "Improved corneal storage for penetrating keratoplasties in humans.", "content": "A group of 92 patients, who had penetrating keratoplasties with donor corneas that were stored for up to 7 days in M-K media, had 90% clear grafts 2 months postoperatively and about 80% at 6 months. A comparison of the postoperative corneal thickness measurements was made of the patients receiving donor corneas stored by cryopreservation for prolonged times in moist chambers for less than 24 hours, or in M-K media for several days. There was no statistical difference between the 3 storage methods during the 10 week follow-up nor was there any difference between 72 hours and 96 hours of storage in M-K media.", "contents": "Improved corneal storage for penetrating keratoplasties in humans. A group of 92 patients, who had penetrating keratoplasties with donor corneas that were stored for up to 7 days in M-K media, had 90% clear grafts 2 months postoperatively and about 80% at 6 months. A comparison of the postoperative corneal thickness measurements was made of the patients receiving donor corneas stored by cryopreservation for prolonged times in moist chambers for less than 24 hours, or in M-K media for several days. There was no statistical difference between the 3 storage methods during the 10 week follow-up nor was there any difference between 72 hours and 96 hours of storage in M-K media.", "PMID": 797295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10899", "title": "[The treatment of psoriasis].", "content": "The therapeutic possibilities for psoriasis are multiple; they are based on experience and on empiricism and are harmless for the patient, or on the known pharmacodynamic action which limit their use. It should be remembered that psoriasis is not incurable, since it can be treated. But the definitive curative treatment will be discovered only when the cause of the disease is discovered.", "contents": "[The treatment of psoriasis]. The therapeutic possibilities for psoriasis are multiple; they are based on experience and on empiricism and are harmless for the patient, or on the known pharmacodynamic action which limit their use. It should be remembered that psoriasis is not incurable, since it can be treated. But the definitive curative treatment will be discovered only when the cause of the disease is discovered.", "PMID": 797297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10900", "title": "[Interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 7 in a female child with leprechaunism].", "content": "A case of interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 7 with probable loss of segment 7q2 is reported in a infant with leprechaunism. This association suggests the possibility of a heterozygous deletion of the normal allele at the leprechaun locus.", "contents": "[Interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 7 in a female child with leprechaunism]. A case of interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 7 with probable loss of segment 7q2 is reported in a infant with leprechaunism. This association suggests the possibility of a heterozygous deletion of the normal allele at the leprechaun locus.", "PMID": 797303} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10901", "title": "The influence of conditions of growth on the endogenous metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: effect on protein, carbohydrate, sterol and fatty acid content and on viability.", "content": "The nature of the endogenous reserves of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was examined with respect to conditions of growth, specifically extremes of oxygen tension and carbon source. Cells were grown in batch culture at 30 C under aerobic conditions on a galactose or glucose carbon source and under anaerobic conditions on glucose. The greatest effect of growth conditions on the chemical composition of the cells was on their fatty acid and sterol content. Cells grown under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions mobilised concurrently protein, glycogen, trehalose and fatty acids during a period of 72 hours' starvation under aerobic conditions. The viability of both types of the aerobically grown cells declined to 75% during this period and was not influenced by the initial fatty acid and sterol content of the cells. Cells grown anaerobically showed a more rapid decline in viability which was only 17% after 72 hours' starvation. This loss of viability was not due to a lack of available endogenous reserves but was probably due to an impaired membrane function caused by a deficiency of sterols and unsaturated fatty acids.", "contents": "The influence of conditions of growth on the endogenous metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: effect on protein, carbohydrate, sterol and fatty acid content and on viability. The nature of the endogenous reserves of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was examined with respect to conditions of growth, specifically extremes of oxygen tension and carbon source. Cells were grown in batch culture at 30 C under aerobic conditions on a galactose or glucose carbon source and under anaerobic conditions on glucose. The greatest effect of growth conditions on the chemical composition of the cells was on their fatty acid and sterol content. Cells grown under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions mobilised concurrently protein, glycogen, trehalose and fatty acids during a period of 72 hours' starvation under aerobic conditions. The viability of both types of the aerobically grown cells declined to 75% during this period and was not influenced by the initial fatty acid and sterol content of the cells. Cells grown anaerobically showed a more rapid decline in viability which was only 17% after 72 hours' starvation. This loss of viability was not due to a lack of available endogenous reserves but was probably due to an impaired membrane function caused by a deficiency of sterols and unsaturated fatty acids.", "PMID": 797316} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10902", "title": "Metabolism of nitrophenols by bacteria isolated from parathion-amended flooded soil.", "content": "Two bacterial isolates from parathion-amended flooded soil, Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp., were examined for their ability to decompose nitrophenols. Uniformly labelled 14C-p-nitrophenol was metabolized by both bacteria, 14CO2 and nitrite being end products. A substantial portion (23% for Pseudomonas sp. and 80% for Bacillus sp.) of radioactivity applied as p-nitrophenol was accounted for as 14CO2 at the end of a 72-h period; 8 to 16% remained in the water phase after solvent extraction. Pseudomonas sp. produced nitrite also from 2,4-dinitrophenol, but only after a lag, and not from o- and m-nitrophenols. Interestingly, m-nitrophenol, known for its resistance to biodegradation because of meta substitution, was decomposed by Bacillus sp., resulting in the formation of nitrite and phenol; o-nitrophenol and 2,4-dinitrophenol resisted degradation by this bacterium.", "contents": "Metabolism of nitrophenols by bacteria isolated from parathion-amended flooded soil. Two bacterial isolates from parathion-amended flooded soil, Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp., were examined for their ability to decompose nitrophenols. Uniformly labelled 14C-p-nitrophenol was metabolized by both bacteria, 14CO2 and nitrite being end products. A substantial portion (23% for Pseudomonas sp. and 80% for Bacillus sp.) of radioactivity applied as p-nitrophenol was accounted for as 14CO2 at the end of a 72-h period; 8 to 16% remained in the water phase after solvent extraction. Pseudomonas sp. produced nitrite also from 2,4-dinitrophenol, but only after a lag, and not from o- and m-nitrophenols. Interestingly, m-nitrophenol, known for its resistance to biodegradation because of meta substitution, was decomposed by Bacillus sp., resulting in the formation of nitrite and phenol; o-nitrophenol and 2,4-dinitrophenol resisted degradation by this bacterium.", "PMID": 797317} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10903", "title": "[Systematic study of pharyngeal and nasal bacteria in children affected by relapsing diseases of respiratory organs (author's transl)].", "content": "The research was conducted on 191 nasal and pharyngeal swabs from children aged between two and ten years, affected by relapsing diseases of their respiratory organs. The aim has been that of isolating those bacteria whose action cause the most frequent respiratory diseases. They are: Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus C+, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas and other Gram-negative bacteria. The isolated bacteria were submitted to sensitivity tests and to the normally used antibiotics. From this research follow the necessity to know which bacteria play the pathogenous role from patient's serological alterations.", "contents": "[Systematic study of pharyngeal and nasal bacteria in children affected by relapsing diseases of respiratory organs (author's transl)]. The research was conducted on 191 nasal and pharyngeal swabs from children aged between two and ten years, affected by relapsing diseases of their respiratory organs. The aim has been that of isolating those bacteria whose action cause the most frequent respiratory diseases. They are: Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus C+, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas and other Gram-negative bacteria. The isolated bacteria were submitted to sensitivity tests and to the normally used antibiotics. From this research follow the necessity to know which bacteria play the pathogenous role from patient's serological alterations.", "PMID": 797320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10904", "title": "[Micologic diagnosis fo the respiratory infections (author's transl)].", "content": "The Author briefly sums up the morphological featues of the pathogenic fungi which may be present in sputum and bronchoaspirates. Furthermore the opportunity of a histological test for every types of pathological material is pointed out.", "contents": "[Micologic diagnosis fo the respiratory infections (author's transl)]. The Author briefly sums up the morphological featues of the pathogenic fungi which may be present in sputum and bronchoaspirates. Furthermore the opportunity of a histological test for every types of pathological material is pointed out.", "PMID": 797322} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10905", "title": "[Comparative analysis between qualitative and quantitative features of orofaringeal and tracheo-bronchial bacterial flora in normal subject (author's transl)].", "content": "In 28 subjects surely without tracheo-bronchial phlogosis it had been observed that the trachea and the bronchi are mostly sterile, only rarely there is a normal bacterial flora. In the mouth and in the pharynx there is instead, almost always, normal bacterial flora and only exceptionally potentially pathogenous strains at a concentration inferior to 10(7).", "contents": "[Comparative analysis between qualitative and quantitative features of orofaringeal and tracheo-bronchial bacterial flora in normal subject (author's transl)]. In 28 subjects surely without tracheo-bronchial phlogosis it had been observed that the trachea and the bronchi are mostly sterile, only rarely there is a normal bacterial flora. In the mouth and in the pharynx there is instead, almost always, normal bacterial flora and only exceptionally potentially pathogenous strains at a concentration inferior to 10(7).", "PMID": 797321} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10906", "title": "Clinical use of the LH-RH in assessing gonadotropic reserve in children with idiopathic precocious puberty, premature thelarche and premature adrenarche.", "content": "Serum LH and FSH were assayed in 31 girls with normal pre puberty, precocious puberty, premature thelarche, and premature adrenarche, aged 2 to 9 years. The effect of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) on serum gonadotropins was evaluated in eleven of them. In all girls with precocious puberty, serum LH was increased up to high levels. The mean releasable LH in two girls with idiopathic precocious puberty was significantly greater than in normal prepubertal or pubertal children. Basal FSH in children with precocious puberty was within the limits of normal prepuberal children, and FSH secretion in response to LH-RH was not significantly greater than in the group of normal prepubertal and pubertal girls. In children with premature thelarche and premature adrenarche, basal levels of LH and FSH, as well as gonadotropin response to LH-RH were in the prepubertal range. These preliminary results show that the LH-RH test might be of clinical value in differenitating abnormal puberal development.", "contents": "Clinical use of the LH-RH in assessing gonadotropic reserve in children with idiopathic precocious puberty, premature thelarche and premature adrenarche. Serum LH and FSH were assayed in 31 girls with normal pre puberty, precocious puberty, premature thelarche, and premature adrenarche, aged 2 to 9 years. The effect of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) on serum gonadotropins was evaluated in eleven of them. In all girls with precocious puberty, serum LH was increased up to high levels. The mean releasable LH in two girls with idiopathic precocious puberty was significantly greater than in normal prepubertal or pubertal children. Basal FSH in children with precocious puberty was within the limits of normal prepuberal children, and FSH secretion in response to LH-RH was not significantly greater than in the group of normal prepubertal and pubertal girls. In children with premature thelarche and premature adrenarche, basal levels of LH and FSH, as well as gonadotropin response to LH-RH were in the prepubertal range. These preliminary results show that the LH-RH test might be of clinical value in differenitating abnormal puberal development.", "PMID": 797330} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10907", "title": "[The possibility of an etiopathogenetic role of the fungi isolated from the respiratory tract (author's transl)].", "content": "The large number of fungous strains isolated from specimens coming from the respiratory tract is a possible source of diagnostic failures. For an accurate diagnosis it is necessary to screen between fungi in a saprophitic and in a parasitic position. This is very difficult both for fungi, which are largely spread in the environment, like Aspergillus sp., and for fungi, which are commonly found on the mucous membranes, like Candida or Torulopsis sp. The actual pathogenetic activity of a fungous strain may be established on a mycological approach by means of an accurate taxonomic definition: only few species have pathogenetic possibilities: f.i. A. fumigatus, C. albicans. For a clinical-immunological approach are very useful the presence of debilitating diseases and the defectiveness of immunological tests, especially those of delayed hypersentivitity.", "contents": "[The possibility of an etiopathogenetic role of the fungi isolated from the respiratory tract (author's transl)]. The large number of fungous strains isolated from specimens coming from the respiratory tract is a possible source of diagnostic failures. For an accurate diagnosis it is necessary to screen between fungi in a saprophitic and in a parasitic position. This is very difficult both for fungi, which are largely spread in the environment, like Aspergillus sp., and for fungi, which are commonly found on the mucous membranes, like Candida or Torulopsis sp. The actual pathogenetic activity of a fungous strain may be established on a mycological approach by means of an accurate taxonomic definition: only few species have pathogenetic possibilities: f.i. A. fumigatus, C. albicans. For a clinical-immunological approach are very useful the presence of debilitating diseases and the defectiveness of immunological tests, especially those of delayed hypersentivitity.", "PMID": 797323} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10908", "title": "[Ribosomal vaccine obtained from Salmonella typhimurium and tested against the challenge of an orally administered virulent microorganism].", "content": "Ribosomal preparation obtained from Salmonella typhimurium, used as a vaccine, was able to induce protection of 100% on mice challenged with 5.5 X 10(9) CFU of S. typhimirium administered by oral route. Effective dose at 50% was of 0.1085 mug, expressed as ribonucleic acid (RNA). This vaccine induced an important humoral response as soon as in nine days. The ribosomal preparation used in this work was maintained at 4 degrees C at least for eighty two days. This fact shows an adequate stability of this biological product.", "contents": "[Ribosomal vaccine obtained from Salmonella typhimurium and tested against the challenge of an orally administered virulent microorganism]. Ribosomal preparation obtained from Salmonella typhimurium, used as a vaccine, was able to induce protection of 100% on mice challenged with 5.5 X 10(9) CFU of S. typhimirium administered by oral route. Effective dose at 50% was of 0.1085 mug, expressed as ribonucleic acid (RNA). This vaccine induced an important humoral response as soon as in nine days. The ribosomal preparation used in this work was maintained at 4 degrees C at least for eighty two days. This fact shows an adequate stability of this biological product.", "PMID": 797331} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10909", "title": "[Immunofluorescence technique applied at serological diagnosis of the respiratory tract infections from gram-negatives bacteria (author's transl)].", "content": "The immunofluorescence indirect technique was evaluated for detecting specificities, Ig classes, and levels of serum and sputum antibodies against bacteria isolated from sputa in patients with broncho-pulmonary infections. Results obtained with the FA method were compared with those obtained with a passive haemagglutination test. The former method gave much more reliable results than the latter. By using FA indirect method it was possible to assess pathogenicity of baceterial strains isolated from sputum and to establish their ethiological significance in many clinical cases whose sputum cultures were impossible or difficult to evaluate, as for instance in a patient with a chronic bronchitis exacerabtion caused by a strain of Aeromonas hydrophila. Further investigation are suggested in order to improve technically the FA method and to find the easiest and most reliable way out to evaluated the effectual relationship between bacteria in sputum and immunoglobulin response in sputum or in serum of patient with respiratory tract infections due to bacteria.", "contents": "[Immunofluorescence technique applied at serological diagnosis of the respiratory tract infections from gram-negatives bacteria (author's transl)]. The immunofluorescence indirect technique was evaluated for detecting specificities, Ig classes, and levels of serum and sputum antibodies against bacteria isolated from sputa in patients with broncho-pulmonary infections. Results obtained with the FA method were compared with those obtained with a passive haemagglutination test. The former method gave much more reliable results than the latter. By using FA indirect method it was possible to assess pathogenicity of baceterial strains isolated from sputum and to establish their ethiological significance in many clinical cases whose sputum cultures were impossible or difficult to evaluate, as for instance in a patient with a chronic bronchitis exacerabtion caused by a strain of Aeromonas hydrophila. Further investigation are suggested in order to improve technically the FA method and to find the easiest and most reliable way out to evaluated the effectual relationship between bacteria in sputum and immunoglobulin response in sputum or in serum of patient with respiratory tract infections due to bacteria.", "PMID": 797326} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10910", "title": "Mating reaction in yeast protoplasts.", "content": "Protoplasts prepared from complementary haploid strains of Saccharomyces cervisiae were studied with regard to their ability of conjugating. Neither fresh protoplasts nor the growing protoplasts possessing fibrillar walls exhibited sex specific agglutination or fusion. However, they were capable of inducing sexual activation in normal cells of opposite mating type. After completing the regeneration of cell walls the protoplasts could conjugate either with each other or with cells of opposite sex. The frequency of conjugations was low, about 1%, and was largely dependent on the degree of completition of the wall during regeneration. From the results the following conclusions may be drawn: 1. The initiation of mating is dependent on the integrity of the cell wall. 2. The sex specific morphogenetic changes do not occur in wall-less protoplasts but may happen after the protoplasts have regenerated their cell walls. 3. The lysis of cell walls does not occur until the walls come into close contact. 4. The fusion of plasma membranes in sex-activated protoplasts cannot be induced by arteficial agglutination.", "contents": "Mating reaction in yeast protoplasts. Protoplasts prepared from complementary haploid strains of Saccharomyces cervisiae were studied with regard to their ability of conjugating. Neither fresh protoplasts nor the growing protoplasts possessing fibrillar walls exhibited sex specific agglutination or fusion. However, they were capable of inducing sexual activation in normal cells of opposite mating type. After completing the regeneration of cell walls the protoplasts could conjugate either with each other or with cells of opposite sex. The frequency of conjugations was low, about 1%, and was largely dependent on the degree of completition of the wall during regeneration. From the results the following conclusions may be drawn: 1. The initiation of mating is dependent on the integrity of the cell wall. 2. The sex specific morphogenetic changes do not occur in wall-less protoplasts but may happen after the protoplasts have regenerated their cell walls. 3. The lysis of cell walls does not occur until the walls come into close contact. 4. The fusion of plasma membranes in sex-activated protoplasts cannot be induced by arteficial agglutination.", "PMID": 797332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10911", "title": "[Clinical problems about microbiological findings in pneumology (author's transl)].", "content": "Identification for clinical purposes of the etiological germs in individual cases of bronchopulmonary not tuberculous infections is usually very hard. Sometimes, particularly in acute cases, microbiological counts in sputum as in tracheobronchial secretions and exudates may be useful. In some chronic cases an amount of particular bacteria in tracheal (transcutaneous) secretion larger than in sputum is to consider an etiological sign.", "contents": "[Clinical problems about microbiological findings in pneumology (author's transl)]. Identification for clinical purposes of the etiological germs in individual cases of bronchopulmonary not tuberculous infections is usually very hard. Sometimes, particularly in acute cases, microbiological counts in sputum as in tracheobronchial secretions and exudates may be useful. In some chronic cases an amount of particular bacteria in tracheal (transcutaneous) secretion larger than in sputum is to consider an etiological sign.", "PMID": 797325} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10912", "title": "[An antigenic extract analyzed by bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis (author's transl)].", "content": "An antigenic extract from broth culture of Aspergillus fumigatus has been analyzed by bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis of Clark and Freeman against rabbit antiserum. The analysis has show the extract to be constituted by seven different antigens.", "contents": "[An antigenic extract analyzed by bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis (author's transl)]. An antigenic extract from broth culture of Aspergillus fumigatus has been analyzed by bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis of Clark and Freeman against rabbit antiserum. The analysis has show the extract to be constituted by seven different antigens.", "PMID": 797324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10913", "title": "Correlation among turnover of nucleic acids, ribonuclease activity and sporulation ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The turnover of nucleic acids and changes in ribonuclease activity during sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were studied. In the sporulating strains, 37-58% of vegatatively synthesized RNA were degraded during the sporulation process. The degree of degradation of vegetative RNA was proportional to the sporulation ability. In the non-sporulating strains, the degradation of vegetative RNA was less than 28% in the sporulation medium. Accompanied by the degradation of vegetative RNA, a ribonuclease activity increased several times during sporulation. We have found a close relation among the sporulation rate, the degree of the degradation of vegetative RNA and the increase in ribonuclease activity in the sporulation medium, using cells of which sporulation ability was repressed by changing the age or carbon source in various degrees.", "contents": "Correlation among turnover of nucleic acids, ribonuclease activity and sporulation ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The turnover of nucleic acids and changes in ribonuclease activity during sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were studied. In the sporulating strains, 37-58% of vegatatively synthesized RNA were degraded during the sporulation process. The degree of degradation of vegetative RNA was proportional to the sporulation ability. In the non-sporulating strains, the degradation of vegetative RNA was less than 28% in the sporulation medium. Accompanied by the degradation of vegetative RNA, a ribonuclease activity increased several times during sporulation. We have found a close relation among the sporulation rate, the degree of the degradation of vegetative RNA and the increase in ribonuclease activity in the sporulation medium, using cells of which sporulation ability was repressed by changing the age or carbon source in various degrees.", "PMID": 797333} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10914", "title": "[Intracellular organisation of bacteriophage tail-like bacteriocins of group A in Serratia marcescens (author's transl)].", "content": "The biosynthesis of a phage tail-like Bacteriocin by cells of the group A-bacteriocinogenic (bA+) Serratia marcescens strain no. 16 after induction with mitomycin C (MC) was examined electron-microscopically. This bacteriocin (total length 117 nm) consists of a hollow core and a contractile sheath. At 60 min following induction, rod-like bacteriocin-particles were identifiable in ultrathin sections. The particles were found to comprise three morphologically different forms of aggregation: 1. hexagonal inclusions, 2. contiguous, band-like particles, and 3. staples of superimposed layers of bacteriocin particles. At 120 min after induction bA+ cells revealed maximally 450 bacteriocin particles. Similarly, the phage tail particles could be demonstrated with the \"in situ lysis technique\" at 60 min following induction. Occasionally, phage heads were demonstrable, but in no instance were complete phage particles discenible. Dividing cells of the bA+ strain of S. marcescens maintained their rod-form following induction with MC until intracellular phage tail bacteriocin particles were seen. However, at 120 min after induction, the swollen, sphaeroplast-like cells lysed, an event that could be correlated with fine structural alterations of the cell wall.", "contents": "[Intracellular organisation of bacteriophage tail-like bacteriocins of group A in Serratia marcescens (author's transl)]. The biosynthesis of a phage tail-like Bacteriocin by cells of the group A-bacteriocinogenic (bA+) Serratia marcescens strain no. 16 after induction with mitomycin C (MC) was examined electron-microscopically. This bacteriocin (total length 117 nm) consists of a hollow core and a contractile sheath. At 60 min following induction, rod-like bacteriocin-particles were identifiable in ultrathin sections. The particles were found to comprise three morphologically different forms of aggregation: 1. hexagonal inclusions, 2. contiguous, band-like particles, and 3. staples of superimposed layers of bacteriocin particles. At 120 min after induction bA+ cells revealed maximally 450 bacteriocin particles. Similarly, the phage tail particles could be demonstrated with the \"in situ lysis technique\" at 60 min following induction. Occasionally, phage heads were demonstrable, but in no instance were complete phage particles discenible. Dividing cells of the bA+ strain of S. marcescens maintained their rod-form following induction with MC until intracellular phage tail bacteriocin particles were seen. However, at 120 min after induction, the swollen, sphaeroplast-like cells lysed, an event that could be correlated with fine structural alterations of the cell wall.", "PMID": 797334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10915", "title": "[Using a new dilutor in serology (author's transl)].", "content": "The experiences acquired using a new dilutor in the serological field are dealt with here. The versatile dilutor is particularly adapted to the execution of two-fold dilutions. Among the many possible techniques, the relatives to ASLO, THPA and serum-agglutinins are thoroughly described.", "contents": "[Using a new dilutor in serology (author's transl)]. The experiences acquired using a new dilutor in the serological field are dealt with here. The versatile dilutor is particularly adapted to the execution of two-fold dilutions. Among the many possible techniques, the relatives to ASLO, THPA and serum-agglutinins are thoroughly described.", "PMID": 797327} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10916", "title": "Some physiological observations on the uptake of D-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose by starving and exponentially-growing yeasts.", "content": "Some methods for measuring the uptake of sugars by yeasts were investigated critically. A study was made of the effects of starvation of Pichia pinus, Candida utilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhodosporidium toruloides on their uptake of D-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Marked changes in the rates of uptake of these sugars occured during 10 h of starvation, including (a) an immediate increase of up to 75% above that for growing cells and (b) a continuous decline to as little as 4%. Each yeast behaved differently. The rates did not remain constant during the periods of starvation often used for studies on the transport of sugars into yeasts. For Pichia pinus, there were striking differences, associated with starvation, between the transport of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and D-glucose, despite evidence that the two sugars enter this yeast by means of the same carrier. Some physiological explanations for these findings are discussed.", "contents": "Some physiological observations on the uptake of D-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose by starving and exponentially-growing yeasts. Some methods for measuring the uptake of sugars by yeasts were investigated critically. A study was made of the effects of starvation of Pichia pinus, Candida utilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhodosporidium toruloides on their uptake of D-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Marked changes in the rates of uptake of these sugars occured during 10 h of starvation, including (a) an immediate increase of up to 75% above that for growing cells and (b) a continuous decline to as little as 4%. Each yeast behaved differently. The rates did not remain constant during the periods of starvation often used for studies on the transport of sugars into yeasts. For Pichia pinus, there were striking differences, associated with starvation, between the transport of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and D-glucose, despite evidence that the two sugars enter this yeast by means of the same carrier. Some physiological explanations for these findings are discussed.", "PMID": 797335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10917", "title": "Regulation of ornithine transcarbamylase in Rhodotorula glutinis.", "content": "The regulation of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) of Rhodotorula glutinis has been studied, by growing the yeasts in different carbon and nitrogen sources and estimating the enzyme level in crude yeasts extracts. The results show a nutritional repression of OTC by arginine, when added to the culture media as carbon, nitrogen or carbon and nitrogen sources. On the other hand ornithine does not exert any effect in the same experimental conditions.", "contents": "Regulation of ornithine transcarbamylase in Rhodotorula glutinis. The regulation of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) of Rhodotorula glutinis has been studied, by growing the yeasts in different carbon and nitrogen sources and estimating the enzyme level in crude yeasts extracts. The results show a nutritional repression of OTC by arginine, when added to the culture media as carbon, nitrogen or carbon and nitrogen sources. On the other hand ornithine does not exert any effect in the same experimental conditions.", "PMID": 797336} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10918", "title": "Characterization of purified nitrate reductase A and chlorate reductase C from Proteus mirabilis.", "content": "Nitrate reductase A has been solubilized from purified cytoplasmic membranes by extraction with tert-amyl alcohol. The resulting aqueous solution contained monomeric reductase which polymerized slowly to dimers and tetramers with sedimentation coefficients of respectively 10.5, 16 and 23 Svedbergunits. The polymerization could be stopped to some extent by addition of a small amount of Triton X-100. These distinct entities of nitrate reductase A were separable on electro-focusing, DEAE-column chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and have been proved to consist of similar subunits with molecular weights of 104000, 63000, and 56000 daltons. The molecular weights of monomeric nitrate reductase A was found to be about 240000 daltons. Chlorate reductase C has been solubilized by a similar procedure, resulting in only monomeric enzyme. Chlorate reductase C exhibited a sedimentation coefficient of 7.7 Svedbergunits, an isoelectric point of pH = 4.55 and a molecular weight of approx. 180000 daltons. It was found to consist of three subunits with molecular weights of 75000, 63000 and 56000 daltons. The latter two subunits are most probably common in nitrate reductase A and chlorate reductase C.", "contents": "Characterization of purified nitrate reductase A and chlorate reductase C from Proteus mirabilis. Nitrate reductase A has been solubilized from purified cytoplasmic membranes by extraction with tert-amyl alcohol. The resulting aqueous solution contained monomeric reductase which polymerized slowly to dimers and tetramers with sedimentation coefficients of respectively 10.5, 16 and 23 Svedbergunits. The polymerization could be stopped to some extent by addition of a small amount of Triton X-100. These distinct entities of nitrate reductase A were separable on electro-focusing, DEAE-column chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and have been proved to consist of similar subunits with molecular weights of 104000, 63000, and 56000 daltons. The molecular weights of monomeric nitrate reductase A was found to be about 240000 daltons. Chlorate reductase C has been solubilized by a similar procedure, resulting in only monomeric enzyme. Chlorate reductase C exhibited a sedimentation coefficient of 7.7 Svedbergunits, an isoelectric point of pH = 4.55 and a molecular weight of approx. 180000 daltons. It was found to consist of three subunits with molecular weights of 75000, 63000 and 56000 daltons. The latter two subunits are most probably common in nitrate reductase A and chlorate reductase C.", "PMID": 797337} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10919", "title": "The correlation between the protein composition of cytoplasmic membranes and the formation of nitrate reductase A, chlorate reductase C and tetrathionate reductase in Proteus mirabilis wild type and some cholate resistant mutants.", "content": "Three genotypically different chlorate resistant mutants, chl I, chl II and chl III, appeared to lack completely nitrate reductase A, chlorate reductase C and tetrathionate reductase activity. Fumarate reductase is only partially affected in chl I and chl III and unaffected in chl II. Formate dehydrogenase is only partially diminished in chl II, hydrogenase is diminished in chl I and chl II and completely absent in chl III. Subunits of nitrate reductase A, chlorate reductase C and tetrathionate reductase have been identified in protein profiles of purified cytoplasmic membranes from the wild type and the three mutant strains, grown under various conditions. Only the presence and absence of the largest subunits of these enzymes appeared to be correlated with their repression and derepression in the wild type membranes. On the cytoplasmic membranes of the chl I and chl III mutants these subunits lack for the greater part. In the chl II mutant, however, these subunits are inserted in the membrane all together after anaerobic growth with or without nitrate. A model for the repression/derepression mechanism for the reductases has been proposed. It includes repression by cytochrome b components, whereas the redox-state of the nitrate reductase A molecule itself is also involved in its derepression under anaerobic conditions.", "contents": "The correlation between the protein composition of cytoplasmic membranes and the formation of nitrate reductase A, chlorate reductase C and tetrathionate reductase in Proteus mirabilis wild type and some cholate resistant mutants. Three genotypically different chlorate resistant mutants, chl I, chl II and chl III, appeared to lack completely nitrate reductase A, chlorate reductase C and tetrathionate reductase activity. Fumarate reductase is only partially affected in chl I and chl III and unaffected in chl II. Formate dehydrogenase is only partially diminished in chl II, hydrogenase is diminished in chl I and chl II and completely absent in chl III. Subunits of nitrate reductase A, chlorate reductase C and tetrathionate reductase have been identified in protein profiles of purified cytoplasmic membranes from the wild type and the three mutant strains, grown under various conditions. Only the presence and absence of the largest subunits of these enzymes appeared to be correlated with their repression and derepression in the wild type membranes. On the cytoplasmic membranes of the chl I and chl III mutants these subunits lack for the greater part. In the chl II mutant, however, these subunits are inserted in the membrane all together after anaerobic growth with or without nitrate. A model for the repression/derepression mechanism for the reductases has been proposed. It includes repression by cytochrome b components, whereas the redox-state of the nitrate reductase A molecule itself is also involved in its derepression under anaerobic conditions.", "PMID": 797338} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10920", "title": "[Pathology and pathogenesis of coli dysentery and coli diarrhea in suckling piglets. 1. Studies on the pathomorphology of the gastrointestinal tract in coli dysentery as well as coli diarrhea in the suckling piglet].", "content": "The following findings were obtained from histomorphological examination of 45 piglets with coli-bacillosis (with serotypical Escherichia coli detected) and ten piglets with coli-diarrhoea (with non-serotypical E. coli detected): Diarrhoea accompanying either disease was not attributable to catarrhal or haemorrhagic gastro-enteritis. The mucous membrane of the gastro-insestinal tract remained histomorphologically intact in either disease. No change was recorded particularly from villous or surface epithelia and glandular epithelium, and the villous structure was not basically altered. Different degrees of hyper aemia of the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane and moderate oedematisation of the villous stroma were irregular findings. Adhesion of enteropathogenic E. coli to mucous membrane surface was observed but rarely and did not exhibit any visible relationship with the incidence in E. coli of L-antigen K88. In coli-bacillosis and coli-diarrhoea both the diarrhoea and morphological situation of the gastro-bacillosis tract were in conformity with the cholera-type \"intestinal noninflammatory secretory diarrhoea\" as caused by enterotoxins. Other issues relating to pathology and diagnosis are also discussed.", "contents": "[Pathology and pathogenesis of coli dysentery and coli diarrhea in suckling piglets. 1. Studies on the pathomorphology of the gastrointestinal tract in coli dysentery as well as coli diarrhea in the suckling piglet]. The following findings were obtained from histomorphological examination of 45 piglets with coli-bacillosis (with serotypical Escherichia coli detected) and ten piglets with coli-diarrhoea (with non-serotypical E. coli detected): Diarrhoea accompanying either disease was not attributable to catarrhal or haemorrhagic gastro-enteritis. The mucous membrane of the gastro-insestinal tract remained histomorphologically intact in either disease. No change was recorded particularly from villous or surface epithelia and glandular epithelium, and the villous structure was not basically altered. Different degrees of hyper aemia of the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane and moderate oedematisation of the villous stroma were irregular findings. Adhesion of enteropathogenic E. coli to mucous membrane surface was observed but rarely and did not exhibit any visible relationship with the incidence in E. coli of L-antigen K88. In coli-bacillosis and coli-diarrhoea both the diarrhoea and morphological situation of the gastro-bacillosis tract were in conformity with the cholera-type \"intestinal noninflammatory secretory diarrhoea\" as caused by enterotoxins. Other issues relating to pathology and diagnosis are also discussed.", "PMID": 797339} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10921", "title": "[Pathology and pathogenesis of coli dysentery and coli diarrhea in suckling piglets. 2. Studies on the experimental induction of disease through the intragastric administration of coli-enterotoxin].", "content": "Fractionated intragastric application of a crude enterotoxin of Escherichia coli O 149:K91 (B) K88 (L) was part of experimental intoxication of 88 nursed piglets, aged between one and three days. The experiment was based on culture filtrate supernatant which had produced positive enterotoxic effect in an intestinal ligature test of swine and rabbit. The results were compared with 50 controls, piglets of the same age with intragastric administration of physiological salt solution. The experiment gave pronounced aquaeous diarrhoea (100 per cent) accoumpanied by exsiccosis, weight loss, rough hair, greyish discoloration of the skin, and other manifestations. The mortality was nine per cent. The clinical and pathomorphological picture of the enterotoxin syndrome was in close agreement with spontaneous coli-bacillosis of nursed piglets. Enterotoxin-caused diarrhoea occurred, with the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane remaining morphologically intact. This intoxication method has proved to be a safe model for experimental induction of coli-bacillosis, and it is likely to be suitable for vaccine testing. It can be used, as well, as a simple qualitative enterotoxin test. Additional issues relating to the pathology and pathogenesis of the coli-enterotoxin syndrome of piglets are discussed.", "contents": "[Pathology and pathogenesis of coli dysentery and coli diarrhea in suckling piglets. 2. Studies on the experimental induction of disease through the intragastric administration of coli-enterotoxin]. Fractionated intragastric application of a crude enterotoxin of Escherichia coli O 149:K91 (B) K88 (L) was part of experimental intoxication of 88 nursed piglets, aged between one and three days. The experiment was based on culture filtrate supernatant which had produced positive enterotoxic effect in an intestinal ligature test of swine and rabbit. The results were compared with 50 controls, piglets of the same age with intragastric administration of physiological salt solution. The experiment gave pronounced aquaeous diarrhoea (100 per cent) accoumpanied by exsiccosis, weight loss, rough hair, greyish discoloration of the skin, and other manifestations. The mortality was nine per cent. The clinical and pathomorphological picture of the enterotoxin syndrome was in close agreement with spontaneous coli-bacillosis of nursed piglets. Enterotoxin-caused diarrhoea occurred, with the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane remaining morphologically intact. This intoxication method has proved to be a safe model for experimental induction of coli-bacillosis, and it is likely to be suitable for vaccine testing. It can be used, as well, as a simple qualitative enterotoxin test. Additional issues relating to the pathology and pathogenesis of the coli-enterotoxin syndrome of piglets are discussed.", "PMID": 797340} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10922", "title": "[Risk of recurrence of several congenital malformations: anencephaly, spina bifida, cleft palate and cleft lip].", "content": "Recurrence risks were estimated for some congenital malformation from a multifactorial model according to the method given by Smith (1971). Risks were estimated for cleft lip with or without cleft palate, cleft palate alone, anencephaly and spina bifida from data on frequency and heritability collected in France. Results are given in tables representing risks for some 180 specific family histories.", "contents": "[Risk of recurrence of several congenital malformations: anencephaly, spina bifida, cleft palate and cleft lip]. Recurrence risks were estimated for some congenital malformation from a multifactorial model according to the method given by Smith (1971). Risks were estimated for cleft lip with or without cleft palate, cleft palate alone, anencephaly and spina bifida from data on frequency and heritability collected in France. Results are given in tables representing risks for some 180 specific family histories.", "PMID": 797342} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10923", "title": "Analysis of clinical and electrophysiological findings in Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease.", "content": "Serial EEG and EMG investigations were performed in the course of a histologically verified case of Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease. Some electrophysiologic data, including visual-evoked responses were analyzed using a computer. Correlations between clinical and EEG findings suggest that the generator of the periodic discharges may be localized in some circumscribed area of the upper brain stem, probably the thalamus. The inhibitory effect of various narcotics suggests that the pacemaker of the triphasic discharges has relations to the nonspecific activating system.", "contents": "Analysis of clinical and electrophysiological findings in Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease. Serial EEG and EMG investigations were performed in the course of a histologically verified case of Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease. Some electrophysiologic data, including visual-evoked responses were analyzed using a computer. Correlations between clinical and EEG findings suggest that the generator of the periodic discharges may be localized in some circumscribed area of the upper brain stem, probably the thalamus. The inhibitory effect of various narcotics suggests that the pacemaker of the triphasic discharges has relations to the nonspecific activating system.", "PMID": 797343} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10924", "title": "The use of agarose gels for the assay of the deoxyribonuclease activity associated with the soluble penton of adenoviruses.", "content": "Evidence is presented that the excess pool of penton complexes purified from adenovirus type 1-infected HEp-2 cells also carry an endonucleolytic activity. The effect was measured with both E. coli and adenovirus type 1 double-stranded DNA substrates. The use of agarose gels for assaying the endonuclease activity allowed the approximative calculation of the number of penton molecules which might produce one DNA double-strand break under the experimental conditions selected.", "contents": "The use of agarose gels for the assay of the deoxyribonuclease activity associated with the soluble penton of adenoviruses. Evidence is presented that the excess pool of penton complexes purified from adenovirus type 1-infected HEp-2 cells also carry an endonucleolytic activity. The effect was measured with both E. coli and adenovirus type 1 double-stranded DNA substrates. The use of agarose gels for assaying the endonuclease activity allowed the approximative calculation of the number of penton molecules which might produce one DNA double-strand break under the experimental conditions selected.", "PMID": 797350} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10925", "title": "[Controlled clinical research on the potassium-retaining action of various diuretic drugs].", "content": "The potassium-retaining action was evaluated in its kaliemic reflexes, in two diuretic associations composed respectively of hydrochlorothiazide + spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide + amiloride. The potassium intraerythrocytic levels were also determined as well as the natriuresis, the natremia and the daily diuresis. Researches carried out on a group of patients affected by congestive heart failure showed that, the diuretic efficacy being equal, the association of hydrochlorothiazide + spironolactone does not significantly interfere, at the various posologic levels, with the potassium balance. On the contrary, in this regard, the associaiton of amiloride + hydrochlorothiazide appeared to be less manageable because therapeutic dosages showed a tendency to hyperdaliemia.", "contents": "[Controlled clinical research on the potassium-retaining action of various diuretic drugs]. The potassium-retaining action was evaluated in its kaliemic reflexes, in two diuretic associations composed respectively of hydrochlorothiazide + spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide + amiloride. The potassium intraerythrocytic levels were also determined as well as the natriuresis, the natremia and the daily diuresis. Researches carried out on a group of patients affected by congestive heart failure showed that, the diuretic efficacy being equal, the association of hydrochlorothiazide + spironolactone does not significantly interfere, at the various posologic levels, with the potassium balance. On the contrary, in this regard, the associaiton of amiloride + hydrochlorothiazide appeared to be less manageable because therapeutic dosages showed a tendency to hyperdaliemia.", "PMID": 797349} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10926", "title": "[Immunomorphological study of plasmorrhagia in experimental hypertension in rats].", "content": "Plasmorrhagia of the arterial wall of various organs in rats with ischemic renal, DOCA-saline, and genetic spontaneous hypertension was studied by the method of fluorescent antibodies according to Coombs with the use of pure antibodies to yamma-globudin of a rabbit. The most pronounced plasmorrhagia was observed in rats with DOCA-saline hypertension in the arterial vessels of the kidneys. In rats with genetic hypertension lesions of the heart vessels were noted.", "contents": "[Immunomorphological study of plasmorrhagia in experimental hypertension in rats]. Plasmorrhagia of the arterial wall of various organs in rats with ischemic renal, DOCA-saline, and genetic spontaneous hypertension was studied by the method of fluorescent antibodies according to Coombs with the use of pure antibodies to yamma-globudin of a rabbit. The most pronounced plasmorrhagia was observed in rats with DOCA-saline hypertension in the arterial vessels of the kidneys. In rats with genetic hypertension lesions of the heart vessels were noted.", "PMID": 797354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10927", "title": "[Immunofluorescence study of fixed antibodies in experimental allergic polyneuritis].", "content": "Determination of globulins in the peripheral nervous system in rabbits with experimental allergic polyneuritis (EAP) was carried out by Coonbs' method with fixation of complement according to Shepherd. Fixation of immunoglobulins in the myelin coats of sensitive ganglions before the appearance of neurologic symptoms of EAP was shown. In the same departments of the peripheral nervous system and at the same time periods there was observed accumulation of immunocompetent cells, which testified to the likelyhood of local formation of specific antibodies that produced a pathogenic action.", "contents": "[Immunofluorescence study of fixed antibodies in experimental allergic polyneuritis]. Determination of globulins in the peripheral nervous system in rabbits with experimental allergic polyneuritis (EAP) was carried out by Coonbs' method with fixation of complement according to Shepherd. Fixation of immunoglobulins in the myelin coats of sensitive ganglions before the appearance of neurologic symptoms of EAP was shown. In the same departments of the peripheral nervous system and at the same time periods there was observed accumulation of immunocompetent cells, which testified to the likelyhood of local formation of specific antibodies that produced a pathogenic action.", "PMID": 797355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10928", "title": "[Cytological studies in pulmonary pathology].", "content": "Cytological investigations of the bronchial secretion and sputum in particular have acquired in recent years a great practical significance in pulmonary pathology. It is recommended to use cytodiagnosis along with prophylactic X-ray examinations of the population to detect pulmonary pathology, in particular among individuals with a higher risk of developing cancer. A substantiated opinion is put forward that cytodiagnosis should precede examinations of patients with clinico-roentgenologically confirmed changes in the lungs.", "contents": "[Cytological studies in pulmonary pathology]. Cytological investigations of the bronchial secretion and sputum in particular have acquired in recent years a great practical significance in pulmonary pathology. It is recommended to use cytodiagnosis along with prophylactic X-ray examinations of the population to detect pulmonary pathology, in particular among individuals with a higher risk of developing cancer. A substantiated opinion is put forward that cytodiagnosis should precede examinations of patients with clinico-roentgenologically confirmed changes in the lungs.", "PMID": 797357} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10929", "title": "[Determination of diagnostic significance of nonspecific morphological signs].", "content": "For assessment of diagnostic significance of nonspecific morphological signs the authors suggest to apply calculation of their informativeness according to Kullback's formula. This qualitatively characterizes the degree of difference of crossed signs in differentiating diseases. An initial value is frequency of occurrence of a sign or a degree of its manifestation determined by a relative frequency index according to histometry findings. Calculation of informativeness may be applied only with respect to statistically significant differing aspects. The value of the informativeness index corresponds to diagnostic significance of a sign. The recommended objective method broadens the sphere of application of diagnostic biopsy and may facilitate putting into practice of pathological anatomy of methods of computer diagnosis.", "contents": "[Determination of diagnostic significance of nonspecific morphological signs]. For assessment of diagnostic significance of nonspecific morphological signs the authors suggest to apply calculation of their informativeness according to Kullback's formula. This qualitatively characterizes the degree of difference of crossed signs in differentiating diseases. An initial value is frequency of occurrence of a sign or a degree of its manifestation determined by a relative frequency index according to histometry findings. Calculation of informativeness may be applied only with respect to statistically significant differing aspects. The value of the informativeness index corresponds to diagnostic significance of a sign. The recommended objective method broadens the sphere of application of diagnostic biopsy and may facilitate putting into practice of pathological anatomy of methods of computer diagnosis.", "PMID": 797358} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10930", "title": "[Histophysiology of the thymus gland].", "content": "The article comprises a survey of the literature data on histophysiology of the thymus gland and a discussion of results of the authors' own observations of this gland in rats line \"Vistar\" in normalcy and in the presence in the organism of a transplanted tumour RS-1. Problems associated with histophysiology of the thymus, including such as differentiation of thymocytes, their relationships with the reticuloepithelial cells, the capacity of the latter for secretion, the role of the stratified epithelial bodies, the hematothymus barrier, etc., are discussed.", "contents": "[Histophysiology of the thymus gland]. The article comprises a survey of the literature data on histophysiology of the thymus gland and a discussion of results of the authors' own observations of this gland in rats line \"Vistar\" in normalcy and in the presence in the organism of a transplanted tumour RS-1. Problems associated with histophysiology of the thymus, including such as differentiation of thymocytes, their relationships with the reticuloepithelial cells, the capacity of the latter for secretion, the role of the stratified epithelial bodies, the hematothymus barrier, etc., are discussed.", "PMID": 797359} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10931", "title": "[Ultrastructural changes in mucosa of the distal portion of the large intestine of patients with dysentery].", "content": "The ultrastructure of the mucosa of the large intestine was studied in 10 patients with acute dysentery. The group of patients included 7 women and 3 men aged 17--50 years. Diagnosis was confirmed in all cases bacteriologically (by isolation of Sonne shigella in 4 patients and Flexner shigella in 6 patients). The electron-microscopy study of bioptats of the mucosa showed that in the inflammatory process all its cells--prismatic, gobletcells, and enterochromaffin -- took part, although not in the same degree. Early appearance of a great number of prismatic cells with a high functional activity indicated to compensatory abilities of the mucosa already during the first days of the disease.", "contents": "[Ultrastructural changes in mucosa of the distal portion of the large intestine of patients with dysentery]. The ultrastructure of the mucosa of the large intestine was studied in 10 patients with acute dysentery. The group of patients included 7 women and 3 men aged 17--50 years. Diagnosis was confirmed in all cases bacteriologically (by isolation of Sonne shigella in 4 patients and Flexner shigella in 6 patients). The electron-microscopy study of bioptats of the mucosa showed that in the inflammatory process all its cells--prismatic, gobletcells, and enterochromaffin -- took part, although not in the same degree. Early appearance of a great number of prismatic cells with a high functional activity indicated to compensatory abilities of the mucosa already during the first days of the disease.", "PMID": 797360} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10932", "title": "[Detection of damaged myocardial cells in histological sections by photochemical fluorochroming].", "content": "The effect of photochemical fluorochromizing used in the method suggested consists in the following: after the exposure of sections to short-wave ultraviolet irradiation the preparations start to fluorescence intensively in the visible region with the long-wave the myocardium of mice, dogs and section materials showed that following photochemical fluorochroming the intensity of lumenescence of damaged cells of the myocardium increased markedly as compared with that of intact cells. The authors recommend to use the described method in diagnosis of early stages of ischemic lesions of the myocardium.", "contents": "[Detection of damaged myocardial cells in histological sections by photochemical fluorochroming]. The effect of photochemical fluorochromizing used in the method suggested consists in the following: after the exposure of sections to short-wave ultraviolet irradiation the preparations start to fluorescence intensively in the visible region with the long-wave the myocardium of mice, dogs and section materials showed that following photochemical fluorochroming the intensity of lumenescence of damaged cells of the myocardium increased markedly as compared with that of intact cells. The authors recommend to use the described method in diagnosis of early stages of ischemic lesions of the myocardium.", "PMID": 797361} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10933", "title": "Anatomical considerations when using endodontic endosseous pins and blade implants.", "content": "The use of pin and blade implants is evaluated from the point of view of the regional anatomy. Some principles are enunciated and a plea is made for the publication of more clinical analyses.", "contents": "Anatomical considerations when using endodontic endosseous pins and blade implants. The use of pin and blade implants is evaluated from the point of view of the regional anatomy. Some principles are enunciated and a plea is made for the publication of more clinical analyses.", "PMID": 797369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10934", "title": "Denture sore mouth. Aetiological aspects and treatment.", "content": "Seventy-four patients wearing full upper and lower dentures were examined in the study; 37 exhibited varying degrees of denture sore mouth (DSM) while the remaining 37 patients acted as controls. Denture trauma was more common in the DSM group. Candida was grown from 73 per cent of patients with DSM but only from 22 per cent of controls. Control patients had better denture hygiene than DSM patients. One year later 22 of the original DSM patients wearing newly made dentures were re-examined. Nine out of 22 still exhibited varying degrees of DSM. In the 9 cases persisting, a nystatin-chlorhexidine treatment plan was prescribed, resulting in resolution of 7 further cases. The cases that failed resolve were wearing unstable traumatogenic new dentures.", "contents": "Denture sore mouth. Aetiological aspects and treatment. Seventy-four patients wearing full upper and lower dentures were examined in the study; 37 exhibited varying degrees of denture sore mouth (DSM) while the remaining 37 patients acted as controls. Denture trauma was more common in the DSM group. Candida was grown from 73 per cent of patients with DSM but only from 22 per cent of controls. Control patients had better denture hygiene than DSM patients. One year later 22 of the original DSM patients wearing newly made dentures were re-examined. Nine out of 22 still exhibited varying degrees of DSM. In the 9 cases persisting, a nystatin-chlorhexidine treatment plan was prescribed, resulting in resolution of 7 further cases. The cases that failed resolve were wearing unstable traumatogenic new dentures.", "PMID": 797370} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10935", "title": "A survey of patients' attitudes to their dentist.", "content": "A survey of the dentist-patient relationship, carried out in several Melbourne suburbs, found that the incidence of dentures increases with age; that females visit the dentist more regularly and are more likely to wear partial dentures than males; that the young visit more regularly than the old; and that the wearing of dentures and the expense of treatment are significant factors which deter people from visiting the dentist more regularly. It was found that \"fear\" and \"dislike\" of the dentist, \"low\" confidence in the dentist and a poor dentist attitude to the patient are all associated with poor attendance. \"Dislike\" is a stronger deterrent than \"fear\", although \"fear\" is more common. Confidence in the dentist is high, most have a high opinion of their own dentist, and only a fifth of the respondents consider their dentist to be \"rude\" or \"indifferent\". Attitude associations are also discussed.", "contents": "A survey of patients' attitudes to their dentist. A survey of the dentist-patient relationship, carried out in several Melbourne suburbs, found that the incidence of dentures increases with age; that females visit the dentist more regularly and are more likely to wear partial dentures than males; that the young visit more regularly than the old; and that the wearing of dentures and the expense of treatment are significant factors which deter people from visiting the dentist more regularly. It was found that \"fear\" and \"dislike\" of the dentist, \"low\" confidence in the dentist and a poor dentist attitude to the patient are all associated with poor attendance. \"Dislike\" is a stronger deterrent than \"fear\", although \"fear\" is more common. Confidence in the dentist is high, most have a high opinion of their own dentist, and only a fifth of the respondents consider their dentist to be \"rude\" or \"indifferent\". Attitude associations are also discussed.", "PMID": 797372} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10936", "title": "Home dialysis and renal transplantation in the management of chronic renal failure.", "content": "In Australia, most patients with terminal renal failure can be offered rehabilitation by home dialysis or renal transplantation, or both. All patients require an initial period of dialysis and this can, in many cases, be carried out in the patient's home. Although the great majority of patients with terminal renal failure will receive a renal transplant, a further period of dialysis will be necessary if this is not successful until a second transplant can be carried out. Home dialysis is especially valuable for these patients, for country patients and for those unlikely to receive a satisfactory renal transplant.", "contents": "Home dialysis and renal transplantation in the management of chronic renal failure. In Australia, most patients with terminal renal failure can be offered rehabilitation by home dialysis or renal transplantation, or both. All patients require an initial period of dialysis and this can, in many cases, be carried out in the patient's home. Although the great majority of patients with terminal renal failure will receive a renal transplant, a further period of dialysis will be necessary if this is not successful until a second transplant can be carried out. Home dialysis is especially valuable for these patients, for country patients and for those unlikely to receive a satisfactory renal transplant.", "PMID": 797374} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10937", "title": "Laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infection in children.", "content": "One-third of the total number of 1,500 urine specimens examined each month by the bacteriology department of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, originate in the General Paediatric Clinic. The patients, presenting with acute symptoms, are similar to those encountered in general practice. This article discusses the laboratory methods used to support a diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) in childhood.", "contents": "Laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infection in children. One-third of the total number of 1,500 urine specimens examined each month by the bacteriology department of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, originate in the General Paediatric Clinic. The patients, presenting with acute symptoms, are similar to those encountered in general practice. This article discusses the laboratory methods used to support a diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) in childhood.", "PMID": 797375} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10938", "title": "Resistance of mice to Krebs ascites tumour, sarcoma S180 and PC6 plasmacytoma after immunisation with Salmonella enteritidis 11RX.", "content": "Resistance to Krebs ascites tumour, sarcoma S180 (ascitic form) and PC6 plasmacytoma can be induced with prior immunisation with live Salmonella enteritidis 11RX. One thousand to ten thousand more tumour cells are needed to give an LD50 after immunisation. Resistance to PC6 could be recalled 137 days after intravenous immunisation with 11RX protein antigen intraperitoneally as measured by prolonged survival or monitoring the death of 5[131I]-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine labelled tumour cells in vivo. The range of tumours to which resistance can be produced by 11RX immunisation suggests that the mechanism of resistance does not involve antigens common to the tumours and Salmonella enteritidis 11RX.", "contents": "Resistance of mice to Krebs ascites tumour, sarcoma S180 and PC6 plasmacytoma after immunisation with Salmonella enteritidis 11RX. Resistance to Krebs ascites tumour, sarcoma S180 (ascitic form) and PC6 plasmacytoma can be induced with prior immunisation with live Salmonella enteritidis 11RX. One thousand to ten thousand more tumour cells are needed to give an LD50 after immunisation. Resistance to PC6 could be recalled 137 days after intravenous immunisation with 11RX protein antigen intraperitoneally as measured by prolonged survival or monitoring the death of 5[131I]-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine labelled tumour cells in vivo. The range of tumours to which resistance can be produced by 11RX immunisation suggests that the mechanism of resistance does not involve antigens common to the tumours and Salmonella enteritidis 11RX.", "PMID": 797376} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10939", "title": "Local and systemic effects in the non-specific tumour resistance induced by attenuated Salmonella enteritidis 11RX in mice.", "content": "Suppression of growth of a number of different murine tumours, injected subcutaneously or into the foot pad, was induced by prior intraperitoneal or intravenous immunisation with Salmonella enteritidis 11RX. The effect of immunisation on tumour growth was relatively minor, but could be enhanced by addition of 11RX antigen preparations to the suspensions of tumour cells used for challenge. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "Local and systemic effects in the non-specific tumour resistance induced by attenuated Salmonella enteritidis 11RX in mice. Suppression of growth of a number of different murine tumours, injected subcutaneously or into the foot pad, was induced by prior intraperitoneal or intravenous immunisation with Salmonella enteritidis 11RX. The effect of immunisation on tumour growth was relatively minor, but could be enhanced by addition of 11RX antigen preparations to the suspensions of tumour cells used for challenge. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 797377} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10940", "title": "A role for antibody in the expression of cellular immunity to Salmonella typhimurium C5.", "content": "Immunisation of mice with alcohol-killed Salmonella typhimurium C5 vaccine before infection with Salmonella enteritidis 11RX enhanced the ability of these mice to control and eliminate a challenge dose of Salmonella typhimurium C5, compared to mice which only received live Salmonella enteritidis 11RX organisms. When alcohol-killed Salmonella enteritidis Se795 vaccine was used instead of the Salmonella typhimurium C5 vaccine, this effect was not observed. These observations imply that both humoral and cellular responses are important in the expression of immunity to slamonella infections. The bearing of these results on the observations of other workers is discussed.", "contents": "A role for antibody in the expression of cellular immunity to Salmonella typhimurium C5. Immunisation of mice with alcohol-killed Salmonella typhimurium C5 vaccine before infection with Salmonella enteritidis 11RX enhanced the ability of these mice to control and eliminate a challenge dose of Salmonella typhimurium C5, compared to mice which only received live Salmonella enteritidis 11RX organisms. When alcohol-killed Salmonella enteritidis Se795 vaccine was used instead of the Salmonella typhimurium C5 vaccine, this effect was not observed. These observations imply that both humoral and cellular responses are important in the expression of immunity to slamonella infections. The bearing of these results on the observations of other workers is discussed.", "PMID": 797378} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10941", "title": "The role of thymus-derived cells in immunity to salmonella infection.", "content": "The ability of thymus-derived (T) cell depleted mice to eliminate a dose of the normally avirulent 11RX strain of Salmonella enteritidis was compared to that of normal mice by following the fate of the challenge organisms in the liver and spleen of both types of mice. Although the mice did not require normal numbers of T cells to survive infection with Salmonella enteritidis 11RX, T cell depletion reduced the ability of mice effectively to eliminate the organism from their tissues. In addition, T cell depletion abolished the ability of live Salmonella enteritidis 11RX vaccine to protect mice against a subsequent challenge with the virulent C5 strain of Salmonella typhimurium.", "contents": "The role of thymus-derived cells in immunity to salmonella infection. The ability of thymus-derived (T) cell depleted mice to eliminate a dose of the normally avirulent 11RX strain of Salmonella enteritidis was compared to that of normal mice by following the fate of the challenge organisms in the liver and spleen of both types of mice. Although the mice did not require normal numbers of T cells to survive infection with Salmonella enteritidis 11RX, T cell depletion reduced the ability of mice effectively to eliminate the organism from their tissues. In addition, T cell depletion abolished the ability of live Salmonella enteritidis 11RX vaccine to protect mice against a subsequent challenge with the virulent C5 strain of Salmonella typhimurium.", "PMID": 797379} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10942", "title": "The effect of antigenic strength and immunisation on the popliteal lymph node allograft response.", "content": "The kinetics of the popliteal lymph node response to an allograft of lymphoid cells injected into the foot pad were examined after challenge with strong (Ag-B) and weak (non Ag-B) transplantation antigens. The response to weak antigens was characterised by a lag period of 2 days. The response to strong antigens was more rapid in onset. Active immunisation against weak antigens accelerated the response so that it came to resemble the immediate response to strong antigens. Active immunisation against strong antigens depressed the response. This depression was reproduced by giving passive antiserum to normal recipients. Passive antiserum produced by immunisation against weak antigens was also suppressive. Adoptive transfer of immune lymphoid cells reproduced the effects seen with passive transfer of antiserum. These findings indicate that clonal expansion of antigen-sensitive cells is characteristic of immunity to weak and not to strong antigens and that antibody is produced in both situations and has a similar suppressive effect on the cell-mediated response in addition to its direct effect on the graft.", "contents": "The effect of antigenic strength and immunisation on the popliteal lymph node allograft response. The kinetics of the popliteal lymph node response to an allograft of lymphoid cells injected into the foot pad were examined after challenge with strong (Ag-B) and weak (non Ag-B) transplantation antigens. The response to weak antigens was characterised by a lag period of 2 days. The response to strong antigens was more rapid in onset. Active immunisation against weak antigens accelerated the response so that it came to resemble the immediate response to strong antigens. Active immunisation against strong antigens depressed the response. This depression was reproduced by giving passive antiserum to normal recipients. Passive antiserum produced by immunisation against weak antigens was also suppressive. Adoptive transfer of immune lymphoid cells reproduced the effects seen with passive transfer of antiserum. These findings indicate that clonal expansion of antigen-sensitive cells is characteristic of immunity to weak and not to strong antigens and that antibody is produced in both situations and has a similar suppressive effect on the cell-mediated response in addition to its direct effect on the graft.", "PMID": 797380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10943", "title": "The responses of the popliteal lymph node of the sheep to Ross River and Kunjin viruses.", "content": "The responses of popliteal lymph nodes of sheep to Ross River virus (RRV) or Kunjin virus (KV) have been studied by monitoring the cell populations, virus titre, antibody titre and plaque-forming cell (PFC) content of the efferent lymph. In a typical primary response to subcutaneous inoculation in the lower hind limb of either RRV or KV, the flow rate of lymph increased slightly. Increased cell concentrations in the lymph following inoculation caused the hourly cell outputs to rise 5.3- to 10.1-fold above pre-challenge levels. High cell outputs were sustained at greater than 3-fold above pre-challenge figures for up to 10 days. The increased number of large, blastic lymphocytes ranged from 4.0- to 14.9-fold; the increase in these cells usually followed the rise in total number of lymphocytes by 24 to 48 h and remained at greater than 3-fold higher levels for up to 12 days. Ross River virus was recovered in the efferent lymph for at least 36 h after inoculation. Sudden disappearance of the virus from the lymph was correlated with the onset of significant haemagglutination-inhibition antibody titres by 3 to 4 days after infection. In the efferent lymph, PFC were detected 5 to 7 days after primary or secondary inoculation of KV or RRV when lymphocytes were incubated with specific haemagglutinin-coated goose erythrocytes and guinea-pig complement. Antibody levels in the lymph were persistent while the occurrence of PFC was transient.", "contents": "The responses of the popliteal lymph node of the sheep to Ross River and Kunjin viruses. The responses of popliteal lymph nodes of sheep to Ross River virus (RRV) or Kunjin virus (KV) have been studied by monitoring the cell populations, virus titre, antibody titre and plaque-forming cell (PFC) content of the efferent lymph. In a typical primary response to subcutaneous inoculation in the lower hind limb of either RRV or KV, the flow rate of lymph increased slightly. Increased cell concentrations in the lymph following inoculation caused the hourly cell outputs to rise 5.3- to 10.1-fold above pre-challenge levels. High cell outputs were sustained at greater than 3-fold above pre-challenge figures for up to 10 days. The increased number of large, blastic lymphocytes ranged from 4.0- to 14.9-fold; the increase in these cells usually followed the rise in total number of lymphocytes by 24 to 48 h and remained at greater than 3-fold higher levels for up to 12 days. Ross River virus was recovered in the efferent lymph for at least 36 h after inoculation. Sudden disappearance of the virus from the lymph was correlated with the onset of significant haemagglutination-inhibition antibody titres by 3 to 4 days after infection. In the efferent lymph, PFC were detected 5 to 7 days after primary or secondary inoculation of KV or RRV when lymphocytes were incubated with specific haemagglutinin-coated goose erythrocytes and guinea-pig complement. Antibody levels in the lymph were persistent while the occurrence of PFC was transient.", "PMID": 797381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10944", "title": "Salmonella typhimurium colitis.", "content": "A patient in whom Salmonella typhimurium infection caused a localised colitis is described. Colitis has been demonstrated in experimental animals infected with S. typhimurium and noted at post mortem in patients dying from S. typhimurium infection. However colitis is an infrequently recognised feature of this infection in man, the usual diagnosis being one of gastroenteritis. There have been four other cases reported with radiological evidence of colonic involvement due to salmonella infection. Colitis probably occurs more frequently than is usually recognised in this condition and must be distinguished from ulcerative colitis.", "contents": "Salmonella typhimurium colitis. A patient in whom Salmonella typhimurium infection caused a localised colitis is described. Colitis has been demonstrated in experimental animals infected with S. typhimurium and noted at post mortem in patients dying from S. typhimurium infection. However colitis is an infrequently recognised feature of this infection in man, the usual diagnosis being one of gastroenteritis. There have been four other cases reported with radiological evidence of colonic involvement due to salmonella infection. Colitis probably occurs more frequently than is usually recognised in this condition and must be distinguished from ulcerative colitis.", "PMID": 797382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10945", "title": "A study of the influence of magnesium ions on the conformation of ribosomal ribonucleic acid and on the stability of the larger subribosomal particle of rabbit reticulocytes.", "content": "Mg2+ was shown to affect the conformation of rRNA over the range of 0.03-1.2M-KCl. The species studies were Escherichia coli S-rRNA and L-rRNA (the RNA moieties of the smaller and larger subribosomal particles respectively) and rabbits S-rRNA and L-rRNA. 2. The addition of Mg2+ to rRNA in reconstitution buffer (0.35M-KCl0.01M-Tris/HCl, pH7.2) at 20 degrees C let to an increase in bihelical secondary structure through the formation of additional (mainly A-U) base-pairs (e.g. an additional approx. 58 A-U base-pairs per molecule of E. coli S-rRNA as judged by u.v. difference spectrophotometry...", "contents": "A study of the influence of magnesium ions on the conformation of ribosomal ribonucleic acid and on the stability of the larger subribosomal particle of rabbit reticulocytes. Mg2+ was shown to affect the conformation of rRNA over the range of 0.03-1.2M-KCl. The species studies were Escherichia coli S-rRNA and L-rRNA (the RNA moieties of the smaller and larger subribosomal particles respectively) and rabbits S-rRNA and L-rRNA. 2. The addition of Mg2+ to rRNA in reconstitution buffer (0.35M-KCl0.01M-Tris/HCl, pH7.2) at 20 degrees C let to an increase in bihelical secondary structure through the formation of additional (mainly A-U) base-pairs (e.g. an additional approx. 58 A-U base-pairs per molecule of E. coli S-rRNA as judged by u.v. difference spectrophotometry...", "PMID": 797388} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10946", "title": "Peptidyltransferase activity of ribosomes and a ribosome precursor from a mutant of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Escherichia coli strain 15-28 is a mutant with a defect in ribosome synthesis that caused the accumulation of ribonucleoprotein ('47S') particles during exponential growth. These particles are precursors to 50S ribosomes that lack three ribosomal proteins. Peptidyltransferase activity and binding at the peptidyl site of the peptidyltransferase centre are greatly decreased in 47S particles. Both these activities are lower in the 50S and 70S ribosomes of strain 15-28 than in its parent. Unusual assembly of the larger ribosomal subunit in strain 15-28 may produce completed ribosomes with diminished biological activity.", "contents": "Peptidyltransferase activity of ribosomes and a ribosome precursor from a mutant of Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli strain 15-28 is a mutant with a defect in ribosome synthesis that caused the accumulation of ribonucleoprotein ('47S') particles during exponential growth. These particles are precursors to 50S ribosomes that lack three ribosomal proteins. Peptidyltransferase activity and binding at the peptidyl site of the peptidyltransferase centre are greatly decreased in 47S particles. Both these activities are lower in the 50S and 70S ribosomes of strain 15-28 than in its parent. Unusual assembly of the larger ribosomal subunit in strain 15-28 may produce completed ribosomes with diminished biological activity.", "PMID": 797389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10947", "title": "Effects of dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide on proton translocation coupled to fumarate reduction in anaerobically grown cells of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "The addition of dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide to anaerobic cells of Escherichia coli K12 decreases both the observed extent of proton translocation coupled to fumarate reduction by endogenous substrates and the t 1/2 of proton re-entry after such translocation, but does not affect fumarate uptake. Dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide also inhibits fumarate reductase activity in cell extracts.", "contents": "Effects of dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide on proton translocation coupled to fumarate reduction in anaerobically grown cells of Escherichia coli K-12. The addition of dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide to anaerobic cells of Escherichia coli K12 decreases both the observed extent of proton translocation coupled to fumarate reduction by endogenous substrates and the t 1/2 of proton re-entry after such translocation, but does not affect fumarate uptake. Dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide also inhibits fumarate reductase activity in cell extracts.", "PMID": 797390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10948", "title": "Mineral imbalances in farm animals and their study and diagnosis with isotopic tracers.", "content": "Twenty-two mineral elements are known to be essential for animal life. These are calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, iron, iodine, copper, manganese, zinc, cobalt, molybdenum, selenium, chromium, tin, vanadium, fluorine, silicon, nickel and arsenic. Naturally occurring and man-made dietary imbalances of many of these elements and their interactions with other minerals are described and their functions and requirements by farm animals are outlined. The nature and importance of metabolic interactions among the mineral elements are discussed and the important concept stressed that there is no single minimum requirement or safe tolerance of a particular mineral, but a series of such minimum requirements and safe tolerances depending on the extent to which other minerals with which it interacts is present or absent from the diet. Radioactive tracer elements are shown to be of great value in the determination of mineral nutrient availability to the animal and for following mineral metabolic movements in the body. They are also shown to have considerable potential for the diagnosis of mineral imbalances. Various in vivo and in vitro techniques, involving both radioactive and stable tracers developed for the early diagnosis of mineral deficiencies are described and the strengths and weaknesses of such techniques in comparison with standard biochemical tests, are discussed. The need for further critical studies with isotopic tracers in the detection and diagnosis of mineral imbalances is emphasized. The main types of biochemical criteria used in the diagnosis of mineral deficiencies and excesses are given, with appropriate examples of their use.", "contents": "Mineral imbalances in farm animals and their study and diagnosis with isotopic tracers. Twenty-two mineral elements are known to be essential for animal life. These are calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, iron, iodine, copper, manganese, zinc, cobalt, molybdenum, selenium, chromium, tin, vanadium, fluorine, silicon, nickel and arsenic. Naturally occurring and man-made dietary imbalances of many of these elements and their interactions with other minerals are described and their functions and requirements by farm animals are outlined. The nature and importance of metabolic interactions among the mineral elements are discussed and the important concept stressed that there is no single minimum requirement or safe tolerance of a particular mineral, but a series of such minimum requirements and safe tolerances depending on the extent to which other minerals with which it interacts is present or absent from the diet. Radioactive tracer elements are shown to be of great value in the determination of mineral nutrient availability to the animal and for following mineral metabolic movements in the body. They are also shown to have considerable potential for the diagnosis of mineral imbalances. Various in vivo and in vitro techniques, involving both radioactive and stable tracers developed for the early diagnosis of mineral deficiencies are described and the strengths and weaknesses of such techniques in comparison with standard biochemical tests, are discussed. The need for further critical studies with isotopic tracers in the detection and diagnosis of mineral imbalances is emphasized. The main types of biochemical criteria used in the diagnosis of mineral deficiencies and excesses are given, with appropriate examples of their use.", "PMID": 797391} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10949", "title": "Comparative mutagenicity test of dyes on E. coli WP2 and S. typhimurium as indicator organisms.", "content": "The mutagenic activity of some industrial dyes has been studied. None of these chemical substances reverted E. coli WP2 and S. typhimurium, regardless of their chemical structure, either in the direct test or in the liver microsomal assay.", "contents": "Comparative mutagenicity test of dyes on E. coli WP2 and S. typhimurium as indicator organisms. The mutagenic activity of some industrial dyes has been studied. None of these chemical substances reverted E. coli WP2 and S. typhimurium, regardless of their chemical structure, either in the direct test or in the liver microsomal assay.", "PMID": 797392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10950", "title": "[Simple and rapid method for direct coliform analysis in seawater].", "content": "A simple and rapid test for the fecal coliform analysis in seawaters by means of the direct seeding on selective-differential m-FC agar medium is described. The data set fourth show a good yield for the test insofar as test sensitivity, specificity and reliability are concerned. Consequently, its use is proposed along with, or at variance with, the traditional techniques MPN and FM which are not always of practical and easy carrying out, under particular operative conditions (need to customarily analyse a high number of samples).", "contents": "[Simple and rapid method for direct coliform analysis in seawater]. A simple and rapid test for the fecal coliform analysis in seawaters by means of the direct seeding on selective-differential m-FC agar medium is described. The data set fourth show a good yield for the test insofar as test sensitivity, specificity and reliability are concerned. Consequently, its use is proposed along with, or at variance with, the traditional techniques MPN and FM which are not always of practical and easy carrying out, under particular operative conditions (need to customarily analyse a high number of samples).", "PMID": 797393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10951", "title": "[Possible use of the platelet as the cell system for the control of enteropathogenicity of E. coli and of other enterobacteria. Preliminary approach].", "content": "After an introduction concerning the assays employed in vitro and in vivo to determine enterotoxigenic activity of E. coli, the A. suggests a new in vitro model as a preliminary approach based upon the influence of LT enterotoxin of Escherichia coli on platelet aggregation (inhibitory effect) as expression of stimulation of adenylatecyclase activity evoked by this fraction and eventually other cholera-like fractions released from enterobacteria.", "contents": "[Possible use of the platelet as the cell system for the control of enteropathogenicity of E. coli and of other enterobacteria. Preliminary approach]. After an introduction concerning the assays employed in vitro and in vivo to determine enterotoxigenic activity of E. coli, the A. suggests a new in vitro model as a preliminary approach based upon the influence of LT enterotoxin of Escherichia coli on platelet aggregation (inhibitory effect) as expression of stimulation of adenylatecyclase activity evoked by this fraction and eventually other cholera-like fractions released from enterobacteria.", "PMID": 797394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10952", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of methohexitone following intravenous infusion in humans.", "content": "A sensitive method, using gas chromatography with nitrogen selective detection, has been developed for the accurate measurement of methohexitone, in plasma, in concentrations of less than 0.05 mug/ml, and which makes it possible to study the pharmacokinetics of the drug after clinical doses in man. Methohexitone sodium 3.0 mg/kg was administered by zero-order infusion to healthy volunteers and plasma concentrations were measured during and after infusion. The decrease in the plasma concentration of methohexitone can be described by two-compartment kinetics. The terminal elimination half-life of the drug is relatively short (70-125 min), which is a result of a high metabolic clearance rate (657-999 ml plasma/min). It was concluded that uptake of the drug by adipose tissue does not contribute significantly to its pharmacokinetics in man. In addition to the initial redistribution of an anaesthetic dose of methohexitone, the quick recovery of patients is a result of rapid metabolism of the drug.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of methohexitone following intravenous infusion in humans. A sensitive method, using gas chromatography with nitrogen selective detection, has been developed for the accurate measurement of methohexitone, in plasma, in concentrations of less than 0.05 mug/ml, and which makes it possible to study the pharmacokinetics of the drug after clinical doses in man. Methohexitone sodium 3.0 mg/kg was administered by zero-order infusion to healthy volunteers and plasma concentrations were measured during and after infusion. The decrease in the plasma concentration of methohexitone can be described by two-compartment kinetics. The terminal elimination half-life of the drug is relatively short (70-125 min), which is a result of a high metabolic clearance rate (657-999 ml plasma/min). It was concluded that uptake of the drug by adipose tissue does not contribute significantly to its pharmacokinetics in man. In addition to the initial redistribution of an anaesthetic dose of methohexitone, the quick recovery of patients is a result of rapid metabolism of the drug.", "PMID": 797396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10953", "title": "Cyanide and thiocyanate concentrations following sodium nitroprusside infusion in man.", "content": "Twenty-six patients, receiving an infusion of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) during surgery, had considerable increases in both red cell and plasma cyanide concentration, but only small changes in plasma thiocyanate concentration. There was a linear relationship between both plasma and RBC cyanide concentrations and the total dose of SNP. The expired cyanide concentration followed the changes in the plasma. We believe that the development of metabolic acidosis, and the recent fatalities involving SNP, are attributable to histotoxic hypoxia as a result of excessive plasma concentrations of cyanide. On the basis of our results, we recommend that the total dose of SNP should not exceed 1.5 mg/kg during short-term infusions and that the plasma cyanide should not exceed 300 nmol%. Plasma thiocyanate concentrations are, in general, an unreliable indication of extent of exposure to cyanide, although they may become important during long-term infusions.", "contents": "Cyanide and thiocyanate concentrations following sodium nitroprusside infusion in man. Twenty-six patients, receiving an infusion of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) during surgery, had considerable increases in both red cell and plasma cyanide concentration, but only small changes in plasma thiocyanate concentration. There was a linear relationship between both plasma and RBC cyanide concentrations and the total dose of SNP. The expired cyanide concentration followed the changes in the plasma. We believe that the development of metabolic acidosis, and the recent fatalities involving SNP, are attributable to histotoxic hypoxia as a result of excessive plasma concentrations of cyanide. On the basis of our results, we recommend that the total dose of SNP should not exceed 1.5 mg/kg during short-term infusions and that the plasma cyanide should not exceed 300 nmol%. Plasma thiocyanate concentrations are, in general, an unreliable indication of extent of exposure to cyanide, although they may become important during long-term infusions.", "PMID": 797397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10954", "title": "Recovery from methohexitone, halothane and diazepam.", "content": "Five motor and six cognitive tests were performed once before and then serially after anaesthesia with halothane and nitrous oxide of both short and long duration, methohexitone anaesthesia, and diazepam sedation with local anaesthesia. An untreated control group was also tested. The results suggest that, in the first hour, recovery was most rapid after short-duration halothane and nitrous oxide, was less rapid after methohexitone alone and was least rapid after long-duration halothane and nitrous oxide. Recovery after diazepam with local anaesthesia was prolonged and was incomplete at 3 h.", "contents": "Recovery from methohexitone, halothane and diazepam. Five motor and six cognitive tests were performed once before and then serially after anaesthesia with halothane and nitrous oxide of both short and long duration, methohexitone anaesthesia, and diazepam sedation with local anaesthesia. An untreated control group was also tested. The results suggest that, in the first hour, recovery was most rapid after short-duration halothane and nitrous oxide, was less rapid after methohexitone alone and was least rapid after long-duration halothane and nitrous oxide. Recovery after diazepam with local anaesthesia was prolonged and was incomplete at 3 h.", "PMID": 797398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10955", "title": "Lysogenization by bacteriophage lambda IV inhibition of phage DNA synthesis by the products of genes cII and cIII.", "content": "In direct measurements of phage lambda DNA synthesis, we have detected an inhibition caused by the cII and cIII gene products. This inhibition was more clearly observed when P amber phages were grown in a permissive host, presumably because of the limitation in DNA synthesis due to uncomplete suppression. The inhibition takes place in cells infected at high multiplicity, but not in cells infected at low multiplicity. To explain these findings, we propose a model in which the bacterial population is heterogeneous with respect to its ability to support phage DNA synthesis. An initial limitation caused by host factors would be amplified by the action of the cII and cIII products, at high multiplicity only, and the resulting inhibition would be essential in the \"choice\" towards lysogeny.", "contents": "Lysogenization by bacteriophage lambda IV inhibition of phage DNA synthesis by the products of genes cII and cIII. In direct measurements of phage lambda DNA synthesis, we have detected an inhibition caused by the cII and cIII gene products. This inhibition was more clearly observed when P amber phages were grown in a permissive host, presumably because of the limitation in DNA synthesis due to uncomplete suppression. The inhibition takes place in cells infected at high multiplicity, but not in cells infected at low multiplicity. To explain these findings, we propose a model in which the bacterial population is heterogeneous with respect to its ability to support phage DNA synthesis. An initial limitation caused by host factors would be amplified by the action of the cII and cIII products, at high multiplicity only, and the resulting inhibition would be essential in the \"choice\" towards lysogeny.", "PMID": 797399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10956", "title": "Dependence of the sedimentation of high molecular weight DNA on centrifuge speed.", "content": "A theory by Zimm [B.H.Zimm, Biophys. Chem. 1-(1974)279] predicts that for a given centrifuge speed, there is a broad maximum in a plot of the sedimentation coefficient of DNA against molecular wight. Experimental measurements of these maxima for various centrifuge speeds were made for double-helical DNA in neutral sucrose gradients and singlestrand DNA in alkaline gradients. The measurements are in quantitative agreement with the theory, providing good evidence for its validity. The existence of the maximum shows that there is a limit to the sedimentation rate under specified conditions for KNA in the linear form. By implication, DNA observed to sediment faster than this limit is not in the linear form to which most sedimentation theory is applicable.", "contents": "Dependence of the sedimentation of high molecular weight DNA on centrifuge speed. A theory by Zimm [B.H.Zimm, Biophys. Chem. 1-(1974)279] predicts that for a given centrifuge speed, there is a broad maximum in a plot of the sedimentation coefficient of DNA against molecular wight. Experimental measurements of these maxima for various centrifuge speeds were made for double-helical DNA in neutral sucrose gradients and singlestrand DNA in alkaline gradients. The measurements are in quantitative agreement with the theory, providing good evidence for its validity. The existence of the maximum shows that there is a limit to the sedimentation rate under specified conditions for KNA in the linear form. By implication, DNA observed to sediment faster than this limit is not in the linear form to which most sedimentation theory is applicable.", "PMID": 797403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10957", "title": "[Colicin El synthesis in a cell-free system of paired transcription--translation].", "content": "Proteins were synthesized in the cell-free coupled transcription-translation systen (S30) under the control of the DNA-templates of plasmid ColEl, phages T2 and Sd. The most active templates were phage T2 DNA and closed plasmid DNA. Plasmid DNA induced synthesis of 8 individual proteins, one of which was a biologically active antibiotic of protein nature--colicin. The titre of colicin synthesized in such a cell-free system reached 1024 U/ml, this being about 100 times greater than the titre of this antibiotic in the colicinogenic bacteria cultures.", "contents": "[Colicin El synthesis in a cell-free system of paired transcription--translation]. Proteins were synthesized in the cell-free coupled transcription-translation systen (S30) under the control of the DNA-templates of plasmid ColEl, phages T2 and Sd. The most active templates were phage T2 DNA and closed plasmid DNA. Plasmid DNA induced synthesis of 8 individual proteins, one of which was a biologically active antibiotic of protein nature--colicin. The titre of colicin synthesized in such a cell-free system reached 1024 U/ml, this being about 100 times greater than the titre of this antibiotic in the colicinogenic bacteria cultures.", "PMID": 797404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10958", "title": "[Immunohistochemical demonstration of the localization of melatonin and N-acetylserotonin in enterochromaffin cells].", "content": "Employing the immunohistochemical method with the use of specific antisera to melatonin and to N-acetylserotonine the authors showed the presence of these substances in the enterochromaffine cells of the gastrointestinal. It is emphasized that in the organism there exists a group of melatonin-producing cells whose principal link is served by the enterochromatoffine cells playing an important role in the maintenance of homeostasis due to their function--that of melatonin production.", "contents": "[Immunohistochemical demonstration of the localization of melatonin and N-acetylserotonin in enterochromaffin cells]. Employing the immunohistochemical method with the use of specific antisera to melatonin and to N-acetylserotonine the authors showed the presence of these substances in the enterochromaffine cells of the gastrointestinal. It is emphasized that in the organism there exists a group of melatonin-producing cells whose principal link is served by the enterochromatoffine cells playing an important role in the maintenance of homeostasis due to their function--that of melatonin production.", "PMID": 797405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10959", "title": "[Marie Philibert Constant Sappey (1810-1896). The man and the lymphologist].", "content": "About one hundred years ago, the two major lymphological works of the XIXth century were published by SAPPEY; this gives the opportunity to recall who was the man who studied: Plagiostoma, Sharks, Teleosts, domestic Mammals and Man.", "contents": "[Marie Philibert Constant Sappey (1810-1896). The man and the lymphologist]. About one hundred years ago, the two major lymphological works of the XIXth century were published by SAPPEY; this gives the opportunity to recall who was the man who studied: Plagiostoma, Sharks, Teleosts, domestic Mammals and Man.", "PMID": 797406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10960", "title": "[Closing volume and inhomogeneity of the ventilatory mechanical system (author's transl)].", "content": "The use of the closing volume (VF) to detect small airway lesions is based on physiological data : it would reflect a special and physiological distribution of the pulmonary inhomogeneity. The aim of this work is to discuss the closing volume as used to determine a pathological process or, in other words, the relationship between the observed profile of closing volume and other functional parameters, whose abnormalities are likely to reflect the inhomogeneity of the ventilatory mechanical system. In 126 patients, who represent a wide range of pathological processes, the authors calculated the closing volume and the following functional parameters : the VC/theoretical VC ratio, the RV measured by dilution method and by plethysmography, the FEV1.0/VC ratio, the expiratory total pulmonary resistance (RPTE), the efficient resistance (R), the airway resistance (Raw), the effective compliance (Ce) measured at the spontaneous respiratory frequency, and its variation in relation with respiratory frequency (f), and a distribution index of inspired gas. After discussion of the procedure and of the reproducibility of the closing volume measurements, the authors recall the significant of the lack of phase IV during the closing volume estimation and expose the reasons which allow to think that closing volume extent and inhomogeneity of the ventilatory mechanics have a parallel evolution. The increase in distribution inhomogeneity of the pulmonary time constants (shown by the slope of the Ce variation in relation with f and gas distribution index) is concomitant with an increase in closing volume. The results show that although the lack of phase IV does not have a univocal signification (and this is a limit to the utilization of the closing volume alone as a detection test) the quantification of the closing volume brings, as the Ce, f relation does, an original element, but the evaluation of Ce, f is more difficult to realize in practice.", "contents": "[Closing volume and inhomogeneity of the ventilatory mechanical system (author's transl)]. The use of the closing volume (VF) to detect small airway lesions is based on physiological data : it would reflect a special and physiological distribution of the pulmonary inhomogeneity. The aim of this work is to discuss the closing volume as used to determine a pathological process or, in other words, the relationship between the observed profile of closing volume and other functional parameters, whose abnormalities are likely to reflect the inhomogeneity of the ventilatory mechanical system. In 126 patients, who represent a wide range of pathological processes, the authors calculated the closing volume and the following functional parameters : the VC/theoretical VC ratio, the RV measured by dilution method and by plethysmography, the FEV1.0/VC ratio, the expiratory total pulmonary resistance (RPTE), the efficient resistance (R), the airway resistance (Raw), the effective compliance (Ce) measured at the spontaneous respiratory frequency, and its variation in relation with respiratory frequency (f), and a distribution index of inspired gas. After discussion of the procedure and of the reproducibility of the closing volume measurements, the authors recall the significant of the lack of phase IV during the closing volume estimation and expose the reasons which allow to think that closing volume extent and inhomogeneity of the ventilatory mechanics have a parallel evolution. The increase in distribution inhomogeneity of the pulmonary time constants (shown by the slope of the Ce variation in relation with f and gas distribution index) is concomitant with an increase in closing volume. The results show that although the lack of phase IV does not have a univocal signification (and this is a limit to the utilization of the closing volume alone as a detection test) the quantification of the closing volume brings, as the Ce, f relation does, an original element, but the evaluation of Ce, f is more difficult to realize in practice.", "PMID": 797408} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10961", "title": "[A comparative trial of bronchodilator effects of fenoteral and sch 1000 in chronic bronchitis (author's transl)].", "content": "In a group of 20 patients with chronic bronchitis, bronchodilator effects of fenoterol (400 mug), SCH 1000 (40 mug), and their combination (fenoterol 400 mug msch 1000 40 mug) have been evaluated and compared by measuring total pulmonary capacity (CPT), intrthoracic gas volume (VGT), forced expiratory volume in one second (VEMS), specific airways resistance (SRva) and maximun expiratory flow at a lung volume for which the initial flow was 0.1 l/s (Vo.iv). Measurements have been made before and 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after administration of the drug. With each of the three drugs, the improvement of the five functional parameters is statistically significant at all time intervals. Changes in CPT, VGT, VEMS and SRva are not statistically different when using the different drugs, whereas the Vo.1v changes suggest a lesser bronchodilator effect of SCH 1000 than fenoterol (p less than 0.05 at 180 min), and especially than fenoterol-SCH 1000 combination (p less than 0.05 at all time intervals). The combination is lightly but not significantly better than fenoterol only. On account of these results and the very high tolerance for the two drugs, a new medication combining SCH 1000 and fenoterol is desirable. The authors emphasize the sensitivity of maximum expiratory flow measurements at low lung volumes for trials on bronchodilators and the necessity to consider the possible reduction in CPT for flows comparison at an identical absolute lung volume.", "contents": "[A comparative trial of bronchodilator effects of fenoteral and sch 1000 in chronic bronchitis (author's transl)]. In a group of 20 patients with chronic bronchitis, bronchodilator effects of fenoterol (400 mug), SCH 1000 (40 mug), and their combination (fenoterol 400 mug msch 1000 40 mug) have been evaluated and compared by measuring total pulmonary capacity (CPT), intrthoracic gas volume (VGT), forced expiratory volume in one second (VEMS), specific airways resistance (SRva) and maximun expiratory flow at a lung volume for which the initial flow was 0.1 l/s (Vo.iv). Measurements have been made before and 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after administration of the drug. With each of the three drugs, the improvement of the five functional parameters is statistically significant at all time intervals. Changes in CPT, VGT, VEMS and SRva are not statistically different when using the different drugs, whereas the Vo.1v changes suggest a lesser bronchodilator effect of SCH 1000 than fenoterol (p less than 0.05 at 180 min), and especially than fenoterol-SCH 1000 combination (p less than 0.05 at all time intervals). The combination is lightly but not significantly better than fenoterol only. On account of these results and the very high tolerance for the two drugs, a new medication combining SCH 1000 and fenoterol is desirable. The authors emphasize the sensitivity of maximum expiratory flow measurements at low lung volumes for trials on bronchodilators and the necessity to consider the possible reduction in CPT for flows comparison at an identical absolute lung volume.", "PMID": 797410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10962", "title": "[Pulmonary collateral circulation in lung cancer: a case of error in the measurement of cardiac output with dyes].", "content": "In a series of 40 cases of lung cancer, we recorded arterial dilution curves before and after unilateral occlusion of the pulmonary artery (on the pathologic side) following injection of dye into the pulmonary arterial trunk (\"arterial curves\") and in the capillary wedge position (\"capillary curves\"). In one case, a large pulmonary collateral circulation (PCC) is obvious, i.e., the dilution curve shows the characteristic shape of an early recirculation before and a normal shape after occlusion. In three cases, the PCC is likely to exist for: 1) decreasing of the capillary curves is abnormally slow during control; 2) transit time of capillary curves is obviously longer during control; 3) the surface under the arterial curve is 9 to 20 % larger during control than during occlusion. This surface undoubtly corresponds to the first dye circulation during pulmonary artery occlusion while, during control, it is increased by the PCC inspite of the exponential shape of the decreasing slope. Therefore the dye dilution method cannot be used to calculate precisely the PCC flow. Practically, in lung cancer measurements of the cardiac flow by dye dilution curves is erroneous about once out of 10 times. This conclusion can be extended to other lung diseases where a PCC may develop.", "contents": "[Pulmonary collateral circulation in lung cancer: a case of error in the measurement of cardiac output with dyes]. In a series of 40 cases of lung cancer, we recorded arterial dilution curves before and after unilateral occlusion of the pulmonary artery (on the pathologic side) following injection of dye into the pulmonary arterial trunk (\"arterial curves\") and in the capillary wedge position (\"capillary curves\"). In one case, a large pulmonary collateral circulation (PCC) is obvious, i.e., the dilution curve shows the characteristic shape of an early recirculation before and a normal shape after occlusion. In three cases, the PCC is likely to exist for: 1) decreasing of the capillary curves is abnormally slow during control; 2) transit time of capillary curves is obviously longer during control; 3) the surface under the arterial curve is 9 to 20 % larger during control than during occlusion. This surface undoubtly corresponds to the first dye circulation during pulmonary artery occlusion while, during control, it is increased by the PCC inspite of the exponential shape of the decreasing slope. Therefore the dye dilution method cannot be used to calculate precisely the PCC flow. Practically, in lung cancer measurements of the cardiac flow by dye dilution curves is erroneous about once out of 10 times. This conclusion can be extended to other lung diseases where a PCC may develop.", "PMID": 797414} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10963", "title": "Lung function after neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.", "content": "Functional residual capacity (FRC), dynamic lung compliance (CLdyn) and lung resistance (RL) were measured in a group of 51 healthy children aged 18 months to 6 years (group A) and in a group of 69 survivors of the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the same age (group B). Forty-four per cent of the latter had clinical and radiological abnormalities. In the healthy children significant correlations were found between FRC and height (p less than 0.01), CLdyn and height (P less than 0.01) and CLdyn and FRC (p less than 0.01) but a poor correlation existed between RL and height (p greater than 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups A and B in the slopes of the regression lines for FRC, CLdyn and RL against height, but the intercept for the regression lines relating to CLdyn and RL was lower in group B than in group A. Group B was divided into two subgroups according to the length of exposure to artificial ventilation with an FIO2 in excess of 60 %. A lower value for CLdyn was found in the sub-group with the longer exposure (greater than 120 hours) to a high FIO2, suggesting that this is an additional factor in causing lung damage.", "contents": "Lung function after neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Functional residual capacity (FRC), dynamic lung compliance (CLdyn) and lung resistance (RL) were measured in a group of 51 healthy children aged 18 months to 6 years (group A) and in a group of 69 survivors of the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the same age (group B). Forty-four per cent of the latter had clinical and radiological abnormalities. In the healthy children significant correlations were found between FRC and height (p less than 0.01), CLdyn and height (P less than 0.01) and CLdyn and FRC (p less than 0.01) but a poor correlation existed between RL and height (p greater than 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups A and B in the slopes of the regression lines for FRC, CLdyn and RL against height, but the intercept for the regression lines relating to CLdyn and RL was lower in group B than in group A. Group B was divided into two subgroups according to the length of exposure to artificial ventilation with an FIO2 in excess of 60 %. A lower value for CLdyn was found in the sub-group with the longer exposure (greater than 120 hours) to a high FIO2, suggesting that this is an additional factor in causing lung damage.", "PMID": 797413} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10964", "title": "The management of deeply infiltrating (T3) bladder carcinoma: controlled trial of radical radiotherapy versus preoperative radiotherapy and radical cystectomy (first report).", "content": "The preliminary results are presented of a multicentre, co-operative randomised trial, sponsored by the Institute of Urology, London, in which radical irradiation (6,000 rads in 6 weeks) is compared with preoperative irradiation (4,000 rads in 4 weeks) plus radical cystectomy for deeply infiltrating carcinoma of the bladder (Stage T3 or B2C). 189 of the 199 cases entered into the trial between 1966 and 1975 were eligible for study. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates for combined treatment were 41% and 33%, respectively, compared with 28% and 21% for radical radiotherapy. The operative mortality was 7.8%. The difference between the two treatments in favour of the combined treatment has not yet reached the generally accepted level of significance (P less than 0.05), the p factors for the 3- and 5-year results being 0.064 and 0.077, respectively. Of patients receiving the protocol combined treatment, reduction in tumour stage was found in the surgical specimen in 47% of cases. The overall incidence of nodal metastases was 23% (against the usual figure of 40-50%), and in the presence of a good response of the primary tumour to irradiation, only 8%. The 3- and 5-year survival rates for the down-staged cases were 66% and 55%, respectively, compared with 29% and 22% for patients showing no stage reduction in the surgical specimen. The aim of our future studies is to find effective radiosensitising and cytotoxic agents with which to try and increase the incidence and degree of tumour response to pre-operative irradiation in the combined modality treatment of T3 bladder cancers.", "contents": "The management of deeply infiltrating (T3) bladder carcinoma: controlled trial of radical radiotherapy versus preoperative radiotherapy and radical cystectomy (first report). The preliminary results are presented of a multicentre, co-operative randomised trial, sponsored by the Institute of Urology, London, in which radical irradiation (6,000 rads in 6 weeks) is compared with preoperative irradiation (4,000 rads in 4 weeks) plus radical cystectomy for deeply infiltrating carcinoma of the bladder (Stage T3 or B2C). 189 of the 199 cases entered into the trial between 1966 and 1975 were eligible for study. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates for combined treatment were 41% and 33%, respectively, compared with 28% and 21% for radical radiotherapy. The operative mortality was 7.8%. The difference between the two treatments in favour of the combined treatment has not yet reached the generally accepted level of significance (P less than 0.05), the p factors for the 3- and 5-year results being 0.064 and 0.077, respectively. Of patients receiving the protocol combined treatment, reduction in tumour stage was found in the surgical specimen in 47% of cases. The overall incidence of nodal metastases was 23% (against the usual figure of 40-50%), and in the presence of a good response of the primary tumour to irradiation, only 8%. The 3- and 5-year survival rates for the down-staged cases were 66% and 55%, respectively, compared with 29% and 22% for patients showing no stage reduction in the surgical specimen. The aim of our future studies is to find effective radiosensitising and cytotoxic agents with which to try and increase the incidence and degree of tumour response to pre-operative irradiation in the combined modality treatment of T3 bladder cancers.", "PMID": 797427} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10965", "title": "Hypothermic prostatic resection.", "content": "A simple method of markedly reducing blood loss during T.U.R. is reported. Cooling of the irrigant solution to 2 degrees C by placing the glycine in a domestic refrigerator reduces the operative blood loss 6-fold.", "contents": "Hypothermic prostatic resection. A simple method of markedly reducing blood loss during T.U.R. is reported. Cooling of the irrigant solution to 2 degrees C by placing the glycine in a domestic refrigerator reduces the operative blood loss 6-fold.", "PMID": 797428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10966", "title": "Further studies on aspartate transcarbamoylase: molecular weight of the c3r6 complex and analysis of succinate inhibition in the native enzyme.", "content": "The complex which is formed when excess regulatory subunits (r2) of aspartate transcarbamoylase (EC2.1.3.2) are added to a dilute solution of the catalytic subunit (c3) has been studied by gel-filtration on Sephadex G-200. The elution volume indicates a Stokes' radius of between 5.42 and 5.92 nm, depending on the method of calculation. Using the sedimentation coefficient of 7.7S previously determined, the molecular weight is estimated to be close to 200 000, in support of the c3r6 structure proposed earlier for the complex. The calculated frictional coefficient indicates abnormal hydrodynamic properties which are probably due to unusual structure characteristics. The pattern of succinate inhibition of native aspartate transcarbamoylase has also been analyzed. At low concentrations, succinate activates the enzyme, presumably by converting it from the taut state to the relaxed (r) state. Further increase in the succinate concentration leads to competitive inhibition of the R state. Using a novel procedure for analysis of the data, the Michaelis constant for aspartate of the R state has been estimated to be about 7mM. This value is close to the Km of c3r6 for aspartate, measured under identical conditions. The result therefore provides further evidence suggesting that the c3r6 complex resembles the R state of the native enzyme.", "contents": "Further studies on aspartate transcarbamoylase: molecular weight of the c3r6 complex and analysis of succinate inhibition in the native enzyme. The complex which is formed when excess regulatory subunits (r2) of aspartate transcarbamoylase (EC2.1.3.2) are added to a dilute solution of the catalytic subunit (c3) has been studied by gel-filtration on Sephadex G-200. The elution volume indicates a Stokes' radius of between 5.42 and 5.92 nm, depending on the method of calculation. Using the sedimentation coefficient of 7.7S previously determined, the molecular weight is estimated to be close to 200 000, in support of the c3r6 structure proposed earlier for the complex. The calculated frictional coefficient indicates abnormal hydrodynamic properties which are probably due to unusual structure characteristics. The pattern of succinate inhibition of native aspartate transcarbamoylase has also been analyzed. At low concentrations, succinate activates the enzyme, presumably by converting it from the taut state to the relaxed (r) state. Further increase in the succinate concentration leads to competitive inhibition of the R state. Using a novel procedure for analysis of the data, the Michaelis constant for aspartate of the R state has been estimated to be about 7mM. This value is close to the Km of c3r6 for aspartate, measured under identical conditions. The result therefore provides further evidence suggesting that the c3r6 complex resembles the R state of the native enzyme.", "PMID": 797435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10967", "title": "The origin and role of blood-borne monocytes in rats with a transplanted myelogenous leukaemia.", "content": "The growth of a transplantable myeloid leukaemia into its syngeneic host is accompanied by a progressive increase in the number of blood monocytes. These were shown to be of host origin and were not derived from the inoculated leukaemia cells. The host response which is responsible for the monocytosis differs from that associated with the entry of monocytes into immunogenic sarcomas.", "contents": "The origin and role of blood-borne monocytes in rats with a transplanted myelogenous leukaemia. The growth of a transplantable myeloid leukaemia into its syngeneic host is accompanied by a progressive increase in the number of blood monocytes. These were shown to be of host origin and were not derived from the inoculated leukaemia cells. The host response which is responsible for the monocytosis differs from that associated with the entry of monocytes into immunogenic sarcomas.", "PMID": 797440} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10968", "title": "Testing of some benzidine analogues for microsomal activation to bacterial mutagens.", "content": "Analogues of benzidine were assayed for mutagenic activity towards Salmonella typhimurium TA 1538 in the presence and absence of a liver enzyme preparation. Purified 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine and the technical grade material had some direct mutagenic activity, but this was increased over 50-fold by addition of a liver mixed function oxidase preparation. In the presence of the liver preparation, 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine was approximately 10 times more active than benzidine, while 3,3',5,5'-tetrafluorobenzidine was of approximately equipotency. On the other hand, 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine had no mutagenic activity alone or in conjunction with a liver preparation. 3,3'-Dianisidine had slight mutagenic activity in the presence of liver but none in its absence.", "contents": "Testing of some benzidine analogues for microsomal activation to bacterial mutagens. Analogues of benzidine were assayed for mutagenic activity towards Salmonella typhimurium TA 1538 in the presence and absence of a liver enzyme preparation. Purified 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine and the technical grade material had some direct mutagenic activity, but this was increased over 50-fold by addition of a liver mixed function oxidase preparation. In the presence of the liver preparation, 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine was approximately 10 times more active than benzidine, while 3,3',5,5'-tetrafluorobenzidine was of approximately equipotency. On the other hand, 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine had no mutagenic activity alone or in conjunction with a liver preparation. 3,3'-Dianisidine had slight mutagenic activity in the presence of liver but none in its absence.", "PMID": 797441} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10969", "title": "Rejection of sarcoma cells at the site of an inflammatory reaction: macrophages are not the only effector cells.", "content": "Purified protein derivative (PPD) (a soluble protein from tubercle bacilli), when injected together with sarcoma cells into syngeneic mice that had been immunized previously with Bacillus Calmitte-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG), prevents tumour toxic to sarcoma cells [4]. However, non-adherent mononuclear peritoneal exudate cells from BCG-treated mice were also found on addition of PPD to become cytotoxic to sarcoma cells. In vivo assays indicate that such cells may play a major role in the in vivo destruction of tumours at the site of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction.", "contents": "Rejection of sarcoma cells at the site of an inflammatory reaction: macrophages are not the only effector cells. Purified protein derivative (PPD) (a soluble protein from tubercle bacilli), when injected together with sarcoma cells into syngeneic mice that had been immunized previously with Bacillus Calmitte-Gu\u00e9rin (BCG), prevents tumour toxic to sarcoma cells [4]. However, non-adherent mononuclear peritoneal exudate cells from BCG-treated mice were also found on addition of PPD to become cytotoxic to sarcoma cells. In vivo assays indicate that such cells may play a major role in the in vivo destruction of tumours at the site of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction.", "PMID": 797442} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10970", "title": "N'-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene: the principal mutagen produced from N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene by a mammalian supernatant enzyme preparation.", "content": "A Salmonella typhimurium TA 1538 culture system wasused to monitor the production of mutagen from N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene by soluble liver enzymes. When benzene was used to extract the mutagen, no mutagenic activity remained in the liver enzyme preparation. The benzene extract contained approximately two-thirds of the total mutagenic activity produced by the liver enzyme preparation. Using thin layer and column chromatography to analyze the benzene extract, we deduced that N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene accounted for the mutagenic activity which resulted from the incubation of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene with soluble liver enzymes.", "contents": "N'-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene: the principal mutagen produced from N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene by a mammalian supernatant enzyme preparation. A Salmonella typhimurium TA 1538 culture system wasused to monitor the production of mutagen from N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene by soluble liver enzymes. When benzene was used to extract the mutagen, no mutagenic activity remained in the liver enzyme preparation. The benzene extract contained approximately two-thirds of the total mutagenic activity produced by the liver enzyme preparation. Using thin layer and column chromatography to analyze the benzene extract, we deduced that N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene accounted for the mutagenic activity which resulted from the incubation of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene with soluble liver enzymes.", "PMID": 797443} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10971", "title": "Influence of five different postnatal lifelong treatments on the transplacental carcinogenicity of ethylnitrosourea in Sprague-Dawley rats.", "content": "Sprague-Dawley rats received in 10 mg/kg body weight (group I) or 30 mg/kg body weight (group II) ethylnitrosourea (ENU) orally on the 19th day of pregnancy. Their offspring were treated with Bacille Calmette-Guerin, human albumin, hydrocortisone, cyclophosphamide or nicotine starting on the 6th day of life. The ENU treatment significantly reduced the life expectancy of all offspring. Treatment of the offspring did not influence tumor frequency, induction time or localization of neurogenic malignant tumors. Cyclophosphamide treatment of group II offspring increased the number of females bearing mammary carcinomas.", "contents": "Influence of five different postnatal lifelong treatments on the transplacental carcinogenicity of ethylnitrosourea in Sprague-Dawley rats. Sprague-Dawley rats received in 10 mg/kg body weight (group I) or 30 mg/kg body weight (group II) ethylnitrosourea (ENU) orally on the 19th day of pregnancy. Their offspring were treated with Bacille Calmette-Guerin, human albumin, hydrocortisone, cyclophosphamide or nicotine starting on the 6th day of life. The ENU treatment significantly reduced the life expectancy of all offspring. Treatment of the offspring did not influence tumor frequency, induction time or localization of neurogenic malignant tumors. Cyclophosphamide treatment of group II offspring increased the number of females bearing mammary carcinomas.", "PMID": 797445} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10972", "title": "Noninvasive monitoring of adriamycin cardiotoxicity by \"Sphygmo-Recording\" of the pulse wave delay (QKd interval).", "content": "Eighty patients with Ewing's sarcoma, bronchogenic carcinoma, and other neoplasms receiving adriamycin were monitored by a Sphygmo-Recording of the pulse wave delay (QKd time interval). The QKd interval, which is the sum of the cardiac pre-ejection period and the pulse transmission time, is sensitive to changes in myocardial contractility and stroke output. The patients were also followed by serial physical examinations, electrocardiograms, chest roentgenograms, serum enzymes, and thyroid function tests; none of these changed during the study period except in a few patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and/or transient arrhythmias. QKd showed a significant prolongation (greater than 30 msec) within 1-3 weeks after adriamycin administration in a high percentage of patients followed closely. The QKd interval usually returned to pretreatment baseline levels within 4-7 weeks after adriamycin administration. The QKd often showed repeated and sustained elevations after courses of therapy at 3-week intervals. After adriamycin therapy was discontinued the QKd usually returned to normal levels. No statistically significant changes in the QKd were seen in a control group. There were no acute changes in QKd during adriamycin infusions. Of seven patients receiving cumulative doses of adriamycin greater than 550 mg/m2, three developed CHF. QKd intervals in all three of these patients had failed to return to the baseline values 2-3 months prior to any other evidence of CHF. This suggests that failure of QKd to return to pretreatment baseline levels may be of prognostic value. The QKd interval appears to reflect a high incidence of subclinical adriamycin cardiotoxicity. The technique is simple, noninvasive, rapid, and potentially useful for monitoring patients receiving adriamycin and other potentially cardiotoxic drugs.", "contents": "Noninvasive monitoring of adriamycin cardiotoxicity by \"Sphygmo-Recording\" of the pulse wave delay (QKd interval). Eighty patients with Ewing's sarcoma, bronchogenic carcinoma, and other neoplasms receiving adriamycin were monitored by a Sphygmo-Recording of the pulse wave delay (QKd time interval). The QKd interval, which is the sum of the cardiac pre-ejection period and the pulse transmission time, is sensitive to changes in myocardial contractility and stroke output. The patients were also followed by serial physical examinations, electrocardiograms, chest roentgenograms, serum enzymes, and thyroid function tests; none of these changed during the study period except in a few patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and/or transient arrhythmias. QKd showed a significant prolongation (greater than 30 msec) within 1-3 weeks after adriamycin administration in a high percentage of patients followed closely. The QKd interval usually returned to pretreatment baseline levels within 4-7 weeks after adriamycin administration. The QKd often showed repeated and sustained elevations after courses of therapy at 3-week intervals. After adriamycin therapy was discontinued the QKd usually returned to normal levels. No statistically significant changes in the QKd were seen in a control group. There were no acute changes in QKd during adriamycin infusions. Of seven patients receiving cumulative doses of adriamycin greater than 550 mg/m2, three developed CHF. QKd intervals in all three of these patients had failed to return to the baseline values 2-3 months prior to any other evidence of CHF. This suggests that failure of QKd to return to pretreatment baseline levels may be of prognostic value. The QKd interval appears to reflect a high incidence of subclinical adriamycin cardiotoxicity. The technique is simple, noninvasive, rapid, and potentially useful for monitoring patients receiving adriamycin and other potentially cardiotoxic drugs.", "PMID": 797446} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10973", "title": "Phase II studies of dianhydrogalactitol and VP-16-213 in colorectal cancer.", "content": "Phase II chemotherapy trials of dianhydrogalactitol and VP-16-213 were conducted in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who had measurable malignant disease which served as indicators of response to therapy. Dianhydrogalactitol was given in a 5-day course at a dosage of 30 mg/m2/day. Toxic reactions included nausea, vomiting, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. There was a definite tendency to a compounding of hematologic toxicity with repeated courses. No evidence of objective therapeutic response was observed among 30 patients treated. VP-16-213 was given at a dosage of 130 mg/m2 on Days 1, 3, and 5. Toxic reactions included nausea, vomiting, alopecia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Hematologic toxicity was more severe in patients with elevated serum bilirubin levels. No evidence of objective therapeutic response was observed among 28 patients treated.", "contents": "Phase II studies of dianhydrogalactitol and VP-16-213 in colorectal cancer. Phase II chemotherapy trials of dianhydrogalactitol and VP-16-213 were conducted in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who had measurable malignant disease which served as indicators of response to therapy. Dianhydrogalactitol was given in a 5-day course at a dosage of 30 mg/m2/day. Toxic reactions included nausea, vomiting, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. There was a definite tendency to a compounding of hematologic toxicity with repeated courses. No evidence of objective therapeutic response was observed among 30 patients treated. VP-16-213 was given at a dosage of 130 mg/m2 on Days 1, 3, and 5. Toxic reactions included nausea, vomiting, alopecia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Hematologic toxicity was more severe in patients with elevated serum bilirubin levels. No evidence of objective therapeutic response was observed among 28 patients treated.", "PMID": 797447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10974", "title": "Comparison of 5-fluorouracil and ftorafur. I. Quantitative and qualitative differences in toxicity to mice.", "content": "5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was compared to ftorafur, a fraudulent nucleoside analog which acts as a depot form of 5-FU, with respect to influence of dosage level and schedule of administration on toxicity in mice. When the drugs were administered daily and the duration of treatment was varied from a single dose to 32 daily treatments, the toxicity of 5-FU proved to be somewhat more than cumulative. On the other hand, the toxicity of ftorafur on daily treatment was less than cumulative. As a single treatment ftorafur was about half as toxic as 5-FU on an mg/kg basis. When the drugs were administered daily for 12 days the LD50 of ftorafur was about sevenfold that of 5-FU. When the drugs were administered as two treatments and the interval between the two treatments was varied from 0 to 14 days, it was found that 5-FU was considerably more toxic at an interval of 2-7 days than when two doses were administered simultaneously. Appreciable recovery of mice from the initial dose of 5-FU did not occur until sometime between 7 and 10 days. Host recovery from ftorafur toxicity was apparent by 2 days. The dose-mortality curves form both drugs were steep. The decreased toxicity with repeated treatment with ftorafur relative to 5-fu was not due to a decrease in the metabolism of ftorafur to 5-FU, which was much more extensive in mice compared to previously reported pharmacokinetic studies in other species. At equitoxic doses on a daily X 5 schedule, 5-FU and ftorafur had similar myelosuppressive activity. Ftorafur was, however, clearly less suppressive to both humoral and cell-mediated immunity than was 5-FU.", "contents": "Comparison of 5-fluorouracil and ftorafur. I. Quantitative and qualitative differences in toxicity to mice. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was compared to ftorafur, a fraudulent nucleoside analog which acts as a depot form of 5-FU, with respect to influence of dosage level and schedule of administration on toxicity in mice. When the drugs were administered daily and the duration of treatment was varied from a single dose to 32 daily treatments, the toxicity of 5-FU proved to be somewhat more than cumulative. On the other hand, the toxicity of ftorafur on daily treatment was less than cumulative. As a single treatment ftorafur was about half as toxic as 5-FU on an mg/kg basis. When the drugs were administered daily for 12 days the LD50 of ftorafur was about sevenfold that of 5-FU. When the drugs were administered as two treatments and the interval between the two treatments was varied from 0 to 14 days, it was found that 5-FU was considerably more toxic at an interval of 2-7 days than when two doses were administered simultaneously. Appreciable recovery of mice from the initial dose of 5-FU did not occur until sometime between 7 and 10 days. Host recovery from ftorafur toxicity was apparent by 2 days. The dose-mortality curves form both drugs were steep. The decreased toxicity with repeated treatment with ftorafur relative to 5-fu was not due to a decrease in the metabolism of ftorafur to 5-FU, which was much more extensive in mice compared to previously reported pharmacokinetic studies in other species. At equitoxic doses on a daily X 5 schedule, 5-FU and ftorafur had similar myelosuppressive activity. Ftorafur was, however, clearly less suppressive to both humoral and cell-mediated immunity than was 5-FU.", "PMID": 797449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10975", "title": "Comparison of 5-fluorouracil and ftorafur. II. Therapeutic response and development of resistance in murine tumors.", "content": "The therapeutic activity of ftorafur was compared to that of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in a number of tumor systems. The drugs were active against ip L1210 leukemia when administered ip, sc, or orally. Administration every fourth day x 3 proved to be the most effective treatment schedule for both drugs, although significant activity was seen on all treatment schedules tested. Both congeners had activity against sc implanted L1210 leukemia as well as a limited effect on the ic implanted tumor. 5-FU produced greater increases in lifespan of mice bearing L1210 leukemia than did ftorafur. 5-FU was also more effective against ip B16 melanoma and ip Gardner 6C3HED lymphosarcoma. Ftorafur was ineffective in the treatment of mice bearing ip P388 leukemia, a tumor which is quite sensitive to 5-FU. At approximately equimolar doses both drugs produced a persistent inhibition of 2'-deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA of L1210 cells in vivo. Ftorafur produced a greater inhibition of uridine incorporation into RNA than did 5-FU, which may account for the lower therapeutic activity of ftorafur. In combination chemotherapy of L1210 leukemia 5-FU plus ftorafur was no more effective than 5-FU alone, neither of the congeners was synergistic with either adriamycin or actinomycin D, and in combination with methotrexate therapeutic synergism was observed with 5-FU but not with ftorafur. After eight transplant generations of exposure to ftorafur, a subline of L1210 leukemia became totally resistant to ftorafur and simultaneously cross-resistant to 5-FU. Doses of ftorafur and 5-FU which were optimally effective in mice bearing the parental L1210 line were lethal to mice implanted with the ftorafur-resistant subline. When treatment of the resistant subline was discontinued after nine transplant generations of exposure to ftorafur, sensitivity to 5-FU returned after three transplant generations without ftorafur. The subline retained its resistance to ftorafur until eight transplant generations after cessation of ftorafur treatment. Another subline of L1210 leukemia exposed to 5-fU for 20 transplant generations proved to be completely resistant to 5-fu and cross-resistant to ftorafur. The mutual cross-resistance between ftorafur and 5-FU supports the contention that ftorafur acts primarily as a depot form of 5-FU.", "contents": "Comparison of 5-fluorouracil and ftorafur. II. Therapeutic response and development of resistance in murine tumors. The therapeutic activity of ftorafur was compared to that of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in a number of tumor systems. The drugs were active against ip L1210 leukemia when administered ip, sc, or orally. Administration every fourth day x 3 proved to be the most effective treatment schedule for both drugs, although significant activity was seen on all treatment schedules tested. Both congeners had activity against sc implanted L1210 leukemia as well as a limited effect on the ic implanted tumor. 5-FU produced greater increases in lifespan of mice bearing L1210 leukemia than did ftorafur. 5-FU was also more effective against ip B16 melanoma and ip Gardner 6C3HED lymphosarcoma. Ftorafur was ineffective in the treatment of mice bearing ip P388 leukemia, a tumor which is quite sensitive to 5-FU. At approximately equimolar doses both drugs produced a persistent inhibition of 2'-deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA of L1210 cells in vivo. Ftorafur produced a greater inhibition of uridine incorporation into RNA than did 5-FU, which may account for the lower therapeutic activity of ftorafur. In combination chemotherapy of L1210 leukemia 5-FU plus ftorafur was no more effective than 5-FU alone, neither of the congeners was synergistic with either adriamycin or actinomycin D, and in combination with methotrexate therapeutic synergism was observed with 5-FU but not with ftorafur. After eight transplant generations of exposure to ftorafur, a subline of L1210 leukemia became totally resistant to ftorafur and simultaneously cross-resistant to 5-FU. Doses of ftorafur and 5-FU which were optimally effective in mice bearing the parental L1210 line were lethal to mice implanted with the ftorafur-resistant subline. When treatment of the resistant subline was discontinued after nine transplant generations of exposure to ftorafur, sensitivity to 5-FU returned after three transplant generations without ftorafur. The subline retained its resistance to ftorafur until eight transplant generations after cessation of ftorafur treatment. Another subline of L1210 leukemia exposed to 5-fU for 20 transplant generations proved to be completely resistant to 5-fu and cross-resistant to ftorafur. The mutual cross-resistance between ftorafur and 5-FU supports the contention that ftorafur acts primarily as a depot form of 5-FU.", "PMID": 797450} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10976", "title": "Recombination between bacterial plasmids leading to the formation of plasmid multimers.", "content": "We report here the formation of plasmid multimers in E. coli. Multimers are covalently closed, circular molecules composed of tandem repeats of the monomer plasmid. Multimer formation occurs at high frequency in rec+, recB-C-, and recF- hosts. Multimer formation is not detected in recA- hosts and occurs at reduced frequency in recB-C-F- hosts. We conclude that multimer formation is mediated by a single reciprocal recombination event occurring at homologous regions on the two plasmids.", "contents": "Recombination between bacterial plasmids leading to the formation of plasmid multimers. We report here the formation of plasmid multimers in E. coli. Multimers are covalently closed, circular molecules composed of tandem repeats of the monomer plasmid. Multimer formation occurs at high frequency in rec+, recB-C-, and recF- hosts. Multimer formation is not detected in recA- hosts and occurs at reduced frequency in recB-C-F- hosts. We conclude that multimer formation is mediated by a single reciprocal recombination event occurring at homologous regions on the two plasmids.", "PMID": 797459} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10977", "title": "Carbohydrate metabolism in liver disease.", "content": "Most forms of liver disease are probably associated with impaired gluconeogenesis, although hypoglycaemia is rarely an important clinical feature. Blood concentrations of the gluconeogenic precursors, lactate, glycerol and alanine are elevated although, in certain situations, alanine levels may be decreased. Abnormal glucose tolerance is present in both acute and chronic liver disease, but is usually not of clinical importance. The mechanism of glucose intolerance remains uncertain, with diminished hepatocyte mass, portal diversion and insulin resistance the major postulates. Indeed, the importance of the liver in disposing of an oral glucose load, is still questioned. Both hyperinsulinism and hypoinsulinism are found in liver disease, with hyperinsulinism common in cirrhosis and acute viral hepatitis. This is accompanied by insulin resistance. The hyperinsulinism is probably due to defective hepatic clearance of insulin rather that to over-production. The cause of the insulin resistance remains to be established. Glucagon levels are raised and may contribute to this resistance. Growth hormone levels are also increased but are associated with low somatomedin levels and the role of growth hormone in insulin resistance is therefore questionable. Future developments include use of new animal models, studies of biopsy specimens and studies of hepatic hormone receptors.", "contents": "Carbohydrate metabolism in liver disease. Most forms of liver disease are probably associated with impaired gluconeogenesis, although hypoglycaemia is rarely an important clinical feature. Blood concentrations of the gluconeogenic precursors, lactate, glycerol and alanine are elevated although, in certain situations, alanine levels may be decreased. Abnormal glucose tolerance is present in both acute and chronic liver disease, but is usually not of clinical importance. The mechanism of glucose intolerance remains uncertain, with diminished hepatocyte mass, portal diversion and insulin resistance the major postulates. Indeed, the importance of the liver in disposing of an oral glucose load, is still questioned. Both hyperinsulinism and hypoinsulinism are found in liver disease, with hyperinsulinism common in cirrhosis and acute viral hepatitis. This is accompanied by insulin resistance. The hyperinsulinism is probably due to defective hepatic clearance of insulin rather that to over-production. The cause of the insulin resistance remains to be established. Glucagon levels are raised and may contribute to this resistance. Growth hormone levels are also increased but are associated with low somatomedin levels and the role of growth hormone in insulin resistance is therefore questionable. Future developments include use of new animal models, studies of biopsy specimens and studies of hepatic hormone receptors.", "PMID": 797484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10978", "title": "[Human and animal parasitic diseases in the New Hebrides].", "content": "New-Hebrides Condominium, an archipelago in the South Pacific, is a country with a special socio-political environment, due to the duality of its French-British regime. This state of affairs is felt in all areas including Public Health, where we find French, British and Condominial personnel. The pathology of parasitic diseases is essentially tropical with a strong predominance of paludism, at times fatal, and intestinal nematodes; however we rarely find amibiasis or human hydatid disease. Strongyloidiasis as well as specific ascaris of each species are very frequent in animals. In general cattle is relatively healthy, which is fortunate for a country whose economy is turning more and more to breeding.", "contents": "[Human and animal parasitic diseases in the New Hebrides]. New-Hebrides Condominium, an archipelago in the South Pacific, is a country with a special socio-political environment, due to the duality of its French-British regime. This state of affairs is felt in all areas including Public Health, where we find French, British and Condominial personnel. The pathology of parasitic diseases is essentially tropical with a strong predominance of paludism, at times fatal, and intestinal nematodes; however we rarely find amibiasis or human hydatid disease. Strongyloidiasis as well as specific ascaris of each species are very frequent in animals. In general cattle is relatively healthy, which is fortunate for a country whose economy is turning more and more to breeding.", "PMID": 797480} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10979", "title": "Carbohydrate metabolism in cardiovascular disease.", "content": "Carbohydrate metabolism is temporarily disturbed in acute myocardial infarction. The degree of hyperglycaemia and failure of response of insulin appears to be related to the severity of the infarction. The underlying hormonal changes probably include increased secretion of catecholamines and of glucagon. Circulating free fatty acids (FFA) are generally increased by the same metabolic and hormonal factors which promote glucose intolerance. In the zone of developing infarction in the heart, there is a complex metabolic situation with glucose metabolism both being accelerated and inhibited by different factors. Continued uptake of FFA is associated with intracellular accumulation of activated long-chain FFA, acyl CoA, which tends to inhibit mitochondrial metabolism. The metabolism of glucose is thought to be beneficial and that of FFA detrimental to the infarcting tissue. Thus the glucose intolerance and the high circulating FFA occurring as part of the general metabolic response to myocardial infarction, are thought to be harmful to the ischaemic tissue. Increased provision of glucose by dichloroacetate, and inhibition of FFA metabolism by nicotinic acid analogues decrease the extent of experimental infaraction, while glucose--insulin--potassium and propranolol act both by increasing glucose uptake and decreasing that of FFA. Glucose intolerance is also common in peripheral vascular disease. The reasons for this are obscure. However, the alterations in circulating insulin concentration which accompany this intolerance may be involved in the development of arterial lesions either directly through an effect on arterial wall synthesis or indirectly through an effect on circulating lipid levels. Defects may also be found in arterial wall mucopolysaccharide or sorbitol metabolism. The role of sex hormones and catecholamines remains speculative. At present the most cogent view is that in peripheral vascular disease a multi-hormonal disorder exists which may be contributing to the development of arteriosclerosis.", "contents": "Carbohydrate metabolism in cardiovascular disease. Carbohydrate metabolism is temporarily disturbed in acute myocardial infarction. The degree of hyperglycaemia and failure of response of insulin appears to be related to the severity of the infarction. The underlying hormonal changes probably include increased secretion of catecholamines and of glucagon. Circulating free fatty acids (FFA) are generally increased by the same metabolic and hormonal factors which promote glucose intolerance. In the zone of developing infarction in the heart, there is a complex metabolic situation with glucose metabolism both being accelerated and inhibited by different factors. Continued uptake of FFA is associated with intracellular accumulation of activated long-chain FFA, acyl CoA, which tends to inhibit mitochondrial metabolism. The metabolism of glucose is thought to be beneficial and that of FFA detrimental to the infarcting tissue. Thus the glucose intolerance and the high circulating FFA occurring as part of the general metabolic response to myocardial infarction, are thought to be harmful to the ischaemic tissue. Increased provision of glucose by dichloroacetate, and inhibition of FFA metabolism by nicotinic acid analogues decrease the extent of experimental infaraction, while glucose--insulin--potassium and propranolol act both by increasing glucose uptake and decreasing that of FFA. Glucose intolerance is also common in peripheral vascular disease. The reasons for this are obscure. However, the alterations in circulating insulin concentration which accompany this intolerance may be involved in the development of arterial lesions either directly through an effect on arterial wall synthesis or indirectly through an effect on circulating lipid levels. Defects may also be found in arterial wall mucopolysaccharide or sorbitol metabolism. The role of sex hormones and catecholamines remains speculative. At present the most cogent view is that in peripheral vascular disease a multi-hormonal disorder exists which may be contributing to the development of arteriosclerosis.", "PMID": 797485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10980", "title": "Carbohydrate metabolism in trauma.", "content": "During the initial shock or 'ebb' phase of injury, body glucose (serum glucose concentration X glucose space) is significantly increased but mass flow to peripheral tissue is only slightly altered. During the 'flow' or hypermetabolic phase of injury, mass flow of glucose is markedly increased, related to the extent of injury and directed primarily by increased sympathetic nervous system activity. Increased hepatic gluconeogenesis provides glucose which is converted to three-carbon precursors in the periphery and returns to the liver for reconversion to new glucose, utilising the Cori and alanine cycles. Increased ureagenesis is a consequence of skeletal muscle amino acids contributing to this cycle system. This energy shuttle system produces heat, and the rate of six- to three-carbon cycling correlates closely with the increased oxygen consumption of the injured patient. The glucose cycle may be altered by hormonal administration, food intake, exercise, weight loss, pharmacological manipulation and infection, but the basic reset in hepatic glucose production and energy demands in the injured patient appears essential for the inflammatory response and tissue repair.", "contents": "Carbohydrate metabolism in trauma. During the initial shock or 'ebb' phase of injury, body glucose (serum glucose concentration X glucose space) is significantly increased but mass flow to peripheral tissue is only slightly altered. During the 'flow' or hypermetabolic phase of injury, mass flow of glucose is markedly increased, related to the extent of injury and directed primarily by increased sympathetic nervous system activity. Increased hepatic gluconeogenesis provides glucose which is converted to three-carbon precursors in the periphery and returns to the liver for reconversion to new glucose, utilising the Cori and alanine cycles. Increased ureagenesis is a consequence of skeletal muscle amino acids contributing to this cycle system. This energy shuttle system produces heat, and the rate of six- to three-carbon cycling correlates closely with the increased oxygen consumption of the injured patient. The glucose cycle may be altered by hormonal administration, food intake, exercise, weight loss, pharmacological manipulation and infection, but the basic reset in hepatic glucose production and energy demands in the injured patient appears essential for the inflammatory response and tissue repair.", "PMID": 797486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10981", "title": "The use of isotope turnover techniques in the study of carbohydrate metabolism in man.", "content": "It now appears that the bulk of methodological, analytical and interpretative problems associated with the use of isotope turnover techniques for the study of carbohydrate metabolism in man are resolved. As illustrated by a number of examples of the use of these techniques for the assessment of carbohydrate metabolism they seem, to the author, to have been more critically useful in the resolution of questions of (a) mechanism of hormone and drug action and (b) of interactions between metabolites, than they have been in defining pathological states, although the volume of information that is being accumulated is sure to prove useful for future research. Although it is this author's opinion that the employment of the radioactive isotopes at the low levels allowed by todays technology does not impose an unreasonable risk to the research subject, the promise of increased sensitivity for the detection of stable isotopes and the promise of their increased availability in a wide variety of compounds are factors that are sure to provide impetus for the wider use of these most valuable techniques in medical research.", "contents": "The use of isotope turnover techniques in the study of carbohydrate metabolism in man. It now appears that the bulk of methodological, analytical and interpretative problems associated with the use of isotope turnover techniques for the study of carbohydrate metabolism in man are resolved. As illustrated by a number of examples of the use of these techniques for the assessment of carbohydrate metabolism they seem, to the author, to have been more critically useful in the resolution of questions of (a) mechanism of hormone and drug action and (b) of interactions between metabolites, than they have been in defining pathological states, although the volume of information that is being accumulated is sure to prove useful for future research. Although it is this author's opinion that the employment of the radioactive isotopes at the low levels allowed by todays technology does not impose an unreasonable risk to the research subject, the promise of increased sensitivity for the detection of stable isotopes and the promise of their increased availability in a wide variety of compounds are factors that are sure to provide impetus for the wider use of these most valuable techniques in medical research.", "PMID": 797488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10982", "title": "Drug protein binding and the nephrotic syndrome.", "content": "A reduction in plasma albumin concentration, as seen in patients with the nephrotic syndrome, is usually associated with a decrease in plasma protein binding of highly bound drugs. Therefore, the fraction of the unbound drug increases, but the absolute free concentration remains essentially unchanged due to a compensatory reduction in the steady state total plasma concentration. With phenytoin, protein binding and plasma albumin concentration are closely related, so that the degree of binding can be estimated without specific binding techniques. To be able to correctly interprete plasma levels the degree of protein binding should be known, since a reduced total concentration may be fully effective, if the free drug fraction is increased in hypoalbuminaemic patients. Although the mean steady state plasma concentration of highly bound drugs is not affected in the nephrotic syndrome, a greater fluctuation of the unbound level is observed between doses, offering a possible explanation for the increased incidence of toxicity in hypoalbuminaemic patients. As a consequence, shorter dosing intervals of these drugs seems to be advisable, rather than a reduction in the total daily dose. Reduced protein binding is accompanied by an increase in the total plasma clearance which is a function of the elimination rate constant and the volume of distribution.", "contents": "Drug protein binding and the nephrotic syndrome. A reduction in plasma albumin concentration, as seen in patients with the nephrotic syndrome, is usually associated with a decrease in plasma protein binding of highly bound drugs. Therefore, the fraction of the unbound drug increases, but the absolute free concentration remains essentially unchanged due to a compensatory reduction in the steady state total plasma concentration. With phenytoin, protein binding and plasma albumin concentration are closely related, so that the degree of binding can be estimated without specific binding techniques. To be able to correctly interprete plasma levels the degree of protein binding should be known, since a reduced total concentration may be fully effective, if the free drug fraction is increased in hypoalbuminaemic patients. Although the mean steady state plasma concentration of highly bound drugs is not affected in the nephrotic syndrome, a greater fluctuation of the unbound level is observed between doses, offering a possible explanation for the increased incidence of toxicity in hypoalbuminaemic patients. As a consequence, shorter dosing intervals of these drugs seems to be advisable, rather than a reduction in the total daily dose. Reduced protein binding is accompanied by an increase in the total plasma clearance which is a function of the elimination rate constant and the volume of distribution.", "PMID": 797490} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10983", "title": "Bioavailability of drugs: the digoxin dilemma.", "content": "The absorption of oral digoxin preparations has been a topic of much concern during the last 5 years. The completeness of digoxin absorption is proportional to the area under the serum concentration time curve and to the urinary excretion of digoxin after single doses. During chronic therapy the completeness of absorption is proportional to these values and also to the steady state serum concentration. Determination of absolute bioavailability of a given digoxin preparation requires a comparative study using intravenous digoxin as a standard. Oral digoxin solutions are incompletely absorbed, but have biological availability greater than or equal to that of tablets. The absorption of digoxin tablets depends upon their dissolution rate which in turn is related to drug particle size. Digoxin tablets with small drug particles have rapid rates of dissolution and can be absorbed as completely as oral solutions. The bioavailability of digoxin from tablets can be influenced by changes in gastro-intestinal motility, malabsorption syndromes, and by co-administration of food or other drugs. New regulations now insure that all marketed digoxin tablet preparations have satisfactory bioavailability. Problems with biological availability at present are unlikely to account for unexpected clinical results during digoxin therapy.", "contents": "Bioavailability of drugs: the digoxin dilemma. The absorption of oral digoxin preparations has been a topic of much concern during the last 5 years. The completeness of digoxin absorption is proportional to the area under the serum concentration time curve and to the urinary excretion of digoxin after single doses. During chronic therapy the completeness of absorption is proportional to these values and also to the steady state serum concentration. Determination of absolute bioavailability of a given digoxin preparation requires a comparative study using intravenous digoxin as a standard. Oral digoxin solutions are incompletely absorbed, but have biological availability greater than or equal to that of tablets. The absorption of digoxin tablets depends upon their dissolution rate which in turn is related to drug particle size. Digoxin tablets with small drug particles have rapid rates of dissolution and can be absorbed as completely as oral solutions. The bioavailability of digoxin from tablets can be influenced by changes in gastro-intestinal motility, malabsorption syndromes, and by co-administration of food or other drugs. New regulations now insure that all marketed digoxin tablet preparations have satisfactory bioavailability. Problems with biological availability at present are unlikely to account for unexpected clinical results during digoxin therapy.", "PMID": 797491} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10984", "title": "Plasma level monitoring of anticonvulsants.", "content": "The plasma concentrations of anticonvulsant drugs, and of certain of their biologically active metabolites, tend to be proportionate to the antiepileptic effects of these drugs. Consequently, anticonvulsant drug levels in plasma are monitored to help guide the clinician in managing his patients' epilepsies. In making use of the measurements, the clinician needs to know the relation between plasma level and biological effect for the various drugs. He also needs to have some awareness of simple pharmacokinetic principles. These are important in deciding when plasma levels should be monitored in relation to the patients' clinical state, to the dosage interval, and to change in the dosage of anticonvulsant or other drug. The clinician also requires pharmacokinetic knowledge in altering anticonvulsant drug dosage in his patients, and in interpreting plasma anticonvulsant level data, particularly when the patient is concurrently suffering from non-neurological disease. The ability to monitor plasma anticonvulsant levels has appreciably improved the treatment of epilepsy, but to obtain maximum benefits from the method, both pharmacokinetic insight and clinical wisdom are required.", "contents": "Plasma level monitoring of anticonvulsants. The plasma concentrations of anticonvulsant drugs, and of certain of their biologically active metabolites, tend to be proportionate to the antiepileptic effects of these drugs. Consequently, anticonvulsant drug levels in plasma are monitored to help guide the clinician in managing his patients' epilepsies. In making use of the measurements, the clinician needs to know the relation between plasma level and biological effect for the various drugs. He also needs to have some awareness of simple pharmacokinetic principles. These are important in deciding when plasma levels should be monitored in relation to the patients' clinical state, to the dosage interval, and to change in the dosage of anticonvulsant or other drug. The clinician also requires pharmacokinetic knowledge in altering anticonvulsant drug dosage in his patients, and in interpreting plasma anticonvulsant level data, particularly when the patient is concurrently suffering from non-neurological disease. The ability to monitor plasma anticonvulsant levels has appreciably improved the treatment of epilepsy, but to obtain maximum benefits from the method, both pharmacokinetic insight and clinical wisdom are required.", "PMID": 797492} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10985", "title": "Computer assisted prescribing of drugs.", "content": "Computer programs for drug dosage adjustment may be fixed, adaptive or empirical. The aminoglycoside antibiotic dosage requirements of individual patients are relatively predictable, and it seems to be adequate to assume that volume of distribution is a fixed proportion of body weight and that renal clearance is a fixed proportion of creatinine clearance. This approach has been less successful with digoxin because patient compliance, the proportion absorbed and liver clearance are not yet predictable. Accordingly, adaptive programs have been developed which use feedback from drug concentration measurements to predict the future dosage needs of the patient. When individual needs are known for a large patient group it becomes possible to predict the dosage requirements of a new patient from the same population by empirical methods. Computer programs for dosage adjustment will not be widely used until their scope is increased and objective evidence of clinical benefit is obtained.", "contents": "Computer assisted prescribing of drugs. Computer programs for drug dosage adjustment may be fixed, adaptive or empirical. The aminoglycoside antibiotic dosage requirements of individual patients are relatively predictable, and it seems to be adequate to assume that volume of distribution is a fixed proportion of body weight and that renal clearance is a fixed proportion of creatinine clearance. This approach has been less successful with digoxin because patient compliance, the proportion absorbed and liver clearance are not yet predictable. Accordingly, adaptive programs have been developed which use feedback from drug concentration measurements to predict the future dosage needs of the patient. When individual needs are known for a large patient group it becomes possible to predict the dosage requirements of a new patient from the same population by empirical methods. Computer programs for dosage adjustment will not be widely used until their scope is increased and objective evidence of clinical benefit is obtained.", "PMID": 797493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10986", "title": "The binding of drugs to plasma proteins from patients with poor renal function.", "content": "Plasma from patients with renal failure has decreased binding of many drugs. The decreased binding of anionic drugs is pronounced and is apparently due to occupation of protein binding sites by non-dialysable endogenous acidic compounds. Organic bases seem to bind normally, particularly if hypoproteinaemia or hypoalbuminaemia are not present. This modification of drug binding to plasma proteind from uraemic patients must be considered when plasma concentrations of acidic drugs are measured.", "contents": "The binding of drugs to plasma proteins from patients with poor renal function. Plasma from patients with renal failure has decreased binding of many drugs. The decreased binding of anionic drugs is pronounced and is apparently due to occupation of protein binding sites by non-dialysable endogenous acidic compounds. Organic bases seem to bind normally, particularly if hypoproteinaemia or hypoalbuminaemia are not present. This modification of drug binding to plasma proteind from uraemic patients must be considered when plasma concentrations of acidic drugs are measured.", "PMID": 797494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10987", "title": "Drug dosage in renal disease.", "content": "Based on the well known linear relationship between the overall drug elimination rate constant and the endogenous creatinine clearance, it is shown how individual drug elimination parameters in patients with renal disease can be estimated from the patient's creatinine clearance or serum creatinine concentration. By means of a simple nomogram the elimination rate fraction is determined which describes the elimination rate of the drug as a fraction of its normal elimination rate constant. Based on the estimated elimination rate fraction the dosage regimen in the patient with renal disease is individually modified according to pharmacokinetic principles. At present the described method can be used with 45 different drugs.", "contents": "Drug dosage in renal disease. Based on the well known linear relationship between the overall drug elimination rate constant and the endogenous creatinine clearance, it is shown how individual drug elimination parameters in patients with renal disease can be estimated from the patient's creatinine clearance or serum creatinine concentration. By means of a simple nomogram the elimination rate fraction is determined which describes the elimination rate of the drug as a fraction of its normal elimination rate constant. Based on the estimated elimination rate fraction the dosage regimen in the patient with renal disease is individually modified according to pharmacokinetic principles. At present the described method can be used with 45 different drugs.", "PMID": 797495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10988", "title": "Clinical pharmacokinetics of anticonvulsants.", "content": "Anticonvulsant therapy was among the first areas to benefit from clinical pharmacokinetic studies. The most important advantage is that the frequent interindividual variation in the plasma level/dose ratio for these drugs can be circumvented by plasma level monitoring. For several anticonvulsants the brain concentration is shown to parallel the plasma concentration. Phenytoin (diphenylhydantoin) is stil the most important anticonvulsant and the one for which kinetics have been thoroughly investigated in man. These investigations have revealed several reasons for the wellknown difficulties in using this drug clinically. The absorption rate and fraction are very much dependent on the pharmaceutical preparation, and changes of brand may alter the plasma level of phenytoin in spite of unaltered dose. The elimination capacity is saturable causing dose dependent kinetics, which again means disproportional changes in plasma level with changes in dose. Great individual variations exist in the rate of metabolism, and several pharmacokinetic drug interactions are known. As an optimum therapeutic plasma concentration range has been established monitoring plasma levels must be strongly advocated. Interpretation of plasma levels in uraemic patients must take into account decreased protein binding of the drug. Carbamazepine is probably as effective as phenytoin. The elimination is a first order process, but the rate of metabolism increases after a few weeks' treatment. An active metabolite (epoxide) may be the cause of some side-effects. Combined treatment with other anticonvulsant drugs decreases the half-life and more frequent dosing may be necessary. An optimum therapeutic concentration range has been suggested and plasma monitoring is advocated, along with that of the active metabolite, the epoxide. Phenobarbitone is still much used but its kinetics have been investigated to a lesser extent. The main problem is the variability in the rate of elimination. In children the half-life of phenobarbitone is only half of that in adults. An optimum therapeutic plasma range has been established and monitoring is recommended. Primidone may have an anticonvulsant activity in itself, but its main metabolite is phenobarbitone. The relatively rapid elimination of primidone is offset by the long half-life of phenobarbitone. An optimum therapeutic range has been suggested, but plasma level monitoring must include determination of phenobarbitone. Ethosuximide. The clinical pharmacokinetics of this important petit mal anticonvulsant is not well known. It has a relatively long half-life (in adults 2 to 3 days; in children shorter). An optimum therapeutic range has been suggested, and routine monitoring of plasma levels may be recommended. Diazepam exerts a repid anticonvulsant activity when the plasma concentration exceeds approximately 500ng/ml after intravenous injection. The kinetic pattern is complex in man. Clonazepam. The clinical pharmacokinetics are still not fully investigated but a therapeutic range has been suggested...", "contents": "Clinical pharmacokinetics of anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsant therapy was among the first areas to benefit from clinical pharmacokinetic studies. The most important advantage is that the frequent interindividual variation in the plasma level/dose ratio for these drugs can be circumvented by plasma level monitoring. For several anticonvulsants the brain concentration is shown to parallel the plasma concentration. Phenytoin (diphenylhydantoin) is stil the most important anticonvulsant and the one for which kinetics have been thoroughly investigated in man. These investigations have revealed several reasons for the wellknown difficulties in using this drug clinically. The absorption rate and fraction are very much dependent on the pharmaceutical preparation, and changes of brand may alter the plasma level of phenytoin in spite of unaltered dose. The elimination capacity is saturable causing dose dependent kinetics, which again means disproportional changes in plasma level with changes in dose. Great individual variations exist in the rate of metabolism, and several pharmacokinetic drug interactions are known. As an optimum therapeutic plasma concentration range has been established monitoring plasma levels must be strongly advocated. Interpretation of plasma levels in uraemic patients must take into account decreased protein binding of the drug. Carbamazepine is probably as effective as phenytoin. The elimination is a first order process, but the rate of metabolism increases after a few weeks' treatment. An active metabolite (epoxide) may be the cause of some side-effects. Combined treatment with other anticonvulsant drugs decreases the half-life and more frequent dosing may be necessary. An optimum therapeutic concentration range has been suggested and plasma monitoring is advocated, along with that of the active metabolite, the epoxide. Phenobarbitone is still much used but its kinetics have been investigated to a lesser extent. The main problem is the variability in the rate of elimination. In children the half-life of phenobarbitone is only half of that in adults. An optimum therapeutic plasma range has been established and monitoring is recommended. Primidone may have an anticonvulsant activity in itself, but its main metabolite is phenobarbitone. The relatively rapid elimination of primidone is offset by the long half-life of phenobarbitone. An optimum therapeutic range has been suggested, but plasma level monitoring must include determination of phenobarbitone. Ethosuximide. The clinical pharmacokinetics of this important petit mal anticonvulsant is not well known. It has a relatively long half-life (in adults 2 to 3 days; in children shorter). An optimum therapeutic range has been suggested, and routine monitoring of plasma levels may be recommended. Diazepam exerts a repid anticonvulsant activity when the plasma concentration exceeds approximately 500ng/ml after intravenous injection. The kinetic pattern is complex in man. Clonazepam. The clinical pharmacokinetics are still not fully investigated but a therapeutic range has been suggested...", "PMID": 797496} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10989", "title": "Drugs, diseases and altered gastric emptying.", "content": "Drugs are usually given orally. They are not absorbed to any extent from the stomach but may be absorbed very rapidly from the small intestine. Thus factors influencing the rate of gastric emptying may alter the rate of absorption of most if not all orally administered drugs. Food, hormones, posture, peritoneal irritation, severe pain, gastric ulcer, diabetes and other metabolic diseases, as well as drugs such as alcohol, anticholinergics, narcotic analgesics, ganglion blocking drugs, antacids and metoclopramide all influence the rate of gastric emptying and they will, in turn, change the rate of absorption of another drug. In most instances, increasing the rate of gastric emptying and gastro-intestinal motility increases the rate of absorption of a drug but, for digoxin and riboflavin, increased gastrointestinal motility is associated with a decrease in the rate of absorption. Delayed drug absorption due to altered gastric emptying usually results in therapeutic failure, especially if the drug has a short biological half-life. At present it is not possible to predict accurately the magnitude and clinical relevance of all drug absorption interactions.", "contents": "Drugs, diseases and altered gastric emptying. Drugs are usually given orally. They are not absorbed to any extent from the stomach but may be absorbed very rapidly from the small intestine. Thus factors influencing the rate of gastric emptying may alter the rate of absorption of most if not all orally administered drugs. Food, hormones, posture, peritoneal irritation, severe pain, gastric ulcer, diabetes and other metabolic diseases, as well as drugs such as alcohol, anticholinergics, narcotic analgesics, ganglion blocking drugs, antacids and metoclopramide all influence the rate of gastric emptying and they will, in turn, change the rate of absorption of another drug. In most instances, increasing the rate of gastric emptying and gastro-intestinal motility increases the rate of absorption of a drug but, for digoxin and riboflavin, increased gastrointestinal motility is associated with a decrease in the rate of absorption. Delayed drug absorption due to altered gastric emptying usually results in therapeutic failure, especially if the drug has a short biological half-life. At present it is not possible to predict accurately the magnitude and clinical relevance of all drug absorption interactions.", "PMID": 797497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10990", "title": "Pathophysiological and disease-induced changes in drug distribution volume: pharmacokinetic implications.", "content": "The volume of distribution of a drug (Vd) is a useful pharmacokinetic parameter for relating drug concentration in the plasma to the total amount of drug in the body. Disease-induced changes in Vd may well result in a change in the therapeutic or toxic significance of a given plasma level. For the different factors under consideration, especially plasma protein binding, the weight and the age of the patient plays an important role. Plasma binding of many drugs is lower in patients with renal or liver disease and binding capacity can be decreased in neonates and elderly individuals. Since the heart, liver and kidney are the major organs determining the distribution and elimination of drugs, it is not surprising that alterations in their function will influence the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. When comparing the Vd in different groups of patients one should use Vd(ss), since this is the only meaningful term as it is independent from elimination processes. Drugs which are strongly bound to plasma constituents (e.g. phenytoin, diazepam) demonstrate an increased Vd in patients with liver or kidney disease, since plasma binding is lowered. A reduced Vd seems to be a general phenomenon associated with renal failure and pronounced changes are most likely for drugs that are eliminated by a renal excretory mechanism (e.g. digoxin). From these disease-induced changes in Vd it follows, that plasma level monitoring should be done more extensively in patients with kidney, liver or heart disease and that arbitrary dosing regimens are only of limited value in these patients. It is also recommended that dosage should be adjusted according to the severity of the disease.", "contents": "Pathophysiological and disease-induced changes in drug distribution volume: pharmacokinetic implications. The volume of distribution of a drug (Vd) is a useful pharmacokinetic parameter for relating drug concentration in the plasma to the total amount of drug in the body. Disease-induced changes in Vd may well result in a change in the therapeutic or toxic significance of a given plasma level. For the different factors under consideration, especially plasma protein binding, the weight and the age of the patient plays an important role. Plasma binding of many drugs is lower in patients with renal or liver disease and binding capacity can be decreased in neonates and elderly individuals. Since the heart, liver and kidney are the major organs determining the distribution and elimination of drugs, it is not surprising that alterations in their function will influence the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. When comparing the Vd in different groups of patients one should use Vd(ss), since this is the only meaningful term as it is independent from elimination processes. Drugs which are strongly bound to plasma constituents (e.g. phenytoin, diazepam) demonstrate an increased Vd in patients with liver or kidney disease, since plasma binding is lowered. A reduced Vd seems to be a general phenomenon associated with renal failure and pronounced changes are most likely for drugs that are eliminated by a renal excretory mechanism (e.g. digoxin). From these disease-induced changes in Vd it follows, that plasma level monitoring should be done more extensively in patients with kidney, liver or heart disease and that arbitrary dosing regimens are only of limited value in these patients. It is also recommended that dosage should be adjusted according to the severity of the disease.", "PMID": 797498} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10991", "title": "Propranolol disposition in chronic liver disease: a physiological approach.", "content": "The pharmacokinetics of propranolol can be quantitatively explained on a physiological basis from a knowledge of the effects of four biological determinants: (1) the activity of the drug metabolising enzymes (intrinsic clearance); (2) hepatic blood flow; (3) drug binding, and (4) the anatomical arrangement of the hepatic circulation. Distrubances of all these determinants can occur in chronic liver disease and result in predictable changes in propranolol disposition. These changes, as well as those occurring with other drugs in chronic liver may be explained by 'intact hepatocyte theory' which postulates that the major pathophysiological change occurring in compensated chronic liver disease is a reduction in relatively normally perfused and functioning cell mass with the development of intrahepatic portasystemic vascular shunts.", "contents": "Propranolol disposition in chronic liver disease: a physiological approach. The pharmacokinetics of propranolol can be quantitatively explained on a physiological basis from a knowledge of the effects of four biological determinants: (1) the activity of the drug metabolising enzymes (intrinsic clearance); (2) hepatic blood flow; (3) drug binding, and (4) the anatomical arrangement of the hepatic circulation. Distrubances of all these determinants can occur in chronic liver disease and result in predictable changes in propranolol disposition. These changes, as well as those occurring with other drugs in chronic liver may be explained by 'intact hepatocyte theory' which postulates that the major pathophysiological change occurring in compensated chronic liver disease is a reduction in relatively normally perfused and functioning cell mass with the development of intrahepatic portasystemic vascular shunts.", "PMID": 797499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10992", "title": "Pharmacokinetics in the elderly.", "content": "The elderly are generally considered to be different from young people in terms of drug response and this applies particularly to quantitative differences. While altered drug handling is a major potential source of difference in responsiveness to drugs, the relative contribution of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to this difference is not clear. In the present review we have examined the available data on pharmacokinetics in the elderly. In the past, data pertaining to animal models have been extrapolated to man and in the absence of human experimentation these assumptions have tended to hold sway. This is best exemplified by studies on drug absorption. The absorption of actively transported substance may in fact be diminished in the elderly. However, most drugs are absorbed by passive diffusion and the recently available evidence in man indicates that there is no age-dependent change. While definitive data on the effect of old age on drug metabolising ability in animals is available, no direct assessments have been made in man. Many of the studies carried out using drug plasma half-life and clearance assessments are complicated by changes in distribution. This is best illustrated by a definitive study with diazepam, in which marked prolongation of plasma half-life was accompained by an increase in apparent volume of distribution in the elderly. This latter change influences plasma drug clearance and, possibly, drug concentration at its site of action. Thus, the implications for drug effect of such changes in volume of distribution remain to be clarified. In theory, the rate of elimination of antipyrine should provide a good index of drug metabolising ability. Both plasma half-life and clearance values suggest a decreased in metabolism in the elderly. No other drug has been studied as intensively and the evidence for a diminished metabolism of other drug in the elderly is less definite. Thus, while it is likely that the metabolism of some drugs is imparied in old age, it is not possible at this time to generalise with regard to the effect of age on drug metabolising ability in man. It is also difficult to generalise about age-related changes in plasma protein binding of drugs. With some drugs, binding to plasma protein does not appear to be altered and for two drugs-warfarin and phenytoin, the findings of different investigators conflict. Diminution of glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and associated tubular function with age have been well documented. Drug clearance comparisons between old and young have been carried out for only three renally excreted drugs-digoxin, propicillin and sulphamethizole. With digoxine and sulphamethizole, the evidence is that renal excretion is diminished in the elderly. With propicillin, changes in volume of distribution predominate, resulting in higher plasma levels in the elderly but similar percent recovery in urine...", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics in the elderly. The elderly are generally considered to be different from young people in terms of drug response and this applies particularly to quantitative differences. While altered drug handling is a major potential source of difference in responsiveness to drugs, the relative contribution of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to this difference is not clear. In the present review we have examined the available data on pharmacokinetics in the elderly. In the past, data pertaining to animal models have been extrapolated to man and in the absence of human experimentation these assumptions have tended to hold sway. This is best exemplified by studies on drug absorption. The absorption of actively transported substance may in fact be diminished in the elderly. However, most drugs are absorbed by passive diffusion and the recently available evidence in man indicates that there is no age-dependent change. While definitive data on the effect of old age on drug metabolising ability in animals is available, no direct assessments have been made in man. Many of the studies carried out using drug plasma half-life and clearance assessments are complicated by changes in distribution. This is best illustrated by a definitive study with diazepam, in which marked prolongation of plasma half-life was accompained by an increase in apparent volume of distribution in the elderly. This latter change influences plasma drug clearance and, possibly, drug concentration at its site of action. Thus, the implications for drug effect of such changes in volume of distribution remain to be clarified. In theory, the rate of elimination of antipyrine should provide a good index of drug metabolising ability. Both plasma half-life and clearance values suggest a decreased in metabolism in the elderly. No other drug has been studied as intensively and the evidence for a diminished metabolism of other drug in the elderly is less definite. Thus, while it is likely that the metabolism of some drugs is imparied in old age, it is not possible at this time to generalise with regard to the effect of age on drug metabolising ability in man. It is also difficult to generalise about age-related changes in plasma protein binding of drugs. With some drugs, binding to plasma protein does not appear to be altered and for two drugs-warfarin and phenytoin, the findings of different investigators conflict. Diminution of glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and associated tubular function with age have been well documented. Drug clearance comparisons between old and young have been carried out for only three renally excreted drugs-digoxin, propicillin and sulphamethizole. With digoxine and sulphamethizole, the evidence is that renal excretion is diminished in the elderly. With propicillin, changes in volume of distribution predominate, resulting in higher plasma levels in the elderly but similar percent recovery in urine...", "PMID": 797500} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10993", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of the penicillins in man.", "content": "The purpose of this article is to review and summarise those aspects of the pharmacokinetic behaviour of the penicillins that may be of particular interest to the clinician. While these antibiotics differ markedly in their acid stability and oral absorption, misleading inferences may be drawn from simple inspection of the maximal serum concentrations produced by a given dose administered orally. A more accurate picture emerges when serum protein binding and intrinsic activity of the drugs are taken into account. All of the penicillins are readily and actively secreted by the renal tubles and most are eliminated, almost completely unchanged, in the urine. The majority are excreted in small quantities in the bile, but this is a major route for elimination of nafcillin from the body. Distribution of the penicillins in 'non-specialised' sites is excellent. In contrast, penetration of the central nevous system and eye are poor, and of the prostate, minimal. Inflammation reduces the barries to penetration of these areas. However, quantitative data related to this phenomenon in man are few. Probenecid actively competes with the 'export' pump of the meninges and renal tubular cells. This results in an increase in concentrations of the penicillins in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. The effect of this agent on active secretion of these antibiotics from the eye and biliary tract is minimal. While elimination of the penicillins from the body takes place largely via renal excretion, penicillin V and oxacillin are extensively degraded as well. In contrast to the situation with respect to 'natural' and 'broad-spectrum' penicillins, the serum half-life of the isoxazolyl congeners and nafcillin is only minimally prolonged in the presence of renal failure. These agents are only weakly haemodialyzable, while the other penicillins are rapidly removed from the circulation by this procedure.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of the penicillins in man. The purpose of this article is to review and summarise those aspects of the pharmacokinetic behaviour of the penicillins that may be of particular interest to the clinician. While these antibiotics differ markedly in their acid stability and oral absorption, misleading inferences may be drawn from simple inspection of the maximal serum concentrations produced by a given dose administered orally. A more accurate picture emerges when serum protein binding and intrinsic activity of the drugs are taken into account. All of the penicillins are readily and actively secreted by the renal tubles and most are eliminated, almost completely unchanged, in the urine. The majority are excreted in small quantities in the bile, but this is a major route for elimination of nafcillin from the body. Distribution of the penicillins in 'non-specialised' sites is excellent. In contrast, penetration of the central nevous system and eye are poor, and of the prostate, minimal. Inflammation reduces the barries to penetration of these areas. However, quantitative data related to this phenomenon in man are few. Probenecid actively competes with the 'export' pump of the meninges and renal tubular cells. This results in an increase in concentrations of the penicillins in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. The effect of this agent on active secretion of these antibiotics from the eye and biliary tract is minimal. While elimination of the penicillins from the body takes place largely via renal excretion, penicillin V and oxacillin are extensively degraded as well. In contrast to the situation with respect to 'natural' and 'broad-spectrum' penicillins, the serum half-life of the isoxazolyl congeners and nafcillin is only minimally prolonged in the presence of renal failure. These agents are only weakly haemodialyzable, while the other penicillins are rapidly removed from the circulation by this procedure.", "PMID": 797501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10994", "title": "Drug metabolism in thyroid disease.", "content": "Thyroid dysfunction can influence the physiological disposition of drugs. Depending on the pharmacokinetic properties of the individual drug, changes in the rate of metabolism ranging from profound to moderate or negligible have been observed. Since renal function is also influenced by thyroid disease, changes in renal elimination of drugs which are excreted in the urine mainly as unchanged drugs have to be considered as another reason for altered drugs disposition in thyroid disease. In patients with thyrotoxicosis lower, and in patients with myxoedema, higher, digitalis plasma levels have been observed. The altered disposition of cardiac glycosides in thyroid dysfunction can be attributed to changes in renal elimination and metabolism. These findings may be the kinetic correlate for the clinical observation that larger than the usual dose of digitalis is required in thyrotoxic patients and lower in hypothyroid patients. Antipyrene half-lives are very much shortened during hyperthyroidism and prolonged appreciably during hypothyroidism. The alterations in the disposition of these drugs seen during thyroid dysfunction can be ascribed to changes in its rate of metabolism which is controlled by the levels of circulating thyroid hormones. N-demethylation of aminopyrine is depressed both in hyper- and hypothyroid patients as compared with euthyroid subjects. Changes in the half-life of this drug were observed only during hypothyroidism. The physiological disposition of the antithyroid drug propylthiouracil is not changed during thyrotoxicosis. A decrease in plasma half-life of methimazole is however, observed during hyperthyroidism, whereas in hypothyroid patients half-life is increased. The few data available so far do not allow general prediction of how thyroid disease could alter drug metabolism in man.", "contents": "Drug metabolism in thyroid disease. Thyroid dysfunction can influence the physiological disposition of drugs. Depending on the pharmacokinetic properties of the individual drug, changes in the rate of metabolism ranging from profound to moderate or negligible have been observed. Since renal function is also influenced by thyroid disease, changes in renal elimination of drugs which are excreted in the urine mainly as unchanged drugs have to be considered as another reason for altered drugs disposition in thyroid disease. In patients with thyrotoxicosis lower, and in patients with myxoedema, higher, digitalis plasma levels have been observed. The altered disposition of cardiac glycosides in thyroid dysfunction can be attributed to changes in renal elimination and metabolism. These findings may be the kinetic correlate for the clinical observation that larger than the usual dose of digitalis is required in thyrotoxic patients and lower in hypothyroid patients. Antipyrene half-lives are very much shortened during hyperthyroidism and prolonged appreciably during hypothyroidism. The alterations in the disposition of these drugs seen during thyroid dysfunction can be ascribed to changes in its rate of metabolism which is controlled by the levels of circulating thyroid hormones. N-demethylation of aminopyrine is depressed both in hyper- and hypothyroid patients as compared with euthyroid subjects. Changes in the half-life of this drug were observed only during hypothyroidism. The physiological disposition of the antithyroid drug propylthiouracil is not changed during thyrotoxicosis. A decrease in plasma half-life of methimazole is however, observed during hyperthyroidism, whereas in hypothyroid patients half-life is increased. The few data available so far do not allow general prediction of how thyroid disease could alter drug metabolism in man.", "PMID": 797503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10995", "title": "Clinical pharmacokinetics of levodopa in parkinson's disease.", "content": "Although levodopa has provided a major advance in the treatment of parkinsonism, its maximum benefits have not yet been realised, in part because of its complicated pharmacokinetics. This review summarises that available pharmacokinetic data involving levodopa, especially as it relates to therapeutic response of parkinsonian patients. A large number of factors, including protein intake, gastric emptying time, pyridoxine ingestion, and dopa decarboxylase activity, affect plasma levels of levodopa attained following oral administration of this drug. Other variables influence the rate of brain uptake of levodopa from the blood. Even so, plasma levodopa concentration correlates significantly with dosage size in a large parkinsonian population and also coincides with therapeutic response in many, but not all, patients. Therefore, in certain instances, valuable information may be derived by correlating clinical response with plasma levodopa concentration. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of homovanillic acid, a major metabolite of dopamine, may have some value in predicting clinical response to levodopa. This relationship, however, has not been firmly established. Concentration of homovanillic acid or levodopa in body fluids may also be closely related to certain adverse side-effects, including abnormal involuntary movements, gastric discomfort and psychiatric disturbances. Evidence indicates that a clearer understanding of levodopa pharmacokinetics may improve the clinical management of parkinsonism.", "contents": "Clinical pharmacokinetics of levodopa in parkinson's disease. Although levodopa has provided a major advance in the treatment of parkinsonism, its maximum benefits have not yet been realised, in part because of its complicated pharmacokinetics. This review summarises that available pharmacokinetic data involving levodopa, especially as it relates to therapeutic response of parkinsonian patients. A large number of factors, including protein intake, gastric emptying time, pyridoxine ingestion, and dopa decarboxylase activity, affect plasma levels of levodopa attained following oral administration of this drug. Other variables influence the rate of brain uptake of levodopa from the blood. Even so, plasma levodopa concentration correlates significantly with dosage size in a large parkinsonian population and also coincides with therapeutic response in many, but not all, patients. Therefore, in certain instances, valuable information may be derived by correlating clinical response with plasma levodopa concentration. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of homovanillic acid, a major metabolite of dopamine, may have some value in predicting clinical response to levodopa. This relationship, however, has not been firmly established. Concentration of homovanillic acid or levodopa in body fluids may also be closely related to certain adverse side-effects, including abnormal involuntary movements, gastric discomfort and psychiatric disturbances. Evidence indicates that a clearer understanding of levodopa pharmacokinetics may improve the clinical management of parkinsonism.", "PMID": 797502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10996", "title": "Drug interactions and clinical pharmacokinetics.", "content": "Some drugs influence the gastro-intestinal absorption, distribution , metabolism or renal excretion of other drugs, i.e., processes involved in pharmacokinetic interactions. The clinical consequences of pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions will be either an increase or a decrease in known therapeutic or toxic effects of the interacting drug. In order to evaluate the importance of drug interaction affecting gastro-intestinal absorption, it is necessary to distinguish between interactions which alter the rate of absorption of another drug and those which alter the amount of drug absorbed. Many drugs displace other drugs from their protein binding sites in vitro. This may cause an increase in the pharmacological effect of the displaced drug. However, much discrepancy exists between in vitro findings. In some cases, the enhanced effect only seems to be a temporary phenomenon. The degree of protein binding and the size of apparent volume of distribution (Vd) must also be taken into consideration. Perhaps the importance of interaction involving protein binding has been overemphasized. Barbiturates, glutethimide, rifampicin and phenytoin increase the rate of drug metabolism in man. The most important interactions reported are between oral anti-coagulants and barbiturates. After withdrawal of these hepatic microsomal enzyme inducing drugs, it takes 2 to 3 weeks before the rate of drug metabolism reaches the pretreatment level. In this period, risk of haemorrhage exists. Induction seems to be dose-dependent, but not all persons are inducible. Many drugs compete for the drug metabolising enzyme system in the liver and consequently some drugs inhibit the biotransformation of other drugs. The time course of these interactions depends on the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug involved, and these interactions also seem to be dose-dependent. The most important of such interactions, clinically involved the oral sulphonylurea hypoglycaemic drugs and the antiepilepic drug phenytoin. Drugs are eliminated by urinary excretion through three mechanisms: glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and active tubular secretion. The most important interactions seem to be those involving competition for tubular secretion.", "contents": "Drug interactions and clinical pharmacokinetics. Some drugs influence the gastro-intestinal absorption, distribution , metabolism or renal excretion of other drugs, i.e., processes involved in pharmacokinetic interactions. The clinical consequences of pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions will be either an increase or a decrease in known therapeutic or toxic effects of the interacting drug. In order to evaluate the importance of drug interaction affecting gastro-intestinal absorption, it is necessary to distinguish between interactions which alter the rate of absorption of another drug and those which alter the amount of drug absorbed. Many drugs displace other drugs from their protein binding sites in vitro. This may cause an increase in the pharmacological effect of the displaced drug. However, much discrepancy exists between in vitro findings. In some cases, the enhanced effect only seems to be a temporary phenomenon. The degree of protein binding and the size of apparent volume of distribution (Vd) must also be taken into consideration. Perhaps the importance of interaction involving protein binding has been overemphasized. Barbiturates, glutethimide, rifampicin and phenytoin increase the rate of drug metabolism in man. The most important interactions reported are between oral anti-coagulants and barbiturates. After withdrawal of these hepatic microsomal enzyme inducing drugs, it takes 2 to 3 weeks before the rate of drug metabolism reaches the pretreatment level. In this period, risk of haemorrhage exists. Induction seems to be dose-dependent, but not all persons are inducible. Many drugs compete for the drug metabolising enzyme system in the liver and consequently some drugs inhibit the biotransformation of other drugs. The time course of these interactions depends on the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug involved, and these interactions also seem to be dose-dependent. The most important of such interactions, clinically involved the oral sulphonylurea hypoglycaemic drugs and the antiepilepic drug phenytoin. Drugs are eliminated by urinary excretion through three mechanisms: glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and active tubular secretion. The most important interactions seem to be those involving competition for tubular secretion.", "PMID": 797504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10997", "title": "External and internal exposure to the antigen in the hand eczema of nickel allergy.", "content": "A provocation study was performed in twelve female patients with contact allergy to nickel and hand eczema of the pompholyx type. Intense handling of nickle-contaminated metal objects did not induce any visible eczematous activity. Oral administration of nickle in a double-blind test provoked an aggravation of the hand eczema in nine of the twelve patients, and in seven of the patients this was accompanied by secondary eruptions including outbreaks of earlier, healed eczema. The nickle dose given is probably in the upper limit of the presently known daily intake of the metal, but should be considered to be within the physiologic range. It is concluded that ingestion of small amounts of nickel may be of greater importance in maintaining the hand eczema than external contacts with the metal.", "contents": "External and internal exposure to the antigen in the hand eczema of nickel allergy. A provocation study was performed in twelve female patients with contact allergy to nickel and hand eczema of the pompholyx type. Intense handling of nickle-contaminated metal objects did not induce any visible eczematous activity. Oral administration of nickle in a double-blind test provoked an aggravation of the hand eczema in nine of the twelve patients, and in seven of the patients this was accompanied by secondary eruptions including outbreaks of earlier, healed eczema. The nickle dose given is probably in the upper limit of the presently known daily intake of the metal, but should be considered to be within the physiologic range. It is concluded that ingestion of small amounts of nickel may be of greater importance in maintaining the hand eczema than external contacts with the metal.", "PMID": 797515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10998", "title": "Clinical significance of fibrinuria with fibrinogen split-product E following kidney allotransplantation.", "content": "Typical findings of disseminated intravascular coagulation were found in patients following kidney allotransplantation where quantitative determinations revealed fibrin degradation products in the urine. Split-product E, which was quantitatively determined in urine samples, contributes to this fibrinuria. Elevated levels of fibrinogen split products in serum as well as in urine are detectable several days prior to clinical signs of rejections and serve as an early indicator of impending rejection in patients with renal allografts.", "contents": "Clinical significance of fibrinuria with fibrinogen split-product E following kidney allotransplantation. Typical findings of disseminated intravascular coagulation were found in patients following kidney allotransplantation where quantitative determinations revealed fibrin degradation products in the urine. Split-product E, which was quantitatively determined in urine samples, contributes to this fibrinuria. Elevated levels of fibrinogen split products in serum as well as in urine are detectable several days prior to clinical signs of rejections and serve as an early indicator of impending rejection in patients with renal allografts.", "PMID": 797519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_10999", "title": "Studies on glomerular permeability using inert polymers.", "content": "Dextrans and other macromolecular inert polymers such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone fulfil all the criteria of an ideal test material for measuring glomerular permeability. Following a single intravenous injection of radioactively labelled polydisperse material serial plasma and urine samples can be analysed by gel filtration chromatography and the polymer fractionated into its constituent molecular sizes. Polymer of molecular size 24 A is capable of passing through the glomerulus as readily as water while material larger than 60 A is affectively excluded from the glomerular filtrate and one can determine the clearance of 20--30 intermediate molecular sized fractions. The accumulated data can be analysed by a number of different theoretical mathematical models; furthermore the technique can be employed in the study of proteinuria induced by vasoactive amines such as renin or angiotensin.", "contents": "Studies on glomerular permeability using inert polymers. Dextrans and other macromolecular inert polymers such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone fulfil all the criteria of an ideal test material for measuring glomerular permeability. Following a single intravenous injection of radioactively labelled polydisperse material serial plasma and urine samples can be analysed by gel filtration chromatography and the polymer fractionated into its constituent molecular sizes. Polymer of molecular size 24 A is capable of passing through the glomerulus as readily as water while material larger than 60 A is affectively excluded from the glomerular filtrate and one can determine the clearance of 20--30 intermediate molecular sized fractions. The accumulated data can be analysed by a number of different theoretical mathematical models; furthermore the technique can be employed in the study of proteinuria induced by vasoactive amines such as renin or angiotensin.", "PMID": 797520} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11000", "title": "Glomerular protein filtration in normal and nephritic rats. A micropuncture study.", "content": "The acute heterologous phase of anti-basement membrane glomerulonephritis in rats was studied morphologically and functionally at the single nephron level. In samples drawn from Bowman's space or from the very early segment of the proximal tubule the protein content was measured by ultra micro-disc-electrophoresis. Morphologically, in rats which were treated with anti-glomerular basement-membrane serum (AGBM) no significant changes could be seen in light microscopy whereas in immunohistology the typical, linear, subendothelial fluorescent staining for IgG could be seen. In controls, small amounts of albumin were filtered (7.57 +/- 0.66 mug/min X 100 g body weight, n = 14) but in nephritic animals the filtered load of albumin increased significantly to 58.33 +/- 4.10 mug/min X 100 g body weight, (n = 8). Besides this increased albumin filtration also several serum globulins could be detected, whereas in controls they were missing. Total GFR and proximal passage time did not change significantly. It is concluded that the glomerulus is an effective barrier for protein under control conditions and that it becomes permeable for albumin and higher molecular weight serum proteins following the antigen antibody reaction at the glomerular basement membrane in the AGBM-treated animals.", "contents": "Glomerular protein filtration in normal and nephritic rats. A micropuncture study. The acute heterologous phase of anti-basement membrane glomerulonephritis in rats was studied morphologically and functionally at the single nephron level. In samples drawn from Bowman's space or from the very early segment of the proximal tubule the protein content was measured by ultra micro-disc-electrophoresis. Morphologically, in rats which were treated with anti-glomerular basement-membrane serum (AGBM) no significant changes could be seen in light microscopy whereas in immunohistology the typical, linear, subendothelial fluorescent staining for IgG could be seen. In controls, small amounts of albumin were filtered (7.57 +/- 0.66 mug/min X 100 g body weight, n = 14) but in nephritic animals the filtered load of albumin increased significantly to 58.33 +/- 4.10 mug/min X 100 g body weight, (n = 8). Besides this increased albumin filtration also several serum globulins could be detected, whereas in controls they were missing. Total GFR and proximal passage time did not change significantly. It is concluded that the glomerulus is an effective barrier for protein under control conditions and that it becomes permeable for albumin and higher molecular weight serum proteins following the antigen antibody reaction at the glomerular basement membrane in the AGBM-treated animals.", "PMID": 797521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11001", "title": "Nephritogenic glycoprotein. VI. Induction of proliferative glomerulonephritis with the immunofluorescent 'mesangial pattern' in rats by a single injection of soluble glycoprotein isolated from human urine.", "content": "Proliferative glomerulonephritis was induced in rats by a single injection in the hind footpads of the urinary glycoprotein or more purified urinary glycopeptide with Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Although the urinary (water-soluble and non-dialyzable) glycoprotein and glycopeptide were prepared from heterologous urines (human urines), the immunofluorescent pattern of the kidneys was not 'granular' but 'mesangial', as in rats given a single injection of homologous or heterologous renal glycoprotein with nephritogenicity. The pathogenesis of proliferative glomerulonephritis in the present experiments may be explained by the same mechanism as that of rats given a single injection of renal glycoprotein, i.e. by any mechanism other than antigen (heterologous protein)-antibody immune complex and anti-GBM antibody mechanisms.", "contents": "Nephritogenic glycoprotein. VI. Induction of proliferative glomerulonephritis with the immunofluorescent 'mesangial pattern' in rats by a single injection of soluble glycoprotein isolated from human urine. Proliferative glomerulonephritis was induced in rats by a single injection in the hind footpads of the urinary glycoprotein or more purified urinary glycopeptide with Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Although the urinary (water-soluble and non-dialyzable) glycoprotein and glycopeptide were prepared from heterologous urines (human urines), the immunofluorescent pattern of the kidneys was not 'granular' but 'mesangial', as in rats given a single injection of homologous or heterologous renal glycoprotein with nephritogenicity. The pathogenesis of proliferative glomerulonephritis in the present experiments may be explained by the same mechanism as that of rats given a single injection of renal glycoprotein, i.e. by any mechanism other than antigen (heterologous protein)-antibody immune complex and anti-GBM antibody mechanisms.", "PMID": 797522} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11002", "title": "IgA glomerulonephritis in Japan.", "content": "A clinicopathological study was done on 85 Japanese patients with IgA glomerulonephritis. Of patients with glomerulonephritis whose clinical course is of slow progression, the presence of IgA glomerulonephritis was demonstrated immunohistologically. The majority of such patients presented with a mild degree of proteinuria and/or persistent microscopic hematuria. In 15% of the patients, recurrent gross hematuria was noted. These findings suggest that immunohistological study is important in dealing with adult patients with so-called idiopathic renal hematuria. Light-microscopic findings of IgA glomerulonephritis were divided into 4 groups. In 56% of the patients, diffuse stalk thickening of the mesangium was noted and in one third of them, small crescent formations were present. In 22% of the patients, focal segmental proliferation was noted. Diffuse mesangial deposition of IgA noted by immunofluorescence was considered to correspond to the characteristic nodular deposition detected by light microscopy and to the relatively large globular hemispheric deposits detected by electron microscopy.", "contents": "IgA glomerulonephritis in Japan. A clinicopathological study was done on 85 Japanese patients with IgA glomerulonephritis. Of patients with glomerulonephritis whose clinical course is of slow progression, the presence of IgA glomerulonephritis was demonstrated immunohistologically. The majority of such patients presented with a mild degree of proteinuria and/or persistent microscopic hematuria. In 15% of the patients, recurrent gross hematuria was noted. These findings suggest that immunohistological study is important in dealing with adult patients with so-called idiopathic renal hematuria. Light-microscopic findings of IgA glomerulonephritis were divided into 4 groups. In 56% of the patients, diffuse stalk thickening of the mesangium was noted and in one third of them, small crescent formations were present. In 22% of the patients, focal segmental proliferation was noted. Diffuse mesangial deposition of IgA noted by immunofluorescence was considered to correspond to the characteristic nodular deposition detected by light microscopy and to the relatively large globular hemispheric deposits detected by electron microscopy.", "PMID": 797523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11003", "title": "Classification of chronic glomerulonephritis based on prognostic considerations.", "content": "Based on the correlation of LM, EM and IF findings of kidney biopsy tissues with the clinical and laboratory findings as well as renal function, classification of primary GN is proposed with special reference to the smouldering and progressive forms of chronic GN. The two forms of chronic GN should be differentiated because their prognoses are different.", "contents": "Classification of chronic glomerulonephritis based on prognostic considerations. Based on the correlation of LM, EM and IF findings of kidney biopsy tissues with the clinical and laboratory findings as well as renal function, classification of primary GN is proposed with special reference to the smouldering and progressive forms of chronic GN. The two forms of chronic GN should be differentiated because their prognoses are different.", "PMID": 797524} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11004", "title": "The identification of staphylococci in clinical and food microbiology laboratories.", "content": "A comprehensive review of the methods which have been utilized for the identification of staphylococci is presented. Biochemical characteristics which have assisted in the primary isolation of staphylococci, such as pigmentation, hemolytic activity, the egg yolk phenomenon, and deoxyribonuclease and coagulase production, are also analyzed. The potential applicability of advanced techniques to identify staphylococci, such as the detection of enterotoxin production, base ratio analysis, cell wall analysis, phage typing, and serology, is discussed. The following procedures are recommended for routine use: Idnetification of Staphylococcus sp. (clinical laboratories): microscopic observation, catalase activity, coagulase production, lysostaphin sensitivity, and (optional) facultative growth in thioglycolate medium. Identification of Staphylococcus aureus (food laboratories): microscopic observation, catalase activity, coagulase production, thermonuclease production, and (optional) lysostaphin sensitivity.", "contents": "The identification of staphylococci in clinical and food microbiology laboratories. A comprehensive review of the methods which have been utilized for the identification of staphylococci is presented. Biochemical characteristics which have assisted in the primary isolation of staphylococci, such as pigmentation, hemolytic activity, the egg yolk phenomenon, and deoxyribonuclease and coagulase production, are also analyzed. The potential applicability of advanced techniques to identify staphylococci, such as the detection of enterotoxin production, base ratio analysis, cell wall analysis, phage typing, and serology, is discussed. The following procedures are recommended for routine use: Idnetification of Staphylococcus sp. (clinical laboratories): microscopic observation, catalase activity, coagulase production, lysostaphin sensitivity, and (optional) facultative growth in thioglycolate medium. Identification of Staphylococcus aureus (food laboratories): microscopic observation, catalase activity, coagulase production, thermonuclease production, and (optional) lysostaphin sensitivity.", "PMID": 797525} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11005", "title": "The tunnel graft procedure for attachment of a hairpiece.", "content": "A new procedure for attaching a hairpiece to the scalp is described. Two skin-lined tunnels in the anterior and posterior scalp are built, using a strip of free full-thickness donor skin fron the postauricular area. Silicone-coated metal clips, suitably fashioned from .062'' Kirschner's wire, are then attached to the hairpiece. The metal clips are inserted into the skin-lined tunnels and thereby anchor the hairpiece to the scalp.", "contents": "The tunnel graft procedure for attachment of a hairpiece. A new procedure for attaching a hairpiece to the scalp is described. Two skin-lined tunnels in the anterior and posterior scalp are built, using a strip of free full-thickness donor skin fron the postauricular area. Silicone-coated metal clips, suitably fashioned from .062'' Kirschner's wire, are then attached to the hairpiece. The metal clips are inserted into the skin-lined tunnels and thereby anchor the hairpiece to the scalp.", "PMID": 797535} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11006", "title": "Sweet's syndrome: unique local response to streptococcal antigen.", "content": "Although hypersensitivity has been postulated, the etiology of Sweet's syndrome has never been elucidated. In the present case intradermal tesing with viridans streptococcus led to an immediate reaction and reproduced a lesion clinically and histologically identical to that of the primary disease. Other bacterial and fungal antigens failed to elicit any response. These findings provide further support for the role of hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of this disorder. It would appear that immediate or humoral immunit", "contents": "Sweet's syndrome: unique local response to streptococcal antigen. Although hypersensitivity has been postulated, the etiology of Sweet's syndrome has never been elucidated. In the present case intradermal tesing with viridans streptococcus led to an immediate reaction and reproduced a lesion clinically and histologically identical to that of the primary disease. Other bacterial and fungal antigens failed to elicit any response. These findings provide further support for the role of hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of this disorder. It would appear that immediate or humoral immunit", "PMID": 797538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11007", "title": "Clotrimazole troches: a new therapeutic approach to oral candidiasis.", "content": "To ascertain the topical effectiveness of clotrimazole in oral candidiasis, a troche form was administered to 12 patients suffering from longstanding infection. One-half of the patients took one 10 mg troche and the other half of the patients one 50 mg troche, ten times a day. The troches were not chewed, but were retained in the mouth until completely dissolved. The impressive clinical and mycological response to this treatment as well as the lack of toxicity strongly indicate that further trials are warranted.", "contents": "Clotrimazole troches: a new therapeutic approach to oral candidiasis. To ascertain the topical effectiveness of clotrimazole in oral candidiasis, a troche form was administered to 12 patients suffering from longstanding infection. One-half of the patients took one 10 mg troche and the other half of the patients one 50 mg troche, ten times a day. The troches were not chewed, but were retained in the mouth until completely dissolved. The impressive clinical and mycological response to this treatment as well as the lack of toxicity strongly indicate that further trials are warranted.", "PMID": 797539} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11008", "title": "The use of multicartilage composite grafts to repair wounds of the lower third of the nose.", "content": "The use of multicartilage composite grafts to repair surgical wounds of the lower third of the nose (ala nasi and tip) is described. These differ from the classic composite ear graft in three respects: First, the skin portion of the graft is removed separately from the cartilage permitting the operator to select the donor site that matches the nose best. Second, the cartilage, instead of being a single piece, is divided into small units allowing for more uniform reconstruction of cartilaginous portions of the nose. Third, larger composite grafts can be constructed safely by this technique than heretofore considered possible by the conventional method. The results of the multicartilage composite graft in eight patients is assessed. The implications for their healing by the bridging phenomenon is discussed.", "contents": "The use of multicartilage composite grafts to repair wounds of the lower third of the nose. The use of multicartilage composite grafts to repair surgical wounds of the lower third of the nose (ala nasi and tip) is described. These differ from the classic composite ear graft in three respects: First, the skin portion of the graft is removed separately from the cartilage permitting the operator to select the donor site that matches the nose best. Second, the cartilage, instead of being a single piece, is divided into small units allowing for more uniform reconstruction of cartilaginous portions of the nose. Third, larger composite grafts can be constructed safely by this technique than heretofore considered possible by the conventional method. The results of the multicartilage composite graft in eight patients is assessed. The implications for their healing by the bridging phenomenon is discussed.", "PMID": 797542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11009", "title": "Psoriasis: treatment with a new topical corticosteroid.", "content": "A total of 60 patients was treated for psoriasis in a double-blind, paired comparison study of 0.1% halcinonide with an active corticosteroid comparison drug as topical creams. An overall evaluation of comparative responses clearly demonstrated the superiority of halcinonide in a greater number of patients. Separate evaluation of the overall therapeutic responses also favored halcinonide, with a good to excellent response in 80% of patients compared to 65% with the control drug.", "contents": "Psoriasis: treatment with a new topical corticosteroid. A total of 60 patients was treated for psoriasis in a double-blind, paired comparison study of 0.1% halcinonide with an active corticosteroid comparison drug as topical creams. An overall evaluation of comparative responses clearly demonstrated the superiority of halcinonide in a greater number of patients. Separate evaluation of the overall therapeutic responses also favored halcinonide, with a good to excellent response in 80% of patients compared to 65% with the control drug.", "PMID": 797543} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11010", "title": "Pseudopelade of Brocq secondary to lichen planus.", "content": "Immunofluorescence studies as as the underlying cause of pseudopelade of Brocq (PPOB) in a middle-aged woman. The routine use of immunofluorescent studies in clinical cases of pseudopelade of Brocq might make more specific diagnoses possible.", "contents": "Pseudopelade of Brocq secondary to lichen planus. Immunofluorescence studies as as the underlying cause of pseudopelade of Brocq (PPOB) in a middle-aged woman. The routine use of immunofluorescent studies in clinical cases of pseudopelade of Brocq might make more specific diagnoses possible.", "PMID": 797544} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11011", "title": "Psoriasis: topical corticosteroid therapy.", "content": "Fifty-nine patients with bilateral psoriatic lesions were subjects in a double-blind paired comparison of halcinonide cream and fluocinonide cream. They applied the corticosteroid creams twice a day for 14 days without occlusive dressings. Objective and subjective assessment of response to therapy was made four or five days, one week, and two weeks after starting treatment. The results were analyzed by statistical methods. At the second visit (day 4 or 5), there was little difference between the two compounds, but at visits three and four, reduction of inflammation was significantly better with halcinonide than with fluocinonide.", "contents": "Psoriasis: topical corticosteroid therapy. Fifty-nine patients with bilateral psoriatic lesions were subjects in a double-blind paired comparison of halcinonide cream and fluocinonide cream. They applied the corticosteroid creams twice a day for 14 days without occlusive dressings. Objective and subjective assessment of response to therapy was made four or five days, one week, and two weeks after starting treatment. The results were analyzed by statistical methods. At the second visit (day 4 or 5), there was little difference between the two compounds, but at visits three and four, reduction of inflammation was significantly better with halcinonide than with fluocinonide.", "PMID": 797547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11012", "title": "Cutaneous signs of diabetes mellitus.", "content": "Cutaneous signs of diabetes mellitus are extremely valuable to both the clinician and the researcher. Lesions such as necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic dermopathy, carotenemia idiopathic bullous eruptions of granuloma anulare alert the physician to consider the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Xanthomas reflect the status of glucose and lipid metabolism. Diabetic dermopathy might be a useful monitor of angiopathic changes in the heart, kidney and brain. Finally, the accessibility of the skin makes it an ideal organ for studying the pathogenesis of diabetes and the effect of medications on the vascular and neurological complications of diabetes.", "contents": "Cutaneous signs of diabetes mellitus. Cutaneous signs of diabetes mellitus are extremely valuable to both the clinician and the researcher. Lesions such as necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic dermopathy, carotenemia idiopathic bullous eruptions of granuloma anulare alert the physician to consider the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Xanthomas reflect the status of glucose and lipid metabolism. Diabetic dermopathy might be a useful monitor of angiopathic changes in the heart, kidney and brain. Finally, the accessibility of the skin makes it an ideal organ for studying the pathogenesis of diabetes and the effect of medications on the vascular and neurological complications of diabetes.", "PMID": 797552} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11013", "title": "Clinical comparison of desonide cream with fluocinonide cream in steroid-responsive dermatologic disorders.", "content": "Desonide, a nonfluorinated topical corticosteriod, was compared with fluocinonide, a potent fluorinated steroid, in identical concentrations, in the treatment of various steroid-responsive dermatologic disorders. In treatment comparisons, the group treated with desonide showed significantly (p less than 0.05) better erythema and scaling scores after the first week than did those in the fluocinonide group, but the two week scores were not significantly different. Although 5 percent of patients treated with fluocinonide had adverse reactions, no such reactions were observed in the desonide-treated group.", "contents": "Clinical comparison of desonide cream with fluocinonide cream in steroid-responsive dermatologic disorders. Desonide, a nonfluorinated topical corticosteriod, was compared with fluocinonide, a potent fluorinated steroid, in identical concentrations, in the treatment of various steroid-responsive dermatologic disorders. In treatment comparisons, the group treated with desonide showed significantly (p less than 0.05) better erythema and scaling scores after the first week than did those in the fluocinonide group, but the two week scores were not significantly different. Although 5 percent of patients treated with fluocinonide had adverse reactions, no such reactions were observed in the desonide-treated group.", "PMID": 797554} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11014", "title": "Heavy alcohol consumption and physical health problems: a review of the epidemiological evidence.", "content": "A review of morbidity and mortality studies bearing on the hazards to physical health of chronic heavy alchol use indicates that such use carries a risk of premature death greatly exceeding normal expectancy. While the life style typical of many heavy drinker contributes to this risk, the effects of alcohol per se account for a substantial part of the excess mortality. The lowest level of consumption at which there is a significant increase in the death rate has yet to be determined. It is certainly below 120 g/day- the lower limit of consumption of most clinical alcoholics-and quite possibly below 35-60g: levels which appear to carry an increased likelihood of cirrhosis and certain cancers. On the other hand, the mortality experience of drinkers commonly identified as 'moderate' in the literature does not seem to differ notably from that of life-long abstainers. The relationship between heavy drinking and elevated mortality is exhibited in populations at large by the generally close covariation of cirrhosis death rates and per capita alcohol sales. There are also indications of co-variation between the latter and the excess of male over female general mortality in the middle age range.", "contents": "Heavy alcohol consumption and physical health problems: a review of the epidemiological evidence. A review of morbidity and mortality studies bearing on the hazards to physical health of chronic heavy alchol use indicates that such use carries a risk of premature death greatly exceeding normal expectancy. While the life style typical of many heavy drinker contributes to this risk, the effects of alcohol per se account for a substantial part of the excess mortality. The lowest level of consumption at which there is a significant increase in the death rate has yet to be determined. It is certainly below 120 g/day- the lower limit of consumption of most clinical alcoholics-and quite possibly below 35-60g: levels which appear to carry an increased likelihood of cirrhosis and certain cancers. On the other hand, the mortality experience of drinkers commonly identified as 'moderate' in the literature does not seem to differ notably from that of life-long abstainers. The relationship between heavy drinking and elevated mortality is exhibited in populations at large by the generally close covariation of cirrhosis death rates and per capita alcohol sales. There are also indications of co-variation between the latter and the excess of male over female general mortality in the middle age range.", "PMID": 797560} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11015", "title": "[Alcoholism in women].", "content": "The present survey of empirical studies of female alcholism considers firstly questions concerning the prevalence of female alcoholism. Empirical findings on the psychopathology, the development and course of female alcoholism, partner relationships and problems in female identification of these patients are described and discussed with regard to their informative value. It is shown that most of the present empirical results contribute little to a more refined understanding of female alcoholism and that they also have little relevance to the development of special therapeutic approaches. Finally basic reasons for this state of affairs are discussed together with suggestions for further research.", "contents": "[Alcoholism in women]. The present survey of empirical studies of female alcholism considers firstly questions concerning the prevalence of female alcoholism. Empirical findings on the psychopathology, the development and course of female alcoholism, partner relationships and problems in female identification of these patients are described and discussed with regard to their informative value. It is shown that most of the present empirical results contribute little to a more refined understanding of female alcoholism and that they also have little relevance to the development of special therapeutic approaches. Finally basic reasons for this state of affairs are discussed together with suggestions for further research.", "PMID": 797561} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11016", "title": "A morphological comparison of the regional distribution of methadone in human and rat brain as demonstrated by immunofluorescence.", "content": "The brains of ten narcotic addicts who had died from an overdose of methadone, and the brains of ten rats, given methadone for one month, were examined by the immunofluorescent technic. Positive neuronal fluorescence was seen primarily in the limbic systems of both species as well as in closely associated areas. In the human, Purkinje cell fluorescence was seen in the cerebellum, whereas only stellate cell staining was observed in rat cerebellum. Neurons of the hippocampal denate gyrus often fluoresced in man while only pyramidal cell staining was seen in this region of rat brain. The method should prove to be of value in the detection and tracing of narcotic drugs and may be helpful in investigations of drug tolerance and dependence.", "contents": "A morphological comparison of the regional distribution of methadone in human and rat brain as demonstrated by immunofluorescence. The brains of ten narcotic addicts who had died from an overdose of methadone, and the brains of ten rats, given methadone for one month, were examined by the immunofluorescent technic. Positive neuronal fluorescence was seen primarily in the limbic systems of both species as well as in closely associated areas. In the human, Purkinje cell fluorescence was seen in the cerebellum, whereas only stellate cell staining was observed in rat cerebellum. Neurons of the hippocampal denate gyrus often fluoresced in man while only pyramidal cell staining was seen in this region of rat brain. The method should prove to be of value in the detection and tracing of narcotic drugs and may be helpful in investigations of drug tolerance and dependence.", "PMID": 797562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11017", "title": "Generation and characterization of aerosols and vapors for inhalation experiments.", "content": "Control of aerosol and vapor characteristics that affect the toxicity of inhaled contaminants often determines the methods of generating exposure atmospheres. Generation methods for aerosols and vapors are presented. The characteristics of the resulting exposure atmosphere and the limitations of the various generation methods are discussed. Methods and instruments for measuring the airborne contaminant with respect to various charcteristics are also described.", "contents": "Generation and characterization of aerosols and vapors for inhalation experiments. Control of aerosol and vapor characteristics that affect the toxicity of inhaled contaminants often determines the methods of generating exposure atmospheres. Generation methods for aerosols and vapors are presented. The characteristics of the resulting exposure atmosphere and the limitations of the various generation methods are discussed. Methods and instruments for measuring the airborne contaminant with respect to various charcteristics are also described.", "PMID": 797565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11018", "title": "Normal and pathologic biochemistry of the lung.", "content": "The lung is an important metabolic organ. Glucose provides the major source of substrate. Oxidative pathways are active and are required to maintain normal tissue energy stores. Synthetic activity in the lung is extensive and related mainly to synthesis of dipalmitoyl lecithin and other components of the lung surfactant system. The lung plays an important role in the metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous hormones leading to degradation as well as activation of important biologic properties.", "contents": "Normal and pathologic biochemistry of the lung. The lung is an important metabolic organ. Glucose provides the major source of substrate. Oxidative pathways are active and are required to maintain normal tissue energy stores. Synthetic activity in the lung is extensive and related mainly to synthesis of dipalmitoyl lecithin and other components of the lung surfactant system. The lung plays an important role in the metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous hormones leading to degradation as well as activation of important biologic properties.", "PMID": 797566} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11019", "title": "Chronopharmacokinetics of ethanol. I. Review of the literature and theoretical considerations.", "content": "Pharmacokinetic parameters are generally assumed to be invariate with the time of day, although circadian variation of drug metabolism and drug response is known. As proposed, chronopharmacokinetics considers the implications of the chronovariability of pharmacokinetic parameters. In order to investigate chronovariation in the rate of disappearance of a substance from the approximate a linear course until very low blood levels are attained. As a background for such studies, the literature on the chronopharmacologyof ethanol and the pharmacokinetics of ethanolemia is reviewed. Theoretical considerations are presented for chronovariation of elimination constants for hypothetical drugs following exponential and zero-order models. In describing these cases, the substitution of a sinusoidal function for the rate-constants in pharmacokinetic differential equations is proposed and graphed herin for the first time. It is concluded that: 1)rhythmicity within elimination curves can only be determined by repetion of the experiment at different times of the diel period; 2)the expectation that a rate-constant estimated at one time of the day may be valid for another part of the day carries with it an unknown risk. No pharmacokinetic analysis can be considered definitive unless chronopharmacokinetic variation of parameters is considered.", "contents": "Chronopharmacokinetics of ethanol. I. Review of the literature and theoretical considerations. Pharmacokinetic parameters are generally assumed to be invariate with the time of day, although circadian variation of drug metabolism and drug response is known. As proposed, chronopharmacokinetics considers the implications of the chronovariability of pharmacokinetic parameters. In order to investigate chronovariation in the rate of disappearance of a substance from the approximate a linear course until very low blood levels are attained. As a background for such studies, the literature on the chronopharmacologyof ethanol and the pharmacokinetics of ethanolemia is reviewed. Theoretical considerations are presented for chronovariation of elimination constants for hypothetical drugs following exponential and zero-order models. In describing these cases, the substitution of a sinusoidal function for the rate-constants in pharmacokinetic differential equations is proposed and graphed herin for the first time. It is concluded that: 1)rhythmicity within elimination curves can only be determined by repetion of the experiment at different times of the diel period; 2)the expectation that a rate-constant estimated at one time of the day may be valid for another part of the day carries with it an unknown risk. No pharmacokinetic analysis can be considered definitive unless chronopharmacokinetic variation of parameters is considered.", "PMID": 797559} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11020", "title": "Deposition and clearance of inhaled particles.", "content": "Theoretical models of respiratory tract deposition of inhaled particles are compared to experimental studies of deposition patterns in humans and animals, as determined principally by particle size, density, respiratory rate and flow parameters. Various models of inhaled particle deposition make use of convenient approximations of the respiratory tract to predict tractional deposition according to fundamental physical processes of impaction, sedimentation, and diffusion. These theoretical models for both total deposition and regional (nasopharyngeal, tracheobronchial, and pulmonary) deposition are compared with experimental studies of inhaled dusts in humans or experimental animals that have been performed in many laboratories over several decades. Reasonable correlation has been obtained between theoretical and experimental studies, but the behavior of very fine (less than 0.01 mum) particles requires further refinement. Properties of particle shape, charge, and hygroscopicity as well as the degree of respiratory tract pathology also influence deposition patterns and further experimental work is urgently needed in these areas. The influence upon deposition patterns of dynamic alterations in inspiratory flow profiles caused by a variety of breathing patterns also requires further study, and the use of such techniques with selected inhaled particle size holds promise in possible diagnostic aid in diagnosis of normal versus disease conditions. Mechanisms of conducting airway and alveolar clearance processes involving mucociliary clearance, dissolution, transport to systemic circulation, and translocation via regional lymphatic clearance are discussed. The roles of the pulmonary macrophage in airway and alveolar clearance are described, and the applicability of recent solubility models for translocation or deposited materials to liver, skeleton, or other systemic organs is discussed.", "contents": "Deposition and clearance of inhaled particles. Theoretical models of respiratory tract deposition of inhaled particles are compared to experimental studies of deposition patterns in humans and animals, as determined principally by particle size, density, respiratory rate and flow parameters. Various models of inhaled particle deposition make use of convenient approximations of the respiratory tract to predict tractional deposition according to fundamental physical processes of impaction, sedimentation, and diffusion. These theoretical models for both total deposition and regional (nasopharyngeal, tracheobronchial, and pulmonary) deposition are compared with experimental studies of inhaled dusts in humans or experimental animals that have been performed in many laboratories over several decades. Reasonable correlation has been obtained between theoretical and experimental studies, but the behavior of very fine (less than 0.01 mum) particles requires further refinement. Properties of particle shape, charge, and hygroscopicity as well as the degree of respiratory tract pathology also influence deposition patterns and further experimental work is urgently needed in these areas. The influence upon deposition patterns of dynamic alterations in inspiratory flow profiles caused by a variety of breathing patterns also requires further study, and the use of such techniques with selected inhaled particle size holds promise in possible diagnostic aid in diagnosis of normal versus disease conditions. Mechanisms of conducting airway and alveolar clearance processes involving mucociliary clearance, dissolution, transport to systemic circulation, and translocation via regional lymphatic clearance are discussed. The roles of the pulmonary macrophage in airway and alveolar clearance are described, and the applicability of recent solubility models for translocation or deposited materials to liver, skeleton, or other systemic organs is discussed.", "PMID": 797567} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11021", "title": "The pulmonary macrophage.", "content": "An overview of the pulmonary macrophage is provided, with particular emphasis on the origin of this cell and the adaptive mechanisms whereby the macrophagic system is able to respond to increased inhalant loads of organic and inorganic pollutants. Evidence is presented which favors an hematopoietic origin for the alveolar macrophage with a monocytic transportation compartment in the blood and an interstitial cell compartment in the lung in which cellular division and maturation may occur. Through the simple mechanism of increased cellular turnover this system of mononuclear phagocytes rapidly adapts to most inhalant challenges. In addition to its primary tasks phagocyte and destroyer of microorganisms the macrophage plays a pivotal role in the genesis of silicotic fibrosis, and it is possible that similar mechanisms may hold for a variety of cryptogenic fibroses. Paradoxically, destruction of collagen by the dual mechanisms of phagocytosis and the secretion of lytic enzymes may also occur. The relevance of this secretory function of the macrophage to the pathogenesis of destructive diseases of the lung such as emphysema remains to be determined.", "contents": "The pulmonary macrophage. An overview of the pulmonary macrophage is provided, with particular emphasis on the origin of this cell and the adaptive mechanisms whereby the macrophagic system is able to respond to increased inhalant loads of organic and inorganic pollutants. Evidence is presented which favors an hematopoietic origin for the alveolar macrophage with a monocytic transportation compartment in the blood and an interstitial cell compartment in the lung in which cellular division and maturation may occur. Through the simple mechanism of increased cellular turnover this system of mononuclear phagocytes rapidly adapts to most inhalant challenges. In addition to its primary tasks phagocyte and destroyer of microorganisms the macrophage plays a pivotal role in the genesis of silicotic fibrosis, and it is possible that similar mechanisms may hold for a variety of cryptogenic fibroses. Paradoxically, destruction of collagen by the dual mechanisms of phagocytosis and the secretion of lytic enzymes may also occur. The relevance of this secretory function of the macrophage to the pathogenesis of destructive diseases of the lung such as emphysema remains to be determined.", "PMID": 797568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11022", "title": "Isolation of cells that retain differentiated functions in vitro: properties of clonally isolated type II alveolar pneymonocytes.", "content": "We have isolated byclonal culture techniques a diploid cell strain (L-2) from adult rat lung. These cells appear to retain differentiated functions that are present in type II alveolar epithelial cells of intact lung. The L-2 cells are diploid, epithelial cells, they contain osmiophilic lamellar bodies in their cytoplasm and they synthesize lecithin by the same de novo pathways as whole lung.", "contents": "Isolation of cells that retain differentiated functions in vitro: properties of clonally isolated type II alveolar pneymonocytes. We have isolated byclonal culture techniques a diploid cell strain (L-2) from adult rat lung. These cells appear to retain differentiated functions that are present in type II alveolar epithelial cells of intact lung. The L-2 cells are diploid, epithelial cells, they contain osmiophilic lamellar bodies in their cytoplasm and they synthesize lecithin by the same de novo pathways as whole lung.", "PMID": 797569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11023", "title": "Preservation of dog kidneys by hypothermic perfusion with glucose-free and glucose-rich perfusates.", "content": "Dog kidneys were perfused for 48 h at 8-10 degrees C with two different perfusion fluids: one fluid rich in glucose, and another in which mannitol was a substitute for glucose. Immediately after reimplantation of the perfused kidneys, contralateral nephrectomy was performed. Kidney function, estimated by serum creatinine, was the same in both groups of animals, and 2 weeks after implantation it was identical to that of dogs with a single normal kidney. In a second series of experiments the renal utilization of glucose and glycogen was studied. Although small amounts of perfusate glucose were metabolized to lactate and CO2, the results of this study indicate that the kidney is not dependent upon glucose for its metabolic needs in order to retain function during 48 h hypothermic preservation.", "contents": "Preservation of dog kidneys by hypothermic perfusion with glucose-free and glucose-rich perfusates. Dog kidneys were perfused for 48 h at 8-10 degrees C with two different perfusion fluids: one fluid rich in glucose, and another in which mannitol was a substitute for glucose. Immediately after reimplantation of the perfused kidneys, contralateral nephrectomy was performed. Kidney function, estimated by serum creatinine, was the same in both groups of animals, and 2 weeks after implantation it was identical to that of dogs with a single normal kidney. In a second series of experiments the renal utilization of glucose and glycogen was studied. Although small amounts of perfusate glucose were metabolized to lactate and CO2, the results of this study indicate that the kidney is not dependent upon glucose for its metabolic needs in order to retain function during 48 h hypothermic preservation.", "PMID": 797571} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11024", "title": "Mucinous secretion from canine Heidenhain pouch after stimulation with food, pentagastrin and histamine.", "content": "Principal glycoproteins and amino acids were determined in gastric juice obtained from Heidenhain pouches of Labrador pure-bred dogs. Secretions were stimulated by food, pentagastrin or histamine. Non-stimulated fasting secretions served as controls. All samples showed the presence of galactose, glucosamine, galactosamine, fucose, glucose, mannose and sulfate. Galactose and glucosamine were found in equimolar amount and the galactose to galactosamine ratio was 2:1. Concentrations of most carbohydrate components studied were higher in fasting than in stimulated secretions. Outputs of some of these components were lower in fasting than in stimulated secretions. Modes of stimulation used did not significantly affect the outputs of principal glycoproteins studied. Compared with human gastric secretions studied by others, using similar methods, certain differences were found particularly in the relationship between some carbohydrate components and between amino acids.", "contents": "Mucinous secretion from canine Heidenhain pouch after stimulation with food, pentagastrin and histamine. Principal glycoproteins and amino acids were determined in gastric juice obtained from Heidenhain pouches of Labrador pure-bred dogs. Secretions were stimulated by food, pentagastrin or histamine. Non-stimulated fasting secretions served as controls. All samples showed the presence of galactose, glucosamine, galactosamine, fucose, glucose, mannose and sulfate. Galactose and glucosamine were found in equimolar amount and the galactose to galactosamine ratio was 2:1. Concentrations of most carbohydrate components studied were higher in fasting than in stimulated secretions. Outputs of some of these components were lower in fasting than in stimulated secretions. Modes of stimulation used did not significantly affect the outputs of principal glycoproteins studied. Compared with human gastric secretions studied by others, using similar methods, certain differences were found particularly in the relationship between some carbohydrate components and between amino acids.", "PMID": 797572} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11025", "title": "Effects of age on learning ability: contributions from the animal literature.", "content": "For both ethical and practical reasons, animal subjects are becoming increasingly important tools for life span developmental researchers. Selected studies from the animal literature which have important implications for the study of learning in a life span context are reviewed. Specific issues discussed include task difficulty, genotype effects on life span learning processes, perseveration, and early versus later experience. It was concluded that 1) the hypothesis that task difficulty has a greater effect on senescent animals relative to younger animals generally is supported by the current literature, 2) genotype is a highly relevant variable for life span developmental research, but little work has been dirrected toward how genotype affects behavior within specific environmental contexts, 3) perseveration is very likely an important factor in poorer performance among aged subjects, but it has not been adequately studied in relation to physiological correlates, earlier precursors, or genotype, 4) the issue of the importance of early versus later experience has not been resolved, but research in this area promises much information with regard to potential modifiers of a decline in learning ability with increasing age.", "contents": "Effects of age on learning ability: contributions from the animal literature. For both ethical and practical reasons, animal subjects are becoming increasingly important tools for life span developmental researchers. Selected studies from the animal literature which have important implications for the study of learning in a life span context are reviewed. Specific issues discussed include task difficulty, genotype effects on life span learning processes, perseveration, and early versus later experience. It was concluded that 1) the hypothesis that task difficulty has a greater effect on senescent animals relative to younger animals generally is supported by the current literature, 2) genotype is a highly relevant variable for life span developmental research, but little work has been dirrected toward how genotype affects behavior within specific environmental contexts, 3) perseveration is very likely an important factor in poorer performance among aged subjects, but it has not been adequately studied in relation to physiological correlates, earlier precursors, or genotype, 4) the issue of the importance of early versus later experience has not been resolved, but research in this area promises much information with regard to potential modifiers of a decline in learning ability with increasing age.", "PMID": 797573} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11026", "title": "[Participation of the stomach and small intestine in the mechanism of insulin secretion following oral glucose administration].", "content": "In chronic experiments on 22 dogs, four of them having fistulas of oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum combined with artificial dissociation of stomach from duodenum, the per os and intraduodenal administration of glucose increased concentration of glucose and immunoreactive insulin in the peripheral blood, while intrastomach administration of glucose increased the immunoreactive insulin concentration alone. The data obtained suggest three phases of insulin mobilization: the first is due to neural mechanisms and occurs at the moment of contact between glucose and mucosa of the mouth, stomach, and duodenum; the second phase seems to be due to enterohormones and is activated by the contact between glucose and mucosa of the mouth, stomach, and duodenum; the third phase is associated with resorptive hyperglycemia which directly activates the B-cells.", "contents": "[Participation of the stomach and small intestine in the mechanism of insulin secretion following oral glucose administration]. In chronic experiments on 22 dogs, four of them having fistulas of oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum combined with artificial dissociation of stomach from duodenum, the per os and intraduodenal administration of glucose increased concentration of glucose and immunoreactive insulin in the peripheral blood, while intrastomach administration of glucose increased the immunoreactive insulin concentration alone. The data obtained suggest three phases of insulin mobilization: the first is due to neural mechanisms and occurs at the moment of contact between glucose and mucosa of the mouth, stomach, and duodenum; the second phase seems to be due to enterohormones and is activated by the contact between glucose and mucosa of the mouth, stomach, and duodenum; the third phase is associated with resorptive hyperglycemia which directly activates the B-cells.", "PMID": 797579} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11027", "title": "[Effect of oral contraceptive on the pituitary and plasma L.H. levels and on the hypothalamic LH-RH level (author's transl)].", "content": "The effects of the oral contraceptive on the pituitary content and plasma level of LH and the hypothalamic LH-RH level were investigated in 16 adult female rabbits. The oral contraceptive preparation, Sophia-C (Norethindrone 2mg + Mestranol 0.1 mg), as administered orally by a stomach tube each day for 7 days in 8 adult female rabbits. At the end of the treatment, the rabbits were bled from the abdominal aorta into heparinized syringes and the plasma was separated. The stalk median eminences were excised. All the materials were stored in -80 degrees C until assayed. Plasma level and the pituitary content of LH and the hypothalamic LH-RH were measured by radioimmunoassay. All the dose response curved were drawn using logitlog transformation. Radioimmunoassay procedures for LH was described in detail elsewhere. Purified rabbit LH for iodination (125-I) and strandard were prepared by T. Makino and R.O. Greep, at Research Laboratories for Human Reproduction, Harvard Medical School, Boston, U.S.A. The starting B/T was 25% at the final dilution of the antibody of 1/20,000. Minimal detectable quantity was about 40 pg/tube. The 50% intercepts were approximately 460 pg/tube. Radioimmunoassay procedures for LH-RH were performed according to the method described by Arimura et al. Antiserum against synthetic LH-RH was kindly supplied to us by Drs. A. Arimura and A.V. Schally, New Orleans, U'S.A. The synthetic LH-RH was kindly supplied to us by Dr. N. Yanaihara. The starting B/T ratio was 29% at the final dilution of the antibody of I/17,500. Minimal detectable quantity was about 40pg/tube and the 50% intercepts were 150pg/tube. It has been assumed that oral contraceptive drugs exert their action by blocking the hypothalamic LH-RH, resulting in a depression of the plasma level of LH, because plasma level of LH returned to the normal level when LH-RH was administered intravenously even while oral contraceptive steroids were given continuously. However, these findings concerning the site of action of the drugs furnished only indirect evidences. The possibility of a direct inhibitary effect of these steroids on the anterior pituitary cannot be ruled out. Administration of 2mg of Norethindrone and 0.1mg of Mestranol significantly depressed both the pituitary content and the plasma level of LH. On the other hand, they significantly increased the hypothalamic LH-RH level. Those findings strongly suggested the direct action of this drug on the anterior pituitary in the female adult rabbits. Detailed mechanisms on how the hypothalamic LH-RH was increased were not known in this experiment, further investigations are now in progress.", "contents": "[Effect of oral contraceptive on the pituitary and plasma L.H. levels and on the hypothalamic LH-RH level (author's transl)]. The effects of the oral contraceptive on the pituitary content and plasma level of LH and the hypothalamic LH-RH level were investigated in 16 adult female rabbits. The oral contraceptive preparation, Sophia-C (Norethindrone 2mg + Mestranol 0.1 mg), as administered orally by a stomach tube each day for 7 days in 8 adult female rabbits. At the end of the treatment, the rabbits were bled from the abdominal aorta into heparinized syringes and the plasma was separated. The stalk median eminences were excised. All the materials were stored in -80 degrees C until assayed. Plasma level and the pituitary content of LH and the hypothalamic LH-RH were measured by radioimmunoassay. All the dose response curved were drawn using logitlog transformation. Radioimmunoassay procedures for LH was described in detail elsewhere. Purified rabbit LH for iodination (125-I) and strandard were prepared by T. Makino and R.O. Greep, at Research Laboratories for Human Reproduction, Harvard Medical School, Boston, U.S.A. The starting B/T was 25% at the final dilution of the antibody of 1/20,000. Minimal detectable quantity was about 40 pg/tube. The 50% intercepts were approximately 460 pg/tube. Radioimmunoassay procedures for LH-RH were performed according to the method described by Arimura et al. Antiserum against synthetic LH-RH was kindly supplied to us by Drs. A. Arimura and A.V. Schally, New Orleans, U'S.A. The synthetic LH-RH was kindly supplied to us by Dr. N. Yanaihara. The starting B/T ratio was 29% at the final dilution of the antibody of I/17,500. Minimal detectable quantity was about 40pg/tube and the 50% intercepts were 150pg/tube. It has been assumed that oral contraceptive drugs exert their action by blocking the hypothalamic LH-RH, resulting in a depression of the plasma level of LH, because plasma level of LH returned to the normal level when LH-RH was administered intravenously even while oral contraceptive steroids were given continuously. However, these findings concerning the site of action of the drugs furnished only indirect evidences. The possibility of a direct inhibitary effect of these steroids on the anterior pituitary cannot be ruled out. Administration of 2mg of Norethindrone and 0.1mg of Mestranol significantly depressed both the pituitary content and the plasma level of LH. On the other hand, they significantly increased the hypothalamic LH-RH level. Those findings strongly suggested the direct action of this drug on the anterior pituitary in the female adult rabbits. Detailed mechanisms on how the hypothalamic LH-RH was increased were not known in this experiment, further investigations are now in progress.", "PMID": 797581} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11028", "title": "An evaluation of betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone) versus Locacorten 0.02% cream.", "content": "A double-blind randomized evaluation of betamethasone dipropionate cream (Diprosone) compared with Locacorten 0.02% cream flumethason privalate in 60 patients over 3 consecutive weeks showed the betamethasone dipropionate cream to be significantly more effective in the treatment of psoriasis and other steroid-responsive dermatoses.", "contents": "An evaluation of betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone) versus Locacorten 0.02% cream. A double-blind randomized evaluation of betamethasone dipropionate cream (Diprosone) compared with Locacorten 0.02% cream flumethason privalate in 60 patients over 3 consecutive weeks showed the betamethasone dipropionate cream to be significantly more effective in the treatment of psoriasis and other steroid-responsive dermatoses.", "PMID": 797592} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11029", "title": "A double-blind study comparing Daktacort, miconazole and hydrocortisone in inflammatory skin infections.", "content": "In a 4-week double-blind trial, Daktacort cream was compared with each of its constituents (i.e. miconazole 2% and hydrocortisone 1%) in a total of 63 patients (aged 12-60 years) with inflamed skin infections of bacterial or mycotic origin. Daktacort treatment induced a significant improvement of all symptoms within 1 week and was superior to both miconazole and hydrocortisone in suppressing the inflammation. This tendency persisted throughout the trial but at the end miconazole treatment proved also superior to hydrocortisone.", "contents": "A double-blind study comparing Daktacort, miconazole and hydrocortisone in inflammatory skin infections. In a 4-week double-blind trial, Daktacort cream was compared with each of its constituents (i.e. miconazole 2% and hydrocortisone 1%) in a total of 63 patients (aged 12-60 years) with inflamed skin infections of bacterial or mycotic origin. Daktacort treatment induced a significant improvement of all symptoms within 1 week and was superior to both miconazole and hydrocortisone in suppressing the inflammation. This tendency persisted throughout the trial but at the end miconazole treatment proved also superior to hydrocortisone.", "PMID": 797593} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11030", "title": "Effects of somatostatin on the biosynthesis and release of insulin from isolated pancreatic islets.", "content": "The glucose-stimulated insulin release of pancreatic islets isolated either from normal mice or from mice with the obese-hyperglycemic syndrome (genotype ob/ob) was inhibited by somatostatin in the concentration range 10(-2) - 10(-4) mM. Islets prepared from the obese-hyperglycemic mice appeared most sensitive and there was a strong inhibitory action on the insulin release irrespective of whether the islets were exposed to somatostatin directly after isolation or after five days in tissue culture. There was, however, no effect of somatostatin on the glucose-stimulated insulin biosynthesis of the mouse islets. Neither was there an effect on the insulin biosynthesis of isolated islets from three days old rats, despite a previous report to the contrary. It is concluded that somatostatin does not affect the insulin biosynthesis of isolated islets at concentrations which inhibit insulin release.", "contents": "Effects of somatostatin on the biosynthesis and release of insulin from isolated pancreatic islets. The glucose-stimulated insulin release of pancreatic islets isolated either from normal mice or from mice with the obese-hyperglycemic syndrome (genotype ob/ob) was inhibited by somatostatin in the concentration range 10(-2) - 10(-4) mM. Islets prepared from the obese-hyperglycemic mice appeared most sensitive and there was a strong inhibitory action on the insulin release irrespective of whether the islets were exposed to somatostatin directly after isolation or after five days in tissue culture. There was, however, no effect of somatostatin on the glucose-stimulated insulin biosynthesis of the mouse islets. Neither was there an effect on the insulin biosynthesis of isolated islets from three days old rats, despite a previous report to the contrary. It is concluded that somatostatin does not affect the insulin biosynthesis of isolated islets at concentrations which inhibit insulin release.", "PMID": 797594} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11031", "title": "The management of deformities of the foot in children with spina bifida.", "content": "A simple photographic technique is described which measures the weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing areas of the feet in the standing child. The child stands on a rectangular sheet of thick glass which is set into the floor. Beneath the floor is a cellar, from which the soles of the feet may be observed and photographed. A transparent grid placed over the photographic print enables the weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing areas of the foot to be measured, and thus to express the weight-bearing areas as a percentage of the total area of the sole of the foot. The procedure was used to assess 55 spina-bifida children who had had surgical correction of deformities of the feet. The findings are discussed.", "contents": "The management of deformities of the foot in children with spina bifida. A simple photographic technique is described which measures the weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing areas of the feet in the standing child. The child stands on a rectangular sheet of thick glass which is set into the floor. Beneath the floor is a cellar, from which the soles of the feet may be observed and photographed. A transparent grid placed over the photographic print enables the weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing areas of the foot to be measured, and thus to express the weight-bearing areas as a percentage of the total area of the sole of the foot. The procedure was used to assess 55 spina-bifida children who had had surgical correction of deformities of the feet. The findings are discussed.", "PMID": 797601} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11032", "title": "Surgery of the knee in children with spina bifida.", "content": "The achievement of independent mobility by children with spina bifida is often hampered by deformities of the knee joints. This report reviews the results of surgical treatment in 34 spina-bifida children with knee deformities. The surgical procedures are described and it is concluded that surgery is justified in a proportion of cases with fixed-knee deformities.", "contents": "Surgery of the knee in children with spina bifida. The achievement of independent mobility by children with spina bifida is often hampered by deformities of the knee joints. This report reviews the results of surgical treatment in 34 spina-bifida children with knee deformities. The surgical procedures are described and it is concluded that surgery is justified in a proportion of cases with fixed-knee deformities.", "PMID": 797602} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11033", "title": "Prevention and treatment of knee problems in children with spina bifida.", "content": "The outcome of surgical treatment of flexion, valgus or extension knee deformities is reviewed in 114 spina-bifida children (164 knees) who received such treatment over the period 1968 to 1975. Eggers' procedure for 26 knees produced very good results in 21 cases and good results in four; supracondylar osteotomy in 128 knees produced very good results in 104 cases and good results in 16; and quadriceps Z-plasty with anterior capsulotomy in 10 knees produced very good results in nine cases.", "contents": "Prevention and treatment of knee problems in children with spina bifida. The outcome of surgical treatment of flexion, valgus or extension knee deformities is reviewed in 114 spina-bifida children (164 knees) who received such treatment over the period 1968 to 1975. Eggers' procedure for 26 knees produced very good results in 21 cases and good results in four; supracondylar osteotomy in 128 knees produced very good results in 104 cases and good results in 16; and quadriceps Z-plasty with anterior capsulotomy in 10 knees produced very good results in nine cases.", "PMID": 797603} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11034", "title": "Basic physiotherapy of spina bifida.", "content": "Physiotherapy for children with spina bifida uses very basic techniques which include prophylactic and therapeutic 'stretching', training to walk, supervision of calipers, and instruction to the parents. Success or failure of treatment very largely depends on the ability of the physiotherapist to teach and encourage the parents to help the child become as independent as possible in all aspects of daily living.", "contents": "Basic physiotherapy of spina bifida. Physiotherapy for children with spina bifida uses very basic techniques which include prophylactic and therapeutic 'stretching', training to walk, supervision of calipers, and instruction to the parents. Success or failure of treatment very largely depends on the ability of the physiotherapist to teach and encourage the parents to help the child become as independent as possible in all aspects of daily living.", "PMID": 797604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11035", "title": "The effects of admission to hospital and surgery on children with spina bifida.", "content": "Up to the age of nine years, 43 actively-treated cases of myelomeningocele had had an average stay of 28 weeks in hospital, one-fifth having spent between one and two years in hospital, and each child having had an average of six operations. After the age of two years there was a tendency to withhold surgery in more hopeless cases. The number of hospital admissions and surgical procedures declined appreciably after the children's admission to school. Girls spent longer periods in hospital than boys. Children with IQs of less than 80 spent twice as long in hospital compared with intellectually competitive children, probably because of the greater frequency of hydrocephalus and other physical handicaps. Admission to hospital in itself seemed to have little effect on intellectual status. Parents' comments showed that hospital admission held few fears for their children, except when orthopaedic procedures were involved. It is concluded that because of their familiarity with hospital, the emotional hazards associated with frequent admission to hospital seems to have little effect upon the behaviour of these children.", "contents": "The effects of admission to hospital and surgery on children with spina bifida. Up to the age of nine years, 43 actively-treated cases of myelomeningocele had had an average stay of 28 weeks in hospital, one-fifth having spent between one and two years in hospital, and each child having had an average of six operations. After the age of two years there was a tendency to withhold surgery in more hopeless cases. The number of hospital admissions and surgical procedures declined appreciably after the children's admission to school. Girls spent longer periods in hospital than boys. Children with IQs of less than 80 spent twice as long in hospital compared with intellectually competitive children, probably because of the greater frequency of hydrocephalus and other physical handicaps. Admission to hospital in itself seemed to have little effect on intellectual status. Parents' comments showed that hospital admission held few fears for their children, except when orthopaedic procedures were involved. It is concluded that because of their familiarity with hospital, the emotional hazards associated with frequent admission to hospital seems to have little effect upon the behaviour of these children.", "PMID": 797605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11036", "title": "Myelomeningocele: a progressive intra-uterine disease.", "content": "A series of cats were made hydrocephalic by intracisternal injection of kaolin, and four weeks later ventriculography confirmed the presence of hydromyelia. Ten days later, laminectomy in the lower thoracic region was performed. Several days later ventriculography revealed a markedly dilated central canal beneath the entire laminectomy, and pathological examination confirmed the presence of a focal bulge confined to the same region. On sectioning, it was evident that the central canal was massively enlarged to fill the entire spinal cord beneath the bulging region. The conclusion from these findings is that myelomeningocele is the result of progressive intra-uterine disease which begins with pathological hydromyelia and culminates in rupture of the unsupported spinal cord as a result of maldevelopment of associated dermal tissue.", "contents": "Myelomeningocele: a progressive intra-uterine disease. A series of cats were made hydrocephalic by intracisternal injection of kaolin, and four weeks later ventriculography confirmed the presence of hydromyelia. Ten days later, laminectomy in the lower thoracic region was performed. Several days later ventriculography revealed a markedly dilated central canal beneath the entire laminectomy, and pathological examination confirmed the presence of a focal bulge confined to the same region. On sectioning, it was evident that the central canal was massively enlarged to fill the entire spinal cord beneath the bulging region. The conclusion from these findings is that myelomeningocele is the result of progressive intra-uterine disease which begins with pathological hydromyelia and culminates in rupture of the unsupported spinal cord as a result of maldevelopment of associated dermal tissue.", "PMID": 797606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11037", "title": "Assessing the development of daily living skills in patients with spina bifida.", "content": "The development of independence in daily living skills of 256 patients with spina bifida was assessed by means of a new Functional Activities scoring system. The score was derived from nine categories of activity; five are to do with self-care, three with locomotion and one with social interaction. The reasons for the variation in achievement between individuals with the same degree of paralysis are discussed, as are the differences in learning curves for single activities. The scoring system enables a quantitative assessment to be made of the current status of an individual patient, and enables more realistic therapeutic goals to be set.", "contents": "Assessing the development of daily living skills in patients with spina bifida. The development of independence in daily living skills of 256 patients with spina bifida was assessed by means of a new Functional Activities scoring system. The score was derived from nine categories of activity; five are to do with self-care, three with locomotion and one with social interaction. The reasons for the variation in achievement between individuals with the same degree of paralysis are discussed, as are the differences in learning curves for single activities. The scoring system enables a quantitative assessment to be made of the current status of an individual patient, and enables more realistic therapeutic goals to be set.", "PMID": 797607} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11038", "title": "The reliability of prediction of outcome in spina bifida.", "content": "The clinical findings in 85 neonates with spina bifida were given to two neurosurgeons and two paediatricians, who were asked to predict from them the length of survival and quality of survival with regard to intellect, locomotion and continence, without their knowing the actual outcome. All four clinicians correctly predicted the survival of infants with meningocele, closed myelocele and encephalocele. The paediatricians correctly predicted the survival of all infants with open myelocele who actually survived, but also included some who had died. The surgeons correctly predicted the deaths of all those with open myelocele who actually died, but expected a considerable number to die who in fact survived. All four clinicians were similar in their predictions of intellect: they underestimated the outcome in patients with successfully shunted hydrocephalus, they overestimated the intellect in patients who had developed intracranial infection and shunt blockage, and they largely underestimated the outcome in the patients who did not require shunts. They made correct predictions for limb and sphincter function in nearly all the survivors. This investigation underlines the problem of selection for treatment caused by the inability to predict the complications of hydrocephalus and infection. Reasons for the differences between the expectations of the paediatricians and surgeons, and the implications of the results of this study for selection for surgery are discussed. It is suggested that limb paralysis and incontinence ought not to be considered as factors excluding infants from treatment.", "contents": "The reliability of prediction of outcome in spina bifida. The clinical findings in 85 neonates with spina bifida were given to two neurosurgeons and two paediatricians, who were asked to predict from them the length of survival and quality of survival with regard to intellect, locomotion and continence, without their knowing the actual outcome. All four clinicians correctly predicted the survival of infants with meningocele, closed myelocele and encephalocele. The paediatricians correctly predicted the survival of all infants with open myelocele who actually survived, but also included some who had died. The surgeons correctly predicted the deaths of all those with open myelocele who actually died, but expected a considerable number to die who in fact survived. All four clinicians were similar in their predictions of intellect: they underestimated the outcome in patients with successfully shunted hydrocephalus, they overestimated the intellect in patients who had developed intracranial infection and shunt blockage, and they largely underestimated the outcome in the patients who did not require shunts. They made correct predictions for limb and sphincter function in nearly all the survivors. This investigation underlines the problem of selection for treatment caused by the inability to predict the complications of hydrocephalus and infection. Reasons for the differences between the expectations of the paediatricians and surgeons, and the implications of the results of this study for selection for surgery are discussed. It is suggested that limb paralysis and incontinence ought not to be considered as factors excluding infants from treatment.", "PMID": 797609} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11039", "title": "The effectiveness of genetic counselling for neural-tube malformations.", "content": "A total of 160 couples who, between 1967 and 1974, had had genetic counselling because of neural-tube malformations in a previous pregnancy were later interviewed in their homes to assess the effectiveness of the counselling. In the earlier years, few couples in which the husband was in a manual occupation came for counselling, but latterly the proportion increased. Most couples seen together for counselling acted appropriately on the risks given, but only when very high or low risks were given were these remembered accurately. Both accurate recall and appropriate action tended to be compromised by poor preparation of the couple for counselling, by too early a consultation after the birth of an abnormal child, by survival of the child, or by psychiatric illness. Before prenatal diagnostic tests became available, few couples embarked on further pregnancies, but more recently half the couples started a further pregnancy within one year and only one in five couples decided against having more children. It is concluded that couples at risk should be persuaded to seek counselling, and be better prepared for it beforehand, that counselling should not take place too soon after the birth, and that there should be later follow-up. Couples should be seen together, and a non-directive approach usually should be adapted. More public education would help to bring the service to more of the families most in need of it.", "contents": "The effectiveness of genetic counselling for neural-tube malformations. A total of 160 couples who, between 1967 and 1974, had had genetic counselling because of neural-tube malformations in a previous pregnancy were later interviewed in their homes to assess the effectiveness of the counselling. In the earlier years, few couples in which the husband was in a manual occupation came for counselling, but latterly the proportion increased. Most couples seen together for counselling acted appropriately on the risks given, but only when very high or low risks were given were these remembered accurately. Both accurate recall and appropriate action tended to be compromised by poor preparation of the couple for counselling, by too early a consultation after the birth of an abnormal child, by survival of the child, or by psychiatric illness. Before prenatal diagnostic tests became available, few couples embarked on further pregnancies, but more recently half the couples started a further pregnancy within one year and only one in five couples decided against having more children. It is concluded that couples at risk should be persuaded to seek counselling, and be better prepared for it beforehand, that counselling should not take place too soon after the birth, and that there should be later follow-up. Couples should be seen together, and a non-directive approach usually should be adapted. More public education would help to bring the service to more of the families most in need of it.", "PMID": 797610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11040", "title": "Heterotopic dorsal-root ganglion cells around the spinal cord in children with spina bifida aperta.", "content": "Sixty-three of 95 cords from children with spina bifida aperta had associated heterotopic ganglion cells, usually located in dorsal nerve roots posterior or lateral to the cord. Heterotopic cells were more common in cords with complete or partial diplomyelia, and the largest number was found in the upper sacral region. It is proposed that the heterotopic position of the cells is due to abnormal and delayed migration of neural crest cells during primary neurogenesis. The findings lend support to the concept that in children with myelomeningocele the cord lesion is not due to secondary rupture.", "contents": "Heterotopic dorsal-root ganglion cells around the spinal cord in children with spina bifida aperta. Sixty-three of 95 cords from children with spina bifida aperta had associated heterotopic ganglion cells, usually located in dorsal nerve roots posterior or lateral to the cord. Heterotopic cells were more common in cords with complete or partial diplomyelia, and the largest number was found in the upper sacral region. It is proposed that the heterotopic position of the cells is due to abnormal and delayed migration of neural crest cells during primary neurogenesis. The findings lend support to the concept that in children with myelomeningocele the cord lesion is not due to secondary rupture.", "PMID": 797611} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11041", "title": "Orthopaedic management of children with myelomeningocele: a plea for realistic goals.", "content": "The aims and principles of orthopaedic management of children with a myelomeningocele are discussed. The primary aim is to establish stable posture, and details are given of the various operative procedures used to bring about stable posture. The management described has resulted in reductions in the number of operations for each child, in the incidence of post-immobilisation fractures, in the number of hospital admissions and in the number of bed-days spent in hospital.", "contents": "Orthopaedic management of children with myelomeningocele: a plea for realistic goals. The aims and principles of orthopaedic management of children with a myelomeningocele are discussed. The primary aim is to establish stable posture, and details are given of the various operative procedures used to bring about stable posture. The management described has resulted in reductions in the number of operations for each child, in the incidence of post-immobilisation fractures, in the number of hospital admissions and in the number of bed-days spent in hospital.", "PMID": 797612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11042", "title": "Intra-operative evoked potential studies of newborn infants with myelomeningocele.", "content": "Somatosensory evoked potentials were studied in seven infants during surgery for repair of thoraco-lumbar myelomeningocele. All were operated on during the first 24 hours of life. Because anaesthetics were known to suppress somatosensory evoked potentials, narcotics and muscle relaxants were used for anesthesia. Before surgical dissection, stimulation of median nerves evoked cortical responses in five of the seven patients. After dissection, evoked potentials could be retrieved from the neural plaque with peroneal nerve stimulation in five of the seven infants. Stimulation of the neural plaque produced cortical responses in five of the seven but cortical responses with long latencies could be obtained from peroneal nerve stimulation in only two of the seven patients. In two patients lumbar-root stimulation distal to the plaque produced low-amplitude and delayed-latency cortical responses. These findings indicate that the distal nerves and neural plaque may have intact afferent connections with the cortex: therefore at surgical repair the neural plaque has been meticulously preserved.", "contents": "Intra-operative evoked potential studies of newborn infants with myelomeningocele. Somatosensory evoked potentials were studied in seven infants during surgery for repair of thoraco-lumbar myelomeningocele. All were operated on during the first 24 hours of life. Because anaesthetics were known to suppress somatosensory evoked potentials, narcotics and muscle relaxants were used for anesthesia. Before surgical dissection, stimulation of median nerves evoked cortical responses in five of the seven patients. After dissection, evoked potentials could be retrieved from the neural plaque with peroneal nerve stimulation in five of the seven infants. Stimulation of the neural plaque produced cortical responses in five of the seven but cortical responses with long latencies could be obtained from peroneal nerve stimulation in only two of the seven patients. In two patients lumbar-root stimulation distal to the plaque produced low-amplitude and delayed-latency cortical responses. These findings indicate that the distal nerves and neural plaque may have intact afferent connections with the cortex: therefore at surgical repair the neural plaque has been meticulously preserved.", "PMID": 797613} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11043", "title": "Normal pressure hydrocephalus in patients with myelomeningocele.", "content": "Although the syndrome of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) was described in the adult as early as 1964, it has only recently been recognized in the child. In this preliminary report, eight myelomeningocele patients with presumed NPH were evaluated before and after ventricular shunting procedures. Cranial computed tomography and serial psychological testing have proved to be particularly valuable both in the pre-operative and post-operative assessment of these patients and have the distinct advantage of being simple, non-invasive diagnostic measures. Continuous intra-ventricular pressure monitoring has shown what promises to be characteristic elevated pressure plateaux imposed on normal baseline cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressures in so-called NPH but is a more difficult clinical procedure, necessarily associated with potential complications. Although decreasing response to growth-stimulating hormone can be demonstrated in patients with long-standing hydrocephalus, this endocrine malfunction cannot be considered an early indicator of intracranial pathology. Single IQ scores are inadequate measures of intellectural function in children with NPH and serial examinations should be carried out. Detailed neuropsychological testing will document performance IQ scores well below verbal IQ scores and will generally show failure of psychomotor development to keep pace with chronological ageing. Initial studies indicate that improved performance scores can be expected within 1 1/2 to 3 months following successful ventricular shunting operations, and that any downward trend in pre-operative test scoring can at least be reversed. Statistically significant improvements in full-scale IQ scores have not been seen, however, before the end of the first post-operative year. Clinically, improved attentiveness and sociability, and decreased spasticity (if present prior to surgery) can be expected following shunting. Over-all, ventriculomegaly, normal CSF pressure, stable head size, and non-progressive neurological symptoms cannot be regarded as sufficient criteria for the diagnosis of an arrested state of hydrocephalus, and should suggest NPH, especially in those children who demonstrate a discrepancy between performance and verbal IQ scores and who fail to exhibit continuing psychomotor development with advancing age.", "contents": "Normal pressure hydrocephalus in patients with myelomeningocele. Although the syndrome of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) was described in the adult as early as 1964, it has only recently been recognized in the child. In this preliminary report, eight myelomeningocele patients with presumed NPH were evaluated before and after ventricular shunting procedures. Cranial computed tomography and serial psychological testing have proved to be particularly valuable both in the pre-operative and post-operative assessment of these patients and have the distinct advantage of being simple, non-invasive diagnostic measures. Continuous intra-ventricular pressure monitoring has shown what promises to be characteristic elevated pressure plateaux imposed on normal baseline cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressures in so-called NPH but is a more difficult clinical procedure, necessarily associated with potential complications. Although decreasing response to growth-stimulating hormone can be demonstrated in patients with long-standing hydrocephalus, this endocrine malfunction cannot be considered an early indicator of intracranial pathology. Single IQ scores are inadequate measures of intellectural function in children with NPH and serial examinations should be carried out. Detailed neuropsychological testing will document performance IQ scores well below verbal IQ scores and will generally show failure of psychomotor development to keep pace with chronological ageing. Initial studies indicate that improved performance scores can be expected within 1 1/2 to 3 months following successful ventricular shunting operations, and that any downward trend in pre-operative test scoring can at least be reversed. Statistically significant improvements in full-scale IQ scores have not been seen, however, before the end of the first post-operative year. Clinically, improved attentiveness and sociability, and decreased spasticity (if present prior to surgery) can be expected following shunting. Over-all, ventriculomegaly, normal CSF pressure, stable head size, and non-progressive neurological symptoms cannot be regarded as sufficient criteria for the diagnosis of an arrested state of hydrocephalus, and should suggest NPH, especially in those children who demonstrate a discrepancy between performance and verbal IQ scores and who fail to exhibit continuing psychomotor development with advancing age.", "PMID": 797614} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11044", "title": "Prophylactic long-term anticoagulant treatment of hydrocephalic patients with ventriculo-atrial shunts.", "content": "Thrombosis of the superior vena cava is a frequent cause of death among patients with ventriculo-atrial shunts. In this study, one group of spina-bifida children with such shunts was treated with prophylactic anticoagulant therapy and a second group was not. While there was no significant difference between the two groups in the number of shunt revisions required over a six-year period, distal catheter complications were twice as frequent in the group not receiving anticoagulant therapy. There was little difference between the groups in the rate of proximal catheter revisions. It is suggested that the benefit of anticoagulant therapy is in transferring shunt problems from the distal to the proximal catheter, obstruction of which is less dangerous and more easily treated.", "contents": "Prophylactic long-term anticoagulant treatment of hydrocephalic patients with ventriculo-atrial shunts. Thrombosis of the superior vena cava is a frequent cause of death among patients with ventriculo-atrial shunts. In this study, one group of spina-bifida children with such shunts was treated with prophylactic anticoagulant therapy and a second group was not. While there was no significant difference between the two groups in the number of shunt revisions required over a six-year period, distal catheter complications were twice as frequent in the group not receiving anticoagulant therapy. There was little difference between the groups in the rate of proximal catheter revisions. It is suggested that the benefit of anticoagulant therapy is in transferring shunt problems from the distal to the proximal catheter, obstruction of which is less dangerous and more easily treated.", "PMID": 797615} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11045", "title": "Preliminary evaluation of alpha-adrenergic blocking agents in children with neurogenic bladder due to myelomeningocele.", "content": "Twenty children with myelomeningocele and neurogenic bladder dysfunction were treated with alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. The results were satisfactory and are considered to justify the use of these drugs, especially for children who have weak or absent detrusor activity and urethral outflow resistance not of the dyssynergic type. There are indications that urinary diversion in such cases may be able to be postponed when alpha-adrenergic blocking agents are used more routinely.", "contents": "Preliminary evaluation of alpha-adrenergic blocking agents in children with neurogenic bladder due to myelomeningocele. Twenty children with myelomeningocele and neurogenic bladder dysfunction were treated with alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. The results were satisfactory and are considered to justify the use of these drugs, especially for children who have weak or absent detrusor activity and urethral outflow resistance not of the dyssynergic type. There are indications that urinary diversion in such cases may be able to be postponed when alpha-adrenergic blocking agents are used more routinely.", "PMID": 797616} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11046", "title": "Long-term results of obstructive neurogenic bladder in children with myelomeningocele.", "content": "A total of 91 children with myelomeningocele and neurogenic bladder were followed up for periods of between five and 10 years. The results of investigations of the upper and lower urinary tracts at the ages of three months, five years and 10 years showed that subvesical obstruction was rare in the infant period but that it increased year by year as the children grew older. By the age of five years 50 per cent of the children in this sample had severe obstructive changes. The study shows that children with neurogenic bladder who reach five or six years of age without developing severe symptoms of progressive subvesical obstruction will stand a good chance of being able to be treated conservatively.", "contents": "Long-term results of obstructive neurogenic bladder in children with myelomeningocele. A total of 91 children with myelomeningocele and neurogenic bladder were followed up for periods of between five and 10 years. The results of investigations of the upper and lower urinary tracts at the ages of three months, five years and 10 years showed that subvesical obstruction was rare in the infant period but that it increased year by year as the children grew older. By the age of five years 50 per cent of the children in this sample had severe obstructive changes. The study shows that children with neurogenic bladder who reach five or six years of age without developing severe symptoms of progressive subvesical obstruction will stand a good chance of being able to be treated conservatively.", "PMID": 797617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11047", "title": "Types of neurogenic bladder in children with spina bifida, and response to treatment with phenoxybenzamine.", "content": "Seventeen children with spina bifida and neurogenic bladder were treated with phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-blocking agent, and in 15 cases the treatment was successful. It is suggested that in certain types of neurogenic bladder the need for urinary diversion can be avoided by treatment with phenoxybenzamine; only if this treatment fails does urinary diversion become necessary.", "contents": "Types of neurogenic bladder in children with spina bifida, and response to treatment with phenoxybenzamine. Seventeen children with spina bifida and neurogenic bladder were treated with phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-blocking agent, and in 15 cases the treatment was successful. It is suggested that in certain types of neurogenic bladder the need for urinary diversion can be avoided by treatment with phenoxybenzamine; only if this treatment fails does urinary diversion become necessary.", "PMID": 797618} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11048", "title": "Orthotic management of the myelomeningocele spine.", "content": "The appropriate use of spinal orthosis is an important adjunct in the rehabilitation of spinal deformity in children with myelomeningocele. The Newington developmental programme described here employs a series of orthotic devices, used at different stages of development, with the aim of achieving a developmental sequence as close as possible to the usual age for normal development.", "contents": "Orthotic management of the myelomeningocele spine. The appropriate use of spinal orthosis is an important adjunct in the rehabilitation of spinal deformity in children with myelomeningocele. The Newington developmental programme described here employs a series of orthotic devices, used at different stages of development, with the aim of achieving a developmental sequence as close as possible to the usual age for normal development.", "PMID": 797619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11049", "title": "Isolation and fractionation of cell-free extract from streptolysin-S-forming streptococci.", "content": "A series of procedures have been developed for obtaining a partially purified fractions possessing anticancer activity using live streptolysin S-forming streptococci (Su strain) harvested from their yeast extract-culture fluid. These procedures consist principally of (1) preparing cell-free extract (CFE) from homogenized streptococci, (2) streptomycin-treatment of CFE (S-CFE) to remove nucleic acids, and (3) stepwise fractionations of S-CFE with 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, and 1.0 saturated solutions of ammonium sulfate, each fraction being dialyzed against distilled water followed by lyophilization. The 60-F product, which was precipitated by the 0.6-saturated solution, was found to be the most potent among six products obtained and to be about 4 times more effective than the original CFE in depriving the invasiveness of Ehrlich carcinoma cells in mice. Data on physical and biochemical properties of 60-F product are also presented.", "contents": "Isolation and fractionation of cell-free extract from streptolysin-S-forming streptococci. A series of procedures have been developed for obtaining a partially purified fractions possessing anticancer activity using live streptolysin S-forming streptococci (Su strain) harvested from their yeast extract-culture fluid. These procedures consist principally of (1) preparing cell-free extract (CFE) from homogenized streptococci, (2) streptomycin-treatment of CFE (S-CFE) to remove nucleic acids, and (3) stepwise fractionations of S-CFE with 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, and 1.0 saturated solutions of ammonium sulfate, each fraction being dialyzed against distilled water followed by lyophilization. The 60-F product, which was precipitated by the 0.6-saturated solution, was found to be the most potent among six products obtained and to be about 4 times more effective than the original CFE in depriving the invasiveness of Ehrlich carcinoma cells in mice. Data on physical and biochemical properties of 60-F product are also presented.", "PMID": 797624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11050", "title": "Successful treatment of the patients with malignant pleural effusion with BCG cell-wall skeleton.", "content": "The usefulness of the cell-wall skeleton of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG-CWS) to the management of malignant pleural effusion is demonstrated in this report. In two patients with malignant pleurisy the oil-attached BCG-CWS reduced the pleural effusion in volume when injected intrapleurally. The following intradermal injections of BCG-CWS into the bilateral upper arms repeated monthly prevented the reaccumulation of the effusion and improved other clinical conditions of the patients. The possible mechanism responsible for this effect is discussed in relation to previous experimental and clinical studies.", "contents": "Successful treatment of the patients with malignant pleural effusion with BCG cell-wall skeleton. The usefulness of the cell-wall skeleton of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG-CWS) to the management of malignant pleural effusion is demonstrated in this report. In two patients with malignant pleurisy the oil-attached BCG-CWS reduced the pleural effusion in volume when injected intrapleurally. The following intradermal injections of BCG-CWS into the bilateral upper arms repeated monthly prevented the reaccumulation of the effusion and improved other clinical conditions of the patients. The possible mechanism responsible for this effect is discussed in relation to previous experimental and clinical studies.", "PMID": 797625} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11051", "title": "Adjuvant and antitumor activities of Nocardia cell-wall skeletons.", "content": "The adjuvant activity of the cell-wall skeletons prepared from eight species (ten strains) of Nocardia was determined by Brunner's method using allogeneic cell-mediated cytotoxicity test. The antitumor activity of the cell-wall skeleton of N. rubra, which showed the most potent adjuvant activity, was examined using EL-4 leukemia and MH-134 hepatoma cells in syngeneic mice. Its results suggest that the cell-wall skeleton of N. rubra is more potent than BCG cell-wall skeleton as the immunotherapeutic agent for cancer immunotherapy in man. The chemical properties of the cell-wall skeleton of N. rubra were also described.", "contents": "Adjuvant and antitumor activities of Nocardia cell-wall skeletons. The adjuvant activity of the cell-wall skeletons prepared from eight species (ten strains) of Nocardia was determined by Brunner's method using allogeneic cell-mediated cytotoxicity test. The antitumor activity of the cell-wall skeleton of N. rubra, which showed the most potent adjuvant activity, was examined using EL-4 leukemia and MH-134 hepatoma cells in syngeneic mice. Its results suggest that the cell-wall skeleton of N. rubra is more potent than BCG cell-wall skeleton as the immunotherapeutic agent for cancer immunotherapy in man. The chemical properties of the cell-wall skeleton of N. rubra were also described.", "PMID": 797626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11052", "title": "Experimental immunotherapy of neoplastic pleural effusion with oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton in mice.", "content": "An experimental model for neoplastic pleural effusion was made using a transplantable pleural fibrosarcoma MC-106 in ddO mice, and a local immunotherapy of neoplastic pleural effusion with oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton was attempted. Viable cells (3 X 10(5)) of MC-106 were injected into the right pleural cavity of the mice on day 0 with a tuberculin syringe which was joined to a two-way tap attached to a capillary manometer. All of the mice in the control group, which received intrapleurally saline solution 24 hr after the injection of tumor cells, died within 24 days and the mean survival time was 16.9 +/- 3.4 (SD) days. Macroscopically massive blooded pleural effusion in both pleural cavities and multiple tumor nodules on the surface of parietal and visceral pleura were observed. On the other hand, the mice which received intrapleurally 100 mug of oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton 24 hr after the injection of tumor cells survived much longer. About 50% of the mice remained alive and were killed on day 95. They revealed histologically no malignant lesion of the pleura except for residual changes of inflammatory reactions.", "contents": "Experimental immunotherapy of neoplastic pleural effusion with oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton in mice. An experimental model for neoplastic pleural effusion was made using a transplantable pleural fibrosarcoma MC-106 in ddO mice, and a local immunotherapy of neoplastic pleural effusion with oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton was attempted. Viable cells (3 X 10(5)) of MC-106 were injected into the right pleural cavity of the mice on day 0 with a tuberculin syringe which was joined to a two-way tap attached to a capillary manometer. All of the mice in the control group, which received intrapleurally saline solution 24 hr after the injection of tumor cells, died within 24 days and the mean survival time was 16.9 +/- 3.4 (SD) days. Macroscopically massive blooded pleural effusion in both pleural cavities and multiple tumor nodules on the surface of parietal and visceral pleura were observed. On the other hand, the mice which received intrapleurally 100 mug of oil-attached BCG cell-wall skeleton 24 hr after the injection of tumor cells survived much longer. About 50% of the mice remained alive and were killed on day 95. They revealed histologically no malignant lesion of the pleura except for residual changes of inflammatory reactions.", "PMID": 797627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11053", "title": "Two-step mechanism of macrophage-mediated tumor lysis in vitro.", "content": "Normal peritoneal macrophages from C3H/He mice could not lyse syngeneic MM46 tumor cells in co-operation with syngeneic antitumor antibody. Thus, normal macrophages could not effectively participate in the antibody-dependent macrophage-mediated tumor lysis in vitro. However, after activation in vivo by stimuli, such as lipopolysaccharide, BCG, or glycogen, macrophages could co-operate with antitumor antibody in cytolysis of target cells. In the cytolysis nonspecific activation of normal macrophages was an essential first step, followed by specific tumor lysis in the presence of an antitumor antibody (second step). Immune macrophages from resistant mice were apparently equal in functional state to activated macrophages. A two-step mechanism of tumor lysis in vitro in a syngeneic mammary tumor system is proposed.", "contents": "Two-step mechanism of macrophage-mediated tumor lysis in vitro. Normal peritoneal macrophages from C3H/He mice could not lyse syngeneic MM46 tumor cells in co-operation with syngeneic antitumor antibody. Thus, normal macrophages could not effectively participate in the antibody-dependent macrophage-mediated tumor lysis in vitro. However, after activation in vivo by stimuli, such as lipopolysaccharide, BCG, or glycogen, macrophages could co-operate with antitumor antibody in cytolysis of target cells. In the cytolysis nonspecific activation of normal macrophages was an essential first step, followed by specific tumor lysis in the presence of an antitumor antibody (second step). Immune macrophages from resistant mice were apparently equal in functional state to activated macrophages. A two-step mechanism of tumor lysis in vitro in a syngeneic mammary tumor system is proposed.", "PMID": 797628} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11054", "title": "Serotonin containing and histamine containing cells in human stomach. Identification of these cells by fluorescent microscope and electron microscope.", "content": "Paraformaldehyde (PF) treatment of epithelial cells of human stomach revealed intense yellow fluorescent granules within the cells. These granules were identified as serotonin on microspectrofluorometry. Serotonin containing cells were also identified as enterochromaffin cells (EC cells) under electron microscope and by the histochemical analysis. O-phthalaldehyde treatment (OPT) of epithelial cells in human stomach demonstrated whitish blue intracellular granules under fluorescence microscope. The cells containing these granules were identified as histamine containing cells on microspectrofluorometry, because of accordance in excitation and emission spectra with authentic histamine. Histamine-containing cells were considered to be identical to the mast cells, because of metachromatic property on toluidine blue staining and of close structural similarities under electron microscope.", "contents": "Serotonin containing and histamine containing cells in human stomach. Identification of these cells by fluorescent microscope and electron microscope. Paraformaldehyde (PF) treatment of epithelial cells of human stomach revealed intense yellow fluorescent granules within the cells. These granules were identified as serotonin on microspectrofluorometry. Serotonin containing cells were also identified as enterochromaffin cells (EC cells) under electron microscope and by the histochemical analysis. O-phthalaldehyde treatment (OPT) of epithelial cells in human stomach demonstrated whitish blue intracellular granules under fluorescence microscope. The cells containing these granules were identified as histamine containing cells on microspectrofluorometry, because of accordance in excitation and emission spectra with authentic histamine. Histamine-containing cells were considered to be identical to the mast cells, because of metachromatic property on toluidine blue staining and of close structural similarities under electron microscope.", "PMID": 797629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11055", "title": "Von Willebrand's syndrome. Studies on a variant factor VIII.", "content": "A girl with symptoms of von Willebrand's disease was found to have a slightly reduced or normal FVIII procoagulant activity, normal FVIII-related antigen (VIIIR:AG) and virtually absent von Willebrand's factor. The electrophoretic mobility of the VIIIR:AG in this patient's plasma and plasma fractions was increased and has been compared with that of two reported patients with FVIII variants. Her lysed platelets contained increased amounts of VIIIR:AG which had an increased anodal migration identical to her plasma VIIIR:AG. Experiments involving the selective absorption of a rabbit antiserum with the patient's plasma provide evidence that VIIIR:AG and von Willebrand's factor are immunologically distinct.", "contents": "Von Willebrand's syndrome. Studies on a variant factor VIII. A girl with symptoms of von Willebrand's disease was found to have a slightly reduced or normal FVIII procoagulant activity, normal FVIII-related antigen (VIIIR:AG) and virtually absent von Willebrand's factor. The electrophoretic mobility of the VIIIR:AG in this patient's plasma and plasma fractions was increased and has been compared with that of two reported patients with FVIII variants. Her lysed platelets contained increased amounts of VIIIR:AG which had an increased anodal migration identical to her plasma VIIIR:AG. Experiments involving the selective absorption of a rabbit antiserum with the patient's plasma provide evidence that VIIIR:AG and von Willebrand's factor are immunologically distinct.", "PMID": 797643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11056", "title": "Nonsuppressible insulin-like activity in rat organs as detected by fluorescent antibody and radioimmunoassay techniques.", "content": "NSILA-S was localized by immunofluorescent antibody staining in the exocrine part of the pancreas and the submaxillary salivary gland of the rat, where part of the cells give positive reactions. To a lesser degree it was demonstrated in the kidney, where some--probably the actually functioning--nephrons give positive staining reactions within their tubular cells. Radioimmunoassayable NSILA-S was found in extracts of the pancreas (120-550 ng/g), of the submaxillary salivary gland (220-330 ng/g) and of the kidney (45 ng/g), whereas liver (and some other organs) contain practically no NSILA-S.", "contents": "Nonsuppressible insulin-like activity in rat organs as detected by fluorescent antibody and radioimmunoassay techniques. NSILA-S was localized by immunofluorescent antibody staining in the exocrine part of the pancreas and the submaxillary salivary gland of the rat, where part of the cells give positive reactions. To a lesser degree it was demonstrated in the kidney, where some--probably the actually functioning--nephrons give positive staining reactions within their tubular cells. Radioimmunoassayable NSILA-S was found in extracts of the pancreas (120-550 ng/g), of the submaxillary salivary gland (220-330 ng/g) and of the kidney (45 ng/g), whereas liver (and some other organs) contain practically no NSILA-S.", "PMID": 797645} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11057", "title": "Effect of neonatal androgen on the activity of peptidases in the rat brain inactivating luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.", "content": "The activity of peptidase enzymes in different brain areas inactivating luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was investigated in normal male and female rats treated neonatally with androgen. Of the two fractions containing peptidase activity, changes were found only in the supernatant (soluble/cytoplasmic) fraction and were restricted to the hypothalamus and cortex. In both these brain areas, peptidase activity was considerably higher in androgen-treated than in normal female rats; there was no significant difference between activity in male rats and the androgen-treated female rats. These findings indicate that neonatal androgen produces masculinization of the mechanisms responsible for LH-RH inactivation in the hypothalamus which may reflect changes observed elsewhere in gonadotropin secretion in androgen-treated female rats. The changes in peptidase activity in the cortex may infer that sexual differentiation of the brain under the influence of androgen is not limited to the hypothalamus and can be manifested at extrahypothalamic sites within the central nervous system.", "contents": "Effect of neonatal androgen on the activity of peptidases in the rat brain inactivating luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. The activity of peptidase enzymes in different brain areas inactivating luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was investigated in normal male and female rats treated neonatally with androgen. Of the two fractions containing peptidase activity, changes were found only in the supernatant (soluble/cytoplasmic) fraction and were restricted to the hypothalamus and cortex. In both these brain areas, peptidase activity was considerably higher in androgen-treated than in normal female rats; there was no significant difference between activity in male rats and the androgen-treated female rats. These findings indicate that neonatal androgen produces masculinization of the mechanisms responsible for LH-RH inactivation in the hypothalamus which may reflect changes observed elsewhere in gonadotropin secretion in androgen-treated female rats. The changes in peptidase activity in the cortex may infer that sexual differentiation of the brain under the influence of androgen is not limited to the hypothalamus and can be manifested at extrahypothalamic sites within the central nervous system.", "PMID": 797646} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11058", "title": "Effect of rat stalk median eminence extracts on rat GH secretion in vivo.", "content": "Estradiol (0.2 mug), injected subcutaneously for 10 days to adult male rats, increased plasma growth hormone (GH) levels as compared with oil-treated controls. In estradiol-pretreated (10 days), urethane-anesthetized rats, the first as well as the second of two successive intracarotid injections, at 1-hour intervals, of one rat stalk median eminence equivalent evoked a significant rise in plasma radioimmunoassayable GH. Under the same conditions, cerebral cortex extracts (1 equivalent) induced a slight elevation whereas vasopressin (30 mU) or serotonin (200 ng) were ineffective. These results indicate that estrogen-primed, urethane-anesthetized rats can be used to demonstrate GH-releasing activity in rat SME extracts.", "contents": "Effect of rat stalk median eminence extracts on rat GH secretion in vivo. Estradiol (0.2 mug), injected subcutaneously for 10 days to adult male rats, increased plasma growth hormone (GH) levels as compared with oil-treated controls. In estradiol-pretreated (10 days), urethane-anesthetized rats, the first as well as the second of two successive intracarotid injections, at 1-hour intervals, of one rat stalk median eminence equivalent evoked a significant rise in plasma radioimmunoassayable GH. Under the same conditions, cerebral cortex extracts (1 equivalent) induced a slight elevation whereas vasopressin (30 mU) or serotonin (200 ng) were ineffective. These results indicate that estrogen-primed, urethane-anesthetized rats can be used to demonstrate GH-releasing activity in rat SME extracts.", "PMID": 797647} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11059", "title": "Primary structure of protein L10 from the large subunit of Escherichia coli ribosomes.", "content": "The complete primary structure of protein L10 from the large subunit of the Escherichia coli ribosome has been determined. L10 is composed of 165 residues and has the amino acid composition: Asp6, Asn3, Thr9, Ser6, Glu14, Gln4, Pro5, Gly9, Ala33, Val15, Met5, Ile5, Leu15, Tyr3, Phe6, His1, Lys12, Arg13 and Cys1. The molecular weight of L10 is 17 738. The amino acid sequence was determined by a combination of automated Edman degradation of the intact protein in a modified Beckman sequentor and sequencing peptides obtained from digestions with trypsin, themolysin, Staphylococcus aureus protease and chymotrypsin. Further information was obtained from cyanogen bromide fragments and peptides resulting from digestion with trypsin after protection of the epsilon-amino groups of the lysine residues with exo-cis-3,6-endoxo-delta4-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (ETPA).", "contents": "Primary structure of protein L10 from the large subunit of Escherichia coli ribosomes. The complete primary structure of protein L10 from the large subunit of the Escherichia coli ribosome has been determined. L10 is composed of 165 residues and has the amino acid composition: Asp6, Asn3, Thr9, Ser6, Glu14, Gln4, Pro5, Gly9, Ala33, Val15, Met5, Ile5, Leu15, Tyr3, Phe6, His1, Lys12, Arg13 and Cys1. The molecular weight of L10 is 17 738. The amino acid sequence was determined by a combination of automated Edman degradation of the intact protein in a modified Beckman sequentor and sequencing peptides obtained from digestions with trypsin, themolysin, Staphylococcus aureus protease and chymotrypsin. Further information was obtained from cyanogen bromide fragments and peptides resulting from digestion with trypsin after protection of the epsilon-amino groups of the lysine residues with exo-cis-3,6-endoxo-delta4-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (ETPA).", "PMID": 797648} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11060", "title": "[Chemotherapy of acute malaria attacks in patients returning from tropical and subtropical countries (author's transl)].", "content": "The number of primary malaria attacks caused by imported infections notified in the Federal Republic of Germany during the period of 1963 through 1975 has increased five fold from 30 to 154 per year. The total number of deaths in the same period was 55. This gave rise to outline again the established methods of chemotherapy and their parasitological basis. The chloroquine resistance of P. falciparum strains is discussed. No causal relationship exists between drug resistance and the fatalities by imported malaria. The need for early diagnosis and treatment in falciparum malaria is emphasized. In order to avoid diagnostic difficulties in medical practice it is suggested to have blood films for parasitological diagnosis sent to a specialized laboratory, and to start chloroquine treatment immediately without awaiting confirmation or rejection of the diagnosis. This procedure would minimize the risk for the patient and would cause no harm if malaria should not be confirmed.", "contents": "[Chemotherapy of acute malaria attacks in patients returning from tropical and subtropical countries (author's transl)]. The number of primary malaria attacks caused by imported infections notified in the Federal Republic of Germany during the period of 1963 through 1975 has increased five fold from 30 to 154 per year. The total number of deaths in the same period was 55. This gave rise to outline again the established methods of chemotherapy and their parasitological basis. The chloroquine resistance of P. falciparum strains is discussed. No causal relationship exists between drug resistance and the fatalities by imported malaria. The need for early diagnosis and treatment in falciparum malaria is emphasized. In order to avoid diagnostic difficulties in medical practice it is suggested to have blood films for parasitological diagnosis sent to a specialized laboratory, and to start chloroquine treatment immediately without awaiting confirmation or rejection of the diagnosis. This procedure would minimize the risk for the patient and would cause no harm if malaria should not be confirmed.", "PMID": 797656} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11061", "title": "[Experimental study of the effect of a broad-spectrum disinfectant containing iodine on bacteria and dermatophytes (author's transl)].", "content": "The effect of a broad-spectrum disinfectant containing iodine on four bacterial species and five dermatophytes was investigated. Both the solution and the ointment demonstrated good disinfection of the skin surface with regard to these bacteria and dermatophytes.", "contents": "[Experimental study of the effect of a broad-spectrum disinfectant containing iodine on bacteria and dermatophytes (author's transl)]. The effect of a broad-spectrum disinfectant containing iodine on four bacterial species and five dermatophytes was investigated. Both the solution and the ointment demonstrated good disinfection of the skin surface with regard to these bacteria and dermatophytes.", "PMID": 797661} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11062", "title": "Immunosuppressive effect in mycobacterial adjuvant emulsions of mineral oils containing low molecular weight hydrocarbons.", "content": "Bayol F preparations from different commercial sources were incorporated into water-in-oil emulsions containing mycobacterial fractions and a protein antigen. It was found that an adjuvant effect was obtained with some mineral oils and a toxic immunosuppressive effect with others.", "contents": "Immunosuppressive effect in mycobacterial adjuvant emulsions of mineral oils containing low molecular weight hydrocarbons. Bayol F preparations from different commercial sources were incorporated into water-in-oil emulsions containing mycobacterial fractions and a protein antigen. It was found that an adjuvant effect was obtained with some mineral oils and a toxic immunosuppressive effect with others.", "PMID": 797664} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11063", "title": "Immunoglobulins, complement and foreign antigens in human tumor cells.", "content": "Fluorescein-labeled antibodies (FA) to human immunoglobulins, complement, fetal proteins and other antigens were used to search for these immunologic reactants in malignant and benign neoplasia as well as in control tissues. The FA reacted with five or more target antigens in 42 of 59 (70%) malignant tumors and 21 of 23 (40%) benign tumors. The remaining neoplasia and normal tissues showed positive staining with fewer than five specific antibodies. IgM, IgA, B1C, fetal proteins and HSV were the antigens found most frequently. This indicates that neoplasia exhibits immunologic activity more frequently than normal tissue.", "contents": "Immunoglobulins, complement and foreign antigens in human tumor cells. Fluorescein-labeled antibodies (FA) to human immunoglobulins, complement, fetal proteins and other antigens were used to search for these immunologic reactants in malignant and benign neoplasia as well as in control tissues. The FA reacted with five or more target antigens in 42 of 59 (70%) malignant tumors and 21 of 23 (40%) benign tumors. The remaining neoplasia and normal tissues showed positive staining with fewer than five specific antibodies. IgM, IgA, B1C, fetal proteins and HSV were the antigens found most frequently. This indicates that neoplasia exhibits immunologic activity more frequently than normal tissue.", "PMID": 797665} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11064", "title": "Structure and biological functions of human IgD. VII. IgD antinuclear antibodies in sera of patients with autoimmune disorders.", "content": "Indirect immunofluorescent tests were employed to study antinuclear antibodies (ANA) of the IgD class in sera from patients with autoimmune disease. In sera containing IgG-ANA, IgD-ANA was detected in 48% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 37% with rheumatoid arthritis, 30% with Raynaud's disease, 23% with systemic scleroderma and 20% with discoid lupus erythematosus. Quantitative comparison of serum IgG, IgA, IgM and IgD between IgG-ANA-positive sera with and without IgD-ANA revealed that patients with IgD-ANA also had elevated serum IgA levels. The detection of IgD-ANA in over 36% of the patient population suggests that IgD may play a role in autoimmune disorders.", "contents": "Structure and biological functions of human IgD. VII. IgD antinuclear antibodies in sera of patients with autoimmune disorders. Indirect immunofluorescent tests were employed to study antinuclear antibodies (ANA) of the IgD class in sera from patients with autoimmune disease. In sera containing IgG-ANA, IgD-ANA was detected in 48% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 37% with rheumatoid arthritis, 30% with Raynaud's disease, 23% with systemic scleroderma and 20% with discoid lupus erythematosus. Quantitative comparison of serum IgG, IgA, IgM and IgD between IgG-ANA-positive sera with and without IgD-ANA revealed that patients with IgD-ANA also had elevated serum IgA levels. The detection of IgD-ANA in over 36% of the patient population suggests that IgD may play a role in autoimmune disorders.", "PMID": 797666} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11065", "title": "A RAST neutralization test for detection of blocking antibodies in serum after hyposensitization.", "content": "The RAST, originally developed for the assay of reaginic IgE antibodies, was applied for the detection of blocking antibodies. Sera taken ante- or post-hyposensitization were incubated with solid phase coupled allergen which neutralized reaginic IgE antibodies in the serum. The remaining activity of the reaginic IgE antibodies was measured by the RAST. When blocking antibodies were present in the serum they competed with the reaginic IgE antibodies and the amount of reaginic antibodies that was neutralized by the solid phase coupled allergen was decreased. The blocking antibodies were found in the IgG fraction of the serum taken post-hyposensitization. Blocking antibodies to various allergens were detected in 25 out of 26 tests on sera taken post-hyposensitization. The results were compared with those of Prusnitz-K\u00fcstner neutralization tests and/or patient self-neutralization tests. There was no correlation between semi-quantitative results of these in vivo tests and those of the RAST neutralization tests. However, cases with subjectively a strong improvement had a significantly higher mean value for RAST neutralization index than those with subjectively a weak improvement. The method is suggested as a supplement to clinical tests for evaluation of hyposensitization treatments.", "contents": "A RAST neutralization test for detection of blocking antibodies in serum after hyposensitization. The RAST, originally developed for the assay of reaginic IgE antibodies, was applied for the detection of blocking antibodies. Sera taken ante- or post-hyposensitization were incubated with solid phase coupled allergen which neutralized reaginic IgE antibodies in the serum. The remaining activity of the reaginic IgE antibodies was measured by the RAST. When blocking antibodies were present in the serum they competed with the reaginic IgE antibodies and the amount of reaginic antibodies that was neutralized by the solid phase coupled allergen was decreased. The blocking antibodies were found in the IgG fraction of the serum taken post-hyposensitization. Blocking antibodies to various allergens were detected in 25 out of 26 tests on sera taken post-hyposensitization. The results were compared with those of Prusnitz-K\u00fcstner neutralization tests and/or patient self-neutralization tests. There was no correlation between semi-quantitative results of these in vivo tests and those of the RAST neutralization tests. However, cases with subjectively a strong improvement had a significantly higher mean value for RAST neutralization index than those with subjectively a weak improvement. The method is suggested as a supplement to clinical tests for evaluation of hyposensitization treatments.", "PMID": 797667} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11066", "title": "Improved compatibility of ALG therapy by application of aggregate free globulin.", "content": "Horse anti-human lymphocyte globulin (ALG) solutions contain, like human gamma-globulin preparations, a varying amount of IgG aggregates, which increase during longer periods of storage. Aggregate formation does not impair the immunosuppressive potency of ALG, as has been shown by prolongation of skin allograft survival time in primates. Deaggregated ALG, which can be obtained by ultracentrifugation at 100,000 g over 2 h, is less immunogenic than aggregate containing ALG. The clinical compatibility of ALG was significantly improved by ultracentrifugal deaggregation.", "contents": "Improved compatibility of ALG therapy by application of aggregate free globulin. Horse anti-human lymphocyte globulin (ALG) solutions contain, like human gamma-globulin preparations, a varying amount of IgG aggregates, which increase during longer periods of storage. Aggregate formation does not impair the immunosuppressive potency of ALG, as has been shown by prolongation of skin allograft survival time in primates. Deaggregated ALG, which can be obtained by ultracentrifugation at 100,000 g over 2 h, is less immunogenic than aggregate containing ALG. The clinical compatibility of ALG was significantly improved by ultracentrifugal deaggregation.", "PMID": 797668} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11067", "title": "Studies on immune responses to parasite antigens in mice. IV. Inhibition of an anti-DNP antibody response with the antigen, DNP-Ficoll containing phosphorylcholine.", "content": "Several nematode parasites contain phosphorylcholine (PC), and mice infected with Ascaris suum and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis produce IgM anti-PC antibodies. PC is a hapten which usually induces highly restricted antibody responses in mice and the conjugate DNP-Ficoll-PC inhibits an adoptive secondary anti DNP antibody response to DNP-flagellin whereas comparable doses of DNP-Ficoll and Ficoll-PC do not. The finding suggests that the restricted anti-PC responses to PC-containing antigens described in the literature may involve a degree of inhibition within the B-cell population (partial tolerance induction), that uni- and multi-cellular parasites of various types may 'utilize' molecules such as PC to induce a state of selective tolerance to parasite antigens, and that such a mechanism may be one means of facilitating survival of the parasites in their hosts and the production of antigenic variants of the parasite.", "contents": "Studies on immune responses to parasite antigens in mice. IV. Inhibition of an anti-DNP antibody response with the antigen, DNP-Ficoll containing phosphorylcholine. Several nematode parasites contain phosphorylcholine (PC), and mice infected with Ascaris suum and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis produce IgM anti-PC antibodies. PC is a hapten which usually induces highly restricted antibody responses in mice and the conjugate DNP-Ficoll-PC inhibits an adoptive secondary anti DNP antibody response to DNP-flagellin whereas comparable doses of DNP-Ficoll and Ficoll-PC do not. The finding suggests that the restricted anti-PC responses to PC-containing antigens described in the literature may involve a degree of inhibition within the B-cell population (partial tolerance induction), that uni- and multi-cellular parasites of various types may 'utilize' molecules such as PC to induce a state of selective tolerance to parasite antigens, and that such a mechanism may be one means of facilitating survival of the parasites in their hosts and the production of antigenic variants of the parasite.", "PMID": 797669} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11068", "title": "Effect of vinblastine on the early events in the humoral immune response of mice to SRBC.", "content": "The effect of vinblastine (VLB), a mitotic blocking agent, on the number of plaque-forming cells (PFC) and on the metabolic activities of spleen cells of mice reimmunized with SRBC was studied. When VLB (75 mug/mouse) and antigen were administered simultaneously, the number of pfc, on the 4th day after immunization, was reduced to 40% of control levels. However, when the same amount of VLB was administered to mice 24 h after immunization, it reduced the number of PFC to 10% of control levels. The possibility that VLB exerts a specific cytotoxic effect on preformed PFC either in vivo or in vitro was ruled out. A direct profound effect of VLB on antigen-stimulated cells was observed when VLB was injected 24 h after reimmunization, and the incorporation rates of radioactive precursors into macromolecules by spleen cells were measured at 4-hour intervals. VLB suppressed completely the antigen-induced peak of 3H-thymiding incorporation, while it had no effect on the incorporation rate of 3H-uridine and only a slight effect on the incorporation rate of 3H-amino-acids by the same cells. The results suggest that the decrease in number of PFC caused by injection of VLB 24 h after immunization is due to prevention by VLB, of precursor cells from going through a critical cell division, which takes place later than 24 h after immunization. Thus, at least one cell division is required for an immune response in vivo.", "contents": "Effect of vinblastine on the early events in the humoral immune response of mice to SRBC. The effect of vinblastine (VLB), a mitotic blocking agent, on the number of plaque-forming cells (PFC) and on the metabolic activities of spleen cells of mice reimmunized with SRBC was studied. When VLB (75 mug/mouse) and antigen were administered simultaneously, the number of pfc, on the 4th day after immunization, was reduced to 40% of control levels. However, when the same amount of VLB was administered to mice 24 h after immunization, it reduced the number of PFC to 10% of control levels. The possibility that VLB exerts a specific cytotoxic effect on preformed PFC either in vivo or in vitro was ruled out. A direct profound effect of VLB on antigen-stimulated cells was observed when VLB was injected 24 h after reimmunization, and the incorporation rates of radioactive precursors into macromolecules by spleen cells were measured at 4-hour intervals. VLB suppressed completely the antigen-induced peak of 3H-thymiding incorporation, while it had no effect on the incorporation rate of 3H-uridine and only a slight effect on the incorporation rate of 3H-amino-acids by the same cells. The results suggest that the decrease in number of PFC caused by injection of VLB 24 h after immunization is due to prevention by VLB, of precursor cells from going through a critical cell division, which takes place later than 24 h after immunization. Thus, at least one cell division is required for an immune response in vivo.", "PMID": 797670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11069", "title": "Enhancement of humoral immune responses. I. Potentiating influence of purified protein derivative on the invitro immune response of spleen cells sensitized to Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium.", "content": "Addition of purified protein derivate (PPD) to suspension cultures of spleen cells from swine sensitized to Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium resulted in marked enhancement of antisheep erythrocyte plaque-forming cells after stimulation with sheep erythrocytes. The enhancing effect appeared early in the response and was specific for the sensitizing antigen. The enhancing effect was dependent upon the presence of both sheep erythrocytes and PPD in the culture system. PPD had no effect in the absence of sheep erythrocytes. Addition of PPD to cells from nonsensitized animals did not produce any enhancing effect.", "contents": "Enhancement of humoral immune responses. I. Potentiating influence of purified protein derivative on the invitro immune response of spleen cells sensitized to Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium. Addition of purified protein derivate (PPD) to suspension cultures of spleen cells from swine sensitized to Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium resulted in marked enhancement of antisheep erythrocyte plaque-forming cells after stimulation with sheep erythrocytes. The enhancing effect appeared early in the response and was specific for the sensitizing antigen. The enhancing effect was dependent upon the presence of both sheep erythrocytes and PPD in the culture system. PPD had no effect in the absence of sheep erythrocytes. Addition of PPD to cells from nonsensitized animals did not produce any enhancing effect.", "PMID": 797671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11070", "title": "An immunological investigation of a family with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.", "content": "Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis in two siblings of consanguineous parents suggested an autosomal recessive transmission of the disease. We evaluated the two affected persons and 21 members of their kindred for an inherited immunological defect. Six members of the kindred, including both patients, had negative skin-delayed hypersensitivity to Candida. The lymphocytes of both patients and three asymptomatic relatives had diminished in vitro blastogenic response when cultured with Candida albicans. Because the defect occurred in clinically unaffected relatives, we concluded that the lack of blastogenic response to C. albicans was not the only determinant for or may be unrelated to the clinical manifestations of the disease.", "contents": "An immunological investigation of a family with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis in two siblings of consanguineous parents suggested an autosomal recessive transmission of the disease. We evaluated the two affected persons and 21 members of their kindred for an inherited immunological defect. Six members of the kindred, including both patients, had negative skin-delayed hypersensitivity to Candida. The lymphocytes of both patients and three asymptomatic relatives had diminished in vitro blastogenic response when cultured with Candida albicans. Because the defect occurred in clinically unaffected relatives, we concluded that the lack of blastogenic response to C. albicans was not the only determinant for or may be unrelated to the clinical manifestations of the disease.", "PMID": 797672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11071", "title": "Immune mechanisms affecting bovine leucocytes during suppression of tuberculin skin sensitivity in cattle.", "content": "Complete desensitization to tuberculin skin-testing (anergy) was produced in cattle by repeated intravenous injections of living BCG organisms into animals sensitized by a prior subcutaneous dose of BCG. Two levels of desensitization were produced; complete desensitization following 10 i.v. doses and partial desensitization following 5 i.v. doses of 100 mg BCG. Intradermal tuberculin testing at the end of the experiment stimulated the appearance of reactive blood lymphocytes in sensitized cattle as measured by in vitro 3H-thymidine uptake. The cattle which were partially desensitized showed this response but the completely desensitized cattle did not. Reactivity of blood lymphocytes in vitro to PHA and Brucella abortus antigen was not depressed in the anergic cattle. Serum antibody titres to BCG polysaccharide, PPD, or whole BCG organisms showed remarkably little change during the i.v. desensitizing injections of BCG. Differential blood leucocyte counts also remained within normal limits during this period. The production of MIF by blood lymphocytes from the anergic cattle appeared to be unimpaired. Using 3H-thymidine uptake by lymphocytes from sensitized cattle did not inhibit lymphocyte stimulation with tuberculin. It was concluded that the lack of tuberculin sensitized lymphocytes in the blood of anergic cattle may have been due to their removal from the recirculating pool and their continued suppression in lymphoid tissue.", "contents": "Immune mechanisms affecting bovine leucocytes during suppression of tuberculin skin sensitivity in cattle. Complete desensitization to tuberculin skin-testing (anergy) was produced in cattle by repeated intravenous injections of living BCG organisms into animals sensitized by a prior subcutaneous dose of BCG. Two levels of desensitization were produced; complete desensitization following 10 i.v. doses and partial desensitization following 5 i.v. doses of 100 mg BCG. Intradermal tuberculin testing at the end of the experiment stimulated the appearance of reactive blood lymphocytes in sensitized cattle as measured by in vitro 3H-thymidine uptake. The cattle which were partially desensitized showed this response but the completely desensitized cattle did not. Reactivity of blood lymphocytes in vitro to PHA and Brucella abortus antigen was not depressed in the anergic cattle. Serum antibody titres to BCG polysaccharide, PPD, or whole BCG organisms showed remarkably little change during the i.v. desensitizing injections of BCG. Differential blood leucocyte counts also remained within normal limits during this period. The production of MIF by blood lymphocytes from the anergic cattle appeared to be unimpaired. Using 3H-thymidine uptake by lymphocytes from sensitized cattle did not inhibit lymphocyte stimulation with tuberculin. It was concluded that the lack of tuberculin sensitized lymphocytes in the blood of anergic cattle may have been due to their removal from the recirculating pool and their continued suppression in lymphoid tissue.", "PMID": 797673} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11072", "title": "Organ distribution of immunocompetent cells in guinea pigs. II. Spleen, lymph node, bone marrow, or thymus cells in the restoration of the splenic plaque-forming cell response to sheep erythrocytes after irradiation.", "content": "The splenic plaque-forming cell response of inbred guinea pigs to sheep erythrocytes was abolished by whole-body X-irradiation with 600 rad. The minimum doses of various cell types from normal syngeneic donors to restore the response significantly were 100 X 10(6) spleen or lymph node cells or 500 X 10(6) bone marrow or thymus cells. The combination of 100 X 10(6) thymus and 100 X 10(6) bone marrow cells provided statistically significant restoration, but not much more than 100 X 10(6) bone marrow cells alone. The lack of thymus-marrow synergism suggests that in guinea pigs the antigen-reactive cells and antibody-forming cell precursors are not in the same way enriched in the thymus and bone marrow as in mice.", "contents": "Organ distribution of immunocompetent cells in guinea pigs. II. Spleen, lymph node, bone marrow, or thymus cells in the restoration of the splenic plaque-forming cell response to sheep erythrocytes after irradiation. The splenic plaque-forming cell response of inbred guinea pigs to sheep erythrocytes was abolished by whole-body X-irradiation with 600 rad. The minimum doses of various cell types from normal syngeneic donors to restore the response significantly were 100 X 10(6) spleen or lymph node cells or 500 X 10(6) bone marrow or thymus cells. The combination of 100 X 10(6) thymus and 100 X 10(6) bone marrow cells provided statistically significant restoration, but not much more than 100 X 10(6) bone marrow cells alone. The lack of thymus-marrow synergism suggests that in guinea pigs the antigen-reactive cells and antibody-forming cell precursors are not in the same way enriched in the thymus and bone marrow as in mice.", "PMID": 797674} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11073", "title": "Production of migration inhibitory factor in inbred rats.", "content": "Strains of genetically inbred rats representative of the known Ag-B groups produced migration inhibitory factor in response to immunization with live bacillus Calmette-Guerin bacilli and intracardiac challenge with old tuberculin; the assays were performed by both in vitro and in vivo methods. None of the strains immunized in this fashion developed delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions to purified protein derivative.", "contents": "Production of migration inhibitory factor in inbred rats. Strains of genetically inbred rats representative of the known Ag-B groups produced migration inhibitory factor in response to immunization with live bacillus Calmette-Guerin bacilli and intracardiac challenge with old tuberculin; the assays were performed by both in vitro and in vivo methods. None of the strains immunized in this fashion developed delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions to purified protein derivative.", "PMID": 797675} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11074", "title": "Characteristics of hyperacute rejection of swine kidney xenografts perfused with canine blood.", "content": "Twenty-five swine kidney xenografts previously flushed with Collins-4 solution were perfused with canine blood and the functional and morphological changes resulting from xenoperfusion were studied. Blood flow of the kidneys practically ceased by the end of 8 minutes parallel with progressive swelling and cyanosis of the organ. Microscopic study of the kidneys revealed gross destruction of the glomerular and tubular apparatus, marked by extensive oedema, interstitial haemorrhages, diffuse capillary thrombosis and damage to the cell membrane.", "contents": "Characteristics of hyperacute rejection of swine kidney xenografts perfused with canine blood. Twenty-five swine kidney xenografts previously flushed with Collins-4 solution were perfused with canine blood and the functional and morphological changes resulting from xenoperfusion were studied. Blood flow of the kidneys practically ceased by the end of 8 minutes parallel with progressive swelling and cyanosis of the organ. Microscopic study of the kidneys revealed gross destruction of the glomerular and tubular apparatus, marked by extensive oedema, interstitial haemorrhages, diffuse capillary thrombosis and damage to the cell membrane.", "PMID": 797676} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11075", "title": "Prophylactic central nervous system therapy in childhood acute lymphatic leukemia. Effect of poor-risk patients on the results.", "content": "The results of treatment in a group of 50 children with acute lymphatic leukemia are summarized. A comparison was made between those who received prophylactic central nervous systen (CNS) therapy on attaining complete remission and those who did not. Although none of the prophylactically treated children developed CNS leukemia, the expected prolongation of median complete remission time was not achieved. It was found that there was a high percentage of poor-risk patients in the CNS-treated group, and these patients relapsed early in the course of the disease. The prevention of CNS leukemia, a late complication of the disease, did not change the natural course of the disease in poor-risk patients. A need exists for new treatment protocols aimed at better control of the disease in these poor-risk cases.", "contents": "Prophylactic central nervous system therapy in childhood acute lymphatic leukemia. Effect of poor-risk patients on the results. The results of treatment in a group of 50 children with acute lymphatic leukemia are summarized. A comparison was made between those who received prophylactic central nervous systen (CNS) therapy on attaining complete remission and those who did not. Although none of the prophylactically treated children developed CNS leukemia, the expected prolongation of median complete remission time was not achieved. It was found that there was a high percentage of poor-risk patients in the CNS-treated group, and these patients relapsed early in the course of the disease. The prevention of CNS leukemia, a late complication of the disease, did not change the natural course of the disease in poor-risk patients. A need exists for new treatment protocols aimed at better control of the disease in these poor-risk cases.", "PMID": 797678} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11076", "title": "[Sugar consumption and prenatal acceleration. I. Studies in the history of medicine on the coincidence and connection of these 2 secular phenomenon].", "content": "A comparative historic evaluation reveals an astonishing world-wide relationship between prenatal acceleration, i.e. secular changes of birth-weight and percentage of \"large babies\", of distinct population groups, and their sugar consumption. They seem to be \"connected\" as they are regularly \"conjoined\" (HUME [46]). A statistically highly significant correlation between these two phenomena was established for Switzerland and Germany. The assumption of a causal relationship was confirmed by the abrupt development of growth acceleration together with the rapid increase in the per capita sugar consumption observed in an experiment-like situation in certain Canadian Eskimo populations in recent years.", "contents": "[Sugar consumption and prenatal acceleration. I. Studies in the history of medicine on the coincidence and connection of these 2 secular phenomenon]. A comparative historic evaluation reveals an astonishing world-wide relationship between prenatal acceleration, i.e. secular changes of birth-weight and percentage of \"large babies\", of distinct population groups, and their sugar consumption. They seem to be \"connected\" as they are regularly \"conjoined\" (HUME [46]). A statistically highly significant correlation between these two phenomena was established for Switzerland and Germany. The assumption of a causal relationship was confirmed by the abrupt development of growth acceleration together with the rapid increase in the per capita sugar consumption observed in an experiment-like situation in certain Canadian Eskimo populations in recent years.", "PMID": 797679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11077", "title": "Immunofluorescent antibodies against gliadin: a screening test for coeliac disease.", "content": "A sensitive and simple immunofluorescence test for gliadin antibodies is described, which may be suitable as a screening method for coeliac disease especially in cases with no clear-cut indication for performing a biopsy. In serum samples of 19 from 23 patients (83%) with coeliac disease proved by biopsy antibodies against gliadin could be detected. In a control group of 71 children in whom the clinical diagnosis of another malabsorptive disorder was made gliadin-IF-antibodies were found in only 3 children (4%). With better timing of blood sampling (first sample during a period with gluten containing food and in case of a negative result a second sample after 4-8 days of gluten withdrawal) the sensitivity of the screening test will be improved. The described gliadin-IF-test permits the classification of the antibodies into the different immunoglobulin classes. In each child with a positive result IgG antibodies against gliadin were detected. In 9 respectively 4 of the 19 patients with IgG antibodies IgA- respectively IgM-antibodies against gliadin were also found. Antibodies against at least one cow milk protein were identified in nearly all (91%) coeliac patients and in half (49%) of the patients with other malabsorptive disorders.", "contents": "Immunofluorescent antibodies against gliadin: a screening test for coeliac disease. A sensitive and simple immunofluorescence test for gliadin antibodies is described, which may be suitable as a screening method for coeliac disease especially in cases with no clear-cut indication for performing a biopsy. In serum samples of 19 from 23 patients (83%) with coeliac disease proved by biopsy antibodies against gliadin could be detected. In a control group of 71 children in whom the clinical diagnosis of another malabsorptive disorder was made gliadin-IF-antibodies were found in only 3 children (4%). With better timing of blood sampling (first sample during a period with gluten containing food and in case of a negative result a second sample after 4-8 days of gluten withdrawal) the sensitivity of the screening test will be improved. The described gliadin-IF-test permits the classification of the antibodies into the different immunoglobulin classes. In each child with a positive result IgG antibodies against gliadin were detected. In 9 respectively 4 of the 19 patients with IgG antibodies IgA- respectively IgM-antibodies against gliadin were also found. Antibodies against at least one cow milk protein were identified in nearly all (91%) coeliac patients and in half (49%) of the patients with other malabsorptive disorders.", "PMID": 797680} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11078", "title": "Nature of Escherichia coli mutants deficient in detergent-resistant and/or detergent-sensitive phospholipase A.", "content": "1. Escherichia coli K-12 mutants deficient in detergent-resistant (DR) and detergent-sensitive (DS) phospholipases A and deficient in DS phospholipase A were isolated. 2. The growth, compositions of phospholipids and fatty acids and turnover of phospholipids of three mutants (DR-, DS-, DR-DS-) were compared with those of their parent (DR- was isolated in a previous study). 3. Autodegradations of membrane phospholipids of 18,000 X g supernatants and precipitates of the homogenates of these three mutants were also compared with those of the parent, and the effects of various detergents and organic solvents on these activities were examined. 4. We could not identify any significant physiological role for DR or DS phospholipase A.", "contents": "Nature of Escherichia coli mutants deficient in detergent-resistant and/or detergent-sensitive phospholipase A. 1. Escherichia coli K-12 mutants deficient in detergent-resistant (DR) and detergent-sensitive (DS) phospholipases A and deficient in DS phospholipase A were isolated. 2. The growth, compositions of phospholipids and fatty acids and turnover of phospholipids of three mutants (DR-, DS-, DR-DS-) were compared with those of their parent (DR- was isolated in a previous study). 3. Autodegradations of membrane phospholipids of 18,000 X g supernatants and precipitates of the homogenates of these three mutants were also compared with those of the parent, and the effects of various detergents and organic solvents on these activities were examined. 4. We could not identify any significant physiological role for DR or DS phospholipase A.", "PMID": 797692} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11079", "title": "The hip in myelomeningocele. Management directed towards a minimum number of operations and a minimum period of immobilisation.", "content": "The hip problems in 116 children with myelomeningocele are discussed. The management described stresses the importance of selection of the type of operation; major surgery is appropriate only for those children who benefit significantly, and this generally means only those with strong quadriceps muscles on both sides. Some children with acetabular dysplasia gain immediate stability if acetabuloplasty is combined with other hip operations. Children who lack strong quadriceps muscles are best served by simpler procedures, such as tendon excision, designed to rid them of fixed deformity and to prevent recurrent deformity. The operations described are performed whenever possible under one anaesthetic and are combined with any other limb operation that may be necessary. It is suggested that the aim in management is not the treatment of paralytic dislocation of the hip but the correction of fixed deformity so that the child can stand with a stable posture. Subluxation and dislocation are treated incidentally to procedures designed to prevent or correct fixed deformity.", "contents": "The hip in myelomeningocele. Management directed towards a minimum number of operations and a minimum period of immobilisation. The hip problems in 116 children with myelomeningocele are discussed. The management described stresses the importance of selection of the type of operation; major surgery is appropriate only for those children who benefit significantly, and this generally means only those with strong quadriceps muscles on both sides. Some children with acetabular dysplasia gain immediate stability if acetabuloplasty is combined with other hip operations. Children who lack strong quadriceps muscles are best served by simpler procedures, such as tendon excision, designed to rid them of fixed deformity and to prevent recurrent deformity. The operations described are performed whenever possible under one anaesthetic and are combined with any other limb operation that may be necessary. It is suggested that the aim in management is not the treatment of paralytic dislocation of the hip but the correction of fixed deformity so that the child can stand with a stable posture. Subluxation and dislocation are treated incidentally to procedures designed to prevent or correct fixed deformity.", "PMID": 797694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11080", "title": "Microvascular surgical techniques used to provide skin cover over an ununited tibial fracture.", "content": "A case is described in which a large area of unstable skin overlying a tibial fracture was replaced by a single stage skin flap transfer, using microvascular surgical techniques. The shortening of treatment time and the improvement in the local blood supply compared to that provided by orthodox skin flaps are noted. The improved blood supply at the fracture site may have encouraged bony union.", "contents": "Microvascular surgical techniques used to provide skin cover over an ununited tibial fracture. A case is described in which a large area of unstable skin overlying a tibial fracture was replaced by a single stage skin flap transfer, using microvascular surgical techniques. The shortening of treatment time and the improvement in the local blood supply compared to that provided by orthodox skin flaps are noted. The improved blood supply at the fracture site may have encouraged bony union.", "PMID": 797695} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11081", "title": "Subtalar arthrodesis by cancellous grafts and metallic internal fixation.", "content": "A technique of subtalar arthrodesis by means of metallic internal stabilisation and autogenous cancellous bone grafting is described. Of forty-eight feet with mobile pes planus treated by this method forty-five gained union after an average of seven and a half weeks in a below-knee weight-bearing plaster, and forty-three had satisfactory correction of the deformity.", "contents": "Subtalar arthrodesis by cancellous grafts and metallic internal fixation. A technique of subtalar arthrodesis by means of metallic internal stabilisation and autogenous cancellous bone grafting is described. Of forty-eight feet with mobile pes planus treated by this method forty-five gained union after an average of seven and a half weeks in a below-knee weight-bearing plaster, and forty-three had satisfactory correction of the deformity.", "PMID": 797696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11082", "title": "A literature survey of the potentially adverse effects of the drugs commonly prescribed for the elderly.", "content": "Part I: Hard data concerning adverse drug reactions are notoriously difficult to obtain. Some of the problems arise because of: --patient variables including age, sex, genetic differences, and current illness. --multiple drug use, continuation of smoking, and use of alcohol. --variations in dose, duration of treatment, and route of administration. --some effects are not reported but many reported effects are not truly due to the drug indicated. Nevertheless, we need to be aware of potential adverse reactions. Our ability to recognize drug side effects will be improved if we have some idea which kinds of reaction may occur. Part I deals with the analgesics, sedatives, laxatives, antacids, antidiabetic agents, antihypertensives and cardiovascular drugs. Potential systemic and ocular adverse reactions are listed.", "contents": "A literature survey of the potentially adverse effects of the drugs commonly prescribed for the elderly. Part I: Hard data concerning adverse drug reactions are notoriously difficult to obtain. Some of the problems arise because of: --patient variables including age, sex, genetic differences, and current illness. --multiple drug use, continuation of smoking, and use of alcohol. --variations in dose, duration of treatment, and route of administration. --some effects are not reported but many reported effects are not truly due to the drug indicated. Nevertheless, we need to be aware of potential adverse reactions. Our ability to recognize drug side effects will be improved if we have some idea which kinds of reaction may occur. Part I deals with the analgesics, sedatives, laxatives, antacids, antidiabetic agents, antihypertensives and cardiovascular drugs. Potential systemic and ocular adverse reactions are listed.", "PMID": 797697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11083", "title": "Epineurial and perineurial fascicular nerve repairs: a critical comparison.", "content": "To compare the results of epineurial and intrafascicular perineurial nerve repair techniques, ulnar nerves of 20 domestic cats were severed proximal to the medical humeral epicondyle. One nerve was repaired with No.8-O nylon by standard epineurial technique with the aid of three to five magnifications; the other nerve was repaired with No. 10-O nylon by intrafascicular perineurial technique under higher magnification. Four to five months following neurorrhaphies, the ambulation pattern, fanning of claws, and sensation were evaluated subjectively. Objective measurements included efficiency, absolute strength, and exact weight of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. Proximally and distally to each neurorrhaphy, complete axon counts were taken. Histochemically and histologic analyses were made on reinnervated muscles and neuromas. No statistically significant differences were detected between the results of epineurial and intrafascicular perineurial neurorrhaphies. These findings indicate that, following acute nerve laceration in the cat, epineurial neurorrhaphy is as satisfactory as is intrafascicular perineurial neurorrhaphy.", "contents": "Epineurial and perineurial fascicular nerve repairs: a critical comparison. To compare the results of epineurial and intrafascicular perineurial nerve repair techniques, ulnar nerves of 20 domestic cats were severed proximal to the medical humeral epicondyle. One nerve was repaired with No.8-O nylon by standard epineurial technique with the aid of three to five magnifications; the other nerve was repaired with No. 10-O nylon by intrafascicular perineurial technique under higher magnification. Four to five months following neurorrhaphies, the ambulation pattern, fanning of claws, and sensation were evaluated subjectively. Objective measurements included efficiency, absolute strength, and exact weight of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. Proximally and distally to each neurorrhaphy, complete axon counts were taken. Histochemically and histologic analyses were made on reinnervated muscles and neuromas. No statistically significant differences were detected between the results of epineurial and intrafascicular perineurial neurorrhaphies. These findings indicate that, following acute nerve laceration in the cat, epineurial neurorrhaphy is as satisfactory as is intrafascicular perineurial neurorrhaphy.", "PMID": 797698} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11084", "title": "A study of nerve regeneration and neuroma formation after nerve suture by various techniques.", "content": "The effectiveness of epineurial, perineurial, and a combined epiperineurial methods of nerve suture in the severed sciatic nerve of rabbits was studied by biochemical assay of the collagen just distal to the neuroma and the collagen and myelin of the posterior tibial nerve. Repairs were done both immediately after severance and in a separate group 3 weeks later. More collagen was found near the neuroma in the immediate epineurial group, but 60 per cent of the normal myelin was found in the posterior tibial nerve after the immediate epineural suture compared to 28.3 per cent in the immediate perineurial group.", "contents": "A study of nerve regeneration and neuroma formation after nerve suture by various techniques. The effectiveness of epineurial, perineurial, and a combined epiperineurial methods of nerve suture in the severed sciatic nerve of rabbits was studied by biochemical assay of the collagen just distal to the neuroma and the collagen and myelin of the posterior tibial nerve. Repairs were done both immediately after severance and in a separate group 3 weeks later. More collagen was found near the neuroma in the immediate epineurial group, but 60 per cent of the normal myelin was found in the posterior tibial nerve after the immediate epineural suture compared to 28.3 per cent in the immediate perineurial group.", "PMID": 797699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11085", "title": "Florian Znaniecki: creative evolution of a sociologist.", "content": "Znaniecki devoted his creative life to a constant reexamination of the basic problems of sociology: its subject matter and that methodology through which it can be studied. The developments in his thought can be traced with the help of the prefaces to his books, in which he explains the location of that work in his over-all effort to develop a systematic sociology, the major influences on his thought and his arguments with other theories. Starting as a philosopher with a special interest in the evolution of values, he spent years as a result of Thomas's influence attempting to find a psychological base for human behavior, finally abandoning the attempt in favor of systems of social interaction. He focused on four such systems: social relation, social role, social groups, and societies.", "contents": "Florian Znaniecki: creative evolution of a sociologist. Znaniecki devoted his creative life to a constant reexamination of the basic problems of sociology: its subject matter and that methodology through which it can be studied. The developments in his thought can be traced with the help of the prefaces to his books, in which he explains the location of that work in his over-all effort to develop a systematic sociology, the major influences on his thought and his arguments with other theories. Starting as a philosopher with a special interest in the evolution of values, he spent years as a result of Thomas's influence attempting to find a psychological base for human behavior, finally abandoning the attempt in favor of systems of social interaction. He focused on four such systems: social relation, social role, social groups, and societies.", "PMID": 797700} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11086", "title": "The empiricist as rebel: Jung, Freud, and the burdens of discipleship.", "content": "However little they share in common, both Freudian and Jungian commentators have long agreed that Jung's theoretical development in the years following his psychoanalytic affiliation prompted an open \"split\" with Freud and the psychoanalytic movement. Careful examination of Jung's principal \"rebel\" works does not sustain this thesis, however, but rather indicates Jung's honest belief that his limited appropriation of certain psychoanalytic mechanisms and attendant theoretical modifications constituted full-fledged loyalty to psychoanalysis as he understood it. This perception receives significant support from the Freud-Jung correspondence which reveals Jung openly articulating the ground rules defining his loyalty to psychoanalysis as early as 1906, and Freud accepting, and even approving, his prot\u00e9g\u00e9's empirical reservations over the course of the next five years.", "contents": "The empiricist as rebel: Jung, Freud, and the burdens of discipleship. However little they share in common, both Freudian and Jungian commentators have long agreed that Jung's theoretical development in the years following his psychoanalytic affiliation prompted an open \"split\" with Freud and the psychoanalytic movement. Careful examination of Jung's principal \"rebel\" works does not sustain this thesis, however, but rather indicates Jung's honest belief that his limited appropriation of certain psychoanalytic mechanisms and attendant theoretical modifications constituted full-fledged loyalty to psychoanalysis as he understood it. This perception receives significant support from the Freud-Jung correspondence which reveals Jung openly articulating the ground rules defining his loyalty to psychoanalysis as early as 1906, and Freud accepting, and even approving, his prot\u00e9g\u00e9's empirical reservations over the course of the next five years.", "PMID": 797701} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11087", "title": "Active power and causal flow in Aristotle's theory of vision.", "content": "Aristotle's theory of vision has been characterized as naive, incommensurate with his theory of audition, and of historical interest only. This view is based on an analysis which fails to acknowledge the role of the concepts acting upon and active power in the theory. The meaning of these terms and the role Aristotle assigned them in vision and in sensation generally is demonstrated. It is argued that with the inclusion of these concepts (1) the theory of vision is sufficiently sophisticated and modern to be more than comparable with more recent perceptual theorizing, and (2) theoverall integrity of Aristotle's sensory philosophy is preserved. It is further argued that given the cohesiveness and comprehensiveness of Aristotle's psychological works, more attention should be given them by modern psychologists.", "contents": "Active power and causal flow in Aristotle's theory of vision. Aristotle's theory of vision has been characterized as naive, incommensurate with his theory of audition, and of historical interest only. This view is based on an analysis which fails to acknowledge the role of the concepts acting upon and active power in the theory. The meaning of these terms and the role Aristotle assigned them in vision and in sensation generally is demonstrated. It is argued that with the inclusion of these concepts (1) the theory of vision is sufficiently sophisticated and modern to be more than comparable with more recent perceptual theorizing, and (2) theoverall integrity of Aristotle's sensory philosophy is preserved. It is further argued that given the cohesiveness and comprehensiveness of Aristotle's psychological works, more attention should be given them by modern psychologists.", "PMID": 797703} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11088", "title": "A new name for an old idea? A student of Harvey Carr reflects.", "content": "My chief mentor in graduate school at Chicago was Harvey Carr, who spent most of his professional life at The University of Chicago as professor of experimental psychology. He was admired and loved by his graduate students not only as a masterly teacher and for his accumen in directing research, but also as a man of personal integrity. On the assumption that he is not as well known as he should be by the present generation of psychologists, this essay is presented. The paper reports on the testimonials of his many students on the occasion of his retirement, some reminiscences on the part of the essayist, and an analysis of Carr's systematic position.", "contents": "A new name for an old idea? A student of Harvey Carr reflects. My chief mentor in graduate school at Chicago was Harvey Carr, who spent most of his professional life at The University of Chicago as professor of experimental psychology. He was admired and loved by his graduate students not only as a masterly teacher and for his accumen in directing research, but also as a man of personal integrity. On the assumption that he is not as well known as he should be by the present generation of psychologists, this essay is presented. The paper reports on the testimonials of his many students on the occasion of his retirement, some reminiscences on the part of the essayist, and an analysis of Carr's systematic position.", "PMID": 797704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11089", "title": "Psychosomatic concepts in the works of Shakespere.", "content": "Psychosomatic medical theory of the late European Renaissance is reflected in the works of Shakespere. The period's conceptions of cardiovascular involvement in emotion, experimental causation of psychosomatic disorders, and repression of emotion as pathogenic, are described with reference to quotations from the Shakesperian plays. It is concluded that the premodern holistic approach to organismic functioning lends itself well to interpreting psychophysiological phenomena, and that contemporaries could profit from a philosophical reorientation concerning mind-body relationships in the disease process.", "contents": "Psychosomatic concepts in the works of Shakespere. Psychosomatic medical theory of the late European Renaissance is reflected in the works of Shakespere. The period's conceptions of cardiovascular involvement in emotion, experimental causation of psychosomatic disorders, and repression of emotion as pathogenic, are described with reference to quotations from the Shakesperian plays. It is concluded that the premodern holistic approach to organismic functioning lends itself well to interpreting psychophysiological phenomena, and that contemporaries could profit from a philosophical reorientation concerning mind-body relationships in the disease process.", "PMID": 797705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11090", "title": "Galton and sex differences: an historical note.", "content": "The psychological study of sex differences is a special area of interest within differential psychology. Differential psychology was launched as a scientific field of research in the latter half of the nineteenth century by Sir Francis Galton. Galton's early research on sex differences in psychological traits gives him the distinction of being the \"father\" of the modern study of sex differences. Galton's empirical findings and his interpretation of sex differences were heavily influenced by his Victorian sexist attitudes. The early history of the modern study of sex differences exemplifies the intimate relation between facts and values.", "contents": "Galton and sex differences: an historical note. The psychological study of sex differences is a special area of interest within differential psychology. Differential psychology was launched as a scientific field of research in the latter half of the nineteenth century by Sir Francis Galton. Galton's early research on sex differences in psychological traits gives him the distinction of being the \"father\" of the modern study of sex differences. Galton's empirical findings and his interpretation of sex differences were heavily influenced by his Victorian sexist attitudes. The early history of the modern study of sex differences exemplifies the intimate relation between facts and values.", "PMID": 797706} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11091", "title": "The development of anthropology and colonial policy in the Netherlands: 1800-1960.", "content": "Although there have been studies of both Dutch colonial policy in the Indies and the development of anthropology in the Netherlands, there has been no systematic examination of the historical relations between them. This paper attempts this for a period of 160 years from the collapse of the Dutch East India Company to the birth of an independent Indonesian state. During this time, the need of successive governments for information on subject peoples was matched by the requirements of scholars for suitable conditions and locations for their work. As Dutch anthropology emerged in the nineteenth century and developed in the twentieth it was closely related to the prevailing political climate--state capitalism, liberal, and ethical policies. The analysis shows how there is a 'fit' between these and certain dominant anthropological styles and interests, principally in the form of empiricism, customy law studies, \"Leiden\" structuralism, and functionalism.", "contents": "The development of anthropology and colonial policy in the Netherlands: 1800-1960. Although there have been studies of both Dutch colonial policy in the Indies and the development of anthropology in the Netherlands, there has been no systematic examination of the historical relations between them. This paper attempts this for a period of 160 years from the collapse of the Dutch East India Company to the birth of an independent Indonesian state. During this time, the need of successive governments for information on subject peoples was matched by the requirements of scholars for suitable conditions and locations for their work. As Dutch anthropology emerged in the nineteenth century and developed in the twentieth it was closely related to the prevailing political climate--state capitalism, liberal, and ethical policies. The analysis shows how there is a 'fit' between these and certain dominant anthropological styles and interests, principally in the form of empiricism, customy law studies, \"Leiden\" structuralism, and functionalism.", "PMID": 797707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11092", "title": "Recognition of names of eminent psychologists.", "content": "Faculty members, graduate students, undergraduate majors, and introductory psychology students checked those names they recognized in the list of 228 deceased psychologists, rated for eminence, provided by Annin, Boring, and Watson. Mean percentage recognition was less than 50% for the 128 American psychologists, and less than 25% for the 100 foreign psychologists, by the faculty subjects. The other three groups of subjects gave even lower recognition scores. Recognition was probably also influenced by recency; median year of death of the American psychologists was 1955, of the foreign psychologists, 1943. High recognition (defined as recognition by 80% or more of the faculty group) was achieved by only 34 psychologists, almost all of them American. These highly recognized psychologists also had high eminence ratings, but there was an equal number of psychologists with high eminence ratings that were poorly recognized.", "contents": "Recognition of names of eminent psychologists. Faculty members, graduate students, undergraduate majors, and introductory psychology students checked those names they recognized in the list of 228 deceased psychologists, rated for eminence, provided by Annin, Boring, and Watson. Mean percentage recognition was less than 50% for the 128 American psychologists, and less than 25% for the 100 foreign psychologists, by the faculty subjects. The other three groups of subjects gave even lower recognition scores. Recognition was probably also influenced by recency; median year of death of the American psychologists was 1955, of the foreign psychologists, 1943. High recognition (defined as recognition by 80% or more of the faculty group) was achieved by only 34 psychologists, almost all of them American. These highly recognized psychologists also had high eminence ratings, but there was an equal number of psychologists with high eminence ratings that were poorly recognized.", "PMID": 797708} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11093", "title": "Darwinism and positivism as methodological influences on the development of psychology.", "content": "The methodological significance of evolutionary theory for psychology may be distinguished from its substantive or theoretical significance. The methodological significance was that evolutionay theory broadened the current conceptors of scientific method and rendered them relatively independent of physics. It thereby made the application of the \"scientific method\" to psychology much more feasible than it had been previously, and thus established the possibility of a wide-ranging scientific psychology for the first time. The methodological eclecticism that made scientific psychology possible did not, however, remain a feature of psychology for very long. Psychology's methodology rapidly became restricted and codified through the influence of, and in imitation of, the rigorously positivistic orientation of physics around the turn of the twentieth century.", "contents": "Darwinism and positivism as methodological influences on the development of psychology. The methodological significance of evolutionary theory for psychology may be distinguished from its substantive or theoretical significance. The methodological significance was that evolutionay theory broadened the current conceptors of scientific method and rendered them relatively independent of physics. It thereby made the application of the \"scientific method\" to psychology much more feasible than it had been previously, and thus established the possibility of a wide-ranging scientific psychology for the first time. The methodological eclecticism that made scientific psychology possible did not, however, remain a feature of psychology for very long. Psychology's methodology rapidly became restricted and codified through the influence of, and in imitation of, the rigorously positivistic orientation of physics around the turn of the twentieth century.", "PMID": 797709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11094", "title": "The sociology of language in Johann David Michaelis's dissertation of 1760.", "content": "In 1759 Johann David Michaelis won a prize from the Prussian Royal Academy for his essay Beantwortung der Frage von dem Einfluss der Meinungen in die Sprache, und der sprache in die Meinungen. The essay was published in the following year and translated into French in 1762, into English in 1769, and into Dutch in 1771. The work has two major themes--linguistic relativity and language change--with ancillary discussions of language in general and of homonymy. Its most significant contribution to the theory of language is its discussion of linguistic relativity, especially in its manifestations in the influence of language on thought. Given the intellectual milieu of the work where inquiry was centered on the origin of language and language universals, it stands as one of the few discussions of this topic and it is also one of the most fruitful discussions of linguistic relativity for any period of history.", "contents": "The sociology of language in Johann David Michaelis's dissertation of 1760. In 1759 Johann David Michaelis won a prize from the Prussian Royal Academy for his essay Beantwortung der Frage von dem Einfluss der Meinungen in die Sprache, und der sprache in die Meinungen. The essay was published in the following year and translated into French in 1762, into English in 1769, and into Dutch in 1771. The work has two major themes--linguistic relativity and language change--with ancillary discussions of language in general and of homonymy. Its most significant contribution to the theory of language is its discussion of linguistic relativity, especially in its manifestations in the influence of language on thought. Given the intellectual milieu of the work where inquiry was centered on the origin of language and language universals, it stands as one of the few discussions of this topic and it is also one of the most fruitful discussions of linguistic relativity for any period of history.", "PMID": 797710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11095", "title": "The concept of suggestion in the early history of advertising psychology.", "content": "As early as 1896, experimental psychologists began studying the mental processes involved in advertising. The first psychological theory of advertising maintained, in effect, that the consumer was a nonrational, suggestible creature under the hypnotic influence of the advertising copywriter. Walter Dill Scott was the major proponent of this theory, and it was largely through his writings that advertising men learned about the psychology of suggestion. Scott's theory was consistent with a growing trend in the advertising profession toward viewing consumer behavior as irrational. Scott's efforts might also be viewed as part of the trend in the advertising profession toward seeking a scientific basis for copywriting theory and practice.", "contents": "The concept of suggestion in the early history of advertising psychology. As early as 1896, experimental psychologists began studying the mental processes involved in advertising. The first psychological theory of advertising maintained, in effect, that the consumer was a nonrational, suggestible creature under the hypnotic influence of the advertising copywriter. Walter Dill Scott was the major proponent of this theory, and it was largely through his writings that advertising men learned about the psychology of suggestion. Scott's theory was consistent with a growing trend in the advertising profession toward viewing consumer behavior as irrational. Scott's efforts might also be viewed as part of the trend in the advertising profession toward seeking a scientific basis for copywriting theory and practice.", "PMID": 797711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11096", "title": "Biopolitics: lessons from history.", "content": "Biopolitics is an emerging subdiscipline within the field of political science. The essay examines historical antecendents and delineates three categories of such works: 1) metaphor, 2) evolutionary/genetic influences on behavior, and 3) public policy implications. A number of problems with these works are noted. Finally, suggestions for the current interest in biopolitics are outlines, based upon the historical analysis.", "contents": "Biopolitics: lessons from history. Biopolitics is an emerging subdiscipline within the field of political science. The essay examines historical antecendents and delineates three categories of such works: 1) metaphor, 2) evolutionary/genetic influences on behavior, and 3) public policy implications. A number of problems with these works are noted. Finally, suggestions for the current interest in biopolitics are outlines, based upon the historical analysis.", "PMID": 797712} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11097", "title": "Two concepts of adaptation: Darwin's and psychology's.", "content": "The paper takes issue with the traditional view of Darwin's influence on psychology; namely, that it is he who passed on to psychology the concept of individual adaptation. Three arguments are presented: a) that Darwin, qua scientist, was only interested in species adaptation, an entirely different concept from that of individual adaptation, b) that Darwin's writings on individual adaptation are so unexceptional that it is inconceivable that psychologists should have been influenced by them and c) that the two concepts are logically incompatible since species adaptation presupposes a strict hereditary determinism, while individual adaptation conceives of the organism either as free and undetermined or else as determined by the environment.", "contents": "Two concepts of adaptation: Darwin's and psychology's. The paper takes issue with the traditional view of Darwin's influence on psychology; namely, that it is he who passed on to psychology the concept of individual adaptation. Three arguments are presented: a) that Darwin, qua scientist, was only interested in species adaptation, an entirely different concept from that of individual adaptation, b) that Darwin's writings on individual adaptation are so unexceptional that it is inconceivable that psychologists should have been influenced by them and c) that the two concepts are logically incompatible since species adaptation presupposes a strict hereditary determinism, while individual adaptation conceives of the organism either as free and undetermined or else as determined by the environment.", "PMID": 797713} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11098", "title": "Beard's concept of neurasthenia and Freud's concept of the actual neuroses.", "content": "Beard's concept of neurasthenia and Freud's concept of the actual neuroses are described and evaluated critically. Despite differences in the content of their theories, especially in the role of sexual factors and sexual mechanisms, there are important formal and logical similarities. Both Beard and Freud incorrectly identified the causes of the neuroses being studied; both used inadequate methods of assessing the strengths of the causal factors; and the central theoretical concepts of both were equally vacuous. Freud adopted the same method of study as did Beard, but does not seem to have been influenced directly by him.", "contents": "Beard's concept of neurasthenia and Freud's concept of the actual neuroses. Beard's concept of neurasthenia and Freud's concept of the actual neuroses are described and evaluated critically. Despite differences in the content of their theories, especially in the role of sexual factors and sexual mechanisms, there are important formal and logical similarities. Both Beard and Freud incorrectly identified the causes of the neuroses being studied; both used inadequate methods of assessing the strengths of the causal factors; and the central theoretical concepts of both were equally vacuous. Freud adopted the same method of study as did Beard, but does not seem to have been influenced directly by him.", "PMID": 797714} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11099", "title": "Homosexuals and the death penalty in colonial America.", "content": "This article traces the legislative history of statues prescribing the death penalty for sodomy in 17th-century New England and in the other American colonies. New England and some middle colonies broke with English legal tradition by adopting explicitly biblical language. After the Revolution, Pennsylvania took the lead, in 1786, in dropping the death penalty.", "contents": "Homosexuals and the death penalty in colonial America. This article traces the legislative history of statues prescribing the death penalty for sodomy in 17th-century New England and in the other American colonies. New England and some middle colonies broke with English legal tradition by adopting explicitly biblical language. After the Revolution, Pennsylvania took the lead, in 1786, in dropping the death penalty.", "PMID": 798008} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11100", "title": "Sodomy in medieval secular law.", "content": "In the 13th century, legislation dealing with sodomy and other moral crimes was strongly influences by the prevailing Catholic ideology. As a result, affenders were sought out by members of the lay confranternities, tried in the courts of the Inquisition, and generally punished with the death penalty.", "contents": "Sodomy in medieval secular law. In the 13th century, legislation dealing with sodomy and other moral crimes was strongly influences by the prevailing Catholic ideology. As a result, affenders were sought out by members of the lay confranternities, tried in the courts of the Inquisition, and generally punished with the death penalty.", "PMID": 798009} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11101", "title": "Sodomy in ecclesiastical law and theory.", "content": "In the 13th century, sodomy, which was classified among the various sins against mature, was regarded as a primarily clerical vice. In both systematic theology and canon law, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was considered the just punishment for a sin that violated the natural procreative function of sexuality, was contrary to right reason and the natural order, and denied God's injunction to increase and multiply.", "contents": "Sodomy in ecclesiastical law and theory. In the 13th century, sodomy, which was classified among the various sins against mature, was regarded as a primarily clerical vice. In both systematic theology and canon law, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was considered the just punishment for a sin that violated the natural procreative function of sexuality, was contrary to right reason and the natural order, and denied God's injunction to increase and multiply.", "PMID": 798010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11102", "title": "Continuous measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 elimination during a wakeful hypometabolic state.", "content": "A previous investigation has demonstrated that the practice of a meditational technique elicits a wakeful, hypometabolic state. Measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 elimination was made by sampling techniques; mean values of these parameters were calculated from 6-10 minute samples. The present study extends this investigation, using a recently developed method of continuous measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 elimination. Continuous measurement of these parameters permitted the determination of mean values for the entire experimental periods as well as for selected intervals and permitted the examination of the sequence of respiratory changes. The present study reports statistically significant decreases in O2 consumption of 5 per cent and CO2 elimination of 6 percent for the entire 20 minutes of the mediation period. These are lower than the sample values of 16 percent and 15 percent reported in the previous study. However, when selected intervals of the mediation period are examined, decreases in O2 consumption and CO2 elimination are comparable to those previously reported. The results are consistent with the difference between the discontinuous sampling measurement method originally employed and the continuous measurement method of the present investigation.", "contents": "Continuous measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 elimination during a wakeful hypometabolic state. A previous investigation has demonstrated that the practice of a meditational technique elicits a wakeful, hypometabolic state. Measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 elimination was made by sampling techniques; mean values of these parameters were calculated from 6-10 minute samples. The present study extends this investigation, using a recently developed method of continuous measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 elimination. Continuous measurement of these parameters permitted the determination of mean values for the entire experimental periods as well as for selected intervals and permitted the examination of the sequence of respiratory changes. The present study reports statistically significant decreases in O2 consumption of 5 per cent and CO2 elimination of 6 percent for the entire 20 minutes of the mediation period. These are lower than the sample values of 16 percent and 15 percent reported in the previous study. However, when selected intervals of the mediation period are examined, decreases in O2 consumption and CO2 elimination are comparable to those previously reported. The results are consistent with the difference between the discontinuous sampling measurement method originally employed and the continuous measurement method of the present investigation.", "PMID": 798011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11103", "title": "A historical view of the stress field.", "content": "An analysis is presented of selected aspects of stress theory and research in biology and medicine, both before and after the introduction of Selye's stress formulations, which have been of major importance in the development and popularity of this research area. An attempt is made to explore some possible sources of present confusion and controversy in the stress field, with a view to the development of new research strategies that may enable us to clarify, update, and revise stress concepts and to facilitate future progress. In particular, it is suggested that an experimental reevaluation of the concept of the non-specificity of pituitary-adrenal cortical response is a matter of particular strategic importance, if we are to move out of the present prolonged period of stalemate and confusion over stress theory and terminology. Recent experimental studies which suggest that the nonspecificity concept may have been applied erroneously to lower level physiological mechanisms, rather than to higher level psychological processes, are reviewed. The possible implications of this development are discussed in terms of clarifying current concepts and providing guidelines for future lines of approach in stress research.", "contents": "A historical view of the stress field. An analysis is presented of selected aspects of stress theory and research in biology and medicine, both before and after the introduction of Selye's stress formulations, which have been of major importance in the development and popularity of this research area. An attempt is made to explore some possible sources of present confusion and controversy in the stress field, with a view to the development of new research strategies that may enable us to clarify, update, and revise stress concepts and to facilitate future progress. In particular, it is suggested that an experimental reevaluation of the concept of the non-specificity of pituitary-adrenal cortical response is a matter of particular strategic importance, if we are to move out of the present prolonged period of stalemate and confusion over stress theory and terminology. Recent experimental studies which suggest that the nonspecificity concept may have been applied erroneously to lower level physiological mechanisms, rather than to higher level psychological processes, are reviewed. The possible implications of this development are discussed in terms of clarifying current concepts and providing guidelines for future lines of approach in stress research.", "PMID": 798012} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11104", "title": "Life stress, depression and attempted suicide.", "content": "This paper summarizes a series of controlled studies into the relationship of life events to depression and to suicide attempts. Life events, particularly exit events and events regarded as undesirable, tend to cluster prior to onset of depression. These findings are supported by comparisons with general population controls, depressives after recovery, other patient groups, and by studies of relapse. Interactions with predisposing and biological causes are probably of great importance. Suicide attempters are a rather different patient group and they experience a particularly striking accumulation of threatening events. There is a marked peaking of events in the month before the attempt, suggesting a crisis response and the potential relevance of crisis intervention techniques.", "contents": "Life stress, depression and attempted suicide. This paper summarizes a series of controlled studies into the relationship of life events to depression and to suicide attempts. Life events, particularly exit events and events regarded as undesirable, tend to cluster prior to onset of depression. These findings are supported by comparisons with general population controls, depressives after recovery, other patient groups, and by studies of relapse. Interactions with predisposing and biological causes are probably of great importance. Suicide attempters are a rather different patient group and they experience a particularly striking accumulation of threatening events. There is a marked peaking of events in the month before the attempt, suggesting a crisis response and the potential relevance of crisis intervention techniques.", "PMID": 798014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11105", "title": "Ultrastructure and life cycle of the lipid-containing bacteriophage phi 6.", "content": "An electron microscopic study of the lipid-containing bacteriophage phi 6 revealed an electron dense compact inner core of 30 nm in diam., which apparently contains the nucleic acid of the virus. This inner particle is surrounded by a complex polyhedral capsid with an outer diam. of 50 nm. Outside this is the envelope, which gives the virus a total diam. of 65 to 75 nm. The envelope, which has a thickness of a unit membrane, could be removed by treating the phage with Triton X-100. A definite structure is seen inside the envelope of the phage tail. In infection, phages are attached by their tails to the host cell pili. Occasional pili with a few attached phages were seen in a phage resistant mutant. In the course of the infection phages were also seen attached to the outer membrane of the cell. In a phage-tolerant mutant many normal-looking pili with adsorbed phages were visible, but we could never see phage-cell membrane associations. The membrane of the phage appears to fuse with the bacterial outer membrane and 50 nm virus particles could be seen in the periplasmic space of the bacterium, probably attached to the cytoplasmic membrane. Newly formed 50 nm particles appeared 45 min post infection (p.i.) cnetrally in the host cell. Assembly of the envelope also began at this time and by 80 minutes p.i. all the 50 nm particles were covered by the virus membrane. At no stage were phages seen in the periphery of the bacterium. Mature phages were finally released by a rupture of the host cell without spheroplast formation.", "contents": "Ultrastructure and life cycle of the lipid-containing bacteriophage phi 6. An electron microscopic study of the lipid-containing bacteriophage phi 6 revealed an electron dense compact inner core of 30 nm in diam., which apparently contains the nucleic acid of the virus. This inner particle is surrounded by a complex polyhedral capsid with an outer diam. of 50 nm. Outside this is the envelope, which gives the virus a total diam. of 65 to 75 nm. The envelope, which has a thickness of a unit membrane, could be removed by treating the phage with Triton X-100. A definite structure is seen inside the envelope of the phage tail. In infection, phages are attached by their tails to the host cell pili. Occasional pili with a few attached phages were seen in a phage resistant mutant. In the course of the infection phages were also seen attached to the outer membrane of the cell. In a phage-tolerant mutant many normal-looking pili with adsorbed phages were visible, but we could never see phage-cell membrane associations. The membrane of the phage appears to fuse with the bacterial outer membrane and 50 nm virus particles could be seen in the periplasmic space of the bacterium, probably attached to the cytoplasmic membrane. Newly formed 50 nm particles appeared 45 min post infection (p.i.) cnetrally in the host cell. Assembly of the envelope also began at this time and by 80 minutes p.i. all the 50 nm particles were covered by the virus membrane. At no stage were phages seen in the periphery of the bacterium. Mature phages were finally released by a rupture of the host cell without spheroplast formation.", "PMID": 798023} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11106", "title": "Further investigations on the mode of entry of vaccinia virus into cells.", "content": "Earlier results indicating that vaccinia virus entered L cells by a process of direct fusion between the virus envelope and the plasma membrane of the cell have been confirmed and extended using immuno-ferritin conjugates to locate virus antigens on the host cell surface. After fusion, components of the virus envelope become rapidly dispersed in the plasma membrane. Fusion has also been observed as the predominant mode of entry of vaccinia virus into HeLa cells.", "contents": "Further investigations on the mode of entry of vaccinia virus into cells. Earlier results indicating that vaccinia virus entered L cells by a process of direct fusion between the virus envelope and the plasma membrane of the cell have been confirmed and extended using immuno-ferritin conjugates to locate virus antigens on the host cell surface. After fusion, components of the virus envelope become rapidly dispersed in the plasma membrane. Fusion has also been observed as the predominant mode of entry of vaccinia virus into HeLa cells.", "PMID": 798024} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11107", "title": "Improved resolution in cathodoluminescent microscopy of biological material.", "content": "This paper continues work reported in an earlier paper on modification of a Cambridge Stereoscan Mk IIA to improve the quality of cathodoluminescent micrographs of biological material. In the work presently described the microscope gun has been offset laterally by 2 mm, to prevent light from the filament passing down through the column to the specimen chamber. The electron beam is brought onto the column axis by deflection coils. This modification effectively eliminates background light in the chamber, and a full parabolic mirror is fitted to maximize light collection. Results for yeasts and wheat seed sections are described.", "contents": "Improved resolution in cathodoluminescent microscopy of biological material. This paper continues work reported in an earlier paper on modification of a Cambridge Stereoscan Mk IIA to improve the quality of cathodoluminescent micrographs of biological material. In the work presently described the microscope gun has been offset laterally by 2 mm, to prevent light from the filament passing down through the column to the specimen chamber. The electron beam is brought onto the column axis by deflection coils. This modification effectively eliminates background light in the chamber, and a full parabolic mirror is fitted to maximize light collection. Results for yeasts and wheat seed sections are described.", "PMID": 798027} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11108", "title": "Simple magnetic holders for critical point drying of microspecimen suspensions.", "content": "Microspecimens can be critical point dried from suspension in holders consisting of three magnets and two filters. These holders are inexpensive, require no construction, and are easily assembled and disassembled.", "contents": "Simple magnetic holders for critical point drying of microspecimen suspensions. Microspecimens can be critical point dried from suspension in holders consisting of three magnets and two filters. These holders are inexpensive, require no construction, and are easily assembled and disassembled.", "PMID": 798028} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11109", "title": "Flat preparations of the retinal vessels in Coats' disease.", "content": "Flat preparations of the retina were prepared by trypsin digestion in ten cases of Coats' disease. All of the patients were young males with advanced disease leading to enucleation. All eyes showed marked abnormalities in the arterioles, venules, and capillaries. The findings most characteristic of Coats' disease were large aneurysms and thick PAS positive deposits in vessel walls. The aneurysms ranged from 50 to 350 microns and frequently formed large sausage-like or beaded out-pouchings and were sometimes situated on shunt vessels. Other findings frequently seen, but not specific for Coats' disease, were capillary dilatation, small aneurysms, hypocellular vessel walls, and fibrous strands.", "contents": "Flat preparations of the retinal vessels in Coats' disease. Flat preparations of the retina were prepared by trypsin digestion in ten cases of Coats' disease. All of the patients were young males with advanced disease leading to enucleation. All eyes showed marked abnormalities in the arterioles, venules, and capillaries. The findings most characteristic of Coats' disease were large aneurysms and thick PAS positive deposits in vessel walls. The aneurysms ranged from 50 to 350 microns and frequently formed large sausage-like or beaded out-pouchings and were sometimes situated on shunt vessels. Other findings frequently seen, but not specific for Coats' disease, were capillary dilatation, small aneurysms, hypocellular vessel walls, and fibrous strands.", "PMID": 798026} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11110", "title": "Organization and evolution of the mitochondrial genome of yeast.", "content": "The mitochondrial genome of yeast (S. cerevisiae or S. carlsbergensis) appears to be formed by 60-70 genetic units, each one of which is formed by (1) a GC-rich sequence, possibly having a regulatory role; (2) a gene, and (3) an AT-rich spacer, which probably is not transcribed. Recombination in this genome appears to underlie a number of important phenomena. The organization of the mitochondrial genome of yeast and these recombinational events are discussed in relationship with the organization and evolution of the nuclear genome of eukaryotes.", "contents": "Organization and evolution of the mitochondrial genome of yeast. The mitochondrial genome of yeast (S. cerevisiae or S. carlsbergensis) appears to be formed by 60-70 genetic units, each one of which is formed by (1) a GC-rich sequence, possibly having a regulatory role; (2) a gene, and (3) an AT-rich spacer, which probably is not transcribed. Recombination in this genome appears to underlie a number of important phenomena. The organization of the mitochondrial genome of yeast and these recombinational events are discussed in relationship with the organization and evolution of the nuclear genome of eukaryotes.", "PMID": 798040} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11111", "title": "Gene control in eukaryotes and the c-value paradox \"excess\" DNA as an impediment to transcription of coding sequences.", "content": "Ways in which control of gene activity may lead to the observed high DNA content per haploid eukaryote genome are examined. It is proposed that deoxyribonucleoprotein (DNP) acts as a barrier to transcription at two distinct structural levels. At the lower level, melting of the nucleosome supercoil (quaternary structure) and of the nucleosomes (tertiary structure) might be brought about by the process of transcription itself. After unwinding the barrier section, the polymerase would eventually reach the structural gene. The transcripts of noncoding sequences, at least as far as their \"unique\" sequence components are concerned, may thus have filled their main function through the very process of transcription. The possibility of an inverse relationship between the length of the DNP barrier and the rates of transcription of the coding sequences is to some extent supported by available data. Different modes of coordination between the transcription of mRNA and of hnRNA from a single functional unit of gene action (funga) are considered. An analysis of gene control at high structural levels of DNP is made on the basis of other data, in relation to the concepts of eurygenic and stenogenic control. The concept of a euryon is introduced, namely of a set of linked fugas under common eurygenic control. Structure of order higher than quaternary can be inferred to exist in larger chromomeres of polytene chromosomes and in corresponding sections of ordinary chromosomes. Only moderate amounts of highest order interphase euchromatic structure are likely to be able to be accomodated in average chromomeres and none in very thin chromomeres. Puffs are interpreted as the melting of highest order interphase structure, and the absence of puffs during transcription as the absence of this highest order structure in the resting state of the chromomeres. Genes that are constantly active in all tissues may dispense with highest order interphase structure and with the corresponding control mechanism, and the fugas involved thus may not puff. Puffs, large chromomeres and highest order interphase euchromatic DNP structure seem to be correlated with genes that need to be transcribed only under certain developmental conditions. It is proposed that the function of high order structure is to sequester genetic material, namely mainly controller sequences. Since such high order structure, in most cases, would be built up to house the controller dependencies of just one structural gene, the amount of DNA per structural gene needed for gene control would be considerable, and the concept, if correct, would go a long way towards explaining the c-value paradox (\"excess\" DNA in eukaryotes). In eurygenic determination, the high order structure is thought to be conditioned for melting or to actually melt to an intermediate level of structure. From there, stenogenic control, leading to transcription, is considered to carry the melting process further to yet lower structural levels...", "contents": "Gene control in eukaryotes and the c-value paradox \"excess\" DNA as an impediment to transcription of coding sequences. Ways in which control of gene activity may lead to the observed high DNA content per haploid eukaryote genome are examined. It is proposed that deoxyribonucleoprotein (DNP) acts as a barrier to transcription at two distinct structural levels. At the lower level, melting of the nucleosome supercoil (quaternary structure) and of the nucleosomes (tertiary structure) might be brought about by the process of transcription itself. After unwinding the barrier section, the polymerase would eventually reach the structural gene. The transcripts of noncoding sequences, at least as far as their \"unique\" sequence components are concerned, may thus have filled their main function through the very process of transcription. The possibility of an inverse relationship between the length of the DNP barrier and the rates of transcription of the coding sequences is to some extent supported by available data. Different modes of coordination between the transcription of mRNA and of hnRNA from a single functional unit of gene action (funga) are considered. An analysis of gene control at high structural levels of DNP is made on the basis of other data, in relation to the concepts of eurygenic and stenogenic control. The concept of a euryon is introduced, namely of a set of linked fugas under common eurygenic control. Structure of order higher than quaternary can be inferred to exist in larger chromomeres of polytene chromosomes and in corresponding sections of ordinary chromosomes. Only moderate amounts of highest order interphase euchromatic structure are likely to be able to be accomodated in average chromomeres and none in very thin chromomeres. Puffs are interpreted as the melting of highest order interphase structure, and the absence of puffs during transcription as the absence of this highest order structure in the resting state of the chromomeres. Genes that are constantly active in all tissues may dispense with highest order interphase structure and with the corresponding control mechanism, and the fugas involved thus may not puff. Puffs, large chromomeres and highest order interphase euchromatic DNP structure seem to be correlated with genes that need to be transcribed only under certain developmental conditions. It is proposed that the function of high order structure is to sequester genetic material, namely mainly controller sequences. Since such high order structure, in most cases, would be built up to house the controller dependencies of just one structural gene, the amount of DNA per structural gene needed for gene control would be considerable, and the concept, if correct, would go a long way towards explaining the c-value paradox (\"excess\" DNA in eukaryotes). In eurygenic determination, the high order structure is thought to be conditioned for melting or to actually melt to an intermediate level of structure. From there, stenogenic control, leading to transcription, is considered to carry the melting process further to yet lower structural levels...", "PMID": 798041} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11112", "title": "Epistaxis and the nasostat.", "content": "The most effective method of treating epistaxis is to identify and cauterize the bleeding vessel. If this cannot be done, other methods must be used. Anterior packs without a choanal plug are not reliable. Gauze posterior packs are traumatic and should not be used. The Foley chatheter with anterior gauze packs is quite satisfactory but the Nasostat, which can also be used with anterior packing when necessary, will, in most cases, control the bleeding without subjecting the patient to the discomfort of nasal packs. In addition, when used properly, it is safe and easily tolerated. The technique and its complications are described.", "contents": "Epistaxis and the nasostat. The most effective method of treating epistaxis is to identify and cauterize the bleeding vessel. If this cannot be done, other methods must be used. Anterior packs without a choanal plug are not reliable. Gauze posterior packs are traumatic and should not be used. The Foley chatheter with anterior gauze packs is quite satisfactory but the Nasostat, which can also be used with anterior packing when necessary, will, in most cases, control the bleeding without subjecting the patient to the discomfort of nasal packs. In addition, when used properly, it is safe and easily tolerated. The technique and its complications are described.", "PMID": 798058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11113", "title": "Shock in the emergency department.", "content": "Shock continues to be associated with a high mortality rate primarily because of delays in diagnosis and therapy. To diagnose shock early, and thereby increase the chances of reversal before there is extensive deterioration of vital organs, one should look for any decrease in pulse pressure, urine output, urine sodium concentration, alertness or any increase in urine osmolarity, tachypnea or tachycardia. Systolic hypotension, oliguria, metabolic acidosis and a cold clammy skin are late signs of shock. The pathophysiology of early hypovolemic shock includes hyperventilation, vasoconstriction, cardiac stimulation, fluid shifts into the vascular system and platelet aggregation. Late shock is characterized by lysosomal breakdown, subsequent release of kinins (especially bradykinin), impaired cell metabolism and organ function, fluid shifts out of the vascular system because of capillary endothelial damage and intravascular coagulation. The primary cause of shock should not be neglected in favor of treating signs, symptoms, and laboratory data. The resuscitation from the shock process itself involves correction of pathophysiologic changes, based on objective trends and responses rather than isolated measurements. A suggested outline of therapies in order of their use includes: 1) correction of the primary problem; 2) ventilation and oxygen; 3) fluid-loading: 4) inotropic agents; 5) correction of acid-based and electrolyte abnormalities; 6) steroids (\"physiologic\" or \"pharmacologic\" doses); 7) vasopressors (especially in elderly, severely hypotensive patients); 8) vasodilators (if excess vasoconstriction); 9) diuretics (if oliguric in spite of the above), and 10) heparin (if DIC). The most common errors are 1) late diagnosis; 2) inadequate control of the primary problems; 3) inadequate fluid loading; 4) delayed ventilator assistance, and 5) excessive reliance on and use if vasopressors and diuretics.", "contents": "Shock in the emergency department. Shock continues to be associated with a high mortality rate primarily because of delays in diagnosis and therapy. To diagnose shock early, and thereby increase the chances of reversal before there is extensive deterioration of vital organs, one should look for any decrease in pulse pressure, urine output, urine sodium concentration, alertness or any increase in urine osmolarity, tachypnea or tachycardia. Systolic hypotension, oliguria, metabolic acidosis and a cold clammy skin are late signs of shock. The pathophysiology of early hypovolemic shock includes hyperventilation, vasoconstriction, cardiac stimulation, fluid shifts into the vascular system and platelet aggregation. Late shock is characterized by lysosomal breakdown, subsequent release of kinins (especially bradykinin), impaired cell metabolism and organ function, fluid shifts out of the vascular system because of capillary endothelial damage and intravascular coagulation. The primary cause of shock should not be neglected in favor of treating signs, symptoms, and laboratory data. The resuscitation from the shock process itself involves correction of pathophysiologic changes, based on objective trends and responses rather than isolated measurements. A suggested outline of therapies in order of their use includes: 1) correction of the primary problem; 2) ventilation and oxygen; 3) fluid-loading: 4) inotropic agents; 5) correction of acid-based and electrolyte abnormalities; 6) steroids (\"physiologic\" or \"pharmacologic\" doses); 7) vasopressors (especially in elderly, severely hypotensive patients); 8) vasodilators (if excess vasoconstriction); 9) diuretics (if oliguric in spite of the above), and 10) heparin (if DIC). The most common errors are 1) late diagnosis; 2) inadequate control of the primary problems; 3) inadequate fluid loading; 4) delayed ventilator assistance, and 5) excessive reliance on and use if vasopressors and diuretics.", "PMID": 798060} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11114", "title": "[Evaluation of severity of primary rheumocarditis in children by means of mathematical methods].", "content": "Symptom-complexes typical of severe, moderate and mild carditis were defined on the basis of a comprehensive clinical and instrumental examination of 450 children with proven primary rheumocarditis, and with the aid of mathematical techniques. These complexes may be used in rheumatological practice for differential evaluation of the severity of cardiac lesions in cases of primary rheumocarditis in children.", "contents": "[Evaluation of severity of primary rheumocarditis in children by means of mathematical methods]. Symptom-complexes typical of severe, moderate and mild carditis were defined on the basis of a comprehensive clinical and instrumental examination of 450 children with proven primary rheumocarditis, and with the aid of mathematical techniques. These complexes may be used in rheumatological practice for differential evaluation of the severity of cardiac lesions in cases of primary rheumocarditis in children.", "PMID": 798067} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11115", "title": "[Dynamics of pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve prosthesis (late results)].", "content": "The presented analysis includes the haemodynamic parameters obtained during right and left heart catheterization in 51 patients following mitral valve prosthetic replacement for rheumatic mitral disease within 1 month to 8 years. In 30 patients the examination was conducted pre- and postoperatively, and in 21--postoperatively only. A comparative analysis of the pre- and postoperative haemodynamic indices has shown that when the effect of surgery is positive, the pressure in the pulmonary artery, the wedge pressure, the right atrial, and the end-diastolic pressures in the right and left ventricles decrease. A reduction is also noted in the pulmonary-arteriolar resistance, in the arterio-venous oxygen content gradient, and in the right ventricle work, and an increase in the cardiac output, cardiac index and effective work of the left ventricle. The dynamics of these parameters is especially dramatic in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension (the pulmonary artery pressure falls by 60%, and the pulmonary-arteriolar resistance--by 83%). When the operation fails to produce any haemodynamic effect, the intracardiac haemodynamics disorders persist along with those in the pulmonary circulation, which permits us to find the reason of the unsatisfactory result of surgery.", "contents": "[Dynamics of pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve prosthesis (late results)]. The presented analysis includes the haemodynamic parameters obtained during right and left heart catheterization in 51 patients following mitral valve prosthetic replacement for rheumatic mitral disease within 1 month to 8 years. In 30 patients the examination was conducted pre- and postoperatively, and in 21--postoperatively only. A comparative analysis of the pre- and postoperative haemodynamic indices has shown that when the effect of surgery is positive, the pressure in the pulmonary artery, the wedge pressure, the right atrial, and the end-diastolic pressures in the right and left ventricles decrease. A reduction is also noted in the pulmonary-arteriolar resistance, in the arterio-venous oxygen content gradient, and in the right ventricle work, and an increase in the cardiac output, cardiac index and effective work of the left ventricle. The dynamics of these parameters is especially dramatic in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension (the pulmonary artery pressure falls by 60%, and the pulmonary-arteriolar resistance--by 83%). When the operation fails to produce any haemodynamic effect, the intracardiac haemodynamics disorders persist along with those in the pulmonary circulation, which permits us to find the reason of the unsatisfactory result of surgery.", "PMID": 798070} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11116", "title": "Whole blood leukocyte culture technique for mammalian cytogenetic analysis.", "content": "In the past, the in vitro culture of leukocytes for cytogenetic analysis has required a slightly altered technique for each animal species. This study showed that a simple, yet standardized, in vitro culture system was readily applicable to growth of bovine, canine, equine, feline, ovine and porcine blood leukocytes. The major features of the standardized technique included: 1) the use of whole heparinized blood; 2) a minimum, unfortified culture medium; and 3) a vortex mixer for mixing materials during the hypotonic and fixative stages of the harvesting procedure.", "contents": "Whole blood leukocyte culture technique for mammalian cytogenetic analysis. In the past, the in vitro culture of leukocytes for cytogenetic analysis has required a slightly altered technique for each animal species. This study showed that a simple, yet standardized, in vitro culture system was readily applicable to growth of bovine, canine, equine, feline, ovine and porcine blood leukocytes. The major features of the standardized technique included: 1) the use of whole heparinized blood; 2) a minimum, unfortified culture medium; and 3) a vortex mixer for mixing materials during the hypotonic and fixative stages of the harvesting procedure.", "PMID": 798073} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11117", "title": "[Chronic discoid lupus erythematosus of the mouth].", "content": "A description is given of the clinical and histologic characteristics of chronic discoid lupus erythematosus. At the same time the authors describe the results of the cytologic study carried out in keeping with the Papanicolau technique. Although no specifically indicated in the disease under consideration, the cytological method, added to the clinical study, enables a prompt presumptive diagnosis to be arrived at. However, under no circumstances does it exclude a biopsy study.", "contents": "[Chronic discoid lupus erythematosus of the mouth]. A description is given of the clinical and histologic characteristics of chronic discoid lupus erythematosus. At the same time the authors describe the results of the cytologic study carried out in keeping with the Papanicolau technique. Although no specifically indicated in the disease under consideration, the cytological method, added to the clinical study, enables a prompt presumptive diagnosis to be arrived at. However, under no circumstances does it exclude a biopsy study.", "PMID": 798080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11118", "title": "[Immunology of bullous diseases (pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigus)].", "content": "The immunological aspects of pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid are reviewed in this article. In the last few years, the immunoiogical research on these blistering diseases has contributed to a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of these diseases.", "contents": "[Immunology of bullous diseases (pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigus)]. The immunological aspects of pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid are reviewed in this article. In the last few years, the immunoiogical research on these blistering diseases has contributed to a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of these diseases.", "PMID": 798081} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11119", "title": "[Therapy of chromoblastomycosis with a new method].", "content": "The author proposes a new method of treatment for chromoblastomycosis, using the association of two drugs of confirmed therapeutic activity: amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine. The aim was to obtain a synergistic action against the causative fungus. The method consists of the following: 50 mg. of amphotericin B is injected i.v. every other day --three times a week-- for three months. Total dosis: 36 ampoules. 5-fluorocytosine is simultaneously given orally --6 tablets of 500 mg. a day-- for three months in a total dosis of 540 tablets or 270 g. Seventeen patients were treated in this way up to now. Six interrupted the treatment on account of several reasons unrelated to treatment. The other 11 that completed this schedule, obtained clinical and histological cure. All were followed-up. No evidence of relapse was seen, even after 27 months of control. The safety of this method of treatment was demonstrated by the low incidence of side effects as inappetence, lassitude, nausea and weight loss. In these circumstances the discontinuance of the drugs for some days was sufficient to resume the treatment. Apparently this therapeutic schedule is the most effective up to now. It has the advantage of not causing resistance and by utilizing low concentrations of the drugs, protecting the patient against risks of toxicity.", "contents": "[Therapy of chromoblastomycosis with a new method]. The author proposes a new method of treatment for chromoblastomycosis, using the association of two drugs of confirmed therapeutic activity: amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine. The aim was to obtain a synergistic action against the causative fungus. The method consists of the following: 50 mg. of amphotericin B is injected i.v. every other day --three times a week-- for three months. Total dosis: 36 ampoules. 5-fluorocytosine is simultaneously given orally --6 tablets of 500 mg. a day-- for three months in a total dosis of 540 tablets or 270 g. Seventeen patients were treated in this way up to now. Six interrupted the treatment on account of several reasons unrelated to treatment. The other 11 that completed this schedule, obtained clinical and histological cure. All were followed-up. No evidence of relapse was seen, even after 27 months of control. The safety of this method of treatment was demonstrated by the low incidence of side effects as inappetence, lassitude, nausea and weight loss. In these circumstances the discontinuance of the drugs for some days was sufficient to resume the treatment. Apparently this therapeutic schedule is the most effective up to now. It has the advantage of not causing resistance and by utilizing low concentrations of the drugs, protecting the patient against risks of toxicity.", "PMID": 798082} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11120", "title": "Effect of anabolic steroid treatment on endurance.", "content": "The effect of anabolic steriod treatment on maximum oxygen intake, mile run time, skin fold thickness, body weight, and elbow flexion and knee extension strength was studied. Twenty-one male college students, ages 19-33, engaged in an interval running program six days a week over a three week period. Each subject supplemented their diets with one half gram/kilogram of body weight of 90% protein powder. A double blind design was used for the administration of the steriod treatment with each of the subjects in the treatment group receiving six mg of stanozolol per day. Pre and post treatment tests were administered for each of the dependent variables. There was improvement at the .05 level in the oxygen uptake of both treatment and control groups. For the other dependent variables, the differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment values were not statistically significant. Differences between the steroid and the control groups were not statistically significant for any of the dependent variables. When young male adults are engaged in an endurance training program, steroid treatment does not appear to have any effect on the development of endurance or strength, or on the percent of body fat,", "contents": "Effect of anabolic steroid treatment on endurance. The effect of anabolic steriod treatment on maximum oxygen intake, mile run time, skin fold thickness, body weight, and elbow flexion and knee extension strength was studied. Twenty-one male college students, ages 19-33, engaged in an interval running program six days a week over a three week period. Each subject supplemented their diets with one half gram/kilogram of body weight of 90% protein powder. A double blind design was used for the administration of the steriod treatment with each of the subjects in the treatment group receiving six mg of stanozolol per day. Pre and post treatment tests were administered for each of the dependent variables. There was improvement at the .05 level in the oxygen uptake of both treatment and control groups. For the other dependent variables, the differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment values were not statistically significant. Differences between the steroid and the control groups were not statistically significant for any of the dependent variables. When young male adults are engaged in an endurance training program, steroid treatment does not appear to have any effect on the development of endurance or strength, or on the percent of body fat,", "PMID": 798110} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11121", "title": "De Sade and Eichmann.", "content": "The paper presents a comparison of de Sade and Eichmann - the latter having been examined in prison by the author. Eichmann is characterised by insatiable murderous impulses, insufficient defenses of the ego, lack of empathy and identification, depersonalisation, alienation and a bureaucratic administration of murder. De Sade, on the other hand, was imaginative, theatrical, trying to channel his aggressive impulses into erotic plays. A way is suggested to eroticize and sublimate aggression.", "contents": "De Sade and Eichmann. The paper presents a comparison of de Sade and Eichmann - the latter having been examined in prison by the author. Eichmann is characterised by insatiable murderous impulses, insufficient defenses of the ego, lack of empathy and identification, depersonalisation, alienation and a bureaucratic administration of murder. De Sade, on the other hand, was imaginative, theatrical, trying to channel his aggressive impulses into erotic plays. A way is suggested to eroticize and sublimate aggression.", "PMID": 798111} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11122", "title": "'The normal' as a culture-related concept: historical considerations.", "content": "Three definitions of 'normal' are recognized: the normative or ideal, the average or statistical, and the medical or freedom from illness. We still retain from our historical past the notion that mental or emotional illness bespeaks, if not possession by spirits, at least an irreversible condition. A person who has once sought medical treatment for mental sickness is forever after viewed as suspect, as one who may relapse at any time. The modern norm of reason, as against unreason, reinforces distaste for mental illness. The withdrawal of the Eagleton candidacy in 1972 attests that our society is not yet ready to accept mental illness as treatable and curable. To aspire to the presidency or other high office is probably not 'normal' in the sense of not being 'average', and it is entirely possible that the norm of adaptive behavior is incongruent with ambition and exceptional ability. Should the eligibility requirement for leadership then be 'normal' in the sense of free from illness? Abraham Lincoln was subject to periods of acute depression, Winston Churchill was to a degree manic-depressive, and Woodrow Wilson suffered a series of 'nervous breakdowns' before serving as President. History has vindicated the mental ability and leadership qualities of these men. By modern psychiatric criteria for mental health, many creative scientists and artists would be considered abnormal. On the other hand, the concept of normalcy has recently been used to rationalize political misbehavior. Is it possible, then, to develop a viewpoint of 'normal' that is consistent with our culture, and yet at the same time is broad enough to encompass the uncommon?", "contents": "'The normal' as a culture-related concept: historical considerations. Three definitions of 'normal' are recognized: the normative or ideal, the average or statistical, and the medical or freedom from illness. We still retain from our historical past the notion that mental or emotional illness bespeaks, if not possession by spirits, at least an irreversible condition. A person who has once sought medical treatment for mental sickness is forever after viewed as suspect, as one who may relapse at any time. The modern norm of reason, as against unreason, reinforces distaste for mental illness. The withdrawal of the Eagleton candidacy in 1972 attests that our society is not yet ready to accept mental illness as treatable and curable. To aspire to the presidency or other high office is probably not 'normal' in the sense of not being 'average', and it is entirely possible that the norm of adaptive behavior is incongruent with ambition and exceptional ability. Should the eligibility requirement for leadership then be 'normal' in the sense of free from illness? Abraham Lincoln was subject to periods of acute depression, Winston Churchill was to a degree manic-depressive, and Woodrow Wilson suffered a series of 'nervous breakdowns' before serving as President. History has vindicated the mental ability and leadership qualities of these men. By modern psychiatric criteria for mental health, many creative scientists and artists would be considered abnormal. On the other hand, the concept of normalcy has recently been used to rationalize political misbehavior. Is it possible, then, to develop a viewpoint of 'normal' that is consistent with our culture, and yet at the same time is broad enough to encompass the uncommon?", "PMID": 798112} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11123", "title": "[The different procedures for value collection in biological morphometry and stereology (author's transl)].", "content": "Each stereological or morphometrical investigation presumes a high experience in structure diagnosis. Therefore, a good contrast between the structures to be evaluated is necessary, especially when using automatic measuring systems. Furthermore, some suggestions are given to facilitate the object-evaluation. The stereological principles including pattern-recognition are mentioned briefly in order to understand some of the technical details. The techniques are divided into simple and advanced procedures. However, it is also possible to evaluate using a simple counter combined off- or on-line with a computer. The advanced system can be divided into tracing instruments and photometric- and television-scanning procedures. The first system which is manipulated by eye-control can also be called \"optomanual devices\". These are planimetry, a type of automatic point counting, and instruments which locate the coordinates by ultrasound or a magnetic tableau. With relatively inexpensive electronics the coordinates can be transformed into stereological values. The photometric instruments and the television devices \"Scan-computers\" discriminate only between gray-steps while measuring. The first group works by moving either the photometric spot (flying spot) or the microscopical object-stage. The second group is guided by its computer and the output immediately shows the stereological results. The discussion gives information about choosing the best instrument for investigation. The scientist should keep in mind that the size of the over-all procedure, the frequency of measuring, the time of object preparation, the possible difficulty in discrimination of the gray-steps and the extent of his scientific funds are important for his decision.", "contents": "[The different procedures for value collection in biological morphometry and stereology (author's transl)]. Each stereological or morphometrical investigation presumes a high experience in structure diagnosis. Therefore, a good contrast between the structures to be evaluated is necessary, especially when using automatic measuring systems. Furthermore, some suggestions are given to facilitate the object-evaluation. The stereological principles including pattern-recognition are mentioned briefly in order to understand some of the technical details. The techniques are divided into simple and advanced procedures. However, it is also possible to evaluate using a simple counter combined off- or on-line with a computer. The advanced system can be divided into tracing instruments and photometric- and television-scanning procedures. The first system which is manipulated by eye-control can also be called \"optomanual devices\". These are planimetry, a type of automatic point counting, and instruments which locate the coordinates by ultrasound or a magnetic tableau. With relatively inexpensive electronics the coordinates can be transformed into stereological values. The photometric instruments and the television devices \"Scan-computers\" discriminate only between gray-steps while measuring. The first group works by moving either the photometric spot (flying spot) or the microscopical object-stage. The second group is guided by its computer and the output immediately shows the stereological results. The discussion gives information about choosing the best instrument for investigation. The scientist should keep in mind that the size of the over-all procedure, the frequency of measuring, the time of object preparation, the possible difficulty in discrimination of the gray-steps and the extent of his scientific funds are important for his decision.", "PMID": 798113} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11124", "title": "[Histomorphometric evaluation of bone biopsies; comparison of two methods (author's transl)].", "content": "Two methods for quantitative measurements of bone biopsies were compared and the reproducibility of results as well as the time required evaluated. The use of an eyepiece in order to perform point counting and registration of linear intersections seems to be accurate enough and much more rapid in comparison to the use of an electronically monitored x--y plotter.", "contents": "[Histomorphometric evaluation of bone biopsies; comparison of two methods (author's transl)]. Two methods for quantitative measurements of bone biopsies were compared and the reproducibility of results as well as the time required evaluated. The use of an eyepiece in order to perform point counting and registration of linear intersections seems to be accurate enough and much more rapid in comparison to the use of an electronically monitored x--y plotter.", "PMID": 798114} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11125", "title": "[A simple opto-electronic device for morphometry of electron micrographs (author's transl)].", "content": "Morphometric investigations of light or electron microscopic photographs can be both time consuming and tedious when statistical results are to be obtained. Therefore, an opto-electrical morphometer has been developed to facilitate such investigations. The photograph is placed in between a light source and a grid, and the shape of the object in question is outlined with an electronic pencil. The impulses so produced can be converted into counts which may than be fed into a pocket-sized calculator or micro-computer for further analyses.", "contents": "[A simple opto-electronic device for morphometry of electron micrographs (author's transl)]. Morphometric investigations of light or electron microscopic photographs can be both time consuming and tedious when statistical results are to be obtained. Therefore, an opto-electrical morphometer has been developed to facilitate such investigations. The photograph is placed in between a light source and a grid, and the shape of the object in question is outlined with an electronic pencil. The impulses so produced can be converted into counts which may than be fed into a pocket-sized calculator or micro-computer for further analyses.", "PMID": 798116} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11126", "title": "Angiographic methods for blood flow measurements.", "content": "Radiopaque angiographic contrast agents are being used as indicators for the measurement of blood flow; the basic assumption for these measurements being that both blood and indicator flow nearly at the same rate. Indicators are injected into the circulation and recorded immediately by X-ray filming or video techniques; density changes at selected points along the recorded vessel are detected; dilution curves are plotted and blood flow is calculated graphically or by computer.", "contents": "Angiographic methods for blood flow measurements. Radiopaque angiographic contrast agents are being used as indicators for the measurement of blood flow; the basic assumption for these measurements being that both blood and indicator flow nearly at the same rate. Indicators are injected into the circulation and recorded immediately by X-ray filming or video techniques; density changes at selected points along the recorded vessel are detected; dilution curves are plotted and blood flow is calculated graphically or by computer.", "PMID": 798120} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11127", "title": "Pneumocystis carinii as the cause of human disease: historical perspective and magnitude of the problem: introductory remarks.", "content": "The history of the discovery of Pneumocystis carinii as the cause of interstitial plasma cell pneumonia of infants and of opportunistic infection with this parasite in the lungs of immuno-suppressed or severely debilitated adults and children is summarized with an extensive bibliography of the world literature through 1959. The problem of incriminating a nearly ubiquitous saprophyte as the cause of a disease and of elucidating the factors responsible for its causing pathogenesis in certain individuals is reviewed with special reference to slow and latent virus infections. Although formerly there has been much discussion of other possible etiologies of the respiratory syndromes in premature and debilitated infants and in children and adults who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed in whose lungs the parasite is found, there seems no longer to be any room for doubt that P. carinii is itself the cause of these respiratory disease. The need of determining the genetic constitutions and the specific immunologic deficiencies that render some persons victims to this usually innocuous saprophyte is compelling, and the in vitro cultivation of the organism may aid considerably in unraveling these problems.", "contents": "Pneumocystis carinii as the cause of human disease: historical perspective and magnitude of the problem: introductory remarks. The history of the discovery of Pneumocystis carinii as the cause of interstitial plasma cell pneumonia of infants and of opportunistic infection with this parasite in the lungs of immuno-suppressed or severely debilitated adults and children is summarized with an extensive bibliography of the world literature through 1959. The problem of incriminating a nearly ubiquitous saprophyte as the cause of a disease and of elucidating the factors responsible for its causing pathogenesis in certain individuals is reviewed with special reference to slow and latent virus infections. Although formerly there has been much discussion of other possible etiologies of the respiratory syndromes in premature and debilitated infants and in children and adults who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed in whose lungs the parasite is found, there seems no longer to be any room for doubt that P. carinii is itself the cause of these respiratory disease. The need of determining the genetic constitutions and the specific immunologic deficiencies that render some persons victims to this usually innocuous saprophyte is compelling, and the in vitro cultivation of the organism may aid considerably in unraveling these problems.", "PMID": 798122} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11128", "title": "Infections with Pneumocystis carinii.", "content": "Studies were reviewed on attempts to apply serologic methods for the laboratoary diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia and for epidemiologic surveillance in outbreaks of this disease. At autopsy the parasite was found in 7.7% of patients with a clinically latent infection. In this series of patients, parasitologic findings were not correlated with the results of a complement fixation (CF) test or with those of an indirect fluorescent antibody test. The high incidence of serologic reactivity in the CF test in chronic obstructive lung disease was not related with special clinical symptoms. Longitudinally performed parasitologic and serologic observations will be needed to find out if Pneumocystis carinii is a pathogen and fulfills Koch's criteria. Preliminary data are given for such an experimental approach in a colony of rats.", "contents": "Infections with Pneumocystis carinii. Studies were reviewed on attempts to apply serologic methods for the laboratoary diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia and for epidemiologic surveillance in outbreaks of this disease. At autopsy the parasite was found in 7.7% of patients with a clinically latent infection. In this series of patients, parasitologic findings were not correlated with the results of a complement fixation (CF) test or with those of an indirect fluorescent antibody test. The high incidence of serologic reactivity in the CF test in chronic obstructive lung disease was not related with special clinical symptoms. Longitudinally performed parasitologic and serologic observations will be needed to find out if Pneumocystis carinii is a pathogen and fulfills Koch's criteria. Preliminary data are given for such an experimental approach in a colony of rats.", "PMID": 798123} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11129", "title": "Immunopathologic aspects of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in infants as revealed by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy.", "content": "Lung tissue, lymph nodes, and spleen from infants 4-15 weeks old who died of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were studied by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. The results strongly suggest that antibodies to P. carinii synthetized in lungs by inflammatory infiltrates and in regional lymph nodes are essential in the elimination of P. carinii from infected lungs through their opsonization of the P. carinii organisms. Disintegration of P. carinii conglomerates subsequent to the binding of complement preceded their phagocytosis by lung alveolar macrophages. The immunomorphologic findings strongly supported the hypothesis that the replication of P. carinii at the rate leading to clinical symptoms is due to impaired and delayed synthesis both of antibodies to P. carinii and of complement.", "contents": "Immunopathologic aspects of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in infants as revealed by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Lung tissue, lymph nodes, and spleen from infants 4-15 weeks old who died of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were studied by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. The results strongly suggest that antibodies to P. carinii synthetized in lungs by inflammatory infiltrates and in regional lymph nodes are essential in the elimination of P. carinii from infected lungs through their opsonization of the P. carinii organisms. Disintegration of P. carinii conglomerates subsequent to the binding of complement preceded their phagocytosis by lung alveolar macrophages. The immunomorphologic findings strongly supported the hypothesis that the replication of P. carinii at the rate leading to clinical symptoms is due to impaired and delayed synthesis both of antibodies to P. carinii and of complement.", "PMID": 798124} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11130", "title": "Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in renal transplant recipients.", "content": "Discussed are incidence, predisposing factors, presenting symptoms, diagnostic and isolation procedures, and therapy of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in renal transplant recipients. A case is reported of a 46-year-old recipient of a cadaveric kidney, who develop P. carinii infection and was successfully treated with pentamidine isethionate.", "contents": "Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in renal transplant recipients. Discussed are incidence, predisposing factors, presenting symptoms, diagnostic and isolation procedures, and therapy of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in renal transplant recipients. A case is reported of a 46-year-old recipient of a cadaveric kidney, who develop P. carinii infection and was successfully treated with pentamidine isethionate.", "PMID": 798125} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11131", "title": "Elantrine in the treatment of parkinsonism.", "content": "A new drug, elantrine, blocks the tremorogenic effect of exotremorine, nicotine and harmine in animals. A double blind study compared elantrine with trinhexyphenidyl and against a baseline placebo period, in a group of Parkinson patients. Both, elantrine and trihexyphenidyl treatment, reduced tremor scores at the conclusion of the respective treatment periods, but closer analysis revealed 65% of patients receiving elantrine had lower tremor scores compared to their baseline (placebo) opposed to only 53% receiving trihexyphenidyl. Both drugs produced aequal effect on rigidity. Another group of Parkinson patients receiving clinically optimal doses of L-dopa were treated with either elantrine or placebo, in blind fashion. Analysis of both tremor and rigidity revealed mean scores significantly lower (P less than 0.05) for those patients receiving elantrine than placebo. Also, there was a statistically significant difference in average total symptom scores favoring the elantrine group. Significant improvement with elantrine administration began after the second week for rigidity and after the third week for tremor. Elantrine is a safe, well tolerated agent which is effective alone in the treatment of parkinsonism but significantly enhances the effectiveness of L-dopa, particularly with respect to tremor and rigidity.", "contents": "Elantrine in the treatment of parkinsonism. A new drug, elantrine, blocks the tremorogenic effect of exotremorine, nicotine and harmine in animals. A double blind study compared elantrine with trinhexyphenidyl and against a baseline placebo period, in a group of Parkinson patients. Both, elantrine and trihexyphenidyl treatment, reduced tremor scores at the conclusion of the respective treatment periods, but closer analysis revealed 65% of patients receiving elantrine had lower tremor scores compared to their baseline (placebo) opposed to only 53% receiving trihexyphenidyl. Both drugs produced aequal effect on rigidity. Another group of Parkinson patients receiving clinically optimal doses of L-dopa were treated with either elantrine or placebo, in blind fashion. Analysis of both tremor and rigidity revealed mean scores significantly lower (P less than 0.05) for those patients receiving elantrine than placebo. Also, there was a statistically significant difference in average total symptom scores favoring the elantrine group. Significant improvement with elantrine administration began after the second week for rigidity and after the third week for tremor. Elantrine is a safe, well tolerated agent which is effective alone in the treatment of parkinsonism but significantly enhances the effectiveness of L-dopa, particularly with respect to tremor and rigidity.", "PMID": 798127} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11132", "title": "The L-dopa sparing effect of G 31,406 in the treatment of parkinson's disease.", "content": "The AA. study 60 cases of Parkinsonism treated with levodopa associated to G31,406 (dibenzazepnic derivative), to amantadine and to a placebo. Drug-associations: 1) L-dopa + G 31.406, of anticataleptic effect, probably because of its anticholinergic activity and adrenergic central and/or dopaminergic stimulating action; 2) L-Dopa + chl. amantadine; 3) L-dopa + placebo. The patients were previously under exclusive use of L-dopa. The assay verifies: a) if there is any benefit with these associations and in what proportions; b) incidence and intensity of side effects; c) comparative study. The assay also intends to evaluate the effect of the G 31.406 on the depression which usually occur in Parkinsonians.", "contents": "The L-dopa sparing effect of G 31,406 in the treatment of parkinson's disease. The AA. study 60 cases of Parkinsonism treated with levodopa associated to G31,406 (dibenzazepnic derivative), to amantadine and to a placebo. Drug-associations: 1) L-dopa + G 31.406, of anticataleptic effect, probably because of its anticholinergic activity and adrenergic central and/or dopaminergic stimulating action; 2) L-Dopa + chl. amantadine; 3) L-dopa + placebo. The patients were previously under exclusive use of L-dopa. The assay verifies: a) if there is any benefit with these associations and in what proportions; b) incidence and intensity of side effects; c) comparative study. The assay also intends to evaluate the effect of the G 31.406 on the depression which usually occur in Parkinsonians.", "PMID": 798128} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11133", "title": "[Repair of recurrent osteo-meningeal lesions at the base of the skull].", "content": "Treatment of cerebro-spinal fluid rhinorrhea from traumatic or tumoral origin, by simple dural patching, is not always sufficient because of the possible necrosis of the patch, mainly in case of severe osteo-meningeal defects. After having pointed out the frequency of such recurrences (5 to 30%, according to the data of literature), the authors report 6 personal cases successfully reoperated in order to repair the osteo-dural lesions with autogenous aponeurosis and bone grafts. 4 were after traumatism and 2 after removal of a tumor, in fronto-ethmoido-sphenoidal base of the skull. The authors suggest to combine bone reconstruction by autograft to the dural repair, even in case of primary fistula, when there is a severe traumatic or tumoral bone defect, or when we are dealing with a spontaneous rhinorrhea which is known to be generally due to local C.S.F. hyperpressure.", "contents": "[Repair of recurrent osteo-meningeal lesions at the base of the skull]. Treatment of cerebro-spinal fluid rhinorrhea from traumatic or tumoral origin, by simple dural patching, is not always sufficient because of the possible necrosis of the patch, mainly in case of severe osteo-meningeal defects. After having pointed out the frequency of such recurrences (5 to 30%, according to the data of literature), the authors report 6 personal cases successfully reoperated in order to repair the osteo-dural lesions with autogenous aponeurosis and bone grafts. 4 were after traumatism and 2 after removal of a tumor, in fronto-ethmoido-sphenoidal base of the skull. The authors suggest to combine bone reconstruction by autograft to the dural repair, even in case of primary fistula, when there is a severe traumatic or tumoral bone defect, or when we are dealing with a spontaneous rhinorrhea which is known to be generally due to local C.S.F. hyperpressure.", "PMID": 798126} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11134", "title": "New methods of skin replacement in leg injuries.", "content": "Problems relating to the management of traumatic skin loss of the lower extremity and methods of replacement are discussed with emphasis on several new methods namely, muscle flaps. foot flaps carried on its own blood vessels are nerve as an island flap and free microvascular flaps. Cases treated by these methods are illustrated.", "contents": "New methods of skin replacement in leg injuries. Problems relating to the management of traumatic skin loss of the lower extremity and methods of replacement are discussed with emphasis on several new methods namely, muscle flaps. foot flaps carried on its own blood vessels are nerve as an island flap and free microvascular flaps. Cases treated by these methods are illustrated.", "PMID": 798142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11135", "title": "The groin flap in hand injuries.", "content": "The groin flap has been used as Burwood Hospital in 12 cases of hand injury. The types of injury, the variety of application and the complications are presented and the usefulness of the groin flap discussed in the light of this experience.", "contents": "The groin flap in hand injuries. The groin flap has been used as Burwood Hospital in 12 cases of hand injury. The types of injury, the variety of application and the complications are presented and the usefulness of the groin flap discussed in the light of this experience.", "PMID": 798143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11136", "title": "Effect of trimethylcolchicinic acid methyl ether d-tartrate (TMCA) on Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.", "content": "Trimethylcolchicinic acid methyl ether d-tartrate (TMCA; NSC-36351) was administered daily by mouth to 71 patients with malignant lymphomas. Partical (greater than 50%) responses were observed in eleven of 37 patients with Hodgkin's disesse, two of 22 patients with lymphocytic lymphoma, and one of two patients with mixed cell lymphoma. One complete and three partial responses were noted in nine patients with histiocytic lymphoma. Responses lasted from one to 91+ months (median: four months) and occurred in patients whose disease was resistant to alkylating agents, vinblastine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone or BCNU. Toxic effects included leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, diarrhea, stomatitis, alopecia and dermatitis.", "contents": "Effect of trimethylcolchicinic acid methyl ether d-tartrate (TMCA) on Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Trimethylcolchicinic acid methyl ether d-tartrate (TMCA; NSC-36351) was administered daily by mouth to 71 patients with malignant lymphomas. Partical (greater than 50%) responses were observed in eleven of 37 patients with Hodgkin's disesse, two of 22 patients with lymphocytic lymphoma, and one of two patients with mixed cell lymphoma. One complete and three partial responses were noted in nine patients with histiocytic lymphoma. Responses lasted from one to 91+ months (median: four months) and occurred in patients whose disease was resistant to alkylating agents, vinblastine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone or BCNU. Toxic effects included leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, diarrhea, stomatitis, alopecia and dermatitis.", "PMID": 798148} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11137", "title": "High dose imtermittent intravenous cyclophosphamide in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: long-term patient follow-up.", "content": "This report summarizes the clinical course of 17 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas who were treated with high dose intermittent intravenous cyclophosphamide between 1966 and 1968. Diagnostic biopsies have been reclassified according to the Rappaport classification. Five patients were found to have diffuse lymphomas, none of whom experienced complete remission or prolonged survival. Twelve patients had nodular lymphomas, five of whom achieved complete remission lasting from 22 to 113+ months (mean 59+ months). Two patients survived 78 and 113+ months, respectively, with no sign of recurrence. High dose cyclophosphamide alone may provide long term control of some patients with nodular lymphomas.", "contents": "High dose imtermittent intravenous cyclophosphamide in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: long-term patient follow-up. This report summarizes the clinical course of 17 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas who were treated with high dose intermittent intravenous cyclophosphamide between 1966 and 1968. Diagnostic biopsies have been reclassified according to the Rappaport classification. Five patients were found to have diffuse lymphomas, none of whom experienced complete remission or prolonged survival. Twelve patients had nodular lymphomas, five of whom achieved complete remission lasting from 22 to 113+ months (mean 59+ months). Two patients survived 78 and 113+ months, respectively, with no sign of recurrence. High dose cyclophosphamide alone may provide long term control of some patients with nodular lymphomas.", "PMID": 798149} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11138", "title": "Significance of vitamins in cancer.", "content": "The relationship of vitamins to cancer is very complex. Three types of interactions are possible: the effect of vitamins on tumor growth, the effect of tumors on vitamin metabolism, and the effect of vitamins on chemical carcinogens and anti-tumor chemotherapeutic agents. The significance of vitamins with particular references to vitamins A,B-complex and C, in cancer has been reviewed.", "contents": "Significance of vitamins in cancer. The relationship of vitamins to cancer is very complex. Three types of interactions are possible: the effect of vitamins on tumor growth, the effect of tumors on vitamin metabolism, and the effect of vitamins on chemical carcinogens and anti-tumor chemotherapeutic agents. The significance of vitamins with particular references to vitamins A,B-complex and C, in cancer has been reviewed.", "PMID": 798150} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11139", "title": "Effect of dietary oxytetracycline on microorganisms in turkey feces.", "content": "Thirty-six two-day old male turkey poults were divided into three groups and fed three levels of oxytetracycline; 0, 110 or 440 mg. per kg. of ration, respectively, for nine weeks. The poults were given an oral spectinomycin plus vitamin treatment at the hatchery but were not fed before the start of the experiment. Defecated feces from each group were sampled at weekly intervals and analyzed for bacteriological content, especially for members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Total aerobic counts of 3 x 10(8) and total anaerobic counts of 2 x 10(9) were obtained. The majority of the Enterobacteriaceae were Escherichia coli but some Klebsiella sp., the Bethesda-Ballerup group of paracolon bacteria and Arizona sp. were also isolated. Antibiograms of the enteric isolates indicated that an increase in multiple antibiotic resistance occurred when increased amounts of antibiotic were fed.", "contents": "Effect of dietary oxytetracycline on microorganisms in turkey feces. Thirty-six two-day old male turkey poults were divided into three groups and fed three levels of oxytetracycline; 0, 110 or 440 mg. per kg. of ration, respectively, for nine weeks. The poults were given an oral spectinomycin plus vitamin treatment at the hatchery but were not fed before the start of the experiment. Defecated feces from each group were sampled at weekly intervals and analyzed for bacteriological content, especially for members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Total aerobic counts of 3 x 10(8) and total anaerobic counts of 2 x 10(9) were obtained. The majority of the Enterobacteriaceae were Escherichia coli but some Klebsiella sp., the Bethesda-Ballerup group of paracolon bacteria and Arizona sp. were also isolated. Antibiograms of the enteric isolates indicated that an increase in multiple antibiotic resistance occurred when increased amounts of antibiotic were fed.", "PMID": 798178} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11140", "title": "Effects of different levels of chlortetracycline in the diet of turkey poults artifically-infected with Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Two separate experiments were conducted to assess the shed rate and duration of shed of S . typhimurium organisms from turkey poults orally infected with chlortetracycline-sensitive S. typhimurium in relation to chloretetracycline (CTC) given in the feed at 0, growth promotant, subtherapeutic and therapeutic levels; the emergence of resistant S. typhimurium organisms in reference to the diet given; in vitro transfer of drug resistance from thses resistant S. typhimurium donor cultures to multiply-sensitive E. coli recipients; and phage type changes, is any, of these S. typhimurium isolates. The results showed that increasing CTC in the diet from 0 to the three levels of antibiotic supplementation, appeared to (a) reduce shed and duration of shed corresponding to each level used; (b) cause a minimal development of drug resistance and its transfer (usually at sub-therapeutic levels of CTC supplementation) for the duration of the experiment; and (c) induce phage type changes in some of the S. typhimurium isolates. These phage type changes question the validity of using phage typing as a tool in epidemiological investigations.", "contents": "Effects of different levels of chlortetracycline in the diet of turkey poults artifically-infected with Salmonella typhimurium. Two separate experiments were conducted to assess the shed rate and duration of shed of S . typhimurium organisms from turkey poults orally infected with chlortetracycline-sensitive S. typhimurium in relation to chloretetracycline (CTC) given in the feed at 0, growth promotant, subtherapeutic and therapeutic levels; the emergence of resistant S. typhimurium organisms in reference to the diet given; in vitro transfer of drug resistance from thses resistant S. typhimurium donor cultures to multiply-sensitive E. coli recipients; and phage type changes, is any, of these S. typhimurium isolates. The results showed that increasing CTC in the diet from 0 to the three levels of antibiotic supplementation, appeared to (a) reduce shed and duration of shed corresponding to each level used; (b) cause a minimal development of drug resistance and its transfer (usually at sub-therapeutic levels of CTC supplementation) for the duration of the experiment; and (c) induce phage type changes in some of the S. typhimurium isolates. These phage type changes question the validity of using phage typing as a tool in epidemiological investigations.", "PMID": 798179} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11141", "title": "Swab and excised tissue sampling for total and Enterobacteriaceae counts of fresh and surface-frozen broiler skin.", "content": "Excised broiler skin tissue (12.3 cm 2 area) was (a) blended for various times up to 2 min. or (b) shaken 25, 50, or 75 times with or without sterile glass beads. Blending for 10 sec. or shaking 75 times with glass beads yielded the highest total plate count (TPC) and Enterobacteriaceae count (ENT). Counts did not significantly differ between these methods when freshly processed, unfrozen broiler skin was sampled. However, blending yielded significantly higher TPC and ENT than the conventional sampling procedure or swabbing a 12.3 cm. 2 area of the intact skin for 30 sec. with a calcium alginate swab. When sampling hard chilled (surface frozen) broiler skin, there was no significant difference between shaking and blending for TPC, but shaking gave a significantly higher ENT with less variation than blending. Blending, however, yielded significantly higher TPC and ENT counts than swabbing.", "contents": "Swab and excised tissue sampling for total and Enterobacteriaceae counts of fresh and surface-frozen broiler skin. Excised broiler skin tissue (12.3 cm 2 area) was (a) blended for various times up to 2 min. or (b) shaken 25, 50, or 75 times with or without sterile glass beads. Blending for 10 sec. or shaking 75 times with glass beads yielded the highest total plate count (TPC) and Enterobacteriaceae count (ENT). Counts did not significantly differ between these methods when freshly processed, unfrozen broiler skin was sampled. However, blending yielded significantly higher TPC and ENT than the conventional sampling procedure or swabbing a 12.3 cm. 2 area of the intact skin for 30 sec. with a calcium alginate swab. When sampling hard chilled (surface frozen) broiler skin, there was no significant difference between shaking and blending for TPC, but shaking gave a significantly higher ENT with less variation than blending. Blending, however, yielded significantly higher TPC and ENT counts than swabbing.", "PMID": 798180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11142", "title": "The influence of direct implantation of gold thioglucose into the brain of chickens on food consumption and weight gain.", "content": "Placement of gold thioglucose-filled cannulas into various areas of the avian brain which have previously been shown to have an effect on food consumption did not result in any significant increases in food consumption or body weight gain. These results are contrary to those which have been reported for some mammals. These data also raise the question about the existence of a glucostatic food intake control mechanism in birds.", "contents": "The influence of direct implantation of gold thioglucose into the brain of chickens on food consumption and weight gain. Placement of gold thioglucose-filled cannulas into various areas of the avian brain which have previously been shown to have an effect on food consumption did not result in any significant increases in food consumption or body weight gain. These results are contrary to those which have been reported for some mammals. These data also raise the question about the existence of a glucostatic food intake control mechanism in birds.", "PMID": 798181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11143", "title": "[Experimental aspects of the CNS-insular system].", "content": "The work was aimed at detection and precise localization of the hypothalamic nuclei sensitive to insulin deficiency. For this purpose nuclei of the whole hypothalamic area of the brain were examined in rats with experimentally-induced alloxan diabetes. Only individual nuclei, particularly the supraoptic nucleus of the anterior hypothalamus and the ventro-medial and the arcuate nuclei of the medial hypothalamus proved to react to insulin deficiency. The nuclei of the posterior hypothalamus failed to react to insulin deficiency. Possible ways and methods of participation of the insulin-dependent areas of the hypothalamus in the regulation of the endocrine function of the pancreas are discussed.", "contents": "[Experimental aspects of the CNS-insular system]. The work was aimed at detection and precise localization of the hypothalamic nuclei sensitive to insulin deficiency. For this purpose nuclei of the whole hypothalamic area of the brain were examined in rats with experimentally-induced alloxan diabetes. Only individual nuclei, particularly the supraoptic nucleus of the anterior hypothalamus and the ventro-medial and the arcuate nuclei of the medial hypothalamus proved to react to insulin deficiency. The nuclei of the posterior hypothalamus failed to react to insulin deficiency. Possible ways and methods of participation of the insulin-dependent areas of the hypothalamus in the regulation of the endocrine function of the pancreas are discussed.", "PMID": 798183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11144", "title": "[Certain metabolic and vascular changes in the relatives of patients with diabetes mellitus].", "content": "On the basis of instrumental and biochemical study of 186 relatives suffering from diabetes mellitus it was revealed that the diabetic type of sugar curve was encountered in 17.2% of cases, doubltful--in 15.6%; at the same time there was revealed an increase in the immunoreactive insulin level both on fasting stomach and after the glucose load, and a distrubance of fat-lipoid metabolism. Functional changes in the vessels of different calibre independent of the GTT character, accompanied by a reduction of vascular permeability and tissue circulation were revealed in some of the persons examined.", "contents": "[Certain metabolic and vascular changes in the relatives of patients with diabetes mellitus]. On the basis of instrumental and biochemical study of 186 relatives suffering from diabetes mellitus it was revealed that the diabetic type of sugar curve was encountered in 17.2% of cases, doubltful--in 15.6%; at the same time there was revealed an increase in the immunoreactive insulin level both on fasting stomach and after the glucose load, and a distrubance of fat-lipoid metabolism. Functional changes in the vessels of different calibre independent of the GTT character, accompanied by a reduction of vascular permeability and tissue circulation were revealed in some of the persons examined.", "PMID": 798182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11145", "title": "[2 variants of the radioimmunochemical method of determination of LH-releasing factor (LH-RF). Distribution of LH-RF in various hypothalamic structures].", "content": "The authors elaborated two variants of the radioimmunochemical method of determination of the LH-releasing factor (LH-RF). Diluted antisera (AS) obtained by the immunization of rabbits with the LH-RF-ovalbumin were used in the first method; AS polymerized with isobutyl ester of chlorcarbonic acid were used in the second one. The minimal amount of the hormone determined in the I variant was 5 pg, and in the 11 one--20 to 30 pg. The method is highly specific, since the antisera gave no cross reaction with a wide set of protein-peptide hormones synthesized with the hypothalamus and the hypophysis. The presence in the samples of tissue components of the hypothalamus and of the cerebral cortex extractable with 2M CH3COOH failed to influence the precision of the test. In examining the LH-RF content in the brain structures there was revealed that in the sexually mature male rats the whole hypothalamus contained an average of 7.5 ng, the arcuate nuclei--1.5 ng and the medial eminence--2.5 ng of LH-RF; the supraoptic nuclei and the cerebral cortex contained no LH-RF determinable by the method described. Two weeks after the castration the mean content of the hormone in the whole hypothalamus decreased to 5.5 ng, in the medial eminence--to 0.6 ng, and showed no significant change in the arcuate nuclei.", "contents": "[2 variants of the radioimmunochemical method of determination of LH-releasing factor (LH-RF). Distribution of LH-RF in various hypothalamic structures]. The authors elaborated two variants of the radioimmunochemical method of determination of the LH-releasing factor (LH-RF). Diluted antisera (AS) obtained by the immunization of rabbits with the LH-RF-ovalbumin were used in the first method; AS polymerized with isobutyl ester of chlorcarbonic acid were used in the second one. The minimal amount of the hormone determined in the I variant was 5 pg, and in the 11 one--20 to 30 pg. The method is highly specific, since the antisera gave no cross reaction with a wide set of protein-peptide hormones synthesized with the hypothalamus and the hypophysis. The presence in the samples of tissue components of the hypothalamus and of the cerebral cortex extractable with 2M CH3COOH failed to influence the precision of the test. In examining the LH-RF content in the brain structures there was revealed that in the sexually mature male rats the whole hypothalamus contained an average of 7.5 ng, the arcuate nuclei--1.5 ng and the medial eminence--2.5 ng of LH-RF; the supraoptic nuclei and the cerebral cortex contained no LH-RF determinable by the method described. Two weeks after the castration the mean content of the hormone in the whole hypothalamus decreased to 5.5 ng, in the medial eminence--to 0.6 ng, and showed no significant change in the arcuate nuclei.", "PMID": 798184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11146", "title": "Higher than usual dosage of haloperidol: a pilot study in chronic schizophrenics.", "content": "The effect of higher than usual dosages of haloperidol was studied in 38 chronic institutionalized schizophrenic patients for whom any hope of discharge had been abandoned. In 23 patients (61%) a marked or moderate improvement was observed. No striking differences were seen between patients simultaneously receiving or not receiving group therapy. The 15 remaining patients put on haloperidol alone showed some increase in psychomotor alertness, according to the nurses' judgement. It is clear from these results can be safely administered and can be of considerable value in chronic institutionalized schizophrenic patients.", "contents": "Higher than usual dosage of haloperidol: a pilot study in chronic schizophrenics. The effect of higher than usual dosages of haloperidol was studied in 38 chronic institutionalized schizophrenic patients for whom any hope of discharge had been abandoned. In 23 patients (61%) a marked or moderate improvement was observed. No striking differences were seen between patients simultaneously receiving or not receiving group therapy. The 15 remaining patients put on haloperidol alone showed some increase in psychomotor alertness, according to the nurses' judgement. It is clear from these results can be safely administered and can be of considerable value in chronic institutionalized schizophrenic patients.", "PMID": 798190} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11147", "title": "Higher than usual dosage of haloperidol: a pilot study in 'back ward' schizophrenics.", "content": "A study was carried out in 39 severe, chronic psychotic patients of the effect of rapidly increasing and larger than usual doses of haloperidol in bringing about an improvement in their condition. Symptoms clearly improved in 10 patients. No improvement was observed in the other 29. However, such a success rate with chemotherapy alone, achieved under conditions where occupational or group therapy could not be given, clearly demonstrates the value of such drug administration. Haloperidol has proved to be remarkably safe in this high dose regimen. It should certainly form an integral part of the more comprehensive therapy programmes of the future.", "contents": "Higher than usual dosage of haloperidol: a pilot study in 'back ward' schizophrenics. A study was carried out in 39 severe, chronic psychotic patients of the effect of rapidly increasing and larger than usual doses of haloperidol in bringing about an improvement in their condition. Symptoms clearly improved in 10 patients. No improvement was observed in the other 29. However, such a success rate with chemotherapy alone, achieved under conditions where occupational or group therapy could not be given, clearly demonstrates the value of such drug administration. Haloperidol has proved to be remarkably safe in this high dose regimen. It should certainly form an integral part of the more comprehensive therapy programmes of the future.", "PMID": 798191} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11148", "title": "Gemfibrozil as a lipid lowering compound in hyperlipoproteinaemia. A placebo-controlled cross-over trial.", "content": "The efficacy of gemfibrozil in lowering increased serum lipoprotein concentrations was tested in a placebo-controlled cross-over trial on 30 patients. Administered in a dose of 1200 mg daily, gemfibrozil reduced increased serum triglyceride levels by approximately 50% and reduced increased serum cholesterol concentrations by about 20%. Elevated VLDL triglyceride levels were reduced by 60%, and increased LDL cholesterol concentrations were reduced by approximately 20%. The mean HDL cholesterol concentration increased during gemfibrozil treatment. No adverse reactions attributable to gemfibrozil were recorded during the trial.", "contents": "Gemfibrozil as a lipid lowering compound in hyperlipoproteinaemia. A placebo-controlled cross-over trial. The efficacy of gemfibrozil in lowering increased serum lipoprotein concentrations was tested in a placebo-controlled cross-over trial on 30 patients. Administered in a dose of 1200 mg daily, gemfibrozil reduced increased serum triglyceride levels by approximately 50% and reduced increased serum cholesterol concentrations by about 20%. Elevated VLDL triglyceride levels were reduced by 60%, and increased LDL cholesterol concentrations were reduced by approximately 20%. The mean HDL cholesterol concentration increased during gemfibrozil treatment. No adverse reactions attributable to gemfibrozil were recorded during the trial.", "PMID": 798194} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11149", "title": "A clofibrate controlled trial of gemfibrozil in the treatment of hyperlipidaemias.", "content": "The efficacy of gemfibrozil as a hypolipidaemic agent was compared with that of clofibrate in a cohort of 80 subjects, half being treated with gemfibrozil and half with clofibrate. The majority of the subjects were either of the type IIa or IIb. Both drugs proved to be effective, though there were 13 non-responders in the clofibrate group, compared with 8 in the gemfibrozil group. The mean reduction in serum cholesterol induced by clofibrate was 23% and by gemfibrozil 19%. The corresponding falls in serum triglycerides were 36% and 43%. There were no serious side effects in either group. Analysed in this way, the relative efficiencies of gemfibrozil and clofibrate seem to be indistinguishable. Further studies are being directed towards evaluation of the individual responses to both treatments.", "contents": "A clofibrate controlled trial of gemfibrozil in the treatment of hyperlipidaemias. The efficacy of gemfibrozil as a hypolipidaemic agent was compared with that of clofibrate in a cohort of 80 subjects, half being treated with gemfibrozil and half with clofibrate. The majority of the subjects were either of the type IIa or IIb. Both drugs proved to be effective, though there were 13 non-responders in the clofibrate group, compared with 8 in the gemfibrozil group. The mean reduction in serum cholesterol induced by clofibrate was 23% and by gemfibrozil 19%. The corresponding falls in serum triglycerides were 36% and 43%. There were no serious side effects in either group. Analysed in this way, the relative efficiencies of gemfibrozil and clofibrate seem to be indistinguishable. Further studies are being directed towards evaluation of the individual responses to both treatments.", "PMID": 798195} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11150", "title": "Angiotensin II blockade and the functions of the renin-angiotensin system.", "content": "In anaesthetized dogs that were sodium-depleted or subjected to thoracic caval constriction, Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II produced a striking decrease in aldosterone secretion; also, arterial pressure fell while plasma renin activity (PRA) increased. Recent preliminary observations in conscious dogs during angiotensin II blockade with measurements of the plasma aldosterone level, arterial pressure and PRA have confirmed these observations; a striking fall in plasma aldosterone and arterial pressure occurred while PRA increased. In the rat, sodium depletion produced a marked increase in PRA and aldosterone secretion; studies with angiotensin II blockade during administration of the nonapeptide converting enzyme inhibitor or Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II demonstrated an important role for angiotensin II in mediating the increase in aldosterone secretion during sodium depletion in the rat. In experimental high output failure secondary to a large aortic-caval fistula, angiotensin II blockade revealed that angiotensin II decreases renal blood flow and helps to maintain the level of arterial pressure; thus, the kidney participates in the compensatory action of angiotensin II to increase total peripheral resistance. Angiotensin II blockade in both one and two-kidney renal hypertensive dogs revealed that angiotensin II was important in the pathogenesis of the acute phase, but in chronic renal hypertension the mechanisms appeared to be angiotensin II-dependent.", "contents": "Angiotensin II blockade and the functions of the renin-angiotensin system. In anaesthetized dogs that were sodium-depleted or subjected to thoracic caval constriction, Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II produced a striking decrease in aldosterone secretion; also, arterial pressure fell while plasma renin activity (PRA) increased. Recent preliminary observations in conscious dogs during angiotensin II blockade with measurements of the plasma aldosterone level, arterial pressure and PRA have confirmed these observations; a striking fall in plasma aldosterone and arterial pressure occurred while PRA increased. In the rat, sodium depletion produced a marked increase in PRA and aldosterone secretion; studies with angiotensin II blockade during administration of the nonapeptide converting enzyme inhibitor or Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II demonstrated an important role for angiotensin II in mediating the increase in aldosterone secretion during sodium depletion in the rat. In experimental high output failure secondary to a large aortic-caval fistula, angiotensin II blockade revealed that angiotensin II decreases renal blood flow and helps to maintain the level of arterial pressure; thus, the kidney participates in the compensatory action of angiotensin II to increase total peripheral resistance. Angiotensin II blockade in both one and two-kidney renal hypertensive dogs revealed that angiotensin II was important in the pathogenesis of the acute phase, but in chronic renal hypertension the mechanisms appeared to be angiotensin II-dependent.", "PMID": 798202} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11151", "title": "Angiotensin antagonists as diagnostic and pharmacologic tools.", "content": "Angiotensin antagonists have become useful tools in studying pharmacologic and pathophysiologic roles of the renin-angiotensin axis. Several of these uses are described herein. Their value as t-ols in the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis is yet to be determined.", "contents": "Angiotensin antagonists as diagnostic and pharmacologic tools. Angiotensin antagonists have become useful tools in studying pharmacologic and pathophysiologic roles of the renin-angiotensin axis. Several of these uses are described herein. Their value as t-ols in the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis is yet to be determined.", "PMID": 798203} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11152", "title": "Antagonists, inhibitors and antisera in the evaluation of vascular renin activity. The role of local generation of angiotensin II.", "content": "It is well established that the arterial wall contains renin-like material. It is suggested that this renin generates significant quantities of angiotensin II (AII) which occupy vascular AII receptors. This is important in determining the pressor response to exogenous AII and in the maintenance of blood pressure. Four lines of evidence support this view. (a) Prevention of AII generation by nephrectomy or converting enzyme inhibition increases the pressor response to AII which then becomes independent of sodium balance. (b) AII antagonists are more effective in renin-mediated hypertension than AII antisera. (c) Changes in renin-mediated pressor responsive to AII after bilateral nephrectomy take a much longer time to occur than can be explained in terms of changes in circulating renin activity: these changes are also observed in isolated vessels. (d) The depressor response to antagonist and inhibitors is preserved after bilateral nephrectomy for much longer periods than can be accounted for by circulating levels of renin.", "contents": "Antagonists, inhibitors and antisera in the evaluation of vascular renin activity. The role of local generation of angiotensin II. It is well established that the arterial wall contains renin-like material. It is suggested that this renin generates significant quantities of angiotensin II (AII) which occupy vascular AII receptors. This is important in determining the pressor response to exogenous AII and in the maintenance of blood pressure. Four lines of evidence support this view. (a) Prevention of AII generation by nephrectomy or converting enzyme inhibition increases the pressor response to AII which then becomes independent of sodium balance. (b) AII antagonists are more effective in renin-mediated hypertension than AII antisera. (c) Changes in renin-mediated pressor responsive to AII after bilateral nephrectomy take a much longer time to occur than can be explained in terms of changes in circulating renin activity: these changes are also observed in isolated vessels. (d) The depressor response to antagonist and inhibitors is preserved after bilateral nephrectomy for much longer periods than can be accounted for by circulating levels of renin.", "PMID": 798204} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11153", "title": "Acute functional tolerance to the motor impairment effects of di-n-propylacetate.", "content": "Rats were trained to run treadmill fashion along a moving belt to avoid electric shock. After stabilization of performance, the effects of the anticonvulsant di-n-propylacetate (DPA; 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) on treadmill locomotion were measured. Disturbances in gait and balance were reflected by an increased time off belt in a dose-related manner. In addition, animals showed a progressive improvement over the 3 two-min trials. A second experiment which measured the effects of 300 mg/kg DPA either 5 or 20 min postinjection revealed that the progressive improvement noted in the first experiment was not due to a diminished drug concentration or to an increased exposure to the drug. Thus, acute functional tolerance to the performance decrement produced by DPA appears to depend upon behavioural processes which enable an animal to overcome the drug-induced functional deficit by practicing the task while in the drug state.", "contents": "Acute functional tolerance to the motor impairment effects of di-n-propylacetate. Rats were trained to run treadmill fashion along a moving belt to avoid electric shock. After stabilization of performance, the effects of the anticonvulsant di-n-propylacetate (DPA; 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) on treadmill locomotion were measured. Disturbances in gait and balance were reflected by an increased time off belt in a dose-related manner. In addition, animals showed a progressive improvement over the 3 two-min trials. A second experiment which measured the effects of 300 mg/kg DPA either 5 or 20 min postinjection revealed that the progressive improvement noted in the first experiment was not due to a diminished drug concentration or to an increased exposure to the drug. Thus, acute functional tolerance to the performance decrement produced by DPA appears to depend upon behavioural processes which enable an animal to overcome the drug-induced functional deficit by practicing the task while in the drug state.", "PMID": 798205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11154", "title": "[Basic principles and application of cerebrospinal fluid immunoelectrophoresis].", "content": "The basic principles, prerequisites, and limitations of the immunoelectrophoresis of the cerebrospinal fluid are discussed. Major emphasis has been placed on the characteristics of normal and pathological immunoelectropherograms of the liquor cerebrospinalis as well as on the results of studies of inflammatory and neuroimmunological diseases. The detection of a barrier profile, the method of determining special qualitative alterations of immunoglobulins of the liquor cerebrospinalis due to neuroimmunological diseases, and additional applications are discussed in detail. The procedure has been critically reviewed because the results obtained are, for the most part, of a general and nonspecific character and the method cannot be standardized adequately and also does not yield sufficient quantitative data. The advantages (differentiated qualitative changes) and disadvantages (technique troubles) are pointed out.", "contents": "[Basic principles and application of cerebrospinal fluid immunoelectrophoresis]. The basic principles, prerequisites, and limitations of the immunoelectrophoresis of the cerebrospinal fluid are discussed. Major emphasis has been placed on the characteristics of normal and pathological immunoelectropherograms of the liquor cerebrospinalis as well as on the results of studies of inflammatory and neuroimmunological diseases. The detection of a barrier profile, the method of determining special qualitative alterations of immunoglobulins of the liquor cerebrospinalis due to neuroimmunological diseases, and additional applications are discussed in detail. The procedure has been critically reviewed because the results obtained are, for the most part, of a general and nonspecific character and the method cannot be standardized adequately and also does not yield sufficient quantitative data. The advantages (differentiated qualitative changes) and disadvantages (technique troubles) are pointed out.", "PMID": 798217} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11155", "title": "[Immunofluorescence with incident light in syphilis serology. FTA-5-1 and FTA-ABS-1 reactions].", "content": "The FTA-5 and FTA-ABS reactions have been comparatively evaluated on human sera by two microscopic systems in incident and transmitted light. The results demonstrate that the sensitivity of the reactions is increased by employing the incident light microscopic system. Furthermore they demonstrate the opportunity of performing both reactions FTA-5-I and FTA-ABS-I on each serum in order to distinguish type-specific and genus-specific antibodies present in luetic sera.", "contents": "[Immunofluorescence with incident light in syphilis serology. FTA-5-1 and FTA-ABS-1 reactions]. The FTA-5 and FTA-ABS reactions have been comparatively evaluated on human sera by two microscopic systems in incident and transmitted light. The results demonstrate that the sensitivity of the reactions is increased by employing the incident light microscopic system. Furthermore they demonstrate the opportunity of performing both reactions FTA-5-I and FTA-ABS-I on each serum in order to distinguish type-specific and genus-specific antibodies present in luetic sera.", "PMID": 798235} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11156", "title": "[New methods of research in the field of bacteriuria: correlation between agar-bacteria and urotube-enterotube system (author's transl)].", "content": "Good results have been achieved through a comparative study carried out on a sample of 362 cultures in order to verify the attendibility of a new method of research on bacteriuria. The new Urotube system follows the theorical bases of dip-inoculum of a substratum of a medium of culture. The changes which were verified after the simultaneous use of the two methods on the same sample, were very slight and meaningless for the crossed calculation of the chi2. The second part of the research refers to the qualitative side and test out the bacterial species found out us the considered samples. There were no important varieties between the studies of the following AA. (Kass, Schito) and ours; most infectious processes have, as ethiological agents, gram-negative bacteria, named Enterobacteriacae, which are much more numerous than gram-positive bacteria. It seem however important to underline a slight change of this ratio; it was verified during our test, infact we recorded a percentage of gram-positive higher than the percentage recorded by Kass and Schito.", "contents": "[New methods of research in the field of bacteriuria: correlation between agar-bacteria and urotube-enterotube system (author's transl)]. Good results have been achieved through a comparative study carried out on a sample of 362 cultures in order to verify the attendibility of a new method of research on bacteriuria. The new Urotube system follows the theorical bases of dip-inoculum of a substratum of a medium of culture. The changes which were verified after the simultaneous use of the two methods on the same sample, were very slight and meaningless for the crossed calculation of the chi2. The second part of the research refers to the qualitative side and test out the bacterial species found out us the considered samples. There were no important varieties between the studies of the following AA. (Kass, Schito) and ours; most infectious processes have, as ethiological agents, gram-negative bacteria, named Enterobacteriacae, which are much more numerous than gram-positive bacteria. It seem however important to underline a slight change of this ratio; it was verified during our test, infact we recorded a percentage of gram-positive higher than the percentage recorded by Kass and Schito.", "PMID": 798236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11157", "title": "[Relations between social defense and criminological trends from the 1930s until today].", "content": "This study is intended to analyze the historical evolution of criminological schools, in the background, wider and more articulated, of a research by the National Council for Scientific Research directed to probing the outlines of the social defence concept. The work, then, proceeds in the field of criminology and, more particularly, of the evolution of criminological currents which, without defining aims, we will name classical to tell them from the original criminology, of positivistic imprint, and from the new criminology of critical, radical or marxist inspiration, whose examination in entrusted to another research unit. The method followed was that of the historical research with reference to the selected period and with a constant relation, in text and notes, to the enunciations of the examined Authors, considered essential. For such purpose, that is to say for more accuracy in references, it was considered convenient to have the text followed, not only by an ample bibliographical index, but also by an appendix of texts considered particularly significant in the documentation field.", "contents": "[Relations between social defense and criminological trends from the 1930s until today]. This study is intended to analyze the historical evolution of criminological schools, in the background, wider and more articulated, of a research by the National Council for Scientific Research directed to probing the outlines of the social defence concept. The work, then, proceeds in the field of criminology and, more particularly, of the evolution of criminological currents which, without defining aims, we will name classical to tell them from the original criminology, of positivistic imprint, and from the new criminology of critical, radical or marxist inspiration, whose examination in entrusted to another research unit. The method followed was that of the historical research with reference to the selected period and with a constant relation, in text and notes, to the enunciations of the examined Authors, considered essential. For such purpose, that is to say for more accuracy in references, it was considered convenient to have the text followed, not only by an ample bibliographical index, but also by an appendix of texts considered particularly significant in the documentation field.", "PMID": 798233} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11158", "title": "[Research on personality and criminality: recent trends in the literature].", "content": "After Waldo and Dinitz published their analysis of researches of personality characteristics of offenders, several new tests and studies have appeared. In most cases new research has been bases on ill defined samples and on questionable control groups. Such studies have been eliminated from the present analysis. In approximately 80% of the studies examined in the present report significant differences have been found between delinquent and control groups of non-delinquents. However, a more careful analysis of the data indicates many differences within most of the main characteristics under examination. While it seems unnecessary to restate specific criticism of the comparative evaluations which have been carried out, it ought to be noted that these studies, once more, appear to present the same deffects already noted by Waldo and Dinitz and by Schluessler and Cressey.", "contents": "[Research on personality and criminality: recent trends in the literature]. After Waldo and Dinitz published their analysis of researches of personality characteristics of offenders, several new tests and studies have appeared. In most cases new research has been bases on ill defined samples and on questionable control groups. Such studies have been eliminated from the present analysis. In approximately 80% of the studies examined in the present report significant differences have been found between delinquent and control groups of non-delinquents. However, a more careful analysis of the data indicates many differences within most of the main characteristics under examination. While it seems unnecessary to restate specific criticism of the comparative evaluations which have been carried out, it ought to be noted that these studies, once more, appear to present the same deffects already noted by Waldo and Dinitz and by Schluessler and Cressey.", "PMID": 798234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11159", "title": "[Monoblock excision of epitheliomas of the tongue and floor of the mouth. Apropos of 27 cases].", "content": "So-called \"moniblock\" excision, an attractive technique for the treatment of carcinomas of the tongue and floor of the mouth, benefits considerably from the use of pediculated flaps which ensure closure of the buccal cavity and thus diminish or even eliminate the risk of septic cervical cellulitis. The authors report 27 cases of carcinoma treated using this technique involving plastic repair using a temporo-frontal flap inserted in the buccal cavity via the temporal groove after resection of the coronal and the zygomatic arch.", "contents": "[Monoblock excision of epitheliomas of the tongue and floor of the mouth. Apropos of 27 cases]. So-called \"moniblock\" excision, an attractive technique for the treatment of carcinomas of the tongue and floor of the mouth, benefits considerably from the use of pediculated flaps which ensure closure of the buccal cavity and thus diminish or even eliminate the risk of septic cervical cellulitis. The authors report 27 cases of carcinoma treated using this technique involving plastic repair using a temporo-frontal flap inserted in the buccal cavity via the temporal groove after resection of the coronal and the zygomatic arch.", "PMID": 798260} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11160", "title": "The effects of Z plasty on hypertrophic scars.", "content": "Hypertrophic scar tissue has been observed to soften and thin following Z plasty without removal of any of the scar tissue. Histochemical studies of tissue before and after Z plasty showed that abnormally sulfated mucopolysaccharides were replaced by normal acid mucopolysaccahrides within 14 days. Collagen in hypertrophic scar appeared in nodules and fibers perpendicular to the surface of the skin rather than as long straight fibers parallel to the skin surface as normally seen. Elastic fibers were reduced and scar was relatively avascular. Following Z plasty the amount of collagen decreased and fibers were oriented in bundles at right angles to each other, parallel to the surface. When tissue was examined by electron microscopy collagen fibers showed marked variation in diameter. Microfibrils were increased and there were aggregates of fibrils with periodicity of 1500 to 1600 A. Following Z plasty, areas which previously contained only microfibrils now had unit collagen fibers with normal periodicity. Urinary excretions of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, amino acids found only in collagen, were increased following Z plasty, coinciding with the softening of the scar. Excretion of the disaccharide, glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine, predominantly found in skin, increased following Z plasty, while excretion of the monosaccharide, galactosyl-hydroxylysine, predominant in bone collagen, remained constant. Amino acid composition of collagen, remained constant. Amino acid composition of collagen isolated from hypertrophic scars was similar to that present in skin and tendon, and unlike that in cartilage or infant dermis. Hydroxyproline content was slightly decreased and hydroxylysine content slightly increased compared to skin or tendon. Histochemical, ultrastructural and biochemical studies of the same specimens suggested that collagen with disordered fibril formation was present in the hypertrophic scar and was degraded following Z plasty. Changes in the molecule which occurred after synthesis of the protein core might be responsible both for the failure of normal maturation of the scar and for its sensitivity to degradative enzymes following Z plasty.", "contents": "The effects of Z plasty on hypertrophic scars. Hypertrophic scar tissue has been observed to soften and thin following Z plasty without removal of any of the scar tissue. Histochemical studies of tissue before and after Z plasty showed that abnormally sulfated mucopolysaccharides were replaced by normal acid mucopolysaccahrides within 14 days. Collagen in hypertrophic scar appeared in nodules and fibers perpendicular to the surface of the skin rather than as long straight fibers parallel to the skin surface as normally seen. Elastic fibers were reduced and scar was relatively avascular. Following Z plasty the amount of collagen decreased and fibers were oriented in bundles at right angles to each other, parallel to the surface. When tissue was examined by electron microscopy collagen fibers showed marked variation in diameter. Microfibrils were increased and there were aggregates of fibrils with periodicity of 1500 to 1600 A. Following Z plasty, areas which previously contained only microfibrils now had unit collagen fibers with normal periodicity. Urinary excretions of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, amino acids found only in collagen, were increased following Z plasty, coinciding with the softening of the scar. Excretion of the disaccharide, glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine, predominantly found in skin, increased following Z plasty, while excretion of the monosaccharide, galactosyl-hydroxylysine, predominant in bone collagen, remained constant. Amino acid composition of collagen, remained constant. Amino acid composition of collagen isolated from hypertrophic scars was similar to that present in skin and tendon, and unlike that in cartilage or infant dermis. Hydroxyproline content was slightly decreased and hydroxylysine content slightly increased compared to skin or tendon. Histochemical, ultrastructural and biochemical studies of the same specimens suggested that collagen with disordered fibril formation was present in the hypertrophic scar and was degraded following Z plasty. Changes in the molecule which occurred after synthesis of the protein core might be responsible both for the failure of normal maturation of the scar and for its sensitivity to degradative enzymes following Z plasty.", "PMID": 798261} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11161", "title": "The vascular anatomy of the dorsal part of the caudal ribs in the dog. A microangiographic study with special reference to the microvascular free transfer of living rib grafts.", "content": "The arterial blood supply to the head, neck and tubercle of the caudal ribs in the adult dog was studied by means of microangiography. While the tubercle and the neck are supplied solely by medullary branches of the main nutrient artery, the rib head receives an additional supply via two groups of epiphyseal arteries. This vascular pattern is discussed with special reference to the free microvascular transfer of composite posterior rib grafts.", "contents": "The vascular anatomy of the dorsal part of the caudal ribs in the dog. A microangiographic study with special reference to the microvascular free transfer of living rib grafts. The arterial blood supply to the head, neck and tubercle of the caudal ribs in the adult dog was studied by means of microangiography. While the tubercle and the neck are supplied solely by medullary branches of the main nutrient artery, the rib head receives an additional supply via two groups of epiphyseal arteries. This vascular pattern is discussed with special reference to the free microvascular transfer of composite posterior rib grafts.", "PMID": 798262} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11162", "title": "Resur-splint fixation for cross-leg flaps. Case report.", "content": "Methods for the fixation of cross-leg flaps are reviewed, and an improved form of splint fixation is presented. The fixation is based on pre-operatively constructed splints of the plastic material Resur Trovidur PE. The splints can easily be removed and remounted, the material can be sterilized, the fixation can be employed and adjusted during the operation. The method has been used in 2 cases and proved applicable both during the operation and in the subsequent immobilization period.", "contents": "Resur-splint fixation for cross-leg flaps. Case report. Methods for the fixation of cross-leg flaps are reviewed, and an improved form of splint fixation is presented. The fixation is based on pre-operatively constructed splints of the plastic material Resur Trovidur PE. The splints can easily be removed and remounted, the material can be sterilized, the fixation can be employed and adjusted during the operation. The method has been used in 2 cases and proved applicable both during the operation and in the subsequent immobilization period.", "PMID": 798263} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11163", "title": "Receptor for complement components and xenogeneic erythrocytes on human T- and B-lymphoid cells.", "content": "Biological and molecular properties of receptors specific for human T- and B-lymphoid cells are discussed. Sensitive simple and reproducible methods to enumerate B- and T-lymphocytes are described: their possible application in clinical immunology is indicated. A new method to obtain enriched populations of human T- and B-lymphocytes from peripheral blood is described. This method appears to be suitable to investigate the properties of antigens specific for B- and T-lymphoid cells.", "contents": "Receptor for complement components and xenogeneic erythrocytes on human T- and B-lymphoid cells. Biological and molecular properties of receptors specific for human T- and B-lymphoid cells are discussed. Sensitive simple and reproducible methods to enumerate B- and T-lymphocytes are described: their possible application in clinical immunology is indicated. A new method to obtain enriched populations of human T- and B-lymphocytes from peripheral blood is described. This method appears to be suitable to investigate the properties of antigens specific for B- and T-lymphoid cells.", "PMID": 798257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11164", "title": "Subacromial triamcinolone mexacetonide and methylprednisolone injections in treatment of supra spinam tendinitis. A comparative trial.", "content": "This statistical report describes a clinical trial on 60 patients with supraspinal tendinitis for the comparison of triamcinolone hexacetonide (in a 20 mg/cc suspension in 1 cc ampoules) with methylprednisolone acetate (in a 40 mg/cc suspension in 1 cc ampoules). The objective of the study was to determine the therapeutic activity, including onset and duration of relief, of triamcinolone hexacetonide as a subacromial injection, and to compare these results with those obtained with similar injections of methylprednisolone acetate. The following results were obtained. Triamcinolone hexacetonide reduced pain, local tenderness and functional impairment to a greater degree than did methylprednisolone acetate. A significantly smaller proportion of patients needed a second injection of triamcinolone hexacetonide (33%) than needed a second injection of methylprednisolone acetate (63%). Triamcinolone hexacetonide appears to have longer duration of activity than does methyl-prednisolone acetate, judging by the percentage of patients still getting relief from their first injection at the end of the study period. The drugs were similar as regards side effect incidence rates and time to onset of action.", "contents": "Subacromial triamcinolone mexacetonide and methylprednisolone injections in treatment of supra spinam tendinitis. A comparative trial. This statistical report describes a clinical trial on 60 patients with supraspinal tendinitis for the comparison of triamcinolone hexacetonide (in a 20 mg/cc suspension in 1 cc ampoules) with methylprednisolone acetate (in a 40 mg/cc suspension in 1 cc ampoules). The objective of the study was to determine the therapeutic activity, including onset and duration of relief, of triamcinolone hexacetonide as a subacromial injection, and to compare these results with those obtained with similar injections of methylprednisolone acetate. The following results were obtained. Triamcinolone hexacetonide reduced pain, local tenderness and functional impairment to a greater degree than did methylprednisolone acetate. A significantly smaller proportion of patients needed a second injection of triamcinolone hexacetonide (33%) than needed a second injection of methylprednisolone acetate (63%). Triamcinolone hexacetonide appears to have longer duration of activity than does methyl-prednisolone acetate, judging by the percentage of patients still getting relief from their first injection at the end of the study period. The drugs were similar as regards side effect incidence rates and time to onset of action.", "PMID": 798265} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11165", "title": "Behavioral effects of long-term exposure to a mixture of organic solvents.", "content": "The behavioral effects of long-term exposure to a mixture of organic solvents were investigated in a comparison of the test results of 100 car painters with those of a reference group. The test battery included tests for intelligence, memory, psychomotor performances, and personality. In addition to the comparison of the mean results, two discriminant function analyses were made. In one, only the performance test variables were used, but in the other personality variables were also included. The results indicated impairments in psychological performances, as well as personality changes in the exposed group. Impairments in visual intelligence and verbal memory and a reduction of emotional reactivity were the central features of the adverse effects of solvent exposure, but the behavioral disturbances also involved several other functions, including performance on a verbal intelligence test. The possible role of the differences in the initial intelligence levels were controlled with a separate comparison of the test results of 33 pairs of exposed and nonexposed subjects who were matched for age and for their intelligence level, measured during the military service. The discriminant function analyses were based on the results of these matched subgroups and tested in the rest of the material. According to the results the sensitivity of the psychological test methods was high, but the specificity somewhat low, with regard to solvent exposure. The concentration of various solvents included in the exposure of car painters were low, the summated exposure corresponding corresponding to 32% of the Finnish threshold limit value. The possible role of a potentiating effect of the solvent in the development of behavioral disturbances is discussed.", "contents": "Behavioral effects of long-term exposure to a mixture of organic solvents. The behavioral effects of long-term exposure to a mixture of organic solvents were investigated in a comparison of the test results of 100 car painters with those of a reference group. The test battery included tests for intelligence, memory, psychomotor performances, and personality. In addition to the comparison of the mean results, two discriminant function analyses were made. In one, only the performance test variables were used, but in the other personality variables were also included. The results indicated impairments in psychological performances, as well as personality changes in the exposed group. Impairments in visual intelligence and verbal memory and a reduction of emotional reactivity were the central features of the adverse effects of solvent exposure, but the behavioral disturbances also involved several other functions, including performance on a verbal intelligence test. The possible role of the differences in the initial intelligence levels were controlled with a separate comparison of the test results of 33 pairs of exposed and nonexposed subjects who were matched for age and for their intelligence level, measured during the military service. The discriminant function analyses were based on the results of these matched subgroups and tested in the rest of the material. According to the results the sensitivity of the psychological test methods was high, but the specificity somewhat low, with regard to solvent exposure. The concentration of various solvents included in the exposure of car painters were low, the summated exposure corresponding corresponding to 32% of the Finnish threshold limit value. The possible role of a potentiating effect of the solvent in the development of behavioral disturbances is discussed.", "PMID": 798266} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11166", "title": "The effects of moderate heat stress on patients with ischemic heart disease.", "content": "With the use of a climate chamber, the effects of a 3-h exposure to moderate heat stress (23 to 29 degrees C) on the physiology, comfort, and performance of 20 subjects, 10 with slight (group I) and 10 with moderate (group II) ischemic heart disease (IHD), were studied. Twenty matched control subjects were similarly exposed. All of the subjects performed sedentary, mental work throughout the exposure. Humidity was 9 mm Hg; air velocity, 10+/-3 cm per second; and thermal resistance of the clothing, 0.7 clo. Under identical conditions no significant differences in rectal, skin, and finger temperatures or weight loss existed between the three groups, but during heat stress the temperatures and weight loss were always significantly higher than under the control conditions, except for rectal temperatures during the first 2 h. There was no difference between the groups or the two sets of conditions in respiration rate and diastolic blood pressure, but the patients had a significantly lower systolic blood pressure in the third hour of heat stress than under the control conditions. Heart rate and the rate-pressure-product during heat stress were significantly higher in the controls than in the patients. A few patients experienced a slight retrosternal oppression during heat stress, but only one had ECG changes, and none of these symptoms or signs were present under control conditions. Under both sets of temperature conditions the patients were uncomfortable during a longer period of time than the controls, and they were more sensitive to temperature changes, group II being more sensitive than group I. The comfort distribution curve was very narrow for group II. The performance tests were numerical addition, card punching, cue-utilization and creative association. In numerical addition no temperature effect could be shown on the speed of working, but for the patients in group II during heat stress the level of accuracy in the second hour was lower than under control conditions; the trend was the opposite for control subjects. No differences occurred in the first or third hour. In card punching the patients in group II worked significantly more slowly during heat stress than did the control subjects, who improved their performance in heat, as did the paracy with which this task was performed, the patients in group II making significantly more errors in the heat than patients in group I. Cue-utilization did not differ between groups or conditions. Patients performing the creative association test under heat stress supplied significantly fewer unique answers than did patients working under control conditions; no such effect of heat was observed for control subjects. We conclude that patients with IHD are more sensitive to moderate heat stress than healthy control subjects in terms of mental performance and comfort. There are some differences in cardiopulmonary function but no differences in thermoregulation.", "contents": "The effects of moderate heat stress on patients with ischemic heart disease. With the use of a climate chamber, the effects of a 3-h exposure to moderate heat stress (23 to 29 degrees C) on the physiology, comfort, and performance of 20 subjects, 10 with slight (group I) and 10 with moderate (group II) ischemic heart disease (IHD), were studied. Twenty matched control subjects were similarly exposed. All of the subjects performed sedentary, mental work throughout the exposure. Humidity was 9 mm Hg; air velocity, 10+/-3 cm per second; and thermal resistance of the clothing, 0.7 clo. Under identical conditions no significant differences in rectal, skin, and finger temperatures or weight loss existed between the three groups, but during heat stress the temperatures and weight loss were always significantly higher than under the control conditions, except for rectal temperatures during the first 2 h. There was no difference between the groups or the two sets of conditions in respiration rate and diastolic blood pressure, but the patients had a significantly lower systolic blood pressure in the third hour of heat stress than under the control conditions. Heart rate and the rate-pressure-product during heat stress were significantly higher in the controls than in the patients. A few patients experienced a slight retrosternal oppression during heat stress, but only one had ECG changes, and none of these symptoms or signs were present under control conditions. Under both sets of temperature conditions the patients were uncomfortable during a longer period of time than the controls, and they were more sensitive to temperature changes, group II being more sensitive than group I. The comfort distribution curve was very narrow for group II. The performance tests were numerical addition, card punching, cue-utilization and creative association. In numerical addition no temperature effect could be shown on the speed of working, but for the patients in group II during heat stress the level of accuracy in the second hour was lower than under control conditions; the trend was the opposite for control subjects. No differences occurred in the first or third hour. In card punching the patients in group II worked significantly more slowly during heat stress than did the control subjects, who improved their performance in heat, as did the paracy with which this task was performed, the patients in group II making significantly more errors in the heat than patients in group I. Cue-utilization did not differ between groups or conditions. Patients performing the creative association test under heat stress supplied significantly fewer unique answers than did patients working under control conditions; no such effect of heat was observed for control subjects. We conclude that patients with IHD are more sensitive to moderate heat stress than healthy control subjects in terms of mental performance and comfort. There are some differences in cardiopulmonary function but no differences in thermoregulation.", "PMID": 798267} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11167", "title": "Studies on the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome of infants due to hyaline membrane disease with plasminogen.", "content": "Hyaline membrane disease (HMD) is leading single cause of death of newborn, premature infants. The \"hyaline membranes\" consist chiefly of fibrin. The clinical manifestation of HMD is the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Infants with RDS were treated with urokinase-activated human plasmin in a previous clinical trial. Survival rate was increased in the plasmin treated group as compared to the placebo recipients. However, cost and difficulty in the preparation of the enzyme made this treatment impractical. We, as well as others, have shown the premature infants lack serum plasminogen; thus they are unable to develop effective fibrinolysis and are defenseless against pulmonary fibrin deposition. Therefore, plamsinogen was tested as a possible preventive agent in RDS due to HMD. In a double blind, randomized study, infants between 1 and 2.5 kg birth weight received plasminogen or placebo shortly after birth, and were then followed for development of RDS. After 100 infants were entered into the study, the code was broken and results were evaluated to assure safety of the procedure. Among the 100 infants, 51 received placebo, 49 received plasminogen. Among the infants who received placebo, seven developed mild, and ten developed severe respiratory distress; of these ten, five died with histopathologically documented HMD. Two infants died from causes other than HMD. Among the 49 infants treated with plasminogen, 13 developed mild and three developed severe respiratory distress. There was no death due to HMD. Two deaths were due to other causes. Factors placing the infant at risk from HMD (degree of prematurity, sex, cesarean section, bleeding episodes during pregnancy, maternal diabetes) were found to be evenly distributed between control and treated groups. Since completing the first phase of the study, data of an additional 277 infants has become available. Although the code was not broken in this series, a preliminary look at mortality data in comparison with mortality data of the first series of 100 (in which the code was broken) suggests that preventive activity of plasminogen has been maintained in the second phase of the study.", "contents": "Studies on the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome of infants due to hyaline membrane disease with plasminogen. Hyaline membrane disease (HMD) is leading single cause of death of newborn, premature infants. The \"hyaline membranes\" consist chiefly of fibrin. The clinical manifestation of HMD is the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Infants with RDS were treated with urokinase-activated human plasmin in a previous clinical trial. Survival rate was increased in the plasmin treated group as compared to the placebo recipients. However, cost and difficulty in the preparation of the enzyme made this treatment impractical. We, as well as others, have shown the premature infants lack serum plasminogen; thus they are unable to develop effective fibrinolysis and are defenseless against pulmonary fibrin deposition. Therefore, plamsinogen was tested as a possible preventive agent in RDS due to HMD. In a double blind, randomized study, infants between 1 and 2.5 kg birth weight received plasminogen or placebo shortly after birth, and were then followed for development of RDS. After 100 infants were entered into the study, the code was broken and results were evaluated to assure safety of the procedure. Among the 100 infants, 51 received placebo, 49 received plasminogen. Among the infants who received placebo, seven developed mild, and ten developed severe respiratory distress; of these ten, five died with histopathologically documented HMD. Two infants died from causes other than HMD. Among the 49 infants treated with plasminogen, 13 developed mild and three developed severe respiratory distress. There was no death due to HMD. Two deaths were due to other causes. Factors placing the infant at risk from HMD (degree of prematurity, sex, cesarean section, bleeding episodes during pregnancy, maternal diabetes) were found to be evenly distributed between control and treated groups. Since completing the first phase of the study, data of an additional 277 infants has become available. Although the code was not broken in this series, a preliminary look at mortality data in comparison with mortality data of the first series of 100 (in which the code was broken) suggests that preventive activity of plasminogen has been maintained in the second phase of the study.", "PMID": 798269} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11168", "title": "Prevention of venous thromboembolism.", "content": "Of the various prophylactic agents evaluated, four have been found to be effective. These are oral anticoagulants, low-dose heparin, mechanical devices which increase venous blood-flow in the leg, and Dextran. Oral anticoagulants have been shown to be effective in patients having abdominal, thoracic, or hip surgery, when treatment was started either before surgery or in the immediate postoperative period. They have also been shown to be effective in medical patients. The evidence derives from studies which showed that treatment can reduce total mortality, prevents venous thromboembolism detected clinically or at autopsy, and prevents thrombosis diagnosed with venography. On the other hand, the incidence of thrombosis diagnosed by 125I-fibrinogen scanning was not reduced when oral anticoagulants were started just before or just after surgery. This suggests that oral anticoagulant treatment starting in the immediate postoperative period may not prevent formation of the initial thrombotic nidus, but is clinically effective because it prevents extension of the nidus to form a significant thrombus. Bleeding has been a significant complication in almost all studies of surgical patients, and this is the major factor which has prevented widespread use of oral anticoagulant prophylaxis. In addition, the need for careful laboratory monitoring makes this approach inconvenient and adds to its expense. Low-dose heparin has been shown to be effective in general surgical and medical patients, but results have been inconclusive in patients having elective hip surgery, and this approach is probably ineffective in patients with hip fracture. In general surgical patients, low-dose heparin prophylaxis has been shown to prevent pulmonary embolism diagnosed at autopsy examination or with lung scanning, and calf and thigh vein thrombosis diagnosed with 125I-fibrinogen leg-scanning. A slight, but statistically significant, increase in the frequency of wound hematoma and a greater postoperative hematocrit fall have been reported when heparin was given three times daily, but not with the twice daily heparin injection regimen. In these studies, low-dose heparin was given without laboratory control of its anticoagulant effect, so that this prophylactic approach is simple, but the need for subcutaneous injections is a disadvantage of this approach. Results with methods which increase venous blood-flow in the leg have varied, depending on the technic used. Active measures, such as intermittent pneumatic calf compression or peroperative electrical calf muscle stimulation, have been shown to prevent thrombosis detected with 125I-fibrinogen leg-scanning. However, while the evidence suggests that both methods are effective in relatively low risk patients, they may have limited value in the high risk patient who is confined to bed for a long time. These methods are free of side effects and relatively inexpensive, but intermittent calf compression, in particular, is slightly cumbersome...", "contents": "Prevention of venous thromboembolism. Of the various prophylactic agents evaluated, four have been found to be effective. These are oral anticoagulants, low-dose heparin, mechanical devices which increase venous blood-flow in the leg, and Dextran. Oral anticoagulants have been shown to be effective in patients having abdominal, thoracic, or hip surgery, when treatment was started either before surgery or in the immediate postoperative period. They have also been shown to be effective in medical patients. The evidence derives from studies which showed that treatment can reduce total mortality, prevents venous thromboembolism detected clinically or at autopsy, and prevents thrombosis diagnosed with venography. On the other hand, the incidence of thrombosis diagnosed by 125I-fibrinogen scanning was not reduced when oral anticoagulants were started just before or just after surgery. This suggests that oral anticoagulant treatment starting in the immediate postoperative period may not prevent formation of the initial thrombotic nidus, but is clinically effective because it prevents extension of the nidus to form a significant thrombus. Bleeding has been a significant complication in almost all studies of surgical patients, and this is the major factor which has prevented widespread use of oral anticoagulant prophylaxis. In addition, the need for careful laboratory monitoring makes this approach inconvenient and adds to its expense. Low-dose heparin has been shown to be effective in general surgical and medical patients, but results have been inconclusive in patients having elective hip surgery, and this approach is probably ineffective in patients with hip fracture. In general surgical patients, low-dose heparin prophylaxis has been shown to prevent pulmonary embolism diagnosed at autopsy examination or with lung scanning, and calf and thigh vein thrombosis diagnosed with 125I-fibrinogen leg-scanning. A slight, but statistically significant, increase in the frequency of wound hematoma and a greater postoperative hematocrit fall have been reported when heparin was given three times daily, but not with the twice daily heparin injection regimen. In these studies, low-dose heparin was given without laboratory control of its anticoagulant effect, so that this prophylactic approach is simple, but the need for subcutaneous injections is a disadvantage of this approach. Results with methods which increase venous blood-flow in the leg have varied, depending on the technic used. Active measures, such as intermittent pneumatic calf compression or peroperative electrical calf muscle stimulation, have been shown to prevent thrombosis detected with 125I-fibrinogen leg-scanning. However, while the evidence suggests that both methods are effective in relatively low risk patients, they may have limited value in the high risk patient who is confined to bed for a long time. These methods are free of side effects and relatively inexpensive, but intermittent calf compression, in particular, is slightly cumbersome...", "PMID": 798276} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11169", "title": "Alterations of hemostasis associated with cardiopulmonary bypass: pathophysiology, prevention, diagnosis, and management.", "content": "This chapter has provided a review of available literature regarding alterations of hemostasis associated with CPB. The primary pathology of altered hemostasis during CPB appears to be two-fold: (1) a functional platelet defect of unclear etiology, which occurs in virtually all patients, and (2) a primary hyperfibino(geno)lytic defect which occurs in the majority of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Significant thrombocytopenia does not appear to be a consistent problem, and is probably a function of perfusion technics; this may, however, be an important source of hemorrhage in some instances. Although hyperheparinemia, heparin rebound, and protamine excess have occasionally been incriminated as sources of hemorrhage during CPB, no well documented cases appear in the literature. Likewise, although DIC gained popularity in early reports of CPB hemorrahge, it appears that this syndrome rarely, if ever, arises as a consequence of CPB alone; it can be seen, however, in CPB patients who are provided a triggerin situation for DIC, such as shock, sepsis, or hemolytic transfusion reaction. It is likely that many reported alterations of hemostasis during CPB which were concluded to represent DIC actually were due to hyperfibino(geno)lysis. The key to prevention of CPB hemorrhage rests simply in obtaining an adequate preoperative workup. Of extreme importance is an adequate history with respect to bleeding tendencies in both patient and family; of equal importance is a careful history regarding antiplatelet drugs. A careful physical examination, searching for clues of a real or potential bleeding diathesis, also can often prevent catastrophic cases of CPB hemorrhage. Lastly, an adequate presurgical laboratory screen must be performed; in addition to the usual prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and platelet count, a thrombin time and standardized template bleeding time must be added. The addition of these two simple modalities will insure against significant defects in fibrinogen, the fibrinolytic system, vascular function, and platelet function. When CPB hemorrhage occurs, simple laboratory screening will usually allow for a quick hemostasis evaluation. The parameters recommended in this review will distinguish between surgical and nonsurgical bleeding and should, therefore, allow for a quick decision regarding necessity for reexploration and the adequacy of hemostasis if reexploration is needed. In addition, this screen will distinguish between difficulties with heparin, protamine, and the fibrinolytic system. The vast majority of nonsurgical hemorrhages during CPB is due to a functional platlet defect, primary hyperfibrino(geno)lysis, or a combination of these. The quick administration of platelet concentrates, while awaiting laboratory evaluation, will control or significantly blunt most instances of CPB hemorrhage. If platelets fail to control bleeding, and reasonable laboratory evidence of primary hyperfibrino(geno)lysis is present, antifibrinolytics should then be used...", "contents": "Alterations of hemostasis associated with cardiopulmonary bypass: pathophysiology, prevention, diagnosis, and management. This chapter has provided a review of available literature regarding alterations of hemostasis associated with CPB. The primary pathology of altered hemostasis during CPB appears to be two-fold: (1) a functional platelet defect of unclear etiology, which occurs in virtually all patients, and (2) a primary hyperfibino(geno)lytic defect which occurs in the majority of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Significant thrombocytopenia does not appear to be a consistent problem, and is probably a function of perfusion technics; this may, however, be an important source of hemorrhage in some instances. Although hyperheparinemia, heparin rebound, and protamine excess have occasionally been incriminated as sources of hemorrhage during CPB, no well documented cases appear in the literature. Likewise, although DIC gained popularity in early reports of CPB hemorrahge, it appears that this syndrome rarely, if ever, arises as a consequence of CPB alone; it can be seen, however, in CPB patients who are provided a triggerin situation for DIC, such as shock, sepsis, or hemolytic transfusion reaction. It is likely that many reported alterations of hemostasis during CPB which were concluded to represent DIC actually were due to hyperfibino(geno)lysis. The key to prevention of CPB hemorrhage rests simply in obtaining an adequate preoperative workup. Of extreme importance is an adequate history with respect to bleeding tendencies in both patient and family; of equal importance is a careful history regarding antiplatelet drugs. A careful physical examination, searching for clues of a real or potential bleeding diathesis, also can often prevent catastrophic cases of CPB hemorrhage. Lastly, an adequate presurgical laboratory screen must be performed; in addition to the usual prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and platelet count, a thrombin time and standardized template bleeding time must be added. The addition of these two simple modalities will insure against significant defects in fibrinogen, the fibrinolytic system, vascular function, and platelet function. When CPB hemorrhage occurs, simple laboratory screening will usually allow for a quick hemostasis evaluation. The parameters recommended in this review will distinguish between surgical and nonsurgical bleeding and should, therefore, allow for a quick decision regarding necessity for reexploration and the adequacy of hemostasis if reexploration is needed. In addition, this screen will distinguish between difficulties with heparin, protamine, and the fibrinolytic system. The vast majority of nonsurgical hemorrhages during CPB is due to a functional platlet defect, primary hyperfibrino(geno)lysis, or a combination of these. The quick administration of platelet concentrates, while awaiting laboratory evaluation, will control or significantly blunt most instances of CPB hemorrhage. If platelets fail to control bleeding, and reasonable laboratory evidence of primary hyperfibrino(geno)lysis is present, antifibrinolytics should then be used...", "PMID": 798278} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11170", "title": "Management of facial lacerations.", "content": "The prevention of unsightly scars and functional loss after facial lacerations is accomplished by early, meticulous repair in layers without tension on the suture line. The interrupted subcuticular suture applied with a small full-curved cutting needle and with the aid of a skin hook is recommended to reach the goal of aesthetic and functional restoration.", "contents": "Management of facial lacerations. The prevention of unsightly scars and functional loss after facial lacerations is accomplished by early, meticulous repair in layers without tension on the suture line. The interrupted subcuticular suture applied with a small full-curved cutting needle and with the aid of a skin hook is recommended to reach the goal of aesthetic and functional restoration.", "PMID": 798289} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11171", "title": "A clinical evaluation of a screening (Microstix) for urinary tract infections.", "content": "The effectiveness of a screening device for urinary tract infection (Microstix**) was compared to routine laboratory cultures, sensitivities, and colony counts. The Microstix were highly effective in determining the presence or absence of urinary tract infections. In addition, they could be subcultured to provide meaningful bacterial sensitivities. Microstix are economical, easy to use, and accurate. Their use in the diagnosis and follow-up of urinary tract infections is therefore recommended.", "contents": "A clinical evaluation of a screening (Microstix) for urinary tract infections. The effectiveness of a screening device for urinary tract infection (Microstix**) was compared to routine laboratory cultures, sensitivities, and colony counts. The Microstix were highly effective in determining the presence or absence of urinary tract infections. In addition, they could be subcultured to provide meaningful bacterial sensitivities. Microstix are economical, easy to use, and accurate. Their use in the diagnosis and follow-up of urinary tract infections is therefore recommended.", "PMID": 798290} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11172", "title": "Infections of the urinary tract during pregnancy: use of fluorescent antibody technic as an aid in patient evaluation.", "content": "Over a 22-month period, the fluorescent antibody (FA) technic was used to evaluate 195 patients with urinary tract infections (UTI) during pregnancy. Postpartum intravenous pyelograms (IVP) were obtained for 86 patients. The results were correlated as to the site (upper or lower urinary tract) of infection. Regardless of the result of the FA test, results of IVP were abnormal in 40% to 41% of patients witn antenatal pyelonephritis. This was in contrast to only 9.4% abnormalities in patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria and negative FA tests.", "contents": "Infections of the urinary tract during pregnancy: use of fluorescent antibody technic as an aid in patient evaluation. Over a 22-month period, the fluorescent antibody (FA) technic was used to evaluate 195 patients with urinary tract infections (UTI) during pregnancy. Postpartum intravenous pyelograms (IVP) were obtained for 86 patients. The results were correlated as to the site (upper or lower urinary tract) of infection. Regardless of the result of the FA test, results of IVP were abnormal in 40% to 41% of patients witn antenatal pyelonephritis. This was in contrast to only 9.4% abnormalities in patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria and negative FA tests.", "PMID": 798291} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11173", "title": "Vaginal hysterectomy be anterior delivery of the uterine corpus.", "content": "Of 285 vaginal hysterectomies done by a modification of the Doderlein-Kronig technic, almost 70% of patients had an intraoperative blood loss of less than 200 ml. Only four required transfusions. A postoperative pelvic abscess was the only severe infection, and it responded to treatment. One patient had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy 46 days after hysterectomy. Advantages of this procedure are good anatomic exposure and minimal blood loss.", "contents": "Vaginal hysterectomy be anterior delivery of the uterine corpus. Of 285 vaginal hysterectomies done by a modification of the Doderlein-Kronig technic, almost 70% of patients had an intraoperative blood loss of less than 200 ml. Only four required transfusions. A postoperative pelvic abscess was the only severe infection, and it responded to treatment. One patient had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy 46 days after hysterectomy. Advantages of this procedure are good anatomic exposure and minimal blood loss.", "PMID": 798295} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11174", "title": "Roentgenographic recognition of bronchoceles.", "content": "Bronchoceles often have characteristic plain film, tomographic, and bronchographic appearances, and they may trap air. Roentgenographic recognition of bronchoceles can allow them to be distinguished from neoplasms and sometimes help avoid unnecessary surgery.", "contents": "Roentgenographic recognition of bronchoceles. Bronchoceles often have characteristic plain film, tomographic, and bronchographic appearances, and they may trap air. Roentgenographic recognition of bronchoceles can allow them to be distinguished from neoplasms and sometimes help avoid unnecessary surgery.", "PMID": 798296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11175", "title": "Microvascular procedures in reconstructive surgery.", "content": "The application of microvascular technics to problems in reconstructive surgery has enabled the surgeon to revascularize ischemic digits, replant amputated digits, and to transfer directly composite tissue from one area of the body to another for reconstructive purposes. The success of these procedures is directly dependent upon the ability to perform and maintain patent microvascular anastomoses. Representative cases are reported including the revascularization of an incompletely amputated digit, the replantation of an amputated thumb, the direct transfer of a toe to replace a missing thumb, and the transfer of a groin flap to cover a lower extremity defect. The principles of preoperative management, operative technics, and postoperative care are reviewed.", "contents": "Microvascular procedures in reconstructive surgery. The application of microvascular technics to problems in reconstructive surgery has enabled the surgeon to revascularize ischemic digits, replant amputated digits, and to transfer directly composite tissue from one area of the body to another for reconstructive purposes. The success of these procedures is directly dependent upon the ability to perform and maintain patent microvascular anastomoses. Representative cases are reported including the revascularization of an incompletely amputated digit, the replantation of an amputated thumb, the direct transfer of a toe to replace a missing thumb, and the transfer of a groin flap to cover a lower extremity defect. The principles of preoperative management, operative technics, and postoperative care are reviewed.", "PMID": 798297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11176", "title": "Acute pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, and Candida peritonitis in recipient of a kidney transplant.", "content": "The case of a recipient of a kidney transplant who developed pancreatitis, complicated by pancreatic pseudocyst subsequently infected by Candidi from an infected parenteral alimentation line, is reported. The case was further complicated by rupture of the cyst leading to Candida peritonitis and development of multiple fistulous tracts between the stomach, ileum, and colon. Despite the 50% mortality of acute pancreatitis in patients with transplants and the 50% mortality reported in Candida peritonitis, the patient was successfully treated by cystogastrostomy, peritoneal lavage, and amphotericin B in association with administration of mannitol and reduction of immunosuppression to a minimal level. After eight weeks of total parenteral alimentation, the fistulous tracts spontaneously closed and the patient was discharged with normal renal function.", "contents": "Acute pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, and Candida peritonitis in recipient of a kidney transplant. The case of a recipient of a kidney transplant who developed pancreatitis, complicated by pancreatic pseudocyst subsequently infected by Candidi from an infected parenteral alimentation line, is reported. The case was further complicated by rupture of the cyst leading to Candida peritonitis and development of multiple fistulous tracts between the stomach, ileum, and colon. Despite the 50% mortality of acute pancreatitis in patients with transplants and the 50% mortality reported in Candida peritonitis, the patient was successfully treated by cystogastrostomy, peritoneal lavage, and amphotericin B in association with administration of mannitol and reduction of immunosuppression to a minimal level. After eight weeks of total parenteral alimentation, the fistulous tracts spontaneously closed and the patient was discharged with normal renal function.", "PMID": 798299} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11177", "title": "Dialysis and transplantation: a mothers' group.", "content": "Two social workers are helping mothers of transplant and dialysis patients to deal with the multiple reality and feeling problems posed by the unique situations encountered in the parenting of children with end-stage renal disease. The commonality of these problems indicated a group approach. The mothers' natural grouping was formalized into an effective supportive, educational, and helping experience.", "contents": "Dialysis and transplantation: a mothers' group. Two social workers are helping mothers of transplant and dialysis patients to deal with the multiple reality and feeling problems posed by the unique situations encountered in the parenting of children with end-stage renal disease. The commonality of these problems indicated a group approach. The mothers' natural grouping was formalized into an effective supportive, educational, and helping experience.", "PMID": 798320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11178", "title": "Electron microscopic observations on T and B lymphocytes from spleens of syngeneic radiation chimaeras.", "content": "The ultrastructure of T and B lymphocytes has been examined in long-term syngeneic chimaeras and age-control mice. Spleen cell suspensions from these mice were passed through glass wool columns to obtain pure lymphocyte populations. These cells were then separated into T and B lymphocytes by nylon wool columns, and their purity was tested by cytotoxicity assays with anti-phi serum. Electron microscopic observations on such separated T and B lymphocytes did not reveal morphological differences except when the cells were fully differentiated, either as mature (T2) cells or plasmacells. In particular, T2 cells showed a very high cytoplasmic density, attributable to the presence of a larger number of microfilaments with respect to immature (T1) cells. In long-term chimaeras a significantly larger number of T2 cells was found as compared to age-control mice, and this morphological observation is correlated with the differences in immune reactivity and leukemia incidence previously described in these mice.", "contents": "Electron microscopic observations on T and B lymphocytes from spleens of syngeneic radiation chimaeras. The ultrastructure of T and B lymphocytes has been examined in long-term syngeneic chimaeras and age-control mice. Spleen cell suspensions from these mice were passed through glass wool columns to obtain pure lymphocyte populations. These cells were then separated into T and B lymphocytes by nylon wool columns, and their purity was tested by cytotoxicity assays with anti-phi serum. Electron microscopic observations on such separated T and B lymphocytes did not reveal morphological differences except when the cells were fully differentiated, either as mature (T2) cells or plasmacells. In particular, T2 cells showed a very high cytoplasmic density, attributable to the presence of a larger number of microfilaments with respect to immature (T1) cells. In long-term chimaeras a significantly larger number of T2 cells was found as compared to age-control mice, and this morphological observation is correlated with the differences in immune reactivity and leukemia incidence previously described in these mice.", "PMID": 798364} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11179", "title": "Clinical specular microscopy.", "content": "This paper presents a clinical specular microscope for the examination and photography of endothelial cells at high magnification (X200). The instrument is used easily during routine examination without inconvenience or discomfort to the patient. We have found the specular microscope extremely useful clinically in the elucidation and documentation of corneal endothelial diseases in vivo. This instrument allows the detection of endothelial damage or disease which may not be seen by slitlamp examination. The effects of normal aging, endothelial dystrophies, trauma, and inflammation can be monitored. The instrument is especially useful in the evaluation of ocular surgical procedures. It can be used on the first postoperative day without inconvenience to the patient or damage to the eye. By the comparison of photographs taken before and after the operation, an estimate of endothelial cell loss may be made. Thus, the endothelial effects of different techniques of cataract extraction intraocular lens insertion, and penetrating keratoplasty can be observed and compared. This new technique for the clinical examination of corneal diseases has great promise in improving diagnosis as well as therapy.", "contents": "Clinical specular microscopy. This paper presents a clinical specular microscope for the examination and photography of endothelial cells at high magnification (X200). The instrument is used easily during routine examination without inconvenience or discomfort to the patient. We have found the specular microscope extremely useful clinically in the elucidation and documentation of corneal endothelial diseases in vivo. This instrument allows the detection of endothelial damage or disease which may not be seen by slitlamp examination. The effects of normal aging, endothelial dystrophies, trauma, and inflammation can be monitored. The instrument is especially useful in the evaluation of ocular surgical procedures. It can be used on the first postoperative day without inconvenience to the patient or damage to the eye. By the comparison of photographs taken before and after the operation, an estimate of endothelial cell loss may be made. Thus, the endothelial effects of different techniques of cataract extraction intraocular lens insertion, and penetrating keratoplasty can be observed and compared. This new technique for the clinical examination of corneal diseases has great promise in improving diagnosis as well as therapy.", "PMID": 798365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11180", "title": "Vidarabine therapy of simple and IDU-complicated herpetic keratitis.", "content": "Large scale, multiclinic evaluations of vidarabine (Ara-A, Vira A, adenine arabinoside) for treating herpetic keratitis have been conducted as double-blind studies (169 patients) in comparison with IDU and open studies (146 patients). In the open studies, the disease in the majority of patients had been refractory to IDU. The effects of vidarabine and IDU were approximately the same in improvement of symptoms (lacrimination, photophobia, sensitivity) and percent of and time for corneal reepithelialization. With vidarabine, significantly more patients had improved distant visual acuity than did with IDU. In the open studies, vidarabine also was effective. Of 116 patients whose ulcers had not responded to IDU, 91 (78%) had reepithelialization within four weeks of treatment with vidarabine. On the basis of results from these studies, vidarabine appears to be a safe and effective drug for treating herpes simplex keratitis.", "contents": "Vidarabine therapy of simple and IDU-complicated herpetic keratitis. Large scale, multiclinic evaluations of vidarabine (Ara-A, Vira A, adenine arabinoside) for treating herpetic keratitis have been conducted as double-blind studies (169 patients) in comparison with IDU and open studies (146 patients). In the open studies, the disease in the majority of patients had been refractory to IDU. The effects of vidarabine and IDU were approximately the same in improvement of symptoms (lacrimination, photophobia, sensitivity) and percent of and time for corneal reepithelialization. With vidarabine, significantly more patients had improved distant visual acuity than did with IDU. In the open studies, vidarabine also was effective. Of 116 patients whose ulcers had not responded to IDU, 91 (78%) had reepithelialization within four weeks of treatment with vidarabine. On the basis of results from these studies, vidarabine appears to be a safe and effective drug for treating herpes simplex keratitis.", "PMID": 798369} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11181", "title": "Penetrating keratoplasty using 37 C organ cultured cornea.", "content": "Sixty-three penetrating keratoplasties were performed in 63 patients using donor corneas stored by 37 C organ culture incubation for an average of 13 days (range 2 to 35 days). No grafts failed before four weeks, except one which was stored at 4 C for 48 hours prior to transplantation, indicating that endothelial viability is maintained when proper storage conditions are maintained. Sixteen grafts have failed as a result of factors other than the storage method. This clinical study confirms our previous laboratory conclusions that 37 C OC incubation up to 35 days improves the quality of donor endothelium compared with other methods of storage, and it represents a significant advance in corneal preservation.", "contents": "Penetrating keratoplasty using 37 C organ cultured cornea. Sixty-three penetrating keratoplasties were performed in 63 patients using donor corneas stored by 37 C organ culture incubation for an average of 13 days (range 2 to 35 days). No grafts failed before four weeks, except one which was stored at 4 C for 48 hours prior to transplantation, indicating that endothelial viability is maintained when proper storage conditions are maintained. Sixteen grafts have failed as a result of factors other than the storage method. This clinical study confirms our previous laboratory conclusions that 37 C OC incubation up to 35 days improves the quality of donor endothelium compared with other methods of storage, and it represents a significant advance in corneal preservation.", "PMID": 798366} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11182", "title": "Maintenance of the anterior chamber during penetrating keratoplasty.", "content": "A description of the author's (S.G.K.) technique for penetrating keratoplasty is provided. The salient features include corneal removal, storage, and corneal graft cutting procedures of Kaufman and his co-workers. In addition, a specially designed suturing contact lens is described which allows maintenance of the anterior chamber during penetrating keratoplasty. It is suggested that trauma to the all-important cornea endothelium can be minimized by application of this technique, because it significantly reduces the likelihood of endothelial trauma induced by mechanical contact of the endothelium with intraocular recipient structures during suturing.", "contents": "Maintenance of the anterior chamber during penetrating keratoplasty. A description of the author's (S.G.K.) technique for penetrating keratoplasty is provided. The salient features include corneal removal, storage, and corneal graft cutting procedures of Kaufman and his co-workers. In addition, a specially designed suturing contact lens is described which allows maintenance of the anterior chamber during penetrating keratoplasty. It is suggested that trauma to the all-important cornea endothelium can be minimized by application of this technique, because it significantly reduces the likelihood of endothelial trauma induced by mechanical contact of the endothelium with intraocular recipient structures during suturing.", "PMID": 798367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11183", "title": "[Diagnosis of postoperative thrombophlebitis].", "content": "107 patients were explored using a radioisotope method. An acute thrombosis of the lower extremities veins postoperatively developed in 71 of them (66.3%). The radioisotope method is considered to be a simple and safe method for early diagnosis of the postoperative venous thrombosis.", "contents": "[Diagnosis of postoperative thrombophlebitis]. 107 patients were explored using a radioisotope method. An acute thrombosis of the lower extremities veins postoperatively developed in 71 of them (66.3%). The radioisotope method is considered to be a simple and safe method for early diagnosis of the postoperative venous thrombosis.", "PMID": 798405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11184", "title": "[Transduodenal transpapillary operations on terminal portions of the bile and pancreatic ducts in non-neoplastic diseases].", "content": "The authors have differentiated between papillocholedocho- and papillowirsungo-sphincteroplasty. The latter was employed for stenosing affections of the pancreatic duct. An outer drainage of the pancreatic duct was accomplished in every case. A total of 45 operations were performed with one lethal issue.", "contents": "[Transduodenal transpapillary operations on terminal portions of the bile and pancreatic ducts in non-neoplastic diseases]. The authors have differentiated between papillocholedocho- and papillowirsungo-sphincteroplasty. The latter was employed for stenosing affections of the pancreatic duct. An outer drainage of the pancreatic duct was accomplished in every case. A total of 45 operations were performed with one lethal issue.", "PMID": 798406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11185", "title": "[Differential diagnosis of clinical forms of polyposis of the large intestine].", "content": "The author presents an analysis of 1603 clinical observations. By means of electronic computors the possibility to determine interrelations and dependence between forms of the disease and symptoms was realized. A computor recorded 156 possible variants of combinations of the forms and clinical manifestations.", "contents": "[Differential diagnosis of clinical forms of polyposis of the large intestine]. The author presents an analysis of 1603 clinical observations. By means of electronic computors the possibility to determine interrelations and dependence between forms of the disease and symptoms was realized. A computor recorded 156 possible variants of combinations of the forms and clinical manifestations.", "PMID": 798407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11186", "title": "[Combined osteosynthesis].", "content": "The combined osteosynthesis with a metallic pin and screws from a homobone was employed in 15 patients. This kind of osteosynthesis is recommended.", "contents": "[Combined osteosynthesis]. The combined osteosynthesis with a metallic pin and screws from a homobone was employed in 15 patients. This kind of osteosynthesis is recommended.", "PMID": 798409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11187", "title": "[Surgical treatment of pseudarthroses and defects of the forearm bones].", "content": "The authors report their experience with the treatment of diaphyseal pseudarthrosis and defects of antebrachial bones in 367 patients. Late results were studied within the terms from 6 to 18 years, postoperatively. Good results were gained in 195 patients (43.1%), satisfactory--in 114 (31.1%) and poor--in 58 (15.8%).", "contents": "[Surgical treatment of pseudarthroses and defects of the forearm bones]. The authors report their experience with the treatment of diaphyseal pseudarthrosis and defects of antebrachial bones in 367 patients. Late results were studied within the terms from 6 to 18 years, postoperatively. Good results were gained in 195 patients (43.1%), satisfactory--in 114 (31.1%) and poor--in 58 (15.8%).", "PMID": 798410} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11188", "title": "[Computer measurement of residual volume and alveolar gas distribution parameters in epidemiological studies (author's transl)].", "content": "Starting from the quick helium-rebreathing-technique of Kowalski-Visser a method of combined measurement of residual volume and closing volume in one test was developed using automatic data - collection in 3 different variants, that is- automatic control during test- manual control during test and- manual control on the table. A computer program running on minicomputer Cellatron 8205 is described. Experiences using the different program-variants are discussed.", "contents": "[Computer measurement of residual volume and alveolar gas distribution parameters in epidemiological studies (author's transl)]. Starting from the quick helium-rebreathing-technique of Kowalski-Visser a method of combined measurement of residual volume and closing volume in one test was developed using automatic data - collection in 3 different variants, that is- automatic control during test- manual control during test and- manual control on the table. A computer program running on minicomputer Cellatron 8205 is described. Experiences using the different program-variants are discussed.", "PMID": 798424} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11189", "title": "[Immunologic investigations in tuberculosis and chemotherapy (author's transl)].", "content": "The influence of tuberculosis and chemotherapy of tuberculosis on the immunologic investigations was proved on 136 patients with tuberculosis and some cases with sarcoidosis, over a period of several months. The immunologic investigations should contribute towards the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis. A general control group was established and also followed up for several months. The diagnostic value of the immunologic investigations seems of little importance for the tuberculosis, the chemo-therapy of tuberculosis does not influence the immunologic situation. The relative frequent appearance of antibodies against cell nuclei and the plain muscles shows that in clinically similar cases we must be careful with the diagnosis of collagen diseases or lupus erythematodes.", "contents": "[Immunologic investigations in tuberculosis and chemotherapy (author's transl)]. The influence of tuberculosis and chemotherapy of tuberculosis on the immunologic investigations was proved on 136 patients with tuberculosis and some cases with sarcoidosis, over a period of several months. The immunologic investigations should contribute towards the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis. A general control group was established and also followed up for several months. The diagnostic value of the immunologic investigations seems of little importance for the tuberculosis, the chemo-therapy of tuberculosis does not influence the immunologic situation. The relative frequent appearance of antibodies against cell nuclei and the plain muscles shows that in clinically similar cases we must be careful with the diagnosis of collagen diseases or lupus erythematodes.", "PMID": 798425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11190", "title": "[Experiences with computer-assisted x-ray diagnosis of pulmonary coin lesions (author's transl)].", "content": "Favourable results of the computer-aided diagnosis of peripheral bronchial carcinoma lead to a simplified scheme for calculation fo diagnosis, basing upon X-ray symptoms. This scheme was tested in the Zentralinstitut f\u00fcr Krebsforschung (ZIK) in 102 pateints and in the Forschungsinstitut f\u00fcr Lungenkrankheiten und Tuberkulose (FLT) in 101 patients. These patients had coin lesions of the lung with unknown diagnoses. The histological diagnoses later proved were compared with the calculated diagnoses. In ZIK there were correct diagnosis in 92.16% (in 96.53% of the carcinomas, in 44.4% of the tuberculomas and in all benign tumors), while in FLT 85.53% of the coin lesions were correctly classified (89.13% of carcinomas, 79.31% of the tuberculomas and all benign tumors). The comparison with the clinical-histological diagnoses showed a clear improvement of the accuracy by the calculated diagnoses. The method can be recommended for the basic diagnosis especially of peripheral bronchial carcinoma. It implies a reduction of the diagnostic delay, but it can not substitute the histologic investigation of the lesions.", "contents": "[Experiences with computer-assisted x-ray diagnosis of pulmonary coin lesions (author's transl)]. Favourable results of the computer-aided diagnosis of peripheral bronchial carcinoma lead to a simplified scheme for calculation fo diagnosis, basing upon X-ray symptoms. This scheme was tested in the Zentralinstitut f\u00fcr Krebsforschung (ZIK) in 102 pateints and in the Forschungsinstitut f\u00fcr Lungenkrankheiten und Tuberkulose (FLT) in 101 patients. These patients had coin lesions of the lung with unknown diagnoses. The histological diagnoses later proved were compared with the calculated diagnoses. In ZIK there were correct diagnosis in 92.16% (in 96.53% of the carcinomas, in 44.4% of the tuberculomas and in all benign tumors), while in FLT 85.53% of the coin lesions were correctly classified (89.13% of carcinomas, 79.31% of the tuberculomas and all benign tumors). The comparison with the clinical-histological diagnoses showed a clear improvement of the accuracy by the calculated diagnoses. The method can be recommended for the basic diagnosis especially of peripheral bronchial carcinoma. It implies a reduction of the diagnostic delay, but it can not substitute the histologic investigation of the lesions.", "PMID": 798426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11191", "title": "[Regulation of pancreatic glucagon secretion].", "content": "Intensive investigations during the last few years have shown that the regulation of the secretion of pancreatic glucagon is controlled by nerval, humoral and metabolic factors. Of decisive importance is the actually present glucose level which by inhibition modifies the effectiveness of the most different stimulators (intestinal hormones, amino acids). In addition to this the hormones insulin and somatostatin formed by the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas seem to be of importance for the local reactivity of the A-cells of the endocrine pancreas. Disturbances of the glucagon secretion of the pancreas have been found in different diseases connected with hyperglycaemia (especially in diabetes mellitus). The review tried to summarize our present knowledge of the physiology and pathophysiology in this field.", "contents": "[Regulation of pancreatic glucagon secretion]. Intensive investigations during the last few years have shown that the regulation of the secretion of pancreatic glucagon is controlled by nerval, humoral and metabolic factors. Of decisive importance is the actually present glucose level which by inhibition modifies the effectiveness of the most different stimulators (intestinal hormones, amino acids). In addition to this the hormones insulin and somatostatin formed by the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas seem to be of importance for the local reactivity of the A-cells of the endocrine pancreas. Disturbances of the glucagon secretion of the pancreas have been found in different diseases connected with hyperglycaemia (especially in diabetes mellitus). The review tried to summarize our present knowledge of the physiology and pathophysiology in this field.", "PMID": 798428} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11192", "title": "[Bretylium tosylate as an anti-arrhythmic drug].", "content": "With the help of an analysis of the world literature pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and electrophysiological properties as well as the possibilities of the clinico-therapeutic use of Bretylium tosylat are demonstrated. The pharmacon is of increasing interest as antiarrhytmic, especially in the commandment of otherwise therapy-refractory ventricular disturbances of rhythm. A positively inotropic effect is proved. More severe side effects, such as arterial hypotension and increase of the pulmonary vascular resistance have an objection to routine application. The antifibrillatory effect needs particular consideration. This effect might promote this pharmacon to the \"chemical defibrillator\" in the emergency situation.", "contents": "[Bretylium tosylate as an anti-arrhythmic drug]. With the help of an analysis of the world literature pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and electrophysiological properties as well as the possibilities of the clinico-therapeutic use of Bretylium tosylat are demonstrated. The pharmacon is of increasing interest as antiarrhytmic, especially in the commandment of otherwise therapy-refractory ventricular disturbances of rhythm. A positively inotropic effect is proved. More severe side effects, such as arterial hypotension and increase of the pulmonary vascular resistance have an objection to routine application. The antifibrillatory effect needs particular consideration. This effect might promote this pharmacon to the \"chemical defibrillator\" in the emergency situation.", "PMID": 798429} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11193", "title": "[The molecular mechanism of the photochemical reaction of furocoumarins with nucleic acids].", "content": "1. The photoreaction of furocoumarins with cell substrates of high molecular weight are limited on nucleic acids. Both molecules are jointed together via a cyclobutane ring system. The 5.6 double bonds of thydine or uracil and the 3.4 and/or 4',5' positions of furocoumarins act as binding sites. Proteins, polysaccharides, and lipides behave quite inert. 2. The photoreactions of cancerogenic hydrocarbons with nucleic acids are similar to those of furocoumarins. 3. Photochemically induced cross-links of DNA strands by furocoumarins are to a high degree dependent on the secondary structure of nucleic acids. Double stranded DNA is much more favoured to bind furocoumarins than single stranded DNA or RNA. 4. Lethal and mutagenic effects in cells caused by photoreactions between furocoumarins and DNA are well explainable on molecular level. It consists a satisfactory correlation between skin sensitization and binding tendency of furocoumarins to DNA. Possibilities of repair of furocoumarine induced DNA damages are discussed.", "contents": "[The molecular mechanism of the photochemical reaction of furocoumarins with nucleic acids]. 1. The photoreaction of furocoumarins with cell substrates of high molecular weight are limited on nucleic acids. Both molecules are jointed together via a cyclobutane ring system. The 5.6 double bonds of thydine or uracil and the 3.4 and/or 4',5' positions of furocoumarins act as binding sites. Proteins, polysaccharides, and lipides behave quite inert. 2. The photoreactions of cancerogenic hydrocarbons with nucleic acids are similar to those of furocoumarins. 3. Photochemically induced cross-links of DNA strands by furocoumarins are to a high degree dependent on the secondary structure of nucleic acids. Double stranded DNA is much more favoured to bind furocoumarins than single stranded DNA or RNA. 4. Lethal and mutagenic effects in cells caused by photoreactions between furocoumarins and DNA are well explainable on molecular level. It consists a satisfactory correlation between skin sensitization and binding tendency of furocoumarins to DNA. Possibilities of repair of furocoumarine induced DNA damages are discussed.", "PMID": 798430} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11194", "title": "[Carotid sinus pressure as an aid for the detection of latent asystole].", "content": "For the detection of intermitting blockings the pressure of the carotid sinus was used. In 21 patients with ascertained intermitting block the pressure of the carotid sinus caused an asystolia during 3 seconds. In control persons such a duration of asystolia could not be observed. Despite spontaneous blockings not in every case a pathological pressure of the carotid sinus was present. Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects as well as influences on the result of the reflex are discussed.", "contents": "[Carotid sinus pressure as an aid for the detection of latent asystole]. For the detection of intermitting blockings the pressure of the carotid sinus was used. In 21 patients with ascertained intermitting block the pressure of the carotid sinus caused an asystolia during 3 seconds. In control persons such a duration of asystolia could not be observed. Despite spontaneous blockings not in every case a pathological pressure of the carotid sinus was present. Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects as well as influences on the result of the reflex are discussed.", "PMID": 798431} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11195", "title": "[Chemotherapeutic intolerance].", "content": "Incombatibility reactions can be observed in almost all antibiotics and chemotherapeutics. Kind and severity oftthe side effects depend on the terrain component and on the particular antibiotics. Clinical distinctions were made between allergic, toxic and dysmicrobial reactions. Special attention was given to nephrotoxicity and to the side effects of the combination of trimethoprim and sulfomethoxazol.", "contents": "[Chemotherapeutic intolerance]. Incombatibility reactions can be observed in almost all antibiotics and chemotherapeutics. Kind and severity oftthe side effects depend on the terrain component and on the particular antibiotics. Clinical distinctions were made between allergic, toxic and dysmicrobial reactions. Special attention was given to nephrotoxicity and to the side effects of the combination of trimethoprim and sulfomethoxazol.", "PMID": 798432} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11196", "title": "[Reverse isolation of patients with blood diseases in a near germ-free environment].", "content": "On the basis of literary data and own experiences the therapeutic method of the reversed isolation of the patients in the aseptic milieu is discussed. After introduction and historical review the working method with the system of reversed isolation (Life Island, Laminar Air Flow Unit) with the clinical results and perspective of a further use in practice is described. Own experiences confirm the literary data in the fact that the reversed isolation is unambiguously successful in the decrease of the number of infections in the immunologically weakened persons. Up to now the other questions cannot be answered definitely.", "contents": "[Reverse isolation of patients with blood diseases in a near germ-free environment]. On the basis of literary data and own experiences the therapeutic method of the reversed isolation of the patients in the aseptic milieu is discussed. After introduction and historical review the working method with the system of reversed isolation (Life Island, Laminar Air Flow Unit) with the clinical results and perspective of a further use in practice is described. Own experiences confirm the literary data in the fact that the reversed isolation is unambiguously successful in the decrease of the number of infections in the immunologically weakened persons. Up to now the other questions cannot be answered definitely.", "PMID": 798433} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11197", "title": "[The development of hair and the restoration of innervation in the skin transplants in man].", "content": "Various areas in 7 local flaps and in 6 free skin grafts from the back, abdomen and thigh, applied to the palm and fingers and retained for periods extending from several months to 17 years are studied. After the second year, the transplants display virtually complete recovery of the sensation for pain, touch, pressure and temperature. The hair roots in the transplants have varying thickness and reveal changes in the structure of the connective-tissue and outer epithelial sheath (Figs. 1, 2). The sebaceous glands are enlarged. Isolated sebaceous glands are encountered which do not communicate with the hair roots. In the upper layers of the corium bundles of myelin nerve fibers are observed, giving off small groups of 2-4 fibers each, with slightly ascending direction relative to the hair roots (Fig. 3). The nerve fibers break down into branches which are furthermore ramified into smaller branches, forming palisade-like endings along the outer epethelial sheath of the hair root (Figs. 4-8). They number 15-25, being usually thin, with a discrete number of thickenings, and resemble the normal fibers running along the hair roots of the donor site (Figs. 9, 10). No capsulated receptors, characteristic of the surrounding skin, are noted in the transplants. Hence, it is assumed that most likely, the endings of the regenerated nerve fibers along the hair roots, although uncapsulated and with identical structure, provide for perceiving the types of sensation, inherent of the hairy and glabrous human skin.", "contents": "[The development of hair and the restoration of innervation in the skin transplants in man]. Various areas in 7 local flaps and in 6 free skin grafts from the back, abdomen and thigh, applied to the palm and fingers and retained for periods extending from several months to 17 years are studied. After the second year, the transplants display virtually complete recovery of the sensation for pain, touch, pressure and temperature. The hair roots in the transplants have varying thickness and reveal changes in the structure of the connective-tissue and outer epithelial sheath (Figs. 1, 2). The sebaceous glands are enlarged. Isolated sebaceous glands are encountered which do not communicate with the hair roots. In the upper layers of the corium bundles of myelin nerve fibers are observed, giving off small groups of 2-4 fibers each, with slightly ascending direction relative to the hair roots (Fig. 3). The nerve fibers break down into branches which are furthermore ramified into smaller branches, forming palisade-like endings along the outer epethelial sheath of the hair root (Figs. 4-8). They number 15-25, being usually thin, with a discrete number of thickenings, and resemble the normal fibers running along the hair roots of the donor site (Figs. 9, 10). No capsulated receptors, characteristic of the surrounding skin, are noted in the transplants. Hence, it is assumed that most likely, the endings of the regenerated nerve fibers along the hair roots, although uncapsulated and with identical structure, provide for perceiving the types of sensation, inherent of the hairy and glabrous human skin.", "PMID": 798434} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11198", "title": "Contribution to the neurohaemal organs in pterygote insects.", "content": "In this review a comprehensive account of anatomy and various cell types occurring in the neurohaemal organs in Pterygote insects has been given. The chemical nature and composition of neurohaemal secretions and the mechanisms of liberation of neurosecretory material (NSM) from neurohaemal organs (NHO) have been described. Also the effects of neurhaemal secretions on diuresis, feeding and growth, heart beat, pigmentation of cuticle, carbohydrate metabolism, oocyte development and respiratory metabolism have been incorporated.", "contents": "Contribution to the neurohaemal organs in pterygote insects. In this review a comprehensive account of anatomy and various cell types occurring in the neurohaemal organs in Pterygote insects has been given. The chemical nature and composition of neurohaemal secretions and the mechanisms of liberation of neurosecretory material (NSM) from neurohaemal organs (NHO) have been described. Also the effects of neurhaemal secretions on diuresis, feeding and growth, heart beat, pigmentation of cuticle, carbohydrate metabolism, oocyte development and respiratory metabolism have been incorporated.", "PMID": 798435} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11199", "title": "[No stimulation of the growth of microorganisms by repair-substances (author's transl)].", "content": "By means of manometric technique the influence of X-ray-repairsubstances on the growth and respiration of Micrococcus denitrificans, Micrococcus radiodurans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. Though these substances are stimulating the development of higher plants, there is no effect on growth and respiration of these microorganisms.", "contents": "[No stimulation of the growth of microorganisms by repair-substances (author's transl)]. By means of manometric technique the influence of X-ray-repairsubstances on the growth and respiration of Micrococcus denitrificans, Micrococcus radiodurans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. Though these substances are stimulating the development of higher plants, there is no effect on growth and respiration of these microorganisms.", "PMID": 798454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11200", "title": "[Kinetics of the release of testbacteria from the artificially contaminated hand (author's transl)].", "content": "It is demonstrated that the release of testbacteria from the finger tips of artificially contaminated hands is influenced to a very small degree only by application of the finger tip method when compared to the effect of ablutions. Therefore, without apprehension of influencing the post-values this method may be employed in order to assess pre-values as required by the test-model of Rotter and Mittermayer (5) for the evaluation of procedures for the hygienic disinfection of hands. In addition, it can be shown directly that it is irrelevant for the number of bacteria released after a germ-reducing procedure, whether the finger tip-method has been used or not, preceedingly. In contrast, all technical variations that aim at the restitution of the supposed loss of testbacteria (like renewed contamination after the assessment of prevalues) change the postvalues measurably and must be avoided, therefore. Drying of bacterial suspensions on the hands, as after artificial contamination, reduces the release of viable testbacteria depending on the time. This effect is stronger on the palms than on the finger tips. The influence of handbrushes on the release of testbacteria with simultaneous useage of detergents compares well with the effect of an alcohol disinfection. However, this method is not suitable to eliminate pathogens safely.", "contents": "[Kinetics of the release of testbacteria from the artificially contaminated hand (author's transl)]. It is demonstrated that the release of testbacteria from the finger tips of artificially contaminated hands is influenced to a very small degree only by application of the finger tip method when compared to the effect of ablutions. Therefore, without apprehension of influencing the post-values this method may be employed in order to assess pre-values as required by the test-model of Rotter and Mittermayer (5) for the evaluation of procedures for the hygienic disinfection of hands. In addition, it can be shown directly that it is irrelevant for the number of bacteria released after a germ-reducing procedure, whether the finger tip-method has been used or not, preceedingly. In contrast, all technical variations that aim at the restitution of the supposed loss of testbacteria (like renewed contamination after the assessment of prevalues) change the postvalues measurably and must be avoided, therefore. Drying of bacterial suspensions on the hands, as after artificial contamination, reduces the release of viable testbacteria depending on the time. This effect is stronger on the palms than on the finger tips. The influence of handbrushes on the release of testbacteria with simultaneous useage of detergents compares well with the effect of an alcohol disinfection. However, this method is not suitable to eliminate pathogens safely.", "PMID": 798455} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11201", "title": "Distribution of animal rabies in Zambia and its potential danger to the human population.", "content": "The incidence and distribution of animal rabies in Zambia during the period 1914-1975 has been outlined. At present rabies is present in all provinces of Zambia and most prevalent in the Central, Southern, Copperbelt and Eastern Provinces. The dog is the main carrier of the infection and is responsible for 82.7% of all positive cases.", "contents": "Distribution of animal rabies in Zambia and its potential danger to the human population. The incidence and distribution of animal rabies in Zambia during the period 1914-1975 has been outlined. At present rabies is present in all provinces of Zambia and most prevalent in the Central, Southern, Copperbelt and Eastern Provinces. The dog is the main carrier of the infection and is responsible for 82.7% of all positive cases.", "PMID": 798447} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11202", "title": "[Elimination of the Kehr's drainage].", "content": "Two proven procedures are suggested for the substitution of T-drainage. 1. Modified coledochoduodenostomy, i.e. an internal shunt. By this precedure the operative mortality of aged jaundiced patients at risk could considerably be reduced. The key to success in this case is a broad anastomosis. 2. Patients of normal strength are subjected to sphincterectomy through transduodenal exposure and spincter replacement is performed after cleaning of the biliary ducts. The operated area is bridged by trans-cystically placed thin polyethylene tubing. Both procedures have rendered unnecessary the use of T-drainage.", "contents": "[Elimination of the Kehr's drainage]. Two proven procedures are suggested for the substitution of T-drainage. 1. Modified coledochoduodenostomy, i.e. an internal shunt. By this precedure the operative mortality of aged jaundiced patients at risk could considerably be reduced. The key to success in this case is a broad anastomosis. 2. Patients of normal strength are subjected to sphincterectomy through transduodenal exposure and spincter replacement is performed after cleaning of the biliary ducts. The operated area is bridged by trans-cystically placed thin polyethylene tubing. Both procedures have rendered unnecessary the use of T-drainage.", "PMID": 798457} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11203", "title": "The importance of lipase determinations in the detection of pancreaticoduodenal allograft rejection.", "content": "In canine pancreaticoduodenal allografts, the exocrine pancreas is rejected earlier that endocrine islets. Lipase levels prove to be a good parameter of the rejection onset, occurring before other parameters showed any changes. Moreover there is a good correlation between the lipasemia and the functional condition of the exocrine pancreas in periods before and after the rejection crisis. Variations in other parameters which occur during rejection and consequently can sustain the diagnosis of rejection, are an amylase rise, a leucocytosis, a fasting insulin decrease and glucose increase. These changes however are less striking than lipase variations; besides they do not occur constantly and can also be seen in other circumstances. In this way they not only lack rejection specificity but likewise do not allow the functional evolution during and after the rejection crisis. The insulinemia, after glucose loading, is the only one of the mentioned parameters which gives an adequate idea of the endocrine graft function and which consequently has a prognostic value after the rejection crisis, with regard to the function and the survival of the graft. Cool storage preservation of the grafts using a Largiad\u00e8r solution proved to have no detrimental effects on the pancreas, as judged by the graft function, the postoperative survival time of the dogs and the rejection pattern of the transplants.", "contents": "The importance of lipase determinations in the detection of pancreaticoduodenal allograft rejection. In canine pancreaticoduodenal allografts, the exocrine pancreas is rejected earlier that endocrine islets. Lipase levels prove to be a good parameter of the rejection onset, occurring before other parameters showed any changes. Moreover there is a good correlation between the lipasemia and the functional condition of the exocrine pancreas in periods before and after the rejection crisis. Variations in other parameters which occur during rejection and consequently can sustain the diagnosis of rejection, are an amylase rise, a leucocytosis, a fasting insulin decrease and glucose increase. These changes however are less striking than lipase variations; besides they do not occur constantly and can also be seen in other circumstances. In this way they not only lack rejection specificity but likewise do not allow the functional evolution during and after the rejection crisis. The insulinemia, after glucose loading, is the only one of the mentioned parameters which gives an adequate idea of the endocrine graft function and which consequently has a prognostic value after the rejection crisis, with regard to the function and the survival of the graft. Cool storage preservation of the grafts using a Largiad\u00e8r solution proved to have no detrimental effects on the pancreas, as judged by the graft function, the postoperative survival time of the dogs and the rejection pattern of the transplants.", "PMID": 798458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11204", "title": "Study on the insulin-binding capacity of blood serum by a cellulose adsorption method.", "content": "The cellulose adsorption method was used for the quantitative study of the insulin-binding capacity of blood serum. The results support the view that anti-bodies to insulin are of exogenous origin and that may be responsible for insulin resistance in individual cases. While the insulin requirement of patients was found to be related to the serum antibody level, the latter was unaffected by the duration of insulin treatment even though the number of cases exhibiting normal values decreased with the length of treatment.", "contents": "Study on the insulin-binding capacity of blood serum by a cellulose adsorption method. The cellulose adsorption method was used for the quantitative study of the insulin-binding capacity of blood serum. The results support the view that anti-bodies to insulin are of exogenous origin and that may be responsible for insulin resistance in individual cases. While the insulin requirement of patients was found to be related to the serum antibody level, the latter was unaffected by the duration of insulin treatment even though the number of cases exhibiting normal values decreased with the length of treatment.", "PMID": 798462} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11205", "title": "[Course of disease and prognosis of diabetes mellitus].", "content": "In potential diabetics, environmental factors, especially overweight, appear to be more significant for the prognosis than genetic factors. The frequency of overt diabetes is higher in females than in males. Mean life expectancy amounts to about 70%, compared with the whole population. Mean survival after manifestation is more than 18 years. Diabetic coma has almost disappeared as cause of death. Today, approximately 75% of diabetics die from vascular complications, mainly from coronary heart disease. The coronaries are affected with same frequency in diabetic males and females. Renovascular complications are the leading cause of death only in young diabetics. Diabetic macro- and microangiopathy is correlated with the duration, not with the severity of diabetes. It should be imperative to physicians to control diabetes very strictly, especially during the first years following manifestation, in order to reduce frequency and/or severity of vascular complications.", "contents": "[Course of disease and prognosis of diabetes mellitus]. In potential diabetics, environmental factors, especially overweight, appear to be more significant for the prognosis than genetic factors. The frequency of overt diabetes is higher in females than in males. Mean life expectancy amounts to about 70%, compared with the whole population. Mean survival after manifestation is more than 18 years. Diabetic coma has almost disappeared as cause of death. Today, approximately 75% of diabetics die from vascular complications, mainly from coronary heart disease. The coronaries are affected with same frequency in diabetic males and females. Renovascular complications are the leading cause of death only in young diabetics. Diabetic macro- and microangiopathy is correlated with the duration, not with the severity of diabetes. It should be imperative to physicians to control diabetes very strictly, especially during the first years following manifestation, in order to reduce frequency and/or severity of vascular complications.", "PMID": 798463} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11206", "title": "[Demonstration of arterial vascular occlusions using 125 I-fibrinogen].", "content": "In 10 patients with arterial occlusions, 125-I fibrinogen was injected intravenously. In all patients with acute embolic or thrombotic arterial occlusions verified surgically and/or angiographically, a significant accumulation of radioactivity in the affected region was observed. The use of 125-I fibrinogen in this manner obviously is a valuable means for the detection and localization of acute arterial occlusions.", "contents": "[Demonstration of arterial vascular occlusions using 125 I-fibrinogen]. In 10 patients with arterial occlusions, 125-I fibrinogen was injected intravenously. In all patients with acute embolic or thrombotic arterial occlusions verified surgically and/or angiographically, a significant accumulation of radioactivity in the affected region was observed. The use of 125-I fibrinogen in this manner obviously is a valuable means for the detection and localization of acute arterial occlusions.", "PMID": 798464} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11207", "title": "[Clinical study of the normothymic effect of dipropylacetamide].", "content": "On the basis of his results, obtained during a long term study of 32 patients presenting cyclic variations of mood with a known frequency, the author concludes that dipropylacetamide permits to stabilise mood in about 70% of all cases through a supression of relapses or by reducing significantly their frequency. No biological changes were observed and the clinical tolerance of the drug was excellent in most cases. This drug constitutes a variable alternative to lithium treatment, and lacks the well known lithium side effects and limitations.", "contents": "[Clinical study of the normothymic effect of dipropylacetamide]. On the basis of his results, obtained during a long term study of 32 patients presenting cyclic variations of mood with a known frequency, the author concludes that dipropylacetamide permits to stabilise mood in about 70% of all cases through a supression of relapses or by reducing significantly their frequency. No biological changes were observed and the clinical tolerance of the drug was excellent in most cases. This drug constitutes a variable alternative to lithium treatment, and lacks the well known lithium side effects and limitations.", "PMID": 798467} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11208", "title": "The lipid metabolism of the arterial wall and its abnormalities in diabetes.", "content": "Arteries are not simply conduits for the transport of blood, but consist of metabolically active tissue which has the capacity to synthesize all the components of the atherosclerotic lesion. The smooth muscle cell appears to be the most important metabolically active cell in the arterial wall. There is little information on arterial metabolism in human diabetes. Experimental diabetes depressed all aspects of arterial lipid metabolism and this effect is reversed by insulin. Insulin promotes changes in arterial metabolism which are similar to those an atherosclerosis. Thus the relationship of human diabetes to the metabolism of the arterial wall is complex and little understood.", "contents": "The lipid metabolism of the arterial wall and its abnormalities in diabetes. Arteries are not simply conduits for the transport of blood, but consist of metabolically active tissue which has the capacity to synthesize all the components of the atherosclerotic lesion. The smooth muscle cell appears to be the most important metabolically active cell in the arterial wall. There is little information on arterial metabolism in human diabetes. Experimental diabetes depressed all aspects of arterial lipid metabolism and this effect is reversed by insulin. Insulin promotes changes in arterial metabolism which are similar to those an atherosclerosis. Thus the relationship of human diabetes to the metabolism of the arterial wall is complex and little understood.", "PMID": 798461} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11209", "title": "R factors derived from Shigella flexneri strains.", "content": "Of 2492 Shigelle flexneri strains isolated from dysenteric patients in Hungary in the years 1972-1974, 767 (30.8%) were resistant to 1-5 antibiotics. Resistance was due to R factors in 79.2% of the strains. Fertility inhibition experiments with F specific phages showed R factors to be fi+ in 12.9% and fi- and 87.1%. Of the antibiotic markers, the chloramphenicol-tetracycline resistance determinant was the most common (46.4%). Chloramphenicol resistance determinants were carried out by fi- R factors.", "contents": "R factors derived from Shigella flexneri strains. Of 2492 Shigelle flexneri strains isolated from dysenteric patients in Hungary in the years 1972-1974, 767 (30.8%) were resistant to 1-5 antibiotics. Resistance was due to R factors in 79.2% of the strains. Fertility inhibition experiments with F specific phages showed R factors to be fi+ in 12.9% and fi- and 87.1%. Of the antibiotic markers, the chloramphenicol-tetracycline resistance determinant was the most common (46.4%). Chloramphenicol resistance determinants were carried out by fi- R factors.", "PMID": 798470} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11210", "title": "Restriction and modification of Shigella flexneri phages by R factors.", "content": "Out of 420 R factors derived from Shigella flexneri strains, 50.8% restricted Escherichia coli and S. flexneri phages. Phage restriction was produced both by fi- and fi+ R factors. The R factors were divided into nine groups on the basis of the efficiency of plating of S. flexneri phages. Changes of phage types were produced by transferring R factors of different restrictive types. The changes offered some information concerning the evolution of phage types. Studies on phage modification supported the grouping of R factors determined on the basis of restriction. R factors of different restrictive types were type-specific except for types VII and IX. Modified phages proved to be highly practical for epidemiological purposes. The use of modified phages, as an additional phage-set besides that basic phage-set, was suggested to trace the source of strains which changed their phage types as an effect of R factors.", "contents": "Restriction and modification of Shigella flexneri phages by R factors. Out of 420 R factors derived from Shigella flexneri strains, 50.8% restricted Escherichia coli and S. flexneri phages. Phage restriction was produced both by fi- and fi+ R factors. The R factors were divided into nine groups on the basis of the efficiency of plating of S. flexneri phages. Changes of phage types were produced by transferring R factors of different restrictive types. The changes offered some information concerning the evolution of phage types. Studies on phage modification supported the grouping of R factors determined on the basis of restriction. R factors of different restrictive types were type-specific except for types VII and IX. Modified phages proved to be highly practical for epidemiological purposes. The use of modified phages, as an additional phage-set besides that basic phage-set, was suggested to trace the source of strains which changed their phage types as an effect of R factors.", "PMID": 798471} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11211", "title": "A double blind study of pimozide versus chlordiazepoxide in anxiety neuroses.", "content": "Eighteen patients diagnosed as anxiety states were treated under double blind conditions for a four week trial period with pimozide and chlordiazepoxide after randomisation. No significant differences could be demonstrated between chlordiazepoxide and pimozide as far as therapeutic efficacy or toxicity were concerned. Pimozide administered in a single daily dose was as effective as chlordiazepoxide administered in divided daily doses for the relief of anxiety symptoms.", "contents": "A double blind study of pimozide versus chlordiazepoxide in anxiety neuroses. Eighteen patients diagnosed as anxiety states were treated under double blind conditions for a four week trial period with pimozide and chlordiazepoxide after randomisation. No significant differences could be demonstrated between chlordiazepoxide and pimozide as far as therapeutic efficacy or toxicity were concerned. Pimozide administered in a single daily dose was as effective as chlordiazepoxide administered in divided daily doses for the relief of anxiety symptoms.", "PMID": 798468} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11212", "title": "Endotoxin-induced non-specific resistance in rats examined by Trypanosoma equiperdum challenge.", "content": "In rats weighing 100 g, intravenously administered Trypanosoma equiperdum organisms started logarithmic growth immediately, whereas in rats weighing 150-300 g growth started after a lag phase of 0.7-3.1 hr. The lag phase lasted for 15-17 hr when the rats were pretreated serially with endotoxins and this time course was not modified by changes either in the host's body weight or in the germ count of the inocula. Maximum resistance to infection was achieved with gradual doses of the endotoxin given at 48 hr intervals on 6 occasions. The total dose of endotoxin was fourfold of its LD50. Additional doses failed further to increase the resistance. Serial passages of the strain in rats pretreated with endotoxin disclosed that the trypanosomes growing after the lag phase had developed resistance to the factor responsible for the lag phase. Thus the method does not allow a quantitative estimation of resistance induced by serial endotoxin treatment, yet it represents a rapid and simple procedure in every case in which qualitative assessment is sufficient.", "contents": "Endotoxin-induced non-specific resistance in rats examined by Trypanosoma equiperdum challenge. In rats weighing 100 g, intravenously administered Trypanosoma equiperdum organisms started logarithmic growth immediately, whereas in rats weighing 150-300 g growth started after a lag phase of 0.7-3.1 hr. The lag phase lasted for 15-17 hr when the rats were pretreated serially with endotoxins and this time course was not modified by changes either in the host's body weight or in the germ count of the inocula. Maximum resistance to infection was achieved with gradual doses of the endotoxin given at 48 hr intervals on 6 occasions. The total dose of endotoxin was fourfold of its LD50. Additional doses failed further to increase the resistance. Serial passages of the strain in rats pretreated with endotoxin disclosed that the trypanosomes growing after the lag phase had developed resistance to the factor responsible for the lag phase. Thus the method does not allow a quantitative estimation of resistance induced by serial endotoxin treatment, yet it represents a rapid and simple procedure in every case in which qualitative assessment is sufficient.", "PMID": 798472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11213", "title": "[Treatment of chronic psychoses with oral clopimozide].", "content": "A longterm investigation containing three distinct studies has been carried out in order to clarify efficacy and inocuity of clopimozide in the maintenance treatment of chronic psychotics. Twelve patients took part in the pilot study (Study I) during which the optimal weekly dose was established to be 24 mg. These patients were then subdivided into two groups for a controlled study with placebo (Study II). This double-blind evaluation has clearly established the superiority of cloprimozide over placebo. Patients were evaluated at the start and completion of the study with three scales. During the surveillance period (Study III), clopimozide was administered daily with a mean dose of 2.5 mg. Results were equally satisfying as those obtained during weekly treatment. The appearance of side-effects, mostly akatsia and dyskinesia, was only noted during the weekly administration. They could be efficiently controlled with dexetimide.", "contents": "[Treatment of chronic psychoses with oral clopimozide]. A longterm investigation containing three distinct studies has been carried out in order to clarify efficacy and inocuity of clopimozide in the maintenance treatment of chronic psychotics. Twelve patients took part in the pilot study (Study I) during which the optimal weekly dose was established to be 24 mg. These patients were then subdivided into two groups for a controlled study with placebo (Study II). This double-blind evaluation has clearly established the superiority of cloprimozide over placebo. Patients were evaluated at the start and completion of the study with three scales. During the surveillance period (Study III), clopimozide was administered daily with a mean dose of 2.5 mg. Results were equally satisfying as those obtained during weekly treatment. The appearance of side-effects, mostly akatsia and dyskinesia, was only noted during the weekly administration. They could be efficiently controlled with dexetimide.", "PMID": 798469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11214", "title": "Antibodies to nuclear antigens in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis.", "content": "Free nuclei of damaged leukocytes adhere to hemodialysis membranes. To see if the incidence of antibodies to nuclear antigens is increased in patients receiving hemodialysis, serums from 77 patients undergoing long-term dialysis for one to 66 months were assayed for antibodies to extractable nuclear antigen and native deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by hemagglutination technics. Serums from 300 other hospital patients (who did not have diseases known to be associated with antibodies to nuclear antigens) were assayed concurrently. Of the 77 dialysis patients, serums from 19 (25 per cent) were positive for one or both antibodies. Serums from only three (1 per cent) of the 300 other patients had detectable antibodies. The incidence was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in dialysis patients suggesting the possibility of sensitization to nuclear antigens during hemodialysis.", "contents": "Antibodies to nuclear antigens in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis. Free nuclei of damaged leukocytes adhere to hemodialysis membranes. To see if the incidence of antibodies to nuclear antigens is increased in patients receiving hemodialysis, serums from 77 patients undergoing long-term dialysis for one to 66 months were assayed for antibodies to extractable nuclear antigen and native deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by hemagglutination technics. Serums from 300 other hospital patients (who did not have diseases known to be associated with antibodies to nuclear antigens) were assayed concurrently. Of the 77 dialysis patients, serums from 19 (25 per cent) were positive for one or both antibodies. Serums from only three (1 per cent) of the 300 other patients had detectable antibodies. The incidence was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in dialysis patients suggesting the possibility of sensitization to nuclear antigens during hemodialysis.", "PMID": 798483} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11215", "title": "Desquamative interstitial pneumonia following long-term nitrofurantoin therapy.", "content": "Two patients with diffuse interstitial lung disease after long-term nitrofurantoin therapy were characterized clinically by exertional dyspnea and basilar rales, roentgenographically by diffuse interstitial infiltrate and physiologically by a restrictive lung defect. Pathologically, light microscopy revealed desquamative interstitial pneumonia. In one patient electron microscopy was characteristic of desquamative interstitial pneumonia. Immunofluorescent studies of one biopsy specimen showed specific fluorescence of interstitial cells with immunoglobulin E and third component of complement. In in vitro studies, nitrofurantoin therapy failed to induce lymphoblast transformation or histamine release. Treatment consisted of discontinuing the administration of nitro=furantoin and adding corticosteroids. Both patients felt better and showed clinical improvement. Our findings suggest that in some cases desquamative interstitial pneumonia may be drug related.", "contents": "Desquamative interstitial pneumonia following long-term nitrofurantoin therapy. Two patients with diffuse interstitial lung disease after long-term nitrofurantoin therapy were characterized clinically by exertional dyspnea and basilar rales, roentgenographically by diffuse interstitial infiltrate and physiologically by a restrictive lung defect. Pathologically, light microscopy revealed desquamative interstitial pneumonia. In one patient electron microscopy was characteristic of desquamative interstitial pneumonia. Immunofluorescent studies of one biopsy specimen showed specific fluorescence of interstitial cells with immunoglobulin E and third component of complement. In in vitro studies, nitrofurantoin therapy failed to induce lymphoblast transformation or histamine release. Treatment consisted of discontinuing the administration of nitro=furantoin and adding corticosteroids. Both patients felt better and showed clinical improvement. Our findings suggest that in some cases desquamative interstitial pneumonia may be drug related.", "PMID": 798484} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11216", "title": "Obstructive polyuric renal failure following renal transplantation.", "content": "In a previously nephrectomized patient with a well functioning renal allograft, acute renal failure with massive polyuria and hypertension developed. Relief of a periureteric obstruction resulted in rapid correction of all three. Pathogenesis of hypotonic polyuria is thought to be a defect in the collecting duct permeability to water, stimulating nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Normal urinary dilution and acidification suggest intact function of the ascending loop of Henle and distal convoluted tubules. The quick reversal of polyuria and renal failure after obtaining relief of the obstruction suggest that both the decrease in the glomerular filtration rate and tubular dysfunctions are due to functional changes in the nephron rather than to organic damage, a possibility also borne out by the findings in a renal biopsy specimen showing normal glomeruli and intact tubular epithelial cells. Ureteric obstruction should be considered in any patient with renal failure and polyuria; it may be a correctable cause of hypertension.", "contents": "Obstructive polyuric renal failure following renal transplantation. In a previously nephrectomized patient with a well functioning renal allograft, acute renal failure with massive polyuria and hypertension developed. Relief of a periureteric obstruction resulted in rapid correction of all three. Pathogenesis of hypotonic polyuria is thought to be a defect in the collecting duct permeability to water, stimulating nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Normal urinary dilution and acidification suggest intact function of the ascending loop of Henle and distal convoluted tubules. The quick reversal of polyuria and renal failure after obtaining relief of the obstruction suggest that both the decrease in the glomerular filtration rate and tubular dysfunctions are due to functional changes in the nephron rather than to organic damage, a possibility also borne out by the findings in a renal biopsy specimen showing normal glomeruli and intact tubular epithelial cells. Ureteric obstruction should be considered in any patient with renal failure and polyuria; it may be a correctable cause of hypertension.", "PMID": 798485} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11217", "title": "Iso-renin of extrarenal origin. \"The tissue angiotensinogenase systems\".", "content": "Enzymes, similar to kidney renin, are present in extrarenal tissue of most mammals; they hydrolyze angiotensinogen to form angiotensin I. We suggest that these enzymes be called angiotensinogenases. Angiotensinogenase concentrations in extrarenal tissue can exceed those in the kidney. The enzyme has been obtained in pure crystalline form. Angiotensinogenases are part of a complex enzyme system which leads to local production of angiotensin. Results indicating a biologic role of the angiotensinogenase system in brain, adrenal gland, uterus and tissue culture are discussed.", "contents": "Iso-renin of extrarenal origin. \"The tissue angiotensinogenase systems\". Enzymes, similar to kidney renin, are present in extrarenal tissue of most mammals; they hydrolyze angiotensinogen to form angiotensin I. We suggest that these enzymes be called angiotensinogenases. Angiotensinogenase concentrations in extrarenal tissue can exceed those in the kidney. The enzyme has been obtained in pure crystalline form. Angiotensinogenases are part of a complex enzyme system which leads to local production of angiotensin. Results indicating a biologic role of the angiotensinogenase system in brain, adrenal gland, uterus and tissue culture are discussed.", "PMID": 798486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11218", "title": "The renal circulation in hypertensive disease.", "content": "The pivotal role of the kidney in sustaining hypertension from any source or etiology is becoming increasingly clear. The possibility that the renal vasculature participates not only in the pathogenesis of renal vascular hypertension, but also in that of essential hypertension, has been the subject of continuing interest for 40 years. Evidence that a functional abnormality resulting in increased renal vascular tone is present in about two-thirds of patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension is reviewed, along with more circumstantial evidence that sympathetic nervous system activity operating on the renal vasculature is responsible. Two additional groups of patients in whom a characteristic abnormality of the renal vasculature is present have also been identified. In one group there is severe hypertension which is resistant to most forms of antihypertensive therapy but which is especially responsive to propranolol. In these patients renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate are reduced, renin secretion rate is increased and the renal vessels are resistant to vasodilators, suggesting the presence of advanced organic arteriolonephrosclerosis, as a complication of long-standing, severe hypertension. The renal lesion, in turn, contributes to the increasing severity of the process. In a second group of patients, generally young and with uncomplicated hypertension, renal blood flow is inappropriately increased. In these patients a number of observations on their renal vasculature, renin and aldosterone responses to a volume challenge suggest an abnormality in the perception of extracellular fluid volume. A perfectly normal renal arterial tree, free of organic abnormality or an increase in tone due to active vasoconstriction, is distinctly unusual in essential hypertension.", "contents": "The renal circulation in hypertensive disease. The pivotal role of the kidney in sustaining hypertension from any source or etiology is becoming increasingly clear. The possibility that the renal vasculature participates not only in the pathogenesis of renal vascular hypertension, but also in that of essential hypertension, has been the subject of continuing interest for 40 years. Evidence that a functional abnormality resulting in increased renal vascular tone is present in about two-thirds of patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension is reviewed, along with more circumstantial evidence that sympathetic nervous system activity operating on the renal vasculature is responsible. Two additional groups of patients in whom a characteristic abnormality of the renal vasculature is present have also been identified. In one group there is severe hypertension which is resistant to most forms of antihypertensive therapy but which is especially responsive to propranolol. In these patients renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate are reduced, renin secretion rate is increased and the renal vessels are resistant to vasodilators, suggesting the presence of advanced organic arteriolonephrosclerosis, as a complication of long-standing, severe hypertension. The renal lesion, in turn, contributes to the increasing severity of the process. In a second group of patients, generally young and with uncomplicated hypertension, renal blood flow is inappropriately increased. In these patients a number of observations on their renal vasculature, renin and aldosterone responses to a volume challenge suggest an abnormality in the perception of extracellular fluid volume. A perfectly normal renal arterial tree, free of organic abnormality or an increase in tone due to active vasoconstriction, is distinctly unusual in essential hypertension.", "PMID": 798487} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11219", "title": "Role of prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of Bartter's syndrome.", "content": "Increased renal prostaglandins activated by beta-catecholamines could produce renal tubular sodium wasting and angiotensin pressor resistance observed in Bartter's syndrome. We therefore measured plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone and prostaglandin A (PGA) by radioimmunoassay, and body composition by isotope dilution prior to and following beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol (200 mg/day for 4 days) and prostaglandin synthesis inhibition by indomethacin (200 mg/day for 4 days) in a patient with Bartter's syndrome on a 250 meq sodium diet. After the administration of propranolol, body weight increased 3 kg, daily urine sodium decreased within 24 hours from 230 to 64 meq, and urine potassium from 102 to 45 meq, but PRA and the aldosterone level remained elevated. With the administration of indomethacin, body weight increased 5 kg, daily urinary sodium decreased within 24 hours to 11meq and urine potassium to 16 meq, PRA (normal less than 3 ng/100 ml/hour) decreased from 55 to 4.3 ng/ml/hour, plasma aldosterone (normal less than 8 ng/100 ml) from 74.1 to 3.6 ng/100 ml, and whole blood PGA (normal 546 +/- 307 pg/ml) decreased from 1,390 and 945 to 86 pg/ml. After the administration of propranolol or indomethacin, exchangeable sodium, total body water, extracellular volume and plasma volume all increased from less than to greater than predicted, and pressor resistance to angiotensin was normalized. These results suggest that Bartter's syndrome results from beta adrenergic and prostaglandin-mediated proximal tubular rejection of sodium leading to increased distal sodium-potassium exchange.", "contents": "Role of prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of Bartter's syndrome. Increased renal prostaglandins activated by beta-catecholamines could produce renal tubular sodium wasting and angiotensin pressor resistance observed in Bartter's syndrome. We therefore measured plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone and prostaglandin A (PGA) by radioimmunoassay, and body composition by isotope dilution prior to and following beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol (200 mg/day for 4 days) and prostaglandin synthesis inhibition by indomethacin (200 mg/day for 4 days) in a patient with Bartter's syndrome on a 250 meq sodium diet. After the administration of propranolol, body weight increased 3 kg, daily urine sodium decreased within 24 hours from 230 to 64 meq, and urine potassium from 102 to 45 meq, but PRA and the aldosterone level remained elevated. With the administration of indomethacin, body weight increased 5 kg, daily urinary sodium decreased within 24 hours to 11meq and urine potassium to 16 meq, PRA (normal less than 3 ng/100 ml/hour) decreased from 55 to 4.3 ng/ml/hour, plasma aldosterone (normal less than 8 ng/100 ml) from 74.1 to 3.6 ng/100 ml, and whole blood PGA (normal 546 +/- 307 pg/ml) decreased from 1,390 and 945 to 86 pg/ml. After the administration of propranolol or indomethacin, exchangeable sodium, total body water, extracellular volume and plasma volume all increased from less than to greater than predicted, and pressor resistance to angiotensin was normalized. These results suggest that Bartter's syndrome results from beta adrenergic and prostaglandin-mediated proximal tubular rejection of sodium leading to increased distal sodium-potassium exchange.", "PMID": 798488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11220", "title": "Renal prostaglandins and the regulation of blood pressure and sodium and water homeostasis.", "content": "In addition to its well known prohypertensive role in various states of experimental and human hypertension, the kidney has also been shown to exert an antihypertensive \"endocrine\" function. According to this hypothesis, certain forms of experimental and human hypertension might not solely be the result of an excess in the activity of such renal pressor systems as the renin-angiotensin system and the sympathetic nervous system, but might also result from an absolute or relative deficiency of intra-renal vasodilator antihypertensive factors which might allow pressor systems to act unopposed to produce peripheral arteriolar vasoconstriction and sustained hypertension. At least four factors have been characterized in the kidney of various animal species and man which might be responsible for such an antihypertensive function. These are (1) the renomedullary prostaglandins (PGs), (2) the renomedullary antihypertensive neutral lipid, (3) antirenin phospholipid and (4) the renal kinins. This review is restricted to an examination of the possibility that the vasodepressor renomedullary prostaglandins (PGA and/or PGE) may, at least in part, mediate the so-called antihypertensive function of the kidney and participate in the regulation of renal blood flow and natriuresis by physiologic antagonism of various renal vasoconstrictor stimuli such as the renal renin-angiotensin and the sympathetic nervous systems.", "contents": "Renal prostaglandins and the regulation of blood pressure and sodium and water homeostasis. In addition to its well known prohypertensive role in various states of experimental and human hypertension, the kidney has also been shown to exert an antihypertensive \"endocrine\" function. According to this hypothesis, certain forms of experimental and human hypertension might not solely be the result of an excess in the activity of such renal pressor systems as the renin-angiotensin system and the sympathetic nervous system, but might also result from an absolute or relative deficiency of intra-renal vasodilator antihypertensive factors which might allow pressor systems to act unopposed to produce peripheral arteriolar vasoconstriction and sustained hypertension. At least four factors have been characterized in the kidney of various animal species and man which might be responsible for such an antihypertensive function. These are (1) the renomedullary prostaglandins (PGs), (2) the renomedullary antihypertensive neutral lipid, (3) antirenin phospholipid and (4) the renal kinins. This review is restricted to an examination of the possibility that the vasodepressor renomedullary prostaglandins (PGA and/or PGE) may, at least in part, mediate the so-called antihypertensive function of the kidney and participate in the regulation of renal blood flow and natriuresis by physiologic antagonism of various renal vasoconstrictor stimuli such as the renal renin-angiotensin and the sympathetic nervous systems.", "PMID": 798489} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11221", "title": "Angina pectoris among 10,000 men. II. Psychosocial and other risk factors as evidenced by a multivariate analysis of a five year incidence study.", "content": "The major independent role played by anxiety and severe psychosocial problems (especially family ones) is demonstrated by this multivariate analysis of a five year prospective study of the development of new angina pectoris among almost 10,000 adult men (average annual incidence = 5.7/1,000). The independent effect of these two variables is considerably augmented by the other significant risk factors of age, total serum cholesterol, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, certain electrocardiographic abnormalities and diabetes mellitus. The presence of all seven risk factors (at a high level) increases the probability of angina pectoris developing within five years to 289/1,000 from 14/1,000, when these factors are low or absent. The wife's love and support is an important balancing factor, which apparently reduces the risk of angina pectoris even in the presence of high risk factors. The implications of these findings to the pathophysiology and prevention of angina are stressed.", "contents": "Angina pectoris among 10,000 men. II. Psychosocial and other risk factors as evidenced by a multivariate analysis of a five year incidence study. The major independent role played by anxiety and severe psychosocial problems (especially family ones) is demonstrated by this multivariate analysis of a five year prospective study of the development of new angina pectoris among almost 10,000 adult men (average annual incidence = 5.7/1,000). The independent effect of these two variables is considerably augmented by the other significant risk factors of age, total serum cholesterol, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, certain electrocardiographic abnormalities and diabetes mellitus. The presence of all seven risk factors (at a high level) increases the probability of angina pectoris developing within five years to 289/1,000 from 14/1,000, when these factors are low or absent. The wife's love and support is an important balancing factor, which apparently reduces the risk of angina pectoris even in the presence of high risk factors. The implications of these findings to the pathophysiology and prevention of angina are stressed.", "PMID": 798490} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11222", "title": "Notes from \"Pavlov's Wednesdays\": Gestalt relationships as conditioned stimuli.", "content": "When A.O. Dolin's dog Ger was trained to differentiate between metronomic frequencies of 60 (positive) and 120 (negative) per minute, its conditioned salivary reaction to the positive stimulus was attenuated immediately after a test on a more positive stimulus (30 per minute) and that to the negative stimulus was augmented immediately after a test on a more negative stimulus (200 per minute). Pavlov and his colleagues considered explanations based on the relationship between the test and trained stimuli, on reciprocal induction, and on gradients of generalized excitation and inhibition \u00e0 la Spence. This was just before Pavlov's death, but his last words on the topic leaned in the Gestalt relational direction.", "contents": "Notes from \"Pavlov's Wednesdays\": Gestalt relationships as conditioned stimuli. When A.O. Dolin's dog Ger was trained to differentiate between metronomic frequencies of 60 (positive) and 120 (negative) per minute, its conditioned salivary reaction to the positive stimulus was attenuated immediately after a test on a more positive stimulus (30 per minute) and that to the negative stimulus was augmented immediately after a test on a more negative stimulus (200 per minute). Pavlov and his colleagues considered explanations based on the relationship between the test and trained stimuli, on reciprocal induction, and on gradients of generalized excitation and inhibition \u00e0 la Spence. This was just before Pavlov's death, but his last words on the topic leaned in the Gestalt relational direction.", "PMID": 798491} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11223", "title": "[Chemotypes of \"Shigella flexneri\" R mutants and related phage receptors. II. -- Localization of phage receptors (author's transl)].", "content": "Receptor sites for phages FP3, V, P1kcvir, H+, C21, T4, T3, T7 and 6SR have been investigated, by comparing the lytic activity of these phages on R mutants of strain F6 (F6R) and of various serotypes (FH) of Shigella flexneri with their inhibition by the lipopolysaccharides isolated from these mutants. The results suggest the following localizations for the receptor sites: phage FP3: lipid A-KDO; phage V: heptose or glucose; phage C21: heptose-glucose; phages H+, P1kcvir, T4 and T3: glucose; phage T7: glucose-galactose; phage 6SR: complete core structure.", "contents": "[Chemotypes of \"Shigella flexneri\" R mutants and related phage receptors. II. -- Localization of phage receptors (author's transl)]. Receptor sites for phages FP3, V, P1kcvir, H+, C21, T4, T3, T7 and 6SR have been investigated, by comparing the lytic activity of these phages on R mutants of strain F6 (F6R) and of various serotypes (FH) of Shigella flexneri with their inhibition by the lipopolysaccharides isolated from these mutants. The results suggest the following localizations for the receptor sites: phage FP3: lipid A-KDO; phage V: heptose or glucose; phage C21: heptose-glucose; phages H+, P1kcvir, T4 and T3: glucose; phage T7: glucose-galactose; phage 6SR: complete core structure.", "PMID": 798512} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11224", "title": "[Chemotypes of \"Shigella flexneri\" R mutants and related phage receptors. I. -- Chemical study of the lipopolysaccharides (author's transl)].", "content": "The F6R rough mutants isolated from Shigella flexneri F6S, serotype 5b, and the FH rough mutants, derived from other serotypes of S. flexneri, were chemotyped according to the chemical analysis of their lipopolysaccharides. Further, the following stages of lipopolysaccharide core biosynthesis in S. flexneri have been established: --(KDO)3--heptose--heptose--glucose--galactose; the last three stages are: either --glucose--glucosamine--glucose, or --glucosamine--glucose--glucose. The results of the chemical study of the R lipopolysaccharides are compatible with the assumption of the existence of a similar core in all considered S. flexneri serotypes.", "contents": "[Chemotypes of \"Shigella flexneri\" R mutants and related phage receptors. I. -- Chemical study of the lipopolysaccharides (author's transl)]. The F6R rough mutants isolated from Shigella flexneri F6S, serotype 5b, and the FH rough mutants, derived from other serotypes of S. flexneri, were chemotyped according to the chemical analysis of their lipopolysaccharides. Further, the following stages of lipopolysaccharide core biosynthesis in S. flexneri have been established: --(KDO)3--heptose--heptose--glucose--galactose; the last three stages are: either --glucose--glucosamine--glucose, or --glucosamine--glucose--glucose. The results of the chemical study of the R lipopolysaccharides are compatible with the assumption of the existence of a similar core in all considered S. flexneri serotypes.", "PMID": 798513} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11225", "title": "[Compatibility groups of metabolic plasmids (author's transl)].", "content": "The compatibility groups of eleven plasmids determining metabolic characters used in taxonomy and isolated from naturally-occurring strains were examined. Seven of these plasmids determined lactose fermentation. Two were fi+: one of these belonged to group FI and the other to a novel group. Of the remainder, which were fi-, one (which also determined chloramphenicol resistance) belonged to group H; the others were compatible with representative plasmids from every group so far recognized. Two plasmids determined sucrose fermentation. Both were fi-: one belonged to group H, the other was compatible with plasmids of every group. Two plasmids determined haemolysin production. One was fi+ and belonged to group FIII; the other was fi- and belonged to group I2. Plasmids belonging to known compatibility groups and determining metabolic characters only should prove particularly useful in the classification of plasmids determining antibiotic resistance.", "contents": "[Compatibility groups of metabolic plasmids (author's transl)]. The compatibility groups of eleven plasmids determining metabolic characters used in taxonomy and isolated from naturally-occurring strains were examined. Seven of these plasmids determined lactose fermentation. Two were fi+: one of these belonged to group FI and the other to a novel group. Of the remainder, which were fi-, one (which also determined chloramphenicol resistance) belonged to group H; the others were compatible with representative plasmids from every group so far recognized. Two plasmids determined sucrose fermentation. Both were fi-: one belonged to group H, the other was compatible with plasmids of every group. Two plasmids determined haemolysin production. One was fi+ and belonged to group FIII; the other was fi- and belonged to group I2. Plasmids belonging to known compatibility groups and determining metabolic characters only should prove particularly useful in the classification of plasmids determining antibiotic resistance.", "PMID": 798514} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11226", "title": "[Variation of pyrolysis products from Salmonella typhi-murium during subculturing (author's transl)].", "content": "Consecutive subculturing of the same bacterial strain over a period of time resulted in variations of relative concentration of pyrolysis products. It is recommended that judicious care should be taken in the choice of these products used for taxonomic purposes.", "contents": "[Variation of pyrolysis products from Salmonella typhi-murium during subculturing (author's transl)]. Consecutive subculturing of the same bacterial strain over a period of time resulted in variations of relative concentration of pyrolysis products. It is recommended that judicious care should be taken in the choice of these products used for taxonomic purposes.", "PMID": 798515} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11227", "title": "[Experimental pyelonephritis in rats: value in the comparison of antibiotics (author's transl)].", "content": "The author discusses the conditions which an experimental pyelonephritis must fulfill to provide therapeutic results which will allow the assessment of new therapeutic agents. He subjects the chosen model to the therapeutic effect of four antibiotics and three antimicrobial drugs. A numeric value is given to the bacteriuria recession slope observed during the experiment. A comparison of the results being obtained with the bacteriological and pharmacological data normally evaluated, the author demonstrates the value of the present study. The analysis of the results collected during the tests shows that comparison between antibiotics are of greater value when they are of the same family. Nevertheless, the experimental pattern, when applied to antibiotics as different as kanamycine and cephalosporins, give a very good correlation particularly when the overstepping coefficient, as proposed by Canetti, is calculated on the results expressed as free products.", "contents": "[Experimental pyelonephritis in rats: value in the comparison of antibiotics (author's transl)]. The author discusses the conditions which an experimental pyelonephritis must fulfill to provide therapeutic results which will allow the assessment of new therapeutic agents. He subjects the chosen model to the therapeutic effect of four antibiotics and three antimicrobial drugs. A numeric value is given to the bacteriuria recession slope observed during the experiment. A comparison of the results being obtained with the bacteriological and pharmacological data normally evaluated, the author demonstrates the value of the present study. The analysis of the results collected during the tests shows that comparison between antibiotics are of greater value when they are of the same family. Nevertheless, the experimental pattern, when applied to antibiotics as different as kanamycine and cephalosporins, give a very good correlation particularly when the overstepping coefficient, as proposed by Canetti, is calculated on the results expressed as free products.", "PMID": 798516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11228", "title": "The design and analysis of experiments for the assessment of drug interactions.", "content": "It was pointed out that all fields of biological research have one feature common: inherent variability. Since this is the case and since it is not feasible to examine the entire population one is interested in, the experimenter is forced to give probability statements concerning any treatment differences observed. In order to do this, it is necessary for the experiment to be designed in such a way that a statistical analysis of the data will yield a valid answer to the question, \"What is the probability that the differences observed could have occurred by chance?\" The importance of randomization in the selection of the samples was emphasized. The problem of determining the sample size was discussed in relation to Type I (rejecting the null hypothesis when it is true) and Type II (accepting the null hypothesis when it is false) errors. It was suggested that too little attention is given to the possibility of Type II errors in biological research. It was emphasized that the specific question, or questions, one is asking should be precisely formulated prior to the design of the experiment, since hazily formulated ideas are difficult to discuss and virtually impossible to test for correctness. Once the experiment has been designed, both the questions and the design should be critically and logically evaluated for any fallacies. If the investigator has any doubts about the design or the manner in which the data will be analyzed, a statistician should be consulted before the experiment is conducted. A statistician cannot extract meaningful results from data collected with a faulty design. It was emphasized that it is important to know both the dose effect and time effect of each substance on the responses to be measured, in order to provide a rationale for the doses used in the interaction studies and the time after dosing at which the effect is to be measured. The design of drug interaction experiments is based, in part, on whether or not both substances when given alone affect the response. If both substances are active, one determines the potency of one substance relative to the other in affecting the response. This can be done for either quantitative or quantal data. Once the relative potency has been determined, subsequent studies involve combining fractional doses of the substances and comparing the results against those obtained using standard doses of the substances individually. Doses of the combination and the single substances are picked such that equivalent responses should be obtained if the effect of the two together is additive. The null hypothesis is that the two compounds behave as though they were different forms of the same substance, one of which is possibly (depending on the potency ratio) diluted with an inert substance. Equivalence of response can be tested using such parametric tests as Student's t or analysis of variance (or their nonparametric equivalents) for quantitative data. Additivity is inferred if the null hypothesis is accepted...", "contents": "The design and analysis of experiments for the assessment of drug interactions. It was pointed out that all fields of biological research have one feature common: inherent variability. Since this is the case and since it is not feasible to examine the entire population one is interested in, the experimenter is forced to give probability statements concerning any treatment differences observed. In order to do this, it is necessary for the experiment to be designed in such a way that a statistical analysis of the data will yield a valid answer to the question, \"What is the probability that the differences observed could have occurred by chance?\" The importance of randomization in the selection of the samples was emphasized. The problem of determining the sample size was discussed in relation to Type I (rejecting the null hypothesis when it is true) and Type II (accepting the null hypothesis when it is false) errors. It was suggested that too little attention is given to the possibility of Type II errors in biological research. It was emphasized that the specific question, or questions, one is asking should be precisely formulated prior to the design of the experiment, since hazily formulated ideas are difficult to discuss and virtually impossible to test for correctness. Once the experiment has been designed, both the questions and the design should be critically and logically evaluated for any fallacies. If the investigator has any doubts about the design or the manner in which the data will be analyzed, a statistician should be consulted before the experiment is conducted. A statistician cannot extract meaningful results from data collected with a faulty design. It was emphasized that it is important to know both the dose effect and time effect of each substance on the responses to be measured, in order to provide a rationale for the doses used in the interaction studies and the time after dosing at which the effect is to be measured. The design of drug interaction experiments is based, in part, on whether or not both substances when given alone affect the response. If both substances are active, one determines the potency of one substance relative to the other in affecting the response. This can be done for either quantitative or quantal data. Once the relative potency has been determined, subsequent studies involve combining fractional doses of the substances and comparing the results against those obtained using standard doses of the substances individually. Doses of the combination and the single substances are picked such that equivalent responses should be obtained if the effect of the two together is additive. The null hypothesis is that the two compounds behave as though they were different forms of the same substance, one of which is possibly (depending on the potency ratio) diluted with an inert substance. Equivalence of response can be tested using such parametric tests as Student's t or analysis of variance (or their nonparametric equivalents) for quantitative data. Additivity is inferred if the null hypothesis is accepted...", "PMID": 798519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11229", "title": "The combined effect of marihuana and dextroamphetamine.", "content": "The studies in mice indicated that locomotor activity could be stimulated THC and that this would enhance the effect produced by MAMP. We have previously shown that when 3, 6, or 9 mug/kg THC were administered to young adult males by MJ smoking, a dose-related impairment in standing steadiness (WB) and attentive motor performance (PM) resulted, although DAF and subjective evaluations were insensitive to these treatments. These same testing procedures after d-AMP 5, 10, and 15 mg/70 kg revealed no important performance effect. Systolic blood pressure was elevated with 15 mg/70 kg d-AMP, and subjective detection was positive and dose related. A combination of 25 mug/kg THC delivered by smoking an appropriate MJ cigarette and 10 mg/70 kd d-AMP taken orally produced subjective effects and psychomotor performance decrements not different from those with the MJ alone. The doses used were modest, yet most subjects believed their driving performance, a representative motor and metal skill, would be impaired. This judgment is supported by the laboratory measurements made. It is reasonable that realistically higher doses may not only have adverse psychological and cardiovascular effects but increase an accident potential.", "contents": "The combined effect of marihuana and dextroamphetamine. The studies in mice indicated that locomotor activity could be stimulated THC and that this would enhance the effect produced by MAMP. We have previously shown that when 3, 6, or 9 mug/kg THC were administered to young adult males by MJ smoking, a dose-related impairment in standing steadiness (WB) and attentive motor performance (PM) resulted, although DAF and subjective evaluations were insensitive to these treatments. These same testing procedures after d-AMP 5, 10, and 15 mg/70 kg revealed no important performance effect. Systolic blood pressure was elevated with 15 mg/70 kg d-AMP, and subjective detection was positive and dose related. A combination of 25 mug/kg THC delivered by smoking an appropriate MJ cigarette and 10 mg/70 kd d-AMP taken orally produced subjective effects and psychomotor performance decrements not different from those with the MJ alone. The doses used were modest, yet most subjects believed their driving performance, a representative motor and metal skill, would be impaired. This judgment is supported by the laboratory measurements made. It is reasonable that realistically higher doses may not only have adverse psychological and cardiovascular effects but increase an accident potential.", "PMID": 798521} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11230", "title": "[Role of the individual sensitivity to various cytostatic agents in children with neuroblastomas].", "content": "Primary plasmic cultures of 33 tumors of the sympathic nervous system of children (27 neuroblastomas and 6 ganglioneuromas) were used for determination of their individual sensitivity to vincristin, vinblastin, dactinomycin, mithramycin, olivomycin, cyclophosphant bruneomycin and adriamycin. Most of the tumors were sensitive to vincristin, rubomycin an adriamycin. The data obtained in vitro and in the clinic were compared with respect to 12 cases (treatment with vincristin, combination of olivomycin with cyclophosphan, vincristin with rubomycin or cyclophosphan). Coinsidence of the results was observed in 8 cases. The method of primary plasmic cultures may be successfully used for determination of individual sensitivity of children with neuroblastomas to various cytostatics.", "contents": "[Role of the individual sensitivity to various cytostatic agents in children with neuroblastomas]. Primary plasmic cultures of 33 tumors of the sympathic nervous system of children (27 neuroblastomas and 6 ganglioneuromas) were used for determination of their individual sensitivity to vincristin, vinblastin, dactinomycin, mithramycin, olivomycin, cyclophosphant bruneomycin and adriamycin. Most of the tumors were sensitive to vincristin, rubomycin an adriamycin. The data obtained in vitro and in the clinic were compared with respect to 12 cases (treatment with vincristin, combination of olivomycin with cyclophosphan, vincristin with rubomycin or cyclophosphan). Coinsidence of the results was observed in 8 cases. The method of primary plasmic cultures may be successfully used for determination of individual sensitivity of children with neuroblastomas to various cytostatics.", "PMID": 798541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11231", "title": "[Substantiation for the kanamycin treatment of certain diseases, taking into account its concentration at the sites of localization of the causative agent (an experimental study)].", "content": "Kanamycin concentration in the inflammatory foci was studied on experimental models of pneumonia, maxillary sinusitis and acute dysentery. The kanamycin levels in the sites of the pathogen localization were lower than those in the same tissues of healthy animals. The antibiotic dose should be chosen with the account of its concentration in the focus of the pathogen localization rather than in the blood serum.", "contents": "[Substantiation for the kanamycin treatment of certain diseases, taking into account its concentration at the sites of localization of the causative agent (an experimental study)]. Kanamycin concentration in the inflammatory foci was studied on experimental models of pneumonia, maxillary sinusitis and acute dysentery. The kanamycin levels in the sites of the pathogen localization were lower than those in the same tissues of healthy animals. The antibiotic dose should be chosen with the account of its concentration in the focus of the pathogen localization rather than in the blood serum.", "PMID": 798542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11232", "title": "[Interpr\u00e9tation of the gonadtropin response after LHRH in adult (author's transl)].", "content": "The response to LHRH is never characteristic of a given hypothalamo-hypophysial gonadal axis except in the cases of severe gonadal disturbances, but reflects the functional states which can be observed under various circumstances. The same functional state may be found in different diseases and in contrast one disease can evolve through different functional states with time.", "contents": "[Interpr\u00e9tation of the gonadtropin response after LHRH in adult (author's transl)]. The response to LHRH is never characteristic of a given hypothalamo-hypophysial gonadal axis except in the cases of severe gonadal disturbances, but reflects the functional states which can be observed under various circumstances. The same functional state may be found in different diseases and in contrast one disease can evolve through different functional states with time.", "PMID": 798537} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11233", "title": "[Preliminary results of a cooperative clinical study of the new antitumor antibiotic, carminomycin].", "content": "The clinical trials of karminomycin, a new Soviet antitumor antibiotic in treatment of different malignant tumors showed that the drug had a pronounced antitumor activity against the soft tissue sarcomas of various histogenesis, lympho- and reticulosarcoma, acute leukemia and some other neoplasms.", "contents": "[Preliminary results of a cooperative clinical study of the new antitumor antibiotic, carminomycin]. The clinical trials of karminomycin, a new Soviet antitumor antibiotic in treatment of different malignant tumors showed that the drug had a pronounced antitumor activity against the soft tissue sarcomas of various histogenesis, lympho- and reticulosarcoma, acute leukemia and some other neoplasms.", "PMID": 798543} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11234", "title": "[Clinical evolution of LH-RH reactivity in gynecology (author's transl)].", "content": "Impaired LH response to LH-RH has been found in 2/4 cases of primary amenorrhoea, in 2/8 cases of psychogenic secondary amenorrhoea, in 2/4 cases of secondary amenorrhoea associated to a pituitary tumour and in 1/5 cases of iatrogenic secondary amenorrhoea post hormonal contraception. Therefore, this test appears not to differentiate these pathologic conditions.", "contents": "[Clinical evolution of LH-RH reactivity in gynecology (author's transl)]. Impaired LH response to LH-RH has been found in 2/4 cases of primary amenorrhoea, in 2/8 cases of psychogenic secondary amenorrhoea, in 2/4 cases of secondary amenorrhoea associated to a pituitary tumour and in 1/5 cases of iatrogenic secondary amenorrhoea post hormonal contraception. Therefore, this test appears not to differentiate these pathologic conditions.", "PMID": 798538} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11235", "title": "[Fucidin, its basic properties and place in the modern therapy of suppurative and inflammatory processes].", "content": "Sodium fusidin prepared at the All-Union Research Institute of Antibiotics was studied experimentally and clinically. High antibacterial activity of fusidin especially against methicillin-resistant staphylococci was found. The clinical trials showed high efficacy of fusidin in treatment of perichondritis, osteomyelitis, pyodermia, pseudofurunculosis, multiple abscesses of the skin because of its satisfactory penetration into the skin and cartilage tissues, skin and subcutaneous cellular tissue. The tolerance of the drug by most of the patients was satisfactory.", "contents": "[Fucidin, its basic properties and place in the modern therapy of suppurative and inflammatory processes]. Sodium fusidin prepared at the All-Union Research Institute of Antibiotics was studied experimentally and clinically. High antibacterial activity of fusidin especially against methicillin-resistant staphylococci was found. The clinical trials showed high efficacy of fusidin in treatment of perichondritis, osteomyelitis, pyodermia, pseudofurunculosis, multiple abscesses of the skin because of its satisfactory penetration into the skin and cartilage tissues, skin and subcutaneous cellular tissue. The tolerance of the drug by most of the patients was satisfactory.", "PMID": 798544} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11236", "title": "[Incomplete testicular feminisation syndrome by testosterone insensitivity (author's transl)].", "content": "Male pseudo-hermaphroditism by partial testosterone sensitivity, without steroido-genesis abnormality, without apparent 5 alpha reductase deficit - Empty complete scrotum and hypospadias surgically normalized. At 39, scrotal testis 32 X 15 mm right, 23 X 10 mm left. Infantile penis and prostata. Gynoid scapulo-pelvic proportions, adipo-muscular ratio and fat distribution. Bilateral gynecomastia. Caryotype 46 XY - 17 ks 26 mg. After intravenous 100 ng LH RH: plasma (pl) LH increased 105 to 285 ng/ml, pl testosterone 5 ng/ml unchanged, pl oestradiol 115 to 135 pg/ml. 48 h after intra muscular 300 mg testosterone propionate: pl testosterone increased, 13 to 39 ng/ml, androstenedione 1,5 to 3,04 ng/ml, dihydrotestosterone 0,85 to 1,45 ng/ml, OEstradiol 52 to 110 pg/ml. No effect of 29 g testosterone oenanthate in 2 years.", "contents": "[Incomplete testicular feminisation syndrome by testosterone insensitivity (author's transl)]. Male pseudo-hermaphroditism by partial testosterone sensitivity, without steroido-genesis abnormality, without apparent 5 alpha reductase deficit - Empty complete scrotum and hypospadias surgically normalized. At 39, scrotal testis 32 X 15 mm right, 23 X 10 mm left. Infantile penis and prostata. Gynoid scapulo-pelvic proportions, adipo-muscular ratio and fat distribution. Bilateral gynecomastia. Caryotype 46 XY - 17 ks 26 mg. After intravenous 100 ng LH RH: plasma (pl) LH increased 105 to 285 ng/ml, pl testosterone 5 ng/ml unchanged, pl oestradiol 115 to 135 pg/ml. 48 h after intra muscular 300 mg testosterone propionate: pl testosterone increased, 13 to 39 ng/ml, androstenedione 1,5 to 3,04 ng/ml, dihydrotestosterone 0,85 to 1,45 ng/ml, OEstradiol 52 to 110 pg/ml. No effect of 29 g testosterone oenanthate in 2 years.", "PMID": 798540} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11237", "title": "[Microflora and its antibiotic sensitivity in chronic pharyngitis treated by cryotherapy].", "content": "Antibiotic sensitivity of the pharynx mucosa microflora in patients with chronic pharyngitis subjected to cryotherapy was studied. Examination of 36 patients showed that cryotherapy at a temperature of -1950 markedly decreased the number of the grown colonies, their qualitative characteristics being changed. In 10 days both the quantitative and the qualitative characteristics of the flora completely reduced. The cryotherapy did not change the virulence of the flora and its sensitivity to antibiotics.", "contents": "[Microflora and its antibiotic sensitivity in chronic pharyngitis treated by cryotherapy]. Antibiotic sensitivity of the pharynx mucosa microflora in patients with chronic pharyngitis subjected to cryotherapy was studied. Examination of 36 patients showed that cryotherapy at a temperature of -1950 markedly decreased the number of the grown colonies, their qualitative characteristics being changed. In 10 days both the quantitative and the qualitative characteristics of the flora completely reduced. The cryotherapy did not change the virulence of the flora and its sensitivity to antibiotics.", "PMID": 798545} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11238", "title": "[Experimental study of the effect of a number of chemotherapeutic preparations on the intracellular growth of dysentery bacteria, and their interaction with epithelial cells].", "content": "The effect of some chemotherapeutics on intercellular growth of Sh. sonnei and their capacity for penetration into cells Hep-2 and primarily triptinized cells of the monkey kidneys was studied. By the character of their effect the drugs were divided into 3 groups. The drugs of the first group, i.e. furazolidone had no effect on intracellular growth of Shigella. The drugs of the second group, i.e. neomycin, monomycin, kanamycin, polymyxin M, ampicillin, negram and 5-NOK induced a rapid decrease in the number of the specimens located inside the cells. The drugs of the third group, i. e. enteroseptol, streptomycin and tetracycline promoted a decrease in the intracellular growth of Shigella by the 3rd-4th day. None of the drugs could be detected inside the cells in the concentrations corresponding to the minimal bacteriostatic ones with respect to Shigella. The activity of the drugs of the second group was connected with their cytotoxicity.", "contents": "[Experimental study of the effect of a number of chemotherapeutic preparations on the intracellular growth of dysentery bacteria, and their interaction with epithelial cells]. The effect of some chemotherapeutics on intercellular growth of Sh. sonnei and their capacity for penetration into cells Hep-2 and primarily triptinized cells of the monkey kidneys was studied. By the character of their effect the drugs were divided into 3 groups. The drugs of the first group, i.e. furazolidone had no effect on intracellular growth of Shigella. The drugs of the second group, i.e. neomycin, monomycin, kanamycin, polymyxin M, ampicillin, negram and 5-NOK induced a rapid decrease in the number of the specimens located inside the cells. The drugs of the third group, i. e. enteroseptol, streptomycin and tetracycline promoted a decrease in the intracellular growth of Shigella by the 3rd-4th day. None of the drugs could be detected inside the cells in the concentrations corresponding to the minimal bacteriostatic ones with respect to Shigella. The activity of the drugs of the second group was connected with their cytotoxicity.", "PMID": 798546} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11239", "title": "[Comparative activity of 6 cephalosporin antibiotics against the causative agents of surgical infection].", "content": "Activity of 6 cephalosporanic antibiotics, such as cephaloridin, cephalotin, cephradin, cephacetry1, cephamezin and cephalexin was studied on 200 strains of microorganisms causing purulent infections in surgical patients (Staphylococcus, E. coli, Proteus and Ps. aerugionsa, 50 strains of each organism). The studies showed significant differences in the activity of the above antibiotics against definite species of the pathogenes. The highest activity of the cephalosporins was observed with respect to the clinical strains of staphylococci resistant to such drugs as benzylpenicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, kanamycin, lincomycin. A significant part of the clinical isolates of gramnegative organisms, i.e. E coli and indol-negative Proteus was characterized by sensitivity to cephalosporins. Among the cephalosporins tested cephaloridin was most active against Staphylococcus, cephacetryl and cephaloridin were most active against E. coli. With respect to the indol-negative Proteus no pronounced advantages of the separate drug were noted. All 6 cephalosporins had low activity against the indol-positive strains of Proteus and all strains of Ps. aeruginosa.", "contents": "[Comparative activity of 6 cephalosporin antibiotics against the causative agents of surgical infection]. Activity of 6 cephalosporanic antibiotics, such as cephaloridin, cephalotin, cephradin, cephacetry1, cephamezin and cephalexin was studied on 200 strains of microorganisms causing purulent infections in surgical patients (Staphylococcus, E. coli, Proteus and Ps. aerugionsa, 50 strains of each organism). The studies showed significant differences in the activity of the above antibiotics against definite species of the pathogenes. The highest activity of the cephalosporins was observed with respect to the clinical strains of staphylococci resistant to such drugs as benzylpenicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, kanamycin, lincomycin. A significant part of the clinical isolates of gramnegative organisms, i.e. E coli and indol-negative Proteus was characterized by sensitivity to cephalosporins. Among the cephalosporins tested cephaloridin was most active against Staphylococcus, cephacetryl and cephaloridin were most active against E. coli. With respect to the indol-negative Proteus no pronounced advantages of the separate drug were noted. All 6 cephalosporins had low activity against the indol-positive strains of Proteus and all strains of Ps. aeruginosa.", "PMID": 798547} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11240", "title": "[Effect of R-factors on the sensitivity of Shigella sonnei to nalidixic acid].", "content": "Bacteriostatic effect of nalidixic acid was studied by the method of serial dilutions in nutrient agar using 36 antibiotic sensitive strains of Shigella Sonnei and their conjugated substrains carrying separately the following R-factors: R1(TcCmSm) fi-, R2(TcCm) fi+, R3(CmSm) fi-. The above R-factors were isolated from clinical strains of Shigella Sonnei and transferred to the strains studied by means of an intermediate donor of E. coli MF-Nr. The bactericidal effect of nalidixic acid was studied on 9 antibiotic sensitive strains of Shigella Sonnei and their conjugated substrains carrying separately the following episomes: R1(TcCmSm) fi- and R2(TcCm) fi+. It was studied by determination of the number of alive bacteria 24, 48 and 72 hours after their interaction in Hottinger broth with nalidixic acid (400 gamma/ml). It was found that the R-factors did not change the sensitivity of Shigella Sonnei to the bacteriostatic effect of nalidixic acid: the MIC for the R- strains was 4+/- 0.14 gamma/ml, for the substrains with episomes R1(TcCmSm) fi-, R2(TcCm) fi+ and R3(CmSm) fi- it was 4.22 +/- 0.21, 3.88 +/- 0.25 and 4.16 +/- 0.27 gamma/ml respectively. The differences were not statistically reliable (P greater than 0.05) when estimated according to both Student criterion t and Wilcockson criterion for the wto-by-wto conjugated variants. The R-factors inreased the Shigella sensitivity to the bactericidal effect of nalidixic acid: the death rate of the R+-bacteria during the first day was 4--130 times higher than that of the two-by-two conjugated strains of the R-bacteria (P less than 0.01).", "contents": "[Effect of R-factors on the sensitivity of Shigella sonnei to nalidixic acid]. Bacteriostatic effect of nalidixic acid was studied by the method of serial dilutions in nutrient agar using 36 antibiotic sensitive strains of Shigella Sonnei and their conjugated substrains carrying separately the following R-factors: R1(TcCmSm) fi-, R2(TcCm) fi+, R3(CmSm) fi-. The above R-factors were isolated from clinical strains of Shigella Sonnei and transferred to the strains studied by means of an intermediate donor of E. coli MF-Nr. The bactericidal effect of nalidixic acid was studied on 9 antibiotic sensitive strains of Shigella Sonnei and their conjugated substrains carrying separately the following episomes: R1(TcCmSm) fi- and R2(TcCm) fi+. It was studied by determination of the number of alive bacteria 24, 48 and 72 hours after their interaction in Hottinger broth with nalidixic acid (400 gamma/ml). It was found that the R-factors did not change the sensitivity of Shigella Sonnei to the bacteriostatic effect of nalidixic acid: the MIC for the R- strains was 4+/- 0.14 gamma/ml, for the substrains with episomes R1(TcCmSm) fi-, R2(TcCm) fi+ and R3(CmSm) fi- it was 4.22 +/- 0.21, 3.88 +/- 0.25 and 4.16 +/- 0.27 gamma/ml respectively. The differences were not statistically reliable (P greater than 0.05) when estimated according to both Student criterion t and Wilcockson criterion for the wto-by-wto conjugated variants. The R-factors inreased the Shigella sensitivity to the bactericidal effect of nalidixic acid: the death rate of the R+-bacteria during the first day was 4--130 times higher than that of the two-by-two conjugated strains of the R-bacteria (P less than 0.01).", "PMID": 798548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11241", "title": "[Antibacterial activity of the derivatives of cholic acid (author's transl)].", "content": "The synthesis of derivatives of cholic acid with L-lysine and Lysil-lysine with antibacterial activity, is here described. Derivatives with one molecule of lysine show antibacterial activity at 100 mug/ml concentration, while lysil-lysine derivatives, particularly Col-Lys-Lys-NH2-2HCl, are effective also at 25 mug/ml.", "contents": "[Antibacterial activity of the derivatives of cholic acid (author's transl)]. The synthesis of derivatives of cholic acid with L-lysine and Lysil-lysine with antibacterial activity, is here described. Derivatives with one molecule of lysine show antibacterial activity at 100 mug/ml concentration, while lysil-lysine derivatives, particularly Col-Lys-Lys-NH2-2HCl, are effective also at 25 mug/ml.", "PMID": 798553} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11242", "title": "[Experimental studies on the pathogenesis of coli enterotoxemia in swine. 3. Effect of coli enterotoxin in weaned piglets following intragastric administration].", "content": "The following results were obtained from experiments with 23 clinically intact weaned piglets, aged between five and six weeks (18 animals) or eight weeks (five animals), which had received three intragastric applications of crude enterotoxin (culture filtrate supernatant of Escherichia coli O149:K91(B)K88(L):. 1. Twelve animals (52 per cent) responded to enterotoxin application by temporary outbreaks of diarrhoea (1-8.5 hours) following differentiated latencies (2.5-10 hours). No diarrhoea was recorded from eleven piglets (48%) which had received the same doses of enterotoxin. 2. No signs of a systemic disease were clinically recordable after enterotoxin administration from 22 (96%) animals, no matter whether diarrhoea had developed or not. Respiration, temperature, heart rate, and haematological values were unchanged. Feed and water intake were normal. No exsicosis was observed. All animals exhibited lively behaviours and activity. The conclusion drawn regarding the pathogenesis of the gastrointestinal form of coli-enterotoxaemia, with reference to the authors' own earlier findings, is that in this disease parenteral endotoxin effects (following endotoxin resorption) seem to coincide with enteral enterotoxin effects.", "contents": "[Experimental studies on the pathogenesis of coli enterotoxemia in swine. 3. Effect of coli enterotoxin in weaned piglets following intragastric administration]. The following results were obtained from experiments with 23 clinically intact weaned piglets, aged between five and six weeks (18 animals) or eight weeks (five animals), which had received three intragastric applications of crude enterotoxin (culture filtrate supernatant of Escherichia coli O149:K91(B)K88(L):. 1. Twelve animals (52 per cent) responded to enterotoxin application by temporary outbreaks of diarrhoea (1-8.5 hours) following differentiated latencies (2.5-10 hours). No diarrhoea was recorded from eleven piglets (48%) which had received the same doses of enterotoxin. 2. No signs of a systemic disease were clinically recordable after enterotoxin administration from 22 (96%) animals, no matter whether diarrhoea had developed or not. Respiration, temperature, heart rate, and haematological values were unchanged. Feed and water intake were normal. No exsicosis was observed. All animals exhibited lively behaviours and activity. The conclusion drawn regarding the pathogenesis of the gastrointestinal form of coli-enterotoxaemia, with reference to the authors' own earlier findings, is that in this disease parenteral endotoxin effects (following endotoxin resorption) seem to coincide with enteral enterotoxin effects.", "PMID": 798558} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11243", "title": "[Effect of acetylsalicylic acid on experimentally induced endotoxin reactions in swine].", "content": "The time and severity of clinical responses to endotoxin depend on dosage, Administration of acetylsalicyclic acid and Indometacin prior to endotoxin application may delay or moderate the clinical phenomena that are likely to result from certain endotoxin amounts.", "contents": "[Effect of acetylsalicylic acid on experimentally induced endotoxin reactions in swine]. The time and severity of clinical responses to endotoxin depend on dosage, Administration of acetylsalicyclic acid and Indometacin prior to endotoxin application may delay or moderate the clinical phenomena that are likely to result from certain endotoxin amounts.", "PMID": 798559} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11244", "title": "[On the salmonellosis. Data, considerations and operative indications (author's transl)].", "content": "The Authors expose data of 14317 proofs on the salmonellosis and propose a new method of struggle and a concentration of the data by provice laboratories.", "contents": "[On the salmonellosis. Data, considerations and operative indications (author's transl)]. The Authors expose data of 14317 proofs on the salmonellosis and propose a new method of struggle and a concentration of the data by provice laboratories.", "PMID": 798555} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11245", "title": "[In vitro culture of human tumours and individual antineoplastic drug sensivity (author's transl)].", "content": "The paper summarizes preparations of cell suspensions (mechanical, fermentative, by chemical agents) and from explant cultures. Several techniques of cell and tissue culture and determination of cell damage are described. The use of these techniques and the evaluation for individual testing of antineoplastic drug sensitivity are discussed.", "contents": "[In vitro culture of human tumours and individual antineoplastic drug sensivity (author's transl)]. The paper summarizes preparations of cell suspensions (mechanical, fermentative, by chemical agents) and from explant cultures. Several techniques of cell and tissue culture and determination of cell damage are described. The use of these techniques and the evaluation for individual testing of antineoplastic drug sensitivity are discussed.", "PMID": 798560} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11246", "title": "[Antibacterial activity of the derivatives of dehydro-and deoxy-colic acids (author's transl)].", "content": "The synthesis of derivatives of dehydro-and deoxy-colic acids with L-lysine and Lysil-lysine with antibacterial activity, is here described. Results show no antibacterial activity of dehydrocolic acid derivatives, while deoxycol-lys-OH-HCl, and particularly deoxycol-lys-NH2-2HCl, seem to be very effective on Gram-positive bacteria at 5 mug/ml, and on Gram-negatives at 25 mug/ml.", "contents": "[Antibacterial activity of the derivatives of dehydro-and deoxy-colic acids (author's transl)]. The synthesis of derivatives of dehydro-and deoxy-colic acids with L-lysine and Lysil-lysine with antibacterial activity, is here described. Results show no antibacterial activity of dehydrocolic acid derivatives, while deoxycol-lys-OH-HCl, and particularly deoxycol-lys-NH2-2HCl, seem to be very effective on Gram-positive bacteria at 5 mug/ml, and on Gram-negatives at 25 mug/ml.", "PMID": 798554} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11247", "title": "[A simplified micromethod for the measurement of leukocyte candidacidal activity (author's transl)].", "content": "A technicall simple micromethod for the assessment of leukocyte candidacidal activity is described. It is based on the alterations in Giemsa staining characteristics which Candida albicans cells develop when ingested by glass-adhering phagocytes. This method, which requires small quantities of whole blood and produces reliable results, may be of promising clinical usefulness for detecting primary and secondary phagocyte candidacidal defects in patients with chronic or recurrent localized and systemic candidiasis.", "contents": "[A simplified micromethod for the measurement of leukocyte candidacidal activity (author's transl)]. A technicall simple micromethod for the assessment of leukocyte candidacidal activity is described. It is based on the alterations in Giemsa staining characteristics which Candida albicans cells develop when ingested by glass-adhering phagocytes. This method, which requires small quantities of whole blood and produces reliable results, may be of promising clinical usefulness for detecting primary and secondary phagocyte candidacidal defects in patients with chronic or recurrent localized and systemic candidiasis.", "PMID": 798556} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11248", "title": "The distribution of nerves in human deciduous and permanent teeth.", "content": "Human permanent teeth without caries, obtained from 10-16 year old males and females and noncarious human deciduous teeth in which roots remained intact or were only poorly resorbed, were studied histologically. The distribution of sensory nerves in deciduous teeth were compared with that in permanent teeth by means of the silver-nitrate technique. 1. In radicular pulp, the sensory nerve fiber bundles accompany blood vessels in the axial area and several nerve single-fibers occur in the peripheral area of the pulp. 2. The subodontoblastic nerve plexus is formed in or beneath the cell-rich zone of the coronal pulp, and further, the marginal nerve plexus is built up near the pulpo-predentinal border. 3. The nerve fibers entering the predentin can be classified into 3 types by their courses. In the first type, nerve fibers pass directly toward the calcification front along the dentinal tubules in the predentin. In the second type, nerve fibers run obliquely or transversely in the predentin. The transversal fibers form a plexus-like structure by dividing and interlacing at various levels of predentin. The third type nerve fibers pass along the dentinal tubules in the predentin and, after reaching the predentino-dentinal border, reverse the odontoblast layer, thus forming a looped course. 4. There is no essential difference between the nerve supply in the deciduous and in the permanent teeth, but the nerves in the deciduous teeth are less dense in distribution and lower in amount than in the permanent teeth. Moreover, a typical marginal nerve plexus, which occurs constantly in the permanent teeth, is only occasionally found in the deciduous teeth; and no nerve fiber was observed to penetrate into the calcified dentin in the deciduous teeth. This finding seems to account for the fact that the deciduous teeth are less sensitive than their permanent successors.", "contents": "The distribution of nerves in human deciduous and permanent teeth. Human permanent teeth without caries, obtained from 10-16 year old males and females and noncarious human deciduous teeth in which roots remained intact or were only poorly resorbed, were studied histologically. The distribution of sensory nerves in deciduous teeth were compared with that in permanent teeth by means of the silver-nitrate technique. 1. In radicular pulp, the sensory nerve fiber bundles accompany blood vessels in the axial area and several nerve single-fibers occur in the peripheral area of the pulp. 2. The subodontoblastic nerve plexus is formed in or beneath the cell-rich zone of the coronal pulp, and further, the marginal nerve plexus is built up near the pulpo-predentinal border. 3. The nerve fibers entering the predentin can be classified into 3 types by their courses. In the first type, nerve fibers pass directly toward the calcification front along the dentinal tubules in the predentin. In the second type, nerve fibers run obliquely or transversely in the predentin. The transversal fibers form a plexus-like structure by dividing and interlacing at various levels of predentin. The third type nerve fibers pass along the dentinal tubules in the predentin and, after reaching the predentino-dentinal border, reverse the odontoblast layer, thus forming a looped course. 4. There is no essential difference between the nerve supply in the deciduous and in the permanent teeth, but the nerves in the deciduous teeth are less dense in distribution and lower in amount than in the permanent teeth. Moreover, a typical marginal nerve plexus, which occurs constantly in the permanent teeth, is only occasionally found in the deciduous teeth; and no nerve fiber was observed to penetrate into the calcified dentin in the deciduous teeth. This finding seems to account for the fact that the deciduous teeth are less sensitive than their permanent successors.", "PMID": 798562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11249", "title": "[Relationship between the epithelium and the stroma of the small-intestinal mucosa during antigenic stimulation].", "content": "The state of cells and intercellular structures, as well as the pattern of interaction between the epithelium and the stroma of the small intestine mucosa following their exposure to microbic toxins were studied in experiments on rabbits using histological, histochemical and immunofluorescent methods. It was established that the immuno-barrier function of the intestine was implemented by the brush border, epithelial cells, their basal membrane, fibres and cells of lamina propia of the mucosa. Damage of the epithelial lining of the mucosa was accompanied by intensification of immunological processes in its stroma, which in the preliminary immunized animals contributed to an increase in the resistance of the epithelial lining to damaging factors of the lumen of the intestine. The lymphoid infiltration of the epithelium of the intestine mucosa represented a manifestation of immunological processes constantly proceeding therein. The epithelial basal membrane which fixed on its surface immunoglobulins coming from lamina propia, retained antigens passing through it from the lumen of the intestine into the thickness of the mucosa's stroma.", "contents": "[Relationship between the epithelium and the stroma of the small-intestinal mucosa during antigenic stimulation]. The state of cells and intercellular structures, as well as the pattern of interaction between the epithelium and the stroma of the small intestine mucosa following their exposure to microbic toxins were studied in experiments on rabbits using histological, histochemical and immunofluorescent methods. It was established that the immuno-barrier function of the intestine was implemented by the brush border, epithelial cells, their basal membrane, fibres and cells of lamina propia of the mucosa. Damage of the epithelial lining of the mucosa was accompanied by intensification of immunological processes in its stroma, which in the preliminary immunized animals contributed to an increase in the resistance of the epithelial lining to damaging factors of the lumen of the intestine. The lymphoid infiltration of the epithelium of the intestine mucosa represented a manifestation of immunological processes constantly proceeding therein. The epithelial basal membrane which fixed on its surface immunoglobulins coming from lamina propia, retained antigens passing through it from the lumen of the intestine into the thickness of the mucosa's stroma.", "PMID": 798566} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11250", "title": "[Diabetic fetopathy].", "content": "Studies of the endocrine system, internal organs and vessels of the microcirculatory bed were carried out in infants whose mothers suffered from diabetes mellitus. It was established that late diabetic fetopathy was essentially fetal diabetes developed against the background of relative insufficiency of insulin due to overstrain and depletion of the insular apparatus of the fetus. Fetal diabetes was characterized by generalized microangiopathy in the development of which a leading role belonged to hypercorticoidism.", "contents": "[Diabetic fetopathy]. Studies of the endocrine system, internal organs and vessels of the microcirculatory bed were carried out in infants whose mothers suffered from diabetes mellitus. It was established that late diabetic fetopathy was essentially fetal diabetes developed against the background of relative insufficiency of insulin due to overstrain and depletion of the insular apparatus of the fetus. Fetal diabetes was characterized by generalized microangiopathy in the development of which a leading role belonged to hypercorticoidism.", "PMID": 798568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11251", "title": "[Comparative study of the effect of inhibitors of monoamine oxidase and ftorafur on the growth of de-differentiated astrocytoma].", "content": "To evaluate the possible antitumour effect of intensified deposition of serotonin in the region of localization of the tumour caused by a pharmacological preparation studies of the effect of inhibitors of monoamine oxidase transamine and N2N2-dibenzylhydrazide of DL-malic acid on rat's cerebellum tumour de-differentiated by astrocytoma (strain No 101/12) were carried out. The effect of inhibitors of monoamine oxidase was compared with that of antiblastic preparation of phthorafur. Differences in the mechanisms of action of pharmacological agents referred to above are shown. It was established that inhibitors of monoamine oxidase administered against the background of the developing tumour caused a considerable reduction in its weight and prononced dystrophic and necrotic changes.", "contents": "[Comparative study of the effect of inhibitors of monoamine oxidase and ftorafur on the growth of de-differentiated astrocytoma]. To evaluate the possible antitumour effect of intensified deposition of serotonin in the region of localization of the tumour caused by a pharmacological preparation studies of the effect of inhibitors of monoamine oxidase transamine and N2N2-dibenzylhydrazide of DL-malic acid on rat's cerebellum tumour de-differentiated by astrocytoma (strain No 101/12) were carried out. The effect of inhibitors of monoamine oxidase was compared with that of antiblastic preparation of phthorafur. Differences in the mechanisms of action of pharmacological agents referred to above are shown. It was established that inhibitors of monoamine oxidase administered against the background of the developing tumour caused a considerable reduction in its weight and prononced dystrophic and necrotic changes.", "PMID": 798569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11252", "title": "[Interpretation of the results of various histochemical reactions used in pathological anatomy].", "content": "Some approaches to correct interpretation of indices of histochemical reactions most often used in pathologo-anatomic investigations are analysed on the basis of the author's personal observations and literature data. It is shown that direct interpretation of results of histochemical reactions according to the conventional scheme (negative reaction--the absence of the substrate in question, low-positive reaction--a low content, and highly positive reaction--a high content) is not always justifiable. One and the same histochemical phenomenon may have different meanings and reflect various functional states of the structure under study. To be able to reveal mechanisms underlying the changes in histochemical indices in experimental material and to determine the significance of this fact in every specific case, one should use a specially selected set of various histochemical and other research methods allowing the possibility of checking and correcting the indices obtained with the help of each of them.", "contents": "[Interpretation of the results of various histochemical reactions used in pathological anatomy]. Some approaches to correct interpretation of indices of histochemical reactions most often used in pathologo-anatomic investigations are analysed on the basis of the author's personal observations and literature data. It is shown that direct interpretation of results of histochemical reactions according to the conventional scheme (negative reaction--the absence of the substrate in question, low-positive reaction--a low content, and highly positive reaction--a high content) is not always justifiable. One and the same histochemical phenomenon may have different meanings and reflect various functional states of the structure under study. To be able to reveal mechanisms underlying the changes in histochemical indices in experimental material and to determine the significance of this fact in every specific case, one should use a specially selected set of various histochemical and other research methods allowing the possibility of checking and correcting the indices obtained with the help of each of them.", "PMID": 798570} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11253", "title": "Reaction of human smooth muscle autoantibody with foetal glial cells and their precursors.", "content": "Tissue culture monolayers of dissociated human and rat embryonic brains were examined by indirect immunoflurescence with human serum containing smooth muscle antibody. Flat, epithelioid cells showed staining of a fine, filamentous network in the cell body while multipolar cells showed diffuse cytoplasmic fluorescence of the cell body and processes. Both cell types were identified as glial cells by silver stains. Specificity of the immunofluorescent staining reaction was established by failure to obtain staining with normal serum, with smooth muscle antibody serum neutralized by homogenates of smooth muscle or by extracts contining actin-like protein derived from smooth muscle. Reacitivity of of embryonic glial cells with smooth muscle antibody indicates the presence of actin-like proteins which are probably located in cytoplasmic microfilaments.", "contents": "Reaction of human smooth muscle autoantibody with foetal glial cells and their precursors. Tissue culture monolayers of dissociated human and rat embryonic brains were examined by indirect immunoflurescence with human serum containing smooth muscle antibody. Flat, epithelioid cells showed staining of a fine, filamentous network in the cell body while multipolar cells showed diffuse cytoplasmic fluorescence of the cell body and processes. Both cell types were identified as glial cells by silver stains. Specificity of the immunofluorescent staining reaction was established by failure to obtain staining with normal serum, with smooth muscle antibody serum neutralized by homogenates of smooth muscle or by extracts contining actin-like protein derived from smooth muscle. Reacitivity of of embryonic glial cells with smooth muscle antibody indicates the presence of actin-like proteins which are probably located in cytoplasmic microfilaments.", "PMID": 798575} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11254", "title": "Renin unresponsiveness and the effects of oxprenolol, methyldopa and spironolactone in pateints with essential hypertension.", "content": "Plasma renin activity (PRA), supine, erect and post-frusemide (1 mg/kg IV) was studied in 51 patients with previously untreated essential hypertension and their age- and sex-matched normotensive controls. Supine PRA, and the rise in PRA in response to the erect posture and frusemide, were significantly less in hypertensives compared to controls. When the hypertensives were arbitrarily divided into lower, mid, and upper subgroups according to supine PRA, the renin responsiveness was similar in each subgroup but significantly less in hypertensives compared to controls, subdivided in the same way. This does not support the existence of a separate \"low renin\" subgroup. The low supine PRA and reduced response to stimulation appears to be a feature of patients with essential hypertension. Thirty-nine of these hypertensives entered a double-blind cross-over drug trial of oxprenolol, methyldopa and spironolactone. All three drugs were equally effective in lowering the systolic and diastolic blood pressures in all three renin subgroups. Spironolactone caused a greater fall in systolic pressure in the lower renin group than in the other groups. Oxprenolol was the best tolerated drug, with only 5% of patients withdrawing due to side-effects compared to 13% on spironolacone and 29% on methyldopa.", "contents": "Renin unresponsiveness and the effects of oxprenolol, methyldopa and spironolactone in pateints with essential hypertension. Plasma renin activity (PRA), supine, erect and post-frusemide (1 mg/kg IV) was studied in 51 patients with previously untreated essential hypertension and their age- and sex-matched normotensive controls. Supine PRA, and the rise in PRA in response to the erect posture and frusemide, were significantly less in hypertensives compared to controls. When the hypertensives were arbitrarily divided into lower, mid, and upper subgroups according to supine PRA, the renin responsiveness was similar in each subgroup but significantly less in hypertensives compared to controls, subdivided in the same way. This does not support the existence of a separate \"low renin\" subgroup. The low supine PRA and reduced response to stimulation appears to be a feature of patients with essential hypertension. Thirty-nine of these hypertensives entered a double-blind cross-over drug trial of oxprenolol, methyldopa and spironolactone. All three drugs were equally effective in lowering the systolic and diastolic blood pressures in all three renin subgroups. Spironolactone caused a greater fall in systolic pressure in the lower renin group than in the other groups. Oxprenolol was the best tolerated drug, with only 5% of patients withdrawing due to side-effects compared to 13% on spironolacone and 29% on methyldopa.", "PMID": 798576} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11255", "title": "Thermal inactivation of cholera phages.", "content": "Thermal inactivation of seven cholera phages have been tested over the temperature range between 50 degrees to 70 degrees C. It was found that the phages vary widely in their heat sensitivity, Mukerjee's phages III being the most sensitive of the whole group. With all the phages over the temperature range studies, the inactivation curve seem to follow the pattern of virus thermal inactivation in general, the inactivation proceeding initially at a rapid rate, which in about 15 minutes time, gradually changes to a slower rate, each component tending to follow kinetics of the first order. The difficulty of explaining this phenomenon on the basis of population heterogeneity has been discussed.", "contents": "Thermal inactivation of cholera phages. Thermal inactivation of seven cholera phages have been tested over the temperature range between 50 degrees to 70 degrees C. It was found that the phages vary widely in their heat sensitivity, Mukerjee's phages III being the most sensitive of the whole group. With all the phages over the temperature range studies, the inactivation curve seem to follow the pattern of virus thermal inactivation in general, the inactivation proceeding initially at a rapid rate, which in about 15 minutes time, gradually changes to a slower rate, each component tending to follow kinetics of the first order. The difficulty of explaining this phenomenon on the basis of population heterogeneity has been discussed.", "PMID": 798583} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11256", "title": "Double-blind comparison of clozapine with chlorpromazine in acute schizophrenic illness.", "content": "Double Blind comparative trial of a new dibenzodiazepine derivative Clozapine (Leponex) with Chlorpromazine was conducted in the treatment of acute schizophrenic illness over a 6 week period. Factor Analysis of ratings in 9 matched pairs indicates that Clozapine, at 300 mg. per day, is comparable in efficacy to Chlorpromazine in all factors except \"Irritability\" for which Clozapine appears to be superior. Illness severity and Global Change ratings in all patients showed that Clozapine is more effective in producting a shift towards improvement at the end of 6 weeks. Major side effects reported in Clozapine confirmed sedation and hypersalivation as consistent problems and presence of rigidity and tremor (extra-pyramidal) being at variance with other studies.", "contents": "Double-blind comparison of clozapine with chlorpromazine in acute schizophrenic illness. Double Blind comparative trial of a new dibenzodiazepine derivative Clozapine (Leponex) with Chlorpromazine was conducted in the treatment of acute schizophrenic illness over a 6 week period. Factor Analysis of ratings in 9 matched pairs indicates that Clozapine, at 300 mg. per day, is comparable in efficacy to Chlorpromazine in all factors except \"Irritability\" for which Clozapine appears to be superior. Illness severity and Global Change ratings in all patients showed that Clozapine is more effective in producting a shift towards improvement at the end of 6 weeks. Major side effects reported in Clozapine confirmed sedation and hypersalivation as consistent problems and presence of rigidity and tremor (extra-pyramidal) being at variance with other studies.", "PMID": 798582} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11257", "title": "Adhesion of cholera phage to glass surfaces at high inactivation temperatures.", "content": "Decimal dilutions of cholera phage heated in test tubes at the temperature range of 65 degrees to 70 degrees showed an erratic behaviour in that the residual counts had no relationship to the quantity of phage originally present in the tubes. If the contents of the heated tubes were decanted off and the empty tubes washed repeatedly with broth, the recovery of phage from successive washings of the tubes was much higher than what would be expected on the basis of the simple dilution effect of washings. The data presented indicate that the heating causes loose adhesion of phage to the wall of the glass tubes from where they can be detached by washing or shaking. The facts that E. coli phage T1 and also cholera phages tested with two different broths have given similar results, suggest that some general property of the phage itself is responsible for the phenomenon observed. The phenomenon appears to be different from the adsorption of phage to glass filters at lower temperature range described by earlier workers.", "contents": "Adhesion of cholera phage to glass surfaces at high inactivation temperatures. Decimal dilutions of cholera phage heated in test tubes at the temperature range of 65 degrees to 70 degrees showed an erratic behaviour in that the residual counts had no relationship to the quantity of phage originally present in the tubes. If the contents of the heated tubes were decanted off and the empty tubes washed repeatedly with broth, the recovery of phage from successive washings of the tubes was much higher than what would be expected on the basis of the simple dilution effect of washings. The data presented indicate that the heating causes loose adhesion of phage to the wall of the glass tubes from where they can be detached by washing or shaking. The facts that E. coli phage T1 and also cholera phages tested with two different broths have given similar results, suggest that some general property of the phage itself is responsible for the phenomenon observed. The phenomenon appears to be different from the adsorption of phage to glass filters at lower temperature range described by earlier workers.", "PMID": 798584} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11258", "title": "Evaluation of a cooperative clinical study of the cytostatic agent ifosfamide.", "content": "In cooperative studies performed in 21 German clinics, the new cytostatic agent 3-(2-chloroethyl)-2-[(2-chloroethyl)-amino]-tetrahydro-2H-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorine-2-oxide (ifosfamide; trade name: Holoxan) was administered as massive-dose treatment. The studies aimed at confirming the results obtained in pharmacological and Phase I clinical trials with a fractionated administration of ifosfamide on a large scale. The study was carried out in 390 patients suffering from various malignant conditions. The majority of patients had had pretreatment without response or were admitted at an advanced stage of disease. Despite this negative selection, 25.5% of the patients showed an initial full remission and 42.3% partial remission; in 32.2% of the patients, reduction of the tumour signs by at least 50% was not attained. After an average observation period of 6 1/2 months, 53.8% of the patients were still alive. The study clearly shows the superiority of fractionated administration of ifosfamide when compared to its use as a single administration. In addition, the rates of remission and survival, and of survival times, were clearly dependent on dosage, independent of the tumour type. A daily dosage of 50 to 60 mg/kg ifosfamide on 5 consecutive days produced the best results. In spite of the fact that ifosfamide was not always given at optimum dosage, it proved to be definitely superior to conventional chemotherapy in testicular tumours, particularly teratomas and also in hypernephromas. Retrospective comparison with results of conventional chemotherapy for ovarian, bronchial and mammary cancer has shown ifosfamide to produce the same therapeutic effect in these tumour types. In this study group, leukopenia was not regarded as a limiting factor to the administration of ifosfamide. Side effects in the efferent urinary tract, particularly cystitis, were controlled with adequate preventive measures.", "contents": "Evaluation of a cooperative clinical study of the cytostatic agent ifosfamide. In cooperative studies performed in 21 German clinics, the new cytostatic agent 3-(2-chloroethyl)-2-[(2-chloroethyl)-amino]-tetrahydro-2H-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorine-2-oxide (ifosfamide; trade name: Holoxan) was administered as massive-dose treatment. The studies aimed at confirming the results obtained in pharmacological and Phase I clinical trials with a fractionated administration of ifosfamide on a large scale. The study was carried out in 390 patients suffering from various malignant conditions. The majority of patients had had pretreatment without response or were admitted at an advanced stage of disease. Despite this negative selection, 25.5% of the patients showed an initial full remission and 42.3% partial remission; in 32.2% of the patients, reduction of the tumour signs by at least 50% was not attained. After an average observation period of 6 1/2 months, 53.8% of the patients were still alive. The study clearly shows the superiority of fractionated administration of ifosfamide when compared to its use as a single administration. In addition, the rates of remission and survival, and of survival times, were clearly dependent on dosage, independent of the tumour type. A daily dosage of 50 to 60 mg/kg ifosfamide on 5 consecutive days produced the best results. In spite of the fact that ifosfamide was not always given at optimum dosage, it proved to be definitely superior to conventional chemotherapy in testicular tumours, particularly teratomas and also in hypernephromas. Retrospective comparison with results of conventional chemotherapy for ovarian, bronchial and mammary cancer has shown ifosfamide to produce the same therapeutic effect in these tumour types. In this study group, leukopenia was not regarded as a limiting factor to the administration of ifosfamide. Side effects in the efferent urinary tract, particularly cystitis, were controlled with adequate preventive measures.", "PMID": 798586} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11259", "title": "Effect of ethyl apovincaminate on the cerebral circulation. Serial angiography and regional cerebral circulation studies in neurosurgical patients.", "content": "The effect of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) on the cerebral circulation has been studied with two methods in a series of neurosurgical patients. Regional circulation was studied with the H2 clearance method in five patients in whom deep electrodes were lodged in various cerebral structures with stereotactic surgery performed for the underlying disease. In connection with serial angiography of 25 patients 10 mg Cavinton was injected i.v.; circulation time of the contrast medium, arterial circulation time, changes of normal and pathological filling were appraised. Registered 15 min after administration, regional circulation showed significant increase, but slight increase was demonstrable in every structure investigated. The change was more marked in two elderly patients over 60 years. In eight cases of serial angiography marked difference was seen in filling by normal and pathological vessels on Cavinton effect; arterial circulation time changed in three cases, contrast medium circulation time did not in any of the cases. The most marked changes occurred in three cases of cerebral vascular disease. In two cases of glioma vascularization of the tumour was visualized by Cavinton.", "contents": "Effect of ethyl apovincaminate on the cerebral circulation. Serial angiography and regional cerebral circulation studies in neurosurgical patients. The effect of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) on the cerebral circulation has been studied with two methods in a series of neurosurgical patients. Regional circulation was studied with the H2 clearance method in five patients in whom deep electrodes were lodged in various cerebral structures with stereotactic surgery performed for the underlying disease. In connection with serial angiography of 25 patients 10 mg Cavinton was injected i.v.; circulation time of the contrast medium, arterial circulation time, changes of normal and pathological filling were appraised. Registered 15 min after administration, regional circulation showed significant increase, but slight increase was demonstrable in every structure investigated. The change was more marked in two elderly patients over 60 years. In eight cases of serial angiography marked difference was seen in filling by normal and pathological vessels on Cavinton effect; arterial circulation time changed in three cases, contrast medium circulation time did not in any of the cases. The most marked changes occurred in three cases of cerebral vascular disease. In two cases of glioma vascularization of the tumour was visualized by Cavinton.", "PMID": 798588} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11260", "title": "Radiocirculographic study of the effect of ethyl apovincaminate on the cerebral circulation.", "content": "The effect of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) on cerebral circulation has been studied with radiocirculography (rc) in 12 healthy individuals and 17 patients suffering from cerebrovascular diseases. It was shown that acute Cavinton effect produced prolongation of circulation time both in healthy individuals and in more than half of our patients. Shortening of circulation time was observed in one case. On long-term Cavinton treatment circulation time was prolonged in 7 cases, not changed in 7, while in 3 cases it was shortened. The circulation times measured by rc did not reflect changes in the clinical picture.", "contents": "Radiocirculographic study of the effect of ethyl apovincaminate on the cerebral circulation. The effect of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) on cerebral circulation has been studied with radiocirculography (rc) in 12 healthy individuals and 17 patients suffering from cerebrovascular diseases. It was shown that acute Cavinton effect produced prolongation of circulation time both in healthy individuals and in more than half of our patients. Shortening of circulation time was observed in one case. On long-term Cavinton treatment circulation time was prolonged in 7 cases, not changed in 7, while in 3 cases it was shortened. The circulation times measured by rc did not reflect changes in the clinical picture.", "PMID": 798589} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11261", "title": "[The 32P-incorporation into nucleic acids and adenosine phosphates of the rat brain after acute and chronic influence of meclofenoxate (author's transl)].", "content": "Beta-Dimethylaminoethyl-p-chlorophenoxyacetate hydrochloride (meclofenoxate, Helfergin) was adminstered orally in dosages of 300 mg/kg 3 times during an 18-h period. The incorporation rate of the total and cytoplasmic RNA as well as of ATP, ADP and AMP decreased. Contradictory results were obtained after a 16-day treatment with orally 300 mg/kg per day: while the 32P-incorporation rate of the cytoplasmic RNA and the 3 adenosine phosphates increased, the nuclear RNA showed a correspondent diminishing. No changes of the ATP content could be observed in any group. The differences between the acute and chronic experiments could be explained by a different excitation of the animals and by the very different dosages. The increased 32P-incorporation into the cytoplasmic and into the adenosine phosphates in the chronic experiments are explained by a stimulation of the pentose phosphate shunt which yields mainly the phosphate group for the synthesis of AMP.", "contents": "[The 32P-incorporation into nucleic acids and adenosine phosphates of the rat brain after acute and chronic influence of meclofenoxate (author's transl)]. Beta-Dimethylaminoethyl-p-chlorophenoxyacetate hydrochloride (meclofenoxate, Helfergin) was adminstered orally in dosages of 300 mg/kg 3 times during an 18-h period. The incorporation rate of the total and cytoplasmic RNA as well as of ATP, ADP and AMP decreased. Contradictory results were obtained after a 16-day treatment with orally 300 mg/kg per day: while the 32P-incorporation rate of the cytoplasmic RNA and the 3 adenosine phosphates increased, the nuclear RNA showed a correspondent diminishing. No changes of the ATP content could be observed in any group. The differences between the acute and chronic experiments could be explained by a different excitation of the animals and by the very different dosages. The increased 32P-incorporation into the cytoplasmic and into the adenosine phosphates in the chronic experiments are explained by a stimulation of the pentose phosphate shunt which yields mainly the phosphate group for the synthesis of AMP.", "PMID": 798590} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11262", "title": "[Treatment of hyperlipemia and hyperuricemia with 2-acetamidoethyl-(4-chlorophenyl)-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-acetate (halofenate), a derivative of clofibrate].", "content": "23 patients with hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia received acetamidoethyl-(4-chlorophenyl)-(trifluoromethylphenoxy)-acetate (halofenate), a clofibrate derivative, and probenecid or probenecid and placebo over 36 weeks following a placebo period of 6 weeks. Halofenate compared with probenecid lowered elevated serum uric acid levels satisfactorily to a therapeutic level between 5 and 6 mg/100 ml. Serum triglyceride levels were not always lowered sufficiently, serum cholesterol levels were not influenced.", "contents": "[Treatment of hyperlipemia and hyperuricemia with 2-acetamidoethyl-(4-chlorophenyl)-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-acetate (halofenate), a derivative of clofibrate]. 23 patients with hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia received acetamidoethyl-(4-chlorophenyl)-(trifluoromethylphenoxy)-acetate (halofenate), a clofibrate derivative, and probenecid or probenecid and placebo over 36 weeks following a placebo period of 6 weeks. Halofenate compared with probenecid lowered elevated serum uric acid levels satisfactorily to a therapeutic level between 5 and 6 mg/100 ml. Serum triglyceride levels were not always lowered sufficiently, serum cholesterol levels were not influenced.", "PMID": 798591} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11263", "title": "[Treatment of irritable colon. A multicenter placebo-controlled double-blind study in general practice].", "content": "The effect of Asa foetida (0.1% alcoholic dilution) and a combination of Asa foetida and Nux vomica (0.01% alcoholic dilution) was tested in a multicenter placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Both groups with active medication differed trivially but showed a marked superiority to the placebo group. The differences, however, just miss the conventional 5%-level of statistical significance. For the interpretation of this result it must be considered that only about half of the total of patients could be reached who in the planning phase of the study had been regarded necessary for a statistical confirmation of a therapeutic effect. The diagnosis \"Colon irritabile\" is discussed in its historical context and the psychological structure of the patient sample is described by means of the scores of a standard personal inventory test (FPI). The trial shows that it is possible to obtain objective results on the basis of the patients' judgment (rating scales with low information content).", "contents": "[Treatment of irritable colon. A multicenter placebo-controlled double-blind study in general practice]. The effect of Asa foetida (0.1% alcoholic dilution) and a combination of Asa foetida and Nux vomica (0.01% alcoholic dilution) was tested in a multicenter placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Both groups with active medication differed trivially but showed a marked superiority to the placebo group. The differences, however, just miss the conventional 5%-level of statistical significance. For the interpretation of this result it must be considered that only about half of the total of patients could be reached who in the planning phase of the study had been regarded necessary for a statistical confirmation of a therapeutic effect. The diagnosis \"Colon irritabile\" is discussed in its historical context and the psychological structure of the patient sample is described by means of the scores of a standard personal inventory test (FPI). The trial shows that it is possible to obtain objective results on the basis of the patients' judgment (rating scales with low information content).", "PMID": 798592} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11264", "title": "The effect of dioxyphenylalanine (DOPA), amides and some potential sources of energy on the multiplication of Mycobacterium leprae.", "content": "The multiplication of 2 out of 3 M. leprae strains on a medium containing substances from digested non-acid-fast microorganisms or even free of them was significally promoted to D-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). The following organic substances exerted growth-promoting effects on several strains: 0.02-0.10% concentrations of succinate greater than fumarate greater than alpha-ketoglutarate and acetate greater than glycerol; 0.2% concentrations of citrate and pyruvate greater than isonicotinamide and benzamide greater than lecithin. 0.5% concentrations of oleate greater than citrate greater than pyruvate greater than acetate greater than fumarate greater than succinate; 5.0% concentrations of butanol and butandiol greater than propanol greater than sorbitol greater than ethanol. However, these effects were variable and strains of various origins acted differently. On media containing DOPA, malachite-green (MG) and at least 0.12 x 10(6) microorganisms/ml the following oxidation-reduction reaction was observed: DOPA was oxidized to a brown compound and malachite-green reduced to an almost colourless product. Consequently, the blue-colour of the cultures turned from blue to brown. This DOPA-MG reaction and the inability to grow on conventional media were used for the identification of 10 cultures (inocula directly from patients) as M. leprae, while a DOPA-MG negative patient-strain grew on media employed for cultivable mycobacteria and was not identical with M. leprae, as proved by the foot-pad test in mice.", "contents": "The effect of dioxyphenylalanine (DOPA), amides and some potential sources of energy on the multiplication of Mycobacterium leprae. The multiplication of 2 out of 3 M. leprae strains on a medium containing substances from digested non-acid-fast microorganisms or even free of them was significally promoted to D-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). The following organic substances exerted growth-promoting effects on several strains: 0.02-0.10% concentrations of succinate greater than fumarate greater than alpha-ketoglutarate and acetate greater than glycerol; 0.2% concentrations of citrate and pyruvate greater than isonicotinamide and benzamide greater than lecithin. 0.5% concentrations of oleate greater than citrate greater than pyruvate greater than acetate greater than fumarate greater than succinate; 5.0% concentrations of butanol and butandiol greater than propanol greater than sorbitol greater than ethanol. However, these effects were variable and strains of various origins acted differently. On media containing DOPA, malachite-green (MG) and at least 0.12 x 10(6) microorganisms/ml the following oxidation-reduction reaction was observed: DOPA was oxidized to a brown compound and malachite-green reduced to an almost colourless product. Consequently, the blue-colour of the cultures turned from blue to brown. This DOPA-MG reaction and the inability to grow on conventional media were used for the identification of 10 cultures (inocula directly from patients) as M. leprae, while a DOPA-MG negative patient-strain grew on media employed for cultivable mycobacteria and was not identical with M. leprae, as proved by the foot-pad test in mice.", "PMID": 798593} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11265", "title": "Isoantibodies to human exocrine pancreas and endothelium.", "content": "A cytoplasmic immunofluorescence of some human pancreatic exocrine cells was obtained in 19.2% of 270 patient undiluted sera and confirmed in 20.4% of 98 healthy controls. No relation was found with clinical disorders or autoantibodies. This reaction was always associated with human endothelial antibodies and both were clearly related to high titre \"incomplete\" IgG anti-A group isoagglutinins.", "contents": "Isoantibodies to human exocrine pancreas and endothelium. A cytoplasmic immunofluorescence of some human pancreatic exocrine cells was obtained in 19.2% of 270 patient undiluted sera and confirmed in 20.4% of 98 healthy controls. No relation was found with clinical disorders or autoantibodies. This reaction was always associated with human endothelial antibodies and both were clearly related to high titre \"incomplete\" IgG anti-A group isoagglutinins.", "PMID": 798594} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11266", "title": "[Modifications of B lymphocyte membrane markers in patients with osteosarcoma].", "content": "A study was performed on the B lymphocyte membrane markers in patients with osteosarcoma. The findings obtained would indicated apparently normal cell function conditions (intracytoplasmic membrane immunofluorescence, PWM lymphocyte blastogenesis) and a marked cytotoxic lymphocyte drop (\"killer\" lymphocytes: EA rosettes).", "contents": "[Modifications of B lymphocyte membrane markers in patients with osteosarcoma]. A study was performed on the B lymphocyte membrane markers in patients with osteosarcoma. The findings obtained would indicated apparently normal cell function conditions (intracytoplasmic membrane immunofluorescence, PWM lymphocyte blastogenesis) and a marked cytotoxic lymphocyte drop (\"killer\" lymphocytes: EA rosettes).", "PMID": 798595} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11267", "title": "Leukocyte inhibiting factor (LIF) production from human lymphocytes stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides.", "content": "Leukocyte inhibiting factor (LIF) release from lymphocytes cultures stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) has been investigated. Human lymphocytes cultured in the presence of E, coli or S. enteritidis LPS were able to release in the supernatants a substance with the following properties: a) same elution pattern of Bovine Serum Albumin (MW 69000) when filtered on Sephadex G-100; b) it migrates on disc electrophoresis a an albumin; c) not dialyzable; d) not cytotoxic; e) inhibition of polymorphonuclear cells migration in agarose plates; f) heat stability at 56 degrees C for 30'. This substance could be likely identified as LIF.", "contents": "Leukocyte inhibiting factor (LIF) production from human lymphocytes stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides. Leukocyte inhibiting factor (LIF) release from lymphocytes cultures stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) has been investigated. Human lymphocytes cultured in the presence of E, coli or S. enteritidis LPS were able to release in the supernatants a substance with the following properties: a) same elution pattern of Bovine Serum Albumin (MW 69000) when filtered on Sephadex G-100; b) it migrates on disc electrophoresis a an albumin; c) not dialyzable; d) not cytotoxic; e) inhibition of polymorphonuclear cells migration in agarose plates; f) heat stability at 56 degrees C for 30'. This substance could be likely identified as LIF.", "PMID": 798596} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11268", "title": "Platelet-endotoxin interaction: a review.", "content": "The studies reviewed in the present manuscript outline the effects of bacterial endotoxins on human and animal platelets. In animals the endotoxin administration is followed by thrombocytopenia, presence of platelet aggregates in the blood vessels of several organs, appearance of appreciable quantities of serotonin in plasma and increased platelet factor 3 availability. These in vivo effects can readily be explained by the in vitro demonstration that endotoxin aggregates platelets, induces release of vasoactive amines and adenine nucleotides and activates platelet factor 3. There is substantial evidence suggesting that the mechanism of this animal platelet-endotoxin interaction is immunological and complement dependent. In humans thrombocytopenia is frequently observed in endotoxemia as encountered during Gram-negative sepsis indicating that platelets are involved in some of the biological effects endotoxin. In vitro experiments demonstrate that several endotoxin preparations significantly enhance a weak procoagulant activity of human platelets different from platelet factor 3.", "contents": "Platelet-endotoxin interaction: a review. The studies reviewed in the present manuscript outline the effects of bacterial endotoxins on human and animal platelets. In animals the endotoxin administration is followed by thrombocytopenia, presence of platelet aggregates in the blood vessels of several organs, appearance of appreciable quantities of serotonin in plasma and increased platelet factor 3 availability. These in vivo effects can readily be explained by the in vitro demonstration that endotoxin aggregates platelets, induces release of vasoactive amines and adenine nucleotides and activates platelet factor 3. There is substantial evidence suggesting that the mechanism of this animal platelet-endotoxin interaction is immunological and complement dependent. In humans thrombocytopenia is frequently observed in endotoxemia as encountered during Gram-negative sepsis indicating that platelets are involved in some of the biological effects endotoxin. In vitro experiments demonstrate that several endotoxin preparations significantly enhance a weak procoagulant activity of human platelets different from platelet factor 3.", "PMID": 798597} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11269", "title": "Hepatitis B infections in renal transplantied patients.", "content": "Multiple serum samples collected from ten renal transplanted patients were examined by means of radioimmunoassay procedures in order to check and quantitate both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) and antibody to it (anti-HBs). The anticomplementary activity of serum, levels of serum immunoglobulins and other laboratory parameters were also tested and related to the clinical followup of patients in the pre- and post-operative period, during which they underwent immunosuppressive treatment with azathioprine, methyl-prednisolone and antilymphocyte globulin. The results obtained provided evdence that all subjects under examination either were currently infected or had been previously exposed to hepatitis B virus. Five basic situations could be detected: state of persistent HBs Ag carrier (I) or of persistent positivity for anti-HBs (II) or reinfections (IV) and presence of HBs Ag/anti-HBs immunocomplexes (V). All HBs Ag and anti-HBs-positive sera were ayw subtype, which is typical for hepatitis B virus circulating in Italy.", "contents": "Hepatitis B infections in renal transplantied patients. Multiple serum samples collected from ten renal transplanted patients were examined by means of radioimmunoassay procedures in order to check and quantitate both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) and antibody to it (anti-HBs). The anticomplementary activity of serum, levels of serum immunoglobulins and other laboratory parameters were also tested and related to the clinical followup of patients in the pre- and post-operative period, during which they underwent immunosuppressive treatment with azathioprine, methyl-prednisolone and antilymphocyte globulin. The results obtained provided evdence that all subjects under examination either were currently infected or had been previously exposed to hepatitis B virus. Five basic situations could be detected: state of persistent HBs Ag carrier (I) or of persistent positivity for anti-HBs (II) or reinfections (IV) and presence of HBs Ag/anti-HBs immunocomplexes (V). All HBs Ag and anti-HBs-positive sera were ayw subtype, which is typical for hepatitis B virus circulating in Italy.", "PMID": 798598} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11270", "title": "Respiratory mechanics with constant flow inspiration. A comparison of two measurement techniques.", "content": "Resperatory compliance and resistance were measured during positive pressure ventilation in anaesthtized, paralysed dogs. Airway pressures measured during constant-flow inspiration allowed the calculation of pulmonary and chest-wall resistances, and static and non-static compliances. Contiguous studies of dynamic compliance and resistance allowed comparison of the two techniques, and the level of agreement was reasonalble. Cconstant-flow inflation of the lungs allows a simple means of measuring respiratory mechanics, and should be valid for the observation of short-term changes in the apnoeic patient.", "contents": "Respiratory mechanics with constant flow inspiration. A comparison of two measurement techniques. Resperatory compliance and resistance were measured during positive pressure ventilation in anaesthtized, paralysed dogs. Airway pressures measured during constant-flow inspiration allowed the calculation of pulmonary and chest-wall resistances, and static and non-static compliances. Contiguous studies of dynamic compliance and resistance allowed comparison of the two techniques, and the level of agreement was reasonalble. Cconstant-flow inflation of the lungs allows a simple means of measuring respiratory mechanics, and should be valid for the observation of short-term changes in the apnoeic patient.", "PMID": 798600} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11271", "title": "[Chloroplast ribosomes].", "content": "A brief review of modern concepts on the structure and properties of chloroplast ribosomes is given. An attention is paid to the similarity of 70S chloroplast ribosomes, 80S cytoplasmic ribosomes and ribosomes of prokaryotic type which is interesting from the viewpoint of the origin and evolution of plastids. Problems of rRNA and ribosomal proteins biosynthesis, of biogenesis and functions of chloroplast ribosomes are also considered.", "contents": "[Chloroplast ribosomes]. A brief review of modern concepts on the structure and properties of chloroplast ribosomes is given. An attention is paid to the similarity of 70S chloroplast ribosomes, 80S cytoplasmic ribosomes and ribosomes of prokaryotic type which is interesting from the viewpoint of the origin and evolution of plastids. Problems of rRNA and ribosomal proteins biosynthesis, of biogenesis and functions of chloroplast ribosomes are also considered.", "PMID": 798604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11272", "title": "[Simple method for isolation of three DNA-polymerases from E. coli using chromatography on DNA-cellulose].", "content": "A simple method for isolation of three DNA-polymerases from E. coli is developed; it is based on properties of the enzymes to bind with single-stranded DNA, fixed on cellulose. DNA-polymerases I, II and III were identified by their relation to templates, ionic strength, heat denaturation and inhibition of the activity with agents which blocked sulfhydryl groups. After purification which included chromatography on DNA-cellulose as well as fractionation with phosphocellulose and gel-filtration through Sephadex G-100, the enzymes were free the endonucleases contamination.", "contents": "[Simple method for isolation of three DNA-polymerases from E. coli using chromatography on DNA-cellulose]. A simple method for isolation of three DNA-polymerases from E. coli is developed; it is based on properties of the enzymes to bind with single-stranded DNA, fixed on cellulose. DNA-polymerases I, II and III were identified by their relation to templates, ionic strength, heat denaturation and inhibition of the activity with agents which blocked sulfhydryl groups. After purification which included chromatography on DNA-cellulose as well as fractionation with phosphocellulose and gel-filtration through Sephadex G-100, the enzymes were free the endonucleases contamination.", "PMID": 798605} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11273", "title": "[Biospecific chromatography of acid proteinases. The role of ionic and hydrophobic interactions].", "content": "Pepsin chromatography was studied on peptide ligand sorbents, differing in the length of the polypeptide chains, ionogenic groups and the nature of hydrophobic side groups. Pepsin sorption was found to be dependent of a specific interaction of the substrate analogs with the enzyme and ionic interactions with the matrix and ionogenic groups of the ligand. Non-specific hydrophobic interactions of the enzyme and the ligand have little effect on the sorption. Efficient methods for the isolation of pepsin and separation of the mixture of bovine chymosin and pepsin are described.", "contents": "[Biospecific chromatography of acid proteinases. The role of ionic and hydrophobic interactions]. Pepsin chromatography was studied on peptide ligand sorbents, differing in the length of the polypeptide chains, ionogenic groups and the nature of hydrophobic side groups. Pepsin sorption was found to be dependent of a specific interaction of the substrate analogs with the enzyme and ionic interactions with the matrix and ionogenic groups of the ligand. Non-specific hydrophobic interactions of the enzyme and the ligand have little effect on the sorption. Efficient methods for the isolation of pepsin and separation of the mixture of bovine chymosin and pepsin are described.", "PMID": 798606} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11274", "title": "Ultrastructural localization of IgA globulins in normal and coeliac intestinal mucosa using immunoenzymatic methods.", "content": "Using peroxidase-labelled antibodies, the ultrastructural localization of IgA immunoglobulins in duodenojejunal biopsies from children with active coeliac disease was investigated. Satisfactory penetration of conjugates was achieved by 20 hour-fixation in 4% formaldehyde and 8 hour-incubation of thick frozen sections in the presence of peroxidase-labelled anti-human alpha heavy chain antibody under continuous mild agitation. In normal duodeno-jejunal mucosa, deposits of IgA were observed at the ultrastructural level in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the perinuclear space of plasma cells and on lateral cell membranes of villous and crypt epithelial cells. In coeliac mucosa, immuno-electron microscopic studies confirmed the increased cell density of IgA immunocytes and revealed heavy deposits of IgA on the basement membrane of surface epithelial cells and the wall of neighbouring blood vessels.", "contents": "Ultrastructural localization of IgA globulins in normal and coeliac intestinal mucosa using immunoenzymatic methods. Using peroxidase-labelled antibodies, the ultrastructural localization of IgA immunoglobulins in duodenojejunal biopsies from children with active coeliac disease was investigated. Satisfactory penetration of conjugates was achieved by 20 hour-fixation in 4% formaldehyde and 8 hour-incubation of thick frozen sections in the presence of peroxidase-labelled anti-human alpha heavy chain antibody under continuous mild agitation. In normal duodeno-jejunal mucosa, deposits of IgA were observed at the ultrastructural level in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the perinuclear space of plasma cells and on lateral cell membranes of villous and crypt epithelial cells. In coeliac mucosa, immuno-electron microscopic studies confirmed the increased cell density of IgA immunocytes and revealed heavy deposits of IgA on the basement membrane of surface epithelial cells and the wall of neighbouring blood vessels.", "PMID": 798608} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11275", "title": "[Use of autologous bone marrow taken from a shielded area at different times after irradiation].", "content": "It was shown that in X-irradiation of rats in the absolute lethal dose (850 R) shielding of the shank saved 32% of the animals from death. Bone marrow autotransplantation from the shielded portion immediately after the irradiation augmented the shielding effect considerably. Such protective action of autotransplantation persists if conducted in the course of the first 5 days after the irradiation, but it decreases later (on the 7th-10th day).", "contents": "[Use of autologous bone marrow taken from a shielded area at different times after irradiation]. It was shown that in X-irradiation of rats in the absolute lethal dose (850 R) shielding of the shank saved 32% of the animals from death. Bone marrow autotransplantation from the shielded portion immediately after the irradiation augmented the shielding effect considerably. Such protective action of autotransplantation persists if conducted in the course of the first 5 days after the irradiation, but it decreases later (on the 7th-10th day).", "PMID": 798609} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11276", "title": "[Nature of rec+ revertants isolated from E. coli K-12 cultures mutant with regard to gene rec A].", "content": "The nature of Rec+ revertants isolated from the E. coli K-12 AB 2463 recA13 defective strain cultures was ascertained by transduction of the recA gene region into the cells of the JC 2915F- strain with the aid of P1 vira phage. Then the recombination capacity of the transductants was tested by crossing with the JC 158 Hfr strain, and the UV sensitivity of the transductants was determined. Besides, the response of the transductants to the suppression phages was examined. As revealed, the REc+ revertants were characterized by differences in the recA gene. In a number of Rec+ revertants phenotype Rec+ appeared as a result of reverse mutation in this gene from rec- to rec+, whereas in other revertants Rec+ phenotype was due to indirect suppression.", "contents": "[Nature of rec+ revertants isolated from E. coli K-12 cultures mutant with regard to gene rec A]. The nature of Rec+ revertants isolated from the E. coli K-12 AB 2463 recA13 defective strain cultures was ascertained by transduction of the recA gene region into the cells of the JC 2915F- strain with the aid of P1 vira phage. Then the recombination capacity of the transductants was tested by crossing with the JC 158 Hfr strain, and the UV sensitivity of the transductants was determined. Besides, the response of the transductants to the suppression phages was examined. As revealed, the REc+ revertants were characterized by differences in the recA gene. In a number of Rec+ revertants phenotype Rec+ appeared as a result of reverse mutation in this gene from rec- to rec+, whereas in other revertants Rec+ phenotype was due to indirect suppression.", "PMID": 798610} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11277", "title": "[Isolation of high molecular DNA of plasmids FBI and FBI drd from serologically typed strains of E. coli (AP1 and AP2)].", "content": "The authors elaborated a method of isolation of high molecular DNA from the plasmids FB1 and FB1drd of the conditionally pathogenic E. coli strains. Molecular weights of the isolated plasmid DNAs were determined by means of electrophoresis of the DNA fragments in agar gel and sedimentation in the neutral gradient of glycerine concentration.", "contents": "[Isolation of high molecular DNA of plasmids FBI and FBI drd from serologically typed strains of E. coli (AP1 and AP2)]. The authors elaborated a method of isolation of high molecular DNA from the plasmids FB1 and FB1drd of the conditionally pathogenic E. coli strains. Molecular weights of the isolated plasmid DNAs were determined by means of electrophoresis of the DNA fragments in agar gel and sedimentation in the neutral gradient of glycerine concentration.", "PMID": 798611} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11278", "title": "[Immunohistochemical study of protein S-100 in the neurons and glia of the grape snail (Helix pomatia)].", "content": "Indirect Coons' method was used to study the localization of the brain-specific S-100 protein in the neurons and the glia of Helix pomatia. This protein was demonstrated to be present in the cytoplasm of the nerve and glial cells, in the nuclei and the outer membrane of the neurons.", "contents": "[Immunohistochemical study of protein S-100 in the neurons and glia of the grape snail (Helix pomatia)]. Indirect Coons' method was used to study the localization of the brain-specific S-100 protein in the neurons and the glia of Helix pomatia. This protein was demonstrated to be present in the cytoplasm of the nerve and glial cells, in the nuclei and the outer membrane of the neurons.", "PMID": 798613} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11279", "title": "[Cyto-immunological studies of the gonadotropic cells of the human fetus].", "content": "The immunicytological analysis of PAE fixed semi-thin sections of pituitary cells (of human fetuses aged 6 to 26 weeks) using immunesera directed against the human total glycoproteic hormones, HCG, LH, FSH and TSH or made specific for the LH, FSH, and TSH beta subunits shows: -- the presence up to the 12th week of only the subunit of the glycoproteic hormones revealed indiff\u00e9rently by our anti total hormones immunesera; -- the apparition of the betaTSH subunits at the 13th week, characterizing the differentiation of the thyrotrophs; -- the apparition of betaLH and betaFSH subunits on the one and same gonadotropic cell population at the 15th week.", "contents": "[Cyto-immunological studies of the gonadotropic cells of the human fetus]. The immunicytological analysis of PAE fixed semi-thin sections of pituitary cells (of human fetuses aged 6 to 26 weeks) using immunesera directed against the human total glycoproteic hormones, HCG, LH, FSH and TSH or made specific for the LH, FSH, and TSH beta subunits shows: -- the presence up to the 12th week of only the subunit of the glycoproteic hormones revealed indiff\u00e9rently by our anti total hormones immunesera; -- the apparition of the betaTSH subunits at the 13th week, characterizing the differentiation of the thyrotrophs; -- the apparition of betaLH and betaFSH subunits on the one and same gonadotropic cell population at the 15th week.", "PMID": 798615} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11280", "title": "[Immuno-cytologic study of LH-RH cells and fibers in the human fetus].", "content": "The application of immunofluorescence and immunoenzymology techniques with an anti LH RH I.S. permitted to reveal neurons and fibers in the human fetal hypothalamus from the 13th week up to birth. The morphology and dispersion areas of the neurons in the mediobassal, premammillary and anterior hypothalamus (lamina terminalis and its surroundings and the septum) as well as the direction and the destination of the immuno-reactive fibers of the hypothalamo infundibular tract have been described. These fibers are in contact with the capillaries of the Mantelplexus before and after the apparition of the intra-eminential loops at the 16th week. The general topography of the LH RH peptidergic system in the human fetus can be compared with the topography of other adult primates. The role of this system in the maturation and the control of gonadotropic cells is evoked.", "contents": "[Immuno-cytologic study of LH-RH cells and fibers in the human fetus]. The application of immunofluorescence and immunoenzymology techniques with an anti LH RH I.S. permitted to reveal neurons and fibers in the human fetal hypothalamus from the 13th week up to birth. The morphology and dispersion areas of the neurons in the mediobassal, premammillary and anterior hypothalamus (lamina terminalis and its surroundings and the septum) as well as the direction and the destination of the immuno-reactive fibers of the hypothalamo infundibular tract have been described. These fibers are in contact with the capillaries of the Mantelplexus before and after the apparition of the intra-eminential loops at the 16th week. The general topography of the LH RH peptidergic system in the human fetus can be compared with the topography of other adult primates. The role of this system in the maturation and the control of gonadotropic cells is evoked.", "PMID": 798616} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11281", "title": "[There is only 1 type of A cells in the islands of Langerhans of the pancreas].", "content": "Differences of A cell reactions in Langerhans islets can be explained by variations of the activity of a same cell. Resting of this cell by injection of glucagone or glucose makes it argyrophilic and abolishes tryptophan reaction. Stimulation of A cells by fasting or injection of insulin suppresses argyrophilism and makes the tryptophane reaction positive. A1 and A2 cells cannot be opposed. Variations of glucagone production explains diversity of the reactions in A cells.", "contents": "[There is only 1 type of A cells in the islands of Langerhans of the pancreas]. Differences of A cell reactions in Langerhans islets can be explained by variations of the activity of a same cell. Resting of this cell by injection of glucagone or glucose makes it argyrophilic and abolishes tryptophan reaction. Stimulation of A cells by fasting or injection of insulin suppresses argyrophilism and makes the tryptophane reaction positive. A1 and A2 cells cannot be opposed. Variations of glucagone production explains diversity of the reactions in A cells.", "PMID": 798617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11282", "title": "Phase II study of tamoxifen: report of 74 patients with stage IV breast cancer.", "content": "Tamoxifen (NSC-180973), a synthetic antiestrogen, was studied for efficacy and toxicity in patients with metastatic breast adenocarcinoma. Two dose levels were used, 10 mg bid and 15 mg/m2 bid, in separate groups. In the 10-mg bid dosage group, 30 of the 31 patients were considered evaluable for efficacy. Five complete and 11 partial responses were recorded, for an overall response rate of 53%. In the 15-mg/m2 bid dosage group, 44 of the 45 patients were considered evaluable for efficacy. Three complete and 16 partial responses were recorded, for an overall response rate of 43%. All 76 patients were evaluated for toxicity. Side effects were generally mild, consisting mostly of hot flushes, transient leukopenia, transient thrombocytopenia, nausea, and fluid retention. A high degree of correlation between response and positive estrogen-receptor assay suggests the value of the test as a means to select patients for tamoxifen treatment. The conclusion from this study is that tamoxifen used as a single agent is an effective drug with minimal toxicity for treatment of metastatic breast adenocarcinoma.", "contents": "Phase II study of tamoxifen: report of 74 patients with stage IV breast cancer. Tamoxifen (NSC-180973), a synthetic antiestrogen, was studied for efficacy and toxicity in patients with metastatic breast adenocarcinoma. Two dose levels were used, 10 mg bid and 15 mg/m2 bid, in separate groups. In the 10-mg bid dosage group, 30 of the 31 patients were considered evaluable for efficacy. Five complete and 11 partial responses were recorded, for an overall response rate of 53%. In the 15-mg/m2 bid dosage group, 44 of the 45 patients were considered evaluable for efficacy. Three complete and 16 partial responses were recorded, for an overall response rate of 43%. All 76 patients were evaluated for toxicity. Side effects were generally mild, consisting mostly of hot flushes, transient leukopenia, transient thrombocytopenia, nausea, and fluid retention. A high degree of correlation between response and positive estrogen-receptor assay suggests the value of the test as a means to select patients for tamoxifen treatment. The conclusion from this study is that tamoxifen used as a single agent is an effective drug with minimal toxicity for treatment of metastatic breast adenocarcinoma.", "PMID": 798626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11283", "title": "The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).", "content": "The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay \"ELISA\" developed in recent years represents a significant addition to existing serological tools. Encouraging preliminary results obtained through its application to a number of parasitic diseases during the last two years indicate the value of further investigations and trials which will permit a true evaluation.Although the technique is easy to perform and quite sensitive, there are certain problems to be solved before it becomes widely usable. In the present Memorandum the technical details are given and the advantages and shortcomings of the procedure are discussed. Present applications and future prospects are reviewed.", "contents": "The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay \"ELISA\" developed in recent years represents a significant addition to existing serological tools. Encouraging preliminary results obtained through its application to a number of parasitic diseases during the last two years indicate the value of further investigations and trials which will permit a true evaluation.Although the technique is easy to perform and quite sensitive, there are certain problems to be solved before it becomes widely usable. In the present Memorandum the technical details are given and the advantages and shortcomings of the procedure are discussed. Present applications and future prospects are reviewed.", "PMID": 798633} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11284", "title": "Parallel evaluation of serological tests applied in african trypanosomiasis: a WHO collaborative study.", "content": "Previously, the most commonly used serological tests for the indirect diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis were the indirect fluorescent antibody test, immunodiffusion test, and the determination of IgM levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Recently, the capillary passive haemagglutination test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been used in diagnosing trypanosomiasis. However, a parallel evaluation was needed to indicate the comparative diagnostic value of these various serological tests. A double-blind study conducted by WHO with the collaboration of three European and four African laboratories using well-documented serum samples provides a reasonable basis for determining in parallel the sensitivities of the various techniques.", "contents": "Parallel evaluation of serological tests applied in african trypanosomiasis: a WHO collaborative study. Previously, the most commonly used serological tests for the indirect diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis were the indirect fluorescent antibody test, immunodiffusion test, and the determination of IgM levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Recently, the capillary passive haemagglutination test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been used in diagnosing trypanosomiasis. However, a parallel evaluation was needed to indicate the comparative diagnostic value of these various serological tests. A double-blind study conducted by WHO with the collaboration of three European and four African laboratories using well-documented serum samples provides a reasonable basis for determining in parallel the sensitivities of the various techniques.", "PMID": 798634} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11285", "title": "Preliminary studies of artificial immunization of rats against Plasmodium berghei and adoptive transfer of this immunity by splenic T and T + B cells.", "content": "Protective T lymphocyte and T+B lymphocyte responses in rats artificially immunized against P. berghei have been demonstrated by adoptive transfer. The techniques used could be developed for detailed analysis of protective lymphocyte responses generated by various methods of immunization, and their relationship to immunity.", "contents": "Preliminary studies of artificial immunization of rats against Plasmodium berghei and adoptive transfer of this immunity by splenic T and T + B cells. Protective T lymphocyte and T+B lymphocyte responses in rats artificially immunized against P. berghei have been demonstrated by adoptive transfer. The techniques used could be developed for detailed analysis of protective lymphocyte responses generated by various methods of immunization, and their relationship to immunity.", "PMID": 798635} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11286", "title": "Comparative study of reactions and serological response to cholera vaccines in a controlled field trial conducted in the USSR.", "content": "This article presents the results of a comparative study of the reactogenicity and the serological response induced by a number of cholera vaccines. Conducted in the USSR on 998 adults aged 18 years and over, the study covered whole-cell heat-killed and formalin-inactivated cholera vaccines, whole-cell heat-killed El Tor vaccine, and a new partially purified toxoid preparation proposed for the immunoprophylaxis of cholera-all administered by hypodermic syringe or jet injector. The most marked reactions were found to occur with the formalin-inactivated cholera vaccine and the least marked with the partially purified toxoid. It was also established that the toxoid was no less effective than the whole-cell vaccine in inducing the intense production of antibodies to the Inaba serotype and, in somewhat lesser degree, to the Ogawa serotype of the El Tor vibrio. It was the only preparation to give rise to intense production of specific antitoxins in 95-98% of cases. The reactions to and immunogenic properties of the cholera vaccines did not show any statistically significant difference whether administered by hypodermic syringe or by jet injector.", "contents": "Comparative study of reactions and serological response to cholera vaccines in a controlled field trial conducted in the USSR. This article presents the results of a comparative study of the reactogenicity and the serological response induced by a number of cholera vaccines. Conducted in the USSR on 998 adults aged 18 years and over, the study covered whole-cell heat-killed and formalin-inactivated cholera vaccines, whole-cell heat-killed El Tor vaccine, and a new partially purified toxoid preparation proposed for the immunoprophylaxis of cholera-all administered by hypodermic syringe or jet injector. The most marked reactions were found to occur with the formalin-inactivated cholera vaccine and the least marked with the partially purified toxoid. It was also established that the toxoid was no less effective than the whole-cell vaccine in inducing the intense production of antibodies to the Inaba serotype and, in somewhat lesser degree, to the Ogawa serotype of the El Tor vibrio. It was the only preparation to give rise to intense production of specific antitoxins in 95-98% of cases. The reactions to and immunogenic properties of the cholera vaccines did not show any statistically significant difference whether administered by hypodermic syringe or by jet injector.", "PMID": 798636} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11287", "title": "Present knowledge of immunization against tuberculosis.", "content": "This is a selective review, which, after recalling some immunological aspects, analyses the present knowledge on the protective efficacy of BCG vaccination, the vaccination reactions and complications that may be observed, and current methods of vaccine production and control. As regards the application of BCG vaccination, particular attention is given to dosage and vaccination techniques, direct and simultaneous vaccination, and revaccination. Finally, the evaluation of BCG vaccination programmes is briefly discussed.", "contents": "Present knowledge of immunization against tuberculosis. This is a selective review, which, after recalling some immunological aspects, analyses the present knowledge on the protective efficacy of BCG vaccination, the vaccination reactions and complications that may be observed, and current methods of vaccine production and control. As regards the application of BCG vaccination, particular attention is given to dosage and vaccination techniques, direct and simultaneous vaccination, and revaccination. Finally, the evaluation of BCG vaccination programmes is briefly discussed.", "PMID": 798638} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11288", "title": "The epidemiology of infertility: a review with particular reference to sub-Saharan Africa.", "content": "The problem of infertility, with particular reference to Africa south of the Sahara, is reviewed. In many areas, up to 40% of women are reported to have completed their reproductive years without bearing a child. The condition is widely distributed, but also often localized in pockets corresponding to geographical or tribal units. Most available demographic data provide estimates of childlessness but it is not sufficient to define the problem in terms of primary and secondary infertility, pregnancy wastage, and infant and child mortality. The major underlying cause for the high levels of infertility appears to be the sequelae of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in both men and women, manifested as obstructive azoospermia and tubal occlusion. Other infections, such as those that may follow abortion or delivery, or systemic infections, may be important in some areas. The available data suggest that different patterns of infertility and pregnancy wastage, and different etiological agents and processes, contribute to the problem of infertility in the different areas. The need for a systematic, standardized research approach in several areas is clearly indicated.", "contents": "The epidemiology of infertility: a review with particular reference to sub-Saharan Africa. The problem of infertility, with particular reference to Africa south of the Sahara, is reviewed. In many areas, up to 40% of women are reported to have completed their reproductive years without bearing a child. The condition is widely distributed, but also often localized in pockets corresponding to geographical or tribal units. Most available demographic data provide estimates of childlessness but it is not sufficient to define the problem in terms of primary and secondary infertility, pregnancy wastage, and infant and child mortality. The major underlying cause for the high levels of infertility appears to be the sequelae of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in both men and women, manifested as obstructive azoospermia and tubal occlusion. Other infections, such as those that may follow abortion or delivery, or systemic infections, may be important in some areas. The available data suggest that different patterns of infertility and pregnancy wastage, and different etiological agents and processes, contribute to the problem of infertility in the different areas. The need for a systematic, standardized research approach in several areas is clearly indicated.", "PMID": 798639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11289", "title": "Hitler: a neurohistorical formulation.", "content": "It is hypothesized that Adolf Hitler suffered from a constitutional left-side weakness that allowed his cerebral hemisphere to exert a strong influence on his thought and behavior. Physical characteristics such as trembling of the left extremities, lack of a left testicle, and tendency to exhibit leftward eye movements are interpreted as supportive of the hypothesis. Right hemisphere dominance is consistent with a number of Hitler's personal traits such as praise of the irrational, automatic speech, auditory hallucinations, hypochondriasis, uncontrolled rages, and spatial and musical interests. Right hemisphere dominated thought may also have formed a basis for his two basic political policies: Lebensraum and anti-Semitism.", "contents": "Hitler: a neurohistorical formulation. It is hypothesized that Adolf Hitler suffered from a constitutional left-side weakness that allowed his cerebral hemisphere to exert a strong influence on his thought and behavior. Physical characteristics such as trembling of the left extremities, lack of a left testicle, and tendency to exhibit leftward eye movements are interpreted as supportive of the hypothesis. Right hemisphere dominance is consistent with a number of Hitler's personal traits such as praise of the irrational, automatic speech, auditory hallucinations, hypochondriasis, uncontrolled rages, and spatial and musical interests. Right hemisphere dominated thought may also have formed a basis for his two basic political policies: Lebensraum and anti-Semitism.", "PMID": 798651} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11290", "title": "[Heidegger and modern research].", "content": "The unity of thought content and its corresponding object in reality - an unsolved problem till now - is explicated in a gestaltqualitative-neurobiological way. This gives the opportunity of analyzing Heidegger's concepts of truth as \"lichtendes Bergen\", of \"Gestimmtheit\" and \"Angst\", of life and death and \"Dasein\" in an actualgenetic framework. In opposition to Heidegger's postulation of the non-thinking modern science it results that Heidegger's conceptualization of thought contents is emphasizing primarily the aspects of unity and constancy versus division of unity and complexity by the modern science.", "contents": "[Heidegger and modern research]. The unity of thought content and its corresponding object in reality - an unsolved problem till now - is explicated in a gestaltqualitative-neurobiological way. This gives the opportunity of analyzing Heidegger's concepts of truth as \"lichtendes Bergen\", of \"Gestimmtheit\" and \"Angst\", of life and death and \"Dasein\" in an actualgenetic framework. In opposition to Heidegger's postulation of the non-thinking modern science it results that Heidegger's conceptualization of thought contents is emphasizing primarily the aspects of unity and constancy versus division of unity and complexity by the modern science.", "PMID": 798652} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11291", "title": "Is the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene a depigmenting agent in man?", "content": "Because of the allegation that butylated hydroxytoluene produced depigmentation in man, a prospective study was performed. Sixteen adult darkly pigmented males received daily occlusive applications for 60 days. Depigmentation was not observed.", "contents": "Is the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene a depigmenting agent in man? Because of the allegation that butylated hydroxytoluene produced depigmentation in man, a prospective study was performed. Sixteen adult darkly pigmented males received daily occlusive applications for 60 days. Depigmentation was not observed.", "PMID": 798654} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11292", "title": "Etiological factors in the denture sore mouth syndrome: an investigation of 24 patients.", "content": "A total of 24 patients, 19 women and 5 men, complaining of denture sore mouth, were studied. In 18 persons complaints had started with the wearing of the first prosthesis. In 12 patients complaints started within the first half-hour of contact. Several prostheses had been manufactured for most patients without any beneficial result. The following investigations were performed: a. Mechanical factors were evaluated; b. Temperature was measured beneath the prosthetic denture; c. Yeast cultures were made; d. Patch tests with possible allergens were performed on the buccal mucosa and on the skin of the back. In all these investigations, there were no significant differences with the results obtained in a control group. Finally, the influence of possible psychosomatic factors is considered.", "contents": "Etiological factors in the denture sore mouth syndrome: an investigation of 24 patients. A total of 24 patients, 19 women and 5 men, complaining of denture sore mouth, were studied. In 18 persons complaints had started with the wearing of the first prosthesis. In 12 patients complaints started within the first half-hour of contact. Several prostheses had been manufactured for most patients without any beneficial result. The following investigations were performed: a. Mechanical factors were evaluated; b. Temperature was measured beneath the prosthetic denture; c. Yeast cultures were made; d. Patch tests with possible allergens were performed on the buccal mucosa and on the skin of the back. In all these investigations, there were no significant differences with the results obtained in a control group. Finally, the influence of possible psychosomatic factors is considered.", "PMID": 798655} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11293", "title": "Severe slowly resolving heroin-induced pulmonary edema.", "content": "Severe heroin-induced pulmonary edema occurred in three previously healthy young men. Adequate arterial PO2 could only be achieved with the use of positive endexpiratory pressure (PEEP). Recovery was characterized by the gradual clearing of the pulmonary infiltrates and a gradual lessening of the severe restrictive ventilatory defects over many weeks. Concomitant aspiration of gastric acid was thought to be the explanation for the severity of these cases. In cases such as these, initial vigorous therapy, including PEEP for hypoxia, corticosteroids for possible aspiration and volume replacement for hypotension, is recommended.", "contents": "Severe slowly resolving heroin-induced pulmonary edema. Severe heroin-induced pulmonary edema occurred in three previously healthy young men. Adequate arterial PO2 could only be achieved with the use of positive endexpiratory pressure (PEEP). Recovery was characterized by the gradual clearing of the pulmonary infiltrates and a gradual lessening of the severe restrictive ventilatory defects over many weeks. Concomitant aspiration of gastric acid was thought to be the explanation for the severity of these cases. In cases such as these, initial vigorous therapy, including PEEP for hypoxia, corticosteroids for possible aspiration and volume replacement for hypotension, is recommended.", "PMID": 798658} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11294", "title": "Medical treatment for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.", "content": "Dantrium and Valium were compared in 22 children manifesting various degrees of spasticity. Treatment brought definite improvement in spasticity and in activities of daily living in 20 of the 22 patients. The two-part double-blind study showed that Dantrium was most effective in nine and Valium in seven cases. In four cases the drugs appeared to be equally beneficial. The combination of Dantrium and Valium appeared to be more effective in eight patients than either medication along, the greatest effect being seen in the upper extremities and about the hip joints. Patients on placebo showed no significant change. Side effects of lethargy and drowsiness on the combination were not bothersome after a short period of acclimation. The results indicate that the spasticity of cerebral palsy can be relieved significantly, and that the combination of peripherally and centrally acting agents is more beneficial than either medication alone.", "contents": "Medical treatment for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. Dantrium and Valium were compared in 22 children manifesting various degrees of spasticity. Treatment brought definite improvement in spasticity and in activities of daily living in 20 of the 22 patients. The two-part double-blind study showed that Dantrium was most effective in nine and Valium in seven cases. In four cases the drugs appeared to be equally beneficial. The combination of Dantrium and Valium appeared to be more effective in eight patients than either medication along, the greatest effect being seen in the upper extremities and about the hip joints. Patients on placebo showed no significant change. Side effects of lethargy and drowsiness on the combination were not bothersome after a short period of acclimation. The results indicate that the spasticity of cerebral palsy can be relieved significantly, and that the combination of peripherally and centrally acting agents is more beneficial than either medication alone.", "PMID": 798660} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11295", "title": "[Early changes in transplants of lung organ cultures treated with several polycyclic hydrocarbons].", "content": "The authors examined the early changes in transplants from lung organ cultures treated with 64/ml of 3,4-benzpirene and 4 mg/ml of 20-methylholantrene. The bronchial cycst represented the most significant changes on the control transplants. In the transplants treated with two cancerogens there were several kinds of changes increasing with the advancement of the course of the transplantation-hyperplasia of lymphocytes, hyperplasia of the bronchial epithelium, gland-like structures and bronchial cysts. Besides this there were also tumours at the end of the third month in the transplants, treated with 20-methylcholantrene--in one of the transplants there was adenom and in another-carcinoma.", "contents": "[Early changes in transplants of lung organ cultures treated with several polycyclic hydrocarbons]. The authors examined the early changes in transplants from lung organ cultures treated with 64/ml of 3,4-benzpirene and 4 mg/ml of 20-methylholantrene. The bronchial cycst represented the most significant changes on the control transplants. In the transplants treated with two cancerogens there were several kinds of changes increasing with the advancement of the course of the transplantation-hyperplasia of lymphocytes, hyperplasia of the bronchial epithelium, gland-like structures and bronchial cysts. Besides this there were also tumours at the end of the third month in the transplants, treated with 20-methylcholantrene--in one of the transplants there was adenom and in another-carcinoma.", "PMID": 798670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11296", "title": "[Development of delayed hypersensitivity in rats with streptococcal myocarditis and arthritis].", "content": "The authors induced streptococcal myocarditis and arthritis in rats by means of three methods. They proved the development of late hypersensitivity in the experimental animals by determining skin sensitivity and by transfer of lymphocytes and leucocytes from animals with myocarditis and arthritis of healthy recipients. The maximal percentage of animals with late hypersensitivity was obtained in the groups, in whom leucocytes from rats with arthritis were transfered. The arthritis was caused by administration of alive streptococcal culture (at 14 days intervals) three times. Recipients of leucocytes from rats with adjuvant arthritis and streptococci were next. The smallest percentage of successful transfer of late hypersensitivity was obtained in recipients of leucocytes, isolated from animals with streptococcal arthritis and myocarditis, induced after single contamination with alive streptococcal culture.", "contents": "[Development of delayed hypersensitivity in rats with streptococcal myocarditis and arthritis]. The authors induced streptococcal myocarditis and arthritis in rats by means of three methods. They proved the development of late hypersensitivity in the experimental animals by determining skin sensitivity and by transfer of lymphocytes and leucocytes from animals with myocarditis and arthritis of healthy recipients. The maximal percentage of animals with late hypersensitivity was obtained in the groups, in whom leucocytes from rats with arthritis were transfered. The arthritis was caused by administration of alive streptococcal culture (at 14 days intervals) three times. Recipients of leucocytes from rats with adjuvant arthritis and streptococci were next. The smallest percentage of successful transfer of late hypersensitivity was obtained in recipients of leucocytes, isolated from animals with streptococcal arthritis and myocarditis, induced after single contamination with alive streptococcal culture.", "PMID": 798671} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11297", "title": "[Acute diazepam poisoning in experimental animals and the effect of centrophenoxine on it].", "content": "The author carried out studies on 20 white rats (weight of 150 gm) and 40 white mice (weight of 20 gm), equal number of both sexes administering oraly respective doses of diazepam in a dose of 650 mg/body weight and 620 mg/body weight, having in mind the LD50 determined by him (730 mg/body weight for rats and 535 mg/body weight for mice). In this way he induced acute intoxication especially gravely manifested in mice. After two hours, when the rats were in a comatous state, he introduced oraly centrophenoxine in a dose of 50 mg/body weight in half of the animals, but the other animals remained as controls. Mice succumed to coma after two and a half hours. In half of them he administered oraly centrophenoxine in a boose of 50 mg/body weight, which dose was repeated after two hours, but the remaining animals remained as controls. All rats, treated with centrophenoxine, remained alive and recovered quickly from the intoxication while four of the control animals died, but in the remaining alive animals the recovery was very slow. Only four of the mice treated with centrophenoxine died, but in the remaining alive mice the signs of intoxication disappeared quickly. Twelve of the control animals died, but the remaining animals recovered very quickly. The obtained results corresponded to the favourable effect of centophenoxine, observed by us, in treatment of persons, intoxicated by diazepam.", "contents": "[Acute diazepam poisoning in experimental animals and the effect of centrophenoxine on it]. The author carried out studies on 20 white rats (weight of 150 gm) and 40 white mice (weight of 20 gm), equal number of both sexes administering oraly respective doses of diazepam in a dose of 650 mg/body weight and 620 mg/body weight, having in mind the LD50 determined by him (730 mg/body weight for rats and 535 mg/body weight for mice). In this way he induced acute intoxication especially gravely manifested in mice. After two hours, when the rats were in a comatous state, he introduced oraly centrophenoxine in a dose of 50 mg/body weight in half of the animals, but the other animals remained as controls. Mice succumed to coma after two and a half hours. In half of them he administered oraly centrophenoxine in a boose of 50 mg/body weight, which dose was repeated after two hours, but the remaining animals remained as controls. All rats, treated with centrophenoxine, remained alive and recovered quickly from the intoxication while four of the control animals died, but in the remaining alive animals the recovery was very slow. Only four of the mice treated with centrophenoxine died, but in the remaining alive mice the signs of intoxication disappeared quickly. Twelve of the control animals died, but the remaining animals recovered very quickly. The obtained results corresponded to the favourable effect of centophenoxine, observed by us, in treatment of persons, intoxicated by diazepam.", "PMID": 798672} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11298", "title": "Some aspects on pituitary function in human and rat anovulatory cycles.", "content": "To investigate the anterior pituitary function of human anovulatory cycles, hormonal environments were analyzed in an animal experimental model and women with anovulatory cycles. A specific antiserum to hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LH-RF) was prepared in rabbits. Intravenous injection of 1.0 ml of this antiserum to 4-day cycling female rats on the proestrous day blocked ovulation in the following cycles without changing regular estrous cycles on vaginal smear. Thus experimental anovulatory cycles were induced in antiLH-RF serum-treated rats. In this experimental model, LH surge on the proestrous evening was blocked but LH and FSH were maintained at the basal levels. In human anovulatory cycles, serum LH and FSH levels were also not significantly reduced except during the period of LH surge, and blood estradiol-17beta levels were similar to the levels of women with normal ovulation. Serum progesterone levels were higher in the normal women after the expected day for ovulation. These data may indicate that the anterior pituitary is able to secrete its gonadotropins without stimulation by LH-RF and this tonic discharge of gonadotropins would maintain the basal levels of ovarian secretion of steroids.", "contents": "Some aspects on pituitary function in human and rat anovulatory cycles. To investigate the anterior pituitary function of human anovulatory cycles, hormonal environments were analyzed in an animal experimental model and women with anovulatory cycles. A specific antiserum to hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LH-RF) was prepared in rabbits. Intravenous injection of 1.0 ml of this antiserum to 4-day cycling female rats on the proestrous day blocked ovulation in the following cycles without changing regular estrous cycles on vaginal smear. Thus experimental anovulatory cycles were induced in antiLH-RF serum-treated rats. In this experimental model, LH surge on the proestrous evening was blocked but LH and FSH were maintained at the basal levels. In human anovulatory cycles, serum LH and FSH levels were also not significantly reduced except during the period of LH surge, and blood estradiol-17beta levels were similar to the levels of women with normal ovulation. Serum progesterone levels were higher in the normal women after the expected day for ovulation. These data may indicate that the anterior pituitary is able to secrete its gonadotropins without stimulation by LH-RF and this tonic discharge of gonadotropins would maintain the basal levels of ovarian secretion of steroids.", "PMID": 798684} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11299", "title": "Lack of release of human chorionic gonadotropin by gonadotropin-releasing hormone.", "content": "The effects of either single injection or continuous infusion of synthetic Gn-RH on plasma hCG levels were studied in 5 pregnant women (14-38 week gestation). No definite increase of hCG level was seen in all the cases studied. In view of large dosages of Gn-RH used in this study in comparison with its minimum effective dose for the pituitary gonadotropin release, Gn-RH seems unlikely to play a role in hCG secretion during human pregnancy.", "contents": "Lack of release of human chorionic gonadotropin by gonadotropin-releasing hormone. The effects of either single injection or continuous infusion of synthetic Gn-RH on plasma hCG levels were studied in 5 pregnant women (14-38 week gestation). No definite increase of hCG level was seen in all the cases studied. In view of large dosages of Gn-RH used in this study in comparison with its minimum effective dose for the pituitary gonadotropin release, Gn-RH seems unlikely to play a role in hCG secretion during human pregnancy.", "PMID": 798685} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11300", "title": "Prolactin release by synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in thyroidectomized-androgenized adult rats.", "content": "Synthetic LHRH, at a dose of 5 mug/kg, induced a marked increase in the serum LH level but a marked decrease in the serum prolactin level when injected iv to normal adult female rats on the day of estrus. In adrogenized adult rats which had been showing persistent estrous vaginal smears, a less marked increase in the serum LH level was shown following injection of LHRH. Prolactin level decreased only slightly in these animals. Control level of serum prolactin in normal estrous and androgenized rats were 4.95 +/- 0.35 and 5.42 +/- 0.65 mIU/ml, respectively. Thyroidectomized-normal cycling rats responded to LHRH with a slight decrease in the serum prolactin level when injected on the day of diestrus. Prolactin level increased, however, 5 min after LHRH injection in thyroidectomized-androgenized adult rats, which were thyroidectomized at the age 4, 6 or 10-12 weeks and have retained a low prolactin level similar to that in the diestrous stage of normal cycling rats thereafter. The present results suggest that regulatory system of prolactin secretion became labile by androgenization and this status led to the release of prolactin by LHRH treatment after thyroidectomy.", "contents": "Prolactin release by synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in thyroidectomized-androgenized adult rats. Synthetic LHRH, at a dose of 5 mug/kg, induced a marked increase in the serum LH level but a marked decrease in the serum prolactin level when injected iv to normal adult female rats on the day of estrus. In adrogenized adult rats which had been showing persistent estrous vaginal smears, a less marked increase in the serum LH level was shown following injection of LHRH. Prolactin level decreased only slightly in these animals. Control level of serum prolactin in normal estrous and androgenized rats were 4.95 +/- 0.35 and 5.42 +/- 0.65 mIU/ml, respectively. Thyroidectomized-normal cycling rats responded to LHRH with a slight decrease in the serum prolactin level when injected on the day of diestrus. Prolactin level increased, however, 5 min after LHRH injection in thyroidectomized-androgenized adult rats, which were thyroidectomized at the age 4, 6 or 10-12 weeks and have retained a low prolactin level similar to that in the diestrous stage of normal cycling rats thereafter. The present results suggest that regulatory system of prolactin secretion became labile by androgenization and this status led to the release of prolactin by LHRH treatment after thyroidectomy.", "PMID": 798686} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11301", "title": "Heterozygous effects on cell yield and generation time in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.", "content": "The data obtained analyzing generation time, cell yield and their variability in different culture media in diploid strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae demonstrate the existence of a biochemically determined heterotic effect, that could be of some relevance for the study of yeast population genetics, as well as for the improvement of microbial fermentation processes.", "contents": "Heterozygous effects on cell yield and generation time in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The data obtained analyzing generation time, cell yield and their variability in different culture media in diploid strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae demonstrate the existence of a biochemically determined heterotic effect, that could be of some relevance for the study of yeast population genetics, as well as for the improvement of microbial fermentation processes.", "PMID": 798694} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11302", "title": "Inhibited hormonal induction of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in poly I: treated mice, an endotoxin-like glucocorticoid antagonism.", "content": "Corticosteroid induction of mouse hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was inhibited by prior injection of poly I:C. Mice challenged with a lethal dose of endotoxin 4 h after administration of poly I: C could not be protected by a concurrent injection of hydrocortisone.", "contents": "Inhibited hormonal induction of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in poly I: treated mice, an endotoxin-like glucocorticoid antagonism. Corticosteroid induction of mouse hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was inhibited by prior injection of poly I:C. Mice challenged with a lethal dose of endotoxin 4 h after administration of poly I: C could not be protected by a concurrent injection of hydrocortisone.", "PMID": 798695} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11303", "title": "Columnar cells of the parietal layer of Bowman's capsule and their relationship with the sexual cycle in normal female mice.", "content": "The tubule-like cells (TLC) are present also in the parietal layer of the Bowman's capsule of the renal corpuscles in normal female mice kidney. These cells are morphologically similar to the cells of the proximal convoluted tubule. Further, significant variations of the TLC were present according to the phase of the sexual cycle.", "contents": "Columnar cells of the parietal layer of Bowman's capsule and their relationship with the sexual cycle in normal female mice. The tubule-like cells (TLC) are present also in the parietal layer of the Bowman's capsule of the renal corpuscles in normal female mice kidney. These cells are morphologically similar to the cells of the proximal convoluted tubule. Further, significant variations of the TLC were present according to the phase of the sexual cycle.", "PMID": 798696} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11304", "title": "Staphylococcus epidermidis in the circulating blood of normal and thrombocytopenic human subjects: immunological data.", "content": "Immunological studies, performed with human sera and rabbit antisera upon some strains of Staph. epidermidis carried in the circulating blood of normal and thrombocytopenic subjects, indicate that the reactivity is very low and almost completely related to antigenic properties common to Staph. aureus.", "contents": "Staphylococcus epidermidis in the circulating blood of normal and thrombocytopenic human subjects: immunological data. Immunological studies, performed with human sera and rabbit antisera upon some strains of Staph. epidermidis carried in the circulating blood of normal and thrombocytopenic subjects, indicate that the reactivity is very low and almost completely related to antigenic properties common to Staph. aureus.", "PMID": 798697} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11305", "title": "[A study on serum luteinizing hormone response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone iny hyper- and hypothyroidism (author's transl)].", "content": "In order to study the mechanism of gonadal dysfunction in patients with abnormal thyroid function, the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) response to 200 mug of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was investigated in 20 untreated and 18 treated hyperthyroid patients and in 21 untreated and 8 treated hypothyroid patients in addition to 29 matched control subjects. Serum LH levels were measured by double-antibody radioimmunoassay technique with HLH kit Daiichi. In untreated hyperthyroid men, the slightly elevated mean basal level and the exaggerated mean response to LH-RH of LH were observed, and in treated hyperthyroid men, both values were found to be similar to those of matched control men. Furthermore, in these patients, the maximal increments and the net increments of responses to LH-RH of LH were correlated with serum thyroxine levels and Thyopac-3 values. In most untreated and treated hyperthyroid premenopausal women with and without menstrual disturbances, the basal levels and the responses to LH-RH of LH were similar to those of matched control premenopausal women. In untreated hyperthyroid postmenopausal women, the mean basal level of LH was elevated, although the mean LH response to LH-RH was similar to that of matched control postmenopausal women, and in treated hyperthyroid postmenopausal women, the mean basal level and the mean response to LH-RH of LH were similar to those of matched control postmenopausal women. Furthermore, in these patients, the basal levels were correlated with serum thyroxine levels. In untreated and treated hypothyroid men, the mean basal level and the mean response to LH-RH of LH were similar to those of untreated and treated hyperthyroid postmenopausal women. In most untreated and treated hypothyroid premenopausal women with and without menstrual disturbances, the basal levels were observed to be inconsistent, and the LH responses to LH-RH were similar to those of matched control premenopausal women. In untreated and treated hypothyroid postmenopausal women, the mean basal level and the mean response to LH-RH of LH were similar to those of matched control postmenopausal women. These data indicate that the ability of the pituitary to secrete LH in patients with abnormal thyroid function was augmented in hyper- and hypothyroid men, and augmented in hyper-, but normal in hypothyroid postmenopausal women. Therefore, it is concluded that the cause of gonadal dysfunction at least in the premenopausal women with abnormal thyroid function lies not inside but outside the pituitary gland.", "contents": "[A study on serum luteinizing hormone response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone iny hyper- and hypothyroidism (author's transl)]. In order to study the mechanism of gonadal dysfunction in patients with abnormal thyroid function, the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) response to 200 mug of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was investigated in 20 untreated and 18 treated hyperthyroid patients and in 21 untreated and 8 treated hypothyroid patients in addition to 29 matched control subjects. Serum LH levels were measured by double-antibody radioimmunoassay technique with HLH kit Daiichi. In untreated hyperthyroid men, the slightly elevated mean basal level and the exaggerated mean response to LH-RH of LH were observed, and in treated hyperthyroid men, both values were found to be similar to those of matched control men. Furthermore, in these patients, the maximal increments and the net increments of responses to LH-RH of LH were correlated with serum thyroxine levels and Thyopac-3 values. In most untreated and treated hyperthyroid premenopausal women with and without menstrual disturbances, the basal levels and the responses to LH-RH of LH were similar to those of matched control premenopausal women. In untreated hyperthyroid postmenopausal women, the mean basal level of LH was elevated, although the mean LH response to LH-RH was similar to that of matched control postmenopausal women, and in treated hyperthyroid postmenopausal women, the mean basal level and the mean response to LH-RH of LH were similar to those of matched control postmenopausal women. Furthermore, in these patients, the basal levels were correlated with serum thyroxine levels. In untreated and treated hypothyroid men, the mean basal level and the mean response to LH-RH of LH were similar to those of untreated and treated hyperthyroid postmenopausal women. In most untreated and treated hypothyroid premenopausal women with and without menstrual disturbances, the basal levels were observed to be inconsistent, and the LH responses to LH-RH were similar to those of matched control premenopausal women. In untreated and treated hypothyroid postmenopausal women, the mean basal level and the mean response to LH-RH of LH were similar to those of matched control postmenopausal women. These data indicate that the ability of the pituitary to secrete LH in patients with abnormal thyroid function was augmented in hyper- and hypothyroid men, and augmented in hyper-, but normal in hypothyroid postmenopausal women. Therefore, it is concluded that the cause of gonadal dysfunction at least in the premenopausal women with abnormal thyroid function lies not inside but outside the pituitary gland.", "PMID": 798699} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11306", "title": "[Orally administered nitroderivates: efficacy and duration of the effects of isosorbide dinitrate (author's transl)].", "content": "The effects of 20 mg of orally administered isosorbide dinitrate on 10 patients with stable angina pectoris were studied by means of exercise tests. First, the reproducibility of the angina threshold of each patient was controlled; then the effects after 60, 150 and 210 minutes after administration of the drug and of a placebo, given in a random sequence, were studied. No significant changes of the parameters examined were observed after the placebo. A significant increase of duration of exercise and total amount of work performed before appearance of angina were observed after the drug. These changes were maximal in tests made 60 minutes after administration of the drug, declining thereafter; nevertheless, statistically significant differences from placebo were also observed in tests performed after 150 and 210 minutes. The appearance of ischemic ST changes was retarded by the administration of the drug. Disappearance of pain after interruption of exercise was significantly quicker when compared with the observations made after placebo.", "contents": "[Orally administered nitroderivates: efficacy and duration of the effects of isosorbide dinitrate (author's transl)]. The effects of 20 mg of orally administered isosorbide dinitrate on 10 patients with stable angina pectoris were studied by means of exercise tests. First, the reproducibility of the angina threshold of each patient was controlled; then the effects after 60, 150 and 210 minutes after administration of the drug and of a placebo, given in a random sequence, were studied. No significant changes of the parameters examined were observed after the placebo. A significant increase of duration of exercise and total amount of work performed before appearance of angina were observed after the drug. These changes were maximal in tests made 60 minutes after administration of the drug, declining thereafter; nevertheless, statistically significant differences from placebo were also observed in tests performed after 150 and 210 minutes. The appearance of ischemic ST changes was retarded by the administration of the drug. Disappearance of pain after interruption of exercise was significantly quicker when compared with the observations made after placebo.", "PMID": 798708} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11307", "title": "[Evaluation and comparison of five antianginal treatments by means of a bicycle ergometer exercise test (author's transl)].", "content": "The antianginal effect of three drugs (isosorbide dinitrate-nifedipine-oxprenolol) and of two drug associations (isosorbide dinitrate-oxprenolol; nifedipine-oxprenolol) was studied in six patients, by means of a bicycle ergometer exercise test. The study was double blind; placebo was also included in the test. Treatments were administered according to the sequence of a 6 X 6 \"balanced\" latin-square design. After treatment with isosorbide dinitrate and nifedipine a significant delay in the appearance of angina and of signs of electrocardiographic positivity was observed while after treatment with oxprenolol a significant delay was noticed only in the time of appearance of electrocardiographic positivity. On the contrary, placebo did not determine significant changes in the studied parameters. The best results were achieved with the associations oxprenolol-isosorbide dinitrate and oxprenolol-nifedipine. With these treatments, angina appeared during the exercise test in only two patients while the others had to stop the test because of muscular exhaustion; electrocardiographic signs of ischemia did not appear in one patient. The favourable results of the associations oxprenolol-isosorbide dinitrate and oxprenolol-nifedipine can be explained by the pharmacologic effect of these drugs and by their complementary action.", "contents": "[Evaluation and comparison of five antianginal treatments by means of a bicycle ergometer exercise test (author's transl)]. The antianginal effect of three drugs (isosorbide dinitrate-nifedipine-oxprenolol) and of two drug associations (isosorbide dinitrate-oxprenolol; nifedipine-oxprenolol) was studied in six patients, by means of a bicycle ergometer exercise test. The study was double blind; placebo was also included in the test. Treatments were administered according to the sequence of a 6 X 6 \"balanced\" latin-square design. After treatment with isosorbide dinitrate and nifedipine a significant delay in the appearance of angina and of signs of electrocardiographic positivity was observed while after treatment with oxprenolol a significant delay was noticed only in the time of appearance of electrocardiographic positivity. On the contrary, placebo did not determine significant changes in the studied parameters. The best results were achieved with the associations oxprenolol-isosorbide dinitrate and oxprenolol-nifedipine. With these treatments, angina appeared during the exercise test in only two patients while the others had to stop the test because of muscular exhaustion; electrocardiographic signs of ischemia did not appear in one patient. The favourable results of the associations oxprenolol-isosorbide dinitrate and oxprenolol-nifedipine can be explained by the pharmacologic effect of these drugs and by their complementary action.", "PMID": 798709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11308", "title": "Immunotherapy of human lung cancer with BCG cell-wall skeleton.", "content": "Effect of BCG cell-wall skeleton (BCG-CWS) on the recovery of responsiveness of lymphocytes and the survival period was studied in patients with lung cancer. (a) Responsiveness of lymphocytes as demonstrated by proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or microcytotoxicity test with cultured cells of a bronchogenic carcinoma was depressed in the patients at later stages of cancer and it was restored by treatment with BCG-CWS in many of such patients. (b) Survival period of the patients at later stages such as III or IV was prolonged by treatment with BCG-CWS. Such an effect was detected even in the patients with carcinomatous pleuritis. (c) A close correlation was found between the reactivity such as PHA response or cytotoxicity and clinical course of the patients given BCG-CWS. Assay system with PHA response and microcytotoxicity test appears to be reliable in anticipating the prognosis and in following clinical course after the BCG-CWS treatment.", "contents": "Immunotherapy of human lung cancer with BCG cell-wall skeleton. Effect of BCG cell-wall skeleton (BCG-CWS) on the recovery of responsiveness of lymphocytes and the survival period was studied in patients with lung cancer. (a) Responsiveness of lymphocytes as demonstrated by proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or microcytotoxicity test with cultured cells of a bronchogenic carcinoma was depressed in the patients at later stages of cancer and it was restored by treatment with BCG-CWS in many of such patients. (b) Survival period of the patients at later stages such as III or IV was prolonged by treatment with BCG-CWS. Such an effect was detected even in the patients with carcinomatous pleuritis. (c) A close correlation was found between the reactivity such as PHA response or cytotoxicity and clinical course of the patients given BCG-CWS. Assay system with PHA response and microcytotoxicity test appears to be reliable in anticipating the prognosis and in following clinical course after the BCG-CWS treatment.", "PMID": 798710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11309", "title": "Current clinical problems of intensive husbandry.", "content": "The author performs an examination of the concept of pathocenosis, diseases of groups, and the consequences of the continually increasing unification of microbial populations on a world level. Then the current problems of veterinary assistance on intensive farms are examined and discussed with particular reference to the clinical and control aspects.", "contents": "Current clinical problems of intensive husbandry. The author performs an examination of the concept of pathocenosis, diseases of groups, and the consequences of the continually increasing unification of microbial populations on a world level. Then the current problems of veterinary assistance on intensive farms are examined and discussed with particular reference to the clinical and control aspects.", "PMID": 798717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11310", "title": "Vibrio parahaemolyticus: aetiological agent of food poisoning.", "content": "After mentioning the principal morphological, cultural, physiological, biochemical, enzyme and serological characteristics of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (a facultative halophilic bacterium and the aetiological agent of food poisoning caused by the consumption of fish products) a description is given of its ecological aspects, geographical distribution, and potential enteropathogenicity for man, with general information on its isolation and identification.", "contents": "Vibrio parahaemolyticus: aetiological agent of food poisoning. After mentioning the principal morphological, cultural, physiological, biochemical, enzyme and serological characteristics of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (a facultative halophilic bacterium and the aetiological agent of food poisoning caused by the consumption of fish products) a description is given of its ecological aspects, geographical distribution, and potential enteropathogenicity for man, with general information on its isolation and identification.", "PMID": 798718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11311", "title": "Machine milking: experimental observations on the life of teat-cup liners.", "content": "The useful life of neoprene teat-cup liners used in milking machines was determined by physico-mechanical, optical and microbiological studies. The various tests showed that after more than 1,000 hrs' use, that is the milking time plus disinfection time, there were physico-mechanical and biological changes that could have an adverse effect on the health of the udder as a result of a loss of elasticity and a dissemination of mastitis-producing microorganisms (S. agalactiae, S. aureus) which settle in cracks in the surface of the rubber.", "contents": "Machine milking: experimental observations on the life of teat-cup liners. The useful life of neoprene teat-cup liners used in milking machines was determined by physico-mechanical, optical and microbiological studies. The various tests showed that after more than 1,000 hrs' use, that is the milking time plus disinfection time, there were physico-mechanical and biological changes that could have an adverse effect on the health of the udder as a result of a loss of elasticity and a dissemination of mastitis-producing microorganisms (S. agalactiae, S. aureus) which settle in cracks in the surface of the rubber.", "PMID": 798719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11312", "title": "Massive homogenous osteo-articular bone grafts. Long term results.", "content": "The authors present a long term review of thirty cases of massive homogenous bone grafts carried out at the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli between 1967 and 1971. Thirty one of these were either complete or partial diaphyseo- articular grafts. The lesions for which the operations were performed were: twelve giant cell tumours; one Ewing's tumour; two reticulosarcomas; eight osteosarcomas; six chondrosarcomas; one loss of bone substance from trauma, one echinococcosis of the femur and one aneurysmal bone cyst. In some of these cases amputation or disarticulation had been advised but refused by the patient. Follow up three and a half to five years after operation showed complete incorporation of the graft in eight cases, partial incorporation in live, and resorption in four. In the remaining fifteen cases the follow up was terminated by early death, recurrences, infection or intolerance with rejection. In conclusion, the authors recommend that massive osteoarticular homogenous grafts should be confined to the substitution of unicondylar lesions as these offer greater contact with the host bone and therefore a greater possibility of incorporation. The same indications exist in cases involving only diaphyseal substitution where osteogenetic invasion of the graft can occur from both ends. In all the other cases, they recommend either resection arthrodesis or prosthetic replacement.", "contents": "Massive homogenous osteo-articular bone grafts. Long term results. The authors present a long term review of thirty cases of massive homogenous bone grafts carried out at the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli between 1967 and 1971. Thirty one of these were either complete or partial diaphyseo- articular grafts. The lesions for which the operations were performed were: twelve giant cell tumours; one Ewing's tumour; two reticulosarcomas; eight osteosarcomas; six chondrosarcomas; one loss of bone substance from trauma, one echinococcosis of the femur and one aneurysmal bone cyst. In some of these cases amputation or disarticulation had been advised but refused by the patient. Follow up three and a half to five years after operation showed complete incorporation of the graft in eight cases, partial incorporation in live, and resorption in four. In the remaining fifteen cases the follow up was terminated by early death, recurrences, infection or intolerance with rejection. In conclusion, the authors recommend that massive osteoarticular homogenous grafts should be confined to the substitution of unicondylar lesions as these offer greater contact with the host bone and therefore a greater possibility of incorporation. The same indications exist in cases involving only diaphyseal substitution where osteogenetic invasion of the graft can occur from both ends. In all the other cases, they recommend either resection arthrodesis or prosthetic replacement.", "PMID": 798732} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11313", "title": "Activity of ascorbic acid in inhibiting the multiplication of M. leprae in the mouse foot pad.", "content": "Ascorbic acid was fed to mice in concentrations of 0.05%, 0.15%, and 0.45% w/w in the diet. Six months after inoculation of M. leprae into the foot pads, there were significantly fewer acid-fast bacilli harvested from animals receiving 0.15% and 0.45% w/w ascorbic acid than from control mice. On the other hand, M. leprae did multiply in mice fed ascorbic acid while no multiplication at all was observed in animals fed dapsone, clofazimine or rifampin. No toxic effects of ascorbic acid were noted in these mice.", "contents": "Activity of ascorbic acid in inhibiting the multiplication of M. leprae in the mouse foot pad. Ascorbic acid was fed to mice in concentrations of 0.05%, 0.15%, and 0.45% w/w in the diet. Six months after inoculation of M. leprae into the foot pads, there were significantly fewer acid-fast bacilli harvested from animals receiving 0.15% and 0.45% w/w ascorbic acid than from control mice. On the other hand, M. leprae did multiply in mice fed ascorbic acid while no multiplication at all was observed in animals fed dapsone, clofazimine or rifampin. No toxic effects of ascorbic acid were noted in these mice.", "PMID": 798727} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11314", "title": "A simplified hyaluronic acid based culture medium for mycobacteria isolated from human lepromata.", "content": "Acid-fast bacilli multiplied in liquid culture media containing hyaluronic acid when inoculated with mycobacteria from a lepromatous leprosy nodule. The culture was readily subcultured at ten day intervals in the homologue media, but failed to grow in the Dubos, Middlebrook and Lowenstein media. These findings confirm the results of Skinsnes et al (1975). Identification of this culture is not yet available, however it gives positive immunofluorescence with authentic anti-M. leprae serum. The obtained culture also grows as a chromogenic culture at 34 degrees C on a simple medium prepared from trypsin digested human umbilical cord, yeast extract powder and glycerol. This medium can be sterilized in an autoclave, but filter sterilized sheep, bovine or horse serum must be added aseptically as an essential ingredient. The medium does not differ considerably from the hyaluronic acid medium proposed by Skinsnes et al, but it is easier to prepare, it is inexpensive and permits a logarithmic growth within seven days of the so far unidentified culture isolated from leprotic nodules.", "contents": "A simplified hyaluronic acid based culture medium for mycobacteria isolated from human lepromata. Acid-fast bacilli multiplied in liquid culture media containing hyaluronic acid when inoculated with mycobacteria from a lepromatous leprosy nodule. The culture was readily subcultured at ten day intervals in the homologue media, but failed to grow in the Dubos, Middlebrook and Lowenstein media. These findings confirm the results of Skinsnes et al (1975). Identification of this culture is not yet available, however it gives positive immunofluorescence with authentic anti-M. leprae serum. The obtained culture also grows as a chromogenic culture at 34 degrees C on a simple medium prepared from trypsin digested human umbilical cord, yeast extract powder and glycerol. This medium can be sterilized in an autoclave, but filter sterilized sheep, bovine or horse serum must be added aseptically as an essential ingredient. The medium does not differ considerably from the hyaluronic acid medium proposed by Skinsnes et al, but it is easier to prepare, it is inexpensive and permits a logarithmic growth within seven days of the so far unidentified culture isolated from leprotic nodules.", "PMID": 798728} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11315", "title": "Clofazimine binding studies with deoxyribonucleic acid.", "content": "1. The antileprosy drug, clofazimine, formed stable complexes with DNA and transfer RNA. A quantitative study was made of the spectral red shifts that occurred when clofazimine interacted with DNA. The red shift appeared specific for clofazimine binding to nucleic acid polymers. 2. The degree of clofazimine interaction with DNA was related to the G+C content of the DNA strand. As compared to the human strand, clofazimine interacted with the mycobacterial strand to give a larger red shift which was consistent with the increased G+C content of mycobacterial DNA. 3. It was found that clofazimine interacted with the synthetic single-stranded polynucleotide, poly G, whereas little interaction occurred withpoly A, poly C, or poly U. It was concluded that the guanine base region was a predominant site of clofazimine binding to DNA. 4. No evidence was found to indicate that clofazimine underwent intercalative binding between the base pairs of DNA. 5. It was proposed that clofazimine underwent binding along the minor groove region of DNA at appropriate base sequences which contain guanine. The resultant effect would inhibit template function of the DNA strand.", "contents": "Clofazimine binding studies with deoxyribonucleic acid. 1. The antileprosy drug, clofazimine, formed stable complexes with DNA and transfer RNA. A quantitative study was made of the spectral red shifts that occurred when clofazimine interacted with DNA. The red shift appeared specific for clofazimine binding to nucleic acid polymers. 2. The degree of clofazimine interaction with DNA was related to the G+C content of the DNA strand. As compared to the human strand, clofazimine interacted with the mycobacterial strand to give a larger red shift which was consistent with the increased G+C content of mycobacterial DNA. 3. It was found that clofazimine interacted with the synthetic single-stranded polynucleotide, poly G, whereas little interaction occurred withpoly A, poly C, or poly U. It was concluded that the guanine base region was a predominant site of clofazimine binding to DNA. 4. No evidence was found to indicate that clofazimine underwent intercalative binding between the base pairs of DNA. 5. It was proposed that clofazimine underwent binding along the minor groove region of DNA at appropriate base sequences which contain guanine. The resultant effect would inhibit template function of the DNA strand.", "PMID": 798729} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11316", "title": "Medicare in Quebec.", "content": "A provincial health insurance system was introduced through Canada more than five years ago. The program and fee schedules for optometric and some ophthalmologic services are presented. Statistics are provided by the government concerning the utilization of optometric and some medical eye services according to the distribution of age and sex in the Quebec population. Relative costs of these services as well as the incomes of health care professionals are compared. It is hoped that this information will aid in the planning and development of the U.S. Medicare program.", "contents": "Medicare in Quebec. A provincial health insurance system was introduced through Canada more than five years ago. The program and fee schedules for optometric and some ophthalmologic services are presented. Statistics are provided by the government concerning the utilization of optometric and some medical eye services according to the distribution of age and sex in the Quebec population. Relative costs of these services as well as the incomes of health care professionals are compared. It is hoped that this information will aid in the planning and development of the U.S. Medicare program.", "PMID": 798749} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11317", "title": "Electrophysiological recordings in peripheral nerve surgery: a review.", "content": "The use of electrophysiological techniques as an adjunct in the surgical repair of peripheral nerve injuries can improve the quality of the repair and thus the degree of functional recovery. These techniques provide objective information needed to assess the degree of injury and can assist the surgeon in making proper decisions regarding treatment of peripheral nerve lesions. The purposes of this paper are to review: (1) the current theories of the functions of peripheral nerves and their and organs, (2) the development of electrophysiological techniques, (3) the principles involved in their use, and (4) the present and possible future applications of these techniques in peripheral nerve surgery and to outline them.", "contents": "Electrophysiological recordings in peripheral nerve surgery: a review. The use of electrophysiological techniques as an adjunct in the surgical repair of peripheral nerve injuries can improve the quality of the repair and thus the degree of functional recovery. These techniques provide objective information needed to assess the degree of injury and can assist the surgeon in making proper decisions regarding treatment of peripheral nerve lesions. The purposes of this paper are to review: (1) the current theories of the functions of peripheral nerves and their and organs, (2) the development of electrophysiological techniques, (3) the principles involved in their use, and (4) the present and possible future applications of these techniques in peripheral nerve surgery and to outline them.", "PMID": 798755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11318", "title": "The future of the veterans' health care system.", "content": "The probable adoption of a national health insurance system in the near future makes the Veterans Administration's health care program vulnerable to change. The last major turning point in the program occurred at the end of World War II when a decision was made to link VA hospitals to medical schools. This linkage in large measure has been responsible for the program's focus on acute care. The VA professional staff prefers an even greater interaction of the program with medical education. Others suggest its termination. The authors propose instead that the VA become a model system for the care of the chronically ill, the alcoholic, and the aged whose needs tend to be neglected by the overall health system.", "contents": "The future of the veterans' health care system. The probable adoption of a national health insurance system in the near future makes the Veterans Administration's health care program vulnerable to change. The last major turning point in the program occurred at the end of World War II when a decision was made to link VA hospitals to medical schools. This linkage in large measure has been responsible for the program's focus on acute care. The VA professional staff prefers an even greater interaction of the program with medical education. Others suggest its termination. The authors propose instead that the VA become a model system for the care of the chronically ill, the alcoholic, and the aged whose needs tend to be neglected by the overall health system.", "PMID": 798758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11319", "title": "A survey and evaluation of human genetic traits used in classroom laboratory studies.", "content": "Twenty-six selected introductory biology and genetics laboratory manuals were examined and were found to include 57 human \"inherited\" traits as examples for classroom study. Forty-three of these 57 traits are included in McKusick's catalog of human inherited characteristics, Mendelian Inheritance in Man. Of these 43 traits, 26 are annotated with an asterisk, indicating that their modes of inheritance are well documented, while 17 traits are not so annotated, suggesting uncertain mechanisms of inheritance. Fourteen of the 57 traits are not found in McKusick's catalog, implying that they may not be inherited traits at all or that their modes of inheritance may be polygenic. Current literature also suggest that certain traits included in the McKusick catalog may, in fact, not have a genetic basis. Notable examples of such questionable traits are handedness, hand clasping, and tongue rolling. Clearly, a need exists for reliable morphological and easily detected biochemical human genetic traits for use in classroom instruction. Authors preparing instructional manuals for introductory biology and genetics laboratory studies should carefully select the traits with which they illustrate human inheritance. A first requisite for selection of such characteristics must be conclusive evidence that the trait does, indeed, have an established genetic basis. Additional criteria for selection of such traits are also discussed.", "contents": "A survey and evaluation of human genetic traits used in classroom laboratory studies. Twenty-six selected introductory biology and genetics laboratory manuals were examined and were found to include 57 human \"inherited\" traits as examples for classroom study. Forty-three of these 57 traits are included in McKusick's catalog of human inherited characteristics, Mendelian Inheritance in Man. Of these 43 traits, 26 are annotated with an asterisk, indicating that their modes of inheritance are well documented, while 17 traits are not so annotated, suggesting uncertain mechanisms of inheritance. Fourteen of the 57 traits are not found in McKusick's catalog, implying that they may not be inherited traits at all or that their modes of inheritance may be polygenic. Current literature also suggest that certain traits included in the McKusick catalog may, in fact, not have a genetic basis. Notable examples of such questionable traits are handedness, hand clasping, and tongue rolling. Clearly, a need exists for reliable morphological and easily detected biochemical human genetic traits for use in classroom instruction. Authors preparing instructional manuals for introductory biology and genetics laboratory studies should carefully select the traits with which they illustrate human inheritance. A first requisite for selection of such characteristics must be conclusive evidence that the trait does, indeed, have an established genetic basis. Additional criteria for selection of such traits are also discussed.", "PMID": 798760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11320", "title": "Therapeutic ureteral obstruction and renal artery embolization.", "content": "Two relatively unique techniques have been used in 4 cases to treat gross hematuria that might otherwise have resulted in nephrectomies. The techniques include ureteral obstruction with a Fogarty catheter and renal artery embolization.", "contents": "Therapeutic ureteral obstruction and renal artery embolization. Two relatively unique techniques have been used in 4 cases to treat gross hematuria that might otherwise have resulted in nephrectomies. The techniques include ureteral obstruction with a Fogarty catheter and renal artery embolization.", "PMID": 799171} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11321", "title": "Late perirenal lymphocele causing ureteral and arterial obstruction in renal transplant patients.", "content": "The 3 cases reported herein reveal the problem of chronic lymphoceles in the transplant patient. Surgical correction of the obstruction to the renal artery or ureter is greatly facilitated by the recognition of this clinical entity and the use of intraoperative radiographic studies to distinguish these pseudoencapsulated cysts from the true renal pelvis. The use of sterile milk aids in the demonstration of the anastomotic patency of the watertight closure.", "contents": "Late perirenal lymphocele causing ureteral and arterial obstruction in renal transplant patients. The 3 cases reported herein reveal the problem of chronic lymphoceles in the transplant patient. Surgical correction of the obstruction to the renal artery or ureter is greatly facilitated by the recognition of this clinical entity and the use of intraoperative radiographic studies to distinguish these pseudoencapsulated cysts from the true renal pelvis. The use of sterile milk aids in the demonstration of the anastomotic patency of the watertight closure.", "PMID": 799172} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11322", "title": "Prolonged survival from renal cell carcinoma after renal allotransplantation.", "content": "We herein report on a patient who was subjected to bilateral nephrectomy in the course of treating unilateral renal cell carcinoma. The patient has survived for 3 1/2 years free of tumor and has had normal renal function after a 4 antigen match cadaver kidney allograft.", "contents": "Prolonged survival from renal cell carcinoma after renal allotransplantation. We herein report on a patient who was subjected to bilateral nephrectomy in the course of treating unilateral renal cell carcinoma. The patient has survived for 3 1/2 years free of tumor and has had normal renal function after a 4 antigen match cadaver kidney allograft.", "PMID": 799173} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11323", "title": "Squamous cell carcinoma of the ureterovesical junction after renal transplantation.", "content": "A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder occurring at the ureterovesical junction in a renal transplant recipient is presented. References are made to ureteral obstruction in transplanted kidneys, the broader field of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder in non-transplanted patients and the relationship of malignancy to transplantation. We anticipate that an ever increasing number of these unusual cases will be forthcoming in the urological literature as renal transplantation develops.", "contents": "Squamous cell carcinoma of the ureterovesical junction after renal transplantation. A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder occurring at the ureterovesical junction in a renal transplant recipient is presented. References are made to ureteral obstruction in transplanted kidneys, the broader field of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder in non-transplanted patients and the relationship of malignancy to transplantation. We anticipate that an ever increasing number of these unusual cases will be forthcoming in the urological literature as renal transplantation develops.", "PMID": 799174} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11324", "title": "[Syndrome of sino-atrial node asthenia].", "content": "Under observation were kept 80 patients with signs pointing to the sick sinus syndrome. Most of them suffered from ischemic heart disease, from atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction. Persistent sinus bradycardia with active and passive heterotopic arrhythmias were recorded in 42 patients. Sino-auricular block of the II and III degrees or asystolia of the atria with ectopic arrhythmias were observed in 37 cases. A number of patients displayed fibrillary bradyarrhythmia, extrasystole with post-extrasystolic depression of the rhythm and other disturbances. The so-called tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome characterized by the presence of tachycardiac arrhythmias occurring against the background of a marked bradycardia was registered in 25 persons. Fifteen patients demonstrated attackes of the Morgagni-Adams-Stokes syndrome, usually associated with lengthy periods of cardiac asystole. The treatment of ectopic arrhythmias in patients with the sick sinus syndrome presents considerable difficulties, but in many of them these disorders could be successfully eliminated by a careful and rigidly controlled application of antiarrhythmic agents (isoptin, ajmalin, pulsnorma, rhythmodan, beta-adrenergical blocking agents). For some patients exhibiting a tendency toward asystole electric stimulation of the heart is indicated.", "contents": "[Syndrome of sino-atrial node asthenia]. Under observation were kept 80 patients with signs pointing to the sick sinus syndrome. Most of them suffered from ischemic heart disease, from atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction. Persistent sinus bradycardia with active and passive heterotopic arrhythmias were recorded in 42 patients. Sino-auricular block of the II and III degrees or asystolia of the atria with ectopic arrhythmias were observed in 37 cases. A number of patients displayed fibrillary bradyarrhythmia, extrasystole with post-extrasystolic depression of the rhythm and other disturbances. The so-called tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome characterized by the presence of tachycardiac arrhythmias occurring against the background of a marked bradycardia was registered in 25 persons. Fifteen patients demonstrated attackes of the Morgagni-Adams-Stokes syndrome, usually associated with lengthy periods of cardiac asystole. The treatment of ectopic arrhythmias in patients with the sick sinus syndrome presents considerable difficulties, but in many of them these disorders could be successfully eliminated by a careful and rigidly controlled application of antiarrhythmic agents (isoptin, ajmalin, pulsnorma, rhythmodan, beta-adrenergical blocking agents). For some patients exhibiting a tendency toward asystole electric stimulation of the heart is indicated.", "PMID": 799180} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11325", "title": "[Blast transformation of lymphocytes in panarteritis of the aorta and its branches].", "content": "In 49 patients with panarteritis of the aorta and its branches the reaction of blast-transformation as one of the indicators of the immune system condition, of T-lymphocytes in particular, was studied. A definite significance of the lymphocytes blast-transformation reaction in confirming the autoimmune element in the pathogenesis of panarteritis of the aorta and its branches was established.", "contents": "[Blast transformation of lymphocytes in panarteritis of the aorta and its branches]. In 49 patients with panarteritis of the aorta and its branches the reaction of blast-transformation as one of the indicators of the immune system condition, of T-lymphocytes in particular, was studied. A definite significance of the lymphocytes blast-transformation reaction in confirming the autoimmune element in the pathogenesis of panarteritis of the aorta and its branches was established.", "PMID": 799181} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11326", "title": "Determination of the indicators of stroke volume by the methods of dye dilution and echocardiography in mycardial infarct.", "content": "The paper is devoted to a comparison of the stroke volume indices in 20 patients surviving myocardial infarction. The stroke volume was determined by the dye dilution technique and by various echocardiographic techniques. A distinct correlation was found between these values. With various echocardiographic techniques the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.69 to 0.81. The most precise method of echocardiographic determination of the stroke volume in myocardial infarction patients is that by Teichholz.", "contents": "Determination of the indicators of stroke volume by the methods of dye dilution and echocardiography in mycardial infarct. The paper is devoted to a comparison of the stroke volume indices in 20 patients surviving myocardial infarction. The stroke volume was determined by the dye dilution technique and by various echocardiographic techniques. A distinct correlation was found between these values. With various echocardiographic techniques the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.69 to 0.81. The most precise method of echocardiographic determination of the stroke volume in myocardial infarction patients is that by Teichholz.", "PMID": 799182} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11327", "title": "[10-year experience of surgical treatment of occlusive diseases of the aorta and main arteries].", "content": "The authors report the results of 1268 reconstructive operations in cases of various ischaemic syndromes. Surgical technique and indications for surgery are discussed. The clinical material consists of 115 reconstructive operations on the supraaortic branches, 462 operations in the aortoiliac segment, 57 reconstructions of the abdominal aorta and its visceral branches, as well as 652 reconstructive procedures on the arteries below the inguinal ligament. The latter operations include 70 femorotibial venous bypasses in patients with rest pain and gangrene.", "contents": "[10-year experience of surgical treatment of occlusive diseases of the aorta and main arteries]. The authors report the results of 1268 reconstructive operations in cases of various ischaemic syndromes. Surgical technique and indications for surgery are discussed. The clinical material consists of 115 reconstructive operations on the supraaortic branches, 462 operations in the aortoiliac segment, 57 reconstructions of the abdominal aorta and its visceral branches, as well as 652 reconstructive procedures on the arteries below the inguinal ligament. The latter operations include 70 femorotibial venous bypasses in patients with rest pain and gangrene.", "PMID": 799183} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11328", "title": "[Evaluation of the degree of mitral valve stenosis by the data of polycardiography and dye dilution technic].", "content": "An equation for calculating the mean pressure in the left atrium is suggested. The area of the mitral orifice was calculated according to the Gorlin's equation on the basis of the data of polycardiography and the dye dilution method. The mean pressure in the left atrium was determined in 129 patients with acquired heart failures, the area of the mitral orifice--in 36 patients. A comparison of the calculated values with those obtained by catheterization and at surgery demonstrated their high reliability. The simplicity and safely of the method permit to use it for a dynamic observation aimed at assessing the efficacy of the surgical treatment and for timely diagnosis of possible re-stenosis.", "contents": "[Evaluation of the degree of mitral valve stenosis by the data of polycardiography and dye dilution technic]. An equation for calculating the mean pressure in the left atrium is suggested. The area of the mitral orifice was calculated according to the Gorlin's equation on the basis of the data of polycardiography and the dye dilution method. The mean pressure in the left atrium was determined in 129 patients with acquired heart failures, the area of the mitral orifice--in 36 patients. A comparison of the calculated values with those obtained by catheterization and at surgery demonstrated their high reliability. The simplicity and safely of the method permit to use it for a dynamic observation aimed at assessing the efficacy of the surgical treatment and for timely diagnosis of possible re-stenosis.", "PMID": 799184} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11329", "title": "Experimental transmission of leprosy to animals: a preliminary note on attempt to transmit leprosy to the Slender loris, Loris tardigradus (Linnaeus).", "content": "A brief account of the Slender Loris, Loris tardigradus (Linnaeus) and some of its characteristics which render it suitable for leprosy transmission experiments are recorded. Handling and inoculation methods are given with some of the preliminary inoculation site biopsy results.", "contents": "Experimental transmission of leprosy to animals: a preliminary note on attempt to transmit leprosy to the Slender loris, Loris tardigradus (Linnaeus). A brief account of the Slender Loris, Loris tardigradus (Linnaeus) and some of its characteristics which render it suitable for leprosy transmission experiments are recorded. Handling and inoculation methods are given with some of the preliminary inoculation site biopsy results.", "PMID": 799202} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11330", "title": "Bacteremia in leprosy and its relation to distribution of M. leprae in skin.", "content": "Evidence of bacillaemia through examination of heparinised blood smears was obtained in 17 of the 20 cases (85%) of untreated leprosy cases belonging to the spectrum ranging from BT to LL. Among 17 cases whose blood smears were positive for AFB, the endothelial cells of blood vessels in skin lesions showed AFB in 11 instances (64.7%) and in 7 (41.2%) of these cases biopsies obtained from apparently normal skin also showed bacilli in the blood vessels. The fact that blood smears may show AFB even in patients belonging to types classifiable as BT-BB in the Ridley Jopling scale (a child aged 3 1/2 years showed this feature) emphasises the importance of investigations to assess thoroughly the extent of bacillation in leprosy patients.", "contents": "Bacteremia in leprosy and its relation to distribution of M. leprae in skin. Evidence of bacillaemia through examination of heparinised blood smears was obtained in 17 of the 20 cases (85%) of untreated leprosy cases belonging to the spectrum ranging from BT to LL. Among 17 cases whose blood smears were positive for AFB, the endothelial cells of blood vessels in skin lesions showed AFB in 11 instances (64.7%) and in 7 (41.2%) of these cases biopsies obtained from apparently normal skin also showed bacilli in the blood vessels. The fact that blood smears may show AFB even in patients belonging to types classifiable as BT-BB in the Ridley Jopling scale (a child aged 3 1/2 years showed this feature) emphasises the importance of investigations to assess thoroughly the extent of bacillation in leprosy patients.", "PMID": 799203} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11331", "title": "Acid-fast bacillary positivity in asymptomatic individuals in leprosy endemic villages around Jhalda in West Bengal.", "content": "Three general surveys of a village population of 7000 in a highly endemic area in Purulia District, West Bengal, have included clinical examination and earlobe skin snip examinations. Multiple between-survey follow-up examinations have also been conducted of both bacillary positives and cases. In the general population 5.8% of the individuals showed bacteriological positivity with a concentration technique for AFB without showing clinical signs of infection. During two years of observation clinical leprosy was diagnosed in 13.6% of bacillary positives, in 4.8% of nuclear family contacts of clinical cases and 2.3% of the rest of the general population of the villages.", "contents": "Acid-fast bacillary positivity in asymptomatic individuals in leprosy endemic villages around Jhalda in West Bengal. Three general surveys of a village population of 7000 in a highly endemic area in Purulia District, West Bengal, have included clinical examination and earlobe skin snip examinations. Multiple between-survey follow-up examinations have also been conducted of both bacillary positives and cases. In the general population 5.8% of the individuals showed bacteriological positivity with a concentration technique for AFB without showing clinical signs of infection. During two years of observation clinical leprosy was diagnosed in 13.6% of bacillary positives, in 4.8% of nuclear family contacts of clinical cases and 2.3% of the rest of the general population of the villages.", "PMID": 799205} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11332", "title": "A modified method of harvesting M. leprae from foot-pads of mice.", "content": "A modified technique of harvesting M. leprae from the foot-pads of mice is described. The method is simple and takes less time for its performance than the conventional techniques. The yield of bacilli is also better. No difficulties have been encountered in its application in these laboratories.", "contents": "A modified method of harvesting M. leprae from foot-pads of mice. A modified technique of harvesting M. leprae from the foot-pads of mice is described. The method is simple and takes less time for its performance than the conventional techniques. The yield of bacilli is also better. No difficulties have been encountered in its application in these laboratories.", "PMID": 799206} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11333", "title": "Clinical trial of DADDS in lepromatous leprosy.", "content": "This presentation reports the results of a short clinical trial with DADDS in 23 patients of lepromatous leprosy. Injections of DADDS administered intramuscularly in a dose of 225 mg every 70 days produced clinical regression noticeable earliest at few week after the secondn injection. A fall in the morphological index from 5.0 to 0.6 was observed in patients who had received from 3 to 7 injections. Erythema nodosum leprosum was encountered in 7 cases, four of which had moderate to severe grades of reaction. It is advisible to discontinue further injection of DADDS if initial signs of ENL are noticed, which are likely to occur after the second injection. These ENL responded well to the usual line of antireaction treatment. DDS level in blood was found to be more than 10 ng/ml before the fresh administration of DADDS upto the seventh injection, representing the period of follow-up in this study.", "contents": "Clinical trial of DADDS in lepromatous leprosy. This presentation reports the results of a short clinical trial with DADDS in 23 patients of lepromatous leprosy. Injections of DADDS administered intramuscularly in a dose of 225 mg every 70 days produced clinical regression noticeable earliest at few week after the secondn injection. A fall in the morphological index from 5.0 to 0.6 was observed in patients who had received from 3 to 7 injections. Erythema nodosum leprosum was encountered in 7 cases, four of which had moderate to severe grades of reaction. It is advisible to discontinue further injection of DADDS if initial signs of ENL are noticed, which are likely to occur after the second injection. These ENL responded well to the usual line of antireaction treatment. DDS level in blood was found to be more than 10 ng/ml before the fresh administration of DADDS upto the seventh injection, representing the period of follow-up in this study.", "PMID": 799207} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11334", "title": "Early serodiagnosis of leprosy by indirect immunofluorescence.", "content": "A method of fluorescent leprosy antibody absorption (FLA-ABS) test was described. This test was so sensitive that 81.8% of tuberculoid leprosy cases gave positive reaction even in early stage of the disease. More than 50% of indeterminate and contact cases were also positive in this test. The positive percentages as well as antibody-titers were increasing with clinical spectrum of leprosy, from TT to LL, being the highest in the latter. Using absorbed and diluted serum from known lepromatous patient, enumeration of M. leprae in skin smear showed a good coincidence with the bacterial index expressed by Ridley's scale. Therefore, FLA-ABS test will be useful for early serodiagnosis of leprosy not only by the detection of antibodies but also by the identification of M. leprae.", "contents": "Early serodiagnosis of leprosy by indirect immunofluorescence. A method of fluorescent leprosy antibody absorption (FLA-ABS) test was described. This test was so sensitive that 81.8% of tuberculoid leprosy cases gave positive reaction even in early stage of the disease. More than 50% of indeterminate and contact cases were also positive in this test. The positive percentages as well as antibody-titers were increasing with clinical spectrum of leprosy, from TT to LL, being the highest in the latter. Using absorbed and diluted serum from known lepromatous patient, enumeration of M. leprae in skin smear showed a good coincidence with the bacterial index expressed by Ridley's scale. Therefore, FLA-ABS test will be useful for early serodiagnosis of leprosy not only by the detection of antibodies but also by the identification of M. leprae.", "PMID": 799209} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11335", "title": "Correlation of morphology with viability of Mycobacterium leprae.", "content": "A concept has been developed in the recent years that the evenly stained 'solid' bacilli are living and the 'non-solid' forms are degenerate and dead. This communication presents the findings in experimental mice inoculated with material containing 1 to 10% solid evenly stained M. leprae and also with material containing 0% solid organisms. There was multiplication of the bacilli in both the groups. Quantitatively, the yield also was not significantly different. These fundings do not support the belief that the non-solid bacilli are necessarily dead. The non-solid bacilli were further classified on the basis of their morphology to the following forms:-- (a) short but evenly stained (b) indented (c) beaded (d) dumb-bell shaped (e) coccoid and (f) fragmented. Material without solid bacilli, but containing different proportions of the above types of bacilli also gave similar results, making it diffcult to say which types of morphological forms are non-living. It appears, therefore, that the recognition of the living status of M. leprae by its morphology is highly equivocal and subject to error.", "contents": "Correlation of morphology with viability of Mycobacterium leprae. A concept has been developed in the recent years that the evenly stained 'solid' bacilli are living and the 'non-solid' forms are degenerate and dead. This communication presents the findings in experimental mice inoculated with material containing 1 to 10% solid evenly stained M. leprae and also with material containing 0% solid organisms. There was multiplication of the bacilli in both the groups. Quantitatively, the yield also was not significantly different. These fundings do not support the belief that the non-solid bacilli are necessarily dead. The non-solid bacilli were further classified on the basis of their morphology to the following forms:-- (a) short but evenly stained (b) indented (c) beaded (d) dumb-bell shaped (e) coccoid and (f) fragmented. Material without solid bacilli, but containing different proportions of the above types of bacilli also gave similar results, making it diffcult to say which types of morphological forms are non-living. It appears, therefore, that the recognition of the living status of M. leprae by its morphology is highly equivocal and subject to error.", "PMID": 799212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11336", "title": "Bacillaemia in reactive states of leprosy.", "content": "35 cases of lepromatous and near-lepromatous cases of laprosy in Reaction have been investigated for the presence of acid-fast bacilli in blood at the height of the reaction as well as at its subsidence. Only 3 cases exhibited bacillaemia during reaction. It is therefore unlikely that dissemination of the disease is accentuated during reaction as commonly believed. Further, the immune complexes demonstrated to be circulating during reaction are possibly formed by bacillary products and not by whole or fragmented bacilli.", "contents": "Bacillaemia in reactive states of leprosy. 35 cases of lepromatous and near-lepromatous cases of laprosy in Reaction have been investigated for the presence of acid-fast bacilli in blood at the height of the reaction as well as at its subsidence. Only 3 cases exhibited bacillaemia during reaction. It is therefore unlikely that dissemination of the disease is accentuated during reaction as commonly believed. Further, the immune complexes demonstrated to be circulating during reaction are possibly formed by bacillary products and not by whole or fragmented bacilli.", "PMID": 799213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11337", "title": "Cytoskeletal functions of cytoplasmic contractile proteins.", "content": "This is a review of the evidence that the cytoplasmic contractile proteins function as a cytoskeletal system in the cytoplasmic matrix. Biochemical experiments show that cycoplasmic actin filaments can form a solid gel under conditions likely to exist in living cells. The actin filaments are associated with other proteins which amy stabilize the gel and which are involved with motile force generation like myosin. Ultrastructural studies show that actin filaments are difficult to preserve, but that under stabilizing conditions networks of actin filaments are found throughtout the cytoplasmic matrix.", "contents": "Cytoskeletal functions of cytoplasmic contractile proteins. This is a review of the evidence that the cytoplasmic contractile proteins function as a cytoskeletal system in the cytoplasmic matrix. Biochemical experiments show that cycoplasmic actin filaments can form a solid gel under conditions likely to exist in living cells. The actin filaments are associated with other proteins which amy stabilize the gel and which are involved with motile force generation like myosin. Ultrastructural studies show that actin filaments are difficult to preserve, but that under stabilizing conditions networks of actin filaments are found throughtout the cytoplasmic matrix.", "PMID": 799215} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11338", "title": "Genetic control of membrane mosaicism.", "content": "The mosaic and dynamic character of cellular membranes is illustrated by the specific intramembrane particle array, the fusion rosette, found to be essential for membrane fusion and secretion in the ciliated protozoa, Tetrahymena and Paramecium. The rosette is not a permanent site within the membrane. When secretion of mucocysts is synchronized by treating cells with the local anesthetic dibucaine, all rosettes disappear, only to reassemble as new mucocysts mature. Assembly of the functional rosette is under genetic control. A series of secretory mutants of Paramecium, blocked in various stages of the secretory cycle, has been studied (11). Mutants that do not secrete lack the fusion rosette, although other intramembrane particle components of the fusion site are present. Certain properties of the rosette, in particular its particle partition coefficient, are temperature-dependent, which may affect the ability of the rosette particles to assemble. A temperature-sensitive mutant, nd9, secretes normally, and has rosettes at 18 degrees C, but fails to secrete attached trichocysts at 27 degrees C.", "contents": "Genetic control of membrane mosaicism. The mosaic and dynamic character of cellular membranes is illustrated by the specific intramembrane particle array, the fusion rosette, found to be essential for membrane fusion and secretion in the ciliated protozoa, Tetrahymena and Paramecium. The rosette is not a permanent site within the membrane. When secretion of mucocysts is synchronized by treating cells with the local anesthetic dibucaine, all rosettes disappear, only to reassemble as new mucocysts mature. Assembly of the functional rosette is under genetic control. A series of secretory mutants of Paramecium, blocked in various stages of the secretory cycle, has been studied (11). Mutants that do not secrete lack the fusion rosette, although other intramembrane particle components of the fusion site are present. Certain properties of the rosette, in particular its particle partition coefficient, are temperature-dependent, which may affect the ability of the rosette particles to assemble. A temperature-sensitive mutant, nd9, secretes normally, and has rosettes at 18 degrees C, but fails to secrete attached trichocysts at 27 degrees C.", "PMID": 799216} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11339", "title": "A virus-specified mechanism for the prevention of multiple infection--T7- and T3-mutual and superinfection exclusion.", "content": "Co- and superinfection of cells with T3/T7 result in exclusion (mutual or superinfection exclusion). The exclusion mechanism is also directed against homologous (or identical) virus. Exclusion is established after the adsorption but before the genome becomes available for gene expression or replication, that is only one virus per cell develops. The exclusion is triggered by a constituant of the viral particle. An early T7 gene (M gene) (Schweiger et al., 1975) is essential for the formation of exclusion competent virions.", "contents": "A virus-specified mechanism for the prevention of multiple infection--T7- and T3-mutual and superinfection exclusion. Co- and superinfection of cells with T3/T7 result in exclusion (mutual or superinfection exclusion). The exclusion mechanism is also directed against homologous (or identical) virus. Exclusion is established after the adsorption but before the genome becomes available for gene expression or replication, that is only one virus per cell develops. The exclusion is triggered by a constituant of the viral particle. An early T7 gene (M gene) (Schweiger et al., 1975) is essential for the formation of exclusion competent virions.", "PMID": 799243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11340", "title": "A transcriptional barrier in the regulatory region of the tryptophan operon of Escherichia coli: its role in the regulation of repressor-independent RNA synthesis.", "content": "A study was made of the influence of the growth rate of Escherichia coli bacteria on the transcription of the tryptophan (trp) operon, in various trp repressor negative strains. Selective measurement of the levels of RNA transcribed from the regulatory region (reg) of this operon and from the structural genes, respectively, has revealed that the increase of the rate of trpRNA synthesis with bacterial growth rate (Rose and Yanofsky, 1972) is due to a decrease of the frequency of termination of transcription at the transcriptional barrier in the regulatory region of the operon. In a mutant strain of E. coli with a deletion covering the promotor distal part of the regulatory region of the trp operon where the barrier is located, the rate of trpRNA synthesis is not affected by the growth rate. In suA- strains, in which Rho factor activity is reduced the bacterial growth rate does not affect the rate of synthesis of trpRNA. This result suggests that in wild type bacteria Rho factor contributes to the control of the transcription of the trp operon. In bacteria with a mutation rendering Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TRSase) inactive (trpS- strains) the rate of trpRNA synthesis is affected by the growth rate in the same way as in the isogenic wild type bacteria. This result indicates that TRSase plays no obligatory role in the control of trpRNA synthesis through a mechanism of termination and anti-termination of transcription, at least not in the studied strains, which carried a relA mutation.", "contents": "A transcriptional barrier in the regulatory region of the tryptophan operon of Escherichia coli: its role in the regulation of repressor-independent RNA synthesis. A study was made of the influence of the growth rate of Escherichia coli bacteria on the transcription of the tryptophan (trp) operon, in various trp repressor negative strains. Selective measurement of the levels of RNA transcribed from the regulatory region (reg) of this operon and from the structural genes, respectively, has revealed that the increase of the rate of trpRNA synthesis with bacterial growth rate (Rose and Yanofsky, 1972) is due to a decrease of the frequency of termination of transcription at the transcriptional barrier in the regulatory region of the operon. In a mutant strain of E. coli with a deletion covering the promotor distal part of the regulatory region of the trp operon where the barrier is located, the rate of trpRNA synthesis is not affected by the growth rate. In suA- strains, in which Rho factor activity is reduced the bacterial growth rate does not affect the rate of synthesis of trpRNA. This result suggests that in wild type bacteria Rho factor contributes to the control of the transcription of the trp operon. In bacteria with a mutation rendering Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TRSase) inactive (trpS- strains) the rate of trpRNA synthesis is affected by the growth rate in the same way as in the isogenic wild type bacteria. This result indicates that TRSase plays no obligatory role in the control of trpRNA synthesis through a mechanism of termination and anti-termination of transcription, at least not in the studied strains, which carried a relA mutation.", "PMID": 799244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11341", "title": "Hyper-recombination in dam mutants of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "F-prime heterogenotes of dam-3 bacteria segregate F-prime homogenotes at a frequency 30-200 times higher than the isogenic dam+ strain. A hyperrecombination mutant which shows increased recombination between chromosomal duplications was characterized as a dam mutant. The dam-3 allele causes a reduction in linkage of proximal unselected markers in transconjugants and increases the recombination frequency between a pair of closely linked markers. It is concluded that dam mutations confer a hyperrecombination phenotype to the cell.", "contents": "Hyper-recombination in dam mutants of Escherichia coli K-12. F-prime heterogenotes of dam-3 bacteria segregate F-prime homogenotes at a frequency 30-200 times higher than the isogenic dam+ strain. A hyperrecombination mutant which shows increased recombination between chromosomal duplications was characterized as a dam mutant. The dam-3 allele causes a reduction in linkage of proximal unselected markers in transconjugants and increases the recombination frequency between a pair of closely linked markers. It is concluded that dam mutations confer a hyperrecombination phenotype to the cell.", "PMID": 799245} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11342", "title": "Biosynthetic regulation of individual proteins in relA+ and relA strains of Escherichia coli during amino acid starvation.", "content": "An isogenic pair of Escherichia coli mutants (relA+ tufB valSts and relA1 tufB valSts) has been cultured at several temperatures to establish various degrees of limitation for valyl-tRNA synthetase. The biosynthetic rate of 16 identifiable proteins, most of which are components of the transcription and translation apparatus, was measured by pulse-labelling with [35S]-methionine, followed by protein separation using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (O'Farrell, 1975). No single pattern of response to amino acid starvation of biosynthetic rate was observed. EF-Ts, L12 and S6 were found to be under strong stringent and relaxed regulation; EF-G, EF-Tu-A and S1 are under strong stringent, but weak relaxed regulation; EF-Tu-B, alpha, VRS, IRS and ARS are under week stringent and weak relaxed regulation; beta is under weak stringent regulation and does not respond at all to relaxed conditions; the biosynthetic rate of a protein called stringent starvation protein is strongly stimulated, relative to other proteins, in the starved stringent strain.", "contents": "Biosynthetic regulation of individual proteins in relA+ and relA strains of Escherichia coli during amino acid starvation. An isogenic pair of Escherichia coli mutants (relA+ tufB valSts and relA1 tufB valSts) has been cultured at several temperatures to establish various degrees of limitation for valyl-tRNA synthetase. The biosynthetic rate of 16 identifiable proteins, most of which are components of the transcription and translation apparatus, was measured by pulse-labelling with [35S]-methionine, followed by protein separation using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (O'Farrell, 1975). No single pattern of response to amino acid starvation of biosynthetic rate was observed. EF-Ts, L12 and S6 were found to be under strong stringent and relaxed regulation; EF-G, EF-Tu-A and S1 are under strong stringent, but weak relaxed regulation; EF-Tu-B, alpha, VRS, IRS and ARS are under week stringent and weak relaxed regulation; beta is under weak stringent regulation and does not respond at all to relaxed conditions; the biosynthetic rate of a protein called stringent starvation protein is strongly stimulated, relative to other proteins, in the starved stringent strain.", "PMID": 799246} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11343", "title": "The effects of the relA gene on the synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and other transcription and translation proteins in Escherichia coli A.", "content": "The effects of a partial restriction of valyl-tRNA aminoacylation on the synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, ribosomal proteins, and other translation and transcription proteins were examined in otherwise isogenic stringent (relA+) and relaxed (relA1) derivatives of E. coli B. The synthesis of individual ribosomal proteins, elongation factor G, and to a lesser extent elongation factors Tu and Ts, and the valyl- and arginyl-tRNA synthetases was found to be subject to the influence of the stringent control system. The synthesis of the alpha and beta subunits of RNA polymerase and several of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, in contrast, is either not subject to the influence of the stringent control system, or is subject to additional regulatory constraints.", "contents": "The effects of the relA gene on the synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and other transcription and translation proteins in Escherichia coli A. The effects of a partial restriction of valyl-tRNA aminoacylation on the synthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, ribosomal proteins, and other translation and transcription proteins were examined in otherwise isogenic stringent (relA+) and relaxed (relA1) derivatives of E. coli B. The synthesis of individual ribosomal proteins, elongation factor G, and to a lesser extent elongation factors Tu and Ts, and the valyl- and arginyl-tRNA synthetases was found to be subject to the influence of the stringent control system. The synthesis of the alpha and beta subunits of RNA polymerase and several of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, in contrast, is either not subject to the influence of the stringent control system, or is subject to additional regulatory constraints.", "PMID": 799247} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11344", "title": "Isolation and characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli with altered ribosomal proteins.", "content": "The ribosomal proteins of temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli isolated independently after mutagenesis with nitrosoguanidine were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Out of 400 mutants analyzed, 60 mutants (15%) showed alterations in a total of 22 different ribosomal proteins. The proteins altered in these mutants are S2, S4, S6, S7, S8, S10, S15, S16, S18, L1, L3, L6, L10, L11, L14, L15, L17, L18, L19, L22, L23 and L24. A large number of them (25 mutants) have mutations in protein S4 of the small subunit, while four mutants showed alterations in protein L6 of the large subunit. The importance of these mutants for structural and functional analyses of ribosomes is discussed.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli with altered ribosomal proteins. The ribosomal proteins of temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli isolated independently after mutagenesis with nitrosoguanidine were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Out of 400 mutants analyzed, 60 mutants (15%) showed alterations in a total of 22 different ribosomal proteins. The proteins altered in these mutants are S2, S4, S6, S7, S8, S10, S15, S16, S18, L1, L3, L6, L10, L11, L14, L15, L17, L18, L19, L22, L23 and L24. A large number of them (25 mutants) have mutations in protein S4 of the small subunit, while four mutants showed alterations in protein L6 of the large subunit. The importance of these mutants for structural and functional analyses of ribosomes is discussed.", "PMID": 799248} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11345", "title": "A strain of Escherichia coli which gives rise to mutations in a large number of ribosomal proteins.", "content": "A strain of E. coli K12 has been isolated which gives rise to mutations in a large number of ribosomal proteins. Mutant VT, which was derived from A19, shows a novel type of streptomycin dependence and has an altered ribosomal protein S8. Streptomycin-independent isolated from mutant VT contain a great variety of changed proteins on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. 120 revertants screened in this way have changes in thirteen 30S proteins and fifteen 50S proteins. Several mutants were found in which additional proteins are present on the ribosome. Further, there is one instance of a ribosomal protein (L1) being absent, and one of apparent doubling of a ribosomal protein (L7/12). The unique properties of mutant VT probably are the result of the altered S8.", "contents": "A strain of Escherichia coli which gives rise to mutations in a large number of ribosomal proteins. A strain of E. coli K12 has been isolated which gives rise to mutations in a large number of ribosomal proteins. Mutant VT, which was derived from A19, shows a novel type of streptomycin dependence and has an altered ribosomal protein S8. Streptomycin-independent isolated from mutant VT contain a great variety of changed proteins on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. 120 revertants screened in this way have changes in thirteen 30S proteins and fifteen 50S proteins. Several mutants were found in which additional proteins are present on the ribosome. Further, there is one instance of a ribosomal protein (L1) being absent, and one of apparent doubling of a ribosomal protein (L7/12). The unique properties of mutant VT probably are the result of the altered S8.", "PMID": 799249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11346", "title": "On the formation of rho- petites in yeast. I. Multifactorial mitochondrial crosses (rho+ X rho+) involving a mutation conferring temperature-sensitivity of rho factor stability.", "content": "The inheritance of an extrakaryotic mutation conferring temperature-sensitive growth on non-fermentable substrates and a high frequency of mutation to rho- has been studied. Multifactorial crosses (rho+ X rho+) involving this mutation TS8 and mitochondrial mutations conferring resistance to chloramphenicol, erythromycin, oligomycin or paromomycin revealed: a) Mutation TS8 is localized on the mitDNA, referring to a new gene locus TSM1. b) Locus TSM1 appears to be weakly linked to the locus PAR1 and to the loci RIB1 and RIB3 but unlinked to the locus OLI1. c) The position of TSM1 is between PAR1 and the two closely linked loci RIB1 and RIB3, OLI1 is outside and not linked to the segment PAR-TSM-RIB. d) Mutation TS8 does not significantly influence the process of mitochondrial recombination and its control by the mitochondrial locus omega.", "contents": "On the formation of rho- petites in yeast. I. Multifactorial mitochondrial crosses (rho+ X rho+) involving a mutation conferring temperature-sensitivity of rho factor stability. The inheritance of an extrakaryotic mutation conferring temperature-sensitive growth on non-fermentable substrates and a high frequency of mutation to rho- has been studied. Multifactorial crosses (rho+ X rho+) involving this mutation TS8 and mitochondrial mutations conferring resistance to chloramphenicol, erythromycin, oligomycin or paromomycin revealed: a) Mutation TS8 is localized on the mitDNA, referring to a new gene locus TSM1. b) Locus TSM1 appears to be weakly linked to the locus PAR1 and to the loci RIB1 and RIB3 but unlinked to the locus OLI1. c) The position of TSM1 is between PAR1 and the two closely linked loci RIB1 and RIB3, OLI1 is outside and not linked to the segment PAR-TSM-RIB. d) Mutation TS8 does not significantly influence the process of mitochondrial recombination and its control by the mitochondrial locus omega.", "PMID": 799250} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11347", "title": "Transfection of Escherichia coli by Mu DNA.", "content": "Infectivity of Mu DNA was demonstrated in Ca+ +-treated Escherichia coli cells that lacked the nucleases Exo V and Endo I. The efficiency of transfection is about 10(-7) per phage equivalent. Infectivity is destroyed by denaturation of Mu DNA, and cannot be restored by renaturation.", "contents": "Transfection of Escherichia coli by Mu DNA. Infectivity of Mu DNA was demonstrated in Ca+ +-treated Escherichia coli cells that lacked the nucleases Exo V and Endo I. The efficiency of transfection is about 10(-7) per phage equivalent. Infectivity is destroyed by denaturation of Mu DNA, and cannot be restored by renaturation.", "PMID": 799251} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11348", "title": "Transfer gene expression during fertility inhibition of the Escherichia coli K12 sex factor F by the I-like plasmid R62.", "content": "Further understanding of how the FinQ fertility inhibition system of the I-like plasmid R62 inhibits transfer of the sex factor F has been gained by the use of a genetic assay for individual transfer gene products. The technique involved construction of a series of Flac plasmids carrying suppressible mutations in individual transfer genes together with a FinQ inhibitor-insensitive traQ mutation. The transfer of the Flac double mutants from a strain carrying wild-type Fhis and R62 then indicated the effect of R62-encoded transfer inhibition on the expression of individual F transfer genes. During such inhibition the products of genes traJ, traA, traE, traB and traC were present in quantities sufficient to permit efficient F transfer, whereas the levels of the traF, traH, traG and traD gene products were so reduced as to limit F transfer. These findings and a failure to obtain recombination between traC and traQ mutations suggest that the R62 fertility inhibition system terminates transcription of the transfer operon between traC and traF.", "contents": "Transfer gene expression during fertility inhibition of the Escherichia coli K12 sex factor F by the I-like plasmid R62. Further understanding of how the FinQ fertility inhibition system of the I-like plasmid R62 inhibits transfer of the sex factor F has been gained by the use of a genetic assay for individual transfer gene products. The technique involved construction of a series of Flac plasmids carrying suppressible mutations in individual transfer genes together with a FinQ inhibitor-insensitive traQ mutation. The transfer of the Flac double mutants from a strain carrying wild-type Fhis and R62 then indicated the effect of R62-encoded transfer inhibition on the expression of individual F transfer genes. During such inhibition the products of genes traJ, traA, traE, traB and traC were present in quantities sufficient to permit efficient F transfer, whereas the levels of the traF, traH, traG and traD gene products were so reduced as to limit F transfer. These findings and a failure to obtain recombination between traC and traQ mutations suggest that the R62 fertility inhibition system terminates transcription of the transfer operon between traC and traF.", "PMID": 799252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11349", "title": "Effect of ultraviolet irradiation of bacteriophage f1 DNA on its conversion to replicative form by extracts of Escherichia coli.", "content": "When DNA of phage chiX174 or phage f1 is used as a template after exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the conversion of single-stranded DNA to replicative form by cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli is inhibited. The extend of synthesis is proportional to the distance of a pyrimidine dimer from a specific origin of replication as calculated from the random location of dimers at various UV doses. The results therefore indicate that the initiation of DNA synthesis on these phage DNAs occurs normally at a specific site, and that chain elongation is blocked when replication reaches a photo product in the template. Reinitiation of DNA synthesis distal to the lesion does not occur.", "contents": "Effect of ultraviolet irradiation of bacteriophage f1 DNA on its conversion to replicative form by extracts of Escherichia coli. When DNA of phage chiX174 or phage f1 is used as a template after exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the conversion of single-stranded DNA to replicative form by cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli is inhibited. The extend of synthesis is proportional to the distance of a pyrimidine dimer from a specific origin of replication as calculated from the random location of dimers at various UV doses. The results therefore indicate that the initiation of DNA synthesis on these phage DNAs occurs normally at a specific site, and that chain elongation is blocked when replication reaches a photo product in the template. Reinitiation of DNA synthesis distal to the lesion does not occur.", "PMID": 799253} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11350", "title": "Revertants of double opal-mutants of bacteriophage T4.", "content": "Revertants of double opal-mutants of bacteriophage T4 have been obtained. The properties of these revertants suggest that reversion of double opal-mutants is effected by the activity of some gent-suppressor appeared in the phage genome. Restriction of these revertants by streptomycin-resistant bacterial strains shows that the suppression of the opal-mutants is realized at translation.", "contents": "Revertants of double opal-mutants of bacteriophage T4. Revertants of double opal-mutants of bacteriophage T4 have been obtained. The properties of these revertants suggest that reversion of double opal-mutants is effected by the activity of some gent-suppressor appeared in the phage genome. Restriction of these revertants by streptomycin-resistant bacterial strains shows that the suppression of the opal-mutants is realized at translation.", "PMID": 799254} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11351", "title": "Isolation and study of some properties of the highly active 30S and 50S Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits.", "content": "A method for the isolation of highly active Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits has been described and used to obtain 30S subunits, which are fully active in the cistron-specific binding of tRNA, and reassociated 70S ribosomes, which are at least 35% active in the synthesis of polypeptides. The dissociation constants (Kd) of the 30S-poly(U)-tRNAPhe complex, which proved to be practically identical for tRNAPhe in the deacylated and aminoacylated forms, as well as for the chemically synthesized peptidyl-tRNA, have been measured. Changes in the binding conditions (temperatures from 0 to 30 degrees, Mg2+ concentrations from 20 to 5 mM, and NH4+ concentrations from 200 to 50mM) have a significant effect on the value of Kd without altering the number of active 30S subunits. It has been shown that the codon-specific binding of tRNA to the 30S subunits is completely reversible. The 30S subunits are not only not inactivated after a single act of binding of a tRNA molecule, but are capable of undergoing this process repeatedly without any appreciable loss in activity.", "contents": "Isolation and study of some properties of the highly active 30S and 50S Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits. A method for the isolation of highly active Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits has been described and used to obtain 30S subunits, which are fully active in the cistron-specific binding of tRNA, and reassociated 70S ribosomes, which are at least 35% active in the synthesis of polypeptides. The dissociation constants (Kd) of the 30S-poly(U)-tRNAPhe complex, which proved to be practically identical for tRNAPhe in the deacylated and aminoacylated forms, as well as for the chemically synthesized peptidyl-tRNA, have been measured. Changes in the binding conditions (temperatures from 0 to 30 degrees, Mg2+ concentrations from 20 to 5 mM, and NH4+ concentrations from 200 to 50mM) have a significant effect on the value of Kd without altering the number of active 30S subunits. It has been shown that the codon-specific binding of tRNA to the 30S subunits is completely reversible. The 30S subunits are not only not inactivated after a single act of binding of a tRNA molecule, but are capable of undergoing this process repeatedly without any appreciable loss in activity.", "PMID": 799255} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11352", "title": "Investigation of the fluorescence of myosin and its fragments, heavy and light meromyosins, in concentrated solutions of neutral salts.", "content": "It is shown that when myosin and heavy (HMM) and light (LMM) meromyosins are treated with concentrated solutions of neutral salts there is change in a number of parameters of the fluorescence spectra of these proteins. For myosin and HMM this change takes place in the region of the same concentrations of LiCl, MgDl2, KSCN where there occurs dissociation of the light chains of the myosin molecule. Change in the fluorescence characteristics of myosin and HMM in the presence of these salts may be caused by two effects: change in the native conformation of the myosin molecule and dissociation of its light chains. The effect of salts on LMM fluorescence is in good agreement with general theory of the influence of concentrated salts on macromolecules.", "contents": "Investigation of the fluorescence of myosin and its fragments, heavy and light meromyosins, in concentrated solutions of neutral salts. It is shown that when myosin and heavy (HMM) and light (LMM) meromyosins are treated with concentrated solutions of neutral salts there is change in a number of parameters of the fluorescence spectra of these proteins. For myosin and HMM this change takes place in the region of the same concentrations of LiCl, MgDl2, KSCN where there occurs dissociation of the light chains of the myosin molecule. Change in the fluorescence characteristics of myosin and HMM in the presence of these salts may be caused by two effects: change in the native conformation of the myosin molecule and dissociation of its light chains. The effect of salts on LMM fluorescence is in good agreement with general theory of the influence of concentrated salts on macromolecules.", "PMID": 799256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11353", "title": "Use of the method of mixed substrates to study the specificity of tRNA methylases.", "content": "The absence of summation of the rate of methylation of positionally analogous cytidine residues in tRNA1Val, tRNAPhe, and tRNAMet in the case of simultaneous presence of two substrates in the incubation mixture was demonstrated by the method of mixed substrates. The same result was also obtained in the methylation of A19 (counting from the 3' end of the molecule) in tRNA1Val, tRNAPhe, tRNAfMet, tRNASer, and tRNAGlu individually and in the case of their mixing in pairs. These data are evidence that positionally analogous nucleotides in different RNAs are attacked by the same enzyme. Yeast tRNASer, already possessing a methyl group at the cytidine residue studied, proved to be an effective inhibitor of methylase, forming m5C with valine and phenylalanine tRNAs. The results obtained are evidence that differences in the primary and secondary structures at the site of methylation are not the deciding factors in the interaction of tRNA with methylases.", "contents": "Use of the method of mixed substrates to study the specificity of tRNA methylases. The absence of summation of the rate of methylation of positionally analogous cytidine residues in tRNA1Val, tRNAPhe, and tRNAMet in the case of simultaneous presence of two substrates in the incubation mixture was demonstrated by the method of mixed substrates. The same result was also obtained in the methylation of A19 (counting from the 3' end of the molecule) in tRNA1Val, tRNAPhe, tRNAfMet, tRNASer, and tRNAGlu individually and in the case of their mixing in pairs. These data are evidence that positionally analogous nucleotides in different RNAs are attacked by the same enzyme. Yeast tRNASer, already possessing a methyl group at the cytidine residue studied, proved to be an effective inhibitor of methylase, forming m5C with valine and phenylalanine tRNAs. The results obtained are evidence that differences in the primary and secondary structures at the site of methylation are not the deciding factors in the interaction of tRNA with methylases.", "PMID": 799257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11354", "title": "Effect of change in structure of cohesive ends on aggregating ability and biological activity of bacteriophage lambda DNA.", "content": "The effect of different types of buildup of the cohesive ends on the ability of phage lambda DNA molecules to form cyclic and concatemeric forms and on their biological activity in two infection systems--transfection and transformation--was investigated with the aid of E. coli DNA polymerase. A change in the structure of the cohesive ends leads to a change in the aggregating ability of the phage lambda DNA molecules up to an almost complete loss of this ability. The infectious activity of phage lambda DNA in the transfection system is very sensitive to a change in structure of the cohesive ends. It is suggested that phage development in this system requires retention of the ability to form cyclic or concatemeric forms. In the transformation system molecules with any of the modifications of the cohesive ends differ insignificantly from one another in infectivity. This can be attributed to the important role of recombination processes, which can save the defective DNA markers. DNAs with completely normal cohesive ends behave in the transformation system like phage lambda DNA fragments from internal parts of the molecule. No polarity of the cohesive ends is found when phage lambda develops in systems with or without a helper phage.", "contents": "Effect of change in structure of cohesive ends on aggregating ability and biological activity of bacteriophage lambda DNA. The effect of different types of buildup of the cohesive ends on the ability of phage lambda DNA molecules to form cyclic and concatemeric forms and on their biological activity in two infection systems--transfection and transformation--was investigated with the aid of E. coli DNA polymerase. A change in the structure of the cohesive ends leads to a change in the aggregating ability of the phage lambda DNA molecules up to an almost complete loss of this ability. The infectious activity of phage lambda DNA in the transfection system is very sensitive to a change in structure of the cohesive ends. It is suggested that phage development in this system requires retention of the ability to form cyclic or concatemeric forms. In the transformation system molecules with any of the modifications of the cohesive ends differ insignificantly from one another in infectivity. This can be attributed to the important role of recombination processes, which can save the defective DNA markers. DNAs with completely normal cohesive ends behave in the transformation system like phage lambda DNA fragments from internal parts of the molecule. No polarity of the cohesive ends is found when phage lambda develops in systems with or without a helper phage.", "PMID": 799259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11355", "title": "Double-stranded RNA of homothallic Saccharomycetes with different cytoplasmic determinants of antagonistic activity.", "content": "Double-stranded RNA of high molecular weight is found in the cytoplasm of the \"killer\" strain M-437-2. The RNA is homogeneous and contains no single strand poly(A) portions. The double-stranded RNA is associated with the cytoplasmic microsomes of strain M-437-2 and is contained in the fraction of the cell contents of this strain that was used to infect germinating spores of the sensitive S. cerevisiae 768(1)-15 with the cytoplasmic determinant [k]. The absence of this RNA in cells of the initial sensitive strain 768(1)-15, and its appearance in the \"killer\" derivative of this strain produced by infection with the determinant [k] by means of the above-mentioned fraction, indicate that the killer activity is due to the double-stranded RNA. The retention of the double-stranded RNA in the cytoplasm of derivatives of the newly-formed killer strain, containing the cytoplasmic determinants [k(ts)] and [n] suggests also that these determinants are a modification of determinant [k].", "contents": "Double-stranded RNA of homothallic Saccharomycetes with different cytoplasmic determinants of antagonistic activity. Double-stranded RNA of high molecular weight is found in the cytoplasm of the \"killer\" strain M-437-2. The RNA is homogeneous and contains no single strand poly(A) portions. The double-stranded RNA is associated with the cytoplasmic microsomes of strain M-437-2 and is contained in the fraction of the cell contents of this strain that was used to infect germinating spores of the sensitive S. cerevisiae 768(1)-15 with the cytoplasmic determinant [k]. The absence of this RNA in cells of the initial sensitive strain 768(1)-15, and its appearance in the \"killer\" derivative of this strain produced by infection with the determinant [k] by means of the above-mentioned fraction, indicate that the killer activity is due to the double-stranded RNA. The retention of the double-stranded RNA in the cytoplasm of derivatives of the newly-formed killer strain, containing the cytoplasmic determinants [k(ts)] and [n] suggests also that these determinants are a modification of determinant [k].", "PMID": 799260} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11356", "title": "Repair of 8-methoxypsoralen monoadducts and diadducts in bacteriophages and bacteria.", "content": "The combined action of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and light with lambda greater than 310 nm on bacteriophages and bacteria results in the formation of the following two types of photo-products in the DNA: monoadducts, in which 8-MOP is covalently bound to a pyrimidine base, and diadducts or cross links, in which the 8-MOP is covalently bound to two pyrimidines from complementary strands. The method of repeated irradiation has been proposed for analyzing the degree of lethality of the photoproducts in DNA. According to this method, the preparation is freed of free 8-MOP molecules after the first irradiation and then irradiated for a second time. In this case the monoadducts are converted into cross linkages between the strands. Approximately 3-10(-9) cross links/Dalton-min form in Escherichia coli DNA during the first irradiation. The rate of the formation of cross links drops by a factor of about 2 during the repeated irradiation. It has been shown that the 8-MOP monoadducts are repaired by the uvr system just as efficiently as are lethal photoproducts of the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer type. Lethal cross linkages in bacteria and phages are repaired by the joint action of the uvr, recA, and lex systems. A scheme has been proposed for the repair of cross linkages in one genome by these systems. The photoreactivating enzyme is inactive on DNA subjected to the combined action of 8-MOP and light. The kinetics of the repair of monadducts in bacteria and phages with various defects in the repair systems have been studied. It has been shown that the products of genes recA and lex take part in the repair process according to an excision-resynthesis method. The use of the method of repeated irradiation with 8-MOP as an express method for detecting repair systems of the uvr type in cells has been proposed.", "contents": "Repair of 8-methoxypsoralen monoadducts and diadducts in bacteriophages and bacteria. The combined action of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and light with lambda greater than 310 nm on bacteriophages and bacteria results in the formation of the following two types of photo-products in the DNA: monoadducts, in which 8-MOP is covalently bound to a pyrimidine base, and diadducts or cross links, in which the 8-MOP is covalently bound to two pyrimidines from complementary strands. The method of repeated irradiation has been proposed for analyzing the degree of lethality of the photoproducts in DNA. According to this method, the preparation is freed of free 8-MOP molecules after the first irradiation and then irradiated for a second time. In this case the monoadducts are converted into cross linkages between the strands. Approximately 3-10(-9) cross links/Dalton-min form in Escherichia coli DNA during the first irradiation. The rate of the formation of cross links drops by a factor of about 2 during the repeated irradiation. It has been shown that the 8-MOP monoadducts are repaired by the uvr system just as efficiently as are lethal photoproducts of the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer type. Lethal cross linkages in bacteria and phages are repaired by the joint action of the uvr, recA, and lex systems. A scheme has been proposed for the repair of cross linkages in one genome by these systems. The photoreactivating enzyme is inactive on DNA subjected to the combined action of 8-MOP and light. The kinetics of the repair of monadducts in bacteria and phages with various defects in the repair systems have been studied. It has been shown that the products of genes recA and lex take part in the repair process according to an excision-resynthesis method. The use of the method of repeated irradiation with 8-MOP as an express method for detecting repair systems of the uvr type in cells has been proposed.", "PMID": 799258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11357", "title": "The antibody response of cattle to Clostridium botulinum types C and D toxoids.", "content": "The resistance of cattle with varying serum-antitoxin titres was determined by per os challenge. The results proved that a solid immunity can be produced against C. botulinum toxins C1 and D. The immune response of cattle to various quantities of C. botulinum C1 and D toxoids, aluminium-phosphate-adsorbed and in water-in-oil emulsion was investigated. The response to antigen in water-in-oil emulsion was far superior to the other when they were used for primary and secondary stimuli. When cattle had been given a solid basic immunity with 2 injections of antigen in water-in-oil emulsion, essentially the same booster effect was obtained with antigen in water-in-oil emulsion and in aqueous solution. Only some of the animals injected intramuscularly with antigens in water-in-oil emulsion developed local lesions. These lesions were not large and their histological picture indicated a noticeable decline in severity within 20 weeks. A case is thus made out for the use of C. botulinum C1 and D toxoids in water-in-oil emulsion for the primary and secondary stimuli and an aqueous solution of these antigens for any booster stimulus as an improved method of protecting cattle against botulism.", "contents": "The antibody response of cattle to Clostridium botulinum types C and D toxoids. The resistance of cattle with varying serum-antitoxin titres was determined by per os challenge. The results proved that a solid immunity can be produced against C. botulinum toxins C1 and D. The immune response of cattle to various quantities of C. botulinum C1 and D toxoids, aluminium-phosphate-adsorbed and in water-in-oil emulsion was investigated. The response to antigen in water-in-oil emulsion was far superior to the other when they were used for primary and secondary stimuli. When cattle had been given a solid basic immunity with 2 injections of antigen in water-in-oil emulsion, essentially the same booster effect was obtained with antigen in water-in-oil emulsion and in aqueous solution. Only some of the animals injected intramuscularly with antigens in water-in-oil emulsion developed local lesions. These lesions were not large and their histological picture indicated a noticeable decline in severity within 20 weeks. A case is thus made out for the use of C. botulinum C1 and D toxoids in water-in-oil emulsion for the primary and secondary stimuli and an aqueous solution of these antigens for any booster stimulus as an improved method of protecting cattle against botulism.", "PMID": 799279} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11358", "title": "A gunflint-type microbiota from the Duck Creek dolomite, western Australia.", "content": "Two billion year old black chert lenses from the Duck Creek formation, northwestern Western Australia, contain abundant organically preserved microorganisms which are morphologically similar to fossils of approximately the same age from the Gunflint formation, Ontario. Entities include: a relatively small (5-15mum) coccoid taxon morphologically comparable to Huroniospora Barghoorn, a larger coccoid form comparable to an apparently planktonic alga from the Gunflint, Gunflintia Baghoorn, and Eoastrion Barghoorn (Metallogenium Perfil'ev). Gunflint-type assemblages had a wide geographic distribution in middle Precambrian times, and these assemblages may eventually prove useful as biostratigraphic indices.", "contents": "A gunflint-type microbiota from the Duck Creek dolomite, western Australia. Two billion year old black chert lenses from the Duck Creek formation, northwestern Western Australia, contain abundant organically preserved microorganisms which are morphologically similar to fossils of approximately the same age from the Gunflint formation, Ontario. Entities include: a relatively small (5-15mum) coccoid taxon morphologically comparable to Huroniospora Barghoorn, a larger coccoid form comparable to an apparently planktonic alga from the Gunflint, Gunflintia Baghoorn, and Eoastrion Barghoorn (Metallogenium Perfil'ev). Gunflint-type assemblages had a wide geographic distribution in middle Precambrian times, and these assemblages may eventually prove useful as biostratigraphic indices.", "PMID": 799288} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11359", "title": "[Characteristics of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal regulation and morphological and functional state of the reproductive organs in female rats, androgenized in the neonatal period, depending on the time of the action of testosterone].", "content": "Testosterone propionate was injected to rats in a dose of 150 microng on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th day or in a dose of 500 microng on the 5th day after birth. Histological picture of the ovaries, vagina and uterus, the content of progesterone and its C20-restored metabolite in the ovaries, the LH-releasing activity of the hypothalamus, and the LH and FSH in the adenohypophysis were studied in these rats at the age of 3-5 months. The effects of the neonatal andronization of rats proved to depend on the time of testosterone action at all the levels of the hypothalamus-hypophysis-ovaries-accessory organs. Early administration of androgen caused more severe injuries of the reproductive system.", "contents": "[Characteristics of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal regulation and morphological and functional state of the reproductive organs in female rats, androgenized in the neonatal period, depending on the time of the action of testosterone]. Testosterone propionate was injected to rats in a dose of 150 microng on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th day or in a dose of 500 microng on the 5th day after birth. Histological picture of the ovaries, vagina and uterus, the content of progesterone and its C20-restored metabolite in the ovaries, the LH-releasing activity of the hypothalamus, and the LH and FSH in the adenohypophysis were studied in these rats at the age of 3-5 months. The effects of the neonatal andronization of rats proved to depend on the time of testosterone action at all the levels of the hypothalamus-hypophysis-ovaries-accessory organs. Early administration of androgen caused more severe injuries of the reproductive system.", "PMID": 799298} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11360", "title": "Frozen blood transfusions and renal allograft survival.", "content": "It has been shown that kidney transplant graft survival rates were lower among nontransfused patients than among those receiving transfusions. In a relatively small series of 49 patients who received frozen blood only the 1 year transplant survival rate was 42+/-7% as compared to 49+/-5% in 190 patients with whole blood transfusions and 31+/-4 in 143 patients with no transfusions. We conclude that frozen blood transfusions appear to be better than no transfusions, but may be inferior to whole blood in prolonging graft survival.", "contents": "Frozen blood transfusions and renal allograft survival. It has been shown that kidney transplant graft survival rates were lower among nontransfused patients than among those receiving transfusions. In a relatively small series of 49 patients who received frozen blood only the 1 year transplant survival rate was 42+/-7% as compared to 49+/-5% in 190 patients with whole blood transfusions and 31+/-4 in 143 patients with no transfusions. We conclude that frozen blood transfusions appear to be better than no transfusions, but may be inferior to whole blood in prolonging graft survival.", "PMID": 799305} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11361", "title": "Clinical problems with HLA sensitization.", "content": "There is little question that Frozen-Thawed-Deglycerolized Red Cells (Human) has the least amount of HLA antigen found in any red cell component. Units prepared by any of the several availables methods are indicated for patients with repetitive nonhemolytic febrile reactions, probably should be used in patients waiting for reanl allografts and in immunodeficient patients in whom there is a risk of GVH disease. Still unresolved are questions on the minimal dose of HLA needed to sensitize a recipient, the role of the debris and viable cells and whether transfusion with a small dose of HLA antigen has a beneficial effect on the survival of renal allografts.", "contents": "Clinical problems with HLA sensitization. There is little question that Frozen-Thawed-Deglycerolized Red Cells (Human) has the least amount of HLA antigen found in any red cell component. Units prepared by any of the several availables methods are indicated for patients with repetitive nonhemolytic febrile reactions, probably should be used in patients waiting for reanl allografts and in immunodeficient patients in whom there is a risk of GVH disease. Still unresolved are questions on the minimal dose of HLA needed to sensitize a recipient, the role of the debris and viable cells and whether transfusion with a small dose of HLA antigen has a beneficial effect on the survival of renal allografts.", "PMID": 799306} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11362", "title": "The clinical problem of hepatitis transmission;.", "content": "Although blood banks in this country have been testing every unit of blood for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg) by one of the highly sensitive \"third generation\" methods (radioimmunoassay or reversed passive hemagglutination) since September, 1975, post-transfusion hepatitis (PTH) still remains the major hazard to patients who require transfusion with blood and blood products. Since there may be an interval of many months between transfusion and onset of PTH and many cases are subclinical, the best data on the incidence of PTH have come from prospective studies with careful follow-up of transfused patients. Such studies first established the validity of HBSAg as a marker for the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and they have shown a dramatic reduction in the incidence of post-transfusion type B hepatitis following the elemination of HBSAg positive blood from transfusion. Nevertheless, PTH cases not associated with HBV or HAV, which are termed non-A, non-B hepatitis, continue to occur commonly among transfused patients. Non-A, non-B hepatitis appears to be subclinical in many instances, but it can produce prolonged persistence of abnormal liver function tests, which may be associated with chronic liver disease. The outstanding risk factor responsible for the development of PTH has been shown to be blood from paid donors in every study which has evaluated this factor. HBSAg and anti-HBS prevalences were found to be much higher in paid donor groups than in voluntary donors. Accordingly, the Food and Drug Administration has proposed that all units of blood be labeled to indicate whether they were collected from voluntary or paid donors in order to inform consumers of the relative hepatitis risks of blood units from these different donor populations. In addition to HBSAg testing and reduced use of blood from paid donors, measures which may provide future reduction of the hepatitis hazard associated with blood transfusion include avoidance of unnecessary transfusions, identification of the agent(s) responsible for non-A non-B hepatitis and development of tests for these agents, idenfification and avoidance of blood from donors implicated in PTH cases, development of methods for immunizing transfused patients against the various agents responsible for PTH, and use of frozen-washed red blood cells for transfusion. Efforts to develop and/or evaluate these various approaches are currently being actively pursued in many laboratories.", "contents": "The clinical problem of hepatitis transmission;. Although blood banks in this country have been testing every unit of blood for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg) by one of the highly sensitive \"third generation\" methods (radioimmunoassay or reversed passive hemagglutination) since September, 1975, post-transfusion hepatitis (PTH) still remains the major hazard to patients who require transfusion with blood and blood products. Since there may be an interval of many months between transfusion and onset of PTH and many cases are subclinical, the best data on the incidence of PTH have come from prospective studies with careful follow-up of transfused patients. Such studies first established the validity of HBSAg as a marker for the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and they have shown a dramatic reduction in the incidence of post-transfusion type B hepatitis following the elemination of HBSAg positive blood from transfusion. Nevertheless, PTH cases not associated with HBV or HAV, which are termed non-A, non-B hepatitis, continue to occur commonly among transfused patients. Non-A, non-B hepatitis appears to be subclinical in many instances, but it can produce prolonged persistence of abnormal liver function tests, which may be associated with chronic liver disease. The outstanding risk factor responsible for the development of PTH has been shown to be blood from paid donors in every study which has evaluated this factor. HBSAg and anti-HBS prevalences were found to be much higher in paid donor groups than in voluntary donors. Accordingly, the Food and Drug Administration has proposed that all units of blood be labeled to indicate whether they were collected from voluntary or paid donors in order to inform consumers of the relative hepatitis risks of blood units from these different donor populations. In addition to HBSAg testing and reduced use of blood from paid donors, measures which may provide future reduction of the hepatitis hazard associated with blood transfusion include avoidance of unnecessary transfusions, identification of the agent(s) responsible for non-A non-B hepatitis and development of tests for these agents, idenfification and avoidance of blood from donors implicated in PTH cases, development of methods for immunizing transfused patients against the various agents responsible for PTH, and use of frozen-washed red blood cells for transfusion. Efforts to develop and/or evaluate these various approaches are currently being actively pursued in many laboratories.", "PMID": 799307} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11363", "title": "Transfusion of frozen-washed red cells in preventing hepatitis.", "content": "From the review of published data and our own experience the following conclusions appear pertinent. In the limited number of well-controlled studies available for evaluation, a significant reduction in the transmission of clinically apparent hepatitis has been demonstrated following the exclusive administration of frozen blood. There is no uniform method of frozen blood treatment by current application and the strong possibility exists that as far as the removal of Hepatitis Type B virus. One method may be more effective than another. The transmission of hepatitis by blood administration represents only one of a number of potential modes of spread in a dialysis population. The prevention of serious epidemics whithin these patient populations will be accomplished only with careful attention to all facets of cross contamination. Because of multiple potential sources of spread within the hemodialysis population, these groups of individuals probably represent a poor choice of subjects in which we can effectively evaluate transmission by a single factor, such as frozen-thawed erythrocytes. Until the advent of better methods of prevention, efforts toward prevention and limitation must be multifocal and that should include the use of frozen-thawed erythrocytes.", "contents": "Transfusion of frozen-washed red cells in preventing hepatitis. From the review of published data and our own experience the following conclusions appear pertinent. In the limited number of well-controlled studies available for evaluation, a significant reduction in the transmission of clinically apparent hepatitis has been demonstrated following the exclusive administration of frozen blood. There is no uniform method of frozen blood treatment by current application and the strong possibility exists that as far as the removal of Hepatitis Type B virus. One method may be more effective than another. The transmission of hepatitis by blood administration represents only one of a number of potential modes of spread in a dialysis population. The prevention of serious epidemics whithin these patient populations will be accomplished only with careful attention to all facets of cross contamination. Because of multiple potential sources of spread within the hemodialysis population, these groups of individuals probably represent a poor choice of subjects in which we can effectively evaluate transmission by a single factor, such as frozen-thawed erythrocytes. Until the advent of better methods of prevention, efforts toward prevention and limitation must be multifocal and that should include the use of frozen-thawed erythrocytes.", "PMID": 799308} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11364", "title": "Erythrocyte metabolism.", "content": "In summary, red cell carbohydrate metabolism plays an important role in the cell, both for maintaining cell viability through ATP and for maintaining proper oxygen release through DPG. These functions are compromised by traditional liquid storage. Frozen storage maintains these functions for an indefinite period of time. However, the cells are not metabolically perfect, at least with current techniques, and assay of glycolytic intermediates is a useful monitoring device to evaluate the effects of various manipulations, particularly after thawing and washing have taken place.", "contents": "Erythrocyte metabolism. In summary, red cell carbohydrate metabolism plays an important role in the cell, both for maintaining cell viability through ATP and for maintaining proper oxygen release through DPG. These functions are compromised by traditional liquid storage. Frozen storage maintains these functions for an indefinite period of time. However, the cells are not metabolically perfect, at least with current techniques, and assay of glycolytic intermediates is a useful monitoring device to evaluate the effects of various manipulations, particularly after thawing and washing have taken place.", "PMID": 799310} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11365", "title": "Cryobiology overview of red cell preservation: achievements and prospective.", "content": "Preserved red cells are transfused to improve the delivery of oxygen to tissue. The preserved red cells must circulate to increase the red cell volume and improve the oxygen carrying capacity. The correlation between oxygen transport function and the red cell 2,3 DPG level has been known since 1967. but it was only recently that the importance of the oxygen delivering capacity of transfused red cells during the immediate posttransfusion period became apparent. Red cells with low 2,3 DPG levels and increased affinity for oxygen will increase cardiac output and/or decrease venous pO2 for at least 4 hours after transfusion. Oxygen transport function is maintained longer in red cells stored in CPD than in ACD-stored red cells. Supplementation of CPD red cells with inosine, ascorbate; dihydroxyacetone and other substances helps to maintain the oxygen transport function during storage at 4 C. Liquid-stored red clls can be biochemically modified before freeze-preservation to increase the 2,3 DPG levels to to 1-1/2 to 2 times normal; these red cells have decreased oxygen affinity. The red cells have acceptable posttransfusion survival and improved oxygen releasing capacity for at least 72 hours after transfusion. The well-being of certain patients may be placed in jeopardy of they are given preserved red cells with increased affinity for oxygen. The patient may not be able to meet the accompanying demand for increased blood flow, and the venous-capillary oxygen tension may fall to a critical level. Clearly, patients in hemorrhagic and septic shock, those subjected to extracorporeal circulation during cardiac surgery, and anemic patients with myocardial or cerebrovascular insufficiency are best treated with red cells that have 150% normal 2,3 DPG levels.", "contents": "Cryobiology overview of red cell preservation: achievements and prospective. Preserved red cells are transfused to improve the delivery of oxygen to tissue. The preserved red cells must circulate to increase the red cell volume and improve the oxygen carrying capacity. The correlation between oxygen transport function and the red cell 2,3 DPG level has been known since 1967. but it was only recently that the importance of the oxygen delivering capacity of transfused red cells during the immediate posttransfusion period became apparent. Red cells with low 2,3 DPG levels and increased affinity for oxygen will increase cardiac output and/or decrease venous pO2 for at least 4 hours after transfusion. Oxygen transport function is maintained longer in red cells stored in CPD than in ACD-stored red cells. Supplementation of CPD red cells with inosine, ascorbate; dihydroxyacetone and other substances helps to maintain the oxygen transport function during storage at 4 C. Liquid-stored red clls can be biochemically modified before freeze-preservation to increase the 2,3 DPG levels to to 1-1/2 to 2 times normal; these red cells have decreased oxygen affinity. The red cells have acceptable posttransfusion survival and improved oxygen releasing capacity for at least 72 hours after transfusion. The well-being of certain patients may be placed in jeopardy of they are given preserved red cells with increased affinity for oxygen. The patient may not be able to meet the accompanying demand for increased blood flow, and the venous-capillary oxygen tension may fall to a critical level. Clearly, patients in hemorrhagic and septic shock, those subjected to extracorporeal circulation during cardiac surgery, and anemic patients with myocardial or cerebrovascular insufficiency are best treated with red cells that have 150% normal 2,3 DPG levels.", "PMID": 799311} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11366", "title": "Involvement of the medial hypothalamus and the septal area in the control of food intake and body weight in geese.", "content": "Intracranial injections of 6-OHDA were used to destroy the following brain areas of male geese: bilateral VMH-mamillary (BL-VMH), unilateral VMH (UL-VMH), septal area, and bilateral hypothalamic areas located dorsal, lateral, caudal and rostral to the VMH. The brain damage was nonspecific, destroying cell bodies as well as axons. The effects of these lesions were determined on food intake, body weight, abdominal adipose tissue, liver weight and fat content, and on selected endocrine gland weights. The highest food intake, obesity and liver weight and its fat content were exhibited by the BL-VMH lesioned geese. The UL-VMH and the septal lesioned geese showed moderate increase in food intake, which eventually decreased in the UL-VMH but remained constant in the septal lesioned ones. The liver fat content of the latter groups of geese was higher than the controls. No differences were found between the controls and the group of geese lesioned in the various hypothalamic areas - excluding the VMH - in all parameters measured. While no significant differences were found in pituitary, thyroid and adrenal weights among all groups of geese, a decrease in testes weight was noted in the lesioned groups of geese as compared to the controls. The interrelationships between body weight, food intake, adiposity and liver weight are discussed.", "contents": "Involvement of the medial hypothalamus and the septal area in the control of food intake and body weight in geese. Intracranial injections of 6-OHDA were used to destroy the following brain areas of male geese: bilateral VMH-mamillary (BL-VMH), unilateral VMH (UL-VMH), septal area, and bilateral hypothalamic areas located dorsal, lateral, caudal and rostral to the VMH. The brain damage was nonspecific, destroying cell bodies as well as axons. The effects of these lesions were determined on food intake, body weight, abdominal adipose tissue, liver weight and fat content, and on selected endocrine gland weights. The highest food intake, obesity and liver weight and its fat content were exhibited by the BL-VMH lesioned geese. The UL-VMH and the septal lesioned geese showed moderate increase in food intake, which eventually decreased in the UL-VMH but remained constant in the septal lesioned ones. The liver fat content of the latter groups of geese was higher than the controls. No differences were found between the controls and the group of geese lesioned in the various hypothalamic areas - excluding the VMH - in all parameters measured. While no significant differences were found in pituitary, thyroid and adrenal weights among all groups of geese, a decrease in testes weight was noted in the lesioned groups of geese as compared to the controls. The interrelationships between body weight, food intake, adiposity and liver weight are discussed.", "PMID": 799313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11367", "title": "Inhibitory effect of midbrain raphe stimulation on the maintenance of an active avoidance reflex.", "content": "Performance of an active avoidance (bench-jumping) reflex has been studied in rats during stimulation of the midbrain raphe nuclei. Raphe stimulation (10 cps, 0.2 msec, 2.5-5.0 V) inhibited the performance of the reflex. A serotonin receptor blocker (methysergide, 2.0 mg/kg IP) increased the reflex performance in non-stimulated animals and prevented the action of raphe stimulation. The data indicate that the cerebral serotoninergic system might have an inhibitory control over the performance of conditioned avoidance reflex.", "contents": "Inhibitory effect of midbrain raphe stimulation on the maintenance of an active avoidance reflex. Performance of an active avoidance (bench-jumping) reflex has been studied in rats during stimulation of the midbrain raphe nuclei. Raphe stimulation (10 cps, 0.2 msec, 2.5-5.0 V) inhibited the performance of the reflex. A serotonin receptor blocker (methysergide, 2.0 mg/kg IP) increased the reflex performance in non-stimulated animals and prevented the action of raphe stimulation. The data indicate that the cerebral serotoninergic system might have an inhibitory control over the performance of conditioned avoidance reflex.", "PMID": 799314} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11368", "title": "Hibernation and circannual rhythms of food consumption in marmots and ground squirrels.", "content": "In order to understand better the evolution and adaptive value of hibernation, ecological aspects and experimental studies of closely related hibernators, the Marmotini, are examined. The central hypothesis is that annual changes in the environment integrate three or, perhaps, four physiological processes: torpor, reporduction, consumption of food, and metabolism. Reproduction occurs promptly after emergence from hibernation. For most species, the breeding season is very short. Although the experimental data are rather meager, no variation in external factors has consistently altered the season of reproduction. Consumption of food and change in weight increases until July or September and then decreases. The large members of the Marmotini store their energy as fat, but small species store their energy as seeds and nuts. Experiments to test the hypothesis that some aspect of the supply, such as fat content, might vary seasonally have produced negative results. Complex experiments on the length of the photoperiod on woodchucks and several species of ground squirrels failed to alter the annual cycle of consumption of food. Animals kept in constant conditions showed a cycle of about 11 months, but woodchucks sent tto Australia changed their cycle in two years to match the seasons of the southern hemisphere. Experiments with temperature and torpor and castration did not alter the annual did not alter the rhythm...", "contents": "Hibernation and circannual rhythms of food consumption in marmots and ground squirrels. In order to understand better the evolution and adaptive value of hibernation, ecological aspects and experimental studies of closely related hibernators, the Marmotini, are examined. The central hypothesis is that annual changes in the environment integrate three or, perhaps, four physiological processes: torpor, reporduction, consumption of food, and metabolism. Reproduction occurs promptly after emergence from hibernation. For most species, the breeding season is very short. Although the experimental data are rather meager, no variation in external factors has consistently altered the season of reproduction. Consumption of food and change in weight increases until July or September and then decreases. The large members of the Marmotini store their energy as fat, but small species store their energy as seeds and nuts. Experiments to test the hypothesis that some aspect of the supply, such as fat content, might vary seasonally have produced negative results. Complex experiments on the length of the photoperiod on woodchucks and several species of ground squirrels failed to alter the annual cycle of consumption of food. Animals kept in constant conditions showed a cycle of about 11 months, but woodchucks sent tto Australia changed their cycle in two years to match the seasons of the southern hemisphere. Experiments with temperature and torpor and castration did not alter the annual did not alter the rhythm...", "PMID": 799318} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11369", "title": "[Hand test as an instrument for the prediction of aggressive behavior].", "content": "The hand test it's a personality projective test. It uses ten plates, nine of which represent a hand in different positions: the plates are shown one by one, successively, and the subject is asked to express his interpretation on the activity of the hand shown there. Confronted with the tenth plate, which is white, the subject, instead, must imagine a hand and tell what it is doing; The answers are recorded together with the time of reaction and any other meaningful behaviour, then the score is computed and the interpretation is made, according to the prescribed procedures. Among the different aims pursued by this test, the first one to be reached was the forecase of aggressive behaviour. The quantitative evaluation of the probability that the subject considered could, in the future, act aggressively, is provided by the acting out score. The principle, on which is based the determination of this score, is that the probability of an exterior aggressive behaviour increases in the same way as the dominant and aggressive attitudes prevail on the attitudes for social cooperation. Grouping, then, the answers which show tendencies of the two kinds and calculating the algebraical difference between the two groups, the acting out score is obtained. Generally speaking, the studies performed have confirmed the forecasting capacity of the test. The score in question has, in fact, differentiated with remarkable approximation (up to 78%) aggressive subjects from not=aggressive ones, recidivous from not recidivous, robbers from alcoholics, etc. These results have even a bigger relief when one considers that the acting out score cannot be interpreted like a mechanical and perfect index: it has to be integrated by qualitative considerations concerning the individual under examination, his environment and the answers given.", "contents": "[Hand test as an instrument for the prediction of aggressive behavior]. The hand test it's a personality projective test. It uses ten plates, nine of which represent a hand in different positions: the plates are shown one by one, successively, and the subject is asked to express his interpretation on the activity of the hand shown there. Confronted with the tenth plate, which is white, the subject, instead, must imagine a hand and tell what it is doing; The answers are recorded together with the time of reaction and any other meaningful behaviour, then the score is computed and the interpretation is made, according to the prescribed procedures. Among the different aims pursued by this test, the first one to be reached was the forecase of aggressive behaviour. The quantitative evaluation of the probability that the subject considered could, in the future, act aggressively, is provided by the acting out score. The principle, on which is based the determination of this score, is that the probability of an exterior aggressive behaviour increases in the same way as the dominant and aggressive attitudes prevail on the attitudes for social cooperation. Grouping, then, the answers which show tendencies of the two kinds and calculating the algebraical difference between the two groups, the acting out score is obtained. Generally speaking, the studies performed have confirmed the forecasting capacity of the test. The score in question has, in fact, differentiated with remarkable approximation (up to 78%) aggressive subjects from not=aggressive ones, recidivous from not recidivous, robbers from alcoholics, etc. These results have even a bigger relief when one considers that the acting out score cannot be interpreted like a mechanical and perfect index: it has to be integrated by qualitative considerations concerning the individual under examination, his environment and the answers given.", "PMID": 799319} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11370", "title": "Plasma inhibitors of the Hageman factor dependent pathways.", "content": "The Hageman factor dependent pathways are influenced by several control proteins which modulate the extent of activation and biologic activity of these enzyme substrates (Fig. 1). C1 INH plays a prominent role by acting at the common initiating step for all three Hageman factor dependent systems and its deficiency produces disease in man. Alpha-2 macroglobulin appears to play an important role in the fibrinolytic sequence, having potent activity towards both plasminogen activator and plasmin. Antithrombin most prominently influences the state of activation of the coagulation sequence by regulating the enzymatic activities of activated Factors XI, IX and X and, most importantly, that of thrombin. Significantly, deficiency of antithrombin results in increased thrombosis in man.", "contents": "Plasma inhibitors of the Hageman factor dependent pathways. The Hageman factor dependent pathways are influenced by several control proteins which modulate the extent of activation and biologic activity of these enzyme substrates (Fig. 1). C1 INH plays a prominent role by acting at the common initiating step for all three Hageman factor dependent systems and its deficiency produces disease in man. Alpha-2 macroglobulin appears to play an important role in the fibrinolytic sequence, having potent activity towards both plasminogen activator and plasmin. Antithrombin most prominently influences the state of activation of the coagulation sequence by regulating the enzymatic activities of activated Factors XI, IX and X and, most importantly, that of thrombin. Significantly, deficiency of antithrombin results in increased thrombosis in man.", "PMID": 799348} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11371", "title": "Cytochemical and cytoenzymatic investigations in the management of leukemias.", "content": "The value of certain cytochemical and cytoenzymatic investigations in the management of leukemias is discussed in different types of acute or chronic leukemias. Among the data resulting from cytochemical methods those related to cellular biochemical components such as DNA, RNA, glycogen and lipids are particularly noteworthy. The results of cytoenzymatic investigations have stressed the necessity of knowing the activity of certain enzymes such as peroxidases, alkaline and acid phosphatases, beta-glucuronidase, succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase a.o. The prospective value of enzymes such as dehydrofolate reductase, DNA and RNA polymerases, DNA and RNA-ases a.o. in the management of leukemias is also mentioned.", "contents": "Cytochemical and cytoenzymatic investigations in the management of leukemias. The value of certain cytochemical and cytoenzymatic investigations in the management of leukemias is discussed in different types of acute or chronic leukemias. Among the data resulting from cytochemical methods those related to cellular biochemical components such as DNA, RNA, glycogen and lipids are particularly noteworthy. The results of cytoenzymatic investigations have stressed the necessity of knowing the activity of certain enzymes such as peroxidases, alkaline and acid phosphatases, beta-glucuronidase, succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase a.o. The prospective value of enzymes such as dehydrofolate reductase, DNA and RNA polymerases, DNA and RNA-ases a.o. in the management of leukemias is also mentioned.", "PMID": 799343} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11372", "title": "[Anatomo-clinical considerations on cerebral sarcomas].", "content": "The Authors present six cases of sarcoma of the brain. After doing a short review of the cases described in literature, they discuss the clinical anathomo-pathological and terapeutic aspects of these peculiar tumours.", "contents": "[Anatomo-clinical considerations on cerebral sarcomas]. The Authors present six cases of sarcoma of the brain. After doing a short review of the cases described in literature, they discuss the clinical anathomo-pathological and terapeutic aspects of these peculiar tumours.", "PMID": 799342} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11373", "title": "Contrasts in HMO and fee-for-service performance.", "content": "This study compares various aspects of HMO performance in 10 plans with that of the fee-for-service system for the Medicaid population. Additionally, it examines utilization differences between several types of HMO's, grouped according to organization and provider payment. Four areas of behavior were studied--enrollment selectivity, utilization of services, accessibility of care, and satisfaction. The only significant difference between the two systems was in hospital utilization. Group-practice MNO's had significantly lower hospital utilization than the fee-for-service groups: foundation HMO's did not. This difference seems to indicate that capitation payment to an HMO alone is not significant enough to produce major changes in utilization and that the organized multispecialty group-practice arrangement with largely salaried physicians may be more significant. For the other variables--previous health status, ambulatory-care use (including preventive care), accessibility, and satisfaction--the two groups were remarkably similar.", "contents": "Contrasts in HMO and fee-for-service performance. This study compares various aspects of HMO performance in 10 plans with that of the fee-for-service system for the Medicaid population. Additionally, it examines utilization differences between several types of HMO's, grouped according to organization and provider payment. Four areas of behavior were studied--enrollment selectivity, utilization of services, accessibility of care, and satisfaction. The only significant difference between the two systems was in hospital utilization. Group-practice MNO's had significantly lower hospital utilization than the fee-for-service groups: foundation HMO's did not. This difference seems to indicate that capitation payment to an HMO alone is not significant enough to produce major changes in utilization and that the organized multispecialty group-practice arrangement with largely salaried physicians may be more significant. For the other variables--previous health status, ambulatory-care use (including preventive care), accessibility, and satisfaction--the two groups were remarkably similar.", "PMID": 799362} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11374", "title": "Some psychological reflections on the death of Malcolm Melville.", "content": "Malcolm Melville died on September 12, 1867, at age 18 from--to quote his death certificate--a \"pistol shot wound in (his) right temporal region.\" Contemporary designations of the mode of his death changed within hours from suicide, to accident, to death while of unsound mind. Historically, the mode of his death has remained equivocal. In order to approach this enigma a \"psychological autopsy\" of an equivocal death case as identical to Malcolm Melville's as was possible was conducted as though it were a genuine current \"open\" case at the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center in 1973. That procedure resulted in a near-unanimous judgment by the center staff that the most accurate certification of the death as described was \"probable suicide,\" which would then be certified as \"suicide.\" In this paper the assertion is made that Herman Melville himself had been a psychologically \"battered child\" and, in a way typical for battered children, psychologically battered his own children when it came his turn to be a parent. The further assertion is made that, for Malcolm, his father was suicidogenic; and established this penchant in Malcolm (through his neglect, active rejection, fearsomeness, and his fixed attention to his own writing--Redburn, White Jacket, and Moby Dick) within the first 2 years of Malcolm's life. For Malcolm, the psychological basis of his suicidal state was isolated desperation--a ubiquitous characteristic of most suicides. Malcolm had a deep unconscious feeling of not being wanted by his father; that it would be better if he were out of the way, dead. On the morning of his death, the choice for Malcolm was between the memory of his mother's kiss a few hours before and the terror of (and the need to protect himself against) his father's rage to come.", "contents": "Some psychological reflections on the death of Malcolm Melville. Malcolm Melville died on September 12, 1867, at age 18 from--to quote his death certificate--a \"pistol shot wound in (his) right temporal region.\" Contemporary designations of the mode of his death changed within hours from suicide, to accident, to death while of unsound mind. Historically, the mode of his death has remained equivocal. In order to approach this enigma a \"psychological autopsy\" of an equivocal death case as identical to Malcolm Melville's as was possible was conducted as though it were a genuine current \"open\" case at the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center in 1973. That procedure resulted in a near-unanimous judgment by the center staff that the most accurate certification of the death as described was \"probable suicide,\" which would then be certified as \"suicide.\" In this paper the assertion is made that Herman Melville himself had been a psychologically \"battered child\" and, in a way typical for battered children, psychologically battered his own children when it came his turn to be a parent. The further assertion is made that, for Malcolm, his father was suicidogenic; and established this penchant in Malcolm (through his neglect, active rejection, fearsomeness, and his fixed attention to his own writing--Redburn, White Jacket, and Moby Dick) within the first 2 years of Malcolm's life. For Malcolm, the psychological basis of his suicidal state was isolated desperation--a ubiquitous characteristic of most suicides. Malcolm had a deep unconscious feeling of not being wanted by his father; that it would be better if he were out of the way, dead. On the morning of his death, the choice for Malcolm was between the memory of his mother's kiss a few hours before and the terror of (and the need to protect himself against) his father's rage to come.", "PMID": 799381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11375", "title": "Clinical trial of pimozide.", "content": "Pimozide and Chlorpromazine were compared in chronic schizophrenics for their therapeutic effectiveness and tolerance, for four-weeks in both cases and for twelve months for pimozide. The minimum and maximum doses were 1 mg to 4 mg single dose for pimozide and 100 to 200 mg thrice daily for chlorpromazine. No significant global differences between the range of therapeutic activity of the two regimens were observed. Slightly more improvement was observed in mood and motor activity with pimozide. Drowsiness and dizziness, and extrapyramidal effects were more prominent with clorpromazine. Other side effects were infrequent. A prolonged improvement in 8 pimozide patients was maintained with mainly weight gain. The advantages of pimozide in chronic unsocialized schizophrenics appear to rest on its single oral daily dose regime, minimal undersirable effects, its specific enhancement of social integration and absence of undersirable effect on mental and physical performance.", "contents": "Clinical trial of pimozide. Pimozide and Chlorpromazine were compared in chronic schizophrenics for their therapeutic effectiveness and tolerance, for four-weeks in both cases and for twelve months for pimozide. The minimum and maximum doses were 1 mg to 4 mg single dose for pimozide and 100 to 200 mg thrice daily for chlorpromazine. No significant global differences between the range of therapeutic activity of the two regimens were observed. Slightly more improvement was observed in mood and motor activity with pimozide. Drowsiness and dizziness, and extrapyramidal effects were more prominent with clorpromazine. Other side effects were infrequent. A prolonged improvement in 8 pimozide patients was maintained with mainly weight gain. The advantages of pimozide in chronic unsocialized schizophrenics appear to rest on its single oral daily dose regime, minimal undersirable effects, its specific enhancement of social integration and absence of undersirable effect on mental and physical performance.", "PMID": 799401} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11376", "title": "Clinical trial of pivampicillin hydrochloride (alphacillin) in gonorrhoea.", "content": "Pivampicillin, a new derivative of ampicillin, which has been found to give higher blood levels than corresponding doses of oral ampicillin has been tried in the treatment of 40 consecutive cases of uncomplicated gonorrhoea. 37 (92.5%) patients had bacteriological cure while the combined bacteriological and clinical curate rate was 85%. Few minor adverse reactions were recorded during therapy. It is concluded that pivampicillin is effective in the treatment of gonorrhoea but its efficacy could be further enhanced by the addition of probenecid. The economic importance and convenience of the single dose therapy, particularly in developing countries are briefly discussed.", "contents": "Clinical trial of pivampicillin hydrochloride (alphacillin) in gonorrhoea. Pivampicillin, a new derivative of ampicillin, which has been found to give higher blood levels than corresponding doses of oral ampicillin has been tried in the treatment of 40 consecutive cases of uncomplicated gonorrhoea. 37 (92.5%) patients had bacteriological cure while the combined bacteriological and clinical curate rate was 85%. Few minor adverse reactions were recorded during therapy. It is concluded that pivampicillin is effective in the treatment of gonorrhoea but its efficacy could be further enhanced by the addition of probenecid. The economic importance and convenience of the single dose therapy, particularly in developing countries are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 799402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11377", "title": "An open trial of prazosin in the treatment of hypertension.", "content": "An open trial of prazosin has been conducted among 18 males aged 18-68 years (mean 42.7) and 22 females aged 23-70 years (mean 47.5) seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital Hypertension Clinic. 3 suffered from mild to moderate hypertension and 9 suffered from severe hypertension. The dose employed ranged from 2 to 60 mg per day in 2 or 3 divided doses. All 6 patients whose placebo diastolic pressure was below 100 mm Hg gave excellent response. 19(76%) of the 25 patients whose placebo diastolic pressure ranged from 100 to 114 mm Hg gave excellent response. Only 3 to 9 patients whose placebo diastolic pressure ranged from 115 to 129 mm Hg gave excellent response. There was improved response when polythiazide 2 mg daily was added to the treatment. The total number giving excellent response increased from 28 (70%) to 36 (90%). In 3 cases (7.5%), the response was fair and one case (2.5%) remained poor. In most cases there was slight increase in pulse rate. The side effects encountered included palpitation in 8 patients 3 of whom also had postural hypotension. There were no biochemical or haematological abnormalities caused by prazosin but on continued therapy 16 patients developed tolerance to its effect. Thus prazusin has been found to be useful addition to the antihypertensive arm amentarium.", "contents": "An open trial of prazosin in the treatment of hypertension. An open trial of prazosin has been conducted among 18 males aged 18-68 years (mean 42.7) and 22 females aged 23-70 years (mean 47.5) seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital Hypertension Clinic. 3 suffered from mild to moderate hypertension and 9 suffered from severe hypertension. The dose employed ranged from 2 to 60 mg per day in 2 or 3 divided doses. All 6 patients whose placebo diastolic pressure was below 100 mm Hg gave excellent response. 19(76%) of the 25 patients whose placebo diastolic pressure ranged from 100 to 114 mm Hg gave excellent response. Only 3 to 9 patients whose placebo diastolic pressure ranged from 115 to 129 mm Hg gave excellent response. There was improved response when polythiazide 2 mg daily was added to the treatment. The total number giving excellent response increased from 28 (70%) to 36 (90%). In 3 cases (7.5%), the response was fair and one case (2.5%) remained poor. In most cases there was slight increase in pulse rate. The side effects encountered included palpitation in 8 patients 3 of whom also had postural hypotension. There were no biochemical or haematological abnormalities caused by prazosin but on continued therapy 16 patients developed tolerance to its effect. Thus prazusin has been found to be useful addition to the antihypertensive arm amentarium.", "PMID": 799403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11378", "title": "[Surgery of expiratory stenosis of the thoracic part of the trachea and main bronchi (author's transl)].", "content": "Expiratory stenosis of the trachea and the main bronchi is caused first of all by slackening of the pars membranacea in rarer cases by tracheomalacia or tracheomegalia. Often it is associated with other respiratory diseases above all tracheobronchitis, emphysema and pneumosclerosis. Predominant clinical symptoms are dyspnoea, barking cough and attacks of suffocation. X-ray-pictures in several diameters and levels and bronchological examinations are crucial for securiting the diagnosis. Among 95 patients of all age groups 14 were operated on predominantly according to the method of NISSEN. Operation is contradicted in stages of severe emphysema with respiratory insufficiency of bilateral pulmonary tuberculosis or of chronic bronchitis. In 10 patients a good result was achieved by the operation.", "contents": "[Surgery of expiratory stenosis of the thoracic part of the trachea and main bronchi (author's transl)]. Expiratory stenosis of the trachea and the main bronchi is caused first of all by slackening of the pars membranacea in rarer cases by tracheomalacia or tracheomegalia. Often it is associated with other respiratory diseases above all tracheobronchitis, emphysema and pneumosclerosis. Predominant clinical symptoms are dyspnoea, barking cough and attacks of suffocation. X-ray-pictures in several diameters and levels and bronchological examinations are crucial for securiting the diagnosis. Among 95 patients of all age groups 14 were operated on predominantly according to the method of NISSEN. Operation is contradicted in stages of severe emphysema with respiratory insufficiency of bilateral pulmonary tuberculosis or of chronic bronchitis. In 10 patients a good result was achieved by the operation.", "PMID": 799406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11379", "title": "[Stages of development of aspergillus-mycetom and their roentgenographic signs (author's transl)].", "content": "A series of 13 cases of aspergillus-infection in the respiratory tract are reviewed. A case of rapid development of an intrapleural aspergillus-mycetom is presented. A complete series of chest roentgenograms and operation-photos allowed to demonstrate like with a quick-motion apparatus 3 stages of development of an intrapleural aspergillus-myceton: I. Infection through Aspergilli of a residual intrapleural cavity by the bronchial way. Pleural thickening as reaction to the irritation. II. Development of fungus-lawn and mycotic layers on the cavity-wall. III. Scaling off from the wall and moulding to the fungus-ball through movement of human body. Each of the three stages can be coordinated to a roentgenographic sign. The detection in an early stage of development makes it possible to treat the aspergillus-mycetom also by conservative methods, f. i. with a Pimafucin-Suspension (Natamycin) by aerososl.", "contents": "[Stages of development of aspergillus-mycetom and their roentgenographic signs (author's transl)]. A series of 13 cases of aspergillus-infection in the respiratory tract are reviewed. A case of rapid development of an intrapleural aspergillus-mycetom is presented. A complete series of chest roentgenograms and operation-photos allowed to demonstrate like with a quick-motion apparatus 3 stages of development of an intrapleural aspergillus-myceton: I. Infection through Aspergilli of a residual intrapleural cavity by the bronchial way. Pleural thickening as reaction to the irritation. II. Development of fungus-lawn and mycotic layers on the cavity-wall. III. Scaling off from the wall and moulding to the fungus-ball through movement of human body. Each of the three stages can be coordinated to a roentgenographic sign. The detection in an early stage of development makes it possible to treat the aspergillus-mycetom also by conservative methods, f. i. with a Pimafucin-Suspension (Natamycin) by aerososl.", "PMID": 799407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11380", "title": "[Experimental kidney preservation for 30 hours in Collins' solution: angiographical and isotope nephrographical findings after autotransplantation].", "content": "In experiment canine kidneys preserved in Collins' solution can be kept vital for 30 hours. Angiography after autotransplantation of these kidneys shows good circulation during the immediate postoperative period. Isotope nephrography reveals reversible damage of tubuli which disappears till the 28th day after operation. This procedure of preservation causes tubular damage but does not impair the parenchymatous blood supply. Tubular regeneration therefore is possible.", "contents": "[Experimental kidney preservation for 30 hours in Collins' solution: angiographical and isotope nephrographical findings after autotransplantation]. In experiment canine kidneys preserved in Collins' solution can be kept vital for 30 hours. Angiography after autotransplantation of these kidneys shows good circulation during the immediate postoperative period. Isotope nephrography reveals reversible damage of tubuli which disappears till the 28th day after operation. This procedure of preservation causes tubular damage but does not impair the parenchymatous blood supply. Tubular regeneration therefore is possible.", "PMID": 799409} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11381", "title": "[Analysis of several clinical, morphologic and biochemical responses to vaccination from the point of view of normal and pathologic conditions].", "content": "Induction of specific immunity under the effect of the antigens is unthinkable without the participation in this process of the reticuloendothelial system, other organs and systems of the vaccinated organism with the inversion of the total immunological reactivity of the vaccinated individual. Of great significance for the success of a definite vaccination is correlation of the functions of specific and nonspecific immunity. At the same time, counting many changes in the organs and systems of the person vaccinated as natural and necessary, one should also consider possibilities of a number of unfavourable side-reactions following vaccination as a result of some causes. The survey analyzes the principal immunobiological indices of the vaccinated organism and also assesses their established or probable role in the immunity system.", "contents": "[Analysis of several clinical, morphologic and biochemical responses to vaccination from the point of view of normal and pathologic conditions]. Induction of specific immunity under the effect of the antigens is unthinkable without the participation in this process of the reticuloendothelial system, other organs and systems of the vaccinated organism with the inversion of the total immunological reactivity of the vaccinated individual. Of great significance for the success of a definite vaccination is correlation of the functions of specific and nonspecific immunity. At the same time, counting many changes in the organs and systems of the person vaccinated as natural and necessary, one should also consider possibilities of a number of unfavourable side-reactions following vaccination as a result of some causes. The survey analyzes the principal immunobiological indices of the vaccinated organism and also assesses their established or probable role in the immunity system.", "PMID": 799449} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11382", "title": "[Production and characteristics of glycerin mutants of S. typhimurium].", "content": "S. typhimurium glycerine mutants-gly 90 and gly 87 were obtained under the action of ethylmethanesulfonate. The mutants obtained were characterized by the site of block in the course of glycerine utilization:gly 90 mutant bore the mutation in the glp K-gene, this leading to the defect by glycerokinase-the enzyme of the first stage of glycerine metabolism; gly 87 mutant had derangements in the other stage of glycerine utilization. Both mutants lost their capacity to induce keratoconjunctivitis in guinea pigs, but differed by the LD50 value in intraperitoneal infection of albino mice (y gly 87--5 cells, y gly 90--1x10(7) cells).", "contents": "[Production and characteristics of glycerin mutants of S. typhimurium]. S. typhimurium glycerine mutants-gly 90 and gly 87 were obtained under the action of ethylmethanesulfonate. The mutants obtained were characterized by the site of block in the course of glycerine utilization:gly 90 mutant bore the mutation in the glp K-gene, this leading to the defect by glycerokinase-the enzyme of the first stage of glycerine metabolism; gly 87 mutant had derangements in the other stage of glycerine utilization. Both mutants lost their capacity to induce keratoconjunctivitis in guinea pigs, but differed by the LD50 value in intraperitoneal infection of albino mice (y gly 87--5 cells, y gly 90--1x10(7) cells).", "PMID": 799451} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11383", "title": "[Ultrastructure of cells comprising an intact population of several strains of S. typhimurium and E. coli].", "content": "The authors describe the ultrastructure of cells composing the intact population of several S. typhimurium and E. coli strains. Four morphological cell variants were revealed in the population of three salmonella strains. Cells of the first variant had the structure characteristic of all the Gram negative bacteria, and smooth contour surface structures, among which the membrane of the cell wall, its rigid component and the cytoplasmic membrane were differentiated readily. The second variant differed from the first one by the presence of deep individual folds of the surface structures invaginating into the cell. In comparison with the former two types of cells, the two latter variants were characterized by a lesser size, dense cytoplasm and a marked tortuosity of the cell contours in which only the wall components could be revealed. It is supposed that the fourth variant had a structure characteristic of the R-form of cells, the first one--of the S-form, and the second and third variants could be referred to the transitional S leads to R-forms. Increased density of the cytoplasm and rugose character of the surface structures could be attributed to increased dehydration of the cytoplasm of the dissociating cells. No marked polymorphism was revealed in the E. coli cells.", "contents": "[Ultrastructure of cells comprising an intact population of several strains of S. typhimurium and E. coli]. The authors describe the ultrastructure of cells composing the intact population of several S. typhimurium and E. coli strains. Four morphological cell variants were revealed in the population of three salmonella strains. Cells of the first variant had the structure characteristic of all the Gram negative bacteria, and smooth contour surface structures, among which the membrane of the cell wall, its rigid component and the cytoplasmic membrane were differentiated readily. The second variant differed from the first one by the presence of deep individual folds of the surface structures invaginating into the cell. In comparison with the former two types of cells, the two latter variants were characterized by a lesser size, dense cytoplasm and a marked tortuosity of the cell contours in which only the wall components could be revealed. It is supposed that the fourth variant had a structure characteristic of the R-form of cells, the first one--of the S-form, and the second and third variants could be referred to the transitional S leads to R-forms. Increased density of the cytoplasm and rugose character of the surface structures could be attributed to increased dehydration of the cytoplasm of the dissociating cells. No marked polymorphism was revealed in the E. coli cells.", "PMID": 799452} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11384", "title": "Oxidoreductases and hydrolases as marker enzymes for ultracentrifugation of islets of Langerhans of rats.", "content": "Using quantitative fluorometric micro methods the presence of glutamate dehydrogenase, acid galactosidase, and acid glucuronidase was detected in pancreatic islets of the rat. Some properties of these enzymes and of malate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and acid phosphatase were investigated. It has been shown that subcellular fractions of homogenates of islets of Langerhans can be characterized by using glutamate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and acid hydrolases as marker enzymes for mitochondria, cytosol, and lysosomes, respectively. The degree of contamination from acinar tissue in the islet preparations was calculated from the amylase activity of the homogenates.", "contents": "Oxidoreductases and hydrolases as marker enzymes for ultracentrifugation of islets of Langerhans of rats. Using quantitative fluorometric micro methods the presence of glutamate dehydrogenase, acid galactosidase, and acid glucuronidase was detected in pancreatic islets of the rat. Some properties of these enzymes and of malate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and acid phosphatase were investigated. It has been shown that subcellular fractions of homogenates of islets of Langerhans can be characterized by using glutamate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and acid hydrolases as marker enzymes for mitochondria, cytosol, and lysosomes, respectively. The degree of contamination from acinar tissue in the islet preparations was calculated from the amylase activity of the homogenates.", "PMID": 799453} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11385", "title": "[(Pro)insulin biosynthesis of isolated islands of Langerhans in the sand rat and Wistar rat].", "content": "Sand rats develop a diabetes-like syndrome, connected with temporary hyperinsulinism, when fed a rat laboratory chow diet. The conversion of proinsulin to insulin is not disturbed in these animals. Sand rat islets do not secrete newly synthesized (pro) insulin preferentially. Time course and glucose response of [3H]-leucine incorporation are different between islets of sand rats and Wistar rats.", "contents": "[(Pro)insulin biosynthesis of isolated islands of Langerhans in the sand rat and Wistar rat]. Sand rats develop a diabetes-like syndrome, connected with temporary hyperinsulinism, when fed a rat laboratory chow diet. The conversion of proinsulin to insulin is not disturbed in these animals. Sand rat islets do not secrete newly synthesized (pro) insulin preferentially. Time course and glucose response of [3H]-leucine incorporation are different between islets of sand rats and Wistar rats.", "PMID": 799454} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11386", "title": "Prevention of thrombo-embolic disease in emergencies.", "content": "The prevention of thrombo-embolic disease in general surgery has well been codified during the recent years, by means of the use of subcutaneous heparine in the pre- and postoperative periods. This therapeutic effort can not be applied to traumatological patients as the formation of the thrombus occurs at the same time of the accident and not at the moment of intervention. Good results were however obtained by the systematic use of subcutaneous heparine at the early moment emergency treatment and by increasing eventually the dose in case of thrombosis, to maintain a franc hypocoagulability. The frequency of injection, dosage and results obtained are described. (Acta anaesth. belg., 1976, 27, 69-81).", "contents": "Prevention of thrombo-embolic disease in emergencies. The prevention of thrombo-embolic disease in general surgery has well been codified during the recent years, by means of the use of subcutaneous heparine in the pre- and postoperative periods. This therapeutic effort can not be applied to traumatological patients as the formation of the thrombus occurs at the same time of the accident and not at the moment of intervention. Good results were however obtained by the systematic use of subcutaneous heparine at the early moment emergency treatment and by increasing eventually the dose in case of thrombosis, to maintain a franc hypocoagulability. The frequency of injection, dosage and results obtained are described. (Acta anaesth. belg., 1976, 27, 69-81).", "PMID": 799458} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11387", "title": "Neurobiology of piperidine: its relevance to CNS function.", "content": "Piperidine is a normal constituent in mammalian brain, affects synaptic mechanism in the CNS, and influences neural mechanisms governing regulation of emotional behavior, sleeping, and extrapyramidal function. In addition, there are enzyme systems within the brain that synthesize and metabolize piperidine, and uptake and storage mechanisms for piperidine are found in the nerve endings. In conclusions, piperidine seems to be intimately connected with the neuronal function of the brain.", "contents": "Neurobiology of piperidine: its relevance to CNS function. Piperidine is a normal constituent in mammalian brain, affects synaptic mechanism in the CNS, and influences neural mechanisms governing regulation of emotional behavior, sleeping, and extrapyramidal function. In addition, there are enzyme systems within the brain that synthesize and metabolize piperidine, and uptake and storage mechanisms for piperidine are found in the nerve endings. In conclusions, piperidine seems to be intimately connected with the neuronal function of the brain.", "PMID": 799462} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11388", "title": "Octopamine as a putative neurotransmitter.", "content": "Octopamine is a normally occurring amine in nervous tissues in many species of animals. In mammals, octopamine is formed from tyramine through beta-hydroxylation by DBH in the sympathetic nerves, and it is partially stored in nerve endings with a subcellular distribution similar to that of NE. It is capable of replacing NE in its storage sites, and it is released by sympathetic nerve stimulation. High concentrations are found in the crustacean central nerve cord. Specific octopamine-containing cells have been identified in Aplysia and other lower animals. On the basis of neurophysiological evidence, the existence of specific octopamine receptors in Aplysia has been postulated. In insects, octopamine produces specific biochemical responses such as increased synthesis of cyclic AMP and phosphorylase activation. The present evidence strongly suggests that octopamine may function as a neurotransmitter in lower animals. Although the physiological role of this amine has not been established in mammals, it appears likely that octopamine may function as a cotransmitter together with NE in the peripheral sympathetic nervous system.", "contents": "Octopamine as a putative neurotransmitter. Octopamine is a normally occurring amine in nervous tissues in many species of animals. In mammals, octopamine is formed from tyramine through beta-hydroxylation by DBH in the sympathetic nerves, and it is partially stored in nerve endings with a subcellular distribution similar to that of NE. It is capable of replacing NE in its storage sites, and it is released by sympathetic nerve stimulation. High concentrations are found in the crustacean central nerve cord. Specific octopamine-containing cells have been identified in Aplysia and other lower animals. On the basis of neurophysiological evidence, the existence of specific octopamine receptors in Aplysia has been postulated. In insects, octopamine produces specific biochemical responses such as increased synthesis of cyclic AMP and phosphorylase activation. The present evidence strongly suggests that octopamine may function as a neurotransmitter in lower animals. Although the physiological role of this amine has not been established in mammals, it appears likely that octopamine may function as a cotransmitter together with NE in the peripheral sympathetic nervous system.", "PMID": 799466} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11389", "title": "Immunological aspects of hepatitis B virus infection.", "content": "Infection of man and chimpanzees with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with diffuse hepatocellular infection and variable manifestations of disease which may not only reflect the character of the host immune response, but also depend upon differences in the cellular biology of this minimally cytopathic or noncytopathic agent. The presence of hepatocellular injury and the course of disease do not appear to be related to the presence of viral antigens in hepatocytes or to the specific pattern of genome expression. HBV infection is typically associated with both humoral and cellular immune responses to viral and hepatocellular antigens. Whereas cellular effector systems may be responsible for immunologically mediated hepatocellular injury, the patterns of viral antigen synthesis and expression may be modulated by the humoral immune response. Aberration of lymphocyte function occurs during acute hepatitis type B. Thymus-derived lymphocyte function is abnormal and is associated with persistent humoral suppression of T lymphocyte function during the development of the chronic carrier state. Extrahepatic disease appears attributable to the formation and deposition of HBS Ag-antibody complexes. Current information of the biology and immunology of HBV and other viruses has been integrated into a hypothesis to explain the pathogenesis of injury and events associated with persistent infection. Hepatocellular injury and persistence of viral synthesis may be determined by the regulation of synthesis and hepatocyte surface expression of viral and cellular antigens as well as by the specificity and character of the host immune response. Termination of HBV infection is viewed as suppression of viral genome rather than eradication of infected cells.", "contents": "Immunological aspects of hepatitis B virus infection. Infection of man and chimpanzees with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with diffuse hepatocellular infection and variable manifestations of disease which may not only reflect the character of the host immune response, but also depend upon differences in the cellular biology of this minimally cytopathic or noncytopathic agent. The presence of hepatocellular injury and the course of disease do not appear to be related to the presence of viral antigens in hepatocytes or to the specific pattern of genome expression. HBV infection is typically associated with both humoral and cellular immune responses to viral and hepatocellular antigens. Whereas cellular effector systems may be responsible for immunologically mediated hepatocellular injury, the patterns of viral antigen synthesis and expression may be modulated by the humoral immune response. Aberration of lymphocyte function occurs during acute hepatitis type B. Thymus-derived lymphocyte function is abnormal and is associated with persistent humoral suppression of T lymphocyte function during the development of the chronic carrier state. Extrahepatic disease appears attributable to the formation and deposition of HBS Ag-antibody complexes. Current information of the biology and immunology of HBV and other viruses has been integrated into a hypothesis to explain the pathogenesis of injury and events associated with persistent infection. Hepatocellular injury and persistence of viral synthesis may be determined by the regulation of synthesis and hepatocyte surface expression of viral and cellular antigens as well as by the specificity and character of the host immune response. Termination of HBV infection is viewed as suppression of viral genome rather than eradication of infected cells.", "PMID": 799469} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11390", "title": "Physiological effects of respiratory failure after paediatric surgery.", "content": "Having taking into consideration those pathological conditions in which great difficulties are encountered during the conduction of artificial ventilation the author describes a simple method for investigating the volume of the lungs by means of whole-body plethysmography. A modified Drinker's respirator was used as a plethysmograph. In studies of children after cordiosurgical operations CPAP was found to be particularly useful for improving arterial blood oxgenation in cases with low pulmonary compliance. The method led to a clinically observed reduction of respiratory work. Hypoxia during ventilation with a high-oxygen mixture may depend on a decreased pulmonary volume and the aim of treatment should be to improve this condition.", "contents": "Physiological effects of respiratory failure after paediatric surgery. Having taking into consideration those pathological conditions in which great difficulties are encountered during the conduction of artificial ventilation the author describes a simple method for investigating the volume of the lungs by means of whole-body plethysmography. A modified Drinker's respirator was used as a plethysmograph. In studies of children after cordiosurgical operations CPAP was found to be particularly useful for improving arterial blood oxgenation in cases with low pulmonary compliance. The method led to a clinically observed reduction of respiratory work. Hypoxia during ventilation with a high-oxygen mixture may depend on a decreased pulmonary volume and the aim of treatment should be to improve this condition.", "PMID": 799473} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11391", "title": "The management of respiratory failure in paediatrics.", "content": "Following a discussion on the most frequent causes of respiratory failure in children and the principles of its treatment the author presents methods of preventing the complications of prolonged endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy performed on special indications. Particular attention has been paid to careful nursing and adequate humidification of respiratory gases. Moreover the avoiding of tightly-fitting endotracheal tubes and the method of their fixation -- as established at the author's hospital -- are of basic importance for the maintenance of uncomplicated intubation for even several weeks. In the treatment of respiratory failure the use of CPAP and PEEP is helpful. An exact knowledge of the mechanics of respiration in children and its correct evaluation are of greater significance when using various methods of controlled respiration than a selection of a respirator model.", "contents": "The management of respiratory failure in paediatrics. Following a discussion on the most frequent causes of respiratory failure in children and the principles of its treatment the author presents methods of preventing the complications of prolonged endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy performed on special indications. Particular attention has been paid to careful nursing and adequate humidification of respiratory gases. Moreover the avoiding of tightly-fitting endotracheal tubes and the method of their fixation -- as established at the author's hospital -- are of basic importance for the maintenance of uncomplicated intubation for even several weeks. In the treatment of respiratory failure the use of CPAP and PEEP is helpful. An exact knowledge of the mechanics of respiration in children and its correct evaluation are of greater significance when using various methods of controlled respiration than a selection of a respirator model.", "PMID": 799472} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11392", "title": "[A rapid assay of Sindbis virus infectivity by counting immunofluorescence foci in \"Aedes albopictus\" cell culture (author's transl)].", "content": "The Aedes albopictus cell line is susceptible to numerous arboviruses but the appearance of cytopathic effect is observed mostly with flavivirus. A method of rapid titration of Sindbis virus by counting immunofluorescent foci is described, using this cell line.", "contents": "[A rapid assay of Sindbis virus infectivity by counting immunofluorescence foci in \"Aedes albopictus\" cell culture (author's transl)]. The Aedes albopictus cell line is susceptible to numerous arboviruses but the appearance of cytopathic effect is observed mostly with flavivirus. A method of rapid titration of Sindbis virus by counting immunofluorescent foci is described, using this cell line.", "PMID": 799476} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11393", "title": "On the serological relationship between Salmonella O-groups 48 and 64 and the corresponding Arizona O-groups 5 and 29 which would justify a merger of these groups.", "content": "In 1963 Kauffmann divided O-group Y (O:48) of the Kauffmann-White schema into 3 sub-groups, e.g. 48(1),48(2) (S. dahlem), 48(1),48(2),48(3) (S. djakarta), 48(1),48(3),48(4) (Citrobacter 2624/36). He also recommended the use of the two serotypes S. dahlem and S. djakarta for the preparation of a diagnostic group-serum. At that time, serological relations--especially O-antigenic relations (and even some identities)--between the separate Salmonella and Arizona genera were known, viz. between the Salmonella group O:48 and the Arizona group O:5. It has now been found that there exist also close serological relations between the Salmonella O-groups 48 and 64 on the one hand and to the corresponding Arizona O-groups 5 and 29 on the other hand, in connection with which the special factor 48(4) defined by Kauffmann in the Citrobacter culture 2624/36 enbraces the whole Salmonella group O:64 (Arizona group O:29). Therefore, every Salmonella O:64 strain and Arizona O:29 serotype respectively can be agglutinated with factor-serum 48(4), defined by Kauffmann. A special O:64 serum is no longer required. The Salmonella antigen 64 (Arizona O:29 or O:5,29) has as a rule the partial antigens 48(1),48(3),48(4) (Arizona O:29). Only a few serotypes do not possess factor 48(3): their components are 48(1) and 48(4) (Arizona O:29). The evidence of our findings demonstrates that the Salmonella O-group 64 (Arizona O:29) should be combined with O-group 48 (Arizona O:5) and erased from the original Kauffmann-White schema and the Arizona antigenic schema to avoid a wrong diagnosis.", "contents": "On the serological relationship between Salmonella O-groups 48 and 64 and the corresponding Arizona O-groups 5 and 29 which would justify a merger of these groups. In 1963 Kauffmann divided O-group Y (O:48) of the Kauffmann-White schema into 3 sub-groups, e.g. 48(1),48(2) (S. dahlem), 48(1),48(2),48(3) (S. djakarta), 48(1),48(3),48(4) (Citrobacter 2624/36). He also recommended the use of the two serotypes S. dahlem and S. djakarta for the preparation of a diagnostic group-serum. At that time, serological relations--especially O-antigenic relations (and even some identities)--between the separate Salmonella and Arizona genera were known, viz. between the Salmonella group O:48 and the Arizona group O:5. It has now been found that there exist also close serological relations between the Salmonella O-groups 48 and 64 on the one hand and to the corresponding Arizona O-groups 5 and 29 on the other hand, in connection with which the special factor 48(4) defined by Kauffmann in the Citrobacter culture 2624/36 enbraces the whole Salmonella group O:64 (Arizona group O:29). Therefore, every Salmonella O:64 strain and Arizona O:29 serotype respectively can be agglutinated with factor-serum 48(4), defined by Kauffmann. A special O:64 serum is no longer required. The Salmonella antigen 64 (Arizona O:29 or O:5,29) has as a rule the partial antigens 48(1),48(3),48(4) (Arizona O:29). Only a few serotypes do not possess factor 48(3): their components are 48(1) and 48(4) (Arizona O:29). The evidence of our findings demonstrates that the Salmonella O-group 64 (Arizona O:29) should be combined with O-group 48 (Arizona O:5) and erased from the original Kauffmann-White schema and the Arizona antigenic schema to avoid a wrong diagnosis.", "PMID": 799475} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11394", "title": "[Structure of drug resistance in Staphylococci].", "content": "The structure of drug resistance was studied on 2788 clinical strains of staphylococci isolated from various materials of patients with purulent-inflammatory processes, stuff and environment within 12 years from 1968 to 1973. The number of staphylococci resistant to tetracycline increased 13 times among the cultures with resistance marker, while the number of staphylococci resistant to penicillin decreased 1-8 times. The study of the complex resistance revealed the predominance of staphylococci with tetracycline resistance structure (60-5 percent).", "contents": "[Structure of drug resistance in Staphylococci]. The structure of drug resistance was studied on 2788 clinical strains of staphylococci isolated from various materials of patients with purulent-inflammatory processes, stuff and environment within 12 years from 1968 to 1973. The number of staphylococci resistant to tetracycline increased 13 times among the cultures with resistance marker, while the number of staphylococci resistant to penicillin decreased 1-8 times. The study of the complex resistance revealed the predominance of staphylococci with tetracycline resistance structure (60-5 percent).", "PMID": 799486} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11395", "title": "[Comparative study of the effect of antibiotics-aminoglycosides on pseudotuberculosis bacterium in vitro and in vivo].", "content": "It was found that 229 out of 230 strains of pseudotuberculosis microbes tested were sensitive to aminoglycosides, such as streptomycin, monomycin, neomycin, kanamycin and gentamicin. The MIC did not exceed 50 gamma/ml. One strain of J. pseudotuberculosis was multiresistant to streptomycin, tetracycline, levomycetin and penicillin. The above aminoglycosides (streptomycin, monomycin, kanamycin and gentamicin) were active in the treatment of albino mice with experimental pseudotuberculosis.", "contents": "[Comparative study of the effect of antibiotics-aminoglycosides on pseudotuberculosis bacterium in vitro and in vivo]. It was found that 229 out of 230 strains of pseudotuberculosis microbes tested were sensitive to aminoglycosides, such as streptomycin, monomycin, neomycin, kanamycin and gentamicin. The MIC did not exceed 50 gamma/ml. One strain of J. pseudotuberculosis was multiresistant to streptomycin, tetracycline, levomycetin and penicillin. The above aminoglycosides (streptomycin, monomycin, kanamycin and gentamicin) were active in the treatment of albino mice with experimental pseudotuberculosis.", "PMID": 799487} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11396", "title": "[Changes in ultrastructure of Escherichia coli under the effect of certain antibiotics].", "content": "Ultrastructure of the cells of Coli bacteria after their contact with cephaloridin, ampicillin, gentamicin or kanamycin was studied by means of electron microscopy. Differences in the changes of the submicroscopic structure of the cells under the effect of the antibiotics, the inhibitors of the cell wall synthesis and protein synthesis were shown. Differences in the ultrastructural changes under the effect of the same antibiotic on grampositive and gramnegative organisms are discussed.", "contents": "[Changes in ultrastructure of Escherichia coli under the effect of certain antibiotics]. Ultrastructure of the cells of Coli bacteria after their contact with cephaloridin, ampicillin, gentamicin or kanamycin was studied by means of electron microscopy. Differences in the changes of the submicroscopic structure of the cells under the effect of the antibiotics, the inhibitors of the cell wall synthesis and protein synthesis were shown. Differences in the ultrastructural changes under the effect of the same antibiotic on grampositive and gramnegative organisms are discussed.", "PMID": 799488} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11397", "title": "[Microflora of theintestines of persons in contact with aminoglycosides and penicillin].", "content": "A total of 90 persons being in contact with aminoglycosides and penicillin were examined. It was found that such a contact resulted in dysbacteriosis of the intestine. The culture of Coli bacteria isolated from the persons had a low fermentative activity and lost their mobility. Bificol, a biological preparation proved to be promising in the treatment of persons with dysfunction of the intestine against the background of dysbacteriosis.", "contents": "[Microflora of theintestines of persons in contact with aminoglycosides and penicillin]. A total of 90 persons being in contact with aminoglycosides and penicillin were examined. It was found that such a contact resulted in dysbacteriosis of the intestine. The culture of Coli bacteria isolated from the persons had a low fermentative activity and lost their mobility. Bificol, a biological preparation proved to be promising in the treatment of persons with dysfunction of the intestine against the background of dysbacteriosis.", "PMID": 799489} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11398", "title": "A critical review of the literature on long-term treatment of peripheral arteriosclerosis with oral anticoagulants.", "content": "Protracted administration of oral anticoagulant agents to patients presenting symptoms of peripheral arteriosclerosis is a treatment in widespread use in the Netherlands a Germany. However, a critical perusal of the available literature reveals a scarcity of objective data which might confirm the value of this treatment. It may be concluded from the data in the literature that protracted administration of anticoagulants may be useful only in case of stenosis of the superficial femoral artery. It is pointed out that a statistically correct study of this subject, with use of objective parameters, is urgently necessary.", "contents": "A critical review of the literature on long-term treatment of peripheral arteriosclerosis with oral anticoagulants. Protracted administration of oral anticoagulant agents to patients presenting symptoms of peripheral arteriosclerosis is a treatment in widespread use in the Netherlands a Germany. However, a critical perusal of the available literature reveals a scarcity of objective data which might confirm the value of this treatment. It may be concluded from the data in the literature that protracted administration of anticoagulants may be useful only in case of stenosis of the superficial femoral artery. It is pointed out that a statistically correct study of this subject, with use of objective parameters, is urgently necessary.", "PMID": 799490} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11399", "title": "Mandibular ameloblastoma (resection with primary reconstruction). A case report with a concise review of the literature.", "content": "A case report of an ameloblastoma in the mandibula is given. The characteristics of this neoplasm are discussed. The tumor is histologically benign but clinically malignant. The therapy of choice is therefore radical surgery, preferably resection with primary reconstruction in one stage. Eight years after the operation in this case no signs of recurrence were found.", "contents": "Mandibular ameloblastoma (resection with primary reconstruction). A case report with a concise review of the literature. A case report of an ameloblastoma in the mandibula is given. The characteristics of this neoplasm are discussed. The tumor is histologically benign but clinically malignant. The therapy of choice is therefore radical surgery, preferably resection with primary reconstruction in one stage. Eight years after the operation in this case no signs of recurrence were found.", "PMID": 799491} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11400", "title": "[Refringence phenomenon as a sign of the degree of differentiation of immunocompetent cells].", "content": "Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the refringence phenomen in immunocompetent cells of various organs of rabbits and CBA line mice under conditions of immunological activity, as well as in those of children with ataxia-teleangiectasia, showed that immunoblasts contained predominantly non-refringent nuclei, mature plasmatic cells--mainly highly refringent nuclei, and young plasmatic cells occupied a position in the middle of the two. These data, as well as the absence of the refringence phenomenon in the cells of lymphosarcoma in man corroborate a direct relationship between the phenomenon and the process of differentiation of cells.", "contents": "[Refringence phenomenon as a sign of the degree of differentiation of immunocompetent cells]. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the refringence phenomen in immunocompetent cells of various organs of rabbits and CBA line mice under conditions of immunological activity, as well as in those of children with ataxia-teleangiectasia, showed that immunoblasts contained predominantly non-refringent nuclei, mature plasmatic cells--mainly highly refringent nuclei, and young plasmatic cells occupied a position in the middle of the two. These data, as well as the absence of the refringence phenomenon in the cells of lymphosarcoma in man corroborate a direct relationship between the phenomenon and the process of differentiation of cells.", "PMID": 799494} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11401", "title": "[Primary hypertension of the lesser circulation].", "content": "The article presents a survey of the literature data and findings of the author's own investigations concerning various aspects of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). PPH -- is a polyentiological suffering. As a nosological form it was described in the fifities. There are two forms of PPH: congenital and acquired. In its turn, the congenital form comprises two variants of anomalies of the pulmonary vessels: the retnetion of the fetal structure of the pulmonary arteries and an anomaly at the level of intraorgan vascular anastomoses. Constant morphological characteristics of the two forms of PPH are as follows: endosclerosis of major branches of the pulmonary artery and focal sclerosis of their tunica media; a considerable degree of hypertrophy of the right ventricle usually not observed in other diseases. The acquired PPH may develop as a result of exposure to drugs, in thromboembolism, under high mountain conditions, etc. A question arises, whether it is justifiable to call as \"primary\" the acquired forms of pulmonary hypertension, since in the majority of cases their secondary nature is evident. Thus, the term \"primary pullomonary hypertension\" should be applied only to congenital forms of the disease. Possible in order to single out this group of desorders it would be reasonable to devise a more suitable name, for instance, \"isolated pulmonary hypertension\" which will render a broader sense to this polyetiological suffering.", "contents": "[Primary hypertension of the lesser circulation]. The article presents a survey of the literature data and findings of the author's own investigations concerning various aspects of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). PPH -- is a polyentiological suffering. As a nosological form it was described in the fifities. There are two forms of PPH: congenital and acquired. In its turn, the congenital form comprises two variants of anomalies of the pulmonary vessels: the retnetion of the fetal structure of the pulmonary arteries and an anomaly at the level of intraorgan vascular anastomoses. Constant morphological characteristics of the two forms of PPH are as follows: endosclerosis of major branches of the pulmonary artery and focal sclerosis of their tunica media; a considerable degree of hypertrophy of the right ventricle usually not observed in other diseases. The acquired PPH may develop as a result of exposure to drugs, in thromboembolism, under high mountain conditions, etc. A question arises, whether it is justifiable to call as \"primary\" the acquired forms of pulmonary hypertension, since in the majority of cases their secondary nature is evident. Thus, the term \"primary pullomonary hypertension\" should be applied only to congenital forms of the disease. Possible in order to single out this group of desorders it would be reasonable to devise a more suitable name, for instance, \"isolated pulmonary hypertension\" which will render a broader sense to this polyetiological suffering.", "PMID": 799495} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11402", "title": "Gelatin implants in scleral buckling procedures.", "content": "In 375 scleral buckling procedures, an absorbable gelatin implant (Retina Gelfilm) was used. This series included 192 trapdoor and scleral pouch procedures, and 183 operations in which a gelatin implant was used beneath a silicone rubber implant. Two thicknesses of gelatin implants were used, 0.5 mm and 0.75 mm. Absorption time varied from 2 to 24 months, depending on the thickness of the implant and whether it was used alone or beneath a silicone rubber implant. Gelatin is an excellent absorbable implant when used alone or under a silicone rubber implant in selected patients with retinal detachment to produce a temporary elevation or posterior extension of the buckle, or both.", "contents": "Gelatin implants in scleral buckling procedures. In 375 scleral buckling procedures, an absorbable gelatin implant (Retina Gelfilm) was used. This series included 192 trapdoor and scleral pouch procedures, and 183 operations in which a gelatin implant was used beneath a silicone rubber implant. Two thicknesses of gelatin implants were used, 0.5 mm and 0.75 mm. Absorption time varied from 2 to 24 months, depending on the thickness of the implant and whether it was used alone or beneath a silicone rubber implant. Gelatin is an excellent absorbable implant when used alone or under a silicone rubber implant in selected patients with retinal detachment to produce a temporary elevation or posterior extension of the buckle, or both.", "PMID": 799497} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11403", "title": "Periodontal considerations in the restoration of non-vital teeth.", "content": "Periodontal status is considered in relation to the construction of post core retained restorations. The surgical management of those problems apical to the gingival tissues is discussed in detail.", "contents": "Periodontal considerations in the restoration of non-vital teeth. Periodontal status is considered in relation to the construction of post core retained restorations. The surgical management of those problems apical to the gingival tissues is discussed in detail.", "PMID": 799499} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11404", "title": "[Experimental anti-arrhythmic action of perhexiline].", "content": "The antiarrhythmic action of Perhexiline phosphate, in doses of 3 and 6 mg/kg on various experimental cardiac arrhytmias and on the physiological properties of the atrial myocardium has been studied in the anesthetized dog. Its action in concentrations of 3 and 6 mcg/ml on the transmembrane action potentials in isolated Purkinje fibers has also been analyzed. The activity of perhexiline is comparatively greater in the circus movement atrial flutter and in the arrhythmias caused by ouabain and by barium chloride intoxication than in the atrial tachysystolia caused by the local application of aconitine. Perhexiline prolongs the wave length (refractory period times conduction velocity) of the atrial impulse and depresses atrial excitability. These effects may explain its action on experimental atrial flutter. In isolated Purkinje fibers, perhexiline reduces the maximum velocity of depolarization, the overshoot, the amplitude of the action potential and its duration, measured at 50% of its repolarization phase. The relation of these electrophysiological effects of perhexiline to the genesis of each type of arrhythmia may explain its different type of activity in the experimental models studied.", "contents": "[Experimental anti-arrhythmic action of perhexiline]. The antiarrhythmic action of Perhexiline phosphate, in doses of 3 and 6 mg/kg on various experimental cardiac arrhytmias and on the physiological properties of the atrial myocardium has been studied in the anesthetized dog. Its action in concentrations of 3 and 6 mcg/ml on the transmembrane action potentials in isolated Purkinje fibers has also been analyzed. The activity of perhexiline is comparatively greater in the circus movement atrial flutter and in the arrhythmias caused by ouabain and by barium chloride intoxication than in the atrial tachysystolia caused by the local application of aconitine. Perhexiline prolongs the wave length (refractory period times conduction velocity) of the atrial impulse and depresses atrial excitability. These effects may explain its action on experimental atrial flutter. In isolated Purkinje fibers, perhexiline reduces the maximum velocity of depolarization, the overshoot, the amplitude of the action potential and its duration, measured at 50% of its repolarization phase. The relation of these electrophysiological effects of perhexiline to the genesis of each type of arrhythmia may explain its different type of activity in the experimental models studied.", "PMID": 799493} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11405", "title": "Location of a high-sulphur protein in developing wool follicles using peroxidase-labelled antibody.", "content": "Antiserum to a high-sulphur protein (SCMK-B2) from wool was purified to obtain the immunoglobin G fraction, and this was labelled with horse-radish peroxidase. The labelled antibody was then applied to sections of sheep skin embedded in glycol methacrylate in order to locate the distribution of high-sulphur protein within the lower hair shaft. Regions containing the highest concentration of high-sulphur protein were the cuticle of the hair shaft and the keratogenous zone of the cortex.", "contents": "Location of a high-sulphur protein in developing wool follicles using peroxidase-labelled antibody. Antiserum to a high-sulphur protein (SCMK-B2) from wool was purified to obtain the immunoglobin G fraction, and this was labelled with horse-radish peroxidase. The labelled antibody was then applied to sections of sheep skin embedded in glycol methacrylate in order to locate the distribution of high-sulphur protein within the lower hair shaft. Regions containing the highest concentration of high-sulphur protein were the cuticle of the hair shaft and the keratogenous zone of the cortex.", "PMID": 799501} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11406", "title": "Abnormal \"activated\" rosette formation in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.", "content": "The mean percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes forming fast spontaneous rosettes with sheep red blood cells was estimated in 40 patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of cancer. Patients who were eventually diagnosed as having cancer had significantly lower numbers (P less than 0.01 Mann Whitney Test) of rosette forming cells than patients who had gastrointestinal tumours successfully removed, or patients with other gastrointestinal diseases. The use of this test as an aid to the diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancy and its possible application to the detection of recurrences of cancer after surgery are discussed.", "contents": "Abnormal \"activated\" rosette formation in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The mean percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes forming fast spontaneous rosettes with sheep red blood cells was estimated in 40 patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of cancer. Patients who were eventually diagnosed as having cancer had significantly lower numbers (P less than 0.01 Mann Whitney Test) of rosette forming cells than patients who had gastrointestinal tumours successfully removed, or patients with other gastrointestinal diseases. The use of this test as an aid to the diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancy and its possible application to the detection of recurrences of cancer after surgery are discussed.", "PMID": 799502} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11407", "title": "Systemic herpes simplex infection with fulminant hepatitis post-transplantation.", "content": "Immunosuppression for renal transplantation is associated with the risk of severe overwhelming infection with ubiquitous but normally relatively harmless micro-organisms. In recent years a number of adult cases of fatal hepatitis due to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection have been reported. Nearly always immune deficiency was a significant factor. A case of fatal HSV infection with hepatitis following transplantation is reported. The case failed to respond to infusion with the antiviral agent cytosine arabinoside. The presentation, diagnosis and treatment of HSV fulminant hepatitis is discussed.", "contents": "Systemic herpes simplex infection with fulminant hepatitis post-transplantation. Immunosuppression for renal transplantation is associated with the risk of severe overwhelming infection with ubiquitous but normally relatively harmless micro-organisms. In recent years a number of adult cases of fatal hepatitis due to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection have been reported. Nearly always immune deficiency was a significant factor. A case of fatal HSV infection with hepatitis following transplantation is reported. The case failed to respond to infusion with the antiviral agent cytosine arabinoside. The presentation, diagnosis and treatment of HSV fulminant hepatitis is discussed.", "PMID": 799503} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11408", "title": "Infection in the intensive care unit.", "content": "An epidemic of infection associated with Serratia marcescens and other Gram-negative organisms resistant to aminoglycosides and other chemotherapeutic agents occurred in the Intensive Care Unit, and spread to other areas of the hospital. This paper describes the problems of sepsis in the critically ill patient, outlines the occurrence of organisms in the patients concerned in this epidemic, and discusses the policies adopted to control the incidence of life-threatening infection caused by bacteria resistant to all other agents.", "contents": "Infection in the intensive care unit. An epidemic of infection associated with Serratia marcescens and other Gram-negative organisms resistant to aminoglycosides and other chemotherapeutic agents occurred in the Intensive Care Unit, and spread to other areas of the hospital. This paper describes the problems of sepsis in the critically ill patient, outlines the occurrence of organisms in the patients concerned in this epidemic, and discusses the policies adopted to control the incidence of life-threatening infection caused by bacteria resistant to all other agents.", "PMID": 799504} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11409", "title": "Prevalence of urinary tract infection in adult women.", "content": "Five hundred adult women of Sylhet town of different socio-economic status were screened to detect urinary tract infection by a random \"door-to-door\" survey. Significant bacteriuria was considered as an important criterion in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Pyuria with bacteriuria was, but without bacteriuria was not, considered a good evidence of infection. The ratio between the asymptomatic and symptomatic bacteriuria was found to be 7:1. The significance of asymptomatic bacteriuria in preventive medicine has been stressed.", "contents": "Prevalence of urinary tract infection in adult women. Five hundred adult women of Sylhet town of different socio-economic status were screened to detect urinary tract infection by a random \"door-to-door\" survey. Significant bacteriuria was considered as an important criterion in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Pyuria with bacteriuria was, but without bacteriuria was not, considered a good evidence of infection. The ratio between the asymptomatic and symptomatic bacteriuria was found to be 7:1. The significance of asymptomatic bacteriuria in preventive medicine has been stressed.", "PMID": 799510} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11410", "title": "Application of stereologic methodology to inflammatory infiltrates residing in oral mucous membrane lesions. Structural and morphometric comparison of benign mucous membrane pemphigoid and reticular lichen planus.", "content": "In the present study, stereologic procedures are employed to estimate quantitatively the composition of chronic connective tissue infiltrates characterizing various oral mucous membrane diseases. One case each of benign mucous membrane pemphigoid (BMMP) and reticular lichen planus (RLP) served as examples to demonstrate the applicability of this methodology. In both lesions which are described clinically, histologically and on the ultrastructural level and which display a markedly different infiltrate composition, fibroblasts were affected and either proliferated (BMMP) or became cytopathologically altered (RLP). The quantitative data presented, besides providing new information, argue in favour of the stereologic approach.", "contents": "Application of stereologic methodology to inflammatory infiltrates residing in oral mucous membrane lesions. Structural and morphometric comparison of benign mucous membrane pemphigoid and reticular lichen planus. In the present study, stereologic procedures are employed to estimate quantitatively the composition of chronic connective tissue infiltrates characterizing various oral mucous membrane diseases. One case each of benign mucous membrane pemphigoid (BMMP) and reticular lichen planus (RLP) served as examples to demonstrate the applicability of this methodology. In both lesions which are described clinically, histologically and on the ultrastructural level and which display a markedly different infiltrate composition, fibroblasts were affected and either proliferated (BMMP) or became cytopathologically altered (RLP). The quantitative data presented, besides providing new information, argue in favour of the stereologic approach.", "PMID": 799511} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11411", "title": "[Lability of the products of mitochondrial protein synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts].", "content": "Estimation of the rate of degradation of the products of mitochondrial protein synthesis in S. cerevisiae cells is reported. The method developed for this purpose is based on pulse incorporation of a labeled amino acid in the presence of an inhibitor of cytoplasmic protein synthesis and allows one to monitor postincorporation of the label. The label incorporated is shown to be rapidly released from mitochondria. Its content is decreased 2-fold during 20-30 min at the beginning and 50-60 min at the end of the exponential phase of growth. The label is detected in cytosol proteins and the TCA-soluble fraction of mitochondria, which is indicative of possible proteolysis of mitochondrial membrane proteins. Since release of the label does not undergo inhibition by specific inhibitors of yeast cell proteinases (pepstatin and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride), it may be assumed that these proteinases are either not involved in the digestion of the products of mitochondrial protein synthesis or do not represent a rate-limiting step of the process.", "contents": "[Lability of the products of mitochondrial protein synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts]. Estimation of the rate of degradation of the products of mitochondrial protein synthesis in S. cerevisiae cells is reported. The method developed for this purpose is based on pulse incorporation of a labeled amino acid in the presence of an inhibitor of cytoplasmic protein synthesis and allows one to monitor postincorporation of the label. The label incorporated is shown to be rapidly released from mitochondria. Its content is decreased 2-fold during 20-30 min at the beginning and 50-60 min at the end of the exponential phase of growth. The label is detected in cytosol proteins and the TCA-soluble fraction of mitochondria, which is indicative of possible proteolysis of mitochondrial membrane proteins. Since release of the label does not undergo inhibition by specific inhibitors of yeast cell proteinases (pepstatin and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride), it may be assumed that these proteinases are either not involved in the digestion of the products of mitochondrial protein synthesis or do not represent a rate-limiting step of the process.", "PMID": 799516} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11412", "title": "[Rate of ribosome movement along messenger RNA in E. coli under normal and inhibited translation].", "content": "Considerable decrease of polysome number (22% as compared with 48% in normally grown culture) was observed under methionine starvation of E. coli Hfr (Met-)culture . At the same time the amount of 70S ribosomes increased up to 32%, while it was 2--6% in the control, the content of free ribosome subunits (50S+30S) being stable. The number of polysomes was the same (congruent to 50%) both in the control culture and under inhibition of protein synthesis in E. coli Hfr(Met-) cells with chloramphenicol, the content of 70S ribosomes was increased (30%) like in the case of methionine starvation, and the amount of free ribosome subunits was decreased (24% as compared with 46% in the control). The rate of ribosome movement in polysomes in the presence of chloramphenicol is comparable with that in the control. The rate of ribosome movement along mRNA under methionine starvation in 1.6 times lower than in normally grown E.coli culture. The level of (14)C-leucine incorporation into newly synthesizing polysome proteins under chloramphenicol inhibition of protein synthesis and methionine starvation comprised 20% and 12% of the incorporation level inthe control respectively. It suggested that ribosomes under inhibition of protein synthesis by chloramphenicol or amino acid starvation continue their movement along mRNA with the rate comparable with that in the control. However in this case no peptide bonds are formed (\"abortive\" translocation).", "contents": "[Rate of ribosome movement along messenger RNA in E. coli under normal and inhibited translation]. Considerable decrease of polysome number (22% as compared with 48% in normally grown culture) was observed under methionine starvation of E. coli Hfr (Met-)culture . At the same time the amount of 70S ribosomes increased up to 32%, while it was 2--6% in the control, the content of free ribosome subunits (50S+30S) being stable. The number of polysomes was the same (congruent to 50%) both in the control culture and under inhibition of protein synthesis in E. coli Hfr(Met-) cells with chloramphenicol, the content of 70S ribosomes was increased (30%) like in the case of methionine starvation, and the amount of free ribosome subunits was decreased (24% as compared with 46% in the control). The rate of ribosome movement in polysomes in the presence of chloramphenicol is comparable with that in the control. The rate of ribosome movement along mRNA under methionine starvation in 1.6 times lower than in normally grown E.coli culture. The level of (14)C-leucine incorporation into newly synthesizing polysome proteins under chloramphenicol inhibition of protein synthesis and methionine starvation comprised 20% and 12% of the incorporation level inthe control respectively. It suggested that ribosomes under inhibition of protein synthesis by chloramphenicol or amino acid starvation continue their movement along mRNA with the rate comparable with that in the control. However in this case no peptide bonds are formed (\"abortive\" translocation).", "PMID": 799517} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11413", "title": "[Fractionation and amino-acid composition of acid-soluble trypsin of inclusion bodies protein of nuclear polyhedrosis virus of moth, Galleria mellonella].", "content": "A mixture of pH 3.5-soluble trypsin peptides of inclusion bodies proteins of moth nuclear polyedrosis virus was fractionated by means of ionic exchange chromatography on Dowex 50X2 and purified by paper electrophoresis-chromatography. 32 peptides are isolated, their amino acid composition being studied.", "contents": "[Fractionation and amino-acid composition of acid-soluble trypsin of inclusion bodies protein of nuclear polyhedrosis virus of moth, Galleria mellonella]. A mixture of pH 3.5-soluble trypsin peptides of inclusion bodies proteins of moth nuclear polyedrosis virus was fractionated by means of ionic exchange chromatography on Dowex 50X2 and purified by paper electrophoresis-chromatography. 32 peptides are isolated, their amino acid composition being studied.", "PMID": 799518} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11414", "title": "[Some peculiarities of transfer RNAs hydrolysis by exonuclease A5].", "content": "Unusual kinetics of the hydrolysis of the baker's yeast total tRNA and tRNA1Val by exonuclease A5 was found (two stages of the reaction; low initial velocity and still lower velocity of the second reaction stage; high Km values). These peculiarities were shown to be due to the three-dimensional structure of the substrate, which makes a large part of the tRNA molecule resistant to the exonuclease A5 attack. The exhaustive tRNA hydrolysis observed in the presence of very large doses of exonuclease A5 may be explained by a slight (less than 1%) endo-RNAase contamination in the exonuclease A5 preparation. The hydrolysis conditions become optimal, i.e. the exhaustive hydrolysis proceeds most rapidly, when the amount of endo-RNAase admixture reaches 20--30%. The artificial enzyme mixture of such a composition is a convenient reagent for RNA and expecially for tRNA hydrolysis under mild conditions to 5'-mononucleotides. The considerable resistance of tRNA to pure exonuclease A5 action will make it possible porbably to use tRNA instead of circular nucleic acids for endonuclease admixtures estimation in enzyme preparations.", "contents": "[Some peculiarities of transfer RNAs hydrolysis by exonuclease A5]. Unusual kinetics of the hydrolysis of the baker's yeast total tRNA and tRNA1Val by exonuclease A5 was found (two stages of the reaction; low initial velocity and still lower velocity of the second reaction stage; high Km values). These peculiarities were shown to be due to the three-dimensional structure of the substrate, which makes a large part of the tRNA molecule resistant to the exonuclease A5 attack. The exhaustive tRNA hydrolysis observed in the presence of very large doses of exonuclease A5 may be explained by a slight (less than 1%) endo-RNAase contamination in the exonuclease A5 preparation. The hydrolysis conditions become optimal, i.e. the exhaustive hydrolysis proceeds most rapidly, when the amount of endo-RNAase admixture reaches 20--30%. The artificial enzyme mixture of such a composition is a convenient reagent for RNA and expecially for tRNA hydrolysis under mild conditions to 5'-mononucleotides. The considerable resistance of tRNA to pure exonuclease A5 action will make it possible porbably to use tRNA instead of circular nucleic acids for endonuclease admixtures estimation in enzyme preparations.", "PMID": 799519} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11415", "title": "Human centromere mapping using teratoma data.", "content": "Under the assumption that benign ovarian teratomas arise parthenogenetically from a germ cell by suppression of the second meiotic division, the proportion gamma of heteratomas collected from heterozygous hosts is a measure for the distance between the corresponding gene and its centromere. For proportions gamma less than or equal to 0.3, the mapping function x = gamma/2 applies, where x is the map distance in Morgans.", "contents": "Human centromere mapping using teratoma data. Under the assumption that benign ovarian teratomas arise parthenogenetically from a germ cell by suppression of the second meiotic division, the proportion gamma of heteratomas collected from heterozygous hosts is a measure for the distance between the corresponding gene and its centromere. For proportions gamma less than or equal to 0.3, the mapping function x = gamma/2 applies, where x is the map distance in Morgans.", "PMID": 799523} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11416", "title": "[Distribution of lysotypes and study of antibiotic sensitivity of Shigella flexneri 2 isolated in Iran].", "content": "152 strains of Shigella flexneri 2 isolated from the stools of patients having sporadic bacillary dysenteria have been studied for their phage types as well as for the presence of transferable resistance factor. The distribution of the phage types has shown a high predominance of lysotype 12 (67%). Proportion of Shigella flexneri 2 strains resistant to one or several antibiotics has been highest in the years 1968 and 1973. The most frequent transferable resistance pattern was found to be (Tc, Cm, Sm, Su) and the most successful transfer method was the celophane technique. Resistance loss varied according to the resistance pattern of the strains. Total loss of the resistance to Tc, Cm, Sm, Su occurred in 0,2-2 % only. Very often strains resistant to Tc, Cm, Sm, Su lost their resistance factor to Tc and Cm keeping the resistance factors for Su, Sm.", "contents": "[Distribution of lysotypes and study of antibiotic sensitivity of Shigella flexneri 2 isolated in Iran]. 152 strains of Shigella flexneri 2 isolated from the stools of patients having sporadic bacillary dysenteria have been studied for their phage types as well as for the presence of transferable resistance factor. The distribution of the phage types has shown a high predominance of lysotype 12 (67%). Proportion of Shigella flexneri 2 strains resistant to one or several antibiotics has been highest in the years 1968 and 1973. The most frequent transferable resistance pattern was found to be (Tc, Cm, Sm, Su) and the most successful transfer method was the celophane technique. Resistance loss varied according to the resistance pattern of the strains. Total loss of the resistance to Tc, Cm, Sm, Su occurred in 0,2-2 % only. Very often strains resistant to Tc, Cm, Sm, Su lost their resistance factor to Tc and Cm keeping the resistance factors for Su, Sm.", "PMID": 799541} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11417", "title": "[Fluorescent antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of patients suspected of cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum].", "content": "The authors report the results of indirect immunofluorescent technique used for detecting malarial antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of 126 African patients suspected of cerebral malaria from infection with Plasmodium falciparum. Almost all of them were less than 15 years old and were living in urban unstable hypoendemic areas. Malarial antibodies, mainly IgG, were found in about 25 0/0 of cerebrospinal fluid samples, whether the patients were admitted for malaria or for any other disease. Malarial antibodies were more frequently found in cerebrospinal fluid of patients over 2 years old and in those not treated with antimalarial drugs before hospitalization. No correlation was found between serum antibody level, parasitemia, splenomegaly, clinical form, precocity of blood collection and malarial antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. The results concerning serum antibodies corroborate previous works.", "contents": "[Fluorescent antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of patients suspected of cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum]. The authors report the results of indirect immunofluorescent technique used for detecting malarial antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of 126 African patients suspected of cerebral malaria from infection with Plasmodium falciparum. Almost all of them were less than 15 years old and were living in urban unstable hypoendemic areas. Malarial antibodies, mainly IgG, were found in about 25 0/0 of cerebrospinal fluid samples, whether the patients were admitted for malaria or for any other disease. Malarial antibodies were more frequently found in cerebrospinal fluid of patients over 2 years old and in those not treated with antimalarial drugs before hospitalization. No correlation was found between serum antibody level, parasitemia, splenomegaly, clinical form, precocity of blood collection and malarial antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. The results concerning serum antibodies corroborate previous works.", "PMID": 799542} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11418", "title": "Tissue iso-renins.", "content": "1. Several extrarenal tissues contain enzymes which are similar to kidney renin: they hydrolyse angiotensinogen to form angiotensin I; they have characteristic substrate specificity; the physicochemical properties of kidney renin and of extrarenal tissue iso-renin are similar. 2. Results indicate that tissue iso-renins are part of a complex enzyme system with mainly local function. A possible biological role has been demonstrated in brain, adrenal gland and tissue culture.", "contents": "Tissue iso-renins. 1. Several extrarenal tissues contain enzymes which are similar to kidney renin: they hydrolyse angiotensinogen to form angiotensin I; they have characteristic substrate specificity; the physicochemical properties of kidney renin and of extrarenal tissue iso-renin are similar. 2. Results indicate that tissue iso-renins are part of a complex enzyme system with mainly local function. A possible biological role has been demonstrated in brain, adrenal gland and tissue culture.", "PMID": 799550} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11419", "title": "Plasma renin concentration and the hypotensive effect of bendrofluazide and of atenolol.", "content": "1. The anti-hypertensive effect of atenolol was greater than that of bendrofluazide. 2. The change in systolic blood pressure caused by bendrofluazide showed a significant inverse correlation iwth the plasma renin concentration (r=-0-47; P less than 0-01). 3. The correlation between the change in systolic blood pressure caused by atenolol and the plasma renin concentration was not significant (r =0-28; 0-1 greater than P greater than 0-05). 4. Plasma renin concentration was unaffected by atenolol.", "contents": "Plasma renin concentration and the hypotensive effect of bendrofluazide and of atenolol. 1. The anti-hypertensive effect of atenolol was greater than that of bendrofluazide. 2. The change in systolic blood pressure caused by bendrofluazide showed a significant inverse correlation iwth the plasma renin concentration (r=-0-47; P less than 0-01). 3. The correlation between the change in systolic blood pressure caused by atenolol and the plasma renin concentration was not significant (r =0-28; 0-1 greater than P greater than 0-05). 4. Plasma renin concentration was unaffected by atenolol.", "PMID": 799551} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11420", "title": "Plasma renin activity, plasma angiotensin II and extracellular fluid volume in patients after renal transplantation.", "content": "1. Patients with cadaveric renal transplants and plasma creatinine less than 177 micronmol/l who had their own kidneys removed were studied. 2. The renin-angiotensin system appeared to behave in a normal fashion in response to alterations in sodium intake and posture. 3. The renin-angiotensin system had no major role in the establishment or maintenance of hypertension. 4. Mean arterial pressure was directly related to expansion of the extracellular fluid volume.", "contents": "Plasma renin activity, plasma angiotensin II and extracellular fluid volume in patients after renal transplantation. 1. Patients with cadaveric renal transplants and plasma creatinine less than 177 micronmol/l who had their own kidneys removed were studied. 2. The renin-angiotensin system appeared to behave in a normal fashion in response to alterations in sodium intake and posture. 3. The renin-angiotensin system had no major role in the establishment or maintenance of hypertension. 4. Mean arterial pressure was directly related to expansion of the extracellular fluid volume.", "PMID": 799552} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11421", "title": "Brain-stem structures and catecholamines in the control of arterial blood pressure in the rat.", "content": "1. Noradrenaline, adrenaline and alpha-methylnoradrenaline administration into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of anaesthetized rats decreased blood pressure and heart rate in a dose-dependent fashion. 2. Bilateral injections were effective in lower doses than unilateral administration. alpha-Methylnoradrenaline given bilaterally produced hypotension in a dose of 0-08 nmol whereas after unilateral injection a dose of 0-32 nmol was needed to obtain the same degree of hypotension. 3. Electrical stimulation of the NTS caused hypotension and bradycardia. Conversely, bilateral electrolytic lesions or deafferentation of the NTS led to acute hypertension. Chronically such lesions caused neurogenic hypertension. 4. In spontaneously hypertensive rats increased concentrations of noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine were measured in the part of the NTS located just caudal to the obex (A2 region).", "contents": "Brain-stem structures and catecholamines in the control of arterial blood pressure in the rat. 1. Noradrenaline, adrenaline and alpha-methylnoradrenaline administration into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of anaesthetized rats decreased blood pressure and heart rate in a dose-dependent fashion. 2. Bilateral injections were effective in lower doses than unilateral administration. alpha-Methylnoradrenaline given bilaterally produced hypotension in a dose of 0-08 nmol whereas after unilateral injection a dose of 0-32 nmol was needed to obtain the same degree of hypotension. 3. Electrical stimulation of the NTS caused hypotension and bradycardia. Conversely, bilateral electrolytic lesions or deafferentation of the NTS led to acute hypertension. Chronically such lesions caused neurogenic hypertension. 4. In spontaneously hypertensive rats increased concentrations of noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine were measured in the part of the NTS located just caudal to the obex (A2 region).", "PMID": 799555} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11422", "title": "Pharmacokinetics in patients with cardiac failure.", "content": "Cardiac failure is often associated with disturbances in cardiac output, autonomic nervous system activity, central and systemic venous pressures, and sodium and water metabolism. These disturbances influence the extent and pattern of tissue perfusion, may lead to tissue hypoxia and visceral congestion, and may alter gastrointestinal motility. By these mechanisms, cardiac failure potentially affects absorption and disposition characteristics of drugs, which may necessitate adjustment in dosage regimen for optimum therapy. Lignocaine is the drug which has been studied most extensively in cardiac failure. Volumes of distribution and clearance are decreased. As a drug whose metabolism is largely limited by liver blood flow, decreased blood flow to the liver accounts for some of the change in clearance, but impaired hepatic metabolism appears also to play a role in some patients. Accumulation of active metabolites of lignocaine and procainamide in patients with cardiac failure can influence therapeutic and toxic effects. Theophylline metabolism, which is largely independent of blood flow, appears to be reduced significantly in patients with severe cardiac failure and necessitates reduction of dosage. In the presence of severe cardiac failure, digoxin clearance may be less than anticipated on the basis of estimates of renal function. Quinidine plasma levels may be higher after single doses due to reduced volume of distribution. Quinidine metabolites are believed not to be pharmacologically active but may create confusion with nonspecific assays. Specific assays are recommended in cardiac failure, especially complicated by renal insufficiency. Data are lacking relating pharmacokinetic alterations to haemodynamic measurements in patients with cardiac failure. Whereas the direction of change in pharmacokinetic parameters may be predicted, variability in the magnitude of change is so great that determination of drug concentration in blood remains as essential adjunct to therapy.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics in patients with cardiac failure. Cardiac failure is often associated with disturbances in cardiac output, autonomic nervous system activity, central and systemic venous pressures, and sodium and water metabolism. These disturbances influence the extent and pattern of tissue perfusion, may lead to tissue hypoxia and visceral congestion, and may alter gastrointestinal motility. By these mechanisms, cardiac failure potentially affects absorption and disposition characteristics of drugs, which may necessitate adjustment in dosage regimen for optimum therapy. Lignocaine is the drug which has been studied most extensively in cardiac failure. Volumes of distribution and clearance are decreased. As a drug whose metabolism is largely limited by liver blood flow, decreased blood flow to the liver accounts for some of the change in clearance, but impaired hepatic metabolism appears also to play a role in some patients. Accumulation of active metabolites of lignocaine and procainamide in patients with cardiac failure can influence therapeutic and toxic effects. Theophylline metabolism, which is largely independent of blood flow, appears to be reduced significantly in patients with severe cardiac failure and necessitates reduction of dosage. In the presence of severe cardiac failure, digoxin clearance may be less than anticipated on the basis of estimates of renal function. Quinidine plasma levels may be higher after single doses due to reduced volume of distribution. Quinidine metabolites are believed not to be pharmacologically active but may create confusion with nonspecific assays. Specific assays are recommended in cardiac failure, especially complicated by renal insufficiency. Data are lacking relating pharmacokinetic alterations to haemodynamic measurements in patients with cardiac failure. Whereas the direction of change in pharmacokinetic parameters may be predicted, variability in the magnitude of change is so great that determination of drug concentration in blood remains as essential adjunct to therapy.", "PMID": 799548} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11423", "title": "The role of noradrenaline and other transmitter hormones in the pathogenesis of hypertension.", "content": "1. Studies with a sensitive radioenzymatic assay for plasma noradrenaline suggest there is a selective overactivity of the sympathetic nerous system in essential hypertension. 2. Serotonin turnover in the mesenteric vessels is approximately twice that of noradrenaline and it is suggested that serotonin may interact with noradrenaline to maintain vascular resistance. 3. Methodology which allows the study of local sympathetic turnover in nuclei of the central nerous system and in peripheral blood vessels is decribed. This approach has been used to study non-innervated sympathetic turnover observed in phaceochromocytoma.", "contents": "The role of noradrenaline and other transmitter hormones in the pathogenesis of hypertension. 1. Studies with a sensitive radioenzymatic assay for plasma noradrenaline suggest there is a selective overactivity of the sympathetic nerous system in essential hypertension. 2. Serotonin turnover in the mesenteric vessels is approximately twice that of noradrenaline and it is suggested that serotonin may interact with noradrenaline to maintain vascular resistance. 3. Methodology which allows the study of local sympathetic turnover in nuclei of the central nerous system and in peripheral blood vessels is decribed. This approach has been used to study non-innervated sympathetic turnover observed in phaceochromocytoma.", "PMID": 799556} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11424", "title": "Interaction of dopamine, methyldopa and reserpine in the sympatho-adrenal system in essential hypertension.", "content": "1. The interactions of dopamine, reserpine and methyldopa on blood pressure of normal subjects and of those with essential hypertension were examined. 2. When biosynthesis of noradrenaline from dopamine was blocked by reserpine, dopamine induced a prominent depressor effect in essential hypertension. 3. The long-term treatment with methyldopa induced a marked potentiateion of the pressor action of domapine in hypertension, although no significant pressor response was found in normal subjects. 4. It is suggested that methylnoradrenaline may accumulate in peripheral nerve endings of patients with essential hypertension in comparison with normal subjects, and this accumulated methylnoradrenaline potentiates the pressor response to dopamine in essential hypertension.", "contents": "Interaction of dopamine, methyldopa and reserpine in the sympatho-adrenal system in essential hypertension. 1. The interactions of dopamine, reserpine and methyldopa on blood pressure of normal subjects and of those with essential hypertension were examined. 2. When biosynthesis of noradrenaline from dopamine was blocked by reserpine, dopamine induced a prominent depressor effect in essential hypertension. 3. The long-term treatment with methyldopa induced a marked potentiateion of the pressor action of domapine in hypertension, although no significant pressor response was found in normal subjects. 4. It is suggested that methylnoradrenaline may accumulate in peripheral nerve endings of patients with essential hypertension in comparison with normal subjects, and this accumulated methylnoradrenaline potentiates the pressor response to dopamine in essential hypertension.", "PMID": 799557} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11425", "title": "Pharmacologically active drug metabolites: therapeutic and toxic activities, plasma and urine data in man, accumulation in renal failure.", "content": "Drugs that are administered to man may be biotransformed to yield metabolites that are pharmacologically active. The therapeutic and toxic activities of drug metabolites and the species in which this activity was demonstrated are compiled for the metabolites of 58 drugs. The metabolite to parent drug ratio in the plasma of non-uraemic man and the percentage urinary excretion of the metabolite in non-uraemic man are also tabulated. Those active metabolites with significant pharmacological activity and high plasma levels, both relative to that of the parent drug, will probably contribute substantially to the pharmacological effect ascribed to the parent drug. Active metabolites may accumulate in patients with end stage renal disease if renal excretion is a major elimination pathway for the metabolite. This is true even if the active metabolite is a minor metabolite of the parent drug, as long as the minor metabolite is not further biotransformed and is mainly excreted in the urine. Minor metabolite accumulation may also occur if it is further biotransformed by a pathway inhibited in uraemia. Some clinical examples of the accumulation of active drug metabolites in patients with renal failure are: (a) The abolition of premature ventricular contractions and prevention of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia in some cardiac patients with poor renal function treated with procainamide are associated with high levels of N-acetylprocainamide. (b) The severe irritability and twitching seen in a uraemic patient treated with pethidine (meperidine) are associated with high levels of norpethidine. (c) The severe muscle weakness and tenderness seen in patients with renal failure receiving clofibrate are associated with excessive accumulation of the free acid metabolite of clofibrate. (d) Patients with severe renal insufficiency taking allopurinol appear to experience a higher incidence of side reactions, possibly due to the accumulation of oxipurinol. (e) Accumulation of free and acetylated sulphonamides in patients with renal failure is associated with an increase in toxic side-effects (severe nausea and vomiting, evanescent macular rash). (f) Peripheral neuritis seen after nitrofurantoin therapy in patients with impaired renal function is thought to be due to accumulation of a toxic metabolite. The high incidence of adverse drug reactions seen in patients with renal failure may for some drugs be explained in part, as the above examples illustrate, by the accumulation of active drug metabolites. Monitoring plasma levels of drugs can be an important guide to therapy. However, if a drug has an active metabolite, determination of parent drug alone may cause misleading interpretations of blood level measurements. The plasma level of the active metabolite should also be determined and its time-action characteristics taken into account in any clinical decisions based on drug level monitoring.", "contents": "Pharmacologically active drug metabolites: therapeutic and toxic activities, plasma and urine data in man, accumulation in renal failure. Drugs that are administered to man may be biotransformed to yield metabolites that are pharmacologically active. The therapeutic and toxic activities of drug metabolites and the species in which this activity was demonstrated are compiled for the metabolites of 58 drugs. The metabolite to parent drug ratio in the plasma of non-uraemic man and the percentage urinary excretion of the metabolite in non-uraemic man are also tabulated. Those active metabolites with significant pharmacological activity and high plasma levels, both relative to that of the parent drug, will probably contribute substantially to the pharmacological effect ascribed to the parent drug. Active metabolites may accumulate in patients with end stage renal disease if renal excretion is a major elimination pathway for the metabolite. This is true even if the active metabolite is a minor metabolite of the parent drug, as long as the minor metabolite is not further biotransformed and is mainly excreted in the urine. Minor metabolite accumulation may also occur if it is further biotransformed by a pathway inhibited in uraemia. Some clinical examples of the accumulation of active drug metabolites in patients with renal failure are: (a) The abolition of premature ventricular contractions and prevention of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia in some cardiac patients with poor renal function treated with procainamide are associated with high levels of N-acetylprocainamide. (b) The severe irritability and twitching seen in a uraemic patient treated with pethidine (meperidine) are associated with high levels of norpethidine. (c) The severe muscle weakness and tenderness seen in patients with renal failure receiving clofibrate are associated with excessive accumulation of the free acid metabolite of clofibrate. (d) Patients with severe renal insufficiency taking allopurinol appear to experience a higher incidence of side reactions, possibly due to the accumulation of oxipurinol. (e) Accumulation of free and acetylated sulphonamides in patients with renal failure is associated with an increase in toxic side-effects (severe nausea and vomiting, evanescent macular rash). (f) Peripheral neuritis seen after nitrofurantoin therapy in patients with impaired renal function is thought to be due to accumulation of a toxic metabolite. The high incidence of adverse drug reactions seen in patients with renal failure may for some drugs be explained in part, as the above examples illustrate, by the accumulation of active drug metabolites. Monitoring plasma levels of drugs can be an important guide to therapy. However, if a drug has an active metabolite, determination of parent drug alone may cause misleading interpretations of blood level measurements. The plasma level of the active metabolite should also be determined and its time-action characteristics taken into account in any clinical decisions based on drug level monitoring.", "PMID": 799549} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11426", "title": "The anti-hypertensive efficacy of combined alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptor blockade with phentolamine-oxprenolol or with labetalol (AH 5158).", "content": "1. The interaction of phentolamine with the beta-receptor blocker oxprenolol was studied in a controlled trial. 2. The combination was generally well tolerated. 3. Oxprenolol alone produced modest but significant reductions in supine, standing and post-exercise blood pressures. Small reductions were seen only with sustained phentolamine administration. 4. The combined effect of the two drugs appeared to be additive only at the lower doses of oxprenolol. 5. Labetalol produced significantly greater reductions in supine and standing blood pressure than combined oxprenolol-phentolamine. At a daily dose of 400 mg, postural hypotension was not seen, though transient symptoms were frequent.", "contents": "The anti-hypertensive efficacy of combined alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptor blockade with phentolamine-oxprenolol or with labetalol (AH 5158). 1. The interaction of phentolamine with the beta-receptor blocker oxprenolol was studied in a controlled trial. 2. The combination was generally well tolerated. 3. Oxprenolol alone produced modest but significant reductions in supine, standing and post-exercise blood pressures. Small reductions were seen only with sustained phentolamine administration. 4. The combined effect of the two drugs appeared to be additive only at the lower doses of oxprenolol. 5. Labetalol produced significantly greater reductions in supine and standing blood pressure than combined oxprenolol-phentolamine. At a daily dose of 400 mg, postural hypotension was not seen, though transient symptoms were frequent.", "PMID": 799558} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11427", "title": "Clinical evaluation of atenolol in hypertension.", "content": "1. Atenolol (ICI 66.082, Tenormin) is a new beta-adrenoreceptor-blocking agent, devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic and membrane-stabilizing properties. It does not cross the blood-brain barrier. 2. Atenolol given to hypertensive patients in initial open trials reduced arterial blood pressure significantly. 3. A double-blind comparison between atenolol and placebo in forty-five patients with essential hypertension demonstrated that atenolol gave a statistically significant reduction of blood pressure (delta 28/15 mmHg, P less than 0-005). 4. The optimum anti-hypertensive dose of atenolol in patients with mild to moderately severe essential hypertension was 200 mg daily. 5. Atenolol was compared with propranolol in thirty patients with essential hypertension. No statistically significant differences of anti-hypertensive effect were observed between the two drugs. 6. Long-term results (up to 2 years) in 117 hypertensive patients indicate that drug tolerance is good. No serious toxic effects were observed. 7. In four of twelve hypertensive patients with obstructive airways disease atenolol had to be withdrawn owing to deterioration of ventilatory function.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of atenolol in hypertension. 1. Atenolol (ICI 66.082, Tenormin) is a new beta-adrenoreceptor-blocking agent, devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic and membrane-stabilizing properties. It does not cross the blood-brain barrier. 2. Atenolol given to hypertensive patients in initial open trials reduced arterial blood pressure significantly. 3. A double-blind comparison between atenolol and placebo in forty-five patients with essential hypertension demonstrated that atenolol gave a statistically significant reduction of blood pressure (delta 28/15 mmHg, P less than 0-005). 4. The optimum anti-hypertensive dose of atenolol in patients with mild to moderately severe essential hypertension was 200 mg daily. 5. Atenolol was compared with propranolol in thirty patients with essential hypertension. No statistically significant differences of anti-hypertensive effect were observed between the two drugs. 6. Long-term results (up to 2 years) in 117 hypertensive patients indicate that drug tolerance is good. No serious toxic effects were observed. 7. In four of twelve hypertensive patients with obstructive airways disease atenolol had to be withdrawn owing to deterioration of ventilatory function.", "PMID": 799559} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11428", "title": "Quantitative effects of timolol and hydrochlorothiazide on blood pressure, heart rate and plasma renin activity: results of a double-blind factorial trial in patients with essential hypertension.", "content": "1. The anti-hypertensive actions of timolol and hydrochlorothiazide were analysed in a double-blind 2 x 2 factorial trial in twenty patients with essential hypertension. Each patient went through four phases of 8 weeks in randomized order, receiving timolol alone, hydrochlorothiazide alone, timolol plus hydrochlorothiazide, and placebo. 2. Supine mean arterial pressure fell from 119 mmHg in the placebo phase, to 110 mmHg during the thiazide phase, 106 mmHg during the timolol phase, and to 101 mmHg during the combined timolol plus hydrochlorothiazide phase. 3. Factorial analysis revealed that the hypotensive actions of the beta-receptor-blocking drug and the diuretic were additive, without any synergism or antagonism. 4. Plasma renin activity measured in ng 3 h-1 ml-1 rose from 5-02 in the placebo phase to 9-54 in the diuretic phase, but fell to 1-79 in the beta-receptor blockade. It was unchanged in the combined therapy phase, despite the greater drop in blood pressure. These results suggest that the fall in plasma renin activity during beta-receptor blockade is of little importance in the hypotensive action of beta-receptor-blocking drugs.", "contents": "Quantitative effects of timolol and hydrochlorothiazide on blood pressure, heart rate and plasma renin activity: results of a double-blind factorial trial in patients with essential hypertension. 1. The anti-hypertensive actions of timolol and hydrochlorothiazide were analysed in a double-blind 2 x 2 factorial trial in twenty patients with essential hypertension. Each patient went through four phases of 8 weeks in randomized order, receiving timolol alone, hydrochlorothiazide alone, timolol plus hydrochlorothiazide, and placebo. 2. Supine mean arterial pressure fell from 119 mmHg in the placebo phase, to 110 mmHg during the thiazide phase, 106 mmHg during the timolol phase, and to 101 mmHg during the combined timolol plus hydrochlorothiazide phase. 3. Factorial analysis revealed that the hypotensive actions of the beta-receptor-blocking drug and the diuretic were additive, without any synergism or antagonism. 4. Plasma renin activity measured in ng 3 h-1 ml-1 rose from 5-02 in the placebo phase to 9-54 in the diuretic phase, but fell to 1-79 in the beta-receptor blockade. It was unchanged in the combined therapy phase, despite the greater drop in blood pressure. These results suggest that the fall in plasma renin activity during beta-receptor blockade is of little importance in the hypotensive action of beta-receptor-blocking drugs.", "PMID": 799560} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11429", "title": "A controlled study on the anti-hypertensive effect of a new beta-adrenoreceptor-blocking drug, metoprolol, in combination with chlorthalidone.", "content": "1. A double-blind cross-over evaluation of the anti-hypertensive effect of metoprolol vs placebo was carried out in a series of twenty-three patients with mild or moderate essential hypertension who were receiving 25 mg of chlorthalidone daily as their basic treatment. An individually determined dose of metoprolol (75-300 mg) was used. 2. Metoprolol, as compared with placebo, produced a statistically significant reduction of blood pressure, both in supine and standing positions. 3. During the double-blind cross-over study mild side effects were more common at the beginning of metoprolol/chlorthalidone treatment than during placebo/chlorthalidone, but these tended to diminish or disappear with time. 4. Metoprolol in combination with chlorathalidone appears to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for mild and moderate hypertension in patients not responding to chlorthalidone alone.", "contents": "A controlled study on the anti-hypertensive effect of a new beta-adrenoreceptor-blocking drug, metoprolol, in combination with chlorthalidone. 1. A double-blind cross-over evaluation of the anti-hypertensive effect of metoprolol vs placebo was carried out in a series of twenty-three patients with mild or moderate essential hypertension who were receiving 25 mg of chlorthalidone daily as their basic treatment. An individually determined dose of metoprolol (75-300 mg) was used. 2. Metoprolol, as compared with placebo, produced a statistically significant reduction of blood pressure, both in supine and standing positions. 3. During the double-blind cross-over study mild side effects were more common at the beginning of metoprolol/chlorthalidone treatment than during placebo/chlorthalidone, but these tended to diminish or disappear with time. 4. Metoprolol in combination with chlorathalidone appears to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for mild and moderate hypertension in patients not responding to chlorthalidone alone.", "PMID": 799561} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11430", "title": "Clinical and haemodynamic study of atenolol (Tenormin) in essential hypertension.", "content": "1. The beta1-adrenoreceptor-blocking agent atenolol was studied in the treatment of twelve out-patients with essential hypertension. 2. With a mean dose of 110 mg of atenolol daily (range 75-200 mg/day) we observed a pronounced decrease in blood pressure. 3. Only minimal side effects were seen. 4. Cardiac output decreased from 4-6 to 3-4 l/min during treatment. This decrease did not correlate with the decrease in blood pressure but correlated well with the changes in calculated total peripheral resistance.", "contents": "Clinical and haemodynamic study of atenolol (Tenormin) in essential hypertension. 1. The beta1-adrenoreceptor-blocking agent atenolol was studied in the treatment of twelve out-patients with essential hypertension. 2. With a mean dose of 110 mg of atenolol daily (range 75-200 mg/day) we observed a pronounced decrease in blood pressure. 3. Only minimal side effects were seen. 4. Cardiac output decreased from 4-6 to 3-4 l/min during treatment. This decrease did not correlate with the decrease in blood pressure but correlated well with the changes in calculated total peripheral resistance.", "PMID": 799562} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11431", "title": "Evaluation of the effect of timolol alone and in combination with hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride in the treatment of mild to moderate arterial hypertension: a double-blind, controlled study.", "content": "1. The effects of timolol alone and in combination with a fixed dose of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride have been studied in a double-blind, controlled study in fifty-four patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. 2. After a 4 weeks placebo period patients were randomly assigned to enter groups receiving timolol alone (group A), hydrochlorothiazide + amiloride (group B) or timolol + hydrochlorothiazide + amiloride (group C). Each treatment was carried out for 6 weeks. 3. The use of timolol (10 mg), hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg) and amiloride (2-5 mg) in a combination tablet given twice daily gave better control of blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension than did equivalent dosages of timolol alone or of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride. 4. Clinical and laboratory side effects were minimal.", "contents": "Evaluation of the effect of timolol alone and in combination with hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride in the treatment of mild to moderate arterial hypertension: a double-blind, controlled study. 1. The effects of timolol alone and in combination with a fixed dose of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride have been studied in a double-blind, controlled study in fifty-four patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. 2. After a 4 weeks placebo period patients were randomly assigned to enter groups receiving timolol alone (group A), hydrochlorothiazide + amiloride (group B) or timolol + hydrochlorothiazide + amiloride (group C). Each treatment was carried out for 6 weeks. 3. The use of timolol (10 mg), hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg) and amiloride (2-5 mg) in a combination tablet given twice daily gave better control of blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension than did equivalent dosages of timolol alone or of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride. 4. Clinical and laboratory side effects were minimal.", "PMID": 799563} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11432", "title": "Differential effects of acute and chronic beta-adrenoreceptor blockade on blood pressure and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in essential hypertension.", "content": "1. Serial measurements of plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone concentration (PA) and blood pressure were performed overnight in patients with borderline (group 1) and sustained essential hypertension (group 2) before and after acute and chronic administration of either propranolol or pindolol. 2. Group 1 patients exhibited a typical rhythm of recumbent PRA with low values before midnight and large increases early in the morning. 3. In contrast, no rhythm and very low PRA values were observed in patients of group 2. Blood pressure was higher in group 2 than in group 1. There was a significant correlation between the hyporeninaemic and hypotensive effect of either acute (r = 0-79) or chronic (r = 0.4) beta-receptor blockade. 4. In group 1, after beta-receptor blockade the day-night profile of renin was similar to that observed in group 2 before treatment. Thus, in this latter subgroup, low-renin profiles might reflect reduced beta-adrenoreceptor activity. 5. Plasma aldosterone was lower in group 2 but appeared to be inappropriately high relative to renin. 6. The data suggest that in hypertensive patients classified according to their blood pressure and recumbent PRA profiles a significant relationship exists between changes in PRA and arterial pressure. Thus patients with high PRA respond better to treatment than patients with low renin. We conclude that in the patients studied sympathetic nervous system activity mainly determined renin values as well as anti-hypertensive effectiveness of the beta-blocking drugs.", "contents": "Differential effects of acute and chronic beta-adrenoreceptor blockade on blood pressure and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in essential hypertension. 1. Serial measurements of plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone concentration (PA) and blood pressure were performed overnight in patients with borderline (group 1) and sustained essential hypertension (group 2) before and after acute and chronic administration of either propranolol or pindolol. 2. Group 1 patients exhibited a typical rhythm of recumbent PRA with low values before midnight and large increases early in the morning. 3. In contrast, no rhythm and very low PRA values were observed in patients of group 2. Blood pressure was higher in group 2 than in group 1. There was a significant correlation between the hyporeninaemic and hypotensive effect of either acute (r = 0-79) or chronic (r = 0.4) beta-receptor blockade. 4. In group 1, after beta-receptor blockade the day-night profile of renin was similar to that observed in group 2 before treatment. Thus, in this latter subgroup, low-renin profiles might reflect reduced beta-adrenoreceptor activity. 5. Plasma aldosterone was lower in group 2 but appeared to be inappropriately high relative to renin. 6. The data suggest that in hypertensive patients classified according to their blood pressure and recumbent PRA profiles a significant relationship exists between changes in PRA and arterial pressure. Thus patients with high PRA respond better to treatment than patients with low renin. We conclude that in the patients studied sympathetic nervous system activity mainly determined renin values as well as anti-hypertensive effectiveness of the beta-blocking drugs.", "PMID": 799564} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11433", "title": "Medical Research Council's Treatment Trial for mild hypertension: an interim report.", "content": "The pilot phase of the British multicentre randomized controlled trial of treatment for mild hypertension has shown: (1) that unselected subjects, aged 35-64 years, with mild hypertension are willing to enter and remain in a long-term trial even though asymptomatic; (2) that the differences of mean systolic and mean diastolic pressure achieved between treated and control subjects is sufficient to produce the expected difference in terminating events with the 18000 patients calculated as needed for the full-scale trial; (3) that side effects with the two selected active primary regimens (bendrofluazide and propranolol) are common but mild (no serious side effects or toxic reactions have been reported); (4) that the work load imposed by the trial, though considerable during screening and the initiation of patients into the trial, can largely be taken by specially trained nursing staff, and when screening is completed the trial does not impose a heavy burden of follow-up examinations; (5) that there are no adverse psychological effects caused by alerting asymptomatic people to their raised pressure and enrolling them into a prolonged programme of clinical attendance; (6) that the total costs of carrying out a full-scale trial--estimated at about lb.2m ($U.S. 4m)--are commensurate with the potential annual savings in health service expenditure whether the trial shows treatment to be effective or unwarranted.", "contents": "Medical Research Council's Treatment Trial for mild hypertension: an interim report. The pilot phase of the British multicentre randomized controlled trial of treatment for mild hypertension has shown: (1) that unselected subjects, aged 35-64 years, with mild hypertension are willing to enter and remain in a long-term trial even though asymptomatic; (2) that the differences of mean systolic and mean diastolic pressure achieved between treated and control subjects is sufficient to produce the expected difference in terminating events with the 18000 patients calculated as needed for the full-scale trial; (3) that side effects with the two selected active primary regimens (bendrofluazide and propranolol) are common but mild (no serious side effects or toxic reactions have been reported); (4) that the work load imposed by the trial, though considerable during screening and the initiation of patients into the trial, can largely be taken by specially trained nursing staff, and when screening is completed the trial does not impose a heavy burden of follow-up examinations; (5) that there are no adverse psychological effects caused by alerting asymptomatic people to their raised pressure and enrolling them into a prolonged programme of clinical attendance; (6) that the total costs of carrying out a full-scale trial--estimated at about lb.2m ($U.S. 4m)--are commensurate with the potential annual savings in health service expenditure whether the trial shows treatment to be effective or unwarranted.", "PMID": 799565} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11434", "title": "A within-patient comparison of bethanidine, methyldopa and propranolol in the treatment of hypertension.", "content": "1. A within-patient comparison showed that bethanidine, methyldopa and propranolol produced similar control of the blood pressure. 2. Unlike bethanidine, propranolol did not produce postural and exercise hypotension; methyldopa was intermediate in effect. 3. Overall side effects were of a similar incidence though there were differences in incidence of particular side effects.", "contents": "A within-patient comparison of bethanidine, methyldopa and propranolol in the treatment of hypertension. 1. A within-patient comparison showed that bethanidine, methyldopa and propranolol produced similar control of the blood pressure. 2. Unlike bethanidine, propranolol did not produce postural and exercise hypotension; methyldopa was intermediate in effect. 3. Overall side effects were of a similar incidence though there were differences in incidence of particular side effects.", "PMID": 799566} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11435", "title": "Treatment of severe and moderate hypertension with minoxidil: experience in twenty-eight patients.", "content": "1. Twenty patients with severe or moderate hypertension were treated with minoxidil for 284 patient-months. 2. The blood pressure was controlled in all patients, including those refractory to maximal doses of conventional anti-hypertensive agents. 3. In patients with moderate hypertension control with minoxidil was achieved earlier and more easily than with hydrallazine. 4. Three patients developed secondary resistance and required addition of guanethidine or increased doses of diuretics. 5. Fluid retention and hypertrichosis were the main side effects with minoxidil.", "contents": "Treatment of severe and moderate hypertension with minoxidil: experience in twenty-eight patients. 1. Twenty patients with severe or moderate hypertension were treated with minoxidil for 284 patient-months. 2. The blood pressure was controlled in all patients, including those refractory to maximal doses of conventional anti-hypertensive agents. 3. In patients with moderate hypertension control with minoxidil was achieved earlier and more easily than with hydrallazine. 4. Three patients developed secondary resistance and required addition of guanethidine or increased doses of diuretics. 5. Fluid retention and hypertrichosis were the main side effects with minoxidil.", "PMID": 799567} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11436", "title": "Clinical and haemodynamic study of a new vasodilator drug L6150 (3-[bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-6-hydrazinopyridazine) in man.", "content": "1. L6150 is a highly effective vasodilator which produces an acute reduction of blood pressure when administered intravenously. 2. This is due entirely to a decrease in total peripheral vascular resistance. 3. On oral administration it can effectively lower blood pressure in mild hypertension and is effective in combination with other hypotensive agents with different mechanisms of action.", "contents": "Clinical and haemodynamic study of a new vasodilator drug L6150 (3-[bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-6-hydrazinopyridazine) in man. 1. L6150 is a highly effective vasodilator which produces an acute reduction of blood pressure when administered intravenously. 2. This is due entirely to a decrease in total peripheral vascular resistance. 3. On oral administration it can effectively lower blood pressure in mild hypertension and is effective in combination with other hypotensive agents with different mechanisms of action.", "PMID": 799568} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11437", "title": "A cross-over study between hydrallazine and prazosin.", "content": "1. In a cross-over study between hydrallazine and prazosin in fifteen patients, also treated with the beta-receptor-blocking agent propranolol, 1 mg of prazosin was found to be equipotent with 30 mg of hydrallazine. 2. All patients were known to tolerate dydrallazine. In one patient prazosin treatment was discontinued because of severe headache. In four patients minor, non-persistent initial side effects were found. These might have been avoided by using a smaller starting dose. One patient fainted on the second day of prazosin treatment, probably from a micturition syncope. 3. Prazosin may be used as an alternative to hydrallazine. 4. The final status of prazosin as an anti-hypertensive drug is uncertain.20", "contents": "A cross-over study between hydrallazine and prazosin. 1. In a cross-over study between hydrallazine and prazosin in fifteen patients, also treated with the beta-receptor-blocking agent propranolol, 1 mg of prazosin was found to be equipotent with 30 mg of hydrallazine. 2. All patients were known to tolerate dydrallazine. In one patient prazosin treatment was discontinued because of severe headache. In four patients minor, non-persistent initial side effects were found. These might have been avoided by using a smaller starting dose. One patient fainted on the second day of prazosin treatment, probably from a micturition syncope. 3. Prazosin may be used as an alternative to hydrallazine. 4. The final status of prazosin as an anti-hypertensive drug is uncertain.20", "PMID": 799569} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11438", "title": "Effect of centrophenoxine on cyclophosphamide concentration in blood.", "content": "In order to clarify the mechanism of potentiation of cyclophosphamide activity by centrophenoxine, blood concentration of total and activated cyclophosphamide was examined. Blood concentration of cyclophosphamide increased by the compound and biological half-life of activated cyclophosphamide was markedly increased to 30 min from 18 min in intraperitoneal administration. At the same time, concentration of active form in ascites fluid was also increased and biological half-life of the active form was increased to 50 min from 18 min. Similar increase in blood level of active form was also shown by p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and probenecid, but concentrations at early stages after injection was not increased. As a result, potentiation of cyclophosphamide activity by centrophenoxine was found to be due to maintenance of active form in both blood and ascites fluid at higher levels than those in the control.", "contents": "Effect of centrophenoxine on cyclophosphamide concentration in blood. In order to clarify the mechanism of potentiation of cyclophosphamide activity by centrophenoxine, blood concentration of total and activated cyclophosphamide was examined. Blood concentration of cyclophosphamide increased by the compound and biological half-life of activated cyclophosphamide was markedly increased to 30 min from 18 min in intraperitoneal administration. At the same time, concentration of active form in ascites fluid was also increased and biological half-life of the active form was increased to 50 min from 18 min. Similar increase in blood level of active form was also shown by p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and probenecid, but concentrations at early stages after injection was not increased. As a result, potentiation of cyclophosphamide activity by centrophenoxine was found to be due to maintenance of active form in both blood and ascites fluid at higher levels than those in the control.", "PMID": 799602} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11439", "title": "Enhancing effect of a modified yeast mannan on antitumor activity of mitomycin-C.", "content": "A synthetic stearolymannan phosphate designated as SMP-Fr. I-d, consisting of three components, fatty acid, polysaccharide, and phosphate, enhanced the therapeutic effect of Mitomycin-C in mice implanted with 1 x 10(7) cells of Ehrlich carcinoma ascites form. Namely, 50% of the mice survived more than 60 days when ineffective doses of 0.5 mg/kg of Mitomycin-C and 50 mg/kg of SMP-Fr. I-d were administered intraperitoneally once daily for 7 days. SMP-Fr. I-d was found to be virtually non-toxic even in a dose of 1,000 mg/kg intraperitoneally in mice.", "contents": "Enhancing effect of a modified yeast mannan on antitumor activity of mitomycin-C. A synthetic stearolymannan phosphate designated as SMP-Fr. I-d, consisting of three components, fatty acid, polysaccharide, and phosphate, enhanced the therapeutic effect of Mitomycin-C in mice implanted with 1 x 10(7) cells of Ehrlich carcinoma ascites form. Namely, 50% of the mice survived more than 60 days when ineffective doses of 0.5 mg/kg of Mitomycin-C and 50 mg/kg of SMP-Fr. I-d were administered intraperitoneally once daily for 7 days. SMP-Fr. I-d was found to be virtually non-toxic even in a dose of 1,000 mg/kg intraperitoneally in mice.", "PMID": 799603} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11440", "title": "[Candida albicans and intestinal involvement].", "content": "In the present study we compared different media for diagnosis of Candida albicans in the faeces to know the importance of the nonascosporic yeasts in alvine disorder. The first property was to find which field, among those known in literature, was more suitable in laboratory practice, for identification of the fungi. Among the cultural tested fields, the best results were obtained by Pagano Levin Base, adding 2-3-5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride and Neomicina. The most frequently found yeast in the patient's faeces with alvine disorders resulted C. albicans. Therefore, patients having correlation C. albicans-alvine disorders were submitted to a treatment with Nystatin. Most cases verified the regularization of the alvine disorder and the same time the disappearance of the yeast.", "contents": "[Candida albicans and intestinal involvement]. In the present study we compared different media for diagnosis of Candida albicans in the faeces to know the importance of the nonascosporic yeasts in alvine disorder. The first property was to find which field, among those known in literature, was more suitable in laboratory practice, for identification of the fungi. Among the cultural tested fields, the best results were obtained by Pagano Levin Base, adding 2-3-5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride and Neomicina. The most frequently found yeast in the patient's faeces with alvine disorders resulted C. albicans. Therefore, patients having correlation C. albicans-alvine disorders were submitted to a treatment with Nystatin. Most cases verified the regularization of the alvine disorder and the same time the disappearance of the yeast.", "PMID": 799598} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11441", "title": "A simple method for detection and analysis of carcinogenic nitrofuran compounds and their metabolites by combining chromatography and spot mutation tests.", "content": "A simple, sensitive, and convenient method combining thin-layer chromatography and a spot test for mutagenicity of Salmonella typhimurium TA100 was utilized for the analysis of urine of rats fed N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]-formamide (FANFT), a potent experimental urinary bladder carcinogen. Three metabolites of FANFT were detected in urine, and one of these, accounting for 33% of the urinary metabolites of FANFT, was identified as 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (ANFT). ANFT was the only urinary metabolite that clearly demonstrated mutagenic activity, suggesting that ANFT may be a proximate vesical carcinogen of FANFT.", "contents": "A simple method for detection and analysis of carcinogenic nitrofuran compounds and their metabolites by combining chromatography and spot mutation tests. A simple, sensitive, and convenient method combining thin-layer chromatography and a spot test for mutagenicity of Salmonella typhimurium TA100 was utilized for the analysis of urine of rats fed N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]-formamide (FANFT), a potent experimental urinary bladder carcinogen. Three metabolites of FANFT were detected in urine, and one of these, accounting for 33% of the urinary metabolites of FANFT, was identified as 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (ANFT). ANFT was the only urinary metabolite that clearly demonstrated mutagenic activity, suggesting that ANFT may be a proximate vesical carcinogen of FANFT.", "PMID": 799604} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11442", "title": "Thermal and ultraviolet inactivation of plaque purified measles virus clones.", "content": "Three plaque-purified measles virus clones exhibited remarkable differences in their kinetics of inactivation only after heating at 45 degrees C and none after UV-irradiation. A hypothesis is discussed of the possible dependence, in fast inactivating populations, of thermolability on a relative incompleteness of the virions.", "contents": "Thermal and ultraviolet inactivation of plaque purified measles virus clones. Three plaque-purified measles virus clones exhibited remarkable differences in their kinetics of inactivation only after heating at 45 degrees C and none after UV-irradiation. A hypothesis is discussed of the possible dependence, in fast inactivating populations, of thermolability on a relative incompleteness of the virions.", "PMID": 799600} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11443", "title": "[Oral immunization of human adult volunteers using a trivalent coli-vaccine].", "content": "Oral vaccination of 19 human adult volunteers with a killed trivalent E. coli vaccine induced an antibody response detectable either in sera and feces. Production of specific IgA immunoglobulins in the intestine was also observed. Antibody titres reached the highest levels 5-10 days after vaccination and were still detectable in the majority of volunteers about 2 months later.", "contents": "[Oral immunization of human adult volunteers using a trivalent coli-vaccine]. Oral vaccination of 19 human adult volunteers with a killed trivalent E. coli vaccine induced an antibody response detectable either in sera and feces. Production of specific IgA immunoglobulins in the intestine was also observed. Antibody titres reached the highest levels 5-10 days after vaccination and were still detectable in the majority of volunteers about 2 months later.", "PMID": 799601} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11444", "title": "[Manufacture and possibilities of use of antisera against solubilized human erythrocyte membranes].", "content": "Antisera produced in rabbits against Triton X-100 solubilized human erythrocyte ghosts formed several several precipitation lines in immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion tests against the solubilized ghosts. The antisera were used for detecting several membrane components during chromatographic separation. A membrane component was partially isolated using gel filtration on SEPHADEX G-200 (fraction F1/F2). Spectrin (Tektin A) was shown to be the main moiety of these fractions. Associated proteins (haemoglobin, GAPD) could not be detected by the antisera against whole ghost solubilisate.", "contents": "[Manufacture and possibilities of use of antisera against solubilized human erythrocyte membranes]. Antisera produced in rabbits against Triton X-100 solubilized human erythrocyte ghosts formed several several precipitation lines in immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion tests against the solubilized ghosts. The antisera were used for detecting several membrane components during chromatographic separation. A membrane component was partially isolated using gel filtration on SEPHADEX G-200 (fraction F1/F2). Spectrin (Tektin A) was shown to be the main moiety of these fractions. Associated proteins (haemoglobin, GAPD) could not be detected by the antisera against whole ghost solubilisate.", "PMID": 799608} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11445", "title": "Effect of E 600 and Toxobidin on the behavious of cholinesterases in mouse skeletal muscles in the course of experimental trichinellosis.", "content": "Experiments were carried out on mice between the 14th and the 19th day following the infection with Trichinella larvae. E 600 was given in the lowest lethal dose (0-8 mg/kg) and Toxobidin in a curative dose of 15 mg/kg. The activities of AChE and PChE were examined with the use of the substrates of acetylthiocholine and butrylthiocholine iodides (Koelle-Friedenwald's method in Gomori's modification). Toxobidin was found to influence significantly restitution of AChE activity. The mice which had received E 600 under the protection of Toxobidin exhibited but a slight degree of inhibition of AChE activity. However, Toxobidin was not observed to exert a substantial effect on restitution of PChE activity. It is also worthy of note that Toxobidin has a great protective power. No animal died in the experimental group treated with E 600 under the protection of Toxobidin. On the other hand, in the group which had received E 600 only, all animals died within 10 to 15 minutes.", "contents": "Effect of E 600 and Toxobidin on the behavious of cholinesterases in mouse skeletal muscles in the course of experimental trichinellosis. Experiments were carried out on mice between the 14th and the 19th day following the infection with Trichinella larvae. E 600 was given in the lowest lethal dose (0-8 mg/kg) and Toxobidin in a curative dose of 15 mg/kg. The activities of AChE and PChE were examined with the use of the substrates of acetylthiocholine and butrylthiocholine iodides (Koelle-Friedenwald's method in Gomori's modification). Toxobidin was found to influence significantly restitution of AChE activity. The mice which had received E 600 under the protection of Toxobidin exhibited but a slight degree of inhibition of AChE activity. However, Toxobidin was not observed to exert a substantial effect on restitution of PChE activity. It is also worthy of note that Toxobidin has a great protective power. No animal died in the experimental group treated with E 600 under the protection of Toxobidin. On the other hand, in the group which had received E 600 only, all animals died within 10 to 15 minutes.", "PMID": 799612} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11446", "title": "A hot wire device for cutting tissue culture flasks.", "content": "A small hot wire device for cutting plastic culture was can be constructed of steel rod, brass screws, nichrome wire and acrylic plastic sheeting and tubing. The nichrome wire is heated using a variable power transformer. Four sequential cuts are made in the culture flask bottom and the bottom separated from the remainder of the flask. Cultures can be stained, air-dried and cover slips affixed with PVP or epoxy resin. This method of cutting culture ware avoids the formation of small bits of polystyrene generated by rotating discs or saws.", "contents": "A hot wire device for cutting tissue culture flasks. A small hot wire device for cutting plastic culture was can be constructed of steel rod, brass screws, nichrome wire and acrylic plastic sheeting and tubing. The nichrome wire is heated using a variable power transformer. Four sequential cuts are made in the culture flask bottom and the bottom separated from the remainder of the flask. Cultures can be stained, air-dried and cover slips affixed with PVP or epoxy resin. This method of cutting culture ware avoids the formation of small bits of polystyrene generated by rotating discs or saws.", "PMID": 799614} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11447", "title": "The role of receptors for T cell products in antibody formation.", "content": "Immunocompetent cell interactions are achieved via direct contact between functionally different cell types or via interactions between soluble factors elaborated by regulatory T cells and specific receptors on responding cells for the T cell factors. In either case, there exist certain restrictions with respect to the effective interactions, which depend on the state of differentiation and genetic background of the responding cell type. Such restrictions are considered to be mainly determined by the development and nature of the receptor site on responding cell types for different T cell factors, which is now refered to the \"acceptor\" for the T cell factors. The presence of such acceptor sites on different populations of both T and B cells has been demonstrated in various experimental systems, and they are now considered to be the site by which responding cells receive appropriate signal for destination of their further differentiation. We have tried to review the nature and possible role of acceptor sites on both B and T cells for different T cell factors with respect to the induction and regulation of immune responses. A special emphasis was put on the genetic nature of the acceptor site. The observed genetic restrictions in the acceptance of T cell factors by responding cells suggest that such restrictions are needed for meaningful and unmistakable communications between funcionally different immunocometent cells. Furthermore, the presence or absence of acceptor sites for certain T cell factors is supposed to be a very important factor for determination of the immune responsiveness of animals against certain antigens, and thus in some cases the Ir gene effect may predominantly affect the expression of acceptor site. Possible implications of acceptor site in the regulation of antibody response and in the network of immunocompetent cell interactions are discussed.", "contents": "The role of receptors for T cell products in antibody formation. Immunocompetent cell interactions are achieved via direct contact between functionally different cell types or via interactions between soluble factors elaborated by regulatory T cells and specific receptors on responding cells for the T cell factors. In either case, there exist certain restrictions with respect to the effective interactions, which depend on the state of differentiation and genetic background of the responding cell type. Such restrictions are considered to be mainly determined by the development and nature of the receptor site on responding cell types for different T cell factors, which is now refered to the \"acceptor\" for the T cell factors. The presence of such acceptor sites on different populations of both T and B cells has been demonstrated in various experimental systems, and they are now considered to be the site by which responding cells receive appropriate signal for destination of their further differentiation. We have tried to review the nature and possible role of acceptor sites on both B and T cells for different T cell factors with respect to the induction and regulation of immune responses. A special emphasis was put on the genetic nature of the acceptor site. The observed genetic restrictions in the acceptance of T cell factors by responding cells suggest that such restrictions are needed for meaningful and unmistakable communications between funcionally different immunocometent cells. Furthermore, the presence or absence of acceptor sites for certain T cell factors is supposed to be a very important factor for determination of the immune responsiveness of animals against certain antigens, and thus in some cases the Ir gene effect may predominantly affect the expression of acceptor site. Possible implications of acceptor site in the regulation of antibody response and in the network of immunocompetent cell interactions are discussed.", "PMID": 799615} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11448", "title": "Membrane receptors on neutrophils.", "content": "Neutrophils recognise humoral immunologic reactants through 'receptors' on their surface membrane. Most widely studied and probably of greatest biologic significance are the immunoglobulin (Fc), and complement (primarily C3b and C5a) receptors which enable the cell to ract with, and be stimulated by, antigen-antibody, or antigen-antibody-complement complexes and their products. This interaction with the putative receptors and the consequent cell activation occurs most optimally on surfaces and plays a critical role in the mammalian host defense system.", "contents": "Membrane receptors on neutrophils. Neutrophils recognise humoral immunologic reactants through 'receptors' on their surface membrane. Most widely studied and probably of greatest biologic significance are the immunoglobulin (Fc), and complement (primarily C3b and C5a) receptors which enable the cell to ract with, and be stimulated by, antigen-antibody, or antigen-antibody-complement complexes and their products. This interaction with the putative receptors and the consequent cell activation occurs most optimally on surfaces and plays a critical role in the mammalian host defense system.", "PMID": 799616} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11449", "title": "Cell surface receptors and lymphocyte migration.", "content": "Lymphocyte subpopulations show a marked specificity in their distribution in various parts of the lymphoid system. It has been suggested that specific localization of lymphocytes depends on the presence of homing\" receptors on their cell surface. The present paper summarizes some of the approaches used in the study of cell surface receptors involved in the migration and localization of lymphocytes. The effect of exposure of lymphocytes to antibodies, enzymes or lectins, on their capacity for localization is described. It is concluded that the experimental procedures employed do not provide conclusive evidence as to the mechanisms of lymphocyte localization, and that the role of homing receptors is still far from clear.", "contents": "Cell surface receptors and lymphocyte migration. Lymphocyte subpopulations show a marked specificity in their distribution in various parts of the lymphoid system. It has been suggested that specific localization of lymphocytes depends on the presence of homing\" receptors on their cell surface. The present paper summarizes some of the approaches used in the study of cell surface receptors involved in the migration and localization of lymphocytes. The effect of exposure of lymphocytes to antibodies, enzymes or lectins, on their capacity for localization is described. It is concluded that the experimental procedures employed do not provide conclusive evidence as to the mechanisms of lymphocyte localization, and that the role of homing receptors is still far from clear.", "PMID": 799617} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11450", "title": "IgD receptors of lymphoid cells.", "content": "While present in normal human serum in very low amounts and undetectable in sera of non-human primates as well as of mice, IgD is found on the surface of the majority of B lymphocytes in all the above mentioned species. Lymphocytes which carry IgD on their membrane also have IgM. The two molecules are present in relative amounts that can be very different in different cells. Both IgM and IgD of a single cell are the actual product of the cell itself. They have the same light chain and, more importantly, the same combining site and idiotype. IgD/IgM bearing lymphocytes are the majority of all B lymphocytes in spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches, whereas in bone marrow they account for half of the immunoglobulin positive cells. Although the percentage of double IgD/IgM cells is very similar in different tissues, the total amount of IgD, as well as the relative amounts of IgD and IgM as detected by biochemical methods varies. In fact, lymph nodes, and even more Peyer's patches are much richer than spleen in cells having levels of IgD higher than those of IgM; conversely, in the bone marrow, all the positive cells have very low levels of IgD. In ontogeny, as in evolution, IgD appears after IgM: in human foetuses IgD bearing cells are not detectable before 13 weeks of gestation, and in the mouse they appear only after birth. IgD receptors seem to disappear from B cells which undergo maturation to secretion, as indicated by the fact that only a proportion of IgM secreting plasma cells show membrane IgD. IgD is never found on the membrane of IgG-containing cells, and also lymphocytes bearing simultaneously IgD and IgG are very rare, and it might well be that for these cells, the double expression for short periods of time does not actually correspond to simultaneous synthesis.", "contents": "IgD receptors of lymphoid cells. While present in normal human serum in very low amounts and undetectable in sera of non-human primates as well as of mice, IgD is found on the surface of the majority of B lymphocytes in all the above mentioned species. Lymphocytes which carry IgD on their membrane also have IgM. The two molecules are present in relative amounts that can be very different in different cells. Both IgM and IgD of a single cell are the actual product of the cell itself. They have the same light chain and, more importantly, the same combining site and idiotype. IgD/IgM bearing lymphocytes are the majority of all B lymphocytes in spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches, whereas in bone marrow they account for half of the immunoglobulin positive cells. Although the percentage of double IgD/IgM cells is very similar in different tissues, the total amount of IgD, as well as the relative amounts of IgD and IgM as detected by biochemical methods varies. In fact, lymph nodes, and even more Peyer's patches are much richer than spleen in cells having levels of IgD higher than those of IgM; conversely, in the bone marrow, all the positive cells have very low levels of IgD. In ontogeny, as in evolution, IgD appears after IgM: in human foetuses IgD bearing cells are not detectable before 13 weeks of gestation, and in the mouse they appear only after birth. IgD receptors seem to disappear from B cells which undergo maturation to secretion, as indicated by the fact that only a proportion of IgM secreting plasma cells show membrane IgD. IgD is never found on the membrane of IgG-containing cells, and also lymphocytes bearing simultaneously IgD and IgG are very rare, and it might well be that for these cells, the double expression for short periods of time does not actually correspond to simultaneous synthesis.", "PMID": 799618} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11451", "title": "T-lymphocyte receptors for alloantigens.", "content": "Recent developments in research on T-cell receptors for alloantigens have been reviewed. Recognition of these antigens is T-cell dependent and, when measured in the PAR test, can be shown to take place with receptors present on T cells, with those shed spontaneously from T cells and also with \"recognition structures\" of as yet unknown origin and structure present in post-transplantation alloantiserum but absent from B-cell induce alloantiserum. All recognizing structures of parent T-cell origin mentioned above also induce formation of anti-T cell receptor antisera when injected into appropriate F1 hybrid animals. The highly specific inhibitory activity of the sera can be demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo, and the most fascinating aspect constitutes cytotoxic elimination of T cells bearing receptors for a given alloantigenic specificity without harming T cells with other alloreceptors. The biochemical nature of T-cell receptors is not known and, depending on the physical form in which it is investigated, high molecular weight as well as considerably lower molecular weight structures have been found. It has, on the other hand, become quite clear that the antigen-binding region of B- and T-cell receptors shows idiotypic similarity and it is, therefore, likely that this part of the receptor molecule of both lymphocyte classes is similar if not identical", "contents": "T-lymphocyte receptors for alloantigens. Recent developments in research on T-cell receptors for alloantigens have been reviewed. Recognition of these antigens is T-cell dependent and, when measured in the PAR test, can be shown to take place with receptors present on T cells, with those shed spontaneously from T cells and also with \"recognition structures\" of as yet unknown origin and structure present in post-transplantation alloantiserum but absent from B-cell induce alloantiserum. All recognizing structures of parent T-cell origin mentioned above also induce formation of anti-T cell receptor antisera when injected into appropriate F1 hybrid animals. The highly specific inhibitory activity of the sera can be demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo, and the most fascinating aspect constitutes cytotoxic elimination of T cells bearing receptors for a given alloantigenic specificity without harming T cells with other alloreceptors. The biochemical nature of T-cell receptors is not known and, depending on the physical form in which it is investigated, high molecular weight as well as considerably lower molecular weight structures have been found. It has, on the other hand, become quite clear that the antigen-binding region of B- and T-cell receptors shows idiotypic similarity and it is, therefore, likely that this part of the receptor molecule of both lymphocyte classes is similar if not identical", "PMID": 799619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11452", "title": "A correlation between the genome compositions of bacteriophages and their hosts.", "content": "The base composition of the genomes of bacteriophages and other viruses is, in a very general way, related to the base composition of the genomes of their hosts by the statistically significant linear regression: (phage GC%)=9.12 + 0.74 (host GC%). The significance and possible use of this relationship is discussed.", "contents": "A correlation between the genome compositions of bacteriophages and their hosts. The base composition of the genomes of bacteriophages and other viruses is, in a very general way, related to the base composition of the genomes of their hosts by the statistically significant linear regression: (phage GC%)=9.12 + 0.74 (host GC%). The significance and possible use of this relationship is discussed.", "PMID": 799626} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11453", "title": "The effects of inhibitors of nucleic acid and protein synthesis on the replication of Spodoptera frugiperda nuclear polyhedrosis virus in cultured Spodoptera frugiperda cells.", "content": "The effects of inhibitors of nucleic acid and protein synthesis on the replication of Spodoptera frugiperda nuclear polyhedrosis virus have been determined. Two inhibitors of protein synthesis-cycloheximide and puromycin-were irreversible inhibitors of virus multiplication. Three inhibitors of nucleic acid synthesis-actinomycin D, cytosine arabinoside and camptothecin- prevented virus multiplication; only camptothecin was reversible. Rifampicin had no effect on virus multiplication.", "contents": "The effects of inhibitors of nucleic acid and protein synthesis on the replication of Spodoptera frugiperda nuclear polyhedrosis virus in cultured Spodoptera frugiperda cells. The effects of inhibitors of nucleic acid and protein synthesis on the replication of Spodoptera frugiperda nuclear polyhedrosis virus have been determined. Two inhibitors of protein synthesis-cycloheximide and puromycin-were irreversible inhibitors of virus multiplication. Three inhibitors of nucleic acid synthesis-actinomycin D, cytosine arabinoside and camptothecin- prevented virus multiplication; only camptothecin was reversible. Rifampicin had no effect on virus multiplication.", "PMID": 799627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11454", "title": "Wilhelm Dilthey forerunner of humanist social thought.", "content": "Humanist sociology is as a meadow in the forest of positivist science. Much of this space was cleared by Wilhelm Dilthey, not only through his attack on the fundamental assumptions of positivism, but also through his formulation of a critical method by which the works of free human consciousness could be understood. The first tenet of positivism is that the world is made up of \"out there\" objectively knowable \"facts\". Dilthey undercut this notion by asserting that the subject matter of the human studies was not mere \"facts\" of nature, but rather objectified expressions and the human mind. The second central assumption of positivism is that these \"facts\" are explainable or determined by general casual laws. In contrast, Dilthey asserted that, while we can explain the natural world, human action must be understood through an interpretive rather than a casual logic. In demonstrating and specifically describing such an interpretive procedure, Dilthey provided an epistemiological and methodological grounding for a humanistic science of man.", "contents": "Wilhelm Dilthey forerunner of humanist social thought. Humanist sociology is as a meadow in the forest of positivist science. Much of this space was cleared by Wilhelm Dilthey, not only through his attack on the fundamental assumptions of positivism, but also through his formulation of a critical method by which the works of free human consciousness could be understood. The first tenet of positivism is that the world is made up of \"out there\" objectively knowable \"facts\". Dilthey undercut this notion by asserting that the subject matter of the human studies was not mere \"facts\" of nature, but rather objectified expressions and the human mind. The second central assumption of positivism is that these \"facts\" are explainable or determined by general casual laws. In contrast, Dilthey asserted that, while we can explain the natural world, human action must be understood through an interpretive rather than a casual logic. In demonstrating and specifically describing such an interpretive procedure, Dilthey provided an epistemiological and methodological grounding for a humanistic science of man.", "PMID": 799624} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11455", "title": "Presence of histones in Aspergillus nidulans.", "content": "Five major histone proteins have been extracted from chromatin isolated from purified nuclei of the fungus, Aspergillus nidulans. These proteins had chromatographic properties which were similar to reference calf thymus histones and were purified to electrophoretic homegeneity by gel chromatography of Bio-Gel P10, Bio-Gel P60, and Sephadex G-100. Electrophoresis of these proteins in three different systems (urea-starch, urea-acetic acid polyacrylamide, and discontinuous SDS polyacrylamide) showed that the A. nidulans histones H3 and H4 were nearly identical to calf thymus H3 and H4 with respect to net charge and molecular weight criteria, whereas the fungal histones H1, H2a and H2b were similar but not identical to the corresponding calf thymus histones. Amino acid analysis of A. nidulans histones H2a, H2b, and H4 showed them to be closely related to the homologous calf thymus histones. The mobility patterns of A. nidulans ribosomal basic proteins in three different electrophoretic systems were distinctly different from those of the fungal histones.", "contents": "Presence of histones in Aspergillus nidulans. Five major histone proteins have been extracted from chromatin isolated from purified nuclei of the fungus, Aspergillus nidulans. These proteins had chromatographic properties which were similar to reference calf thymus histones and were purified to electrophoretic homegeneity by gel chromatography of Bio-Gel P10, Bio-Gel P60, and Sephadex G-100. Electrophoresis of these proteins in three different systems (urea-starch, urea-acetic acid polyacrylamide, and discontinuous SDS polyacrylamide) showed that the A. nidulans histones H3 and H4 were nearly identical to calf thymus H3 and H4 with respect to net charge and molecular weight criteria, whereas the fungal histones H1, H2a and H2b were similar but not identical to the corresponding calf thymus histones. Amino acid analysis of A. nidulans histones H2a, H2b, and H4 showed them to be closely related to the homologous calf thymus histones. The mobility patterns of A. nidulans ribosomal basic proteins in three different electrophoretic systems were distinctly different from those of the fungal histones.", "PMID": 799641} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11456", "title": "Automated electro-oculography.", "content": "Automation of the EOG has the chief advantage that the clinician is relieved of the normal complexities and the time demands of this test. He needs only to be concerned with the interpretation of the final outcome for diagnosis. The expense of this method, relative to the standard techniques, must be assessed according to the circumstances of the clinical setting. At present it certainly cannot be justified in the private clinical practice due to its low level of utilization. However, in a college or large clinic, where a general purpose minicomputer is available, automated control of the EOG test may be the most economical in terms of the additional expenditures required for equipment and manpower.", "contents": "Automated electro-oculography. Automation of the EOG has the chief advantage that the clinician is relieved of the normal complexities and the time demands of this test. He needs only to be concerned with the interpretation of the final outcome for diagnosis. The expense of this method, relative to the standard techniques, must be assessed according to the circumstances of the clinical setting. At present it certainly cannot be justified in the private clinical practice due to its low level of utilization. However, in a college or large clinic, where a general purpose minicomputer is available, automated control of the EOG test may be the most economical in terms of the additional expenditures required for equipment and manpower.", "PMID": 799644} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11457", "title": "Bone grafts.", "content": "Bone grafts are of three types--autogenous (from the same individual), homogenous (from the same species), and heterogenous (from a different species). They have many uses--to bridge joints and provide arthrodesis; to fill defects resulting from an osteotomy, excision of a tumor, or a loss of bone: and to provide bone blocks and promote union. The most important single factor in the success of a bone graft is the response and vitality of the host bed, and the most favorable conditions for survival of transplants are autogenous transfers to a well prepared host bed.", "contents": "Bone grafts. Bone grafts are of three types--autogenous (from the same individual), homogenous (from the same species), and heterogenous (from a different species). They have many uses--to bridge joints and provide arthrodesis; to fill defects resulting from an osteotomy, excision of a tumor, or a loss of bone: and to provide bone blocks and promote union. The most important single factor in the success of a bone graft is the response and vitality of the host bed, and the most favorable conditions for survival of transplants are autogenous transfers to a well prepared host bed.", "PMID": 799650} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11458", "title": "Mutagenesis in the strains E. coli K-12 with different ability to genetic recombination.", "content": "Data on the role of recombination in spontaneous mutagenesis in E. coli K-12 are presented. On the basis of these data it can be presumed that such mutagenesis results from errors in spontaneous recombination. The study of the dependence of mutagenesis induced by mitomycin C, nitrosoguanidine and ethylmethanesulphonate has revealed that only mutagenesis induced by mitomycin C depends on the recombination ability of the cells. Mutagenesis induced by mitomyin C results from errors in the recombinative restoration of damages to DNA induced by this mutagen.", "contents": "Mutagenesis in the strains E. coli K-12 with different ability to genetic recombination. Data on the role of recombination in spontaneous mutagenesis in E. coli K-12 are presented. On the basis of these data it can be presumed that such mutagenesis results from errors in spontaneous recombination. The study of the dependence of mutagenesis induced by mitomycin C, nitrosoguanidine and ethylmethanesulphonate has revealed that only mutagenesis induced by mitomycin C depends on the recombination ability of the cells. Mutagenesis induced by mitomyin C results from errors in the recombinative restoration of damages to DNA induced by this mutagen.", "PMID": 799715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11459", "title": "Inducing effect of cortisone and insulin on the activity of beta-galactosidase in the E. coli strains K12.", "content": "Individual and combined effects of cortisone and insulin on the synthesis of beta-galactosidase in the strains E. coli K 12 200 PS/Flac and M-308 and the possiblity of cortisone uptake by the bacterial cell under different temperature conditions were investigated in their dynamics. When insulin and cortisone are applied simultaneously in doses showing individually the greatest stimulative effect on the synthesis of beat-galactosidase, no summation of the effect of the hormones occurs in the strain E. coli 200 PS/Flac in the presence of IPTG while in the strain E. coli ML-308 simultaneous application of insulin and cortisone induces a negligible increase in the activity of beta-galactosidase. Tests for the incorporation of [3H] cortisone into the strains E. coli 200 PS/Flac and ML-308 have shown that the hormone is taken up by the bacterial cell immediately after its addition to the incubation medium, reaching its maximum after 5 min of incubation and maintaining the same level in the subsequent 30 min. The incorporation of [3H] cortisone at a temperature of 37degrees C is markedly higher than at 4degrees C. Preliminary incubation of the cultures with unlabelled cortisone and insulin resulted in a decrease in the uptake of [3H] cortisone by the bacterial cell.", "contents": "Inducing effect of cortisone and insulin on the activity of beta-galactosidase in the E. coli strains K12. Individual and combined effects of cortisone and insulin on the synthesis of beta-galactosidase in the strains E. coli K 12 200 PS/Flac and M-308 and the possiblity of cortisone uptake by the bacterial cell under different temperature conditions were investigated in their dynamics. When insulin and cortisone are applied simultaneously in doses showing individually the greatest stimulative effect on the synthesis of beat-galactosidase, no summation of the effect of the hormones occurs in the strain E. coli 200 PS/Flac in the presence of IPTG while in the strain E. coli ML-308 simultaneous application of insulin and cortisone induces a negligible increase in the activity of beta-galactosidase. Tests for the incorporation of [3H] cortisone into the strains E. coli 200 PS/Flac and ML-308 have shown that the hormone is taken up by the bacterial cell immediately after its addition to the incubation medium, reaching its maximum after 5 min of incubation and maintaining the same level in the subsequent 30 min. The incorporation of [3H] cortisone at a temperature of 37degrees C is markedly higher than at 4degrees C. Preliminary incubation of the cultures with unlabelled cortisone and insulin resulted in a decrease in the uptake of [3H] cortisone by the bacterial cell.", "PMID": 799716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11460", "title": "[Excretion of catecholamines and their precursors after heterotopic heart allotransplantation in rats].", "content": "The urine content of catecholamines and their precursors was studied in lineal rats subjected to heterotopic heart allotransplantation, the dynamics being traced from 3 days preoperatively and throughout the period of transplant function (6.8 +/- 0.8 days, on the average). Heterotopic heart allotransplantation was shown to activate the sympathetic link of the sympathoadrenal system.", "contents": "[Excretion of catecholamines and their precursors after heterotopic heart allotransplantation in rats]. The urine content of catecholamines and their precursors was studied in lineal rats subjected to heterotopic heart allotransplantation, the dynamics being traced from 3 days preoperatively and throughout the period of transplant function (6.8 +/- 0.8 days, on the average). Heterotopic heart allotransplantation was shown to activate the sympathetic link of the sympathoadrenal system.", "PMID": 799730} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11461", "title": "Some immunologically based reactions that can cause the regression of large tumor masses.", "content": "A widely held view is that the immune reactions of the host directed against tumor-specific membrane antigens can only eliminate a relatively small number of tumor cells. There are, however, some therapeutic maneuvers, that under some conditions can cause the regression of large tumor masses to which immune factors make a critical contribution. Among these are the injection of complement, administration of double stranded RNA and endotoxin, and the induction of inflammation.", "contents": "Some immunologically based reactions that can cause the regression of large tumor masses. A widely held view is that the immune reactions of the host directed against tumor-specific membrane antigens can only eliminate a relatively small number of tumor cells. There are, however, some therapeutic maneuvers, that under some conditions can cause the regression of large tumor masses to which immune factors make a critical contribution. Among these are the injection of complement, administration of double stranded RNA and endotoxin, and the induction of inflammation.", "PMID": 799755} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11462", "title": "[Artificial \"membranous lung\"].", "content": "The paper reviews and anlyses the most widespread up-to-date designs of membranous oxygenators. On an example of some types of membraneous oxygenators and their functional characteristics basic parameters for a comparative evaluation and choice of the \"membranous lung\" and its effective utilization have been deduced, viz. the circulation rate, the rate of the oxygen and carbon dioxide transport (per 1 m2 of the oxygenating surface), pressure differential, primarily filled up volume and oxygen consumption. The authors underline the need for determining the efficiency of the oxygenator with reference to O2 and CO2 and standard values of unsaturated blood indices. With due regard for promising trends in the future development of artificial \"membranous lungs\" features that may be of use in the classification of membraneous oxygenators have been systematized.", "contents": "[Artificial \"membranous lung\"]. The paper reviews and anlyses the most widespread up-to-date designs of membranous oxygenators. On an example of some types of membraneous oxygenators and their functional characteristics basic parameters for a comparative evaluation and choice of the \"membranous lung\" and its effective utilization have been deduced, viz. the circulation rate, the rate of the oxygen and carbon dioxide transport (per 1 m2 of the oxygenating surface), pressure differential, primarily filled up volume and oxygen consumption. The authors underline the need for determining the efficiency of the oxygenator with reference to O2 and CO2 and standard values of unsaturated blood indices. With due regard for promising trends in the future development of artificial \"membranous lungs\" features that may be of use in the classification of membraneous oxygenators have been systematized.", "PMID": 799747} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11463", "title": "Neoplastic disease and tumor immunology from the perspective of host-parasite relationships.", "content": "Neoplasia is considered within the biologic framework of host-parasite relationships, and the arguments favoring this perspective are discussed. By viewing neoplastic processes as dynamic interactions between transformed clones, host defense mechanisms, and the environmental circumstances impinging directly on the neoplastic event, the experimentalist and clinician are better prepared conceptually for a balanced assessment of all factors determining the development and outcome of confrontations with neoplastic clones. The frame of reference placing progressive neoplasia into the category of host-parasite associations also prepares the ground for techinical approaches to the study and observation of oncologic phenomena appropriate to their essential nature. The correct evaluation and most promising future development of the current emphasis on immunologic parameters of neoplasia demands especially an awareness of the role of immunologic variables in other host-parasite relationships.", "contents": "Neoplastic disease and tumor immunology from the perspective of host-parasite relationships. Neoplasia is considered within the biologic framework of host-parasite relationships, and the arguments favoring this perspective are discussed. By viewing neoplastic processes as dynamic interactions between transformed clones, host defense mechanisms, and the environmental circumstances impinging directly on the neoplastic event, the experimentalist and clinician are better prepared conceptually for a balanced assessment of all factors determining the development and outcome of confrontations with neoplastic clones. The frame of reference placing progressive neoplasia into the category of host-parasite associations also prepares the ground for techinical approaches to the study and observation of oncologic phenomena appropriate to their essential nature. The correct evaluation and most promising future development of the current emphasis on immunologic parameters of neoplasia demands especially an awareness of the role of immunologic variables in other host-parasite relationships.", "PMID": 799756} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11464", "title": "Spontaneous regression of genitourinary cancers.", "content": "In genitourinary cancers, spontaneous regression has occurred in few instances and for reasons unknown. Although it cannot be denied that nephrectomy may have promoted regression of distant metastases in some cases, this is an unproved relationship and, in any event, an extremely rare sequence.", "contents": "Spontaneous regression of genitourinary cancers. In genitourinary cancers, spontaneous regression has occurred in few instances and for reasons unknown. Although it cannot be denied that nephrectomy may have promoted regression of distant metastases in some cases, this is an unproved relationship and, in any event, an extremely rare sequence.", "PMID": 799757} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11465", "title": "Spontaneous regression of breast cancer.", "content": "The dramatic but rare regression of a verified case of breast cancer in the absence of adequate, accepted, or conventional treatment has been observed and documented by clinicians over the course of many years. In my practice limited to diseases of the breast, over the past 25 years I have observed 12 patients with a unique and unusual clinical course valid enough to be regarded as spontaneous regression of breast cancer. These 12 patients, with clinically confirmed breast cancer, had temporary arrest or partial remission of their disease in the absence of complete or adequate treatment. In most of these cases, spontaneous regression could not be equated ultimately with permanent cure. Three of these case histories are summarized, and patient characteristics of pertinent clinical interest in the remaining case histories are presented and discussed. Despite widespread doubt and skepticism, there is ample clinical evidence to confirm the fact that spontaneous regression of breast cancer is a rare phenomenon but is real and does occur.", "contents": "Spontaneous regression of breast cancer. The dramatic but rare regression of a verified case of breast cancer in the absence of adequate, accepted, or conventional treatment has been observed and documented by clinicians over the course of many years. In my practice limited to diseases of the breast, over the past 25 years I have observed 12 patients with a unique and unusual clinical course valid enough to be regarded as spontaneous regression of breast cancer. These 12 patients, with clinically confirmed breast cancer, had temporary arrest or partial remission of their disease in the absence of complete or adequate treatment. In most of these cases, spontaneous regression could not be equated ultimately with permanent cure. Three of these case histories are summarized, and patient characteristics of pertinent clinical interest in the remaining case histories are presented and discussed. Despite widespread doubt and skepticism, there is ample clinical evidence to confirm the fact that spontaneous regression of breast cancer is a rare phenomenon but is real and does occur.", "PMID": 799758} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11466", "title": "[\"Pyrasanone\" in dentistry and oral surgery].", "content": "Oedema due to postoperative or post-traumatic infection or injury is noted in odontostomatological patients and its symptoms require prompt treatment. A new anti-inflammatory drug (Carudol) was experimented in association with antibiotics in two groups of patients, one admitted for diseases of the mouth, the other for surgery. Either 300 mg capsules or 425 mg suppositories were used. The results obtained were significant when compared to those offered by other anti-inflammatory drugs.", "contents": "[\"Pyrasanone\" in dentistry and oral surgery]. Oedema due to postoperative or post-traumatic infection or injury is noted in odontostomatological patients and its symptoms require prompt treatment. A new anti-inflammatory drug (Carudol) was experimented in association with antibiotics in two groups of patients, one admitted for diseases of the mouth, the other for surgery. Either 300 mg capsules or 425 mg suppositories were used. The results obtained were significant when compared to those offered by other anti-inflammatory drugs.", "PMID": 799754} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11467", "title": "Spontaneous regression in gynecologic neoplasia.", "content": "As I have tried to tabulate and evaluate the cases of spontaneous regression of gynecologic malignancy, several facts stand out: 1) They were infrequent. 2) The tumors most commonly undergoing spontaneous regression were the germinal epithelial tumors of the ovary; there was not any case of spontaneous regression of any other variety of ovarian neoplasm. 3) There was not one legitimate case of spontaneous regression of an invasive epidermoid carcinoma of the vulva, vagina, or uterus.", "contents": "Spontaneous regression in gynecologic neoplasia. As I have tried to tabulate and evaluate the cases of spontaneous regression of gynecologic malignancy, several facts stand out: 1) They were infrequent. 2) The tumors most commonly undergoing spontaneous regression were the germinal epithelial tumors of the ovary; there was not any case of spontaneous regression of any other variety of ovarian neoplasm. 3) There was not one legitimate case of spontaneous regression of an invasive epidermoid carcinoma of the vulva, vagina, or uterus.", "PMID": 799759} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11468", "title": "Spontaneous regression of cancer and the importance of finding its cause.", "content": "A few years ago Everson and I assembled all the examples of spontaneous regression in the world medical literature from 1900 to 1960 and added numerous cases from expriences of our friends. Our figure was 176. We excluded squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, and a large number of cases that did not fulfill the prerequisites of confirmed diagnosis and no significant treatment. The four most common examples of regression were carcinoma of the kidney (31), neuroblastoma (29), malignant melanoma (19), and choriocarcinoma (19); these constituted more than half the group. We did not require that the regression be permanent because it appeared that the explanation of temporary regression would be just as important as the cause of permanent regression. There was no proven specific cause of the regression, but the following mechanisms had a possible relationship: immunologic action, elimination of carcinogens, trauma (altering the antigen-antibody relationship), hormones, irradiation, infection and/or fever, and drugs or chemicals. The most applicable of these is elimination of the carcinogen. Immunologic reactions seem to offer the best explanation, and the potential of humoral immunity is more impressive than that of cellular immunity.", "contents": "Spontaneous regression of cancer and the importance of finding its cause. A few years ago Everson and I assembled all the examples of spontaneous regression in the world medical literature from 1900 to 1960 and added numerous cases from expriences of our friends. Our figure was 176. We excluded squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, and a large number of cases that did not fulfill the prerequisites of confirmed diagnosis and no significant treatment. The four most common examples of regression were carcinoma of the kidney (31), neuroblastoma (29), malignant melanoma (19), and choriocarcinoma (19); these constituted more than half the group. We did not require that the regression be permanent because it appeared that the explanation of temporary regression would be just as important as the cause of permanent regression. There was no proven specific cause of the regression, but the following mechanisms had a possible relationship: immunologic action, elimination of carcinogens, trauma (altering the antigen-antibody relationship), hormones, irradiation, infection and/or fever, and drugs or chemicals. The most applicable of these is elimination of the carcinogen. Immunologic reactions seem to offer the best explanation, and the potential of humoral immunity is more impressive than that of cellular immunity.", "PMID": 799760} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11469", "title": "Spontaneous remission in Burkitt's lymphoma.", "content": "Three cases of spontaneous regression of Burkitt's lymphoma are reviewed and additional clinical and laboratory observations relevant to the role of host defenses are summarized. Spontaneous regression of Burkitt's lymphoma provides compelling evidence for antitumor immunity.", "contents": "Spontaneous remission in Burkitt's lymphoma. Three cases of spontaneous regression of Burkitt's lymphoma are reviewed and additional clinical and laboratory observations relevant to the role of host defenses are summarized. Spontaneous regression of Burkitt's lymphoma provides compelling evidence for antitumor immunity.", "PMID": 799761} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11470", "title": "Spontaneous regression of malignant melanoma: a review of the literature on incidence, clinical features, and possible mechanisms.", "content": "A review of the clinical features of spontaneous regression of malignant melanoma was undertaken. Thirty-three patients with total regression of primary melanoma (\"primary regressors\") and 40 (13 of whom were somewhat doubtful) with regression of metastatic disease were reviewed in detail. These patients appeared to represent a typical age incidence of melanoma but the primary regressors showed an unexpected predominance of male over female patients. A variety of unique clinical features of the histories of the patients were noted, but none appeared to explain the regression with any degree of predictability. Cutaneous metastases constituted the most common site of regression, followed, in order, by lymphatic, pulmonary, and hepatic metastases. About 40% of patients with spontaneous regressions appeared to have \"spontaneous cure,\" which implies that the disease had not relapsed either during a long period of follow-up or until death from some other cause. Mechanisms that possibly relate to spontaneous regression of melanoma fall into the following general categories: immunologic, endocrine, pigment metabolic, intracellular, nutritional, and carcinogenic. Further quantitative studies of patients acutally undergoing spontaneous regression or the development of a model of spontaneous regression may be a key to our understanding of this interesting \"experiment of nature.\"", "contents": "Spontaneous regression of malignant melanoma: a review of the literature on incidence, clinical features, and possible mechanisms. A review of the clinical features of spontaneous regression of malignant melanoma was undertaken. Thirty-three patients with total regression of primary melanoma (\"primary regressors\") and 40 (13 of whom were somewhat doubtful) with regression of metastatic disease were reviewed in detail. These patients appeared to represent a typical age incidence of melanoma but the primary regressors showed an unexpected predominance of male over female patients. A variety of unique clinical features of the histories of the patients were noted, but none appeared to explain the regression with any degree of predictability. Cutaneous metastases constituted the most common site of regression, followed, in order, by lymphatic, pulmonary, and hepatic metastases. About 40% of patients with spontaneous regressions appeared to have \"spontaneous cure,\" which implies that the disease had not relapsed either during a long period of follow-up or until death from some other cause. Mechanisms that possibly relate to spontaneous regression of melanoma fall into the following general categories: immunologic, endocrine, pigment metabolic, intracellular, nutritional, and carcinogenic. Further quantitative studies of patients acutally undergoing spontaneous regression or the development of a model of spontaneous regression may be a key to our understanding of this interesting \"experiment of nature.\"", "PMID": 799762} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11471", "title": "Immunotherapy in malignant melanomaa.", "content": "Accumlated evidence suggests that human neoplasms contain antigens that elicit humoral and cellular immunity in the immunocompetent host. A recent summary report showed that Stage II melanoma patients with metastases to regional lymph nodes had a lowered incidence of recurrence and a higher incidence of survival following surgery and postoperative BCG immunotherapy. To verify these findings, clinical trials are now under way in which we radomized melanoma patients into groups to compare treatment by surgery alone with surgery and BCG only, or surgery and BCG in combination with allogeneic melanoma cell vaccine. Serum samples from each patient are monitored by in vitro techniques to define those methods which best correlate to clinical course. Hopefully, such correlations can be used to monitor response to immunotherapy before disease is clinically apparent. Although immunotherapy does not cause regression of far advanced disease, it undoubtedly will be beneficial against subclinical, microscopic tumor.", "contents": "Immunotherapy in malignant melanomaa. Accumlated evidence suggests that human neoplasms contain antigens that elicit humoral and cellular immunity in the immunocompetent host. A recent summary report showed that Stage II melanoma patients with metastases to regional lymph nodes had a lowered incidence of recurrence and a higher incidence of survival following surgery and postoperative BCG immunotherapy. To verify these findings, clinical trials are now under way in which we radomized melanoma patients into groups to compare treatment by surgery alone with surgery and BCG only, or surgery and BCG in combination with allogeneic melanoma cell vaccine. Serum samples from each patient are monitored by in vitro techniques to define those methods which best correlate to clinical course. Hopefully, such correlations can be used to monitor response to immunotherapy before disease is clinically apparent. Although immunotherapy does not cause regression of far advanced disease, it undoubtedly will be beneficial against subclinical, microscopic tumor.", "PMID": 799763} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11472", "title": "Nonspecific antigen reactions.", "content": "Cell-mediated immune challenge reactions to a number of antigens at tumor sites resulted in regressions of various types of benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions in man. Regressions varied from partial to complete and lasted from several months to more than 10 years. Increased levels of cell-mediated immunocompetence were attained by several means, including reduction of tumor burden, immunopotentiation, or transfer of immunity. Antitumor activities of immune challenge reactions are selective for tumor cells and appear to be independent of the nature of the antigens used or the type of neoplasm. Combinations of immunotherapy with other treatment modalities resulted in augmentation of antitumor effects. Preliminary studies indicate that cellular and noncellular mediators of delayed hypersensitivity induce antitumor activities that may be significant in the regressions of neoplasms induced by cell-mediated immune challenge reactions. Since cell-mediated immune reactions are frequent occurrences, they may be a factor in apparently spontaneous regressions of neoplasms.", "contents": "Nonspecific antigen reactions. Cell-mediated immune challenge reactions to a number of antigens at tumor sites resulted in regressions of various types of benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions in man. Regressions varied from partial to complete and lasted from several months to more than 10 years. Increased levels of cell-mediated immunocompetence were attained by several means, including reduction of tumor burden, immunopotentiation, or transfer of immunity. Antitumor activities of immune challenge reactions are selective for tumor cells and appear to be independent of the nature of the antigens used or the type of neoplasm. Combinations of immunotherapy with other treatment modalities resulted in augmentation of antitumor effects. Preliminary studies indicate that cellular and noncellular mediators of delayed hypersensitivity induce antitumor activities that may be significant in the regressions of neoplasms induced by cell-mediated immune challenge reactions. Since cell-mediated immune reactions are frequent occurrences, they may be a factor in apparently spontaneous regressions of neoplasms.", "PMID": 799764} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11473", "title": "[Sciatica and occult sacral meningocele].", "content": "The authors present the case of a 43-years-old man who had suffered from back pain for 7 to 8 years followed by sciatic. X-rays showed an abnormal sacral cavity extending from S1 to S3. Wtih the suspicion of an occult sacral meningocoele, Dimer X radiculography showed a cystic formation at S2 which only partially filled the sacral cavity. There was also an L5-S1 disc protrusion. At operation, after exploration of the roots on both sides, it was possible to remove a disc herniation at L5-S1 on the right. Laminectomy of S1 and opening of the posterior wall of the sacral canal at S2 and S3 revealed a large cyst of epidural location, touching both S1 roots superiorly and situated behind the communicating cystic cavity seen at radiculography. Histological examination of the sacral cyst showed it to be a dura mater structure, in fact anon-communicating meningocoele.", "contents": "[Sciatica and occult sacral meningocele]. The authors present the case of a 43-years-old man who had suffered from back pain for 7 to 8 years followed by sciatic. X-rays showed an abnormal sacral cavity extending from S1 to S3. Wtih the suspicion of an occult sacral meningocoele, Dimer X radiculography showed a cystic formation at S2 which only partially filled the sacral cavity. There was also an L5-S1 disc protrusion. At operation, after exploration of the roots on both sides, it was possible to remove a disc herniation at L5-S1 on the right. Laminectomy of S1 and opening of the posterior wall of the sacral canal at S2 and S3 revealed a large cyst of epidural location, touching both S1 roots superiorly and situated behind the communicating cystic cavity seen at radiculography. Histological examination of the sacral cyst showed it to be a dura mater structure, in fact anon-communicating meningocoele.", "PMID": 799772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11474", "title": "Cytoplasmic and nuclear receptor-estradiol complex in the hipothalamus and pituitary: relationship with pituitary sensitivity to gonadotropin releasing hormone and gonadotropin secretion in the rat.", "content": "S.c. introduction of silastic capsules containing estradiol-17beta (E2) in the ovariectomized rat causes a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) on the following day. The levels of cytoplasmic and nuclear E2 receptor complex were measured in the pituitary and hypothalamus at 0, 9, 24 and 33 h intervals after placing the E2 implant. The pituitary sensitivity to exogenous gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) with respect to LH release in vitro was also measured. The results suggest that: (1) the pituitary sensitivity to exogenous GnRH remained higher 9, 24, and 33 h after placing the implant; (2) the circulating LH level decreased at 24 h and then increased at 33 h; (3) the pituitary and hypothalamic E2 receptor levels show striking differences during E2-induced LH release. Thus, the relationship between pituitary sensitivity to exogenous GnRH and the E2 receptor level in the pituitary and hypothalamus is complex.", "contents": "Cytoplasmic and nuclear receptor-estradiol complex in the hipothalamus and pituitary: relationship with pituitary sensitivity to gonadotropin releasing hormone and gonadotropin secretion in the rat. S.c. introduction of silastic capsules containing estradiol-17beta (E2) in the ovariectomized rat causes a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) on the following day. The levels of cytoplasmic and nuclear E2 receptor complex were measured in the pituitary and hypothalamus at 0, 9, 24 and 33 h intervals after placing the E2 implant. The pituitary sensitivity to exogenous gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) with respect to LH release in vitro was also measured. The results suggest that: (1) the pituitary sensitivity to exogenous GnRH remained higher 9, 24, and 33 h after placing the implant; (2) the circulating LH level decreased at 24 h and then increased at 33 h; (3) the pituitary and hypothalamic E2 receptor levels show striking differences during E2-induced LH release. Thus, the relationship between pituitary sensitivity to exogenous GnRH and the E2 receptor level in the pituitary and hypothalamus is complex.", "PMID": 799773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11475", "title": "Spatial organization at the cell surface.", "content": "Approaches are described for analysis of spatial organization of cell surface structure. Extraction of cells with nonionic and ionic detergents, chelating and chaotropic agents, salts, and reducing agents results in selective solubilization of surface proteins. Bisimidate disulfide-containing crosslinking reagents produce complexes containing surface proteins which can be analyzed by subsequent dissociation of the complexes. Disulfide-bonded complexes are also found without addition of crosslinkers, and reducing agents aid in extracting surface proteins. These results suggest a possible role for disulfide bonds in cell surface organization. Immunofluorescent staining of cells with antisera to LETS protein and to actin reveals fibrillar structures which survive NP40 extraction. These results indicate a complex organization at the cell surface which is amenable to analysis by permutations of the methods described.", "contents": "Spatial organization at the cell surface. Approaches are described for analysis of spatial organization of cell surface structure. Extraction of cells with nonionic and ionic detergents, chelating and chaotropic agents, salts, and reducing agents results in selective solubilization of surface proteins. Bisimidate disulfide-containing crosslinking reagents produce complexes containing surface proteins which can be analyzed by subsequent dissociation of the complexes. Disulfide-bonded complexes are also found without addition of crosslinkers, and reducing agents aid in extracting surface proteins. These results suggest a possible role for disulfide bonds in cell surface organization. Immunofluorescent staining of cells with antisera to LETS protein and to actin reveals fibrillar structures which survive NP40 extraction. These results indicate a complex organization at the cell surface which is amenable to analysis by permutations of the methods described.", "PMID": 799799} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11476", "title": "Cellular interactions in the metastatic process.", "content": "Tumor metastasis is a multistep process which is dependent on both host and tumor properties. It is proposed that the interaction of normal host blood and endothelial cells with circulating malignant cells result in tumor cell arrest leading to subsequent metastases at specific secondary sites. In experimental animal models the frequency and location of metastatic foci can be manipulated by repeated in vivo selection for tumor cell variants showing altered preference for organ-specific implantation and survival. These tumor cell variants can be used to determine the cell surface structures and enzymes involved in the various steps of the metastatic process.", "contents": "Cellular interactions in the metastatic process. Tumor metastasis is a multistep process which is dependent on both host and tumor properties. It is proposed that the interaction of normal host blood and endothelial cells with circulating malignant cells result in tumor cell arrest leading to subsequent metastases at specific secondary sites. In experimental animal models the frequency and location of metastatic foci can be manipulated by repeated in vivo selection for tumor cell variants showing altered preference for organ-specific implantation and survival. These tumor cell variants can be used to determine the cell surface structures and enzymes involved in the various steps of the metastatic process.", "PMID": 799800} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11477", "title": "[The immunofluorescence technique detecting antibody-coated bacteria for diagnosis of site of UTI (author's transl)].", "content": "The immunofluorescente technique detecting antibody-coated bacteria for diagnosis of site of UTI has been applied to 52 urine samples coming from : 11 patients with clinical diagnosis of pylonephritis, 21 infections of the lower urinary tract, 8 asymptomatic bacteriurias and 2 samples of urine obtained directly by pyelocentesis. The technique confirmed to be specific and sensible: strongly fluorescent germs were observed only in samples coming from pyelonephritis or urine from pyelocentesis. Repeatedly, from single samples were isolated more bacterial strains; only one of them was present in significant quantity. The some observation has been made also in 5 patients clinically affected with P.N., where 2 strains were isolated from each sample. In only one sample both strains were fluorescent, white in the remaining 4 samples the strain present in insignificative quantity was fluorescent. These observations, rather than a double localization (pyelo-renal and lower urinary tract) with different aetiologic agents, were interpreted to be the outcome of repeated antibiotic treatments. It is possible that they could have reduced the fluorescent \"bacterial load\" of the pyelo-renal region under significant number, simultaneously facilitating the emergence of superinfecting germs at the level of the lower urinary tract. We discuss the therapeutic involvements for a proper antibiotic treatment and the usefulness of flanking the test at the quantitative urine culture.", "contents": "[The immunofluorescence technique detecting antibody-coated bacteria for diagnosis of site of UTI (author's transl)]. The immunofluorescente technique detecting antibody-coated bacteria for diagnosis of site of UTI has been applied to 52 urine samples coming from : 11 patients with clinical diagnosis of pylonephritis, 21 infections of the lower urinary tract, 8 asymptomatic bacteriurias and 2 samples of urine obtained directly by pyelocentesis. The technique confirmed to be specific and sensible: strongly fluorescent germs were observed only in samples coming from pyelonephritis or urine from pyelocentesis. Repeatedly, from single samples were isolated more bacterial strains; only one of them was present in significant quantity. The some observation has been made also in 5 patients clinically affected with P.N., where 2 strains were isolated from each sample. In only one sample both strains were fluorescent, white in the remaining 4 samples the strain present in insignificative quantity was fluorescent. These observations, rather than a double localization (pyelo-renal and lower urinary tract) with different aetiologic agents, were interpreted to be the outcome of repeated antibiotic treatments. It is possible that they could have reduced the fluorescent \"bacterial load\" of the pyelo-renal region under significant number, simultaneously facilitating the emergence of superinfecting germs at the level of the lower urinary tract. We discuss the therapeutic involvements for a proper antibiotic treatment and the usefulness of flanking the test at the quantitative urine culture.", "PMID": 799806} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11478", "title": "[Selective deficiencies of phagocytosis and opsonization towards Staphylococcus aureus. 1. Preliminary study in normal humans and patients with debilitating diseases].", "content": "We studied simultaneously the bactericidal activity (BA) and the serum opsonic capacity (OC) towards S. aureus and Escherichia coli during 2 hours of phagocytosis in vitro. The PMNs and the sera from 17 seriously ill patients and from 10 normal individuals were tested. Both BA and OC towards E. coli were the same for all patients and controls. The BA for one patient and the OC for three other patients were found to be diminished significantly. The last three patients had infectious complications due to S. aureus only. The selective deficiency of OC towards S. aureus in these three patients may be connected with the pathogenesis of their infectious complications.", "contents": "[Selective deficiencies of phagocytosis and opsonization towards Staphylococcus aureus. 1. Preliminary study in normal humans and patients with debilitating diseases]. We studied simultaneously the bactericidal activity (BA) and the serum opsonic capacity (OC) towards S. aureus and Escherichia coli during 2 hours of phagocytosis in vitro. The PMNs and the sera from 17 seriously ill patients and from 10 normal individuals were tested. Both BA and OC towards E. coli were the same for all patients and controls. The BA for one patient and the OC for three other patients were found to be diminished significantly. The last three patients had infectious complications due to S. aureus only. The selective deficiency of OC towards S. aureus in these three patients may be connected with the pathogenesis of their infectious complications.", "PMID": 799813} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11479", "title": "The effect of colostrum or past colibacillosis on the adhesion of Escherichia coli to the small intestine of the pig.", "content": "Nursing litters of vaccinated (K88 antigen) and non-vaccinated gilts as well as weaned piglets, which had recovered from natural colibacillosis, were exposed to Escherichia coli O149: K91(B), K88ac(L) orogastrically and 3-4 h after exposure a proportion of each group was killed for adhesion studies; others were kept for clinical observations. From killed piglets duodenal contents were collected and after washing of the duodenum by standardised techniques it was homogenised. Viable counts of E coli O149 in these specimens were carried out and compared. Colicounts in the duodenal contents and in the homogenate of washed duodenum of naturally infected piglets were also compared. There was less than tenfold difference in counts of K88-positive E coli between duodenal contents and washed duodenum of piglets which were (A) naturally infected, (B) colostrum deprived and experimentally infected, or (C) were from colostrum fed groups where those litter mates which were kept for clinical observation died of colibacillosis. There was 10(3)-10(5)-fold difference in E coli O149 counts between comparable specimens from piglets which (a) recently recovered from K88-positive E coli infection at the time of oral challenge or (b) were from colostrum fed groups where those litter mates which were kept for clinical observation survived oral challenge. It is concluded that adhesion of K88-positive E coli to the epithelium of the anterior small intestine of the pig is a feature of natural as well as experimental colibacillosis. Such adhesion may be prevented by (i) earlier natural infection of K88-positive E coli or (ii) by the ingestion of colostrum of K88 antigen vaccinated dams.", "contents": "The effect of colostrum or past colibacillosis on the adhesion of Escherichia coli to the small intestine of the pig. Nursing litters of vaccinated (K88 antigen) and non-vaccinated gilts as well as weaned piglets, which had recovered from natural colibacillosis, were exposed to Escherichia coli O149: K91(B), K88ac(L) orogastrically and 3-4 h after exposure a proportion of each group was killed for adhesion studies; others were kept for clinical observations. From killed piglets duodenal contents were collected and after washing of the duodenum by standardised techniques it was homogenised. Viable counts of E coli O149 in these specimens were carried out and compared. Colicounts in the duodenal contents and in the homogenate of washed duodenum of naturally infected piglets were also compared. There was less than tenfold difference in counts of K88-positive E coli between duodenal contents and washed duodenum of piglets which were (A) naturally infected, (B) colostrum deprived and experimentally infected, or (C) were from colostrum fed groups where those litter mates which were kept for clinical observation died of colibacillosis. There was 10(3)-10(5)-fold difference in E coli O149 counts between comparable specimens from piglets which (a) recently recovered from K88-positive E coli infection at the time of oral challenge or (b) were from colostrum fed groups where those litter mates which were kept for clinical observation survived oral challenge. It is concluded that adhesion of K88-positive E coli to the epithelium of the anterior small intestine of the pig is a feature of natural as well as experimental colibacillosis. Such adhesion may be prevented by (i) earlier natural infection of K88-positive E coli or (ii) by the ingestion of colostrum of K88 antigen vaccinated dams.", "PMID": 799825} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11480", "title": "A comparison of the role of kinins and serotonin in endotoxin induced fever and Trypanosoma vivax infections in the goat.", "content": "Goats were infected with Trypanosoma vivax or inoculated with a low pyrogenic dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) obtained from Escherichia coli or Salmonella typhimurium in order to obtain evidence about the role of kinins and serotonin in the pathogenesis of trypanosomiasis and in endotoxin induced ruminal stasis. The following conclusions were made: (1) whole blood serotonin and bradykinin-like activity levels and clinical symptoms during fever, induced by LPS E coli or T vivax infection are not comparable. (2) There is no good correlation between the changes in heart rate and the temperature rise during fever, evoked by LPS E Coli or T vivax infection. (3) No change of whole blood serotonin level was found during LPS induced fever and only a small increase in the whole blood bradykinin-like activity could be detected. These data suggest that the inhibition of the extrinsic ruminal contractions and the bradycardia followed by a biphasic increase in heart rate during LPS induced fever are not mediated by these substances. (4) The peaks of parasitaemia during the acute phase of T vivax infection are associated with increases in whole blood bradykinin level. However, the high blood bradykinin-like activity did not cause an inhibition of the extrinsic ruminal contractions. (5) The slightly raised bradykinin-like activity during the chronic phase of T vivax infection suggests that bradykinin is not a major factor in the pathogenesis of chronic T vivax infection. (6) The fluctuations of the blood serotonin level during temperature peaks, associated with peaks of parasitaemia and the presence of many platelet thrombi in goats dying during overwhelming parasitaemia suggests a correlation between T vivax, platelet aggregation and blood serotonin decrease.", "contents": "A comparison of the role of kinins and serotonin in endotoxin induced fever and Trypanosoma vivax infections in the goat. Goats were infected with Trypanosoma vivax or inoculated with a low pyrogenic dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) obtained from Escherichia coli or Salmonella typhimurium in order to obtain evidence about the role of kinins and serotonin in the pathogenesis of trypanosomiasis and in endotoxin induced ruminal stasis. The following conclusions were made: (1) whole blood serotonin and bradykinin-like activity levels and clinical symptoms during fever, induced by LPS E coli or T vivax infection are not comparable. (2) There is no good correlation between the changes in heart rate and the temperature rise during fever, evoked by LPS E Coli or T vivax infection. (3) No change of whole blood serotonin level was found during LPS induced fever and only a small increase in the whole blood bradykinin-like activity could be detected. These data suggest that the inhibition of the extrinsic ruminal contractions and the bradycardia followed by a biphasic increase in heart rate during LPS induced fever are not mediated by these substances. (4) The peaks of parasitaemia during the acute phase of T vivax infection are associated with increases in whole blood bradykinin level. However, the high blood bradykinin-like activity did not cause an inhibition of the extrinsic ruminal contractions. (5) The slightly raised bradykinin-like activity during the chronic phase of T vivax infection suggests that bradykinin is not a major factor in the pathogenesis of chronic T vivax infection. (6) The fluctuations of the blood serotonin level during temperature peaks, associated with peaks of parasitaemia and the presence of many platelet thrombi in goats dying during overwhelming parasitaemia suggests a correlation between T vivax, platelet aggregation and blood serotonin decrease.", "PMID": 799824} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11481", "title": "Experimental infections of sheep with Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Twenty-two-six-to nine-month-old lambs were infected orally with Salmonella typhimurium at levels varying from 2 x 10(13) to 1 x 10(9) and serially slaughtered to determine the pathogenesis of infection and to evaluate the efficacy of diagnostic procedures. Infection resulted in a severe fatal or potentially fatal clinical disease in lambs receiving 2 x 10(13) organisms. Observations were made on the clinical pathology, bacteriology and serology during the course of infection and extensive bacteriological examinations were undertaken at autopsy.", "contents": "Experimental infections of sheep with Salmonella typhimurium. Twenty-two-six-to nine-month-old lambs were infected orally with Salmonella typhimurium at levels varying from 2 x 10(13) to 1 x 10(9) and serially slaughtered to determine the pathogenesis of infection and to evaluate the efficacy of diagnostic procedures. Infection resulted in a severe fatal or potentially fatal clinical disease in lambs receiving 2 x 10(13) organisms. Observations were made on the clinical pathology, bacteriology and serology during the course of infection and extensive bacteriological examinations were undertaken at autopsy.", "PMID": 799826} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11482", "title": "Determination of the cardiac output of anaesthetised pigs using a dye dilution method.", "content": "Cardiac output was measured in Pietrain and Large White pigs by the indocyanin green dye dilution method. Ventilation was controlled to ensure adequate oxygenation and normocardia. The cardiac output was lower than recorded by other workers in anaesthetised spontaneously breathing pigs.", "contents": "Determination of the cardiac output of anaesthetised pigs using a dye dilution method. Cardiac output was measured in Pietrain and Large White pigs by the indocyanin green dye dilution method. Ventilation was controlled to ensure adequate oxygenation and normocardia. The cardiac output was lower than recorded by other workers in anaesthetised spontaneously breathing pigs.", "PMID": 799827} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11483", "title": "Serum gastrin levels in patients with renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis and after successful kidney transplantation.", "content": "Chronic renal failure in man is associated with a hypergastrinaemia which is not corrected by haemodialysis. Serum gastrin concentrations were measured in 66 patients on maintenance haemodialysis and in 27 patients after successful kidney transplantation. The basal gastrin levels distinguished 2 groups of patients on maintenance haemodialysis: a first group with gastrin values less than or equal to 120 pg/ml (mean 58+/-29.88 pg/ml) and a second group with gastrin values greater than 120 pg/ml (mean 295+/-257 pg/ml). The onset of urine output after kidney transplantation was associated with a dramatic fall in gastrin concentration (3 patients studied in the early post-transplant period). 24 patients with stabilized transplant function had serum gastrin levels less than 120 pg/ml (mean 21.33+/- 17.29 pg/ml). The gastrin response to a standard protein meal depended on the basal gastrin concentration and was different in patients with renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis and those with a successful kidney transplantation.", "contents": "Serum gastrin levels in patients with renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis and after successful kidney transplantation. Chronic renal failure in man is associated with a hypergastrinaemia which is not corrected by haemodialysis. Serum gastrin concentrations were measured in 66 patients on maintenance haemodialysis and in 27 patients after successful kidney transplantation. The basal gastrin levels distinguished 2 groups of patients on maintenance haemodialysis: a first group with gastrin values less than or equal to 120 pg/ml (mean 58+/-29.88 pg/ml) and a second group with gastrin values greater than 120 pg/ml (mean 295+/-257 pg/ml). The onset of urine output after kidney transplantation was associated with a dramatic fall in gastrin concentration (3 patients studied in the early post-transplant period). 24 patients with stabilized transplant function had serum gastrin levels less than 120 pg/ml (mean 21.33+/- 17.29 pg/ml). The gastrin response to a standard protein meal depended on the basal gastrin concentration and was different in patients with renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis and those with a successful kidney transplantation.", "PMID": 799830} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11484", "title": "B and T cell surface markers on peripheral lymphocytes from diabetic patients.", "content": "A study of T and B cell surface markers was carried out on peripheral blood lymphocytes from diabetic patients, employing immunofluorescent staining for membrane Ig, and the E rosette test. According to the immunofluorescent studies the % of sIg bearing lymphocytes decreases with age; this trend is more evident in healthy individuals. Lymphocytes from diabetic patients posses a higher amount of membrane IgG than age-matched controls. It was only in the younger diabetic patients that a definite decrease was observed in the % of IgM bearing lymphocytes. The evaluation of E rosette-forming lymphocytes revealed a similar age-associated reduction both in diabetics and in controls. Some common features of the pattern of T and B cell markers on lymphocytes from younger diabetic patients and older controls suggest that the former undergo, at least from the immunological standpoint, a more precocious ageing process. It is possible that some metabolic disorders in lymphocyte activity may play a role in this, resulting in a deficiency in the control of immunological mechanisms.", "contents": "B and T cell surface markers on peripheral lymphocytes from diabetic patients. A study of T and B cell surface markers was carried out on peripheral blood lymphocytes from diabetic patients, employing immunofluorescent staining for membrane Ig, and the E rosette test. According to the immunofluorescent studies the % of sIg bearing lymphocytes decreases with age; this trend is more evident in healthy individuals. Lymphocytes from diabetic patients posses a higher amount of membrane IgG than age-matched controls. It was only in the younger diabetic patients that a definite decrease was observed in the % of IgM bearing lymphocytes. The evaluation of E rosette-forming lymphocytes revealed a similar age-associated reduction both in diabetics and in controls. Some common features of the pattern of T and B cell markers on lymphocytes from younger diabetic patients and older controls suggest that the former undergo, at least from the immunological standpoint, a more precocious ageing process. It is possible that some metabolic disorders in lymphocyte activity may play a role in this, resulting in a deficiency in the control of immunological mechanisms.", "PMID": 799831} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11485", "title": "[Considerations on the possible fate and effect of administered exogenous phospholipids (oral and parenteral way) (author's transl)].", "content": "Phospholipids are receiving a burst of increasing interest in biological and medical sciences. The change in perspective toward these compounds is largely due to the better knowledge we now have on biological membranes and to the increased technical tools available.", "contents": "[Considerations on the possible fate and effect of administered exogenous phospholipids (oral and parenteral way) (author's transl)]. Phospholipids are receiving a burst of increasing interest in biological and medical sciences. The change in perspective toward these compounds is largely due to the better knowledge we now have on biological membranes and to the increased technical tools available.", "PMID": 799834} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11486", "title": "[Water activity and food stability. I. Effects on viability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells (author's transl)].", "content": "Biological activity of microorganism is related to water activity (aw). In this paper the effect of glicerol as humectant on Saccharomyces cerevisiae viability was considered. The irreversible loss of viability was observed only for values inferior than 0,75. The K+ presence promoted an increasing of cell viability and growth. We have evaluated the changes of the most important components of cell poll; the increasing of glicerol amount of the system induced a drastic fall of aminoacids, purines and K ions content, but it increased the Na ions content. The exposure of cells to increasing glicerol concentrations, caused an aminoacids and purines excretion related to contact time; after a few hours this material was readsorbed by cells.", "contents": "[Water activity and food stability. I. Effects on viability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells (author's transl)]. Biological activity of microorganism is related to water activity (aw). In this paper the effect of glicerol as humectant on Saccharomyces cerevisiae viability was considered. The irreversible loss of viability was observed only for values inferior than 0,75. The K+ presence promoted an increasing of cell viability and growth. We have evaluated the changes of the most important components of cell poll; the increasing of glicerol amount of the system induced a drastic fall of aminoacids, purines and K ions content, but it increased the Na ions content. The exposure of cells to increasing glicerol concentrations, caused an aminoacids and purines excretion related to contact time; after a few hours this material was readsorbed by cells.", "PMID": 799835} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11487", "title": "[Histoimmunofluorescent demonstration of Br. suis in necropsy material].", "content": "Use was made of the direct immunofluorescence method for the demonstration of Brucella suis bacteria in paraffin and frozen histosections following the respective handling. The method was tested on necropsy material from experimentally infected test animals and spontaneously infected swine embryos. Compared with the cultural and serologic methods the histoimmunofluorescence one showed far better diagnostic possibilities. The use of the histoimmunofluorescence method is suggested along with the remaining routinely employed techniques in the laboratory practice. It will raise the effectiveness of the investigations for the demonstration of Brucella suis bacteria.", "contents": "[Histoimmunofluorescent demonstration of Br. suis in necropsy material]. Use was made of the direct immunofluorescence method for the demonstration of Brucella suis bacteria in paraffin and frozen histosections following the respective handling. The method was tested on necropsy material from experimentally infected test animals and spontaneously infected swine embryos. Compared with the cultural and serologic methods the histoimmunofluorescence one showed far better diagnostic possibilities. The use of the histoimmunofluorescence method is suggested along with the remaining routinely employed techniques in the laboratory practice. It will raise the effectiveness of the investigations for the demonstration of Brucella suis bacteria.", "PMID": 799861} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11488", "title": "[Localization and persistence of strain K in swine vaccinated against plague].", "content": "Pigs vaccinated with the lapinized K strain were studied by the immunofluorescence method, through bioassay on rabbits, and histopathologically. It was found that virus K is retained up to the 12th day post vaccination. If later on the presence of a virus was demonstrated it was believed that a wild virus participated. The virus was found in the spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, and occasionally in the kidneys. Histologically, there were changes in the central nervous system under the form of nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis, dystrophic and fibroblastic proliferations in the kidneys, and necrobiotic and necrotic areas in the liver. They proved analogous to the changes found in spontaneously affected pigs; it was believed that there was no difference in the tropism of the vaccinal and the wild virus of swine fever. The results obtained improve the laboratory diagnostics of the classic form of swine fever.", "contents": "[Localization and persistence of strain K in swine vaccinated against plague]. Pigs vaccinated with the lapinized K strain were studied by the immunofluorescence method, through bioassay on rabbits, and histopathologically. It was found that virus K is retained up to the 12th day post vaccination. If later on the presence of a virus was demonstrated it was believed that a wild virus participated. The virus was found in the spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, and occasionally in the kidneys. Histologically, there were changes in the central nervous system under the form of nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis, dystrophic and fibroblastic proliferations in the kidneys, and necrobiotic and necrotic areas in the liver. They proved analogous to the changes found in spontaneously affected pigs; it was believed that there was no difference in the tropism of the vaccinal and the wild virus of swine fever. The results obtained improve the laboratory diagnostics of the classic form of swine fever.", "PMID": 799862} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11489", "title": "[Studies of the etiology of cystopyelitis in hybrid swine].", "content": "Studies were carried out on the etiology, clinical picture, morphologic changes, and methods of prophylaxis of the cystopyelitis in hybrid pigs. It was established that in the cases studied the etiologic part is most probably played by Escherichia coli having pronounced virulence for albino mice. Clinically the disease was manifested with hematuria--the cardinal diagnostic symptom; histologically there were nephritis, pyelonephritis, and strong edemas on the wall of the bladder. When hematuria appeared the affected pigs died (at the rate of 100 per cent) as a result of acute anemia. Prophylactic measures have been especially successful with the use of streptomycin to which the isolated coli strains proved sensitive.", "contents": "[Studies of the etiology of cystopyelitis in hybrid swine]. Studies were carried out on the etiology, clinical picture, morphologic changes, and methods of prophylaxis of the cystopyelitis in hybrid pigs. It was established that in the cases studied the etiologic part is most probably played by Escherichia coli having pronounced virulence for albino mice. Clinically the disease was manifested with hematuria--the cardinal diagnostic symptom; histologically there were nephritis, pyelonephritis, and strong edemas on the wall of the bladder. When hematuria appeared the affected pigs died (at the rate of 100 per cent) as a result of acute anemia. Prophylactic measures have been especially successful with the use of streptomycin to which the isolated coli strains proved sensitive.", "PMID": 799863} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11490", "title": "[Properties of the contagious ecthyma virus used for vaccine production].", "content": "Experiments were carried out to establish the effect of some antibiotics and merthiolate on the vaccinal Phylaxia strain of ecthyma contagiosa. Besides, followed up was the effect of these antibiotics on concomitant microflora that had multipled in the virus suspension. Trials were also made to titrate the vaccinal strain on lambs through scarification. Titration was carried out by the method of Schmidt. Virus dilutions of 10-1 were applied following scarification on the the thighs and fore limbs of two lams. A scarified site was also left without application to check up the effect. Each treatment needed two lambs. It was found that the antibiotics nistatin, kanamycin, oxacillin, tetraolean, oleandomycin, oxitetracyclin and chloramphenicol did not lower the activity of the vaccinal virus Phylaxia. The antibiotics tested at the respective concentrations had no sterilizing effect on the crust media regard to the concomitant bacteria. It is pointed out that the method of virus treatment can be employed to determine the biologic potential of productional batches of ecthyma contagiosa vaccine.", "contents": "[Properties of the contagious ecthyma virus used for vaccine production]. Experiments were carried out to establish the effect of some antibiotics and merthiolate on the vaccinal Phylaxia strain of ecthyma contagiosa. Besides, followed up was the effect of these antibiotics on concomitant microflora that had multipled in the virus suspension. Trials were also made to titrate the vaccinal strain on lambs through scarification. Titration was carried out by the method of Schmidt. Virus dilutions of 10-1 were applied following scarification on the the thighs and fore limbs of two lams. A scarified site was also left without application to check up the effect. Each treatment needed two lambs. It was found that the antibiotics nistatin, kanamycin, oxacillin, tetraolean, oleandomycin, oxitetracyclin and chloramphenicol did not lower the activity of the vaccinal virus Phylaxia. The antibiotics tested at the respective concentrations had no sterilizing effect on the crust media regard to the concomitant bacteria. It is pointed out that the method of virus treatment can be employed to determine the biologic potential of productional batches of ecthyma contagiosa vaccine.", "PMID": 799865} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11491", "title": "[Effect of some reactivators on cholinesterase activity in the chromodacryorrhea test in rats].", "content": "Studied was the activity of low concentrations --- 1-10-12, and 1.10-18 -- of the specific reactivators of the enzyme cholinesterase (ChE): 2-PAM, TMB-4 Toxogonin, HS-3, and HS-6, in a chromodacryorrhea test (ChDT) with rats, daily (in the course of 30 days -- 1 ml/100 g), twice (at an interval of 10 days -- 1 ml/100 g) and once (5 mg/kg) at subcutaneous application. Described is an activating affect (observed for the first time in vivo) on ChE preduced by low and very low concentrations of reactivators of the group of oximes. HS-3 produced best activating effects. The low concentrations of the specific oxime ractivators of ChE, followed up by ChDT, can be used as sensitive quantitative indicators of the activity of ChE. They can also serve to specify the mode of action power and term of effectiveness of these reactivators.", "contents": "[Effect of some reactivators on cholinesterase activity in the chromodacryorrhea test in rats]. Studied was the activity of low concentrations --- 1-10-12, and 1.10-18 -- of the specific reactivators of the enzyme cholinesterase (ChE): 2-PAM, TMB-4 Toxogonin, HS-3, and HS-6, in a chromodacryorrhea test (ChDT) with rats, daily (in the course of 30 days -- 1 ml/100 g), twice (at an interval of 10 days -- 1 ml/100 g) and once (5 mg/kg) at subcutaneous application. Described is an activating affect (observed for the first time in vivo) on ChE preduced by low and very low concentrations of reactivators of the group of oximes. HS-3 produced best activating effects. The low concentrations of the specific oxime ractivators of ChE, followed up by ChDT, can be used as sensitive quantitative indicators of the activity of ChE. They can also serve to specify the mode of action power and term of effectiveness of these reactivators.", "PMID": 799866} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11492", "title": "[Enzyme splitting S-adenosylmethionine in the cells of Escherichia coli CK infected with phage CD].", "content": "Extract of normal Escherichia coli CK cells methylated DNA of Cd phage in vitro in presence of 3H-S-adenosyl methionine, although in vivo methylation of viral DNA did not occur. Extract of cells, infected with Cd phage, also was unable to methylate the DNA in vitro due to de novo synthesis of the enzyme splitting S-adenosyl methionine to 5'-methyl thioadenosine and homoserine. The enzyme was not found in cells, infected with the phage in presence of chloramphenicol. The activity of the S-adenosyl methionine splitting enzyme was shown to be maximal between the fourth and fifth min of infection. This suggests that the enzyme is synthesized under control of the virus genome, it belongs to the early virus-specific proteins and inhibits the methylation of the phage DNA in vivo. In unpurified extracts of Escherichia coli CK the methylating activity was completely inhibited by 10(-5) M S-adenosyl homocysteine.", "contents": "[Enzyme splitting S-adenosylmethionine in the cells of Escherichia coli CK infected with phage CD]. Extract of normal Escherichia coli CK cells methylated DNA of Cd phage in vitro in presence of 3H-S-adenosyl methionine, although in vivo methylation of viral DNA did not occur. Extract of cells, infected with Cd phage, also was unable to methylate the DNA in vitro due to de novo synthesis of the enzyme splitting S-adenosyl methionine to 5'-methyl thioadenosine and homoserine. The enzyme was not found in cells, infected with the phage in presence of chloramphenicol. The activity of the S-adenosyl methionine splitting enzyme was shown to be maximal between the fourth and fifth min of infection. This suggests that the enzyme is synthesized under control of the virus genome, it belongs to the early virus-specific proteins and inhibits the methylation of the phage DNA in vivo. In unpurified extracts of Escherichia coli CK the methylating activity was completely inhibited by 10(-5) M S-adenosyl homocysteine.", "PMID": 799869} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11493", "title": "[Messenger RNA metabolism in E. coli under amino acid starvation conditions].", "content": "In E. coli Hfr Kavalli (met-) turnover of mRNA was studied in normal state and in methionine deficiency. This strain of E. coli was shown to have the 'loose' type of regulation of RNA synthesis (RC-). Without methionine in E. coli Hfr the rate of the protein synthesis was about 7-8% of that found in the control culture. In studies of the total mRNA turnover the half-life of matrices was equal to 2 min at 37degree, if a medium did not contain methionine; the same value was observed in the control culture. At the same time in methionine starvation an increase in amount of rapidly labelled RNA was observed; the RNA remained stable under simultaneous effect of actinomycin D. This rapidly labelled, stable RNA was the messenger-RNA, associated with cytoplasmic membranes. The hypothesis is advanced that membrane-associated and cytoplasmic RNA are those two types of matrices, which differed in their stability when the protein synthesis was inhibited.", "contents": "[Messenger RNA metabolism in E. coli under amino acid starvation conditions]. In E. coli Hfr Kavalli (met-) turnover of mRNA was studied in normal state and in methionine deficiency. This strain of E. coli was shown to have the 'loose' type of regulation of RNA synthesis (RC-). Without methionine in E. coli Hfr the rate of the protein synthesis was about 7-8% of that found in the control culture. In studies of the total mRNA turnover the half-life of matrices was equal to 2 min at 37degree, if a medium did not contain methionine; the same value was observed in the control culture. At the same time in methionine starvation an increase in amount of rapidly labelled RNA was observed; the RNA remained stable under simultaneous effect of actinomycin D. This rapidly labelled, stable RNA was the messenger-RNA, associated with cytoplasmic membranes. The hypothesis is advanced that membrane-associated and cytoplasmic RNA are those two types of matrices, which differed in their stability when the protein synthesis was inhibited.", "PMID": 799868} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11494", "title": "Effect of endotoxin on the peritoneal mast cells in mice.", "content": "Endotoxin administered intraperitoneally has been found to decrease the absolute and relative number of the peritoneal mast cells in mice. The number of peritoneal mast cells showed a dose-dependent biphasic response to endotoxin. Maximal and more consistent decrease in the peritoneal mast cell count was observed at about 24 h and lasted for at least 4 days. Mast cell damage also occurred. The possible mechanism of this phenomenon is discussed.", "contents": "Effect of endotoxin on the peritoneal mast cells in mice. Endotoxin administered intraperitoneally has been found to decrease the absolute and relative number of the peritoneal mast cells in mice. The number of peritoneal mast cells showed a dose-dependent biphasic response to endotoxin. Maximal and more consistent decrease in the peritoneal mast cell count was observed at about 24 h and lasted for at least 4 days. Mast cell damage also occurred. The possible mechanism of this phenomenon is discussed.", "PMID": 799881} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11495", "title": "Functional differentiation of the FSH-synthesizing cells in the pars distalis of the fetal pituitary gland of the rat.", "content": "The onset of FSH synthesis in the embryonic pituitary gland of the rat was studied by a peroxidase-labelled antibody method. The first FSH-containing cells appeared on the 20th day of embryonic life. From that day onwards, FSH cells increased rapidly in number. It was found that in adult animals some pituitary cells reacted with both anti-HCG and anti-FSH sera, indicating the simultaneous presence of LH and FSH in the same cell.", "contents": "Functional differentiation of the FSH-synthesizing cells in the pars distalis of the fetal pituitary gland of the rat. The onset of FSH synthesis in the embryonic pituitary gland of the rat was studied by a peroxidase-labelled antibody method. The first FSH-containing cells appeared on the 20th day of embryonic life. From that day onwards, FSH cells increased rapidly in number. It was found that in adult animals some pituitary cells reacted with both anti-HCG and anti-FSH sera, indicating the simultaneous presence of LH and FSH in the same cell.", "PMID": 799882} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11496", "title": "[Possibilities of vascular surgery in urology and nephrology].", "content": "The vascular surgical procedures most frequently applied in urology and nephrology are described. The urological aspects of the various methods are stressed and cases suitable for joint urological and vascular surgery are presented. With respect to the occlusion of the renal artery the difference between the recanalization of this vessel and of the peripheral vessels is pointed out and the importance of preserving the kidney is emphasised. The hope is expressed that by the increasing use of vascular surgical methods a more effective therapeutical possibility will be available to increasing numbers of urological-nephrological patients.", "contents": "[Possibilities of vascular surgery in urology and nephrology]. The vascular surgical procedures most frequently applied in urology and nephrology are described. The urological aspects of the various methods are stressed and cases suitable for joint urological and vascular surgery are presented. With respect to the occlusion of the renal artery the difference between the recanalization of this vessel and of the peripheral vessels is pointed out and the importance of preserving the kidney is emphasised. The hope is expressed that by the increasing use of vascular surgical methods a more effective therapeutical possibility will be available to increasing numbers of urological-nephrological patients.", "PMID": 799883} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11497", "title": "Electron microscopic observations on the interaction of the myosin head subunit with actin in myofibrils.", "content": "Glycerol-extracted rabbit psoas muscle fibres were treated with a solution containing the head subunits of myosin. Interaction of the isolated myosin heads with actin filaments in situ was indicated by an increase in the density of the I-band and by an increased diameter of actin filaments alongside their whole length. We conclude that actin filaments are able to interact with a considerably larger number of myosin molecules than that available in the myofibril under in vivo conditions.", "contents": "Electron microscopic observations on the interaction of the myosin head subunit with actin in myofibrils. Glycerol-extracted rabbit psoas muscle fibres were treated with a solution containing the head subunits of myosin. Interaction of the isolated myosin heads with actin filaments in situ was indicated by an increase in the density of the I-band and by an increased diameter of actin filaments alongside their whole length. We conclude that actin filaments are able to interact with a considerably larger number of myosin molecules than that available in the myofibril under in vivo conditions.", "PMID": 799893} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11498", "title": "Generalized transduction Of shigella flexneri by converting phage PE5.", "content": "Phage PE5, responsible for the conversion of type V antigen in Shigella flexneri, has the ability to produce generalized transduction. The correlation between phage multiplicity and the number of transductants, the specific inhibitory activity of anti-PE5 serum, and the lack of transduction in PE5 resistant recipients, indicate the role of phage PE5 in generalized transduction. Transduction of the R100-1 factor resulted in a non-transmissible tetracycline resistance segragation. The characteristics of the tetracycline resistance determinant suggest the possibility of integration.", "contents": "Generalized transduction Of shigella flexneri by converting phage PE5. Phage PE5, responsible for the conversion of type V antigen in Shigella flexneri, has the ability to produce generalized transduction. The correlation between phage multiplicity and the number of transductants, the specific inhibitory activity of anti-PE5 serum, and the lack of transduction in PE5 resistant recipients, indicate the role of phage PE5 in generalized transduction. Transduction of the R100-1 factor resulted in a non-transmissible tetracycline resistance segragation. The characteristics of the tetracycline resistance determinant suggest the possibility of integration.", "PMID": 799898} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11499", "title": "Immunity of the guinea pig's eye after vaccination with Shigella sonnei phase I antigen.", "content": "A total of 8 doses, each containing 10(9) live or heated cells of pure phase I antigen of Shigella sonnei and Plesiomonas shigelloides, was administered into the conjunctival sac of guinea pigs during a 3-week period. The eyes were challenged with virulent S. sonnei. The vaccines protected the eyes in 50-80% to the minimum infecting dose andin 20-50% to 3 MID. The peak of immunity began to decrease after the 26th day and on the 56th day it was practically nil. Vaccination caused histological changes in the conjunctiva but not in the cornea.", "contents": "Immunity of the guinea pig's eye after vaccination with Shigella sonnei phase I antigen. A total of 8 doses, each containing 10(9) live or heated cells of pure phase I antigen of Shigella sonnei and Plesiomonas shigelloides, was administered into the conjunctival sac of guinea pigs during a 3-week period. The eyes were challenged with virulent S. sonnei. The vaccines protected the eyes in 50-80% to the minimum infecting dose andin 20-50% to 3 MID. The peak of immunity began to decrease after the 26th day and on the 56th day it was practically nil. Vaccination caused histological changes in the conjunctiva but not in the cornea.", "PMID": 799899} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11500", "title": "The role in sporadic enteritis of facultatively enteropathogenic Escherichia coli serogroups.", "content": "During a two-year period, 2411 faecal specimens and 514 throat swabs were cultured from 1674 persons, mainly infants and children. Of 31 Escherichia coli serogroups considered to represent facultatively enteropathogenic agents, the following were encountered: O4, O18a,b, O18a,c, O19, O20, O25, O28a,b, O32, O51, O53, O75, O78, O79, O105, O112a,c, O114, O115, O117, O129, O143, O145, O148. There was no significant difference in the incidence of the organisms and their serogroup distribution between patients with enteritis, patients with extraintestinal diseases and healthy individuals. A rise of antibody titre in some of the patients indicated an association with enteritis in case of serogropus O4, O18a,c, O19, O25, O75, O78 and O117. It has been assumed that the presence in faeces of a facultatively pathogenic E. coli serogroup does not necessarily prove its aetiological relationship to the disease.", "contents": "The role in sporadic enteritis of facultatively enteropathogenic Escherichia coli serogroups. During a two-year period, 2411 faecal specimens and 514 throat swabs were cultured from 1674 persons, mainly infants and children. Of 31 Escherichia coli serogroups considered to represent facultatively enteropathogenic agents, the following were encountered: O4, O18a,b, O18a,c, O19, O20, O25, O28a,b, O32, O51, O53, O75, O78, O79, O105, O112a,c, O114, O115, O117, O129, O143, O145, O148. There was no significant difference in the incidence of the organisms and their serogroup distribution between patients with enteritis, patients with extraintestinal diseases and healthy individuals. A rise of antibody titre in some of the patients indicated an association with enteritis in case of serogropus O4, O18a,c, O19, O25, O75, O78 and O117. It has been assumed that the presence in faeces of a facultatively pathogenic E. coli serogroup does not necessarily prove its aetiological relationship to the disease.", "PMID": 799900} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11501", "title": "The social value of fluphenazine decanoate.", "content": "The Medical Research Council (England) conducted a double blind placebo controlled trial of fluphenazine decanoate as a form of maintenance therapy for schizophrenic out-patients. The results clearly demonstrated the clinical and social value of the drug in minimizing positive psychotic features, in preventing relapse and thereby alleviating distress amongst the parents of single patients and the wives of married patients. The drug allows the patients to fulfill normal social role expectations.", "contents": "The social value of fluphenazine decanoate. The Medical Research Council (England) conducted a double blind placebo controlled trial of fluphenazine decanoate as a form of maintenance therapy for schizophrenic out-patients. The results clearly demonstrated the clinical and social value of the drug in minimizing positive psychotic features, in preventing relapse and thereby alleviating distress amongst the parents of single patients and the wives of married patients. The drug allows the patients to fulfill normal social role expectations.", "PMID": 799897} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11502", "title": "[Re-issue of \"From Anguish to Ectasy\"].", "content": "Pierre Janet noteworthy works keep, after half a century, its interest and originality. Through his writings, he gives the main character of an unique system including all the psychopathology. An important place is given to the feelings and their psychological rules, this in a genetical context. Pierre Janet does not accept to give to the traumatic events a main importance, his conception is this of a unity of the mental pathology. Conception which is built on an innovation giving all the attract of this work: the notion of belief, the distinction between its structure and its object, the explanation of its importance in genetical evolution and in psychopathology. Pierre Janet shows by this research an unexplored way which can constitute a new phase in the modern psychopathology.", "contents": "[Re-issue of \"From Anguish to Ectasy\"]. Pierre Janet noteworthy works keep, after half a century, its interest and originality. Through his writings, he gives the main character of an unique system including all the psychopathology. An important place is given to the feelings and their psychological rules, this in a genetical context. Pierre Janet does not accept to give to the traumatic events a main importance, his conception is this of a unity of the mental pathology. Conception which is built on an innovation giving all the attract of this work: the notion of belief, the distinction between its structure and its object, the explanation of its importance in genetical evolution and in psychopathology. Pierre Janet shows by this research an unexplored way which can constitute a new phase in the modern psychopathology.", "PMID": 799909} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11503", "title": "[Estimation of FSH and LH before and after stimulation with LH-RH in male sterility and hypogonadism].", "content": "Plasma levels of FSH and LH, in 232 subjects examined for sterility or hypogonadism, have been assessed vefore and after stimulation by LH RH (100 microng IV). In excretory azoospermia, the basal levels as well as the response to LH RH of FSH as well as LH are normal. In early testicular damage (constitutional or acquired); basal FSH levels are elevated (91% of the cases) as well as the FSH response to LH RH (78%); basal LH levels are either normal (66% of the cases) or elevated (34%). An augmentation of the LH response has been found in 92% of the cases. In hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (n = 12) 3 types of responses have been noticed : absence of response of FSH and of LH (7 cases); normal FSH response, no LH response (2 cases); exaggerated FSH and LH response (2 cases). In idiopahtic oligospermia (n = 84); basal FSH levels are elevated in 24 cases but normal in the rest. There is a highly significant correlation between basal FSH and its response to LH RH injection (r = 0.73, t = 9,67 p less than 0,001); basal LH levels are normal, except in 5 cases where a definite increase has been noted. The response of LH is exaggerated in 36 cases which includes the 5 showing enhanced basal LH levels. There is a highly significant correlation between FSH response and LH response (r = 0,55; t = 5,94; p less than 0,001). Exploration of patients with varicocoele intact or operated show no difference from those suffering from idiopathic oligospermia. From a practical point of view, the LH RH test enables : a distinction between excretory azoospermia and secretory azoospermia with normal testicular volume, without recourse to testicular biopsy; affirmation, in 36% of cases with idiopathic oligospermia of the early damage to spermatogenesis, thus contra-indicating any treatment involving testicular stimulation. From the physico-pathological point of view : the early damage to spermatogenesis is characterized by an elevation in basal FSH and its response to LH RH injection. The significance of the augmented Lh response, which often accompanies an augmentation in FSH response but incertain cases is isolated, is discussed.", "contents": "[Estimation of FSH and LH before and after stimulation with LH-RH in male sterility and hypogonadism]. Plasma levels of FSH and LH, in 232 subjects examined for sterility or hypogonadism, have been assessed vefore and after stimulation by LH RH (100 microng IV). In excretory azoospermia, the basal levels as well as the response to LH RH of FSH as well as LH are normal. In early testicular damage (constitutional or acquired); basal FSH levels are elevated (91% of the cases) as well as the FSH response to LH RH (78%); basal LH levels are either normal (66% of the cases) or elevated (34%). An augmentation of the LH response has been found in 92% of the cases. In hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (n = 12) 3 types of responses have been noticed : absence of response of FSH and of LH (7 cases); normal FSH response, no LH response (2 cases); exaggerated FSH and LH response (2 cases). In idiopahtic oligospermia (n = 84); basal FSH levels are elevated in 24 cases but normal in the rest. There is a highly significant correlation between basal FSH and its response to LH RH injection (r = 0.73, t = 9,67 p less than 0,001); basal LH levels are normal, except in 5 cases where a definite increase has been noted. The response of LH is exaggerated in 36 cases which includes the 5 showing enhanced basal LH levels. There is a highly significant correlation between FSH response and LH response (r = 0,55; t = 5,94; p less than 0,001). Exploration of patients with varicocoele intact or operated show no difference from those suffering from idiopathic oligospermia. From a practical point of view, the LH RH test enables : a distinction between excretory azoospermia and secretory azoospermia with normal testicular volume, without recourse to testicular biopsy; affirmation, in 36% of cases with idiopathic oligospermia of the early damage to spermatogenesis, thus contra-indicating any treatment involving testicular stimulation. From the physico-pathological point of view : the early damage to spermatogenesis is characterized by an elevation in basal FSH and its response to LH RH injection. The significance of the augmented Lh response, which often accompanies an augmentation in FSH response but incertain cases is isolated, is discussed.", "PMID": 799913} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11504", "title": "Polyamines, equilibrium between ribosomal particles and protein synthesis in bacteria.", "content": "When putrescine is added to polyamine starved cultures of an E. coli strain difficient in the biosynthesis of putrescine, the protein synthesis is enhanced almost immediately and the ribosomal pattern changes concomitantly, increasing the ratio 70S monomer/ribosomal subparticles. Studies with cell-free systems derived from polyamine starved or unstarved bacteria show that the translation of synthetic and natural mRNAs is several fold higher in system prepared from cells grown in the presence of polyamines. This effect depends on the ribosomal particles and more specifically on the 30S subunit. The results on association of ribosomal subunits strongly suggest that polyamines are involved in this reaction occurring in vivo.", "contents": "Polyamines, equilibrium between ribosomal particles and protein synthesis in bacteria. When putrescine is added to polyamine starved cultures of an E. coli strain difficient in the biosynthesis of putrescine, the protein synthesis is enhanced almost immediately and the ribosomal pattern changes concomitantly, increasing the ratio 70S monomer/ribosomal subparticles. Studies with cell-free systems derived from polyamine starved or unstarved bacteria show that the translation of synthetic and natural mRNAs is several fold higher in system prepared from cells grown in the presence of polyamines. This effect depends on the ribosomal particles and more specifically on the 30S subunit. The results on association of ribosomal subunits strongly suggest that polyamines are involved in this reaction occurring in vivo.", "PMID": 799920} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11505", "title": "The stringent control mechanism. Binding of uncharged tRNA and stringent factor to Escherichia coli ribosomes.", "content": "The mechanism of the interaction of uncharged tRNA and stringent factor with the ribosomes during the in vitro synthesis of guanosine polypnophates (pppGpp and ppGpp) was studied. 70S ribosomes lacking proteins L7 and L12 were able to bind radioactive stringent factor but not EF-Tu or EF-G. In addition, ribosomes carrying EF-Tu, GMPPCP and Phe-tRNA bound as much stringent factor as 70S ribosomes alone. This evidence suggests that the stringent and elongation factors recognize nonidentical site (s) on the ribosomes. When a 70S - poly U - tRNA complex was formed in the absence of stringent factor and was subsequently incubated with Nac-Phe-tRNA or Phe-tRNA only the binding of Nac-Phe-tRNA to the complex was inhibited. However, when the 70S-poly U-tRNA complex was formed in the presence of stringent factor and then was incubated with Nac-Phe-tRNA or Phe-tRNA only the binding of Phe-tRNA was inhibited. These results indicate that the stringent factor directs uncharged codon-specific tRNA into the acceptor site of the ribosome.", "contents": "The stringent control mechanism. Binding of uncharged tRNA and stringent factor to Escherichia coli ribosomes. The mechanism of the interaction of uncharged tRNA and stringent factor with the ribosomes during the in vitro synthesis of guanosine polypnophates (pppGpp and ppGpp) was studied. 70S ribosomes lacking proteins L7 and L12 were able to bind radioactive stringent factor but not EF-Tu or EF-G. In addition, ribosomes carrying EF-Tu, GMPPCP and Phe-tRNA bound as much stringent factor as 70S ribosomes alone. This evidence suggests that the stringent and elongation factors recognize nonidentical site (s) on the ribosomes. When a 70S - poly U - tRNA complex was formed in the absence of stringent factor and was subsequently incubated with Nac-Phe-tRNA or Phe-tRNA only the binding of Nac-Phe-tRNA to the complex was inhibited. However, when the 70S-poly U-tRNA complex was formed in the presence of stringent factor and then was incubated with Nac-Phe-tRNA or Phe-tRNA only the binding of Phe-tRNA was inhibited. These results indicate that the stringent factor directs uncharged codon-specific tRNA into the acceptor site of the ribosome.", "PMID": 799921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11506", "title": "[Morphology of the endocrine portion of the reptile pancreas].", "content": "The endocrinous part of the pancreatic gland of reptiles Lacerta agilis, Agama sanguinolenta, Varanus griseus, Testudo horsfieldi and Clemmus Caspica is formed by A-, B- and D-cells. The main form of its structural organization is pancreatic islands. In adition to them, remnants of the \"external epithelium\" are found in Varanus griseus and A-cells disposed outside of the pancreatic islands in Testudo horsfieldi and Clemmys caspica. As compared with amphibia, reptiles have a better developed counterinsular component (A-cells) of the endocrinous part of the pancreas. The acino-island cells of \"A\" and \"D\" types are also found in the pancreas of reptiles, \"A\"-type cells being predominant among them.", "contents": "[Morphology of the endocrine portion of the reptile pancreas]. The endocrinous part of the pancreatic gland of reptiles Lacerta agilis, Agama sanguinolenta, Varanus griseus, Testudo horsfieldi and Clemmus Caspica is formed by A-, B- and D-cells. The main form of its structural organization is pancreatic islands. In adition to them, remnants of the \"external epithelium\" are found in Varanus griseus and A-cells disposed outside of the pancreatic islands in Testudo horsfieldi and Clemmys caspica. As compared with amphibia, reptiles have a better developed counterinsular component (A-cells) of the endocrinous part of the pancreas. The acino-island cells of \"A\" and \"D\" types are also found in the pancreas of reptiles, \"A\"-type cells being predominant among them.", "PMID": 799926} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11507", "title": "The Australian National Blood Pressure Study: a test of the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy on the incidence of ischaemic heart disease.", "content": "Although hypertension is an acknowledged risk factor in ischaemic heart disease (IHD) the question remains whether antihypertensive therapy is necessarily beneficial. A priori, because coronary atherosclerosis is probably irreversible, the time for effective intervention would seem to be well before the development of clinical manifestations. The Australian National Blood Pressure Study, a long term clinical trial of the treatment of mild hypertension, is in principle better suited than previous trials to answer the question because the trial population selected (4000 subjects aged 30-69) contains substantial proportions of younger age groups (26% below 45) and of females (37%) and none had manifest IHD at entry. Sensitivity to the emergence of IHD in the trial population is increased by including as diagnostic indices angina and ischaemic ECG changes, using suitably objective methods, as well as myocardial infarction and sudden death. Thus morbidity and mortality from IHD which currently accounts for 71% of trial end points (cf 19% for stroke) will effectively determine the outcome of the trial. The occurrence of a substantial proportion of subjects withdrawn from randomised treatment will mean that the question will be answered necessarily in two ways: firstly in respect of those subjects remaining on their assigned treatments and secondly in terms of all subjects initially assigned one treatment or other irrespective of the subsequent need to change treatment on ethical grounds or of the degree of compliance.", "contents": "The Australian National Blood Pressure Study: a test of the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy on the incidence of ischaemic heart disease. Although hypertension is an acknowledged risk factor in ischaemic heart disease (IHD) the question remains whether antihypertensive therapy is necessarily beneficial. A priori, because coronary atherosclerosis is probably irreversible, the time for effective intervention would seem to be well before the development of clinical manifestations. The Australian National Blood Pressure Study, a long term clinical trial of the treatment of mild hypertension, is in principle better suited than previous trials to answer the question because the trial population selected (4000 subjects aged 30-69) contains substantial proportions of younger age groups (26% below 45) and of females (37%) and none had manifest IHD at entry. Sensitivity to the emergence of IHD in the trial population is increased by including as diagnostic indices angina and ischaemic ECG changes, using suitably objective methods, as well as myocardial infarction and sudden death. Thus morbidity and mortality from IHD which currently accounts for 71% of trial end points (cf 19% for stroke) will effectively determine the outcome of the trial. The occurrence of a substantial proportion of subjects withdrawn from randomised treatment will mean that the question will be answered necessarily in two ways: firstly in respect of those subjects remaining on their assigned treatments and secondly in terms of all subjects initially assigned one treatment or other irrespective of the subsequent need to change treatment on ethical grounds or of the degree of compliance.", "PMID": 799927} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11508", "title": "[Directed migration and differentiation of the neuroblasts in a mouse embryo spinal cord organ culture].", "content": "During maintaining of the transverse spinal cord sections from 12-14 day mouse embryo in the Maximov chambers differentiation of neuroglia cells and formation of organotypic structures of the explant took place. In a number of cases at 3-4 weeks of cultivation migration of bipolar neuroblast groups beyond the borders of the explant was observed, it was directed along the bundles of the nerve fibers--axons of mature neurons located in the central fragment of the cultivated tissue. The data obtained have shown that the nerve fibres growing from the explant may serve as conductors of migrating neuroblasts and induce their further differentiation. It has been suggested that in the developing spinal cord similar processes o neuroblasts migration along the tracts formed by the axons and their further differentiation at the end points of such tracts may take place.", "contents": "[Directed migration and differentiation of the neuroblasts in a mouse embryo spinal cord organ culture]. During maintaining of the transverse spinal cord sections from 12-14 day mouse embryo in the Maximov chambers differentiation of neuroglia cells and formation of organotypic structures of the explant took place. In a number of cases at 3-4 weeks of cultivation migration of bipolar neuroblast groups beyond the borders of the explant was observed, it was directed along the bundles of the nerve fibers--axons of mature neurons located in the central fragment of the cultivated tissue. The data obtained have shown that the nerve fibres growing from the explant may serve as conductors of migrating neuroblasts and induce their further differentiation. It has been suggested that in the developing spinal cord similar processes o neuroblasts migration along the tracts formed by the axons and their further differentiation at the end points of such tracts may take place.", "PMID": 799936} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11509", "title": "[Morphology of the juxtaglomerular apparatus of human allografted kidneys at the early periods after transplantation].", "content": "Hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerula apparatus (epithelioid modified cells of the afferent arteriole, and Goormaghtigh cells) was observed at the early stages of existence of the human allografted kidney in the recipient's organism. These changes were accompanied by an increase of the juxtaglomerular index. In conjunction with the data of kariometric investigation these facts indicated an activation of juxtaglomerual apparatus of the human allografted kidney in the course of the first month after the transplantation.", "contents": "[Morphology of the juxtaglomerular apparatus of human allografted kidneys at the early periods after transplantation]. Hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerula apparatus (epithelioid modified cells of the afferent arteriole, and Goormaghtigh cells) was observed at the early stages of existence of the human allografted kidney in the recipient's organism. These changes were accompanied by an increase of the juxtaglomerular index. In conjunction with the data of kariometric investigation these facts indicated an activation of juxtaglomerual apparatus of the human allografted kidney in the course of the first month after the transplantation.", "PMID": 799937} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11510", "title": "[Histochemical characteristics of experimental candidiasis with specific sensitization].", "content": "The authors studied histochemically the significance of specific sensitization in the pathogenesis of specific moniliasis. The activity of various enzymes of the fungus and of the cells of the inflammatory infiltrate with the subsequent quantitative assessment was determined. In visceral moniliasis tissue changes were in a definite correlation with the changes of the active agents in the cells of the fungus and in the cells of the inflammatory inflitrate. An increase in the activity of the fungus enzymes was noted at the early periods of parasitic infestation; this was later replaced by its reduction, coinciding with the reduction of the amount of the vegetative forms. Preliminary administration of the moniliasis allergen induced an increase of the sensitivity to the subsequent infection. Changes in the specifically sensitized rats developed against the background of marked vascular disturbances and coursed by the hyperergic type.", "contents": "[Histochemical characteristics of experimental candidiasis with specific sensitization]. The authors studied histochemically the significance of specific sensitization in the pathogenesis of specific moniliasis. The activity of various enzymes of the fungus and of the cells of the inflammatory infiltrate with the subsequent quantitative assessment was determined. In visceral moniliasis tissue changes were in a definite correlation with the changes of the active agents in the cells of the fungus and in the cells of the inflammatory inflitrate. An increase in the activity of the fungus enzymes was noted at the early periods of parasitic infestation; this was later replaced by its reduction, coinciding with the reduction of the amount of the vegetative forms. Preliminary administration of the moniliasis allergen induced an increase of the sensitivity to the subsequent infection. Changes in the specifically sensitized rats developed against the background of marked vascular disturbances and coursed by the hyperergic type.", "PMID": 799938} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11511", "title": "[Interstitial microfibrils in the myocardium in rheumatic and congenital heart defects].", "content": "Electron-microscopic and electron-histochemical studies of biopsies of the myocardium from the patients suffering from rheumatic and congenital affections of the heart showed that hyperplasia of aperiodic argyrophilic and ruteniophilic microfibrillae served as the ultrastructural equivalent of coarsening of the reticular frame of the hypertrophic myocardium. Relapse of the rheumatic process is accompanied by irregulation and possibly by an increase in the number of microfibrillae due to their accelerated neoformation and defibrillation of the collagen fibrils with a periodicity of 640 A. There was traced no direct relationship between the amount of microfibrillar material on the surface of the muscle cells and the extent of destruction of their organellae; this, however, did not exclude the possible interrelation between the myocardial insufficiency and hyperplasia of the myofibrillae as an integral component of fibrosis and sclerosis of the myocardium.", "contents": "[Interstitial microfibrils in the myocardium in rheumatic and congenital heart defects]. Electron-microscopic and electron-histochemical studies of biopsies of the myocardium from the patients suffering from rheumatic and congenital affections of the heart showed that hyperplasia of aperiodic argyrophilic and ruteniophilic microfibrillae served as the ultrastructural equivalent of coarsening of the reticular frame of the hypertrophic myocardium. Relapse of the rheumatic process is accompanied by irregulation and possibly by an increase in the number of microfibrillae due to their accelerated neoformation and defibrillation of the collagen fibrils with a periodicity of 640 A. There was traced no direct relationship between the amount of microfibrillar material on the surface of the muscle cells and the extent of destruction of their organellae; this, however, did not exclude the possible interrelation between the myocardial insufficiency and hyperplasia of the myofibrillae as an integral component of fibrosis and sclerosis of the myocardium.", "PMID": 799939} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11512", "title": "[Development of the cellular immunity reaction to tuberculin in mice of different genotypes].", "content": "Mice of the CBA, C57BL lines and the F1 (CBA X C57BL) hybrids were immunized intraperitoneally with tuberculin in complete Freund's adjuvant; production of the factor inhibiting the macrophage migration (MIF) by lymphocytes of different localization was studied. The lymphocytes are included into the MIF production in a definite order: first the cells of the peritoneal exudate, then-the cells of lymphatic nodes and last-the spleen cells. The C57BL mice demonstrated the maximal and earlier MIF production by the lymphocytes of the peritoneal exudate. Increasing spontaneous microphage migration, more expressed in the CBA mice, was noted after the immunization.", "contents": "[Development of the cellular immunity reaction to tuberculin in mice of different genotypes]. Mice of the CBA, C57BL lines and the F1 (CBA X C57BL) hybrids were immunized intraperitoneally with tuberculin in complete Freund's adjuvant; production of the factor inhibiting the macrophage migration (MIF) by lymphocytes of different localization was studied. The lymphocytes are included into the MIF production in a definite order: first the cells of the peritoneal exudate, then-the cells of lymphatic nodes and last-the spleen cells. The C57BL mice demonstrated the maximal and earlier MIF production by the lymphocytes of the peritoneal exudate. Increasing spontaneous microphage migration, more expressed in the CBA mice, was noted after the immunization.", "PMID": 799940} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11513", "title": "[Isolation and characteristics of a continuous human splenic cell culture].", "content": "A continuous cell line of human spleen has been obtained. The methods of seeding large numbers of cells and prolonged cultivation of the culture played an important role in isolation of this cell line; both methods have contributed to the creation of conditions for gradual reconstruction of the cellular metabolism in the absence of which the cells wound not be able to get adapted to contiuous cultivation. As the authors failed to obtain a contiuous cell line from a single cell colony the method of \"shaking\" was applied. The culture was obtained only in case of a 1% PHA solution was added to the nutrient medium.", "contents": "[Isolation and characteristics of a continuous human splenic cell culture]. A continuous cell line of human spleen has been obtained. The methods of seeding large numbers of cells and prolonged cultivation of the culture played an important role in isolation of this cell line; both methods have contributed to the creation of conditions for gradual reconstruction of the cellular metabolism in the absence of which the cells wound not be able to get adapted to contiuous cultivation. As the authors failed to obtain a contiuous cell line from a single cell colony the method of \"shaking\" was applied. The culture was obtained only in case of a 1% PHA solution was added to the nutrient medium.", "PMID": 799941} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11514", "title": "Resistance to antibiotics of Shigella strains isolated in Somalia.", "content": "The resistance to antibiotics of 240 Shigella strains isolated in Somalia from 1973 to 1976 was studied. Many strains, particularly those of Shigella dysenteriae type 1, were found to be resistant to more than one drug. In view of their resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, tetracycline, and sulfonamides, it is suggested that polymyxin B or M sulfate - which have proved to be effective in vivo - should be used for the treatment of clinically typical cases of bacillary dysentery.", "contents": "Resistance to antibiotics of Shigella strains isolated in Somalia. The resistance to antibiotics of 240 Shigella strains isolated in Somalia from 1973 to 1976 was studied. Many strains, particularly those of Shigella dysenteriae type 1, were found to be resistant to more than one drug. In view of their resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, tetracycline, and sulfonamides, it is suggested that polymyxin B or M sulfate - which have proved to be effective in vivo - should be used for the treatment of clinically typical cases of bacillary dysentery.", "PMID": 799953} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11515", "title": "[Psychopathological findings and social psychiatry problems in patients with transplanted kidneys].", "content": "Chronic haemodialysis and kidney transplantation reveal a great number of psychological and psychiatrical problems and tasks. As there are special psychological problems and many psychoreactive symptoms and the fact that haemodialysis and kidney transplantation are strain situation in themselves, one should examine the question of capability, and often a psychiatric or psychotherapeutic treatment is necessary. Authors examined twelve patients who had undergone kidney transplantation, regarding their psychopathological and social-psychiatrical status. The great improvement in the quality of life in comparison to the time of dialysis treatment is often reduced, however, because of psychological and severe social problems as well as deficient or missing steps of rehabilitation.", "contents": "[Psychopathological findings and social psychiatry problems in patients with transplanted kidneys]. Chronic haemodialysis and kidney transplantation reveal a great number of psychological and psychiatrical problems and tasks. As there are special psychological problems and many psychoreactive symptoms and the fact that haemodialysis and kidney transplantation are strain situation in themselves, one should examine the question of capability, and often a psychiatric or psychotherapeutic treatment is necessary. Authors examined twelve patients who had undergone kidney transplantation, regarding their psychopathological and social-psychiatrical status. The great improvement in the quality of life in comparison to the time of dialysis treatment is often reduced, however, because of psychological and severe social problems as well as deficient or missing steps of rehabilitation.", "PMID": 799956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11516", "title": "[Classical and dynamic psychiatry - antithesis or pseudoantithesis? Possible clarification of terms].", "content": "Contemporary psychiatry is frequently characterized as \"dynamic\". This adjective has been used, not only to denote a psychodynamic, psychotherapeutic orientation, but also to accentuate a sharp contrast with the older \"classical\" psychiatry. Often the orthodox schools of psychiatry are jointly condemned as being adynamic, static, descriptive-classificatory and inimical to psychotherapy. The author traces the development of the concepts \"classical\" and \"dynamic\" in the psychiatry of the past 200 years, and attempts to show that they represent a false antithesis.", "contents": "[Classical and dynamic psychiatry - antithesis or pseudoantithesis? Possible clarification of terms]. Contemporary psychiatry is frequently characterized as \"dynamic\". This adjective has been used, not only to denote a psychodynamic, psychotherapeutic orientation, but also to accentuate a sharp contrast with the older \"classical\" psychiatry. Often the orthodox schools of psychiatry are jointly condemned as being adynamic, static, descriptive-classificatory and inimical to psychotherapy. The author traces the development of the concepts \"classical\" and \"dynamic\" in the psychiatry of the past 200 years, and attempts to show that they represent a false antithesis.", "PMID": 799957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11517", "title": "Antihypertensive effects, plasma levels and beta-adrenergi blocking activity of racemic and dextrorotatory propranolol in man.", "content": "In hypertensive patients, whose blood pressure was decreased by racemic propranolol, the dextrorotatory isomer had no antihypertensive effect. The differences in antihypertensive activity of racemic and dextrorotatory propranolol cannot be explained by different plasma levels. The data indicate that the hypotensive effect of propranolol is due to beta-receptor blockade.", "contents": "Antihypertensive effects, plasma levels and beta-adrenergi blocking activity of racemic and dextrorotatory propranolol in man. In hypertensive patients, whose blood pressure was decreased by racemic propranolol, the dextrorotatory isomer had no antihypertensive effect. The differences in antihypertensive activity of racemic and dextrorotatory propranolol cannot be explained by different plasma levels. The data indicate that the hypotensive effect of propranolol is due to beta-receptor blockade.", "PMID": 799958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11518", "title": "Disinfection procedures of fiberscopes in endoscopy departments.", "content": "Disinfection of fibre endoscopes was examined in 5 endoscopy departments during endoscopy sessions. On the endoscopes, especially in the instrument channels, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus species could be regularly found, in some cases also Enterobacter cloacae and Candida albicans. With the results of disinfection experiments, proposals are made to reduce the infection risk due to insufficiently disinfected instruments in endoscopy departments.", "contents": "Disinfection procedures of fiberscopes in endoscopy departments. Disinfection of fibre endoscopes was examined in 5 endoscopy departments during endoscopy sessions. On the endoscopes, especially in the instrument channels, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus species could be regularly found, in some cases also Enterobacter cloacae and Candida albicans. With the results of disinfection experiments, proposals are made to reduce the infection risk due to insufficiently disinfected instruments in endoscopy departments.", "PMID": 799960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11519", "title": "PVC: health implications and production trends.", "content": "Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is a complex plastic system. Individual components of the PVC system, including residual vinyl chloride monomer (RVCM) and certain additives, may pose risks of harm to human health. There have been significant reductions in the RVCM content of PVC resin since 1974, reducing the cancer risk of workers in PVC fabrication plants and consumers of PVC products. A \"no-effect\" level for vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)-induced carcinogenesis has not been found to date; therefore, the significance of human exposure to low levels of RVCM remains to be determined. Exposure to PVC dust may cause pulmonary dysfunctions. Pulmonary and other possible health effects of PVC dust require further study. The PVC plastics system should be characterized as to interactions among its various components and as to interactions of the components and the PVC system as a whole with biological systems.", "contents": "PVC: health implications and production trends. Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is a complex plastic system. Individual components of the PVC system, including residual vinyl chloride monomer (RVCM) and certain additives, may pose risks of harm to human health. There have been significant reductions in the RVCM content of PVC resin since 1974, reducing the cancer risk of workers in PVC fabrication plants and consumers of PVC products. A \"no-effect\" level for vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)-induced carcinogenesis has not been found to date; therefore, the significance of human exposure to low levels of RVCM remains to be determined. Exposure to PVC dust may cause pulmonary dysfunctions. Pulmonary and other possible health effects of PVC dust require further study. The PVC plastics system should be characterized as to interactions among its various components and as to interactions of the components and the PVC system as a whole with biological systems.", "PMID": 799961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11520", "title": "Mutagenicity and metabolism of vinyl chloride and related compounds.", "content": "The various adverse biological effects of vinyl chloride appear to be dependent upon the metabolic conversion of this compound into chemically reactive metabolites. The metabolism of vinyl chloride in mammals and in man, including the formation of monochloroacetic acid and some identified sulfur conjugates is reviewed. Hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidases from rats, mice, and humans were equally effective in transforming vinyl chloride into alkylating agents in vitro. Two of the enzyme reaction products, i.e., chloroethylene oxide and 2-chloroacetaldehyde, showed potent genetic activity in microorganisms and Chinese hamster V79 cells. The role of liver microsomal enzymes in the generation of electrophilic mutagenic vinyl chloride metabolites is discussed.", "contents": "Mutagenicity and metabolism of vinyl chloride and related compounds. The various adverse biological effects of vinyl chloride appear to be dependent upon the metabolic conversion of this compound into chemically reactive metabolites. The metabolism of vinyl chloride in mammals and in man, including the formation of monochloroacetic acid and some identified sulfur conjugates is reviewed. Hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidases from rats, mice, and humans were equally effective in transforming vinyl chloride into alkylating agents in vitro. Two of the enzyme reaction products, i.e., chloroethylene oxide and 2-chloroacetaldehyde, showed potent genetic activity in microorganisms and Chinese hamster V79 cells. The role of liver microsomal enzymes in the generation of electrophilic mutagenic vinyl chloride metabolites is discussed.", "PMID": 799962} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11521", "title": "Aspects of the toxicology of chloroprene: immediate and long-term effects.", "content": "The maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of chloroprene was set at 2 mg/m3 in the USSR in the 1940's. The existing MPC is 4 mg/m3. The threshold of systemic effects as a result of chronic chloroprene exposure is l.69 mg/m3. However, the threshold for embryotoxic and mutagenic effects is 0.15 mg/m3. In consideration of this information, setting a new MPC for chloroprene at 0.05 mg/m3 is recommended.", "contents": "Aspects of the toxicology of chloroprene: immediate and long-term effects. The maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of chloroprene was set at 2 mg/m3 in the USSR in the 1940's. The existing MPC is 4 mg/m3. The threshold of systemic effects as a result of chronic chloroprene exposure is l.69 mg/m3. However, the threshold for embryotoxic and mutagenic effects is 0.15 mg/m3. In consideration of this information, setting a new MPC for chloroprene at 0.05 mg/m3 is recommended.", "PMID": 799963} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11522", "title": "Chemistry of rubber processing and disposal.", "content": "The major chemical changes during the processing of rubber occur with the breakdown in mastication and during vulcanization of the molded tire. There is little chemical change during the compounding, calendering, extrusion, and molding steps. Reclaiming is the process of converting scrap rubber into an unsaturated, processible product that can be vulcanized with sulfur. Pyrolysis of scrap rubber yields a complex mixture of liquids, gas, and residue in varying ratios dependent on the nature of the scrap and the conditions of pyrolysis.", "contents": "Chemistry of rubber processing and disposal. The major chemical changes during the processing of rubber occur with the breakdown in mastication and during vulcanization of the molded tire. There is little chemical change during the compounding, calendering, extrusion, and molding steps. Reclaiming is the process of converting scrap rubber into an unsaturated, processible product that can be vulcanized with sulfur. Pyrolysis of scrap rubber yields a complex mixture of liquids, gas, and residue in varying ratios dependent on the nature of the scrap and the conditions of pyrolysis.", "PMID": 799964} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11523", "title": "Tools and techniques for diagnosis and evaluation in marital and family therapy.", "content": "This is a slightly edited version of a chapter to appear in a forthcoming book. It is a beginning attempt at codification of existing tools and techniques and is therefore nonexhaustive. The authors welcome feedback from readers concerning omissions and information on new techniques, references, and applicability to therapeutic settings.", "contents": "Tools and techniques for diagnosis and evaluation in marital and family therapy. This is a slightly edited version of a chapter to appear in a forthcoming book. It is a beginning attempt at codification of existing tools and techniques and is therefore nonexhaustive. The authors welcome feedback from readers concerning omissions and information on new techniques, references, and applicability to therapeutic settings.", "PMID": 799968} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11524", "title": "Illusion and reality in R. D. Laing.", "content": "R. D. Laing never fully brings together his extraordinary empathy for schizophrenic individuals and his critical view of schizogenic families. In his writings, family and social interactions increasingly dissolve into subjective \"scenarios,\" and ultimately, \"inner space\" becomes the source of the redeeming light. This development has unfortunate psychiatric, philosophical, and political implications.", "contents": "Illusion and reality in R. D. Laing. R. D. Laing never fully brings together his extraordinary empathy for schizophrenic individuals and his critical view of schizogenic families. In his writings, family and social interactions increasingly dissolve into subjective \"scenarios,\" and ultimately, \"inner space\" becomes the source of the redeeming light. This development has unfortunate psychiatric, philosophical, and political implications.", "PMID": 799969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11525", "title": "[Problems posed by the therapeutic combination of phenobarbital and sodium dipropylacetate. Apropos of a case].", "content": "The authors report on the observation of an epileptic woman who showed the clinical and electro-encephalographic symptoms of an overdose of barbiturates when undergoing treatment associating Depakine and Gardenal. Resumption of the treatment results in identical symptoms. The potentialisation of this association and the mechanism by which it acts are as yet unknown.", "contents": "[Problems posed by the therapeutic combination of phenobarbital and sodium dipropylacetate. Apropos of a case]. The authors report on the observation of an epileptic woman who showed the clinical and electro-encephalographic symptoms of an overdose of barbiturates when undergoing treatment associating Depakine and Gardenal. Resumption of the treatment results in identical symptoms. The potentialisation of this association and the mechanism by which it acts are as yet unknown.", "PMID": 799967} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11526", "title": "Assessment of metoprolol, a cardioselective beta-blocking agent, during chronic therapy in patients with angina pectoris.", "content": "Ten patients with typical angina pectoris and without hypertension, congestive heart failure or other disease were treated with alternating four-week courses of metoprolol (alpha beta1 cardioselective beta-blocking agent), propranolol and placebo. Midway through each four-week period, drug dosage was doubled; thus, regimes were metoprolol, 150 and 300 mg/day, propranolol, 120 and 240 mg per day and placebo, 3 and 6 tablets per day. Serum concentrations of metoprolol increased with increasing dosage in a proportion very similar to that seen with propranolol. Statistically significant reductions in angina frequency/nitroglycerin consumption, and statistically significant increases in total work performed on a bicycle ergometer, were found with both active compounds when compared with placebo. No significant differences were noted between the two active compounds. Though most patients showed greatest improvement on the higher of the two drug dosages, three patients with metoprolol and two with propranolol responded best on the lower dose regime. Both compounds reduced heart rate at rest and during exercise. Neither reduced arterial pressure at rest, but both reduced arterial pressure during exercise. It is concluded that metoprolol is as effective as propranolol in the reduction of angina attacks and improvement in exercise tolerance during chronic therapy in patients with uncomplicated angina pectoris. It is now appropriate to study the effects of metoprolol in patients with coronary artery disease in whom the harmful effects of non-selective beta-blockade heretofore have precluded optimal therapy with beta-blocking drugs.", "contents": "Assessment of metoprolol, a cardioselective beta-blocking agent, during chronic therapy in patients with angina pectoris. Ten patients with typical angina pectoris and without hypertension, congestive heart failure or other disease were treated with alternating four-week courses of metoprolol (alpha beta1 cardioselective beta-blocking agent), propranolol and placebo. Midway through each four-week period, drug dosage was doubled; thus, regimes were metoprolol, 150 and 300 mg/day, propranolol, 120 and 240 mg per day and placebo, 3 and 6 tablets per day. Serum concentrations of metoprolol increased with increasing dosage in a proportion very similar to that seen with propranolol. Statistically significant reductions in angina frequency/nitroglycerin consumption, and statistically significant increases in total work performed on a bicycle ergometer, were found with both active compounds when compared with placebo. No significant differences were noted between the two active compounds. Though most patients showed greatest improvement on the higher of the two drug dosages, three patients with metoprolol and two with propranolol responded best on the lower dose regime. Both compounds reduced heart rate at rest and during exercise. Neither reduced arterial pressure at rest, but both reduced arterial pressure during exercise. It is concluded that metoprolol is as effective as propranolol in the reduction of angina attacks and improvement in exercise tolerance during chronic therapy in patients with uncomplicated angina pectoris. It is now appropriate to study the effects of metoprolol in patients with coronary artery disease in whom the harmful effects of non-selective beta-blockade heretofore have precluded optimal therapy with beta-blocking drugs.", "PMID": 799974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11527", "title": "Long-term controlled clinical trial of a new anti-inflammatory drug, diftalone, in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A long-term (two years) double-blind, comparative trial of diftalone (Aladione) 500 mg versus indomethacin 75 mg per day, in rheumatoid arthritis (thirty-two patients), has shown a similar effectiveness for both anti-inflammatory agents on various clinical parameters of disease activity, some better results being obtained for diftalone as regards the capacity of reducing erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The tolerability of diftalone proved to be somewhat superior, as is shown by the lower number of patients complaining of side-effects or being dropped out for intolerance, and by the lower frequency of central nervous system disturbances.", "contents": "Long-term controlled clinical trial of a new anti-inflammatory drug, diftalone, in rheumatoid arthritis. A long-term (two years) double-blind, comparative trial of diftalone (Aladione) 500 mg versus indomethacin 75 mg per day, in rheumatoid arthritis (thirty-two patients), has shown a similar effectiveness for both anti-inflammatory agents on various clinical parameters of disease activity, some better results being obtained for diftalone as regards the capacity of reducing erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The tolerability of diftalone proved to be somewhat superior, as is shown by the lower number of patients complaining of side-effects or being dropped out for intolerance, and by the lower frequency of central nervous system disturbances.", "PMID": 799975} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11528", "title": "Halcinonide, a new topical anti-inflammatory steroid.", "content": "Halcinomide, a new topical fluorinated steroid was compared in a double-blind, simultaneous comparison with betamethasone valerate. Halcinoide was found to be superior in the treatment of psoriasis and equally effective as betamethasone valerate in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.", "contents": "Halcinonide, a new topical anti-inflammatory steroid. Halcinomide, a new topical fluorinated steroid was compared in a double-blind, simultaneous comparison with betamethasone valerate. Halcinoide was found to be superior in the treatment of psoriasis and equally effective as betamethasone valerate in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.", "PMID": 799976} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11529", "title": "[Change of immunologic reactivity of the animal body under the effect of various antiblastic agents during primary immune response].", "content": "Tests staged with mice and rats demonstrated 5-fluorouracil, fluorafur, methotrexate, cyclophosphane and vinblastine capable of inhibiting to a different degree the primary immune response and the factors of nonspecific immunity. Methotrexate displays the highest activity and specificity of the immunodepressive effect. By using different doses of the drug in immunizing the animals with sheep erythrocytes and vi-antigens the factors of both specific and non-specific immunity were inhibited in all cases. With their single introduction 5-fluorouracil and fluorofur can stimulate the synthesis of humoral antibodies and have no effect on the immune response. With their multiple administration the immunological reactivity of the organism becomes depressed. The extent of changes involving non-specific factors doses not depend upon the pattern and schedule of the drug administration. Cyclophosphane and vinblastin inhibit the immune response when they are introduced 24 hours after immunization. Vinblastin had the faculty of bringing down the activity of the nonspecific immunity, whereas under the effect of cyclophosphane it did not change, except for the complement.", "contents": "[Change of immunologic reactivity of the animal body under the effect of various antiblastic agents during primary immune response]. Tests staged with mice and rats demonstrated 5-fluorouracil, fluorafur, methotrexate, cyclophosphane and vinblastine capable of inhibiting to a different degree the primary immune response and the factors of nonspecific immunity. Methotrexate displays the highest activity and specificity of the immunodepressive effect. By using different doses of the drug in immunizing the animals with sheep erythrocytes and vi-antigens the factors of both specific and non-specific immunity were inhibited in all cases. With their single introduction 5-fluorouracil and fluorofur can stimulate the synthesis of humoral antibodies and have no effect on the immune response. With their multiple administration the immunological reactivity of the organism becomes depressed. The extent of changes involving non-specific factors doses not depend upon the pattern and schedule of the drug administration. Cyclophosphane and vinblastin inhibit the immune response when they are introduced 24 hours after immunization. Vinblastin had the faculty of bringing down the activity of the nonspecific immunity, whereas under the effect of cyclophosphane it did not change, except for the complement.", "PMID": 799970} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11530", "title": "Patient acceptability of two diuretic/potassium supplement preparations.", "content": "In a random crossover study in general practice, sixty patients with heart failure were given one week's maintenance treatment with the recommended dosage of Burinex K or Lasix+K. Burinex K appeared to be easier to swallow than the supplement tablets of Lasix+K although the differences were not significant. Patients showed a highly significant preference to take two tablets on one occasion (Burinex K) rather than two different types of tablet on three separate occasions (Lasix+K). Despite pharmacological arguments in favour of stimultaneous versus separate administration of potassium supplement and diuretic, patient acceptibility is of over-riding importance in the long-term.", "contents": "Patient acceptability of two diuretic/potassium supplement preparations. In a random crossover study in general practice, sixty patients with heart failure were given one week's maintenance treatment with the recommended dosage of Burinex K or Lasix+K. Burinex K appeared to be easier to swallow than the supplement tablets of Lasix+K although the differences were not significant. Patients showed a highly significant preference to take two tablets on one occasion (Burinex K) rather than two different types of tablet on three separate occasions (Lasix+K). Despite pharmacological arguments in favour of stimultaneous versus separate administration of potassium supplement and diuretic, patient acceptibility is of over-riding importance in the long-term.", "PMID": 799977} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11531", "title": "A single-blind comparative clinical trial of lymecycline and amoxycillin in the treatment of acute bronchitis in general practice.", "content": "A single-blind comparison of lymecycline and amoxycillin was performed by three general practitioners in the treatment of acute bronchitis. A total of 132 patients were treated for seven days with lymecycline (204 mg) two capsules twice daily or amoxycillin 250 mg three times daily. Symptoms and signs assessed were cough, dyspnoea, sputum volume, purulence of sputum and temperature. Both drugs brought about a statistically significant improvement. For all parameters the improvements seen with lymecycline were superior to those seen with amoxycillin although in no case did any of these reach statistical significance. However, in the case of purulent sputum those patients receiving lymecycline showed improvement which reached borderline significance (0-05 less than p less than 0-1) as compared with amoxycillin. Side-effects in the case of both drugs were negligible.", "contents": "A single-blind comparative clinical trial of lymecycline and amoxycillin in the treatment of acute bronchitis in general practice. A single-blind comparison of lymecycline and amoxycillin was performed by three general practitioners in the treatment of acute bronchitis. A total of 132 patients were treated for seven days with lymecycline (204 mg) two capsules twice daily or amoxycillin 250 mg three times daily. Symptoms and signs assessed were cough, dyspnoea, sputum volume, purulence of sputum and temperature. Both drugs brought about a statistically significant improvement. For all parameters the improvements seen with lymecycline were superior to those seen with amoxycillin although in no case did any of these reach statistical significance. However, in the case of purulent sputum those patients receiving lymecycline showed improvement which reached borderline significance (0-05 less than p less than 0-1) as compared with amoxycillin. Side-effects in the case of both drugs were negligible.", "PMID": 799979} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11532", "title": "Antidepressant treatment with maprotiline in the management of emotional disturbances in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a controlled study.", "content": "In coronary artery disease the patients usually manifest both anxiety and depression disturbances. A controlled clinical study was conducted to test the efficacy of a new antidepressant agent, maprotiline, in the early stages of acute myocardial infarction. The sample consisted of 126 patients, sixty-three receiving orally 25 mg of maprotiline twice daily and the remainder 5 mg of diazepam twice daily. Treatment lasted on an average two weeks (ten days to eight weeks). The depressive and/or anxiety conditions were rated on the basis of a questionnaire administered before and after treatment. Depression improved markedly in patients receiving maprotiline, while the two drugs developed a comparable anxiolytic action. Tolerability was good. No clinical or ECG evidence of cardiotoxic signs was detected. The importance of a drug with these characteristics in the management of emotional disturbances in the early stages of coronary artery disease is emphasized.", "contents": "Antidepressant treatment with maprotiline in the management of emotional disturbances in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a controlled study. In coronary artery disease the patients usually manifest both anxiety and depression disturbances. A controlled clinical study was conducted to test the efficacy of a new antidepressant agent, maprotiline, in the early stages of acute myocardial infarction. The sample consisted of 126 patients, sixty-three receiving orally 25 mg of maprotiline twice daily and the remainder 5 mg of diazepam twice daily. Treatment lasted on an average two weeks (ten days to eight weeks). The depressive and/or anxiety conditions were rated on the basis of a questionnaire administered before and after treatment. Depression improved markedly in patients receiving maprotiline, while the two drugs developed a comparable anxiolytic action. Tolerability was good. No clinical or ECG evidence of cardiotoxic signs was detected. The importance of a drug with these characteristics in the management of emotional disturbances in the early stages of coronary artery disease is emphasized.", "PMID": 799978} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11533", "title": "Clinical study of broncholytic effect and side-effects of isoetharine ('Numotac').", "content": "In thirty-nine adult asthmatics a clinical trial was carried out with 10 mg slow-release tablets of isoetharine ('Numotac', 3M Riker) at two dose levels: 10 mg and 20 mg four times a day. The trial was double-blind with crossover after six weeks. Twenty-three patients reported a positive effect on their respiratory symptoms when isoetharine had replaced their previous treatment; negative effect was reported by one patient while twelve patients were undecided. Tremor was a common side-effect but except in three cases it was slight. There was no difference in side-effects between the high and the low doses if the initial dose was low. However, there were significantly more side-effects when the trial was started with the high dose.", "contents": "Clinical study of broncholytic effect and side-effects of isoetharine ('Numotac'). In thirty-nine adult asthmatics a clinical trial was carried out with 10 mg slow-release tablets of isoetharine ('Numotac', 3M Riker) at two dose levels: 10 mg and 20 mg four times a day. The trial was double-blind with crossover after six weeks. Twenty-three patients reported a positive effect on their respiratory symptoms when isoetharine had replaced their previous treatment; negative effect was reported by one patient while twelve patients were undecided. Tremor was a common side-effect but except in three cases it was slight. There was no difference in side-effects between the high and the low doses if the initial dose was low. However, there were significantly more side-effects when the trial was started with the high dose.", "PMID": 799980} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11534", "title": "Study of a new analgesic compound in the treatment of tension headache.", "content": "The effect of a new analgesic compound (propoxyphene, acetaminophen, caffeine, hydroxyzine) was investigated in a single-blind study comparing it with plain acetaminophen administered to forty patients with tension headache. For the study, patients were assigned to one of two groups of twenty each. Starting dose for each group was one to two tablets followed by one tablet every four to six hours. The results show that 90% clinical success was obtained with the analgesic compound, while a 45% success was obtained with plain acetaminophen. This is a statistically significant difference. Side-effects observed with analgesic compound were primarily drowsiness and dizziness of mild intensity; acetaminophen caused gastro-intestinal alterations (nausea, vomiting) and dizziness of greater severity. Therapy was withdrawn in 20% of patients taking acetaminophen because of side-effects. The dosage of analgesic compound required to control each episode of tension headache was smaller than that of acetaminophen. These results can be explained by a possible potentiation of pharmacological activity of the compound's components. It can be concluded that the analgesic compound is a new and effective combination for the symptomatic treatment of tension headache.", "contents": "Study of a new analgesic compound in the treatment of tension headache. The effect of a new analgesic compound (propoxyphene, acetaminophen, caffeine, hydroxyzine) was investigated in a single-blind study comparing it with plain acetaminophen administered to forty patients with tension headache. For the study, patients were assigned to one of two groups of twenty each. Starting dose for each group was one to two tablets followed by one tablet every four to six hours. The results show that 90% clinical success was obtained with the analgesic compound, while a 45% success was obtained with plain acetaminophen. This is a statistically significant difference. Side-effects observed with analgesic compound were primarily drowsiness and dizziness of mild intensity; acetaminophen caused gastro-intestinal alterations (nausea, vomiting) and dizziness of greater severity. Therapy was withdrawn in 20% of patients taking acetaminophen because of side-effects. The dosage of analgesic compound required to control each episode of tension headache was smaller than that of acetaminophen. These results can be explained by a possible potentiation of pharmacological activity of the compound's components. It can be concluded that the analgesic compound is a new and effective combination for the symptomatic treatment of tension headache.", "PMID": 799981} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11535", "title": "Percutaneous absorption of betamethasone-17, 21-dipropionate and salicylic acid during the treatment of psoriasis and eczema.", "content": "The percutaneous absorption of betamethasone-17, 21-dipropionate and salicylic acid was studied after one and two weeks' treatment of psoriaris and eczema. The treated areas varied between 8 and 41 dm2. No change in the plasma cortisol levels was detectable by the routinely used laboratory method. The treatment gave no detectable salicylate concentrations in plasma.", "contents": "Percutaneous absorption of betamethasone-17, 21-dipropionate and salicylic acid during the treatment of psoriasis and eczema. The percutaneous absorption of betamethasone-17, 21-dipropionate and salicylic acid was studied after one and two weeks' treatment of psoriaris and eczema. The treated areas varied between 8 and 41 dm2. No change in the plasma cortisol levels was detectable by the routinely used laboratory method. The treatment gave no detectable salicylate concentrations in plasma.", "PMID": 799983} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11536", "title": "Nefopam hydrochloride: new analgesic agent.", "content": "Two dose-levels of nefopam hydrochloride (i.e. 30 mg and 60 mg) were compared with two dose-levels of aspirin (i.e. 300 mg and 600 mg) and placebo in 125 male patients having pain associated with muscle disorders. Drugs were given as a single dose and pain intensity and side-effects monitored at thirty minutes and then hourly for four hours. Time-course action of the drugs revealed that aspirin 300 mg failed to achieve statistically significant analgesia at any post-treatment observation, whereas nefopam 60 mg was significantly better than placebo (p less than 0-05) at one and three hours in terms of pain intensity and at one hour in terms of pain intensity difference scores. Aspirin 600 mg was significantly different from placebo (p less than 0-05) at all hourly observations for both efficacy parameters, as was nefopam 30 mg (p less than 0-01). Summation of pain intensity difference scores showed aspirin 600 mg and nefopam 30 mg to be significantly different from placebo at the 0.025 and 0.005 levels respectively.", "contents": "Nefopam hydrochloride: new analgesic agent. Two dose-levels of nefopam hydrochloride (i.e. 30 mg and 60 mg) were compared with two dose-levels of aspirin (i.e. 300 mg and 600 mg) and placebo in 125 male patients having pain associated with muscle disorders. Drugs were given as a single dose and pain intensity and side-effects monitored at thirty minutes and then hourly for four hours. Time-course action of the drugs revealed that aspirin 300 mg failed to achieve statistically significant analgesia at any post-treatment observation, whereas nefopam 60 mg was significantly better than placebo (p less than 0-05) at one and three hours in terms of pain intensity and at one hour in terms of pain intensity difference scores. Aspirin 600 mg was significantly different from placebo (p less than 0-05) at all hourly observations for both efficacy parameters, as was nefopam 30 mg (p less than 0-01). Summation of pain intensity difference scores showed aspirin 600 mg and nefopam 30 mg to be significantly different from placebo at the 0.025 and 0.005 levels respectively.", "PMID": 799984} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11537", "title": "A clinical Trial of Tofranil in osteo-arthritis.", "content": "Animal experiments and uncontrolled clinical experience indicate that imipramine should relieve pain or enhance the effect of analgesics in osteoarthritis. A double-blind crossover trial using Tofranil 25 mg three times daily and matching placebo has, therefore, been designed and initiated.", "contents": "A clinical Trial of Tofranil in osteo-arthritis. Animal experiments and uncontrolled clinical experience indicate that imipramine should relieve pain or enhance the effect of analgesics in osteoarthritis. A double-blind crossover trial using Tofranil 25 mg three times daily and matching placebo has, therefore, been designed and initiated.", "PMID": 799986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11538", "title": "Imipramine and rheumatoid factor.", "content": "It has been reported that imipramine reduces the titre of rheumatoid factor in schizophrenic patients. Twenty out-patients suffering from classical rheumatoid arthritis and having rheumatoid factor titre equal to, or greater than 1:64, were treated in a double-blind trial with imipramine 75 mg or matching placebo. In this study the dose of imipramine used failed to affect the levels of rheumatoid factor.", "contents": "Imipramine and rheumatoid factor. It has been reported that imipramine reduces the titre of rheumatoid factor in schizophrenic patients. Twenty out-patients suffering from classical rheumatoid arthritis and having rheumatoid factor titre equal to, or greater than 1:64, were treated in a double-blind trial with imipramine 75 mg or matching placebo. In this study the dose of imipramine used failed to affect the levels of rheumatoid factor.", "PMID": 799987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11539", "title": "A clinical trial of Tofranil in rheumatic pain in general practice.", "content": "A multicentre double-blind clinical trial was conducted in general practice in which imipramine (Tofranil) was added to existing standard analgesic anti-rheumatic therapy in patients suffering from osteo-arthritis, rheumatoidtero-arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Twelve doctors admitted sixty-five patients to the trial. Fifty-five patients completed an eitht-week treatment period. According to clinical assessments imipramine brough about statistically significant improvements in pain, stiffness and grip strength and, according to patient self-rating, significant improvement in pain and stiffness. On the basis of a global assessment patients showed a highly significant preference for imipramine compared with placebo as adjunctive therapy.", "contents": "A clinical trial of Tofranil in rheumatic pain in general practice. A multicentre double-blind clinical trial was conducted in general practice in which imipramine (Tofranil) was added to existing standard analgesic anti-rheumatic therapy in patients suffering from osteo-arthritis, rheumatoidtero-arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Twelve doctors admitted sixty-five patients to the trial. Fifty-five patients completed an eitht-week treatment period. According to clinical assessments imipramine brough about statistically significant improvements in pain, stiffness and grip strength and, according to patient self-rating, significant improvement in pain and stiffness. On the basis of a global assessment patients showed a highly significant preference for imipramine compared with placebo as adjunctive therapy.", "PMID": 799988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11540", "title": "Anafranil in the management of long-term pain: a preliminary report.", "content": "A clinical trial is being conducted in which single, nightly doses of 10 mg or 25 mg of clomipramine are added to the conventional analgesic therapy of patients with chronic painful conditions of the locomotor system. The initial impression has been obtained that the pain threshold of such patients can be modified by the addition of low doses of clomipramine and that, as a result, daily doses of analgesic may be reduced.", "contents": "Anafranil in the management of long-term pain: a preliminary report. A clinical trial is being conducted in which single, nightly doses of 10 mg or 25 mg of clomipramine are added to the conventional analgesic therapy of patients with chronic painful conditions of the locomotor system. The initial impression has been obtained that the pain threshold of such patients can be modified by the addition of low doses of clomipramine and that, as a result, daily doses of analgesic may be reduced.", "PMID": 799989} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11541", "title": "Nitrazepam and temazepam: a comparative trial of two hypnotics.", "content": "A specially designed sleep questionnaire was used to assess the performance of the two hypnotic drugs. Psychiatric patients were given 5 mg nitrazepam or 10 mg temazepam in identical capsules, and were allowed more if necessary. A double-blind cross-over design was used. We found that 5-2 mg nitrazepam showed few differences from 13-2 mg temezepam. The two regimes produced fairly similar reports on patient satisfaction, quality of sleep, number of awakenings, depth of sleep and other variables. Patients on nitrazepam were a little more clear-headed in the morning, though they tended to wake later, sleep longer, and take more sleep over the 24-hour period. No toxicity was found with either drug over the 434 patient days of administration. In view of the advantages of the benzodiazepine drugs over their predecessors, we feel that it is worth exploring further the use of temazepam as a sleep inducing drug.", "contents": "Nitrazepam and temazepam: a comparative trial of two hypnotics. A specially designed sleep questionnaire was used to assess the performance of the two hypnotic drugs. Psychiatric patients were given 5 mg nitrazepam or 10 mg temazepam in identical capsules, and were allowed more if necessary. A double-blind cross-over design was used. We found that 5-2 mg nitrazepam showed few differences from 13-2 mg temezepam. The two regimes produced fairly similar reports on patient satisfaction, quality of sleep, number of awakenings, depth of sleep and other variables. Patients on nitrazepam were a little more clear-headed in the morning, though they tended to wake later, sleep longer, and take more sleep over the 24-hour period. No toxicity was found with either drug over the 434 patient days of administration. In view of the advantages of the benzodiazepine drugs over their predecessors, we feel that it is worth exploring further the use of temazepam as a sleep inducing drug.", "PMID": 799990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11542", "title": "Response of osteoarthritis to ibuprofen or flurbiprofen.", "content": "Flurbiprofen and ibuprofen, two propionic acid derivatives with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, were compared in a double-blind multiclinic study in 195 patients with osteoarthritis of the peripheral joints. The patients were given 80 mg/day flurbiprofen or 1600 mg/day ibuprofen for six weeks. Pain, subjective evaluation and functional tests improved significantly in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatments in any of the responses. Gastro-intestinal side-effects, generally mild, developed in 5-6% of the patients.", "contents": "Response of osteoarthritis to ibuprofen or flurbiprofen. Flurbiprofen and ibuprofen, two propionic acid derivatives with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, were compared in a double-blind multiclinic study in 195 patients with osteoarthritis of the peripheral joints. The patients were given 80 mg/day flurbiprofen or 1600 mg/day ibuprofen for six weeks. Pain, subjective evaluation and functional tests improved significantly in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatments in any of the responses. Gastro-intestinal side-effects, generally mild, developed in 5-6% of the patients.", "PMID": 799991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11543", "title": "A double-blind comparative clinical trial of floctafenine and four other analgesics conducted in general practice.", "content": "Three hundred and twelve patients suffering from painful conditions were admitted to a multicentre, double-blind controlled trial, conducted in general practice in which five analgesics--floctafenine (Idarac), paracetamol, aspirin, dihydrocodeine and pentazocine--were compared. Overall ratings of analgesic effect placed floctafenine first in rank order. Floctafenine was statistically significantly superior in effect to pentazocine but not to the other three agents as far as doctor ratings were concerned; and superior to both pentazocine and dihydrocodeine in the opinion of patients. Fewer patients experienced side-effects on floctafenine than on the other four analgesics and this difference between floctafenine and pentazocine, and floctafenine and dihydrocodeine was statistically significant.", "contents": "A double-blind comparative clinical trial of floctafenine and four other analgesics conducted in general practice. Three hundred and twelve patients suffering from painful conditions were admitted to a multicentre, double-blind controlled trial, conducted in general practice in which five analgesics--floctafenine (Idarac), paracetamol, aspirin, dihydrocodeine and pentazocine--were compared. Overall ratings of analgesic effect placed floctafenine first in rank order. Floctafenine was statistically significantly superior in effect to pentazocine but not to the other three agents as far as doctor ratings were concerned; and superior to both pentazocine and dihydrocodeine in the opinion of patients. Fewer patients experienced side-effects on floctafenine than on the other four analgesics and this difference between floctafenine and pentazocine, and floctafenine and dihydrocodeine was statistically significant.", "PMID": 799992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11544", "title": "Efficacy of amikacin in septic abortion: serum and urine antibiotic concentrations.", "content": "Septic abortion is a frequent cause of maternal death in our patient population. The great majority of bacteria isolated were enterobacteria. Since antibiotics capable of destroying the cell wall release endotoxins (reducing vasoconstriction and tissue hypoxia) antibiotics which do not destroy bacteria like amikacin are preferred. Amikacin, 500 mg intramuscularly every twelve hours, was used concomitantly with uterine curettage and fluid and electrolyte restoration in thirty septic abortion patients. All the patients responded, obviating the need for more heroic surgical treatment such as hysterectomy. Previously used antibiotics have not been as effective in our patient population.", "contents": "Efficacy of amikacin in septic abortion: serum and urine antibiotic concentrations. Septic abortion is a frequent cause of maternal death in our patient population. The great majority of bacteria isolated were enterobacteria. Since antibiotics capable of destroying the cell wall release endotoxins (reducing vasoconstriction and tissue hypoxia) antibiotics which do not destroy bacteria like amikacin are preferred. Amikacin, 500 mg intramuscularly every twelve hours, was used concomitantly with uterine curettage and fluid and electrolyte restoration in thirty septic abortion patients. All the patients responded, obviating the need for more heroic surgical treatment such as hysterectomy. Previously used antibiotics have not been as effective in our patient population.", "PMID": 799994} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11545", "title": "A double-blind comparison of a new combination (halcinonide-neomycin-amphotericin) and active controls in cutaneous candidiasis and steroid-responsive dermatoses.", "content": "One hundred patients participated in the studies of cutaneous candidiasis and steroid-responsive dermatoses. Seventy patients with the former diagnosis were treated with either halcinonide-neomycin-amphotericin or hydrocortisone-iodochlorhydroxyquin ointment combinations on a double-blind parallel comparison basis. Similar results were obtained after both therapies. Thirty patients with symmetrical bilateral lesions of steroid-responsive dermatoses were treated with halcinonide-neomycin-amphotericin cream on the lesions on one side of the body and hydrocortisone-iodochlorhydroxyquin cream on the opposite side. A double-blind design was used in directly comparing the response to each of the two drugs. Considering the results of all dermatoses together the test combination was statistically superior to the control cream (p less than 0-05). However, while numerical superiority of good responses to the halcinonide combination was recorded in psoriasis, no statistical significance could be derived due to the limited number of cases. No side-effects occurred with any drug combination use. In the opinion of the authors halcinonide-neomycin-amphotericin cream and ointment are safe and effective in the treatment of cutaneous candiasis and steroid-responsive dermatoses.", "contents": "A double-blind comparison of a new combination (halcinonide-neomycin-amphotericin) and active controls in cutaneous candidiasis and steroid-responsive dermatoses. One hundred patients participated in the studies of cutaneous candidiasis and steroid-responsive dermatoses. Seventy patients with the former diagnosis were treated with either halcinonide-neomycin-amphotericin or hydrocortisone-iodochlorhydroxyquin ointment combinations on a double-blind parallel comparison basis. Similar results were obtained after both therapies. Thirty patients with symmetrical bilateral lesions of steroid-responsive dermatoses were treated with halcinonide-neomycin-amphotericin cream on the lesions on one side of the body and hydrocortisone-iodochlorhydroxyquin cream on the opposite side. A double-blind design was used in directly comparing the response to each of the two drugs. Considering the results of all dermatoses together the test combination was statistically superior to the control cream (p less than 0-05). However, while numerical superiority of good responses to the halcinonide combination was recorded in psoriasis, no statistical significance could be derived due to the limited number of cases. No side-effects occurred with any drug combination use. In the opinion of the authors halcinonide-neomycin-amphotericin cream and ointment are safe and effective in the treatment of cutaneous candiasis and steroid-responsive dermatoses.", "PMID": 799995} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11546", "title": "Butorphanol: a double-blind comparison with pentazocine in post-operative patients with moderate to severe pain.", "content": "A double-blind, randomized trial was conducted with 124 post-operative patients to compare the analgesic activity and possible side-effects of a new synthetic analgesic--butorphanol tartrate (1, 2, and 4 mg)--and pentazocine lactate (30 and 60 mg), adminstered intramuscularly. Butorphanol was determined to be 16 times more potent than pentazocine, on a weight basis. Both medications provided maximum pain relief within one hour after administration, and had comparable durations of action. Drowsiness was the most common side-effect, and it appeared to be dose related in all test groups.", "contents": "Butorphanol: a double-blind comparison with pentazocine in post-operative patients with moderate to severe pain. A double-blind, randomized trial was conducted with 124 post-operative patients to compare the analgesic activity and possible side-effects of a new synthetic analgesic--butorphanol tartrate (1, 2, and 4 mg)--and pentazocine lactate (30 and 60 mg), adminstered intramuscularly. Butorphanol was determined to be 16 times more potent than pentazocine, on a weight basis. Both medications provided maximum pain relief within one hour after administration, and had comparable durations of action. Drowsiness was the most common side-effect, and it appeared to be dose related in all test groups.", "PMID": 799996} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11547", "title": "Comparative efficacy and safety of cephradine and cephalexin in children.", "content": "Cephradine was compared to cephalexin a randomized, double-blind study for the treatment of bacterial infections in 162 children between four months and eleven years of age. In addition to evaluations of clinical and bacteriologic responses to therapy, the relative safety of the two cephalosporins was assessed for all children, including eight who were not included in the evaluation of drug efficacy. The children in the efficacy evaluation had either lobar pneumonia or skin infections and received oral suspensions of cephradine (25-110 mg/kg per day) or cephalexin (25-150 mg/kg per day) for five to fifteen days. Overall clinical and bacteriologic responses were nearly identical in the two groups, and both antibiotics proved to equally safe and effective for use paediatric practice.", "contents": "Comparative efficacy and safety of cephradine and cephalexin in children. Cephradine was compared to cephalexin a randomized, double-blind study for the treatment of bacterial infections in 162 children between four months and eleven years of age. In addition to evaluations of clinical and bacteriologic responses to therapy, the relative safety of the two cephalosporins was assessed for all children, including eight who were not included in the evaluation of drug efficacy. The children in the efficacy evaluation had either lobar pneumonia or skin infections and received oral suspensions of cephradine (25-110 mg/kg per day) or cephalexin (25-150 mg/kg per day) for five to fifteen days. Overall clinical and bacteriologic responses were nearly identical in the two groups, and both antibiotics proved to equally safe and effective for use paediatric practice.", "PMID": 799997} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11548", "title": "Light, behavior, and biologic rhythms.", "content": "The most potent environmental synchronizer of \"biologic clocks\" in mammals is the light-dark cycle. The author describes experiments that identify a particular pathway--a derect connection between retina and hypothalamus--as the main route by which such biologic rhythms as the daily activity cycle, the estrous cycle, and the annual reproductive cycle are entrained to the external environment.", "contents": "Light, behavior, and biologic rhythms. The most potent environmental synchronizer of \"biologic clocks\" in mammals is the light-dark cycle. The author describes experiments that identify a particular pathway--a derect connection between retina and hypothalamus--as the main route by which such biologic rhythms as the daily activity cycle, the estrous cycle, and the annual reproductive cycle are entrained to the external environment.", "PMID": 800011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11549", "title": "Clofazimine in the treatment of dapsone resistant leprosy.", "content": "Dapsone resistant patients treated with clofazimine 100 mg daily show a consistent response to treatment. Concern is expressed regarding the prolonged persistence of viable organisms during treatment, with the attendant risk of further resistance developing. The importance of prevention of this problem is discussed.", "contents": "Clofazimine in the treatment of dapsone resistant leprosy. Dapsone resistant patients treated with clofazimine 100 mg daily show a consistent response to treatment. Concern is expressed regarding the prolonged persistence of viable organisms during treatment, with the attendant risk of further resistance developing. The importance of prevention of this problem is discussed.", "PMID": 800234} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11550", "title": "Clinical trial with rifampicin in the treatment of leprosy.", "content": "Rusults of treatment with Rifampicin in ten untreated and uncomplicated cases of active lepromatous leprosy are compared with those of D.D.S. in a similar number of cases. Though clinical improvement was similar in both the groups, improvement in B.I. and M.I. appears to be better in the latter group. High price of Rifampicin is its greatest drawback at present.", "contents": "Clinical trial with rifampicin in the treatment of leprosy. Rusults of treatment with Rifampicin in ten untreated and uncomplicated cases of active lepromatous leprosy are compared with those of D.D.S. in a similar number of cases. Though clinical improvement was similar in both the groups, improvement in B.I. and M.I. appears to be better in the latter group. High price of Rifampicin is its greatest drawback at present.", "PMID": 800236} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11551", "title": "Detection of mumps virus antigens in Hodgkin's disease tissues.", "content": "Mumps virus antigens were demonstrated in biopsied tissues from Hodgkin's disease patients by indirect immunofluorescence. Impression smears from ten lymph node and two spleen specimens revealed viral antigens in the nucleus, cytoplasm or both. Measles virus antigens were detected in six out of seven Hodgkin's disease tissue (lymph nodes) both in the nucleus and cytoplasm. All tissues tested for the presence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV, an avian paramyxovirus) antigens were negative. Control tissues were obtained from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, breast cancers, adenocarcinomas and a number of other disease processes. In control tissues mumps antigens were detected in seven out of 31 specimens and measles antigens in nine out of 18 tissues.", "contents": "Detection of mumps virus antigens in Hodgkin's disease tissues. Mumps virus antigens were demonstrated in biopsied tissues from Hodgkin's disease patients by indirect immunofluorescence. Impression smears from ten lymph node and two spleen specimens revealed viral antigens in the nucleus, cytoplasm or both. Measles virus antigens were detected in six out of seven Hodgkin's disease tissue (lymph nodes) both in the nucleus and cytoplasm. All tissues tested for the presence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV, an avian paramyxovirus) antigens were negative. Control tissues were obtained from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, breast cancers, adenocarcinomas and a number of other disease processes. In control tissues mumps antigens were detected in seven out of 31 specimens and measles antigens in nine out of 18 tissues.", "PMID": 800238} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11552", "title": "Immunofluorescent studies on chimpanzee humoral responses to human melanoma cells.", "content": "Eight chimpanzees were immunized, each with a single melanoma cell line. It was found that the serum of only one of the eight chimpanzees showed immunofluorescence with four of the five melanoma cell lines at the membrane surface; but it showed no fluorescence with normal skin fibroblasts, WI-38 cells, HeLa cells, human or monkey kidney cells. With appropriate absorption studies it was found that the antiserum was specific to melanoma cell lines. Trypsinated cells showed bright patchy membrane fluorescence, whereas non-trypsinated cells showed bright full ring fluorescence. The chimpanzee's antibody was C'-fixing IgG. It was concluded that the immunized chimpanzee produced antibody to surface antigen(s) common to four of the five melanoma cell lines tested.", "contents": "Immunofluorescent studies on chimpanzee humoral responses to human melanoma cells. Eight chimpanzees were immunized, each with a single melanoma cell line. It was found that the serum of only one of the eight chimpanzees showed immunofluorescence with four of the five melanoma cell lines at the membrane surface; but it showed no fluorescence with normal skin fibroblasts, WI-38 cells, HeLa cells, human or monkey kidney cells. With appropriate absorption studies it was found that the antiserum was specific to melanoma cell lines. Trypsinated cells showed bright patchy membrane fluorescence, whereas non-trypsinated cells showed bright full ring fluorescence. The chimpanzee's antibody was C'-fixing IgG. It was concluded that the immunized chimpanzee produced antibody to surface antigen(s) common to four of the five melanoma cell lines tested.", "PMID": 800239} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11553", "title": "Results with CCNU in resistant Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.", "content": "72 patients with advanced malignant lymphoma resistant to standard chemotherapy were treated with 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-l-nitrosourea (CCNU) at 130 mg/m2 orally every six weeks. Objective responses were noted in 13 of 39 evaluable patients with Hodgkin's disease, three of 15 patients with lymphocytic lymphoma, and one of seven patients with histiocytic lymphoma. Responses lasted one to 22 months (median: four months) and occurred in patients whose disease was resistant to alkylating agents, vinblastine, vincristine, corticosteroids, procarbazine, and bleomycin. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were frequent toxic effects of therapy.", "contents": "Results with CCNU in resistant Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 72 patients with advanced malignant lymphoma resistant to standard chemotherapy were treated with 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-l-nitrosourea (CCNU) at 130 mg/m2 orally every six weeks. Objective responses were noted in 13 of 39 evaluable patients with Hodgkin's disease, three of 15 patients with lymphocytic lymphoma, and one of seven patients with histiocytic lymphoma. Responses lasted one to 22 months (median: four months) and occurred in patients whose disease was resistant to alkylating agents, vinblastine, vincristine, corticosteroids, procarbazine, and bleomycin. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were frequent toxic effects of therapy.", "PMID": 800240} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11554", "title": "[Ectopic induction of bone and cartilaginous tissue in diffusion chambers in adult rabbits under the effect of ground bone tissue].", "content": "The possibility of induction of bony and cartilaginous tissues in the diffusion chambers inserted in the abdominal cavity of adult rabbit under the influence of crushed bone was shown. The induction occurred when the crushed bony tissue moistened with blood was autotransplanted in the chambers together with the crushed muscle. No formation of tissues do novo occurred in the chambers with the crushed bony tissue moistened with blood only. The formation of atypical islets of bony tissue was observed from time to time in the connective tissue capsule overgrowing the diffusion chambers. The bony and cartilaginous tissues were found neither in the chamber, nor on its surface when the empty diffusion chambers were inserted. The comparison of these results with the data obtained earlier allows to conclude that the crushed bony tissue is an inductor rather than a source of ectopic osteogenesis. In those cases when the bony and cartilaginous tissues formed de novo, the connective tissue elements of the crushed muscle were their source.", "contents": "[Ectopic induction of bone and cartilaginous tissue in diffusion chambers in adult rabbits under the effect of ground bone tissue]. The possibility of induction of bony and cartilaginous tissues in the diffusion chambers inserted in the abdominal cavity of adult rabbit under the influence of crushed bone was shown. The induction occurred when the crushed bony tissue moistened with blood was autotransplanted in the chambers together with the crushed muscle. No formation of tissues do novo occurred in the chambers with the crushed bony tissue moistened with blood only. The formation of atypical islets of bony tissue was observed from time to time in the connective tissue capsule overgrowing the diffusion chambers. The bony and cartilaginous tissues were found neither in the chamber, nor on its surface when the empty diffusion chambers were inserted. The comparison of these results with the data obtained earlier allows to conclude that the crushed bony tissue is an inductor rather than a source of ectopic osteogenesis. In those cases when the bony and cartilaginous tissues formed de novo, the connective tissue elements of the crushed muscle were their source.", "PMID": 800241} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11555", "title": "[Cultivation of mammalian postimplantation embryos outside the body].", "content": "The possibility is considered to use in vitro cultivation of the embryos of laboratory rodents at the postimplantation developmental stages in experimental embryology and teratology. Different variants of the method are estimated and the optimal conditions of cultivation are described (nutrient medium, gaseous phase, depth of explants' immersion, rate of medium flow, etc). The causes are discussed which limit the duration of in vitro development and enhance the appearance of some defects. The results are given for application of the method when studying the mechanisms of teratogenic effect of chemical drugs.", "contents": "[Cultivation of mammalian postimplantation embryos outside the body]. The possibility is considered to use in vitro cultivation of the embryos of laboratory rodents at the postimplantation developmental stages in experimental embryology and teratology. Different variants of the method are estimated and the optimal conditions of cultivation are described (nutrient medium, gaseous phase, depth of explants' immersion, rate of medium flow, etc). The causes are discussed which limit the duration of in vitro development and enhance the appearance of some defects. The results are given for application of the method when studying the mechanisms of teratogenic effect of chemical drugs.", "PMID": 800243} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11556", "title": "[Decrease in the immune response in old age and ways of restoring it].", "content": "A comparative age study of the immune response in females of CBA mice to the injection of ram erythrocytes has shown that the decreased level of response in old animals depends on the delayed involvement of T- and B-populations of lymphocytes in the process of antibody formation. The intensification of immune response in old animals is possible under the additional antigenic stimulation and introduction of syngenic bone marrow cells from intact mature animals.", "contents": "[Decrease in the immune response in old age and ways of restoring it]. A comparative age study of the immune response in females of CBA mice to the injection of ram erythrocytes has shown that the decreased level of response in old animals depends on the delayed involvement of T- and B-populations of lymphocytes in the process of antibody formation. The intensification of immune response in old animals is possible under the additional antigenic stimulation and introduction of syngenic bone marrow cells from intact mature animals.", "PMID": 800244} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11557", "title": "Naloxone reversal of analgesia produced by brain stimulation in the human.", "content": "The analgesia resulting from electrical stimulation in the periventricular grey matter at the level of the posterior commissure in the human patient has been reversed by naxolone. This finding raises the possibility that such stimulation is effective because morphine receptor cells may be activated.", "contents": "Naloxone reversal of analgesia produced by brain stimulation in the human. The analgesia resulting from electrical stimulation in the periventricular grey matter at the level of the posterior commissure in the human patient has been reversed by naxolone. This finding raises the possibility that such stimulation is effective because morphine receptor cells may be activated.", "PMID": 800249} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11558", "title": "Myocardial infarction without pain. A study of the sensory function of the upper limbs.", "content": "The sensory function of the upper limbs was examined in 18 subjects who had a myocardial infarction without a well-defined episode of chest pain. The cutaneous pain threshold was significantly higher than in normals. The ischaemia of the upper limbs induced patterns of sensations different from the normals, with onset of pain and of autonomic and coenaesthesic disturbances. These modifications of the sensory function are the same as observed in subjects with a previous painful infarction, but are quite different from those observed in patients with angina pectoris.", "contents": "Myocardial infarction without pain. A study of the sensory function of the upper limbs. The sensory function of the upper limbs was examined in 18 subjects who had a myocardial infarction without a well-defined episode of chest pain. The cutaneous pain threshold was significantly higher than in normals. The ischaemia of the upper limbs induced patterns of sensations different from the normals, with onset of pain and of autonomic and coenaesthesic disturbances. These modifications of the sensory function are the same as observed in subjects with a previous painful infarction, but are quite different from those observed in patients with angina pectoris.", "PMID": 800252} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11559", "title": "[Activity of intracellular and extracellular nuclease according to the phases of growth of pigment and pigment-free strains of Serratia marcescens].", "content": "Changes in the activity of intracellular and extracellular nuclease of pigment and pigment-free strains of Serratia marcescens were studied. The activity of intra- and extracellular nuclease of the pigment-free strain was higher than that of the pigment strain at all growth stages of the microorganism. The activity of intracellular nuclease in the lag-phase was higher than in the phase of exponential growth of both strains. Prior to cell division the enzyme activity declined in both strains. At the beginning of the stationary phase the activity of intracellular nuclease was relatively stable in both strains. By the end of the stationary phase the activity of intracellular nuclease of the pigment-free strain increased 4--6 fold and that of the pigment strain remained unchanged. Simultaneously the activity of extracellular nuclease of the pigment-free strain increased and that of the pigment strain grew but slightly.", "contents": "[Activity of intracellular and extracellular nuclease according to the phases of growth of pigment and pigment-free strains of Serratia marcescens]. Changes in the activity of intracellular and extracellular nuclease of pigment and pigment-free strains of Serratia marcescens were studied. The activity of intra- and extracellular nuclease of the pigment-free strain was higher than that of the pigment strain at all growth stages of the microorganism. The activity of intracellular nuclease in the lag-phase was higher than in the phase of exponential growth of both strains. Prior to cell division the enzyme activity declined in both strains. At the beginning of the stationary phase the activity of intracellular nuclease was relatively stable in both strains. By the end of the stationary phase the activity of intracellular nuclease of the pigment-free strain increased 4--6 fold and that of the pigment strain remained unchanged. Simultaneously the activity of extracellular nuclease of the pigment-free strain increased and that of the pigment strain grew but slightly.", "PMID": 800256} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11560", "title": "[Regulation of growth and lysine-synthesizing activity of the lysine producer, Brevibacterium SP 22 L., by the intensity of stirring of the medium].", "content": "The intensity of medium stirring at a constant pO2 influenced the specific rate of Brevibacterium sp. 22 L growth and lysine synthesis. During periodic cultivation the maximum specific rate of the culture growth can be achieved with a more intensive stirring than the maximum lysine synthesizing activity. At different intensities of medium stirring the lysins synthesizing activity was directly related to the activity of tricarboxylic acid cycle dehydrogenases. It is suggested that a decrease in the lysine synthesizing activity of the bacterial culture at a high intensity of medium stirring is connected with an inhibition or repression of tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes.", "contents": "[Regulation of growth and lysine-synthesizing activity of the lysine producer, Brevibacterium SP 22 L., by the intensity of stirring of the medium]. The intensity of medium stirring at a constant pO2 influenced the specific rate of Brevibacterium sp. 22 L growth and lysine synthesis. During periodic cultivation the maximum specific rate of the culture growth can be achieved with a more intensive stirring than the maximum lysine synthesizing activity. At different intensities of medium stirring the lysins synthesizing activity was directly related to the activity of tricarboxylic acid cycle dehydrogenases. It is suggested that a decrease in the lysine synthesizing activity of the bacterial culture at a high intensity of medium stirring is connected with an inhibition or repression of tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes.", "PMID": 800255} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11561", "title": "[Chitinase from Serratia marcescens BKM B-851].", "content": "The chitinase biosynthesis was studied during the cultivation of the strain of Serratia marcescens BKM B-851 with a high chitinolytic activity. Under submerged cultivation of bacterial cells on the medium containing demineralized crab shell extracellular chitinase showed maximum activity on the 3rd day. Cells of S. marcescens BKM B-851 synthesized chitinase as an adaptive enzyme. Chitinase obtained from the culture liquid by ammonium sulphate precipitation was then dialyzed and liophylized. It displayed optimum hydrolysis of colloid chitin at pH 7-8 and 50 degrees C and of native chitin at 30 degrees C.", "contents": "[Chitinase from Serratia marcescens BKM B-851]. The chitinase biosynthesis was studied during the cultivation of the strain of Serratia marcescens BKM B-851 with a high chitinolytic activity. Under submerged cultivation of bacterial cells on the medium containing demineralized crab shell extracellular chitinase showed maximum activity on the 3rd day. Cells of S. marcescens BKM B-851 synthesized chitinase as an adaptive enzyme. Chitinase obtained from the culture liquid by ammonium sulphate precipitation was then dialyzed and liophylized. It displayed optimum hydrolysis of colloid chitin at pH 7-8 and 50 degrees C and of native chitin at 30 degrees C.", "PMID": 800258} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11562", "title": "[Method of arrest and fixation of growth of yeast cultures in the postincubation period].", "content": "In order to arrest the growth and to fix yeast cultures during the postincubation period on natural and synthetic nutrient media, 10% oxalic acid can be used. The fixative is used at a concentration of 0.025 and 0.05 ml/l. Therefore, it induces on noticeable dilution of the suspension and allows precise measurements of the yeast weight.", "contents": "[Method of arrest and fixation of growth of yeast cultures in the postincubation period]. In order to arrest the growth and to fix yeast cultures during the postincubation period on natural and synthetic nutrient media, 10% oxalic acid can be used. The fixative is used at a concentration of 0.025 and 0.05 ml/l. Therefore, it induces on noticeable dilution of the suspension and allows precise measurements of the yeast weight.", "PMID": 800259} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11563", "title": "[Characteristics of asparaginase from Escherichia coli at different stages of purification].", "content": "Asparaginase of Escherichia coli obtained according to the previously developed scheme (extraction, acidification, heating with ammonium sulphate, twice repeated precipitation with ethanol and DEAE-cellulose chromatography) was examined by the methods of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and molecular weight assay. Asparaginase activity was measured by the Nessler method. With respect to the above characteristics, the asparaginase preparation was very similar to those described in the literature, e.g. Krasnitin (FRG) and Leunase (Japan).", "contents": "[Characteristics of asparaginase from Escherichia coli at different stages of purification]. Asparaginase of Escherichia coli obtained according to the previously developed scheme (extraction, acidification, heating with ammonium sulphate, twice repeated precipitation with ethanol and DEAE-cellulose chromatography) was examined by the methods of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and molecular weight assay. Asparaginase activity was measured by the Nessler method. With respect to the above characteristics, the asparaginase preparation was very similar to those described in the literature, e.g. Krasnitin (FRG) and Leunase (Japan).", "PMID": 800257} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11564", "title": "[The use of radioisotopes in hospital nuclear medicine in the Province of Brescia (author's transl)].", "content": "The radioisotopic investigations carried out in 1973 at the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Brescia Civic Hospitals have been analyzed statistically with regards to the age, sex, profession of the patients, and distance from the Nuclear Medicine Department. The genetically significant dose with respect to the population of the town of Brescia is estimated at 0.5 mrem/annum.", "contents": "[The use of radioisotopes in hospital nuclear medicine in the Province of Brescia (author's transl)]. The radioisotopic investigations carried out in 1973 at the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Brescia Civic Hospitals have been analyzed statistically with regards to the age, sex, profession of the patients, and distance from the Nuclear Medicine Department. The genetically significant dose with respect to the population of the town of Brescia is estimated at 0.5 mrem/annum.", "PMID": 800284} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11565", "title": "Some factors affecting the transformation of the yeast-like to the mycelial-like forms of Candida albicans.", "content": "Various carbohydrates tried as inducing agents for mycelia formation in Candida albicans in liquid medium have revealed that mycelia formation was very pronounced in the presence of any of the sugars like xylose, galactose, lactose and trehalose. Glucose and fructose favoured lavish yeast growth. Arabinose supported neither yeast nor mycelia growth to any appreciable extent. In a growth medium containing a mixture of glucose and galactose, a glucose concentration of 0.7% (w/v) and above was required to maintain the fungus completely in the yeast form. The possible reason as to why sufficient glucose maintained the yeast form while galactose favoured the mycelial form was discussed.", "contents": "Some factors affecting the transformation of the yeast-like to the mycelial-like forms of Candida albicans. Various carbohydrates tried as inducing agents for mycelia formation in Candida albicans in liquid medium have revealed that mycelia formation was very pronounced in the presence of any of the sugars like xylose, galactose, lactose and trehalose. Glucose and fructose favoured lavish yeast growth. Arabinose supported neither yeast nor mycelia growth to any appreciable extent. In a growth medium containing a mixture of glucose and galactose, a glucose concentration of 0.7% (w/v) and above was required to maintain the fungus completely in the yeast form. The possible reason as to why sufficient glucose maintained the yeast form while galactose favoured the mycelial form was discussed.", "PMID": 800285} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11566", "title": "Isolation of chloramphenicol-resistant variants from a human cell line.", "content": "Variant clones resistant to 40 microng/ml chloramphenicol were isolated from the human cell line VA2-B after treatment with either ethyl methanesulfonate or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Among 17 clones analyzed, one variant, CAP-23, was investigated in detail. CAP-23 cells in the presence of 40 or 100 microng/ml chloramphenicol grew at essentially the same rate as cells in the absence of the drug; chloramphenicol resistance persisted even after 20 generations in the absence of the drug. No obvious morphological changes in mitochondria were observed by electron microscopy of thin sections of CAP-23 cells. In vivo mitochondrial protein synthesis in CAP-23 cells was inhibited little, if any, by chloramphenicol, and the variant showed and partial cross resistance to mikamycin and carbomycin. In vitro protein synthesis in mitochondria isolated from CAP-23 cells showed, likewise, low levels of inhibition by chloramphenicol. This suggests that the drug resistance of the variant CAP-23 is due to altered mitochondria.", "contents": "Isolation of chloramphenicol-resistant variants from a human cell line. Variant clones resistant to 40 microng/ml chloramphenicol were isolated from the human cell line VA2-B after treatment with either ethyl methanesulfonate or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Among 17 clones analyzed, one variant, CAP-23, was investigated in detail. CAP-23 cells in the presence of 40 or 100 microng/ml chloramphenicol grew at essentially the same rate as cells in the absence of the drug; chloramphenicol resistance persisted even after 20 generations in the absence of the drug. No obvious morphological changes in mitochondria were observed by electron microscopy of thin sections of CAP-23 cells. In vivo mitochondrial protein synthesis in CAP-23 cells was inhibited little, if any, by chloramphenicol, and the variant showed and partial cross resistance to mikamycin and carbomycin. In vitro protein synthesis in mitochondria isolated from CAP-23 cells showed, likewise, low levels of inhibition by chloramphenicol. This suggests that the drug resistance of the variant CAP-23 is due to altered mitochondria.", "PMID": 800292} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11567", "title": "Biochemical genetics of Chinese hamster cell mutants with deviant purine metabolism: isolation, selection, and characterization of a mutant lacking hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase activity by nutritional means.", "content": "Mutants of the Chinese hamster ovary cell derived from CHO-K1 have been selected for lack of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.8) (HGPRT) without the use of a drug-resistance protocol. The procedure depends on the use of a parental strain carrying a mutation making it unable to synthetize purines and thus dependent upon exogenously added purines for growth. The standard \"BUdR-visible-light\" procedure is then used to select those cells which can use adenine but cannot use hypoxanthine as a purine source. These cells are shown to be thioguanine resistant, to be unable to incorporate exogenously added hypoxanthine into purine nucleotides, to complement our other adenine-specific purine auxotrophs, Ade-H and Ade-I but not to complement a cell isolated by virtue of thioguanine resistance, and to lack the activity of HGPRT. The use of such multiply marked mutants and cells related to them for further analysis of purine nucleotide biosynthesis and interconversion is discussed.", "contents": "Biochemical genetics of Chinese hamster cell mutants with deviant purine metabolism: isolation, selection, and characterization of a mutant lacking hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase activity by nutritional means. Mutants of the Chinese hamster ovary cell derived from CHO-K1 have been selected for lack of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.8) (HGPRT) without the use of a drug-resistance protocol. The procedure depends on the use of a parental strain carrying a mutation making it unable to synthetize purines and thus dependent upon exogenously added purines for growth. The standard \"BUdR-visible-light\" procedure is then used to select those cells which can use adenine but cannot use hypoxanthine as a purine source. These cells are shown to be thioguanine resistant, to be unable to incorporate exogenously added hypoxanthine into purine nucleotides, to complement our other adenine-specific purine auxotrophs, Ade-H and Ade-I but not to complement a cell isolated by virtue of thioguanine resistance, and to lack the activity of HGPRT. The use of such multiply marked mutants and cells related to them for further analysis of purine nucleotide biosynthesis and interconversion is discussed.", "PMID": 800293} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11568", "title": "[Discovery of the nature of the process of fertilization and of the role of nuclear structures in this process (on the centenary of the discovery)].", "content": "The history of the discovery by O. Hertwig (1875-1878) of the very nature of fertilization--the fusion of the egg's and spermatozoon's nuclei--is presented. In result, the principle of continuity of the nuclear structures in embryonic development was proclaimed. It is noticed that the correct understanding of such phenomena as maturation of the egg, meiosis and fertilization as well the role played by the nuclear structures in these processes was achieved not at once but gradually due to joint efforts of the number of scientists (E. van Beneden, O. B\u00fctschli, H. Fol, W. Flemming and others).", "contents": "[Discovery of the nature of the process of fertilization and of the role of nuclear structures in this process (on the centenary of the discovery)]. The history of the discovery by O. Hertwig (1875-1878) of the very nature of fertilization--the fusion of the egg's and spermatozoon's nuclei--is presented. In result, the principle of continuity of the nuclear structures in embryonic development was proclaimed. It is noticed that the correct understanding of such phenomena as maturation of the egg, meiosis and fertilization as well the role played by the nuclear structures in these processes was achieved not at once but gradually due to joint efforts of the number of scientists (E. van Beneden, O. B\u00fctschli, H. Fol, W. Flemming and others).", "PMID": 800296} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11569", "title": "[Ultrastructure of the proximal neurosecretory contact region in a sturgeon].", "content": "The proximal neurosecretory contact region (PCR), a homologue of the tetrapoda median eminence occupies the rostral and chiefly the ventral surfaces of the hypothalamic tuber cinereum. Three types of granule-containing neurosecretory fibres and their terminals have been found in the PCR with the electron microscope. Peptidergic, A1 and A2 type fibres contain granules of 120--300 nm and 100--170 nm in diameter, correspondingly, and monoaminergic B fibres have granules of 80--100 nm in diameter. Neurosecretory terminals and tanycyte vascular \"endfeet\" make contacts with a 70 nm thick outer basement membrane of the primary portal capillaries. Some thin horizontally oriented tanycyte branches form a multiserial layer bordering the external zone of the PCR from the preoptico-hypophyseal tract. Few neuroglial cells with pale cytoplasm and numerous lysosomes and lipofuscin granules are seen there. It is hypothesized that, like in other vertebrates, in the PCR of Acipenseridae both peptide and monoamine hypophysiotropic neurohormones may be discharged in the portal circulation to affect the functional activity of glandular cells of the pars distalis.", "contents": "[Ultrastructure of the proximal neurosecretory contact region in a sturgeon]. The proximal neurosecretory contact region (PCR), a homologue of the tetrapoda median eminence occupies the rostral and chiefly the ventral surfaces of the hypothalamic tuber cinereum. Three types of granule-containing neurosecretory fibres and their terminals have been found in the PCR with the electron microscope. Peptidergic, A1 and A2 type fibres contain granules of 120--300 nm and 100--170 nm in diameter, correspondingly, and monoaminergic B fibres have granules of 80--100 nm in diameter. Neurosecretory terminals and tanycyte vascular \"endfeet\" make contacts with a 70 nm thick outer basement membrane of the primary portal capillaries. Some thin horizontally oriented tanycyte branches form a multiserial layer bordering the external zone of the PCR from the preoptico-hypophyseal tract. Few neuroglial cells with pale cytoplasm and numerous lysosomes and lipofuscin granules are seen there. It is hypothesized that, like in other vertebrates, in the PCR of Acipenseridae both peptide and monoamine hypophysiotropic neurohormones may be discharged in the portal circulation to affect the functional activity of glandular cells of the pars distalis.", "PMID": 800297} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11570", "title": "[Protein biosynthesis of the xenogeneic heart during perfusion with the aid of a donor].", "content": "Biosynthesis of sarcoplasmic and contractile proteins was studied in cat heart, extracorporeally connected to the rabbit circulation. Biosynthesis of sarcoplasmic proteins was inhibited by 34-40% in ventriculus dexter of the perfused xenogenic heart. Heteroperfusion caused an increased incorporation of 35S-methionine into total proteins of the right auricle and of the interventricular septa and also into contractile proteins of both myocardium ventricles of rabbit-donor. The heteroperfusion did not affect the penetration of the labelled amino acid into various parts of perfused and donor hearts.", "contents": "[Protein biosynthesis of the xenogeneic heart during perfusion with the aid of a donor]. Biosynthesis of sarcoplasmic and contractile proteins was studied in cat heart, extracorporeally connected to the rabbit circulation. Biosynthesis of sarcoplasmic proteins was inhibited by 34-40% in ventriculus dexter of the perfused xenogenic heart. Heteroperfusion caused an increased incorporation of 35S-methionine into total proteins of the right auricle and of the interventricular septa and also into contractile proteins of both myocardium ventricles of rabbit-donor. The heteroperfusion did not affect the penetration of the labelled amino acid into various parts of perfused and donor hearts.", "PMID": 800302} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11571", "title": "Chloroquine resistance trials in Papua New Guinea. 1. Maprik and Popondetta areas.", "content": "The response of Plasmodium falciparum infections to a standard weight related dose of chloroquine using the W.H.O. Extended Field Test was investigated in the Maprik and Popondetta areas of Papus New Guinea. Fourteen cases of P. falciparum in Maprik and 12 cases at Popondetta were followed daily for seven days and weekly for a further three weeks after receiving 25 mg/kg of chloroquine over three days. All subjects responded well, the parasitaemias cleared in all cases by the fourth day after initiation of treatment and no recrudescences occurred in any subject in the month following therapy. No indication of chloroquine resistance was found in these two areas.", "contents": "Chloroquine resistance trials in Papua New Guinea. 1. Maprik and Popondetta areas. The response of Plasmodium falciparum infections to a standard weight related dose of chloroquine using the W.H.O. Extended Field Test was investigated in the Maprik and Popondetta areas of Papus New Guinea. Fourteen cases of P. falciparum in Maprik and 12 cases at Popondetta were followed daily for seven days and weekly for a further three weeks after receiving 25 mg/kg of chloroquine over three days. All subjects responded well, the parasitaemias cleared in all cases by the fourth day after initiation of treatment and no recrudescences occurred in any subject in the month following therapy. No indication of chloroquine resistance was found in these two areas.", "PMID": 800313} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11572", "title": "The problems of sampling and of the statistical evaluation of microbial numbers in mineral waters.", "content": "Problems in sampling are considered and the implications of various sampling schemes discussed in terms of the risks involved to the users of the schemes. It is concluded that microbiological testing alone cannot guarantee the \"safety\" of a product. The reliability of analytical procedures of use in the microbiological examination of water is examined and a method of determining the state of statistical control of the procedure described. Finally control charts available for monitoring a manufacturing process are discussed with particular emphasis on the cumulative sum test and its application to colony counts from water.", "contents": "The problems of sampling and of the statistical evaluation of microbial numbers in mineral waters. Problems in sampling are considered and the implications of various sampling schemes discussed in terms of the risks involved to the users of the schemes. It is concluded that microbiological testing alone cannot guarantee the \"safety\" of a product. The reliability of analytical procedures of use in the microbiological examination of water is examined and a method of determining the state of statistical control of the procedure described. Finally control charts available for monitoring a manufacturing process are discussed with particular emphasis on the cumulative sum test and its application to colony counts from water.", "PMID": 800320} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11573", "title": "Immunocompetence, immunodeficiency and prognosis in cancer.", "content": "Immunocompetence and prognosis are related in solid tumors, malignant lymphomas, and acute leukemia. Among the parameters of immunocompetence vigorous delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to recall antigens or to primary immunization with Keyhole limpet hemocyanin, vigorous in vitro lymphocyte blastogenic responses to mitogens such as PHA, and relatively high B-lymphocyte levels, all correlate with a good prognosis. The spectrum of immune reactivity as measured by established delayed-type hypersensitivity to recall antigens and in vitro blastogenic responses to mitogens and antigens is similar in melanoma patients and their nontumor-bearing spouses. In melanoma, only patients with widespread inoperable metastatic disease show severe immunological deficiency and this is selective for certain antigens. There are highly significant differences in response to specific antigens when patients with melanoma and lung cancer are compared. Immunotherapy with BCG and C. parvum can boost immunocompetence as measured by recall DTH skin testing. However, the relationship between the initial immunocompetence and prognosis still holds in patients receiving BCG immunotherapy to prevent recurrence of melanoma. These data indicate that a broader survey of immunological reactivity in cancer patients is needed, that immunological testing is useful in cancer prognosis clinically, and that the results of immunological testing can be used to evaluate therapy and to indicate new pathways for improved treatment.", "contents": "Immunocompetence, immunodeficiency and prognosis in cancer. Immunocompetence and prognosis are related in solid tumors, malignant lymphomas, and acute leukemia. Among the parameters of immunocompetence vigorous delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to recall antigens or to primary immunization with Keyhole limpet hemocyanin, vigorous in vitro lymphocyte blastogenic responses to mitogens such as PHA, and relatively high B-lymphocyte levels, all correlate with a good prognosis. The spectrum of immune reactivity as measured by established delayed-type hypersensitivity to recall antigens and in vitro blastogenic responses to mitogens and antigens is similar in melanoma patients and their nontumor-bearing spouses. In melanoma, only patients with widespread inoperable metastatic disease show severe immunological deficiency and this is selective for certain antigens. There are highly significant differences in response to specific antigens when patients with melanoma and lung cancer are compared. Immunotherapy with BCG and C. parvum can boost immunocompetence as measured by recall DTH skin testing. However, the relationship between the initial immunocompetence and prognosis still holds in patients receiving BCG immunotherapy to prevent recurrence of melanoma. These data indicate that a broader survey of immunological reactivity in cancer patients is needed, that immunological testing is useful in cancer prognosis clinically, and that the results of immunological testing can be used to evaluate therapy and to indicate new pathways for improved treatment.", "PMID": 800324} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11574", "title": "[Principles of collecting the material for morphological and morphometric studies in pathology].", "content": "Methods of random sampling of preparations for investigation of pathological processes of diffuse and focal character are described; a possible classification of pathologoanatomic material is suggested. It is recommended to consider the total volume of an organ as a combination of submultitudes of elementary volumes non-intersected in pairs; these volumes should be selected according to the table of random numbers. For this purpose, the organ is dissected in parallel blocks of a given thickness perpendiculary to its root and on the last block a lattice is placed with numbered squares giving numeration for submultitudes of elementary volumes.", "contents": "[Principles of collecting the material for morphological and morphometric studies in pathology]. Methods of random sampling of preparations for investigation of pathological processes of diffuse and focal character are described; a possible classification of pathologoanatomic material is suggested. It is recommended to consider the total volume of an organ as a combination of submultitudes of elementary volumes non-intersected in pairs; these volumes should be selected according to the table of random numbers. For this purpose, the organ is dissected in parallel blocks of a given thickness perpendiculary to its root and on the last block a lattice is placed with numbered squares giving numeration for submultitudes of elementary volumes.", "PMID": 800332} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11575", "title": "Malaria parasites of rodents of the Congo (Brazzaville): Plasmodium chabaudi adami subsp. nov. and Plasmodium vinckei lentum Landau, Michel, Adam and Boulard, 1970.", "content": "Descriptions are given of the blood forms, sporogonic stages and enzyme forms of Plasmodium chabaudi adami subsp.-nov. and P. vinckei lentum, malaria parasites of the thicket-rat Thamnomys rutilans of the Brazzaville region. The two species differ from each other in both morphological and enzymic characters. P.c. adami and P. v. lentum differ from the other subspecies of P. chabaudi and P. vinckei principally by their enzyme forms.", "contents": "Malaria parasites of rodents of the Congo (Brazzaville): Plasmodium chabaudi adami subsp. nov. and Plasmodium vinckei lentum Landau, Michel, Adam and Boulard, 1970. Descriptions are given of the blood forms, sporogonic stages and enzyme forms of Plasmodium chabaudi adami subsp.-nov. and P. vinckei lentum, malaria parasites of the thicket-rat Thamnomys rutilans of the Brazzaville region. The two species differ from each other in both morphological and enzymic characters. P.c. adami and P. v. lentum differ from the other subspecies of P. chabaudi and P. vinckei principally by their enzyme forms.", "PMID": 800328} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11576", "title": "[Trauma and tumor].", "content": "The analysis of the literature data and the author's own findings justifies the conclusion that a single mechanical trauma may be of importance in the development of tumours of various genesis, as well as in the development and localization of metastastatic foci.", "contents": "[Trauma and tumor]. The analysis of the literature data and the author's own findings justifies the conclusion that a single mechanical trauma may be of importance in the development of tumours of various genesis, as well as in the development and localization of metastastatic foci.", "PMID": 800334} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11577", "title": "Assay of human lymphokines in vitro. Evidence for a migration stimulation factor (MStF) which interferes with the macrophage migration inhibition assay.", "content": "When cultured in vitro, human lymphocytes produced a range of materials which were able to reduce the migration inhibitory effect of human macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) and in some cases stimulated macrophage migration to greater than control levels. In addition, lymphocytes stimulated with antigen or mitogen produced a lymphokine-like migration stimulation \"factor\". Detectable production of this factor occurred 24--48 h after antigen stimulation. The migration stimulation factor (MStF) (MW 50-250,000; pI 6-5) was not chemotactic and could be separated from migration inhibition and chemotactic factors by chromatography and iso-electric focussing.", "contents": "Assay of human lymphokines in vitro. Evidence for a migration stimulation factor (MStF) which interferes with the macrophage migration inhibition assay. When cultured in vitro, human lymphocytes produced a range of materials which were able to reduce the migration inhibitory effect of human macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) and in some cases stimulated macrophage migration to greater than control levels. In addition, lymphocytes stimulated with antigen or mitogen produced a lymphokine-like migration stimulation \"factor\". Detectable production of this factor occurred 24--48 h after antigen stimulation. The migration stimulation factor (MStF) (MW 50-250,000; pI 6-5) was not chemotactic and could be separated from migration inhibition and chemotactic factors by chromatography and iso-electric focussing.", "PMID": 800335} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11578", "title": "[Degradation of intracellular proteins at different stages of growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae].", "content": "The rate of degradation of intracellular proteins at different growth stages of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast was determined. It has been demonstrated that the rate of degradation of intracellular proteins increases 2--3-fold at the late exponential phase. The increase was accompanied by corresponding changes in the activities of yeast proteinases A and B. In the presence of specific yeast proteinase inhibitors (pepstatin and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride) the rate of protein degradation in vivo decreased. The intermediate products of cell protein degradation have been found. These TCA-insoluble products could be extracted by various solvent systems. Their subsequent brakdown was suppressed by specific proteinase inhibitors.", "contents": "[Degradation of intracellular proteins at different stages of growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae]. The rate of degradation of intracellular proteins at different growth stages of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast was determined. It has been demonstrated that the rate of degradation of intracellular proteins increases 2--3-fold at the late exponential phase. The increase was accompanied by corresponding changes in the activities of yeast proteinases A and B. In the presence of specific yeast proteinase inhibitors (pepstatin and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride) the rate of protein degradation in vivo decreased. The intermediate products of cell protein degradation have been found. These TCA-insoluble products could be extracted by various solvent systems. Their subsequent brakdown was suppressed by specific proteinase inhibitors.", "PMID": 800346} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11579", "title": "Hyperendemic subperiodic Bancroftian filariasis: a search for clinical and immunological correlates of microfilaraemia.", "content": "A study was carried out in the Kingdom of Tonga, an area of hyperendemic Bancroftian filariasis, to determine whether correlations could be made between microfilaraemia, as diagnosed by membrane filter concentration, and immunological (skin test, immunoglobulin levels) or clinical findings. There was no relationship between the presence or degree of microfilaraemia and any clinical manifestation or skin test reaction. The skin test positivity rate for microfilaraemic and amicrofilaraemic individuals was approximately the same for all age groups. Among those aged 0 to 4 years, 48% of microfilaria positives were negative in the skin test. The highest average IgG and IgE levels were found in the groups with the highest microfilarial densities, i.e., in children with a history of fever and in adults with a history of lymphangitis/lymphadenitis. Over a period of a year, the microfilarial density changed significantly in 18 (34%) of 53 adults.", "contents": "Hyperendemic subperiodic Bancroftian filariasis: a search for clinical and immunological correlates of microfilaraemia. A study was carried out in the Kingdom of Tonga, an area of hyperendemic Bancroftian filariasis, to determine whether correlations could be made between microfilaraemia, as diagnosed by membrane filter concentration, and immunological (skin test, immunoglobulin levels) or clinical findings. There was no relationship between the presence or degree of microfilaraemia and any clinical manifestation or skin test reaction. The skin test positivity rate for microfilaraemic and amicrofilaraemic individuals was approximately the same for all age groups. Among those aged 0 to 4 years, 48% of microfilaria positives were negative in the skin test. The highest average IgG and IgE levels were found in the groups with the highest microfilarial densities, i.e., in children with a history of fever and in adults with a history of lymphangitis/lymphadenitis. Over a period of a year, the microfilarial density changed significantly in 18 (34%) of 53 adults.", "PMID": 800355} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11580", "title": "Subclinical intestinal malabsorption in developing countries.", "content": "Asymptomatic small intestinal disease characterized by abnormalities of structure and function has been reported from many developing countries. Abnormalities of structure include changes in villus architecture and in appearance under both the light and the electron microscope. Changes in function include abnormalities in the absorption of xylose, fat, vitamin B(12), amino acids, and dipeptides and excessive faecal losses of nitrogen and energy. The etiology of the condition is unknown but appears to be closely related to exposure to the environment. The nutritional consequences of this condition have not been fully explored but for people living on marginally sufficient dietary intakes they may be extremely important.", "contents": "Subclinical intestinal malabsorption in developing countries. Asymptomatic small intestinal disease characterized by abnormalities of structure and function has been reported from many developing countries. Abnormalities of structure include changes in villus architecture and in appearance under both the light and the electron microscope. Changes in function include abnormalities in the absorption of xylose, fat, vitamin B(12), amino acids, and dipeptides and excessive faecal losses of nitrogen and energy. The etiology of the condition is unknown but appears to be closely related to exposure to the environment. The nutritional consequences of this condition have not been fully explored but for people living on marginally sufficient dietary intakes they may be extremely important.", "PMID": 800354} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11581", "title": "Changes in basic cardiovascular activities during the lifetime of the rat.", "content": "In an effort to characterize rats as animal models for aging research, literature dealing with cardiovascular physiology and structure has been reviewed, and available data has been summarized in tabular form. The approach has been to present functional parameters on the basis of rat strain, age, sex, and experiemental condition, in the cases where these are known, so as to develop a unified reference source of baseline data. Hemodynamic properties, such as heart rate, cardiac output, blood pressure and related vascular parameters, have been found to change during the lifetime of rats in such a way as to make the cardiovascular system less efficient in meeting organismal requirements with increasing age. At the cellular level, changes in structure, electrophysiology, and contractile properties have been reported which could account, at least in part, for observed deterioration in cardiovascular function during aging.", "contents": "Changes in basic cardiovascular activities during the lifetime of the rat. In an effort to characterize rats as animal models for aging research, literature dealing with cardiovascular physiology and structure has been reviewed, and available data has been summarized in tabular form. The approach has been to present functional parameters on the basis of rat strain, age, sex, and experiemental condition, in the cases where these are known, so as to develop a unified reference source of baseline data. Hemodynamic properties, such as heart rate, cardiac output, blood pressure and related vascular parameters, have been found to change during the lifetime of rats in such a way as to make the cardiovascular system less efficient in meeting organismal requirements with increasing age. At the cellular level, changes in structure, electrophysiology, and contractile properties have been reported which could account, at least in part, for observed deterioration in cardiovascular function during aging.", "PMID": 800365} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11582", "title": "Changes in the biochemistry of the rat heart with increasing age.", "content": "Effects of increasing age on biochemical parameters of rat hearts have been summarized, as far as possible, in a descriptive, qualitative manner. Where available, the strain, age, and sex of rats have been included. Due to a lack of uniformity in expressing chemical components and enzyme activities found in rat hearts, it is inappropriate in a review of this type to advance hypotheses regarding the nature of biochemical changes that may be contributing to or be the results of aging processes.", "contents": "Changes in the biochemistry of the rat heart with increasing age. Effects of increasing age on biochemical parameters of rat hearts have been summarized, as far as possible, in a descriptive, qualitative manner. Where available, the strain, age, and sex of rats have been included. Due to a lack of uniformity in expressing chemical components and enzyme activities found in rat hearts, it is inappropriate in a review of this type to advance hypotheses regarding the nature of biochemical changes that may be contributing to or be the results of aging processes.", "PMID": 800366} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11583", "title": "Some aspects of the central nervous system of the rat during aging.", "content": "Literature pertaining to structural and functional changes in rat brain taking place with increasing age has been reviewed. For the most part, only young rats have been studied. Brain weight does not appear to change dramatically throughout the life span of rats beyond early development. Neuronal and neuropil elements appear to undergo age-related changes with respect to size, number, and intercellular relationships. Intracellular organelles show evidence of degeneration. Additional studies on central nervous system function in relation to age are required in order to ascertain the meaning of particular structure changes.", "contents": "Some aspects of the central nervous system of the rat during aging. Literature pertaining to structural and functional changes in rat brain taking place with increasing age has been reviewed. For the most part, only young rats have been studied. Brain weight does not appear to change dramatically throughout the life span of rats beyond early development. Neuronal and neuropil elements appear to undergo age-related changes with respect to size, number, and intercellular relationships. Intracellular organelles show evidence of degeneration. Additional studies on central nervous system function in relation to age are required in order to ascertain the meaning of particular structure changes.", "PMID": 800367} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11584", "title": "Associated differences in response to alcohol in rats and mice: biochemical and behavioral review.", "content": "The purpose of this review was an examination of the biochemical and behavioral literature on alcohol and aging. The biochemical literature indicated that older animals show differences in response to alcohol using metabolic measures such as: alcohol dehydrogenase, blood alcohol concentration, and acetaldehyde. However, these differences were not always in the predicted direction (i.e, a reduction with increasing age), suggesting that changes in these metabolic factors do not fully explain differences among age groups in response to alcohol. Behavioral data demonstrated that preference for alcohol was affected by the age of the animal and/or previous experience with the drug. Generally, alcohol preference decreases with advancing age, but this was dependent in a large part on the genotype of the animal and the concentration of alcohol used. Several methodological problems are apparent in the literature on age-related changes in response to alcohol (e.g., narrow range of ages used, inadequate dose-response curves and an absence of proper control groups). Ways of reducing these problems and directions for future research were discussed.", "contents": "Associated differences in response to alcohol in rats and mice: biochemical and behavioral review. The purpose of this review was an examination of the biochemical and behavioral literature on alcohol and aging. The biochemical literature indicated that older animals show differences in response to alcohol using metabolic measures such as: alcohol dehydrogenase, blood alcohol concentration, and acetaldehyde. However, these differences were not always in the predicted direction (i.e, a reduction with increasing age), suggesting that changes in these metabolic factors do not fully explain differences among age groups in response to alcohol. Behavioral data demonstrated that preference for alcohol was affected by the age of the animal and/or previous experience with the drug. Generally, alcohol preference decreases with advancing age, but this was dependent in a large part on the genotype of the animal and the concentration of alcohol used. Several methodological problems are apparent in the literature on age-related changes in response to alcohol (e.g., narrow range of ages used, inadequate dose-response curves and an absence of proper control groups). Ways of reducing these problems and directions for future research were discussed.", "PMID": 800368} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11585", "title": "Failure to detect chromosome damage in bone-marrow cells of mice and Chinese hamsters exposed in vivo to some ergot derivatives.", "content": "A known chemical mutagen (Trenimon, Bayer), and three ergot derivatives (ergotamine tartrate, dihydroergotoxine mesylate, and methysergide hydrogen maleate) were tested in mice and Chinese hamsters for mutagenic effects by means of the micronucleus test and the conventional chromosome method. In contrast to Trenimon, which proved to be a powerful mutagen in these test systems, neither of the ergot derivatives showed an effect. It is concluded that these compounds, at subtoxic or therapeutic dose-levels, have no potential for damaging the chromosome complement of in vivo treated mammals.", "contents": "Failure to detect chromosome damage in bone-marrow cells of mice and Chinese hamsters exposed in vivo to some ergot derivatives. A known chemical mutagen (Trenimon, Bayer), and three ergot derivatives (ergotamine tartrate, dihydroergotoxine mesylate, and methysergide hydrogen maleate) were tested in mice and Chinese hamsters for mutagenic effects by means of the micronucleus test and the conventional chromosome method. In contrast to Trenimon, which proved to be a powerful mutagen in these test systems, neither of the ergot derivatives showed an effect. It is concluded that these compounds, at subtoxic or therapeutic dose-levels, have no potential for damaging the chromosome complement of in vivo treated mammals.", "PMID": 800380} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11586", "title": "A comparative clinical trial of fenbufen and indomethacin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A 12-week double-blind crossover trial compared fenbufen and indomethacin in 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Fenbufen (600-800 mg/day) was significantly superior to indomethacin (75-100 mg/day) in improving the physical measurements of rheumatoid arthritis activity. Twenty-four patients who demonstrated marked or moderate improvement in the double-blind study participated in a 14-week single-blind study. After one week on placebo, patients received either fenbufen once a day at bedtime, fenbufen twice a day, or indomethacin three times a day for 12 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of placebo. All three treatment groups demonstrated significant improvement. The two fenbufen groups were significantly superior to indomethacin in improving the physical measurements of rheumatoid arthritis activity. No significant differences were found between the two fenbufen treatment groups. Drug-related side-effects reported during both studies were significantly fewer with fenbufen than with indomethacin.", "contents": "A comparative clinical trial of fenbufen and indomethacin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A 12-week double-blind crossover trial compared fenbufen and indomethacin in 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Fenbufen (600-800 mg/day) was significantly superior to indomethacin (75-100 mg/day) in improving the physical measurements of rheumatoid arthritis activity. Twenty-four patients who demonstrated marked or moderate improvement in the double-blind study participated in a 14-week single-blind study. After one week on placebo, patients received either fenbufen once a day at bedtime, fenbufen twice a day, or indomethacin three times a day for 12 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of placebo. All three treatment groups demonstrated significant improvement. The two fenbufen groups were significantly superior to indomethacin in improving the physical measurements of rheumatoid arthritis activity. No significant differences were found between the two fenbufen treatment groups. Drug-related side-effects reported during both studies were significantly fewer with fenbufen than with indomethacin.", "PMID": 800381} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11587", "title": "A double-blind crossover comparison of Orudis (ketoprofen) and indomethacin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Twenty-three patients with rheumatoid arthritis participated in a double-blind crossover investigation of ketoprofen (Orudis) and indomethacin. Ratings which assessed the degree of joint involvement showed consistently greater improvement with Orudis, and side-effects occurred with less frequency. The majority of patients expressed a definite preference for Orudis.", "contents": "A double-blind crossover comparison of Orudis (ketoprofen) and indomethacin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Twenty-three patients with rheumatoid arthritis participated in a double-blind crossover investigation of ketoprofen (Orudis) and indomethacin. Ratings which assessed the degree of joint involvement showed consistently greater improvement with Orudis, and side-effects occurred with less frequency. The majority of patients expressed a definite preference for Orudis.", "PMID": 800382} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11588", "title": "A comparative trial of orphenadrine and tofenacin in the control of depression and extrapyramidal side-effects associated with fluphenazine decanoate therapy.", "content": "A trial involving patients receiving fluphenazine decanoate was designed to compare the effects of orphenadrine hydrochloride (Disipal) and its major metabolite, tofenacin hydrochloride (Elamol) on the Parkinsonian side-effects and depression occurring during fluphenazine decanoate therapy. The trial was a double-blind one, with crossover. It was found that both drugs exerted an adequate control on the Parkinsonian side-effects, but there was no significant difference between their effects. Ophenadrine, however, was shown to be significantly superior (p less than 0-05) in the control of the depressive side-effects.", "contents": "A comparative trial of orphenadrine and tofenacin in the control of depression and extrapyramidal side-effects associated with fluphenazine decanoate therapy. A trial involving patients receiving fluphenazine decanoate was designed to compare the effects of orphenadrine hydrochloride (Disipal) and its major metabolite, tofenacin hydrochloride (Elamol) on the Parkinsonian side-effects and depression occurring during fluphenazine decanoate therapy. The trial was a double-blind one, with crossover. It was found that both drugs exerted an adequate control on the Parkinsonian side-effects, but there was no significant difference between their effects. Ophenadrine, however, was shown to be significantly superior (p less than 0-05) in the control of the depressive side-effects.", "PMID": 800383} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11589", "title": "A double-blind comparative trial of loxapine and trifluoperazine in acute and chronic schizophrenic patients.", "content": "A double-blind comparative trial of loxapine and trifluoperazine was carried out in 57 acute and chronic schizophrenic patients. In both groups of patients loxapine proved to be equivalent in its effects to trifluoperazine and there were suggestions it might be rather more effective in chronic patients. Side-effects were similar with the two drugs but anticholinergic effects, excitement, dizziness and faintness occurred rather more commonly with loxapine. Laboratory tests, urine analysis, cardiovascular and ophthalmological investigations showed no significant abnormalities.", "contents": "A double-blind comparative trial of loxapine and trifluoperazine in acute and chronic schizophrenic patients. A double-blind comparative trial of loxapine and trifluoperazine was carried out in 57 acute and chronic schizophrenic patients. In both groups of patients loxapine proved to be equivalent in its effects to trifluoperazine and there were suggestions it might be rather more effective in chronic patients. Side-effects were similar with the two drugs but anticholinergic effects, excitement, dizziness and faintness occurred rather more commonly with loxapine. Laboratory tests, urine analysis, cardiovascular and ophthalmological investigations showed no significant abnormalities.", "PMID": 800384} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11590", "title": "Diflorasone diacetate: vasoconstrictor activity and clinical efficacy of a new topical corticosteroid.", "content": "Diflorasone diacetate, a new topical corticosteroid, was generally more potent than three high potency reference standards (fluocinonide, beta-methasone 17-valerate and fluocinolone acetonide) when the compounds were dissolved in 95% alcohol and applied in vasoconstrictor assays in healthy volunteers. On the basis of additional vasoconstrictor assay results, a 0-05% concentration of the steroid in a cream vehicle containing 15% propylene glycol was developed for therapeutic evaluation. In a double-blind comparison in 384 patients with dermatoses, 0-05% diflorasone diacetate cream was as effective as 0-05% fluocinonide cream in the therapy of lesions of psoriasis or atopic/neurodermatitis.", "contents": "Diflorasone diacetate: vasoconstrictor activity and clinical efficacy of a new topical corticosteroid. Diflorasone diacetate, a new topical corticosteroid, was generally more potent than three high potency reference standards (fluocinonide, beta-methasone 17-valerate and fluocinolone acetonide) when the compounds were dissolved in 95% alcohol and applied in vasoconstrictor assays in healthy volunteers. On the basis of additional vasoconstrictor assay results, a 0-05% concentration of the steroid in a cream vehicle containing 15% propylene glycol was developed for therapeutic evaluation. In a double-blind comparison in 384 patients with dermatoses, 0-05% diflorasone diacetate cream was as effective as 0-05% fluocinonide cream in the therapy of lesions of psoriasis or atopic/neurodermatitis.", "PMID": 800385} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11591", "title": "[Time, technic and results of replacement operations in irreparable radial nerve damage].", "content": "In cases with poor motor regeneration following radial nerve damage the Perthes method of tendon transfer is recommended. At the same operation a secondary nerve suture should be performed. The flexor carpi ulnaris tendons is used as the motor for the extensor digitorum communis and extensor pollicis longus, the palmaris longus tendon for the abductor pollicis longus. Attention is focused on some technical details including the mobilisation of the motor muscles, the direction of pull, the tension of the motor and the position in which fingers and wrist should be held during suture.", "contents": "[Time, technic and results of replacement operations in irreparable radial nerve damage]. In cases with poor motor regeneration following radial nerve damage the Perthes method of tendon transfer is recommended. At the same operation a secondary nerve suture should be performed. The flexor carpi ulnaris tendons is used as the motor for the extensor digitorum communis and extensor pollicis longus, the palmaris longus tendon for the abductor pollicis longus. Attention is focused on some technical details including the mobilisation of the motor muscles, the direction of pull, the tension of the motor and the position in which fingers and wrist should be held during suture.", "PMID": 800389} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11592", "title": "[Treatment of hydrofluoric acid burns on fingers].", "content": "The treatment of hydrofluoric acid burns by injection, as it is recommended by many authors, does not give a satisfactory outcome in cases in which the fingers are involved. In these cases the treatment might be dangerous. However good results are seen after early excision of the burned area and covering the defect with split thickness skin grafts. In a case report the typical course and treatment is demonstrated.", "contents": "[Treatment of hydrofluoric acid burns on fingers]. The treatment of hydrofluoric acid burns by injection, as it is recommended by many authors, does not give a satisfactory outcome in cases in which the fingers are involved. In these cases the treatment might be dangerous. However good results are seen after early excision of the burned area and covering the defect with split thickness skin grafts. In a case report the typical course and treatment is demonstrated.", "PMID": 800390} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11593", "title": "Effects of human chorionic somatomammotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin on skin homografts in rats.", "content": "The action of HCS and HCG on cell-mediated immunity has been investigated. Full-thickness skin homografts were performed in 40 whole adult female Wistar rats. Brown rats of the A X C strain were selected as donors. The animals were divided into four groups injected with HCS, HCG, HCS + HCG, and saline. The graft rejection time and the wet and dry weight of thymus and spleen were evaluated. No hormonal treatment showed any effect on skin graft survival. Thymus weight, both wet and dry, decreased significantly by treatment with HCP or HCS + HCG. No modification was observed in spleen weight. These results do not agree with the theory that HCS and HCG modify immunological competence of maternal lymphocytes and thus may contribute to prevent rejection of the fetus.", "contents": "Effects of human chorionic somatomammotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin on skin homografts in rats. The action of HCS and HCG on cell-mediated immunity has been investigated. Full-thickness skin homografts were performed in 40 whole adult female Wistar rats. Brown rats of the A X C strain were selected as donors. The animals were divided into four groups injected with HCS, HCG, HCS + HCG, and saline. The graft rejection time and the wet and dry weight of thymus and spleen were evaluated. No hormonal treatment showed any effect on skin graft survival. Thymus weight, both wet and dry, decreased significantly by treatment with HCP or HCS + HCG. No modification was observed in spleen weight. These results do not agree with the theory that HCS and HCG modify immunological competence of maternal lymphocytes and thus may contribute to prevent rejection of the fetus.", "PMID": 800386} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11594", "title": "Lymphocyte receptors. I. Receptors for Fc of IgG and complement (C3b) on immunoglobulin-bearing, antigen-binding and antibody-secreting cells.", "content": "Immunoglobulin (Ig) bearing, antigen-binding and antibody-secreting cells were investigated for the presence of membrane receptors for the Fc part of IgG and for C3b on their surface. Fc and C3b receptors were detected on the surface of most Ig-bearing and of most antigen-binding cells. Fc receptors were also detected on IgM antibody-secreting cells but not on IgG-secreting cells. C3b receptors were not detected on any antibody-secreting cells. These receptors are either lost from the B cell surface as they differentiate into antibody-secreting cells or are blocked in vivo by immune complexes or C3b.", "contents": "Lymphocyte receptors. I. Receptors for Fc of IgG and complement (C3b) on immunoglobulin-bearing, antigen-binding and antibody-secreting cells. Immunoglobulin (Ig) bearing, antigen-binding and antibody-secreting cells were investigated for the presence of membrane receptors for the Fc part of IgG and for C3b on their surface. Fc and C3b receptors were detected on the surface of most Ig-bearing and of most antigen-binding cells. Fc receptors were also detected on IgM antibody-secreting cells but not on IgG-secreting cells. C3b receptors were not detected on any antibody-secreting cells. These receptors are either lost from the B cell surface as they differentiate into antibody-secreting cells or are blocked in vivo by immune complexes or C3b.", "PMID": 800392} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11595", "title": "Lymphocyte receptors. II. Receptors for rabbit IgM on human T lymphocytes.", "content": "Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were found to give an opsonic adherence reaction with IgM-coated erythrocytes. This reactivity could only be detected after incubating the lymphocytes at 37 degrees, was confined to the T-lymphocyte population and could be inhibited by IgM but not IgG. It is concluded that human T lymphocytes possess a receptor for IgM.", "contents": "Lymphocyte receptors. II. Receptors for rabbit IgM on human T lymphocytes. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were found to give an opsonic adherence reaction with IgM-coated erythrocytes. This reactivity could only be detected after incubating the lymphocytes at 37 degrees, was confined to the T-lymphocyte population and could be inhibited by IgM but not IgG. It is concluded that human T lymphocytes possess a receptor for IgM.", "PMID": 800393} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11596", "title": "The specificity of the Fc receptor on murine lymphocytes for immunoglobulins of the IgG and IgM classes.", "content": "It is shown that the Fc receptor for IgG on lymph node cells recognizes IgG molecules of mouse IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b subclasses. The presence of an intact CH3 domain is required to bind IgG to the Fc receptors. While monomeric IgG molecules are shown to bind to Fc receptors, heat aggregated IgG was found to bind more efficiently. The various forms of IgM molecules investigated show only weak or no binding in comparison. The significance of these results is discussed with relevance to the possible biological function of the Fc receptors on lymphocytes.", "contents": "The specificity of the Fc receptor on murine lymphocytes for immunoglobulins of the IgG and IgM classes. It is shown that the Fc receptor for IgG on lymph node cells recognizes IgG molecules of mouse IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b subclasses. The presence of an intact CH3 domain is required to bind IgG to the Fc receptors. While monomeric IgG molecules are shown to bind to Fc receptors, heat aggregated IgG was found to bind more efficiently. The various forms of IgM molecules investigated show only weak or no binding in comparison. The significance of these results is discussed with relevance to the possible biological function of the Fc receptors on lymphocytes.", "PMID": 800394} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11597", "title": "Binding of heterologous anti-brain antibodies to mouse B cells.", "content": "Antibodies produced in rabbits against mouse brain are able to react with the majority of lymph node and spleen murine lymphocytes, as demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence. Cells stained by a suitably absorbed rabbit anti-mouse brain serum showed various degrees of fluorescence, from bright fluorescent rings to a few speckles per cell; lymphocytes from the spleen of deprived mice (B mice) predominantly stained in small caps. Double labelling experiments in which B cells were identified by their 'easily detectable' surface immunoglobulin revealed that a great proportion of these cells had two overlapping caps, a large one formed by the anti-immunoglobulin serum and a small one formed by the anti-brain serum. Up to 10 per cent of these spleen B cells, however, appeared as strongly fluorescent as T cells, with the suitably absorbed heterologous anti-brain serum. No anti-immunoglobulin activity was detected in this serum. It is therefore suggested that some B cells may bear on their surfaces a theta or theta-related antigen similar to that on T cells.", "contents": "Binding of heterologous anti-brain antibodies to mouse B cells. Antibodies produced in rabbits against mouse brain are able to react with the majority of lymph node and spleen murine lymphocytes, as demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence. Cells stained by a suitably absorbed rabbit anti-mouse brain serum showed various degrees of fluorescence, from bright fluorescent rings to a few speckles per cell; lymphocytes from the spleen of deprived mice (B mice) predominantly stained in small caps. Double labelling experiments in which B cells were identified by their 'easily detectable' surface immunoglobulin revealed that a great proportion of these cells had two overlapping caps, a large one formed by the anti-immunoglobulin serum and a small one formed by the anti-brain serum. Up to 10 per cent of these spleen B cells, however, appeared as strongly fluorescent as T cells, with the suitably absorbed heterologous anti-brain serum. No anti-immunoglobulin activity was detected in this serum. It is therefore suggested that some B cells may bear on their surfaces a theta or theta-related antigen similar to that on T cells.", "PMID": 800395} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11598", "title": "Distribution of plaque-forming cells in the mouse for a protein antigen. Evidence for highly active parathymic lymph nodes following intraperitoneal injection of hen lysozyme.", "content": "The distribution of plaque-forming cells (PFC) throughout the lymphoid system of CBA mice was followed with time after a primary intraperitoneal injection of hen egg white lysozyme emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant (HEL-CFA) and after a secondary soluble injection. Throughout the primary response (predominantly IgG) and during the first week of the secondary response (exclusively IgG), the highest density of PFC was found in the draining parathymic lymph nodes, followed by the local spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. The antibody-forming activity of the bone marrow increased as the immune response progressed, so that by the 3rd week of the secondary response this compartment provided the majority of the PFC. PFC first appeared in the accessory axillary, brachial or inguinal lymph nodes and in the thymus a few days after the secondary injection but accounted for only 1-5% of the total activity during the entire course of the secondary response. The specificity of the antibody produced in the spleen, parathymic and mesenteric lymph nodes was identical as judged by plaque inhibition by seven chemically related lysozymes which implies that these PFC were well mixed. It is postulated, therefore, that the change in distribution of PFC from an early local response to a general systemic response, and finally to a predominantly bone marrow response, was due to the migration of memory cells from the draining parathymic lymph nodes and spleen throughout the lymphoid system with an ultimate settling of the cells in the bone marrow.", "contents": "Distribution of plaque-forming cells in the mouse for a protein antigen. Evidence for highly active parathymic lymph nodes following intraperitoneal injection of hen lysozyme. The distribution of plaque-forming cells (PFC) throughout the lymphoid system of CBA mice was followed with time after a primary intraperitoneal injection of hen egg white lysozyme emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant (HEL-CFA) and after a secondary soluble injection. Throughout the primary response (predominantly IgG) and during the first week of the secondary response (exclusively IgG), the highest density of PFC was found in the draining parathymic lymph nodes, followed by the local spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. The antibody-forming activity of the bone marrow increased as the immune response progressed, so that by the 3rd week of the secondary response this compartment provided the majority of the PFC. PFC first appeared in the accessory axillary, brachial or inguinal lymph nodes and in the thymus a few days after the secondary injection but accounted for only 1-5% of the total activity during the entire course of the secondary response. The specificity of the antibody produced in the spleen, parathymic and mesenteric lymph nodes was identical as judged by plaque inhibition by seven chemically related lysozymes which implies that these PFC were well mixed. It is postulated, therefore, that the change in distribution of PFC from an early local response to a general systemic response, and finally to a predominantly bone marrow response, was due to the migration of memory cells from the draining parathymic lymph nodes and spleen throughout the lymphoid system with an ultimate settling of the cells in the bone marrow.", "PMID": 800396} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11599", "title": "Numerical immunotaxonomy of Leishmania. I. Differentiation of four strains of Leishmania by serological tests.", "content": "This paper describes the application of numerical methods to the arrangement of four leishmanial strains according to their reactivity and cross-reactivity in tests of parasite agglutination, indirect immunofluorescence and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis with antisera prepared by immunization or infection of rabbits, guinea-pigs and mice. Using corresponding pools of animal sera as test 'reagents' the antigenic reactivity of the four leishmanial strains (L. enriettii, L. tropica major, L. aethiopica and L. mexicana amazonensis) was scaled by reference to end-point serum titres; and antigenic relationships between individual strain pairs were expressed as mean similarity coefficients, giving equal weight to the results of the different serological tests. Overall analysis of the results revealed that L. mexicana amazonensis and L. tropica major were the two most closely related strains, clustering with an overall similarity coefficient of 89%, whereas coefficients of similarity between other strain combinations fell between 75 and 80%. Although different sera had different discriminatory capacity for the leishmanial strains, two combinations of serum reagent and test system yielded relationships between the four strains that most closely approximated to the overall values. These were: (a) immunofluorescence tests with mouse antisera; and (b) agglutination tests with selected rabbit antisera. The results illustrate the use of a number of immunological parameters in relating micro-organisms of a given genus, and reveal a serological classification of the four leishmanial strains at variance with their geographical origin.", "contents": "Numerical immunotaxonomy of Leishmania. I. Differentiation of four strains of Leishmania by serological tests. This paper describes the application of numerical methods to the arrangement of four leishmanial strains according to their reactivity and cross-reactivity in tests of parasite agglutination, indirect immunofluorescence and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis with antisera prepared by immunization or infection of rabbits, guinea-pigs and mice. Using corresponding pools of animal sera as test 'reagents' the antigenic reactivity of the four leishmanial strains (L. enriettii, L. tropica major, L. aethiopica and L. mexicana amazonensis) was scaled by reference to end-point serum titres; and antigenic relationships between individual strain pairs were expressed as mean similarity coefficients, giving equal weight to the results of the different serological tests. Overall analysis of the results revealed that L. mexicana amazonensis and L. tropica major were the two most closely related strains, clustering with an overall similarity coefficient of 89%, whereas coefficients of similarity between other strain combinations fell between 75 and 80%. Although different sera had different discriminatory capacity for the leishmanial strains, two combinations of serum reagent and test system yielded relationships between the four strains that most closely approximated to the overall values. These were: (a) immunofluorescence tests with mouse antisera; and (b) agglutination tests with selected rabbit antisera. The results illustrate the use of a number of immunological parameters in relating micro-organisms of a given genus, and reveal a serological classification of the four leishmanial strains at variance with their geographical origin.", "PMID": 800397} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11600", "title": "Relationships among differentiated T-cell subpopulations. I. Dissociated development of tuberculin type hypersensitivity, Jones-Mote type hypersensitivity and activation of helper function.", "content": "Relationships among tuberculin type hypersensitivity, Jones-Mote type hypersensitivity and activation of helper T cells were studied in AKR mice by means of footpad reaction, migration inhibition test and antibody production against the trinitrophenyl group. (1) Immunization with SRBC in saline, Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) or complete adjuvant (FCA) and fixed-SRBC (FRBC) in FIA- or FCA-induced delayed hypersensitivity as demonstrated by footpad swelling. (2) Migration inhibition was positive in the groups immunized with SRBC or FRBC in FCA, but negative in those immunized with SRBC in saline or FIA or FRBC in FIA. This may suggest that the former has to be assigned to tuberculin type and the latter to Jones-Mote type. (3) Both pre-treatment with BCG and with cyclophosphamide (CY) augmented delayed footpad reaction in the mice immunized with SRBC in saline. However, migration inhibition was positive only in the group pre-treated with BCG. BCG may convert the reaction from Jones-Mote type to tuberculin type, while CY may augment the reaction of Jones-Mote type. (4) FRBC in saline scarcely induced delayed footpad reaction, whereas they activated helper function efficiently. Thus, three types of immunological phenomena attributable to the functions of T cells may depend upon distinct subpopulations of differentiated T cells which are raised by different methods of immunization.", "contents": "Relationships among differentiated T-cell subpopulations. I. Dissociated development of tuberculin type hypersensitivity, Jones-Mote type hypersensitivity and activation of helper function. Relationships among tuberculin type hypersensitivity, Jones-Mote type hypersensitivity and activation of helper T cells were studied in AKR mice by means of footpad reaction, migration inhibition test and antibody production against the trinitrophenyl group. (1) Immunization with SRBC in saline, Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) or complete adjuvant (FCA) and fixed-SRBC (FRBC) in FIA- or FCA-induced delayed hypersensitivity as demonstrated by footpad swelling. (2) Migration inhibition was positive in the groups immunized with SRBC or FRBC in FCA, but negative in those immunized with SRBC in saline or FIA or FRBC in FIA. This may suggest that the former has to be assigned to tuberculin type and the latter to Jones-Mote type. (3) Both pre-treatment with BCG and with cyclophosphamide (CY) augmented delayed footpad reaction in the mice immunized with SRBC in saline. However, migration inhibition was positive only in the group pre-treated with BCG. BCG may convert the reaction from Jones-Mote type to tuberculin type, while CY may augment the reaction of Jones-Mote type. (4) FRBC in saline scarcely induced delayed footpad reaction, whereas they activated helper function efficiently. Thus, three types of immunological phenomena attributable to the functions of T cells may depend upon distinct subpopulations of differentiated T cells which are raised by different methods of immunization.", "PMID": 800398} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11601", "title": "The T cell-dependent period of the immune response to sheep erythrocytes.", "content": "To study the T cell-dependent period of the immune response of mouse spleen cells to sheep erythrocytes the co-operation between T and B cells was abrogated at different times during the in vivo or the in vitro response. The abrogation was performed by killing the T cells with anti-theta serum or anti-H-2 serum. The surviving cells were subsequently cultured in vitro and the number of IgM plaque-forming cells was determined each day. The results indicate that T cells play an important role during the first 3 days of the response in vivo. However, during the in vitro response the presence of the T cells is only required during the first 2 days. The difference between the response in vivo and in vitro is probably due to a synchronous start of the plasma cell development in vitro and a more asynchronous start of this process in vivo.", "contents": "The T cell-dependent period of the immune response to sheep erythrocytes. To study the T cell-dependent period of the immune response of mouse spleen cells to sheep erythrocytes the co-operation between T and B cells was abrogated at different times during the in vivo or the in vitro response. The abrogation was performed by killing the T cells with anti-theta serum or anti-H-2 serum. The surviving cells were subsequently cultured in vitro and the number of IgM plaque-forming cells was determined each day. The results indicate that T cells play an important role during the first 3 days of the response in vivo. However, during the in vitro response the presence of the T cells is only required during the first 2 days. The difference between the response in vivo and in vitro is probably due to a synchronous start of the plasma cell development in vitro and a more asynchronous start of this process in vivo.", "PMID": 800399} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11602", "title": "The comparative effectiveness of rabbit anti-mouse thymocyte sera in potentiating the survival of mouse skin or tumour allografts made across the H-2 barrier.", "content": "A group of fifteen rabbits were immunized five times, at weekly intervals, by intravenous injection of mouse thymocytes. After an interval of 3 months the rabbits were then re-immunized three times at intervals of 7 days. The rabbits were bled prior to the commencement of immunization to obtain normal rabbit serum (NRS), and 7 days after the first, third, fifth, sixth and eigth immunizations. Thus pulse (P), P1, P3, P5, P6 and P8 rabbit anti-mouse thymocyte serum (RAMTS) was obtained. Further pairs of rabbits were immunized three times, at intervals of 7 days, by injection of thymocytes pre-incubated with NRS, or P3, P6 or P8 RAMTS. Thus RAMT(NRS)S, RAMT(P3)S, RAMT(P6)S and RAMT(P8)S were obtained. The immunosuppressive potency of the antisera were compared by their ability to promote the survival of A-strain skin grafts made to CBA mice and A-strain mammary carcinoma transplants in CBA mice. Administration of P3, P5, P6, P8, RAMT(P3)S and RAMT(P6)S led to progressive tumour growth, but only P3 and P5 prolonged skin graft survival. Pre-incubation of tumour cells in the several RAMTS samples did not enhance their growth in sub-lethally irradiated (350 rad) CBA hosts. It is thus suggested that the preferential survival of tumour allografts was due to their ability to outgrow a degree of host response able to destroy a skin graft.", "contents": "The comparative effectiveness of rabbit anti-mouse thymocyte sera in potentiating the survival of mouse skin or tumour allografts made across the H-2 barrier. A group of fifteen rabbits were immunized five times, at weekly intervals, by intravenous injection of mouse thymocytes. After an interval of 3 months the rabbits were then re-immunized three times at intervals of 7 days. The rabbits were bled prior to the commencement of immunization to obtain normal rabbit serum (NRS), and 7 days after the first, third, fifth, sixth and eigth immunizations. Thus pulse (P), P1, P3, P5, P6 and P8 rabbit anti-mouse thymocyte serum (RAMTS) was obtained. Further pairs of rabbits were immunized three times, at intervals of 7 days, by injection of thymocytes pre-incubated with NRS, or P3, P6 or P8 RAMTS. Thus RAMT(NRS)S, RAMT(P3)S, RAMT(P6)S and RAMT(P8)S were obtained. The immunosuppressive potency of the antisera were compared by their ability to promote the survival of A-strain skin grafts made to CBA mice and A-strain mammary carcinoma transplants in CBA mice. Administration of P3, P5, P6, P8, RAMT(P3)S and RAMT(P6)S led to progressive tumour growth, but only P3 and P5 prolonged skin graft survival. Pre-incubation of tumour cells in the several RAMTS samples did not enhance their growth in sub-lethally irradiated (350 rad) CBA hosts. It is thus suggested that the preferential survival of tumour allografts was due to their ability to outgrow a degree of host response able to destroy a skin graft.", "PMID": 800400} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11603", "title": "Modification of the tolerant state by neonatal thymectomy.", "content": "Immunological tolerance of sheep erythrocytes was induced by repeated antigenic challenge of rats which had been thymectomized on the day of birth. Thoracic duct lymphocytes from these thymectomized tolerant rats failed to mount adoptive responses against sheep erythrocytes and interfered with the capacity of normal lymphocytes to mount such responses. However, in sharp contrast with non-thymectomized tolerant rats, thymectomized animals responded well to sheep erythrocytes if challenge was accompanied by the injection of normal syngeneic lymphocytes. It is likely that the cells that are lacking from tolerant rats as a consequence of neonatal thymectomy are identical with the radiosensitive cells that suppress normal lymphocytes transferred to intact tolerant rats.", "contents": "Modification of the tolerant state by neonatal thymectomy. Immunological tolerance of sheep erythrocytes was induced by repeated antigenic challenge of rats which had been thymectomized on the day of birth. Thoracic duct lymphocytes from these thymectomized tolerant rats failed to mount adoptive responses against sheep erythrocytes and interfered with the capacity of normal lymphocytes to mount such responses. However, in sharp contrast with non-thymectomized tolerant rats, thymectomized animals responded well to sheep erythrocytes if challenge was accompanied by the injection of normal syngeneic lymphocytes. It is likely that the cells that are lacking from tolerant rats as a consequence of neonatal thymectomy are identical with the radiosensitive cells that suppress normal lymphocytes transferred to intact tolerant rats.", "PMID": 800401} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11604", "title": "A cross-reactive antigen of thymus and skin epithelial cells common with the polysaccharide of group A streptococci.", "content": "Investigation of antibodies to the specific determinant of streptococcal group A polysaccharide in indirect immunofluorescence experiments has revealed the existence of a cross-reactive antigen in the epithelial cells of the thymus and skin. This CR antigen is contained by the epithelial cells of man and animals of different species. It has been demonstrated in all the individuals studied including animals producing antibodies to the polysaccharide of Group A streptococci. The principal cause of autoimmune thymitis characteristic of rheumatic fever and other autoimmune processes is probably damage done to the thymus by autoantibodies resulting from immunization with microbial cross-reactive antigens shared by the thymus. Reaction of the autoantibodies with thymic antigens may affect the immunosuppressive function of the thymus and the maturation process of suppressor T cells. These events probably constitute the basic stage in the development of an autoimmune process.", "contents": "A cross-reactive antigen of thymus and skin epithelial cells common with the polysaccharide of group A streptococci. Investigation of antibodies to the specific determinant of streptococcal group A polysaccharide in indirect immunofluorescence experiments has revealed the existence of a cross-reactive antigen in the epithelial cells of the thymus and skin. This CR antigen is contained by the epithelial cells of man and animals of different species. It has been demonstrated in all the individuals studied including animals producing antibodies to the polysaccharide of Group A streptococci. The principal cause of autoimmune thymitis characteristic of rheumatic fever and other autoimmune processes is probably damage done to the thymus by autoantibodies resulting from immunization with microbial cross-reactive antigens shared by the thymus. Reaction of the autoantibodies with thymic antigens may affect the immunosuppressive function of the thymus and the maturation process of suppressor T cells. These events probably constitute the basic stage in the development of an autoimmune process.", "PMID": 800402} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11605", "title": "Isolation of human eosinophils and their lymphocyte-like rosetting properties.", "content": "A method for the isolation of large numbers of almost pure human eosinophils from peripheral blood using hypague-ficoll density gradients, gelatin sedimentation and carbonyl iron is described. Eosinophils were obtained from patients with parasitic infections, allergic reactions, undiagnosed eosinophilias and normal volunteers. Erythrocyte (E) and erythrocyte-antibody-complement (EAC) rosettes were formed by a number of eosinophils.", "contents": "Isolation of human eosinophils and their lymphocyte-like rosetting properties. A method for the isolation of large numbers of almost pure human eosinophils from peripheral blood using hypague-ficoll density gradients, gelatin sedimentation and carbonyl iron is described. Eosinophils were obtained from patients with parasitic infections, allergic reactions, undiagnosed eosinophilias and normal volunteers. Erythrocyte (E) and erythrocyte-antibody-complement (EAC) rosettes were formed by a number of eosinophils.", "PMID": 800403} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11606", "title": "Limiting dilution analysis of helper T-cell function. II. An approach to the study of the function of single helper T cells.", "content": "Procedures have been described which are suitable for experiments utilizing a microculture system whereby one can easily study the function of single helper T cells. These are: (a) the elimination of the background anti-hapten response by preliminary anti-theta + guinea-pig complement complement treatment of the 'hapten-primed' population; (b) the removal of any contaminating hapten-specific B cells from the carrier-primed population by passage through nylon wool; (c) irradiation of long-term primed 'nylon wool' enriched helper cells tp prevent cell division; (d) the partition of individual helper cells by limiting dilution.", "contents": "Limiting dilution analysis of helper T-cell function. II. An approach to the study of the function of single helper T cells. Procedures have been described which are suitable for experiments utilizing a microculture system whereby one can easily study the function of single helper T cells. These are: (a) the elimination of the background anti-hapten response by preliminary anti-theta + guinea-pig complement complement treatment of the 'hapten-primed' population; (b) the removal of any contaminating hapten-specific B cells from the carrier-primed population by passage through nylon wool; (c) irradiation of long-term primed 'nylon wool' enriched helper cells tp prevent cell division; (d) the partition of individual helper cells by limiting dilution.", "PMID": 800404} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11607", "title": "Restriction in the function of single helper T cells.", "content": "T cells involved in specific and nonspecific co-operation belong to a long-lived population. However, under conditions of limiting dilution of T cells it is not a common event to detect both types of co-operative event in a single microculture well. Likewise, as far as specific co-operation is concerned, the simultaneous expression of both direct and indirect PFC responses in a single microculture well is also unusual. Estimates obtained of the number of PFC generated by one T cell in specific co-operation correspond well to those generated by a single B cell; and it would seem that under conditions of the microculture system there is a marked restriction in the number of B cells that a single T cell may interact with in the short term. This restriction seems to be of a one T-cell to one B-cell relationship.", "contents": "Restriction in the function of single helper T cells. T cells involved in specific and nonspecific co-operation belong to a long-lived population. However, under conditions of limiting dilution of T cells it is not a common event to detect both types of co-operative event in a single microculture well. Likewise, as far as specific co-operation is concerned, the simultaneous expression of both direct and indirect PFC responses in a single microculture well is also unusual. Estimates obtained of the number of PFC generated by one T cell in specific co-operation correspond well to those generated by a single B cell; and it would seem that under conditions of the microculture system there is a marked restriction in the number of B cells that a single T cell may interact with in the short term. This restriction seems to be of a one T-cell to one B-cell relationship.", "PMID": 800405} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11608", "title": "The dissociation of adjuvant properties of mycobacterial components from mitogenicity, and from the ability to induce the release of mediators from macrophages.", "content": "Twelve preparations from mycobacterial cell walls and culture supernatant fluids were tested for their ability to activate lymphocytes from Balb/c or Nu/Nu mice, and to increase the release of mediators from macrophages in vitro. The peptidoglycolipids (wax D) were B-cell mitogens and induced plaque-forming cells. These properties were lost if the glycopeptide component was removed, leaving the pure lipid, mycolic acid. Neither the glycopeptide fractions, with well-documented adjuvant properties, nor mycobacterial polysacchardie II-activated B cells. Only intact peptidoglycolipid showed synergy with the mitogenic effect of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) on thymocytes from Balb/c mice. The effect was much smaller than with E. coli lipopolysacharide (LPS) or dextran sulphate. The peptidoglycolipid also enhanced the release of factors from macrophages able to modify the response of Balb/c thymus cells to PHA. In this respect it resembled E. coli LPS. Adjuvant active glycopeptides did not share this property.", "contents": "The dissociation of adjuvant properties of mycobacterial components from mitogenicity, and from the ability to induce the release of mediators from macrophages. Twelve preparations from mycobacterial cell walls and culture supernatant fluids were tested for their ability to activate lymphocytes from Balb/c or Nu/Nu mice, and to increase the release of mediators from macrophages in vitro. The peptidoglycolipids (wax D) were B-cell mitogens and induced plaque-forming cells. These properties were lost if the glycopeptide component was removed, leaving the pure lipid, mycolic acid. Neither the glycopeptide fractions, with well-documented adjuvant properties, nor mycobacterial polysacchardie II-activated B cells. Only intact peptidoglycolipid showed synergy with the mitogenic effect of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) on thymocytes from Balb/c mice. The effect was much smaller than with E. coli lipopolysacharide (LPS) or dextran sulphate. The peptidoglycolipid also enhanced the release of factors from macrophages able to modify the response of Balb/c thymus cells to PHA. In this respect it resembled E. coli LPS. Adjuvant active glycopeptides did not share this property.", "PMID": 800406} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11609", "title": "Casein-induced experimental amyloidosis. VI. A pathogenic role for b cells in the murine model.", "content": "The relationship between cellular (B-cell) responses and the development of casein-induced amyloidosis was explored. The main findings are: (1) B-cell abnormalities are more pronounced in amyloid susceptible CBA/J than in amyloid resistant A/J mice; these include increased mitogen responses to SIII, PI:C and DXS, and enhanced primary immune responses to T-independent antigens; (2) CBA/J amyloid spleen cell suspensions appear to be enriched with antibody dependent killer cells and precursors of antibody-forming cells; these abnormalities are not seen in casein treated A/J mice. This hitherto unrecognized proliferation of immunoblasts in casein-treated CBA/J animals raises the possibility that B cell-macrophage interaction may play an important role in the pathogenesis of amyloid disease.", "contents": "Casein-induced experimental amyloidosis. VI. A pathogenic role for b cells in the murine model. The relationship between cellular (B-cell) responses and the development of casein-induced amyloidosis was explored. The main findings are: (1) B-cell abnormalities are more pronounced in amyloid susceptible CBA/J than in amyloid resistant A/J mice; these include increased mitogen responses to SIII, PI:C and DXS, and enhanced primary immune responses to T-independent antigens; (2) CBA/J amyloid spleen cell suspensions appear to be enriched with antibody dependent killer cells and precursors of antibody-forming cells; these abnormalities are not seen in casein treated A/J mice. This hitherto unrecognized proliferation of immunoblasts in casein-treated CBA/J animals raises the possibility that B cell-macrophage interaction may play an important role in the pathogenesis of amyloid disease.", "PMID": 800407} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11610", "title": "The early history of optometry in Maryland.", "content": "The progress of optometry in Maryland began with the passage of the first optometry law in 1914. Following its passage by the Maryland Legislature, the Maryland Optometric Association embarked on a plan to develop the profession by sponsoring (1) educational programs, (2) the gradual elimination of store-front practices, (3) the adoption of a code of ethics, and (4) establishing free eye clinics throughout the state. Optometry's steady climb toward professional status also resulted in the introduction of new optical instruments and techniques of refraction. The American Academy of Optometry and the educational courses of the Optometric Extension Program are credited for the impetus to professionalize optometry.", "contents": "The early history of optometry in Maryland. The progress of optometry in Maryland began with the passage of the first optometry law in 1914. Following its passage by the Maryland Legislature, the Maryland Optometric Association embarked on a plan to develop the profession by sponsoring (1) educational programs, (2) the gradual elimination of store-front practices, (3) the adoption of a code of ethics, and (4) establishing free eye clinics throughout the state. Optometry's steady climb toward professional status also resulted in the introduction of new optical instruments and techniques of refraction. The American Academy of Optometry and the educational courses of the Optometric Extension Program are credited for the impetus to professionalize optometry.", "PMID": 800425} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11611", "title": "A proposal for the inclusion of optometric vision care in Title XVIII of the Social Security Act.", "content": "The need to broaden the Medicare program to include the full scope of optometric vision care is discussed...particularly the need of the elderly for total vision care and how optometry helps to meet this need. This article is particularly timely inasmuch as the Congress is now considering AOA supported legislation (S.2020, H.R.2987, and many identical House bills) to accomplish this objective. Two dozen Senators and nearly 100 Representatives are currently cosponsoring these bills.", "contents": "A proposal for the inclusion of optometric vision care in Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. The need to broaden the Medicare program to include the full scope of optometric vision care is discussed...particularly the need of the elderly for total vision care and how optometry helps to meet this need. This article is particularly timely inasmuch as the Congress is now considering AOA supported legislation (S.2020, H.R.2987, and many identical House bills) to accomplish this objective. Two dozen Senators and nearly 100 Representatives are currently cosponsoring these bills.", "PMID": 800426} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11612", "title": "Structure and control of assembly of cytoplasmic microtubules in normal and transformed cells.", "content": "Indirect immunofluorescence analyses using antibodies directed against 6S tubulin have shown an elaborate cytoplasmic microtubule complex (CMTC) in nontransformed cells in culture. The CMTC is strikingly altered in cells that have been transformed spontaneously by viruses or by chemicals. Assembly of microtubules in vitro and in vivo is markedly inhibited in the presence of elevated levels of calcium. Alteration of the surface of normal cells by brief treatment with low concentrations of trypsin initiate a rapid breakdown of cytoplasmic microtubules. Finally, a hypothesis is presented relating microtubule assembly and surface membrane modulation suggesting that calcium is the primary modulating signal.", "contents": "Structure and control of assembly of cytoplasmic microtubules in normal and transformed cells. Indirect immunofluorescence analyses using antibodies directed against 6S tubulin have shown an elaborate cytoplasmic microtubule complex (CMTC) in nontransformed cells in culture. The CMTC is strikingly altered in cells that have been transformed spontaneously by viruses or by chemicals. Assembly of microtubules in vitro and in vivo is markedly inhibited in the presence of elevated levels of calcium. Alteration of the surface of normal cells by brief treatment with low concentrations of trypsin initiate a rapid breakdown of cytoplasmic microtubules. Finally, a hypothesis is presented relating microtubule assembly and surface membrane modulation suggesting that calcium is the primary modulating signal.", "PMID": 800619} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11613", "title": "Measurement of the lateral mobility of cell surface components in single, living cells by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching.", "content": "The use of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) techniques to monitor the lateral mobility of plant lectin-receptor complexes on the surface of single, living mammalian cells is described in detail. FRAP measurements indicate that over 75% of the wheat germ agglutinin receptor (WGA-receptor) complexes on the surface of human embryo fibroblasts are mobile. These WGS-receptor complexes diffuse laterally (as opposed to flow) on the cell surface with a diffusion coefficient in the range of 2 X 10(-11) to 2 X 10(-10) cm2/sec. Both the percentage of mobile WGA-receptor complexes and the mean diffusion coefficient of these complexes are higher than that obtained from earlier FRAP measurements of the mobility of concanavalin A-receptor (Con A-receptor) complexes in a variety of cell types. The possible reasons for the differing mobilities of WGA and Con A receptors are discussed.", "contents": "Measurement of the lateral mobility of cell surface components in single, living cells by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. The use of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) techniques to monitor the lateral mobility of plant lectin-receptor complexes on the surface of single, living mammalian cells is described in detail. FRAP measurements indicate that over 75% of the wheat germ agglutinin receptor (WGA-receptor) complexes on the surface of human embryo fibroblasts are mobile. These WGS-receptor complexes diffuse laterally (as opposed to flow) on the cell surface with a diffusion coefficient in the range of 2 X 10(-11) to 2 X 10(-10) cm2/sec. Both the percentage of mobile WGA-receptor complexes and the mean diffusion coefficient of these complexes are higher than that obtained from earlier FRAP measurements of the mobility of concanavalin A-receptor (Con A-receptor) complexes in a variety of cell types. The possible reasons for the differing mobilities of WGA and Con A receptors are discussed.", "PMID": 800621} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11614", "title": "[Double jubilee of obstetrics in the Socialist Republic of Croatia].", "content": "The year 1977 is marked with two great jubilees of obstetrics in Croatia: in 1777 the first midwifery textbook in the Croatian language was published and its author was Jean Baptiste Lalangue, while in 1877, year-long efforts were fruitfully completed by the opening of a Midwifery School with the attached Maternity Ward in Zagreb. The first professor of the School (until 1905) was Dr Antun Lobmayer who was also the author of a midwifery textbook published in 6 editions. A short revie is given of Lalangue's textbook as well as a detailed description of the beginnings of work of the Midwifery School, which has continually been working up to the present time, and also of the Zagreb Maternity Hospital which in 1921 became and has remained the University Hospital of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Zagreb.", "contents": "[Double jubilee of obstetrics in the Socialist Republic of Croatia]. The year 1977 is marked with two great jubilees of obstetrics in Croatia: in 1777 the first midwifery textbook in the Croatian language was published and its author was Jean Baptiste Lalangue, while in 1877, year-long efforts were fruitfully completed by the opening of a Midwifery School with the attached Maternity Ward in Zagreb. The first professor of the School (until 1905) was Dr Antun Lobmayer who was also the author of a midwifery textbook published in 6 editions. A short revie is given of Lalangue's textbook as well as a detailed description of the beginnings of work of the Midwifery School, which has continually been working up to the present time, and also of the Zagreb Maternity Hospital which in 1921 became and has remained the University Hospital of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Zagreb.", "PMID": 800622} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11615", "title": "Localization of the protective antigen in Salmonella typhimurium.", "content": "Active protection to challenge with 100 LD50 of Salmonella typhimurium could be induced in white mice by inoculation with 10(3) live bacteria (0.1 LD50) or 10(8) heat killed bacteria (56 degrees C for 30 min), or 20 gamma ribosomal fraction. Passive protection could be given by antisera taken from hyperimmune rabbits inoculated with either the heat killed bacteria or by the ribosomal fraction. No direct correlation between antibody titre to 'O' antigen and degree of protection was observed. Absorption of any antisera with 'O' antigen decreases its protective power. The protective antibodies could be completely absorbed from both antisera by heat killed bacteria and released afterwards. Abosrption of 'O' antibodies from this preparation decreases the ability of the mice to survive the challenge. Our data suggests that the antigens which induce protective antibodies are located on the surface of the bacteria. The protection achieved by this antisera is probably the result of a synergistic effect between the antibodies to the 'O' antigen and other antigen(s).", "contents": "Localization of the protective antigen in Salmonella typhimurium. Active protection to challenge with 100 LD50 of Salmonella typhimurium could be induced in white mice by inoculation with 10(3) live bacteria (0.1 LD50) or 10(8) heat killed bacteria (56 degrees C for 30 min), or 20 gamma ribosomal fraction. Passive protection could be given by antisera taken from hyperimmune rabbits inoculated with either the heat killed bacteria or by the ribosomal fraction. No direct correlation between antibody titre to 'O' antigen and degree of protection was observed. Absorption of any antisera with 'O' antigen decreases its protective power. The protective antibodies could be completely absorbed from both antisera by heat killed bacteria and released afterwards. Abosrption of 'O' antibodies from this preparation decreases the ability of the mice to survive the challenge. Our data suggests that the antigens which induce protective antibodies are located on the surface of the bacteria. The protection achieved by this antisera is probably the result of a synergistic effect between the antibodies to the 'O' antigen and other antigen(s).", "PMID": 800632} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11616", "title": "[Control computers in nuclear medicine].", "content": "Problems concerned with the use of desk computers in the nuclear medicine are considered, viz. the structure of technical components in the radiodiagnostic systems and mathematical logistics, an analysis into comparative characteristics of some systems, as well as the experience gained by the authors in elaborating specialized mathematical logistics. This experience and a pertinent analysis prompted the authors to conclude that the use of a computer at each stage of a radioisotope investigation is a matter of necessity and of top importance, without, however, being of cardinal aid in establishing a diagnosis. An effective instrument that will be capable of rendering good service to medicine at the present level of its development should be complex diagnostic systems, whose creation will be the aim of further research work.", "contents": "[Control computers in nuclear medicine]. Problems concerned with the use of desk computers in the nuclear medicine are considered, viz. the structure of technical components in the radiodiagnostic systems and mathematical logistics, an analysis into comparative characteristics of some systems, as well as the experience gained by the authors in elaborating specialized mathematical logistics. This experience and a pertinent analysis prompted the authors to conclude that the use of a computer at each stage of a radioisotope investigation is a matter of necessity and of top importance, without, however, being of cardinal aid in establishing a diagnosis. An effective instrument that will be capable of rendering good service to medicine at the present level of its development should be complex diagnostic systems, whose creation will be the aim of further research work.", "PMID": 800627} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11617", "title": "[Use of molecular biology approaches in studying hereditary diseases].", "content": "The application of some molecular biological methods for studying the causes of hereditary diseases induced by quantitative changes of the normal protein synthesis is discussed. The group of hereditary anemiae in humans (alpha- and beta-thalassaemia) taken as an example, possible defects at various stages of the protein synthesis control and modern methods of the analysis of these defects are considered and promises offered by such approaches are shown.", "contents": "[Use of molecular biology approaches in studying hereditary diseases]. The application of some molecular biological methods for studying the causes of hereditary diseases induced by quantitative changes of the normal protein synthesis is discussed. The group of hereditary anemiae in humans (alpha- and beta-thalassaemia) taken as an example, possible defects at various stages of the protein synthesis control and modern methods of the analysis of these defects are considered and promises offered by such approaches are shown.", "PMID": 800633} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11618", "title": "[Instrument for the plastic repair of large defects in the interventricular septum of the heart].", "content": "By taking advantage of an experience gained during 81 radical operations performed in connection with a defect in the interventricular septum of the heart at an early age the authors have worked out a new procedure for the plastic operation--closure of the defect with a transplant. A special instrument used for this purpose is described.", "contents": "[Instrument for the plastic repair of large defects in the interventricular septum of the heart]. By taking advantage of an experience gained during 81 radical operations performed in connection with a defect in the interventricular septum of the heart at an early age the authors have worked out a new procedure for the plastic operation--closure of the defect with a transplant. A special instrument used for this purpose is described.", "PMID": 800629} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11619", "title": "Methodological problems in the measurement of pain: a comparison between the verbal rating scale and the visual analogue scale.", "content": "The effect of analgesics on pathological pain in a double-blind, complete cross-over design was assessed by means of two rating scales, a verbal rating scale (VRS) and visual analogue scale (VAS). The VRS is widely used, but has several disadvantages as compared to the VAS. The results obtained by means of the VRS showed higher F-ratios (analysis of variance and Kruskall-Wallis H-test) than those obtained by means of the VAS. The VRS, which transfers a continuous feeling into a digital system, seems to augment artificially the measurement of effects produced by analgesics, and the VAS seems to assess more closely what a patient actually experiences with respect to change in pain intensities. The correlation between the two scales was highly significant (r = 0.81, P less than 0.001). The calculated regression line (y=-29.6 + 0.55-x) was not similar to the line of identity and showed much lower values for the VAS, supporting our interpretation. The distribution of the variances of the values obtained by means of both scales was not homogenous. This indicates that the homogeneity of the distribution of variances should always be checked and a Kruskall-Wallis H-test used, if they are inhomogenously distributed.", "contents": "Methodological problems in the measurement of pain: a comparison between the verbal rating scale and the visual analogue scale. The effect of analgesics on pathological pain in a double-blind, complete cross-over design was assessed by means of two rating scales, a verbal rating scale (VRS) and visual analogue scale (VAS). The VRS is widely used, but has several disadvantages as compared to the VAS. The results obtained by means of the VRS showed higher F-ratios (analysis of variance and Kruskall-Wallis H-test) than those obtained by means of the VAS. The VRS, which transfers a continuous feeling into a digital system, seems to augment artificially the measurement of effects produced by analgesics, and the VAS seems to assess more closely what a patient actually experiences with respect to change in pain intensities. The correlation between the two scales was highly significant (r = 0.81, P less than 0.001). The calculated regression line (y=-29.6 + 0.55-x) was not similar to the line of identity and showed much lower values for the VAS, supporting our interpretation. The distribution of the variances of the values obtained by means of both scales was not homogenous. This indicates that the homogeneity of the distribution of variances should always be checked and a Kruskall-Wallis H-test used, if they are inhomogenously distributed.", "PMID": 800639} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11620", "title": "[Dynamics of the content of immunoreactive insulin and sugar in the blood during tests with glucose, tolbutamide and leucine in patients with Cushing's syndrome].", "content": "This work was aimed at the study of reserve capacities of the insular apparatus of the pancreas during the glucose tolerance test, and the test with tolbutamide and leucine in patients with Itsenko-Cushing's disease. The mentioned patients showed an increase in the immunoreactive insulin (IRI) level on the fasting stomach and a fall of the regulatory capacities of the insular apparatus of the pancreas; this was expressed in a later and high increase in the IRI level during the tests.", "contents": "[Dynamics of the content of immunoreactive insulin and sugar in the blood during tests with glucose, tolbutamide and leucine in patients with Cushing's syndrome]. This work was aimed at the study of reserve capacities of the insular apparatus of the pancreas during the glucose tolerance test, and the test with tolbutamide and leucine in patients with Itsenko-Cushing's disease. The mentioned patients showed an increase in the immunoreactive insulin (IRI) level on the fasting stomach and a fall of the regulatory capacities of the insular apparatus of the pancreas; this was expressed in a later and high increase in the IRI level during the tests.", "PMID": 800643} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11621", "title": "[Effect of fasting on the function of the islands of Langerhans in rats with hypothalamic obesity].", "content": "Experiments were conducted on albino rats with hypothalamic adiposity caused by electrolyte damage of the area of the ventro-medial nuclei of the hypothalamus; it was shown that the character of food regimen had a significant effect on the function of the islar apparatus of the pancreas and glucose tolerance. There was a marked increase in functional activity of the beta-cells of the pancreatic islands and disturbed carbohydrate tolerance in the animals kept on food rich in carbohydrates. Prolonged starvation in rats with hypothalamic adiposity decreased the morphometric indices of overstrain in the insulinogenic tissue, and normalized the glycemic curves.", "contents": "[Effect of fasting on the function of the islands of Langerhans in rats with hypothalamic obesity]. Experiments were conducted on albino rats with hypothalamic adiposity caused by electrolyte damage of the area of the ventro-medial nuclei of the hypothalamus; it was shown that the character of food regimen had a significant effect on the function of the islar apparatus of the pancreas and glucose tolerance. There was a marked increase in functional activity of the beta-cells of the pancreatic islands and disturbed carbohydrate tolerance in the animals kept on food rich in carbohydrates. Prolonged starvation in rats with hypothalamic adiposity decreased the morphometric indices of overstrain in the insulinogenic tissue, and normalized the glycemic curves.", "PMID": 800644} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11622", "title": "Growth as a monitor of nutritional status.", "content": "1. Methods of monitoring growth of individuals in a population, and average growth in height and other measurements of populations or subpopulations must be distinguished. 2. Individual monitoring of nutritional status should be by growth velocity charts, for height, chiefly, and weight, if interpreted correctly. Growth velocity may be reduced by psychological stress; it monitors a total micro-ecological situation, not just a nutritional one. 3. Population monitoring requires defined and repeated samples. The secular trend and the differences in height for age and in age at menarche related to occupational class and number of siblings reflect nutritional differences, but only as part of the same micro-ecology. Height for age and weight-for-height-irrespective-of-age have been recommended as monitors, especially for populations in developing countries. The latter poses methodological problems and is probably only legitimate between the ages of 1-0 and 9-9 years.", "contents": "Growth as a monitor of nutritional status. 1. Methods of monitoring growth of individuals in a population, and average growth in height and other measurements of populations or subpopulations must be distinguished. 2. Individual monitoring of nutritional status should be by growth velocity charts, for height, chiefly, and weight, if interpreted correctly. Growth velocity may be reduced by psychological stress; it monitors a total micro-ecological situation, not just a nutritional one. 3. Population monitoring requires defined and repeated samples. The secular trend and the differences in height for age and in age at menarche related to occupational class and number of siblings reflect nutritional differences, but only as part of the same micro-ecology. Height for age and weight-for-height-irrespective-of-age have been recommended as monitors, especially for populations in developing countries. The latter poses methodological problems and is probably only legitimate between the ages of 1-0 and 9-9 years.", "PMID": 800655} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11623", "title": "[Diagnostic value of antibody-coated bacteria in urine sediment (author's transl)].", "content": "An immunofluorescence test for detection of antibody-coated bacteria in urinary sediments of patients with significant bacteriuria was carried out. According to previous data antibody-coated bacteria were not observed in urines from patients with cystitis, while they were observed in urine specimens from patients with pyelonephritis. These results confirm that the immunofluorescence test can be useful in distinguishing infection of kidney from infection of the bladder.", "contents": "[Diagnostic value of antibody-coated bacteria in urine sediment (author's transl)]. An immunofluorescence test for detection of antibody-coated bacteria in urinary sediments of patients with significant bacteriuria was carried out. According to previous data antibody-coated bacteria were not observed in urines from patients with cystitis, while they were observed in urine specimens from patients with pyelonephritis. These results confirm that the immunofluorescence test can be useful in distinguishing infection of kidney from infection of the bladder.", "PMID": 800670} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11624", "title": "Culture of cells from the urine and bladder washings of adults.", "content": "Cell cultures were attempted from the urine of 5 adults. Of the 28 cultures which were initiated, 21 resulted in the formation of one or more colonies of epithelial cells. Growth could be maintained up to 2 transfers. Poor colony formation was evident in 2 of 4 samples of a saline irrigation of the bladder. This technique may prove to be useful for short-term studies when venipuncture or biopsy are impractical and when epithelial cells are desirable.", "contents": "Culture of cells from the urine and bladder washings of adults. Cell cultures were attempted from the urine of 5 adults. Of the 28 cultures which were initiated, 21 resulted in the formation of one or more colonies of epithelial cells. Growth could be maintained up to 2 transfers. Poor colony formation was evident in 2 of 4 samples of a saline irrigation of the bladder. This technique may prove to be useful for short-term studies when venipuncture or biopsy are impractical and when epithelial cells are desirable.", "PMID": 800679} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11625", "title": "Overcorrections of the Wies procedure.", "content": "The Wies procedure may be complicated by an overcorrection, which is in effect a cicatricial ectropion. Four cases of such a complication are presented. The mechanism of an overcorrection is related to the level of the incision in the lid and to the suture placement. Correction of this complication primarily involves lysing cicatricial bands maintaining the overcorrection. Placement of sutures maintains the lid in a normal position.", "contents": "Overcorrections of the Wies procedure. The Wies procedure may be complicated by an overcorrection, which is in effect a cicatricial ectropion. Four cases of such a complication are presented. The mechanism of an overcorrection is related to the level of the incision in the lid and to the suture placement. Correction of this complication primarily involves lysing cicatricial bands maintaining the overcorrection. Placement of sutures maintains the lid in a normal position.", "PMID": 800682} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11626", "title": "A simple procedure for mounting wrinkle-free sections on formvar-coated slot grids.", "content": "This paper describes a simple technique for consistent production of clean, unwrinkled, flat thin (500-1000 A) sections for TEM and thick (1/2-1 micron) sections for HVEM mounted on Formvar-covered slot grids for use in conventional and high voltage electron microscopy. The technique centers around use of a Formvar-covered aluminum supporting rack onto which slot grids that contain sections suspended in water are placed.", "contents": "A simple procedure for mounting wrinkle-free sections on formvar-coated slot grids. This paper describes a simple technique for consistent production of clean, unwrinkled, flat thin (500-1000 A) sections for TEM and thick (1/2-1 micron) sections for HVEM mounted on Formvar-covered slot grids for use in conventional and high voltage electron microscopy. The technique centers around use of a Formvar-covered aluminum supporting rack onto which slot grids that contain sections suspended in water are placed.", "PMID": 800684} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11627", "title": "The present status of highly selective vagotomy.", "content": "Peptic ulcer has been the subject of extensive investigation in the search for a curative operation free of complications. Highly selective vagotomy is an elegant physiological approach to the problem, and has excited widespread interest. The reported results in uncomplicated duodenal ulcer disease indicate an almost nil mortality, a very low incidence of recurrent ulceration, a marked reduction in basal and stimulated acid secretion, and little or no interference with gastric emptying, hormone metabolism, or pancreatic and biliary function. The good clinical results at one year appear to be maintained at five years. Its use in the management of gastric ulceration and the complications of peptic ulcer disease also appears promising.", "contents": "The present status of highly selective vagotomy. Peptic ulcer has been the subject of extensive investigation in the search for a curative operation free of complications. Highly selective vagotomy is an elegant physiological approach to the problem, and has excited widespread interest. The reported results in uncomplicated duodenal ulcer disease indicate an almost nil mortality, a very low incidence of recurrent ulceration, a marked reduction in basal and stimulated acid secretion, and little or no interference with gastric emptying, hormone metabolism, or pancreatic and biliary function. The good clinical results at one year appear to be maintained at five years. Its use in the management of gastric ulceration and the complications of peptic ulcer disease also appears promising.", "PMID": 800703} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11628", "title": "The influence of water diuresis on the course of experimental E. coli bacteriuria after unilateral nephrectomy in rats.", "content": "In rats of both sexes with experimental E. coli infection of the urinary bladder, we evaluated by quantitative bacteriology urinary and kidney tissue infection during low diuresis, during hydropenia, and during water diuresis. Particular attention was given to the question of whether the hypertrophying kidney following contralateral nephrectomy has the same sensitivity to infection ascending from the bladder as a normal kidney. The results showed that water diuresis results in a long-term significant bacteriuria with penetration of microorganisms into the kidney. However, we did not find that infection of a solitary kidney following contralateral nephrectomy was of any greater degree than infection in the kidneys of rats with both kidneys intact.", "contents": "The influence of water diuresis on the course of experimental E. coli bacteriuria after unilateral nephrectomy in rats. In rats of both sexes with experimental E. coli infection of the urinary bladder, we evaluated by quantitative bacteriology urinary and kidney tissue infection during low diuresis, during hydropenia, and during water diuresis. Particular attention was given to the question of whether the hypertrophying kidney following contralateral nephrectomy has the same sensitivity to infection ascending from the bladder as a normal kidney. The results showed that water diuresis results in a long-term significant bacteriuria with penetration of microorganisms into the kidney. However, we did not find that infection of a solitary kidney following contralateral nephrectomy was of any greater degree than infection in the kidneys of rats with both kidneys intact.", "PMID": 800704} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11629", "title": "[Cutaneous candidiosis in an European beaver, Castor fiber. Epidimiological aspect and parasitic form of Candida albicans].", "content": "On the thigh of an Europa Beaver, Castor fiber L., dead after 8 years of captivity, a candidiasis has been found due to Candida albicans. Were reported successively: the frequence of C. albicans in the Europa Beaver and the Canada Beaver, the diagnosis, an epidemiologic aspect and the morphologic parasitic form of that yeast. In the epiderma parasited of the Beaver, C. albicans has developed in a yeast-form in the superficial strates of the skin and in the filamentous-form in the deeper.", "contents": "[Cutaneous candidiosis in an European beaver, Castor fiber. Epidimiological aspect and parasitic form of Candida albicans]. On the thigh of an Europa Beaver, Castor fiber L., dead after 8 years of captivity, a candidiasis has been found due to Candida albicans. Were reported successively: the frequence of C. albicans in the Europa Beaver and the Canada Beaver, the diagnosis, an epidemiologic aspect and the morphologic parasitic form of that yeast. In the epiderma parasited of the Beaver, C. albicans has developed in a yeast-form in the superficial strates of the skin and in the filamentous-form in the deeper.", "PMID": 800705} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11630", "title": "[Dietary behavior during obesity].", "content": "Human alimentary behavior deals with a threefold need: energetic, hedonic and sociocultural. Among the clinical constellation offered by obese patients it could be worthwile to distinguish: 1. Some constitutional and organic obesities, pathogenesis of which does not imply an abnormality of alimentary behavior; 2. Conversely, in some other cases, psychological induced behavioral abnormalities are able to lead to an overstepping of the so called \"normal\" weight; 3. In other instances, the alimentary behavior reflects the elevation of the set point for weight. All these mechanisms are mutally reinforcing and could act simultaneously or successively accounting for the great variability of the individual situations. In any case environmental conditions are operating and play a pathogenic role more especially as the anatomic, physiologic and psychologic background is predisposed.", "contents": "[Dietary behavior during obesity]. Human alimentary behavior deals with a threefold need: energetic, hedonic and sociocultural. Among the clinical constellation offered by obese patients it could be worthwile to distinguish: 1. Some constitutional and organic obesities, pathogenesis of which does not imply an abnormality of alimentary behavior; 2. Conversely, in some other cases, psychological induced behavioral abnormalities are able to lead to an overstepping of the so called \"normal\" weight; 3. In other instances, the alimentary behavior reflects the elevation of the set point for weight. All these mechanisms are mutally reinforcing and could act simultaneously or successively accounting for the great variability of the individual situations. In any case environmental conditions are operating and play a pathogenic role more especially as the anatomic, physiologic and psychologic background is predisposed.", "PMID": 800707} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11631", "title": "[Thrombogenic and atherogenic effects of dietary fats].", "content": "1. Epidemiologic studies have shown that CHD (arterial thrombosis) and venous thrombosis were closely associated with dietary saturated fat intake. 2. In vitro and in vivo studies are unanimous in that long chain saturated fatty acids, mostly-stearic acid, are thrombogenic, while linoleic acid has protective effects. 3. Stearic acid appears to modify the fatty acid composition of platelet phospholipids resulting in an increase in the aggregating and clotting capacities of platelets. 4. In coronary patients or in subjects eating saturated fats, similar modifications in platelet behaviour can be observed related to changes in platelet phospholipids. Those results appear to confirm the hypothesis that certain dietary saturated fats, in addition to induce hyperlipemia and atherosclerosis, predispose to thrombosis mostly through blood platelets.", "contents": "[Thrombogenic and atherogenic effects of dietary fats]. 1. Epidemiologic studies have shown that CHD (arterial thrombosis) and venous thrombosis were closely associated with dietary saturated fat intake. 2. In vitro and in vivo studies are unanimous in that long chain saturated fatty acids, mostly-stearic acid, are thrombogenic, while linoleic acid has protective effects. 3. Stearic acid appears to modify the fatty acid composition of platelet phospholipids resulting in an increase in the aggregating and clotting capacities of platelets. 4. In coronary patients or in subjects eating saturated fats, similar modifications in platelet behaviour can be observed related to changes in platelet phospholipids. Those results appear to confirm the hypothesis that certain dietary saturated fats, in addition to induce hyperlipemia and atherosclerosis, predispose to thrombosis mostly through blood platelets.", "PMID": 800709} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11632", "title": "[Genetic and environmental factors in normal and deviant dietary behavior of the child].", "content": "The alimentary behaviors of the child are approached from a developmental point of view, the genesis and the evolution of normal behavior allowing us to better understand the origin, the causality and the signification of pathological behaviors. In this perspective the study, in particular, of the evolution of the taste sensation and its ties with the development of personality permits better to understand the problem. Taking in account actually directions of research and some original works, several directions of study are presented, connected with the following aspects: topological and functional evolution of taste receptors, developmental evolution and individual differentiation of the gustatory sensation, hereditary determinants of gustatory sensation and their possible relations with other aspects of personnality, ethological, cultural and environmental (both, in the large and restrictive meaning) aspects and their place in reinforcements of alimentary behavior. A line of research, which overgoes the only descriptive point of view and has an explanatory aim, is proposed, inserted in a real context.", "contents": "[Genetic and environmental factors in normal and deviant dietary behavior of the child]. The alimentary behaviors of the child are approached from a developmental point of view, the genesis and the evolution of normal behavior allowing us to better understand the origin, the causality and the signification of pathological behaviors. In this perspective the study, in particular, of the evolution of the taste sensation and its ties with the development of personality permits better to understand the problem. Taking in account actually directions of research and some original works, several directions of study are presented, connected with the following aspects: topological and functional evolution of taste receptors, developmental evolution and individual differentiation of the gustatory sensation, hereditary determinants of gustatory sensation and their possible relations with other aspects of personnality, ethological, cultural and environmental (both, in the large and restrictive meaning) aspects and their place in reinforcements of alimentary behavior. A line of research, which overgoes the only descriptive point of view and has an explanatory aim, is proposed, inserted in a real context.", "PMID": 800710} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11633", "title": "[The most frequent errors committed in infant nutrition; possible pathogenic effects].", "content": "The two initial years of life represent a period of growth and development which is not only extremely rapid, but is also a period of acquisition of alimentary behavior. We will not consider the problems posed by infant malnutrition in developing countries. In industrialized countries, mothers often fail to recognize the characteristics of different types of milk. Their children are consequently over-nourished frequently, but unconsciously. Certain foods of the infant diet contain relatively large quantities of sodium or sucrose. It is difficult to establish if this would engender a particular behavior towards salt or sugar, but the information available enables directives to be given both to the food industry and to mothers. Although little work has been done on the subject, it would be important to know the influence of the nursery (where numerous infants are kept 5 days a week from the age of two months onwards) and the primary school on the acquisition of alimentary behavior.", "contents": "[The most frequent errors committed in infant nutrition; possible pathogenic effects]. The two initial years of life represent a period of growth and development which is not only extremely rapid, but is also a period of acquisition of alimentary behavior. We will not consider the problems posed by infant malnutrition in developing countries. In industrialized countries, mothers often fail to recognize the characteristics of different types of milk. Their children are consequently over-nourished frequently, but unconsciously. Certain foods of the infant diet contain relatively large quantities of sodium or sucrose. It is difficult to establish if this would engender a particular behavior towards salt or sugar, but the information available enables directives to be given both to the food industry and to mothers. Although little work has been done on the subject, it would be important to know the influence of the nursery (where numerous infants are kept 5 days a week from the age of two months onwards) and the primary school on the acquisition of alimentary behavior.", "PMID": 800711} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11634", "title": "[Modification of pathogenic dietary behavior. Group technics].", "content": "The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high in our societies and it increases at a regular rate. This phenomenon (\"the overweight society\") reaches a sociological level. Individual solutions to weight problems are time-consuming; moreover their efficience--as demonstrated by statistical studies, is rather poor. In contrast, group approach to weight problems offer theoretical advantages. Group therapy of obesity is based upon one of the following methods: classical nutritional approach, psychoanalytical group therapy, behavioral groups, free associations of obese people. Unfortunately comparison of these different methods, in regard to sucess and failures, as well as comparison to individual therapy is somewhat difficult from a methodological and theoretical point of view. However, global results of group therapy fail to prove some decisive advantages upon individual therapy. Exception to these discouraging results concerns those groups which were carefully selected so that they were strongly homogeneous in respect to several parameters selection of these parameters offers a promising way to new researchs. Obesity should not be looked upon like a disease or an homogeneous entity, but rather like a sympton. Some new theoretical concepts could be applied to group therapy of obesity and facilitate the scientific approach of this problem.", "contents": "[Modification of pathogenic dietary behavior. Group technics]. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high in our societies and it increases at a regular rate. This phenomenon (\"the overweight society\") reaches a sociological level. Individual solutions to weight problems are time-consuming; moreover their efficience--as demonstrated by statistical studies, is rather poor. In contrast, group approach to weight problems offer theoretical advantages. Group therapy of obesity is based upon one of the following methods: classical nutritional approach, psychoanalytical group therapy, behavioral groups, free associations of obese people. Unfortunately comparison of these different methods, in regard to sucess and failures, as well as comparison to individual therapy is somewhat difficult from a methodological and theoretical point of view. However, global results of group therapy fail to prove some decisive advantages upon individual therapy. Exception to these discouraging results concerns those groups which were carefully selected so that they were strongly homogeneous in respect to several parameters selection of these parameters offers a promising way to new researchs. Obesity should not be looked upon like a disease or an homogeneous entity, but rather like a sympton. Some new theoretical concepts could be applied to group therapy of obesity and facilitate the scientific approach of this problem.", "PMID": 800712} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11635", "title": "[Resistance to modification of dietary behavior].", "content": "There exist certain pathological eating behaviors (they deviate from the usual eating pattern in a given environment; ex.: hyperphagia, alcoholism, bulimia, nibbling sweets, etc.): there also exist certain pathogenic, though not pathological, eating behaviors (a \"normal\" behavior may induce an affection in given subjects; ex.: obesity in subjects with a normal caloric intake, hypercholesterolemia in subjects with a normal lipid intake, etc.). In the perspective of Public Health, the field of pathological behavior calls for specialized individual interventions, which can sometimes serve as research models; but the field of pathogenic behavior is now such a widespread social phenomenon (50% of the female population wishes to reduce, 50% of the male population dies from alimentary-linked cardiovascular diseases) that it must be systematically investigated. Such investigations would require: 1. A typology assessing the effectiveness of all the techniques aimed at a modification of eating behavior, whether preventive or therapeutic (through information, pressure, learning); 2. A typology of the resistance to change, whether physiological, psychological or psychosocial. A study of both typologies is necessary since until now all the attempts to induce a population as a whole to renounce food plethora have been unsuccessful, except when imposed by economic or political motivations. Moreover, in a society oriented toward consuming, a change in eating behaviors must be \"consumable\", that is, at once adequate and gratifying, in order to be accepted.", "contents": "[Resistance to modification of dietary behavior]. There exist certain pathological eating behaviors (they deviate from the usual eating pattern in a given environment; ex.: hyperphagia, alcoholism, bulimia, nibbling sweets, etc.): there also exist certain pathogenic, though not pathological, eating behaviors (a \"normal\" behavior may induce an affection in given subjects; ex.: obesity in subjects with a normal caloric intake, hypercholesterolemia in subjects with a normal lipid intake, etc.). In the perspective of Public Health, the field of pathological behavior calls for specialized individual interventions, which can sometimes serve as research models; but the field of pathogenic behavior is now such a widespread social phenomenon (50% of the female population wishes to reduce, 50% of the male population dies from alimentary-linked cardiovascular diseases) that it must be systematically investigated. Such investigations would require: 1. A typology assessing the effectiveness of all the techniques aimed at a modification of eating behavior, whether preventive or therapeutic (through information, pressure, learning); 2. A typology of the resistance to change, whether physiological, psychological or psychosocial. A study of both typologies is necessary since until now all the attempts to induce a population as a whole to renounce food plethora have been unsuccessful, except when imposed by economic or political motivations. Moreover, in a society oriented toward consuming, a change in eating behaviors must be \"consumable\", that is, at once adequate and gratifying, in order to be accepted.", "PMID": 800713} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11636", "title": "[Mechanisms of dietary selection in man: preferences and aversions].", "content": "Ingestion of food and water is the most important mean by which an animal maintains the integrity of the \"milieu interne\". In a free feeding situation the animal selects the nutrients demanded by the monitors of the internal fluid environment and avoids the malaise caused by ingested toxins; to doing, it maintains the constancy of its body composition. The essential features of this qualitative regulation have been extensively studied in the animal: the choice of nutrient is based on the sensory activity of the ingested material at the oropharynegeal level; some preferences and aversions are innate; others are acquired by conditioning; conditioned taste aversions can be acquired after a single association between the conditioned stimulus (taste) and the unconditioned one (malaise); some preferences and aversions are acquired slowly under the reenforcing effect of the nutritional activity of the ingested food. Are the same characteristics found in man? Studies in man are not numerous but it seems that the same mecanisms are patent in the neonate, the young child and the adult in a distressful situation. On the contrary, in a free feeding situation, sociocultural factors are prevalent.", "contents": "[Mechanisms of dietary selection in man: preferences and aversions]. Ingestion of food and water is the most important mean by which an animal maintains the integrity of the \"milieu interne\". In a free feeding situation the animal selects the nutrients demanded by the monitors of the internal fluid environment and avoids the malaise caused by ingested toxins; to doing, it maintains the constancy of its body composition. The essential features of this qualitative regulation have been extensively studied in the animal: the choice of nutrient is based on the sensory activity of the ingested material at the oropharynegeal level; some preferences and aversions are innate; others are acquired by conditioning; conditioned taste aversions can be acquired after a single association between the conditioned stimulus (taste) and the unconditioned one (malaise); some preferences and aversions are acquired slowly under the reenforcing effect of the nutritional activity of the ingested food. Are the same characteristics found in man? Studies in man are not numerous but it seems that the same mecanisms are patent in the neonate, the young child and the adult in a distressful situation. On the contrary, in a free feeding situation, sociocultural factors are prevalent.", "PMID": 800715} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11637", "title": "[Constituents of food aromas].", "content": "A comprehensive review is given on the nature of the volatile compounds which participate to the aromas of foods. Its seems that light compounds, which are present in every food stuffs, give the fresh impression, and that more heavy components give the characteristic aromas. Although it is very important to consider that these volatile compounds have very different olfactory detection thresholds. The characteristic components of a food are often those which have very low detection thresholds and which are present at very low concentrations. The new analytical techniques have permitted the identification of more than two thousands compounds often present in minute amounts in foods (less than a gram per ton). But the problem is now to correlate these analytical data with the olfactory impression of tasters. Some correlations have already been obtained when a specific flavor corresponds to a small number of components, as it is often the case for off-flavors. An other problem for the food technologist is the study of the origins of the more interesting components. Some examples are given on raw materials (fruits and vegetables) and on fermented or cooked foods.", "contents": "[Constituents of food aromas]. A comprehensive review is given on the nature of the volatile compounds which participate to the aromas of foods. Its seems that light compounds, which are present in every food stuffs, give the fresh impression, and that more heavy components give the characteristic aromas. Although it is very important to consider that these volatile compounds have very different olfactory detection thresholds. The characteristic components of a food are often those which have very low detection thresholds and which are present at very low concentrations. The new analytical techniques have permitted the identification of more than two thousands compounds often present in minute amounts in foods (less than a gram per ton). But the problem is now to correlate these analytical data with the olfactory impression of tasters. Some correlations have already been obtained when a specific flavor corresponds to a small number of components, as it is often the case for off-flavors. An other problem for the food technologist is the study of the origins of the more interesting components. Some examples are given on raw materials (fruits and vegetables) and on fermented or cooked foods.", "PMID": 800716} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11638", "title": "[Physiology of water intake].", "content": "There are appropriate and probably redondant receptors responding to imbalances of either the IC or EC space. Regulation of the EC space seems to evolve different distinct mechanisms for its two components i.e. volemic and interstitial space. They both elicit dipsic and natriophilic responses. Neurophysiology and neurochemistry of dipsic responses to the different types of dehydration is briefly reviewed. Hydromineral homeorheusis (1) can be achieved even without any participation of the orodigestive exteroreceptors, since animals survive without drinking, by self injecting water through an implanted atrial catheter. However, the contribution of exteroreceptors, particularly the oral ones, allow, in ordinary conditions, and even more in exceptionally stressing circumstances, to compensate for all imbalances more rapidly and in a more appropriate and amplified way. So, in everyday's conditions, drinking, in spite of its non-regulatory (i.e. non-triggered by actual imbalances of the inner milieu) appearance, results in an anticipatory and \"luxurious\" hydromineral regulation. This kind of ingestive behaviour is more adaptive than any behaviour which would tend only to correct imbalances after they happened.", "contents": "[Physiology of water intake]. There are appropriate and probably redondant receptors responding to imbalances of either the IC or EC space. Regulation of the EC space seems to evolve different distinct mechanisms for its two components i.e. volemic and interstitial space. They both elicit dipsic and natriophilic responses. Neurophysiology and neurochemistry of dipsic responses to the different types of dehydration is briefly reviewed. Hydromineral homeorheusis (1) can be achieved even without any participation of the orodigestive exteroreceptors, since animals survive without drinking, by self injecting water through an implanted atrial catheter. However, the contribution of exteroreceptors, particularly the oral ones, allow, in ordinary conditions, and even more in exceptionally stressing circumstances, to compensate for all imbalances more rapidly and in a more appropriate and amplified way. So, in everyday's conditions, drinking, in spite of its non-regulatory (i.e. non-triggered by actual imbalances of the inner milieu) appearance, results in an anticipatory and \"luxurious\" hydromineral regulation. This kind of ingestive behaviour is more adaptive than any behaviour which would tend only to correct imbalances after they happened.", "PMID": 800717} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11639", "title": "[Deviations of dietary behavior].", "content": "Deviations of alimentary behavior, found in all psycho-pathological sectors, are sometimes isolated but more often accompany multiple psychic symptoms. These deviations are dominated by restrictive behavior. Epidemiological studies, case histories and transcultural data are scarce. Their obtention would undoubtedly yield more satisfactory therapeutics.", "contents": "[Deviations of dietary behavior]. Deviations of alimentary behavior, found in all psycho-pathological sectors, are sometimes isolated but more often accompany multiple psychic symptoms. These deviations are dominated by restrictive behavior. Epidemiological studies, case histories and transcultural data are scarce. Their obtention would undoubtedly yield more satisfactory therapeutics.", "PMID": 800718} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11640", "title": "[Culinary art and social change: some remarks].", "content": "The development in France, long a rural country, of a new type of civilization characterized by industrialization, urbanisation and their corollaries threatens (in a real or imaginary way) both the quality of food (standardization, agricultural, industrialization and new toxicological and pollution problems) and the social-cultural signification of the meal (time constraints, convenience food, fast-food restaurants, etc.) particularly among social strata most involved in the new urban way of life. And yet a new interest and appreciation for cooking and culinary art spreads. Gastronomy can be regarded as a social privilege and/or a celebrative break in the course of ordinary meals: the new culinary vogue might well develop in opposition to--rather than in spite of--the onslaught of convenience food. Significantly enough, it is based on a new mythology and, as a consequence, on new aesthetic canons. The new food emphasizes the signs of nature, archa\u00efsm, rurality, exotism (ethnic food) etc. It is also bound to conciliate the art of food and the image of the body imposed by contemporary culture (slimness, eternal youth...).", "contents": "[Culinary art and social change: some remarks]. The development in France, long a rural country, of a new type of civilization characterized by industrialization, urbanisation and their corollaries threatens (in a real or imaginary way) both the quality of food (standardization, agricultural, industrialization and new toxicological and pollution problems) and the social-cultural signification of the meal (time constraints, convenience food, fast-food restaurants, etc.) particularly among social strata most involved in the new urban way of life. And yet a new interest and appreciation for cooking and culinary art spreads. Gastronomy can be regarded as a social privilege and/or a celebrative break in the course of ordinary meals: the new culinary vogue might well develop in opposition to--rather than in spite of--the onslaught of convenience food. Significantly enough, it is based on a new mythology and, as a consequence, on new aesthetic canons. The new food emphasizes the signs of nature, archa\u00efsm, rurality, exotism (ethnic food) etc. It is also bound to conciliate the art of food and the image of the body imposed by contemporary culture (slimness, eternal youth...).", "PMID": 800719} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11641", "title": "[Calculation of the volume of the grafted kidney. Value of this measurement by echotomography in renal transplantation].", "content": "From a necropsy series of 14 kidneys, it is very easy to prove, that there is a quite good correlation between the theorical calculated volume of the kidney and its real volume. It is possible to compare the kidney to an ovoid, and to calculate its volume, knowing the 3 dimensions which are its length, its width, its depth. In this way, by echotomography it is possible to estimate these three parameters at the level of the transplanted and to calculate the volume and if, after two successive examinations of control, the kidney volume is found to be enlarged (over 20%) a reject phenomenon must be diagnozed.", "contents": "[Calculation of the volume of the grafted kidney. Value of this measurement by echotomography in renal transplantation]. From a necropsy series of 14 kidneys, it is very easy to prove, that there is a quite good correlation between the theorical calculated volume of the kidney and its real volume. It is possible to compare the kidney to an ovoid, and to calculate its volume, knowing the 3 dimensions which are its length, its width, its depth. In this way, by echotomography it is possible to estimate these three parameters at the level of the transplanted and to calculate the volume and if, after two successive examinations of control, the kidney volume is found to be enlarged (over 20%) a reject phenomenon must be diagnozed.", "PMID": 800727} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11642", "title": "[Infectious complications in organ transplantations (author's transl)].", "content": "On the basis of various reported experiences the Authors emphasize the importance of infectious complications in organ transplantations. As a matter of fact these complications occur in a very high percentage of cases (over 50%); they have severe prognoses and are caused by such agents as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and metazoa. The Authors suggest microbiological monitoring of the recipient before, during and even after the transplantation, in order to single out the etiologic agent as rapidly and accrately as possible and thus to decide upon a suitable therapy.", "contents": "[Infectious complications in organ transplantations (author's transl)]. On the basis of various reported experiences the Authors emphasize the importance of infectious complications in organ transplantations. As a matter of fact these complications occur in a very high percentage of cases (over 50%); they have severe prognoses and are caused by such agents as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and metazoa. The Authors suggest microbiological monitoring of the recipient before, during and even after the transplantation, in order to single out the etiologic agent as rapidly and accrately as possible and thus to decide upon a suitable therapy.", "PMID": 800722} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11643", "title": "[Use of microsystems for the identification of Enterbacteria in the microbiological laboratory: comments on technics and identification procedures].", "content": "The Authors have pointed out the characteristics of 3 miniaturized systems for the enterobacteria identification: Enterotube, API 20 E, Minitek. They particularly described the accuracy in biochemical reactions and the agreement between the mini-systems identifications and conventional (routine media) identifications (and reactions); all the identification errors made with micro-systems are reported and explaned. Nine atypical strains, which give some identification problems, are reported with all the biochemical profils. The more typical characteristics of the 3 miniaturized systems are summarized in a table.", "contents": "[Use of microsystems for the identification of Enterbacteria in the microbiological laboratory: comments on technics and identification procedures]. The Authors have pointed out the characteristics of 3 miniaturized systems for the enterobacteria identification: Enterotube, API 20 E, Minitek. They particularly described the accuracy in biochemical reactions and the agreement between the mini-systems identifications and conventional (routine media) identifications (and reactions); all the identification errors made with micro-systems are reported and explaned. Nine atypical strains, which give some identification problems, are reported with all the biochemical profils. The more typical characteristics of the 3 miniaturized systems are summarized in a table.", "PMID": 800723} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11644", "title": "[Effect of polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide on the state of phagocyte-lymphoid elements in aseptic inflammation].", "content": "Cytochemical study of NAD-diaphorase and acid phosphatase (mitochondria and lysosomes markers) in the cells of the abdominal cavity exudate with aseptic inflammation and additional action of polyvinylpyridne-N-oxide with molecular weight in the range of from 2000 to 150 000 formed a background for demonstrating the possibility of stabilizing by means of the latter compound of mitochondrial and lysosomal membranes of macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes. The most pronounced stabilizing effect is produced by polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide with a molecular weight of 50 000 with its intramuscular introduction in a dose of 100 mg/kg.", "contents": "[Effect of polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide on the state of phagocyte-lymphoid elements in aseptic inflammation]. Cytochemical study of NAD-diaphorase and acid phosphatase (mitochondria and lysosomes markers) in the cells of the abdominal cavity exudate with aseptic inflammation and additional action of polyvinylpyridne-N-oxide with molecular weight in the range of from 2000 to 150 000 formed a background for demonstrating the possibility of stabilizing by means of the latter compound of mitochondrial and lysosomal membranes of macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes. The most pronounced stabilizing effect is produced by polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide with a molecular weight of 50 000 with its intramuscular introduction in a dose of 100 mg/kg.", "PMID": 800766} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11645", "title": "[Effect of succinic and glutamic acids on the sensitivity of the hypothalamo-gonadotropic system to inhibitory effect of estrogens in old rats].", "content": "The daily s. c. injections of 0.58 gamma of stilbestrol to young hemicastrated rats suppressed compensatory hypertrophy (COH), but did not influence COH in old rats. Administration of succinate (i. p. per os or into the 3d brain ventricle) or of glutamate (per os) to old rats restored estogen suppression of COH.", "contents": "[Effect of succinic and glutamic acids on the sensitivity of the hypothalamo-gonadotropic system to inhibitory effect of estrogens in old rats]. The daily s. c. injections of 0.58 gamma of stilbestrol to young hemicastrated rats suppressed compensatory hypertrophy (COH), but did not influence COH in old rats. Administration of succinate (i. p. per os or into the 3d brain ventricle) or of glutamate (per os) to old rats restored estogen suppression of COH.", "PMID": 800765} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11646", "title": "[Comparative study of antineoplastic and immunosuppressive properties of ftorafur].", "content": "In experiments staged on mice with transplantable leukemia L 1210 an immunodepressive and antineoplasic action of phthorafur was studied. Depending upon its dose phthorafur lowered the number of lymphoma colonies and antibody-forming cells in the spleen of the animals immunized with sheep erythrocytes. The maximal immunodepressive action was found to set in following administration of the agent in a dose of 500 mg/kg 24 and 48 hours after antigenic stimulation.", "contents": "[Comparative study of antineoplastic and immunosuppressive properties of ftorafur]. In experiments staged on mice with transplantable leukemia L 1210 an immunodepressive and antineoplasic action of phthorafur was studied. Depending upon its dose phthorafur lowered the number of lymphoma colonies and antibody-forming cells in the spleen of the animals immunized with sheep erythrocytes. The maximal immunodepressive action was found to set in following administration of the agent in a dose of 500 mg/kg 24 and 48 hours after antigenic stimulation.", "PMID": 800767} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11647", "title": "[Antimycotic activity in vitro and in vivo of 5-fluorocytosine on pathogenic strains of Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans].", "content": "The authors have analyzed the 5 Fluoro Cytosine (5FC) activity on strains of Candida albicans and Criptococcus neoformans, both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined; in vivo tests of pathogenicity on rabbit and mouse have been executed. The various findings obtained have shown a strong activity of the 5FC on strains of Candida and Criptococcus.", "contents": "[Antimycotic activity in vitro and in vivo of 5-fluorocytosine on pathogenic strains of Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans]. The authors have analyzed the 5 Fluoro Cytosine (5FC) activity on strains of Candida albicans and Criptococcus neoformans, both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined; in vivo tests of pathogenicity on rabbit and mouse have been executed. The various findings obtained have shown a strong activity of the 5FC on strains of Candida and Criptococcus.", "PMID": 800772} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11648", "title": "[Interaction in vitro between polymorphonuclear leukocytes and subcellular fractions of Streptococcus pyogenes].", "content": "The effects of cellular subfractions of S. pyogenes on phagocytosis from neutrophils were studied. Cell-walls and membranes were found to stimulate the phagocytosis at low concentrations: at immediately higher doses they show to have a citotoxic effect.", "contents": "[Interaction in vitro between polymorphonuclear leukocytes and subcellular fractions of Streptococcus pyogenes]. The effects of cellular subfractions of S. pyogenes on phagocytosis from neutrophils were studied. Cell-walls and membranes were found to stimulate the phagocytosis at low concentrations: at immediately higher doses they show to have a citotoxic effect.", "PMID": 800771} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11649", "title": "[Serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis: comparative evaluation of the Sabin-Feldman, indirect immunofluorescence and complement fixation tests].", "content": "The AA. compared the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFI), with dye test and complement fixation test (CFT), used in diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis. CFT sensitivity is slightly inferior to that of dye test and IFI; the later give strictly similar results especially at medium and high titers; IFI is more readily and safety performed and easier to interpret.", "contents": "[Serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis: comparative evaluation of the Sabin-Feldman, indirect immunofluorescence and complement fixation tests]. The AA. compared the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFI), with dye test and complement fixation test (CFT), used in diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis. CFT sensitivity is slightly inferior to that of dye test and IFI; the later give strictly similar results especially at medium and high titers; IFI is more readily and safety performed and easier to interpret.", "PMID": 800773} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11650", "title": "Suicide in Jewish legal and religious tradition.", "content": "While God's primordial warning that He will require a reckoning for the blood shed by suicide has lost nothing of its admonitory and deterrent purpose, Jewish law, as it developed in the course of time, in actual practice takes cognizance only of two kinds of suicide: One that is permissible, by reason of its motivation, and that may in given situations even be highly laudable; and one that is the outcome or symptom of mental disturbances or otherwise legally excusable. Nor is the law relating to suicide the only instance where Jewish jurisprudence succeeded in neutralizing threats of divine punishment by an embarras de richesse of human justifications.", "contents": "Suicide in Jewish legal and religious tradition. While God's primordial warning that He will require a reckoning for the blood shed by suicide has lost nothing of its admonitory and deterrent purpose, Jewish law, as it developed in the course of time, in actual practice takes cognizance only of two kinds of suicide: One that is permissible, by reason of its motivation, and that may in given situations even be highly laudable; and one that is the outcome or symptom of mental disturbances or otherwise legally excusable. Nor is the law relating to suicide the only instance where Jewish jurisprudence succeeded in neutralizing threats of divine punishment by an embarras de richesse of human justifications.", "PMID": 800846} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11651", "title": "Variation of M protein with sequential transfer of group A streptococci in semisynthetic media.", "content": "The growth and production of M protein by 18 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes of different M types were compared in semisynthetic media having either starch or Tween 80 as binders of oleic acid and either acid-hydrolysed casein or casitone as a source of amino acids. Most strains of M-type 12 showed substantial loss of M protein synthesis within several sequential transfers in the casein hydrolysate-Tween (CH-Tw) medium, but M protein synthesis was brough to its original concentration by a single transfer to semisynthetic medium to which 4% (v/v) horse serum or 50% (v/v) Todd Hewitt broth had been added. Six of eight strains of M-type 22 showed a complete loss of M antigen within one ortwo transfers in the CH-Tw medium. Re-initiation of M protein synthesis required the presence of both Todd Hewitt broth and horse serum. No evidence was found correlating loss of M protein to synthesis of proteinase since proteinase was not formed in the CH-Tw medium. Although the genetic loss of M protein synthesis did occur with one strain, the experimental results emphasized that variation in specific concentration of M protein or cessation of its synthesis resulted primarily from the absence of nutritional factors regulating its synthesis.", "contents": "Variation of M protein with sequential transfer of group A streptococci in semisynthetic media. The growth and production of M protein by 18 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes of different M types were compared in semisynthetic media having either starch or Tween 80 as binders of oleic acid and either acid-hydrolysed casein or casitone as a source of amino acids. Most strains of M-type 12 showed substantial loss of M protein synthesis within several sequential transfers in the casein hydrolysate-Tween (CH-Tw) medium, but M protein synthesis was brough to its original concentration by a single transfer to semisynthetic medium to which 4% (v/v) horse serum or 50% (v/v) Todd Hewitt broth had been added. Six of eight strains of M-type 22 showed a complete loss of M antigen within one ortwo transfers in the CH-Tw medium. Re-initiation of M protein synthesis required the presence of both Todd Hewitt broth and horse serum. No evidence was found correlating loss of M protein to synthesis of proteinase since proteinase was not formed in the CH-Tw medium. Although the genetic loss of M protein synthesis did occur with one strain, the experimental results emphasized that variation in specific concentration of M protein or cessation of its synthesis resulted primarily from the absence of nutritional factors regulating its synthesis.", "PMID": 800847} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11652", "title": "Effect of chemical sympathectomy and pinealectomy upon gonads of voles (Microtus agrestis) exposed to short photoperiod.", "content": "Day length or photoperiod is an important determinant of seasonal breeding or sexual maturation in the vole (Microtus agrestis). Exposure of voles to short (6 h) photoperiods slows gonadal development or causes active gonads to regress. Abolishing pineal activity either by chemical sympathectomy, using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), or by surgical pinealectomy, prevents this inhibiting or regressing effect of shor photo period upon gonads. Thus, the pineal gland appears to play a part in the measurement of day length by voles and in the physiological causation of their seasonal breeding.", "contents": "Effect of chemical sympathectomy and pinealectomy upon gonads of voles (Microtus agrestis) exposed to short photoperiod. Day length or photoperiod is an important determinant of seasonal breeding or sexual maturation in the vole (Microtus agrestis). Exposure of voles to short (6 h) photoperiods slows gonadal development or causes active gonads to regress. Abolishing pineal activity either by chemical sympathectomy, using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), or by surgical pinealectomy, prevents this inhibiting or regressing effect of shor photo period upon gonads. Thus, the pineal gland appears to play a part in the measurement of day length by voles and in the physiological causation of their seasonal breeding.", "PMID": 800852} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11653", "title": "Differential effects of intraventricular luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) and norepinephrine on electrical activity of the arcuate nucleus in the proestrous rat.", "content": "Effects of intraventricular infusions of LH-RH and norepinephrine (NE) on the electrical activity of the arcuate nucleus were investigated in normally cycling proestrous rats. Under urethane anesthesia, recordings were made of amplitude-discriminated multiple unit spike activity and integated multiunit activity (MUA) in parallel with cortical EEG. Control infusions of saline (2 microliter, isotonic, pH 5.5) were ineffectual, but LH-RH (0.5 microgram) induced a significant increase in both multiunit spike activity and integrated MUA. While the response appeared to be continuous, statistical analysis revealed 2 phases: a quick rise which persisted for approximately 5 min, followed 15 min later by a longer-lasting elevation in activity. The onset of the 2nd increase corresponded with the attainment of peak values of pituitary LH output. Subsequent treatment with 20 microgram NE, on the other hand, resulted in a marked depression of activity. The fact that NE depresses arcuate neuronal activity at dose levels which cause the release of LH and that LH-RH increases activity within the same population of neurons, while possibly mediating an 'ultrashort-loop' negative feedback effect, suggest that this responsive component of the arcuate nucleus, perphaps the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic system of neurons, is inhibitory to LH release.", "contents": "Differential effects of intraventricular luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) and norepinephrine on electrical activity of the arcuate nucleus in the proestrous rat. Effects of intraventricular infusions of LH-RH and norepinephrine (NE) on the electrical activity of the arcuate nucleus were investigated in normally cycling proestrous rats. Under urethane anesthesia, recordings were made of amplitude-discriminated multiple unit spike activity and integated multiunit activity (MUA) in parallel with cortical EEG. Control infusions of saline (2 microliter, isotonic, pH 5.5) were ineffectual, but LH-RH (0.5 microgram) induced a significant increase in both multiunit spike activity and integrated MUA. While the response appeared to be continuous, statistical analysis revealed 2 phases: a quick rise which persisted for approximately 5 min, followed 15 min later by a longer-lasting elevation in activity. The onset of the 2nd increase corresponded with the attainment of peak values of pituitary LH output. Subsequent treatment with 20 microgram NE, on the other hand, resulted in a marked depression of activity. The fact that NE depresses arcuate neuronal activity at dose levels which cause the release of LH and that LH-RH increases activity within the same population of neurons, while possibly mediating an 'ultrashort-loop' negative feedback effect, suggest that this responsive component of the arcuate nucleus, perphaps the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic system of neurons, is inhibitory to LH release.", "PMID": 800853} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11654", "title": "The kinetics of biological phase transitions manifested by sigmoid time curves: a review of approaches.", "content": "Experimental biological data showing a time course of sigmoid shape are customarily interpreted in terms of mass-action chemical kinetic theory of reactions in free solution. But the reactive sites in biological systems are often located in solid or structured cellular components through which cooperative interactions may occur, resulting in phase transitions. In inorganic systems, the time course of phase transitions often shows experimental curves of sigmoid shape, and this may be predicted theoretically. Therefore it is suggested that when sigmoid time curves are observed in biological systems containing solid or structured components, mathematical analysis based on cooperative interactions and phase transitions is more likely to be valid than analysis based on mass-action concepts.", "contents": "The kinetics of biological phase transitions manifested by sigmoid time curves: a review of approaches. Experimental biological data showing a time course of sigmoid shape are customarily interpreted in terms of mass-action chemical kinetic theory of reactions in free solution. But the reactive sites in biological systems are often located in solid or structured cellular components through which cooperative interactions may occur, resulting in phase transitions. In inorganic systems, the time course of phase transitions often shows experimental curves of sigmoid shape, and this may be predicted theoretically. Therefore it is suggested that when sigmoid time curves are observed in biological systems containing solid or structured components, mathematical analysis based on cooperative interactions and phase transitions is more likely to be valid than analysis based on mass-action concepts.", "PMID": 800869} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11655", "title": "[Television cytophotometer based on the principle of summation selected on given levels of optical density].", "content": "A method of cytophotometry and the apparatus for its realization are described. The object with heterogenous distribution of the dye stuff is represented as a set of areas with different optical density with following summation of these areas. The apparatus is assembled on the whole of the industrial serial instruments. The identify of measuring results obtained with a two-wave cytophotometer and with the one described here is shown.", "contents": "[Television cytophotometer based on the principle of summation selected on given levels of optical density]. A method of cytophotometry and the apparatus for its realization are described. The object with heterogenous distribution of the dye stuff is represented as a set of areas with different optical density with following summation of these areas. The apparatus is assembled on the whole of the industrial serial instruments. The identify of measuring results obtained with a two-wave cytophotometer and with the one described here is shown.", "PMID": 800904} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11656", "title": "[Thermostating device for oriented inclusion of small biological specimens into melted media].", "content": "A compact attachment for microscope-type instruments is described enabling to introduce, rapidly and qualitatively, minute biological speciments into melted embedding medium and ensuring the safety of optics.", "contents": "[Thermostating device for oriented inclusion of small biological specimens into melted media]. A compact attachment for microscope-type instruments is described enabling to introduce, rapidly and qualitatively, minute biological speciments into melted embedding medium and ensuring the safety of optics.", "PMID": 800905} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11657", "title": "Sickle-cell anemia. Anesthesiological considerations.", "content": "An operation and anesthesia for patients suffering from true sickle-cell anemia, carries a substantially increased risk for these patients. This article describes the implications for the anesthetist and the measures to be taken during the phases the patient is in his care. For a better understanding of the background of these measures of brief discussion of the pathogenesis and clinical course of the disease is presented.", "contents": "Sickle-cell anemia. Anesthesiological considerations. An operation and anesthesia for patients suffering from true sickle-cell anemia, carries a substantially increased risk for these patients. This article describes the implications for the anesthetist and the measures to be taken during the phases the patient is in his care. For a better understanding of the background of these measures of brief discussion of the pathogenesis and clinical course of the disease is presented.", "PMID": 800923} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11658", "title": "Diabetogenic activity of the anterior pituitary (a progress report).", "content": "The exact nature of the diabetogenic activity of the anterior pituitary gland remains a mystery. While growth hormone (GH) fractions clearly can produce a diabetogenic effect, there is increasing evidence that GH itself does not exert this effect. Several new theories that purport to explain the nature of diabetogenic activity are discussed. The current evidence supports the view that the activity is the result of a GH fragment or some other closely related protein such as the one (\"diabetogenic protein\") first described by LOUIS and CONN. A progress report of the research on this new \"diabetogenic protein\" is given.", "contents": "Diabetogenic activity of the anterior pituitary (a progress report). The exact nature of the diabetogenic activity of the anterior pituitary gland remains a mystery. While growth hormone (GH) fractions clearly can produce a diabetogenic effect, there is increasing evidence that GH itself does not exert this effect. Several new theories that purport to explain the nature of diabetogenic activity are discussed. The current evidence supports the view that the activity is the result of a GH fragment or some other closely related protein such as the one (\"diabetogenic protein\") first described by LOUIS and CONN. A progress report of the research on this new \"diabetogenic protein\" is given.", "PMID": 800921} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11659", "title": "The stimulus-secretion coupling of glucose-induced insulin release. XXII. Qualitative and quantitative aspects of glycolysis in isolated islets.", "content": "When isolated islets of Langerhans are suddenly exposed to glucose, the entry of the hexose into islet cells first occurs at a high rate resulting in rapid equilibration of free glucose across the cell membrane; thereafter, the rate of net glucose uptake depends on its metabolism. More than 95% of the glucose taken up by the islets is converted to triosephosphate. The fractional contribution of the sorbitol and pentose-phosphate pathways to such a process does not exceed 10%. The output of lactate from the islets accounts for approximately half of the glycolytic flux. At increasing glucose concentrations up to 4.3 mM, the rate of glycolysis increases towards a first asymptotic value; at higher glucose levels (up to 27.8 mM), a sigmoidal pattern is seen tending towards a second saturation value. The total ATP content of the islets does not correlate with their insulin-secretory activity. It is suggested that, in the process of glucose-induced insulin release, glycolysis may regulate physiological processes possibly located in the micro-environment of the cell boundary.", "contents": "The stimulus-secretion coupling of glucose-induced insulin release. XXII. Qualitative and quantitative aspects of glycolysis in isolated islets. When isolated islets of Langerhans are suddenly exposed to glucose, the entry of the hexose into islet cells first occurs at a high rate resulting in rapid equilibration of free glucose across the cell membrane; thereafter, the rate of net glucose uptake depends on its metabolism. More than 95% of the glucose taken up by the islets is converted to triosephosphate. The fractional contribution of the sorbitol and pentose-phosphate pathways to such a process does not exceed 10%. The output of lactate from the islets accounts for approximately half of the glycolytic flux. At increasing glucose concentrations up to 4.3 mM, the rate of glycolysis increases towards a first asymptotic value; at higher glucose levels (up to 27.8 mM), a sigmoidal pattern is seen tending towards a second saturation value. The total ATP content of the islets does not correlate with their insulin-secretory activity. It is suggested that, in the process of glucose-induced insulin release, glycolysis may regulate physiological processes possibly located in the micro-environment of the cell boundary.", "PMID": 800922} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11660", "title": "[Researches on antibiotic-resistance in \"Shigella sonnei\" and \"flexneri\" and in \"Salmonella typhimurium\" (author's transl)].", "content": "Ampicillin (A), streptomycin (S), aminosidin (K), chloramphenical (C) and tetracycline (T) resistance was investigated in 130 S. typhi murium, 18 Shigella flexneri and 13 Shigella sonnei strains, recovered from enteritis cases in 1970-1973. All Salmonella and 70% Shigella strains (without any appreciable differences between Sh. sonnei and flexneri) were found resistant and most multiresistant. A-S-K-C-T resistance was frequently found: in 48% of the Salmonella and 12% of the Shigella strains. As for resistance transfer by conjugation, it was obtained in more than 90% of the resistant strains. The Authors, after some remarks about transferable resistance factors diffusion, give some advices on antibiogram making technique.", "contents": "[Researches on antibiotic-resistance in \"Shigella sonnei\" and \"flexneri\" and in \"Salmonella typhimurium\" (author's transl)]. Ampicillin (A), streptomycin (S), aminosidin (K), chloramphenical (C) and tetracycline (T) resistance was investigated in 130 S. typhi murium, 18 Shigella flexneri and 13 Shigella sonnei strains, recovered from enteritis cases in 1970-1973. All Salmonella and 70% Shigella strains (without any appreciable differences between Sh. sonnei and flexneri) were found resistant and most multiresistant. A-S-K-C-T resistance was frequently found: in 48% of the Salmonella and 12% of the Shigella strains. As for resistance transfer by conjugation, it was obtained in more than 90% of the resistant strains. The Authors, after some remarks about transferable resistance factors diffusion, give some advices on antibiogram making technique.", "PMID": 800942} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11661", "title": "[Researches on metal-resistance and conjugation-transfer in \"Escherichia coli\" strains (author's transl)].", "content": "The resistance for HgCl2, NaAsO2, Co(NO3)2, NiSO4, ZnSO4, Agtno3, and CdSO4 in 40 strains of Escherichia coli, was investigated. In 16 of 23 Hg-resistant strains, resistance transfer was obtained by means of conjugation with Salmonella typhi. Hg-resistance was present only in antibiotic-resistant strains, but no correlation was possible with any antibiotic-resistance determinants: because Hg-resistance transfer may occur independently, and it is possible to obtain clones spontaneously segregant for the mentioned trait. As for the possible mechanisms of bacterial metal-resistance, several hypothesis were prospected, the most credible one that of a detoxification of the metallic salt.", "contents": "[Researches on metal-resistance and conjugation-transfer in \"Escherichia coli\" strains (author's transl)]. The resistance for HgCl2, NaAsO2, Co(NO3)2, NiSO4, ZnSO4, Agtno3, and CdSO4 in 40 strains of Escherichia coli, was investigated. In 16 of 23 Hg-resistant strains, resistance transfer was obtained by means of conjugation with Salmonella typhi. Hg-resistance was present only in antibiotic-resistant strains, but no correlation was possible with any antibiotic-resistance determinants: because Hg-resistance transfer may occur independently, and it is possible to obtain clones spontaneously segregant for the mentioned trait. As for the possible mechanisms of bacterial metal-resistance, several hypothesis were prospected, the most credible one that of a detoxification of the metallic salt.", "PMID": 800943} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11662", "title": "[Progressive character of embryogenesis in placental animals].", "content": "The article presents evidence of the placental animals being isolated from the rest of higher vertebrates according to many peculiarities of their structure and the embryonic development. The most important of these signs are the following: female genital tracts are disposed to the inside from the urinary tracts (in embryos the M\u00fcller's canals are on the inner side of the wolffian ducts); in placental animals there are no tertiary egg sheaths which are physiologically substituted for the trophoblast; the provisory organs reveal great variability; the allantoid placenta performs not only metabolic but also endocrinous functions. The evolution of peculiarities of the structure and development characteristic of placental animals was performed by a series of successive aromorphous phenomena. Theri mighty adaptive radiation is the result of greater perfectness of placental animals.", "contents": "[Progressive character of embryogenesis in placental animals]. The article presents evidence of the placental animals being isolated from the rest of higher vertebrates according to many peculiarities of their structure and the embryonic development. The most important of these signs are the following: female genital tracts are disposed to the inside from the urinary tracts (in embryos the M\u00fcller's canals are on the inner side of the wolffian ducts); in placental animals there are no tertiary egg sheaths which are physiologically substituted for the trophoblast; the provisory organs reveal great variability; the allantoid placenta performs not only metabolic but also endocrinous functions. The evolution of peculiarities of the structure and development characteristic of placental animals was performed by a series of successive aromorphous phenomena. Theri mighty adaptive radiation is the result of greater perfectness of placental animals.", "PMID": 800949} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11663", "title": "[Haemolysin production in \"Escherichia coli\" strains isolated from urinary tract infection, infantile enteritis and commensal flora (author's transl)].", "content": "A total of 933 strains of Escherichia coli, of which 146 isolated from cystitis cases, 515 from infantile enteritis one and 272 from healthy individuals, have been chicked for haemolytic activity. A good 45.2% of the strains from the urinary tract, but only 7.7% of the enteritogenic and 3.6% of enteric commensal ones were found to be haemolytic. Among the cystitis strains, a high number (30/146 with an incidence of 20.5%) belonged to O6 serogroup. Serotype O4 was also frequently found (9.5%). Among the urinary strains, of which more than half (53.4%) were included in O1 up to O10 serogroups, the haemolytic ones were comprised in O2, O4, O6, O55 and O75 serogroups. Finally, the Authors point out the importance that the haemolytic activity of Escherichia coli may have in the pathogenesis of the renal injury at the light of some late experimental works.", "contents": "[Haemolysin production in \"Escherichia coli\" strains isolated from urinary tract infection, infantile enteritis and commensal flora (author's transl)]. A total of 933 strains of Escherichia coli, of which 146 isolated from cystitis cases, 515 from infantile enteritis one and 272 from healthy individuals, have been chicked for haemolytic activity. A good 45.2% of the strains from the urinary tract, but only 7.7% of the enteritogenic and 3.6% of enteric commensal ones were found to be haemolytic. Among the cystitis strains, a high number (30/146 with an incidence of 20.5%) belonged to O6 serogroup. Serotype O4 was also frequently found (9.5%). Among the urinary strains, of which more than half (53.4%) were included in O1 up to O10 serogroups, the haemolytic ones were comprised in O2, O4, O6, O55 and O75 serogroups. Finally, the Authors point out the importance that the haemolytic activity of Escherichia coli may have in the pathogenesis of the renal injury at the light of some late experimental works.", "PMID": 800944} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11664", "title": "[The \"Escherichia coli\" responsable of gastroenteric symptoms (author's transl)].", "content": "From 450 aerobic cultures of children stools specimens 212 Escherichia coli strains have been isolated: 122 serotypes were enteropathogens (of these 65 were pure cultures): it can not be concluded that only these strains are responsable of gastroenteric symptoms.", "contents": "[The \"Escherichia coli\" responsable of gastroenteric symptoms (author's transl)]. From 450 aerobic cultures of children stools specimens 212 Escherichia coli strains have been isolated: 122 serotypes were enteropathogens (of these 65 were pure cultures): it can not be concluded that only these strains are responsable of gastroenteric symptoms.", "PMID": 800945} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11665", "title": "[Evolutionary transformations of the esophageal lining in vertebrates and man in light of the theory of phylembryogenesis].", "content": "The comparative histological study of processes of embryonic histogenesis of the oesophagus epithelium in certain representatives of vertebrate animals (fishes, amphibia, reptiles, birds, mammals) and man was carried out in the light of the academician A. N. Severtsov's theory of phylembryogenesis. It has been shown that phylogenetic changes of the oesophagus lining of vertebrates related with its evolutionary transformations are regularly reflected in the stages or steps of the oesophagus epithelium histogenesis in ontogenesis of each systematic unit of the subtype. The first step is the phylembryogenesis of the oesophagus lining in all vertebrates is the monolayer epithelium of the endodermal origin; the secone step is the striated muco-ciliated (in low vertebrates and most reptiles) and pseudostratified (embryos of higher vertebrates) epithelium; the third step is the pseudostratified mucous epithelium (bony fishes) and stratified lining (prefetuses of higher vertebrates). The forth step is the stratified mucous (steppe turtle) and stratified muco-ciliated epithelium (fetuses of birds, many mammals and man). The fifth step--stratified squamous epithelium (birds, mammals, man). The academician A. N. Severtsov's theory of phylembryogenesis clearly points to the origins (the entoderm), routs and mechanisms of the transformation of the oesophagus lining in its evolutionary development.", "contents": "[Evolutionary transformations of the esophageal lining in vertebrates and man in light of the theory of phylembryogenesis]. The comparative histological study of processes of embryonic histogenesis of the oesophagus epithelium in certain representatives of vertebrate animals (fishes, amphibia, reptiles, birds, mammals) and man was carried out in the light of the academician A. N. Severtsov's theory of phylembryogenesis. It has been shown that phylogenetic changes of the oesophagus lining of vertebrates related with its evolutionary transformations are regularly reflected in the stages or steps of the oesophagus epithelium histogenesis in ontogenesis of each systematic unit of the subtype. The first step is the phylembryogenesis of the oesophagus lining in all vertebrates is the monolayer epithelium of the endodermal origin; the secone step is the striated muco-ciliated (in low vertebrates and most reptiles) and pseudostratified (embryos of higher vertebrates) epithelium; the third step is the pseudostratified mucous epithelium (bony fishes) and stratified lining (prefetuses of higher vertebrates). The forth step is the stratified mucous (steppe turtle) and stratified muco-ciliated epithelium (fetuses of birds, many mammals and man). The fifth step--stratified squamous epithelium (birds, mammals, man). The academician A. N. Severtsov's theory of phylembryogenesis clearly points to the origins (the entoderm), routs and mechanisms of the transformation of the oesophagus lining in its evolutionary development.", "PMID": 800951} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11666", "title": "[The coagulase test: considerations. II note (author's transl)].", "content": "The Authors carried out a research on 22 strains of Staphylococcus, isolated from pathological specimens, studying the free coagulase and the clumping factor with human, pig and rabbit plasma and two types of anticoagulant, citrate and heparine. The results are discussed test by test and in relation one to another.", "contents": "[The coagulase test: considerations. II note (author's transl)]. The Authors carried out a research on 22 strains of Staphylococcus, isolated from pathological specimens, studying the free coagulase and the clumping factor with human, pig and rabbit plasma and two types of anticoagulant, citrate and heparine. The results are discussed test by test and in relation one to another.", "PMID": 800946} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11667", "title": "[Histogenesis of the thymus gland normally and under a change in the level of sympathetic mediation].", "content": "Under study was the dynamics of the ultrastructure of the reticular epithelium and lymphocytes of the thymus in postnatal ontogenesis of Balb/c mice. Special attention was given to secretory granules, vacuoles, folliculoid structures, intercellular contacts and cytoplasmic communications (bridges). In parallel the developmental dynamics of the capillary ultrastructure and the state of the adrenergic innervation apparatus were studied. The morphological data are compared with the functional dynamics of the thymus. The postnatal dynamics of means of the transmission of immunological information in the thymus was found. No adrenergic innervation was shown to be present in the thymus of newborns. The role of this mediation as a factor of thymus morphogenesis was confirmed.", "contents": "[Histogenesis of the thymus gland normally and under a change in the level of sympathetic mediation]. Under study was the dynamics of the ultrastructure of the reticular epithelium and lymphocytes of the thymus in postnatal ontogenesis of Balb/c mice. Special attention was given to secretory granules, vacuoles, folliculoid structures, intercellular contacts and cytoplasmic communications (bridges). In parallel the developmental dynamics of the capillary ultrastructure and the state of the adrenergic innervation apparatus were studied. The morphological data are compared with the functional dynamics of the thymus. The postnatal dynamics of means of the transmission of immunological information in the thymus was found. No adrenergic innervation was shown to be present in the thymus of newborns. The role of this mediation as a factor of thymus morphogenesis was confirmed.", "PMID": 800952} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11668", "title": "[Role of the endocrine function of the islands of Langerhans in the mechanism of development of hypothalamic obesity].", "content": "Administration of alloxan to rats which developed hypothalamic adiposity damaged the pancreatic beta-cells and reduced the insulin secretion, thus arresting further weight gain despite some excess in food ingestion. A conclusion was drawn that in injury of the ventro-medial nuclei of the hypothalamus the most significant mechanism of obesity development was insulin hypersecretion induced by this action.", "contents": "[Role of the endocrine function of the islands of Langerhans in the mechanism of development of hypothalamic obesity]. Administration of alloxan to rats which developed hypothalamic adiposity damaged the pancreatic beta-cells and reduced the insulin secretion, thus arresting further weight gain despite some excess in food ingestion. A conclusion was drawn that in injury of the ventro-medial nuclei of the hypothalamus the most significant mechanism of obesity development was insulin hypersecretion induced by this action.", "PMID": 800955} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11669", "title": "[Localization of specific antigen in the organs of animals inoculated with live measles vaccine].", "content": "There was a short-lived localization of the antigen of the attenuated measles virus in the neurons and the vessels of the brain in the newborn mice and hamsters inoculated subcutaneously with live measles vaccine. In adult animals the virus specific antigen was revealed in the lymphoid system only. As to the brain tissue of the inoculated animals, the symptoms of serous meningitis and vascular disturbances were observed for a brief period of time. The vaccinal measles virus was not isolated from the brain tissue with the aid of the biotest on tissue culture.", "contents": "[Localization of specific antigen in the organs of animals inoculated with live measles vaccine]. There was a short-lived localization of the antigen of the attenuated measles virus in the neurons and the vessels of the brain in the newborn mice and hamsters inoculated subcutaneously with live measles vaccine. In adult animals the virus specific antigen was revealed in the lymphoid system only. As to the brain tissue of the inoculated animals, the symptoms of serous meningitis and vascular disturbances were observed for a brief period of time. The vaccinal measles virus was not isolated from the brain tissue with the aid of the biotest on tissue culture.", "PMID": 800956} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11670", "title": "[Isolation of the thermolabile E. coli enterotoxin and the study of its biological properties].", "content": "Enterotoxin was obtained from the culture of E. coli O15 by salt precipitation and gel-chromatography. The toxic activity of the preparation increased during the isolation and purification: 60-fold according to the results of the method of ligated rabbit intestinal segment and 66-100-fold according to the skin test. The \"plateau\" and the second fraction obtained as a result of gel-chromatography were inactive according to the results of the method of ligated intestinal segment, but possessed PF-activity in the skin test. Two suppositions are put forward: 1) possibly the factor of vascular permeability and the diarrheal factor were two different substances ((molecules), or 2) the skin test was more sensitive for determination of the toxicity than the method of the ligated segment of rabbit intestine.", "contents": "[Isolation of the thermolabile E. coli enterotoxin and the study of its biological properties]. Enterotoxin was obtained from the culture of E. coli O15 by salt precipitation and gel-chromatography. The toxic activity of the preparation increased during the isolation and purification: 60-fold according to the results of the method of ligated rabbit intestinal segment and 66-100-fold according to the skin test. The \"plateau\" and the second fraction obtained as a result of gel-chromatography were inactive according to the results of the method of ligated intestinal segment, but possessed PF-activity in the skin test. Two suppositions are put forward: 1) possibly the factor of vascular permeability and the diarrheal factor were two different substances ((molecules), or 2) the skin test was more sensitive for determination of the toxicity than the method of the ligated segment of rabbit intestine.", "PMID": 800957} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11671", "title": "[Origin of stromal mechanocytes in the bone marrow cell cultures].", "content": "The method of indirect immunofluorescence with the use of the isolinear antiserum was applied to the study of the linear reference of fibroblasts growing in the monolayer bone marrow cultures from the semisyngenous heterotropic transplants and radiochimerae. As shown, fibroblasts from the bone marrow of complete radiochimerae were of the recipient origin, whereas the histiocytes-macrophages (in the same cultures) - of donor origin. All the fibroblasts in the bone marrow cultures of the heterotropic transplant belonged to the initial donor, whereas 80% of the histiocytes were recipent's. This is a direct proof of the fact that stromal mechanocytes and hemopoietic cells, and also macrophages belonged to different cell lins.", "contents": "[Origin of stromal mechanocytes in the bone marrow cell cultures]. The method of indirect immunofluorescence with the use of the isolinear antiserum was applied to the study of the linear reference of fibroblasts growing in the monolayer bone marrow cultures from the semisyngenous heterotropic transplants and radiochimerae. As shown, fibroblasts from the bone marrow of complete radiochimerae were of the recipient origin, whereas the histiocytes-macrophages (in the same cultures) - of donor origin. All the fibroblasts in the bone marrow cultures of the heterotropic transplant belonged to the initial donor, whereas 80% of the histiocytes were recipent's. This is a direct proof of the fact that stromal mechanocytes and hemopoietic cells, and also macrophages belonged to different cell lins.", "PMID": 800958} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11672", "title": "[Upward extension of esophago-gastric resection in carcinoma of the cardia: our current trend in the light of experience in 52 cases].", "content": "A first lot of patients (18 cases) operated for carcinoma of the cardias, with oesophageal resection performed at a distance of 4-5 cm. from the neoplasia, evidenced high mortality (7 cases) within the first twelve months. In a second lot of patients (17 cases), a study of the oesophageal section was made and showed invasion in 7 cases; this led to the level of the oesophageal resection being extended to a distance of 8-10 cm. from the tumour; in 17 cases thus operated (third lot) only one case of invaded oesophageal section was found. Systematic extension of the oeophageal resection, in cases of cancers of the cardias, to the level of the inferior pulmonary vein is therefore proposed in order to obtain a radical surgical result.", "contents": "[Upward extension of esophago-gastric resection in carcinoma of the cardia: our current trend in the light of experience in 52 cases]. A first lot of patients (18 cases) operated for carcinoma of the cardias, with oesophageal resection performed at a distance of 4-5 cm. from the neoplasia, evidenced high mortality (7 cases) within the first twelve months. In a second lot of patients (17 cases), a study of the oesophageal section was made and showed invasion in 7 cases; this led to the level of the oesophageal resection being extended to a distance of 8-10 cm. from the tumour; in 17 cases thus operated (third lot) only one case of invaded oesophageal section was found. Systematic extension of the oeophageal resection, in cases of cancers of the cardias, to the level of the inferior pulmonary vein is therefore proposed in order to obtain a radical surgical result.", "PMID": 800959} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11673", "title": "[Congenital stenosis of the esophagus (personal case and review)].", "content": "Starting from personal observation of a case of congenital stenosis of the oesophagus, the Authors proceed to a review of the scanty literature on the subject. After a discussion of the most outstanding aspects of differential diagnosis, the frequent necessity of histological verification, especially in adolescence and adult age, in order to obtain a correct understanding of the nature of the case, is stressed. On the basis of an essentially favourable prognosis, the Authors maintain that, where medical and dilating treatment is insufficient, surgery is indicated and evidence the straight-forward nature of the process of exeresis in stenosis of valvular type.", "contents": "[Congenital stenosis of the esophagus (personal case and review)]. Starting from personal observation of a case of congenital stenosis of the oesophagus, the Authors proceed to a review of the scanty literature on the subject. After a discussion of the most outstanding aspects of differential diagnosis, the frequent necessity of histological verification, especially in adolescence and adult age, in order to obtain a correct understanding of the nature of the case, is stressed. On the basis of an essentially favourable prognosis, the Authors maintain that, where medical and dilating treatment is insufficient, surgery is indicated and evidence the straight-forward nature of the process of exeresis in stenosis of valvular type.", "PMID": 800960} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11674", "title": "[Closure of wounds with the Redon, Jost and Troques method].", "content": "Since presentation of this method to the Paris Academy of Surgery in March 1954, its use has spread thanks to improvements it has brought to the care of operated patients and through its simplicity of use. Its certain advantages are as follows: Rapid cicatrisation and reduction of hospitalisation time; Better quality of scars: Favourable effects on operated patients as a result of cleanness of wounds and reduction in treatments; Marked saving of dressings; Inexpensive and reusable equipment.", "contents": "[Closure of wounds with the Redon, Jost and Troques method]. Since presentation of this method to the Paris Academy of Surgery in March 1954, its use has spread thanks to improvements it has brought to the care of operated patients and through its simplicity of use. Its certain advantages are as follows: Rapid cicatrisation and reduction of hospitalisation time; Better quality of scars: Favourable effects on operated patients as a result of cleanness of wounds and reduction in treatments; Marked saving of dressings; Inexpensive and reusable equipment.", "PMID": 800961} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11675", "title": "[\"Detection\" criteria in the early diagnosis of osseous tumors].", "content": "From the sum of the indications already given by the case history with regard to age and mode of starting and evolution, as well as from the objective examination with regard to site and the radiological examination as regards the x-ray aspect and the particular figurative manifestations, it is already possible to form some idea at least concerning the presence or otherwise of the bone tumour and its benign or malignant character, or in some cases even the type of tumour. Logically the diagnosis must generally by made on the basis of the mentioned laboratory examinations, hospital observation, biopsy and histological examination, naturally taking into consideration the various factors for and against, to which reference has already been made. In any case, since this is not the place for a study of the individual bone tumours or for differential diagnosis of the various bone tissues, it would seem that, for the purpose of being able to recognise or even only suspect the presence of a bone tumour in good time for it to be sent to hospital for effective treatment, the mentioned alarm and recognition criteria should be borne in mind as soon as any doubt is felt by the general practitioner; and such doubt should arise fairly easily, since it is always better to be over-suspicious than under-suspicious.", "contents": "[\"Detection\" criteria in the early diagnosis of osseous tumors]. From the sum of the indications already given by the case history with regard to age and mode of starting and evolution, as well as from the objective examination with regard to site and the radiological examination as regards the x-ray aspect and the particular figurative manifestations, it is already possible to form some idea at least concerning the presence or otherwise of the bone tumour and its benign or malignant character, or in some cases even the type of tumour. Logically the diagnosis must generally by made on the basis of the mentioned laboratory examinations, hospital observation, biopsy and histological examination, naturally taking into consideration the various factors for and against, to which reference has already been made. In any case, since this is not the place for a study of the individual bone tumours or for differential diagnosis of the various bone tissues, it would seem that, for the purpose of being able to recognise or even only suspect the presence of a bone tumour in good time for it to be sent to hospital for effective treatment, the mentioned alarm and recognition criteria should be borne in mind as soon as any doubt is felt by the general practitioner; and such doubt should arise fairly easily, since it is always better to be over-suspicious than under-suspicious.", "PMID": 800962} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11676", "title": "Estimation of incidence and recovery rates of Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia from longitudinal data.", "content": "A method is described of estimating the malaria incidence rate \u0125 and the recovery rate r from longitudinal data. The method is based on the assumption that the phenomenon of patent parasitaemia can be represented by a reversible two-state catalytic model; it is applicable to all problems that can be represented by such a model.The method was applied to data on falciparum malaria from the West African savanna and the findings suggested that immunity increases the rate of recovery from patent parasitaemia by a factor of up to 10, and also reduces the number of episodes of patent parasitaemia resulting from one inoculation. Under the effect of propoxur, \u0125 varies with the estimated man-biting rate of the vector while r increases, possibly owing to reduced super-infection.", "contents": "Estimation of incidence and recovery rates of Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia from longitudinal data. A method is described of estimating the malaria incidence rate \u0125 and the recovery rate r from longitudinal data. The method is based on the assumption that the phenomenon of patent parasitaemia can be represented by a reversible two-state catalytic model; it is applicable to all problems that can be represented by such a model.The method was applied to data on falciparum malaria from the West African savanna and the findings suggested that immunity increases the rate of recovery from patent parasitaemia by a factor of up to 10, and also reduces the number of episodes of patent parasitaemia resulting from one inoculation. Under the effect of propoxur, \u0125 varies with the estimated man-biting rate of the vector while r increases, possibly owing to reduced super-infection.", "PMID": 800968} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11677", "title": "A patient with so-called primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the brain with 6.5 years' survival, treated as 'meningeal leukaemia'.", "content": "This paper describes the case history of a 43 year-old patient with so-called primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the brain. The CSF contained cells suggestive of leukaemia which in view of an assumed myelofibrosis, initially seemed also possible to originate from a haematopoietic focus. The patient complained of intermittent violent headaches, which were controlled by spinal taps to release highly cellularised CSF under high pressure and by intrathecal MTX injection, every 4-6 weeks over a period of 4.5 years. In the terminal stage the patient developed paraplegia which, partly on the basis of neuropathological findings, was ascribed to the large accumulated dose of MTX. The tumour proved to be localised in the fornix; the localisation adjacent to the ventricular system made the intermittent cell eruptions in the CSF possible. On the basis of an erroneous diagnostic assumption, a therapy was instituted which resulted in a survival of 6.5 years, which is exceptionally long for a patient with 'primary reticulum cell sarcoma' of the brain.", "contents": "A patient with so-called primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the brain with 6.5 years' survival, treated as 'meningeal leukaemia'. This paper describes the case history of a 43 year-old patient with so-called primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the brain. The CSF contained cells suggestive of leukaemia which in view of an assumed myelofibrosis, initially seemed also possible to originate from a haematopoietic focus. The patient complained of intermittent violent headaches, which were controlled by spinal taps to release highly cellularised CSF under high pressure and by intrathecal MTX injection, every 4-6 weeks over a period of 4.5 years. In the terminal stage the patient developed paraplegia which, partly on the basis of neuropathological findings, was ascribed to the large accumulated dose of MTX. The tumour proved to be localised in the fornix; the localisation adjacent to the ventricular system made the intermittent cell eruptions in the CSF possible. On the basis of an erroneous diagnostic assumption, a therapy was instituted which resulted in a survival of 6.5 years, which is exceptionally long for a patient with 'primary reticulum cell sarcoma' of the brain.", "PMID": 800969} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11678", "title": "The diuretic effect of muzolimine (Bay g 2821) on hepatogenic ascites.", "content": "A double-blind study was carried out in 22 patients with hepatogenic ascites to examine the effectiveness of the combination of muzolimine and spironolactone in comparison with combinations of furosemide and spironolactone and placebo and spironolactone. Despite the heterogeneous and variable case material, there was no significant difference between the 3 patient groups prior to treatment. After a diuretic-free preliminary period, all patients received 300 mg spironolactone daily plus 80 mg muzolimine, 80 mg furosemide or placebo for 7 days. Before the start of treatment and at daily intervals, measurements were made of waist size, body weight, and urinary and electrolyte elimination. Blood chemistry was investigated before treatment and on Days 4 and 7. Analysis of the results showed that the combination of muzolimine and spironolactone produced a statistiscally significant stronger saluretic effects than the other two combinations. This can be explained by the different sites of action of muzolimine and spironolactone, resulting in an additive effect. Neither subjective nor objective side-effects were observed during the 7-day treatment period.", "contents": "The diuretic effect of muzolimine (Bay g 2821) on hepatogenic ascites. A double-blind study was carried out in 22 patients with hepatogenic ascites to examine the effectiveness of the combination of muzolimine and spironolactone in comparison with combinations of furosemide and spironolactone and placebo and spironolactone. Despite the heterogeneous and variable case material, there was no significant difference between the 3 patient groups prior to treatment. After a diuretic-free preliminary period, all patients received 300 mg spironolactone daily plus 80 mg muzolimine, 80 mg furosemide or placebo for 7 days. Before the start of treatment and at daily intervals, measurements were made of waist size, body weight, and urinary and electrolyte elimination. Blood chemistry was investigated before treatment and on Days 4 and 7. Analysis of the results showed that the combination of muzolimine and spironolactone produced a statistiscally significant stronger saluretic effects than the other two combinations. This can be explained by the different sites of action of muzolimine and spironolactone, resulting in an additive effect. Neither subjective nor objective side-effects were observed during the 7-day treatment period.", "PMID": 800972} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11679", "title": "Perhexiline maleate in the treatment of angina pectoris in patients awaiting coronary artery bypass surgery.", "content": "Twenty-five patients with angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease who had not responded to other medical therapy and on the waiting list for coronary bypass surgery were treated over a period of 4 weeks with perhexiline maleate (100 mg to 400 mg/day) in addition to their other therapy. There was an 80% reduction in the average number of both anginal attacks and nitroglycerin requirement when the pre-treatment week and the 4th week of perhexiline maleate therapy were compared (p less than 0.0001). Six of the patients had no anginal attacks at all and did not require sublingual nitro glycerin tablets during the 4th week of perhexiline maleate therapy.", "contents": "Perhexiline maleate in the treatment of angina pectoris in patients awaiting coronary artery bypass surgery. Twenty-five patients with angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease who had not responded to other medical therapy and on the waiting list for coronary bypass surgery were treated over a period of 4 weeks with perhexiline maleate (100 mg to 400 mg/day) in addition to their other therapy. There was an 80% reduction in the average number of both anginal attacks and nitroglycerin requirement when the pre-treatment week and the 4th week of perhexiline maleate therapy were compared (p less than 0.0001). Six of the patients had no anginal attacks at all and did not require sublingual nitro glycerin tablets during the 4th week of perhexiline maleate therapy.", "PMID": 800973} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11680", "title": "Comparison of 0.25% desoxymethasone ointment with 0.05% fluocinonide ointment in psoriasis.", "content": "A double-blind comparative trial was carried out in 56 patients with psoriasis to assess the effectiveness of 0.25% desoxymethasone and 0.05% fluocinonide ointments. All patients showed marked improvement in their condition with twice daily application of the ointments during the 2-week period of the trial. Erythema, scaling and induration on the desoxymethasone-treated side showed a significantly better improvement than on the fluocinonide-treated side.", "contents": "Comparison of 0.25% desoxymethasone ointment with 0.05% fluocinonide ointment in psoriasis. A double-blind comparative trial was carried out in 56 patients with psoriasis to assess the effectiveness of 0.25% desoxymethasone and 0.05% fluocinonide ointments. All patients showed marked improvement in their condition with twice daily application of the ointments during the 2-week period of the trial. Erythema, scaling and induration on the desoxymethasone-treated side showed a significantly better improvement than on the fluocinonide-treated side.", "PMID": 800971} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11681", "title": "A double-blind crossover comparison of tolmetin sodium and phenylbutazone in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A double-blind crossover study was carried out in 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis to investigate the relative efficacy of tolmetin (1600 mg/day) and phenylbutazone (400 mg/day). Each drug was given for 4 weeks, preceded by a 2-week wash-out period during which patients received paracetamol alone for pain relief. Assessments were made of duration of morning stiffiness, grip strength, articular index, joint size, and degree of pain. Both drugs produced significant improvements compared to paracetamol, particularly in pain relief and, apart from morning stiffness, tolmetin proved equally effective as phenylbutazone. Three patients (2 on tolmetin and 1 on phenylbutazone) were withdrawn because of side-effects. In general, however, both drugs gave rise to only minor side-effects.", "contents": "A double-blind crossover comparison of tolmetin sodium and phenylbutazone in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind crossover study was carried out in 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis to investigate the relative efficacy of tolmetin (1600 mg/day) and phenylbutazone (400 mg/day). Each drug was given for 4 weeks, preceded by a 2-week wash-out period during which patients received paracetamol alone for pain relief. Assessments were made of duration of morning stiffiness, grip strength, articular index, joint size, and degree of pain. Both drugs produced significant improvements compared to paracetamol, particularly in pain relief and, apart from morning stiffness, tolmetin proved equally effective as phenylbutazone. Three patients (2 on tolmetin and 1 on phenylbutazone) were withdrawn because of side-effects. In general, however, both drugs gave rise to only minor side-effects.", "PMID": 800970} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11682", "title": "Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function in Parkinsonian patients treated with melatonin.", "content": "The pineal principle, melatonin, was administered to 4 Parkinsonian patients. Hypothalam0-pituitary-adrenal function tests were performed before and after 4 weeks of treatment. At a maximum dosage of 1 g daily no impairment of H-P-A function was detected.", "contents": "Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function in Parkinsonian patients treated with melatonin. The pineal principle, melatonin, was administered to 4 Parkinsonian patients. Hypothalam0-pituitary-adrenal function tests were performed before and after 4 weeks of treatment. At a maximum dosage of 1 g daily no impairment of H-P-A function was detected.", "PMID": 800974} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11683", "title": "The specificity of five DNAases as studied by the analysis of 5'-terminal doublets.", "content": "The 5'-terminal dinucleotides released by five deoxyribonucleases (spleen acid DNase, snail acid DNase, pancreatic DNase, Escherichia coli endonuclease I and crab DNase) have been determined on E. coli DNA (51% dG & dC) digests having different average sizes (Pn) in the range 50 to 10. It has been shown that the composition of the 5'-terminal dinucleotide (a) is independent upon the degradation level, at least in the range explored; (b) is strongly different from the composition of E. coli DNA doublets, these differences being characteristic for each enzyme; (c) is very significantly different from the statistical composition of 5'-terminal dinucleotides, as calculated from the composition of 5'-terminal and penultimate nucleotides. A calculation of the statistical composition of the trinucleotides split by each enzyme, using the 3'-terminal nucleotide data in conjunction with the 5'-terminal dinucleotide results provided a qualitative \"specificity spectrum\" for each enzyme.", "contents": "The specificity of five DNAases as studied by the analysis of 5'-terminal doublets. The 5'-terminal dinucleotides released by five deoxyribonucleases (spleen acid DNase, snail acid DNase, pancreatic DNase, Escherichia coli endonuclease I and crab DNase) have been determined on E. coli DNA (51% dG & dC) digests having different average sizes (Pn) in the range 50 to 10. It has been shown that the composition of the 5'-terminal dinucleotide (a) is independent upon the degradation level, at least in the range explored; (b) is strongly different from the composition of E. coli DNA doublets, these differences being characteristic for each enzyme; (c) is very significantly different from the statistical composition of 5'-terminal dinucleotides, as calculated from the composition of 5'-terminal and penultimate nucleotides. A calculation of the statistical composition of the trinucleotides split by each enzyme, using the 3'-terminal nucleotide data in conjunction with the 5'-terminal dinucleotide results provided a qualitative \"specificity spectrum\" for each enzyme.", "PMID": 800985} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11684", "title": "RNA-protein interactions in the ribosome. Binding of 50-S-subunit proteins to 5' and 3' terminal segments of the 23-S RNA.", "content": "Limited digestion of the Escherichia coli 50-S subunit permits the isolation of two large fragments of the 23-S RNA. One arises from the 5' end of the 23-S RNA and contains about 1200 nucleotides. The other arises from the 3' end of the 23-S RNA and contains about 2000 nucleotides. Each of the ten 50-S proteins known to bind specifically and independently to the 23-S RNA were tested for their ability to interact with these two RNA fragments. It was determined that the 5' terminal segment contains the specific binding sites for proteins L4, L20 and L24, whereas the 3' terminal segment contains the specific binding sites for proteins L1, L2, L3, L6, L13, L13 and L23.", "contents": "RNA-protein interactions in the ribosome. Binding of 50-S-subunit proteins to 5' and 3' terminal segments of the 23-S RNA. Limited digestion of the Escherichia coli 50-S subunit permits the isolation of two large fragments of the 23-S RNA. One arises from the 5' end of the 23-S RNA and contains about 1200 nucleotides. The other arises from the 3' end of the 23-S RNA and contains about 2000 nucleotides. Each of the ten 50-S proteins known to bind specifically and independently to the 23-S RNA were tested for their ability to interact with these two RNA fragments. It was determined that the 5' terminal segment contains the specific binding sites for proteins L4, L20 and L24, whereas the 3' terminal segment contains the specific binding sites for proteins L1, L2, L3, L6, L13, L13 and L23.", "PMID": 800986} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11685", "title": "Transcriptional units for ribosomal proteins of Escherichia coli.", "content": "Transcriptional units for ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli were measured using the ultraviolet sensitivities of the rates of synthesis of individual ribosomal proteins. The ultraviolet sensitivities of gene transcriptions are proportional to the distances from the promoters. The longest transcriptional units for ribosomal proteins are 3.6 x 10(6) of DNA molecular weight corresponding to 1.8 x 10(6) of RNA or to 180 000 of protein. The length would cover 10--12 genes of ribosomal proteins (of an average Mr of 15000-18000).", "contents": "Transcriptional units for ribosomal proteins of Escherichia coli. Transcriptional units for ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli were measured using the ultraviolet sensitivities of the rates of synthesis of individual ribosomal proteins. The ultraviolet sensitivities of gene transcriptions are proportional to the distances from the promoters. The longest transcriptional units for ribosomal proteins are 3.6 x 10(6) of DNA molecular weight corresponding to 1.8 x 10(6) of RNA or to 180 000 of protein. The length would cover 10--12 genes of ribosomal proteins (of an average Mr of 15000-18000).", "PMID": 800987} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11686", "title": "Incontinence of urine of sphincteric origin in the female child.", "content": "Urine incontinence of sphincteric origin in the little girl can have several origins: epispadias, hypospadias, bilateral single ectopic ureters, isolated sphincteric agenesis, iatrogenic lesion of the sphincter, complications of ureterocele. Creation of a new urethra alone, whatever the technique used, seldom restores continence. In addition, the proximal urethra is supported by means of an aponeurotic flap, the results improve considerably: in this series, 6 good results out of 7. In surgical correction of epispadias in girls, the author recommends combining the technique described by Islam and supporting the bladder neck by the Goebbel Stoeckel's technique.", "contents": "Incontinence of urine of sphincteric origin in the female child. Urine incontinence of sphincteric origin in the little girl can have several origins: epispadias, hypospadias, bilateral single ectopic ureters, isolated sphincteric agenesis, iatrogenic lesion of the sphincter, complications of ureterocele. Creation of a new urethra alone, whatever the technique used, seldom restores continence. In addition, the proximal urethra is supported by means of an aponeurotic flap, the results improve considerably: in this series, 6 good results out of 7. In surgical correction of epispadias in girls, the author recommends combining the technique described by Islam and supporting the bladder neck by the Goebbel Stoeckel's technique.", "PMID": 800988} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11687", "title": "A new method for detection and localization of urinary infection: the fluorescence antibody test.", "content": "The urinary sediment of 56 patients with active urinary infection were studied through a direct immunofluorescence technique in order to detect the presence of antibody-coated bacteria (ACB). In 35-36 pyelonephritis cases the results were positive. However, in 11 cases with lower urinary infection there was no sign of ACB. A pathological intravenous pyelogram (IVP) was obtained from 33 pyelonephritic cases. In 32 cases the fluorescent antibody (FA) test was positive, in one it was negative. In the remaining 3 pyelonephritic cases the IVP was normal and the FA test positive. In these 3 cases cystograph revealed presence of urethral-vesical backflow. A good statistical correlation was obtained by comparing the positive results of the test with the titer of sericeous antibody against the bacteria causing the infection. We have introduced some variations to the original method which permits simpler administration of this test to ambulatory patients and increases the diagnostic possibility of those cases of bacteriuria less than 100,000 bacteria/ml.", "contents": "A new method for detection and localization of urinary infection: the fluorescence antibody test. The urinary sediment of 56 patients with active urinary infection were studied through a direct immunofluorescence technique in order to detect the presence of antibody-coated bacteria (ACB). In 35-36 pyelonephritis cases the results were positive. However, in 11 cases with lower urinary infection there was no sign of ACB. A pathological intravenous pyelogram (IVP) was obtained from 33 pyelonephritic cases. In 32 cases the fluorescent antibody (FA) test was positive, in one it was negative. In the remaining 3 pyelonephritic cases the IVP was normal and the FA test positive. In these 3 cases cystograph revealed presence of urethral-vesical backflow. A good statistical correlation was obtained by comparing the positive results of the test with the titer of sericeous antibody against the bacteria causing the infection. We have introduced some variations to the original method which permits simpler administration of this test to ambulatory patients and increases the diagnostic possibility of those cases of bacteriuria less than 100,000 bacteria/ml.", "PMID": 800990} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11688", "title": "[Fluorocarbons in question].", "content": "In this study, two fluorocarbons (FC): difluorodichloromethane (FC 12) and monofluorodichlormethane (FC 11) are mainly concerned. These products are extensively used and we attempt to demonstrate their absence of acute, subacute and chronic toxicity as well as teratogenic action. After inhalation, the FC rapidly diffuse into the blood, cerebrospinal fluid and all the \"milieu interieur\" where a balanced condition is quickly established. Only a few reactions, all reversible, concerning respiration circulation, nervous system and metabolisms are observed when the concentrations in the air is greater than 20% for FC 12 and greater 5% for FC 11. The eliminations of these gase from the body is completed 20-50 mn after fresh air is reinhaled. The problem of the \"sudden sniffing Death\" is finally taken into consideration. They probably are due to the stopping of the heart by ventricular fibrillation, a consequence of a direct and proper action of the FC on the heart or a sensibilisation of the heart to adrenaline. However this sensibilisation necessitates the presence of more than 40 microgram of FC per ml of blood, concentration never obtained in the most intensive use of aerosols.", "contents": "[Fluorocarbons in question]. In this study, two fluorocarbons (FC): difluorodichloromethane (FC 12) and monofluorodichlormethane (FC 11) are mainly concerned. These products are extensively used and we attempt to demonstrate their absence of acute, subacute and chronic toxicity as well as teratogenic action. After inhalation, the FC rapidly diffuse into the blood, cerebrospinal fluid and all the \"milieu interieur\" where a balanced condition is quickly established. Only a few reactions, all reversible, concerning respiration circulation, nervous system and metabolisms are observed when the concentrations in the air is greater than 20% for FC 12 and greater 5% for FC 11. The eliminations of these gase from the body is completed 20-50 mn after fresh air is reinhaled. The problem of the \"sudden sniffing Death\" is finally taken into consideration. They probably are due to the stopping of the heart by ventricular fibrillation, a consequence of a direct and proper action of the FC on the heart or a sensibilisation of the heart to adrenaline. However this sensibilisation necessitates the presence of more than 40 microgram of FC per ml of blood, concentration never obtained in the most intensive use of aerosols.", "PMID": 800991} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11689", "title": "[Analysis of volatile N-nitrosamines. A brief review].", "content": "The different steps of analysis of volatile N-Nitrosamines: separation from product, clean up, detection, quantification and confirmation are reviewed and discussed. The two best analysis procedures are: 1) combined gas-chromatography; mass-spectrometry, 2) combined gas-chromatography; thermal energy analyzer. However a bundle of proofs is always necessary to ascertain the presence of Nitrosamines.", "contents": "[Analysis of volatile N-nitrosamines. A brief review]. The different steps of analysis of volatile N-Nitrosamines: separation from product, clean up, detection, quantification and confirmation are reviewed and discussed. The two best analysis procedures are: 1) combined gas-chromatography; mass-spectrometry, 2) combined gas-chromatography; thermal energy analyzer. However a bundle of proofs is always necessary to ascertain the presence of Nitrosamines.", "PMID": 800992} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11690", "title": "Joseph LeConte on evolution, education, and the structure of knowledge.", "content": "During the last quarter of the nineteenth century the theory of evolution profoundly influenced American thought. In the form of Social Darwinism it significantly shaped views on race, civilization, and political theory. Sociology and psychology were developing concurrently as disciplines. All of these were destined to have an effect upon education, for many intellectuals believed that science in general and evolutionary theory in particular were directly applicable to all areas of thought. Among the advocates of such a role for science and evolutionary theory was Joseph LeConte, whose views on the subject are outlined and compared with his contemporaries.", "contents": "Joseph LeConte on evolution, education, and the structure of knowledge. During the last quarter of the nineteenth century the theory of evolution profoundly influenced American thought. In the form of Social Darwinism it significantly shaped views on race, civilization, and political theory. Sociology and psychology were developing concurrently as disciplines. All of these were destined to have an effect upon education, for many intellectuals believed that science in general and evolutionary theory in particular were directly applicable to all areas of thought. Among the advocates of such a role for science and evolutionary theory was Joseph LeConte, whose views on the subject are outlined and compared with his contemporaries.", "PMID": 801009} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11691", "title": "The impetus to scientific psychology: a recurrent pattern.", "content": "In the nineteenth century, the personal equation, which concerned individual differences in the accuracy of astronomical observations, provided an impetus to the development of experimental psychology. During the first decade of Wundt's laboratory, the measurement of the duration of mental acts received more experimental attention than any other subject. Twentieth century developments in the theoretical physics have stimulated interest in the nature of mental operations and conceptual transformations, a topic which is currently receiving increased attention in psychology. It is suggested that the history of psychology may provide a useful data source for additional work in this area.", "contents": "The impetus to scientific psychology: a recurrent pattern. In the nineteenth century, the personal equation, which concerned individual differences in the accuracy of astronomical observations, provided an impetus to the development of experimental psychology. During the first decade of Wundt's laboratory, the measurement of the duration of mental acts received more experimental attention than any other subject. Twentieth century developments in the theoretical physics have stimulated interest in the nature of mental operations and conceptual transformations, a topic which is currently receiving increased attention in psychology. It is suggested that the history of psychology may provide a useful data source for additional work in this area.", "PMID": 801010} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11692", "title": "Vocational guidance during the Depression: phrenology versus applied psychology.", "content": "The paper describes the design and use of a machine, the \"Psychograph,\" which automatically measured the size and shape of the skull and provided evaluations of mental traits according to phrenological principles. Developed in 1930, the psychograph was billed as a diagnostic tool capable of providing suitable vocational guidance to the thousands of unemployed as a result of the Depression. Its appearance prompted a vigorous opposition from the Psychology Department at the University of Minnesota, especially in the person of Donald L. Paterson. Subsequently, the psychograph was merely exploited for its entertainment value and disappeared after the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago.", "contents": "Vocational guidance during the Depression: phrenology versus applied psychology. The paper describes the design and use of a machine, the \"Psychograph,\" which automatically measured the size and shape of the skull and provided evaluations of mental traits according to phrenological principles. Developed in 1930, the psychograph was billed as a diagnostic tool capable of providing suitable vocational guidance to the thousands of unemployed as a result of the Depression. Its appearance prompted a vigorous opposition from the Psychology Department at the University of Minnesota, especially in the person of Donald L. Paterson. Subsequently, the psychograph was merely exploited for its entertainment value and disappeared after the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago.", "PMID": 801011} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11693", "title": "Reflections on the golden age of Columbia psychology.", "content": "This paper discusses the Golden Age (1920-1940) of the Columbia University psychology department and analyzes some of the sources of its strengths and weaknesses. Much of the credit goes to Robert S. Woodworth, the dean of American experimental psychology, who set up the objective eclectic orientation of the department, recruited a remarkable group of competent faculty members, and above all kept up a cooperative unified spirit in the department. Because the Columbia University psychology department was so influential during its Golden Age, its organization, staffing and departmental characteristics are analyzed. Probably the key to its success was the capability of a guiding genius, Robert S. Woodworth, who gathered a remarkable group of scholars about him. Woodworth's objective eclectic orientation provided the broadest possible approach within a rigorous experimental-statistical orientation. Woodworth's scholarly approach pervaded the department so that many of his colleagues also wrote pioneering encyclopedic works in their particular fields of specialization. The writings of the Columbia psychologists truly shaped the field.", "contents": "Reflections on the golden age of Columbia psychology. This paper discusses the Golden Age (1920-1940) of the Columbia University psychology department and analyzes some of the sources of its strengths and weaknesses. Much of the credit goes to Robert S. Woodworth, the dean of American experimental psychology, who set up the objective eclectic orientation of the department, recruited a remarkable group of competent faculty members, and above all kept up a cooperative unified spirit in the department. Because the Columbia University psychology department was so influential during its Golden Age, its organization, staffing and departmental characteristics are analyzed. Probably the key to its success was the capability of a guiding genius, Robert S. Woodworth, who gathered a remarkable group of scholars about him. Woodworth's objective eclectic orientation provided the broadest possible approach within a rigorous experimental-statistical orientation. Woodworth's scholarly approach pervaded the department so that many of his colleagues also wrote pioneering encyclopedic works in their particular fields of specialization. The writings of the Columbia psychologists truly shaped the field.", "PMID": 801014} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11694", "title": "Effect of specific growth rate and glucose concentration on growth and glucose metabolism of Escherichia coli K-12.", "content": "Chemostat cultures of E. coli K-12 revealed that the metabolic change from respiration to aerobic fermentation can be obtained with increasing specific growth rate at low glucose input concentration (0.1%), or increasing glucose input concentrations at low specific growth rate (0.1 h-1). Both effects do not affect biomass formation. The metabolic change is not related to a pathway switch of glucose utilization. The increase in specific growth rate causes suppression of succinate dehydrogenase, and NADH oxidase, whereas glucose increases cause suppression of succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome a and 2-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Both phenomena are reflected in the specific oxygen uptake rate, specific carbon dioxide production rate and respiratory quotient values. Growth limitation could be related to a maximal glucose uptake rate of the cell and thus constitutes an entirely different effect caused by high glucose input concentration.", "contents": "Effect of specific growth rate and glucose concentration on growth and glucose metabolism of Escherichia coli K-12. Chemostat cultures of E. coli K-12 revealed that the metabolic change from respiration to aerobic fermentation can be obtained with increasing specific growth rate at low glucose input concentration (0.1%), or increasing glucose input concentrations at low specific growth rate (0.1 h-1). Both effects do not affect biomass formation. The metabolic change is not related to a pathway switch of glucose utilization. The increase in specific growth rate causes suppression of succinate dehydrogenase, and NADH oxidase, whereas glucose increases cause suppression of succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome a and 2-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Both phenomena are reflected in the specific oxygen uptake rate, specific carbon dioxide production rate and respiratory quotient values. Growth limitation could be related to a maximal glucose uptake rate of the cell and thus constitutes an entirely different effect caused by high glucose input concentration.", "PMID": 801033} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11695", "title": "Antimicrobial action of dodecyldiethanolamine: activation of ribonuclease I in Escherichia coli.", "content": "Treatment of Escherichia coli with the antimicrobial agent N-dodecyldiethanolamine results in damage to the cytoplasmic membrane and rapid release of components of the metabolic pool. A slower secondary release then takes place. The material in the secondary release contains mainly low molecular compounds, nucleotides and nucleosides derived from the breakdown of ribosomal RNA. Some transfer RNA is also released. Breakdown of RNA occurs as a result of activation of the 'latent' ribonuclease I. Breakdown is inhibited by the ribonuclease inhibitors Ca2+ and Mg2+ and does not occur in a ribonuclease I-deficient strain of E. coli.", "contents": "Antimicrobial action of dodecyldiethanolamine: activation of ribonuclease I in Escherichia coli. Treatment of Escherichia coli with the antimicrobial agent N-dodecyldiethanolamine results in damage to the cytoplasmic membrane and rapid release of components of the metabolic pool. A slower secondary release then takes place. The material in the secondary release contains mainly low molecular compounds, nucleotides and nucleosides derived from the breakdown of ribosomal RNA. Some transfer RNA is also released. Breakdown of RNA occurs as a result of activation of the 'latent' ribonuclease I. Breakdown is inhibited by the ribonuclease inhibitors Ca2+ and Mg2+ and does not occur in a ribonuclease I-deficient strain of E. coli.", "PMID": 801034} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11696", "title": "Radioisotope dilution technique for determination of zinc absorption in vivo.", "content": "A radioisotope dilution technique was adapted for determination of the absorbability of dietary zinc. In 16 growing rats given a casein diet with 12.8 mg Zn/kg dry matter, a mean apparent Zn digestibility of 72.4% was observed in a 6-day balance period 9 days after an intramuscular injection of 65Zn-ZnCl2. There was no significant difference in the specific radioactivity of zinc in blood plasma on day 15 and in urine collected from day 9 to day 15 used to assess the fecal excretion of endogenous zinc. Consequently, there was good agreement between the corresponding mean zinc absorbability (94.8 vs. 95.3%) calculated from these data.", "contents": "Radioisotope dilution technique for determination of zinc absorption in vivo. A radioisotope dilution technique was adapted for determination of the absorbability of dietary zinc. In 16 growing rats given a casein diet with 12.8 mg Zn/kg dry matter, a mean apparent Zn digestibility of 72.4% was observed in a 6-day balance period 9 days after an intramuscular injection of 65Zn-ZnCl2. There was no significant difference in the specific radioactivity of zinc in blood plasma on day 15 and in urine collected from day 9 to day 15 used to assess the fecal excretion of endogenous zinc. Consequently, there was good agreement between the corresponding mean zinc absorbability (94.8 vs. 95.3%) calculated from these data.", "PMID": 801046} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11697", "title": "65Zn-labeled tissue zinc for determination of endogenous fecal zinc excretion in growing rats.", "content": "Experiments were conducted to study whether selected body tissues other than blood plasma provide suitable endogenous zinc sources to determine endogenous fecal zinc excretion and zinc absorbability by the radioisotope dilution technique. In 16 rats with a mean weight of 172 g on the day of 65Zn injection, the apparent digestibility of zinc (12.8 mg Zn/kg diet dry matter) averaged 72.4 +/- 6.2% during a 6-day balance period starting 9 days postinjection. Based on the specific radioactivity of zinc in plasma after 10 days, two-thirds of the fecal zinc were of endogenous origin and the corresponding zinc absorbability averaged about 91%. Zinc absorbabilities computed on the basis of the specific radioactivity of zinc in the small intestine, pancreas and/or kidneys after 15 days were closely comparable to the mean derived with plasma. Other tissues examined were found less suitable to reflect the specific radioactivity of endogenous fecal zinc.", "contents": "65Zn-labeled tissue zinc for determination of endogenous fecal zinc excretion in growing rats. Experiments were conducted to study whether selected body tissues other than blood plasma provide suitable endogenous zinc sources to determine endogenous fecal zinc excretion and zinc absorbability by the radioisotope dilution technique. In 16 rats with a mean weight of 172 g on the day of 65Zn injection, the apparent digestibility of zinc (12.8 mg Zn/kg diet dry matter) averaged 72.4 +/- 6.2% during a 6-day balance period starting 9 days postinjection. Based on the specific radioactivity of zinc in plasma after 10 days, two-thirds of the fecal zinc were of endogenous origin and the corresponding zinc absorbability averaged about 91%. Zinc absorbabilities computed on the basis of the specific radioactivity of zinc in the small intestine, pancreas and/or kidneys after 15 days were closely comparable to the mean derived with plasma. Other tissues examined were found less suitable to reflect the specific radioactivity of endogenous fecal zinc.", "PMID": 801047} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11698", "title": "Use of the split-skin graft in casualty practice.", "content": "The results are presented of the treatment of primary and secondary skin loss in an accident and emergency department by medical staff, of various clinical experience, with split-skin grafting. It is concluded that this is an effective form of treatment in casualty practice.", "contents": "Use of the split-skin graft in casualty practice. The results are presented of the treatment of primary and secondary skin loss in an accident and emergency department by medical staff, of various clinical experience, with split-skin grafting. It is concluded that this is an effective form of treatment in casualty practice.", "PMID": 801052} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11699", "title": "[Treatment of hemorrhage of the digestive system with amine alpha-adrenergic stimulants].", "content": "Noradrenaline was administered through the stomach or peritoneum in thirty patients of the Raza Hospital of the I.M.S.S. in an attempt to control severe gastro-intestinal bleeding as described by Dr. H. H. Le Veen. In 84% of the cases this was accomplished with an average elapsed time of 82 minutes. The method proved to be effective of various etiologies except in those cases in which an important size artery was involved. There were no side effects.", "contents": "[Treatment of hemorrhage of the digestive system with amine alpha-adrenergic stimulants]. Noradrenaline was administered through the stomach or peritoneum in thirty patients of the Raza Hospital of the I.M.S.S. in an attempt to control severe gastro-intestinal bleeding as described by Dr. H. H. Le Veen. In 84% of the cases this was accomplished with an average elapsed time of 82 minutes. The method proved to be effective of various etiologies except in those cases in which an important size artery was involved. There were no side effects.", "PMID": 801053} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11700", "title": "Cryptococcosis in renal transplant patients.", "content": "First, cryptococcal infections in transplant patients can be readily diagnosed and successfully treated; aggressive, innovative uses of currently available drugs should accomplish this. Second, some drug related toxicity, mostly nephrotoxicity and hematologic, is inevitable, and patients must be carefully monitored so that these effects may be minimized. Third, anti-fungal drug assays are available and can be performed and drug levels should be monitored, with the object of obtaining levels which are both reasonably safe and maximally effective in terms of known in vitro susceptibilities of the offending pathogen.", "contents": "Cryptococcosis in renal transplant patients. First, cryptococcal infections in transplant patients can be readily diagnosed and successfully treated; aggressive, innovative uses of currently available drugs should accomplish this. Second, some drug related toxicity, mostly nephrotoxicity and hematologic, is inevitable, and patients must be carefully monitored so that these effects may be minimized. Third, anti-fungal drug assays are available and can be performed and drug levels should be monitored, with the object of obtaining levels which are both reasonably safe and maximally effective in terms of known in vitro susceptibilities of the offending pathogen.", "PMID": 801056} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11701", "title": "Late hypertension in renal transplant recipients: possible role of the donor in late primary hypertension.", "content": "Late onset (3-7 yrs) post-transplant renal hypertension is usually an indication of chronic, irreversible renal damage, and is a poor prognostic sign. In a small percent of patients (10%) however, hypertension can persist for years in conjunction with excellent renal function, and the absence of any known causes of early or late hypertension. This primary hypertension does not seem related to the recipient's pre-transplant blood pressure nor to the original renal disease. Rather, the high incidence of essential hypertension in the respective living related donor suggests that either a hypertensive diathesis exists, common to donor and recipient, or a transplantable factor inherent to the graft, or both causes, predispose to late onset primary hypertension.", "contents": "Late hypertension in renal transplant recipients: possible role of the donor in late primary hypertension. Late onset (3-7 yrs) post-transplant renal hypertension is usually an indication of chronic, irreversible renal damage, and is a poor prognostic sign. In a small percent of patients (10%) however, hypertension can persist for years in conjunction with excellent renal function, and the absence of any known causes of early or late hypertension. This primary hypertension does not seem related to the recipient's pre-transplant blood pressure nor to the original renal disease. Rather, the high incidence of essential hypertension in the respective living related donor suggests that either a hypertensive diathesis exists, common to donor and recipient, or a transplantable factor inherent to the graft, or both causes, predispose to late onset primary hypertension.", "PMID": 801058} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11702", "title": "Relationship of renal transplantation to hypertension in chronic renal failure.", "content": "Hypertension is prevalent in 49% of renal transplant recipients. Chronic rejection and impaired renal function may account for mild to moderate hypertension in most patients. The development of severe hypertension following renal transplantation, however, suggests TRAS, which is amenable to surgical correction with a high probability of success. Post-transplant hypertension did not correlate with renal diagnoses, sex, donor source and/or prednisone dose.", "contents": "Relationship of renal transplantation to hypertension in chronic renal failure. Hypertension is prevalent in 49% of renal transplant recipients. Chronic rejection and impaired renal function may account for mild to moderate hypertension in most patients. The development of severe hypertension following renal transplantation, however, suggests TRAS, which is amenable to surgical correction with a high probability of success. Post-transplant hypertension did not correlate with renal diagnoses, sex, donor source and/or prednisone dose.", "PMID": 801057} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11703", "title": "Renal artery stenosis in renal transplant recipients.", "content": "Of 13 patients with severe post-transplant hypertension, in 11 (85%) the hypertension was secondary to TRAS. Surgical correction of arterial stenosis reversed renal failure in 2 patients and cured or improved hypertension in 9 patients. Renin levels from TRV was normal in patients studied and was not useful in predicting surgical success. The patient's own kidneys are not the cause of post-transplant hypertension. Demonstration of an increased renin activity in the patient's own renal veins is not always associated with relief of hypertension by bilateral nephrectomy.", "contents": "Renal artery stenosis in renal transplant recipients. Of 13 patients with severe post-transplant hypertension, in 11 (85%) the hypertension was secondary to TRAS. Surgical correction of arterial stenosis reversed renal failure in 2 patients and cured or improved hypertension in 9 patients. Renin levels from TRV was normal in patients studied and was not useful in predicting surgical success. The patient's own kidneys are not the cause of post-transplant hypertension. Demonstration of an increased renin activity in the patient's own renal veins is not always associated with relief of hypertension by bilateral nephrectomy.", "PMID": 801061} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11704", "title": "Effective monitoring and modulation of immune reactivity in allograft recipients.", "content": "This study demonstrates that current techniques of immune monitoring and modulation are available, which have potential to reduce early cadaver allograft loss from rejection to 5% or less. The techniques center on the monitoring of T lymphocyte levels and T lymphocyte reactivity, using relatively simple and reproducible assays, which give results within 4-72 hrs, depending upon the tests used. In addition, these techniques include modulation of T cell levels and reactivity using quality-controlled anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) in low doses during the post-transplant period. High potency ATG demonstrates a significant capability of preventing early (3 mos) graft rejection, as well as maintaining low levels and reactivity of T cells for 3 mos or longer, when intermittent low dose therapy is utilized. Evidence is presented that ATG has a relatively selective effect on T lymphocytes and this may result in a degree of selective immunosuppression not achieved in clinical transplantation to date.", "contents": "Effective monitoring and modulation of immune reactivity in allograft recipients. This study demonstrates that current techniques of immune monitoring and modulation are available, which have potential to reduce early cadaver allograft loss from rejection to 5% or less. The techniques center on the monitoring of T lymphocyte levels and T lymphocyte reactivity, using relatively simple and reproducible assays, which give results within 4-72 hrs, depending upon the tests used. In addition, these techniques include modulation of T cell levels and reactivity using quality-controlled anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) in low doses during the post-transplant period. High potency ATG demonstrates a significant capability of preventing early (3 mos) graft rejection, as well as maintaining low levels and reactivity of T cells for 3 mos or longer, when intermittent low dose therapy is utilized. Evidence is presented that ATG has a relatively selective effect on T lymphocytes and this may result in a degree of selective immunosuppression not achieved in clinical transplantation to date.", "PMID": 801063} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11705", "title": "Generic inequivalence between two brands of chloramphenicol capsule.", "content": "Generic inequivalence between two brands of chloramphenicol capsules has been investigated. Both brands complied with official standards for drug content and capsule disintegration time, and exhibited similar anti-bacterial activity when tested in vitro. A slow dissolution rate was observed with one brand which could be related to a formulation defect which might explain reported therapeutic inefficacy.", "contents": "Generic inequivalence between two brands of chloramphenicol capsule. Generic inequivalence between two brands of chloramphenicol capsules has been investigated. Both brands complied with official standards for drug content and capsule disintegration time, and exhibited similar anti-bacterial activity when tested in vitro. A slow dissolution rate was observed with one brand which could be related to a formulation defect which might explain reported therapeutic inefficacy.", "PMID": 801080} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11706", "title": "Ureteric necrosis after kidney transplantation.", "content": "Uretero-cystostomy was used as reconstructive procedure in 298 cadaver kidney transplantations. Necrosis of the graft ureter occured in 10 cases (3.4%). 2 of these graft ureters had malformations and 1 was denuded at donor nephrectomy. The occurrence of ureteral necrosis was not related to histocompatibility or number of rejection crises nor to the duration of the warm ischemia. A higher incidence of ureteral necrosis after long cold ischemia is demonstrated, but the material is too small to permit conclusive evidence on this point.", "contents": "Ureteric necrosis after kidney transplantation. Uretero-cystostomy was used as reconstructive procedure in 298 cadaver kidney transplantations. Necrosis of the graft ureter occured in 10 cases (3.4%). 2 of these graft ureters had malformations and 1 was denuded at donor nephrectomy. The occurrence of ureteral necrosis was not related to histocompatibility or number of rejection crises nor to the duration of the warm ischemia. A higher incidence of ureteral necrosis after long cold ischemia is demonstrated, but the material is too small to permit conclusive evidence on this point.", "PMID": 801099} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11707", "title": "Long term survival and graft function after cadaver kidney transplantation.", "content": "During the period 1968-75 310 cadaver kidney transplantations were carried out; 261 first-time, 45 second-time and 4 third-time transplantations. Graft survival after 5 years was about 30% for both the first and the second transplant. Patient survival after 5 years was about 50%. No relationship could be found between match grade and graft survival whereas the patient survival was definitely better in the younger age groups. The major cause of graft loss was rejection, vascular and ureteral complications being less frequent. The main cause of lethal outcome was complications to the immunosuppressive therapy and to a lesser degree cardiovascular events and malignant disorders. Cadaver kidney transplantation is an acceptable treatment of chronical renal failure particularly in younger persons and in cases where dialysis treatment is difficult.", "contents": "Long term survival and graft function after cadaver kidney transplantation. During the period 1968-75 310 cadaver kidney transplantations were carried out; 261 first-time, 45 second-time and 4 third-time transplantations. Graft survival after 5 years was about 30% for both the first and the second transplant. Patient survival after 5 years was about 50%. No relationship could be found between match grade and graft survival whereas the patient survival was definitely better in the younger age groups. The major cause of graft loss was rejection, vascular and ureteral complications being less frequent. The main cause of lethal outcome was complications to the immunosuppressive therapy and to a lesser degree cardiovascular events and malignant disorders. Cadaver kidney transplantation is an acceptable treatment of chronical renal failure particularly in younger persons and in cases where dialysis treatment is difficult.", "PMID": 801100} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11708", "title": "[Alpha-hydroxy-acid dehydrogenase activity in Trypanosoma cruzi].", "content": "Crude extracts of culture forms of epimastigotes, Tulahu\u00e9n strain, showed activity to catalyze the reaction alpha-ketocid in equilibrium alpha-hydroxyacid linked to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). The enzyme utilizes the following substrates: alpha-ketobutyrate, alpha-ketoisovalerate, alpha-keto-beta-methylvalerate, alpha-ketocaproate, alpha-ketoisocaproate, alpha-ketoglutarate and pyruvate. Kinetics for the three last substrates were of the Michaelian type. For the other ketocids, curves of activity against substrate concentration exhibited a bimodal character. Km and V values for alpha-ketoisocaproate were strikingly higher than those for the other substrates. Electrophoretic separation of extracts on polyacrylamide gel and specific staining showed a single zone of enzymatic activity with similar mobility for all the alpha-OH-acids tested. This finding would indicate that the same protein is responsible for the reaction. The observations presented demonstrate that culture forms of Trypanosoma cruzi possess the ability to interconvert pyruvate in equilibrium lactate and to regenerate NAD in anaerobiosis. Although the physiological significance of the reaction with alpha-ketoacids other than pyruvate is not known, similarity of substrate of substrate spectrum between alpha-OH-acid dehydrogenase from Trypanosoma cruzi and lactate dehydrogenase ioenzyme X from mammalian and avian spermatozoa is interesting. Perhaps activity of flagella requires analogous metabolic pathways.", "contents": "[Alpha-hydroxy-acid dehydrogenase activity in Trypanosoma cruzi]. Crude extracts of culture forms of epimastigotes, Tulahu\u00e9n strain, showed activity to catalyze the reaction alpha-ketocid in equilibrium alpha-hydroxyacid linked to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). The enzyme utilizes the following substrates: alpha-ketobutyrate, alpha-ketoisovalerate, alpha-keto-beta-methylvalerate, alpha-ketocaproate, alpha-ketoisocaproate, alpha-ketoglutarate and pyruvate. Kinetics for the three last substrates were of the Michaelian type. For the other ketocids, curves of activity against substrate concentration exhibited a bimodal character. Km and V values for alpha-ketoisocaproate were strikingly higher than those for the other substrates. Electrophoretic separation of extracts on polyacrylamide gel and specific staining showed a single zone of enzymatic activity with similar mobility for all the alpha-OH-acids tested. This finding would indicate that the same protein is responsible for the reaction. The observations presented demonstrate that culture forms of Trypanosoma cruzi possess the ability to interconvert pyruvate in equilibrium lactate and to regenerate NAD in anaerobiosis. Although the physiological significance of the reaction with alpha-ketoacids other than pyruvate is not known, similarity of substrate of substrate spectrum between alpha-OH-acid dehydrogenase from Trypanosoma cruzi and lactate dehydrogenase ioenzyme X from mammalian and avian spermatozoa is interesting. Perhaps activity of flagella requires analogous metabolic pathways.", "PMID": 801103} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11709", "title": "Cellular resistance to arbovirus infection.", "content": "When an arbovirus enters an arthropod in an infected blood meal, several mechanisms may interact to affect its life cycle and ultimate transmissibility. Intrinsic absolute failure in the establishment of infection must be contrasted with infection that is successfully established but is variably modulated in its viral yield throughout the vector's life-span. Degrees of vertebrate host resistance make this modulation a central factor in determining whether an arthropod is an important vector in nature; moreover, human intervention that affects modulating mechanisms may become a basis for disease control. In the absence of evidence of real immune resistance to arbovirus infections in arthropods, other more primitive modulating mechanisms must be considered: interferonlike substances may be formed in arthropod cells; arthropod cells may \"cure\" themselves by a unique endophagocytic digestion of their virus burden; homologous interference with viral replicative processes may be mediated via wild or mutant viral RNA species acting to shut down further RNA synthesis; and homologous interference may be mediated by RNA of defective-interfering virus formed earlier in infection.", "contents": "Cellular resistance to arbovirus infection. When an arbovirus enters an arthropod in an infected blood meal, several mechanisms may interact to affect its life cycle and ultimate transmissibility. Intrinsic absolute failure in the establishment of infection must be contrasted with infection that is successfully established but is variably modulated in its viral yield throughout the vector's life-span. Degrees of vertebrate host resistance make this modulation a central factor in determining whether an arthropod is an important vector in nature; moreover, human intervention that affects modulating mechanisms may become a basis for disease control. In the absence of evidence of real immune resistance to arbovirus infections in arthropods, other more primitive modulating mechanisms must be considered: interferonlike substances may be formed in arthropod cells; arthropod cells may \"cure\" themselves by a unique endophagocytic digestion of their virus burden; homologous interference with viral replicative processes may be mediated via wild or mutant viral RNA species acting to shut down further RNA synthesis; and homologous interference may be mediated by RNA of defective-interfering virus formed earlier in infection.", "PMID": 801110} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11710", "title": "Aphasia in Maurice Ravel.", "content": "A selective loss of language resulting from left hemisphere cerebral lesions is familiar to all neurologists but only rarely does such a deficit allow preexisting extraordinary capabilities of the right hemisphere to emerge. A retrospective case history of French composer Maurice Ravel demonstrates such a right-sided cognitive system. At 58, Ravel was struck with aphasia, which quelled any further artistic output. Most strikingly, he was able to think musically but unable to express his ideas in either writing or performance. Hemispheric lateralization for verbal (linguistic) and musical thinking offers an explanation for the dissociation of Ravel's ability to conceive and to create. What makes Ravel's history interesting to the public as well as to physicians is not only the tragic toll exacted in this composer's personal and creative life but also the resultant loss of the output of one of the 20th century's towering musical geniuses.", "contents": "Aphasia in Maurice Ravel. A selective loss of language resulting from left hemisphere cerebral lesions is familiar to all neurologists but only rarely does such a deficit allow preexisting extraordinary capabilities of the right hemisphere to emerge. A retrospective case history of French composer Maurice Ravel demonstrates such a right-sided cognitive system. At 58, Ravel was struck with aphasia, which quelled any further artistic output. Most strikingly, he was able to think musically but unable to express his ideas in either writing or performance. Hemispheric lateralization for verbal (linguistic) and musical thinking offers an explanation for the dissociation of Ravel's ability to conceive and to create. What makes Ravel's history interesting to the public as well as to physicians is not only the tragic toll exacted in this composer's personal and creative life but also the resultant loss of the output of one of the 20th century's towering musical geniuses.", "PMID": 801118} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11711", "title": "Immunologic response and factors affecting its assessment.", "content": "The potential harmful effects of toxic compounds on the developing immune system are discussed. This discussion is illustrated by results of studies of the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on the developing immune system of Fischer rats. While this compound and several others have been shown to have immunosuppressive effects, the available data do not support routine evaluation of the consequence of chemical exposure to the developing immune system.", "contents": "Immunologic response and factors affecting its assessment. The potential harmful effects of toxic compounds on the developing immune system are discussed. This discussion is illustrated by results of studies of the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on the developing immune system of Fischer rats. While this compound and several others have been shown to have immunosuppressive effects, the available data do not support routine evaluation of the consequence of chemical exposure to the developing immune system.", "PMID": 801132} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11712", "title": "Comparison of chemical and immunological characteristics of some commercially obtainable conjugates.", "content": "A method is suggested for the chemical and immunological characterization of commercially obtainable conjugates. 19 antihuman IgG; IgA; IgM and beta1A-beta1C conjugates of various origine were compared by means of the method. The most surprising characteristics of the samples were the great differences in that quality. Experiments carried out with conjugates of poor quality will produce doubtful or contradictory results. Reliable characterization of conjugates is an essential and important part of immunofluorescent examination.", "contents": "Comparison of chemical and immunological characteristics of some commercially obtainable conjugates. A method is suggested for the chemical and immunological characterization of commercially obtainable conjugates. 19 antihuman IgG; IgA; IgM and beta1A-beta1C conjugates of various origine were compared by means of the method. The most surprising characteristics of the samples were the great differences in that quality. Experiments carried out with conjugates of poor quality will produce doubtful or contradictory results. Reliable characterization of conjugates is an essential and important part of immunofluorescent examination.", "PMID": 801134} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11713", "title": "The cultivation of BHK monolayer cells on DEAE Sephadex A50 beads maintained in suspension.", "content": "The effect of changes in the conditions which control the growth of BHK monolayer cells on the surface of DEAE Sephadex A50 beads is examined. For any particular parameter a range of conditions exists which supports the growth of cells to adequate levels.", "contents": "The cultivation of BHK monolayer cells on DEAE Sephadex A50 beads maintained in suspension. The effect of changes in the conditions which control the growth of BHK monolayer cells on the surface of DEAE Sephadex A50 beads is examined. For any particular parameter a range of conditions exists which supports the growth of cells to adequate levels.", "PMID": 801135} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11714", "title": "Historical recollections of freeze-drying.", "content": "The history of freeze-drying is surprisingly recent. Although Altmann used freeze-drying for the preparation of histological sections as early as 1890, his technique went unnoticed for over 40 years. Shackell independently rediscovered the technique in 1909 for the preservation of biologicals. The industrial applications of freeze-drying do not appear to have been appreciated prior to the patients of Tival in 1927 and Elser in 1934, rapidly followed by the important contributions of Flosdorf in the United States and Greaves in England who were largely responsible for making large scale applications of freeze-drying possible. Stimulated particularly by a series of symposia in England and the United States and the renowned courses on freeze-drying organized by Rey in France, the atmosphere in the 1950s and early 60s was one of optimism for the future of freeze-drying, particularly in its application to food stuffs. Many of the dreams of that time remain unfulfilled, largely because of the higher costs of quality processing. Nevertheless, although the optimism may have somewhat dimmed, the promise remains, and economic changes in the future may well stimulate another surge in development.", "contents": "Historical recollections of freeze-drying. The history of freeze-drying is surprisingly recent. Although Altmann used freeze-drying for the preparation of histological sections as early as 1890, his technique went unnoticed for over 40 years. Shackell independently rediscovered the technique in 1909 for the preservation of biologicals. The industrial applications of freeze-drying do not appear to have been appreciated prior to the patients of Tival in 1927 and Elser in 1934, rapidly followed by the important contributions of Flosdorf in the United States and Greaves in England who were largely responsible for making large scale applications of freeze-drying possible. Stimulated particularly by a series of symposia in England and the United States and the renowned courses on freeze-drying organized by Rey in France, the atmosphere in the 1950s and early 60s was one of optimism for the future of freeze-drying, particularly in its application to food stuffs. Many of the dreams of that time remain unfulfilled, largely because of the higher costs of quality processing. Nevertheless, although the optimism may have somewhat dimmed, the promise remains, and economic changes in the future may well stimulate another surge in development.", "PMID": 801137} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11715", "title": "Reflections on a do-it-yourself training program in clinical psychology.", "content": "This paper is a somewhat modified version of the inaugural Rapaport--Klein Memorial Lecture at Austen Riggs Center presented June 21, 1974. The author describes the experiences, the series of \"apprenticeships\" and clinical exposures, which coalesced into his education, from teenage days in the New York Madison House settlement, through Harvard undergraduate and graduate work, to Worcester State Hospital as head of psychological services and research. In conclusion, the author discusses the effects of the kinds of training experiences he has described on the issues that arose in the formulation of formal standards of training in clinical psychology.", "contents": "Reflections on a do-it-yourself training program in clinical psychology. This paper is a somewhat modified version of the inaugural Rapaport--Klein Memorial Lecture at Austen Riggs Center presented June 21, 1974. The author describes the experiences, the series of \"apprenticeships\" and clinical exposures, which coalesced into his education, from teenage days in the New York Madison House settlement, through Harvard undergraduate and graduate work, to Worcester State Hospital as head of psychological services and research. In conclusion, the author discusses the effects of the kinds of training experiences he has described on the issues that arose in the formulation of formal standards of training in clinical psychology.", "PMID": 801140} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11716", "title": "Professional sociologists and the history of sociology: a survey of recent opinion.", "content": "Using members of the American Sociological Association, we attempt to determine the amount and degree of interest in the history of sociology; the particular nature of that interest; and the special sources of that interest. We find that the most significant factor affecting both degree and nature of interest in the history of sociology is the speciality of the sociologist himself.", "contents": "Professional sociologists and the history of sociology: a survey of recent opinion. Using members of the American Sociological Association, we attempt to determine the amount and degree of interest in the history of sociology; the particular nature of that interest; and the special sources of that interest. We find that the most significant factor affecting both degree and nature of interest in the history of sociology is the speciality of the sociologist himself.", "PMID": 801141} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11717", "title": "Dr. Matataro Matsumoto: his career and achievements.", "content": "Dr. M. Matsumoto (1865--1943) is the most eminent figure in the history of psychology in Japan. Before the close of the last century, he acquired the scientific methods and technics of experimental psychology in America and Germany and introduced all of them into Japanese universities. Establishing psychological laboratories in both Tokyo and Kyoto, he trained many famous psychologists. He advocated \"Psychocynematics\" as early as 1910. Together with his followers he applied psychology to every aspect of our daily life. He organized the Japanese Psychological Association and several periodicals were started under his leadership. He also made some important artistic contributions to the fields of picture and caligraphy.", "contents": "Dr. Matataro Matsumoto: his career and achievements. Dr. M. Matsumoto (1865--1943) is the most eminent figure in the history of psychology in Japan. Before the close of the last century, he acquired the scientific methods and technics of experimental psychology in America and Germany and introduced all of them into Japanese universities. Establishing psychological laboratories in both Tokyo and Kyoto, he trained many famous psychologists. He advocated \"Psychocynematics\" as early as 1910. Together with his followers he applied psychology to every aspect of our daily life. He organized the Japanese Psychological Association and several periodicals were started under his leadership. He also made some important artistic contributions to the fields of picture and caligraphy.", "PMID": 801142} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11718", "title": "Society, self, and mind in moral philosophy: the Scottish moralists as precursors of symbolic interactionism.", "content": "Many of the concepts central to symbolic interactionism were anticipated by the eighteenth century Scottish moralists. The symbolic-interactionist and Scottish moralist orientations both hold that society alone engenders uniquely human qualities, self-arises through sympathetic interaction, and mind and self reconstruct their environments. George H. Mead's conception of though as internal dialogue between the \"I\" and \"me\" aspects of the self and his notion of the \"generalized other\" were foreshadowed by some of the Scottish moralists, particularly Adam Smith. These schools differ, though in their treatments of emotion, communication, political structures, and the origin of sympathy.", "contents": "Society, self, and mind in moral philosophy: the Scottish moralists as precursors of symbolic interactionism. Many of the concepts central to symbolic interactionism were anticipated by the eighteenth century Scottish moralists. The symbolic-interactionist and Scottish moralist orientations both hold that society alone engenders uniquely human qualities, self-arises through sympathetic interaction, and mind and self reconstruct their environments. George H. Mead's conception of though as internal dialogue between the \"I\" and \"me\" aspects of the self and his notion of the \"generalized other\" were foreshadowed by some of the Scottish moralists, particularly Adam Smith. These schools differ, though in their treatments of emotion, communication, political structures, and the origin of sympathy.", "PMID": 801143} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11719", "title": "Galton and the birth of differential psychology and eugenics: social, political, and economic forces.", "content": "The social, political, and economic forces operative in nineteenth-century Britain are briefly described. This permits tracing the birth of both the scientific study of individual differences and the field of eugenics to the infrastructure of society at that time. The distinction is made between the normative doctrine of individualism and the factual study of individual differences. It is argued that democratic--liberal--capitalistic--individualism, in part, conditioned the beginning of differential psychology and eugenics. In this process, Galton's liberal views concerning individual freedom and opportunity for full development became transformed into their dialectic--totalitarian--collectivism--a vision of an ideal state which did not come into being. It is paradoxically concluded that those same social forces which helped bring about the birth of differential psychology and the entailing eugenics ideology prevented the latter from being accepted and implemented.", "contents": "Galton and the birth of differential psychology and eugenics: social, political, and economic forces. The social, political, and economic forces operative in nineteenth-century Britain are briefly described. This permits tracing the birth of both the scientific study of individual differences and the field of eugenics to the infrastructure of society at that time. The distinction is made between the normative doctrine of individualism and the factual study of individual differences. It is argued that democratic--liberal--capitalistic--individualism, in part, conditioned the beginning of differential psychology and eugenics. In this process, Galton's liberal views concerning individual freedom and opportunity for full development became transformed into their dialectic--totalitarian--collectivism--a vision of an ideal state which did not come into being. It is paradoxically concluded that those same social forces which helped bring about the birth of differential psychology and the entailing eugenics ideology prevented the latter from being accepted and implemented.", "PMID": 801144} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11720", "title": "Laboratory instruments in the history of psychology.", "content": "The importance of laboratory instruments as sources for the writing of the history of psychology is stressed, and illustrated through the use of examples where their study has been profitable. Most importantly, the role of the Hipp chronoscope in the reaction-time experiment is discussed, and the importance of various changes introduced into its design by James McKeen Cattell is shown. A photograph, first exhibited by the Department of Psychology of Clark University at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago is included, and further illustrates the importance of these instruments to historians.", "contents": "Laboratory instruments in the history of psychology. The importance of laboratory instruments as sources for the writing of the history of psychology is stressed, and illustrated through the use of examples where their study has been profitable. Most importantly, the role of the Hipp chronoscope in the reaction-time experiment is discussed, and the importance of various changes introduced into its design by James McKeen Cattell is shown. A photograph, first exhibited by the Department of Psychology of Clark University at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago is included, and further illustrates the importance of these instruments to historians.", "PMID": 801145} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11721", "title": "The faculty psychology of Thomas Reid.", "content": "Contradictory versions of Reid's faculty psychology have been presented. A reexamination of Reid's writings suggests that the term, faculty, was used not as a classificatory device but rather to refer to innate, universal, and active mental powers. Being active, the faculties are one of the basic causes of observable psychological phenomena. The relation of the faculties to other mental powers is considered. A new listing and classification of such powers is compared with that presented in 1936 by H.D. Spoerl which has been used as the basis for much of the subsequent analysis of Reid's faculty psychology.", "contents": "The faculty psychology of Thomas Reid. Contradictory versions of Reid's faculty psychology have been presented. A reexamination of Reid's writings suggests that the term, faculty, was used not as a classificatory device but rather to refer to innate, universal, and active mental powers. Being active, the faculties are one of the basic causes of observable psychological phenomena. The relation of the faculties to other mental powers is considered. A new listing and classification of such powers is compared with that presented in 1936 by H.D. Spoerl which has been used as the basis for much of the subsequent analysis of Reid's faculty psychology.", "PMID": 801146} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11722", "title": "[Standardization of the isotope dilution technic for chromium determination, using Cr-51].", "content": "In order to improve the identification and quantity determination of chromium in biological material the conditions for obtaining chromium chelate were studied. The method used for this purpose was gas chromatography standardized by isotopic dilution (Cr-51) technique. The results showed the adequacy of the method concerning sensitivity and standardization.", "contents": "[Standardization of the isotope dilution technic for chromium determination, using Cr-51]. In order to improve the identification and quantity determination of chromium in biological material the conditions for obtaining chromium chelate were studied. The method used for this purpose was gas chromatography standardized by isotopic dilution (Cr-51) technique. The results showed the adequacy of the method concerning sensitivity and standardization.", "PMID": 801188} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11723", "title": "IgA nephropathy in children.", "content": "Three children presented with proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, episodic gross hematuria and normal renal function. Renal histology consisted predominantly of mesangial IgA deposition. The above clinical and biopsy findings are consistent with a diagnosis of IgA nephropathy. To date, these 3 children have maintained normal renal function. The authors hypothesize that this may be due to the absence of simultaneous complement deposition within the glomerulus.", "contents": "IgA nephropathy in children. Three children presented with proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, episodic gross hematuria and normal renal function. Renal histology consisted predominantly of mesangial IgA deposition. The above clinical and biopsy findings are consistent with a diagnosis of IgA nephropathy. To date, these 3 children have maintained normal renal function. The authors hypothesize that this may be due to the absence of simultaneous complement deposition within the glomerulus.", "PMID": 801208} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11724", "title": "Complex traumatic posterior urethral strictures.", "content": "A distinction between simple and complex posterior urethral strictures is proposed. The development of a complex stricture, requiring an extensive transpubic repair, must be regarded as a less than admirable result of the initial treatment, even if it is occasionally inevitable. However, it is particularly important that our endeavors to improve the end result of the relatively rare severe urethral injuries should not result in over-management of the relatively minor injuries, since this could increase the stricture potential of many. Therefore, we must keep our over-all concepts of the initial management of urethral injuries under careful review. Posterior urethroplasty should be regarded as a specialist procedure. It can be made to appear beguilingly simple but it cannot be recommended for occasional or general use. Even the relatively simple free patch graft technique is inadvisable for use in the sphincter area for surgeons who do not have considerable experience of it in the relatively forgiving bulbourethral area. The results of repair of posterior urethral strictures, even the complex ones, by anastomotic procedures can be excellent but real competence depends upon a particular aptitude of the surgeon for the minutiae of reconstructive techniques, appropriate training in a specializing department, a real ongoing numerical experience and special instrumentation with facilities for detailed urodynamic evaluation of this sphincter active area of the urethra.", "contents": "Complex traumatic posterior urethral strictures. A distinction between simple and complex posterior urethral strictures is proposed. The development of a complex stricture, requiring an extensive transpubic repair, must be regarded as a less than admirable result of the initial treatment, even if it is occasionally inevitable. However, it is particularly important that our endeavors to improve the end result of the relatively rare severe urethral injuries should not result in over-management of the relatively minor injuries, since this could increase the stricture potential of many. Therefore, we must keep our over-all concepts of the initial management of urethral injuries under careful review. Posterior urethroplasty should be regarded as a specialist procedure. It can be made to appear beguilingly simple but it cannot be recommended for occasional or general use. Even the relatively simple free patch graft technique is inadvisable for use in the sphincter area for surgeons who do not have considerable experience of it in the relatively forgiving bulbourethral area. The results of repair of posterior urethral strictures, even the complex ones, by anastomotic procedures can be excellent but real competence depends upon a particular aptitude of the surgeon for the minutiae of reconstructive techniques, appropriate training in a specializing department, a real ongoing numerical experience and special instrumentation with facilities for detailed urodynamic evaluation of this sphincter active area of the urethra.", "PMID": 801212} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11725", "title": "Studies of introital colonization in women with recurrent urinary infections. VII. The role of bacterial adherence.", "content": "The susceptibility of the vaginal introitus to colonization by enterobacteria appears to be the biologic defect that separates women who experience recurrent urinary infection from those resistant to recurrent infection. Colonization of a mucosal surface is mediated in part by the ability of an organism to adhere to the surface. We describe an in vitro model that measures the capacity of different bacterial species to adhere to human vaginal epithelial cells. Different bacteria are demonstrated to vary in their adhesive properties. Escherichia coli is shown to adhere more readily to vaginal cells from women with recurrent urinary infection than to similar cells from control women resistant to urinary infection (p less than 0.001). These studies suggest that biologic susceptibility to recurrent urinary infections in women is related to a defect at the cellular level that encourages or favors bacterial adherence.", "contents": "Studies of introital colonization in women with recurrent urinary infections. VII. The role of bacterial adherence. The susceptibility of the vaginal introitus to colonization by enterobacteria appears to be the biologic defect that separates women who experience recurrent urinary infection from those resistant to recurrent infection. Colonization of a mucosal surface is mediated in part by the ability of an organism to adhere to the surface. We describe an in vitro model that measures the capacity of different bacterial species to adhere to human vaginal epithelial cells. Different bacteria are demonstrated to vary in their adhesive properties. Escherichia coli is shown to adhere more readily to vaginal cells from women with recurrent urinary infection than to similar cells from control women resistant to urinary infection (p less than 0.001). These studies suggest that biologic susceptibility to recurrent urinary infections in women is related to a defect at the cellular level that encourages or favors bacterial adherence.", "PMID": 801213} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11726", "title": "Bladder defense mechanism.", "content": "In order for micro-organisms to infect the urinary tract they must adhere to the vesical mucosa so that they remain after voiding. Experiments in our laboratory demonstrated that the bladder has a self-protective mechanism capable of preventing bacterial adherence to the surface. Histochemical staining demonstrated that this substance is a mucopolysaccharide. Treatment of the mucosa with acid disrupted the protective layer and resulted in a 20 to 100-fold increase in bacterial adherence. Within 24 hours this layer reappeared and binding was again reduced to normal. This phenomenon was not related to microbial species or metabolic activity.", "contents": "Bladder defense mechanism. In order for micro-organisms to infect the urinary tract they must adhere to the vesical mucosa so that they remain after voiding. Experiments in our laboratory demonstrated that the bladder has a self-protective mechanism capable of preventing bacterial adherence to the surface. Histochemical staining demonstrated that this substance is a mucopolysaccharide. Treatment of the mucosa with acid disrupted the protective layer and resulted in a 20 to 100-fold increase in bacterial adherence. Within 24 hours this layer reappeared and binding was again reduced to normal. This phenomenon was not related to microbial species or metabolic activity.", "PMID": 801214} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11727", "title": "Stereotactic diagnosis of epilepsy by electrical stimulation.", "content": "The effects and role of electrostimulation have been studied in 44 acute stereo-EEG explorations. Analysis of the stimulus threshold and of the clinical and electrical responses allows to separate the epileptogenic, the irritative, the \"physiologically\" reacting and the actually \"silent\" areas of the epileptic brain. Electrical stimulation is a valuable diagnostic method to reveal the focality, the multiplicity and the degree of the seizure disposition in epilepsy.", "contents": "Stereotactic diagnosis of epilepsy by electrical stimulation. The effects and role of electrostimulation have been studied in 44 acute stereo-EEG explorations. Analysis of the stimulus threshold and of the clinical and electrical responses allows to separate the epileptogenic, the irritative, the \"physiologically\" reacting and the actually \"silent\" areas of the epileptic brain. Electrical stimulation is a valuable diagnostic method to reveal the focality, the multiplicity and the degree of the seizure disposition in epilepsy.", "PMID": 801221} {"id": "pubmed23n0026_11728", "title": "Surgical and stereotactic attempts in intractable epilepsy.", "content": "The eras of surgical treatment of epilepsy, and experience with operations for epilepsy, especially those for temporal epilepsy, and stereotactic attempts based on depth multilead electrodes investigations and electro stimulation are described. Classical exposure and focus resection seems adequate whilst stereotaxy ought to be improved for the selective elimination of target structure activating the coded seizure pattern.", "contents": "Surgical and stereotactic attempts in intractable epilepsy. The eras of surgical treatment of epilepsy, and experience with operations for epilepsy, especially those for temporal epilepsy, and stereotactic attempts based on depth multilead electrodes investigations and electro stimulation are described. Classical exposure and focus resection seems adequate whilst stereotaxy ought to be improved for the selective elimination of target structure activating the coded seizure pattern.", "PMID": 801222}